Review - 50 Shades Of Shit

Now this isn't my usual kind of blog post but if you remember a little while back you may recall I told you all I was waiting for my holiday to read the infamously controversial '50 Shades Of Gray', and having done so I feel utterly compelled to write this review. Now from the title I'm sure you can all imagine my feelings towards this "novel", to put it simply it was quite possibly the worst book I have ever read, in fact forget possibly, it was THE worst book I have ever read. 

I don't want you to mistake me for some snobby book worm who only enjoys to spend my time reading the complete works of Jane Austen, I'm quite the opposite infact, but I found 50 Shades to be nothing more than extremely poorly written. On almost every paragraph there is a 'Holy shit', 'Holy fuck', 'Holy crap', 'Crapola'  I mean CRAPOLA?? Come on now, that's just silly. I found the writing style to be incredibly repetitive and don't even get me started on the constant 'My inner goddess...' references. 

Now I'm no feminist but I'd love someone to tell me when it became all good in the hood to glamorise being beaten by your boyfriend? Don't get me wrong, if your into all that S&M malarky then you go for it, enjoy yourself, but when reading the book there are many moments where it just doesn't seem consensual and that's where I really struggled to understand the appeal of the book. I am far from prudish but I actually found some of the sex scenes seriously uncomfortable to read and actually pretty degrading to us women of the world. Girl power and all that.

I'm not going to lie and say the book didn't give me some giggles, there were times I was reading it on holiday and literally rolling around on my sun lounger with laughter. The novel has some seriously hilarious moments, but I do get the feeling they weren't intentionally funny and it was in fact just the incredibly poor use of the English language which led me to my hysterical state.

I haven't read the other two books, and to be quite honest I don't intend to, but I've heard lots of people say you end up loving the mysterious masochist Christian Gray, so don't let me put you off too much. It has clearly been a phenomenally successful book so there must be people out there who love the 50 Shades writing style, but for me I think I'll stick to something a little less 'Crapola'.

Have you guys read '50 Shades of Gray'? 

Becca.x

Holiday Series - My Week In Photos

Hello strangers! So I'm back in sunny GB (No but really?!) and my god am I getting those post holiday blues, almost forgot how stressful real life is! But anyway I won't bore you with all the depressing stuff, my holiday was amazing, such a nice relaxing week away with friends. We went to Sidari in Corfu and stayed in a lovely little hotel only a couple of minutes walk from the main strip, the bar staff were so lovely (and generous with the shots) and really made the holiday extra memorable!

So as you can see I had an amazing time! Lots of delicious Mexican food was consumed and a few too many Sex on the Beach's (Ooh cheeky). I'm back at work tomorrow afternoon but I have my cousin's 4D scan first, cannot wait to see little baby's face! I hope you've all had a lovely week, what have you all been up to?

Becca.x

Holiday Series - What's In My Holiday Makeup Bag?

So it's now only 2 days until I go on holiday and my god am I counting down the hours. I've spent today in town getting the last little bits on my list and I thought it was about time I showed you all what makeup essentials I'm taking with me. I don't wear any makeup during the day when I'm on holiday as it just slides off my face like rain down a window, so this is all just for when I go out in the evenings to turn my swag on (lol). I'd just like to add I am incredibly proud at managing to narrow it down to just 4 lipsticks, I didn't think it was going to be possible, I'm such a hero!

Face

Mac Fix+

Loreal Lumi Magique Primer

Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua in '20 Beige' & '30 Beige'

Mac Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in 'Medium'

Cheeks

Illamasqua Blusher in 'Lover'

Mac Bronzer in 'Refined Golden'

Nars Illuminator in 'Orgasm'

Nars Blush/Bronze Duo in 'Orgasm/Laguna'

Eyes

Katy Perry for Eyelure Lashes in 'Oh Honey!'

