Liebster Award | Q & A

I have been nominated for a Liebster Award by Tiffany from Red Wine and Blue Mom!! It is such an honor to be nominated for something as sweet and kind as this and what a fun way to connect and develop friendships within the blogging community!

The Liebster Award was created by The Global Aussie and 'is an award given to bloggers by other bloggers. In German, Liebster means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.' It was created to connect and support the blogging community.

Firstly I would like to thank the lovely Tiffany from Red Wine and Blue Mom for kindly nominating me! Her blog is all about motherhood, cooking, inspirational posts and everything in between. On top of all this she is an exceptional blogger and writer! Don't just take my word for it, click here to find out for yourself!

The way the Liebster Award works is:

• Another blogger nominates you.
• They answer questions posted to them by their nominator and at the end of their post they ask you a series of questions to answer.
• You then nominate 5-11 blogs that you feel deserves the award.
• Thank the person who nominated you, and put a link to their blog on your blog.
• Head over the The Global Aussie for more rules and don't forget to post your blog in the comments for others to read!

Let's get to the questions!!!

1. What inspired you to start your blog?

I started my blog in early 2016 and previous to that I had never been much of a writer - in fact English was my worst subject in school! I had just moved to London from a small town in New Zealand, and wanted to keep my friends and family up to date with our adventures on the other side of the world. I fell in love with blogging early on and even spent the little time I had on my evenings and weekends writing and taking photos. I found out quickly that it is very time consuming and almost a full time job, so the blog got put on the back burner for a bit. Since moving back to New Zealand, I have had the time to invest into making this website the best it can be (I still have a long way to go!) and have rediscovered my love for blogging again!

2. What has been your proudest blog moment so far?

To be honest, my blog is pretty small and doesn't get a lot of traffic, which is fine because it is a hobby and not a job - but I have to say being nominated for a Liebster Award is pretty exciting! To think someone thought of me and has visited my blog makes me very happy!

3. Where do you go when you need a little material inspiration?

I go to other blogs, pinterest, instagram, youtube etc for inspiration. There are so many talented bloggers out there who create beautiful content, and I find that is the best place to get inspiration. Plus its important to support each other as it is such a tough business to break in to. I also love going to YouTube for inspiration. Even though I am too shy to post videos, I love to be able to incorporate those ideas into my blog posts.

4. Do you have a routine you have to do before or during your writing time?

Not really. I usually write the blog post first and then sort out the photography later. I love having loads of photos on the blog because that is what I like seeing on others.

5. What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the year?

Personally, I would like to become less dependant on other people's approval and accomplish some of my fitness and health goals.
In my blog, I would love to grow my audience, get better at blog photography and stick to a schedule of posting throughout the year. We will see how that goes!

6. Which blogger would you love to colab with?

This is a tough question as I don't know too many. I would say Niomi Smart would be one of the bigger YouTuber/Bloggers I have always admired and I love her content. I also love InTheFrow and her fashion posts. She is killing the game!! To be fair I would be open to colabing with anyone who shares the same interests - travel, fashion, beauty, fitness or God. Hit me up if you would like!

7. What do you love to do when you aren't busy blogging?

I love to travel and explore new places. That is something I always hope to do. I like fitness and enjoy running (OK maybe 'enjoy' is too strong of a word...). I have also found a new love of cooking recently so creating new dishes is something else I love to do!

8. Post 10 random facts about me (from The Global Aussie)

• I am a Christian
• I have travelled to 22 different countries (some more than once)
• My nickname is Bam 
• My favourite movie is The Holiday
• I have 2 tattoos and 5 piercings
• I am terrified of the ocean and I find beaches in no way relaxing
• I do not like coffee or tea
• My personality type is INFJ
• I LOVE sleeping
• My favourite TV show is Friends

9. What makes you passionate about blog posting? (question from The Global Aussie)

Blogging has created an environment for me to share my experiences, be creative, and write about the things I love. I hope to use this platform to inspire others and I pray that whoever reads my posts can walk away with a smile and a bit of encouragement. The world can be a negative place - especially with social media - and the blogging community is such a positive and supportive place to share and discover new products, travel stories, find inspiration and everything in between.

My nominations are:
1. candidlykristina.com
2. pricelesslifememories.wordpress.com
3. phillipdeanblog.wordpress.com
4. lazygirl.us
5. moretoexplore.co
6. todaytomorrowforeverella.wordpress.com
7. thetustingirl.com
8. forevermotivated.blog

My questions are:
1. What or who inspired you to start your blog?
2. Where is your dream travel destination and why?
3. Do you have goals for your blog? If so, what are they?
4. What is the last compliment you got?
5. What are your hobbies outside of blogging?
6. If you could live anywhere in the world (fiction or not), where would it be?
7. What is something that most people don't know about you?
8. Do you have pets? If so, post a photo of them here!

