Projects Abroad Vietnam

Back in February I decided I needed to plan something for Summer. I was in a bit of a rut, some crap was going on in my personal life that had led me feeling miserable and desperate to get out of my usual life. I also was vaguely aware that I should probably start doing something that will help my future career prospects, so I was trailing through countless job/internship websites looking for something in the charity sector when the same company kept popping up- Projects Abroad.

I hadn't heard of it before but after spending a few minutes on their website I was already intrigued. They offer short term specials abroad for young people age 15-19 who want volunteering experience and also to travel, which is basically me in a nutshell.

Projects Abroad offer a variety of projects in tons of different countries, but it didn't long for me to decide on Vietnam. I studied Vietnam history when I was sixteen and the country has always been on my bucket list to visit. It looked a beautiful country with such a rich history.

So before I knew it, I had paid my deposit, joined the official Facebook group, and had my jabs. I checked in my rather large suitcase, waved off my anxious parents at Heathrow and soon I was on a plane to Bangkok ready to change and get on a second flight to Hanoi.

Volunteering in Vietnam for two weeks on a Care and Community Project was 100% one of the best experiences of my life. I can't put into words how great it was, from the country, to the kids we worked at, to the other 12 volunteers. It was truly magical and taught me so much from confidence in myself, I learnt about other cultures and countries (not just Vietnam but France, Japan and the USA from the other volunteers). I tried new experiences and foods and met some amazing new people who will stay with me for a long time.

I was so sad to get on the plane home (although the promise of a comfy bed and a decent shower made it a tad easier!) but I can't wait to share all my experiences on here. There will probably be several posts, from Volunteering to Food to Vietnam as a country so look out for them!

Projects Abroad

xxx

Summer Make Up: Minimal

I find in Summer the last thing I want to do is wear a thick face of make up. Unless it's a special occasion and I really want to look nice, I tend to stick to concealer, powder, lashes and lips. These are my essentials for a bare faced look.

Eucerin Sun Fluid Mattifying SPF 50+

In order to keep my skin protected SPF is a must in Summer, considering I burn ridiculously easily and I don't want skin cancer thanks very much. I got this in a Latest in Beauty box and I love it. It doesn't leave my skin greasy at all and doesn't break me out at all. It leaves a matt finish so is perfect for applying make up over. Also at SPF 50+ I know my skin is safe from UV rays.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in "Ivory" 

My favourite concealer ever. Concealer is lighter on your pores than foundation so I find a layer of this over any blemishes and dark circles gives me the coverage I need but feels like I'm wearing nothing. It isn't full coverage so it still leaves my skin looking natural but hides any imperfections. I will continue to repurchase this until Rimmel stops making it (but I pray that day never comes). 

Rimmel Lasting Finish Powder in "Light Porcelain" 

 This powder whilst not full coverage at all and I definitely would not say replaces a liquid foundation, when buffed in over concealer makes my skin look pretty much flawless. It lasts on my skin for a while before I get oily again, and is small enough to slip in my handbag. The compact even has a mirror. Highly recommend, Rimmel really know how to make some decent make up. 

Natural Collection LashCare Mascara in "Clear"

I find mascara really helps complete a make up look and makes me look much more awake, but for days when I really don't want to look like I'm wearing anything a clear mascara is my go to. Also I always rub my eyes (damn you hayfever) and so a clear mascara means I don't end up with black all over my face! This gives my lashes lift and curl just like any other mascara but looks completely natural. It's also only £1.99 which is a complete bargain and does such a good job. 

Zoella Beauty Tutti Fruity Kissy Missy Lip Balm 

I'm not going to lie, I'm not a massive Zoella fan and I haven't purchased any of her products before, purely because none of them really appealed. However when I saw this lip balm in Superdrug for only £3 I figured why not give it a try? And I was pleasantly surprised. It's moisturising and gives really good pay off considering it's only a tinted lip balm. It gives a nice barbie pink tint to your lips that can be built up and has a nice fruity smell. Super easy to keep in your bag for days out, so if I'm bothering to put anything on my lips this is a great choice. 

