It's my birthday - gifts and reflection

Last Sunday, the third of February was my 16th birthday. Yes, you read that correctly.

I imagine some of you might find this, uh, surprising. I've not given an indication of my age anywhere on this blog and there were a couple of reasons for doing so.

When I first started up this blog I had no idea what the beauty blogging community would be like, or even that there was such thing as a community here online. I was 99% sure that my blog would never get past about 50 or so followers, and I was absolutely certain that I was going to get a whole load of negativity and criticism (so were my hesitant parents who were really not sure about the whole prospect of starting a blog).

Thankfully, neither of those things have happened and I have become completely addicted to blogging in every way. I've also had some PR interest which still blows my mind (a huge company wanting to send a teenage girl free things just because she has a little space on the web?!) and that too has made me hesitant to reveal my age, because I fear that as soon as they know they won't take me seriously or consider me capable of writing a decent post. Well I think I have proven myself worthy - I am the sole person who runs this blog, creates all the posts, takes all the pictures and comments on everyone else's blogs. I am the one who responds to your emails, the one who organises all the details about shipping, drafts, posting dates and who outlines all the policies I have on my blog. I am the one who runs this, and though I may be little I think I do an alright job.

I hope to all of you lovely followers that you understand that I was never trying to deceive you, trick you or 'betray' you in any way. I'm not sure how old you thought I was (I would be interested in finding out if you could let me know!) but I am 16 and I started way back when I was only 14 (hence the dodgy nature of my earlier posts!).

If you have a problem with this, I would appreciate if you stopped reading my posts as opposed to left a barrage of hate mail (not that I actually think any of you would do that). If you are PR and this post has made you change your mind about wanting to work with me and my blog, please remember that I have written countless posts on products sent from Face of Australia, Wotnot, Jamberry Nails, Catalina Geo, Alina, Santorini Sun and Femme Fatale and that you knowing my age doesn't change my ability to organise reviews and write a decent post!

Anyway, with all that out of the way, here are some of the things that I received for my birthday! The majority of them aren't beauty related at all, but I guess since this post seems to be about letting you in on my life a little bit I may as well show you more of who I am!

Beauty is one of those things that I am not known for. Close friends and family are aware of my, uh, obsession with makeup related things, but my peers and classmates would not at all suspect studious, science-loving, book-reading me to be into beauty related things. In fact they would be very shocked.

For my birthday I was blessed to receive some lovely, lovely gifts.

From my parents I was given a gym membership which I am ridiculously excited about! The only thing I like is the treadmill so I cannot wait!

From my friends I received a gorgeous bracelet, jewellery, books, (how cool is this) a giant periodic table for my science-loving side (I am studying Chemistry and Biology this year so I am sure it shall come in handy!) and one of those pin art things. As a child I was always so jealous of those who owned a pin art toy and so for my 16th a good friend so kindly bought one for me!

As I received some money from the relatives, I treated myself to an eyeshadow palette from Inglot, and oh my goodness, I am in love! I will be posting more about that soon!

As you know, I also won THREE giveaways in January,so that was basically like a massive birthday present.

Last but certainly not least is the fact that I got my learners permit and am now learning to drive!

Thank you all for supporting me and my blog over the past couple of years as I've been learning about blogging and beauty!