2019 Overview

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share with you my highlights from 2019 

Becoming an Auntie, Not Once But Twice
I became an auntie again both at the beginning and at the end of 2019. I already had a little niece, and now I have two little nephews.

Seeing the 'Rocky Horror Show' Twice in January
I have been wanting to watch the 'Rocky Horror Show' on stage since I saw it on Sky Arts back in 2015. I was originally only supposed to have going the once, but I enjoyed it that much that I went back for a second time, while it was still playing in Manchester for its third and final week. I don't think we have asked for a better cast. Ben Adams and Joanne Clifton made the perfect Brad and Janet, Stephen Webb as Frank n Furter was outstanding, and Kristen Lavercombe's Riff Raff just keeps getting better every time.

Going Seeing 'Breaking the Rules' For a Third Time
This has been another show that I have been wanting to get back too, as I haven't seen it since it's original tour back in 2016. This show just keeps getting better, and its improved loads during the last few years as it seems more natural and free flowing. It's a lovely show, and I'm hoping to go and see it again in the future.

Birthday in Chichester
I went to Chichester for a few days to celebrate my birthday, and I went to watch Terence Rattigan's 'The Deep Blue Sea' at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre. It was a lovely few days in Chichester, and the locals couldn't do enough to help me. They also have a little market on Wednesday, which was nice and I also didn't know anything about this market until I stumbled across it while working through the town centre. The theatre production was beautifully put together, and the cast was on top form. 'The Deep Blue Sea' really suited the Minerva Theatre due to its more personable layout.

Seeing a1 For the First Time
I have waited the best part of 20 years to watch a1 perform live. What a fabulous evening that was, as I went to the concert on my own and came out with a few new friends. We were treated to the classic a1 hits from the late 90s and early 2000s, as well as some new material that has yet to be released. I think that has got to be the only concert were I felt it the following morning (after three hours sleep), and it was worth it and I would happily do it all over again.

No Longer a Beginner Flute Learner
I never thought in a million years that I would saying that I'm no longer a beginner flute learner, and I'm really looking forward to what the next few years bring. I'm having at least year off from doing my grades, as the syllabus for woodwind instruments is due to be updated in 2021. So, we going to be focusing on my development as well as working on kinks that need working out.

My First Blog Collab
During the Summer I did a post related to Discontinued Jo Malone products. To do this post I worked alongside another Jo Malone fanatic called Michael James, who managed to source the information that I needed to do these two blog posts. It was a lot of fun going through products that Jo Malone no longer sells, especially the range of the skin care that I remember fondly.

Erin Condren Address Book Haul

Hi everyone,

I've recently done another Erin Condren order, as I really fancied trying one of their address books as mine was in need of a bit of an update as I had them for years. Also, when I placing the order decided to stock up on a few bits.

Kaleidoscope Address Book

I chose to have the Kaleidoscope cover on my address book, as its one design from Erin Condren that I have really, really like. I love how colourful this design is. Also, with the address book from Erin Condren every letter has its own section; and the more popular the letter the more pages the address book has. It also has an area at the front were you put any special dates, and at the back there's a small section of lined paper as well as a page for any important contact numbers.

Kaleidoscope Pen

I love this pen from Erin Condren, and again its in the Kaleidoscope design. So, I have decided to purchase another one so then I keep one on my bedside table and the other one in my handbag.

Kaleidoscope Interchangeable Cover

I wanted a slightly different cover for my deluxe monthly planner, as the one that I currently have it just says my name. So, I decided that I wanted a cover to say what the planner would actually be used for once 2020 arrives. I wanted to keep it in the colourful Kaleidoscope design, just with a slightly different personalisation.

Kaleidoscope & Printed Petals Sticker Sheets

I have always liked the Printed Petals design from Erin Condren, so I decided to get a sticker sheet of that design. I've already used part of my first Kaleidoscope sticker sheet that I purchased when I was placing my first ever Erin Condren order, and I really liked the way the page turned out, so I wanted another sticker sheet just so then I can have as a back up. I also love how flexible these sticker sheets are, as you can use them for more than one purpose.

Overall I'm really happy with this order from Erin Condren, and the quality of the products  is still amazing. The paper quality is also top notch and really smooth to write on.

Boots & Superdrug Haul

Hi everyone,

I have recently been doing a little bit of shopping, as I've been on the hunt for a decent cleansing shampoo as the one that I really liked has now been discontinued.

