Hopeless Romantic#3: My Favourite Book Couples

Hopeless Romantic#3: My Favourite Book Couples

Monday 30 June 2014

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I hope everyone has had a good start to the week and that today hasn't been too tortuous. Like Garfield (and the rest of the world) I hate Mondays. 

(Picture courtesy of wifflegif.com)

But it's nearly over now and we are one day closer to the weekend. Now continuing along this romantic path I have set out for myself over the past couple of Mondays with my Hopeless Romantic series I thought I would list my favourite couples from books. Being something of a book worm the list is incredibly long and detailed so I'll try to keep it short and sweet but I make no promises.

1. Spencer O'Malley & Lily Quinn - The Girl in Times Square by Paullina Simons

(Picture from www.goodreads.com)

First of all you should know that I am obsessed with this book and I have been since I was 15. If you haven't read this book I strongly recommend you do. Now. And then come back and read this post. I'll wait. No? Okay I'll give you a quick rundown so you understand why I love this couple so much. Lily's best friend and roommate Amy goes missing and Spencer is the Detective in charge of the case. Overtime, and with still no sign of Amy, Spencer and Lily fall in love. But Spencer has a secret that he has spent his entire life trying to hide and Lily is faced with 2 extreme pieces of luck, one good, one bad. Spencer and Lily are a couple who defy the odds. Even when the chips are stacked against them, and the chips are always stacked against them fyi, you never stop rooting for them! And it's for this reason, and so many others, that I love them!

2. Ron & Hermione - The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

 

(Picture from thinkprogress.org)

I respectfully disagree with what J.K Rowling said about regretting putting Ron and Hermione together.  These two were clearly meant for each other. I recently re-read the series - I don't know if any of you know this but my dissertation was on Harry Potter - and the idea of Hermione and Harry together made me feel slightly sick. Ron and Hermione however, they just fit. Yes they argue and probably have one of the most volatile relationships in fantasy fiction but they love each other. And that's awesome. 

3. Reena & Sawyer - How to Love by Katy Cotugno

(Picture from www.goodreads.com)

I wrote about my insane, crazy love for Katie Cotugno's How to Love in last week's Friday I'm in Love, and one of the reasons I love this book -despite it being really well written and amazing) is the incredibly complex relationship between Reena and Sawyer. Reena has been in love with Sawyer for as long as she can remember, and for as long as she can remember he's never noticed her. Until the day he does. Then of course it becomes very complicated and messy in the way that only teenage love can and Sawyer disappears, leaving Reena devastated and pregnant. 2 years later and Reena has almost moved on from Sawyer when he returns. Their story alternates between before and after. Before being their relationship leading up to Reena's abandonment and After being Reena's reaction to Sawyer's return. Reena is such an icy bitch towards Sawyer when he first returns, with good reason, I love it. The thing I probably like most about this couple is the fact that even though Reena hates Sawyer for leaving, deep down you know (and she knows) that she loves him and Sawyer makes no secret that he still loves her. 

4. Mia & Adam - If I Stay by Gayle Foreman

(Picture from www.pagetopremiere.com)

Oh *sigh* Mia and Adam, such an amazing, tragic couple. I only read If I Stay by Gayle Foreman a couple of weeks ago and already this couple has made it's way into my list of favourite couples, because it is that good. Their story is so sad, and not to give anything away but when Mia is deciding whether she should live or die Adam is the only person whose feelings she takes into account. I love their story and I love them. Such an amazing couple.

5. Peeta & Katniss - The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins. 

(Picture from missdreamymarie.wordpress.com)

Full disclaimer I have never been a Gale fan, when it comes to The Hunger Games I have always been, and will always be Team Peeta. He loves her completely and selflessly, even to the point where he willingly sacrifices himself time and time again for her happiness. It angers me that it takes Katniss such a long time to realise that she loves him too, she knows that she can't live without Peeta but she's not sure why and it takes her such a long time to recognise that it's because she loves him. I ship Peeta and Katniss so hard it's kind of insane. I seriously ship Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson too (I know, I know I'm meant to be talking about the books not the films), I know they're not together but I so wish they were. 

