Return From The Sun

My Summer Reads

I recently had my fair share of summer holidays and time in the sun, and so i return with some post holiday posts in the coming weeks. I thought i would begin with my summer reads from my family holiday in Portugal.

Before I begin on what i read out there i have to do a selfless shout out to my Daddy who recently had his third book published which i read also on another holiday, within two days. I could not put the darn'd thing down (You may be thinking, hmm daughter of author, biased?! But no!) 

It is called 'MICHA SEVEN FIVE' and is a crime drama. I enjoyed it a lot, and keep nagging him to put the cliff hanging end to a sequel and remove me from my book misery. I would highly recommend it as a read, go and grab it here.

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

This was a reccomendation from my Mummy. The first chapter had me quite lost and confused and i did have to ask what was going on. However, get past that first chapter, which is not hard to do, and it is a beautiful story about friendship and seeing beyond what people tell you what is right an wrong. I could read this one hundred times over and be just as spellbound by it. It is narrated by death and concept that is a little tricky to get your head around at times but it gives the story a different edge. 10/10 and i have tried to force this into any willing hands to read.

You're The One That I Want - Giovanna Fletcher

If you saw my holiday book posts from last year you will know that I read and really enjoyed Giovanna's first book (Billy and Me). This is one of those girl falls in love with boy, with a twist kind of books. Easy to read and enjoyable, another one I read in a day. It is a sweet story not only about relationships, friendships and love but about growing up.

The Shock of The Fall - Nathan Filer

This was one that was actually stolen off of me before i had a chance to read by my brother, so i am in the middle of it so i thought i would still include it as it was read, and then semi-read by two holiday go-ers.

Noah's review: The book is really interesting and is a lot about mental health. For someone who does not do a lot of reading, I must of enjoyed it as I only took me two days to get through it. 

#GIRLBOSS - Sophie Amoruso

If you are a girl, like myself, who wants to earn her own money, be strong and independent and a career girl. Then this is the book you need to read. Sophie built her company Nasty Gal within seven years to a multi-million dollar company without one bit of debt. This girl has the knowledge of how to become what you want to be. This was a originally a recommendation from Vivianna of VDM, and now i, girls of the world am recommending it to you!

A Re-Fresh Of Summer Must Have's

Summer Must Have's

Even as the summer is reaching it's end and September is on the horizon, there is no reason to throw away all our hard summer body and beauty work, this is my summer must haves and a re-fresh for Autumn to keep this clean and shiny!

My summer holiday toiletries must haves. Yes, admittedly not the most glamours of things but they are what you need come those long summer days.

My basics include, Dove deodorant, Venus Razor (cant be having hairy armpits by the pool or legs for that matter). My go to sun cream Piz Buin factor 50 and 30, Banana Boat Alo Vera Gel; important for cooling down those burnt thighs and shoulders i am bound to have, Bumble and Bumble Surf Shampoo, the perfect sized bottle for travelling and of course you are going to be wanting those beachy looking waves and this does the job (if you like to style your hair while your away as well double up your Bumble with their Surf Spray to!), Body Shop Body Butter can never have enough moisturiser can you really!, Victoria's Secret Love Spell Fragrance Mist, got to smell nice go for a spray so much lighter and often come in plastic bottles, i always think plastic over glass when travelling, Hawaiian Tropic factor 50 faces stick for reapplying when on the go, this has come in very handy over the last few holidays and finally to keep the face clean the Yes To Cucumbers Natural Glow Facial Wipes. I like to travel super light for toiletries so wipes are perfect, this are super moist and take everything off the skin nicely. 

The Perfect Heat Hair Saviour

Over the last couple of months I have really put my hair through it, and my account as well. If you have read some of my older post I change my hair quite frequently, more than not it will always go back to its natural dark brown look. But otherwise I'm always trying to change the colour and experiment as well.

So following having half a head of highlights done at the end of February, I decided, no this is not enough time to switch it up. I saw a picture of the nicest ombréd hair, that I had seen in a long time. So I took myself down to the salon and book an appointment. (in the end it turned out to be two appointments instead of just the one).

