122. Lifestyle // My Month in Movies

As it’s the end of May, it’s now time for me to run through my top films this month…  I’m really getting back into reading at the moment, so many of my evenings have consisted of enjoying a good book, rather than curling up to watch a movie, so I haven’t watched that many films at all in May!

Pineapple Express

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My love for James Franco and Seth Rogan led S and I to this film on a quiet, lazy weekend. It’s a real stoner comedy, based around two guys who get caught up in a crime, and has all the elements you need for a great comic film. Although it was funny, it wasn’t as laugh out loud funny as Seth’s other films, which left me feeling quite disappointed but there were some hilarious moments (like when Franco's character gets his leg stuck in the windscreen). I probably would watch it again but I can’t rave about it, which is a shame. (7/10)

Hope Springs

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I’m a big fan of ‘feel-good’ films, and Meryl Streep, so this was a winner for me before it had even begun. The film follows an older, married couple who have lost the spark in their relationship, through the ups and downs of an intensive marriage counselling course. Meryl Streep is, as always, wonderful and Tommy Lee Jones played a brilliant part too; they were both very believable and relatable. It’s a wonderfully emotionally but, ultimately, feel-good film and I’d recommend it to anyone if you're looking for a heart-warming, easy watch. (8/10)

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

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I reluctantly suggested to S that for our date night a couple of weeks ago, we should head to the local cinema to watch the latest Spiderman movie, as he’s a huge comic book film fan. I actually semi-enjoyed the last Spiderman movie, starring Andrew Garfield, but nonetheless I wasn’t really looking forwards to seeing the second installement. However, I was very pleasantly surprised! Andrew Garfield was excellent as Peter Parker, cute, cool and a little bit nerdy, and Emma Stone.. well, just, Emma Stone. *Girl crush*. There was just the right amount of humour, action, violence and romance – it was never ‘too’ anything, it was ‘just right.’ Even if you don’t think you’d enjoy this, I’d recommend giving it a try as you may well be pleasantly surprised.  (8/10)

Other than these three movies, I also watched Jackass 3 which was gross but awesome, sorry not sorry!

Will you be giving any of these movies a watch this weekend?

121. Beauty // My Soap & Glory Favourites

Today I'm going to share four of my favourite Soap & Glory products. Soap & Glory are a brand that I've been familiar with for years - I remember buying Sexy Mother Pucker when I was about 13 years old, and thinking it was amazing (I've still not gotten over it!). I recently repurchased a few of their products and they've quickly become absolute essentials.

First up is 'Heel Genuis', which I've blogged about in the past - read more here. It's a lovely, thick, fresh-smelling moisturiser, specifically for feet and it works wonders. For the price it's totally worth it, as mine has only just run out, and I've had it for around six months, using it a few times a week. 

I also love Soap & Glory's 'Hand Food'. For starters, it smells divine - I just want to eat my hands after applying it, possibly why it's called Hand Food?! It soaks into my skin quickly and leaves no horrible sticky residue, but it does leave my hands feeling silky smooth. As I work in an office and spend a lot of time typing, writing and scrolling around on my mouse, the skin on my hands can get quite dry and irritated, but this stuff sorts it out completely. 

Sexy Mother Pucker XL 'Extreme-Plump' is another amazing Soap & Glory product. I love the tingly, buzzing feeling that you get after applying, and it lasts for a while (Shane, on the other hand, is not a big fan! When I kiss him whilst wearing this lip-gloss, he thinks his lips are 'burning' - what a wimp..). The actual lip-gloss itself doesn't last all that long but, to be honest, does lip-gloss ever?! I'm not sure how true the claims are that it makes your lips swell slightly and therefore look more 'plump' but I always feel like my lips look a lot fuller. 

Finally, another beautifully sweet smelling product from Soap & Glory, The Righteous Butter: this stuff is just perfect. It's a lovely, thick, creamy texture and it absorbs quickly too, leaving my skin feeling not only smooth but supple too. I swear by it after shaving my legs, and I've quickly got through half a tub in just a couple of months! It's wonderful to use after Soap & Glory's 'Flake Away' exfoliator. 

Soap & Glory really are a brand worth checking out. Their products not only work, but they smell delicious and their packaging is just so cool, I love the whole retro look! 

