A Late Happy New Year And A Little Blogging And Life Update*

Hi Guys x I know it's a little bit late but since this is my first post of 2021, I guess I can still say an albeit snowy,  Happy New Year x Like most people I couldn't wait to see the back of 2020 but with another lockdown in place here in the 2021 hasn't started out the way that most people wanted, but without putting a jinx on it, surely it can only get better from here on in!?

2020 was a fail on so many counts but on a personal level I don't think I've had such an unproductive year. After a viral infection at the start of the year that didn't seem to want to go away, I struggled with my physical health for most of the year, which is bad enough, but the combination of illness, and lockdowns meant that my mental health reached rock bottom. My personal relationships suffered, I felt my self worth diminishing, and my enthusiasm for life pretty much disappeared. I spent a lot of 2020 trying to put on a happy face and pretending that I was coping, after all being at home for the majority of the time wasn't that strange to me, but in truth like so many people I was struggling.

It's no surprise therefore that yet again my blog suffered, my 2020 content when I did manage to post anything was pretty samey. I'm fighting the urge to apologise for that but at least I tried to keep posting and keep a sense of normality, which was a huge plus point, when you consider that deleting the whole thing crossed my mind more than once.

As I've said before my blog has always been my safe place, but at times last year, it made me feel anxious as though I could and should have done more, I became hypercritical of everything that I did manage to write, and I felt as though the whole thing was just a massive disaster, and a complete waste of time.

Looking back with clearer eyes, I don't think anything that I wrote or product was that bad, it was just symptomatic of the negative mindset that seemed to overtake so many of us in 2020.

Despite hitting over 1,500,000 all time page views last year, I still think 2021 is going to be a make or break year for me when it comes to the blog, even before Covid, I've struggled to maintain my niche and fell out of love with blogging, so hopefully this will be the year when I get my mojo back.

So what are my plans for LouLouLand in 2021, will first up I'm going to catch up, I have loads of  backdated Glossybox unboxings, and Glossybox advent calendar reviews for you, that I'm still planning on writing, as well as lots of new beauty reviews, hopefully some more fashion and lifestyle posts, as well as the return of some old favourites like empties posts and maybe the odd foodie Friday post.

I can't promise that I won't disappear again, after all my physical and mental health, and the health and wellbeing of those I love comes first but no matter what 2021 throws at us, I'm still going to be here x So thank you for sticking with me, I hope you're all doing as well as can be expected (don't forget about the helpline numbers in my previous post if you need someone to talk to), and I hope that 2021 is a better year for all of us xx 

*This Post Contains An Added Affiliate Link

2017 / 2018 Brought To You By Tissues And Paracetamol

Well that didn't quite go to plan did it? It always seems to be the way with me every time I make plans, something always seems to throw a spanner in the works or in this case should I say a boomerang!

You've probably all seen the semi sensationalist newspaper headlines but it does exist and me and several members of my family (including Mummy Lou :() have been stricken by the evil thing that is Australian Flu.

So instead of blogging, making You Tube videos, enjoying the Christmas leftovers and of course celebrating New Years Eve, I've spent most of the last week and a half in bed surrounded by tissues, olbas oil and paracetamol!

It definitely wasn't the way that I'd planned on starting 2018 but it can't be helped and as the saying goes things can only get better,

Although it's something that I've subscribed to in the past I'm not really a fan of that New Year, New You thing, I don't want to be a new person I just want to be the best person that I can, and to be honest I know what that entails, so as per usual I'm not going to make any earth shattering new years resolutions, it's just a bit of the same old, same old, lose a bit of weight, be more organised, save a bit of money and generally just be a nicer person and stop worrying about the little things in life and the things that I can't change. 

So instead of getting stressed out about the posts and videos that I've had to put on hold over the last few weeks, I'm going to start the year off as I mean to go on, obviously by being productive and by getting things done, but I'm also going to stop putting so much pressure on myself and I'm going to try and enjoy blogging again but without the stress, the pressure and the self imposed expectations.

For the next week or so I'm going to be in catch up mode, I've got a few You Tube videos coming soon including some unboxings, a sale haul, and a Christmas pressie haul, and I've got a few blog posts in the pipeline as well including a late December Primark haul, a late Look Fantastic Beauty In Wonderland Advent Calendar catch up, and of course my December empties post and my 2017 Trimming My Stash totals.

