Hello Again

So you may or may not have noticed that this blog has been quiet for almost a month now. Things took a turn for the worst with my Grandma's health recently and she ended up in hospital. She's been living with a broken hip for several months now and they're refusing to operate until her respiratory problems clear up since they don't know if she could survive the anaesthetic. Sadly her breathing only got worse and she had to spend a few days in hospital. She was discharged on April 16th (her 78th Birthday bless her) and I'm happy to report that she's feeling a lot better! She couldn't do anything around the house though so I've been spending a lot of time over there helping her out. She's literally the most important person in my life, we've always been close and she took me and brother in when my Mum died so she's essentially the only parent figure I have.

Honestly I've been feeling so miserable at the notion of anything worse happening that blogging just totally fell to the wayside. I actually had my birthday on April 23rd and spent two days in Cambridge with my wonderfully supportive boyfriend from April 30th - both things that I would have loved to share with you lovely people - but I just haven't felt up to it. As with most things, the longer I stayed away from blogging the harder it felt to jump back into it. I somehow felt that I'd no longer be any good at it or that people would no longer care about me and all sorts of ridiculous notions that one thinks when miserable and anxious about uncontrollable things. But my boyfriend sat me down and reminded me how happy this made me and that no matter what I may think right now, there are so many amazing people that really do care about my feelings and opinions, and that's everyone who cares enough to still be reading this right now. I was amazed today when I logged on to see that I actually had several new followers and even people asking where I was on Twitter. So I just wanted to say thank you and that Peachy Curves is going nowhere soon.

Lauren

What I've Been Up To: London and a Mini Haul

Howdy stranger! As it usually is, your slowest blogging months are invariably your busiest "life" months. I was pretty shocked when I looked at the calender and realised it's been almost a week and a half since I last blogged! This is by far my longest break and I've really missed blogging. I could have squished in a couple of posts but to be honest they would have been very lack lustre. This week has been all about University preparation. Last Wednesday I had an interview at Westminster University to try and win a place on their Journalism course. I've always loved writing but blogging has been a total revelation for me; I never imagined myself forging a career in journalism but now I know what I want to do with my life. In a dream world I'll one day be working in the beauty department for a magazine but any kind of writing would be great for now, you never know!

I'm one of those people that always remembers the camera and then totally forgets to take photos. Halfway through my great London journey I suddenly remembered it nestled in my bag and whipped it out to take a few shots in the Natural History Museum. If you get a chance to go exploring around London I wholeheartedly recommend a wander through it, if for nothing but the stunning architecture in the foyer.

Bar the first image which is the foyer, all of these photos were taken in the mammal room. There's something truly awe-inspiring about the sheer size and majesty of these animals. There were a lot of interesting exhibitions but this was one of my favourites (hence I remembered I had a camera!) The museum also housed a mini gallery of works inspired by nature. Animals and plants have always been my favourite things to work from and I'd actually forgotten how much I enjoyed and appreciated art so it was wonderful to see everything. The most bizarre and disturbing thing for me was the human biology exhibit - lots of terrifying massive babies and glowing red "womb" walls. I'm the least maternal person ever and myself and my flatmates were all suitably disturbed.

Just as we were leaving the museum my boyfriend pointed out the sunset and I had to a nab a photo. It was so beautiful and the surrounding buildings were stunning. A very fitting end to the day.

If I sound like a major tourist it's because I really am. I've only been to London once before and it was an awful College trip experience. All I did that day was walk up and down a packed Oxford Street (it was January 3rd and ridiculous) whilst other people tried on clothes in stores that didn't carry my sizes. This second trip has shown me a whole new side to the city and I really want to study there. It's so full of inspiration and colour. It's also full of some seriously stylish women. I remember in particular this one Asian girl in the tube station with a slick, black graduated bob, bare skin and bright red, matte lipstick. She was wearing a big voluminous coat and black tights and I just kept thinking about how incredible she looked. So if you're ever in a style rut, go and people watch in London, you wouldn't ever get bored.

This mine and my boyfriend's ridiculous tower of plates at Yo! Sushi. We'd never been there before but he and my flatmate were adamant that it's where they were eating dinner so off I went. I have to honest, I'm a firm cooked-food eater. The one piece of raw tuna sushi that my boyfriend forced on me was horrific. All I could taste was blood and it had the most repulsive texture; squishy, slimy and jelly-like. I still haven't forgiven him for his enthusiastic offering. I was also rather perplexed at the wait staff's apparent disgust when I asked for tap water. The glasses were tiny so I had to ask for a second and they seemed very stressed about it. Certainly not the best service I've ever had. Regardless, the noodles, prawns and chicken dishes were fantastic and I'd definitely eat there again.

And of course you know me... I couldn't leave without buying some beauty bits!




