Keeping Up With Karen…

Keeping Up With Karen

Howdy Beauty Buddies…

What a fabulous weekend it’s been. Friday night was a loooong overdue evening out to Belfast for a yummy meal with my little sis, which I must admit was deeelish – followed by a few cheeky cocktails thereafter 😉 I know, I’m a sucker for a strawberry daiquiri, needless to say my IBS didn’t show the same enthusiasm *sigh*  However, on Saturday afternoon Emma attended her bridesmaid fitting for her sister’s big day! I can’t quite believe my beautiful little step-daughter is getting married. Hayles and I first met when she was just a teeny bit older than Emma – it’s been such a journey over the years and I know I’m going to be a mass of tears and hankies on the day. Yes, waterproof mascara is top of my makeup essentials gals! Needless to say, I can’t wait to make the trip over to Wales for it, it’s been soooo long since I’ve seen the Welshies. There’ll certainly be lots of hugs and catching up to do!

Talking of catching up, if you aren’t up to speed with this week’s shenanigans, then why not grab yourself a cuppa and check out some of the fun features I’ve linked below. Hope you’ve all had a fabulous week, don’t forget you’re welcome to link any of your own blog posts you’d like me to stop by and check out too 🙂

Okay, I’m off to dig out the suitcases and make a packing list, what’s your plans for today?

.

Competition Closed

kat-von-d-eyeshadow-competition

Monday’s post was a quick reminder to get your entry in pronto as it was the last day of the Kat Von D competition! Competition is now CLOSED – all entries will now be placed into a hat and one lucky winner will be drawn from random… could it be you?!

.

Chrome Nail Tip (with a sparkly dash of Holo) 

chrome-tip-nail-with-holographic-smile-line

Following one of the key nails trends at the moment, Chrome, I thought I’d attempt a funky chrome tip with holographic fade. Clients are certainly loving this look right now – perfect for upcoming festive designs don’t you think?

Don’t forget, *Click Here* to subscribe to the Confetti & Curves YouTube channel so you never miss an upload!

.

The Beauty Collective… What do YOU wanna know?

the-beauty-collective-intro

Following on from the success of Behind The Blog, The Beauty Collective is an exciting new series that gets up close and personal with beauty bloggers of all levels – novice, amateur & professional! Regardless how long you’ve been blogging you’re welcome to get on board. Why not submit a burning question that you’d love to ask other bloggers about their beauty & blogging habits too?

pink heart

As always, thank y’all so much for the support, comments, re-tweets, shares, likes & just darn right loveliness. You lot really are an awesome bunch. Do feel free to pop a favourite link from your blog in the comments below for the rest of us to check out, otherwise do stop by & say a quick hello!

Cheerio Chums…

Karen signature

Catch me on:

Twitter   /   Instagram   /   YouTube   /   Facebook

Advertisement

The Beauty Collective…. What Do YOU Wanna Know?

the-beauty-collective-intro

Fancy taking part in something exciting? Course ya do!

Wanna interact with others? Meet new blog buddies? Find out what makes your fellow bloggers tick? Then why not roll up your creative sleeves and take part in an exciting new mini-series The Beauty Collective!

the-beauty-collective

Okay, bit of a back story for those of you who’s ears are perked and eyes are peeled… As you can see (up along the menu bar on Confetti & Curves) there’s an intriguing little tab entitled ‘Behind The Blog‘ – this was a series of fun weekly interviews that a whooooole host of fabulous bloggers took part in over a two-year period. The point of it? To allow the rest of us nosey bloggers to learn a little more about you & your fabulous corner of the interweb.

Of course after taking a break from Behind The Blog I’ve been inundated with emails from new bloggers asking if it’ll be making a return. However, fear not my little computer companions as it’s high time we started afresh  – and YOU have control in choosing the questions.

SO, in a digital nutshell, I’m inviting you lovely lot to submit a burning question you’ve been itching to ask other bloggers… this can be anything like:

‘How obsessed are you with your stats?’

‘Are you a self-confessed blog-stalker?’

‘What made you start blogging?’

‘Where do you see your blog in 5 years time?’

‘What ticks you off the most about blogging?’ 

‘How do you organise your blog schedule?’

(…and lots of other blog & beauty related questions)

.

A list of chosen questions will be compiled into a questionnaire and used as a great way to get to know fellow beauty bloggers. Sounds simple? Thought so 😉

pink heart

For those eagerly waiting to take part, feel free to submit a question and if YOU would like to be a featured blogger on The Beauty Collective leave your details in the comments below & I’ll be in touch with more info very shortly.

Cheerio Chums…

Karen signature

Catch me on:

Twitter   /   Instagram   /   YouTube   /   Facebook

Celebrating 2000 Blog Subscribers!!!!!!!!!!!!

