Is This The Best Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Dupe?

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but it has been sent with no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. -

Today we're throwing it right back to 2013 blogging as I'm going to be talking about a product that I use (and reviewed before I had this blog!) many years ago - it's the Soap and Glory The Ultimelt Hot Cloth Cleanser* of course. 

I've had this tube sitting in my cupboard for some time now, but as I've been trying to use up all of the cleansers I had open, I'm only just getting round to trying this out again. As I mentioned before, I used to use this many moons ago when I was in my teens and at £10 and with it often being involved in deals, I was very happy with it. It was often compared to the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish* due to the nature of how it's intended to be used, but as I didn't like the high end counterpart I didn't have anything to really compare it to. That being said, times have changed and if you've read my reviews on the Liz Earle cleanser you'll know that I'm quite the fan now, so I was excited to put this budget version to the test! 

Initially the Soap and Glory one is slightly thinner than Liz Earle, so I was worried that it wouldn't be as deep cleansing especially with high coverage foundation and heavy eye makeup. You'll be pleased to know that it didn't disappoint and in fact worked in a very similar way, the only difference being is that the more expensive product leaves my skin feeling slightly softer post-cleanse. 

In terms of scent, I actually find the Soap and Glory offering a lot less potent, so if your complexion didn't work well with Liz Earle's more fragrant formula, then I would recommend giving this one a go. For £10 it's an absolute steal if you don't want to splurge especially since you get 100ml of product and a muslin cloth too. 

Have you tried the Soap and Glory Ultimelt Cleanser? 

Books I Want To Read This Year

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If you're anything like me, you'll know the struggle when you're not a consistent reader, but you love to buy new books! My to-read pile has grown quite a bit over the last 12 months and I've got a fair few books that I want to delve into or re-start again as I just managed to a couple of chapters before putting it down again. This blog post is entirely inspired by I Covet Thee's recent Youtube video, but I'm excited to share my take on it.

First up we have Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, a book that I've shared on my Insta stories a fair few times and I've had a mixed response back every time; some people love it and others hate it. I think at the moment I'm the latter, although I'm nearly 100 pages in, nothing has grabbed me yet and I would say I'm just a tad bored. I do want to finish it though as I don't want to make my full judgement too quickly. 
Next up is we have another best seller this time from the author Sally Rooney and it's of course her book Normal People. I've heard endless good things about this book and it's been in and out of my checkout basket for the longest time, so I think 2020 is the year I finally read it. 


After the film release came out not too long ago, it reminded me that I've never actually read Little Women - can you believe it? I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but I definitely am with this gorgeous hardback version that they sell; I think it would look great on my bookshelf and tick a well loved book off my to-read list too. 

I recently read This Is Going To Hurt and I loved it so much that I've been after books in a similar vein for a while. I've got quite the wishlist now, but Unnatural Causes, The Secret Barrister and The Prison Doctor are all quite high up - can you tell I have a theme? 

What book are you reading at the moment? 

Hydrating and Dewy Products For The NY

- This post is a paid collaboration with Fragrance Direct, but all thoughts are my own. All links in this post are affiliate links. - 

Once January rolls around, my skin has often seen better days and my makeup bag is calling out for an update. Fragrance Direct is one of my go-to places to stock up on new products for the New Year and I've recently picked up a handful of glow-inducing pieces to create the dewy skin I'm after. 

A glowy base starts with a good moisturiser and the Elizabeth Eight Hour Cream* is the perfect pick. I don't use this all over my face, but just on the parts that feel parched and need an extra boost of hydration. At over half the price off, nabbing this famous product from Fragrance Direct makes it even better! 

Then I go onto primer where I've gone back to an old favourite of mine, the Bourjois Healthy Mix Glow Primer Serum*. It's lightweight meaning it doesn't cake on the skin and the shimmer pigments look subtle and natural too. When used underneath makeup, it makes my foundation go on a look smoother and turns a matte base into a more of an everyday option. 

If there's something you treat yourself to this Winter it's the Sleek MakeUP Solstice Highlighting Palette*. If you've been reading blogs for a fair few years you'll probably already have seen or even tried this glow inducing quad. Each highlighter in the palette adds a dreamy radiance to the skin, but it's the bottom two shades that I use the most often. At £3.99 it's an absolute steal and you won't regret it! 

