The new french manicure!

I recently have fallen in love with having my nails done! Whether my friends do them, I do them or if Jasmine my nail technician does them for me I'm obsessed!

So I wanted to do a twist on the original look as I love how black nail polish looks on nails so I decided to change the white to the black polish and this is how they turned out!

They're a bit messy as I experimented with using sellotape as I ran out of nail tape which was a bit disappointing but I love how they turned out and my friends said they liked how different they were!! 

If any of you fancy trying out this look then please let me know by commenting below or by tweeting me! I hope you all liked this post and liked the idea of the black french style manicure!

The 3:2 Manicure!

Well it's been a while everyone, which is really sad for me but with mock exams I just haven't had the time to blog! But I'm back now and hopefully will be for a long time!

So this nail look is something I wanted to blog about ages ago! It was massive in fashion shows and pretty much came out of no where but it's really easy and looks amazing!

You literally just chose two nail colours that compliment each other for example Black and Silver like my nails or perhaps Black and gold! Any colours work really but it looks a bit different and is quite quirky which I really like! 

 I completely love how easy yet unusual this manicure is and I just think it is something different that is quite popular at the moment!

I hope you all liked this post and comment below if you tried this look or liked this post! I've got loads more posts coming up for you so keep your eyes peeled and to stay up to date please follow me on Blog Lovin'

Diet | Lifestyle post!

Funnily enough I've been reading a lot of your blogs and new years resolutions and the number 1 new years resolution is to eat healthily or to lose weight! So I though I'd share some advice with you all about my experiences and what I'm doing differently this year!!

I unfortunately have had issues with my weight for as long as I can remember! I don't think I've ever eaten things without being conscious of how many calories it has in it or how unhealthy it is for me so I thought I'd share with you all my experiences and hopefully help you along the way!

I used to yoyo diet where I must have tried everything known to mankind- the liquid diet, the vegetable diet, the 5:2 diet and honestly you do lose the weight but trying to keep it off is a battle and a half! You tend to lose water weight due to reducing your sodium intake and then when you reach your desired weight you tend to put it back on! So this year for 2014 I decided I was fed up of always being on a 'diet' so I'm going for a lifestyle change! I'm doing everything in moderation!

1) Try to drink 1 and a half litres' of water a day- this helps to flush out toxins and flush out your digestive system which can help you lose an extra few pounds! Drinking water is also a bonus as it helps the skin and has zero calories so you can have the calories else where e.g in food so you stay fuller for longer!

2) Drink water with meals as this speeds up your metabolism and you eat less which reduces calorie intake!

3) Do cardio for 20 minutes 3 times a week! This will help you burn fat and tone up!

4) Cut down on carbohydrates and fill up on veggies and protein such as eggs, fish and meat!

5) Try to steer clear of white carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta and potatos try to swap these for better alternatives such as wholewheat pasta, wholemeal bread and sweet potatoes (although I don't particularly like sweet potatoes so I have ordinary and only eat them every now and then) as these cause bloating and without them will reduce the appearance of any bloating in around 1-2 weeks!

6) Don't see it as a diet just see it as small swaps that will benefit you massively! so instead of chocolate one day eat some fruit and save the chocolate for a cheat day! These small choices add up to a whole new healthier you!

7) Motivate yourself by thinking of a holiday or a way to reward yourself when you reach your goals! We're all obsessed with beauty and fashion so why not reward yourself with a new skirt or manicure!

8) Love who you are! If you're happy with you and don't wish to change then don't! Don't cave in to societies views of whats perfect! We are all beautiful and perfect inside no matter what shape or size! I just wanted to eat healthily as after Christmas I felt I over indulged too much and wanted to fix my body and hopefully put me in better shape for the race for life!

I hope you all liked this post! It is not in any means insulting anyone it is purely to share my tips with those of you who are interested or want to eat healthily as a new years resolution! I'll be posting an update in around two weeks time! Good luck to everyone with their new years resolutions! Maybe we could help motivate each other to achieve our goals!

