Film: Whiplash

If you've read my last film review you'll know that I have become a fast fan of Odeon's latest film experience Screen Unseen. The monthly event gives film fans the opportunity to see a much anticipated film before its general release date. There's only one catch: the audience has no idea what film they're going to see until the opening credits start rolling. I was really impressed with last month's film, and I think that Odeon have again picked something really special.

I hadn't heard of Whiplash before I went to Screen Unseen. When I first saw the title of the film I felt a bit dubious. Was it about a horse rider? Something sexy to compete with Fifty Shades of Grey? Or was it about a failed insurance scam? The answer? None of the above. In fact, Whiplash is about jazz. When I first realised it was a film about an aspiring jazz musician I felt even more dubious.I just wasn't sure it was going to be my thing. Especially when I realised the plot seemed focused around a super motivated student and his relationship with a much respected musician and conductor. But I really needn't have worried. Whiplash is really nothing like other will-they-or-won't-they-succeed feel good films. And it's brilliant.

Andrew (Miles Teller) is the super focused drummer hoping to win the approval, and a place in the jazz band, of industry superstar Fletcher (J. K. Simmons). Andrew has a focus and passion for jazz that is beyond what would be expected of someone of his age. His walls are covered in posters of jazz greats, he seems to rarely socialise with anyone near to his age, and the most extracurricular fun he has revolves around cinema trips with his dad. It is clear from the start that Andrew has a passion. But the depth of his passion is only revealed as the film progresses. When Fletcher picks up Andrew to initially be second chair drummer in his band, Andrew is thrilled. This is the break he's been waiting for. But it soon becomes clear that Fletcher has a very unique way of working. During Andrew's first rehearsal alone he has a chair flung at his head, is made to cry, and is generally humiliated, by Fletcher. But Andrew somehow responds to this extreme method and overhauls his life to focus on becoming a great in the jazz world. Cue seriously disturbing and somehow sensual scenes of bloodied hands, cymbals shimmering with sweat, and grimaces of genuine pain etching Andrew's face as he tries to learn Fletcher's music and match his tempo. The film is really a series of ups and downs as we see Andrew struggle to progress in his career. And the end is truly startling.

Whiplash does something I've never really seen in a film before, and the closest comparison I can make is to Black Swan, starring Natalie Portman as an ambitious ballet dancer. Both films, although different, are able to inject very real tension and grit into industries that are often portrayed as quite wholesome and mellow. I hadn't expected to feel so emotionally invested in a film about the world of jazz - a genre I've never listened to much. Andrew's lust for success is as sexy as it is harrowing. It is more thrilling than a high budget blockbuster and far scarier than most horrors I've seen. Andrew and Fletcher's relationship is fascinating and extremely hard to define. Simmons does a brilliant job as Fletcher, he is cruel, extreme and completely unreadable. I was never able to fully understand whether he truly believed in Andrew, or whether he even wanted him to succeed.  Teller is just as fantastic and plays a believably desperate student, who will stop at nothing to be the best - even with Fletcher clinging to his ankles.

Whiplash is really so much more than a film about a jazz band. It is about the human need to mean something, to achieve something, and the sometimes ugly nature of competition. More than that, it is a film that questions motivation and ponders an alternative way of nurturing talent. It is filled with beautiful, and often darkly humorous, dialogue and shows a side of the cut throat music industry that isn't often explored. Go and find it. It's out in cinemas early next year.

Would you go to a Screen Unseen event? Do you like the sound of Whiplash?

Beauty Box: My Little Cosy Box

Bleurgh. I'm feeling a little bit delicate today. I was out and about with some university friends last night and ended up having to get the night bus home because I missed the last train. If you want to see London at its finest/most bizarre, take a night bus. Amazing.

There probably couldn't be a more apt box than My Little Box's cosy edition for how I'm feeling right now. Like Birchbox, the French export decided to go for a snuggly, autumnal-esque theme this month and I actually think they pull it off better. I am always incredibly surprised by the amount of love and attention to detail that is given to every My Little Box beauty box. And this month is no different. I immediately fell in love with the dinky little mug, which has now joined my shelf of pretty crockery. Yes, I have a shelf of pretty crockery. And the microwavable pillow is perfect for keeping cold feet warm in bed. I tried out the Yves Rocher eye shadow last night and managed to create quite a good smoky eye. The shape of the applicator really helps the process. It can be used either like an eyeliner for a thinner line, or to cover the whole lid. I'll keep the Star Liner black kolh eyeliner for when my current one runs out but it passed the try-it-out-on-my-hand test and seemed pretty soft and smudgeable. I just bought a new mascara so I don't currently need one but I'll probably stockpile the My Little Beauty mascara too. I've read in a few places that it's not the best, but I'll try and save judgement until I give it a whirl. It does make a satisfying pop sound when you pull the brush out of the tube. I'm pretty sure that is not the mark of a good mascara but hey, I like it.

My Little Box just seem to always get it right. I love the mix of lifestyle products and full-size beauty bits and everything just looks so pretty. I think we can all look forward to something special for their Christmas box - I reckon it'll be a good-un.

