Everything Erin

I'm a huge fan of high-end beauty, but it is often the case that there are alternative, more affordable brands that are just as good quality at a lower price point. I'm always interested in saving a few pounds, so I have rounded up my favourite beauty brands with an affordable price point, sharing the best products from their range.

The Best Affordable Beauty Brands  

Colourpop

Colourpop's slogan is 'beauty that doesn't break the bank', so it's an obvious feature in this post! Colourpop is one of my all-time favourite brands, especially because products are super affordable, I can really get behind some $6 lipsticks that feel like they cost over double! I love how their products are also so unique, they're really trying new things such as the supershock shadows, which are incredibly pigmented! The only downside to Colourpop for UK readers like myself is that shipping can be pricey, however if you wait for one of their free, no minimum spend international shipping offers, you couldn't get any better.

Price Range: $5 - $18
Best Products: Supershock Eye shadows, Supershock Highlighters, Lux Lipsticks
Read More: My Favourite Products From Colourpop

Revolution

The Revolution brand has done exactly that, revolutionised drugstore makeup in the UK and beyond. They don't even own one brand nowadays but three, the original makeup revolution brand, I heart revolution (mostly dupes), and Revolution Pro, my favourite of the three. The Pro range looks so sleek it could almost be high end, except from the fact its price point is so low. Sure, sometimes the quality isn't quite the best, but it is worth trying because you could find your new favourite product at a bargain of a price.

Price Range: £1 - £15
Best Products: Concealer, Palettes, Soph Lipsticks
Read More: Revolution First Impressions

Morphe

Morphe was the brand that actually inspired me to write this post, because I am absolutely blown away at the fact Morphe sell 35 pan eyeshadow palettes for only £23, that are not only the cult favourites of beauty bloggers everywhere, but also makeup artists too. These products are seriously professional quality, and yet at a really affordable price point. Now Morphe have begun opening stores across the UK, I would seriously recommend getting yourself to one and treating yourself to their array of products!

Price Range: £4 - £25 (although influencer collabs are much more)
Best Products: Palettes, primers and brushes
Read More: Morphe First Impressions

NYX

The NYX brand exploded about three years ago when their counters started to appear in Boots stores across the country, and there was certainly a reason for it - their products are amazing quality for the price. Nowadays I see their brand practically everywhere I turn on the high street and I feel like the hype has died down, but they definitely can't be overlooked. Their liquid lipsticks are classic favourites, almost comparable to high end quality.

Price Range: £3.50 - £22
Best Products: Lip Lingeries, Lid Lingeries, Pigments
Read More: The £4 Lipstick that Stole my Heart

But how are they so cheap?

The question many of us ask when we see such affordable makeup is often, but how exactly can it be so cheap, yet apparently the same quality as high-end brands? It seems to make no sense, and be too good to be true. So, I researched all the brands I mentioned to try and find out exactly how they keep the prices so low, but unfortunately there is no hard and fast answer.

Most of the brands have a lack of expensive, flashy advertising. These brands all seemed to appear out of nowhere to the usual consumer, but in fact these brands have been able to flourish by word of mouth online. The online beauty world, such as blogs, YouTube and social media, has promoted these brands because they are great products for a low price, something everyone can't say no to, which has led these brands to where they are today.


This is evident considering how affordable Morphe is. I couldn't get my head around how usually their palettes cost from £15-£23, yet their so-called 'beauty guru' collaborations are much more expensive. They pay these YouTubers a ton of money for advertising the product, and this drives the price right up, whereas their standard range is really good value for money.

When it comes Colourpop, their products are all designed, manufactured and shipped from their base in Los Angeles, so everything is done under one roof, rather than supplied from elsewhere. Additionally, apart from small Ulta stands in the US, Colourpop's business is entirely online, so they're not spending a ton on shelf-space.

For brands sold in Superdrug like Revolution and NYX, it is simply that they produced using cheaper ingredients, much quicker. Revolution always seem to be bringing out new palettes left, right and centre. Whilst they're not an investment product, they are great for experimenting with bold shades you don't use often, so don't want to spend lots of money on.

Affordable beauty brands - the future?

