♥ All Good Things, Must Come To An End. ♥

If you've followed my blog for a while, you might know I've been living in Gibraltar for the last three months. It's had it's ups and downs for me but it's just not a place I can settle and work in. The working industries there are aimed at customer service or bar work/waitressing. I don't have a problem with these at all, but it's just something I don't wish to do. I could never see myself being happy sitting in an office answering calls and helping people on a customer service basis or serving people food. It's just not for me. When I initially moved here, I intended on finding a job in retail as that's what I did back home but I was looking for more fashion retail work and here, those jobs require you to speak fluent Spanish. Something I wasn't aware of. Many things have told me I need to go home and regroup. We had a problem with our apartment and we had to leave, money has been an issue (can't work on a blog if you don't have the money to get products!) and the last few days have just been an emotional train-wreck. So I have a week holiday booked in Torremolinos, Spain which is about 2 hours away on a bus and I'm going to relax, work out (who the hotel has a gym!) and catch up on some reading. I have a few posts I'm going to work on so I can put them up while I'm there and then I'm going to get back home and back working on my blog.

Although I've found things hard here, I'm really looking forward to going home and seeing my friends and family. Even though I'm going to be jobless, I see it as an opportunity to write more and focus on myself. Coming here as opened a window for me. I've found a love for travelling which I didn't think would ever happen. I now know I want to do so much more with my life. I've even started looking into animal conservation projects in Africa and Asia. I really recommend people try and do something like this. If I ever do it (which I know I will :P) I will definitely do a blog post on that. Oh imagine the photography you could take. 
Okay time to get back on topic! I've done things in the last few months I've never done in my entire life and even though this has been a bit of a fail, It still counts as a life lesson and a step in the right direction. 

I truly believe in the phrase, don't knock it until you try it. It might be my new mantra!
I hope you guys have liked the few posts I've done about my trip here, and I hope you like the pictures I've posted. It really is a beautiful place, just might be the wrong time for me. Never give up on your dreams and opportunities as you continue to grow and learn every time you do something new. 

♡ My Blogging Camera & Questions Answered! ♡

"Do I need an DSLR for my blog?"

"How much should I spend on a camera?" 

"Should I buy a million lenses, fancy tripod, crazy lighting?"

I'm going to answer these questions and tell you about the camera I own, why I bought it and what I use it for. So let's get started! 

I've been blogging now for over a year and it's only lately I've gotten quite serious about it. Only because I'm out of work, I just moved country and it's been keeping me sane. I've always loved writing and make up and shopping so it just felt like something fun to do. 

Last year I bought a Nikon D3200 with some money I had saved up from my wages. I researched a lot of cameras and was asking these questions to myself. 

Did I need it for my blog? No. Absolutely not! but I intended on travelling and I wanted to explore the world of photography so the D3200 seemed like a perfect introductory camera for this. At the time I think it cost me about €550 (now I think it's about €100 cheaper) It came with a standard 'kit' lens and some nice features. I could also use it for my blog. If I wasn't into photography would I have bought it? No. Personally, a digital camera is just as good for a beginner blogger. Why spend money on something you don't know you're going to actually do and be serious about? 

Next question! How much to spend. Well if you're like everyone else I'm sure you either have an Iphone which has quite a good 8mp camera on it. I'm often surprised about what it can do. If not sure you or your parents have a digital camera. Before my DSLR I had a Fujifilm 14mp digital and it was quite the nifty thing. If not, have a look on websites like Donedeal.ie or Adverts.ie there's always someone selling something for cheap! Or even borrow a camera. Perhaps a family member no longer uses theirs because they just use their phone. 

Lastly, you've bought yourself a DSLR because you think you needed something better and more able to get that crisp picture you desire. But it's just not enough. "Should I buy a new lens? Do I need a tripod? Lighting?" Kit lenses can only get you so far. They're not the best but they're not the worst. In my personal opinion, the next lens you could get for your blog would be a nice 50mm or 35mm lens. They're good for close ups which is also good for street photography and nice nature photography too. As for a tripod and lighting. If you're serious and want to start a youtube channel perhaps then yes maybe. A tripod would also come in handy for landscape photography if you wanted dual purpose. Lighting isn't an expense I think you should dish out on for a long time. Try taking your blog pictures in the morning and if you're serious then look into it in the future. Don't waste money for no reason!

