HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY

LET ME TAKE YOU BACK TO WHERE IT ALL STARTED...

On the 22nd of April 2015, 'Helen Marie' was born. Obviously I am not 2 years old, because that is my name. But you know what I mean guys... My blog is 2 years old and it's my little place on the internet where I get to share with you little things I love, the things which are going on in my life, the outfits and clothes I like to wear... Literally anything to do with my life. So I thought I would share with you 5 of my favourite blog posts which I have written over the last 2 years, and that are published on here. I have never actually hidden a post I have written, purely because even though the pictures might be rubbish, or I'm talking a load of crap or its just a complete waste of time, its what I was thinking about at the time and its what was going on in my life then. The posts which are my favourite are my favourite for different reasons, it might of been the time of my life, or the subject or just for the fact I'm proud of what I created.

1. GINGERBREAD MUFFINS
The reason I really like this blog post is just because it was my first ever baking post. I know I haven't really done many of them, but I did really enjoy creating this one and it was a very 'follow along' because I was creating my muffins and photographing them at the same time. I just am quite proud of this post, because it did take quite a bit of time creating it and I did get something tasty at the end!

2. MY TOP 5 LIPSTICKS
This was only my second post that I wrote and created, but I remember making it so well, it only seems like yesterday I was lining all my lipsticks up and trying to get an 'arty' shot which I am still crazzzzy bad at. This post does still get quite a few views now, even though it is nearly 2 years old... haha.

3. MY AUTUMNAL SHADE: RIMMEL 107
I'm not too sure why I like this post so much, because it's so simple and that probably why I do like it so much. I'm not rambling on, theres a few pictures and it just shows my lipstick well. I like the pictures in it too, my dad helped me a lot with this post and it is one I like a lot.

4. ALL THINGS HAIR: MY HAIR HISTORY
I don't think I could do this post and not include this. It took me such a long time to make, going through all the pictures, remembering what my hair was like when, it was a loooong process but was totally worth it as I do believe this is my most viewed post ever!

5. A WINTER WEEKEND
This is my most recent post which I am including. It was basically an outfit post and it was on a weekend where I just chilled with my family and did family things. I really enjoyed the day, and its great that I have documented it. Also, thanks dad... for the photos (another reason why I like the post so much)!

I know this is a very different post for me to create, but it was nice going back and seeing how far I have come. I never created this blog for it to become anything big, and it's not big at all, it's just my little place where I share bits and bobs. Thank you for anyone who has commented or followed to me on bloglovin I really do appreciate it and heres to a few more years... *fingers crossed*

♥

Life: Do I Go To Uni?

This is a very different post to what I am used to writing. But I wanted to mix it up a bit, instead of rambling on about my most used makeup products. As much as I love chatting about beauty, I thought I would get a little bit deeper and talk about real life events. So we are starting with that dreaded question... Do I go to Uni?

For me personally I just knew Uni wasn't for me, I am a very 'home' person, I love my home comforts, and I love being in a place where I feel comfortable. The thought of Uni scared me so much. I didn't like a subject THAT much that I wanted to study it further. At college I studied sports coaching, fitness and development. Don't get me wrong I did like college, but more for the social side, the actual course, I didn't. So thats when I knew I didn't want to study it further.

My greatest advice to you is don't let someone tell you what to do, if you want to go then go, if you don't then thats fine too. You need to decide if you need to go, if you want to go and you can physically go. I know for me, I would find it so hard actually stepping into a lecture. Do what you want, don't just go because all your friends are going, or your parents want you to go and still go even though maybe a partner isn't going and you feel like your relationship won't work. It will work, if it's meant too. Everything happens for a reason.

I think Uni is great if you know what you want to study and you need to go for the dream job. I have great respect for you, if you are reading this thinking you actually know what you want to do in life. Most of my friends from college and school are at Uni, and it is hard sometimes when they are miles and miles away. But you can always go and see them and they will come home too. It's not that bad, because you will find where you want to go if you don't go to Uni. You might get a job and earn some money and save up for something like a car, house or even go travelling. You might just go travelling and explore the world, or get an apprenticeship, there are lots of different options.

