Songs Are Like Tattoos

After reading and liking Learn This Phrase and Romeo and the Lonely Girl's posts on their musical picks of the year I decided to think of the tracks, that for me, will always remind me of 2011...

This song reminds me so much of my summer at Benicassim where the Arctic Monkeys headlined Saturday night. I think Suck it and See is their best album since their debut. I know it's been received with mixed reviews; people saying it's not proper "Arctic Monkeys" but I love Alex Turner's quirky lyrics and The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala is without a doubt my favourite song on the album. My car stereo always gets cranked up at 1.55 and I give it big licks probably much to the amusement of fellow drivers.

The Strokes have been my favourite band since I was 15. I first heard them on Radio 1 and was hooked. I had an eclectic musical background; growing up on a mixed bag of motown and classic and indie rock but I had never heard anything like The Strokes before and every time I heard Last Night or Hard to Explain I had to dance, sing, shout and they still have the same effect on me. Like Arctic Monkeys, I saw The Strokes at Benicassim. Infact, they were part of my reason for going. This song has that distinctive jangly guitar playing of Valensi and Hammond Jr. and Casablancas' grungy vocals. The build up to the chorus, the guitar solo... I could go on. I love this song. <3

I have been back in the boxroom since August without a TV. However, I have had my trusty DAB radio and I discovered Keaton Henson one evening on Zane Low's show. I downloaded the single immediately. The lyrics are painfully stunning and written, when all the best music is written, after a break up. He writes on his website "Dear Unknown, I hope you listen as though it were all for you. I hope she knows it was. I hope you can forget the fact I do both. It meant more before." The B-side Strawbear is also beautiful; my favourite lyrics "Take the clothes from my back and make love to me slow...And you're free to think of all you feel and let go... Do not tell me though" as is his cover of Maps by the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. Big things for Keaton in 2012.

Oh Lana, Lana, Lana, the gangsta Nancy Sinatra. Again, I heard this on Radio 1 and was instantly mesmorised by her voice... and then I saw her. A stunning mix of 50s vintage and bling coupled with bee sting lips and straw coloured hair. This song was on constant repeat for a whole week. Needless to say my love affair with Lana will continue to blossom in 2012.

My Ibiza song. I cannot hear it without being transported back to the Magic Isle and memories of dancing til the sun rose in Privilege and Ushuaia. I did not expect to love Ibiza as much as I did... and I predict my return to the White Island in 2012.

I was a little slow to jump on the Mumford and Sons bandwagon. It was my sister who introduced me to them along with some other artists I've grown to love such as the Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, Mike Snow and Jeff Buckley (I can't wait to link with her iTunes again). This song transports me to Benicassim; mojito in one hand looking down onto the crowd swaying back and forward in the warm evening air. Bliss.

This song has dominated the charts since the summer and has been the soundtrack to many of my nights out. The video is stunning and makes me long for a destructive, Requiem for a Dream style romance in denim and brothel creepers.

My little guilty pleasure of the year. Oh how I love Olly Murs!!! The sight of his berry chinos and cheeky grin make me blush like a school girl. The perfect pop song by the perfect pop artist.

What has your soundtrack of 2011 consisted of? Do you have any recommendations for 2012?

Top Glossybox Products

I've been subscribed to GLOSSYBOX Beauty since July 2011. The premise is this; every month, GLOSSYBOX delivers a mix of 5 exciting product miniatures packed in a beautiful box for you to test at home. Once you receive your products you can review them via their website and collect Glossydots which transform into a free box one you have reviewed enough products. The box costs £10 plus p&p.


I stumbled across the world of beauty boxes on Miss Lucy Love's blog. The idea of receiving a mystery box of goodies every month slightly excited me; like receiving a miniature present once a month even if I was gifting it to myself! And even though the website states you will receive 5 samples, in the main, you receive at least 2 full size products in every box. (And the boxes are gorgeous as well - baby pink, filled with black wrapping paper and pink ribbons - so ridiculously predictable and girly am I!)

Out of all the products I have received. Here are my favourites:

LP SKIN THERAPY (LIP RESCUE GEL) 

RRP £20

WELEDA (POMEGRANATE REGENERATING BODY OIL) 

rrP £19.95

HD BROWS (EYE&BROW PALETTE) 

rrp £19.96

HD Brows Palette in Bombshell -  Bombshell:  For blondes…a nude, a carbon shadow, and two blonde tone powders. When used as an eye shadow palette, this will create a cool natural daytime look and a soft evening look.

I use this product everyday. Especially since I darkened my hair. I use the blonde shade underneath the carbon and even though it looks blonde it is a light brown shade on the brows. HD brows is becoming a bit of a phenomenon. The salon process defines your natural beauty with a 7 step procedure creating high definition brows. I have not had the procedure done myself but I find that the palette is enough to define my brows and fill in any gaps to create a look which frames the face and enhances the eyes. I've also used the other colours as blending shades/ subtle eyeliner. This is the product I would definitely buy again out of all the products I have received and at £19.95 it was a fantastic product to receive in the Glossybox.

