IKEA lust list

1. Plant Pot (link here) - These are very popular all over the blogging world, used as make-up brush holders. I currently use a mug to store my make-up brushes but I'm desperately after one of these.

2. Chest of drawers (link here) - I love how clean white looks but when there is too much of it, it all looks a bit clinical. So this chest of drawers is perfect with the contrast from the oak-stained border.

3. Dressing table (link here) - I've had my eye on this one for a while now and I'm currently having a clearout of my bedroom so that I can get rid of my old desk and replace it with this beautiful dressing table. It's just one of those things that makes a bedroom feel that little bit more special.

4. Armchair (link here)- I am a big fan of grey sofas and the next best thing is an armchair to go with it. 

5. Serving stand (link here) - I'm in two minds as to whether I'd use this for serving canapes when guests are round or whether I'd keep it safely hidden away in my bedroom to use as storage. Either way, anything glass always looks good. 

6. Dining chair (link here) - I love the high back on this and the cushioned seat. I've never gotten used to the idea of sitting on an un-cushioned dining room chair.

7. Standing mirror (link here) - Every girl needs a full length standing mirror in her bedroom. This one is extra special as there are hooks on the back where you can hang tomorrow's outfit!

8. Cushion cover (link here) - Keeping with the theme for my love of grey, this would be a a cute little addition to my sofa.

9. Coffee table (link here) - This is such a beautiful colour and I love the fact that the top is glass although I'd be a little wary of using the actual see-through storage section in case it looked a bit messy. 

Happy Sunday everyone!

Review: Decléor - Aroma Confort Systeme Corps Moisturising Body Milk

When it comes to skincare, I rarely leave it to chance but if I am having a lazy skincare day, the one step that I will never let pass me by is moisturising. It is so important to lock in that moisture every day, especially after coming out of the shower as your skin can dry out quickly afterwards.

I have a love of body butters but when the weather starts to get a little warmer, I am always on the lookout for lighter options in the form of body lotions or body milks, just so my skin doesn't feel too heavy in the heat.

I was recently sent a bottle of Decléor Aroma Confort Systeme Corps Moisturising Body Milk* to try out, which couldn't have come at a better time as we are approaching Summer, although the weather is looking pretty dreary as I am sitting here typing. I must admit that although I am familiar with the Decléor name, I have never been familiar with their products as I don't believe they are easy to find on the high street. 

This product claims to give your skin a velvety smoothness due to its moisturising properties and its abilities to firm and elasticate the skin. Skin is then left softened at its surface layers and it is also left revitalised. 

First of all, I adore the subtle scent of this product. It just smells light and fresh, and it reminds me of old-school lotions when I was growing up, before everything started having perfumes and various smells added to it. Sometimes simple really is best and this gives my skin a very delicate scent that just makes me feel clean. 

I adore how light this feels and I can get dressed in no time without worrying about that sticky feeling from leftover residue on my skin. It glides over my skin and sinks in immediately but a little really does go a long way so you don't need to use a lot. 

Having used this on my body for over a month, I've really noticed a difference in how soft my legs have got and it is definitely worth keeping up, especially as Summer is just around the corner. Obviously this has been combined with an exfoliating regime as there is no point in slathering lotion on flaky skin! 

This is my Summer lotion and I have even been using it on my hands every morning before work as my hands tend to get quite dry. The pump makes it so easy and quick to dispense lotion and I only wish that more brands would add pumps to their body products. 

If you suffer from super dry skin then this product probably wouldn't work that well for you as it is a light body milk but, for anyone with normal skin this would be perfect. 

It's fresh, light, easy to apply, and makes my skin feel soft and supple. What's not to like?

Growing Up - Life Lessons That I Have Learnt

Back when I was a teenager, I used to think I was so grown up and mature and, to be honest, compared to others my age, I probably was quite mature but I certainly didn't know as much as I thought I did. Likewise, I'm sure that in a year's time, I will look back on today and realise how much I didn't know. We are constantly growing up and constantly learning each day, each month, and each year.

I feel like I have learnt so many life lessons over the years so, today, I would like to share a few of them with you all.

