summer
My Workout Essentials
3 August 2017
About a year ago, I did a post called “My Workout Essentials” and featured some of my favourite gym accessories and must haves. Well, now that time has passed, I still have some faves, but the list has changed for the better.
Bluetooth Headphones
They were featured in my last post, but they’re number one now. Music is so essential for a good workout, it’s truly everything. I considered these KitSound headphones for the longest time, going back and forth between brands before finally deciding to just go for it. I’m very fussy when it comes to technology, as I like to have something that’s actually going to work. I can honestly say, KitSound headphones are the way forward for me. Style is important, so I chose the black and rose gold pair, but I also think good quality is vital to. The Harlem headphones are of a very high stand, especially for such an affordable price. I adore them!
Deodorant and body spray
So essential. The very thought of bad body odour makes me feel nauseous, so the smell has me running. Of course, there’s not much I can do about other people, but I can certainly do a lot for myself. I have a love for deodorants anyway, and have always used Nivea because it treats my skin so well. But I’ve also been loving So…?’s body mist line and didn’t expect to be so obsessed. I grew up with So…? body sprays and Charlie Red so naturally I gravitated back towards them. I really love water-based sprays because I feel like they stick to clothes a little better than the aerosols.
A Small Towel
I would have never considered a towel about a year ago. But now that I like to go H.A.M. in the gym, and try to work so hard I want to nap, I sweat… a lot. And sweat is great I guess, but it’s also super irritating and itchy if it dries. I like to have a small towel or flannel with me in the gym, to wipe away the dirt and sweat, ensuring it doesn’t get into my pores. Sweat dripping down your face is certainly a sign of hard work, but also a great way to break out. Not great.
High quality clothes
Obviously, clothes are an essential. But it’s very easy to buy super cheap threats that disintegrate in water or fit poorly. It’s very important to me to avoid ill-fitting clothes because it feels uncomfortable and kills my confidence. Splashing out isn’t what I’d usually do when it comes to clothing, but I neeeeeeeed to have good workout outfits. TK Maxx is the perfect middle man, as they sell branded clothes for amazing prices. Think: fit over fashion. Running on a treadmill and pull up leggings or pants is not okay. Plus, squats that result in ripped clothing isn’t cute either.
The right shoes
I once saw someone running on a treadmill in sliders. SLIDERS. That’s a perfect example of picking the wrong shoes. I still can’t wrap my head around it. You don’t have to go all professional to find the right trainers to work out in, they just have to be supportive and comfortable. Fit over fashion comes in once again, as it’s important to take care of your feet and ankles before they become damaged.
My phone
I have an iPhone 7, and there are a huge number of apps that help me in the gym. Not only is Spotify essential for my beast mode tunes, but I use MyFitnessPal too. This app is great for logging all my workouts and totally up how much water I drink each day. The app works great without having to go Premium and there are still a wide range of features to make use of. I also use the app to log the food I eat throughout the day which helps me keep track of calories. Endomondo is also really great for logging times, plus it’s linked to MyFitnessPal as they’re both owned by Under Armour.
And a couple more must-haves, or rather, I-needs:
The Playsuit: A Summer Essential
27 July 2017
Playsuits are very much like Marmite. Some people absolutely love them (me), and live by them (me), and will wear them at any given opportunity (also me). And some people can’t stand them. I must admit, it can get a little tricky when you’ve had one G&T too many and you can’t quite work out how to go to the bathroom properly, but despite this, they’re perfect for me. I’m quite a tall chic, so sometimes shopping for playsuits that hit the right spot can be hard. Some suits have awkward elasticated waists that are too high/too low, and some have the shortest shorts ever – and I’m not about that life.
I bought this piece from TK Maxx in one of their everlasting sales, and saw it sitting (or hanging) there all alone, so I had to buy it. The great thing about playsuits, is that they’re always comfortable, and often pair well with loads of different items in the wardrobe. In the winter, I’ve even worn an all-black playsuit with tights and a cosy cardigan. For summer, I tend to stick to a tropical print, something that’s bright and summery, but never over the top.
