| Beauty | 2020 Christmas Advent Calendars

Hello Beauties,

So, since Halloween is officially over, its Christmas season in my books. And first up on my Christmas to do list is to choose which beauty advent calendar I’m going to splash out and treat myself to this year! In the past I’ve treated myself to the M & S advent calendar and Nyx Lipsticks calendar, which were both fab! But I fancy a change so I’m sharing my top picks for this year here…

NYX Professional Makeup Diamonds and Ice Please 24 Day Advent Calendar Festive Countdown

Ted Baker Ladies House of Blooms Advent Calendar

| Lifestyle | Belle Chic Is Back

Hello loves,

After a massive break from blogging, basically lasting from just before lockdown up until now, I’ve decided to put a little love and care back into my blog. There were lots of contributing factors to the lack of posts, but I think mainly living in Groundhog day is the biggie. I mean how can you get the motivation or even any ideas on what to post when you’re repeating similar days/ not having too many exciting events through the year to look forward to and write about. That being said, although 2020 has been a shitter, there have been a few fun things happening…

I’ve had the chance to temporarily move back home to the Outer Hebrides. I can’t think of a better place to be while the world is all going through this craziness. Its been so nice to spend a lot of time with family and keep my normal work routine while on WFH – without work I think I would have lost my sanity.

Ya gal turned 26. I feel like we have all mutually agreed to pause our age since the year has been an absolute write off. But also I was super relieved that lockdown had eased in time for me to move home before my bday so I could enjoy it with family.

| Beauty | February Mini Drugstore Haul

Hello Beauties,

Last weekend I walked into town and had a quick browse around Boots for some new beauty bits. Super happy with my mini haul and thought why not share them with you all. So if you are a beauty lover like myself, keep reading…

| Lifestyle | Hello 2020

Hello Loves,

Finally we made it to February.! Whyyyy is January suuch a long month!? SO killer. That being said I decided to make February my new January and start all my new year plans and resolutions from this month on, I mean why make January any worse right….

So if you want to see whats on my 2020 resolution list, keep reading…

 

| Lifestyle | Valentine/ Galentine Date Night Outfits…

Hello lovelies,

Loooong time no post! I took a couple of months blog detox and finally am feeling motivated enough to get back into the game. That being said, I’m taking the easy option and easing myself back in with a wee date night outfit guide. Perfect timing for Galentine or Valentine Date Nights soooo, very much black and red themed…..

| Lifestyle | Wands and Wispies GIFTED

Hello Lovelies,

So before I get into this post I just want to mention that the lashes Lia and I are wearing were *GIFTED*, I will have a separate review post up for them soon.

A couple weekends ago I made my regular trip through to Edinburgh to catch up with my main gals. This was actually super exciting because we decided to try out THE CAULDRON (the inner Harry Potter nerd in me was dying). If you haven’t heard of it, its essentially a mixology class with the added magic experience. There are bars in Edinburgh, Dublin, London and New York! If this sounds up your street keep reading…

| Food |Cognito On The Corner

Hello lovelies,

 

Soo what beats a Saturday Brunch with a Gal pal and some vino… answer – nothing. A couple weekends ago I finally got round to visiting Cognito on the Corner and it totally did not disappoint. In fact I 100% will be rushing  back. Mainly to try out their cocktail menu. But also the food was pretty great too.

 

| Beauty | Jo Malone Poppy & Barley

Hello Loves,

This Thursday I was lucky enough to take a trip to the Jo Malone store for the Poppy & Barley Launch night. *PR EVENT* I mean who doesn’t love a glass of fizz and all the unreal Jo Malone scents after a busy Thursday at work…

| Food | Urban Angel

Hello Loves,

 

So I’m just back in Abz after a fun filled weekend in the capital. Basically plenty of food, plenty of booze and plenty of laughs…so all wins. Alsoooo a trip into the city for Saturday brunch, is there a better way to start your day??! Don’t think so. Anyways, if you wanna hear about our Brunch spot of choice keep reading.