The future matters. I know the importance of making the most of every day but it is just as important to think about the future. The future is exciting. I like knowing that everything that I do today is building a better and brighter tomorrow. A mortgage won't pay itself, a family won't build itself, and your dreams will not land in your lap. Live each day to the maximum but also know that tomorrow does come. Make the most of today but plan ahead too. We are the future so let's make it a bright one.

Letting go can sometimes be the best thing that you can do for yourself. Letting go can be painful, it can be difficult and uncomfortable but, at the same time, it can be exhilarating and refreshing. In the past year, I have let go of a a handful of people in my life who were once my confidantes. In some cases, we simply outgrew each other. As I've got older, I've realised that I don't have to settle for second best, I don't have to settle with being the fallback kid, and I don't have to settle for being unhappy. It's hard to let go but it's even harder to hold onto something that drains the light from your life.

A true friendship isn't hard work. A friendship is a two way street, you shouldn't have to constantly work for it. When two people get on with each other and want to spend time together, they will. I've spent a lot of my life being a bit of a doormat and letting others take advantage of my kind nature whilst tolerating them letting me down when I need them. Those aren't true friends, those are people who just want to use you. I've been that girl who will always send the first text and then have to wait days for a reply. I've been that girl who will always be the first to arrange meet-ups, only for the other person or people to tell me that they're busy every time. Those aren't true friends and, the chances are, they never were.

You can't help who you fall for. This is one of the biggest lessons I have learnt in the past year. I have fallen in and out of lust with guys who weren't right for me, or guys who would be perfect given another time and another place. Sometimes it hurts, but sometimes it gives something beautiful, even if just for a brief moment, and it is entirely worth it just for those moments. I have learnt to let my guard down in the last year and just let myself fall, because it is honestly one of the best feelings. Not everyone will get their happy ever after, and not everyone will find "the one" straight away. Also, not everyone will approve be it parents, exes or friends, but it is easy to underestimate your own mind. They are not you, follow your instincts and don't be afraid to go on dates and to get to know people. Holding back can mean missing out on something beautiful.

Health is our biggest asset. I feel like so many people take their health for granted because, well, it's just something that is there, right? It gets ignored until we are hit with an illness and it should never be that way. At the start of this year, I made a drastic change to my lifestyle, not because anything bad had happened, but because I want to be able to experience life at the fittest and healthiest state that I can be in. I love being active and I love taking care of my own body, it is the only one I have. You don't have to cut out cakes and you don't have to go for a run every day but get moving, eat well, nourish your body but treat it from time to time too. All too often I hear people saying that even the healthiest person can be hit with a dreadful sickness so what's the point? Well the point is, you're a lot more likely to be healthy if you consciously live that way. No one can tell you that you're guaranteed your health for life, but you can do things that you will thank yourself for in 5 or 10 years time. There are illnesses that many middle-aged people suffer from and they have cultivated that from their lifestyle habits as a youth. I want to grow old gracefully and still exude energy whilst I am doing it.

Growing up is exciting as we learn more about ourselves. Just when I'd hit 20, I thought to myself "oh gosh, I'm getting old!" and I would have done anything to rewind the years. Now? I'm still in my early twenties but I have a much more positive outlook on growing up and, dare I say it, I actually think that growing up is a little exciting. As the years have gone on, I have learnt to love myself more, to understand what it is I truly want from life, and to stop wasting time on the things that drag me down. My future is looking pretty bright at the moment and everything seems to be falling into place so I am definitely looking forward to the years ahead. Very few things are handed to you on a plate when you're an adult. It is up to ourselves to get out there and make the most of everything.....

I hope you have all had a beautiful weekend and I hope you enjoyed reading this post as I really enjoyed writing it. Please let me know your thoughts below and let me know what you have learnt from life.

Review: Eat Clean Tea - Matcha Tea

When it comes to drinking tea, I try to avoid caffeine and the only time I make an exception is when it is green tea as I believe that the benefits far outweigh the cons. I've been drinking green tea for years but only in the last few years have I started drinking matcha green tea. 

Matcha green tea is like normal green tea but better. Instead of boiling the leaves and drinking the infused hot water, you drink the actual leaves too which are blended into a super fine powder. You get all the nutrients rather than just chucking the leaves into the bin. 

