Wednesday 30 May 2012

Blog Love

One of the best thing's that has happened to me since starting Keeping Up With Carmen is that I've met so many amazing people and found lots of friendly bloggers. I thought I would do a little blog love post, these are only a few of the lovely blogs I follow but I can't do it all at once or I'd be here forever. I'll do some more soon as I've got a lot of blog love to spread. So go over and say hi or leave a comment for these ladies.

smugpug
Kristy's blog Smug Pug has become a daily read for me, I can't believe she doesn't have 100000 followers already. She has amazing fashion sense, beautiful hair and amazing nail tutorials
Green Finch Linnet Bird - Rachael is so sweet and one of those bloggers that is just supportive of everyone else, her layout is adorable and her posts always inspire me to run out and buy everything..


Whimsical Nothings is like a one stop blog for everything you need to know! Reviews, fashion and step by step recipes that are so helpful for the baking handicapped like me. Her pictures are also always beautiful.


Katie from Sleep Wake Hope was one of the first people I started speaking to in the blogging community, She's very sweet and helpful and you can tell how much effort she puts in to her blog and her posts are always so detailed with lots of information and pictures! Plus her layout is so cute.
Mini Adventures // Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty & more...
Millie from Mini Adventures blog is different from the ones I usually follow but I love it, I love her quirky sense of style and amazing red hair!


Beauty Boutique
Amy from Beauty Boutique is absolutely beautiful and I love the way she writes it's so easy to read.

Under Blue Lights
Under Blue Lights: I love her blog layout and she has amazing taste in make up and fashion. Plus she just did a post about my style icon Kim Kardashian!

Do you follow any of these beauties already? Have you just found a new blog to follow?
What are some of your favourite blogs?

Carmen xx

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Review: 1,2,3 Perfect - Bourjois


What Bourjois say:
3 colour correcting pigments:
1. Yellow pigments – conceals dark circles for a rested look
2. Mauve pigments – corrects dullness for radiance
3. Green pigments – neutralises redness for an even out the complexion
Soft and smooth formula for an undetectable, second skin finish. Available in 9 natural shades to suit all skin types.
And it’s good for my skin!

What I think:
I don't have particularly dark circles under my eyes but I am a student so sometimes late night studying leaves me a bit tired, I think the foundation covered my circles quite well but I still needed to use a concealer so if you have very dark circles I don't think you could get away with just the the foundation. The second point it's supposed to do it correct dullness for radiance, I'd have to say that I felt it did the complete opposite. I have normal to dry skin and normally only get a bit of dry skin in the winter but with this foundation my head just looked flaky and disgusting and I didn't see any illuminating from the product at all. I usually like more of a dewy finish but this is more matte, I think it would be great for people with really oily skin but for people with any sort of dryness it seems to be too drying. It evened out a lot of my redness but I don't have a lot of scaring or spots to cover so for someone with more redness in their skin I'm not sure how it would work.

Pros:
Conceals dark circles lightly
Good for people with great skin already
Is matte for oilier skin
Covers light redness
Affordable

Cons:
Very drying
Does not illuminate
Only very light coverage of dark circles and redness
Can feel thick on the skin
Doesn't blend well
Shades seem to come up dark

So unfortunately there seems to be more cons than pros for this one. I think if you have oily skin and you are looking for something with moderate coverage that is matte on the skin this would be the perfect choice but if you are looking for a dewy finish this isn't the foundation for you. It's a shame because I had high hopes for this foundation after bourjois healthy mix.

Stars Rating:
3/5

please always remember that opinions expressed are only based on my own personal experience and what works for me won't always work for you and vice versa. 

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Scottish Fashion Awards

Hi everyone!

I have some exciting news today..

I've been awarded a press pass for the 2012 Scottish Fashion Awards. I will be able to get photos of everyone on the red carpet (including Alexa Chung) and also get some interviews. It's very exciting.
I will do a full post on the Fashion Awards with all the details soon but I was just so excited that I had to tell you! This will be really good for me and hopefully all of you as well.



