Available here for £15.80.
14.2.13
Workspace: Cherry Wood Phone Stand
12.2.13
Love: The Alternative Valentine's Day
I am no big fan of Valentine's Day. The last thing of note I did on Valentine's Day was two years ago when I split up with my ex, so you can probably gather I'm not really the card and chocolates type!
When I was younger though, it seemed like the most depressing thing not to be going on a romantic date, getting a card from a secret admirer (there was no secret about the fact that there were no admirers!) or generally getting to do anything other than watch a slasher movie with girlfriends whilst talking about what idiots boys are anyway.
If you're spending Valentine's Day with yourself - I'm not having any of that negative 'on my own' nonsense around here, if you don't mind! - here are my tips for the best alternative Valentine's Day money and the internet can provide!
1. Who needs real men when you can have...a pocket manfriend!
Seriously, I think these are the most hilarious things in the world. We all know somebody who's desperate to find the perfect guy, so why not get her one of these for a giggle?
The very talented Nicola Rowlands, who also hails from Manchester, has designed these hilarious portable chaps which you can 'take anywhere for moral support'. I think I might need to get one just to take him into big meetings, put him on the table in front of me without saying a word, and having everyone think I've gone totally nuts.
It's hard to choose, but I think Ray is my favourite. I love a good ginger beard.
2. Do a Carrie and Miranda
...and go out for a 'romantic' meal with a friend. Preferably, don't get into a huge fight about said friend's life choices, but don't feel like the world is off limits to everyone but couples. Go to your favourite place, order something delicious and laugh about disastrous dates, bad boyfriends and realise being single isn't so bad after all.
3. If you want to stay in and eat junk food, luxe it up!
That big bar of Dairy Milk isn't for today. Oh no, tonight you're spoiling yourself. Light some candles, slip into your most glamorous onesie, and crack open the Haagen Dazs. Mini bottle of champagne calling to you? Who are you to resist! If you're going to indulge, do it in style.
4. Realise it's not all bad
Apparently, requests for divorce lawyers in the US go up by 40% in mid-February, so if you're single, at least you're saving on legal fees!
5. If you're all loved up, enjoy it!
After all, some of us will be at home watching Psycho in a giant romper suit...ahem.
**What are your Valentine's plans? And most importantly, who is your favourite pocket manfriend?! I want to know which of these handsome chaps is your dream date!!**
When I was younger though, it seemed like the most depressing thing not to be going on a romantic date, getting a card from a secret admirer (there was no secret about the fact that there were no admirers!) or generally getting to do anything other than watch a slasher movie with girlfriends whilst talking about what idiots boys are anyway.
If you're spending Valentine's Day with yourself - I'm not having any of that negative 'on my own' nonsense around here, if you don't mind! - here are my tips for the best alternative Valentine's Day money and the internet can provide!
1. Who needs real men when you can have...a pocket manfriend!
Seriously, I think these are the most hilarious things in the world. We all know somebody who's desperate to find the perfect guy, so why not get her one of these for a giggle?
 |
| Available from Etsy here |
It's hard to choose, but I think Ray is my favourite. I love a good ginger beard.
2. Do a Carrie and Miranda
...and go out for a 'romantic' meal with a friend. Preferably, don't get into a huge fight about said friend's life choices, but don't feel like the world is off limits to everyone but couples. Go to your favourite place, order something delicious and laugh about disastrous dates, bad boyfriends and realise being single isn't so bad after all.
3. If you want to stay in and eat junk food, luxe it up!
That big bar of Dairy Milk isn't for today. Oh no, tonight you're spoiling yourself. Light some candles, slip into your most glamorous onesie, and crack open the Haagen Dazs. Mini bottle of champagne calling to you? Who are you to resist! If you're going to indulge, do it in style.
4. Realise it's not all bad
Apparently, requests for divorce lawyers in the US go up by 40% in mid-February, so if you're single, at least you're saving on legal fees!
5. If you're all loved up, enjoy it!
After all, some of us will be at home watching Psycho in a giant romper suit...ahem.
**What are your Valentine's plans? And most importantly, who is your favourite pocket manfriend?! I want to know which of these handsome chaps is your dream date!!**
11.2.13
Life: A Bit About Me
After discovering lots of new blogs on Sunday night's #bbloggers, I realised that I don't do the one thing I really like about other people's blogs: that is, share *anything* about my life! I realised that the blogs I like the most are the ones where you have a sense of who the author is, their likes and dislikes (not just beauty product-related!), and it's what keeps me coming back to my favourite blogs. I, on the other hand, just write about the things I like, so maybe it's time to introduce a bit more of who I am and what I get up to.
