collaboration
Things I Wish I Knew When I Learned to Drive
29 May 2017
Bingley, UK
I started learning to drive in June 2016 and passed in
November 2016 – so basically it took me four months to drive. I’ll admit I hated it at first. Truly, I didn’t
understand why it was a privilege and didn’t appreciate the opportunity at
first. After every lesson I wanted to give up. Now that I’m an independent and fully
licenced driver, (who passed first time with one minor may I add) I look back
and realise there’s a couple of tips I wish I had, before I got into the driver
seat.
Keep calm!
Panic is an understatement when it comes to an error when
driving. I remember the first time I stalled, oh my goodness I basically had a breakdown. It’s difficult to
encourage yourself to keep cool, calm and collected, but really helps. It’s
really easy to allow nerves to take over. There’s this little thing called
clutch foot, which is a result of nerves taking over the body. It’s definitely
terrifying when it comes to getting in a car for the first time, 10mph feels
like 500 – but freaking out is not the answer. Take a few deep breathes when
the pressure gets too much, roll down a window to cool down or request silence
to help concentrate!
Be honest!
Let me tell you a little story: I needed the toilet while on
one of my two-hour driving lessons. I hid it from my instructor for most the
hour, but then told him I was bursting (I really was – the nerves got to me)
and pulled (unsafely) into a random street. Because I was so desperate, I
managed to accidentally mount the rather high pavement, and basically got out
the car and ran. I knocked on the friendliest looking house and asked to use
the toilet. The lovely woman (shoutout to Linda) allowed me to use the
bathroom. Once I returned to the car, my instructor said: “maybe next time we
just stop at a supermarket when you need the loo, huh?” I was so embarrassed.
So quick tip: be honest with your instructor about how you’re feeling
emotionally… and physically.
Do research!
Before even learning to drive, it’s good to know you’re a
really good company. I really like Pass ‘N’
Go, mainly because they offer such a wide range of courses and have their
own online blog. Driving instructors can be expensive, and not all are well
trained, so going with a well-known company is useful. Plus, Pass ‘N’ Go have their own shop, when you
can purchase study packs for theory and motorway courses. I did hours upon
hours of revision for my theory test and that’s what help me pass first time! I
managed to get majority of the test answers right, and got only two hazard perception
clips wrong – but it still counts as a pass! If I didn’t revise before, there’s
no way I would have known the answer to half the questions so doing the right
research is very important. Then you
don’t have to pay for a whole new theory test!
Cars are expensive!
As a child, I was always saying: “So basically when I’m 18 I’ll
but my Range Rover Sport in matte black with hot pink rims and chrome accents.”
Yeah… that didn’t happen. I didn’t even know insurance, break down cover and
road tax existed back that and I still struggle to accept it now. Trust me,
when I bought my adorable little Vauxhall Corsa in January, I had tears in my
eyes. Partially from happiness, but also from the paid of paying for insurance
and having to live the next twelve months with a black box. Anyone relate? Yup,
black boxes suck. Even when I began driving lessons I assumed I would just be
able to buy a car the day I passed. I’m not super rich, so sadly that didn’t
happen.
Traffic is the new hell!
Before I knew how a car even operated, traffic didn’t bother
me! I will never forget being with my mum or dad, who would yell and huff and
puff in frustration of stand-still cars, and I never understood it. Now…now, I
understand it. My goodness, it has got to be one of the worst things in the
world – how do people in capital cities live?! Oh and I hate traffic lights
too, they’re nobody’s friend. Before I got my licence, I thought things like
getting MOT checks and have to park would be the bane of my life. Nope! Driving
at peak times is.
This post is in collaboration with Pass ‘N’ Go.
Summer Technology Wishlist
17 May 2017
Leeds, UK
I can be a little bit of a tech geek when it comes to
stylish gadgets and cool must-haves. I like to have the latest of most gadgets,
especially if it’s going to make life a little easier. Let’s just say, I rely
on Siri and assisted parking a lot.
iPhone
7 Plus (in rose gold, obviously)
I currently have the iPhone 7, and as much as I adore
this phone, I would love the 7 Plus! It’s bigger, which makes tasks like
blogging on the go a little easier, but the thing I love the most has got to be
the camera. Pretty much everything about the 7 Plus is the same as the 7
regarding its operating system and effectiveness, and the camera is magnificent
and would mean less time packing up a DSLR and having fun with the 7 Plus’s
dual camera lenses and portrait mode.
This camera has got to be one of the most famous vlogging
cameras ever. And although I’m not a vlogger quite yet, if I was to purchase a
camera just for this hobby, it would totally be this one. This pocket-sized gem
basically has the power of some of the greatest DSLRs at half the weight. You
could create a full HD film with this camera alone, and it’s ideal for
travelling and working on the go. With built-in Wi-Fi, 1080p quality videos and
its own pop-up flash, this Canon is perfect for me.
