We're Halfway There..

Already, we are half way through another year. So far, things haven't been that great. I lost a very close friend of mine at the start of  the year, my health hasn't been the strongest, and I've seen loved ones suffer. But a sudden realisation of mine hit me last night, was that I am still focusing on the negative things that have happened this year. Where really, I should focus on the positive! So these are 15 good things that have happened in 2015 already, that have been great!

My godson said my name for the first time! Finally, little Lucas who is two next month, said my name. My heart burst!

I went on my first hen do for one of my best friend! It was amazing :)

I am now a LEVEL 2 swimming teacher, after a year and a half, I decided a Level 1 just wasn't good enough for me. Hence the Level 2 title ;)

I am a LEVEL 2 GYM INSTRUCTOR! This was amazing to complete, it took months of hard work and now I can help get people fitter!

I passed my driving theory test! Now it's just time for the real deal..

I went to Birmingham with one of my best friends to see Ariana Grande, I also saw one of my friends who is at Birmingham University doing Nursing, it was so good to see her!

I went to see One Direction in Cardiff. No shame.

I went to The Vamps with my two good friends.

I conquered my fear of not being able to sleep alone in the house!

One Direction at the Millennium Stadium!

Last night, me and one of my best friends, Ellie, went to see One Direction at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. 

The whole city centre was absolutely manic with it being One Direction concert night, a Friday and a very sunny evening. Cardiff Central train station was rammed! 

We first went to Pizza Express for some food and I had a really awkward pizza, that had loads of veg on and I stupidly didn't ask for cutlery.. You can only imagine how ridiculous I looked!

Then we headed onto the stadium and sat in our seats. I have to sit down in concerts as I went to one two years ago and fainted.. I missed half the concert! So I stick to seating. 

Me and Ellie in the stadium! 

The support act was McBusted but I only got videos of them as my inner child wanted to capture the moments. It was my second time seeing them live and they are incredible performers!

ONE DIRECTION! 

There was a gap because I don't think all of standing was sold out. But that was great because that meant less crowds which meant less claustrophobic Katie! 

I highly recommend seeing One Direction live, as they are great singers but I feel as if I didn't really connect with them? That sounds so stupid but I hope you understand what I mean! 

I'm going to see Ariana Grande in Birmingham on Tuesday so look out for a blog post on that! 

The Only Two Lipgloss' I Can Stand

I have a confession, I hate lipgloss. The consistency, the effect, the texture. I just can't cope with them. I have tried so many from multiple ranges, the Tanya Burr ones are lovely, but I can't wear them for long. MAC lipglasses are just too sticky. Maybelline haven't got the best smell. Call me picky, I just don't get on with them.
That was until I bought these two beauties.

 

Burberry Lip Glows and the Urban Decay Naked Ultra Nourishing lipgloss are the best ones I've ever come across.

I found the Burberry one in TK Maxx, would you believe it? It was £12 and I'm GUTTED, I didn't pick any other shades up as I was quite distraught to see they retail normally for £19. They glide smoothly, they aren't sticky, they give a gorgeous glow to your lips and they are just great! I have the shade No.09 Nude Beige.

The Urban Decay Naked Ultra Nourishing lipgloss was actually in my Naked On The Run palette, which happens to be my all time favourite palette. These retail for £14.50 so more affordable than the Burberry. I can't really compare the two as they both do different things. These have a distinct smell that make my lips feel so soft. I have the shade Sesso and it's the one I wear to work everyday.

(Nails are Essie's Mint Candy Apple!)

5:30am

Waking up at 5:30am is a struggle. I have to get up at this time each week for my 6:15am starts so I thought I'd share my tips for what I do in the mean time.

1. Set an alarm prior to the time you have to get up. 

I have to get up at 5:35 at the latest, so what I do, is set my alarm for 5:23, that gives me some time to actually wake up and enjoy those precious moments in bed and that time to check instagram in the morning. When your actual alarm goes off, you're set! 

2. Eat your breakfast in bed.

Eating breakfast in bed is perfect, minus the crumbs. I get up and straight away go and get my breakfast, I like to have cereal in the morning for the energy fix I need. Then I can slide back into bed, eat my breakfast and I'm good to go. Another tip, if you're running particularly early, make a smoothie. Instant energy.