2000-subscribers

2000 Subscribers?! How the HECK did that happen?!

When I first started Confetti & Curves never in my dreams did I imagine I’d be celebrating a whopping 2000 subscribers of my blog… in fact I still remember the rush of adrenaline when I hit my first 100 followers – I literally couldn’t believe that amount of people would want to check out my little corner of the interweb.

This blog has been such a lifeline & to me for so many reasons; it’s helped me through days I’ve felt totally broken, it’s kept me focused on putting my energy into something positive when I’ve been riddled with anxiety, I’ve made friends from all over the world that will indeed stay friends for many years to come, I’ve worked with some fantastic brands, tested some great (and not so great) beauty products, but most importantly I’ve been SO warmly welcomed into such an amazing online community.

So from the bottom of my heart… THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU – not just for hitting the subscribe/follow button, but for hanging around to say hello, checking out previous features, for leaving me the most uplifting & encouraging comments and just being an amazing bunch of online buddies.

SO….. keep your eyes peeled for a super duper giveaway to celebrate as a great big thank you for hanging around… don’t forget you can *Click Here* to subscribe to the Confetti & Curves YouTube channel so you never miss an upload too! I’m also on a sprinkling of social media too if you’d like to pop by and say howdy elsewhere (links featured below)

Thanks again y’all for making Confetti & Curves the little online haven that it is!

Cheerio Chums…

Karen signature

Catch me on:

Twitter   /   Instagram   /   YouTube   /   Facebook

Have We Met?

Have We Met

Not gonna lie this week has been a killer gals & needless to say I’ve been a human cocktail of emotions to match – heck I’m pretty sure there’s even a few extra grey hairs setting up camp *sob* Needless to say I’m on the wind down so between all the general life shenanigans mixed with some terrifying dental work *ouch* which means I’ve had to skip this weeks YouTube chatter *sigh* However I’m aiming to dust the camera off this weekend so an upload shall be on its merry way very soon!

Bizarrely in the interim of all the madness I’ve noticed a boom in followers *friendly wave* & so lovely to meet y’all 😀 So it only seems right to say a huge thank you for stopping by and taking the time to follow, say hello and I’ve even received a few truly inspiring emails – the blogging love is much appreciated, what an awesome community we have going on here ❤

As with all my wonderful new inter-web chums, there are soooooo many others platforms we can reach each other on… and as I love chatting and getting to know you all so much here’s a few of the others places you can find me noseying around throughout the morning, afternoon, evening (& occasionally) middle of the night.

Do pop by, say hello & hit a like button if you haven’t done so already. Just click on the links & you’ll be digitally transported right to me… yeeehaaa!

.

Twitter: @KarenHeidiRees

.

YouTube: Confetti & Curves

.

Instagram: karenheidirees

.

 Facebook: @LiquidGlamourByKaren

pink heart

Don’t forget to say a quick hello and if you’ve any social media accounts you’d like me to check out or follow you on do feel free to pop the links in the comments below… it’s always a treat meeting new beauty buddies!

Cheerio Chums…

Karen signature

 

 

My Top Ten ‘Must Read’ Posts For New Beauty Bloggers…

Must Read Posts For New Beauty Bloggers

One of the many reasons I adore blogging is constantly getting to meet new blog buddies – both experienced bloggers and completely new to the blogging community. However when you’re starting out, blogging can be a really daunting process – particularly hitting that ‘publish’ button for the first time. In fact if you’re anything like me it can rev up the anxiety levels and leave you in a state of ‘what the heck have I just done?’ and ‘Oh my gosh I hope nobody I KNOW reads this’ – don’t worry we’ve all been there and done it, am I right experienced bloggers?

So seeing as so many lovely new bloggers have taken the time to stop by Confetti & Curves to say hello I thought I’d share a few of my own ‘words of wisdom’ when it comes to blogging. After all it’s something that has personally helped me cope with anxiety and some really rough days – put your all into blogging and you’ll get so much in return as it really is a fantastic family to be a part off.

So grab your biggest cuppa and check over some of my personal top tips for new bloggers or those thinking of starting a blog anytime soon…

.

Starting A Beauty Blog

Start a beauty blog

From finding your blogging topic to creating a catchy name, this post pretty much outlines the bare bones of thing you might want to consider when you’re starting out!

.

10 Tips On Growing Your Blog Audience 

How To Grow Your Blog Audience

So you’ve got yourself a brand new beauty blog… now to build a dedicated audience of readers and blog buddies alike. In this post I share some of my top tips for attracting new viewers to your online haven!

.

