Hey guys,
I've moved my blog over to adventuresofashopaholic23.blogspot.co.uk just so it makes more sense than shopaholicadventures23.blogspot.co.uk
Hopefully should all be sorted with bloglovin' asap.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Until next time.
R x
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
10 reasons bartending is the best job ever.
One of my first posts was about my biggest pet peeves as a bartender. But it's not all doom and gloom, I wouldn't stay in a job I didn't love. Here are 10 reasons why being a bartender is one of the best jobs.
hahahahhaha do you want to try again?
2: Social life
Many people think that because we work unsociable hours we have no life. But we're are constantly surrounded by people even if they are drunk.
3: Other bartenders
You can't really help but love all other bartenders, they know the struggle. They're what gets us through those particularly bad shifts. Not to mention staff parties are possibly the best parties ever!
4: Sleep
Working nights means I can totally justify sleeping ALL day.
5: People watching
Watching drunk people make absolute idiots out of themselves is by far my favourite part of working behind a bar. Until I remember that's me when I've had a drink.
6: Getting paid to party
Think about it, we get paid to listen to music and spend the night with our friends. it's just like a sober night out, but behind the bar. Sometimes it doesn't even feel like your working.
7: Staff discount
A perk that comes with most service jobs but it's much more enjoyable when that discount is on alcohol.
8: Knowledge
Knowing so many cocktail recipes and the percentage of every drink known to man is essential to life.
9: The genuinely nice customers.
A lot of drunk people turn into complete arseholes but we always forget about those that just quietly wait their turn and are actually nice to the people behind the bar. Shout out to the unsung nice drunkards.
10: Games and pranks.
For those quiet nights we need some form of entertainment, here's a few examples we do.
- Sunday funday. The rules vary but someone ends up soaking wet.
-'Can you run downstairs and get me some ice making solution?'
- Hide the lime! (My personal favourite)
Until next time.
R x
For those quiet nights we need some form of entertainment, here's a few examples we do.
- Sunday funday. The rules vary but someone ends up soaking wet.
-'Can you run downstairs and get me some ice making solution?'
- Hide the lime! (My personal favourite)
Until next time.
R x
Sunday, 1 February 2015
Military diet week one.
I know exactly what your going to say... fad diets don't work. But hey, what's the harm in trying?
I'm not quite sure why they call this the military diet, I'm pretty sure that the army don't live off tuna and crackers!
I found this diet just randomly reading through blogs, first through Rocio Laura. After some research I found the 'official' website which unlike the plan Rocio followed doesn't include beetroot, win!
Themilitarydiet.com has all the information you could ever want when trying a new diet, including substitutions a big plus when your a picky eater or have allergies. If you want to see the original diet plan check out the website, I'm just going to tell you what I had over the past three days. Any substitutes or allowed extras will be marked by *.
Right so basically for three days a week you follow this basic diet plan, some say you can't substitute anything, while other provide a rather extensive list of substitutions. For this first week I'm following the diet exactly apart from substituting peanut butter.
The website I'm basing my diet off allows substitutions when they have equal calories and nutritional benefits, for example, one substitute for peanut butter is almond butter similar in calories and both provide a high protein content.
This diet claims that by following the meal plan for 3 days, eating normally for the rest of the week (under 2000 calories) and 30 minutes of gentle exercise a day you can loose up to 10 pounds. For this first week I just followed the meal plan, I did very little exercise but did eat healthier than normal on the four days off. Unlike other bloggers I've seen do this diet I'm going to weigh myself after 3 days but count the whole week, this is more of a long term diet plan for me rather than a 'quick fix'.
Day One, 24th January.
Breakfast.
Black coffee, with 2 teaspoons of stevia*.
Half a grapefruit.
1 slice of wholewheat toast.
2 tablespoons of wowbutter**
Lunch.
Black coffee, with 2 teaspoons of stevia*. (had before work instead)
1/2 cup of tuna.
1 slice of wholewheat toast.
Dinner.
85g of meat, I had a beef burger (no bun).
1 cup of green beans.
1 small apple. (had as a snack)
Half a banana. (had before bed, apparently bananas promote sleep)
1 cup of vanilla ice cream. (had as a dessert about an hour after dinner)
Day Two, 25th January.
Breakfast.
Black coffee, with 2 teaspoons of stevia*.
1 egg (I had mine boiled with soldiers).
1 slice of wholewheat toast.
Half a banana.
Lunch.
