Three Things!

The last few days have really dragged. I guess, it was inevitable really as days passed since my operation and cabin fever started to set in. My operation was last Tuesday and the appointment to remove my splint etc was last night. A whole WEEK(!), I had to wait before I got to see my new nose!!! : 0

TICK...........................................................................TOCK........................................................................................................................................TICK...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... TOCK etc but alas, I've now seen it and I'm very happy. Obviously, the results are nowhere near finished but they are promising so far.

The first thing that struck me when I saw the new nose -the one that might  will sit on my face for the rest of my life- was how straight, the surgeon has made it. I wanted the bump removed but he also asked before surgery if I wanted a straight or a ski slope nose. In the frenzy pre-surgery, my mind went blank. So I showed him a profile of one nose I like and after looking it for ten seconds, that amazing surgeon went in to theatre later that morning and bestowed me with an uncannily similar profile. I can see that already. : )

The results from the front are harder to see, the bridge of my nose is straight as straight and the bump has gone but I still have a lot of facial swelling. The sides of my nose and my cheeks are still very swollen and I have two yellow/blue/purple/everycolourunderthesun under eye areas but the initial shape of the nose I can see and so far, that shape is flawless. Just needs downsizing a little. Obviously, once the swelling and bruising goes away a bit more, I will do a big post/vlog and you'll all be able to meet my new nose properly!!!

Meanwhile, I would like to share with you about the only thing that has kept my patience during 'The Great, Great, Great Nose Wait'. Yes, I've already mentioned that I've being reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

Well, as predicted I quickly finished it and yep, this novel deserves one MASSIVE rave. I loved it and was totally captivated by the story of young Amir, his childhood friend Hassan and their families. The story covers a time span of more then thirty years and shows how one horrific childhood happening taints everything Amir encounters as he grows up. The subject matter does not make for easy reading, this book is centred around Afghanistan from the 1970's onwards. Some horrific violence and acts are portrayed but somehow Hossenini has managed to write these tragedies in such a beautiful way that the language almost compels you to continue reading. I am actually really pleased that I missed the film a few years back and have read the novel version first. The novel is over 300 pages long but not one word is wasted, everything seems central to the story and the story very quickly progresses, never standing still for too long at all and even throwing in some very funny moments especially when Amir and his father go to the United States.

Here is a few general snippets from the novel:
'It's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out.'
'There is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft'
'In his arms, I forgot what I'd done. And that was good'
'Because when spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time, and maybe I just witnessed the first flake melting.'

I'll finish my review with a cover quote from my edition from Isabel Allende. What she says I fear could become a true for me too . . . 'Unforgettable .  . .extraordinary. It is so powerful that for a long time after, everything I read seemed bland'

And finally before I go, I want to leave you with a body spray recommendation. I got this Ted Baker Body Spray in a gift set at Christmas and it is definitely THE body spray for me (rose, sandalwood and juicy raspberry) . I love this and isn't the bottle pretty?!!

I've heard the Victoria Secret body sprays are good, have you used any of those? Have you read The Kite Runner?

Until next time . . .

Book Review: For One More Day, Mitch Albom

Image from Google search here. Sorry, for stock image. My copy had to go back to the libarary!

I'm sure that I've already made it quite clear that I found the beautiful book, 'For One More Day' by Mitch Albom captivating. When I picked it up in the library, I wasn't sure that it would be checking out with me. I only picked it up because I felt I should, Albom is one of those contemporary authors whose works are often hyped as future classics. However, the plot did intrigue me and the book came home with me and once I picked it up, it was a hard one to put down. I completely devoured it in two sittings.

'And one day spent with someone you love can . . .'

'For One More Day' is about a broken man, Charley, who tries hard to take his life one day. However, the result is one more day with his dead mother. He gets to spend one more day with a mother that he thought to a degree, he had recklessly lost forever. 'For One More Day' is based around the concept of spending one more day with that one person, you can't. So simple and yet so clever. We can all relate to this book, we all have at least one person who'd we'd like that one extra day or chance with. For Charley, this is possible as Albom suggests that the dead may be carried in our hearts and when we think of them, they live again.

'Remember me for these days not the old ones'

Obviously, there are a couple of major themes in this book. Life after death and family. This book is beautiful and the story feels so very real (which is of little surprise given who we find the narrator to be at the end). Apparently Albom often writes stories that make you think and will stay with you forever. There is no doubt, I will remember Charley and his beautiful mother, Pauline.

'Things can be fixed'

This story covers some harsh lessons in life and is full of quite dark and depressing elements but it is also full of love, surprises, a little humour and vivid descriptions. You probably realize by now that I found this novel utterly spellbinding (there were some smiles and a few tears) and about as lovely, sweet and perfect as I could imagine a read to ever be. I urge everyone and anyone to read it! Here is the Amazon link . . .

