tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82841509850952605862024-03-05T19:58:03.462+00:00Aoife CaitrionaStyle x Beauty x LifeAoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-21809708644065564162022-11-26T10:00:00.002+00:002022-11-26T10:00:00.175+00:00The Fabulous World of Dior: Dior x Harrods Christmas takeover<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8atAGNeolUuSTicAGVD0RrFQ8B6Qz-DiTRdsy9IPBCroZd97TbBAuYAkq87IW5iMpypAPk0S_SdzwI1gWfJGPDPUnFIyHtGU-O7qHjSJM_Rq8TogOhvL0r30VkAshIMeWl6v3gcb0GQ8FbQr5D8UpmasbX2of1ICMynhk20kevOs7cYV1Sl--ZVL/s4032/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8atAGNeolUuSTicAGVD0RrFQ8B6Qz-DiTRdsy9IPBCroZd97TbBAuYAkq87IW5iMpypAPk0S_SdzwI1gWfJGPDPUnFIyHtGU-O7qHjSJM_Rq8TogOhvL0r30VkAshIMeWl6v3gcb0GQ8FbQr5D8UpmasbX2of1ICMynhk20kevOs7cYV1Sl--ZVL/s16000/IMG_0042.JPG" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>It's the most wonderful time of the year. There's not much I enjoy about the British winter apart from seeing London lit up with all the <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2017/12/christmas-in-london-my-guide-to-citys.html" target="_blank">Christmas lights</a>. This year, Dior has taken over Harrods giving it a festive gingerbread-themed makeover. Alongside giving all the store windows and store facade the Dior treatment, they also have a temporary exhibition made entirely from gingerbread. It's a must-see!</p><p><br /></p><p><i>The Fabulous World of Dior</i> is a free <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2019/08/manolo-blahnik-exhibtion.html" target="_blank">exhibition</a> open to the public. You are brought to a set of escalators travelling down to the lower ground of the store. Surrounding the escalators is something straight out of the entrance of La Galerie Dior in Paris. A very aesthetically pleasing rainbow of miniature versions of the brand's classic bags, gowns and shoes in block colours. </p><p><br /></p><p>At the bottom of the escalators, you are stopped by a large curtain which is soon pulled back to reveal an incredible gingerbread depiction of 30 Montaigne, Dior's flagship store in Paris. The real-life version of the building carries a lot of history being the place <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2019/03/inside-christian-dior-designer-of-dreams.html" target="_blank">Christian Dior</a> opened his first atelier and store in Paris, just off Champs-Élyseés. Christian Dior's shop then expanded from 30 Montaigne to pretty much the entire block. In the gingerbread version, there are cut out windows showing various ateliers and seamstresses made from, you guessed it, gingerbread. </p><p><br /></p><p>I loved the window with the J'adior slingback and how they incorporated the gingerbread to set the scene. I also loved the staircase in the middle window which on every level had families and people spread out on the landing. The tour guide mentioned the staircase railing was made from sugar. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture to share but it's amazing. It was incredible to see the art and skill that went into not just beautifully decorating the gingerbread pieces and scenes but constructing it too. As an exhibition from Dior, would you ever expect anything less?</p><p><br /></p><p>The rest of the exhibition followed similarly, carrying that wow factor. Behind the main masterpiece was a garden containing miniature garden-inspired dresses twirling in a snow-like scene. It was something small and simple but paired with the whimsical classical music that follows you through the exhibition, it was stunning. If you've been to <a href="https://www.galeriedior.com/en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">La Galerie Dior,</a> you would recognise quite a few of the gowns.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfRgXkb9XGjHb86fJ5vDrPNmcqhKfWbq06fPolwT-yFS__25g0DQY52Rydd6XOFI3mQpwvsjBc9XHi4Reu12mm7preJEBtymwuqr-wx3lN4XaOT9QywUCUZmhYUdB81wZoo2yO34pZiHjezUiS_oZJzUqZHceMY7ugn-GBFQqegB0xS1-y6Gm5rNf/s1206/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-25%20at%2018.07.49.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="832" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfRgXkb9XGjHb86fJ5vDrPNmcqhKfWbq06fPolwT-yFS__25g0DQY52Rydd6XOFI3mQpwvsjBc9XHi4Reu12mm7preJEBtymwuqr-wx3lN4XaOT9QywUCUZmhYUdB81wZoo2yO34pZiHjezUiS_oZJzUqZHceMY7ugn-GBFQqegB0xS1-y6Gm5rNf/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-25%20at%2018.07.49.png" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqkntVByMxD0egw745t_hQAM-7Z8sEooxwdnY8C-GKsylEK8lf7gLyEXerx7AiW0MTBQ9oyeEaXnFjfYhz1g6j9uf1RfD07h_wf7GSxb_tLqKSOOOjwt2VLiR09cOi1zEwM0xxb-CuC_WcIHzvQtJOXr6CnZNHaHr12uVQmqIyJIHVjb2NKYjQndx/s4032/IMG_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqkntVByMxD0egw745t_hQAM-7Z8sEooxwdnY8C-GKsylEK8lf7gLyEXerx7AiW0MTBQ9oyeEaXnFjfYhz1g6j9uf1RfD07h_wf7GSxb_tLqKSOOOjwt2VLiR09cOi1zEwM0xxb-CuC_WcIHzvQtJOXr6CnZNHaHr12uVQmqIyJIHVjb2NKYjQndx/s16000/IMG_0066.JPG" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p>The last gingerbread scene you see before you are guided to the exit are gingerbread characters playing in the snow. There's one scene of a parent and child building a snowman in the snow - which just so happens to be a Dior gown!</p><p><br /></p><p>The exhibition is a piece of Christmas magic located in the heart of Harrods. It's a small but mighty exhibition showcasing three of Christian Dior's favourite buildings – 30 Montaigne, Granville and La Colle Noire – made from gingerbread. The winter wonderland brings some of the Dior magic to the UK, which it hasn't seen since the incredible <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2019/03/inside-christian-dior-designer-of-dreams.html" target="_blank">V&A showcase</a> back in 2019. There is also a Dior cafe located on the ground floor where you can buy some Dior-inspired gingerbread treats. Personally, I'd skip that and head to the Harrods bakery and treat yourself to one of their cakes instead.</p><p><br /></p><p>Love, Aoife</p><p><br /></p><p><i>The exhibition is ticketed (but free) until Jan 3rd.</i></p>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-63735855631522140852022-11-04T09:30:00.001+00:002022-11-04T09:30:00.169+00:00Sephora Haul 2022: Summer Fridays, Farmacy, Sol De Janiero and more<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image of Sephora bag with skincare and makeup products including Pharmacy Green Clean, Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and Summer Fridays" border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidppMUXerKwIrrt5_Zha5VY9RGC_Cdsvj9KN5GrxFuhWgG0wJg8DtUtUGnIRb7ozdPnb2TVwsU2_GiMtDG7p6Vt_H1XZ9fpC6qHKJEwM1gPh1KPppYFluPUBr_UCloUyFPcQSjb96maY7dgRT3FnM1Au7ijgXRL4uZbcm-R0Q0mFH5_rTbYuUbH8cy/s16000/IMG_5992.JPG" title="Sephora Haul 2022" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I'm normally a window-shopper when it comes to <a href="https://www.sephora.co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sephora</a>. Just wandering around the store browsing the plethora of makeup and beauty products is more than enough for me. With the UK beauty scene having exploded like it has in recent years – and Boots earning its place in the beauty industry–, the beauty supply store is no longer the haven it once was. That won't stop me from looking though.</p><p><br /></p><p>When I was in Paris earlier this year, I stopped off at the Champs-Élysées store and picked up a couple of items. I was also fortunate enough to go on a work trip to Las Vegas so I snuck in some time at one of their stores for some US luxuries. </p><p><br /></p><p>On both occasions, I went in with the idea of picking up some skincare and makeup goodies that were not available in the UK. Since my visits, Sephora announced it was launching in the UK with its first physical store hitting the streets next year. Needless to say, I've been entirely unsuccessful in my mission.</p><p><br /></p><p>One item on my US Wishlist was the Topicals Faded Serum. Unfortunately, being on roaccutane has meant I'm restricted in using acids on my skin so I couldn't pick it up. I was tempted to buy the brands Like Butter cream but I have enough barrier repair creams to last me the next few years so I left that behind too.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here are all the beauty and makeup products I bought in Sephora this year:</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Sheer Skin Tint in Shade 2, £40, Summer Fridays |</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>I am all for <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/11/chanels-vitalumiere-aqua-foundation.html" target="_blank">minimal makeup</a> looks and this Sheer Skin Tint from Summer Fridays fits perfectly into that category. I hadn't come across Summer Fridays before so I was keen to try it. I matched with shade 2 and the lightweight silky formula blended in effortlessly. I have a couple of angry breakouts on my face at the moment but once my skin clears, I'm looking forward to testing it out.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Green Clean, £32, Farmacy |</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>There is something really satisfying about <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/03/the-oil-cleansing-method.html" target="_blank">removing makeup</a> and watching it dissolve. <i>Anyone else? </i>I have never tried a makeup cleansing balm before so I'm excited to try this one out. The balm contains moringa extract which is said to help purify the skin by removing impurities and pollution residue. It comes with a small spatula making it easier to get the product out and to saves you adding dirty fingers into the pot when you need a little more product.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, £20, Sol de Janiero |</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>Sol de Janiero's famous Brazilian Bum Bum cream has been on my beauty wishlist for the last few years. Now, I know I can buy it in SpaceNK, Boots and many other British retailers but when I was walking around the store in Paris, I caved. The body butter comes highly recommended and from what I can remember, it smells absolutely divine. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Ultra Repair Cream, £32, First Aid Beauty |</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>I have an unhealthy obsession with barrier repair creams. As an <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/05/my-acne-journey-spring-2020.html" target="_blank">acne sufferer</a>, who's now on month 2 into a roaccutane course, I am focused on keeping a healthy moisture barrier. Most creams that are similar help to reduce the redness in my complexion which is perfect when my skin is looking quite angry. This staple from First Aid Beauty contains ingredients like shea butter, oatmeal, eucalyptus and ceramides. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Papaya Vitamin mask and Caffeine eye mask, Sephora |</b></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">Is it just me or does Sephora have the best face masks? I've tried plenty of sheet masks in my time and nothing feels as relaxing or as good as Sephora's ones - aside from these <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2018/08/korean-beauty-for-win.html" target="_blank">K-beauty</a> ones. My go-to is the </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">pomegranate face mask which is meant to help with energising and toning. This time I decided to try the papaya vitamin C mask to help give my complexion a much-needed boost.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I also added the caffeine eye mask to my basket on the basis I felt a little tired that day. As you can see, I still have yet to use it. I've heard mixed reviews of the effectiveness of using eye masks but I'm all for a little pampering.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><b>Rainwater power mist, </b></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>touchland |</b></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This purchase was 99.9% for the aesthetic and 0.01% because I actually needed a new hand sanitiser. I had seen quite a few influencers and TikTok babes with their neat touchland hand sanitisers that fit perfectly into their <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/07/meet-margaux-kate-spade.html" target="_blank">tiny bags</a> and I wanted to be part of that lifestyle too. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Disclaimer: I did spend a stupid amount of money on it.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Love, Aoife xo</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-34748813079405611482022-02-19T17:00:00.002+00:002022-05-10T18:17:36.574+01:00Alterna My Hair My Canvas Me Time EveryDay Shampoo and Conditioner Review<div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioxECQ6mxDey_U8gzGvFmaPrtTaNYiTpUcrXFU9fwsm4lzNfF9lkWUHAZeNrzlFSZ6Jt9h4TgNe5V00cujRap_HHkrJkVWLfuGa5dybWLNsNED2CmvuwVaTTm5zSqU0JHTkiP0NGrT9K69QNNw-Yo5LJqo9NVVT5kemO03ev0iikSbG-vxuz0WUtX2=s5029" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bottles of Alterna shampoo and conditioner" border="0" data-original-height="3353" data-original-width="5029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioxECQ6mxDey_U8gzGvFmaPrtTaNYiTpUcrXFU9fwsm4lzNfF9lkWUHAZeNrzlFSZ6Jt9h4TgNe5V00cujRap_HHkrJkVWLfuGa5dybWLNsNED2CmvuwVaTTm5zSqU0JHTkiP0NGrT9K69QNNw-Yo5LJqo9NVVT5kemO03ev0iikSbG-vxuz0WUtX2=s16000" title="Alterna everyday shampoo and conditioner review" /></a></div><br /></b></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Brand: Alterna My Hair My Canvas<br /></span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Product: Me Time Everyday Shampoo and Conditioner<br /></span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Category: Haircare<br /></span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Price: £££<br /></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Rating: 9/10</span></b></span></h4><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Haircare might not be on my 2022 vision board but it is something I'd like to improve on this year. In the lead up to Christmas, I had quite a few rounds with various questionable bottles of shampoo and conditioner. In fact, it all started to go wrong sometime in August when my beloved bottles of Percy & Reed Shampoo and Conditioner ran out. Since then, it’s been a downward hill. But it’s okay, I’ve found an even more expensive solution.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The Alterna Me Time Everyday Shampoo and Conditioner set was a Christmas gift from my mum who was also on her own downward spiral and thought we both needed to embark on a hair journey. The products can be bought separately (shampoo £26.49, conditioner £26.49) or together in a set.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">They are a little on the pricey side but a little goes a long way with this product. For best results, I’d definitely recommend double cleansing. A couple of pumps to remove the grease and oil buildup and a couple more to clean the scalp properly. I use the same amount of pumps to condition my hair —<i> to help keep the bottle levels equal (and because my hair is quite long)</i>. At first, my hair did feel a little dry even with leaving the conditioner in for a couple of minutes but that could be a winter thing as it feels a lot more softer and hydrated recently matched with the slightly warmer we're seeing.</span><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">I have quite an oily scalp and some shampoos can accentuate that. However, I’ve not noticed this one does the opposite and I’m pretty sure with consistent use, I could make it a full 48 hours without the excessive greasiness darkening my roots. I currently wash my hair every other day but this shampoo is designed for everyday use if you wanted to use it more often.</span><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b>Final Thoughts</b></span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, my hair does feel a lot healthier than it has been. The Alterna Me Time Everyday shampoo and conditioner has not significantly reduced hair breakage but it has improved it a lot- </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">remember it's normal to shed hair!</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> My hair feels a lot lighter and softer which is a great feeling. I'd also pair it with a bi-weekly hair mask to give it an added boost of moisture.</span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The only thing holding me back is the price. It is quite expensive especially as </span>almost<span style="font-family: inherit;"> a month later, I'm almost halfway through so it's not a sustainable purchase for a lot of people, including myself. If I had the funds, I'd probably repurchase it. I'm holding out hope that there's a cheaper alternative out there, but having a clean scalp that feels clean all day is a feeling that's hard to come by.</span></span></div>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;">Love, Aoife xo</p>
