Monday 28 December 2015

• How I Stay Calm in Anxiety-Inducing Situations •

After a few years of dealing with anxiety (which I'm sure most people have at least some point in their lives), I've worked out ways to 
cope in anxiety-inducing situations.

These tips have helped me, and I'm not saying that they will be good for everyone, but I have recommended them to some of my friends with anxiety and they've said they they have helped. Coming from a psychology background (which is what I did my degree in), anxiety is definitely a 'mind over matter' situation - it's just about controlling your thoughts in a positive way, instead of letting them ruin experiences and opportunities. There is the common theme of distraction in these tips as I've found that's what has helped me, and others, the most. I wish that when I was in the thick of it, I was given practical tips; so here you go, I hope these help you as they did me. *I must say now that I am in no way an expert, these are just personal tips that have helped me. 

1. Focus on a material object
I've realised that if I look at something and focus really hard on it, such as it's colour, shape or it's uses, it takes my mind off the rising feeling of anxiety and gives me something else to concentrate on. I've done this so many times and there will always inevitably be some sort of object around you such as a book, a purse or even a gear stick! Really focus on the details until your anxiety reduces and you feel more calm.

2. Move a part of your body in a rhythmic, repetitive way
What I like to do is cross my legs and bob my right leg (the one that is on top of my left) up and down. This encourages me to focus on keeping a rhythm going in another part of my body and basically gives me something to do. It distracts me from what is really going on (a racing heartbeat, sweaty hands and finding it difficult to breath) and I've found that this works really well - I've been doing this for years; in lectures, at meals when I'm with unfamiliar people, even on the bus on the way to somewhere. I sometimes also rub my left thumb with my right thumb over and over and that helps to take my mind off things, too.

3. Remember - I'm okay
Panic is just our body's way of saying 'shit, I'm in danger here'. It dates back to years and years ago, where we would come across a threat (eg. a tiger) and would have to fight or flight. Some of us channel that adrenaline in a positive way, and some of us fear it. I, for one, fear it, therefore anxiety creeps up on me. I then have to keep telling myself, in mantra form, 'I'm okay, I'm fine, nothing is going to hurt me, I'm safe'. I've found that when I tell myself this, I start to relax and the anxiety dissipates.

4. Be mindful of your surroundings
It's amazing how much us anxiety-sufferers live in the mind. I've been told so many times by my boyfriend to try and not catastrophise and to realise what is really happening right now. And it's true. We forget to look around us and focus on the things around us so much because we are too busy imagining the worst possible thing that can happen to us. So my tip is to look around you, live in the moment and recognise that there is no danger. It might help to try and listen in on a conversation or to smell something familiar (eg. I have a 'This Works Stress Less Rollerball' which I sniff every time I'm anxious - I never travel without it).

5. Make sure someone you're with knows how you get in stressful situations
It's so important to talk to other people about your feelings, which is obvious I know, but even more so when dealing with anxiety. I can't tell you the amazing feeling of a weight being lifted off my shoulders when I started telling people about how I 'get' when in certain situations. The more people are aware, the less pent up anxiety there is, as I think to myself 'well, since they know how I get, there isn't the added anxiety of 'oh crap, they're going to wonder what's going on with me when I'm freaking out''. 

6. Look at the sky
This is a very personal one and may not work for everyone, but looking at the sky (where possible) really helps me as it makes me feel free. I can imagine myself as a very small being in a big world and that there are bigger problems than my current situation, and this really helps me so much. It's more a perspective thing and makes me realise that my current state is only temporary. I also just think the sky is pretty beautiful and I've associated it with feeling calm. That's actually another tip; find something that you associate with relaxation and try to ensure it's something you will always have at hand.

7. Remember past victories
I've overcome so many stressful situations that I would never have thought I'd be able to do! An example of this is that 4 years ago, me sitting in a cinema would have caused a ridiculous amount of anxiety, whereas now I don't even think about it. Now this is because I've practised these tips and also because I constantly remind myself that I have done this before and can therefore do it again. Remembering past victories and successes is so important at giving things another shot and being able to do them again.

8. Meditate
I found an amazing book a few years ago called 'The Little Book of Mindfulness' and it was the first book that ever gave me the idea and the confidence to practise meditation. It makes it seem so easy and also includes lots of other tips for staying calm. Meditation is extremely important for calming the mind. Sometimes we forget to take care of our mind as we're too busy with our lives - or even too busy exercising our bodies - but our wellbeing is equally, if not more, important. I was always so sceptical of meditating but I do it the night/morning before I know I have a stressful or anxiety-inducing situation coming up, and it really helps to clear the mind and focus on positive things. Many people don't realise that you can also meditate on a bus, on a bench, anywhere really (obviously not when driving etc!) but you don't need to be in your living room to do it. Meditation can also be from anywhere between 5 minutes to 5 hours (and more) - you just need to be willing to give it a go.

9. Try not to use the term 'panic attack'
One of the worst things I ever did was dub myself as having 'panic attacks'. The term itself is just bloody scary. The term 'panic' already makes my heart go, and the term 'attack' is completely irrelevant as there is nothing attacking you when you're feeling anxious! So putting those two words together was a match made in anxiety heaven as they induce so many negative feelings. Try to think of yourself as having an overreactive system - one that feels emotions strongly and reacts to them unwillingly, but a system that you can control.