Another blast from the past is the Max Factor Creme Puff Blush* which I used to use and made my way through it as it was a favourite in my makeup bag. It's adds a pop of colour to the cheeks that looks natural and has a soft sheen as well. 

For my lips, I've gone back to my Nars Audacious Lipstick* as it's got a nourishing formula that sits comfortably, but also delivers a good amount of colour. Although not glossy nor shimmery, I find this great for one I'm wearing a dewy makeup base as it compliments it perfectly. 

Will you be taking a look at Fragrance Direct for new-in makeup products? 

8 Brands You Should Try in 2020

- If a product is marked with * it is a PR sample, but was sent under no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. -

As a beauty blogger, I'm constantly trying out new products, but I'm not partially reliable when it comes to brands, that being said, I've found a fair few new brands last year that I knew I just had to share with you. I hope you're ready for me to enable you as your wishlist is about to get that bit bigger. 

First up is Milk Makeup, a brand I discovered at the start of 2019 and although they're probably known as an "Instagram" brand, once you get past their cool packaging, it's their formulas that set themselves apart from the crowd. Although not everything from the brand has impressed me, there's still many of their products that I would recommend including the Matte Baked Bronzer which is their take on the cream bronzer that has a long lasting finish and a natural hue to it. 

I think if there's a brand from this list that doesn't get raved about enough it's Fresh Beauty. I discovered this brand before it was made readily available in the UK through people's reviews on their Sugar Lip Treatments, but since then I've fallen in love with each product I've tried. The Rose Deep Hydration Moisturiser*, Serum* and Toner* are three of my favourites by them and I would recommend them to anybody looking to invest a little bit more in their skincare routine. 

If there's two high end brands that deserve the hype it's BareMinerals and Charlotte Tilbury. The latter has been spoken about on my blog a lot in 2019, but they continue to impress with their new releases and I keep going back to my old favourites too. I've done a full collection post here and shared my top five Charlotte Tilbury makeup products post here too. Bare Minerals is more for people who want a natural, everyday looking base and I think the Complexion Rescue* and bareSkin Stay In Place Concealer* are two perfect products to achieve this. 

I've been using L'Occitane for many years now, since I started this blog, but I think it's still underrated despite being everywhere! I don't hear people talking enough about their dreamy almond range and although I know it's on the luxe side for body care, it's absolutely worth it in my opinion. 

Another skincare product which I think will get even more popular in the next 12 months is Glow Recipe as their cute packaging and delicious scents are getting all the raved reviews just like they deserve. I enjoyed using their Blueberry Bounce Cleanser*, but it's now the Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturiser* that I use daily. 

I only tried the Herbivore Coco Rose Scrub to begin with, so when I got sent the Emerald Face Oil*, it made me realise that I should probably start ticking their other products of my wishlist. This is a brand that I not only recommend to everybody else to just check out, but one that I want to try more of myself in 2020. 

I've spoken about Milk Makeup as an Instagram brand, so it wouldn't be right not to mention the OG in my eyes - Glossier. Now it's in the UK, I feel like everyone is using their products and just like my thoughts on Bare Minerals, this brand is great for those who want lighter looking makeup or if you want to just tweak certain aspects. 

What brands to you want to try over the next year? 

A Homeware Plan For The New Year

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With the Christmas decorations packed away, I'm finding that certain parts of my house are looking bare. I've been meaning to give my home a bit of a spruce up and I've been putting together a wishlist full of rattan pieces and gold accents to scatter around my home.  

Urban Outfitters have some gems in at the moment and I think I'm going to have to treat myself to a big order soon. I'm not sure where I'd put the Asher Rope Hanging Shelf, but it's very "me" and I think it'd be a great addition to my living room. This Eye Mini Tufted Flag Tapestry is on my list too for my bedroom as I want a couple new pieces for my feature wall that you might have seen before. 

Talking of my bedroom, I think now is the time to purchase a new bed set and although I was on the fence whether to go for a crisp white set, I think this H&M Rust Washed Cotton Duvet is going to be the one I go for - just look at the colour! 

Here are other items on my homeware wishlist: 

20 Things To Do This Winter

Winter is officially in full swing and with Christmas now over, I feel like everyone may need a little pick me up as we have a couple of months left until the weather gets warmer and the evenings lighter. Just like the festive season, Halloween and the Autumn months that came before them, I want to fully embrace Winter this year and although it can be a little gloomy and chilly, I wanted to share with you my seasonal to-do list. 