So those are my very basic make up essentials for summer, what are yours? 

xxx

Summer Handbag Essentials: Lips

My handbag always has about ten lip products floating around- hey a girl needs options! I always have a lipbalm in there, as well as lipsticks and tinted lipbalms. These are some of my favourite lip products for summer. 

Mac Wash and Dry Lustre Lipstick in "Tumble Dry"

Not only is the packaging of this lipstick beyond beautiful but this is a gorgeous coral. Like all Mac lipsticks it applies like a dream and lasts for ages with only minimal reapplications. For days when I want to go for slightly stronger eyes, this is my version of a nude. I can't go too pale nude because I'm deathly pale so I need something with a bit of colour. This particular shade is sold out but I'm sure you could find a similar colour. 

Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in "Strawberry Shortcake"

I think this is the cutest name for a lipstick ever. These have the payoff of a lipstick but are more moisturising and leave a slight stain on the lips when they rub off. I find I can whack this on like lipbalm without a mirror, whilst a lipstick I need to have a mirror with me. These are also currently on offer in Boots so I may have to grab a few more. 

Max Factor Lipstick in "Star Dust Pink" 

I accidentally "borrowed" this from my Mum's cupboard...sorry Mum! I own very few Max Factor products, but this lipstick has made me want to try more. It's a gorgeous nude with strong pink undertones that is great for everyday and goes with literally any look. I love the packaging, especially how the colour is at the bottom of the lipstick so you can easily find the one you want. Highly recommend! 

Burt's Bees Lip Balm with Pink Grapefruit 

I love Burt's Bees so much, I find the products really work for me. This smells divine and moisturises lips amazingly and is a great base for lipstick. A lip balm in summer is essential for me because my lips get so dry and dehydrated, so every bag I own has a lip balm in! I also love the Mango version of this. 

What lip products are always in your handbag? 

xxx 

ps- sorry I've been absent for quite a while, more posts coming soon! 

I Went To Paris!

A month or two ago, my friend from uni turned to me and told me that coaches to Paris from Victoria coach station were only £28 a plan quickly formed and before we knew it we were on the coach to Paris.

Yes, the coach was long. But it was so so worth it. I went with my three best friends from uni, and we stayed in a great hostel in Northern Paris.

We only had three days but we did so much, and were pretty lucky with the weather too. It was a beyond amazing trip, and I wanted to document it through pictures on this blog :)

It was an amazing trip with some amazing people, and I will treasure the memories for a long time to come 

Have any of you been to Paris? 

xxx

First Year at University

My first year at university is...over?!

I'm really not sure how that's happened. It seems like forever since I got the email telling me I had got into my first choice university, or since I went shopping with mum to buy scary things like saucepans and potato masher, or since my parents dropped me off and I met my flatmates for the first time.


Since then I've had thirty weeks of fun, laughter, alcohol, studying, all nighters, fire alarms, meeting new people and having the time of my life.

University is everything I imagined it would be and I've made some of the best friends ever- friends who I now can't imagine life without. Friends who will bring me ice cream when I'm sad and watch musicals with me, to friends who will stay up all night with me and then when I tell them I need to go to sleep because it was SEVEN AM proceeded to get into my bed instead of their own. Most importantly friends who accept me for who I am, all my weird quirks- from my fear of birds to my obsession over anything cute or fluffy or the way I sing musical showtunes constantly.

My confidence has grown massively- I know now I can do anything and I don't need to worry about my own abilities. I'm strong (possibly not in strength- arm wrestling matches against my flatmates has proved that!) I'm resilient and mostly I'm pretty great and I'm glad this year has made me realise that.

I'm so excited for second year!

Finally, some photos from my final term

Flat bbq

Cocktails

My first time voting! 

