Long distance relationships

Hello everyone and happy Thursday!

    I wanted to share some tips on long distance relationships and different ways on how to cope if you're far from your loved one. I met my husband six years ago in person but we started chatting online first long before then (yikes, I know!). I'm not suggesting to start talking to random people online because you never know who people are these days, but I am proof that online relationships CAN work. We each flew back and forth to visit each other from overseas but in between visits was sometimes quite lengthy due to work, money, etc.

The first time we met!

     First off, you will have to have A LOT of patience in order for this type of relationship to work. I went through so many emotions because it's very difficult not seeing that person or living with them on a daily basis so we talked to each other every single day on Skype. We made it a point to make each other our first priority. I used to get very impatient sometimes and lonely but I knew that we would be together in the same place when the timing was right.  

    Trust is the next important thing in a long distance relationship. Most would assume that because your apart for a long length of time than cheating could become an issue. You really need to know the person very well and it's not easy to trust just anyone. I knew that I could trust my significant other and that he wouldn't be interested in anyone else while I wasn't around.   

    Staying positive about your relationship is one of the most important things. You could have doubts that it might not work out in the end or if you could be wasting your time. If you both set goals and work towards them together then it will give you a reason to reach your happy ending. Things will definitely not be perfect but keeping an open mind with a positive outlook on your future together will be beneficial.   

   Keeping yourself busy is also very helpful. I would work long hours some days and worked as much overtime as I could since I didn't have anyone to go home to. Do things with family and friends when possible to keep your mind occupied. It won't be easy to be apart, especially around holidays and birthdays, which is why it's very important to focus on doing things that you like doing.    

   Lastly, people who know you and who you are close to can be very judgemental with the fact that your in a long distance relationship. If I listened to the people that told me that my relationship wouldn't work, I wouldn't be where I am today. I always do and act with my heart. Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something! Surround yourself with positive people and that want the best for you.

I wish you all the best in your relationships!

Ashley

June favorites!

Here are some of my favorite things from this month. Some of these I've been using for a while now but use them on a daily basis and others are new finds that I'm absolutely loving! I can't believe June is almost over but bring on July!

Tanya Burr lipgloss in  Lunchdate, £5.99 at Superdrug

I was very excited about this product because I have watched Tanya on Youtube for years and now she has a makeup line! I used to wear lip gloss when I was younger, but I tended not to like the stickiness of it. This lip gloss is definitely my all time favorite that I've ever tried. The smell is lovely, a mixture between a fruity/vanilla scent. The packaging is very sleek and high end looking without the expensive price! It has a doe foot applicator which makes the applying process easier. A great nude with good color payoff. Definitely a my lips but better type of lip gloss and does not have a sticky texture whatsoever. I highly recommend this if you're looking for a lip gloss!

Barry M nail polish in Green Berry, £3.99

I have always been obsessed with nail polish and love trying different colors and brands. Barry M is one of my favorites.This is a beautiful bright color for Summertime! The brush is big enough so it applies the polish evenly and you have more control. I found this brand to be long lasting as well, without the polish chipping too quickly. Two coats is more than enough with this color!

Loreal Lumi Magique liquid foundation in Rose Pearl, £10.99

Foundations can be a little tricky if your're not used to shopping around for them. This Loreal liquid foundation comes with a pump which I love, so you don't have to use too much. One of the things I don't like about foundations is that they can make you look "cakey". This definitely does not do that and is not cakey looking at all! It's a light coverage formula that you can build up if you need to. I like that it covers up the redness on my face and makes my skin all of the same color. It also has SPF 18 so you don't have to worry about not being protected from the sun. It is one of the top foundations that I have tried and I'm loving it!

Game of Thrones First Season, £11.99

I'm just jumping on the bandwagon with this but I have heard that the Game of Thrones series was very popular and I can see why. I'm only on the first season but I'm absolutely loving it! It keeps you hooked and makes you want to watch every episode. I love series like that because you always want to see what happens next. I will say that there's a lot of graphic scenes and nudity, so it might not be a show to watch with little ones. It's a shame they don't have it on Netflix but I can't wait to catch up on all of the seasons!

Please excuse the messiness of the palette, I've had it for a while :)

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, £38.50
This is a staple in my collection that I use on a daily basis (almost)! I bought it back in the States and was a little nervous buying an expensive makeup product but it has been totally worth it. I try not to overdo my face with makeup and try to keep things looking simple, but I love putting on eye shadow to enhance the eyes. This palette has 12 eye shadows including browns, tans, and smoky colors that you can get a lot of looks out of. These shades are all very pigmented so you don't have to spend a lot of time building up the color. It includes three matte shadows, eight shimmer shadows and one glitter shadow and also includes a shadow and crease brush.

Simple Oil Balancing  Moisturiser, £4.27

I have been using this product after I wash my face and I love it. I have very sensitive and oily skin and this helps keep my skin feel clean and fresh afterwards. Using a good moisturiser is definitely key in  a good skin care regime.  The formula is not greasy at all when you put it on your face. It contains no artificial perfumes or colors. It has vitamin e and pro vitamin b5 which help to improve and soften the skin.


