You know I like doing mental health Wednesday posts, so it is perfect that Bell's Let's Talk day falls exactly today. There is such a stigma associated around mental health, because people assume its "all in our head". What people do not understand is that is can physically hurt, Anxiety physically hurts (panic attacks, hello?) and Depression hurts so much the only way to get a piece of mind is to physically hurt ourselves. I understand, I have first class experience in this, and talking about it is so insanely difficult. People assume you are weak. People don't look at you the same way again, and nothing can change that. Physical pain doesn't last long, mental pain lasts too long. And yes to answer earlier's statement, it is in our heads. That is exactly why we need to talk about it. To get it out of ours heads. Whether you have someone you can trust with your life, or you literally talk to yourself in the mirror. Letting the words flow, and sharing your problems, is a problem halved. 

I want to keep this post lighthearted and like a normal chat, because that is exactly how mental health should be. 

I recently went on a long girly day out, and took so many steps forward Anxiety wise. I was so happy I had managed to conquer a day like this with minimal Anxiety. I can barely order my own food without rehearsing it in my head four million times, let alone go out to lunch with friends. It sounds so mundane, but it was a big accomplishment for me. I celebrate the small victories :)

This was a long day out for me, and I actually managed to enjoy all of it. The first thing we did was play glow in the dark crazy golf. I have done this many times before with my family, but never one-on-one with a friend. It was actually so freaking fun! And I won :) But in true Zoë fashion, we had to take a few (and by a few I mean a lot) of photos. Honestly I would pay to go in and just take photos at this place, so photogenic! But I actually had so much fun, and the place was dead. It was literally just us two the entire time, which is perfect for an anxious-wreck-of-a-person like me :)

Now this was the hardest part of the day, going out to lunch. Now I so nearly said "we could just eat at the cinema" (which is where we were heading next), but I didn't. Emily insisted on eating at East Side Marios's (we were right next to it, it was cold, I couldn't be asked question her), which is somewhere I have never been. The thought of eating out, alone generally makes me anxious, being with just a friend (and having to be a big girl, sh*t me), is worse. Eating somewhere I have never eaten before, is a nightmare. I have a problem with eating, (but I would rather not get into that right now) so I was seriously freaking out. As soon as I saw pizza on the menu however, I instantly calmed down. I was going to be alright (thank heavens). We ate lunch, Emily took photos, I took photos, we laughed, we had fun. I actually enjoyed myself. Another win for me :)

Finally, the cinema. This was the main reason we were actually out together, as we had been planning on seeing Pitch Perfect 3 together for a while. I had already seen the movie once, but it was so good I was not going to turn down an opportunity to see it again! It was just as good as the first time, and I would go and see it a third time! (literally the best one of all the pitch perfects!) 

That was the gist of our day out. Lots of little victories, lots of laughter, lots of smiling. Lots of living in the moment, and just being happy. Lots of conquering little things I could only dream of this time last year. Lots of little things for the memory bank. Lots, lots, lots (okay I'm done now ;).

I actually filmed this whole day out on my Youtube channel, as my first ever A Day In The Life so that I could remember all the happy things, and everything I managed to conquer that day! 

Just your regular old mental health chat. Anxiety has been something I have struggled with for so long, but I NEED to start moving forward with it. This was my first step, and to me it was a big one. Stay strong, you were put on this planet for a reason, and guess what? You haven't found out what that reason is yet. Something amazing is going to happen for every single person on this planet, don't miss it.

Hustle Hard Girl,

Follow on Bloglovin' here :)

Hey guys!

Today I thought I would share my top 5 beauty picks for this month! Depending on the month and season I use a lot of different products, and this month I have had a fair few favourites. I love switching up the products I use, and I have so many favourites, but these are the top 5 that made the cut! p.s make sure you are following me on Bloglovin' here!

Tarte Lip Paint in Namaste - I am a huge lover of Tarte, and love what they stand for. Tarte has been a brand favourite of mine since day one, and its still going strong. This lip paint is a gorgeous light nude colour, and I find it perfect for Winter (however it can be quite drying, so my next favourite will help with that!). Despite its drying properties, this lip paint stays on all day, and applies so easily. It goes on like a dream, and does not bleed at all! I have loved this lipstick for years now, and have it in a few colours. Can we just talk about the name of this product for a second? I am a yoga addict, my favourite lipstick, Namaste? Was it actually made for me? Its like a match made in heaven. Tarte comes up with the best names for their cosmetics, and Im a sucker for the names of products!
Tarte Liquid Lipstick in Namaste - C$24

Clarins Instant Light Comfort Lip Oil - MY HOLY GRAIL. The Clarins comfort lip oil is literally the best thing to exist for your lips. Since the lipstick above can be quite drying, treating your lips to some moisture is a must. If I have really chapped lips, I just put some of this on before bed, and the next morning they are like brand new lips. Soft and plump, this lip product is amazing. It is a little pricier, but the product is worth well more than the price, and it will definitely not let you down! I use this throughout Summer and Winter, but it is my holy grail in Winter time especially!
Clarins Instant Light Comfort Lip Oil - C$25

