OOTD Saturday 28th Febuary

Hello Readers,

Todays post is going to be an Outfit of The Day, I'm excited to do my first fashion post! 

I Hope you all like it, let me know in the comments or tweet me @backgroundblogg

 

Top- Urban Outfitters backless strap top- £15.00 (Instore sale) 

Link- Urban Outfitters

Bralet- Some Days Lovin @ Urban Outfitters £20.00 

Link- Urban Outfitters

Jeans- Primark black jeans £8.00

Link- Primark

Shoes- Urban Outfitters black platform boots- £25.00 (Instore sale)

Link- Urban Outfitters

Choker- New Look £1.99 

Link- New Look

Tattoo braclet- Primark £1.50 for two

Link- Primark

Casio watch- Argos £17.99

Link- Argos

Pandora braclet £24.00 (Sale last year) 

Link-  Pandora

I hope you all enjoyed reading this OOTD, I will definetly be doing more because they are super quick but I think they look great and I'm  happy I've done my first fashion post! 

Thank you so much for reading this,

Beth-The Background Blogger

Pretty Twisted Review

Hello readers,

Today's post is going to be a review and a talk about an amazing shop called Pretty Twisted.

Pretty Twisted has two shops in Middlesbrough which is a small town in the North East of England, 

They sell jewellery, bath products and homeware. I am lucky enough to live local to the Pretty Twisted shops, so I have been to them and I have also ordered online. 

(I Have taken some pictures of Google images to include in this post)

I absolutely adore Pretty Twisted, it's so nice to have a shop local to me where I can purchase amazing pieces of jewellery at such a good price. They have one of a kind pieces that you won't find at a high street shop, the staff are all so sweet and helpful in both of there shops and that included online. They have a great Instagram and Twitter, whenever I have ever contacted pretty twisted they have always got back to me that day. I actually won a Pretty Twisted Instagram competition a while back, that was a really cool thing of them to do! The picture below is actually what I won in the competition,

One thing that I think is also pretty cool about Pretty Twisted is that an award winning blogger works there, Megan Lillie from the blog ThumbelinaLillie. I'm sure you all know who she is but I think it's great that an amazing blogger works for such an amazing company. 

Her fantastic blog- http://www.thumbelinalillie.com

I thought I would include some photographs that I got of Google images along with screen shots from there Instagram page, just so you see for yourself how cute the shop actually is, 

Inside there second shop across from the bus station in Middlesbrough! 

A gorgeous picture to show just how much they care about the layout of there shop.

The thought put into every small detail, it's lovely to look around there shops just because of how refreshing they are inside.

Just look at how cute all them sunglasses and floral crowns are! 

Forget Lush it's all about the Pretty Twisted bath bombs, They actually stock Bomb Cosmetics and that's pretty cool because they were hard to get your hands on before Pretty Twisted arrived in Middlesbrough.

If that doesn't make you want to go to Pretty Twisted I don't know what would, they are both such cute and girly shops! Everything they sell is such good quality and I have never been disappointed with anything I have ever purchased from Pretty Twisted online or in-store! If you ever see me wearing a choker in any of my pictures it is usually always a Pretty Twisted one because they are like I said such amazing quality and they stock such individual designs and charms. Recently I actually did a pretty big Pretty Twisted online order because they reduced all of there chord chokers for a few hours a few weeks ago. They came packaged so well in a pastel pink bag and inside there was a purple drawstring bag with the chokers neatly inside along with a card with all there details. 

Just look how cute, I have had all those chokers for a few weeks now and my favourite has to be the daisy and the sun. I have so many chokers from them that I don't usually buy this style of choker from anywhere else. 

I have to say though if you put everything they sell to a side and we just speak about the staff,

They are all so kind and you can really tell that they have all been chosen because they are all extremely approachable and they all seem like really kind people. I can feel slightly awkward in shops sometimes but I have never in Pretty Twisted, even when the shop is really busy they will always make an effort to ask you if you need any help! I would never not ask a member of staff something if I needed some help because you know your going to get an honest opinion from any of the staff members. 

Another thing I wanted to mention again was just how good there social media game is, 

There Twitter is great but I mainly contact them threw there Instagram in the comments. 

It really shows just how much effort they put into there social media accounts and I think it's great that a company is willing to speak to you over social media. 