Are you in need of a cosy weekend? Which beauty box brand is your favourite?

Beauty Box: MEMEBOX SUPERBOX #69 Banila Co.

Phew. If you've seen my slightly pathetic attempt at blogging during the week, you might have gathered I was stuck in an essay blur. I had had to be very stern with myself and say that I wouldn't write a blog until I had finished said essay. Of course, I just started looking at poems about procrastination and time instead - perhaps the definition of procrastination? Anyway, my latest MEMEBOX was like a little ray of sunshine that arrived on my doorstep during a long week, and now that I've finished my essay (albeit a bit of editing) I think it's time that I shared its contents. Yay!

Banila Co. is apparently a bit of a big deal in China and South Korea. I hadn't actually heard of it but when I saw that MEMEBOX was releasing a box dedicated to the cosmetics brand, I decided it was time I had an introduction. It was pretty exciting to get a box filled with goodies for my face. It practically had an entire routine covered. The make-up removal balm and peeling clay face scrub are both really interesting. Don't you just love the name Claypatra? Amazing. The balm is described as having a sherbet like texture. Not sure about that. But it made my skin feel really soft.

And I also got some make-up goodies. The gel eyeliner arrived at a great time as I'd just lost mine. I'm pretty sure I have a make-up eating monster, as well as a sock eating monster, living under my bed. I also got a primer, which I'm not so keen on because it has quite a greasy texture, and a bright red lipstick which I'll probably add to my stash or re-home. I might have mentioned before that I only wear lipstick very rarely. I just haven't managed to find the one for some reason. My favourite product is the tint balm. It's a bit magic. It is very transparent in colour in the pot but when you add it to your lips it gives a really natural pink blush. What is this witch craft? It'll be a great addition to my handbag to give my everyday look a bit more polish and colour. I have to actually leave the house tomorrow and submit my essay so maybe I'll take it for a spin. Wish me luck.

What do you think of my latest MEMEBOX? What's your favourite handbag product?

Thought: Procrastination

We push time from us, and we wish him back;
Lavish of lustrums, and yet fond of life;
Life we think long, and short; death seek, and shun;
Body and soul, like peevish man and wife, United jar, and yet are loth to part.
Oh the dark days of vanity!
while here, How tasteless! and how terrible, when gone!
Gone! they ne’er go; when past, they haunt us still;

An excerpt from Edward Young's Thoughts on Time

I'm having one of those days. What are your top tips to avoid procrastination?

Beauty Box: MEMEBOX Global #16

If you regularly read my blog you'll already know that I'm a big fan of Korean beauty box brand MEMEBOX. I have yet to receive a disappointing box, and they are always packed to the brim with exciting, full size products. MEMEBOX's latest Global box is no exception. Advertised as providing all your beauty essentials, I certainly found a few new things to incorporate in to my beauty routine. The box contained 6 full size products with a joint value of over $100. Not bad considering I bought it for $23.

I had quite a long day out in London last weekend. I went with friends to a food market at Southbank and then on to fireworks in Hackney. It ended up being a lot of fun but a lot of travelling around and time spent on my feet. I certainly could have done with my new Elizavecca leg cream which apparently shrinks and soothes swollen calves after a long and stressful day. Regardless of what the cream's like, I'm smitten just because of the cute pig on the packaging. I think I'm becoming immune to the surprise of discovering snail mucus in products too. The Mizon gel recovery cream contains 74% snail mucus and I actually put it on my face. It smells pretty good and is meant to provide non-irritating blemish and wrinkle care. This is right up my street because being in my twenties I guess a small part of me somewhere is thinking about wrinkles, yet I still have to deal with teenage style breakouts. A confusing time indeed.

My favourite product was the RiRe skincare system. It included a blackhead brush cleanser and a pore refining cream to use afterwards. It is designed specifically for the nose area, which is a problem area for most people, but I imagine it could be used to target other areas too. I tried it on my nose and my skin felt really cleansed and soft afterwards. I also really liked the Hair + nutri-injection which is designed to be left in hair after washing and conditioning. I did give it a little try. I washed my hair as normal and then put the cream through the ends before drying and styling. My hair was a bit heavier and limper than usual but I just wore it in a ponytail. When I next washed my hair I was delighted by how soft and shiny it was. Really great little find.

I went to see Lykke Li at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith last night which was ruddy amazing, and I think I'm off out again today and tomorrow - despite my best intentions to have a quiet week. I am rubbish at lying in so feeling a little tired today. I could definitely do with a spritz of my new Unni Recipe vitamin re-charger mist to liven up my face for the day. Or a power nap.

What have you been up to this week? What do you think of my latest MEMEBOX?

Crafts: Pottery #1

I'm a bit of a crafty soul at heart and I get really jealous and gloomy when I don't make time for some sort of creative outlet. I just think that making stuff with your hands is incredibly relaxing. And it gives your head a break too. I knew I was going to be busy at university this year but I really wanted to find something extracurricular I could do on the side. I've always been fascinated with pottery and ceramics and when I was searching for potential evening classes I luckily found a pretty cheap and convenient pottery class.