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder - The Hourglass ambient lighting powder has also made the top five. This powder is the best powder I have come across. It is so gorgeous and silky, with a little bit of sparkle in it. It does not let your makeup budge all day, and adds a youthful glow to your complexion. In the winter time this powder adds more colour and life back into your face with its sparkly tinge. This is the only setting powder I use now, and is the best thing I have come across. Definitely worth the price in my opinion!
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder (in Luminous Light) -C$55

M.A.C Blush in Stay Pretty - In the Winter time my face looks a little lifeless and loses all colour. My next favourite will turn your whole makeup game around this Winter. The Mac blusher in the colour stay pretty is my holy grail blusher. I have used many blushers, and even other ones from Mac, but nothing compares to the stay pretty one! It is a more rosy, hot pink, but is extremely natural and brightens up your whole face. In the Winter time the blusher gives a gorgeous natural rosy cheek look, that is just to die for. Every now and again I'll try a new blusher, but I always go back to this one in the end! Nothing beats it!
M.A.C Blush in Stay Pretty - C$35

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette - My last favourite has been a favourite for years, and is an oldie, but a Goldie. The Naked 3 palette is my favourite palette for this time of year. I usually use a lot of palettes all year round, but I always dig this one out for Winter. The Naked 3 has some gorgeous rose and rose gold colours that are just to die for. They are so natural, and add a gorgeous youthful glow to your makeup. My go to colours are (from right to left in the above image) Dust, Burnout, Limit, and Buzz. This palette is definitely worth its money, and is great for all year round, especially Winter. I am a huge Urban Decay lover, but nothing beats their eyeshadow palettes!
Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette - C$66

What were your favourite beauty items this month?

Hustle Hard Girl,

I was recently reading a load of my favourite blogs, and I came across a post from the blog Enjoying The Small Things about a "What is is my bag?". Only is was called "My Purse Is Worse", and it was amazing! Such a neat idea, and unique spin on the classic "What's In My Bag?", so I thought I would do one too! If any of you do this post, let me know in the comments, I would love to read them!

1. The Bag, this is an old one from Ardene a few years ago, it was in the sale and I was broke. I still use it to this day though, its the perfect small shoulder bag! Being black it goes with everything too :)

2. My favourite purse! It is from Kate Spade a few years ago, and you guessed it, its black. I just end up chucking it in any bag I am using, but it is the perfect size for my $5 note. Seriously though, I'm still broke from Christmas.

3. Scrunchies. My best friend. Quite why I need 2 I don't know, but I live in these scrunchies!

4. The newest edition, my planner. I pretty much have the same one already, what can I say I am a sucker for the pale blue with pink florals! Very Cath Kidston! 

5. No bag is complete without my phone. Fun fact my wallpaper is of the Statue of Liberty, because for my 14th birthday we went to New York, and that was when I got this phone. So yeah, I haven't changed the wallpaper in over 3 years... 

6. My trusty Saje Stress Relief Roller, honestly I don't go anywhere without it. Having Anxiety means it comes up any time possible, so having this with me helps keep it under control!

7. A random Origins lip pencil I got it in the Origins advent calendar 2017, chucked it in my bag, and it has been there ever since. 

8. An ever so random felt party hat. Basically I was babysitting, and the little girl Anastasia made it for me, and it has lived in my bag ever since :)

9. One bobby pin. Yes just the one, 2 would be too convenient. 

10. An eos lip balm. Covered in gunk, and crumbs. Yes very lovely and moisturizing. Not.

11. A tampon. You can bet your arse that won't be there when I need it, because you know, that would be too easy!

12. A random pad I found in a pocket I didn't realize existed. Not going to lie I hate pads and haven't used them in years, so I have no clue how long it has been in there. 

13. Hand cream! The Zoella Snowella hand cream I got for Christmas, now to be forever lost in the magic bag that makes everything disappear (including that tampon, god damnit). 

14. The Sephora compact mirror. Probably covered in dirt, smudges, and possibly even cracked... yeah I don't know why thats still in there.

15. Sunglasses, because everyone needs a pair of those in Winter, I'll just leave them in there for summer time. They will definitely still be there when Summer arrives.

16. Cinema tickets! From when I went to see Pitch Perfect 3 last week, obviously used, clearly expired. Not useful, but still there.

17. Finally, some old crumpled receipts, no bag would be complete without those. 

Well thats everything in my bag! It really is interesting to go back and sort it all out. What was the weirdest thing you found in your bag? Let me know if you do one of these, and make sure to check out Enjoying The Small Things, original post! If you aren't already following me, follow me on Bloglovin' here!

Hustle Hard Girl,