Clearly I was in an orange mood! Sadly I didn't have time to go for a serious shop at Selfridges or Debenhams so these were actually nabbed at the St. Pancras station Boots. I originally went in on the off chance that they'd have 17's Beehive in stock since I've been searching for it for lord knows how long. Lo and behold, the whole glorious shelf was filled to the brim! I also considered buying the Doll'd Up mascara that everyone has been raving about but decided to try "Belle," another rarely-found lipstick (at least in my local Boots.) The rest were kind of bought on a whim which is a bit unusual for me but they'd all been fully researched so why not?! I've been putting off buying the Tangle Teezer for so long because of the price but I figured since it was a day out I could treat myself. I've also decided that this Summer I'm going to really embrace orange cosmetics so I popped a couple more Revlon products in my basket to add to my collection.

Honourable mention of the day goes to this ridiculous doughnut. They do say everything is bigger in cities. Unbelievably it was only 99p which I think is a very fair price for something that could feed a family of four.

And that's my little trip all summed up! The University was really wonderful and I'm so hoping I get in. If anyone else has a group interview coming up please don't stress too much about it. I almost made myself ill with worrying and it was so unnecessary. Everything was really relaxed and informal and I turned up in black trousers and a red shirt and was completely overdressed. There was even a couple of people in jumpers and leggings and they looked much more at home than I did. So try not to worry and don't be afraid to chat to the other interviewees, they're all feeling the exact same way and you might even connect with someone. I was really lucky and managed to meet another beauty and fashion blogger who was absolutely lovely and happens to be the first blogger I've ever met!

Are you hoping to attend University this year? Do you spend much time in London? Let me know where I should visit when I (hopefully) start studying there!

Lauren

P.S. I know there's been a total palaver over Google Reader (which is being killed soon) and GFC recently. I'm fairly certain that GFC isn't going anywhere in the near future, but just as a little bit of shameless self promotion and precaution, I'd love a follow on Bloglovin'! You can find my profile here.

Life Update

I've been a bit out of the loop for the past few days because I've had the most wretched cold-type illness. I've got some fun posts coming up but sadly I haven't been able to do proper swatches of things yet because my skin has taken it's dryness to a whole new level so do bare with me! I haven't dropped off the blogosphere just yet. I thought I'd take this opportunity to share a couple of fun, personal things from the last week or so:

Introducing the amazingly glorious oreo cupcakes that I made for my flatmates 23rd Birthday. I used the recipe that Alessandra guest posted on my blog in January (here) and they went down an absolute storm! (Despite my questionable icing.) They tasted absolutely beautiful so thank you for the recipe Alessandra!

I also had a shopping miracle and came across this total bargain:

Super gorgeous satchel which I got for an amazing £10! I was shocked at how cheap it was. I love the little clasp, it looks like an old tap. I think this is going to be perfect for my University interview at Westminster (wish me luck!) as it strikes just the right note of professional and stylish. It's from a brand called LYDC and I picked it up at a local shop that's been here for over 100 years. I'm pretty sure it isn't leather, I'd be shocked if it is for the price, but it definitely looks more expensive than it is. I've been looking for a satchel for ages and they don't come cheap, so I'm incredibly happy with this find.

And I've finally got my order in for the Real Techniques brush sets!

iHerb.com is an American site that ships to the UK and the brushes are so much cheaper there, $17.99 is £11.98 which is just amazing. You're saving £20 if you buy the core collection and eye set which is what I've done. I also picked up a Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush so I'm looking forward to trying that! There's an offer on at the moment where you can get $10 off when you spend $40 (which isn't difficult) so get on it! It's only $4 for non-tracked delivery so I'm not too fussed about the wait; the saving makes it worth it!

So that's my little lifestyle update for this week, what have you been up to?

Lauren

A Big Fun Mish-Mash of Tags, Questions and Facts!

Over the last couple of months I've been enormously grateful to have received a large amount of nominations and tags. I've waited until I was close to 400 followers so that I could try and get them all sort of done at once... but they've rather mounted up!

I've done a few tags before which you can read here:
Holly Jolly Christmas Tag
Liebster Award
Versatile Blogger Award
Tag, You're It!
Get To Know Me Tag - This is a great one for those of you who like to read the most miserable tags ever. Clearly feeling sad when I self-nominated myself for this! Some good background stuff though. Sorry.

I'm also about to use my first ever jump break because this is an enormous post! Here we go!

Tag, You're It!

I've received a crazy amount of tags in the past couple of days so I'm gonna try and get them posted soon so they don't mount up too much! I hadn't seen this tag until recently and I've been lucky enough to get tagged by two blogging beauties! Laura from Pale Girl Reviews and Erin from The 411 of Fashion, go click the links as soon as you've finished reading my utterly fascinating answers. I promise you won't regret it. (Follow them as well. They're total babes.) I've done a couple of these sort of tags before so I won't bore you with any more personal facts. I detest trying to think of interesting things about myself. I know that sounds so bizarre but it's just the most stressful thing! You can find my previous Liebster and Versatile Blogger Tags here and here respectively where I do have some fun facts! I'm spent, I'm sorry.

