Summer '14! | Returning To Camp

I'm finally back after what seems like forever! Hopefully I will get more posts up in the next few weeks and get back in to things again. Here's the first update of what I have been doing these past months...

       

I had such a good time at camp last year I thought i'd do it all again this year! I was lucky enough to receive an email from the camp I worked at asking me to return in the summer. The process of returning is much less hassle as the majority of work and forms were done when applying for your first year.

After accepting and receiving your returning contract from camp you need to re-register with your agency (in my case, Americamp).

The process was simple! I re-enrolled as a returnee on the Americamp website (the information you added in your previous application will still be on there), sent my contract with the camp to Americamp and paid my £199 fee (be aware of any hidden fees when paying). After your application has been processed you can start applying again for your CRB check, medical with your doctor and also your visa. In most cases if you have already been to the embassy in person the first time, you can apply for a postal application saving you the hassle of going to the embassy. Next you need to sort your flights, insurance, currency etc. and you're off!

I hate to say this, but my experience with Americamp this year hasn't been as enjoyable as last year. E-mails took far too long for a response and I had many e-mails ignored. Compared to last year my e-mails were answered straight away. I'm unsure if this is because they've seen a rise in the people joining their agency or it is something else... They're still a great company though, I just felt like I should mention it as I want to give an honest review of everything here on my blog! 

The camp I worked at was a sleep-away co-ed camp in the Catskill Mountains of New York. 

This year I was a counselor for the age group 'freshmen' (age around 8-10). I lived in a large cabin with the children and counselors which was divided into two sections (A and B). Each side of the bunk was split between around 2-3 counselors and 9 children on each side.

I was a pool lifeguard this year and also a swim instructor. Here in the picture you can see the pool I worked at! The swim instruction was mandatory for the lower camp and as well as this they also had time for free swim.

The camp session lasts for 7 full weeks with one parent visiting day. 

Camp isn't for everyone as it is hard-work and exhausting with the long days however it is a truly rewarding experience and you will gain great memories and experiences. I made so many new friends and it was great to meet like-minded people. If you have any questions or are interesting in doing this type of work feel free to drop me a message and hopefully my two years of experience doing this will help you out a little!

LUSH Shower Empties

LUSH Whoosh Shower Jelly (Left) - LUSH Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub (Right)

Lush Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub 130g - I've never really used any Lush products until my housemate bought me a gift-set. Rub rub rub shower scrub is a shower scrub (believe it or not) and can also be used in your hair. I used this the first time as a scrub after I had shaved my legs... and well with this product being salt based it wasn't the best of ideas! Talk about it stinging! Ever since then i've kinda been put off using it as a scrub and use it as a second shampoo. The salt in it is great for washing your hair and also gives added volume. It's great for getting that 'just been at the beach' hair look. I actually quite like the smell of this product. It has a very distinct 'salty' smell and it reminds me of beaches and oceans. The consistency is quite gritty and gloopy - imagine at the beach and you have some wet sand. Overall I would definitely recommend this product.

Lush Whoosh Shower Jelly 100g - There are different ways to use this product such as chilling it, freezing it or just using it straight from the pot. I used it straight from the pot but can imagine it would be great chilled! The smell of this is great - it has an amazing fruity, citrus smell. I used this for my body at first as a soap, but then read that the seaweed in it was great for your scalp, so like the shower scrub, it became another shampoo for me. The jelly once rubbed in your hair becomes a lather. I would recommend this product on just the smell alone! Its a great alternative for shower soaps.

These two Lush products I received as part of a gift set which is why they are slightly smaller than the original products. However you can buy the 100g Whoosh Shower Jelly, I just haven't seen a smaller version of the Shower Scrub unless they've sold out!
Both items lasted me quite a while and I would definitely recommend buying a friend or even treating yourself to one of their gift sets as they give you a taster of some of their great products at an affordable price.

Don't forget if you bring back 5 empty, clean full-sized pots or tubes to Lush they will give you a free face-mask!

If you've tried any of the Lush products, what is your favourite? (if you've done a blog post on it please link as i'd love to check it out as i'm always looking for the next product to add to collection!)

LUSH Mint Julips Lip Scrub | Review

LUSH Mint Julips Lip Scrub - 25g

Until recently I was a lip exfoliator virgin. I'd never really had any problems with cracked or dry lips, but recently I noticed my lips getting chapped and flakey even though I moisturise them every day and night. I'd heard tricks about using a toothbrush to exfoliate the lips, but I wanted something a bit more practical. That's when I came across the lip scrub range from LUSH! 

LUSH offer these lip scrubs in three different flavours - Mint Julips, Bubblegum and Popcorn at a price of £5.50 for 25g. I've heard lots of reviews and praise over the bubblegum flavour, however the bright pink colour of it did put me off a little, which is why I went for the more subtle coloured 'Mint Julips'.

