The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People

By starting sixth form this year I have had so much more work to do, and have had to learn manage my spare time better, in order to get everything done.
Whilst reading different blogs I recently came across a post that summaries the key points behind 'The 7 Habits of Highly effective people' book- I was instantly interested.

This book most importantly talks about how to get the right things done, and that our greater goal should be in our minds everyday. 

Summarised here are the 7 key points of the book:

1)Be Proactive

Take responsibility for you choices and stop blaming everything else in your life. You can control your reaction to the events in your life.

2)Begin With The End In Mind

Think about how you want to be remembered by people- honest, courageous, caring- 

and keep them in mind

3)Put First Things First

Don't get caught up by urgent dramas happening day by day and do things that are important to you

4)Think Win/Win

Real success does not happen at the expense of others. A win for everyone is definitely better than a win for one person.Think karma!

5)First Try To Understand, Then To Be Understood

Listen and be genuinely interested in people. This will make people listen and be interested to you.

6)Synergise

When you work with other people to create win/win situations, you will be able to achieve greater goals you wouldn't have been able to achieve on your own.

7)Sharpen The Saw

We need to stay 'sharp' by being physically and mentally fit, taking time to rest and to look after ourselves.

It is now on my must read list, but sadly I don't think I will be able to get round to it for a while. I have to finish all my work first.

One must prioritise after all.

Have you heard of, or read this book before? Let me know in the comments below!

xx

Prom Eye Make-up!

In the UK everyone who is a Year 11 (16 years old) has a Prom in the summer, after their exams are over. It is a big celebration where everyone that attends has to wear evening wear and it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Everything laid out ready!

For my eye make-up I firstly used the MUA Undressed eye-shadow palette, which many people know as the dupe of Urban Decay's Naked palette! The colours are very similar and I can assure you they lasted a whole night of dancing and so are very good! 

After using my concealer as an eye primer I started by putting 'Shade 2' all over my eyelid. Then I proceeded into placing 'Shade 5' into the crease and blended any harsh lines. To create a balance I also placed it on the lower lashline, starting from the outside, and the halfway across, which also made my lashed look fuller. Next 'Shade 10' was blended out towards the outside of a crease to create even more depth.   

The silver shade in the Maybelline eye studio duo in 'Tapue Opal' was used for the inner corner - to create sparkle. 

Lastly I finished with my trustworthy Bourjois 'Inutitive eyeliner' and created a flick, adding 2 coats of the Seventeen 'Peep Show' mascara with lengthening fibres.

The night was so fun and I will definitely remember it- but tell me, have you had a Prom? 

xx

Discovering York

I visited York last week and I have to say it is a beautiful town bursting with history, food and culture. The weather was slightly chilly for April but we had such a lovely day it easily made up for it!

Clifford's Tower

Inside of the tower

York Minister

wonky windows?

The day started with us going to visit the Clifford's tower -which has so many steps you cannot imagine- and we saw the majestic York Minister while walking around the city and taking in the other charming buildings.

We saw some of the quirkiest things there and also many talented street performers. This Yoda was trying his best to float!

Chocolate Shoes!

We were lucky enough to catch the Chocolate festival which is on this Easter weekend. Many stalls had gorgeous creations which tasted delicious thanks to the talented people which made them. One stall even had chocolate shoe sculptures which definitely looked to good to eat!

xx

A Day In Alton Towers

I love big rides. The scarier the better. Last week I spent a great day in the park and went on pretty much all of the rides (apart from the oblivion :( , we ran out of time!).  Going there I have picked up a few words of advice to share with you, so here goes:

1- Do the X-sector last! Start with gentler rides such as Thirteen or Air to build up the experience. When me and my friend went on the smiler I didn't even notice it was going upside down!

2-Thirteen- Many people were scared of the drops on the ride but you can hardly feel them- they are in the dark. The first one is tiny, and then there is a bigger one next, followed by getting pushed backwards on the ride.

3- Sonic Spinball is the scariest ride I went on! Seriously. Even if it is advertised as a kids ride the way the the cart keeps spinning and the unpredictability of it all made me do the whole ride with my eyes shut and screaming. Not for the faint hearted.

4- The River Rapids are definitely a ride for the whole family, however people that suffer from seasickness should avoid. Some people escaped completely dry from the river rapids but I got soaked on them. It was a massive splash from the river which went over my head and only hit me! Obviously it got all of my friends laughing, but left me not very happy. At least in the end they got drenched by some people with water pistols. Thank you non-riders with a good aim.

5- There are so many places and things to eat there so don't worry about food! We went on the Runaway mine train and all I could smell was the delicious pasta and pizza coming from the restaurant. Also the smell of doughnuts was persistent throughout the park :)

6- Air was really one of my surprise favourite rides. The thought of getting thrown around on the roller coaster while lying down looked terrifying, but once on you couldn't feel it at all. It was actually a relaxing experience even.

7- Rita is the shortest ride we went on, but the most intense. It left some of us feeling a bit sick as it is the fastest ride; a blink and you miss it type. Queues can also be quite long for it.

8- The cable cars are the best way to get around. Sometimes they did seem like a ride itself as they can jiggle around a bit too much, but it saves you a lot of effort from walking to one place to another. The staff there are also very helpful and give you great indications to get around!

9- Take warm clothes with you and good footwear! I cannot stress this enough as it is often not lovely weather in Alton, plus you don't want to be worrying about taking off your shoes when you go on a ride.

