A little update

So this is going to be a quick one...

After initially doing quite well on the old blogging front, June was somewhat of a wash out. I'm going to use the excuse of life getting a little hectic.

Whilst I love my job, it is both mentally and physically draining and there are a lot of demands, often at the last minute. It has been a slightly turbulent time over the last six weeks and I have been feeling tired a lot. I really hate being tired, I feel a lot of people use being 'tired' as an excuse to be lazy. However that is how I have been feeling.  

I am also moving house on Saturday (eek). My boyfriend and I are moving in together and I cannot wait (2 sleeps to go). However what with viewings, handing over silly amounts of money, signing here there and everywhere and worrying about the endless amount of furnishings and utensils that we still don't have, the blog has very much been on the back burner.

I don't want that flame to go out however, so I'm hoping that I can post more regularly very soon as I have some posts planned.

I shall leave for now on a positive note...a few weeks back I went to Hitchin Bid's Midsummer Ball Midsummer Dinner with my Dad, on the way a very lovely lady called Jasmine came up to me and told me how great I looked in my Myleene Klass dress that she'd seen on my blog post. Apologies if I seemed startled Jasmine, it was totally unexpected but I really appreciated it. 

Here I am in the dress in real life, not just twirling round in my living room. Unfortunately this is 'Dad Photography' so my legs are not in it and its a little blurred (poor posture as well Hol, sort it out). I'm hoping I'll get a few better snaps when I wear it to my friend's wedding in August. For those of you who read the original post...I wore the colour block shoes!

I hope this post finds you all well.

Heres to being back.

Holly

x

100 Happy Days: Day 56 to 65

Day 56: Doing my first ever parkrun at Panshanger...I'm now a little bit addicted

Day 57: An impromptu glass of wine and risotto at my Dad's, I love those sorts of evenings

Day 58: Sampling lunch at The Old George in Ickleford, conclusion...I think I might have to go back and try their grilled cheese sandwich again, just to double check that it really was good!

Day 59: A glass of fizz in my Mum's garden, bliss

Day 60: A day off chilling out in the sun on Windmill Hill

Day 61: Finally plucking up the courage to brave the weights area of the gym #thisgirlcan

Day 62: Funny texts from friends

Day 63: Reminiscing on my London Marathon 2014 experience, this photo of my red and sweaty face will forever be one of my favourites

Day 64: Stopping the car outside Hitchin to appreciate the view

I love how this 9 days of the challenge really represents the small things in life that are making me smile. That's what's it's all about really. 

I'd love to know if any of you have done/are doing #100happydays or perhaps this post has inspired you to start? Send me your Instagram/Twitter name and I'll check it out. You can see all my happy moments by following me at @ohhollygosh on Instagram under the hashtag #ohhollygosh100happydays

Holly

X

A VERY pretty dress

I don't know about you but when I'm looking for dresses I NEVER see anything that I like. My best finds have always been something I have happened upon on browsing my favourite stores online or on blogs, this little beauty was no exception.

I first saw this dress over on Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter's YouTube channel and knew I had to check it out. I have an important wedding of two very good friends coming up in August and I wanted to start planning my outfit early. 

I've looked at the Very website many times but I've never committed to buying anything. However after this purchase the Very website is well and truly saved into my favourites (did you see what I did with the title...sorry). 

This dress is from the Myleene Klass range and I could not be happier with this. The material and quality of the stitching feels like it should be a lot more than the £65 price tag and its the sort of style that would suit absolutely any shape. How gorgeous are the colours and pattern?

Myleene Klass for Very.co.uk Floral Print 50s dress, £65, available in sizes 8-20

And of course I had to do some token silly photos...

I'm sure after a few glasses of fizz at the wedding I will be doing a lot of this, so its just practice really!

Originally I ordered a 12 but it didn't quite close at the back so I exchanged it for a 14 and it fitted perfectly so I would recommend sizing up. 

So the shoes...

These are currently the contenders for choice of shoes. I got the top pair of couple of years a go from Primark, I think they're really unique and its very unlikely anyone else is going to have them. On the other hand, I love the rose gold ones. They're pretty and super comfy as well. I'd love to know what you think, answers on a postcard...or in the comments would also do :)

I do love a good wedding, are you going to any this year?

Holly

x

This is not a sponsored post and this item was not gifted to me. All items were purchased with my own finances. 

100 Happy Days: Day 47 to 55

Day 47: Sitting down to dinner at work, homemade butternut squash and parmesan sauce with homemade bread

Day 48: 50 days till Ibiza (41 when this goes live), the excitement is building now

Day 49: Cheese and wine night at my friend's house last weekend, how grown up we've all become

Day 50: Sunday brunch in the new Wetherspoons with my boy before heading to work. I can't believe I'm half way through this challenge already.

