May Favourites 2015

Hello everybody! It feels good to be back. This month I've been busy studying for and sitting my Higher exams, so blogging has not been a priority, but I have definitely missed it. I thought that it would be a good way to get stuck back into my blog by writing about some of my favourite things in May. Some of them are a bit random, but there's logic to it, and when you have spent the last month revising and not getting out of the house much, you start to appreciate the little things. Anyway, here are my favourite things in May.

Schwarzkopf got2b beach matt texturizing salt spray - I have naturally curly hair, but sometimes it can be so crazy that it looks like I've just rolled out of bed. This is an absolute godsend for the days when I get out the shower and let my hair dry naturally. I apply it quite generously to damp, brush hair, then run my fingers through it to even out the spray and separate my hair. Then I let it dry and I have relatively "beachy" waves. I really like this stuff.

Vaseline trio - Okay, this is a bit of a weird one, but lip balm is pretty much an essential for everyone. I've tried loads of different lip balms, but always prefer Vaseline. I really like the different flavours they do, especially the cocoa butter one, it's so nice. Anyway, that was a bit of a random one, but also one I can't do without.

Rimmel Kate Lipstick Shade 22 - This colour is my favourite. It is a very bright red, and it makes my teeth look really white when I wear it, which I'm embracing because I've not long had my braces taken off!! This lipstick is quite long lasting, and I've had lots of nice comments about the colour. It also smells really nice haha, which isn't something you usually specifically look for in a lipstick, but it's an added bonus I guess. Overall, one of my favourite lipsticks that I've used.

Boots Botanics cooling lavender gel - Yet another weird one, however there is a reason. As I mentioned at the start of this post, I've been doing exams. As an anxiety sufferer, these times can be especially stressful, and as I am not medicated (optionally), I am quite interested in natural remedies. This is a gentle, lavender scented gel that you apply to your pulse points before going to sleep at night, and I really believe that using this, as well as meditation through the Headspace app (another one of my favourites that I have not included in this post, but would recommend to anyone, even those who do not get stressed easily), and grudgingly drinking a cup of chamomile tea (ewww)  before bed totally helped me sleep well and calmed my nerves the night before an exam.

Stabilo Fineliner pens - My last weird one, I promise. Well, those with common sense will know that with exams comes studying. Essay plans, mind maps, lists, you name it, I probably did it. In an attempt to make myself feel more motivated and enthusiastic about revision, I bought lots of new paper and stationery. These little pens brightened up my revision, and I just thought the colours were really pretty. I've also just realised that I have a really sad life, so that's good too. 

Soap & Glory Mist You Madly body spray - I got a few bottles of this stuff for Christmas, and it smells amazing. I was so sad when I thought I'd finished all of it. However, a few weeks ago, I found another unopened bottle of it, and I was so excited. It's definitely my favourite Soap & Glory product. 

Nivea Daily Essentials oil free moisturising day cream - I bought this moisturiser only because the shop didn't have the one I usually buy (Simple Oil Balancing moisturiser). I'm so glad I did get it though. I prefer it as it is more hydrating, and doesn't leave my skin feeling gross and sticky afterwards. It is also really cool and refreshing, and I like the packaging too. The only issue I do have is that they don't sell it in bigger bottles!

Photo album - I've decided that I want to start printing out photos and filing them into photo albums. Quite often you lose photos if you break your phone, or you have to wipe your computer, and I really like the idea of being able to pull out a photo album in years to come, and show my kids photos of me and my family and friends as youngsters, just like my parents do with me. So, I went on to eBay and bought myself this cute little photo album for a few quid. The design is really cute, and it has space for 200 photos. I'm excited to start filling this up with photos. 

The Waiting Home (Tanner Patrick) - Lastly, my favourite album of the month. I found Tanner Patrick's covers a few months ago and totally fell in love. Then when I found out that his album was on Spotify, I was so excited. He's got such a beautiful voice, and his album is full of amazing songs. My personal favourites are Satellites and Heartbreak Therapy.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post, and I'm hoping to get back into posting on a weekly basis. Please remember to follow my social media (Twitter: @dxni_lee // Instagram: @dxni.lee), and also to follow my blog on Bloglovin'. Thank you, and have a fabulous week!

Mental Health Awareness Month

Hi everybody! Planning, preparing, writing and publishing blog posts is proving difficult this month as I have exams in the coming weeks, so currently revision and preparing for them are my main priority. However, May is an important month for another reason. May is Mental Health Awareness month. Every year, this goes unnoticed by many, but in my opinion, it should get just as much recognition as awareness months for cancer and other illnesses.

Why is it okay for somebody with a mental disorder to not receive the same standard of care and support as somebody who is diabetic? Fair enough, they require different types of care and treatment, but there is no reason why it should be less accessible for one disease than it is another. It is vitally important that there is a push for the government to increase the budget for treatment of mental illnesses.