Due to my highlights I needed my roots to be pulled out to allow the ombré to have the desired affect and not just a awkward line of blonde running round the back of my head.

Long story short, I am now a ombréd gal, there was bleach involved and so since then, the ends of my hair especially have been drier and lacking in shine more than normal. I thought time to get pro-active, or just another reason to spend some more money, and so I did. I bought the BloPro from Superdrug and it was around £5.99, with a sort of weird looking think white liquid inside, with a spray cap; how this was going to spray on to my hair like a light fluid was beyond me, however I spritzed on.

It is a light to medium consistency and I don't know if it has pixie dust in it or what but this stuff is amazing, even brushing it through before going to blow dry and then straighten/curl, there is a noticeable difference. My hair becomes smoother, softer and easier to work with, its prevents knots forming and just holds the shape and shine of the hair while blow drying. I find that post hair washing days it maintains that healthy look, even on the bits that got the bulk load of the bleach, as well as the smell is amazing. As well as doing all of this it also works as a heat protection, what more could you ask for. I'm thinking of trying some more of their products as this is proved its self so well. 

Let's Get Colourful

                                      

I have always stayed close and loyal to my neutral colours when it comes to eyes. I've always thought about trying colour, especially as I have green eyes but never been quite daring enough. This was until I decided to pick up the Maybelline 24 hour Colour Tattoo, in the shade 'Endless Purple'. I bought this to actually pick out the purple in the dress I was wearing for a night out, and since then I have loved it. I tend to blend it just underneath my bottom lash line, and sometimes on my lid as well with a darker shade in the corners. This stuff stays as well, no amount of sweat or anything will make this stuff budge. For applying underneath the lash line I used a MAC 219 and on the lid I packed it on with a QVS flat brush eye shadow brush. I am looking forward to trying some of the other shades, and then give the high end cream eye shadows a good run for their money. 

“Put Some Red Lipstick On and Live a Little” Marilyn Monroe

‘A study of 50 men were part of an experiment at Manchester University regarding lipstick – ‘men like to stare at women’s mouths that had lipstick on, with red lipstick holding their attention the longest. A whole 7.6 seconds’

For many women around the world that little red bullet of lipsticks has proven to be a confidence booster, a guy grabbing tool or even a best friend.  In 1924 Chanel produced and packaged their first red lipstick, modelled on the shade that Coco Chanel her self wore. The red lipstick has gone on to define itself for years. 

However following some research conducted by the University of Manchester, does the women’s best friend have more power than we first thought?

According to their research, their male subjects spent longer looking at women wearing a red lip than they did pink. For many men, outside of the research project conducted at Manchester University, it seems they are in agreement. Many say that when they saw a women wearing red lipstick, regardless of any other clothing or accessorise she might have been wearing, that they believed it to give off the impression of confidence and sex appeal. 

Women's magazines all over the world almost daily are promoting red lipstick, or a red lip look. How to wear it, what are the best brands to buy from, what shade of red suits you best; ‘The secret to confidence is red lipstick’. These can go on for a list as long as any women's shopping list, but is it all true? Or is this more of the perfect women propaganda we are all buying into?

True, many women do feel once they have braved the makeup counters and rifled their way through, what is essentially  30 red lipsticks all of the same shade, but the makeup assistant assures you they are not, and this one will of course make your teeth look whiter and your eyes look brighter, do you feel more confident now with that red lipstick on your lips? Do you notice more guys stare?

So maybe that natural look all our guys go on about is not really the case at all.  The celebrity we see today, all rock a red lip when trying to give off a sex appeal look, and sex does sell. Scarlet Johansson, known for her sultry looks often is seen wearing red lipstick and has been voted numerous times in the top 10 of Maxims hot 100, and topped Esquires Hottest Women Poll earlier last year. Even once teen queen Miley Cyrus is now rocking a sultry red lip.