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Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-66634738724507933932022-02-13T17:30:00.004+00:002022-10-12T22:07:28.988+01:005 ways to practice self care based on your love language<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitOOwSmmagWy0NioxQacZHjmVoy8hDd6Wr0yN1y_B491Rnj8WKkfrwjtXgMt9T3Y2I8orIPI8IULpgMrO3S4eO1jvEVC0OXqc6LviKV45GKorLmw8hgA2JW8Ri6UKjwsow-lVxKvyOIVxUGEbAJjikDCJRz4CGGs9dm8TCTqqWyqgyawm92La2T1y7=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image of white roses in front of a Vogue magazine cover" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitOOwSmmagWy0NioxQacZHjmVoy8hDd6Wr0yN1y_B491Rnj8WKkfrwjtXgMt9T3Y2I8orIPI8IULpgMrO3S4eO1jvEVC0OXqc6LviKV45GKorLmw8hgA2JW8Ri6UKjwsow-lVxKvyOIVxUGEbAJjikDCJRz4CGGs9dm8TCTqqWyqgyawm92La2T1y7=s16000" title="ways to practice self care based on your love language" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">We’ve all read the Glamour, Marie Claire, Vogue, and Refinery29 articles on the best products for self care and top tips on how to love yourself. I’ve read them all and to be honest, the older I get, the more some of feel like they're all just repeating the same things. There are so many different ways and opinions on how someone can practice self care. So, with that, what does self care mean to you, and how do you know which works best for you?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">A couple of years ago, I was really fascinated by love languages and looked into what mine were. I took a quiz and found my primary <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/02/what-is-your-love-language.html">love language</a> is acts of service and my second is physical touch. This year, another year of being gloriously single, got me thinking about ways we can practice self love based on our love language. After all, what better way to practice self care when it's perfectly suited to our love language...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Ways to practice self care based on your love language</h3><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b>One // Acts of Service</b> | I LOVE to <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2019/09/what-i-ate-wednesday-falafel-salad.html">cook</a>. I love those occasions when you have a relaxing evening and can take your time with making a delicious meal. The other night, I decided to make homemade pasta with homemade pesto and lightly fried tenderstem broccoli with warm ciabatta and olive oil on the side. I shared it over on my Instagram (@aoifecaitrionaxo) and it was a heavenly meal made even better knowing I had taken the time to make it.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b>Two // Receiving Gifts</b> | Regardless of whether you have someone there to give you a gift or not, buy yourself something. That thing you’ve been eyeing up for a while? It’s Valentine’s Day, you deserve it. Treat yourself to some flowers or sexy lingerie or a <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/07/meet-margaux-kate-spade.html">new bag</a>, or even a sauté pan. Trust me, it doesn’t even have to be what mainstream considers “sexy”, a Le Creuset cast iron casserole dish has my heart pounding. <i>You can tell I really like cooking!</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Image of a rose and a bra with lace detailing" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDatCwFS7fFEM-ENE3gEk7nhJXtVe1L0ahlvEVa__R73lG1sOJ0Rg6KqaxNTHgvTo6ZiFDtsHDIVhzZf_LOc3bIMG4uRzCmmsi45gNegyQN4FCQO0nK5VTg7sqHfPsDTFiYhf-NdunZUOSewLPylZMw2FALNWfZw3N6Xa3nyGKvvBbPj8PpvxMvgvO=s16000" title="self care this valentines" /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b>Three // Quality Time </b>| Apple has either upgraded it’s do not disturb feature or I have been blind to the settings on my phone, but you can now customise the names of do not disturb. Why not create another setting dedicated to '<i>Me time</i>', '<i>Mindfulness</i>' or '<i>Alone time</i>'. This Valentine’s why not spend some quality time for yourself. You could run a bath, read a <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/09/the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo-by.html" target="_blank">book</a>, or watch that series or film that’s been on your list for ages but you’ve never had the time to sit down.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b>Four // Physical touch</b> | If physical touch is your love language, how can you express and receive it without someone else? There is the obvious sexual touch that can release endorphins (feel-good) hormones. But —and partly linked— is the feel element to touch. How does your skin feel? I love a full-on a 'detox' shower. Mine consists of a hair mask, shaving and exfoliating until every inch of my skin is super smooth. Then applying a body oil or moisturiser with a heavenly scent; all to get me feeling sexier.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b>Five // Words of affirmation</b> | This usually requires a third party to help build you up. If that’s not an option, why not create your own affirmations. I used them a lot at university to help motivate me and get keep me going when I was having skin issues. I'd have notes stuck around my mirror and above my desk. You can <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/07/learning-to-be-kinder-to-myself.html">journal them</a> too, which is a great way to express your feelings and thought processes. Alternatively, there’s are podcasts (Affirmation Babe, Habits of a Goddess- there are tons!) that whisper affirmations in your ear. Stand in front of your mirror and repeat after me: <i>I am beautiful. I am smart. I am sexy. I attract what I desire.</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Love, Aoife xo</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b></b></span><br /></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b></b></span><br /></p>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-74477581430233434132022-02-06T14:39:00.000+00:002022-02-06T14:39:41.664+00:00Three things in my shower<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="Three things in my shower, Alterna shampoo and Conditioner, Rituals foaming shower gel and exfoliator" border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHszLH4LYr2uF0oXEkqE2W1LAdB11Ci4v1_i3EyogfAU-sCpRCzRheIslRC2ezdNpoSrdV27viLJE6jUNJwHKkrAgzJG0LPtMz7cx_XPso-GSXAlSR2vWU4bxLl9eijtB-e9_xJdKXIc25mcCnKHtM6uGce6jx3-09UCuBnkxVXR7SeXILN68Tr1Q9=s16000" style="text-align: center;" title="Three things in my shower" /></div></div></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you a morning or an evening person when it comes to showers? Or, are you both? I'm a morning person through and through. There is no greater way to wake up and get ready for the day than standing in the shower and feeling the water rain down on you. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the odd shower in the evening but it's a rare occasion. The only times I tend to shower in the evening is after the gym (as I go to evening classes), I'm feeling sweaty, or I just feel like having one.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br />I can see the attraction of evening showers. There is something nice about slipping between the sheets freshly washed but there is no way I'm washing my hair in the evening. Firstly, it'll take forever to dry; secondly, when I wake up I'll have a very flat patch on one side of my head from where I've slept; and thirdly, I have a fringe. And that's reason enough; they're hard work!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">With that said, here are some of my <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/01/trash-talk-1.html">favourite</a> shower products lately...</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; text-align: center;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>ONE // <i>Alterna</i> Every Day shampoo & conditioner. </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of my New Years resolutions is to rescue my hair. It’s been looking a little sad as of late, a little limp, especially as it’s getting longer and the weight is pulling it down. I also have quite an oily scalp which means by about 36 hours later I look like I've poured oil on my roots - and not a good kind of oil. Or as my Mum likes to refer to it as, chip fat. I’ve been using this duo for a little while now and I’ve been enjoying the fresh salon feel my hair has. I don't use that phrase lightly. I double cleanse my scalp and gently massage my head, which is kind of difficult to do yourself. My hair feels a lot cleaner, lighter and importantly, healthier.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>TWO // <i>Dehlicious</i></b> <b>Black Tea body scrub.</b></span></span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve used a lot of body scrubs over the years but I don’t think I’ve ever come across one that makes my skin feel like an actual baby’s. For some reason, rubbing dried <a href="https://www.delhiciousbody.com/products/black-tea-body-scrub-1" rel="nofollow">black tea</a> all over my body is the perfect level of exfoliation and doesn’t feel like I aggressively tried to shed a five layers of skin. It smooths the skin around my elbows and my knees that can get a little bumpy. The only downside is it does leave my shower in a complete mess. There are brown bits of dried tea everywhere, EVERYWHERE!, so use with caution. Occasionally, I use the Santuary Spa scrub which is nice but is a little harsh on my skin.</span></span></div>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>THREE //<i> </i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Rituals</b> </i><b>Foaming Shower Gel.</b></span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who says you can’t have fun in the shower? I love this <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2022/01/my-year-in-beauty-products-2021.html">foaming shower gel</a>. It comes out as a gel that foams up within seconds and you can watch it grow in your hand. The first time I used the gel I felt like a kid having bath time. Fun aside, it smells divine. I love all the <a href="https://www.rituals.com/en-gb/home">Rituals</a> scents and there’s something so refreshing about them too. It’s surprisingly quite hydrating too which often with such fragranced products can be a second thought.</span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, Aoife xo</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><img alt="Alterna shampoo and conditioner and Rituals foaming shower gel on a shower shelf" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi957Njany_Rrj6gn6uHc1tqOtjvPcvRnENzXFWV4TCOj8cq2GapNnLigPza9HTbBS4v7W4dDU7EUBvaozIXcpoyDtJ9M_Zt-mDPkg2ircUTEPiyzHwiEUA7jG5y6q4jv938lLB4PQXafY-8u3xrgsTgsFRcyPNRcKkO0zO8i8pFW47gYJYOPHbm3-q=s16000" title="I love the Rituals Foaming shower gel" /></p>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-38231770669796254112022-01-27T20:04:00.001+00:002022-02-06T14:39:59.572+00:00Inside Fabergé in London: Romance to Revolution exhibition | Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI3zeb2bUT-uqd-qyvIvmSx-1sJBNhDw8tEnEjVjWLBNsgzVCxPSDfDx87DZNYAL8Qjaf4botLFuHa3MgRxiZG2lARW2vfEJfE1TtzqBypwQaObnaDUY4cg8_YeNOb0NIWKsOEgpFNQBtuAkt-gW-cnVCcEumQGxNWYKvA7rZ5W8igAmVg1Jz1OgmD=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="V&A Faberge in London: Romance to Revolution banner image" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI3zeb2bUT-uqd-qyvIvmSx-1sJBNhDw8tEnEjVjWLBNsgzVCxPSDfDx87DZNYAL8Qjaf4botLFuHa3MgRxiZG2lARW2vfEJfE1TtzqBypwQaObnaDUY4cg8_YeNOb0NIWKsOEgpFNQBtuAkt-gW-cnVCcEumQGxNWYKvA7rZ5W8igAmVg1Jz1OgmD=w640-h480" title="V&A Faberge in London: Romance to Revolution banner image" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">Peter Carl Fabergé is renowned for his collection of Imperial Easter Eggs. A collection of 50 stunning eggs made with incredible craftsmanship that can fetch an eye wateringly obscene amount when sold. But there’s more to the goldsmith than his collection of egg-shaped gifts made for Russian royalty.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"> </span><div><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2019/03/inside-christian-dior-designer-of-dreams.html">Victoria and Albert museum</a> (V&A) are currently running <a href="https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/faberge" rel="nofollow">Fabergé in London</a>: Romance to Revolution, an exhibition exploring the man behind the internally recognised brand symbolising luxury, elegance and fine Russian craftsmanship. It focuses mainly on the relationship the brand had with London, when it opened (I believe) the only store outside of Russia in 1903.</span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wouldn’t say I’m a fan of Fabergé, far from it, but I have been intrigued as to why a simple statue could fetch a cool £3 million at an auction. If you’re looking for an artistic review of Fabergé, this is probably the wrong place but I will give you my honest review of the exhibition and my thoughts around the firm.</span></span></div>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Inside the exhibition</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="V&A Faberge in London: Romance to Revolution banner image" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF5YhUUJ8HQkxm0bVXTDtixarW5gW3Hod__Ou6eOt6kh6sHcHxPFqued7jZaMKwRqaIx5EkfRlTmvwHKVloT2wAqqwbGXxMRIBsPzOCKkrFAhDXF43rrc46YYNpwJj8BxWogjjswQ3a5bz1nbk4Gr22Gna2yQxUHJquvjplszyn1YVd3p83Gm7QW01=w640-h480" title="V&A Faberge in London: Romance to Revolution banner image" width="640" /></div></h3><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The exhibition itself was very interesting. It told the story and history of the man himself and the about the brand. It explained the relationship it had with London and it’s very royal customer base. You weren’t allowed to take any photographs in the exhibit but that makes sense with how valuable the items were. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And there were A LOT of them! It gave you a good feel of the firm and the type of pieces they created.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Items made by Fabergé combined fiercely expensive jewels and stones with less expensive materials such as enamel (a technique fusing metal and glass). </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fabergé was a brand clearly designed and catering for the wealthiest who could afford the simplest of items but had plenty of money to afford an extravagant version. A lot of his clientele were royalty in some form- you’d have to be to afford the price in that era. A crystal Coronation vase was purchased for £430 which is worth about £4.8 million today. Similarly, a collection of silver bowls indented with a design cost the owner £250 but it now worth about £3.8 million today. </span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With that said that, the exhibition displayed an equal amounts of purely decorative extravagance alongside utilitarian items including a boot lace hook that had been used so many times, the firm had to re-enamel the handle. There were many cigarette cases that looked somewhat ‘average’ but was made from enamel and had a thin stream of delicate tiny demands flowing through.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fabergé also made a lot of animal figurines for the royal family. The placard explained some of them had been made purely for its artistic value than anything else. While I’m not entirely sure I can appreciate the value of a French bulldog made from Bowenite with diamond eyes, the level of detail was impeccable. You could pick out every hair and wrinkle on the dog, something that is not easy to do when you're carving stone. My favourite figurine on display was a snail. It was smaller than my fingernail but <i>my oh my</i> was the level of detail outstanding.</span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I made reference to the </span><a href="https://www.faberge.com/the-world-of-faberge/the-imperial-eggs" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Imperial Easter eggs</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> at the beginning and it wouldn’t be a good exhibition if they didn’t exhibit any. Right at the end, you can see some of the eggs from the most popular and memorable Fabergé collection up close. These can fetch a staggering amount at an auction </span>—<span style="font-family: inherit;"> one </span></span><a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-faberge-egg-flea-market-20140320-story.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">estimated</span></a> to be worth $33 million —<span style="font-family: inherit;"> but the story behind the one-of-a-kind collection is a sweet romantic tale.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 1885, Russian Emperor Alexander III asked Fabergé to make an Imperial Easter egg for his wife Empress Maria Feodorvna. A unique egg was then gifted every year marking an occasion in the family. Their son Nicolas II carried on the tradition following his father’s death. </span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t think a picture could ever do the Egg justice. It’s something you have to see in person to fully understand what makes them so precious and more than a one of a kind item. To see the individual brick markings on the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/mar/31/moscow-lends-faberge-imperial-easter-eggs-for-va-exhibition" rel="nofollow">Moscow Kremlin</a> Egg or the fragility of the hundreds of minuscule diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires on the <span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://www.rct.uk/collection/9022/the-mosaic-egg-and-surprise" rel="nofollow">Mosaic Egg</a> could not be captured in a photograph.</span></span></span></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Final Thoughts</span></b></span></h3>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The exhibition was fascinating. It was very informative but on a subject I think you’d need to have known a little about and have an interest in. I made use of my V&A Under 26 membership so it was free for me. At £20 a ticket, I feel you’re going to a bit bored if you’re not intrigued by who Fabergé was or if you don’t have an interest in jewelled items.</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, Aoife xo</span></span></div>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-18979455149677434112022-01-10T20:46:00.002+00:002022-01-10T21:01:43.766+00:00My year in beauty products: 2021<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What do your beauty products say about you? I know we’re a couple of weeks into the new year but I thought it would be fun to break down the last year into beauty products, highlighting which beauty products defined the months for me. To be honest, it was a bit of a tough one trying to remember some of the highlights of the 2021. A year is a long time!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I suffer with persistent acne so I started the year on antibiotics and prescription cream. I managed to have relatively clear skin up until August when it came back, only worse. By October, I was feeling really self conscious, my mental health was deteriorating rapidly and I went back on antibiotics which is where I am now. <i>Back to square one</i>. I have a dermatology referral in the summer (annoying but going private could turn out to be really expensive). I wrote an acne update back in 2020 but I think another one is due soon!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, after spending an embarrassing amount of time trying to remember my year, here is a breakdown of my 2021 in beauty products:</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrZxgOm8IfL2cPNFSl11iY36mVQE834XeLQUoSLCLiozRxhKeVVwtpmEFN-GEk77qnf-bhCxeZwW5FgvKzKlc-E3J-ZJyqLzmdg2aG9z22fVUQFuA6LentIZFV3_NJLZ0_BpzRPtd3pX5XY7NVEUZr5V6_7h8fulsPoFAZvTwgnpz8cSfpLwmKQon7=s5732" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My year in beauty products: 2021" border="0" data-original-height="3824" data-original-width="5732" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrZxgOm8IfL2cPNFSl11iY36mVQE834XeLQUoSLCLiozRxhKeVVwtpmEFN-GEk77qnf-bhCxeZwW5FgvKzKlc-E3J-ZJyqLzmdg2aG9z22fVUQFuA6LentIZFV3_NJLZ0_BpzRPtd3pX5XY7NVEUZr5V6_7h8fulsPoFAZvTwgnpz8cSfpLwmKQon7=s16000" title="My year in beauty products: 2021" /></a></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">January, Epiduo // </b><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">New year, new set of skin care issues. I had a really bad acne flareup January and had to go back on medication again. I tend to phone my doctor when it gets to the point I can't manage it at home and it's affecting my mental health. Alongside the antibiotics I was on, the doctor also prescribed me EpiDuo, a benzoyl peroxide and adapeline cream. My skin doesn't agree with Benzoyl Peroxide and so my start to the year didn't quite go off with a bang. You can read about my experience with acne so far, <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/05/my-acne-journey-spring-2020.html" target="_blank">here</a>! </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">February, Avène Cicalfate //</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Back to basics and <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/11/acne-tips.html" target="_blank">barrier repair</a> for me. Cicalfate contains calming ingredients which help to soothe the skin and reduce redness. I was still using the EpiDuo cream in February which made my skin quite red so I gravitated towards </span>calming skincare products.