New Years Resolutions

So, I'm sitting here, on my laptop writing this, on New Years Eve. Unfortunately, I did a sensible thing and chose to take a babysitting job and earn some money instead of going out with my friends. However that got cancelled last minute, and I'm now sitting by myself watching one of my favourite movies (The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe).
Anyway, it's been an alright evening. I watched a film with the family, watched the fireworks. It was a nice relaxed night in. I'll appreciate it in the morning anyway.
So I've just been thinking, and I've jotted down a few of my New Years Resolutions:


1. Get More Sleep
It's a well known fact that sleep is vital to a healthy lifestyle and if you know me personally, it will also be a well known fact that I do not sleep (well, at night anyway). I always say how much I love to sleep, but when it comes to actually getting into bed I find a million things to get distracted by, although I do enjoy a long lie-in and a good nap . I also find it really hard to wake up in the mornings and it's starting to cause a few problems. So at the moment I get around 4-5 hours sleep (when I have to be up the next morning), and my goal for 2014 is to get 7 and half hours a night, (half because of the 90 minute cycle thingy and you're supposed to get around 8 hours) so wish me luck!

2. Take More Photos
This is kind of  a 'redo' of one of my resolutions from last year. I did manage to take more photos this year, but I think my goal was really more to do with taking pictures of friends and family, days out, holidays, things like that and to be honest that didn't really happen. It's difficult when everyone around me hates having their photo taken, and I don't blame them because at the moment I'm the same, but I'm trying to change that.

3. Be Happier
I guess this is quite a vague one, but I want 2014 to be a great year. That means me being happier, more positive and just enjoying things again. I'm going to stop dwelling on the past and the negative parts of life, start taking chances and just take every opportunity to do new, exciting things and live life.

Something I also want to do this year is try harder with my blog, and my goal is to make at least 2 posts a week.

I hope your year is as fabulous as I'm going to make sure mine is,


-Lilly x

Avoiding Temptation Over the Holidays

The trees are up, the lights are twinkling and Christmas is coming up fast (12 days to go!) so I've put together a few tips for those of you who are watching their weight and don't want to fall off the wagon, but still want to enjoy yourselves this Christmas!

1. Don't Do Your Groceries On an Empty Stomach-
It's a well-known diet tip, but it's especially important when there's lots of chocolate and Christmas treats on the shelves and tons of offers being shoved at you everywhere you look.

2. Avoid Receiving Edible Gifts-
If you know there's a friend or relative who always buys you chocolate at Christmas, just let them know you'd rather have something else this year, or maybe just leave a few hints that you're trying to stay away from the sugary stuff at the moment.

3. Stock Up on a Few of the Healthier Options-
If your boyfriend, mum, dad, roommate or whoever, comes home with a big tin of chocolates and a box of mince pies, you know you'll feel better when you remember that bag of dried fruit and nuts you've got in the back of the cupboard. Or if you're feeling adventurous, some organic, dark chocolate. Okay, it might not seem that tempting, but you know it'll feel good when everyone else is complaining about how sick they feel!

4. Keep Moving
Sticking to your fitness routine during the holidays can be difficult, and you know that once you miss a few days, it's hard to start it up again. But keeping active will mean you won't feel so guilty when you do give in, and will keep you more motivated not to give in in the first place.

5. Buy An Advent Calendar-
Ok, this tip's probably a bit late, seen as, if you have an advent calendar you'll have already eaten half of it, and if you didn't get one.. well it's a bit late to start now! But I think an advent calender is a great tip. That small piece of chocolate every day might be just what you need to diminish any cravings and help you to resist other temptations. Also, if you don't trust yourself with a chocolate advent calendar but feel a bit left out when everyone else in the house opens theirs, then opt for a beauty/makeup related calendar so you can join in the fun.

4. Don't Forget, You are Human and It's Ok to Make a Mistake or Two-
Giving in to a chocolate or two, or accidentally having a few glasses of wine at a Christmas party isn't the end of the world. It won't kill you so just remember it's ok, you're only human. Maybe just do an extra 10 minutes of cardio the next day!

5. And Don't Forget, It Is Christmas!-
If you've managed to control yourself in the days leading up to Christmas, then maybe forget about the diet for a few hours on Christmas day. As long as you don't go overboard, then you'll be fine. Give in to a few roast potatoes and a piece of Christmas pudding, just remember to pile lots of veggies on to your plate too. And finally, just relax; after all it is Christmas!


