Tips on Coping With School

Hi again, 

At this time of year, the pressure is on. School becomes harder to cope with because it's the last leg until finishing.  Today, I'm going to be sharing some tips to make it easier to wind down after a long day at school.

TREAT YOURSELF

I don't suggest you eat a big bag of Haribo's every time you come home from  school but you could set a treat for the end of the week or end of the day if you need more motivation. What I like to do is have a relaxing bath on a Friday (I have showers through the week and relax in the bath on Fridays). I like to use a Lush bath bomb and put on a face mask and really wind down. Looking forward to this time really helps me get through some of the most stressful days at schoo, because I know it helps me relax and become calm. If you're not a fan of baths, you could treat yourself to going out for a meal or just buying some junk food for the weekend. The treat is your choice and whatever you fancy at that time.

READ A BOOK

Now this may just remind you of school but I find reading a book (of your choice and not a Shakespeare play) so calming. Reading before bed does give you a better nights sleep, instead of scrolling through Instagram or watching a YouTube video. It's also a way to subliminally revise or just extend your knowledge. I like reading reviews on stories and then buying the book - I never buy books which aren't the right genre for me or I won't be interested in. 

WATCH A MOVIE

I love watching films and my old favourites are the ones I always go back to when I feel stressed. It's always good discovering a new movie but at the end of the day, I'm always going to back to High School Musical and Wild Child when I feel down but obviously movies are such a personal choice so choose the ones you know and love.

BAKE 

As you know if you've read my blog befor I love baking. Whenever I feel down or need a pick me up, I look in the cupboards and find some ingredients to bake a cake or some cookies. I find it therapeutic to bake and the bonus is obviously eating the product at the end!

PLAN DAYS OUT

These days could be with family or friends but setting aside a day or evening to go out and have fun with friends, gives you something to look forward to. Having a plan of something fun to do, will make the week better because, you'll be excited to go before and happy that you went afterwards (does that even make sense?)

Obviosuly, you still need to work with a revision time table and, again, that is very personal with times and days which you will revising. If you want a post on how to create one, let me know as I know it can be quite overwhelming!

Love, 

xmollymaex 

Rant About My Mess Of A Life

Hi guys,

Today's a motivational post to hopefully motivate you and me. (Jks it's a rant, what's new?)

I haven't been inspired to write anything these past weeks because I've (supposedly) been revising for exams. I don't even feel inspired to revise at the moment, despite my future being in the hands of these exams. It seems the closer I get to the end, the less I care. Maybe it's because of the amount of exam series I've sat over the past three years? Or maybe it's because everything I do isn't fun anymore. 

Revision is so tedious that it hurts my brain. Going over things I've already learnt for an unpredictable exam isn't what I like to spend my time doing. Yes, I know I procrastinate a lot and don't go out much but I would rather sit in an empty room than revise for an exam that I've sat 10 times. Despite the topic changing, everything else is the same. I want a change. 

Maybe I'll start caring when it comes to the end? Hopefully, anyway. I know I need to start motivating myself because, trust me, I want to do well. But it's so hard to break away from the internet and sit in front of a textbook. Revision isn't my idea of fun. 

People view me as smart. Really, I just wing my way through life. I'm not as smart as I once was and that doesn't bother me. I prefer non-academic subjects because, if I'm honest, I'm lazy and don't want to put the effort in. It's not the right mindset (that's what my school tell me) but if I enjoy a subject, I will want to do well. I want to succeed in interesting subjects but subjects aren't interesting anymore. And I don't know how to make them interesting.

I love writing this blog and lately I've been slacking. The pressure from school which I felt, despite not doing anything to make it go away has made it quite difficult to write or have time for this blog. In the coming months, these posts may be hit and miss but as soon as one is uploaded, it will be locked in my Instagram bio and I will post on my story. I don't post all the time on Instagram because I'm too vain for my theme but I'm trying to become more active on there. If you need me, you can contact me, just look on my profile or comment on my posts and I will respond. 

