Everything Erin

I like to write a reflection of how the year has gone every year on my blog, not only so I can read it back in years to come but really take stock and think about how far I have come, and where I am today, on 31st December 2019.

Looking back, 2019 has been the biggest year of self-growth for me. It has no doubt had its difficulties but working through the struggles has also made the year very enjoyable, and made me into the best version of myself.

In 2019 I have...

Got a rejection, but started at the uni that I believe is right for me

It feels like a lifetime ago since I got the no from Oxford, because so much has happened since - now that it has been a year I can say for definite that I ended up at the university that suits me much more. I'm a huge believer that everything happens for a reason and this solidified it even more.

Seen Hugh Jackman live

In May we got last minute tickets to see Hugh Jackman live and it has to be one of my highlights this year, it was so much fun! It was a really great show full of songs I absolutely love including tracks from The Greatest Showman and Les Mis - he sounded exactly as good as he does on the screen!

Conquered A Level French!

I guess the other A Levels were conquered too, but French was definitely the one I was the most proud of because I found it so difficult. To get the grade I needed was a real struggle but I made it! 

Let go of friends who dragged my happiness down, and instead made some amazing ones

I think I have come so far this year because I finally decided to only surround myself with people who had a positive impact on my life, rather than being bogged down by those who constantly made me feel miserable. I stopped being disappointed when certain friends repeatedly let me down because I knew they were never going to change. It was hard getting over a huge chapter of my life with them, but I made some amazing friendships that I have really enjoyed this year with and I can't thank them enough for being there for me.

Visited Central Perk

The Central Perk cafe based in the Manchester Primark was such a fun experience to visit with my friend Ellie. The cafe looked so similar to the set itself and served a great hot chocolate - a must for any Friends fan like myself!

Experienced living in London

In September I began studying at University College London, so moved to a uni hours away from home for a different living experience! Moving to uni changes anyone's life, having to get used to a food shop and laundry and everything, but living in London instead of a small town was a huge step - one I have really enjoyed.

Seen 6 West End Shows

I have definitely made the most of being in London and gone to see plenty of shows! I went to see Joseph at the London Palladium in August and then saw a bunch more while I have been living there, including Mary Poppins & Come From Away. I can't wait to see even more next year!

Made some great friends at uni

I was quite worried about making friends at uni but I needn't have been because I couldn't have been luckier. I have made some wonderful friends at uni who I can't wait to spend more time with in 2020, we have had so much fun exploring London together so far.

Finished watching Suits, and watched Brooklyn Nine Nine

I started watching Suits in the summer of 2018 and only ended up finishing it this December, as I watched each season on and off. It has become one of my favourite shows ever and I was so emotional watching the series finale, I cried even more than when I finished Friends! I have also discovered the show Brooklyn Nine Nine this year and absolutely love it, it's so funny.

Started my first job

I started my first part time job this summer in retail at New Look which has followed me down to London. It has been challenging at times but I have gained so much confidence from it; I know it has helped me to grow a lot as a person.

Developed my love and skill of oil painting 

I have really enjoyed painting this year, including finishing my Fine Art A Level and being really proud of my final piece, to producing some portraits over the summer. It's something I want to make more time for in 2020 because whenever I paint I remember how relaxing and therapeutic I find it.

Listened to a lot of The 1975 & Taylor Swift

This year my most listened to artists have been The 1975 and Taylor Swift which is not surprising at all! I am always listening to The 1975 (very excited to see them next year!) but also got really obsessed with Taylor's new music from her Lover album.

Got a PR package from Pixi

Something I am really proud of this year happened right at the end of the year. Just before Christmas I received a PR package from the beauty brand Pixi in the post and I was so excited. It served as a great reminder of how far I have come in blogging, but how much effort I want to keep putting into it in order to get even further.


It was weird writing this up, because some of the things I mentioned feel like half a life time ago to me. 2019 feels like it has been a year that has at sometimes gone really quick, but also felt very long. Time can feel so weird!


Read what I did in 2018 here. Thank you so much for reading my blog this year, I really appreciate every read. I hope you had a great 2019 and I will speak to you again in 2020!

EG x

Glossier's announcement of a London Pop-up store was simply a dream come true. I'm one for loving a good old swatch of products before I buy, and this gave me the opportunity to go along and explore Glossier's range.


Located in the heart of Covent Garden, at 13 Floral Street (there really couldn't be a more fitting street name for its location), the shop was everything I hoped and expected it would be, and more. Welcomed by lovely staff dressed in baby pink Glossier overalls, the shop consists of several rooms with plenty of areas to really try out the products. The carpet and wallpaper is decorated in classic Glossier floral prints in different colours, and at the back of the shop there's a London style roof-top chimney, a fun photo opportunity.


After spending a lot of time exploring the entire range, I had finally decided what I wanted. You place an order with one of the shop assistants who take your name and email for receipt, and then go over to the waiting area where they prepare your order. This was reasonably quick and they pop all your items in a little bubblewrap pouch to keep them safe, then a really pretty Glossier bag with your name on which of course I will be keeping forever because it is gorgeous.


