August Blogging Challenge

I've decided to set myself a challenge. That's always a bit of a scary term I have to say. I really miss blogging on a regular basis. I've managed to get a bit more into the swing of things, and I'm trying to do about 3 a week, but I still feel a bit lost. There's so many things I like to blog about, and write about, so I feel a little bit all over the place with my content.

So - my challenge - that I've chosen to accept - is to blog every day of August. And by day I mean Monday - Friday. There's a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, I feel like if I blog enough and just do lots of different content then hopefully by the end of the month I'll have a better idea of what I really love to write about, and how I want my blog to move forward. I feel like if I'm also blogging for the entire week as well I'll get a really good idea of what days are best to post on - what days you guys like to see new content, and what days work best for me as well.

So I'm hoping you guys will come along for the ride! Let me know what type of posts you really want to see from T&M over August - I have some planned but I'd also love your feedback.

What posts would you like to see during August?

Much love, Lisa May

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5 New Things Verdict: July

Somehow, it's the end of the month - again. Where is this year going? It's insane. Anyway, that means it's time to give my verdict from July's five new things feature - and for July that mean all six products from Rimmel's new Insta collection. Now, I've done this in video form, as well as a full post - so I'd love it if you'd watch the video. You can see it on my YouTube channel here.

 

However, if you're a reader - no worries, I've got my verdict below for you as well.

 

All in all, I did really like the majority of the collection. I don't feel like my views have changed too much from my first impressions, but there's definitely some stand out products for me that have become firm favourites.

 

 

#Instaflawless Skin Tint £6.99
So part of me thinks I like this, and part of me still isn't sure. Basically this is a tinted primer, or skin tint. So you can use it on it's own, or underneath your normal base product. Personally I haven't been using it on it's own as it's very, very light coverage and is only SPF 15, so it's not enough to protect your face really. However, I've been reaching for it as a primer when I've wanted more of a glowy, natural base and it does this really nicely. It just makes a nice alternative to a matte base - and makes even your mattes foundations look a little more natural. I think I do like it - I'm pretty sure I do. The only thing I would say is that it says it gives 24 hour hydration, and for me it really tends to do the opposite. Otherwise, it's a nice radiant primer.

#Insta Conceal and Correct Palette £6.49
This is probably my least favourite product of the bunch - I just felt like it didn't really do what I feel it should have done. For me, I only really used the peach colour for dark circles and the green colour for redness. I just found the peach colour didn't do anything that any other concealer I use for under my eyes doesn't do - there's nothing extra. And actually, I prefer illuminating concealers under my eyes and this didn't have any of that, so that's just not something for me. Also, with the green colour I just found it didn't blend too well - so I was still left with a bit of redness and a bit of green. Not ideal. if I was to go for correcting colours I'd probably go for a different formula, maybe something more liquid based, as I feel this would blend a bit more nicely and offer a bit more coverage.

#Insta Conceal and Contour Palette £6.49
I found this palette to be a little hit and miss. First of all, I did wonder if they labelled the concealer and highlighter the wrong way around - but basically I feel they're the same product, just different shades. I didn't feel like the highlighter did what a highlighter is supposed to do. The concealer is a good blemish concealer - it's great at covering redness, or scars and blemishes. It blends nicely and gives good coverage. I've been carrying this around in my handbag as a touch up product and it's worked nicely for that. The contour shade is very subtle - so if you like your Kardashian sculp you won't necessarily like this. For those that are a bit scared, this would be idea. It gives a nice natural shade to the skin, and blends beautifully. I just wish the pan was a bit bigger as it gets really messy when used with a brush.

#Insta Duo Contour Stick £6.99
This is probably the biggest surprise for me. I really didn't think I'd like this, but I've been using it every single day - when I put make up on. The highlighter is a bit wishy washy for me, I haven't really used it that much as I just don't find it does too much. But the contour stick is beautiful, it's a warm shade, super easy to use and really blendable. It's very buildable so you can build the depth of contour you want, but you can also stay quite subtle with it. I'm a big fan of this one, and I know want to try all the contour sticks in the world - just because.

#Insta Fix & Matte Powder £4.99
Another absolute winner for me. Rimmel's powders generally are great, but this one is on another level for me. It's transparent, so it doesn't add extra colour or coverage - it just sets all your make up which is ideal for me. And it sets it really, really well. Like nothing budges well. Considering most of this range is cream products, or liquid, the powder helps to keep it all in place and stop and slippage. It is a matte powder, so on hot days it has been keeping my sweaty face look relatively normal, so it's ideal for those with oily complexions. I'm a massive fan of this, it's become an absolute staple for me.

