15 Years And Counting

E D I T

I wrote this post on 22-04-13. It is today 06-01-14. I intended to post this nearly two years ago and then my blog grinded to a halt. As I approach my 18th birthday, only 6 months of childhood left(!), I can understand now my main reasons for posting this. I was in a sad place, friendship wise, and I was watching a lot of 'satirical' and quite frankly, depressing videos on Youtube commenting on life's little misfortunes. 

While I still feel like this sometimes, these occasions are fewer and farther between which fully allows me to enjoy life and most o the days for even as small a thing as my cat's purr. It is interesting to see how my writing has developed from my 15 year old and sarcastic-as-hell self to my *more mature* 17 going on 18 year old self. I hope that my posts this year will become more positive to truly reflect my personality now, even if I do have to admit things that I'm scared of every now and again. 

15 Kids and Counting sounds like the bad name of a family where the parents seriously need to invest in contraception. But what about 15 Years and Counting. 'You should never ask a woman her age' is one of those common tales that a man is typically told in his younger years. Confession time; I'm 15. I don't necessarily agree with the declaration above, but I do find my birthday a bit of a downer. Cake and presents are nice, but you will only be getting older.

Many people measure milestones in their life. This could be through celebratory meals, or just endless photos on an embarrassing Facebook photo album that you are trying to hide. The most common milestone celebration, in my opinion, is birthdays. MTV seem to have captured the epitome of birthdays with the likes of Sweet Sixteen clearly showing all teenagers that you need to have a lavish party and get a car that you can't even legally drive in order to be cool(ahem...no.)

Sixteen is that limbo age. You are old enough to have sex (haha- that won't be happening for a while), smoke (that either), get a student card, and pilot a glider plane (?!). However, you are too old to buy a child ticket at the train station, for it to be socially acceptable to go trick-or-treating at Halloween, and to have no worries.  Sixteen is an age that often gets overshadowed by the likes of 18th and 21st birthdays, but it marks one of the most prominent occasions in a teen's life- the first time that they will get drunk at a party. LOL, joke. Sixteen is the year of GCSE's, the year of first boyfriends (at an all girl's school? Yeah right), and the year of decisions.

I don't want to be a total downer, but we are all going to die, aren't we? We only have one life to live, and every minute of the day we will not get back, once it's passed. I realised this almost a year ago, and it made my birthday last year really miserable. My birthday is coming up in a few weeks, and I don't know whether to be excited or nervous. I think that it is because I have built up so much fear in my mind about what comes past aged 15 and that once I turn sixteen, I will not know how to deal with the pressure of exams, and life in general. But is the anticipation of fear worse than the actual outcome? Yes. We are not supposed to think of any danger before it actually comes. I mean, we should not anticipate negative things in advance before they have happened. It is a way of pessimism, but we are all guilty of it.

To me it seems that on the midnight of my 15-16 birthday, my life will change so dramatically. But it won't.  It's not like I will suddenly grow wrinkles all over my face and become some weirdo hag woman. But it won't. I know that now, after a year of worrying. To me, each day is something which should not be wasted, which makes y birthday all the more painful. However, if I was following my own advice, I would have realised by now that each day that I spend being miserable about my upcoming birthday, is one more day that I have wasted being miserable, and working myself up. And over what? The fact that I have to make choices and pass exams?

People also seem to measure their life by their achievements. Just the other day my sister wrote 'Congratulations, your 80' on a card for my Grandma. I think that we all need to realise just how quickly the time between the years will pass, and live each day sans worrying about problems that may never happen.

Cake and presents are nice, but you will only be getting older; you will have so many more opportunities to come, so enjoy them when they come, and celebrate the amazing year you've had rather than the fact that you are getting old.

The Black Hole Of The Internet

Let's talk about Tumbling. No, not the amazingly cool section of gymnastics routines that, if I attempted to recreate it, I would end up in A&E. Let's talk about Tumbling, the word I just made up that officially means 'browsing Tumblr' (yes, I am a secret genius). Tumblr, according to the oh-so-scientific Urban Dictionary is 'The end of your social life.' and it is 'Where all of the sleepless hipsters are'. I would like to say otherwise, but this definition is spot on.

Anyone who has or has previously had Tumblr will understand. Personally, I find myself getting into all of these social and media sites way before all of my friends even know what they are. To me, Tumblr is blogging for lazy people. It is similar to Twitter, as your feed it being constantly updated, but worse.

