Monday Motivation #15

It’s the small things that make me smile! It really is. I came across this quote the other day and it really touched me. I love it when someone remembers my name, or something I may have mentioned a while back and they care to ask about it. I try hard to do this to do this when it comes to others, I think its touching, caring and makes people feel valued.

Book Club: Q & A with Lindsey Kelk

I am ridiculously excited to bring you this post today. Lindsey Kelk is one of my favourite authors and she kindly agreed to do a Q & A for the blog, talking about her books and beauty, my fave subjects! I have read all Lindsey books and she manages to create a fab balance of romance and comedy. If you've not read her ‘I Heart...’ series, I seriously recommend you check it out. Lindsey also lives in New York and is a big fan of WWE. I defy you not to like this woman!

 

 

 

You live in New York, What made you move there?

I loved the city and from the first time I visited for work, I knew I wanted to move but couldn’t see a way how. Happily, a job came up within my company and I got the opportunity to move. Now I write fulltime and am applying for a green card. I can’t imagine living anywhere else, the city makes me myself.

Where is your favourite place in NYC?

I live in Brooklyn and I love, love, love just being in my apartment. I’m close enough to Prospect Park to see some trees from time to time but near enough to the subway that I can be anywhere I need to be in half an hour. Other than that, my go to spots are mostly downtown, brunch in the West Village, drinks in the East Village, dancing in Williamsburg. If I’m in a bit of a mood, I search out a view. I love the waterfront in Williamsburg and often pop down to Battery Park to stare at the Statue of Liberty. Sorts me right out.

What’s your favourite US beauty buy that you just can’t get in the UK?

I’m not sure there actually is one – I’m far more likely to buy up Bourjois and Boots 17 these days! That said, I love NYC for manicures, they’re so cheap and so available. I’ve turned into a bit of a madam about them.

What’s the one thing you most miss about the UK?

My friends and the prices in Topshop. Everything is double here!

What’s the best thing about being a writer?

There are so many amazing things about being able to do what I love and tell stories for a living but if I step away and look at the bigger picture, it’s got to be that what I do makes people happy. Can’t argue with that.

What inspires you and where do you get your writing ideas from?

Everything and everywhere. I’m a big fan of women and I think we’re living in such an interesting time right now, so much is changing and we’re dealing with a lot of new stuff that previous generations haven’t had to think about. The burden of choice. I find a lot of inspiration in friendships – even though a lot of the focus on my books ends up being about the romance, the friendships and personal growth of the characters is what concerns me the most when I’m writing.

Of all your books, which one is your favourite?

It changes all the time. I love I Heart New York because it was the first, I really like Paris because I think it’s a good story. Vegas is fun because it reminds me of my trips to Vegas and now I’ve got some distance from it, I love About A Girl. It was hard to write but I think it’s good. I never think my books are good. Hopefully that’s a positive sign!

Which one of your characters, from all the books you’ve written, are you most like?

I’m like all of them. The girls, the boys, the bitches and the doormats. There’s definitely part of me in every character or part of every character in me. Upsettingly, it’s often the flaws I identify with the most but that’s probably why I write a way out of them for the characters! I’m easily as terrible at communicating as Angela, I can be as domineering and psych 101 as Jenny and I’m as useless at getting what I want from a relationship as Tess. Rachel was pretty together although I’ve floundered in dying relationships too. They’re all in there.

Your new book which is out in July, About a Girl, is about Tess, who to escapes her life pretends to be someone else. Have you ever done that?

No! I wouldn’t have the balls. When I moved to New York, I thought I was super cool and was going to live in Hipsterville and run with all these cool kids in bands but after a couple of months, I just wanted to go home, have a cup of tea and put on a Buffy boxset. I’m set as who I am and I’m pretty happy with it.

If you could pretend to be someone else, and get away with it, who would you be?

Beyonce. Which would be interesting.

About a Girl is set in Hawaii, where is your favourite sunshine destination?

Hawaii. It was amazing. I’ve never been a beach person and writing about a sunshine destination was a big test for me. Before I got to Oahu, I was really struggling with the book, I just couldn’t make it come alive but as soon as I landed, I fell in love. Everything fell into place after that. I’m constantly scheming to go back but I have no time!

Is it true, this book is part of a new series?

It is. The second book will be out next summer.

What are your favourite things to do when you’re not writing?

Sleep, sleep and sleep. And once I’m awake, it’s definitely hang out with my friends. I can actually feel myself recharging every second that I’m with them, it really doesn’t matter where. I love to travel and I’ve managed to pick up some pretty awesome people everywhere I’ve been so I try to get around and see everyone. I also love music so I go to as many gigs as I can, not that many these days, I love to dance and I love to practise yoga. I’m getting better but I still can’t stand on my head!

What’s your top 3 can’t live without beauty products?

Benefit They’re Real mascara, Maybelline Dark Circle Eraser concealer and Dior Lip Glow balm.

What’s the most expensive product you’ve ever purchased?

My Mulberry Alexa bag. I got it in duty free when I was delayed and convinced myself it was a bargain then nearly threw up on the plane. I use it all the time though!

What’s your top beauty trick or tip you can share with our readers?

I don’t really have any secret tips but I cannot pass up an opportunity to tell people to use sunscreen. I’m always getting compliments on my skin and it’s ALL SUNSCREEN. I wear it every day. Do it, people!

Can you tell us a secret about ‘I heart Christmas’?

Someone has a baby…

 

Lindsey’s latest offering ‘About a Girl’ will be available from the 4^th July. I’ve pre-ordered my copy, have you?