This is my first creation. It is nameless. It is multi-coloured. It is multi-textured. And I can't quite decide whether it reminds me most of a fish, a piece of coral, or an acorn. But I am feeling pretty proud of myself. If I have to be neat and detailed I really am a bit awful, but with pottery you can be heavy handed and messy and it becomes a style all of its own. Perfect.

I really can't wait to get stuck in and make more stuff. I guess the ultimate dream would be to be able to sell my wares but I think that's a long time off. In the meantime I'll keep sharing my creations with you all - they might even get a dedicated blog before too long!

Do you have any hobbies? What's your favourite craft?

Beauty Box: Birchbox November 2014

I recently realised that I actually completely forgot to blog about my October Birchbox. Naughty. That probably gives you some idea of how impressed I was with it.

Luckily Birchbox is back on form this month with its Cosy at Home box. November is definitely a month for snuggling. After the excitement of Halloween and Fireworks Night it seems only right to get under a blanket, warm drink of choice in hand, and watch the dark nights roll in. It makes me feel all warm and content just thinking about it.

I can't quite figure out why this box is particularly cosy but it's a good'un all the same. I was really pleased with the Dr Jart + face serum which is meant to give the skin a moisture boost and encourage a youthful complexion. I guess if I'm getting lots of early nights I'll have lots of skin pampering time. I really do try not to focus on the cost of items in my beauty boxes but I can't believe that this alone is worth a whopping £32. Thanks Birchbox. I was also happy with the OPI nail varnish in Turn on the Haute Light. Another full size product. The shade really reminds me of snowflakes and will look great at Christmas parties. I also got a Beauty Protector leave-in conditioner which promises to detangle too. I think this is something I'll keep hold of for holidays and weekends away as it's a pretty convenient size. I don't really get tangly hair very often so it will be perfect for using when I venture into swimming pools - something that only really happens when I'm off exploring somewhere! I wasn't as impressed with the Lord & Berry bronzer or the English Laundry perfume because the samples were tiny. I really do hate getting perfume samples in beauty boxes, they just take up valuable room. I can't deny the dinky vial smells good though. The award for random inclusion goes to the Drinkwel vitamin capsules which are meant to help relieve unwanted hangovers. These will definitely come in handy and, if they work, I'll tell all my friends so we spend less time crying on sofas with a biscuit tin but in a box all about staying in, they're a bit of a strange choice.

I'm not really going out much at all this week because I have lots of work to be getting on with and a bit of a cold I'd rather cultivate in bed so hopefully I'll have some spare time to test out my goodies. I can't believe it's December soon. I can't ruddy wait for the Christmas boxes!

Did you get a Birchbox this month? Will you be staying cosy at home?

Beauty Box: MEMEBOX Special #43

I get so excited when a MEMEBOX beauty box arrives. I always know that there will be at least one exciting, bizarre, or useful product nestled amidst the best of what the K-beauty scene has to offer. This box was a K-style special, which means it is based on all the latest beauty trends in Korea.

I'm in a bit of a make-up rut. I always go for the same daytime look and rarely mix-up my evening look. I guess I'm not all that adventurous with make-up, or at least have been less so since I grew out of my grungy teenage phase. It was really exciting to see this MEMEBOX filled with make-up goodies, and I received six full-size products. It gives me the perfect excuse to try out a couple of new looks, and sample some Korean make-up at the same time. I was particularly excited to find a Tonymoly tattoo eyebrow pen in my box as it's exactly the right shade for me, and promises to keep eyebrows in order for up to seven days. I don't have a lot of eyebrow so I tend to give them a little bit of definition, and it'd be great if this stayed put for a few days - one less thing to remember in the morning. I'll have to be really careful when applying it though, I don't want wonky eyebrows for the best part of a week! I also liked the look of the Vella BB cream. BB creams are everywhere now but this one is filled with flower extracts and smells really nice. MEMEBOX suggest using it in collaboration with another product in the box, Secret Kiss' make-up base. The light-weight, silky primer also contains flower extracts and can be used as a highlighter too. MEMEBOX suggest mixing it with the BB cream for a natural glow. My face is going to smell so pretty. I am going through a bit of a floral phase at the moment, as there isn't much much in the way of flowers left outside, so these two products will hopefully help to brighten my day.

MEMEBOX also included some colour adding items to include in my make-up routine. I'm particularly fond of Style Y's lip and cheek tint. The pink shade looks pretty garish but actually leaves a nice glow. It reminds me of spring time and meadows and lots of other romantic clichés. But I think two is probably enough.

I really liked this beauty box, and I think MEMEBOX are consistently good at providing an innovative and exciting range of contents. Of course, their concept won't appeal to everyone as some of the stuff can be pretty novel and unfamiliar. But if you don't mind the unusual, it sure beats a box full of body creams and nail varnishes.

