So… it’s been over a month since I last posted. Sorry, guys…

I was feeling kind of bummed out with blogging. Couldn’t see the point; felt a bit Eeyore-like and sorry for myself. Honestly, I was also bummed with myself. Bored, stuck in a rut, you know the drill.

I eventually plucked up the courage (thanks in no small part to some gentle encouragement by the boyfriend) to do something about it.

But more on that later! First, a quick update because a lot can happen in the space of a month!

Fashion

My ever expanding wardrobe has changed a bit; I’ve gotten rid of a few pieces, and gained a small number.

This long black cardigan is a Primark purchase and I love it. It’s got a hint of a 90’s goth grrl vibe and can be dressed up or down.

These are some new glasses I’ve just got to get my prescription put into. I usually hate buying ‘fake’ glasses with clear lenses but actually they’re a pretty good way of getting fashionable styles on the cheap; especially when you know someone that makes specs and is happy to supply you with your lenses for very little! Also pictured is my Hufflepuff scarf, which was one of my favourite Christmas presents (along with a plushie of Fang and Snape’s wand!).

This top. This top is bloomin’ awesome. It’s a fairly new purchase so I haven’t had a chance to wear it out yet but it’s so coooool. It’s from Yours.

And finally, what may seem boring- a pair of black skinny jeans! What’s exciting about these is that these here jeans are in a size down! Yay!

Make Up

This month has been pretty standard when it comes to make up. I’ve made a couple of recent purchases (the Illamasqua Facet palette is beautiful!) but mostly I’ve been trying to use up what I have.

This is a pretty general look for me! I used Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation in Believe In Me Ivory, Soap & Glory Some Kinda Blot, Sleek Face Form in Light (blush and contour), Soap & Glory Supercat liner, Lancome Hypnose Star, Maybelline BrowDrama brow mascara, New Look Pure Colour lip liner in dark red and MAC Russian Red lipstick.

These are my most recent purchases (within the last two weeks), Estee Lauder Double Wear in 1N1 Ivory and the new Little Black Primer mascara. I’ve been using a sample of the DW foundation for a while and decided I like it enough to make the plunge! I’ll be doing a review of both of these soon- spoiler: I LOVE.

Lifestyle

So I’ve been going to the gym and exercising more regularly again. I had been going pretty often before Christmas but over Christmas I was ill and then doing lots of overtime or observations which meant I didn’t have the time to go. I always feel better when I go and when the weather gets better, I can start my Couch to 5K up again. It’s less about losing weight (though there is a bit of that, obviously) and more about increasing my fitness and health. A part of this is also, of course, working on what I eat. I don’t eat horribly anyway and never have, but a decision I made is to try to eat super healthily and sensibly during the week, abstaining from alcohol and treats as much as possible, and then relax a bit at the weekend. It works well because I see my boyfriend either on Saturdays or Sundays so I never feel I have to order salad or anything around him. Plus- we do a helluva lot of walking!

This is one of my favourite snacks! Rice cakes (plain, caramel or fruity work the best!) with a tablespoon of cashew nut butter (between them, not on each!) and sliced strawberries. Sounds weird? Tastes amazing. I also really like the Vita Coco kids drinks- I know, they’ve got lots of sugar but I only have one per day if that. I’m trying the ‘grown up’ pouches with peach and mango- as yet unsure whether I like those as much!

The Chop

So earlier in this post you saw that massive pile of hair on the floor, right? Right.

I chopped my hair off.

Okay, granted I didn’t have super long hair to start with- down to my chest, bra strap sort of length- and granted it’s still not extremely short, but it is a good four inches shorter, if not more. (Don’t worry, we’ll get to the pics). I chopped my hair a little shorter than this about a year and a half ago and hated it. Difference between then and now is that I had to lop it all off before- I had to get rid of the blue dye before my job started- whereas this time I wanted to cut it off. I was ready. I was bored of my longer hair, it had no style and just hung around my face and did nothing for me. If it wasn’t freshly washed, it was pulled into pigtails or into a bun/ponytail and never held a style or anything.

I’m sorry for how bad that photo is! This is just after I cut it all off so it’s styled pretty prim and proper by my hairdresser in order to check how it sits etc. I also got a bit of a whispy fringe cut in as well.

AND I LOVE IT.

This is the fringe. I don’t think I’d ever wear it like that but it’s nice to have the option!

It’s also just about long enough to pull up into pigtails, and they look much better than when my hair was longer! The fringe also makes the whole bandana-thing look better in my opinion. Honestly I was tempted to ask her to cut even more off- maybe even go a whole inch-and-a-half shorter, I’d already asked her to go about an inch shorter (she likes to cut things longer, which is a good idea- you can cut hair off but you can’t put it back on!) but I’m happy I can still pigtail!

With it tied back, I’m given a glimpse of how I might look with a long ‘pixie’ esque cut and you know what? I actually really dig it. Maybe that’s my next step!?

Anyway, this is my new hair, and probably how I’m going to wear it most of the time. I can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner- I love it so much. I feel pretty and- dare I say it- hot, and I think it suits me so much more than the longer hair. If I don’t go shorter I can’t see myself going much longer again for a while.

For reference- on my face in the last picture I am wearing Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hr Foundation in Ivory (sample from Cosmo, it’s too dark but I quite liked the finish and coverage!), Maybelline Matte Maker in Classic Ivory, B. Sculpted Contour Kit in Light, Makeup Revolution Powder Blusher in Love, MAC Candy Yum Yum, Estee Lauder Little Black Primer mascara, Lancome Hypnose Star mascara, Eyeko Skinny liner in Black, Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero, the Boots SEVENTEEN Christmas eye palette and L’Oreal Brow Artist pencil in Brunette.

Short hair don’t care.