Saturday, 27 December / Back To Reality

Beginning this post today meant figuring out which day of the week it was. From 24th December I truly lose all sense and aspect of time. My mind is crammed with celebrating, tinsel and Kinder chocolate, with little concern for the 'real world' (read: a life without the Christmas music channel). 

My sister and I confronted a realisation on Christmas eve night, as we watched the fourth xmas movie of the day, slurped hot chocolate and engaged in the yearly read of 'The Night Before Christmas'. We realised that our alternative excitement for the big day intensifies as we age. When establishing (though still reluctant to admit) that the fat, red-suitted, white-bearded man from the North Pole isn't quite as 'real' as I had once hoped, there is an inkling of magic that becomes removed from Christmas. Happy to coincide with the buzzing spirit of the kids in my family when wishing for glorious presents off Santa Claus, I thrive off their christmas 'spirit' to satisfy my urge to maintain this magic. But with this realisation came the agreement that Christmas has become increasingly important for traditions besides those which we harboured as children.

As I get older, and increasingly more nostalgic, I find greater pleasure each year in adorning my wonderful family and friends with gifts, perfectly apt for each of them. Though the mince pie and carrot may not be left by the fireplace, as I saunter to my bed on Christmas Eve, every other aspect of the season becomes more magical through appreciating those I have around me at this time of year. Each gulp of warm drink, scent of Turkey and acquirement of fluffy socks are 100% more exciting once Christmas is approaching. I suppose once the 27th arrives (and I establish that it has by literally needing to console a calendar) I begin a state of mourning for my favourite time of year. There may be no more gingerbread houses, Home Alone on repeat or casual evening cheeseboards (yeah right), but I bid farewell to Christmas with some beautiful gifts (popping up here shortly), a still bloated stomach (I can't remember a life before this feeling) and, most importantly, some incredible memories. 

Christmas has changed in many ways as I've grown up but I'm starting to realise that this can be for the better. As I cracked open the vino on Boxing day and commenced a game of Drenga with my family ('drunk Jenga' apparently), I became substantially drunk for the first time ever at Christmas. I exchanged so much laughter between the man who became my brother-in-law this year and watched my younger sister (and best friend) begin to truly bond with the man in my life. Little details like these are why Christmas continues to be the most wonderful time of the year. Oh and with unlimited biscuits and crackers to cure a hangover, my transition back into reality as I return to the university library, has been made far more delicious enjoyable. 

Hope you all had a cracking Christmas.

Wednesday, 17 December / Christmas Interior

My embarrassing obsession with Christmas is in full force. These pictures display the only organised section of my family home at this time of year. If I turned the camera you'd witness sparkly chaos (decorations included) and frazzled individuals coated in sellotape, shotting mulled wine. Since the first sign of my own breath (INSIDE my university flat) I've made excuses to devour hot chocolate every night (it would be rude not to), laze on the sofa watching Home Alone re-runs (only 1 and 2 of course) and develop the (soon to be satisfied) cravings for pigs in blankets. This is my absolute favourite time of year and my frail little tree crammed with excessive decorations is the perfect example of that. 

Hope you're all getting in the festive spirit with tinsel in your hair - in homage to those beloved childhood years (or because it's just so pretty and there just isn't enough furniture to drape it over) 

Tuesday, 18 December / Christmas Hair

Over on Dolly Glitter (dollyglitter.co.uk) I regularly write articles based on hair/beauty as well as my usual fashion concerns. This month my wonderful flatmates modelled some simple but classic hairstyles, perfect for Christmas parties, and helped take some awkwardly posed yet surprisingly impressive images. Head over to the website to check it out. Here's a sneak preview of the most adorable bun to hit the net in 2014. 

Wednesday, 3 December / Birthday Makeup

The big 2-1. A birthday I've longed for since my 18th passed. Why? Because, certainly amongst my friends/fam/the youth of today, there is an acceptance of extreme OTT for 21st birthdays. Fancy clothes, fancy food and fancy presents (lucky ducky). There is something insightfully glamorous about the occasion. 

My 21st, last weekend, consisted of incredible time spent with friends and family (and one wonderfully generous boyfriend: more of that to come). I splurged on cocktails, tasty food and a certain Kim Kardashian dress that will remain a wardrobe favourite for the rest of my life. With a fancy dress, uncomfortable heels and a cardiac-arrest-inducing cocktail price list, came a glamorous makeover palette. I thought I'd treat you to my makeup look for the big night (that ended with four people, highly overdressed, in a local pub downing jam doughnut shots #unilife). Though it probably isn't too exciting, and the quality of the picture emphasises my discomfort with the old face selfie, the products I used kept me going (til I went to bed at 1am) all night long. They're also my favourite makeup products of the moment so, y'know, there's that.  