The rules are:

Answer the 11 set questions

Set 11 questions for 11 people you tag

Mention the blog who tagged you

Laura's Questions:

1. What are you hoping will happen in 2013?

The big dream is to finally get to university and for it to not be awful. I'm genuinely worried about not fitting in because I don't have the usual student habits of binge drinking and avoiding morning lectures. I don't want to end up a social outcast but I don't want to change just to fit in. Maybe it'll be full of sober beauty bloggers? Who knows. Wish me luck!

2. Would you change anything from 2012?
Yes. I wouldn't be friggin' jobless. I was mad as hell that they "let me go."  I hate that wording. I'm not a wild animal, I didn't want to be free. Let me be a mindless sheep with a pay cheque!

3. If you went into a shop and could buy one chocolate bar, what would you buy?
Oh girl you know me so well. Bueno probably. Gotta love it! After that maybe a peanut butter KitKat. I'm not a massive fan of peanut butter on it's on but those KitKats are amazing. 

4. What was one of your resolutions for this year?

To actually make my blog look nice. It's functional but boring. I need pages and buttons and a banner that isn't a badly edited (in MS Paint I might add) photo of lace. My posting has improved so my blog should too. I think I'm gonna crack and pay some genius to do it for me. It's almost as stressful as being interesting. 

5. What's your ideal Saturday night?
I'm not a party animal any more but god I miss being one sometimes. I'd love to be at a house party filled with all the friends that I used to have loving me the way they used to. Everything changed so quickly after my mother died. I stopped coming out and time wasn't ready to freeze with me. Eventually the sympathy stopped and people stopped calling.  I miss them almost as much as I miss her, but it's too late now. (WHY ARE MY TAGS ALWAYS SO DEPRESSING?!) Nowadays I'd most like to go to a fancy restaurant and drink virgin cocktails with my boyfriend. He's a total rock and I love him to bits.

6. What are two of your favourite books?

Ooh! This is a toughy for me. I'd have to say... 1. The Beach by Alex Garland, I've read it maybe 15 times and I still think about reaching for it. I don't know what it is that I love so much about it. It's just so visceral and intense and I love the way he writes. I can feel the heat on my skin and smell the ocean when I read this book. Nothing can transport me like The Beach does. I think 2 is gonna have to be a tie between Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell and Life of Pi by Yann Martel. I swear to God I don't purposely go out and buy books that I know are gonna be films! I read them and then a year later they get announced and it's like oh okay. It's hard when you love something so much and it gets made into someone else's vision. Cloud Atlas was hard to get into. It opens up with a voice that's a few hundred years old and the writing style takes a little while to acclimatise to. Once I finally sat down and forced my way through the first 20 or so pages I couldn't put it down. I laughed and I even cried, which I never do for a book, but this deserved it. I fell in love with Frobisher and he broke my heart (you'll know if you've read it.) What a rollercoaster. If you appreciate any genre of book, you'll appreciate Cloud Atlas. Life of Pi was an amazing reflection on life, religion and the utterly unbelievable. It was smart and magical and it was like nothing I'd ever read before. Essentially a book about surviving the absolute worst that God can throw at you, and coming out of it still believing. I'm not a religious person at all but I still connected with the messages. Couldn't recommend it enough. 

7. Are you a Winter, Spring, Autumn or Summer person?

Probably Autumn. I like the feeling of letting the past go when the leaves go. It makes me feel optimistic for the future and the colours are my favourite. Dark greens, golds and reds.

8. What is your favourite TV show?Without a doubt, Dexter! I love a dark, sexy, anti-hero. What a babe.

9. Favourite movie?

The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Sex, murder and spontaneous song. What more could you want?

10. What are your favourite make-up products to use?

Mascara, liquid liner and concealer. I feel "done" wearing just those. I also love the transformative power of eye shadow but if I had to choose it'd be the first thing to go. And I love a tinted lip balm for some subtle lip colour.

11. How long do you take to do your face in the morning?

I don't wear make up every day but if I'm just going for my basic day look it'll be max ten minutes. Anything up to an hour when I'm experimenting for a night out though!

Erin's Questions:

1. If you had to give up any beauty item what would it be?

Hmm. Maybe hair masks? I really like them but my hair tends to be in fairly good condition anyway so I don't find them essential. Regular conditioner tends to do the trick.