Are these same red lip looks that are being worn today by are celebrities  the same as that old Hollywood glamour that Marilyn Monroe once donned though. Many men still make connections with women who wear red lipstick with women who are mature,  seductive and trying to recreate that old fashioned glamour look. It seems men, like the red lip look for what is has always represent, Women. A strong, confident and self assured. Make up is more than just compacts and mascara wands. It can change how men see women, how women see women and how women see themselves. 

The makeup industry has been around for over 100 years, and continues to strive today.

Releasing new products which promise to make bits of us look, big, better and shinier.

But sometimes the classics is all we need to achieve what we want. Next time your fighting

your way through that makeup counter, try a red lip and see how you feel, and the looks,

good looks, you will get. 

A Busy Few Weeks

Over the last week i really have been out and about a lot. I really enjoy watching vlogs and reading blog posts about what people have been doing, going out to see, places they have visited. So in the last few weeks I have been getting my fair share of culture. Myself, Mummy and Daddy, headed to the south bank to the Globe Theater to see a modern day version of 'The Merchant Of Venice'. This was so, good the production itself was one developed to be aimed at children, so even for adults the play became easier to understand and to watch. Even if you do not go and see a specially tailored production, I would say go and see something at the globe. It's such an experience, and go on a warm day! Its all open air so if it rains your going to get wet.

I also went to see Miranda at the O2 she was amazing, I was so lucky with the seats myself and my friend had. We were third row on the floor, smack bang in the middle. You could not get any better or much closer if you tried. I know she is still touring all the way through till about October so if you fancy, grab your self some tickets. Ours were well priced at around £35. I was back at the O2 a few weeks later to a impromptu Justin Timberlake concert that my Dad got me and my Mummy tickets for.

He was outstanding, do not have one fault or criticism to say about him, or the show. Go Justin!

I also went to Southend, for a friends birthday. Mayhem in Southend is always such good fun and if any one fancies a good, non expensive night out I would definitely recommend going. I wore a dress from Zara, which was only £30, bargin, and my Kurt Giger Dizzy heels. 

And last but by no means least it was my Nana's 75th birthday and we headed to the OXO Tower, also on the Southbank, for 'Not Afternoon Tea' as they liked to call it. There was no tea involed, just alcholic cocktails and cake!

Hope you have all had a lovely weekend 

@ella1993/@ellar_93

Xx

March Loves

march loves

I'm still struggling to deal with how quickly this year is going by, very scary. Welcome April, and maybe the long awaited return of spring? I wont hold my breath for too long however.

I have not posted a 'Loves' post in a long time, and to be frank its because its been the same products day in day out, or rather month in month out for a while now. But I have have been seeing some new stuff around and picked up a few bits, and re-discovered some old bits and bobs as well, which has made for a very happy March.

This is the lip balm sent from the Gods. It can soften any lips, its smells lovely and is reasonably priced for a lip balm, they can get a bit priced. I would recommend anyone who is in need of a lip balm for any reason, this is the one to go for.

 I have a small obsession with makeup bags. I have them galore, big, small, material, plastic. You name it, I've got it. This little beauty I spotted in the Victoria Secret. It was not cheap piece by any means, at a eye water £18, but it was just so darn'd cute. You can fit the world and it's friend into this makeup bag.  

Ikea, the land of the brave. You have to go in there knowing what you want, and not buying anything else, otherwise you will likely come out with a Billy Bookcase and a Sofa Bed. This issue lead to my purchase of these stack-able storage. Again not the cheapest when you buy a few at £5 each. But great for storing makeup.

It's a re-occurrence. No mascara has beaten this out my life in months. 

Buy it.

This was a gift for Valentines day, and it smells so good. I was a bit keen with the lighting as it is such a summer scent. If I ever went to Hawaii, I imagine it to smell like this. It's massive as well. Go give it a sniff! 

I have returned to my love of reading. Its been gone for a while TV took over strong. But with almost three books on the go I am thoroughly a book worm. 

Go and get 'Archduke Franz Ferdinand Lives!' - The blurb itself is enough to make anybody want to read it. Hint Hint, a world without the happening of World War One.

Genius. 

Hopefully I will get these post up more frequently and kick my lazy bum into gear.

Have a good weekend

@ella1993

@ellar_93

Xx