Black coffee, with 2 teaspoons of stevia*. (had before work instead)
1 cup of cottage cheese. Torture!
1 hard boiled egg.
5 Ritz crackers***
Dinner.
2 hotdogs (no buns).
1 cup of broccoli.
1/2 cup of carrots.
Half a banana. (made a smoothie with the ice cream)
1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream.
Day Three, 26th January.
Breakfast.
Black coffee, with 2 teaspoons of stevia*.
1 slice of cheddar cheese.
1 small apple.
5 Ritz crackers*.
Lunch.
Black coffee, with 2 teaspoons of stevia*.
1 egg. ( I had mine boiled with soldiers)
1 slice of wholewheat toast.
Dinner.
1 cup of tuna. (I'm not going to lie, I put mustard with the tuna so I could cope with it but I ended up making it inedible! The substitution list says that fish is preferable and all I had was frozen battered fish, but at least the calories match up.)
Half a banana. (made a smoothie with the ice cream, these smoothies are amazing by the way!)
1 cup of vanilla ice cream.
* No sugar or sweetness are allowed only stevia, I don't have a clue how people drink coffee without!
** Morrison's didn't have any almond butter so peanut free peanut butter it was.
*** The diet calls for saltine crackers but they're not available in the UK, Ritz are the closest match.
I was a little bit nervous about what to eat on the four days off, they recommend less than 1500 calories but the diet will still be effective if you have less than 2000. I found a post on the military diet blog that provided an extensive list of meal options for the four days off, which I will definitely be trying next week.
I'm not quite sure why they call this the military diet, I'm pretty sure that the army don't live off tuna and crackers!
I found this diet just randomly reading through blogs, first through Rocio Laura. After some research I found the 'official' website which unlike the plan Rocio followed doesn't include beetroot, win!
Themilitarydiet.com has all the information you could ever want when trying a new diet, including substitutions a big plus when your a picky eater or have allergies. If you want to see the original diet plan check out the website, I'm just going to tell you what I had over the past three days. Any substitutes or allowed extras will be marked by *.
Right so basically for three days a week you follow this basic diet plan, some say you can't substitute anything, while other provide a rather extensive list of substitutions. For this first week I'm following the diet exactly apart from substituting peanut butter.
The website I'm basing my diet off allows substitutions when they have equal calories and nutritional benefits, for example, one substitute for peanut butter is almond butter similar in calories and both provide a high protein content.
This diet claims that by following the meal plan for 3 days, eating normally for the rest of the week (under 2000 calories) and 30 minutes of gentle exercise a day you can loose up to 10 pounds. For this first week I just followed the meal plan, I did very little exercise but did eat healthier than normal on the four days off. Unlike other bloggers I've seen do this diet I'm going to weigh myself after 3 days but count the whole week, this is more of a long term diet plan for me rather than a 'quick fix'.
Day One, 24th January.
Breakfast.
Black coffee, with 2 teaspoons of stevia*.
Half a grapefruit.
1 slice of wholewheat toast.
2 tablespoons of wowbutter**
Lunch.
Black coffee, with 2 teaspoons of stevia*. (had before work instead)
1/2 cup of tuna.
1 slice of wholewheat toast.
85g of meat, I had a beef burger (no bun).
1 cup of green beans.
1 small apple. (had as a snack)
Half a banana. (had before bed, apparently bananas promote sleep)
1 cup of vanilla ice cream. (had as a dessert about an hour after dinner)
Day Two, 25th January.
Breakfast.
Black coffee, with 2 teaspoons of stevia*.
1 egg (I had mine boiled with soldiers).
1 slice of wholewheat toast.
Half a banana.
Lunch.
Black coffee, with 2 teaspoons of stevia*. (had before work instead)
1 cup of cottage cheese. Torture!
1 hard boiled egg.
5 Ritz crackers***
Dinner.
2 hotdogs (no buns).
1 cup of broccoli.
1/2 cup of carrots.
Half a banana. (made a smoothie with the ice cream)
1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream.
Day Three, 26th January.
Breakfast.
Black coffee, with 2 teaspoons of stevia*.
1 slice of cheddar cheese.
1 small apple.
5 Ritz crackers*.
Lunch.
Black coffee, with 2 teaspoons of stevia*.
1 egg. ( I had mine boiled with soldiers)
1 slice of wholewheat toast.
Dinner.
1 cup of tuna. (I'm not going to lie, I put mustard with the tuna so I could cope with it but I ended up making it inedible! The substitution list says that fish is preferable and all I had was frozen battered fish, but at least the calories match up.)