#Insta Fix and Go Setting Spray £6.99
For me, this is probably the stand out product. I've not been a massive fan of setting sprays, and haven't really gotten the hype. But - this has been a game changer. It's much more like a fine mist, so it doesn't like water drops on your face, and is really refreshing. It also smells of cucumber which is incredible. I've found that it really helps my make up stay vibrant all day - even if mine does stay, it can dull, but this keeps it in tip top condition. This has become an ultimate, holy grail product for me. It's such good quality, and for such a small price tag. I'm completely sold.

So there you have it! If you watch the video don't forget to subscribe and like it. I'm looking forward to getting some new products for August - I already have my eyes on some pieces, but let me know if there's anything you think I should try!

 

Much love, Lisa May

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Being a girl

It's not easy being a girl. First off, you wonder whether you can call yourself a girl - or should you be calling yourself a woman, or lady? Well, I'm not exactly a lady so I'll bypass that one. But whatever you want to call yourself, I think we can all agree it's not always a walk in the park.

I've seen so many bits and pieces online and on the TV at the moment about unrealistic expectations, body image, behaviour and stereotypes, and it really got me thinking. As a woman, you're expected to behave in a certain way, most of the time, and look a certain way - again most of the time. If you're not wearing make up one day, you must feel rough or tired - it's not because you actually just couldn't be bothered that morning because it takes a bit of time to apply it all. If you're wearing trousers to work, or jeans, again - it's that theory that you must be feeling lazy that day, or you're a tomboy and you don't like dresses. Actually, sometimes work trousers can be chicer than a dress, or jeans are just the easiest thing to put on sometimes.

We carry an expectation that we should look made up all of the time - our eyebrows should be "on-point", our hair must be perfectly blow dried, straightened or with the perfect low key wave that actually takes longer to do than straightening, our make up must be flawless - all blemishes covered and all dark circles masked. And our outfits - our outfits must be well thought out, suitable for a lady and reflective of our personality. I'm sorry - but does my husband have to deal with any of this? Um, no, he gets up in the morning, showers - maybe shaves if he fancies it - grabs a pair of jeans and whatever tshirt is on top of his pile and he's ready to do. And that's fine. However, when I get up in the morning and do the same (minus the shaving obviously) then I've obviously had a bad nights sleep, or I'm feeling ill, or I'm just not making an effort.

Not all of us girls want to look, behave or dress the same way. Sometimes, I don't want to put make up on, and I just want to chill in my jeans with my hair in a messy top note (FYI - this is how I'm writing this post as we speak). But then other times, I want to dress like a girl. I want to go out with my friends, put on a pink skirt, fancy lace top, make an effort with my hair and make up and away I go. But I want to have the choice.

I'm not going to lie, I do love making the effort - carefully selecting my outfits and debating the closest shade of lipstick suitable for my outfit. So when I went out with the girls this weekend I decided I would dress like a girl. I would put on my new, pretty pale pink skater skirt, and team it with my lacy embroidered top. Because I wanted to - I chose to. I didn't do it because I felt like I should have to, or I felt like it was the "done thing".

Like I said - it's hard being a girl. Finding the balance between what we want to do, and what we feel we have to do. My advice? Just do what you want. If you want to spend your entire day in jeans, or leggings, with no make up - do it. If you want to dress up and make an effort, for no reason, then do it. If you want to wear trousers, instead of a skirt, why not? And if you want to dress up like a proper girly girl, then carry on. It's your choice.

Outfit details: Top - New Look | Skirt - New Look | Bag - New Look | Shoes - Topshop

What do you feel pressured to look like or wear?

Much love, Lisa May

Don’t forget to follow me on twitter, Instagram, facebook and bloglovin

What I'd Tell My Teenage Self

 

 

I've been feeling very grown up recently. I've been married for almost a year to a man I've been for almost ten years, I've bought my second house, I'm responsible for a furry feline and I'm have a well paying job. When did I become an adult? I swear I still feel like a child at times, I still play Mario Kart, got majorly excited about Beauty and the Beast and have Minions around my house.

 

I was driving to my parents house this morning, and drove past a lot of teenagers heading to school, and it got me thinking - what would I tell my teenage self if I could go back in time now? Other than teenagers have much better fashion sense now of course...

 

• Spots - don't worry, they do get better with time and some good skincare products!
  
• That boy you're crying over? Yeah, he won't matter in a year's time and he's not worth your tears
  
• Don't let anyone video your drama performance, seriously - it'll come back to haunt you
  
• Those girls that make your life a misery? Give it a year or so, and they will have disappeared
  
• Your metabolism won't be this good forever - either make the most of it now, or start some sort of exercise/sports club now so I can be that slim forever?
  
