love you.

I saw this on Instagram earlier today and it really hit home to me. 

For years, I settled for someone who loved me but not wholly, but I didn't love myself, if anything I despised most parts of me. Because I didn't love myself, I accepted this half arsed love because I thought that that was all I deserved.  Now, after many months of being single, many nights crying on the phone to my friends and a lot of work on my mentality I feel like I can honestly say I do love myself. I can see many things in me that make me happy and now that I love myself, I can see that it is unacceptable to settle for half hearted love, the person who loves you should love all of you. Whether you're dressed up for a night out, full of cold, stressed before an exam, any situation, the person should still love you the same. 

 I won't settle for anything less that whole hearted love anymore, I deserve it.

This is a deep post for a Sunday night,  but I needed to say it. 

Lots of love,

Laura x

Half term Happiness - flipping hell it's Friday!!

Usually, Friday's are my favourite day, this is not the case when it's half term. But today I have had a lovely day.

Firstly, I went to springfields in Spalding with my best friend, Mel. We browsed the shops before having a cup of tea and cake in Costa. We then visited the body shop, where I bought a few new products -I'm not telling you too much about these as I will be doing a review in the next few days. We then went to the beauty outlet and bought a few random beauty products. After that we went to the Nike outlet and did some damage. I bought some gorgeous dark grey leopard print leggings, I bought these as I am hoping to join the gym in the next couple of months - I think I'll join when my first year of uni is over. I love leggings anyway so whilst I'm not a gym member I will be wearing them about the house and for PE at work. When we got home we sat and had another cuppa with my mum and had a good gossip. 

This evening I had a driving lesson, this is roughly my 12th lesson and I'm really enjoying learning to drive - I never thought I'd say that! I practiced my general driving and my parking - as a reward my instructor bought me a McDonalds milkshake! I had to drive round the drive thru though which was scary! Tonight I've just watched television and chilled out - the usual Friday night.

How was your Friday?

Lots of love,

Laura x

Half term Happiness - Thrilling Thursday!

Today was one of the best days ever! 

Firstly, I went for brunch with my mum and then I went to the hairdressers. I used to be obsessed with having long hair but my hair is so thick that it's just unmanageable! So I've had a good chop and I love it! 

I've had braces for four years so I was incredibly excited to go to the orthodontist today to get my braces removed!

The picture on the left was taken yesterday, the picture on the right was taken today. I can't believe how different a hair cut and brace removal has made me look! I'm so so happy.  

I can't get used to smiling without braces! 

Did any of you guys have braces?

Lots of love, 

Laura x

Half term Happiness - Wicked Wednesday's.

It's Wednesday, it's "hump day", the middle of the week! This morning I made Creme egg brownies (see the previous post for more) and I spent this evening with one of my closest friends, Leanne - who I work with. 

We went to Lincoln Odeon to see 50 Shades of Grey, which was actually a really good film! I definitely fancy Mr Grey and the music was fab too. We both decided to be naughts and have 3 scoops of Ben & Jerry's as its half term. 

We then popped down to road to the handmade Burger co.

I'm a fussy eater so I settled on a classic chicken burger and chunky chips. It was delicious! 

It was lovely to spend time with Leanne and have a proper girlie chat! We will definitely be doing it again soon. 

Lots of love, 

Laura x

Creme Egg Brownies.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love Creme Eggs and when I say love, I mean I would marry them if I could. 

For the past couple of years I've wanted to make Creme Egg brownies but just never gotten round to it! So yesterday I went into Morrisons and bought the ingredients I needed to make these delicious brownies. 

I followed the recipe on the Good Housekeeping website - http://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/food/recipes/creme-egg-brownies 

These are the finished brownies, without blowing my own trumpet I think they look delicious. When they've cooled I'm going to cut them up and have one with a cuppa. Perfect! 

What shall I bake next? 

Laura x 

Weekend Makeup.

