My Favourite Mascaras

I have to tell you I've tried a LOT of mascaras from dirt-cheap to the higher end mascaras. Therefore I thought it might be fun to write about the favourites that I keep going back to, or have stuck out to me.

First of all, I thought I'd start with Maxfactor because I remember almost growing up with my mum using the brand. I've never had any issues using their products and recommend it to anyone. All products are a reasonable price and last.

They are known for their amazing mascaras, and I love a few from them including:

• Maxfactor False LashEffect Mascara - I hear that the formula might have changed since I last used it, and many people don't like it, but thought I'd still include it as it's one that comes to mind when describing favourite mascaras.
• Maxfactor Masterpiece Max Mascara - This reminds me of my mum as she used to use this all the time, but in waterproof. It was safely the first mascara I fell in love with.

I'm also keen to try their Velvet Volume False Lash Effect mascara because I hear it's one of their best yet. Growing up loving Maxfactor and even using its products for special occasions such as my graduation, I know I can rely on their products. I love their lip products, foundations, blushers and mascaras of course. I even used to wear their nail polishes before discovering favourite nail brands like Barry M, Nails Inc and O.P.I.

If you haven't tried Maxfactor before I definitely recommend it. It is promoted to be used by makeup artists and still love it. I bought one of their lip products recently. Anyone who knows me will know I rarely wear lipsticks or lipglosses. I hate them! Not lipfinity, it lasts and fades gradually. I tested it on my hand, and three days later and after a shower and cleansing my hand it's still kinda there. Not as noticeable but it is hard to shift! I like how easy it goes on, and actually used the last one up. How often do women do that? Anyway back to mascaras...

I've recently tried L'Oreal mascara Voluminous Extra-Black mascara recommended in a Look article I'd read of best mascaras. I thought it would be fun to buy as it's not as expensive as my usual favourite Benefit mascaras (as discussed here). I found this easy to build volume fast which is what you need, lasts all day and isn't clumpy as it says on the labelling (sometimes the labels lie though). It is a lovely brush to use, and recommend to anyone wanting a decent mascara at a good price. Look describes it as a "volume-inducing mascara" that has "many fans voting it their ultimate under £10 mascara for gorgeously thick lashes." Makeup artists are even said to love it as it separates, lengthens and curls. I have to agree. Having trichotillomania means I feel the need to make sure it is not clumpy, as it emphasises gaps on eyelinds, and also makes me want to pull my lashes more. If it can separate MY lashes and clump, I think it suits anyone! I will also hope to burn through more of the Look mascara recommendations, but I have a lot of mascaras to use up just now.

Next, I thought I'd describe my two favourite Benefit mascaras. I love Rollerlash and They're Real! mascaras from Benefit. I know I've already discussed these briefly in my recent Benefit post, but thought I'd go into more detail about just why they are so great.

Rollerlash is so easy to apply. I am the only person I know who takes longer to apply eye makeup than foundation. I literally slap on my face makeup, but take my time doing my eyes. Partly because I like to enthusiase my favourite face feature and also because I like doing it. However as someone who is lazy with my makeup routine, I always look for quicker and easier ways to look better. This is my solution. I don't feel like I'm putting coats on and don't often take longer than 5 minutes to apply it.

Unlike other mascaras, it is so easy to remove which is part of the issue. You rub and rub and take all your eyelashes off! Not with this, it also has lash-conditioning benefits; it includes provitamin B5 and serin. I even love the brush for this product. It pushes up lashes - even those stubborn ones that push down and it also stops you reaching for the curlers!

They're Real is fab! It's a favourite with a few of my friends too. It adds length fast and can separate lashes well. This is what I'm using at the moment.

This one is apparently Benefit's most popular mascara and I can see why. It does what it says it does. It adds length, volume and I also love how black your eyelashes are with it (if you buy the jet black of course - they do have it in brown and maybe other colours). I also love how it manages to pick lashes you haven't seen like the blonde ones or the smaller ones area the corner of your eye etc. It's just great!

Finally, I thought I'd finish with another mascara I loved as a teen. I haven't used for two or three years, but often go back. It's just great. I've tried a few of their mascaras, and love them, but this is by far my favourite one by the brand. It has a "roller brush" like that of Benefit (not surprising as it's the same owners who make it). This is amazing as it says you only need one coat, and that's enough for me. It gives a separated and long length.

