UPDATE MARCH 2014

When 2014 started, I made a promise to myself to post on this blog AT LEAST once a week. And that hasn't really worked out, has it? But I am trying, I really am. Sixth Form has just been so overwhelming I can't even deal with it right now. It's just a constant stream of work that "won't let up" as my Nan would say. To add to that, my Maths class has had to do extra lessons, both an hour at lunchtime and an hour and a half after school, since we're behind. So woop-dee-frickin'-doo.

Now, I've been very focused on trying to complete all of my work, revise and do EXTRA. That's right, I've been doing my wider reading for English, filling out old past papers for Maths and re-writing essays for Sociology. I just think that it'll give me the best chance for my exams which is pretty much the ONLY thing that I'm focused on at the moment.

We were given our exam timetable a few weeks ago and it really just put everything into perspective, I mean, my first exam is in just over 8 weeks. That's right. 8 WEEKS. That's hardly any time at all and I'm starting to get really nervous. I think what makes it worse is that people are literally dropping out of Sixth Form every other week and that scares me. The classes are getting smaller and smaller and tensions are running pretty high. Its hit that point in the year where even teachers are starting to get a little bit stressed: at both those who are working to get the best grades possible and those who are wasting everyone's time, mine included.

Another thing that worries me is that in pretty much all of my subjects (English, Maths, Psychology and Sociology; with General Studies being compulsory), we are so close to finishing the module. There's probably 3 weeks work of actual lessons left before we're done and that means that we'll be doing exam prep in next to no time. Pray for me, folks.

Last blog post: REVIEW: 'The Fault in Our Stars' book by John Green

REVIEW: ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ book by John Green

What can I say about this book that hasn’t been said already? I mean, John Green, you are an absolute genius, you really are. You produced this beautiful love story that just broke my heart, one page at a time. Now I’m not going to explain the plot in intense detail because I know that there are people who haven’t read it (why you haven’t, I have no idea, I highly recommend it); I might just give you my thoughts on ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ as a whole. I’ve wanted to read it for absolutely AGES but have only just bought the book. From the delivery on the Thursday to Sunday morning, I had completed it; I just couldn’t help myself. It’s extremely rare for me to get into a book, let alone finish it in 3 and a half days, and so when I do, I know it’s a fantastic piece of literature. I was desperate to find out how the story evolved and what happened to the characters.
 
Now we are first introduced to Hazel Grace Lancaster, a sixteen year old cancer patient who feels the need to challenge everyone she encounters with some sort of sarcastic comment. That is, until she finds herself at what she calls the 'Cancer Kid Support Group' and meets Augustus Waters: the man who changes her life. Now he doesn't do that in the way that you'd usually expect from the male protagonist, oh no, John Green is way too smart to follow the social conventions of every single book EVER published. No, he makes Augustus the man that every girl wants and you really can't help yourself just falling for him: a man who LOVES Hazel even when she doesn't particularly love herself. And I like that idea: that you can have some sort of vulnerability which seems to separate you from everyone else in the world, until that one person makes you feel special and beautiful because they adore you, regardless of what you might think of as a 'flaw'.

Together, they have this incredibly romantic adventure until everything just comes crashing back down to reality, and suddenly the audience is struck with a wave of emotion, united by their tears of heartbreak. I sat in my room with this book, just crying for these fictional characters, and that's the beauty of this novel. It's why the book became Number 1 New York Times Bestseller. John Green created them not only for us to laugh with, but to cry over as we experience their pain along the way.

I found it extremely fascinating because I have never read anything like this in my entire life, nothing as honest and truthful about what it’s like to live as a cancer patient. To have everyone around you pity you and constantly hover round to make sure you’re ‘OK’. But it doesn’t just focus on that side of the illness; it empathises the fact that we are extremely lucky to be alive, enough luckier when we have people who love us and we love them back. We should be grateful for the opportunity of this crazy thing we call ‘life’, and having had the pleasure of reading ‘The Fault in Our Stars’, I know I am.



You can buy the book HERE.

Check out my last blog post: 'Cupcake' Inspired Nail Art

'Cupcake' Inspired Nail Art

As you know, I do like to paint my nails in different styles and colours, always making sure that they are simple and quick to do because I cannot be bothered to spend hours (and it would take me hours) to perfect my nails. This design is so EASY and I really really like it, this is only the second time I've done it and I've had compliments on them both times so if you want to add a little sparkle then keep on reading.