- DIORSKIN star foundation (absolute lust - glowing, dewy, tanned - exactly what I wanted for hitting old age)

- MAC studiofinish concealer (because not everyone knows how to photoshop)

- RIMMEL Stay Matte powder/MAC Mineralize skin finish natural (in a very unnatural shade)

- REVLON photo ready skin lights (favourite highlighter of all time and lasts FOREVER)

- NARS multiple in 'Orgasm' (as if this needs explanation)

- URBAN DECAY Naked palette (Toasted all over the lid, with Smog in the crease and under the eye)

- LOREAL Superliner Carbon gloss (for all your cat eye needs)

- CLINIQUE High Impact mascara

- MAC 'Blankety' lipstick (favourite ever ever ever)

So here's my birthday face in all it's awkward glory, with at least 3 more wrinkles since hitting the ripe old age of 21. Now back to the hell of uni dissertation and applying layers of anti-wrinkle cream.

Monday, 24 November / Pinterest

I think (finally) signing up to Pinterest around Christmas time was an unfortunate occurrence. All I want to 'pin' is fairy lights, tacky decorations and any xmas-themed foods. However, given my relentless timetable at uni this month, I figured sharing some inspiration may be somewhat exciting (or certainly more exciting than my current 'ootd's' fleece pyjamas and a permanent topknot).

Uni is INSANE at the moment, as it always is around this time. Ironically, I had planned a 'how to stay organised at university' post, but I'm too busy attempting to stick to these recommendations to upload it just yet. Once the hell of first semester is over (and the stressful purgatory of the christmas holidays before the second commences), I'll be back to posting & awkwardly posing more frequently. What I'd give to be a provider of gingerbread cookie recipes and a chai latter endorser. Instead, here's what I think looks cool at the moment. Oh and, embarrassingly, I'm new to this Pinterest thing so go easy with me...

Wednesday, 5 November / Wish List

1. ACNE
2. H&M (no longer wishing... woops £££)
3. NARS Audacious lipstick Barbara
4. 3.1 Phillip Lim
5. Diptyque 
6. Michael Kors

Tuesday, 4 November / Dior Star Review

I'm not sure if liking makeup and clothes come hand in hand, but for me it certainly does. From owning my pair of Disney plastic stilhettoes to receiving my first mobile phone (...that flipped down to reveal an array of lipsticks and sparkly eyeshadows... you know it). I've dabbled in the realm of foundation from a far too early age thanks to a gift from my sister in the form of 'Dream Matte Mouse'. My desire to slather my face in anything slightly more tanned than my own skin has continued since then. Fast forward to today and my taste in foundation has evolved to become the enemy of my bank account... and all those who receive the make up smears on their clothes, post-hug.  

I blame Natalie Portman for my latest foundation endeavour. That sparkly Dior campaign is to die for and certainly swayed me with the mention of the golden word: dewy. 

Described as brightening, weightless, and luminous,  I was desperate to try it and slightly put off by the price tag. Of course, there's always a loop hole and here it was the 'try guarantee'. Try a week-long sample of the product and if you don't like it, then return. SOLD. 

Having been matched to the ideal shade (for me this is 020... with fake tan) I enjoyed the sample but have since been enjoying the luxurious glass bottle with expensive adjectives secreting from the corners. I'd say my only complaint of the foundation is the time it takes to work into the skin, though perhaps this is just me/my tools/my enjoyment of taking too long to get dressed. I use the Real Techniques buffing brush , or the EcoTools mini buff kabuki (a cuter version) to apply and spend a good five mins working this into the skin. As my skin is peppered with acne scars/redness, I require a few dabs on concealer to be 'complete' but this foundation is really rather lovely. For this reason, I'd say it would make nice skin look incredible but certainly helps troubled skin to appear recovered. 

The glow (not quite dewy in the sense of Sheer Glow or Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum - more of that to come) is more of a radiant finish that seems to last all day - perhaps this is my own flustered 'glow' contributing. I would say the foundation oxidises after a few hours and turns slightly darker, though this, for me, prevents the awkward white face/orange neck so I'm not complaining. 

Overall, the brand is classic, as is the product and will allow you to achieve that forever sought after radiance. I'd say go buy the foundation with its adorable miniature counterpart (the free sample) as its simple to return, but its unlikely you will do.