2. What would you of said to yourself five years ago?

"Okay Lauren. I get it, things are real shit at home right now. And they're about to get a whole lot worse. You're gonna move away in a couple of months and you're gonna be lonely and miserable and then it's going to get even worse than that. You're gonna lose everything that you thought would never change. I don't really have much advice. Take comfort in the friends that you have whilst they're there. Don't be afraid to be the one that needs someone to speak to. You don't have to be the strong one any more. People aren't going to understand, but when they tell you they do, try and believe them. It'll make it easier to talk about. Don't lose faith in humanity, you're gonna meet the love of your life this year. No it's not the boy you kissed behind the recycling bins in Sainsbury's car park. It's the other one. Good luck sweetheart."

Very grainy me aged 14/15. With my friend's stellar editing skills. Oh dear.

3. What is your career aspiration?

I'd love to be working in beauty at a magazine like Company. Obviously that's a big goal but who knows? I just want to do something that doesn't make me feel sick with dread every morning and pays enough so that I don't have to worry where my next mortgage payment is coming from.

4. If you could only wear one fashion item for the next 10 years what would it be?

I'm guessing you mean accessory rather than an item of clothing?! For accessories probably a nice statement necklace or a timeless satchel.

5. Best holiday ?

I haven't been on holidays in years. But Turkey was good when I was 7! From what I remember anyway haha.

6. If you could look like anyone who would it be?

Emily Browning, I think she's so beautiful. I'd be a few inches taller though.

7. Best fashion store?

I'm a bit limited because I'm plus-sized but I love ASOS Curve!

8. Your worst habit?

My inexplicable belief that every bad thing that gets said is about me. I saw a tweet the other day along the lines of "Some people are so full of themselves" and there was absolutely no reason at all that this would about me, it wasn't from a girl I talk to a lot or had had an argument with or anything, I was just so paranoid. I hate it but I can't stop myself. I hope it's not just me.

9.What is your favourite food?

Old el Paso Enchiladas. Specifically Old el Paso. MMM. Last meal ever would be enchiladas.

10. Your style crush?

Hmm toughy. I'm not a big follower of celebrity fashion so I'm not sure really. There are a lot of fashion bloggers that are really inspirational with their style but I can't think of anyone specific right now! Sorry.

11. The best thing you like about yourself?

I asked my boyfriend for the best thing about me and he said, "I dunno. Nothing really. You're alright to talk to." I said, "What, so I'm the equivalent of leaving the tv on at night so you don't feel lonely?" Him, "Yes! That's it. I know the worst thing about you if that's a question?" Needless to say I didn't bother getting the answer. Following that conversation, I'm gonna say my patience. He's actually lovely, he's just awkward and thinks he's funny.

Wow what a marathon! I feel so drained. I hope you liked my answers!

I'm definitely gonna steal a few of my favourite questions, sorry for poaching!

1. Describe your perfect home.

2. Favourite accessory?

3. If someone anonymously gave you £1 million, what would you do with it?

4. If you had three wishes what would you wish for?

5. Biggest celebrity crush?

6. Bold lips or bold eyes?

7. What are your top two books or films? (Or both!)

8. Which personal achievement are you most proud of?
9. Describe your perfect first date.

10. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

11. What would you say to yourself five years ago?

I tag:

Jasmine at Oh So Flawless

Lauren at Material Matchbox

Chloe at It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn

Julie at A Girl Called Julie

Tori at Aztec Mess

Ashleigh at Beauty Obsessive

Holly at Summer Holly Day

and anyone else that fancies answering my questions!

Lauren

New Year Beauty and Blogging Resolutions

Ah lovely, here we are again at the start of a brand new blank page. For starters, I'm going to reflect on what I did in 2012.

1. Found a job I liked at a clothing store.

2. Lost said job within the same year.

3. Bought my two lovely pet rats for my birthday.

4. Applied to study Journalism at University.

5. Started my blog!

6. Started using and loving Twitter after vehemently telling everyone I never would.

7. Lost 7lbs and then gained 8lbs.

8. Began my first proper skincare regime.

9. Made a new friend and rediscovered an old friend.

10. Discovered tons of amazing brands and bought half of The Body Shop.

11. Tried scallops for the first time.

12. Wore lipstick for the first time.

All in all, not that bad. Admittedly I'm gutted that I'm currently jobless (my last shift is this Sunday) but really, not a terrible year. 

Rather than tell myself that this will be the year I become a millionaire size 8, I've decided that I'm going to make a check list of totally achievable goals. So for 2013 I want to:

1. ACTUALLY GO TO UNIVERSITY! (okay so it's not beauty or blogging, but it is my number one priority for 2013!)

2. Buy my first high end product. I'm thinking a NARS Blush or a MAC Lipstick. (or both)

3. Buy some Real Techniques Brushes for my 20th birthday with accumulated Boots Points. (mini goal: do not spend Boots Points until birthday)

4. Get some real storage for all my stuff.

5. Work on developing a personal style. I shouldn't just wear what fits.

6. Create tabs on my blog for contact, about me and a blog roll (to start)

7. Paint my own banner and blog button.

8. Create social media buttons (or buy them if I I get too angry with it)

9. WEAR MORE MAKEUP. This really shouldn't be an issue for someone that actually writes about the stuff, but I wear hardly any make up and I don't even know why. It's so rare that I actually go for a "full face"  and when I bother doing it for the day time, it's just mascara, eyeliner and some concealer. This needs to change. How am I ever going to use up my stuff?!

