The Over-Excessive Travel Makeup Bag

Like I mentioned in my last post, I am an overpacker. I pack everything to make me feel a little bit more comfortable in new environments. Another thing, I'm a makeup addict. I love it to pieces. So the two of it combined... UH OH.

I understand it's a lot. But I wanted to mention now, that a week after I come home after this holiday. I'm going away again for a week in Sidari, Corfu with my family. So I was thinking all the things I don't really use then, I will take out and then it will be more condensed the second time around. I'll do a post too and let you know!

ANYWAAAAY

Starting with base, this is when the mini versions of products come out. I have two mini Benefit primers, That Gal and Porefessional. Both two of my favourite ever primers. I'm taking two foundations one that is my skin tone now, and another that is too dark. So I thought I'd take it away and get some use out of it. They are the L'Oreal Infallible (which I'll probably finish while I'm out there!) and the YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat, the old formula. I'm taking two concealers, one that is light for highlighting under the eyes, Seventeen Stay Time, and the other concealing blemishes, the Collection Lasting Perfection. I'm taking the NYX HD Loose Powder and that's the base.

For eyebrows I'm taking my normal eyebrow duo, the Sleek eyebrow stylist and the Benefit Gimme Brow. For eyes, I'm taking a tester of Benefit's Air Patrol, as it has SPF in to protect them. I'm taking a Benefit cream eyeshadow in RSVP, MAC Blue Brown pigment as I take this everywhere with me and lastly my Naked 2 palette. Me and my friend have a deal, she takes the Naked 1, I take the Naked 2. I'm taking the Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk from NYX, Urban Decay Perversion and Faint eyeliners.

The mascaras are a mini Rollerlash and Maybelline Lash Sensational, the waterproof formula.

For Face, I'm taking MAC's Soft and Gentle as it looks gorgeous in the sun, Benefit Hoola Bronzer in the mini size as it looks great with a tan. I'm also taking the Seventeen Define and Conquer contour kit because the light shade is perfect for setting the undereyes and the dark shade is great as an eyeshadow. I'm taking NARS Orgasm blush, in a mini and Milani Luminoso blush. Both look phenomenal in the sun. I'm also taking the NYX Wonderstick to trial too! Benefit Watts Up highlighter goes perfect under Soft and Gentle.

This is where I 1000% know I've gone overboard, but I feel like these colours are hard to wear in Wales... I'm just gonna list these.

MAC Cherish

MAC Whirl Liner 

MAC Soar Liner

KIKO Creamy Colour Liner in 315

MAC Morange Lipglass

MAC Please Me Lipstick

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Abu Dhabi

Too Faced lipstick in Stiletto Red

Kiko Gossamer Emotion in 107.

I'm judging myself for taking this much makeup too...

See ya soon!

The Summer Holiday Skincare

I am heading to Cala Vinyes, in Majorca in just under 36 hours. Which means I am doing all the last minute packing, shopping and all that jazz. One of the things I dread doing is the packing, I am a horrible traveller, so I like to pack everything to make me feel as comfortable as ever. However, skincare is a different story.

I don't know about you, but I don't do that much skincare on holiday. I just wanna wash my face and go.

So, starting with washing my face, I like to use the Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel. It's small, compact and lathers up on the face beautifully. This means my skin is left feeling super soft and energized! 

Next, I use my holy grail skin product, Simple Kind to Skin Protecting Moisture Cream. It has UVA/UVB, SPF of 30 and contains Glycerin in which helps keep my makeup on, if I choose to.

I've been using this for years and I just love what it does for my skin. I always make sure to take it away with me, especially due to SPF. Obviously I will be using suncream aswell but it's good to get the SPF in wherever you can.

I don't know about you, but my eyes are always puffy, sore and tired on holiday. The sun just makes them want to close all the time. Hence why I am taking the Simple Kind To Eyes Soothing Eye Balm. It glides on the eyes, whilst protecting and also being super gentle on. Winner winner.

If I just want my skin to have a little refresher, say if I've just got in from the pool all day. I like to take some face wipes just to wipe away any gross things. I will use any, but I've just picked up the Simple ones.

Talking of refreshing, I always use the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water to remove my makeup. It gets the job done which leaving it cool and clean. Perfect!

Lastly, I will be only using this if my skin is reaaaally bad because I think this mixed with sun won't make my skin that happy. But this is the Clean and Clear advanced treatment gel. My skin definitely doesn't clear up in the sun like everyone else's. Mine usually gets worse due to the suncream, chlorine, sun, sea water and everything else. If I have any pesky spots, this will get them.

And there we have it. I don't go OTT, just keeping it quite and easy. I have noticed that I've mentioned a lot in Simple in here, but I like to use them for travelling because they're small to take away, they're cheap and if I want to leave them there. I can. I bought them with my own money, haha don't worry, I don't get sent anything!

All of it fit into my Primark Beauty Bag. Best purchase ever! 

Just Bouncin' Around

I am one of those people that gets bored quickly. I like to go on adventures, exploring and being spontaneous. So when I heard, AirHop was coming to Bristol, (Close to where I live!) I knew I had to go.