This is my first event like this so do any of you have any tips on what to do, how to act or what to wear?

I'm still waiting on a camera cable and I've missed blogging but I should hopefully have one by the end of the week so I can upload all the face and outfit of the days I've been taking. I also have a summer holiday haul to upload so fingers crossed  I can get that up soon.

Hope you are all good. What have you been up to today?

Carmen x

Sunday 8 April 2012

Confidence and Positivity!

Warning: unplanned, unstructured, rant, ramble post coming up.

I've been a little absent from the blogging/tweeting/social anything scene lately and I'm actually a little embarrassed as to the reason why. I was going to just ignore it and come back posting as normal but I realised I have a good platform to talk about this with other people who might feel the same..

So basically the reason I have been away for a couple of weeks is because I've had a real issue with the way I look/feel lately. It seems a little silly and to lots of  you it might be completely absurd but it has seriously affected the way I feel about, well, everything really. I hate getting ready in the morning and never feel comfortable anymore, I can't stand to see photos of myself and cringe at any compliments. It was when I caught myself almost cancelling plans with my friends that I hadn't seen in ages because I was embarrassed about how I look that I knew I had to snap out of it. If I don't like something about the way I look, I can either change it, deal with it or stay miserable forever but the most important thing is my attitude towards myself has to change.

As people (the majority of us) we are usually so quick to compliment each other and make everyone else feel good but a lot more resistant to being kind to ourselves. Why is this? If we can't be kind to ourselves who can we be nice to!

I've never felt particularly pretty but lately its reached another level. Last week I got some STUPID comments from some stupid boys out of nowhere about the way I look and although my head told me not to listen to it, I did, I got really upset actually. Then I thought about how ridiculous that is, how could I listen to random people I barely know over myself? I need to feel better about myself both the way I look and how I am as a person. This needs to be something I do for myself, if I ever want to succeed in life. Everyday I felt ugly or stupid or boring or mean I could also feel myself becoming more shy and less open to sharing my ideas or going for the things I want in life.

There are a few parts to this post.

Firstly, If you are one of those idiots being cruel to people because it makes you feel big or cool. Shut up! Just stop and think. You have no idea how that person is feeling at that point or all the things that might be happening in their life. Could you really live with  yourself knowing your stupid comments could be the thing that damages the way that person looks at themselves or their abilities FOREVER? Whether face to face or over the Internet it is bullying and there is never an excuse.

The second point is if you feel like you are inadequate or not important I want you to know you are important.  You are beautiful and you can accomplish so much. It's your life and you deserve to be happy. I may not know you but you are important to me and you are special. You are not alone. In fact it's perfectly normal to sometimes feel as though you don't like things about yourself but it is never OK to just not like yourself full stop.

Its unlikely that you will feel so down about yourself and then feel absolutely perfect all of a sudden but you can feel better every day. I have a few ideas that can make you feel more positive about yourself and your life. These are only very little things but sometimes little changes are the things that make the most difference.

Talk to someone
Speak to someone you trust and let them know how you feel. Sometimes they wont understand because they love you and can't see why you wouldn't love yourself as much as they do but they should support you and sometimes just talking about it can really help. I am lucky to have an amazing boyfriend that supports me. I also have amazing friends and really supportive parents. Choose someone you can be yourself with or feel comfortable telling how you feel. You can always talk to me via twitter or email. Just don't keep it bottled up it will only make you feel worse.

Acknowledge an accomplishment
Whether you have done really well at work, finished course work, completed a book or simply chose fruit over a bar of chocolate. You accomplished something! BE PROUD.

Listen to music
Whatever music you love turn it up and dance around your room (or if you have neighbours put in your headphones!). Some favourites of mine for making me feel good just now are:
Nicki Minaj - Starships
Belle Amie - Girls Up
Sean Paul - She Doesn't Mind
Katy Perry - Part of Me
Carly Rae Jepson - Call Me Maybe

Make Plans
Give yourself something to look forward to. I'm going to Turkey in June and I can't wait and getting excited about this is what's making me happy. In the nearer future I'm going out with my friend I haven't seen in weeks on Tuesday another thing to be excited about.

