2014 Favourites.

Hey guys.

2014 was a year of big change in my life - finishing the easy years of my degree (year 1 and 2 ... what a breeeeeze), breaking up (officially forevz) with a serious long term boyfriend, moving to LANDAN (or the outskirts anyways), getting a grown up job, having real life responsibilities, not having a lot of time for friends, and just general change.

Change doesn't freak me out, some people get real anxiety over it, but thankfully I'm not one of those people.

All the changes have resulted in me discovering a lot of new things and things I have fallen in love with. 

So I'm gonna do a quick post, nearly like I'm making up my own blog tag of things I've discovered in 2014 and became obsessed with and are now my 'favourites'.

Favourite food?

CHICKEN KATSU CURRY FROM WAGAMAMAS. 

Like until about February the only thing I'd ever really tried from a Chinese restaurant was chicken balls with fried rice & chips, and then smothered it in ketchup. So katsu curry is a big step for me. Becca's still pretty shocked I liked it. We went to Wagamamas twice over Christmas (err, oops), and the first time I got ramen and she got pad thai. Don't stray from katsu, that's all I'm telling ya. 

Chicken katsu is bae. 

Honestly, I'm drooling at that.

Favourite pasttime?

RELAXING. Oh my god. What a dream a lie-in at the weekend is. It's made of heavenly things. Don't take 'me-time' for granted. You need it for your health. Swear down.

Favourite book?

This is an odd one but one from work - McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Food. I use this book every day. It's my holy grail. Anyone who's working in the world of nutrition or has ever ventured into the world of recipe analysis will have heard of this book. It's my Bible.

Favourite drink?

I've discovered I'm now officially old and like red wine. Also I now like cheese. And I like red wine and cheese together a lot.

Favourite clothes shop?

Monki! I ventured in for the first time the day of my Nestle assessment centre in April and I've been falling head over heels ever since. It's perfect, when I heard Estee (aka essiebutton) raving about it all dem years ago on Youtube, I presumed it was a skinny girls shop. Now, just incase anyone hadn't picked up on it but I'm not a size 8. But Monki actually go up to a size 18 and their sizes are SO generous (mostly, obvs there's a few twig bitch items in there to keep us on our toes). I also love that you can order from them on ASOS - aka resulting in free delivery, free returns and student discount. Amazeballs.

This Monki blouse is a particular favourite.

Next is also a close follow up - I'm in love with their jeggings and their work stuff is great, and relatively 'stylish'. It can be awks when a 60 year old woman is rocking the same top as you in the office though - majah downside.

Favourite shoe?

Heels wise, it's all about a court. I need a pointy toe in my life. So much classier than a rounded toe, it automatically just steps your outfit up so much.

Trainers - Nike Roshe Runs. Comfiest trainers I've ever owned, and loved my first pair so much I've just had a second delivered from ASOS. (these ones if you wanna nosey!)

Boots - Chelsea boots all the way. This is an obsession that literally happened me on Christmas day, my mum got me some grey Miss KG boots, and then I loved them so much I rushed out to buy some black ones from Dorothy Perkins too. So comfortable, dress 'em up, dress 'em down, wear 'em to work, wear 'em to town. Whatevz, they're perf. 

Favourite make-up product?

Illamasquas 'Vernau' powder eyeshadow or the MAC holiday pigment and glitter set. Both worn to death, and both always look great either casual or full blown night out makeup.

Favourite film?

Latecomer to the party, but I watched Ferris Bueller's Day Off in November after quite a bit of niggling from someone to watch it. It was great, so good that we recreated it and had our own day off in the Lake District and went hill walking (meh, but I actually really enjoyed it when we got to the top) and to a zoo where I got to feed a giraffe. SCORE. *inserts hearty eyes emoji*.

Favourite hair thing? 

BEING ABLE TO TIE IT UP AGAIN.

It was actually at my shoulders!

Then I got pissed off with how thick it was and chopped it back into a bob. 

Vicious circle begins again.

