Recent Read; Eat Pray Love Review

Hi everyone!

Last week I started to read the book Eat Pray Love, and absolutely LOVED it!

The books is actually a work of non-fiction, which is was surprised by when I started to read it. The book is a memoir of a year of travelling in Italy, India and Indonesia, by Elizabeth Gilbert. The way that this book is written is so mesmerising to me. It provides you with so much general knowledge, and it even taught me a little Italian.

Eat Pray Love is split into three sections for the three different places which Elizabeth Gilbert visited. In Italy she indulges herself, in India she visits an Ashram for salvation and in Indonesia she begins to heal her broken heart.

This book also has a lot of talk of spirituality, so if you like that sort of thing, then you will love this book. However, for me, as an atheist, I found the religious content of the book really interesting.

It certainly took me a good few days to read, as this book is quite long- which may be a turn-off for some. Although, in my opinion, Eat Pray Love is totally worth it. This book is very entertaining- nice work Elizabeth Gilbert! Plus, this book was clearly good enough to be made into a hit film- therefore i must be right, Eat Pray Love is great!

A great read for anyone looking for something with a little more depth than your average ditsy romance novel(but not dissing them- I love them!). I highly recommend it.

Jenny xx

Punny Nail Varnish Names

Hi everyone!

I don't know if you can tell, but I am a ginormous nail polish addict. I have spent more money on nail varnish than any other beauty product, and have probably collected about 70 colours. I know, intense right? Well, I say: it could be worse, at least I'm not addicted to drugs! Anyway, one of the things which really catches my attention in a nail polish, obviously besides the colour, is the name.

I really enjoy reading cute names, or ones with puns in them. It makes me smile when I read them- just a small detail to amuse me. It is clearly not enough these days to name your product '83791' or 'purple'- we need to get creative!

Here are some of my favourites with the brand and a description included:


OPI has a sandy beige nail lacquer, mixed with a fairytale element, creating the pun 'Sand-erella' derived from Cinderella. Cute!

'Did you 'ear about Van Gogh' by OPI is very amusing to me. I truly do appreciate a good pun (if you don't get it- google it!).

Butter London's 'No More Waity Katy' is not a pun as such, but just a funny comment. As this nail varnish was released around the time of the royal engagement and wedding, the colour is named after the fact that Kate Middleton is now officially in the royal clan! I just thought that it was a cute tribute to the couple.

OPI's 'Iris I was Thinner' is a rich, beautiful, iris purple colour. The name is so funny, don't you think? I really do Iris I was thinner.

And my personal favourite: 'Steel-Her Heart'. This Revlon nail varnish just has the cutest name ever! It is a grey, metallic colour with lost of dimension, If you know what I mean.everytime I read this, it makes me smile. The name is just sooo adorable!

Do you have a favourite nail polish name?

Jenny xx

What's in my Summer Bag?

Hey guys! How is you summer going so far?

It is really hot and sunny where I live at the moment, and the fact that it will be summer in about 1 week (the start of June) is getting obvious. I have been wearing dresses without tights, an putting on my room fan when I'm at home; I has really been hot! Anyway today I thought I would show you what is in my bag for summer this year...

Okay, so first is the bag. It isn't a bag a such, but more of a basket. It is super cute though! The bag is from Primark(I know, I'm a cheapskate) and it is basically like a wicker briefcase with a long brown strap. It really does look nicer than in person than my description.

Next comes a few essentials, my phone, a hairband, some chewing gum (spearmint, but I'm not fussy) and my sunglasses (tortoiseshell and rectangular). Very basic, but necessary items.

Moving swiftly on, I also have my purse. Kind of my pride and joy, I love my purse a lot. It is a leather Jack Wills wallet-type-thing embossed with their logo. The inside is cute too, it's lined with their signature navy and baby pink stripes.

An essential for summer which I often forget, is sunscreen. I try to have a small bottle of SPF 15 (it doesn't get THAT hot!) with me in my summer bag.

I also like to have a few beauty items in my bag for touch-ups throughout the day. Right now, I am using NYC lip-stain pen in Persistent Pink and Benefit Bag Gal Plum mascara with some Vaseline as my weekend-ly routine. However, I always do my makeup before I go out.