HD Brows Palette in 'Vamp'

Maybelline Colour Tattoos in 'Eternal Gold' and 'On and On Bronze'

MaxFactor False Lash Effect Mascara in 'Waterproof Black'

HD Brows Brow Beater

Lord and Berry Silk Kohl Eyeliner in 'Nude'

Mac Eye Kohl in 'Smolder'

Lips

Mac Lipsticks (L-R) in:

'Creme Cup'

'Watch Me Simmer'

'Cut a Caper'

'Shy Girl'

Barry M Lipgloss in '2 Toffee'

If any of you were crying out at your laptop screen there, shouting 'WHERE IS THAT GORGEOUS MAKEUP BAG FROM??' then panic not, get yourself off down to Primark as it was a total bargain buy and just perfect for holiday. I'm heading out for a meal with some friends this evening and then getting my wild mane tamed tomorrow morning so tomorrow afternoon is going to consist of hectic packing and stressing but I hope I'll be able to fit in a quick little farewell post before I go. I hope I haven't forgotten anything, please let me know if I have!

Becca.x

Anniversary Celebrations in Harrogate

As I mentioned in yesterday's post it was mine and Andrew's 6 year anniversary on Saturday and we've spent this evening celebrating in a rather swanky boutique apartment in the centre of Harrogate, living the high life, sipping champagne (cheap wine) and pretending we're posh. We were going to go out for a meal but our apartment has a cute little kitchen with everything you would need to create a romantic dinner for two so we decided to stay in. I've had such a lovely evening and I have taken a few snaps of the apartment to show you; I really can't recommend Harrogate Boutique Apartments enough, they are such excellent value for money.

Dress - Primark

Lipstick - Topshop 'Infrared'

Nails - OPI - 'Mermaids Tears'

It's so lovely to have a night away with Andrew as we are always working and never really get to spend quality time together, we've spent most of the evening over indulging on wine and pasta so I am currently laid in a very heavily pillowed bed trying to de-bloat. I would've done you a proper outfit post but I didn't get dressed up as we just decided to stay in, I shoved my hair in a messy bun, slicked on a bit of lipstick and that was is really! I'm going shopping tomorrow to get my last few holiday bits so you can expect a 'What's In My Holiday Makeup Bag?' post up very shortly. I am also getting my hair and nails done over the next couple of days which is seriously long overdue, how blindingly yellow is my hair looking?!

Becca.x

Homewares Hunting

Happy Sunday everyone! Today has been the first day of my 2 weeks off work and it has been so needed. Me and Andrew spent the morning at Wetherby carboot sale, trawling the stalls for little house trinkets as we are moving out into our own place in the next month or so. We  have become quite the bargain hunters, we spend hours scouring car boot sales, charity shops and home-ware sales to find the perfect little treasures that will help us create our ideal home. I had some really lovely feedback on my last homewares post so I thought I would show you a few other bits we have acquired over the past few weeks.

I picked up these cute little goodies in a small independent shop called 'Shabby Chic Boutique' in The Queen's Arcade in Leeds City Centre. I'd never really been in before but I was passing and noticed they had a sale on so thought I'd pop in and see what they have to offer. The shop is absolutely TINY, like seriously, I was scared to get too excited in case I over enthusiastically swung my bags around and knocked everything over but it is exactly what the name would suggest, full of "shabby chic" finds for the home. These items were in the sale and cost me under £15 for all 3. I was shopping solo when I bought these so you can see a slightly girly theme with the hearts but they are all harmless little decorative items so I think Andrew will let me sneak them in!

These are the 3 little gems we managed to uncover at the carboot sale this morning. Let me start by saying, me and Andrew have a serious obsession with squirrels...I don't even know where it came from but we love everything and anything starring a squirrel. I'd like to say this is the first squirrel related item weve bought for the house, but I'd be lying. We already have a plate and a HIDEOUS ornament but we just couldn't not get this cute little tin. I think I'll use it for storing lipsticks or nail polishes, it's very old and rusty looking but I just think it adds to the effect. The lampshade was my favourite find of the day and an absolute bargain; it was on the most vile lamp I've possibly ever laid eyes on but it was only £1 and the shade is stunning, it looks just like a Laura Ashley or Cath Kidston print; Im going to keep my eyes open for a plain cream lamp to add this shade to. We also picked up that little silver, rusted lock box for just 50p, it has a really vintagey feel and we're possibly considering having it as a little DIY project to give it an overhaul, let me know if you have any suggestions!

