#JanuaryJoy 2014 Week 1

Florence Finds blog is one of my regular reads and last year's January Joy made January just that bit more joyful! Rebecca's drawn up another great list of prompts for this January and I hope to join in with as many prompts as I can. We're three days in and I thought I'd share what I've been up to.

#JanuaryJoy Prompt 1: Make some resolutions

Here are mine for 2014:

1. Take up a new/ revisit an old hobby. I had hoped to do this last year but, although I did lots of general crafting, I didn't actually join or sign up for anything more formal.
2. Make more regular appearances at my hairdressers and try to thicken up this sad looking head of hair
3. Spend more time with friends
4. Worry less about what others think of me/ my work/ my lifestyle. A repeat from last year - it's a hard one to crack, and will probably appear on my resolutions list each year.

#JanuaryJoy Prompt 2: Get serious about your skin

This photo shows what happens when you leave Sanctuary facial oil on your dressing table in front of the window. Left hand bottle: sun bleached and nasty Right hand bottle: my new bottle of spa smelling loveliness which will be stored out of the sun's rays. My skin's got to be a little bit happy about this!

#JanuaryJoy Prompt 3: Plan a girl's night in

This ties in nicely with my 2014 resolutions. I'd love a cosy night in catching up with my favourite girls. Our schedules are all quite different but I'm really hoping we can get something pencilled in this month.

Sipping Glugging homemade mulled wine with my favourite girlies this Christmas

Are you joining in with #JanuaryJoy? I'm looking forward to getting involved in the rest of the #JanuaryJoy prompts and will try to keep the blog up to date with what I've been up to!

It's Friday. I'm in Love.

Friday is definitely a day for distractions. This week, I am loving:



Not a new love, but we've just managed to get tickets to see The Postal Service in May. Yahoo! In our student days, Me and M spent endless hours listening to The Postal Service and I love the lyrics of this song. Iron & Wine's beautiful version of Such Great Heights is also a favourite. 

The Freckled Fox's 'Rockabilly Rosie' Tutorial

I'm loving this, and pretty much all the hair tutorials from The Freckled Fox.


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This strawbery cake mason jar looks like a perfect little Valentine's dessert.



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I don't think I need to say anything more on this one.

Enjoy the weekend!

Have A Good Hair Day #JanuaryJoy

Good hair days are usually feel good days. I'm a restless sleeper and rarely/ never wake up with 'good' hair. I thought I'd share some of the things I rely on to give my hair a helping hand!

1. I've used the Aussie range of shampoos and conditioners on and off since I first started buying my own toiletries with pocket money. It used to seem like the biggest luxury expense. Of course, now I know its not such a luxury product, but I still love it. It always smells good, and leaves your hair clean and soft. Everything a shampoo should do, I guess.
2. I have a 1l backwash size Kérastase Reflection Bain Chroma Riche. It smells lovely and is perfect for highlighted hair. I do find it dries out my scalp a little so I alternate with the Aussie products.
3. Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense conditioning treatment is my miracle product. I leave it on for at least five minutes for super soft hair.
4. The Remington Pearl Curl Wand has a temperature control, is ceramic coated to protect you hair, and comes with a glove to protect your hand. It's really easy to use and lets you create either big waves or tight curls depending on how much hair you take, how long you hold and what part of the wand you wrap around.
5. Schwarzkopf OSiS Dust It powder which swells your hair cuticles at the roots, apparently, to create a backcombed volume which brushes out at the end of the night (or the next morning!)
6. If I'm blow drying my hair straight, I'll put a small amount of Kérastase Oleo Relax serum onto the ends of my hair after towel drying.
7. Kérastase Créme D'Huile Oleo Curl is lightweight, smells gorgeous and helps to define curls on wet or dry hair. Good for rejuventating curls on the second day.
8. Good old GhD straighteners for straightening or beach waving my hair.
9. Kevin Murphy 'Texture' comb. Big teeth. Perfect for getting rid of tangles.
10. A SCRUNCHIE. If all else fails, a trusty shiny neon, polka dots, or tartan scrunchie will always be there to hold your hair lovingly.

I'd love to know what other people do to tame their tresses. My hair's also got pretty thin over the past couple of years - any tips to get it thickening up again?

The Skin You Live In #JanuaryJoy

Today's #JanuaryJoy was all about skincare. I confess, I'm often dirtying up my pillowcase with the day's mascara and my night cream some times stays in the drawer, unused.

One of my resolutions for 2013 was to be more body friendly. If nothing else, today's #JanuaryJoy has made me think about what I use and like, and what I use because I'm simply used to buying it. If you love the product, I would imagine you're more likely to use it as you should.

The Regulars.

These are the things that get used, face or body, day to day:

• Body Shop Vitamin C daily moisturiser with SPF. In my opinion, you can't beat it. I've had samples of lots of different face creams, at different price ranges, but I seem to always go back to this one, priced around £12. 
• Garnier Simply Essentials Sensitive make up remover. It does the job!
• Johnson's Baby Oil. I get very dry itchy skin after bathing but using this all over, daily, has really helped.
• Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector. May not smell pretty, but it is the best hand cream. 

Skin treats.

Basically when I remember to use them, which I pledge to be more often in 2013:

 

• Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion facial scrub. To be honest, I've used the same thing for ages because it gets picked up with my other BS things. I'd happily change this product to something that does a better job.
• Boots Sanctuary Facial Oil. Lovely feel, sinks in quickly and has a spa-like smell. 
• Boots No.7 Protect and Perfect eye cream. I do use this most days, day and night. It's light and makes my eyes feel less puffy. There may be something better out there though.
• Boots No.7 Protect and Perfect night cream. Again, I do use this most days and it has only a light, fresh scent that doesn't overpower you as you try and fall asleep.

It's funny what you keep using out of habit, but then there are so many things advertised it can be an overwhelming task to find something new that matches it's gimmick. I'd definitely welcome any recommendations, particularly any good facial cleansers and toners, and facial exfoliators.

Any tips?