I enjoy a good list so when Lucy asked who wanted to join her for 'Awesome Autumn' I was on it like ants at a picnic. My list isn't exclusively Autumnal, it's about moving forward with goals, doing things I enjoy but don't do enough, and enjoying the season too.

Forage for sloes and make some gin
I'm not sure it gives a very good impression to have that as the first thing on my list but it was the first thing that came to mind - make of that what you will.

Go to the beach
Don't get me wrong, I love a sunny beach but I also like the quieter, windier days when hot salty, vinegary chips beat a Mr Whippy hands down.

Decorate the side entrance and hallway
So, I haven't quite finished the lounge and dining room yet, but there's nothing like striking while the iron is hot!

Carve a pumpkin or two
Hopefully I'll have better luck than last time.

Watch a creepy film on Halloween
I'd like to grab some popcorn, snuggle up with Andy and scare myself a little bit silly.

Bake something
Because I feel I should.

Resist the urge to buy new scarves and wear all the ones I own!
I've recently given a bagful away but I have plenty more. I need to stop wearing the same few over and over.

Read 3 books
To help towards my goal of 12 before my next birthday.

Walk in the woods
No explanation necessary

Meet friends for coffee (not a pumpkin spiced latte - bleugh!)
I'll happily forgo the coffee and just spend time with friends, but coffee would be nice too.

What are your favourite things to do in Autumn?

Love

World of Joy is four years old - 1,460 days, 452 posts and I'm enjoying blogging more than ever. There have been times when I've not posted for a while, wondered if it's all a bit silly, but then I remind myself that it's my blog, I can post (or not) if I want to and I can talk about what ever I want. That's the beauty of it. Some of my friend's know about it, most don't. I wonder what they think of it at times but mostly I blog away, amusing myself and recording life. I wouldn't change a thing.

Except maybe the name. I set up World of Joy some time before I started blogging, I needed to learn how to set up and use a blog so that I could run one for a client and I just used the first thing that came to mind. When I was younger, I was a frequent daydreamer (still am) and when caught lost in my own little world my Mum would say I was in my 'world of joy', Joy being my middle name. Now when I say it out loud I can't help thinking of the book The Joy of Sex. I'd hate people to get the two confused. How disappointing they'd find my content in comparison.

Anyway, I digress, to celebrate my blogiversary last year I did my 3 for 33 challenge in which I wore 3 dresses for 33 days. I've been planning another challenge (of course I have) and I've decided to give myself a little more freedom this year.

I'm going to choose four tops, four jumpers (or long sleeved / warmer options), four bottoms, four dresses, and I'm going to wear nothing but these 16 items for four weeks. Shoes and accessories will be unlimited. I think it'll be a doddle.

Welcome to 4-4-4

It kinda reminds me of one of my early challenges, born out of the need to save some pennies I chose four tops to wear Monday to Thursday and made Friday 'Dressday'. At the weekends I was free to wear what ever I wanted. It was my first challenge and the first time I posted a picture of myself online. As you can see I wasn't overly comfortable with that (don't I look happy?), but the challenge helped to quell that particular fear and I haven't looked back since.

It was lovely to re-read the comments on these early posts and see so many familiar faces - Sophie, Kezzie, Laura, Sherin, Megan & Nora and Tracyi, to name a few. It' so easy to forget how long we've been reading each others blogs and how much a part of my blogging life they've become. Aww <3 you guys!

Anyway - the challenge - you may wonder why I keep doing these. Well, firstly I enjoy them and secondly, they curb my spending for while - whilst doing them and also for a short time after. I can't seem to keep my diminished need to spend going for longer than a few weeks after a challenge has ended, so I like to do them once in a while to remind myself, if only for a little while, that I don't need more clothes.

Who knows maybe one day I'll get it though my thick skull that new clothes aren't any better than the ones I already have!

Love

Exactly one year ago today, I wrote a post called A short run is better than no run at all. How true that is. And how much I wish I'd stuck with it, I'd have a year's worth of running under my belt by now.

I've been running again over the past few months, once a week, most weeks but not all. This doesn't feel like nearly enough. I love the feeling of being out there running (and, OK, with a bit of walking as well), and I especially love the feeling I get after a run. But I struggle with the initial getting myself out there bit.

I've set up a motivation Pinterest board in the hope that it'll help. I'd love to take part in something like this Glow Neon Fun Run, I think an organised run might give me something to work towards.

How do you motivate yourself to exercise (or to do anything really)?

Love

Having mentioned that I'd succumbed to another beauty-through-your-letterbox subscription, I thought I'd do a quick review. This sticker on the inside of the outer packaging was an excellent start. Who can argue with Audrey Hepburn?

As this was the first of the My Little Box boxes to be available on subscription to the UK, I was expecting great things. Each month has a different theme and this month it was Parisienne. Overall, I love it! But, I did have a few dislikes and I'll get these out of the way first.

Firstly, they sent me a sheet of stickers. Stickers. I'm not convinced that anyone over 17 will appreciate stickers but I might be wrong, personally I just thought 'what am I supposed to do with these?'.