Have you tried MEMEBOX yet? What new make-up trends are you going to try this winter?

Blog Crush: Santa's Little Blogger

Can you believe that it's almost November? And that means it's less than two months until Christmas. I don't know how you feel, but this year has been such a flash. Honestly, if all years are like this one I'll be sitting under a blanket watching Countdown and talking about the good old days in just a matter of minutes.

Anyway, I digress, I got all caught up in the ghosts of Christmas Past and Christmas Yet to Come. See what I did there? The most organised people you know will tell you that time is key. If we start stuff sooner, I guess it's kind of inevitable that the results will be better. And there is no one more organised than my great friend Megan. She loves Christmas, and is a bit of a festive superstar. She's just set up a blog called Santa's Little Blogger and it's jam packed with helpful hints, tips and supermarket secrets to make Christmas magical. The best bit about it though is that it doesn't assume you've got a massive budget or unlimited time, and so all the ideas are cheap, cheerful and convenient. It's a fab starting place to find new crafting projects and all the current highstreet Christmas deals. Can you believe all the special offers have actually started? Thanks to Megan, I've already decided that I'm going to make my little cousins their own pick and mix shops this year, as long as I'm not around for the sugar high. Megan's mantra is to start early, and save later. And it really pays off. Trust me, I've seen her Christmas treat hamper.

If you're already thinking about Christmas and need a dose of inspiration head over to Megan's and get prepared to feel festive.

Have you started planning for Christmas? What are your top festive tips?

Product: Mane 'n Tail Deep Moisturising Shampoo and Conditioner

I couldn't help but compliment my friend's hair the other day. It just looked so glossy and smooth. "I've been using a horse shampoo," she said. I'd heard of people using horse shampoo and conditioner before, and I'm pretty sure the heroine of one of my favourite Meg Cabot stories is forced to use horse shampoo on her frizzy hair too. I've been quite unhappy with the quality of my hair recently. It seems to have become wavier and fluffier as I've got older, and highlights have caused me to lose some of the shine I used to have. I'm also trying to grow out a bob, so it's at that awkward shoulder length which probably doesn't help the overall look. My friend colours her hair, and she straightens it regularly, but I'd never seen it look so healthy. Can you guess what I did?

I bought horse shampoo and horse conditioner. Of course. After some research I decided to choose Mane 'n Tail. Mane 'n Tail seems to be the first horse product that has made the transition to becoming a cult favourite for human hair too. I chose the deep conditioning series, which are a newer range I think. They weren't expensive, but I recommend having a look online and finding the cheapest retailer. The brand is actually sold in Liberty London, which just proves its trendy status, but the products would probably cost a bit more if you actually bought them from there.

I really like the authenticity of the bottles, and I'm glad they haven't been adapted for a human audience. The product inside both bottles is blue and scentless. This doesn't really bother me but I know that some people prefer scented haircare. I would just choose a styling product with a nice scent instead. The shampoo lathers up really well and creates lots of foamy bubbles. And the conditioner is quite light-weight and easy to rinse out. After washing and conditioning I towel-dried my hair and put my usual serum on the ends before letting it dry naturally. And I honestly saw a difference. The fluff was gone, and my locks, even the bleached ones, seemed glossier. I didn't have to straighten all my hair or tie it up to feel half-presentable for the first time in ages. And it feels great. I genuinely hadn't expected to have such a good result from a relatively cheap brand designed for our animal pals. But I suppose it makes sense that it works, as horse hair is naturally drier and coarser than ours, so it probably has more of the good stuff in it. Whatever the good stuff is.

Disclaimer: I'm pleased to report that I have experienced no instances of inexplicable neighing, galloping, or cravings for sugar lumps.

Have you tried Mane 'n Tail? Do you have any unconventional beauty secrets?

Film: Nightcrawler

I was lucky enough to watch Nightcrawler almost two weeks before its general release thanks to ODEON's latest cinema experience, Screen Unseen - a new series of specially-priced advance screenings. ODEON promises to show film lovers the best new releases but with just one catch: you don't know what film you're watching until the movie starts. This really appealed to me as I love good films, and am always excited to try something a little bit different. I am usually awful with trying to find spoilers though, but managed to refrain from ruining the surprise this time. We were ushered into the cinema and waited expectantly for the normal adverts and trailers that accompany cinema releases. Instead the film just started and it wasn't until the opening credits betrayed the title of the film that we realised what we were going to be watching.

Nightcrawler is a film about Louis Bloom, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. Louis, Lou, is an out-of-work and pretty desperate guy. He spends the night looking for things to steal and sell, he's an opportunist and always ready to make a quick buck. His criminal lifestyle seems pretty at odds with the young, and fairly naive, man who spends his days ironing his shirts, watering his plant, and watching old movies in his small apartment. He seems to spend little time with other people, and confesses to not liking other humans very much.

