I just want to live while I’m alive.

 I’m pretty sure I have used those lyrics for a blog post before, but it’s just too true. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of Bon Jovi? Or a bit of a GLEE remix that’s been in my ears this week. Since I posted last sunday, I’ve been working, chilling, going to the gym, seeing my nearest and dearest and smiling and a few things in between. Here is some of them:

Tulips from my lovely wee old neighbour, Iain. He brought this to the door and said “I do this for everyone in the close at this time of year, to remind them that spring is on its way” There is only another 2 couples in our close, and then me and David. He is such a kind old man and takes care of the communal garden, with all the flowers and hanging baskets and even vegetables. Once the flowers have sprouted (is that the right word?) we’ve to give them back to him and he will depot them into the garden. I know its silly but I am so excited to watch them grow 🙂 I REALLY don’t want them to die in our care. That would be an epic fail.

A little cross stitch I made and framed for my lovely friend Dominique. She has let me borrow lots of her work and graphic design related stuff for some set dressing I did at work last week. It’s not perfect, I mucked up the first ‘S’ – completely forgot how to do them! But for the second cross stitch I’ve ever done, I’m pretty pleased 🙂

After popping past uni to see my old tutor, I went round to the chinese supermarket with my friends Luisa and Joanne (they’re taking me to Ichiban for the first time on monday night, I cannae wait) with some sweet treats in mind. They wouldn’t take card unless I had over £5 worth of stuff, so after a cringy moment at the checkout, Joanne paid for me! ♥ It was only £3.50 for everything I got. But I feel like our generation are rubbish at taking compliments and accepting money from people! I got David some ramen and iced tea, and the above for myself. By the time I took this picture, ALL had been consumed. Basically inhaled them on the journey home from town. Haha so it’s just empty packaging, which I know is a bit lame but I’m a total sucker for this kinda imagery. Have you tried any of the above or can suggest more stuff I would like?

I haven’t worn fake tan in a while, but this Vita Liberata – Rich Silken Chocolate is meant to be amazing. I’ve got a voucher for a spray tan at their section in House Of Frasers, but the room is out of action at the moment 🙁 Which is gutting because I have my step mums hen night next weekend and the wedding next month. I was hoping to get bronzed for either one, so the kind folks at Vita Liberata sent me out two full size bottles (one face and one body) and a tanning mitt, for free! To keep me occupied in the mean time. Now THATS good customer service. I wasn’t even hankering for freebies, honest. Mary Portas would defo be impressed with this eh?

Ever wondered what that little back 2 mac logo on the inside of the packaging means? I feel like they keep it pretty hush hush, and I only clicked onto this fab recycling exchange 6 months ago. Basically, if you keep 6 empties from mac, you can hand them in exchange for a lipstick of your choice! Not all lipsticks are included (limited edition ones etc) and I think in the US you actually have choice of eyeshadows too. Plus, only some containers apply to the scheme, not all of them. The empties I had saved were a Prep and Prime, Mineralize Skinfinish, Zoom Lash Mascara, ‘Hue’ Lipstick, ‘Ever Hip’ Lipstick from the Liberty collection (sad to see that pretty packaging go) and a Fluidline eyeliner. Been gagging to try out a nice red, a la SJ from cowbiscuits. She is one of my fave girlies and always wears red so well. I was a bit intimidated at first (as much as I am with toxic tale… maybe even more) But here was my attempt…

I’ve heard lots of people wearing Ruby Woo, and Mac Red but I opted for Russian Red. I think I made the right choice. But for it being a freebie, rather than £13.50, you can’t really go wrong. Also, should I be wearing a matching lip pencil to make it look neater etc? The thought of a lip pencil scares me, and makes me think of Jackie McQueen from Hollyoaks… But I’m aware it might actually help my rouge applying skillz!

Today I am having a textbook sorta sunday. Had a lie in, lots of pj time, tidying up, watching sunday afternoon telly (and Hollyoaks omnibus, since when I miss a couple of episodes I havent got a bloody clue whats going on) seeing my daddy, step mum and baby bro, and going on the hunt for some Benpanthen (on a sunday of all days… Asda pharmacy should be a winner!) Becauuuuse, yesterday I got a new tattoo 🙂

I did tweet a picture last night when I got home, which was taken right after it was done. Its been wrapped up and very bloody since, but this morning I gave it a clean and took advantage of taking a picture in the natural light. It took 3 hours, and was done by Stephen Kelly at Irezumi in Glasgow. He was the same fella who did my swallows two years ago, and I was so pleased to have found him again when he tattooed my friend Erin! It’s sore, and red, and swollen. And towards the end of the sitting I was lagging 🙁 3 hours is definately the longest I’d be able to sit for. My pain threshold is utter balls, and it was one of those ‘why do I do this to myself’ moments. But it is worth it ♥

Oh, and some final good news which made my week… remember that Next Christmas Blogger Challenge I did in December? Thanks to all your amazing support, I came 4th out of the 65 blogs which took part! So many of them being much bigger than my little blog of horrors. So I was really shocked. Thank you all so much who clicked for me, and stuck by me posting every day for 12 days 🙂 I’ll now have a crazily generous amount of vouchers to spend at Next, and with much needed for the flat, and my dads wedding coming up soon with pressies and an outfit to be bought, this is really going to help me. So the biggest ever thank you 🙂