tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73801959532781357062024-02-07T11:03:23.365-08:00SwirledpeacatCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-7819805574835052652011-03-13T10:43:00.000-07:002011-03-13T13:42:01.795-07:00It's the end of the world as we know it.I first discovered the world was ending during my year 9 physics class.<br />
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Our then teacher, My Syrda - a man who once told my mother during parents evening that my knowledge of the male reproductive system was very below par (<i>before any strange connotations along the lines of indecent student teacher relations are brought into question here, I feel it best to clarify he was our then sex ed tutor - lucky me</i>), a man who kept an air rifle in a cupboard behind his desk which he brought out with relish upon some poor unsuspecting year 7 who hadn't completed a homework task to a sufficiently high standard - he informed the class at the end of lesson that at 12:35 a giant meteorite would, very unfortunately, be crashing into the pacific ocean, wiping out humanity. <br />
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Now as a rational 13 year old I realised I was in a predicament. Did I continue to Mrs Bradwell's food technology class, in the knowledge that death would strike before lunch was over? Did I use these final hours as an anarchistic expression of the inevitable superiority complex humanity is embedded with; strip naked; run about the streets declaring 'Apocalypse nigh!'; call my mother and father, tell them I loved them; declare my feelings to my then school crush in the hope to achieve my first kiss, a pivotal moment in my youth for the first and very last time?<br />
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Safe to say as I am sitting here today and not behind the gates of a mental facility, that no, I didn't. Instead I went, begrudgingly, to Mrs Bradwell's class. Fortunately the end of the world postponed itself for that day. Oh and I managed to achieve my first kiss, teeth knocking and all, later on that year. Phew!<br />
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Needless to say Mr Syrda went on throughout my remaining school years to remind us at various points that the end of the world was always on our doorstep: usually through some nuclear accident, a cataclysmic space event, or more often than not the Russians. I'm unsure whether or not My Syrda has any up to date predictions, as I believe he was suspended from the school following an incident with the afore mentioned air rifle.<br />
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Then, just as I thought things were safe, the television seemed to want to inform me that time on earth for humanity was limited. There was an imminent disaster at Yellowstone park in America; a volcano, mega-moon, super-fantastic-hurricane, mega-wopping-faultlines and some other geographical thing somewhere under the sea, or possibly under a whole continent due to explode <i><b>any day now</b></i>. The television supplemented this news with horrifying CGI footage of utter devastation, hypothetical death figures, and talking heads from people wearing kooky t-shirts. I have always had a strong belief that people in kooky t-shirts would hold the key to understanding these sorts of events. I certainly wouldn't trust being left alone with them, but they do seem feverishly passionate about their causes. Take for example Thor Templar, the self titled <i>"Lord Commander of the Earth Protectorate"</i>. He claims to have killed more than twenty aliens. (See Louis Therous weird weekends - Series 1, episode 2). He further claims that an alien super invasion will happen during our lifetimes. Now am I going to believe a man who has actually killed 20 - T-W-E-N-T-Y - aliens over whatever NASA inform me regarding extra terrestrial life and the upcoming super galactic warfare heading our way? <br />
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However, and most frustratingly, Thor Templar and the other kooky t-shirt wearers must have got their dates mixed up, as I'm still patiently waiting for complete system shutdown. <br />
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Now, the newspapers must have realised what awful predictions the television had divulged to us mere mortals, because suddenly they were warning me about all sorts of awful things...terrorists...global warming...red wine causing cancer....chocolate causing cancer....terrorists causing cancer...cancer causing cancer....<br />
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If that wasn't enough to give you the heebie-jeebies, a machine called 'The Internet' (for detailed analysis and description see South Park, Season 12, Episode 6, <i>Over Logging</i>) told me the end was nigh in all manner of ways I didn't even see to think possible. I found out that there was a secret underbelly of society, a dark mysterious faction of people who know much more about the impending doom our poor world faces than anyone with a silly PHD or any other nonsense scribed in academic journals and the like. For you see these people have blogs. They have <i>interactive forums</i>.<br />
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Of first, I must admit, I was somewhat sceptical of these apocalyptic accounts, but soon realised that with the doomsday clock ticking, spending one's time arduously involved in thesis writing was a pointless exercise when one can set up a wordpress account in a matter of minutes. <br />
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Furthermore, no-one here will dispute the fact the internet is an entirely credible knowledge bank, the same as no-one would dare dispute that say, historical writings were nothing more than absolute factual records of<i> totally </i>true events. Of course there was a bloke, in fact a number of blokes a few thousand years ago that did a number of very wonderful things. Many ancient records have said so. It's not like anyone would try and convey an event in a manner as a means of propagandist scaremongering to influence people in a primitive and overtly superstitious society. If you ever find me evidence that they did, I would eat my hat. Although I wouldn't recommend the ingestion of headgear, as studies have linked such activity to cancer (see Daily Mail, vast majority of publications, for up to date list of cancer attributing activities).<br />
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Anyway, I digress. Back to the internet. Unfortunately I have found that single handed I am unable to bring you a complete record of all impending disasters and fascinating events and phenomena earth is facing through my studies. Where to start! <a href="http://www.helloearth.info/">There's Michael From Maui's Saturn earth connection</a>, the study of <a href="http://www.djinn.ca/">Djinn Angels and Demons,</a> the <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ellor.co.uk/More_funny_stuff/bollocks.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ellor.co.uk/More_funny_stuff/more_funny_stuff.html&usg=__LKEQfQ5BeKpUspXw5rO8pV98MZg=&h=494&w=550&sz=91&hl=en&start=32&zoom=1&tbnid=kH9nGp9Xb7sGiM:&tbnh=155&tbnw=191&ei=dwF9TdivIceK4QaX87W3BQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbollocks%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3Df7p%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26biw%3D1584%26bih%3D791%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C520&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=422&oei=bAF9TZTTJOOqhAeN5eTzBg&page=2&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:22,s:32&tx=38&ty=58&biw=1584&bih=791">Mayan Calander</a> and we haven't even got into the Biblical prohecies! (Details can be found at <a href="http://wwww.bible.ca/pre-date-setters.htm">www.bible.ca/pre-date-setters.htm</a> - unfortunately all of the 220 dates for apocalypse are outdated, but taking into account recent disasters I'm positive someone can convey a more accurate prediction).<br />
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With this vast and never ending stream of forthcoming disasters I keep uncovering, I can safely say humanity has never had it so bad. I'm sure you've been privy to the<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span>inconsequential numbers of catastrophes over the last few days, months, years and decades that have blighted humanity. All these, my friend are a sign. Of what? There's simply to many too choose from.<br />
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For example many of them do lead to a freaky correlation date wise with ancient calendar readings. If you add the co-ordinates of Mount Etna, the San Andres Fault and Pompei, divide it by 16, factor in the position of the moon, today's weather forecast and the menstrual cycles of Girls Aloud the reading is scary. Practically unbelievable. But at least it's comforting to know that as humans we are able to rationally apply patterns and provide justification of these events to a greater cause. The feats of the human mind are incredible, and I'm glad that we are masters of our own universe. Did you hear we've even manage to create flip flops to help lose weight? Incredible.<br />
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To summarise, I do apologise if I have given any of you readers cause for concern. I'm sure you now feel as confused as my poor 13 year old self; life it seems really is as vulnerable as ever. I may have triggered some form of existenialist ponderings upon the fragility of existence, the knowledge that as individuals, factions, humanity as a whole we exist nothing more as a mere moment, not even compromising specs of dust in an eternal sandstorm.<br />
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But either way, it's comforting to know that there any numerous theories and reasons to use as an emotional blanket to justify and reason what would otherwise be seen as the random and awe inspiring power and force of the Universe. I hate the thought of not being in control, thereby am thankful so many people can assure me of the certainty of events forthcoming. Even if they occassionally get it wrong.<br />
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But if you find the thought of all this doom and gloom talk too much to consider, I suggest you sit back, relax and continue as you were. All this need really be no concern. After all, who knows, today could be your last.Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-45703137476195099862010-08-26T12:43:00.000-07:002010-08-26T12:44:51.884-07:00Sometimes, all is takes is a fancy lipbalm.Just sometimes, when everything has gone wrong; work is dragging, lunch was a stale cheese sandwich and you just can't wait for the weekend where you can scoot off and see the Mr... sometimes, in these dire times,you've just got to say 'F**k it. I'm just going to go pay £20 for what is essentially a very nicely packaged lip balm.'<br />
