Wowcher, two beauty related blog posts in a week! Is Becca feeling alright?! Now that I'm taking Roaccutane, I'm having to switch up all of my beauty routines and pay real attention to the products that I'm using, so I'm slowly but surely getting back into beauty products again. For a girl that has always had ridiculously oily skin, finding and using products for severely dry skin has been a real mission. For today's blog post, I thought I'd round up the products that, as of now, are always within an arm's reach; my Bedside Beauty Essentials...

Bedside Beauty Essentials - a rundown of the product I'm keeping within an arms length at all times.
Bedside Beauty Essentials - a rundown of the product I'm keeping within an arms length at all times.

Vitamin E Hydrating Mist

I featured this facial spray in my Roaccutane Skincare Edit and explained that whilst I love how it feels on the skin, I can't comment on just how hydrating it really is. That aside, it feels amazing spritzed on the skin and is a fantastic way to cool down sore, inflamed skin without touching it! Now that I'm not at work all day every day, I'm free to sit at home, spritzing this all the time!

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm 

A cult classic. I use this lip balm most nights before bed and it's pretty damn great. It's really thick and leaves a visible residue on the lips, so leaving it on overnight gives it plenty of time to do its thing. It's a little pricier than your usual lip balm, but definitely worth it in my opinion - I'll definitely be repurchasing it once this pot has run out!

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray 

What would a bedside beauty post be without some sort of sleep spray?  Whilst I've - fortunately -never really suffered from any sort of sleeping problems, there's something so relaxing about spraying this before bed. Whilst I can't really comment on its magical sleeping powers, I can confirm that it smells great and is definitely calming if nothing else!

Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion

A pretty boujee body moisturiser, this Clarins one is formulated with shea butter and feels great on the skin. It's light and not sticky at all, and sinks in almost immediately. I apply this all over my body and it seems to be doing just the trick for my super dry skin!

Burts Bees Hand Salve 

Formulated for rough, dry hands, this product couldn't be more perfect for my poor hands. What with Roaccutane AND all this extra handwashing, it's fair to say my hands are far drier than usual and I've needed to step up my hand cream just a little. This product is way more of a faff than your usual squeezey hand cream which is why it permanently lives on my bedside table. Again, as a product to layer up before bed, this is perfect, but perhaps not one to lug around in your bag with you!



And there we have it, my bedside beauty essentials. What are some of yours?
Having a cosy Saturday night in tonight? Trick question, you all should be... No sneaking off to friends' houses or hidden underground clubs, pls.

For today's post, I thought I'd compile a list of some of the things that are currently on my Netflix to-watch list, in case it gives you some inspiration for tonight's viewing. Fun fact about Becca: I'm really not a massive TV and film person. Name five classic films and I've probably seen half of one at a push, and if you were to ask me for the most recent release I've seen on Netflix it'd be Sex Education (which I still haven't finished watching yet!) But, with all of this extra free time I've now got, it seems like the perfect time to get up to speed with all things Netflix and dive into all of the shows I never seemed to get around to watching...

7 things on my Netflix watch list - a roundup of shows to watch during lockdown


Here are 7 things on my Netflix watch list:

Tiger King 

A relatively new addition to the Netflix vault, this docuseries is all about the industry of big cat breeding and follows Joe Exotic and a number of others with their obsession for keeping big cats. Wondering where it's set? The US. According to the trailer, there are more captive tigers in the US than there are in the wild throughout the world. With a whole number of colourful characters and even more tigers, I think this might just be the next big show everyone is talking about. 

The Stranger

With the tagline 'We all have secrets', you know this is going to be a juicy one. This show 'follows the lives of suburban families whose secrets and lies are made public by the appearance of a stranger.' Also added this year,  this show currently has one season made up of eight episodes meaning it's more than doable in one weekend!

The Crown 

I know the world and his wife have already watched The Crown, but it's been on my list for the longest time. The series covers Queen Elizabeth's life from her younger years - including her marriage to Philip - to her reign in the 21st century. With three seasons so far and some fantastic reviews, there's plenty to be getting on with.

