Showing posts with label elljaye. Show all posts
Showing posts with label elljaye. Show all posts

Thursday, 1 January 2015

Getting Fit

Hey Guys!!

So, just to put it out there, I split up with my boyfriend, my bestfriend, two days ago. So I'm now thinking of ways to make myself happy and feel better about myself for 2015.

One of these would be to get fit, I used to walk around 4 miles a day at school and college as I had to walk from one side of the city to another. However I now work 9-5:30 at a desk job, and drive 40 minutes each way when going to and from work/home. So as you can tell.. my exercise has dropped dramatically! Meaning that in the last year I have gained 1 stone.

I know that is not a massive amount, I also know I haven't got a lot of fat to lose, but once I have lost what I need I plan to tone up.

In order to do this I'm going to be following the Blogilates work out plans, 30 Day Flat Ab Challenge & Beginners 2.0   4 week plan.



30 Day Flat Ab Challenge
For this it is basically what it says on the tin, 30 days of building up your abs. It starts of with a simple set of 5 reps of 3 different exercises, then each day the sets/reps increase, until the end where you are able to do 5 different sets of 22 reps.

It also has on it the amount of extra cups of water you should aim to drink each day as this decreases bloating.

Beginner's 2.0
I have a feeling this is going to be a fair bit more intense than the ab challenge. This workout plan contains video names for Blogilates, where you can then go onto youtube and follow her work out video. I think this is going to be quite a bit more intense than the ab challenge as some of these videos are 30 minutes long. But I am determined to stick with it!

So, without further a-due, here is my BEFORE picture - weighing in at 10 stone. I would like to be 9 stone 9lbs by 31st January, I think that should be pretty do-able!

If anyone else would like to join in with me, please tweet me or tag me on your instagram pics!

Blogilates also has some healthy food recipes on her app, which I shall be trying out too! Let me know if you have tried any in the comments below!! 

Thank you for reading, I will be keeping you updated on my progress!

Much love xoxo






Friday, 26 December 2014

How to be happy

Hey strangers!

Firstly I apologise for the inconsistancy of my blog. I don't want this to be a place that I fill with negativity but most of the time when I feel like writing, it's because I'm in a negative place. I think as a new years resolution I will maybe set myself a goal of posting once a week... what do you think, sound realistic???

So how was everyone's Christmas day??

I got lots of bits and bobs, my main present this year was a robot arm... yes you read right... a robot arm! I know this sounds very odd but its an inside thing with me and my mum. Basically whenever I'm feeling low or fed up and she asks what I want to do, I always say build a robot. Random I know, but how cool would it be building a little robot?!

Xmas day was kind of quiet this year, I come from a reasonably big family but my siblings have moved out, one sister moved up north with her partner so now lives 4 hours away and my other sister moved to Australia so is a good 24 hours away! My brother only lives a short drive but he works a lot of long shifts so we don't get to see him to often. My mum works on Christmas day too which isn't the best but it could be worse! So yeah, if everyones home with their partners too then we have a full house of 9 people! but this year it was just me mum and dad mostly, except the few hours my brother came over in the morning.

What did you guys get for Christmas??? I think the best thing for me was spending time with my mum and dad, shutting out the rest of the world and playing board games and having a laugh. Things have been a struggle recently so doing this was just what I needed.

So I've called this blog post "how to be happy" but honestly, I don't think there really is any one answer of how to be happy. I think a good start is surround yourself with the people that make you happy. For me, thats my mum and dad. When things get tough home is where I want to be.

Another thing I would recommend is reading. I love reading because I get so into the story that it takes me out of reality and the story is all I am thinking about. My favourite book that I've read in the last year is Nothing Left to Lose. I would definitely recommend it!!

Tonight I've been feeling a little low so I've lit my favourite scented candle, opened up a tub of jelly tots and I'm going to play some Grand Theft Auto.

Surround yourselves with the people and things that make you happy, it's ok to take yourself out of reality from time to time, but don't run from it. Eventually you will have to face it again, but if things get too much, go to your safe place :)

Have you got any ways that help make yourself happy? Write them in the comments... lets try make this a positive space.

I'll write again soon (hopefully!!!). Remember, live life for you.

Toodles.. xoxo


Thursday, 5 September 2013

What's in my makeup bag?