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</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCZ0Stru2iEbBxLQp6gPUkaRU5WX6KEIetlfnvyNyIRLsP7eHw0mKWZ-uAKzOpLN0TopLxsGrdbKljK9psfLKqqko0kbEydsIURiiHY5ol9yblW7t9q1aWwCiU6Uy1CWk960cT7nlBw/s1600/blogkjdav+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCZ0Stru2iEbBxLQp6gPUkaRU5WX6KEIetlfnvyNyIRLsP7eHw0mKWZ-uAKzOpLN0TopLxsGrdbKljK9psfLKqqko0kbEydsIURiiHY5ol9yblW7t9q1aWwCiU6Uy1CWk960cT7nlBw/s400/blogkjdav+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Dior Lip Glow.</i></div><br />
And you know what? I don't regret it one bit.*<br />
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*<i>Unless I sit down and think CAT YOU STUPID BINT YOU JUST SPENT £20 ON A LIP BALM JUST BECAUSE IT LOOKS FANCY. But then again, I try not to spend too much time thinking.</i>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-56156390133018689152010-07-15T10:00:00.000-07:002010-07-15T10:00:01.009-07:00Real life: Week 2, 3 and maybe 4 (aka most boring post in existence)So as per usual, my plan to post exciting fun filled weekly updates on my life as a graduate has failed. No surprise there. I'm not sure what week of real life I'm in now, possibly 4? Either way there isn't a lot to report. Job situation still isn't great, any I've applied for (which granted, is only 2) I'm yet to hear a response from, which I'm told is a common thing in the current climate.<br />
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As of right now I'm still signing on every fortnight at the job centre, still browsing job sites daily and filling my time with watching Jeremy Kyle repeats and attempting to play piano and teach myself French. All in all it's nothing short of thoroughly depressing. I knew that it would be tough, but I never accounted for how disheartening it is being stuck without the hope of any employment in the near future.<br />
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This isn't so much for financial reasons; I still have some student loan left and JSA is enough to get by. But it's more the fact for many years throughout college and University you've been seen by your family, peers and those around you as a, well, success. Always achieving good grades, passing from levels of education with apparent ease. Then suddenly BAM, all that's behind you, you've no idea what you want, or where you want to go and there doesn't seem to be any beacon of hope in finding that elusive life plan anytime soon.<br />
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But, as everyone keeps telling me, I've got to try and stay positive. I'm not long into my job hunt and am in a much better position, both education, experience and financial wise than many others, which I know I don't appreciate half as much as I should.<br />
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And anyway, how knows what next week could bring?Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-16191086403114880982010-07-14T14:27:00.000-07:002010-07-14T14:27:30.283-07:00Philip Kingsley Elasticizer...an end to my penchant for expensive haircare?Hands up if you're a hair care snob? <i>*Waves hands in the air frantically*</i>. So imagine my delight in finding another high end product, the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 'intensive super-moisturizing treatment' hair mask, to spend my wonga on. According to the blurb it:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Adds elasticity, manageability, bounce and shine"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1iZzcjYiV1lnXEOaYpIqfVAx2QIQhrebiZF2P8dgwNwC_Yk4ubTSv-dEPsaKOhyphenhyphen4b75Db3Y5zUUOCPBHfc1mTJ56ivXhV-eWJIAkS3QwZXUiPTnGNjEUkVe-BmzkGMb9VRbDWzjLAw/s1600/SDC13138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1iZzcjYiV1lnXEOaYpIqfVAx2QIQhrebiZF2P8dgwNwC_Yk4ubTSv-dEPsaKOhyphenhyphen4b75Db3Y5zUUOCPBHfc1mTJ56ivXhV-eWJIAkS3QwZXUiPTnGNjEUkVe-BmzkGMb9VRbDWzjLAw/s320/SDC13138.JPG" /></a>Now I have no idea what 'elasticity' is, but heck, I want it. I want Chery Cole-esque full, shiny wavy locks. I want my hair to be so full of life and lustre people stop me in the street to worship and adore my beautiful mane. I want it so much I'll risk spending £25 (yes, £25 smackers) on 150ml of product. Oh and at that price you also get a sexy shower cap included. And who said I didn't have an eye for a bargain?</div><br />
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Now for £25 I was expecting miracles, and what did I get? Well, nice soft hair and a nice shower cap, but not a lot else. Oh no, there was one other thing; a burning hole in my pocket. Now don't get me wrong, I won't swap my kerastase shampoo and conditioner for pantene any time some, but when it comes to hair masks and the like, I think my penchant for expense needs to be reigned in.<br />
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In my, albeit humble, opinion, hair masks are one of those slightly gimmicky things; they might look nice in your bathroom, and no doubt this stuff does, but in reality, unless you're made of dosh a boots own £5 pot of the stuff ain't gonna do much less than anything Philip Kingsley can slap a massive price tag on.<br />
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But of course of you still fancy slathering your fine locks in this but without the massive price tag, it's avaliable in sample sizes for £3.50 in Harvey Nichols, which as a pampering treat is worth the small expense, but this certainly isn't a 'holy grail' product that'll magic your hair woes away. Although considering the price tag that might surprise you...Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-69169745680933327412010-06-20T13:15:00.000-07:002010-06-20T13:19:52.706-07:00Social network me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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As I enter week 2 of real life I realise I have very little to do to fill my days. Jobs are pretty scarce so I don't have mass amounts of applications to fill out, and there's only so much world cup watching I can take. So please, if you have a twitter account, find me - <a href="http://www.twitter.com/swirledpeacat">swirledpeacat</a> - and I will follow back. I feel that over the last few months I have lost touch slightly with the beauty community; not done my upmost to find and follow new blogs, or chat to more of you lovely ladies over the tweetverse.<br />
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Finally, and yes I am aware I have rather missed the bandwagon with this one, I have set up a formspring account <a href="http://www.formspring.me/swirledpeacat">here</a>. Ask me anything you please; be it about University, graduating, make-up, or life in general.<br />
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Lord knows I need something to fill my days.<br />
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Cat<br />
xxCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-89335693077208363852010-06-20T10:09:00.000-07:002010-06-20T10:09:18.444-07:00Happy now, Mother?Ever since the sun first made itself known a couple of months back (and subsequently went away on holiday to the Maldives again) my mum has been frequenting the same sentence; Cat, why don't you get a summer dress, you'd look lovely in one. She then started picking dresses out of catalogues, handily leaving them poised on the kitchen table for me to see. When that tactic was to no avail she starting thrusting said magazines in my face, alongside such phrases as: 'Order now dear, it's 20% /free delivery/it'll be here in times for grandads birthday' etc, etc. When that failed to spur me to slashing out on plastic, she used her trump card; asking me to go shopping with her.<br />
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Now I love my mother, don't get me wrong, and I'm partial to a bit of shopping too but Christ the two ought never mix. The day turns into her spending 4 hours in next, whilst I turn into a 14 year old teenager, moaning 'Muuuuuuuum, I want to go home'. Luckily for me, I have my own car and still have some student loan at my disposal. So whilst mother pottered about in the garden I sneaked off, popped into new look, took advantage of the 20% off dresses offer and popped straight out again with these two lovelies.<br />
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<i>* All photos taken (badly) with my iphone. I do have a camera somewhere. And a cable to charge it. As well as a memory card. However the 3 items never seem to find them self in the same place. Due to this technical issue I'm afraid you'll have to put up with my paltry, fuzzy and unedited images. </i><br />
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Don't they look pretty, summery, girly and floaty? I thought so. I didn't bother trying them on because dressing rooms are my #7 fear in life. Mistake. When I did eventually try them on I made an awful discovery. My mum, whilst being caring in her sentiments, was entirely wrong; I do not look 'lovely' in a summer dress, but grumpy, fat and pale. <br />
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No I'm not showing you pictures of me in them, but if you want an idea of what I look like....<br />
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You see me, I'm not much of a girly-girl. I live in jeggings, ankle boots, vest tops and shirts. I don't do heels and might remember to wear a watch let alone bother with jewellery. And so when I slip on a dress I feel a. exposed, b. frumpy and c. well, not really...me. I see women of every shape and size who look beautiful in their floaty maxi dresses, but why not me? Perhaps it's a confidence thing, to quote Sophia Loren 'Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes.It is not something physical'. So maybe I need to 'feel' it, 'make it work' as Tim Gunn would say. Or maybe I should just stick to my jeggings, tank tops and shirts. After all, my mother may not be happy with my fashion choices, but y'know, I am.<br />
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And on a final note, because I can never make a decision, I want you to tell me what you make of these shoes. Another new look find for £16. I'm in two minds about them, I mean they'll go with most things, but at the same time are just a bit, meh. So tell me, should they stay or should they go?*<br />
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*Back to New look, that is.<br />
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Thank you for reading<br />
Cat<br />
xxCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-55770394806775446922010-06-19T11:47:00.000-07:002010-06-19T18:02:36.850-07:00That's Miss BA with honours to you....So Miss clever clogs here (that would be me....yes, really!) went and finished that big old degree. 3 years, a very rushed dissertation and probably more diet coke than leaked oil from BP later and I'm all done and dusted. Do I feel relieved? Kinda. Excited about the future? I suppose. Looking forward to life post-uni? Erm, I guess....<br />
<br />
