10 Reasons you know your a blogger...

It’s only recently that I’ve accepted myself as a blogger. For many reasons I’ve always felt a bit of a fraud and never really owned it. I didn’t think I was good enough, however I’ve now faced my fears and lately I’ve been really embracing blogging. It’s really hit me lately and kind of taken over my world! I thought id share with you my reasons why I know I’m a blogger....

1.    You have a healthy addiction to twitter!

I love Twitter! I find it vital to blogging! I love connecting with other bloggers through all the different chats, sharing links, tips and general chit chat. However this does mean I prob spend half my day on twitter through my phone. I recently got blocked as they thought I was spamming people, when sharing my link after a chat. WHOOPS! I just find it the best way to advertise your blog and find others to read.

2.    Your bank balance is always in minus figures.

Okay, so this one may just be me! I love finding new products and sharing my views, good or bad. I love reading about new products in other blogs and find myself HAVING to try it! #bbloggers chats on twitter do not help either! I am a complete make up whore!!

3.    You can’t use any new product until you’ve photographed it, even if this means waiting a few days for the perfect light.

 

Hahaha this one is the bain of my life! Especially at the moment with this dreary weather. I like photographing new products and want them to look all pretty and new. It’s hard to restrain myself whilst I’m waiting to photograph it first!

 

4.    The staff in your local Boots / Superdrug know you by name.

 

And at my local benefit counter too... I think it’s due me regularly pestering them about when certain products will be in! I pretend it’s cute that they know me, but I’m not sure if they think like that!

 

5.    You take more ‘selfies’ than the average person.

I recently was showing a friend some photos on my camera and had to scan through a ton of ‘selfies’ to find them. Slightly embarrassing if they don’t know about my blog! Needs must though! I hate it when bloggers don’t show you the lippy /eye shadow/ blusher actually in action. I like to see what it looks like as it can massively vary to what it looks like in the package.

6.    You carry a camera around ‘just in case’.

I hate having moments where I’m somewhere thinking I wish I had a camera with me so I can photograph this as it would make an ace blog post. My camera on my phone is pretty pants, so yes I’m lame and carry my camera around ALOT.

7.    Someone starts talking about MAC to you, so you get excited and tell them about your fave products until you realise they meant Apple Mac, doh!

 

THIS happened TODAY!! Was at work and in a day dream I heard a colleague mention MAC. This followed a blow by blow account of what I love about their shadows, gel eyeliner and concealer..... ‘Umm Gem, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Can I use the APPLE Mac?’. I hang my head in shame, I have beauty on the brain!!

8.    You actually have release dates for products in your diary. I kid you not.

Yep, I am sad! Yes I even have some dates for next year (I am dying to try the Mark Jacobs range!). I am like a magpie to silver when it comes to shiny new beauty products!

9.    A constant thought, no matter what I’m doing is ‘Hmm could I blog about this?’

I even carry a note book around with me for blog ideas! I am often found day dreaming about what I want to write and how I want to improve my blog. I am inspired by so many things on a daily basis.

10.  I no longer by magazines or newspapers, I just read blogs.

I think I spend a good hour most days browsing other blogs, there are so many great writers and photographers out there.  They make me feel so inspired and ready to tackle anything. I follow blogs on so many different subjects from beauty, fashion, photography, food, DIY, art..... The list is so long! I love seeing the world through other people.

Do you have anything to add to this list? Can you relate to it?

Super Sunday Shower Time*

Please don’t get the wrong idea from the title of this post! I promise I do shower daily, however I am a 5 min wash and go kind of girl. Mainly due to the fact I am normally running late, I am not a good morning person! Therefore every Sunday evening I try and make sure I get a little ‘me’ time and have a bit of a pampering shower before bed. I have to admit it’s one of my favourite parts of the week. I am definitely a shower girl, baths are great but I don’t always feel that clean after a bath, I can’t get my head around the concept of laying in a bath of dirty water?! Saying that baths are pretty nice on those freezing cold dark winter nights, with a large glass of wine, a good book and lots of bubbles! But that’s a whole other post for another day!

So I here you ask what does a Super Sunday Shower involve? Well let me tell you! I take this shower just before bed on a Sunday night as it helps me switch off ready for bed. First of all I want to set a relaxing tone so as I am obsessed with candles I light a few of my favourite vanilla tea lights around the bathroom and then begin to run my shower.

First product up is my Lush ‘The Sacred Truth’ Fresh Face Mask. I love lush products, especially there fresh face masks. They always leave my skin feeling great, which is an accomplishment bearing in mind my face can be quite sensitive! I tend to cleanse my face first using hot water to open the pores and then apply the face mask.

Next up I use the Korres Watermelon Body Scrub, apart from the fact it smells delicious it’s an amazing exfoliant! I always use a scrub before I shave my legs as it removes any dry skin and lifts the hairs allowing for a closer shave and resulting in lovely smooth legs. To shave my legs I use a Gillette Venus Razor and Gillette Satin Care Radiant Apricot Shave Gel. Both of these are part of my bathroom staples. My legs always feel great after using them, and I really like the apricot smell.