So it's only 4 days until I jet off to foreign fields, I am so excited to get away for a week, I've been feeling so stressed lately so I can't wait to relax and hopefully get a little colour to my pasty skin. I'm aiming to blog every day until I go, it was mine and Andrew's 6 year anniversary yesterday so were going to Harrogate for the night to celebrate tomorrow so I might do you a little hotel tour and OOTN if your lucky ;) It feels so good to have time to blog properly again, sorry if this post has been incredibly rambley, as you can tell I'm just VERY excited to have time off.

I hope you've all had a lovely weekend and are enjoying watching The Olympics (or if you're sad like me, Big Brother). What have you all been up to?

Becca.x

Review - July Glossybox

Two posts in one day I hear you say? I know, I spoil you. I've been subscribed to Glossybox for around 6 months now and whilst I always enjoy receiving it and using all the products, I've never felt inspired enough to do a review; That is until this month. To be completely honest I'd forgotten it was even due but when it landed on my door step this morning my heart skipped a little beat, yes ladies and gentlemen (well probably just ladies), I've fallen in love AGAIN.

1) HD Brows Palette in 'Vamp' - This was the first thing I saw when I opened my Glossybox and I literally let out a little yelp of happiness. The palette was originally featured in the September 2011 box so sadly I missed out but I am so so SO pleased to see they've given their newer subscribers a bit of brow action. I've actually tried this out already this morning when I nipped to run some errands so I can tell you that my first impressions are incredible. The powder's are intensely pigmented and I actually really like the little angled brush you get included; I will definately be giving up on my current Mac 'Espresso' eyeshadow and Elizabeth Arden angled brush combo. The only slight downside I have found of this is that it is a little too dark for me, however I am getting my hair dyed darker next week so it will be perfect then. This palette retails for £19.95 so it is almost double the price of the whole beauty box, amazing!

HD Brows Palette in 'Vamp' - RRP £19.95

2) Clynol 'Enrich Colour Shampoo' - I was delighted when I saw this in the July Glossybox as I am a massive Clynol fan. Their 'Repair Recovery Conditioner' is my all time favourite conditioner and I regularly use their 'Reflex Silver Shampoo' if my ombre is looking a bit brassy. I am really excited to test out their 'Enrich Colour Shampoo' and this will be the perfect sample size to take on holiday next week.

3) Monu 'Golden Glow' - Again this is the perfect sample size to take on holiday with me next week. Because I wear a much higher SPF on my face than on my body my face always looks much paler so I think I will apply this to my face a couple of hours before I go out on an evening to give me a natural looking summer glow. 

Clynol 'Enrich Colour Shampoo' - RRP £9.35/300ml

Monu 'Golden Glow' - RRP £23/200ml

4) Jelly Pong Pong Lip Frosting in 'Irish Cream Pavlova' - This is another full size product and worth the same price as the whole box. I'm not usually too  focussed on how much the products in the box are worth but this month it is staggeringly obvious what good value for money you are getting. The Jelly Pong Pong Lip Frosting is a multi purpose product for lips and cheeks which smells like heaven and is a beautiful candy pink shade with subtle shimmer. I tried this on my lips earlier and it felt lovely for a gloss product, not too sticky with a nice amount of pigmentation. 

Jelly Pong Pong Lip Frosting in 'Irish Cream Pavlova' - RRP £10

5) Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Lotion SPF 15 - This was probably the least exciting product for me as I'm not a big skincare fan and don't really enjoy trying new products as my skin is very sensitive. I was pleased to see the lotion is oil free as I have quite oily skin and I love that they also included little sachets of the matching cleanser and serum. I tested the lotion out under my makeup this morning and my initial reaction is pretty blahhh. I don't have anything negative to say but I didn't notice it did anything amazing for my skin. As I haven't come up in a reaction to it so far I will continue to test it and let you know what I think, although at £32 for 50ml I can't see me wanting to invest.