Lou's big break comes one night when he stumbles upon a serious car crash on a highway and is introduced to a freelance TV crew, who will seemingly go to any length to get a good shot of the carnage played out in the cold and the rain. Sensing an opportunity, Lou pawns a bike in exchange for some camera equipment and decides to set up his own business finding and shooting the most sensational films of real life tragedy. He starts patrolling the night, listening to police broadcasts, on the lookout for crimes, crashes and cataclysm. He is a nightcrawler.

Nightcrawler is a film that is both darkly humorous and shocking. It portrays the modern media in a pretty harsh light, as a black hole devouring the misery of others and regurgitating it as entertainment. From the start of the film, and Lou's humble beginnings as a sort of human magpie, it seems obvious that the character really has very little conscience. And Lou's lack of humanity was the thing that perhaps shocked me most. It was also the thing that made him so perfect for 'video journalism'. There is one moment of possible redemption in the film, when, at the scene of a car crash, you think he may be darting forward to offer support or assistance to an unconscious man in the road, but then he simply moves the body into better light for that perfect shot. This scene is harrowing, and really marks Lou's detachment from the rest of us. He truly becomes inhuman.

Gyllenhaal was superb in Nightcrawler. Lou was someone who seemed fake. He spouts pages from self-help books, and quotes text from online research. He is manipulative and unkind. He is simple but incredibly complex.Gyllenhaal played this multifaceted, incomprehensible character with believability and depth. Lou was often wooden and emotionless, but Gyllenhaal never was. And as much as I disliked Lou, I found him intriguing too.

This film will definitely make you question the modern media and the way news is procured. It will make you feel just a little bit guilty for every sensationalist news story you've followed with baited breath and it'll probably be the first time you see a film starring Jake Gyllenhaal and not fancy him, even the tiniest bit.

I won't give anything else about the plot away because I think that you should all immediately go and see it when it's released on October 31st. Definitely worth the price of a cinema ticket. My first ODEON Screen Unseen experience was great, and allowed me to watch something that I might have otherwise overlooked. I can't wait to discover another new film.

Would you go to see a mystery film? Do you think you'll watch Nightcrawler?

Happy Things: #2

1. I have been feeling quite thoughtful this month. I don't know whether it's because I am being taught the importance of reflection at university, or whether it's a side effect of getting older, but I feel more in control of my mind. I am finding a voice to answer back all those stupid insecure little thoughts that creep up from time to time, and it feels great to have rational answers to irrational problems. Reflection has also been valuable in helping me to remember just how important family and other loved ones are. And that I never want to take the people around me for granted. If life has a meaning, it must surely lie in the connection between us all. There is nothing more important than humanity, compassion and kindness.

2. I found my perfect coat in Primark. It is warm and cream and fluffy without being massive and bobbly and moulty. I have been looking for a cool textured coat for ages and had just about given up but then this beauty came along. I never shop at Primark and went in on a bit of a whim which really does prove that my coat and I were meant to be. It comes in black too. I recommend everyone gets one immediately.

3. I redecorated my room over a year ago and had just never got around to putting up all my paintings and pictures. I finally took the plunge last week and now my walls feel alive and colourful. The problem is I've collected too many bits and bobs over the years and I don't have enough wall space for everything which obviously means I need to move out immediately so that I have an entire house of walls to cover, rather than just one bedroom. I wish. In the meantime maybe I'll have to start some sort of revolving cycle so that everything gets a bit of hanging time.

4. It is properly autumn now. The leaves are changing colour and there are pumpkins for sale everywhere. I always get so excited at this time of year. The prospect of Halloween and Firework Night make me feel all warm and gooey inside. It's when we all realise that Christmas really is just around the corner. And as the evenings get darker and colder, we all have an excuse to stay inside with tea and blankets. Nights in the cold watching fireworks and taking small people trick-or-treating are a great excuse to snuggle up in huge scarves. I recently bought a new tartan scarf in New Look. It's quite big, and really warm. It's practically like taking my blanket everywhere with me, but somehow more socially acceptable. Perfect.

5. There is nothing better than finding old photographs you'd forgotten about. I recently found some polaroids from my holiday with the boyfriend in the summer. They were tucked in the pocket of a bag. Looking at photos of old holidays and remembering good times makes planning a new holiday even more exciting. Anybody off to New York this Christmas? Oh, right, I am!

What has made you happy this week?

Beauty Box: My Little Box x DVF

I am always just a little bit late when it comes to trends. And I like to think that I was fashionably late again in discovering the amazing new monthly beauty box, My Little Box. I'd seen some incredible reviews popping up on the internet and finally decided it was about time I got a slice of the action.

The October box is a collaboration with fashion designer, and all-round lover of pattern and colour, Diane von Furstenberg. Birchbox did a collaboration with Lulu Guinness a while ago and I'd found it disappointing. I didn't really feel as though much of Lulu was in the box (other than a boring striped stick of rock). I think that My Little Box did a much better job. The design is thoughtful, interesting and inspiring. It has quite a fashion edge and is full of pattern, texture and colour. I love my DVF scarf, it'll definitely feature on the handles of my bags this winter, which I'll use to carry my little tube of L'Occitane hand cream - perfect for on the go dry skin related emergencies (I don't know if those actually happen all that often, but it felt fun to type).