'You can find something truly important in an ordinary minute'

Have you read 'For One More Day' or anything by Albom before? What read do you recommend? What are you reading right now?

The *Key* Factor!

So yesterday was a good day, a very good day. In fact, it almost felt like Ccchhristmasssss day already.

Yep, one of my EBay parcels arrived!!!!

The Chloe Paddington, eeeeek. I'm still a bit giddy and very excited. The bag is just so gorgeous and I believe, genuine.

Oh and she is also full of surprises. I thought I knew roughly what the Paddington bag looked like and why people loved it but there are so many little bits to the design that I never realised until she was sat in front of me earlier today : ) Given the relatively small size of the bag and simple structure, there are some quite special design features which have made me gasp in delight on discovering. Obviously, I will share these with you soon and there will probably be a full post in tribute to the Paddington with pictures and all that.

In the meantime, I will share with you my current favourite feature of my new fabulous bag. Before the bag arrived, I thought it might be the soft leather or the glitzy padlock but no, it is in fact the key that comes with the bag to lock the padlock.

The golden key with little jewels just looks as if it belongs in a fairytale and instantly reminded me of my first fashion love. One, I haven't thought of in years and one that many of you may be too young to remember. Here is the ad . . !

Ring any bells?

I'm talking about the little shoes for girls (Princess Shoes from Clarks, I think?!) that every single girl under 12 was dreaming of and begging for, the ones with the magical key in the sole that would take us to fairytale land and a happy ever after. I think those shoes were the first *things* I ever experienced an intense longing for and then the utter jubilation upon finally having a pair of my own. Kerching.

I was so proud of those shoes and can almost feel them on my feet now. Cor, how weird! I probably haven't thought about the Princess Shoes in twenty years but the Chloe key has brought all the memories flooding back. Kind of apt, t think, when you think that I was as excited and happy skipping out of that shoe shop twenty-five or so years ago as I was rushing out to the car to rip open my new Chloe EBay parcel yesterday. Some things (ie. girls!) never change!!!

Happy, happy , happppppyyyyyy. : )))))) I hope your week has gone just as well. What little possession did you cherish as a child? What bag are you cavorting right now? What bag are you carrying right now? Do you use EBay?

Skylash (scraper) mascara from Collection!

So today I thought I would share with you one of my October favourites, the Skylash mascara from Collection (formerly Collection 2000).

As I've hinted in earlier posts (here and here and here and here and here and here), I tend to go for L'Oreal (Volume Million!!) or Max Factor when a new mascara is required. However lately, I've started to try and limit my make up spending. At the moment, I just feel that investing in good quality haircare and skincare products will eventually reap better rewards (though, I do need to share with you soon the new beautiful blush I purchased today. . .) and that is why after hearing/reading Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter rave about Skylash (skyscraper?) a couple of times (she did here!), I have now started a little love affair with this bargain beauty.

Skylash was just £4.99 from Boots and I believe, it is the older version of the Skyscraper mascara, a lengthening mascara that is supposed to lengthen to a degree that could 'flatten even the tallest skyscraper'.

Ok, right then . . .

Well, I'm not sure about the skyscrapers but I can tell you that this mascara does indeed appear to lengthen my lashes well and although, I'm not convinced that this mascara especially volumises (although the wand has long and short bristles. The short bristles are specifically suppose to volumise), my lash line does indeed look groomed and full enough after it has been slicked on. My particular mascara is in the shade Ultra Black and I found this shade strong, glossy and flattering. The consistency of the formula seems just right and allows the mascara to be applied easily with no mess or residue and what's more, the mascara seems to cling to the lashes lasting perfectly over a whole working day.

In the picture above, I'd been wearing the mascara for about eight hours with no reapplication and you can see, just how defined the lashes still are and how evenly the wand seems to have separated them. I like this flutter effect and feel that my lashes even have some added lift at the bottom. You can see a couple of small clumps in the picture above (darn, the detail that a Canon can pick up) but I have never noticed any clumping in real life and am tempted to draw a parallel with the Max Factor Lash Extension mascara that I posted about a long time ago here and here.

Like Lash Extension, Skylash is a mascara that can only be layered so much. Drama and false lash effects are not something that using this product could guarantee. After maybe three layers, this product fails to deliver any more. However, it is a mascara which I feel is hard to mess up and one that would lengthen and enhance any lashes naturally (yes, naturally in the way that a mascara can work naturally . . .). Yep, it's one of those where people would go, 'Ooh, your lashes look healthy.' rather then 'Ooh, I need to know what mascara you're wearing. It looks like you're wearing falsies today!' If people said such things!!!

