Announcement – My YouTube Channel

Drum roll please…

The day is here people! I finally managed to get my first video up on YouTube. After 2 attempts at uploading and much frustration it is now officially live on my channel.

As you can tell I was a little bit nervous about filming this video but I think my geeky streak came through!

So for those at you who haven’t been here that long I’ve actually been hinting at this for quite a while. I’ve always wanted to get into YouTube and create a channel that could be joint with my blog. Obviously at the moment I don’t actually have a channel banner, so if anyone has any tips for me in that department please let me know! But other than that I’m quite happy with how everything has turned out.

If you’d like to see more videos from me please don’t forget to subscribe to my channel and like the video. For my next one I’m thinking about doing ‘My Eczema Story’ what do you think? Does that sound like something you’d like to watch?

If you’re already on YouTube please leave a link to your channel below so that I can check it out!

Rachel x

The Summer Of Self Improvement Update

If you read my original post, 2015 The Summer Of Self Improvement, then you will already know what this about. But for the sake of those of you who didn’t here is a brief summary:

I decided to set myself some goals this summer so I don’t waste my time lazing around. They were; read, eat healthy, get outside, embrace my eczema and write.

But, how have I been getting on?

Well, I’ve been writing everyday which I’m hoping you’ve noticed in the regularity of my posts! I’ve been a little more active. I haven’t been able to walk Yogi everyday because it’s been so hot but I did complete the Louth Run For Life on Sunday 28th June in 43 minutes and something seconds and I am starting to run a few times a week.

I have been attending training with Yogi much more regularly though which takes place on a nice quiet field. He’s getting so much better and is now heeling beautifully and learning to let me check his ears, eyes, mouth, teeth and paws. I suppose I’m going to count this as one of my attempts at getting outside since it does take place outdoors and I guess I am appreciating nature by letting the little lump frolic in the grass!

The healthy eating started off well but sort of morphed into a huge carbs binge thanks to the secret threat that is McDonalds so I’m still working on that, although I have been eating breakfast everyday and attempting to include more fruits and vegetables in my diet which has been slightly successful.

Getting my feet out has to have been my biggest success. They’ve been on show everyday. I’ve been wearing pumps, sandals and flip flops and I have to say I am loving this new found confidence. This is partly thanks to the fact that my eczema is now pretty much cleared up except for a little bit of discolouration and scarring!

I purposefully left the reading for last because I haven’t made any progress at all and I really need your recommendations! I really want to try reading more but I just haven’t found anything I fancy reading. I really am open to suggestions on this one – crime, romance, comedy, fact or fiction it really doesn’t matter. If you’ve read a good book recently please let me know and I’ll give it a go.

My favourite books are Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov and The Collector by John Fowles so you can get the idea of what sort of writing I’m into.

There you have my first update. Hopefully I will be able to update you in a few more weeks having made a bit more headway on all of my targets that I’ve set myself. Have you set yourself any targets for self improvement this summer?

Rachel x

Could This Be My Final Eczema Update?

I am feeling absolutely amazing today and I can’t help but share it with you. It’s been just over two weeks since I went to see the Doctor to get some treatment for the infection in my feet and they are almost unrecognisable.

I am hoping and praying that this is my final eczema update, and only time will tell if I manage to keep on top of them and avoid flaring my skin allergies. For the mean time I am so thankful that my feet are looking 110% better and I really am so much happier. My confidence is at an all time high, and like I promised in my summer of self improvement post I’ve been showing them off more than ever.

My Feet Today

My Feet 2 Weeks Ago

There are no words for me to explain how wonderful it feels to actually be able to wake up without pain and look down at my feet without feeling depressed about the state they are in. I can’t remember the last time I was able to look at my own feet without feeling a little sad and hopeless inside, or the last time I felt confident wearing a dress that would show the eczema on my left ankle.

Everything just feels so much better without the constant pain and fear in the back of my mind. It’s like a wave has washed over me and taken with it every little bit of depression and despair. Admittedly I still have some discolouration and scarring as well as Oncholysis of my big toe nails but hopefully time will allow the scars to fade and my toenails to grow back normally. I will try to remember to update you on that!

Oncholysis

Oncholysis is the detachment of the nail from the nail bed, often caused by over manicuring, psoriasis and other skin conditions. In my case it has been caused by infection. The only information I was able to find online said you first need to eliminate the cause and then wait for the nail to grow back normally as it cannot re-attach itself to the nail bed. The only advise it gives is to keep your nails short and avoid irritants such as nail enamel and over washing.

My smile is stretching from ear to ear right now – fingers crossed it stays that way!

Rachel x

Clinique Haul; Lipstick, Loose Powder and More! ❤

So as I mentioned in my 10 Things I’m Thankful For Post I had a really bad day with my eczema recently and decided to cheer myself up with a little retail therapy! Finally my order has arrived and I have to share it with you all since I ordered the lipstick that I mentioned in my Clinique Wish List that everyone seemed to be lusting after.

My first purchase was the Blended Face Powder and Brush in Invisible Blend. I desperately needed a loose powder to help set my concealer under my eyes so this was a must have. I have to say I’m a little disspointed with the brush which seems very small and poor quality but the finish you can create with this powder is flawless. It is named invisible blend but I’d recommend choosing one of the darker shades unless you are very fair skinned.

I love the Airbrush Concealer so I was quick to top up when I ran out! It works great just as a concealer as it gives good coverage but I use it mainly for contouring. I use the shade 01 Fair which has natural pinky undertones like my skin but there is a wide variety of colours available to suit pink or yellow toned skin.

I struggle to keep my eyeshadow on all day so I thought I’d give the All About Shadow Primer For Eyes a go. I have yet to try this out but a review will be coming your way as soon as I do! The only thing I will say is that I purposefully ordered it in the shade Very Fair because the other shade available looks far too dark for my skin but now I can see it I think looks a lot darker than it did on the website.

The product you’ve all been waiting for; I ordered the Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Matte Petal! I was so excited to get this that I tried it out straight away and I am in love. Unlike other matte lipsticks that I have used in the past this one is not at all drying and it seems to have a soft buttery texture which I think actually moisturised my lips. Plus the colour is absolutely perfect for summer, I can really see this being my new go to lipstick!

The next few products I received free with my order by entering the code SUMMER at the checkout.

This is the Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. I love the texture and the very sheer, natural colour that it gives. I’m a little disappointed that it is so sheer as when I first saw it I assumed it would be a gorgeously deep red colour but it still gives a pretty and fresh faced natural look.

I am so happy I got the High Impact Mascara free with my order as this is the mascara that I normally use and I was running a bit low. I love all of the Clinique mascaras and as you can see it has a nice simple wand which isn’t as heavy as the wand featured on the full size mascara. This small 4g sample will last ages if I remember to screw the top on properly!

This tiny Take the Day Off Makeup Remover sample will be perfect for travelling with. It’s just the right size to go in your handbag or clutch and I’m sure I will fill it back up from my full size bottle once I’ve used it all. Convenient and cute!

My final freebie was a 5ml sample of their popular All About Eyes cream. Just looking at it I assumed it would be quite thick and heavy but when I tested it on the back of my hand it was gorgeous and light!

From top to bottom; Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Matte Petal, Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, All About Shadow Eye Primer in Very Fair and Airbrush Concealer in 01 Fair.

So there you have all of my purchases and freebies! Are there any particular products you see here that you’d love a review or tutorial with? Which product is your favourite?

Rachel x