Half a banana. (made a smoothie with the ice cream, these smoothies are amazing by the way!)
1 cup of vanilla ice cream.
* No sugar or sweetness are allowed only stevia, I don't have a clue how people drink coffee without!
** Morrison's didn't have any almond butter so peanut free peanut butter it was.
*** The diet calls for saltine crackers but they're not available in the UK, Ritz are the closest match.
I was a little bit nervous about what to eat on the four days off, they recommend less than 1500 calories but the diet will still be effective if you have less than 2000. I found a post on the military diet blog that provided an extensive list of meal options for the four days off, which I will definitely be trying next week.
Before the three days were up I already felt better in my own skin, more awake and just happier in general. Some of the food was torture but next week I'm going to try out a bunch of substitutions just to mix it up a little.
Now, the part we've all been waiting for.
Weigh In. (31st January)
I know I said that I was going to wait until the end of the week but I want to start the cycle again on Monday just so it fits my routine better.
After three days I lost: 5 lbs
This week in total I lost: 7lbs
Until next time.
Now, the part we've all been waiting for.
Weigh In. (31st January)
I know I said that I was going to wait until the end of the week but I want to start the cycle again on Monday just so it fits my routine better.
After three days I lost: 5 lbs
This week in total I lost: 7lbs
Until next time.
R x
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
Project 10 pan February 2014.
For those of you that haven't heard of project 10 pan, you basically pick 10 items in your beauty collection and pledge to not buy anything new until you have used them up...unless you really need it ;).
I've decided I'm going to try and do this each month, choosing a new category each time. Mainly to justify a massive beauty haul at the end of it. This month I've gone with make-up items, not including eyeshadows, I'd have to use the same one every day to use it up!
THE LINE UP:
1: Clinique Superprimer, Universal Face Primer:
This is only a sample size so should be quite easy to use up. I just don't find myself reaching for it, ever. I love my No7 colour correcting primer far too much.
2: M.A.C Prep&Prime highlighter, Radiant rose:
I do love this for those mornings after the night before when make up just isn't going to happen. But I am more than aware that I've had this one a tad too long and old make up is never good.
3: Revlon Photoready Skinglights Illuminator, Bare light:
I bought this on a whim when there was an offer on in super drug, used it once and then it just got forgotten about. I'm looking forward to actually trying this out!
4: Maybelline FIT me foundation, 115:
Does anyone else have a hole inside that can only be filled by a foundation that doesn't break the bank? I love my high end foundations but I'm on a mission to find the holy grail of drugstore foundations, just for those days where your not doing anything that requires heavy makeup. Sadly, this wasn't it.
5: M.A.C Select Moisturecover concealer, NC15:
I bought this back in the day when I convinced myself that I had unusually dry skin, after coming to my senses this just got neglected. Honestly, this is just one more product I can back to mac.
6: Avon Ideal Flawless concealer, Fair:
The only reason this isn't already in the bin is because I can't bare to waste makeup. Avon has one last chance for face makeup, this concealer definitely lost them points.
7: M.A.C Lipstick, Hue (glaze):
There are so many better nude lipsticks, this always looks so silly on me. There's only a tiny bit left anyway but it just needs to be gone.
8: Estée Lauder Pure Colour Envy lipstick, Desirable:
Unlike Hue this is my favourite nude lipstick ever. Why am I trying use it up? well some idiot snapped it on a night out and despite multiple attempts to repair it, its just not happening. I can't justify £24 on a new one until I've used it up.
9: Chanel Le Volume De Chanel, 10 (black):
I go through phases with mascara, and never usually buy full sizes. My lashes live off mascara samples. After using a sample I forked out for the full size, but as usual I got bored and moved back to using samples. Its probably dried up now but I'm getting my money's worth!
10: No7 Lash Adapt mascara, Black:
I don't even remember buying this... just like the Chanel mascara I probably got bored and just shoved it in a draw.
I've decided I'm going to try and do this each month, choosing a new category each time. Mainly to justify a massive beauty haul at the end of it. This month I've gone with make-up items, not including eyeshadows, I'd have to use the same one every day to use it up!
THE LINE UP:
1: Clinique Superprimer, Universal Face Primer:
This is only a sample size so should be quite easy to use up. I just don't find myself reaching for it, ever. I love my No7 colour correcting primer far too much.
2: M.A.C Prep&Prime highlighter, Radiant rose:
I do love this for those mornings after the night before when make up just isn't going to happen. But I am more than aware that I've had this one a tad too long and old make up is never good.
