My 2013 Memory Jar!

Hey everyone!

I've seen so many people on YouTube and Twitter mention a 'memory jar' or 'journal jar' and I loved the idea! If you are anything like me when it comes to writing full on letters into a journal, I get bored after the first day and completely forget about it! So I think this is a great substitute for keeping a diary. I've made mine and I love it! My plan is whenever something happens, it doesn't have to be big, I'm going to write it on a little piece of paper with the date on and put it in my jar. Roughly 360 days later one New Years Eve I'll get to open my jar and read all the little amazing things that happened to me over the year.

Here's how to do it:

The jar is very simple to do. (This is just how I made mine, you can just take some ideas from this or copy the exact method!).

1. Take any jar you have, whatever size you want, and place it in a basin of hot water out of the kettle. Make sure you have a lid to fit the jar too! Leave the jar soaking in the hot water for roughly ten minutes so the label is easier to take of.
2. Whilst your jar is soaking, you can take your lid and paint the top any colour you'd like. I used a pink nail varnish for mine. I think the varnish is great because it leaves a lovely shiny effect. Just make sure it's not one you'll miss a lot because you'll be using quite a bit of it! Do your first coat, let it dry, and if you need a second coat go for it! My lid had some writing on it so I wanted to make sure that was covered up!
3. On a piece of paper write your jars label. I went for 'My 2013 Journal Jar'. I stuck mine on the inside of the jar, but if you want to make it easier just stick it on on the outside, makes no difference!
4. Take some ribbon and wrap it around the top of your jar and tie a nice bow.
5. Your jar is complete! It's now time to write your first memory and pop it in!


I hope you enjoyed this post, it was very fun making this jar! Thanks for reading!

Elle X

Have you made a jar already? What do you think of this idea?

1st January Ramble

Well happy January 1st everyone!  Wow, it does feel weird saying that... I know everyone's saying it, but I can't believe we're in 2013. Even 2013 sounds weird. I don't even know.

Anyways, I've been loving all the good vibes on twitter about the new year! It seems like it's gonna be a great one, and I really hope it is for all of you! Personally, there are so many awesome things happening for me in 2013. On paper, it really does seem like my best year yet! However, I don't want to be focusing on the big things too much. I want my day to day life to be great too, and it's up to me to make that happen...

It seems like all the bloggers I follow went for walks today?! Is that a UK thing? I was going to go for a walk today (I was feeling a bit left out) but it's soooo cold in Ireland. Like literally, it's freezing! The stereotypical view of weather in Ireland is not a stereotype, it's true! Take me awaaaay..

So I wanted to blog today but I wasn't quite sure what to blog about so I thought I'd do a little chit chat one. I hope that makes sense.. I've saw that some bloggers including Estée have gotten that amazing out of this world Frankie Diary! I was drooling over it on the website, then all of a sudden it's sold out! NOT happy! I'll be refreshing that page until the cows come home (is that the saying?).

Anywho, yeah, that was my day basically, apart from doing accounting homework and facetimimg the cutest cousins in the world. I got a room tour, be jealous!


I'll leave it here. Again, best wishes for 2013! Make it your year!


Elle X

Hair Care - Schwarzkopf Oil Miracle Review

Hey guys!

Something that I thought I had to share with you is the Schwarzkopf Oil Miracle treatment! My mom actually picked it up in our local salon at some point during the year and I fell in love with it! She purchased a sample sized bottle of 5ml for around €8. I've gone onto the Schwarzkopf website and the full bottles of 100ml retail at around €30 here in Ireland. Pricey, I know, but well worth it I'd say!

The way I use this oil is by taking a drop on my finger, a little goes a long way with this stuff, and running it through brushed out towel dry hair. I'd leave it for a few minutes and then blow dry my hair.

This miracle oil product really lives up to its name! It leaves my hair feeling so smooth and soft and looking shiny! Since I stopped using heat on my hair last year my hair has really improved, and this oil really enhances my natural hair. I would definitely recommend this oil to any hair type that needs a bit of TLC or just something extra! If €30 sounds too steep, certainly go for the sample size! Mine is almost gone, which is good as I received it early this year! The product caters for everyone as it offers different oils for different hair types.


Thanks for reading! Have you tried this oil before, or any other product from Schwarzkopf? Let me know below!