The truth is I don't quite know how to feel. More than anything I feel, well, odd. It still feels like this is my summer holiday, and I don't think it'll hit home til at least come September time that my life in education (and thus the long holidays, few timetabled hours during the week, free prescriptions plus 10% off topshop) has really ended. Even as I sit writing this I can't comprehend such a thing. <br />
<br />
But nonetheless I have thrown myself into some kind of pseudo real life world this week. I officially ended my exams on the 3rd of June, but had a week and a half off with the Mr, plus my student card didn't end til the 11th, so I counted Monday as my first day of real life. So I thought as an easy way back into blogging, I'd note my day by day my venture into the big wide, scary world. Not because I think you'll enjoy reading it, although I applaud you if you do, but rather so in case my mum comes snooping round my blog she'll see I have actually been productive, rather than spending my time messing about on my laptop and napping.*<br />
<br />
*These activities may have taken up a small (ish) amount of my time. But I feel I ought to be excused for this, after all, I have 3 years worth of uni habits to shed. <br />
<br />
<div style="color: black;"><b>Real life week 1.</b></div><div style="color: black;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: black;"><b>Day 1.</b></div><br />
Firstly had a 4 hour drive from Essex back home after staying at the Mr's. However, tempted as I was to spend the rest of the day napping I threw myself into action, kinda. I sat on my bed while I called virgin to sort out Internet problems back at my student house in Manchester, and then spent an equally long time on the phone to the jobcentre organising setting up job seekers allowance. I then mustered up the energy to painstakingly fix up my CV, trying to describe in as many positive adjectives what my work experience as a dinner lady will bring to any further career I choose to embark on.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 2.</b><br />
<br />
Went to Manchester to move out of said student house. Spend most of the day cleaning out my room, and 3 bags of oxfam clothes and a wheelie bin and a half of rubbish later, went out to network with uni friends. I say network, but really I went to the pub to watch the footie, but I can't help but think networking sounds far more grown up.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Day 3.</b><br />
<br />
Hangover. Hangover not helped by having to repack all the stuff I packed up yesterday, as managed to pack away all toiletries and make up. Not a great start. Also 'networked' with a couple more uni friends at a pizza place in town. Oh and brought a new mascara and eyeliner, essential purchases in order to create a sophisticated interview make up look. Obviously. <br />
<br />
<b>Day 4.</b><br />
<br />
Back in Shropshire for a jobcentre meeting at 9:40am, which apparently is a real time, something I didn't quote comprehend after 3 years of not waking up much before 12. I had never been in a jobcentre before, fish out of water doesn't begin to describe it. However they were surprisingly helpful, setting up my job seekers allowance details, as well as finding me some actual jobs to apply for.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 5.</b><br />
<br />
Starting applying for jobs, which is likely to be the most tedious waste of time known to man. Not made any easier by a very dodgy Internet connection that likes to pewter out *just* as you're about to hit the send button and thus deletes hours of form filling. Luckily I didn't dwell on this too much, as went out to the pub to be made comatose by a mix of alcohol and the worst game of football known to man.<br />
<br />
<br />
....And so week one comes to an end. I wish I had some wistful philosophical or sociological comment to make after my venture into the real world, but really all I have to say is that waking up at 8am is a bloody pain. Otherwise, and aside from all my moaning, life isn't going too badly at all. It's made even better by the fact that I get to see the Mr in 4 days time. Happy days.<br />
<br />
Expect another update next weekend. Until then, wish me luck in week 2 of real life.<br />
<br />
Cat<br />
xxCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-24602589509200458722010-05-11T17:13:00.000-07:002010-05-11T17:13:58.327-07:00Heeeeere's Johnny!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXymnjAvwn6zBTWMpwhL4tAwCPmO6TnkL2cZx9wzYSo6FWM7Nnvy-X1Qu71aaey6keXc_S-EcRspl0G6TNnb3MRmaZwTmU6E63OwoduGza351ciHymNlsz9VAsix9FoDBGLiqQLLRFTw/s1600/6a00d834523ca069e200e54f765a848834-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXymnjAvwn6zBTWMpwhL4tAwCPmO6TnkL2cZx9wzYSo6FWM7Nnvy-X1Qu71aaey6keXc_S-EcRspl0G6TNnb3MRmaZwTmU6E63OwoduGza351ciHymNlsz9VAsix9FoDBGLiqQLLRFTw/s320/6a00d834523ca069e200e54f765a848834-800wi.jpg" /></a></div><br />
After a long peroid of absense, I'm about ready to get this blog back on track. Whilst I've given up fiddling with HTML and have stuck with a simple blogger template, I'm bursting with ideas and have the use of the mothers fancy camera. I'm about 3 weeks away from my final exam (can I get a eeek?) and once that's done I'll be a fully fledged philosophy graduate, expectant of a flood of employment offers landing in my mailbox every day..... Yeah right.<br />
<br />
In the meantime expect posts as I procrastinate toward graduation. <br />
<br />
Cat<br />
xxCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-52962036674994577082010-04-29T16:50:00.000-07:002010-04-29T16:58:53.284-07:00I can haz graduation now? Kthzbai.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6yhX1KwXT12K9rOhxIPKdFLJjylMGaH5ExPxk_YnkD2t7O_qGx5YWmfcKsTPw1xcrOyef-RS8YpQOAcs-m8Tj9mmwdPl3CMqL-GhY-KFHl9eqjqbJrt5cGmgrQrI-sUn9XAQh_0pDA/s1600/dissertation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6yhX1KwXT12K9rOhxIPKdFLJjylMGaH5ExPxk_YnkD2t7O_qGx5YWmfcKsTPw1xcrOyef-RS8YpQOAcs-m8Tj9mmwdPl3CMqL-GhY-KFHl9eqjqbJrt5cGmgrQrI-sUn9XAQh_0pDA/s320/dissertation.JPG" /></a></div>I handed my dissertation in on Tuesday. Please refrain from any congratulations, it was possibly the single worst piece of writing my little brain has ever created.<br />
<br />
Of course every time I give in a piece of work I think 'Yeah, I'll get back to blogging now'. However I usually get sidetracked. This time it's been by trying to update my poor excuse of a CV and deciding I would like to write a novel. Niether of which I see me ever completing.<br />
<br />
But you never know, one day soon I may get sidetracked back into the blogsphere. I do hope so. <br />
<br />
Cat<br />
xxCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-27613146512627634872010-03-20T11:08:00.000-07:002010-03-20T12:46:12.969-07:00Talon-tastic.Stress and worry effect me in many ways; during my January exams I stopped eating, in previous 'episodes' I have found myself drawing odd pictures in the middle of the night or spending my time obsessively posting on student internet forums. However, my latest stress induced craze has been nails. One of my less destructive methods of coping, I have to say.<br />
<br />
I have decided I need more nail polish in my life, so a couple of weeks ago I placed an order at the ebay shop <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/enchantedbeautyspot">http://stores.ebay.com/enchantedbeautyspot</a> and got me some essie and OPI, because at 2am on a cold Manchester morning, it seemed like the right thing to do.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rH4tKiUmXAgX_T-h120y_YzozQBKFZ0iQ5ucKUQRhWu5w1zGGYZtDHk9l_MAaC86nOrm8yxbB0FyjC7NnZmXhcjH6wC7quykmLVNoocd2fF9qVUEvDvvvCLP6vcKQrt2LrfK95JW1w/s1600-h/IMG_0346%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rH4tKiUmXAgX_T-h120y_YzozQBKFZ0iQ5ucKUQRhWu5w1zGGYZtDHk9l_MAaC86nOrm8yxbB0FyjC7NnZmXhcjH6wC7quykmLVNoocd2fF9qVUEvDvvvCLP6vcKQrt2LrfK95JW1w/s320/IMG_0346%5B1%5D" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Shades L to R: Coton Island Cotton Candy, Prima Ballerina, Mod about you,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> St Lucia Lilac, My private Jet & Naked Truth</i> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Now I know what you're thinking 'Well Miss Taylor, what a dazzling array of colours...'cos you didn't just buy 5 polishes that are all a very similar pastel shade now did you....??' Ok, ok so they are <i>somewhat</i> similar, aside from my private jet, but a girl can never have too many pastels. After all, they are bang in trend, darrrrrrling. <br />
<br />
<br />
Now as ever my iphone doesn't take the most flattering of photos, so you'll have to trust me when I say thet St Lucia Lilac is my new favourite nail polish of all time. FACT. It's not surprising seeing as it's rather similar to MAC's cool reserve which did hold the top spot in my collection. This girl just can't get enough of her purple-esque shades... <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-2QhjuM9KfJkkeRRaoU8u5qcTt0F2HMFKXEoetIL7hN6to58h4EFdY1Ta8qZe78dJK_ccBDeXiNDz1caWdhMHQAaRW7gCpyBaVyknORoli5fF35H4hqnXyOo7s_dSLab_fSYDdWewA/s1600-h/IMG_0343%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-2QhjuM9KfJkkeRRaoU8u5qcTt0F2HMFKXEoetIL7hN6to58h4EFdY1Ta8qZe78dJK_ccBDeXiNDz1caWdhMHQAaRW7gCpyBaVyknORoli5fF35H4hqnXyOo7s_dSLab_fSYDdWewA/s320/IMG_0343%5B1%5D" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Not to mention the formula of Essie polishes is just divine; no streaking, dries quickly and doesn't chip. Superb. <br />
<br />
So who else is obsessive about nails right now? What colours have you drooling at the mouth, and do you recommend any other e-bay shops? <br />
<br />
Cat<br />
x<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-56519309635181748862010-03-08T03:24:00.000-08:002010-03-08T03:24:19.825-08:00Oh gee, she's back. And she's come over all whimsical again.Monthly blog posts are all the rage y'know. <br />
<br />
So, let's have an update on last month.<br />
<br />
Exam results came through, and I am yet to look at them. But as I have not been informed by the university that I failed any modules (and I looked it up, if I failed anything and needed retakes I would be sent a letter and email informing me so) and so I am going to happily presume I passed. <br />
<br />
Dissertation still going disastrously. Discussion over.<br />
<br />
I am down to three months til I finish. Well, four months til I graduate, but 3 til my last exam shall be done.<br />
<br />
I'm still no clearer to having a life plan post-graduation. This is now starting to get a wee bit worrying. Most people seem to have some clue....be it law school, PGCE, internships, gap years....Then there's me. Me who muses, 'Oh I'm not worried, it'll be fine' whenever posed with that awkward question of 'And what do you plan to do with your life?' So today I plan on sitting down with pen, paper and mindmapping possible avenues I can go down. Then on Sunday having a nice old chat with the mother about my pipe dreams. Happy mother's day, please sort your daughter's life out, love you. Cat.<br />
