2020 Wrapped Up

I mentioned in my previous Instagram post that I felt like I was forcing myself to write blog posts. I only want to write them when it feels right and I’m in the mood. I thought it would be perfect as my first blog post in 2021, to write a summary of 2020 and what it meant for me! It was a bad year for us all, however I like to try and look at all the positive things that happened last year and what I achieved.

February

So the first main thing to happen in 2020, I received my last result for my Level 4 Chartered Institute of Marketing assignment… and I passed! I got a merit overall and I was very pleased with myself. The last assignment I really struggled with so it felt a great achievement. I then started studying towards my Level 6 Chartered Institute of Marketing. I passed two assignments in 2020 and await my results for my third and final assignment. Fingers crossed…

Obviously due to the pandemic, we didn’t get to visit all the places we had booked such as Venice and Tenerife. But, in February we managed a weekend away in Newcastle and saw the 1975 live. The atmosphere was amazing and we had a lovely day drinking cocktails and eating food.

The 1975: Newcastle

March

Lockdown began and my boyfriend moved into my parents house with me. We both got furloughed so the next few months resulted in lots of walks, games on Nintendo Switch, having huge clear outs and the weekly Jay’s Virtual Pub Quiz! I also taught myself some amazing recipes… you can see my favourites here.

April

My bestie’s 23rd resulted in a zoom party where we drank, played games and I hosted a quiz! It was a lot of fun.

The day we were supposed to go Venice, we had a lovely day soaking up the sun, eating pizza and drinking. We played a few drinking games and it was nice to just do something different.

May

We celebrated VE Day in the garden and I made some home made buntin. We all had a lovely BBQ and got very sunburnt!

My bestie delivered the cutest gift on our doorstep… Homemade blondies with a gin and beer❤️

My boyfriend is obsessed with Marvel and I hadn’t watched a single one. So he made a list and we watched them and ticked them off one by one. He also made me rate them out of 10. I did become slightly obsessed with Groot…I may or may not have bought a Groot flower pot.

We viewed our first house and put an offer in. We really wanted to buy our own place in 2020, and we had already budgeted how much we could save each month. However lockdown helped us save even more, because we couldn’t do anything! Unfortunately our offer wasn’t higher enough and we didn’t get it.

VE Day

June

We were supposed to go Tenerife in June, however it got cancelled (obviously!) So to cheer us up and make my boyfriend feel like we were in Tenerife, I bought an inflatable palm tree, decorations for the garden, got the paddling pool out and made Tequila Sunrise. The weather was really hot too so it wasn’t far off!

The restrictions relaxed slightly and you could start visiting parks not in your local area. We went to a few different parks and did some really nice walks. I enjoyed the change of scenery.

We had visited quite a few houses and were starting to lose hope. However, we viewed one and it felt perfect. It felt like home. We put an offer in… and it was accepted!

Tenerife at home

July

My Nana turned 80! We planned a party and even though pubs reopened the weekend of her birthday, we did a little get together outside to celebrate her 80th. It was a really nice day!

We had our first date night in a pub since lockdown. It felt really weird going out for food or drinks, but it felt really nice to get dressed up again.

August

Lockdown resulted in us having multiple sort outs, which meant we had a huge pile of stuff to sell and give to charity. We did our first carboot and once we started, we couldn’t stop! We made a lot of money from selling stuff we no longer wanted anymore. We put all the money towards furniture for our new house.

September

Due to us having no holidays, I really missed the sea! So, we decided to take a day trip to Scarborough. It was probably one of my favourite days of 2020. The weather was nice, we had a picnic on the beach, went to see the penguins and played in the arcades. Being by the sea relaxes me so much. We were both getting very stressed with solicitors and searches for the house. It felt nice to get away for the day.

Scarborough

October

We got the keys to our home! It took 16 weeks from putting the offer in and was the most stressful experience ever. But, it was worth it. We booked time off work to decorate the kitchen, living room and dining room. We were very lucky because my parents booked time off work to help us. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without them! We stayed the very first night on a mattress on the floor haha. I have learnt so much from going through the process. I’d love to write some blog posts about how we saved money and what all the house jargon means.

