VLOGMAS plans!

 

We are now only a week away from December and every YouTubers favourite time of year! Vlogmas! 

For those of you unfamiliar with Vlogmas, basically we vlog (video blog) every day from 1st December to Christmas Day! It's a truly fantastic way of documenting this amazing time of year but also sharing it with others! 

So... Here are my plans for my Vlogmas videos so far....

1. Each video will start with a specially designed Vlogmas intro - complete with seasonal music! This will make it feel more like a series and my viewers will come to expect this daily! 

2. Each video will then have me crossing of the date on my 'countdown to Christmas' board or me opening a door on my advent calendar! 

3. Video content will vary a lot, from simple daily life update vlogs to beauty tutorials, hauls, gift wrapping, festive baking, TAG videos, festive challenges, collaborations, parties I attend and more! 

4. To add an extra bit of meaning and significance to my Vlogmas I have challenged myself to do ONE selfless, good deed every single day and write each on a post it note and stick it on my specially made good deed board on my wall! Each deed will spread some goodwill and be fulfilling for me, hopefully helping my to experience the true meaning of Christmas by bringing joy and happiness to others and thinking less about myself and my needs! They may not be huge groundbreaking things but even if I just make someone smile or help someone in some way each day I'll be happy! It's sometimes the little things that mean the most!

5. I WILL vlog every day! I can't promise they will all be long or brilliantly edited masterpieces as I have to work long hours over the Christmas period but I WILL complete this challenge and upload a video every single day! 

Any suggestions of things you'd like to see me film and vlog would be hugely appreciated! 

Here's to a happy and fulfilling Vlogmas! 

Love Helen 

Boxcit: The new MUST have box!

The 'boxed' goods trade is roaring at the moment, with things like Graze, Glossybox and Birchbox all hugely popular! 

I'm pleased to announce that there is a newcomer that is so fabulous and unique it's going to blow your mind! I'm very proud to be bringing this product to you first and I believe it's going to go global! Remember, you heard it here first! 

So, What is it?

Boxcit is a city in a box! Or in other words a box filled with iconic things from a specific city! Yup! Genius! 

This product is in it's very first edition, featuring the creators home city of Liverpool! Then it's going to take you on a tour of Britain and maybe (hopefully) even further afield! 

How does it work? 

It's very simple! You go to www.boxcit.com and select FIVE of the items you'd like to recieve from the list! Boxcit then package it all up for you and deliver it with FREE delivery! You can buy this for yourself or send it to a friend or family member as a gift! So cool! 

The beauty of this is that YOU choose your items! It's not like the beauty box subscriptions where they just send you surprises and then you get the bitter disappointment when there's nothing good in there!(glossybox flashbacks!) You've picked it yourself and believe me you'll be spoilt for choice from the wide variety of options! There really is something for everyone! Also this is NOT a subscription service, you buy the ones you want, you can buy a one off or you can order every month so you are not tied into anything! It's simply pick & pay! 

I got a boxcit to review so let's go!

The lovely guys at boxcit sent me out a sample box for review - I was honestly blown away by it and it's contents! It's much, much bigger in size than a Glossybox or Birchbox and it's white with Boxcit branding on it and a purple bow.

Upon opening I found this abundance of goodies! 

So, what was in the box? 

1. A technic Eyebrow palette! Perfect for creating the famous 'Scouse Brow'

2. A 'learn Yourself Scouse' phrase book perfect for any visitor to Liverpool who will undoubtedly struggle with the local accent and slang! It's an hilarious read! 

3. A 'superlambannana' keyring! Yep! You read it right that was not some weird typo that's an actual thing in Liverpool! The superlambanannas are famous sculptures of lamb-banana hybrids! Theyre scattered around the city, each brightly painted and fabulously weird! They're unique...I'll say no more! 

4. Liverpool football club official sweets. Fizzy cola bottles! Yumm! (Don't worry there IS an Everton mint alternative for those of you who are blues!) 

5. A brown box containing tickets for TWO for a guided sightseeing tour of Liverpools famous & historic landmarks! Believe me that's worth the cost of the £19.99 box alone!

6. A pouch of Scouse. Scouse, for those of you who aren't from Liverpool is a stew made of beef, potatoes, carrots and onions! It's delicious and it's Liverpools very own dish! 

7. A purple wheelie bin storage caddy. 'Yes I've wheelie bin to Liverpool' is the genius slogan printed on the front! 

The purple wheelie bin is something that every single home in Liverpool has! The purple colour was chosen because Blue and Red mixed together makes purple and Liverpool play in Red and Everton play in Blue! Cleverly neutral to both sets of football fans! Liverpool council are clearly legends! 

8. Bitter: food, drink, travel & lifestyle magazine. A brilliant magazine filled with local knowledge! 

Summary.

Boxcit is excellent! It would be a perfect gift for anyone who wants to give something to that person who has everything! Also for those who live away from home and want a slice of what they miss most! Ex patriots and servicemen and women who are away with the military, students at university and even people who are still in their city but want some local treats! 

I'd send this as a gift to friends I have overseas to enable me to show them some of the things we have where I live! The list goes on! 