Lots of Love

Tori X

New years resolutions & a overview of 2013

So 2014 has begun and we're 10 days in so I thought my first post should be about 2013 and then my aims for 2014!

So 2013 as the number suggests was a pretty unlucky year for me and my family, it began by failing my January exams that I tried really hard for, which was a massive blow to me. I didn't know what my future held and suddenly life became very scary and my mental health deteriorated as a repercussion of this. I progressively got worse until I was taken to the doctors and forced to get better which in hindsight was the best thing anyone could have done for me! It's been a hard process over the last 6 months and I'm not going to pretend that it was easy but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and a brighter future for myself. It has been a horrible year of twists and turns and pardon the cliche but it really was a roller-coaster of emotions.... 

I lost my Grandad who was like a second dad to me and meant soo much to me so it was a very tough thing to get over as I had to be very strong for my family which wasn't the easiest thing to do. I feel like I grew up a lot in that time as whilst he was really ill my mum and dad were away so I had to look after myself and run a house which gave me the freedom to taste what living away and starting my own home was like and although it was a really sad time I feel it helped me become a stronger person and force myself to act like an 18 year old for once in my life! 

One a more positive note I passed my driving test and celebrated both my one year anniversary with my boyfriend which was the most special thing as I've always joked that if I stayed with anyone for longer than a week than I'd be with them for life and I think that could possibly happen! I also celebrated my 18th birthday which marked becoming an adult and being able to drink legally (yay!) and also go on holiday on my own which I can't wait for as I'm hopefully visiting Paris at the end of this year!! I really counted my blessings as throughout all the bad things with my health and everything I honestly feel its shaped me into the person I am which for once in my life I'm proud of that person!

Resolutions and Aims for 2014:

I have a lot of resolutions for this year but I'm taking them one step at a time so I can hopefully achieve them all! 

1) Eat Healthily and get that Beach Body for Benidorm 2014!

I know that all resolutions contain some health kick idea so I'm going to eat healthily which I've been doing and cut out all the fast food and rubbish such as chocolate and sugary drinks and so far I've lost 3lbs in a week and a half which is amazing! I also aim to run three times a week so I'm ready for The race for life!! 

2) Become a better person by doing more for charity!

As some of you are aware I'm doing the race for life on July 5th and I'm also planning on doing the santa dash at the end of the year but in between all of this I plan to try and raise some funds for Marie Curie as it was the hospice who looked after my Grandad in his final weeks and I'd really like to do a lot of charity work for them this year! 

3) I'm going to become a better friend, daughter and girlfriend!

These people have been my rock through 2013 and helped me get through this horrendous last year and without them I don't know where I'd be! So as a way of thanking them I'm going to become their rocks and help them!

4) Save more money!

Last year I ended up spending soo much money on petrol and It left me with little to spend on myself so I feel that it would be better for me to save up as I have a £500 holiday to pay for and a trip to Paris to save up for! With my petrol Expenses I earn around £40 a month which isn't a lot but once saved up will add up to around £480 which will hopefully help me pay towards a new laptop! 

5) I'm going to beat my depression!

I'm currently planning a post where I share my experience with depression and tell you how I try to keep it under control and help myself get better! It is a very hard condition to get under control and getting medical help is one of the most effective ways as they really give you the advice you need but if you're concerned hopefully my post will help so please let me know if you'd be interested in that post by leaving a comment or emailing me and I'll get back to you! 

That's my overview of 2013 and my resolutions! 

What are your resolutions? Let me know in the comments below!

Lot of love

Tori X

Get to know the blogger | TAG

I recently saw this tag over over on someone elses blog and at the bottom she said she now tags all the readers to go and do it and I thought what a brilliant idea! You can get to know me better and if you leave me your links in the comments I can get to know my lovely readers better too!

So let's begin.......

1. How old are you? 

I'm 18 and my Birthday is on September 30th!

