Feeling Uninspired...Help!

Hey guys! I need your help... I have been feeling a bit uninspired recently. A mixture of that and lack of time has meant little/rubbish blog content. So, I just wanted to ask a little question.

What would you like to see more of on poppyrkay?

I have a favourites post coming soon and a few interior posts planned but thats about it. Would you like some more Q&A's? How to posts? Or more of my beauty and fashion related posts? Oh and I got my new camera (this one) today so I am excited to create new content with higher quality images!

So yeah, that's it really. Please feel free to leave any ideas below, I would really appreciate it!

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 Depop:@poppyykayy

Lets Talk About Blogging.

So, lets talk about blogging. When I started my blog last year it was just something to pass the time. I had just walked out of a dreadful job, I had a lot of time on my hands and I needed something to get up for in the morning. So, whilst I was looking for a job I started to build this little place... just to chat on about crap really. I haven't looked back since. I feel like if I stopped blogging now I wouldn't know what to do with my spare time. Although I am not blogging as much as I would like to at the minute I still try to squeeze it in at any chance I get.

I've learned a few things since blogging. The first being that it gives you a lot more confidence. It took a lot of courage for me to create this blog. I was (and still am) a shy person. I find it hard to talk to new people and to open up to even my old friends. Anyway, since starting this blog I feel like I have gained a little more confidence. You've just got to pluck up the first lot of courage to start a blog, once you have done that everything else falls into place. My next step is starting my YouTube channel properly. I'd love to daily/weekly vlog or something like that, but my confidence isn't quite there yet.

Another thing I've learned is that you get better at it with time. Like when I first started I didn't know how to edit any of my photos or use certain settings on my camera. I didn't know how to use the natural light to my advantage or how to arrange a flatlay. Although I am not perfect at it now I have come a long way from where I started and am enjoying learning along the way.

I think my favourite part about blogging is the learning part. I pick up something new everyday and love trying it out for myself. I also love the photography side of blogging. My aim for the next few months is to get a new camera. It isn't an necessity but I feel like I have mastered my SLR camera and want to move onto a DSLR. Like I said its all about getting better with time and I feel like this is the next step for my to grow my blog.

I hope you enjoyed this little rambley post. Let me know what is your favourite thing about blogging?

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 Depop:@poppyykayy

My Blog Turned 1! (GIVEAWAY CLOSED)

Picture: Etsy

So I don't usually post on Tuesdays, but today is a special occasion. My blog turned 1!! I cannot believe it was a year ago since I started my little blog, my first post being 3 Hair Favourites , which got a grand total of 0 comments and 29 views! Honestly though I was amazed that it got even 5 views never mind 29... oh, and very surprised that it didn't get any hateful comments. Obviously I didn't know much about blogging then but I was terrified that I was just going to get picked apart. Instead I have made some lovely blogger friends, like Mary & Abby!

Everything will be new and unopened, don't worry!

To say thank you I wanted to do a little give away. Its not much because lets face it, I ain't know millionaire (a girl can dream) but I still wanted to do something nice. So, I have put together a selection of products that I have mentioned on my blog over the past year. It includes: 

Wild Orchid candle

Trinket dish with your first inital

The Lush Creamy Candy bubble bar 

Barry M Matte Nail Polish in vanilla 

Baby Lips in Pink Punch

(Linked to their blog posts)

To enter you have to follow me on Bloglovin' & Instagram and be subscribed to my YouTube channel. Once you have done all of that comment on this post, just letting me know that you have entered (I will check if you have done all of the above, mwhaha!). I will then pick a winner at random and contact you via Instagram! So good luck!

UPDATE: I'VE DECIDED TO EXTEND THE GIVEAWAY TILL WEDNESDAY 16TH!!
((UK ENTRIES ONLY))

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Save Money When You Shop.

I am a massive fan of looking around and finding things for cheaper. If I believe it is a trend that I will only wear once or twice I will not splash out the moola! Same goes for home-ware...what is the point? I do fall into the 'trend trap' now and again but who doesn't eh...but here are a few tips I use to avoid that as much as possible!

Basic ranges - every shop has them. A section where the clothes and shoes are simple, but staples. H&M do a really good basic range but I have been loving Primark's recently. Recent purchases included some really comfy (aka baggy) tops for £6 and these amazing snake skin print slip-ons which cost me a fiver! I have been loving the whole snake skin print boot trend I have seen all over Instagram but when I tried them on I just felt like a pimp or something. So, snake skin flats will do the trick!

Sales - They are booming in January. Every shop is wanting to get rid of Christmas/Winter stock which means massive reductions. In the sales I do pick up a few clothing items but I mainly head towards the jewellery stands (especially the ones in Topshop). Items are usually reduced to a couple of quid so I stock up until the summer sales come around.

Amazon - It is a really good site for finding dupes. I have been eyeing up this Asos Circle Clip for a little while and although it isn't a lot of money, I knew I could find it cheaper on Amazon and I did here for £1.78! Same for my silver Casio. I got the gold one for my 17th birthday (£30 in store) a few months after that I bought the silver one for around £12 online.

As for homeware, Ikea is amazing for cheap plants...but everyone knows that anyway! Another good place to look for home-ware pieces is at the supermarket. I got this 'P' candle plate for around £2 at Asda. I use it to place a few jewellery items on and you've got a chic, trendy piece to place on your desk.