I was going to do a French Manicure but my nails naturally are really orange for some reason, and its not because of any nail polish that I've worn before because they're always like that. So, I've tried loads of times before to do it but the French Pink doesn't suit my skin tone so I decided to change it up a little bit to suit me.

I started off by putting a white nail polish on my tips and tried to make them as even and straight as possible. Don't worry if you can't get it as neat as you would like because it doesn't really show up as bad using this design. Now I usually do 2 coats just because it looks better when its one solid tone rather than being able to see my nails underneath.

Then I use my Elegant Touch Rapid Dry for Nails just to set it because even though, the colour is just on my tips, I do still manage to smudge them.

I then do 2 coats of the Barry M Pink Iridescent 264, you can get away with one coat if you want but as I mentioned, you can see my oddly orange nails under so I tend to use 2. It also provides that little extra bit of glitter which I like as well. What I have found with this colour is that since its a basically clear nail polish with sparkles in, its not as obvious when it chips and so lasts that little bit longer than ordinary nail polish.

And that's it. You can use the drying spray if you want but I never do since its sort of a waste and the Barry M dries it pretty quickly. Its the easiest nail design EVER, it really is.

Feel free to check out my last blog post: The Mysterious Cupboard

The Mysterious Cupboard

It doesn't matter where you live or who you are, there will be a place in your house that you never open or go in because its just full of clutter. Now of course, it depends on the type of person you are as to how big that place is, but even if you are the tidiest, most organised person, you WILL have one. It might be a drawer, a cupboard or even a room in my case, and you might have multiple of them, I know I do.

A Bratz bag? I was definitely
the height of fashion

Now, at the top of our stairs, we have a room. A small box room, not even big enough for a bed and for as long as I can remember its been full to the brim of 'stuff'. Board games, old TV's, dolls, basically my entire childhood. I've wanted to sort it out for years yet my mom has always said to just "leave it alone". I don't know why she decided to do it this half term, she just did - she's very impulsive, my mother. She bought loads of large plastic containers and vacuum bags, then got to work. I helped her for a few hours but every teddy, toy and tacky trinket turned into a 'lets reminisce about me as a baby' and I just couldn't handle that. I also left because I could sense an argument coming since I wanted to get rid of pretty much everything yet my mom didn't. She kept things that she remembered me playing with, even if I didn't, and chucked things I remembered and she didn't. So I think it was more about her thinking about my childhood rather than it being my memories. I was fine with that I guess, but she said she wanted a 'spring clean' but she hardly got rid of anything.

I think it was sort of symbolic for her though, obviously when she sees me every single day, she doesn't realise that I've grew up. I think she forgets that next year I'll be 18 and I'll be moving out to start my own life. I think that its only just started to become real for her, especially since my family have moved round the corner and so we see my younger cousins all the time. My youngest cousin is just about to turn 1 and so my mom has been enjoying buying him new things, I think she likes spoiling him because I don't want toys anymore and I think she misses that, especially since she never had a boy. She likes buying clothes and stuff for my other cousins as well which I think is cool.

Feel free to check out my last blog post: REVIEW: 'Midnight Memories' by One Direction

REVIEW: 'Midnight Memories' by One Direction

There was a lot of anticipation on Twitter over the release of this video and I, as a fan of One Direction, must admit I was looking forward to it. Every music video they've released I've loved but with Midnight Memories, I didn't really like it as much. I played the song a few times before the video came out as I was given the album for Christmas (you can read about that HERE), and it wasn't one of my favourites. If I could pick any song from the album that would be released as a single, it'd be Strong, just because I think its just beautiful.

However even though Midnight Memories is a good song, I  just don't think its great. The music video was a little 'plain' as well, usually I love everything One Direction brings out but this one was sort of a disappointment. It might be because the media released paparazzi photos of them filming in London so we sort of knew what was going to happen. I really wish the press would stop doing that, not just with music videos but films as well, it really ruins everything.

