Autumn Winter Beauty Favourites

Seeing as it is now getting much colder and A/W is in full swing, I thought I would share my favourite beauty products for these seasons with you.

I think this one is a given, my nail varnish colour is something I tend to choose according to the season, in summer i'll wear brighter more colourful varnishes, whereas in the winter I tend to go for more deep dark colours, berry tones and browns, which I think is pretty standard for most people. I have really been loving the H&M nail varnished, not only are they super affordable at £3.99, but they go on like a dream and you only need to use two thin costs to get a complete opaque colour, with a few colours you could actually get away with using one coat. I find that they last really well as well, and don't chip straight away like the majority of cheap nail polishes. So if you are looking to add some new colours to your collection I would definitely recommend the H&M nail varnish, they have a huge colour selection too!!

Nail varnish - H&M

(Colours - Fired Earth, Bordeux & Liquid Gold)

Like nail varnish, lipstick is another product that I think a lot of people coordinate with the seasons, though it isn't obvious in this image as the brightness is pretty high, I like to go for more brown toned nudes and berry tones (as I said this isn't obvious as the colour has come out WAY to bright). I have been loving these two matte shades by Smash Box, you get a nice even opaque colour with one swipe, and considering they are a matte finish, they feel very comfortable on the lips. I mush prefer a matte finish to a satin/glossy one, this is just personal preference for me in general, however in winter I find that I drink more hot drinks and eat more, so it is important to have a lipstick that can withstand my greedy winter self.

Lipsticks - Smashbox

(Shades - Latte & Hot Seat)

In the winter a go from a shower person to a bath person and I am definitely not one of those people that can go without putting anything in my bath water, i'm much more of a 'put everything smelly in my bath, give me all the bubbles' kind of person, so bubble baths are very important at this time of the year. This one from Malin + Goetz smells divine!!! I have been lusting over the rum scented perfume for ages but as of yet, it isn't on my perfume shelf, so for now the bubble bath will suffice. I cant even explain how much I love the scent of this bubble bath, but if you get the chance to have a sniff, DO IT. At the moment this is my favourite bath product simply due to the scent, it creates good bubbles, but the smell beats any amount of bubbles this could create.

Rum Bubble Bath - Malin + Goetz

(Not online)

I find that around this time of the year I wear a little more make up than I would in the summer months, mainly due to the effect the colder weather has on my skin, so for me it is so important to use a good cleanser to ensure i'm not leaving old make-up on my face, which could block my pores and break me out. I have been really enjoying Lush's 'Ultrabland' cleanser for a while now, it's thick consistency really feels like it clings on and drags everything off of your skin, leaving your face feeling so clean and really soft after use. I use this every night before bed; after taking my make up off with Bioderma micellar water to make sure any missed bits of make-up are removed, and then again in the morning to remove any excess oils my skin has produced whilst sleeping, leaving a really clean, smooth surface to re-apply my make up. I do find that this product leaves a slight waxy residue on my skin, however this is easily removed with a toner, which is a standard next step in most skin care routines.

Ultrabland Cleanser - LUSH

I have raved about this product on this blog and youtube channel before, it is my holy grail, even more so in the colder months. Like most people, my skin can become very dull around this time of year, and this toner somehow manages to maintain that summer glow. I just use a small amount on a cotton pad every morning and evening to gently remove any old, dead skin cells, which instantly brightens up my skin and gives me a more healthy fresh faced glow. I have also noticed a dramatic reduction in redness and breakouts since using this toner, it really has changed my skin completely.

Pixi Glow Tonic - Pixi

Finally, hydration! Hydration is so important in general, but this cold weather really does suck the moisture out of my skin and leaves me with dry flaky patches around my face, something that I managed to control using the Keihls 'Ultra Facial Cream' (another of my holy grail items), but recently I have added an extra hydration step into my routine in the form of this Illamasqua ' Hydra veil' primer. As it is a primer, I do only use this product when I am going to be applying make-up. It comes in the form of a jelly which when rubbed into the skin, turns into a liquid, which feels amazing! Whenever I use this it feels like I am giving my skin a drink, it really absorbs this straight away and leaves me with plump, smooth base. I have noticed a difference in my skin since using this product and haven't seen a dry flake in sight ever since!