Urban Angel

 

| Food & Drink | The Spiritualist Aberdeen

Hello loves,

So currently in my life, for the foreseeable anyways, I have decided to avoid boys and stick with drinking plenty water and eating veggies cause they will deffo not cause me wrinkles and grey hairs. That being said I have found the absolute gals night out venue in the Deen.

The Spiritualist

| Beauty| Body Shop ~ Bloggers Summer Event

Hello Beauties,

SO at the start of July, the night before I headed off home for a fortnight, I was lucky enough to start my holiday with a trip along to the Body Shops Summer Event! Who can say no to a wee pamper night and hearing about all the latest products with prosecco in hand?!

| Lifestyle | June Edit Belle Chic

Hello Loves,

Welcome back to my new wee monthly round up of things I’ve been up to and things I’ve been loving. So time for the June Edition…

What Have I Been Watching

June has been a fab comeback month for a LOT of my favourite series’! Handmaids tale – love, Killing Eve – obsessed annnd Love Island – guilty pleasure…

I also binged the whole third season of The Office US and if that isn’t your kind of humour, then sadly you are missing out.

| Travel | Amsterdam – City Break

Hello Loves happy Sunday,

Earlier in the week I arrived back in Abz from a fab long weekend in Amsterdam. My best pal and I took a girls weekend trip to see Maroon 5 and had the most chilled weekend away. I loved every minute of it. And can I just say that we absolutely aced the transport system there. I am super proud of us both.

| Lifestyle |Belle Chic May Edit

Hello Loves,

I’ve decided to do a new little blog series. a monthly round up of things I’ve been up to and things I’ve been loving. So having said that, welcome to Mays Edition…

What Have I Been Watching

So this months obsessions consisted of binge watching Jane the Virgin (why am I so late to this party, I am addicted) , watching Ru Paul Drag Races final and starting to watch a new drama series on BBC called Years and Years.

| Beauty | Spring Beauty Haul

Hello beauties,

So last weekend was pay weekend and I decided to treat myself to a small beauty haul.

Most of these are first time buys for me, so I’m excited to try and test these out. I picked everything up from Superdrug, Boots and even a couple things from Primark. I’ll update you in a future post on my thoughts. But for now let me share with you my little beauty finds!

| Lifestyle | My Bucket List

Hello loves,

So a couple weekends ago Eurovision was back on our screens. And I am an absolute nerd for it every year! Which lead to my sister and I’s usual chat about if a certain country wins, we NEED to go the next year. Its on the bucket list!

So that got me thinking about everything else on my bucket list, and I’ve decided if I blog it, its an official list that I need to work my way through… Slowly. No time limit…

| Beauty | Lipstick ~ The Red Edit…

Ahh, red lipstick, my current love. Be it a bright bold red or a slightly more subdued orange-toned red. Every girl needs a red lipstick in her makeup bag! It is the LBD of the beauty world. A timeless classic…

 

| Fitness | Overnight Oats – Choc and Berries

Happy Saturday loves,

So I’m currently on a NEW fitness mission…

Basically I’ve hit mid life crisis at the thought of turning 25 this Summer, so I’ve decided to soften the blow by trying to gift myself with the best bod I’ve had yet. Annd this obv isn’t an easy gift, I need to start now, in fact I probably needed to start last year!

So if you fancy sticking around to follow my “transformation” (we hope), or even to help encourage me/ share tips and tricks I’m all for it!

I’m starting off with a post on my current go to breakfast, its so quick and easy to grab and take to work.

