❆ ∙ ❄︎ ∙ Merry Christmas! ∙ ❄︎ ∙ ❆

I hope you all are having a Merry Christmas, and if you don't celebrate Christmas - Have a fabulous holiday!


I've been busy for a while with school work, but I finished school last week :)

I'll probably do a blog post at least once a month.


Have a good December and Happy New Year,

Mia
xxx

❄︎ ☁︎ ❄︎ ☁︎ Autumn + Winter Essentials ❄︎ ☁︎ ❄︎ ☁︎

November is the month between Autumn and Winter, and I find them the most comfortable and cosiest seasons in the year! I've made a Autumn/Winter essentials list, which hopefully might help your days warmer or happier! Here we go......

Clothes

▴ Oversized sweaters // Cardigan

▴ Fluffy // Knee length socks

▴ Leg warmers

▴ Beanie

▴ Fluffy hat

▴ Mittens

▴ Long scarves

▴ Leather jackets

▴ Fur lined coat

▴ Sweat pants // Tracksuit bottoms

▴ Ripped // Dark blue jeans

▴ Pumps // Flats

▴ Ankle // Knee high boots

▴ Slippers

Food

▴ Tea

▴ Hot chocolate

▴ Muffins // Cupcakes

▴ Cookies

Other

▴ Candles

▴ Fairy lights

▴ Midi rings

▴ Dark nail polish

▴ Hand warmers

Music

▴ Ed Sheeran - 'X' Album

▴  George Ezra - 'Wanted On Voyage' Album

I found these songs on various different playlists on Spotify :

▴ Regina Spektor - Fidelity

▴ Cat Power - Sea of Love

▴ Fiona Apple - Across the Universe

▴ Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On

▴ José González - Stay Alive

▴ Chairlift - Bruises

▴ Soko - We Might Be Dead by Tomorrow

▴ Lily Allen - Who'd Have Known (Acoustic)

▴ Broods - Sleep Baby Sleep

▴ George Ezra - Budapest

▴ Ed Sheeran - I See Fire

▴ Milky Chance - Stolen Dance

Playlists on Spotify :

▴ Hanging Out and Relaxing (Genres & Moods > Chill)

▴ Sleep (Genres & Moods > Sleep)

▴ Chill Out Music (Genres & Moods > Chill)

▴ Acoustic Morning (Genres & Moods > Chill)

▴ Afternoon Acoustic (Genres & Moods > Mood)

▴ Evening Acoustic (Genres & Moods > Sleep)

▴ Peaceful Piano (Genres & Moods > Focus)

▴ Sunday Stroll (Genres & Moods > Mood > Relaxed)

▴  Christmas Classics : Old & New (Search Bar > Show All Results > Playlists)

If you have any other Autumn/Winter essentials I have missed or you would suggest, tell me down below and I will add them in!

▴ ▪︎ ▴ ▪︎ GRAZE ▪︎ ▴ ▪︎ ▴

If any of you watch Tyler Oakley on YouTube, you might have heard of this food company he has mentioned in a few videos, called Nature Box.

A few days ago, I got an email from a food company called Graze. They are similar to Nature Box, except they are in the UK! If you want to order from them or just check them out, this is their website : https://www.graze.com/uk

I went onto their website, and you can choose from the following boxes :

- Nibble Box

- Light Box

- Goody Box

- Breakfast Box

- Boost Box

- Chocolate Box

- Savoury Box

- Sustain Box

- Sugarcount Box

- Big Box

All boxes have 4 snacks, and the big box has 5, and costs £15.

I decided to get a Nibble box, so then I signed up and chose my snacks! They have a massive range of snacks, from puddings to olives ~ they have it all! Under each food, you can tick 'Bin' (never send me this), 'Try' (happy to try), 'Like' (send occasionally) or 'Love' (send regularly), and this helps the people at Graze to see what foods you like and don't like when it comes to putting the snacks in your box! They then choose 4 different foods (obviously ones you haven't binned!), so when you order a box, you don't know what you're going to get!

What I really liked, was their offer - You get your first and last box (5th) free! The normal price of a box is £3.99, and it's free postage and packaging! You can order them to be deliver weekly or fortnightly.

As Tyler says, Y'all know I don't talk about something unless I can give you the hookup, so if you use the code 'MIAB3FFCB', you can get your 1st, 5th and 10th box free!

Mine came this morning, and I've taken pictures to show what you would see if you order a box.

They gave me two vouchers to spend for myself or give to my friends.

This little leaflet gives you a little welcome, and shows you the important nutrition info about the snacks I ordered.

