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/