Life As We Know It..

So, around the 2nd February 2016, mine, Tom's, Bella's and Tia's lives are all going to change forever. 

We are going to become a proper family!

Baby Bennett-Broadway

Life lessons I have learnt from my cat

Who knew that my greatest teacher in life would come in the form of a four legged, furry feline..

 

1. When you come across some shit, whether it be yours or someone else's, just kick some dirt over that it and move on - at the end of the day there's more important things in life than worrying over a bit of crap.

2. Don't spend all day being serious, yes, work has to be done, but make room for play too.

3. When an opportunity arises, grab it with both paws.. uhh, hands. Even if your snoozing, when that fluffy mouse suggests a game of chase, we are playing!

4. Remain poised, elegant and squeaky clean at all times. There is nothing worse that being made a fool of, especially if it's because you missed that last crumb in your whisker.

5. Always play hard to get. My cat acts like she hates me most of the time, when showing her affection she cannot wait to get away, but, sit for a while and she will soon come and curl up on your lap.

I love my little cat and she really is a great inspiration ! 

Photography // Fire

         

As soon go kindle fire with snow, as seek to quench the fire of love with words.
- William Shakespeare 

Book Review // Sleep Tight - Rachel Abbott

I would love for there to be an interested reason to why I chose this book to read, but I just really needed something new, and something unlike my usual choice of story. 

This particularly jumped at me being described as a 'tight suspense novel full of twists and turns' - it was a no brainer being light years away from my normal romantic comedies that line my shelf.

And I cannot agree more, I literally couldn't put the book down and the thought of going back to work and not being able to read it panicked me so much I finished it. In just one weekend.

Olivia Brookes doesn't quite hold the perfect life it would seem, and after a series of tragedies throughout her life, she disappears. Gone, along with her three children. As the plot slowly unravels you will be thrown from suspect to suspect - and I was sure at one point I was to blame!!

I guarantee you will not guess the twist in the end, and I guarantee you will spend the whole read on the edge of your seat, and the need to know what has happened to this poor woman will consume you!!

I loved the connection that I felt with the character Olivia, she is definitely believable and the overwhelming need and want to protect her is something else all together.

This was a really super read, I had not heard of Rachel Abbott before, but seeing she has a 'Number One Bestselling' status, and my new crave for thrilling crime novels I will be investing in some more of her books very soon!

"It is one of those books that holds you hostage and is hard to put down until the end" – Confessions of a Reader

"Rachel Abbott will keep you guessing long into the night and just as soon as you’ve figured it out...think again!”- Suspense Magazine 

xx

Bella

This little bundle of snowy fluff is our pooch Bella, she has twisted my arm to let her steal my blog for a post - enjoy!

Hey guys, my name is Bella, I'm a pomeranian and live with my mum, dad and sister, Tia in the countryside. The first twelve months of my life weren't the best but I was rescued just before my first birthday!

I'm still a little shy and get scared by silly things but I'm so happy now.

This year I discovered snow for the first time and it was amazing, mum and dad took me over the field and I chased it round and round!! 

I also LOVE food! I could eat all day long, but then I might not just be able to blame the outcome on all my fur!

My favourite thing to do is to chase my sister, Tia, (she's a cat but we're best friends). When I first came to live here Tia didn't like me much, she would hiss at me and her tail went all poofy - but she loves me now so, it's all good! We run round and round the house - mum says we sound like a heard of elephants!!!

Cuddles are the best thing I have found, I didn't get these much before so every chance I get I snuggle up to whoever I can get to!

I hope you enjoyed my little about me post!!

xx

Insta-update No.2

And here we go again, another month has flown by and my Instagram has been filling up with lots of pictures - I've been trying to be a bit more.. particular about my photos on there now, trying to make more of an effort you might say! You'll have to let me know how I'm doing!

Sheeps, Moon, Breakfast.
Make-up, Frosty Leaves, Zebra Selfie,
Efelumps, Snow, Glossybox

I literally can't wait to go and help out with the lambing this year, it's definitely my favourite time, and where I feel most at home. I'd been fiddling with the settings on my camera and managed to get this amazing snap of the moon when it was super duper big. I'm trying to be marginally healthier so I bought myself some grapefruits and fruity teas for breakfast, delish to say the least! My everyday make-up before it's on my face. It was really frosty and pretty last Sunday and whilst taking Bella for a walk I got some lovely pics of the fallen leaves. We went to the Safari Park (post coming soon) and I got 1. this awesome selfie with a zebra, major cheesy face, and also they have currently got the cutest baby elephant, Sutton, and I got this snap of him having a snuggle with his mumma!! More snow, had enough yet? Glossybox designs never fail to impress me, I love this Valentines one, and I was even more impressed with the contents!

