Guess who's back... back again.

So... it's been a bit over a year since the last time I posted on this blog. I actually can't believe it's been this long. I'll be honest, I kinda lost my motivation for a while there. I was still uploading videos over on Youtube semi-regularly last year but it felt like a chore for me and so for the last 6 months I've pretty much done nothing with blogging/vlogging. Not that I haven't wanted to - I've had blog and video ideas, I've started putting together content etc only to lose motivation quickly and never end up actually doing anything.

In all honesty, I've been struggling a lot with my mental health lately. My anxiety has gotten a lot worse - despite the fact that I've been pushing myself to get out and have a social life again (and have made some amazing, supportive friends in the process). I've felt pretty down as well and have just been getting stuck in my own head which is not what I should be doing at all. However I have been slowly working on myself, trying to be more comfortable in myself, not being so worried about others and just focusing on what's important to me.

Which brings me to this blog - I've always had some kind of a creative outlet to keep myself occupied and I've really missed having that, so I'm pretty keen to get back into posting on here and also on my Youtube channel. I think I'm probably more interested in blogging than continuing with videos, but I'd still love to upload travel vlogs and other stuff if I really find it interesting - hauls and grwm's honestly just don't interest me anymore and if I'm gonna be doing something I need to actually want to do it, y'know? But yeah, anyway. I don't have a schedule planned, I just want to start posting and get back into the swing of things at the moment, but I'm hoping to post pretty regularly! Content wise, of course I'm still gonna be posting about makeup and fashion but I also want to post more music, life and mental health related content, so hopefully that's something you'll enjoy!

So to those of you who are still here (no idea why but thankyou!) and those of you who have just stumbled upon this seemingly abandoned blog - thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy what's to come!

xx Chontelle

Optically Prescription Lens Sunglasses | Review

Hey guys! Today I've got a special product that I want to talk to you guys about, and as you'll have already figured out from the title, it's these prescription lens sunglasses* from Optically Glasses Australia! I'll be honest, maybe I've been living under a rock, but until I checked out Optically, I had no idea that you could get prescription sunglasses! I was definitely glad to discover you could though, and for such a great price as well - the pair I selected retails for just $47! Of course, the glasses can be purchased as is, but for the glasses-wearers of the world like myself, the prescription lens option is a lifesaver!

The pair I went with were the Opium OP1409 C02 Glasses*, which have both a black frame and blackened lenses - perfect for my monochromatic aesthetic! On picking these up out of their case for the first time, it's obvious that they are really nice quality. These glasses are also so comfortable to wear - I love that they don't give me a headache from long-wear either, unlike many others - and they frame my face perfectly - I almost went with one of the more 'on-trend' rounder shaped pairs of sunglasses, but since my face is quite oblong-oval shaped I find sharper shapes and smaller frames flatter me best (but if you prefer the round glasses you'll be spoiled for choice with Optically, they have an awesome selection of womens glasses to choose from).

For those of you with a bit more money to spend or a taste for 'luxury', you can also pick up some lovely designer glasses from Optically. There's a wide selection of glasses in different styles, colours, and price ranges making it easy to find your perfect pair!

If you don't need prescription lenses then you can go ahead and purchase your glasses and they'll reach you pretty quickly, but of course if you need prescription lenses like me then there will be a short wait between ordering and having the glasses ready and sent out to you. In saying that, I received mine in just 10 days - by comparison, when I usually get new glasses after a visit to the optometrist, I'm looking at 2-3 weeks, so this was a happy surprise!

Honestly guys, if you're looking for some new sunglassess or eyeglasses, I'd highly recommend checking Optically out for some of the best value glasses online!

x Chontelle

5 Reasons To Travel While You're Young!

You don't have any major responsibilities right now. As you get older, graduate, get a full time job, get married and have kids, or whatever path your life takes you - you're going to have a whole lot more responsibilities that'll tie you down. You won't have the same freedom you used to, to just take off and see the world and not have to worry about anything else.

You're never gonna have this much energy again. You're young and full of energy. You've got the freedom now, and you're only gonna get older from here on out. Why waste your youth sitting back home, following the daily grind, bored out of your mind? Take this opportunity to travel to every place on your bucket list. Hiking, swimming, skydiving - whatever it is, this is your chance to be able to do anything you'd like, while you still can!

You can see the world on a students budget. Even if you've recently graduated or aren't studying, you're still eligible for those fab student budget holiday deals on offer. STA Flights, Black Market, Contiki, they all have some amazing flight and tour deals all over the world and a huge portion of them have age restrictions, generally 18-25/30 years of age. Not to mention, you're in ripe condition to go to youth hostels and backpack your way around any continent you like!

You'll grow in ways you never could back home. Travelling is an incredible growth experience that you simply could not have by staying in the same one place. Seeing the world, discovering both yourself and whole new cultures, exploring cities and traditions... all of this will allow you to see the world in a new light. The experiences you have while travelling will change you as a person - for the better - and you'll come back with a refreshed perspective on life. Or maybe, you won't come back - you may fall in love with a new city or a new someone and carve out a new future you'd never have without travel!

If you don't go now, you may never go. Because the truth is, quite often, life gets in the way. There's always a 'what if' or 'but' or 'later', but that's no excuse not to travel. If you can travel now, forget about the 'what if's' and just go. It's now or never!

xx Chontelle Louise