Summer time

It's finally here - the summer holidays! It feels like I've had to wait forever, but now I can finally get the time to relax and do whatever I want to do. This is my little list of the things I'd like to do: 

1. Go shopping (of course): When it's the summer, I need to buy everything. Sandals, sunglasses, bags, shorts, skirts...you name it! It's just that I need to be prepared to go out a lot - I mean, you qjust have to have new outfits to wear!

2. The beach: This is a no-brainer. Who doesn't love sunbathing by the sea? Recently, I've also been a lot more accepting of my body and my appearance, so I'm hoping that I'll be confident enough to wear a bikini on the beach (even in front of friends). 

3. Tennis/swimming/cycling: Personally, these are some of the (very few) physical activities I enjoy. They are perfect for the sunny weather, and it's easy to enjoy yourself while doing them too! I already do tennis and swimming, but I actually haven't been on a bike in ages - so I'm hoping to go out for a bike ride this summer, seeing as I really do enjoy cycling!

4. Just enjoy time with my friends and family: It's quite daunting that when I get back from holiday I'll be in my last year of high school, but you can't focus too much about what's in the future - it's about making the most of what's in front of you. I have an amazing group of friends and family, so I really want to appreciate the time I have with them this summer. I want to make sure that I see them a lot, because that's the thing that makes me happy. 

If you're on summer break too, I hope you make the most of it! Jess x

What I love right now

I haven't been posting that much recently, but I thought I'd just write about a few things I love at the moment (but just to warn you, they're quite random!) 

1. Now I know this isn't exactly a thing for the summer, but I have been loving scented candles at the moment! When it's hot like this, I have real trouble getting to sleep. But I recently found out that candles are really relaxing for me, so they help me get to sleep - and on top of that, they smell gorgeous too! I love floral scents, fruity scents, and I also adore coconut and vanilla - they're my favourite! But if candles aren't for you, how about some fairy lights instead? I think they're perfect for the summer.

2. I am a big fan of bottled drinks right now. That may sound a bit crazy, but they are perfect for summer to carry around with you - it's so easy to get dehydrated in the sun! In particular, I am totally in love with the apple and peach flavoured Ribena at the moment - it keeps you hydrated, it's low in calories and sugar, and it tastes amazing! (I think I'm a bit obsessed if I'm honest.)

3. I'm loving having natural hair this summer. My hair is usually a thick, curly mess, but recently I've decided that to get a 'straight from the beach' type look the best thing to do is leave my hair natural. My hair is in pretty good condition at the moment, and it's getting longer, so I don't really mind keeping it curly (as long as I put some oil in it to calm it down beforehand!) I love wearing my hair down with skater skirts or dresses.

4. I love just eating fresh fruit and veg. I think in the summer, it's all about eating light food and staying hydrated. That's why I love salads, fruit, smoothies, juices, you name it! I especially love berry smoothies, because they're packed full of vitamins that are great for looking after your skin. Eating fruit and veg is a great way to stay healthy and feel good about yourself - they don't make you feel sluggish!

Well that's my bit for today. Have a nice weekend! Jess x

My recent buys!

Hey chickens! I thought i'd keep you up to date: Now, I haven't been shopping in ages, but this weekend, I decided enough was enough. So, I went shopping today and bought a few bits and bobs! It was lovely weather today, so I really enjoyed looking around the shops with some friends - it's actually really therapeutic for me! So let me tell you what I bought...

I bought (another) new dress from H&M.

I wasn't planning on buying this dress, but I've wanted a polka dot dress for ages and ages! So when I saw this, I just had to try it on. I was slightly worried because I could only find a size 8, which is usually too small, but luckily it fitted well this time! It is a really flattering dress - it hugs you in all the right places! And for only £12.99, I couldn't resist buying it. 

Next, I bought a cheap foundation/blusher brush, also from H&M.

The only reason I bought this is because it was only £2.99, and I needed a new blusher brush anyway. Even if it turns out to be pretty rubbish, I won't have to regret buying it because it was so cheap! 

I also bought this Garnier bb cream from Boots for combination/oily skin.

In a previous post, I said that I actually wanted a cc cream, but it looks like I changed my mind! I find that Garnier products are always a good value for money, so I hope I can say that with their bb cream too. There have been good reviews about this bb cream, so I decided to see if it will help reduce shine and imperfections on my face, (then I can use it for the summer!)

Another thing I was hoping to buy today was this scallop lace vest from topshop.

I have seen a lot of people wearing this recently, and I think that it's a really pretty colour! I managed to try one on (there weren't many there) but I then found out that it was actually a size 16! (Silly me...) anyway, I decided that it would be easier to just buy it online, because then I would be able to buy it in my size.

Well that's all from me. I hope you enjoy the rest of this lovely weather! Jess x

Here comes the sun

We're finally getting some sun! You don't realise how happy this makes me. I mean, so much more is possible when it's sunny, it just makes life a little bit better. I'm definitely going to be wearing more skirts, dresses, and summery items from now on, such as...

My denim skater skirt from miss selfridge. I love this item because it just goes with everything! It's such a classic piece of clothing, but you can still suit it to your individual style. 

My 'bohemian' style dress from new look. It's a really pretty dress, and has a nice cut on it. It's not a very tight material, but it comes with a belt which is good to nip you in at the waist. 

My pastel/light coloured nail varnishes. I couldn't live without painted nails - they just make everything better! And I definitely want to try some new patterns, like these 'masking tape clouds'. They look amazing, and really suit summer outfits.

