December So Far...

December in Instagram: marieelton

Apologies for the lack of posts for the last 10 days. I've been super busy at work as well as basically giving up on my camera so having been stuck in a bit of a blogging rut! I hate it, and I really miss blogging regularly. It is difficult I will admit, working full time - so its pitch black when I get home each evening, as well as having a lack of space to actually take photos as I'm currently squished in my bedroom at my parent's house with Jack! My camera has also given up on focusing so its really hard to get decent photos recently. I think I'm going to have to upgrade my blogging equipment in the new year! Can anyone suggest some decent lighting?

Anywho, maybe a little update with what's going on with me? Jack and I have finally found our own little house and are due to move in March! We're really excited, and I think our catchphrase from now until then is going to be 'roll on March!', as it's all getting a little intense living at home after being used to have our own flat for the last year!

I've been working at my new job for 4 months now, and I think I'm settling in well! Getting to grips with the responsibilities that come with the roll and looking forward to progressing my career. I was project manager for the last month or so for the annual Children's Christmas Party we hold in the atrium in our building. It was an amazing experience to organise a party on such a large scale (500 guests) and get to see the kids having such a great time on the night! I managed to get reindeer's and an owl for the party (probably more for my sake then the kids?!) and it went down amazingly. So pleased with myself for volunteering myself at work and hopefully I've made a good impression on my colleagues! 

Jack's going home up North for Christmas on Monday, leaving me with my crazy family for a few days - so we'll just see how Christmas turns out this year! Nevertheless, I am attempting to remain excited for Christmas! Anyone else feeling the same??

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So today I'm going to walk down to uni to pick up my first batch of results of third year. Really not looking forward to this. I dread receiving results more than doing the actual work or exam. I think I have such little self belief so I'd rather just live blissfully unaware!

I've got so much work to do, and I keep getting so distracted writing and taking photos for my blog, and reading other blogs that I just haven't been doing it! So I'm going to make myself this afternoon. Have an exciting article I need to finish writing for the uni magazine and website from an interview with my teenage faves, Feeder! On the guest list for their gig this week, super exciting!

Thank you guys so much for all your lovely feedback on my attempt at ombre hair. Now I can see you all approve, I think I will be a little more daring when I redo it! But I'll definitely be keeping it natural looking, as the general consensus seems to be that this is the best look!

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I picked up these glasses with my boyfriend in Primark the other day. We both got a pair as our friends are having an OAP themed bingo night as a fundraiser soon! But I couldn't resist having a play with them before hand, they're just so huge!

Excuse the cray face, but I'm super excited to have received a 'Versatile Blogger Award' from one of my wonderful followers: Bracelets & Bangles. It's so nice to receive some recognition from my followers! I also want to mention that the amazing Katy from Caught Up In Cake posted me as her blog of the week, which I was pretty chuffed about too! 

As I've received this award , it's now my duty to share seven facts about myself with you, and then pass on the award to fifteen other blogs I think are worthy of it.

001. I check my blog stats constantly. I think I'm getting a little obsessed with this whole blogging thing! 

002. I'm an obsessive cleaning freak. I can't stand clutter or things being out of place around the flat for too long.
003. I'm graduating from university this year, and I'm terrified of living life in the real world, with a real job. Sometimes I think I'll just stay at Thorntons!
004. I love my soaps way too much, and shout at the tv more than any normal person should.
005. I didn't get my ears pierced till I was 20 years old, because I was way too much of a scaredy cat.

006. I have a silly obsession with Hello Kitty, which I think most girls do these days. I've tried my best to tone it down now that I'm living with my boyfriend, but I just love that damn Kitty so much!

007. I love my little hamster, Mimi almost as much as I love my boyfriend. I'm very content with my little family right now.

Blogs I nominate for the 'Versatile Blogger Award':

Rebecca-Louise at Autumn Leaves - Rebecca at Be Beautiful - Carrie at Beauty: Not Just Skin Deep - Rebecca-Monique at Blaque Pearl - Blue October - Katy at Caught Up In Cake - Lizzie at Cupcakes & Cosmetics - Laura at Dreams and Dresses - Eloise at I Need More Clothes - Stephanie at Influence - Ysis at Le Beauty Group - Emma at Oh Really? - TeefeyLee at Pretty Things - Erika at Retro Flame - Paula at The Brantastic Life   

Rules of Versatile Blogger award: Thank the blogger who nominated you in your post, list seven facts about yourself that your followers may not know, then nominate fifteen blogs for the award.

