2018 Goals: 6 Months On

I think making goals at the start of a year and calling them goals rather than resolutions doesn’t make you feel as bad if you aren’t successful. Goals normally have more of a measurable outcome and can be assessed and tracked throughout the year. In my first post of 2018 I stated I didn’t have any real goals, I just wanted to be happy, but a couple of days into January I did come up with some. Overall, I am on track with the majority of the eight goals I set for myself.

1. Do one new thing each month – I have been succeeding with this goal. Each month of 2018 so far I have managed to do at least one new thing whether that’s trying a new product or there’s been a new experience I’ve had. I have a page ruled up in my Bullet Journal where I can jot down what’s new each month and at the end of the year I may do a post sharing all of them.

2. Journal everyday – For the most part I have stuck to this. There was the odd day I’d miss here and there when I would stay with my boyfriend as I didn’t take my journal but I am looking forward to having something written down about each day of 2018 and being able to look back at the year in depth.

3. Improve my photography – I am doing okay with this goal but I would like to practice and get out with my camera more in the second half of the year. I definitely think my blog photos have improved since I first got my DSLR a year ago and I’m so glad I switched to manual mode almost straight away – I have a much better understanding of aperture, shutter speed etc. I want to get out in nature and just walk around with my camera or take it with me if I visit somewhere for the day.

4. Read 50 books by September – Technically I started this goal in September 2017 and I am proud of the progress I have achieved. I’m going to be honest and say I don’t think I’ll be at 50 by September 2018 but I’ll be near.

5. Watch 20 movies – I have achieved this goal already! I didn’t want to set an unrealistic target but I do enjoy watching a good movie. I only had one rule, the 20 movies had to be ones I hadn’t already seen before. Now I’ll be seeing how many I can get to by the end of the year.

6. Declutter – I have been successful with this goal too. In January/February I had a small makeup declutter and last month I cleared out some clothing from my drawers and wardrobe. By declutter I don’t just mean get rid of things but I want to use up what I have and not buy things for the sake of it. Decluttering also relates to cleaning and simplifying.

7. Lose weight – I don’t go by the number on a scale, I go by how clothes look and feel. Over the past few months I have been sick numerous time so I haven’t been able to exercise as much as I would like but I did lose a little bit of weight after the breakup and I have had a few comments saying I look like I’ve lost weight from mum and a work colleague. I accept I’m never going to be a size 8 but getting back into a regular exercise routine for the rest of the year and being able to keep up with it would satisfy me.

8. Don’t spend unnecessarily – I go through stages of spending and then not spending for a little while. I do save most of my money and am generally pretty good. Probably the most expensive thing I’ve purchased so far this year is Shania Twain concert tickets! This goal kind of goes along with #6 – use up what I have before buying more and research and look into things before buying them on a whim.

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Did you set any goals for 2018? How are you progressing?

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How I Edit Instagram Photos

Instagram is one of my preferred social media platforms. I upload what I want and don’t plan pictures very often. I don’t stick to a specific theme or schedule and I like that the majority of my photos are taken in the moment. That doesn’t mean I don’t have a routine for editing photos and there are certain things I do to make sure photos look their best!

Note: The following process refers to photos taken on my iPhone.

Step One:

Think about the image, how it will look and the subject.

Step Two:

Choose a camera mode. If it is a selfie or an outfit picture I will mostly use ‘photo’ and if I am taking a picture of my nails or one object I will use ‘square’. This allows me to see how an image will look when it is uploaded to Instagram and there is minimal cropping.

Step Three:

Take pictures using the phone’s camera rather than the camera in the Instagram app. I find the phone camera is better quality and you get different mode options, I think the app only allows you to take a square photo.

Step Four:

Editing time! I do very minimal edits and like my feed to have a clear, bright look. To achieve this I play around with three of Instagram’s editing tools: brightness, contrast and warmth.

• Brightness: I will increase the brightness somewhere between 30 and 60.
• Contrast: I turn the contrast down slightly, usually -10 or -20.
• Warmth: Certain lights can cause a yellow tinge and turning down the warmth makes the cool tones in an image shine and also adds to the bright, crisp effect. Again, I turn the warmth down -10 or -20.

Occasionally I will leave a photo unedited, normally the quotes for #PinterestThoughtTuesday. I don’t use filters very often either, if I do it’s most likely a black and white one.