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>March, Bondi Sands SPF50 //</b> This sunscreen absorbs like an absolute babe. No, seriously, it absorbs very well into the skin without a white cast. The only issue I have is that it can sting your eyes if it gets too close. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">April, Cerave SA Smoothing Cleanser //</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> My acne isn't just contained on my face. I also suffer with body acne which had flared up at the same time as my face. I wasn't applying the EpiDuo cream to my chest as I was not about to risk my </span>pyjamas<span style="font-family: inherit;"> having the same fate as half the towels in my house</span>—<span style="font-family: inherit;"> covered in bleach marks. Per some recommendations on Instagram, I decided to try out the SA smoothing cleanser by <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/06/cerave-review.html" target="_blank">Cerave</a>. I still use it today, applying it in the shower with about 30-60 seconds contact time before I wash it off. I also apply iD care Barrier Cream to my chest after when I've dried off. This combination helped to clear my chest and back acne</span>—<span style="font-family: inherit;"> something I need to get back into now I'm going to the gym.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>May, <a href="https://www.boots.com/ambre-solaire-ultra-light-sensitive-face-fluid-spf50plus-40ml-10274049" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Garnier Anti dark spots and anti pollution super UV SPF50</a></b> // Summer time arrived, well it popped up to say hi, and I picked up this suncream from Garnier which is perfect for wearing under makeup. It dries matte so your makeup can sit perfectly on top. I use this sunscreen exclusively for when I wear any form of coverage. I also picked up its sister SPF spray for suncream top ups.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4ZVs9ISApLhf0Jt5gIgv-icNmH0i_-uJt3mPLenzk7f2haAd1pdt0lUO2WmslAr7hNAj8cb-IEcmdnS8qalL5Eb_mhgFS5_qzzpjH-e8AOAh8l7C3ClCwfQkTg-DK43FuAGENIKYrnrTVxbotzaJgBUpmdkaOKYk5Arfhr67eQnykTYJVugd31f-m=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Flatlay of Bondi Sands face suncream, Avene Cicalfate, Altruist SPF" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4ZVs9ISApLhf0Jt5gIgv-icNmH0i_-uJt3mPLenzk7f2haAd1pdt0lUO2WmslAr7hNAj8cb-IEcmdnS8qalL5Eb_mhgFS5_qzzpjH-e8AOAh8l7C3ClCwfQkTg-DK43FuAGENIKYrnrTVxbotzaJgBUpmdkaOKYk5Arfhr67eQnykTYJVugd31f-m=s16000" title="Flatlay of Bondi Sands face suncream, Avene Cicalfate, Altruist SPF" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>June, GOW <a href="https://victoriahealth.com/alpha-arbutin-2-and-kojic-acid-1-serum/" rel="nofollow">Alpha Arbutin 2% & Kojic Acid 1% Serum</a> //</b> My friend bought this to me for my birthday as it had been on my beauty Wish List for a little while. Kojic acid is meant to be really good for reducing hyperpigmentation and lighten skin discolouration. The product also comes highly recommended by my favourite skincare Twitter accounts. Check out them out <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/01/my-favourite-skincare-twitter-accounts.html" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>July, Chanel Vitalumíere Aqua foundation </b>// For my graduation ceremony, I decided to treat myself to a little bit of luxury and splurge on a Chanel foundation. I prefer water-based foundations as it allows my skin to breathe and is so much easier to apply. You can check out my full review <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/11/chanels-vitalumiere-aqua-foundation.html" target="_blank">here!</a></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>August, Altruist SPF50</b> // If it isn't broke, don't fix it. Yeah, I didn't listen to that. My beloved Bondi Sands ran out and since it's such a pain to find in store, I switched to Altruist which my friend gifted me back in June. I have very strong mixed views on this SPF. Let me break it down for you: Pro’s: contains Zinc, doesn’t sting my eyes, high SPF. Cons: absolutely useless when applied to slightly damp skin, mostly absorbs (but wouldn't recommend to anyone with a darker skin tone), beads up and transfers onto everyone's clothing. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>September, </b></span></span><b>Nivea Irresistible Smooth Dry Skin body lotion </b><b>// </b>I love the smell of Nivea products! The smell reminds me of my first ever skincare routine which was made up of their cleanser, toner and moisturiser. I used to love their primer but I think that was discontinued. Anyway, I picked up the body lotion for typical body lotion purposes. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHzOBPrYXQUVXu4ueLutVn2EIOTrpPgg2OFymlWOPv4EeA829b_xT0kgVPYxFKLkBrX9N2hDjuFqM2o8-6C3zFDaf-q8kJQgLq4j4LXFDd6xpOS5YxkF2gDzTx438l0YpZ2JQe3yXGCCFKBoEg4mVQi96xJdW9DzhU2lp6aENwQ8URaTN-XCzyo30S=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Garden of Wisdom Alpha Arbutin 2% & Kojic Acid 1% Serum" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHzOBPrYXQUVXu4ueLutVn2EIOTrpPgg2OFymlWOPv4EeA829b_xT0kgVPYxFKLkBrX9N2hDjuFqM2o8-6C3zFDaf-q8kJQgLq4j4LXFDd6xpOS5YxkF2gDzTx438l0YpZ2JQe3yXGCCFKBoEg4mVQi96xJdW9DzhU2lp6aENwQ8URaTN-XCzyo30S=s16000" title="Garden of Wisdom Alpha Arbutin 2% & Kojic Acid 1% Serum" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>October,<a href="https://www.boots.com/eucerin-dry-skin-replenishing-face-cream-night-urea-with-lactate-50ml-10065361" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Eucerin Urea repair (with 5% Urea and ceramides)</a></b> // This is my favourite ever intense moisturiser for super dry skin. The Urea repair normally comes with 5% urea which isn't quite as rich as the one with ceramides. It makes a wonderful night moisturiser too.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>November, </b></span></span><b style="font-family: inherit;">Differin</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> // Following a severe acne flare up in August, I reached out to my doctor again to try and get some medication. My mental health was suffering really bad and my skin was the worst it had ever been. I asked for </span>Differin cream instead of EpiDuo to avoid causing my skin further irritation.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>December, <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/08/four-must-haves-to-add-to-your-summer.html" target="_blank">Rituals</a> foaming shower gel //</b> It’s like magic! I have so much fun in the shower using this foaming gel. I love the way it comes out as a gel and you can watch it foam up. It’s really gentle and hydrating on the skin. I even picked up a couple of bottles for my friends and now I have lots of free samples of the stuff!</span></span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;">And that's my year in beauty products.</p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;">Love, Aoife xo</p>
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Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-8439643949619040982022-01-03T15:12:00.003+00:002022-01-10T21:02:18.376+00:00What’s on my 2022 vision board<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: left;">Happy new year! For the first time ever, I decided to set myself some goals. This new year for me is all about creating healthy habits and setting boundaries both personally and professionally. I’ve never set myself goals or created a vision board before but having a physical copy of all the things I’d like to manifest this year seems like a great thing to do.</span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2022 vision board" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5dLY1-f4X9PuL534fL6Yz7wMr1SGi2TEP_eqK8PIZmv-JvELYX4pJiCOQugDSJWiL_gP9m0xGt3ssJtkJGS3kbJyKH8Tsc-y2pCSsgEKdAEoCgeHgUlxxKugiVogDet5Ej75M4Q-KehnVFN7IrkCtfTq9ltYb1wO-elLjfEXoMZ1BUM9mfIDrd9iZ=s16000" title="My 2022 vision board" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wouldn’t say I’ve been reluctant to set myself </span><a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/01/ten-habits-to-make-most-of-2020.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">goals</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> or create a mood board before. I just never felt like I was in a place in my life where I needed to. I was kind of drifting through life, looking to get through my education and build up work experience. However, now I’m in a position where I want more from my life. I’m very grateful to have a job and doing the things I’ve dreamt about but I don’t want to be defined by it. I’ve always been a creative person and a go getter type person, and I don’t want to lose myself in my nine to five.</span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The goals I’ve set myself are based around things that make my happy and what I aspire from my life. A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog post on all the things I’m leaving behind in the previous year (<a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2019/12/over-it-all-things-im-leaving-behind-in.html" target="_blank">Over it</a>) but this year, I wanted to get off to a positive start and all the things I want to look forward to.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="color: #444444;">I know that some people like to split their goals into different categories such as Personal, Health, Finances, Career and Lifestyle etc. I didn't approach my goals following that structure but I think they naturally fall into at least one of those categories anyway. I went for ones that are easy to achieve and are focused on doing things that make me happy.</span></span></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>What's on my vision board:</b></span></h3><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2022 vision board ft travelling, fashion, money" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQZFEG2-7DfP1pN9UwEQMkg_XprVZX3HTKVkqA6zQRuWQ8Qd2w9npABYrtMXqjd-jgcOuZqc-0n5n8dxa5KUeJ4BCfiXrb_4ZK9-OnwhkkvJBgXD2u0X3HJM99jDXoakXsJXTYyHctnPOZwl7IHLOkcu0dkGsFX-7AU0ZIV4BnbhCvbZn0h9OR425C=s16000" title="2022 vision board ft travelling, fashion, money" /></a></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">01 // <b>Create more aka blog regularly</b></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I say this every year but this time it’ll stick. <i>What has me so confident? </i>Well, blogging has always been an outlet for me. And, now that I’m working in an industry that can be very dry, blogging has also become a place of refuge of positivity, creativity and more importantly, colour! It’s a place for me to immersive myself and stay connected to a world I’d like to professionally jump back in to when the time’s right. I'd also like to experiment with different mediums and use video more.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">02 // <b>Work on building a career & increase my income</b></span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> </b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">One of the things I'd like to focus on this year is <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/04/5-things-ive-learnt-as-graduate.html" target="_blank">my </a></span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/04/5-things-ive-learnt-as-graduate.html" target="_blank">career</a>. I want to work out where I see myself this time next year and in five years time, think about my goal and my end game. Do I want to continue in the job and the industry I'm in or do I want to take on a new career path? I know that I'm happy in the industry I work in but not so happy in the area I'm in. Another factor that ties into that is finances. </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I’d like to increase my income this year and end the year on a higher salary with potentially another income stream. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">03 // </span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">Become a Pilates pro & be brave enough to use the rest of the gym </b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">After the endless promises I've made about <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/01/hey-stranger.html" target="_blank">blogging </a></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/01/hey-stranger.html" target="_blank">regularly</a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> last year, which I sort of kept but also not really</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">, I'm aware of jumping the gun with some things. However, I feel like I've already completed half of my goal. I joined the gym last summer and have been attending the Pilates class twice a week religiously ever since. I really enjoy it and can already notice a difference in where I hold tension and my posture. Now, I just need to venture past the studio and use the </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">actual gym bit.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">04 // </span></span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;">Travel more </b></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I know travelling is a little harder these days what with a pandemic and endless testing but I really miss going abroad, exploring new places and experiencing life. I know I could easily book a flight, get the right tests and checks so I can fly but it all seems like a lot of hassle. Plus, I don’t want to risk catching the virus or passing it on to someone. I did a couple UK-based vacations last year, but I'd like to make it past the borders at some point and ideally somewhere warm like <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2019/06/postcards-from-milan.html">Milan</a>, <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/02/36-hours-in-venice.html" target="_blank">Venice</a> or </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">revisit</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2018/08/a-travel-guide-to-nice-france.html" target="_blank">Nice</a>.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">05 // <b>Have more confidence in myself and go on more solo outings</b></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">One of the things I’d like to focus more on this year is taking myself out on dates and adventures alone instead of waiting for a friend to be free to come with me. If I think of all the things I put off because I didn’t want to go <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/05/5-toxic-habits-that-are-hurting-you.html" target="_blank">alone</a> and all my friends were busy, I have missed out on so many incredible things. I always say this but London is such a great place with so many things to do that you could never tire of, and if I don't go because I'm not confident enough to do it alone, how can I make the most of life?</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">What's on your vision board for this year?</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Love, Aoife xo</span></p></div>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-3866956347275288482021-11-23T16:30:00.000+00:002021-11-23T16:30:00.187+00:00I graduated!! & A letter to my 18 year-old self<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscm6SUaw1FG4TGzzRnGQh_XDCFBnhV7llA4EFvgKZR22E9Yt0tG51-hnoBp1mHYbPB3lkCfL2vBHqiI8Jhk6Y-5oWelEYjiHdM-TQX-u_o_CfB5s7krUeKRn1VhGPq-R6AIDgEOrCNTA/s16000/IMG_5710.JPG" /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><b>I can't believe I can finally say I've graduated! I. Aoife Caitriona. Have. Graduated!!!!</b></p><p><br /></p><p><i>I was so nervous and <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2017/09/moving-to-university-friends-flatmates.html">scared</a> in my first year of uni especially as I moved to a new town and knew no one there. If I could send a message to my past self, here's what I would say...</i></p><p><br /></p><p>Dear Aoife,</p><p><br /></p><p>You are about to embark on one of the biggest journeys you'll make in life; University. And you'll smash it! I know this because you graduated today with first class honours and in true style, at the top of your class with 76%. And you won best student on your course! </p><p><br /></p><p>I am so proud of everything you have done to take advantage of this opportunity and follow through on your dreams. You never once gave up on your focus or what you're passionate about. Oh, and those Jimmy Choo's you're lusting after? You got them and strutted across the stage looking like a woman who's got her sh*t together. <i>Just a heads up, you're almost there!</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p>You will have the most adventurous three years of your life. Sorry, that was the nicest way I could phrase it. I won't sugarcoat anything but you'll spend your first year feeling alone (but receiving your first piece of blogger mail!), second year living with a psycho (and spending all your money on train tickets home) and third year <i>*finally*</i> feeling confident in yourself. </p><p><br /></p><p>All those nerves you are feeling are completely normal but find excitement in them. That feeling of loneliness you feel I'm sorry to say is one you'll get used to but it get's easier. Use that time to create. To blog. To film content. To have fun and make friends. The last one might take a little while to do but at the end you'll have a gang of girls who'll stick by you.</p><p><br /></p><p>Nothing in life comes easy but you've been working hard all your life. Just remember to enjoy it and live in the moment! Make the most of the not-so-good times and turn them into a positive. Be passionate and stay true to yourself.</p><p><br /></p><p>Love, Aoife xo</p><p><br /></p><div><p style="text-align: center;">* * * </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div><p style="text-align: left;">I have never been prouder of myself for not only completing university but graduating with first class honours and at the top of my course! I'm not much of a boastful person but I'm going to give myself this moment to celebrate my achievements.