6. Scarlett O'Hara & Rhett Butler - Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.

(Picture from www.fanpop.com)

I have been umming and ahhing about whether or not to include this undoubtedly iconic and timeless couple, due to a rape scene, but having changed my mind again and again I decided that I didn't really have a choice, they had to be included (I'm not sure if this makes me a bad person or not :S). I think the reason they are such an iconic couple is because they are both horrible people and the love they have for each other is their only redeeming quality. Cathy and Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights) are the another such a couple. Scarlett herself is scheming, manipulative and obsessed with money. Rhett is no better and I think that's why they work as a couple. It takes Scarlett the entire book to realise Rhett is her equal and she loves him instead of Ashley Wilkes but by then Rhett has had enough. It's so sad. 

7. Bridget Jones & Mark Darcy - Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding.

(Picture from www.dailymail.co.uk...ergh typing that made me feel dirty!) 

He loves her. Just as she is. Enough said. 

So what do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Are there any really obvious ones that I missed? Let me know using the hashtag #HopelessRomantic. 

Other favourites include Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy from Pride & Prejudice, Hazel & Gus from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Dexter & Remy from This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen, Landon & Jamie from A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks, Noah & Allie from The Notebook (obvs) also by Nicholas Sparks, Sage & Leo from The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult, Ian & Mariah from Keeping Faith again by Jodi Picoult... the list goes on and on. It's endless. 

Right lovely people I'm off to sleep but I will be back on Wednesday with 2 Stars & A Wish #5. But until then check me out on twitter, facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest for your daily fix of make up, books, cake and silliness :)

Love love love xxx

How to Train Your Dragon 2: A Review

How to Train Your Dragon 2: A Review

Sunday 29 June 2014

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(Picture courtesy of www.impawards.com)

 2 posts in one day?! I hear you cry out in barely contained glee (well not really), don't say I don't spoil you. Now I must confess something... I love kids films. Love them. Now when it comes to kids films it's a truth universally acknowledged that Disney pretty much rules the roost. Disney is the mack daddy of children's entertainment and for good reason (Frozen anyone? Toy Story 1,2 & 3 anyone?) But every now and then a non-Disney (usually DreamWorks) film comes along that is that good it achieves icon status. How to Train Your Dragon is one such film. And I'm pretty sure that How to Train Your Dragon 2 will be one as well. As those of you who read Friday I'm in Love #5 will know that I was planning to go see Maleficent today with my cousin/bestie. Unfortunately the only showing of Maleficent was at 11:00 am and by the time I'd dragged my sorry arse out of bed, showered and dressed we'd missed it. So we went to see How To Train Your Dragon 2 instead.

(Picture courtesy of wikipedia.org)

When the first How to Train Your Dragon came out I was working at Cineworld and it was inescapable. I could recite the entire trailer word for word I had seen it that many times. But it was brilliant and it's brilliance meant that I didn't want to escape it, unlike some other films I could mention. Let's just say that working a Twilight opening weekend brutally murdered any enjoyment I took from that series. Anyway How to Train Your Dragon was different. It was excellent and I loved it. 

So when I heard that there was to be a sequel I was both excited and dubious. Excited because there was going to be a second How to Train Your Dragon and as I've mentioned I loved the first one. And dubious because how could it possibly live up to the amazingness that was the first film. Well let me tell you it has more than lived up to it's already stellar reputation. 

Set five years after the first film HTTYD2 tells the story of the former misfit Hiccup -who is hot now btw- who is now known as 'the pride of Berk' and set to follow in his father's footsteps and become the Chief of the tribe. I won't give away too much as it is well worth a watch but trust me when I say it is so good. It made me laugh, it made me cry, hysterically through the last 40 minutes and it had so many twists and turns. I loved it just as much as the first one. Which is saying something. 

(Picture courtesy of www.impawards.com)

It's probably just me but how hot is older Hiccup? It's definitely just me. Well I've made myself look like a total freak! Oh well he is hot! Not ashamed. Look at that jawline... H-O-T! Someone find me a human version of that. Okay I'm going to stop perving over an animation now, because that is just too weird, even for me.  Moving on...

There is a third film, set for release in 2016, which will apparently explain the reasons why Dragons no longer exist, so I'm imagining there will be a lot of tears on my end. Mostly because Toothless is the cutest thing ever. Look at that face.

(Picture courtesy of pinterest.com)

Anyway guys I'm off to bed now because I have a killer headache kicking in and work in the morning. I hope you've enjoyed my second sneaky post of the day. Have you seen How to Train Your Dragon 2? What did you think? Did you love it as much as I did? Let me know on here or twitter. I really will be back tomorrow this time with Hopeless Romantic: My Favourite Couples from Books. So until then check me out on twitter, facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest, you know if you want too. 

