Reborn

Where to begin?
I mentioned in my last post that there is a reason that I have been silent over the last couple of months and I was planning to follow up and explain that a lot sooner than this but I have been in and out of hospital for the last week with kidney problems and in too much pain to get around to it.

Well, at the end of April I left my job with the City of Bath College, completed my qualifications and moved down to Dorset to start a new life at the seaside with my lovely boyfriend. I now live in the beautiful seaside town of Weymouth in a little house that is two minutes from the beach and I have begun re-training as a dental nurse.

It's still pretty exciting to be able to pop along to Portland Bill for an hour after work and read, which has become one of my favourite things to do, or open the curtains in the morning and see the sea from our bedroom window.
I'm also enjoying making our little home nice and cosy. Since I've moved in, we have had a constant supply of flowers for one reason or another which have helped give the house a bit of a feminine touch, along with my candles and extensive stash of toiletries which have, of course, moved with me :P

But what I love most is living with someone who makes me so happy, and starting our little adventure together properly and training to go into a profession that I can stay with for a long time and progress to take me in lots of exciting directions.
I feel like I have been really lucky to get such exciting chances and so far I am loving it!

Of course, now that I have settled into my new life and started to get to grips with what's where, how to do my new job, and generally how to cope somewhere that isn't Bath, blogging is back on my agenda. I've been up to all sorts that I want to share so I have some catching up to do!

Annie xxx

Planning the Perfect Date in Bath

So, it’s been a while since I last posted on here. I’ll explain properly why in my next post but there has been a very good reason and it’s fair to say that I’m one happy, relaxed and loved up lady.
So, what better way to return to my blog than with a post all about happiness and romance eh?

I’ve been approached by the cupids over at Match.com who asked me to post a little something about how to have the perfect date in Bath. I love my home town and think everyone else should too so, of course, I agreed.

Bath is classically a very romantic city. Think Jane Austin, beautiful Georgian architecture and darling little cafes tucked down side streets so it’s no wonder that it is seen as the perfect romantic retreat. But Bath has so much more to offer!

The Bizarre Bath Comedy Walk:

This is something that I have done a couple of times now. The Bizarre Bath Comedy Walk is a great chance to explore the city at twilight, taking in all of the views and atmosphere but with a different spin. They describe the experience as thus: “You’ll laugh yourself silly when you join the celebrated stroll which take an irrelevant look at the city of Bath. You’ll experience unforgettable mysteries, thrills and surprises that stretch the traditional image of the city”. This is a fun option if you are staying in Bath for a few days, or if you are going on that lightly awkward first date and want something light hearted to do that you can talk about long afterwards.

Rent a punt and have a canal adventure:

There is a lot of water around Bath and it is just waiting to be explored. From the Bath Boating Station you can hire both small boats and punts which can be taken out onto the canal for the day at a very reasonable price. Particularly fun I’ve found if one or both of you have very little previous experience in a punt! Take the chance to pack a picnic, top up a tan and get some fresh air.

Give glass blowing a go:

A well-known and very popular Bath company is Aqua Glass. They create beautiful pieces using hand blown glass and now offer interactive demonstration classes where you can blow your own glass bauble to take home as a keepsake. Another great option if you don’t live in Bath that gives you a chance to create your own memory. You can then either pick up your bauble the following day or have it posted to you for a small extra fee.

A cosy, countryside pub with the best food around:

If you are visiting Bath during the colder months then I cannot recommend this option enough. One of my favourite places to visit for food, especially in the winter, is a little pub called The Hope and Anchor. Not centrally located, this may be a better option for those who either live in or around Bath or have a car available. I have been on some wonderful date here. In the winter you will be greeted by a large open fire and mulled wine, in the summer, a garden that is full of flowers. The menu is changed to reflect the season and the specials are always delicious too. There are also some wonderful walking routes surrounding the area.

There are, of course, many other amazing things to do and experience in Bath and it is really difficult to narrow it down. You can also find museums, crazy golf, cocktail bars, parks, cinemas, theatres, the world famous Roman Baths, Royal Crescent and Thermae Spa.