My box also included a cute little DVF badge, a Kerastase hairspray (great for holding together any complicated hairstyles I attempt this party season) and a bottle of micellar water by My Little Box's own beauty brand, My Little Beauty. I've never tried a micellar water based product before but I know there has been some hype around them so it'll be interesting to see how this one works.

I'm really pleased with my first My Little Box experience. The contents were obviously chosen with some love and the attention to detail has really paid off. It's definitely the most stylish box I've ever received.

Have you tried My Little Box? What do you think of their collaboration with Diane von Furstenberg?

Happy Things: #1

1. The ONE 5-in-1 WonderLash Mascara by Oriflame. I have only just discovered this mascara and I am already smitten. It builds length and volume beautifully without any clogs and it's a doddle to wash off.

2. I've loved the indian summer we've been experiencing for most of September in London. I think today might have been the nicest day yet and I made the most of it with a forest walk this morning. I feel very lucky to have a forest so close to where I live and it's one of my favourite spots for sorting out all the confuddle in my head and just taking a moment to appreciate fresh air and speckled light glittering through leaves. Today I was joined by my lovely boyfriend and his family's Chihuahua. I have a bit of an aversion to small dogs, but I have a bit of a soft spot for Alfie the Chihuahua.

3. My new shoes from Clarks are going to give me an extra spring in my step all autumn. They're real suede and a really unusual colour. I love the fringing and the fresh take on the much-loved brogue. I'll be wearing mine with skinny jeans and basic t-shirts, and maybe a duster coat if I can ever find one to fit a short gal. Clarks has got serious shoe game at the moment, I want everything.

4. I started my Masters in Social Work recently and had my first lectures last week. I had been so nervous about starting and worried a lot about whether I was doing the right thing. The fact that I've found all my lectures so interesting and inspiring has really reassured me and I've even written my first essay in two years. It feels great to be learning new things and thinking new thoughts again.

  
5. Our Girl on BBC1 has fast become my favourite new drama. I am a bit of a sucker for a good drama and this one has all my favourite ingredients: action, romance, and a bit of girl power. I've always thought that Lacey Turner was a fantastic actress and I think she really shines in this. It is definitely going to be an important feature of my Sunday nights for a while.

What has made you happy this week?

Beauty Box: Love Me Beauty September 2014

 “Don’t fix what isn’t broken,” is one of those sayings that I don’t always necessarily agree with. While I can accept that change for the sake of change is pretty pointless (and a bit of a mouthful to say), I also think that freshening up a tired brand or concept can really help companies reach a new audience, and make things more interesting for loyal customers. That’s why, when I heard about Love Me Beauty’s revamp, I was quite excited. Love Me Beauty has always been my favourite beauty box because I think they choose consistently good products and give generous samples. And I also really liked the way you chose your box from three beauty menus, so although you weren't getting surprises, you always got something you actually liked the look of. But, forget that, things are a little different now.

My Love Me Beauty September box was the first after their makeover. The principle remains quite similar, except we are all now given six credits and can choose our products from an online beauty boutique. Full-size products are worth two credits and for one credit you can get a sample size to try. This new way of doing things really puts the customer in control. Essentially, you can use your credits to get things you actually really need. That’s why I chose three full-size items. Swedish Spa’s cooling shower mousse sounds really refreshing and it felt like a nice treat to choose a more luxurious brand, rather than whatever-I-could-find-in-the-poundshop-gel. The same could be said for the reason I chose an Oriflame all-purpose balm for my lips and extra dry bits. I am a sucker for good branding and I love the shape of the tub. Finally, I am on the last dregs of my hair mask so I thought that a Percy & Reed foaming hair mask would make the perfect addition to my beauty box. And that was it. I’d run out of credits. Love Me Beauty does allow you to add more to your order and pay the extra but I didn’t really want to spend more than the subscription price. 

I am pleased with the three products I received because I will definitely use them but I do think this might have been one of those occasions where change really was a bit unnecessary. I like that we are now given the freedom to choose exactly what we want but I also think that it has taken some of the fun out of the beauty box, or should I say bag? Getting a subscription beauty box is always going to be a gamble but it’s a great way of discovering new brands and trying products we might have otherwise missed. Shopping in Love Me Beauty’s boutique and spending my credits didn’t feel much different from having a browse on any other cosmetic website and I was particularly disappointed my order didn’t include any extras or freebies. I have had boxes in the past that have included three large products plus more so the six credits do seem a bit measly. I think it'll be hard for bloggers to review the boxes now as there isn't really a theme or any uniformity - it's essentially just buying things with pre-paid credit. I was also unimpressed with the general presentation. It all felt a bit unfinished and stripped back. I received an e-mail today to inform me that Love Me Beauty’s new box packaging would be unveiled in October so maybe things will get more exciting then. But for now I’m undecided. And, like the grey clouds outside, feeling just a little bit blaahh.

Are you a Love Me Beauty subscriber? What do you think of their new concept?

