Mini LUSH Haul

I'm a person that likes (emphasis on the likes and the absence of is early for things…) to be early for things, but this can have its downsides. On the occasion that I am early, I am too early, and often find myself with more than an hour to waste. I'm sure I'll figure out the secret to time-keeping one day…

Anyways, whilst waiting for a lecture to begin, I found myself in a small LUSH store at Waterloo Station. I didn't go there with the intention of buying anything, but, being an impulse buyer, I left with 3 products.

I waited a week to write this blog post so that I could try out my new purchases enough to give a sufficient review. Drumroll please…

 Clockwise: Peace Massage Bar, Ocean Salt Body Scrub,
Charity Pot Moisturising Lotion

The first product I'd like to introduce is the LUSH Peace Massage Bar. Now, there were many massage bars on display and the variation was overwhelming! If you are in search for a massage bar, do not be afraid to tell the store assistants what exactly it is that you're looking for in a product. I specified that I preferred one that was moisturising, and was pointed towards the Peace bar. The scent of this bar isn't my favourite. I'm more partial to sweet scents, and this one gives off a musky aroma. However, it is definitely moisturising. I was advised not to use it too often, as the natural oils will definitely take its toll on my skin - understandable, you can have too much of a good thing! I have opted to use this massage bar after I shower after my workout. I feel like your muscles need a little TLC after some hard cardio. You simply rub it along your skin and massage the remnants left in like a regular moisturiser - the natural heat of your body cooperates with the bar to create a gentle moisturiser. You could even cut a bit off, place it in the microwave for a couple of seconds and apply it on like a lotion!

Added bonus' are that it's definitely therapeutic AND it looks like it'll last forever!

                                     

(The PEACE Massage Bar [50g] is available in LUSH stores for £6.95. You can also purchase it online here)

Whilst wandering about in the pint-sized store, I stumbled upon the Ocean Salt Scrub. Now, this product definitely caught my eye as I am a skin-care fanatic. I'm obsessed with the idea of flawless skin and tiny, impossible-to-see pores. Scrubs are therefore my go to. Say the words 'jojoba beads' or 'deep cleansing' and I'm all ears. I've only used the salt scrub twice (you don't want to expose your skin to too much salt. Like I said, too much of a good thing!!) but both times I've definitely felt a difference. This scrub is not only for your face, but your body too! Your arms and neck and chest and all the other parts of you get a good cleanse - it ticks all the boxes. Because salt erodes in water, you aren't left with salt granules all over your body. Also, the crystal blue salt layer is only about half an inch deep - the rest is a much more subtle concoction with less aggressive-sized fragments. I definitely look forward to the days (Sunday and Thursday!) when I use this product. 

                                             

(The Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub [120g pot] is available in LUSH stores for £7.25. You can also purchase it online here)

And finally I'd like to introduce the Charity Pot; a little modest product whose earnings go directly to charity! This was a definite added perk to the purchase and in my opinion, sets LUSH far ahead of other cosmetic companies; there is an emphasis on no animal testing, a sustainable and eco-friendly attitude and generous charity support. And on top of that, they do f*cking fantastic products.

BACK TO THE POINT…

I decided to pick up the Charity Pot just in case the massage bar did not appeal to me. I've been a previous owner of Celestial (which worked divinely) so I had an inbuilt trust towards the pots. This hand and body lotion definitely gives off the aroma of almonds and cocoa butter in a pleasingly discrete manner. And boy oh boy can it moisturise! I use it religiously, especially as winter has worked its business on my skin. It easily blends into your skin with no added oiliness and leaves it refreshed and looking hydrated! As the cheapest out of all the products I've reviewed, I might just class it as my favourite.

                                             

(The Charity Pot [95g] is available in LUSH stores for £6.75. You can also purchase it online here)

L.

***Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with LUSH cosmetics - I have not been sent these products but have bought them myself. These views are entirely my own.

OOTD

Today was an exploration day in London: I wanted an outfit that folded in the allure of smart-chic but that was comfortable enough to be able to spend the whole day in. I’d planned to walk around for hours.

…this outfit was predominantly inspired by the styling of Anne Hathaway in the movie, Love and Other Drugs. Set in the mid-to-late 90s, the outfit choices are carefully thought out to portray the eradication of gender-fuelled fashion choices, bringing in the androgynous quality in fashion that we see repeatedly today.

