Autumn Conkers Squirrels Porridge

00.02 in autumn, conkers, kind, moisturiser, Paid, porridge, rich, simple, skin, squirrels, to

Well, summer has well and truly gone for another year and autumn is upon us. That doesnt doesnt bother me as much as it may some people. I mean dont get me wrong theres something in every month I love. Spring is all about freshness and new starts. Summer, bursting with activities. Winter, full of Christmas spirit. But, for me, I think autumn is a special season, not only unlike the other seasons brings about a calming and relaxed sense, but it mashes together the best bits from the other seasons.

Porridge, my staple breakfast for the colder months, gradually making its return. Theres something really comforting, sitting down to a nice bowl of porridge, the way it warms you from the inside and gives you that extra bit in the battle against the colder mornings. 

I always look forward to those particular mornings when I open the door to a cool, refreshing air - that revitalises me. But more so when that air is paired with the appearance of the beautiful wintry sun. You know the one I mean?! The one that we see but we dont feel, the one that even though its lowness blinds us, it instantly brings a smile to our faces, the one that seems to bring all the seasons together.With the added rustle under my feet from piles of fallen leaves scattered on the ground, their vibrant colours almost creating pieces of art - especially when the crisp wind lifts them up and swirls them around.  Those are the mornings I love.

The return of acorns, conkers and spinning jennys. I remember in primary school when I my conker collection would sometimes get a little excessive - coming home each day with a few more to soak in vinegar, which I think helps preserve them, then placing them in a shoe box along with the rest. Did anyone else used to sing the song about conkers in primary school? We always had seasonal songs, but this was by far my favourite and I even still sometimes find myself singing it, well the parts I can remember (conkers, Im collecting conkers, Im trying hard to find the biggest and the best!) 

Today on my way to college I noticed the sudden appearance of spinning jennys and I held back the temptation to pick a few up, throw them into the air and watch them as they gracefully fall back to the ground. Again, back to primary school, throwing them over each other, almost like autumn itself is showering us with its beauties.

We cant forget the woodland creatures, even though they do seem to be around throughout most of the year, I always associate squirrels, badgers and owls with autumn. Another memory of my childhood pops into my head - Autumnwatch. I used to watch that show religious each night! Following the little animal families, was just too cute. I think the only reason I stopped watching was because the hosts changed (Kate Humble and Bill Oddie ftw!)

Of course though, being British and all, I have my complaints with the weather. Autumn is a season in which risking it without a coat means youll get cold, but then with a coat paired with walking briefly for 5 minutes and you get too hot. But that doesnt bother me half as much as when the heavens decided to open. You end up battling against the harsh wind that lashes rain towards you, the wind that on good days can be so refreshing and gentle. Your hands numbing as they grip onto your umbrella. We cant forget how the leaves create a slippery, deadly path after being soaked by the rain.

But that just makes walking through the door when you arrive home so much more comforting. When your hair finally being able to fall and stay down, popping the kettle on, snuggling into the blanket and turning on your laptop or TV. 

The spring, summer, is quite a hectic time for people in their lives, but then it comes to autumn, and to winter, and you cant but help thing back to the year that was, and then hopefully looking forward to the year that is approaching. - Enya

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Simple Kind To Skin Rich Moisturiser

11.04 in bites, butter, date, delicious, healthy, kind, moisturiser, Paid, peanut, rich, simple, skin, snack, to

As we are now transitioning into the colder months and harsher weather, our skin usually changes too. For me I tend to get dry flaky patches, mostly between my eyebrows and on and around my nose. But of course its not just as simple as that, as I also continue to get oily throughout the day - luckily not as much as in summer. 

I have the annoying combination type skin, I have an oily t-zone, which also gets very dry but then to top it off I have normal cheeks. Finding skincare products that work well for me is difficult! I cant really buy products that sway for oily skin, otherwise my skin dries out and begins to flake and on the other hand I cant go for products aimed at dry skin or Im like a grease ball. Products aimed at combination and normal skin are usually my best bet, but they dont always work. So it means that when I find a product that truly works I just dont budge from it! 

Simples rich moisturiser is by far one of the best products Ive come across that caters for my skin perfectly. Although it states its a rich moisturiser and youd expect that to mean that those who suffer with oily skin are going to look greasy pretty fast, Ive never experienced that - which is great! It definitely does what it claims Like a desert needs the rain and a digestive needs to be dunked,this gives drier skin the moisture it craves, with none of the slippery after effects.