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The day itself was wonderful and it felt great to finally be able to celebrate. I wore a stunning baby blue <a href="https://www.reiss.com" rel="nofollow">Reiss</a> dress with the pair of Jimmy Choo's I promised myself I'd wear when I graduate on my feet. We travelled down to Portsmouth for the ceremony and to take pictures before finishing the day at The Ivy in the Lanes in Brighton.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Some of my favourite moments at <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/08/what-university-taught-me.html">university</a>:</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">- Getting dressed up to go to the Chancellor's ball at Portsmouth Guildhall in first year. This was my first official outing at university and we went with the magazine society. My friend and I dressed up for the event and kept ourselves entertained by creating stories for the people in the pictures placed along the Guildhall's corridor.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">- Taco night with my flatmates in third year. We made our own fresh salsa and put the leftovers in a tub in the fridge. Despite it being in a somewhat airtight container, the fridge stunk of onion for the next week. Even the red velvet cakes we baked had a weird onion aroma.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">- Going to the gym for the first time. During first year, I would go to the gym in my friend's building. I went a little hard in one of the sessions and my body <i>ached</i> the next day. I sent a very dramatic text to another friend complaining I couldn't move and go on anymore; she still hasn't let me live it down.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">- Appearing on BBC Radio 4's Today show. I only managed to say about ten words <i>but hello, I spoke on national radio! </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: left;">- Getting an internship at Marie Claire and then working as a freelancer. Some of you may know working at a fashion magazine has been a dream since I picked up my first issue of Glamour. I started off as a summer intern and was asked to come back to help over Black Friday. I loved the team I worked with and I learnt my value as a professional here too.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-67PpVr1j3zAo5urALaOq5qes1wyzOWsprOStbzqSRfsnz7_saziphZIIEtRWOJtCPReBPbbaiwDAwGgHZD0GUyrTD7SLj72Xk0ePLGC78tJDme8dYzNE8UVKbO70O1ntEUB8yTkYQo/s6000/IMG_5701.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEgis6sYHUvDPQsGMKdhpKWQ6txkndhw7dPmpz5MeJY68C4l2u9gooz5kmd-l_c2TgJhIYXHiRE56xter2D4MrdN8-GxCxefxcTvoaxHI1LYwEMX42BBOefYNCO0yGITvStBvN-gBFFk/s6000/IMG_5730.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEgis6sYHUvDPQsGMKdhpKWQ6txkndhw7dPmpz5MeJY68C4l2u9gooz5kmd-l_c2TgJhIYXHiRE56xter2D4MrdN8-GxCxefxcTvoaxHI1LYwEMX42BBOefYNCO0yGITvStBvN-gBFFk/s320/IMG_5730.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-67PpVr1j3zAo5urALaOq5qes1wyzOWsprOStbzqSRfsnz7_saziphZIIEtRWOJtCPReBPbbaiwDAwGgHZD0GUyrTD7SLj72Xk0ePLGC78tJDme8dYzNE8UVKbO70O1ntEUB8yTkYQo/s6000/IMG_5701.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-67PpVr1j3zAo5urALaOq5qes1wyzOWsprOStbzqSRfsnz7_saziphZIIEtRWOJtCPReBPbbaiwDAwGgHZD0GUyrTD7SLj72Xk0ePLGC78tJDme8dYzNE8UVKbO70O1ntEUB8yTkYQo/s320/IMG_5701.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><p></p>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-4885900707398646172021-11-16T17:00:00.001+00:002021-11-16T17:00:00.216+00:00My First Luxury Designer Purchase! Jimmy Choo Lance sandals<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdloBsAiPXxt0Ye2k3kDj6tgpAOcsJpAMVh4I_W62RU9hNrVebt2xc-kmNARSZBcYLc2GGx-CdyWAIfAvid-fSK-DzWr63R6fbvo95RkHCRqIXO1zbfgpGxJcQVCMzCPHaQ6nGCU5qc54/s2048/fullsizeoutput_cc0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jimmy Choo Lance heels" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdloBsAiPXxt0Ye2k3kDj6tgpAOcsJpAMVh4I_W62RU9hNrVebt2xc-kmNARSZBcYLc2GGx-CdyWAIfAvid-fSK-DzWr63R6fbvo95RkHCRqIXO1zbfgpGxJcQVCMzCPHaQ6nGCU5qc54/s16000/fullsizeoutput_cc0.jpeg" title="Jimmy Choo Lance heels" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I still have to pinch myself that I own these stunning shoes!</i></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm the type of person that when I set myself a goal, I will do everything I possibly can to reach it. Around five years ago, in my first year of university, I made a promise to myself that when I graduated I was going to be wearing a pair of Jimmy Choo Lance heels. And I kept it.</span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I fell in love with these shoes when I first saw them in Fifty Shades Darker. And I know what you must be thinking but aside from me loving the design, I also loved what these represented. Throughout the films, Ana goes on a journey into womanhood. If you take her clothes from the first film as a shy, young college student and compare them to the second and third film, you see her transition into a more confident professional woman. I loved how the costume designer unraveled that on screen. </p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">What I love most about these shoes is the elegance and sophistication these shoes exude. The delicate thin straps wrap and curve around the foot. The arch lifts the foot. This is not your average strappy sandal. This could very easily be a very sexy shoe but I think it still carries a sense of innocence with it. </p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These shoes kept me going through the tougher times at uni and gave me something to look forward to. Some people buy themselves a Tiffany necklace or a Rolex watch to celebrate an achievement, I buy designer shoes.</span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buying them was not an easy thing. I very almost missed out as they had gone on sale and practically sold out. I think Jimmy Choo have actually discontinued the style so I'm really happy to have got them when I did. I remember searching for them online in my size and coming up virtually empty handed. They’d sold out everywhere online and pretty much in all the available retailers in London and Birmingham. Except for one store. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I rang the store when they opened the following morning and asked if they’d be able to put the shoes aside for me so I could collect them after work. They did and I collected them at the end of the day.</span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Considering I’d fallen more in love with these shoes through the images they had on the website, they were everything I thought they would be in real life. I feel like they are even better in person because you can feel the leather and craftsmanship that you can't feel online. </span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I feel so empowered wearing them and even more so, knowing how hard I worked during university. I think these would make the perfect date shoe and I'm excited to wear them again. As my first luxury designer purchase, I couldn't be more happier!</span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love, Aoife xo</p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscm6SUaw1FG4TGzzRnGQh_XDCFBnhV7llA4EFvgKZR22E9Yt0tG51-hnoBp1mHYbPB3lkCfL2vBHqiI8Jhk6Y-5oWelEYjiHdM-TQX-u_o_CfB5s7krUeKRn1VhGPq-R6AIDgEOrCNTA/s16000/IMG_5710.JPG" /></div><p></p>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-32613519446811198572021-11-02T17:30:00.001+00:002021-11-02T17:30:00.202+00:00Chanel's Vitalumière Aqua Foundation Review<p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua" border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmQhqB63S1iZVsafEKjYyw-S2lOKpwNbKXUgOsKNTU8OLTqDH9iBghjLiJll3cRFEnf9oMEfe-2MkhkyxoHt2teFo6CQtiz6Ipm0sdLR2rqCBAFtLBXwOYzsvbLvBBTMmr6QINag30xI/s16000/IMG_5897.JPG" title="Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua" /></span></span></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s been a while since my last foundation review and an even longer time since I actually wore any. #Masklife has made wearing makeup almost redundant. When I graduated a couple months back, I decided to treat myself to some new foundation that I could wear on the day and as I started to go out more.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The foundation reminds me of Estee Lauder’s <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2019/04/flawless-foundation-never-felt-so-good.html" target="_blank">Double Wear Water Fresh foundation</a> -which I think has been discontinued. Chanel's Vitalumière Aqua has a watery base that allows it to spread easily and sit perfectly on my skin.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Originally, I was planning on buying the Les Beiges foundation but I preferred the feel of the <a href="https://www.boots.com/chanel-vitalumiere-aqua-ultra-light-skin-perfecting-makeup-instant-natural-radiance-spf-15-10119080?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc-_-PLAs_HeroCompare-_-Premium+Beauty-_-UK_Brand_Shopping_Premium+Beauty+SSC&gclid=CjwKCAjw9uKIBhA8EiwAYPUS3EAkcieXcfh-aLaMm2wLJ6CIbc60_OX_4y4hO0SEBu8G310d_soOJBoChx0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds">Vitalumière Aqua</a>. It provides a very light coverage but is buildable. If you’re looking for a medium coverage to cover blemishes, this might not be one for you. </span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The bottle is sold as 30ml for £36 and has SPF 15. I bought the shade 21 Beige. You can’t always rely on the SPF in foundation so I use Garnier’s Ambre Solaire Face Fluid and top up coverage later in the day with the Over Makeup Mist spray.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Chanel CC logo" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeje27K4Dn4Yg9L5bNdEcaJ-w-y1hDxkjoI62YqmRvAgBwY9ZA-OY9fHWsw9BjWBIdLpvTc8e7nXcCKAReqOHyArlOimbIBUbZSx4vjKzUiTy86XWBJ9M8g5G4YZfI7vBOpf54Ate-X5Q/s16000/IMG_5902.JPG" title="Chanel CC logo" /></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I really like the satin-like finish and how my skin glows. I’m the type of person who doesn’t like the look or feel of foundation sitting on top of my skin. This blends in and dries so well, it’s hardly noticeable. </span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The consistency is quite runny -it is water based after all- so I’m quite careful in applying it. I think it’s thinner than the Double Wear one. I’ve found that it’s important to have a <i>hydrated</i> base otherwise the foundation is at risk of caking and separating. I tend to pack in the moisture before I apply by using a little Aquafor to help create a tacky base.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The little booklet inside the box recommends applying it with your fingers for best results, which is great if you forget to wash your makeup brushes! It makes sense as well considering it’s water based and you are at risk of losing a lot of product by using brushes and sponges.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The one thing I will say is I haven’t yet mastered putting anything over the top of the foundation such as concealer or blush. As the foundation dries in a thin layer, you are at risk of rubbing it away so I think a liquid blusher would suit best. It’s the type of foundation that sells itself for creating a minimal barely-there look. I don’t think you’ll be able to use it for a full face beat.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I really like Chanel’s Vitalumière Aqua foundation. It’s definitely on the pricier side so is more of a luxury item. I’d consider buying it again if I feel like it’s something I want to spend that type of money on. I may need to increase my budget if it's something I want to make a regular appearance in my <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2019/07/whats-in-my-makeup-bag.html">makeup collection</a>. At the end of the day, it’s a very lightweight water-based foundation that provides light buildable coverage. It works for me because I prefer a minimal make up look and it suits my needs. </span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, Aoife xo</span></span></p>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-36299174937481871182021-09-01T17:00:00.002+01:002021-09-01T17:00:00.195+01:00The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid | Book Review<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zFxbDOTUNqIIAQrqUyHi681tTmj4NG1z7oCLdUbYT4ZPiqVTGpHOL1BZbLRGuMNCvTOH7aRNV-XS-R8psQ85RB5ucouZKU-Hso3iw8u9XTTkHpEIKMcJqTRpf_wpW8J3I9Qo3kvciI4/s16000/IMG_3269.JPG" /></div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Every so often in life we come across a book that we remember forever. The story and how it made us feel stays for years to come. A couple that comes to mind include <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/02/where-the-crawdads-sing-delia-owens-book-review.html" target="_blank">Where the Crawdads Sing</a> by Delia Owens and Perfume by Patrick Suskind. Now I have another one to add to the collection, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo/taylor-jenkins-reid/9781501161933" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo</a>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel came out in 2018 and has been on my list for a while. It’s been raved about and I’ve been curious to know what it is about the book that has people so engrossed.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What’s is about (taken from the blurb):</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #181818; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself.</span></i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #181818; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #181818; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.</span></i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #181818; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white; color: #181818; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.</span></i></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My thoughts:</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I picked up this book to read, I did not expect what I would find. I read the whole book in one sitting, eager to find out more about the mysterious Evelyn Hugo. There were so many questions that I had and I loved the way Reid kept me at the edge of my seat throughout the book. Even when a question was answered, another one cropped up.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The book is divided into sections, with each section dedicated to one of the seven husbands. And each sections defines a period in Evelyn’s life. The story and narration flows really well as it switches between the present (Monique’s voice) to past (Evelyn’s voice).</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When the book starts, we first meet Monique Grant, a journalist working for a niche magazine. In the entirety of the book, I sympathised with Monique who had been brought on to write the biography of Evelyn Hugo but had so many questions she couldn’t get answers to. What Monique knew and didn’t know was dictated by Evelyn.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Evelyn was an interesting character. She was someone who had lived a life of highs and lows but still struggled with her own identity. At times I sympathised for Evelyn for parts of her life. However, I did think some of her actions were self-inflicted which played with whether she was a likeable or unlikable character. </span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The novel ended semi-abruptly -in that you knew things were finishing but you still wanted more- and I think that’s part of the charm of the book and skill of Reid. Evelyn Hugo in her prime was a mysterious woman in the spotlight that people were drawn to and Reid managed to mirror that feeling in the reader.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, I loved this book! Sitting here and writing this review, I’m trying to work out what it is about that I loved. Was it the rawness of Hugo's glamorous and scandalous life? Was it that everything was not as it seemed? Or was it that as the reader you’re questioning who is the real Evelyn Hugo? Regardless of what it was, Reid takes you on a journey of emotions and ties everything up in a neat little bow at the end.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, Aoife xo</span></span></p>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-12058094588211240292021-07-14T17:00:00.001+01:002021-07-14T17:00:00.173+01:003 Tips for Creating a Meaningful Morning Routine<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuaPGSaVFxVJPmO_7jFMVj2wNnF_HM6GmLSdNvX_ZZyABQiHc2UbUhx9Gg-h57iAcncx2YvPStTKXpQboep5-t1iz7nLP118ksLukZL0-yHJ-cvJs0fjVOffFsypY1kO89Nw2eGExB-s/s1350/IMG_20190414_173859_657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to create a morning routine" border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuaPGSaVFxVJPmO_7jFMVj2wNnF_HM6GmLSdNvX_ZZyABQiHc2UbUhx9Gg-h57iAcncx2YvPStTKXpQboep5-t1iz7nLP118ksLukZL0-yHJ-cvJs0fjVOffFsypY1kO89Nw2eGExB-s/s16000/IMG_20190414_173859_657.jpg" title="Standing on a balcony in Nice" /></a></div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">When I was younger, I used to wake up at 6:30am every day for school and leave the house by 7:45am. I'm not entirely sure why I would get up so early or why it took me so long to get ready but I would occasionally find myself running a little late. I kept this up throughout secondary, sixth form and up until second year of university.</span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">These days, with working at home, I drag myself out of bed around 8am. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">My typical morning routine involves waking up (</span><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69);">begrudgingly)</span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">, heading to the shower, </span><a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/02/liz-earle-cleanse-and-polish-review.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">getting ready</a><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">, </span><a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/06/if-i-never-met-you-by-mhairi-mcfarlance.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">reading</a><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">, making breakfast and starting work at 9am. I keep it relatively straightforward and simple but without needing to wake up super early. </span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">Here are some tips to help create a morning routine that will have you ready and feeling positive about the day ahead:</span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>01 // Work out what you value.</b> </span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">First off, before you even think about what your morning routine is going to consist of, ask yourself what do you value the most? Is it time? Sleep? Food? Working this out is going to form the foundations of your morning routine. If you value time, you might choose to wake up a little earlier to ensure you have enough time to do the things you want to do. If it’s sleep, then your morning routine is going to be about making sure you get enough sleep and waking up a little later. If it is food, then it might be giving yourself time to make breakfast. Either way, it will help to form the foundation of your routine and let you know why you’re really creating one in the first place.</span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>02 // Find out how to wake up happy. </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Waking up on the right side of the bed can make a massive difference in your day. Of course, this is just an expression but the first step in a morning routine is waking up. Therefore, waking up to the shrill of the classic Apple alarm sound doesn't sound appealing - unless you prefer to wake up like that. I’ve switched my alarm sound to ‘Slow rise’ because I can’t cope with such a </span>shock<span style="font-family: inherit;"> first thing in the morning. Some people also enjoy waking up with an alarm that gets brighter to help wake you up naturally. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69);">Since, I prefer sleeping in a lighter room that won't work for me.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>03 // Go with the flow. </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">Every day is different. Therefore, your morning routine doesn’t need to be a rigid regime. Some things change and it’s okay. For this reason, I don't like to set times for each activity. I might have had a late night and want to sleep in a little longer or someone might be spending too long in the bathroom. If you set times for everything and one of those things don't work out on a particular day, that can mess up the whole schedule and the running late mindset follows you through the day.</span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br />I hope these tips have helped. How do you like to start the day?</span></div>
