Burying my head…

In a good book that is……

  
Sometimes I despair at myself. I hate how reliant I have become on technology and gadgets. Throughout my life there is nothing better I have loved doing then  loosing endless hours with my head in a book. 

I can easily whizz through a good read in one week and when I go holiday I will quite happily sacrifice that extra bikini I won’t wear for another book. I take about five books for a week and even then, I panic that I will get through them all before the week is up. 

But for the last year or so, I have struggled to pick up one book and settle down for night with a good read. Nowadays I will endlessly scroll away on my IPad, until the late hours. Clicking back and forth between, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Buzzfeed, you name it. And don’t get me started on Netflix! And then when I finally admit defeat and flick the light off for the night,my mind is racing, unable to settle. 

I desperately need to change this ever so unproductive habit and start to fill my head with something more meaningful, ( don’t be fooled though, I raced my way through 50 shades of gray, although towards the end I was just wishing the torture to end)

That’s not to say I haven’t abandoned my love affair with books completely, I have still managed to expand my collection and my bed side tower has continued to grow considerably. And if ever on a Saturday afternoon galavanting around town, I will quietly slip away from the hustle and bustle of the high street and seek calm and serenity in a book shop. There is something relaxing about being surrounded by thousands of cleanly pressed bound pages that draws me in and reduces any stress or anxiety. 

So, when on a sunny quiet Saturday afternoon I found myself at a loose end, I picked up a book that was begining to collect dust from the tower,plonked myself in my garden with a cup of tea in hand and let the hours till by as I started my love affair yet again.

  

Feeling empowered.

  

We’ve all been there. Getting sucked into the daily commute, doing a 9-5 in at job we know like the back of our hands.  For some people,  as long as they have a job they reasonably enjoy and earn enough to pay bills and have an acceptable social life, that is all they could ask for. And why should it not, happiness is key in life. 

My career in dental nursing started at the age of 17. At 16 years old and doing my GCSE’s, all I was concerned about was passing with a reasonable grade. I had no idea where I wanted my life to lead me but all I knew is that University wasn’t for me. Luckily, I passed my exams and secured a place at my secondary’s school 6th form, I’d originally wanted to do English literature but I was one grade off so was pushed towards my second choice, Health and social care, and till this day, have no idea why I thought this would be a good idea. I had no interest in this subject and felt no need to work in the care sector. 

After a year of being utterly miserable doing a subject I hated and still no indication of what career I wanted, my Dad who was doing building work on local Dental practice and persuaded me to hand in a CV and luckily enough I got the job as a trainee Dental nurse. 

It was never meant to be long term option for me, earn a little bit of money and earn a qualification in the mean time if I ever was in need of a job, whilst planning and  searching for my life long career. Well… here I am 8 years later, and as much as I hate to admit it; deep down I am passionate about Dental nursing. 

Almost every dental nurse I speak to will say the same thing;  ‘ im bored’, ‘ I feel underappreciated’, ‘ people only think of me a spit sucker’. 

Dental nurses are a registered professional who have to by law register with a national governing body (in our case the GDC), we have to make sure as a professional we are up to date with new guidelines protocols and have to have verified records of this. We have to be competent in CPR and feel competent to deal with a medical emergency. On a daily basis we provide a clean surgery that works professionally. 

But whilst on the whole I am proud of my profession and believe it such one that although can be taught to a standard that is acceptable and only a few can excel in and prove there worth, it is not taken seriously.

On a regular basis when meeting new people who enquire as to my job, I am taken aback with comments such as, ‘ so you want to be a dentist?’ , ‘so your the one who writes down the numbers’ or ‘ your the one who has the hoover’  or my favourite ‘ why would you want to do that’ and ‘but your just a dental nurse’ . 

No, I don’t want to be dentist, yes I write down the numbers, and the compicated dental/medical jargon that I fully understand and have hadn’t had to have 5 years training on. Yes, I am the one with Hoover but I could just let your drown, oh and maybe not protect you tongue from sharp objects flying about. Yes, I do want to do this job and yes I enjoy it. And finally, yes I am dental nurse, but I’m a bloody good one at that. 