I just can't wait to see what's in the next city's box (Manchester) and then the ones that follow that! 

Five stars from me! *****

My dreams revealed!

I'm never very vocal about what I want out of life, what my aims, ambitions, goals and dreams are but I do have them! 

I guess I'm not alone in being quite shy about my dreams, almost embarrassed by them! Of couse some of them are completely unrealistic, they are dreams after all! 

I've decided to share my aims, goals, dreams and ambitions in this blog post so that you can hear all about them! 

Maybe you'll laugh, maybe you'll agree they're things you'd like too and maybe, just maybe it will inspire you to write a list of your own dreams too! 

Work / job

My dream career is definitely in media / journalism. I'd love to become successful enough on Youtube that it could be my full time job. A full time vlogger where I am my own boss! Alternatively an independant blogger with my own successful blog like this one! 

If that doesn't work out for me I'd love to be columnist in a women's magazine. A newspaper reporter or a tv presenter. I've actually always fancied being a QVC presenter! I think I'd actually be really good at that! 

Kids

I have always wanted children and I always thought I'd have them when I was quite young! so far I haven't had any (I'm 31 and married) I think at the moment my priorities are elsewhere and having a baby isn't top of my to do list right now, so it's safe to say it's still on my to do list but it's not at the forefront just yet! I feel like I'm just finding my stride in life and I'm not ready to take a pause! I always though I'd like 2 children but honestly I'd feel really blessed and lucky to get just one! 

Financial

If I was very successful and could have a palacial mansion with 4 car garage and tennis courts I wouldn't say no but honestly if my standard of living never improves from the one I have now I won't complain because I already have a lot more that I ever thought I would and a lot of people in poorer countries could ever dream of having! 

Love

Given that I'm already married I just hope that I will always feel loved and wanted. Cared for an happy. I hope I will always make my husband feel the same! The fairytale wedding and the whirlwind romance are long gone now, so I'm just grateful I had them and I cherish the memories! 

Changing the world

I'd love to think that I can make a difference to people, even if it's only a small difference like getting people to be more confident or to motivate people to achieve their dreams! I'd love to this through my youtube and blogging! 

If I won the lottery

My dream if I ever won the lottery is this:

I'd buy a farm, build a huge lovely country home and set up an animal shelter and take in any unwanted animals that were in need of a home. I'd then care for, rehabilitate and rehome them where possible, but if for whatever reason they couldn't be rehomed they'd have a home for life at the shelter! No animal would ever get put down for simply being homeless! I'd cover their vets bills etc... And employ a team to look after them hence creating jobs! (plus get stuck in myself so I'd never get bored) 

I'd take any animals, cats, dogs, rabbits and Guinnea pigs, horses & ponys, birds, farm animals & even more unusual animals like bats, hedgehogs and birds of prey! It would be like a petting zoo! That would make me SO happy and keep me down to earth and busy! I know Stephen would love this too as we've talked about it many times! It's 100% happening if our numbers ever come up! Forget retiring to a paradise island...I'd use my money to make a difference and continue living in good old England! 

Published

I want to write seriously and get a piece of my work published! Just an article or a column! I'd be so proud! 

One day I'd like to write and publish my own book! 

Travel

Two places I HAVE to go to are Paris and Rome

Fame 

I would like to be famous! Maybe not one direction famous where you can't leave your house for fear of being mobbed, but I'd like to be well known, respected and admired! 

Silly dreams

1. Owning a pair of Manolo Blahniks

2. Going on a private yacht to Monaco

3. A date with Liam from one direction

4. Hitting 1 million youtube subscribers

5. Winning an award for writing a book

6. Collaborating with Danisnotonfire

7. Walking a Hollywood red carpet

8. Going to a movie premiere

9. Appearing on tv as a special guest

10....... Saving space for future dreams....

The 10 best things about being British

As a native Brit it's easy to overlook the fantastic things that make our country truly special and intruiging to foreigners! What makes people want to visit our humble homeland? And what don't we appreciate that's actually really cool? 

Here are my Top 10 favourite things about Britain / British people! 

1. History. 

Not to sound like a history geek but our country is rich in history, particularly architecture that you can still see and touch to this day! From Roman forts dating back almost 2000 years like Chester with it's Roman walls and amphitheatre, to spectacular medieval castles dating back almost 1000 years, Stonehenge and it's mystery, not to mention prehistoric and Jurassic sites! our country is second to none when it comes to sightseeing!

2. The Monarchy (The Royal Family)

As a country ruled by a queen we are one of few monarchy's left in the world. Having a royal family gives us a real identity on the world stage, everybody knows who our queen is! 

The monarchy capture the imagination of the world, real life princes and princesses like something straight out of a fairytale and when there's a royal wedding or the birth of a new prince or princess, the pomp and ceremony is very theatrical and enchanting! 

3. Tea. 

Drinking tea is a british institution, there's always time for a cup of tea and there's not a problem in this world a cup of tea can't solve! 