10. Control your breathing
And finally, the most important tip (in my opinion) is to control your breathing. This means listening to your breathing, recognising that it is going too fast, slowing it down by taking long, deep breaths in and out, and recognising the slowing of your heartbeat and relaxation that then follows. It honestly feels amazing. Something so simple as this can virtually make my anxiety disappear within a few minutes. The reason we feel anxiety is because when we begin to panic, our heart rate speeds up as we feel as though we're in danger. This then makes us worry even more as we feel as though we are in danger due to our fast heart beat! It's a viscious circle that unfortunately only the anxiety sufferer can break - but what an incredible thought it is to think that we have the power to control this with a simple breathing technique.

Please let me know if any of these tips help you, or even if you have any tips of your own. If you'd prefer not to comment, then email me at dannidiraimo@gmail.com as I'd like to hear of your experiences.
As I said before, I'm no expert, but these tips do help me.
You're in control, your anxiety does not control you.
Daniela xo
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Sunday 29 November 2015

• HELLO! •


HELLO...
(Anyone else just sing that to the tune of Adele's new song?... it can't have just been me)

So... my first blog post since June. JUNE! And to think that since 2013 I'd been writing, scheduling and photographing for blog posts at least twice a week. And now I'm sat here on a Sunday morning, casually painting my nails and feeling like I should just grab my laptop and write. Something I didn't often use to do. Let me explain.

I've had lots of emails from people who are subscribed to my blog asking me where I've been - and to those of you that have emailed me, thank you so much, thank you for taking the time to email me, thank you for wondering how I am and how teaching is going, and thank you for the two of you who emailed asking me for liquid lipstick recommendations! To know that I'm in some of your thoughts and to know that you still search for danielascribbles.co.uk really does mean the world to me, and is one of the reasons I'm writing this post.

Basically, back when I started this blog, I started it as a random way to express my thoughts and interests. I was in a weird place. I was at the start of a university course and finding things extremely tough, and to be honest, I wanted an outlet and a way to forget about work and studying. I've always absolutely loved make up and have been fascinated at how one day I can decide to look completely natural, and other days I can go out with an orange lip and and a smokey eye - and in both instances, feel completely comfortable. Then things started to get crazy. 

I gained followers (again, thank you - I love you!) and brands started to notice me, I was being sent products and, should I so wish, I would write about them. I would set up my camera and photograph really early on a Saturday morning to catch the natural light (before I bought my soft box) and I would spend my Sunday afternoon writing at least two blog posts for the week. I bloody loved it. But, as with many things I do, I put so much pressure on myself. If I didn't reply to comments, or chat in the weekly #bbloggers chat on Twitter, or reply to a PR email, I would stress out. Now I should mention that this was happening right at the beginning of starting my career as a teacher. I obviously had to work very hard for my job and I also felt like I didn't want to fail my blog. Something had to give.

One morning I woke up late on a Saturday by accident (I'd missed my alarm) and I ran out of bed to go and grab my camera and tripod. I was so stressed about taking photos before the light went down that I ended up dropping my camera and falling over my tripod. I managed to miss the light (which annoyed me even more) and was in a bad mood for the rest of the day. Now, I know that compared to most bloggers, my blog was very small with around 1300 followers so there would be no need to stress, but to me, I'd still want my photography to be perfect even if I had just 1 follower. I honestly was so annoyed with myself that the next morning I woke up at about 6am on a SUNDAY just to get all of my photos taken in time for Monday's post! That's when I decided I needed to stop blogging for a little bit.

I think I've realised the direction I want to take my blog in. Now that I'm 'back' (I sound like a boyband that's had a few years off...) I have some ideas for blog posts planned. I want to take my blog in any direction that I see fit. If I want to write about an eyeshadow palette, I will. If I want to talk about teaching, I will. If I want to show my Yoga routine, I will. I won't, however, feel pressured and stressed like I did back at the beginning of 2015, because that wasn't healthy. I won't be buying make up for the sake of it just so I can post a haul and review lots of new stuff - I still buy make up, of course I do, but not at the alarming rate that I was buying it in 2014. I realised one month that I spent £240 on make up. £240!!! Now that I'm saving for a house and some travelling next year, I understand how far £240 can go.

I love writing, I really do. I keep a journal on my bedside table and I write in it when I'm stressed or had a bad day, and I also write what I'm grateful for. I do this maybe a few nights a week. And it feels good! It makes me feel like I did when I first started my blog - free, and creative, and a way to express myself. And that's where I want to get back to.

So I've written this post in 20 minutes with a cup of tea and a Wispa. It hasn't taken me hours on end fiddling with lighting, F stop, witty comments. I've just written from the heart with no edits, no nothing. And I feel perfectly happy to put this up.