Playsuits have become a summer essential, not only because they’re so easy to style, but also because they look amazing on different body types. I used to be really self-conscious and think I could never pull off anything short, so the playsuit became my answer. It keeps me confident, it keeps what I like covered and it keeps me cool through the UK heatwaves.
What’s your favourite thing about playsuits? Or, what’s your summer essential?
5 Ways to Stay Healthy This Summer
17 July 2017
The summer is upon us and it is the perfect time
to get outdoors and have fun. Already on Anika May we set out 5
achievable summer goals that we believed would make the summer that bit
more special. In this post we look at 5 ways to stay healthy this summer.
Avoid Sunburn
Sunburn is one way to really put a dampener on your summer holidays and day-to-day activities. Vitamin D is very good for you but too much sunlight and you could end up spending a lot of the summer indoors. Studies show that sunburn increases the chances of certain skin cancers. The easiest way to avoid sunburn is to make sure you apply plenty of sunscreen throughout the day. This way you will get all the benefits of being outdoors without having to worry about the sun.
Sunburn is one way to really put a dampener on your summer holidays and day-to-day activities. Vitamin D is very good for you but too much sunlight and you could end up spending a lot of the summer indoors. Studies show that sunburn increases the chances of certain skin cancers. The easiest way to avoid sunburn is to make sure you apply plenty of sunscreen throughout the day. This way you will get all the benefits of being outdoors without having to worry about the sun.
Eat Healthy
Make the summer the start of your healthy eating diet. The summer months will be full of food markets and you can use these as an excuse to try new and exciting foods. The summer days are also perfect for outdoor cooking along with salads and other healthy dishes. If you need any inspiration Good House Keeping made a list of over 60 summer dishes. Make this summer the one where you change your diet.
Make the summer the start of your healthy eating diet. The summer months will be full of food markets and you can use these as an excuse to try new and exciting foods. The summer days are also perfect for outdoor cooking along with salads and other healthy dishes. If you need any inspiration Good House Keeping made a list of over 60 summer dishes. Make this summer the one where you change your diet.
Make Plans With Friends
Long summer days are perfect to spend with friends at the beach, parks or even at the local pub. Sometimes it can feel that our lives are too busy to make plans and we can end up isolating ourselves. Use the summer as an excuse to spend some quality time with your pals. Activities like camping are a perfect way to take advantage of the warm weather and the great outdoors.
Long summer days are perfect to spend with friends at the beach, parks or even at the local pub. Sometimes it can feel that our lives are too busy to make plans and we can end up isolating ourselves. Use the summer as an excuse to spend some quality time with your pals. Activities like camping are a perfect way to take advantage of the warm weather and the great outdoors.
Take Up a New Sport
Why not use the summer to try a new sport. Getting the motivation to exercise can be challenging and sometimes you need a fresh start. The clear weather is great for playing outdoor sports with your friends and family. If you’re feeling really adventurous you may want to head to the beach and try a water sport like surfing or body boarding. Nothing says summer like surf culture and to get you in the mood you could watch a film like Blue Crush. Surf culture is an important part of pop culture with different types of media using it to enhance the summer feel. One notable company is digital gaming platform Spin Genie who promote the lifestyle through their Wild Water slots game. Be sure to try something adventurous and make your summer is truly something to remember.
Why not use the summer to try a new sport. Getting the motivation to exercise can be challenging and sometimes you need a fresh start. The clear weather is great for playing outdoor sports with your friends and family. If you’re feeling really adventurous you may want to head to the beach and try a water sport like surfing or body boarding. Nothing says summer like surf culture and to get you in the mood you could watch a film like Blue Crush. Surf culture is an important part of pop culture with different types of media using it to enhance the summer feel. One notable company is digital gaming platform Spin Genie who promote the lifestyle through their Wild Water slots game. Be sure to try something adventurous and make your summer is truly something to remember.
Visit a New Place
Don’t stay at home during the summer. Use the free days to visit somewhere new. This could be a new country or even a new part of the UK. For example, The Guardian ran a list of the six best festivals on the UK coast this summer. Why not take the leap and visit a new place with your friends or family. Not only will it give you something to do but it will get you outdoors. If you need any more encouragement, Positive Health Wellness made a list of 8 reasons why travelling is good for your health.
