I've got a Surgery Date // My Scoliosis Journey

You might have already seen on twitter but I thought I'd let you all know, mostly as part of my Scoliosis Journey series, that I now have a surgery date. 

My date is July 24th. Before I got my date it didn't seem real, like it was happening, even though I knew it definitely was. But, now it is very much real and it is scary. Really scary. However, I am going to make July the best month of the year so far with things like the Herts/Beds Meet Up happening and the possibility of the lovely Jayne coming to visit.

I don't know how long I will be away from my blog but I will be scheduling posts for you by myself and hopefully other bloggers. I could really do with quite a few guest posters so if you want to guest post email me: shonacobb21@gmail.com

I would be so grateful!

That's it for now really, I guess the countdown begins.

Thanks for reading,

Shona x

Empties #2

I haven't written a empties post in quite a while so recently I thought I'd collect up a few things I'd finish for another post. I personally never used to like these posts but recently I have been enjoying them so it felt like a good time to do one!

The first product that I have recently finished is the Boots Sleep Pillow Mist, this isn't available any more but there are other versions. I can't even remember how I came to get this but I did like it. I know when it comes to things like this it is more the psychological effect that sends to your to sleep rather than the actual spray. Either way though I found the lavender scent helped me relax and then get to sleep easier, I'll probably repurchase something similar. 

Next I've finished the Avon Naturals Sugar Plum & Vanilla Room and Linen Spray. I adore these Avons sprays and I have 2 bottles on the go at the moment, I'd say this one is my favourite scent. I think these are about £4 on full price but I usually order them when there are offers on, which is basically every other catalogue! I will definitely repurchase this scent when I have finished my others!

Then I have recently finished the LUSH American Cream Conditioner and I have already repurchased this! This is definitely my favourite conditioner and I featured it in a video not too long ago. It makes my hair feel so soft and generally makes it easier to manage. I want to try some other conditioners but for now this is the one I will continue to repurchase.

A few weeks back I finished my second Nivea Hydrocare Lip Balm and I'm already nearly half way through my 3rd! I just can't get enough of this stuff, it is by far the best lip balm I've used. It just hydrates my lips so well and they generally feel more moisturised and softer since I've started using this. 

The next product is sadly something you can't get in the UK, this is the Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover. Hannah got me this in a travel set when she went to France and I have just loved using it! It removes my makeup so well, even waterproof mascara! I loved this nearly as much as bioderma, the only thing that I didn't like was that it left a bit of a oily residue behind but this wasn't a major problem as I have dry skin.

Finally, the last product is my beloved MUA Every Lash Mascara*. I was sent this a little while back and I can most definitely say that I'll be repurchasing it! It stays all day and makes my lashes long and gives them a little volume boost, it is my favourite everyday mascara! 

I have finished up much recently so I won't do these monthly, I'll probably do them everytime I finish 6 products!

Thanks for reading,

Shona x

Collection Cream Puff in 'Cotton Candy' // Review

Once upon a time I tried one of these in the shade 'Fairy Cake.' I loved it but wasn't a fan of the shade, shows how I've changed though as I now love corals! I'd completely forgotten about these little bargains though until I saw Jess from JessxoBeautyxo rave about this shade all the time. I've been loving collection products recently and I'm definitely looking to try more from them! Despite them being a brand I love I haven't actually tried that many products.

These £2.99 bargains apply like a dream, there is a doe foot applicator and they apply as a soft cream, for a matte lip product I was impressed as it didn't feel drying at all! They have a vanilla scent to them as well, not like MAC Lipsticks but its a lovely smell, it's always a plus when your product smells good.

Cotton Candy is a muted pink shade, it is very wearable and I can see it working for a lot of people. It isn't a light pink but it isn't a bold pink, somewhere inbetween, great for everyday wear.

This gives your lips a matte look but with added moisture, I didn't find this to make my lips dry at all. It is completely matte and I much prefer this soft cream formula over any matte lipstick, it is so much more moisturising! I find this cream puff stays on my lips for about 4-5 hours, I have to say I'm pretty impressed by this product!

I didn't expect much from it at all and I certainly didn't expect to like it so much as I'm not the biggest fan of matte lip colours. I can't wait to pick up more shades though and at only £2.99 it would be rude not to!

Have you tried these? If not, do they take your fancy?

Thanks for reading,

Shona x

Aren't you looking forward to 3 months off school?

I've officially left Secondary School now. I've finished all my exams, I've had Prom and now I have nearly 3 months off school to 'look forward to.' 