My two staple pieces in this outfit are my (ludicrously named) ‘Boyfriend’ coat (£58) and ‘Mom’ jeans (£40).

Although not a fan of their titles, I adore both these pieces as both perfectly adapt to a range of outfits.

I accessorised this with a belt from Topshop (£18) and  Ray-Ban Clubmasters (Christmas present). The plain, white t-shirt is from Brandy Melville ('Sheron top, about £10.)

The scarf is from a charity shop, and only cost £2!

I love the look of the Boyfriend coat as it creates such a great silhouette, and is perfect for day and night.

Its transformable quality makes it worth the money spent!

This clutch satchel is also a shoulder bag (Topshop, £28)

My trusty Dr. Martens

L.

Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery

Trafalgar Square is one that boasts dignified buildings stood proud and historical as far as the eye can see. It boasts an electric feel of first timers and tradition-goers that are attracted to its turquoise fountain and noble lions. It's also home to the National Gallery.

London is such an encouraging city to live in, particularly for the youth of the population (though you can never be too old to learn). We are reminded about people and places on almost every street: whether that be on plaques that cling onto houses or by the paths that meander through the parks. Our eyes are exposed to both history and the present day in one harmonious setting.

Nothing is more accurate of this description than the museums and galleries alike that are scattered throughout London. I decided, as it was but a stone's throw, to visit the National Gallery.

The National Gallery

Nelson's Column and Hahn/Cock

Exploring the streets in the area (cheeky photobomb by St. Paul's Cathedral)

I wonder if Nelson was afraid of heights

People watching in Trafalgar Square

Charing Cross: the closest tube station

The National Gallery is exquisite. Don't let the bustling pockets of tourists put you off visiting - the crowd is bound to disperse as each person is drawn to different works of art. You walk into rooms that display works of Guardi and Canaletto and others that whisper the story of Lady Jane Grey and her unfortunate fate.

I faintly remember first visiting the National Gallery at the fresh age of 5. My dad had made a tradition of visiting museums as a pair whilst my mum and sister made plans with relatives. We visited The Science Museum and The Natural History Museum - I even remember filling out a form for a year's subscription to the going's on and events!

But the National Gallery was a different story for a 5 year old - it didn't have pieces you could touch and dinosaurs you could bend your neck back in a struggle to see. It seemed quiet and serene and I actually really hated it.

I remember my dad picking me up and trying to point to 'interesting' features of paintings like the sour-faced gent in the corner on one knee, or the baby that was completely naked. I remember pretending to be interested, but I also remember becoming increasingly fed up and agitated at all this information that my father thought was fun. I recently asked my dad about the trip and although it felt like hours, apparently I didn't even last 50 minutes.

Shame, I thought, as I studied The Stone Mason's Yard and squinted to see the expression in the labourer's faces.

Shame, I thought, as I stood opposite Philip IV of Spain, suddenly becoming aware of my poor posture.

Shame, I thought, as I struggled to think what my dad would have thought of the crowd of people in Pablo Panini's work that waited on the lottery draw.

I wish that as a 5 year old I could understand what he was talking about and question him about his feelings instead of him trying to keep me interested when I'd float towards the chairs in the middle of the room.

I'm glad I took the time to re-visit, and maybe even see it as my dad did back in 2000. 13 years have passed since and the generations continue to repeat - I saw a child drawing on the paper map of the museum whilst the adults waltzed around and thought, 'that would have been me had my dad given me some paper!'

I hope she visits again a decade or two from now, and I hope she realises what I have. Although it's a peculiar setting to be in, it's almost too quiet and you are bound to have an awkward 'where do I even stand' situation, the percentage of interesting is almost incomparable to anything we teens today can vouch for.

But maybe it's not for you, and that's okay - maybe you're into robots or stuff that moves or music or food, even. And I'm sure there's a museum for that too.

L.

(Here are a couple of links to museums that are completely free - I hope someday you too are able to enjoy them: The V&A, The Natural History, The Science Museum, The British)

American Hustle Review

 I came back to university earlier than my Christmas holidays ended to spend the New Year’s in London. Although this was fun, I found myself slumming around in my room not knowing what to do with myself with the abundance of days. Thus, I made a plan to actually go out and explore the city.

