Lola Rocks #4... The Kodaline Obsession

Lola Rocks #4... The Kodaline Obsession

Thursday, 5 March 2015

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In the last few weeks I have been ranting and raving and shouting my love for Kodaline from the rooftops. I thought the best course of action, so that I won't continue to bore you lovelies with my obsession,  would be to dedicate a post to my favourite songs by Kodaline and get it all out of my system.  So without further ado let's talk Kodaline. 

Talk from In a Perfect World 

It's common knowledge round these here parts that sad songs are my faves. I don't like being sad but I love sad songs. Don't know why.  Anyway Talk is one of my absolute favorites but it is so sad. It's lovely but heartbreaking so obviously I adore it. Now please excuse me while I cry my eyes out for days whilst listening to this song.  I'm joking... sort of. 

Honest from Coming Up for Air 

Honest is probably the least sad out of all my favourites, while it's not sad exactly it's not really a happy song - obviously, otherwise I probably wouldn't like it as much -  I love it, it's my favourite track from Coming Up for Air.  It's different  not enough isolate fans. I think it's a great song. 

Latch from In a Perfect World

 

This song is another one that I've just loved and listened to repeatedly since the moment I first heard it. Latch is one of those songs where if you actually look at the lyrics it isn't actually a sad song, it's about finding the person you love and keeping them around. It's a happy song and yet it doesn't sound like one. It's so sad and has made me cry more than once but it's a happy song. Work that one out! 

High Hopes from In a Perfect World

 

This is the song that first introduced me to Kodaline, what with me being about 2 steps behind the rest of the world and all, so it will always have a special place in my heart. It's such a beautiful song and I fell in love with it the first time I heard it. 

and my absolute favourite song is... 

The Answer from In a PerfectWorld

 

This is the most played song on my itunes ever. We're talking triple digits here people. This song genuinely feels like it was written for me, which is stupid because I know it wasn't,  but it just feels like it was. It's absolutely beautiful. I seriously crazy, stupid, love it! The problem is I actually can't listen to it without crying but I do anyway. 

There's a reason I love Kodaline so much, with a lot of their songs, particularly The Answer, it feels like they're  speaking directly to me and only to me... they're not and I know that but I love these particular songs (and their music in general) for that reason. I am aware of how cheesy this sounds.  And just to clarify I do like other music by other people. 

Those are my Top 5 Kodaline songs and I promise I will never talk about Kodaline again... I'm probably going to talk about them again I won't talk about them as much. Promise.

What are your favourite songs? Kodaline or otherwise! Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com . Also check out my instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest and I will be back on Sunday. 

Until then... 

Love love love xxx

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

February Favourites 2015

February Favourites 2015

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

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It's that time of the month again - no not that time! - where I tell you lovely people about the things I've been loving over the past 4 weeks.  So grab yourselves a cup of tea - maybe a snack,  make yourselves comfortable and let's do this! 

Bourjois Dotting Tool  

When it comes to nail art I am worse then useless. Honestly it's pretty amazing that I can even paint my own nails but this dotting tool is so easy to use that even a noob like me can use it and make decent looking polka dots. So simple but so effective. 

No 7 Make Up Brush Cleanser 

Not the most exciting of beauty favourites but definitely one of the more necessary.  Every make up lover knows what an absolute ball-ache it is to clean make up brushes. It's a necessary evil but it's time consuming and boring and I always end up with prune hands. BUT this has made the whole thing so much easier.  I use this once a week to spot clean my brushes - I deep clean once a month - and it's so good. It's not too alcohol-y so it doesn't dry out my brushes and takes no time at all. 2 pumps onto some kitchen towel, swirl the brush and voila clean brushes.

Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in #520 Light It Up 

I ADORE the Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencils. So when I saw this gorgeous blue toned red, it was a no brainer,  I simply had to have it. The formula is delightful. It's creamy but long lasting and doesn't bleed into the lip line.  It is so comfortable to wear, has an amazing colour pay off and a beautiful velvety matte finish. I will be adding more of these to my growing collection because they're gorgeous. 

Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer in #2 Cool Medium

This was a favourite last month and it's so good that it's a favourite this month too.  I won't bang on about it too much for fear of repeating myself and boring you lovely people but trust me it's amazing.  It has great coverage, is easily blendable and I love it. 

PS Nail Polish in Silvery Lilac 

This polish is amazing and cost £1. Yep you read that right.  £1. The formula is fabulous. It's thick and creamy yet easily workable, it is so easy to apply, is uniformly opaque within 2 coats and the colour, as you can see, is ridiculously pretty. I love it. 