2. What nationality are you? 

I'm British

3. What do you do for a living? 

I'm a full time student studying Biology, Chemistry and Psychology and as a job at the weekends I'm a qualified carer!

4. If you could visit anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

I would visit Paris as I just love everything about it! The culture, the Eiffel tower... just everything! I've always dreamt of being proposed to at the top of the Eiffel Tower haha!

5. What's your favorite place to shop for clothes? 

I always shop in Primark and select, but I also love H&M, New Look and Topshop!

6. What shoe size are you?

I'm a size 3 in some shops and a size 4 in others... I have little baby feet haha!

7. How tall are you?

I'm 5ft 4...

8. What's your favorite colour? 

I honestly don't have a favorite colour but my rooms a nice grey colour with bird wallpaper and black accents so I guess I could say grey is my favorite colour...

9. Have you got any siblings? 

I don't I'm an only child, but I don't know any different so I couldn't really say I'd prefer to have siblings... I wouldn't say I'm the stereotypical only child as I do work hard for what I've got and I certainly am very grateful for everything I've got and I know how lucky I am...

10. Do you have any pets? 

I do I have one beautiful Labrador retriever called maisy, I have a cat who is just the most magical crossbreed he's like a persian with all fluffy hair but hes coloured white and brown so we're not particuarly sure what breed he is... I have another cat called sooty whos all black with emerald green eyes and I have two canaries in seperate cages one is my mums called sunny and the others mine called Roger or Roggie!

11. Do you have any children? 

I don't at the moment but I would definitely love to have children in the future!

12. Favorite make-up brand?

Ooh... tough question... Drugstore I'd say maybelline but I do love MUA's lipsticks and nail polishes... also Barry M... and for Highend: I'd say mac or benefit!

13. What do you do in your free time?

I spend a lot of time with my boyfriend but I also study a lot, blog, read and cook. I also do a lot of research for my blog and try to find ways of improving my blog!

14. Do you leave the house without make up on?

I do... I sometimes go bare faced for school! People say I look no different with/ without makeup so I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult haha!

15. Favorite season?

I love winter and autumn as you can wear knitwear and wrap up warm and it's also hot chocolate and onesie weather! But I also love summer and spring as you can bring out a more daring wardrobe and also get a tan! Plus the 6 weeks holiday is great!!!

16. Do you still Live with your parents? 

I do but I'm hoping to be able to move out soon hopefully by the time I'm 20!

17. What is your favorite movie? 

The Nightmare before Christmas! Or any romantic film or comedy really I don't seem to have a favorite one!

18. Favorite food?

That's a tough question.... Either Lasagne or Spaghetti bolognese!

19. Favorite Youtube Channel? 

It's not a beauty Channel but I really like KSI his comedy videos are funny and the FIFA funnies have me in stitches!... I think my Boyfriends changed me too much!!

The beauty channel I love is Mac Barbie! she's soo bubbly and does make me laugh I also really like Bubzbeauty and hers and tims wedding just seemed adorable!!

20. What time do you get up and go to sleep? 

If I'm in work I have to get up at 5:45am but when I'm in school I tend to get up around 7:00am-7:30am, I struggle to sleep so it can be anytime from 10:00pm-4:00am.... Bad I know :(

21. How often & when do you work out?

I'm training for the race for life so I'm attempting to do around 30 minutes a day but soon I've got to start training where I'll be running every day.... All for a good cause though!

22. Left handed or right handed? 

Right Handed!!

23. How often do you go on blogger?

Pretty much everyday its something of an obsession and I love looking at everyones blogs!!

24. Do you read the comments posted on your blog? 

I do! I love reading your comments and replying to you as it's a way of knowing my blogs going in the right direction and it's lovely to read your comments as it's just sweet that someones taken the time to comment!

25.How did you come up with your blog name?

It's to do with my jewellery company IXIA so I though everything tied in really well!

I hope you all liked this post and I tag you all to do it so let's all get to know each other!