That was just a little post from me today, but I hope you go out and enjoy the sun for as long as it's around! Jess x

'Curvy is the new fat'

I can't believe that Kelly brook has been branded 'fat' and 'saggy' following her recent trip to Mexico, where she was seen enjoying the sun with no bikini top on. What sort of message is this giving to the younger generation? My generation? I'm honestly disgusted that anyone would dare to ridicule someone else's body in such a harsh way. Kelly brook is such a role model to young women and men, because she can show that it isn't about what you look like - it's about what you feel like. People should at least have the decency to respect that she actually has confidence in herself. 

It's a wonder that she is able to reveal her body, even with the media watching, but still show amazing confidence and happiness in her own skin. People are very quick to believe that how 'attractive' you are is much more important in determining how happy you are as a person - but it's not. You do not owe 'attractiveness' to anyone. How dare someone insult and judge such an amazing woman like that, when she is perfectly happy with how she looks. She is a human being. People seem to forget that a human being isn't perfect. Curves are normal - curves are real. Boobs like that are real too, not 'saggy' thank you very much. She is healthy and glowing - not overweight, not underweight - and her body shows that. She is a realistic inspiration to our generation. I hope you will agree that she is a woman to look up to in relation to self worth and confidence. And either way, each and every person has a unique body shape. Just try to focus on finding your self worth, and hopefully that will give other people a chance to find theirs.

Healthy hair care tips

Now, I know how hard it is trying to keep your hair healthy. So i thought i'd just share a few 'dos and don'ts' to help you keep your hair in good condition! 

Do: indulge your hair with special treatments. Even though the rate your hair grows is not affected by how good a condition it's in, it's best to keep your hair happy and healthy anyway. Personally, I love using products with Argan oil in my hair. In particular, I use a product called Argan Secret hair styling elixir, which is about £20 from amazon (i'm not sure where else you can get it!)

I run a small amount of this through the ends of my hair when it's damp, and leave it to dry naturally. I even use it when my hair's dry sometimes (as a heat protector). Even though this product is a bit pricey, it's definitely worth it! It helps to smooth down my naturally curly hair without making it greasy, and overall, it nourishes and improves the appearance of my hair. 

I also use Dr. Organic Argan oil shampoo and conditioner, which are £5.99 each from Holland and Barretts (a strange place to buy hair products, i know!)

But, these products work wonders, because they are both completely full of natural ingredients. They are completely free of parabens and SLS, which is lucky for your hair! However, you do have to be careful in using these products, especially the shampoo, simply because they are so rich! But this means that you only have to use a small amount each time, which saves you having to buy bottles and bottles of the stuff. Just make sure that you rinse it out thoroughly - unless you want your hair to look like you haven't washed it in weeks! Personally, I think these products would be more suited to you if you have thick and untamely hair (like me!)

Even if you don't use a product like Argan oil, try and indulge your hair with a treatment once every week - there are loads of natural remedies for all types of hair that you can find online. It will help your hair to feel and look much healthier!

Don't: over indulge your hair. It won't do any good if you're slathering on loads of product all over your hair. The best thing to do is to try and stick to the ends of your hair with treatments and conditioners, because these are where split ends occur. Another tip: try not to wash your hair everyday, because, in fact, it doesn't need to be washed everyday! You can actually end up stripping your hair of the natural oils that it needs. So if you have a day in the week where you're not going out, just stick your hair up and leave it be - your hair will thank you!

Do: Eat the right food. Your diet is an essential factor in maintaining healthy hair. Try to stick to foods which contain essential fatty acids, such as salmon, eggs, spinach and lentils (and all other types of pulses). Eating healthy food, along with drinking plenty of water and exercising, will ensure that your hair stays healthy and nourished.

Don't: expect your hair to grow down to your waist overnight.  It takes time for your hair to grow, so be patient and wait for the results. Also, keep in mind that following these tips doesn't ensure that your hair will grow like Rapunzel's - everyone's hair has a 'cut off point' at which it won't grow much more. But just remember that it's far more important to keep your hair healthy, so try to get your hair cut every 4-6 weeks to stop any split ends from developing and making your hair weak.

Thanks for reading these tips, and happy hair growing! Jess x

Where's the sun?

Right now I feel dreadful. I'm not sure why, but I have a feeling that it is definitely something to do with this miserable weather - it sounds silly, but the weather really changes my mood! I think it's because even though we're already half way into the year, there has been next to no sunshine...which is really depressing. The holidays are quite near now, but I haven't even had a good reason to get out my sandals yet! That's why I think some shopping is in need soon (just to lift my spirits, of course). So, if the sun decides to emerge for the summer this year, at least I'll be prepared. 

 

Anyway, the first thing on my list of bits and bobs is makeup and body care. I'm not too fussed about actually having a tan for the summer (I always end up burnt anyway), but I thought it might be nice to have a subtle 'sun kissed' look. So, the first thing I'd like to buy is this: 

I have noticed quite a few people using this product, so I thought I'd see what it's like (but I think I'll go for the lighter version to be safe!) Another product I'd like to buy is this one:

This is a cc cream, which stands for colour corrector. The thing is, I don't want to be wearing heavy coverage all the time (especially if i'm at the beach), but I want to still have some coverage so that it hides the redness on my face. I thought that I would try this product, especially because green is known for neutralising redness, so this probably works better than just an ordinary bb cream. 

I'll try not to bore you much longer, so I'll just tell you about one more item that I want to buy - but this time it's a piece of clothing. I really really want to try a pinafore dress! I was thinking something like this one from River Island:

They just look so pretty! They are quite simple, but I think with a light coloured/flowery crop underneath and some frilly socks, it could look really summery. Dresses and skirts are perfect for summer, because they're so floaty and light, but they keep more covered than shorts or hotpants, which is what I prefer.

That's enough from me today anyway - hope you liked it! Jess x