Step Five:

Add caption and relevant hashtags. Save post as a draft or share instantly. Saving posts as drafts is useful if you want to post the photo later on in the day or the week and it means it’s all ready to go. If you don’t have internet access and can’t share your post instantly saving as a draft is also useful as the post is ready for when you do.

Now I will share some before and after comparisons with and without editing. All the before photos are on the left and the after photos on the right.

Example #1:

The second image shows more of the plane’s colour. The background elements are easier to see too.

Example #2:

The second image makes my skin look more flawless and gives my lips and hair colour more depth.

Example #3:

I remember debating whether to use the edited version when I shared this photo. The first image gives more of a true representation of the red but the second image is brighter and the petals look sharper and more defined.

Example #4:

The white and pink colours in the second image look clearer and don’t have the yellow tinge that the first image does.

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In all four of these examples the differences are subtle but it is an editing style that takes up little time and works for me.

How do you edit Instagram photos? Are there any apps you use?

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Seventeen of ’17

Previously I have written Sixteen of ’16 and Fifteen of ’15 so it only seemed right to continue this theme! There have been some extremely special moments throughout 2017 and also moments that have been difficult but this post focuses on the positives and sees me discuss what defined my year.

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#1. Steps reform + release new album

Steps are my favourite band and on January 1st 2017 they announced they were back. The band originally split up in 2001 and got back together briefly in 2012 for a #1 Greatest Hits album, a Christmas album and two tours. In March 2017 the band announced new music and their long awaited fourth studio album Tears On the Dancefloor was released the following month. The album was re-released in October. I have had the album on repeat since April and it is my favourite album of 2017!

#2. My 22nd birthday!

22 isn’t a milestone birthday but it was special for me as I got to celebrate my first birthday with my boyfriend. I had a massage in the morning as a gift from my mum and in the afternoon my boyfriend picked me up and we went for a walk. We ate pizza for dinner down at the lakefront before he took me on a drive. It was a lovely, relaxing day.

Related post: My 22nd Birthday!

#3. Winning Stash Matters giveaway

I was over the moon when I saw I had won this giveaway! There were so many brands and products I had never tried before and I still use lots of the products on a daily/weekly basis. (I will admit I haven’t tried the eyelash curlers yet though, sorry Stashy!)

Related post: Stashy’s Giveaway Prize + First Impressions

#4. First Valentines Day

This was another super special day as it was the first Valentines Day with my boyfriend and the first time I’ve ever had a valentine. We gave each other soft toys as presents – great minds think alike – and the card he gave me was so sweet. We went for another walk, this time around a lake and I can still remember how beautiful the sky was afterwards.

#5. Winning a polaroid signed by Vanessa White

Vanessa White is one fifth of British girlband The Saturdays (my favourite band after Steps) and on Valentines Day she held a Twitter competition where she was giving away signed polaroid pictures. I was lucky enough to win one of 40 I think it was. A signed Post It also arrived with the picture.

#6. Fit Bit Zip in Magenta

I found my Fit Bit on sale for $29 in March and I have been wearing it most days since it arrived. It is interesting to see how many steps I walk each day and how that equates into distance and calories. My Fit Bit is basic and doesn’t have a sleep tracker or heart rate monitor but I like that I can clip it on and don’t have to wear it like a watch. I’ve heard so many stories about the bands snapping and having to be replaced. The battery life is good too, I’ve replaced the battery once in nine months.

#7. Going to the cinema

Up until this year I hadn’t been to the cinema since about 2007. It got expensive and most movies end up on TV anyway. I have been twice this year and I really enjoyed the experience both times; I saw Logan and IT. Maybe I should go more often?

#8. Saying ‘I love you’ for the first time

I was the one to say ‘I love you’ first and I felt so brave when I did it. Technically it was written not said aloud but I meant it. I didn’t know if my feelings were those of love as I had never felt that way before but I have said those three words countless times since!

#9. 3 years of blogging

In June I celebrated my third blogging anniversary. Three is my favourite number so it felt even more legendary.

Related post: My Three Year Blogversary!

#10. Trip to the MAC counter

I don’t have a MAC counter in my city but ended up at one unexpectedly in July. I got two items, a lipstick in the shade Show Orchid and a travel sized Studio Moisture Cream. I actually didn’t end up paying a cent as I had gift cards and my boyfriend paid for the rest.

#11. Buying a DSLR

Also in July I took the plunge and purchased a DSLR camera. I settled on the Canon 700D as it has a flip out screen so if I ever wanted to try videos or use the screen for difficult, hard to reach angles I can. I love practicing with the settings and using my camera when I can. I’d love to snap some festive, Christmas photos and share them after December 25th.