My discovery of Tumblr was no fault of my own; my older sister, in charge of the shared iTunes account back then (ahem. Three years ago,) downloaded apps such as instagram, Twitter, and you've guessed it: Tumblr, on to my little 2nd generation iPod touch. I quickly got myself an account, and never looked back? No. I swiftly realised that Tumblr, not to be stereotypical, is for emos and 'hipsters'. Hence, my account hasn't been touched in a long while. But during my short visit to the land of re-blogging and GIFs, I did notice some things that were not quite making sense to me.

Tumblr quotes: what's that about?
People posting GIFs of people getting it on. Get a virtual room.
Posting pictures of cuts, um WHY
People literally naked and intertwined. Who takes these pictures?!
Hipsters. Just hipsters. 

My name is Jennifer, and I am a surviving Tumblr user.

I you want to save yourself from falling into this vortex of doom(i.e hipsters and emos), then please don't get Tumblr.

My 'To Read' Stash

Wow- I haven't written a book post in a while. Note to self: write more book posts! I have a confession- I have not read a book for fun in over a month! I have just not had any time, and my 'to read' pile has really been stacking up! These are the books that I have been meaning to read:

1. The Hobbit

I know, I have fallen for the craze. I just wanted to read this and see what all the hype was about. However, it is a very hard read considering it is meant for children(I have already read the first chapter!)

2. The Kill Order

I finished reading the Maze Runner series about six months ago now, and when I found out that the prequel, the Kill Order was being released, I got so excited. This is a Must-Read!

3. The Knife Of Never Letting Go

This books sounds very interesting(google it!), especially as I love dystopian novels! I am really excited to read this!

4. Atonement

I found this book on my sister's bookshelf, and immediately filed it away as a 'to read' book. I have wanted to watch the film for a while, too.

5. Finnikin Of The Rock

I bought this book ages ago after reading some really good reviews on it, and I still haven't read it(oops). I am looking forward to it, I need to read more fantasy novels.

5. Long After Midnight At The Nino Bien

I bought this book on a whim, and am yet to read it, but it looks interesting. I think that this is a romance book? I haven't read one of them in a while!

6. Is It Just Me?

What more can I say than Miranda Hart?

7. Occupied City

I only just found out that this book is actually part of a trilogy(Toyko Trilogy, and it is book number 2! I will be reading this as soon as I look up the synopsis of book one! It is all about the world ending in Tokyo, which Sounds interesting.

What books are you going to be reading soon?

Jenny xx

Spring Scented Beauty Finds

I don't know about you, but I am always sucked into a beauty product by it's smell. If I don't like the smell, I generally refuse to wear the product(Elizabeth Arden 8hr Cream, anyone?). However, if I love the smell of a beauty product, it always makes the 'experience' of putting on and wearing the product so much more enjoyable, doesn't it?

These four products are my favourite spring smelling products, and if you've ever smelt any of them, you'd know why. They all smell so fresh! (Also, sorry for the bad lighting in the picture.)

Garnier PureActive Daily Energising Gel Scrub
I actually picked up this face scrub on a whim, and because my Clean and Clear one had just run out(and because it was half price!), and I love it. It lathers up a lot, and it smells like 'grapefruit and pomegranate . I love the smell- it is really bright(I know, a retarded way of describing scents, but you know what I mean).

The Body Shop Born Lippy Lipbalm in Pink Guava
This lipbalm smells amazing! Literally, whenever I put it on, anyone in the close area asks what the smell is, and then begs to smell my lipbalm(not kidding, this does happen!). Not only does it smell like spring(so fresh and fruity), but it is also very moisturising, and it leaves you lips with a ice shine without being sticky.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush
While I am still deciding whether I like this product or not, I cannot deny that it smell like Spring. It smells like a mixture of your Gran's floral perfume and smelling a bunch of garden flowers, but in a good way! Love the smell of this, and it does last in your hair all day, which is a bonus!

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash
Everything that has 'grapefruit' in the title automatically pulls me in, and I need to smell it. This face wash smeels AH-Mazing, and I love the feeling that it gives my skin; a really fresh and clean face. Love this product for Spring!

What are your favourite smelling products for this Spring?
Jennifer xx

Spring Wishlist!

I am always thinking about shopping. Not only is this bad for my wallet, and all of my other work(as it is just too tempting to search whats for sale), but it is so sad because I know that I can't buy everything that I want(why couldn't I have been an heiress?)! I decided, in a spur of organization, to get all thoughts of shopping from my head, and write them in this post. Here is my spring wishlist!

Zara Bag

New Look Skater Skirt

Celine Trapeze Inspired Bag

Fluro Zatchels Saddle Bag

Topshop Speckle Roll Skater Dresses; I love both colours, the blue and the pink!

