Lola Rocks #5 ... The March Music Favourites

Lola Rocks #5 ... The March Music Favourites

Sunday, 5 April 2015

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You might have noticed that nowhere in my March Favourites, Beauty or otherwise, did I talk about music, which, I know,  is unheard of for me. I had so many that I thought it'd just be easier to dedicate a post to them. So here they are. 

Smile by Mikky Ekko

I have not stopped listening to this since I first heard it in the Paper Towns trailer (side note: I'm so excited for that movie! Read my book review here.) It is such an awesome, uplifting yet bittersweet song and I just love it. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. 

To the Top by Twin Shadow 

 

I have loved this song for a long time but had kinda forgot all about it until recently when I just completely fell back in love with it. It's another song that is happy/sad but totally awesome. 

XO by  Beyoncé 

So I know this song is like a year old but I'd genuinely never heard it until it was featured in an episode of The Mindy Project recently (I know! Apparently I live under a rock!) and I was hooked. Queen Bee knows how to bring it. 

Dancing on my Own by Kings of Leon 

When I first heard Kings of Leon's cover of Robyn's 2010 hit Dancing on my Own a few years ago I was immediately obsessed and then once again forgot about it. But after falling back in love with it I can safely say it is amazing. I liked the original anyway but KOL just take it to the next level. In their very capable hands this song becomes moody and sultry and heartbreaking but mostly just incredible.

Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Is it just me or has this song been EVERYWHERE lately?! I'm not complaining because it's so good. It's really, happy and upbeat but also really nostalgic. It sounds like it's from the 50's, which only makes me love it more. I can't help but sing along when I listen to it. It makes me so happy. 

Simple Song by The Shins

Yet another great song that I loved and then forgot all about (I really must stop doing that!) I just love everything about this song. 

Elastic Heart by Sia

Me and Sia are having a bit of a moment right now (well I am... she's not aware of it)  I just love her, I think she is absolutely fascinating as an artist and her music is amazing. I haven't been able to get Elastic Heart out of my head.  It's so good. 

Grow Old by The Naked & Famous 

I love The Naked & Famous (woah that sounds weird!).  Grow Old is my favourite song off their second album In Rolling Waves. For some reason I find this song really sad, even though it isn't really.  It's quite hard to describe because it's electro but I think it's gorgeous. Have a listen and let me know what you think. 

Sorry I know that was on the longer and ramblier side of things, but these were all the songs I was loving throughout March. What songs are you loving at the moment? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter or by dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. I'm always on the hunt for new music so would really love your recommendations. If you do leave a comment I always try to reply so do check back. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin & pinterest. 

I hope you've all had a fabulous Easter and have had all the chocolate and hot cross buns (my fave Easter treat!) and I'll see you soon. 

Until then... 

Love love love xxx

*Disclaimer* I own none of the videos featured in this post. Videos used for entertainment purposes only. 

2 Stars & A Wish #5

2 Stars & A Wish #5

Thursday, 3 July 2014

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You will have noticed that today is in fact Thursday (I’m very good at stating the obvious!) and 2 Stars & A Wish is usually posted on a Wednesday (again, my obvious stating is excellent) Last night I went to my sister’s to get my roots touched up (they were in dire need) and by the time she was finished I was more than ready for bed. But here it is as promised… just a day behind schedule.

My First Star this week is jointly awarded to Lisle Street by Nails Inc & Nail Jewellery in Justice Walk by Nails Inc.

I am a huge fan of Nails Inc. Of my 188 strong nail polish collection, at least 40 of them are Nails Inc. These two have been loitering at the back of my collection, unused and unnoticed, and probably would have remained that way if I hadn't had a super girly night with my friends last Saturday. We decided that it was of the utmost importance for us to paint our nails. And to do that we needed to enlist the help of my vast nail polish collection. After we had marveled - seriously it is quite something to behold-  we got stuck in. Being completely spoilt for choice I made the girls pick for me and these were the colours they chose. 