If you want to keep upto date with my Instagram you can follow me @tasminalice93

xx 

A Valentines Face

I really enjoy a good valentines pamper, although Tom and I aren't major valentines buffs, I do quite enjoy getting all dolled up and going out just by ourselves. 

Just to make sure I am all prepared I have sorted out how I would like my face to look on this special evening - and I thought all of you might like a gander too!!

            

 

I thought I would go for a, mmm.. subtle look with a bright (for me) lip.

I just used my normal everyday facepaint;

Revlon Colourstay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin in Buff

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

L'oreal True Match Concealer in Cream

Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara in Black

Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Liner also in Black

and then, added a bit of relevant colour;

Nicka K New York Blush in Romantic

MUA Undressed Palette shades 2 on the lid and 8 in the crease

Jelly Pong Pong Highlighter All Over Glow

Me Me Me Eyeliner in Clay

Royal Apothic Tinties in Coral (LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS)

And now with half the battle done I now have to decide what to wear...

Leibster Blogging Award

Another award I hear you cry! I have indeed been nominated for the Leibster Blogging Award, which of course it totally flattering so thank you so much Dida for thinking of me!

I don't know about anyone else but I really enjoy these awards, not only do they make you and your blog feel appreciated, but I always love to have a flick through the nominee's and discover new blogs to read and love! Anyway the rules for the Liebster Blog Award are as follows;

The Liebster Award Rules:

*Each nominee must link back the person who nominated them.

*You need to provide 11 random facts about yourself.

*Answer the 11 questions given to you by the nominator.

*Nominate 5 to 11 other bloggers for this award who have less than 200 followers.

*Create 11 questions for your nominees to answer.

*Let the nominees know that they have been nominated by going to their blog and notifying them.

My 11 facts;

1.  My middle name is Alice

2.  I was named after a singer from the 90's (comment if you know who)

3.  I'm a nail biter

4.  I'm pants at motivating myself to do things - lazy bum alert

5.  I have a rescue Pomeranian 

7.  I moved out when I was 18 

8.  I have never been to London 

9. My main goal in life is to have my own herd of Ryeland sheep

10. People always tell me i'm mature for my age, but I still feel like a 14 year old

11. I hate all sport

And now the questions from Dida:

1. What is your blog about and how do you came across you blog’s name?

My blog is literally just about my life and all the things I come across, there's a little bit of everything in here. The name I took from The Perks of being a Wallflower, I love the book and I am a country bumpkin.

2. What is the crucial thing that you have confronted at your early blogging time?

Just trying to be totally natural, not trying to be someone I'm not.

3. Are you a full time blogger? If not, how do you manage your time for blogging despite of your busy schedule?

I juggle my blogging around a full-time job and general life, but I just constantly think about ideas for posts. If theres a lull at work I have a quick jot down of any idea's I've had.

4. From your blogging experience, have you crossed any haters or destructive commentators? If any, how do you handle them?

Not as of yet, I'm not sure how I would handle any hate.

5. How do you keep yourself to stay motivated to blog?

I just try not to pressure myself to post, I don't have a schedule to keep to so I just write when I have something to write about.

6. What is your best advice as a blogger to another blogger?

Just don't pressure yourself, once you stress about it it becomes less enjoyable. Also write what you would like to read, don't just write something because you think everyone else will like it - be yourself!!

7. From someone else perspective, how will you describe you?

It depends who really, work colleagues think I'm mature and quiet but friends would probably say the opposite.

8. What do you love about yourself most?

I love the colour of my eyes.

9. What is you guilty pleasure?

Christmas - I tell everyone I know I hate Christmas when infact I still get a little bit excited when it comes around.

10. I love to make new friends. Do you want to be one of my precious?

Of course!

11. Why are you so amazing?!

Haha! - I don't know, I guess I was just born that way     

My nominee's:

Chloe @ Beautiful Mess

Luannsa @ Cooey Luey

Jennifer @ Jennifer Cooper

Katie @ Katie's Little Corner

Paige @ A Paige at a Time

The 11 Questions for my blogging nominee's:

***

1. What made you want to start up your own blog?

2. Who has been your main inspiration in life? 

3. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

 4. What is your favourite thing to blog about?

5. Are you a cat or a dog person?

6. What is your favourite book?

7. What do you like to do when you have some free time?

8. What advice would you give to a younger you?

9. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

10. What is your favourite outfit?

11. What is one thing you'd like to do that you never have?

 ***

Please leave your responses in the comments ! I'd love to give them a read!!

xx

Love's this month//Jan '15

A promise to myself for this year is to enjoy every moment, and I think a monthly documentation of everything I have loved is a great way to sit back and disregard all the crappy parts of the month and relish in the things that have given me some joy.