Favourite quote of the year?

I've always been quite a people pleaser, I did things to stay friends with people that probably now when you look back on it didn't want to be your friend anymore. But I've learnt to focus on numero uno now. I don't need other people's shit. I've got enough going on in this head of mine. Rid yourself of negative people and negative attitudes, they don't do anything to improve your life! Trust me.

Favourite memory of 2014?

Parklife! Standing in a field with some of my favourite people I've ever met in my life, dancing to Disclosure in the middle of a field is and was my best memory! Cannot wait to repeat this summer! Amazing! 

Hope you enjoyed finding out about what some of my highlights/faves of the year were. 

I really enjoyed writing this kind of mini/semi-tag. 

I'd love it if you would do it too and send me links to read what your favourites were!

Until next time, much loves.

xxx

** Manchester Bloggers Needed **

Hey everyone!

Quick request on behalf of the lovely Research Opinions!

Are you a male or female blogger based in Manchester or Salford and aged 20 years or older??

Would you be in making some money by sharing your opinions??

Research is being held at Media City in Salford Quays (M50) on Wednesday 3rd of September at various times from 10.30am onwards!

The research will be for 45 minutes and you'll be paid £30 cash in hand for coming along and taking part!

No sales involved, all for market research purchases!!

If you're interested click on the following link and register your interest in the project!!

http://www.researchopinions.co.uk/latest-projects/manchester-projects/blogging-research-manchester

One of the lovely people in the office will give you a call and ask you a few qualifying questions!!

PLEASE share with anyone you think might be interested!!

I'll be back with a normal post soon but honestly I'm on the verge of exhaustion so tonight I just need to chill!!

Thanks for reading!

Rachel xxx

*** MANCHESTER BLOGGERS NEEDED ***

Hi guys! 

This is just another request on behalf of my lovely old work colleagues *sniff* over at www.researchopinions.co.uk!

Research Opinions are looking for bloggers that regularly write blogs, stories or articles to take part in Market Research being held at Media City in Manchester/Salford! 

They need males and females who are 25 years old and above to come along to Media City on Monday 29th July and take part in the research.

The research is one hour long and there are slots available between 10am and 4pm!

For an hour of your time you'll be paid £30 cash in hand!

No sales involved, every group that takes place is purely for Market Research!!

If you're interested click on the link below to fill in the survey and display your interest!

Click HERE for the link!

If you're suitable one of the lovely staff will give you a call (this might be on an unknown number, don't be scared!!) and run through a few qualifying questions with you on the phone!!

Please share with anyone you know in the Manchester and surrounding areas who might be interested in taking part! These sessions are informal and usually really enjoyable!

Thanks for reading and please share!

xxxx

Market Research Opportunityyyyy for Bloggers between 15-18yo!!

Hola amigos! 

A short post with something beyond the norm...

I'm employed as a Market Research Telephone Interviewer and we're currently trying to arrange at home groups for bloggers between the ages of 15-18 that live in and around the Manchester area! The blog can be about ANYTHING, and you're eligible to apply as long as you're aged between 15 and 18 and you're happy to be filmed on camera as part of the research!

These market research sessions are really fun and all hosted by trained Market Research Interviewers, so you will definitely feel comfortable and be able to share your opinions in a safe and fun way!!

If it is something you'd be interested in taking part in, or any of your friends might be interested pleaseeeee head over to this link - http://www.researchopinions.co.uk/latest-projects/manchester-projects/social-media-a-blogging-research-manchester and take the short poll! If you're suitable one of my colleagues will give you a call and hopefully be able to get you signed up to take part in the research!!

Also, for anyone reading this over the age of 18 feel free to register on our database so that you can be considered to take part in these research groups and get paid for sharing your opinions!!

Thanks again for reading guys, any questions feel free to ask me :) 

x

Quick FOTD!

Getting a call from your mother at 8.30am to say you've to take your little brother to the doctors for half9 is not the best start to any day, especially after a bad nights sleep! My priorities were to stay in bed as long as possible and sacrificing any chance of looking nicely made up! 