10. Be more diligent with my skincare and brush cleaning. Must not forget!

11. Follower goal: 500. It's quite a big number, but I feel like it's achievable! I've managed to get almost 150 in less than two months so who knows! I know it's not about the number, but it's such a huge boost when I get a follower, it literally makes my day.

12. Post more lifestyle. Books, films, recipes, interior design. Anything that takes my fancy. Variety is the spice of life apparently.

So that's about it. In my dreams I would also love to lose weight, take up French lessons again and learn to cook. But let's start small.

What are you beauty and blogging resolutions?

Lauren

P.S. If you fancy celebrating 2013 by winning a few beauty goodies from me, click here!

The Versatile Blogger Award

I was actually nominated for this almost a full week ago but have only now had the time to sit down and do it! I was nominated by the beautiful Hannagrace from The Beauty Diary. Thank you! She's a lovely girl studying to be a make up artist, go check out her blog!

Here are the rules that I swiped from Hannagrace:

There's a few rules to this award, but what are they?
1) Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your post
2) Post 7 random facts about yourself
3) Nominate up to 15 bloggers who are relatively new to blogging
4) Let the bloggers know they're nominated for the award
5) Be kind - Thank the blogger that nominated you!

Okay here we go, 7 more totally interesting facts.

1. I counted my nails varnishes last night, 44! Pretty impressive since I only bought my first one a few months ago. 

2. I don't like kids. They scream, they poop, they ask inane questions. I'm sure I'll love my own in ten years or whatever when I have one, but for now, do not show me your baby pictures. No, it does not have your nose, they all look exactly the same.

3. I struggle to pick a favourite colour. I think it's green. But some days it raspberry or gold or cobalt or blahblahblah. I'm so indecisive. 

4. I find choosing what to eat really stressful. I get upset when people rush me for a decision so I tend to have the same thing over and over again. It's a source of much irritation to my boyfriend who firmly believes that variety is the spice of life.

5. I hate crackle top coats! I think they look so messy and rough.

6. If I could change one thing about myself (after my weight) it would be the size of my feet. I'm a wide size 8 and it is a friggin' nightmare going shoe shopping! I literally hate it. I have one pair of trainers, one pair of plain black flats and one pair of suedette pixie boots and thats it. When they fall apart I'll grudgingly start hunting for a replacement.

7. I don't hate what I see in the mirror and sometimes I wonder if it that's normal. It's strange to say it, but I don't think I'm ugly. Yes, I'm overweight, but I don't hate my body. It gets me from A to B and it's not broken in any way. I have stretch marks and freckles but I don't hate my skin. I have frizzy hair that is neither straight nor curly. There are things I would change about myself if I had a magic pen, but I don't stand in the mirror and wish I was someone different. I'm happy that I feel that way, but it makes me sad and confused that so many other people don't. In fact, some people hate themselves so much that it confuses them when I say I don't hate myself. They wonder why someone who looks like me can possibly be happy, and yet there they are, thin and perfectly groomed and still miserable because they spend so much time comparing themselves to everyone else. I also don't understand why so many people dislike the colour of their skin. It makes me so sad hearing about beautiful dark skinned girls bleaching themselves with chemicals and gorgeous pale girls roasting in sunbeds to get tans - I just don't get it. I didn't intend to turn this into a speech about body acceptance but it kind of did and I don't feel too bad about it.  Anyone reading this that has ever felt bad because of the way they look, particularly if it's something impossible to change, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. You are alive and breathing and wonderful, and you do not have to change for anyone but yourself. 

Stay safe and stay beautiful. :)

I nominate:
Holly at Summer Holly Day
Ellie at Misellyre
Safira at Miss Stylicious
The Little Things
Becca at The English Rose
Louise at Swirlicious Beauty
Laura at Pale Girl Reviews

I'm not sure if any of you have done it before, if so, I'm sorry!

Lauren

Liebster Award

The lovely Wanischa from Wanischa S has yet again been showing me some love and has nominated me for a Liebster Award! 

"The Liebster Award is for bloggers with under 300 followers and the rules of the award is that the nominee must link back to whoever awarded them, write 11 random facts about themselves, answer the 11 questions from the award giver, and then nominate another 11 bloggers and make up 11 questions for them to answer. It's a great way for new and undiscovered bloggers to meet new people, get more followers and find some blogs that they want to follow."

