Much Needed Moments

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Instagram Living Pt 11

Sleek Original Palette Guest Post/ LOL...it's true/ Feeling fierce...new hair brings new 'tude/
My first ever makeup tutorial/ Cards/ Holiday blues, evil camel/
Kaleidocolours/ My first feature, thanks Superdrug!/ Amazing lipsticks

August has been an amazing month, I have really enjoyed it!
I cannot believe the year is almost over, let alone the month!
Here's to a fantastic and fun rest of the year.

:)

@NatalieKayO

4

The Good Life

On My Eyes - Make Up Geek Eyeshadow in Envy

I am happy.
It's not very often I can say this but I am happy!
I haven't won the lottery, I am not in love, I haven't even grown taller (shrunk if anything) but I am happy!

I remember back to when I was in university last year and I was miserable, just a mess! I was away from my friends, my family, I had no job, no goals and I was poooooor.

Now?
It's amazing how God can just turn your life around! 
I have so much to be thankful for! I have regained my confidence and now I feel more like Natalie, more like ME and only me.
I have set myself standards, I have not been afraid to make rules, say no or wear what I want to wear.

I think I owe a lot of this to blogging, whereas it is true that blogging has become more of a dog eat dog/it's all business world it is a liberating hobby for those of us who still use their blogs to showcase what they love. 

I've seen DOS and myself grow and to be honest, it's been pretty awesome!
Don't get me wrong there have been some extremely crappy times during this period...I 've met some people who I no longer talk to, I've felt lonely, I've felt ugly, I've felt low but it was all temporary. 
In those moments I had to take time out to pray and ask God to show me the lesson (quickly, mind you) that I was being taught so that I could see that I needed to go through what I was going through.

So why am I making this post?

I dunno, part of me just felt like typing and I guess another part of me wanted to show those of you who are worried about maybe being a bit more personal on a beauty blog, or those of you who are worried about commentors and subbies that that is not what blogging is always about, yeah the comments are amazing, I do love those too, but blogging can be personal too.
It IS about so much more!!
I look at my first ever post on DOS and I can see how I have grown, come out of my shell and ultimately...wait for it...Discovered My Self! 

I know I say this a lot but I am very grateful for all those who have subbed and commented. I do not see you as subbies but as those of you who have been interested in my journey, I've got to know a lot of you, learnt so much and discovered so many new things especially through the amazing F.B.L Chats (Tuesdays at 8pm on Twitter #FBLCHAT, shameless plug!)

I hope this great spell goes on, there is so much in life to look forward to (let's pray a good British summer time is one of them) and so many plans to be made! I feel blessed to be given the opportunity to take full advantage of them!

I hope you guys stay tuned to DOS even if you just have a look in every so often, who knows, the next post just might be a FANTABOLOUS giveaway, hint, hint!

8

Sun, Sea and Sand

Camel watching/OOTD/Sunbathing/

Shisha/Tunisian Dessert/Sunset/

More Sunbathing/Mountains From Up High/Selfie

This Sunday I came back from Tunisia 6 shades darker and feeling relaxed!

I went for 4 days on my own and let me tell you I enjoyed every single day of my vacay!

Above are some shots of what I got up to, to be honest most of my holiday consisted of myself sunbathing so not a lot of pictures. 

Check out that camel, I caught it staring at me one day, I was so scared!

In other news A LOT of exciting posts up and coming for DOS!

I've shopped until I have dropped and have a tonne of new products to review so watch out for my up and coming posts!

If there is a particular product that you would like me to look into or review send me an email (check my 'Contact Me' page) and I will let you know what I can do! :)

I have also hooked myself up with a trusty new cam so clearer pictures and more videos to come! 

I would film now but alas, falling asleep in the sun with sunglasses on leads to your whole face tanning sans your eye area...I am now the owner of a very obvious two toned face. Sigh.

Also guys keep an eye out on DOS, I'm launching my second ever giveaway next month!

I have some very exciting beauty goodies to give away!

10

Instagram Living Pt 7

Saturday Night OOTN/ TBT- Baby Miss DOS/ My 25th Birthday Face/
Craving!/Hummingbird Red Velvets...YUM/Sasha/
My brother from another mother/Base Face/TBT - My P.I.C

@NatalieKayO

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Instagram Living Pt 6

Birthday Drinks/TBT My First Ever Radio Award/Graduation/
DOS 2nd Birthday/Exxxagerate/New Buys/
NYX Shocking Pink/Wise words from Mr T.D Jakes/Double Trouble ;)

@NatalieKayo



4

25 Facts...

1. I was named after the actress Natalie Wood

2. My dad wanted to call me Belinda, his suggestion was swiftly ignored by my mother.

3. I am 100% Ghanaian however I cannot speak any of the Ghanaian languages.

4. I was born in Essex. (Insert TOWIE joke here.)

5. I own a dog.  He is a cute, chubby lil corgi called Dexter.

6. 4 years ago I weighed 17 stone.

