Holiday Packing

It’s that time of year where you are thinking, planning or preparing for a holiday, if you like holidays that is. It can get a little overwhelming making sure you have everything, enough clothes and all your paperwork. So, hopefully I can make it a bit easier. A list is a good start.

Firstly, I know it sounds ridiculous but make sure you have a good amount of weight for your big suitcase, anything 20kg and above is worth it and it means you do not have to stress about being careful on what you take. I have given myself the extra stress of sharing a 20kg case, so wish me luck!

I always get out all my clothes that have been in hiding for a year, sort through them, wash them and then decide what is best to take. I am only packing for 7 days as me and my friends have an apartment with a washing machine, so I am taking full advantage to save on space in the case. I have 6 dresses that are all lightweight, a pair of linen trousers and a smart set of denim shorts. For the day, lightweight pair of denim shorts, 3 casual tops, cotton strap dress, four bikini’s, one swimming costume (made for a four year old), one pair of flip flops, 2 sandals, one pair of small heels and one pair of wedges. Two hats, two sunglasses, 2 bumbags, only essential toiletries and minimal makeup (because cba).

Make sure you have a place or mini item to put your paperwork, emails and passports in that you can gain easy access too.

So, here’s a look at my progress on what I am taking. Because I am sharing a case I’m taking up half of the large section and in the zip section I am putting shoes and toiletries. I tend to pack things flat and then bury items in between clothing. Also, I have a carry on for the plane so all swimming attire and super lightweight items will go in their. Again, check the dimensions you are allowed to take with your flight provider.

The zip side of this case needs to be packed more efficiently otherwise this is not going to work

A rough idea of how I want to style my outfits, trying to pack all lightweight items.

You can never be over prepared for suntan lotion. I have in total one factor 50, three factor 15’s and the aftersun. The more the better especially when you are as pale as me!

If I can buy sunglasses that go with anything I wear then it saves on space and if one breaks you have another.

This is all generic stuff right? So, when it comes to packing up my case, that I am sharing I will update a photo of how I actually packed it and the same with my carry on. I am not bothered about hair styling or hairdryers, nor am i bothered about makeup so the weight of my case is already ten times lighter. If you do want to take these items try and buy travel sized ones or double up with a friend or pack it within a pair of shoes so it does not take up much space.

Another item I take is coconut oil and no not for baking like a chicken. I use it just before I go bed so that my skin stays hydrated or I take a mosituriser from Lush. Something that has natural products in and is not lotion based.

As far as hair care for a women goes, I usually take a condition that is of a thinner consistency so that I can double up and use it as a hair mask at night or to save on weight use coconut oil. I try to save on packaging by sharing shampoo and conditioner again so the weight in the case is shared.

Another top tip is to wrap your underwear or place it on the edge of your case flat as if your rolling out pastry for a pie, such a bad analogy but you get the idea. Hoping that my pictures will reflect what I mean. I go away on 9th May 2019, so I will upload a picture the night before.

Summary of top tips:

1. Condense your outfits/plan them and double up on tops with skirts and trousers.
2. Try to share toiletries with friends so you don’t have as much weight in your case when you start and the same for hair styling equipment.
3. Try to pack efficiently by placing items inside shoes, lying items flat against the lining of your case and see if there is washing facilities where you minimise the amount of clothes you take.
4. Check the weight and measurements of carry on cases and luggage allowance so you have extra, trust me. Buy more than you need especially, if you plan on purchasing items to bring home.
5. Plan ahead, make lists and pack the night before, if you leave until last minute you will forget things you actually need.

Enjoy the holiday season not matter where you are! If you feel I have left things out or think there would be other ways of packing for a holiday then leave a comment below or on my Instagram upload @thefrecklewithinme. Much love x

Belton House

I had never heard of Belton House before and that is probably because it is part of the Nation Trust and it never comes up when you research places to visit near Leicestershire or Nottingham and that is because it is in Lincolnshire.

After visiting Belton House there’s some information you need to know before making the visit. Entrance to the grounds and the house itself costs £18.50 or £12.50 just for the grounds. Upon gaining your lovely sticker you can collect a key, with a time slot on that allows you access to the house. If you are a member of the national trust you can either get it in for free or at a discounted rate. It has an amazing adventure play area for children and a mini train ride for free.

