Starting A YouTube Channel!

25 November 2014

Today's post comprises of a very exciting announcements which I'm absolutely thrilled to be sharing with you at long last. 



The announcement is that I'll be starting my very own YouTube channel, which feels crazy to type but I'm finally taking the plunge after literally years of watching and years of wishing I had the confidence to do it, too. Since launching my blog in March I've realised a lot of things, and one of the most important lessons is that if you want to do something you should try your best to not let anything hold you back. It's still very daunting but I'm 99% over the whole 'but what will people think?' and 'I wouldn't be good at it' doubts and can't wait to get started - as I mentioned before I've longed to start a YouTube channel since I was about 15, so this really does feel like such a long time coming and I hope that it'll be something that I grow to love and enjoy doing. My aim is for my channel to be, as this blog is, very much 'Meg Says'-centred; everything I have to say about anything.

I'm currently in the process of creating a decent beginners' setup and my goal is to start my channel before the end of 2014, if everything goes to plan. I honestly can't wait!

---

What are your thoughts on Meg Says heading to the world of YouTube?

The Autumn Tag

11 November 2014

When my gorgeous friend Lauren from Britton Loves tagged me to do The Autumn Tag I knew it was going to be fun, as Autumn is my absolute favourite season and I love pretty much everything about it. Continue reading to find out why, and to see who I've tagged!


01. Favourite Starbucks drink?
I can't remember the last time I got a Starbucks but we used to go a lot at university - I studied in the North so it was nearly always freezing and there was a cosy one on the way to our lecture theatres - I used to get a Caramel Macchiato, but if we're talking autumnal drinks and the whole 'red cup' thing, I'd go for a Toffee Nut Latte or the Honey & Almond Hot Chocolate. I've never tried a Pumpkin Spice Latte but I love the Gingerbread Lattes!

02. Favourite music to listen to?
All of the feel-good songs of summer get pushed aside in favour of more folksy, acoustic music. This Autumn I've been listening to two James' - Bay and Vincent McMorrow.

03. Autumn scent?
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle is my perfume of choice all year round, but I do love Yves Saint Laurent Belle D'Opium in the colder months and have my eye on Black Opium, too. They're dark, warm and spicy - a welcome change from sweet, summery scents.

04. Favourite Autumn lip product?
Ooh, toughie... think I may have to choose more than one on this question. Any deep red is a must in my books, especially if it's wine or berry-toned. Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss in '107' seems to be everyone's favourite, and I'm no exception - MAC 'Diva' is another beautiful deep red. I think matte lips look gorgeously autumnal, and at the moment I'm loving the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet's, notably 'Nude-ist'. Rich purplish shades like MAC 'Rebel' look super pretty, too. Plus an amazing lip balm to take care of your pout!

05. What do you love most about Autumn?
For me, Autumn is the best season. I embrace the fashion, as pieces such as ankle boots and cosy scarves are so up my street, and I love thick black tights and layering chunky knits. The style is of course a result of the weather, which is pretty darn ideal too - the air is crisp, the leaves golden and the last remnants of summer still cling around meaning that whilst you may be on the hunt for the perfect winter coat, you don't actually need one yet. Not forgetting the fact that it means Halloween, Bonfire Night and 'the big C' are near!

06. Go-to Autumn accessories?
Leather gloves, tartan scarves, statement jewellery. Bobble hats are an obvious choice but I would like a felt floppy hat like this Whistles number this year, as well as a smarter evening coat. A pair of sparkly heels for the party season are a nice addition, too - I think these are pretty fun, or a pair of classic black courts with a little something extra, like these.

07. Favourite Halloween movie?
It has to be everyone's childhood favourite Hocus Pocus, doesn't it? I also used to love A Simple Wish staring Mara Wilson from Matilda, too - I'm not sure if it's technically a Halloween film but it has witches in it, so fair deuce. That being said, I'm a fan of horror films and am always down for a jumpy thriller or chilling ghost story - you bring the popcorn.

08. Favourite Autumn nail polish?
Nails Inc's 'Victoria', described as a "deep cherry red", has been my favourite for years and years - literally since I was about fourteen! It's a stunningly striking shade that always looks chic and wonderfully wintery. My current pot is in the 'gooey' stage, so I must pick up another! I think nude nails look polished all year round too; Essie 'Mademoiselle' is pretty.

09. What are you most looking forward to this Autumn?
First and foremost, putting my electric blanket back on my bed. It's just the best. Once I've done that, I can move onto enjoying everything autumnal - cosying up in front of the log fire in button-down pyjamas, crunching through leaves on walks, having a pint in a cheery pub, comfort food, bold brows and deep lips, ice skating and getting excited about Christmas!

I'm tagging Sian from How To Deal With ME, Ali from Being A Mummy With ME and anyone who would like to join in!

What are your favourite things about Autumn?
Alternatively, feel free to answer one of the above questions in the comments!

Meg

Top 10 H&M Picks (With 20% Off)

7 November 2014

I recently renewed my subscription to GLAMOUR magazine and a few weeks later, the postman dropped the latest December issue through my letterbox. Retrieving my new reading material from the doormat and tearing off the packaging to have a flick through with my morning cup of tea, I was presented with a 20% off gift card to use at H&M.

As H&M is one of my favourite places to shop, I thought I'd put together a little wishlist of items and offer some inspiration to anyone who also picked up the December issue of GLAMOUR (the Claire Danes cover) and would like to make the most of the discount. 



























