What Lyd Did

I like to think I'm the kinda gal who likes the simple things in life. The smell of a freshly cut orange, the sound of seagulls... and snacking. A few Pringles here, a dried apricot there, it's my number one rule to always keep nibbly bits close at hand. Popcorn Shed share my ethos, and the two ~~masterminds~~ cousins behind the brand have cooked up a range of flavours to suit any snacker. With salted caramel chocolate chip, cheese, and fruit and nut options to choose from, this isn't your garden variety popcorn. From small beginnings in their own garden shed, this homegrown business has boomed, and you can now 'pop' a box in your basket in John Lewis or popcornshed.com.

Staying true to their roots, each flavour is boxed in shed packaging, with messages like 'WARNING: bikini bottoms may be found inside' and 'there's nothing corn-y about recycling'. It reminds me of Innocent's packaging, and I like that it comes across as a fun brand, born out of a genuine passion, that makes it stand out from bigger brands. Even the names are quirky, with Butterly Nuts and Sweet Cheesus meeting the approval of this self-confessed pun princess.

While the secret family recipes are already perfected, I decided to pimp up my popcorn even further to make a sort of trail mix. I grabbed a jar and poured in a snack pack of the Salted Caramel popcorn, which has milk chocolate chips melted in and a good sprinkle of sea salt, then added a handful each of hazelnuts, almonds, and peanuts. Each mouthful was like eating a Snickers bar, and thanks to the filling nature of the popcorn, good fats from the nuts, and of course the sugar rush, this mixture was perfect for nibbling as I went out walking. Even the squirrels looked jealous!

If nuts aren't your thing, try going for an Eton Mess style treat by combining Berrylicious popcorn with white chocolate chips, broken meringue pieces, and dried cranberries. For a savoury treat, add walnuts and small crackers to a bag of Say Cheese! Pop a few options together and you have the perfect hamper gift for those hard-to-buy for people.

What's your favourite flavour combo?

Popcorn samples were sent to me for review. All opinions are my own.

Oh the infamous 'what I got for Christmas' posts. Some love them, some hate them. I'm firmly in the love camp, there's nothing nicer than seeing people so happy and excited with their gifts, and I often get ideas for gifts to purchase for my own loved ones. With that said, I'll crack on and maybe give you some inspo, too.

Stationery

ET notebook

I found Reconsidered Retro by searching 'ET' on Etsy. After rifling through lots of very quirky products, including a king size duvet cover adorned with ET's face, I spotted her stuff and fell in love. There are cards, necklaces, notebooks, and even her very own colouring book, all with an 80s theme- think Return to Oz, Hook, and Footloose. I bought my sister some bits and told my boyfriend I wanted to keep them for myself, so he surprised me with an ET notebook of my very own. He's a good egg.

Busy B diary and pens

Last year I wrote about how I make the most of my diary, and it really is like a second brain to me, so of course I had to ask for a new one for Christmas, and my sister kindly obliged. I love that Busy B is an independent company that offers a range of beautiful stationery, but I wish I'd looked closer at the diary before ordering as it doesn't offer as much free space as I would like.

The diary came with two of the snazziest pencils I've ever seen, and she also bought me some Busy B rollerball pens that write like a dream. Stationery lovers, you know what I mean.

Stabilo pastel highlighters

I'm pretty sure I'd have revised a lot harder at school if I'd had these to hand! They're so pretty and I immediately feel motivated and organised just looking at them.

Crafting with cat hair

I'd seen this on Facebook and thought it was a meme, but no, there really is a guide on making numerous projects with your furry friend's shedding. My cat is essentially a walking wig, and deposits handfuls of hair every time we brush her, so watch this space- you may see cat hair creations popping up in my Etsy shop.

Beauty

NYX Machinist 'Grind' palette

I promised myself I didn't need any more makeup, but this unusual Steampunk palette just called to me! I tend to do my makeup in the car (passenger seat only of course) and this offers the perfect selection of shimmers, bold mattes, and neutral essentials to create a range of full looks.

Seche Vite

Hands down the best nail product I have ever tried. It really does perform like a gel without needing curing or soaking off. My boyfriend gave me the original and Seche Vive, which is apparently even more gel-like.

Patisserie de Bain Rhubarb and Custard hand cream

My hands look alarmingly like Voldemort's, only drier, so hand creams are always a good gift for me and this one really does smell good enough to eat.

'Dirty' Toothy Tabs

If you haven't heard of LUSH toothy tabs, allow me to introduce you. You simple chew one up then brush your teeth as normal, but in my experience they clean the whole mouth far better than any regular toothpaste. The flavours do take some getting used to, and they don't contain fluoride to protect your teeth, but they do polish your gnashers perfectly.

Hair

Babyliss Multi Styler

With 8 options to straighten, curl, and even crimp, I no longer have an excuse to let my barnet run frizzy and free. I've already tried the curling barrel and found that it's too slim and short to curl my long hair quickly, but having all the attachments in one box is much easier to store than 8 separate stylers.

GHD hairbrush

After watching Brad Mondo's video on how to get a salon blowdry at home, I set about hunting for a good ceramic hairbrush with synthetic bristles, and my poor boyfriend must have gotten bored of me droning on about it, so bought me this GHD one! It's so fancy, it even comes in its own special storage box.