Bourjois Paris Volume Glamour mascara is so great they have bought other extensions of Volume Glamour including:

• Volume Glamour Ultra Black mascara
• Volume Glamour Max Mascara - This apparently adds 10x volume and lasts an incredible 16 hours!
• Volume Glamour Max Definition Mascara
• Volume Glamour Push up Mascara
• Volume Glamour Ultra Care Mascara - This is great as it states that 3 weeks after use, lashes will be stronger and more resistant. It is made for sensitive eyes, and really works to nourish and help fight against harsh external factors such as pollution and air conditioning.
• Volume Glamour Ultra Curl Mascara - This is recommended by Look, and sounds the best adaptation that I will try when I have a Bourjois craving!

Hope you enjoyed the post, and let me know if you have tried any of these. Alternatively I'd like to hear if there are mascaras you wish I had mentioned or think that I should try.

My Benefit Favourites

Benefit is safely one of my favourite makeup brands. It has my favourite bronzers, highlighter and mascaras. Although I haven't tried everything I thought I'd describe what I like most, and the other products I've tried.

In October, my friend over at Lost in Coffee bought me the Blushin' Babe gift set. Inside it included the Watt's Up! highlighter, They're Real! mascara, They're Real! push-up gel liner, Hoola bronzing powder, Dandelion blusher, Rockateur bronzer, Coralista blusher and Sugarbomb bronzer.

(I did try to include a swatch but didn't show the real shine and glow like I wanted!)

I love the high beam highlighter of theirs, and hadn't used it in years. It gives a lovely healthy, natural glow to your skin and is fab for makeup trends like contouring or strobing. I probably don't do either in the right way, but put it on my brow bones, cheeks, on my chin (to attempt to disguise my double-chin) and the bridge of my nose spreading any excess onto my forehead.

As you can tell, I LOVE that highlighter! Therefore I was excited to try the Watt's Up! highlighter, This one has more of a gold tone to it so I was a bit reserved trying it. I thought it might not suit my very pale complexion. However I loved it on, and goes on well with a decent bronzer.

BLUSHIN' BABE

Other favourites in the set included the Rockateur, Sugarbomb and They're Real! mascara. I've used Rockateur before and love it on. My Mum bought it either for a birthday or Christmas; I can't remember and fell in love with it. I love that it gives me some colour and use it most of the time. I always used to use blusher as I'm pale and therefore used to feel bronzers don't suit. With more blonde to my hair, I now prefer more of a bronze than blusher.

I also really liked Sugarbomb as it wasn't too bronzed and had a blend of colours to try.

I'm guilty of already trying the mascara, but like how it adds length fast and can separate the lashes well. Just what you often need. People often complain it's difficult to take off, and pulls off lashes in the process. I would have to agree to some extent, as it has done this in the past for me. However, now that I use Liz Earle, I find if I don't rub too hard, it comes off with some patience.

I also liked the "english rose"colour that comes from Dandelion.

Using a Boots gift card, I also treated myself to the Girl-a-rama gift set. Inside it has the Roller Lash mascara, Porefessional, Benetint, Coralista, Rockateur and They're Real! duo shadow blender. As I mentioned about the previous set, I love Rockateur, but the way it comes in the set, you can mix it with Coralista which adds something different to the tone. Sometimes I like mixing different bronzers with blushers. I think on it's own, Coralista is a bit too orange for me. However added with the other bronzer, it makes a lovely healthy glow to my cheeks that I love!

Benetint was also the first Benefit product that I tried, I love the quality and how easy it was to use. I also like how you can use it for both lips and cheeks. I liked the colour on cheeks and was keen to use it again. However don't feel it suits the tone of my skin anymore. It can still blend well with a bronzer for a different colour again. I also liked to use it a bit on my lips too.

GIRL-A-RAMA

The eyeshadow is fantastic. It can last all day, and I blend the two colours together. I love the roller-brush that comes with it, as I find it really helps to blend the colour well. The colour is gold, but also not too much. I love it and recommend it to anyone to try. If I can use it and feel fabulous, anyone can use it!

Roller Lash is by far - my favourite mascara. You don't need much to build up volume. I'm saving it for when I've finished my other mascaras and can't wait to use it again.

You can choose how much you're willing to spend on a brand too. The people who make Benefit also make Dior and Boujois, so there is something for every budget. Having tried both ranges as well, the items are still great. Dior is obviously the high-end of the brands, but Boujois is definitely fun to start with. It was one of my favourite brands of a teen - loving the blushers, eyeshadows and mascaras.

