Putting Down My Phone...

Over the past week something has really hit me. I look at my phone far too much. I mean.... it's like an extra limb.

Yes this sounds so stupid, as it is probably really obvious with the amount of time I spend on social media and browsing ASOS, but really.... it's unnecessary. 

My evenings for years have had me sat glued to my phone 99% of the time, only breaking when I'm eating or watching TV and even then I'm bloomin' commentating about it aren't I!

Now my job is a day constantly on a laptop and online I actually enjoy having a break from the internet world once I'm home .....

So I've made a deal with myself. 

I'm going to get back into reading.

I have always loved reading but with the internet being such a distraction especially around bedtime, by the time I've finished browsing and scrolling my eyes are dropping, I'm half asleep and there's noway I could delve into that book that's been sat on my bedside table for months.

There's nothing more relaxing than getting cosy and totally loosing yourself in a story... with a cup of tea near by obviously.
 I used to go through so many books and LOVED it! I'd get so excited about finishing an amazing story or finding a new series to start and I'd always love sharing my thoughts and recommendations with friends and on goodreads (the best site ever for readers!).

Nowadays I feel like a total failure because I'll read 50 pages of something then forgot to carry on until another 3 weeks later or so - it's terrible!

Last year I told myself I'd read more and what happened? I got distracted and didn't. I don't even know if I did finish a book last year and I find that embarrassing to admit! (Oh yeah I did... 'The Girl On The Train' - awesome book!)

So - I'm going to start with the Harry Potter series - total classics. I then have a whole book shelf and kindle to get through - all the books and downloads I've accumulated over the last 2 or 3 years that I've never ended up reading, I'm determined to get through them all this year.

Wanna join me? Do it!
 Let me know on Twitter and in the comments below! #PuttingDownMyPhone
 I'd also love your book recommendations - leave them all below so we can all have an amazing reading list to explore and save :)
A couple of personal favourites you guys need to check out - the 'Delirium' trilogy and the 'Eve' trilogy!

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World Kindness Day with Cotton Traders

'Have courage and be kind." - Cinderella 2015

One of my favourite Disney quotes and one that I think is easy to actually live by. Kindness is something I've always tried to uphold, I mean come on, it's not hard is it?

Last week it was World Kindness Day.... did you know? You may have spotted it on Twitter! A day dedicated to kindness, love and our ability to put a smile on someone else's face.

Cotton Traders recently asked if I'd like to join their #WorldKindnessDay campaign - spreading the word and encouraging everyone to get involved with committing a random act of kindness not just on the 13th but throughout this whole month. Obviously I was straight on board and want you guys to be too!

As part of WKD (haha wkd!) Cotton Traders were lovely enough to send me a box of kindness - which I have to say has put a huge smile on my face. It was like they knew my favourite things and popped them all into a box - cosyness all round!

This included thick knitted socks, a hot water bottle, a gorgeous mug and some yummy teabags just to mention a few bits.

With the weather being so poop and having some early morning starts at work these things have really been perking me up when I'm home.
There's nothing more relaxing than being at home all cosy and warm with a nice cup of tea - Cotton Traders really hit the nail of the head when thinking up this kindness box.

 10 Easy Ways You Can Commit A Random Act Of Kindness This Month:

• Compliment a stranger
• Invite your friends/mum over for some tea and cake
• Share another bloggers post with your friends/family/followers
• Donate to charity - whether it be money or some unwanted items
• Give blood
• Make someone giggle with a funny picture or video
• Have a clearout of those things you don't use and offer them to friends (I love doing this with all my beauty products)
• Buy someone you love their favourite chocolate bar or snack as a little gift
• Offer to babysit for a friend/family member so they can go out
• Have a chat with someone who looks/seems a bit lonely, maybe a customer at work or someone in your supermarket?

It doesn't have to be anything extravagant - just something to pop a smile on a face, it's often the smallest of gestures that make the biggest difference. (Plus it makes you feel good too, knowing you've made someone else happy!)

Want to share your act of kindness with us? Just use the hashtag #CTWorldKindnessDay and tell us what you've been upto! Maybe you could even make your own kindness box to give to a friend or family member?

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My Sunday Favourites

Sunday. My favourite day of the week.

Mainly because I'm not at work, I hardly ever make any plans and I can get caught up on everything I want too.

Yes, I love staying at home, relaxing, organising my life and having a bit of 'me' time - so cliche I know but who doesn't love that?
Seeing as today is that day I thought I would share you you a few of my favourite Sunday things.

Cosy Clothes (aka looking like a slob)

Pyjamas, jogging bottoms, sweaters - I'm all about being comfortable and cosy.

7 NO BRAS TODAY THANK YOU, NO SIR, NOWAY.

Being Make-Up Free (goodbye visible eyelashes and brows)

There's thing better than letting your skin breathe. It is very rare that I will ever bother to put make-up on on a Sunday, I love being able to keep my skin a break and pamper it a little for a day. (Plus I can rub my eyes and scratch my eye brows if needed - what a treat!)

Face Masks (my weekly Halloween costume)

This goes hand in hand with the no slap thing. I love popping on a face mask on my day off. Give my skin that all needed bit of extra and my total favourite at the moment is the Montagne Jeunesse Hot Spring Sauna - I can't even tell you how many of these I've been through, and they are only £1 each - can't complain with that.

