tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48842960814015902532024-02-02T07:30:34.800+00:00The Science of ProcrastinationTHE PERSONAL BLOG OF KATE SHORTT. FEATURING POSTS ON FILM, TELEVISION, BOOKS, BEAUTY, AND GENERAL GEEKERY.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-14170334110814461582014-03-10T20:34:00.000+00:002014-03-10T20:34:34.303+00:00FILM NIGHT - THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL REVIEW<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkFB8m4-5k4_keNxMaf4KpoHJJVOzQ8zwZNbh-lcxx5fNsNptvS8pv0M4cbWT7dVK46CxqIjFAxMhekykcbooPpRmwNiYDM9mcn_h3n_oXvZAZdDttvGIr1Ml7Kc32V9-Zb1ygpM1mQ0/s1600/The-Grand-Budapest-Hotel-banner+EDIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkFB8m4-5k4_keNxMaf4KpoHJJVOzQ8zwZNbh-lcxx5fNsNptvS8pv0M4cbWT7dVK46CxqIjFAxMhekykcbooPpRmwNiYDM9mcn_h3n_oXvZAZdDttvGIr1Ml7Kc32V9-Zb1ygpM1mQ0/s1600/The-Grand-Budapest-Hotel-banner+EDIT.jpg" height="228" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As mentioned in my previous post, I have been on a sort of blogging hiatus for the past couple of weeks now - hopefully this post will mark the beginning of a more frequent and regular routine. As promised, I'm back with another film review - this time I'll be sharing my thoughts on <i>The Grand Budapest Hotel</i>, which is a film that I'd been waiting to see since before Christmas. Wes Anderson is one of my favourite film directors, so I had high hopes and expectations for this latest caper - and it certainly did not disappoint.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
For those of you who don't know what the film is about, here is a brief synopsis taken from IMDb...<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: start;"><i>The Grand Budapest Hotel recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune - all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent.</i></span><br />
<br />
<i>The Grand Budapest Hotel</i> is about as star-studded as they come - and despite such a large cast, each character is endearing in their own way and played very well; I couldn't find much fault with any of the actors in this film at all. The cast is lead by Ralph Fiennes as Gustave H, a character who is the charmingly camp and comedic concierge of the titular hotel. Other supporting players include Jude Law as a young writer, Adrien Brody as the antagonistic Dmitri, Edward Norton as the police inspector Henckels and Tilda Swinton as the ill-fated Madame D. - and that's just the start of the cast list.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2kDfhOoidD4FiM2XTZmbk-w66NfHX6XUHXl-mmPhp7D1MWbe4vUxLYiRzzKDodXXELE9JKg5ha2ntwH8ZMsT7-vmAI5oDxLhzE4bw8v3HAtuKVZFVeTkepLvNQV-A-ZQKp4iu_AiXtQ/s1600/Montage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2kDfhOoidD4FiM2XTZmbk-w66NfHX6XUHXl-mmPhp7D1MWbe4vUxLYiRzzKDodXXELE9JKg5ha2ntwH8ZMsT7-vmAI5oDxLhzE4bw8v3HAtuKVZFVeTkepLvNQV-A-ZQKp4iu_AiXtQ/s1600/Montage.jpg" height="192" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I found the film to be very comedic, as deadpan and black humour is something that I personally find very funny. While it can be said that the comic timing is similar to <i>Moonrise Kingdom</i>, the higher age rating means that you can expect more violence and little gore, which really accentuates the darkly humourous tone of the film. That's not to say that the film itself it hugely gritty or violent - there are merely glimpses of darkness that slip through the candy-coloured world every now and again to remind the audience of the political backdrop of the film.<br />
<br />
The production design and overall aesthetics of the film are well worth a mention; as can be expected from an Anderson film, the visuals are absolutely stunning, with painfully precise cinematography and beautifully bold colouring. This lends itself well to the glamour and sophistication that the hotel aims to allude, but also keeps the tone from straying too far from comedy - it would be some achievement to make a dark crime saga with a colour scheme like this.<br />
<br />
Overall, I would highly recommend a trip to the cinema to see this film - it is one of the best that I have seen in quite a long while. Even with its precision and loaded cast, it certainly does not feel like one of those money-grabbing blockbusters, but rather a genuine and charming film.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1rCkzMXH7iLGiPkKtECC-UB0HtgbAx657762ahJUKe1Ss4eZ0QS834j7DGLXyEVqxX5b5Av8MLVDdzAiGB4lTBWZGZ5968mOD93lnExi5eMrNVZR-jVGuORCxiEAql9Xk6i8o4H696E/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1rCkzMXH7iLGiPkKtECC-UB0HtgbAx657762ahJUKe1Ss4eZ0QS834j7DGLXyEVqxX5b5Av8MLVDdzAiGB4lTBWZGZ5968mOD93lnExi5eMrNVZR-jVGuORCxiEAql9Xk6i8o4H696E/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-89003094009739047692014-03-08T15:14:00.001+00:002014-03-08T15:14:11.759+00:00UPDATE: WHERE HAVE I BEEN?<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought it would be a good idea to update you all as to where I have been for the past three or so weeks, since I feel like I haven't posted anything in quite a long time. For the last week I haven't been able to use my laptop since it's being repaired, which is kind of annoying because this means that I can't access any of my photos to use in my posts. Fortunately, it should be fixed sometime next week, so I can upload my February Favourites post (complete with all of the photos) and hopefully a film review for all of you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I apologise that my blog has been a bit sparse as of late, but I promise that it will be business as usual as soon as I get my computer back.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Until the next time...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-HUQ_R2CdnVm6oDWjS1CtmpBl_j2y9QYOYm-iM2wwBx2IQKqkVrwtfhL1AERoCzTKAxBaWMmn2Fs2O8afFiUHXekLikAzZ_o2AwfkYZ9Jtf1R5uRJ-Ve4CFmMWbjDhMXqXb-uw6sLs0/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-HUQ_R2CdnVm6oDWjS1CtmpBl_j2y9QYOYm-iM2wwBx2IQKqkVrwtfhL1AERoCzTKAxBaWMmn2Fs2O8afFiUHXekLikAzZ_o2AwfkYZ9Jtf1R5uRJ-Ve4CFmMWbjDhMXqXb-uw6sLs0/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-962962943769632602014-02-10T16:51:00.001+00:002014-02-10T16:51:09.271+00:00A BELATED JANUARY FAVOURITES<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2JqGMHp6-n7OZhY8BeqybdA9rCHeuRFQxioNtmSfyXPnGtxGHxHeE23nFKy8MSGQ66txKxSZMPRdFfE-T6A5POYC2NAGP9264hrOtultmZTXFHJBO-P_RapYMzkxu6ztiN2wgP6ERNM/s1600/MAIN+BANNER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2JqGMHp6-n7OZhY8BeqybdA9rCHeuRFQxioNtmSfyXPnGtxGHxHeE23nFKy8MSGQ66txKxSZMPRdFfE-T6A5POYC2NAGP9264hrOtultmZTXFHJBO-P_RapYMzkxu6ztiN2wgP6ERNM/s1600/MAIN+BANNER.jpg" height="344" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This week I thought I'd post a belated January favourites, seeing as I hadn't gotten round to doing it before. I know I'm quite late in posting my monthly favourites, but I wanted to take all of the photos outside and once again, the British weather has let me down for the past week. So, with some admittedly make-shift photographs in place, here are the things that I enjoyed this January.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zc5dLQKQzaalN2BpgMh6SlsVfyCJRxixqC4CqwfxWxEhr-YWbzzk2ahmb3jXYxPPP-zmf5NBzt9FANq7xcjXKgpDYrQXL3B55MPNMIkj3ut2Vp2qcETQXIEq_THJIhXmIk7cfhOQsos/s1600/Naked+3+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zc5dLQKQzaalN2BpgMh6SlsVfyCJRxixqC4CqwfxWxEhr-YWbzzk2ahmb3jXYxPPP-zmf5NBzt9FANq7xcjXKgpDYrQXL3B55MPNMIkj3ut2Vp2qcETQXIEq_THJIhXmIk7cfhOQsos/s1600/Naked+3+Banner.jpg" height="130" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>URBAN DECAY NAKED 3 PALETTE</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
I haven't had the Naked 3 palette for very long, as I got it for my birthday, which is at the end of January. When compared to the other two Naked palettes, this one is quite different from the other two, because of its pinky hues - I personally really love these new colours, as they really bring out my blue eyes. There are also more matte and satin colours than there were in the previous palettes, which I prefer for everyday wear.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8EooOtx9oA1xoNuyplcg5Kv3Ol9isVJ6MNAAmS_pnKOJWu52smYRfhup92eYvTm1bgI7JdxyJb8JsfxN4IYMcf8BPUpizXXoO8Jj5p9ZkofKf2X4xlRWL8GTgTIDa1zVxUTdQ5suaPQ/s1600/Blusher+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8EooOtx9oA1xoNuyplcg5Kv3Ol9isVJ6MNAAmS_pnKOJWu52smYRfhup92eYvTm1bgI7JdxyJb8JsfxN4IYMcf8BPUpizXXoO8Jj5p9ZkofKf2X4xlRWL8GTgTIDa1zVxUTdQ5suaPQ/s1600/Blusher+Banner.jpg" height="132" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>SLEEK BLUSHER IN <i>FLAMINGO</i></u><br />
<br />
In the pan, this blusher does look like quite a scary colour, as it is a very vibrant hot pink. The pigmentation of this product is amazing, as I have apply the tiniest amount of the product for a nice flush of colour. Because it is so vibrant and pigmented, I reckon that this shade would look good on almost any skin tone - however, if you have pale skin like me, you do have to be a bit careful not to apply too much!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjzMGjqVV2o8GSiLBF4g7lVcZHNuvgehQZxYiIUUeDvPvRZVjIV6D-pbC4CCXVlPaU53ZOZfGu4mNpiL7gBc8cH50s9Q2SktOuj5axAmrC85u6Ug07YtaOc25bFL8uGfornaKbBx7Wjg/s1600/Nails+Inc+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjzMGjqVV2o8GSiLBF4g7lVcZHNuvgehQZxYiIUUeDvPvRZVjIV6D-pbC4CCXVlPaU53ZOZfGu4mNpiL7gBc8cH50s9Q2SktOuj5axAmrC85u6Ug07YtaOc25bFL8uGfornaKbBx7Wjg/s1600/Nails+Inc+Banner.jpg" height="135" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>NAILS INC. NAIL POLISH IN <i>STRATFORD</i></u><br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>My favourite kind of nail polishes are normally nudes - however, this polish from Nails Inc. is an exception to this rule. In the bottle, the colour of the polish is quite difficult to describe: it is a duo-chrome, but it has hints of gold, green, and pink it. I was expecting this polish to be very bold on the nails, but it is actually a surprisingly subtle colour. This means that the shade is very versatile, as it can be worn during the day or on a night out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-cEE2LK1BeU2uUn7QmLRU42aJze9C8OCunbS9d_eL3owbezlmL7gyS7tpMe3EUr2TR8bTSvOmqQgeAU3ysmPwoVik6AhKbCpr3CEO5z8Slr-_-CtFCKnmBOt2I-k0RH3X4SKGo2S-XE/s1600/Lipstick+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-cEE2LK1BeU2uUn7QmLRU42aJze9C8OCunbS9d_eL3owbezlmL7gyS7tpMe3EUr2TR8bTSvOmqQgeAU3ysmPwoVik6AhKbCpr3CEO5z8Slr-_-CtFCKnmBOt2I-k0RH3X4SKGo2S-XE/s1600/Lipstick+Banner.jpg" height="133" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>REVLON COLORSTAY ULTIMATE SUEDE LIPSTICK IN <i>SOCIALITE</i></u><br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
I mentioned this lipstick in my last post, but I felt that I had to put it in my January Favourites as well. Normally I don't go for pink or nude lipsticks, but I saw this one in Boots and thought that it looked like a good everyday lip colour. The shade itself is definitely a 'my-lips-but-better' shade, which is great for everyday wear but also to wear with a smoky eye makeup look. This is also the first matte lipstick that I've ever bought - I have been put off buying them in the past for fear of them drying my lips out too much, but this product has a nice creamy formulation that is also quite hydrating.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiTKN_cvi6I7nviF7S5Zl2jA8Tv5L40U5niIslHTMOWjtnUOrBt7fePVm8GyrFG8wUVKZAYG_wjoLj-28aL3aVtqk8ZkPFknt2otdc4I2VOvLQASp091xuu3sfg7SOUjyVXLqxYgejvI/s1600/TV+series+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiTKN_cvi6I7nviF7S5Zl2jA8Tv5L40U5niIslHTMOWjtnUOrBt7fePVm8GyrFG8wUVKZAYG_wjoLj-28aL3aVtqk8ZkPFknt2otdc4I2VOvLQASp091xuu3sfg7SOUjyVXLqxYgejvI/s1600/TV+series+banner.jpg" height="135" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>TV SERIES - <i>BREAKING BAD</i> AND <i>SHERLOCK</i></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><i><br /></i></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I'm going to be really picky, <i>Sherlock </i>technically isn't a monthly favourite of mine, but rather an all-time favourite. However, as the third series was aired and released last month, I'm going to include it in the list anyway. Overall, I really enjoyed Series Three - <i>His Last Vow</i> was my favourite of the series, as it had quite dark undertones as well as being thrilling and tense throughout. On the subject of tense programmes, I started watching <i>Breaking Bad</i> this month - I think it's safe to say that I am now addicted to this show. I'm about half way through Series Four, and I can see why it is so hyped up - it is very well written and the characters are amazing because they always flit between good and bad.<br />
<br />
<br />
So that concludes my belated January Favourites - I hope you all enjoyed this post. I've decided that my weekly posts will be published on Mondays from now on, so keep an eye out next week for a new post!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6yDUxnQ5vgyNaKu8NHaDbaT9aeJ-3TgefmKrhCPq5wEv_b-dcwJFOhybwcirEuPORXPEvqev5nEY0jA0lB8cpggxOnTyte84vKV_EPiuxeGrrQh669h9IX5nj0PcHNug6VfQOAi9Tmw/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6yDUxnQ5vgyNaKu8NHaDbaT9aeJ-3TgefmKrhCPq5wEv_b-dcwJFOhybwcirEuPORXPEvqev5nEY0jA0lB8cpggxOnTyte84vKV_EPiuxeGrrQh669h9IX5nj0PcHNug6VfQOAi9Tmw/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-13135203995204643362014-02-03T14:32:00.001+00:002014-02-03T14:32:41.314+00:00GET READY WITH ME: BIRTHDAY DINNER<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1t9uIVCEbUwCGuYCvrYdGWTuP5vB0KSHTEsKe32I46NkehrFZVAr6jYRoeVgWgmweSt0TUFzvInBj6yRiJFH0enqgRJiev88yDIV0uvElcQ3arFu5kt9f1_7ffKYEsbtUKA6xm4Apag/s1600/Main+Banner+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1t9uIVCEbUwCGuYCvrYdGWTuP5vB0KSHTEsKe32I46NkehrFZVAr6jYRoeVgWgmweSt0TUFzvInBj6yRiJFH0enqgRJiev88yDIV0uvElcQ3arFu5kt9f1_7ffKYEsbtUKA6xm4Apag/s1600/Main+Banner+2.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On Saturday night I went out for dinner with my friends to celebrate my eighteenth birthday, which was on the 28th January. I thought I'd do a Get Ready With Me post because I've never done one before and it seems like quite a fun little post to do. So without further ado, here is my first ever Get Ready With Me post!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw24-DiWYJ5q5tnalMvjzeD8uO0PewLuBHSfTcwut7yplOFE3IMDcoEqbWyXzlBA9WVXTs4-XfieaqixsX-_BF1RNDhqJaIXLXRvFMsZs57bZSfYawxKb8EEHnCMvS9nyYLL3d_5FfNw/s1600/SKINCARE+BANNER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw24-DiWYJ5q5tnalMvjzeD8uO0PewLuBHSfTcwut7yplOFE3IMDcoEqbWyXzlBA9WVXTs4-XfieaqixsX-_BF1RNDhqJaIXLXRvFMsZs57bZSfYawxKb8EEHnCMvS9nyYLL3d_5FfNw/s1600/SKINCARE+BANNER.jpg" height="170" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>Boots Botanics Cleansing Cream - Clinique Clarifying Lotion - Simple Vital Vitamin Day Cream</i><br />
<br />
Before I put my makeup on to go out, I always redo my skincare routine. I start off by using the Boots Botanics Gentle Cleansing Cream and put it all over my face like a mask. I let that sit on my skin for a couple of minutes before washing it all off with hot water and a flannel. After that, I use the Clinique Clarifying Lotion (for skin type two) on a cotton pad and apply the product all over my face. Finally, I use the Simple Vital Vitamin Day Cream to moisturise my skin - I like using this particular product because it is light on the skin and is non-greasy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05brjZ4FHOUVyRdvJGdPA0cf01O29VYpbTo97h5V9aN9bGIe9A6QL0rbtEucewoVHm7yhJSTu6tYV6081hwu_Ew2jDyKKaJII4coaWZMBeXZNj2MINQ8GJmSimyxhBdDWXsQ-3PlyVpw/s1600/Base+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05brjZ4FHOUVyRdvJGdPA0cf01O29VYpbTo97h5V9aN9bGIe9A6QL0rbtEucewoVHm7yhJSTu6tYV6081hwu_Ew2jDyKKaJII4coaWZMBeXZNj2MINQ8GJmSimyxhBdDWXsQ-3PlyVpw/s1600/Base+Banner.jpg" height="136" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum - Urban Decay Primer Potion - Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
For my base makeup, I stuck with my tried and tested Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation. I love this product because it can be built up to medium coverage but still gives the skin a lovely healthy glow. For my under-eye concealer, I used the Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer - I haven't had it for very long, but I still think that it does the job well. I chose not to powder my skin, as I wanted a dewy finish rather than matte. After that, I prepped my eyes for eyeshadow using the Urban Decay Primer Potion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Gyy3YFO1-hB-RfES9Y1nu5Jf645ht6Dpj1HLNrkUtDmPKQqQu4Wu8qnPadBSRjF__QQ0n6cRtruPO5eXpBCVfCPHHGWtlYB31tvYM6RoZJcvNcasu3jjXyLvvWFgEjs9E6dL0X101lg/s1600/Naked+3+CROPPED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Gyy3YFO1-hB-RfES9Y1nu5Jf645ht6Dpj1HLNrkUtDmPKQqQu4Wu8qnPadBSRjF__QQ0n6cRtruPO5eXpBCVfCPHHGWtlYB31tvYM6RoZJcvNcasu3jjXyLvvWFgEjs9E6dL0X101lg/s1600/Naked+3+CROPPED.jpg" height="172" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette</i><br />
<br />
I decided to use my Naked 3 Palette for my eyeshadow and did quite a smoky eye look. I took the shades <i>Factory</i> and <i>Mugshot</i> and made a wash of colour across the lids. I then took more of the <i>Factory</i> shade together with a touch of <i>Blackheart</i> and smoked the colour almost up to the brow bone. While this may sound pretty dramatic, I should point out that I have hooded eyes, so the colour was just visible above the hood. I then took some of <i>Nooner</i> and blended it along my lower lashline, taking the colour quite low, as I think that the technique works well to create a dramatic look on a hooded eye shape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX81KmCo-bzdq3ucy7PbTEl6CW9j2etUQuFagspesfwyz5vNVuwAJ-ir2D9bADwXcAOu9OYGUYvl5a1kAVgvIV6OW-V37rvNgVgwaMbmJIRRhRgW-d46wBKP5vdi8hSAnVkHkA42YYsVo/s1600/Eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX81KmCo-bzdq3ucy7PbTEl6CW9j2etUQuFagspesfwyz5vNVuwAJ-ir2D9bADwXcAOu9OYGUYvl5a1kAVgvIV6OW-V37rvNgVgwaMbmJIRRhRgW-d46wBKP5vdi8hSAnVkHkA42YYsVo/s1600/Eyes.jpg" height="142" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>Rimmel Glam'Eyes Liquid Liner - Clinique Quickliner - Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