- To follow alongside the years promises, I have aimed to read a lot more this year and I have got off to a good start! Just to sum up how much I enjoyed this book, I actually finished it in just a weekend, once hooked I just couldn't put it down.
Sleep Tight by Rachel Abbott is a Crime, Mystery & Thriller - not my usual choice, but ultimately I enjoyed it to the very end!!

- This programme has been raved about so much on social media and so, as a sucker for a craze I just had to have a watch, if you hadn't guessed I'm talking about Pretty Little Liars! I've just got to the second series and I am obsessed, once it's on I just can't turn it off, the twists, turns and deception is just incredible. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

- Just before Christmas I had my hair done and made the spontaneous decision to go a few (A LOT) shades lighter, no coppers or honey tones, just pure, ultimate blonde, and I have been terrified of the yellow, straw blonde tones setting in so my sister picked me up a Pro:Voke Touch of Silver
purple shampoo. Not only does this stuff work, but it also smells amazing! Warning - this does turn your bath purple though!

- Driving one of the most uneconomical cars ever I am always concious of the petrol prices, and this month I was elated to see them drop so dramatically. Not only am I loving this, this month but so is my bank!

- I'm not one for massively over dramatic make-up, so when I received the Jelly Pong Pong All Over Glow this month I was expecting to just chuck in the 'unused make up pile'. But, to my surprise, I tried it out, just one and it was love. It's amazing, I love the difference it makes to my look when I wear it and is now in my 'every day make up pile',

- You may have seen my earlier post titled 'Snow, Snow, Snow' - we have had lots of snow and I love it. My car is drastically rubbish in the snow and ice so this has meant spontaneous days off work - which is probably the real reason I love snow so much. Either way, it has made it's way to my loves for this month and fingers crossed for next month too!

xx 

What's in my bag?!

I've got to say for some strange reason I love seeing what people cart about with them day in day out, the 'What's in my bag?' post has become notorious, and so I figured it would only be fair to add my contribution!  

The bag I choose to take with me through daily life is this Nica tan shoulder bag, I got this for my birthday off my mum, I believe she got it from Dorothy Perkins. It's just so handy I love it, it looks small but it's as though it's had an undetectable extension charm cast upon it - very roomy!

So inside my tan Harry Potter prop I have;

- My LV purse

- Kindle Fire

-Page a Day 2015 Diary 

-'Selfie Stick'

- Gloves (you never know when you might need them!)

- Lady Million purse size bottle

- Bellapierre lip tint

- Chapstick

- Train tickets

- A return ticket for WMSP 

- Pens

xx

Review // TREsemme Renewal Hair & Scalp

Firstly I just want to tell you all how absolutely amazing this stuff smells, and not just in the bottle, I get a waft of it every time I move my head, I feel like I'm in one of their adverts just swishing my hair around all day. 

The Nourish & Renew Tonic Lotion comes from a new range of products from TRESemme called Renewal Hair & Scalp - they say it 'helps to nourish the scalp and renews you hair, leaving it beautiful from start to finish' - and I must say I totally agree!

I think I fell in love with this the first time I used it, I have particularly thick uncontrollable hair, so after washing my mop I have to then try and get a brush through it - murder.
By the time my hair is finally contained and all knots are gone my scalp feels as though it's just gone five rounds with Mike Tyson - throbbing is not the word.

This tonic gave so much relief, the cooling sensation was heaven and it was just so easy to apply straight to the roots with the pointed nozzle. It is now a joy to drag a brush through my hair after a shower.

Oh, and it doesn't end there! An hour later after finally getting my hair dry it is soft, sleek and beautiful - just like they promised, oh and did I mention it smells amazeballs too?!

At just £5.50 for 150ml I will be going back for more, possible the whole of the range will be stocking my bathroom cabinet in the near future too. 

The Versatile Blogger Award

There is nothing better than appreciation when you write a blog and knowing that people are enjoying reading what you have to write. I was completely flattered to receive an award from a fellow blogger, Alice - thank you! She has a particularly lovely blog  and I love reading her posts so make sure you check her out! 

Rules

1. Show the award on your blog.
2. Thank the person who nominated you.
3. Share 7 facts about yourself.
4. Nominate 15 blogs
5. Link your nominees and let them know.

Facts 
1. I am a sheep fanatic.
2. I drive a Mini Cooper S and am slightly in love with it.
3. I just started up my own part time business.
4. I used to hate cats, but now I have one I love her.
5. I've had about 3 other blogs before this one, but I'm determined to make this one work!
6. I am 5ft3
7. When I was in school I used to be really emo.