Chocolate and Berries Overnight Oats

| Lifestyle | Sunday Night Routine

Hi my loves,

So a cozy wee pamper night post was needed as moving flat and training in a new job is a looootta work let me tell you! So finally I have a pretty chilled weekend. And actually my last quiet weekend for another month. So I though I would let you all in on how I unwind on a Sunday night before my busy week ahead.

| Beauty | Eylure Lashes – AD| GIFTED

Hellos loves,

Before I properly get into this post I just want to make it clear that these lashes were GIFTED but it deffo does not change my personal opinion which I’m about to share. Also if you know me, you know my go to lashes for nights out are Eylure…

| Lifestyle | Crazy for Copper

Hey hey beauties,

So it’s officially weekend number two back in Aberdeen and I’m slowly getting there with my wee flat. Its getting cosier by the day and I couldn’t be happier.

The only room I have completely finished and made my own is the kitchen. So I thought I would do a quick little post on ALL the copper pieces I’ve picked up to give the kitchen the Shonz effect.

| Beauty | Winged Liner – FOTN

Hello Beauties,

Time for OOTN/ Face of the Night post. So I thought I would share with you one of my latest night out makeup looks. Mainly because I have never been prouder of my winged eyeliner In.My.Life. And also because it was a special little night out as I had just got the keys to my new flat in Aberdeen and pre drinks were finally round at mine!

| Beauty | Cold Plunge Pore Mask by Ole Henriksen

Hello Beauties,

I’m currently sat here typing this post up surrounded by all my moving boxes. A break is seriously needed from packing. For those of you that have dealt with the stresses of packing up a flat and moving to a new city alone you will totally get my current feelings.

So all that being said, I decided to treat myself to a new face mask, my stressed out skin is so desperately crying for. And lucky lil me I actually had £25 worth of boots points on my card. Plus a face mask I had been excited to try had an offer on from its usual price of £28 to £23. So the choice was a super easy one.

 

| Flab to Fab| February 2019 Update

Hello my loves,

Long time no fitness update! If I’m honest the reason for that being is I hit a massive blip in fitness after my Holiday to Cyprus last October. With that and my move back to Aberdeen I just lacked the time and motivation to get back into my routine. And I had a fab routine! For someone who is far from a morning person I was managing to get up at 5:30am three times a week, meet my gym pal, work out for an hour get ready and then we both would make the 30 minute walk to work. On top of this I had my weekly spin class (absolute cardio blaster – I’ll never recommend another spin class as much Seb Shorts) Yoga and Pilates.

| Lifestyle | Things You’ll Only Understand If You Grew Up On A Scottish Island

Hello beauties,

If you follow my blog I’m sure you’ll know by now that I grew up on a small Island in the Outer Hebrides. So I wanted to do a post that everyone who grew up in the Islands will relate to. Or if you didn’t you can get a wee glimpse into our life. Enjoy…

| Beauty | January’s Empties

Hello my Beauties,

So time for my first empties post. I’ve never gotten round to doing one of these, mainly because once somethings empty its chucked away asap – I mean why keep it??

But I’ve decided for the purpose of this post I’l keep a few products after I’ve used them to let you lovely people know my thoughts and if I would re purchase.

So let’s get into it…

| Lifestyle | New City, New Everything…

Hello lovelies,

 

So if you didn’t know already next month marks my new start back in Aberdeen. I’m super super excited and can’t wait to just move and get settled into my new place (which is the cutest flat ever). That being said I have so many things I’ll need to do once I move…

 

Find a New Hairdresser – this is a big thing. Who a girl trusts with her hair is important. I’ve had the same hairdresser for about 3 years now in Glasgow. I love our girly chats and I trust her completely with my hair. We’ve been through a lot together… from Ginger Shonz to Red head and also the just plain Brunette. I’m deffo going to miss her.

| Lifestyle | Get To Know Me TAG

Hello Beauties,

 

So in my 3 and a half years of blogging I still haven’t done the get to know me tag and I thought why not? So here it is…

 

GET TO KNOW ME TAG QUESTIONS

 

1. What is your middle name?

Marie (obviously as a girl born in the 90s, V original)

2. Share you favourite subject in high school?

Geography.

|Lifestyle | Hello 2019

Hello my loves,

 

Happy 2019!

