My skincare must haves

I need to start this post off my saying I am NO skincare expert by any means. Many of my friends who are also into skincare are much more clued up than I am. I just know what works for me and I thought I would share. 

My skin has always been trouble for me since I was a child. I have very dry/combination skin and acne which is currently being controlled by a dermatologist. I have tried so many different products from the cheap boots range to expensive eye creams and there isn't one particular thing that works for my skin so here is the cocktail of creams and lotions I lather onto my skin daily: 

Cleansers: I have used Jordan Samuels cleanser for just over a month now and it has really cleared up my forehead of little stubborn spots. It's quite a thick gel type consistency but it melts onto my skin and I have had no problems with it. The REN cleanser is my go to when my skin is playing up or when I am feeling like my skin is extra sensitive due to harsh weather or a long day at placement wearing a mask all day. 

Mists/sprays: I have had the Josh Rosebrook for just under a month and I can see this become a staple part of my skincare routine for a long time. I have tried so many other mists in the past and this one really makes my skin feel refreshed. I'm excited to try this out in the summer months too. The beauty pie Japanfusion Prep lotion is something I put on my face as soon as I have cleansed and it locks in all the moisture from the cleanser. I love the Japanfusion range I also have the cleanser, Intensive moisturiser and the face masks! Super cheap but great quality. The Zelens vitamin D mist is something I use perhaps x3 a week, it is nice when I don't have any active spots else it stings a bit but it makes my face glow like the moon.

Other treatments: Zelens Power D is like the mist but in a thick oil and it is a treat for my face when it feels tight and dry. It takes a while to sink into my skin but then that is the time I either read or play Animal Crossing.. win/win! The Tan-Luxe super glow drops are streak free (they really are) and stops me looking pale in the depths of winter. The tan itself isn't too dark but you can build it up gradually which I like (So you get no Ross scenarios). The Paula's choice is a BHA acid that helps any active spots I have.. piss off basically! 

Creams: As I have mentioned my skin gets quite dry, it is important for me to have a thick cream and a light cream depending on how my skin is at the time. The La Roche Posey B5 balm is my holy grail for when I need to lather my face in moisturiser. The beauty pie cream is again from the Japanfusion range and is my everyday cream. In regards to eye creams, I have tried them all and none of them agree with my eyes except this turmeric one I got off ASOS. 

Bedside table must haves: These are products I use every single night before going to bed. When I am on placement, I have to get up at 4am every morning so I use the rituals sleep nighttime serum which helps me drift off to sleep. I also have the hand mask in the same scent and this helps my hands from when I am wearing gloves/washing my hands all day. The Oskia beauty boost is a new one but it is so rich and full of vitamins, my skin feels plump in the morning. Lastly, the Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream was the first piece of skincare I bought when I was 16 that wasn't Nivea or St Ives. It is so versatile and it smells so nice.. I wouldn't be without it! 

Now that I have turned 30, I think making sure my skincare is regimented is vital in keeping my skin is tip top shape. 

What skincare do you use? Anything you would not be without?

♡

 

My top 10 TV shows

Truth be told, I thought writing this post would be much easier than it was. I find it hard when someone asks me what my favourite band, TV show or film is. There is just so much choice! 

I think I much prefer TV shows over films as I love a binge watching session! It has taken me a while to compile my list of my top 10. Many were removed and popped back in, rearranged and some stayed in the same place the entire time. Now I know there will be people wondering why some are not on the list at all and I just want to confirm that doesn't mean I don't like those shows, there are of course more than 10 incredible TV shows.. these are just my all time favourites: 

10- Big mouth: At first, this show made me cringe a little. If you are yet to see it, it's an animated show based on teens going through the wonders of puberty with their very own hormone monsters. The show is very funny and the script is cleverly written.

9- Grey's Anatomy: This moved about in my list many times. I have watched this show over and over for years. However, there are too many seasons for me to binge watch now. This show played a part in me wanting to be a nurse and I fell in love with the characters immediately. If you liked ER.. you'll like this (Just get tissues at the ready).

8- This country: From someone who grew up in Cornwall in a small town, this made the show 10x funnier and relatable. This is about 2 cousins (Played by Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper) who star in a documentary-style comedy. Sadly, there are only 3 series but they are an easy watch and very funny!