- Enjoy the frosty mornings. Head out for an early walk just as the sun rises and wrap up warm. 

- Book a snowy holiday. I've already been on ours, but that hasn't stopped me from wanting to book another one or even a city break. 

- Have a duvet day. Think lots of snacks, not moving from the sofa and your favourite films to feel super cosy. 

- Bake some tasty treats. I feel like when it's cold outside all I want to do is eat something cosy and warming. I think I need to try out a veggie pie and crumble over the next couple of months. 

- Read a new book. If you're a slower reader or just getting into it, pick a book you've always wanted to read or if you're more of a regular, pick out a handful of books that have been on your pile to make your way through. 

- Make the most of TV show season. I feel like there's so many TV series being released including drama mysteries - perfect for sitting down in the evening with. 

- Treat yourself to some new Winter fashion pieces. I'm not the best person when it comes to colder fashion as I tend to rotate the coats I own and stick on a pair of jeans, but I want to check out some new styles. 

- Take up a new activity. I've thrown myself back into fitness as I find that it helps me sleep better in the evening and boost my motivation too. Now is the perfect time to take that class you think you'd enjoy, go for a quick run or even learn yoga through YouTube. 

- Reintroduce Hygge into your life. The buzzword of 2016 was Hygge and I want to bring it back. Playing games with loved ones in the evenings, putting on a fresh set of warm PJ's and gathering around the fire. 

- Make a plan for Spring. One of the best things I do every year is to start my January off with a plan for the next few months including the start of Spring. I like having something to look forward to whether it's a birthday, a day out or a holiday. 

- Enjoy slower days and weekends. Post-Christmas everyone seems to go a bit slower and although it can be a little overwhelming with all the "new year, new you" stuff about, I think I'm going to prioritise enjoying the slow pace. 

- Get crafty. Finally finish or even start that scrapbook you've been meaning to put together. Go out and take photographs for the day or even stay in and learn how to knit or cross-stitch. 

- Head to a cosy pub for the evening preferably with a fire. Make it your end goal at the end of a long walk or day out. 

- Give yourself a pamper. Now is the perfect time to embrace the colder evenings, soaking in a steaming hot bubble bath with candles and a face mask on. 

- Organise your wardrobe and have a clear out. I've been meaning to donate or sell some of the clothes I no longer wear, but it's my beauty storage that needs re-arranging the most as I have lots of out of date products that need chucking out. 

- Add lots of greenery to your home. I think I want a cosy cabin feel to my house for the next couple of months including lots of rattan and warm wooden accents, but plants still have a massive impact on how I feel about my environment. I love trailing indoor greenery in my living room, bedroom and kitchen for a pick me up! What's your favourite?  

- Eat all the fruit and veggies. Make sure you get them into your diet, creating new recipes as you go and even visit the local farmers market to pick the freshest and give yourself some inspiration as you go. 

- Embrace Valentine's Day. I was never a huge Valentine's Day fan, but as Winter is so miserable and dull, it's nice to have something to look forward to and an excuse to have a date night with either a loved one, family or your friends. 

- Challenge yourself to drink 2 litres of water a day. I'm pretty good at this, but I know that even I can get out the habit of hydrating myself when the weather is colder outside. 

- Explore your local city. Head to a new place, wander around your own town or visit your nearest city to see new faces, eat lots of food and maybe find a new favourite place. 

What's on your Winter to-do list? 

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Review

- This product was sent as a PR sample, but with no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. - 

When Drunk Elephant releases a new product, I can't help but stand to attention. Their brand may be fairly new to my skincare routine, but almost all of their products have been a win for me. The Drunk Elephant F-Balm* is their newest release and although it was only released on the 1st January, I've actually had the honour to try this out for a quite a long time, so thought I would share with you my initial impressions and review. 

I wasn't sure what to expect from F-Balm as it describes itself as a "water facial", an overnight face mask that promises to plump and restore. I was worried it wasn't going to be anything special as I already love their Lala Retro Whipped Cream which is their moisturiser, but this sounded like it could be a little more nourishing than that. I was right though as it was nothing like what I expected; when pumped out initially it appears thick, but when you start rubbing it in, it's turns more to a watery consistency that feels like my skin drinks it up. 