I want to again say a huge thank you to those of you that still read this blog and have emailed me. It genuinely makes me so so happy to log into my emails and see that some of you are still commenting on posts that I wrote in 2013! I'm also extremely grateful to those of you that have emailed me asking how I am, telling me how much you miss my posts, and that you've recreated my 'get ready with me's'. That brightens up my day no end (and I always chew my boyfriends ear off about how lovely you all are!!)

Posts won't be scheduled like they used to be and they may not always have a specific theme (eg. beauty and fashion) but I really hope you enjoy them nonetheless. I've changed so much since I started this blog and I want that to also come across in my blog. We're changing all of the time, growing into different people and forming new opinions, and I have so much more to talk about now than I did a few years ago. I personally cannot wait to get back into blogging - but I'll be doing it in a much more relaxed way this time.

Daniela xo
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Saturday 6 June 2015

• Meet my June Advertisers •

Ioanna: Hearting

Hi I'm Ioanna a twenty something Greek-English girl with brown eyes and curly hair. I run a beauty and lifestyle blog called Hearting. My blog is my little corner to express myself and write about all of the  things I'm hearting (loving) in life including beauty, baking, photography and anything else that takes my fancy. I'd love for you to stop by! 

My links are:


My blog is an anonymous blog, which I post on three times a week, with either beauty, fashion, advice or random posts. I don't have a set theme because I like it to be casual and interesting. I read all the comments and respond to them, I like positive feedback and ideas. I hope you enjoy my blog!

My links are:


What Lauren Did Today is a cruelty-free lifestyle, beauty and book blog run by Lauren, a 20 year old cat lover from England.

My links are:


Jessica Grace has only been up and running for a month but it has proven such a joy to write. My posts are mainly beauty but as it grows I'm hoping to incorporate some more lifestyle posts. I'm the type of person that really likes working towards something so building a blog, taking my own photos, editing them and then writing up content makes me incredibly happy and I hope that shows through my writing.

My links are:



Emma: Just Emma

Just Emma is a personal blog focusing on natural beauty, affordable fashion and everyday life. Written by Emma, a chocolate-loving Scot who lives in a little place in Dorset with her husband, bulging wardrobe and over-flowing beauty box! With beauty product reviews, personal outfits, fashion tips, weekly wish lists, and much more!

My links are:


I hope you enjoy checking out my June advertiser's blogs!
Send me an email at dannidiraimo@gmail.com if you're interested in free advertising.
Daniela xo
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Friday 29 May 2015

• Life Rants & Raves •


I guess you could say I'm quite an extreme type of person...

In the sense that I either really love something or really hate it. It's not often that I'll go 'meh' to something as I have very strong opinions on things that I like - and things that I don't like. Which brings me onto this new 'series' that I feel like doing. This is how it'll go; I'll basically rant about things that I'm not loving then I'll rave about things that I'm obsessed with. Simples. I'm not sure how often I'll post my rants & raves, all I know is that I'm already planning a beauty rants & raves for a few weeks time - watch this space.

Rant #1 is the price of healthy food. I picked up Deliciously Ella a few months ago and I've been post-it-noting recipes that have caught my eye, then when I've gone to order the food online, I've realised how ridiculously expensive the ingredients are. Quinoa, cacao powder, medjool dates are a few of the things I have to pick up at Holland and Barrett - and if you've ever shopped at H&B, you'll know how hard it is to walk out without spending £60+. I have been buying the ingredients as I'm really determined to eat healthier and try out some plant-based recipes, it's just annoying that you can spend the same amount of money on a small jar of almond butter as a whole pizza from the frozen section of Tesco.

Rant #2 is people trying to tell you what's fun and what isn't fun. I was recently told by a friend of mine that I should go travelling at my age instead of buying a house. I was later told by a different friend that I should go out drinking and clubbing instead of snuggling on down to some Nexflix with a tub of Ben and Jerrys. Basically; wtf?! If I enjoy going home decor shopping or catching up with Pretty Little Liars, I should damn well be able to. Just because I don't drink alcohol or have a need to visit every country at this point in my life, doesn't mean I'm not as fun as everyone else - (in my opinion, anyway). I have really strong opinions about this one - can you tell? - because I've been made to feel 'different' in the past about my past-times and hobbies. If I'm happy doing what I'm doing, then I shall just carry on.

Rant #3 is (and please don't kill me for saying this) - The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. It's the slowest and most boring book I think I've ever read, and it kills me to say that because it was so hyped up and the reviews were so good; I had really high hopes for this. After talking to a few of my book-fanatic friends, they were equally as disappointed as I am. The book just goes nowhere. I'm about 75% in and nothing much has really happened, but I always have to finish a book, no matter how bad it is. I'm just trying to speed read it now so I can make a start on Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn.

Rave #1 is definitely the looming summer holidays! I cannot believe how quickly this school year has gone and that we're nearly in July. I've got some really exciting trips planned in summer so I'm getting myself ready for those (including one too many trips to Primark - a girl can never have enough pairs of brown sandals)! All that's left for me is five and a half weeks left of teaching then it's lazy trips to the market and dinner in the garden for a few months!

