the importance of a nice hot bath

this is something extremely important, and is a very natural, healthy thing. A nice hot bath. It cleanses and detoxifies naturally, and is a great remedy for skin ailments.

basically, i can totally tell the difference between when i've been having quick showers and when i've had long soaky baths. my skin is smoother, cleaner and in much better condition after baths than showers i find. i know some people find baths a bit gross, but i know there's nothing more relaxing after a long day at work.

some people find it even better to light candles and have mood lighting, but given i don't have such a luxurious bathroom with space for candles or fancy lighting, i just fill my bath really deep, lie back and close my eyes. sometimes i'll put music on, but most of the time i just appreciate the silence.

i never take a bath if i'm in a hurry, i think that would be the most unrelaxing thing a person could do. also, it sets your mind wrong, if you associate baths with speed then it'll be difficult to unwind next time you're in one.

so the best way to enjoy your bath may be:

• to have it as hot as you like, there's not much point in a warm bath, it has to be hot!
• add some proper bath salts, as natural as you can, and maybe scented with lavender
• have your towel ready, it's such a nuisance to have to search for it whilst you drip
• make sure all the products you need are close to you, you don't want to get out of the bath to get your shampoo or body scrub, that just breaks the magical relaxation
• don't hurry yourself, leisurely massage ever inch of your body until you are clean, it's supposed to be luxurious

baths are also great for warming your whole body up after a winter's day, easing muscle fatigue or unrest, chillin you out and destressing you - which is in turn very beneficial to the skin, opening up the pores on your face - have a cleanser, face scrub or exfoliator at the ready.

go and pour one right now...

i've just made an updated skincare routine video for all of you guys to see too...check it out!

merry christmas!

dear all of my wonderful blog readers,

i just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!! and an extremely happy 2010!

ps. if you haven't seen my christmas looks video yet, make sure to check it out...it's a fairly festive vlog about what i'm wearing this christmas and what makeup looks i'll be doing!

my christmas wish list

isn't it funny how one stupid hater comment can ruin your day. i tried to not let it. but it did.

anyway, here's my latest YT video, that was requested for me to do: My Christmas Wishlist

here's a breakdown of things I would like (ps. i won't get all of this, at all, but these are just ideas!) :

A subscription to Vogue and Country Living, hats (especially vintage ones), Anthropologie vouchers, theatre and cinema tickets, polaroid camera, Folio classic books, socks, driving gloves, craft stuff, cookie cutters, candles, hot water bottles, flavoured tea, cookbooks, fashion and period costume books, blankets, money, a new camera with a focus, the OC season 4, bare minerals stuff, a vintage bike, cooking course, a puppy, and ice cream maker!!

Show and Tell

Here's a bit of an update on what I've been doing lately... and make sure you ask me anything you want to know the answer to, or a video you'd like to see me do!

less negative, more positive

i want to take this moment to apologise for the rant in my last post. i was feeling so sorry for myself, and that's very unlike me. i want to say that i'm feeling much more positive, and happy :) and i have a lot to be thankful for!

i've decided that thanksgiving is awesome, and we should have something like that in the UK. it seems that thinking about all the things we have to be thankful for is just what is required at this time of year, in the run up to Christmas which can get stressful and a bit too much. so, i've taken the liberty of cooking up a delicious sweet potato pie, and trying out other thanksgivingy foods to celebrate the occasion on this side of the pond.

i've also posted a nice long list of things i'm thankful for on my other blog, Alissa Loves, which includes a massive thank you to all my readers and subscribers! I wouldn't keep posting if you weren't reading and watching, and I love all your amazing comments and encouragement :)

i would love your ideas on what videos you would like to see on my Youtube beauty channel, I'm a bit stumped for things to film, and it really would be awesome to know what you would like to see. i sometimes come up with ideas, but i don't think they'd be interesting or i reckon they're too bizarre... so p.l.e.a.s.e. tell me what you would like?!

blah blah blah

Well, some of you are probably wondering what's happened to me, and where I've been these last couple of weeks. Have I literally dropped off the planet? No. Have I been abducted by aliens? No. It's quite simply just pure, stress induced time wasting.

I've been stressing out about future things, and I'm sure you all know what that's like. It's my November blues. And it's not fun. I need to start looking at all the awesome things I've done this year, rather than worrying about money and life this time next year.

Basically I applied for a job, that I probably haven't got. Well, the woman hasn't called me about it anyway, and I'm sure she would have done by now if she wanted to hire me. The stupid thing is that I am soooo qualified for the job, perhaps overly so? I won't go into details about it, as I'm sure that breaches blogger sharing conduct! But, needless to say, I don't really really need a job, I just wanted it, that's all.

Another thing that's annoying me is the weather. It's practically impossible to feel good about yourself when the clouds are grey and its super windy and wet. Urgh. I did meet up with a friend last weekend for a cupcake making session, which really was awesome, and I am so grateful for that! We baked pink and white butterfly cakes with edible glitter on. Yummy.

The odd thing is that my skin has been insanely amazing, until today when my first stress spot appeared :( i've been cleansing with jurlique, toning with that fancy rose water i bought in the US and moisturising with the cheap but cheerful natural UK brand 2nature. I still love the moisturiser with all of my heart. But nothing can stop stress spots, even a great routine. hmm. oh, and i've been using the bare minerals foundation and concealer...etc...every day that I go out.

I reckon a dog would cheer me up, and a visit to see my grandparents. Have you any November blues busting tips? I hope you do :)

Sorry this has been such a moany post, but I thought I'd let you in on why I haven't really been posting lately. Lots of hugs to all my wonderful readers xoxo

you are the champions

hi everyone!

i have finally decided on the winners of my competition...