7. I swear...quite a lot, what can you do eh? London is a difficult place.

8. I've been to 4 universities.

9. I have one older brother and one half brother whom I have never met

10. I am  developing a strong desire to be a train driver.

11. I have never had a boyfriend

12. I am 5ft 2 and a half . I like being short.

13. I cannot talk to males that I find attractive, which would probably tie in with fact 11.

14. I've been to three concerts, albeit intimate venues, on my own.

15. I am very opinionated. It's a hinderance.

16. I cannot drive...my oyster card is my best and most expensive friend.

17. Although I love my friends and family to death I am an avid lover of my own company.

18. When I was younger I was given a snowman pyjama holder, (which doubled as my comforter.) I named him Kevin. He stayed with me for a long ass time until I accidentally left him at my dad's house and he went missing. I mourn him almost daily. *solitary tear*

19. Ginuwine once serenaded me with a verse from In Those Jeans. I fell in love INSTANTLY.

20. I am sometimes convinced that when I am on the train the person sitting opposite me can read my mind.

21. I make, what can only be called, rash decisions in life on a daily basis. I am not one of those think about it for days types. I'm ashamed to say it but I sometimes live the YOLO lifestyle :(

22. I collect make up.  Just because. I think this is what people call an 'addiction.'

23. I  love romance. THERE! I SAID IT! AND WHAT? *hard face*

24. I used to have a solid creative streak in my teen years. I went through an art phase as well as a literature phase. Both have now abandoned me. :'(

25. Discoveries Of Self  is now officially 2 years old!  I am truly grateful to everybody who has supported DOS by subbing, reading, commenting, nominating for blogger awards and adding to favourites. The response from my blog is something that always bowls me over. I feel overly privileged to be a part of the blogging community! Thank you to everyone who gave DOS a chance! I'm very blessed!

12

Graduation

Dress: Dorothy Perkins

If you follow me on Instagram you will have seen what I got up to this Tuesday.

I attended my graduation ceremony!

I passed my course in July however I missed the summer graduation so went to the January ceremony instead.

IT. WAS. COLD!!!!

But mama was proud and that was the main thing!

All in all the day was slightly stressful, travelling by train to Leicester and back again with your family whilst trying to get to places on time is not the most enjoyable task in the world.

I can't deny it though, I did feel a sense of pride. I had finally completed something even if it was 3 years later than the rest of my friends.

University was perhaps one of the most challenging part of my life to date.

I found it hard being away from my friends, being over 21 and not making the same choices in life that my friends were, essentially I still felt like a child whilst being at university, a trapped child.

But I knew I had to persevere and with the help of my immediate family and close friends (aka extended family) 

I made it and I am VERY happy!

I want to take another moment to announce another small victory. My graduation dress was a size 10! 

For someone who used to wear a size 22, I feel as though I am winning this year!

I am truly blessed!

6

Change

This week has been an absolute whirlwind, I have barely had time to catch my breath.

2012 seems to be a year of huge changes.

I've never been too good with change so I'm finding it slightly difficult to cope but I am trying hard, I've felt so blessed this year, it has been unbelievable! 

In my last post I was feeling sorry for myself, my job was coming to an end and I had nothing to look forward to except weeks/months of unemployment.

In the space of 24 hours that all changed,

to cut a long story short, I am on my way to getting a full time job and I am now back on radio with my own show!

I'm not going to lie, I am scared shitless...the responsibility is HUGE, I have contemplated just giving it all up on various occasions but that would be way too easy.

So I am just taking each day as it comes in life.

This week I felt as though I had taken a few steps back with my life by engaging with people who are not good for me spiritually or mentally but God always has your lessons lined up for you, I've learnt, and I now know that I must close the door on them and look forward.

I'm excited and nervous and scared all at the same time about everything, lol, but I know I am blessed so I can't go wrong.

One of my friends posted this quote by Lao Tzu on Instagram which I thought was quite fitting:

"If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present."

I totally agree!

In other news if you are a regular reader of DOS you would have noticed the change to my layout which was done by the gorgeous Gillian of Elevator Musik.

I'm absolutely loving it, it makes my blog an easier read, that paired with my new cam means that posts will be a lil bit more effective visually.

You will also see that I am creating more beauty based posts, this blog was not intentionally made for beauty but it is something that I am beginning to develop an interest in and it feels comfortable to me so please stay tuned for more beauty posts! 

Anything you want to suggest that I review or try out please feel free to leave a comment below or email me: 

discoveriesofself@gmail.com

I have some posts coming up on new buys and hopefully another video! 

I am now on YouTube, you can find my channel HERE

In the mean time I wanted to show a sneak peek of my new buys!

This gorgeous head chain and M.A.C Runaway Red Lipstick! 

(The nose ring is fake, mama would kill me if it was real!!!)

Can we also all take a moment to just droool over the amazingness of Solange's new song, the video, the fashion, the song, her dancing, EVERYTHING IS GIVING ME LIFE!!!

It's been on repeat for literally EVER today!!!

Before I sign off for another post,  I wanted to say thank you and hello to new subbies and old and thanks to every one who has commented! I read everyone and respond to them all. Your support and interaction means a lot to me! :) xxx

18

Instagram Living

Blue Skies/ Baking/ My Fav Ice Cream/
Bowling...I lost/ My Tumblr/Double Denim Days! I love these days!/Shots with old friends/
My Glossybox...really impressed!/My Ebay "Marantz"/My New Favourite Drink/ Sushi Lunch/
Radio/Yum Yums...MMM/ Musiq Soulchild making my YEAR!/ My dog looking too cool for school/
My 'last day of university' celebration/ Inspiration ceiling tiles/ My face/ Grazing!/
Purple Smokey Eye/ My Childhood

@NatalieKayO

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