September Round Up

WHOAH! How is it the last day of September already?! This month feels like it’s gone so fast. On my first ‘Motivational Monday’ post of the month (check it out here) I stated a few aims for this month which were the following....

‘start looking at my future, make plans, start figuring out where I want to go what I want to do’

‘Learning something new’

‘Attempt to do a blog post every day for the month.’

Err so I kind of failed miserable at all of these, in terms of making plans I still have no idea how to get to where I want to be. Although I know I want to write, I want to travel, I’d love to meet Mr Right instead of Mr Oh So Wrong.... I just have no idea how to do any of these three!! I lack confidence in my writing, I have no money at all so travelling is out unless some amazing person would love to pay for me to travel and write about the experience??? And as for prince charming, how the hell do you meet hot single boys these days?!

I don’t think I’ve learnt anything new and I failed miserable at blogging every day! However the week where I did manage to blog every day, I’m not sure I enjoyed it that much. Don’t get me wrong I love blogging and have post ideas coming out of my ears but when I put pressure on myself to blog each day I didn’t get the same buzz out of it. Therefore in a good way it’s made me realize I love blogging and I will blog when the mood takes me. No pressure, no ‘I have to post’, no mass commitment. I think this is then reflected in my writing, if I’m happy I think my writing improves.

Do you blog? Do you like to read/write posts daily? I’d be really interested in people’s views on this.

On the plus side, this month’s been pretty awesome, I may not have achieved my aims but I’ve still had a blast! Works been crazy busy but I’ve managed to catch up with so many of my amazing friends. I feel so lucky that I’m surrounded by some pretty talented, lovely, funny, crazy people. As you get older it sometimes feels harder to see people and have regular catch ups, due to the daily grind of life getting in the way. But when we do see each other, it’s like no times past, and I love it. There’s something about good friends that just make you feel so awesome. It may also be due to the large amount of cocktails and dancing that’s taken place this month!

 

I’ve also done a bit of moon lighting this month, I was very lucky that I got the chance to write a piece for FETED Magazine about my homemade face mask and scrub. It’s so exciting to see my work someone else other than my blog! I also did my first ever guest post for the lovely Gabriella at Brighton Girl Blogger, which you can find Here. I also recommend you check out here bucket list! It’s inspired me to start my own. I’m not sure I’m as brave to put it in the public domain though!

Favourite product...

For September it’s definitely got to be my Moroccan Oil! It ran out about a week ago, but it’s lasted me for months! I’ve been using it most days and since I’ve run out I’ve definitely noticed my hair is more knotty and isn’t as soft at the ends. I’m trying to be good with money at the moment but I’ve got a big argument in my head to order some more. Oooh the dilemma!

Top Tune for this Month...

Please forgive me for such a word heavy post!  I just feel that even though I didn’t quite do what I set out to achieve this months, it’s still been refreshing and fun and I feel like I’m making massive strides down a positive happy path! It’s also been really nice to write this post, to be able to sit down and reflect on things. I think we are all guilty of not taking the time to do that, and it’s so important.

Happy Monday Lovelies! xx

 

OOTD: Weekend Warrior!

 

Weekend Warrior Tank Top from Jawbreaking

 

Fast as a Bullet Necklace from Cut and Run London

 

I’ve not done an outfit post in a little while, and I feel like I’m slightly cheating here only sharing my cleavage area with you. My reason for this is because I am still suffering the aftermath of a nasty cold so I am sporting a gorgeous red nose that would give Rudolph a run for his money. Because I am feeling run down I am also feeling a little self conscious and having a fatty day. However I really wanted to share my new purchases with you!

If you’ve not heard of Jawbreaking where have you been?! Their logo tops in various styles are fab and I’ve had my eye on a few of them for a while. I’ve been trying to be good with my unruly spending lately but when I came across a 10% off code I couldn’t stop myself from making a cheeky purchase.

I went for two vest tops and I’m so glad I did! They are great quality and completely suit my style. This ‘weekend warrior’ top is one of my purchases and I’ve been a bit naughty and now purchased this in the sweatshirt design too! Ooops!

My gorgeous bullet necklace is from Cut and Run London, another great site for cool clothes and jewellery. I’ve got my eye on a pair of earrings and a tee at the moment. I MUST resist!!

Have you made any cheeky purchases lately?

 





BOOK CLUB TAKEOVER: Lynsay from 'The Work Wear Edit'

Here are my thoughts… I LOVE hearing other people’s views and reviews on pretty much anything especially books! Some of my favourite reads are ones that have been suggested by other people. So thinking along those lines,’ The Book Club Takeover’ was born! Hopefully each week I will bring to you a post from one of my lovely and amazing fellow bloggers who will in turn share with you what their favourite book is, why they love it and a review. I hope you enjoy this feature as much as I do!