 

I feel like its taken me a wee while to get this first post of the year out of my head. But here I am, finaaally sitting down to type it up.

I’m super excited for everything 2019 has to come. I’m currently having a major clear out to help with packing up my flat as the end of next month is my big move back to ABERDEEN.

 

My return to Aberdeen has been a long time coming. Aberdeen has always felt like home to me. Even in my 3 years living in Glasgow, every weekend trip to Aberdeen brought with it a comforting familiarness and each return to Glasgow was met with a uneasy sense of regret.

 

So with 2019 comes a new set of goals

 

| Blogmas | Thank U, 2018

So 2018 is quickly coming to an end and I thought why not take a quick look back at what  great year its been!

 

As you could easily tell by looking at my Spotify Top 100 songs of 2018 I was dumped. This is made clear by heavily featuring songs such as “No Scrubs” and “Ain’t yo Mamma”

Minus that but also totally including it as well 2018 has been suuuuuch a fab year.

Probably the best I’ve had in such a long time.

I finally feel as though I’m getting somewhere in life and everything is coming together perfectly after a long time of feeling lost.

 

Career-wise, Blog-wise and Personal Life-wise everything seems to be getting better…

| Lifestyle | Homeware Picks

Hello lovelies,

 

So I’ve decided to put together a quick blog post on my current favourite bits and bobs for around your home. This is inspired by the fact that yesterday (Haha when I initially started this post *cough* September) I started my first steps towards becoming a home owner. Super super exciting!! I went into my first meeting with a mortgage advisor just to get an idea of where I’m at now, how far I need to get to get on the property ladder, and how much of a mortgage loan is possible for me.

I went into this meeting with zero expectations and I left on an absolute high. I had been looking at flats at the lower end of my mortgage range thinking that had been my highest range. So to know I can afford a much better flat/house is just fab!! Also on a side note, if you live in Scotland like I do and you’re a first time buyer definitely look into setting up a Help to By ISA. This is a government scheme that you can use to save your 5% deposit and when you go to buy the government will contribute a percentage (up to £12,000 + £3,000 from the gov).

 

Every little helps!

| Blogmas | 25 Christmas Films to Watch Before the 25th

Happy December!

 

So I thought a quick little Blogmas post and one that I would totally appreciate if I were to come across it myself is a list of 25 Christmas films to watch before the big day itself!

I mean I absolutely love a good Christmas film, and although I’ve waited until December itself to post this, it doesn’t mean I waited until now to watch Christmas films…

 

Anyways short post so here it is….

| Blogmas|Hebridean Woodcraft

Hey Guys,

 

Welcome back to my Blogmas posts.

 

This is super special one. I’ve decided to do a post to support a small business at Christmas. And one close to my heart.

 

Hebridean Woodcraft

 

This is a little local run business that my older sister has started. At the moment she mainly makes Christmas pieces. And they can be personalised too.

 

One of the main reason  I love them is because they remind me of home. Some are written in Gaelic and some are personalised to the Island I grew up on.

 

Before I post some pictures of the fab pieces she has come up with you can also check out her Facebook page here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are your favourite small businesses that you support?

 

Until Next Time,

Shona Marie xo

 

Vote for me in The UK Blog awards here!

| Blogmas |Christmas Picks Edit

Hello Beauties,

 

It’s officially December 1st so Christmas Season!! Actually the best time of the year!

Did I get through work yesterday by listening to Christmas music all day… yes.

Has my Airwicks flat spray now changed over to Mulled Wine scent? Also Yes.

And Am I currently on my 4th Christmas film of the day… duh?

| Lifestyle | Single In the City ~ The Dr Will See You Now

Hello beauties,

 

Welcome to the second instalment of Single in the City and this has to be one of the quickest most dull dates I’ve had in my life…and that is saying something

 

Let me set the scene; I’ve had a super long week at work, it’s a cold Thursday night in October and I’m actually coming home to put my face on and head out to meet a guy for drinks…. on a school night too! This is not the one, I love nothing more than a cosy night in.