It seems certain that these makeup brands are taking the beauty world by storm and aren't stopping anytime soon. With professional quality at a small price, these brands are revolutionising the way beauty enthusiasts use makeup; it's now affordable to have an artist's style kit. While YouTube and blogs we're a huge step in making the beauty world more accessible, the average viewer could never afford half the products the YouTubers recommend, but now they can, as the two work side by side to make makeup accessible to all.

EG x 

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The Pixi skincare brand is undeniably the bloggers' iconic favourite. I'm not even exaggerating, it's definitely guaranteed that every blogger and their best friend has some on their skincare shelf. So of course, I had to try some of their products out myself to see what the fuss is all about!

I'm a pretty simple person when it comes to skincare, literally I have been using Simple's trusty products since forever, so it was exciting to try something else out and see if it made a difference. I tried products from their Best Of Bright set, which was perfect to try them in a miniature form to see if they would help my skin before going for the full-size, especially because they aren't particularly cheap!


The set comes with three products, which I would consider to be three of Pixi's best-sellers. Firstly, we have the Glow Mud cleanser. I use this in the evenings and as far as cleansers go, I find it super easy to use, popping a bit all over the face, working it in and then rinsing off. I definitely notice a difference when using it, my face feels so clean but I've noticed on days after using this, I'm a lot less oily too which I often have a problem with so I am really impressed with this one.


Then we have the cult classic, Glow Tonic. I don't consider this product as life changing as some bloggers, however I can see why it's worth the hype. It's so gentle on the skin which I consider important for a toner, and definitely provides some 'glow' as it claims to. I also love that it seriously lasts forever, I have used this tiny bottle for a while now and it's barely gone, so even though it seems quite expensive it will last ages.

The final item in the set is the Glow Mud Mask, which because it's not part of my nightly routine I do usually forget to use it in all honesty, so I can't talk about it as much as the other two. I apply it to my T-Zone, especially in times of breakouts which only ever happen on my chin, and I can definitely say it has made a difference by fighting spots as it claims.


My final product from Pixi is a full sized Glow Mist, the item I was possibly most excited to try, and the one I have been most impressed by too. I've always loved the idea of trying a mist to freshen up and it really works, making my face feel brighter. I find it best to use before makeup, or throughout the day - a reason I really wanted it was for hot summer days, and I can tell you right now as I write this at 30°c, it really helps! The only thing I would advise is not using it straight after makeup application, I thought it might work as a setting spray but nope, just made my makeup go everywhere!


I can totally see the bloggers' hype towards Pixi; all the products I have mentioned are cruelty free and suitable for vegans which is a huge step for a skincare brand. Pixi is also available in lots of stores now, I remember when it was only available in M&S and now you can get it in Boots, Selfridge's and loads of other online beauty retailers.

EG x

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While I am a huge Friends fan, there are also other shows which deserve my love almost equally as much. Overcast days over the summer in England, just like right now it seems, as I look out of my window, are perfect for watching a new show, so I had to take this opportunity to give my best recommendations.

New Girl -

This has been one of my favourite shows for ages now, but I have been rewatching a few episodes since it's on Prime nowadays, and I think I forgot how genuinely funny it really is. The characters, including ditsy main character Jess, played by Zooey Dechannel, and my two favourite characters, her roommates Nick & Schmidt are all so funny and likeable. There's some real stand out episodes for me (see Season 2's Pepperwood and Season 4's Background Check) which I constantly rewatch.

Suits -

I've watched this one on Prime up to season 8, but I'm currently rewatching it on the Paramount Network channel every weekday at 5pm, I don't know why but sometimes I like watching shows on TV rather than a streaming site, even if you have to sit through ads! Suits is one of my favourite drama series because all the main characters working at the law firm are all very different, hence there's often lots of clashes, while so many interesting cases the lawyers often impossibly solve.

The Marvellous Mrs Maisel -

I held off watching this one for quite a while because I wasn't really expecting much from an Amazon Prime series. Once I read it was set in 1950s New York I thought I may as well give it a go, and it seriously exceeded expectations so much. A feminist story following the character of Midge, a 1950s housewife turned comedienne, figuring out how to fit this new career into her family life, it's well worth the watch, providing plenty of giggles as well as drama, and I can't wait for its third season.

