Beauty // SPF Summer Skin care picks

These past few days have been wonderfully warm haven't they? I hope you've all been enjoying the weather.I've been trying to make the most of it by spending as much time basking in the sunshine as possible! This week I've really been making sure to include products that contain SPF in order to avoid that lobster red look.I wish I was able to get a golden tan like some people,but until then I'll stick to these as I've found these have really helped to keep my skin in check.

I've been applying this Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock religiously since it started getting warmer and I love that I can use it on my face without breaking out as it is oil free and non comedogenic (doesn't clog pores) I picked it up from the 99p store and it's the highest SPF factor that I've been able to find (let me know if you have seen any higher!) It sinks into the skin easily but it is quite slow to absorb so I'd definitely wait 5 minutes before getting dressed etc..I've used some sunscreens that have left my face looking like an oil slick,but with this one I can apply foundation over it and still have a completely matte finish.

This Holika Holika Petit BB Cream in Moisturising  is really great for those sunny days where you want to wear lighter make up and let your skin breathe.It's SPF 30 and its creamy formulation is amazing for sorting out tired dry skin whilst giving a medium coverage.I've got very pale skin and I found this to be a good match,despite looking quite orange in the tube it leaves my skin looking even and lessens the look of my pores.I wrote a full review a little while back which you can read here

As a 00's teenage girl,I was an huge fan of the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse,but as I got into my 20's I found that I wanted a foundation that offered a more coverage and was more suited to my skin tone.I've been using Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation in Light Vanilla (as you can see from the tatty much loved packaging!) It's £10.99 which is quite expensive compared to my budget buys,but as foundation can make such a difference I'm happy to pay it.It contains SPF 10 and has various pigments (yellow,red and green) to help combat dark circles,dull complexion and redness.It does cover light pimples and scarring,but if you're having a breakout you might need to apply some heavy duty concelear to add a little more coverage.One thing I've noticed is that it does stay on for a good few hours,a little swirl of powder is all that is needed to set this for most of the day.I could stand to go a shade paler (they don't do it!) but I love how it feels light and natural on my skin.If you're after a long lasting and medium coverage foundation then I'd really recommend it.


Although I've got my trusty skincare routine to help keep my freckles safe and the wrinkles at bay,I'm really struggling to find a foundation for pale freckly skin!


Does anybody have any recommendations?

Recovery // Anxiety affirmations & tips

via Pinterest

Anxiety disorders are unfortunately very common,with 1 in 6 people in the UK experiencing them in their lifetimes.How they affect people varies as much as the people themselves,mental health doesn't discriminate.If you have any concerns about your well-being,please don't hesitate to visit your GP.

There are different types of Anxiety disorder,such as Social Anxiety Disorder,Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Generalised Anxiety disorder to name only a few.I suffer from the latter which means that I worry obsessively about the future and find it hard to make decisions.I also struggle with appointments and using the phone (I hate going to the Doctors!)

Some symptoms of Anxiety can include;

• a sense of dread
• shortness of breath / heart palpitations
• headaches
• irritability
• irrational thoughts
• feeling like you're having a heart attack or "going crazy"

Whenever I feel extremely anxious (e.g important phone calls) I have heart palpitations,my hands shake and my chest becomes very painful.I also find it hard to get my words out and I can jumble sentences up.Everybody experiences symptoms differently though,so there is no right or wrong way.

I know that people telling you to "calm down" definitely doesn't work so I've put together some great tips and affirmations that have helped me in difficult situations.

Affirmations

"Nothing can hurt me right now"

Reassuring yourself that you are safe from harm can really decrease anxious feelings.If you can,try to move yourself to a more comforting environment.

"I accept that I feel anxious and it will pass"

Acknowledge your emotions and realising that it won't last forever can be very comforting.

"I am in control" or "I can do this"

Help yourself to feel powerful.Even when you're feeling scared and anxious,positive statements will help to counteract the anxiety.Also,it can do wonders for your self esteem!

Top tips for Anxiety

1. Breathe! When you're heart is racing and your mind is running away with you,it's easy to lose control of your breathing.Long and deep breaths can really help keep your symptoms in check and help you to accomplish your tasks.

     2. Feel the room around you.Touching your surroundings can help you focus on the reality and ground      your thoughts in the present.I like to touch the seat that I'm sat on and try to notice what's around me.

     3.Keep a journal.This is why blogging is great! If that's not your thing,keeping a journal where you can write your thoughts and experiences with anxiety can be really help you notice patterns in your behaviour and emotions.

    

      4.Question the worries in your head. Are they irrational or irrational? If you can solve the problem think of ways to achieve this (ask for help if you need to.) If you can't then try to accept that you can't change the outcome.

      5.Get enough sleep.A good nights sleep can go a long way to helping you feel more refreshed,focused and at ease.I know if I don't get enough sleep,my anxiety levels definitely increase.

I really hope that anyone that  is suffering or has suffered with anxiety feels safe in the knowledge that they are not alone! I often experience unpleasant symptoms still,but by managing them effectively I can get through the day a little easier.

Do you have any advice to people experiencing anxiety?

The best things in life are free // Community Potluck

Once a week, I have decided to dedicate a post to writing about great things to do or see for very little money! Having a night out can be so expensive, and you can often go how with nothing more than an empty wallet and a soggy kebab.This is where Potlucks come in, they are gaining popularity in the UK as they're a great way to share food and meet new people.I took along some peanut butter and chocolate bars!

The idea is that everyone who attends brings some food and you all share it together.They normally accept donations so that they can hire the venue and put the kettle on,but other than that it's often free! My local one was held in the Methodist Church and run by the "Network of Wellness" who help support people coming together in the community.

I thought the table decorations where really cute and I love the handmade touch.They did a really good job at jazzing up an otherwise plain hall.I could do with some of those candle jars at home!When I got to the food table,I didn't know what to pick. There was so much choice including vegan options,so it was great that everyone was catered for.

I decided on trying a little bit of everything! I had to some Pasty of course (true Devonian!) but this was potato and leek which was a bit different.I also tried so Gnocchi and a little bit of rice salad.There was loads of fresh fruit too, so I picked up a few fresh strawberries.Almost all of the food was organic,really well cooked and there was so much of it that I was blown away by people's hard work! I washed it all down with a lovely Chai Latte.

I couldn't pass up on dessert as it all looked so good! My photo doesn't do it justice,but this a Berry cheesecake which had just the right amount of sweet and tart flavours.It was great to just sit and enjoy some food with people you wouldn't normally spend time with.You meet all kinds of people! With full stomachs, we decided to head to the free market.

Now that you know roughly where I live,Totnes is well known for being an alternative and green community.We're very big on recycling and reusing down here! A friendly man came up to us and said "take as much as you want" which I thought was very generous.There was a large selection of kids clothes and all kinds of different books covering every subject.We walked away with a few books that we know family members love.

I was really impressed by the kindness and friendliness of the community here, we had a great time! If we had of gone out drinking for a night, we could have spent £30, but this was a great way to have a meal out in a lovely setting all for a £2 donation!

Would you ever go to a Potluck? If you have,did you enjoy it?