But sometimes, I do admit, I do JUST feel like a dental nurse. Sometimes you can work for wonderful dentist who really make you feel your worth and sometimes you can work with dentist (generally the older generation) who make you feel small, inadequate and unworthy of progressing further. And sometimes you can treat a patient for 6 years, they have managed to inadvertently spit on you on several occasions, you have given them invaluable advise and they still won’t know your name or say thank you and walk straight past you like you don’t exist. 

I’ve beginning to feel the latter more frequently of late. After 8 years, I know my job like the back of my hand. I could mix materials with my eyes closed and although I hate to admit it, if I closed my eyes I can picture some of the regular patients mouths in my head, I’ve seen enough fillings, extractions and root canal treatments that I think if I was to attempt one myself, I wouldn’t do to bad of a job ( don’t worry, I’m not stupid, this isn’t going to happen, I don’t fancy being struck off the register any time soon!). 

For me, who unlike more people my age, is not concerned with getting marred or having children right this second, the desire and need to push myself to achieve a lifelong career in something I’m passionate about is.

Today I attended a course called ‘Extended duties for dental nurses’ and I walked away after 6 hours feeling like I could take on world. I walked away knowing that feeling inadequate as a dental nurse is only a state of mind as proved by the two speakers who each had a CV that I could only dreaming of having. 

They showed us that we have every opportunity to learn skills that can benefit patient, practice and ourselves.  

 

They showed us we are not just dental nurses, we are not just the ones with Hoover and no we didn’t fail at being a dentist, we won at being a dental nurse! 

Current Favourites

Finally after a rather busy start to the year, i finally have chance to sit and commit time to writing a blog post. With only one, yes one blog post written this year, i feel i have neglected this part of my life that i so enjoyed.

From the moment 2015 kicked off, i have been ill. Whether it be sinusitis, a urinary tract infection (too much info?!?), the worst flu i have ever known, then my sacroiliac joint played havoc and migraines, which seem to be a more common occurrence of late, something that i hope will settle. If anyone suffers with migraines, you will feel my pain. (I may even do a blog post on triggers and how to deal with an attack). Lets just say, paracetamol and ibuprofen have become my best friends and allies (so much that they almost made it into this fav’s blog post!) this year but i am hoping that i have had my fair share  already of illness’ and that the coming months will be healthy.

So on to the favourites (lets just face it, thats why your reading)

I don’t purchase enough new products every month (although i would love to go crazy in Boots every month, my bank balance would not appreciate such things),  but i am hoping to do a current favourite’s maybe every 3-4 months.

Soap and glory – Clean girls body wash.

I featured soap and glory body washes in my last haul post and they didn’t disappoint. They are expensive for a body wash but they last well over a month (i’d even go as far to say they last almost 2 months) so you defiantly get your moneys worth.

Garnier Ultimate blends, Shampoo and conditioners

Over the winter months i was becoming fed up and frustrated with my hair. I have blonde ombre’d highlights, so i expect the ends to be slightly damaged and to need more attention. But whatever i used was in vain, my hair would feel silky soft for about two hours and then it would turn into a frizzy mess that i would just shove it into a ponytail and attempt to ignore . I was desperate to find my hair miracle. Along came these beauties. The Garnier Ultimate blends come in various forms and concoctions depending on what you require, whether it be for coloured hair, weak, brittle hair, split ends or like me a frizzy mess. I have tried several and each have delivered in achieving sleek shiny hair that feels conditioned. I will be sticking with this little treasure for a long time, and my cupboards are already stocked up.

Garnier Ultimate Blends- The marvellous glow oil

This has been the only hair oil that I enjoy using on my hair. I think the main reason why I like it so much is that’s it’s a pump dispenser, making it much more easier to control the amount you need. Other oils I have used have just been a case of tipping out and hoping half the bottle doesn’t come flying out.