Having grown up, lived, loved and laughed in Bath it will always be one of my favourite places in the world, hopefully if you come to visit, it will become one of yours too :)

Annie xxx

My Beauty Weakness- Makeup that is just too Pretty

I've been doing a lot of re-organising and de-cluttering over the last few days. Yesterday I tackled my vast makeup collection and realised just how much of a beauty hoarder I am. I have a set of Ikea Helmer drawers that are full to brimming with makeup. I use a lot of it fairly regularly and some occasionally, however, it was only as I sorted through that I noticed a third type; makeup that I have bought but simply cannot bring myself to use because it is just too pretty.

All of the makeup above falls into this category. Take the Holika Holika Midnight Owl palette for example, I fell in love with this because of my owl addiction, the gentle colours, the originality of the entire thing, yet have only used it once because I don't want to blur the pattern. The same is the case with the Physicians Formula Cashmere Wear blusher, I just cannot bring myself to wear down at the beautiful textured top which gives the product its individuality.
 Although I've only just realised it, beauty brands have turned me into a hoarder by appealing to my desire to own something beautiful. I even have lipsticks swirled with pretty colours and with the bullet shaped into hearts. All designed to be looked at and cooed over rather than used.
And that is exactly the point. I have realised that by making products look beautiful, brands have found a way to ensure that, even if I do not need a new pink toned blusher, or eye shadow palette, by making a product look so special and exclusive, people are always going to lust after it.

I figure though that everyone has their weaknesses, I guess this is mine and I am a fickle person. I'm fine with that ...however, I do wish it didn't mean that I need to find room for my personal gallery of pretty things :P

What are your beauty weaknesses? Do you fall for overly pretty products like I do?

Annie xx

PS. thank you for all of the lovely feedback on my last post, they made me smile. I have received a few emails asking about my planner including how I use it and how I have organised it so I'm thinking about doing a post or two about that and how to create a pretty planner. Let me know if that's something you would be interested in seeing :) x

Life Lately

It feels like a long time since I've written anything here, and that makes me sad. I love my blog but life lately has been pretty full of stress and a bit of a battle to stay on top of things. I won't go into it too much but a mixture of work worries and some huge changes in my personal life have left me pretty drained and all I've wanted to do is sleep or go out socialising to try and relax a bit.

I haven't forgotten about my blog and I'm looking forward to when I feel ready to get back to it properly which should hopefully be by the end of next week when I know what's happening at work.
Try not to forget me, it feels like a lot of things I love are drifting away at the moment.

On a more positive note, heres a cute owl AND cat related photo for you :)

Annie xx

Happy Mothers Day

Just a quick filler post from me today because I'm spending time with my lovely mummy.
Dan found this picture on reddit and I had to share it with you because it seems to be the story of my life whenever I try to wear liquid eyeliner :P

Do you guys have this problem too or is it just me and whoever drew this?
Happy mothers day to all my followers who are yummy mummies, I hope you've all had a lovely day.
Annie xx

Home Again

I'm back :)
I had an amazing time in Tenerife enjoying a bit of sunshine and temperatures of around 25c but now its back to 5c and thermal socks to keep the chill off my toes.
I start my new job tomorrow and I'm all excited/nervous so I'm going to take a day off blogging tomorrow and normal posting will resume wednesday. I have a couple of outfit posts ready to go but its definitely going to take a bit of courage to upload those, even though I'm happy to show my face online, my figure is a different matter.
I also took the chance to take some lovely photos ready for some long over due product reviews so I have lots to show you in the next couple of weeks :)
But for now I'll leave you with one of my favourite holiday photos of Daniel and I full of sangria :P

Hasta Luego!
Annie xx

What Happened?

Hello,
Where has the week gone?
I have a load of photos taken ready to be turned into lots of posts yet somehow its got to Friday night and none of them have happened :O I haven't even posted my May empties yet and with it being gone midnight, its just turned into the 9th June already!
So what happened?
Well after a few stressful weeks I've taken full advantage of the relaxed party feel of jubilee week and taken a bit of TLC. Its been so lovely and restful. Dan and I have made the most of the week and spent a lot of time relaxing on the sofa watching DVD's, drinking the odd glass of wine and eating too many chocolate raisins, and it has been total bliss. I've caught up with the last few issues of Grazia, finished the 50 Shades of Grey series (well worth a read btw, I'll write a review) and really tried to de-stress a little so sorry once again for my lack of attention, but from now on, its back tot he beauty and when I finish work tomorrow I will be posting my May empties and planning next weeks posts so that I don't forget.
Oh, and for anyone who didn't know, I am a complete Potterhead so heres a spot of Pottertastic loving :)

Anyway, what have you been up to this week?
Annie x

Popping up for Air

Hello,
Remember me? I'm being a naughty blogger this week but I'm so busy.
Theres been job interviews, essays, tidying and doctors appointments and then my evenings are all being spent at the theatre performing so I just haven't had any time to blog for the last few days and I must say, I've really missed it!

