Girl Crush: Angelina Jolie
10 March 2015
Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Her style (as well as make-up) are constantly all over my Tumblr feed, and she's basically red carpet royalty. My favourite AJ looks are her award show dress which always manage to steal the spotlight. Similarly, Mrs Pitt's everyday look are so simple yet appear so stylish. All-black outfits are owned by Angelina.
Sometimes the most effective looks are the ones with much less going on. As the years have gone by, I have learnt (with the help of Angelina) that all-black outfits aren't all bad and extremely busy looks can just be too much. There's no shame in wearing an oversized black tee in the middle of August, but that doesn't mean you can't glam up in a bright green glittery ensemble for a dinner party. She annihilates just about every look she tried, and has a presence that's unique to her personality.
Magical Music Apps
9 March 2015
Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
SPOTIFY
I tend to use Spotify more as the programme on my computer as I can listen to anything on demand. The mustic list is endless and there are plenty of other users with amazing playlists that I follow and adore. The iOS 8 app works really well (despite adverts and limited skips). It's great for throwing on any old playlist or artist; however if your playlist is too short Spotify with automatically include some extra tracks which can be a blessing or a curse. I have dance around upgrading to Spotify Premiumfor a while as it certainly has it's benefits, such as offline streaming which is great for on-the-go. The price per month is what keeps me from taking the plunge.
8TRACKS
This app is great for discovering new music. Like Spotify, you can create and follow playlists made by other users, but not albums or artists. To find playlists, you can search something to fit your mood, surroundings or activity and narrow the search by selecting adjectives that appear in the list. Spotify also has this feature, including playlists made by Spotify rather than just users, but 8tracks promoted the feature first so I use it more often. There's a playlist for every situation possible and it's one of my favourite ways to find new music to add to my library. There isn't an offline feature for this app, but the website and app do not include sound advertisements despite this application also having limited skips per playlist.
BBC iPLAYER RADIO
BBC Radio 1 and 1XTRA are two of my favourite radio stations. This app is one of the only ways I listen to the radio because my iPod is constantly playing. I use this app to listen to the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in the mornings which helps me to have a great start to the day. The sleek design is one of my favourite things about the app, and the option for every radio station by the BBC is available, including a tab named "find local radio" that will use the location services on your device to find a station near you. The iOS 8 application is extremely effective and has never broken down or stopped responding.
YOUTUBE
The original source of music before new media took over. I don't use YouTube for music everyday, mainly because I can't close the app and keep the video playing. YouTube was my main source for lyric and music videos, before the advertisement days. YouTube has changed a lot from the original iPhone app, and the "Music" tab on the "What to Watch" page is usually where I head to find YouTube Mixes and recommended videos. I can also find videos from artists I'm subscribed to and always find the newest and latest music videos to hit VEVO.
Face Wash Favourites
7 March 2015
Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
This has become a favourite because it smells ridiculously good. I'm a sucker for a fruity fragrance which drew me straight to this wash. The great thing about this daily wash is that it's thick and soapy unlike a lot of brands which sell thin facial washes despite the great scent. The amazing aroma fills the room, but I also use it as a mini mask when taking a bath allowing the suds to take over. The smooth serum doesn't leave my skin dry which I value due to my skin type. The was is full of moisture and plenty of bubbles which I use twice a day. This product is a great way to alert me in the morning as waking up early is by far the worst thing about being a grown up. A quick facial wash in the morning preps my skin for make-up and helps me actually keep my eyes open throughout the day. The wash rinses well with water which makes it really use and effective to use.
Garnier Pure Active Gel Scrub & Neutrogena Visibly Clear Daily Scrub
I use two different scrubs to help me exfoliate my skin. Dirt and filth don't always come off with the face wash so I use both scrubs once a day. This is just to ensure tough and long-lasting make-up products like my foundation are cleared from my skin to prevent spots. I also use preventative scrubs just to give my skin that extra push in really keeping the blackheads away. I had a full fring for about two years which meant the skin on my forehead was basically neglected, leaving me which a few spots on my forehead and that area being prone to break-outs. Using these scrubs together has really helped to keep this area clean and moisturised. I have used a few products in the past that were too damaging to my skin despite my soft approach. Both scrubs are exfoliating and don't rub too hard, but rather massage it without tearing off layers of skin.
Pull Your Socks Up
4 March 2015
Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Working full time has helped me to realise I have a very short attention span. Getting bored easily is becoming natural and finding the motivation to do anything is slipping away. It's strange how quickly the time disappears in the evenings in contrast to during the day. My to-do list is getting longer, whereas the days are getting shorter. Every so often I go through these phases of "okay, let's sort out" but it never gets done, or what is completed only lasts a few days. 2015 has already been an eye-opening, reality-slapping year and now is the best time to really pull my socks up.
Getting into a Routine
This is an essential. Waking up early every day is a shock to the system when waking at around 11 and scrolling through Bloglovin' all day is the norm. Getting into a routine is difficult, but once the ball gets rolling and the internal body clock has adjusted, it's the best way to get the day started.
Eat Real Food
I'm rushing around left, right and centre during the day which leaves me nibbling snacks and unhealthy food. Not only is this terrible for my health, but it also leaves me with headaches and less energy which isn't fair on my body. Packing a lunch or planning where and when to have meals is a great way to maintain a diet and cut down on the caffeine.
Actually Use the Calendar
The app on my phone has never been more useful. I do have a calendar hung above my desk, as well as a day planner, but electronic reminders are an amazing way to keep the day in check. With voice control and automatic alarm clocks, there's no reason to be late or miss a meeting!
Plan Everything
I can become a control freak with organisation, which is really a double-edged sword. Everything in my day must now be planned the night before, from my outfit to where I'll stand on the train platform. A packed bag keeps my mind at peace and less anxious on a busy day.
Gucci Says Bye-Bye to Bling
28 February 2015
Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Fashion week is known as the most glamorous in the industry.
The front row demands the attention of showbiz bloggers while the
fashion fanatics wait for the highly anticipated shows. Alessandro Michele’s
first show as creative director of Gucci awaited the eager crowds and Italian
fall women’s wear season. Notorious for being one the most glitzy fashion houses,
Gucci surprised majority of the audience and journalists on Wednesday. Devotees
of the brands are used to the clear and precise references to the high fashion,
first class lifestyle. Diamond-encrusted knitwear and dressed down ball gowns were
to be expected of the line, but as the show began it was clear this year was
very different.
Rather than the ever-flowing champagne along the front row and
unnecessary bright lights, the walls and floor were black, creating an intense atmosphere.
The audience were reminded “The Contemporary is the Untimely.” by show notes
that referenced philosophers Giorgio Agamben and Roland Barthes. There were
less ball gowns and red carpet wears but more midi skirts with both men and
women taking to the catwalk. Nonetheless, flowers and floral prints were still incorporated
into many designs, subtly celebrating the history and glorious traditions of
Gucci.
The show was full of vintage treasures, hurling the spectators
into a world of flea markets with a date of couture. Librarian chic was a
running trend throughout each look, highlighting brains over beauty. With a mix
of oversized and nerdy eyeglasses, rings on every finger, knit beanies and turbans,
floral hair combs on top of slippers and clogs lined in fur at the back; Mr.
Michele bought a new twist to Italy.
Gucci brought back the greatness of a fashion show. Letting
go of the superficial highlights and bringing the focus to the clothing. The
shift from colossal logos and immature intentions is a positive one, with the
big brands stepping up to emphasise the prominence of classic high fashion.
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