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me in 2017, and I hope that you'll continue to support both my blog and my You Tube channel in 2018. Don't forget to enter my PIXI giveaway if you haven't already and if that one isn't to your taste, I have lots more giveaways planned for 2018, so from me and mine, to you and yours, Happy New Year and let's hope that it's a good one for all of us x

Trimming My Stash - January 2017 Edition - Empties And Mini Reviews

Well that's the first month of 2017 out of the way, and do you know what good riddance to it. January wasn't a great month for me in a lot of ways so I'm pleased that it's done and dusted and that I can now hopefully move forward with optimism.

The Body Shop Glazed Apple Shower Gel - 60ml
Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner - 250ml

Total - 2 Items

I guess January 2017's empties probably sum up my start to the year as a whole - lots of endeavour, enthusiasm and effort but with little or no reward! I've been digging half empty bottle, tubes and jars out of my stash and trying to use them up but it was very much a case of close but not cigar - I know already that February is going to be a way better month but in January I only managed to finish 2 beauty products.

1. The Body Shop Glazed Apple Shower Gel - 60ml

It's a little one but they all count - This little shower gel was part of The Body Shop's 2015 festive offering, and although I wasn't sure about it at first this scent really grew on me. In the beginning I wanted this to by a pure apple fragrance, a bit like one of The Body Shop fragrances of my childhood, Green Apple, unfortunately it wasn't to be instead it's a mixture of apple, and orchard fruits, combined with a sugary sweetness that makes your mouth water. Alas this fragrance made way for Spiced Apple in 2016 which I thankfully I also love but I still have a few Glazed Apple bits in my stash, ready and waiting for when I need that sugared apple hit.

2. Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner - 250ml

What can I possibly say about this product that hasn't already been said? Championed by the skincare Queen herself, Caroline Hirons this product has a cult following, and I can most definitely see why. This product that contains 5% glycolic acid takes the humble toner to the next level. A lot of people panic when they here the words glycolic, but this product is perfect for even the most sensitive of skins, it is alcohol free and it contains extracts of ginseng, aloe vera and which hazel to both purify and soothe the skin . Obviously anyone can be allergic to anything but this toner isn't an afterthought it contains good for you, skin care ingredients that can make a real difference. In my experience this toner brings my skin back to life, my skin looks brighter and more even, and it feels smoother.  I really can't recommend this product highly enough, I was sceptical at first but it really has made a difference to my skin. You can buy at a variety of places including Marks and Spencer , QVC UK, Look Fantastic, Cult Beauty, and of course from the Pixi Beauty website. 

So that was a pretty disappointing start to the year but onwards and upwards! As I say I'm just about done on a couple of bits already so hopefully February will be a better month all round x Thanks for reading and if you have any questions please leave me a comment and don't forget if your doing something similar this year or if you've posted a empties post or video recently then I would love to see it so link me up below x 

January 2015 Favourites

I know it's nearly the end of February but I've just got round to uploading my January Favourites video. Slapped wrists I know, but I thought you might like to watch it x 

Product Mentioned 

Collection / Collection 2000 Colour Match Foundation - Ivory 1 

Make Up Revolution I♥MAKEUP  Naked Chocolate Eyeshadow Palette 

(You can read my review here x )

Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File

(My holy grail nail file ! You can read a full review and product rave here)

Elemis Pro Radiance Hand And Nail Cream

*Skin Blossom Therapeutic Bath Soak

(I've reviewed this product too - check my review out here x)

Prada Candy Florale Eau De Toilette 

I've already reviewed the majority of the products in this video for you but if you would like to see a review of either the hand cream or the the foundation then leave me a comment and let me know x 

No reviews of the Prada Candy Florale  though lol if you watch this video you'll know that describing fragrance isn't my strong point ha ha. Fragrance is such a personal thing and it so hard to describe a scent in the majority of cases unless you're an expert but I know I like it and that''s the main thing! 

I'm a bit of a fragrance junkie though so I'm thinking of doing an updated perfume collection video x Don''t worry though I will do my research this time round haha x Let me know if that is something that you would like to watch and of course don't forget to subscribe to my You Tube channel for more inane ramblings x 

Thanks for reading and watching and I'll see you tomorrow with a review xx

(*Sample) 

Trimming My Stash - January 2015 Edition - Empties And Mini Reviews

It's hard to believe that we're already one month into 2015. It honestly doesn't seem two minutes since it was Christmas but here we are at the beginning of February, and hopefully one step closer to spring.