I've been three times, only one have I actually decided to take pictures because usually I'd be super sweaty and running around crazily from trampoline to trampoline.

The first and second time I went, I went with my work colleagues. First was a group of 8 I think, second was a group of 12? I think 8 was a better number because we were more likely to stick together! But 12 was good for dodgeball. The third time I went, I surprised my best friend Rhiannon when she was home from university. So we were a bit more chilled.

Trampolining was a hobby of mine at the age of 13, I did it with Rhiannon for about a year or two. I wasn't good, but I loved the feeling of being free so I stuck at it. I think that's why I love AirHop so much.

There are a few aspects to AirHop. There is a "Wipeout" zone, which if you've seen Total Wipeout you'll get this. You stand on a podium, with other people around you in a circle. In the centre of the circle, is a "soft play" pole that goes around the circle. You have to jump over the low one, and duck on the podium to avoid the high one. 

WORST EXPLANATION EVER.

But that's fun, you'll be giggling.

There's two dodgeball zones, but the last time I went, one of them were being used as a baby play area. You have a set of trampolines on each side, divided by a line inbetween. You pick a trampoline and you go against the people in front of you. The balls are put on the line at the start, so you have to run and grab the ball to start. Don't worry, if you're like me, you just bounce and avoid the balls, rather than throw them!

There is a zone that has a foam pit, that you can flip and jump into the foam pit from a trampoline.

Next to it, is a foam pit with a beam on it, which you can go against a friend and use the soft play toy to try and push your friend into the foam pit. That's fun and I pushed my 25 year old colleague in there.

Note: Foam pit is a nightmare to get out of. I always have to get the help of a worker.

They have basketball hoops at different heights that you can bounce on a trampoline and then try and get that in. That's fun. I like those, because it reminds me of the Facebook Messenger game.

Lastly, there are tonnes of trampolines to just freestyle jump on. I love these the most because you can just jump around. I love jumping from one trampoline to another and racing around. 

AirHop is a great place to go to in the holidays. You pay £12 when you first go because you have to pay for the socks, which you can then keep and only pay £10 everytime you go. It's an hour long session and that is definitely long enough. You get to go on everything I've mentioned above.

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you will know I love fitness. Depending on how hard you go, you will hurt in the morning! Such a fun way to exercise!

Definitely check out AirHop or any trampoline park if you can, you won't regret it!

The TMI Tag!

I mentioned before that I wanted you guys to get to know me a little bit better and I feel like this is the most used tag out there so why not do my own version!

1: What are you wearing?
Lawson Tour Top from 2012 and Gilly Hicks Pyjama Bottoms

2: Ever been in love?
Yep

3: Ever had a terrible breakup?
Yep

4: How tall are you?
5ft7??? maybe???

5: How much do you weigh?
I don't know! I don't weigh myself!

6: Any tattoos?Nope

7: Any piercings?
Used to have my ears done, but I let them close up.. 

8: OTP?
Blair and Chuck from Gossip Girl, Troy and Gabriella from High School Musical and Aria and Ezra from Pretty Little Liars

9: Favorite show?
Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, Impractical Jokers, that's a few of my favs!

10: Favorite bands?
The Beatles!

11: Something you miss?
Being 18/Sixth Form

12: Favorite song?
Currently: Work from Home-Fifth Harmony
All Time: I'm Happy Just To Dance With You-The Beatles

13: How old are you?
20

14: Zodiac sign?
Sagittarius

15: Quality you look for in a partner?
Sense of Humour!

16: Favorite Quote?
"Never regret anything, because at the time it was exactly what you wanted."

17: Favorite actor?
Leonardo DiCaprio

18: Favorite color?
Tiffany blue!

19: Loud music or soft?
Soft

20: Where do you go when you’re sad?
The pool. 

21: How long does it take you to shower?
10-30 minutes

22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
40 minutes for work... about an hour/an hour and a half otherwise!

23: Ever been in a physical fight?
Nope

24: Turn on?
Kindness

25: Turn off?
Arrogance

26: The reason I joined YouTube?
-

27: Fears?
Heights

28: Last thing that made you cry?
Hahaha I fainted

29: Last time you said you loved someone?Last night, to my best friend :)

30: Meaning behind your YouTube Name?-

31: Last book you read?Looking for Alaska. I've read it five times.

32: The book you’re currently reading?Me, Earl and The Dying Girl.

33: Last show you watched?Gossip Girl

34: Last person you talked to?My mum 

35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted?My best friend.

36: Favorite food?Noodles, stirfry, chicken katsu curry, gammon, chicken tikka masala.

37: Place you want to visit?New York, LA, Chicago, Australia.

38: Last place you were?I'm currently in my bed, but bar my house, I was in town.

39: Do you have a crush?No!

40: Last time you kissed someone?Uhhh January?

41: Last time you were insulted?I don't know haha

42: Favorite flavor of sweet?Strawberry

43: What instruments do you play?I can play the flute!

44: Favorite piece of jewelry?My grandma's ring, pandora bracelet and my Michael Kors watch.