Disclaimer: All pictures taken are of the property of the @thefrecklewithinme and are not to be used without permission. All pictures are of Belton House and are only taken with the permission of people included.

Front view of the house

Own private library room

Luxury Bedroom

This is one large bed post cover for a bed

Even though it does not look it, front the top banister this is a little way down and the chandelier hangs down very far

From this window you can see the Folly on the hill right at the back of this picture and yes, it is a point to look at from the way of the house.

The fancy key you get to view the house

Rear gardens that usually you can walk around but on this particular day, you could only look at them

Why not give Belton House a try! It is in Grantham

Lush Cosmetics Haul

Kicking off this Sunday with a fab Lush Haul. I absolutely love Lush! I love what ethos the company stands for in fighting animal cruelty and that all packaging is recyclable or free from packaging. The Naked Bars are the new in products Lush have started doing and how incredible they are too! Along with everything else.

Disclaimer- As you will see from the picture of my receipt, I was gifted £25 and I paid with my own money the remainder £9.30. Part of this haul free samples were also gifted by my request and that of the discretion of the lovely Sherilyn @ Lush Leicester. All pictures are the property of @thefrecklewithinme and if pictures are wanting to be used please ask permission.

LUSH (LEICESTER, LEICESTERSHIRE, UK)

The picture above shows all products I purchased including free samples. All products will be listed below with links.
Products not labelled: Sleepy face (Naked Bar) you can clearly see the product on the left at the front. Light Touch (Naked Bar) is the blue oval shaped bar that is a moisturiser and finally the MMMelting Bath oil that smells like snow fairy is the pink and yellow circle bar.

The reason behind the purchases:

• I have acne prone skin on my face and want to start treating my skin with natural products allow my skin to breathe. So, I purchased two cleanser’s, one lotion based and one bar based, along with toner and a moisturiser also, bar based. (Bar based reduces on packaging and all bar’s are placed in a tin).
• I wanted to start looking after the skin I am in more often. I have dry skin on my body so finding an exfoliant with natural oils in that acts like a moisturiser is a win, win.
• The other products are samples of alternative scrubs, moisturiser’s and bath bombs available for my skin type. They are all divine and really help keep the moisture in my skin and I smell pretty good too!

Products

Free Samples:

Mamma Mia (Body Scrub, part of the Mother’s Day Collection, Limited Edition, smells completely different to anything Lush offer) £10.95 (300g) or £19.95 (600g) https://uk.lush.com/products/body-scrubs/mamma-mia

Plum Rain (Shower Jelly, smells very raw to the plant it is from, Carrageenan Extract) £11.95 (240g) https://uk.lush.com/products/shower-gels-jellies/plum-rain-0

MMMelting Marshmellow Moment Bath Oil £2.75 (Smells just like Snow Fairy) https://uk.lush.com/products/mmmelting-marshmallow-moment-0

Proof of actual purchase and cost

Gifted/Purchased:

Buffy Body Butter (Exfoliating and Mositurising, smells earthy but leaves your skin feel gorgeous, light exfoliation on the skin) £7.50 (90g) or £13.95 (200g) https://uk.lush.com/products/body-scrubs/buffy

Sleepy Face Naked Cleansing Balm (A little sheen across the skin in order to get rid of that stubborn makeup, work into fingers and then create circular motions on the face) £4.95 (15g) https://uk.lush.com/products/cleansers-scrubs/sleepy-face

9 To 5 Cleanser (All natural smelling, cotton like smell, use with a cotton pad or fingers) £5.95 (95g) or £10.95 (240g) https://uk.lush.com/products/9-5

Light Touch Naked Facial Oil (I use as a mosituriser, unique product Lush have hear, NEW, Naked bar, work into fingers or swipe across face, does not leave my skin feeling oily, it states it is Light and it sure is) £9.95 (20g) https://uk.lush.com/products/moisturisers-and-facial-oils/light-touch

Eau Roma Water, Toner Water (Very Lightweight, smells great and does not clog up my skin but makes it feel refreshed and less oily) £5.95 (100g) or £11.50 (250g) https://uk.lush.com/products/eau-roma-water

Actual size of the bottle, the colour of the product is exactly as you see here, £5.95, 95g

Actual size of packaging, cap with bottle and spray pump. £5.95, 100g

I would totally recommend all of these products and for others with a different skin type. No matter your preference you can always find something to suit your needs and it is great to support a company with a great cause. Why not check out these fab products and smell AMAZING!