To finish off the eye makeup, I used the Rimmel Glam'Eyes Liquid Liner to create a very thin line along my top lash line. I didn't want to make it too dramatic, as I wanted the focus to be on the shadow on the upper half of the eye. I then used the Clinique Quickliner to add some definition to the lower lash line - as I mentioned before with the eyeshadow, I think that bold under-eye makeup works well with a hooded eye. With all of the eyeliner in place, I then added a few coats of the waterproof version of the Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara. I like to wear waterproof mascara on nights out as I know that it will stay in place and won't smudge anywhere.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eKDbnLfal7W8LejkiKN7q3KP0f68cudpyvMD9OAhO5jGXg5eC-9-c0uyMjmvS0sHgp2-K_eNodoiJcTV59kATrGI8vY9idjR7gRWBskPQ61WJqEIX20kFzXcOd19m-R8dOn8RQbYivI/s1600/Brows+and+Lips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eKDbnLfal7W8LejkiKN7q3KP0f68cudpyvMD9OAhO5jGXg5eC-9-c0uyMjmvS0sHgp2-K_eNodoiJcTV59kATrGI8vY9idjR7gRWBskPQ61WJqEIX20kFzXcOd19m-R8dOn8RQbYivI/s1600/Brows+and+Lips.jpg" height="132" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Soap and Glory Archery Brow Pencil - Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Socialite</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Onto the last of the makeup now - I finished off the look by filling in my brows with the Soap and Glory Archery Brow Pencil. I filled them in a little heavier than I would normally to balance out the strong eye makeup. Finally I chose the Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in the colour <i>Socialite</i> to wear on my lips, as it is quite a muted pink colour - it's almost like a my lips but better kind of shade.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rBy3aqW3gt8z7xkuUfeemPS0CcB8ukFJ2H32ub7PAKEv-uonTwY4GwUOgG5VuA-wAp5ItiYqs7WpOMSqMwGvO9fZKjK0Znv40nZBxs88gcQjISV9_szRSQeOuNeLjvZOba2kPLUiFO0/s1600/Outfit+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rBy3aqW3gt8z7xkuUfeemPS0CcB8ukFJ2H32ub7PAKEv-uonTwY4GwUOgG5VuA-wAp5ItiYqs7WpOMSqMwGvO9fZKjK0Znv40nZBxs88gcQjISV9_szRSQeOuNeLjvZOba2kPLUiFO0/s1600/Outfit+Banner.jpg" height="144" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>Skye Satchel from Oasis - Dress by Apricot - Shoes from Cloggs.com</i><br />
<br />
Finally for my outfit - I picked out one of my favourite dresses for the occasion, which is by the brand Apricot. I managed to get it at half price just before Christmas in a sale, so I'm not sure if it will still be available to buy. I paired the dress with some opaque black tights and my studded boots from Cloggs.com, which, again, I got in the sales so they might have sold out by now. The handbag that I brought with me is still available to buy, and I absolutely love it - it is the Skye Satchel from Oasis and it costs £25.<br />
<br />
So, there you have it - my first ever Get Ready With Me post. If you enjoyed this type of post, leave a comment below and let me know if I should do them more often. I'll probably be posting a slightly late January Favourites some time this week, so keep your eyes peeled for that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL0V0LvCNn904o8kahUrd4m_LJ69oGn6sOGeVfRJ8vNLKH5HqKC7IN7ZBbJj7OnUrp9JNkz9EBfVMEKAWJkzcbSPJLXKI2ukeTfZhRYfk2wfvgtURmQuEiGcy3t_5KCJbou8ckVBcypU/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL0V0LvCNn904o8kahUrd4m_LJ69oGn6sOGeVfRJ8vNLKH5HqKC7IN7ZBbJj7OnUrp9JNkz9EBfVMEKAWJkzcbSPJLXKI2ukeTfZhRYfk2wfvgtURmQuEiGcy3t_5KCJbou8ckVBcypU/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-61108660364561253182014-01-26T20:52:00.001+00:002014-01-26T20:52:26.149+00:00FILM NIGHT - 12 YEARS A SLAVE REVIEW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_45OJHvvkhsuQcFu0yOE_JanS4WL7ivqsht6QX1JRM7ht3VLmqKHJ5zAU6DWfkvPAcs0w8uKH55xp9OjU6C2XVjr5JPkCTQtwP_qk1fjMoQwOq5pwIR_pJgXMccvDpFhDj8wxfM7-1w/s1600/12-years-a-slave-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_45OJHvvkhsuQcFu0yOE_JanS4WL7ivqsht6QX1JRM7ht3VLmqKHJ5zAU6DWfkvPAcs0w8uKH55xp9OjU6C2XVjr5JPkCTQtwP_qk1fjMoQwOq5pwIR_pJgXMccvDpFhDj8wxfM7-1w/s1600/12-years-a-slave-banner.jpg" height="236" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I went to go and see <i>12 Years a Slave</i> almost a week ago, but I've only decided to review the film now, after I've had time to form a proper opinion. I would begin this review as I usually would, stating that it is spoiler free. However, as this film is based on true events, there aren't really spoilers as such. With that being said, I won't ruin the ending of the film just in case. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would say that this film is, without a doubt, one of the most disturbing films I have ever watched. Don't be put off by that statement - the film is extraordinary and moving, but be prepared to wince at the very least at certain parts of the film. As the title suggest, the premise of the film focuses on slavery in the southern states of the USA. Taken from IMDB, here is a short synopsis of the film...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: start;">Based on an incredible true story of one man's fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: start;">), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: start;">), as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon's chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: start;">) will forever alter his life.</span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
As has been announced fairly recently, many of the cast members have been nominated for Academy Award this year - and when you look at their performances, it isn't hard to understand why. Lead actor Chiwetel Ejiofor makes his portrayal of Northup very interesting, as his defiance of his oppressors is almost empowering. On the flipside, his character slips effortlessly into despair, which can be heart-wrenching (for lack of a better word) at times. However, the real stand-out performance for me comes from Michael Fassbender, whose plantation-owning character genuinely scares at times. Even when off-screen, the mere threat of his character instills dread into the audience - one particular instance is when Solomon tries to smuggle a letter out without being caught, and the tension and sense of danger is palpable. Another noteworthy performance in the film comes from Lupita Nyong'o, whose portrayal of Patsey - a sexually abused slave - is harrowing and especially impressive when taking into account that <i>12 Years a Slave</i> is her feature film debut.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The visuals of the film are, surprisingly, quite artistic - there are certain shots in the film that are beautiful to behold, yet this serves the purpose of making the action onscreen even more horrific. Some of the worst instances are when one of the characters is being tortured in the foreground, yet others in the background seem oblivious to this. The music in the film helps to heighten the sense of shock in scenes like these; Hans Zimmer's soundtrack is, once again, a perfect fit for this film, although in my mind it did sound strangely reminiscent of parts of the <i>Inception</i> soundtrack.<br />
<br />
So, overall I'd say that <i>12 Years a Slave </i>is well worth a watch, even if it isn't the most comfortable film to view. The violence always shocks but is never over-the-top, and the acting is first rate - I'm expecting this film to win big at the Oscars this year. Let me know in the comments if you've seen this film and what your thoughts on it are.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jBjdl4K6HQda3G-Ty6-3jNa4v0qycO1osyGMuY3GZUuDqgVpF_bhckUkakzk1xpiPhIbYg8T7TKQnHAw3xgK9TFKoARXGD-csX9RpvFVBSe1akGN5kk_1vPlGRjhg038D05JxwLwhS4/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jBjdl4K6HQda3G-Ty6-3jNa4v0qycO1osyGMuY3GZUuDqgVpF_bhckUkakzk1xpiPhIbYg8T7TKQnHAw3xgK9TFKoARXGD-csX9RpvFVBSe1akGN5kk_1vPlGRjhg038D05JxwLwhS4/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-75545079572401686152014-01-19T21:38:00.002+00:002014-01-19T21:38:28.724+00:00TOP PRODUCTS FOR DRY SKIN IN WINTER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF6R5Dm06i1hU4Ot_RhnKjan9P0-Sqhz8N5P6ldYJAEWYaSqs3KQ_BCiJa_WOZeSht05_rPk6kDLI2ixeFl4WhSsH37BqA3xwhTGFyn57cXSq3RwnoITXS2dj9xgWY4QRWblLg2P1aYc/s1600/BANNER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF6R5Dm06i1hU4Ot_RhnKjan9P0-Sqhz8N5P6ldYJAEWYaSqs3KQ_BCiJa_WOZeSht05_rPk6kDLI2ixeFl4WhSsH37BqA3xwhTGFyn57cXSq3RwnoITXS2dj9xgWY4QRWblLg2P1aYc/s1600/BANNER.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once again, I'm going to start this post by apologising for the lack of activity in the past week and a bit. Once I sort out a new posting schedule, I'll be back to posting at least once a week on a regular basis. That aside, I wanted to do a post dedicated to moisturisers - which, admittedly, does sound like quite a strange topic. However, the cold and rain in England has really been getting to my skin recently, so I thought I'd share what products I use to combat the forces of the winter weather.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpUXLQbnrsOK9TfXVw0aIibfNlhNVCXSqGNsntpwsUhXCpi6Oe1uy1LsGkn5MDgJ1LGhQyEip0UM4BT6xwZR07OoH3ey1u4cO5tYZjSGv3NiL4-jOpxxdc6rrxn2oSsJ-BEtfbJNnixg/s1600/Daily+Smooth+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpUXLQbnrsOK9TfXVw0aIibfNlhNVCXSqGNsntpwsUhXCpi6Oe1uy1LsGkn5MDgJ1LGhQyEip0UM4BT6xwZR07OoH3ey1u4cO5tYZjSGv3NiL4-jOpxxdc6rrxn2oSsJ-BEtfbJNnixg/s1600/Daily+Smooth+2.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>SOAP AND GLORY THE DAILY SMOOTH BODY BUTTER</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
I haven't had this product for very long, as I got it in a Soap and Glory set for Christmas. Nevertheless, I would still recommend this product because it keeps skin moisturised for a prolonged period of time. I wore this body butter to a New Year's party - usually, I find that body butters sink into my skin too quickly, and my skin becomes dry again by the end of a night out. This was not the case with this product - it lasts for a long time, is light on the skin, and smells gorgeous. <i>The Righteous Butter</i> is another body butter from Soap and Glory that works really well on dry skin, but I prefer the packaging of this product, as I'm not overly keen on body butters that come in tubs.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagPdi7NUfhhOe-1sWgX4P4G9Xkc3cnNQ7kY044fPoSsWVW2YdBUuCG3-sWJVJYkZQu-sYip1ZHWh7ULgYjiZ4xl-RU-prmrYNwxYU6kGCq_ZD3CCr5CPJvOS3iiPfA8jIKr0EIVdw6ss/s1600/Kind+to+Skin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagPdi7NUfhhOe-1sWgX4P4G9Xkc3cnNQ7kY044fPoSsWVW2YdBUuCG3-sWJVJYkZQu-sYip1ZHWh7ULgYjiZ4xl-RU-prmrYNwxYU6kGCq_ZD3CCr5CPJvOS3iiPfA8jIKr0EIVdw6ss/s1600/Kind+to+Skin.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>SIMPLE KIND TO SKIN HYDRATING LIGHT MOISTURISER</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
Of the two facial moisturisers that I've included on this list, this is the cheaper alternative - that does not mean that the quality of the product is compromised by any stretch of the imagination. Like the Clinique moisturiser (listed later on), this product leaves a lovely, non-greasy feeling on the skin. Better still, this product is great if you're on a budget, as it costs only £3.99.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCNno_SGznDEU6LcGWtaYzN0peCxsLRCYQjJvDoR2sQ53JDoNuBzR-XarKINTPvdGrwWOKvac6AFpD__SLyTfJRAX5g4yDu9iInM6pRudL7Y32Tqjko9pDRDYsMqCIcoVHbXcBKGWAxs/s1600/Scrub+++Happiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCNno_SGznDEU6LcGWtaYzN0peCxsLRCYQjJvDoR2sQ53JDoNuBzR-XarKINTPvdGrwWOKvac6AFpD__SLyTfJRAX5g4yDu9iInM6pRudL7Y32Tqjko9pDRDYsMqCIcoVHbXcBKGWAxs/s1600/Scrub+++Happiness.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>SOAP AND GLORY SCRUB + HAPPINESS</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
I'm having to include another product from Soap and Glory in this list - this time, however, it's something a little different. You would be mistaken for thinking that this product is a body scrub; it's actually a scrub for your hands. I haven't seen anything like this product before, but this stuff is a revelation. Throughout the year, I get quite bad dry skin across my knuckles, and this has been exacerbated in the winter months. This hand scrub is wonderful, as it smooths and preps the skin for hand cream without being too harsh or abrasive on the skin. An additional bonus of the scrub is that it smells amazing, as its orange and mandarin scented.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6n6osMB2uKk2v-n9dOyqq8kP5twXQGM_e573itGAXmuP9sVdqOKyPRzF127eBGpILvOnG9QIEaKTeGMvbKsVmFgl3LBmD1eIqoWlwrW-rteDVTU_nPdwVJo4jawblRcxc0J5a4BBN4Oo/s1600/Moisture+Surge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6n6osMB2uKk2v-n9dOyqq8kP5twXQGM_e573itGAXmuP9sVdqOKyPRzF127eBGpILvOnG9QIEaKTeGMvbKsVmFgl3LBmD1eIqoWlwrW-rteDVTU_nPdwVJo4jawblRcxc0J5a4BBN4Oo/s1600/Moisture+Surge.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>CLINIQUE MOISTURE SURGE MOISTURISER</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
As you may or may not be able to tell by the picture, I have pretty much used up all of this moisturiser. I've had this little sample for quite a while and I absolutely love it - unfortunately, the full-sized product is pretty costly. This moisturiser leaves such a lovely feeling on the skin; it feels like it is hydrating but isn't greasy at all. I can confirm that this works very well in the winter, as I took it with me when I went to Iceland last year in April, and it worked fantastically well in even colder weather.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_6xRRoT4yxXP3_WRYF0zbX0MEXwdNPhDnZWAo3cesMaKoGZm2YplRPLESpl6SRBImOSBNYRdeOptHLolc-cG3QoCdcHMp-UMaw0qnfTA8Fp3v3UVnMur_0EqJylHC2iwZVGiklBD7L4/s1600/Cuticura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_6xRRoT4yxXP3_WRYF0zbX0MEXwdNPhDnZWAo3cesMaKoGZm2YplRPLESpl6SRBImOSBNYRdeOptHLolc-cG3QoCdcHMp-UMaw0qnfTA8Fp3v3UVnMur_0EqJylHC2iwZVGiklBD7L4/s1600/Cuticura.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>CUTICURA VITAMIN E HAND CREAM</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
This product is a new edition to my hand cream collection - which is growing at a rapid rate. As I got this hand cream for Christmas, I'm not sure how much it costs. Regardless of price, this is a great product because it doesn't leave a greasy feeling on your hands. The only negative point that I can make about the product is that it is unscented - while this may appeal to some people, I personally like hand cream to have a nice scent to it.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2br_zDsZMqe3T_dsNjFUzEhBzFTVK2gyiNX6TdICtmMmQ28dm4qWKlGbibD6rjSjqdgA78mzj5t5YPS63alcRM3aJD6YN1ojIN0YGmE9NnBV9hVB01jJf9bUrhiz1tScqvXHMbiRqCB4/s1600/Hand+Dream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2br_zDsZMqe3T_dsNjFUzEhBzFTVK2gyiNX6TdICtmMmQ28dm4qWKlGbibD6rjSjqdgA78mzj5t5YPS63alcRM3aJD6YN1ojIN0YGmE9NnBV9hVB01jJf9bUrhiz1tScqvXHMbiRqCB4/s1600/Hand+Dream.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>SOAP AND GLORY HAND DREAM</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
Finishing off the list is yet another Soap and Glory product. It probably seems a bit biased of me to include so many of them, but I honestly think that their skincare products work really well. <i>Hand Dream</i> is pretty much the same as its more famous counterpart <i>Hand Food</i>, but supposedly this version has extra vitamins and other goodies in the formula. I haven't really noticed much of a difference between the two hand creams - both are non-greasy and wonderful smelling hand creams.<br />
<br />
I hope you've enjoyed reading about my recommendations for dry skin in the winter months. Let me know in the comments if you've tried any of these products or if there are some that you would recommend.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DkWdeFB2qLJdoSqcfm_x94sRcTUnflaq3TcuJeb6hLfEo0MAXqMwLpRZM7UfSQULe1uCW0qpOuIggPgUyNGRttKVWxH8dRGWJJ3djJTF-60-swAq4X1aDtSHfA0xJC60LxSkJ3IB260/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DkWdeFB2qLJdoSqcfm_x94sRcTUnflaq3TcuJeb6hLfEo0MAXqMwLpRZM7UfSQULe1uCW0qpOuIggPgUyNGRttKVWxH8dRGWJJ3djJTF-60-swAq4X1aDtSHfA0xJC60LxSkJ3IB260/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-39650236114783843262014-01-06T23:35:00.001+00:002014-01-06T23:35:47.339+00:00FILM NIGHT - AMERICAN HUSTLE REVIEW<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vIjKOOLn-OhK16KlsKbtZoa9lbYPL6BzMP7AV-HGrqK_UBmrD72W7cV6hkft2UsvLxZPoJHf9V7k8O-c5xrXOjg8k74Ht8tvsKxj2ig9ACgtuFpiZupolSuyM7iYkqfPGwzV7igxiK8/s1600/American-Hustle-banner-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vIjKOOLn-OhK16KlsKbtZoa9lbYPL6BzMP7AV-HGrqK_UBmrD72W7cV6hkft2UsvLxZPoJHf9V7k8O-c5xrXOjg8k74Ht8tvsKxj2ig9ACgtuFpiZupolSuyM7iYkqfPGwzV7igxiK8/s1600/American-Hustle-banner-1.jpg" height="236" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
*This is a spoiler free review!*<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I apologise for not posting on Sunday as I would normally do, but I wanted to wait to write this film review rather than make a rushed favourites post (which will probably come later on in the week). I mentioned in my November Favourites and Top Five Films posts that I am a big fan of <i>Silver Linings Playbook.</i> Naturally, when I found that David O. Russell was releasing a new film with pretty much the same cast, I was immediately interested. I went and saw <i>American Hustle</i> last night, and overall, I have to say that I'm very impressed.<br />
<br />
Taken from IMDB, here is the plot synopsis of the film:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">A fictional film set in the alluring world of one of the most stunning scandals to rock the USA, American Hustle tells the story of brilliant con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale</span></i><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">), who along with his equally cunning and seductive British partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">) is forced to work for a wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">). DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia that's as dangerous as it is enchanting. Jeremy Renner </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">is Carmine Polito, the passionate, volatile, New Jersey political operator caught between the con-artists and Feds. Irving's unpredictable wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">) could be the one to pull the thread that brings the entire world crashing down.</span></i></div>
<br />
The cast-list that <i>American Hustle</i> offers is hugely impressive, with plenty of Oscar nominees and winners. Of the cast, Christian Bale offers the most entertaining performance - what is hugely ironic is that he cons the audience into believing that he is truly a conman. The relationship dynamics between Bale's and Jennifer Lawrence's characters is possibly one of the most comedic aspects of the film; what's more, the arguments and humorous exchanges somehow manage to make the marriage seem more believable. The rest of the cast also manage to walk the tightrope between comedy and drama very well, although sometimes the two genres become indiscernible from one another. One of the slight issues that I have is with Amy Adams' English accent - as a Brit myself, there were times when I did question how accurate her accent was.<br />
<br />
In terms of editing and cinematography, <i>American Hustle</i> has all of the qualities that I loved in <i>Silver Linings Playbook.</i> A lot of the shots are very idiosyncratic of David O. Russell's films; there's almost a shakiness to the camera-work, which somehow makes it feel as though you are stepping into the lives of the characters onscreen. Surprisingly, I also love the way that Russell includes music in his films and rarely uses a score - for this film, it makes it seem much more in-keeping with the era in which it is set.<br />
<br />