Lots of Love

Tori X

At home spa treatment| DIY series...

The DIY series is finally back... yayy!!!! 

Recently I have been finding out some new spa treatments that you can use at home to help you keep beautiful on a budget. 

My first treatment is a relaxing bath... Many spas always smell like roses due to the amount of rose water they use... it is literally in almost every product at my local spa as The rose water not only smells lovely but has a relaxing effect upon the body! If you run a normal bath of hot water about 3/4 full and add 500ml of both rose water and coconut milk the aroma is just wonderful! I love the smell of coconut and the smell of roses so this is just perfect for me! It cleanses the skin as it has extremely high fat content, and its full of antioxidants. But do check that the product is 100% pure as some do contain preservatives which can be bad for the skin and cause allergic reactions.

My second treatment is a facial/body scrub, this can be made with Brown sugar and Honey, Just get about 250g of sugar and 3-4 tbsp of honey and mix together! The sugar is abbrassive on the skin and causing dead skin cells to come away easily and the honey is good for your skin as it is full of antioxidants so is anti-ageing, it is clarifying so opens up pores and helps to unclog them, and honey is extremely soothing and moisturising and gives your complexion a beautiful glow. 

My third treatment is similar to the second but it's a lip scrub, after all our lips need the same amount of care as the rest of our body right? So this luscious lip scrub will leave your lips kissable... 

Use some vaseline about half a tub, and add 75g of sugar to the mix... stir all together and put in a cosmetic pot for a quick lip refreshen simply rub on your lips to scrub away dead skin cells and go pucker up to the next person as your lips will be soo nice soo everyone will want to kiss you!!

My Fourth treatment is an anti redness facial as sometimes my skin needs a little boost, Use one egg yolk and some lemon juice, mix together and apply to the face for around 5 minutes then wash off and admire a smoother more even skin tone, the egg and lemon juice give a more even complexion and also acts as an antibacterial facial as well. 

So these are my 4 spa treatments that you would pay around £80-£100 in a spa, yet you can do them yourself for under £10! I hope you've enjoyed the next installment and let me know any of your own At home spa treatments or any other beauty budgets!

Lots of Love, 

Tori X

Tips on how to destress and stress less!!

Recently I've found myself feeling soo stressed with all my school work and it has just been a nightmare two weeks, however I decided I hated feeling like this and I thought that the best way to go would be to try out some advice and let you know what I feel works!!

So here's some of my advice...

1) Put on your favorite song and for the three minutes of that song go absolutely mental and DANCE IT OUT. It doesn't matter if you can't dance just do it and feel out of breathe and feel the stress melt away! I feel doing this first thing of a morning helps as the endorphin's make you feel happy and the blood rush gets you energized ready for a brand new day and if you start the morning happy you're 80% more likely to have a great day!!


2) Get out in nature and go for a walk... Being outside in nature will lift your mood and the fresh air and the walk itself helps to melt away the stress if you live near a stream grab a few stones and imagine each one is a stress you have and throw it into the water... Imagine that that's you throwing away your stress and it's gone. It visually helps your brain remove stress as you've seen something disappear and the throwing helps get your anger out making you feel 100% better!!!



3) Talk- Talking to people about your stresses can be such a good thing!! Not only do you get things off your chest but you also get another persons view on the situation and that can change your opinion and make it a lot easier.

4) Focus on what you can control! Don't stress about things you clearly can't control as that's just going to cause you un-necessary worries and if you can't change it don't stress! If you can do something about it then great! Focus on how to do it and make it better, but if not let it go!!

5) Smile- Believe it or not smiling can make you feel a 1000 times better!! so get the knashers out and go out and have a good time! You'll be feeling soo soo much better!

I am the biggest stresser in the world, I hate pressure and I hate having lots of work and feeling out of control, however I do think that these tips do help and please if you have any tips then send them my way please!! Good luck using the tips and see you all in the next post!!

Lots of Love

Tori X