Night night xxx

Inside my first ever BirchBox!

Inside my first ever BirchBox!

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Happy Sunday! I thought I would sneak in an extra post this week because yesterday I got my first ever Birchbox and I am super excited about it! I have been wanting to subscribe to BirchBox for ages but couldn't justify a monthly spend of £12.95 when I was surviving week to week on just a tenner. Being back at work I decided the time was ripe to subscribe. Believe me I am so ridiculously happy that I did.

So I woke up yesterday morning to find this box of joy waiting for me and was absolutely delighted, so delighted in fact that in my haste I wound up kicking the door  and taking a massive chunk out of my toe. Ouchies! Whoever said beauty is pain was right. Luckily I recovered and quickly tore into my BirchBox, like a tiny child (or me) on Christmas morning, and this is what I found in there.

(How cute is the packaging?)

Benefit They're Real Mascara.

Now I am no stranger to the modern icon that is Benefit They're Real mascara, I was already quite the fan when I opened my BirchBox and saw this languishing in there (you can imagine how excited I was!) There is a lot of divided opinion when it comes to They're Real, it seems to be the Marmite of mascaras. You either love it or you hate it with no inbetween. Having said that it is the number 1 selling mascara in the UK and for good reason. Personally I love it. I think it's the ultimate multitasker: curling, lengthening, volumising, lifting and separating the lashes (lifting and separating makes it sound like a bra? No? Just me? Okay.) Whilst the brush does look something like a medieval instrument of torture it is precisely this that means even the shortest and most hard to reach lashes get a coating of mascara. The only slight issue I have with this mascara is the formula which dries a bit rubbery and takes hours to take off. Other than that I love it and am so glad I've got another one. 

Silk + Honey Shea Butter Hair Mask

I had never come across Silk + Honey before, but after a quick Google search I discovered that it is an all natural brand specialising in luxury, DIY products. From what I can gather the products arrive in self assembly kits containing all the ingredients to create them youself. The range includes a Shea Butter Hairmask, an Anti-Aging Hand Cream, a Natural Lip Gloss & a shimmering Body Cream.  Anyway BirchBox have cut out out the middle man and sent a 50 ml sample of the ready made hairmask. I haven't tried it out yet but the consistency is really think and creamy and it smells like roses. It does have an expiration date so I'm sure I will be posting a review soon. 

O.P.I Nail Lacquer in You're So Flippy Floppy from The Brazil Collection

My love of O.P.I Nail Lacquers is no secret, in my vast and never ending nail polish collection I have 14 from O.P.I. So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I found this in my BirchBox. I was over the moon. You're So Flippy Floppy is a really lovely, glittery, sunshine yellow, textured polish that instantly conjures the image of the exotic and tropical sands of Brazil. Whilst yellow is not the first colour I would usually reach for when I do my nails this one is really summery and pretty and I'm sure I will be trying it out soon. I'm hoping to get some swatches up on instagram during the week so keep an eye out for those. 

Caudalie Vinoperfect Broad Spectrum SPF15 Day Perfecting Fluid

Caudalie is a french brand that I haven't really come across before and is another luxury brand that uses all natural ingredients in their products  I received a 10ml sample of their Vinoperfect Broad Spectrum SPF15 Day Perfecting Fluid  which according to my estimate is roughly worth £9.50 ( I could be wrong. Maths is not my thing). Containing extract of Grapevine Shoot, Cassia Angustifolia Seed (I'm not too sure what this is, I'll be honest) and a whole list of other lovely natural ingredients this multitasking moisturiser has an oil free formula that promises to moisturise, correct and perfect and acts as a really good primer for makeup (according to the website that is.) Now I haven't tried it on my face yet so I can't say if it actually does all that it says it will. However I have swatched it on the back of my hand and I can tell you that it feels really nice on the skin and smells lovely. It also has the appearance of a tinted moisturiser (it isn't but it looks like one) and acts as a really subtle highlighter leaving dewy looking skin. I can't wait to test it out for real. 

