10 Days of Me: 2 Songs

Thursday, 26 February 2015


Today I want to talk to you about some of my absolute favourites... Fall Out Boy, when I thought about what I would write for today's prompt they were first in my mind! 

Now I'll be honest when I first  listened to their new album, I wasn't sold on it. There were however two songs that immediately became my favourites, in part, because of the music videos. 


Centuries is an amazing song, and I guarantee it will be one that will get stuck in your head and you will be singing it all day long... The video is kind of gladiator themed, and they all look so damn cute as gladiators, especially my fav, Patrick! 


Irresistible is the newest song from the album to have a video released and honestly this may be the best music video ever. Including some memes and emoticons makes this video extra hilarious and dorky, exactly what Fall Out Boy are! Seriously go and what this video now, I know you will love it and the song! 

Let me know in the comments what your favourite song is at the moment? 

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Wishlist Wednesday: Watches

Wednesday, 25 February 2015

                    

Firstly I have to say I am a total idiot, I was writing this on the train this morning, closed down my tablet and managed to lose all the links to these watches... But I'll add links for the ones I can find and then try and add the others on my laptop later... But all of these are on Etsy, so you should be able to find them! 


I am desperate to get my hands on some of these watches, let me know in the comments which is your favourite.
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10 Days of Me: 3 Films

Tuesday, 24 February 2015

This was another prompt that I struggled with to begin with, but in the end, as with the books prompt, I decided to go with the three most recent films that I have seen! 


As soon as I saw the trailer for Kingsmen I knew that I had to see the movie. I'm not normally so much a fan of action films, but anything with Colin Firth playing a gentlemen always perks my interest. I really think Samuel L Jacksons Character was a nice change from the characters that he tends to play... Plus there is a pug in it, so what's not to love? This film was everything I expected of it, and even a little more. My favourite part of it was definitely the fight scenes, due to the way they were shot, they kind of appear slow motion, without actually being slow, is that makes any kind of sense at all? 


When I first saw the trailer for this I was beyond excited. Meryl Streep, AND Johnny Depp in the same film, even better yet a fairytale film, one of my absolute favourite genres! I have to be honest and say this film wasn't as good as I had hoped that it would be, but it was still pretty amazing. The makeup, costume and production value on this film is reason enough to check it out. Plus who doesn't love Johnny Depp playing the big bad wolf? 


Normally I would steer clear of films like The Theory of Everything, but something about the trailer really hit me, and I was desperate to see it. In fact when it was first released we went to go and see it, only to find that it was fully booked, and we ended up watching The Woman in Black instead, which was nowhere near as good! Eddie Redmayne really broke my heart with his amazing performance, and I am so glad that he was recognised at the Oscars this year. There's always a worry when an actor undertakes a role such as this, that it can become a bit... for lack of a better description, 'piss-taking' but I really feel that the way this was handled was perfect... If you haven't seen it yet, or haven't even been planning to, then you need to get off your bum now and go and see it! 

Let me know in the comments what film you have seen most recently, and whether you would recommend it to me! 



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Sum Up Sunday #13: DFMA Week Two

Sunday, 22 February 2015


I can't believe that I am already half the way through my course, and I haven't even begun to think about what I am going to do when I graduate *panic mode engaged*. This week we really have been thrown into the deep end with so many new things to learn! 

As you can see from the above photo, Monday was all about the 1950's and it was also the first time that we did hair on each other instead of our dolly heads (scary stuff). Everyone thought the look really suited me, and honestly I think they may have been right!


I spent the whole time doing my models hair, shaking because I am so nervous when it comes to doing hair. I don't know why as I'm actually alright at it, but I just panic. It took me so long to do the victory rolls because my hands were shaking so much but I was so pleased with the way the final look turned out.


Tuesday was spent making our bald caps using liquid latex and a red head (we will be applying these on the final week). Then we learned quite possibly one of the most time consuming and annoying things ever, knotting. This process involves knotting individual human hairs, onto lace, so that it can be applied to an artist, in our case we are making moustaches. Lets just say it makes your neck hurt really bad from craning over, and you may cry if your hairs keep breaking/falling out of the lace...


On Wednesday I got to see how I am going to look in 50 years time as we did ageing makeup. We did more of a theatrical heavy look than a TV look, but the results were honestly pretty scary.