I’ve had my current television for about seven years.
Don’t worry, it’s a flat screen but a very chunky one. Unfortunately the
quality is not as good as it used to be, despite the efforts of my Sky+ HD box.
I’m the type of person that gets excited when I can watch a YouTube video in 4K
on my desktop, so imagine having it on your TV! This television has a
cinema-like display and it’s own Firefox operative system which means it’s
perfect for catching up on my subscriptions as well as my Netflix shows! Plus,
it’s less than a third of the weight of my current TV.
It’s like someone created my dream laptop. I first saw
the YouTube advertisement
online and was immediately sold. I’ve never had a MacBook, so I’m very used to
the Microsoft Windows operating system and feel perfectly happy using it. I was
elated to find out Microsoft had created a powerful laptop, that would be ideal
for blogging and creating online content. The design feature is stunning and I
love the idea of a detachable keyboard that also works with the Surface Pen.
I currently have the Bose Soundlink
Mini II and I absolutely adore it.
But it’s not great for a raging house party or hooking up to my TV. On the
other hand, the Sonos Playbar has 9 amplified speakers and can be connected to
just about anything, including the latest TV. It’s super sleek and stylish, so
it would love wonderful in my minimalistic living room, or even in the bedroom.
It doesn’t come with Bluetooth, but the built-in Wi-Fi is ideal for me.
Is a car under the technology category? Well it is now. I
looked up a YouTube
review of this car after spotting it on the street and immediately fell in
love with it. I only bought my first car a couple of months ago, but I like to
be ambitious. Any Mercedes is a classy car, and this one has just about
everything I need. Perfect from every angle, and awesome built-in technology –
I think this is definitely the next car for me.
*Paid
promotion
She My Nap Queen
20 December 2016
West Yorkshire, UK
I'm like hey, wassup,
hello…. There’s something about cosy sweatshirts that just makes me unbelievably
happy. Comfort is key when it comes to my fashion sense, I don’t think looking
good is worth it if you’re in pain. Luckily, with my latest buy, I can look
great and feel better.
Sweatshirts give me a really weird memory of primary school,
because I’d always wear one over a polo shirt and it was my pride and joy. I
had them in secondary school too, but I didn’t enjoy those years as much as my
childhood ones. Coconut Lane is one of my
favourite stores for sassy sayings and bad-ass-ness. So when I found out they
were selling clothing, of course I got the first thing I fell in love with. It
was actually really hard for me to choose, because I secretly wanted all of
them. In the end, I chose the Nap Queen sweatshirt, because Trap Queen was
basically my anthem when it was released
and we all know I could sleep for the country. The amount of times I’ve said “I’m
super lazy” on my blog is just embarrassing, but I finally found a shirt to
suit me.
Now that winter’s in full swing, I basically sleep in a full
outfit, so this sweatshirt has become key for me. It’s so cosy and warm, the
lining is almost like being wrapped in a blanket! The jumper is mainly cotton,
which is where most of the warmth comes from. It’s a natural fibre that is a must for winter. I definitely won’t be
wearing this jumper just to head to bed, I’ll be wearing this around the house,
with my favourite skinny jeans and probably on a night out! I love the cool
phrases featured on most of Coconut Lane’s products (check out my post on their
wall art here) and find it hard to refrain from buying basically everything on
their site. There are quite a few blogger-themed prints, notebooks, sweatshirts
and more. Plus, big bonus: I have a discount code to share! Yaaaaaaaaaaaasssss.
Make sure to use ‘ANIKAMAY20’ at the
check out to receive 20% off your order – and let me know what you get!
Passion for Plum
17 November 2016
Bingley, UK
I love this colour! Any chance to wear it I'm totally going to take advantage of and today is the day. I don't do a whole lot of workwear posts on Anika May because I no longer work in an office, and I have no desire to return. Yet, the one thing I do miss is the super chic office outfits! It's one of the reasons I was so drawn to Suits, the women always look so stylish!
Phone Cases Galore!
15 November 2016
Hurray for post number 350! I'm sure you’ve heard me blab on about CaseApp about 100 times. This time last year, I had just discovered the brand, and now I’m obsessed! I like to mix up my phone cases every so often, especially when it comes to a new season. The change gives me something different to look at, rather than the basic iPhone back (even though mine’s pink and I love pink), and motivates me in a weird but wonderful way. Custom designs by me help the cases feel a little more personal too, and I’ve managed to build up quite the collection over the years.New In: Happiness Boutique Jewellery
7 October 2016
Ripon, UK
I recently received the Luminous
Feather Ear Crawler Asymmetrical Earrings*
and the Angelic
Feather Crystal Ear Crawlers* from
Happiness Boutique and just had to share my opinion of the earrings on my blog.
