What Am I Thankful For?

Blogmas day 24! It’s Christmas Eve and I just can’t believe how we have gotten here so quickly. This time of year is beautiful, it really does allow you to think of all the things you’re grateful for and how appreciative you are of life.

This year, I’m so thankful for change. Some people are afraid of change and I know I was as well, but this year, I embraced it. I graduated from my first degree, started my second in a new town, new university and begun creating a new life for myself. I’ve met some incredible people and I’ve had the best first semester ever. I threw myself in the deep end and started to experience the uni life I never really had in Aberystwyth.

With that in mind, I’m grateful for my grandmother. This year she’s had all sorts thrown at her and she has fought her way through it all. Taken it all in her stride and not let it get her down. Each day I realise that she’s the reason I’m working so hard to better myself. She’s a real inspiration and someone I’m so incredibly grateful to have in my life.

My niece and nephew are growing up so quickly, Gracie recently turned 7 and Ethan is due to turn 2 next month. It’s so amazing to have the honour of watching these little ones grow and develop into the most wonderful children ever. They’re experiencing childhood to the full and have the most amazing people in their lives to help them achieve whatever they want. They’re beautiful and I love them so much!

However this year, I’m most thankful for my mum. We haven’t always had the best bond, we haven’t always been close. To be honest, we’ve fought and battled with each other for years. Until this year, I experienced my first heartbreak and my mum was my absolute rock through it all. I was devastated and she helped me through everything. Something I never thought I would ever see her do. I do think she’s finally realised that I’m an adult now and she hadn’t been able to let me go for so long. But now she has, we’re closer than ever. I couldn’t imagine my mum not being in my life even when she’s being the biggest pain in the ass. This year I am so grateful to have had her help me and guide me through everything I’ve needed her for.

Twitter: @bethdaviesblog

Instagram: @_bbbbethan

With love, Beth x

7 Things To Do In The New Year

Another new year has passed and we’re almost in 2018! There are people everywhere doing things as a fresh start for the new year, whether it’s adding or removing things to your life or simply having a clear out. We all do a little something to really make a difference to the new year and month.

For me, I always like to have a clear out. I think there’s nothing better than starting the new year with a freshly cleaned home and a clear mind. I also like to do other things just to really make the extra difference to my life and I think it’s time to share them with you!

1. Having a clear out is important so whether it’s your clothing, your draws or whatever it could possibly be. Go ahead and empty your unnecessary items into the bin for another year.
2. Make decorative change to your home. Fancy a new colour in your living room? Flooring? Make a list of things you want to do to make your house feel that extra more homey and you’ll thank yourself in December when you achieve these.
3. Send happy new year cards! It’s always lovely to show people how much you love them and how grateful you are for them. I think writing cards is so thoughtful and what better than letting someone know you’re so happy that you have them in your life.
4. Give to the homeless or a charity, maybe both? Who knows. December is a month for giving and it doesn’t stop there! Whether you have left over food or clearing away any old toys, you can always donate them.
5. Organise your monthly bills. Paper chase have the most incredible annual budget diaries and I think it’s a great way to get your finances in order and make 2018 another successful year.
6. Plan a trip! There is nothing better than knowing you have something to look forward too. I definitely plan on organising a holiday this year and I can’t wait to give myself a little motivation and excitement for the upcoming months.
7. Setting goals is important and for me, I like to do them monthly rather than yearly as they’re often more achievable. I really think that it’s important to do more of what makes you happy and do things to improve your sense of self.

Let me know some of the things that you like to do in January to make your new year more successful!

twitter: @bethdaviesblog

Instagram: @_bbbbethan

With love, Beth x

Favourite Books of 2017

Happy blogmas day 20!

2017 is finishing and I’ve read a lot of books this year. Truthfully, I do like to try and review every single book I read but honestly, I don’t always get the chance or simply, I don’t do it. I don’t review every single book because well 1. They might be rubbish and so bad that I don’t care to review them. 2. Life gets in the way and University is a priority so instead of uploading a review I might just upload a post that’s been in my drafts for a while (lazy yes, practical yes). This year I have read my fair share of books, just like I do every year so I have carefully gathered my 8 favourite books of 2017, I hope you enjoy. Fortunately for you, I have written reviews on all of these books so go ahead and click on the links, they’ll take you to where you need to go for the review. 

We Were on a Break – Lindsey Kelk

White Lies and Wishes – Cathy Bramley

The Girl with The Lower Back Tattoo– Amy Schumer

The One We Fell in Love with – Paige Toon

Diary of a Fat Girl – Moira Mugweni

All the Bright Places – Jennifer Niven

The Break Down –  B.A Paris

Harry Potter 1-7 (ignore Order of the Phoenix because that’s crappy) – J.K Rowling

Share with me some of your favourites to add to my 2018 reading collection. 

twitter: @bethdaviesblog

instagram: @_bbbbethan 

With love, Beth x 

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I’ve been an avid fan of the Garnier skincare for several years now. I think Garnier is one of the best priced and greatest quality on the drugstore market right now. So when I come across the new Garnier Micella Cleansing Water I was definitely intrigued.

