It's a new dawn...it's a new day

2012 is just a few hours away...it's weird to think in some parts of the world, it already is new year...time travel or what!! Mind blowing...well it is to me, i can never get my head round the whole time differences etc, maybe that is just me!?

via tumblr

I have been thinking for a couple of days what my New Years Resolutions will be, i never stick to them, ever...so this year i wanted to do something a little bit different. I still want resolutions but i don't want to have them that are that ludicrous i can't keep to them. So here are my 'goals for the year'

To learn to drive - I have been saying this for a while now, i have a fear of driving, ever since the car crash which resulted in me having two major operations, i have been terrified to drive - i've never even applied for my provisional.... this year will finally see me conquer my fear and get some Independence.

To get my tattoo removed - I have a tattoo on my right wrist that i am really not happy with at all, and it's too hard to cover up so my only option is to get it removed. I have started some research into the best companies etc

To travel more - I really love exploring and now that we live in the South we have so many places around us that i want to visit: bath, isle of wight, cardiff, brighton, new forest to name a few places.

To get a job - This is the main one, as if i don't have a job none of the others can happen.

As you can see i don't have lots of 'goals' but i'm sure as the weeks go by i will continue to add to them. I just think small baby steps and the rest just falls into place. One thing that i do want to do is to become healthier, watch what i eat and to increase my exercise. But out of everything i just want to be happy and enjoy my life, i don't want to worry about the small things, and just to focus on the things that make me happy and embrace them - make unforgettable memories...that is the true meaning of life #imo

Thank you to each and every one of you that has taken their time to read, comment and "follow" my blog - your support means more to me then you could ever imagine, so thank you from the very bottom of my heart - lets make 2012 a year to remember.....

What are you resolutions for the new year??

Watch out for that tree.....

Well Christmas is well and truly over...for another year..and next year there will be a new member of the family...my sister is pregnant..exciting times ahead!! I am currently sat watching George of The Jungle (one of my all time favourites!) instead of putting presents away...i'm not going to be doing a full post on everything i got, as majority of the items will be featured one way or another on the blog. I was a lucky lady and got some beautiful items, part of my present was mine and eugene's tickets up to Leeds, which cost a fair amount...but Christmas isn't Christmas unless you are with loved ones #imo

I recieved my first ever candy cane - it's the small simple things that please me :D i think i might make my own peppermint hot chocolate, using some of the cane..hmmm!

Out of all the family members i got to see, the one i was most excited about seeing was my three legged cat, Mr.Bojangles (boo for short) we weren't able to bring him with us when we relocated and i miss him so much. He really is precious.

I would love to see your posts on how you spent Christmas, if you have done a post on it then please leave the links below :)

The wise men followed a star

Christmas, Christmas is that one time of the year where the air is filled with the smells of a burning fire, mulled wine and festive spirit. It's where you gather around a table with loved ones and say your blessings and be thankful for each member of the family that is with you aswell as remembering the ones that no longer are with us...well that's what it is like in my family at least. On top of family appreciation, it's also the time to get dressed up...where there is no such thing as too much sparkle...i'm talking sparkles on your nails, your eyes, your shoes, your bag...you get the jist.

I love sparkles as much as the next person, however sparkles on your nails is a total bugger to get off your nails, no matter how long i sit with tin foil and polish remover on my nails, it never comes off easily. So this year, for my Chistmas nails i thought i would go down a different route...no red, no green no gold, none of the "traditional" Christmas colours....i went for the "humbug" look - i am in no way a bah-humbug however i think these nails look super cute and  i am in love with them.

They took me around 10 minutes to do, which is nothing when it comes to nail art, i have been known to sit for hours painting pretty designs onto my nails (i have way too much time on my hands it would seem!) All i used to create these nails were : a basecoat, twilight blue by avon, pearl nail art pen, top coat.

It was so simple to do, yet i think they look really good. As the pearl comes out as silver with tiny reflects in (that's my take on glitter!) you can see in the reflects in the  pictures. I still feel really Christmassy with these nails. Although, i do have a seven hour coach trip home on Christmas Eve so i may repaint my nails with a different design. How are you wearing your nails during the Festive holidays?

Do you have a moody mane?

Soap and Glory is a brand that i was introduced to thanks to reading beauty blogs. The beautiful pink girly packaging that is associated with the brand, now always calls out to me when i go to my local boots store.

 However at the beginning, when i was a clueless consumer, i had no idea what the brand was about or if in fact any of their products were any good. Lets rewind 12 months, who remembers the pink bag deal? I was down in London for my birthday feeling like a lady of leisure (i'm from the North) and saw a rather huge sign for the Soap and Glory pink bag for a remarkable £20 (if memory serves me correct) it was no more than £25! I literally let out a little gasp and tottered into the warmth of the store (it was last December when the UK was hit with snow...and lots of it, although Oxford Street did look beautiful, almost like a postcard!) Up until that moment i had never tried the items. I was understandably excited, i couldn't wait to get back up 'norf and try the items out (my sister also happened to have purchased the exact item for me for Christmas which she ended up giving a friend!)

Some of the items in the bag i loved and some of them not so much. The one that i am going to talk to you about today is something that changed my life...well my hairs life! You are probably thinking, "urmm you are a whole year too late!" although yes you are correct it has taken me a whole year to review the products, all the items in the bag are continually available . So lets talk about hair!

Ever since i was a young girl i have suffered with eczema of the scalp, which is a nightmare, and yes it is completely different to dandruff (just thought i would point that out!) I am always wary about trying out a new shampoo in case it irritates my scalp and causes more damage than good. I have tried shampoos that have cost well over £20 that have not only left my scalp looking greasier than a chip shop fryer but causing such distress to my scalp. My hair is very short but i have a lot of hair...it is super thick!!

The Soap and Glory Glad Hair Day Shampoo is part of the pink original collection and retails for £5.50, you get 250ml of product that smells divine! The shampoo is suitable for all  hair types, it has a no build up formula which is a God send, so no need to keep having to switch products! Two of the ingredients  are Raspberry and Fruit Vinegar (yep you read that right, fruit vinegar!) The scent is on par with the classic Soap and Glory scent with a hint of peach. This product also claims to;

Leave your hair glossy - tick

Feeling smooth - tick

Repair - tick

And to strengthen your hair - double tick!

The times when i don't use this shampoo i can certainly tell the difference with my hair, and it has not once irritated my eczema so big huge thumbs up for that! I only use a small amount and the product lathers so much i almost have a herbal essence moment - i love this product. But with all products there are mixed reviews, you are never going to be able to please everybody, some love this item others not so much.

If you are wanting to try this shampoo or in fact anything else from Soap and Glory range a lot of their items are on 3 for 2 on the boots website here

Have you tried any Soap and Glory products? If so which ones would you recommend?

*i do want to apologise for the quality of the pictures, i can't find my camera, and the lighting is rubbish having to use my phone!*