I see that Boots talk about 'superstyled' lashes in reference to this mascara and that is actually bang on what this mascara delivers. It kind of makes the most of the lashes you've got but it doesn't try and fake anything that isn't there naturally.

For me, I'm not sure this mascara delivers enough to wear on a night out or with a full-on smoky eye but it is indeed, the one I'm turning to everyday for work and casual wear and at £4.99 would buy again and again for such use. Although, two or three weeks in, the formula seems as good as new and I don't think, I'll need to buy a new one for a good few weeks yet.

Yes, I can only conclude that this mascara is an absolute bargain! Recommend!!!

What is your favourite mascara right now? What brand do you go to for mascara? Have you tried Skylash (or Skyscraper as I believe it is now called)?

Here is a link to Skyscraper in Black on the Boots website!!
Please note that while writing this review, I got very confused between the Skylash and Skyscraper mascaras and could not clarify if they are indeed the same product or reformulated siblings etc. I'm guessing they are more or less the same product with a different name, please let me know if I have this wrong!!

*****

Away from mascara . . .

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. The stress that inevitably accumulates during the week was wiped away in an instant for me this morning when I woke up to snow!!!  I think it would be pushing it to say that it was 'proper' snow but it was snow all the same and I couldn't help but think of a quote from Ugly Betty (remember that show, I was so addicted to the first season or so), it goes something like . . .

'The snow falls and covers up everything that is ugly and makes it beautiful!'

 

Image from Google Search result here!

I hope you all found something to make you smile this weekend. What made you smile? : )

X

Fallen for Sugar Crush from Soap and Glory and some etcs!

Oh, how I love a Soap and Glory Body Butter.  The Daily Smooth and The Righteous Butter, are the ones that you NEED in your life.

However, when it comes to the Soap and Glory body scrubs, I'm not quite as passionate. The scrubs I have tried (Scrub 'Em and Leave 'Em; The Scrub of Your Life and Some Like It Hot) have always done the job, leaving my skin a little smoother and smelling a little more fragrant but until now, I haven't really fallen for one or found one that just HAS to be repurchased.

Yes, I said, until now . . .

Let me introduce you to Sugar Crush,' a super scrub with smashed brown sugar and sweet lime, almond oil & macadamia grains'.

 

 

 

 

Absolute amazingness in a tub!

As usual(!), let's talk about the scent first.

Actually, this is where I have to be honest and say that when I first used this product, I was a little saddened. The scent was actually a little too much, the lime filled the bathroom immediately and it was just too much fruit (I'm not so keen on fruity scents) and with the heat of the bathroom, I actually felt a bit nauseous and like I'd just came hone from a night drinking too many stale cocktails. Yes, I was quite disappointed. After all, for me if the scent ain't doing it, the product ain't going to be used up!!!

However. . .

that first time seems to have been a one off as from then on in, the fruitiness seemed muted to just the right level leaving the most lovely but subtle, long-lasting scent on my skin. I think, the key is to to wake the product up and give it a little shake or mix before you first use it. You can smell it for hours and hours between washes. It lasted like The Daily Smooth does yet the scents are not the same.  Sugar Crush is not as floral or as feminine as the Daily Smooth but it is just so clean and pleasant. When the scent catches my attention, I feel a little burst of happiness and health. It makes me feel like a good girl living a good life.

I told you, it was powerful stuff!!!

Anyhow, that's enough of my rambles and delusions. I'm sure you're more interested in how this scrub actually scores in exfoliating and doing what a scrub should do.

Well, let me tell you, Sugar Crush scores highly!

It really works, my skin is noticeably smoother around the decolletage, elbows and knees since I started using Sugar Crush and as of yet, no breakouts or abrasions. Normally, when I find a body scrub I like, I use it religiously and end up breaking out or leaving myself with little scratch marks (this was my only problem with the Ocean Salt from Lush) but this one has just left me with skin that almost seems to have a sheen and is so, soo smooth.

It feels so luxurious to use too, the consistency of the product is thick. You sure get plenty of scrub for your money but there is nothing abrasive or harsh about it. You can smell the lovely sweet lime and sugar (as I might have mentioned . . .) but the almond oil really softens the mix and makes it a product easy and 'pleasurable' (is that the right word?!) to apply. You actually forget once it is on your skin, that you are 'scrubbing' and I'm not sure how, but there never seems to be any flaky residue from the scrub in the bath or shower afterwards. Once on the skin, the 'scrub' almost seems to become a balm that conjures up the results of a darn good exfoliation.