To round off, <i>American Hustle</i> is well worth a watch - I'll be surprised if there aren't any Oscar nominations from this film. One thing I will say is that the plot might get a little confusing to some viewers at some point, but the zealousness of the cast makes for an enjoyable film regardless of understanding.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrETwPHO4Z_Py_8TbWFJuMcqnkbU2034uTxRpVVe2kqLj1feQuTfqU4MH0yLyvfIyguuUixptG6SpBaS-EFU8ZrptvhEFWIF51rJ_isRuIPeJBCVHEZ2g0fyaC0JYQhiWBNywfGIbz5jE/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrETwPHO4Z_Py_8TbWFJuMcqnkbU2034uTxRpVVe2kqLj1feQuTfqU4MH0yLyvfIyguuUixptG6SpBaS-EFU8ZrptvhEFWIF51rJ_isRuIPeJBCVHEZ2g0fyaC0JYQhiWBNywfGIbz5jE/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-443413516529724702013-12-29T21:43:00.000+00:002013-12-29T21:43:25.553+00:00TOP FIVE FAVOURITE FILMS<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxfAcTsn1UYuZ0bEHd7rgaSQHTW3_D4OCdgifqR86tugrVp6Bg04_ko6JeVwMLXiDsUBBSl4_pbp2YyF4qY065j-VQEjb8MgjkMbN1T4W3EeesDUQiQTq2cHGkTr8doT7CePF302JRtk/s1600/Collage+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxfAcTsn1UYuZ0bEHd7rgaSQHTW3_D4OCdgifqR86tugrVp6Bg04_ko6JeVwMLXiDsUBBSl4_pbp2YyF4qY065j-VQEjb8MgjkMbN1T4W3EeesDUQiQTq2cHGkTr8doT7CePF302JRtk/s1600/Collage+Banner.jpg" height="194" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A couple of months ago I posted my top five favourite books, so I decided that I should compile a list of my favourite films. This list was very difficult for me to compile and has been months in the making - as I limited myself to my top five films, this list doesn't even begin to cover all of the films that I love. I tried to keep it quite diverse and include different genres of films and different franchises. However, if anyone would like me to make another top films list, I would be more than happy to oblige. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKfSJDF3PI-pC_AI7uRJ7EV6h8rkHrnYLpjlGoL3PMrXmFsw_Kx8Ks2fGMehpPy-_9xsV8MZygFlu6UC_hK1J3ZDw64guedm0rU66sDmRKAM5LqKEylRIElVdRuqQ2dK_zJyoq2jsV6w/s1600/OF+BANNER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKfSJDF3PI-pC_AI7uRJ7EV6h8rkHrnYLpjlGoL3PMrXmFsw_Kx8Ks2fGMehpPy-_9xsV8MZygFlu6UC_hK1J3ZDw64guedm0rU66sDmRKAM5LqKEylRIElVdRuqQ2dK_zJyoq2jsV6w/s1600/OF+BANNER.jpg" height="143" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>5) <i>ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST </i>(1975)</u><br />
<br />
If you've read my top five favourite books post, you'll know that I included the novel which the film is based on in my list. While the film adaptation isn't always accurate to its source material, it is still just as poignant and thought provoking. Despite its various differences to the novel, the film has the same essence as the book, and this is mostly because Jack Nicholson's portrayal of McMurphy is astonishingly accurate to the character in the book. The rest of the cast perform very well and bring the characters to life wonderfully - while not all of them look how I imagined the characters to appear, they certainly capture their personalities well. One little complaint that I do have about the film is that Chief is sidelined somewhat, as his role as the narrator in the novel is scrapped in the adaptation - however, this is only a very minor issue that I have with the film.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLdNGZHBN5ZnuXE6EViNxxdT7TYsQmrkpwakS-4RGucRuQ27mPfzGeJDEYeipcj9jO-9eyWNys7tHp-W6fc1fvAoyCkgeMExoufq-cYB8kN5B51U2fqB_KzwJJX0ywWobYmPyWCrw0dg/s1600/BANNER+FC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLdNGZHBN5ZnuXE6EViNxxdT7TYsQmrkpwakS-4RGucRuQ27mPfzGeJDEYeipcj9jO-9eyWNys7tHp-W6fc1fvAoyCkgeMExoufq-cYB8kN5B51U2fqB_KzwJJX0ywWobYmPyWCrw0dg/s1600/BANNER+FC.jpg" height="143" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>4) <i>FIGHT CLUB</i> (1999)</u><br />
<u><br /></u>"The first rule of Fight Club is you do not talk about Fight Club" ... I'm afraid that I'm going to be a bit rebellious and break this rule. <i>Fight Club</i> chronicles the tale of a depressed young man known only as 'The Narrator' (Edward Norton) who dislikes his job and turns his attention to buying furniture from Ikea. While on a business-class flight, he meets the charming soap salesman Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), and together the two of them create an underground Fight Club. Despite its age, <i>Fight Club </i>is still hugely relevant to the twenty first century, as it tackles some pretty hefty political themes. At times it is thought-provoking, at others hilarious, but for its entirety <i>Fight Club</i> is a very watchable and entertaining film.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2fCBO4NToQL5EpH0L2B4zDkIUkIeoHJBCkRprFRcyzdx-T4ql6MbM5B7WpH0aVkuSvA3XOaraWkT1_ftUlMJMSqS9QhGAVTVlIr6RaY_JX1nW2ll9WvH9BF-JQJk4khacLPsnQVUu7o/s1600/Banner+LOTR+TT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2fCBO4NToQL5EpH0L2B4zDkIUkIeoHJBCkRprFRcyzdx-T4ql6MbM5B7WpH0aVkuSvA3XOaraWkT1_ftUlMJMSqS9QhGAVTVlIr6RaY_JX1nW2ll9WvH9BF-JQJk4khacLPsnQVUu7o/s1600/Banner+LOTR+TT.jpg" height="143" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<u>3) <i>THE LORD OF THE RINGS - THE TWO TOWERS</i> (2002)</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
I've been a fan of <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> since I was about seven years old - granted, I didn't understand the films as well back then, but the fact that the trilogy has stayed a favourite for such a long time is really a testament to its legacy. The reason that I've picked <i>The Two Towers</i> as my favourite of the trilogy (all though admittedly it is a close call between the first two films) is because the sense of danger is amped up. The battle sequences are more frequent and visually stunning, especially considering that the film was released over ten years ago. Even more impressive than the battle scene CGI is the motion capture work to create Gollum - even now the special effects used to create the character do not cease to amaze me.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsMiOYqpKlb2vuwjem8vo-Sp6DX_O3hD5oU-0KjN118-EvFRLaBVI1PGcIF9TDxZUAH0enxrT0K5wFjQOHasEqsQQdyYF37DPR1Q269Yl_d2O526pYWEpFRKN6GNKkA1Z4LtfdcLmFH4/s1600/Banner+SLPB+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsMiOYqpKlb2vuwjem8vo-Sp6DX_O3hD5oU-0KjN118-EvFRLaBVI1PGcIF9TDxZUAH0enxrT0K5wFjQOHasEqsQQdyYF37DPR1Q269Yl_d2O526pYWEpFRKN6GNKkA1Z4LtfdcLmFH4/s1600/Banner+SLPB+2.jpg" height="142" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>2) <i>SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK </i>(2012)</u><br />
<u><br /></u><i>Silver Linings Playbook</i> was really an impulse buy for me, as I didn't really know what it was about but I'd heard that it was supposed to be well reviewed when I bought it on DVD. Prior to this film, I'd never seen a David O. Russell film, and I had only seen the film's leads - Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence - in <i>The Hangover</i> and <i>The Hunger Games</i> respectively. As it turns out, the film was far better than I had imagined; the plot is surprisingly refreshing, as it follows Pat Solatano (Cooper) as he tries to regain his house, his job, and his wife, Nikki, after spending eight months in a psychiatric institution. When he meets the troubled Tiffany (Lawrence), she offers him a way to rekindle his relationship with Nikki - but only if he'll do something in return for her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg827Igrqfv2G4wmGboR9tWmYT-gNo438sb3yosQentfWvjKKyOgQQT1F56YDEatP85OVOMfEJpYxbULPer7kxDjlFKPAFoK4mgXdFGhqBIQIcri3CgrzLHxRnzpPYzWENKvj6Hab5qMeU/s1600/Banner+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg827Igrqfv2G4wmGboR9tWmYT-gNo438sb3yosQentfWvjKKyOgQQT1F56YDEatP85OVOMfEJpYxbULPer7kxDjlFKPAFoK4mgXdFGhqBIQIcri3CgrzLHxRnzpPYzWENKvj6Hab5qMeU/s1600/Banner+cropped.jpg" height="142" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>1) </u><u><i>THE DARK KNIGHT </i>(2008)</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
As you may or may not have guessed by now, I am a massive fan of Christopher Nolan's films. <i>The Dark Knight</i> was the first Nolan film that I ever watched. I'll be honest, I was doubtful that I would like it at first. However, I was soon proved wrong and was blown away by almost every aspect of the film - the plot of the film is absolutely superb, and is more akin to a gritty crime thriller than a comic book adaptation. The film follows Bruce Wayne/Batman (Christian Bale) as he forges an alliance with District Attorney, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) and Lt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman) in an effort to finally rid the streets of Gotham from organised crime and a maniacal criminal called The Joker (Heath Ledger). While I agree that the portrayal of The Joker is outstanding, I feel that the rest of the cast are somewhat under appreciated. The acting in this film - including Heath Ledger's now iconic portrayal of Batman's nemesis - is sublime all round. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, all in all, a pretty long film post - if you've managed to make it to the end, I applaud you. This will probably be my last post in 2013 - in case I don't get round to making a separate post, I wish you all a happy new year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWH_b3EkdPcx0ZbQbhY3D4sQ1OPyvRWR6kDTckeNkfLVr1AQv3Tkp8iZjQk-bnKMRG9X05v53byRNGXE2H1jheTmY_21kWBEHTbxFhZuDB2yzZ1_81gPGl5vy2gnIwoAcTvoYBGECwrAc/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWH_b3EkdPcx0ZbQbhY3D4sQ1OPyvRWR6kDTckeNkfLVr1AQv3Tkp8iZjQk-bnKMRG9X05v53byRNGXE2H1jheTmY_21kWBEHTbxFhZuDB2yzZ1_81gPGl5vy2gnIwoAcTvoYBGECwrAc/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-74528974390596836222013-12-25T20:20:00.000+00:002013-12-25T20:20:30.735+00:00MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHaopfrXyp_WcCvmtLT1gYE4QNaMrUGzWYNQB3KiOhpwI5BVmd5bIvECSTZjLWukp2LKLh1QFlO_GPWI57EwLg8sFRCKAOBzWdsRy9OQIk-OccNKE0qrfKF_Mi961dsLisZ-7jZDlHM0/s1600/Xmas+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHaopfrXyp_WcCvmtLT1gYE4QNaMrUGzWYNQB3KiOhpwI5BVmd5bIvECSTZjLWukp2LKLh1QFlO_GPWI57EwLg8sFRCKAOBzWdsRy9OQIk-OccNKE0qrfKF_Mi961dsLisZ-7jZDlHM0/s1600/Xmas+Banner.jpg" height="164" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought I'd just make a quick little post to wish everyone a happy and restful Christmas. Whatever you're doing today, whether it be celebrating with the family or spending the day relaxing, I hope you all have a wonderful time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All the best,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismO4mOipQh-t_IEVDnQ0TLPh6cc3Dv-r4qknOh3w8-lHzUMn2ahy26fS2CbYG83RcJadtGQmB5MGI51OUee__yOygFSXKwS74R1-BeKxXJWyMKN8yvNBZl6lDZrAxuQ0r4f37F2d-8cE/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismO4mOipQh-t_IEVDnQ0TLPh6cc3Dv-r4qknOh3w8-lHzUMn2ahy26fS2CbYG83RcJadtGQmB5MGI51OUee__yOygFSXKwS74R1-BeKxXJWyMKN8yvNBZl6lDZrAxuQ0r4f37F2d-8cE/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>Image Background Sourced From...</i><br />
<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bokeh_all_over.jpg">http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bokeh_all_over.jpg</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-16427016861093229952013-12-22T18:01:00.003+00:002013-12-22T18:01:56.793+00:00CHRISTMAS NAIL POLISH PICKS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rXTeIOVQCR-sZdD8NVjWVCfgZvdRyVTobVYWs3NwYAVOOu_OIBF7Z21MiSroA3b8Vg-H7JPAuUWPkJBmUdvxHGOV7PxvV-QzI_SVkC-hLS6iOO6To6H25icuVcSJHXNmqy_5SNHrIM0/s1600/Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rXTeIOVQCR-sZdD8NVjWVCfgZvdRyVTobVYWs3NwYAVOOu_OIBF7Z21MiSroA3b8Vg-H7JPAuUWPkJBmUdvxHGOV7PxvV-QzI_SVkC-hLS6iOO6To6H25icuVcSJHXNmqy_5SNHrIM0/s1600/Banner.jpg" height="300" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Christmas season is upon us, which can only mean one thing - celebrations galore. With this in mind, I've picked out five of the nail polishes in my collection which I think are great for this time of year - mostly because they were the most glittery polishes that I could find! Joking aside, here are my picks for some of the best yuletide nail colours.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVknWSwCI3LYengZAfRGDHg8hd_aXNAIQN2SFkFiwdIxRRm9ewgdhJvRzus_8hDN5FfVmb4eHQua9OBHW7ushBu3Crys6gQts_HysQZeY-seQSVz1Gimb2GmvPyucksgzkZV7som26O_g/s1600/LFN+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVknWSwCI3LYengZAfRGDHg8hd_aXNAIQN2SFkFiwdIxRRm9ewgdhJvRzus_8hDN5FfVmb4eHQua9OBHW7ushBu3Crys6gQts_HysQZeY-seQSVz1Gimb2GmvPyucksgzkZV7som26O_g/s1600/LFN+cropped.jpg" height="130" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>O.P.I NAIL LACQUER IN <i>LAST FRIDAY NIGHT</i></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This product is from Katy Perry's O.P.I collection (as the name of the polish suggests) from 2011, so I have had it for a little while now. Despite its age, this is a great polish for special occasions or festivities because of its sparkle. Unlike some glittery nail polishes, this one doesn't require numerous coats to build up a solid colour. The actual polish is a very pale blue, almost like a tinted top coat, and it is flecked with bright blue and silver.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmxjAy91w-EmaCLIaK1AqysVvp2dxjPzFVYR9CJLKJDeuvtpwW8JswL3YgZ0zqZWD_QCVUu77vJPow4sG3H_6IijOWMaZsDTHp4yDuHRdjoO-T4FXjMG1NqU4ixjeio8C8e7ocNUamKg/s1600/DB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmxjAy91w-EmaCLIaK1AqysVvp2dxjPzFVYR9CJLKJDeuvtpwW8JswL3YgZ0zqZWD_QCVUu77vJPow4sG3H_6IijOWMaZsDTHp4yDuHRdjoO-T4FXjMG1NqU4ixjeio8C8e7ocNUamKg/s1600/DB.jpg" height="143" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>RIMMEL LASTING FINISH POLISH IN <i>DISCO BALL</i></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u><i><br /></i></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I apologise for the picture quality of this polish - it is so bright and glittery that my camera couldn't focus onto it! This shade is basically a clear nail polish which is studded with different sized flecks of silver, lilac, and blue glitter. This varnish is probably best used as a top coat, as a solid colour will require several coats. Unlike the O.P.I shades on this list, this varnish is a much more affordable party polish.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4LgWw3U7PAbq7M5kAVa7ERF8FnucL9nYaqFOC3uu97tAN0Rdlnh0OgYrPrxYDkz8vcX-H202FcTYRU1DdcsAyuOrgRQPLYOovCqg8BtR7QI2Y1CZqpmHYUDJTGUb7fK9FE5HHpAUfnk/s1600/Elegance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4LgWw3U7PAbq7M5kAVa7ERF8FnucL9nYaqFOC3uu97tAN0Rdlnh0OgYrPrxYDkz8vcX-H202FcTYRU1DdcsAyuOrgRQPLYOovCqg8BtR7QI2Y1CZqpmHYUDJTGUb7fK9FE5HHpAUfnk/s1600/Elegance.jpg" height="153" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>MAVALA NAIL POLISH IN <i>370 ELEGANCE</i></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This shade is much more wearable for everyday than the previous two - as the name of the polish suggests, this is a very elegant and sophisticated colour. What's good about this shade is that it goes with pretty much any outfit - unlike some of my other picks which are a bit more bright and bold. The colour itself is sort of a cross between nude and gold, which makes it a bit more of a Christmas colour in my book.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dzJLRBNpzqbD3_spMTYdnUetR5NoLmLYC2vzXf1lIH643G96BmGyInl6kqnTDBWZBdErykgeQpvmzLgnKLfmdyLLKX_Ik0iFTbGS8fv3Li3RmG3EHtyBErh7t4l2P-1bBd-PuPtlq2A/s1600/DOG+polish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dzJLRBNpzqbD3_spMTYdnUetR5NoLmLYC2vzXf1lIH643G96BmGyInl6kqnTDBWZBdErykgeQpvmzLgnKLfmdyLLKX_Ik0iFTbGS8fv3Li3RmG3EHtyBErh7t4l2P-1bBd-PuPtlq2A/s1600/DOG+polish.jpg" height="132" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>O.P.I NAIL LACQUER IN <i>DIVA OF GENEVA</i></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Again, apologies for the image quality - taking photographs next to Christmas lights is, in hindsight, not the best of ideas. I got this nail polish just the other day as an early Christmas present from one of my friends. As I'm wearing this on my nails at the present time, I thought I'd include it in the list as it is so gorgeous. Granted, deep purple probably isn't the most Christmassy colour, but this shade has a hint of gold in it. Since this was a gift, I'm not sure how expensive this polish is, but I would imagine that it would be discounted online.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Cg_W2XOR5WSbNgGXUN07xWdhZUf7oYmVpmA-p6n7RGFAbtu6wdcSuWIYjGYiBxLaA6XhrQsDHtXP8-sYYXAEnhkALOPEOhrVzQPPkcIlSnciqf5eVjlYslvTKNX0noltZCgUYIKn5bY/s1600/OPI+Bond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Cg_W2XOR5WSbNgGXUN07xWdhZUf7oYmVpmA-p6n7RGFAbtu6wdcSuWIYjGYiBxLaA6XhrQsDHtXP8-sYYXAEnhkALOPEOhrVzQPPkcIlSnciqf5eVjlYslvTKNX0noltZCgUYIKn5bY/s1600/OPI+Bond.jpg" height="135" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>O.P.I NAIL LACQUER IN <i>THE SPY WHO LOVED ME</i></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've saved what I feel is the most festive of the nail polishes until last - this shade from O.P.I's James Bond collection (sorry, there have been a lot from this brand) is a great classy and Christmassy colour. This shade is a vibrant red with flecks of gold glitter in it - I can't think of anything more Christmassy! Appropriately, I got this varnish last Christmas, so it might be available to buy more cheaply now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So there you have it - my top picks for Christmas nail polishes. Hopefully this won't be my last post before Christmas, but if it is, then I wish you all a very happy Christmas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBt2VAAHsyL1fE7aVc3C8DdflHgBvcngunYGT8uopqvxUqlx3ij9NJ5Gcc0lev19IVyokpe5FpCcbZAv8a1Q7lUbjfi87-Iv8zr_-3PGO4pCRHoi6PXnZgjR85w-S-T1ohOYfmQM0L334/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBt2VAAHsyL1fE7aVc3C8DdflHgBvcngunYGT8uopqvxUqlx3ij9NJ5Gcc0lev19IVyokpe5FpCcbZAv8a1Q7lUbjfi87-Iv8zr_-3PGO4pCRHoi6PXnZgjR85w-S-T1ohOYfmQM0L334/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-25660394303783249682013-12-15T14:24:00.000+00:002013-12-15T14:24:44.195+00:00FILM NIGHT - THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6dmzDoZeCYIMgc3oQCexC-R0Bf9oyUKZjCwHiUTtjo9rhlfqy8WW0qjQbtly3TOXqBbWLwytP6ZGf0GeO3zg24YgtSpufJgOjGTsL3HJ6BizHYP0K38vPFET258l3AojKBkJ2nDyzQ4/s1600/The+Hobbit+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6dmzDoZeCYIMgc3oQCexC-R0Bf9oyUKZjCwHiUTtjo9rhlfqy8WW0qjQbtly3TOXqBbWLwytP6ZGf0GeO3zg24YgtSpufJgOjGTsL3HJ6BizHYP0K38vPFET258l3AojKBkJ2nDyzQ4/s1600/The+Hobbit+Banner.jpg" height="250" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's sort of become a Christmas tradition that my friends and I go and watch the latest <i>Hobbit</i> film on the day of its release. Having enjoyed the first film in the franchise, I have been eagerly awaiting the sequel for pretty much the whole of the year. In this second installment to the franchise, Martin Freeman reprises his role as Bilbo Baggins, who we rejoin on his quest with Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) among others, as they draw ever closer to regaining the dwarves' homeland and riches.<br />
<br />