We hope this list has encouraged you to have a healthy summer. The most important part of any summer season is that you stay happy.
Don’t stay at home during the summer. Use the free days to visit somewhere new. This could be a new country or even a new part of the UK. For example, The Guardian ran a list of the six best festivals on the UK coast this summer. Why not take the leap and visit a new place with your friends or family. Not only will it give you something to do but it will get you outdoors. If you need any more encouragement, Positive Health Wellness made a list of 8 reasons why travelling is good for your health.
We hope this list has encouraged you to have a healthy summer. The most important part of any summer season is that you stay happy.
This post is a guest post.
5 Achievable Summer Goals
28 June 2017
Eldwick, UK
Summer is well underway at the moment, and I’m loving every minute of it. Despite the sudden heat in the UK, which everyone seems to be dealing (struggling) with in their own way, I’m welcoming the rise in temperature. Summer for me, is the time to get stuff done. The days are longer, much lighter and easier to handle. As much as I love the cosiness of winter, waking up when it’s dark and coming home when it’s dark makes me want to curl up with a film, rather than run the world.
01. Put on a new personality.
Personally, I’m a little negative. I always say it’s me being realistic but actually I’m just being a bit of a downer. After taking inspiration from new friends, bloggers and public figures that I admire, I’ve decided to switch up the way I see the world a little bit. I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts that my aim is to be more positive, and summer is the perfect time to do so! It’s bright outside, and I’m like 80% sure that affects mood. I know all I want to do is sing, dance and have a good time when the sun appears, which means much more optimism.
Not that there’s anything wrong with my current personality, I’ve always been taught there’s room for improvement. Grab a mirror and take a look, what do I want to change inside. Maybe the sarcastic comments? The snappy attitude? The negative outlook? They’re just a couple of things I want to get rid of. I think in the long run, a little self-reflection is incredibly beneficial. I’m 21 and still growing, so summer’s the time to get that kick up the bum.
02. Take thousands of photos.
I feel like this goal is a very “just girly things” kind of goal, but it still counts. As a freelance photographer, I’m always taking photos. Like, constantly. But most the photos I take are for work or as a hobby. I have a DSLR, and I want to pick it up, get out of town and take a bunch of photos with my friends. Not some weak Snapchat videos with frilly filters and fuzzy audio. Some real photographs that I can look back on in thirty years and tear up at (awwwww). They say you should live in the moment, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I also think it’s important to capture the moment the best way you can.
Some are happy with the mental image that lasts forever. I have the memory of a goldfish and can’t even remember what I had for breakfast this morning let alone what I did with my friends last summer. Photos make me happy, so I wanna take waaaaay more.
03. Be an adult.
I guess this is an odd one, but a truthful one. I’m 21-years-old, which is classed as an adult pretty much everywhere in the world. But sometimes, I live like a 12-year-old, depending on my mum and not wanting to face a very fast-paced life. That’s got to stop, or at least chill out a bit. Being older definitely scares me, and I know I’m not alone in that boat. There’s something about being independent that’s empowering but terrifying. I’m always crazy shocked when there’s a 18-year-old living on her own, with a job, a car, and a dog named Bentley.
Comparison can certainly be a mood-killer, but not if I use it for inspiration. Sometimes I need to grow up a bit, and aiming to be a little more independent and being open to growing is the way to do that this summer.
04. Party hard. Work harder.
As I’ve said 300 times, I’m 21, which also means I can drink all over the world (whoop)! I’m a bit of a party animal when I want to be, so every opportunity to have a good time is going to be taken this summer. It’s an easy goal to have and one that’s definitely achievable. Whether it’s a one-woman rave or this season’s coolest after party – I’m there.
At the same time, I also want to dominate my secular game. I currently work for a Yorkshire-based charity that’s kind of like my baby. As its non-government funded, I work my bum off with the staff to keep us afloat and it’s very rewarding when we receive a donation for our hard work or an extra like on Facebook. That feeling is only felt after working hard, so even though the sun’s out, I might not always be. I totally want to have fun, that’s part of being young, but at the same time it’s important to build a foundation for life and something to be proud of.
