In Bloom

"Weather changes moods. Spring is here again"

    - In Bloom, Nirvana

Some times you just need to take a walk - by yourself. So I headed over to my local stomping ground...

I needed to get out of my house after a few weeks of feeling pretty shitty. The combination of life and life and work stress will do that to you sometimes. I left with my trusty camera in tow... I'm well into my thirties and can hand on heart say that this was my first solo walk in the woods! I know - shock, horror! But what better time to do it than on a truly beautiful spring afternoon. I do love this time of year.

Took my camera, braved my little solo mission. I took the time to look up, look down and look around...

I said my hellos to other walkers (a very British tradition that I love) and took some time to admire the colours around...

Mind cleared... Feeling much calmer now.

Big loves!

Xx

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Come Walk With Me - Esher Commons #JudgeMe

"It is better to err on the side of daring than the side of caution"

        - Alvin Toffler

Okay, a slightly different blog post this week. A lot of photos... of me.

These photos were actually taken a while ago, last spring to be a bit more precise. I went on a walk with Mr G and as usual we took the camera. He managed to get some lovely shots, but I never uploaded them.

I had developed internet self-consciousness and  a fear of others thoughts of even a few 'posey' shots of me.

But why? I love these kind of shots on other blogs...

So here I am, throwing caution to the wind. I have learnt to care less of what people think  and have developed a bit more of a give a damn attitude...

Here are some pictures from a lovely walk we had, the latest in my #comewalkwithme series. This time in and around Esher Commons in Surrey...

#JudgeMe

Xx

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#DearMe - Tag

"In youth we learn; in age we understand"

         - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

The things that I would tell a younger me...

Dear Me...

Always be honest

Try to be kind

Be thankful for the life, people and experiences you have

Have the courage to speak your mind

Enjoy your wisdom

Be unique, odd and at times crazy

Do not get distracted by superficial beauty

Work hard, do not be lazy

Smile, if possible, daily

There is no shame in shedding tears

Give time to others who need it

Constantly face your fears

Yours,

Xx


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The Wedding Files

"Falling in love was the easy part; planning a wedding - yikes!"

       - Niecy Nash

Omg! We're engaged!! 

This was my initial reaction when my boyfriend of  eight-and-a-half years proposed last autumn... Yes, at long last, praise the Lord! We're getting married!

Fast forward a few months...

'So how are the wedding plans going?'

'Are you enjoying the wedding planning?'

'I LOVED organising my wedding, I'm sure you will too!'

Err...

Do not get me wrong, I cannot wait to marry the love of my life - I will happily shout that from any rooftop.

But something wasn't quite right. I think I panicked. Shit! I actually have to organise this wedding. Me, myself and I (of course with trusty fiancé forever by my side). The thoughts continued...

I mean, firstly the wedding would have to be huge! We are both one of six children, have several aunts/uncles/cousins between us and have managed to accumulate some great friends over the years too. We often joked about this day and how big a wedding of ours would be, but then this slowly became a real source of anxiety...

Next up was the expectation of others. Intentionally or otherwise there would be friends and family who were expecting x,y or z from us - again making me want to crawl even further into my own dark hole and disappear from the land of wedding planning... Could we ever live up to their expectations? What if they were to leave our wedding somewhat... underwhelmed??

And don't even get me started on money...

For weeks (possibly months) I allowed myself to concentrate on the above, putting off any planning and organising even more. I didn't really know why, but I was unable to get excited about the wedding day itself and would avoid discussing it with friends and colleagues as much as possible. I would find myself laughing awkwardly and changing the subject instead of giggling childishly and rambling on about every single minute detail of the sate-the-date invites. Until one day things changed...

Yes, that would be the day that I tried on The Wedding Dress!

Pronovias 2015 collection  (don't worry this isn't 'The One')

I did not think it possible, that trying on a full length ivory gown could ever have such an effect - but it did. All of the unnecessary pressure and doubts I had put onto my own shoulders were lifted. I felt less insecure about the day. I focused on the positives, rather than the negatives... And as if my some sort of mysterious wizardry I had found my passion for planning our wedding !

All of a sudden I was enthused again. 'Omg - We are actually getting married!!'

And I cannot wait to become Mrs/Dr G! 

Bring it on!

Big loves

Xx

Skincare

"Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge, others just gargle."

          - Robert Anthony

I have spent probably too much time and too much money in search of the perfect moisturiser over the years. High end, mid range and budget (brands include Loreal, Simple, Johnsons, Clinique, Origins, Estee Lauder, e45) - some would provide elements of what I was looking for, but none quite ticked all of the boxes... Until now.

Now I know this product isn't a new or a cult product and lots of blogs aren't raving about it either (well, not any more at least). But when it comes to moisturisers Clarins wins - hands down. Fact.

My Eureka! moment occurred after I visited the Clarins Spa at Stapleford Park for my birthday last year. 

Stapleford Park

Post massage, my friend and I bought a few products. I purchased the Multi-Active Day Cream, a wonderful rich cream formulation (which I love for my combination skin) moisturiser suitable for all skin types. I loved it, but it was missing the essential SPF...