And lastly, I depends on where I am going, but I usually carry a summer scarf with me in my bag. I got a very nice, floaty, pastel scarf recently, and I am very excited to take that out with me!

What is in your bag for summer?

Jenny xx

Giving Back

Oxfam is a world famous organisation, compiled by 15 organisations worldwide, which have come together in over 90 countries to eradicate poverty, provide disaster relief, have advocacy, and to carry out policy research. Founded by Quakers in Oxford, Oxfam is a hard-working charity which almost seems to strengthen in adversity. Unfortunately, the hardships which burden the very core of the charity also affect millions of other Hunan beings in third world countries in our same earth. Famine is the inspiration and the cause for this fantastic charity, and a topic which they are determined to change.

Their Mission; "Working with thousands of local partner organizations, we work with people living in poverty striving to exercise their human rights, assert their dignity as full citizens and take control of their lives."

Oxfam is working worldwide to find lasting solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world. Oxfam works directly with communities and seeks to influence the powerful to ensure that poor people can improve their lives and livelihoods. They use sustainable projects which enable local people to manage their own lives, and ultimately to do so for generations to come.

Originally, my good friend and I started our volunteer work at Oxfam in an attempt to get it over and done with as part of our Duke of Edinborough Challenge. However, as the weeks progressed and I came to learn more about the fantastic work done by the charity, it had really encouraged me to want to carry on with my volunteering even after my required time expires. Furthermore, it is actually a lot more fun then you would expect, and I normally have a great time each week, sorting through donations, serving customers and just having fun with my friend and co-volunteerers.

You may be wondering what all this has to do with YOU? Well, the answer is, everything. If you feel that you want to help the world, even just a little, don't hesitate to go into your local Oxfam branch and collect an application form.

And let me tell you, it does feel really good to know that even because of your small action, you have helped at least one person in our world. It really does.

Jenny xx


By no means am I trying to advertise the Oxfam charity, I merely think that it is an admirable charity which you should know about.

Kissed in the Rain

I have probably mentioned this before, but haven't we all just wanted to be kissed in the rain?

The idea, most likely a fantasy created from an eternity listening to romantic Taylor Swift songs, or reading romance novels like they were going out of fashion, is a great one. It is always my favourite part in movies when someone gets kissed in the rain by the one they love(but not in a creepy way)! As a hopeless romantic, I really wish that someday it will be me with my prince charming...

The whole concept just appeals to me so much. It's magical. Ahh, my heart is to romantic for my era - does anyone even go on dates anymore? I truly believe that to be 'going out with someone' you have to have one on at least one date. Does this plus the rain thing make me an eternal optimist in a lazy society, or a hopeless romantic wanting a happy ending?

Have you ever wanted to be kissed in the rain?

Summer Trend; Hats

Hey everyone! Do you wanna know what trend I have been loving in this spring summer season? Well, I going to tell you anyway... It's hats!

I know, not very original, but cool nonetheless. I don't mean the kind of baseball caps that your mum makes you wear to avoid sunburn, or the weird, Michael Jackson trilby revival. I am talking about the good old floppy wide brimmed beach hat!

I absolutely adore them, for reason unbeknown to me. As someone who is not usually attracted to hats, I seem to find my self giving them extra thought these days after being complimented on my 'suitable hat face'. Apparently I can wear hats, and look good! Also as someone who listens to their peers, especially their compliments (ahem), I am really embracing hats this season.

I have my eye on a few cotton wide brim hats at the moment, including an adorable black and floral one from Primark (what? It's cheap and fashionable!), and a cute reversible tropical patterned one that I noticed in the H&M catalogue.

I will definitely be wearing more hats on the summer seasons to come. They're fashionable, cute and protect your eyes from the sun, avoiding the squint-eye wrinkles! Totally multipurpose and perfect.

Do you like to wear wide brim hats in summer?

Jenny xx

Miranda

Hello my chums, and thanks for joining! Just a standard greeting from my much admired native countrywoman Miranda Hart.

Miranda Hart is just one of those things likened to Marmite. You either live her or hate her; I adore her, and her hit BBC television show, aptly named Miranda. I enjoy laughing at her jovial wrong-doings and clumsy ways. Some people however, my mum for instance, purely watch to catch a glimpse of Gary (Tom Ellis), Miranda's on-off love interest-we all know she likes him!