With only 10 mins to get ready, I stuck on a little concealer on my blemishes (which there are a lot of recently!!) and under my eyes to hide any dark circles! I filled in my eyebrows with just the powder of Benefit's Browzings to save time! A few coats of Rimmel London's Endless Lash Accelerator and a coating of MUA's Power Pout I'm 'Crazy in Love' on my lips! 

My hair was a mess, the only downside to short hair is that when you wake up it generally resembles a crow's nest, so I stuck on a beanie.. A comfy tee and a black skater shirt (because it's still warm in Northern Ireland!) and I was ready to go!!

Not the greatest look but easy for running about being Big Sis Taxi's and doing any messages that I had.. How grown up do I sound?? ;-) it actually felt nice to let my skin breathe in the nice weather without layers of makeup clogging up my skin!

Do you have any quick-fix makeup tricks? Let me know in the comments, or drop me a tweet @RachelVennard :-) I'd love to hear from you! 

Until next time! Mwahhhh xx

Multi-use blushes?!

Heyyyyyyyy! 

It's been such a nice week! Summer has finally arrived! So jealous of my friends getting to go to Parklife in Manchester this weekend, I totally regret not buying tickets now :( SAD RACHEL!

Anywooo, my boyfriend dozed off on me when we were sitting in the living room watching TV the other day,  without anyone to talk to I got a little distracted and picked up 'Bon Bon', one of MUA's 2013 blushes!

There is a range of 6 which have been released and for a change they have names!! I love the fact MUA ae starting to name their products, it gives so much more character to the product!

The little beauties are all named after sweeties or munchies.. and they're £1 each! Bargain :)

You can find all 6 shades HERE!

Bon Bon is a gorgeous apricot colour, and a lovely creamy consistency! 

All of MUA's blushers are so easy to blend and I love that, makes it so easy to use!

Due to my boredom I decided to whack some of this beauty on my lips to see what it looked like.. And oh my goodness I was so surprised!! It was gorgeous on, and totally different to any lipstick shade I've ever had!

It sits really well on the lips and blends in lovely! It really doesn't take a lot of product to cover the whole lips, but with the price tag at £1 you can afford to use as much as you like!

I like a very matte lipstick so this is perfect for me, but if you prefer a sheen or a more moisturising finish I'm afraid this alone won't be enough for you! However if you used a lip balm before putting this on it would stop it being such a cakey finish and slightly more forgiving on the lips! This is the result I ended up with when I tried with some Vaseline underneath! A darker shade but still loooovely!

Definitely going to try and use this method with some of my other blushes! It's automatically increased my possible lip colour options dramatically!

What do you think of blusher as a lip product?
Do you like the finish it gives?

Let me know in the comments :)

I've a lot of MUA products floating around in my new product inbox so expect to see that name pop up regularly on the blog in the next few weeks!

Chat soon you beauties! x

50 Facts About Me Tag!!

Helloooooo!

It's officially June! This is the 6th month of 2013.. THat means we're almost half way through this year.. In no time again it'll be the countdown to Christmas!! This is just mental! 

This '50 Facts About Me' Tag is one that was circulating back on Youtube a few months ago.. It probably works better on camera but I'm not quite ready for that, shyness and also as my mum has said due to my throat infection that I sound like a teenage boy who's voice is breaking.. Awkward. 

Sooooo, without further ado.. Lets get started!!

1. I've been with my boyfriend Reece for almost 4 years! It's been a bumpy ride with up's and down's along the way but things are good now!

2. I have an extreme phobia of freezers and ice. It's irrational, but even thinking about them makes my skin creep like crazy!!

3. I'm 20, and 2 years infront of everyone in my Uni class! No-one really notices but I do feel like a grandma sometimes!

4. Soda water and blackcurrant juice is my favourite non-alcoholic drink in the world! Basically zero calories but gives you that fizzy juice buzz!