#12. Essie Glow Your Own Way

This nail polish is one of the most photogenic products I have worked with. I bought it on a whim back in August and it is subtle and glamorous at the same time. It’s easy to apply (a pain to remove) but that doesn’t detract from how nice it looks on. Essie polishes are some of my favourites!

Related post: Essie Nail Polish in Glow Your Own Way

#13. Job at the library

In August I changed jobs. I’ve loved reading and going to the library since I was a child so it’s nice that I am able to work in a place that makes me happy. I am part of the customer services team and believe or not the majority of my days are not spent putting books away. Since I started this job I have been in a much more positive place.

#14. One year anniversary with my boyfriend

Quite a few of these highlights are about me and my boyfriend but they are truly some of my most memorable and happy moments of 2017. At the beginning of September it was one year since we first met in person. We didn’t spend the day together but I did receive a cute text message.

#15. Boyfriend’s 25th birthday

I think I was more excited about my boyfriend’s birthday than my own! I jokingly thought about doing 25 presents as he turned 25 and then as I began coming up with gifts I realised it wasn’t actually a stupid idea. He didn’t know what I had planned and I had a lot of fun buying all the gifts, wrapping them and revealing the surprise.

Related post: Boyfriend’s Birthday Surprise!

#16. NYX Cosmic Metals – Fuchsia Fusion

Hands down this is the prettiest lip colour I own! I have a few fuchsias but this takes the crown. Pink – check, sparkles – check. This is so sparkly and pretty without looking unnatural. The formula is not sticky and comfortable to wear. The pigment is outstanding!

I love this photo and it shows the colour/sparkle.

#17. Music

2017 has been a whole lot better for me music wise than 2016. There were some musical comebacks from 90s artists: Steps, Martine McCutcheon and Shania Twain as well as great original material from Una Healy, Dua Lipa and Vanessa White. The majority of artists I listen to are female but a special mention goes to Shane Filan who released his third album in 2017. His voice is beautiful and so easy to listen to.

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What have been your favourite moments of 2017?

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August Favourites 2017

As you may have read in my Life Lately #2 post August has brought about some changes. I left my job and started a new one a couple of days later so most of the month has been preparing for and leading up to that. August has gone very fast and been a bit emotional. I am looking forward to getting stuck in to my new job and getting into a new routine though.

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Black Chenille Cardigan – I mentioned this cardigan in my Boohoo & Glassons Haul but wasn’t able to show it to you in black. I could only find an image of the blue online but the black cardigan acts as the backdrop for this month’s photo. Chenille is beautiful material and the cardigan looks lovely on. I intend to wear this a lot over the next couple of months before summer kicks in!

2. My Filoax/Stationery – Fun fact, Filofaxes and planners are what inspired me to start my blog! I have had my Hot Pink Domino in personal size for three years now and I still use it all the time. I have weekly and monthly layouts and normally plan at the beginning of each week, appointments, paydays etc. I find it useful to record my hours of work each day and on the monthly pages I record my blog views each week. I incorporated stationery into this favourite as I have been enjoying decorating my pages lately (I always used to) and personalising them with stickers and washi tape. I have a lot of washi tape!

3. Nescafé Vanilla Latte – I’m not usually a coffee girl but on a whim I decided to get a box of vanilla latte sachets from the supermarket. I tried and adored the Tahitian Vanilla Latte from Starbucks when it was out and I was reminded of that when I tasted these sachets from Nescafé. The aroma and taste isn’t as strong as other types of coffee and the coffee is nice and fluffy and smooth. I will repurchase these for sure.

4. Canon 700D DSLR – I purchased the Canon 700D in July and I have been using it for blog photographs as well as test shots and personal images. I started on Auto Mode and through watching tutorials and reading articles online I quickly switched to Manual Mode. I have a better understanding of what the numbers for aperture, shutter speed and ISO mean now. Manual Mode does make a difference, if something’s not right it might only be one setting that needs changing and experimentation helps you learn and develop your style of photography. I really want to go on a day trip or outing with my camera and get some beautiful nature/scenery shots, that’s the next step.