One of the main criticisms of <i>An Unexpected Journey</i> was that the film dragged out for too long and there wasn't that much action - <i>The Desolation of Smaug</i>, on the other hand, is much more fast-paced. Similarly to <i>The Two Towers</i> and <i>The Return of the King</i>, the film follows groups of characters doing different things, which keeps the film engaging. The fact that the quest is already underway when the film begins is probably one of the main contributors to the faster pace; however, this does mean that any new viewers to the franchise might get a little lost in some parts of the film.<br />
<br />
As well as the faster pace, the overall mood of the series gets a bit of an overhaul in this installment. While <i>An Unexpected Journey</i> was quite light-hearted, its sequel places a greater emphasis on the consequences of the quest, resulting in a darker tone. This is due, in part, to the fact that both of the main antagonists of the series are fully introduced in this film - both Smaug and The Necromancer. Despite this, the film is still quite comical, with wisecracks and <i>Lord of the Rings</i> references in abundance. This helps to bring balance to the film - it is based on a childrens' book, after all.<br />
<br />
Naturally, the special effects of a fantasy film are always in question, as they can arguably make or break the film. In some senses, this film does rely on CGI a little more than its predecessor, but this is mainly because of the introduction of Smaug (more on that later). The other uses of special effects aren't ground-breaking like the <i>LOTR</i> graphics were; they are the sort of standard that cinema-goers expect to see in any blockbuster. Visually, however, the film has made an improvement on <i>An Unexpected Journey</i>, as some of the camera work is a little more inventive. A particular note-worthy piece of cinematography/special effects is when Bilbo puts the ring on - instead of him disappearing, a sepia tone (that has become widely associate with wearing the ring) washes over the screen. Now - onto the subject of Smaug. I won't give away too much about what he looks like, but what I will say is that he is nothing short of impressive. Aided by Benedict Cumberbatch's vocals and motion-capture performance, the scenes where the gang finally behold the dragon are a triumph.<br />
<br />
Overall, I'd say that the second installment in <i>The Hobbit</i> franchise is much more of an improvement on the last film - not that I didn't like the first film, but its successor is much more tense and action-packed. The recurring cast build on their performances well, but for me, its newcomers to the franchise that keep the film going strong, as they propel the quest closer to its end.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-tUpQmnM7ysGrn5rcQgLDBbQ6EJmfsNVnZuGEvH1_bUgs-ZR8CygkiN-3BaUBUS4Zfs3Uq8yonJC67l53P5pCfZ_e1pnyWEQT-bMTkHixhDGeWiMbDlxmAv2DvsIKyifUtZq4NCapHk/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-tUpQmnM7ysGrn5rcQgLDBbQ6EJmfsNVnZuGEvH1_bUgs-ZR8CygkiN-3BaUBUS4Zfs3Uq8yonJC67l53P5pCfZ_e1pnyWEQT-bMTkHixhDGeWiMbDlxmAv2DvsIKyifUtZq4NCapHk/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-57767253546302352572013-12-08T00:09:00.000+00:002013-12-08T00:09:37.516+00:00CHRISTMAS COOKING - APPLE AND CINNAMON PASTRIES<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCUWxsnyx85CICVYqqyI7xgJrR1j0OrT0jDMzZG62wqSZSC6EomTj-ZQ5VuQHoUJLOVKN_fYWFBtS9xFRCOoHSHGgOcNJyGJGhfv4LeZEMCxuKRW9jRUW0FG2c_hbzOZpLHda_rKkOIQ/s1600/Banner+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCUWxsnyx85CICVYqqyI7xgJrR1j0OrT0jDMzZG62wqSZSC6EomTj-ZQ5VuQHoUJLOVKN_fYWFBtS9xFRCOoHSHGgOcNJyGJGhfv4LeZEMCxuKRW9jRUW0FG2c_hbzOZpLHda_rKkOIQ/s1600/Banner+2.jpg" height="286" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The taste of cinnamon is synonymous with Christmas - that is simply a fact of life. Since I'm very much in the holiday spirit (and have been since about the beginning of November), I decided to bake something a little bit festive. Granted, apple and cinnamon isn't exactly the most festive combination, but the flavours work so well together. These little pastries can be a great alternative to mince pies, or can be served up as a Christmas party snack.<br />
<br />
<u>INGREDIENTS:</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<i>For the pastry...</i><br />
<i>(You could use shop-bought pastry for this recipe, but I went ahead and made my own)</i><br />
225 grams of plain flour<br />
110 grams of butter<br />
80 grams of sugar<br />
1 egg<br />
A little bit of milk<br />
<br />
<i>For the filling...</i><br />
2 tablespoons of brown sugar<br />
2 apples (plain or cooking apples - it doesn't matter)<br />
1 lemon<br />
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract<br />
3 teaspoons of cinnamon<br />
1/2 a tablespoon of water<br />
1 egg<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>METHOD:</u><br />
<br />
Preheat the oven to about 180 to 200 degrees celsius<br />
<br />
<i>If you are using shop-bought pastry, skip the next couple of steps</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
To make the pastry, add the butter and flour to a mixing bowl and crumb the two together using your hands. When this is done, combine the sugar into the crumbed mixture - you can use a spoon or your hands to do this.<br />
<br />
Add in the egg and some milk to soften the mixture into a ball of pastry dough - once this is done, leave it in the fridge for a while (I left it in the fridge for about an hour and a half, but if you have more time then leave it in for longer).<br />
<br />
Once the pastry has chilled, roll it out into a large rectangle and cut out little discs using either a cookie cutter or a pastry cutting tool. Each pastry requires two discs, one for the base and one to act as a lid, so make sure you cut out twice the amount of pastries that you want. Lay out half of the discs onto a pre-lined baking tray.<br />
<br />
Next, finely chop the apples and add them into a saucepan. To add some sharpness (and to prevent the apples from browning), add in the juice of one lemon. Add in the sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a drop of water and let the mixture simmer over a low heat for four to five minutes. The mixture will be done when the apples have softened.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00EIqA68HGaUK9r7_gr3XDGVdCd6Fr9uujTpVPljbxLPAsGkEmN8vSqD2B4xesI6mi9SxhjtHVT_SlA0e46I4XHWcwN-TY_2h1-3NwCZpojbxFhnACYTMWg5ix3h8kYm_UgpV7kY4cJ4/s1600/Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00EIqA68HGaUK9r7_gr3XDGVdCd6Fr9uujTpVPljbxLPAsGkEmN8vSqD2B4xesI6mi9SxhjtHVT_SlA0e46I4XHWcwN-TY_2h1-3NwCZpojbxFhnACYTMWg5ix3h8kYm_UgpV7kY4cJ4/s1600/Collage.jpg" height="216" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>The pastry discs on a baking tray and the simmering apple mixture!</i><br />
<br />
Place the apple mixture onto half of the pastry discs. Beat an egg in a mug and brush the egg wash over the other half of the pastry discs. Place the egg-washed pastry on top of the apple covered discs with the washed side facing down. Pinch the corners of the pastries to seal the mixture inside.<br />
<br />
Brush the egg wash on top of the pastries, and then bake them in the oven for about five to ten minutes. Make sure you check on them frequently, as they can burn quite quickly.<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope you've enjoyed reading this Christmassy recipe - let me know in the comments if you decide to try baking these. They are quite time consuming to make, but trust me, they really are worth the effort.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZCqTatpXpBESmNfLv8G_youxW6Dft_6IDjsAeJQFWOUMMPX6rn7yD50MD7Exzu1QZmdT4FmA8JD1ivfYSPbTLJYRfRpBttXuR-2rxqrQv9r1AeRjtcM_-uiVmeto1R2PjoTPMJKUa9U/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZCqTatpXpBESmNfLv8G_youxW6Dft_6IDjsAeJQFWOUMMPX6rn7yD50MD7Exzu1QZmdT4FmA8JD1ivfYSPbTLJYRfRpBttXuR-2rxqrQv9r1AeRjtcM_-uiVmeto1R2PjoTPMJKUa9U/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-69361839142169021682013-12-01T16:36:00.000+00:002013-12-01T16:36:12.254+00:00NOVEMBER FAVOURITES<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaYAskhf3AwMDTDwrgPsK-GarXRKabNyMJVbENGgaYlGk-VcDOOl3CWsBLjNLgiB7OaMghXd80npmA0XUgluVoWkSQPasciA7TBbETHP6pIyvMWGqxTwU9E4jmaMh-FroSUBc6Rp18F0/s1600/Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaYAskhf3AwMDTDwrgPsK-GarXRKabNyMJVbENGgaYlGk-VcDOOl3CWsBLjNLgiB7OaMghXd80npmA0XUgluVoWkSQPasciA7TBbETHP6pIyvMWGqxTwU9E4jmaMh-FroSUBc6Rp18F0/s1600/Banner.jpg" height="328" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would normally say that the past month has gone by too quickly, but since I've been excited for Christmas since the beginning of the month (a bit premature, I know) I don't see that that's a bad thing. Over the course of November, I decided to try out some of the products that have been sat in the bottom of my drawer for a good long while. I would thoroughly recommend doing this - not only does it mean less waste, but it can also be quite fun experimenting with old favourites. As well as beauty, I've added in a couple of film and TV top picks for the past month - some are older and some are newer favourites.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qUVb5ft9EKLXdFLQGAYF7taCagbUaVGHdu9crcciNlBRXy8Y0EM5z97FGFCpEDYJGOH4diUXMD45xvUhIN1h-GoIGOOENPfzhA8hM3UCFBX5lSK9r3P5O4voGGt92adLLL-e5FXNe1M/s1600/Cheek+Tints+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qUVb5ft9EKLXdFLQGAYF7taCagbUaVGHdu9crcciNlBRXy8Y0EM5z97FGFCpEDYJGOH4diUXMD45xvUhIN1h-GoIGOOENPfzhA8hM3UCFBX5lSK9r3P5O4voGGt92adLLL-e5FXNe1M/s1600/Cheek+Tints+crop.jpg" height="170" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>BENEFIT CHEEK TINTS - <i>BENETINT</i> AND <i>POSIETINT</i></u><br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
As you can probably tell from the condition of these two products, I have had both of these cheek tints for quite some time. This month, I decided to have a rummage around in my make-up drawer to try and start using some of the products that have been neglected as of late. I'm actually very glad that I did rediscover these two gems, as I'd forgotten how good they are. Benetint gives a lovely yet subtle flush to the cheeks, and Posietint (which is my favourite of the two, I'll be honest) is a gorgeous bright pink that blends out to a soft pop of rose on the cheekbones. Both products are wonderfully versatile too, as they can be used on the lips for a much more natural look - it also means that you can coordinate lip and cheek colours with absolute ease.<br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tKCd2KvVcfBUp_G0x23pGaz9b2mtl0S0pA1RIVmV1hY5G1tM3BpCH8b8W2pIope5jOcPLocRO-zzOEkKeP_7a0muB6ZDlR4NLP6azTnG6xGRdhD-1YYGu7o7aTtTM6ASFPVQJ1iSmQ0/s1600/Brows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tKCd2KvVcfBUp_G0x23pGaz9b2mtl0S0pA1RIVmV1hY5G1tM3BpCH8b8W2pIope5jOcPLocRO-zzOEkKeP_7a0muB6ZDlR4NLP6azTnG6xGRdhD-1YYGu7o7aTtTM6ASFPVQJ1iSmQ0/s1600/Brows.jpg" height="170" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>SOAP AND GLORY ARCHERY EYE-BROW PENCIL IN <i>LOVE IS BLONDE</i></u><br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
With this product, I fluctuate between using solely the brow tint and the pencil. Despite my indecisiveness, it can be said that both parts to this product are fantastic. Prior to buying this, I was using the highly-praised Rimmel brow pencil - however, I found that it was far too red toned for my brows and ultimately looked quite unnatural. With Soap and Glory's pencil, I have never had that issue - granted, it is more expensive than its Rimmel counterpart, but I do think that you get what you pay for in this instance.<br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7hwqAws_TZIr6DivGmsu1CIyz-RJ01jkBr8RxP-SRmlmsWpR3dJugfHvTbSnKxBlIehwmV-O_Dn_GsRPBUphcNKFudOFE9e44j7wouvLaBR9o0JNgsGIt-zT6VSIJ1xdNgDaP96Igt0/s1600/Eyeliner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7hwqAws_TZIr6DivGmsu1CIyz-RJ01jkBr8RxP-SRmlmsWpR3dJugfHvTbSnKxBlIehwmV-O_Dn_GsRPBUphcNKFudOFE9e44j7wouvLaBR9o0JNgsGIt-zT6VSIJ1xdNgDaP96Igt0/s1600/Eyeliner.jpg" height="165" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>CLINIQUE QUICKLINER IN <i>01 INTENSE BLACK</i></u><br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
The version of the eyeliner that I have is actually a sample - I'm very impressed with the sample size, as this eyeliner has lasted me a good long while. This product obviously has a certain degree of bias, considering the fact that I got it for free, and didn't have to worry about forking out for it only to discover that I disliked it. As it happens, I do not dislike this product - on the contrary, I think that it is superb. One of the criteria that I have for buying pencil eyeliners is that they have to be soft and creamy, as I have quite sensitive eyes. The ease of blending is another necessity for any eyeliner that I buy; fortunately, this product ticks all the right boxes for me. This month, I've been wearing this product a lot along my bottom lash-line and then blending it to soften the look. Clinique's product has been perfect for doing the job, and I'm tempted to go out and buy a full-sized version of the product now.<br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigD3S1hMG4H95pKpk19vO_3J4HNRjxTnTeVq0wM91aieF3WhCWyJvtAGOxlOwRePncYUqdS2Yy4f1R9xB4fvgsMc5EraeTaBlyhPpLDkVs0Qus5SlKanJnj7eTvlqYkRK1tjsNA6Vh6VU/s1600/SLPB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigD3S1hMG4H95pKpk19vO_3J4HNRjxTnTeVq0wM91aieF3WhCWyJvtAGOxlOwRePncYUqdS2Yy4f1R9xB4fvgsMc5EraeTaBlyhPpLDkVs0Qus5SlKanJnj7eTvlqYkRK1tjsNA6Vh6VU/s1600/SLPB.jpg" height="150" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>FILM - <i>SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK</i></u><br />
<br />
One of the things that I really love about <i>Silver Linings Playbook</i> is how funny it is - when I bought it, I'd never seen it before and imagined it to be quite a soppy romantic comedy. It is quite the opposite; some of the wise-cracks in this film are absolutely hilarious. As for the romance (which isn't usually something that I like in a film), it is refreshingly touching, and omits the groan inducing cliches that have become a staple of the genre. The plot of the film follows Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), a man is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Upon his release from a psychiatric hospital, he moves back in with his parents and aims to win back his estranged wife, Nikki. In order to do this, Pat asks the help of recently-widowed Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence). She agrees to help Pat - on the condition that he enters a local dance contest with her. I've been watching this film repeatedly throughout the month, and I honestly can't recommend it enough.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnyigGUOlhF1Spyf1UG570ZrwTKiFB40zslT5brr3i3HzXhU_MBspRjkbsKYHn-wS3235XprbO1FBLRDtwNMmGAOdYqhs0bbmdow2_MfSL6jhrZ5HV4ud9r49x17wp6jP8cjckgeB21Y/s1600/The-Walking-Dead-Banner+cropped+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnyigGUOlhF1Spyf1UG570ZrwTKiFB40zslT5brr3i3HzXhU_MBspRjkbsKYHn-wS3235XprbO1FBLRDtwNMmGAOdYqhs0bbmdow2_MfSL6jhrZ5HV4ud9r49x17wp6jP8cjckgeB21Y/s1600/The-Walking-Dead-Banner+cropped+2.jpg" height="112" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>TV SERIES - <i>THE WALKING DEAD</i></u><br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
At the beginning of the month, I decided to start watching a new TV series, as I hadn't been watching anything for quite a long time (what with the hugely prolonged absence of the other shows that I love). On a whim, I decided to start watching <i>The Walking Dead</i>, based mostly on the fact that one of my favourite films is <i>Shaun of the Dead</i>, which also happens to be about a zombie apocalypse. Despite the fact that I haven't got that far through the show, I would still recommend watching it. However, if you're a bit squeamish and don't like gore, then I'd probably give this one a miss - not that it's the most overly gory show in the world, but as you can imagine, anything to do with zombies has its fair share of blood and guts. The show follows Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), a sheriff's deputy who wakes up from a coma only to find that the world has been overrun by flesh-eating zombies. He then sets out to try and find his family and meets a group of other survivors on the way.<br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
<u><i><br /></i></u>
On a complete side-note, an honourable mention in this month's favourites is the fact that <i>Sherlock</i> is returning to British screens on New Year's Day. When they announced the air-date, I cannot tell you how pleased I was, as <i>Sherlock</i> is my all-time favourite TV show. If you're not already watching it - seriously, you're missing out - I implore you to do so before the new series is released. Everything about the show is absolutely sublime, and I am yet to meet a person that doesn't love it.<br />
<br />