Yep, I have to admit, I always follow with a body moisturiser. Usually, that is The Daily Smooth and this may well, help to soften the skin and yield such good results but I still maintain there is something different about this particular scrub because normally when I scrub, I always moisturise (often with The Deep Smooth) and yet, I'm not sure I've ever been this impressed by a scrub before.
Note: I must admit the bargain that is the Pink Cow Coconut Creme feels good to use but it only seems to rejuvenate the skin over time. Also the N-Spa Hot Butter Body Fudge brightened the colder evenings last year. Yet, there just seems to be something more to Sugar Crush and I'd happily pay a few pounds more to have this one in my bathroom.

I've got to say that a little goes far with Sugar Crush. We all know that I overuse the products that I like and you'll find no exception here. Soap and Glory suggest using this scrub twice maybe three or four times a week (if you're blessed with lizard limbs) but yes, little old me uses it every time I shower or bath and then I use two or three applications each time - I like to let the second one sink in to my skin before rinsing off, I think the scent lasts longer that way -yet despite me hoovering it up over the last two weeks, I still have at least a third of a tub left of this gorgeous scrub. Since a tub is only £8 (and it works) and I'm probably using four times too much, that seems darn good value!

Other things I'm loving at the moment, the etcs:

- Solange Knowles new music video, 'Losing You'. The song is kind of sad and yet the video is quite upbeat and not what I was expecting. So much fun, I want to visit this little community.

- Running, I'm sure there will be posts galore to come but . . . I've signed up to do the London Marathon next year with a very special charity. I'm gonna do it, I'm just not sure how yet!!! Any running tips, motivation welcome!

- These coats that I saw advertised in Vogue last month, they are from Gerard Darel.

I think this is one of them (How I wish I was tall and rich!). Oh and look, somehow, I stumbled across the Sheepskin Biker here. :)

- Oh and a bit more music, love, love, LOVE this.

- And the blogging community, I actually joined in with the #bbloggers twitter chat last night and everybody was so nice. I have found some wonderful new blogs to follow and met (in that online way) some lovely peeps, I wish I'd joined in sooner. Pretty sure I'll be making the #bbloggers chat a date on Sunday evenings, when I'm not working, now.

 

Have you used Sugar Crush, what do you think? Are you a big fan of Soap and Glory? Have you found your perfect winter coat yet? If so, link me!
 

X

The scent that makes me smile: Rush 2

Now we all know that I'm just a little bit obsessed with scents.

Perfume has to be one of my favourite things ever. After all, one size fits all and scent just seems to make each 9 to 5 a little more dreamy. However as much as I love finding a new scent, much of my collection is made up of scents that I just buy again and again. Naming and shaming Lady Million (Paco Rabone), Intimately (Beckham), Very Irresistible (Givenchy), Guilty (Gucci) and Rush 2 (Gucci).

The latter, Rush 2, is the little culprit I want to chat about today.

I love this scent but you hear so little about it and when you do hear something, its not always complimentary.

You only have to look at the bottle design before instant realisation that the Rush scents are the wild cards of the Gucci scent stable.

Square and brightly coloured, there is nothing particularly pretty, classy or alluring about these bottles. Strange because usually Gucci scents are dressed in gold and equal instant sophistication in a bottle.

Now the gamble in the form of the original Rush seems to have paid of, been awarded the holy five stars in Perfumes, The Guide (my bible! Link to updated version here!) and suggested by its authors as the perfect scent for a night out; new; confident; so reckless, so spur of the moment but also cosy and alive.

Now cosy and alive, well actually, that is exactly how I would describe Rush 2. However, the "bible" describes Rush 2 as a dull one liner worth a meagre two stars.

No, no, noooo.

I LOVE wearing Gucci, Rush 2 and I have never ever found a scent like it and I've tried A LOT of scents. Rush 2 IS unique and fantastic.

A tea rose floral with some musk and more unusual notes such as Blackcurrant and Banana. I agree that it doesn't come across as particularly musky or sexy. Yet, it's still alluring and I think, we've noted before, Rush 2 seems to be the one that the men compliment (see my earlier post here. Ooh and there's another one proclaiming my love here)

Gucci Rush 2 just feels so right and always makes me happy. Sometimes this scent is the only scent that will do or indeed, is capable of making me smile. I can turn to it whatever time of year it is and it gives me the confidence for a big night out or a little inspiration to get out of bed in the morning.

Contrary to other reviews, I have never had a problem with its lasting power. It seems to last on me and yep, it has that rhythm and those fluttering notes I've talked about before.

If you can find it (and I worry as it increasingly hard to find), you've just got to give this one a sniff and a spritz on the skin. Its just so unique, let it settle in to your skin for an hour or so and just maybe you will be tempted to snap up a bottle for yourself and then of course, let me know what you think!

What scent do you turn to again and again? Has anybody tried the Guerlain scent, La Petite Robe Noire? It makes me think of stoles (not that I remember ever wearing one) and log fires, a must for my Autumn collection, I think.

Happy Wednesday.

X