Although I've focused entirely this post on Benefit, this is not a PR post that I've been paid or asked to do. I actually plan to spotlight on a few more of my favourite brands in the coming weeks.

Let me know if you like this post. I don't write about beauty often as I feel quite clueless in that area, but have been inspired to write a few more as I have been trying new looks on myself recently.

First Blogmas Post - My Wishlist

My 12 days of Blogmas posts has finally began! I can't believe it. The month is already flying by; not surprising as the year has \zoomed past. So much things have happened - good and bad. However, spreading a lot of positivity, here is a list of things I want for Christmas:

1. Foundations

I'm still to find the perfect foundation for my skin. Truthfully my skin is really difficult to deal with. Recently I've discovered I'm allergic to an ingredient called which is nearly every item (in fact, I dare you to grab your household items and see how many have it in? It's often in toothpaste, washing powder, washing-up liquid, makeup and beauty/toiletry items). Being very pale and with no pink undertones, I really struggle to find a foundation that suits me and doesn't make me look bad. However I have recently started to blend my neck with bronzer which looks a lot better!

If I'm not struggling with that, I also have acne scarring which only covers with high-coverage foundations, which don't seem to be as popular. Every girl wants to look natural. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the girl to top-up during the day, or to paste it on but I wouldn't like to be seen without it! I find because I'm prone to acne, I try to avoid some oil-based products however, oil-free items can totally dry out my skin. It often feels like I can't win!

However I've heard good things about a few different brands so here are a few I'd love to try:

• Urban Decay "Naked Skin" Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Foundation, £27 - I have heard so many good things about this one.I love that it is vegan (as I'm looking to use more natural and vegan friendly products). Although it is a lightweight foundation, I adore their concealer (I can almost use it without foundation); I love that it says it goes on like moisturiser as I hate the almost "caked-effect" you get with a lot of foundations.
• Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick, £29.50 - Looking online it has really light shades, I might even be the second along for once! I like that it is meant to last a long time and provide full coverage. Most of all, I've been wanting to try Bobbi Brown for a very long time!
• Tarte Rainforest for the Sea Foundation, £28 - This is another vegan brand that I've used. They do amazing eyeshadow palettes and I have tried one of their foundations before. I tried the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour full coverage foundation and loved it in many ways. It provided great coverage and lasted the full day. The colour seems a bit lighter too
• Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation, £29.50 - Again this is a brand I've wanted to try for a long while. I also like that it's meant to provide full coverage, but is lightweight for the skin.
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, £27.90 - I always hear such good things about this foundation, and really want to try it!
• Too Faced - Born This Way Undetectable Foundation, £28 - Again this is a brand I really want to try. The name reminds me of a Lady Gaga though! 

Who knew I could write a post mostly on foundation there!

2. Money for driving lessons 

I'll be upset if a koala can sit behind a wheel!

My main goal for next year is to pass my driving test, and before the 26th November (when theory test runs out). I really struggled with my theory, so will be gutted if I need to do it again.I knew driving was a long process, but having started over two years ago, I just want to get to it!

3. Films

I'm a big lover of films, so always love to see a new film added to Netflix, getting a fun second-hand DVD or a film I've not seen (especially if it's off my film list).

4. Books

There are a few books I want to get, as I hope to start reading more again. I did start to but haven't found anything I've been really into for a while. Here are a few I like the sound of though:

• Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit: written by Sean Hepburn Ferrer - I love Audrey Hepburn as she is beautiful, talented and admire all her charity work. I could waffle on for days about her, but won't. I already did a little during a recent blogtober post.
• A Street Cat Named Bob: written by James Bowen- I love unique stories like this. I don't want to say too much as I feel I won't do it justice, but I heard about it on the news recently and was instantly drawn to the tale.

5. Gift Cards

I always ask family members for this. I love to get specific gift cards because I find January to be such a long month, and feel you can't treat yourself to nice things as you're saving from spending so much. I'm also really bad for not having warm clothes this time of year, so desperately need to buy myself new things this time of year. I am loving stuff in New Look, H&M and Next at the moment.