Fangirling aside, I hope you enjoyed my monthly favourites post. Throughout December, I'll probably be posting a lot of Christmas DIY or baking projects, so don't forget to keep an eye out for those!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1xMg08NYFX98iCtsxflPGNQnKbxRsCm89TyP-DmJ47f0dXI4FWwLdQjWXTudxY7AU-c4qy9fr9LmAML1Xy0OPVOzsXeei_7jWhZrLw77cpOJkNKp3PSiFUd6ItbOQFawWXq3N8oKdd0/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1xMg08NYFX98iCtsxflPGNQnKbxRsCm89TyP-DmJ47f0dXI4FWwLdQjWXTudxY7AU-c4qy9fr9LmAML1Xy0OPVOzsXeei_7jWhZrLw77cpOJkNKp3PSiFUd6ItbOQFawWXq3N8oKdd0/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-50981694430076132942013-11-24T23:52:00.000+00:002013-11-24T23:52:23.656+00:00FILM NIGHT - THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrKYy3pKhtBT86RLTWZ39U4tscIzgAgnrqFkmmL_Gxd2SQ_D5_41VkR9zVmcXzqVCEF49hWtq_enkmg730ukrVNHBpYa_CrYntYcG6fdbAtnj3GHKBPjTJlhgbyaw5NA91ndNzjY9ntY/s1600/catching-fire-banner+cropped.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrKYy3pKhtBT86RLTWZ39U4tscIzgAgnrqFkmmL_Gxd2SQ_D5_41VkR9zVmcXzqVCEF49hWtq_enkmg730ukrVNHBpYa_CrYntYcG6fdbAtnj3GHKBPjTJlhgbyaw5NA91ndNzjY9ntY/s1600/catching-fire-banner+cropped.png" height="196" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've just come back from the cinema after watching the latest installment in <i>The Hunger Games</i> franchise, <i>Catching Fire</i>. I had high hopes for the sequel, as I was very impressed by its predecessor. Fortunately, I'm pleased to report that the sequel lives up to both the hype and the solidity of the first film.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Catching Fire</i>, being the sequel to <i>The Hunger Games</i>, is set almost immediately after the events of the first film. The plot once again follows Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) as she is trying to cope with the aftermath of the events of the Games. However, subsequent uprisings in the Districts ultimately leads the government to take action by making the previous victors tributes again in the 75th Hunger Games (or the Quarter Quell). In terms of accuracy to the book, the adaptation of <i>Catching Fire</i> does a good job of staying faithful - however, as is the case with almost all adapted films, there are some parts that were left out and others that were more exaggerated.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of course, acting is worth mentioning when reviewing this film, especially in the wake of Jennifer Lawrence's Oscar win. She puts in yet another outstanding performance in <i>Catching Fire</i>, especially in the moments where the audience gets to see how disturbed Katniss is after the last Games. The rest of the cast, both recurring and new-timers, all perform very well. What really stands out is the developed relationship between Katniss, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), and Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), which goes from touching at times to absolutely hilarious at others.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Visually, the film is very impressive. The cinematography is very smooth and there are some beautifully artistic shots mingled in amongst all the action. The special effects in the film are essentially what is now expected from an action/adventure film - they look convincing, but aren't exactly ground-breaking. That being said, I do think that the effects on the costumes during the chariot scene in The Capitol are much better the second time around.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Overall, I'd give <i>Catching Fire</i> an 8 out of 10. Despite the long run-time (approximately two and a half hours), the second installment in <i>The Hunger Games</i> franchise manages to be engaging throughout, with a superb lead performance from Jennifer Lawrence and great visuals to accompany. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNOQKjDzyCe5qglSJCIPJrPPXD9Xm0frSy5rKj_MbZKQ5ySZV75mz4_UEX5DoPjxRX7bkXyPbsd5EkVV6LZt7BlyRS3LxiMW-29tLQP-RbTGtMxwQmrNAATM8SIbu6C9kYFTsyc2Dr08/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNOQKjDzyCe5qglSJCIPJrPPXD9Xm0frSy5rKj_MbZKQ5ySZV75mz4_UEX5DoPjxRX7bkXyPbsd5EkVV6LZt7BlyRS3LxiMW-29tLQP-RbTGtMxwQmrNAATM8SIbu6C9kYFTsyc2Dr08/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-15246070433386910932013-11-17T17:22:00.002+00:002013-11-17T17:22:34.055+00:00LIEBSTER AWARD 2013<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxNNiPdi027dBh7AjEykAb68JfKq5bMY1WZUDk54cNEpqHylIHy7Bn177p7l3IBKFhTyBesOokIzJOWjmCFfSvO5BotSasi3BQy2PE6iPWGknzViRy7_qUUDswtKuc2dQjHXPeXIIiVg/s1600/Blog+Awards+texture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxNNiPdi027dBh7AjEykAb68JfKq5bMY1WZUDk54cNEpqHylIHy7Bn177p7l3IBKFhTyBesOokIzJOWjmCFfSvO5BotSasi3BQy2PE6iPWGknzViRy7_qUUDswtKuc2dQjHXPeXIIiVg/s1600/Blog+Awards+texture.jpg" height="202" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've seen the Liebster Award floating around a couple of blogs before, but it wasn't until recently that I actually realised what it was. I was nominated for this award by the blogger <a href="http://euphoria-xoxo.co.uk/348/">Euphoria-xoxo</a>, so go and check out her blog if you haven't already (and I would thoroughly recommend that you do so!). In case you are unfamiliar with how the award works, here's what you have to do...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>1.</i> Each nominee has to list 11 random facts about themselves</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>2.</i> Answer the 11 questions provided by the blogger who nominated them (the questions I'm answering can be found here: <a href="http://euphoria-xoxo.co.uk/348/">http://euphoria-xoxo.co.uk/348/</a>)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>3.</i> Choose 11 more nominees (who must have 200 followers or less) and ask them 11 questions</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Eleven Random Facts:</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>1.</i> My birthday is on the 28th January and I am seventeen years old</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>2.</i> I'm in my last year of school and I am studying English Literature, Psychology, and Geography<br />
<i>3.</i> I am 5'6" (or approximately 1.67 m) tall<br />
<i>4. </i>I am a published poet - I've written three poems that have been published in anthologies<br />
<i>5.</i> I am a massive fan of Batman (the films, comics, video games, you name it!)<br />
<i>6.</i> I am also <i>very</i> obsessed with the BBC TV series <i>Sherlock</i> - I think it's absolutely amazing!<br />
<i>7. </i>I like listening to all kinds of music - at the moment, I'm loving film scores by Hans Zimmer, The Black Keys, Foo Fighters, and AC/DC - so a bit of a mixed bag!<br />
<i>8</i>. I have three siblings (two brothers and a sister) and a dog called Kodi<br />
<i>9</i>. Anyone remember the CBBC programme <i>The Slammer?</i> I was in it once - how embarrassing!<br />
<i>10.</i> My favourite authors include F Scott Fitzgerald, Ian McEwan, Cormac McCarthy, and John le Carre<br />
<i>11.</i> My favourite film directors include Christopher Nolan, Wes Anderson, David Fincher, and David O. Russell<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>The Eleven Questions:</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><u>1. What do you enjoy most about blogging?</u></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the risk of sounding hugely cliched, I have always enjoyed writing. When I was younger, I used to write short stories and novellas all the time, but nowadays I don't really have the time or commitment to do it. To compromise, I decided to start a blog because it still enabled me to write, but there is so much more flexibility when blogging - plus you don't have to write anywhere near as much!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><u>2. If you could meet any celebrity in the world for a whole day, who would you meet?</u></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had to think about this one for a little while - but, as I mentioned earlier, I am a massive fan of <i>Sherlock</i>, so I'm going to say Benedict Cumberbatch. That way, I could also find out how the hell Sherlock survived at the end of <i>The Reichenbach Fall</i>!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><u>3. You have just won £1 million - what is the first thing you buy?</u></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I could be boring and just say a mansion or a nice house, but I'm going to push the boat out a bit and say either an indoor swimming pool or a home cinema. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><u>4. Warm or cold?</u></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Probably cold. Since my birthday and Christmas are both in winter, I have a bit of a bias towards the colder months anyway. That aside, I also think that everything looks nicer when its covered in snow or frost, and there's always a nice, cosy atmosphere about winter. I also went away to Iceland earlier on in the year (which was very cold, as you can imagine) and I absolutely loved it there, so cold it is.<br />
<br />
<i><u>5. How would you describe your style?</u></i><br />
Smart-casual, I suppose - I love wearing shirts with any kind of collar (I am quite fond of Peter Pan collars at the moment), coloured jeans or trousers, nude ballet pumps, brogues, striped t-shirts... that sort of thing. It's worth a mention that I love printed t-shirts as well - the funnier the better!<br />
<br />
<i><u>6. Do you have a favourite make-up brand?</u></i><br />
There are quite a few make-up brands that I really like, but if I had to pick just the one it would probably be Urban Decay. I use their Naked 2 palette on a daily basis, and from what I've tried of their lip products (which isn't much, I'll be honest) I like those as well. In terms of lower-end or drugstore brands, my favourites are Max Factor and Bourjois.<br />
<br />
<i><u>7. Lipstick or lipgloss?</u></i><br />
Lipgloss - I find that it's a little more of a pragmatic choice, as I don't like having to have to reapply lip products with great precision, which is often the case with lipsticks. With both products I prefer darker colours, because they tend to stay on for longer and because they are much more noticeable.<br />
<br />
<i><u>8. Jeans or a dress?</u></i><br />
Jeans - I do like wearing dresses as well, but jeans are much less hassle when faced with the notorious British weather. I mentioned in one of the previous questions that I love coloured jeans, and I think that a pair of burgundy or dark green jeans are so much more comfy and practical than a nice dress and can look just as smart.<br />
<br />
<i><u>9. What is the one beauty product you couldn't live without?</u></i><br />
I'm going to be a bit cheeky and include skincare as a beauty product - the Clinique Clarifying Lotion is one product that I couldn't live without. I have quite dry skin that feels very tight around my face if I don't use skincare products regularly, and this product does the job marvellously. Granted, it is expensive and doesn't smell particularly nice, but it leaves my skin feeling wonderfully smooth and refreshed.<br />
<br />
<i><u>10. Do you have a secret talent?</u></i><br />
I wish I could say yes to this question - but sadly, no. I have been told that I'm good at art, but I wouldn't say that that's a secret talent per-say, so I don't think it counts.<br />
<br />
<i><u>11. What is your dream job?</u></i><br />
Since I'm feeling ambitious and elaborate right now, I'm going to say a film director. As it may be evident from the conent of my blog, I am a very keen film fan, and any job in the industry would be the coolest thing ever as far as I'm concerned. Failing that, I'd say that film journalism looks quite fun as well - visiting all of those film sets would be incredible!<br />
<br />
<u><b>My Eleven Questions:</b></u><br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
<i>1. If you could swap blogs with anyone, who's would it be?</i><br />
<i>2. What was the last film that you saw in the cinema? Did you enjoy it?</i><br />
<i>3. If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be and why?</i><br />
<i>4. What is your biggest guilty pleasure? (if you have one, of course!)</i><br />
<i>5. You are only allowed to use three beauty products for the rest of your life - what are they?</i><br />
<i>6. If you could get free tickets to see any artist of your choice, who would you go and see?</i><br />
<i>7. Would you rather have the ability to fly or heal whenever you get injured?</i><br />
<i>8. If you could only watch one TV show for the rest of your life what would it be?</i><br />
<i>9. Describe your sense of style in five words or less</i><br />
<i>10. What are your top three books? (Both fiction and non-fiction count!)</i><br />
<i>11. If you found a £50 note (or the equivalent) on the street what would you do with it?</i><br />
<br />
<b><u>My Eleven Nominees:</u></b><br />
- <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=11270583&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL2xpbGxpYW5kdGhlcm94LmJsb2dzcG90LmJl&frame=1&click=0&user=0">Lili and the Rox</a> - <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=10845901&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL2ZlYXJsZXNzbmZhYnVsb3VzLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvLnVrLw&frame=1&click=0&user=0">Fearless n Fabulous</a> - <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=10667721&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL3d3dy55b3VjYW5kb2FueXRoaW5nd2l0aGFjdXBvZnRlZS5jby51aw&frame=1&click=0&user=0">Phoebe Victoria</a> - <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=10801825&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL2ZpbG1zYW5kcGllcy5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20v&frame=1&click=0&user=0">Films & Pies</a> - <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=11149963&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL3BlYW51dGphc2UuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY28udWs&frame=1&click=0&user=0">PeanutJase</a> - <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=10084751&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL2JldGgtc3RvY2tlci5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20&frame=1&click=0&user=0">Beth-Stocker Blog</a> - <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=10353163&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5iZWxsZS1qZXVuZXNzZS5jb20&frame=1&click=0&user=0">BelleJeunesse</a> - <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=10299320&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL3NvcGhpZS1lbGxpZS5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20&frame=1&click=0&user=0">Sophie-Ellie</a> - <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=10802339&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL2tpcnN0eS53cw&frame=1&click=0&user=0">Kirsty</a> - <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=8626897&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL2hhbmNsYXJreS5ibG9nc3BvdC5jby51aw&frame=1&click=0&user=0">Hanclarky</a> - <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=10496467&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL3NtYWxsY29udGVtcGxhdGlvbnMuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29t&frame=1&click=0&user=0">Small Contemplations</a> -<br />
<br />
I hope you've all enjoyed reading this post - it's a little more personal than most of the things I blog about, but I thought it would be nice to mix it up a bit!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrNZ9VnBvLJk9-1n2wmPF3bd6qiRkCDiIsgqZw2LE8Rpqc7U7nO1FMdiI_KMTVD-vTSZFzwnVaagYWnRItiNvd553ckMxo1CWBdS5vhu61Bi3LVDbkANiwPuKIqXEZDVyJbIPnRqOKO4/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrNZ9VnBvLJk9-1n2wmPF3bd6qiRkCDiIsgqZw2LE8Rpqc7U7nO1FMdiI_KMTVD-vTSZFzwnVaagYWnRItiNvd553ckMxo1CWBdS5vhu61Bi3LVDbkANiwPuKIqXEZDVyJbIPnRqOKO4/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-71064464625453722042013-11-09T22:36:00.003+00:002013-11-09T22:36:07.991+00:00FOOD FOR THOUGHT - PEBBLE COOKIES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kkp0sMQCm0x1hpv5c7xiWY9DVcXm9oVm4rdg8GJ6cpJRVN-Z6LYZPTyHp0igeshW-Qs_bomuW2w2l0OdH1bTK5uBl4VIM9436BLuhzvHNNfdGYC4JEZjnGZuQztQSgzn8Wdyq4_ZSOg/s1600/Cookie+Pic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kkp0sMQCm0x1hpv5c7xiWY9DVcXm9oVm4rdg8GJ6cpJRVN-Z6LYZPTyHp0igeshW-Qs_bomuW2w2l0OdH1bTK5uBl4VIM9436BLuhzvHNNfdGYC4JEZjnGZuQztQSgzn8Wdyq4_ZSOg/s1600/Cookie+Pic+2.jpg" height="342" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The past week has been very stressful for me, so what better way to unwind than to enjoy a nice chocolate treat? The title of these cookies may seem a bit odd, but it's because I used Cadbury Pebbles in the biscuits instead of chocolate chips - although M&Ms or Smarties will work fine for this recipe as well. So, if you're in the mood for some double chocolatey cookies, here is the recipe for my Pebble Cookies. (Warning - this recipe makes a lot of biscuits; it made three trayfuls of cookies for me, so you may want to halve the quantities).</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>INGREDIENTS:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
125g of butter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
200g of light brown sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 egg</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 tsp. of vanilla extract</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
225g of self-raising flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 tsp. of salt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cadbury's Pebbles/M&Ms/Smarties or any small chocolate sweets</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
200g of dark chocolate (optional)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>METHOD:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Preheat the oven to around 180 to 200 degrees celsius. Prepare a flat baking tray by placing a sheet of tin-foil or greaseproof paper onto the tray.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Combine the butter and sugar in a large bowl. If you are making double chocolate cookies, melt the dark chocolate in a bain-marie or by using the microwave (if you are using a microwave, be careful that you don't burn the chocolate).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Add in the egg, vanilla extract, salt, and melted chocolate if required. Mix all of the ingredients together to make a mixture with a similar consistency to cake batter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sift in the flour and mix it with the other ingredients until a ball of cookie dough is formed. You can add in your sweets now if you'd prefer - add them in and mix well to make sure that they combine with the dough properly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tear off walnut-sized pieces of the dough and place onto the baking tray. Flatten the dough slightly using your fingertips or the back of a spoon. If you haven't done so already, place some of the sweets on top of the cookies, pressing them into the dough so that they don't fall off when cooked. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bake them in the oven for approximately 15 minutes - they should be quite soft when they are taken out of the oven, but as they cool down they get a little firmer. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you've enjoyed reading this post - let me know in the comments if you decide to make your own cookies!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyvKJOWG1E_vmEaPHt01ZKicCBac8Vv4PS8E-V-5OtWp7bCnqUumIWaVTiG-CKGJXN7i4i0oDLqY2-KBfI_o9GU8AiyimyYfUgyP1yfry68OlH_wvyLj0yRh77LfFNw0eS9nqoVWOvCs/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyvKJOWG1E_vmEaPHt01ZKicCBac8Vv4PS8E-V-5OtWp7bCnqUumIWaVTiG-CKGJXN7i4i0oDLqY2-KBfI_o9GU8AiyimyYfUgyP1yfry68OlH_wvyLj0yRh77LfFNw0eS9nqoVWOvCs/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<u><br /></u></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-82424029990721769392013-11-01T22:55:00.002+00:002013-11-01T22:55:36.790+00:00OCTOBER FAVOURITES<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8k-E3O7B6svXJt_WML5zOZqmSsB3scMlbhpwwKuduayh2VkMLyhGM0dW0EK7Pl0-OLulpEYR5yZl9_ueWB8kJeoIikCgonI42VXdjEz42fRU_lsJK4bGN0IfSjyp61XDIapoffB7ZgiQ/s1600/Collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8k-E3O7B6svXJt_WML5zOZqmSsB3scMlbhpwwKuduayh2VkMLyhGM0dW0EK7Pl0-OLulpEYR5yZl9_ueWB8kJeoIikCgonI42VXdjEz42fRU_lsJK4bGN0IfSjyp61XDIapoffB7ZgiQ/s1600/Collage+2.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I apologise for not having posted anything in over a week - I have been really rather busy, and I confess that I have been lacking in ideas for posts. However, since October has drawn to a close, I've compiled my favourite products and miscellaneous items together for my monthly favourites list. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TMp5bZHvs5m-YPdfkCvbsCOH__qW7-JBpDXzf8cDeySCpD163L1ZXLwNYzG3AcuHCvhT3X163FFHgMlSAKh8_MY6yrA0BqKfnNxrehWFfnCKA1qT8r7k-8EQqPwq8zmSH5lYtViaf0Q/s1600/Mascara+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TMp5bZHvs5m-YPdfkCvbsCOH__qW7-JBpDXzf8cDeySCpD163L1ZXLwNYzG3AcuHCvhT3X163FFHgMlSAKh8_MY6yrA0BqKfnNxrehWFfnCKA1qT8r7k-8EQqPwq8zmSH5lYtViaf0Q/s1600/Mascara+Collage.jpg" height="216" width="640" /></a></div>