I have a love for earrings because they’re an effortless piece of jewellery. They’re
easy and light to wear, and half the time I forget I’m even wearing them. I
only have two piercings in my earlobes, so I don’t always get to be
experimental with earrings, but I have found that there are earrings out there,
like crawlers and cuffs, that can really spice up a look.
Happiness
Boutique believes in being happy and spreading happiness every day. They
want their store to be a place where people would not only look good but also
feel good, which I really like as I also believe confidence is key. When I got
the opportunity to browse their store, I was so excited because some of the
pieces are perfect for the upcoming season. A lot of the earrings in particular
have a charming vintage touch. The company offers free shipping (always a
bonus) and a customer
reward programme, and a bi-monthly giveaway to win the
occasional statement goodies. Now that you know about the company, let’s talk
earrings.
The Luminous Feather Ear Crawler Asymmetrical Earrings drew
my attention due to the rose gold colour. I have always been more attached to
rose gold jewellery, not only because it looks super chic with any outfit, but
also because the tone is something different to the regular silver and gold. I
have no idea why, but feather have also become a recent obsession of mine,
especially for the autumn-time, so I can’t wait to wait these asymmetrical
earrings with my new wardrobe. One thing I love, is that the earrings aren’t
identical, which is exactly what makes them unique. The bling bling makes them
dramatic, but not too over the top.
Similarly, the Angelic Feather Crystal Ear Crawlers are
light and elegant, but still hold that bedazzle value. I have long dark hair so
I like to have a little shimmer in my ears; the angel-like feather pair are
perfect. I tend to stick with silver, white gold and rose gold for jewellery
because I feel like it brightens an outfit a lot more than the simple gold. I
love the shape of these earrings because they’re unlike anything I’ve worn
before and could enhance my already-dull office outfits, or become the perfect
accessory to a night out ensemble. I’ve noticed that both earrings are sturdy
but light – an essential.
If I had to pick a favourite, I think it would be the
Luminous Feather Crawlers, simply because I’m a huge sucker for anything that’s
rose gold or copper, and I love that the pieces aren’t identical. I would
totally recommend Happiness Boutique as the quality of the products are worth
the price and I loved the customer service/ordering process!
Psssssst! You can receive 10% off your order by using my discount code, "anikamay" at the checkout!
Irresistible Me Remy Clip-In Hair Extensions | Review
4 October 2016
Sheffield, UK
Since wearing full and part weaves, I have always worn remy hair. When I was around fourteen years old, I had my very first weave and I was excited; I would literally parade around school and tell people “my hair is basically going look like Beyoncé’s” because I was under the impression everyone’s weaves look as A-star as hers. Obviously, I didn’t rock up to school with £3,000 extensions, but I did fall in love with them. For a long while, I’ve tried multiple stores for extensions, and often switch between sewn-in and clip-in. Sometimes I even switch the two, just so I had add extra layers if needed. I recently received some remy extensions from Irresistible Me and couldn’t wait to try them out.
I can be quite sceptical of extensions as I’ve had some sent to me before, and didn’t even bother to review them because they were so bad. I’ve also ordered extensions myself in bundles online, and they ended up being really thin, lighter than the colour I always order (1B), or wavy when I prefer to have my hair straight. Little things like this really put me off online stores, and one bad experience can ruin it all for me. Last year I ordered a closure from Ali Express that was lighter than the site suggested, I still wore the lace closure with my extensions, and after I took it out and washed it thoroughly, it got so matted up, I couldn’t even get a comb into it.
Irresistible Me is a New York-based brand that specialises in 100% natural Remy clip-in hair extensions, hair accessories and hair tools. After receiving their clip-in extensions, I decided to try them with my own extensions to see if I could make them a little thicker and give my hair more body for an event. I already have a full weave, with a lace closer and bundles of hair that’s a mix of 16” and 18”. The great thing about the ordering process is being able to select exactly what you want, which I was impressed with. You can chose the thickness, colour, length & weight before completing your purchase.
I got the Silky Touch Natural Black extensions (1B)* and decided to clip them in during the day, and see how well they would attach to my hair as I partied the night away. Delivery-wise, they took a while to get to me, but I wasn’t in any rush to receive them. The hair is very silky, and the shine isn’t oily, nor is the texture too oily. Sometimes with extensions, you find the occasional wire within the hair, or a strand that’s bright blonde which looks very out of place, however all of the hair is 1B – luckily. I found the clips easy to attach to my own hair in between the tracks of my sew-in extensions and they felt very secure throughout the evening. One thing I loved is how ‘flowy’ the hair was, it felt real and not like the Barbie doll hair you can buy online. Check out the before and after above!
