THE END

I haven't blogged for a couple of weeks and I know I always do this and then give the "oh, sorry I haven't blogged for a while" spiel. But this time feels different.

I don't enjoy blogging anymore.

I've been thinking constantly about this. I feel guilty for not posting anything but then I feel fake for forcing myself to write something. I have so many drafted posts on here that date back for months and months. They're all rubbish. It's like I feel I owe it to someone to write something when I don't.

This has always just been a hobby. Something to do when I get home and I did love it but I've fallen out of love and I know that I just don't want to continue with Laddered Tights.

I'm so grateful to everyone that has ever read any of my posts and left comments. I really appreciate it. It blows my brain a little bit that I have the views I've got on here. Especially considering I cannot write at all... (I know I can't. I don't pretend I can. Even this post is absolute pants..!)

I think as well with blogging, and beauty blogging in particular, it has gotten so huge in the last couple of years that it has all got incredibly repetitive and nothing is original anymore. I mean, there's only so many times you can read about the new Max Factor blush or then new Revlon lipstick. I find myself just scrolling past 90% of the posts on my Bloglovin feed because they're all the same.

Don't get me wrong, I still love reading blogs and I read my favourite ones each time there's a new post and I'm still completely obsessed with beauty and buying new products. But how many times can one do a Boots haul and still make it interesting?

Mainly though, I just don't feel in a good place. It's something I have never spoken about to anyone and I don't really plan to right now but I have struggled a lot for a very long time. Some days are worse than others.

When I first started blogging about 5 or so years back I was in a really bad place and blogging was a bit of escapism. Of course back then blogging wasn't as serious as it is now and people weren't making a living from it. 

Now it feels a bit empty and there is no escapism or anything for me with this.

I'm going to leave the blog online (unlike last time when I stupidly deleted everything...) You never know, one day I may want to try again. Or I may just want to use this corner of the Internet to vent and share things. But it is not going to be updated any time 

I just wanted to reiterate that I am so thankful to any one who has ever read my nonsense. Thank you so much. 

And sorry if this is disappointing for anyone, but hopefully understandable!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

THE KILLER EYE COMBO

I recently bought a new single eyeshadow from Maybelline. I don't usually buy singles as palette are more convenient but I was really drawn to their ColorShow Eyeshadow in 23 Copper Fizz. I'd been using it on it's own most of the time but I decided to pair it on top of a cream eyeshadow and I am obsessed with the look...

THE MONTHLY PLAYLIST: MARCH

How is March already?! I have no idea but it is time for a new monthly playlist and there's a couple of gems amongst this lot...

NEW FAVOURITE CANDLE... FROM TESCO!

I've noticed that Tesco, and in particular, their Home section seems to have had a revamp as of late. And it's looking mighty fine!
I'm a big candle lover. I love getting in bed in the evening with some candles lit and Netflix on the tv. I noticed a few new candle scents on the Home shelves in Tesco and one in particular really tickled my fancy...

ASOS WISHLIST #1

I've hit a "bloggers block" situation and I'm struggling to think of things to write about. I got myself a bit worked up about it so I thought, let's just go back to the trusty wishlist to kick start the ol' brain box.

ASOS is my absolute favourite place for clothes. Late last year I decided it was time I got myself an ASOS Premier account. If you don't know what that is then you pay £9.95 to cover 12 months and for that you get free next day and nominated delivery. Considering that most of the time, standard delivery is about £3/4, that is more than worth it if you order as much as I do. It's also proved to be a life saver when I've needed last minute birthday presents and emergency outfits. They even come on Sunday if you ordr in time on Saturday!
So, yeah... my ASOS saved list is always rather full as I try to tell myself I don't really need another striped top. (We all need more striped tops though, don't we?)

Here's what's currently on my ASOS saved list...

OSCAR'S 2015: FAVOURITE LOOKS

The Oscar's took place on Sunday night and as is tradition in this corner of the Internet, here are my favourite looks from the night.

In regards to the awards themselves, I am super happy Eddie Redmayne won. The Theory of Everything is one of the best films I have seen recently. I sobbed... a lot.
Also, Patricia Arquette's speech was wonderful and you should go find it on YouTube if you haven't seen it.

I don't do these posts in any particular order but Emma Stone had the best dress, hands down. She wore Ellie Saab and I cannot stop looking at the beauty of her and the dress. I am obsessed.

WHAT'S ON MY SHELVES?

A few weeks ago I was reorganising the shelves in my bedroom and I posted a photo to Instagram and I'm really happy with how they look so I thought I'd share them with you.

I only have a very small bedroom so I have to find ways to fit everything in so it doesn't look overcrowded and make my room seem even smaller. Last year I redecorated and the walls were painted magnolia to brighten it up and I got a new bed with no bottom headboard which has also opened up the space.
One problem I do have is that I am a hoarder. There, I said it.