Have you tried any of Soap & Glory's products?

Which are your faves?

120. Reading // Reading Habits Tag

The wonderful Katie from IntoTheBookCase tagged me in this fun #bookbloggers Reading Habits tag, so I just had to give it a whirl. I love reading and it takes up a lot of my time (not that I'm complaining!).  I occasionally post book reviews too, so feel free to check those out too; Reconstructing Amelia, Half of a Yellow Sun and The Book Thief. 

Do you have a certain place at home for reading?

I'm happy to read wherever I am, but when I'm at home I like to snuggle up in bed or curl up on the sofa. It has to be somewhere comfortable where I can happily relax for hours.

Bookmark or random piece of paper?

I never use bookmarks, I'm one of those people who folds the corner over, however, when I was younger I used to love bookmarks and even spent my pocket money on them (book-worm from a young age!)

Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter or certain number of pages?

I prefer to finish a chapter before stopping, as otherwise I find myself a little bit lost when I go back to reading. If I haven't got time to make it to the end of the chapter, I'll just wait until the end of the paragraph instead. 

Do you eat or drink while reading?

I often read on my lunch break at work so eating & reading have to work together for me! As you might imagine, this frequently ends with my book, clothes or face splattered in food!

Do you watch TV or listen to music while reading?

I can't watch TV whilst reading, to be honest, I don't understand how anybody could?! When I'm at Shane's and he's playing on his XBOX or watching something on the TV whilst I read, I just put some music on, but something relaxing so that I can keep my mind on the book.

One book at a time or several at once?

I can never read more than one book at once. I remember doing my English Literature AS Levels and not being able to read anything for pleasure, because I was always studying a book for school instead, and since then I've struggled to read more than one at a time, but I prefer it that way. I like to be able to completely focus on one set of characters and one story.

Reading at home or everywhere?

I do most of my reading at home, but I also read on my lunchbreak, when travelling and sometimes if I just fancy a bit of downtime out of the house, I'll head to Costa and read my book; just me, a cuppa and a good book.

Reading out loud or silently in your head?

In my head, always.

Do you ever read ahead or skip pages?

I'm so bad for reading ahead! If I'm really enjoying a book, I always want to know how it ends and I have to physically restrain myself from reading the last few pages or googling it! If I'm finding a section a bit tiresome, I'll often skip a page or two, too.

Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?

Nothing I own ever looks new for long! After carrying a book around in my bag, everyday for a week, my books are usually covered in make-up, food and God knows what else! 

Do you write in your books?

I don't think I ever write in books, apart from study books. If I find a quote I love, I just put a sticky note in there or fold the page over.

I'm fairly new to the #bookbloggers community, so I don't know many book bloggers to nominate, but if you'd like to do this tag then feel free, just let me know!

119. Lifestyle // Update

You may have noticed my lack of blogger-presence over the last few weeks, and I think it's about time I explained myself...

As those of you who follow me on Twitter or read my recent mental health post will know, I struggle with anxiety on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes blogging is a wonderful escape for me to write, without anxiety, without doubt, but other times, when my anxiety is really bad, even the internet fills me with panic.

Add into the mix, lots of other normal commitments, stresses and tasks, along with me handing my notice in at work, losing my grandad to cancer and, generally, just feeling quite lost - I, understandably, didn't feel like blogging. 

However, although everything is still up in the air and I'm, by no means, in a good place right now, I feel it's time I pull myself together and put my energy into things that I enjoy, such as blogging. 

Everybody goes through tough times, everybody has bad days, bad weeks or even bad months, and everybody feels a little (or a lot..) lost at times, but dwelling on it won't help - you can only help yourself.

And that's what I'm ready to do.

My mind is now brimming over with ideas for future posts, and I have a couple more planned over the next week or so, such as a #bookbloggers tag, a wishlist and a round-up of some of my favourite Soap & Glory products.

So keep your eyes peeled.

PS. My Blog Sale is still on - check it out here.

118. Beauty // Beauty Blog Sale

I'm holding a small blog sale and all the items below are for sale. I've put prices on but feel free to make me a (sensible) offer, if you wish. They're all high-street items that I've simply not used or have used once or twice but don't use anymore. 