5. The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Butter – This was a Christmas present from my boyfriend last year and I began using it in February. I was convinced I had mentioned this body butter in a favourites post already but checked back and saw I hadn’t. The texture of this body butter is soft but firm and is very moisturising on the skin. It has a lovely chocolate/cocoa scent which is quite natural, not artificial or overly sweet. I imagine it would work for males and females. The Body Shop has discontinued the Cocoa Butter range but if they bring it back I would repurchase the body butter in a heartbeat. I highly recommend it!

August’s Spotify Playlist:

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What were your favourite things in August?

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Instax Lovin’

Instax instant cameras have become very popular in the last couple of years and owning one is pretty much every little girl’s dream (and mine!) I bought a pink Instax Mini 8 one late Saturday in November last year and I have been in love with it ever since!

Why I Bought the Camera

As with most of my purchases, I thought to myself, “do I really need this?” and justified it by classing myself as a casual photographer. I had been considering investing in a fancy DSLR but while photography is something I enjoy, I don’t do it often and I’m no expert. I didn’t want to invest a chunk of money in a gadget I might not use regularly. I like the instant element and slightly retro feel. You only get one chance to take each picture which makes you think about lighting, composition and how the picture is going to turn out. You can’t go back and edit, you can only take more pictures which uses up more film. You begin to get selective because you don’t want to use film unnecessarily. I use this camera to create memories and capture important moments. I don’t use it every day, I tend to use it to take photos on special occasions and things I want to be reminded of.

Using the Instax Mini 8

On the whole, the camera is simple to use. The camera takes two AA batteries and comes with these and a wrist strap in the box. There is a manual but in all honesty, it’s not the most useful.

• Lens: Where you look to take pictures.
• Flash: The flash always goes off; something to be mindful of when thinking of lighting.
• Picture Button: This button is molded to fit the shape of a finger.
• Brightness Dial: The cameras feature five positions:

1. Indoors, night
2. Cloudy, shade
3. Sunny, slightly cloudy
4. Sunny and bright
5. Hi-key

• Power Button: Located at the bottom of the brightness dial. When the camera is powered on the shutter pops out. To turn off the camera, gently push the shutter back in.

Tips & Tricks

1. Once a 10 pack of film has been inserted, don’t open the back of the camera as you will expose the unused film and you will be unable to use it.
2. To diffuse the flash and give pictures a softer effect try placing some yellow masking tape over the flash.
3. When taking a photo tilt the camera to the right slightly and up. The centre of the lens is not the centre of the image.
4. The brightness dial recommends which setting to use. The majority of the time it is correct. However if you want a brighter photo, use a darker setting and if you want a darker photo use a brighter setting.
5. Store any spare film out of sunlight to avoid overexposure.
6. Contrary to popular belief, don’t shake pictures to develop them faster.
7. Have fun!

Experience and My Photos

I am still learning how best to use the brightness dial myself but most of my photos have turned out okay. The photos aren’t blurry or pixelated. I have a few favourite pictures of the 10 I’ve taken so far:

My first picture, December 2016 – the Christmas tree.

Balloons for my 22nd birthday!

Valentine’s gifts for my boyfriend ft. my cat.

Stickers and Accessories

Since purchasing my camera I have also become the owner of some cute bits and bobs to store my photos and make them look pretty.

• I received a pink backpack from my boyfriend for Christmas. The backpack also contains a neck strap.
• I redeemed a free gift pack from Instax when I purchased the camera. The gift pack features a scrapbook, a sticker sheet, photo corners, washi tape, a photo board and a mount board.
• My work was selling accessories for 50% off so I picked up some stickers, 3D embellishment stickers and frame/border stickers.

I keep these in the backpack along with my spare film so I know where everything is and it’s all together.

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I hope you enjoyed this post and seeing how I use my Instax camera. Do you have any tips and tricks to share? Which colour camera is your favourite?

Sixteen of ’16

At the end of 2015 I wrote a post called, Fifteen of ’15, sharing 15 of my personal highlights from the year. This year I have decided to do the same. Looking back over the past twelve months a lot has happened and in this post I’ll be sharing what I’ve loved about 2016, things I’ve achieved and experiences that have changed me.

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#1 – 21st birthday

My birthday is in January so my year got off to an exciting start. 21 is one of those special birthdays and that’s exactly how mine felt. I did a Birthday Body Shop Haul, created a 21 Songs In 21 Years playlist and shared 21 Things I’ve Learnt In 21 Years. On my actual birthday itself the house was decorated and the dining table was covered in presents unbeknownst to me. At the end of the month mum and I went on a little break away to celebrate.