Thank you for sticking by my mess of a life and for reading this far down my rant😂

Love always,

xmollymaex 

Quick Valentine's Inspired Brownies

Hi everyone,

I wanted to do so sing Valentine's Day themed so I thought I would share my (not so healthy) brownie recipe! It's a really quick recipe for making brownies and they taste DELICIOUS!

Ingredients:

• 225g butter
• 100g dark chocolate
• 200g caster sugar
• 50g plain flour
• 50g cocoa powder 
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 75g chopped walnuts (optional)

 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line/grease a baking tin.

2. Put the butter in saucepan on the lowest heat. Add small pieces of the chocolate and stir continuously until it's all melted, don't let it get too hot. Take off the heat and leave aside.

 

3. Put the caster sugar, vanilla extract and eggs in a bowl. Whisk together until combined and then whisk in the chocolate mixture (make sure it is cool).

 

4. Stir in the flour and cocoa powder, then stir in  the walnuts.Pour mixture into the baking tin and even out with a spoon. 

 

5. Bake for 15-20minutes or until it is cooked around the edges and still a bit soft in the middle

 

Once it has completely cooled, cut in to hearts with a cookie cutter or just into squares (in the tin), then take them out and present them.

 

 

Hope you guys enjoyed my brownie recipe and send me pictures if you decide to make them for your lover this Valentine's!

xmollymaex 

What I got for my 16th Birthday

Hi everyone, 

Today, I'm sharing everything I got for my birthday! Last week, I celebrated my 16th birthday and today, I'll be showing you everything I got. I am so lucky and grateful for everything and I am not trying to boast or brag. I love seeing what people got so I thought I would share what I got with you!

Thank you to everyone who got me something, I love you all❤️

I'm not sharing chocolate or food which I received because it's the standard milk tray and dairy box (which I'm not complaining about haha). 

FROM MY BROTHER 

 

FROM MY GRANDMA

 

FROM MY AUNTIE

 

FROM MY COUSINS 

FROM MY FRIENDS (separate photos from each friend)

 

 

FROM MY PARENTS 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's everything I got for my birthday. Again, thank you to everyone, I am so grateful and thankful to have you all. 

If you want to know specific shade names, leave comment and I will reply with the information you want. 

xmollymaex 

Back To School Simple Makeup 2017

Hi lovelies, 

I thought I would end January with the makeup products and a (kind of) tutorial of what I've been wearing since I went back to school at the beginning of the month.

Before school, I have around 15 minutes to throw on some makeup and go so this look is basic but I wanted to include specific products I use and what I think of them.

-BASE-

Let's start with the base! I start with a hydrating primer because I have dry skin, especially in winter. I then use my trusty L'Oréal Infallible foundation as it gives me the right amount of coverage for my red cheeks! I then like using a concealer and I've found this  SEVENTEEN Wow! Concealer which seems to highlight my under eyes quite well. 

If I have a little more time I might through on the Soap&Glory Glow All Out highlighting powder but this is a rare occurrence. 

 

-EYEBROWS-

I LOVE using the Brow Archery by Soap&Glory. The felt tip end is great for defining the brows and the pencil great for filling them in. Overall this product is amazing. Benefit's Ready, Set Brow! is equally as good because it really does set my brows in place all day.

 

-EYES-

Firstly, I like to use the Colour Was by Benefit in Honey Talks, it's a nice eyeshadow base (even though I don't use eyeshadow over it) and it's also nice to wear on its own. I then ALWAYS curl my eyelashes and apply mascara. I'm using two at the moment, the L'Oréal Miss Manga mascara and the Sleek Full Fat Lash Mascara. The L'Oréal one has a bendy wand and lengthens my eyelashes. The Sleek mascara has a wand similar to the Benefit They're Real! Mascara which does coat and gives the lashes a voluminous effect.  Do have to say that I don't like either of these mascaras on their own but together, I really do like the effect. 

 

-LIPS-

I love N°7 lip crayons and this is my favourite shade. "Daydreamer" is the perfect nude and I wear it all the time. This is a mini I got in a set for Christmas but, trust me, I own loads of these because I love them so much.