Naobay Body Radiance Lotion 

Another brand that I had never heard of before - honestly this BirchBox has opened up a whole new world of beauty to me! - But after some quick click work I found out that Naobay is short for Natural And Organic Beauty And You which I kind of love, and once again specialises in products made primarily from natural and organic ingredients. Containing Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil and Aloe Vera the Body Radiance Lotion promises to repair and protect from 'external aggressions' (that's a direct quote from the website btw) whilst intensely hydrating the skin. I tested it out this morning and what I can say is that it is really moisturising and smells really lemony which was quite refreshing, it does err on the side of lemongrass which makes me think of Thai food, so maybe not the best scent for a moisturiser. But the full size packaging is really cool. 

BirchBox Brazil Key Ring

As an added extra I got this Brazil inspired flipflop keyring. Apparently Birchbox had a Brazil theme this month due to some kind of sportsing event taking place.I'll be honest I am useless when it comes to all things sports related but how cute is this flip flop keyring?  It's already on my keys. I love it. 

I'm not sure if you can still subscribe for the June Birchbox, I'm gonna assume you can't what with it being the 29th and there being only one day left of June. But if you want to subscribe for next month, and I stongly recommend that you do, then you can do so here.

I hope you've enjoyed my sneaky, secret post this week, I loved my BirchBox and couldn't wait to share it with all of you. Anywho I will be back tomorrow with the third in my Hopeless Romantic series - yes it's now a series - where I will be listing my favourite book couples. If you haven't yet you can check out the first two Hopeless Romantic posts here and here. Until then I am all over every possible social media site so feel free to check me out on twitter, facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest. 

Love love love xxx

Friday I'm in Love #5

Friday I'm in Love #5

Saturday 28 June 2014

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Happy Friday! I am so relieved the weekend is here. It’s been a really, really long week but it's all over now. I hope everyone's got a lovely weekend planned. I'm off to the cinema to (finally) see Maleficent on sunday. But before I do that I'm going to share with you my loves for this week. 

Nivea Daily Essentials 2 in 1 Cleanser & Toner

Normally I don't really buy 2in1 products because, in my experience, they are so rarely what they promise to be. Instead of getting the best of both worlds (Hannah Montana reference!) they're usually mediocre at best. This one, however, is amazing! I've been using this every night for the last week and there is a noticeable difference in my skin. My skin is clearer, smoother and softer and  it's all down to this. Not only does it feel absolutely gorgeous on the skin but it also removes all make up in one fell swoop and smells lovely. It has made taking my make up off almost as enjoyable as putting it on. I will definitely be repurchasing.

SkinSystem Antibacterial Hand Lotion from Asda. 

Being the insane (hand specific) germophobe that I am, I was dreading going back to work and exposing my hands to the millions of nasty bacteria residing in my keyboard and on my work phone. I’ve been working summers with the same company for the past two years and every year my hands get absolutely destroyed by the near constant application of hand sanitizer.  Recently I've been seriously lusting after Lanolips antibacterial handcream - I haven't tried it but have heard some seriously good things - but alas! pay day is still a long way off. And then I found this. In Asda. For the extortionate price of... one whole pound. Obviously I snapped it up right away, for  a pound it's got to be at least worth a try. Formulated to nourish and condition the hands whilst killing bacteria, it also contains pro vitamin B5 as an active ingredient which aids the healing processing and skin regeneration. It also feels really nice and soothing on the skin.  Like I said I’m an insane germophobe so of course I’ve still been using copious amounts of hand sani to cope (which does kind of defeat the purpose of an antibac hand cream, I know) but this has more than held it's own and has kept my hands lovely and soft.  I will be trying the Lanolips antibac handcream to see how they compare, but for now I'm really pleased with this.

Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer in #400 Big Bang

 

I was a bit obsessed with the Apocalips Lip Lacquers when they first came out and as a result have quite the collection (I have 6) but until this morning I hadn't used one in ages. I was in a rush for work and needed a red lip asap so I grabbed for the first one I could find, which just so happened to be this one. From the moment I put it on I could not even begin to fathom why I hadn't used it in so long. It's a lovely, sassy shade of red. It's perfect for summer as it's really bright and glossy. It has a doe foot applicator, like all Apocalips Lip Lacquers, so it is ridiculously easy to apply. The formula itself is really creamy and moisturising and not at all sticky which was really nice. It also lasts quite a long time although I did need to reapply after eating and drinking. Last summer I was never without Apocaliptic, which is my absolute favourite  - and one that I really must repurchase! - however Big Bang is a close second. I really like it.