♥ First Aid Beauty ♥

If you're looking for an amazing skincare product, look no further and just read this blog post!

Before I left Ireland, my skin had exploded with spots. That was back in February. It's now May and It's only been the last few weeks that my skin has really started to improve. I couldn't figure out what was causing it which was the most frustrating thing. I hadn't changed any products at all in my routine and I couldn't even blame it on the change of climate because it happened while I was still in Ireland. So when I got to Gibraltar I bought a natural home made soap and that didn't work, I tried spot treatments, cleansers and still no luck. My skin was dry, super flaky, spotty and just in a terrible condition. It was starting to hurt my self esteem and since I don't ever suffer with spots like this, it was really annoying. I even started to think it was an allergy to a bi-product in something but even taking piriton wasn't helping. So I hit up my friend youtube and found First Aid Beauty!

I went to feelunique.com (which is my favourite website for beauty stuff) and bought the Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay for £18 and the Skin Rescue Purifying Mask with Red Clay for £22. I know these prices seem a bit steep but I was desperate and boy am I glad I bought them. I started using them straight away and within 3-4 days my skin had started to clear up. The texture of both products are super smooth and silky but you can feel them working without being too heavy on your skin. The mask is also really fun because unlike most clay masks, it's a peel off one. My favourite!
So in conclusion, if you have troubled skin that's making you feel like there's no saving it, go check out these products and I promise you that they will improve your skin.

Hope you're having a FAB (see what I did there?) weekend and i'll be back in the week with more posts!

♡ Michael Kors ♡

Michael Kors is an American designer based in New York but over the last few years, his accessories have just been exploding all over the world. These are the three most valued pieces that I own.

The watch is the MK-5781 and cost £250 pounds. I know this seems like a crazy amount for a watch. Who wears watches anymore? But with a watch like this, you will wear it I swear. It's a beautiful rose gold with a mother of pearl face and diamante ring around it. I got it in a Michael Kors boutique in London.

Next up is the Michael Kors Jet Set Continental Travel Wallet in Black Zoom. I love the leather used for this wallet as it's really scratch proof and easy to wipe if it gets dirty so it really does reassure you knowing you can prolong it's life easily. It's simple yet chic with it's gold zip, gold name on the front and gold zip fastener which also has the Michael Kors logo. It was €140 from Brown Thomas in Cork.

Lastly are these sunglasses which are the Michael Kors M3640S They come in a nice protective case and a cloth to keep them clean. They are black and silver and have the MK logo on both sides of the ear pieces. They're quite big for my face so I rarely ware them. These were £80 in an Michael Kors shop also. I think they were an impulse buy haha.

Have a great weekend. Love 

♥ Spring/Summer Perfume collection ♥

Finally getting around to doing this post! This isn't my full collection, this is just what I have with me while I'm in Gibraltar so basically all my floral, sweet, pretty smelling perfumes. I didn't include my VS Noir in this post because It's a body spray not a perfume. Let's get to it then.

I'll start with my most worn, all time favourite perfume. Floral by Paul Smith. It's a really old perfume and in time I think it will be discontinued because it's slowly getting cheaper and cheaper. I will have to stock up if they get rid of it! It's a citrusy floral scent with slight musk in it's undertones. I wear this mostly in the day but sometimes at night too. Beautiful fragrance and £12.99 on boots.co.uk


Next up is Flowerbomb by Viktor&Rolf. I eyed this perfume up for years until I finally caved and splashed out £60 ish pounds for it in dutyfree but my oh my is it stunning. The packaging is in the shape of a grenade and the perfume is slightly pink. Again predominantly floral with scents of jasmine, orchid and rose but what gives it that hit is the bergamot. Only down side to this is even though it's an eu de parfum, I find it still runs out quickly. But then I do use this in the day and night so maybe that's why.

