Its okay when travelling to...

Since returning from Thailand I've faced quite a few people saying 'anything you regret not seeing?' 'Oooh you missed out by not going to.....'. This has been something I've come across a lot when I've been travelling, and I've learnt to not be bothered because when traveling its ok to do your own thing. You shouldn’t feel guilty! Here are my top 5 things that it’s ok to do when travelling… feel free to add your own in the comments box, I would love to hear them!

• To have a day off! From visiting wherever/whatever the local attraction is. If you want a lazy day that is Ok! Go chill on the beach or laze around your hostel, it’s great to see as much as you can but you need some you time and if that means doing sweet FA then that’s cool!

• To have a Macy d's or Starbucks! I love trying other cultures local cuisine but sometimes you just need a home comfort, something where you aren’t risking the runs! My guilty pleasure is a Starbucks when I’m travelling, you can’t beat a good coffee!

• To miss things out! If something that’s supposed to be ‘oh so amazing’ doesn’t take your fancy or you just don’t have enough time then if you skip an attraction or whatever it may be that is okay! It’s your trip and you should do what you want to do not what everyone else recommends!

• To follow the road not so travelled... Everyone's got an opinion on where's best to travel and where you should visit but if you don't go there its ok!! Some of my best travelling experiences have come from venturing off the usual path.

• To sleep till mid-day! I’ve fallen into the trap where I’ve tried to fit way too much into a trip and didn’t take any time out. If you want to sleep till mid-day you do it! It’s your trip and you shouldn’t feel bad for any choices you make! Also I love my sleep so throw in a long lie in here and there (especially after a heavy night out!) and I’m one happy lady!

Make Up Revolution Iconic 3 Palette

Apologies if like me you have already seen quite a few Makeup Revolution Iconic Revolution Iconic 3 Palette reviews but I just had to check out if it lives up to the hype for myself and share my findings with you all!

What sparked off my interest in this product were the comparisons to Urban Decay’s Naked 3 Palette. I have wanted that Urban Decay Palette since it first came out but have never quite been able to justify the expensive price tag (Get me having will power for once!). Iconic 3 has very similar shades and for a bargain price £4 I was pretty excited when it arrived!

This colour palette is filled with my favourite shades... pinks, browns and gold’s, all of which really suit my skin tone. I found the shadows well pigmented and stayed put most of the day, no creasing either! Wahooo!

My only criticism is that the powder is very loose and gets everywhere, so you do need to be careful when using. However for only £4 I couldn’t recommend it enough, it’s a great product for such a brilliant price.

Have you tried any Makeup Revolution products yet? Any recommendations?

Nails // SEVENTEEN Supreme Shine Nail Polish in 'Miami'

I love a pop of colour on my nails, especially in the recent sunshine. When browsing in boots recently this SEVENTEEN Supreme Shine Nail Polish in Miami really stood out to me. It’s a bright fuchsia shade that really puts me in a happy mood! I love how certain colours can do that!

The bottle states it had ‘up to 10 days wear’ and I’m on day 6 without a chip insight! I am super impressed as I constantly use my hands.

What is your favourite colour to paint your nails?

Motivation Monday #15

 

Over the past week I have been making a huge effort to be less grumpy, stop moaning and trying to take a big step back, relax and be more positive. It’s not been easy as I am a worrier, perfectionist and at times a bit of a control freak! (I am selling myself well here aren’t I!).

However I have been really trying and I have already noticed things start to change! I have so much more energy, I’m having more fun and good things are happening! I am so much more focused and I appreciate everything so much!

So this week I would like to challenge you all to join with me in thinking more positively and let’s see what happens!

Happy Monday lovelies!

#TheBloggersSnailMail My Spring Pairing!

As many of you who stop by this blog regularly or follow me on twitter will know that I run #TheBloggersSnailMail. Signups are currently open for the Summer round and if you want to find out more info check out this post here, come and get involved it is so much fun! So many lovely bloggers from across the globe have already signed and there is still time to go, I think this is going to be a bumper round!

So way back in March I paired up with the gorgeous Jude from Cocojude for the first ever #TheBloggersSnailMail, for over a month we swapped emails and found we both work in the voluntary sector. Jude is an amazing crafter and her blog is filled with bits and pieces she makes. I also found out she is a keen runner (My current position on running is one should only run if being chased!), and is also such a lovely, positive, fun person. How does she fit it all in?! I think Jude is secretly Wonder Woman! It has been a real pleasure getting to know Jude and I enjoyed checking my inbox for her emails!

I was so excited when my Snail Mail arrived from Jude, enclosed was a fabulous set of Revlon Nail Varnishes (I can’t wait to sport the orange and yellow shades in the summer. A really cute owl key ring that Jude made herself, you all must check out her shop here! Jude also sent me the pattern for fabric Russian dolls, which I can’t wait to play with as I recently given some really lovely fabric that I was at a loss as what to do with.

I would like to say a massive thank you to Jude for being a fab Snail Mail Partner!

Thailand || Extras

I can’t believe this is my final Thailand related post. I also can’t believe it’s been 3 months since I’ve been back! Time is going horrendously fast at the moment! So this is an ‘extras’ post, a few bits I really to share that didn’t really fit into any of my previous posts.

FOOD//

The Thais like everything sweet. I’m pretty sure sugar or syrup goes into most of their dishes. Also if you're a tea or coffee drinker like myself be warned, they used condensed milk. It’s weird, again super sweet and doesn’t taste right at all but you do get used to it.

Street food is the only way to go. I did not have one bad meal from a street vendor. The food was just to die for and just so much better than the restaurants we visited and also so much cheaper!

Also if you like a bit of spice be warned, medium spicy is HOT! It definitely isn’t what the UK would deem as a medium!

ROAD//

You have to see this one to believe it, the roads and traffic system in Thailand is pure chaos! Some of the sights I saw included... the majority of drivers were on their phones, whole families of 5 on one moped, children’s buggies with said child inside tied onto the side of the moped with string and being towed along, no one wears helmets. On top of all that what are lanes?! It’s a free for all, if you can drive on the pavement, go for it! Don’t expect any vehicle to stop for a pedestrian, and as for traffic lights, they are just there for decoration. The only rule of the road seems to be keep moving!

PRICES//

Thailand is so unbelievable cheap! You can easily keep costs right down whilst travelling out there.

On average this is what we paid...

Street food and a beer – 60-250 baht // £1.10 - £4.58 GBP

Chang 20-60 baht // £0.37 - £1.10 GBP

A bottle of 500 ml coke – 17 baht // £0.31 GBP

A T-shirt - 150 baht // £2.75 GBP

PEOPLE//

The Thai people are so genuinely nice. I felt so safe in Thailand even in the larger cities of Bangkok and Phuket. The people were all so friendly, funny and helpful.

I hope that this info comes in handy to anyone planning a trip to Thailand. It really is an incredible country and I hope I get to explore more of it one day.

 

You can check out my previous blogs on Thailand here:

PHUKET & PHI PHI

KOH LANTA

AO NANG & KRABI

New Years Eve in Bangkok

Bangkok

Nails // H&M Nail Polish in 'Serenity Now'

Huge apologies for the feet! I am not a fan of feet but I wanted to share with you this gorgeous polish. Whilst in H&M recently I stopped and had a mooch at their beauty bits. It was the first time I have had a proper look at the range and this gorgeous polish caught my eye!

It’s called ‘Serenity Now’ and is a fantastic cobalt blue which is one of my favourite colours. It surprised me as it is really good quality, it has a great brush, is easy to apply and didn’t chip!

Have you tried any of H&M’s beauty range?