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Had a lazy day today, so fancied trying out my photoshop skillz. Adore this shirt from Lavish Alice.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I've spent the whole day in my Christmas onesie, win!

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Had a failed outfit post today, which I put up then took straight down. So thought I'd start a weekly portrait blog post! Because it's a spur of the moment post, I thought I'd fill it with a beauty tag post for a little fun! So, here we go.

How many times do you wash your face daily? Every other day in all honestly! I use cleansing facial wipes everyday, but my face other than that gets a proper scrub every other day.
What skin type do you have? I have bizarre skin, it used to be oily, so I treat it like oily skin by using shine control products. But in actual fact, it's quite dry in places, well in winter it definitely is. I guess that means I have combination skin?
What is your current facial wash? Beauty Formulas Shine Control Facial Wash (again with the shine control!) 
Is it really important to moisturise? Yes, really important. I get such dry skin, especially this time of year so I really can't afford not to!
How often do you moisturise your face? Everyday.
What foundation do you use? I'm always changing my foundation, currently I'm on Collection 2000's Perfect Finish. It's supposed to leave your skin looking airbrushed, and while it does have a fairly decent medium coverage, I am looking for a 'drug store' brand that's a higher coverage.
How about concealer? I've always used 17 concealers for some reason. I'm currently using 17's Hide Away and Hide & Chic!
What do you think of fake eyelashes? I love fake eyelashes, the longer and thicker your eyelashes the better in my opinion! The problem for me is that I'm awful at applying them, and I don't know if I've just picked bad brands in the past or if its just me, but I can't figure them out. If anyone recommends any to me for Christmas that would be fantastic.
Did you know that you are suppose to change your mascara every 3 months? No, I didn't actually know that! But I get through mascaras quicker than that anyway, so I think I'm safe!
What brand of mascara do you use? Body Shop's Big and Curvy, mentioned in my favourites post.
What make up tools do you use in make up application? Eye shadow brushes and my body shop blusher and powder brushes.
Do you use make up base/primer for the eyes? I use an eye make up primer to make my eye shadow more vivid and for a lasting finish. My favourite is Urban Decay Primer Potion which I got with my Naked palette. I also have a Revlon primer, but I don't get on too well with that one, it just doesn't go onto my eyes very smoothly. I also some times find with Urban Decay that it takes away my foundation base over my eyes a little which can be irritating. I spose this proves the most expensive aren't always the best. Although both primers seem to hold the pigments of the eye shadow to my eye lids, I'm looking to try MUA's eye primer and face primer as I've heard good things, plus they're so cheap!
What is your favourite eye shadow? Absolutely the MUA palettes are my favourite eye shadows at the moment, I've got the Dusk til Dawn, Glitter Ball and Immaculate palettes, and I'm in love with them all.  
Do you line your eyes? Yes, I wear eye liner practically every day. When I have a bare eye I usually just draw on some winged liner and lots of mascara.
Do you use pencil or liquid eye liner? Mainly pencil, and I just keep it really sharp to get a nice dark and defined look, as I don't usually have the patience to use liquid liner as I feel I have less control when I use it. However, I do have a few liquid liners I love, and do like to use it every now and again when I'm in the mood. The rest of the time I use Collection 2000's Kohl eye liner, and have done for years and it's never let me down.
How often do you poke your eyes with an eye liner pencil? I never get myself with my eye liner, but I have got myself a few times with my mascara brush, getting too close to the base of the lashes. My god, that hurts! 
What is your favourite lipstick? I do love lipsticks so much, and I'm always looking at them when I'm shopping for make up, but I often don't wear them because I'm worried I look too done up. I'm really trying to push myself to wear them more, and I did get an amazing red the other day from Maybelline in the shade Wined and Dined! It's defiantly a colour for Christmas so I'll make an effort to get it out this season!
How about lip gloss? I love Collection 2000's Hotlights lip gloss in the shade Star. I love wearing it over my Revlon matt lipstick, Nude Attitude.
What blush on do you use? I'm using a couple of the MUA Blushers at the moment, and I always put on a bronzer underneath, either Natural Collection or MUA Bronzer which I really like at the moment.
Do you buy your make up on eBay? I do buy some make up from eBay. It's a useful place to look if you're looking for a brand that's a little pricey and you're trying a product out for the first time.
Do you like drug store make up? Yes, I really do. I love looking for bargains and playing around with different brands. I could never afford to always spend on high end brands, especially being a student!