Graduation Day

After 3 years of endless essay writing, boring lectures, and cramming for exams, I finally graduated with a 2:1 degree in BSc (Hons) Business Studies with Marketing.  I was ecstatic when I found out that I achieved a 2:1 as I was almost certain I had failed a few exams, but it turns out I did better than I thought! I had a rocky 2nd and 3rd year and I'm so glad that I didn't let anything affect my grades.  I celebrated the day in Bangor with my parents and grandma and it was so lovely to see my friends again! When we got home, we went for a family meal at the Joshua Bradley :)

Amy x

Review ~ La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+]

Recently, I have been using La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] and it has been a GODSEND.  The product is said to reduce the appearance of blemishes, unclog pores and refine the look of skin texture.  It is designed for oily, spot-prone skin, but can also be used for sensitive skin.

I use the Effaclar Duo [+] twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, and this has given me amazing results.  The product is not quite a cream, but not a serum either, and it blends really easily into the skin and makes your face feel smooth.  It doesn't leave your skin oily and acts as a great primer before applying make up.  I have acne scarring and pigmentation around my cheek area so I mainly focus on those areas when I apply it.  I saw results instantly after 1 day of using it, and now 3 weeks later, i'm still seeing results! My face is gradually getting less red and I can see a massive improvement in the look of my scars! I have also had significantly less break outs than normal and I owe it all to this product! Where were you in my spotty teen years?!

Does anyone else use this product and seen results? Are there any other products that you think give better results? Let me know :)

Amy x

The Disney Tag

Hey everyone! I saw this Disney Tag floating around on the internet and I just HAD to do it! Hope you like it :)

QUESTIONS:

1. A scene in any Disney movie you wish you could experience.

I would love to experience the scene in Tangled where they see all the floating lights, it looks soo magical and romantic!

2. An unforgettable experience moment you've had at the Parks.

This would have to be watching the parades and seeing all of the Disney characters waving and dancing and seeing everyone smiling; that's what Disney is all about, making people happy. And then of course watching Tinkerbell fly around the castle and watching the firework display. Thinking about it now is really making me want to go back! :( Oh! And also when I went a few years ago, I walked past Pinocchio and he ran up to me and gave me the biggest hug!

3. What Non-Disney song(s) that reminds you or brings back memories of Disney and or the Parks? 

I'm going to count this as non-disney as it's not in any of the films.  Dancin' (A Catchy Rhythm) - This song is one that is played at the parades and I just love it so much! It's such a feel-good song and makes me smile :)

4. When was the first time you went to a Disney Park?

I went to Disneyland Paris in 2010 for a school business trip, but we spent more time in the park than actually learning anything :P It was so much fun and I can't wait to go back there again! It was my first time staying in the Disney accommodation as well which was cool!

5. If you could choose any of the characters to be your best friend who would you choose?

Timon & Pumba - These two are hilarious and I think I'd get on so well with them. They are loyal friends and also have soo much fun.

Belle - I think i'd get on well with Belle as I can relate to her so much.

Peter Pan - Purely for the fact that he could teach me to fly and we could go on adventures!

6. Who are you favorite Disney Princesses?

Belle, hands down. She is my favourite for so many reasons.  She is not a selfish person and she puts others before herself e.g. when he father was kidnapped by the Beast, she got on Philipe and rode to the castle and then proceeded to take his place in the dungeon.  She also stands up for herself and knows what she wants e.g. she stands up to the beast and doesn't let him push her around.  She shows that she is a person too and can not be told what to do.  She also stands up to Gaston and doesn't give in to the marriage proposal, she knows what she wants in life and doesn't give in to people easily.  Lastly, unlike the other Disney princesses, it wasn't love at first sight with the beast.  She gets to know the beast for who he truely is both inside and out and teaches us that beauty lies within.  She does not get scared of his looks as she looks beyond his imperfections to see what's really underneath.  I think this is what I love most about Belle, she gives people her time and lets them show her who they really are and she eventually falls in love with the Beast.