1 Quilted Skirt - 2 Bangle - 3 Lace Blouse - 4 Fringed Shoulder Bag - 5 Satin Teddy

I love the black quilted skirt in particular and think it would go just as well paired with the polo-neck jumper, thick black tights and the leather ankle boots for daytime as it would with the lace blouse and a pair of heels for an evening dinner. H&M's lingerie and nightwear section is well worth checking out, their pyjamas are so comfortable and I've currently got a few underwear sets in my basket, too. I find the accessories department quite hit and miss, but you can find some affordable and pretty pieces if you're willing to rummage!

Have you picked up the December issue of GLAMOUR yet?
Do you shop at H&M?

Meg


Please be sure to check the Terms & Conditions (found on the reverse of the Gift Card) prior to purchasing! The offer is available from now until the 5th of December 2014.

The 43rd Week - 21st Birthday Edition!

3 November 2014

The days when I used to write an overview every Sunday of the week just gone have been few and far in between lately - life is either too hectic to write those posts or too mundane to bother. I turned twenty-one last week and decided that for a milestone birthday and after living with ME for another year, it was suitable to have a whole week of celebrations! And what better way to welcome the weekly posts back than with a 21st Birthday Edition? 


On Sunday my family and I packed our weekend bags and headed to Sprowston Manor, a hotel and country club just outside of Norwich. With a spa that my mum and I could relax in and a golf course for my dad and brother, it was the ideal retreat for us all. Shortly after we arrived my illness got the better of me and so we left the boys to tee off and hotfooted it up to our rooms, where we found the world's comfiest beds. It's always a shame to have to get into bed when you've paid to use the facilities and should be heading for a swim or a massage, but resting to gain some strength for the evening was the most sensible option.


That evening we got dressed up and popped some champagne in one of our rooms before heading to the restaurant, where we had a three-course meal booked. The food was just superb and it was so nice to be all together and in a grander setting with silver service, which made the evening feel a bit more 'unique' than your usual dining experience. 

The following day - and after a night of almost no sleep, despite the world's comfiest beds! - we enjoyed the huge breakfast selection, that offered literally everything and anything that you could possibly want for your morning meal. With my dad and brother playing another round of golf my mum and I decided to be spa bunnies, and swanning around in white fluffy robes all afternoon suited us just fine. When I asked on Instagram what I should do for my birthday the resounding answer was, "spa day!" and you were all right - even though I felt weak with a flu-like ache, being pampered and then falling asleep on a lounger next to a calming blue pool was a lovely way to make the most of things.

My actual birthday was a couple of days later on Wednesday, but I had such an extra special and extra cute day that I'm saving it for a separate post - stay tuned for that one!

On Thursday it was my older brother's 23rd birthday - I was born the day before he turned two years old! - and Will arrived, as did Ruari's girlfriend Hannah, so there were smiles all round. We had a really chilled out evening with a meal made by our fantastic cook of a dad, a few glasses of champagne and present-opening; always a winning formula.




On Saturday evening my brother had a birthday meal planned with his girlfriend and friends, and despite a ME-induced mini-meltdown whilst we were getting ready, Will and I were luckily able to join them. After the meal - which was amazing! - we went out for a few drinks in the city. There were a few wobbly moments but I'm beyond happy that I made it as it was lovely to celebrate our birthdays with everyone and turn 21 with a bang. I didn't get many non-blurry photos but have plenty of funny memories, which is fine by me!


 All in all, I had such a memorable 21st and am incredibly thankful to everyone who made my birthday so special. Watch this space for a post about the 22nd!

If you also suffer with chronic illness, how do you celebrate birthdays?

Meg

Feel Unique (Free!) Exclusive Beauty Bag

2 November 2014

Whilst checking my basket at the end of a Feel Unique clicking spree and removing any items that answer 'no' to the question, "I want it, but do I really need it?" - which usually ends up relieving a huge wad of cash from my overall total - I noticed that included in the list of products was an 'Exclusive Beauty Bag', and the price? £0.00. Fine by me.

After receiving my order in the post a few days later - seriously, their delivery is spot on! - I was taken aback by just how much was in this free gift with purchase. We're talking fourteen hefty deluxe samples worth over £100, housed in the cutest mini packaging. I logged back onto Feel Unique to check the sitch and realised that I had qualified by spending over £100 at the checkout, a number that's easy to reach when you're purchasing high-end products with high-end price tags. Immediately my brain thought 'blog post!' however I was going to wait until I'd trialled all of the samples first - but then I thought, "what'll be the point, the beauty bags will be gone by then!"... so here's a round-up of what's inside - get a move on to bag yourself a bargain if you like what you see, ladies!


Plus, a product that's yet to be released... Laura Geller Glam Lash Mascara (6ml)

I love samples as I'm always on the lookout for new products but as I have sensitive skin, it's not always easy to commit to buying the full-size only to find that you don't get on with it and it's not for you. A few of the samples were geared towards anti-aging which at twenty one isn't something I'm overly concerned about but prevention is better than cure, I guess! 

All of the samples come in a large sparkly blue makeup or wash-bag - it looks a teeny bit cheap but hey, it's free and would come in really handy for travelling. The Beauty Bag also comes with a unique offer of £10 off when you spend £50 or more, and I for one will definitely be making the most of that 20% discount at the end of my next beauty haul. 

 Do you shop at Feel Unique?
If there are any samples you'd like to see a review on, do let me know!

Meg

Twitter | Instagram | BlogLovin' | Google+

Please be sure to check the T&Cs on the Feel Unique website before purchasing!
CUSTOM BLOG DESIGN BY PRETTYWILDTHINGS | ILLUSTRATION BY POLLY FERN