Pamper Yourself
Face mask, long bath, painted nails. Make yourself the centre of your attention tonight. You deserve it.

Exercise
Not only does exercising help you make positive changes to your health and body its such a mood booster. They say "your only one workout away from a good mood". Even going for a walk outside can make you feel happier.

Watch your favourite film
Comedy, Romantic, Horror, Animation. Stick your favourite film in! I love Mean Girls.

Those are just some things I do when I'm feeling down. Do you have anything you do that makes you feel better?

I know this was a really off topic post but I hope a few people found it helpful. Normal posting will resume in the next couple of days got some outfit of the days and product reviews I can't wait to share.

Please let me know what you thought of this post in the comments box.

& Remember...

Wednesday 29 February 2012

What's Made Me Happy This Week..


A collection of things that have made me a very happy little monkey.
  • I have been eating so well (lots of recipes for you coming up) lots of low fat but really tasty food. I've managed to resist so many tempting meals and snacks and have been cooking all my food from scratch. I was thinking about doing a 'week in food' next week, let me know if you'd like to see that
  • As well as eating healthy I've been exercising and don't get me wrong I've exercised before I'm not totally lazy but I've just never been consistent in my routine and let it all stop after the first few times but lately I've been running at my local beach and I started Zumba tonight. I've exercised for 4 consecutive days in a row and I just hope I can keep it up.
  • I GOT INVITED TO AN EVENT! The lovely Laura mentioned the possibility of an event a few weeks ago but today it was confirmed that I'll be going to the Inglot event in Aberdeen next Friday. Very exciting and will be so good to meet other bloggers from where I live. I'll blog all about it after I've been with lots of photos and no doubt a haul of some of the things I buy. Now I've just got to figure out what to wear...
  • My mum came to visit me on Friday. I'd missed her and hadn't seen her since my Grannys funeral two weeks ago so it was nice to see her on happier terms. She's like my best friend and we speak on the phone all the time but obviously moving away for college means I don't get to see her as often as I'd like. She gave me some very meaningful jewellery that belonged to my granny and we had a good chat.
  • My iphone that I had a drunken incident with (I spewed all over it and it was already cracked) that stopped working in November randomly starting working again. I'm just using it for the ipod now because I bought a new phone and it's smashed so bad but it's handy to have another ipod incase my phone runs out of battery.
  • Summer is coming which means all the beautiful summer clothes are hitting the shops
  • Every day is a day closer to my HOLIDAY I can't wait for the sun
  • My mum bought me new exercise clothes and I'm in love they are so comfortable and easy to wear and not to mention two of them are pink, one is purple and another blue. Colourful and pretty work out clothing is such a motivator. I'll blog about them as part of my fitness series.
  • I reached 100 followers on Twitter
  • I'm off tomorrow and I get paid!
So as you can see I've had lots of things to feel happy about lately. What is making you happy just now?

Carmen xx

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Healthy Prawn, Vegetables and Rice Dish

It looks tastier in real life honestly..

so today my boyfriend did that really annoying thing where he wanted a Dominos knowing full well how much I love them but that I'm also on a quest to eat healthier and lose weight so for the first time ever I TURNED IT DOWN! that might not seem a big deal to some of you but it felt so good.
I was really tired and couldn't be bothered taking ages to make something but obviously wanted something low in calories and healthy. You can make this so much healthier and better for you but I had to work with what I had.
So I through this together and it tasted so good! You can completely alter this for you're personal preferences but I'll tell you what I did.

SERVES 2.

