Monday 29 September 2014

Trying something new: Dutch braid!

I really love french plaits, no matter what length my hair is I always try and incorporate them into a style.  But since having my hair short I've really missed not being able to put my hair back into one big french plait, I've only really been able to the fringe.

 Recently though I learnt about doing a reverse French plait, called a Dutch braid. I thought it looked really pretty as it displayed the plait a lot more visibly. There are plenty of tutorials going around on YouTube but the basic principle is that instead of placing the pieces of your hair over one another, you place it behind. It takes a while to get a feel for it but the result really is lovely. 


I hope this inspires you to have a go!

Much love, Beth xxx


Saturday 27 September 2014

My ultimate green smoothie!

I've been wanting to make a green smoothie for quite a while now, and I was inspired by a YouTube video to finally make one!

Here's the ingredients:
-1 banana
-2 handfuls of spinach 
-30g of oats or oatmeal
-100ml water
-1 tbsp of Greek yogurt 
-couple of strawberries
-1tsp agave nectar
-ice to serve





I really loved the taste of this smoothie, it wasn't overly sweet but still tasted great. It was really filling and for me, it's an ideal breakfast!

Also something I will be trying is prepping it the night before - put all the ingredients in some sort of container, store in the fridge overnight and all you have to do is blend it in the morning.

I hope you have a go at making this!

Much love, Beth xxx 

Wednesday 24 September 2014

A truly beautiful wee woman...

"Sometimes people are beautiful.
Not in looks.
Not in what they say.
Just in what they are.” 
        - Markus Zusac

I like to keep things on this blog mainly lighthearted but sometimes, we have to stop and reflect on some of the tough things we've been through.

Well over a year ago a truly beautiful friend passed away. 

Yes, she was truly stunning but I call her beautiful for what she was on the inside, for what she was in her heart.

When she talked to you, She had a way of making you feel included, important and so special. I really treasured this in her throughout high school as I struggled to fit in and find my place. 

She taught me a really valuable lesson - that you can be beautiful in your actions and in the words you say. That is what I take with me everyday.



Much love, Beth xxx




Tuesday 23 September 2014

Forever living products...

I recently had the oppertunity to use some Forever living products...



I was really impressed by the quality! Forever Living are all about using natural ingredients and all their products are based on Aloe. Aloe Vera is full of vitamins and minerals and it's also a very restorative for your body.

I was really impressed by 3 products in particular. They were the aloe vera gelly, the lip balm and the Aloe heat lotion.


The aloe Vera gelly in particular felt really refreshing and soothing for my joints. It was also really helpful with any scarring on my skin, the short time in which I used it my skin became a lot smoother.



These are products that I would definitely want to purchase in the future.

To find out more information you can visit the website: https://www.foreverliving.com

Much love, Beth xxx



Friday 19 September 2014

An honest account of chronic pain...


Many of my friends or people I meet for the first time ask me what it's like to have a chronic illness and be in pain all the time. Honestly that's one of the hardest questions to answer.

Pain is so variable and it's very hard to put into words. I have good days and bad days. Days where I can cope with the pain emotionally, days were it forces me to break down and I have no idea how I'll get through. 

But I thought it might be useful for me to try to describe a bad day to put it all into context...
Bad days are never ever planned, they just happen, usually when you really really don't want them too. They can last just one day or weeks. If you can, imagine the most tired you have ever ever felt, then add in the fact that all your muscles ache and every time you move sharp pain hits all your joints.

Most people think a day in bed is the best thing in the world! But on a bad day, even in bed you're not comfortable, you try to get back to sleep but your back and hips are in intense pain which makes it near impossible to lie down. Watching tv and films might work for a little while but nothing can truly distract you from the aching pain you feel.

On a bad day, you can't leave the house, your freedom is completely robbed from you. You physically can't find the strength and energy within yourself to stand to cook or go outside, today you just have to be content with existing. 

Many people see me on a day to day basis and are shocked that I am in pain. We learn to hide it well, but truthfully a lot of the struggle goes on behind closed doors. 

It can be very disheartening and depressing to have chronic pain. But life is beautiful, there is so much positive in the life around us and in the people we love - and that is what keeps us going.


Thank you to everyone who loves and supports me,

Beth xxx

Monday 15 September 2014

1930s fashion & makeup look...

I have a slight love affair with the fashion from 1920s through to 1940s. Last year I had to find a dress for a party and accidentally stumbled upon this beautiful dress in a charity shop. I paid just £4 for it! Bargain!

I absolutely love this dress, when I wear it I really want to pay it justice by making an effort with my hair and makeup too. Here's my attempt at a 1930s look...




Much love, Beth xxx



Wednesday 10 September 2014

Nail art design #1 fireworks

So, I'm not always the most consistent or creative with painting my nails, but my auntie and uncle bought me a nail art kit recently that made me want to have a go!

The nail art kit consisted of a few different nail varnish colours as well as two nail varnishes with small nibs to allow you to do detail on your nails.

I wanted to keep it fairly simple for the first time using the kit, here's what I got up to...



I hope you like the design! The kit was from No.7 available from Boots.

Much love, Beth xxx


Monday 8 September 2014

I got a hair cut! Julianne Hough & Taylor swift inspired...

In August I decided it was high time I got a hair cut! For some time I'd been wanting to go a little bit shorter, I was fed up of it resting on my shoulders, so I knew it was going to be quite a change! 

Here's the photo I took in to the hairdressers Vs the hair cut I got...


I was really impressed with the cut I got. My hairdresser is Joanne Loughlin and I've been going to her for 10 years now. I've been so happy since I got the hair cut! It's really easy to maintain and create different styles with it.


I hope you're all having a great week!

Much love, Beth xxx