<div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #444444;">Love, Aoife xo</span></div>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-91028805119251161392021-06-04T17:30:00.002+01:002021-06-25T17:36:02.157+01:00If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane | Book Review<div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="book review If I never met you mhairi mcfarlane" border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGke1kjT2Y1r0dMcKCLHZLcUDPBOckdpzZLBAj-X39VzWlFMySxS1BisAP2ZNM56JpQ0qH1NfEEXiiaJ7lsGAUqRtb31Cu5CEBbaNCUzkjDaLiYapJmKxoxmSczicrmgNCNzxRYcgHEMk/s16000/IMG_5607.JPG" title="book review If I never met you mhairi mcfarlane" /></div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">When it comes to romance novels about <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/04/Bridgerton-book-1-review.html" target="_blank">fake relationships</a>, we all know how it’s going to end. Well, about 99 percent of the time we do. But, that doesn’t stop you from enjoying the novel and discovering where it will take you.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Mhairi McFarlane’s <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51213487-if-i-never-met-you" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">If I Never Met You</a> features a tale as old as time but she does it justice. It can be hard to retell the same story we’ve all heard many times before. After all, elements of Cinderella still continue to grace our screens and feature in our books. Yet, only a few can do it justice and make it original.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>So, what’s it about? </b>(Taken from the blurb)</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>When Laurie is dumped by her partner of eighteen years, she’s blindsided. Not only does she feel humiliated, they still have to work together. So when she gets stuck in the lift with handsome colleague Jamie, they hatch a plan to stage the perfect romance. </i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>My thoughts…</b></span></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdumxo3i05smfSBtBI1AvwHq0kJTrh5fGtN63-HSPdeNkN2Sw24gt6QQhedFDblKBKeB9rsXMs0BHrzB0u0ePxHNH-84wj1-DABo28VAwealpaimOOSXoO4o-VfqEC0FruANad9wudPOw/s6000/IMG_5608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="book review If I never met you mhairi mcfarlane" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdumxo3i05smfSBtBI1AvwHq0kJTrh5fGtN63-HSPdeNkN2Sw24gt6QQhedFDblKBKeB9rsXMs0BHrzB0u0ePxHNH-84wj1-DABo28VAwealpaimOOSXoO4o-VfqEC0FruANad9wudPOw/s16000/IMG_5608.JPG" title="book review If I never met you mhairi mcfarlane" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;">If I Never Met You could have easily turned into another cliche novel but it didn’t. The characters didn’t immediately “sense a connection” and I liked that it took a while for them to figure it out. I felt like I was constantly going <i>will they, won’t they, no they definitely will, oh maybe not</i>. I liked that Laurie spent time trying to figure out who she was after her break up with Dan (the ex) instead of jumping into being starry eyed with the next guy who showed her some attention.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;">And speaking of Jamie…I really liked his character. He was known as a bit of a ladies man but had complete and utter respect for the women in his life. Most of the time, the male lead in a fake romance can be made out to be a moody and self-centred arse who’s only after two things- getting money and being the boss. However, while Jamie’s intentions for the fake relationship was to get a promotion, he was also rooting for Laurie to help make Dan jealous.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Final thoughts…</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;">Overall, I loved this book. It was sweet and wonderfully romantic. The characters felt real and had depths to them that weren’t over the top. The relationship between Jamie and Laurie was so effortless and built on respect. I loved that Jamie would stand up for Laurie and have her back.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you like <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/03/the-flatshare-by-beth-oleary-book-review.html" target="_blank">Beth O’Leary</a> and Lindsey Kelk, I’m pretty sure you’re going to love Mhairi McFarlane too.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;">What’s your favourite faux romance book?</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;">Love, Aoife x</span></span></div>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></span></p>
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Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-70019463729627806632021-05-21T17:00:00.001+01:002021-05-21T17:00:00.204+01:00 5 Toxic Habits That Are Hurting You<div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBxKuF9qkwkgxE8JYwt6F-CLmPzmMmZqkZ6MVc2TlSvF5TmSY-lKfUERUuFuhsGLxzWLkmu_c7_lBVkPtVLEDVFmLJjGUXt1yC1WGeZMPn1fuhbGmAloflPlUlp6mCoxLdKD9h8AsjAk/s2048/Untitled+design.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBxKuF9qkwkgxE8JYwt6F-CLmPzmMmZqkZ6MVc2TlSvF5TmSY-lKfUERUuFuhsGLxzWLkmu_c7_lBVkPtVLEDVFmLJjGUXt1yC1WGeZMPn1fuhbGmAloflPlUlp6mCoxLdKD9h8AsjAk/s16000/Untitled+design.png" /></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #444444;"><i>If it doesn't feed you, don't water it.</i> Plain and simple. If something doesn't contribute meaningfully to your life, it's not worth wasting your time on it. There are so many habits that we unconsciously develop that don't really serve a purpose for us. And for most of them, they encourage us to feel stress, anxiety, frustration and impact negatively on other aspects of our lives. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Here are 5 toxic habits to look out for and kick to the curb to live a happier and stress free life:</span><br /><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">01 // <b>Negative people</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: inherit;">We all know that negative people do not belong in our lives. They don’t bring joy and more often than not, their negativity can bring us down and get in the way of enjoying our best self. The hardest part of cutting negative people out of our lives is making the decision to do so. If you have a friend, work colleague or partner that is energy draining, then to put it politely, they need to go. My friend once told me that the difference between a good friend and a bad one is a good friend will always have your best interests at heart. That includes supporting you and making you feel good about yourself. There's no point in associating with people who don't make you feel good about yourself.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">02 // <b>Procrastination</b> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">This is one toxic habit I dip in and out of regularly. Procrastination often stems from tasks that seem to difficult. It can often cause stress, worry, anxiety among other things. Some people say diving in the deep end is a great way of kicking this toxic habit. Personally, that always makes me want to run in the opposite direction. I’ve found completing <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2019/10/four-ways-to-be-more-productive.html"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">other tasks</span></a>, eliminating all the things I can procrastinate with, helps and even splitting it into smaller tasks.</span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #444444; font-kerning: none;">03 // <b>Stressing about things that are out of your control</b> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #444444; font-kerning: none;">Arguably, the root of all my anxiety issues. I think it’s a natural human trait to stress about things beyond our control. One thing I've been doing (successfully) lately is taking a step back and not getting so involved into things. By that I mean, I'm still engaging in what's going on but I've realised that the weight of the issue doesn't belong on my shoulders and therefore, I shouldn't feel the need to act like it does. It's hard but once you understand that not everything is reliant on you, you can feel 10 times better.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">04 // <b>Ignoring yourself (where's your self care routine, hun?)</b> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">We spend so much time caring for others, that we can sometimes forget to care for ourselves. I don't mean sitting on your phone for two hours, I mean moisturising after your shower or trimming your nails. The little details that we often overlook in a rush. Working a full time job can make it harder to stay on top of looking after yourself but I recommend setting up a morning routine or, if you’re fortunate to do so, dedicate a couple of hours at the weekend or even a day for yourself. I decided when I started my job, to dedicate Sundays to doing something that I wanted and would help me prepare for the week ahead. This could be spending the day reading, going grocery shopping, doing the cleaning you've been putting off or meeting with friends.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">05 // <b>Underestimating yourself</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Are you aware of just how amazing you are? No seriously, are you aware of how much you’ve accomplished? How beautiful you are? How much you make a difference in people’s lives? It’s very easy for us to underestimate ourselves, which in turn leaves us with a strong case of imposter syndrome. Some helpful tips include pausing to acknowledge how far you’ve come, using positive affirmations and <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/07/learning-to-be-kinder-to-myself.html" rel="nofollow">learning to be kinder to yourself</a>.</span></span></div>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #444444; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Love, Aoife xo</span></p>
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Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-42955163835951483172021-04-23T16:35:00.007+01:002021-05-02T16:45:55.778+01:00How Does Netflix's Bridgerton compare to the book? | The Duke and I Book review<div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiQz6cbhyGxYkwH00r0Qz-FObBZUT7jAHk_nwmE_tWQe8TW_ZlLJqoweAWBK_js6zxPVahCd9U8onsZCdkBycq0rihmixqN-NBOtT3sKqzaL1nRa9Sqn2kZRAl9JJhhaa4bBGTEL6RuY/s16000/fullsizeoutput_b8c.jpeg" /></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Well, it seems as though my short love affair with Regé-Jean Page as the Duke of Hastings and regency England over Christmas just wasn’t enough. I told myself I wasn’t going to buy anymore books but my curiosity got the better of me and I caved.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Bridgerton books have been around for a while and came with my friend's seal of approval. We have quite similar taste in books so if she liked it, I felt positive I'd like it. Anyway, here's what I thought of Bridgerton book 1:</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b>What is it about?</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">I’m sure most of us are familiar with the <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8740790/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Netflix series</a> but for those of you who aren’t. <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/bridgerton-the-duke-and-i-bridgertons-book-1/julia-quinn/9780349429212" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Duke and I</a> is the first of the nine part Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn. The first instalment belongs to Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset (Duke of Hastings) in a typical enemies to lovers/brothers best friend to lovers tale. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">They get together in a fake courtship as a ploy for Daphne to garner more interest from potential prospects and for Simon to ward off pestering Mothers parading their daughters. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b>So how does the steamy Netflix series compare with the original book?</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83_IXF_50BSAdVipHF1yotRIzelGw_ebrsRRg-lg07dOPSUtA1mFGpPJl1gcVTLmJvmif7-1ON1p_615tkrMWjeZtt4WbN5AFDelsbq2ULP8AvtbAnkWuajkWbaq12-CQF_e2eRVlmMQ/s16000/fullsizeoutput_b88.jpeg" /></div></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">I’m always a little apprehensive about reading a book after I've watched the onscreen adaption. I'm not a fan of having to read the same scenes over again even if they've been made slightly different. If I can, I'll read the book first as they'll tell the whole story without cutting out certain scenes. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">You can tell that the Netflix series is based on the book. It's similar but different enough to be its own entity. And I liked that. The book is all about Daphne and Simon whereas the Netflix series has other characters’ stories running through it. To me, the book felt a little more personal and private compared to the series which made their love story feel like it was being shared with the rest of the ton. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What I really liked about the series were the vibrant colours and modern feel to regency England. The costumes alone were incredible. I loved the tension onscreen and it was definitely a lot more steamy than the book. Now, the book is by no means an accurate depiction of regency England but it definitely feels more…regency and a </span>little reserved<span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b>Final Thoughts…</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545;">Would I have read the book if the Netflix series didn’t exist? In all honesty, I probably wouldn’t have. I've only read one historical romance and that was enough for me. The talk about horses, carriages, and seasons go straight over my head. </span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Admittedly, it did take me a little while to get into the book. I picked it up and put it down a </span>couple of times. I think this was down to how closely the TV series had replicated scenes in the book. I was about halfway through when I started to get into it and the pace in the book picked up. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">I'm tempted to read the other books in the series before the Netflix release more seasons. I just need to work through my <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/02/where-the-crawdads-sing-delia-owens-book-review.html">TBR pile</a> first.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Love, Aoife xo</span></span></div>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-58594655903805726952021-04-16T16:30:00.003+01:002021-04-16T16:30:00.538+01:005 things I've learnt as a graduate | The Graduate Diaries<div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinG0VNxglkNvvTeyK2KEEfaPngPK_j5o5qEPvQmrXDYS3-MXT3YCIYq1Dv6JZUjKL1sQAdQ65VZJQio4f26mK8_Y6OOhr4pRR3Oe5Mdx00AV1fc2WQjp6SXoMnbVDDJcxsACRyzHXET30/s2048/fullsizeoutput_53d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5 things I've learnt as a graduate" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinG0VNxglkNvvTeyK2KEEfaPngPK_j5o5qEPvQmrXDYS3-MXT3YCIYq1Dv6JZUjKL1sQAdQ65VZJQio4f26mK8_Y6OOhr4pRR3Oe5Mdx00AV1fc2WQjp6SXoMnbVDDJcxsACRyzHXET30/s16000/fullsizeoutput_53d.jpeg" title="What I've learnt as a graduate" /></a></div></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>It’s hard to believe that this time last year I was working on my <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/08/what-university-taught-me.html">final project at university</a> and revising for my last set of exams. This past year has flown by. </span>I’m five months into my first graduate job as a <a href="https://muckrack.com/aoifecmorgan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">journalist</a> and I’m loving it. <span style="font-family: inherit;">It feels really weird to think I’ve now stepped into adulthood and working life.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my first official 9 to 5 job and also the longest I’ve ever had. Before this, I’d done one and two week internships or had part time roles which is completely different from working full-time. I've learnt a </span>lot about myself and wanted to share 5 things with you I've discovered as a graduate: </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">01 // <b>You’re still a newbie</b>. Yes, to some degree you’ve been hired because of your experience and potential but don’t forget you’re still new to this. Despite knowing that this is my first proper rodeo, I still feel pressure to be the best and act as though I’m more advanced than I am. Which is great but it’s important to remember I’m still fresh out of university and I need to allow myself room to grow.