Kirstie's TV Takeover (The remote is MINE)

Yes. I love a good TV session on a Sunday, whether it's catching up ona ll that stuff I've recorded, Netflix or a few good movie's I love being on my sofa and chilling - you may think this is totally sad for a 25 year old but it relaxes me, yup I'm a loser..... (This can be a bit of a fight with the boyfriend though.... he's not a Kardashian/X Factor or Amy Schumer fan really....)

Blogging Marathon (duh)

All those do-to lists and notes I've created throughout the week normally get done about now. Blog posts writing, photo taking, replying to e-mails - the lot.

I mean I'm sat down cosy on my sofa cracking on with these next few posts (whilst catching up with the X Factor) right now! I love having my little blog baby to look after and I enjoy the escape of writing and creating so much - beats a week at work anyday. 

Clean Sheets

There is NOTHING better then going to bed on a Sunday with fresh clean sheets, the greatest way to start a new week.

 Tea (chain-drinking the stuff...)

I drink so much tea when I'm at home. Wearing comfortable clothes, sitting on my sofa and either blog writing or watching my favourite films.... it's just never the same without that cup of tea next to me! My favourite tea is green tea, I could drink it all day everyday. I've been loving these Pukka Supreme Macha Green teabags lately I grabbed them while they were on offer at Tesco - bargain.

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New Years Eve : Night In vs Night Out

Whatever your plans this NYE, it's New Years so you've got to be having fun! 
Whether your off to an extravagant party, spending the evening in your local or having a fun night in with the girls - I'm sure you're all planning your nights already!

Night out vs Night in - what do you have planned? I still can't decide!

NIGHT IN

Princess Pyjamas | Origins Face Mask | New Years Eve DVD | SensatioNail Deluxe Starter Kit | Slipper Socks | Central Perk Mug | Heads Up App

NIGHT OUT

Shoes | Dress | Clip In Ponytail | Bag | Grey Goose | Press On Nails | Eyelashes | MAC Rebel

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Surviving The January Blues With F & F

The January Blues - I can guarantee 99% of you get this. With another year over, Christmas and new year bleeding us dry all of our hard earned cash and pay day seeming a million light years away... January can be a bit pants (not to mention the weather... will this wind and rain ever stop!)

For me this January hasn't been too great, lack of money, lack of work, lack of social interactions and those few extra lbs gained over December - they all add up and have a serious effect on my mood. (Okay I know things could be alot wore but still.... it's okay to miss Christmas and a full bank account isn't it?!)

So I was just ecstatic when F & F contacted me and ask whether I would like to cure my January Blues with a Bloggers Night In Survival Kit. Yes F & F... yes I really really would!
Not only that but this kit was for me AND a friend - and I knew exactly who I was going to pick!

February is a month I always look forward too (hello birthday!) and not only is it my big 2-4 next week but I'm also going to see Taylor Swift - something I've wanted to do for the probably the last 4 years or so! 
So it was time for a cosy night in with my pal to relax, chill, eat, watch and organise our trip to London! 
What better way to cure the January Blues than to have a perfect night in and something to look forward to in February aswell!

My box arrived and I was overwhelmed by the sheer size and weight of it - what could be in there? I literally had no idea what to expect and I could not believe what I found when I opened it!

Pyjamas each, slippers each, 3 amazing girly chick flicks, an amazing soap and glory face mask, popcorn (our favourite food), some insanely good chocolates, hairbo and some yummy hot chocolate.
I could not believe my eyes - major girl time was happening ASAP! So the next night my lovely friend came up to my crib, we got in our new pjs and slippers (which can I just say are amazing!), ditched the make-up and shoved our hair up - it was time to hit the sofa (aka the most comfiest thing ever!).

We'd both been on diets so a cheat night was definitely on the cards and seeing as F and F had totally spoilt us with incredible snack choices, we dug straight in!
Popcorn, sweets and the most amazing chocolates I've ever eaten. These were chocolates by a brand called Hotel Chocolat - and OMG I need to go to this hotel in London. Literally some of the best chocolate I have ever eaten.... and that is one serious statement from one serious chocoholic right here! As soon as I am in Tesco next my mission is to find them!

Should we be ashamed we polished off 2 bags of popcorn with ease? Nahh... never!

Not only did we have yummy treats and obviously great conversation (duh) but the TV and DVD player to ourselves (no men in sight!). 
F & F had sent us a fab choice of girly chicks flicks -What's Your Number? is amazing! AND we had the joys of Celebrity Big Brother ... man it is addictive!

We booked up our exciting trip to London - wahhooo something to look forward too and I'm sure I'll be blogging all about it!
Also... Soap & Glory facemask? FABULOUS! I'm thinking of doing a whole review post on it... what do we think?

A perfect Friday night in it was and I would like to say a huge huge huge thank you to F & F who made it possible, me and my friend couldn't have planned a better night in ourselves and we were so overwhelmed and grateful with everything they treated us with!

So it is true, the January Blues CAN be cured, just one night, one good friend and some fabulous treats and entertainment and the fact we are poor and it is still January just fades away! 
So whether it's January, February or even bloomin' August if you need a pick me up - a cosy night in with a friend or ten is definitely the way to go!

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