 Me and my fellow grannies!


Here is the before and after transformation of my model for that day. It was honestly so fun doing this look, there were lots of giggles being had when we saw each other all made up!


On Thursday we learned techniques of prepping hair for a wig, which included pin curling, and wrapping, neither of which I was particularly good at. We also got to do a slightly theatrical makeup look, and learned how to cover up tattoo's which was pretty cool!


Friday was one of my favourite days so far. We got to do more SFX makeup, which included a fresh fight face, and a 24 hours later fight face. The above is my fresh fight face complete with graze, bloody nose, and a busted lip. We got to use so many cool new product that I had never heard of, and this day was definitely up my street.


Here is an example of the 24 hours after fight makeup, so you can see the bruising is a lot darker, and the blood is a lot more dried on, rather than fresh and wet.

Another fun filled and packed week at the DFMA academy for me! This is honestly one of the best things I have ever done with my life, and I cannot wait to take my first steps into the industry...


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10 Days of Me: Four Books

Sunday, 22 February 2015

I really struggled with what to write for this prompt, especially seeing as I already wrote a Wishlist Wednesday Post containing books that I wanted to read... Instead I thought I would talk to you about the four most recent books I have read (including one I am currently reading).


I picked this one up before Christmas last year when I went through a little bit of an obsession with books centred around baking/cooking. This book is about a cookery school in Italy and the four women who attend the school one summer, and how their journey unfolds. All of the women are from very different backgrounds, and are at very different stages in their life, and there is plenty of drama that unfolds. This is definitely a good one to be reading if you are wander-lusting over Italy, but I warn you it will make you want to go away 1000% more!


We all know that Mary Berry is my absolute idol, so it was a no brainer for me to read her autobiography, it was so interesting, and in places heartbreaking to read about her life. Honestly this book made me love Mary so much more, having met her myself (only briefly for a book signing), and can say hand on heart that I am so glad that she is my idol. I remember when I was younger in school we would be asked who we looked up to/idolised, and I couldn't think of anyone that way, so would always just pick my favourite celebrity at the time. Now I do have an idol, and she is an absolute cracker!


I have wanted to read this book for so long, and I've had it sitting on my shelf waiting for me to get around to it. Then when I started my course a couple of weeks ago I decided that it would be my travelling read. I read it in a day... I couldn't put it down, it was so beautiful and sad at the same time. I have a new appreciation for Chickens I can tell you that much.


I used to watch Alex Day's videos all the time (pre-scandal), and when he announced I was writing a book I must say I was intrigued. When I found out the premise of the book I was much less interested. Then Alex released a video of him reading a chapter from the book, and it peaked my interest again. When I found out he was going to be releasing the book himself (due to losing publishers over 'the scandal') I thought I would give it a go. I haven't finished the book yet, it is a lengthy read to say the least, much like Alex himself it seems to drivel on in places, but I have been surprised by it. On one hand I really enjoy parts of the books, it's funny, and intriguing, and then in other parts I feel I want to throw it out of the train window, much how I used to feel when watching Alex's videos. 

So there you have it folks, my four most recently read books. I really must knuckle down if I am to reach my target of reading 25 books this year, because so far I am on 1 and 2/3rds... 


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10 Days of Me: 5 Foods

Thursday, 19 February 2015

Food is my comfort, I live o eat my favourite foods, and it was honestly so difficult narrowing it down to just five of my most fav's...


BBQ chicken pizza is my absolute favourite kind, I love it most when it's stuffed crust and comes with bacon as well as chicken. Whenever Tim and I have a dominoes I always create mY own so I can make sure it's exactly the way o like it!


I was never that big into Mac and Cheese to be honest, that was until Tim made me his version. His is made with a cream and Parmesan sauce, that is to die for. Just writing about it is making me crave it.


You can't beat a good old bit of sweet and sour chicken. I'm more a fan of the plain chicken breast, or the slightly battered chicken. I'm not a big fan of the giant sweet and sour chicken balls that you tend to get from a Chinese Takeaway, they are just too greasy. Normally I eat my sweet and sour with plain rice, but on the odd occasion o do enjoy it with fish and chip shop chips.