A Quiet Place

As someone that isn't usually a horror film sort of girl, I'm surprised this film is on my list... It's all about a family who have to keep silent and communicate in sign language to avoid killer, blind, noise-sensitive creatures. Sounds a little odd but I've heard great things!

Derry Girls 

Described as a dark comedy, Derry Girls follows a group of teenage girls in Northern Ireland in the 1990s. The programme shows them navigating their teenage years amidst the Troubles, and was nominated for a BAFTA in 2019. 

Marcella 

A detective series, this show was originally produced by ITV and begins with the body of a missing child being discovered inside a wall. A task force is assembled to catch the killer, including a woman called Marcella, a British police detective. With lots of twists and turns, and two seasons to dive into, this looks to be a thrilling watch.

Bodyguard 

Again, I know I've been living under a rock, but I am yet to watch Bodyguard... David Budd is a war veteran now working as part of London's Metropolitan Police Service and is assigned to protect the Home Secretary Julia Montague. With very different opinions to Montague, he finds himself torn between his beliefs and his duty. 


And there we have it, 7 things that are currently on my Netflix watch list. Yes, I know I'm a few years behind but by the end of this isolation, I might just be caught up to speed, right?!



What are you currently watching on Netflix?
It all just feels a little bit strange, doesn't it... Every day is feeling like some sort of weekend, just a weekend that doesn't involve going out, seeing friends or doing anything.

This week I found out that I'm being put on furlough, meaning I officially have no work to do until at least June. Wowcher. When I was writing my five goals for 2020 post I was blissfully unaware (like everyone else) of what was to come.

As I always say, spending a day doing nothing is always the most fun when you're procrastinating from something else. Take final exams at uni, if you read any of my Sick Tings posts during exam season, 99% of the time it was me talking about how much tidying I've been doing or all of the series I've been watching. Now that I have all of this free time and literally nowhere to go - what with everywhere being shut and all that - it's a little less fun...

So, for today's post, I thought I'd ramble on about how I'm keeping myself sane during this coronavirus lockdown in the hope it might help at least one of you navigate these weird times a little easier! Let's get into it, shall we?

How I'm staying sane during coronavirus lockdown now that all routine is out of the window.



How I'm Staying Sane During Coronavirus Lockdown

Getting up at the same time

This may sound really simple, but still getting up at around 7 and heading downstairs for breakfast is really helping to keep some sort of structure to my day. Yes, laying in bed until lunchtime is great, but three weeks in and all sorts of normality would be out of the window. Plus, this will come to an end (hopefully sooner rather than later) and things will all return back to normal. Sticking to a general routine will definitely help with that transition!

Setting daily tasks 

Every day at work I set myself a list of things I need to do that day based on urgency, time it will take and so on, and so I've decided to start doing such at home too. Whilst nothing on the list is particularly pressing and often feels like I'm adding things for the sake of it, having a list of things to do really does help to pass the time. For example, yesterday's list included washing and tidying my car, replying to all of my blog comments and teaching myself something new on Photoshop. Yes, I know that these are all very trivial in the grand scheme of things but 12 weeks is a long time to be sat just aimlessly watching Netflix!

Learning something new

As previously alluded to, I'm trying to make sure I use at least *some* of this time productively. Yes, a bit of R&R is important but it would be great to come away from this nightmare with a brand new skillset! My colleagues always laugh at my graphic design attempts - which is more than fair enough, they are pretty awful - so I'd love to head back into the office and actually be able to produce something semi-decent. Watch this space, gang.

Utilising my one walk a day

Who would have thought I'd ever get so excited about taking a quick stroll around the block?! I'm very fortunate to have a garden where I live, so, whilst I'm able to go and sit outside whenever I fancy, it's nice to just go and have a walk and stop staring at my phone/laptop/TV screen. 

Making nice meals

With little else exciting going on throughout the day, mealtimes have become even better than usual. I'm sure you're all very much aware that this girl loves her food, so having nice lunches and dinners to look forward to really is making this whole thing a little better. Rather than the chicken and rice meal-prep I was having for lunch at work every day, I can now cook myself anything that I fancy. It's the small things, eh?