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

For those of you unfamiliar with me, allow for me to give you a quick introduction: my name is Lynsay, I'm 21 and have a blog aimed at inspiring women everywhere to inject their love for fashion into the working week ( http://theworkwearedit.blogspot.com, for those curious enough to look). My reading tastes tend to fall as far away as possible from romance and chick lits (although I have been known to dabble every once in a while) and so the particular book that I am reviewing may come as a shock to those who already have an understanding of its plot line.

Propelled into the public eye by the 2010 film adaptation starring the remarkable talents of Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield, it was in fact the cinematic version of Never Let Me Go that first introduced me to the novel and drove me on to read the original text. Although a wonderfully heartbreaking film, silver screen embodiments tend to never have much on the written works that came before them and this was not an exception.

 

What starts as the childhood recollections of our protagonist, Kathy, soon turns into a fully fledged dystopian version of the England that I myself have been raised within. As we journey through the difficult teenage years into fully fledged adulthood, we experience Kathy's relationships alongside her, namely the power play that comprises her friendship with bestie Ruth and the admiration from afar of lifelong crush Tommy.

However, underneath these normalcies which, on their own, would amount only to an average storyline, is a very soft science fiction theme that pulls the reader directly into the ethical debates surrounding cloning and what constitutes a human life. Despite at first being seemingly raised within a pleasant, albeit protective, boarding school environment, it is quickly revealed to the reader that Kathy and her friends were purely created at the hand of man to become living organ donors. This dramatic twist is what shapes the novel into becoming a masterpiece, as author Ishiguro's subtle and graceful prose forces us to challenge our views about our own inherent mortality.

If you seek out books with happily-ever-after endings, then perhaps Never Let Me Go is not the one for you. In Kathy's life, and indeed Tommy and Ruth's, happy endings cannot exist. Instead, the reader is led on the journey of the "other" in this particular book's universe, celebrating joy and experiencing pain in the same way they do: with the constant acknowledgement that nothing is permanent. Instead of a short smile before carrying on with the rest of their life, after reading the final page of this particular book it is impossible for the reader to not continue to think about what they have just finished. Utterly affecting and, at times, moving to tears, the fact at the characters do not ride off into the sunset together does not stop Never Let Me Go from being a necessity to read in order to recognise that life is both bleak and beautiful at the same time, and always destined to end the same way.

Motivational Monday #26

 

I am massively sorry for the lock of posts this past week, I went on a hen weekend to Butlins last week and I think Butlins broke me! I was suffering all week with an extended hangover followed by an absolute corker of a cold. Therefore all I have done is go to work and come home and sleep! This has resulted in a massive fail in my attempt at #blogyoursocksoffseptember.

After finally feeling human again by Friday, I had a lovely fun filled weekend catching up with some of my awesome friends. It feels so good to be starting this week feeling fresh and half with it! I think today’s quote is quite fitting, I am determined to have a happy, full of fun week and it is completely down to me to make that happen!

Happy Monday Lovelies! xx

Fringe Issues

I am currently suffering the hair-mare which is growing out your fringe. I do like having a fringe and think it suits me, however I have super fine hair that gets greasy super quickly. Meaning having a fringe can be hard work, therefore I have decided to grow it out and see what happens.

At present it is at that awful stage where it’s too long to be a fringe but not long enough to do anything other than look a mess. This results in me constantly just pinning it back with a Kirby grip which gets a bit of a bore.

So for the last week I have challenged myself to make a bit of an effort with it and be a bit creative. So here is what my last 6 days have looked like (I was aiming for 7 but as I am having a lazy Sunday morning, I am not sure I want to share my manky unwashed hair look I am sporting today!) …

 

Apologies for the poor quality pics they were all done on my phone. As you can see I have been relying heavily on quiffs, Alice bands, Scarfs and plaiting said fringe!

Anyone have any style advice for alternative growing out your fringe looks for super fine hair?!
 

BOOK CLUB TAKEOVER: Holly from 'Crumpets and Tea'

Here are my thoughts… I LOVE hearing other people’s views and reviews on pretty much anything especially books! Some of my favourite reads are ones that have been suggested by other people. So thinking along those lines,’ The Book Club Takeover’ was born! Hopefully each week I will bring to you a post from one of my lovely and amazing fellow bloggers who will in turn share with you what their favourite book is, why they love it and a review. I hope you enjoy this feature as much as I do!



Hello! I’m Holly and I’ve been blogging about anything and everything over at http://crumpetsandteauk.blogspot.co.uk/ for around two months, mostly in an attempt to keep my brain active now that I’ve graduated from university! Reading has always been incredibly important to me so I’d just like to thank Gemma for allowing me to share this with you all.

Like a couple of other people have, I’ll stick to Gemma’s usual layout so I hope you enjoy my thoughts on my favourite book!

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

The Blurb
A terrifying encounter with an escaped convict in a graveyard on the wild Kent marshes; a summons to meet the bitter, decaying Miss Havisham and her beautiful, cold-hearted ward Estella; the sudden generosity of a mysterious benefactor – these form a series of events that changes the orphaned Pip’s life forever, and he eagerly abandons his humble origins to begin a new life as a gentleman.