So why drink matcha green tea? First and foremost, matcha has incredible detoxing properties to cleanse out your body naturally, so I highly recommend matcha to anyone who is on a journey of health. In turn, this helps to give you a lovely glow as it clears your skin. Alongside all of that, matcha also helps to keep you alert, improves your heart health, and gives your metabolism a boost which is great for burning calories. 

I have tried a couple of delicious matcha teas in the past and I was recently sent two lovely new ones from Eat Clean Tea. They very kindly sent me the Matcha & Ginger* and the Matcha & Mint*. I must admit that I have never tried a matcha powder that isn't just matcha on its own so I was super excited to give these a go.

Eat Clean Tea are relatively new on the matcha scene so it might be a new name to most of you. I absolutely love their ethos of eating well and exercising in order to maintain good health, none of those fad diets or teatoxes. Their matcha originates from Japan where the leaves are handpicked and then stone ground to form a fine powder which we can then whisk into a delightful tea. 

The first one that I tried was the Matcha & Ginger* which I was initially a little apprehensive about. I'm not the biggest fan of having ginger in my foods but I'm all for trying new food and drink so I knew I had to give this one a go. Made from matcha powder and ground ginger, this is a super powerful drink that not only detoxifies, but it gives your immune system an almighty boost due to the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger. The first thing I noticed was how strong it smelt, especially after I had mixed it with boiling hot water. I must admit that when mixed just with water, it was a touch too strong for me but, with a top up of almond milk, it was just perfect. I never thought that I would like anything with ginger in it but I absolutely love how refreshing this is and I love knowing that it's doing good stuff inside my body too. This was definitely my favourite out of the two. 

I then tried the Matcha & Mint* which didn't frighten me as much since I am a big fan of peppermint tea. This tea is made from matcha and spearmint powder and it gives such a refreshing kick. This is perfect for anyone who wants a touch of sweetness to their matcha and it's great for giving you a happy tummy due to the digestive aids in mint. This is one that I would happily drink with or without milk. 

The Eat Clean Tea website recommends that you drink this tea twice a day but I tend to just drink it in the morning before I set off for the day. It keeps my metabolism going, maintains my energy levels and it has a great calming effect on me due to a compound called L-Theanine which is present in matcha.

Eat Clean Tea offers free worldwide shipping so you can get your matcha fix wherever you live. Priced at £18.95 for 30g, this is one of the more affordable matcha tea powders that I have come across. 

Are you a fan of drinking matcha tea?

Happy Things #6

M&S Cookies. I made my very first trip to my local M&S Food Hall recently and found these delicious looking cookies. I actually remember seeing the Pineapple & Coconut cookies on someone's Instagram a while back and I've wanted to try them ever since but it's the flapjack cookies that really won me over. 

Running. My treadmill is definitely one of the best investments I have ever made. I've had it for a while now and there is rarely a day that goes by when I don't use it. For me, I find it to be such a stress-reliever. Depending on my mood or energy levels that day, I'll either listen to a playlist on Spotify whilst I run, or I'll power walk on an incline whilst listening to a podcast. I'm hoping that once the weather warms up a bit, I might look for somewhere nice in the countryside where I can run during the weekends. I have still not found the perfect pair of running shoes but I do have a love for Skechers and I adore their memory foam range. 

Kate Spade handbag. They say that most women either have a love of shoes or a love of bags. For me, it is most definitely bags. I used to have far too many and I have toned it down over the years but I still can't resist a beautiful looking bag. I've never been into designer handbags as I don't believe they're really worth the price but I decided that it was time to get myself a "staple handbag", one that I would take everywhere with me. So I did the unthinkable, I purchased my first designer handbag. I am in love with my new Kate Spade bag, the quality is exceptional and I can't wait to take it everywhere with me.

I hope you have all had an amazing week!

Review: Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Night Cream

For those of you who didn't already know, I am obsessed with skincare and I am so pleased to share with you the latest addition to my skincare collection. I like to keep my skincare products to a minimum as I don't believe that I need everything, just a few good products will do, so it takes a lot for a product to gain a permanent spot in my life. 