Day 51: Reliving running the London Marathon last year, I still can't quite believe I did it. I'm looking forward to watching it next weekend knowing that I've done it (and got the t-shirt)

Day 52: A gorgeous falafel wrap from Chef Martin Burke's stall on Hitchin Market. If I'm off on a Tuesday or Friday thats my lunch sorted!

Day 53: A post work Starbucks in the sun with my Mama, one of my favourite ways to spend a sunny afternoon

Day 54: Experimenting with the humble baked potato, do I feel a recipe post coming on?

Day 55: Starting personal training, my face after doing intervals. I absolutely loved it though.

Over half way now, what will the next half of the challenge bring?

Holly

x

100 Happy Days: Day 38 to 46

Day 38: 60 days (now 48 days as this goes lives) days till my girly holiday to Ibiza with my two best gal pals

Day 39: A spontaneous Wednesday night of Mexican food, 90s songs and selfie sticks

Day 40: An Easter graze box gift from my bestie

Day 41: So apparently 11pm the day before Good Friday is not the best time to go to Tescos and expect there to be shelves of Easter eggs...getting creative making some creme egg brownies for my boyfriend's family for Easter

Day 42: Hot cross bun pudding for Easter Saturday dinner

Day 43: The Easter Sunday dinner table at my Mum's

Day 44: An Easter Monday walk on Barton Hills

Day 45: Joining the gym and my reasons for doing so (I feel another blog post coming on)

Day 46: Hanging out with Isla, my Dad's friend's gorgeous choccy lab

Whether you do the church thing or just like to chocolate egg, roast dinner and family time bit, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend.

Holly 

x

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I've always been in Camp Make up wipe for as long as I can remember. Every few years I've bought a set of cleanser, toner and moisturisers after feeling inspired by a beauty evening (think Virgin Vie parties for those who remember them) or a well meaning magazine article. Admittedly my skin always felt much cleaner and better after a full 'cleanse, tone, moisturise' routine, but really...who has time for that (or the care when you're tired or *ahem* have had maybe one more glass of wine that you should)? When I'm taking my make up off, its the last thing I do before I get into bed so I'm normally sleepy running the wipe across my face whilst getting all my bits and pieces sorted. I know its not the best beauty routine but unless someone was willing to be my personal make up removed, the make up wipe it was destined to be...until micellar water came along.

I first sat up and took noticed of micellar water when Lily Melrose spoke about the Nivea version in one of her blog posts. I was intrigued by the talk of one product and one cotton pad to take off all my days make up but not 100% convinced. I made a point of swing by Boots the next time I was in town to try it. I couldn't see the Nivea one but the Garnier one was on offer (and the bottle was a tad prettier, yes I am that girl) so I decided to give it a go. 

The first time I used it, the sceptic in me told me to use no less than 4 cotton pads to take all my make up off, however as time has gone on I can truthfully say that 1 pad takes off both my face and eye make up. I was also pleasantly surprised to wake up without any excess eyeliner or mascara smudged into an accidentally smokey eye under my lower eye lid, the way it always does with make up wipes. You also don't need to rinse your face afterwards.

I have been using this product for 3 weeks now and my skin is much better for it. I'm removing my make up properly and my skin has felt much more hydrated. Even better, its all in one product. No more excess bottles of product clogging up your dressing table or having a separate eye make up remover.

Obviously, a bottle of micellar water has cost me more than my usual £1 pack of make up wipes but as you only need 2mls of the solution plus a cotton pad the cost per use is far less.

The only negatives is it did sting a little when I got a bit in my eye so make sure you keep them shut when you're using it, there is also one for sensitive skin as well so if you're particularly prone to this then maybe consider purchasing that one.

Have you ever used micellar water? Did you like it or are you sticking the cleanse, tone, moisturise or make up wipe routine. Let me know how the other brands compare if you've tried them.

Holly

x

Please note that this is not a sponsored post and I have not been gifted this item. I purchased this item with my own finances after reading about it and all opinions are my own. I have not received any benefit for writing a positive review.

100 Happy Days: Day 29 to 37

Day 29: Doing my best to find my running mojo again

Day 30: Belated birthday treat of Pizza Express takeaway and cava with my mamma

Day 31: Discovering the lunch of joy that is Itsu

Day 32: The best delivery, is a delivery of Quest bars

Day 33: Heading to Edinburgh for my friend Lucy's hen do

Day 34: School girl fancy dress for the hen night out

Day 35: Hotel breakfasts are the best

Day 36: I have found my dream shoes...and they will be mine!

Day 37: Post hen do/'I have nothing in the fridge' dinner

The last 9 days have been a good 'un!

Stay happy

Holly

xx