7- Modern Family: This is another mockumentary comedy set in LA. Each character in this show brings their own type of comedy and hilarious jokes. The plot is easy to follow and it will make you laugh every moment. 

6-New girl: Oh this show made me fall in love with Zoey Deschanel so much. The comedy is set in LA where 3 guys and a girl live in an apartment together and go through the highs and lows of being in your late 20s/30s. I have watched this since the start and recently re-watched it and it's a show that makes you feel all warm. 

5- Vampire diaries: Now we are getting into the top 5! This show made me develop a slight obsession with Ian Somerhalder. This vampire based TV show was everything you want. Romance, comedy, a little scary at times and hot guys! There is also a spin off show called The Originals which I also love (not enough to be on the list). 

4- The Office (US and UK): I love both these shows equally but I watch the US one more. Granted, I have not binge watched it in quite a while now but it a show where you can watch any episode from any season and it is hilarious. 

3- Parks and Recreation: There are still many people who haven't heard or watched this show and it blows my mind that this is the case. This was one of Chris Pratt's first roles and he was originally only meant to be in a few episodes (he's in them all yay). This is another mockumentary style comedy of a woman called Leslie Knope and her friends/work colleagues in the small city of Pawnee. 

2- Gilmore girls: I watch this show every single year and have for the past 15 years or so now. I start it in September and binge until I am done. It is a story of a woman named Loralai and her daughter Rory. They live in a small town called Stars Hollow (I know its cute isn't it) and has you wanting to live there by the end of episode 1. They are fast talking and obsessed with coffee! It has a great cast and also a 4 episode revival out too. 

1- Brooklyn 99: This is my all time favourite show ever. To say I have an obsession would be an understatement. From the cast, to the general plot, it is just fantastic. I watch this every night before I go to bed and could probably perform a one man show of the entire series. If you have not seen it (firstly, why not?) it is about a group of detectives in the NYPD. The comedy is flawless and is a feel good, easy watch show. 

I thought there are some other shows I also love but not enough to be in my top 10 that are worth a little mention too: 

- Nashville

- The OC

- Friends

- Lost

-Sex and the city

- Family Guy

- How I met your mother

- The big bang theory

- Rick and Morty

- Will and Grace

What are your favourite TV shows? Are there any you love that I have not listed? 

Anyway, I am off to watch B99! :) 

♡

Must haves for student nursing

Besides getting accepted onto the course, the most exciting part of stating a degree is.. stationary shopping! 

Not only is stationary fun to get, so is the endless list of things the Uni advise you to purchase. Although it can be quite expensive to purchase all that is needed, it's a great investment and I wouldn't be without all of the things I have to make my uni journey that bit easier. 

Here is a list of the things I use daily both in University and on placement: 

- Macbook/laptop: This one is the most expensive one but I wouldn't be without mine. Most Universities offer grants or loans if you are not in a position to buy one. 

- Ipad/Tablet: This isn't necessarily a 'must have', but I use mine all the time for making notes during lectures, watching lectures or watching Netflix whilst I do work. 

Ipad

- Apple pencil: As I have an Ipad, I find the apple pencil so helpful for drawing out anatomy diagrams and for jotting down things in lectures. 

Apple pencil

- Goodnotes app: There is a small upfront fee of £3.49 but it is by far the best app for making notes throughout your degree. I will do another blog post soon on this app alone as it has so many features that are helpful. 

Goodnotes

- Medical dictionary: I don't think I will ever stop referring to this dictionary. To make things easier, I have an illustrated one too. Here is a link below to the one I have

Click here!

- Pens, Pencils and all that's in-between: I hold my hand up, I am a sucker for a cute pen.. or 5. Paperchase and Typo are my holy grails or stationary shops but you can never have too many pens. That is a law. 

- Cute notebooks: Again, this is something I have a slight addiction to. I use notebooks for medical abbreviations, placement notes, uni notes, assignment notes and more. My dear friend Jemma has her own shop and sells so many cute notebooks, I will put the link below :) 

Cute notebooks here!

- A decent student planner: there are so many planners out there which range from a basic academic one to a military style planning bible. It all depends on what you would prefer. I get my planners from The Happy Student Company as they do planners specifically for nursing students. They also now do online planners which I also have on my ipad and are so handy! They also do many more things like pins, milestone cards and cute bundles too. 