I had been WhatsApping this guy for a while. Everything seemed pretty perfect, a year older than me, a farm boy, really polite and seeming a genuinely good guy.

| Lifestyle |UK Blog Awards 2019

Hello lovelies,

 

So exciting news, my blog is amongst a bundle of fab other blogs that are up for the Lifestyle category of the UK Blog Awards 2019!

 

I’m super excited as in my three years of blogging I’ve never got as far as to be in the running for an award so this is such a big achievement in itself.

I just wanted to make this quick little post to show my appreciation and share my excitement with you all…

| Lifestyle | My Current Favourite Blogs…

So I just wanted to post a quick update of current blogs I am absolutely LIVING for at the moment.

Hopefully this will also be some you can add to your list of go to blogs for updates…

 

The top spot has got to go to my current favourite and one that I only discovered this year. This chick is honestly my online guru, go to gal for outfit goals, relationship giggles/advice and just all round inspo…

 

The Brighton Girl 

 

Honestly, go check her out! Tinder Diaries is a must read, especially if you’re currently in the same situation as me and being new to the dating scene again. So relatable.

| Lifestyle | Single In the City The Beginning

Hello Beauties,

 

This is a small corner of my blog where I can vent about the trials and tribulations of being Single In the City!!

 

 

Sooo I’ve been single for over half a year and I’m not going to lie, I bloody love it! But that being said I’ve still attempted put myself out there enough to experience the awkwardness of first dates again… (Let the ground eat me)

This time round I’m being picky AF. Mainly because I deserve to be. And I wont settle for less than I deserve!

I learnt a lot in the last few years of what I should and shouldn’t put up with.

I’m also not 100% sure of what I’m looking for in a guy but, basically someone on my level who can have a laugh – surely not too hard to find. Wrong.

So to vent on the weird dates of this year (and let me tell you I’ve had a few) I’m going to go back to one I had in about April time…

| Lifestyle | Boot Season Edit

Hello beauties,

 

Sooo boot season is officially here! And I’m all about keeping my feet cosy in this cold weather…

 

For that reason I’ve put together a collection of my current fave boots! Hopefully this can help you if you’re on the look out just as I am.

 

You can never have too many pairs…

| Travel | Cyprus

As per usual long time no post. To say my life has been crazy busy is an understatement. But I’m not complaining, I’m loving absolutely every second of it all!! Even now I only have 3 weekends free of plans until next year, so I’m pretty sure the weeks will fly in!

Anyways my most recent and exciting thing to keep me busy was my trip to Cyprus.

I just got back early Monday morning and can say a week in the sun with plenty of chilled out time was needed!

| Lifestyle | September Catch Up

Happy Saturday! Hope you all have a great weekend ahead of you. My current situation is an oversized mug of coffee and MIC catch up.

This post became much longer than expected so grab  a cuppa, sit back and relax..

 

September already! Honestly I always say this but the year has flown in, it’s been the quickest and busiest year of my life! So I’ve decided to do a quick little September round-up of what I’ve been up to the past few months.

Mainly for my own benefit cause it’s cute to look back on.

I just have to say looking back on my year it has easily become one of the best years I have had! And there is still so much still to come…

| Lifestyle | Contraception ~ Nexplanton VS Rigevidon

So a little bit more of a personal post this week, I’ve decided to talk about my previous form of contraception Vs my current…

 

 

After almost two years of using the implant I’m still thinking back to my lack of research  before choosing to go down this route. I know everyone has their own opinions on Nexplanton but for me, this was definitely not the right form of contraception. At all!! And I’ll tell you why…

So back in January 2016 I decided, as I was in a long term relationship that the implant being a 3 year long form of contraception would be ideal. I had previously been on “the pill” Rigevidon to be precise (now back to this). Always having to remember when to take it (thank you phone alarm) and planning ahead if I would be out and about to pack it with me. So I thought a more semi permanent solution would be perfect for me. One that I can just forget about and relax knowing I’m covered. Sounds all great, right??