St. Patrick’s Day Make-up Look

So, just to put it out there I am not Irish but I am sure somewhere down my ancestry path I could be. I am not necessarily religious either but this does not mean I don’t support those that are. I love the colour green and I always have done and seen as it is St.Patrick’s day on Sunday 17th March 2019 in the UK, I thought why not.

Disclaimer- All photographs are the property of @thefrecklewithinme, please do not use any photographs without permission. Thank you

I used all my usual make-up products, see previous makeup post/ the link below. I started by mapping out my edge by using a thick tape and then I cut out a smaller shape for the inner corner.

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I also created a halo effect with the light green above the eye and I underneath by dragging it down slightly. I definitely did not want it to be a normal make-up look.

I love how vibrant the green against the contrast of the other colours. I will include all products down below

Showing the shape I created from different angles. Yes, in this picture I did only have one eye done.

Products used:

Urban Decay Kristen Leanne Palette

Urban Decay Born to Run palette

Urban Decay Moondust Liquid Eyeshadow – Recharged Shade

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner -Distortion

Rimmel London Lasting finish foundation – Ivory

Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer- Light

Charlotte Tilbury Rock N Kohl – Marlene Midnight

Real Techniques and Revolution Makeup brushes

Previous Makeup Tutorial Link:

https://thefrecklewithinme.wordpress.com/2019/01/30/beauty/

A Blossom Environment

Its all about perspective and Mental Health! (Key- A Blossom Environment transports you to a place you feel free in your mind). Disclaimer- Please be respectful that these are my personal issues, they may not effect you but, you can relate to them. The point of this post is open up discussions based on anything that effects your M.H. – These photographs are the property of @thefrecklewithinme, please do not use them without permission.

Bradgate Park

Mental Health (M.H) should not define you or discriminate. It is a journey you are taking in life and it can change at any moment. I felt embarrassed to talk about it because I did not want to be judged by those around me and by those that knew me. However, I have seen at first hand what talking about M.H can do for others.

Growing up I felt I saw situations and life slightly different because I had responsibilities, I was quiet, shy and lacked confidence and I guessed I wanted to be liked by everybody. I didn’t think people got my sense of humor or who I was. Surprisingly, I now do not feel embarrassed, I guess I have a different perspective. Nowadays, these topics currently effect my M.H:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Finances
• Social Acceptance
• Conceiving

The reason these issues bother me the most are because they have all defined who I am in one way or another.

IBS effects a lot of people, it also has many misconceptions and everybody’s symptoms are different. It effects me everyday because I have intolerance’s to food. This means it effects my mood, energy, levels, how regular I go toilet, pain, bloating (Self Image) and day to day activities. This is not to say I get all symptoms at the same time but, I do suffer with one or two daily and that in turns effects my physical and emotional M.H. I have to think about what I am eating and drinking and what will have less impact on my body. Eating out sometimes makes me feel like a burden and that others will judge you for it.

I get asked ” You can change your bodies responses”, “Trick it”, “make it tolerant”, “get medication”, whilst all of these may be true, other parts of my body suffer and do you not think I have tried ?!

Blossom

Now, if you live in Leicestershire (UK) then you know most of the country parks around the area:

Bradgate Park, Beacon Hill, Swithland Woods, Outwoods, Rushcliffe Country Park, Trent Lock and they are all easy to get too. So, for me, getting to one of these places transports me and my body into an environment where my M.H automatically changes without me physically doing anything. Being surrounded by nature and countryside makes me think in different ways. I feel I can forget about my problems until I am ready to face them, by me leaving the house I have already broken a barrier.

Ashby Castle

Now, none of these places might help you, but think of a place you felt safe, free from negative thoughts, calm and not judged. That’s your Blossom Environment. No way am I saying this solves all your worries or you have to relocate. It is all about being able to feel free in your mind, body and energy. Take pictures, make notes, record your voice and it can help shift your thoughts whilst in that ‘Blossom Environment’.

I can choose when I process my problems in these environments but you have to make sure you are calm and relaxed when you do so. Try it! Here are my favourite places, plus pictures from when I went Trent Lock today.

Trent Lock Fields

Trent Lock Canal

Beaumonor Hall

If you have other suggestions, ideas, or just want to talk about M.H then drop us a message!