Doing all the things I say I never have time for

I've started to realise that maybe my 'I don't have the time for that right now' excuse really means 'I don't want to do that'. Now that I've got all the time in the world, all of those things I said I'd get round to eventually are all staring me in the face, waiting to be done and I don't fancy doing them. But, I am gradually ticking them off and it feels gooood. This lockdown has even seen me wash and hoover my car, something I haven't ever done, bearing in mind I bought it in July! So, I'm really trying to make the most of this time and do all of these really-not-interesting-but-needs-doing tasks. 

Keeping in touch with friends

Again, probably an obvious one, but I'm really making a conscious effort to check in with my friends and see how they're doing. Considering we all graduated only last summer with all of these grand plans ahead of us, it's weird to think how many of us are just sat around at home for the foreseeable...



What are you doing to stay sane during this coronavirus lockdown?
My skin and I have been in a long-standing argument for the last six years or so.

I've tried allllll sorts of different things to try and help it but nothing seems to have quite done the trick. I've been on antibiotics for years, tried all sorts of topical treatments and even totally cut dairy out of my diet for a while, but no such luck. At the beginning of this year, I was finally referred to a dermatologist, who advised that Roaccutane would be the only thing that he suggested might make a difference...

Fast forward to now, I've been taking Roaccutane for two weeks and am starting to see the difference already! That being said, I'm also seeing some of the side effects, one being that my skin is SO dry. I'm talking falling off my face in chunks throughout the day sort of dry. Sexy.

So, for today's post I thought we could run through all of the skincare products that are helping my skin whilst on Roaccutane in case it might help you too!


Moisturisers 

Bioderma Sebium Hydra
Okay so this is a product that is literally designed for 'acne-prone skin weakened by drying treatments' - can we hear a wahey? It's available to buy in Boots and is around £11. It's really light in texture and sinks into the skin really quickly. Oddly, it's not the most moisturising product I've ever used but is great to use in the mornings as you're heading out of the door. 

Beauty Kitchen Hydra Boost Day Cream
A much thicker cream, this moisturiser contains Abyssinian Oil and leaves an almost matte finish to the skin whilst still being really hydrating. I'm yet to try any of the other products in this range but I'm definitely going to have to, I love this stuff!

- Pixi Rose Ceramide Cream*
By far the thickest, greasiest product in this roundup but I love it. I only apply this overnight or in the morning if I don't plan on going anywhere during the day as this really does turn my face into a glazed doughnut. 

Lip Products 

- Nuxe Reve de Miel 
A cult classic, it had to be mentioned, didn't it... I slap a really thick layer of this on my lips every night before bed and always wake up with significantly smoother lips. This is a little too thick to be applying all day every day but is perfect as a lip mask of sorts overnight.

Dermalogica Nightly Lip Treatment* 
When I don't fancy using the Nuxe lip balm, this is my other go-to overnight choice. It's more of a cream consistency and claims to firm, hydrate and restore. I love its metal applicator, it's so nice and soothing on sore, chapped lips.

Malibu Lipcare SPF 30
And here we have it, my applied-500-times-a-day lipbalm. This is my current balm of choice and it's great. It's super light but very nourishing AND it contains SPF 30. It's tropical flavour and water-resistant and is just an all-round dream to be honest.

- Dr PawPaw Original Balm 
Another fantastic lip balm. It's slightly thicker in consistency, it almost looks like a gloss when it's on the lips and again leaves them feeling really smooth. A slightly cheaper option than some of the others in this list, so definitely one to look out for!

Miscellaneous

Superdrug Vitamin E Hydrating Mist
Now, I'm not all that sure how much this actually does for my skin but it feels AMAZING, so that's what matters, right? This is really cooling and soothing aka is just what my sore, angry skin is crying out for. 

Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30*
When on Roaccutane you have to be really careful about sun exposure. This SPF isn't sticky and sinks in without leaving a white mask - it's pretty fab. I would never use this on its own, always after a moisturiser, as it isn't particularly nourishing!

- Dermalogica Barrier Defence Booster*
I think we might just have saved the best til last... 'Concentrated oil booster soothes, nourishes and moisturizes to restore balance to sensitive skin' and it genuinely does just that. I apply this before my moisturiser and when I wake up, I almost forget that my skin is suuuper dry! 