6. Organiser

I bought a diary from Urban Outfitters the start of last year, where I could fill out entries for every day for five years. I liked the idea of seeing how things had changed. However I'm known to forget appointments so love a little book to jot these in. Having recently visited Paperchase, I saw fab organisers where you can fill a to-do list, budget plan, meal-planner and much more. I think all these will help me a lot to keep me focused, help me save more for driving and help my healthy eating. Shopping with my mother, I know I got this one!

7. Clip-on Earrings

My ear piercings have totally sealed up. The last time I got them done, the woman said I couldn't get them done again. Therefore when I stupidly left them out for maybe a week and it hurt to put them in, it's safe to say I gave up. I have not seen any nice clip-on earrings and miss them as jewellery. I am like a magpie attracted to all glitter and sparkle so would love ones like this!

8. Flat Shoes

I love to wear flats most of the year, and at the moment only have two pairs. One is quite formal and the other is very bright and I don't wear often. I hate shoe shopping (I know - I must be the woman exception), so love it when I get them for presents.

9. Chocolate

I love getting a Terry's Chocolate Orange every year at Christmas. I also just love Giant Chocolate buttons at the moment, so would be grateful of a bag of them!

10. Something personal

I feel the best presents are lots of little things that show how much you care and have thought about the person. It could be a treasured memory, an "in" joke or merchandise related to an interest, hobby or a favourite film/TV programme. These are the presents you don't know you want!

Anyway, that's me - my list is longer than I thought! Hope you enjoyed reading.

What do you want from Santa? I would love to hear it.

Blogtober16 - Piercings and Tattoos

Day 16 of Blogtober, and here I am discussing piercings and tattoos. I believe that it's another way to express yourself as a person besides makeup, clothing, jewellery and obviously your personal interests. It is part of fashion.

Like any fashion, some are more extreme than others.

Tattoos are gorgeous especially on men. I love the sleeves. Of course it does depend on the guy and how good the tattoos are, but here are a few examples.

My first tattoo combined a few ideas. My favourite flower is white lilies and I wanted something feminine, so got this. I also wanted to be reminded that to get the good, you sometimes need to experience the bad. I've always been fascinated by asian art, and like the whole idea of the yin yang symbol and therefore had that copied onto the lily. I also picked out meaningful lyrics from Friendly Fires with the same kind of mentality of living everyday to the best.

I always said I'd get a tattoo, but thought I'd only get the one, but was inspired to get another when I climbed Kilimanjaro for charity. Unfortunately it didn't go as planned. I just don't think what I wanted transferred well as a tattoo. Here is a picture of what I wanted:

This translates as "peace, love and happiness" (not sure if it's in that order) in swahili which is the language spoken in Tanzania. I decided I wanted these words that I saw written at the children's school which my fundraising benefitted. I wanted that same writing with stars instead of bullet points, and all with the colours of the Tanzanian flag. I even wanted it on my foot because it was my feet that got me there!

However I didn't anticipate that the tattoo would be painful or that the tattooist would tell me that the colour wouldn't last moments after it was complete. He advised that I got it curving round so it was easy to read. The colour was faded within two weeks, and now I'm slowly using laser treatment to get rid of it. I was told because of the colour it could take up to 10 treatments. So far, I've only had 2 treatments. If you think a tattoo hurts, laser tattoo removal is so much worse. Some people describe it as an elastic band hitting you. It's worse. I find it makes my whole body sweat and feel like I'm being cooked. Awful.

Here is a picture just after my second laser treatment in January:

I'm not a huge fan of piercings as such. I like different ear piercings, but that's probably as far as it goes.

When I was younger I wanted to get my belly button pierced, but I have a huge fear of anyone touching my belly button so that thought soon died. In recent years, I've had a few different piercings to the ear.

When I was 6, I got the standard ear piercings. Unfortunately it hurt too much so I only got one ear done. Then went back a week later for the other ear. Then for some reason or other it got infected, and they got taken out. I still remember being at my Gran's, it hurting and my mum getting frustrated as she tried to get them out and I kept screaming. Then when I was 11 I got them done again. This time at a lovely beauty place in Yorkshire. They both got pierced at the same time, and I liked the pair of earrings so much that they stayed in for ages. I felt feminine with my ears pierced. It had to be one of my favourite items of jewellery. I can't remember when I stopped wearing them, but they started to seal up. So I tried getting them pierced again last year. I was told then that they couldn't be pierced again as the tissue would be damaged. I listened, but it hurt changing them when the time came and therefore I've given up on that. The holes are there but it hurts to try and put anything in them.