My bestie turned 22 in October. We celebrated by going out to Turtle Bay for a bottomeless brunch. Not sure if you have ever been to Turtle Bay, but the food was amazing and the amount of cocktails you can have, it is definitely worth the money.

I also celebrated my 24th Birthday in October. I really wanted to do something with my friends and because we were in Tier 1, I had 4 friends come round for drinks and a bit of a buffet. I really enjoyed celebrating my Birthday in my own home. My bestie baked me a lotus biscoff cake and it was honestly the nicest cake I have ever eaten!

November

My brother turned 21 in November. We were supposed to have a party, but moved it to next year. We were also in Tier 2 for his Birthday so I couldn’t actually see him. We spent the evening on Zoom together. We both ordered a takeaway at the same time, watched him open his presents and played a quiz together. We will definitely celebrate it properly once it is safe to do so.

We put the Christmas decorations up in the middle of November. I know it was very early, however 2020 was crap and we wanted something to lift our spirits! Especially after lockdown 2.0.

First Christmas in our own home

December

We celebrated my boyfriends Birthday in lockdown. Well, the lockdown ended the day before his Birthday, but we were put in Tier 3 so couldn’t go out for a meal. We had a really nice time though! I ordered a cocktail making set from Cocktail Man. I also ordered fresh pasta from Pasta Evangelists – which tasted so good! We might not have been able to go out for a meal, but it definitely felt like we did. We did a zoom party with friends and played drinking games too.

Pasta Evangelists

We hosted Christmas in our own home! We bubbled with my parents and my boyfriend’s parents. It was such a nice day. We celebrated News Year Eve on our own, in our pyjamas, drinking tea and playing Harry Potter Trivia.

Happy New Year! Sorry it is 16 days late…

Stay safe.

Inspired Elegance x

Digital Detox Day – 5th September

Social media can have a huge impact on your mental health. I have definitely had a love/hate relationship with it over the years. Sometimes I think, do the positives outweigh the negatives?

Social media can bring so many people together. I have made friends through social media. I love how much it can promote small businesses. I love how it can raise awareness on issues that aren’t usually publicised in the media. But with positives, also come negatives.

Last year I decided to delete the majority of people off Facebook. I thought if I wouldn’t stop and speak to them in the street, there’s no point of me having them on Facebook. I don’t like people knowing my private life, when I haven’t spoken to them in years! I also decided to unfollow lots of people Instagram. They were mainly influencers! I felt like I was always comparing myself to people on Insta. I know people only share their ‘best bits’, but it made me feel a bit shit seeing people with the ‘perfect life’ all the time.

Don’t get my wrong, I scroll through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram quite a lot.. however, I don’t post regularly anymore. When I was younger I used to write statuses on Facebook everyday! I can’t believe I sat and wasted my time, talking about my life in every detail possible.

Whilst scrolling through Instagram the other day, I spotted Zoe Sugg’s ‘Digital Detox Day’ campaign. She is working with Lush and I Am Whole to raise awareness on how social media can have a negative impact on your mental health.

On the 5th September, I will be having a digital detox day! I am also going to try and not go on my phone unless I need to message someone as an emergency. What am I going to do instead of spend hours on my phone? I think I’ll read my book and do a few errands. Me and my boyfriend are also going to a nice restaurant in the evening with his parents.

If you want to know some more information on Digital Detox Day, I have added a link to the videos.

Are you taking part in digital detox day? What are you going to spend your day doing?

Inspired Elegance x

Adjusting to the new normal

Hi,

I haven’t blogged for almost a month – wow! Truth is, a lot has been going on and it’s been very stressful. But things are starting to calm down, so hopefully I’ll be able to tell you guys soon what I’ve been up to!

I don’t like forcing a blog post. I don’t want to write something for the sake of it. But I thought it would be good to talk about how I’m adjusting to the ‘new normality’.