There are two types of this product, one for combination and sensitive skin and another for just sensitive skin. I’ve been trying both at separate times to make sure I give them a fair and equal review.

I tried the combination and sensitive skin first, this one comes in the green bottle. I do have both sensitive skin and combination so I thought this would be ideal for me. I had been using it for several weeks and had noticed that my skin had been breaking out more than ever. After 4 weeks of using this and once I had stopped, I noticed my acne was clearing up amazingly. I don’t know whether the grape extract in this product maybe affected my skin but there is something in this product that made my skin flare up.

However, I really did like this product otherwise. I found that this really removed all my makeup, dirt and oil and I really felt like my skin was sparkling clean. Although I did like it I knew that it wasn’t helping my acne at all.

I then went ahead and tried the one that is just for sensitive skin and it’s been amazing. So amazing in fact that my skin has started to clear up and It’s even helping to control the oils on my face. It totally removes my makeup, makes my skin feel fresh and healthy and I can’t recommend this product enough.

Personally I think the one for sensitive skin is dependant on how sensitive your skin is but honestly, as a cleanser and makeup remover I think this product is outstanding. The formula really doesn’t feel drugstore at all.

Garnier has done it again and created the ideal cleanser!

The best part is how affordable this product is. I get mine for around £2.60 in savers but you can also purchase this in your local Superdrug, Boots and Wilkinson’s as well as many supermarkets.

Twitter: @bethdaviesblog

Instagram: @_bbbbethan

With love, Beth x

December Goals

HAPPY BLOGMAS!

Every day as a countdown until Christmas I’ll be uploading a new post at 6pm. 

The final month of 2017 is here, so it’s obviously time to try and achieve my new year’s resolutions in one month (Just kidding, I forgot them). Let’s be honest that isn’t going to happen. I’ve been enjoying giving myself monthly goals and I think I’d like to try this throughout the next year. I think it’s such a fun way to keep track of your life and as a challenge to yourself each month. 

This month’s goals: 

• Maintain a healthy-ish diet throughout the holiday season (why would I do this to myself?) 
• Maintain my weight! (Wishful thinking, right?)
• Watch at least 1 Christmas movie a week.
• Have my Christmas shopping finished a week before Christmas.  
• Visit a Christmas market and Winter Wonderland. 
• Enjoy the let month of 2017 and prepare for an amazing new year.

What are yours? Let me know!

Twitter: @_bbbethan 

Instagram: @_bbbbethan 

With love, Beth x 

Budgeting as a Student

Budgeting is hard enough without being a student but as a student, it’s 10x worse. People think students are made of money, especially my parents. They think because we get a termly loan in bulk that it lasts forever and we can live off it. This isn’t true at all.

In fact, throughout the whole of my student life I’ve always had money problems and had to work. It just happens. Life happens, you may need dental treatment, car needs insuring or perhaps your laptop breaks. These things happen and you have to decide whether it’s worth funding and whether you have the money for it.

What’s worse is that nobody prepares you to do your own finances. There isn’t a class that you go to before you finish school that helps you figure out how to sort your life out. You’re thrown into the deep end and you’re automatically supposed to know how to do it. In fact, in my first year of uni I was so unprepared that I’ve gone £1000 into an overdraft and haven’t properly paid it back yet.

Before I headed to uni I sat down and tried to figure out how I’ll survive with a very minimal student loan and having to find a job that pays enough to last me a week and allows me to save money.

Step 1: I figured out how much loan I get per term. This allowed me to see what I can pay for and how long the money will last.

Step 2: How much rent do you have to pay? Do you own a car? Children? Pets? Figure out what priorities you have and what you could remove to help minimise the amount of money that goes out each month.

For me, my mum pays my phone bill still so I only had to pay my accommodation, credit card, new look store card and my course fees.

Step 3: Determine how much you have left and how much you need to spend a week to allow you to last the term with the rest of your money.

Step 4: I knew I needed a job to maintain a healthy bank balance during my masters so I figured out how many hours I would need a week to give me enough money to cater for me. I figured I’d need at least a 20 hour a week job that gives me around £140 a week. Most of which I can save.

Helpful tip: Use a budget organiser to keep yourself in track of your finances. Either make your own or you can get one from paperchase and other stores. They’re incredibly worth while for you to figure out what you’ve been spending your money on and areas that you need to cut down on.

Twitter: @_bethdaviesblog

Instagram: @_bbbbethan

With love, Beth x

October Favourites

October has finished and I’ve got a few things that I want to share with you that I have been loving throughout the month. 

