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*

♥

May Favourites 2016

Just like every month this year, its flown past and has been amazing! The highlight of the month was definitely the last week, me and my boyfriend just chilled in a city near us, Cardiff. Went shopping, a few hauls will be on here as a post, soon!! But it was amazing, and I had a lovely time just chilling out. However, obviously I am going to share some things which I have discovered this month and/or I have just plain and simple just fallen in love with!!

Coconut nail polishes Barry M - I can't remember if I got these at the end of last month or this month. But I really like them, you don't need a base coat and then are supposed to have coconut oils and good things in to protect your nails. Which is amazing for me, because my nails are so awful. They have gorgeous shades too, I have one pink called alhoa and a nude one called tiki hut. Gorgeous colours for summer!

Clinique Anti-Blemish Gel - Yet again my skin has been playing up. I seem to say this every month now, I don't know what is happening! But I don't like it. I really like Clinique as a brand, I think they are just very good at getting results. They are fragranced free and just very dermatologic, this Anti-Blemish Gel is very good too, you just apply it to the areas you need or all over your face and it basically helps to get rid of any spots and blemishes.

Rimmel White Eyeliner - I think I go through phases with wearing white eyeliner in my waterline. Last July I wrote a post, and included them http://goo.gl/32gizt. But I have been wearing white eyeliner in my waterline pretty much everyday this month. It brightens the eyes  and also makes you look like you've had lots of sleep, plus it does make them appear larger. 

No7 Stay Perfect Foundation - I have been wearing this as my everyday foundation this month. But I have been coming out of it at the end of the month, because it is a very pale shade and I am pale naturally but I have been loving a fake tan too - you wait and see! The foundation is a demi-matte finish, so its not really dewy but its not a flat matte, it gives a medium coverage but you can build it up. I have the shade 'calico' which is the lightest shade. But I do really rate No7, especially as they can colour match you and find the right foundation for you.

NYX Soft Matte Lip - Cannes - I have been wearing this lipstick every day this month, its amazing. Its not nude but its not too bright. It's prefect for in the day, and it just gorgeous. It's matte and very long lasting. It reminds me of a 'your lips but better' shade, oh dear I went there. I want some more colours of these, I can't wait to check a NYX stand out (available online and at Boots). I ordered this one online, but it's hard to see the colours, so I did go on a bit of a whim with this shade.

St. Tropez Tan - Everyone I know has literally been raving about this tan for ageeees! So this month I actually picked one up, and I have fallen in love. It's the best tan I have ever used, seriously amazing. You apply the guide colour and you can either leave it on for 1 hour (light) 2 hours (medium) or 3 hours (dark). I have been doing about 2 and a half hours. It gives a gorgeous colour, and wears really lovely, it doesn't do that patchy thing where it just comes off some places and not others. Also, no need to sleep in the tan and get it all over your white sheets - amazing!

My favourite, favourite of the month, that I briefly mentioned at the start... Me and my boyfriend, went away to Cardiff for the bank holiday weekend at the end of May. We had been together for 3 years, so we wanted to do something special. We just went shopping, had cocktails, chilled, went to the beach and ate out a lot!!! I would say the day we went to the beach, was my favourite day of the year so far!

♥

My New Favourite Outfit

I have been loving wearing shirts recently, I think a classic denim shirt is a wardrobe essential.

These shoes are my new favourite thing, I think they are perfect for this time of year. Can be dressed up or down!

Sunglasses are an essential this time of year, and they bring an outfit together so nicely.

I love the detailing at the bottom of this T-Shirt. Also, the white matches the print in the trousers.

I love this outfit because I think its quite casual, but at the same time can be made quite smart. The shoes and the bag are both tan, so therefore they compliment each other lovely. The trousers are summery/springy and they are super comfy, so is the shirt! Then the white T-Shirt is plain, but theres a lovely bit of detailing at the bottom. Theres no outfit this time of year that doesn't have some sunny's, I love these ones because they are for my prescription and they are so comfy, I think I will be wearing these a lot this summer (hopefully)!

Shirt - Topshop

T-Shirt - Newlook

Trousers - Newlook

Shoes - Topshop

Bag - Accessorize

Sunglasses - Vogue

♥

Somethings New Around Here: Mini pipdig Review

Yes, something has changed around here... and yes, it's my blog design, exciting stuff!! 