In the show, Miranda Hart's character, Miranda (original!), is a thirty-something joke shop owner trying to reorganise her life. I really do love the immature humour, the awkward situations and Miranda's hilarious friends.

I am I total anticipation of a third series, if in fact there is one(I really hope there is). British comedy at it's best!

Jenny xx

Simple Saving

As an unemployed (but not for long; I start work next week!) student, money is always pretty tight. I can pretty much guarantee that this is a problem for many others too, or maybe you just want to stop wasting money? Well, I have several top tips and clever ideas for saving money that include clothing, home and food tips. Here they are, but in no specific order;

1. Get wise to supermarket tricks. The more expensive items are always at eye level, so look around for cheaper alternatives.

2. Instead of expensive night cream, use Vaseline on dry areas- it's inexpensive and leaves skin feeling soft and moisturised.

3. Using colourful children's comics and glossy magazines as wrapping paper can save you a small fortune.

4. Don't use cotton wool or tissues to remove tour make up, use muslin cloth. It is washable and can be reused.

5. For bargains, buy out of season, such as lawnmowers in December and boilers in June.

6. Don't buy expensive branded items such as toothpaste and shampoo/conditioner in the supermarket. Root around your local pound shops, and you'll be quids in.

7. Go shopping with friends and buy what you need in bulk, it is often cheaper this way.

I hope these tips help to save you a few pounds! Let me know how much you save in the comments!

Jenny xx? 

'Dating Coral'

Every summer, I go on a kind of quest to find the absolute perfect beachy summer lipstick. So far, my top picks are MUA shade 16, Nectar and Rimmel shade 026, Vintage. Nectar is a creamy orange/coral and Vintage, a shimmery dusky rose colour.

However, this year I believe that my goal has been achieved, and my dilemma solved with the L'Oréal Rouge Caress range, in particular the shade Dating Coral. My good friend purchased it the other day, and I could only think- good choice!

The Rouge Caress lip range has been whipping up a storm in the beauty world, especially with it's release timed to close to the all awaited Revlon Lip Butters. The Rouge Caress lipsticks claim to 'caress' your lips, and they practically melt onto your skin. The pigmented colours are all beautiful, but as I said, Dating Coral has to be my favourite.

The coral-pinky colour with a hint of shimmer looks natural and gorgeous. Especially with fair hair and pale skin. I can just see it being the perfect lip product for summer, and it's a good thing that the colour will match most people's bright bikinis!

Even if you are staying at home during the summer and summer vacation, I imagine that this lipstick looks phenomenal when shimmering in sunlight, so slather it on, quick!

Which is your favourite lipstick from L'Oréal's Rouge Caress line?

Jenny xx

This post I based on my opinions alone.

Lip-scrub Love

Hey guys, how has your week been so far? Great, I hope!

Today I am going to share with you how I make my very own lip-scrub with simple, store-cupboard items. If your lips are getting dry in the hot spring air, or if they are even still a little cracked from winter then a lip-scrub is the way to go. A lip-scrub is basically just an exfoliating scrub which sloughs off any dead and flaky skin from your lips. After you've made your scrub simply rub a bit on your lips in small circular motions with your fingers, and rinse with warm water to get off the excess and the waste products.

To make my lip-scrub I like to use;
Caster sugar for a sift and gentle scrub, or granulated sugar for a more rough scrub (I prefer the granulated sugar because I find that it works better at removing dead skin).
Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline).
Olive Oil (you can also use almond, coconut or sunflower oil).
Honey (optional).
A spoon to mix.
A small pot to store the lip-scrub.

To make my lip-scrub I mix together two parts sugar for every one part oil. I always add in a teaspoon of Vaseline to make the scrub moisturising, and a teaspoon of honey to make it taste nice (hey, it's already on your lips!). Normally I make the lip-scrub in a small plastic bowl, use some of it, and save the rest in a small tub. The lip-scrub doesn't ever really go rancid, however if left for a while it will get dry, so be sure to add some more olive oil.

If you have any other methods or different ingredients for making lip-scrubs be sure to leave a comment, I hope you like your soft lips!

Jenny xx