O.P.I in Peace & Love & O.P.I 

I have been lusting after O.P.I's Peace & Love & O.P.I for months now so I was over the moon when my sister picked it up for me at Sally's (she's a sweetheart).  It is the most beautiful dark purple and green duo-chrome. Now I really like O.P.I but sometimes the formula can be a bit pants, and this one does tend to lean towards the streaky side however it only takes three coats to be opaque and it is so worth it because the colour is seriously gorgeous and mermaid-like. 

The Glam Guide by Fleur De Force

Okay,so my girlcrush on Fleur De Force continues. I've been reading a lot of youtubers guide books lately, they're a great distraction from the mind numbingly dull reading I have to do for uni (Post-modernism? Seriously, who cares?!), and The Glam Guide is my absolute favourite. It's beautifully illustrated, nicely written and the photography is amazing. I love it. 

Serial

Image via 

I spend a lot of time travelling between home and uni, with me not being able to drive and there being no direct train it means a two hour bus journey each way. I can't read because I get travel sick so podcasts have fast become one of my favourite things. And oh my God! Serial is my favourite, it is beyond amazing. It's completely addictive and absolutely fascinating. I've even got  my mum listening to it  and she never listens to me. That's how good it is!

Tetley's Green Tea with  Apple & Blackberry 

AKA the most delicious green tea ever. Now I'm a big green tea drinker, have been for years. And as a seasoned green tea pro I know that a lot of flavoured green teas are not good, this one is amazing.  I picked this up because I ran out of tea and wanted to try something new. It is so warming and comforting and so yummy that I can't stop drinking it. Seriously I've been through at least 3 boxes, which is 60 cups of tea.

Malteaster Bunnies 

I have been eating these non-stop because Easter Chocolate is actually the best. I don't even like Malteasers, Malteaster Bunnys, on the other hand, are a whole other kettle of yummy chocolate bunny-fish.

Pat Benatar - All Fired Up 

Okay so All Fired Up by Pat Benatar maybe  the most eighties thing to ever eighties BUT that's what makes it awesome. IT has  been getting me out of bed in the mornings. Why?! Because it just gets me ALL FIRED UP!  (that's right I went there!)  Seriously though whenever I listen to this song I get so pumped and motivated that I am ready to hit the ground running. It's such a good song! 

Kodaline

Okay I promise I'll stop talking about Kodaline soon! I'm having a moment of obsession and I'm just really loving them right now. The new album Coming Up for Air is really good, but personally I prefer their first album. In a Perfect World is incredible, and made all the more impressive considering it was their debut! Seriously I feel like Steve Garrigan - who I believe is the song writer - cracked open my heart and turned what he found there into amazing and beautiful music that I could listen to over and over again (definitely have done that) and yes I am aware of how unbelievably cheesy that sounds. 

So those were my February Favourites what were yours?  Let me know by commenting below, on twitter or by dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest for daily updates. 

Have a lovely week and I'll see you soon, 

Love love love xxx

*Disclaimer* I own the photos only, I do not own the Pat Benatar or Kodaline video, videos were used for entertainment purposes only. 

Lola Rocks #3 ... The Live Music Edit

Lola Rocks #3 ... The Live Music Edit

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

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I have seen a lot of live music, like a lot, a lot. I try to see at least one live act a year but most years it's way more than that. In 2011 I went to loads of festivals and saw roughly 28 live acts and it was a really good year. 2012 was the best year though because I saw my favourite everything, the Boss Almighty himself... Bruce Springsteen! And then I saw him again in 2013 and he was - and continues to be - the best musician I have ever seen!

Anyway I thought I'd put together a list of the Top 5 bands/musicians that I want to see this year.

The Killers 

 

The Killers basically got me through my dissertation last year but for some reason or other I've never got round to seeing them live and I desperately want to change that.  Sadly it doesn't look like they're  touring anytime soon so it might not happen this year but I will definitely see them live. At some point.

Kodaline 

 

Kodaline is my current obsession and I'm dying to see them live. Their touring at the moment but the only UK date I can get to is next week and I really can't afford it but I will see them before the year is out! 

One Republic 

I always forget how much I like One Republic and then a song will pop up on my iPod and I'll remember that they haven't released a song I don't like, and then I have a One Republic binge.  I've wanted to see them for a while but have just never got round to it. They're touring in Canada at the moment and I'm hoping they'll end up in the UK soon. 

Flogging Molly 

I have wanted to see Flogging Molly for years! Since I first heard If I Ever Leave This World Alive in P.S. I Love You. I've listened to a couple of their other songs and I just really like them and I bet going to one of their gigs would be so much fun!