I decided to spend my Thursday morning (yesterday) in Trafalgar Square (link to post here) and my afternoon in Islington at their Vue cinema to watch American Hustle…

            …it attracted an unexpected plethora of ages, from what I perceived as pushing 70 to 15. Some came in groups, some with their partners, and some, like I, alone. It was an interesting thing to see – a film had pieced together a jigsaw of ages that didn’t quite seem to fit, but surprisingly did.

 The film began mid-story, right on a cliff-hanger; the audience are oblivious to this until we start playing catch up. It catapults back into the past, into the months coming up to ‘present day’, and then hurtles through into the unfolding aftermath. The smidge of narrative by Rosenfeld definitely cements the story.

The character of Irving Rosenfeld (played by Christian Bale) is the first to be introduced: David O. Russell (director) plays on the grip that is comedy and uses this to coax the audience into the story. We’re thrown immediately into the story plot with gaps in our knowledge, desperate to fill in the blanks. Genius.

The fantastic duo that is Bradley Cooper and Amy Adams are then introduced. Both have magnificent characters that draw you in and push you away in the space of a second – this mental roller-coaster that you have to ride is exhausting but well worth the time. They play key to Bale’s arguably protagonist role: each character clashes and daggers into the others. There is no harmonious relationship between them, and this amplifies the wackiness and the fun…

            …and that, I feel, is the perfect way to introduce Jennifer Lawrence’s role: Rosalyn Rosenfeld. It’s not hard to argue that there was definitely more anticipation for Jennifer’s debut in this film – the character was written specifically for her.  And oh is it wonderful. I know it may be a little bit biased (I’m a fangirl, who isn’t???)  but she genuinely is a treat in this film. She brings comedy and captivates desperation and this terrific spectrum of emotions and comebacks that tilt the scene in one direction when it is speeding off in another. It’s hard to believe that Lawrence is only 23, but obvious as to why O. Russell wanted her to return – not unlike his hit, Silver Lining’s Playbook, Cooper, Lawrence and De Niro (who brings such suave and intensity) make a fabulous trio, despite their abundance of scene-sharing (Cooper and De Niro come face to face in one scene and one scene only).

            The unravelling of this exhilarating movie is one you should definitely be present for – you’ll be surprised.

            I think that is the fundamental thing that I felt when I left: how this movie does not conform to the staple drama, and how many things are unexpected. But I guess that is the case with David O. Russell: one promising director I’m excited to see more work from.

L.

**There are many things that I've missed out such as the supporting actors and the actual plot but the film was just packed with too much goodness to share! Think of this as my bite-sized morsel. If you want to know more, go see it! :)

(image credit to: http://www.pickywallpapers.com/1280x1024/movies-tvshows/american-hustle/american-hustle-poster-wallpaper/download/)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope this post finds you well and healthy and an urge to begin (and sustain) 2014 with a positive attitude.

I wish I could say that I drank so much that I saw stars and drunk-texted every guy in my contact's list (I so badly wanted to say phone book… how retro) but it was a very dry night for me. This, however, meant I enjoyed my New Year's day in complete relaxation and not writhing in pain at the ache embedded deep into my skull (it wouldn't have been my first rodeo). 

Instead of forking out double-digit figures on a last minute ticket to a club, I accompanied a friend who so badly wanted to see the fireworks for the first time.

We arrived at Westminster station (yay for free/all-night tubes) and spent 4 hours in the cold and wet for the grand countdown. Although we experienced chaotic crowd-pushing, we managed to find a spot under shelter but right in front of the London eye… The display turned out to be worth the wait with the sea of umbrellas and cameras and the people under and behind them emanating such a exhilarating buzz that could only come of the prospect of a fresh start.

I shan't babble on, but instead, will let the pictures do the talking. 

Enjoy!

L.

(I forgot to mention that on the walk to Green Park tube station, we passed The Ritz. Schmancy.)

(I also have a video on my Instagram if you want to check it out @ http://instagram.com/p/im_fChjigm/)

How To - Play It Cool (Mellow Methods)

I've recently been faced with the realisation that not all boys that take your phone number will actually call you… shocker.