• No, that Playboy t-shirt is not appropriate for a 14 year old to wear on a school trip to Rome.
  
• Boyfriends aren't the most important thing in the world - your friends are. Beth is frigging awesome, and she sticks around - the boys don't.
  
• Also - spend more time with Beth's step sister Amber. She's a superstar and will become your Maid of Honour.
  
• Learn how to apply make up and stop caking your face in Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse - this will also help with the first point.
  
• Stop arguing with your Mum - she's incredible and will be the best friend that sticks around forever
  
• Don't paint your room pink and green - you don't even like those colours!
  
• Stop people pleasing - do what makes you happy and stop caring what other people think of you
  
• It's not the end of the world - yes you cut the mole under your arm shaving, no - it's not going to give you cancer. And no, it's not the last time you'll do it.
  
• Chicken doesn't make your boobs bigger, so stop scoffing it and hoping for bigger boobs. They come, don't worry
  
• Pay more attention if French, you'll regret not speaking another language when you're older
  
• Some friends will come and go, but your true friends will remain. And you have some pretty awesome ones later in life
  
• Pernod is a bad idea - stay away from it.
  
• Stop trying to grow up so damn quickly - you have plenty of time for that later. Just have fun and enjoy being a teenager

 

I feel like I am in a really good place in my life now - and as a teenager there were times I was really unhappy. School wasn't great for me. But I wish I could go back now and tell myself it all works out - what is happening will make you stronger, and the person you turn into. You will be happy, you'll be married to your best friends - a man who adores you. You will have incredible best friends (both of which you already know), a job you enjoy and a house you love. Chill out, enjoy the good times and make the most of that figure!

 

And yes, I really did think eating chicken would help my boobs to grow. Turns out I read the article wrong and it actually meant to use chicken fillets...

What would you tell your teenage self?

Much love, Lisa May

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All About - Paige Toon

I've finally made it through all of Paige Toon's books. And I'm totally in love and completely obsessed with her. I found my new girl crush and total idol. Yes, this is going to be one of those gush-worthy posts and you're going to need a cup of coffee for it. It's a long one..

Paige Toon is an author I first got into when I went on holiday a couple of years ago, I took a look and thought it'd made for easy holiday reading. I believe the first one I downloaded was Thirteen Weddings, as I'd just gotten engaged and thought it was quite fitting. What I didn't realise at the time was this was slap bang in the middle of a kind of series. I say kind of, because these books aren't a conventional series. Each book tends to link to another in a way, but they don't follow on as you would expect. You'll read about one character in one book, someone who seems like a secondary character or a side not, and then they'll pop up in other books or have their own written about them. And I love that. One of the other things I love about Paige's books in that although they are chick lit, the happy endings don't always come as easily as these types of books I've read about before. And the main character isn't as perfect as others. They make mistakes, they have flaws and their lives have hiccups. For me, this is what makes them much more relatable and real. I have this thing with books, all of Paige Toon's are on my kindle, but when I love a book, or a series, I want it on my real life book shelf. All of these have just made the "need to add to my bookshelf" list.

As I've made my way through each of them now, I really wanted to give you guys the run down of each book, in order, and also give you a heads up of what other books from Paige Toon they link to.

I will say at this point - I have NOT been paid to write this, or asked to. I just frigging love her books, and she has fast become one of the favourite authors.

Lucy in the Sky

This was Paige's debut novel and released in 2007. I really loved this book. I love the opening where Lucy get's a text saying her boyfriend has cheated on her - as she starts a 24 hour flight to Australia - and the way she handles it. I love the relationships she has with her friends, and family and I just loved her character. The story follows Lucy as she visits her home town in Australia for her best friends wedding and makes friends with the grooms little brother. It then follows her as she goes back to London, to her lawyer boyfriend, and adjusting back to life in the UK. It's funny, it's sad and it's heartwarming.

Where it overlaps:

• Meg who is dating Lucy's younger step-brother Tom, is Meg Stiles from Johnny Be Good
• Lucy, Nathan, Sam and Molly all feature in Pictures of Lily, as Lily is with Nathan's best friend Richard
• Nathan is Lachie's boss at the end of Thirteen Weddings

Johnny Be Good
I frigging love this series - this is a trilogy, that then leads into another triology. This book follows Meg Stiles as she becomes PA from rock star, Johnny Jefferson. Johnny has all the typical rock star issues - drink, drugs and girls - and Meg is your typical good girl. Then you thrown in Johnny's best friend Christian and you have a lot of fun. I love the chemistry between all three main characters, even from a book you can feel it, and I love the soft moments with Johnny when he's not being a rock star. The story is great, and you absolutely love Meg as well, and can really identify with her.