Rave #2 obviously has to be Game of Thrones. Obsessed isn't even the word. I have to mentally prepare myself for every episode and make sure I have all of my snacks around me so I don't have to get up for the whole hour. This season, along with the others, has been incredible and I'm loving Monday evenings now! There are so many twists and turns and I'm loving the fact that no-one is safe - as soon as I start to think I know what's going to happen, someone gets killed off or captured. Amazing!

Rave #3 is my hamster, Brody. I can't even tell you how cute my hamster is. I love little furries in general as I have two gorgeous bunnies, and Brody is such an affectionate little thing. He will walk up to the entrance of his cage when we walk into the room and will just wait to be picked up. He's also in the habit of eating his dinner out of the palm of my hand; too cute!

Rave #4 is Canada. I miss Canada so much; I went in December/January and absolutely loved it. The people, the food, the scenery, the fact that there are one million things to do at any time of the day; all of it. Photographed above is my boyfriend and I at Niagara Falls and it's one of my favourite photos of all time. I can't wait to get back to Canada and we'll hopefully be making another trip there next year.

What are your lifestyle rants & raves?
Daniela xo 
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Wednesday 20 May 2015

• My Favourite Daytime Hydrating Serum •

I don't know about you, but I am ridiculously picky with my skincare. As soon as my skincare routine is perfect, I'll stick to it for ages because I'm pretty scared of my skin going back to it's acne, oily self. 

And in terms of serums, it's even harder for me to try new ones, as I've had so many bad experiences with them in the past! Luckily, I've now found a brand that I can trust as I've tried a few serums from Oz Naturals (review of the Vitamin C Serum here) and they've done wonders for my skin. Natural products with beautiful ingredients which are preparing my skin for summer and (eek!) less make up - perfect.





For the past 3 weeks I've been through stress, illness and shitty weather, as have most people in the UK, so my skin has been acting up a bit and is much dryer than usual. I've been using the Oz Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum* every day to see if it would sort my face out, and it really has done. I didn't seen an improvement straight away like I do with some of my other skincare, but after a few weeks my skin was so much more plump, soft and healthy looking - not resembling how I felt inside at all! It sits really well under make up (as does the other Oz Naturals serum that I use) and keeps my skin moisturised all day. I really like this and I love how hygienic it is - you use the little dropper to dispense the product into your hands and then smooth it on your face after cleansing and toning - no dipping dirty hands in a pot (which I hate!!)

Have you tried any products from Oz Naturals?
What do you think?
Daniela xo
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I just wanted to quickly add that obviously I was sent this product, but wasn't told to write a positive review of it. I'm usually sceptical of rave reviews like this, where I know that the blogger has been sent the product, but it was my choice to post this and I'm not being paid to write about it.

Sunday 17 May 2015

• NEW Revlon Ultra HD Lipsticks •





Revlon kill it with lip products and I always turn straight to them when I'm on a lipstick binge in Boots.


So I was surprised to find a new range when I was browsing the aisles as I hadn't heard much about the Revlon Ultra HD Lipsticks. I picked up Rose, an everyday light pink, and Hydrangea, a brighter, more corally pink. The colours look really beautiful and I swear I don't have anything like them in my collection........*angel emoji* 
It therefore pains me to say that these lipsticks just do not cut the mustard for me. They are slippy, hard to apply, accentuate the fine lines and dryness in my lips, and wear away after an hour or so. Unfortunately they aren't as pigmented as some of my other (drugstore and high end) lip products and application really does take a long time - I found myself applying three or four coats just for these photos, and even then my lipstick looks messy, uneven and, to be blunt, bloody rubbish. Now I'm a lipstick fanatic - I wear lipstick every single day, topping up whenever I need to, carrying around a make up bag full of lipsticks should I fancy a change in the day - so I have tried a great many different types, formulas and finishes of lipsticks... and I can conclude that these ones just aren't for me.
As you can see in the photos, they don't look great (side note - sorry for the crusty nose, I'm pretty ill at the moment). And as much as I don't like to be a negative Nelly, I have to be honest and say that even as I am wearing this right now as I type, they feel sticky when I rub my lips together. The lipstick also seems to bunch up around the outside of my lips so that part of my lip is darker then the rest; maybe I just need some lipliner, but for some supposedly quick and easy everyday shades, I feel like I shouldn't have to faff with lipliner when I'm in a rush. I'm just glad I didn't buy more colours as they looked so beautiful on the stand, in their sleek packaging and their pretty promo photo!

If you try these out, I'd love to hear your experiences with them.
It could just be me and my lips... or perhaps there's a reason I haven't seen many
bloggers/vloggers rave about these?
Daniela xo

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Tuesday 5 May 2015

• Meet my May Advertisers •


Hey everyone! My name is Charline and I've been blogging since this year. I daily blog about different lifestyle things. Mostly about make up and beauty-related stuff, but also interior inspiration, non-beauty things, my own music will appear on my blog every now and then and when I make a trip, I will blog about it too. It's a mixture of different things that are happening in my little world. Every Wednesday I will also give the opportunity to one fellow blogger to write a guest post on my blog about a life quote or a wisdom that they are passionate about. That little corner on the internet is called #NoteToSelf. I love connecting to other people and making friends over this little collaboration.
Feel free to come and say hi over on Charline Has a Blog. Free hugs for everyone!