<u>MAX FACTOR MASTERPIECE MAX MASCARA</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I bought this mascara at the very beginning of the month, so I have had quite some time to road test it. Unlike some, I am definitely the kind of person who gets bored of using the same products and like to shop around for alternatives where possible. The same can be said for my experience with this product - I have used other mascaras by Max Factor before, but never this one. Compared to the other mascaras by Max Factor that I have used, I would say that this is one of my favourites. I apply this mascara by holding a mirror just below my face and looking down into it. By doing this, I find that there are fewer clumps in my eyelashes while remaining voluminous. While I wouldn't say that this is the best mascara that I have ever used, it has definitely been a favourite over the past month at least.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkcl8laHIdhtns6KvZTjlZ7rjz-EzHNzYlVvVWbVujkMtzWWLEMU7fkN4crF8nHVbqhk6ObccCbbd9Nwd2J_pSsYi2VQdWpeNprGRMONCKUTKVIqAWYR3EwHF-GqE4C3NyWJ5zp6Y0l4/s1600/Arkham+Origins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkcl8laHIdhtns6KvZTjlZ7rjz-EzHNzYlVvVWbVujkMtzWWLEMU7fkN4crF8nHVbqhk6ObccCbbd9Nwd2J_pSsYi2VQdWpeNprGRMONCKUTKVIqAWYR3EwHF-GqE4C3NyWJ5zp6Y0l4/s1600/Arkham+Origins.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
<u>VIDEO GAME - <i>BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS</i></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><i><br /></i></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Technically, this hasn't been a favourite of mine throughout October, since it was released on the 25th. Nevertheless, any new release from the <i>Arkham</i> franchise is worth mentioning on my list of favourites, as the two previous games in the series are both sublime. Although I have yet to finish <i>Arkham Origins</i>, I think that I can safely say that it is as good as the others despite the changes in voice actors and developers. In this installment to the franchise, Batman is in the earlier years of his career as a vigilante. Set during the night of Christmas Eve, Batman must track down the villain Black Mask, who has promised one of eight assassins a fifty million dollar prize - if they can kill Batman. I agree with some other people who have said that the gameplay is very similar to the two previous games, but I feel that this is no bad thing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfxhqUB2pSoCrLAA0ctk8wQHEaOlaPQVsP4HDebXYPakxRAjz08bLtPj1-ycPliIynNZfj3vQoXqlk5BxcEF6vqpM8RfWAVPCboiK_J4Mh1s-QGM6Vnqx1HSXQi6Il3EnPGuSugfCf_4/s1600/Eyeliner+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfxhqUB2pSoCrLAA0ctk8wQHEaOlaPQVsP4HDebXYPakxRAjz08bLtPj1-ycPliIynNZfj3vQoXqlk5BxcEF6vqpM8RfWAVPCboiK_J4Mh1s-QGM6Vnqx1HSXQi6Il3EnPGuSugfCf_4/s1600/Eyeliner+Collage.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a></div>
<u>L'OREAL PARIS SUPER-LINER PERFECT SLIM</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
Checking the Boots and Superdrug websites, I'm not sure whether or not this product is actually still available to buy any more. If that is the case, it's a shame - I would say that it is one of the better felt-tip eyeliners that I've used. As the name of the product suggests, you can create very thin lines with this eyeliner pen. I find this preferable to chunkier pens, as I think that thinner pens have more versatility, which works for me because I change the thickness of my eyeliner on a daily basis. On some days, I wear my eyeliner in a very thin and more natural line while on others I like to wear much more thick and dramatic eyeliner. In the photo above, I tried to show the variation in thickness that can be created with this eyeliner - if the picture proves one thing, it's that I can't draw very straight lines.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr2D5FdBboMr3AYqpXDnehNqe03ktSyj-2iHi99IXfkFjtK-pzCgyqqrJeqEqwq_LVVCvBAGsr77RZ0wmbP9_1IRg3Y2OgM-T2uaUYrQ4L0cfTx0QKFeXW_1k4ZA5SkL48phyzhuTV_M/s1600/Theatre+thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr2D5FdBboMr3AYqpXDnehNqe03ktSyj-2iHi99IXfkFjtK-pzCgyqqrJeqEqwq_LVVCvBAGsr77RZ0wmbP9_1IRg3Y2OgM-T2uaUYrQ4L0cfTx0QKFeXW_1k4ZA5SkL48phyzhuTV_M/s1600/Theatre+thing.jpg" height="174" width="640" /></a></div>
<u>THEATRE - <i>MACBETH </i>AND <i>FRANKENSTEIN</i></u><br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
October has been a month full of theatre - at the very beginning of the month, I went to London to watch a performance of <i>Macbeth</i> at the Globe Theatre and yesterday I watched a recording of the 2011 production of <i>Frankenstein</i>. Both of these performances had to make it into my monthly favourites simply because of how amazing they were. Unfortunately, the performance of Macbeth is no longer running at The Globe - but if you live in the UK and would like to see the recording of Frankenstein, there is a second showing on the 5th November in Showcase Cinemas across the country. To cut a very long story short, both performances were highlights of the month because of the superb acting from all of the casts and creative production design - Frankenstein in particular was outstanding in this area.<br />
<br />
I hope you've enjoyed reading my monthly favourites, and if you have any ideas for future posts (I admit, I am lacking in ideas at the moment) please post your suggestions in the comments below!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WavOX8TQ-bQNKs0ilToQbKU10nay1kboIsb0pbajRc7DSJM-OcPvwDbRQm9lj0HQPbgH1Kzae1ctjWcFC7nJzTxgA88EzlkIPz5kkBvnct3Vd4QgJ-Se7pDDUU0_vry4D1XgAkSEL34/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WavOX8TQ-bQNKs0ilToQbKU10nay1kboIsb0pbajRc7DSJM-OcPvwDbRQm9lj0HQPbgH1Kzae1ctjWcFC7nJzTxgA88EzlkIPz5kkBvnct3Vd4QgJ-Se7pDDUU0_vry4D1XgAkSEL34/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Kate Shortt -</div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-91884545973359803282013-10-23T21:29:00.001+01:002013-10-23T21:29:17.247+01:00RECOMMENDED READS - TOP FIVE BOOKS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lMhbeuuy2IBdscMgEK6GOvFhSXuzlW3FPPdUns_XbbnKcz_Pm10bsk9NkpBaByTL-IQBU2ERAeMXYCQzA11gf-miYmwbJaEkstBlj8mnLHk9hB9G8hJP4__G8E0_sldc1XJ_cp-NQ-Q/s1600/Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lMhbeuuy2IBdscMgEK6GOvFhSXuzlW3FPPdUns_XbbnKcz_Pm10bsk9NkpBaByTL-IQBU2ERAeMXYCQzA11gf-miYmwbJaEkstBlj8mnLHk9hB9G8hJP4__G8E0_sldc1XJ_cp-NQ-Q/s1600/Books.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before I begin the countdown of my top five books of all time, I must tell you how hard it was for me to compile this list. Being an avid reader, there are so many books that I absolutely adore - many of which aren't included in the list because they were pipped to the post by the five that I have chosen. So, without further ado, here are my top five books of all time - in other words, the five that I would recommend more than any others.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHD3WnN10UIbtVj07aI_Gu-_XsUR8thfMjJnRviTqq3H2fzx0dsqbrG0vMRmFyyaONmGMOq3etA9yqyP7SGZ9ogrd4HGIHFpGVcFIv19h6_LfLtgVd1FYYyrDUTKWzURY71FO07izGVw/s1600/TTSS+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHD3WnN10UIbtVj07aI_Gu-_XsUR8thfMjJnRviTqq3H2fzx0dsqbrG0vMRmFyyaONmGMOq3etA9yqyP7SGZ9ogrd4HGIHFpGVcFIv19h6_LfLtgVd1FYYyrDUTKWzURY71FO07izGVw/s1600/TTSS+Book.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>5. <i>Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy</i> - John le Carre</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would say that this novel is very much a niche one - if espionage in the Cold War era isn't something you'd like to read about, I'd give this one a miss. The plot of <i>Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy</i> follows retired agent George Smiley as he attempts to find a traitor who has hidden in amongst the British secret service. Although the premise sounds a bit like James Bond, the two depictions of spies couldn't be more different. In this novel, there aren't any wacky gadgets or action-packed gunfights. Instead, there are mind-games and almost Sherlock Holmes-esque deductions about when, where, why, and how crimes are committed. The style of writing is very detailed and heavy on espionage jargon, which some people may find a bit heavy - personally, I like very detailed narratives and enjoyed both the plot and style of writing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTEKzs97RLZeiCrF4-xTxwu0R-C_862MjqSazSfmmS3EeYJ4db0shFrZVU76sa8C2FfAYx9znIMcl5CZQnNHxrCpRiqDZa8L49mYgnJc3ppYHi9j7wbEfRlmoba9lhY0IYlb7j4yOYjo/s1600/HPPOA+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTEKzs97RLZeiCrF4-xTxwu0R-C_862MjqSazSfmmS3EeYJ4db0shFrZVU76sa8C2FfAYx9znIMcl5CZQnNHxrCpRiqDZa8L49mYgnJc3ppYHi9j7wbEfRlmoba9lhY0IYlb7j4yOYjo/s1600/HPPOA+Book.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>4. <i>Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban </i>- J.K. Rowling</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apologies for the quality of the photo above - the holographic title didn't like the flash on my camera. I felt somewhat obligated to include at least one <i>Harry Potter </i>book in this list - I am, after all, a self confessed superfan. The reason that I picked this book over others in the series and other book series (including <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> and <i>Sherlock Holmes</i>) is simply because it has been a favourite of mine for a very long time. Back when I was much younger, this was one of my favourite books, and is still a favourite today - although, sadly, I no longer have the cassette audiobook that I used to have in my childhood. I'm sure most people will already know the plot, but for those who don't, here's a brief synopsis (taken from the back of the book); Harry Potter is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - however, when he arrives, the atmosphere is tense. There's an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zyo1QSoxWD4wzGXWhj1DClwqwtbqAmIF4vQMDgZ65MGofwhSHCwhTHR48motJ9V8hyphenhyphenlhDRkHZnGTJiZYd8_3H2Uoknf9CZ1NodJ0VOjU0WurfmrLP1DFb31WYJddUAnS_Gkl3PrXaRU/s1600/OFOTCN+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zyo1QSoxWD4wzGXWhj1DClwqwtbqAmIF4vQMDgZ65MGofwhSHCwhTHR48motJ9V8hyphenhyphenlhDRkHZnGTJiZYd8_3H2Uoknf9CZ1NodJ0VOjU0WurfmrLP1DFb31WYJddUAnS_Gkl3PrXaRU/s1600/OFOTCN+Book.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>3. <i>One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest</i> - Ken Kesey</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unlike <i>Harry Potter</i>, this favourite is more of a recent read. When I was on holiday over the summer, I bought this to read because I thought that it sounded quite interesting and I'd heard that the film was very good - and I always like to read the book before I watch the film. <i>One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest</i> follows the shenanigans of R.P. McMurphy as he is committed to a mental institution in Oregon. Upon his arrival at the hospital, McMurphy wages a war against the tyrannical Nurse Ratched, who is determined to stamp out any free spirit and fun in the asylum. This book reminds me of George Orwell's <i>1984</i>, as it raises questions about oppression and whether or not madness is simply a label for those who don't fit in with society. Overall, <i>One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest</i> is both a saddening and uplifting novel that celebrates individuality.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKjsU38q6m5D2ZMcKmCkH3gHqrak5v8LQ6jnzeH5X2SMFZhZ0bwjlk5gASE3V86V-LyjX4Q_JuJF1_OIXwVyt4MNdtIuqjceen8jvwgBO0O42GS2wCxlxc2s738aJJxcjoeKsg-sLG8c/s1600/Atonement+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKjsU38q6m5D2ZMcKmCkH3gHqrak5v8LQ6jnzeH5X2SMFZhZ0bwjlk5gASE3V86V-LyjX4Q_JuJF1_OIXwVyt4MNdtIuqjceen8jvwgBO0O42GS2wCxlxc2s738aJJxcjoeKsg-sLG8c/s1600/Atonement+book.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>2. <i>Atonement</i> - Ian McEwan</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will admit, I my love for this novel is probably on par with <i>One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. </i>However, the superior element of <i>Atonement</i> for me is the ending. How <i>OFOTCN </i>ends isn't inherently predictable, but the tone of the novel throughout made me realise that the ending events were inevitable. <i>Atonement</i>, on the other hand, had a completely surprising ending to me, and left me stunned for quite a while afterwards. The plot of <i>Atonement</i> follows thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis, an aspiring writer living at her family's estate in 1930s Britain. Over the course of one summer's day, she witnesses several moments of intimacy between her sister, Cecelia Tallis, and the son of a family servant, Robbie Turner. However, Briony's imagination skews these events, meaning that she commits a crime that she spends the rest of her life trying to atone for. The narrative is hugely detailed and the characters have a lot of depth to them - however, it's the way that Briony's actions manipulate the entire plot that I find most interesting - and ultimately devastating.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMc7EcesGSaIkzLyWtE42Ztec7Qkq3Hy9iv2MRr85hCk3FAZe6jwGS0XysiNWpiqc_cEpt9UCIcjcnYDPI2TCsyxW21lsY0bpWqLtKg2bX8rmP4bkpaEVnH-mpvBugEPoIA8sIJaTDQM/s1600/TGG+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMc7EcesGSaIkzLyWtE42Ztec7Qkq3Hy9iv2MRr85hCk3FAZe6jwGS0XysiNWpiqc_cEpt9UCIcjcnYDPI2TCsyxW21lsY0bpWqLtKg2bX8rmP4bkpaEVnH-mpvBugEPoIA8sIJaTDQM/s1600/TGG+Book.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>1. <i>The Great Gatsby</i> - F. Scott Fitzgerald</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where do I even begin with <i>Gatsby</i>? For me, this novel is as close to perfection as it gets. Fitzgerald's writing style is beautifully descriptive but ultimately tragic. <i>The Great Gatsby</i> follows wannabe bond salesman Nick Carraway, who moves to the New York coastal town of West Egg. An unlikely friendship between him and his millionaire neighbour, Jay Gatsby, begins after Gatsby enlists Nick to help him win back the latter's cousin, Daisy. The corruption and immoral society of 1920s America is fully exposed in this novel as well as consumerism and parties galore. What I find most interesting about this book is how each reader reacts to different characters - I love Gatsby as a character and feel immense sympathy for him, however, some of my friends disagree and find him hugely immoral. Overall, Fitzgerald creates an absorbing plot with dynamic and unique characters that keep you engaged until the very end.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So there you have it - the top five novels that I've read so far (despite some of my other much loved favourites missing out on the list). If you have any recommendations of other novels that I should read, please comment below!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfdWsuCxvFHmnidVRyIcq8ECnbLFoccf4DsahPbRlbeC_Laqc5yLHIy3VYbp2_UvzqE8oxHqKPWUn8kwuEnV3ulZfOUO3KgAtuDLZmIjGtlEBiEhh1YRzUFh1Mtkfbf-3OxSlzqAgAu8/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfdWsuCxvFHmnidVRyIcq8ECnbLFoccf4DsahPbRlbeC_Laqc5yLHIy3VYbp2_UvzqE8oxHqKPWUn8kwuEnV3ulZfOUO3KgAtuDLZmIjGtlEBiEhh1YRzUFh1Mtkfbf-3OxSlzqAgAu8/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Kate Shortt -</div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-81112455118080608272013-10-17T22:23:00.000+01:002013-10-17T22:23:29.938+01:00FILM NIGHT - THE FIFTH ESTATE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVB17-rvfCfaZvuKCRnxRZr9Iz6WT3HyZ0rmdFuxbF7XfgQwe6ux-TPH_169KiNcjMOXke6UOHJeOWWowcpZVoc2u99X_fCNB4wybJK2lGSSOBU0Zh4d7HdvftKDNg6YVBEQgb0ynUqs/s1600/the-fifth-estate-uk-poster+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVB17-rvfCfaZvuKCRnxRZr9Iz6WT3HyZ0rmdFuxbF7XfgQwe6ux-TPH_169KiNcjMOXke6UOHJeOWWowcpZVoc2u99X_fCNB4wybJK2lGSSOBU0Zh4d7HdvftKDNg6YVBEQgb0ynUqs/s1600/the-fifth-estate-uk-poster+banner.jpg" height="144" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I would start this review by saying that the review is spoiler free, but of course, it is based on real events. The film in question is Bill Condon's new film <i>The Fifth Estate, </i>which stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Brühl as Julian Assange and Daniel Domscheit-Berg respectively. While many reviews of the film haven't been massively positive - the film has a rating of 42% on Rotten Tomatoes - I would take this with a pinch of salt. Compared with the last film that I reviewed (<i>Prisoners</i>, which scored a respectable 81%) I feel that this one is better, as it was much more concise and satisfying.<br />
<br />
This is the synopsis of the film taken from IMDB:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>The story begins as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Brühl) team up to become underground watchdogs of the privileged and powerful. On a shoestring, they create a platform that allows whistle-blowers to anonymously leak covert data, shining a light on the dark recesses of government secrets and corporate crimes. Soon, they are breaking more hard news than the world's most legendary media organizations combined. But when Assange and Berg gain access to the biggest trove of confidential intelligence documents in U.S. history, they battle each other and a defining question of our time: what are the costs of keeping secrets in a free society-and what are the costs of exposing them?</i></span><br />
<br />
In terms of acting, the cast is generally solid and convincing throughout the film. For me, the stand-out performance comes from lead actor Benedict Cumberbatch - although admittedly, there is some slight personal bias (he is one of my favourite actors). Assange's Australian accent is done very well by Cumberbatch, and he manages to juggle the accent with a solid performance. The result is a multi-layered portrayal of a controversial character, as the audience's response ranges from sympathetic to shocked, sometimes within the space of a scene.<br />
<br />
The cinematography and the editing of this film make it visually stunning. The way in which the technology is integrated into the visuals means that the clunky close-up shots of mobile phones and computers are rarely used. Instead and rather fittingly, a <i>Sherlock</i>-esque approach is taken, where the messages appear next to the characters. The visual splendour of the film means that when the plot begins to slow down a little, there is something to keep you focused on watching. There are particular scenes where more of a metaphorical approach to revealing or reinforcing information is taken, which is done by creating an imaginary office space. As someone who studies literature, I found the symbolism and metaphors used in these scenes as very interesting and unique ways of conveying a message to the audience.<br />
<br />
Criticism-wise, I would say that there was perhaps a lack of depth with regards to some of the portrayals. Aside from Assange, there is little back story or development for many of the characters in the film, as it focuses more on the consequences of their actions rather than the people behind them. With that being said, additional development and detail would of course add additional length to the two-hour run time, and would probably stagnate the plot.<br />