3: Revlon Photoready Skinglights Illuminator, Bare light:
I bought this on a whim when there was an offer on in super drug, used it once and then it just got forgotten about. I'm looking forward to actually trying this out!
4: Maybelline FIT me foundation, 115:
Does anyone else have a hole inside that can only be filled by a foundation that doesn't break the bank? I love my high end foundations but I'm on a mission to find the holy grail of drugstore foundations, just for those days where your not doing anything that requires heavy makeup. Sadly, this wasn't it.
5: M.A.C Select Moisturecover concealer, NC15:
I bought this back in the day when I convinced myself that I had unusually dry skin, after coming to my senses this just got neglected. Honestly, this is just one more product I can back to mac.
6: Avon Ideal Flawless concealer, Fair:
The only reason this isn't already in the bin is because I can't bare to waste makeup. Avon has one last chance for face makeup, this concealer definitely lost them points.
There are so many better nude lipsticks, this always looks so silly on me. There's only a tiny bit left anyway but it just needs to be gone.
8: Estée Lauder Pure Colour Envy lipstick, Desirable:
Unlike Hue this is my favourite nude lipstick ever. Why am I trying use it up? well some idiot snapped it on a night out and despite multiple attempts to repair it, its just not happening. I can't justify £24 on a new one until I've used it up.
9: Chanel Le Volume De Chanel, 10 (black):
I go through phases with mascara, and never usually buy full sizes. My lashes live off mascara samples. After using a sample I forked out for the full size, but as usual I got bored and moved back to using samples. Its probably dried up now but I'm getting my money's worth!
10: No7 Lash Adapt mascara, Black:
I don't even remember buying this... just like the Chanel mascara I probably got bored and just shoved it in a draw.
Any products that I don't finish in February will carry over to March.
Until next time.
R x
Sunday, 25 January 2015
2014 favourites.
I know it's really late but here's my 2014 favourites.
Beauty.
Beauty.
I've been using this foundation for well over three years now and no matter how many new ones I try, I always find myself coming back to this one. It gives flawless coverage and I haven't found another foundation that can match its staying power.
I only really started using this in December but I love it that much it needed to be mentioned. Look for a review in the near future.
Clinique Take off the day Makeup remover.
I don't think I could live without this! I must have at least 20 sample sizes and a good few back ups. For someone that swears by waterproof eye makeup this is an essential, it just cuts straight through the toughest eye makeup.
Another very recent addition to my favourites, I picked this up in America when I realised I had forgot to pack toothpaste. It was the best decision I've ever made. I have always had a problem with the taste of toothpaste, I have no idea why but this is the first one I like.
Best hair brush ever.
I can't even count how many of these I've been through. It's the perfect daytime lipstick, it's sort of muted plum but with pink and nude tones.
When I had my makeup done at the illamasqua counter in Manchester last winter, I was convinced the MUA was out of his mind using such a dark shade on me. No matter what colour I dye my hair this shade had always worked, I can't use any other brow products anymore it just doesn't feel right. Illamasqua has got it on point with their eyebrow cakes, they're just so easy to use and applies so smoothly. I can't imagine every using a different product for my eyebrows.
Macadamia natural oil deep repair masque.
I love this soooooooooooo much but its really hard to justify the price. I can just about manage to make a small tub last 6 months so I suppose I could justify a huge tub a year (but only when it's on sale).
Origins Drink up overnight mask.
This is by far the nicest smelling, most luxurious moisture mask I've ever used. I use this once a week to fight winter dryness.
Macadamia natural oil deep repair masque.
I love this soooooooooooo much but its really hard to justify the price. I can just about manage to make a small tub last 6 months so I suppose I could justify a huge tub a year (but only when it's on sale).
Origins Drink up overnight mask.
This is by far the nicest smelling, most luxurious moisture mask I've ever used. I use this once a week to fight winter dryness.
Fashion.
During three years I've gone through countless pairs of vans for work. I decided to give the office own brand slip ons a go. Nearly a year later and they're still going strong. Only needing a wipe down once a week, and all for only £30.
I've found myself navigating to H&M whenever I've needed/ wanted new clothes this year. It honestly has nothing to do with one opening in Lincoln ;) It's become the new Primark to me, the prices are cheap but the quality is amazing.
Films.
I had been waiting for this film for years! It was just perfect.
