Being a Penpal.

Hello all. 

So today I thought I'd share with you, another hobby of mine. Penpalling. 

Basically if you didn't already know penpalling or snailmailing is where you send letters and other things back and fourth to one particular person. 

I've been penpalling since 2011 and it's honestly been the nicest thing. I currently have 4 penpals; Emily, Daisy, Jacqueline and Emma. 

I have been penpalling with Emily since 2011, Daisy since 2013 and Jacqueline and Emma have recently become my penpals. 

I have over the 3 years that I've been penpalling had many other penpals, one of them was called Haley and she was Canadian, we wrote for months and months and then she got bored, well we both did so we stopped writing. 

Over the 3 years I have accumulated 140 letters/cards from my friends. I love receiving mail and I love looking back on my letters. I also have some autographs of some famous celebrities, so if you would like me to do a post on them, let me know in the comments.  

I stored my letters in a little box at first but as time went on, I just didn't have the room and I now keep them all in the box below and it is nearly full. 

I love how colourful my box is and it just makes me really happy.

Here are all my letters and cards, piled up haha. I have had letters from most parts of the world; Hong Kong, China, Canada, UK, America and Ireland. I'm sure there is a lot more but I haven't checked all my letters in a while. I just love the writing of them and reading and the washi tape and other lovely stationary that comes with it.

What are your other hobbies?

Strike a pose.

Do you ever feel photo ready some days? Does that even make sense. My point is with this post is that most days I don't feel pretty or girly or nice. Normally I'm tucked up in bed, feeling rather sorry for myself while I scroll through endless amounts of blog posts. So when I get my make up right, when I actually do try and make an effort with my hair (believe it or not I did curl my hair but it came out by the end of the day) and I actually felt happy. I was happy to snap a photo and "strike a pose", normally for my blog posts I'll take photos of the products and that's basically it and other times I'll be more adventurous and have a post with my face in it.

If you have blog posts lined up where you need to do photos of either you in an outfit or a close up with a make up look - make sure you are enjoying taking the photos. This day I was happy but other days I'm not therefore I re-do the whole of my photos. I'm probably not making any sense but if I am please do let me know.

Basically my other message is that it's not all about the glitz and glam! Although I love making myself feel like a princess because I've put some make up on - you don't always have to make an effort. I know some people wear make up because they feel insecure about themselves and that is another hard topic to talk about, personally. However I know a lot of people feel the same.

I hope you all have a great day!  

Alfie's In Reception!

Hello everyone. So a few months back in September my gorgeous little brother Alfie started school full time and is now in Reception. From what I've heard from him, he is really enjoying it. If any of you follow me on instagram and if you've had a scroll through my photos, you'll know that I did a photo of him when he was starting Nursery. He has come such a long way since then - just in a year and I've seen such a big change in him. 

Alfie with a little girl in his class! I thought I'd just share this with you all because I seem to always give him a little mention within my posts. He means the absolute world to me and I love him lots. 

Have you got any younger or older siblings?

How To Survive A Spending Ban.

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Hello everyone. So you may have seen in October that I was starting a spending ban, mainly because I have spent far too much money this year. I told myself that I wouldn't spend half as much this year as I did in 2013 but to be honest I probably have. So I'm doing a spending ban all the way from October 16th to December 16th! That is two whole months and while most of you are sat saying - she won't do it. I've already done a whole month and I haven't spent a single penny. This makes me really happy as I did have my birthday and normally when a birthday arrives it means splurge but I put all my money into my bank so I couldn't spend any of it. Winner.

So now that I've given you an overview of the situation, I'm going to sit and tell you what has helped me with this spending ban so far, may I add this is my first ever spending.

For us beauty, fashion and any blogger really we find it hard work not to spend money. We impulse buy and that is okay sometimes, just not all the time. So here are some handy tips...


Put cash that you don't need in the bank.

I get that most people have money paid straight into their bank so this tip isn't really for you but I did have some money from my birthday and so I put it in the bank. I feel that if I have the money I am more likely to spend it so having it in a safe place is where it shall remain.

Save your money to put towards a product/purchase.

I did this way back to save up for my new laptop which I've had since July. I saved up all my money mainly because my old laptop was unusable and I just needed something more practical. Although I didn't go on a spending ban, I managed to save up the money I needed. I find this the most helpful as if you want something you'll save up for it, so you can get it. I also find this the most rewarding as you know you have thought long and hard about this purchase and I find that it's a great achievement.

Use the products/clothes that you already have. 

I am quite excited to be on a spending ban because I know that I will revisit old products that I was using before I got new ones. We as beauty bloggers have a habit of switching from one product to the other. It will be good to see what I need to throw out, sell or even use again. I find it satisfying when you use up a product that has been waiting for you, for so long. I find that I get lots of inspiration from all my products that I already have rather than buying new ones.

Don't Browse On Money Saving Websites. 

I am forever looking on moneysavingexpert and other online saving websites because who doesn't want the best deal? However when on a spending ban you really need to not browse on them because they will tempt you into buying something amazing because of the price. I find this very challenging but somehow I am getting by.

Avoid Shops Where You Are More Likely To Splurge Or Spend.