7. Name a scene/moment in any Disney movie that never fails to make your cry.

Ooo there are many! Here are just a few:

- When Widow Tweed is taking Tod back to the forest to live on his own

- Mufasa's death

- The beginning of UP

- When Dumbo's mum is singing Baby Mine

- When Maurice is lost in the woods with the wolves

- Quasimodo being humiliated

8. What is the first Disney Movie you remember seeing?

Pocahontas

9. What is your favorite Disney Movie?

               I really enjoyed doing this tag! I tag everyone to do this tag, I would love to see                                                                                 your answers! :)

                                                                       Love, Amy x

My Most Embarrassing Moment

Whenever anyone asked me what my most embarrassing moment was, I could never think of anything, until 2012.  Picture the scene...I was doing my usual commute from home to university, it was around 7pm and I was sat on the train watching what was probably a Disney film.  I had a massive suitcase, a bag with a printer in it, a bag with an iron in it, my handbag and a laptop case.  I'd spotted a hot guy at the change at Crewe and was excited to see that not only was he on my next train, but he actually sat at the same table seat as me.  There was awkward eye contact as I was constantly taking sneaky peeks at him (as you do!) and then we started approaching the stop before mine.  

I text my friend and she agreed she'd come and pick me up with her boyfriend in the car as I had so much luggage with me that I don't think I would have survived the walk up the hill to halls with it all!  I started to haul my many bags and cases towards the exit of the train and saw that the hot guy and about a dozen other people were getting up and standing behind me waiting to get off.  I started to panic as I had so much to get off the train and didn't quite know how to maneuver it all.  Do I separate it all and get off the train bag by bag, or do I go for it and try and carry it all in one go to make it quicker and to reduce the amount of time I was holding everyone up by? Yep! You guessed it, I made the stupid decision to try and carry everything off at once, which ended up a disaster.  

I had my suitcase, iron, and printer in one hand, handbag over my shoulder and laptop case in the other hand and I preceded to step off the train.  I remember seeing my friend and her boyfriend on the platform and went to wave at them and as they waved back, I was suddenly faceplanking the floor.  Yep, I'd fallen off the train face first onto the platform.  Somehow, I managed to stand my bags up on the floor so my belongings didn't go flying all over the place, instead they kind of surrounded me as a barrier to prevent people from treading on me.  My friend then came rushing over in fits of laughter and helped me up after I had lay there for what seemed like hours.  I was in such shock that I'd fallen off the train and then embarrassed at the fact that I'd done it right infront of the guy I was eyeing up.  Everyone else on the train seemed oblivious to my helpless body laying on the platform and just walked around me like I was invisible! Not even the odd "are you ok?" or "would you like any help?", just completely ignored me and left me on the floor!  Rude.

Since that day, I have never been able to forget it from constant reminders from my friend and her boyfriend.  Every time I get off a train now, I make sure to hold onto the bars and step onto the steps before the platform and just pray that I don't fall face first again.

So that was my most embarrassing moment, what was yours?

Love, Amy

You're a Wizard Harry!

On day 2 of our London trip, we went on a tour of the Harry Potter Studios.  We took the bus from Watford Junction which took us straight to the studios.  When you start the tour, you watch a short video which ends on an image of the Great Hall doors.  The screen then slides up and reveals the REAL Great Hall doors!!

Inside the Great Hall, you can see many costumes such as uniforms and teachers' outfits.  I was surprised as to how small it actually was! 

The rest of the tour was unguided and we got to go around it at our own pace.  The next room has a lot of small sets scattered around and the mirror of erised, Dumbledore's office, the potions classroom and Hagrid's bike amongst other things.

The tour then carried on outside where you're able to taste the famous Butter Beer, take a seat in the car, go on the knight bus, see Privet Drive and at the time we went, we were able to see the owls which played Hedwig.

The tour carried on back indoors where all of the characters were shown including the make up, prosthetics, wigs and masks.  We ventured on to Diagon Alley and saw Flourish and Blotts, Olivanders, the Owlery, Gringotts, and Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

The tour finished on a high when we turned round the last corner to see a huge model of the whole of Hogwarts.  The model was so intricate and had every little detail on it and made it seem so real. It was a fantastic way to end the tour!

We then had to go through the shop to get to the exit and I bought a chocolate frog and some Berty Bott's every flavour beans.  We also had lots of fun looking at the many different wands, robes, broomsticks and soft toys.

It was a fantastic trip and I'm so glad I've finally gone and visited.  I'd definitely recommend it to anyone and is a great trip for the Harry Potter geeks amongst us!

Amy x

Lush Honey Farm Gift Set

I've recently become a huge fan of Lush products and was delighted when I received a gift box from my friend for my 21st birthday.  Lush is such a great brand as they have strong ethical reasoning behind their products, all packaging is recyclable, everything is handmade, and the products smell amazing!  I was given the Honey Farm gift set which has 5 different products inside, 2 of which I will review in this post.  The contents of the box can be seen below (minus a bath bomb as I was too hasty and used it before I took a picture!)