Although I don't use it everyday, with each use I notice a difference in the way my skin looks and feels. This was put to the ultimate test when I came back from my snow holiday to find that my forehead had seen better days, so I decided to put this on for a couple of hours whilst I unpacked and when I washed it off, I noticed that the majority of my dry patches and flakiness had been removed. 

I personally like using this as a face mask on it's own before bed, when I'm having a relaxing pamper evening as it sinks in and I don't have to worry about it rubbing off on my pillow. That being said, when my skin needs an extra dose of hydration, I've been known to use this underneath my moisturiser or mixed in with a face oil to work it's magic overnight. 

At £44, the price point is high, but it isn't a surprise when it comes to Drunk Elephant as they are a high end, luxe feeling brand. If you're looking to treat yourself to a face mask that you won't get through in a week (this is a pretty hefty size and you only need a small amount!), then I'd recommend it. 

Are you tempted to try the Drunk Elephant F-Balm? 

5 TV Shows To Watch On Netflix This January

The Christmas decorations are packed away for another year, there's a chill in the air and the evenings are gloomy without twinkling fairy lights to brighten them. January and February are always my the months where I'm not sure what to do with my evenings, so I think I'll turn to Netflix to entertain myself. 

Sex Education | I've rewatched the first season of Sex Education a few times since it was first released and with the new series ready to be released this Friday, you still have time to watch it for yourself. The setting and American-esque high school theme can take a little while to get used to as it's like a Skins and High School Musical mash up, but it's funny, light hearted and ever so moorish. 

The Good Place | The last season took a break before it's last concluding episodes which will air this Friday. It's a series I only started watching a couple of months ago but I was instantly hooked and I definitely think it's one that I'll be re-watching in months to come. 

The Circle US | I've watched both seasons of The Circle since it's release in the UK, but now it's coming to Netflix with an US version. I'm not sure if I'll enjoy it as much, but the premise will be the same, so I'll definitely check it out anyway. 

Dracula | I've heard lots about this BBC adaption of Dracula, but never got around to watching it when it originally aired. It's got high ratings and all I've seen is positive reviews from people who I follow, so now that's it's coming to Netflix towards the end of this month, I think I'll check it out. 

You Season 2 | This was released back in December, but it still had to make the list if you missed it over the festive period. The first season was one of my top picks of 2019 and I managed to devour the second one in a matter of days. I wouldn't say it's as good as the first, but it definitely scratches the itch and knowing that there's a third one coming is definitely a perk. 

What's on your to-watch list this January? 

Beauty Favourites of 2019

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but was sent under no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. -

I'm a little bit late when it comes to sharing my favourite products of the last year, but I thought it was better late than never. Looking back, 2019 was a year that I stuck to and went back to products I've loved for a while, but I also discovered some new products as well as brands too. I've tried my fair share of beauty this year, but I wanted to share with you the items that have stuck with me to the end. 

Milk Makeup was an early 2019 discovery of mine and over the course of the last 12 months, I've found my favourite product from them, the Matte Baked Bronzer. I've done a full blog post review of it, but it's one of my go-to cream bronzers when I want a natural, yet defined looking base. The shade is perfect for adding warmth and contouring, but without looking too orange or grey in tone. 

They weren't the only new brand I tried and loved this year as Glow Recipe and It Cosmetics are top of the list too. The Glow Recipe Watermelon Pink Juice* is a serum I've been using underneath my makeup everyday or when I need an extra dose of hydration, it's lightweight, feels gentle and soothing on the skin - plus it smells delicious too. Their other product I've been loving is the Pineapple C-Bright Serum* which exfoliates and boosts radiance all whilst not irritating my skin. 

The It Cosmetics CC Cream* was a base product that I put off trying as I didn't want to be let down after all the hype surrounding it, but once I did, I wasn't disappointed. It offers a good amount of coverage as well as looking natural and dewy on the skin. It was a Summer must have last year as it had great longevity and the added SPF was a great bonus. 

Nars came out with their Mini Wanted Palette*, which was one of my makeup favourites for when I wanted a well put together and easy eyeshadow look. It was their Laguna Bronzer* that stood out the most as although it's been around for some time now, it was only in 2019 that I thoroughly tried it. 

The Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream* just had to make this list as I feel like I've been going on about it for months now and no doubt it'll be a favourite at the end of 2020 too. It's thick, luxurious and is perfect for my parched complexion. It feels like a classic cream texture that although delivers a great deal of hydration, it doesn't take as long as I expected to sink into my skin. 

Last up we have two lip favourites, one being the Girl Undiscovered Pink Skies Balm* which I've been loving since I got it as it keeps my lips feeling nourished and soft. The other is a probably the newest addition of the whole post, the Pixi Liplift Max* which looks gorgeous over a favourite nude lipstick or on it's own for a plumping effect. 

What was your beauty favourites of 2019?

5 Ways To Tackle Your January Slump

The first three months of the year are always tough on my motivation and working from home makes it even harder as it gets dark by the afternoon and I find myself with a lack of inspiration. Today, I wanted to not only share my top tips for working from home during January whether it's full time or leisurely as well as my other favourite ways to tackle the New Year slump. 

A leg stretch in the morning | It's nothing groundbreaking, but I feel like I need to get moving again now that the Quality Street tub has been put away for another year. This isn't just fitness motivated, but I find getting out and about for even a walk or a bicycle ride helps me have a clearer head, I sleep better and I feel refreshed as well. 

Organising the next few months | I'm not sure about the New Year, but I can often feel overwhelmed with the pressure to make the most of the fresh start. I want to start with simply planning on my new few months in my diary, putting in important dates that I can't forget as well as lightly drafting some upcoming blog posts and Instagram photos. 

Embrace the cosy evenings | In the Autumn and the run up to Christmas I absolutely love cosy evenings in with festive or scary films, but I get pretty impatient come January as I am usually just lusting after Spring then. I want to embrace Winter a little more this year in as many ways as I can as I think this will boost my mood and motivation overall. I think working all day, but then having a book or TV series with fairy lights and the fire on will help me feel like I have a little joy to look forward to at the end of the day. 

Clean and rearrange my house | This is the first year that I can hand on heart say I didn't want to take my Christmas tree down, I feel like it's really spruced up my living room and even my bedroom had a little makeover. Due to this festive shaped hole in my life and nothing for another 9 months or so to decorate for, I want to pick up some new homeware pieces to decorate with and clean my house top to bottom to make it feel sparkling again. 

Find a new podcast | One of my favourite ways to get motivated is putting on a new podcast on to listen whilst I work. I know this isn't for everybody as others may find it harder to concentrate, but I enjoy it as I feel like I'm having human interaction whilst I'm working. 

What are your favourite ways to get on the January slump? 

A January Skin Detox

- If a product is marked with a * it has been sent to me, but with no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. -

You probably know the drill by now, but as January has come around, the tubs of quality street and beige party food has taken it's toll on my skin. My complexion is looking a little lacklustre and is in dire need of a detox, so today I'm sharing with you the products I've been reaching for to get it back into tip-top condition. 

The Glossier Mega Greens Galaxy Pack is one of a handful clay masks that I'll repurchase over and over again. Although it draws out imperfections effectively, it doesn't dehydrate my complexion in the process which means I reach for it whenever I'm suffering with blemishes, but I'm feeling sensitive. 

Drunk Elephant really had their moment last year when they finally came to the UK and I of course had to jump on the bandwagon. The T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum* is similar to their famous baby facial, but just a little less intense. This is the perfect product for a January skin detox because exfoliates the skin, leaving it feeling soft, glowing and smooth.  

A different liquid exfoliator that you could choose is the Glow Recipe Pineapple C-Bright Serum* which I find is less effective than the Drunk Elephant for really getting rid of dry patches, but it thrives in making my skin look brighter and clearer. 

To hydrate my skin afterwards, I reach for the Herbivore Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil* which I think the name pretty much sums up everything it does. This thick oil feels almost like an overnight face mask, but it leaves the skin feeling less tight and more nourished this is perfect for a makeup-free Sunday.

What are your favourite January skin detox? 

What I Got For Christmas 2019

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I haven't done a what I got for Christmas blog post in a couple of years, but they're some of my favourite posts to read this time of the year. I know it's a little late, but I knew that I wanted to share as I love looking back at my presents over the years as well as giving me inspiration for what to treat myself to next. 