And if this post gets no hits, I'll just quietly wind it down like it never happened... :)
So let's start. Here I am, wearing a silly hat which I loved but everyone I know thought was totally ridiculous. I got rid of it, but here it is for one final outing!
I have thus far been a bit nervous about posting personal pictures on here, but given that there are apparently 361,000,000 beauty blogs, the likelihood of anyone that I work with stumbling on my tiny corner of the internet is something close to impossible. With that in mind, let's get on to the detail. I'm Rachel, age 30, a northern girl who works full time in health policy and lives in south London. I'm an only child, a big football fan (Manchester United, if you're interested), and it goes without saying, a beauty product junkie. I set this blog up almost three years ago and am only just getting into regular posting and getting properly involved in the blogging community. Interacting more with my fellow bloggers and readers has made the blogging process infinitely more fulfilling, and it's on that basis that I'm pushing the boundaries of my blog content a little more!
The past two years have been a bit of a rollercoaster of self-discovery - splitting up from my ex who I lived with and realising that I was living a life that didn't make me especially happy has meant I've brought in some big changes. I've let go of my all-consuming work ambitions, learned to relax and focus on enjoying the simple pleasures in life. It's been a long road, but hugely beneficial. I'll be talking more about this in a new series soon (assuming you're not all already asleep!) A healthier approach to eating, running, yoga and meditation are all now part of my routine and I feel the happiest I've ever felt. I'm lucky enough to have some incredibly special people around me who've helped me on this journey and taught me to let go of the control and just be. Again, I'm hoping that can start to translate into what's written here.
So, what else might you want to know? Here are some random facts:
1. If it's a sunny day, you will, at some point, find me taking a picture of the sky. I absolutely adore the sun, and have a bizarrely huge collection of sky photos, which I one day plan on getting printed. Read the same for sunrises, sunsets and rainbows. I can't help myself.
2. When I love a book, I stop reading it close to the end
This is a really peculiar habit of mine, but there have been a few books that I have been so utterly in love with that I haven't wanted them to end! 1Q84 by Haruki Marakami, The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov and The Lord of the Rings have all had this treatment. I put them down and it can be months before I start them again. I always get there in the end, but sometimes, I like to delay the pleasure. This has rubbed off onto my TV habits, and I refuse to finish Twin Peaks and Arrested Development knowing that once I've seen them all, they're officially over! Weird, I know :)
3. I'm ticklish everywhere
I was tickled on my face last week and collapsed into hysterics. There are some who know this is a weakness to be exploited!
4. I am on a diet to gain weight
Yep, you read that right. I'm working really hard to put on about 14lbs, and so far, have achieved half of that target. I've spent most of my life as a tiny size six and gaining weight has always been really difficult for me (not because of an eating disorder; just because it doesn't seem to stick!). It's taking me a long time, but I'm determined to get some meat on these bones, and so far, I'm delighted with the change it's made to my body. I've stopped running in the short term, so I'm building up to a routine that enables me to keep gaining weight and maintain my fitness. Once I'm closer to that goal, I'm aiming to start writing a separate blog that will hopefully help other people in the same position.
5. I want to travel more
Last year, I took my first two week holiday since University (yep, that's nine years, folks!). Now that my work obsession has slipped into the past, I want to make the most of my annual leave and start seeing the world. Top of my list is a trip back to New York, maybe followed by a road trip across the US (although I need to make sure I take someone who can drive as I don't have my license yet!). I'm a huge Man vs Food fan and I have several diners on my list to visit!
6. I'm a full makeup rather than an au natural girl
It wouldn't occur to me to leave the house without at least a bit of makeup. I'm not vain but being a bit of a pale ginger, I definitely look more human with it than without it! I don't tend to wear foundation, and if I were only allowed three products, they would be concealer, mascara and blush. I've inherited my beauty habits from my Mum and Nana, both of whom had routines that had me captivated from a young age. Watching my Nana apply her brow pencil every morning and my Mum spritz her Rive Gauche perfume (evidence that I was a child of the 80s!) before she went out always left me excited for the day that I could play dress up every day, too.
