16 things I've learned in 2016..

Hey, guys.
Apologies for the disappearance- it's been a crazy year and I've neglected this space... however I am back! And ready to ramble. :)
I thought seeing as it's December, I'd post some things I've picked up over this past year, some more serious than others, & fill you all in.
I have now finished my apprenticeship in Optics and have been taken on full time where I was training, still loving it, still feeling lucky to be there!
Here are 16 things I've learned in 2016:

1. Losing myself in a good book is, and always will be, one of my favourite things to do. I got a kindle for Christmas & I'd forgotten how much I adore reading. I'm currently re-reading David Eddings' "Pawn of Prophecy" - his books are my favourite fantasy world to get lost in. I first read them when I was in junior school/early senior school so 10-11 and I still love them just as much now, 16 years later. 
2. Gaining weight isn't a bad thing. I've discovered the world of being warm, filling out bras and feeling generally healthy this year. Hooray!
3. I don't deserve to be treated badly. It's difficult to remember sometimes and I'm still amazing at beating myself up, but I don't deserve bad shit. 
4. I'm actually quite creative.
5. Nail art is my jam. I love it and I'm pretty good at it too!
6. No matter the circumstance, no means no and you don't have to feel guilty for saying it.
7. Lush will always be my favourite store. I could easily spend my monthly paycheck in there. ❤
8. It's okay to cry, it's okay to admit that you're sad or struggling. Most people will support & love you regardless and those who don't, don't deserve your time anyway.
9. I'm actually looking forward to being a mother (eventually).
10. Never take normal, healthy toes for granted. I had 4 months of crazy pain with an ingrown toenail before having surgery to sort it out & I still hurt now.. I can't wait to wear open toed shoes without wanting to hide from the world again!
11. I need (want) more tattoos. 
12. I love my cats. (this isn't something I learned this year but they're my babies and they deserve a mention!)
13. Family will always be there and always come first. Again, I didn't specifically learn that this year but each year I'm reminded of how great my family is. :)
14. I never, ever, want to do shift work again. I love this 9-5 work pattern and so does my health.
15. There will always be that one particular person in your life who is a complete dick and you can't always escape from that- however you can ignore them and get satisfaction from not rising to their shit.
16. I reconnected with my puzzle piece earlier this year and I'm the luckiest person in the world to get a fresh start. ❤

All in all it's been a typical year- lots of highs and lows, happy and sad moments.
Roll on 2017!

Hope everyone's had a great year and are all happy and well.

Love,
Becky x

Goals for 2016 :)

Hey guys!
I've read/watched a lot of bloggers goals/things they're looking forward to for this year and thought it'd be great to do my own to have a look at when I'm feeling low or unmotivated! So here it is :)

Goals/things I am looking forward to for 2016:

1. Finishing my apprenticeship in Optics!
2. Being financially able to start saving for my partner and I to get our own place ❤
3. I'm definitely going to try and find a mental health charity and volunteer to help raise awareness! 
4. Start running again. It helps to de-stress me so much, just need to get my confidence back!
5. Getting my next tattoo.. I need to decide whether I want it on my thigh or ribs though.
6. Continuing with my blog & making it an interesting place to be!  ❤
7. I would really like to learn about  and practice yoga :)
8. Drink more water! Sounds simple but it's something I'm really bad at.
9. Progress with my nail art, hopefully do others nails too!
10. Go on holiday with Ryan :) I think it'd be good for us both to have a break away!

Now I just need to get these goals going!

Becky x 

Water colour nail tutorial

Hey guys!
I did this mani the other day and I love it, plus it's really easy! So I thought I'd do a tutorial :)
You need:

• Base coat - I used nailgirls 3in1.
• Base colour- L'Oreal color riche in 885.
• 3 other nail polishes for the effect - Lola in 005 (Stone grey) and OPI colorpaints in Purple Perspective and Indigo Motif.
• Top Coat - Seche Vite top coat.
• Acetone.
• A paint brush & some kind of pot to mix the paints - I used a little glass pot that was laying around. You could use some aluminum foil if you have nothing like that though. 

What you need to do:

•  Paint your clean nails with your base coat.
• Once your base coat has dried, apply one to two coats of your base colour. 
• Apply top coat onto this and wait for 10 minutes so your nails set properly - if you don't the acetone may rub off the base colour and ruin the mani you are trying to achieve.
• Get your pot/foil  and put a drop of one of the polishes into the surface. With your paint brush, mix in a few drops of acetone until you are happy with the consistency.
• Start to apply the paint on to a small area of your nail in dabbing motions. If you feel the polish isn't sheer enough to give a water colour effect, get some more acetone on your brush and dab directly onto the polish you just applied. Repeat this on each nail.  
• Repeat the previous step on each of your nails using the other two polishes until you have covered each nail. 
• Remember - if you haven't got the desired effect dab on more acetone!  This is a great mani for beginners to try as you can correct any mistakes with the acetone and even the look out. :) 
• When  you are happy with the look, add your top coat. I chose seche vite as it makes my nails look super glossy but a matte top coat would look great too!

I hope you guys enjoyed the tutorial and have fun getting creative!
Becky x

An introduction.

Hi. 
I'm a little nervous about writing this so forgive me if it rambles & makes no sense. I figured I should introduce myself if I'm going to make posting on this a regular thing.
My name's Becky, I am 25 and I take being socially retarded to a whole new level. 
I've been through a lot of crap, especially in the last 10 years or so, and have decided to try and put those times into some use by writing about what I have learned from them onto this blog and hopefully helping at least one person with it.
Having said that, I am also majorly into nail art, makeup & cats so no doubt there'll be some posts including that, too.
Hopefully this won't be a complete train wreck! Fingers crossed.
Becky x