(Picture from Lush.com)

1.  Honey Bee

This bath bomb has 3 main ingredients; aloe vera, honey, and rhassoul mud.  These 3 combined will leave your skin feeling soft, supple and very moisturised.  After a few minutes in the bath with this, I could already feel the ingredients working on my skin.  Honey is great for soothing and moisturising the skin and is also an antiseptic.  I absolutely loved this bomb and will definitely repurchase it!

(picture from Lush.com)

2.  It's Raining Men

This body wash is great to pair with the Honey Bee bomb as it has the same honey packed ingredients.  As well as all the great benefits of honey already mentioned, this body wash also has rosehip oil in which smells amazing and adds a nice sweet scent to it.  When I used it, it was very creamy and smelt incredible.  It also left my skin feeling soft and moisturised.

3.  Honey I Washed The Kids

This soap smells DELICIOUS. It consists mainly of honey water, sweet wild orange oil, bergamot oil, and beeswax.  It is scented with caramel and makes me just want to take a bite out of it! I can't wait to try this and I suspect it will give similar results to the body wash as they have mostly the same ingredients, as well as honey and aloe vera to give soothing and moisturising properties.

4.  Sweet Coeur

I'm excited to try this product as I've never used a massage bar! If the scent is anything to go by, I know I'm going to instantly love it.  It smells sweet like the Honey I Washed The Kids soap, with a hint of cocoa butter.  The ingredients also include shea butter, honey and almond oil which again, are great for moisturising, soothing and softening the skin.  I can't wait to use this and  for my body to smell of chocolate! My only concern is that it melts so quickly, even when I pick it up to smell, so I'm intrigued as to how long the bar will last and if it will stay in the heart shape.

5. Butterball 

This bath bomb is the only product in the gift set which does not have honey in it.  Instead, it's 2 main ingredients are cocoa butter and ylang ylang oil.  The cocoa butter will moisturise your skin, whilst the oil relaxes you and is supposed to relieve anger, panic and fear.  The cocoa butter can be seen in the bomb as little specs, and these will start to seperate and swirl around once you place it in your bath.  This bath bomb is supposedly great for people with dry, sensitive skin - so I'm looking forward to trying this to see what it does for my skin!

And thats all of the products! I love this gift set after only trying 2 of the products, but I just know I'm going to love the rest! It is a great gift for someone who loves being pampered and I would definitely recommend buying it for a friend, or even as a cheeky present for yourself ;)

If you've tried any Lush products, let me know what you tried and your thoughts :)

Amy x

(I noticed on the Lush website that this gift set doesn't come with the Butterball anymore.  Anyone know why they have discontinued it in this box? And is it still available to buy seperately?)

(Photos are my own unless otherwise stated)

London Baby!

Last weekend, my boyfriend took me away to London for a couple of nights for my 21st.  Our train was at 9am which was clearly too early for me as I fell asleep at the train station!

We decided to go sight seeing and also to the London Dungeons, using the underground tube to get there.

I'd recommend going to the Dungeons if you're ever stuck for anything to do in London.  It's basically a walk-through story of the past 1000 years in London, ranging from Guy Fawkes, Jack The Ripper, Sweeney Todd, and the Black Plague.  The actors are brilliant and really get into their parts and make you feel like you're actually there.  One in particular, a baker who used human meat, pointed at Michael and told him he was succulent and juicy which had me laughing, and then she turned to me and told me I smelt :(  There were times where I got a bit wimpy though such as on the ride where it goes pitch black, but other than the odd scare, it was hilarious and definitely worth going! Unfortunately, I couldn't get any pictures as they don't allow it inside the Dungeons.

We then went to see Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and The Eye, whilst getting pestered by a man dressed as a cowboy (?) who wanted £20 off us for a picture! 

\

We then went to Bodeans, a BBQ smoke house in which Michael had been to before.  I had a BBQ chicken burger, whilst Michael had pulled pork and burnt ends with a side of onion rings.  The food was delish and we even treated ourselves to a pudding.

After a long and tiring day, we decided to head to Wetherspoons for a drink.  It's nice that everything is within walking distance in London, but our feet were killing us and it was only day 1! Definitely too many staircases in London! We then went back to the hotel to get a good nights sleep for the next day - Harry Potter Studio Tour!!!

Amy x