Ben and Jerrys Cherry Garcia is my absolute favourite ice cream. Unfortunately for me they stopped selling this in the supermarkets, so the only time I can have it is when I go to the cinema. I try not to have it EVERY time I go, but I'll admit it is a real struggle not to...


The good old roast dinner, I really don't think you can beat it. My meat of choice is chicken, and I always have to make sure that I have honey roasted parsnips, and when I can be bothered, pigs in blankets. There is something about a roast that just reminds me of being at home, and I think that's why it is one of my favourites.

Let me know in the comments what your favourite food is, and whether you agree with my list? 

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Wishlist Wednesday: Books I want to Read

Wednesday, 18 February 2015


I happened to have some free time yesterday whilst I was waiting for Tim to pick me up, I decided to wander into Waterstones. Now whenever I am in a book shop I end up wanting to buy everything in sight, and it took some immense self control for me to come away from there without buying a single book. 

When I got home though,  I couldn't help but have a browse on Amazon, and I found a whole host of books that I am desperate to read...

1. Faery Tales by Carol Ann Duffy
2. The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
3. The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
4. The Mermaids Sister by Carrie Anne Noble
5. The Lottle Shop of Hopes and Dream by Fiona Harper
6. Fur Coat No Knickers by C. B. Martin
7. The Silent Girls by Eric Rickstad
8. The Ward by S. L. Grey
9. Blood Reaction by D.L. Atha

Let me know in the comments if there are any books that you are currently listing after! 
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Benefit Roller Lash Mascara First Thoughts

Tuesday, 17 February 2015


I like so many other bloggers couldn't resist giving this product a go when I found out that it came free with Elle Magazine. Now I myself don't. Or ally read Elle, but I love Benefit, so to me picking up the magazine was a no brainer. I actually ordered mine online to ensure that I definitely got a copy. Though I was disappointed when my copy arrived late as I was so desperate to get my hands on Roller Lash! 

When it did finally arrive, despite being annoyed at having to wait, I was so happy to finally have it in my hands. So what do I think of it?

Well I had previously tried Benefits 'They're Real' mascara and wasn't all that impressed with it, generally finding it difficult to apply. I'm pleased to say though that this mascara has fast become my new favourite. I have always been a fan of curved mascara wands, finding. That they not only coat my lashes better, but also help to curl the lashes. Which when you have pin straight lashes like me, is a god send. This wand is a plastic one, which I am also a fan of as it just feels more precise to me than bristle brushes. 

I am absolutely in love with this mascara! I can get my lashes liking perfect with one coat, and I don't even have to double dip the brush to be able to have aw ouch product to do both eyes! This has quickly become my go to every day mascara, and I will be purchasing q full sized, once my tester runs out. If you haven't given this mascara a go yet then I have to say you really should. The Elle magazine you get it free with is still out in stores so go out and grab it while you can! 

Let me know in the comments if you have tried this mascara, or what your favourite mascara is? 
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10 Days of Me: 6 Places

Monday, 16 February 2015


One of my 24 Before 24 goals for this year is to visit at least three new places in the UK, but actually there are many places that I am desperate to visit, and I hope to get some of them completed this year.

First up is Brighton, I've heard it's a lovely place, not to mention that some of my favourite Youtubers live in Brighton. I've also heard there are a tonne of lovely independent shops and I always love things like that. Not to mention since living in Aberystwyth for three years I love seaside places!


Ireland, home to my favourite accent ever, and yet I have never had the pleasure of going! Beautiful scenery, and fresh air, there's not much more to say about this one!


Bath, a place of beautiful architecture. I have actually visited Bath once, when I was looking into Bath Spa university, but that was a flying visit. I would love some more time to take in this beautiful place...


Again I have actually visited Cardiff, mainly for concerts though, and as such I haven't actually seen any of the city. I am dying to visit the Doctor Who Experience, and also visit some of the places that Torchwood was filmed at, maybe this year will be the year.


Despite living relatively close to Oxford I have no recollection of ever having visited there. Again like Bath, Oxford is a place of great history and beautiful architecture. I really have no excuse not to go there.


I have been to London SO many times, but I've never actually done anything particularly 'touristy' in London, and I really want to. I want to go on the London Eye, and visit the Museums and art galleries, rather than spending most of my time in one place, or on the tube!