Except I'm not looking forward to it at all. For me it is going to be 3 months of total boredom. I'd love to go out there and find a job to fill up my time and earn me a bit of money but I can't because of my back. I can't really do much at all because of my back and money. So, until my operation I have no idea what to do.

This is where you lovely people come in, I hope! I'd love for you to leave any suggestions below as to what I could do? Whether it is something that will take up an hour, a day or a week I'd love to know!

Thank you!

Shona x

My Makeup Collection // Video

First of all sorry I don't have a proper blogpost for you today, I took loads of pictures but I didn't like any of them so I'm going to re-take them all tomorrow! I did my last exam today as well which means I'm off school for nearly 3 months now, minus my two sixth form induction days.

Anyway onto the video, I made a little mental note to do my makeup collection video when I reached 100 subscribers, I thought that would be in a few months maybe even 6 months after starting my channel. Little did I know I would reach this goal after just a week of being back, mental! So as I had mentally promised here is my makeup collection video!

If you have any blog post/video ideas please  leave them below and if you are looking for a guest poster on your blog make yourself known, I have a lot of time on my hands now!

Thanks for reading,

Shona x

Life Update #5

I haven't written a life update since April so I thought I'd keep the lifestyle side of my blog going by sharing a bit about what has been going on in my life at the moment.

I never actually did a post about my pre-op assessment, not sure why but I just never mentioned it on my blog! Basically though I stayed in hospital overnight so they could do tests, I could talk to doctors and other important people about the operation. It wasn't that bad, the worst that happened was I had a blood test and that didn't even hurt. A word of advice, whatever age you are, ask for numbing cream and numbing spray, it works wonders! Some doctor said I might need more tests because of my Marfans Syndrome but we haven't heard back from them since! I can only imagine that I'm on the waiting list and they'll call when they have a date for me, for now it is just more waiting!

School wise I have now left and only have one exam left tomorrow, I've basically given up on revising for it though! I had my Prom, which was really fun, you can read a post about it here. Also thanks for all your kind comments about it! I now have nearly 3 months off school. I wish I could go out there and find a job to keep me busy but I can barely walk around a supermarket without being in pain! I know I'm going to get extremely bored this summer and I've already had to turn down going to a blogger meet up in London in July because of my back, it is safe to say that I'm feeling very sorry for myself at the moment! Need to pull myself together! At least I have my blog and youtube to keep me busy!

I have got a Herts/Beds blogger meet up to look forward to at the start of July though. If you are local to the area then Emily has written a post all about are plans! It is set to be a lot of fun at the moment and I'm really looking forward to spending the day with lovelies like Bex and Hannah.

I thought I'd just let you know that the option to advertise on my blog is back as well, I'm such an indecisive person, I put it up and then took it down and now it is back up to stay. So, if you want to advertise on my blog just click the link above, there are 4 different inexpensive options to choose from!

That's it for now, why don't you tell me one happy thing that has been going on in your life at the moment?

Thanks for reading,

Shona x

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Shopping Destinations- London // TravelSupermarket

Back in February I was contacted by Travel Supermarket with the idea of creating a infographic about a shopping destination. Due to a few reasons I wasn't able to share this with you until now though. I don't usually do this kind of thing (by the way this post isn't sponsored or anything like that), travel supermarket have just created this infographic for me to share with you about one of my favourite shopping destinations: London. I thought I'd take part as I got to talk about one of my favourite things to do and obviously at the time I thought it would be a bit of fun!

I've been to London countless times before, mainly for hospital appointments though! There are so many shopping destinations but the one I was asked to talk about was Bond Street, which is jam packed full of luxurious shops! 

Thanks for reading,

Shona x

NOTD + Review | Collection Lasting Gel Nail Polish

I've really been looking forward to posting this review because I have to share this amazing nail polish that is a total bargain! I first heard about these beauties on The Sunday Girl and I was excited at first but, I forgot about them overtime. However, when I saw them in Boots I remembered them and had to pick one up! The 2 for £5 offer may have helped me in my decision as well...

You have probably heard me rave about this nail polish on twitter or youtube already but this nail polish thoroughly deserves a post to itself!

Lets all just take a moment to appreciate this nail polish.

This is by far my favourite shade, formula and all round favourite nail polish in my collection! The formula to start with it sensational, the best I've found so far. I used 3 coats here but you could get away with 2, it dries quickly so using 3 coats doesn't bother me one bit. It glides on easily and the brush is a pleasure to use, just the right width for your nails. The shine the nail polish gives off is beautiful and puts the Barry M Hi-Shine Gelly Nail Polishes to shame. 