#2 – Going to a casino

This relates to #1. On my break away I went to a casino for the first time and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I’m not a gambler but it was fun to have a go on a slot machine. I’m even more pleased to say I won a decent amount of money too! I put in $10 and won $143.

#3 – Dannii For Target clothing

When Dannii partnered with Target I knew I would love her clothing range, which is designed for petites. Petite doesn’t mean size zero, it’s about proportions and the length of a garment. Petites goes up to size 16 so it caters for the curvier market too. Throughout 2016 I have made a few different orders and I am so impressed with the quality – of course the items fit like a glove. I wear my petites items all the time and I always look forward to what Target and Dannii bring out next!

#4 – Zayn – Mind of Mine

One album I have been playing non-stop this year is Mind of Mine by Zayn. I’m not a One Direction fan but I have always loved Zayn’s voice. I was curious as to what his album would sound like and it’s a mixture of sexy pop/R&B. I love this album so much more than I thought I would.

Corresponding post: Album Review: Zayn – Mind of Mine

#5 – Happiness Highlights

At the end of every month since May I have been sharing my Happiness Highlights. On my phone I keep a list and write down one thing that makes me happy each day. I started this after seeing it on Adele’s blog and I feel like it has made a difference to my mood and positivity. I will continue this into the new year so let me know if you’d like me to keep sharing.

#6 – Chanelle Hayley Turns 2!

In June I celebrated my two year blogging anniversary! I ran a giveaway to mark the occasion and it was a lot of fun. I hadn’t done one before so thank you for all the support and entries I received.

Corresponding post: [Closed] EXCITING Blog Giveaway!!!

#7 – Losing my job

This might seem odd to include in this post but let me explain why I have. For those of you who don’t know I used to work in a pharmacy. A month or so prior to losing my job I felt a change in myself that I didn’t like. I started to become shy and would barely talk and I felt like I couldn’t do my ‘job’ properly anymore. I will point out it wasn’t my decision to leave but going through that changed my attitude and I started to feel more confident again. As a result I did things I probably wouldn’t have done before and I’m glad I’ve done them.

#8 – Delta Goodrem – Wings of the Wild

Delta Goodrem is a singer I have listened to since I was 8 or 9 years old. I have always loved her music and writing style and her fifth album, Wings of the Wild is incredible! The album was released in July and like Mind of Mine I have been playing it non-stop. The lyrics are very empowering and it’s what I needed just after losing my job.

#9 – Passed driving test

It was just over a month between losing my job at the pharmacy and finding the job I have now. I decided the time was right for me to sit my Learner’s Licence test. It’s not that I don’t understand road rules but I never felt ready before. I sat the test on July 5th and passed with 33 out of 35. I haven’t quite started driving and sitting behind the wheel of a car yet but that’s next!

#10 – Alan Carr – Yap, Yap, Yap!

The month after I passed my driving test I went up to stay with my brother for a few days and the highlight of that trip was seeing a show by stand up comedian Alan Carr. I have loved Alan for years and used to adore his show Chatty Man (the earlier seasons were better). Alan was very funny and I’m pleased I went to the show. I sat in Row R but I still had a good view.

#11 – Flying solo

This goes hand in hand with #10. I mentioned I went up to stay with my brother and it made sense to fly up. It’s only a 40 minute trip and I didn’t have lots of luggage and I can’t drive so it was the logical option. I had never flown on a plane by myself before and a year ago I don’t know that I could have done it.

#12 – Boyfriend

In September I had the first date with my boyfriend. We have been seeing each other for almost four months now and he’s just so lovely. I don’t share too much about our relationship because that’s for us but I have been very happy over the past few months.

#13 – Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

This book is one of the best I have read in a long time! I purchased it a couple of months before I read it but I really enjoyed it and I can see myself re-reading this over again. I have also seen the film and read the follow up, After You.

#14 – Ellie Goulding Delirium World Tour

Without a doubt one of the best nights of my life! I saw Ellie on her Halcyon Days Tour in NZ in 2014 and that was my first ever concert which was super special! The show this time around was even more spectacular, the lights, dancers, staging and outfits were so well done. Ellie sounds magical live and she is such a natural performer.

#15 – Went shooting

This is less scary than it sounds I promise… my boyfriend and his dad have a keen interest in shooting and one day they took me out to the range they belong to. We were only shooting at targets and I’d never fired a gun before but I really enjoyed it. I didn’t know what to expect and once I got the hang of the different scopes I was fine. I did manage to hit the target a couple of times too. I also bought home a fragment of bullet as a keepsake.