I don’t have any new beauty favourites as I’ve not purchased anything new recently. Except, I did start to contour again! I hadn’t contoured in a while and I forgot how much I enjoyed carving out my cheeky bones and creating a more defined face. I really like the Collection Contour Stick. It’s so blendable, creamy and simply easy to use. I love the look of contouring and I have rekindled my love for it! 

I’ve been having no makeup days during October and my skin loves me for it! It’s so much easier to wake up and get ready without all the fussing of applying makeup. Some days it’s easier to just pop on a moisturiser and away I go! Don’t get me wrong, I still love wearing it and I definitely do but my skin needs a breather. 

Ive not really bought anything new at all recently so picking this months favourites are slightly different. I’ve really enjoyed watching films and TV series recently, especially Teen Wolf (still devastated that it’s finished), Brooklyn 99, P.s I love you and Harry Potter. It’s been nice to sit back and watch something to calm me down. 

I’ve throughly enjoyed spending time with my friends this month. Since being at uni I’ve met some lovely friends and I’ve loved every moment I’ve spent with them. It’s nice to experience new things again and enjoy the company of likeminded people!

Otherwise, generally my month has been pretty simple and boring. So sorry for my bland favourites this month! Hopefully next months will be be better. 

Twitter: @bethdaviesblog 

Instagram: @_bbbbethan 

With love, Beth x 

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer // Review

I purchased this Bronzer whilst in New York this summer and I’ve been committed to it every since. Before I went I knew that if I only purchased one item of makeup it would be this Bronzer since it’s been raved about for so long. 

I saw the last one that was in Target and I didn’t hesitate to grab it. I will say that it is very warm toned but don’t let that turn you off. It’s still a gorgeous shade to wear and it doesn’t make your skin look orange at all. In fact, it applies so evenly and just adds a beautiful bronzed glow to the face. The scent is incredible, it’s like summer in a compact. 
I’m fair skinned and this just makes my skin look so healthy and nourished. It blends so well regardless of whether you’ve powdered your foundation or not. I’ve been obsessed with this for months now and I’m hoping that Physicans Formula come to the UK so I can try more of their products. 

Twitter: @_bbbethan 

Instagram: @_bbbbethan 

With love, Beth x 

September Favourites

September has come and gone, I feel like this year has flown by. What happened to January 2017? I’m bringing back the monthly favourites because they’re my all time favourite posts to read and I love sharing with you guys what I’ve been enjoying throughout the month. I’ve got some fantastic new things to share with you that I have been loving during September! 

Firstly, Rimmel released some liquid lipsticks that I just couldn’t wait to get my hands on! My favourite is the shade coral sass which is essentially an orange toned red shade which I absolutely love on myself. It’s kind of a summery shade but to be honest, I’ll still be wearing throughout the autumn/winter months. They’re so incredibly light weight and dry super fast without making your lips feel dry and chapped. 

Converse are a statement shoe in my wardrobe and I especially love them for nights out since they are so comfortable but also can make any outfit look fab. Whether you’re dressing down or dressing up, converse just don’t seem to make an outfit look bad. I bought a white pair (I’m silly, I know I’ll get them dirty eventually) and I’ve been living in them. If you’re a student like I am, you can get 10% off when you purchase any item from schuch which is where I bought mine from. 

This will be the second time I’ve mentioned this jacket on my blog but I just can’t help it. I purchased a suede biker jacket from New Look last month and I honestly thought it was the biggest mistake and that I wouldn’t ever wear it since I didn’t know how to dress it. However, I was wrong and this jacket as become my absolute go to! I’ve been loving it. I’ll wear it with a pair of jeans, boots and a white top or even with a skirt, cami and converse for nights out. It’s become a statement jacket that I couldn’t live without. 

Since moving back to uni green tea is all I drink (other than wine..). My current favourites are mint, along with apple and cucumber! They’re so refreshing to drink and really help to detox your body, especially after a heavy weekend of drinking. 

I’ve been regularly going to the gym to workout and I never ever thought I would enjoy going but I just love how it’s been making me feel. I’m so much more energetic and lively now I’ve been regularly working out! An hour a day in the gym and a 15 minute session of yoga really does make the world of difference. I’m a totally different person! Honestly, I don’t think I could stop going now. I picked up a big at the end of the month and actually felt so guilty for not going to the gym! Although I knew my body needed a rest so that’s what I did.

I finally watched Wonder Woman for the first time and I’ve not enjoyed a film more this year! She was so badass, empowering and bloody gorgeous! The film really was one of the best I’ve seen this year and I can’t wait to watch her in Justice League.

Lastly, the TV show Victoria returned for season 2 and I have been obsessed! I really enjoyed season 1 and I anticipated the return for season 2 and it was totally worth the wait. I love the drama and the history of the show. It really makes you think about the way their lives are as a royal family. 

These are my September favourites! Let me know some of yours in the comments and maybe I’ll try them out during October. 

Twitter: @bethdaviesblog 

instagram: @_bbbbethan 

With love, Beth x