If you would like to see swatches or know more about these items, feel free to comment down below! Let me know if you like these as well or what your favorite products that your loving for this month are! Have a wonderful weekend!

Tips for moving abroad

     If you are thinking of moving abroad in the near future, then there is a lot of things to consider before making such a big change. I am only speaking due to my experience with moving overseas. 

   Savings:  Plan ahead and be sure to bring enough money to cover any unexpected occurrences. If you will be without work for a few months, save at least what you would earn in a few months time. Trust me, this will come in handy if you are unable to find work straight away. 

   Living arrangements:  This should be one of your first plans. If you will be studying, would you want to stay on campus or rent a room from a family? You will have to research rental options in the area that you will be staying in to get an idea of the cost per month. Also, consider whether or not you mind having room mates. I moved in with my husband and his mother who really likes her privacy, so make sure that you are able to get along with people easily.

   Transportation:  Thankfully these days you can ship your car overseas which is always an option but be prepared to make sure it's up to the countries road worthy requirements (say that ten times fast). It's good to prepare yourself by researching what transportation options the town or city has. Buses and trains are handy, but this may be an added monthly expense to get to your class or job that you weren't expecting. You can drive with an international license, but each country has different rules when it comes to driving so be sure to look into that as well.

   Bringing a pet:   Certain airlines will be able to fly your cat or dog in cargo. There is A LOT of paperwork involved if this is the route you want to take, so check with your veterinarian about certain documents that your animal will need. I was so surprised about how much paperwork was actually needed for my cat when bringing her in cargo. I did so much research but I'm telling you it's worth it.  I couldn't live with the idea of having to re-home her with someone and I'm thankful to have a little piece of home with me. 

My Chloe :)

   Work:  This should also be one of your first plans.  If you are relocating due to your job, then that's great! If you will be studying and taking endless amounts of classes, will you be able to fit in a full time job or would you prefer part time? Thankfully I was able to work part time while being a full time college student which is not easy at all! If you won't have a job lined up, then be prepared to get out that resume. Under certain types of visas, unfortunately you will not be allowed to work. It's very important to know what type of visa you will be required to have before making any long term plans. In my situation, I am unable to work at the moment so I am trying to find odd jobs around the town to keep myself busy (and sane!). If you can, consider doing some volunteer work in the community as well. 

   Culture:  I thought this would be helpful to include as well. Depending of what type of person you are, social butterfly or introvert, it's a good idea to know what the social scene is like in the city you'll be moving to. For instance, I came from a coastal town that was very busy with tourists and moved to pretty much the same area but in a different country. The social status of people is slightly different but it's good to know about your future surroundings. Will you be moving to Japan where you'll have to brush up on your Japanese? If you are used to the city life then will you enjoy living in the countryside of Ireland? Of course it's always easier to make friends once you have settled into your environment and start working or going to university. 
   

   These are just a few tips I wanted to share with you and are very handy to know about. Make sure that you do your research on absolutely everything so nothing may come as a surprise. Bon voyage and good luck!

Me, Myself, and I

Good afternoon! I wanted to do a  fun fact post for you to get to know me a little better!

1. I'm a girly girl! Clothes, makeup, shopping, hair, you name it and I like it.
2. I'm a middle child. I have an older brother Nate and a younger sister Cassidy (old photo).
   
3. I was born in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and was brought up there for 10 years until moving to Maine.
   
4. My first car was a black 1997 Honda Accord.
5. I have a love for horses. I took horseback riding lessons as a kid and love trail riding whenever I can!
   
6. I love all things nature: exploring new places and hiking!
7. I'm obsessed with cleaning! I never used to be, but now that I'm married I have to clean up after him haha. I don't know what it is but I love the smell of bleach.
8. My favorite dessert is tiramasu YUM!
9. I enjoy watching makeup tutorials on Youtube.
10. I absolutely love yoga! I miss taking classes but hope to start doing it again!

Did you catch what the queen wore at the trooping of the colour today?! Hope you all enjoy the weekend!

6/6/16

Welcome to my first blog!

    For the past eight months, I've been living in England and trying to grow accustomed to not only being far from home, but trying to find my way in society here. Since moving across the pond, I have got married and am getting used to being a housewife. It's all very exciting while also being very scary at the same time! Ever since I was little, I was always curious about England; Seeing the royal family on t.v. and things like Big Ben in London, made it seem like a very elegant place to visit  and now I can say I'm lucky enough to live here.

   My experience with moving to the country from America has not been easy financially or emotionally. Anyone who has applied for fiance/spousal visas before knows what I'm talking about! There is a TON of paperwork and documents needed these days it makes me wonder why we have such bad immigration issues. My point is that everything I have gone through to come this far has all been worth it. 

My husband and I on our wedding day!

    I can't wait to see what else England has in store for me! I can't wait to travel around the country and around Europe as well.