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Lotion SPF 15 - RRP £32/50ml

Overall I am completely ecstatic with this month's Glossybox and it is easily my favourite so far. I am a little confused by the festival theme as I personally couldn't see myself washing my hair, applying fake tan and filling in my eyebrows at a festival but I am extremely pleased with it all the same. Glossybox retails at £10 per month (plus p&p) and I can honestly say it is well worth the money, as with everyone there are some boxes I have liked more than others but I always get use out of almost every product so I'd encourage you to subscribe if you haven't already.

What was your favourite product in the July box?

Becca.x

Holiday Series - Summer Sun Protection

Oh god, I feel like every time I go to write a blog post at the moment I constantly have to apologise for the terrible consistency of my writing. I honestly don't know how people manage to post every day when they are working full time. I wake up, go to work, come home, go to bed. I have no life! Also that darling boyfriend of mine has flounced off to London with the camera so I've taken these photo's on my iPhone, I hope the quality's okay.
It's a little over a week now until I jet off to Corfu for some serious sun worship so I thought I would kick off a little holiday mini series talking about SPF. Remember kids, always use protection.

'Sun Wrinkle Control Cream For Face' with SPF 30 by Clarins

'Vitamin E Lip Care' with SPF 15 by The Body Shop

Face: For me, I find that on holiday my skin can become incredibly irritated when applying suncream to my face. On previous holiday's I have just used whatever suncream I was using on my body and this has left me with itchy and stinging skin, not to mention it being incredibly oily and greasy. This year I have invested in a purpose built facial SPF in order to give the delicate and easily damaged skin on my face the protection it requires and to also use something that will actually benefit the texture of my skin. Just as important as that is using an SPF lipbalm, I am very prone to dry lips and I am constantly applying balms to maintain a soft base for my lipsticks. To prevent my lips dehydrating and burning on holiday I have purchased the Vitamin E SPF lipbalm from The Body Shop, however I have tried this and I don't find the texture of the product as moisturising and creamy as I normally like in a lip product; It seems to drag along the lips when you apply it. If any of you have any suggestions for a really good SPF lip protector please let me know in the comments as I am more than happy to spend a little extra on something that is going to work. 

'In Sun Moisturising Sun Lotion' with SPF 15 by Piz Buin 

Body: I've tried many suncream brands over the years and Piz Buin is definately my favourite. I find they sink in to the skin really quickly without leaving that horrible white cast over your body and whilst it isn't necessarily the cheapest product on the market, it is very long lasting. I am going on holiday with 3 other girls and we only have 1 suitcase and hand luggage each between us so we are limiting ourselves to taking 1 bottle of suncream each; we can always pick up more at the airport or when we arrive. I am starting to think I should have gone for a higher factor than 15 as I do tend to burn before I tan so I am hoping I can share with one of the girls at the start and we can move on to this one later in the week. 

'Solar Sublime After-Sun Protect Shampoo' by Loreal Professional

'Solar Sublime Advanced Protection Conditioning Spray' by Loreal Professional

'Solar Sublime After-Sun Nourishing Balm' by Loreal Professional

Hair: I think something many people overlook on holiday is protecting their hair. It is part of your body just like your skin so I don't understand why it isn't taken as seriously. Being in the sun dries out your hair and fades the colour so it is really important you take extra good care of it on holiday. I have invested in 3 products from the Loreal Professional 'Solar Sublime' range to stop my hair becoming to dry or damaged in the sun. I will use the spray before sunbathing to protect my hair and then I will use the shampoo and hair mask when I go in on an evening to reimburse any moisture it may have lost during the day. I am also going to take my Loreal 'Mythic Oil' to prevent me looking like Monica from Friends when I go out for food and drinks at night.

I hope this has helped some of you think about what sun protection you need on your holiday, or even here in the UK now were finally getting a bit of sun. I will definitely be doing a 'What's In My Travel Makeup Bag' over the next few days so keep your eyes peeled for that and let me know if you have any requests for other holiday themed posts. 

Becca.x