I hope that's not been too boring a post. I've actually really enjoyed writing it! Do you like these kind of personal posts or do you just want more reviews?! As always, your comments really mean a lot, so do let me know your thoughts
x
And if this post gets no hits, I'll just quietly wind it down like it never happened... :)
So let's start. Here I am, wearing a silly hat which I loved but everyone I know thought was totally ridiculous. I got rid of it, but here it is for one final outing!
I have thus far been a bit nervous about posting personal pictures on here, but given that there are apparently 361,000,000 beauty blogs, the likelihood of anyone that I work with stumbling on my tiny corner of the internet is something close to impossible. With that in mind, let's get on to the detail. I'm Rachel, age 30, a northern girl who works full time in health policy and lives in south London. I'm an only child, a big football fan (Manchester United, if you're interested), and it goes without saying, a beauty product junkie. I set this blog up almost three years ago and am only just getting into regular posting and getting properly involved in the blogging community. Interacting more with my fellow bloggers and readers has made the blogging process infinitely more fulfilling, and it's on that basis that I'm pushing the boundaries of my blog content a little more!
The past two years have been a bit of a rollercoaster of self-discovery - splitting up from my ex who I lived with and realising that I was living a life that didn't make me especially happy has meant I've brought in some big changes. I've let go of my all-consuming work ambitions, learned to relax and focus on enjoying the simple pleasures in life. It's been a long road, but hugely beneficial. I'll be talking more about this in a new series soon (assuming you're not all already asleep!) A healthier approach to eating, running, yoga and meditation are all now part of my routine and I feel the happiest I've ever felt. I'm lucky enough to have some incredibly special people around me who've helped me on this journey and taught me to let go of the control and just be. Again, I'm hoping that can start to translate into what's written here.
So, what else might you want to know? Here are some random facts:
1. If it's a sunny day, you will, at some point, find me taking a picture of the sky. I absolutely adore the sun, and have a bizarrely huge collection of sky photos, which I one day plan on getting printed. Read the same for sunrises, sunsets and rainbows. I can't help myself.
 |
| Sunbathing in Grosvenor Square, W1 |
 |
| Sunset from Frank's bar, Peckham Rye, which has one of the most incredible views over London |
 |
| A rainy day rainbow from my window |
 |
| Sunset, as seen from my bedroom |
This is a really peculiar habit of mine, but there have been a few books that I have been so utterly in love with that I haven't wanted them to end! 1Q84 by Haruki Marakami, The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov and The Lord of the Rings have all had this treatment. I put them down and it can be months before I start them again. I always get there in the end, but sometimes, I like to delay the pleasure. This has rubbed off onto my TV habits, and I refuse to finish Twin Peaks and Arrested Development knowing that once I've seen them all, they're officially over! Weird, I know :)
3. I'm ticklish everywhere
I was tickled on my face last week and collapsed into hysterics. There are some who know this is a weakness to be exploited!
4. I am on a diet to gain weight
Yep, you read that right. I'm working really hard to put on about 14lbs, and so far, have achieved half of that target. I've spent most of my life as a tiny size six and gaining weight has always been really difficult for me (not because of an eating disorder; just because it doesn't seem to stick!). It's taking me a long time, but I'm determined to get some meat on these bones, and so far, I'm delighted with the change it's made to my body. I've stopped running in the short term, so I'm building up to a routine that enables me to keep gaining weight and maintain my fitness. Once I'm closer to that goal, I'm aiming to start writing a separate blog that will hopefully help other people in the same position.
5. I want to travel more
Last year, I took my first two week holiday since University (yep, that's nine years, folks!). Now that my work obsession has slipped into the past, I want to make the most of my annual leave and start seeing the world. Top of my list is a trip back to New York, maybe followed by a road trip across the US (although I need to make sure I take someone who can drive as I don't have my license yet!). I'm a huge Man vs Food fan and I have several diners on my list to visit!
6. I'm a full makeup rather than an au natural girl
It wouldn't occur to me to leave the house without at least a bit of makeup. I'm not vain but being a bit of a pale ginger, I definitely look more human with it than without it! I don't tend to wear foundation, and if I were only allowed three products, they would be concealer, mascara and blush. I've inherited my beauty habits from my Mum and Nana, both of whom had routines that had me captivated from a young age. Watching my Nana apply her brow pencil every morning and my Mum spritz her Rive Gauche perfume (evidence that I was a child of the 80s!) before she went out always left me excited for the day that I could play dress up every day, too.
