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

OOTD: Wedding guest

Dress-New Look  Shoes-New Look  Clutch and Jewellery-Old

 This weekend I had one of the best of times at my friend's wedding, and luckily for us it was a really nice day with the sun shining brightly. I had bought everything I was planning to wear before the Summer-with all the new prom dresses out I just couldn't resist!- but you could definitely still find similar items for sale now. My dress was a feminine shell pink and had a lace overlay, and the shoulders were embellished with pearls and white sequins. My shoes were a slightly paler shade of pink and the 3" heel made them perfect to dance in for most of the night, even though in the end I had to give up and wear the flip flops or "dancing shoes" the bride so nicely provided for us (thank you!).

The venue was at a golf club in Essex, so it was the perfect place to have a ceremony outside. 

xx

D.I.Y. Sugar Wax! When life gives you lemons.....

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Now this is something I've been meaning to make for a while, but never got round to. It has been praised by many for being less painful than normal wax, easier to use and that it leaves your skin feeling beautiful. The best bit is that you can use it anywhere on your body, as it is formulated especially for sensitive skin. :)

You need: 
6 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 cup lemon juice

Put all ingredients in a non-stick pan and turn on the medium heat. Let it boil and keep mixing with a metal spoon until it turns a bright amber colour (took me about 10 minutes). At this point it should be done and so pour it in your preferred container.

How do you use it? You could either use it like hot wax, heating it first and then spreading it on your skin, or if it is soft enough take some of it from the container and just use it as if it were a strip.

Hope you get on well! 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

Longer, luscious hair in 7 easy steps!

A few changes to your lifestyle could totally change the look of your hair - who knew? If you want loner, lustrous locks keep reading!

1- Watch the products you use!
Some shampoos contain such harsh chemicals that can remove the natural oils in your hair and scalp, leaving them dry and brittle. This could cause damage in the long term as the hair would grow much thinner. Beaware of Sodium lauryl sulfate, a substance found in many shampoos but also in dish soap, it is very harsh on your scalp!

2-Use treatments
Applying warmed coconut oil to your hair for 5-10 minutes makes a great hair mask. It will need to be washed out a few times, but the results will be shiny, healthy hair- promised! Do it a couple of times every month, and there will be a significant growth spurt in you hair.

3-Regular trims
Approximately cut an inch every few months,to get rid of split and dry ends. Some say it is the secret to what makes it look so healthy, so it's worth to give it a try!

4-Use less heat
Always favour drying your hair naturally rather than using hair dryers and straighteners as they can make hair fragile and create split ends.

5-Food
Growing hair is caused by the amount of blood flow that reaches the roots, so can be controlled by what we eat. Vitamins, minerals and water can all favour hair growth, so be sure to get plenty of them!

6- Scalp massage
Lastly, you can also stimulate the follicles by giving yourself a massage on a regular basis. Afterwards use cold water which helps close pores and prevent breakage.

Hope these tips are helpful!

xx

How-to: Eyebrows

Eyebrows are so important for your whole face, even slightly changing the shape of them can affect your facial expression! A good eyebrow can be achieved in very simple steps- draw on the outline and pluck.

A- The beginning of the eyebrow in line with the outside of your nostril

B-Your eyebrow should end at at diagonal point from the outer corner of your eye.

C-The arch will begin upwards from the outer edge of your iris.

D-Where the arch ends, upwards from the end of your eye.

First I dot the points on, them join them up making sure I am satisfied with the shape. Then you start plucking but make sure you go along with your natural line- its that shape for a reason!

When you have done with the plucking moisturise your eyebrows preferably with a soothing lotion like Aloe Vera.

Just be careful not to pluck too much, thick brows are in after all!

xx

Good foods to give you a boost

With Summer soon arriving and many of us having to sit through exams in the next few weeks, this is not the ideal situation to be in. Its normal that we feel tired and in need of a break. Are you guilty of eating too many unhealthy treats to keep you going throughout the day? I know I am! So here is a list of my favourite yummy foods that are also good for your health and energy levels. Enjoy!

Natural yoghurt- Contains lots of calcium and healthy bacteria to support your immune system. Is also fat burning so is good eaten daily.

Nuts- Have many nutrients and healthy fats which keep your skin, hair and nails looking good. A fistful contributes to your 5-a-day and will keep you full until you next meal, as it is full of protein and fibre.

Oats- My favourite breakfast must be porridge! They are low fat and offer slow release energy which keep you feeling full until lunch time. Check out my previous post on them!

Blueberries- Famous for making you 'clever' they are considered to be a super food with a high level of antioxidants. This supports your immune system as it fights all the free-radicals which want to attack your body.

Green tea- Used traditionally in Chinese medicine to treat anything from headaches to depression, this is also considered to be a super food by many. It speeds up metabolism and is anti-inflammatory.

Dark chocolate- Low in sugar so is much better than milk and white chocolates. Likewise to other foods listed above, it is high in antioxidants and releases endorphins, which are good for your brain and heart. Vitamins and minerals can also still found, improving your general health.