The last thing I want to mention is the fact that there shops are open 7 days a week (Yes you read that right) I think that is amazing that they are open everyday of the week because yet again it shows the devotion to the customers because that means that they are always open if you wanted to pop in! (as long as it is in there opening hours) 

I really hope you enjoyed reading this post, I've included there links below so you can check them out or if you can deffinetly take a trip to there shops. Thank you so much for taking the time out to read this, let me know in the comments or on Twitter if you love Pretty Twisted too. 

Pretty Twisted Links- 

Website- Pretty Twisted Online

Twitter- https://mobile.twitter.com/prettytwistedx

Instagram- search Pretty Twisted on Instagram 

Beth-The Background Blogger

My go to products for a nude lip!

Hello readers, 

Today's post is going to be my go to Nude lip! So I have to admitt I jumped on the Kylie Jenner nude overdrawn lip trend, she is beautiful and her lips are seriously cool,I mean just look at her!

 As I mentioned in my "My Trip to Newcastle" post I did go to Mac and I tried to get the lip pencils she uses but they were all sold out unfortunately. I like my lip routine I'm doing at the moment so I'll hold of on the Mac lip liners until there back in stock and mine run out. 

The first product I use is a lip balm, 

I have three shown in the picture below and I feel that they all work really well for just a quick bit of moisture before I apply my lip pencils or lipsticks. 

The products I use to mosturise my lips are, 

Classic Carmex moisturising lip balm £2.69

Link- Carmex Lip Balm Tube

Nivea milk and honey lip balm £1.99

Link- Nivea Milk and Honey

H&M Vanilla Apple lip balm with Shea butter £1.50

Link-H&M Lip Balm

The next step after lip balm is lip pencils, 

Sometimes I only use lip liner and no lipstick. So this step is pretty important for me, I overdraw my lips when I'm fake tanned because I prefer the look of an overdrawn lip on tanned skin. I love overdrawing my lips I just think it creates a nice dimmension to my lips. So I use three different products for this look, I use all three sometimes and other times just one or two. It all depends on how I feel at the time of doing my makeup, so the products I use are, 

MUA lip liner- Caramel Nougat £1.00 

Link- MUA Lip Liner

Model co Nude illusion lip liner £16

Link-Model Co Nude Illusion

Seventeen lip liner- Rose Blush £--

Link-Seventeen Lip Liner

The next product I use would be a lipstick, I occationally use another product after the lip liner and if I do I apply it all over the lips and over the parts of the lips that I have overdrawn. Sometimes I do want a more standout nude lip and if I do I use they's products, 

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Laquer- Charm Offensive £7.00

Link- Sexy Mother Pucker

I really enjoy this product I love the applicator that this product has, but It does apply a lot of product and I prefer using less when it comes to this product. I use a lip brush with this and it works really well.  

This is the other lipstick I would use if I wanted a quick application because the soap and glory one does take some time to apply properly but this is just a swipe and go product. I have a few different shades from this lipstick line and they all work really well. This is the, 

The body shop delipscious sheer lip colour- 01 £--

Link- Body Shop Delipscious

As I hope you can tell I go for a more pink nude lip rather than a brown nude lip, I just think the pink side of a nude lip suits me best.

 I really hope you enjoyed this post and let me know if you like any of the products I mentioned in the comments or tweet me @backgroundblogg 

Stay tuned for the next blog post, it's going to be a good one! 

Beth- The Background Blogger

My top 5 Apps (iPad edition)

Hello readers,

Today's post is going to be about my 5 favourite ipad apps, I got my iPad for chistmas so I've had a pretty good amount of time to discover some amazing apps. In this post I'm not going to include apps like Twitter,Instagram,snapchat,depop or any of the social media apps! The apps are in a random order,

1. Jelly Splash (Free app)

Jelly splash is a game, 

You have to connect the little jellies to try and get as many points as possible. It's a really fun and very addictive game, I discovered it recently and I'm obsessed! I have this app on my iphone and obviously my iPad, I play it on both appliances and I really enjoy it. I would really recommend everyone to at least try this game out, it's a free app so you have nothing to lose.

2. Spirefall (Free App)

Spirefall is a game, 

You go round a course using three buttons left,right and jump. There are things that get in your way for example- fire, spiked swinging balls and robots. It's a really great app and I really enjoy playing it especially when I can't sleep at night because it's a nice game to just play without having to think about it to much. I would really reccomend it for someone that just likes to play a game when chilling out. 

