Monthly Round Up | June 2013

Wasn't today blissful?! For those that don't live in South London's suburbs, the sunshine finally emerged and by God, I didn't miss a second of that vitamin D all day. In deckchairs whilst drinking Kopparberg, and reading Gatsby is my idea of heaven. And despite the sun cream, on the scale of one to lobster on the burnt scale I'm a solid salmon, not too bad but no doubt I'll be lathering on the after-sun lotion later tonight to be extra sure. Joy.

Anywho, my posts have been a bit thin on the ground this month but I've been a semi-busy girl. you know, semi, meaning I've basically downed all tools and revised for a change. Here's the monthly download:
- A-levels along with all school is finally done and dusted and now a long delicious summer awaits, bitter sweet, drunken celebrations ensued.
- PROM! For once I was organised: dress was brought in February, shoes brought in May. Obviously something had to go wrong - my bag broke as soon as I walked into the venue. Just my luck! Regardless, It was night to remember, or at least to be documented on instagram to say the least.
- Redecorating my room - 2 weeks of utter havoc but now it's done, quite ugly but done and I'm no longer unexpectedly finding paint on my arms and legs.
- The Strypes gig in Islington, I'm not going to lie I've been obsessing (borderline fangirling) over this band for a little while now. Post to follow I promise!
- Glastonbury dreamer, every year my family has a 'Glastonbury night' which entails copious amounts of beer and watching the coverage on the telly box (1. because I don't have the money to actually go and 2. there's no cue for the toilet). If you haven't seen it yet, check the Arctic Monkey's set. FLIPPING UNREAL.

I think that's just about covered all of these last 30 days, I think. So, I'll give you some teasers for what's coming soon on the blog; festival inspired fashion, summer playlists, bargain buys, that Strypes post, and finger's crossed, lots more!

Have a lovely sunday,
Josie xo

A Fault In Our Stars | Oh John Green, How do you do it?

On a whim I brought the treasure that is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I don't know what it was, maybe it was the undecided weather that fuelled my spontaneity. Or my desire for a collection of books that'll one day line my walls. Either way, it ended up in my basket and I've never been more grateful for an author to write such truly beautiful words.

I don't want to talk about the story or the ending or whatever because that's already been written, I want to talk about its effect on me which I feel I need to vent. maybe not vent, maybe 'share' is a better word?

Unexpectedly, I invested so much in the characters. I wanted to simultaneously be them, and not be them, for very obvious reasons which you'll discover when you read the book. They were beyond small talk and silly conversations, and spoke with intelligence and personality beyond their confines of 'faults'.The unity and spirit, and also the unexpected turn of events, showed the unconditional emotional support and protection we try and offer one another and yet fail to out manoeuvre the inevitable - 'oblivion'. I liked that reminder, it's how my mind works and how I think.

Tears I shed - on numerous occasions - was not a pitiful affair, but more of a genuine sense of identification and love. Dammit, John Green, how have you fashioned such a convincing set of characters? Maybe my tears were because I thought I knew the story before I'd finished it; making assumptions on the first few pages or drawn similarities between the sub-plot and main plot line. I don't know, but I felt an overwhelming sadness which has left me in a lull in my own existence. Pondering.

I was left concerned about the things that are most important to me. I thought about unity, the fragility of life and love. It's a strange thing, well, not anything in particular in that list but all of them, individually - I think about them often but separately. The Fault In Our Stars seeming brought them together all at once in a kind of upheaval of emotion.

However, that may have been due to the time frame I read it in: a 5 hour bath. It wasn't intentional I just couldn't stop my self, I didn't want to let go and be in the real world whilst I was so absorbed in Hazel's. It's pretty rare that I start something and actually have the motivation and desire to complete it; especially as the majority of books that I own and have read cover to cover have had to be forced for educational purposes -  would you have believed I was an English A Level student?!

But, being a -former- English student I'm a real sucker for descriptive embellishment, its why I liked Dorian Gray, and Green is the embodiment of perfection in this. Sometimes I walk though places and think like the way he writes, for example: on my walk home from work though woods. I want John Green to document that for me. Maybe I'll write him a letter with a request.

Without sounding ridiculously cliché I just want to scream, 'READ THIS BOOK!' to everyone I know. It's a bitter sweet heartbreak and beautiful is too tame a word for it.

Ps. I owe it to Konnie for her recommendation. I don't know whether she'll read this post but I hope she knows she's shaped my life by just chatting to me in psychology one time about 'some book' she read and was going to lend me. I beat you to it, girl. And thanks, big time.

Putting The 'Mental' in Experimental - Macaroon Edition

A spurge on cook books this week lead me to believe I was Heston Blumenthal. I was adding all sorts of things into a bowl and blitzing it up -  assuming I could wing it in the kitchen like I do in the majority of other areas of my life. But oh no, cooking is all science and no fun, dreams and rainbows; at least on this occasion. 