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But of course it isn't all doom and gloom, I mean how can I be down about such things as being a broke, jobless graduate when my lecturers have started using lolcat slides?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigILU2XSlZq3TCSgMtNM1PX2U-KyLgmkPJkD5D2QmfXkEopAGDlP6OHn7ARpOSWuXpvDZ1i2yKjNKjLWbA0ITRhpRlg2CTGRW_0oVioH_h-Jo_vW8GNZLsemErMV-8abjTY1YkXHMd_A/s1600-h/IMG_0311%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigILU2XSlZq3TCSgMtNM1PX2U-KyLgmkPJkD5D2QmfXkEopAGDlP6OHn7ARpOSWuXpvDZ1i2yKjNKjLWbA0ITRhpRlg2CTGRW_0oVioH_h-Jo_vW8GNZLsemErMV-8abjTY1YkXHMd_A/s320/IMG_0311%5B1%5D" /></a></div><br />
Cat<br />
xCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-46682969782899800652010-02-03T06:05:00.000-08:002010-02-03T06:17:21.008-08:00Dublin.<div style="text-align: center;">In Dublin's fair city,<br />
where the girls are so pretty,<br />
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,<br />
As she wheeled her wheel-barrow,<br />
Through streets broad and narrow,<br />
Crying, "Cockles and mussells, alive, alive, oh!"<br />
<br />
<i>"Alive, alive, oh,</i><br />
<i>Alive, alive, oh",</i><br />
<i>Crying "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh".</i><br />
<br />
She was a fishmonger,<br />
But sure 'twas no wonder,<br />
For so were her father and mother before,<br />
And they each wheeled their barrow,<br />
Through streets broad and narrow,<br />
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Alive, alive, oh,</i><br />
<i>Alive, alive, oh",</i><br />
<i>Crying "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh".</i> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She died of a fever<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Malone#cite_note-4"></a></sup>,<br />
And no one could save her,<br />
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone.<br />
Now her ghost wheels her barrow,<br />
Through streets broad and narrow,<br />
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
I said I'd be away for a bit and I wasn't wrong. After finishing my exams (They went terribly. Discussion over.) I got horrifically intoxicated in Manchester, before jumping on a train, another train then a boat and getting horrifically intoxicated in Dublin for the weekend, before taking a few more days off and landing in Shropshire for some much needed rest, relaxation and a severe lack of getting horrificaly intoxicated. <br />
<br />
I'd never been to Dublin before, going away for me is a rare occurance; I hate flying, don't have a valid passport, hate the sun as am terrified of aging and don't allow myself the time off anyway. I still sit and complain about the fact I don't go away, but that's not the point.<br />
<br />
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Nonetheless, going away was probably one of the best decisions I have made for a long while, and I would highly reccommend Dublin to anyone in the UK looking for a weekend away.Whilst the Euro isn't wonderful and so it's not the most economical city in the world; the atmosphere, scenery and feel are just spectacular. I'm not going to go through a step by step analysis of where we visited, as I'm sure you don't really care, but I would say if you every get the chance to visit then do stop off at the Guinness factory (and try to end up in the gravity bar at the very top just as the sun is setting) and also try and see the <a href="http://www.porterhousebrewco.com/">porter house bar</a>, which is handily located just on the high street, to sample some of their own brews as well as the Fruli strawberry beer, which if you are a wimp like me and can't handle the black stuff is the drink to have.<br />
<br />
Now I've been away however, I have come back with the awful ailment of itchy feet; if I had my passport I would probably be sitting in the departure lounge of Manchester airport waiting for to next flight to, well, anywhere, and so seeing as I have a dissertation to write (which is also going terribly. Discussion over.) it's probably a good thing I'm stuck up north for the time being.<br />
<br />
So now I'm back, and I have four months left of my degree. A prospect which I'm equally daunted and overjoyed by. I still have no concrete plans of what I shall be doing once I graduate, but the prospect of what may await me afterwards keeps me motivated.<br />
<br />
I know I did terribly in these last exams, and I don't imagine the final set will be much more of a success. It's not that I have not enjoyed university, rather the oppposite, but you get to the point where it just doesn't challenge you any more. And as much as I do have itchy feet, I also want to settle and make something of my life*. In the meantime you'll have to put up with my whimsical posts, as you may be able to tell I seem to be taking this blog into much more of a personal direction than it has been before, although fear not, a bit of mascara and other cosmetic chatter is sure to ensue shortly, after all, I am doing a philosophy degree so need something shallow to counteract me turning into much more of a self-absorbed twat.<br />
<br />
Cat<br />
xx<br />
<br />
*Mother if you are somehow reading this, don't worry, there's no sign of grandkids just yet. Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-16035042244262501892010-01-22T15:13:00.000-08:002010-01-22T16:00:43.086-08:00Review: Rich orange and chocolate fudge.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I admit it's hard to get excited about fudge. It's usually associated with seaside holiday treats, or something your nan keeps in the car for long road journeys. I have quite a specific memory of fudge; every other week my mum would take me to the Friday market and we'd buy a pack from the Women's instuitute cake stall. It was handmade vanilla fudge, made by a lady called Mary, was sickly sweet and the lasting memory I have of it is a gritty sugar finish that was always that little too sickly.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, a few years ago I visited York on a weekend break with friends, and we stumbled over what I believe still is, the quaintest, most lovely shop I have ever visited: Jim Garrahy's Fudge Kitchen - link to the website <a href="http://www.fudgekitchen.co.uk/">here</a>. The fudge kitchen handmakes it's fudge using a recipe that dates back to 1830, they have a range of wonderful flavours, and FYI if ever visiting they are more than happy for you to taste test them!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now imagine my utter joy this morning when the postman dropped off a package from Lee, creator of the excellent chocolate review blog, link <a href="http://www.chocolatereviews.co.uk/">here</a>, containing a full sized slab of rich chocolate and orange fudge. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiguMJYlt7O73R4TbVmVPNt2qX6b_oL0qkQwdcuB9xJqUkxANVNeN5aCbVpWfb0YrJwzB8-bjNWIPbXMBc2uc5_0dshd5u3JXjFWBcMet9jA_jE3NZRsRlaQAs-OU3Cqg-ypB44qZXA/s1600-h/IMG_0151%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiguMJYlt7O73R4TbVmVPNt2qX6b_oL0qkQwdcuB9xJqUkxANVNeN5aCbVpWfb0YrJwzB8-bjNWIPbXMBc2uc5_0dshd5u3JXjFWBcMet9jA_jE3NZRsRlaQAs-OU3Cqg-ypB44qZXA/s320/IMG_0151%5B1%5D" /></a> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And after my housemates getting hold of it...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M3m3amqInA5_FaggLm8NIKAW6YV5n6mfi_xrAgEtnu4wU_RjB1aIqbbiM40MgpM6s8KUIFlpKPym9GuGmohVMVGaWV5nOlVlR6TeOw8LmEwCQk4U9i8SlOIZLYj55tmRYTSk3hbtrw/s1600-h/IMG_0158%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M3m3amqInA5_FaggLm8NIKAW6YV5n6mfi_xrAgEtnu4wU_RjB1aIqbbiM40MgpM6s8KUIFlpKPym9GuGmohVMVGaWV5nOlVlR6TeOw8LmEwCQk4U9i8SlOIZLYj55tmRYTSk3hbtrw/s320/IMG_0158%5B1%5D" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Now, just to clarify I only had a very small amount myself! This stuff is seriously sweet a little goes a long way, but living with three guys they lobbed off huge chunks, and are now sitting on our sofa feeling rather full.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So let's get down to the best bit, taste test time.<br />
</div></div><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CCat%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CCat%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CCat%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">According to the fudge kitchen website...<br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"when you bite into the outer crust, you’ll experience a mouth-watering soft chocolate fudge centre, with a fruity orange taste to savour."</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">And according to me...<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The first thing you notice is the texture; it's like cutting through butter. As soon as it rests on your tounge a wave of fresh orange passes over your taste buds, then quickly followed by the dark chocolate, as the two meet they envelop into a pure taste sensation.<br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is unlike any other fudge you will have tasted. It's wonderful smooth and creamy, and there is no artifical aftertaste or gritty sugary sensation. The high quality ingredients and handmade, loving process shines through in the flavour. As soon as it hits your tongue you are powerless to let it take over; you don't talk, don't chew, or think of anything else. Then, once it's gone you are left with a feeling of pure, well, 'wow'.<o:p></o:p></span> <br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjh7hyw2A_p8ovxx34Sk0sK3yfyJi8NNq6xDKuC8qiE04kKAcPi5PMd22CuHMAiOgkXHWKv-2Be3BlpU9D0-picZMyrKo7V7cUz9TjxsiQ7ngM6uvdV61mzcyeDo17PpmFV7pL0ukjA/s1600-h/IMG_0157%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjh7hyw2A_p8ovxx34Sk0sK3yfyJi8NNq6xDKuC8qiE04kKAcPi5PMd22CuHMAiOgkXHWKv-2Be3BlpU9D0-picZMyrKo7V7cUz9TjxsiQ7ngM6uvdV61mzcyeDo17PpmFV7pL0ukjA/s320/IMG_0157%5B1%5D" /></a>Lee puts it beautifully when he says this fudge<i> "Consumes you...Its difficult to explain but literally it melts to hug every part of your mouth in all consuming delight."</i><br />
<i> </i> <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 12" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CCat%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CCat%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CCat%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p>I want to make it clear here that I have not been asked in any way to promote the fudge kitchen, but as I happen to be aware of it I have no qualms with making the point of how good it is! I have ordered from them offline once before, I brought a selection box which costs £14.99 filled with the double chocolate, caramel chocolate, vanilla and strawberries and cream flavours. Each of course, was as delicious as the next. I would say however only buy offline if you are buying something as a gift, or something to share between friends. I ordered offline because me and my previous housemates decided it would be a lovely treat to celebrate finishing our exams, of which it was :-)<o:p></o:p></span> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I would like to thank Lee for letting me review this (still can't believe he sent me a whole slab!) and if you are like me, a chocoholic, then do check out his <a href="http://www.chocolatereviews.co.uk/">chocolate review blog</a>. He clearly has a passion for the subject and an excellent palette.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">On a slightly ironic sidenote, I'm going to be a late started to the lovely <a href="http://www.catslittleobsessions.blogspot.com/">Cat's weight loss challenge</a>. I would like this year to finally be the time I slip back into my size 10 jeans (which after having a very odd eating pattern during these exams, I am very close to doing so!) and I also think it's about time I started getting fit and healthy, and this seems like a great way to do so. Why do I mention this here? Well I'm actually a very keen cook, so plan on posting some recipes, food inspiration and perhaps the odd cooking video in the ear future.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">On that note I must get off and continue with revision. Leave me a comment telling me what you thought of my reiew, and Lee's blog. Have you tried anything from the fudge kitchen before? <br />