3. Crossy Road (Free App) 

Crossy road is a game, 

I had to include Crossy Road I would of been stupid not to! Crossy Road is such a good game, you play as a character/animal and you litreally cross as many roads as you can before being ran over. I suppose it could sound slightly violent but it's really not, all my siblings love it and they are an age range of 12-18. I would say this is my favourite app out of them all, I like playing as the flea because I think it travels the fastest so I feel like I can nip threw all the cars quicker than the others. I know a few youtubers have created Crossy Road characters, I'm keeping my eye out for the Dan and Phil one I haven't managed to bag that one yet! I would 100% reccomend this app for absolutely everyone. 

4. Netflix (Free App but you have to pay for membership monthly) 

Netflix is a monthly subscription app/site, 

You can watch thousands of films and TV shows on Netflix and you pay a monthly subscription fee. 

I'm sure you all know what Netflix is and I don't really need to explain, I am planning a Netflix favourites post so I'm not going to tell you what I watch on there but there are a few clues in the photo above! Keep an eye out for that one :) 

5. Starbucks Secret Menu (Free App) 

The Starbucks secret menu app is an informative app, 

It gives you new ideas on what drinks and combinations to get at Starbucks! This is an American app so some of the drinks and extras in the recipes we can't get in the UK but there are ways around that. If you get the app then tweet me if you want tips on converting the few American ones over to recipes you could ask for in the British branches. It's a great app and I would really reccomend it for Starbucks lovers looking to try something new! 

Thank you all for reading this post and I hope I have helped someone to find a new app that they will really enjoy. Let me know in the comments or tweet me if you downloaded any of the apps after reading this post.

Beth-The Background Blogger

Let's have a chat!

Hello Readers, 

Today's post is going to be a chatty one, this is my third day on The Background Blogger and it's my third post, I think I'm doing well! 

The header I have at the moment might just be temporary, I'm feeling something a little different but when you create something like a blog it's all trial and error! I really enjoy writing posts, even though it's my third day I have got myself into a routine. I start my post on the way to school and I finish it after school, that way I'm not sat down for hours writing one post. 

I've been thinking about the schedule of my posts and I would like to have something that is set in stone so I know and you all know what your going to get and when. That is a work in progress, I have my ideas of when I would like to do certain posts and I'm going to try and get that ready to start on Monday. 

On the social media front I will be making The Background Blogger a few social media accounts, Twitter is definitely one of them and I'm not to sure about the others yet! I have accounts on most of the social media platforms but I think it would be nicer if I had something that was purely for this blog along with talking and updating with the readers. I will update you all as soon as I have made the accounts. 

I would love to hear in the comments if any of you have an ideas or tips for 

The background Blogger?! 

Also I have a question that I'm sure one of you will be able to answer, how do you get just the title of a post to show and not the hole post unless you click into it?

Thank you for reading this chatty post, my quote for today is by the beautiful Adele, 

Beth- The Background Blogger 

My trip to Newcastle!

Hello Readers, 

I thought I would tell you all about my trip to Newcastle or my quest for Bubble Tea (More on that soon) 

I arranged with my friend that we where going to go up to Newcastle for the day, I've been many times before but I always get excited going there. The day came it was Thursday last week actually, I got up, got ready and I was on my way to the bus station. We got a Starbucks before the bus ( it was a iced passion fruit tea) then we were on our way to Geordie land!

 So when we first got there we hopped of the bus and we went into Waitrose, this was one heck of an experience! (we don't have a Waitrose where we live)  

We had a look round and admired the perfectly packaged foods and then we came across one heck of a sight THEY SOLD FIJI WATER!! Fiji water isn't really available in the UK or so we thought. 

(sorry for the blurry photo) 

We decided to buy it just before we head home because it would of been to heavy to lug round all day! 

We then walked and walked until we found somewhere that appealed to us, I went with an open mind of what I wanted to purchase but I knew I wanted to go in Urban Outfitters. It's my all time favourite shop and we don't have one where I live! (this was going to be exciting) 

Off we went on our quest for the most perfect purchase and in we went into the great Urban Outfitters ( magical it is) I look on all four floors and I had picked up a bundle of items to try on. I scurried into the Dressing rooms closed the curtain and started trying on all the perfectly made items of clothing! I had came to decision that I was going to get a Sparkle and Fade backless top and a halter purple lace bralet. So I was ready to purchase and then I spotted the most perfect cream barlet it was beautiful. So I went back upstairs to the changing room and "Yeeessss" it was perfect on! I hung the other bralet back up and of to the till I went. 