Next up I wash and condition my hair, I won’t tell you about that here, imp planning on doing a hair post shortly so will tell you all about it there! Whilst rinsing the shampoo out of my hair I also wash the face mask off too. Also to rinse off all the scrub and shaving gel remains I use Korres Guava Shower Gel, it is so moisturising and smells so lush! If that’s not enough, to top it off its so good for your skin as it contains Aloe,  vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and antioxidant enzymes.

When I’m out of the shower I moisture my body using Korres Jasmine Body Butter. You know how smells trigger memories and moods? Well this one does it for me, the jasmine scent is gorgeous and every time I smell it really chills me out and it’s definitely my Sunday night bedtime smell! It’s also incredibly moisturising, I suffer from dry skin on my legs and using this has really helped!

Oooh and one final point, Fresh Bedding! It’s a must! There’s nothing better than feeling all nice and clean and getting into fresh bedding! Perfect! Hopefully it leads to a good Monday morning!

BOOK CLUB TAKEOVER: Pandora from 'Petit Dora'

Here are my thoughts… I LOVE hearing other people’s views and reviews on pretty much anything especially books! Some of my favourite reads are ones that have been suggested by other people. So thinking along those lines,’ The Book Club Takeover’ was born! Hopefully each week I will bring to you a post from one of my lovely and amazing fellow bloggers who will in turn share with you what their favourite book is, why they love it and a review. I hope you enjoy this feature as much as I do!

 

Hello! I’m Pandora, I blog over at Petit Dora and I’m really excited to be part of Gemma’s book club as I am an avid reader! My blog still hasn’t found it’s way yet but it’s a bit of fashion due to me being on a fashion communication course and a bit of lifestyle with personal posts.

 

Anytime I have the chance I’m reading, I do prefer a physical book but if I’m out and about I have lots of books on my phone to peruse! I had a really hard time choosing what book to write about because I have sooo many that I love but decided to settle for one I finished quite recently, The Fault In Our Starts by John Green. Enjoy!

 

The Blurb

 

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

The Review

 

I was quite slow to join the John Green bandwagon but oh gosh I’m glad I got there eventually!

 

I started my journey with Green’s “Looking For Alaska” which was one of those books that when you finish your mouth is hanging open and you’re screaming “WHY WHY DO THAT TO ME?!” So of course I ran out to get The Fault in Our Stars, which did not disappoint.

 

I really want to write this without giving too much away for those who may not have read it so here’s the low down, Hazel has cancer, she meets Augustus Waters at the Cancer Support Group and okay yeah it’s a love story.

 

It’s no twilight though, Hazel isn’t a damsel in distress or a pathetic fawning lovestruck teen, she’s so...real. (Okay so there’s a little bit of lovestruck teen but come on, it’s a teen book, and she’s still a teen girl after all.) Green has the amazing ability of writing characters that you might not relate to in terms of their situation, or who may even have wonderful monologues that nobody could come up with on the spot but yet you still feel so connected to them. 

 

I may not want to include spoilers but let’s face it if you’re going to read this thinking you won’t finish it heartbroken and crying then you’re being a little silly. I love a book that makes me cry and this one had streams of endless tears running down my face!

I’d say that if you’re going to read this then go into it with an open mind because sometimes it can come across a little precocious and some of the dialogue made me roll my eyes at first but you really do get sucked into Hazel and Augustus‘ story and not even just them but the other characters, the parents, their friends, John Green has written ALL of the characters really well.

 

If you’re in the mood for romantic monologues, lots of quotable lines and some tears then I definitely recommend reading it (before the movie comes out)!

I hope you’re enjoyed my sort-of review (more of a recommendation) and thanks for reading!

 

Pandora xoxo

 

 

The Very Inspiring Blogger Award!

Now I LOVE blogs! I love reading all types of blogs ranging from DIY, Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle, you name it. I can spend hours holed away checking out different posts, I don’t know if it’s because I’m nosy or what but I love reading them and I also love writing my blog! All this blog love is massively aided by the fact the blogging community is pretty awesome in general. Everyone is so friendly, helpful and supportive. Between twitter and my blog I know I’ve got a great bunch of fellow bloggers out there to cheer me on and offer me advice and support. I LOVE it! (I promise I am trying hard not to be too gushy, but I know I am failing!).

 

Lately I’ve been really spoilt and keep receiving notifications from some of my amazing fellow bloggers for the Liebster award. A while back in March when I was first nominated for this by the fab Claire from ‘Claire Does Beauty’ I did the tag back which you can check out HERE. Therefore I’m not going to do it again but I would like to say a MAHOOOSIVE thank you the following bloggers for nominating my little space in the blogosphere....

 

Kayla from ‘Kaylaliscious’

 

Michael from ‘Anything and Everything’

 

Tania from ‘The Tania Diaries’

 

Annie from ‘ANNIELEAF’

 

Nikki from ‘Basically M Soul’

I suggest you go check out all these fab blogs! I feel very honoured and lucky that these lovely people stop by and check out my waffling, let alone feel my blogs more worthy enough to be mentioned as a nomination. So I really do mean it when I say Thank You!