Hydra Veil Primer - Illamasqua

Gym Tips for newbies

I joined the gym around 8 months ago now and i'd say i'm in a pretty good place in my 'gym journey', but it is safe to say, when I started out, I definitely had no idea what I was doing, or what I needed to take with me and I found being in a gym a bit intimidating. So I thought that I would put together 10 gym tips for anyone that is just starting out at the gym or anyone who finds being in a gym uncomfortable, because I know I would have loved to have read something to boost my confidence and prepare me a bit better. 

Please bare in mind, I am in no way a fitness guru or anything of the sort, these are all just things that have worked for me and that I find effective. You do not have to take my advice, I just thought i would share my opinions with you, so take it as you will.

1. Personal Trainer

When I first joined my gym, I was offered one free PT session, which I took and found super helpful. I had no idea what exercises I should be doing or what machines I should be using to achieve the results I was after, and knew if I had turned up to the gym without doing the PT session, I would be absolutely clueless, and would have probably spent a lot of time standing around or doing exercises completely wrong.

My PT asked me what results I was after and then showed me a number of exercises that would be best for gaining those results. He also showed me how to use all the machines and what exercises you could do on each machine. I found this whole experience really helpful and it really boosted my confidence, as when I went to the gym by myself, I knew what I wanted to do and how to do it.

I would definitely recommend finding out weather your gym offers something similar or if you have the money, then just get yourself a PT, even if you only use them for you first couple of gym sessions, it can be super helpful.

2. Classes

This kind of links back to my first point, but classes are again super helpful when it comes to learning different exercises and knowing how to do them correctly and most importantly safely!! Classes are also really great if you don't have a lot of time to dedicate to going to the gym. Most of them last for no longer than an hour, and something like a HIIT class normally only lasts for 30 minutes, so you still get a really good intense work out, and can then get on with the rest of your day. Most gym memberships include classes in your monthly price, so they are definitely worth taking advantage of!

3. Fitness bloggers/youtubers/instagramers

When I joined the gym I got a little obsessed with fitness bloggers, youtubers and instagramers, I just found it really helpful to look at what they were doing in the gym, because lets face it, most of us girls are aiming for the same thing in the gym, loosing weight and/or getting toned and generally boosting our fitness levels (oh, and growing the booty!),  so it really helps to get a little bit of inspiration from someone that we can relate to. I have learnt so many new exercises by watching peoples work out routines, so it can be really helpful.

4. Change it up

Going to the gym and doing the same thing every time can get very boring and can really demotivate you in the long run, so I really recommend changing things up every time you go to the gym. What I like to do is to dedicate different days to different areas of my body, for example on a Tuesday I do a HIIT class and a Core class, so that day is cardio and core, on the Wednesday I will normally focus on legs and glutes and then on Thursday I will work on my upper body. That way things don't get too repetitive and by splitting things up, I give each area of my body a few days rest before working on it again.

5. Water, Water, Water!

You are probably more than aware of the importance of taking a bottle of water to the gym, but you'd be surprised how many people I see working out without it! A lot of gym will usually have a water fountain, or sell bottles of water, so check for those when you join, so if you do forget your own bottle of water, at least you always have a plan B!

Water is so important when working out not only because you'd get really dehydrated which can cause a number of issues, but lack of water can often cause muscle cramp, decreased strength and lack of endurance, so it really does have a huge impact and can really affect the quality of your work out.

6. Buy a padlock

Padlocks were the last thing I thought of when I was buying things for the gym and when I turned up, put my stuff in the locker and realised that I have absolutely no way of locking it, I was stressed to say the least. Luckily though my gym sells padlocks so I overcame that obstacle pretty swiftly, but I definitely recommend getting yourself one in advance.

7. Headphones

Most gyms will having music playing, however we don't all want to listen to club hits whilst we work out, so I would always recommend bringing your headphones along so that you can listen to whatever you want. Another reason I like to bring head phones is that I can drown out the sound of big muscle men grunting and groaning when they are lifting weights the size of baby elephants, because if i'm totally honest is sometimes makes me feel really uncomfortable and i'm not too sure why!?

8. Invest in sports bras 

If you are going to splash out on any part of your gym kit (apart from a good pair of trainers), I would really recommend putting money into your sports bras. Regardless of your cup size, your boobs are going to bounce around a bit whilst exercising which does no good for your boobs, and can cause them to sag, due to ligaments in the breast being broken down and stretching over time, and being unable to bounce back. When choosing a sports bra it is important to take in to consideration what type of exercise you will be doing, wether it is high impact or low impact, there are sports bra's available for both and more! So make sure you do your research and and look after them boobies!