LP Skin Therapy  Lip Rescue Gel - With a complex of natural calming ingredients this plumping lip gel helps keep you calm and your lips lusciously smooth and moisturised.

I didn't think I would like this product as much as I have mainly because of the RRP price. I have never paid £20 for a lip gloss. However, this has become a handbag staple. It definitely has a lip plumping effect. I tried it on my sister (and my dad!) who both have quite thin lips and the results were impressive.

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil - This luxurious skin oil is distinguished by precious organic pomegranate seed oil which is rich in nutrients. The oil helps renew and protect to reveal smooth, firm skin, and let your skin’s natural beauty shine through.

This body oil is said to renew the skin by 50% in just two weeks. I am not a religious applier of moisturisers so cannot comment on this claim but it smells gorgeous, feels gorgeous and the packaging is very classy. It is beautiful to apply after a shower and I have never had scaly skin since using it.

There are other beauty boxes out there. Notably the Feel Unique box which is delivered free and Joliebox (formally Boudoir Prive) but at the moment I am sticking with my Gossybox... May the pink boxes pile high!

Etched Upon My Mind

It's a contemplative season is Winter! I think that's why a lot of people cry at New Year... You think about the year that's just gone past, about loved ones lost and I lament the fact I am another year older. (My friend recently remarked - We're at a time in our lives where we need to seriously start thinking about skincare -Great!)

This post however, is going to be a celebration of all the things I have achieved last year... Devoted to the experiences that are etched upon my mind.

I turned 25... I directed Shakespeare. I worked as a lecturer. I got a full time contract. I celebrated the Royal Wedding with four beautiful friends. I went to the island of Luing and rowed boats, climbed hills, saw lambs being born, sea eagles and seals and spent it in beautiful company. I learnt that friendship has no age limit. I traveled and stayed all over the UK... Finzean, Pitlochry, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester and London. I bought a lot of scarves. I sang Karaoke and BBQ'd in the sun with friends. I was part of the Free Fringe. I "wetted" babies heads. I taught my friends how to improvise and played drama games. I went to Benicassim via Magaluf and stayed up til 6am drinking Tequila. I danced to The Strokes, Acrtic Monkeys and Primal Scream. I watched Mumford and Sons from Mojito Mountain and thought "Life is Good". I camped. I caravanned. I met people from all over the world. I went to Ibiza... Take me back to Swedish House Mafia at Ushuaia. I had many long conversations. I cried a lot. I laughed even more. I supported others through their quarter life crisis'! I turned a tasty profit on eBay. I dined with many a fine friend. I went to Dubai and reveled in the culture, the food, the nightlife and the beaches. I went deep sea fishing and up the tallest building in the world. I ate a 1/2 a kilo of king prawns. I realised that time apart does not affect true friendship and that Mums are a girls best friend. I baked a lot of cookies and successfully cooked my first Christmas dinner with my sister. I confirmed home is where the heart is. And lastly I started my own blog...

I hadn't really given the positives in my year this much thought. It's quite affirming to see them all written down... Here's to 2012. Lang may yer lum reek.

One Step at a Time...

Okay, so my tag line states that I am "surviving the quarter life crisis one step at a time" but what is the quarter life crisis...?

The quarter life crisis is the twenties version of the midlife crisis. You reach your mid-twenties and that awkward age where you're no longer a teenager and you realise that a road of responsibilities lays before you. My "crisis" came out of the blue. I was living very comfortably... I was at the start of a career I'd worked very hard to secure, I was in a long term relationship, I didn't have any children but I had a cat, a mortgage and a car on finance. I was very grown up. My crisis manifested itself in the form of panic. I asked myself, at the age of twenty five, if I was 100% satisfied with where I was and the answer was no. So I moved out, booked several holidays and have been reflecting on what I really want ever since. (I've also lost the cat - not on purpose! He went missing after I moved home :( and I mourn his loss everyday)

Being in your twenties is difficult:
1) Can you afford to move out?
2) Is the job your in paying you enough, satisfying you, challenging you?
3) Is he/ she the one?
4) Have you traveled?
5) Tick, tick, tick your biological clock is ticking!
6) Your single and all your friends are browsing through copies of the next directory furnishing their first homes while your secretly looking on POF.
7) Facebook envy - everyone is so much hotter, cooler, and hipper than you are (yes I used the word hip!)
8) Can you afford to do anything!!!... pay rent, buy a new outfit from Topshop, drink cocktails, attend birthday meals, get your hair, nails and tan done and still pay for petrol?
9) Are you satisfying your responsibilities as a daughter, son, sister, brother, grandchild, aunt, uncle...?
10) One word... GRAVITY!!!

If you have read this list and not cried - WELL DONE! The thing is we try to do it all, be it all, have it all. We compare ourselves to Penny Perfect who works two jobs, volunteers for charity, makes her own jam, cushions and clothes while planning mini breaks with Peter Perfect and keeping successfully in touch with all her friends in a cloud of effortlessness!