Nursing student planners!

- Sketchers: These are the only thing I would wear on placement (not literally of course). These shoes are so comfortable when working a 13 hour shift, my feet don't ache at all! 

- Fob watch, stethoscope, manual blood pressure kit: You might get these free from your uni but I bought my own stethoscope as they are an investment for life and much better than the free ones you get from uni. I got a manual blood pressure kit for free from my university and it was helpful to be able to practise taking manual BP before going onto placement. As for fob watches, I have a cheap silicone one from Amazon and also a lovely engraved metal one that a friend gifted me for Christmas. 

Stethoscope

- A decent rucksack: When I am on placement I need to take my uniform, my laptop, my pencil case, my notebook, my make up bag (lip balm, hand sanitiser, painkillers), water bottle, stethoscope, purse, tissues and more I cant think of. I have one from amazon which has a laptop compartment, will link below. 

Rucksack

There are many more things I use daily but it is down to personal preference. I would advise not buying many books as all I ever use is the online library except for my dictionary. Make sure you have plenty of notebooks, pens, and chargers and you will smash your degree! 

Is there anything you cannot be without?

♡

Anxiety as a student nurse

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common class of mental disorders, affecting a large percentage of the general population. There are six main types of the disorder, including depression, body dysmorphic disorder and panic attacks. The causes of the disorder can be either from something simple or a little more complex. However, assistance and recovery are possible with specialised treatment, education and most importantly...support!

 

It is most unfortunate that even currently, people with mental illness remain stigmatised around the globe. This stigmatisation can result in sufferers not seeking the professional help that is available because of the fear of rejection. It can also result in misdiagnosis and mismanagement: Misdiagnosis in not taking the symptoms seriously, which in turn results in mismanagement, as there is a reluctance to investigate the symptoms fully. This needs to be changed.

 

My experience with anxiety and mental health illness have been fairly minor and I operated out of sheer ignorance for many years. However, a couple years ago when I moved to Sheffield I felt the fact that I had to make new friends and get used to an entire new city extremely overwhelming and I needed help.. and I am so glad I got it. 

I then started my nursing degree which brought along with it a new host of things to get anxious and worry about. Exams, deadlines, making new friends, getting lost on campus, getting lost on placemet, not remembering things, getting things wrong, hurting a patient... and so on! I will be honest and say I still haven't got it completely under control but I find speaking to my uni friends helps the most as they are in the same boat as me. On the ward I am on at the moment, I see quite a few seriously ill patients and the NHS and university are great at offering councelling so I can speak about what I have experienced. 

 

Anxiety is difficult to describe. Everyone experiences it 

differently. For me it felt little like being hopelessly tossed around by a giant wave, unable to gain footing or control, feeling like I will never come up for air.

 

I want to make it very clear that I am not a therapist, and I am only blogging my own observations and experiences. The advice I would give to anyone suffering from anxiety is to talk to a friend or family member, don't bottle it up! And if you need to, try and speak to your GP. You would think nothing about talking to someone you cared about if they were feeling down or anxious so accept people are there for you too. If you are a student, whether you are studying nursing or any course, speak to your university. You pay all those fees and shouldnt feel bad at all for making use of the services they offer. They understand the stresses that being a student brings let alone in a pandemic too.

 

I still find it difficult to discuss my feelings of anxiousness and worry but have come a long way in the last few years. I have some wonderful supportive friends and my rock which is my boyfriend to help me in my times of worry. Just know, if you ever feel like you can't cope there is always someone there to lean on. And if you feel you can't talk to anyone, then feel free to message me! 

 

Sending lots of love and positivity to you all!! 

 

                                                                          ♡

                                                                    

 

 

 

 

“Living with anxiety and/or depression can feel like constantly 

trying to climb out of a deep, muddy hole with an armful of sandbags. Everything seems so much more difficult – even getting out of bed in the morning can be a monumental feat. The simplest tasks can be a dreaded challenge. Nobody wants to feel this way. And they are not doing this TO anyone. It is happening TO them and sadly, others are caught in the crossfire. But eventually the bullets will stop flying, the smoke will clear and blissful, fulfilling lives and relationships could appear just beyond the horizon. Together, it can be reached.”