05. Read a ton of books.
Maybe not literally, but close. I bought a whole shelf’s worth of books in the spring, with the intention of finishing them all by then end of August. So far, I’m three books in and have quite a few to go but I couldn’t be happier. One of the main reasons I read is for entertainment, but I also love to expand my vocabulary and have something else to think about rather than the mess the world is falling into. One thing that’s different about my choice in books this year, is that I’m reading them for me. A lot of the time, we’re influenced by other people into what we think we should be doing.
Well I’m done with that, I’ll read whatever I want to read and do whatever I want to do. Maybe I don’t want to read 13th century literature while I lounge in the sunshine – doesn’t mean I’m any less of a person or book-lover and the same applies to everyone else.
One thing I noted while writing this post, is that it’s my summer. And your summer is your summer. Set your own goals, achieve your own dreams, and imagine whatever makes you happy, because without that, it’s very hard to have a hope. Happy summer!
My Summer Bling Wishlist with Gemporia
26 August 2016
Baildon, UK
I can be really weird when it comes to jewellery. Sometimes
I forget I own it, sometimes I completely drench myself in diamonds and
sometimes I like that one staple piece that blows an outfit out of the water.
Either way, I love anything that sparkles, and have a soft spot for the super
shiny and any pendant pieces. Since we’re still technically in summer and I’m
slowly becoming obsessed with accessories (I’m even thinking of creating a
Pinterest board dedicated to them), I thought I would create a wishlist just
for my favourite bling bling. Gemporia
recently contacted me about their line and I was very pleasantly surprised
at the quantity of stunning pieces available from their website. I was
expecting a fairly simple site with a few pieces that I would obsesses over,
but there are pages of stunning jewellery items that I adore!
One thing I love about Gemporia is that they ensure their business has a positive impact on the people and environments around it. As you know, charity work is very close to my heart so you can read more about Gemporia's work here. They believe that beautiful jewellery shouldn’t cost the earth, nor should it be massed produced or run of the mill. This is why they go direct to the source to bring customers the finest gemstones Mother Nature has to offer, from some of the world’s most remote locations! I began this
wishlist with just ten items, and ended up with over thirty. Then I decided
that may be a little too much for one blog post, so I got it down to an easy eighteen,
but trust me – it was not easy. Everything is just so pretty!
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18
What’s your favourite item? Let me know below!
This post is in collaboration with Gemporia.
Annika Nail Polish | Review
24 August 2016
Otley, UK
Since I stopped wearing acrylics, it’s my duty to now hunt
down as many nail polishes as I can. So far I’ve been doing pretty well, but I
do occasionally struggle with polishes that won’t chip within the first two
hours, like most I’ve tried. There are plenty of brands out there that provide luxurious
quality varnish… that costs more than a bottle of champagne. Barry M and Rimmel
are two of my favourite brands from nail polish, but I recently tried the Annika
Nail Polish line* by The Edge Nails it’s not just the name I’m obsessed
with.
I’m always open to trying new products, especially from
brands I’ve never heard of or bought from. When I received the Annika Nail
Polishes I was absolutely thrilled to try them out, and finally get some colour
on my bare nails. The line includes 30 different colours, from jet black to
bright yellow and I received Bella Ballerina, Pretty Pixie and Beauty Queen.
My first impressions of the colours was that they were
brighter than I expected and would look great on my nails as long as the formula
is strong enough. It’s really common to find nail varnish that’s a stunning
colour, but is almost like water when painted on the nails – major
disappointment. I get that quite a lot with glitter nail polishes, and hate
applying layers on layers, as I’m impatient and it takes too long to dry. With
the first layer of Bella Ballerina, the lightest shade, I was actually quite
surprised at how visible it was, despite the colour.
Regarding the formula of the Annika Polishes, it’s thick and
light without being too watery. The polish is easy to take off and doesn’t
stain my nails which is a big yes in
my book. I’ve also found that the varnish dries very quickly and doesn’t pool
on my nails. I don’t have the biggest and best nailbeds (hence why they’re not
splashed all over this post), so to have a polish that takes well to my nails
is a colossal advantage.