The National 

I love The National! They're music is heartbreaking and amazing, and I would just be in tears the whole time if I ever saw them in concert but it would be WORTH IT!

Who are the bands you want to see live this year? What was the best live music experience you've had? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or even dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. I'll be back on Thursday, until then have yourselves a lovely week & check out my social media (instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest)

Love love love xxx

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

January Favourites 2015

January Favourites 2015

Monday, 9 February 2015

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Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer in 2 Cool Medium

This is a new addition to my make up collection and I honestly don't know why it took me so long to buy it because it's amazing! I was a bit wary at first because I thought there was no way it could possibly live up to the all hype that surrounds it. But it totally does. And even if it didn't (but it does!), at £4.19 it was more than worth the investment.  I got the shade Cool Medium which I think might be the slightest bit too dark for me, I think I'm somewhere in between Fair and Cool Medium, but even so it's awesome. The formula is the real star, it is so covering, really long lasting, easily blendable and just wonderful, concealing goodness in a tube. I've been using it constantly and I love it so very, very much. 

Seventeen Phwoarr Paint in Fair

I have waxed lyrical about this super concealer on many occasions, so I'm not going to bang on about it too much. This concealer is a lifesaver, it covers blemishes and under eye circles like nothing else.  It's really creamy but so long lasting  and the coverage is excellent. I warm it up between my fingertips and dab it on the offending blemish  or my severe under eye baggage and it's like it was never there.

Ilcsi Grape Stem Cell Gel Mask

So my skin is still crap, I don't know why, because I take good care of it and drink plenty of water but it's still bad... but it's being particularly bad at the moment. I've been waking up to a new breakout every couple of days and it is NOT fun! Then I tried this Ilcsi mask, and whilst the breakouts are still happening, the rest of my skin is looking great. The mask itself feels quite strange against the skin but not unpleasant. It's a really thick, orange gel that has the consistency of marmalade but smells like marzipan.  The mask promises to regenerate and rejuvenate the skin through the highly concentrated power of grape stem cells which stimulates cell renewal and increases cell longevity leaving you with clearer, younger looking skin. I've been using it twice a week throughout January but could notice a difference from the first use. My pores look smaller, my skin is firmer and more radiant, it's just a shame that it's also covered in spots.  

Barry M Hi Shine Gelly Nail Paint

L-R: Sugar Apple, Elderberry, Almond & Rosehip

Top to Bottom: Rosehip, Almond, Elderberry & Sugar Apple

I wasn't loving a particular shade this month, although I did use all of these in January, the formula itself was my favourite. It's thick but easily workable, is opaque within two coats and the finish is gel-like (hence the name), super shiny and longer lasting than the average Barry M nail paint - which is pretty decent anyway - overall I was seriously loving the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paints last month. 

Rhett & Link/Good Mythical Morning

Image via

If it's possible to have a Youtube problem then I definitely have one, and Rhett and Link are my latest habit. Once again I am so far behind the rest of the world because they've been around for years but they're a recent discovery of mine and I am legitimately obsessed and also a little bit in love with both of them, God save me I love a guy with a sense of humour!  I could watch their videos for days! (and have definitely done that)  because they're ridiculously funny. I've been listening to their podcast Ear Biscuits a lot too and have had to stop myself from LOLing in public.  I love them. 

Vlogbrothers

Image via

Another new Youtube revealation that is new only to me because the world  cottoned on to their awesome years ago.  I am a huge John Green fan so when I found out about the youtube channel he has with his brother Hank I was all over that business.  Their videos are seriously great. I can't find the words to tell you how amazing their videos are because the advent of the heart eyed emoji has robbed me of the ability to express enthusiasm but trust me they are seriously awesome!

Honest by Kodaline

Okay, I know I've mentioned Kodaline loads in the last month but me and Kodaline are having a bit of a moment -well I am, Kodaline aren't aware of it-  This song is from their new album (which I can't wait for!) and is all kinds of amazing. I've had it stuck in my head for the past 2 weeks and I love it. Have a listen and tell me what you think. 

Blank Space by Taylor Swift

Confession time I am not a huge Taylor Swift fan. There were a couple of her songs that I liked but other than that she wasn't my cup of Green Tea but I must admit her new album is making me think twice.  Tay Tay has upped her game and I love it. Now I haven't heard the whole album but I've heard a few songs and Blank Space (and Welcome to New York obvs!) is my favourite. It's amazing. 'Nuff said!

Those were my January Favourites, what were yours? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter or by dropping me an email lolarocknroses@gmail.com. While you're at it  check out my instagram, Bloglovin, facebook & pinterest. 

