My Summer in a Blog Post

This summer I have been working at a summer camp in America. 4000 miles from home, I was running a radio station and teaching the kids all about radio. Leaving England was so hard, saying goodbye to everyone, leaving a life I knew behind for one where I didn't know a single soul. I was petrified. Looking out of the window as we took off, and landed; staring at the trees speeding by as we travelled by bus to the camp, the whole experience didn't seem real.

It was only as we arrived at the camp the reality of the situation kicked in. The 'welcome' sign, the wooden cabins, the squirrels running up and down the trees, the cute inspiring quotes pinned up everywhere. This was going to be my life for the next 9 weeks.

As we got off the bus, staff with signs welcoming us introduced themselves, and we were given cabins to sleep in for the first week for staff training. Everyone was excited and chatty, whereas I was overwhelmed and nervous. The amount of calls I made home that week, hating camp, wanting to come home. My phone bill was ridiculous (sorry mum). However, we played staff games and icebreakers to get to know each other, and eventually I started to feel more relaxed. I made an amazing group of friends, and the more the weeks past by the closer everyone got. After the first week of camp the kids came! I was so excited! This is what I came here for, to have a positive impact of kids lives and for them to have a positive impact on me.

I was given a cabin of 12 girls ages 11-12. They were amazing. They instantly loved my British accent and tried imitating me, and making me say things just so they could here me talk. They then wanted me to attempt American accents, this wasn't as cool! Although I had a cabin of 12 girls, my main job was to teach different kids about radio. I met so many funny, amazing, some very naughty, kids. However all of them made my experience what it was.

As well as having an amazing time with the kids, I also had an amazing time with the friends I made. Partying in madison, tubing down a river, camping, going to the worst bar in the world, seeing GAVIN DEGRAW, going out for dinner, bowling, shopping, movies, laser tag, go karting and much more!

Although from the very beginning I have been counting down the days till I could go home, this was by far the best and most self educating experience of my life. I learnt so much about myself, became more patient and understanding of others, and learnt that I complain A LOT! So note to self, be happy, positive and make the best of every situation.

1 day till home..

A small sack of lip products.

I have been a very lucky girl and received some freebies! My step-dad is a printer and he prints the cardboard holders for makeup that you see in stores, and I was lucky enough to get some samples! I received lots of bits and bobs, but I thought I'd write this blog on the lipsticks and lip glosses. I was given 6 L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipsticks, and 5 Rimmel Apocalips Lip Glosses. 

 L'Oreal Lipsticks - Left to right: 

Fashionista Pink 1. Lovely Rose 3. Aphrodite Scarlett 6. Cheeky Magenta 7. Impulsive Fuchsia 202. Nude Ingenue 501. 

These lipsticks are quite glossy, so are nourishing and great for a night out. They aren't heavily pigmented which has its bonus' because you don't have to worry about drawing it all over your face when you've had a few to many to drink. The swatches reflect the colour that you get when you put it on your lips, as you can probably tell they look much brighter in the first photo. I think these lipsticks retail at around £7 and are definitely worth a buy.

Rimmel Lip Glosses -Left to right:

Stellar 501. Eclipse 304. Apocaliptic 303. Celestial 101. Nude Eclipse 600.

Straight away I was a huge fan of these Lip Glosses, they are pigmented and seriously last all day! They are a bit bitty (you can feel like grainy bits on your lips), but apart from that they're amazing. I don't have a particular favourite, but I have to say I'm quite gutted it's getting into spring because Eclipse is amazing, (maybe I can still wear it on a night out). I am most definitely going to purchase some more of these, as you can see from the swatches they're thick and pigmented and only £6.50! Spend, spend, spend. 

I will be posting some more on some of the freebees I have got soon! I've been off the radar for a bit due to the rising amount of uni assignments, but I'm finally back on track! Which one of the lipsticks and lip glosses is your favourite? 

Valentines Day Cupcakes!

Lucky for me I've had thursday, friday, and saturday off to do whatever I want. Mostly I've stayed in bed until 11am and spent the rest of the day glued to the television watching Gossip Girl, (which I've never watched before and am now completely hooked!) But today I thought I'd be a bit more productive and make CUPCAKES! Pink and sparkly in light of the Valentines season. They are a simple sponge cake, with pink butter icing. 

You will need:

125g Plain Flour, 125g Caster Sugar, 225g Unsalted Butter, 200g Icing Sugar, 1/2 tsp of Baking Powder, 2 eggs, 2 tbsp of milk, 200g of Icing Sugar, Pink Gel food colouring, Pink Sprinkles

 Step 1:
Pre Heat the oven to 190 degrees and measure put 125g of butter and 125g of caster sugar and mix in a bowl until light and fluffy.

 Step 2:
Then add the 2 eggs, flour and 2 tbsp's of milk, and whisk together. Once the mixture is smooth and even distribute into cake cases. I used some pale pink ones from ASDA, and also brought some baby cupcake holders.

Step 3: 
Pop in the middle shelf of the oven and leave for twenty minutes. Whilst in the oven put 200g of icing sugar and 100g of butter in a bowl and mix until the mixture is smooth, add a few drops the pink gel icing and fold the colour in. Place the icing in a piping back and leave until the cakes are cooked and cooled.

