Empties #3

My wardrobe is in dire need of a clear out and the fact that I hoard empty products probably doesn't help matters. Over the last couple of months I seem to have ran out of a lot of my daily staples. Don't you hate when that happens? I've got some skincare, haircare and nail products that are all ready for the bin so here's another empties post!

Aesop Parsley Seed Masque
This fabulous cleansing mask is perfect for keeping oil in check and giving skin a quick boost. If my skin is behaving, I use this on a Sunday for a deep cleanse, if my skin isn't behaving I use a more hardcore cleansing mask on a Sunday (Origins Clear Improvements) then use this during the week as it's a bit more gentle on the skin. 

Repurchase? I already have

Clinique Take The Day Off Balm

I'm probably on my 4th tub of this cleansing balm. I've never really been a fan of Clinique products - sometimes you just need scent - but I love this. My skin is pretty temperamental but I know that I use this as my main cleanser morning and night my skin will calm down pretty quickly. Despite it being a balm, it leaves my skin feeling clean and doesn't leave any residue. 
Repurchase?  I already have. I like to have a backup for my backup.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
Anyone with oily/blemish prone skin needs this serum. It helps unblock pores, controls shine and helps reduce marks on the skin. I use this every morning before my moisturiser and it's a firm staple in my skincare routine.
Repurchase?  I already have

Origins Make A Difference Plus

Another staple in my morning skincare routine, this moisturiser works really well in the winter when my skin does tend to get a little dehydrated but without making my skin oily. 
Repurchase? Yes

Origins High Potency Night A Mins

In the past I've had trouble with night cream. I've found that I do need something a little more hydrating but a lot of the products I've tried that are that bit more hydrating tend to break my skin out. This night cream is the perfect in-between and promises radiant looking skin. 
Repurchase? Yes 

Redken All Soft Heavy Cream

I've had this treatment for a while now and I think my mum has used more of this than I have. It's considered an "intense conditioning treatment" and it is just that. I found that it left my hair feeling heavy and it I used it too far up my hair no amount of rinsing would stop my hair looking like a grease ball. My mum has blonde hair and she loved it, so it's probably one for those who use a lot of bleach and heat.
Repurchase? No 

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

I love anything that lets me have an extra 10 minutes in bed. I especially love these products when they don't aggravate the psoriasis on my scalp. So this is still a winner in my books. This is one of the first products I wrote about here and remains a firm favourite. 
Repurchase? I tend to stock up on this when Ecsentual have 1/3 off French Pharmacy 

L’Oreal Mythic Oil
I've finally finished an oil! This was great for when I was leaving my hair to air dry. I have the rich version which helped weigh my hair down (my hair is naturally a curly/frizzy riot - I do believe that is the term they use in the hair industry). I did find it to be a bit silicone heavy but for the price, I enjoyed using it. 

Repurchase? Once I've finished a few more oils, yes

OPI Matte Nail Envy

I’ve spoken about my love for this here. I still use this on it's own and as a base coat and I don't see that changing any time soon.

Repurchase? Yes

China Glaze Orange Cuticle Oil
Super hydrating and smells amazing. 
Repurchase? Yes

Coming Soon - Goals For 2015

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2014 was the year I turned into a baby adult. I turned into a fully functioning member of society (I still don’t really know how to work the washing machine but we’ll pretend that doesn’t matter), I’ve experienced upsets, setbacks and I’ve worked my arse off trying to establish my career in marketing. I’ve made big decisions - some I’m happy with, some I’m maybe not so sure about. Being a twenty-something year old is not easy. We have this idealistic image of what our lives should be like and our obsession with social media certainly doesn’t help matters. I turned 23 this year, the age I would have thought I would have started to get my shit together and I’m not even close. I have been very lucky this year and I know I can’t overlook that, 2014 certainly did not start off that way so I am very thankful that at the end of the year I can see how much I’ve progressed. For 2015, I can only hope that I continue to learn and grow. I’m not one for New Year Resolutions, so lets look at this more as some key points and goals for the coming 12 months…

Relationships
I’ve met some amazing people this year and my best friends have been so supportive over the last 12 months. Since most of us now work full time it’s hard to find time when we’re all free and when we are, chances are we don’t have the energy to get out of our jammies let alone hit the town. I live in the middle of nowhere, so it’s easy for me to use that as an excuse but for my own sanity I need to keep actively making time for my friends - who else will put up with my random rants, drooling over silver foxes and listening to my mother’s latest antics?