#16 – Instax Camera

I only got this camera a month ago but I’m still in love with it! I’ve taken a couple of pictures now (one of which you may have seen on Instagram) and I still get excited thinking about using it. I bought this camera because while I enjoy and like taking photos I don’t want to invest in a fancy DSLR if I don’t end up using it often. With Instax you have to get the photo right the first time, there’s no editing or touch ups. For Christmas, I got a pink Instax backpack which matches my camera to keep my camera, film and accessories in. I can’t wait to capture memories in 2017!

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Thank you for reading as always and I hope 2016 was as beneficial for you as it was for me! Let me know some of your highlights!

Christmas Wish List 2016

With Christmas right around the corner it’s time to start thinking about gifts (or wrapping them if you’re organised). When it comes to receiving gifts I like surprises and I truly believe it is the thought that counts! I love to give gifts and love the feeling you get when you find something perfect for the person you’re buying for. I am not normally one to give or drop hints about the gifts I’d like but here’s what’s at the top of my list this year!

1. Canon EOS 700D

This DSLR camera has been on my radar for the past six months. Back in August when I did the Behind the Scenes Tag I mentioned I was thinking of buying a proper DSLR and this was the one I was leaning towards. I do want to improve my photography and have a nice camera to capture beautiful images with but part of me thinks, do I really need it? I don’t expect anyone would be generous enough to buy me this but I’d love to think I’m brave enough to take the plunge and splurge on it one day. I’m of the belief that photos = memories but I don’t want to part with several hundred dollars on a piece of equipment unless I’m sure it’s a worthy investment.

2. Britney Spears Private Show Perfume

I don’t claim to be the biggest Britney fan but I do listen to her music and I’ve grown up with her. She’s a popstar that has been around ever since I was a child and her songs are iconic. I’ve tried two of Britney’s perfumes in the past (one I’ve had for years) and I enjoy wearing her scents. Whenever a new scent of Britney’s comes out I always make sure I pop in store and give it a try. I’ve already done this with Private Show and it smells absolutely amazing! The scent is inspired by Britney’s favourites, including whipped crème coffee, clementine, juicy nectarine, dulche de leche, orange flower, jasmine sambac, luminous amber, and sensual musks.

3. IKEA MALM Drawers

I’m cheating a little as I ordered a set of 2 drawers a couple of weekends ago so I know I’m definitely getting them. I’ve been on the hunt for a new bedside table for ages and this is the only thing that has come close to fitting my criteria; I wanted something with a drawer and a gloss white finish. Currently, I just have a table with a glass top which has a clock sitting on it. I’m also looking forward to putting this together, I strangely enjoy putting furniture together and feel a sense of achievement once it’s done.

4. Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 – Pink

Two cameras in one post – what?! These Polaroid cameras have become pretty popular over the past couple of years and it’s funny how trends come back around. The colours of these cameras are so bright and fun (of course I want the pink one – pink is my favourite colour) and the photos from these types of cameras look candid which gives them a retro feel. You’ve got to be careful with each shot you take, you can’t go back and edit if the lighting isn’t quite right or something’s out of focus – the imperfections become the beauty. I love the idea of being able to write a small caption on each photo and keeping these photos in a box or putting them on a pinboard.

Edit: I purchased this camera for myself and I can’t wait to start snapping!

5. Mermaid Blanket

I’ve cheated again, I’ve ordered one of these blankets online and it should be here in the next couple of weeks. I first saw these in either one of Zoella or Pointless Blog’s videos and I’ve been obsessed ever since! You can move your legs with the blanket instead of moving your legs and having to readjust the blanket, so convenient. I chose a beautiful purple and I’m looking forward to curling up on the couch with this!

6. External Hard Drive

This kind of ties in with the Canon 700D camera. I figured if I’m going to invest in a proper camera, I want to have somewhere to store all my images, videos etc. One of these would also be handy for storing my music and backing up my iTunes library because I’ve had the whole thing delete on me and have to be re-imported before, not fun.

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What’s on your Christmas list this year?

November Favourites 2016

November seems to have been calmer than the past few months. I think that’s down to me taking a step back from blogging and having a break to enjoy life and catch up on a few things I’ve been meaning to do for a while. I explained the reason for the break in this month’s Hey, It’s Okay…, I’ve recently entered into a relationship and I want that to be the main focus. I want us to be able to spend time together without distractions (not that blogging is a distraction but it can be time consuming). Overall, I am very happy and I still try and get on here as much as possible to comment and read all of your posts!