I'd also tried tragus and helix piercings. I love them. Unfortunately they hurt as well, I couldn't sleep on them while is a pain for someone who sleeps on their side and was woken up everytime I turned over. The tragus also hurt while I had earphones in. Needless to say that was short-lived. Recently I've thought about a nose piercing, but not sure if that's just something you get as a teenager? I also have long-term sinusitis so wouldn't want to mess with my nose. In conclusion, I have no piercings, but love them on others. Again like tattoos, they don't have to be extreme but are a great way to express yourself.

Anyway, I hope you like the post and look forward to your thoughts. What do you think of tattoos and piercings? Do you have any?

In my bag

I've been watching a lot of vloggers and reading blogs recently. I've started to love the likes of Zoella, Pointless Blog, Thatcher Joe, Tanya Burr, Marcus Butler and Sprinkle of Glitter. I know it is quite a list, but suppose I might have too much time on my hands. In some of the women's blogs, I noticed they described what is in their bags, and thought I'd include what you typically find in mine! Here goes:

1. My purse - even though there's mostly coins, I couldn't be without it for anywhere I need to go
2. Sunglasses - now that I live in the Isle of Wight, it is usually always bright. Previously I'd always have a brolly for "just in case".
3. Book - I try to always pack some sort of book, but mostly read when on transport links like buses, trains or just before bed. Currently reading The People V. O.J. Simpson: The Run of his Life by Jeffrey Tobbin.
4. Passport - I try to keep it in a bag as I always know where it is then.
5. Tissue - At this time of the year I try to be prepared for when hayfever strikes.
6. Receipts - I always seem to keep things from going to Boots, vouchers or whatever.
7. Makeup - Although I will always pack mascara, eyeliners and foundation when I go out, I almost never reapply makeup. I can't be bothered.
8. Rubbish - There is always something that shouldn't be there. This time there is a contract signed with a recruitment agency. Other bags have things like my report from a failed driving test, packs of gum or painkillers. Always something unessential. Even with a small bag I will stuff rubbish in somehow!

Hope you liked this, and feel free to show me yours!

27 reasons I'd rather be an OAP right now

For a bit of full, I've written a bit of a list of things that I think will make growing old - great!

1. You've made your mistakes and not much that young people do will shock you (you've seen it all before).
2. The bus pass! Of course the bus pass. The best thing about turning 60 after enduring menopause, wrinkling and everything sagging... travel can be so expensive, and now you have a cop out.
3. You don't need to work unless you want to.
4. Your children are grown up, so you no longer need to "parent". What they do is up to them at this stage! They have their own children.
5. Nobody cares what you look like. Nobody ever says: "Ew, look at that ugly old lady" or "That is one fat old lady!"
6. You can travel whenever you want with no obligations.
7. It is your family's job to look after you instead.
8. Your mortgage is likely to be paid off.
9. Every wrinkle, scar, freckle, tattoo or mark on your body has a story.
10. You don't need to be a slave to fashion and likely to know what suits you best.

11. You're an encyclopedia of knowledge.
12. You don't need to worry about being 'cool' and can be your true self. 
13. The friends you have you've had for years, and stay loyal.
14. You're not likely to be made a fool of.
15. If you want to slob in your pjs all day, you don't have parents to tell you not to (your kids might, but how will they stop you?) 
16. You are likely to know the healthy habits you enjoy.
17. The young people you know come to you for advice and wisdom.
18. You've seen your fair share of good and happy occasions including weddings, births and parties.
19. You will have taken risks in your youth that you don't need to do anymore.
20. You will have the best life stories to tell.
21. You can spoil your grandchildren and babysit when you choose.
22. You have no issue with spending your money. YOLO and all!
23. From going to many restaurants in your life, you probably by now which are the right knives, forks or spoons to use.
24. You'll have many achievements to reflect on.
25. Your bucket list will be shorter than a list of over 300.
26. You know what is important.
27. You make your own rules.

Selfies and a tad of eyeshadow

I'm not a big fan of the selfie. In fact I would go as far as saying that 99.9% pictures of myself are either with a friend, family member or animal. Those that don't are for special occasions such as my graduation or holidays. Although I must admit those holiday pictures suck too. I will show you those at the end if I can put you through that! Only now am I taking selfies as a way to convey the different eyeshadow looks I've got from a lovely eyeshadow palette my friend got me.