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">02 // <b>Time management is bullsh*t. </b>I think one of the hardest things I’ve had to learn is working and getting my work done between the set hours of 9 to 5:30. I’ve been told this is normal when you’re working. I've also been told that as a journalist, managing time is a regular challenge but you've got to work it out somehow.</span></span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">03 // </span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2021/01/hey-stranger.html">Make time for yourself.</a> </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">At university, we went from having all the time in the world to manage studies when we wanted and for extra curricular. As a newly working graduate, a big chunk of your day is spent working. One thing I’ve learnt is to make an effort to set aside time to work on myself and my wellbeing. I reserve Sundays as my "special" time to do whatever I want. It normally involves tidying my room, reading, watching </span>Netflix<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and not really socialising. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwPmCGT6784WiQadK6yxgjDZBr903NY0JhDsse-r92zIERHiNTT1BpkZVFhnpl5CFhxjhV2hiemIV9QjrIl1oZmv77WglDjSY_v1M7EKMW4ha_dLemmj_uHqviMeSfTznxLNe2EMlu-g/s2048/fullsizeoutput_4b6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5 things I've learnt as a graduate" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwPmCGT6784WiQadK6yxgjDZBr903NY0JhDsse-r92zIERHiNTT1BpkZVFhnpl5CFhxjhV2hiemIV9QjrIl1oZmv77WglDjSY_v1M7EKMW4ha_dLemmj_uHqviMeSfTznxLNe2EMlu-g/s16000/fullsizeoutput_4b6.jpeg" title="What I've learnt as a graduate" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>04 // <b>Fake it ’til you make it. </b>This is more helpful if, like me, you dip in and out of feeling confident about yourself and work. I have imposter syndrome so a lot of the time, I don’t feel like I’m good enough to be doing what I’m doing. So, I’ve learnt that sometimes you have to fake it to make it.</span></span></div><div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">05 //</span><b style="font-family: inherit;"> This is just the beginning. </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a habit of stating the </span>glaringly<span style="font-family: inherit;"> obvious but this is just the </span></span>beginning. We have our whole world in front of us and how exciting is it to think of all the possibilities where we could end up. The first job we get isn't going to be the last and we're going to switch paths all the time. As daunting as it is settling into working life and having all these responsibilities, it's truly exciting to think about the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>What's something you've learnt as a graduate?</div><div><br /></div><div>Love, Aoife xo</div>
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Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-73519847571352809452021-04-09T17:00:00.213+01:002021-04-09T17:00:00.263+01:0073 Questions with Aoife Caitriona | Vogue Parody<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Blogger Get to Know me tag Vogue" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjyeyFUYZx0fu7iS2U23L4hn1xvKYUg6X14gGPJUIL1OEjxNKEOecXt1p4ZjDG-x3Ek-CNq-C9n7w80amsXSmrkACn5Yr0igI2KkHKxbO4zLNZxIGAZ0ESIBk8_0Pkr8YUp2ibRRSZwQ/s16000/fullsizeoutput_39f.jpeg" title="Blogger Get to Know me tag Vogue" /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><i style="text-align: left;">It's my 100th post on Aoife Caitriona! To mark the occasion, I thought I'd do a Get To Know Me tag but in the style of <a href="https://www.vogue.com/video/series/73-questions" rel="nofollow">Vogue's 73 questions</a>. Enjoy x</i></h4><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">01. What’s your usual Starbucks order?</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An iced green tea peach lemonade in the summer and soya hot chocolate in the winter.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A mess. I don't know how it happens but there are notebook everywhere.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">03. Favourite Food?</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any pasta dish.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">04. Favourite Author?</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That’s a tricky one but I’ll read anything by Sophie Kinsella and Jodie Ellen Malpas.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">05. What do you think of open relationships?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s not for me but you go ahead.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">06. Favourite guilty pleasure treat?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buying a new book.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">07. Favourite movie?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have two- Notting Hill and Confessions of A Shopaholic.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">08. Favourite book?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">09. Twitter or Instagram?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m a visual person so <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aoifecaitrionax/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>. But I love <a href="https://twitter.com/aoifecaitrionax" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10. Desktop or Laptop?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Laptop.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11. Best advice you’ve ever received?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No one cares. I used to be really self-conscious and someone told me that no one cares about the little things like how you eat, what you eat, how you dress etc. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12. What project are you working on right now?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My life.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">13. Favourite colour?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blush pink.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14. Why pink?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s a happy colour. It has positive energy and I love it.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">15. Did you get good grades in school?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yep, I did alright.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16. What's your dream job?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My dream job is to work for a fashion magazine. The ultimate goal? Editor :)</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">17. Do you play any sports?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I used to be on the Netball team until my friend told me I was rubbish and I should quit the team. Thinking back, I probably shouldn't have listened to her. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">18. Do you have a degree?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I do, I graduated with first class honours in Journalism last Summer.</span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">19. What's something you <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/08/what-university-taught-me.html">learnt about yourself at uni</a>?</span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That I don't know much about life.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">20. What’s your favourite kind of blogpost?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Something that's fun to read. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">21. What do you collect?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Postcards or bags, if you ask my mum.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">22. Describe yourself in three words</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Passionate, fun and loyal.</span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDFW49fsiPL5VxCTurbvZZH0CtLx_G_ZiVCGHfCYONIlRrdRJmujsWRFtF_llJjBycccb-LMcdxJnUlaG23KETUToVD_efBxJzRplWLQ8EMkxOtSHKkJaF9bBaEXAvuXQhlTvftNWpJk/s2048/IMG_3212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Get to know me tag" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDFW49fsiPL5VxCTurbvZZH0CtLx_G_ZiVCGHfCYONIlRrdRJmujsWRFtF_llJjBycccb-LMcdxJnUlaG23KETUToVD_efBxJzRplWLQ8EMkxOtSHKkJaF9bBaEXAvuXQhlTvftNWpJk/s16000/IMG_3212.JPG" title="Me in Nice" /></a></div></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">23. What do you value most in a person?</span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Accountability. I think being self-aware of your actions and how that impacts others is a very valuable trait to have.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">24. Who was the last person you DMed?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My friend.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">25. What’s on top of your wish list right now?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A pair of Jimmy Choo's; they're a graduation present to myself.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">26. What are you most grateful for this year?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Being alive. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">27. Favourite place you’ve travelled?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2018/07/french-riviera-inspired-lookbook.html">Cote d'Azur</a> in the middle of Summer. It was magical!</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">28. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this month?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
My work gave everyone a week off so I've just used it as an excuse to do whatever I want.</div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">29. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you today?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">Publishing this blog post!</div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">30. What’s the best thing ever?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
The warmth.</div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">31. Favourite Season?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Summer. Is there any other season?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">32. Favourite Holiday?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">The summer holidays.</div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">33. What fictional character do you relate to the most?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rebecca Brandon née Bloomwood.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">34. Do you like surprises?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Only if they are good.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">35. What’s the biggest surprise you’ve ever had?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t think I’ve ever had one.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">36. What surprise made you cry?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The surprise I gave my Mum.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">37. What’s the best surprise you’ve given someone else?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I threw my Mum a surprise birthday party and invited all her friends, old and new. She didn’t suspect a thing.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">38. Do you like muffins?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Doughnuts are better.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">39. Do you cook often?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All the time; I love it.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">40. What’s your favourite thing to cook?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy making a lot of tomato-based meals so pasta and chicken dishes.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">41. What’s your favourite dessert?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">CAKE!</span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">42. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">What’s your least favourite food?</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fishy fish. I’d rather not taste the sea, please.</span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">43. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">What's the last book you read?</span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Playing Nice by J.P Delaney.</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">44. What are you currently reading?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Essays in Love by Alain de Botton</div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">45. What's your biggest weakness?</div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Not feeling good enough.</div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">46. What's your biggest strength?</div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span>Getting on with things. </span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">47. What has a guy said or done to impress you?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One guy took me to a restaurant on our first official date. It felt really special. Speaking to my friends, I get the feeling that doesn’t always happen</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">48. Best thing to do on a first date?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Something physical like crazy golf or bowling so the awkward silences aren't so awkward.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">49. Worst thing to do on a first date?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Go somewhere too loud that you can't hear each other.</div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">50. What’s the best pick up line?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m not sure there is a best one, but I’ll laugh at them.</span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyXvrRUJYUbJykrn82Kgx7lXzoE_mRJAc10PMJ4RHKQszmD5v7e63Ub6pSLdgm5cZL_w-l6nFhNwKHQTmt4LxMGACMxRlRcNUq0AGzN-H1h0eipMruMJzv99U61iWP2ap-RGQve8Dr6M/s2048/IMG_3078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="get to know me tag 73 questions vogue" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyXvrRUJYUbJykrn82Kgx7lXzoE_mRJAc10PMJ4RHKQszmD5v7e63Ub6pSLdgm5cZL_w-l6nFhNwKHQTmt4LxMGACMxRlRcNUq0AGzN-H1h0eipMruMJzv99U61iWP2ap-RGQve8Dr6M/s16000/IMG_3078.JPG" title="running through fountains" /></a></div></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">51. What podcasts are you listening to at the moment?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The BOF podcast keeps me on top of the fashion industry and The Receipts.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">52. Name three things that can always be found in your purse?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keys, money and a random sanitary pad.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">53. Favourite drink?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iced green tea.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">54. If you could play a character in a movie, who would it be?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's not in a movie but I’d play Blair Waldorf.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">55. Who’s on your current playlist?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toni Braxton, Summer Walker, IAMDDB, Tinashe and Teyana Taylor.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">56. What lipstick do you use?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Spanked by Fenty Beauty.</div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">57. What foundation do you use?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Either a Tom Ford stick foundation or <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2019/04/flawless-foundation-never-felt-so-good.html">Estée Lauder Double Wear</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">58. Blow dry or air dry</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Air dry and use Bumble & Bumble styling creme.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">59. If you had to wear one fashion brand for the rest of your life, who would you wear?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love Dior.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">60. Who is your fashion icon?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dakota Johnson.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">61. What is your go-to outfit?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jeans, a cute top and either a pair of white trainers or heels.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">62. What are you doing tomorrow?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">I'm meeting up with a friend and going to a local market to buy baked goods.</div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">63. Movie you laughed the hardest through?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was either Bridesmaids or Girls Trip.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">64. Movie that made you cry?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember Me.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">65. If you could sing a duet with anybody, who would you choose?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My best friend.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">66. What’s would your autobiography be called?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">About a girl.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">67. What’s your favourite animal?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Giraffe.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">68. Favourite singer?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Does anyone have a favourite singer? </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">69. Person you’d like to have coffee with?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dakota Johnson.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">70. What country would you like to visit?</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'd love to visit Japan during blossom season.</span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">71. What's something you can't live without?</span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My skincare.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">72. Best way to decompress?</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chilling in my comfy clothes, watching a film or TV show with some good food</span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">73. What's a song you listen to on repeat?</span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Peaches by Justin Beiber is on repeat all the time at the moment.</div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #404040; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, Aoife xo</span></span></div>
Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-4235245900242753902021-03-24T11:40:00.004+00:002021-03-24T11:40:01.283+00:00Where the Crawdads sing by Delia Owens | Book Review<div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Where the Crawdads sing Delia Owens" border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2qJmpBi_xSmlv2W0WNCDp282bWvLmqRYUKiiDjjkKiPGtMsyUB_eoJFnrxRIjaz7FVB_QKlL_cG8IUNiEKwXi86wFDKt7CY_hI9DMFIoh0bQpsSWAWfxblpYLFNh7GAzUnlI78en6Aw/s16000/IMG_5574.JPG" title="Where the Crawdads sing Delia Owens" /></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/where-the-crawdads-sing/delia-owens/9781472154668" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Where the Crawdads Sing</a> by Delia Owens is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. Its rich descriptions took my breath away and is a truly an unforgettable read. No wonder it was one of the most <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/03/the-flatshare-by-beth-oleary-book-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">popular books</a> last Summer! It’s not the type of book that I’d usually pick up but it caught me off guard and I soon found myself hooked on every word.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">What's it about?</span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The book tells the story of a young Kya Clark, the so-called ‘Marsh Girl’, living just outside of Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. The book is divided into two parts; the Marsh and the Swamp. The chapters alternate between 1952, where we meet a young Kya, and 1969, when the town discovers a local boy has been murdered and a trial ensues. The town suspects Kya but as the book flickers between the two, and as the years get closer, you get the feeling that Kya’s world and the town’s world are complete opposites.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rOVB4munXylzOhdoo524tXt9Bfu5gLnSiBkRREDtHljwjGmGNP8LTBNHcssHZkZpObD-u0cYXJcLI43eBWS0lX0FYsfP0VylsyEf9MaGyLf9UJSL2w1QBHKHHANy7Rpb0cCj4GK-EOw/s6000/IMG_5572.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Where the Crawdads sing Delia Owens" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rOVB4munXylzOhdoo524tXt9Bfu5gLnSiBkRREDtHljwjGmGNP8LTBNHcssHZkZpObD-u0cYXJcLI43eBWS0lX0FYsfP0VylsyEf9MaGyLf9UJSL2w1QBHKHHANy7Rpb0cCj4GK-EOw/s16000/IMG_5572.JPG" title="Where the Crawdads sing Delia Owens" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My favourite thing...</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">One thing I love about Kya Clark is her independence and strength. I think those qualities made it easy for me to connect with her and by the end of the book, I felt like Kya’s number one cheerleader. She came from a childhood overshadowed by trauma and as the reader, you can’t help but sympathise for Kya. However, her resilience and utter contentment, makes her truly remarkable. She was dealt with a shit hand and made something spectacular out of it. I wish I had her courage!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Where the Crawdads Sing is a combination of a coming-of-age narrative and a murder mystery. If I’m honest, the murder mystery provided a thread through the novel but I found myself focusing more on Kya’s story. I loved how she developed as a character and blossomed into a remarkable young woman. Kya’s story was wrapped in eloquent and poetic descriptions of nature. Despite Kya’s bleak childhood, Owens pays close attention to the vibrant and sometimes muted colours of the marsh.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">This book reminded me of when I was in secondary school reading books with heavily detailed descriptions. We were always taught to pay attention to the significance of the setting in relation to the characters and story. This book is almost solely centred around the marsh and the relationship between the nature and humans.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Final review...</span></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Where the Crawdads Sing is a surprising but delightful read that will be at the top of my recommendations list for anyone looking to see the world from a different perspective. Like I mentioned earlier, it’s not the book I usually pick up but it was refreshing to read a story about something other than fame, fortune and the urban lifestyle.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you read it yet?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Love, Aoife xo</span></span></div>
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Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-54034608559117329472021-02-27T17:30:00.001+00:002021-02-27T17:30:14.984+00:00At home mini-facial | Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish Review<img alt="Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish review" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gCoGKQwVVoz57rSNuQGgfD3v3hAcWfnRrtPoDG6W6H0gqtz1OboR6RZiqsjqgb0Z1dX1_KG9SUlzPk3JqfwIDiJmtznPj7kh6eDplsPfdPdRncPQbqqL_77GncxVLtSTJOFrJwK8KuA/s16000/fullsizeoutput_b54.jpeg" title="Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish review" /><div><br /><div>There's a lot I could say about Liz Earle, all good things of course, but the <a href="https://uk.lizearle.com/product/CLEANSE-AND-POLISH/cleanse-polish-hot-cloth-cleanser" target="_blank">Cleanse & Polish hot cloth cleanser</a> is a classic. I'm now on my third bottle and I've gotten quite familar with it. I'll be upfront and say it's not a cleanser I use reguarly. But, I do enjoy treating my skin to it a couple of times a week, especially when it needs a little more love and there's not a lot of buildup on my face.<div><br /></div><div>Let's jump into the review!<br /><div><br /></div><div>Firstly, it smells amazing. It lists rosemary, chamomile, cocoa butter and eucalyptus essential oil as the highlighted ingredients. The scents of the eucalyptus oil and cocoa butter stand out to me and it makes washing your face a very relaxing experience. The cocoa butter, I'm sure, is responsible for how soft and smooth my skin feels after.</div><div><br /></div><div>The hot cloth cleanser works by applying the cream to dry skin and gently massaging it to remove any dirt and makeup. Then you use a warm cloth to wipe it off. You can buy the cleanser with <a href="https://uk.lizearle.com" target="_blank">Liz Earle</a> muslin cloths as part of a pack for £17. I have bought the packs before and then promply lost the cloths with all the rest I own. So, I think I'll just buy the cleanser separetly next time. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3twguUi77vmVnOgtB6kkUXfD_BDqFAB6QTWzQ2WngwgD10NaOXR0qNG3epCHU2jx4b857z-A_Hhd_nHrC8b21Hfvl-CSI5Pg6XUn7HlunFaCS475nJ0clXQZs-p-TK6s7f9wEN83R4s/s2048/fullsizeoutput_b52.jpeg" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish review" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3twguUi77vmVnOgtB6kkUXfD_BDqFAB6QTWzQ2WngwgD10NaOXR0qNG3epCHU2jx4b857z-A_Hhd_nHrC8b21Hfvl-CSI5Pg6XUn7HlunFaCS475nJ0clXQZs-p-TK6s7f9wEN83R4s/s16000/fullsizeoutput_b52.jpeg" title="Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish review" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>I mentioned earlier that Cleanse & Polish isn't my <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/06/cerave-review.html" target="_blank">daily cleanser</a> but it's perfect for when you want to treat your skin to some tlc. It's probably a mixture of the natural scents and how my skin feels after that makes it a relaxing experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I do love aspects to the cleanser, I don't always feel like I can massage it into my skin for too long before it starts to absorb the product. This is probably down to it being cream based and applying it to dry skin as opposed to one that lathers. I think I've just gotten used to following the #60secondrule with my other cleansers. Having said that, my skin does feel and look clean too. It suggests to use two/ three pumps but sometimes when I have a full face of makeup, I use a little more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Occaisionally, Liz Earle comes out with limited edition versions of their products. Last year, I bought the limited edition cleanse & polish which used rose, I think. I ended up having a reaction to it which meant I <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/11/acne-tips.html" target="_blank">broke out</a> quite badly all over my forehead. So, I thing I'lll just stick to the original one.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So, would I recommend <a href="https://uk.lizearle.com/product/CLEANSE-AND-POLISH/cleanse-polish-hot-cloth-cleanser" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cleanse & Polish</a>? Yes! Not just for personal use but I also think it makes a great gift too. And it smells fabulous, what's not to love? Speaking of...I think I might use it now...</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you ever tried Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish?</div><div><br /></div><div>Love, Aoife xo</div></div><br /></div>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-5279764744966365702021-01-31T11:30:00.005+00:002021-01-31T11:30:04.357+00:00First Impressions of Cosrx’s Snail Mucin Power Essence | Beauty Review<div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Cosrx Snail Mucin Power Essence Review" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1rL9X0RAwELnGI2vBkw5e46AMLbHiysWZ_YQvkghAhAK-2rhPypQ4fnmmMDMVDRZ11N-vyirBPAVtLSwS8QjXqnab7elYAXk5Qs2Yy5V1k0Zx_TUZCYhQbcB2EVzY7eVsqigPCz6TZ8/s16000/fullsizeoutput_b33.jpeg" title="Cosrx Snail Mucin Power Essence Review" /></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">My inner product junkie lives on another day and this time bringing you my thoughts on the ever popular South Korean brand <a href="https://www.feelunique.com/p/COSRX-Advanced-Snail-96-Mucin-Power-Essence-100ml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cosrx’s Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence</a>. </span></span><i>Yep, I said it. It's snail secretion. </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have used this product on and off for a couple of months which isn’t really long enough for a full blown review but a small one on first impressions will do.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Word on the street:</span></span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“Being 96% Snail Secretion Filtrate (Mucin), this essence helps the skin to lose less moisture while keeping the skin smooth and healthy.”</i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">I love trying out <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/06/cerave-review.html" target="_blank">hyped up products</a> and this has been on my list for a while now. Snail Mucin is supposed to be really good because of its <a href="https://www.byrdie.com/snail-mucin-for-skin-4768132" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hydration properties</a>. People have raved about Cosrx’s Snail Mucin serum for a while now and not just to use on your face, but on other parts of your body too! I’ve yet to experiment on anywhere other than my face but we’ll see.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Cosrx Snail Mucin Power Essence Review" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-rk5KaxfuSpeP129ZAnkU5EF-gBCXPCD7FzUBhNxK4QibaJvvdfJGdmni7AxPEJBqEupF13mbd-QGphOvn11rMjC2RoHNrE4oQXb384FvjeLP6Bu5FrCIpNk4KYQkwjoLUb4YuCw5qY/s16000/fullsizeoutput_b32.jpeg" /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Goodies in the mail:</span></span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">I ordered my serum from <a href="https://www.yesstyle.com/en/home.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YesStyle</a> -<i>well my friend ordered it for me</i>- and it took a little while to arrive. As it would, coming from the other side of the world and all. It did take a little longer than I thought it would and by the time it arrived, I had almost forgotten about it.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">I love the packaging of this serum! The bottle is clear, misted with a small label on the front. They were really going for a minimalist look when they designed the bottle. It doesn’t really list any of the other ingredients on it except from saying it has 96% of snail mucin. If you’re after the full list, it’s best to keep the box it came in.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Thoughts:</span></span></h3><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">The first time I used the Snail Mucin Power Essence, I freaked out. I didn’t know what to expect but a gooey and stringy substance was not it. It made me cringe a little, to be honest. I don’t know what I expected but it felt and looked a lot like snail secretion. It was definitely an experience applying something so stringy, especially when you're used to seeing it on the garden shed. After a couple of days, I got over it and began to notice the differences in my skin.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">As I mentioned earlier, hydration is a largely spoken about benefit of using snail mucin. After a week or so, I could tell there was a difference in the appearance and feel of my skin. </span></span>It was only small but it was definitely there. <span style="font-family: inherit;">I could see that my skin was a little plumper and it felt healthier too. I applied a couple of small pumps to <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/11/acne-tips.html" target="_blank">damp skin</a> and lightly patted it in.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">One thing I will say is I did experience some under-the-skin spots around my chin. I wasn’t sure if this was caused by the snail mucin serum so I tested it again a month later and there’s definitely a connection. They weren’t inflamed and never came to the surface but it was annoying.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Would I recommend it? </span></span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">I think the jury is still out on this one. I don’t this product is for me, personally. I've given it a go a couple of times but I'm not a fan of something that breaks me out. However, I’m really interested in trying out other products from their range.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Have you tried it?</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Love, Aoife xo</span></span></div>
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<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;">P.S- You can find more of my beauty content, <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/search/label/Beauty?max-results=12">here</a>.</p>
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Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-4824642921104923382021-01-22T17:03:00.017+00:002022-01-10T20:30:28.327+00:00My Favourite Skincare Twitter accounts to follow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hDkRwAB0m5TtZ9X4zqzGMWNvgxAcXir02VGKO4RR2Hr3ENzD4Tg1gpet7R4iRJsN_YNWKm-0fCLrJBTsxd-S0xl0BpVzHIWYGKFMYbd-Y1sKzDq8s8exWf7IQ3nMMwWUn9H7lmiZA08/s16000/fullsizeoutput_b21.jpeg" /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://twitter.com/aoifecaitrionax" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> is one of my favourite social media platforms. I could spend hours scrolling aimlessly through all the memes, videos and commentary that people post. It's also my go-to for skincare advice. Skincare Twitter is rich in tips, advice, and product recommendations on just about any skincare condition. Whether you're suffering from cystic acne, struggling with dry skin, wanting to improve hyperpigmentation; someone's got you covered. Once you've tapped in to it, you'll never look back. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of things I love to see, are people sharing their journeys. It gives you so much hope that things will and can get better. That got a little deep there but when you have really bad acne it can be hard to envision what clear skin looks like. (P.S- here's my <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/05/my-acne-journey-spring-2020.html" target="_blank">latest post</a> on my acne journey.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I follow accounts that specialise in acne-prone skin and who are always recommending great products to use. All the people who I follow are very interactive and are always answering people's questions. It's a big statement but I owe my clear skin to them and I'm so grateful for it. I mentioned them briefly in my previous post, <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/11/acne-tips.html" rel="nofollow">What I wish I knew about treating acne.</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Here are *some* of my favourite Skincare Twitter accounts to follow:</h3><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl74sY1Mz_N53IZq-1HD1znuScmAhR1HKD5vQEyDIb8er-ysNbDTt23bvZ8a8Jsehu5xyzorwGQRuytDXAVfSflo6Hfi18O2yV4uRgFBdcZrFn66ADt64tnBZ3C0jMgDdCmak7f4grXiQ/s6000/IMG_5553.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl74sY1Mz_N53IZq-1HD1znuScmAhR1HKD5vQEyDIb8er-ysNbDTt23bvZ8a8Jsehu5xyzorwGQRuytDXAVfSflo6Hfi18O2yV4uRgFBdcZrFn66ADt64tnBZ3C0jMgDdCmak7f4grXiQ/s16000/IMG_5553.JPG" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaBeautyologist" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@LaBeautyologist</a>- Nai is an esthetician based in LA and is the first ever esthi I followed on Twitter. She's known mostly for her #60SecondRule which encourged people to use their cleanser for longer to see better results. Her YouTube channel, The Golden RX, provides skincare advice and explains the science behind it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/MakeupForWOC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@makeupforwoc</a>- I love following Tiara! She specialises in inflamed skincare conditions which makes her a great follow when you're suffering with acne. She reguarly posts tips and tricks to help reduce inflammation such as, washing with lukewarm water, wearing SPF daily and the importance of a healthy moisture barrier. I am also a member of the #glazeddonutgang!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/alicialartey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@alicialartey</a>- Alicia is a biomed undergraduate and esthetician in training. She is the most interactive, in my opinon, and reguarly opens the floor to her followers on Twitter and Instagram to answer any skincare concerns/ questions you have. Not that the others don't but Alicia is more likely to respond. I've asked a couple of questions including which products I can use while on Differin.