Nominees 

Elise

Beth

Liv

Chelsea-Louise

Sophie

Danielle

Zakia

Hetty

Hana

Kiri

Chelsea 

Becky

Ella

Caroline 

Naomi-Jade

Snow, Snow, Snow

Who else has had snow ?! I did !

Here's the proof... 

Sadly, its all gone now :( 

xx

8 Things I want from 2015

I want just 8 things from this year;

1. I want to feel more confident in myself - I've always been quite a shy person, hated meeting new people and only happy in my comfort zone. I want to be able to be myself, talk to people and throw myself out there. 

2. I want to take at least one photo a day - I want millions of photos, when I get to 50 I want albums full of pictures that I can look back at forever.

3. I want to never go to sleep angry or upset - life is too short to spend it arguing or upset. I never want to spend another minute lying awake at night.

4. I want to spend more time with my family - I sometimes forget that as I get older so does everyone else, and it's especially heartbreaking to think that some people may not be around much longer. I want to spend the quality time I have with those I love dearest.

5. I want to make sure I save time for my friends - Since college I have lost contact with most of my friends, and those I have left are hanging on by a thread. I not only want but need to make the time for them.

6. I want to read more - I used to be a real bookworm, but some how time seems to slip away faster and faster. I am going to charge my kindle and enjoy reading again, after all it's the best escape from a hectic life.
7. I want to be more adventurous - like point no. 1 I want to do things that scare me, do things I never would, eat things I don't think I like. Try everything that's going and not think twice.

8. I want to take the time to enjoy the things I enjoy - life is all about having fun, and enjoying yourself. No regrets. I don't want to regret not doing the things I enjoyed, this year I am going to love my heart out, blog my heart out and unfortunately work my heart out.

Happy 2015 everyone, I hope it brings you everything you want!

xx

Review // All that JAZZ

I received this rather flashy pot of pink glitter in my December Glossybox, and to my ultimate (not really) surprise it was a nail varnish! Before opening my monthly box of joy I had not come across the brand 'All that Jazz' before, and so a little research was required...

'All that Jazz' is actually from the same team who catapulted the brand Gelish into our beauty centred lives. The brand was created by Jason & Georgie Smedley's (the creators of Gelish Nail Polish) child prodigy, Jazz. No longer feeling the satisfaction from being PA to Mum & Dad, Jazz has now set up her own very vast range of nail polishes.

See what I mean? This has to be one of the most amazing looking nail lacquers I have ever seen, but I had my doubts. I mostly find these types of polishes have a sickeningly small glitter to polish ratio and leave you with fingers nails a 6 year old would be happy with. I like loads of sparkle and a nice thick varnish to go with it!

Just as I thought, the first coat was starting to confirm my fears. I really light pink base and a minimal amount of glitter.

But something magical happened! I normally use 2-3 coats of nail polish to complete a look normally a lot more with a glitter polish but this was just the second! From just one more layer my nails were transformed, I have never seen such a good outcome from a glitter polish before - very impressed.

Although it does have it's downsides, I would have to recommend this polish purely for an on the night basis only. Major chipper alert, I've had this on less that 24 hours and the majority of my nails are now missing noticeable paint!

For £9.98 a pop I think it's a bit pricey, but then it's an amazing product to make a one off statement.. on the fence!!

Have you tried an 'All that JAZZ' product yet? 

xx

Insta-update No.1

Hey everyone, I'm going to do these instagram posts every month as just a little update to what I've been doing so here is No. 1...

Cuppa before work; Sleepy Bells; Heart Throb;
Riley Bum; Pancakes; Snow Snow Snow;
Bellsy; More Snow; Christmas with Bella

So my week consisted of, Christmas, of course with Bella and I sporting our gorgeous xmas jumpers! Boxing day we had an amazing snow storm, it was lovely to see Bella experiencing snow for the first time! I made a stack of pancakes, who can wait for Shrove Tuesday!! Whilst looking after my little niece and newphew Riley decided to play dress up, they never fail to make me chuckle. As all girls should be I'm a massive chocaholic and I cracked into my first of three giant bars of galaxy - no guilt felt! And finally very miserably I went back to work, travel mug of tea in hand!

Hope you all had lovely weeks! You can follow me on instagram @tasminalice93

xx

Hello!

Hello blogging world, just a quick fly by to introduce myself and my little fraction of the internet to you!

I'm a 21 year old self confessed country bumpkin with a slight obsession with shopping and selfies. 

My biggest loves in life are my animals and my biggest dream is to have my own farm.

You will see a lot of pictures on this blog, sometimes of me and sometimes of my world - so I hope you light photography!!

Feel free to leave comments or add me on my instagram - tasminalice93 or twitter - TazAlice93

xx