A couple of exciting things have happened this week as well though. First of all I'm starting a new job tomorrow which I'm thrilled about. Its only an 8 hour contract at the moment on top of the job I already work but every little helps.
Also, you may have noticed from the button on my sidebar, I was approached by The Party Works and told that they would love to have me as a featured blogger and I was really happy to accept their offer. This may mean more Weekly Wedding Fix posts and maybe some party planning posts too once a week, we shall see :)

Finally, on Wednesday, I tasted my first ever Reeses Cup milkshake and oh my goodness, it was wonderful! Best way ever to turn my favourite chocolate treat into a fab drink :D

Heres a cute little buho photo to get you through friday afternoon.

Annie x

Where do I Go? (Bit of a Pity Party)

Hello ladies,
I'm afraid this post isn't a happy one packed with make-up and goodies. The truth is, I'm feeling rather lost at the moment. Things just don't feel right.
For years as I was growing up I wanted to be a theatrical make-up artist. More than anything I wanted to work with make-up and beauty but back then I was too young to do anything about it as I was still at school and studying full time. When I got old enough to be able to make my own choices regarding school and work and what I wanted to study I was suffering a lot with depression and just hid away from it all. As a result I only gained 9 GCSE's and just one A-level. All with high grades granted, but I was set to achieve so much more so naturally I was devastated.
My way to cope with everything has always been to write lists. Plan my way through everything and de-clutter spaces to find peace in the order of things I can control.
This is partly why I decided in the first place that event and wedding planning were careers I would enjoy and thrive in, and on top of that, the work I would be doing would bring so much happiness to other people.
Only, now I'm not so sure.
As I've picked myself back up out of the depression I have been looking after myself again, getting back into enjoying make-up, taking care of my skin and washing my hair with indulgent lotions and potions. I've found myself excited to get up in the morning and "putting my face on" and every night without fail I sit down and remove it before cleansing my face and applying night cream and eye cream. I read around 30-40 different beauty blogs and I love every minute of doing so. I want to be part of that community again because it feels like where I really belong.
Whilst depressed I was a very different person. I spent a lot of time wanting to be a domestic, stay at home woman who spent her time baking and crafting beautiful things, largely so that I could hide away and not come face to face with too many people. I could work at home, in my own little space and not worry about life interrupting me. But now I see that that isn't who I am at all.
I am still that bubbly, confident person who dreams of working with make-up and beauty. Theatrical make-up is no longer my main interest, but I still deep down want to be a make-up artist. That is where my passion lies.
But now I worry that I have left things too late. I have spent a lot of my time and money training to become an event and wedding planner, which don't get me wrong, I am enjoying, but it means I no longer have the financial support to pursue what I now realise, I always wanted, even when I couldn't see it.
This is why I feel lost. I feel like I have let myself down by feeling this way about my choices, I feel like I've ruined the chance I could have had at doing what I really want to do, and I'm not really sure where to go next. Do I forget about my dream and leave behind the thought of working with make-up? Do I save up and sign up to a professional make-up course? Do I go ahead and set up the wedding planning business like I was aiming to? Its a hard call.

This however, is the reason that my blog has taken a different turn lately. As I have been re-discovering myself and my deep rooted interests, Three Little Buhos has been focusing a lot more on beauty and fashion, and I'm happy about that, it gives me a great outlet for all of my beauty related ramblings. Its a happy retreat at the end of a long day. But it does mean that my posts and features have evolved a little. So I am sorry if you are disappointed to see the old style Three Little Buhos go but at the end of the day, we all need to write about what we truly love. With me that is make-up, beauty, fashion, Lolly the Grumpy Kitty and weddings...although more wedding style than wedding planning.

Sorry this have been such a long and wordy post but believe me, I feel soooo much better for letting it all out. What do you think I should do? I love all of you sweet people who read and comment on my blog and your opinion really does matter to me so any advice is gratefully received.