After towel drying my hair, I pump 1-2 times onto my palm, rub between both hands and spread evenly through the length of my hair.  I really notice if I don’t use this, as it definitely makes my hair feel so such more smoother and look sleeker.

Chanel-Soleil tan de Chanel -Sheer illuminating fluid- sunkissed.

 

I was gifted this by a friend a few years ago for a birthday and tended to only use it for special occasions mixed in with my foundation or whilst on holiday to give me that extra holiday glow.  But I have found myself reaching for it a bit more often recently due to the nice spring weather we have been experiencing and wanting to freshen up my make up routine/look.

Dove Original Anti-perspirant

I have for some years, had really dry arm pits that had an uneven colour to them and I put this down to dryness. I have always used spray Anti-perspirant but this year I was determined to keep my armpits nourished and moisturised as they had started to become sore and cracked. So far, using a moisturising roll- on deodorant seems to be doing the job.

Urban Decay, potion primer in Sin

I have been loving this primer to create a quick eye look. Just a little bit of this all over the lid, a soft matte or shimmery brown through the crease, blend out and done. As simple as that but creates a look that appears a lot of time and effort has gone into creating.

Bourjois Rouge edition velvet- Nude-ist

I was completely sold on the first one of these i bought but the dramatic red wasn’t very wearable for everyday life, so had a look at their range for a more neutral, everyday shade.  I wear this colour practically everyday without fail and it compliments and completes any outfit and make up look. The staying power; as with the red, is great and survives through several cups of tea and food.

Revlon just bitten kissable lip balm stain-Honey

Whoa, what a mouth full! This is much loved as you can tell by the lack of writing on the packaging! I have been wearing this whenever i don’t wear my Bourjois Rouge Edition. It is so moisturising and keeps my lips feeling soft all day.

Update and Haul

Its been a little while; almost a month to be exact. I’ve been spending almost all my free time doing my post qualification course portfolio and revising for an exam, so i’m afraid any blogging has taken a back seat, but hopefully in a month when its all over (fingers crossed i pass the exam of course!), i will be back to weekly posts.

Yesterday, i took some time out from staring at the computer screen and took a trip 70 mile trip up north to Leeds along with my boyfriend, Becky’s place (check her out, she has a cracking Emma Bridgewater collection- not jealous at all) and her hubby. The boys were in search of new suits for upcoming job interviews, but i thought it’d be rude not to do a little shopping for myself!

Leeds is such fantastic city, great selection of shops and restaurants and plenty of things to do. We have considered moving there but maybe when we are proper grown ups

But anyway, on to what I purchased. All of these bits were things I had being eyeing up for a while or repurchasing items that I had used up.

Charlotte Tilbury- The Dolce Vita- Eye shadow qaud

Who hasn’t dream’t of owning  any of Charlotte Tilburys make up. Everything about it is beautiful and as i had the perfect opportunity in Harvey Nichols yesterday, i couldn’t help myself.

Look how beautiful it is!!

This is pretty pricey at £38 and don’t intend on using it everyday, just for them special occasions as it is expensive and the shades create a very dramatic look.

Soap and Glory

A friend of mine of got me a mini’s set of Soap and glory products for my birthday last month and it reminded me of how lovely there products are, so i took advantage of Boots 3 for 2 offer.

I got Clean on me shower gel, Clean girls shower gel and Glad hair conditioner as my hair is so dry at the ends at minute so am getting through conditioner like nobody’s business.

Body shop honey bronze- 02

As you could probably tell from a previous blog post, i was hitting pan on my favorite bronzer so i thought it was about time to repurchase. My previous one was pretty battered but it had lasted me about 8-9 months using it everyday and is the perfect shade to take you all through the year; build able in the summer months but then provides just a light coverage in the winter just to brighten up the skin on dull miserable days.

Next Dress

This isn’t the dress i had gone into Next to buy, but the particular Next i went into didn’t have it, but it did have this one, which i thought would be perfect for going into spring to pair with some leggings and light jacket or cardigan. Plus i had a £10 voucher taking this dress from £25 to £15! Even better!