Graze called this a 'Little Book of Handy Tips'. This little book tells you how everything works and about the company!

There are 4 snacks in a regular box. They also give you a napkin, but it's hidden under the snacks.

If you have any questions about Graze, feel free to ask me in the comments below or go to their website (mentioned earlier).

✄ ♥︎ ✄ ♥︎ ✄ Roomspiration!

A few weeks ago, I ordered polaroids off an app called Polagram. I love polaroid pictures, and the polaroids I ordered looked so amusing and pleasant, so I thought of ways I could display them in my room. I found colourful pegs and string, so I decided to hang them up in my room on a string!

It turned out really well, so I want to share it with you! Of course it's not my original idea - I've seen decor videos and tumblr pictures of this type of display, but I still want to show you :p

This is what you will need: 

Photos! In my case, polaroids! Well, "polaroids".

String or twine.

Scissors.

Small pegs. Mine are from Hobbycraft.

Bluetac, to attach your string to the wall. This way when you want to move your string or take it off, the paint or plaster won't be ruined! You can use tape or pins if you would like to!

This is my room. Small but cosy.

I've hung my polaroids here,

Here (from one window to the back of the room),

And here (the same but on the other side of my room) .

I hope this might inspire you to decorate your room, or anything else!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In case you're wondering, I ordered 24 polaroids for £5.49. If you want to try out Polagram, order with my referral code (PG50UH0C) to get £2 off! The app is free to download, and you don't have to just get polaroids, you can print out your photos like normal if you want!

∞ ∞ ∞ ¡UPDATE! ∞ ∞ ∞

I have to post less, as I am really busy with school work!

Half term is coming soon, so I'll try and post on my blog then.

That's all I really wanted to say, and apologies for not posting in, what, a month? :s

✴︎ Beauty Benefits of Olive Oil ✴︎ ✴︎ ✴︎

Ah! I haven't posted in ages!
I've just started a new year at school, and I'm getting more and more homework each day! On top of that I've got music lessons and D of E skill, sport and service.
I won't be posting very often from now on, but still keep posted!




I've seen a lot of beauty videos of people using olive oil in their skincare routine. I wanted to find out more way of how olive oil can be used more than food. I scrolled through the internet to try and find some benefits of olive oil. I found so many information and recipes, that I would like to share them with you all!


First, let's start with the basics : What does olive oil actually do to your skin?

Olive oil is very rich in vitamins, minerals and natural fatty acids. Its also convenient for a sensitive skin. Olive oil is a powerful ingredient of anti-aging skin care products; rich in antioxidants, it prevents skin ageing, the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, it also nourishes and rejuvenates and protects the skin.



Rich in vitamin E and A, olive oil helps prolong youth, hydrates the skin, maintains its elasticity and softness. Also, olive oil helps skin cells to regenerate. The list of olive oil benefits can go on and on, but let's talk about the practical things :  How can you use olive oil for beauty?


1) Olive oil bath

To prepare the olive oil bath, just add 5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into your bath and you are done! (You can add more if you like). This simple beauty secret can make your skin soft and very smooth.

 Here is another variation the olive oil beauty bath: massage your body with the extra virgin olive oil before hopping into your bath, after you finish taking your bath, pat your skin dry and wipe away the excess oil; you won't recognise your skin!







2) Olive oil makeup remover

Olive oil gently removes makeup and nourishes the skin at the sometime. Apply a little bit of live oil on a cotton pad and gently wipe away all the makeup from your face. If yo have heavy makeup on , then remove it by massaging olive oil on your face first, then wipe it off with a washcloth with warm water. Repeat a couple of times if necessary and remember to be gentle. Rine your face with warm water, then splash with cold water; cold water will help stimulate the blood circulation and close pores.


3) How to strengthen nails with olive oil?

A warm olive oil bath for nails is an excellent way to strengthen them. It only takes 5 or 10 minutes. Just soak your nails in slightly warmed up olive oil (it shouldn't be too hot, just a room temperature). Do this treatment once or twice a week and enjoy strong, shiny and healthy nails!








4) Olive oil eye cream

This will nourish the tender skin around your eyes and soften fine lines. Gently dab some olive oil under your eyes before bed or in the morning. Keep your olive oil eye cream in the fridge and enjoy a refreshing, vitamin filled beauty treatment.







5) Olive oil homemade face masks

Mix one egg yolk with a tablespoon of olive oil (you can also add a teaspoon of lemon juice, if you want to whiten and brighten your skin, as lemon juice is rich in antioxidants and especially vitamin C). Apply this mixture to your clean face for 5-10 minutes; rinse with warm, then cold water.