</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cat<o:p></o:p></span> <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">xx</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>P.S I'm really very sorry if I have disrupted anyones diet plans!</o:p></span><br />
</div><br />
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-81739134848070631852010-01-21T07:18:00.000-08:002010-01-21T07:34:14.401-08:00Grace under pressure.I have exams this week. Finals. I'm pretty much screwed already considering my shitty semester and lack of motivation/laziness when it comes to revision. I have a bad case of third year blues. But nonetheless I'm giving it a final push, and shall probably be away for a week and a bit as after I finish I'm off to Dublin for a much deserved long weekend away.<br />
<br />
As a little post exam treat to myself (not that I deserve it) I am planning on picking up a little something special. I spied this little beauty of a polish just a moment ago on Donna and Nadaz's blog, which I reccommend you go check out <a href="http://donnaandnavaz.blogspot.com/">here</a> now. Go do it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKHsY5APif5Cy9KjJPBuinbqrOOk85T9YrrADRe8mk6v5kK7C2lhfjTJhtFl8rKDfFBFLKE3h64RoijeqGROZ1BuI2OQrTnIgsJa5A8ilXR602qu2nd892hrsvxR0Ol6PMfGpSRCL5Q/s1600-h/image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKHsY5APif5Cy9KjJPBuinbqrOOk85T9YrrADRe8mk6v5kK7C2lhfjTJhtFl8rKDfFBFLKE3h64RoijeqGROZ1BuI2OQrTnIgsJa5A8ilXR602qu2nd892hrsvxR0Ol6PMfGpSRCL5Q/s320/image002.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
Every girl needs a little chanel (granted I can only afford a nail polish) in her life.<br />
<br />
To all those also suffering with the dreaded exam fever, I wish you good luck. If you are feeling stressed, low or pretty shit about the whole process (which I certainly am) then have a little listen to this glorious elbow track to uplift you. <br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mk-RpmmL4Es&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mk-RpmmL4Es&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Cat<br />
xxCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-72207772103644232662010-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:002010-01-19T07:14:58.250-08:00Review: Nude cleansing oil.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The other day I decided I needed a cleansing oil. I've seen quite a few posts of late raving about Shu <b style="font-weight: normal;">Uemura’s and MAC's versions to name a few, but picked up NUDE's version after the lovely <a href="http://mizzworthy.blogspot.com/">Mizzworthy</a> mentioned on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/swirledpeacat">twitter</a> that it was half price on spaceNK. It also happens to be made from completely natural ingredients (no mineral oil here, officer) infact the whole NUDE </b>range don't contain any of the following nasties: <i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>parabens, sulphates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, propylene glycol, phthalates, GMO, mineral oil and silicones.</i><br />
<br />
Not bad, eh.<br />
<br />
The oil itself comes in a sexy little bottle (I seem to remember there was a court case with stella Mccarthy over packaging, either way I think it's very sleek and stylish). To use just pump a coule of squirts, rub into dry skin so it lathers up into a milky liquid, then rinse. Simples. <br />
<div><img border="0" height="20" src="http://images.spacenk.co.uk//images/en_GB/global/globalgraphics/spacer01.gif" width="1" /><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL6Xf7oohN3esH2y5tPUqWxep8DDVFGzwdI23mhDx84HiKYddPAFoimL9FXWkY6MQRj0PuoSlKPjUDd1dlzx7V70LwVtTB8Pgm-S5n4WE-tUqSTHbUkfExfvghl2PpLEhRwDAQGAKJQ/s1600-h/IMG_0135%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL6Xf7oohN3esH2y5tPUqWxep8DDVFGzwdI23mhDx84HiKYddPAFoimL9FXWkY6MQRj0PuoSlKPjUDd1dlzx7V70LwVtTB8Pgm-S5n4WE-tUqSTHbUkfExfvghl2PpLEhRwDAQGAKJQ/s320/IMG_0135%5B1%5D" /></a><br />
</div><br />
The idea of a cleansing oil is to remove make up effortlessly and leave skin super soft. So you ask me, does it do either? Well, yes and, yes.<br />
<br />
I'm yet to use it on any heavy make up, but my usual mascara and wee flick of bobbi brown gel eyeliner (review to come soon) is gently swept away with 2 pumps, and my skin is left feeling as soft as a babys bottom. 1 pump would probably suffice on a non-make up day (like that happens...) and because it's so light I don't follow with another cleasnser (however I imagine if I was trying to remove heavy make up I would probably need to) -I simply tone and moisturise.<br />
<br />
The only downside I have with this product is the heavy oilve oil-like smell that comes with it. I'm not overly fussed by it, but at the same time it doesn't exactly tickle the senses.<br />
<br />
So in conclusion I am pretty satisifed with this product, I am tempted to try the MAC cleanse off oil once this is finished, because paying £28 for 200ml of oil kinda scares me a little. Yet I fully recommend this cleansing oil to anyone who is suffering from dry and slighly sensitive skin this winter.<br />
<br />
Price: £28 (although still half prce on spaceNK.com)<br />
Quantity: 200ml<br />
Repurchase: Likely. Certainly if another half price offer was on!<br />
Perfect for: Those with sensitive, dry skin, who want something gentle, light and effective.<br />
<br />
Cat<br />
xxCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-60430850170727507272010-01-18T08:22:00.000-08:002010-01-18T08:25:26.465-08:00Bag envy: Mulberry Alexa.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> "Hi, I'm Alexa Chung, yeah I'm Vogue's best dressed female of 2009, a model, presenter, oh and have a lush boyfriend (did I mention he's in one of the most successful UK bands of the 21st century?). Yeah so Mulberry like totally designed a bag inspired by little old me, yeah life's pretty cool right now..."<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ytHvSYPjcQB-rU0zRogtK_VanC0LSv7l0C1aMduPJChZidrTtuosP_5Xnx6gKAc0Ms2DSyNyTkgRlT7lrVVaFSrK_I0xqCe3xc8iGivbxaOX0mIPVyt10yAMyZpXy0wtgFKB1_UMsQ/s1600-h/mulberry-alexa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ytHvSYPjcQB-rU0zRogtK_VanC0LSv7l0C1aMduPJChZidrTtuosP_5Xnx6gKAc0Ms2DSyNyTkgRlT7lrVVaFSrK_I0xqCe3xc8iGivbxaOX0mIPVyt10yAMyZpXy0wtgFKB1_UMsQ/s320/mulberry-alexa.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
I am so in love with this bag its unreal. I mean I like the Mulberry bayswater, it's such a classic, but this is like it's younger, more effortless cousin. It's got that used, school satchel charm about it. If that even exists. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGSqGCMRqAwV86kCAeXFkIWy2uKWWT-USj55ymtwbX0wwa1rXWfDeG5nmEqOiu_GihbW__kcsXsri2XBiCdNG96c9BBp2WZaufQJqVw2GKDS4sD2fUqJnoPZtXl7qM5eawRW7r2720A/s1600-h/mulberry-alexa-bag-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGSqGCMRqAwV86kCAeXFkIWy2uKWWT-USj55ymtwbX0wwa1rXWfDeG5nmEqOiu_GihbW__kcsXsri2XBiCdNG96c9BBp2WZaufQJqVw2GKDS4sD2fUqJnoPZtXl7qM5eawRW7r2720A/s320/mulberry-alexa-bag-08.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It comes in two styles, a lepoard print (which is already sold out on the Mulberry site) and then this classic leather style - which is much more my cup of tea. There's something very old-school British about this design, it's ever so slightly Solane Square but with a cheeky school-girl kinda egde. Urg I'm so totally in love. Unfortunately it's £795, so unless I sell a kidney before it's released I don't think I will get anywhere close to owning it. But A girl can always dream.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However I can't be all doom and gloom, t'other week I did pick up this little satchel-type bag from ASOS,<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2Wi6kwM6lEzn-0ev5oxbs_n1EvdU8oTssGJdzyv3KcbcjrThdNxqrEW8UtIIvHjg4VI_eGowLFfJ7bEZQJOdtjqLx0n4dX-uw4Obv3EdKiyQBOWWVtlGyxcjl8SzUny3UBq3ksHKJQ/s1600-h/bag+evny+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2Wi6kwM6lEzn-0ev5oxbs_n1EvdU8oTssGJdzyv3KcbcjrThdNxqrEW8UtIIvHjg4VI_eGowLFfJ7bEZQJOdtjqLx0n4dX-uw4Obv3EdKiyQBOWWVtlGyxcjl8SzUny3UBq3ksHKJQ/s320/bag+evny+023.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yeah ok, so it's no Mulberry, but it was £32, is big enough to hold my uni folders and has plenty of added pockets to store all my bits and bobs.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9WSsCsyS2xtYEDj0VBi-zOO00RsGD14Q-Y2Vdgv0faVD7eomcdD6PwDlJwapYIxDPQ5sk-jGAuWJRVLCY9-VQXnR1kASMgjxUYeEP6GgSKur3ww9RLF5hpPKPg8tDNc3s8lklek9zg/s1600-h/bag+evny+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9WSsCsyS2xtYEDj0VBi-zOO00RsGD14Q-Y2Vdgv0faVD7eomcdD6PwDlJwapYIxDPQ5sk-jGAuWJRVLCY9-VQXnR1kASMgjxUYeEP6GgSKur3ww9RLF5hpPKPg8tDNc3s8lklek9zg/s320/bag+evny+011.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">And if I had the money (and figure) heres what I'd ideally wear it with:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiayWiVbEbuin9jCIkxDKYURTrpksZSnG4Xs6GxB_Lk8-igV_NoPnKsvMnbNtOBS9a8pHpBk5yuh3ng6847K38JRJGuLo7yNBBCJ0OWt-_pGNcYAfu8qwRT6jukmbkXmci2N5AwOuX9w/s1600-h/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFmFvRXBJazBFM3hHTTZfRl9tUUc0ekEAAAACaWQKAXgAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiayWiVbEbuin9jCIkxDKYURTrpksZSnG4Xs6GxB_Lk8-igV_NoPnKsvMnbNtOBS9a8pHpBk5yuh3ng6847K38JRJGuLo7yNBBCJ0OWt-_pGNcYAfu8qwRT6jukmbkXmci2N5AwOuX9w/s320/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFmFvRXBJazBFM3hHTTZfRl9tUUc0ekEAAAACaWQKAXgAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tell me, what's your 'it' bag this season?<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cat<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">xx<br />
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</div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-49388776880497822062010-01-17T09:26:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:13:45.858-08:00Human rights, moral responsibility.<b>Article 1 of the human rights doctrine:</b><br />