How I Plan & Schedule My Blog Posts

How I Plan and Schedule My Blog Posts

In this post I cover just a few of the handy little blogging tools I use to keep on top of planning and scheduling – trust me, they make a mountain of a difference!

.

Are You Battling A Blogging Slump?

Beat The Blogging Slump

Blogging slumps, bluuurgh. Yes, we all have them – even the most famous, creative & professional of bloggers hit bumps in the road. However in this post I share some handy advice that helps to keeps Confetti & Curves as slump free as possible!

.

10 Tips For Blogging On A Busy Schedule

Tips For Blogging On A Busy Schedule

Whether you’re a daily, weekly or monthly blogger; commiting to a blog whilst juggling a busy school/work/family life can be pretty challenging. In this post I share some of the things that have really helped me juggle life and blogging without losing too much of my sanity!

.

Making Your Beauty Blog PR Friendly

Making Your Beauty Blog PR Friendly

Are you eager to collaborate with some exciting new brands? Then you might want to start off with the basics by ensuring your blog is PR Friendly – if so then take a peek at my check list of handy hints to make your blog a little more inviting to brands & PR companies who are on always on the lookout for upcoming bloggers to collaborate with.

.

My Top Five Basic Photography Tips For Beauty Blogging

Photography Tips For Beauty Bloggers

If there’s one skill that blogging has tested me on it’s been photography. Arranging the perfect backdrop for a sassy new lippy can be as frustrating as swatching your new eye shadow palette in gloomy lighting. In this post I share a few of my thoughts on the basic tips I’ve picked up for photographing for cosmetic reviews.

.

10 Photography Backdrop Ideas for Budding Beauty Bloggers

10 Photography Background Ideas for Beauty Bloggers

Keeping on the theme of photography I share some of my favourite backdrop ideas when it comes to taking captivating piccies for your readers & blog buddies to gaze over!

.

Keeping An Organised Blog

Keeping An Organised Blog

Just because blogging’s fun doesn’t necessarily mean it’s always easy, am I right chums?! However in this feature I run through some of the things that help keep me super organised!

.

Things You Need To Do Before Publishing A Blog Post

Blog Post Publishing Checklist

So you’ve composed a killer blog post and you’re ready to hit the ‘publish’ button – but have you checked over a few of the essentials before sharing with the world? If like me you suffer from regular bursts of ‘what fudge was I thinking?’ then this handy little check list might help to keep your future posts perfectly polished.

pink heart

Are you just starting our on your blog journey? Or have you any helpful hints or tips for bloggers you’d like to share? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by for a quick chatter:)

Cheerio Chums…

Karen signature

Catch me on:

Twitter   /   Instagram   /   YouTube   /   Facebook

10 Things I’ve Learned About Beauty Blogging…

10 Things I've Learned About Beauty Blogging

There’s an old Chinese proverb which states ‘The journey of a thousand mile starts with a single step’. Isn’t it beautiful? These words have always rung true throughout the many journeys I’ve been on, some of them great and others not so much. But after stumbling across this little proverb over the weekend again it’s made me reflect back on a few journeys I’ve been through, am still going through & those yet to come. One of the most inspiring journey’s I’ve been on is blogging. Not only has it helped me manage my anxiety immensely, but the fun I’ve had and the friendships forged have been totally unforgettable. So with that in mind today’s post is simply a light hearted reflection on a few of the things I’ve learned since taking my first ‘virtual’ footstep with Confetti & Curves almost 3 years ago…

.

Hoarding becomes normality…

No, really it will. Say goodbye to your trusty little zip-up makeup bag and hello to a room dominated by skyscrapers of muji drawer sets and decorative Ikea plant pots crammed with makeup brushes. Of course that’s ONLY the cosmetics… your bathroom shelves, bedside cabinets, kitchen table and handbag will become a breeding ground for skincare, moisturisers, lip balms…

pink heart

There’s no such thing as free time…

If you’re a busy little blogging bee who hits the ‘publish’ button multiple times per week then the likely hood is that your free time is spent scrawling down post ideas, making mental notes of points to mention, scouring beauty magazines, responding to PR companies, replying to comments, attempting to keep up with social media, recharging your camera batteries, cursing the lack of natural daylight, typing into the early hours of the morning – oh, and juggling your job/life/kids/family commitments into the mix too 😉

pink heart

“But it’s for the Blog”…

Payday should be everyday when you’re a beauty blogger with a wish list as long as a fresh loo roll, but it aint, so funds needs to be juggled with care and the mightiest of resistance to splurge. However there’s always that delicious moment when birthday & Christmas rolls round and you’re handed cards filled with gift vouchers for your favourite beauty havens *happy sigh* In the mean time you’ll keep convincing yourself that every item you pop in your basket is all in the name of beauty blogging. What a selfless trooper you are! 😀

pink heart

Nothing gets used until your camera says so…

And I mean absolutely nothing. The thought of applying a fresh tube of lippie before it’s been photographed almost makes the eyeballs in your head roll back in horror. And heaven forbid an eye shadow pan gets disturbed or a new makeup tool gets used BEFORE it’s had a photo shoot.