I actually discovered this product towards the end of 2012 when I picked up a travel size for going skiing, as the conditions on the mountains would dry most peoples skin up like crazy. Since then Ive never bought or even tried another moisturiser! Seeing as Ive just picked up another bottle I decided its probably a good time to write a review on it. 

I use it both morning and night right after cleansing my face. Its really easy to apply, its smooth and soaks into the skin pretty fast - which is great in the morning when youre wanting to apply make-up straight after. 

Usually, if I have flaky patches arising Ill just apply a little more in that area and that does the trick. This moisturiser does not feel heavy or greasy at all! At only £3.99 a bottle from Superdrug whats not to love.Also, as an added bonus, the bottle lasts me ages!

Id definitely recommend you try this product out if you have similar skin to me, or even if you just want to try something new - its a keeper.

In a nutshell

+ Inexpensive

+ Does what it claims

+ Not greasy

+ Great for both day and night

+ Great all year round

I have no faults with it!

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The First One Bites The Dust

04.45 in bites, dust, first, kind, one, Paid, the, words

Its a loving evening so I thought Id write a blog post, sat outside in the shade of my garden. Seeing as my room feels the same temperature as a greenhouse during this part of the day. But now instead Im being attacked by flies, why can you never escape them during summer!

So Im currently one week into my summer holidays. I feel so lost. Its not that I never had free time while at college, I just dont know how to fill my time! During term time when I get bored of procrastinating on the internet I can turn to doing work or something else that should be my main priority. Because of this Ive actually made a start on completing my summer bucket list and already managed to cross one thing off. Ive actually surprised myself as I thought Id be cramming and crossing within the last week!

Let me tell you that not going swimming in 7 years really takes its toll on your swimming abilities. Not to mention the fact I through my goggles away a fair bit ago. At least I only went in the shallow side of the pool, right? Nope. I was wrong. I decided to start off with breast stroke, as I thought it would be easier to do without goggles than front crawl, not even half a length in and I had to stop. Panting, gasping for air, water in my eyes and up my nose - I looked like an idiot! And of course people noticed. Great.

There was one man who stopped next to me and started to make the okay hand signal, after saying I was fine, he then pointed to his ears and stated he was deaf. Now, I know some deaf people dont speak either and instead just mime. It was just my luck this guy was one of them. I honestly wouldnt have minded if I was wearing my glasses. But because I dont own contact lenses, not being able to clearly see 30cm in front of you really sucks, and I couldnt read his lips. I had no clue what he was saying to me and I felt so rude. Besides, I couldnt exactly go face to face with this stranger. So I just kind of signalled okay and swam off (well attempted too).

What happened next? Well I felt like the lifeguards where maybe concerned about me as one came and sat around the shallow side of the pool. But, of course, I couldnt see if they where watching me look like a drowning dog or not because every time I glanced at them they where just a blurry peachy blob (short-sighted problems). Any fellow glasses wearers out there, is it just me who feels naked when Im not wearing them?

I have managed to go for a second time today - with goggles. Let me tell you they make a huge difference. Wow. However, my stamina, yeah thats still rock bottom.

Have any of you managed to cross things off your summer bucket lists?

Practice doesnt make perfect. Practice reduces imperfection. - Toba Beta

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Kind Words

08.35 in kind, Paid, walks, weekend, words

The other week I was taking part in some work experience and yes, I did the common thing of going to a primary school. Ill admit I was dreading it, not only have I never been interested in teaching, but I dont feel loud or confident enough to control a class of young children. But I was unable to organise something relevant to the career I would like to pursue - mainly because I was lazy and put it off, relying on the thought my mum would sort something out. (I think I might make a mid year resolution to stop relying on others so much).

Anyway, I thought Id write a blog post about something I learnt, and would like to share with you. Personally, I dont think we share positive comments and compliments enough with those around us. Of course you hear the odd one crop up every now and then - or you could be someone lucky to hear them quite frequently. But over the week I helped out at the school, positive comments and compliments where bouncing around the classroom. I even got a few! All I can say is that it warmed my heart and put a smile on my face for the rest of the day. Surprisingly, these children were 7 and 8 year olds.

Surely if these children are able to do this, then why cant we? Whilst spending some time with friends I tested this by simply making small compliments on their clothes, their hair style etc. Their reactions of smiles projected back onto me and gave me a positive satisfied feeling.

Picture from here

Next time you are around family or friends or even a stranger on the street, give them a compliment on either something big or small. Who knows you could turn that persons bad day into a positive one? You may also get one in return. Let smiles fuel more smiles!

Compliments cost nothing, yet many pay dear for them - Thomas Fuller

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