Fresh Start ♡

This blog is like a very neglected child and I feel extremely badly about that.

Hopefully I'll be able to start posting proper posts because who doesn't want to be a beauty blogger? Life just got in the way.

Laura xx

Sick Days + Update ♡

Hello everyone! Long time no talk, huh? I do have a good reason for my super long leave of absence, which is I've had basically no Internet access for the last month.

SO EXCITED TO BE BACK THOUGH.

I actually really missed sitting down and putting my thoughts on a page, talking to the Internet though. It's therapeutic and with the year I have coming up I'm definitely going to need therapy sessions. Probably quite a few.

So updates! First things first, it's Level 1 NCEA this year for me, which is sophomore year? I think? In America, which means lots of tests, lots of homework, lots and lots and lots of stress (Woohoo). That means I won't be able to post as many blog posts as I would like, but I'm going to aim for three a month. Don't hold me to that though.

Second, I wanted to ask what kind of posts people wanted to see because I've kinda got no idea. Maybe a few hauls? I don't know, so let me know in the comments!

Lastly I have changed my url! I was previously at laurabeeeeee.blogspot.com but that had far too many e's and I never really intended for it to be permanent, so my url is now laurabayley.blogpot.com!

That's it for my updates, so onto the second part of this post!

Sick day essentials!

I want to write this because currently my *ahem* monthly visitor has amped up the pressure and I am sick as a dog because of it. These are the things I head for when I'm bed bound, whether it's the flu, a migraine or Ms Monthly.

1. A hot water bottle

There's that old fish wives tale about how a hot water bottle on the tummy soothes the pain. I call bull**** on that, but there's something oddly comforting about holding a hot water bottle to your tummy while watching a movie in the dark. Alternatively, wheat bags with lavender can be really good for blocked noses etc as well as smelling amazing.

2. Something to do

As long as you're in bed you need something to do, especially if you're like me and no matter how dark a room is, can't sleep during the day. It's a curse. I love movies and box set TV shows like Friends or the Miss Congeniality movies because they're not hard to follow so if you do doze off it's easy to catch up.

3. Painkillers

Painkillers and nausea pills are a must have in your medicine cupboard because they work against everything. Period pain, headaches, nausea (of course) and burns, for example. The ones I find work best are Nurofen (they have a fruity taste, does anyone else notice that?) and Ibuprofen, and then I have prescription medicine pills because I get sick wayyyy too much.

4. H2O

Gotta stay hydrated if you want to get better quickly, and water also helps with absolutely everything because it's just so good. There's really nothing else to say about water, but I love getting out the bottles I had in primary because 'everyone had one, Mum!' (These are pretty cool)

5. Some junk food

I don't care what anyone says about eating fresh food when you're sick because nothing makes you feel better than a bar of chocolate, some lollies and 2 minute noodles. At least that's what works for me.

I hope you enjoyed this post, and if you liked it then please comment and maybe follow if you want idk it's your choice (it's a good choice wink wink)

Love you all, see you next time!
Laura xx

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A Little Haul ♡

Long time no talk, isn't it?

I think I forgot what a blog was for a while but I am back with a ton of ideas and of course a little haul!

Christmas of course means shopping, which means sales, which means Laura spends way more money than she should. My card has already declined twice this week because I get far too excited over sales and presents and oh gosh I should stop talking about it.

While I was shopping for Christmas presents, my Farmers (like Target or Kmart) was offering a little three for two deal on all Rimmel products and with Rimmel being one of my all time favourite brands I couldn't stop myself.

The first thing I picked up was a Hide The Blemish concealer stick in the shade Ivory 001.

This is a really good blemish concealer and it's actually the second time I bought it so big thumbs up from me! The only downside is when I bought it I was a few shades lighter than I am now so I might have to go back and get a darker a shade. Oopsies.

The next thing I picked up I had been eyeing for a little while and it is the Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl eyeliner in 001 Black. 