After the first trip into Urban Outfitters we went of to dinner and that was Yo! Sushi in Fenicks. I had never been to Yo! Sushi before so I was excited ( I just love food) 

We where seating and all the dishes were flying by on the belt. 

My first pick was Edamame, I had seen they's online they really were heavenly! They use a salt on them that was seriously tasty!

After the Edamame I had the Cucumber Maki, all I'm going to say is I'm craving it 24/7 !! Also after the Cucumber Maki I had the spicy chicken salad, I didn't get a photograph of that but I liked the chicken but it had a nutty sauce over the salad that I hated so I just ate the chicken. 

The last thing I got in Yo! sushi was the chicken dumplings of the hot menu so they had to be ordered, I ate them but I didn't like them. They are very soft and I just didn't get along with them at all. 

After I had finished my food I went over to Mac because I wanted a couple of lip liners and unfortunately they were all sold out, for reference they were Whirl and spice. #KylieJennerLip.

After that we went on our quest for Bubble tea, we found a place online called Bubble Cha but we just couldn't find it anywhere and we didn't really want to go to China town so we ditched that idea and went and got another Starbucks. 

After our starbucks i decided I wanted some shoes from Urban Outfitters, so of we went and we found ourselves on the third floor. I was on the floor going threw the many brown boxes looking for my size in the sale shoe section. I found my size in a beautiful pair of black chunky soled boots and I literally shed a tear. They fitt like a glove and they were just perfect, let's all take a moment for these little beauty's! 

After the second trip to Urban Outfitters we started to feel super duper tired so whilst my friend was in superdry I popped into New Look and I found some pieces of jewellery I liked so I picked those up whilst they were on 3 for 2! 

Then we headed back up to the bus station to make our way home but before that we had to pop into Waitrose and pick up the Fiji water! 

We then hopped on the bus and off we were back to the place I was born and raised! Home sweet home, well don't forget my bags from the shopping adventure! 

So that was my day at Newcastle, it was really fun but man it was tiring! 

Thank you all for reading I hope you liked it, please let me know if you did or if you have any tips or questions In the comments! I love writing these posts I started this one when I was on my way to school and it's nice to have something I know I enjoy doing to look forward to. Especially when your in year 11 and I'm doing my GCSE's so that is pretty stressful but this is like my little safe haven! No pressure and all productive fun ( gosh I sound like a teacher) 

I want to end all of my posts with a quote I think it's a nice way to start or finish somebody's day with a positive message, so the quote I am going to be including today is one by Roald Dahl! 

Beth- The Background Blogger

I don't want to put my blog in a box!

Hello readers, 

My name is Beth, I'm sixteen years young and I don't want to put my blog In a box.

So.. I hope you stick around because I think this might blog might turn out to be a gem (if I do say so myself) What I mean by "I don't want to put my blog in a box!"  Is I want to dip my toe in all the different ways to write and present the content I put out to you all. I want to include beauty,fashion,lifestyle,food and also I want to help people, In my sixteen years on this beautiful planet I've been threw a lot and I'm hoping that not only someone else gets some enjoyment out of reading "The Background Blogger " but it helps me to have something that Is just mine and I have full control over it.

I understand that some people blog for a career or for a following but I'm blogging for those people that need a little safe haven and that is hopefully "The Background Blogger" I really have high hopes for this little gem and I want it to grow with you all cheering it on. I wanted to keep this first post light but that's one thing you will learn about me, I don't do anything unless it's my best. I will only put out content that I am 100% happy with and that's a promise I'm willing to make.

I want to look back at this time in my life and say yes it was really tuff but I have my blog to thank for getting me threw those hard times. I'm excited to get posting and watch "The Background Blogger" grow and become something really special! 

I've typed away, but before I go.... 

At the moment I don't have a set schedule for my posts but I'm sure it will be daily, 

I'm going to give everything I can to make this something really special! 

See you super soon 

      Beth- The Background Blogger