The clip-ins fit well with my extensions and matched the colour I already have, plus they are lightweight and only really feel heavy once they’re wet. One of the things I really loved, is that I could wear them with a weave, and they added to the body, not the weight. I did notice the extensions lost a little bit of shine after a wash, but they didn’t matte up or become coarse which is a huge bonus. The only downside to the extensions, is that after a while, they do start to wear. This is something I've found to be quite common with certain remy brands, and few YouTubers have also revealed that the hair can shed over a long period of time or can even become overly tangled. Despite this, I definitely think they're worth a try and work for me as I only wear clip-ins on a temporary basis.
Have you ever tried a product from Irresistible Me? What did you think?
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.
Nutribuddy Weight Loss Kit | 14-Day Review
13 July 2016
Micklethwaite, UK
I was recently sent the Nutribuddy
Weight Loss Kit* to try out, as I’ve been on the hunt for new but healthy
ways to lose weight without resorting to extreme measures. I could say I’ve
been on a diet for years, and struggled to see any major results. Although I’m
not the same size I was four years ago, there’s still more weight I’d like to
shed! Over time, I’ve learned that I really like smoothies, and it’s one of the
only ways I can force myself to eat fruit on a regular basis, without feeling
the burden of a strict diet.
The great thing about smoothies are that they’re so filling,
and can replace certain meals during the day, especially if I don’t have the
time to sit down and indulge. The Recipe
Book by Nutribuddy became one of my favourite items from the kit, because
it has such a wide variety of ideas and meals. There are simple meals in there,
such as Cannellini beans with eggs and toast for breakfast or Moroccan lamb
with apricots and almonds for lunch/dinner. Now one smoothie I have to share is the Mixed Berry Shake –
oh my goodness it’s magical.
Ingredients: 30g Nutribuddy Sculpting Whey, 113g frozen berries, 113g fat-free strawberry yogurt, 30ml semi-skimmed milk, 7g porridge oats, 1 tsp agave (optional)
When I made this smoothie, it came out a little more like yogurt
as it was pretty thick! Regardless, I absolutely loved it, and once I finished
the entire cup, I couldn’t even think about eating any food until the next day.
I went without the agave seeds, but loved the idea of porridge oats in a shake
as this is something I’ve never tried before. Plus, it was an opportunity to
use more for the Sculpting Whey which I loooovvvveeee
the taste of.
Regarding the Hunger
Fix and Multivitamin tablets, I saw a slight difference but nothing that
was a total game changer. I believe this is down to only using them for about
two weeks (when I remembered to take them), so I’m sure there would be much
more improvement on top of my positive first impressions. My only struggle with
the tablets is that they’re quite large, which is something I’m not used to as
I don’t take pills that often.
As mentioned in my first
impressions post, I like that the Little
Book of Weight Loss is not just a flimsy leaflet full of images and
captions. Inside, you’re pleasantly surprised by the amount of information on
the products in the kit, as well as a Do’s and Don’ts section for the eating
plan also featured inside. The book isn’t boring and full of textbook
terminology which can also be quite common with weight loss kits. The Little
Book of Weight Loss gives a sizeable amount of information concerning the Sculpting Whey (which I got in Vanilla)
– a large bag of protein that can be added as an extra ingredient or used in
the daily Whey shake (the perfect snack replacement)! I used this protein when
making the banana and mango shake from the Recipe book.
Ingredients: 30g Nutribuddy Sculpting Whey, 1 medium mango, 1 banana, 500ml orange juice, 4 ice cubes
Luckily, this smoothie came out as a smoothie, and again was
so filling. I think the 30g of Sculpting Whey helped immensely! When previously
making smoothies with just fruit and juice or ice, I find that they are runny
and end up feeling like a beverage I could drink alongside a meal. The texture
was odd at first, as I’m not too keen on banana, but could totally live off
mango. It took a minute to get used to, but the taste won me over, it’s a
perfect solution to a hunger craving. I was drawn to the smoothies because
they’re so quick and easy to make, and life has me on the go right now. This
smoothie has idea to drink out of the Shaker
Bottle which I usually use for the daily shake, but can also use for
smoothie recipes I have tried out from the book. I’m happy the bottle is
included in this set, because it’s a good but portable size and includes a
metal spiral to helped to get rid of any lumps my blender missed.
I managed to lose around four pounds over the two weeks with Nutribuddy + exercise!
Overall, I really like the Nutribuddy Weight Loss Kit and
would recommend it, especially for the Recipe Book and Sculpting Whey. The
delivery was shipped in great time, and the resealable bags are a good size for
the price. I received the 14-day supply kit, and still have plenty left to use
so I think the price is certainly worth the product. If you’d like to know more
about what you receive in the Weight Loss Kit, you can check out Nutribuddy’s Weight
Loss Essentials page.
Have you tried Nutribuddy products before? What did you
think?
This post is in collaboration with Nutribuddy.
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