First up, I got a pair of Harry Potter tour tickets for March and I'm so excited to head back to the studios because it's one of the most magical places to see how much work went into the films and there's a few new instalments that I'm yet to see yet. Another experience gift I got was a pair of iFly Indoor Sky Diving tickets which is super exciting and I can't wait to book our date to go flying. 

On my wishlist was a lot of jewellery and I'm was happy to receive some gorgeous gold pieces on the 25th. Missoma was definitely one of my favourite places and I got their Star Gold Bracelet, a set of Gold Helical Hoops and Mini Fang Necklace, but unfortunately I need to return the latter due to sizing issues so I'm going to getting something in replacement. On the theme of jewellery, I also got the Astrid and Miyu Gem Moon Barbell which will be going into a new piercing I'm planning on getting in a couple of weeks time. 

I was kindly gifted an ASOS voucher to treat myself to some new pieces, I've started shopping already, but I've got lots on my saved page. My friend Hannah kindly picked out some Slytherin Harry Potter socks and a candle which are two perfect picks for a cosy evening in! My other friend Emma, picked out a gorgeous faux croc brown handbag which I've been wearing since I got it in early December. 

It's not often I get gadgets for Christmas, but I got two to play around with this year. The first being the Fitbit Inspire HR which will be perfect for tracking my workouts for running, biking and snowboarding too. The other gadget is an Amazon Echo which I'm yet to decide where to put it in my home, but I know I want it somewhere that I'll get the most use out of it - either in the bedroom or kitchen I think! 

Lastly, I was given two products from the Marks and Spencer Restore range, their diffuser and hand wash. Both of these smell delightful and are reminiscent of the famous Aesop scent too, they're strong and linger in whatever room you put them in and I think they'll be a repurchase of mine to come. 

What did you get for Christmas this year? 

Come Pack With Me - Snowy Edition

- If a product is marked with a * it has been sent to me, but with no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. -

Packing for me is very bittersweet for me, on one side I feel lucky to be jetting off, but I absolutely hate everything about having to pick out and plan what outfits I'll potentially wear or need for the week. That being said, I thought it would inspire me to pack if I was to write a blog post all about it and share with you what items I'll be taking to Austria with me. 

Making a to-do list and checklist was super helpful this time around as I started in pretty early to make sure I didn't forget anything in my main suitcase as well as my snowboard bag which will be no doubt full to the brim of my snowboard clothes. Aside from my Roxy items I picked up including a very cosy jacket and trousers, I've also packed these ASOS Rib Headbands to hopefully keep my eyes warm and hair out of my face. 

It really is jumper galore at the moment and I'm carrying on the theme from Christmas, going for lots of fairisle and red picks. This ASOS Ski Slogan Jumper is one of my favourite pieces which I think would work with a variety of items in my wardrobe, but I couldn't resist a new scarf as well in the form of this ASOS Monogram Long Tassel offering. 

Narrowing my makeup and skincare travel bag down is one of the hardest tasks and despite treating ourselves to a whole suitcase each for this week's trip to Austria, our big coats and lots of layers will probably be taking up most of the space. 

When it comes to skincare, I like to decant as many as I can into smaller containers, but sometimes that just doesn't work. I'm bringing two cleansers perfect for not only removing makeup, but hydrating my complexion too as I'll be out in the cold weather all day long. The Soap and Glory Puffy Eye Attack Eye Makeup Remover* is perfect at melting away any of my mascara, eyeliner and brow products and the Ark Age Protect Cleanser* will probably be used up just as the holiday ends, so I can throw it away before flying home. 

Toner is something I don't want to skip, so I'm bringing a mini Pixi Rose Tonic* for all my soothing and calming needs as the miniature bottle fits perfectly in my skincare travel bag. I don't usually bring oil along with me, but as I mentioned before we're going to be out in the snow all day long, so I think it's necessarily. The Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream* is the moisturiser I'm bring as it's thick and luxurious.

We've got a SPF lip balm at the ready, but from experience my lips is the area that tends to suffer the most, so I've got my Girl Undiscovered Pink Skies Balm* which I've spoken about a lot on this blog. It's a balm to oil formula that can be layered up at night for an overnight lip mask. 

Do you have any top tips for packing? 