Elle X

Out with the Old and In with the New

Hey Bees!

So this may be my fifth and final post of 2012. Hard to believe another year is coming to an end. However, I am glad that 2012 is finishing because I know that 2013 is going to be an incredible year, I can feel it in my fingers. (I feel it in my toes...).

I thought I'd write up a blogpost sharing my resolutions for 2013 with you all, but also for myself so that I can look to this post whenever I want throughout the year to see how I'm getting on!
So here goes...

1. Do My Best...
A lot of you don't know but I'm in a very tough year at school right now. I'm in sixth year, which in Ireland means the dreaded Leaving Cert year. I'll have my Leaving Cert exams in June, and mocks in four weeks. It's an extremely stressful time and once I go back to school it's going to be even worse. However, I firmly believe that you get out of it what you put it. I know if I work hard and do my best for the next five and a half months, I'll be very happy when my results come out in August!

2. Be More Positive...
I am my own worst critic. I constantly worry about what other people think and am always putting myself down. These kind of thoughts are very dangerous. I want to replace these negative thoughts with positive ones. I tried this before and it really worked. So with regards to myself, no more bashing! I'd also like to become more positive in other aspects of my day to day life too. Be more optimistic and always look on the briiight side of life, do do do do...okay I'm done. Really channeling the tunes today?!

3. Live in the Present...
I am the worst person for worrying about the future and stressing myself out. Why waste today worrying about tomorrow? Life is short and you never know what is around the corner. Enjoy what you're doing now, whatever it may be! Because the truth is, worrying really gets you nowhere!

4. New Friends...
In 2013 I want to make more of an effort to talk to people and meet new people. It won't be hard come September when I start university, but before then. I'd love to get to know some of you guys seeing as we all have one awesome thing in common! I need to come out of my shell more and show the real me.

5. Healthier Lifestyle...
Since I started back to school in September I've been neglecting my health and exercise. When doing homework and study I've opted for chocolate and biscuits, and if I have some spare time I'll sit on the Internet instead of going out for a walk. I want that to change. I will make better choices for me and my body. Again, you get out of it what you put in.


Thanks for reading my 2013 resolutions guys! I'd love to hear some of yours down below! Hope you all have an amazing New Years Eve!


Elle X

Foundation of the Year Award goes to...

Hey Bees!

So many things happen over the festive season; parties, family gatherings, shopping etc. And what do these things mean? Photos! Many of us have been putting on our best face for these occasions, which leads me to share with you my favourite foundation of the year! I'm sure you've all heard of...

Bourjois Healthy Mix
This foundation is perhaps one of my best beauty buys of 2012! I picked it up in Boots as I'd heard a lot about it in the YouTube and Blogosphere! The brand is also French which makes it extra appealing! The radiance boosting foundation contains apricot, melon, apple and ginger. When I saw the foundation I immediately loved the sound of all these natural ingredients. I go to an all girls school where nobody really makes an effort with makeup, and even on the weekend I like to look natural and just give my skin a lift. And that's exactly what this foundation does. I apply as much of the foundation as I need and it makes my skin look glowing and healthy. The bottle boasts sixteen hour longevity; I don't wear my makeup for that long but it does last up to twelve/thirteen hours on me. I wear the shade 51 Light Vanilla which matches my skin tone well. The only fault I would have with this foundation is the yellow tone, which sometimes can be a bit too much. I wouldn't recommend this foundation for people who like really full coverage and like to build up their foundation a lot.

Thanks for reading guys! Do any of you like this foundation or having you tried the serum version? Let me know below!

Elle X

Sticking with Healthy New Year Resolutions

Hey Bees!

So my last post was based on letting go and new beginnings. Today's post is going to be a little follow on from that. Everyone makes new year resolutions, and unfortunately most people don't stick to their resolutions. Why is this? I think it's because people usually go cold turkey. For example, if you decide that you're going to be more healthy in the new year, but then a few days in you've eaten something bad and you just give up. We're too hard on ourselves, that's the problem! It is human nature I suppose...

Luckily, I have some tips to share with you on how to keep those resolutions going!