Rules

Items must be paid for within 48 hours 

Once I've received payment, I will send the item 2nd class (will post items on Tuesday and Friday)

Payment can be sent via Paypal or Ping It

All prices are plus P&P (£1.20 per item + £0.50 per extra item)

Items are non-refundable

Sale is open to UK residents only

Any questions? Email BecciCharlton@hotmail.co.uk

Lord & Berry KISSPROOF waterproof lip colour in #6401 Spice, used once: £1.50

Body Shop lip gloss in Rose, never used: £1.50

Natural Collection blusher not for sale

L'Oreal Super Liner Blackbuster, used once: £2

Barry M Glitter nail polishes; Gold Glitter and #347 Limited Edition, half used: £1.50 for both

The Bath House Gin & Tonic Bath Salts, unopened: £2 

Origins Ginger Burst savory body wash, never used: £2

Vera Wang Satiny Body Lotion, never used: £1.50 (or both for £2.50)

Vera Wang Foamy Body Polish, never used: £1.50 (or both for £2.50)

NIVEA Daily Essentials 2 in 1 Cleanser & Toner, used once: £1

Nip + Fab Dry Leg Fix, never used: £2.50

Natural Collection Mango & Papaya Body Spray, used once: £1

117. Lifestyle // Health Update No. 2

Today's post will be short & sweet. I'm sorry that it's taken me so long to post my health update but I kept putting it off because, to be honest, I've been just about as unhealthy as is humanely possible lately... Alcohol? Tick. Takeaways? Tick. Ciggies? Tick. 

Somehow I've managed to maintain my weight but, in all honesty, I feel like I deserve to have gained. My only redeeming moment was that I went swimming with a work colleague last week, but it was one of the most nerve-wracking, anxiety-filled experiences I've had in recent years.

It had been at least four years since I'd been in a swimming costume in front of anybody. Even though I wore a baggy t-shirt on top of my swimming costume, I still felt overwhelmingly self-conscious and remained in the pool as much as possible, so that nobody would have to could look at me.

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It got me to thinking, if I can't be comfortable in a swimming pool, wearing a t-shirt with no more than 6 people around me, how on earth am I going to be able to sunbathe on a beach or relax by the poolside in a bikini, in just five weeks time? It's time to change not only my eating and exercising habits, but my mindset.

I don't want a holiday ruined by negative, niggling thoughts 'she looks so much better than me' 'I bet S is so embarrassed by me in my bikini' etc, etc, you know the drill.

Over the next few weeks I'm going to really work on my self-confidence, through affirmations, learning how to accept a compliment and focusing on the things that I love about myself rather than those that I despise. 

I've also got a few tricks up my sleeve to lose a few pounds and I'll be testing out a couple of new weight loss programs, so I'll be sharing those in my next health update! Wish me luck.

Do you have any tips?

What are your favourite healthy recipes?

116. BEDM // What is your blog all about?

For those of you who haven't heard of Blog Everyday in May, it's a blogging challenge created by the wonderful Elizabeth who blogs over at Rosalilium. Why not sign up and take part for yourself? It's a brilliant way to motivate yourself to blog more, a great way to meet new bloggers and be introduced to fantastic blogs and, to be honest, who doesn't love a good challenge?!

Today's topic is: What is your blog all about?

I started my blog back in February 2013 after one of my friends set one up and it lead me to discover the world of blogging which, in turn, inspired me to start my own. I'd always loved writing and blogging seemed like the perfect outlet for my creativity. 

It took me a while to really get into the swing of blogging and find my feet but, after signing up to last years Blog Everyday in May, I started to take my blog a lot more seriously. Several breaks later, my little blog is still here and it's growing everyday. 

I cover a wide range of topics on my blog; from baking recipes to book reviews, sharing my favourite beauty products and what films I've been watching, I also post regular series such as my Health Update's and Sunday Summary's, as well as personal posts, for instance my recent post about anxiety. 

I love blogging because not only does it mean that I can write and know that, at least a few, people appreciate it but it has also provided me with some wonderful opportunities and introduced me to some lovely people. I also feel that it's a little like an online scrapbook and I can't wait to be able to look back, in the future, and remember what I did, what I enjoyed and how I felt.

Why do you blog?

Will you be signing up to Blog Everyday in May?