It's a dark, dingy day here in England; the perfect opportunity to grab a cuppa and sit and write a new blog post! I should perhaps be spending my time a little more productively by wrapping the mountain of presents that seems to have just magically appeared in my bedroom, or maybe attempting to fetch the Christmas tree down from the attic, but right now I'm going to pretend that I don't have a list as long as Santa's beard containing all the things I have to do and crack on with this random, rambly blog post.

So I haven't spent as much time on my blog as I would have liked over the past few weeks, but I have a very *OMG* life update to share (well, it probably isn't that exciting to any of you).

I HAVE BRACES.

Dun dun duuuuuuun.

Ok, hear me out. I've been told many times by my dentist that I don't physically need braces, but over the past few years I've grown increasingly insecure about my teeth and I always think that if you have the chance to correct something then it's definitely worth pursuing. I'm currently sucking up saliva every 2 seconds like some freaky Henry Hoover and have a terrible lisp, but i'm trying to convince myself that, touch wood, it'll all be worth it in the end. 

Since i'm over 18, the NHS paying for my treatment was completely out of the question and so I am funding everything myself (I'm sure my poor bank account is currently in mourning). It's certainly very costly and unfortunately i'm not some millionaire who can pluck thousands of £50 notes from the money tree growing in the back garden, but I see it as a lifelong investment and that's the way I've had to come to terms with it. In terms of braces, I wasn't a candidate for Invisalign as I was told by the orthodontist that it would have no effect on my teeth. To cut a long story short, I've had to go with the gold old-fashioned metal bracket/train track braces which will hopefully give me the results I'm hoping for. I currently have an 'Upper Removable Appliance' which is supposed to widen my top arch and stop my front teeth from biting down on the train-track braces that are on my bottom teeth. Oh, it's all very complex! Much to my, er, horror, I've been told I'll have the URA for six months before then having train tracks fitted to my top teeth. Right now I'm a little bit frustrated at how silly I sound when speaking (good job I don't have to read that sentence aloud!!) Also, eating has become the biggest chore ever. I physically can't bite down anymore as I have to wear the URA whilst eating, but even when I take it out my top teeth hit the top of the train tracks on my bottom teeth so my back molars still don't touch. I understand this is completely normal and it's just something I'll have to get used to, but right now any solid food is out of the question so I've just accepted the fact that I am now somewhat of a smoothieholic.

Apologies if I just bored the pants off you; I just thought I might use my blog to document my 'braces journey' so I can look back in a couple of years time and laugh at my moany past-self.

Have you had braces? What was your experience like?

Chloe

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A chatty mishmash of a blog post for you this week as I'm all out of sync with what day it is! I usually have Wednesdays off work so there's no confusion there, I just can't get my head around working all day tomorrow when I usually spend Thursdays sipping coffee and dawdling aimlessly around the handbag section in TK Maxx. 

Last week it wasn't just the handbag section I dawdled around, though. I ventured down the skincare aisle where I discovered what is now my favourite body moisturiser: Nip + Fab's Hyaluronic Fix Body Gel. I don't usually purchase body lotions all that often as I get incredibly lazy and don't seem to use up the ones I already have, but this one stood out to me as its texture is gel-like and not creamy like most moisturisers. I really cannot stand the greasiness of creams and hate standing around waiting for them to dry for what seems like hours on end, but with this one you don't have to. It glides onto the skin and isn't sticky in the slightest. LOVE.

Juicy Couture's Viva la Juicy has been my go-to perfume for years; this year is no different. I felt I had to include it in with the mix of my current favourites as I find myself (like many people) switching up my perfume according to the seasons. I went through a phase of using the Chloé Eau de Parfum, but have since swapped back to my well-loved, trusty Viva la Juicy.

Much like perfumes and body lotions, I'm always switching up the products I use on my face. I love this L'oreal Triple Active Fresh moisturiser at the moment which I've been using both morning and night. It's another gel-like texture which is super light and absorbs instantly into the skin. I'm sure I've already raved about this in a previous blogpost,  but it's such a lovely product I just had to give it another mention.