<br />
Overall, I found the film to be surprisingly enjoyable to watch - given the mediocre reviews and the concept of a documentary feature film, I was a little apprehensive about watching it. I will say that I don't think that <i>The Fifth Estate</i> will be everyone's cup of tea, as it is quite detail heavy and there isn't a great deal of action.<br />
<br />
For anyone that is interested in the film, here is the official trailer...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/ZT1wb8_tcYU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/ZT1wb8_tcYU&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/ZT1wb8_tcYU&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope you have enjoyed reading this review - let me know in the comments if you've seen <i>The Fifth Estate</i> and what you thought of it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXASBmX1bOmRcI86MbCu46dEqfFvQRZ4eJNdxM2cJoetYh6pn7JH9FIvfOEGElT9w2PO5_LP3zQuZiDv-6SfkEFE_avpzdinQgVHOQ0pLYSa0FbJbMzlY1v-xbgEHm4ICIf05_MtYQDI/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXASBmX1bOmRcI86MbCu46dEqfFvQRZ4eJNdxM2cJoetYh6pn7JH9FIvfOEGElT9w2PO5_LP3zQuZiDv-6SfkEFE_avpzdinQgVHOQ0pLYSa0FbJbMzlY1v-xbgEHm4ICIf05_MtYQDI/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Kate Shortt -</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-43807557776985596132013-10-10T17:03:00.001+01:002013-10-10T17:03:59.280+01:00FOOD FOR THOUGHT - CHOCOLATE AND PECAN MUFFINS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVeYak0VxCoT1asyoA0Xgijck_hqEB0gZciZvrcFsG4c-iUIvqO1ROl8JK1K0M0AEHuCuESYf6HvQVt0vsNYG2pCekz8Xjae300YDOntJL2MoPULI7ewsSHd8dTo9WyqClqbeDIFyyVU/s1600/Finished+Muffin+Compilation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVeYak0VxCoT1asyoA0Xgijck_hqEB0gZciZvrcFsG4c-iUIvqO1ROl8JK1K0M0AEHuCuESYf6HvQVt0vsNYG2pCekz8Xjae300YDOntJL2MoPULI7ewsSHd8dTo9WyqClqbeDIFyyVU/s1600/Finished+Muffin+Compilation.jpg" height="217" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've been so busy lately with visits to universities and masses of schoolwork that I haven't posted in almost a week. I thought that I'd kill two birds with one stone and make a baking post as well as satisfying my hunger for something chocolatey (to compensate for all of my rushing around). The recipe in this post is actually one that I came up with myself, and these tried-and-tested muffins are a result of lacking cupboard ingredients and experimentation.<br />
<br />
<u>INGREDIENTS:</u><br />
170g of self-raising flour<br />
170g of butter<br />
140g of caster sugar<br />
30g of soft light brown sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
120g of dark chocolate<br />
50g of chopped pecans<br />
A few whole pecans to top the cakes<br />
1 tsp. of vanilla extract<br />
1 tbsp. of Nutella<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>METHOD:</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius and place the muffin cases in a baking tray.<br />
<br />
- Combine the butter and both types of sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture is creamy. The reason for using two types of sugar is to make sure that the top of the cakes are chewy in a similar way to brownies.<br />
<br />
- Sift in the self-raising flour until it is fully combined into the mixture. Add each egg in, mixing vigorously in between to make sure that the mixture comes together properly.<br />
<br />
- Melt the dark chocolate - I use a bain-marie to do this, but any other chocolate melting method works fine. While the chocolate is melting, chop the pecans into rough quarters.<br />
<br />
- Pour the melted chocolate into the cake mixture and add in the tablespoon of Nutella and the teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix well to ensure that the Nutella incorporates into the mixture properly - this may take a little while because of its consistency.<br />
<br />
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans into the finished cake mixture and stir them in. Once this is done, spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin cases; usually, the mix makes nine large muffins. Place one whole pecan onto the top of each cake.<br />
<br />
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. To test if the cakes are cooked, poke a skewer or a small knife into the top of one of the muffins. If the skewer comes out clean (without any raw cake mixture on it), then the cakes are cooked properly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMQBCGghOL06D6oLI-qBE5hITIliVw-9DNyvxM92EZSmSt9as8AbwXJDGaWWfF0vNw_EmRxI4FmU-AiM_vyG0u8tQMo4LW7GYgZGjcqL0xcpeU3eb6qnRWdoBCV_RLii_7OEg_M1WcaY/s1600/Before+and+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMQBCGghOL06D6oLI-qBE5hITIliVw-9DNyvxM92EZSmSt9as8AbwXJDGaWWfF0vNw_EmRxI4FmU-AiM_vyG0u8tQMo4LW7GYgZGjcqL0xcpeU3eb6qnRWdoBCV_RLii_7OEg_M1WcaY/s1600/Before+and+after.jpg" height="216" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>On the left are the muffins before baking and on the right are the finished cakes</i></div>
<br />
So there you have it - my recipe for chocolate and pecan muffins. If you try out the recipe, let me know how it went in the comments below.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTl9j4ufip3z1ruwMEuRQrTe981iMn9GrkAd2Eq5NPJNKkjyxJU53EbfgAOqZ26M6LXwaQ2e8XppH1R_42E0F8s60uNSuJIRvGwJaf9vQDcsmL-iPGwl2RqVLTyeuNPxBPaTYkDYN6JWk/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTl9j4ufip3z1ruwMEuRQrTe981iMn9GrkAd2Eq5NPJNKkjyxJU53EbfgAOqZ26M6LXwaQ2e8XppH1R_42E0F8s60uNSuJIRvGwJaf9vQDcsmL-iPGwl2RqVLTyeuNPxBPaTYkDYN6JWk/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Kate Shortt -</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-67642477464236760682013-10-03T18:02:00.000+01:002013-10-03T18:02:00.105+01:00A BELATED SEPTEMBER FAVOURITES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFuxWD6GysCHAyKvrJWxtb40JvlCDWBEaTZxTTBhOcAl1c700IFw-NnjqJB-ctZWjAQfmLlMGNvWrkHIk8YlwZO0gSln8EFO-JMK2Fq5GI2L3hrzhmk2PowAGlHkVbgbNS-Qmn-XtdOg/s1600/Banner+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFuxWD6GysCHAyKvrJWxtb40JvlCDWBEaTZxTTBhOcAl1c700IFw-NnjqJB-ctZWjAQfmLlMGNvWrkHIk8YlwZO0gSln8EFO-JMK2Fq5GI2L3hrzhmk2PowAGlHkVbgbNS-Qmn-XtdOg/s1600/Banner+Pic.jpg" height="385" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
October is here, which means that it is about time for a favourites post - although, admittedly I would have posted this a little earlier if I was a little bit more organised. Within this months favourites (and probably all of the other favourites posts, too), both beauty products and other things that I've been enjoying throughout the last month will be featured.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWpvAMcB2h_VDjutwhOI4E5O0LSOZDCWeqou9QjB2Cyw29n7mg7prKRgGELD8JRKZ7AvN3GFKKtDR2fbTbT26KMf9rMIAulBKQCJNhFVOr9SZUGp11m2nDk2OuYd7fL_hUh4_u0SJ35U/s1600/Revlon+Lip+Butter+-+Raspberry+Pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWpvAMcB2h_VDjutwhOI4E5O0LSOZDCWeqou9QjB2Cyw29n7mg7prKRgGELD8JRKZ7AvN3GFKKtDR2fbTbT26KMf9rMIAulBKQCJNhFVOr9SZUGp11m2nDk2OuYd7fL_hUh4_u0SJ35U/s1600/Revlon+Lip+Butter+-+Raspberry+Pie.jpg" height="216" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>REVLON LIP BUTTER IN <i>RASPBERRY PIE</i></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Lip butters have been very hyped-up in the past year or two - personally, I think that they live up to the rave reviews that they have been getting. The texture of these lipsticks is sublime, as they are very creamy to apply and sit very comfortably on the lips. In the last month, I've rediscovered a shade that I bought a little while ago called <i>Raspberry Pie.</i> I wouldn't say that the shade is a true raspberry colour per-se, but more of a fuchsia colour. In any case, the colour of this lip butter is very versatile, as it can be worn for both day and night. However, because of the consistency of the lip butters, they do come off relatively easily during the day, but the darker colours do stay on for a little longer.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwbZru9orC5S3Lf7PvM4x8yRsh5XzCBAth8JcJbX_Pz_Y6NVbwvjGcPYErUhtwJANLeutesfJZOeCb45s03iXP2z4hHnFXYw8Xy2hoilbl3AWuUw__R9n9I-89g6d3A8mk69hxe9b8E8/s1600/STID+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwbZru9orC5S3Lf7PvM4x8yRsh5XzCBAth8JcJbX_Pz_Y6NVbwvjGcPYErUhtwJANLeutesfJZOeCb45s03iXP2z4hHnFXYw8Xy2hoilbl3AWuUw__R9n9I-89g6d3A8mk69hxe9b8E8/s1600/STID+cropped.jpg" height="306" width="640" /></a></div>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u>FILM - <i>STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS</i></u><br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
When <i>Star Trek</i> <i>Into Darkness</i> was in the cinema, I went and saw it twice because I liked it so much. You can imagine, then, that I was very pleased when the DVD/Blu-Ray came out this month. Here's short synopsis of the film (taken from Wikipedia) - the plot of <i>Into Darkness</i> takes place one year after the previous installment, with Kirk (Chris Pine) and the crew of the USS Enterprise sent to the Klingonhomeworld seeking former Starfleet member-turned-terrorist John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch). To summarise, <i>Star Trek Into Darkness</i> has a great cast, a script that brings elements of both comedy and tragedy to the plot, and is visually very nice to watch (lens flares aside).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxk9OY017ZQwJ620QOQE-_ahnNeXkg5E2JgYsW1OY5ejs7DQZ-2lkrS4GgvdRIh43Bc3gdOWXqxwFdlIoN1mQSvKTFOzdmiCv-SUYyPV7SPSBy4-LqEMo3YJvFF-EcFmOhLLdlKtSUfs/s1600/Urban+Decay+-+Crash+Eyeliner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxk9OY017ZQwJ620QOQE-_ahnNeXkg5E2JgYsW1OY5ejs7DQZ-2lkrS4GgvdRIh43Bc3gdOWXqxwFdlIoN1mQSvKTFOzdmiCv-SUYyPV7SPSBy4-LqEMo3YJvFF-EcFmOhLLdlKtSUfs/s1600/Urban+Decay+-+Crash+Eyeliner.jpg" height="216" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>URBAN DECAY 24/7 GLIDE-ON EYE PENCIL IN <i>CRASH</i></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><i><br /></i></u>
This is another product that I've had for a little while now, and rediscovering it this month made me realise that I ought to use this more often that I do. The Urban Decay eyeliners in general are very good - they are some of the rare eyeliners that don't run during daily wear. <i>Crash</i> is a colour that I've had for a little while now - I got this colour instead of a brown eyeliner that I'd been after, as Urban Decay didn't have any in stock at that point. The colour of this eye pencil is a deep plum purple with flecks of silver glitter in it. This means that it works well as a substitute for black eyeliner, as it isn't as harsh against against lighter eye colours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgo6LAqdGJE1zP-qVne1Q_s2tnv-0dwEw-Uu9Z2INv6L_i476v6PLKYhM4CsZwSpyQFIQufHsr_9iTFSKRSCZ72pZsKIuNmAVm82mSLZLd9sff808r5sI6XNYUWTRKBpcWuT8zwHDpz0/s1600/Max+Factor+Blusher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgo6LAqdGJE1zP-qVne1Q_s2tnv-0dwEw-Uu9Z2INv6L_i476v6PLKYhM4CsZwSpyQFIQufHsr_9iTFSKRSCZ72pZsKIuNmAVm82mSLZLd9sff808r5sI6XNYUWTRKBpcWuT8zwHDpz0/s1600/Max+Factor+Blusher.jpg" height="216" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<u>MAX FACTOR MIRACLE TOUCH CREAMY BLUSHER IN <i>SOFT MURANO</i></u><br />
<u><br /></u>
Usually, I'm not overly fond of wearing blusher, as I don't really like the way that they sit on my skin. However, this one from Max Factor has made me rethink my slight aversion, as this cream blusher has a much nicer consistency than my other powder blushers. Because it is creamy and because I have quite dry skin, the texture of the product seems almost moisturising and blends much more easily on my cheekbones. I also love the colour of this blusher - it is in the shade <i>Soft Murano</i> and is quite red-toned with a sheen to it that doubles as a sort of highlight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7N5dFuI70Le9LTjk9JAvZQ0MVAmVtDFwbB72p17TnIan8YEA2fTxfL4ZNgBKwP9x2yr5h2YCZ0fH07S26ry3vqAcaAzp69DbCLghAzeB26JRQwowmCqRkMqpGCuzQ0Y3kvvT-Cx3u6tk/s1600/Heroes+Box+Set+CROPPED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7N5dFuI70Le9LTjk9JAvZQ0MVAmVtDFwbB72p17TnIan8YEA2fTxfL4ZNgBKwP9x2yr5h2YCZ0fH07S26ry3vqAcaAzp69DbCLghAzeB26JRQwowmCqRkMqpGCuzQ0Y3kvvT-Cx3u6tk/s1600/Heroes+Box+Set+CROPPED.jpg" height="292" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<u>TV SERIES - <i>HEROES</i></u><br />
<u><i><br /></i></u>
I actually got all of the <i>Heroes</i> box sets last year for Christmas - however, the arrival of my <i>Sherlock</i> box set in the post meant that I stopped half way through series three of <i>Heroes.</i> However, I decided at the beginning of September that I would finish watching the entire show. Currently, I've just started the beginning of series four, and I have to agree with the general consensus that the first series is by far the best one. I still find <i>Heroes</i> an enjoyable show to watch despite the quality (mostly of the plot) faltering as the programme progresses, and it's been my go-to T.V. show for the month of September.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbd5qujRcjS1OxkdoxbP-Ci1DBy4mmoa_-nlG3v4wNF8W2EuLgIFl1JMUJSOaNgtEIjq2HOULRIdCZWquBq9r1JCWslmvRwd779uN3-KKuRgy36Do87daWsQb-iCFWo2QI7ghZzuGMLg/s1600/Naked+2+Palette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbd5qujRcjS1OxkdoxbP-Ci1DBy4mmoa_-nlG3v4wNF8W2EuLgIFl1JMUJSOaNgtEIjq2HOULRIdCZWquBq9r1JCWslmvRwd779uN3-KKuRgy36Do87daWsQb-iCFWo2QI7ghZzuGMLg/s1600/Naked+2+Palette.jpg" height="216" width="640" /></a></div>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u>URBAN DECAY NAKED 2 PALETTE (PARTICULARLY THE SHADES <i>SNAKEBITE</i> AND <i>SUSPECT</i>)</u><br />
<u><br /></u>Finishing off my September favourites is the Naked 2 palette by Urban Decay, but in particular the shades <i>Snakebite </i>and <i>Suspect</i>. I went out to a party last week and put <i>Suspect</i> as a base colour across my eyes and then heavily concentrated <i>Snakebite</i> in the crease. The colours compliment each other very nicely and can make a great night-out look that is bold but not over the top. I also find that <i>Suspect</i> in particular is a very versatile shade, and one that I enjoy wearing for a daytime look; it adds a nice wash of colour to the eyes that isn't too dark for the day. It's an added bonus for me that both of these metallic neutrals bring out blue eyes, but since they are neutral shades, they will work well with all eye colours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Again, sorry for the lateness of this post - my next one will be coming up soon and will probably be either a film review or something to do with baking.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzEFfDUpnHSPjC1nYb_F8D-5cawJE3zeRrnfZsWy_QIzjCS_3uZ72_9ZKiAXvrXj6OVlugEGtOCwIot3C1tdrp4JgeRhhjoSSHEqxukE9phrCpJJTVvmS851NZ_HZBMvhy-7HLUCf2fQ/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzEFfDUpnHSPjC1nYb_F8D-5cawJE3zeRrnfZsWy_QIzjCS_3uZ72_9ZKiAXvrXj6OVlugEGtOCwIot3C1tdrp4JgeRhhjoSSHEqxukE9phrCpJJTVvmS851NZ_HZBMvhy-7HLUCf2fQ/s1600/Sign+Off+2.PNG" height="60" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Kate Shortt -</div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-35577519743365493912013-09-30T20:56:00.002+01:002013-10-16T23:43:54.721+01:00FILM NIGHT - PRISONERS (2013) REVIEW<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-7XwgmB-dUMpVuhRKVPrUshuHexnXCQALuRR2LJcWfDbpP11Y3iVqKOx_hAyVokdUhO6h5I6hkV4_iUzgI_yxdpSOABPuJgT7iNqdDOSXxv_9kH6-U9Ag13Z_j81W7tqZ5wSoZ-eRO4/s1600/Prisoners+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-7XwgmB-dUMpVuhRKVPrUshuHexnXCQALuRR2LJcWfDbpP11Y3iVqKOx_hAyVokdUhO6h5I6hkV4_iUzgI_yxdpSOABPuJgT7iNqdDOSXxv_9kH6-U9Ag13Z_j81W7tqZ5wSoZ-eRO4/s1600/Prisoners+cropped.jpg" height="324" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Last night, I went to the cinema to go and watch <i>Prisoners</i> - I have to admit, it was completely on a whim. I had watched the trailer before I went, but that was all I had really heard of it. In any case, I've decided to do a review of the film in case anyone is interested in watching it. (On a side note, if you live in the UK and there is a Showcase cinema in your area, I highly recommend that you apply online for a Showcase Insider card - it only costs £5 for an adult ticket on Sunday evenings.)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The premise of the film sounds rather like <i>Taken</i> - however, there is far less action in an attempt to make the film more realistic. <i>Prisoners</i> chronicles Keller Dover's (Hugh Jackman) search for his young daughter and her friend after they are snatched away on Thanksgiving. Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) is assigned to the case, an immediately stumbles upon an RV that was seen on the street just before the girls disappearance. The driver of the truck, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), is taken into police custody on suspicion of abducting the two girls - however, a lack of incriminating evidence means that Alex is set free. The news of his release infuriates Kellen, who decides to take matters into his own hands by kidnapping Alex and torturing him for information.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Take caution when watching, as the pace of the film is very slow and there is very little action. Depending on the viewer, this will evoke a different response - personally, I like slow paced films provided that the long build up is rewarded with an exciting or shocking climactic point. The strange thing about <i>Prisoners</i> is that, unlike most slow-paced thrillers, this doesn't happen. Instead, there is a climax at the very beginning of the film when the girls get kidnapped, a very long lull in action and as the plot progresses throughout the middle of the film, and another smaller climax at the end. One of the factors that keeps the viewing interesting is the acting - both Jackman and Gyllenhaal are very good in this film. Keller Dover is portrayed by Jackman as almost an anti-hero, as he decides to try and speed the investigation up by using brute force. The brutality that is portrayed in the torture scenes is quite frightening at times, although I expect that the graphic violence probably contributes to this. Gyllenhaal's performance as Detective Loki is probably the stand-out within the film, as the character is cold and caring at the same time.</div>
<div>
<br />