pink heart

There’s no such thing as “Just popping in”…

Are you serious? When was the last time you actually ‘just popped in’ to any makeup store? When you’re a beauty blogger avoiding the makeup aisles is virtually impossible. We have miniature magnets entwined into our DNA that simply doesn’t permit us to casually dander past a wall of beauty goodies but instead be drawn helplessly towards them. We’re goin’ in and we ain’t coming back out until our forearms resemble a patchwork quilt of many many many colours.

pink heart

EVERTHING gets critiqued…

Even things your friends and family treat themselves too , you’ll more than likely find yourself saying “Ooh, very nice, but you really should try…” Oh yes, you become obsessed, not only with your own stash but also with the stash of others too. Not to mention the almighty moment of “YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS… No, really you HAVE to, I insist, in fact let’s go RIGHT NOW and buy it for you. Yes NOW!” You become delirious when you find a mascara that does what it promises or a drugstore lipstick that puts your favourite Mac to shame.

pink heart

The guilt, oh the guilt…

Oddly enough I had this very conversation with a blog buddy quite recently, when we were discussing the waves of quilt from the very thought of not posting. It’s remarkably amazing just how much effort goes into maintaining a blog, including sticking to a routine. Sadly many of us often get swamped into feeling pressured to fulfilling that day in day out. Remember, we’re only human, we need our blog breaks, holidays and time away to recharge our batteries. Blogging should be fun, breaking the guilt is tough but it has to be done to realise that there’s a life to live away from the laptop too.

pink heart

You’ll have an all year round need for fairy lights…

Your new slogan will be ‘fairylights aren’t just for Christmas..’ as you’ll soon discover that there’s an all round yearly requirement for obtaining that perfect background bokeh effect to woo the eyeballs of your readers with. Yes, your room will partially resemble Santa’s grotto 356 days of the year… 366 if it’s a leap year. Just saying.

pink heart

Lighting becomes your enemy …

Summer time is a blessing but winter is just a plain old pain in the virtual arse cheeks. With gloomy grey skies and sunlight disappearing faster than your patience cares to admit, you’ll possibly find yourself timing your photo shoots to day-light perfection as you huddle eagerly beside your biggest window… until you spend your entire savings on ring lamps powerful enough to flood light Wembley Stadium.

pink heart

You’ll become besties with people you’ve never met…

This is by far the best bit, the community spirit. When I started beauty blogging my misconceptions were that it would be a ferociously bitchy place full of ‘Makeup Experts’ just waiting to correct your every damn opinion. How wrong I was. In fact, it’s the total opposite. I’ve met people that will remain friends for the rest of my life, people who have built my confidence, encouraged me, supported me and even spent the time selflessly promoting my little corner of the interweb.  These are the people who lift you up on the crappiest of days, they’re the ones that make you feel  a very special part of one big cheery internet family. Thank you ❤

.

What have you learned from beauty blogging? Do you relate with anything mentioned? What’s been your favourite or most challenging thing about blogging? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by and say a quick howdy!

Wishing y’all a fab day ahead 🙂

Cheerio Chums…

Karen signature

Catch me on:

Twitter   /   Instagram   /   YouTube   /   Facebook

Keeping Up With Karen….

Keeping Up With Karen

Well heeeello chums…

What a fun weekend it’s turned out to be,m but firstly can I just give some credit to my hard-working hubby who tirelessly spent his Friday evening making our back garden look utterly faaaabliss by giving it a major clear out for summer. And I’m happy to report that Pedro, our super stylish Ikea parasol, is now pride of place along with my comfy little fold up chair… bring on the lazy summer afternoons with the kindle in hand!

As for today, well it’s all about the kiddies vs the (so called) grown ups as Emma’s little dance chum turns 11 AND Steve & I have also been cordially invited to battle it out on the bowling lanes to help celebrate! Needless to say I’ll probably be watching from the side lines thanks to aching bones, but hey someone has to referee right?! 😉

However for those of you who fancy catching up with a spot of blog reading today, then why not check out what fun shenanigans have been going on over the past week right here on Confetti & Curves! As always, you’re more than welcome to leave a link to any blog posts of your own that you’d like us to check out. Wishing y’all a great day ahead & wish us luck at the birthday bowling… with a posse of competitive 11 years old in tow I have a feeling we’ll certainly need it 😀

.