I bought this L'oreal #TXT Volume Spray on a whim the other day when I looked in the mirror and caught a glimpse of my hair looking rather depressed and lifeless. Naturally my hair is quite wavy and thick so I don't struggle with volume unless I've straightened my hair too much at the roots, but on this particular day it was just looking lank and weighed down. I spotted this volume spray in Boots and thought I'd give it a try. It's similar to a dry shampoo in the sense that you spray it into sections of your hair and use your fingertips to rub it in, but the great thing about this product is that it doesn't leave your hair feeling starchy and full of powdery residue. I've used it quite a few times now and so far, so good. It adds an instant lift and really helps to perk up the hair.

What are your current favourite products so far this month?

Chloë
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Do you ever find yourself aimlessly scrolling through the photos on your phone when you discover a picture that you have absolutely no recollection of? Well, that happened to me just now. Believe it or not I took the above photo over four months ago with the intention of uploading it to my Instagram account, but for some reason or another it got lost amongst the mass of selfies and holiday snaps.

My makeup routine has changed massively since July though - surprisingly I don't use many of the products pictured on a daily basis anymore as they have more than likely been stashed away in a makeup box and completely forgotten about!

The Maybelline 'Baby Lips' lip balm and the 'Photo Flawless' primer by Seventeen are still used on a daily basis, though. The primer is silicone-based so it helps to smooth out the skin's surface and create an even base for foundation, and the lip balm is great at adding instant moisture to the lips. The 'Falsies' mascara was also a favourite that I used everyday until it ran out, but I haven't yet repurchased it as I found a stack of mascaras hiding in a spare makeup bag the other day. The same applies to the Maybelline 'Better Skin' concealer, which I found great for hiding under-eye circles but slightly too dark for blemishes.

I purchased The Balm's 'Mary-Lou Manizer' after seeing numerous YouTube Beauty Gurus rave about it but in all honesty, I'd say I've only used it a handful of times - it's been sat on my chest of drawers for weeks! It's very pigmented so a little definitely goes a long way - a light dusting above the cheekbones is all you need to create a lovely highlight.

I tried using the 'Supercat' liquid eyeliner by Soap & Glory the other day for the first time in a while and I just couldn't get my wings even (#firstworldproblems). I'll probably stick it back in my makeup box for now until I can find the time to sit down and watch hours of tutorials to get myself back on track (or back on fleek!).

The same goes for the Sigma 'Brow Duo'. I have used it a few times with a Mac 266 brush but I do prefer using a brow pencil overall - it's a lot quicker and so much easier when trying to get the brows to look somewhat even. 

Last of all is the Mac blush in 'Springsheen'. This is lovely during the spring and summer months as it's a very shimmery, peach-toned shade, but for the winter months I prefer a darker, matte shade like Rimmel's blush in 'Smoked Oyster'.

Oh, and the Real Techniques brush are still used on the daily. How could I ever forget about those?!

Chloë

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This time exactly two weeks ago I began trekking up numerous steps to reach Gaudí's ever-so-wonderful Park Güell, situated on Carmel Hill with breathtaking views overlooking the whole of Barcelona. Today, however, I'm back at home slumped on the sofa reminiscing about my time in Spain and experiencing what I'd like to call 'PHD' (post-holiday depression, FYI).

Day One

The first day consisted of waking up at 3:00am (much to my delight) and heading off to the airport. I idiotically didn't go to bed until 11:30pm the previous evening as I was faffing around with my hand luggage and researching "Barcelona Fashion in Autumn" for waaay longer than necessary. Surviving on three and a half hours sleep was NOT fun, but I managed to sneak in a little siesta* when I got to the apartment.

*Side note: the thirty minute siesta somehow turned into a three hour sleep... I was completely ZONKED.

As I siesta'd for a little longer than planned, I woke up feeling rather groggy but didn't want to waste the rest of the day moping around in the apartment, so I pulled myself together and headed out to explore the area. 

Being located on the outskirts of Barcelona meant there wasn't an awful lot to see or do besides food shopping in the Mercadona, but the transport links were excellent and having a tram stop just a five minute walk away meant it was incredibly easy to travel into the city.