Is the quarter life crisis a modern phenomena brought about by constantly judging and comparing ourselves to others through Facebook, Twitter, blogs, magazines and reality TV? To be fair people have always tried to keep up with the Jones' but it was a bit easier to do when you didn't have 900+ Jones' on Facebook to keep up with!

So yes, I am surviving my "crisis" one step at a time even if it means being back in the boxroom. And yes, the grass might not be greener on the other side. But...

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” -Marilyn Monroe

http://exploreforayear.com/clarity/45-inspiring-quotes-change

Sale Haul

I was on a mission today to find a strapless bra to wear with a low back dress I've got for New Year (actually I've had it since last new year but the underwear predicament has stopped me from wearing it!) I have tried on backless, low backed and converter bras and felt totally unsupported in everything. I was about to give up when I spotted a bandeau bra in Primark... Success! Sucky inny pants purchased now just to try on with the dress.

Picked up a few other things in Primark.  A lounge top £2, cute ankle socks £1 and waist control tights if the pants fail and a bra and pants set in Primark £4. They've started doing DD cups so I was overjoyed to find my size. Also bought nude leather pumps from Faith reduced to £14. I really struggle to find a slip on shoe that fits but these are really narrow and are much better quality than a similar pair I saw in Topshop.

I also picked up a black tube skirt in Topshop sale at £12 and some half price jewellery. Bangle £7, ring £4.25. And finally the shoes... River Island £70 down to £35. Not entirely sure if I'll keep them. Bought them to go with new years outfit... We'll see.

I'm off out to a nightclub in town that's just recently reopened. Last time I was there I was 20... Eek! If I wear said shoes I'll need to make sure any prospective male friends are 6ft +!

Christmas Stocking

Just a little post about gifts, brownies and denim Christmas shirts!

My sister and I were in charge of Christmas dinner this year. The preparation began on Christmas eve. We made mushroom soup and Nigella's brownies while crying over It's a Wonderful Life! I finally got to crack out my Christmas shirt. A bargain find in Barnardos! My mum and sister customised their own charity shop cardies in homage this year. Pictured is my haul of Christmas goodies... Liz Earle skin care set. Givenchy Hot Couture perfume. Massive Velcro rollers. H&M hoodie. A vintage soda syphon. Plus pjs, underwear, books and a stocking full of loveliness... A fabulous perk of being back home!

Surviving the Festive Period sans Man

I've been meaning to write that all important second post for a while.

My excuses are plentiful...
1) I am the queen of procrastination.
2) I've discovered the bloglovin' app for my iPhone and have developed an obsession with fashion, beauty and DIY blogs.
3) I have also discovered Twitter (as if Facebook wasn't keeping me "busy" enough) .
4) If I write this post then I have to sit down and really think about the past 6 months and how I feel about my current situation.

I am decidedly less festive this year but my reasoning is that I have reached that awkward age where Christmas has lost it's sparkle and won't be regained until I have children and, like my Mummy friends, am sprinkling a mixture of glitter and oats on my front path while dancing about with sleigh bells bellowing HO, HO, HO! However, I have spent the past five Christmases with man and now I am sans man - no boyfriend gifts, no trips to winter wonderland, no mistletoe kisses. Is that the reason I am looking on the holidays with such indifference? Is Christmas for couples? I got emotional when I was helping my mum put up the Christmas tree (was this because I was doing it with a rather large Baileys in hand?!). I hadn't thought about my ex for a while and yet there I was tearing up... and why? Any joint effort we put into something ended up in an arguement and putting up the tree was no different. We also disagreed on whether snowball fights were cool. I was in the yes camp and he was in the no :( 


We place huge expectations on Christmas... we talk about it non-stop in the two months or more leading up to the 25th of December, we watch Christmas films that spread messages of goodwill and joy and coupled or single we place huge expectations on ourselves to have the best time, the most perfect time. So how do I feel about my current situation...? I am not unhappy. I am home surrounded by family who love me. I have had a year full of amazing experiences and experiences which have helped me learn a lot of life lessons. I am looking forward to the new year, of wiping the slate, of starting afresh whatever that means. However, that doesn't mean I haven't had my moments. Winter is for snuggling and my poor teddy bear is thread bare. I've also had to endure Facebook posts from loved up couples gushing about how lucky they were and how fabulous their boyfriends/ girlfriends are and how happy they are etc. etc. I'm possibly suffering from SAD... get up the dark, come home in the dark, hide in room, sleep, repeat on a daily basis. I also bumped into my ex the other day while out being festively merry and the casual banter is still a bit forced because there are many mixed feelings still there. I'm also struggling with the rules of dating and invariably playing it cool when I am not! (Separate post to follow on this)

Surviving the festive period sans man? Well we're only half way through and I've survived so far without a major melt down I think I'm doing not to badly... Bring on Hogmany (New Years Eve)!!!