Body Care

This week I bring you a post that I think is important during this cold weather we are currently having in the U.K and across the world. I have extremely dry skin when it comes to the winter months and exfoliating is quite important for your skin to renew itself.

*Disclaimer. All photographs have been taken and are the property of @thefrecklewithinme. All products in the photographs have been paid for by @thefrecklewithinme.

These are the products I have found really help me the most and keep my skin feeling soft and hydrated.

E45, I used to think was just for those that suffered with Eczema or mild skin conditions, but this spray formula allows for a quick application, easy absorption and keeps your skin soft and hydrated for the day. Does exactly what it says on the bottle. £5.99 from Superdrug- can get anywhere.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Cream, this has a very thick consistency and can be used very sparingly as it goes quite far. I use this on the driest parts such as heels of the feet, elbows, ankles, hands and sometimes legs if they are extra dry. This is a more luxurious butter to use if you are having a pampering session or feel your skin needs some extra loving. £2.39, Superdrug is currently the cheapest place to get this from.

Original Source (All different scents available), it is sometimes hard to find a shower gel that does not dry your skin out all year round. Original Source provide that freshness of a shower gel but also something that does not destroy your skins natural barrier. £0.90-£1 from a pound shop or Wilkinson. In the shower I exfoliate with this shower gel but I use a hand mitt in order to lather it up and give my skin a slight abrasive exfoliation.

The Body Shop (Coconut Body Butter, all scents available), is made for those with dry skin and I use it for my main moisturiser daily as it is thin enough to spread and sink into the skin but thick enough to protect your skin for hours. £15.00 (200ml) or £7.50 (50ml).

None of these products are new on the market but they have really helped my skin throughout these cold months, next time you feel your skin needs a pick me up, try one of these.

My ‘Pat McGrath’ inspired make-up look

When you wake up one morning and feel productive, they are the days that sometimes become the best days, but how many of us have those. I certainly do not all the time. However, upon occasion I surprise myself and…. voila, a makeup look has been born!

So, a mini story time for you. I used to teach hair and makeup in a college and run my own freelance bridal makeup business. I guess I have always enjoyed how makeup can transform a person. On the other hand, due to my skin situation, see my previous post (My skin hang-up), I don’t always wear it.

Below, is my current makeup look I have been loving. A little different for a Wednesday post and one I would wear if I was going out for sure. Taking inspiration from Pat McGrath, I created the look below.

*Disclaimer. All the products I have used will be linked below. I have also paid for myself for all the products and all photographs belong to the thefrecklewithinme.

I started by applying foundation and brows (see products below). I then moved onto eyes. I applied a dark park (Dye, from the Kristen Leanne Urban Decay palette) on the outer third of the eye, straight down creating a harsh line, winging it out towards the end of my brow) I darkened the top corner of the purple and I took that out towards the end of my brow also.

I then added a lighter purple tone (Spitfire, from the same Urban Decay palette) on the line of the purple that meets the centre of the lid and across the op line of the darker purple. Blending out those edges so they looked smudged.

Then in order to create the halo at the front, I used the colour Lime Time (from the same palette) mixed with Leo and Brixton and I took the colour up towards the front of my brow. In the inner corner I added Recharged (By Urban Decay) for a little sparkle and I lined the green shade with Distortion glitter (Urban Decay)

Lime Time was added under the eye towards the outer corner, then the water line and tight line where lined with a blue, Maybelline pencil (220).

Foundation- Rimmel Lasting Finish in the sade 100 Ivory + Charlotte Tilbury Light wonder in the shade 3 + The Ordinary Serum Foundation in the shade 1.2N light neutral.
Prime eye lids- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion in Eden
Eyeshadow palette’s- Urban Decay (Naked) and Kristen Leanne
Face Powder- Collection Sheer Loose Powder in the shade 1 Barely There
Contour- Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour kit, I used the shade Fawn and Banana
Urban Decay Liquid Moondust Eyeshadow in Recharged
Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glittery Eyeliner in Distortion
Mascara- E.L.F in Naked Noir
EyeLiner- Rimmel Blue 220 + Maybelline, 005 Nude
Brows- L’Oreal Brow Artist Plumper in Medium/Dark
Finishing Spray- Urban Decay All nighter

Can you not tell I love Urban Decay!

If you would like me to do a video or clip on this then insert a ❤ on my Instagram @thefrecklewithinme. Hope you have enjoyed this post.