I wanted to try this one before the brighter shades to see if I liked the formula (which I do) and since it is summer in NZ I think I'm going to go and get the goldy shade too. Loved the colour selection for these too. I've just noticed it says eyeshadow but it's definitely the eyeliner, there's no way it would blend well.

The last thing I bought in this particular shopping trip was a lipstick. The one I really really wanted was the Lasting Finish Matte Kate Moss collection in I think 107. However there were none in the shop and I don't think I've seen one since so I will keep on the lookout for it. The lipstick I did buy is quite similar in colour and is the Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in 09.

 Not only is the packaging gorgeous this lipstick applies easily, lasts absolutely ages and is a stunning blue based berry colour that my iPhone doesn't pick up well on. I love this lipstick and I am definitely going to go back for more.

That is all for this particular haul, I hope you liked it. Please check out my other posts and follow me if you like them.

An OOTD post will be up tomorrow and I'm going to be starting to work on a summer/winter holiday Lookbook!

Love, Laura xx

insta: www.instagram.com/_laurabayley

Gift Guide ♡ Guys!

Happy Sunday, lovelies!

So a few days ago I posted my gift guide for girls and I figured I would make it into a mini-series of sorts! Because I'm a bum and rely on my parents to give me money to buy presents for my family and friends, I usually keep it really cheap, but I try my best to find good quality things.

Now. Guys are asses to buy for. You never know what they've already bought for themselves, if they're gonna like it, if they even really want it. Ugh. Present buying drives me mad, and I'm guessing it drives you guys mad too.

So here are my relatively cheap gifts for guys! Enjoy!

1. An oversized mug with some crude saying.

Boys are always gonna be boys. We can't stop them, so we might as well go with it and have some fun along the way!

I actually kind of want this too

2. Scarf and beanie

This one is for everyone in the Northern Hemisphere where it's going into winter and it's going to snow and rain and be amazing and I want to live there.
It's cold, and everyone complains (especially me oops) so getting your guy in question a hat and scarf set is probably one of the best things you can do. I love this beanie from ASOS, which I think has 17% off, so go check it out! For a scarf I actually really really love this one, which is also from ASOS (ASOS is my life but it's mainly too expensive, sigh).

3. CHRISTMAS JUMPER

If you're really into corny, Christmassy things like me and you love forcing the people around you to get excited too (I bought a mini little Christmas tree over two weeks ago and it's sitting proudly in my room), then a corny Christmas jumper is the way to go. If you're a cute couple who do absolutely everything together, please don't do this, I will cry of loneliness.

ASOS models yum

4. Tickets to something

First off, I just really have to put this in. If your man is a risk taker/adrenaline junkie, TAKE HIM BUNGY JUMPING. He will love it, I promise. If your guy is more music-y, take him to a festival (Coachella for America, Rhythm & Vines for NZ, Big Day Out for Australia). There are honestly so many around and after Christmas it's upsetting.

And that concludes my short, (not really) cheap gift guide for guys! Please let me know what you thought, and feel free to follow because I do follow back, I promise :)

See you next time (probably later tonight sigh)
Laura x

Gift Guide ♡ Girls!

Hey my lovelies, happy Friday!

I have been sitting at my laptop for over an hour now trying to think of a post, while being distracted by the X Factor USA (I am actually really glad Tim Olstad is gone but Khaya was amazing tbh okay), and this gem finally bounced on me while I was reading through SprinkleOfGlitter's Guy's Guide.

Now I am terrible at giving presents. I usually end up either baking or giving money or (ssh) getting Mum to buy everything for me. This year, however, I am going to buy all the presents myself and I'm going to do it well. I hope.

So without further ado, here is my Gift Guide for Girls for 2013!