It’s not. For me anyways. For the following reasons:

| Beauty | Ripped Jeans Edit ~ OOTN

Hello beauties,

 

Welcome back to my second Outfit of The Night post. I’m currently pulling these from the vault as I thought why waste perfectly good outfits/makeup that I’ve already done and not post about it?

So this outfit is from my last visit up to Aberdeen to see my best friends new flat and head for drinks at the end of June/start of July. Sangria Saturdaaaays…

 

Outfit

 

| Travel | Isle of Lewis ~ Outer Hebrides

Who said you can’t be a tourist in your own stomping ground?

 

When I headed back home for my Summer holiday I decided I wanted to make the most of my time there. You really don’t appreciate home as much as once its too late and you need to adult and move away…

 

So apart from HEBCELT which I have a post on here, this is what I got up to in my travels around The Isle of Lewis.

Morven Gallery

 

 

| Lifestyle | Holiday Accessories Edit

Hello again my loves,

 

You probably wont know but I’ve got a holiday coming up the first week in October! It cannot come soon enough, I’m soooo ready for days by the pool, in the sun with my book annd busier days touring about and taking in the city’s culture, this and a wine tour. All about getting a taste of the culture too…

 

SO I have been doing plenty of holiday shopping in preparation for this. I’ve still got a long way to go, who knew putting together a holiday wardrobe would be such a time consuming stress??! Anyways that being said I have put together  my ultimate favourite holiday accessories that I have come across on my searching so far…

 

 

| Lifestyle | Drive In Movies ~ Harry Potter

Okay so this is a super exciting post! If you are looking for something fun/ different to do I suggest you keep reading to hear about my trip to the Glencoe Mountains for a Drive In Movie…

 

Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone

 

So a couple of weekends ago my friend and I road-tripped up to the mountains to experience our first (but now deffo not last) drive-in movie! As she lives in Edinburgh and I stay in Glasgow it made sense for her to drive through on Friday night and stay with me so we could set off bright and early on our journey.

| Lifestyle | Little Black Dress Edit

Everyone loves the classic LBD! Here are my current top picks on the market right now …

 

 

 

 

| Beauty | Red Lips White Dress Vibes ~ OOTN

Hello lovelies,

 

So I started to think my beauty category is severely lacking, which for a beauty junkie like myself is V strange so I thought why not start an Outfit of the Night series??!

SO to start I’m going to go with one of my favourite looks of this year, and that is from celebrating my best friends birthday in the capital!

 

OUTFIT

 

 

Dress – River Island

Shoes – New Look (Not that they are very visable – block white heels)

Tan – FAKE

| Festival Feels | Hebcelt ~ Isle of Lewis

As per usual, my lack of consistency with blog post strikes again.

 

But for very good reason, I’ve been back home to the Outer Hebrides for a huge occasion, my big sisters wedding!!

 

Anyways the first stop on my journey home was a trip to the most northern isle in the outer hebrides to attend HEB CELT. This is an annual music festival that is held in the castle grounds from Thursday-Sunday. It’s filled with fun, food and music. What more can you ask for. Its iconic setting also makes it – the castle in the background and overlooking the harbour.

This year I knew I had to return for the first time in four years as the line up in my opinion was perfection. Trail West, Tide Lines, Skipinnish, Deacon Blue and The Fratellis to name a few.

| Beauty | August Favourites…

Are we seriously into the last four months of the year already?! SO so many changes this year, but excited to see what the rest of it holds as the winter months are a definite favourite of mine!

Anyways here is a short and sweet post of a few of my go to beauty products from the last month. SPOILER ALERT ~ only one of these products is a recent purchase of mine, I like my comforts.

 

 

| NAKED HEAT PALETTE | URBAN DECAY |