Then I received a sample for the Clarins HydraQuench Cream... I. Loved. It. 

I had to purchase the full size.

Why?

I love the formulation - again a rich cream product, and with SPF. Perhaps the best thing about this range is that you can also get a cream gel formulation (much lighter for those who prefer moisturisers this way) and it also comes without SPF (though I only recommend this if you're getting your SPF elsewhere for example in your make up). HydraQuench contains katafray bark and hyaluronic acid which both help to hydrate the skin. And finally, the smell is to die for, which is an added bonus!

The product will set you back about £35, but lasts around three months if you use it in the mornings only.

I think it has been money well spent and the HydraQuench Cream will be in my skincare routine for a long time to come!

What are your fave moisturisers??

Big Loves!!

Xx
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Skincare

"As I get older, I'm more comfortable in my own skin"

          -  Jessica Lucas

Like every other blogger I love beauty and skincare . 

Skincare is my favourite pastime, perhaps even a little bit of an obsession! Over the years I have made some terrible mistakes and felt like sharing them here with you for your amusement...

1 - Try everything and try it all at once!!!

Yes that feeling when you're in Boots (or any other drug store), you've just been paid and you are feeling spendy. Or after watching a YouTube video. Or reading several blog posts... You simply cannot wait to try it all!! Great idea - it seems, but really do you need to try everything at once? How will you ever know which product was effective, which one broke you out? If you are feeling like switching things up a bit (which I do recommend) I suggest just changing one product and see how your skin reacts to that.

2 - Why hasn't it worked yet??

Yes - expecting everything to be effective from the first second you use it! I remember this... Two weeks in and giving up because my skin wasn't clear, blemish free or evenly toned. I have since learnt the art of persistence and routine when it comes to skin care and waiting (just) a little bit longer for the effects to become noticeable...

3 - I'm black, I don't need SPF!

I think I bought my first sunscreen in my early twenties!! Eeek! I cringe even thinking about it. I was a firm believer that the sun did not harm black skin, after all I am Nigerian, right? Well, whilst having black or darker skin will confer some protection form skin cancers like melanoma, it does not mean you are completely immune. Also sitting out in the sun without SPF did nothing for my problematic blemishes and uneven skin. Lessons learnt.

3 - I'm too old to have spots!

I was convinced that turning 21 would mean the end of spots, having struggled quite badly with acne in my teens and early university years. Unfortunately, it was not. Whilst the majority of younger onset acne is due to hormonal factors, adult acne still can occur. Factors that may contribute include the environment (oily products, smoking), diet (especially refined sugars), stress and premenstrual flares. Try to tackle some of these and your acne may improve.

4 - It worked for her, it'll work for me too!

Well of course! I have oily, acne-prone, dark skin and so of course the products that worked so well for my friend with dry, sensitive, pale white skin will work for me too! We all (now) know that that this isn't the case. Thank goodness for the internet and being able to research our skin types and how to tackle skin issues. 

5 - I want to have perfect skin

Ah! Forever on the search for 'perfect skin'. What is the definition of perfect skin and is it ever achievable? The answer is no. I have now learnt that I will never have perfect skin, but will have days when my skin looks good, days when my skin feels good and then days when it all goes tits up! And to be honest - I am perfectly fine with that. My skin is a reflection of of me as a person which, by the way, is far from perfect!

All in all - I love skincare. I enjoy skin products and trying out new and wonderful things, but have learnt these few things about skincare which has helped me be more realistic about what I buy, how I use it and the results that can be expected.

Any future skin product reviews that will appear on my blog will be honest and a reflection of the lessons I have learnt thus far. Stay tuned for a few skin care posts coming up!!

Big loves!!!

Xx

P.S. - What were your skincare mistakes??

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Come Walk With Me... Trelissick Estate, Cornwall

"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend"

        - Albert Camus

I am a novice when it comes to walks, or most other outdoor activities in fact. But when a City Girl met a Country Boy in 2006, something had to shift. And, if truth be told I could not be happier that it did.

Over the years we have been on several walks and few have been documented until recently. Now, I'm going to try to keep an on line memoir of the walks that we go on wherever they be in the world - country, urban, beach... whatever!

First up - The Trelissick Estate, Cornwall

Trelissick is a National Trust woolands walk and park, not too far from Truro in Cornwall. It's close to where my in-laws-to-be now live and a part of the country that I love. 

I like this walk. I won't lie, I like it because it is easy! Great for fellow novice walkers. You have the option of two walks - each about  2 miles (around an hour at a reasonable pace) or you could combine the two for a longer jaunt. The surfaced paths makes it a very buggy friendly walk for those with young children!

You will meander through wonderful Cornish woodland and catch glimpses of the Fal estuary as you go...

Walk down the steps to the famous King Harry Ferry...

At several points you will encounter breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Fal estuary too...

Oh! And a cheesy photo to finish...

That's all for now!

Big loves! 

Xx

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