Career
I’ve learned a lot in the past 12 months and I’m excited about what 2015 will bring. At the beginning of the year I was planning on going back to University to do a Post-Grad but a position for a start-up beauty company became available and I decided to put a Masters on hold in favour of hands on marketing experience. Marketing is constantly changing, particularly in digital marketing so I need to make sure I'm staying up to date with new ideas and theories. As well as marketing I’m really excited to start focusing more on business development, something I think would be really valuable to have more experience in.

What I do need to remember is that I've only been out of University for 18 months. If I don't get shortlisted for that interview for my dream job or if that meeting/presentation doesn't go well, it's not the end of the world. It's ok to take time off and not check emails or obsess over email open rates or sales figures. I also need to stop second guessing myself, sometimes I'm not sure if I made the right choice with choosing not to go on to do a Post-Grad, but ultimately everything happens for a reason and working for a start up has meant that I do have a lot more influence and control over the basic structure and strategy of the company. 
You can find me on Linked In here if you’d like to connect with me.

Finance
I do not need 7 pairs of black ankle boots even if they all do have varying heel heights. I do not need to buy that new £60 serum that promises younger looking skin in seconds. I do not need another mauve/nude/pink/red/burgundy nail polish. This year I’ve been able to save a fair bit of money while living at home but I'm planning on moving to Glasgow with my boyfriend pretty soon so my obsessive saving probably won't be for much longer. I’ve always been pretty good with money but now I need to start considering rent, council tax, bills and insurance all the while still being able to put some money aside for holidays/deposit for the house etc. My priorities need to change and I need to be willing to accept that I won’t be able to go on a little spending spree in Space NK if I have a bad day.

Health
I need a lifestyle overhaul - there are no ifs or buts here. My weight goes up and down but at the moment I’m definitely in one of the up stages. I haven’t been the gym since the clocks changed and I’m more likely to spend my weekend binge watching The Good Wife or Gilmore Girls than going a run. I’m coming home from work and making myself something quick for dinner rather than something healthy even though I enjoy cooking. My boyfriend and I spoke about trying Slimming World or some other variation, hopefully having someone to keep me in check will stop me eating as much rubbish. If I look at it like I’m going on a diet it’s not going to work for me, it’s more about changing the way I eat and becoming more active. And drinking less Cola Zero. I genuinely think I'm addicted to the stuff.

Blog 
Over the last few months I’ve been feeling quite intimidated by the blogging world due to the number of people who are taking it so seriously. I’m still trying to find my niche with my blog but I’m looking forward to trying new things and seeing what works and what doesn’t work for me all the while remembering that this is just a hobby and I don’t have to take everything I do so seriously. 

What are your goals for 2015?

Just Burgers and Beers

Burgers seem to be the food of the moment and I'm certainly not complaining. I've been to my fair share of burger restaurants this past year and Just Burgers and Beers is up there with the best. Located on Royal Mile, it's very easy to find although I'd image with the small front it would be easy to just walk by (I was following Google Maps just in case) - don't be fooled by the size, once you're in it's a decent size. The interior is trendy but not pretentious and there's a really friendly atmosphere with friendly staff. 

The menu offers an array of burgers, all of which can be made with chicken, beef or for veggies and there is the option to build your own - even the fussiest of eaters will have a hard time complaining. The Beer menu is even bigger than the food menu but unfortunately I did find that a lot of the beers that I would have went for (i.e. fruity beers) were out of stock - our waitress was really helpful in suggesting alternatives though.

I went for the Mac Attack with chicken and my friend went for The Anna Nicole Smith, we got curly fries and onion rings between us. The food was really tasty - mac and cheese on a burger is a genius idea. 

Burgers are around £10 without sides and beers are £5-6, which is on the higher end of your average burger restaurant price but these are no ordinary burgers. 

Have you been to Just Burgers and Beers?