Where it overlaps:

• Meg used to date Lucy's step-brother in Lucy in the Sky
• Paola, Johnny's former PA, is Daisy from Chasing Daisy

Chasing Daisy
Now, Daisy was one of those characters that did annoy me slightly. I did like her, and her personality, but what bugged me was her attitude towards the guy she liked who was already taken. But - this is what I mean by Paige's characters not being perfect and making mistakes. Having said that, I do really like the story with this and found the F1 side of it really interesting. Daisy is a front of house girl for an F1 team, and works closely with both the teams drivers, falling for one of them. It has a lot of twists and turns, and it keeps you on the edge most of the way through with a big shock in the middle. But it's definitely worth a read.

Where it overlaps:

• Daisy was Johnny Jefferson's former PA, Paola.
• Will Trust's childhood girlfriend, Laura, is the main character in The Longest Holiday.
• You see both Daisy (as Paola) and Luis Castro in Baby Be Mine

Pictures of Lily
Now, I'm just going to say I think this may have been my least favourite out of all of them. It's not that it's bad, I think I just didn't identify or really empathise with Lily, the main character. You meet Lily when she's 16 and just moved to Australia from the UK. She's not too happy about it, but she starts helping out at a conservation park and falls with a man whose 12 years older than her, engaged and about to move to the UK. Fast forward and Lily get's engaged to Richard, but then Ben - the older gentleman - comes back into her life. For me, it just didn't grip me as much as the others, and I wasn't as invested in her as the other main characters. But, it's still a good easy read.

Where it overlaps:

• Richard is Nathan's best friend, from Lucy in the Sky
• Lily's almost step brother - Josh - is with one of Amber's best friends in The Sun in her Eyes
• Lily is mentioned in Thirteen Weddings when she takes a photo that Bronte wants in her mag
• Bronte from Thirteen Wedding's is mentioned, and Lily covers for her as an editorial assistant

Baby Be Mine
The second instalment of Meg and Johnny finds Meg in France, with a child who turns out to be Johnny's. When Johnny finds out he wants to be a part of their life, and it follows the little family through their adjustment, their friendship and back to LA where Johnny has a drug fuelled wild rock star girlfriend - who Meg hates. Obviously. It's a will they won't they rollercoaster, and although I want to slap Johnny through most of it, I'm still routing for the two of them to finally end up together. I love this series, I still love Meg and Barney is an absolute cuties.

Where it overlaps:

• Joseph Strike, the actor Meg dates, is Joe Strickwold from One Perfect Summer

One Perfect Summer

It's such a romantic book at it's heart, and really looks at how potent a first love can be, and how hard it can be to let go. Alice is 18, and about to go to University, but goes for one last summer holiday with her parents in Dorset first. Here she meets Joe, and they fall in love. But Joe's family create a bit of a problem, and they're torn apart and they continue with their lives. Alice goes to uni, and falls in love, but Joe comes back into her life in a major way and he's totally unobtainable. I may have ruined it with the bullet point above, so apologies there. It's heart warming, and lovely. BUT - I really don't get why Alice stays with her new boyfriend for so long, not a fan I have to say. Anyway - definitely give this one a whirl. Straight after this there is also a short story - One Perfect Christmas.

Where it overlaps:

• Joe is also Joseph Strike who appears in Baby Be Mine, and Johnny's Girl.
• Both Alice and Joe are mentioned in Thirteen Weddings when Lily takes a photo of them

The Longest Holiday

This is one of my favourites, I loved this book completely. Every emotion Laura went through I felt like I went through it with her, and I love the twist near the end where we see it from Leo's point of view. Laura goes off to Miami with her friends Marty and Bridget when she finds out her new husband has a baby on the way with a girl he slept with on his stag do. It's all around how she deals with it, mistakes she then makes along the way, and how it all comes together. I adore this book, I've read it so many times now I could probably recite it.

Where it overlaps:

• Bridget also appears in Thirteen Weddings, and gets her own story in The Last Piece of my Heart
• Marty also appears in The Last Piece of my Heart as Bridget's best friend
• Laura is the childhood sweetheart of Will Trust, the F1 driver Daisy falls for in Chasing Daisy

Johnny's Girl

This is a short story, that finishes off Meg's story, and kick starts the new series of Jessie Jefferson - Johnny's illegitimate teenage daughter. I won't go into too much detail as I feel it'll spoilt the first two books from Johnny and Meg's story, but it's a nice little filler story between the two series.