How to Love by Katie Cotugno

(Picture courtesy of www.goodreads.com)

I don't like to throw the term favourite book around because I love so many books and I don't have a definitive favourite, but How to Love is definitely a contender. I downloaded this onto my Kindle in October last year and in the 8 months since I have read it 4, yes 4, times. I'm now reading it for the fifth time and it does not get old. I love it so much. The writing is excellent and the fact that this is Katie Cotugno's debut novel makes it all the more impressive. How to Love tells the story of Reena and Sawyer. Reena has loved Sawyer all her life but has never even hoped for him to notice her, until the day that he does. Of course they fall madly in love but Sawyer has his demons and one day out of the blue he disappears. Leaving Reena heartbroken and pregnant - before you start hating on Sawyer, whilst his leaving was a dick move he didn't actually know Reena was pregnant when he left. 2 years later and Reena, bitter and miserable for having to abandon her dreams and being deserted by Sawyer, has managed to build a life for herself and her daughter Hannah, that is until Sawyer returns. I won't give away the ending but I will tell you that I sobbed like an overgrown baby for a good 20 minutes after I finished the last page. It is such an emotional rollercoaster and just an amazing book. Definitely A favourite if not THE favourite.

 

I have two SOTW this week the first being Geography by Andy Jordan.

Yes that Andy Jordan with the 'nostrils' from Made in Chelsea. Before you brush this off just hear me out a second. It is actually a really, really good song. I first heard Andy sing on Made in Chelsea and thought that he was undeniably talented - and also one of the nicer people on MIC, just saying! - when I heard that he was releasing an EP, entitled Geography funnily enough, I thought I would give it a try. I am so glad I did. It's just such a nice song. I also strongly recommend On My Own. Love him or hate him - personally I love him - you can't deny that he's talented. 

And now for my second SOTW, which is Before I Ever Met You by Banks. 

Coincidentally I heard this song in the background of the season finale of Made in Chelsea (it's the guiltiest of  guilty pleasures!) and I loved it straight away. I love the moody vocals, and the lyrics are pretty awesome too. I really like it. I've had it on pretty much constantly for the past week and I'm still not tired of it. It's such a good song. 

Right then lovely people I'm going to sleep now because I've had a really long day. I'm sorry I've posted this so late but I just haven't had the time this week to get myself organised. But I hope you've enjoyed it and I would love to hear about the things you've been loving this week. Let me know using the hashtags #FridayIminLove and #FIIL. I'll be back on Monday with another in my Hopeless Romantic series where I will be talking about my favourite book couples. Until then I am all over social media so please check me out on twitter, facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest for your daily Lolarocknroses fix. 

Love love love xxxx

Hopeless Romantic#2: My Favourite Movie & TV Couples

Hopeless Romantic#2: My Favourite Movie & TV Couples

Monday 23 June 2014

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Last Monday I wrote of my love for all things hopeless and romantic being myself the most hopeless of all the hopeless romantics. And so continuing in that vein I thought I would share with you my absolute favourite fictional couples from both the big and small screens. I was going to include my favourite fictional couples from books but that list would go on forever, my book list is a post best saved for another day, perhaps next Monday. So in no particular order...

Mindy & Danny from The Mindy Project.

(Picture from www.hypable.com)

They give me heart tinglys, because I love them so much.  I love that they argue all the time even they are so obviously very much in love. I love that he gets her and accepts her. I adore absolutely everything about her. I just love them so much. The almost kiss at the end of season 1 gives me palpitations... in a good way. 

Pam & Jim from The Office.

(Picture from forgetandnotslowdown.wordpress.com)

This is the relationship that I want. Preferably with John Krasinski but he's with Emily Blunt and I both respect and ship that. I love that even when times are bad -  like in season 8 :( - you always know that, no matter what, Pam and Jim absolutely adore one another. Which brings me onto my next couple. 

Marshall & Lily from How I met your Mother. 

(Picture from www.tvfanatic.com)

AKA the most perfect tv couple to ever be. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the season 9 finale of How I met your Mother (let's not even go there!) But one thing they did get right, time and again across all 9 seasons, - even in the spectacular f**k up that was the season 9 finale- was Marshall and Lily. They have inside jokes, they're each other's best friends and they are so in love. They're perfect.

Nick & Jess from New Girl.