I went back to work at the start of this month. I worked from home first and then this week I went back in to the office. I decided to work from home so I could get back in to a routine. Also, I was kinda petrified leaving the house at first!

I was in a bubble for 14 weeks. I hardly left the house. I went on regular walks with my boyfriend, but I didn’t go to many places. I hated going to shops. It made me feel so anxious, so my boyfriend used to go for me if I needed anything. The thought of hardly seeing anyone and then going straight back into an office really scared me! However, I’m a lot better now and feel more relaxed. I have been in supermarkets, shopping centre and visited family and friends.

Working in the office has been really nice and I have really enjoyed socialising again! Working from home, you miss the banter and seeing everyone. It gets so boring never leaving the house. I have found it so much easier communicating, instead of having to send endless emails and phone calls.

I have also visited a restaurant since they all opened. All the tables were spaced out and you could scan a QR code to order your drinks. To be honest… I preferred it because you don’t have to stand at a busy bar and queue for ages!

How are you guys copying with the new normal? Have you been anywhere?

Inspired Elegance x

What’s in my make-up bag?

Hello lovelies,

I was hoping to share this blog post a few days ago but I have been busy working on my assignment. I submitted it today (yay). Two down… one to go!

I haven’t done a beauty blog post since I have returned to blogging. The last time I spoke about my favourite beauty products was in 2014! I feel like my taste has changed quite a bit since then. I have put together a list of all the current items in my makeup bag.

No7 Bronzer 
I haven’t worn foundation for months. I have just been applying the No7 bronzer/blusher all over my face. It definitely gives off a ‘summer glow’. 

Collection Concealer
Like I have previously mentioned, I haven’t really been wearing foundation. All I do is pop a little bit of concealer on and bronzer to my face. It’s easy to apply with a wand applicator, affordable and lasts well through the day.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara
This has been my go to drugstore mascara for a while. Again it’s affordable, it isn’t clumpy and it gives volume to your lashes. I definitely recommend!

Benefit Gimme Brows
This has to be one of my favourite brow products! I have tried everything… powder, pencil, gel and now Gimme Brow! I think Gimme Brow is classed as a gel… but it comes with a tiny brush. I received this product as a reward for having my eyebrows waxed several times. It creates a natural looking fullness and is super easy to use. I do think it is a little pricey though…

Sleek Felt Liner
I always reach for a liquid eyeliner when applying my make-up. I like a fine liner which doesn’t feel like a felt tip! I have tried many brands and they have either dried up quickly or split. So far I have been really impressed with this liquid eyeliner. The applicator allows you to create a flick with ease. It is also very pigmented. 

Smashbox Highlighter
This highlighter is in the colour ‘Pearl’. You can see which colour I use the most! It gives a subtle glow on your cheeks and you can blend easily. 

Benefit Pore Professional
The pearl primer goes on your skin so smoothly and leaves your skin feeling soft. It helps make your foundation last longer. Even though it is in my makeup bag currently, I haven’t really been using it. 

Morphe Jaclyn Hill Palette
Ahhh I love this eyeshadow palette so much! It literally has every colour you need for your everyday make-up routine. As you can see I reach for the brown tones quite alot. They are pigmented and easy to blend. I love how many different colours there. 

Smashbox Matte ‘Be Legendary Wrap Party’  & MAC Matte ‘Persistence’ Lipsticks
These are the two lipsticks I keep reaching for at the moment. They both last for long periods of time and don’t dry my lips out. I am not sure if the Smashbox lipstick has been discontinued?

Let me know what is in your make-up bag and if there are any products you are loving at the moment!

Inspired Elegance x

Trying to be productive in lockdown

Hi,

I hope you are all okay?

Lockdown has been really tough. Some days I don’t want to leave my bed. Other days I just want to sort my whole wardrobe out. I’ve tried to be as productive as possible and not put myself down too much.