The story of the video was a little strange as well. I mean, it starts at a party where they're all bored because its really uneventful (it reminds me of primary school discos where there was balloons and flashing lights - 'them were the days' as the youth would say). Then the music starts and Harry walks in, looking all sexy, as he does, and so the song goes. They then decide to leave the seemingly dull party and gallivant round London, I mean who doesn't?




Anyway, I just wanted to review the song because its been out for almost two weeks and its almost gotten 18 million views on VEVO which is amazing. I had planned to write it straight away but I had blog posts that I wanted to publish first, then I haven't had time to write anything. This is the only day in ages that I haven't had work to do so I thought I'd take advantage of the situation. I've got a few stock-piled for the next few months which I really hate doing as it just feels like I'm cheating but I am determined to publish at least once a fortnight. Let's hope so.

You can watch Midnight Memories yourself HERE.

Feel free to check out my last blog post: My Morning Skin Routine

My Morning Skin Routine

I don't know why the image
is blurry, sorry folks.

Since I've been ill these last few days, I thought I'd write a little post on My Morning Skin Routine as I've had the day off Sixth Form yesterday and thought I needed cheering up a bit. I genuinely love discussing my makeup products and trying new skin things because its just something I enjoy. So let's get cracking!

Again, why so blurry?

The first thing I do when I wake up is use my Bliss Lid + Lash Wash Makeup Remover that my mom bought me. I've probably only used it about 4 or 5 times because I've decided to save it until I've been wearing a lot of eyeliner or mascara the day before. It's really good at just making sure that every ounce of makeup is off your lids and lashes (as the name would suggest, duh). Seriously though, just a quick wipe over your eyes takes everything off and it just feels so much better. Now I don't use it everyday because I use my face wipes for just removing most makeup as they're just a little less harsh. I'm not particularly fussy about the type of face wipes I use, as long as they do the job properly.

Plus, this makeup remover is slightly more expensive than most of the skin things I own so I'm trying to save it. What I do like about it is that it has almost no fragrance and is completely irritant free. There are loads of products that I've used that say that but this one really works. It doesn't hurt my eyes or make them sting or anything, its just a GOOD product.

The next thing I use is my Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing Cleanser which I've already sort of spoke about in my January Favourites 2014 blog post so I won't go on. I use it twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, using a cotton wool pad just to wipe it over my face. Its best when you've been wearing a considerable amount of foundation the day before because it just makes me feel better knowing that my skin is completely unclogged of all that makeup.


The last thing I use is my Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser which I think I've spoken about before as well (it's getting to the point where I can't even remember what I've written on this blog so sorry its I'm repeating myself). You can read that blog post HERE, and that was written weeks ago and I still like it so. It makes my face feel all soft and lovely and "plump" - that might be the wrong word but that's the only descriptive word I can think, and I do A-Level English. I should be ashamed.

You can read my previous blog post here: Review: 'That Awkward Moment'

REVIEW: 'That Awkward Moment'

I wanted to write a quick review on the film as I absolutely loved it, so here's what I thought about it.

Last Wednesday, I went to the cinema with my three best friends to watch a film; we were going to see the Delivery Man the week before but something came up with one of my friends, so we changed the date until the week after to watch That Awkward Moment. I wasn't really expecting much because it was a last minute decision but I ended up really enjoying it. It's actually HILARIOUS. The premise is that there are three male friends played by Zac Efron, Miles Teller and Micheal B. Jordan, who suddenly all find themselves single at the same time.

They decide to make a pact to stay single and 'try to build up their roster'- a term I've only just learnt which means a group of people who you have who are willing to sleep with you and can be called upon at any time to fulfil such duties, the more you know eh? Obviously its not as easy as that, and so the film shows the struggles of them trying to maintain single and failing.

The story was okay I guess, there were parts that it sort of jumped and didn't really make any sense but apart from that it was a good film. What I will say though is that the comedic timing was absolutely spot-on. I think the jokes were well written as well, so much so that I think its sort of the perfect film for teenagers and young adults because there's a lot of good humour.

One thing that I was really surprised about was the amount of sexual jokes there were, and trust me there was a lot. I wasn't expecting as much swearing as there was either, especially since its Zac Efron. I don't think I've seen another of his films apart from the High School Musical movies so I was a bit surprised. Happily surprised. I forgot about how gorgeous Zac is and if anybody needs a reminder, this film is PERFECT for that.