1. Lush

Anything from Lush is, in my book, perfect. I love the bath bombs the most, but a new favourite that I love the look and smell of is the 'Star Light, Star Bright' bath melt. Not only is it a sparkly star shaped melty thing, but it smells like HEAVEN. I'm not exaggerating at all. Really. It retails at $6.90NZD, so is super cheap for such a cute little product.
But I've got to include a bath bomb. I really do. I haven't bought a bath bomb in forever, but the one I like the look of most is the 'Fizzbanger'. First off, it is bright yellow which means fun bath, yes, and second, it is toffee apple scented. Toffee. Apple. Something you should probably know about me is that anything toffee apple will be my obsession for at least six months. Or until it runs out.

2. Sweeties

I have possibly one of the biggest sweet tooths (toothes?) in the world. If you know someone like me, then a chocolate/lollies/cupcake hamper will possibly give them heart pangs. Some good things to include, for sure, are:

• Fizzies (the small, bright coloured fizzy lollies that may or may not look like drug pills)
• Starbursts (do I even need to explain?)
• Chocolate block (Caramello, peppermint, Topdeck, etc)
• Something special, like flying saucers (paper like shells with sherbet inside)
• Chuppachups!!!! My obsession with these is not healthy.
• Basically anything.

You really cannot go wrong unless they're super allergic to something in which case, oops.

3. Vouchers

Yes, I know vouchers are usually a last-resort gift, but if you customize how you give them they're actually super cool. Instead of just putting the voucher in an envelope and saying 'Here', put a little sticky note on it saying something like 'Avaliable to use between so and so with your name here' and make it an occasion. Go get your makeup done at somewhere like MAC or Elizabeth Arden then have a complete girl's day out!

4. Concert tickets (or something alike)

This one is for the partners who are probably a little bit more willing to spend more. If you know you're not going to be breaking up with your girlfriend any time soon, then invest in two tickets to her favourite band, or book a wine tasting (if you're legal) or make reservations at a really nice restaurant (spelt it right first time!).

So that is my short (kinda) gift guide, please let me know what you think, and what your go-to gift is!

I really hope you enjoyed and I will see you next time,

Laura x

Summer ♡

It's gearing up for summer here in NZ and boy am I ready for it. After many rainstorms and cold snaps it's finally a gorgeous day. I'm writing this as I tan outside in the garden (don't worry, I've got my SPF!) but I just want to write a blog post and relax, so here are my summer essentials, beauty and otherwise!

First off is water. I've gotta keep hydrated at the beach, or when I'm just outside because it is hot! I really love infused water like strawberry and mint or mint and orange or just mint by itself. Can you tell I'm really loving mint right now?

Strawberry, watermelon & mint - yum!

Second is my SPF. Because of the hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica, the UV rays are much stronger here than in America, so I go to my trusty Cancer Society in SPF30 for my body, and Neutrogena SPF45 for my face.

Third is a super cute swimsuit! This year I'm leaning towards a supported floral bikini (have to keep the boobs in place!) from amazon. I'm not quite sure what brand it is, as Amazon don't have online shopping, but I will keep you updated. I also would really like a black and white polka dot one but I haven't seen too many around.

Next, waterproof mascara and cream products. I don't want to terrify kids when I go to the beach, so a little makeup is a must. My go to look this year is any waterproof mascara, Maybelline BB Cream in Light, and just a peachy cream blush to give my cheeks some colour.

I'm also going to need some protection on my lips. I love my Maybelline Baby Lips, and also the Elizabeth Arden lip balm. I know the Elizabeth Arden one is expensive, but it is so worth the money, I've had mine for over a year, I use it everyday and I've still got quite a bit left. It moisturises really well, and has amazing protection from the sun. Staple!

I think it's part of the Eight Hour range, but here's a quick pic.

Lastly, I need to have a good book to read. I've been wanting to read the Divergent series for a little while now, and I think this summer is going to be the perfect time to get started. I also would love to read both new books by JK Rowling as I love my mysteries and murder stories.

That's all for this post, hope you enjoyed it, and a new post will be up soon! What are your essentials for summer?

Laura x