Pink Of The Bunch: My Favourite Blush Pink Lipsticks

Pink Lipsticks

Ahhh, those gorgeous vintage pinks that remind me of shabby chic birdcages and pretty vases full of rambling country flowers. I adore blush colours, they’re soft, versatile, feminine and work perfectly with my paler-than-pale skin tone. Wanna see my top pinks? Then check out Mondays post!

.

Behind The Blog featuring Simply Sorcha

Simply Sorcha

Our first blogger of the week was the adorable Sorcha from her blossoming beauty and lifestyle blog… Simply Sorcha. This gal is so incredibly friendly, a fabulous blogger and makes you feel totally welcome over at her blog. If you haven’t done so already take a trip over and check it out – I’m pretty sure you’ll adore it as much as the rest of us do!

.

Is It That Time Already?! Monthly Favourites

May Monthly Favourites

JUNE has arrived. Can you beeeeelieve it?!?! Seriously, I feel like I’ve been under a rock for the past 4 months! However to celebrate the end of May and what I consider the countdown to summer, this weeks chatter was all about the Monthly Favourites. Don’t forget: *Click Here* to subscribe to the Confetti & Curves YouTube channel so you never miss an upload *woo hoo*

.

Behind The Blog featuring Claudia Marie

Claudia Marie Fit

Thursday’s post was getting to know the gorgeous Claudia Marie as she gave us a quick peek behind her beautifully presented beauty & lifestyle blog as well as chatting about her favourite makeup items, blogging tips and what’s top of her bucket list! Sounds like fun? Then go check it out & don’t forget to say a huge hello too 🙂

.

The Manicure Menu: Lush Lilacs

Lilac Nail Polish Collection

If perfectly polished pastel purple nails (try saying that in a hurry!!) is your kinda thing then you’ll definitely appreciate Friday’s post as it pays homage to some of my most loved lilacs in my polish collection. Ideal for virtually every season, lilac has always been a staple investment for me – what’s your favourite shade?!

pink heart

As always, thank y’all so very much for the abundance of support, comments, re-tweets, shares, likes & just darn right loveliness. You lot really are an awesome bunch. Do feel free to pop a favourite link from your blog in the comments below for the rest of us to check out, otherwise do stop by & say a quick hello!

Cheerio Chums…

Karen signature

Catch me on:

Twitter   /   Instagram   /   YouTube

Behind The Blog featuring Claudia Marie…

 

Claudia Marie Fit 

Hey Beauty Buddies…

Firstly, a huuuuge thank you to all who checked out yesterdays post Is It That Time Already?! Monthly Favourites. I’m still reeling at the fact that June has crept up on us so quickly, however I may be more shocked at the fact my YouTube subscriber list has grown instead of diminished after uploading yesterdays video(!!) If anything it’s certainly prompted me to up my game with summer make-up necessities, and with that in mind if you’ve any great recommendations for long lasting beauty goodies that bode well on these hot sunny days then do let me know in the comments below… heaven knows I need all the suggestions I can get right now gals 😀

However onto today’s post as I introduce y’all to the gorgeous Claudia from Claudia Marie Fit. I’m sure many of you are already familiar with this fresh-faced beauty as she regularly graces readers with glamorous make-up and lifestyle features. Can we also take moment just to congratulate her on losing a super impressive 60lbs!!! If you too could do with a dose of inspiration then why not *Click Here* check her recent feature where she talks all about her fantastic transformation into feeling more strong, confident & healthy about herself.

“Before I start answering Karen’s questions, I would like to take this moment to thank Karen so much for being such a kind and empowering woman and blogger. I am always so passionate when it comes to empowering women and that is why I immediately was drawn to Karen’s positive blog and connected with her. Thank you!” – Claudia.

(Ps: Thank YOU so much. What a fantastic compliment!!! *blushing*)

.

What inspired you to start blogging?

I have always been that person who loved seeing others being happy and smiling…that is truly when I am the happiest (I mentioned that in my ‘Happiness Tag’ here: https://claudiamariefit.com/2016/05/10/the-happiness-tag/ ). It may sound cheesy but that comes truly from my heart.

My family and friends always come to me for beauty and fitness advice and I love sharing my knowledge, tricks and tips. I love how I can now extend this to my blog ohana (=Hawaiian for family) and reach even more women.

Once I obtained my 60lbs weight loss mark and kept it off, I thought to myself that I would love to start a blog where I hopefully will be inspiring and motivating other women. I know first-hand how difficult it can be to start a new lifestyle and moreover, to stick to it. Combined with my passion for beauty and traveling I created claudiamariefit.com. which I am so happy I did.

.

Tell us about your blog name… what made you decide on it?