5. I have an obsession with Heinz tomato ketchup! I refuse to eat anything else.. And I put it on just about anything!

6. Anything I don't put ketchup on (e.g. potatoes, soup) .. I put HP Brown Sauce on. It's always one or the other!

7. I have a year and a half old Shih Tzu called Harper.. She's my baby and I love her! Being away from her when I'm at uni is one of the hardest things :(

8. My parents are divorced.. Not a biggie to me anymore! My dad's remarried and my mum isn't! 

9. My mum is my best friend! We had a lot of arguments when I was growing up (dodgy teenage years) but we've came out even stronger! I speak to her everyday when I'm away in Manchester.. She still even phones me in the morning to wake me for class!!

10. I am currently unemployed! I'm hoping to find work for over the summer when I'm home in Northern Ireland.. I love having a job!

11. I have a very close knit group of friends! I get on with everyone, but I trust very few people!! 

This is me, Reece, Becca and Jill! They ma homies! <3

I have my uni friends too obviously.. Lauren, Lizzie, Alice, Hayley and Lucy! So excited to live with these guys next year! YAY!

12. I'm an extremely fussy eater, and whenever I go out for a meal... I nearly always get chicken goujons! 

13. I love bargain shopping! Primark, Internacionale and ASOS sale items are the base of my wardrobe! 

14. I have 2 tattoos.. A dream catcher on my ribs, and a double infinity symbol on my right hip! My friends and I tend to go together to get them done... I'm getting the urge again now!!

15. I have 2 holes in my lobes pierced, my nose and my tragus pierced! I love the pain from getting them done, unfortunately my body doesn't response well.. Particularly to cartilage piercings :( meaning my last piercing, my helix, had to come out :( 

16. My little brother is 17 and basically a giant! He's so much taller than me, I feel like I'm the little sister :) 

17. I LOVE a freebie! I'm addicted to this Facebook page !! They post deals of price glitchs, online bargains and even Freebies! From 10 Ways I've received E45, Nivea and L'Oreal Samples, 2 Full size samples of Cetaphil and a Chanel mascara! I'm hopefully gonna do a more indepth post on these soon :)

18. I have a crap immune system! I spend at least half of the year sick with some cold/flu/virus!

19. I get regular migraines.. They are the worst! Mine are so bad at the minute I'm easily getting 4 a week.. They cripple me and nothing I've tried so far is curing them :((

20. I'm addicted to food programmes!! Man Vs Food, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, Masterchef, The Great British Bake Off.. I could sit and watch them all day!! 

21. I love owls! They're my favourite animals! I have an owl iPhone cover, owl tissues, owl keyrings, owl teddys.. Everything! I even got to hold the first owl that you see in the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone!!  How gorgeous is he!! 

22. Typical Irish stereotype.. But I love potatoes. 

23. I used to be obsessed with The Powerpuff Girls! I went to L.A when I was 10, everything I bought in Target was hot pink with the Powerpuff Girls on it! Blossom was my fave!

24. I love concerts! I used to go to 6 or 7 a year! But I'm poor now and concerts have went up so much in price I just can't afford it anymore! Some of my favourites have been Eminem, Oasis and Justin Timberlake!!

25. I love the Kardashians! Kris, Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Kylie, Kendall, Rob, Bruce! I love them all!! I wish I could have that life for myself, their bodies, their wardrobes.. and their bank balances!!

26. I've never been athletic! I wish I had done more sports and stuff when I was in junior high school, but my friends weren't sporty and I stuck with them! Trying to increase my fitness now, I've started back to the gym and I'm walking nearly everyday too!

27. I LOVE Iggy Azalea! I seen her at Radio 1's Big Weekend! I was front row and I touched her *yay*! Such an energy packed set and she has a body to die for!! She tweeted me last weekend, I nearly died :) So excited for her album 'The New Classic' to be released!! Hopefully she'll tour with it and I'll get to see her in a full show :DDDD 
If you haven't heard of her get on Youtube.. She's gonna get BIG!