I hate throwing anything away. I'm one of those "but just what if one day I need this despite never having used it in the past 5 years?!" kind of people. I have got better. Ish. In the past I used to keep all the tags from clothes and I had a draw full of those buttons they put on the seam tag.

THE GREATEST TOPCOAT... EVER?!

1. Bold claim?
2. A boring thing to blog about?

What could be so amazing about a colourless varnish you put on your nails? Well listen here...

I've been pretty loyal to Sally Hansen's Insta-dri for a few years but started falling out of love with it. It started getting too gloopy too quickly and wasn't going on the nail nicely any more.
Top coats are great for making your nail varnish last longer and making them super shiny (or matte if you prefer). You can get a good few days longer without chipping with a decent top coat.

Recently I placed an order with Nails Inc and there was a little problem when the order arrived and trying to get contact with them to sort it out. Eventually they sorted everything and they sent an item that was missing and they also included a complimentary full size of their Kensington Caviar Top Coat.

A SPENDY, LAZY WEEKEND

Since before Christmas, I've been a bot poorly. I kept getting a bit better and then falling back down. But I'm feeling back to normal now and felt like I needed to treat myself. Along with being poorly, I was changing department at work and at the same time as doing my job I've been training my replacement so work have been pretty crazy. So the weekend was approaching and I was feeling spendy and my eyebrows needed sorting badly so I got up on Saturday and took myself in to town. I hate going shopping on a Saturday. I just can't cope with people being slow. So I try to go as early as I can force myself to get out of bed to avoid midday madness. 

I was only out for two hours but my card was on fire by the time I got home...

THE BACKUPS

What are you talking about, Louise?

Well, the backups are products that I'm so scared of running out of unexpectedly that I need to have another on standby for that moment so I never have to be without.
There's nothing worse that squeezing out the last bit of cleanser and realising you haven't bought a new one yet AND you can't get to the shop for another few days. Stress. That is stressful.

Here are what I always have on standby...

THE MONTHLY PLAYLIST: FEBRUARY

February already! Crazy!

Last month I decided I would put together 10 songs each month that I'm loving at the moment either new or old. January was all about keeping it upbeat and happy as that month can be a bit of a downer. If you missed January's playlist that is here.

For February's playlist there isn't really a theme. Just a few new songs I am loving mixed in with some old songs that I'd completely forgotten existed.

EMPTIES #2

Sorry it's been a while... again. I was just going to take a week off but then I got really poorly and I've been knocked back most of the month. I'm feeling loads better now though so back in the game!
Also, thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway. The winner has been contacted now so sorry if you didn't win. Hopefully there can be more in the future.

On to today's post though and I've accumulated a number of used up products since the first time I did this in December so without further ado...

MEMORY JAR

At the end of 2013 I decided I wanted to do a memory jar throughout 2014 were I would just write nice things that happened on scrap bits of paper, keep them in a jar then read them back once the year was over. And I actually managed to stick to it! I didn't put something in every single day. It was just whenever I did something with friends or family or had a day out or went to some kind of event or just a nice little thing happened. I'd write it down, fold it up and put it in the jar.
I was going to look back through it on New Years Day but then I thought that I'd only just put my last piece in for the year so it seemed too soon, and I was also a bit ill last week. So now 2015 is starting to settle in, life has gone back to normal with festivities ending and going back to work so I have decided today is the day to look through the jar!

THE MONTHLY PLAYLIST: JANUARY

I had some of my old Spotify playlists on the other night whilst having a bath and decided that I'd love to put together a monthly playlist feature here on the blog just to break up all the beauty posts and keep things fresh and different. It'll only be 10 or so songs that I'm loving at the moment, new songs I've found and some golden oldies just for nostalgia sake.
I'll aim for the first of the month but this idea came to me a few days late..!

There's not going to be themes for every month but I thought as it's January and it can be a tough ol' month, I've gone for a very upbeat and happy list of music to cheer up the blue days.

THE "HOLIDAYS ARE OVER" PAMPER

I'm lucky enough that I now have a job that gives me the Christmas period off work. (Those of you who work in retail or medical jobs or any other jobs that don't get such luxury, I'm sorry and I hope your customers/clients have been respectful to you. It's the worst, I've been there.)
But in this two weeks off I've managed to destroy my body clock. For example, today I woke up at 1.30pm... I didn't really intent on that happening today. Usually on a weekend, my body automatically gets me up about 8.30 (don't appreciate that either, body.) So it's safe to say that tomorrow morning's 6.50am alarm is going to hurt.
I will be doing a good pamper session tonight to chill myself out and (hopefully) sleep at a reasonable time.

Here's the lowdown...