My links are:



Hi, I'm Dalal a fourteen year old beauty, fashion and occasional life blogger from London. My blog is like a second home on the internet for me, you'll be surprised by the amount of time I spend on it! Everything about blogging is super exciting; meeting new friends through comments, writing reviews about my Holy Grail products and setting up props for my photos. I really hope you do have a look at my blog and enjoy what you read! Dalal :)

My links are:
Google Plus: Dalal Tahira



As a mum of 2 it has become my 'me' time, where I like to review, chatter & swatch Make up, Skincare and beauty products. Mainly featuring the products I use, love and highly recommend! Love nothing better than taking photos for my posts & typing away, giving my tuppence worth. That and of course beauty shopping!! (Goes without saying!) Before I buy any product I research, look at reviews and swatches. So here on my blog I give my honest opinion as I know that it's better to have all the information to then be able to make your own informed decisions. To buy or not to buy!! Chocolate lover, tea-aholic and all round 32 year old mum.

My links are:



I'm a 28 year old beauty blogger from Wolverhampton, UK. My blog includes beauty, lifestyle and photography. I love all things beauty and have recently started up my own YouTube channel to post make up tutorials and GRWM videos. I have a huge love for photography and I include photoset posts on my blog to showcase my photography.

My links are:


My name is Jess, and I blog at Just That Girl Online. I'm a writer & enthusiast of all things "Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle" related. I have a massive obsession with Lush and love anything Rose Gold, I do all different types of blog posts ranging from Lifestyle posts about confidence to Primark Hauls & makeup. I decided to join in with the blogging community, on one very boring day and haven't stopped blogging since. I write about products that I truly believe in and give honest reviews. I created Just That Girl Online to share my love and passion for all things beauty, fashion and lifestyle.

My links are:
Contact: justjess369@hotmail.com

I hope you enjoy checking out my May advertiser's blogs!
Send me an email at dannidiraimo@gmail.com if you're interested in free advertising.
Daniela xo
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Sunday 3 May 2015

• Sisterhood of the World Tag •

When the beautiful Faye from I Wish I Could Wink tagged me to do the Sisterhood of the World Tag, I was instantly excited as I for one love nosing on people's blogs and finding out about them, so I was looking forward to sharing some (hopefully interesting) things about me!

1. What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

Sorry to curse but 'f*ck it' from none other than my wonderful grandmother! She always tells me that the world won't end and life will still go on even if something doesn't go the way it should, and it's taken me a while to realise this but she's right. This little pearl of wisdom is definitely something I now try to live by because, as I'm a natural control-freak, I need to remember to chill.

2. What's the most played song on your iPod?

Hello chiche! But my most played song is Ed Sheeran 'Thinking out Loud'. My second most played is Years and Years 'King' - still loving this song.

3. Which beauty product makes you feel the most confident?

Probably my base, however I wouldn't say that I wear make up for confidence; I wear it because I enjoy applying it and feel put together throughout the day.

4. Kanye West - genius or douchebag?

Neither. The word 'twat' would suffice.

5. What's the first blog you started reading?

Suzie's blog from Hello October and I remember where I was when I started reading it - at the library when I should have been revising for exams in my second year of university! I typed 'October' into Google for some reason and then it came up with Suzie's blog... safe to say I spent the rest of the afternoon reading all of her recent posts and then found her youtube channel.

6. If you woke up and you were Beyonce how would you spend your day?

Probably in front of a mirror twerking! That woman, that booty... she is the Queen of life. Oh and I'd also walk down the street in my tiny little Cambridgeshire town just to see people's reactions! Then go to hospitals to see my fans and make their day. [I think I'm getting a little too into this fantasy...]

7. Who makes you laugh the most?

I'd have to say my boyfriend. He is genuinely the funniest person I've ever met and makes me laugh daily. He's the wittiest person, on the brink of being massively sarcastic, but hilarious at the same time.

8. Which book could you read over and over again?

Oh God, so many books! The book I've read about 15 times is The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. It's about a little girl during the war and is written so eerily beautifully that I recommend it to everyone. This is also a little sad but I have a perfect copy which stays on my bookshelf and a semi-tatty copy which is reserved only for letting people borrow it. Is that weird? It's probably weird. But I actually have a list of people wanting to borrow it, it's so good!

9. What's on your phone background?

Some pretty lilac tulips, taken from my instagram!

10. Do you think blogging is becoming too commercialised?

[I've written and deleted the answer to this question 3 or 4 times now] I genuinely cannot answer this question. My opinion on this changes almost weekly and sometimes I find myself getting annoyed at the sponsored and quite obvious 'Ad' content, but then I have to remind myself that these big bloggers and vloggers need to make a living, too. I believe that all reviews should be honest no matter how much you are being paid because ultimately you're providing your opinion on something that readers are unsure of, so you shouldn't write crap and let them waste their money.

Woah, that got a little deep there didn't it! Thank you Faye for tagging me - I do love a good tag!