Firstly I used Benefit's Porefessional to prime my skin. I then went in with the Soap and Glory "Kick Ass Concealer" this conceals my dark circles and comes with a little powder to set this before moving on. For foundation, I use the L'Oreal True Match in R1.C1 (the lightest shade for my very pale skin). I then use the cult favourite Collection Lasting Perfection in fair to brighten my undereye area. 

After this I used the Soap and Glory Solar Powder to subtly contour my face and add some definition to my cheek bones. To continue the contoured look, I used the No7 Instance Radiance Highlighter on the tops of my cheek bones. I then used Benefit's Posietint to add some colour to my cheeks, I used my fingers to blend the majority in and then used my RealTechniques stippling brush to make it look less harsh. I then used Rimmel Stay Matte powder on my t-zone and chin.

Lastly I sorted my brows and eyes. I used Soap and Glory Archery in Brownie Points to lightly fill in the sparse patches in my brows. (I love the felt tip end for a more natural look). I then used the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette for a lovely spring, pink toned eyeshadow. I used strange all over my lid, I then used burnout all over the lid again, followed by a mix of buzz and liar in the crease. I then blended it out for a nice shimmery look. I then used Maybelline Lash Sensational on my lashes, this is the newest mascara released by maybelline and so far I love it! 

Then just as I left the house, I applied MAC's Creme Cup lipstick which is my favourite daily lippy.

At the moment, this is my "go to" makeup for weekends, meals, anything that warrants a little bit more effort! 

What products would you recommend? What are you favourite purchases of the year so far? 

Lots of love,

Laura x

Positivity.

Now, I've always been one of those people who overthinks everything, worries about the littlest things and just gets in a muddle. As me and my friends call it, I can be a right "Negative Nelly". But for the past few weeks I've felt a change in myself. I've actually turned into a "Positive Polly". I have gotten rid of the toxic people in my life, I've focussed on work and uni and I'm reaping the benefits of doing so! My grades have improved and my mood has too. I feel really happy and I know there's still many things I would change if I could but I'm happy as I am. 

What happens, happens. 

Lots of love 

Laura x

Half term Happiness - Tired Tuesday.

Day two of half term which is dedicated to uni work (reality check!) On a more positive note, it is Shrove Tuesday so I had a nice pancake break in the middle. 

I am in my first year of my teaching degree, and currently studying a Child Development Module. I feel like I've had textbooks coming out of my ears recently! I have to spread all of my books and notepads out to know what I'm doing - it's organised chaos!

  This actually looks neater than it is!

Do you have any studying tips? What are you studying? 

Lots of love. 

Laura x

Half Term Happiness - Money spending Mondays.

This week is half term (yay!) so I decided to do a week of blog posts which basically tell you guys what I've been up to! 

Today is Monday, the first official day of the holidays. I went into town with one of my best friends, Beth. We went to Costa for a light lunch and a good catch up. 

I had a vanilla latte and a cheese & tomato toastie, it was delicious I must say! 

Myself and Beth then had a wander around town where I picked up a few bargains! 

Firstly, I got some jewellery from Miss Selfridge. The gold statement necklace was originally priced at £14.50 but it was on sale for £3.50! I fell in love with it straight away and it will look amazing with my monochrome dress which I've got for my 21st. The pink smaller necklace was supposed to be £10 but I got it on sale for £2.50 and the rings were supposed to be £10 and they were also £2.50. I couldn't resist any of these, I'm such a magpie when it comes to these things!!

I then went into waterstones and bought "The Glam Guide" by Youtube and beauty guru, Fleur de Force. It was supposed to be £15, but it had £3 off it and I used a voucher to buy it - bargain!

My last stop was TKMaxx which isn't a shop I go in every single week, but when I do, I like to have a good rummage about! I got this lovely notebook which says "expect nothing, appreciate everything" in lovely gold font on the cover. This cost £4.99 and I will b using it as my "Blogging book" in the hope that I become a better and more frequent blogger!!

So that was my Monday, I wonder how the rest of my week will turn out! 

Lots of love,

Laura x