 

PRODUCTS MENTIONED:

NIVEA PRIMER

L'ÓREAL FOUNDATION

SEVENTEEN CONCEALER

S&G GLOW ALL OUT POWDER

S&G BROW ARCHERY

BENEFIT BROW GEL

BENEFIT COLOUR WASH

N°7 EYELASH CURLER

L'ÓREAL MASCARA

SLEEK MASCARA

N°7 LIP CRAYON

Thank you for reading this and I hope it gives you some knowledge on the products I use:)

 xmollymaex  

Bananarama Bread Recipe

Hi guys,

Today, I'm sharing my banana bread recipe with you! I love this bread, it tastes delicious and is a good way to use ripe bananas. I'm calling it my bananarama bread and I hope you love it just as much as I do.

-INGREDIENTS-

190g self raising flour

150g caster sugar

125g unsalted butter

60ml milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg, beaten 

2 ripe bananas 

30g flaked almonds (optional, can be swapped with a bag of chocolate chips)

-METHOD-

1. Melt the butter and sugar in a saucepan pan whilst mashing the banana in a bowl.

2. Pour the saucepan mixture over the banana and mix, add the beaten egg, milk and mix.

3. Fold in the flour and stir in the flaked almonds.

4. Pour in a greased and lined loaf tin and put in the oven at 170°C for 35 minutes.

Voilà!

I hope you try this recipe and if you do, make sure to tag me in pictures on Instagram!

xmollymaex 

Back To School/Blues // Motivation Post

Hi loves,

Today, I'm here to motivate you and beat those Back To School/Work Blues!

 I'm in the same boat as all of you, I've gone back to school and can't, for the life in me, find the motivation to do anything! As soon as I got back, I was struck down by work and homework which, usually, I would try to do the day I got it but now, I'm struggling to bring myself to do it the night before it's due in! Don't even get me started on my Speaking & Listening Assessment (which btw, I have this week and I haven't written it yet, let alone learnt it!). This is one of the most important years of my life (as my teachers keep telling me) and I CAN'T BE BOTHERED!! Please tell me I'm not the only one...

Anyway, this post isn't about me complaining about how my life could possibly be ruined due to upcoming exams. This post is about MOTIVATION! Something I will try and give you, despite not having any myself.

HAVE A GOAL

This may be the most cliché but having a goal can help you become motivated.  Knowing where you are and where you're going will give you a purpose and aim. It might just make some tasks more bearable.

TREATS

If you are doing something which is time consuming, for example, an essay. You should try giving yourself a treat after every paragraph or page written. This way, you might be more determined to do something. The treat doesn't have to be food but it could be a five minute break on your phone or watching a YouTube video. Anything like that will give you a break from work which is always good.

PUBLICISE YOUR GOAL

If you tell all your friends that you are going to do something or you post it on social media, you'll be a little bit more inspired to do it. Having people check up on your progress may make you feel more pressured to complete your task, which you will love once you've reached your goal.

STOP SELF CRITICISING

There's no need to put yourself down or pull apart every move you make. To make yourself motivated, you need to be happy with yourself and truly want to reach your goal. Please be happy with yourself before you try to reach your goal because your results will be SO MUCH better when you're happy:)

I hope this has helped! Researching theses has also helped me become a more motivated so I'm hoping it works for you!

All the love,

xmollymaex

My Beauty Picks 2016

Hi guys,

I know I'm a bit late but I want to show my favourite beauty products of 2016. Over the past year, I've expanded my makeup collection so much (I may do a makeup collection, let me know if you want one) and I feel like I've tried so many new brands and products in 2016 to give you guys an honest review of some of the best I've tried this past year. Some of these products may have not been released in 2016 but I tried them all for the first time so they're new to me!

SOAP & GLORY BROW ARCHERY - BROWNIE POINTS

This product was in a set I got on Christmas Day so my review may not be the best but I've used it ever since the 25th and I love it! It's the best Brie product I've tried in a really long time and it lasts as well! The felt side is amazing for definition under the brow and the arch whilst the pencil side is great for filling in the main area and creating small, realistic hairs. The only downside to this is that it doesn't have a spule but I can live with that because I have hundreds anyway.