Uh that was a tough decision because all the names I was thinking of at first were already taken. So, I had to be creative and try different variations.

‘Claudia’ is my first name, so I definitely wanted to have that component in my name – simply because that is who I am!

‘Marie’ is my third middle name (I know I have a lot of names lol) but also my alter ego kind of name. I am typically a mix between introvert and extrovert but Marie stands for ‘get out there and achieve what you put your mind to.

‘Fit’ came to me as I changed my lifestyle to becoming more fit and healthy and my love for fitness and working out.

.

Do you ever suffer from Blogger’s Block & if so how do you overcome it?

I have only started 1.5 months ago with my blog and so far I have a lot of ideas but I am a perfectionist and want to make sure that I am satisfied with the quality of my post. That is why I deleted quite a few posts which were not up to my standard.

.

What’s your favourite post to date? 

That is difficult as I put my heart into each one but…

The most heartfelt post must be the “How I lost 60lbs” post as I put myself out there and make myself very vulnerable https://claudiamariefit.com/2016/05/06/how-i-lost-60lbs-part-i-of-my-journey-to-healthy-strong-confident/.

My favourite post might be my very first one https://claudiamariefit.com/2016/03/24/aloha-and-welcome-to-my-blog/ because I remember all the emotions I had while writing and publishing it.

.

Describe your everyday clothes style:

I would say that I am a casual chic type of girl 🙂 However, I also love to wear sporty clothes as well as sexy dresses depending on where I go and in which mood I am. I don’t like to be put in one category as I decide every morning how I want to feel/look like…

.

What are your current top 3 beauty items?

TooFaced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Medium- Dark

I just recently came across dermarolling and I love the difference it makes in my skin; so probably my dermaroller

Make Up Forever Aqua Lip Liner in the color 1C – I love this color to line my lips and to make them look full and pouty but still keeping them very natural.

.

How do you like to relax & unwind after a stressful day?

I am a total beach person. If you can’t find me…chances are high,  that I am in the ocean. The ocean is my therapy and no matter what happened during the day, the ocean literally washes it off.

.

Describe your ideal Saturday night:

I used to love going out with my friends and party (when I was in my late teens, early twenties) but now I would say that my perfect Saturday evening would incorporate having a nice BBQ on the beach, listening to reggae music in a hammock and talking about life with good people.

.

What do you do to relax?

In my day to day life I try to breath – sounds easier than it is. I use different breathing techniques which totally relax and calm me and down. Deep breathing makes me more focused and present as well.

.

Everyone has their bad habits, what’s yours?

When I eat Nutella or cookies I can’t stop at one…the whole package or half of the pot is gone. I became much better since changing my lifestyle but Nutella is still my vice…and on bad days Nutella and a spoon has to be there to fix it J

.

What’s your most cherished childhood memory?

 I am truly lucky and grateful because there are so many wonderful childhood memories that I have. But if I have to name only one, than it must be my summers in the South of France, where I spent the most amazing time with my aunties, uncles, cousins and friends. I remember the smell and taste of my uncles amazing paellas which made everyone come together and have a good time.

.

What was your favourite school subject?

Chemistry – I loved mixing substances and creating solutions. I still think that it is pretty fascinating and with one of my best friend having a PhD in Chemistry and working for a big makeup brand fostered that fascination even more.

.

What’s your dream job?

Being a Forensic Psychologist. That is what I have studied and I love it!

.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I am not too sure – I just hope that I am happy no matter what I am doing.

.

What top 5 things are on your bucket list?

Traveling – I would love to go to French Polynesia, Africa and Borneo

Giving back – that can be in different ways

Diving in Belize

Buying a house

Seeing Orang Utans in the wild (in Borneo)

.

What’s your biggest achievement to date?

I have obtained my degree in Psychology, I have lost 60lbs and I have made a difference in kids’ lives when working in an orphanage in Costa Rica.

.

Who inspires you?

My mother… she is such a positive person, and always sees the good side of everything.

.

Do you have a favourite inspirational quote?

I have two:

If you really want something (with all your heart), the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it – Paulo Coelho

.

What top tips would you give to someone who is thinking of starting their own blog?

If you have thought about it, than just do it. Sometimes we think too much and too long about things and even end up not doing it. Life is too short for not doing what you want.

Think about what you are truly passionate about and then start posting about it.

You may think that there are so many other bloggers out there who write about similar things but there is only one YOU out there and that will make the difference.

.

QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS:

Tea or Coffee = Tea

Coke or Pepsi = Coke

Messy mayhem or Super Organised = Good mix?! Lol

Cute kitten or Playful Puppy = playful puppy

Night In or Night Out = Night in

Heels or Flats = Flats

Lip Stick or Lip Gloss = Lip Gloss

Rock Chick or Pop Princess = Pop Princess

Paperback or E-book = Paperback

pink heart

Contact Claudia

 (Thank you) so much for reading my interview and I hope you enjoyed getting to know who is Behind The Blog at ClaudiaMarieFit. You can find me on the following social media sites…

BLOG: www.claudiamariefit.com

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/claudiamariefit/

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/Claudiamariefit/

EMAIL: claudiamariefit@hotmail.com

“I love the interaction with other creative minds and I can’t wait to read about your thoughts on my posts and ‘virtually’ meet you. Sending lots of Aloha your way! xx” Claudia.

Thanks so much for stopping by & of course do say hi in the comments below… we adore a good chatter here on Confetti & Curves

Karen signature

Behind The Blog featuring Simply Sorcha…

Simply Sorcha

If there is anything certain in the universe, it’s that Ireland is undoubtedly swarming with glowing pink bodies today (appearing semi-radioactive) from what can only be described as the mini heatwave which descended upon our bank holiday Monday. What a scorcher it was as back gardens & beaches were crammed with budding barbequers relishing in the sun rays, enjoying their burnt hot dogs & cider. I on the other hand was inching around the shade – wilting like an extra from Bram Stokers. Needless to say an Ikea parasol is the most life saving investment I’ve ever purchased, and if you’re pale skinned you’ll more than understand 😉 On a slightly different note, my new summer sandals arrived and they are THEE comfiest things I have EVER worn. Seriously, they really are! *happy sigh & happy feet* 😀

Ooh talking of happy, I’ve yet another cheery blog buddy to introduce y’all to today as the gorgeous Sorcha from Simply Sorcha joins us on the virtual sofa for a quick chatter about life behind the scenes of her ‘oh-so-chic’ beauty & lifestyle blog. With a love of cosmetics, a sprinkle of wanderlust, fun features and a talented flair for writing, Sorcha’s blog is certainly not one to miss out on so if you haven’t already check it out then get over pronto & check in 🙂

Sorcha

In only 5 words describe what readers can expect from your blog:

Lifestyle, beauty, honesty and fun!

.

What inspired you to start blogging?

As clichéd as it sounds, it was my love of writing. I used to write all the time, I previously had a travel blog and also wrote short stories. But lately I’ve just been writing for work, and not for myself, so in January of this year, I made the leap and began blogging again.

.

Tell us about your blog name… what made you decide on it?

Simply Sorcha, is ‘simply’ about me. My life, my loves, my interests, my experiences, my travels, and anything else happening in my life that I think people would like to read about. I deliberated for weeks trying to come up with a name that covered everything I wanted to write about, in the end it just made sense to name it after myself!

.

Do you ever suffer from Blogger’s Block & if so how do you overcome it?

Absolutely. It happens quite regularly and usually if I’m a bit stressed out. I second guess myself a lot and wonder if I’m just boring people, or whether my posts are even interesting. I’m sure most bloggers experience that every so often. But when I’m having days like that, I try just think about what I like to read in blog posts and go from there.

.

What’s your favourite post to date? 

Ah… That has to be my wedding photography post, Wedding, Photos, Love. https://simplysorcha.com/2016/03/03/wedding-photos-love/

I got married last December so I shared this post when we received our photos from our photographer. It is my most-read post to date with over 2000 views, yay!

.

Describe your everyday clothes style:

Hmmm, casual chic maybe? My staple daily outfit usually consists of a jacket of some sort, a top or blouse, skinny jeans and ankle boots. But I do love glamming it up for a night out!

.

What are your current top 3 beauty items?

This changes all the time, but currently my favs are:

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

Charlotte Tilbury Retoucher Concealer Pen

MAC Lady Danger Lipstick

.

How do you like to relax & unwind after a stressful day?

By soaking in a long, hot bath with a great book and a glass of red.

.

Describe your ideal Saturday night:

Going for dinner with my hubby and/or friends, chatting and drinking the night away.

.

What do you do to relax?

I’m really into meditation and mindfulness so I try to switch off and meditate as much as I can. I also love nothing more than putting on my PJs and slippers, and curling up on the couch with one of my favourite movies.

 .

Everyone has their bad habits, what’s yours?

I’m a complete stress head, even though I try very hard not to be!

.

What’s your most cherished childhood memory?

Trips away with my family in summer – it’s the simple things.

.

What was your favourite school subject?

English! Hence why I love writing so much I think…

.

What’s your dream job?

To be a published, successful author.

.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I would love to be a full time, professional blogger, and also have a family.

.

What top 5 things are on your bucket list?

Oh there are just so many things on my bucket list but my top five would have to be:

Travel Australia

Buy a Chanel Handbag

Visit The White House

Write a book

Buy a house

.