10- The staff in the park really deserve as they are some of the most helpful and funniest people to be around. They will mock, act crazy, and even sing and dance, but create an amazing atmosphere which is the true soul of the park.

Do you like theme parks? Share your experiences below!

Old Hollywood Star Looks

Ever wondered what secrets the Hollywood divas had to maintain their looks? Marilyn had her dewy skin, Audrey her baby-doll eyes and Katherine her clear complexion- all obtained through using simple tips and tricks which are easily achievable even now. Read on :)

Marilyn Monroe
She was famous for her Hollywood glow, which she maintained using a hormone cream. She layered that and powder foundation on top of each other to create a radiant base that shimmered on camera. The downside was she grew a fine layer of peachy-blonde hair over her face, which she was encourage to shave off but refused.
Get the look by mixing a pearlascent primer with a liquid foundation.




Audrey Hepburn
She was the Queen of the baby-doll look with a slick of liquid eye liner to create a feline flick, and a fine layer of mascara on the upper lashes. There is a rumour that she got her lashes so natural looking by separating them with a pin after applying mascara- ouch!
Get the look by using a mascara that allows you to build volume and a pen eye liner to make drawing the flick easier.




Marlene Dietrich
This German actress bravely shaved off all of her eyebrows and drew them on with a kohl pencil everyday, obtaining perfectly shaped brows. She never used mascara on her bottom lashes as she thought they cast a shadow creating the look of dark circles.
Get the look by defining your brows accentuating their natural shape. Fill them with powder or a brow mascara.




Vivien Leigh
Her perfect complexion was due to her customised skincare regime which used hand-mixed aromatic oils which also was common with English royalty.
Get the look by treating your skin to an aromatic facial. Run a clean flannel under a hot tap, applying relaxing essential oils such as lavender or tea tree, and place on your face to steam. Blast your face with cold water and pat dry. Massage a face oil or cream in to moisturise.

Greta Garbo
Her famous eye make-up was created with a thin layer of petroleum jelly over the lids, covered with skin-tone powder, and blended a darker shade in the crease to create deep-set eyes.
Get the look by using a good eye primer and a shimmery eye shadow.





Bette Davis
Her eyes were legendary- but how did she keep them that way? The simple method of placing cucumbers on her eyes and applying petroleum jelly under her eyes every night to protect against puffiness and dark circles.
Get the look by protecting the under eye area with eye cream and also applying cumber still works!

Grace Kelly
Her classic beauty was emphasised by an easy make-up trick. The illusion of high cheek bones was created by contouring her face with two different shades of blusher.
Get the look by using a blusher and a bronzer to shade and define your face.






Sophia Loren
This Italian actress used olive oil to stay beautiful. She included at least 2 tablespoons of oil in her food everyday, rubbed a small amount into her face and added a few capfuls to a hot bath for a nourishing soak.
Get the look by using olive oil as a great natural moisturiser for your body, or buy olive oil based products.







Katherine Hepburn
She kept her complexion in top condition by exfoliating regularly. She massaged a mixture of sugar, warm water and lemon juice into her skin followed up with a splash of cold water to tighten the pores.
Get the look by exfoliating just like her!

What's your favourite tip then? Comment below! xx

Spring/Summer 2014 Inspiration

This is the time of year when I am most happy as spring has finally 'sprung'. Goodbye to scarves, hats and coats, because we can finally wear all the nice new season clothes we have been yearning after. There are some trends I look forward to more than others, here they are:

Soft silky fabrics.............. just what I was missing after a cold winter season. The flattering prints are ultra-feminine and I think are ideal for a sunny weekend. 

 Big statement accessories and florals are staples that bring outfits to life. Watch out for when sparkles are added to the mix because that is when it becomes a killer combination!

Prim pastels are also anther staple that is around when the weather gets warmer. They are used everywhere lately and look their best when contrasted with bright shades.

 Every year I've made it kind or a habit to buy myself a new pair of sunnies. Transparent, leopard, round, there are so many types to suit different outfits and moods I just can't get enough of them!

One trend I'm glad doesn't go away and is there every year is stripes. What would I do without my trusty Breton top and jeans? It is definitely my outfit to go to.

Metallics is such a cool trend I really need to try and embrace. It adds impact to any outfits and even little details of it can make an outfit look glamorous. Lace is also everywhere, making outfits look delicate and detailed.

Band tees.......what better way to make people know your favourite band? I especially love these as they can be amazing conversation starters, and can even be dressed up.

So, what trends do you love the most from the sunny seasons? Comment below!

Christmas in Naples

How does it manage to be so sunny in full winter?

Have you all had a nice Christmas? I can tell you I have, as I went to spent it and New Year's with my family in Naples. If there is something I love about that place, it has to be the chaotic markets, the food and the beautiful landscapes which are framed by the persistent sunshine.

this seagull was just demanding to be photographed

Especially in the festive period the narrow streets are bursting of tourists exploring the market and shops, hunting for something special to take back with them. Pasta, Neapolitan playing cards, or different ornaments, they really have anything to suit everyone taste. The markets are also bursting with stalls that sell different books for a total steal.

Different musicians entertain in the piazza while you can sit and enjoy some nice food in the restaurants close-by. The cakes are sooo heavenly and you have to eat the pizza there too, as Naples is the home of it. 

mmmmmmm.........pizza

However I also love all the art they sell there as its full of rich colours, and many street artists are fantastic. Too bad I couldn't fit a print in my luggage, or I would have bought a couple!