I hope you enjoyed reading this and thank you again to Tiffany for my nomination!! I can't wait to read your responses! Leave your blog links in the comments - I would love to support you!
Don't forget to be kind and lift each other up!

Thanks for reading!

God Bless,
Amber x

2017 Favourites | LIFESTYLE

For many, 2017 was a year full of many of highs and definitely plenty of lows. For me, last year was incredible and one of my favourites yet. 2018 has a lot to live up to! The good times absolutely outweighed the bad (and believe me there were loads of those too) but I am grateful for the hardships that I went through because I have grown and become a stronger woman because of it.

In 2017 myself and Aaron were able to travel to countries we dreamed of going to, I learnt to say yes to any opportunity even if it scared me, I surrounded myself with the best friends any girl could want and I got to see my family again after living 2 years abroad. There is so much to be thankful for.

Let's begin 2018 on a good note and focus on the best of 2017! Here are some of my favourites:

Beauty:

Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick

Anything by Charlotte Tilbury is absolutely gorgeous but for me there is one product stands above all and that is her lipsticks! I decided to treat myself and add a few of her shades to my lipstick collection and they did not disappoint. The creamy consistency applies beautifully to your lips, is long lasting, very pigmented and leaves your lips feeling smooth and moisturised. Not to mention the stunning rose gold packaging that any lipstick lover is drawn to!

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara

I am not one to get hung up on high end brands especially if a similar product at half the price will do the same job but the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara is another story. The mascara darkens, thickens and adds volume to your lashes whilst not clumping them together like a lot of other brands do. It also does not smudge or create panda eyes throughout the day which no one likes. It is more of a pricey item but is worth it for the best of the best! 

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

This has been a favourite of mine for a few years now but once again NARS has pulled through to becoming a favourite again in 2017! I have honestly never found a foundation like this. It gives my skin natural glowing dewy finish with a buildable coverage. It leaves my skin looking soft and smooth while covering any imperfections I may have, and it lasts all day. NARS Sheer Glow is perfect for those with dry skin whereas the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation gives a more matt finish for those with oily skin.

Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner

For the last few years I have been looking for a liquid eyeliner that doesn't smudge and lasts throughout the day, as everything I had been using in the past tends to rub off after a few hours of applying. After trying drugstore and high end brands I finally found one that does the trick! The Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner stays on throughout the day, is easy to apply, super pigmented and best of all is affordable! In fact, it is so good and reasonably priced that I bought 5 before leaving the UK incase I couldn't find the brand anywhere else!

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

I came across the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser in a goodie bag I was gifted from an event I attended last year. I had never heard of the brand before but I have to admit I have been pleasantly surprised. I am very cautious of what I use on my skin as it can be quite sensitive but one day I thought I would give it a go. It is an extra gentle cleanser that I use I for removing makeup (even waterproof mascara) at the end of the day and my skin feels better for using it. The calming cucumber extracts soothes the skin and adds moisture. I will definitely be re-purchasing this!

The White Company Day Perfume

The White Company is a store full of the most beautiful candles, diffusers and linen which means I can never resist leaving without making a purchase. One of my favourite scents is their 'Day' perfume which I have mentioned before in a previous post. It has a refreshing sweet scent and is light and subtle. It is perfect for work and brings a hint of spring to your wardrobe. 

Health and Fitness:

Kayla Itsines 

I don't know how I only came across Kayla Itsines last year but this woman is incredible and a huge health and fitness inspiration. Her app SWEAT consists of 28 minute HIIT home workouts and meal plans including recipes which she has incorporated into her new book; The Bikini Body and Motivation & Habits Guide. Although it only came out in November, it quickly became a favourite of mine. It has great tips on how to keep motivated and change your habits which is exactly what I am looking to do in 2018. The best part of this book is the tasty recipes which are simple, easy and realistic for everyday use. If you follow Kayla on Instagram you will be able to see the amazing transformations from those that follow her training program. 

Kew Gardens 10k Run

Never in a million years would I have thought I would ever have a running/sports event on my favourites list... but nevertheless here we are! In the beginning on 2017 I found myself becoming lazier and gaining a bit of weight so I decided to sign up for the Kew Gardens 10k run so I would have a fitness goal to work towards. If you are not careful the busy city life can take over meaning you have less time to focus on your health and fitness. Most of my family are runners but it seems I did not get that gene pool, so running 1km let alone 10km was going to be a huge achievement. After 6 months of training I DID IT!! It is such a great feeling completing your goals and this one has health and weight loss benefits too! If you are looking to hit some of those fitness goals in 2018 I'd suggest entering an event - they are fun and help you stick to your training. Plus what better place to run than the stunning Kew Gardens! 

Travel:

Dubrovnik, Croatia 

Croatia had never been a country that I had on my radar - that was until the I got to London in 2016. Many friends of ours had mentioned Dubrovnik as being an amazing summer destination and one to add to our bucket list. By the beginning of 2017 we had given in and booked flights and let me tell you, Croatia lived up to our expectations and more! From the Old Town, to the beach days, to the food, Dubrovnik did not disappoint and is now one of my favourite places in the world! For those who are Game of Thrones fans this is a MUST!