Soap & Glory 'The Way She Smoothes' Body Lotion

I love the fragrance of the new range from Soap and Glory, as I has a gorgeous fresh fruity scent to it. I decided to get it the body lotion, as come the Spring months I don't think I'm going to have enough to last me through the season. I'm really looking forward to using this body lotion.

Soap & Glory 'No Woman, No Dry' Body Butter

I've also got the matching scent from the latest range, but also in a body butter; as I'm currently flying though the body butters that I currently own.

Soap & Glory Heel Genius

I have decided to purchase the 'Heel Genius' foot cream, as I've heard nothing but good reviews about it.

Superdrug Senstive Deodorants

I was in a pinch at the time, and I've never tried Superdrug's own branded deodorants. I decided to get the scents 'Bergamont, Freesia & Mimosa', and 'Peach, Violet & Rose', as these seemed like the nicest scents.

Nivea Urban Fresh Avocado & Lemongrass Deodorant

I've used deodorants from Nivea in the past, and I've really liked using them. The Urban Fresh is a new range from Nivea, so I thought that I would give it a go.

Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint Shampoo

This is where the hunt to find my replacement cleansing shampoo starts in this post, and this was the first that I noticed that I thought would be a good alternative. I've had good luck with Herbal Essences in the past, so I thought I would give this one a try.

Vichy Purete Thermale Toner

I'm currently using the matching cleanser from this range from Vichy, but I'ver never used the toner. I got this as I'm currently using my last toner in my morning skincare routine, and I was looking for something just a little more refreshing and hydrating for my skin.

Charles Worthing Grow Strong & Healthy Balance Shampoo's

I've never used anything from Charles Worthington before. I decided to get the Grow Strong shampoo to replace my L'Oreal Dream Lengths shampoo when that runs out; and the Healthy Balance is another option for me to try another clarifying shampoo.

Charles Worthington Everyday Gentle Weightless Conditioner

I decided to get the Everyday Gentle weightless conditioner, as it seems like a conditioner that my hair would like as its quite fine, but I have loads of it.

Maui Moisture Hibiscus Water Shampoo & Conditioner

I have been intrigued by the Maui haircare range ever since it launched, but I could never find anything that would fit my hair needs until now. The hibiscus water range is lightweight, but it also provides hydration for the hair; and it smells heavenly.

Review: Boots No.7 Hydra Luminous Water Concentrate

Hi everyone,

I have just recently started to use the No.7 Hydra Luminous Water Concentrate from Boots  as part of my morning skincare routine.

Claims

- Powered by pure hyaluronic acid and No.7 Hydra Drench Complexion, for an instant + skin hydration boost

- The fresh, water light texture instantly drenches the skin with liquid hydration, leaving skin feeling smooth and silky soft

- Supercharged hydration + Pollution Shield Technology for skin that looks visibly fresh and glowing

I'm really enjoying having the Water Concentrate as part of my morning skincare routine, as its fast absorbing into the skin while leaving behind no residue or sticky feeling. I've also found that you only need to use a drop of this as a little bit does the entire face. My current moisturiser and eye cream also layer beautifully over the top.

I really enjoy using products that contain hyaluronic acid in my skincare routine, as my loves the boost of hydration that is gives as well as leaving me with a more glowy complexion.

If your looking to introduce hyaluronic acid into your skincare, but you are on a budget this isn't a bad option to go for. It does what it says on the bottle, and it sinks into the skin straight away due to its light consistency.

Blog Update 2020

Hi everyone,

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and a great start to 2020. 

I'm just letting you know that my blog will be back up and running on the 21st January 2020, with a post going live at 9am GMT

I've also ran into some teething trouble with some of photography. I'm just letting you know that I am trying to find a solution to this, but I'm not too sure how long it will take. Please be assured that I am working on it, and please bare with me on this as the problem  that I have run into is completely new too me.

Lots of Love

Lauren xx

Concert Review: a1 - The Reunion Tour 2019

Hi everyone,

I had the pleasure of seeing a1 perform live on the 4th November 2019 at Manchester Academy 3. This was a very unclose and personal concert as Academy 3 holds just over 400 people, and what a very fun and enjoyable evening it was.