(Picture from tvandfilmnews.com)

Of course they're on here. Yet another case of best friends falling in love. (I'm waiting for this to happen in my life, it's why I'm trying to become Tom Hiddleston's best gal pal! Although if this ever did happen and I'm fully aware that it most probably won't, I would probably get FriendZoned!) Anyway when they finally, FINALLY, kissed in season 2 the world rejoiced. For 2 reasons 1. It was a super awesome kiss. 2. IT WAS NICK AND JESS! They will end up together, there is no point in anyone denying it. I love them together. I think they're amazing. 

Leslie Knope & Ben Wyatt from Parks & Rec

(Picture from www.usmagazine.com)

First of all how amazing is this picture?! It's so cute. Ben and Leslie are so cute. In fact they are adorable and that is not a word I use lightly. Ever since the beginning I have been rooting for Ben and Leslie. From their first meeting when they hated each other, to their first kiss (which was awesome! Watch it here!)  through their break up, when Ben nobly sacrificed  his love for Leslie for the sake of her career and then finally their beautiful, impromptu wedding -throughout which I cried lots of happysad tears.  'I like you & I love you' Such a simple but beautiful sentiment. I just love them. 

Noah & Allie from The Notebook

(Picture courtesy of prettycleverfilms.com)

I wasn't sure whether or not to include them in this list because it's a movie of a book (just a heads up they will also be appearing on my couples from books list)  but how could I not? I read the book before I saw the movie and the casting of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams is perfect. I can't understand why they are not together in real life anymore. It is incomprehensible to me!

This is the greatest moment in the history of television, and by television I mean the MTV Movie Awards, same thing really. 

Harry & Sally from When Harry Met Sally.

(How much is Meg Ryan rocking that hat?! Picture courtesy of thecollagecrush.com)

Of all the romantic comedies where the main characters have been besties for years and then, gasp, realise they were in love the whole time (which is pretty much every romcom ever) this one was the first and the very best. I love Harry and Sally.  I love that after Harry tells Sally he loves her this is her response: 'that is just like you Harry, you say things like that and you make it impossible for me to hate you!' This is possibly one of my favourite movie quotes ever. I love that they hate each other, and then they like each and then they're besties before they realise, inevitably, that they love each other and then live happily ever after. It's my favourite romcom for a reason, Harry and Sally are the reason.

So those are some of the couples I have been shipping.I'll be completely honest this is the tiniest tip of the iceberg.  I ship a lot of couples, it's because I love... love. I love it. I have definitely overused the word love in this post. I'm ok with it. I would love (see there I go again) to hear about the couples you have been shipping let me know on twitter and while you're there check me out on facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest for your daily Lolarocknroses fix, if anyone needs one of those. I will be back on Wednesday with this weeks 2 Stars & A Wish. Until then...

Love love love xxx

2 Stars & A Wish #3

2 Stars & A Wish #3

Wednesday 18 June 2014

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Happy Wednesday lovely people! I hope everyone's having a fabulous week so far. I have now been what could be described as a functioning adult with a functioning job for the past three days. I can't say I'm loving it but I've definitely had worse jobs. I quite literally made a tit of myself on Monday when I wore a sheer, see-through top with a (rather ill fitting) black vest top underneath. Halfway through the day I looked down to find that my vest top had slipped down, showcasing my boobs encased in their bright pink leopard print bra to everyone in the office. Mega awkward. But enough about that let's talk about my 2 Stars & A Wish for the week.

My first Star this week goes to Modern Muse by Estée Lauder

This was a welcome home present from my Mumma and it is absolutely beautiful. It smells lovely without being over powering. According to the Estée Lauder website Modern Muse combines woody and floral scents creating a fragrance as 'complex and fascinating as the women who inspire it'. I love that idea. I also love the fact that it smells absolutely bloody gorgeous! And it lasts a really long time. Not only that but the packaging is beautiful too. I think every woman should have a signature scent, my mum's is Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier, and I think this is a serious contender to becoming mine. I love it. 

My Second Star this week goes to Optrek Soothing Eye Drops - For Itchy Eyes.