Luckily, the colours also dry the same shade when they dry,
and most importantly – they don’t chip. Overall, I would say Annika varnishes
have a lasting power of 7 to 10 days. I usually apply two layers, because the
colour is bright and pigmented enough for just two; plus I often find that
whenever I put on more than two solid layers on my nails the varnish struggles
to dry and ends up getting smudged no matter how long I wait. I wouldn’t go as
far as saying Annika Nail Polishes are chip-proof, but they last long enough
for me, as I get bored of the same colour quickly.
If I had to pick a favourite colour, it would be Pretty
Pixie, simply because I think I could wear it in almost every season and get
away with it. Beauty Queen is definitely more wintery, and Bella Ballerina is certainly
more summery – whereas Pretty Pixie is a happy medium for me. Overall, I would
totally recommend this nail line to anyone who is looking for an affordable line
of colourful polishes that are a great quality and so pretty! Plus, I absolutely love the name ;)
*The three Annika Nail Polishes pictures above were gifted to
me by The Edge Nails.
Totally Thrifted
21 August 2016
Alton, UK
I recently spent a whole day at Alton Towers, also known as my favourite place on Earth, and I always want to wear something comfortable but inexpensive as I'm the one girl that loses a jacket (or a shoe) whenever I go anywhere. I managed to put together an entire outfit (minus the accessories) from thrift shopping and I have to talk about how much I'm falling in love with it.
I haven't bought too many things from thrift shops in the past because I never grew up shopping in them, and would always go on shopping trips to the enormous centres in the nearest city, which usually don't include local charity and thrift shops. I actually live in a tiny village in West Yorkshire, and there are charity shops everywhere; and as you know, charities are my life. Literally. I hear a lot of bloggers talk about thrifting and I decided it's time to really make the plunge, digging around in those shops is a lot like shopping in TK Maxx, it takes time and real dedication - there's so much stuff!
Alton is pretty far from where I live, so number one thing was a comfy outfit. To get there I had to set off at 06:00, not my favourite time of the day, but as a new-found morning person it's not the worst. I knew I would sleep in the car because heat + nice tunes + rocking motion = Anika asleep. I wanted to wear jeans on the trip because I absolutely loathe leggings and cropped or really short tops and I had already fallen in love with this poppy-printed cotton tank top I'm wearing. Black jeans are my new go-to, so of course, I looked in twelve thrift and charity shops until I found some! The ones I got were some vintage super-stretch jeans (sadly the label is faded) but I'm so glad the colour is still there! For me, that shows the great quality.
My hoodie was a little too big, but that's ideal for me as oversized clothing is my total weakness. Comfort is number one for rollercoasters so a cosy grey number is perfect! The weather always varies, we're in the UK, what else is going to happen? So I needed something I could tie around my waist or stuff in my bag when the sun decided to appear. Luckily it did make a small appearance and brightened the day. There's only one water ride left at Alton Towers (BOO!) and it's still likely you end up drenched. Although there's always that one person who never gets wet and I need to figure out their method because I'm the complete opposite. Anyway, I knew a cotton zip-up would dry off quickly, especially if the sun is out, and it happens to pair with the rest of my outfit pretty well!
Overall, I'm loving thrift shopping, it could be my new thing! Have you every thrifted? What did you get?
Why I Quit My Job | Journal
18 August 2016
Leeds, UK
This post is going to be reeeeaaaaaaallllly long. The minute I left school, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Work in a standard nine-to-five and continue my passion for blogging while earning a steady wage. Well, after a year of that life; I decided to give it up.
I remember the moment I applied, it was December 2014, and by January 2015, I was a Customer Service Advisor in the Head Office for one of the biggest building societies in the country. The job seems ideal at first, but I found it very difficult to fit in. After a month, I figured the team and managers are like this with all the newbies, eventually they'll be my good friends and going to work will feel like The Office. I was wrong. As my time there progressed, I began to realise I really don't fit in with this team and the managers have made it very clear they don't appreciate my work. But, this is common in workplaces so I continued working.