It's so sad that it's all over. Back in the day me and my parents saw The Lord of the rings multiple times at the cinema, it's the end of an era. Now I want to watch it again... To the cinema!!
Books.
Divergent.
I haven't really read a lot of books this year, but after putting it off for years I finally read divergent. I'm so mad at myself that I didn't read it before the film came out but the film is actually quite true to the book for a book to film movie.
There are so many more things I loved this year but these are all the things that jumped out at me when I sat down to write this. I might start monthly favourites just so the lists are shorter:)
Until next time.
R x
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
New York Haul.
My recent trip to New York was amazing and I spent a hell of a lot of time shopping. Here's all the stuff I bought, mainly in Macy's, Century 21, Duane Reade and all the touristy places. If any of you get the chance to go to New York, overestimate spending money if you can! It's not the cheapest city in the world but you can find some amazing bargains!
My Adventures in: NYC video is finally up on my Youtube channel. It took soooo long to edit, mainly because I neglected it for like a month! If you want to see what we got up to check it out :)
Clothes.
My Adventures in: NYC video is finally up on my Youtube channel. It took soooo long to edit, mainly because I neglected it for like a month! If you want to see what we got up to check it out :)
Clothes.
Michael Kors Checked Shirt: $66/ £45 Originally
$110/ £72.
Michael Kors Leather Leggings: $66/ £45 Originally $110/ £72.
Michael Kors Studded Hamilton: $280/ £183 Originally $498/ £325.
Lauren Ralph Lauren Cream Jumper: $27/ £18 Originally
$98/ £64.
Calvin Klein jewelled jumper: $49/ £32 Originally
$100/ £65.
Alfani Two tone jacket: $44/ £29 Originally
$140/ £92.
Michael Kors Studded sleeve shirt: $43/ £29 Originally $90/ £59.
I <3 NY T-Shirt: $5/ £3.50.
Make-up
& Beauty.
No7 colour calming $4.50/ £3 Originally $9.99/ £6.
Milani Liquid fineliner $5.99/ £4.
Make-up Forever HD $42 / £28.
Marc Jacobs Kiss pop lipstick in Headliner:
$28/ £19.
Physician’s formula Happy Blush in rose $11.99/ £8.
Crest 3D whitening strips, gentle routine
$42.99/ £28.
Crest 3D white toothpaste (2pk) $10.79/ £7.
Miscellaneous.
New York picture tree ornament: $15/ £10.
I <3 NY Gifts: Collectively $20 ish / £13 ish.
John Conn Photo: $20/ £13.
Statue of Liberty Tree ornament: $3.95/ £2.50.
Henri Bendel Mug: $25/ £17.
Henri Bendel snow globe tree ornament: $18/ £12.
Hershey’s Mug: $12.95/ £9.
Hershey’s chocolate: Collectively $ 11.95/ £8.
Metrocard: $10/ £6.50.
Duty free:
2 x Clinique dramatically different moisture+ $26/ £17 each.
1 litre Ciroc amaretto: $42/ £28.
Just as a little disclaimer, I'm not trying to show off. Hauls are my favourite posts and videos so I thought I'd do my own. All items were purchased by me or my parents. All £ prices are approximate.
Just as a little disclaimer, I'm not trying to show off. Hauls are my favourite posts and videos so I thought I'd do my own. All items were purchased by me or my parents. All £ prices are approximate.
Until next time.
R x
R x
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
2015 bucket list.
I don't believe in New Years resolutions, I just associate the label with failure.
Instead I like to make a list of things I want to do or accomplish in the year to come. I know that's virtually the same but in my head it makes sense.
There are so many things I have planned for 2015 but I'm sure this list will grow throughout the year. But here's what I have so far.
1: Visit somewhere new: This year im planning a trip round Europe with one of my friends. Hopefully I'll be able to save enough money to head out at the end of summer.
2: Spend less time sleeping.
Working nights I justify sleeping all day, but this year I want to actually make my days useful. The world is my oyster and all that shit.
3: Decide on a career.
I love working behind a bar but it's not really going anywhere, this year I want to find a career I'm good at and enjoy.
4: Leave the past in the past.
I know this one's pretty cliché but I've spent far too long living with the past hanging over me. This year I want to focus on my future and find a way to remember that you can't change your history.
Hopefully, this list will grow over the year and as I tick things off as I go along.
I hope you are all having a great start to the new year <3
Until next time.
R x
Hopefully, this list will grow over the year and as I tick things off as I go along.
I hope you are all having a great start to the new year <3
Until next time.
R x
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