TOO FACED CHOCOLATE BAR PALETTE

I got this palette in August and it has been used countless times since then. It has a great range of neutrals and some other darker shades like burgundies and greens. It's great for an everyday look as well as if you're feeling creative. There are some duds in the palette (candied violet, for instance) but it's nothing that MAC fix+ or a setting spray won't fix! I love this palette and I don't know how I lived without it.

BOURJOIS SMOKY STORIES QUAD - 06 UPSIDE BROWN

This palette is one of my favourite on-the-go palettes. It has three eyeshadows and a pressed pigment in the centre which is amazing for an inner corner highlight. The eyeshadows blend easily and can give you a daytime or nighttime look. I loved taking this on holiday as it made my makeup so much quicker. This particular shade will suit any skin tone but I know the brand have plenty more of these quads to choose from.

LOREAL SUPER SLIM LINER

This is my favourite felt tip liner. It has a super thin tip which makes your eyeliner always look good, especially on the inner part of the eye. It also is something which lots of eyeliners aren't. ITS BLACK!! Okay, I know many eyeliners are black but this one is one of the darkest eyeliners I've used. It doesn't fade throughout the day and makes my eyeliner application ten times faster. This is a must in my makeup bag! 

BENEFIT HOOLA BRONZER

So everyone and their dogs heard of this but 2016 was the year I finally got round to purchasing it. This bronzer is cool toned and is the perfect contouring shade for me. It also comes with a brush which is surprisingly good and handy for contouring. The packaging is a bit bulky this is only a minor flaw which I can cope with due to how much I love this product. I've also tried the Dew The Hoola Liquid Bronzer but I'm not too keen on that as I feel it's a bit orange on my skin tone.

SLEEK SOLSTICE PALETTE

I understand why everyone raves about this palette. It has 3 powder shades and 1 cream (which is just as amazing and blinding as the powders). The highlighters are so intense and are such a good formula as well. I never thought I would try a pink highlighter purely because I think it would look strange but that is my favourite from this palette (although all of them a stunning). It's a beautiful highlighting palette if you're looking for intensity and experimenting.

KAT VON D EVERLASTING LIQUID LIPSTICK - LOVESICK

This is my first KVD product and I'm in love with her liquid lipsticks now. The longevity of these and the colour selection is impeccable. I love this shade and now I can buy them in Debenhams, there's nothing stopping me buying them all! I definitely recommend her brand and I'm looking forward to trying more of her products in 2017!

MAC LIPSTICK - FINALLY FREE

Caitlyn Jenner collaborated with MAC to bring this lipstick to me and I'm so thankful she did. It's the perfect lipstick which I honestly think would suit any skin tone. It also lasts well (the shine fades but the colour stays). It's a great lipstick where the money goes to an amazing cause and I'm so excited to see her expanding her collaboration in 2017.

URBAN DECAY ALL NIGHTER SETTING SPRAY

I really started using setting sprays this year and I love this one! It doesn't smudge mascara if you spray it afterwards and really does help my makeup last. The scent may be off putting but I don't mind the smell and also don't care because this product is fab! This setting spray has my approval and if you're unsure they sell travel sizes for £9. 

I hope you enjoyed reading my favourite products of 2016. I'm sorry this ones a bit late but I'm hoping to get on track soon!

Love always,

xmollymaex 

What I Got For Christmas 2016

Hi,

Firstly, Happy New Year, I hope you all have an incredible year which will be much better than 2016! Today, I'm sharing everything I got for Christmas because I love showing the items I've got just as much as seeing what other people got.

I'm not going to be showing any chocolate I got because, let's be honest, everyone's seen a chocolate orange and a box of celebrations before.

I would also like to add a little disclaimer that I am not trying to brag or show off, this is honesty what I got and if you're here to be negative about, please leave:). I am grateful for everything I got so thank you to everyone who bought me something xo

Let's begin!

From my Auntie:

From my Grandma:

From my brother:

From my cousin:

Stocking fillers:

Main gifts:

And that's it! I am so grateful for everything I have been gitfed this year. Thank you to my family and friends for everything, I've never felt so lucky!

xmollymaex