1.Motivation
You must have a real determination and desire to become healthy. If you don't really want to lead a healthier lifestyle, and you just feel like you have to, then I can guarantee that you will fail very quickly. It is up to you to make and keep the change. You must prepare healthy meals and you must take yourself outside to exercise. No one else is going to make you do it. I think it helps if you have a goal. For example, if you're planning a holiday in the summer then presumably you want to look your best in your bikini. Or, if you want to run a marathon during the summer and you need to become more fit, then you must run every morning to build up your fitness. So you see, like I said in my previous post, you and only you are in control of your own life. Take control and be your own role model! 

2. Do NOT go cold turkey!
Last summer I decided that I wanted to lead a healthier lifestyle. I was going on holiday and I wanted to feel confident in my bikini. I started running, I took my dog for more walks, I made better food choices and I started going to the gym and working out at home. However, I didn't start running 5K on my first morning. I started slowly, easing myself into it as my fitness level increased. I gradually walked further and further with my dog. I incorporated more healthy foods into what I normally ate. And I attended the gym a few nights a week, not everyday. I know at first this sounds like a lot of work, nearly impossible to include all of it in your day. But that's the thing, you don't have to! If you don't feel like getting up early to go for a run, tell yourself that's okay because you can hit the gym that night. Or, if you're really craving some chocolate (self confessed chocoholic here), go for some! Knowing that you've been working hard, you'll enjoy the treat even more trust me! Remember, this isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change!

3. Get inspired!
Come on let's admit, each one of us has an undying love for the Internet. It has everything, including an abundance of inspirational and motivational outlets. If you have a tumblr account, there are numerous blogs dedicated to fitness. I found the pictures on there to be a huge boost when I was losing sight of my goal. Instagram is also a great one for inspirational images. Not only do these images show pictures of fit bodies and exercising, they give food tips too. They advise on better alternatives and on the benefits of certain foods. YouTube offers great home exercise videos too, so if you don't feel like hitting the gym you can opt to try out some home exercises and see what works for you!

4. Don't compare.
As I said in tip three, getting inspiration from fitness images is a good idea. However, comparing yourself to celebrities' bodies is not the way to go! It gets you absolutely nowhere, and will counterbalance the awesome feeling you're supposed to have from working out yourself. Sure, these celebrities look amazing. But who's to say you can't look you're own amazing. Something I ask you to remember: everyone's body is different, everyone doesn't like a different part of their body. You are doing this for you and your body. You want your body to look the best that your body can look. Don't waste time comparing yourself to other people's bodies, because that's valuable time you could have spent loving you!


I hope you enjoyed this post, health and fitness is something I'm passionate about so let me know if you liked this and would like to see more!

Thanks for reading, and good luck!

Elle X



Some of my favourite health and fitness blogs:
http://myfreshnewstart.tumblr.com/
http://fitnessrepublic.tumblr.com/

Experience Teaches Lessons

Hey Bees!

So the end of 2012 is nigh. After all the 'gosh where did that year go's and the 'time is flying's, I like the feeling of a new year, a fresh start. And there's no better fresh start than a new year. I feel that so much happened in 2012, some good and some bad. I think it's good to reflect on the year gone by so that you can allow yourself to move into the new year equipped with the right mindset.

If there's anything I've learned in 2012 it's that all good things must come to an end. Obviously this is hard to accept. We want to hold on to these great things because they make us happy. But too much of something is never good. I guess what I'm talking about here is getting over someone you care about a lot. I'm sure many of you have been in a similar situation where it's time to let go but you can't. You can't imagine your life without this person, you feel that without them you're nothing. And when someone is in the depths of sadness due to being dumped there really is nothing you can say that will make them feel better. From personal experience, it's only you that can help yourself. You, and only you are in control of your own life. You don't want to hear what anyone else has to say because you feel that they don't know what you're going through. The saying is true though, time heals. Life does go on. I spent two years of my life still thinking about someone after it ended. TWO WHOLE YEARS! I love hard, which I suppose isn't really a bad thing. (I am a Cancer after all...). I turned down a lot of opportunities during those two years because I was still living in a fantasy.

I just want anyone reading this who is in a similar kind of situation to know that you WILL be okay! I know it seems unimaginable now, but trust me! Allow yourself the time to heal. I am finally over this person and I am ready to go into 2013 a strong woman! I am the better of this experience, and I am grateful for the lesson.

So that was one of those 'personal posts' I said I would do. I hope at least one person could take something away from this! Thanks if you read to the end and please leave me a comment giving some feedback!

Elle X