The Pressures of Blogging

Hi guys,

Today's post is a slightly different one for me, but I suppose it's a very honest one, and one of the many reasons that I stopped blogging for so long.

I find blogging to be quite a lot of pressure - regardless of the fact that no one really cares what I have to say.

I started a blog because I loved to read them, and it was as simple as that! But the blogs I read were so polished, impressive, dedicated, incredible content, always something new... and frankly, it seems like they have a never ending bank account.

I guess when I started blogging I did it expecting to be like those people. But I'm not those people. They've been doing this for years and have a lot of experience and practice. I've practically been here for five minutes, so who cares if people don't follow me religiously? Or if I can't post everyday? Or if I take awful photo's and write about things that you probably didn't need to know?

I think I put a lot of pressure on myself in every day situations, and I try to be too good at things sometimes. It becomes so much pressure that I stop enjoying it.

I started blogging because I loved reading blogs, and because I felt like I had a lot to say. Not because I wanted hundreds of thousands of people to read.

I know that I can't compete with all the millions of bloggers out there that have been doing it for years and years, and I think today I needed to remind myself of that.

I had a bad day today. I really wanted to post a Missguided haul because I've recently bought a few different bits and pieces from them, but I didn't want to ask anyone to take the photo's of me - because it was embarrassing.

I'm also the least photogenic person in the world so I have no idea how I'll ever gather the courage to actually post a photo of my face to demonstrate the makeup on an actual person. I also hate the thought of a concentrated photo on my figure to show an outfit.

It's definitely going to be a bit of a challenge to overcome these things, but I really want to because I do really love blogging. I just lack the confidence in myself that is required, and I need to stop competing with people who don't even know who I am, don't really care, but would probably be nothing but encouraging and supporting to people starting out because they remember what it was like.

I would be interested to hear if anyone has anything to say on this topic because it is one that interests me greatly - for example, my boyfriend doesn't even know I have a blog because what if he thinks it's weird? Even though I know he won't really bat an eyelid at it.

So, maybe you'll see a Missguided haul sometime soon, but the clothes will probably be on coat hangers off my bedroom door, instead of on me in some fantastic location shot with a million pound camera.

I want to clarify, this post isn't at all a negative approach to full time bloggers, or people who are better than me, I'm merely saying I'm not there yet. And if I never get there, that'll be okay to. Because I'm enjoying writing my thoughts and anyone who reads my blog will do it because they like my content, not because they're waiting for me to get a more expensive camera and a much nicer face.

Until next time,

Lauren x

Naked On The Run

Hello,

Urban Decay - Naked On The Run

Today's post is all about this limited edition release from Urban Decay - Naked On The Run.

This is beautiful. I strongly suggest buying this. In true Urban Decay style the eyeshadows are buttery smooth, easy to blend and gorgeous colours. You get two matte shades and three shimmer shades all of which are perfect for a smokey night time look, or a simple daytime look.

The bronzer is completely matte and a lovely natural colour that really warms up the face. The eyeshadow in the bottom right is also beautiful applied as a highlighter to the top of the cheekbones for a subtle, lit-from-within glow. It's also beautiful as an all base colour for your eyeshadow. The blush isn't quite my colour, I usually go for darker blush shades, however perhaps as the weather gets better I'll find more use for this.

The lip gloss is lovely also, not sticky at all and a gorgeous pinky-mauve colour that's very 90s and very in at the moment. It does make the lips look plump and looks gorgeous over a nude lipstick for a more glamorous effect.

I don't think I've ever tried a mascara that I don't like, as I have naturally quite long and curly lashes, so I wouldn't take my opinion too seriously here but the Perversion Mascara is very lengthening, adds a lot of volume, and most importantly for me - is jet black.

Last, but not least, is the 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Stag. This eyeliner is very black, very easy to use, sets really well and stays on for quite some time. It's the first high end eyeliner I've used and I can see a difference in quality from my trusty Rimmel Eyeliners, however for the price I think Rimmel might have an edge here. It is however a very buttery liner, doesn't pull on the eye, is very precise, can create a very thin, defined line if that's what you require, and works well in both the waterline, and on the eyelid. I really like tight lining with this for a more dramatic effect on a nigh time look - that and the Perversion Mascara creates much fuller looking lashes with a lot more volume at the root.