That's a pretty good list of places that I am hoping to visit over the next year, I'll let you know how I get on with it... Please let me know in the comments where you would most like to visit in the UK!

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Sum Up Sunday #12: DFMA Week One

Sunday, 15 February 2015



This week has been a VERY excited and tiring one for me, as I finally started my makeup artist course! After two years of researching and desperately wanting to do a course like this I have taken the plunge, and am doing what I want to do. The organisation was all a bit last minute to be honest, I feel like I literally took the plunge. A received an email a few weeks ago to say that there were a few free spaces on the four week Film, TV and Theatre makeup course, and I knew it would be perfect for me. For the next four week's I'm going to be rounding up what I have learnt, including lots of pictures for you all!

Day 1: Flawless Face and Basic Eye

The first day was mainly all about getting us used to putting makeup on someone else's face, so we focused on getting the perfect base, and then a basic eye. We were also given our makeup and hair kits, which was really exciting!

My new makeup kit!

We had a mix of SFX and standard makeup in our kit, and I will be doing a full list of what we got when I have completed the course, as at the moment my kit is up in London, and I can't remember the exact names and colours of things off of the top of my head!


As there are nine of us on the course, we have to take it in turns to work in a three, this meant we only got the chance to do half a face for the day, but I was still pretty happy with how mine turned out when you compare both the sides. Especially as this was the first time I had ever done makeup on someone else.

Day 2: Contouring and Face Shapes


The day always starts off with our tutor giving a demonstration of the class, and we all made sure to take lots of photos to use for reference.


Here is my completed look! My eyeliner is absolutely terrible, and I will be practicing that to death this weekend, but other than that I was fairly happy with this look.

Day 3: Smokey Eyes


First off I had my makeup done for me by one of the other students, and I was really happy with the finished result, I even wore the makeup home, despite getting funny looks on the tube.

Before Makeup Application

Finished Smokey Eye

Close up of completed Smokey Eye.

To be honest this was not my finest day, I was happy with the finished product eventually, but I really struggled with this. It was my first time ever doing a smokey eye, and I know that practice makes perfect, so I will be working on this a lot!

Day 4: Hair Cut and Blowdry

This was easily the day that I was dreading the most. I am terrible at doing my own hair, always have been, though I never really had the chance to do someone else's hair so this was going to be a new experience for me. We started out by doing a one length cut, and that was completely nerve-wracking, thankfully it didn't matter too much if I messed it up because we were working on Dolly heads (which by the way are the creepiest things in the world). I was surprised to find that I actually wasn't bad at cutting hair...

Straight Blowdry

Curly Blowdry

Once the cut was completed we moved on to three different blow-drying techniques. The first was a straight blowdry, the second a blowdry with volume and curled ends, and the third was blow drying curls into the hair. The first two kinds of blow dry I was OK with, and I actually really surprised myself, it was only when it came to the curly blowdry that I got stressed out. I kept getting my brush stuck and the hair just wouldn't curl in places. I persevered though and I was so please that I got it completed.

Day 5: Sick/Dead Makeup

Then we got to a day that I was really looking forward to, special effects makeup! Today was all about transforming our partners firstly to look sick, and then secondly to look like a dead body that had been found after 24 hours.


I was the tutors model for the demonstration and see made me look dead and then had me lay on the floor to demonstrate how you would set the scene for your artist. Everyone was pretty freaked out by this makeup, and when I put the picture on Facebook my mum didn't like it which made me laugh!

Before Makeup

Sick Makeup

We started out with the sick makeup look, this was more of a subtle look, and was just supposed to make our models look unwell. We also got to use a really cool piece of kit called a tear stick, and it basically makes your actors eyes red and can even make them cry!

Complete Dead Makeup

Close up of face (Dead Makeup)

Close up of hand (Dead Makeup)

Then we got to move onto the dead makeup, which was the most fun part of all. I was really nervous about painting the veins onto the face as I had never done anything so detailed before and it wasn't easy, but when I saw the final product I was so excited. It really make me feel like I am doing the right thing, and like this is what I am supposed to do!

All in all my first week was a good mix of amazing and terrifying, and I think the pictures really show that I am progressing well in the course, there is plenty more to come next week, so watch this space!





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