My go-to face moisturiser is Simple but, lately, I've felt as though my skin has been suffering from the stresses of long hours and minimal sleep and I felt like I needed something a bit richer at night to keep my skin looking healthy.

I've never been a fan of thick creams as I just wake up feeling like I have a bit of a film on my face. By chance, I came across the Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb whilst scrolling through Instagram. I did a bit of research online and after reading about how light it was, I was sold. I promptly headed to into town that weekend and made my purchase.

They actually do a day version too but I opted just for the night one as I feel that my Simple Moisturiser is sufficient enough for the day.

This night moisturiser is described as a "super-recharging antioxidant gel-cream" which "hydrates up to 10 layers of skin" and "recharges" and "replumps skin". Sounds pretty good, right? I love a good gel cream as you know it's going to be light and refreshing.

The packaging is nothing spectacular but it does the job. The pot is extremely light, it feels empty almost but you get around 50ml for £7.99, which isn't quite as expensive as the likes of Origins and Clinique, but it's also not as affordable as brands such as Simple.

This formula contains antioxidant pomegranate and amla extracts, and is specially targeted at dehydrated skin in need of a moisture boost. It sounded perfect for purpose.

I usually take a pea-sized amount and dot it all over my face before smoothing it all over. The texture is really strange and it's unlike any cream I've used before. At first touch it is very much like a standard gel cream. As I smoothed it over my face, it felt as though the cream was turning into some kind of water that my skin was drinking up straight away. It's honestly such a strange texture but it works and I like it. A little really does go a long way. It has a slight aquatic scent to it which is pretty much undetectable once applied.

Immediately after application, my skin was left feeling fresh and cool, but not heavy, which I was pleased about as I don't like the feeling of anything heavy on my face. It also meant that I wasn't transferring loads of product onto my pillow as I slept.

The following morning, my skin was surprisingly soft and smooth, and it felt so much more hydrated than the day before. There was also no residue or film on my skin as it seemed to have soaked in quite nicely.

I've been using this product for a few weeks now and it has really given my skin a much-needed moisture hit and I can wake up every day with supple, baby-soft skin.

Will I be getting the day cream to go with it? Probably not right now. Why spend more for a product when your current one already does the job you want out of that product?

As for this night cream, I will definitely be re-purchasing once I run out as it has been such a life-saver for my skin.

Have you tried the Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb? It is currently on offer at Superdrug and Boots.

A warm welcome (back)!

It's been a while, hasn't it? I've had a re-fresh. I've started over. So it's only right that I begin with a welcome post....

For those of you who are new to my blog, I'm Linda. I spent three beautiful years studying at university and I am now a young working professional putting all the hours in to build my dream life. I'm passionate about living a happy lifestyle but I'm all about mixing the good with the bad. I have a 70/30 rule. 70% good, 30% indulgent. I love working out but I also love cake and I wouldn't give it up for all the raw flapjacks in the world. Only two courses at dinner? Dessert is a given. I am a food enthusiast and there is no better way to catch up with friends than over a delicious dinner. This blog will contain a lot of food.

I am also a skincare obsessive and I am forever looking for effective but affordable ways of keeping my skin in tip-top condition. A flawless complexion is ten times better than any foundation you can buy. So on the beauty side of things on this blog, you probably won't see much make-up but you will see a lot of skincare products, tips, and tricks. 

I love to visit new places. It amazes me how many beautiful and exciting places there are in the UK and it's a shame that so many chase the sun abroad. There are a lot of hidden gems here if you look hard enough. Be it a new restaurant, a spa, or a quirky little town, I might just share some of that with you on here,,,,

For those of you who have followed my blog for a while, welcome back and thank you so much for sticking by me during these long periods of radio silence. Life got busy and I lost motivation for this blog and began posting sporadically here and there. My life has changed considerably in the last few years and I am such a different person now that the old blog didn't seem to feel like "me" anymore. I didn't want to delete this little part of the web so, subsequently, I have given this blog a quick freshen up. I made the mistake of purchasing a blog template, installing it, then deleting it within minutes as I decided that my own design was much more appropriate. So everything you see here is my own design! I have had so much fun playing with html and css codes. 