I'll be back on Tuesday with a new Lola Rocks. 

Until then... 

Love love love xxx 

*Disclaimer* I do not own the images of Rhett & Link/the Vlogbrothers  and the videos, they were used for entertainment purposes only. 

2014 Non Beauty Favourites, Part 3: Books & Music

2014 Non Beauty Favourites, Part 3: Books & Music

Sunday, 1 February 2015

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At last we come to the end of my 2014 Favourites, it only took all of January but hey ho! Now this post is probably gonna be on the longer, ramblier side of things. I love books and I love music so I'll try to keep this short and sweet but you've been warned, it may get lengthy.

Love Rosie (Where Rainbows End) by Cecelia Ahern

I read this back in the summer, before I saw the film (which I also loved), and I loved it so much I read it twice. It's just such a lovely story. For those who don't know Love Rosie is about childhood best friends Alex and Rosie told through emails and letters as they grow up and life gets in the way of things. I loved it, a lot. 

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I read this over Christmas and completely loved it. We Were Liars tells the story of the seemingly perfect Sinclaire family who spend every summer together on a private island owned by the family patriarch. BUT all is not what it seems. I seriously loved it, I read it in a day because I couldn't put it down. It is so beautifully written and a really good story. If you do read it make sure you have some tissues to hand because it gets really sad.

How to Love by Katie Cotugno

This is one of my favourite books, I read it at least 5 times last year because it is that good. I've definitely talked about it on here before so I won't bang on about it too much just trust me it is an incredible book, made all the more impressive considering its Cotugno's first one, and well worth a read. I seriously love it. 

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

I reviewed this ages ago when I first read it so I won't go on about it. I love it because Mindy is my favourite everything and it is laugh out loud funny. 

Delicious by Ruth Reichl

Another book I read over Christmas and loved. Delicious!  is about aspiring food writer Billie Breslin as she moves to New York and starts working at Delicious! magazine. It doesn't sound great but trust me it's such a good book. It is so well written. If this book was a cake I would eat the whole thing in one go because it's amazing.  

Those were the books I was loving last year, now onto music. It's no secret that I'm a music lover, I could talk about music I like all the live long day... I won't but I could. Anyway instead of boring you with random music things that only I would care about I'm just gonna give you a rundown of the Top 6 songs I loved last year. I can't imagine that any of these will come as a surprise.

Kodaline - High Hopes

Kodaline -  Latch 

Twin Shadow - To The Top



Jake Bugg -  Broken



The 1975 - Robbers



Karen Gillan's cover of Chandelier from Selfie

I've definitely mentioned some of these songs on here before but I was basically listening to them on repeat for pretty much the entire year. You'll notice that there is a recurring theme here are two songs they're all heartbreakingly sad BUT they're all amazing and  sad  songs are just my favourite kind of song. There are two by Kodaline and that's because I was, and am, obsessed with them and their first album In a Perfect World and I just couldn't decide which was my favourite out of the two. 

Those were my favourite books and songs from last year but I want to know what were yours? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also while you're at it check out my instagram, facebook, BlogLovin & pinterest. 

You lovely people have a fabulous week and I'll see you soon. 

Until then... 

Love love love xxx

Images Via , Via, Via, Via, Via

*Disclaimer* I own  nothing, all images and videos used for entertainment purposes only. 

Friday I'm in Love #6

Friday I'm in Love #6

Friday, 25 July 2014

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IT'S FINALLY FRIDAY! Is it just me or has this week really dragged? Anyway it's Friday, and I adore Fridays for 2 reasons. 1. DUH it's Friday and that means it's the weekend! and 2. I get paid weekly so Friday = Payday! Winner!

Due to my absence -I'll stop mentioning it now, I promise!- I have loads of loves this week. So many in fact that I'm not sure I can squeeze it all into just the one post but hey ho I'll give it a try. 

L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation in Vanilla Rose

Rumour has it that the L'Oreal Paris True Match foundation is a dupe for the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation. Now I haven't tried it so I don't know if that's true or not, but I can tell you that this is my absolute favourite foundation, and the reason it's my favourite is because it's amazing. It's really lightweight and blends so easily but gives really good coverage which can be built up. The colour perfectly matches my skin tone and leaves a flawless finish. I love it 

Rimmel Match Perfect Concealer in Soft Beige 

I was in dire need of a new concealer and had heard some good things about Rimmel's Match Perfection so I thought I'd give it a try. It's yellow toned so reduces the appearance of redness making it excellent for spots which is something I suffer with from time to time. The coverage is really good and it comes in a squeezy tube with a brush tip which I kind of love but don't really use, preferring to dot the concealer onto the skin and then blending it out with my Real Techniques setting brush. I like it a lot. 