Hey hey :) I'm sorry I've been pretty absent:( I had some relationship issues and have started a new job so I dont get home until about 6:30 each evening and then i tend to go see the mr. This is a post I wrote a month ago for a guest post on Scottish Lass' blog :) Before we continue, I don't actually own any high-end products as I'm more of a budget beauty kind of girl :P 
Makeup Brushes

From the gold brush to the front we have:
Real Techniques - Buffing Brush - Which I use for my pressed powder
Blusher Brush (not sure what make as it was a gift)
Real Techniques - Deluxe Crease Brush - perfect for creating a smokey eye!
Real Techniques - Base Shadow Brush
Real Techniques - Brow Brush
Jenna Kidd - I- Glamour Define Eyeliner - however the eyeliner broke off, but the other end is perfect for correcting mistakes with liquid eye liner!!


The Face!


Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation - in the colour 100 (Ivory) - I love this foundation as it has very good coverage but doesn't feel heavy on your skin! 
MUA - Cover & Conceal - I recommend going one tone lighter than your skin tone if you're wanting to cover up under eye darkness!:) 
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - Transparent - I use this to get rid of any shine as I have quite oily skin.


Eyes
ELF - Eyeshadow Duo - in the shade Butter Pecan

Collection 2000 - Fast Stroke Liquid Eyeliner - Black

Avon - little red dress - perfect for the base coat on your lashes!
MUA - Every Lash
Maybelline - Great Lash
Rimmel - Scandaleyes - Perfect for the final coat to give extra volume! 

Blusher/Bronzer
Bourjois Paris Bronzing powder- smells DELICIOUS! 
MUA Blusher - Cupcake

Eyebrows

I never used to fill in my brows until very recently, when I had it done once for a photoshoot and I realised how much better it actually made my makeup look as it balances the face out a bit. Also when I went out before it sometimes looked like I wasn't really wearing makeup, but with the Brows darkened a bit it finished off the look and enhanced everything. 

The brow colour (top right) was coming out not quite dark enough, so I've been mixing it with that and the 3rd colour down :)

Lippssss

My Latest Lipstick purchases were Nostalgic by E.L.F (in the silver casing)
& the Lasting Colour Sweet Tart (the middle one) the colour of this one is very pigmented so it comes out really well, however it was a little bit too shocking pink for my liking, so I put foundation or the Nostalgic lipstick underneath and it makes it a lighter colour :) 



Miss Sporty - Hollywood in 140 Pasadena
&
Avon Moisture Seduction - (VERY bright pink!) 

Final Addition

The last thing in my makeup bag which is also my latest purchase is the MUA Pro-base fixing mist! You apply this after you have applied your makeup and it is supposed to help keep your makeup in place. I was initially going to get the ELF one after asking my friend how her makeup stays on all day, but it was out of stock so I thought I'd experiment with this for the time being!!! So far, it's not too bad I think it did keep my makeup on a little bit better than usual but will have to see how I get on with it :)


Thanks for reading!:)

Toodles ♥

Follow me on twitter ---> www.twitter.com/ell_jaye
Follow me on instagram ---> www.instagram.com/elljayeblog

Tuesday, 30 July 2013

Shhh!

Hey Hey!

Sorry I've been very quiet over the past week or so! as you know last week I was away on holiday, then the day I got back my boyfriend also returned after 3-4 weeks of not seeing him so I've been pretty much glued to his side for the past 2 days!

I decided against trying sun-in Spray whilst I was away as it has hydrogen peroxide in it- which i'm pretty sure makes your hair green when mixed with chlorine - but I'm going to try it out now that I'm back!:)

Heres a picture of the view from near our room! was a bit of a hike going up and down the steps everyday but hey ho the rest of it was lovely! It was CRAZY hot though. Like usually its around 35-40 and I can bare it.. but it was 44 degrees C and hotter! my parents spent the whole time in the shade so I spent most of the time sitting by the pool on my own reading - I read 6 and a half books in one week!!!

If you like Romancey type books that aren't full of mush but a fair bit of drama - Lindsey Kelk is an AMAZING author. I think the first one of hers I read was a whilst ago and I think that was the Single Girls To - Do List, then I read the I heart series (I heart New York , I heart Paris etc) and finally I read another one called About A Girl. If you like one of her books you'll like them all as they all have similar plots just with different twists:)

If you'd like to see more pics then comment below! Are you going anywhere this summer???