Secondly, the tablet sleeve. It's cute but it's of no use to me, I think something multi-purpose would've been a better idea - a zip purse / make up bag for example, something that everyone could use.

As you can tell I wasn't blown away by either of these things.

However, I adore the beautiful branding and packaging - polka dots and cute illustrations will get me every single time - and I was really pleased with the two of the products and the cute draw string bag they came in. Covered in tiny bows, this is something I can, and will, use again.

I use the Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer already but I only use this to highlight areas, as if not used with a light touch it can leave me looking a little Bicentennial Man. So I was pleased to receive the foundation primer as a base I can use all over my face. It really helps my base go on smoothly and stay put but it also looks great used alone.

The Stylo Lumiere is a highlighter with a pretty gold, subtle shimmer. I didn't get on with this at all, I couldn't apply it smoothly which was a little disappointing.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse is a multi-purpose dry oil and it smells divine! A few drops in my hair leaves it softer and smelling delightful. I also like to use this on my face and neck as a night moisturiser, I wake up looking fresh and hydrated (which is no mean feat) and my skin feels soft and smooth.

It's highly likely that I'll repurchase the primer and the multi-purpose oil.

Along with a cute A5 postcard we received a notebook (and you know my love for notebooks), with the first few pages telling the story of My Little Box. This will most definitely get a lot of use.

So, am I going to continue receiving them?

For now, absolument!

Here we are on the first day of autumn. Summer seemed to disappear ages ago and did so practically overnight, only to return again with some glorious sunny days. Even so, I'm already embracing the season. With the recent purchase of a few autumn essentials, I'm good to go. As much as I love summer, the autumn brings some of my favourite things - slippers, roast dinners, scarves, deep bubble baths, cosy PJs and chunky knits.

But this year I have a new obsession that comes in the form of lipstick and blush. I've never really used either of these things on a daily basis but having become ever so slightly addicted to beauty channels on YouTube I'm becoming increasingly drawn to blushed cheeks and pretty pouts.

Lisa Eldridge is my favourite channel. I hold her fully responsible for the large majority of my recent skincare and beauty products purchases, of which there have been many.

For the first time ever I wore bronzer this summer but I'm popping that away for the foreseeable future and embracing my pale skin. Instead I'll be relying on blush to give my pale complexion a boost.


I bagged this Rimmel Stay Blushed! cream blusher, after seeing Lisa Eldridge use it on Alexa Chung in her Alexa Chung tutorial. Sadly, this blush is the only thing that Alexa and I have in common *sigh* but it is a pretty colour (Sunkissed Cherry) and great for teaming with an nude or orange lip. It has a slightly thicker consistency than other cream blushers I've tried but it melts into the skin on contact and blends easily.


I've also picked up some tips on how to make your lippy last longer, it's a pet hate of mine to leave it on the rim of your coffee cup (why can't it just stay put?). It's stopped me bothering with lippy for years but, thanks to another of Lisa's videos, I now think I've cracked it (seriously this girl crush has got to stop!).


My Autumn look will most certainly feature a stained berry lip. I treated myself to two berry colours to see me through the cooler months ahead. I picked up Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish no.30 and Revlon Super Lustrous in Black Cherry, both are so beautiful I couldn't decide between them. And thanks to One Lipstick, Many Ways to Wear it Tutorial! I've been using this on my cheeks too.

Having gone a little overboard in the lipstick department over the summer I was looking to expand my blush collection, so doubling up lippy as a blusher will save me a small fortune. It also means my lips and cheeks will compliment each other perfectly #win.

How are you ringing the changes for Autumn?

Love

This will be the basis for my make up on the day of the wedding, with a few tweaks for a little more definition. I'll probably add eye liner, some gloss over the top on my lips and I'll define my brows.

The colour stick is limited edition and only comes in one shade, Dollface, which is a pretty coral with a hint of pink. I apply this directly to my skin and blend it with my fingers. It's not a colour that I would normally wear on my eyes but I'm loving it, I have an inkling that it'll be my go-to day look for Autumn.

Do you use any multi-tasking beauty products? If so please share, room in my make up bag is in short supply!

Love





*PR sample

I recently entered a Twitter competition with Howkapow and Teapigs, I was lucky enough to win and received a set of four Janson Co mugs in gorgeous pink hues, and a selection of delicious teas.

The combination of the postman being really early and Andy leaving for work slightly later than usual meant that Andy hand delivered these to me in bed, which made it all the more exciting. Nothing feels more like Christmas than opening presents sat up in bed.


My first brew of the day was an obvious choice. It was the energy brew Yerba Mate, the packaging tells me that it's origins are in South America where it's been drunk for general health and wellbeing for centuries. I liked the mild taste, it's described as a smokey green tea. In fact I liked this so much I had three more cups before lunch. The whole packet lasted only four days.


The second tea I tried was the sweet treat Liquorice and Peppermint. I love peppermint tea anyway and liquorice is a frequent indulgence, so this intrigued me. At first I noticed the liquorice and the peppermint came as quite a sweet aftertaste, which I rather liked. I also inadvertently matched my nails, mug and teabags. How's that for accessorising?