I tag:
Tiffany - Hello Pineapple Juice
Jasmine - Magpie Jasmine
Ellis - Ellis Tuesday
Estelle - Let Me Go xo
Aashfaria - Aash's Little Talks

My questions are:

1. One piece of advice you'd give to new bloggers
2. Where in the world would you like to visit most and why?
3. Three of your favourite blogs and why.
4. Which social media platform is your favourite and why?
5. Five people you'd invite to a dinner party, dead or alive.
6. Which three products would you take on a desert island?
7. Best instagram editing app?
8. What do you enjoy the most about blogging?
9. Full on face or natural beauty?
10. Would you ever be a full-time blogger?

Obviously anyone can do the tag - I'd love to read your answers! :)
Daniela xo
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Sunday 26 April 2015

• Free Advertising on Daniela Scribbles •

I thought it was time I offered an advertising space for 
new bloggers on Daniela Scribbles.

When I first started my blog in 2013, I paid to be advertised on a beauty blog and it helped tremendously to get my blog noticed and recognised. I then started to gain followers as they liked what they saw, but I don't think they would have found me if I hadn't been advertised.

So I know how hard it is to get your blog 'out there', and I thought it might be quite nice to offer a free advertising space for 5 bloggers every month. Parting with hard earned cash over something that starts as just a hobby can feel counter-intuitive, so I'm not asking for any money - just a blog header, a short paragraph about your blog and all social media links, so that at the beginning of each month I can write a post with all of your information.

Please let me know if you'd be interested in this; I'm a big believer in helping other bloggers as I was in the position where I was the only one writing and reading my posts for a while - and there's nothing wrong with that (you do you!) - but it's equally as lovely for other people to enjoy and appreciate your work.

Email me on dannidiraimo@gmail.com with your details
and we can go from there :)
Daniela xo
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Wednesday 22 April 2015

• 5 Blogs You Should Be Reading •

I'm a big believer in supporting each other as bloggers, so I thought I'd share with you my top 5 favourite blogs, the ones I spend hours reading and the ones I always go back to.


Everything from the layout to the photos makes me swoon over this blog. Lauren has created a real gem with Cautivar and I'm so happy I found her blog not long ago, as I've spent many an afternoon reading through her most recent and her older posts. Cautivar is professional-looking, easy to navigate and just reminds me of a real up-market online magazine. I really love this blog and I love the motto just as much - 'become the best version of yourself'.



Tiffany has been blogging since 2008 and not only was she friends with the likes of Zoella (!!!) she's a well established blogger who I trust for product reviews wholeheartedly. Her writing style is friendly and casual, as if she's having a conversation with you, and I love her honesty when reviewing a product, particularly the ones that she doesn't recommend - she's saved me some monies since I've been reading her blog! Tiffany is beautiful inside and out, is an amazing make up artist and has real talent (of which I'm enviable). I'm excited for her to paint my face as I know she'll do a much better job than me; photographs to come!




For an all-rounder, I turn to Jasmine's blog. From tags to hauls to interview advice, everything you need is right here. I have to say that the post that made me fall totally in love with Magpie Jasmine is the 26 Easy Blog Post Photo Background and Prop Ideas post. It honestly gave me so much inspiration and made me realise how easy it can be to style photos! As with all of the other fantastic blogs I've mentioned, I love Jasmine's photos - this is a massive thing for me, as I'll instantly be turned off a blog if the photos are rubbish - and I love her swatch photos as they are true to colour.




As well as beautiful photography, a decent layout and navigation is so important to me, and Farzana has absolutely nailed this. The reason I click on post after post on Aspiring Londoner is because its just so easy! I read a post, see another post I like, and within a matter of minutes I've just read 6 posts in a row! Farzana is keen to help other bloggers - something else that's important to me - and I love her tips when it comes to SEO, something I was completely and utterly clueless of until I read her post.


Navigation, layout... am I a stuck record here? Sorry, but Charlotte has also nailed this and I can spend hours reading her posts, and often do. Every in May's design is absolutely gorgeous, really clean looking but still approachable and pretty. Charlotte's writing style is quite similar to mine, chatty and friendly, and I feel like she's just having a chat with one of her friends about beauty; there's something really inviting and underrated about that, as I love writing styles that aren't too formal - things are much more personal in my opinion. So if you want to talk beauty with a friend, head to Ever in May.

I hope you enjoyed this post and visit these wonderful blogs!
I'm always looking for new blogs to read so please leave your links down below.
Are there any other blogs you'd recommend?
Daniela xo
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Sunday 19 April 2015

• The Serum My Skin's Been Obsessed With... •


If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that my skin is combination, with bouts of extreme oiliness and crazy dryness. 

So when a product such as this comes along, which works with whatever my skin feels like doing at the time, I really think it deserves some praise. The Oz Naturals Vitamin C Serum* is a lightweight, easy to work with, sits-under-make-up-perfectly skin miracle. Packed full of hyaluronic acid and amino, it promises a youthful glow and even anti-aging, as well as a smoother skin texture and even skin tone. Wow.