The view from the balcony

Day Two

Ah, the day when the real exploring began. After filling up on breakfast it was time to catch the tram to the nearest metro stop. Much like a London Travelcard, you can purchase a ticket which allows you access to the trams, buses and metros. What's even better is that it's just €9.95 and entitles you to use it for ten journeys, so you can hop on and off various methods of transport until your heart's content!

The first port of call was, of course, Las Ramblas. I was hit by a sense of familiarity here as just a couple of years ago my parents, my brother and I had all visited Barcelona on a day trip and it really brought back memories of when we used to have such lovely family days out. Near the end of the street you reach The Columbus Monument (Mirador de Colom) where you can cross the road and head over the bridge towards the shopping centre, Maremagnum. I remember this is exactly where my family had lunch, overlooking the marina.

 

Next stop was visiting the Gothic Quarter, but en route I couldn't help but notice the Arc de Triompf. Unfortunately it had started to rain quite heavily at this point which resulted in me dashing back the the nearest metro station, however I did manage to get a few quick shots beforehand.

Day Three

The day I hiked up to Park Güell. It was well worth it, though! Although rather tiring, it was a good leg workout to say the least and the views were breathtaking. You do have to pay an entry fee if you wish to access the 'Monumental Zone', but it is free if you wish to wander around the outside perimeter of the park.

A song to sum up this picture: 'The Climb' by Miley Cyrus! #SoSteep

It was so interesting to see the different types of architecture within the park - just look at the intricate mosaic patterns!

I was particularly fond of this little gingerbread house, another of Gaudí's designs. It's so cute!

Day Four

The last full day of the trip *sob*. As my brother and his girlfriend had briefly visited Barcelona for a day back in June, they recommended going to see Mount Tibidabo, a five hundred and twenty meter high mountain offering spectacular views of the city and surrounding coastline. 

The top of the mountain also featured an amusement park and a church... talk about juxtaposition!

After exploring Mount Tibidabo, I paid a visit to the Sagrada Família, one of Barcelona's most popular tourist attractions. There is still construction work taking place on certain parts of the cathedral, but luckily I managed to take photos from the opposite side so it didn't detract from the beauty of this incredible piece of architecture.

Noticed these two beauties whilst having lunch - so adorable!

Day Five

The day I travelled back home to dreary old England. I had such an amazing time in Barcelona, even if it was only for four short days! Whenever I go on mini-breaks I always think it's important to see and do as much as you can so you really make the most out of the trip. (Did I ever tell you the time I walked over 30,000 steps a.k.a over 23km in a day around Paris?!) 

If you liked the photos, head on over to my Instagram for more :)

¡Hasta luego!

Chloë

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All photos were taken by myself using a Canon Powershot SX220. If you would like to use any of the photos featured above, please contact me first. 

Now that Autumn is well and truly here, it's time to swap those skimpy summer outfits for the biggest, chunkiest cable-knit jumpers you can find. This time of year is a firm favourite for me in terms of fashion - I just love the colours and the cosiness! 

I thought I'd do a different blog post today by posting an autumnal OOTD. Oh, and sorry for the bad quality photos, I had to take them on my iPhone :-( (#firstworldproblems).

So here it is! A pretty simple outfit but I do think you could easily wear this look in the daytime as well as at night. I picked up the black top and the patterned skater skirt from Bershka earlier on in the week whilst I was in Barcelona. I was actually really impressed with their clothing! It's super affordable and they stock some really nice pieces for the autumn.

I picked up the burgundy cardigan from Topshop (similar here). It's a little on the long side so would probably suit somebody enviably tall with a model-like physique a lot better, but meh, it's Autumn and wearing clothes a little on the oversized side is perfectly acceptable, right?!

Last but by no means least, I just have to tell you about my latest splurge. I have lusted over this bag for quite some time now and have always seen it as my 'dream' handbag. It's the Marc Jacobs 'Too Hot to Handle' satchel - the satchel being a miniature version of the tote. I'm not a huge fan of big handbags as I don't like to carry much apart from my phone and purse, so the size of this bag is perfect for me. There's also a long strap so you can wear the bag across your body - super handy for when you simply don't have a hand free! I'll have to be honest, I really didn't plan on buying this bag in the colour 'cement'. 99.9% of the time I only buy black handbags so I can wear them with absolutely everything, but this lighter shade is a nice change and looks lovely with the gold hardware.