Beauty Box: Birchbox September 2014

I can’t believe it is mid-September already. I really can’t explain where this year has gone. Anyone else having similar problems?

The September 2014 Birchbox is named Happy Days. I think that September is quite a happy month. I don’t know whether it’s the first signs of autumn in the leaves, the fresh air and sunny days, or the start of new challenges for many of us, but everything does indeed feel quite joyful and exciting. 

I have my own new challenge approaching as I am about to go back to university to train as a social worker. I haven’t been in education for two years now and I feel so excited and nervous. It feels good to finally be putting all my work experience to use, as long as I don’t drown in paperwork, essays and books. I think the contents of my September Birchbox will be super useful for my newly acquired student lifestyle. I reckon that my BeautyBlender will speed up make-up application in the mornings. I have been wanting to try this little make-up sponge for ages and I literally squealed when I found one in my box. I love that every blender comes with a solid soap – it’ll make keeping it clean so much more hassle-free. Skin & Co.’s day serum will hopefully help disguise any late nights I have cramming and/or drinking, and the shock of getting used to early morning starts after a long summer holiday. I can team it with my Benefit eye cream and pretend to be fresh-faced every single day. I think I'll tuck my ModelCo mascara in my bag for a little mid-day pick me up.

I was really impressed with this month’s Birchbox. I think I’ll be able to make use of all the products I was given, and the box had a good variety. I was especially impressed with the selection of brands I was given. Happy days.

What did you get in this month’s box? Are you starting something new this September?

Film: Lucy

It is fairly common in the world of all things superhero to develop your powers through some outside source – whether it is an accident, assault or even a radioactive spider. And then we have Lucy. Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) is a 25 year old student living in China who is somehow manipulated into becoming a drug mule for a particularly evil mob boss, played by Min-Sik Choi. The drug she is forced to carry internally is an extremely experimental synthetic creation designed to set the European party scene on fire. When the mysterious bag of blue crystals begins to leak inside Lucy she is quickly transformed into a kick-ass fighting machine with incredible logic and ability far beyond anything that has been seen in a human being before. We quickly find out that the drug has unlocked a level of brain capacity beyond which we are naturally capable of accessing, and as Lucy’s brain power increases, so too does the destruction in her wake.

Lucy is a film based on the idea that human beings only use 10 per cent of our brains. It is essentially an imagining of what might happen if more of our brain capacity was unlocked. While I believe the 10 per cent fact to be nothing more than myth, the film was still an entertaining 89 minutes that left me not only pretty satisfied, but also with the feeling that I may just have experienced some sort of group hallucination (in its stranger moments). If you can look past the slightly preposterous plot and accept that the film is what it is, you’ll find something that has some particularly thought-provoking dialogue and is stylishly filmed with, albeit some obvious, metaphorical imagery. Scarlett Johansson really pushes the action forward with some fantastic acting and Morgan Freeman (as a professor specialising in the brain) is likeable too – although we never really get to know him as much more than a kindly, intelligent man who tries to help Lucy as her brain power reaches breaking point. Lucy, in the end, wants nothing more than to pass on everything that she has come to understand through her arguably unfortunate experience and the idea that, despite being less (or maybe more) than human, her most primal instinct is still to help is a nice one.

While I wouldn’t rate Lucy up there as one of the best films of the year, the action/sci-fi/philosophical hybrid certainly held my attention, and is worthy of a cinema ticket.

Have you seen Lucy? What did you think of the idea behind the film?

Opinion: Why I Won't Look at Leaked Photos

Leaked, leaking, leak: it is a word that kind of revolts me in all its forms. It reminds me of a medical procedure gone wrong or an offensively smelling drain.

The ‘leaked photos’ of some female celebrities is one of the buzz news stories of the moment and I find the whole thing no less offensive than a drain that smells of other people’s poo.

Unless you have been living under a stone, you’ve probably heard that a whole host of female stars have had nude photographs stolen from them and leaked (ugh) onto the internet. I think a lot of people are under the misconception that once a photograph is in the public domain, it becomes public property and, therefore, it’s in some way ok to go and seek out these photos.

I would like to argue that it is not ok. I would like to argue that every time someone clicks on a stolen photograph of a person (no different from their daughter, sister, best friend or partner) it is endorsing the behaviour of people who think that going to great lengths to steal private shots is an acceptable thing to do. I would also like to argue that looking at these photographs is an absolute violation of the ladies involved and it only serves to further objectify the female body – to make it something x-rated, dirty or shady. I don’t see how this online assault is any different from someone trying to look up your skirt on a staircase or grab at your arse in a nightclub. 

Infamous celebrity blogger Perez Hilton was one of the first to post the stolen photos of one of the actresses involved on his site. In a candid confession he later posted to his website he admitted, “I posted the photos without really taking a moment to consider the repercussions of my actions,” and has since taken them down (after some pressure, I imagine, from his audience). I am pleased that many media outlets have taken such a negative stance on this situation, perhaps because of the sheer number of women who have had their right to privacy breached. I hope that it marks a step forward in ensuring that people's property is safe online as well as in real life. 