-Lilly x

5 Places I Want To Visit (Bucket List Post #1)

I've always been interested in travelling, and something I really hope to do is to visit a few places in my gap year. So I thought I'd make a list of the top 5 places I'd love to visit most in the world.

1. New York- I've always wanted to go to the United States more than anywhere else, and New York is definitely the first place I'd love to visit. Also, what I'd love more than anything is to be there around Christmas time, witness a white Christmas in New York, and stand in Times Square as the ball drops on New Years.

2. Los Angeles- As I said already, I'd love to go on a road trip around the U.S, and L.A is the second place I want to visit. Hollywood is one of the main areas I'm interested in visiting and I think it'd be great to see the Hollywood sign and the Hollywood walk of fame in real life.

3. France- It might not seem like the most adventurous place as I think it's actually one of the UK's closest neighbours, but surprisingly I've never actually been there. I particularly want to go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower and take a trip to the Louvre, but I'd also love to visit the South of France too.

4. Italy- Again, it's not very far from the UK, but I've never been there. I'd absolutely love to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel. Italy just seems like such a beautiful place and is definitely one that needs to be ticked off the bucket list soon.

5. Ireland- This might seem like an odd one to be on the list, and I'm not really sure what it is about Ireland that's always intrigued me, but I've always wanted to go there. Maybe it's the accent, maybe it's my love for the movie P.S I Love You, or maybe it's just the fact that it's so close to where I live and I've never managed to make it there.


So this is probably a list of the most boring/ordinary places you could visit, but I'm not too experienced in travelling and I'd like to visit the 'basics' first I suppose; thanks for reading!

-Lilly x

What to Get HER this Christmas

Whether you're looking for a present for your mum, your girlfriend, your girl friend, or any other special lady in your life, I hope this gives you a few ideas!


1. The Safe Option
It might not be the most adventurous gift but at least you know it's something she'll appreciate. If you know there's something she's always using (makeup, perfume, a candle etc.) but maybe it's nearly ran out, find out where it's from and pick up a new one.

2. Pay Attention 
Maybe you haven't noticed the glaringly obvious hints she's been dropping. Make a special effort to look for clues of what she'd like to see under the tree this year. Maybe she's circled it in a catalogue or magazine, maybe she's bookmarked it on her computer, or maybe she's written it on your forehead, but if you pay enough attention you might be able to figure out what it is she wants.

3. Do Something Different
Maybe she's not so into beauty or fashion and she's told you a million times that she doesn't want anything anyway. If that's the case then do something that she wouldn't be expecting. If she loves to travel, take her somewhere she's never even thought about visiting. Or maybe a slightly more affordable example, if she likes sport, buy her tickets for next summer's Wimbledon. Perhaps she likes cooking, buy her a recipe book full of things she's never made before. Buy her something she'd never think of asking you for, or buying for herself.


And if you're still struggling then heres a few gift suggestions!

• Makeup & Beauty

- If you know the person you're buying for's makeup taste well, then go for it and pick a lipstick shade you know she'd love. Or maybe a palette would be a safer choice. If you're looking for something more affordable, but still great quality I'd go for a Sleek one, or if your budget's slightly higher then maybe the Urban Decay Naked palette. Or even better, if you want something slightly more personal, you could opt for a Mac palete and put together a few colours you think she'd like.
For something more along the lines of beauty/relaxation, you could chose a bubblebath, or bath oils. Aromatherapy Associates or Philosophy are great for this type of gift.

Other gift ideas include:
Perfume
A makeup brush set (I suggest Real Techniques or Sigma)
A makeup starter kit (for the makeup beginner)

• Fashion

- It can be a risky option if you're not too certain on the person you're buying for's style, but if you know exactly what she'd love then go for it. However if you don't want to take the risk, then opt for a gift card, and I'd personally go for a topshop one.

• Home & Decor

- A great gift for your mum, or maybe you just have a friend who's into this kind of thing, but a great easy gift is something for the home. A candle's an obvious one and I personally love fruity/vanilla scents. Also, something like a cute calendar or a hanging sign with a cute quote can be great presents that can be personal to the person you're buying for.

Good luck with your christmas shopping!


-Lilly x