When I was hired, I was a temporary member of staff for three months. To my leaving date, I never finished as a temp, my contract was just "extended" every so often, even though I didn't receive anything in writing to confirm this. In my view, as long as I'm getting paid, I'm happy to work. As ISA season rolled in, the workloads became unnaturally heavy and it was obvious the entire investments department didn't have a clue what was going on. After having the most successful ISA of 2015, this particular company didn't plan work thousands of pieces of work to flood in, which resulted in more temps being hired and staff moved all over the place.
I was treated like a slave and workout from 7am to 6pm, with one break and plenty to do. Others didn't do as much as I did but they still one achievement awards. I was denied holidays and opportunities because my manager didn't like me or appreciate my skill. After a while, I sensed this isn't right. I approached HR and they did absolutely NOTHING.
It was hard to handle the harsh reality of the nine-to-five, and the even harsh reality of dirty and unprofessional businesses. During the summer, there was no work - as in I would sit and stare at my lock screen all day. During the winter and spring, work would flood in and it seems to startle the managers every year even though it's a building society... of course ISA season will be busy. No one was ever prepared, and the department was incredibly corrupt. Managers had favourites, seniors were inappropriate with temps and the entire team would argue and gossip all day. How it still stands today is beyond me, thank goodness I never opened my own account with them.
My mood was greatly affected by work, and friends and family began to notice. It started with headaches, and they were never subtle. The headaches were from the moment I woke up until the second I fell asleep. Nothing could shift the pain, and doctors put this down to stress and tension. In general, I was never in a good mood and unenthusiastic about everything - even Chris Evans. I never looked forward to the day and each moment was a countdown to 5pm. I'm a strong believer in happiness and doing whatever makes you smile. This job is the one thing that stopped me from smiling. Joking about an evil boss and nosey coworkers is fine, but dreading everything about employment is not normal.
In many situations, quitting a job isn't an option, and this is something I considered all the time. "I bet there are loads of people that hate their job" was my reasoning and stopped me from crying at my desk every morning. However, I slowly realised, I have the option to leave this place and if it makes me so unhappy, why don't I take it? It's silly for me to feel guilty (even though I still do) about the circumstances of other people when there's nothing I could do to change them.
After a long chat and plenty of tea, my mum and I constructed my resignation letter and I handed it in the next day. I can tell you, the moment I handed that letter in, my mood lifted. Towards the end of my notice period, the headaches went away. Even though my boss started to act nicely towards me because she knew the one employee who banks millions a day, would be gone.
I now work with my mum, helping her to build her two amazing charities, Clothing Solutions & Beaneezy - please give their Facebook pages a like if you can, it would really help us! I've never been happier and can not blog basically all the time, and avoid the tension headaches and 6am trains to Leeds.
Have you ever quit a job?
Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation | Review
15 August 2016
Leeds, UK
For as long as I’ve been wearing makeup, I’ve struggled to
find a good foundation. There have been some that work really well, but are
slightly too dark, a little too light or have the wrong tones in. I’ve even
mixed foundations to see if that works, but it is way too much effort for an
early morning. My skin has also become a lot oilier since suffering from acne, which
will also be due to the increase in moisturisers and creams I use on my face. After
a while of struggling, I almost stormed into Debenhams in search of a new
foundation.
My first stop was MAC, an obvious choice because it seems to
be one of the most popular makeup brands in the world. One of the first reasons
I didn’t buy from MAC is because the assistants are incredibly rude – they didn’t even help me! I asked for the most mattifying
foundation and the young woman showed me some eyeliner. So immediately, I
walked off and was kindly greeted by Lizzie at the Estée Lauder booth.
“What’s your most mattifying foundation?” I asked. Well,
this was the beginning of something special. After using the foundation finder
I received the best-selling Double
Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup foundation, skipping home to try it out. My first
impressions are really good, I like how well the product spreads and the
medium-to-full coverage it provides. The great thing is, that you can build on
each layer of the foundation, to provide full coverage. I used a brush to apply
the liquid foundation, and one thing I’ve found is that it doesn’t stick to the
fibres of the brush, making the brush easier to wash and the foundation easier
to apply.