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"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."<br />
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<b>Article 3.</b><br />
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"Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person."<br />
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<b>Article 5.</b><br />
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"No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."<br />
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<b>Article 25.</b><br />
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"Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control."<br />
Souce from: <a href="http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/">http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/</a><br />
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Gemma has set up a justgiving account where you can donate towards the disasters emergency committee, a charity which <b>'unites the leading independent Humanitarian Agencies in the UK in their efforts to maximise income from the British Public to mount an effective humanitarian response to major disasters overseas.'</b><br />
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To donate please visit<a href="http://justgiving.com/youtubersforhaiti"> http://www.justgiving.com/youtubersforhaiti</a> - you can donate through your debit/credit card or through paypal.<br />
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Cat<br />
xxCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-78010806295781404672010-01-16T11:44:00.000-08:002010-01-16T11:44:00.415-08:00Tattoo today, tattoo tomorrow.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8UgeantkggzOOTnsdYAMtuZTIbHUPxDvMeGiqkVlFhSDjPfnwq76Xnupaf1xi7ltHd02UXLclLi3r31kBl_sg-Wv-48yJn8mirnMzAf-woo-pTZOdf6P63LGqoolj3UDszPFdNDv2Q/s1600-h/tat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8UgeantkggzOOTnsdYAMtuZTIbHUPxDvMeGiqkVlFhSDjPfnwq76Xnupaf1xi7ltHd02UXLclLi3r31kBl_sg-Wv-48yJn8mirnMzAf-woo-pTZOdf6P63LGqoolj3UDszPFdNDv2Q/s320/tat.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadDoqdcIBCJGHErPazQqVZEuFEqz6O2VHmtbJIhMx0JuPTN3Lo0O4RGjlyaXEWFQY7wYljS7depH3J6E57uEy7eI00AKNj49kvLnzJU0ANEFc8ZzQBEeDI2n8wXRNfaO-ZTZkdARGjg/s1600-h/tumblr_kvu8ekeYiS1qzabkfo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadDoqdcIBCJGHErPazQqVZEuFEqz6O2VHmtbJIhMx0JuPTN3Lo0O4RGjlyaXEWFQY7wYljS7depH3J6E57uEy7eI00AKNj49kvLnzJU0ANEFc8ZzQBEeDI2n8wXRNfaO-ZTZkdARGjg/s320/tumblr_kvu8ekeYiS1qzabkfo1_500.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88N0Hq5JyVbct0BVep1v2G3eXqhE52EuEj96QZ-iaAkEgS8vIe2Wwo-pirV_08rQg1f0fIDQf2pBYrXEJWbAYOlr-ITsPRULTZq6oGdU9nSoSiWo8iuxMMZe66Dpu9WuhQ2QpD0zDbw/s1600-h/tumblr_kvyn1w4yzu1qzabkfo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88N0Hq5JyVbct0BVep1v2G3eXqhE52EuEj96QZ-iaAkEgS8vIe2Wwo-pirV_08rQg1f0fIDQf2pBYrXEJWbAYOlr-ITsPRULTZq6oGdU9nSoSiWo8iuxMMZe66Dpu9WuhQ2QpD0zDbw/s320/tumblr_kvyn1w4yzu1qzabkfo1_500.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r6MbyPY2SY2fgtYIpXZA-aglYNYpw9WpzpufQKXXNufSRdLTMQSjul9M3dlG1n58q_epgK9b9IQqoEl-E3fRzAkZbWApRMzflfNlAmTuyvp2_sWK3Ctom1gEYZ5KP4VxUWp9n3goiQ/s1600-h/tumblr_kw1pm1kTx41qzabkfo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r6MbyPY2SY2fgtYIpXZA-aglYNYpw9WpzpufQKXXNufSRdLTMQSjul9M3dlG1n58q_epgK9b9IQqoEl-E3fRzAkZbWApRMzflfNlAmTuyvp2_sWK3Ctom1gEYZ5KP4VxUWp9n3goiQ/s320/tumblr_kw1pm1kTx41qzabkfo1_500.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiFt6M8Q2NNpPLyS8CxTos_IM-T7zCOdXnYwK77G3rcCMiBG9jbTEotxcNxPYgiUGkEPYn6cgLd7gbHsgPVUlylRl-rL2g4EN9ChLJecSDjbVILjbhQAwAQ6UP3A_odgpW7vZFtzs9w/s1600-h/tumblr_kvsrfepLPh1qzabkfo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiFt6M8Q2NNpPLyS8CxTos_IM-T7zCOdXnYwK77G3rcCMiBG9jbTEotxcNxPYgiUGkEPYn6cgLd7gbHsgPVUlylRl-rL2g4EN9ChLJecSDjbVILjbhQAwAQ6UP3A_odgpW7vZFtzs9w/s320/tumblr_kvsrfepLPh1qzabkfo1_500.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPbS4QGvgWQH6ltx6wCHDXnyOvCxMlOfUC7pZUwqEra7tMH3w458DVvkxpd42FM3DF5LP5SihCbHHzzK79DV_nS29Fh5y7eEmo0Fv32nmsrpCt_9VrSLi8_-kTz7vblMICwQuN7wJOA/s1600-h/tumblr_kw6sp1uGZ51qzabkfo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPbS4QGvgWQH6ltx6wCHDXnyOvCxMlOfUC7pZUwqEra7tMH3w458DVvkxpd42FM3DF5LP5SihCbHHzzK79DV_nS29Fh5y7eEmo0Fv32nmsrpCt_9VrSLi8_-kTz7vblMICwQuN7wJOA/s320/tumblr_kw6sp1uGZ51qzabkfo1_500.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqhIWYJvSlMhyQsURVDmThUH7GA372nod63mFgoRC4L5_rKsZfS4ZsxpHjBMPOs5r8T2cUsMXYSQj1HKa9Z_1oTfrNlEdNBxi6_tJBfRhXlh3t6fl6IaXHUXL69hNIzDyaawb_xa-ng/s1600-h/Ju9O633c6id21fqw8dTVhE3co1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqhIWYJvSlMhyQsURVDmThUH7GA372nod63mFgoRC4L5_rKsZfS4ZsxpHjBMPOs5r8T2cUsMXYSQj1HKa9Z_1oTfrNlEdNBxi6_tJBfRhXlh3t6fl6IaXHUXL69hNIzDyaawb_xa-ng/s320/Ju9O633c6id21fqw8dTVhE3co1_400.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGm4P2SA8r_aDiei1I2qO_2myy9ZIhesiWdWLoJ-G6QJE3cD5c75Fp5ZZZl-mpNBV9fIYZH99CiDcE94zkl5Mv2gv-kXQlLMkFXl5YVaQJ5lLFiAgAhOmoo-DKVVY3vJKOoCEq62DkA/s1600-h/tumblr_kvw8kcr8O41qzabkfo1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGm4P2SA8r_aDiei1I2qO_2myy9ZIhesiWdWLoJ-G6QJE3cD5c75Fp5ZZZl-mpNBV9fIYZH99CiDcE94zkl5Mv2gv-kXQlLMkFXl5YVaQJ5lLFiAgAhOmoo-DKVVY3vJKOoCEq62DkA/s320/tumblr_kvw8kcr8O41qzabkfo1_400.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tattoo inspration.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have been thinking of getting a tattoo for a while, I know exactly what I want; a quote from William Blake's poem 'London'<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The quote reads: 'The mind-forg'd manacles I hear.' (final line of second stanza).<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think I want it in Blake's style of handwriting, below is an image of one of the few slates he originally transcribed it to. I'm not sure where it would look best, I did think along my foot, but I'm now leaning towards having it along my upper body. What do you guys think?<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0vK0nX-0ZPgzqKd8GCNv7BHljkhyDeboZPWz8WYo3K3ki8ZmRu2ySyZD6F-8fHSG8DEUl5X-idYNQXL20cWfG0qpjWOq0L4SY7aKnFaSvtWyboc9Z13lxLo3Ml0o2_gR8Dx30RQjXg/s1600-h/london.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0vK0nX-0ZPgzqKd8GCNv7BHljkhyDeboZPWz8WYo3K3ki8ZmRu2ySyZD6F-8fHSG8DEUl5X-idYNQXL20cWfG0qpjWOq0L4SY7aKnFaSvtWyboc9Z13lxLo3Ml0o2_gR8Dx30RQjXg/s320/london.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tell me your tattoo stories or inspiration.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cat<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">xx<br />
</div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-66688257035587373622010-01-15T11:06:00.000-08:002010-01-15T11:48:11.827-08:00The best of...2009, duh.Ok, ok so I'm behind on this. Can we blame exams? The weather? The last episode of Gavin and Stacey? Alright fine, I've been lazy. But I felt it would be a good idea to highlight some key products that have saved me throughout the year.<br />
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<b>MAC nail paint in cool reserve.</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmKit5-PYLtuNvar_YIMN1N8lHS8Fvx0RiVffEc8MjXaoWImBZb-8FLf1qSvIUC0FAlcSoZgZ7PITFglDoIEUVN5nAzvtUCGPb3_poHKWpO9FYrkW6S7kVwoNQq_4FhvydHwrk6EleQ/s1600-h/get-attachment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmKit5-PYLtuNvar_YIMN1N8lHS8Fvx0RiVffEc8MjXaoWImBZb-8FLf1qSvIUC0FAlcSoZgZ7PITFglDoIEUVN5nAzvtUCGPb3_poHKWpO9FYrkW6S7kVwoNQq_4FhvydHwrk6EleQ/s320/get-attachment.jpg" /></a><br />
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This was limited edition released with the fall/winter collection. I am more than halfway through using this, which never happens with me. It's a beautiful dirty grey lavender and it just looks stunning on. The formulation is lovely, as this is my first MAC nail polish and it has tempted me to buy more. The only thing that worries me is that they won't re-lease this again for a while, cos it'll be a sad day when this is finished.<br />
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<b>MAC unbasic white starflash shadow.</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwQuHJIxzaYdHQ8gC1Tn5eb8VYXswG5KLD12-TkWCjMd2h3Qo6QKRKZPtrbz9BAmSuC44to2XKh5arbApAa1Jdpim4qd3fhjHSKSinq_tn0onAn7dcDHEezWMyesY__JrV9djtipl_g/s1600-h/media_lovethatlook009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwQuHJIxzaYdHQ8gC1Tn5eb8VYXswG5KLD12-TkWCjMd2h3Qo6QKRKZPtrbz9BAmSuC44to2XKh5arbApAa1Jdpim4qd3fhjHSKSinq_tn0onAn7dcDHEezWMyesY__JrV9djtipl_g/s320/media_lovethatlook009.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
Yes, another limited edition purchase, this time from the love that look collection. I adore this shade for the inner corner, if I'm on a night out I always pop it on. This is my first and only starflash shadow, and I really do love the creamy, pigmented texture. I shall certainly be buying more when they are next released.<br />
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<b>Bobbi brown skin foundation.</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vU3uiLgaB1Cwkp2bcMjiP7ZzX0ioJHqQZyw7ni1Wvhqsfka6rrSTWDlwE2W1Ezoy3BjsuP0CDCCu8ww1YhSVCYM_FDcZExcW2pRnrQGeU1DCscHZo7TgIC34mFQ5qAdqW9I1YMd6zA/s1600-h/bobbi_brown_skin_foundation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vU3uiLgaB1Cwkp2bcMjiP7ZzX0ioJHqQZyw7ni1Wvhqsfka6rrSTWDlwE2W1Ezoy3BjsuP0CDCCu8ww1YhSVCYM_FDcZExcW2pRnrQGeU1DCscHZo7TgIC34mFQ5qAdqW9I1YMd6zA/s320/bobbi_brown_skin_foundation.jpg" /></a><br />
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Yes, I know I talk about this stuff a lot. But seriously, it's the only foundation that I have ever repurchased (in fact I have just ordered my 3rd pot!). The coverage isn't fantastic but for everyday wear it blends beatuifully into my skin and the colour range is just fantastic, and of course in my case this is the only brand with a shade light enough to match my skintone! Hallileuigh!<br />
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<b> Kerastase resistance range.</b><br />
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A few months ago now I had a hair dye disaster. I went from blonde to brown, I had to put red in before the brown as I had bleached sections, and the result was very dark, very damaged hair. I was distraught and there was nothing the hairdresser could do except pack me off with these horrifcally expensive products, which is turn, saved my hair. I will never go back to high street hair products now, my hair is in such a wonderful condition. <br />
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<b>Illamasqua eyeliner pencil - Sophie.</b><br />
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I have mixed emotions towards gel eyeliners. I have only tried MAC and sleek, but get a bit fed up with them drying out, looking cakey and being a bugger to apply. However the illamaqua pencil is one I reach to automatically when I fancy breaking out the liner. It's easy to work with, the colour is lovely and rich and it blends like a dream. Best eye liner pencil I am yet to try, hands down.<br />