Zara Mini Shopper

Topshop Neon Dip-Dye Scarf

I know, I am a self confessed handbag addict. 

What are you lusting over for spring?

Jennifer xx

L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in Rebel Red

I know, I know- I am so behind the times with this one. The L'Oreal Rouge Caresse lipstick have been going strong for around 10 months now, but I wanted to feature them in a post because I am really loving sheer lipsticks for this Spring(trend forecast alert!).

I got the colour Rebel Red, and I love the packaging! It looks(as with all L'Oreal products) very sleek, and much more expensive than it actually is. The lid snaps on shut, and pretty tightly too, so it will not fall off if you chuck it into your bag for a day out.

In all Superdrug stores, there is a section that sells discounted goods because they are damaged. I am not ashamed to say that I picked this little lippy up in the discounted section. As you can see from the picture, the lipstick looks pristine  except from a dent in the product. However, this will easily be rubbed off, on application. I paid £3, but the regular retail price is around £7.99(depending on where you buy).

 Top; without flash, bottom; with flash.

As you can see from the 'with flash' pictures, the lipstick is super shiny and moisturising. It is sort of a lip salve but more pigmented.

The top swatch shows the lipstick lightly swatched, and the bottom one shows it heavily swatched.

Here it is on the lips.

What do you think? Also, how are you liking my attempt at better swatches?

Jennifer xx

How To: Contour and Highlight

Everyone wants a thin face. Not necessarily a gaunt, anorexic looking one, but a thin, chiseled face with those supermodel cheekbones. Contouring, highlighting and blushing are your new best friends from now on. Here's how to use them:

Below is an image of the face, marked with where your highlights and contouring should be. Obviously, the white is a highlight, and the brown is contours. In the space on the cheeks between the contouring and the highlight, you should apply the blush. 

This image is very advanced. I don't have a lot of time in the mornings, and I only contour and highlight maybe 1/3 of what this picture is showing. I like to run a bronzer under my cheekbones and chin, and onto my temples. I use a contour brush for the application of the product, but then I use a fluffy brush to blend it out. I could blend with the contour brush, but it takes longer, and as I said, I don't have time.

In terms of highlight, I find that if i applied as much highlight as in the picture, then I would look like a disco-ball. I like to apply my highlight sparingly, and only onto the tops of my cheekbones and up to my temples(only a bit). I find that this gives my face a subtle glow without looking tacky or shiny.

I apply my blush onto the tops of my cheeks. I think that I may have mentioned this before, but you should never apply blush onto the apples of your cheeks when you are smiling. When you are not smiling(i.e the rest of the day with a normal face), your blush drags down your face. However, if you apply blush onto the tops of your cheeks and outwards, your makeup will look youthful.

while this routine does sound like a lot of effort, it is worth it, and I can tell a difference in my face when I don't bother with this routine.

 Bronzer(Countouring)

The only cheap high street contour powder that I have found is MUA's Bronzed Perfection bronzer. This is a matte bronzer, which is why it is goof for contouring, however I would like something a bit more grey toned(to create a more realistic shadow). I apply this product with a Real Techniques Contour brush,and blend it with a big fluffy brush(this one is from Primark).

Highlight

I use the Sleek Glo highlight powder (the whitest shade), and a small fluffy brush from Claire's(I know, weird).

Blush

This blush is a gorgeous bright coral shimmery blush from Me Me Me, and the small brush is from Forever  21, but is similar to the Claire's one.

Cream Blush

My favourite cream blush is my limited edition Louise Grey for Topshop one. It's called Up In The Air. I use a Real Techniques buffing brush to apply this, but only because I haven't had time to get the Real Techniques stippling brush(which is apparently a lifesaver when applying cream blush.)

I hope this has helped you to achieve total face perfection, I would love to know what product you have found for contouring, and blush; leave me a comment!

Jennifer xx

L'Occitane Mango Hand Cream

I got this hand cream from a magazine(I think it was Marie Claire) about a month ago, and I have been loving it. Believe it or not, this is only the second L'Occitane product that I own, the first being a lipbalm, and I can't fault the quality of their products. Both the hand cream and the lipbalm are very moisturising. The hand cream is made with 20% shea butter, which contributes to the moisturising effect. Also, the smell? It lasts for ages.

My one vice with this product is that I feel like I have to put a lot on, in order to make my hands feel truly moisturised. However, this hand cream has lasted for longer than I was expecting, especially since the tube is quite small.

Overall: this cream is the perfect handbag essential- it's small, smells ahmazing, and looks cute, too!

Have you been loving any new hand creams recently?
Jennifer xx