3. Don't muck around with skincare. 

Cleanse. Moisturize. Keep it simple! That's all your skin really needs after waking up anyway, plus you haven't got time for all that cleanse, tone, exfoliate, moisturize, eye cream etc in the morning!

4. Simple. Natural. 

I like to keep it super simple in the mornings. I will keep it to at least 7 products or less. No contour, no cut creases! I have a post coming up tomorrow maybe tonight about the makeup I use. 

5. Listen to your relaxing playlist.

There is nothing worse than getting into a stress as soon as you wake up, for you to be in a bad mood all day. Listen to slow songs, rather than upbeat Uptown Funk. I love The Fault In Our Stars soundtrack.

6. Get a drink. ASAP.

For me, I have this in work. I'll grab myself either a glass of water or a hot chocolate, something that's gonna help you to keep alive!

Early mornings suck. I know!

7 Deadly Sins of Beauty Tag!

Hello! I'm trying my best to get back into blogging, as I have so many events coming up and I really want to account for them. (Is that the right term.. or?) So to start back, I have the Seven Deadly Sins Beauty tag!

1. GREED: What is your most expensive beauty product? What is your most inexpensive?
Now, I'm a bit tight when it comes to money. I bloody hate spending it! But I think it's my Urban Decay Naked palette, which retails for £38. Thirty eight pound for twelve eyeshadows! But saying that, my parents got it for me. So I think it's my Benefit set with six blushes and a highlighter that come out at christmas, or my Urban Decay Naked on the Run palette!
Inexpensive, easily, the MUA lipsticks for £1. Bargain!

2. WRATH: What products do you have a love/hate relationship with?
Liquid blushes. I love the Benefit tints, I have them all! But lordy, they are so hard to blend. I love the colours, I love the idea of it not coming off, but I do not love the fact I can't leave it in one place for more than 0.9 seconds!

3. GLUTTONY: What are your most delicious beauty products?
My MAC lipsticks taste delightful, the vanilla scent is just peeeerfect. Another is the LUSH Bubblegum lip scrub and oh my lord, it's like heaven in a pot.

4. SLOTH: What beauty product do you neglect due to laziness?
Eyeliner. I don't wear liquid eyeliner as it doesn't suit me in the slightest but any eyeliner is just soooo much hassle. Just the mascara life for me!

5. PRIDE: What product gives you the most confidence?
Foundation, as my skin is bloody damn awful. Or red/dark lipstick, I legit feel like a rebel when I wear MAC's Rebel lipstick.

6. LUST: What product makes you feel more attractive?
Lipstick, I just feel like I can take on the world when I have my lippy on. Also, glowy skin like, whenever I look in the mirror and I look so radiant and healthy, its great! The combination of the two and I actually can take on the world.

7. ENVY: What products would you most like to receive as a gift?
I would loooove another Naked palette, in particular 2. They're just so damn gorgeous! Or I would love a Nars product, like the Sheer Glow foundation or their audacious lip pencils. Ooh, or Zoeva brushes, rose gold is just mhmmm!

I tag all of you to do this tag!

It's Hard for Me to Believe too..

As I type this now, I have just finished a work out. I know, an actual work out. This is something I've never really mentioned on my blog before, but I am an active user of a gym and try my best to stay in shape. Recently, I have been on a gym instructor course, I know, it's hard for me to believe too. I really want fitness to become a key part in my life and to help someone to also do that, sounds perfect. So be prepared for more fitness, healthy posts!

The Essentials for Being Poorly

Being poorly is no fun, the pain in your head, the endless amounts of tissue and the constant temperature change. Today is one of those days for me today and as I'm suffering, I thought I'd tell you something that helps perk me up.

Tissues and not loo roll! For a cold, this is given. Please don't use toilet roll, it hurts your little Rudolph nose enough as it is!

Films. 100% you need a film to watch, Love Rosie is a new favourite, I saw it in cinemas and it recently came out on DVD , Lily Collins and Sam Claffin, what more could you want?

Chocolate. Now this may not be for everyone who's ill, but if you've got the common cold/flu, this might just be the thing to perk you up!

Books. Gossip Girl is my choice today, but whatever tickles your fancy!

I hope this cures your poorly self, and if you're feeling like me today, I wish you a speedy recovery! :)