Onto this month’s favourites:

1. Melbourne Cup – The Melbourne Cup is a famous Australian horse race run every year on the first Tuesday in November. Mum and I have a tradition where we each pick three horses and have a little competition to see how they do. We don’t bet any money but it’s a bit of fun and I really look forward to picking my horses and seeing who does better with their picks – neither of us did well this year though.

2. The Body Shop White Musk Body Lotion – I purchased this body lotion back in July but I’ve only properly been using it daily for the past month or so. I love using The Body Shop’s body lotions as a daily moisturiser and I concentrate mostly on my arms and chest. I don’t use this on my legs as that skin is really sensitive and I have a huge tub of cream especially for that. I love that the scent lingers on my skin throughout the day and I really like the scent of the White Musk lotion later in the day as opposed to when it is first applied, it still smells good but the scent gets better as time goes on. The Shea Body Whip is one of my absolute favourite products from The Body Shop but one negative about it is the pump as opposed to the squeeze bottle on this body lotion. After this is finished I’d quite like to try the Black Musk or Cocoa Butter scents.

3. Revlon Highlighting Palette – Rose Glow – I received this highlighting palette as part of a Revlon gift set from my old work colleagues. I reviewed the gift set a few months ago and my opinion of this product has changed slightly. I still wouldn’t go out and pay the $32.99 (NZD) this retails for but I have used it a handful of times this past month. This gives a subtle highlighted effect which is nice for daily wear and doesn’t make you look too made up. I like to swirl my Real Techniques Blush brush into all the colours and sweep the product over my cheekbones.

4. Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Camera – Pink – At the weekend I went out and bought one of these polaroid cameras for myself. I bought the beautiful pastel pink as pink is my favourite colour along with a 50 pack of film. The film is expensive but I want to make each shot count and I know it should last me a decent amount of time. I haven’t turned the camera on or used it yet but I’ve taken everything out of the box and had a look and I’m so excited to start snapping away!

NB: For any NZ bloggers/readers, Instax are running a promotion until the 17th January 2017 where if you buy one of their cameras you can redeem a gift pack (including a scrapbook, stickers, photo corners, washi tape and a photo board) worth $45. Visit their website enter your details and a few details about your purchase and they’ll send it out to you!

5. Gone Girl – I watched Gone Girl a couple of weeks ago after hearing so much about it and I can honestly say it is the best film I have seen in a long time! It is based on a book by Gillian Flynn – I haven’t read it – and it lives up to the hype. I’m not going to spoil it for those who haven’t seen it but I do recommend you watch it if thrillers are your thing or you’ve been meaning to watch it. I haven’t seen many movies with Ben Affleck but there’s something about him in this which is really likeable and you can’t help not liking his character. There are talks of a potential sequel which would be very interesting and something I’d watch for sure!

November’s Spotify Playlist:

This playlist is a real mix. There’s R&B, country and of course my usual dose of pop. I say this a lot but this playlist is genuinely one of my favourites that I’ve made.

The Instagram Tag

Hey everyone!

I came across this tag last week as I was browsing on Bloglovin’ and being the Insta-fanatic I am, I just knew I had to do it! 🙂

1. What’s your Instagram name?

My Instagram name is chanellehayley_

2. How many people do you follow?

208

3. How many followers do you have?

119

4. What are your favourite hashtags?

#Selfie – I’m not being vain but I’m still learning to accept the way I look and it’s a big thing for me to post an image of myself. It’s really helped me grow in confidence. Pictures of me also help followers put a face to the account.

#Nails – This is a great one if you’re looking for ideas for nail art or if you want to buy a new nail polish and don’t know which one to go for, just scroll through until you find a shade you like.

#Redhead – I’m super proud to be a redhead and I use this hashtag if my hair’s looking particularly good one day.

5. What is your favourite genre of pictures?

I don’t really have a favourite genre of picture and I think that’s the beauty of Instagram. There are so many pictures and people out there taking pictures that being able to share them in one place is pretty special in itself. What makes me double-tap or hit the like button? Images that I find beautiful, inspire me or make me smile.