Food

Would it be Christmas without chocolate? My family know my sweet tooth well and gifted me boxes and bars, coins and oranges of the good stuff, which I'm planning to hide from myself to enjoy slowly rather than inhaling. I also received something I'd never had or even heard of before: The Vegan Kind chocolate box. This was the present that totally took me by surprise. Last year I really made an effort to eat vegan where I could, but because I live with my family and they prefer to run the kitchen, it kind of slipped away. It's still something I see for my future, and my boyfriend helped me out by gifting me this box, with a selection of cruelty and dairy free sweet treats. I will definitely be sharing more details in a full review post.

Random

Wobbling Wallace

I wonder how many other 23 year old women unwrapped one of these bad lads and shrieked with delight? I love Wallace (not so much Gromit) so the idea of him merrily wobbling away in my car just fills me with joy.

Chameleon Mug

When my sister asked my favourite animal (orangutans, crocodiles, chameleons, FYI) I didn't think much of it, but it made sense when I opened this! Very impractical for drinking out of, but perfect for storing pens and craft supplies.

What was the weirdest gift you received this Christmas?

If you'd mentioned self care to me a few years ago I'd have thought it was a fancy way of saying 'adulting', a fluffy term to describe doing your laundry, cooking a meal, and generally getting shiz done. Luckily, blogging has opened my mind, and I now not only recognise what self care is, but how well it works for me.

Lots of self care guides seem to mention bubble baths, chocolate, and #treatingyoself, which is all well and good if it works for you, but if you're already doing those things and not feeling the benefits, or can't afford a shopping spree every week, it may feel like you're missing the boat.

If you ask me (which I'm presuming you are, since you're reading this post) self care takes many forms, and all of them stem from listening to your mind and body and indulging them. We live fast paced lives with so much expected of us, it's no wonder we feel frazzled and in need of a little TLC. Whether you have a mental or physical illness or not, I firmly believe that taking some time for ourselves can help us all to deal with what life throws at us, and be at our best.

The first thing I would advise anyone to do is to look at why they need care. For me, it's about balancing the effects of anxiety. It makes me feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and very tense, so my forms of self care are about escaping, doing things that make me feel 'me', and looking after my body.

Reading has been a huge help to me, as it totally takes my away from my own worries and my mind becomes occupied with someone else's story. The Amazon Kindle library has loads of free books so I stock up on easy to read romances and fall into them for an hour or two (or six, when it's a particularly good one that I can't put down!). I don't often like being alone as it allows me to dwell on my thoughts, but it's also good for me as I don't feel the pressure to hold conversations or have people see me, so reading is a healthy way to get the best of both worlds.

Another favourite fix when I'm feeling overwhelmed is cleaning my room or tidying my wardrobe. When my space is messy I feel more trapped, so having it clean is helpful but the methodical process of folding, wiping, and putting things away makes me feel much calmer in itself. It's a good opportunity to get rid of clutter or things that hold any upset for you too, thus helping you to feel better in the long run.

When I'm exhausted and tense, I do like early nights or lie ins, and baths or foot soaks with Epsom salts, where I can let the tension in my muscles melt away in the hot water, but I also love to warm up from the inside with hearty meals and piping hot mugs of tea. Any sort of heat helps to relax me, and let's be honest, there are few things more comforting to us Brits than a bowl of cottage pie and a mug of Yorkshire Gold. Plus, a good meal will nourish you, giving you the energy your body needs and playing a part in making you feel physically better.

You probably know by now that I'm a nature baby, and getting outdoors ticks all my boxes. Even when it's wet outside and I'd really rather lie in, I genuinely do feel much better when I've stretched my coiled muscles and released some endorphins. Being under open skies and ancient trees makes my worries and niggles seem much smaller, and it's definitely where I feel most myself, but I know it's not for everyone. If you can't get outdoors, try listening to water sounds on YouTube, sitting in the garden for a while, or just doing some stretches to loosen yourself up and release some of that nervous energy. It's so hard when you're tired, but it really does make a difference, I promise.

My last pearl of wisdom for fellow anxiety or depression sufferers is to do things you know you can do well, spend time with people you know love you, and go to places you know you feel safe. For me, this means singing, being with my boyfriend, or walking with my family. It allows me to push past the voice telling me to stay curled up in bed, without pushing myself too far when I'm already feeling fragile. It also reaffirms that I am talented, loved, and capable, and proves my anxious thoughts wrong, even just for a while.

What self care techniques do you use?

My parents have always tried to pass on their love of walking, but for years this lazy lump would moan all the way. At least half of my complaints would boil down to discomfort from my clothing, which is my own fault because I refused to wear proper gear, deeming it too unfashionable. Rich coming from a girl who once owned a mint green velour tracksuit.

While I won't be on any catwalks in my waterproofs, I have come to find the outdoor clothing that works for me and makes me feel confident and comfortable. I get too hot very quickly and hate feeling trapped by my clothes, so I've learned to sometimes bend the 'rules' and wear what feels best. Having said that, it's important to note that I stick to footpaths and don't hike large hills or mountains. If you're into more serious walking then please protect yourself and get properly kitted out.

