New Years Resolutions

The problem with New Years Resolutions is that come mid January, that person you wanted to be is gone, the 'new' isn't so new anymore. 

So this year I've decided, instead of doing 'less' of things that are bad for me, I'm going to do 'more' of things that are good for me. That way it's a lot easier to better yourself in 2014!

So here's mine:

1. Save more. 

2. Capture more. 

3. Travel more.

4. Keep in touch more. 

5. Learn more. 

Hopefully you'll see how my journey goes over 2014!

What are your New Years Resolutions?

Jx 

10 Things That Have Made Me Happy This Week

I thought I would write something a bit different. Life has been so crazy, as I imagine it is for everyone at this time of year, that I haven't had a chance to take many photos, so an 'iPhone Eyes' post would be very boring for you to see! 

So I thought I would let you know 10 things that have made me happy this week. 

1. I am much more capable than I thought. Just when I thought that Christmas and New Year at work couldn't get any busier, it did. And guess what? We've done it! Only after something happens you can see your own strengths. 

2. My husband. This man will continue to make me happy every day. Even after a ridiculously long day he will still pick me up to make sure I don't walk home alone.

  

3. Christmas cards from family and friends. They show how many people love you enough to take time out and wish you a Merry Christmas. 

4. The sound of the wind and rain we've been having lately through the open window at night. My favourite sound. 

5. My family. We had our 'Christmas Day' on the 21st as all us 'kids' were working on the actual day. Turkey and roasties, and pigs in blankets, and mince pies, and Eton Mess, accompanied by bickering and photos and singing Christmas songs. I wouldn't have it any other way!

6. Lazy mornings watching Love Actually and getting dressed whenever I like!

7. How the smallest things can make me smile. Painting nails in Christmas colours, drinking Black Forest Hot Chocolates, pancakes with friends, seeing my Daddy, texts from my favourite people. I could go on until the end of time! 

8. Early bedtimes and sleeping through the night! Sometimes I feel like it's all one day running through!

9. Buying Christmas presents! Although stressful at the time, I have been so happy this week knowing that all my presents are wrapped and all our cards written. Giving presents is so exciting!

10. Knowing that it is now 2014 and there are so many exciting things to come!

What has made you happy this week? 

Jx

Verbs #2

Loving: my man, my family, my girls, my job. Corny but true.

Hating: the cold! Why is it Winter already? I love Christmas but I hate the weather so much! Maybe I should emigrate to Australia...

Listening to: (embarrassingly) Peter Andre... I think I've said enough. 

Reading: my new One Pot cooking book, excited to get my slow cooker and start trying out some new meals. 

Watching: Great British Bake Off! I'm obsessed, I need to catch up on all the series! 

Eating: pasta like it's going out of fashion! It just seems such an easy meal to eat at the moment, but in reality it's not great to eat every day! Looking forward to having a couple of days off to cook for my man and eat properly again! 

Anticipating: CHRISTMAS! I know, it's crazy soon, but the amount of Christmas planning we're doing at the pub at the moment, is making me so excited to spend some time with my husband and my family, even if I am working most of it!

Praying for: those who aren't looking forward to Christmas, those children who won't be with their families/getting presents, those elderly who long for their family to visit them. Christmas can be a magical time for some, but the worst time of the year for others, and sometimes I forget this. 

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Jessica xo

My Signature Scent: Hugo Boss Deep Red

Hugo Boss Deep Red: £28.50 (30ml) £48.50 (90ml)

Hugo Boss Deep Red is my thing, I always think I'm going to like other perfumes, and I love seeing the advertisements for new scents, but I always end up spritzing this on. It's a good job I never actually purchase these other perfumes as it would be such a waste of money!

I've probably worn this scent religiously for about 6 years. When I say religiously I mean this is the only one I use, not that I wear this at every waking moment of the day, every day. It reminds me of my first date with my husband, of nights out, and generally of good times, which is the main reason that I love it so much. I still get nostalgic every time I spray it on.

Heart Notes: Ginger Leaves, Freesia and Hibiscus
Top Notes: Blackcurrant, Pear, Tangerine and Blood Orange
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Californian Cedar, Vanilla and Musk

I find this much more appropriate for the evening, so I'm still on the hunt for my perfect daytime scent.

What's your signature scent?

Jessica xo

Five Bad Beauty Habits

I love seeing these types of posts on blogs, because I'm nosy basically. So I thought I would throw in my own one for your entertainment ;)

1. Touching my face. If you know me, you'll know this is my absolute worst habit. Ever. I can't help touching my face, I don't know why, and this is definitely the hardest habit for me to try and stop. I end up with foundation everywhere. On my jeans, pieces of paper, my iPhone, laptops, pens, mugs, glasses. You name it, it's there. I need to think of a way to make my face untouchable. Any ideas? Good luck Jessica. 

2. Not washing off fake tan. I think the problem with this habit for me is that David and I don't have a shower in our flat. Which means putting on fake tan overnight would need to result in having a bath in the morning and swimming around in green water. Nice. So instead, I just get dressed and just wash it off whenever I have to actually go somewhere important. And I end up smelling like corn flakes all day. I'm not making myself sound great here... Solution to this habit? Don't put on fake tan and just wear more layers in the winter!

3. Neglecting my feet. Especially in the winter I find the idea of painting my toenails totally pointless. Nobody is going to see them and the whole thing is just a chore. Maybe I should take better care of my feet, especially as I walk around all day in my job, and I'll have less feet problems later on in life. 

4. Not conditioning my hair enough. My hairdresser has given me strong words about this many a time, I'm rubbish at it. Again I think it's the whole bath situation, after having shampooed my hair in the bath, the last thing I feel like doing is rinsing out conditioner in the same water. I am getting better at it though, motivating myself to rinse my hair with fresh water and just having to sit there that little bit longer. 

5. Not washing my brushes often enough. I try so much to do this often, and I love the satisfaction if having clean brushes afterwards, but the fact is I'm just lazy most of the time. And then I complain about oily skin and spots. Perhaps reminding myself of these will help me to do it more regularly? 

Maybe I'll follow this up with a good beauty habits post, as there are things I'm actually good at doing as well!

What are your bad beauty habits? 

Jessica xo

iPhone Eyes #5

Wahaca London; best friend bus snap chatting; hyped for Christmas in Winchester; cousin photo opportunity. 

Family night out; first Christmas purchase; hand candy; face of the night. 

Jessica xo

Sunday Verbs

 

Another week down, where does the week disappear to?

Loving: the prospect of two days off tomorrow! Getting things done around the flat, pampering, washing brushes, shopping, and celebrating my gorgeous husband's birthday Tuesday. 

Hating: that moment when all your make up runs out at the same time. I can feel an expensive Boots trip coming up!

Listening to: The Vamp - Can We Dance on repeat! I love this song, so feel good!

Reading: less magazines! I'm desperately trying to wean myself off buying magazines for the sake of it! Only Cosmopolitan from now on! 

Watching: Kardashians, Peter Andre, Towie. Working long hours and watching serious tv is just never going to happen. 

Eating: Calamari, roasties and homemade Nutella cheesecake. Working Sundays always makes me eat weird things! The hangover cravings didn't help either!

Praying for: those who lost their lives fighting for their country, and their families. And those in the Phillipines whose lives have been devastated by the storm. It's easy to lose perspective in life, these days show me how blessed I am. 

Happy Sunday boys and girls!

Jessica xo