I hope you still remember its me here, nothings changed apart from the design, quality and finish of my blog. All content will be the same. I have a few aims with my blog, I want to start posting much more regular. At the moment I just post when I feel like it, which I guess is good in a way because I'm not forcing myself to write a post, I'm just doing it when it feels natural. But at the same time, you don't know when to come back, unless you are subscribed to my blog, theres now a little 'typing bar?!' where you can write your email address, just to your right... do you see it?! Go on write your email in there, then you will just receive an email when I write a new post! Which is going to be, every Monday. Every Monday, you will get a new blog post from me, at 6pm UK time. I choose Monday, because one I have a busy life, it has to fit in with my schedule, but also we all know Monday is the most depressing day of the week, so hopefully a blog post from me will make it that little bit better! Every Monday 6pm UK time. 

I'm not saying you won't receive other little posts from me along the week, but you will get a new one every Monday. I'm not sure I've said that, right? 

Anywho, thanks to Pipdig and Phil especially we have a new template and I love it! I'm so happy with their service, Phil even installed the design for me and helped me with any questions that I had along the way. I will talk you through the process I had anyway, to some you might want to skip this bit, because its useless if you don't have a blog really.. haha, sorry. 

So I have been thinking about getting a new design for my blog for a while, and blogs I read always had the little 'pipdig' in the corner (which mine does now - right at the bottom) so I clicked on it one day, and I had a little look at the site, read some reviews and thought 'I want this'. 

Theres loads of different designs on the website, for wordpress or blogger, you then pick one and buy it. It's all secure, and is just so simple. Then you get links through your email, with one saying 'do you want to install it yourself, or get them to install it for you' (or something around those words). So me being me (I am the worst at technology) I wanted them to install it for me. Which I am so glad I did, because they've done an amazing job! It was done within 48 hours, and I am so over the moon with it! I wanted to create some other things for myself, eg; putting my social media on. So I did that, I had a few concerns so I just emailed Phil back, and then he sorted them all out. Seriously, Phil, thank you. I love my blog, and I am so happy. Totally recommend. 

If you are thinking about getting a new design for your current blog, or even just want to start a blog and need some advice. Go to https://www.pipdig.co and check them out, they are awesome! I hope you like the new blog, and look out every ??????? MONDAY 

♥

February Favourites

I just need to take a moment, one moment, because we are in MARCH?! MARCH.

I will give you chance to shut your mouth... however, February has been an ok month, not much to report on really. I've just been working my but off, to try and get myself back financially from the Christmas splurge. I do have some very exciting news, which is that I am treating myself to a brand new car, which is arriving on March 1st and I am so so so excited ekjnsjhbkjz :):).

Anyway, to the favourites, there are a few products this month which I have discovered and a few products from the big shop I did from Boots last month. In these blog posts I will just be doing beauty favourites, so no random favourites really, unless you really wanna know the personal random stuff.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Base

I have been loving the dewy/glowy look recently, because my skin has got drier over winter, I just love having a  dewy base. This primer comes out a white shade and blends in beautifully. I apply it just under the eyes, forehead, cheeks and chin (pretty much everywhere) I really adds to the gorgeous glowy skin. Also, I don't really know of a product from the drugstore that is an illuminating base, most of them seem to be matte or just pore erasers.

Maybelline Baby Lips Balm & Blush (innocent peach 01)

This is a great product, if you are lazy and like multi-use products. For me, I am lazy but I am yet to try it as a blush. But it is great as a balm for the lips. I apply it with my skincare so that my lips are all nourished and ready for the lipstick application.

Garnier Ultimate Blends 1 minute treatment

This is apparently new (it says on the bottle) but I know the ultimate blends has been out for a few months now, I have tried the red tubs of shampoo and conditioner, and if I'm honest I wasn't completely blow away, it was just a normal conditioner. So I got this treatment because it was from a different range. It is for damaged to dry hair, and just nourishes the hair. I only apply this on the ends of the hair, every time I wash it, which is every other day or every 3 days. I wouldn't recommend using this every day if you do wash your hair every day. But it smells gorgeous too, its got avocado and shea butter in.