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/HannahEEnglish" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@HannahEEnglish</a>- If there's one thing Hannah specialises in, it's sunscreen. Sunscreen is a vital step in your skincare routine, her words not mine. She's not quite as interactive but she does interact with skincare conversations among those in the industry.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/topicals" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@topicals</a>- Topicals launched last year with two standout products treating hyperpigmentation and repairing the skin's moisture barrier. Unfortunately, the US brand isn't available in the UK unless you want to pay extortionate import fees. However, they are well worth a follow on Twitter. They reguarly post education threads on various skincare conditions to explain why the skin reacts that how and some products to help. Lily from <a href="https://twitter.com/caveofbeauty" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@caveofbeauty</a> is in charge of the eduction threads, as the Head of Education, and she is another esthi well worth a follow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Who do you enjoy following on Twitter, skincare or not? </div><div><br />Love, Aoife xo</div>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-2229036400479608932021-01-02T11:00:00.008+00:002021-01-02T11:00:03.332+00:00Hey Stranger! How I'm looking after my mental health in 2021<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJI0GoIZDV7S3EpxWJ8MtY7YewY3N8s6DdVLKUIfL0jcwW6eM5EZqzAhsNEH-2-Yug1qLXY_7HNph_JDn6aELfo98housJQh36KjOBZdjA7f1zkFyQ-Ref6NF9DnjtoJKaghPC_DgVRg/s2048/IMG_20180120_145211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mental health 2021 goals" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJI0GoIZDV7S3EpxWJ8MtY7YewY3N8s6DdVLKUIfL0jcwW6eM5EZqzAhsNEH-2-Yug1qLXY_7HNph_JDn6aELfo98housJQh36KjOBZdjA7f1zkFyQ-Ref6NF9DnjtoJKaghPC_DgVRg/s16000/IMG_20180120_145211.jpg" title="mental health in 2021" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Mental health 2021 goals" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXn4yfV5sHLF63jTs17bfFBn0tRbyCG9H6FAdoqxxT-Yrq4A6BQfQLyci5pcLopiWLvEhdF-VUkBzrmgR19LgjU87ULlUXbCUh2PzmsQryIHUjzE_aLUoTM05pNIiauN3rmXVYz7_JZ_0/s16000/IMG_20180120_145233.jpg" title="Mental health in 2021" /></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey Stranger,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;">Long time, no see. It’s been a while since I sat in front of my laptop and just typed. I feel a little rusty if I’m honest so bare with me. To say this year has been a roller coaster would be an understatement. Amid all the painful moments there were a handful worth celebrating. I think we can all agree it's for the best to put last year behind us.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;">I struggled a lot with my <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2019/05/whats-really-going-on-in-that-mind-of.html" target="_blank">mental health</a> last year and ended up cutting back on a lot of the things I loved doing. I took a long break from social media and blogging when things got too much and then felt a little out of my depth when I wanted to come back. One thing I missed the most was being creative and producing content. One of my goals for 2021 is to be consistent with my content. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A lot has happened since I last wrote a blog post. One of those things is I’m now working as a journalist. Me! This is something I have been dreaming about since I was in year 11. It’s a completely new field for me and I’m really enjoying it. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Writing about more formal topics at work has made me miss what I was writing about when I was blogging. This space has been a place for me to write about beauty, fashion, books and my favourite places in London. A lot of the things that “fed my soul”, if you will, ended up closing during the lockdowns and in the new tiered system. I wasn't very good at finding alternatives, that I could to, to all those things.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;">The <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/09/habits-ive-developed-in-lockdown.html" target="_blank">pandemic</a> threw more than I realised and one thing I'm focusing on this year is my mental health. Last year taught me how important a good mental health is in being able to function. After all, we’re only human and we can only take so on much.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;">Here’s a couple of things I’ll be doing to look after my mental health this year:</span><br /></span><ul><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be kinder to myself. Funnily enough, I wrote a <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/07/learning-to-be-kinder-to-myself.html" rel="nofollow">blog post</a> on this and never followed any of it. I can count on one hand how many times I have been kind to myself this year. It’s quite shocking really. As the pandemic continues, I’m going to have to rethink what things I can do to bring me happiness since what I used to do has been put on pause. Taking it easier and not putting so much pressure on myself are my two priorities. </span></span></li></ul><ul><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have more ME time. For the whole year, I have felt that my time belonged to someone else. I think that’s been a big cause of my anxiety. This year, I’m focusing on taking ‘protected’ time out for just me. I started doing it last Autumn and it really helped. Essentially, Sunday will belong to me. For that day, I will do whatever I want to do whether it’s catching up on my latest read, creating content or going for a nice stroll. The most important thing is feeling as though that time belongs to me and no one else.</span></span></li></ul><ul><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be creative. I thrive on creativity. It’s one of the reasons why I wanted to make writing my career. I used to bake, cook, write, read, and film. I loved it all! I mentioned earlier that I stopped doing those things when everything got a little too much. Really, I should have kept those things going. </span></span></li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-kerning: none;">Love, Aoife xo</span></span></div>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-91010561644283384022020-11-04T12:35:00.004+00:002020-11-05T16:35:28.956+00:00What I Wish I Knew About Treating Acne | Acne Diaries<p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Acne hacks skincare Sally Hughes pretty honest" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNX86uLHlpfXvx8m2uiFFcPoV7eIxY_ErmzmPk0nrAvYLb_bLvGxXAIh58lL5-PzLnckAtqaGdjNhdxdvkps1P_CsbOW6TIGyQAi_GgH_uxilEPE2gLEL5CloHbx5_Ti1T0TXfe0sZ50/s16000/fullsizeoutput_a41.jpeg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Acne hacks pretty honest by Sally Hughes skincare" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zSXaouLBbtQv8sQtLOGXSR8jSAwJbzp5sv7dQufbP12VQ5yo-j0Mz3JSK9ABvCC4qjAd8T1_mZMjL2gY6uAnZ1QvAxIdQS_kvN25d9Apq9OWcMfF2jhoe_5NsonfIkCS07lveKeuJQc/s16000/fullsizeoutput_a54.jpeg" /></div><p></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*Googling tips to on how to clear acne fast at half past midnight.*</span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>There is a reason why all these <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/05/my-acne-journey-spring-2020.html" target="_blank">acne posts</a> you've read include the word 'journey'. That's because it is and it can be really long, lasting anything between a few months to a few years. </span>For me, my acne journey has been a 10 month battle. </span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve finally reached the stage where I can comfortably look in the mirror and smile with confidence. My skin no longer looks like a battlefield and has been almost clear for a few months now. Yay! It’s not been an easy road and I’ve definitely made some errors along the way. By no means am I an expert but I thought I’d share all the things I wish I knew before treating acne. </span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some do’s and don’ts I wish somebody told me on how treat acne:</span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>DO</b> be patient. The first thing your doctor of dermatologist is likely to tell you is, “it’ll get worse before it gets better”. When you’ve been prescribed topical retinoids, you’re skin often purges which will make it look a lot worse. The good news is that it’s actually pushing all the acne that’s under the skin to the surface. So, it does get worse before it gets better. Hold on tight!</span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>DON’T</b> let anyone tell you what to do. Your acne journey is personal to you. Everyone always has something to say when it comes to treating acne. I had a lot of people with perfect skin telling me what to do and what not to do. But like I said, acne is a personal journey and there are multiple reasons as to why it’s flared up. There is plenty of information around -I recommend following estheticians and dermatologists on Twitter- for you to see what works for your skin and doesn’t. You don’t have to follow all their advice and you can pick and choose what works for you. It’s also where I get a lot of my advice from.</span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>DO</b> look after your moisture barrier. I’ve mentioned it plenty of times before and you’ve heard it a million times everywhere else but hydration is key. And the key to healthy skin, is a healthy moisture barrier. Some things that can harm your moisture barrier include over exfoliating, washing your face with hot water and using harsh products</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. A lot of acne treatments are drying and I've found they're a lot more effective when you're using products to help retain moisture and rebuild your barrier. I've been using <a href="https://amzn.to/2TGoikW" target="_blank">Cerave'</a>s <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2020/06/cerave-review.html">foaming face wash</a> and I love it!</span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>DO</b> wash your face with cool water. I remember reading that you should wash your face with hot water because it will help open your pores and leave your face cleaner. WRONG! I’ve found that washing my face with cool/ lukewarm water has been really good at not irritating my inflamed skin and helping it to retain moisture. I got this tip from <a href="https://twitter.com/MakeupForWOC" target="_blank">@makeupforwoc</a> on Twitter who specialises in inflamed skin conditions.</span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>DO</b> use SPF. Wearing SPF is vital to anyone but when you’re been on retinoid creams and antibiotics as your skin becomes more vulnerable to the sun and it’s rays. Even more reason to top up on the SPF. The sun can always cause red/ dark marks to darken even more so SPF is a really good way to help improve the appearance of scarring. It’s also essential even if you’re not on any medication. SPF protects your skin from harmful UV rays, which are still around on <a href="https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/2018/10/common-skincare-mistakes.html" target="_blank">rainy days</a>.</span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>DON’T</b> pick your spots. I used to be an avid spot picker but it was my spot picking habits that helped me to realise I was starting to get acne. These spots were deeper under the skin and never formed a head. Acne spots aren’t pickable and trying will only leave you with scarring. Knowing that whatever I picked would leave a scar helped me kick that habit to the curb. Post acne and my skin has a lot of pigment scarring from the inflamed acne. Any spot that pops up </span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p>
</p><p style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, Aoife xo</span></p>
Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284150985095260586.post-65781074116441681082020-08-19T17:00:00.112+01:002020-08-19T17:00:03.494+01:00What University Really Taught Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Girl sitting in a cafe" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8b3I6GFTz7QUxwH_p0kvAd7-sD2ZIgEmg5EfgaOXhoJgS26WuKzOuL3Fqoo9MsrMtP8Y4ks8P5hJj0neeUMhlyOlfViE1FuEpOxhNrpQJkWVaZbSE8vf2YJmt_danUC0H7JvEJkiFDpg/d/IMG_20200814_161322-01.jpeg" title="EL&N Cafe, London" /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: justify;">If everything went according to plan, on the 21st July, I would have walked across a stage collecting my degree. On my feet would have been a pair of Jimmy Choo’s I had been saving up for, for this exact moment. However, no part of 2020 has gone according to plan and instead I spent the day as any other day.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>It’s been three years since I moved to Portsmouth to start my Journalism degree and it feels absolutely surreal to say I made it to the end. I haven't shared my whole journey online but you can see highlights on Instagram and Twitter (@aoifecaitrionax). </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In my first year of university, I felt very lonely and I struggled to make friends. Like anyone, I signed up to almost every society I had a remote interest in. First year is all about trial and error so don't be afraid to make mistakes. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Second year came along and </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I was stuck living in a house that lived on drama and animosity. It wasn't very fun or healthy but I learnt a lot about myself during that time. The </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">main one being how to stand up for myself. Academically and career wise, I was starting to get ahead and had articles printed in local news websites. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">When final year came around, I promised myself that this would be a year I could be proud of. And I am. Despite the ups and downs, which as a uni student you will know, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have met some amazing people who are now my friends and made memories that will stick with me for life. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Aside from the academic side to university, there are plenty of important lessons to learn outside of lectures and seminars. So here’s what university really taught me and what I wish I knew before starting:</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><i>Use your time wisely</i></b>. And by that, nothing is waiting around for you. At university, you have a lot of time on your hands when you’re not in lectures, seminars or working. Use that spare time productively. I spent a lot of time in my first year blogging and making videos on YouTube. Unfortunately, I slowed down in second year and lost motivation in third year. I regret not believing in myself more and sticking to it. I really recommend using your spare time productively by taking up a new skill, hobby, or searching for internships and grad schemes. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><i>Do something you’re passionate about.</i></b> University is a lot more fun when you’re passionate about the subject you’re studying. I wrote essays on feminism, did presentations on the fashion industry and put together video packages which I had a lot of fun doing. I really enjoyed the work and the skills I was learning with it. There were a few late and stressful nights but I wouldn’t change a thing because I was still doing something I loved. I've spoken to my friends and other people about it who all agreed that you should be studying something you're passionate about and interested in. It will be a greater experience and you'll enjoy it more.</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><i>Make the most out of the University services.</i></b> There are so many services that universities offer these days and I'm pretty sure, you're not even aware of half of them. I struggled a lot when I moved back home for lockdown and my anxiety was at an all time high. My lecturer recommended that I reach out to the wellbeing team to get some additional support. To be honest, I don't know if I would have finished university without the support and weekly session from a councillor. Most universities also offer academic support with essays or career support. We pay a lot of money attending university so we may as well take advantage of what it offers.</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Neon light against flower wall" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-3LM26EhEoSRm2b92kK3IPcaN264Lrdzdr3hRbQPGuSt-3KVFfxSEuUkRX-0dnlOu9bh_qZuyhw89gSi3J_ARsmbFUjDHVY8Pwsxmgys50hhVqUFJ1-s33rg7tt0wjtc_-IjXJGHIRU/d/IMG_20200814_162952.jpg" title="You're The Sweetest, EL&N Cafe. Credit: Aoife Caitirona" /></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><i>(Money management) How to have fun on a low budget.</i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Regardless of whether you have the maximum grant or the lowest grant, we all struggle with our money at some point. In your first year, you make bad money decisions and by final year, you’ve decided to go vegan because it’s cheaper and save all your money instead. Social life is a big part of university. Clubbing at uni has never been my scene but I still went out for lunches, dinners, day trips and everywhere else with my friends. This all adds up. However, by the end of the whole experience you've learnt how to have fun on a low budget.</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><i>It's not a race but it's not a marathon either.</i></b> Your grades are not everything at univeristy. Sure, they're important because you need to pass to move up a year and you want a good degree classification. But, they're not the be all and end all. Lecturers are looking for how you engage with the content. My highest scoring essays were down to referencing different scholars and sharing ideas and theories. You're not in a race with anyone because you're not competing with them. Getting a degree is something you do for yourself and a personal journey.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Good luck! And if you've already been, what did you learn at university?</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Love, Aoife xo </span></span></p>Aoife Caitríonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03394450215131365137noreply@blogger.com