Feel free to check out my last blog post: January Favourites 2014

January Favourites 2014

Since its the end of January, I thought I'd better write a post on my monthly favourites so far. There haven't actually been a lot but I have enjoyed every single one of them so its probably best I get started. So let's go!


Makeup Products:

Seventeen High Drama Intense Liquid Eyeliner: I was given this as part of a eyeliner set from my mom for Christmas and I was just going to continue to use my Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Eyeliner until I'd finished. But for some reason, I just felt like a bit of a change I don't know why. I tried out all of the eyeliners from the set and I liked them all, so I doubt I'm ever going to have to buy some myself because I've got loads now. I might do a full review on that set soon because I think its a really good product in general. I've just had a look online at the price of just this liquid eyeliner and it was only about £4 which I think is brilliant.

Nail Products:

Elegant Touch Rapid Dry For Nails: I love this soooo much. I've only just starting using it even though I know I've had it for months, maybe even years. It sounds really stupid but I've just never thought about it so I would complain that my nails were smudged because it took too long to dry, and just not use it. Now this spray dries my nail varnish so quickly, like within 60 seconds or so. Now one thing that I have found that it does, is that sometimes when you paint your nails a bright colour, after a day or so, the colour starts to fade and it doesn't look right. This spray keeps the colour for longer which I like so I think its a good product. Again, its pretty cheap so I think its a great product to invest in if you, like me, are too impatient to wait for your nails to dry.

Face Products:

Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing Cleanser: I feel like my mom bought something from the Clean & Clear collection a few years ago when I had just started getting all spotty and everything. I obviously didn't use it at all because I didn't really see the importance of skin care when I was like 12 or so. Now, my skin has been okay for years but these last few months have just been awful for my face. So, I have decided to cleanse twice a day, NO EXCUSES. I've actually seen the benefits in the last few weeks and I just feel better as well knowing that I have done all I can to help my poor skin.


TV:

The Tomorrow People: This is an American TV about people with powers and them having to hide from those who want to hunt them. I have really gotten into it lately, there has only been a few episodes because it takes forever for UK channels to play them. I mean, sometimes a series in America might have already ended before it starts over here, I mean what the hell? I have to fight the urge not to look up what happens on Wikipedia because I have absolutely no patience, as we have already established.

 

Feel free to check out my last blog post: Top Five Beauty Tips





Top Five Beauty Tips

Hello folks, now it feels like its been forever since I've written a post even though it hasn't even been two weeks. Its probably because I've been so busy starting back with Sixth Form and everything, plus my laptop has broken so I've had to use my mom's for today while she's at work. Now I thought I'd write a post about my Top Five Beauty Tips because I've been really lazy with my skin and hair routine over the past few months; I think that if I post and physically release it into the world then I have absolutely NO excuse. So, lets get started!

• The first tip is to always condition thoroughly; now I have really frizzy hair and I've always sort of complained about it but never done anything about it. I've looked online and saw that some things that are supposed to be really good, are also REALLY expensive. Now, this was an accident actually but I used the biggest handful of conditioner ever and it actually worked. My hair started to become less frizzy which meant that my curls hung more; this makes my hair look a lot longer than it actually is which I think looks so much better. Now the conditioner I use is the Tresemme Salon Silk Conditioner which isn't for any particular reason than that my mom bought that one. I really like it because it makes my hair feel really soft and smooth. It also smells nice as well which is a bonus.

• My second tip is to always use lip balm; I've only just started using it regularly which is awful. I bought some lip balm and then I was given Nivea lip set for Christmas; I use it every single day, sometimes even twice a day. I hate thinking about the way my lips used to bleed because of how cracked they were, it was absolutely vile. I love the way my lips feel now though, because they just feel plump and lovely. Its just great.

• The third tip is to use Vaseline as a makeup remover; now I had been using makeup wipes which aren't the best for your eyes and they can irritate your skin. Plus, they don't always remove things like eyeliner and mascara which means that if you shower, you can get 'panda eyes'. I put Vaseline on my eyelashes after looking it up online because I wanted them to grow longer and thicker. Then I found out that if you swipe a cotton bud across your lash line, it removes the makeup so much easier and avoids any gunk that will clog up in your eyes.