I have also deleted a lot of posts that I wasn't happy about and stuff that I should never have posted in the first place. 

But I am here now. I am in such a happy place at the moment and I can not wait to get blogging again!

Today.

Today....

Tell someone you love them.
Tell someone you care.
Give someone a hug.
Say sorry.
Forgive someone.
Let go of the anger.
Be honest with yourself.
Realise that focusing on today does not mean forgetting the importance of the future.
Give back to those who have done so much for you, be it your parents, your friends, or anyone else.
Breathe deeply.
Remind yourself of everything that you have.
Work hard to get to where you want to be.
Tell yourself about everything that you have to look forward to.

Every day is a new day so start it with positivity and happiness. Life is precious. Don't take a single second for granted. Live your life with a kind heart and an open mind. You can't fix the world but you can ensure that there is one more good person out there who is making the most of their life.

Review: Valentina - Elephants Bracelet

It has been way too long since I did a jewellery post on this blog, where has the time gone? Today, I am introducing you to a company called Valentina. The company was founded recently in 2015 and they pride themselves on creating beautiful yet sustainable jewellery. Everything is assembled by hand in England, and it's always great to support a growing business. 

Valentina have kindly sent me their beautiful Elephants Bracelet* and I absolutely love it. I don't own any charm bracelets so this is a very welcome addition to my jewellery collection. It features various animal charms alongside some very pretty blue beads. The bracelet comes in three sizes and is fully adjustable. It is also silver plated and free from nickel. All Valentina items come packaged in fully recyclable material in order to protect the environment. 

A portion of all sales are donated to a charity so if you're not sure which bracelet to go for, why not check out the charities instead to see which one you'd like to support? With this bracelet, 10% of the sale goes towards the World Wide Fund for Nature, a charity dedicated to looking after our environment and the wildlife, whilst tackling climate change. I think that protecting our planet is so important not just for ourselves but for future generations, and it's great that Valentina helps to support that. 

They have also kindly offered my readers a discount code to offer you all 30% off all of their items. You can use the code linda30 at checkout. Hurry, it expires on the 16th of March 2016!

What are your thoughts on this bracelet and the company behind it?

Self-Love

Here we are again, the 14th of February, a day that most of us know as Valentine's Day. Some people love the day filled with soppy romantic gestures, whereas others could not think of a more pointless day of the year. Nevertheless, today has been a great reminder for me that before anything else, self-love is so important. 

Appreciate yourself and everything that you do. It's okay to give yourself a pat on the back for finishing that drawing you've been doing. It's okay to tell yourself "well done" for running that extra mile. 

Likewise, don't beat yourself up for not completing a task. Tomorrow is a new day and you can start again. We are always taught to forgive others that we sometimes forget to forgive ourselves. 

Live your life with intention. It can be monotonous to stick to the same routine day in day out, not knowing why you're doing what you're doing. Find something that you're good at, find something that you enjoy.

Cherish your body and mind. Feed your body with good food, feed your mind with inspiration and new knowledge. 

Being alone is not the same as being lonely. Use your "me-time" to gather your thoughts, to assess your dreams and goals, to reflect on what's been going on. Pamper yourself, read a book, do a puzzle. 

Independence is cool. Learn how to do things for yourself even if it scares you. Being able to carry yourself is one of the best feelings. 

Find your happy place, the place that makes you smile and the place that makes you feel as though all your troubles just drift away. 

Stop waiting for someone to love you. That person is you. Anyone else who comes along is just an added bonus. 

Stop waiting in general. Be patient, be persistent, but don't stop moving. 

The best person in this wide world to transform you into a better version of yourself  is YOU. 

Happy Things #5

Weekends. I've taken my weekends for granted for way too long and I feel like I've finally taken control of them again. The weekends are mine. They are my time to do things that I love and see people who I care about. It's amazing what a happy weekend can do to your mood for the week ahead.

More healthy baking. I'm pretty sure that my last Happy Things post contained healthy cookies but you can never have too many healthy cookies, right? This time I baked some banana and oat cookies, a recipe from the Deliciously Ella cookbook. They tasted so good and I didn't add a single drop of refined sugar in there. 