Also, what you are thinking now... everyone has thought. So you aren't on your own. I hope this has helped you, even if it's only helped one person reading this, then it was worth it. Comment below saying if you liked this more life related post, obviously I'm going to still carry on with my beauty posts. But if you want these as extra posts or tell me... You might of hated it, and don't want me to write one ever again. But if you do, leave me a few topics!

 ♥

March Favourites 2017

I literally don't know where March has gone, or even this year for that matter. It's all just flying past. The sun is also shinning whilst I'm writting this blog post, that makes me so incredibly happy and motivated! Anyway, on with my favourites, there isn't many beauty products this month, but more life favourites and things I can't actually take photographs of. Sorry if you do like beauty favourites more, BUT I do like to keep it real. I don't want to throw in a lipstick and pretend its been my favourite.

Paco Rabanne Olympea Intense EDP - You may of seen in my last post I was talking about the new fragrance from Paco Rabanne and it just wouldn't be  right be not mentioning it in my monthly favourites (sorry if you've heard enough  and are bored). Its just all I've been wearing, fragrance wise and really gives me summer vibes! 

LUSH American Creme Conditioner - I have been doing a lot of shopping in Lush recently. There isn't a Lush shop where I live, the closest one is around 45 minutes away. But this month I have been travelling to different places, so I've been stopping in different Lush shops (saddddo). But my mum got a sample of this hair conditioner, and I used a little bit of it. First off, the smell... is to actually die for. It's quite a thick conditioner so its great as a treatment or conditioner. I have been using it on the mid-lengths of my hair, and it just makes my hair feel so soft and smell so nice. 

Lee Stafford Purple Shampoo - This product is one I have actually been using for quite a while now. I have blonde hair, so I do tend to get some brassy tones in it, usually after I've just dyed it. But what this product does is actually cancel out those brassy tones. I have used quite a few different brands and variations of purple shampoo, but I would defiantly say the Lee Stafford one is the best, just for the pure reason it works the quickest. I only use this every other time I wash my hair, or once a week just because it can be quite stripping. 

Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes Hot Shots -  Can you tell I'm a Lee Stafford fan? Again, I have been using these for a few months now. You actually use these in the middle of your shampoo and conditioner. They are just a treatment which really gives you amazing results! You just foam it up, rub it all in your hair, pile it on top of your head and wait around 2 minutes (sometimes I leave it in a bit longer). Then you rinse and follow with conditioner. The results on my hair have been amazing, I recently had a hair dilemma, my hair was very very yellow after I dyed it and this just cancelled those yellow tones and made it more of a white blonde. 

Liverpool - This month I went to Liverpool to see my friend at Uni. I had a really good time, it was great to let my hair down and really explore somewhere different. I just wanted to mention this briefly in my favourites because it was a big part of March for me. If you did want to read some more about my trip or just see some pictures, click here.

Ed Sheeran 'Dive' Album - OOOOOMGGGG, I haven't listened to anything else this month, literally I have had this album on repeat. On the way to Liverpool this is all I listened too, and I just can't stop, I'm even listening it to it now! Every song is amazing, but my absolute faves are; Happier, Galaway girl and New Man. 

Broadchurch - I have super late to the band waggon here, because I am actually talking about the first series. I had a really chilled day, I popped it on because I have heard so many good things from friends, family and youtubers. I watched the whole first series in one day... I don't really do that very often. The last time I was this obsessed with a TV show was probably PLL. 

Beauty and the Beast - I went to the cinema with just my mum this month. I have never ever done that in my whole life, we have always been with other people, not just us. But it was lovely, and the film was amazing. Much better than I actually thought it was going to be. I am a bit skeptical when it comes to old classic films being remade. But I think it was beautiful, I have read quite a bit about Emma Watson playing Belle, I personally think she was amazing and played the role beautifully. It's such a must see film, so magically but has a gorgeous story just like the classic. 

TOWIE - Since series 1, with Mark, Arg, Lauren G, Sam... and all the others, I have always been a fan of this show. I know its probably a lot of s**t but I really do enjoy watching it. It's actually nice to get lost in someone else's life, drama and problems for 45 mins, haha! Series 20 or something ridiculous has started this month, hense why its in my favourites. If you want a laugh and something easy to watch, then give TOWIE ago. 

♥