After being so disappointed with the Barry M ones, I mean I really hated them, I am so glad I found this beauty. The formula of this nail polish isn't as thick as Barry M's meaning it applies better and cleaner, I found the Hi-Shine Gellys to apply quite messily. 

But by far the best part of these nail polishes is the lasting power. I wore this nail polish for 6 days and it didn't chip at all during that time, not even the tiniest little chip! It showed no signs of chipping on the 6th day either, I'm sure it could have easily stayed on for a few days more, if it weren't for Prom I wouldn't have tested this theory! I can see this being the perfect holiday nail polish as it lasts so long.

These beauties retail for the bargain amount of £3.19 and there are 15 shades available, not the biggest range of shades but hopefully they'll bring more out.

Have these sneaked onto your wishlist yet?

Thanks for reading,

Shona x

MUA Power Pouts 'Rendezvous' and 'Broken Hearted' // Review

Every brand under the sun seems to be hopping on the balm stain train at the moment and as soon as I found out my favourite brand MUA had an offering I knew I had to try them! I'm a big fan of the chubby balm/gloss sticks and I have now tried Revlon's, LOOK Beauty's and MUA's. Recently Bourjois, Seventeen and VIVO have also all brought out their own version!

The packaging is very similar to every other brand's out there, it is particularly similar to Revlon's. I have no problems with the packaging and for only £3 it is pretty good, I can't complain.

I have two shades: Rendezvous and Broken Hearted. 

Rendezvous is your classic nude, it is a little pink and warm toned, a good nude for me. If you are like me and like a little pink in your nude shades then this is the colour for you! 

Broken Hearted is a pink, it leans more to the brighter end of pinks than the more neutral toned ones but isn't  anywhere near a hot pink. 

These can be built up for a more bold wash of colour or they can be sheered out a bit, that's what I've done in the photos above. They definitely aren't a stain, they are a balm/tint and the lasting power isn't as great as Revlon's (I find they last for about an hour and a half) but MUA don't claim that these are stains, they do say they are a balm and tint. So everything is OK on that front because you are getting what it says on the product! 

I find these to be nice and moisturising, they definitely have a balm aspect to them. They don't dry on your lips when you wear them overtime as well!

Overall I really enjoy wearing these and they get a big thumbs up from me!

These are £3 each and there are 6 shades available: Broken Hearted, Crazy in Love, Irreplaceable, Justify, Rendezvous and Runway.  You can buy them from Selected Superdrug stores and online at  http://www.muastore.co.uk & superdrug.com

Thanks for reading,

Shona x

Prom // OOTN + Pictures!

I've just got back from my Prom. I've had tweets all night, people being so nice and lots of people wanting to see some pictures! Well I thought while I'm still buzzing from having such a great time I should write this blog post, I could type up lots of memories from the night, you get to see some pictures and I get to have a good cry again because it is all over!

I had the most amazing night of my life. Some of you may know from my tweets that I was very nervous about going. I thought I was going to be sitting down on my own all night not having fun because of my back. I was nervous about being awkward, especially being around teachers in a more casual environment. I'm a awkward person anyway so Prom seemed like my idea of hell. Add in few balloons which are pure evil and I was going in with a positive attitude.

Soon enough though I was on the dance floor moving my feet a little and I slowly began to grow in confidence and found I could dance if I turned away from the teachers so I couldn't see them! And soon enough I was dancing, jumping, singing and shouting. I have even started to lose my voice! Despite not having the best relationship with my friends over the past few weeks it was like old times again. Suddenly the best friends I knew back in Year 7 came out. It was a very emotional night, I cried a lot and was so sad that it was all over! I still have 2 exams left and I'll be returning for sixth form but it was just so sad! Me and my best friend couldn't leave without saying a massive thanks to my amazing form tutor/mentor and after a quick hug I started crying again and my form tutor looked like he was going to cry! Prom was so emotional and there was a lot of tears.

One of the best parts of Prom though was that my back didn't hurt at all. It ached a bit at times but my feet were killing me so I think that blocked out any back pain I must have been having! It meant I could have an amazing time!

The set up of Prom was incredible, by far the best Prom at my school so far. It was a Bond theme and we had several roulette tables, playing cards everywhere and a blogger favourite: a photobooth! I only got to use it once and I took some funny pictures with one of my best friends.

If you can't tell yet I had an AMAZING time and I'd do it all over again if I could!

Sorry there isn't as many pictures as I'd like, I took pictures with my friends/of my friends mostly which I can't put on here as I can't ask for their permission!

Thanks for all your lovely comments,
Shona xxx

My dress is from New Look, my shoes are from George at Asda and my earrings are also from New Look.