One of my favourite accounts to follow is Ellie Goulding’s. Her pictures are always cool and interesting and she’s incredibly beautiful! ❤

6. How often do you post?

It varies. Most of the time I try to post every few days but I like my Instagram posts to be about quality rather than quantity. I’m not going to post a picture everyday just for the sake of it or to try and get more followers. Similar to the last question I post when I feel inspired or when I have something to share!

7. How often do you check Instagram?

A couple of times a day. Most mornings I wake up and do a big scroll through to see what I missed overnight and then another one before I go to bed.

8. What’s your favourite filter?

It used to be Amaro but honestly I’m one of those try every filter on a photo girls! These days I quite like Valencia 🙂

9. iPhone only, purist or rebel?

Well considering I don’t use or have an iPhone and use my iPod touch you could call me a rebel. I have sent digital camera photos to my iPod by email before though. It just depends which device the image is captured on.

Hope you enjoyed reading this tag! I’m not going to nominate anyone in particular but feel free to attempt this tag as I would love to read everyone’s answers. Also, if you’d like me to follow you on Instagram leave your name in the comments below!

Chanelle x

Birthday Celebrations!

Hello – how’s your weekend going?

Yesterday (or today depending where you’re from) was my birthday and marked the end of me being a teenager. Yep, I turned 20 and am now officially an adult – scary! I actually celebrated on Thursday by getting my hair done, having dinner and going clubbing for the first time. Yesterday was a lovely chilled out day which consisted of me doing exactly what I wanted.

Everything began with me prepping and painting my nails on Wednesday. I opted for OPI’s It’s Frosty Outside; a silver metallic texture with silver, mirror-like hexagonal glitter.

I took the time to write a short message on a journal card for each of the friends I had invited out to dinner. I am always extremely grateful when people spend time with me and it was my way of saying thank you.

For Thursday nights events I wore an Izabel London Silver Sequin Dress and Diana Ferrari Onix Leather Suede Ankle Boots.

I only bought the dress on Tuesday and fell in love with it instantly. Lots of glamour and sparkle, perfect for a birthday!

(This photo was taken in the early hours of the morning, so please excuse the lighting).

I adored my make-up on Thursday night and wanted to talk you through the products I used to create this look:

• Primer: Rimmel Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer in 001
• Foundation: Australis Matte Mousse in ‘Buff Beige’
• Concealer: Australis Concealer Stick – Light
• Bronzer: Chi Chi Real Minerals Bronzer
• Powder: Thin Lizzy 6 in 1 Professional Powder – Light
• Eyes:
  • Eyeshadow: Chi Chi Billion Dollar Wallet – ‘Heiress’
  • Mascara: Rimmel ScandalEyes Lycra Flex in Black
• Lips: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in ‘Fire & Ice’

I have also included a close-up of the eyeshadow palette I used.

Chi Chi Billion Dollar Wallet – Heiress

Shadows 1, 3 and 4 were blended together to create a smokey yet subtle eye look. I generally go for a bold lip OR a bold eye. If I’m wearing bright lipstick I tone down my eyes or if I want to highlight them I wear a more neutral lip.

We ate at The Pig & Whistle Historic Pub which is described as “a bar with atmosphere, historical charm and style.” The atmosphere was very relaxed and the service was excellent! More importantly, the menu had variety – you don’t always know what people like and I thought it would cater to the most tastes. I had the 1/2 size fish and chips and it was delicious!

#Foodporn

After dinner myself and a friend came home before going out again later to go clubbing. It was my first time clubbing but I had such a good time.

For my real birthday yesterday I started the day off by receiving some lovely tweets and rode my 10km on the Exercycle. Shortly after that I changed into a bit more of a special outfit and did my face while listening to Shane Filan’s You and Me album. This album is my go to and if you haven’t heard it you should take a listen! I have even included the Spotify link for you below 🙂

Birthday face

 

1. ‘C’ Keyring

2. England stickers

3. The Body Shop gift card

4. Sticky notes

5. Stylo stationery items – pens, pencils and bulldog clips

6. Mini pegs

The presents I got are lovely and I feel like a very lucky girl to have received them. My favourite however, has to be the Sony Cybershot DSC-W810 camera my mum bought. I enjoy taking photos but I’m by no means a professional. I’m sure with a bit of time and practice I’ll be able to hone my skills.

Naturally I had to go for the pink camera!

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I thoroughly enjoyed celebrating my birthday this year, even if I did kinda do it twice! I also loved writing this post to share with you, especially the FOTN (face of the night) section. Let me know which looks are your favourite for a special occasion ❤

Chanelle x