9. If you're not feeling it, don't go!

There is nothing worse then forcing yourself to go to the gym when you really couldn't think of anything worse to be doing. Not everyone enjoys the gym all the time and that is absolutely ok. I don't think it is right to force yourself to go, because lets be honest, you're not going to get the most out of your workout if your are doing it really half heartedly and it could lead to injury if you're not doing exercises properly, so it really isn't worth the risk, so instead, go home sit in front of the TV with a cup of tea and relax. 

10. No one is looking at you!

I'm including this because this is something I really struggled with when I first joined the gym, I would go with my boyfriend and follow him around the gym, he was like my little comfort blanket if you will. I was terrified that people where watching me and judging me on the exercises I did and the way I did them. I quickly figured out that this was just a confidence thing, going to the gym so regularly was so new to me, and so in the back of my mind I was always doubting myself, which led me to think I was being watched and this was totally not the case. If i'm completely honest, no one could care less about what you are doing, everyone else is so focused on what they are doing, they don't have the time to sit and worry about the way you are working out, so just go for it. If you are someone that struggles with this, then try to focus on your workout and pretend there is no else around you. I am more confident than ever in the gym now, and honestly since I have started ignoring the people around me, I have seen so much improvement in my work outs and the physical effects they are having on my body & I couldn't be happier.

Bonus tip.

ENJOY IT! 

Have fun with it and you will notice the positive effects it has on not only your body, but your mental health too.

Shop this post:

Trainers - Nike (Similar) | Sports Bras - Nike | Water Bottle - Brita

The mini skirt

I really stepped out of my comfort zone when I purchased this mini skirt from Zara, I cannot tell you how long it has been since I actually wore a mini skirt, however I saw this skirt on Yanin over fashion week and fell in love with it instantly. I don't know if it was the nostalgia that got me or the cute ruffle detail on the front of the skirt, either way I bloody love it.

As soon as I brought the skirt I knew exactly how I was going to wear it, keeping it super casual and minimal, I wore it with this plain white long sleeve t-shirt that actually belongs to my boyfriend and then threw on my Eytys canvas trainers, which a looking a little worse for wear now, but I still love them all the same. I opted for my black *Pauls Boutique 'Hunter' bag to finish off the look, again keeping it really simple and not taking the attention away from the skirt.

I have also worn this outfit with a washed out black band tee which looks super cool if you wanted to go for more of a grungy look, it would have also looked super cool with a pair of chunky lacy up boots!

Shop the look:

Skirt - Zara | Tee - Topman | Trainers - Eytys | Bag - Pauls Boutique

*trainers are not available in canvas anymore, I have linked the leather lace-up alternatives, a suede alternative is also available.

I'm Back!

So, I am fully aware that I have been away for so so long and I kind of hate myself for it! I've had so much go on in the past few months, from moving house with my boyfriend to loosing my job, everything has been a little crazy. Things are definitely still a bit up in the air, but blogging isn't something I want to put on the back burner anymore, and whilst I'm unemployed, I have no excuse, I have all the time in the world to be creating content, so that is the plan, I'm back & as of now I want to commit 100% and really keep on top of blogging and youtube. 

You may have also noticed that I have had a blog makeover, I thought it was time to change things up a little bit and make my blog look a bit more professional. I am super happy with the layout, and love how simple and clean it is. I have also changed the name of my blog, if I am being completely honest with you, I HATED 'trashedhotel' it was a super spur of the moment name and I couldn't wait to change it, i'm actually not sure what took me so long!? Anyway, I have changed it to 'Sachaxo' which matches my Instagram and my Twitter, which I think makes a lot more sense, that way everything is tied together and you can find me everywhere, easily!

With regards to content you will see that in the 'categories' tab at the top of the page, there are a number of different categories, I am planning on  broadening the type of content that I make, because I am interest in so many other things, not just fashion. Fashion of course will be the main focus, however I want to write about other topics as well, such a beauty, fitness, lifestyle and even travel I am interested in all of those too. 

If you have any suggestions of thing you would like to read about on my blog, then please leave your suggestions in the comments. I cant wait to get back in the game. I have a few things I cant wait to write about and a trip to Canada coming up next month that I will definitely be posting about, so keep your eye peeled!

Now, let the blogging commence.

xo.