I can’t wait to get back into weekly blogging and already have a notebook full of post ideas, i’m also wanting to mix it up a little with a few lifestyle posts which I hope you will enjoy

A winters walk

During mine and my boyfriends Christmas break we seemed to have achieved nothing apart from, napping, gaining a few Christmas pounds and coughing and sneezing for a good 10-14 days. We needed a day out in the fresh air to blow the cobwebs out so we decided on Belton house in Grantham, Lincolnshire, not far from where we lived. Also a prefect opportunity to make use of my National Trust membership that was rarely used last year.

We wrapped up warm and donned our comfy shoes and walked in the grounds surrounded by deer grazing in the crisp winter air.

Urban Decay- Naked On The Run

It’s been a while! My aim was to attempt to post twice a week but this Christmas period has made that a little difficult. Christmas parties, christmas shopping (I always leave this to a week before, I feel I work better under pressure!) and when it came time to relax, I contracted the lergy!!

So, now I’ve had time to recuperate and the diary had eased off, my first thought was to sit down and blog about one my favourite Christmas presents I received this year.

As soon I saw this, I needed to have it in my life! I mean just look at it!

Every Urban Decay product I have owned, I have loved and been so impressed, that I knew this wouldn’t disappoint.

The palette contains a travel sized Perversion mascara, 24/7 glide- on eye pencil in Stag, a full sized Naked lipgloss in Sesso, a lovely dark pink berry shade, five eyeshadows and Naked flushed- a matte bronzed, blusher and highlighter.

The five eyeshadows are new to the Urban Decay range and are all a bronzed, neutral shade, with two matte shades and three shimmer shades.

From left to right- Dive, Fix, Resist, Dare, Stun

The products are so heavily pigmented with brilliant colour pay off. You have to be careful with the blusher and bronzer as to not apply too much product and risk looking like a clown. I’ve found if I use my Real Techniques duo- fibre face brush, I can control the colour more and I like the fact the bronzer is matte, so creates a more sophisticated look without the shimmer.

I forgot how much I love the 24/7 glide-on pencil, the best kohl pencil out there, great pigment which glides on with ease. I definitely will be repurchasing different shades. Worth the money without a doubt.
Another product I will be purchasing is the Perversion mascara. I don’t think I have fallen in love with a mascara as quick as I have with this one.
Another brilliant thing about this palette Is the large mirror, I do all my make up with this mirror now!

I am so happy with this Christmas present and glad i put it top my list, the only down side is that I can’t wait to purchase more Urban Decay products!

Oh dear!

Here is the look I created with the products from the palette for Christmas Day

What other Urban Decay products would you recommend?
Merry Christmas and happy new year everybody!

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Email- sophienicbrown@gmail.com

Too Faced – Better than sex

Better than sex- ooooo you cheeky little devil.

Well that’s what Too faced makes claims to with its new mascara. More length, volume and drama, with nourishing and thickening properties in the form of Acacia Senegal tree extract. (No, me neither!?!?)

Over the years of trial and testing mascaras, all promising to deliver that fluttery fake eyelash effect, I had settled on Maybelline, The Falsies, I hadn’t dare make a guess at how many tubes I have purchased over the past couple of years, it has been one of my must have beauty staples.

Although I am loyal to The Falsies, I am always on the look out. I always want bigger, better, longer, fluttery eyelashes but without the hassle of applying false lashes everyday or running the risk ruining my own with semi-permanent individuals. For me, mascara completes a make up look and without it, my eyes tend to disappear.

I have been gifted Too Faced bronzes and blushers before and liked them but not enough to have a look at other products, plus they are hard to find unless you buy online.
Beauty bloggers/ vloggers have mentioned this new product as well as new palettes which had caught my eye.

With previous products I had tried ( 4-5 years ago I must add), I felt the packaging to be a little tacky and maybe aimed at teenagers, although browsing their new range and by reading beauty blogging reviews, they seemed to have upped their game, eye shadows, bronzes and blushes all were packaged nicely and appeared to be a higher quality and more sophisticated.