Review: Topshop Lip Bullets

Red lips seem to be having a major moment, as I normally go for pinks and coral shades, red seems a bit more out there for me. However, never being one to shy away I thought I would take the plunge and start experimenting with reds.

Coinciding with this Topshop have released their Lip Bullets (can you see where we are going with this... I am amazing at talking myself into buying new products, any excuse!) I’m already a huge fan of Topshop’s lipsticks and they come in a range of gorgeous shades and stay on forever!

 

I decided to go for the ‘Joyride’ Lip Bullet which is a gorgeous bright red. I found it easy to apply and its quite moisturising, a bit of a cross between a lipstick and a lip gloss. It left a lovely sheen and finish.

 

I think I may have actually converted to being a bit of a fan of red lips! I love the colour and think it kind of suits me.

The only ‘meh’ point I have about this product is that you need to keep reapplying constantly. It’s not very long wearing which is a shame.

Review: Barry M Nail Art Pens

I suffer from severe nail art envy! I often see some fantastic designs and wish I was artistic enough to give it ago. With lots of fab products available now, I decided to embrace the trend and invested in two Barry M Nail Art Pens in Black and Silver.

Deciding on an Aztec design I went for a neutral base, painting my nails in ‘Ambitious’ by Me Me Me. As a novice I chose to use the pens on just a couple of my nails on each hand. I was really surprised by how easy the nail art pens were to use. It was just like using a normal pen and the nib created a fine line. My only issue with this product in terms of application was that I’m right handed so doing the left hand was fine, but trying to do detail on the right one with my left hand proved difficult!

The silver pen didn’t show up very well, but I think this was due to the base polish I used. I think it might look really cool on a navy or black base which I will definitely be giving a try.

I imagine the more you use this product the more confident you get and the better it looks. The only downer I have to say about these nail art pens is that it doesn’t last on your nails for very long. Within 24 hours the majority of it had rubbed off!

Revlon: Gel Eye Liner Review

 

Welcome to my final Revlon review, from my 3 for 2 purchases at boots! I love Gel Eyeliner. Fact. I find it stays on a lot longer than any other form of eye liner and gives a more defined look. Therefore I am always willing to try a new gel eye liner and I couldn’t resist when I saw this one and was choosing a third Revlon product to buy.

 

I was impressed with the packaging, the lid comes apart to become the brush so a fab little compact you could easily carry around in your handbag. The brush itself was a little wide for my liking, I’m used to a fine tip when I use my MAC liner brush, so I can make my line as thin or as thick as I like. This brush meant I could only manage a thick line which is a bit annoying.

The actual gel eye liner is fantastic! It creates a gorgeous glossy black finish and stays put for hours and hours. I am really impressed and will definitely use it again, just with a different brush!

Motivational Monday #14

So if you saw last week’s Monday post, you’ll know I’ve been on a bit of a downer and was determined to snap out of it. That’s sometimes easier said than done, but do you know what? Life is pretty good! I have a good job, amazing friends and family and I’ve got nothing to moan about that can’t be fixed with a little positive action.

Sometime you just need a little faith in yourself....

One Crazy Week: Craig David, The Wurzels, Fossil Hunting and 2 Hangovers

Sorry for the quietness on the blog the past few days, but I have been having one very crazy week! Work was pretty busy as normal (I juggle a full time job and a part time one) and on top of that I got to enjoy a few fun filled social activities, so to say I am shattered today is an understatement!

Let me talk you through it! On Tuesday night I went and saw Craig David perform in Southampton, I wouldn’t say he's normally my cup of tea but a friend really wanted to go and I’m pretty happy to tag along on any adventure! So to my surprise I actually really enjoyed it! I’d forgotten how many well known songs he’d made back in the day. He also did this incredible DJ set in the middle of his act, it was a mix of old school Mo town and R and B. Apparently his sets get played on Kiss Fm and I would fully recommend checking it out.

Friday evening I think was my highlight of the week, I headed to wimborne football grounds to watch the wurzels! This involved lots of cider and bopping around, I even managed to get a hug off one of them! See the photo of me and the old bloke below.

 

Me, hay bales and cider.....

As you can imagine, Saturday ended up being a bit of a write off! I haven’t really drunk much lately and I think I’m out of practice. I managed to drag myself out of my pit in time to go and watch the Hangover 3 in the evening with a couple of friends. I know, how appropriate! I love the first 2 hangover films, and this one was funny but it definitely didn’t live up to the others which was a shame. However 2 hours ogling Bradley Cooper, what more can a girl want!

 

 

To make up for wasting the day yesterday I was up and out early. I normally use Sundays as my chance for a lie in but I was out the house at 8:45am this morning which was a bit of a shock to the system. I went with a friend and her son fossil hunting for his birthday. We booked our selves onto a walk in charmouth and they show what you’re looking for and help you find them. I was useless and only found one! My friend and her son were pros and found quite a few. It was a really fun way to spend such a sunny morning and it has made me want to do more fun stuff on Sundays.

 

I then came home to a BBQ with my family, such a perfect finish to a mad week! I hope everyone is having a lovely bank holiday weekend, sadly I have to work tomorrow but I’m hoping the sun still stays around!

Apologies for the photos on today’s post, I am in desperate need of a new camera and have resorted to using my phone. Which seems to let me down a lot! If anyone wants to recommend an all purpose camera that would be fab??? I need one that works for blog photos but can also take on hol and is something small and easy to carry around. I’m off to Egypt in a few weeks and it’s supposed to be amazing snorkelling so tempted by waterproof cameras at the mo.....