• The fourth tip is to always moisturise; I always moisturise my face using the Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser because it just makes my skin feel soft and refreshed. I do it after I cleanse and before I do my makeup. I use it because of the fact that it gives my face a certain glow which makes my foundation look better. Plus, I do it at night before I go to bed but using Nivea Soft Refreshingly Moisturising Cream because it isn't as shiny as my morning one. I don't know where I bought my morning moisturiser, I feel like I've just had loads of makeup items and things that I've only started using recently... how strange. I don't have so much as a regular routine for my body moisturiser as I have loads of bottles from beauty sets from Christmases and birthdays. I usually just use the matching moisturiser with the shower gel because it feels really wrong to use a peach-scented soap with a chocolate-flavoured lotion. I mean, ew.

• My last and final tip is to always look online when plucking your eyebrows; everybody has them but not everyone knows how to style them properly. Point being ME, circa 2010. I had never really bothered with my eyebrows until I was about 12 or so but when I look back at old photos of me from before that, I wish someone had plucked them properly because they are absolutely awful. Now for about a year or so perhaps, I didn't really do much with them apart from slightly pluck between them and underneath. However, around year 9 I began to take more interest and started plucking them intensely. The word 'over-pluck' is definitely not the word because I went from having quite large brows to the thinnest line of hair ever. They were absolutely ridiculous, I mean, I have a huge head, I'm not going to lie, which made it even worse. They took about a YEAR AND A HALF to grow back completely and ever since then, I have carefully thought out how often I pluck my eyebrows and where I do it. Over the last few weeks, I've been trying to fill out my left eyebrow because it doesn't match my right eyebrow (its such a fuss I tell you). I've been using guides online to try to shape to the best of my ability and its sort of working I guess. My advice for anyone thinking of plucking their eyebrows is to look online first and see the best way to do it because trust me, you will regret it otherwise.

REVIEW: 'Adore You' by Miley Cyrus

She has done it AGAIN. Miley Cyrus has made another video that has caused controversy about the... um delicate subject matter. Now if people think the 'Wrecking Ball' video was graphic, HOLY COW, watch 'Adore You' and you will never feel clean again (I'm slightly exaggerating this for comic effect but you get the gist). Again, just like last time, I think the actual song itself is brilliant. Miley's voice sounds frickin' amazing in this song, it really really does. She sounds absolutely fantastic and I'm not just saying it because she does. That song really plays to her vocal strengths which is a sort of raspy but incredibly beautiful sound.

However, the music video makes me feel violated. I really don't need the image of her writhing around in bed touching herself, just burning in my mind, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. It just looks really wrong. And I'm speaking as a teenager myself so all the adults out there cannot say that this is what we want. Because it really isn't. When 'Wrecking Ball' came out, a lot of her fans defended her on Twitter and I can understand looking back on it because I guess it was "artistic", if you like that sort of thing. Now this video has came out, I see many of those same people sort of questioning her... 'judgement', shall we say?

I know that she's probably top of the charts and I guess that's why she made the video as intense as it is, so people will continue to talk about it because of its graphic nature, and then the song will get stuck in their heads and that's what will make them buy the single. But I think she missed a trick, I mean she could have made the same style of video if she wanted to if that was the inspiration for the song was but just less pornographic. We didn't need to see everything as crudely as it was made. She could have been more vague I guess in the way the video was portrayed, I mean that's what I thought anyway and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, right?

I watched her documentary on MTV and she said something like "people think I'm a hot mess, but it's a strategic hot mess" and it begs the question, what kind of strategy is she going for? And what's coming next? I'd hate for her to be the next Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears, I know they have their lives together now but for a while, and I hate to say this but it was pretty touch and go. I remember reading articles about them when I was younger (circa 2007) and just being worried for them, you know? They were the people that a lot of young kids looked up to, I know I did. I had every single album of Britney's; my friend and I used to choreograph dances to her songs, just wishing we were "as cool as she was". I don't want this Miley to be the person my younger cousins look up to. Vocally and musically, she is perfect and I do love a lot of her songs but this video is just too far. Sorry, folks, that's just my honest opinion.

To watch the 'Adore You' music video: click HERE

To watch the 'Wrecking Ball' music video: click HERE

To read my blog post on the 'Wrecking Ball' music video: click HERE