The show opened up with the opening verse of 'Forever in Love' and then the more upbeat 'Same Old Brand New You', followed by a combination of 'Be the First to Believe/ Summertime of our Lives'. What a fun way to kick off a concert with late 90s nostalgia, and we also had our first dance lesson of the evening as we got shown the moves to 'Be the First to Believe'. We where then treated to an acoustic version of 'One More Try', which was lovely to listen too. We were then treated to another dance lesson for the number 'Ready or Not', and the dance was created by Paul; and then the music began to flow, and then it slowed down just a little bit for the ballad of 'Walking in the Rain', which was followed by the audience jumping up and down to 'Don't Wanna Lose You Again', which is such a fun modern pop number. I loved listening to 'Heaven By Your Side' live, as its one of my personal favourites from their debut album. Then we had the medley that was entitled 'The Songs We Never Did/ Rarely Performed', and this included the hits 'Here Comes the Rain', 'I'll Take the Tears', 'Tomorrow', 'Make it Through the Night', 'When I'm Missing You','Hey You' & 'The Things We Never Did'. We were then treated to 'Learn to Fly', which was then followed by 'I'm in Love and I Hate It', which also involved a little bit of audience participation. We then got treated to their latest single that was released last year entitled 'Armour'. Then it was back to a1 classics that everyone knows and loves with the lovely 'Everytime', and the ever popular 'Caught in the Middle'; which was actually the acoustic version.

We then had a short break, which was followed by an encore in the form of the very popular and very lovely Benthm 'Like a Rose', which everyone knows and loves; and the show closed with their first ever Number One 'Take on Me'.

But that wasn't all we were treated too, as an audience we got chance to listen to a couple of exclusive songs that haven't been released yet, and are not due to be released until sometime next year.

a1 managed to put a fabulous concert, and it was such as fun filled evening. I've never been to concert like it, as they give the audience a few lessons so then they can join in; which also included a work out along the way; as well as a bit of Panto. I also really enjoyed the stripped back feel to it, as they was only a screen as well as Mark's keyboard/ digital piano and Christian's guitar; which proves that you don't need the fancy sets to put on a good show or in a1's case a fabulous, and a very long time coming show. We were treated to a1 trip down memory lane, as well as a sneak peak into some upcoming newness.

I also went to this concert on my own, and I ended up making quite a few new friends on the night. This is also something that's also never happened before while I've been out at a concert.

I would like to thank a1 for putting on such an amazing show, and it was certainly worth the 20 year wait. I will be back to see a1 again in the future.

Little Luxury Beauty Haul

Hi everyone,

I've done a little bit of luxury beauty shopping recently; so I thought that I would share with you what I have purchased over the past couple of shopping trips.

Marvis Aquatic Mint Toothpaste (25ml)

I have been intrigued with this brand of toothpaste for years, but I've never purchased anything from them. I decided to try the Aquatic Mint variety, as it seemed like the safest option as they have a few unique flavours.

Pixi Vitamin C Serum

I struggled to get my hands on this serum, as its nearly always sold out. I've been on the lookout for a good vitamin c serum, as this seemed like a good choice to get through the research that I did before I went out to purchase it. It also smells like fresh lemonade.

Nuxe Creme Prodigieuse Boost Energising Priming Concentrate

This is also another vitamin c based serum, but it has more of gel consistency. Also, you only need a very tiny amount of this serum as a little goes a very long way. It also has a very generous 100ml for a reasonable price, which shocked me a bit as I know that you can pay a pretty penny for a vitamin c serum.

Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil

I was after a new night serum, and I wasn't too sure what to get. I was introduced to the Brilliance Facial Oil from Emma Hardie, and I've never tried anything from the Emma Hardie brand before. But I'm looking forward to introducing this oil into my evening skincare routine.

Caudalie Vinosouce S.O.S Serum 

I've gone through countless bottles of this serum of the years, and its a lovely, lightweight hydrating serum that works wonders if your skin is in need of a boost of hydration throughout the day.

Marc Jacobs See-Quins Glam Glitter Eyeshadow in 'Star Dust' (LE)

The Marc Jacobs See-Quins Glam Glitter Eyeshadow in 'Star Dust' is a limited edition eyeshadow that forms part of the Marc Jacobs Christmas 2019 range. I fell in love with this eyeshadow last month, and I didn't think I would be able to get it. It's a similar shade to 'Fire Ball' from Urban Decay, only more intense and with silver glitter throughout.

Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Eye Primer

I'm currently using the Urban Decay Primer Potion as my eye primer, but its getting on the older side as I've had it for years. I got this eye primer recommended too me, as its similar to the Primer Potion from Urban Decay but it has a lighter consistency.

Percy & Reed Frizz Fixer

This was a product that I would never thought I would need, but it turns that I have just a subtle amount of frizz that needs taming. I only noticed it as I was getting ready for go for a night out as my hair is now getting longer and also my curls are slowly coming back.

This is the last of haul for 2019, and my final post will be on the 26th November as I'm taking a break over the festive period. I'm looking at around mid January to start up my blog again for the next year.