I am actually a horrifically boring human being so this is an absolutely terrifying thing that I'm doing. What if you all suddenly realise that I am horrifically boring and stop caring about my drivel?! It'd break my heart it really would. Well, here goes nothin'.

11 Totally Interesting Facts About Lauren

1. My flatmate has a bearded dragon named Wrex. It lives with us in it's light-up hot-house (vivarium for all you nerds) and spends it's time being painfully shit and exhausting to look at. It also falls off of the shelves of the vivarium all the time and scratches at the glass while staring into your soul. I used to think lizards were cool. THEN I MET ONE.

2. I cannot cook to save my life. If it doesn't come in a box with strict oven instructions, it will end up as ash/gloop/meat paste. I'm infamous for burning pasta and one rather ill thought out lamb roast. I can however, make a cracking batch of muffins.

3. I have never been out drinking. I had a cocktail in a restaurant for my birthday and that's about it. I literally just hate the whole culture of going out to just to get drunk... I live in the town centre and have to put up with the music and screaming 3 nights a week. As a fun example, there were two men having a fight last week outside my flat, one of them left with one ear less than he came in with. Would it have happened if they weren't ridiculously drunk? Probably not. 

4. I'm applying for University! I'm currently 75% through my application for a journalism course. I'm hoping it'll put me on the way to being the beauty editor at Company magazine. SHUT UP, I CAN DREAM.

5. A couple of months ago my boyfriend asked me to buy some faux fur throws for the bed. I bought them in some seriously obnoxious shades of bright pink and  a lurid teal. He still hasn't forgiven me.

6. My favourite dinner in the world is Old El Paso Enchiladas. Mmph. It comes in a box with strict instructions and it's lurvley. If I'm ever on death row, it'll be my last meal.

7. The Quality Street boxes from my Holly Jolly Christmas Tag are the second lot that we had to buy. We ate the first two.

8. This is one for all the gamer chicks: I have maxed out level characters on both Borderlands games. Muffin is my gorgeous emotionally disturbed Berserker and Cupcake is my kickass Siren. I love them very much and I haven't been excited about a game as much in a long time.

9. I do all my editing on  MS Paint because I'm a pro.

10. I've seen every single episode of the following shows: Dexter, American Horror Story, Malcolm in the Middle, Scrubs, The Big Bang Theory, Chuck, New Girl, The B*tch in Apartment 23, Americas Next Top Model (I'm so sorry, no regrets,) Elfen Lied, Glee, Mad Men, Stargate Universe (for shame,) Cake Boss, Barbecue Pit Masters, Modern Family, No Ordinary Family, Sex and the City (most recent addition,) Black Books, IT Crowd, Garth Marenghi's Dark Place, Frasier, Man V Food, Firefly, Misfits, Fresh Meat, Friends, The Cleveland Show, Futurama.

I can't think of any more but you can guarantee there'll be something I've missed.

Since you'll inevitably try and count them to get the full, shocking number, it's 29. Yeah I know. Bad.

11. I don't have a mobile phone. 

Wanischa's Questions: 

1. What do you like best about blogging?

I love love love the fantastic community. Everyone is so welcoming and kind and full of useful information! I've learnt so much from the other blogging girls already.

2. What is your one holy grail item?

I haven't been collecting for long at all so I can't really give a favourite item with any certainty. However, I've not been able to put down my Body Shop Dragon Fruit Lip Butter. I use it all the time and it makes my lips feel so soft. I think a perfect lip balm is one thing that every one needs.

3. If you have 3 wishes what would you wish for?

I would of course wish that my Mum was still with me, I would wish that my stepfather had never come into our lives and I would wish for unlimited monies! As a bonus, maybe a fabulously sexy body? Although I feel that wishes should be kept for impossible things. A fabulous body is technically possible. Though highly unlikely. 

4. Tea or coffee?

Neither! I don't really do hot drinks. Plus tea and coffee taste vile. If I ever a hot drink it's a flavoured hot chocolate and that comes maybe once or twice a year. Cranberry juice anyone?

5. Who is your ultimate girl crush?

Maybe Emily Browning? I've thought she was beautiful even since I saw her in Ghost Ship. She was very young then but you could see she was going to be stunning. Prophecy: fulfilled.

Also, any woman that has reached seriously high levels of power in any business. You go girl!

6. If you could live in one of the fictional world, what would it be?

I'd live in Erin Morgenstern's Night Circus. Real magic is exciting.

7. Are you guilty of buying things you don't need because there's some offers on?

I personally think of all make up as something that I don't need. I don't need it to survive, it's not a basic necessity. So all of my lovely bits and pieces are gloriously frivolous and I don't feel an ounce of guilt for wanting to feel beautiful. 