Estée Lauder promises the Stay-in-Place Makeup (SPF 10 – bonus!)
has the ability to stay flawless for fifteen hours; through heat, humidity and
non-stop activity. So far, so good. I’ve used the foundation during a busy work
day, with and without powder, and it’s managed to stay in place the entire
time. The best thing about Double Wear is that I never have to top up, which
means I’m never worrying about creasing or any coming off. It was quite common
for previous foundation to come off on clothes, and as I have dark skin, I
never wore any white. Times have changed. Now I have Double Wear, I can wear
what I want!
The only downside to the foundation is the price, it is
£31.00 per bottle, quite steep in my opinion. I’m not much of a spender, so
when I have to really splash out on something it’s worth it. I’m on my first
bottle, so depending on how long it lasts, I’ll decide if I’d like another. The
lid is very simple but doesn’t have any sort of applicator inside, so it’s all
down to you. Luckily, not a lot of product stays in the lid (unless you tip the
bottle upside down), so I just tip a little only my hand – apparently you’re
not supposed to but it works for me.
My rating: LIFE CHANGING
I have to give this product five stars as it’s become my holy grail of makeup products. There are a crazy amount of shades available, and with the foundation finder – it must be impossible not to find the one for you. It’s without a doubt the greatest foundation I’ve ever used, no wonder it’s the best selling in the UK! Despite the opening, I love everything about this foundation, especially the way it dries so perfectly and can be applied even easier. The price is totally worth the product, and it’s Estée Lauder – how can I say no.
Have you tried out this foundation? What did you think?
How I Became a Morning Person
11 August 2016
Bingley, UK
A lot of the posts on Anika May begin with “I’m very lazy”, and honestly that hasn’t changed. I still like laying around and doing nothing. When I was working full time, I was never (ever) a morning person; in fact I dreaded the sound of an alarm each daybreak before the same routine into a chilly train station and miserable march to the workplace with a whole bunch of strangers. Since changing my environment, I’ve found it beneficial to get up earlier and get used to it, giving me more hours in the day and a head start on the healthy lifestyle I’m aiming for.
A protein-filled breakfast
I could easily have a bagel, pilled with Nutella and
marshmallows for breakfast everyday but I know it’s not the best start.
Although it tastes great, it’s stodgy, fatty food that only makes me lethargic and
feel even lazier. Not only am I introducing myself to a firmer diet (which I’ll
be documenting), but discouraging my love for no-no foods. A new breakfast
cereal I’m becoming obsessed with is Weetabix – super simple. I could easily
make a fancy Instagram-worthy acai bowl, but I just don’t have the time on a
morning and I like something warm too.
Yoga, pilates and running
I’m growing more towards working out, but it’s still not my
favourite thing in the world. I like to motivate myself using Pinterest boards
and YouTube videos, some of my favourites include Yoga With Adriene, Blogilates and Fitness Blender. Working
out in the morning gives me energy for the day, and a much better mind-set. I
can listen to my favourite tunes while watching the sunrise and warm up easily
in the winter. I used to work out in the evenings which meant taking off my
makeup from the day and lazily doing sit ups until I ended up on my phone – not
anymore.
Pep talks
Don’t get me wrong, waking up at 6am or before is not stress-free.
Especially during the winter months when it’s a lot darker at that time in the
morning. Although my body clock has adjusted now, I really struggled to abandon
the warmth of my humble bed. To this day, I still have to give myself around 10
minutes to actually come round for a night’s sleep, but in the beginning it was
all about pep talks. Pep talks lead to motivation and that’s the best method
for me to actually start moving. Giving myself a real reason, really helped me to get up… “Let’s do this.”
Extra time
I’m forever complaining about the lack of time in a day. Sometimes
there’s just so much to do and never enough time to do it! One of the biggest
benefits of becoming a morning person is having the extra few hours in a day. I
don’t work out every day so being able to get up and hop onto the computer to
schedule a blog post of finish the odd report is so much better than lazily lying
in bed trying type with one eye shut. The sense of accomplishment after a long
day is unbeatable.