A serving suggestion was to add lemon and lime which was really nice, the citrus tang took away a little of the sweetness - great if you don't want such a sweet aftertaste and really nice after a meal.


After lunch I tried the Chocolate Flake Tea which was lovely, it felt a little creamy in texture, even when made with just water. It wasn't overly chocolatey but was comforting in a way I can't quite put my finger on. It's very nice for a pre-bedtime drink.


The Popcorn Tea was also a hit! It's a green tea with popcorn pieces, the taste and smell was very much like popcorn. I gulped this down without taking much notice, but having realised that I really enjoyed it, I made another myself cup. This time it was accompanied by a pack of my favourite Propercorn popcorn - afternoon tea-break perfection.


The Janson Co mugs are a little smaller than normal sized mugs but I have to say I quite like them - they're enough to be refreshing but not too filling. I drink a lot of tea so I'm no stranger to that stomach-full-of-liquid 'sloshing' feeling but these help me to avoid that. They also feel delicate to drink from, like a cup and saucer (only without the saucer).

Next up was the Rooibos Creme Caramel tea. This is the only one I made with milk (not being a fan of red bush tea normally I thought that this would soften the flavour - it did) which made it perfect for my last cuppa of the day. These teabags (or temples as they're affectionately known) can contain chunks of caramel but they can't guarantee a chunk in each teabag, so I was chuffed to find two in one of mine. Caramel jackpot!

The only one I didn't try was the Chilli Chai, on the back it said that it wasn't for the person who orders korma and plain naan in their local curry house, which is, erm, me. Maybe I'll try it another day, but for now I have plenty of tempting teas to keep me occupied. And I might have just spied a few more varieties on the website that tickle my fancy...

Have you discovered Teapigs yet? I'm well and truly converted, I haven't had a normal tea in six days.

Love

Not only did August go by in a rush but I also stumbled across and watched August Rush on TV. Such a great film, guaranteed to make me cry, no matter how many times I watch it. And of course it stars the late, great Robin Williams. A wonderful man and a truly talented actor.

This month I started to prepare for a charity Christmas bazaar, making things to sell. I promised to show you what I made with all the buttons in my button drawer and here they are. I nicked the idea from Inspired by Pinterest, they're ridiculously simple - I made a dozen of each in no time at all.

Having bought some eyelet curtains ages ago I was left with a number of curtain rings that I wanted to find a use for. It took me ages to figure out what now seems like the most obvious thing ever! Mini wreaths. Sewing on the beads becomes hypnotic after a while.

I simply wrapped with wool, secured the ends and decorated with beads and bells. I wouldn't be surprised if a few buttons and sequins don't make their way onto a few of these at some point soon.

This month's Birchbox was a triumph. I normally like a few of the items sent but this time I love each and every single one. This only further fuels my current beauty obsession, but I'm not complaining (even if my bank balance is).

Wild About Beauty Crème Eyeshadow
I got the shade Olivia which is a neutral creamy shade. It's so pretty! It can be worn alone for a subtle sheen or over eyeshadow. It blends nicely and stays put. 

Nude ProGenius Omega Treatment Oil
I love this. It's the first time I have tried a facial oil and this totally won me over. The sample lasted a week, using morning and night and left my face feeling soft and hydrated. It is a little expensive so I won't be repurchasing but it has opened my eyes to the benefits of a facial oil. I'm now using B. Replenish Oil, available in Superdrug, and it seems every bit as good for a much smaller price tag.

Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator
This is a lovely alternative to my current face scrub. It leaves my skin feeling really soft, looking plump and hydrated. Seriously, my skin must think all it's birthdays have come at once with all these new treats. To be honest it was about time that I had a re-think when it came to my skincare routine so this Birchbox was perfectly timed.

Supergoop Daily Correct CC Cream
I received the light / medium shade which looked a bit scary for some one as pale as me but I tried it anyway and it blended with my skin really nicely. It has a broad spectrum SPF of 35 which I love and covers blemishes and marks without looking (or feeling) too heavy. This is going to give my normal Oil of Olay Total Effects a run for it's money.

Number 4 Lumiere d'Hiver Super Comb Prep & Protect
A great hair treat. The ends of my hair are dry so I've been spritzing this on after washing and it helps to keep the ends frizz free and detangled. It by no means solves the problem entirely but it helps and it smells lovely.


I can't wait for September's Birchbox to arrive. And I might have ordered the new My Little Box too, the latest of the beauty-in-your-letterbox offerings, although this one contains fashion and lifestyle items too. No doubt I'll tell you all about that one soon enough.

Just one last beauty item and then I'll move on. This is my first The Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint. It lasts for ages and is glossy even without a top coat, goes on well and only needs two coats. Highly recommended for the quality and a really good price - £3.99.

The other exciting occurrence during August was the start of a fireplace renovation. We needed to make the fireplace bigger in order to put in a woodburner. This is a 'during' shot. I can't wait to show you the result, but I need to decorate first.

I hope August was good for you, what did you get up to?

Love