8. If you could go travelling anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I'd probably do America. Great land of excess it is. I want to see all there is to see.

9. What is your favourite movie?

Erh god who knows. I've tried to answer this before. Probably The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It always cheers me up.

10. What is your favourite season?

Autumn. I love the colours.

11. Do you speak any foreign language? If so, what and how many?

I can give you some basic conversational French, Qu'est-ce tu va faire? Je voudrais un stylo noir. etc. Haha. I could blag my way through ordering food and a spot of shopping, but don't expect any speeches.

So here are my questions:

1. How old were you when you first wore foundation?

2. What is your natural hair colour?

3. What is the most embarrassing moment of your life? (Try and keep it light hearted, I don't want to upset anyone if it's something really awful!)

4. Just out of interest, which television shows have you seen every episode of?

5. How far could you get through DJ Casper's Cha-Cha Slide without the song in the background?! Admit it, you danced it back in good ol' 2004.

6. If you could only pick one accessory for the rest of your life, what would it be? e.g. scarf/hat/chunky rings

7. How many lipsticks do you own?

8. Do you have any phobias? / if so, what are they and do you know why you have them?

9. What is your dream career?

10. If you could only shop in once clothing store for the rest of your life, where would it be?

11. If you could only buy from one beauty brand for the rest of your life, which would it be?

I tag:

Louise at Swirlicious Beauty

Laura at Pale Girl Reviews

Nokhuthula at Crystal Cosmic Chic

Lucy at Louminous

Naomi at naomijadex5

Kirsty-Anne at 5FEET10

Sarah at Sarah's Secrets

Kat at Tales of a Pale Face

Ceri-Louise at Wardrobe Misfit

Safira at Miss Stylicious

Shannyn at I Heart Makeup

Well I hope everyone sees this! God this took me ages! I hope you all appreciate it ;) haha. It was an honour to be nominated :) Thank you again Wanischa.

P.S. I know I'm behind on my December Challenge, I've been so busy and I just haven't had the chance to sit down with my kit and have a play! I haven't abandoned it, just postponed :)

Giveaway Win: Mixed Beauty Bits From Misellyre

If you follow me on Twitter you'll know that I recently won my first giveaway! It was from the lovely Ellie at Misellyre. Please please please check out her blog, it's absolutely fantastic and is just not getting the recognition it deserves at all! And do also check out the original giveaway post because it contains photos VASTLY superior to my own. They're also not all taken on a vivarium with bits of paper and spare change in the background. Clearly I need to get bigger pieces of white card. I also need to immediately say that I completely understand that some people do not like these posts. It's not my intention to show off or brag at all. I just really wanted to share my excitement and promote Ellie's wonderful blog and her generosity towards her followers. Honestly, I'll be reviewing everything in the weeks to come anyway, and I'd offer full disclosure and state that I didn't pay for this with my own money, so you'd know eventually! Of course, if this really bothers you, it won't hurt my feelings if you stop reading now.

So without further ado...

No Ellie, thank you! I love my prizes and I will definitely have a wonderful Christmas now.

 All the little bits and bobs came in these gorgeous Revlon make-up bags. I was actually shopping around for a new make-up bag, so this couldn't come at a more opportune moment! I love the classic monochrome styling and coral details, simple and beautiful.

 Here are all my lovely goodies! From bottom left clockwise: Blistex Moisture Max Lip Balm, Philosophy (OMG PHILOSOPHY! First ever Philosophy!) Crumb Berry Pie Body Souffle, The Jelly Bean Factory Snow Beans (my boyfriend thinks he's having these. Good luck sweetheart. You'll die trying,) StarGazer Feather False Eyelashes (I have never in my life worn false eye lashes. Time to jump in the deep end!) Nail Rock Nail Wraps (have no idea why they look bright red, they're actually a beautiful classic gold,) Nails Inc Colour Collection including Aldford Street (officially my first glitter polish) Royal Mews (a subtle holographic, YAY) and Belgrave Mews (forest green that shines gold, absolutely incredible, it's so up my alley,) MUA Immaculate Palette (I'm a recent convert and full on lover of MUA cosmetics, can't wait to sink my claws into these fantastic eyshadows) and finally Violent Lips in The Rainbow (have no idea when I'm going to wear this. Who wants to invite me to a fancy dress party or go to the next gay pride event with me?!)

The only thing not pictured here is the red Twistband because I'm currently wearing it. Swish!

Thank you again Ellie, I love my prizes! They came so much faster than I thought they would!

I'm hoping to post my own giveaway in the new year because I recently hit 100 followers on GFC! It's such a huge achievement to me and I'm absolutely honoured by the lovely comments I get from everyone. I won't give you any clues yet about the contents because I love surprises and I hope you do too!

Have you ever won a blog giveaway? What was your favourite thing that you won?