I have put together a list of just some of things I have accomplished during lockdown. They might also give you a few ideas…

• Sorted all my shoes out at the bottom of my wardrobe.
• Sorted the loft out with my Mum. Everything is now in 3 piles: keep, charity or car boot.
• Watched all the Marvel films. My boyfriend is obsessed with Marvel so we had a huge Marvel marathon and it only took us 3 weeks to watch about 40 hours worth! They are really good. I didn’t think I’d enjoy them but I loved them.
• Worked on my assignment. I am currently working on my CIM level 6 diploma in professional marketing. I submitted one assignment whilst we was going into lockdown and I passed – yay! The second assignment I am doing is called Innovation in Marketing and I have managed to really get stuck in.
• Taught myself some amazing recipes. You can see my favourite recipes here. 
• Binge watched Normal People. IT IS SO GOOD. That is all I am saying!
• Read The Mister by EL James. If you loved the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, then this is definitely worth a read.
• Printed photos for my Mum’s photo albums.

Even though lockdown has been tough, it has given me chance to get things done that I would never usually have time for. Something that has been helping me recently is writing small ‘to do’ lists. I feel so much better when I tick something off.

Is there anything you have done during lockdown which has made you feel productive?

Inspired Elegance x

My favourite recipes in lockdown

Hi,

I hope you are all okay. One thing I have been enjoying in lockdown is having the time to explore new recipes. I love cooking. I find it really relaxing and it helps take my mind off things. I like the feeling of cooking something new and it tasting so nice. I am a bit of a perfectionist, so I put too much pressure on myself sometimes – haha! I put myself down if it does not taste as nice as it should. Here are a few recipes I have been loving during lockdown. Please note I have changed a few slightly as some of the ingredients I didn’t like.

Sweet Potato and Spinach Curry: Slimming World’s Free Food

Ingredients

• 300ml 1/2″ pint vegetable stock
• 750 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized wedges
• 1 onion
• 225g spinach leaves
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 red pepper
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper

Method

1. Prep your vegetables. Cut the sweet potato into bite-sized wedges. Peel the onion and thinly slice. Cut the pepper into small slices.
2. Place the vegetable stock in a large saucepan and add the sweet potatoes, red pepper and onions. Bring to boil, reduce the heat, cover and gently cook for 4-5 minutes.
3. Add the spinach, curry powder, salt and fresh ground black pepper to the saucepan. Stir well and cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes or unit the spinach has just wilted, and the sweet potatoes are tender. Season well and serve hot.

I then usually serve with some rice. I have never cooked a curry before, and I thought this recipe was super easy, quick and healthy! My boyfriend said it is now one of his favourite recipes…

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Pizza-Loaded Fries: Pinch of Nom Everday Light

Ingredients

• 500g white potatoes
• Cooking spray
• 250g carton passata
• 2 tsp garlic granules
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp onion granules
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 80g grated mozzarella
• 1/2 red pepper, deseeded and sliced

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C/ gas mark 4) and line a baking tray with grease proof paper. Prep the onion and red pepper.
2. Peel the potatoes and cut into fries (around 5mm thick). Place the fries onto the lined baking tray, spray with cooking spray and pop in the oven for 20 minutes until turning golden. (Mine took about 35 minutes to cook. I think it depends on how thick your fries are).
3. Whilst your fries are cooking, add the passata, garlic granules, onion granules, oregano and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
4. Once the fries are beginning to turn golden, transfer to a baking dish. Pour over most of the sauce, keeping some aside for dipping. Sprinkle over the grated mozzarella and added the slices of pepper and onion – you can add whatever pizza toppings you like!
5. Put back into the oven for 15 minutes until the cheese has melted and is turning golden.

I love pizza and I love fries. It combines two takeaways in one but is low in calories. It doesn’t take long to prepare and it tastes so good!