Toodles ♥

Follow me on twitter ---> www.twitter.com/ell_jaye
Follow me on instagram ---> www.instagram.com/elljayeblog

Friday, 19 July 2013

Summer Holiday - Mini Clothing Haul!

Hey Hey!

Soooo, My dad has been pretty stressed out with work and there's this one place in Greece that we always go back to when we go away, and we've not been in 3 or 4 years, then the otherday he decided he wanted a break and there was one room left so we booked a last minute holiday. Which then came with the issue - what on earth do I have that I can take on holiday?

Luckily I had recently bought about 6 of the bargain strap tops that Newlook sell so that was my daytime wear pretty much sorted along with a pair of shorts! But I didn't really have anything for evenings so I still needed a few bits.

Skirts



The skirt on the left is a very bright, fluorescent skirt that I picked up from Primark for a bargain £4
The skirt on the right is black, white and a coral/peachy colour, and I picked that up from Select for £6
The top I bought a while ago from asos - pretty sure that was £4 also, so with that top and one of these skirts, I've got an outfit there for under £10 - Wonderful!:)


Dresses

I've never worn a dress like this before, but I really liked the way it fit top half, even if I'm still not quite used to the floatyness of it!:) I got this from the sale in Select for £10.60 I believe!:)

Okay, as you can tell I've decided to step out of my comfort zone a little bit and go for a bit more bright and patterned style clothing to what I'm used to, it seems to be in at the minute so I thought I'd try it out! and I surprisingly liked this dress! The pattern on the front is slightly different to the one on the back which is why I took a picture from behind too :) This was £18 from Jane Norman

Bikinis!!!!

Well for a lovely summer holiday to Greece - of course a bikini is an essential!;) 



This is a beautiful almost mint green bikini - I got this from Tescos - the bottoms were £5 and the top was £9

This aztec bikini is white, black and neon pink. I purchased the skirts above the next day, and when I brought them home I discovered this bikini top actually is quite similar to the 2nd skirt apart from the pinks are different tones - but I think I'll still be able to get away with it :) This set is also from Tesco, the bottoms were £5 and the top was £7

Shorts & Accessories
So my eye sight is AWFUL and I'd been trying to hold off getting a pair of sunglasses as really I needed a pair of prescription ones - which are pretty damn pricey! But as we're going away I had to get some, I 'd been searching round for ages and couldn't find any that I liked then I found these and surprisingly I liked them! They cost £12.50 - which is a lot for me - usually I pay about £6 for sunnies, but they were needed !These are Foster Grants ones you can get them from places like Sainsburys, Superdrug etc

The shorts I picked up from Primark for a bargain £5!!! I almost got another pair but they didn't have the colour I wanted when I went back sad times :(


I didn't have a nice little bag that I could take out in the evenings when all I really would need is a camera and money (not all my books and music and stuff like I do in the day whilst I'm chilling by the pool:P) then I saw this little baby in Tesco for just £5 so thought I had to ;) 

Sandals

I forgot to take a picture of these (my bad) so I took the picture off the website. These are from tescos and cost £12.50 - I can't usually wear sandals like this as my feet are quite wide, but these are REALLY comfy! definitely recommend them!! 


Anyways I best be off now! Hope you enjoyed this post! I'll see you all in a week! 

Are you going away this summer? Where are you off to and where did you find your summer clothing bargains?!:) 

By the way I am Guest Posting on A Scottish Lass' blog on Saturday 27th July - so go check that out too when its up!:) 

Toodles ♥

Follow me on instagram ---> www.instagram.com/elljayeblog
Follow me on twitter ---> www.twitter.com/ell_jaye





Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Liebster Award!