MAC Creme Amplified Lipstick in Girl About Town 

I bought this 13 days ago and in  the last week alone have mentioned it no fewer than 3 times, because it is that amazing! If you want to know more on my thoughts about this lipstick read about it here and here. But all you really need to know is that I am obsessively in love with it. 

Sleek Face Form Contouring & Blush Palette in Fair

(Sorry the swatch picture is a bit naff)

In the past few weeks I have been taking my first tentative steps into contouring using this pallet and the Real Techniques contouring brush (I'm a bit obsessed!) and have somehow managed, by some miraculous twist of fate, to not go out looking like, well like this...

(How hilarious is this picture?! Picture via funnygirlconfessions.wordpress.com)

The pallet contains a contour powder, a highlighter and a blush. I was a bit wary at first because the actual contour powder is quite orangey in tone but after a lot of practice and blending it actually works quite well. The highlighter is a bit too shimmery for my taste but I really like the blush. It's a really pretty shimmery gold toned pink that looks lovely on the skin and really warms up the complexion. I still find contouring quite scary and am scared that one day I will go massively overboard and will end up looking ridiculous but this pallet makes it a lot easier and I like it a lot.

Real Techniques Brushes 

(From left to right: Contour, Blush, Buffing, Setting, Pointed Foundation & Concealer)

Ahh the Real Techniques Brushes aka my new obsession. I've been building up my collection over the past couple of weeks (I bought the Stippling brush on amazon not two hours ago) and I have to say I am very impressed. My personal favourite is this bad boy (read about it here)

(the Buffing Brush)

But I have been using them all on a daily basis. I've been using the contour brush with the Sleek Face Form pallet to define my (non-existent) cheek bones and it is awesome. The setting brush has been used in conjunction with the concealer brush to buff in my concealer and they both give really good coverage for those pesky blemishes that I just can't rid myself of. Overall they are  really good brushes. They're synthetic so they don't soak up too much product and they are so ridiculously soft it feels like I'm applying my make up with a kitten! Which I admit is an incredibly strange thing to say but I think I've made my point. They're amazing. Before this my make up brush collection consisted of a Bobbi Brown set and a Ted Baker set I got over two Christmases ago. Don't get me wrong I still love them BUT they are a bit on the knackered side so it makes a nice change to be using the Real Techniques brushes. 

Wax Lyrical England Highly Scented Tealights and Candle in the scent Couture.

Firstly Wax Lyrical has to be the best name for a candle company ever! Secondly they smell incredible. I bought the tealights in Tesco a couple of weeks ago and went through them in like a week, so I just had to go back for the candle. Couture is my favourite because it smells amazing. It makes my room smell absolutely gorgeous without being overpowering. I always find it so difficult to describe scent but this kinda smells like vanilla and baby lotion - in a good way, it smells incredible!- mixed with fresh washing. The overall fragrance is divine. Plus the packaging is gorgeous!

And now for my SOTW: 

My First Song of the Week this week is High Hopes by Kodaline.

   

To say I am obsessed with this song is a major understatement. I don't know where I was or what I was doing when Kodaline were becoming a thing last year but I am so glad I have found them now. This song is so moody and sad (which is my favourite kind of song) and I just love it. It's awesome. I have downloaded their album and I have to say I am rather enjoying it. 

My Second Song of the Week is Broken by Jake Bugg. 

                              

Until recently I didn't really get Jake Bugg. I didn't like him, I didn't dislike him just thought he was alright but not someone I would go out of my way to listen too. And then I saw The Fault in Our Stars (read my review here)and heard the song Simple As This  and loved it, then me and my best friend were talking about music, as we so often do, and she played Broken for me. And DAMN that boy can make some beautiful music. His voice is so sultry and smokey and moody. I have listened to this song more times than itunes can count which should tell you everything you need to know. It's so good. 

This was just the tip of the music iceberg, in the past few weeks I have listened to (and loved) loads of music. So much in fact that it's been really difficult to limit myself to just 2 Songs of the Week! So with that in mind I was wondering if anyone would be interested in reading a music post? Let me know below or on twitter using the hashtag #LolaRocks! 

So those were my loves for the week? What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Let me know via twitter, using the hashtags #FIIL or #FridayIminLove. I am also on facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest if you fancy checking me out and giving me a cheeky like/follow ;)

Right lovely people I will be back on Monday with a new post all about my very mixed feelings about the season finale of How I met your Mother. Until then I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. 

Love love love xxx