The GLOSSYBOX: A Review

After seeing an article in Cosmopolitan for GLOSSYBOX.co.uk, I thought cosmetic reviews might be something that could help add a few posts to my blog. The basic concept is that you pay £10 a month (or less if you sign up for 3, 6 or 12 months at a time), and in return you receive a gorgeous little 'glossy box' filled with give samples of the month's new cosmetics.

My first month was the April box. Occasionally there'll be a theme to the box, and this month it just so happened to be the Green Box. After all, green is the new black, don't ya know?

The excitement upon arriving home to find a small brown parcel was palpable! They had packed it in the usual cardboard packaging, but inside was this glorious and 100% biodegradable box in a creamy, ethical looking finish. Opening it up, everything was wrapped in tissue paper and padded with paper straw.

Inside we have:

• Figs & Rouge Peppermint Lip Balm
• Philip B Straightening Balm
• Monu Enriched Body Cream
• Inika Cosmetics Organic Eyeliner
• Caudalie Thirst-Quenching Serum

first date blunders

Another point on my "I'm Single And Can Therefore Do Whatever I Want" list, was to try internet dating. Social faux pas, or just accepting the fact the inevitable? We use the internet to communicate with and meet new friends; to advertise our talents to prospective employees; and to manage a whole host of purchases, hobbies and interests, so why not use it to find like-minded individuals who would like to buy you food and drink in exchange for (what experience has offered) the ability to chat shit with a stranger for a couple of hours.

I decided to create a profile on a popular free dating site. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going into this with feint heart, but I'm not paying to have creeps message me.

After an initial hubbub of activity, messages bouncing all over the place and my opinion of the education of the general public nose-diving (the spelling and grammar on the majority of profiles is appalling) a couple of gentlemen stuck out as friendly and on the same wave-length as me.

Gentleman number one was a primary school teacher in a nearby suburb of Cardiff. We spent a week or two sending messages back and forward about teaching, hobbies, etc. The usual small talk. Then he offered to meet for a cup of tea (already established as a shared interest).

As my first blind date, I was truly terrified. To make it worse, I was cripplingly hungover (I know! My own fault for going out the night before) and it the heavens had opened. We ended up in a simple cafe, drinking tea and eating toasties. I could tell he was a very polite and respectful - not at all my usual type. Conversation flowed steadily, if a little stilted and with only a few awkward pauses. We stayed well after the food and drink had gotten cold, and he offered to drive me back to my humble abode.

Now, I am not usually that worried with men that just drop of the radar, be it after a bit of flirting or something more (sexually) substantial. But after this date, and his promise to text after enjoying the afternoon, I didn't hear anything. For a week. This drove me bananas! I knew the likelihood of a second date were slim - we weren't the same breed of person - but the fact that he had made this decision so resolutely frustrated me, and turned me into a manic phone checker. After a week, one too many pints (and a disasterous date - details to come!), I decided to take matters into my own hands. I sent a quick message along the lines of "it was nice to meet you, get in touch". Again, a week passed with no contact.

I can only assume he got eaten alive by a roaming lion that had escaped from Bristol Zoo. #hesjustnotthatintoyou

BB cream: a review

BB cream: invented in the 1950's, but only just making it's name in the West after being a long-held secret of East Asia. The initials stand for Blemish Balm, providing a light make-up coverage whilst also having good effects for your skin. The stuff of miracles, no?

Whilst having a (most probably pre-menstrual) re-vamp of my 'entire life', I decided a tinted moisturiser was an essential in my life. Making the most of my usual review sites, I found the new Garnier Miralce Skin Perfector (read, BB cream) was making headlines. I bought a tube of the lightest shade from Superdrug, in the hope that the lighter the coverage, the less obvious it would be that I was wearing make up.

The package boasts the ability to give you 'perfect' skin, bluring imperfections and covering redness. It also has an SPF and extra moisturising qualities - what more could you want?

Turns out, literally nothing. This product is incredible. I am in love.