Lush Herbalism Face & Body Cleanser

I used to have this product when I was about 15, because I got recommended it from a lady in Lush, I used to have really oily and spotty skin. I remember this helped a lot. So I was browsing Lush and I picked it up again, all those years later. I wouldn't say I've got particularly spotty skin now, but I just like the fact it feels like its doing good when I apply it to my face. I would say I use it once a week and a heads up it does make the skin go green and messy. All I do to apply the product is get about a 2 pence worth amount in my hand and apply a dash of warm water, then mix it together in my hand so it turns into a liquid and apply on my face. Wash off with warm water again. You do look a bit like the hulk, but its totally worth it.

Blanx White shock toothpaste

I know I said no random favourites, but to me this had to go in. Also, its not really random its just a tiny bit random. But this toothpaste is honestly amazing, it really does whiten your teeth. I saw results from the first time I used it and so did other people. You just use it as a normal toothpaste (well I did). It's about £5-00 too, so it's not overly expensive. So if you are looking for a new whitening tooth paste, give this one a go.

Theres my favourites for the month of February, hope you had a lovely month... and bring on the sunny weather (please) !!

♥

All things hair: My hair history

I wanted to write a blog post all about my hair, however all the things running through my mind will just create a big looooong blog post. Therefore I am going to create three separate blog posts all about my hair. This is obviously the first post, this is the one where I talk you through my whole hair's history, so if I've dyed it, how I've had it cut and how it's generally changed throughout the years. 

 The other two blog posts, will include things like my hair care routine & what I apply to my hair and then my tips and tricks on how to achieve healthy hair. 

If you want to see my most recent & only hair post (I believe) then click here. 

Okay, so from the beginning...

I was going to add a picture of me as a baby, then I was looking through them and I realised I didn't really have an hair as a baby, so I decided not to bother... as this is a post about my hair history, haha.

This was me when I was in nursery so around 3 years old. My hair was a blonde/golden colour.

This was when I started primary school, there isn't really much difference with the previous picture. But can I just point out, I had no say with the style here. Mum, what was with the full fringe and bob?!

When I was a child my hair was always blonde, in fact if you asked the 5 year old me it would of been 'golden blonde' and for some reason I just wanted to be goldilocks (don't ask)! 

This picture was when I first started high school, my hair was a very mousy brown colour. I really didn't like this stage my hair went through because I have just always wanted to be a blondie. 

A few years after this, I begged my mum to let me have some blonde put in my hair again. So I had a few blonde highlights. 

Shortly after this, I wanted to experiment with my hair style. So I decided to get a full fringe cut in. Yes, this was the biggest mistake of my hair life. I really wish I didn't do it, it didn't suit my face, and it was just very annoying. I only have one picture of this, because I hated it THAT much.

To grow my fringe out, I used to clip it to the side of my face and I did literally wear my hair up for about a year. It was just the hairstyle I used to wear to school. I believe this is why my hair grew so fast because being up I didn't realise it was growing, if that makes any sense. 

After I grew my fringe out, I got some more highlights in my hair and I promised myself I would never cut a full fringe in again.

A few years later, my hair was pretty much all blonde, I never dyed all of my head of hair. It was just from having highlights put in and also using John Freda Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner.

This was me on my prom day, so my fringe had fully grown out by now. I was happy with my hair at this point, it was the right blondeness and a good length.

I did do some hair modelling at a hair salon. When I say hair modelling, I mean I sat in the chair and they curled/straightened and did whatever they liked to my hair. So on this particular day, I got curly hair for free. 

I went through a stage when I was about 16 where I just wanted different colours in my hair. I dyed my hair myself, I got the dyes from a local shop that did piercings and tattoos. The dyes were: Stargazer dyes and they were semi permanent. I went all sorts of colours, like pink, blue/green and purple. I'm not sure why I wanted these colours in my hair, but I thought it was cool at the time. This was during the summer, leading into college. 

I then went through another stage with colour, instead of dying the ends bright colours I dyed it blonde and brown at the ends as a kind of ombre effect that wasn't ombre because my hair was blonde from the top. It that makes sense. 

When I started college my hair was just all blonde. I kind of let it do its own thing. It was a lot blonder here, I'm not really sure why. But I liked the colour here. 

From here, my other and only blog post carries on with my hair history... click here to find out the rest of the story. 

Thank you so much for reading, there will be the other blog posts up shortly through autumn. So get ready for two more hair posts to find out my hair tips/tricks/things I've learnt and also my hair care routine. 

♥