This is the biggie. The ultimate challenge. I find this so, so tough as I am forever looking in shops. The two shops I've been trying to avoid is Superdrug and New Look because I really do spend in those shops. Although I have resisted temptation and haven't spent a single penny in any shops that I normally would. Make up stands and clothes racks are the ones that I'm avoiding. 

Think: do you really need it?

I mentioned this in my post about Blogging On A Budget which you can read here. I always ask myself whether I actually need a product or item. Then I can add that to my wishlist, if not, I don't. Then I can build up a wishlist without actually spending any money.

I know a lot of people mention about giving yourself a little treat through you spending ban but I don't need one, I've just had my birthday and I got everything I needed then so I am sorted. However if you do want to treat yourself, buy yourself a small treat that isn't splurging your money.

What are your spending ban tips?

Rainy Days With Rainbows.

Hello all. So I was just casually walking home from visiting a few family members and well... it started raining. Luckily I didn't get wet and missed the last shower but what I really loved was; there was a rainbow too. It just really made me happy and it shows that even if the sky is grey and dark and dull - there is still happiness. That sounded really cringe worthy but honest that's how I feel.This photo was taken in September by the way but I just haven't got round to posting this.

As it's November now, it is freezing and I'm already really struggling with this cold weather. I love November as it's edging closer to December but the cold is not great and I'm getting so many illnesses, ugh.

Basically the point of this post is just to say; if you're having a really bad day, think of all the great things you have in your life, things that you've done and achieved or things that generally make you happy. I always feel like doing this makes me  a little bit happy.

I hope wherever you are in the world that you are having a fabulous November!

The British Tag.

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Hello everyone, so if you know me by now you'll know that if I like a TAG I will normally do it, even if I don't get tagged and so today I wanted to do The British Tag. This has been going through the blogosphere for a while and youtube of course so now grab a cuppa and get to know more things about me.

1. How many cups of tea do you have a day and how many sugars?

First of all, I love tea. I think I drink on a weekday about 4 and on a weekend maybe 6/7? I have two sweeteners instead of sugar. 

2. Favourite part of your roast?

My favourite part of my roast is probably the mash potato or any potato in general. I just love potatoes. 

3. Favourite dunking biscuit?

I am a rich tea kinda gal! Although I hate it when you dunk them for too long and the biscuit just drops into your tea, not nice.

4. Favourite quintessentially British pass time?

Afternoon tea. I just love the whole concept about having afternoon tea. 

5. Favourite word?

I don't really have a favourite word other than "chinwag"  but I love the saying "Bobs your uncle" 

6. Cockney rhyming slang?

Apples and pears = Stairs.

7. Favourite sweet?

Rhubarb and Custards or Pear Drops! 

8. What would your pub be called?

The Bulmer Arms because my last name is Bulmer and I think it would be great, haha.

9. No.1 British person?

Prince William and if you want to know all about my experience of meeting him, read here.

10. Favourite shop/restaurant?

My favourite shop is probably paperchase haha, I'm such a sucker for cute stationary. 

11. What British song pops into your head?

Wonderwall by Oasis.

12. Marmite.

I've never actually tried Marmite but it doesn't look very nice so I'll probably pass on trying it.

What would your answers be for the British tag?

*Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze Review.

Hello all. Today I have a review for you and it is a product from Cocoa Brown. I have been testing out their gentle Bronze tan which is amazing. I am the type of girl who doesn't mind waiting for a gradual tan, I find that now it is Winter I still want to glow but I want a more natural tan that won't make me stand out and I believe I have found the perfect product for this. 

I love the pink packaging of this product, it makes it very girly but is perfect for me. 

This product gives me hydrated but bronzed skin and I can keep applying it to make it either darker or lighter. 

How this product works:

- If applied every day it can not only moisturise but give your skin a hint of colour.

- Apply it as you would a body moisturiser , making sure that is it rubbed into your skin properly.

- Wait for the lotion to dry before getting dressed and always wash your hands after use.

The product looks like this. I really loved using this product and it is perfect for people who don't want to commit to an instant tan. The only disappointment was that the beautiful smell wore off after a couple of hours but that is to be expected as it is a fake tan but I can't really fault this product. The consistency is really smooth and easy to use. 

You can buy this product from anywhere but here is a link to Superdrug where you can buy it for £5.99.

*Disclaimer: This product has been sent for review but all opinions and views expressed are 100% honest and are all my own.

Beauty Swap.

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Let's kick November off with a bang.

So today I wanted to do a post about a Beauty Swap. I have seen beauty swaps done both on youtube and in the blogging world and I think they are really nice to do. Postage can be a little steep but it's a way that you can discover new products and you can give new products to other people. Some people do beauty swaps where they give their unwanted beauty things to other people but I want to do a beauty swap where I give away some new products that I love that you might love too.

I'm hoping to find someone who will want to do a beauty swap with me. So I thought I'd do a post. If anyone is interested in doing a beauty swap with me you can comment in the comments below or you can email me: megb1998@hotmail.co.uk. I would love to do one and I know quite a few bloggers love to do them too.

Depending on how many responses I get if I get any responses. Will determine how many items get sent. Hopefully I will get a few responses, I love interacting with you lovelies. For my beauty swap(s) they will be fairly cheap. Drugstore at least, mainly because I know some bloggers are at uni and etc etc, basically trying to save money.

If you are interested please do let me know.