This a great product for travel because you'd only need to take your base products along with this, however the packaging is slightly bulky. This is probably just my issue, but I also find it really difficult to remove the lipgloss from the packaging as it is quite well fitted. I've actually taken to holding my hand over everything else and tipping the packaging upside down.

I bought mine for £37 from Debenhams. I think this is excellent value for money and well worth investing in. I will be taking it with me on my travel's this year and I will update you with how I get on with it! Please keep in mind this is a limited edition item so grab yours while you can.

All eyeshadows in this limited edition kit are completely new shades apart from the large shadow on the bottom right, the lipgloss is full size and the mascara and eyeliner are travel sized.

Until next time,

Lauren x

2015!?

Hey guys,

Welcome to 2015! I know this is very late and I haven't exactly been around recently, however I am hoping to be back on a more permanent basis this year and I am so excited to have a whole new year empty in front of us.

I have really high hopes for this year. I have some amazing things planned already, and I also have some personal goals that I have set for myself - they're not new year's resolutions, honest.

So without further ado, here is a small list of my personal goals for the year, and I will let you know how I get on!

1. Learn how to drive.
2. Be healthier.
3. Enjoy my year as much as possible.
4. Try not to care so much what people think.
5. Find a job that I love.

I have some amazing things planned for this year that I am really looking forward to. I have a trip to London planned, and me and my boyfriend are seeing The Script in March and staying for two nights in the luxurious St David's Hotel and Spa. I'm hoping to go on holiday somewhere nice and warm this year, and I'm sure their will be plenty of things to write about in between.

Until next time,

Lauren x

MIA

Hey guys,

So it doesn't take a genius to see that I haven't been very consistent with this blog, in fact I haven't posted in months.

I definitely want to get back into blogging as it's a great creative outlet for me, however it turns out I don't have as much free time as I thought.

The thing is, who has time for a well rounded life - and hobbies?

We're supposed to eat a balanced diet, exercise everyday, work the 9 to five, take good care of our skin, make time for our friends, families and other halves, have some me time...oh, and sleep eight hours a night. Quite frankly, I find this impossible. It's something I've always struggled with.

And I am easily the least organized person in the world which makes blogging a difficult hobby for me, and I suck at taking photo's.

I find life slightly overwhelming sometimes, and on those days I feel like blogging and getting all my thoughts down would be a good thing, but it's on those days more than any other that I feel like I have nothing to say or that I'm just not motivated enough to sit down and do it.

So this post is just going to be a small list of everything I have done in the last six months since I have not been blogging. Just to remind myself that I had a pretty great six months - and it could have been even better if I'd documented it more efficiently.

• My Auntie got married - It was such a beautiful day and I had the best time surrounded by amazing people.
• A few days later, I went on holiday to Ibiza - An incredible experience that I don't think I'll ever forget. I went with one of my best friends, we saw Avicii live and danced all night, drank straight vodka out of sand castle buckets and saw an incredible sunset from a boat.
• I found out my brother was having a baby - Probably the scariest thought in the world that someone so small will be joining our family in late March this year, but I really can't wait to meet him - he's having a boy!!
• I moved house - Yes, I still live with my parents, I moved with them, but all the same this was really exciting and a long time coming. I'm currently in the middle of completely redecorating the very 'boyish' bedroom I have been given and I can't wait to see it all pay off in the end.
• I had a phenomenal Christmas - This Christmas was a really special one for me, it was probably the best one I've ever had. I really enjoyed spending time with my family and friends and I was well and truly spoiled rotten by everyone.
• I saw a ballet - At the beginning of this year I went to see Swan Lake in Cardiff St David's Hall. I didn't have very high expectations, however it was truly captivating. I loved it, I couldn't take my eyes off the dancers and I would definitely go see The Nutcracker next time.

I had a really incredible 2014 and I have very high hopes for an equally amazing 2015. I hope to be blogging more this year and I really hope that I can communicate with some more people on here.

Until next time,

Lauren x