What You Will Need
Rice (any kind, I used Basmati because it was all I had)
Vegetables (I used a Morrisons mushroom stirfry kit)
Prawns (My prawns where cooked already so took less time to make. you could use chicken or beef)
Sauce of your choice (I used sweet chilli)
1 teaspoon of Oil
Pot
Frying pan

It's really simple so here goes:
  1. Pour the rice into a pot of boiling water (for around 12 minutes)
  2. Wait around 7 minutes and then add the oil to the frying pan
  3. Pour the vegetables you want in to the pan
  4. Let them cook constantly stirring for around 3 minutes
  5. Add a little of the sweet chilli sauce
  6. Whilst doing this you should be checking on your rice
  7. Once the water has pretty much disappeared but has a little bit pour it in to the frying pan
  8. Stir the rice, vegetable and sauce together
  9. Add the prawns and stir in some more sauce
  10. Let it cook for another minute
  11. Serve and enjoy! 
Total Calories = 366 per person (Not bad for a really filling main meal eh?)


What are your favourite quick and healthy recipes? Would you like to see more recipes?
If you try this let me know!

Carmen xx

Saturday 18 February 2012

The Help - Book Review


The Help - Kathryn Stockett


Cover
I have the cover from the film so it's nice but I usually love the covers that were brought out before it was released as a film but I couldn't find it. A cover isn't that important but I do think it's nice to have an appealing cover its usually what attracts you to the book in the first place.
Why did I choose this book
This book is so hyped up I had to get it and I really wanted to see the film (I still haven't got round to seeing it yet) and I like to read the book before I see a film.
Description
Jackson, Mississippi, 1962 Aibileen is a black maid: smart, regal, and raising her seventeenth white child. Yet something shifted inside Aibileen the day her own son died while his bosses looked the other way. Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is by some way the sassiest woman in Mississippi. But even her extraordinary cooking won’t protect Minny from the consequences of her tongue. Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter returns home with a degree and a head full of hope, but her mother will not be happy until there’s a ring on her finger. Seeking solace with Constantine, the beloved maid who raised her, Skeeter finds she has gone. But why will no one tell her where? Seemingly as different as can be, Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny’s lives converge over a clandestine project that will not only put them all at risk but also change the town of Jackson for ever. But why? And for what? (taken from Amazon)
Thoughts
I loved this book! Plain and simple. Although I (obviously) wasn't around during this time I feel like its a really accurate potrayal of the stereotypes, violence and segregation that existed. Everytime I thought I knew what was going to happen I was shocked again and was kept guessing all the way through the book. I was very emotional through out this book and some of the things that are described are hard hitting and really make you think what kind of world we live in but there is also humour within The Help as well. It was one of those books that when you realise you're getting near the end you try you're hardest to slow down because you don't want to finish it but also you can't put it down because you need to know what happens. I don't want to give anything away but I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the civil rights movement or anyone that wants a book that will stay with them for ages.
Rating 
*****


Rough guide of the ratings
* really did not enjoy this book
** wouldn't recommend it
*** had some good moments
**** would recommend it to a friend
***** loved it

Saturday 28 January 2012

Versatile Blogger Award

Yay I was nominated for the 'Versatile Blogger Award' it's my first blog award and I'm so happy. I was nominated by the beautiful Alex and the lovely Sarah so please go check out thier blogs and say Hi from me! You won't regret it.


So now on to the award.
I have to tell you 7 facts about myself and nominate 10 blogs that I think deserve the award:

1. My thumbs are so tiny everyone laughs at them, if I ever do YouTube I will show you but they look like a 3 year old thumbs
2. My little brother is autistic but he's amazing and smart and just as cheeky as any other boy his age
3. I'm going to move to California when I'm finished University. I need the sun in my life.
4. I'm battling with horrible extra weight just now but I'm aiming to lose it all by June for my holiday to Turkey
5. I could watch E! or the Style Network all day. seriously.
6. I want to be a Kardashian.
7. This year I will have been with my boyfriend for 4 amazing years.

now the amazing blogs that I think deserve this award. Please go check them out, subscribe, leave them lovely comments they deserve it.