One of the things that struck me about <i>Prisoners</i> is the total lack of music throughout the film. There are certain points (the typical thriller scenario where one person points a gun at the other) where the effect of what was being shown on screen would have been so much more shocking had there have been a score. If anything can be taken from this, it is the influence of music in film should not be underestimated. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Overall, I would probably give the film a 5.5 or 6 out of ten - there are points when the plot gets close to stagnation but is saved by new details that are added to the plot. The cinematography is well done yet functional but the lack of music prevents the more shocking scenes from having as much of a punch as they could have done.<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I hope you've enjoyed this little review - expect more film reviews on the cards, as there are lots of exciting new films that I'd like to watch and review in the near future.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tYoJsXtvaw4e5XIbHFcitMHwhCghR7bYBwFDqDRPWPy6lM8H7i_8tMvJSw57SkrH2EbmZuAZyVdl5b9MtZkwc9eQcMW8agWn07mqnj_AmJZH7_ywfNXcQBvmVcytsbqfqNzwdiV_KoM/s1600/Sign+Off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tYoJsXtvaw4e5XIbHFcitMHwhCghR7bYBwFDqDRPWPy6lM8H7i_8tMvJSw57SkrH2EbmZuAZyVdl5b9MtZkwc9eQcMW8agWn07mqnj_AmJZH7_ywfNXcQBvmVcytsbqfqNzwdiV_KoM/s1600/Sign+Off.jpg" height="115" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Kate Shortt -</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-68223982278222037612013-09-27T23:46:00.000+01:002013-10-10T16:24:46.737+01:00FOOD FOR THOUGHT - OREO BROWNIES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTkouJ2rQs5PotlCHh-MDJbnT64fg-weTBcLS363CkF7z-2BmJwD5Ke3xLVl1Ko6vDi1roxDV5bySODmSVa1MhbDQleSXpvb2N6g1jEsrxJl9k8jtVNdc9Y9kRlb71G2d8SDXipUJxs4/s1600/OREO+BROWNIES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTkouJ2rQs5PotlCHh-MDJbnT64fg-weTBcLS363CkF7z-2BmJwD5Ke3xLVl1Ko6vDi1roxDV5bySODmSVa1MhbDQleSXpvb2N6g1jEsrxJl9k8jtVNdc9Y9kRlb71G2d8SDXipUJxs4/s1600/OREO+BROWNIES.jpg" height="216" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I thought that I would spend my Friday evening by baking brownies, since baking is one of my favorite pastimes. I confess that this is not actually my brownie recipe - a week or two ago I was watching some cookery shows on television and found this recipe by Lorraine Pascale. Nevertheless, this remains one of my favourite recipes for brownies because of the gooey-ness of the finished product (although depending on how long they're baked for depends on how gooey they are to suit anyone's brownie preferences).<br />
<br />
<u>INGREDIENTS:</u><br />
165g (5 and a half oz.) of butter<br />
200g (7 oz.) of dark chocolate<br />
3 eggs<br />
2 egg yolks<br />
165g (5 and a half oz.) of soft light brown sugar<br />
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract<br />
2 tablespoons of plain flour<br />
1 tablespoon of cocoa powder<br />
A pinch of salt<br />
1 packet of Oreo (or cookies and cream) biscuits<br />
<br />
<u>METHOD:</u><br />
- Make sure that everything is ready before you begin making the mixture - preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius (350 degrees fahrenheit) gas mark six - make sure the middle tray of the oven is ready. Grease a baking tin (20cm squared is a good size) so that the brownies come easily out when cooked.<br />
<br />
- Put the butter into a saucepan and heat gently so that it melts. When it has finished melting, take the pan off of the heat and add in all of the chocolate mixture - the heat of the butter will melt the chocolate.<br />
<br />
- Whisk the eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla extract together in a large bowl. The mixture should become aerated and fluffy. Add in the sugar in two additions, making sure to pour it in around the side of the bowl so as not to knock the air out of the egg mixture. Keep whisking until the mixture becomes stiffer.<br />
<br />
- Pour the chocolate and butter mix into the egg and sugar mixture. Again, pour the it in around the side of the bowl.<br />
<br />
- Add in the cocoa, flour, and salt and whisk the mixture one final time. Break up the biscuits and then add between one third and a half (I personally prefer adding half) of the biscuits into the mixture. Stir until everything is fully combined.<br />
<br />
- Pour the mixture into the prepared tin. Use the rest of the biscuits to add on top of the mixture, making sure to push some of them down so that they stick to the top of the brownies properly.<br />
<br />
- Bake in the oven for 25 - 30 minutes, depending on how gooey you want the brownies to be - the longer you cook them, the gooier they will be. When they have cooked, leave them to cool before cutting them into brownie-sized pieces.<br />
<br />
<br />
I cannot recommend this brownie recipe enough - it has become a firm family favorite, and for good reason. The brownies are lovely and gooey, and the crunchiness of the biscuits creates a nice contrast - but be warned! They won't last long if other people try them...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6chQTycElWn4J9k1TwNSERm6idlI7xS5hqTipo8MInxUo21jBxG9didQw5NoEDDkIvyskz0ulT4Bc5dzh_woLoCfyR59h4kkcCqHHJQVc4BPtSwpAGQYjJVespjTf5VRXWS4KJ6b_i4/s1600/Sign+Off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6chQTycElWn4J9k1TwNSERm6idlI7xS5hqTipo8MInxUo21jBxG9didQw5NoEDDkIvyskz0ulT4Bc5dzh_woLoCfyR59h4kkcCqHHJQVc4BPtSwpAGQYjJVespjTf5VRXWS4KJ6b_i4/s1600/Sign+Off.jpg" height="115" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- Kate Shortt -</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-16324078676013410672013-09-22T22:18:00.000+01:002013-09-22T22:18:42.726+01:00RECOMMENDED READS - WINTER'S BONE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM2zvOrvD-09OpAjjpcojQ1ct9Bcq2v5JCi-6tYp-k7fQjYFCkp5z-okTxhvErWCUExoEqXRAiw7mj86H5Nh9JV41kVPUEQCxZRZx245vp4T_Mdace0lqfiTTH_-m2q2Mv-dEaxENNsE/s1600/Winter's+Bone+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM2zvOrvD-09OpAjjpcojQ1ct9Bcq2v5JCi-6tYp-k7fQjYFCkp5z-okTxhvErWCUExoEqXRAiw7mj86H5Nh9JV41kVPUEQCxZRZx245vp4T_Mdace0lqfiTTH_-m2q2Mv-dEaxENNsE/s1600/Winter's+Bone+Edited.jpg" height="372" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
(This post is spoiler free!)</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yesterday, I finished reading Daniel Woodrell's eighth novel entitled <i>Winter's Bone.</i> I decided to read this prior to watching the film (which I admit that I haven't gotten round to watching yet) because I always like to compare the adaptation to its source material. Since I haven't watched the film, this post is purely focusing on the novel and the aspects of it that I enjoyed.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
The plot of <i>Winter's Bone</i> focuses on a teenage girl named Ree Dolly, who lives in a small village deep within the mountains of Missouri. After her father goes missing for some time, Ree decides to search for him - however, asking the wrong questions in her neck of the woods can lead to violent beatings and even death. Her father's disappearance coincides with a court sentence - if he does not attend, the family risks losing their home and their land. Ree's search is for her father and in the hope that she can save her home from being snatched away.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Firstly, I think it is appropriate to call this novel a slow burner; Ree's questioning of the other residents of the area accounts for a good portion of the novel. There isn't a great deal of action for most of the novel, but what is remarkable is how easily Woodrell imposes the strong sense of threat to the reader without much physicality. This helps to keep the tension of the story highly strung, which effectively creates foreboding throughout the entirety of the novel. While the lack of action may sound dull to some, the short length of the novel (it is around 190 pages long) means that much of the content is compacted - there is never a sense that the events are being drawn out for too long.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The style of writing itself is quite interesting - Woodrell uses a third person limited narrator. The narrative isn't from the perspective of Ree yet details are limited so that it appears as though the narrator follows Ree around. It is this use of narrator that really helps to create an air of intrigue, as the reader discovers more of what happened as Ree does. This means that, when the climax of the novel is reached (I won't reveal what it is!), it comes as quite a surprise to the reader.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Finally, the characters of <i>Winter's Bone</i> are constructed in such a way that you never really know their motives until the very end of the novel. Ree as a protagonist makes the book quite poignant, as there is almost a sense of admiration for her tenacity - especially when you consider the risks that she takes and how old she is. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Overall, I would thoroughly recommend <i>Winter's Bone</i> to anyone - it isn't too long or difficult to read, but it is both a satisfying and thought-provoking.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LLDQQWxUC99ppPPZ6J2wW0iRmbg0h9dKAiaZOHvi553nPlftrIOdCMq2eM0Q8Ol9kxz_8D8tCQb7JNa_dw3TgTL92BH5FCZ-hG416PvZVQiH7NjeY8WigsDiQkNCdH-uPtnX1e5yAGQ/s1600/Sign+Off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LLDQQWxUC99ppPPZ6J2wW0iRmbg0h9dKAiaZOHvi553nPlftrIOdCMq2eM0Q8Ol9kxz_8D8tCQb7JNa_dw3TgTL92BH5FCZ-hG416PvZVQiH7NjeY8WigsDiQkNCdH-uPtnX1e5yAGQ/s1600/Sign+Off.jpg" height="115" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
- Kate Shortt - </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4884296081401590253.post-45931272669583297022013-09-18T20:05:00.001+01:002013-09-22T22:18:16.790+01:00AUTUMN NAIL POLISH PICKS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVSYjLOEKC8qG24zFDzh7YNHSGcdWrskXp7e1KOX9eospl0nBthBUK0YCW2s5ZxVpKesDd-OrJgqHlfTTbRhPrBFNhYQXoXLdW9ugA-bapzCIxvDLAvv8-DMnpTKWajyqFmzinxnP4bM/s1600/IMG_2620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVSYjLOEKC8qG24zFDzh7YNHSGcdWrskXp7e1KOX9eospl0nBthBUK0YCW2s5ZxVpKesDd-OrJgqHlfTTbRhPrBFNhYQXoXLdW9ugA-bapzCIxvDLAvv8-DMnpTKWajyqFmzinxnP4bM/s1600/IMG_2620.jpg" height="387" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
As is evident by the droplets on the window pane in the picture above, the weather in England has taken a turn for the worse - it's safe to say that summer has come and gone this year. With that in mind, I decided to pick out some of my favourite nail polish shades for the autumn months, owing to the time of year and the cold weather.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga__vie2DYffvgN0HbdOpq7Ps0dnGAJTbD5X4UID8RTEyCGxYAMGXwFdXTuNwtzOcGLZmsO4-a-eEN_or_6nrhPCVTboyn8qb7EV5sN7QII_doZ8eZQI4zNCdZTHAXeO3Z_Q_lPVbDW4w/s1600/Green+Polish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga__vie2DYffvgN0HbdOpq7Ps0dnGAJTbD5X4UID8RTEyCGxYAMGXwFdXTuNwtzOcGLZmsO4-a-eEN_or_6nrhPCVTboyn8qb7EV5sN7QII_doZ8eZQI4zNCdZTHAXeO3Z_Q_lPVbDW4w/s1600/Green+Polish.jpg" height="283" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>REVLON COLORSTAY NAIL ENAMEL IN <i>SPANISH MOSS</i></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><i><br /></i></u></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
The colour of this particular polish is not quite a moss green as its name suggests - the shade is sort of a mixture between a mid-tone green shade and grey. The result is that the colour is not too bold or bright, but a more of a muted, almost khaki, green colour. One of the things that I like about this polish is that the shade is quite unusual; many of the green nail polishes that I have bought in the past or looked at in the shops tend to be quite vivid and bright, but <i>Spanish Moss</i> is more of a subtle way to wear green nail polish. The consistency of the Colorstay range is quite thick, which I find preferable, as fewer coats are needed.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2sp-Cl74Vpj4rPMcjU9u-hUFndACgaWBMVFNJkhjSVyaI9hbTMTFgt-KjR6K46lQEVtGO3PKqZ5i9iSRsU5o74mCa_jyUfuLf6UurLXMcEOuipb1bnyoFdIEqjGcCqQvpCWJSyEwAD8/s1600/Gold+Polish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2sp-Cl74Vpj4rPMcjU9u-hUFndACgaWBMVFNJkhjSVyaI9hbTMTFgt-KjR6K46lQEVtGO3PKqZ5i9iSRsU5o74mCa_jyUfuLf6UurLXMcEOuipb1bnyoFdIEqjGcCqQvpCWJSyEwAD8/s1600/Gold+Polish.jpg" height="290" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>O.P.I. JAMES BOND COLLECTION IN <i>GOLDENEYE</i></u></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
While this colour may look to be more of a summer shade to some, the colour of this polish from O.P.I.'s 2012 James Bond collection seems suitable for autumn/winter to me. It is reminiscent of both yellowing leaves and Christmas decorations, so I feel that it is more of a colour for the colder months. Depending on the number of coats applied to the nails, the colour can either be a light wash of glitter or a more solid gold effect. The issue with this polish is that, being an O.P.I. Polish, it is relatively expensive - however, since the collection is from last year it should be cheaper to buy now, providing that availability isn't an issue.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDX5hY5C764MuLRHluLyqUWQ7Iak2xqod7d5SuinTvXztxqq5ZRQ61yplwXH6IaXsuaO07uvv-A_LyKaJjZnK51Y4Z96qJW0JFMt11r6FoSmCGvErb5gHvxltgQPiqOfyyLTLTY3wDsrY/s1600/Purple+Polish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDX5hY5C764MuLRHluLyqUWQ7Iak2xqod7d5SuinTvXztxqq5ZRQ61yplwXH6IaXsuaO07uvv-A_LyKaJjZnK51Y4Z96qJW0JFMt11r6FoSmCGvErb5gHvxltgQPiqOfyyLTLTY3wDsrY/s1600/Purple+Polish.jpg" height="290" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>REVLON NAIL ENAMEL IN <i>VIXEN</i></u></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><i><br /></i></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Another shade from Revlon here, however <i>Vixen</i> is a far cry from the previous colour. This shade is best described as a very dark maroon - however, the polish looks like a deep purple in the bottle. <i>Vixen</i> is an ideal colour for autumn, as darker toned shades are often favoured for the colder months - and this polish is reminiscent of the colour of berries. Unlike the Revlon Colorstay range, the original polish collection has quite a different consistency - it is not as thick, which means that one or two more coats may be needed (perhaps a minimum of two or three coats), but I don't think that this is hugely problematic.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2Hav-f6CTEA5_d_aqJG79eezRlFCgHi8HEuRZqL0z1VMA-adkyUq8m2xFQ99aF7daDFFST3bRdjVhYfnRUWi6pmcBM5rgr6qP4kuiuHTsTx2l5fQ0gXTN5XLgvne0sPpRFyF6_c8ipo/s1600/Black+Polish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2Hav-f6CTEA5_d_aqJG79eezRlFCgHi8HEuRZqL0z1VMA-adkyUq8m2xFQ99aF7daDFFST3bRdjVhYfnRUWi6pmcBM5rgr6qP4kuiuHTsTx2l5fQ0gXTN5XLgvne0sPpRFyF6_c8ipo/s1600/Black+Polish.jpg" height="290" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>O.P.I. JAMES BOND COLLECTION IN <i>LIVE AND LET DIE</i></u></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><i><br /></i></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
The swatch for this shade is a little different from how the colour actually looks (it is quite difficult to photograph this shade) - <i>Live and Let Die</i> is a duo-chrome colour; in some lights it looks like a glittery black, but in other lighting it looks more like a dark teal colour. Similarly to the Revlon shade <i>Vixen</i>, the reason that I think that this shade is suitable for autumn is because it's very dark - unlike the Revlon shade, however, this polish is glittery (which isn't very visible in the swatch), but it's quite hard to tell what colour the glitter actually is. This polish will probably have the same issue as the previous O.P.I. shade, in that it may still be quite expensive to purchase and it may not be available anymore (but it is worth a look online).</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuU9cSySwPK6wp3RUuVn3GCTywJ0cyVGWVfK37Ue4wOGy4ysfng9nyZmoIZRZ4gUIvF7ScF-7wuWmudYPUt24DKlhZBB7Bis4v9daWgFww8bX243TU2cVoA1iEdzPwqgbRQ9iPIYOMTU/s1600/Rapsberry+Polish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuU9cSySwPK6wp3RUuVn3GCTywJ0cyVGWVfK37Ue4wOGy4ysfng9nyZmoIZRZ4gUIvF7ScF-7wuWmudYPUt24DKlhZBB7Bis4v9daWgFww8bX243TU2cVoA1iEdzPwqgbRQ9iPIYOMTU/s1600/Rapsberry+Polish.jpg" height="290" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>BARRY M NAIL PAINT IN <i>RASPBERRY</i></u></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><i><br /></i></u></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
The final nail polish is probably the most affordable of the five that I have selected - Barry M nail polishes are generally very good quality as well as being cheap to buy. As the title of this shade suggests, this polish is a true raspberry colour - the more coats added, the darker the polish gets. This polish is the brightest (aside from the gold, perhaps) of the shades that I have selected; however, since the colour is aptly berry toned, it seems fitting to wear it in the autumn months.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Of course, any of these shades could be worn throughout the year, but I feel that these colours work particularly well in the autumn/winter months. As per usual, I will link some websites where each of the polishes can be bought from.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFgmdIPRvS2OC75aVqMhkhrHKkTbsX11LBIv1rlQyNzE9O77dvYXg3M6YeoF3P0wsjwvcjcSHzkSEe66ccFqAOWnHn5rT7clZdu3B_86ndlK-19l9r9ZSIfzeMeykaJ5DOmDGczaViGU/s1600/Sign+Off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFgmdIPRvS2OC75aVqMhkhrHKkTbsX11LBIv1rlQyNzE9O77dvYXg3M6YeoF3P0wsjwvcjcSHzkSEe66ccFqAOWnHn5rT7clZdu3B_86ndlK-19l9r9ZSIfzeMeykaJ5DOmDGczaViGU/s1600/Sign+Off.jpg" height="115" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Kate Shortt - </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Revlon Colorstay Nail Enamel in Spanish Moss</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Revlon-Colorstay-Nail-Enamel_1254429/">http://www.boots.com/en/Revlon-Colorstay-Nail-Enamel_1254429/</a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>O.P.I. James Bond Collection in GoldenEye</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009ERVY00/ref=s9_simh_gw_p194_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=02ZT7TWW4GKQSKRPCB5M&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=418448347&pf_rd_i=468294">http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009ERVY00/ref=s9_simh_gw_p194_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=02ZT7TWW4GKQSKRPCB5M&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=418448347&pf_rd_i=468294</a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Revlon Nail Enamel in Vixen</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Revlon-Nail-Enamel_33582/">http://www.boots.com/en/Revlon-Nail-Enamel_33582/</a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>O.P.I. James Bond Collection in Live and Let Die</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/OPI-Skyfal-Nail-Polish-Lacquer/dp/B009ERWZSU/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379530729&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=opi+nail+polish+live+and+let+diw">http://www.amazon.co.uk/OPI-Skyfal-Nail-Polish-Lacquer/dp/B009ERWZSU/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379530729&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=opi+nail+polish+live+and+let+diw</a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Barry M Nail Paint in Raspberry</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Barry-M-Nail-Paint_947704/">http://www.boots.com/en/Barry-M-Nail-Paint_947704/</a></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668534999404802874noreply@blogger.com1