   

I know this isn't exactly a beauty product but it's been so good that I thought it was definitely worthy of a mention. This summer I've had the worst hayfever ever! Previously hayfever used to be a mild annoyance which gave me a stuffed up nose and watery eyes for like a week at the beginning of every summer before magically disappearing. This year, sadly, that has not been the case. Since the start of the warmer weather my eyes have been watering constantly. Now you wouldn't think this would be anything other than a slight inconvenience, I know I didn't, but honestly it is awful.  My eyes have been swollen and bright red for weeks! The skin beneath has become dry and puffy and so sore from the constant watering  that it hurts to blink. I tried taking anti-histamines but they didn't work. Nothing worked. Until I found this, used in combination with some own brand hayfever tablets from Boots, my hayfever and the constantly watering eyes have stopped. My eyes are looking, and feeling, so much better. It's a life saver. 

My Wish this week is No 7's Extreme Length Extend Mascara. 

I got this as part of a free gift around Christmastime last year and have only used it a couple of times since. The formula is really thin and watery and because of this it takes a good 3 or 4 coats to build up a decent layer of lash coverage. The brush is plastic and not very flexible. Overall it left my lashes looking a bit meh. as mascaras go this one is totally unremarkable. I was so disappointed but can't really complain because it was a free gift.

Sorry tonight's post is a bit short, I'm really tired from work, but I so wanted to make sure that I got it published tonight. So what do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Let me know using the hashtag #2starsandawish. I'll be back on Friday -hopefully- with Friday I'm in Love #4, monthaversary yo!...Sorry I'm so lame. Until then check me out on twitter, facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest. 

Love love love xxxxx

Hopeless Romantic: The Dangers of the Romantic Comedy...

Hopeless Romantic: The Dangers of the Romantic Comedy...

Monday 16 June 2014

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I hope everyone has had a fabulous weekend and is having a good week so far. Now I have to confess to something. I am a hopeless romantic. And I mean utterly hopeless. It has to be said that I do love a good RomCom. I also love romance novels, - the Nicholas Sparks kind not the 50 Shades of Grey scary, domineering sex kind. I'm a romantic not a pervert! - love songs and sitcoms where there is a will they? won't they? On-again-off-again love story (which by the way is every sitcom EVER!).

Now there is nothing wrong with this in particular but I think personally my love for all things romance may not be a good thing and here's why:

Life isn't a film. Or a romance novel. Or a sitcom. Or a love song. You'd think I would have learnt this before I reached the age of *cough, splutter* 23 but alas! I have not. I have yet to learn that I am not the geeky girl who hides behind her glasses and book only to find out that beneath my bookishness, gasp, I was beautiful all along. I am just the geeky girl who reads a lot and that's fine. When I fall down in life (which frequently happens) it's embarrassing not super cute! Nor is it a precursor for a meet cute, usually it means someone is laughing at me. Sadly I do not have the hair, face or body of Jennifer Lawrence. And nowhere is there a rugged, manly, Ryan Gosling-esque figure wanting to kiss me silly in the rain. 

So rarely does this happen in my day to day life!

Now there's nothing wrong with my life, sometimes it can be pretty damn awesome, but there is something - or should I say someone - missing. I am of course talking about my perpetual state of singleness. I have been single for 3 years and it's getting to the point where I've had enough now (ironically in my last relationship I couldn't wait to be single.) The problem hasn't been a lack of options but rather my ridiculously high expectations. I expect magic and when the poor boy competing for my affections doesn't meet my ridiculously high expectations that's when things go wrong,  I start to hate him and then myself and it's all a big mess. It's fair to say that I'm not very good at this relationshippy stuff. 

After a long, searching conversation with a friend we both came to the conclusion that RomComs have warped my perception of life and love which maybe is part of the reason that I'm still single (I've made myself sound totally desperate and crazy. I know.) Anyway the moral of the story is that I watch too many romcoms. However instead of taking them at face value and treating them as the escapism/entertainment that they are I treat them as guidelines for life. Which is crazy and stupid, but also kinda fun. It's nice to live in a world where crazy, stupid love (like what I did there?) happens to the dorky girl. Yes I may have taken it a bit seriously, and yes it's not exactly normal to have a soundtrack to your life based on romantic, lovey dovey/heartbreaking songs. But I reiterate it's fun! And stupid. And really nice to always believe in happy endings, even when they seem so far away. 

So for now I may be a Bridget Jones type character in the RomCom of my life BUT even she found Mark Darcy in the end. I'm just waiting for mine. 

SWOON!

Until next time lovely people check me out on twitter, facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest. 

Love love love xxxx

Images Via, Via, Via, Via 

*Disclaimer* I own none of the images featured. Images used for entertainment purposes only.