It’s a bit more expensive then your high street drugstore buy, priced at £19. I bought mine from a concession at Debenhams who had 10% off, so I picked mine up for £17.10, not a massive saving, but hey, every little helps!

On first impressions of the mascara, the packaging feels special and the actual tube is heavy which gives the impression of a quality product and it’s bristle brush is large and full, with an hour glass shape.

On first use, it made my lashes clumpy, far too much product on the brush. I find this to be the case with any newly purchased mascara, so I tend to wipe away excess with a baby wipe. This did the trick for me, and as long as I apply with gentle strokes, it gives me my desired look that can be built up depending on what I want to achieve.

It gave a similar look to The Falsies, maybe a little more length and volume, a very dramatic look though. The intense black really does add to the drama and overall effect and is perfect for the Christmas party season.

In terms of nourishing properties, after only a week, I feel it’s a little too early to make comment, but from past experience of other products promising such things, it’s all a bit of a gimmick and I don’t expect too much from this claim!

This a brilliant product which does do what it says on the bottle, long fluttery lashes with lots of volume and drama. A product that I would recommend if your looking for something a little bit special and to treat yourself for this festive period.

Would I recommend it? Yes.

Will I repurchase again? Yes.

Will it be my new beauty staple? Maybe not.

Is it better than sex? That’s for you to decide!!

Unfortunately, the camera has not been my friend lately and I have struggled to get a picture that really shows off this product, but I will endeavour to get one. This is not a reflection on the mascara, but just my poor photography skills!

Anyone got a favourite mascara that they couldn’t live without?
Look out for a blog coming soon on my nourishing skin saviour for dry, cracking hands.

Max Factor Excess shimmer

I love a cream eyeshadow and especially the Maybelline 24hr colour tattoo. I use them on days where I want some drama but haven’t got the time for a full on eye, with different shades and contouring. I am always on the lookout for another high street version of these that tick the same boxes.

The Max Factor Excess shimmer pots are new on the shelfs with a choice of 6 shades, priced at £7.99 each. I picked up the shade -20 copper, the other shades included a silver, lilac, white with a hint of green, gold and black.

The mousse like texture is light and fluffy with great pigment. I gently applied to my eyelid with my index finger and blended out using a real techniques eyeshadow brush, there is plenty of time to work with product before it sets into a powder. This could be left as it is or as a base.

Although it did start to crease towards the end of the day, the colour was still present and I simply blended it back in with my fingers using gently pressure.

I am happy with this purchase, the shade is perfect for me, it is well pigmented and is easy to use. I will probably purchase the gold shade but I’m afraid the other shades are not to my liking as I prefer more sophisticated neutral shades.

A thumbs up from me!

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet

Red lipstick is my beauty nemesis. There I said it, that classic red lip that screams glamour, is a look that i so admire but rarely wear.

I will spend a tedious amount of time, lining my lips, filling them in with a pencil, carefully applying the most gorgeous lipstick, and no matter what I do, drink through a straw, eat as lady like as possible, (quite a challenge for myself I must say!) an hour later and the colour has bled, I’ve got it on my chin, and only colour is on the edges of my lips.

Bourjois is not a brand I have used a lot in the past, but the beauty bloggin’ world has been loving the new Rouge Edition Velvets, a long lasting lip stain with vibrant colour pay off.
On a recent trip to boots I checked out there colour range and decided on the deepest red – 08 Grand Cru.

I was impressed!
It is a doe foot applicator and the velvet texture consistency glides on perfectly.

The colour is a deep red with a slight berry tone, perfect for them Christmas parties and it got plenty of compliments throughout the day.

It did not budge all day! Two meals, numerous cups of tea, 8 hours at work and it was going nowhere.
Even after cleansing, it was still present, and an acceptable colour to wear.

I am well and truly sold on these little gems and shall be repurchasing more from the colour range, and at a bargain price of £8.99, you can’t go wrong!