Lauren

Holly Jolly Christmas Tag

The beautiful, vibrant and intelligent Wanischa from Wanischa S tagged me for this little quiz, so here it is! Do check out her blog, it's so so good and she has hardly any followers! This is an issue that needs rectifying.

1. Do you start your Christmas shopping on Black Friday or wait until the last minute?

Black Friday doesn't exist in the land of tea and crumpets. We either start in the January sales or wait until Christmas eve. I lean more to the latter. I've been pretty good this year though and I've almost totally finished! Just need to pick up one more thing for my boyfriend and a purse for my beautiful, inspirational Grandma who is sadly recovering from a broken hip.

2. If you could be in any Christmas movie what would it be?

I'm probably going to have to steal Wanischa's answer of The Nightmare Before Christmas. I think I would make an awesome halloween monster. Or a fabulous female Sandy Claws. Sidenote: much to my boyfriend's abject horror, I only properly watched this film for the first time a few years ago at my friends house. 
I also love A Christmas Carol, but I know I'd be on the poor side of life and don't fancy Christmas at the work house... please sir?

                             

3. Which do you like better: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christmas Day of course! The build up is all well and good, but it'll never compare to the main event. Plus, I don't eat turkey and spend all day playing with presents on Christmas Eve. No competition.

4. When does your family put up your Christmas tree and who decorates it?

The Christmas tree was always my mothers pride and joy. She would proudly bring people over so they could ooh and aah over her magnificent creation. It was totally justified, they were amazebaubles (getit?) Last year me and my flatmate decorated our donated Christmas tree and it was lovely, but it's just not the same.  p.s. Oh, usually in the first week of December, but we haven't done it yet this year.

5. White lights or coloured lights?

White of course! Well actually, that slightly cream coloured light that you get in leds, so much softer and prettier! Coloured lights are all well and good for a bit of tack, but you can't beat a classic.

6. Are you guilty of peeking at your presents or do you like the surprise?

I never peek! My boyfriend likes to leave things "hidden" in plain sight in nondescript boxes. He'll then loudly announce that my presents are inside but I mustn't peek. He hasn't broken me yet the fool! I love my surprises.

7. Would you rather live in a gingerbread house or in Santa's Workshop?

Gingerbread please. I feel like if you're in the workshop...you're probably working. And in that cold too! Can you imagine the hand cream you'd go through? Urgh and the splinters...

8. Tell us your Christmas Eve traditions!

We only really have one. We always open one present each, and it's always pyjamas or slippers, so that we can wear them for Christmas morning! We also like having hot chocolate or tea before bed time to put us to sleep quicker.

                                            

It tends to look about an 8th as good as these do. Pride!

9. If you could be under the mistletoe with anyone who would it be?

Mark Ruffalo circa 2004  My boyfriend! Of course. Love of my life.

10. What tops your tree?

A big silver glittery star. It came in at a ghetto fabulous 99p.

11. Can you name the 12 days of Christmas?

I could maybe give you a few reindeer. And I know the partridge in the pear tree and the five gold rings. So sue me, I like animals and jewellery.

12. Have you ever gone Christmas carolling?

Only in my dreams! I imagine I'd get spat on or something these days. I like to associate carolling with the grand old days of yore that I wasn't alive for. Sigh.

13. Do you countdown to Christmas? If so, how many days are left?

Some years I do. Not this one for some reason. Just not feeling it? Christmas is kind of depressing for me sometimes. It's such a fun family thing and I kinda feel like I don't have much of a family to really do it with me. Urgh.

14. What are some foods and treats you can count on having every Christmas season?

Definitely chocolate. We always end up inundated with tins and boxes of Quality Street, Roses, Heroes, Celebrations... etc We don't complain too much though... ;) Also a fabulous selection of cheeses. Yummers.

                               

All I need are my weapons of cheese destruction... (cream crackers)

15. How has Christmas kept its magic for you as you've grown older?

Can I be really grouchy and say it hasn't? It feels more and more commercial and rushed and forced every year. Although, I am looking forward to Christmas day at my boyfriends Nan's house. It'll be nice to have someone cook for me :) 


I tag anyone who has no Christmas Spirit. ;)


BONUS TIME! 

Here are the lovely presents that I wrapped up today. (Yes, I have included obligatory Quality Street for Jake's enormous Italian side of the family.)

My beautiful rat Anchovy exploring the presents! She loves the crumpling paper sound.

Little buggers caught trying to lick sugar out of a doughnut bag that they stole from my boyfriend and ran off with. I managed to snap this before they fled from the scene of the crime! Cashew (blonde) is looking particularly evil here.

When it comes to my rats: I know a lot of people can't get over the fact that wild ones are considered "vermin" or they have weird tails or whatever... but take Thumpers advice, "If you can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all." ;)

Lauren