I've been using this serum for just over a week, morning and night, and I've already noticed such a difference in my skin. I normally have to pump it full of moisture before I even begin to think about applying my make up, but since using this serum, I've cut down on my skincare big time. I now cleanse and tone as normal and then apply a layer of this on my skin. If I'm wearing make up, I then just apply a primer and my base, and I'm done. No fussing with different moisturises in different areas of my skin, just a thin layer of serum and I'm moisturised for the day.
Application is a dream, as it comes in pippet form (very hygienic) and you only need a few drops for it to blend around the whole face, so things never get messy for me. I also love the fact that the serum is organic, vegan, cruelty free, doesn't include any nasties such as alcohol, parabens or sulfates, and is safe for all skin types, which is particularly useful for me as one day I'm oily, the next day I'm dry, another I'm spotty, and on others I can be sensitive. It's made from the highest quality vitamin C, which is known for being fantastic for injecting a surge of moisture into the skin, and the product was even voted as the best vitamin C serum in Allure Magazine. If that's not enough of a recommendation, I don't know what is.

Have you tried this product?
Do you have extremely unpredictable skin like me?
You can buy it here for £15.95.
Daniela xo
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Friday 17 April 2015

• On Fridays We Wear Pink... •



I'm not really a 'pink person', so when Elite99 contacted me
 to choose an item from their range, I decided to branch 
out from my comfort zone.

I went for the Casual Long Sleeve Bow Deer Print Sweatshirt*, a gorgeous fleecy jumper which honestly is probably the most comfortable item of clothing I currently own. Worn with jeans or leggings, it's been a bit of a life-saver for those 'its-sunny-now-but-likely-to-rain-in-a-few-minutes' kinds of days. It's so soft, feels lovely on the skin and most importantly, washes well - there's nothing worse than washing a piece of clothing to find it ruined! I love the little deer on the front and the fact that she has her own actual bow, and overall I'm really impressed with the quality of this item. What astounded me the most, though, was the price - £10.99! Cheaper than other high street brands, I feel like this is a real bargain. Sometimes more affordable items of clothing can feel cheap, but this piece honestly feel so lovely and performs just as well as my other more expensive clothing. I'm in love with this and will definitely be browsing the Elite99 website to see if I can nab myself any bargains!


Have you ever ordered anything from Elite99?
Daniela xo
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Tuesday 14 April 2015

• The No-Nasties, Natural Deodorant That Actually Works •


I was a deodorant-whore - there, I said it. I'd flit from brand to brand, formula to texture, scent to packaging. Now that's out in the open, I have another confession to make...

I've found the one. And now, I am absolutely, truly, madly, deeply, converted to natural deodorants. You know, the kind that are free from the nasties, the chemicals, all of the crap that makes you stop sweating and bungs up your underarms (anti-perspirant). And now I can say that hand on heart, I will never go back to these shop-bought deodorants for as long as I shall live. Scouts honour.

I can't wait to share my thoughts on the La Vanila Healthy Deodorant, but first I'll address a few issues with natural deodorants. There's a stigma attached to them and people assume that they won't work because they aren't as powerful as anti-perspirants and the types of deodorants we might be used to. There is an element of truth in that, I have to admit - natural deodorants don't act as anti-perspirants, so you will still sweat but the sweat won't smell. But that doesn't mean they're not doing their job. The whole reason I went on the hunt for a natural deodorant was because I hated the thought of my sweat glands being blocked up due to chemicals that I apply every day. It's natural for our skin to breathe and sweat, so the idea of slathering on layers upon layers of chemicals to block sweat glands seems odd and unnatural to me. Without getting into detail, because 1. I'm not qualified/wouldn't feel comfortable posting about research I've found online and 2. I don't want to ramble on too much, I do think that we should try to reduce the amount of rubbish we put on our skin. If you think about how many products you use a day, and how many chemicals your skin absorbs, it's scary. I'll try and go eau natural where I can, if only just to make myself feel a little better!
So after hearing Tiffany rave about the La Vanila Healthy Deodorant on YouTube, I had to try them out for myself as they sounded like exactly what I was looking for. Creamy, pleasant smelling (and long-lasting), but most importantly, able to let my skin breathe. You'll see on the ingredients list that the ingredients are all natural and free of all chemicals. I've been using this deodorant for a few months after I picked it up in Canada after one too many trips to Sephora and it has worked for me every single day, whether that be a chilled day at home or a stressful day at work - it's truly amazing. I love the scents and I have the Vanilla Lavendar in the 2oz and the travel size of the Vanilla for on the go. They both smell gorgeous and I can still faintly smell them throughout the day, which is great.
Now I have skin that feels soft and smooth whilst smelling amazing - and not skin that feels tingly after shaving, due to the rubbish in them which interferes with sensitive, freshly washed skin. My conscience is clear, and I've added another healthy, natural skincare product to my collection. For me, that's priceless - and definitely worth £10.

Have you tried this deodorant?
Are there any other natural deodorants you'd recommend?
Daniela xo
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Monday 6 April 2015

• 10 High End Products That Are Worth The Money // My Favourites •


I do like a splurge every now and then, but only on products that I've researched thoroughly as I'm impressed with drugstore products these days, so if I'm parting with a large sum of cash I like to know that it'll be worth it.