28. I love shoes! I have probably more than 50 pairs, even though it scares me to admit that! Trainers/Sneakers are my new favourite purchases! I love going out in Manchester, heels are not required! My feet love being able to wear my high tops out!! The Nike Store at the Outlet in Banbridge is my favourite trainer destination! Especially because I fit in the kids trainers so I end up getting BARGAINS! :)

29.  I don't like desserts, sweet things don't usually do it for me! Crisps or savoury things like bread over sweets anyday!

30. I drive a Renault Clio! It's not the fanciest, but it's my baby and I'd be lost without her!

31. I've got flowers one time in my life, and they were roses from my boy :) such a special feeling to get off an airplane and him to be standing there with roses.. N'awwhhhh :)

32. I love The Big Bang Theory! I love all of the guys and their nerdy personalities!! And every girl fancies Penny too!! Girlcrush :)

33. I have such a weird taste in music! I really do like a little bit of everything, pop, rock, indie, grime, rnb, hiphop, dance, dubstep, house.. I love it all! I love being able to go to nearly any club and know I'm gonna like the tunes! 

34. I love going out for a night out, I enjoy drinking and I love partying with my friends :) I'm not ashamed to admit I like to drink, but I don't like to do it all the time.. Majorly because of the hideous hangovers I get!!

35. I will admit it.. I'm broody! But there's gonna be no babies until I'm at least late late 20's! :D

36. I love online shopping, such a bad habit but retail therapy is the best therapy!

37. I love the Compare the Meerkats ads! Alesander is so cute! I hate living in Northern Ireland because you can't get free cuddly meerkat toy. Sad Rachel :(

38. I hate Chinese food! I don't like the flavours at all, nothing appeals to me :( my boyfriend loves it though, so when we order together I get a half chips, half fried rice.. and eat it with ketchup! Top notch ;-)

39. Friends will never get old! I usually hate watching reruns of TV programmes, but I've got into the habit of watching old episodes again and I love it all over again!! I still cry like a baby at the final episode.. RACHEL GOT OFF THE PLANE! 

40. I did well at school, I studied 10 GCSE's and got 3 A*'s and 7 A's, and 4 AS levels and came out with 2 A's, a B and a C! But I still dropped out! A Levels were not for me! You shouldn't feel pressured to do something your not happy with!! I was sacrificing my health to do well and it wasn't worth it! I dropped out and studied a BTEC in Food Nutrition and Health at Loughry College and it was the best decision I ever made! 

41. I really fancy Adam Richman from Man Vs Food. You know he'd take you to the best restaurants!!

42. I hate rats and mice! The tails sicken me.. yuck yuck yuck! Even the thought of it makes me wanna be sick!!

43. I'm usually the vommer on a night out! There's always one in the group!! Either that, or the crier! One night Becca and Jill didn't even know what to do I managed to get myself into such a bad fit of crying hysterics! 

44. I like vodka. I like cider. I like beer. I like rum. I like alcohol.

45. I broke my collar bone chasing after a bouncy ball at scout camp when I was 11! I went canoeing the next day and put it even more out of place, didn't realise for 2 weeks it was broken.. And even now if I go bowling I can feel my collarbone ache.. 9 YEARS LATER. 

46. I haven't been able to find a bottle of coke with my name on it! 

47. I really dislike Jessie J! She looks hot with her buzz cut, but I can't stand her personality or her music! MEH.

48. Cara Delevingne is a queen! I really want her Blackscore Queen Delevingne tshirt! 

49. I was front row at one of the Manchester auditions for this year Britain's Got Talent! We were speaking to Alesha, Amanda and David and they are all so nice! We seen Jack Caroll perform so I'd love to see him win!!

50. My left half of my body is completely different to the right size of my body! My left boob and foot is bigger than the right, and my left eye is a completely different shape to my right! It's a nightmare trying to do eyeliner! They never end up the same :(

PHEWWWW! No joke I've been doing that for 2 hours! But I'm finally finished :)

I hope you enjoyed finding out some more personal things about me :)

Chat soon guys,

Rachel x

March Wishlist..