You only need to use about a pea-sized amount of the cream, which is a terrifyingly dark shade of beige but with the texture of very light day cream. I rub it between my hands and then apply (with very little precision) to my face as I would a normal moisturiser. The effect is an even skin tone, a slight dewy look and absolutely no hint that you're wearing make up. Natural beauty (scoff!)

BUY IT!

reason #168

Whilst on the train yesterday, the train mysteriously stopped two seconds after we had left the station. The train then went backwards towards the platform as an elderly woman struggled towards the doors, obviously distraught. As the conductor opened the doors, she leapt on board and began shuffling up the aisle apologising profusely. It seems that she had forgotten her handbag, and the train conductor had stopped, reversed and waited for her to collect her goods. That would never happen on a London tube.

Yet another reason why I love Cardiff.

In other news, spotted the same man approaching the same phonebox as last Thursday. At exactly the same time. Regular hooker, or secret family? I will find out.

cheer up

retro swimwear

For a while now, I've been interested in vintage styling. Mainly 40's/50's and Rockabilly styles, and mainly because of this gorgeous woman:

Blog: http://www.lisafremontpages.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Freemont-Street/155249469150
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/LisaFreemontStreet

So, when I mentioned to a friend that I was looking for some new swimwear for this year's summer holiday, and she recommended a range designed by the beautiful and fabulous Esther Williams (http://www.forluna.co.uk/), I grabbed my debit card!

"who, me?!"

Now the prices aren't for the faint hearted, but the reveiws alone convinced me that I was in for a winner. And I knew I was right when this little package arrived in the post yesterday morning. I should note that the bow was perfect when it arrived, but being too excited to rip it open, I never paused to take photos. My bow-skills aren't...great.

 

I am incredibly pleased with my purchase. The first thing that struck me was the colour. In the photos from their website, the reds look pillarbox/rouge, but the real thing is much softer and deeper. A much more flattering red - crimson, almost maroon.

 

Getting it on over my hips was a little tricky as the suit is so stuctured. I was scared I might stretch it, but it seemed to 'ping!' right back into place around my waist.

Now, I should point out just how flattering this costume is. In normal costumes I am always conscious of my hips and thighs, but this beauty makes my figure much more proportioned, but at the same time giving a lovely curve and waist. The flap that covers your stomach/groin is much kinder than any of the high-street, high-legged seperates that you'll find. The halter neck isn't straining like most, and the cups are padded for modesty, but not inappropriately like a lot of the bra-style bikini's I have owned in the past!

All in all, I am a very happy bunny. Can't wait to take this baby for a spin on the beaches of Turkey!

the trials and tribulations of being an admin

a) Tea fails to hit the spot. With an eight hour day in the office, one cannot help but break the day into segments with a good tea break. But when your day consists of entering numbers into a database, tea just isn't going to cut the mustard anymore. Which leads to...

b) You get fat. Tea must now be accompanied by a chocolate treat from the vending machine. Not only does this small, sugary luxury make the time whizz by (metaphorically), but the trip downstairs to collect said chocolate does wonders for those square eyes. Coincidentaly, also allows a quick browse of the back issues of Hello! magazine that they keep down there.

c) You're rarely included in office shenanigans. Let's be honest, I'm talking about tea again. Very few of my colleagues will offer me - a lowly admin - a cuppa, whilst everyone else is dutifully cared for. Bastards.

d) Realisation. Only yesterday, with the help of a newbie admin, did I realise how pathetic my job is. Whilst in the process of making 180 name badges, she posed the question, "who actually thinks about the person who makes name badges?" No-one, that's who. Ditto person who stuffs envolopes, sends mass emails, enters your stupid email addresses into a database... The list goes on.



And the main reason I hate my job? I spend my days attempting to communicate pointless information with students who can speak English only marginally better than a chimp, whilst simultaneously throwing thousands of pounds at students who are jollying about in Spain or Sweden, earning more money than I am.

FML.