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Since first visiting in 2013, Italy has become one of my favourite countries in the world, so much so that we keep going back! In July 2017 Aaron and I flew into Naples Italy and began our road trip to the Amalfi Coast - not before stopping in Pompeii first! 

We continued on towards the coast and stayed in one of the most beautiful B&Bs just outside of Amalfi called World Center Resort which I would 100% recommend. We spent the few days we had there driving along the coastal roads (slowly and with caution) and stopping in some of the most picturesque towns and villages I have ever seen including Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Minori.  

Driving Tips: Hiring a car on the Amalfi Coast is very stressful, especially as the roads are incredibly narrow and the drivers can be quite unpredictable. Other forms of public transport between the towns are available for example; buses and boats can be more convenient as finding a car park is difficult and can be expensive. 

Israel

Israel is a country I have always wanted to travel to but never imagined I would actually go due to the conflict surrounding the area but we cannot live our lives in fear! So when the opportunity came up for us to visit we took it and I am so glad we did! Tel Aviv is a lively and vibrant city with plenty of nightlife, restaurants and the most beautiful beach. Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and with the most incredible history. The Old Town in Jerusalem was one of the most moving and peaceful places I have ever been to and it will always hold a special place in my heart because of its biblical background. More highlights of Israel included Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Ein Gedi, Masada and the Dead Sea. 

Israel will, and I believe will always, remain my favourite country in the world! Look out for a blog post coming up where I explain why.

The Best for Last...

London

It is no secret that London is my all time favourite place in the entire world! Over the last 2 years London has become my home more so than the town I grew up in. Of course there are downsides to living in one of the biggest cities in the world but the pros outway the cons in a big way. I fell in love with London in 2013 when we visited for a holiday and I knew I had to come back. Some of my favourite days were spent biking around on Boris bikes, exploring new parts of the city, having picnics in some of the many parks, drinking in pubs along the river with my friends and walking around and exploring the little side streets that you wouldn't think to look down.

But let's not ignore the fact that it's the people you surround yourself with that make a place a home and I hit the jackpot! I am so grateful for meeting the people I have and I hope those friendships will last a lifetime.

Thanks for reading!

God Bless,

Amber x

New Years Resolutions | LIFESTYLE

It is the last day of 2017 and the New Year’s resolutions are about to be in full swing! The 1st of January is the perfect excuse for a new start and clean slate which is why I believe so many of us love the New Year. Making goals and sticking to them is incredibly satisfying although I am definitely NOT one of the 8% google says actually keep them. For 2018 I have tried to keep them short, achievable and write them down so I am accountable.

Drink More Water

I don’t know about you but this is the last thing on my mind during my busy day at work! Last year I found myself drinking less and doing a lot more which lead to a lot of burning out at the end of the week. Every blogger and health guru seems to tell me that drinking more water is the first step to a healthier lifestyle which is what I am striving for in 2018.

Healthier Lifestyle

I know this is so cliché but it needs to be said! Before I left for London in 2015 having a healthy lifestyle was a huge part of my life. While living there I had found it a lot harder to eat healthier and to find the time to go to the gym due to the commute and the everyday lifestyle of a big busy city. This year I hope to be more organised and put my body first to not only look healthier but feel healthier too! My goal is to complete another run, whether that be a 6k, 10k or half marathon.

Be More Organised

Generally I am a very clean and organised person… until it comes to my bedroom! I need a clean space to think clearly and keeping things in order really helps. This year I hope to keep my work and home space a clean and relaxing environment.

Write on my Blog More

Seeing as each blog I post is getting further and farther in between, I think that means I have some work to do on this little blog of mine! Unfortunately it takes a lot of time and due to living in London for the past 2 years, I didn't seem to have as much time as I would like to dedicate to this. Now that I am back in New Zealand I have found I have a lot more free time and would like to focus more on writing and creating better content on here. Ideas are always welcome!

Decide on a Career Path

Even though I am 25 years old I still have no idea what I want to do for a job! Why is it so hard?! Since leaving high school in 2010 I focused my life on travelling. Even though years have passed I still am not sure what I want to do. This year I want to make a decision and begin the journey towards a career. 

Learn to Cook

This year I have decided that it is time for me to actually use those cookbooks I buy but never use and become the next masterchef (OK that may be a bit too adventurous!). I love cooking and trying to make new dishes so spending a bit more time in the kitchen rather than on the couch will be the first step in achieving this goal. Lets hope this will help with the healthy eating as well! 

What are some of your New Year's Resolutions?! I would love to hear them!
I hope 2018 brings you and your family health, happiness and new adventures. Remember to be kind and step out of your comfort zone. This year will be great!!

Happy New Year!

Thanks for reading!

God Bless,

Amber x