Saying that, some high end products that I've researched and purchased have been fails, no matter how positive the reviews. I've picked out the creme de la creme of my stash to show you which high end products I believe are worth saving up for. Now I'm not saying there aren't drugstore equivalents in Boots or Superdrug, but if you're wanting some luxury in your life, these are the products I'd recommend.

I use this bad boy for eeeeeee'rythin. My lips before bed, around my eyes when my eye cream just ain't cutting it, dry spots on my elbows and knees, my eyebrows to keep them from moving throughout the day, even my eyelids during the day when they need a touch of moisturisation with a little added glow. I love my tube so much and it's a cult favourite, a household must, for so many reasons. A little goes such a long way and after a year of using mine religiously, I've only just had to repurchase. If there's one product that you should buy from this list, it's this one.

A new one to me, this foundation kind of changed my opinion of high end foundations completely. There are so many amazing bases on the high street that I always assumed it was a waste of money when splurging on a high end one. I was given this to try and instantly my opinion changed. It just performs like a luxury foundation. It glides on, doesn't stick to any dry patches on my (annoyingly) combination skin, doesn't smudge or fade throughout the day, and gives a good amount of coverage whilst letting my skin breath. I really love this and have found myself reaching for it a little more often than my staple L'Oreal Eau de Teint recently.

I'm obsessed with highlighter and I never miss this step, no matter how late I am or how natural I want my make up to be look! Lightscapade is a pearly pink highlight and has the most gorgeous marble effect throughout. A light dusting of this is enough to give a lovely sheen as it's quite pigmented and it looks lovely on the tops of cheek bones, nose and cupids bow. (I often get carried away, take a large powder brush and dust it all over my face!)

Industrial concealer is what's needed for my acne scars and under-eye bags. I feel like I've been on a lifelong hunt for the perfect concealer to do this, and this high end one is perfect for the job. I literally take a dot of this and use my fingers to blend it on my scars and under my eyes. It's creamy and full coverage, will need setting with a powder if you don't want it to crease, and lasts hours and hours. I've put this on at 6.30 in the morning and it's looked amazing until 10 at night. I love it and I'm sure the tube will last me a life time as you get so much product!

This blush had been on my wish list for so long, I can't even tell you. I'd wanted them from the moment I started reading reviews on them and can remember feeling so gutted that Tarte wasn't readily available in the UK. A few years on, and Tarte is now sold on QVC (still overpriced, but available). When I won this blush, I was 1. extremely grateful and excited to play with it, and 2. super impressed with the quality. When the say 12-hour blush, they mean 12-hour blush. It stays put, is highly pigmented and the shade range is incredible. I also have a Tarte blush palette and I'm equally impressed. If you can get your hands on them, definitely try them out.

My bloody brows are a nightmare at the moment - they are so thick, unruly and don't stay in one place! Due to the crazy weather we have here in the UK, I'm forever taking off my jumper and putting it back on - and when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, my brows are going in all sorts of directions. So I love this brow gel because not only does it keep me from looking like a crazy professor, it doesn't make them look shiny or gel-like. It also has a quick-drying formula so it doesn't feel sticky on the skin, and the wand is teeny tiny so it's easy to apply. Amazing.

I'm cheating a bit here as you can now get Essie in Boots, but the polishes are more expensive than, say, Barry M, so we'll go with it. I love Essie polishes, so much so that I'm slowly building my collection by picking one up every time I go shopping! They go on so smoothly and I love the applicator; it's thick so I usually only need 2 swipes and my whole nail is painted. The colour selection is also huge, so there's a colour for everyone, and the polishes are really pigmented.

Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache Souffle Body Creme
Anything pistachio, I'm buying it and loving it. This richly scented pot of gloriousness is a firm favourite of mine and I always look forward to using it after my shower. You only need a little of it and it spreads a long way, it doesn't feel sticky on the skin and the scent lasts such a long time. There's a full review of this product in this post where I also offer a drugstore dupe!

Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum
This is my all time favourite scent in the whole entire beauty universe. It's marketed as smelling like figs, but to me this just smells so fresh, musky and sexy, and I'm sure it could be unisex. The words I used in my review of this were timeless and sophisticated, and I still stand by this - everything from the packaging to the scent is so classy and I feel like women of any ages could wear this.

I raved about this product in this post, and for good reason. I'm obsessed with lip balm and keeping my lips hydrated as there's nothing worse than applying a lipstick only to realise it looks terrible, dry and flakey! The condition of my lips is really important to me so I tend to apply this when I've exfoliated my lips with a sugar scrub. It's really moisturising, is matte so can be worn under any lipsticks, and has a lovely honey/lemon scent.

I guess there's nothing revolutionary about this list of recommendations as I'm sure you've already seen them a hundred times plastered over blogs and vlogs, but I've tried and tested so many 'luxury' products that can only be described as utter crap, therefore I've just plucked the seriously good ones from my collection. Honourable mentions go to Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 palette, Ole Henrikson Truth Serum Collagen Booster, Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and Make Up Forever Lipsticks - I love these equally as much as the other 10 products, but I tried my hardest to needle them down to just 10!

What are your high end beauty loves?
Daniela xo
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