Just to cheer things up a bit, here is an adorable picture of Florence, my little roborovski hamster, a constant source of happiness.
Annie x

Beauty Products that I will Never Understand

Hello,
sorry there was no post up last night, I was zonked after work so just slobbed around for a few hours before an early night.
Now, we all know that there are some truly awful beauty products out there that just shouldn't be on the market. But what really bugs me at the products that are just plain pointless. Some I will just never understand. Here are my top (or should that be bottom) picks for the most pointless beauty products in the world.

Lolly and I disapproving of these pointless products. I seem to literally be made of eye bags in this photo :S

1. Lash Cards. Thats right, you can actually buy packs of cards to stop you getting mascara or make-up all over the place around your eye... Yes it is a great idea to use a little something as a "lash card" but why waste money on a special product to do so when you could easily use a tissue, cardboard tags from clothing, or even the dried up wipe you used to remove your make-up the night before which would work out a whole lot cheaper and save your much needed sanity for other, more useful past times.

2. No-touch Soap Dispensers. Soap cleans hands. Yes. We all know that. We also all know how to wash our hands; either applying the soap to dry hands before then running them under the tap and lathering up, or by wetting hands, then applying soap and lathering up, enjoying the bubbles and getting rid of the grime. Never does the soap part come last, that just wouldn't work would it? Realistically, you are only ever going to touch the soap dispenser when your hands are already dirty so why worry if that little push pump gets germs on it? Or if you pick up a few extra germs from said push pump for that matter, because the whole point of the product inside is to kill those very germs you just picked up. See, useless product!

3. Nail Varnish Wipes. I do own these and I try very hard to like them. But I just can't do it. I admit that they could be handy to take on holiday, but to be honest, why bother? A small pack of around 20-25 are quite expensive to buy, and if you are using a thick, high quality polish you need to use three of them, sometimes four, to get the damn stuff off, and even that takes a hell of a lot of persistent scrubbing (good for the old bingo wings maybe). What I don't understand is why people bother. For £1 you can get a big bottle of normal remover which takes just one or two cotton pads to clear both hands with a lotmore ease and a lot less scrubbing.

4. Seven day moisturiser. This, in itself, is a great concept. If it actually was what it says that it. It would be lovely to only need to moisturise once a week. Yet even though it claims to keep skin soft and moisturised for seven days, you still need to use it every day. Umm... Why? Surely that contradicts itself? Why not just use a normal one that admits that you need to use it each day for the proper effect and save yourself the extra money (you could maybe even save enough to fund the lash card habit...)

Other contenders that drive me bonkers:

• Bottom lash mascara- can we really not be trusted to get those little pesky hairs with a full sized brush?
• Lip tattoos- do people know how ridiculous these look? Yes, even you Jessie J.
• Venetian blind glasses- what exactly is the point of glasses that you can't see through, don't enhance your sight or provide protection from the sun?
• Stick on eyeshadow- one size really doesn't fit all girls and these crush our creative side.

So these are just some of the more pointless, or (in my mind) useless beauty buys that are on the market. How about you, do you have any products that annoy you like this? what do you think is the most pointless beauty product out there?

Annie x

ps, my blog sale is running here. If there is anything you fancy just let me know.

Is it Lazy if I'm Still Doing Stuff?...

Hello,
How is everyone this evening?
I'm chilling out and enjoying having my feet up and my pj's on.
I'm super excited for the next few days. I have no plans what so ever until Friday now. I plan to spend them doing washing, studying for my next essay, reading too many beauty and fashion blogs and doing some major spring cleaning of all my clothes, useless nicknacks and make-up. I haven't had a proper cull of my make-up in over a year now so I'm crazily excited about doing so.
In short, the next couple of days are for me.
My question to you though is, is it lazy to be excited about having no plans until friday and being able to just do what the hell I want, even though I'm still going to be doing stuff?
I've been thinking about this for a while now and I just can't decide :S

Annie x

Moose Head Stew

Hello,
Before you start wondering what sort of bizarre recipe I have in store for you, relax! Moose Head Stew is actually a web comic (one of many that Daniel reads in his spare time).
The last few weeks have been a little hard on me what with having some sort of horrible throat infection and stresses at work and with wedding planning coursework so I've been a little down in the dumps.
My lovely Daniel cheered me up hugely last night by showing me some of the strips from this comic that he thought I would like, including the one below (I adore hedgehogs)

I'm not usually a fan of web comics, but this one is pretty dandy so if you're looking for a little giggle, or a way to pass some time then you should totally pop over :)

Annie x