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<b>Benefit dandelion blush.</b><br />
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This is my fail safe blush. MAC well dressed comes a close second, but the cute packaging and lovely fresh smell seals the deal to this one. Because of my light skintone and rosacea I don't need too much in the way of blush, this isso fine and gentle I can get away with looking healthy, and not over-done.<br />
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<b>Maybelline colassal volume mascara.</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzgZKkImdAyJ2U8ysQDflEh3r18SGFFLbWZj2X62tuLpt1OpEDyQk5Y9aBrV5Rubgiar_pMmC-QhHL7rOB32sXb9ai8YVv5DdpVvE575NEqPtVqSJgeLQz5KpsTO05uF9ldkhdGKb4A/s1600-h/500vec_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzgZKkImdAyJ2U8ysQDflEh3r18SGFFLbWZj2X62tuLpt1OpEDyQk5Y9aBrV5Rubgiar_pMmC-QhHL7rOB32sXb9ai8YVv5DdpVvE575NEqPtVqSJgeLQz5KpsTO05uF9ldkhdGKb4A/s320/500vec_xl.jpg" /></a><br />
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I got this at the garnier event and have since repurchased. I have been trying out the vibrating mascara thingy of late, but when that magically dissappeaed off the face of the planet I went back to colossal, and was reunited with an old friend (aww). As much as I hate the packagaing you can't deny this is a darn fine mascara, builds length, adds volume and is very nicely pigmented.Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-32130710805935731102010-01-14T10:05:00.000-08:002010-01-14T11:07:49.931-08:00NOTD - Illamasqua rampage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwotPssqzg5Dp_Hfn-DvpWaMAYGVZvF5SzFONWgSOdo-9OIICEI2gAMoNIP4b8bsqOKJ1eMaR-zIYn7TxCflpFVLYFhVZL6zm-N4wM9LhtT5vXMQOi47vkVGaZLMI_TOQOS-DnYpjD2w/s1600-h/shoesnotdwatch+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwotPssqzg5Dp_Hfn-DvpWaMAYGVZvF5SzFONWgSOdo-9OIICEI2gAMoNIP4b8bsqOKJ1eMaR-zIYn7TxCflpFVLYFhVZL6zm-N4wM9LhtT5vXMQOi47vkVGaZLMI_TOQOS-DnYpjD2w/s320/shoesnotdwatch+012.JPG" /></a><br />
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My terrible application aside, this picture unfortunately doesn't do this nail polish justice. It's a beautiful rich sea-weed green, no shimmer or sparkle. I quite often find I want something dramatic on my nails, that isn't as harsh as black, for everyday wear. Eyeko has a very dark blue/purple 'vamp' polish that almost fits the bill, but I just find this colour a little more unusual.<br />
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I own two illamaqua nail polishes, this and baptiste. At the price (£12) they ain't cheap, and it makes me squirm somewhat when I think of it, but for me they do have some key colours that are so stand out it justifies the price tag. Added to this application is a dream, dries quickly, last for ages and you get plenty for your moneys worth.<br />
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Speaking of which,have you seen the colours for the S/S 2010 collection? I can haz now plz?<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am dying to try the one on the far right, caress. Any you would like to try?<br />
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</div>Cat<br />
xx<br />
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</div>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-18871229003014372622010-01-14T07:38:00.000-08:002010-01-14T07:38:16.275-08:00Operation beautiful.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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When I saw<a href="http://oh-makemeup.blogspot.com/"> Ellie's</a> post earlier I had one of those 'awwww' moments. <a href="http://www.operationbeautiful.com/">Operation beautiful</a> is about women as a community reminding ourselves (as we have a habit of forgetting) that we are all beautiful just the way we are.<br />
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The idea is to post notes in public places for people to find, reminding women of this small fact. I know it's a wee bit cheesy, and to the more synical, vomit inducing. But I think it is a very sweet idea, and plan on taking some post it notes and a pen to uni with me in the next couple of weeks :-)<br />
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Would any of you guys ever get involved with a community project like this? What would you think if you saw one of these notes lying around?<br />
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Cat<br />
xxCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-75070232780386676942010-01-13T07:13:00.000-08:002010-01-13T09:18:02.805-08:00Best. Shoes. Evar.So over the last few weeks a few things have happened, I turned 21, welcomed the new decade in an alcoholic stupor, came back to uni and started stressing about my impending exams of dooooooom.<br />
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Now, like most students, I have been making the most of my procrastination. Seeing as I still can't leave the house for fear of landing flat on my arse and never getting over the humilation, I have been doing what a girl who can now remember her debit card details off by heart does; online shopping. Which has resulted in me owning, amoungst many other things, what I declare to be the most awesome shoes known to man, ladies and gents, I give you the clarks originals desert boot:<br />
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How amazing!? These are part of the clarks originals collection, the print is called 'liberty print'. There are 6 designs in total, each representing a different decade to celebrate clarks 60th anniversary. Now these RRP at around the £80 mark, but I found them at schuh.com with 30% off. Unfortunately these seem to be out of stock in most places, clearly I am behind on the trend :-) but have spied them for sale on asos. I'm just saying.<br />
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As I also mentioned earlier, I turned 21 just before xmas, and fancied showing off my little bit of 'bling' that I recieved.<br />
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Why hello, Mr Jacobs. I had been lusting after this watch for ages, but couldn't seem find it anywhere in the UK, luckily Manchester's branch of House of Frasier came up trumps, and my lovely mumsie nabbed the last one in stock for me. I did try the micheal kors watches, but as I have a small wrist they just looked too chunky. Wheras this is a beautiful fit.<br />
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I hope everyone is having a wonderful 2009 so far, goos luck to all those with uni, a-level or GCSE's. It's giving me great strength knowing these are the final set of January exams I have to go through!<br />
xxCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-25268378260999801032009-12-31T07:23:00.000-08:002009-12-31T07:23:52.837-08:00In with the old, out with the new......Wait, that ain't right?<br />
<br />
I have just had a small mental realisation. 2009 has been quite a year. I don't normally go for the whole 'looking back at the year that was' - but when I thought about it, it really has been quite the year.<br />
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I suppose I should have known I was in for a rollarcoaster at the start. I made the decision to get high on NYE, not because I wanted too (call in peer pressue, I call it being a stupid fuckwit), which resulted in a massive panic attack and staying in my room all night feeling like the world was going to cave in on me. Welcome to 2009.<br />
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I lived in a house that began to fall apart at the seams. Now this isn't the place to discuss what happened, but it wasn't fun. My uni work suffered, my relationship suffered and looking back I never knew how unhappy I was. I became a bitch, I nagged, I shopped to make myself feel better. I lost control.<br />
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Just past the halfway point of the year I moved into a new student house, got a job over summer and was truly independent from home. It felt good. I started this blog, was invited to amazing events in London, meeting some incredible people along the way.<br />
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Then in September I started back at uni again. Final year. It was hard, not necessarily the workload but I had the third year blues, I couldn't, and still can't, wait for it to be over. University is great, but I need a new challenge now. <br />
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As we raced towards and entered winter I went through a break up, I left my partner after many years. It was horrific. It had to happen, and I do not regret the decision, but it doesn't change the fact that it was the lonliest and hardest times of my life, I was so upset I was physically sick. So lost and confused I was calling samaritans at all hours of the night and I didn't sleep for weeks. But then I started, day by day, to feel better. I had some awful family news, but it kind of put things in perspective. I was able to look at myself and say 'You know what Cat, you are ok.'<br />
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And now we reach the end of the year and I was 21. Originally I planned to celebrate with massive parties. But when it came to it, after everything that happened, I couldn't face that. So I just celebrated it with the people who I call friends, and you know what? It was amazing.<br />
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Christmas came, and went. My family came up, and we toasted my uncle, who passed away just before xmas after a cancer battle. Being at home, with my family and friends was wonderful (and still is - I'm not back in manchester just yet!) everyday I honestly believe I become stronger, learn a little more about me and feel happier. <br />
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So here we are at new years. I shall not be welcoming the year like I did last year. I am spending the evening my good friends, in the place I love. 2010 will have it's up's and downs. Every year does. But I know that whatever happens only I have the power to influence it. I didn't think I would be able to say this at the start of last year, but I am ok. It has taken a long time to get here, but t feels wonderful.<br />
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I don't have any new years resolutions as such. Well apart from that old trying to fit into my 'skinny' pair of jeans....<br />
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But I do know I am going to have to make some major decisions his year, I graduate, and whilst I know where I want to be in 5 years time, I don't know how I'm going to get there. This year will really be the final year of education, the start of the rest of my adult life. So I guess I've got to make the most of it. <br />
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If you read this far well done, you can be safe ion the knowledge that I am cringing at the fact of putting this all down for the world to see.<br />