Another blast from my past is the Ma dame by Jean Paul Gaultier. I've had the eu de parfum and eu de toilette and I must say they are nothing alike. This is another rose and musk mixes. I think I like that combination haha but you can also smell some citrus in there too. £46 on Debenhams.co.uk and definitely a night time scent.

This is probably the sweetest smelling perfume I own. Juicy Couture - Viva la Juicy La Fleur (mouthful) Vanilla, rose, honeysuckle, water lily are the main notes in this fragrance. Very sweet but long lasting on the skin and in the bottle! I've owned a 50ml bottle for over a year and a half and it's still going strong. Debenhams.co.uk for around £50.

Lastly, my least floral smelling perfume. Seductive Wild Summer by Guess I wear this in the day when it's nice and sunny. I find this is a really light perfume. Musky, cashmere, rose and pear just being a few of the notes. Not sure on price or where to buy anymore!

Hope you've enjoyed that little collection post/review of some perfumes. I might so this again for Autumn/Winter because I wear completely different fragrances then. See you in a few days for a new post. Sticking with collections, it'll be my Michael Kors collection. Bye!

♡ April Favourites ♡

Okay I lied. In my revamp post I said my next post would be my perfume collection but then I thought what about a favourites?

I got slightly sun burnt in April (shame on me) and the Hawiian Tropic Silk Hydration After Sun really helped soothe my skin. I used this last year and just fell in love with it. It's amazing and often on sale in boots!

Shine and heat defence in one? I was all over this when I saw it in the shop. V05 Smoothly Does It. It smells like something you'd wear as a body mist. It helps keep the fly away hears at bay and I use this before I blow dry my hair.

For perfume, I rediscovered an old gem. Floral by Paul Smith. It's fruity, feminine and just a perfect summer fragrance. This is my fourth bottle I love it so much. You can get it in some debenhams and boots.

Next are these pretty nifty sunglasses. They were on sale (I live in a no tax place too woohoo) for £80 down from £120 and I just fell in love. Black and gold is my favourite combination. I would never wear this type of frame but I just love them! They are the Ray-Ban Clubmaster W0365. You need these.

For jewelry I've had a thing for statement necklaces but not too crazy. This gold and cream necklace goes with every outfit. I've been wearing it over t-shirts to just spruce up an outfit. It's from Forever 21.

Lastly, make-up. It's getting really hot here so I'm naturally wearing less or it slides off my face. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua is and always will be my day time foundation. I just have a great relationship with it. It's easy to blend, light and sheer coverage but buildable and just easy to apply in five minutes with it being fool proof once you pick the right colour. I bought mine in Brown Thomas in Cork for €38

If i'm not feeling to confidant about my skin I add a bit of concealer. My skin has gotten a bit darker so I'm able to use this next product more as it suits my skin a bit better now. It's the Collection(2000) Lasting Perfection Concealer in the shade Light 2. It's creamy, not sticky at all and can be used for all purposes. Available from Boots.

For under the eye to highlight it I've been obsessed with Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal eyeliner in nude It gives that little bit more brightness to the eye on a dull day. These eyeliners are great. If you haven't tried them, where have you been? Again, Boots sell it ;).

And last but not least, I've been a bit lazy on the blush & bronzer so to make myself use it more I've just been keeping the Naked Flushed out to remind myself to use it. The products in this pallet are so pigmented (that highlighter.. daaaamn) and pretty. Super wearable especially for summer. The bronzer is a little shimmery though. You can get this in so many department stores or online.

That's it for this months favourites. I can see next months being a lot of iced drinks and hats because it's going to get hot hot hot! Have a blast of a bank holiday guys and I'll see you soon. Next will be my perfume collection.

 

♥ Blog revamp (: ♥

Just a short post to say I've done a few things to the layout and added a banner to the blog to make it a bit more professional and personal. 

I hope you like it and either tonight or tomorrow I should have a perfume collection post live and then on Sunday my haul pt 2 should be up! 

Have a great weekend