I've since written an updated Roaccutane Skincare Routine now that I'm much further into my treatment and the dryness has massively reduced!


Which are your favourite moisturing products?
3 Mother's Day Gift Ideas - a little guide to inspire your shopping ahead of Mother's Day 2020
I know I alwaaaays say this, but isn't time flying - how is it Mother's Day next weekend? I feel like it was Christmas only last week yet here we are, mid-March, on the countdown to summer... 

For today's post, I thought I'd compile a little Mother's Day gift guide to help inspire your shopping. I mean, after all that our Mums have done (and continue to do) for us, a scented candle or a bunch of flowers is the very least we can do, huh?

3 Mother's Day Gift Ideas - a little guide to inspire your shopping ahead of Mother's Day 2020

Jewellery 

I don't know about you, but I NEVER go out and buy myself fancy jewellery for the sake of it. I mean, I'd love to, but I never find myself wandering around the shops of a weekend and deciding to drop £100 on a necklace. Maybe one day, eh? So, for now, nice jewellery is saved for birthdays and special occasions, and Mother's Day is just that. I was recently gifted the most beautiful necklace from Matthew Calvin and I cannnnnot get enough of it. Another firm favourite jewellery shop of mine is Pandora - I just love stacking up all of their minimalist rings. Other jewellery shops worth a browse this Mother's Day are: Daisy Jewellery, Wild Fawn Jewellery and Jewellery Box

3 Mother's Day Gift Ideas - a little guide to inspire your shopping ahead of Mother's Day 2020

Toiletries 

THE classic gift. Whether it be a shower gel and body lotion set, or a hand wash and hand cream set, toiletries are always a great go-to gift. I mean, what with the Coronavirus, a nice hand soap wouldn't go amiss right now. As I'm sure a lot of you will know, I'm currently embarking on a mission to be a little more sustainable and trying to reduce the number of disposable products I use. Linked to this, I was recently introduced to Friction Free Shaving* who are a razor subscription company. They produce high-quality razors, with recyclable blades, meaning no part of the razor is thrown into landfill! They've brought out a range of gift packs for Mother's Day, so if you're trying to think of something a little different but eco-conscious, definitely have a look!

3 Mother's Day Gift Ideas - a little guide to inspire your shopping ahead of Mother's Day 2020

Candles

Can you beat a new, cosy candle? I think not. Anything that makes a room smell delicious is a win in my books, so obviously I had to include candles in this gift guide. I was sent this Rituals* one a while ago and it's really nice, it smells just like a spa. Other favourite shops for candles include: Yankee Candle (obviously), Homesense and Anthropologie. I'm not sure what else there is to say about candles other than they smell great, add a nice touch of warmth to a room and Mums love a candle...



What have you bought your Mum for Mother's Day?
Spring Depop Haul - a second hand clothing haul featuring culottes, puffer jackets and a jumpsuit.
In many of my posts mentioning sustainability I've described my efforts to kick my high street fashion spending. Yes, I love a browse of Primark as much as the next person and once upon a time I was in awe of Boohoo for bringing out so many new things all the time. But, it's 2020 now and I'm more informed than ever. 

I love clothes. I love buying clothes. I have a wardrobe absolutely crammed full of clothes. But, this year I'm making a real effort to only source pieces either second-hand, from sustainable ranges/shops or, if they are from the high street, pieces I know that I will keep for a long time and get a lot of wear out of. 

I've always been a new outfit for every big occasion kind of gal, it's a terrible mindset but I just love wearing and styling different pieces. I feel far less guilty doing such now that the pieces I'm buying are all second hand - I highly recommend giving it a go. Getting a new outfit for under a tenner AND it being better for the planet? What a real kick that is. 

Following my first payday in 2 and a half months I had a little Depop browse and this is what I picked up... 

Spring Depop Haul - a second hand clothing haul featuring culottes, puffer jackets and a jumpsuit.
Originally from Primark, I picked up these beige and black zebra print culottes and I am in LOVE. They're a size 10 but fit perfectly and I paid a grand total of £6 for them including postage. Look out for them in an Instagram post coming your way soon! 