As much as I love the freshness of the air at the moment all I really to do at the moment is eat, sleep, have bubble baths and hibernate, and that's something that I think is reflected in my first Trimming My Stash post of 2015.

Tesco Pro Formula Radiance Toner - 200ml
Avon Spiced Cranberry And Orange Bubble Bath - 1000ml
The Body Shop Rich Plum Shimmering Bath Bubbles - 400ml
Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel - 125ml
Total - 4 Items

Okay 4 items isn't a particularly impressive start but it does pretty much represent my January. First up skincare - a new broom sweeps clean as they say and at the moment I'm trying to use up some those half finished bits before I start testing some new and exciting things, I only managed two skincare items in January but I'm sure I'll manage a few more in February. The only other items that I managed to finish were bubble baths. I love, love, love my bath but the cogs are turning and the re-development of our bathroom edges ever closer, and thankfully my bath product mountain is starting to look more like a large hill - fingers crosses I'll manage another bottle or so this month.So what did I think of the products that I finished...

1. Tesco Pro Formula Radiance Toner - 200ml 

Nice toner, good price - you can read a full review here x

2. Avon Spiced Cranberry And Orange Bubble Bath - 1000ml

I've been using this bottle on and off since Christmas 2013! These litre sizes from Avon seem to go on forever and this one was no exception. This had a slightly zesty, slightly citrus aroma and produced lots and lots of bubbles. This product is no longer available but it did appear in November and December of this year in a smaller Snowman shaped bottle. If you want a lot of bubbles at a decent price I can't recommend these bubble baths highly enough. I have a few different fragrances to finish and if I wasn't losing my bath I'd definitely be trying out the new Pomegranate And Peony variety.

3. The Body Shop Rich Plum Shimmering Bath Bubbles - 400ml

This is one of my favourite ever festive fragrances from The Body Shop. Not only did I buy numerous back ups at the time, but I also scoured ebay, and outlet stores to stock up on one of my favourite scents. I have a couple of shower gels left, one more bubble bath and a body butter and then it's gone :( It was warm and fruity and mouthwatering - please The Body Shop bring it back.

4. Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel - 125ml

My final empty for January is another discontinued product - Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel, I actually really liked this orange scented cleanser and I'm pretty sad that it's been discontinued. You can read a full review of it here x

I'm really hoping that I can do a bit better in February. My aim is to finish some more skincare, some more bath products and maybe a bit of make up. Are you doing something similar in 2015? Let me know if you are x

January Japes

Well January really has been a month to forget for me - a certain slip on the ice and a poorly foot has curtailed my plans left, right and centre, In some ways this has been a good thing my inability to walk at the moment has meant that I can't go shopping booo. Well I could always shop online, but the continuation of project 10 pan and a distinct lack of enthusiasm for anything has meant shock of horrors that I am way under for the first month of my 2011 spending diet I spent the grand total of £9.41

Nails Inc Denim Nail Polish - ebay - £3.49
Made Bangles x 3 - ebay - £5.92
Total So Far - £9.41
£30.59 Under


So from my January 2011 limit of £40 I have £30.59 left which has to be some sort of record for me, admittedly I have purchased a nail polish but I still think that's pretty good going :) Now onto trimming my stash well predictably January has been a bit of a fail

Dove Beauty Care Body Wash Go Fresh Burst 55ml
Lacura 3 in 1 Facial Cleansing Wipes x 30
Philosophy Carrot Cake Ultra Rich Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath 473.1ml
Trilogy Smooth Shine Shampoo 250ml
Total - 4 Items

I managed 4 items this month which to be honest wasn't great I have a few bath things on the way out but obviously me ability to have a bath has been postponed for a bit so they will have to wait. I managed no make up items this month probably because I've barely worn any :) but I do have a mascara that should be done in the next week or so which will hopefully get me back on track :)
My other plan for 2011 was to try and eat a bit more healthily and lose a bit of weight well I haven't weighed myself for a bit I think the cast would give a false reading ;) but my clothes certainly feel a bit looser thanks to rubbish hospital food and a lack of appetite - every cloud as they say ;)
I certainly hope that you have all had a better start to 2011 than I have, as they say things can only get better xx