Friday I'm in Love #3

Friday I'm in Love #3

Saturday 14 June 2014

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Sorry this is a day late had a bit of a hectic week but I hope everyone's had a lovely week and is enjoying the weekend. I'm now all moved out of my uni flat and am back at home, ready to start work on Monday. Can't quite believe it's all over. But enough about that. This week marks the third week anniversary of Friday I'm in Love, which I am weirdly super excited about. So let's dive straight into the things I've been loving this week. (I apologise about the crappy pictures - half of them were taken in my flat where the light is much better and the rest were taken in my room at home where the light is terrible.)

MAC Blush in Dame 

I bought this when I went to New York, nearly two years ago now, and it's not even close to running out yet. It is the most beautiful, rosy shade of pink that somehow manages to brighten up my ghostly pale complexion leaving me with dewy-looking, rosy cheeks. The consistency is beautiful, not at all chalky and it goes on like an absolute dream. I went home for the weekend a while back and left this behind and I was completely and utterly lost without it. I ended up buying like three blushers, none of which suited me quite the way this one does. It is my (whisper it) favourite blusher ever.

Paul Costelloe totebag 

Image via 

I got this for my birthday back in April and have been too afraid to use it for two reasons. 1) I am the clumsiest thing in the world and I don't want to hurt it because it's just so pretty and 2) it's too fancy for me. However recently I overcame this fear and fell totally in love with it.  Not only is it beautiful on the outside it's beautiful on the inside too as the lining is bloody gorgeous. I can fit literally everything in it (as someone who does not travel light this is essential in my handbags.)  I love it and I'm so glad that I was brave enough to use it, gladder still that I didn't end up hurting it. 

MUA eyeshadow pallet in Undressed 

I raved about Undressed's more neutral sister pallet Heaven & Earth in this weeks 2 Stars & A Wish. But I've since had the chance to test out Undressed and surprise, surprise I loved it. The colours are lovely, the shadows last a really long time without creasing, it's just gorgeous. MUA is one of my favourite drug store brands. From what I've experienced their make up is of a really good quality and cheap as chips... winner. 

Apple Cinnamon Tea

                   

A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with ARD (Acid Reflux Disease) which basically means that I produce too much stomach acid (eww) particularly when I'm stressed and it makes me feel sick or like I'm gonna be sick all the time. Mostly it only rears it's ugly head when I am really stressing out or anxious, but certain things can exacerbate it and surprisingly milk is one of them so I had to give up  tea. As you can imagine I was devastated, being both British and a human, since then I have been looking for a tea to replace my morning cuppa and this is an excellent substitute. It's absolutely delicious and smells like Christmas and autumn and happiness.  Not only that but the health benefits are amazing. Apple tea is known to strengthen the immune system -I swear I haven't had a single cold since I started drinking it. It also helps fight arthritis, reduces the risk of certain cancers and lowers cholestrol. Combine that with the benefits of Cinnamon tea - which works as an anti-imflammatory, improves circualation and  fights viruses, to name but a few of it's properties - and you have Super Tea (sorry that was lame!). I love it, it's yummy and at 74p from Tesco it's a total bargain.

House MD 

Image Via

I know I am about 10 years late to the party with this one but being the loser t.v. addict that I am I had officially run out of good tv to watch. Until I discovered the wonder that is Dr. Gregory House. I only started watching this on Wednesday but have already finished season 1 because it is so good and I've been binge watching it. Plus I have a not so secret crush on Hugh Laurie (that doesn't scream out Daddy issues at all, not even a little bit). The writing is brilliant, the acting (particularly from Hugh Laurie) is more so and it's excellent television.  

SOTW: Running Wild by Jules Larson

This song came out in 2012 but I first heard it on Tuesday in the trailer for the film The Best of Me - which I cannot wait to see! I loved the book, I'm a big Nicholas Sparks fan. Even though his books are a tad formulaic they're still always lovely!- Anyway this song is just so uplifting and lovely. It's the kind of song that makes me wish I was in love (alas! sadly I am not) but it's so sweet and happy. I love it. 

So those were my loves for the week. Let me know what you've been loving over the past 7 days using the hashtag #FridayIminLove. Again I apologise for the lateness. I'll be back on Monday where I will be talking about the dangers of the RomCom. Intrigued? You should be! Tehehe. 

Until then check me out on twitter, facebook, BlogLovin, instagram and pinterest. 

Love love love xxx