Before I get to emo on you all, I’ll get back to the point of this post! I was apprehensive of doing another Liebster Award post so when the gorgeous Sophie from ‘S K Beauty’ emailed me to say she had nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award, I blushed a little then figured it would be cool to continue this tag. I figured it would be a nice way to acknowledge the lovely people mentioned above and Sophie, as well as continue these good vibes and nominate some other bloggers. When you whittle away in your corner of the internet it’s always nice to be recognised by someone.

The rules for this award are:

• Display the award log on you post
• Link the person who nominated you in your post
• Share 7 things about yourself
• Nominate 10 bloggers you enjoy reading, link them and let them know you have nominated them

So, 7 facts about me....

1. I am 5'2, and completely disproportioned, my top half is longer than my bottom half! My dream height would be 5’5.
2. I hate mash potato, id even go as far as saying I have a phobia of it!
3. I can touch my nose with my tongue.
4. I failed my diving test 13 times! I’m pretty sure I may have passed in the end due to sympathy!
5. When I’m stressed I clean and tidy things. I tell people it clears my mind but I think it’s more of an avoidance technique! (Shhh! don’t tell!).
6. My favourite films are the The Goonies and The Notebook.
7. Favourite TV programme at the moment is Pretty Little Liars – I am obsessed!

So there you have it, there's some random facts about me :) 

Now for whom I'm going to nominate. I’ve decided to choose the lovely bloggers who nominated me for the liebster award as well as 5 more of my fave blogs. (Some of these blogs may have already been nominated, but they are people who really inspire me)

 

Kayla from ‘Kaylaliscious’

Michael from ‘Anything and Everything’

 

Tania from ‘The Tania Diaries’

Annie from ‘ANNIELEAF’

 

Nikki from ‘Basically M Soul’

Jem from ‘Beautiful Clutter’

 

Meimei from ‘meimeisays’

 

Rachel from ’What Rach Loves’

Kirstie from ‘A Yellow Brick Blog’

 

Faith from ‘Darcinder Diary’

Tada! There you have it! It’s all about spreading a little blog love today!

Seventeen Quicker Slicker Colour in Navy Glint

This is the second Seventeen nail polish which I purchased a few weeks ago. ‘Navy Glint’ is a gorgeous dark blue with a silver simmer in it. This polish applies well and stays put without chips for quite a few days. I do love a dark polish as it suits my style and can go with most outfits. I will definitely be using this one again and again!

Mini Haul: Primark

 

This is the first time I’ve ever ventured into doing a haul post! I love reading them on other blogs but have never been sure if I could do as good of a one as the ones I like! However I thought I’d give it ago, as last Saturday I took a trip to Primark and thought id share my purchases with y’all!

 

So first up are these cute pair of White Hi-top sneakers. I’ve wanted a pair of white converse for quite a while now but have not been able to justify the £50 price tag. My logic is that I will try out these first, if I wear them nonstop I shall replace them with my converse.

 

I love this red coca cola sweater! It’s perfect for slouchy Sundays and those chilled out days. It’s fun yet grungy, which suits my style. They have a black version that was in the men’s section which I was tempted by but preferred this one.

 

Next up, the reason I went into Primark in the first place was to purchase a pair of pjs. Next weekend I’m off to Butlins for a 90’s weekend and all my nightwear is pretty old so I thought id treat myself. I loved the fun bird print on these trousers. The T-shirt is from the men’s section, I like to wear baggy tees in bed so I tend to do this.

 

Finally, for as long as I can remember I’ve owned a pair of leopard print ballet slippers. They are a great go to pair of shoes for something smart yet comfy. I don’t really do the traditional smart, so these are perfect! My last pair got wrecked due to rain, so nice to have a cute new pair

 

 

 

 

Motivational Monday #25

Please excuse the dodgy picture, I wanted to share this quote with you but all I had with me was my phone in dodgy lighting! However you can read it so that’s what counts! This quote is so fitting for me right now and really hit a nerve when I saw it. At the moment or I guess actually for a while now I’ve been in a little bit of a rut not really know what I want to do or where I want to go. Well that’s what I’ve been telling everyone anyway, I actually desperately want to travel but am scared of making those steps by myself (I’ve always travelled with my ex or friends before) It’s that stepping into the great unknown and in all honesty it scares the shit out of me! I can throw so many what if questions out there.

I also want to write, in a dream world my life would revolve around travelling and writing. I’ve started writing a book and I am probably a quarter of the way through but I hit a massive wall of lack of confidence and put it aside. What would my friend think if they knew I wrote a book? What if its crap? What if I’m delusional?

You get my drift! Well by Christmas I want to have at least booked a flight SOMEWHERE and made more progress with book. I think it could be good, I get a massive buzz when I write it, in my dreams it could be a success. So back to today’s Monday motivational quote, I don’t want to get old with regrets. I want to achieve things, I want to be happy and I don’t want to worry when I should be out there living!

What do you dream about doing? Do you worry about the ‘what ifs’ like I do? I think we should make a pact to turn things around

Happy Monday, I wish you all a positive and fun week!