Spring Depop Haul - a second hand clothing haul featuring culottes, puffer jackets and a jumpsuit.
This might just be the biggest find of this haul. It's a Topshop jumpsuit, new with tags (!!!) and I paid £6 for it. It's in this gorgeous green and neutral colour palette and I can't wait to style it with a straw bag in summer, and layered over a white tee for work in the warmer months. This is a size 8 and very much fits true to size! 

Spring Depop Haul - a second hand clothing haul featuring culottes, puffer jackets and a jumpsuit.
I think Becca might just be having a bit of a culotte moment... These black and nude spot beauties were a grand total of £5.50 including postage and are going to be THE easiest thing to chuck on over the next few months. With; a jumper whilst it's still a little chilly, a tee for work and a bralet in the summer - we looove a versatile piece. These were originally from Boohoo and are a size 10. 

Spring Depop Haul - a second hand clothing haul featuring culottes, puffer jackets and a jumpsuit.
This high neck top I bought from the same seller as the palm print jumpsuit as she was offering free postage on multiple items. It was originally from Miss Selfridge and is SO soft. I wasn't sure how this would look on me but I actually love it. It looks really cool paired with a pair of black mom jeans and my camel coloured coat, OOTD coming your way soon... This was £6, is a size small and I can see myself getting a lotttt of wear out of it!

Spring Depop Haul - a second hand clothing haul featuring culottes, puffer jackets and a jumpsuit.

I actually haven't stopped wearing this coat since I bought it. It's originally from Primark and I paid £13 for it including postage. It's an XS but fits me really nicely. It's cropped, but a nice sort of crop. In other words, it still keeps me super warm and my entire torso isn't hanging out of the bottom of it. I wear this with all of my jeans, my culottes, midi skirts, anything. I just LOVEEE it. 



Have you bought any Depop pieces recently?

Whilst this was a press visit, all views are 100% honest and my own (as always)

Last weekend, Chloe and I took a trip to Portsmouth and we had a brilliant time. The reason for our trip? We went for lunch with a few of the Southampton Bloggers at Outside In Food Court, a fairly new-ish street food venue on Middle Street. Inside a warehouse, down a side street, it's a bit of a hidden gem... 

A review of Outside In Food Court based in Southsea, Portsmouth.
A review of Outside In Food Court based in Southsea, Portsmouth.
A review of Outside In Food Court based in Southsea, Portsmouth.

THE CONCEPT

Filled with various street food vendors, Outside In Food Court is a cashless, dog-friendly and plastic-free venue. With all of the vendors also offering vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options there really is something for everyone. 

The vendors and menus change often, but the underlying concept remains a constant; tasty freshly cooked food, casual dining, live music, and locally sourced beers. Pretty cool, huh?


A review of Outside In Food Court based in Southsea, Portsmouth.
A review of Outside In Food Court based in Southsea, Portsmouth.

THE DECOR

Filled with rows and rows of benches, faux plants, and string lights, Outside In Food Court definitely makes it onto the list of the most Instagrammable lunch spots in Portsmouth. I loooooved these fruit stickers on the wall, they're hilarious.


A review of Outside In Food Court based in Southsea, Portsmouth.

THE FOOD

During our visit, the vendors were; 

Arepa2Go - A family run business selling authentic Venezuelan food including the arepa; a corn pocket sandwich. 

Breeno's Kitchen - With their menu changing every month, Breeno's Kitchen offers a range of dishes from India and Pakistan. 

Dumpling Dumpling - Husband and wife duo Nat and Dan created Dumpling Dumpling in 2017, creating dumplings with a fusion twist. 

Natty's Jerk - Serving authentic Caribbean homemade recipes handed down through several generations, their signature dish is Jamaican Jerk Chicken. 

One Tonne Burger Co - Famous in the London burger scene, One Tonne made the National Burger Awards final in 2019 and have since set up in Portsmouth serving many creative burger combinations.  

The Panormus Pizzeria - Made with original Italian products, Panormus are bringing authentic Italian pizzas to the Portsmouth street food scene. 


We tried bits and pieces from each of the vendors and a special shoutout has to go to Dumpling Dumpling. Their food was incredible! I really loved their dumplings and noodles, they were delicious!


Have you visited Outside In Food COurt in Portsmouth?