I hope that's not been too boring a post. I've actually really enjoyed writing it! Do you like these kind of personal posts or do you just want more reviews?! As always, your comments really mean a lot, so do let me know your thoughts
x
10.2.13
Offer: 20% off at Cult Beauty
I'm not normally one for posting about discounts but the fabulous Cult Beauty has 20 per cent off until midnight (GMT) on Tuesday 12 February and the site carries some of my all time favourite brands. It would be rude not to take advantage!
I'll be stocking up on some of my favourite shampoo and conditioner, what is, in my opinion, the best cleansing and moisturising masks out there by a certain spa brand and sampling some of the Rose Otto range from REN. I'm also really tempted to try some of the Perricone MD range - it all looks so amazing!
What's your favourite Cult Beauty buy? Shop their selection here.
9.2.13
Beauty: Brows
I have a bit of an obsession with eyebrows and two in particular...
 |
| tumblr.com |
Aren't they amazing? Cara Delevigne has been my eyebrow poster girl for many years now, but beyond getting some new ones transplanted (yep, they do that now - scary), I'd never really thought about changing my natural shape until I came across this Michelle Phan video and was stunned at just how easily her look was altered with just a few tweaks to her brow makeup. The first look in the video, The Audrey, is what I've been using the create Cara brows, and I'm delighted with the results! It's definitely what I'll be doing until I go back to get this done!
Which is your favourite look from the video?
** If you liked this post, please subscribe via Google Friend Connect at the top of the page :) **
** If you liked this post, please subscribe via Google Friend Connect at the top of the page :) **
4.2.13
Style: Mood boards
One of my favourite rainy day activities is to make a mood board: perhaps it's a hangover from craft hour as a child. I find nothing more soothing than combing through the stacks of magazines I have at home to clip and curate gorgeous images to help keep me inspired.
The picture below is one I made before my 30th birthday in August when I felt I needed to make some kind of style declaration. Unsurprisingly, it's the same kind of theme I always go for: proof that we don't change that much despite our advancing years!
With so much choice out there and, for most of us, limited budgets, mood boards really help to keep your style focused and stop you going too far off piste with those occasional random pieces that have, at some point, found their way into all of our wardrobes (I'm thinking of the black and white striped blazer I bought a couple of years ago...) Whether it's for a special event or just a bit of a style makeover, they're the perfect way to work out what you really love.
I love using Pinterest as a starting point for building a new look or getting inspiration for an interiors project, but nothing will ever beat my Muji A4 pad for a bit of cutting and sticking action!
Do you make mood boards or are you inspired to start?
** If you liked this post, please subscribe at the top of the page for more of the same! xx **
31.1.13
Beauty: Seventeen Doll'd Up Mascara and 3-Way Liner
Has anyone else been obsessing about three-dot liners, yet finding themselves unable to justify the Clarins investment? I mean, can't we make do with a bit of eyeshadow underneath our eyes or a bit of smudgy kohl? Do we really need an eyeliner that fills in the gaps at the base of our lashes?
Yes. Yes we do.
After reading a few reviews of the Clarins and Bourjois products, and contemplated why I was so late to the party, I emerged from the tube and walked zombie-like into Boots. I wasn't thinking especially clearly, I was just compelled to buy. The Bourjois one was nowhere to be seen. A little dejected that an investment in something that I was pretty sure I didn't really need but had to have was required, I walked back toward the door and the Clarins counter when something caught my eye. I needed to repurchase the Seventeen BB cream (now with SPF 25 - well done, that brand!) and there in front of me was a three dot liner, free with purchase of Seventeen's new Doll'd Up mascara. I don't need mascara. I never need mascara. Did I care? No way. Nothing would stand between me and my three dot liner. Off I went to the till and the rest is happy history.
Firstly, Seventeen have been extremely canny here. There is huge hype surrounding these liners, and yet this one is currently only available when purchased with the mascara. Would I ever have considered buying a Seventeen mascara? Not a chance. Rimmel and Maybelline launch something new and I'm all over it, yet a Seventeen launch would easily pass me by. Also, note that I'm writing Seventeen rather than 17. A stealthy re-branding has been happening over the past year and the culmination is some pretty covetable and accessible products. It's a lot more than can be said of when I was a teenager! (Blue eyeshadow and orange foundation, anyone?)
