2017 Year in Review

Happy New Year guys!

I've taken a break from blogging over the festive period and have just gotten access to a laptop since mine is getting repaired!

2017 saw some big changes in my life and my blog and I'm doing a roundup of my favourite makeup products and movies, etc.. from the past year!

Favourite Foundation

My sister was the one who told me to try this foundation because she loved it and wow was it fab! The formula is lightweight but the coverage is completely buildable and perfect for day and night looks. 

I even use a darker shade for when I'm wearing tan!

L'Oreal Infallible 24Hr Matte retails for €11.99 is Boots and is currently on offer, 3 for 2!

Favourite Concealer

Okay so my sister may have discovered this one too... While she was in the US she went a little crazy in Sephora and came home with Tarte's Shape Tape Concealer and I love this product!

Sometimes all I wear is the concealer to cover up my dark undereye circles and blemishes, some powder and I'm set for the day! The coverage in this is unreal and I cannot wait to get my hands on another tube!

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer is available from their site for €26.

Favourite Mascara

Too Faced is definitely an up-and-coming brand in Ireland, especially since their launch in Debenhams during the summer. I have been using Better Than Sex for a few years now and it is definitely my favourite mascara of the year.

While I have yet to try the waterproof version, the original formula doesn't clump and gives fab volume to short lashes like my own.

Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara is available from Debenhams for €23.

Favourite Eyelashes

For €12.95, these lashes are definitely an investment but are reusable and part of the luxury lash range! Think timeless elegance combined with unforgettable drama, these lashes are perfect for a sassy day look or a classic night look.

I love using Irish brands and supporting a fellow blogger is always a good thing!

SOSU's Taylor lashes are available from the site for €12.95.

Favourite Primer

My skin has gone from sensitive and dry to sensitive and combination in the past year but this prep (and prime) spray has kept my oily skin at bay during the day when I have makeup on! It's also great for helping my makeup stay put throughout long shifts!

With the store open on Grafton Street now, there's no excuse not to go in and treat yourself!

Urban Decay's B6 Prep Priming Spray retails for €30.

Favourite Highlighter

I love this palette so much. I got it last Christmas and it has seen a lot of wear since! The colours are so diverse and I always get compliments on my highlight when I wear any of the shades!

My favourite has to be lucky clover because it is so good at catching the light and not everyone wears a green highlight so it definitely makes me memorable!

The ABH Moonchild palette is available from the site for €46.

Favourite Eyeshadow Palette

Another purchase from the States, this palette is full of mattes, metallics and warm tones. I found myself reaching for this palette pretty much before every shift because the shadows are so pigmented and effortlessly blend to create a perfect look suitable for work!

The Narissist Loaded Eyeshadow palette is available from the Nars website for €55.

Favourite Album

I mean how could Reputation not be my favourite album of the year? The songs are amazing and the development from 1989 to Reputation is just unrivaled by another other album progression I've ever heard. 

Don't Blame Me has to be my favourite track of the album as well. Roll on June when I finally get to see Taylor again!

Favourite Movie

Beauty and the Beast was one of the most anticipated movies of 2017 and it did not disappoint me at all. From the costumes to the actors this movie had me entranced from beginning to end.

I have watched the movie so many times since I first saw it and I love it more and more each time!

Favourite TV Series

I jumped on the Riverdale bandwagon a little late so I got to binge seven episode at once but it did not disappoint at all! From a gripping plot to loveable characters, this is a most for anyone who wants to start a new series in 2018!

I mean how cute is Archie, I know KJ isn't actually ginger but he is just so cute!

You can catch Riverdale on Netflix!

Favourite Book

Focusing on the events of the Battle of Berlin in 1945, this book was gripping from beginning to end. If you're into history you'll love this book!

Favourite Trip

My trip to Milan in August came at just the right time for me! I spent a week discovering the city, its sites and everything else the surrounding area had to offer.

Milan is such a beautiful city and I cannot wait to go back to Italy and visit Rome this year! I'm hoping to go somewhere every month this year, home or abroad, so if you have any idea let me know in the comments!

What topped 2017 for you?