Best english girls 

Brownie selling for charity 

The night we finished exams

She loves me really...I think 

Highlight of one of our clubs out is the facepainting- this week I opted for a lion 

When my friend brought me ice cream 

School days

One of our many corridor hangouts 

My flatmates make me feel tiny 

At about 6am one night when none of us had slept

Final night :( 

This room was my home for a year and I'll miss it so much 

xxx

Exam Season Advice and Tips

My first post in a while! I’ve been so busy with exams/coursework as I approach the end of my first year at uni (terrifying how fast it’s gone) I thought I’d collate a little generic list of exam tips, partly for my own reassurance but for anyone else reading this with exams coming up!

1)   Set realistic goals- you won’t get anything done if you expect to read the entire works of Shakespeare and make notes all before 1pm because you’ll just realize it’s too much and not do anything. Work out how long you can realistically work for- for some people this is half an hour, others forty-five minutes some people an hour and utilize this to your advantage.

2)   Take breaks, keep hydrated- Work for an hour, then take a break and get a drink of water and go for a walk if you can. Don’t immediately log onto Facebook because otherwise you’ll be there for the next half an hour.

3)   Don’t completely cancel your entire social life over exam season- This is tempting as you feel that any minute you’re not working is jeopardizing your entire future. It’s not. You need time to relax. I’m not implying a wild night out two days before your first exams, but take some time to chill with friends even if this is just an hour coffee break in the nearest café or getting some lunch together.  If you work hard there’s no reason not to give yourself an hour or two off.

4)   Get rid of distractions- I’ve installed Self Control on my Mac and it has literally saved my life. You set the timer for any time between 15 minutes and 24 hours and it blocks all common distractions, like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube. There’s no way of undoing it, you literally have to wait until the timer is up so it forces me to work. Something like this is really helpful for those of us with very little willpower (me).

5)   Ask for help- I know exam time is a time when it appears everyone is looking out for themselves but don’t be afraid to ask for help. The first port of call should be your teachers/university professors, as it is their job to help you with any queries or worries. However if you have a friend that is really hot on a topic that just makes no sense to you why not propose an hour revision session? Offer to go over another topic that they don’t get as much or just haven’t revised yet in return. But don’t take up too much of their time!

6)   Finally, don’t stress- I know this is easier said than done but honestly not stressing will lead to better sleep, better general mental health and a better mindset to work and sit exams in. If you are really struggling reach out to someone who will hopefully reassure you and let you know that everything is going to be okay (my first call is always my mum who has listened to countless exam stresses with me and always reminds me when the results come in how stressed I was over nothing!)

Good luck to anyone with exams, whether they be GCSE’s, AS or A Levels or University or any other type of exam! Leave any further tips or advice in the comments and remember- you WILL be fine!

xxx

Day Out: London Zoo

On the 8th of March my three best girlfriends and I headed off to London Zoo in Regent's Park. It was a lovely sunny day and we had the most fun so I thought I'd share a few little bits from the day.

First thing we did was (rather like a group of mums) was sit down and plan what the main things we wanted to see were. We even circled on the map... 

First we went to see Meerkats and see the Otters being fed which was totally adorable. Otters are my favourite animal so I was in heaven. 

We saw so many animals, a few of my other favourites were giraffes and the tigers (which are basically like my cats I have at home just bigger!) 

My friends forced me in the bug section which made me feel so creeped out...not cool guys. 

We ended the day with the penguin feeding which was absolutely adorable. I love penguins! They got so close to the glass and we got some amazing photos. 

What made the day really amazing was spending time with these girls. We've been best friends for years now, and going to uni nothing has changed. We can not see each other for three months but when we see each other again it's like we were never apart. Despite being in different cities with different courses and different friends/relationships we are closer than ever before. We have our own little group chat that we update each other with all the going ons in our lives so keeping in contact is easy! Spending time just as a four let us catch up on everything and have some really good talks. Sitting watching the penguins swim by and just talking in our own little cove was a really cute experience. We laughed so much and there was times I had tears in my eyes- definitely one of the nicest days I've had in a long time!

"Friends like this are hard to find but more importantly impossible to lose"

:) 

I hope you enjoyed seeing some photos and hearing about our day

What animals would you like to see at the Zoo? 

xxx