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Egg Muffins

Ingredients

• Eggs (I used 3 and it made about 6 egg muffins)
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• Spinach
• Red bell pepper, chopped
• Onion, chopped
• Sweetcorn
• Courgette, chopped

Something I have struggled with during lockdown is snacking. It is so easy to reach for some crisps or dunk some biscuits in your tea. I had a look on Google for some healthy snack recipes and stumbled across these egg muffins. I don’t think there is any right or wrong way of making these. I just kind of experimented and hoped for the best – haha! Some recipes include eggs and egg whites, however I just used eggs and they tasted fine.

You can eat them hot or cold – I prefer mine hot. I stored mine in an air tight container and kept refrigerated for a few days.

So there you have it… my favourite recipes during lockdown! Are there any recipes you have been loving? Let me know. I look forward to trying your favourite recipes…

Inspired Elegance x

Re-entering the familiar world of blogging

Hi,

So, I set this blog up in 2014 and I used to write blog posts about beauty, fashion and lifestyle. I loved blogging so much. It became a part of me.

Unfortunately, people I knew found my blog and wrote a few comments on social media about me. I should not have let it get to me, but it made me stop blogging. Something that made me so happy, started making me feel sad.

I am now 23 and I’m ready to enter the online world of blogging again. I have missed it so much. My boyfriend has been very supportive of me and has given me the confidence to start blogging again.

Inspired Elegance has had a new makeover too! I have deleted a few of my old blog posts but I have kept some up because they are what made this blog. I am looking forward to this new chapter…

Speak soon.

Inspired Elegance x

The Power of Makeup

I have seen many bloggers and YouTubers talking about ‘The Power of Makeup’ and I was so excited to create it myself. I have a huge interest in makeup and I am always buying a new beauty product, experimenting with different looks and reading reviews and beauty blog posts.

I wanted to create this post for a number of reasons:

1. To compare how I looked with and without makeup
2. To show it is okay to wear makeup
3. To show it is okay to not wear makeup
4. To show the power of just a few beauty products

I feel like so many girls are judged everyday on how much makeup they wear or how little makeup. I think it is great to love your imperfections. I do have days where I don’t wear much makeup. But also I feel a lot more confident in myself once I have applied my makeup. It makes me feel like a different person.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post. I really enjoyed showing ‘The Power of Makeup’. If you have done this post or video please comment your links below; I will look forward to reading them.

Inspired Elegance x  

 

 

 

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions 3 Step Review

Hey!

So I have been getting a lot of spots and redness lately so I treated myself to some Clinique skincare products. My friend recommended this to me and now I am recommending it to all of you!

I have been using this for about a week now, every night and I am already noticing a result. My redness isn’t as bad anymore and my spots are slowly starting to clear up.

First you use the Anti Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam. I just pump a little bit on my hand and rub it in to my face.

Then you use the clarifying lotion. I recommend shaking it before you use it as some of the product settles at the bottom. I pour a little bit of this on to a cotton pad and then dab it on to my face. It is a little strong and you can feel it on your skin but this is to unclog your pores. Then you use the clearing moisturiser and apply it all over your face.

It doesn’t take long to do this routine. It takes me about 10 minutes. The results are great!

I highly recommend this product and it is at an affordable price of £25.00. You can purchase it here at Boots.

Let me know if you have used this product before and what the results were for you?

Inspired Elegance xxx

 

A Deserved Break: Yorkshire

Hi guys!

So just over a week ago I went to Yorkshire with my family. I was really looking forward to this little holiday as I just needed to get away and relax for a bit.

I find being by the sea a great stress reliever. I have such a complex mind and think about so much sometimes causing myself to get stressed, that just walking on the beach and watching the sea really does relax me and calm me down. I would love to live on the coast.

 

My favourite animal is a penguin and I got to see them in Scarborough. They were so cute and I got to get so close to one of them on the footpath. Unfortunately you weren’t allowed to stroke them but I couldn’t believe how friendly he was.

 

The scenery was so pretty with all the cliffs on the coast. It was such a nice little break and a chance to just have some me time.

‘Life feels better by the sea.’

I hope you all have had a nice summer break!

Inspired Elegance xxx