For a long while, I've stopped wearing eyeshadows except for the rare occasions that I can be bothered. However with the fact that I'm so pale...I can't help, but think my eyes have an air of Donald Trump about them. By this, I mean to this day I have not found the foundation for me. It's always too dark, so I can only hope for a match that is a light orange. Is it me that thinks they are all just different shades of yellow? Or if they do suit they make my skin come out in spots, dry my skin out  or is just itchy. Maybe I'm too fussy! However to make my skin not look too bad, I put foundation on my eyelids when not wearing eyeshadow which is often a daily occurence. Because it doesn't need as much coverage, I think it can look white by comparison, and that's why I say I have the "Donald Trump effect". You know the orange face and white rings round the eyes. Here is the visual (I hope it's not quite as obvious)...

Now that I've shown you a picture of a detestable man (who is not just racist, but an arrogant, egotistic and selfish businessman who has moved people out of their homes just to build a golf course), I take you back to the subject of eyeshadows before I go into an inappropriate political rant!

I fell in love with the Makeup Revolution Redemption Palette in Iconic 2. I'm so thankful for my friend who gave it me in a wee package of items as you might remember from my post here.

As any woman who gets something new will tell you, you test ALL the shades! At initial look, I thought it would only be neutral or gold colours to use. Don't be fooled, I was happy by this; however, I am more happy that with a mix of different shades it can be more than the metallic or natural look. Here are pictures of some of my favourite looks.

As I have green eyes, I also tested darker shades in the palette, as I believed they had a plum look to them. I know that plum suits green eyes. However it was just too dark. In true Jodie style, I tested this colour when I was getting ready for an interview. It was dark, my mother even commented and had to correct it!

Eye primer is meant to be essential if you wear eyeshadow, but because I don't wear it, I don't have one. I don't even know which the best ones are. Instead I used the primer by NYX that I've been trying (maybe I will review that soon). I think it still works. With darker shades, I think it stays despite me being someone who picks off my mascara a lot throughout the day. With the lighter colours, I photographed it and noticed it fades a little but still stays put. Here is the picture taken shortly after it was put on:

And here is a picture shortly after I was ready to take off my makeup:

Admittedly, I haven't tried the truly neutral shades, but think it would be nice to have. Thanks Lisa!

This is where my blog post ends, but I did admit that I would include some bad selfies from holidays and graduation. However if this bores you, I won't be offended. I give you enough notice to skip the frankly embarrassing pictures... I think the first picture is the best selfie I've taken. No double chin, no visible huge spot and even my eyebrows look ok. It is also hard to master the smile while avoiding a thumb or missing the shot.

Me before putting on my graduation gown. I can't believe I took this with the mess in my room

Got to love that expression!

Enjoying pizza in Florence. Granted this was taken by someone else!

Somewhere in Italy. A typical picture for me with the double-chin!

When in Venice, you have to take a gondola selfie. This one isn't too bad though.

I think this was taken in St Goar. Not sure. So out of focus above other things!

Another wonderful out of focus picture on the bus of my tour in 2014.

The worst of the bunch. Since you can't take pictures in Anne Frank house (and it's the best place I've been), I wanted one as I leaving. Shame about the lighting. I had to take a picture with one of the bravest teenagers in history though! Anne Frank's diary is probably one of the few publications I've read more than once when growing up.

Old diary entries - 2009

I was looking over old diary entries, and find them so funny. Just for a laugh I thought I'd share extracts of the funniest ones. I have to say glad my writing has improved as couldn't understand some of what was said...

5th January 2009
"I knew my eyes looked fab because I paid enough attention, but since developing so many spots, I'm very self-conscious...I noticed after being late and checking a mirror that I applied over-the-top amount of foundation. I looked orange. Jodie was not impressed."

Not much of this entry makes sense, and I was never good with grammar. This was when I liked referring to myself in third person too!

19th January 2009
"In P.E., we chatted, revised (Roseanna educated me; she's a good teacher because now I feel a little more prepared for media) and laughed. Beth was funny. She reminded me of the time she fell out with Josh after he killed bob-osaurus. He ripped off his head and never forgave Josh completely. The funniest is she is deadly serious and because of it, she never gave him the drawing of Josh-osaurus for him. On the back of it, it says something like "I was going to give this out of kindness until you killed Bob! I have missed Beth. There's not anyone who can make me laugh so hard."