Heyloooo :)

So today I was nominated for the 'Liebster Award' by the lovely Boho Rush. As a new blogger, I wasn't too sure what this was, so I looked into it a bit more and found out that it is basically something to boost someone's blog reputation when they have less than 200 followers, which I personally think is a great idea because we all get to boost and help eachother along!:)




The rules for this are:
- Tell your readers 11 random facts about yourself
- Answer 11 questions given by the person who nominated you
- Nominate new blogs (under 200 followers) and give them 11 questions to answer

11 Random Facts About Myself
1) I am a singer/musician
2) I dabble in a bit of songwriting
3) I was a trainee photographer and got to model sometimes
4) I'm a girl gamer...
5) My guilty pleasure ... Justin Bieber :P
6) Favourite all time tv show... probably House !
7) I'm afraid of the dark.. not necessarily the darkness but what lurks in it!
8) The Script is my all time favourite band
9) I actually have videos on youtube - not vlog type ones but singing ones :P
10) I get very anxious and worry a lot
11) I find it very hard to believe in myself

11 Questions Asked by Boho Rush
Q Summer or Winter
A Summer!!!

Q What Is your biggest fear
A A bit of a sad one but losing my parents

Q What are your top 3 pet-peeves?
A 1) People being 2 faced 2) People not sticking with their word 3) People that flirt when one of them is involved in a relationship

Q What is your favourite makeup brand?
A Ahhh difficult, If nail varnish counts as makeup then Barry M :P

Q If you could spend the day with any celebrity who would it be and why?
A Ooooh good question hmm.. I'm stuck between a few :( Justin Bieber - because I've watched him on youtube since before he became huge. Mila Kunis - because she's just amazing or Shenae Grimes because she seems really nice, but I don't know too much about her I just imagine her being fun and bubbly! :)

Q Favourite TV Show
A Probably House, although there are a lot of others that I like :P

Q Favourite Memory From Childhood
A Oh gawwwdd ! I Can't remember a lot lol  - is that bad? Probably playing spies with my friends that are twins and trying to spy on my mum but always getting caught:P

Q Who is your style inspiration
Oh dear, I don't really have a style inspirations I just dress depending on how I'm feeling and who I'm with, but I do really like the way that Gillian Zinser (Ivy Sullivan) dresses when she's on 90210, so possibly her!:) and again I like Shenae Grimes' fashion too - lots of 90210!:P

Q If your house was on fire what's the one thing you would save?
A If it doesn't include people... probably my box filled with letters from when my boyfriend was in Afghanistan and little memories we've made since then  ** cue the awwwwwhhhsss**

Q Pizza or Chocolate
A Ahhh this is hard!!! I like chocolate when I feel sad.. but I tend to like pizza whenever, so think I'm going to have to go for pizza! o.o

Q Favourite Scent
A Of a girls perfume, I really like Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy and.. theres a Hugo Boss one I got YEARS ago but can't remember what its called I just remember it was in a clear glass bottle which was sort of slanted and the perfume was pink :P ^.^ helpful if you want to try it I know ;) Such a good beauty blogger!


My Nominees are:


The Questions For My Nominees :
1) Who is your Celebrity Crush?
2) What's the thing you look for in a guy/girl
3) What are your top 3 favourite things to do
4) Do your friends know that you blog?
5) What is your dream job?
6) What's your favourite food?
7) Where would you most like to live?
8) What are 3 things you want to do before you die?
9) What's your favourite makeup brand?
10) Do you own any high-end makeup or clothing?
11) Who is your all time favourite blogger(s)?



So that's my post !! Hope you liked learning a little bit more about me! To the people I have nominated please let me know when you have done this as I'm very interested in getting to know more bloggers!:)

Toodles ♥

Follow me on twitter ---> www.twitter.com/ell_jaye
Follow me on Instagram ---> www.instagram.com/elljayeblog

Friday, 5 July 2013

Happy Days!!

Hey Hey!

So I am extra happy today as I JUST PASSED MY DRIVING TEST YEYYYYY!!!:)

I've been feeling sick with nerves since the moment i woke up on Thursday and my test was today at midday. I had 30 hours of lessons and passed with 2 minors, so I'm quite proud of myself :) I have got a car, my boyfriend bought it for me, such a lucky girl I am!!! However the garage we bought it from was a pain in the bum, and we are having a couple of issues with documents so I cannot drive it until we manage to get it in my name so I can insure it:( But for now I can sit in it and pretend to drive ;)


Here's me and my baby! Any name suggestions?? :)


Much Love!!

Toodles ♥

p.s if you want any info on driving tests or tips just leave me a comment because it is NOT as scary as you think trust me!!:) xxx

Follow me on twitter ---> www.twitter.com/ell_jaye
Follow me on instagram ---> www.instagram.com/elljayeblog

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

How Much Is My Face Worth?