Nails Inc in Lisle Street is a really, really pretty coral colour. Whilst I’m not a pastels kinda girl I do love a good coral polish and this one is gorgeous. I can’t believe I’ve had it for over a year and I’ve never used it before. Bad Lauren. I feel like I need to explain myself, I don’t just mindlessly buy nail polish I never use. Actually that’s a lie I totally do. But in my defence every couple of months or so Nails Inc has a Lucky Dip Sale which is 7 randomly selected polishes for £20, offering a saving of over £50. It’s a total bargain so obviously I’ve done it a few times. In fact I’m pretty sure it’s how I accrued my sizable collection of Nails Inc Polishes. The only problem is I don’t get to choose and if the colours don’t jump out at me straight away then they tend to get forgotten about. The upside to this is that my nail polish collection is full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered (downside I’m a crazy nail varnish hoarder.)

Like I said the colour is a really beautiful coral, that manages to make even my ghostly hands look tanned. It also lasts a really long time without chipping. I’m so glad they picked this one out for me otherwise it would have remained forgotten and forlorn at the back of my stash. The only teeny tiny niggle I have with Lisle Street is the slightly watery formula. Usually I have absolutely no qualms with the formula of Nails Inc polishes. Having said that it’s really not a deal breaker it just needs an extra coat to be opaque. Overall I’m really happy with it and I absolutely love it. 

Nails Inc Nail Jewellery in Justice Walk is an Amber coloured glitter. I'm normally not a huge glitter fan (because it is so goshdarn difficult to remove), which is probably why its been overlooked for so long. But the minute I put it on I fell completely in love with it. The colour is so pretty and the formula is amazing. It's thick enough that it only takes a few coats to be opaque but also thin enough that one layer can act as a sparkly top coat. I'm so happy about ths

My Second Star this week goes to Nivea Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover 

I bought this because I'd never tried a dual action eye make up remover before and I was curious to see what it was like. I've been using it every night before I go to bed for the past two weeks and I have to say it has really impressed me (you can see in the picture how much I've been using it.) The oil based layer is specially formulated to be tough on make up but gentle on the skin and to remove even the most stubborn of waterproof mascaras. It took on Benefits They're Real mascara, a mascara notorious for it's hard to remove formula, and won. The water based layer soothes and protects the delicate under eye skin and conditions the eyelashes (which has actually made a noticeable difference. Who'd have thunk it?) Despite being partly oil based it doesn't have a greasy texture and doesn't sting the eyes. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned my love for No 7's Beautiful Skin Eye Make Up Remover (read it here) but this one literally blows it out of the water (sorry No7 I still love you). It's amazing. 

My Wish this week goes to Pantene Pro-V Split End Serum for Normal/Thick Hair

Some of you will know my hair is a source of both intense love and intense hate in my life. My mission is to grow my hair to my waist, in the hope that the added length will weigh down my hair causing my curls to go from completely insane to only moderately so. 3 years ago my hair, after years of bleach and straightening abuse, had to be cut to my collar bone. I was absolutely devastated, when straightened my hair was barely medium length. When curly it was a chin length bob at best. I absolutely hated it that length. Short hair, of any kind, does not even remotely suit me. Anyway 3 years later and my hair is oh so slowly inching its way down my back towards my waist, another 2 years and it will (hopefully) reach its target. So where does Pantene Pro V Split End serum come into all this? Well split ends are my mortal enemy. They are the Voldemort to my Harry Potter. If Harry Potter was a gobby red head (Ron Weasley anyone?). I loathe split ends, so I bought this as a preventative measure to see if it would make any difference. Sadly it doesn’t work. I applied the serum to the ends of my hair literally every time I washed my hair for months and it made little to no difference to the state of my split ends. The formula is really thick and weighs down the ends of my hair and made them look greasy which I hate. It does smell really nice but that doesn’t do much good when it doesn’t do what it says it will. Overall I was really disappointed with this. Big thumbs down.

There won't be a Friday I'm in Love this week instead my June Favourites will be taking it's place. I have never done a Favourites post before so I am super excited about it. Friday I'm in Love will be back as normal from next week. 

Until Friday then lovely people check out my twitter, facebook, Bloglovin, instagram & pinterest for your daily Lolarocknroses fix, if you need one that is. 

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