The Crown -

The most well-crafted, beautifully shot series I have watched has to be The Crown. The detail of the show is stunning, so many of the episodes stand out to me for this. The Netflix hit series about the Royal Family from the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign is well worth the watch, I only wish there was more of it because I can't wait any longer for its third season!

Brooklyn Nine Nine -

I decided to save this one for this summer, so I'm currently on its fourth season out of six because it is SO ADDICTIVE and I often find myself watching a few episodes in one day. It is a really feel-good sit-com, set in a New York detective precinct, and what makes it stand out are definitely its character range. Once you get into the series, you realise there's certainly not one character you dislike, and there's such a range of personalities as well.

Gossip Girl -

This is actually an old favourite which I haven't watched in quite a while, but it deserved a mention because it's a really good show, a must-watch if you haven't already. I think the New York setting is what makes Gossip Girl come alive, it just makes me wish I was in Manhattan! I kind of have controversial views about the show, basically unlike a lot of the fans I hate Chuck and, even though I liked how the show ended when I watched it first, I like to invent my own ending now that I've watched it more! I would love to hear what your views are about it, especially if you have any controversial ones!

NARS is one of my favourite 'treat' makeup brands. It's certainly not the sort of brand I can afford usually, and that 'I just spent over £20 on a lipstick' guilt is real, so I like to put as much research into the purchase as possible. So far I have two lip products from Nars, both are completely different, so today I thought I would share my thoughts on them both and suggest which one would be best for you.

Satin Lip Pencil - Rikugien

The Satin Lip Pencil was the first Nars product I ever tried and it really got me sold onto the brand. I swatched a few of their lip products but fell in love with the formula of this, with a satin finish, it dreamily glided on and felt really smooth and soft.


The pencil format was something I was intrigued to try, as I'm much more used to bullet-form lipsticks but it really sets Nars out from the crowd, as it's quite unique to their brand as far as I'm aware. Although the pencils are more expensive than an average lipstick, you get way more product out of it as you can sharpen it time and time again.

The shade range of the Satin Pencils is incredible, ranging from nudes to pinks to reds and berries. I think my shade, Rikugien, is the slightest touch too pink for me so I find myself reaching for it less than I would if it was a more brown or peachy tone. Saying that, it's still a really pretty shade perfect for everyday. Being a satin finish, the product does give a light sheen to the lips, but if that isn't for you, I would recommend checking out their Velvet Matte lip pencils, I'm definitely hoping to try one myself soon.


In terms of longevity, being a satin finish, these lip pencils don't stay on your lips for hours, as is expected for the finish. While this is less noticeable with the lighter shade I own, I imagine if you had a darker shade, this would definitely need topping up throughout the day.

The formula of the Satin Lip Pencils is to die for, a product definitely worth the splurge for a treat.

Best for you if: you like quick, easy application. You like a wash of colour with a little sheen. You prefer crayon-like products. You are happy to top up your lipstick throughout the day. 

Powermatte Lip Pigment - Get It On

If the pencil formula, or the lighter, satin finish isn't for you, it may be worth checking out their powermatte lip pigment range. I was practically over the liquid lipstick trend, as I couldn't imagine how any brand could match my Too Faced Melted Mattes, but we have definitely found a contender - which says a lot! I have had this lipstick now a few months and it quickly became one of my all time favourites.

The 'Powermatte lip pigment' is exactly that, a matte finish lipstick with lots of colour. Nars tend to specialise in their bright, bold colour range in this product, however there are also plenty of nudes in the mix. As a lover of a matte finish, this seemed right up my street, but of course I was curious to how drying it would feel, as is often the case with matte liquid lipsticks. Thankfully, dry lips are not a problem at all with this product.


The shade Get It On is a gorgeous brown toned nude, think Velvet Teddy in tone. I had been looking for a liquid match to Velvet Teddy for a very long time so I'm very happy I've finally found a lipstick to fit the bill. It's a really flattering shade that I get a lot of wear out of because it really compliments brown or orange toned eye looks, often my favourite to create.

The formula of the lipstick is also worth talking about, as it seems a lot thinner than your average liquid lipstick. This makes it easier to build up the colour, from a light wash to very bold. Additionally, the applicator is very precise so it's really easy to apply, a God-send for someone like me with shaky hands, my lipstick finally looks neat!