So, what do I think of them? The three-dot liner is, without doubt, one of the greatest makeup inventions of my lifetime (I don't overestimate, I promise!) Dotted along the lashline, it gives subtle definition, but that definition is so perfect in its subtlety that it's somewhere close to mind-boggling. Why hasn't this been thought of before? Full on black eyeliner seems too harsh for the day (apologies to the sisters Middleton) but these dots makes eyes look wide awake and perfectly made up. It's also entirely fool proof, and having applied on a bumpy tube, I still emerged with it looking perfect. How many of us could say the same for our favourite gel or liquid liners? And it lasts all day. Please, don't anybody wake me up from this eyeliner dream. Oh, you can also draw lines with it, but if you ask me, all you need is dots.
And the mascara? Colour me surprised (and colour my lashes a lovely black!). I have recently consigned an Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme to my 'maybe I'll use this again one day but probably never will' drawer due to it's propensity to clump and a new Clinique mascara that looked great on my Mum is sadly lacking for me. Doll'd Up? I've worn it every day since I got it. It's a fantastic daytime mascara - lashes are lengthened, gently curled, and you can build it up without it clumping. I'd want a little more drama for night, but this is perfect for daytime, and you know, I wouldn't hesitate to try whatever they put out next.
Finally, a plea. Seventeen: whatever you do, make the Doll'd Up 3-way liner a part of your range. Let us buy it for years to come. And moreover, keep doing what you're doing. It's fantastic.
Doll'd Up is available now in Boots for £6.29 with the 3-way liner free with purchase. Now you've finished reading, go forth and buy!
** Your comments and subscriptions mean so much to me. If you're not already a follower, pop up to the top of the page and follow via Google Friend Connect so I can discover your blog, too! **
Yes. Yes we do.
After reading a few reviews of the Clarins and Bourjois products, and contemplated why I was so late to the party, I emerged from the tube and walked zombie-like into Boots. I wasn't thinking especially clearly, I was just compelled to buy. The Bourjois one was nowhere to be seen. A little dejected that an investment in something that I was pretty sure I didn't really need but had to have was required, I walked back toward the door and the Clarins counter when something caught my eye. I needed to repurchase the Seventeen BB cream (now with SPF 25 - well done, that brand!) and there in front of me was a three dot liner, free with purchase of Seventeen's new Doll'd Up mascara. I don't need mascara. I never need mascara. Did I care? No way. Nothing would stand between me and my three dot liner. Off I went to the till and the rest is happy history.
Firstly, Seventeen have been extremely canny here. There is huge hype surrounding these liners, and yet this one is currently only available when purchased with the mascara. Would I ever have considered buying a Seventeen mascara? Not a chance. Rimmel and Maybelline launch something new and I'm all over it, yet a Seventeen launch would easily pass me by. Also, note that I'm writing Seventeen rather than 17. A stealthy re-branding has been happening over the past year and the culmination is some pretty covetable and accessible products. It's a lot more than can be said of when I was a teenager! (Blue eyeshadow and orange foundation, anyone?)
So, what do I think of them? The three-dot liner is, without doubt, one of the greatest makeup inventions of my lifetime (I don't overestimate, I promise!) Dotted along the lashline, it gives subtle definition, but that definition is so perfect in its subtlety that it's somewhere close to mind-boggling. Why hasn't this been thought of before? Full on black eyeliner seems too harsh for the day (apologies to the sisters Middleton) but these dots makes eyes look wide awake and perfectly made up. It's also entirely fool proof, and having applied on a bumpy tube, I still emerged with it looking perfect. How many of us could say the same for our favourite gel or liquid liners? And it lasts all day. Please, don't anybody wake me up from this eyeliner dream. Oh, you can also draw lines with it, but if you ask me, all you need is dots.
And the mascara? Colour me surprised (and colour my lashes a lovely black!). I have recently consigned an Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme to my 'maybe I'll use this again one day but probably never will' drawer due to it's propensity to clump and a new Clinique mascara that looked great on my Mum is sadly lacking for me. Doll'd Up? I've worn it every day since I got it. It's a fantastic daytime mascara - lashes are lengthened, gently curled, and you can build it up without it clumping. I'd want a little more drama for night, but this is perfect for daytime, and you know, I wouldn't hesitate to try whatever they put out next.
Finally, a plea. Seventeen: whatever you do, make the Doll'd Up 3-way liner a part of your range. Let us buy it for years to come. And moreover, keep doing what you're doing. It's fantastic.
** Your comments and subscriptions mean so much to me. If you're not already a follower, pop up to the top of the page and follow via Google Friend Connect so I can discover your blog, too! **
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