Many people automatically assume that a person is "crazy", "psycho" or just simply "overreacting". These are all terms used too loosely when it comes to mental illness. What a lot of people do not realise is that a person's condition does not define who they are, it's just a small part of them. Therefore, there is no reason why anybody else should judge them because of their conditions. A lot of people run in the opposite direction when mental illness rears its ugly head, and that's the sad part. It doesn't have to be that way.

In the UK, it is estimated that 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year, yet why is mental illness still such a taboo topic?

I can tell you why. People are uneducated. In this day and age, people should be learning about mental illness just like they would learn about other diseases. Teachers in schools should be thoroughly taught about the subject of mental health. Managers in workplaces should be provided with information of the importance of mental wellbeing. Pupils and parents in every school should be exposed to lessons covering the crucial facts of conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Until this happens, there will be a constant stigma attached to mental illness and those affected by it. 

So, this month, I'm making it my mission to increase the awareness of mental illness, and I'm asking all of you reading to make it yours too! A world where people can relate, empathise and understand is a happier one. Raising awareness and banishing the stigma surrounding mental health conditions can only be achieved by learning and teaching the facts. Take time to educate yourself. Knowledge is power!

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The Movies Tag!

Well, hello thereee! Today has probably been the least productive day of my life. Like ever. So to temporarily stall my boredom, and also do something that qualifies as a partially worthwhile way to spend my time, I decided to do The Movies Tag. While I was on a YouTube video marathon I watched Samantha Maria's version of this tag, and it seemed like a fun idea. I do have a more planned out and better quality blog post coming in the next few days, so please stay tuned. But for now, here's my answers to The Movies Tag!

1- Favorite movie of all time? Saving Mr Banks

2- Favorite scene from that movie? Umm, probably any of the scenes with Ralph in them!
3- Favorite actors /actresses? Hugh Grant is my all time favourite, he's amazing!
4- Most annoying actor/actress? Drew Barrymore.. idk why, I just haven't liked her in any of the films she has starred in.
5- Best director? Tim Burton, all the way. His work is incredible. 
6- Favorite guilty pleasure film? The Back-up Plan 
7- Favorite tear jerker? Bridge to Terabithia
8- Character from a movie that scared you the most? Without a doubt, Peter Pettigrew from the Harry Potter films. So creepy.
9- Movie you love everyone hates? I don't think there actually is one tbh. 
10- Movie you hate everyone loves? It's got to be If I Stay. I heard loads of people raving about how amazing it was, so I decided to watch it. It wasn't that I hated it, it was just a complete let down. It was boring and although obviously sad in some parts, it was kind of a bit one-dimensional.
11- Favorite movie duo? Maybe Danny and Eddie in Just Go With It (aka Adam Sandler and Nick Swardson), they are so funny together. 
12- Favorite animated movie? The Little Mermaid
13- Actor/actress crush? Ansel Elgort 
14- Favorite movie villain? I just came to this realisation the other day, but I'd definitely say it was the Fairy Godmother from Shrek hahaha
15- What movie surprised you the most? I've got two here. The first is Ride Along. I went to see this film with low expectations as it was kind of a comedy/action film, and that's not really my thing. However, I was impressed, and I actually really enjoyed it. Kevin Hart is a comedy genius. The second one is The Shining. I can't stand horror films, so when my English teacher revealed to us that the film we would be studying was The Shining, I died a little bit inside. We watched it all the way through before we started to pull it apart and analyse it, and I was so surprised. It was quite good, and when we got further into the underlying themes, and the method behind Stanley Kubrick's madness, I was intrigued. However, I can pretty much guarantee that I'll never want to watch it again by the time my exam comes around.
16- If you could only keep one movie what would it be? Probably Dirty Dancing because I'd be killing two birds with one stone. It's one of my favourite films, and also my favourite soundtrack. I could never get bored of it. 
17- Movie recommendation and for whom? I'm gonna recommend Saving Mr Banks or About A Boy to anyone who reads this!
18- If you could go back in time and marry actor/actress from back when (now old) who would it be? Patrick Swayze. Bless his soul. 
19- One remake you wish had never been made? Fame. I went to the cinema to see it when it came out and was so disappointed.
20- About to die but could only watch one more movie what would it be? Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone because it's just so happy and lovely (most of it). 
21- Favorite movie genre/favorite movie from that genre? I would probably have to say romantic comedies, you can't go far wrong with them. My favourite typical romcom might actually be Made of Honour
22- What's the first movie you remember watching in theaters? Finding Nemo

I'd like to hear what your favourite films are! Thank you for taking the time to read this post, and I promise a proper one will be up in the next few days. Have a safe weekend! 

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