One of my favourite things about this lipstick is that it stays on forever! It's the sort of lipstick I can put on at the beginning of the day, eat two meals, come home and the colour is still lasting. When it does fade, this is equal all over the lips and not patchy at all. This is especially perfect if you were to choose one of the many bolder, darker shades from the collection.

The Powermatte Lip Pigment is one of my favourite products right now, and I really couldn't recommend it enough if you're thinking, alike myself, that it's right up your street.

Best for you if: you love a bold, pigmented shade. You prefer a matte formula. You still can't get enough of liquid lipsticks. You want a lipstick to last the entire day.

EG x

 

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Happy 5th birthday, Everything Erin!

On 14th July 2014, I clicked publish on my very first blog post, An Introductory Blog Post, where I shared 20 facts about me. Although I went and updated the facts a couple of years later, it is still highly cringeworthy and I recommend you don't go and read it, nor any other posts from five years ago!

Five years is definitely a long time to keep up a hobby, and I am really proud that I am making this milestone on my blog, that I have kept it up for so long. Of course, some months I have posted less than others (I'm looking at you, exam season), but my blog has kept progressing to where it is today.


A lot has changed since I began blogging five years ago. I primarily love to write about beauty, and that is something I discovered whilst I have been blogging - five years ago I didn't own a single lipstick, now I own way too many. I've documented a lot of life events on my blog, such as GCSEs, A Levels and applying to university. Meanwhile I have explored my personal style and shared my favourite products or music releases.

Where are we going next with Everything Erin? I wrote this post to coincide with my brand new blog design. It was very much overdue an update, since I had used the same theme (with a couple of header changes) for three years, and I was super bored of it to the point I hated looking at it! I am so excited by my new layout, it feels so professional, really reflecting where I want my blog to be, and it has spurred on lots of fresh inspiration and ideas.


Going forward, I want to write about some topics that I am really passionate about. I love writing about lipstick, don't get me wrong, but I want to alternate this with some posts that I put a lot of research and interest into, more topical. Sustainability, particularly in fashion, is a really crucial topic right now and I would love to put my own spin on this, amongst a bunch of other topics, so stay tuned for a slightly different focus. While editing my previous posts as I changed my theme I read through some and made notes of what I liked, from my writing style, photography, to the sort of content I wrote which also helped to get me really inspired - a really useful tip if you're stuck in a blogging rut.

I have read so many amazing posts on this journey, got to know so many great people including making some of my closest friends through blogging! I have always loved the community side of blogging and it is something I really want to get even more involved with lately. I think at times, like I am going through now, where the Instagram numbers suddenly drop, it can feel like there's a lack of community spirit between bloggers and I really want to reignite it. I have also learnt a lot, not only improving my writing style but what sort of career I would like in the future. I would love to hear about your blogging journey and what you have learnt through blogging!

EG x

As I visited New York for the first time just over a year ago, I have been giving my friend who is going this year some tips, so I thought while thinking of some I could turn this into a blog post! There is so much to do in New York that it can feel overwhelming the first time you visit - I know it did to me!

WHEN YOU'RE BOOKING

Spend Enough Days There

I really recommend, if you're planning on booking your first New York holiday, spend as many days there as you can. It's popular to go for a three or five day break, but I would recommend going for a week if that is possible. We went for a week and were still totally rushed off our feet trying to fit everything in! I can't imagine how rushed I would have felt spending even less time there.

Book a Hotel in a Central Location

While next time we go we're thinking of booking a hotel further downtown, I think going for the first time it's great to be located centrally, near everything that makes you typically think of New York. Our hotel was just off Times Square and it was the perfect location for our first visit. It was in walking distance of all the big attractions and you really feel immersed in New York life.

WHEN YOU'RE PLANNING

Try A City Pass

If you want to do all the usual tourist attractions, which going for the first time I imagine you do, a City Pass is the best option! There are a few on the market of different price brackets, but we went for the CityPass and I really recommend it. It includes 6 attractions - 3 you have to do (Empire State, MET and Natural History Museum), and your other 3 you have a choice between two for each option. It includes a real variety of New York's best attractions with HUGE savings.


Research Resturants Before Hand

This is one I don't think we did enough of... it came to it and we were eating for eatings sake, near whatever attraction we were at rather than really benefitting from everything New York has to offer. While I think some spontaneity is great, I wish I had a bit more of an idea of where the best places to eat were.