A better diet
As mentioned earlier, I’m really trying to bring in a newer,
healthier diet and waking up earlier is incredibly advantageous. In the
morning, I don’t eat an enormous meal so I’m already feeling better. Lunches
can be a bit of a hit or miss, sometimes I just really need a burger.
However, as I go to bed earlier, I never want to fall asleep on a full stomach
so my dinners are much lighter – a massive improvement. I still need to work on
the Sunday roasts… but I’m getting there.
Warm baths and showers
Isn’t being cosy just the best? Whether it’s day or night, a
steamy shower is just what I need. I love to go all out when it comes to baths,
and usually take them before bed if I have the time. Baths are amazingly relaxing,
especially with a solid playlist and scented candles everywhere. A shower is
the perfect wake-up call, as long as you can bare stepping into the ice cold
artic that is anywhere outside of the bubble of happiness.
Rewards and treats
It can be really hard to get up sometimes, really really hard. I don’t always like it, but
know it needs to be done. On the days where leaving the duvet seems impossible,
but I managed to get through it, I give myself a little prize. Why not? On
occasion, it may be a cheat meal, or rather a new dress from ASOS – just something
to make me smile. It’s so important to treat yourself whenever you can, and I
much prefer to do it when I feel like I have actually done something reward-worthy.
If I plan a treat in advance, it helps put me to bed on time too.
Are you a morning person?
A Little Like Goes A Long Way
9 August 2016
Bradford, UK
Many of my followers already know this (mainly because I
never shut up on Twitter), but
this year, I quit my full time job and started working part time to make life a
little easier and blog more frequently. Since quitting the worst job in the
world, I have been working for two amazing charities that help the community in
an awesome way.
Along with my mum, we run two charities, Clothing Solutions
and Beaneezy. Although both
these organisations have been operating for quite a while, we have recently
launched social accounts for them and are working really hard to re-launch the
Clothing Solutions website. One social network in particular we have been
putting our focus on is Facebook. Personally, I was never a big fan of
Facebook, but it's proven as a really easy way for customers to be able to find
our charities. Check out the Twitter pages for Clothing Solutions & Beaneezy too!
Want to know what the charities do? Well, Clothing Solutions
(for Disabled People) is a registered charity that designs and alters clothing
for disabled people. It's very difficult for some people with a disability to
find clothing that fits them just right, or clothing that they can wear and put
on by themselves, allowing them more fashion freedom. Clothing Solutions also
designs bespoke accessories such as bibs, hats and even slippers to suit
everyone's needs. Using a unique computer system, our customers are able to
have their very own design and finally wear any piece of clothing they choose.
Many of our
happy customers wouldn't having the correct fitting or comfortable clothing
if Clothing Solutions wasn't able to create and adapt for them!
Beaneezy
began as a group of beanbags within Clothing Solutions, and slowly grew into
its own charity. Beaneezy has a line of beanbag
products available for an amazing price, but can also create unique and
bespoke beanbags and cushions to suit the needs of all our customers. Recently,
Beaneezy just completed an enormous order of our most popular beanbag, the
Large V Arm Support for some of the biggest organisations in the country,
including NHS, British Red Cross and MacMillan Caring Locally. Beaneezy is also
able to produce memory foam cushions for our customers, out of some our cosiest
fabrics. Beaneezy has also become immensely popular for athletes, children and new and feeding mothers too!
Clothing
Solutions and Beaneezy
both have Facebook and Twitter pages which really need the support of more
people. We don't receive government funding, so it's very important to us that
we can spread the word through social media and keep our work alive. We rely
solely on the donations of our lovely customers and wonderful funders, but aim
to get our Facebook pages to at least 100
likes... and we're halfway there! With more likes, the pages are able to
show up in search results and customers can find out details easier. The charities are not just for disabled people, children and elderly people love our products too! 
So, if you have the time, pretty (pretty) please could you
pop over to the pages and hit the little like button? And feel free to invite
others, the more the merrier! We have plenty of photos and information on
social media, which is updated regularly! 
Clothing Solutions Facebook Page Beaneezy Facebook Page
Each like or follow means so very much, and is incredibly
appreciated.
Thanks!
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