The plan was 'summer berry macaroons', I hasten to add there wasn't a recipe - I was making it up as every good chef/poisoner does. I got a bit heavy handed with the juice, and almonds, and sugar. And broke too many eggs. Did I mention the oven wasn't hot enough? And I put them in for longer than needed (hence the orange/burnt tinge to some of them).

This attempt had been a disaster from the start but they still tasted edible, not like summer fruits, but edible. So, like all of my other baking failures, they went onto ice cream and were fine. Ok, fine-ish.

Never mind, lesson learnt - always follow a recipe.

Have a lovely day,
Josie xo

A Better Blog

I don't know how it's taken me this long, but I've come to the conclusion that I like reading beauty blogs not actually writing them. I'm pretty awful at reviews of beauty related things as I have the tiniest ounce of knowledge and not even on the same wave length as other bloggers out there; who's real passion is make up - unlike mine.  

So, in the not too distant future you'l be seeing a change in the things that I post, now that I've finished school FOREVER, I have a hella lot of free time that I've got to fill - hold on to your hats ladies and gents. 

I'm most likely to be posting about fashion styling, life bits and bobs (or my lack of) and a tonne of bad baking - I know, I can tell you're as excited as me.

Have a lovely day, 

Josie xo

Birchbox May 2013 - Unboxing

My love affair with Birchbox is fading, I've tried very hard to love it unconditionally, but the products don't really cut it for me any more, quite irrelevant to my tastes - too much skin care and not enough make up.   Any way, onto this month's box...

Kusmi Tea Detox Tea 

So random, but just what I needed. I'm up to my eyeballs in stressful revision, 'detox' tea is right what I need. Smells like lemon grass, we'll see how this works out...

WEI Pomegranate Buffing Beads

This half term leads me onto late nights, hopefully this can revive me for school on Monday morning! 

OPI Nail Lacquer in Pompeii Purple

Barbie pink is not quite my style, but it's certainly pretty.

With a purple sheen to it, it catches the eye beautifully.

Laura Geller Beauty Inkwell Waterproof Gel Liner in Black

Woah, product rehash?! I got this in March, and was somewhat impressed.

But again in May? I didn't like it that much. 

Murad Hydro Dynamic Ultimate Moisture For Eyes

An eye cream - something that I feel totally indifferent to.

But it feels nice, and like the Buffing beads, I hope it makes me look half presentable. 

Electric Hair Intense Treatment Masque 

Truly this is the only thing that got me excited in the whole box. I've never heard of this brand, but I am a fan of hair masks. Gimme gimme! 

For more information about Birchbox click here

Oops... May 2013

In my last post I aired my one of my many weaknesses, Boots. So obviously I went to fulfil my material needs and ended up picking up a few things.

Bourjois Cream Blush in 04 Sweet Cherry

I'm quite excited about this. The packaging is simple, effective (the little mirror is so handy) and the colour range is a small one but with very good variation. 

Boots Natural Collection Powder Blush in Peach Melba 

I've heard about this for AGES. Now I've finally got my hands on it I'm pleasantly surprised,

I definitely underestimated these! 

Real Techniques Blush Brush 

 Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous

This is my first orange lip product, and I like it. It lasts for ages, and the colour is just outstanding.

 Rimmel Kate Nail Vanish in Soul Sessions

Simple lilac toned nude. Another like. 

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara in Black

Nothing can ever replace my love for YSL mascaras, but this will have to fit the bill for now. 

My lashes look super long, but doesn't hold a curl for long enough for my liking. 

 

Seventeen On The Spot Foundation in Fair

I regret buying this. BIG TIME. My skin's been under it these last few weeks (exam stress and the like) so I thought I'd give a budget anti-spot foundation. I hate it. It's sticks to dry patches on my face like no tomorrow, and it's probably a bit too dark for me. But it does last for a substantial amount of time and has a half decent coverage. Maybe I need to stick with it and see how it goes.

There we have it, a couple of things. This is why I shouldn't go shopping on my own, I get far too carried away. 

My Kryptonite

In no way am I saying I'm superman;
1. I'm don't own a cape (secretly, I want one, but we'll keep that between you and I)
2. I don't have an alter ego
3. I don't wear my knickers over tights, but then again my attention span does last for about 3 seconds, so one day it will happen. Put a wager on it.

But what I will say is that I have weakness, my Kryptonite: a trip to boots after payday. For some people, its ice cream or I don't know, shorts maybe. Or more specifically, nail vanish. But me, oh give me the whole hog. I'm not picky.

Its like I'm uncontrollable. I'm like an animal, I rage through the store, basket in hand filled  with random, unexplained items. All of which I don't need and will rarely use.

I have a problem, but I've heard I first steps to recovery is to admit it.

Look at me, trying to justify my greed to materialistic things as an addiction. I'm a horrible person. It's just a habit, an expensive, inefficient habit. Urgh.

So tell me I'm not the only one, what's your Kryptonite, your weakness?
Or alternatively, if you had the opportunity to tell superman that humans do not wear pants over tights, would you?

Have yourself a lovely day!