Read Itineraires Online

If you google 'New York Itinerary' there are loads - my favourite place to look is Pinterest. There's so many for different lengths of trips and even if their plan doesn't suit you, it will give you lots of inspiration of what attractions are nearby each other, and how much you can generally get done in a day - although I have read so many itenaries that are way too packed!

Plan Your Own Itierary

Don't make a hour by hour, detailed plan that you will feel pressured by, but do have a general idea of what you plan to see each day - this could be an attraction, or an area of the city. Nothing should be set in stone, you can always swap your days depending on the weather. Don't jam pack it - leave time for casual exploring and wandering, don't pack three days worth of activities into one because you will become knackered!

WHEN YOU'RE THERE

Get To Attractions Early

Particuarly the observatories - Empire State and Top Of The Rock, I would really recommend getting up early and getting there near opening time, between 9-10am. You will save loads of time queueing, and plus the observatory isn't as packed so it's much more enjoyable!


Walk Everywhere (At Least Almost Everywhere)

In this point I will kind of contradict myself, because on one day we walked from Times Square, over Brooklyn Bridge and back, which my phone says was equivalent to half a marathon worth of walking and I still can't get over how tired I felt! But I genuinely think, for your first visit in New York, maybe don't go crazy like we did, I would definitely get the subway some places in future, but do walk as much as possible because that's the only way you properly get to experience New York. Although the walking we did on that day was crazy, it was the day we saw the most of the city.

Head To The Smaller Parks

Okay, this might be because two days I went it was either Memorial Day (packed) or raining, but I was kinda disappointed by Central Park. However, what I was surprised by was the little parks dotted around the city. Bryant Park, near my hotel on 42nd Street had lots of seating and was perfect on a warm day and Madison Square Park, near the Flatiron, has a Shake Shack which proves the perfect refreshing break on a long walk.


Visit Times Square When It's Less Busy

It's kind of a no brainer that Times Square is always busy... but there are definitely better times to visit when it's going to be less crowded, and I seriously recommend that. Visiting in the evening is always popular, but going midweek is a bit less busy than the weekend. I would also recommend visiting early in the morning, perhaps on the way to an attraction.


Don't Forget Free Attractions To Visit

Often forgotten about are some of New York's gems that are actually free to visit, a prime example of this is the New York public library, located on 42nd Street. I almost forgot to visit this one myself until my very last day, and had to rush my visit! I could have spent much longer there, it was such a lovely building - I recommend visiting the Rose Reading Room with it's gorgeous ceiling!

Fit Shops In Around Attractions

New York's shops are fabulous, and for a shopping lover like me, they really are attractions themselves. However, unless you have a specific shop in mind, I would recommend fitting them in between attractions or other activities. There are shops everywhere, so whether you're downtown or midtown you'll probably find the same sort of shops.


Although as a first timer in New York, you must visit all the classic attractions to get the typical NYC experience, it must be remembered that the city's charm equally lies in it's villages and little parks you can relax in. If you're going to visit New York for the first time or are planning to, I hope you have the best time! Let me know if you would also like me to post an itinerary, or you can read my two diary posts! If you've already visited yourself I would love to hear your own tips, as I am already planning another visit in the future!

EG x

I just printed out some Polaroids from my last day of college, the Eurovision party we had just before my first proper exam, the meal out with some friends when we'd all finished exams last week, and woah. It really is all over.

It was weird finishing college, compared to high school. That doesn't feel like an end because, for better or for worse, you're stuck with those people from another two years. Whereas now I don't know a single person going to the *touch wood* same uni as me in September.

It was also weird because I spend almost the entire time, from the start of college in September 2017, wanting to get out of there. It's easy to say that on the whole, I didn't enjoy college. There are many, many reasons for this, but it's fair to say that from the very beginning, I was always looking forward to the end. Until the end. I actually enjoyed my last few weeks at college, which I'm glad about because at least I ended on a high. I realised that even through those 6:30 get ups, it's bearable with the right people.

I don't think I felt ready for the subjects to finish after two years either. That's why that for the whole week after I had my last A Level exam, French on the Monday, it felt wrong being unproductive. I felt like I should be revising still because it hadn't sunk in that it was all over.


