Little Geordie Lass

Happy New Year! 2017 was a year where I did some pretty awesome things; I graduated my MA with distinction, I was part of a team which raised £60k for charity, I got to do more travelling this year. However this year has also come with a lot of self-reflection and a lot of wake up calls. I am going into 2018 feeling lost in the world of work; with no more education to turn to and trying to find my place in society to earn a living. It's stressful and is tough, however, temporary as I am keeping positive and something will come my way! 2017 has been great for self-reflection and really focusing on myself, what I want and what I enjoy. Anyways, enough self-reflection for now! I wanted to kick start 2018 off by sharing with you some of my favourite things that are coming into the new year with me that I have been loving, will continue to use and recommend to you guys!

One of my favourite memories of my childhood was playing 'Narrator Number 3' in my middle school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. So when I saw that the production was coming to Metro Radio Arena this Christmas, I couldn't say no to reliving my youth.

One of my favourite things to do when I have a lazy day doing the odd jobs where I don't feel like wearing too much makeup is to have a very simple routine. Concealer, powder, bronzer, brows, mascara and lippy. That's all I need. I have my staple make up items, however the one thing that I do like to change up and have variety to is my lip colour. Although I want to wear a minimal look, the lip colour changes on my mood, what I am wearing that day, how much moisture my lips need etc. I have chosen 5 of my favourite affordable lipsticks (which I prefer over the liquid lipstick hype as it is less maitancence and looks more natural than a full-on matte lip), which I think are perfect for just throwing on for a minimal makeup look.

No, this isn't deja vu. I got to witness the presence of Queen and Adam Lambert once again after seeing them for the first time around 2 years ago  (see my review of their last show here). I will not beat around the bush, there were some similarities to the last time I saw them on tour, however there were a lot of things that were very different which divided my opinion on if I thought that this was better or not. Luckily, this time I was seated so I had a full view of the stage (short people problems at standing concerts) so I felt like I had a more fulfilling experience which will give me a much more rounded review of their performance at Metro Radio Arena on the 1st December 2017.

With Christmas just around the corner, less than a month now, it is time for us to start thinking about buying gifts for family, friends and maybe that unwanted person. Now I say that with the assumption that many people who read my blog work or have a circle of friends where they feel obligated to buy presents for people that they don't really want to buy for. Or I may just be completely absurd and you are super excited about gift giving. Nevertheless, when it comes to Christmas, the older we get the more we think about saving money. And that's where Secret Santa comes into play for a lot of people. Everyone who does Secret Santa develops their own rules; this can be in regards to spending limit, silly or serious gifts and so on. But I hope to help those out who may be reading this thinking' what the hell do I get Maggie from Marketing who I only ever see in the break room?'. Or even if you are struggling for friends and want some ideas on present ideas or where to sho...

Let's get real... Cardiovascular exercise can be a bit of a bitch. I HATED cardio. For a very long time, I found it really boring and repetitive which really made me lack motivation to go to the gym. It can be very demoralising knowing that you have basically move more to burn more fat, and the thought of being on a treadmill or a bike for ages just makes you want to rip your hair out. But it doesn't have to be like that. I am going to share the ways in which I incorporate cardio into my fitness routine without it being mind-numbingly boring and are quick and (sometimes) fun.

Rewind back to my 16 year old self who had just started sixth-form and had asked her mam to try and get her and her friends tickets for her favourite band and imagine the heartbreak of failing to get them. Fast forward to the 10th November 2017 and that same girl has just come home from seeing said band after waiting to see them for so long. Elated. That is probably the best word I can use to describe my experience of seeing The Killers live in my home city.