Mint Julips is a handmade lip scrub made out of natural ingredients, with its main ingredient being castor sugar! I use this before I go to bed and also before I apply any lip balms or colours. The castor sugar gently scrubs away any dead skin and leaves your lips feeling smooth and soft - ideal if you want to get that lipstick perfect! Not only does it leave your lips feelings amazing but it also tastes great too - yes, you can lick it off your lips afterwards! 

This product I feel, even though I have used it every day since I bought it will last me a very long time. You don't need tons of the product on your finger - a little goes a long way! Even though I can't compare it to other products as it is my first lip scrub, I feel like LUSH are onto a winner with these cute little pots of yummy lip care.

Have you tried any lip scrubs from LUSH? 

January Overview

Cancun & vegetable heart pictures taken from Pinterest

The first month of January... some might say the most productive of the months due to the famous 'New Years resolutions'. For me, I think this month has flown by and here is a summary of what I have been up to in January!

1. The one month anniversary of this blog since I started posting! I am so grateful for even having any followers. I didn't even think i'd have any this early on my blogging journey! So thank you for following me and I hope you stick around.

2. I started my dissertation! For those of you who don't know what a dissertation is, it is basically a horrendously long research paper (12,000 words) which you normally complete in the last year at University. I had mulled over a couple of ideas on what to research, but I finally decided on a topic. I had my first meeting with my tutor to discuss everything and any concerns I may have. I've chosen to do a library based research paper, which means many many hours of me trawling through books looking for relevant information. The thought of it scares me a little as I only have about 3 months left to complete it.

3. I worked with my first publishing company through Bloggers Required. I got sent two books to review for my blog and also to feature in a giveaway. I have already posted and reviewed about one book (check it out here and don't forget to enter the giveaway), and hopefully I will post the second book review in the next month or so (it would be earlier but Uni. work is getting in the way :().

4. I got the results back from the only two assignments I have currently submitted to my final year and i've passed both with A's! This was such a shock to me as one was a presentation and I get really nervous about talking to large groups of people knowing all eyes are on me. However this has given me the confidence knowing that I can in fact do it. Anxiety will not get the better of me!

5. I booked my flights back from Cancun. You might be thinking 'back from Cancun?', well I after my summer working in America I plan to go to Cancun for a bit of a holiday with my best friend, and the cheapest way I could do it was to book a return even though I am only using the flight back home to England! Free ticket one-way ticket to Cancun anyone?

6. I've become more of an experimental cook... This is quite a revolution for me as I never really wanted to spend more time in the kitchen than was necessary. However, with this new 'healthy lifestyle' I had tried to promise myself, I got myself fresh ingredients and found myself going through pages and pages of recipe websites. I made quite a few 'delicious', if I do say so myself, meals! Even though I know half of them aren't as 'healthy' as i'd first aimed for (oreo cheesecake, peanut butter cookies...) I think it's a step in the right direction and I really do enjoy making my meals now from scratch!


I feel like this month has been quite a productive month for me and I really hope its a sign of what the future months of 2014 have to come.

What have you been up to this January?

Nando's | What's Your Order?

If you don't know what Nando's is, i'm going to assume you've been living under a rock for the past few years. For me, I think Nando's first came to my attention a couple of years ago due to One Direction and their constant tweeting about it. Since then I feel like it has boomed in popularity and I have been hooked. 

'Nando's is a South African casual dining restaurant group originating from the Mozambican–Portuguese community with a Portuguese/Mozambiquan theme.'

My usual order would consist of a lemon and herb chicken burger with cheese, a side of halloumi cheese, chips with peri-peri salt and a bottomless drink (yum!).

What is your standard Nando's order? or do you think it is over-rated? Let me know your thoughts!

Youtube

With beauty and make-up blogger Stephanie

The world of Youtube can be a scary place, which is why i've never really thought about doing videos until now. The thought of anyone being able to watch your videos and those dreaded internet trolls fills me with fear! However I think it's a great way to interact with followers so i've decided I may give it a go...

Would you like to see videos to compliment my blog? What type of videos would you like to see?

I've made a Youtube channel for if I brave it, so if you want you can subscribe to my new channel here

Barry M - Matte Nail Paint | Review

Barry M Matte Nail Paint MNP 2 Crush 345 (left) - Barry M Matte Nail Paint MNP 1 Espresso 331 (right)

The classic Barry M mate nail paints come in five different warm, wintery colours. The colours are 'coffee shop' colours and are a perfect compliment to most outfits and are also great for wearing at the office! I think they are subtle and really stylish. I know matte nails aren't to everyones taste, but you could always add a shiny top coat if you wanted the shade of polish but aren't so keen on a matte finish.

The examples shown have two coats of nail polish on them. Personally I think two coats are needed with this nail polish to give it that 'perfect' finished look. The matte takes full effect one the paint is fully dried.

'Crush' is a warm berry shade and I think it is perfect for the Autumn/Winter months.
'Espresso' is a simple black nail polish. I think everyone should own a good black nail polish!

You can buy the matte nail paints online or at drugstores such as Superdrug and Boots. They currently retail at £3.99 which I think is a bargain for the look and quality of the product.

What do you think of the matte nail polishes?