Do you have any money saving tips? If you do let me know! Oh, and don't forget to leave your blog links in the comments so I can check them out!

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I Updated My Blog!

(I have even changed the header already...I am so indecisive)

I have finally updated my blog layout! I've been wanting to do it since early christmas but I didn't want to pay too much for a layout and I definitely didn't know how to do it myself. So I went on Etsy, found an amazing seller and here we are!

I am still learning how to link things up and stuff so not everything is perfect just yet...but I am so happy with it so far! I want to update my banner soon too.

Let me know what you think! Do you prefer the new layout?

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3...Relaxing Things.

After the holiday madness I think we could all do with a bit of relaxation, I know I could. So today I am sharing 3 things that relax me.

A Lush bath has to be at the top of the list. Its the easiest thing to do, just add a bath bomb or crumble a bubble bar under the running tap, moisturise and chill. 
Another thing that relaxes me is reading. I cant really get into novels or any kind of deep book so I like to flick through a 'coffee table' kinda book. I got The Ultimate Natural Beauty Bible for Christmas and I love it. It is a super easy read for a few minutes or so. Finally, listening to music with headphones in. Any kind of music relaxes me I either put the radio on or, as of recent, Justin Biebers new album...I'm a bloody belieber now!

What do you do to relax?

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New Years Eve Make Up Picks.

We are almost into 2016, I cant believe it! This year didn't go too fast but the christmas period zoomed by and with that gone it is time to look forward to new year! I don't actually have any NYE plans but if I did this would be the make up that I would reach for... planning my make up for a night out that isn't going to happen, logic.

I decided to go with the Smashbox #Shapematters palette to fill in my eyebrows, highlight and contour..well, I try my best to make my potato head look more shapely. For the eyes I went with Max Factor White Satin all over the lid as the base, topping it up with Max Factor Creme Champagne. Then adding, Smashbox Stripped (beige) to the crease and a tiny bit of Sumatra (dark brown) to the outer corners. To put that into simpler terms, a brown smoky eye phaha! I tried this look the other day and it was super easy, and that's coming from some one who is rubbish at make up. I cant finish an eye with out a feline flick, using my fave L'Oreal Super Liner. I was going to finish off the look with a dark lip but sometimes that can be too much maintenance for a night out, so I went with Avon Toasted Rose - a purple/mauve colour. A natural but chic make up look to celebrate the new year.

Do you have any new years eve plans?

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3...December(ish) Favourites.

I know this is a tad early for a December favourites but I had a few items that I wanted to share with you. The first being sleeveless jumpers, yes you're probably thinking 'what is the point in a sleeveless jumper?' paired with a long sleeved top underneath it makes the perfect combo. I love the look of them and they are super easy to throw on with leggings or jeans. The top two are from Primark but my favourite one, which is in the wash, is from H&M. The other fashion item I have been loving is my grey blanket scarf. Again it is from Primark and it was only £7! I am loving Primark at the minute... I always prefer their A/W things to their S/S collections. 

My last fave is this eye shadow duo. I bought the Mac Bronze from a beauty shop, which sells discounted Mac products. I loved the colour but when I applied it to the eye it just didn't settle and it felt sticky. I went back on the hunt for a copper eye shadow and came across Mac coppering when I was at the Trafford. I fell in love with the bright red/orange copper. When I applied them together it was the exact look I was going for and I have been wearing it ever since.

Those are my *very early* December favourites, what are yours?

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Christmas Decorations 2015.

I don't know about you, but my Christmas decs went up on the 30th of November ready for the beginning of December... I would have put them up way sooner if I would had the time. 
Anyway, I thought it was about time I showed you them.

I had collected an array of red, white and kitsch looking individual decorations over the past couple of years. A lot of them where from last year, when I raided the christmas aisles on christmas eve to get some of the discounted decs. I collect a few individual decorations every year so when I get my own house/flat and get a massive REAL Christmas tree (my dad refuses to get a real one) I will have more than enough to decorate it with.

Besides the discounted ones, I have picked up a few from the church Christmas fairs my village holds and collected some which had been passed down.

A lot of people don't really decorate their room for Christmas but I love too. I spend a good amount of time in my bedroom so why not decorate it according to the seasons!

How do you like to decorate at christmas?

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My Favourite Bloggers.

I am running low on blog post ideas (yes, again!) so I thought I would have a little chat about my fave bloggers, and a few youtubers.

The Michalaks - My all time fave youtubers at the minute! I love settling down every Sunday with a cuppa in one hand and my IPad in my other, watching their weekly vlogs full of adventures in London. Everything they film is amazing quality and so lovely to watch.

Kate La Vie (previously Ghost parties) - Kate's blog inspired me to make my own, probably like many others. From the writing to the pictures, everything is set out beautifully.

Sammi (The beauty crush) - I've been watching Sammi for ages, I love her evolving style and the content on her blog has been amazing recently!

The ugly face of beauty - I have been watching Gracie's videos for a while but I am really loving the inspirational and the foodie blog posts she is creating at the moment. Oh, and I love keeping up with her vlogs.

Its another girls life - I found Mary through Gracie's channel. She's so funny and I absolutely love her style. Deffo watch her car vlogs, they are so funny!

Who is your favourite blogger/youtuber? 

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