A Levels are so different to GCSEs, as you go down to only three or four subjects from something like nine or ten. And yet you still do double the amount of work. Every single person after GCSEs, I'm sure, thinks 'A Levels will be easy, the subjects are all ones I like and have chosen to do, I don't have to do the boring ones anymore, this will be great!'. How wrong were we all. Overall, I am glad I chose the subjects I chose, but they were undoubtedly a lot of work.

English Literature from very early on became my safe subject. While all my other subjects felt all over the place, impossible to achieve the grades I wanted, English was the only one I could count on. I got essays back in English and thought to myself 'why exactly am I not taking this at university again?' but although I actually ended up enjoying most of the texts we studied at A Level, I know I'm not cut out for a whole degree of fiction.

History, however, fast became the subject I knew I had to continue with going forward. Believe it or not, during year 11 I planned to do English at university, suiting the career field I want to go into, but history suits it just as well, and I enjoy analysing real events, their causes and consequences much more. My college gave the option for a modern history course, thank goodness; we studied the British Empire and The Cold War, both topics I found really interesting. I didn't enjoy history coursework however, compared to English where we got to decide our own title, coursework here was very regimented, each paragraph had to refer to the question a million times and it was really monotonous. Thankfully, I really progressed through the course, revised for history ten times more than anything else (it literally became my entire life at one point), so fingers crossed it will pay off.

Fine Art was my fourth subject, my bonus. I never aspired to gain as high a grade in art as my other subjects because it was just a hobby I wanted to progress more in, and I knew I wouldn't make time for it without class time and deadlines. I learnt so much over the past two years in art and I can see how much I've progressed. Two years ago I was stubbornly a lover of drawing and pencils, never never paint, but now I have discovered oil painting and am in love with it. I kinda know what I've got already and unfortunately I know that my final grade isn't going to reflect my skills, as art works so the grade is based across the entire course, imagine if they did that in an essay subject and my awful first essays were also counted? The final 15 hour exam will only count for 10% of my grade - I'm really proud of how I did in that, yet I wish it was worth more.

French I left for the end because boy has this been a rollercoaster and a half! I began year 12 having so much fun in French, it was my favourite lesson to go to. Then after the French Exchange I lost all my confidence for the subject and it didn't return for a very long time. This peaked around the start of year 13, I felt like I wasn't progressing at all and honestly regretted taking the subject, I kept thinking of things I should have taken instead and hated all my time in lessons and doing homework. You really have to submerse yourself in the language at A Level and I wasn't doing that because I hated spending any time on French.
I moved into the other French class after October half term this year and everything changed. I was in a much better environment and began to feel confident because I didn't feel judged about making mistakes. I would turn up for extra French lessons because my friends would go too and all of a sudden the subject went from the one I hated to the one I looked forward to. French gave me a hard time but now I don't regret it at all because even though I'm going to spend the whole summer doubting if my grade will be high enough (thanks paper 2), making the friends I have has made it worth it.

University planning is at the back of your mind the entirety of college. I went to my first open day the October of year 12 and ever since then, the two years of college has always been plagued by open days, UCAS applications, offers, an interview, a rejection, and decisions. I have learnt so much about myself over the past year through applying for university - about the life I want, and the sort of place I would like to live, and some things have even surprised myself. I wrote a lot about my experience in Everything Happens for a Reason, but I'm sure I'll talk about this again when it's actually happening, and I know for certain on results day!


I'm in some ways writing this post as a response to Five Years On, my reflection on my years at high school. College was a very different experience because it was only two years, there certainly wasn't the same attachment and I think that was why it felt sudden when it was time to leave. In Five Years On my final words were 'surround yourself with the best people' and at many times during college I should have taken my own advice. For a long time I didn't do that, but when I finally did I wish I had sooner, so I am reiterating this again for my future self and everyone else - DON'T SPEND TIME WITH PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU MISERABLE!!


So I'm off to the summer now, I've already been off for two weeks and have had some lovely meals catching up with friends, painted for the first time not for my A Level, but just for fun and began my film watchlist - there's a lot I want to watch this summer! I also plan to read a lot, hopefully eventually get a job (no luck so far) and spend a lot of time on my blog and get really into it again. I have lots of ideas, there's a few topics I can't wait to research and write about so stay tuned!

EG x