Hi everyone!

I have a little bit of a problem with online shopping, most of the time when I'm on my laptop and not doing work I'm staring over numerous websites finding lots of lovely little gems that I want to buy with my non-existent money! The joys of student life eh? 

These are some of the pretties I've had my little eye on.. (NB.. only some :O )

1. Real Techniques Core Collection Kit

2. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

3. Essie Nail Polish - Bachelorette Bash

4. ghd Limited Edition Candy Collection IV Styler - Lemon

5. Bioderma Crealine H2O Cleansing Solution 500ml Sensibio

6. Topshop Chunky Tribal Aztec Navajo Necklace (Not it's proper name eek!)

7. Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer - Nova

8. Nike Blazer Hi Suede - Blue

9. NARS Bronzing Powder - Laguna

I love all of these products so much!

 Especially the Topshop necklace, I'm gutted it's sold out! I'll be praying to Mr Topshop and asking him to bring it into stores again! I'm not willing to bid online for it because the price always goes waaaay beyond the usual RRP instore.. Silly eBay! 

As for the Real Techniques brushes, I've heard so many different reports on each type so I'm bewildered about which one to get, £20.99 is good for 4, while £10.99 is dear for one.. *confused Rachel*. 

Think I might need to think about that one for a bit longer before I commit to anything!

I've already made my way through one 100ml bottle of Bioderma and my skin LOVES it! 

Looks so much healthier and it really does take all your make-up off! My trusted wipes have been cast to the side of my desk where things which aren't getting much use live... Sorry baby wipes :( 

What products are on your wishlist this month?
Do you like these types of post?

Let me know, I love finding new gorgeous things I can stare at and want to buy when I have no money... 

Also, if you know of any Topshop's close to Manchester/Liverpool/Craigavon/Belfast/Newry (weird mix I know) that have the necklace in.. Tell me, I will be your best friend forever, promise :) 

I'll chat to you all soon, hopefully with my bank balance still intact.. *closes eyes*

Loves, Rachel! x 

MUA 'Undress Your Skin' Illuminating Foundation

Not so long ago, I treated myself to a little MUA & MAC haul and this was one of the (many) items I purchased.. (I'll do a blog post on everything else soon!)

This foundation is part of MUA's new ''Undress Your Skin' range, which is currently on promotion on the front page of their website! I clicked into it and seen that the Foundation was £3 instead of £5 for it's introductory price, so I decided I'd give it a go!

Truth be told, I really wasn't expecting much from this foundation due to the price but it turns out I absolutely LOVE it! I bought it in the shade 'Porcelain', which I will admit is slightly too light for my actual skin colour, but when it's blended out with face powder and bronzer it actually looks lovely!

It gives a lovely dewy finish to the skin as there's a few sparkles mixed into the foundation, making your skin look more radiant! Its got a light-medium coverage and is going to be perfect for coming into the spring and summer whenever you don't necessarily want to wear a lot of make-up on your face.

I applied this to my face this morning, covered up with powder and bronzer and went shopping, and it hasn't budged since! It hasn't slipped at all and I've not got any patches on my face where it's worn off, so I'm absolutely chuffed with it!

For the price I definitely think it's worth a try, especially if you don't want to wear expensive foundation everyday, I think this is a great alternative! It comes in 3 shades: Porcelain, Beige and Golden.
I definitely think I'll give the Beige a try next time to see if it's a better match for my skin!

As part of the range, MUA also has a Under-Eye concealer, Highlighting Powder and a Skin Primer; there is also a 'Undress Me Too' Eye Palette which may be linked to the new range... I think I'll definitely making an order from MUA again soon to try out the other products in the range after being so impressed with this one!

Have you tried any of the MUA 'Undress Your Skin' range?
What did you think of it?
Leave me a comment & let me know!