I truly believe that posting and passing on these photographs just facilitates whoever stole these pictures and encourages others to do the same. It encourages young boys in thinking it is ok to look at intimate, private parts of females without permission, and it has even encouraged some women to post their nudes on the internet in a form of warped solidarity with their idols. I would not do that. I will, however, stand shoulder to shoulder with females and level-headed members of society everywhere by refusing to hunt out photographs that were never intended for us. I will also continue to be a proud woman who believes that women have the right to express their sexuality without fear of abuse or harassment. And finally, I will remember that these ladies have talents that run far deeper than their flesh.

What do you think?

Beauty Box: MEMEBOX X Coffee with Dani

I’m late to the party. Again. But I have finally caught the MEMEBOX bug. The beauty box company is the leading Korean beauty retailer and it provides innovative and exciting boxes with products sourced directly from Korea. I am officially hooked.

I chose a collaboration box by Coffee Break with Dani because I always enjoy testing out products chosen by beauty bloggers with more experience and knowledge than me. Apparently Dani was one of the first bloggers to start reviewing MEMEBOX.

I have always wanted to go to East Asia. And visting South Korea’s capital, Seoul, is high up on my bucket list - especially now that I know how interesting the K-Beauty scene is. I think the area really appeals to me because the culture and lifestyle is just so different. It would be refreshing to visit somewhere that is really quite untouched by Western culture. A close friend of mine is currently living in Hong Kong and I am desperate to get over there for a visit before she heads home. 

Anyhoo.

Although a beauty box is a rather small, insignificant thing, I think it shows, on a fairly shallow level, just how different other parts of the world are. The Korean take on design and ingredients would definitely be considered unusual around here. I think it's great. I absolutely loved the small bottle of Hanskin Bio Origin Royal Ampoule BB Cream complete with a small pipette to release the small drop of cream that is apparently all that's required. I’ve also been intending to buy a new eye cream for ages, having reached an age where I feel preventative aging measures are necessary, and the tube of Chamos Acaci Snail Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream will last me ages – if I can get used to applying snail slime to my face.

I really couldn’t fault this box. It was an absolute pleasure to explore all the goodies I received. I can’t wait to try out the tiny nail masks by Kocosar and to give myself a thoroughly good scrub with the Golden Glove Exfoliating Gloves. I definitely think that beauty boxes this side of the world could learn a thing or two from MEMEBOX – I can’t remember ever getting EIGHT full-size products in a box before.

Have you tried MEMEBOX? What unusual items did you discover?

Beauty Box: Birchbox July 2014

The theme of July's box is Sun, Sea & Sand, which seems pretty apt considering the blazing sun outside today. Have to shout out to my shadow in the photos, hello. The box included some beachy themed postcards which would look amazing framed on the wall in a little holiday cottage or beach house. I really must find myself one of those.

I had a few expectations of this month's box based on the reviews I'd read prior to receiving my box in the post. I think mine's quite different from what I've seen online so far though. It was a nice to get a few surprises and I'm really happy with my goodies. I think there's a good mixture of stuff, although the products don't exactly scream beach holiday for me. The theme was perhaps too specific.

I started using eye cream about a year ago. The eye area is just so delicate and even if wrinkles aren't a worry, a good cream definitely helps with puffiness and circles. I'm not the best sleeper so I need all the help I can get. I've tried Balance Me shampoo and conditioner before and wasn't exactly blown away but I've heard good things about their eye cream. The sample is a really generous size too so it'll save me having to buy another cream for a month or two.

I'm not really much of a lipstick girl. I always feel like I'm playing dress-up when I put one on. I don't know if it's the shape of my lips, or a lack of confidence, or whatever. Purple lips are so hot this season though so I'm definitely going to give this Laqa & Co lip colour a go. I like that it's quite sheer, it makes the colour less scary. I can imagine teaming the shade with a colour-neutral outfit and subtle eyes. I prefer things to be a bit more minimal nowadays.

I always use a primer, with or without foundation on top. The Porefessional primer by Benefit is a pretty cult product that I've tried previously. It's a winner for me because it gives a little colour too, which makes it far more wearable in the summer, especially as it's oil-free. My only qualm is that it doesn't contain an SPF. In fact, nothing in this box does (which seems like an obvious inclusion to me). I'm in the process of booking a summer holiday so I think I'll save the primer for my suitcase.

I only have a week and a half left at work before we break up for the summer holidays. I've been feeling a bit stressed and miserable recently, and I think I've been neglecting myself a little bit. I definitely haven't felt totally like myself. I'd already decided that I was going to have a really quiet weekend, filled with books, films, cleansing and cleaning. I think I'll give my nails a treat too with my new Filosofille 4-sided nail buffer (which has given me the glossiest nails ever by the way) and my Models Own varnish. I might even slather on the Whish lavender body butter after a long bubble bath. Bliss.

Are you a subscriber? What did you think of this month's box?