4. Keep calm and carry on.

The british moto. More than an attitude, this is a way of life. Hysteria is not for us! We'd rather pull out our stuff upper lip and carry on regardless! After all, it's not like panicking is going to change anything! 

5. Accent.

The british accent is viewed as 'proper' and 'posh' even though as Brits we know there are hundreds of different dialects and accents within our accent itself! Foreigners can't get enough of a good old British accent though! 

6. Were actually 4 country's! 

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are the 4 country's that make up Britain, yet nobody can get their head around that! How can you be a country that is 4 country's? We just can. Ok? 

7. The Great British £ 

We kept our own currency despite being a part of the European Union! Whilst they all united in one European currency (The Euro) we stuck with our traditional Pounds Sterling complete with Queens Head! The tourists love it! 

8. The countryside

We boast some of the most beautiful countryside locations such as the Lake District and Loch Ness! Summer in the beautiful green british countryside is stunning. Simply stunning. 

9. Fish & Chips

The most fantastic food ever! Especially at the seaside! 

10. Our Weather.

Yes, ok... We like to complain about it a lot, but the fact that we have four distinct seasons, spring where the daffodils bloom, summer where it's warm but not too hot, autumn when the leaves fall and winter where it gets bitterly cold, icy and snowy is actually a really good thing!

Some country's never see much change and just imagine a warm hot Christmas? It just wouldn't be right! Snow is the only way!

I hope you enjoyed hearing my top 10 things about Britain and being British! What are your opinions? Do you like these things? Is there anything I missed? 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

Hot and Not List October

Another month has passed so it's time for me to share with you another months worth of favourites and flops! 

Hot list

1. Winter clothes shopping! 

I finally got around to getting my winter wardrobe together, and it was well worth the wait! You can view my haul in full on my youtube channel! 

2. MAC lipsticks

Ok, £15.50 is a lot of money for a lipstick but mac lipsticks are the best and are worthy of their high price tag! My newest addition to my collection is a matte one in  the shade nouvelle vogue (a mid pink shade) and it is fabulous! The Matt formula makes it super long wearing too! 

3. Sober October. As somebody who choses not to drink alcohol, it's always nice when other people give it up for a month and keep me company in the land of sober! Plus I'm sure it does people good to give their livers a rest! 

4. Christmas things appearing in shops! Yayyy the excitement when you see them! I've made SIX Christmas decor purchased already! Plus some Christmas lush products too! Also all of the coca cola bottles are now Christmas and Santa themed! Hurrahhhh! 

5. Clocks going back. 

I know a lot of people hate this because it means it goes dark at 4pm but honestly what's more cosy than coming home from work, lighting your candles in the darkened room and snuggling up in your onesie! Plus it gave us an extra hour in bed too! 

6. Yankee Candles. 

My current favourites are actually from the simply home range and they are Merry Berry & Holiday Magic. Perfect winter scents to uplift your spirit and make you feel all warm and cosy! 

7. Lip balm.

This weather has been beating my lips (plus I think my new mac matte lipstick is pretty drying too) so I've been using my EOS in Strawberry Sorbet loads and also a cherry Chapstick at work which tastes too good! 

8. Subscribers & meeting you guys!

I was lucky enough to meet one of my subscribers in real life this month and it was amazing! She spotted me and came over to introduce herself and chat! It was honestly so heartwarming and amazing! I feel very blessed to have such amazing subscribers as you guys and if you're reading thes Louise, hi! And thankyou! 

9. The Apprentice! 

One of my favourite TV shows that I watch religiously every year! From Alan Sugars hilarious puns to the idiotic candidates it always makes for an amusing series! 

10. My birthday! 

It was my birthday on the 19th and not only did I get tonnes of wonderful cards and gifts, money & chocolates but I also got a tonne of messages from youtube subscribers which meant the world to me! Stevo from Australia even made me a happy birthday video! Bonkers!! 

NOT LIST 

1. Viruses. 

In the space of two weeks I caught a stomach bug and then a cold! So. Not. Cool! 

2. Leaking pipes!

Yes I had the joys of a leaking pipe from my brand new boiler which resulted in another plumber visit and a need to redecorate the entrance hall! Grrrr! 

3. Hurricane gonzalo

Yep, that's right us lovely british folk took a beating from the back end of hurricane gonzalo and my gosh it was bad! Typically for me it was a day I was travelling by rail resulting in huge delays and getting soaked by hail and rain, not to mention my umbrella literally snapping in half and my paper primark bag disintegrating! The stress! First world problems or what? 

4. Halloween 

Sorry to anyone who loves it but for me it's just no biggie! I don't like scary stuff and I don't have kids so there's really not much in it for me! It seems to be getting pretty over rated these days!  Bah humbug! 

5. iPhone 6. 

I'm a tad behind the times but I seen one in real life for the first time this week and it's freaking huge!! Not cool! 

6. Saving up for Christmas.

I LOVE Christmas and I love buying gifts for people but what I don't love is saving up money for it! No hauls? Booooo.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT 

Www.youtube.com/beautyandhelen 

Thanks so much for reading! Please share and comment! 

Let me know your loves and loathes for October! 

Love Helen xx