Saying Goodbye + My 2020 Goals and Plans

Happy New Year! It feels like it's been forever since I sat down and wrote a blog post as I took an extended time off from work to concentrate on other projects (it's been two weeks!), but I'm back and raring to go. Today I thought I'd compile a list of my favourite moments from 2019 as well as sharing some of my upcoming plans and goals for the next 12 months, so let's get started! 

2019 saw me travel to two new counties as well as ticking off places I've been wanting to visit in the UK too. Prague and Porto were two cities that I spent time in and it's safe to say they were great choices for our Winter and Spring getaways. Prague was great for colourful buildings (lots of stairs!), pastries and visiting the beautiful Old Town Square and Castle. Whereas our trip to Portugal was more for escaping to the sunshine where we ate lots of food, sat drinking cocktails in the sun and went exploring to see what Porto had to offer. 

Back in the UK, we took several trips to Wales, one of our favourite places to visit throughout the year. Portmeirion was a personal highlight as although we visited in February, the 20 degree weather and Italian style village style made you feel like we were basking in the Mediterranean sunshine. Bath, the Cotswolds and Gloucester Cathedral were all places ticked off the last as well, the latter being one that I'd love to return to this year and the former was one that fulfilled all of my Harry Potter dreams. A group trip to Scotland came about in the early Summer before our heatwave and it was great fun to get away for the week (even when it was raining heavily!). 

Aside from places that I traveled to, 2019 was great for personal goals as well. I didn't reach 10k on Instagram like I wanted to, but professionally speaking, this year was the best for not only numerical growth, but how I felt about what I've been putting out too. I've really developed my own style of photographs and outfits this year and Autumn/Winter content has been my favourite for inspiration as well. I want to take this into 2020 and embrace every season as they come, creating content for Winter then onto Spring, Summer and back to my favourite time of the year, Autumn. 

Turning 23 was a huge milestone and I've really enjoyed hanging out with friends, making the most of the sunshine in the Summer and when the nights started drawing in, embracing my love for all things cosy. The past 12 months have been a bit of a rollercoaster for me and as we go into 2020, I'm leaving friends behind, but also bringing lots of new happy memories with me too. I think in many ways I've really grown with my self confidence and prioritising myself when I've needed to this year, however there are certainly elements I want to grow on as we progress forward. 

Now onto 2020 goals and this is where I've struggled to come up with more than one or two on my list as I was starting putting too much pressure on myself with it being the start of a new decade (can you believe it?!). At the end of this week, I'm ticking off one of the goals I set myself for last year - taking up snowboarding again as we're off to Austria to get on the slopes for a week. Here are a handful of my other 2020 goals: 

Create lots of great content | I feel like it isn't "cool" to say that creating content for your Instagram is high up on your to-do list, but for me, having places to visit and goals to achieve has made me come out of my shell a lot more and inspired to try new things. Spring and Summer may seem far away, but I've already got photos in mind that I would like to shoot. 

Travel abroad | We're starting off strong here as I've already mentioned that we're off to Austria soon, but I think we could possibly squeeze in one or two places later on the year as well. I know that we're both itching to go to Italy to sample all the pizza and gelato, but Austria for a second time as well as Budapest or Krakow is up on the list as well. 

Work on my mental health | High up on my goals list is a personal one as over the next 12 months I want to work on my MH in all the ways that I can. For me, 2019 started off strong, getting signed off CBT, but unfortunately a set back in July meant that I felt like I was starting from 0 again. I'm determined to get back on track this year! 

Get a fitness routine back | This sort of ties in with the goal above as I found when my mental health went down hill, so did my motivation. I actually really enjoy working out as home and I often get out on my bike three or four times a week, but this routine is something I'd like to keep up not only throughout the year, but this Winter too. The first three months are always the hardest, but I've got lots of fitness plans that I can't wait to get stuck into. 

Appreciate the little things | This is pretty vague, but the reason I enjoyed Autumn so much this year was that I really appreciate every element of my favourite season; from the chilly mornings to the cosy evenings. I want to embrace this all year around, making the most of each event as it comes including Valentine's Day, Easter and even Summer bank holidays. On top of this, I'd also like to take time out of my day to get back into reading the many books on my to-read pile as well as sporting one or two new piercings. 

What was your favourite moment from last year? What are your goals for 2020?