What’s your biggest achievement to date?

N/A (Only because I can’t think of what to say here!)

.

Who inspires you?

My parents. They have an incredible work ethic and are the most generous people I know.

.

Do you have a favourite inspirational quote?

I’m totally obsessed with quotes, there’s nothing else like one for a bit of inspiration. But I think my favourite would have to be:

‘For what it’s worth: it’s never too late to be what you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again’. – F. Scott Fitzgerald

.

What top tips would you give to someone who is thinking of starting their own blog?

Given that I’m new to the blogging world I still have a lot to learn myself, but social media has really helped grow my readership and followers. So I definitely recommend setting up as many social media accounts as possible and really engaging with your followers.

.

QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS:

Tea or Coffee = Tea

 

Coke or Pepsi = Coke (Diet!)

 

Messy mayhem or Super Organised = Super Organised

 

Cute kitten or Playful puppy = Cute Kitten

 

Night In or Night Out = Night Out

 

Heels or Flats = Heels

 

Lip Stick or Lip Gloss = Lipstick

 

Rock Chick or Pop Princess = Rock Chic

 

Paperback or E-book = Paperback

pink heart

Contact Sorcha:

Blog Address: simplysorcha.com

Facebook: facebook.com/simplysorchablog

Instagram: instagram.com/simplysorcha

Twitter: twitter.com/simplysorcha

Pinterest: pinterest.com/simplysorcha

Snapchat Username: imsimplysorcha

Thanks so much for stopping by & of course do say hi in the comments below… we adore a good chatter here on Confetti & Curves

Karen signature

Keeping Up With Karen…

Keeping Up With Karen

Haaaaaappy Sunday chums 🙂

Well, it is here as it’s a bank jolly holiday weekend which can only mean a cause for celebrating one thing = an extra lie in with no alarm set *happy sigh* Though, these days as much as I try my darndest to revel in another few hours sleep I seem to find it really hard, particularly as I’m up from 5am every morning, so waking at 8am feels like I’ve wasted half a day already! Needless to say I’ll be knuckling down to test out a few of my new acrylics and glitter powders… oooh what excitement for a magpie like me 😀

However before I even contemplate moving a muscle it’s time to take an hour to absorb myself in some blog buddy catch up with the help of a big mug of milky coffee. Slllurrrrp. However, if you’ve a recent blog post you’d like to share then pop it in the comments below, I’d love to know what some of you guys have been up to this past week or two so feel free to drop me an update! Talking of which, here’s a quick recap of what’s been happening on Confetti & Curves the last few days…

 

My Top 5 Favourite Nude Lipsticks

My Favourite Nude Lipsticks

Mondays post saw me take a rummage through some of my more subtler shades of lippy as I picked out my current favourite nudes *ahh hmm* There’s everything from MAC to Makeup Revolution in this lovely lot so there’s something to suit every budget! So if you’re on the nude for a staple neutral shade then this just might be the post for you… shopping list at the ready gals 😀

.

Behind The Blog featuring Honey In A Gold Pot

Honey In A Gold Pot

Our first Behind The Blogger of the week was the lovely Stefhanie from Honey In A Gold Pot as she takes us on a quick peek behind the scenes of her super stylish beauty and lifestyle blog. This gal is everybit as sweet as her blog name so if you’re on the look out for a fabulous new blog to feast your eyes upon then get yourself over & check her out!

.

Product Fails

Product Fails

Time to raid the empties stash as I make myself comfy for a quick chatter about what beauty buys have ended up as fails. Don’t forget, just *Click Here* to subscribe to the Confetti & Curves YouTube channel so you never miss a future upload!

.

Behind The Blog featuring Coast To Coast With Alexis

Coast To Coast With Alexis

Thursday post featured the gorgeous Alexis from her beauty and lifestyle blog Coast To Coast with Alexis as she stopped by for a quick chatter about life beyond blogging. If you haven’t already checked this gal out then make it a priority to get yourself over and hit that follow button – she’s fabulous!

.

Sweet Endings, Embracing Change & New Beginnings

New Beginnings

Fridays post was a bit more personal than my usual beauty ramblings as I updated you guys with a few changes that’ll be happening over the next few months. Time to move onward and upward with a couple of exciting new challenges and projects…

pink heart

As always, thank y’all so very much for the abundance of support, comments, re-tweets, shares, likes & just darn right loveliness. You lot really are an awesome bunch. Do feel free to pop a favourite link from your blog in the comments below for the rest of us to check out, otherwise do stop by & say a quick hello!

Cheerio Chums…

Karen signature

Catch me on:

Twitter   /   Instagram   /   YouTube