The Review
I’ve been a fan of classics since I was young, having read Oliver Twist aged 6, so I was surprised that it took me until my English Literature A-Level to pick up this one. But since then, I’ve hardly been able to put the book down. My copy is battered and crumpled, but surely that’s the sign of many hours of enjoyment?! If you love a bit of romance, danger, mystery, extravagance and suspense that keeps you guessing until the end, then this mid-Victorian masterpiece is definitely one that you should get your hands on!

It tells the coming-of-age story of Pip, a young boy living with his sister and uncle in the countryside. Through a series of personal connections he meets Miss Havisham, a wealthy spinster, and is summoned regularly to act as company to her adopted daughter Estella. One day, a stranger calls at Pip’s home to inform him that he must travel to London immediately as an anonymous benefactor has gifted him a large sum of money in order to leave his family and become a gentleman. It goes on with the usual Dickens detail to show what Pip makes of his new life, the experiences and the range of people that he meets along the way whilst always leaving you wondering: who is this mysterious benefactor? What will happen to Pip when someone from his past unexpectedly arrives? Will Pip ever be able to fulfil his ‘great expectations’?

There have been so many film adaptations of this book that it’s easy to just watch those instead but I would highly recommend reading the book before diving into any of these. The 2012 movie with Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham-Carter is fantastic but as with most page-to-screen adaptations, there will always be details left out. Whilst it’s not a light and fluffy holiday read, I’ll take a guess that once you start, you won’t be able to stop!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my review and thanks again to Gemma for letting me share this with you!

 

10 Reasons you know your a blogger...

It’s only recently that I’ve accepted myself as a blogger. For many reasons I’ve always felt a bit of a fraud and never really owned it. I didn’t think I was good enough, however I’ve now faced my fears and lately I’ve been really embracing blogging. It’s really hit me lately and kind of taken over my world! I thought id share with you my reasons why I know I’m a blogger....

1.    You have a healthy addiction to twitter!

I love Twitter! I find it vital to blogging! I love connecting with other bloggers through all the different chats, sharing links, tips and general chit chat. However this does mean I prob spend half my day on twitter through my phone. I recently got blocked as they thought I was spamming people, when sharing my link after a chat. WHOOPS! I just find it the best way to advertise your blog and find others to read.

2.    Your bank balance is always in minus figures.

Okay, so this one may just be me! I love finding new products and sharing my views, good or bad. I love reading about new products in other blogs and find myself HAVING to try it! #bbloggers chats on twitter do not help either! I am a complete make up whore!!

3.    You can’t use any new product until you’ve photographed it, even if this means waiting a few days for the perfect light.

 

Hahaha this one is the bain of my life! Especially at the moment with this dreary weather. I like photographing new products and want them to look all pretty and new. It’s hard to restrain myself whilst I’m waiting to photograph it first!

 

4.    The staff in your local Boots / Superdrug know you by name.

 

And at my local benefit counter too... I think it’s due me regularly pestering them about when certain products will be in! I pretend it’s cute that they know me, but I’m not sure if they think like that!

 

5.    You take more ‘selfies’ than the average person.

I recently was showing a friend some photos on my camera and had to scan through a ton of ‘selfies’ to find them. Slightly embarrassing if they don’t know about my blog! Needs must though! I hate it when bloggers don’t show you the lippy /eye shadow/ blusher actually in action. I like to see what it looks like as it can massively vary to what it looks like in the package.

6.    You carry a camera around ‘just in case’.

I hate having moments where I’m somewhere thinking I wish I had a camera with me so I can photograph this as it would make an ace blog post. My camera on my phone is pretty pants, so yes I’m lame and carry my camera around ALOT.

7.    Someone starts talking about MAC to you, so you get excited and tell them about your fave products until you realise they meant Apple Mac, doh!

 

THIS happened TODAY!! Was at work and in a day dream I heard a colleague mention MAC. This followed a blow by blow account of what I love about their shadows, gel eyeliner and concealer..... ‘Umm Gem, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Can I use the APPLE Mac?’. I hang my head in shame, I have beauty on the brain!!

8.    You actually have release dates for products in your diary. I kid you not.

Yep, I am sad! Yes I even have some dates for next year (I am dying to try the Mark Jacobs range!). I am like a magpie to silver when it comes to shiny new beauty products!

9.    A constant thought, no matter what I’m doing is ‘Hmm could I blog about this?’

I even carry a note book around with me for blog ideas! I am often found day dreaming about what I want to write and how I want to improve my blog. I am inspired by so many things on a daily basis.

10.  I no longer by magazines or newspapers, I just read blogs.

I think I spend a good hour most days browsing other blogs, there are so many great writers and photographers out there.  They make me feel so inspired and ready to tackle anything. I follow blogs on so many different subjects from beauty, fashion, photography, food, DIY, art..... The list is so long! I love seeing the world through other people.

Do you have anything to add to this list? Can you relate to it?