For me, it starts with good base layers. Onions have layers, ogres have layers, Lyd has layers- name that film. I want whatever's closest to my skin to be as pyjama-like as possible, so my go-to is a good pair of leggings and a soft top. I wouldn't recommend jeans for walking because they just don't give you the same flexible range of movement, and if you get caught in the rain/fall in a stream they'll take an age to dry. My running tights are a firm favourite, with mesh panels behind the knees to cool me down, an inside zip pocket at the back for my phone, and drawstrings at the waist so I'm not constantly pulling them up. I'll wear them with an ordinary soft T-shirt, or in really chilly weather I choose to pair my purple thermal top with thermal leggings and a Primark pair over them.

Top tip for base layers: check for any tags inside the clothes and remove them if you have sensitive skin. It's blooming horrible when they rub at your skin with every step!

Over that I usually put my coat straight on, and this is where little fashionista Lyd would be pleased: I have grey, red, pink, and even bright yellow waterproofs to choose from! My best advice when choosing a coat is to size up to allow for layering, and check that the zips and pockets are comfy. You'll thank me when your hands are snug in the sides rather than awkwardly tucked into front-facing pockets. Official advice tells me I should have another layer, but 10 minutes into a walk and you can already roast a chicken down my top so I swerve this unless it's seriously cold, or compromise and wear my 2-in-1. It has a fleece layer and a light waterproof shell which is no trouble to whip off and carry or shove in my bag.

Speaking of bags, this is the one area I do need to figure out. I usually wear a backpack to keep my arms free and shoulders happy, but it does trap heat in at my back, and I shove so many 'essentials' in there that it usually becomes quite heavy. By 'essentials' I mean lip balm, snacks, camera, mini first aid kit, phone, the kitchen sink and so on. One thing I would class as a real essential, and suggest you wear or pop in your bag, is a hat in case you do get chilly or your ears ache when it's windy. I'm lucky to have a mum who practically knits me one a week, but you can grab one anywhere.

Finally we come to the feet, arguably the most important part of walking. The wrong shoes will turn any hill into Hell if they give you blisters or don't support your foot properly. However, what may be seen as the 'right' shoe might not always be the one for you. Over the years I've had a whole army's worth of walking boots, and always hated how stiff and heavy they felt. Nowadays I wear a pair of Nike running trainers and they make all the difference, my foot is protected from water and rough terrain, yet my sole and ankles can still flex, and the shock absorbers keep aches at bay. However, I wouldn't wear them on slippy or loose surfaces where you need grip and stronger ankle support.

When it comes to shopping for all this gear, it can get really expensive, especially when shops are using jargon and inventing fancy new techniques and fabrics. Unless you're going to extremes, don't worry too much about that, but try to invest in your coat and footwear, you don't want cheap ones springing a leak halfway up a hill! My favourite shop is Mountain Warehouse because their sales are great and their designs are as pretty as waterproofs can be, but I've also found discovered some good bits at Sports Direct, and bought basics from Decathlon.

Do you have any tips to add?

Every month I find it harder and harder to write favourites, because I don't buy new products, but November has been even trickier because I've been saving up for Christmas presents, so I've been digging through my collection to uncover old gems. I have been struggling to sleep lately so there is a definite theme here, they're all products I can rely on to make me look a little brighter, fresher, and perked up!

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St Moriz Self Tan

When I was 17 I would apply 4 layers of this multiple times a week, and only stopped when a boy told me my face matched my hair. Harsh but true. These days I am much more restrained, but I do like to have a bottle on hand to perk me up or smooth out my legs on the extremely rare occasions they see daylight.

I like to buy the mousse formula in the medium shape and slap it on exfoliated skin once my moisturiser has properly sunk in. It has a turquoise base to it so it comes out nice and olive, not too orange on the skin, and I simply wash off the patchy top layer in the morning.

Maybelline Erase Eye Concealer

I was a bit hesitant to add this to my favourites because it isn't cruelty free, so I won't buy more once it's finished but I am really enjoying using it up. The formula is thinner than most concealers yet packs a lot of pigment, so it blends out easily and makes a big difference. I chose the shade Nude which is actually quite orange but that works well for under my eyes, where I have obvious darkness and blue veins.

Bourjois Pink Pong Lipstick

If I cast my mind back I'm sure these were one of the first liquid lipsticks to hit the market, and revisiting this bright pink confirmed that they're still one of the best. The colour is super saturated and the formula isn't too drying. I'd say it dries 95% so there is a tiny risk of smudging or transferring, but I'd take that over crusty cat bum lips any day.

Nourish London Radiance Firming Facial Oil

Gosh, what a mouthful! At this time of year my skin basically resembles a pie crust, I even have a moustache made entirely of flaky skin (mmm) so I slap on oils like nobody's business and this is a great one because it soaks in quickly but still feels like it's plumping and protecting, and it hasn't broken me out- touch wood. I'm not sure I'd repurchase because it costs a pretty penny, but if oils are your thing I can recommend.

What beauty gems do you trust to perk you up?

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