45: Last sport you played?Water polo. 

46: Last song you sang?Uhhhhh Drunk in Love?

47: Favorite chat up line?None!!!!!!11

48: Have you ever used it?...

49: Last time you hung out with anyone?Last night!

50: Who should answer these questions next?
Everyone reading this.

I hope this answered a couple of questions about me!

Happy 20.5th Birthday To Me!

I am a November baby, which means technically when I'm writing this, I am 20 and a half years old. As my next birthday is a bit of a milestone, I would like to turn 21 with a few things under my belt.

(My 20th birthday cake, woohoo!)

1. Go to the gym at least two, maybe three times a week. I do do this quite a bit but some weeks I only do like one half an hour session, which aint too good. 

2. Eat more healthily. By this I mean, to stop eating takeaways and eating out as much.

3. Visit my grandma as much as I can. I do this anyway, but I'd like to see her even more.

4. Go on walks. I'm a stressed person in general, my moods are very mixed and I find walks are so therapeutic, I want to go on more. 

5. Following on from number 4, I'd like to go on walks around my area. I live in a town in Wales where there are forests, fields, and all that jazz, basically surrounding me. I'd love to explore a bit more!

6. Try more foods. I'm very stuck in my own ways, I know what I like and that's what I order. I think I should probably try some different things for sure!

7. Be more open to things. This is just a general thing, be it saying yes to going out or just being a bit more open-minded about people. 

8. Adapt a sense of style. I don't really have a "style." I'd love to be like Blair Waldorf, Cher from Clueless or even Freddy Cousin Brown! 

9. Blog more. I went through a stage at the start of the year where I blogged so much and I've lost the inspiration, I definitely think the summer will give me more blog ideas!

10. Swim more. I'm a lifeguard and a swimming teacher so my life basically revolves around the pool. I'd love to swim and improve my technique more as I really do enjoy swimming. 

11. Be open in University. I'm going to University in September, just two months before my 21st, and I hope that I make friends and gain more confidence through my course.

12. Sort my makeup collection. I love makeup as much as the next girl, but I think my collection is a bit excessive as one girl can't use thaaaat much. I would love to sell things on, or give it to friends and family. I just need to be brave and get rid, haha.

13. Declutter my wardrobe. The same as my makeup collection, I have a lot of clothes. But if I love a piece, I will wear it quite a bit. I also buy things and don't wear them because I'm not brave enough. Get a grip, Katie!

14. Get rid of people that aren't good for me. Unfortunately, I have a few of these in my life right now, who purely just don't get me and aren't willing to try and understand things in my life. Crappy people.

15. Maintain a good relationship with my sister. Me and my big sister are very close in age, we're a year and a 11 months apart so we do clash a lot. That's expected. But since we're now 20 and 22, we get on quite a bit better and I'd like to maintain that. 

16. Visit London. I've only been to London, like twice? And I really would love to go and again and just explore. I want to shop, and go to a show and visit the landmarks!

17. Spend less time in bed. Kind of a funny one, I mean that if I don't have anything planned that day. I will stay in bed all day and do NOTHING. This can be good sometimes, but I feel like I should plan things, or go out for a walk or help around the house.

18. Work my ass off in Uni. I know I will, I know 100%. But I just hope that I can work at my job, be in uni, see my family and friends and maintain a good University grade. I'm determined to be a great student!

19. Be more independent. Since buying a car three weeks ago, I now already feel much more independent. But I'd love to be able to do things and just not feel self-conscious. I also hate phone calls, complaining or just be an adult so I hope I can do more of these things. 

20. Focus on me. Remember, that I'm in charge of my own happiness. Not anybody else's, or they're not in charge of mine.

21. Remember I'm only young. 20/21 is a young age. It's nothing compared to some people, and I need to remember that I can go out and party, make mistakes and be a young adult. I don't want to rush into my 30s just yet!

Reflecting

I have had a whirlwind of a 2016 so far. I lost one of the most important people in my life in February, just two days after I found out I was going to University. I booked a week away with a friend at the end of May, a week away with my family in June and currently planning a Disneyland Paris trip for August. I'm seeing Beyonce live in concert with my sister, which is an ultimate dream, so it's about to get a lot more hectic.

Ever just think to yourself "I need to get away"? or, "This is getting a tad overwhelming."

Yep. I said that.

Unfortunately, I can't just get up and leave everything behind. All these exciting things I'm planning comes with a price tag, which means I need to be working working working. 

On the 20th of April, my best friend took me to a place where my grandparents took me all the time when I was a little girl. The 20th of April happens to be my grandparents' anniversary, it actually marked their 70th this year. My granddad past away just under three months ago so this was the first anniversary they wouldn't be spending together. 

I have found that life has been a little challenging recently. I bought a car on the 16th of April and I've hit it twice and broke my antenna. Great driving Katie, really great. Work has been tough and just life in general.

Sometimes you just need a little break, whether that be a holiday or literally a couple of hours away from the surroundings that have phone service, annoying people and extreme traffic.