Beth was a great friend, who I lost touch with after moving. She used to draw dinosaurs. She drew me a jodie-saurus for my birthday that year which I loved.

25th January 2009
"Today was ace; Roseanna came round and we had so much fun. I tried poptarts. The first two were crap, but after trying the next ones they were yummy. Another wonderful american food! I also love oreos and actually haven't had them in a while. I miss them. Enough about food: me and Roseanna did a lot of good stuff.

We went on msn, myspace and watched Gilmore Girls (she even took  my boxset - I hope she loves it too). We also went out - saw the peaceful river, danced around (well I did - she just laughed), drank pop, she got hyper at one stage (as usual) and even choked on...bru, visited morrisons, where I got vogue and pop tarts (I had to try them)."

Roseanna was my best friend through most of primary school and all through secondary school. We used to hang out a lot. I've not had pop tarts since then, but still love oreos!

26th January 2009
"I want crutches. Emma wore some. I tried them out, but people laughed. They said I looked funny because I couldn't walk in them. I've decided I'm falling down the stairs tonight! Mum won't push me, so it's my only option. I want crutches."

No idea what was going through my dumb head when I wrote this!

30th January 2009
"Roseanna text me. She apparently got her english mocks. It sounded like she did well. Of course she wasn't happy. I'm glad I wasn't there. It would be scary to see my paper or know how I did. I don't want to know. Rather die. Well maybe not, but really don't want to know. I can basically guess. I did proper crap."

I don't know why I was dramatic. I put it down to being ill and off school that day, and obviously feeling sorry for myself.

3rd February 2009
"Today was my last day off. Still snowing, so I took advantage by ticking another ambition off; run barefoot in the snow - for something so cold, it was so fun."

2009 was when I started to write a bucket list, and added some silly stuff as well as the obvious travel, career and obvious aspirations. Don't know why I added this to my list though! No wonder I had a cough and cold if I did stupid things like this...

4th February 2009
"Today I thought it would be better at school. It seems that I forgot how shit school was. It started with science - the worst; it felt like a day had passed by the time was over. So dull. I felt bad for Roseanna; I couldn't help, but complain though. Science is my idea of hell and especially this lesson. It was so boring - copying off the board and answering questions. Shit. It's normally shit and I didn't think it could have got worse."

I really hated science. I had to do double science at school, which meant doing it every day. Nothing they did in science would interest me. Even experiments bored me!

14th February 2009
"Today was actually kind of fantastic. It was valentine's day, but it wasn't shit (honest). We (mme and parents) went to Stockton, and it was great - I got Of Mice & Men, Gilmore Girls Series 2, grey cardy, sweets, irn bru, and was also allowed to see some fab shops (H&M, River Island, New Look, WHSmith and HMV). I kind of felt sorry for Dad though; he didn't go in any shops he liked, but he was amazingly patient. I think Mum and I were lucky in that instance...

We came back and watched six nations - Wales Vs England and Wales won. I'm surprised Dad didn't cry. He said they did well though. At least he's positive."

Always fun having a parent shout at the TV when rugby is on!

24th February 2009
"Pancake day - I love them. Even when I've had a bad day. It's something that can easily put a smile on my face. This year I ate 6 pancakes (3 lemon and sugar, and then 3 golden syrup). Yum! Today wasn't bad, but I just can't wait for tomorrow - the last day of school for the week and before I head on my wonderful travels to Aberdeen. I just can't wait for the joyous occasion. Excitement is overwhelming."

Some of my entries are funny as I try to write like I'm an author instead of how I might be feeling. Who says "I just can't wait for the joyous occasion?" Me, I guess! Still love Shove Tuesday.

25th February 2009
"Dad became furious, when I accidentally sat on some chocolate buttons and they smeared on the seats. I'm sure his face was a blasting red. Now I think about it, it was funny, but at the time it was scary. I warned him and he was still angry. He had said it couldn't be too bad and was reassured."

I needed to travel down to Aberdeen for my college interview, so that Wednesday involved a lot of driving. I still remember the chocolate buttons incident - hilarious!

I could bore you with more, but I'm not going to. If you like it, let me know and I can write more entries in another post. Hope you found them as funny as me! I tried to not include too many dull entries (as each day of the year was filled and I wrote on A4 pages. Surprised I had that much to about much to talk about). It was difficult time for friendships due to plans to move from a small town in Yorkshire to Aberdeen in the summer.