This face mask can be used for normal or dry skin types, it will nourish and soften your skin, adding wonderful glow.

Here is a cleansing and refreshing olive oil face mask for normal skin type :
Mix a tablespoon of white cosmetic clay with one tablespoon of olive oil. Apply it to your face for about 10 minutes; rinse with warm water.


6) Olive oil for hair

Olive oil hair treatment is quick and easy to make; it will take you only 15 minutes to do. Mix one egg yolk with two tablespoons of olive oil and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Keep this mask on our hair for about 15 minutes, then shampoo and condition. Your hair will become shinier and softer.



Here is another simple olive oil hair treatment :
Apply slightly warmed up olive oil to your hair, let it sit for about an hour, then shampoo and condition, as usual. This hair treatment will make your hair healthier and add shine.


7) Don't forget to add olive oil in your salads!

Olive oil will improve your skin, hair and nails, and will nourish your body from within. Remember, beauty starts from within!

♭ ♯ ♮ My Music Playlist #3 ♭ ♯ ♮

If you have noticed, this hasn't been posted on a Saturday or Sunday! I've decided to post blog posts when I want to! I'm starting Year 10 on Thursday, and I know I'll have a lot of work to do! I've also got my Duke of Edinbourugh Bronze Award on Saturday and Sunday this week too.

Anyway, since it's the end of August, I will share with you my music playlist!

(1) Cassy O' ~ George Ezra
(2) Blame It On Me ~ George Ezra
(3) Did You Hear The Rain? ~ George Ezra
(4) Never Going Back Again ~ Fleetwood Mac
(5) Don't Stop ~ Fleetwood Mac
(6) Go Your Own Way ~ Fleetwood Mac
(7) Song Bird ~ Fleetwood Mac
(8) The Chain ~ Fleetwood Mac
(9) One Type of Dark (Ta-ku remix) ~ Ginger & The Ghost
(10) Bang Bang ~ Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj
(11) Happy Little Pill ~ Troye Sivan
(12) Touch ~ Troye Sivan
(13) Fun ~ Troye Sivan
(14) Gasoline ~ Troye Sivan
(15) Shake It Off ~ Taylor Swift
(16) Heroes ~ David Bowie
(17) Where Wolf ~ Ginger & The Ghost

Just as I was obsessed with Ed Sheeran's Album 'Multiply', I am now loving Troye Sivan's EP! My favourite songs are 'Happy Little Pill', 'Touch' and 'Gasoline'.
I also absolutely love George Ezra, and discovered more of Fleetwood Mac's songs. I don't listen to Taylor Swift's songs very much unless they're on the radio, but I think her new song 'Shake It Off' is really catchy! The music video is brilliant - which dancer do you think she suits best? I think the cheerleader and the ballerina :)

✈︎ ✈︎ ✈︎ My Holiday In Devon

Last week, my family and I went to Chudleigh, in Devon.

We planned to stay from Saturday to Thursday (6 days). On the first and last day, it consisted of un/packing, so for the other days, we went exploring around Devon!

Day 2 - The Seaside, Crabs and the Pier.

Raspberry Ripple - only one of the best ice creams ever made.

This beach that we found had so many beautiful stones! We took some of the prettiest back to London with us.

We then went to the Crab Shack for lunch, but unfortunately it was fully booked. Instead, we went to the Deli and bought our own crabs.

We ate these two massive crabs!

After ad delicious lunch, we headed to the Pier.

Day 3 - Killerton (National Trust)

I just LOVE this! It's in the cafe! 

Family members....

You were allowed to play on the organ!

The Living Room

The Library 

The Dining Room

Upstairs, they had a display of costumes!

My favourite dress

The Garden!

Killerton on the outside.

Day 4 - Buckland Abbey (National Trust)

You could do Brass Rubbing, so my brother brass rubbed a dragon.

The Barn

This machine helped make cider!

The Abbey!

The Garden

I thought this gate was really cute, with the little birds on the branches!

My Mum and I fell in love with this tree. My Mum, being a garden devotee, is trying to find out the name of this tree.
On its branches, you can see little flowers. They smelt absolutely amazing!

The flowers on the tree

Day 5 - Cotehele (National Trust)


On the last day, it started to pour down with rain, and by the time we got there, the house was closed, so we looked in the garden anyway. I didn't want to risk getting my camera wet in the rain, so unfortunately I can't show you any pictures.

The house is a Tudor house, and has only been owned by one family! The family didn't change anything, as they wanted to keep the house as it would have been in Tudor times. They bought it in the 1900s, and gave it to the National Trust many years later.