All in all, I spent just under half an hour in there which is quite a while really! I was just so in awe of the place and how pretty it was.
Onto the products themselves! I decided to limit myself to just two items - very difficult, but I knew because it is open for a while that I can come back.

Mango Balm Dot Com

I simply had to try out one of their classic balm dot com lip balms, now didn't I? I actually don't use lip balms too much nowadays but that didn't mean I couldn't find space for this one in my life. There's a selection of different flavours which all smell lovely, but I went for the mango scent as I absolutely love mangos and fruity scents.


This lip balm has definitely made my lips feeling far better than ever before, which is especially essential in the winter months when I find they can get a bit dry! My only issue with it was at first it was really difficult to get out of the tube, and I was a little scared of loads of the product coming out everywhere! However, we had no issues and I am now safe to say this is a handbag essential.

Lid Star in Moon

I am a huge fan of the ease of a liquid eyeshadow and the whole range of shades Glossier offer in their lid stars are so pretty. I was totally torn between Moon, a champagne with a little bit of a blue iridescent shimmer, and Cub, a pretty rose gold, but I ended up opting for the former and I am really glad I did. It has a real brightening, eye-opening effect which lasts longer than I expected it to.


It's really easy to apply, popping a bit on your lid with the applicator and then blending with a finger works perfectly and matches really well with any other eyeshadows. I am really impressed and find myself reaching for it a lot - maybe I will have to pick up some more shades!

EG x 

 

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One of my favourite things to receive at Christmas has to be a new eyeshadow palette. They feel like such a treat and perfect to use for your Christmas day makeup look. Today I have rounded up a few of my favourites out right now that you might want to hint for, or perhaps treat someone special to!

The Classic High-Quality Palette: Anastasia Beverly Hills' Soft Glam

The palette I am personally wishing for this year is ABH's Soft Glam. Being obsessed with the Modern Renaissance for about a year and a half now, I really feel like I need an addition to my collection in the form of one of their other palettes. Soft Glam is absolutely gorgeous because of its range of warm brown mattes and sparkly gold and rose gold shimmers that will create all sorts of classic looks. The quality of ABH palettes is unbeatable in my opinion, so you know you won't be going wrong with this one.

The Spoilt For Choice Palette: Beauty Bay Origins Palette

You thought Morphe's palettes were big? Think again! Beauty Bay's own range of palettes are pack in a whole 42 shades - imagine the sheer amount of different looks you could make with that! They now have quite a few different palettes in their collection, to suit all preferences, but personally I prefer the warm tones of the Origins palette. The palette is perfect for anyone makeup obsessed but also beginners because, not only will it give them everything they need and more, each row has a different role, for example 'base', 'crease', or 'highlight', to name a few. This means that while 42 shades can look pretty overwhelming, the palette is really easy to use.

A Little Taste Of Luxury: Charlotte Tilbury's Quads

If you're really wanting to treat someone this year, I have to point you in the direction of the Charlotte Tilbury quads! Again, there's a whole variety of shades, but if you're struggling to pick I would suggest the 'Bella Sophia' palette, four really classic, luxurious bronze and copper tones. It may be considered pricey for only 4 eyeshadows, but you are really paying for that incredible quality and luxurious packaging - it's a real treat!

The Disney Obsessed: Colourpop's Frozen II Palettes

Colourpop are one of my favourite makeup brands - they create incredible shimmers like no one else! I absolutely love their themed collections and their recent range, inspired by Frozen II, is perfect for any Disney fan. I absolutely love their Anna inspired palette, full of oranges and purples to suit her look, and the gold shimmer right in the centre is absolutely stunning! You can even get a lipstick inspired by the range to match.

The Colour Crazy: Morphe 35B Palette

If know someone who loves to experiment with colour, look no further than Morphe's 35B palette. Morphe's palettes are always exceptional quality for their price, and imagine the fun you could have with a palette like this! Your eyes would certainly never be boring again!

The Christmas In A Palette: Too Faced Extra Spicy Gingerbread Palette

Too Faced's Christmas collections are always to die for because of how in-your-face festive they are! The perfect gift is definitely something Christmas-themed, because then when the recipient uses it, they will always be reminded of festive fun. Having received Too Faced's Gingerbread Spice palette last Christmas, I can tell you now that the quality will not disappoint! This year's release is similar to last year with some different shades - there are some gorgeous champagne shimmers! Oh, and did I mention the palette even smells like Christmas?!

The Travel Friendly: Zoeva Cocoa Blend Voyager Palette

The perfect gift for someone always on the go has to be a travel-friendly palette. With the rise of huge palettes, it can be difficult to find one easy to carry around, but Zoeva's Voyager versions of their classic palettes do just that. They cut their palettes down from 10 to 6 shades, leaving the only essentials, perfect for a few nights away. I love their Cocoa Blend palette and the 6 shades in the Voyager palette are the ones I am always reaching for so it is a great option!

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Want even more options? Check out my 2018 eyeshadow gift guide - most are still available and would make the perfect gift, or treat for yourself!

EG x

 

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