1. Bit of Babs
2. Diamond Solitaire
3. Bracelets and Bangles
4. Behind The Bijoux
5. ashllyd
6. Abby Lee
7. Issy Only Dreams
8. hazydays
9. elyouelyou
10. Dotty Dolly

I'm off to tidy my little flat and watch some TV but I'm hoping to be back tonight with my make up collection. Yay!

Speak soon x

My first blog interview

Hey guys! Just a really quick post as I'm off to bed.
I was lucky enough to be interviewed by the lovely Claire over at XxDollyBlossom.
It was such great fun to take part and here is a quick look at the first question I was asked.


Hello Carmen! Tell us a little bit about yourself...
Hey, I’m Carmen! I write a blog called ‘Handbag Full Of Dreams’ about fashion, beauty, weight loss, books, music and everything in between! I’m 18 years old and I’m in my first year of college studying for my HND in Advertising & PR. I’d love a job in beauty PR and I’m hoping this course will get me in the right direction. I’m a total procrastinator and I hate it, I’m also really clumsy and trip over my own feet daily! I love fajitas, the colour pink and my dog and I hate spiders, the smell of rain and macaroni and cheese.

If you want to see the rest click here to go to Claire's blog and have a look. Comment on the post  and say Hi to Claire and let me know if you liked it.

I've been nominated for a few awards which is so nice so I'll blog about them tomorrow and I think tomorrow will also be my make up collection! Exciting stuff :)

Hope you had a great day! 
got a few things to catch you up on tomorrow.

xx

Wednesday 11 January 2012

Today I loved..

Since it's only Tuesday I don't think I can get away with a 'favourites this week' post so instead I thought I'd show you what I loved today. There is a few beauty products in there, a bag, music, a book, a few random things and also one thing I didn't like! I won't do these all the time and will stick to monthly/weekly faves but I was stuck with what to post and thought this would be fun.

OH btw guys please tweet me at @carms3011 I tweet a lot of questions about blog posts and always follow back and love talking to you all and that's usually the quickest way to get a hold of me!


Now on to my favourites of today!






(click on the names for links to the products)
1. Urban Decay Naked Palette - as with most days, I loved this! I reach for it all the time it's my go to palette, I feel bad on all my other abandoned eyeshadows though :( Today I just used sin all over my lid with some maybeline gel liner...

2. Maybeline Gel Liner - Nice link there huh ;) I really rate this eyeliner and such a bargain! If you like gel liners this is a great one.

3. 17 Shine On Lipstick in Beehive -  This is another one that I reach for almost daily, I'm pretty sure you will have all have heard about these lipsticks but in case you haven't they are so amazing and moisturising and Beehive is a beautiful everyday colour

4. Primark Bag - I've had this bag for ages and forgot all about it until recently and I've been liking it for college it fits my laptop and everything else I need without getting weighed down and I'm sure it was only like £8 so that's a winner! mines is a bit minky now though it's got loads of scuffs.

5. Rihanna - Farewell - I love this song today, I love her whole new album buts its something I have to be in the mood for except this song - it's beautiful!

6. The Help - I'm not finished this book (so please no spoilers!) but so far I love it, I've read so many books lately and I've been dying to get on to this one so when I finished Dear John I dived straight in to it! I've heard so many good things about it so I'm sure it will live up to my expectations. Have any of you read it?

7. Bobbles - Today I did not want to drag myself out of bed which resulted in me being up 15 minutes before I needed to leave therefore shoving my hair in to a big bun was a must and where would I be without my trusty bobbles! I mean hair ties in case anyone doesn't call them bobbles. Mines are from Primark but I'm not a bobbles snob and will get them anywhere.

8. I GOT A JOB - I am now an employee at my local cinema which means I will have more money to  save  spend on make up!!

9. Half Day At College - Thank yooou lecturer. I of course spent my time off doing something productive and not watching youtube videos...

something I didn't like:

I stupidly thought it would be a good idea to put jalapenos in with the fajitas.. it wasn't! My mouth was on fire for like ten minutes much to my boyfriends amusement! so today's lesson is don't experiment with jalapenos evaaa.

what did you love or hate today?

Love, Carmen x