Life is a roller coaster

The past couple of weeks I have had a bit of an emotional roller coaster, I went from a high note and then dropped down to a low note.

I'll start of with the high note, if you follow me on twitter you may have seen that in November I started working as a retail makeup artist at MAC. I applied for the job in September and after a loooooong recruitment process I got the job! I was over the moon. Since I was about 14 I've always loved the bright colours and creativeness of MAC and always wanted to be part of the brand.
I will probably start owning a lot more MAC cosmetics but I won't be biased when it comes to reviews on my blog and I'll still use my loved products from other brands, so don't worry about that.

From my Instagram @Alexandraahowe

Then just over a week ago I had a very unexpected situation occur. I'm currently a second year student so I now live in a house shared with some of my flat mates from halls. I had some criminals break into my bedroom at 6pm one evening. They smashed through my bedroom window with a huge rock from the garden. Luckily I wasn't harmed and nothing was stolen as I had my valuables with me in the kitchen at the time and all 6 of us were in the house so we all reacted before they could actually get into my room. Since the incident I've been a bit emotionally unstable, exhausted and haven't had the time or mentality to get blog posts up or be on social media as much.

I'm starting to get back to being myself again but it will take a while to be completely at ease, but working at MAC during the weekends has been helping get my mind off things. I've also just arrived back at home for the Christmas holidays which should also help me relax a little more.
Sorry that this isn't the most exciting post (apart from getting the job at MAC) but I just needed to get it off my chest and let you guys be all in the loop of things. I hope you're all well and my next post should be something a little more christmassy and fun!

200 Followers Giveaway!

This weekend I reached 200 followers on Bloglovin! When I decided to start blogging along side my Youtube channel I was so worried that no one would ever follow my blog and that it wouldn't catch on but now it's so lovely to read your comments about you liking my content and to see my followers slowly but surely creeping up. As a thank you I am going to be giving away a £20 ASOS voucher along with a few other surprise little bits and pieces.
ASOS is one of my favourite places to shop as you can get such a variety of brands, clothing, accessories and beauty products. It's also great for us students as they always have some sort of discount going on. As everyone has different styles I thought I would do a voucher so you can use it on something you've been eyeing up for the past few months or for a lovely impulse buy.

You can enter my giveaway using the Rafflecopter app below and the rules are as follows;
You must follow my blog on Bloglovin as this is where I reached the goal but all other entries are optional, the more you do the more chances you have! The giveaway is running for 2 weeks and will end at midnight on Sunday October 12th and the winner should be announced within the next few days after the closing date.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I look forward to seeing what the future holds for me and my blog and again a big thank you to each and every one of you for supporting me.

Floral Fatale

This Autumn/Winter dark florals are back in trend and I am loving it! I fell in love with this graphic print skirt from Topshop that i bought recently, not only is it super pretty but the material is also really comfortable. I've featured this kimono before in an outfit post, it such a great item to have in your wardrobe as it can really dress up an outfit without being a heavy jacket. The little bag from H&M is perfect for a night out as it's small but big enough for all you need, it zips up and it'll pretty much work with any outfit. I am so ready for the Autumn now, my tan has gone, my dark hair is back and the fashion is much more my style!

Skirt & Necklace - Topshop / Kimono - Missguided / Bag & Top- H&M / Shoes - ASOS 

Lipstick - Captive by MAC / Nails - Pillow Fight by Ciate

How Blogging Has Improved My Life.

I thought I would do a more personal and inspiring post, I haven't really done a post like this before but I'll try and do my best!
Blogging has really helped me in many different aspects in life, I never really realised it would.

Writing
When I was younger I really struggled with reading and writing, I learnt these skills later than the average child due to hearing issues. Because I was slightly rushed in the learning process, I never really got to enjoy it, nor learn it as thoroughly. So as you can imagine, I wasn't the best when it came to English at school or in written exams. When I started to blog, I finally found a way to enjoy writing and reading and in the long run my skills have improved, they still aren't amazing, I'm far from becoming the next J.K Rowling or Shakespeare but writing essays has become easier towards the end of A-levels and at university, as well as my writing in my blog posts.

Getting into university, a job and work experience
Now, I'm not saying that blogging alone has got me into university, a job and work experience, I have worked my arse off at sixth form and do a lot of other things outside of blogging, but it has definitely helped!
If you have your own blog or youtube channel where you express your passions, I think it is so important to have that on your CV or in your personal statement when applying for university, as long as it is relevant. For example, I'm doing Fashion Communication & Promotion at university so my blog linked highly with the course, I got a job over last summer at Boots so again it is linked highly and the work experience I've just got with Umberto Giannini is also linked with it. They were all so interested to look at it and loved the fact I have such a passion for fashion and beauty.
I think it makes you stand out from those who may do nothing outside of the workplace/university or nothing at all. Of course there are other things that will make you stand out aside from blogging, for instance amazing grades, already completed university or other extra courses and I'm sure there is more.

Using Design Software
Before blogging, having a youtube channel and A-level Graphics, I had no idea how to use iMovie/Windows Movie Maker or Photoshop. Blogging and making videos gave me the opportunity to try out these programmes- playing around with these has helped me to grasp the basics and that's all I really needed for my content.
When it came to using it at A-level and university I was already a step up because I already knew the basics. It really helped to boost my confidence in my work because I was scared I would be awful compared to those who did an art foundation year. Obviously I still had a lot to learn and have become much more swift at using Photoshop and other programmes since university as I have to use it for so much in every project I do. I still just stick to the basics on iMovie because that's all I need to know so far and I don't really use it other than my youtube channel.

Confidence
When I was younger I was a victim of bullying, it was only a few years ago that it really started to fade away, I was very quiet and reserved but had so much I wanted to say and do, that's when I found the youtube world where I started expressing my passion for makeup.
I was about 15 when I started you-tubing and I loved doing fun looks, then came along lovely comments from people- never tonnes but enough to boost my confidence. Over the summer a few years ago I gained the courage to sell jewellery which I advertised through my videos, having people actually want to buy the stuff I created was amazing! Then I discovered blogging and I wanted to give that a try, again I got lovely positive feedback from people and it made me so happy; it still does.

If I hadn't started youtube or blogging, I honestly don't know where I'd be today or who I'd be today. I'm so glad that I'm not a shy little girl that gets bullied anymore.
I'm now a grown woman who stands her ground at those who hate because I know I have more confidence than I did and all the support I need from friends, family and fellow bloggers.
I reach for my dreams and through the help of this world of blogging it has pushed and helped me further and has got me to where I want to be and will hopefully help me with where I want to go in the future. I get to express my creative side and passions outside of university projects and my day-to-day life.

Now, I'm not telling you that you all have to go start blogging to get where you want or become who you want to be, there are plenty of other ways, but if you're wanting to start a blog, I say go for it! There is nothing to lose and I know there are so many of you out there who are afraid to start one out. Yes, it may not be perfect in the beginning, but everything takes time. It has taken me 4 years!
I hope you like this post, and I hope it has helped some of you that needed a boost to get started.

How has blogging helped you in life? Did you want to start a blog but haven't and now think you will?
Let me know in the comments.