 

Thirteen Weddings

As I said before, this was the first one I read. To begin with I wasn't sure as it wasn't your usual everything is rosy and works out, everyone is happy etc etc. The main character isn't perfect, you don't want to be her and you don't agree with every decision she makes - and I think it's one of the first time's I've felt like that with a story. But, I also loved it. The story line was great, the characters hilarious and there were some real laugh out loud moments. It's a great read and you really do get into it.

Where it overlaps:

• Bridget, Bronte's flatmate, is also Laura's friend in The Longest Holiday, and has her own story The Last Piece of my Heart
• Lachie's new boss in Australia turns out to be Nathan, from Lucy in the Sky
• Lily is included as she takes photos of Joseph Strike that Bronte wants to publish

The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson

This follows on from Johnny's girl, and is from Jessie's perspective - a teenage girl who finds out she happens to be the daughter of a rock superstar. You go on a journey with Jessie to try and get to know her new family, whilst grieving her recently departed mother. It's the first Young Adult novel for Paige and I think she does a great job with it. The emotions Jessie goes through are poignant, and utterly relatable. It's also great to join Meg and Johnny again from a different point of view.

The Sun in her Eyes

I think this is a my second least favourite of them all, I think for me I just couldn't relate to the main character again and she just completely frustrated me. Amber, who is married to Ned, has to fly back to Australia when her Dad has a stroke. While she's there she catches up with all of her old friends, including her teenage love Ethan - who is now single following a divorce. There's also a little side story where the old lady who found Amber and her mother in a car crash is trying to find her to tell her what her mother said before she died - I felt like that side was a little week and didn't really need to be in there.

Where it overlaps:

• One of Amber's best friends is living with Lily's almost step-brother Josh
• Josie, one of her friends from home, is also the best friend of one of the triples in The One We Fell in Love With

I Knew You Were Trouble

This is the second instalment about Jessie Jefferson, and it's as good - if not better - than the first. The press is beginning to realise just who she is, and she's trying to figure out if she wants to be with her UK based, good boy boyfriend, or if she wants to go for the bad boy, man whore band mate. She's still trying to build a relationship with her new family as well, and is struggling with her teenage emotions. Being an adult, I love these as much as Paige's adult books, so I definitely think this series caters to all ages - especially those who loved the Johnny Jefferson books.

 

The One We Fell in Love With

I felt this one was a little bit different to the others as it's written from three different perspectives. This book follows the lives of triplets, Phoebe, Rose and Eliza. All of whom are completely different to the other, but all have feelings for the same boy. There's a massive shock twist in the middle of the book, and it's very emotional. The whole story pulls you in and makes you feel everything under the sun. I loved it more the second time I read it, but you can't help but fall in love with the characters and empathise with them. You route for each of them, and want them all to get what they want.

Where it overlaps:

• Phoebes best friend Josie is one of Amber's friends in The Sun in her Eyes
• When Rose stays with her uncle in Australia, she's joined by Sam, Molly, Lucy and Nathan

All About the Hype

The third instalment in the Jessie Jefferson series - Jessie is now in a cool new rock band, and has her super hot rock band boyfriend. But, they have to keep it all secret from their other band mates. As with the other two, very funny, a good story and you fall deeper in love with the Jefferson clan than ever before.

 

The Last Piece of my Heart

This is probably my favourite, up there with The Longest Holiday. Bridget finally gets her own story after being the bestie in a couple of others. I always loved Bridget as a character, so I was super happy when I saw this come out. Bridget is a travel writer, who has been writing her own blog about meeting ex boyfriends and asking them for their piece of her heart back. But, in the middle she gets asked to ghost write a sequel to a book, where the author had unfortunately passed away. Bridget goes down to Cornwall to work with the widower on trying to make sure the book is everything his wife would have wanted, and helps him grieve in the process. I love the characters, I love the chemistry, and I love the storyline. I couldn't be more in love with this book if I tried. It was absolutely magical. If you read nothing else from this list - read this one.

Where it overlaps:

• Bridget is also in The Longest Holiday and Thirteen Weddings
• Marty, her best friend, is also in The Longest Holiday as Laura's best friend

Now - I THINK that's all the overlaps. Or at least the ones I can remember and have found. Paige Toon - if you ever read this let me know if I've missed any!! I kind of what to do a mind map that connects everyone...

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know if you read any of these and how you got on - I'd love to know! Now I just need to get all the paperbacks to fit on my bookcase...

 

What's your favourite Paige Toon book?

Much love, Lisa May

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