 Step 4: 
Once the cakes are cool it's time for the fun part, piping. Start from the outside of the cake and twirl inwards finishing in the middle. Add some pink sprinkles for a bit of sparkle, and your Valentines cupcakes are finished.

Taaaa-daaaaaa. So here are my finished products. I've eaten a few without the icing and they tasted pretty good, but I haven't yet tried one with icing, they look far to good to eat. What do you think?

How to survive valentines day

Valentines Day is the most romantic day of the year... NOT the case if you're single. It's depressing, and pretty shit and it is getting closer. So for all you singletons here is how to survive that dreaded day!

1. Eat your feelings

2. Have dinner with your cats

3. Pretend Harry Styles is your boyfriend 

4. Watch 'The Break-up' - there's no happy ending

5. Listen to 'Tori Kelly - Dear No-One' 

6. Sleep (other animals/cuddly toys suitable)

7. Buy a paper bag and put it over you're head. (make sure to cut out holes for eyes and mouth)

8. Buy a bottle of jager and shot it

HAHA. Just kidding. Everyone is doing serious Valentines Day posts so I thought I'd add a bit of humour. Obviously, it's only depressing if you let it depress you. So pity those who have to spend money on presents when you can spend it on new clothes! Woohooo. 

Have a Happy Valentines Day, and please don't take this post seriously! lots of love! x

Wish, Want, Need

1. Navy and Green check mini skirt: New Look - £12 

2. O.P.I Black Onyx nail varnish: Amazon - £8.99

3. Black Hexagon Quilted Top: Topshop - £36

4. Black and Gold Box Clutch Bag: Lavish Alice - £28

5. Pixie Lott Midi Rings: Rock n Rose - £7

6. Hunter Ladies Melrose Wellington Boots: Country Attire - £69 

7. Elephant Heart Charm Necklace: ElelphantHeart.com - $110 

So far this winter I have been trying to keep my wardrobe bright and colourful, but I have to admit, I'm missing wearing black. Clothing wise black is my favourite colour, it goes with anything and is suitable for every occasion. I saw this mini skirt and knew that I'm going to have to get it, it would look great with chunky boots, tights and the Topshop quilted jumper. I'm in love with the clutch bag and midi rings! Teamed with dark eye make-up and a black dress you'll have a super grunge look for a night out, plus the rings are Pixie Lott (bonus). Hunter Wellies (the best wellies known to man), now come with a wedge! Perfect for a short arse like me. I think the wellies are going to be my first purchase out of this list! The snow will be here soon and I'm dreading the walk to uni!

Wish: Elephant Heart Charm Necklace

Want: Navy and Green Check Mini Skirt

Need: Hunter Melrose Wellington Boots

On Wednesday's we wear pink.

So I may have gotten a little bored of essays and was feeling quite spontaneous and daring, so I dyed my hair pink.

I used the bleach london hair colour in the shade 'Rose'. The instructions read 'massage into hair and leave for fifteen minutes', but I'd recommend sectioning your hair into layers. I followed the instructions and just wacked it on my head and left it for ten mins as I didn't want it too pink, but after I washed it out it was slightly patchy so went back to the shop to get a second bottle. The second time round I did it in layers making sure all ends and roots were covered evenly. This colour is designed to be used on light blonde hair and the more bleach that has been put on your hair in the past the better it takes to it. I found that it took a lot better to the ends of my hair than it did to the roots because the bottom of my hair has been coloured more times than the top. This lasts 2-10 washes (big difference I know), but the downside is that once it begins to fade it goes a bit streaky. I have found if put your hair up it still looks quite pink and the streaky bits blend in a lot better. I will definitely be using this product again in the future but might try out a different colour and do dip dye instead. They come in all sorts of shades from blues, greens, oranges and reds at just £5 a bottle. I picked my up from boots, but you can order it from Bleach London's website too. Here's how my hair turned out.

 I tried to take a selfie and Lou wouldn't leave me alone, (vain cat) so he popped in the pic too. I should've dyed him pink, haha! That'll be my next blog! just kidding.

Hope you enjoyed this post! 

Alexabelle xoxo

Stress Free Week

This week I have done absolutely nothing! Finally chilling time. Really I should be doing some of the three assignments I have due in next week but I really can't be bothered, motivated! So I've been to a few lectures and then sat around the house all week. (I promise I'm not usually a bum). I've taken a few pictures around my house, to suppress my bordem. My kitty Harry is super cute, he loves posing for the camera.

 We filled this vintage bird cage with lights from the christmas tree which looks really cool, especially at night. Apologies for my messy garden, student accommodation is never the nicest, we're determined to make it really cosy in the summer though.

This is my friend claire who I've missed a million over Christmas. If it wasn't for Claire I don't think I'd ever attend my lecture. naughty. This was when my hair was a bit longer, I liked it this length, now its too short. Hopefully, wont take too long to grow. 

I was meant to be going London today to meet Pixie Lott, but my sister wasn't allowed to go because she keeps missing school to meet celebrities, SHE MET ONE DIRECTION! so jealous. Pixie's new song is amazing though, check it out.

Pixie Lott - Nasty

Anyways, that was my quick little update. 

Comment what you think! 

Alexabelle xoxo