Was it a good year overall?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

Instagram: instagram.com/ciarakittyk

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Facebook: www.facebook.com/sparkleofpink
Snapchat: Ciarakxo

New Year Resolutions 2016

2015 was a year full of new experiences and memories for me. I made new friends, put more effort into blogging, started and ended relationships and overall I was just happier.

There is nothing else I would rather be than happy. I spent time with family and friends, had more time to myself and I saw some of my favourite people ever (Taylor) in concert.

2016 is quite possibly the biggest year of my life so far. I've got the Leaving Cert in June and hopefully I'll be starting my law degree in September.

So for 2016, I have a few New Year Resolutions that will help me be a happier and healthier person in the year ahead.

I plan to study more in 2016. I've gotten into the habit of not studying on the weekend and it's one I need to break. The mocks are less than a month away and then I only have about five months until June. 

Being 'happy' is not as simple as the word implies. I want to be a happier person in 2016 and in order to do that I need to look after myself more. I want to drink more water which will help my skin and my energy levels, I want to exercise at least 4 times a week to relieve stress, eating healthy and losing some weight will help me be happier and finally, the 3/4am Netflix marathons need to stop. Everyone loves a good Netflix binge but I need to go to sleep earlier so I can wake up happier!

The dreaded points system.... obviously my major goal for 2016 is to get the points I need for my course in UCD. I need 500+ points but as long as I put my head down and concentrate on the long term goal, I know I can get the points I need!

Letting people get you down is something everyone is guilty of. It's also something I don't want to do anymore. If you don't like me, that's cool. Chances are you're not my cup of tea either.  I'm not going to let other people get me down anymore. 

If being a fan of Taylor Swift has taught me anything, it has taught me this.

"You are not the opinion of somebody who doesn't know you or care about you"

Taylor Swift Clean Speech

So there you have it. 

My New Year Resolutions.

What are your resolutions?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

twitter.com/Alison_Kellly

Instagram: instagram.com/ciarakittyk

instagram.com/Alison_Kelly

Bloglovin: www.bloglovin.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sparkleofpink

Goals for 2015

 Okay so my journal has literally been staring at me since January 1st just waiting for me to write my goals for the coming year. I finally came up with my top nine goals for 2015!

Meet Other Irish Bloggers

I'm fairly new to blogging and don't really know any other Irish bloggers yet. I would love to meet some Irish bloggers this year because it would be cool to have other blogger friends!

Meet New Friends, Leave Old Ones Behind

Friendships come and go, in 2014 a lot of friendships ended and I don't care. I lost friends but I'm okay with it because now I have friends that I know will always be there for me, not exclude me and always have my back. I am always open to making new friends and I hope 2015 will bring new friendships!

Reach 150 Bloggers on Bloglovin'

Since I'm new to bloglovin', I do not have that many followers as of yet. My goal for 2015 is to reach 150 followers on my bloglovin' account https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/13404595

Do A Boxswap
Boxswaps look like so much fun and I love shopping. I would love to fill a box full of beauty products and send it to someone - I just adore reading boxswap posts! They're so fun!
If you're interested in a boxswap, let me know in the comments below.

Keep My Grades Up
My grades this year have been really good, I am happy with the results I get for the amount of work I put in. I need high points in the Leaving Cert for the course I want to do (Business and Law), so I need to have consistently high grades for the next year and a half!

Study More
Along with keeping my grades up, I need to study more! I need to put the work in to achieve the grades I want. I hope to spend an hour to an hour and a half each day studying!

Exercise More
Everyone says 'New Year, New Me!' and it really is a cliché by now. However, I am determined to get fitter this year and want to exercise at least three times a week!

Drink More Water
I drink a litre and half to two litres of water each day. Drinking water is great for your skin and has a lot of other health benefits! My goal for 2015 is to drink two to three litres of water a day!

Be Happier
Being happy is just something I want for myself. Happiness makes people feel good and has many health benefits! Being happy is definitely one of the most important aspects of my life!

There you have it!

My goals for 2015 :)

As you may have noticed, I changed my blog name from 
adayinthelifeofanirishgirl.blogspot.com to
sparkleofpink.blogspot.com
I decided it was time for a change and I prefer my new name, I hope you do too!

What are your goals for 2015?
Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

Instagram: instagram.com/ciarakittyk