Sports. As a child, I wasn't into sports at all but now I love getting involved in sports, mainly anything with a racquet. You can't beat a game of badminton or squash to perk you up on a Sunday morning.

New boots. I've been lusting after a pair of Ted & Muffy boots for ages, some of you may know them as Duo Boots. After trying on the brown Somerset boots in store, I ordered them online a few weeks later. They were originally £220 but I have just seen that they are on sale for only £85, and I highly recommend Ted & Muffy as the boots are so comfortable and you can purchase them in a variety of calf widths. 

Getting organised. Ever since getting my Filofax, I've been jotting down all my plans and appointments and making sure that I'm super organised. From a reminder to service my car to a mini-break that I have booked for this year, being organised is such a great feeling. 

I hope that you have all had a wonderful and happy week!

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5 Lifestyle Habits To Adopt In 2016

First of all, I hope that you all had a very Happy New Year and that you welcomed 2016 in style. I was curled up on the sofa in my pyjamas, watching Bryan Adams belting out his amazing songs on BBC before very enthusiastically joining in with the Big Ben countdown and watching the spectacular fireworks display that followed.

Now that all the festivities are over, the talk on everyone's lips are about New Year's resolutions. Whilst I stopped making those a few years ago, I prefer to talk about goals and habits, and concrete activities that can be carried our regularly such as "go for a run once a week" rather than "lose five pounds".

So today, I am going to be sharing with you my top lifestyle habits to adopt in 2016.

1. Be an early bird

Unless you do night shifts, it's always good to wake up early in the morning because it can really improve your mood. It's a great feeling to wake up and know that you have the entire day ahead of you. Also, I love the feeling of heading out for some fresh air knowing that most people are still fast asleep in bed. Shopping also becomes a much more manageable task when it's early. I find that anything between 7am to 8am is a pretty good time to get out of bed but try to make the time constant. Set your alarm if you have to and don't be tempted to hit that snooze button, it'll only make it harder to get out of bed. Don't forget to sleep earlier too! I love getting up early on a weekend to go for a run or to head down to the sports centre. It really wakes me up and refreshes me for the day ahead.

2. Strive to improve, not to be perfect

No one is perfect, and there's no point beating yourself up trying to be. It's unlikely you're going to be the top of absolutely everything, learn every language in the world, and be world-class at every sport. If you could then you'd probably be King or Queen of the world. Instead, aim to be a better you. Put more time into practicing your favourite piano piece, spend more evenings improving your tennis skills, grab a notebook and draft out some new blog post ideas. Improvement feels satisfying and gives you something realistic to work towards.

3. Cherish your body.

It's yours. Look after it. Feed it well. Exercise it. There is nothing wrong with indulging every now and then. I love food but I also make sure that I cook healthy foods most days and I workout at least five times a week be it going for a run, a game of squash, a fitness DVD or a home-made workout. You don't need a gym membership and you don't need a subscription to any of these food-to-door services. Just be more mindful of what you eat, and get moving every day. The best workouts I do are in the comfort of my own home with my favourite music turned up. And if I want an apple pie with ice-cream on Sunday, I will. It's about moderation, not restrictions.

4. Say goodbye to the people that bring you down.

Surround yourself with positivity and inspiration. Let go of the people who drain the joy out of your life and those who fail to see your value. They are not worth your effort or your time. Do things that you enjoy, and spend time with those people who make you smile just as much as you make them smile, and those who are there for you just as much as you are there for them.

5. Gather your daydreams, then stop dreaming and start doing.

There is no dream too big and there is also no dream too small. You don't need to aspire to be the next famous make-up artist to the stars, it could be something as simple as perfecting the perfect red lip. I have lots of mini dreams such as learning a nice piano piece that I heard the other day. But instead of sitting around thinking "gosh I wish I could play something so beautiful", I got myself a copy of the sheet music, sat myself in front of my piano and started practicing. Daydreaming is a wonderful thing but it's ten times better when you take steps into making those dreams a reality.

I hope you've enjoyed this post and perhaps you might implement some of these lifestyle habits today. The world is your oyster...

P.S: I have recently found my way onto Instagram so come and check out my page: www.instagram.com/IAmLinderella