Hi there!

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the all-cap-excited title! I have a particular love for the Harry Potter series and this has to have been pretty much the best present I have ever been given!

So me and my mum drove up to the studios for about lunchtime and we went from there! I suppose this will just be a bit of a picture diary from the day!

The Great Hall was all decked out for Christmas!

OOTD: Coat - New Look, T Shirt - ASOS, Skirt - H&M

Hermione's Yule Ball dress

                               Luna Lovegood's costumes                                              

Butterbeer tastes like melted ice cream

You could push a button and this little guy would pop up, wiggle his bum a bit and then go away again!

I thought this paper model of Hogsmeade was so beautiful...

Simply breathtaking

So there are a few of the many many pictures that I took that day! This trip was so conveniently planned as I went to visit the company that produced this film - Heyday Films - last Monday (2nd December). They were so incredibly welcoming and helpful and I would say that if you ever want to meet a company and you find their contact details, just do it. I had Heyday's number for eight weeks before I plucked up the courage to phone them!

That's it from me for now!

- Amy Caitlin xo

How To | Get Rid Of Spots Quickly!

Hi there!

Now, being a teen who struggles with spotty skin I know how it feels when one appears just when you don't want it or when they scar - it's pretty rubbish. And yes, there are face washes that work but not all of them really do anything, either that or it takes ages! So in my experience I have found a few solutions and tricks that also help!

The most important thing is to keep your face clean. I know I said that face washes don't work on their own but here are the few that I have used along side my other solutions.

 

I normally like to use my different solutions at night or late in the evening so that they can take their time to work and not have to be washed off ready for the day to start. The main solution I have come to use over the past few months is Sudocrem. A lot of people may only know to use this for baby's nappy rash, but I promise you that it is for acne too! Although, it doesn't completely clear your spots it does help to dry them up and lighten the skin for acne wounds, if you have naturally dry skin then I wouldn't recommend using this. Just apply a thin layer to your face and it'll soak in!

My next solution is face masks. You can get loads of different face masks for different purposes like exfoliating or sensitive skin. I like to use this mud mask by Avon and Montagne Jeunesse face masks, I also like to use Superdrug's own brand Superfruits mask as I find them just as good but cheaper!. Yes, it does make you look like a scary monster for a little while! But it is very relaxing to put the face mask on, run a bubble bath and just relax!

This solution may sound a bit weird but putting toothpaste on your spots can help majorly! It dries up spots nicely. I suggested it to my friend after she complained about her spots and now, a week later, her skin is so much clearer! However, something that we have both noticed is that it can really sting from the mint in the toothpaste but after a minute it calms down so it's worth riding the pain.

If you are one of the lucky ones who only get the odd spot now and again, I have found the solution: Freederm Fast Track Spot Gel. It's rapid action formula is designed to reduce redness in 3 hours! So if an unwanted spot appears before a big night out, just pop a thin layer of this gel on the spot and it will be literally invisible!

Finally, if you are like me and had a serious problem with picking spots when you were younger which has resulted in spot scars, there is something you can do to help reduce them without having to go to a dermatologist. Put lemon juice on them! Yes it sounds weird, but it works! You know you put lemon juice in your hair to make it lighter well I've found that the same effect works for my skin.

That's all for now, leave your own getting-rid-of-spots treatments in the comments! I'm really interested to know what you guys use!

- Amy Caitlin xo

P.S sorry for the bad lighting on the pictures.

Carrie's Back For A Brand New Season!

Hi there!

If you didn't know, the new Carrie Diaries season begins in a week! That's right all you Carrie Bradshaw wannabes, Season 2 hits The CW on October 25th! 

So to celebrate the forthcoming new episodes, I thought we could take a mini wonder down memory lane and look at the best of Carrie's fashion from the first season! 

Unfortunately, a lot of the clothes come from American brands, so it can be very expensive for us English ladies to fly them over. Also most of them aren't available to buy any more, which is so sad! However, I have tried my best to find similar items! Enjoy!

First, is this gorgeous Pink one shoulder sequinned dress that Carrie wore in episode 8.

It is so gorgeous and perfect for a night out, but it is rather expensive...for more details click here. For those of you, like me, who operate on a more High Street budget I have found some alternatives:

(L-R) £59.00, TopShop; £65.00 ASOS; £45.00, TopShop

Next up is this cute and totally wearable knitted jumper from episode 7! It is originally from J Crew but it is no longer available...

...not to worry though! I have been doing some searching around and have found some lovely jumpers quite similar to it. I love the Oasis jumper with it's very on trend collar, I might have to buy it!

(L-R) £17.99, New Look; £45.00, Oasis; £30.00, ASOS.

And Finally, this pretty peplum top from ModCloth, which Anna Sophia wore in episode 12. Again, no longer available.

I really like the cut of a peplum shirt as I am one of those girls with big hips and a small waist, they really extenuate me in all the right places!

 

(L-R) £30.00, Yumi; £78.00, ASOS; £20.00 River Island

So those are my favourite items from the last season! I am so excited to see what the new season brings! Comment below what you are most excited to see in the new series of The Carrie Diaries!!

- Amy Caitlin xo

Music Monday #2

Hi there!

Time for another Music Monday! Quite a mix of new songs for you guys to check out; comment below with your favourite!

1) White Tiger by Izzy Bizu

I am so in love with this girl's voice! Even if the song lyrics don't make a whole lot of sense...

2) Call Me In The Afternoon by Half Moon Run

I've got to give my brother credit for finding this song, I heard him playing it and it just stood out for me!

3) Next To You by Misty Miller

This song I listened to so much when I broke up with my ex boyfriend as it just described how I felt about our relationship! Thanks for getting me through Misty!

4) Counting Stars by OneRepublic 

Time for the popular Top 40 song of the post!! I find this song so catchy! Especially the bit where it goes "old, but I'm not the old. Young, but I'm not that bold", not sure why to be honest.

5) Heart Of Blue by Shannon Saunders

It's kind of a bit depressing this song, it might be the fact that the video is in black and white. However, the quality of her voice just gives me shivers!! 

So that is my five favourites of right now! If you have any favourite songs I would love to see it in the comments!

- Amy Caitlin xo