Have you picked up any nice fashion pieces this month?

Chloë

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I'm 99% sure i'm going to sound like a broken record for saying this, but HOW ARE WE INTO A NEW MONTH ALREADY?! Where on earth did August go?! In the words of every fangirl from 2012, I simply "can't even".

Anyway, you may or may not be wondering where the heck I've been for the past month. Well, I shall tell you. August was a very bittersweet month for me this year. Amongst my brother's birthday celebrations there was a great deal of sadness as we mourned the loss of my grandad. Even now, a couple of weeks on, it feels completely surreal saying that... in my head I imagine him to still be here, sat on the sofa overlooking the garden with The Daily Mail in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. Like my mum has always done in these situations, i've kept busy by going into work and trying to carry on as normal, but I then find that I almost feel guilty for not sitting myself down and taking the time to actually think through what has happened. You get so caught up in the moment that in a way you don't want to think it through because you don't want to believe it's real. 

But, as harsh as it sounds, life goes on and you have no choice other than to come to terms with what's happened and cherish all of the memories and the good times spent together. 

One thing that has helped me tremendously, however, is Pinterest. I find it somewhat comforting to read through inspiring/relatable quotes and it's reassuring to see how many "likes" or "re-pins" something has as a little reminder that you're not alone.

I know there's only a small number of you that follow my blog, but it still means so much to know that there are people out there who are interested in what I post. This was very different to my usual blog posts so I hope you don't mind me being all "totes emosh" and personal! I'm sure i'll be back to writing about the bargains i've picked up off Boots' clearance shelf sometime soon!

Chloë

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I don't know if it's just me, but I find it hard to believe it's August already. July certainly flew by! I was about to name this blog post 'July Favourites' and share a few things I've been loving recently, but after scrolling through my previous posts I've since realised that I've somehow managed to get ahead of myself by already writing about my favourite products during July... silly me! Not to worry though, I've found myself obsessing over face products recently so I figured it would make more sense for me to do an updated post focusing entirely on skincare - hope you enjoy!

For some reason I've suffered terrible breakouts lately, which has left me no choice but to frantically rummage around looking for pretty much anything containing plenty of spot-fighting salicylic acid. The 'Rapid Action' scrub by Clearasil is great at removing dead skin cells (gross but true) and fighting any stubborn spots. It's a creamy yet gritty consistency and you can start to feel it working from the very moment you apply it. It leaves the skin feeling soft and freshly cleansed and although I can't say that my spots magically vanished into thin air, it certainly helped to reduce any redness!

Now for something a little gentler on the skin - Champneys Gentle Conditioning Toner. I feel that toners often get given a bad name as they're typically stereotyped as being harsh and drying on the skin, but this one couldn't be more different. I've tried various toners in the past and this one certainly lives up to its name - it's so gentle on the skin and contains natural extracts of cucumber, aloe vera and rose water to name a few. I'd certainly recommend this to anybody in search of a new toner as it leaves your skin feeling hydrated and refreshed as opposed to dry and tight. Oh, and better still, it's available to pick up in Boots for under £10!

Having never owned a face mist, I was pleasantly surprised by The Body Shop's Vitamin C Facial Spritz. It's packaged in a 100ml sized bottle which makes it the perfect size for travelling and taking with you when you're out and about and in need of an instant boost of hydration. I love the scent of this - it's very fresh and smells strongly of citrus. You can spray it directly onto your face or instead onto a cotton pad to use it as a toner, but either way it feels very light and refreshing on the skin. Priced at £11 a bottle, it does seem a little costly for what is essentially just a toner with a spray nozzle, but I loved using this during the summer months so I would definitely consider re-purchasing this at a later date.

I hope this was somewhat useful to those of you who are perhaps thinking about adding some new skincare products into your regime! Have you discovered any fabulous face products recently?

Chloë
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