HeyHey!

I've seen a couple of beauty bloggers do this post and I am intrigued to see how much mine is worth as I have said in previous posts that I'm more like the 'budget beauty blogger' so lets see how this turns out...

p.s a few items of mine were gifts or from magazines and things like that so I'm not sure if they count or not so I will count it, but I'll put (Gift) next to it:)

My everyday makeup,
Starting off with just my face:

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation - £6.99
MUA cover and conceal (concealer) - £1.50
Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder - £3.99
Natural Collection Bronzing Pearls - £1.99

So that's just a total of £14.47

I could not find any prices for the blusher I've been using so I've put the one that I used until it ran out and I thought I'd use this up to save money!

Eyes!!!
Lulla & Belle Cosmetics Smokey Eyes - (Gift) - £5.99 (according to someone on ebay as I can't find it anywhere else)
Avon Little Red Dress Mascara - £2.50 (Gift - considering it's an Avon product i'm shocked by this little bargain!)
MUA Every Lash Mascara - £4.99
Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara (the one in orange packaging) - £6.99 - I got this either for free or cheaper on sale with some 3 for 2 deal or something!:)

Eyes adds up to £20.47 - 2 of these were gifts though and 1 on sale... so still not too shabby!

Lips (obviously I don't wear all 3 of these at once, but it depends on what I'm wearing with which one I choose)
Miss Sporty Hollywood Lipgloss £2.99
MUA Lipstick - £1
Avon Moisture Seduction Lipgloss - £3

anddddd the Lips section totals at £6.99


Right then.. In total, my Everyday Makeup adds up to £41.93
And that looks like (minus the lipgloss/lipstick)....


If I do my going out makeup I only add 2 extra things and they are:
Fast Stroke Liquid Eyeliner Collection 2000 - £2.50
and
the Pretty In Pink 81 Colour Eyeshadow palette that I mentioned in my everyday smokey eye post - £14.99

So adding that on it would make my total for my going out makeup £59.42

and my Going Out Look, looks like...

It's pretty much the same, just with smokey eye makeup too :)

So... I think that's not too bad actually! Yes I definitely would like to have MAC and Bobbi Brown makeup, and other expensive brands, but unfortunately I cannot afford that at the moment! So if you're wanting to keep your makeup on a budget, I'm your gal ;)


Thanks for reading! Any questions feel free to comment, I will always reply :)

Toodles ♥

Follow me on Twitter ---> www.twitter.com/ell_jaye
Follow me on Instagram ---> www.instagram.com/elljayeblog

Thursday, 27 June 2013

30 Day Snap Challenge - day 26

Hey hey!

Here's today's snap! :)

Toodles <3

P.s my blogs will get more interesting once I've left college next week as I'll be doing more than just assignments ;) xx

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

30 Day Snap Challenge Day 19

HeyHey!

I'm discovering whilst doing this I have a very boring life! all I do is go to college, do assignments, see my boyfriend or watch tv -.- I apologise for how boring the june posts are being :P

Today I watched tv, had a driving lesson - got my test soon EEEEK!! watched more tv, then went out for dinner with my boyfriend and his best mate, I felt like a bit of a 3rd wheel and now have hardly any money because the food cost me £12 and as a student... I dont exactly have a lot of dollar. Now im here writing to you, before then continuing with ANOTHER assignment. snore.......

Today's pic is of Barry M 304 Mint Green nail varnish. I do quite like this nail varnish, however I feel it kind of needs to go with what you're wearing otherwise it looks a bit weird. One coat is NOT enough with this nail varnish, I wear 2 coats, but I think 3 would probably make it look its best but I tend to scuff my nails a lot and it takes much longer to try with 3 coats so.. yersh! I've had this nail varnish for probably a year now and it still has not gone gloopy? which I am amazed by! Yey Barry M!:)


Speak tomorrow
Toodles ♥

Follow me on Instagram --> http://instagram.com/elljayeblog
Follow me on Twitter --> https://twitter.com/ell_jaye

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

30 day snap challenge day 11

Hey hey!
Today's snap is of a scrap book that I made for me and my boyfriend for valentines day :) i have it at the moment as I'm adding our new adventures to it!

Toodles <3