Years of reading dating columns from glossy magazines that belonged to my sister did not actually prepare me for the harsh reality - I don't know whether this was because I was completely naive and unexperienced or because, no. I do know. It's definitely because I was completely naive and unexperienced.

So, ladies and gentlemen, facing the 'real' world of crowded, stuffy pubs and letting people into my "personal bubble" in clubs, concluded in the inevitable happening - I gave out my phone number for the first time.

But now, less frigid about letting people know my number, (what are the chances I've actually given them to it correctly after a few drinks??) I've finally gotten the 'why hasn't he called me?' bug. Ew, right? My 12 year old self would never had guessed.

Anyways, back to the point  - stay fresco, amigos.

1. Don't believe that 'DON'T TALK TO HIM FIRST' bullshit. Let me remind you of the amount of guys that are mind readers: 0. They're not psychic. We all know that the dating game rules say 'let him make the first move', but what's that gonna lead to? Maybe you do, you lucky thing, get a guy who's intentions are wholeheartedly to call you - but spare a thought for us ladies that aren't so fortunate. Text or call him between a 2 - 4 day period. Don't wait for things to happen to you - make things happen.
2. Do be enthusiastic, but do not act as if you could care less. Having a monotonous attitude is unattractive in ANY aspect of your life, and should be avoided at all times! Don't play it so cool that you get frozen out. 
3. Don't tweet about it. I drunkenly tweeted about a guy that I met on a night out and received an almost immediate warning text informing me of what I'd just done. I like to stuff that mistake into the 'rookie error' pocket of my life. It gives the impression that all you're doing is thinking of him, and how, Lord tell me, do you explain it to your friends if he doesn't contact you?
4. Do tell somebody, though. If nothing comes out of it, at least you had the thrill of the possibility. It's supposed to be fun, not a gruelling game of 'It's A Knockout'. 
5. Don't let one experience prevent you from doing it again. Just because Jacob turned out to be a d*ck doesn't mean that Luke will be the same!

But remember that it is your phone number and treat it like your packet of gum: you can hand a couple out, but don't f*cking tell everyone.

L.

Long Time, No Post - London Life.

I apologise whole-heartedly for my absence to the 3 people (including myself) that actually read my blog, haha.

It's been a bit of a crazy couple of months away, and now that I've settled into London life, I think that blogging is definitely something I should take up again.

I'm currently at King's College London (if you care), studying English Language & Communication. I genuinely feel like London is the place to make things happen, and if I don't tell people (never mind if it is only the three of us - I need to remind myself sometimes!) what great things are happening, then I'm sure I'll regret it. Hopefully it will encourage you to go out and venture into unknown territory - permission granted, of course.

To start, I hope you had a lovely Christmas and will have an even better New Year.

I overheard a lady saying that 'New Year's was just a reminder that time was ticking on'. It is, lady with the charcoal grey peacoat and a fierce opinion, but I like to call it the 'bittersweet beginning'. It's the time of year to start sentences with 'remember when'. It's the time of year to float between the 4 digit numbers we stamp on the top right corner of our pages. It's the time of year to get excited about life again, before your schedule catches up with you.

Because let's be honest, who doesn't have a schedule? And even if you scoff at the idea of being controlled by something you willingly organised (be that a job, a degree, the magnet of the blue website heckling you to reblog images of The Fault in our Stars etc.) our lives always, always, always, follow a relentless pattern.

Anyways, like I mentioned before, my life has been switched up in terms of the patterns - I now zig-zag between dormant vehicles blocked up on Oxford Street and tessellate between the masses of tourists in Leicester Square. The smell of celebrities is fresh and exciting and I can literally TASTE the Chinese food from Covent Garden.

It's a city I'm blessed to live in and actually see between assignments and lectures, and I couldn't be more grateful it came at this point in my life.

I think that many people think about doing things, but how can you be content thinking about spending the whole day and possibly meeting Jennifer Lawrence at the Catching Fire premiere, when seeing her in person iS GUHREAET.

(oh hey mate, thanks for signing my book.)

And I know that not many people get the opportunity to do this, but I just wanted to share this tidbit of my life.

I guess you could call me Jenna Hamilton (minus the weed and I'd NEVER ditch Matty Mckibben, c'mon) - this is my life journal.

Next chapter - you are mine, Laborious London.

L.