Lastly, even if this is not food, it is still extremely important....

Laughing- Known as the best medicine as it releases endorphins, relaxing the whole body. Good for your general health as it lowers stress, depression and heart problems. Did you know that laughing for only 10 minutes a day can boost your metabolism for a whole 12 hours?

Also remember to drink lots of water and sleep well, giving you plenty of time to complete tasks.

Good luck x

D.I.Y. How to wash Make up Brushes?

Apologies for not posting last week! I had to revise for some exams I hated (ugh, physics) and so I didn't have much time to post :(

However this week I'd like to show you how to do something essential for your make-up routine - my method for washing brushes! Cleaning them helps extend their life and is incredibly important as they can harbour dirt and bacteria. That's not very nice for your skin, is it?

I used to just wash mine in a bowl of soapy water but as it used to bit a bit drying, I recently discovered another method which really gets them looking soft, shiny and new.

You will need: 
Soap (shampoo, dish soap.....anything you want )
Olive Oil (to condition the brushes as they will have been stripped of moisture from the soap)
Bowl

1. Add 1 part oil to 1 1/2 parts soap in a bowl.

2. Take your first brush and swirl it around in the mixture, you should see the mixture changing colour as the make-up is coming off it!

3. Rinse under cold water until the water you squeeze out is clear.

4. Leave to dry flat or facing down on paper towels or the water may get trapped inside and create a loss of hair, damaging the brush. Make sure they are fully shaped and leave them overnight.

How often should you wash them? It depends on your usage but I'd say anything from every week to every month!

How do you wash your make-up brushes? Comment below! 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!

How to ......Zzzzzzzzzzz

Mock exams have filled my past week with revision and I know most people think it is very stressful. Switching off to go to sleep can be hard, so I have put together the tips I think work best.

Don't you just love these? - Sold here

1) Don't Clock Watch
Counting down the hours you have left to sleep (I'll get 3 hours if I fall asleep now..)will make you panic. Don't look at your alarm, and if you do wakeup, tell yourself its 2am. You will stop panicking and be able to get a few hours of sleep before you get up.

2) Turn Down The Heat
Cold temperatures make you fall asleep more easily than hot ones.Your body temperature also drops when you are asleep, rising only when you start to wakeup again. If you are then cold, grab a pair of socks and hot water bottle.

3)Thought Blocking
Do you know why they say you should count sheep to get to sleep? It is a word with no emotional connotations and so can help you distract from your worries. Repeat it over in your head for about 3-5 minutes and you will feel much calmer.

4)Keep A Routine
If you get to sleep and wakeup every morning at roughly the same time, your body will start getting used to it, expecting sleep at those hours.

5)Blackout
Make sure it is completely dark when your get to sleep. Invest in an eye mask if necessary.

6)Don't Hit The Snooze Button
Getting up straight after the alarm goes off automatically lifts your mood, so will make you face your day better.

Sleep well!! xx

D.I.Y. | My favourite face masks

I find that the best way to recharge a parched winter complexion is by using face masks. Sometimes I buy them, but other times when I can't be bothered to leave the house to buy them, probably because of the weather, (ugh, I hate the rain) I make them myself. The great thing about this is that you can tailor them to your own needs and use the things you find lying around in the kitchen.

Chocolate face mask: Ingredients- 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tbsp spoon honey, 1 tbsp natural yoghurt.
I love this as it smells lovely-its like desert, but for the face! Chocolate facials can be hard to find ready made so this is is a hidden gem for many. Mix everything together and apply avoiding the eye area. Leave it on for 20 minutes. This can help fight free radicals and tightens skin, while also giving it colour.

Fruit face masks: Ingredients- ½ fruit, 1 tsp natural yoghurt, 1 tsp honey  
All fruits contain vitamins and are good at tightening the skin. Some are even tailored to benefit different skin types.              
Peach-Softens skin and for all types and ages.                                         
Melon- Soften and refreshes. For all skin types and to calm the skin.
Apple- For oily skin and to illuminate the skin and to fade scars.
Strawberry- For oily or mixed skin and also to give colour to it.     
Pear-For mixed skin.                    
Plums- Purifies the skin and tightens pores.
Kiwi- The seeds gently exfoliate and is used for oily skin.  
Pineapple- For mixed and oily skin.                                                          

Lemon and honey mask: Ingredients-1tsp honey, lemon juice 

Mix together so it becomes a paste and massage onto skin. Let it dry a bit so it becomes less sticky (about 5 minutes) and then wash off. The lemon improves skin tone while the honey hydrates. My favourite quick fix.

Oatmeal facial: Ingredients- 1 tbsp natural yoghurt, 1tbsp oatmeal.
Oatmeal is well known for being able to fade acne scars, and the yoghurt hydrates the skin. Mix and apply a thick layer to the skin, then wait for 25 minutes to remove it. Excellent for treating irritated skin, pimples and more.

One of my favourite things to do is apply them while in the bath- the heat will steam open pores, allowing it to sink more deeply into your skin. After removing them also splash your face with cold water to close your pores.

What do you swear by to treat your skin?

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!