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Happy NYE and all the best for 2010<br />
<br />
Cat<br />
xx<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r8zi7vcnjVc&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r8zi7vcnjVc&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-4262775422592996562009-12-26T04:38:00.000-08:002009-12-26T04:38:04.634-08:00A small online sales guide.Happy Christmas one and all! I don't know about you but I'm feeling fat, hungover and generaly shattered. What better time to go sales shopping, eh!<br />
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I adore sale shopping. However I also adore my bed. I live half an hour's drive away from any decent shops, and cannot be bothered with the early start, parking and being punched in the ribs repeatedly as I battle my way through topshop. So I stick to online shopping, yes it takes a little longer to get here this time of year, but who doesn't love getting packages in the mail?<br />
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So here's my little guide to the online sales so far...<br />
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The best:<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Harvey nicks.</b><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fancy a little Marc jacobs reduced? I know I did...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The postage isn't all that cheap but they have some amazing bargains. You're credit card won't be the same again after visiting the handbag store...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>River Island</b><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love how everything is ordered by price, I think their website is a dream to use and they seem to have plenty of items left in stock.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Kurt Geiger.</b><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A lot of items have 50% off, and for the longevity and quality of KG shoes I don't think you can go wrong. I purchased these beauties:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQ72AchOx3nP4PUWRWKL3jsmxwmKdS3ZT1OCw-6911QTGhyQ_cVWQHI4iJElXg1q1pQt13WCHcOOyl5NBG4XjsTu1Z4Dew3bFTu33i0Wy0KKyfNAU1_JsXyaAcwUNna6rezj6yiZZjQ/s1600-h/boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQ72AchOx3nP4PUWRWKL3jsmxwmKdS3ZT1OCw-6911QTGhyQ_cVWQHI4iJElXg1q1pQt13WCHcOOyl5NBG4XjsTu1Z4Dew3bFTu33i0Wy0KKyfNAU1_JsXyaAcwUNna6rezj6yiZZjQ/s320/boots.jpg" /></a><br />
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RRP £160, reduced to £99 then a further 10% off when you get to the til. Fabbity fab. I have needed some knee length boots, and thought these were just lurvely. Of course it's always risky buying shoes offline fit wise, but free returns are offered.<br />
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And now the rest...<br />
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<b>Topshop</b><br />
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Not amazing. Quite a lot sold out and personally have not been fussed by much of their designs this season. However if you are a student you do get an extra 10% off if you have your NUS number handy. I got a nice little pair of lace up flats.<br />
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<b>ASOS</b><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love ASOS, but sometimes I feel overloaded when on their site. I was looking at tops in the sale, hit the view all button and then saw that there were 1000 tops in the sale! 1000! I do not have the patience to flick through that many. However they do offer free next day delivery on orders over £100, and let's face it, it isn'texactly hard to spend that much<br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, FYI, they do have some good illamasqua sale offers...I'm just saying!<br />
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</div><b>Urban outfitters.</b><br />
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A few good deals, but I'm kinda getting bored with their designs. I don't think I'm hip enough for them anymore. Plus each model they use looks about 14 years old and can't weight more than about 7 stone. Taking a leaf out of American Apparel's book I see...<br />
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So what's your tips and tricks when it comes to sales shopping? Do you battle it out on the shop floor or do you stick to your sofa? And what bargains, if any have you found?<br />
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Hoe you all had a lovely Christmas<br />
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Cat<br />
xxCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380195953278135706.post-20645266293005192932009-09-11T10:51:00.000-07:002009-09-16T07:23:52.655-07:00Honest review: Body shop.Blogger events held by PR companies remind me of men. They take you out for the day, buy you a drink, get you something to eat and give you some presents at the end of it all in the hope that you will put out for them. Now whilst I love free things (who doesn't?!) I always feel obligued to be super nice to a company, but I have decided not to be a PR company's whore and give my honest opinion about products I am sent to review, so here is my open and honest opinion of the body shop products that I have been asked to try out. Enjoy :-)<br /><br />I wanted to talk about this in one giant post because I imagine most of you are fed up with the whole 'ooo it was so amazing, look at all the free stuff I got!' posts. Because it is a kick in the teeth. It's shit when you don't get invited to something, it turns blogging competitive and into a popularity contest. Just remember that these events aren't about blogging, they are about cheap PR and promotion. I can understand why cosmetic's companies do it, heck I would do it if I were them! But whether it is worthwhile business wise I'm not sure.<br /><br />Anyway: The body shop.<br /><br />The body shop had a couple of things to promote; firstly their new make up collection, secondly their soft hands kind hearts hand cream and finally a new perfume called love etc.<br /><br />So let's start with the make up. The main reason we were there was so they could promote their new 'autumn trend' (hmm, original name) make up range. In this range are some pearlesant shadows, blushes and eyeliners, as well as a whole load of lippies. My initial thoughts of the make up were not inspired. The eyeliners everyone had been complaining about after picking up the free ones in a magazine (can't for the life of me remember which one) and the two shadows and two blushes didn't exactly blow me away.<br /><br />So let's have a look at some product swatches.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaS6gb4C4mQ3CqFOlObR-hfki3CqUWLTSGgTWDiTrDXI-Gr4YJITnCdtEEYOGfAi6TPECBclG6O_ctKPSOWwipYg1r2CcNf595qVMEUQ-7nFykarujYeKbl7r8nCtRWk-Snc4KCNHxA/s1600-h/bodyshopeventreview+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380317456179804370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaS6gb4C4mQ3CqFOlObR-hfki3CqUWLTSGgTWDiTrDXI-Gr4YJITnCdtEEYOGfAi6TPECBclG6O_ctKPSOWwipYg1r2CcNf595qVMEUQ-7nFykarujYeKbl7r8nCtRWk-Snc4KCNHxA/s320/bodyshopeventreview+001.JPG" /></a><br /><br />*Blush trios in warm dusk and cool sunset<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf9-xlEbTpdhBNYGiRl-orFBPFwMzQL3RM2aFP5zAVI_3jAKmPfHysyfDqPCr3sHCKHObiEgb2vdPuYi8dxSLQsXyDY4PYJGkszC3sq67TWSy1E3KLLarREHD0efhVfXIgYPMJiGEOg/s1600-h/bodyshopeventreview+005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380320610186839586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf9-xlEbTpdhBNYGiRl-orFBPFwMzQL3RM2aFP5zAVI_3jAKmPfHysyfDqPCr3sHCKHObiEgb2vdPuYi8dxSLQsXyDY4PYJGkszC3sq67TWSy1E3KLLarREHD0efhVfXIgYPMJiGEOg/s320/bodyshopeventreview+005.JPG" /></a><br /><br />*Eyeshadow trios in sundown glow and moonlight lustre. My look with moonlight lustre below (how awful do my eyebrows look? It's no wonder I got dumped, those things are a crime against beauty.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDlxis5NXB4P6G6tzIxQkrf7CbYL6PL5OhgUsFwx1qOWht0TAT1kQA686ExeS9-wRAZh_X4s72zHfpkYick_OeOhU3ot5CsZ046P6XZZhindG6JP79c0Gp4gOdRL7FAQ8VW4EJjj-5g/s1600-h/bodyshopeventreview+025.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380322383097355682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDlxis5NXB4P6G6tzIxQkrf7CbYL6PL5OhgUsFwx1qOWht0TAT1kQA686ExeS9-wRAZh_X4s72zHfpkYick_OeOhU3ot5CsZ046P6XZZhindG6JP79c0Gp4gOdRL7FAQ8VW4EJjj-5g/s320/bodyshopeventreview+025.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Yes they are sparkly, but nothing amazing. To be honest I have never been overly impressed with the body shop's make up range. I love their brushes, but everything I have ever purchased I have soon forgotten about. Of course when make up artist Chase Aston did a demo of the make it it looked amazing (of course) but just because Kate Moss looks great in a mini dress doesn't mean I will.<br /><br />I applied the blue eyeshadow trio using my fingers (as chase did) over my lid in above pic. As you can you can create an entire look with the 1 product, darker colour on the outer corner, going lighter on the inside. In fact the formulation of the shadows and blushes are nice, creamy, pigmented and there is very little fallout of 'chalkiness'. I have to admit that I have used the sundown glow trip a lot lately, I just use my fingers to apply it to my lid for work and top it off with some winged eyeliner (I can't leave without some liner, love it).<br /><br />But of course the ultimate question is would I buy these myself? The answer is no. Yes they are nice shadows, and if they were part of a drugstore brand collection for around £5 I would probably be interested, but as it stands they are way overpriced at £9.50 each (the blush's are £12.50). Part of the problem is the packaging. It's clearly cheap plastic and feels flimsy. If I am paying nearly £10 for a shadow I want something with a bit of glamour and luxury, quite frankly I think TBS are missing a trick here.<br /><br />Another new range we got to see were the lippes. The colourglide collection is designed to be moisture rich and provide lasting colour. Now out of all the make up products I think these are certainly worth a look at. There's a whole range of colours and the price isn't too scary (£8 each, but have just been on the website and they are on sale for £6 right now). These do what they say on the tin, they are very glossy and glide on easily. However, I'm not so sure about the 'rich' part - the formulation is very sheer so pigmentation is not strong at all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hRXfLiM_lrKvwbUVrpOPd2g-Ly56ZvbtZ9WMshyVppcpppdFTZ72t-Gs2JWAxFw4iL-kxswxb6GV25f-wmYi0pFZsjNCo5z915ZOuXfL-YvmzJICKCvfK5B0ghYyVbeGcVuJTwu_kg/s1600-h/lippies+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380331823500200546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hRXfLiM_lrKvwbUVrpOPd2g-Ly56ZvbtZ9WMshyVppcpppdFTZ72t-Gs2JWAxFw4iL-kxswxb6GV25f-wmYi0pFZsjNCo5z915ZOuXfL-YvmzJICKCvfK5B0ghYyVbeGcVuJTwu_kg/s320/lippies+004.JPG" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HapgzoxtcXrq3MH0DonGhCGX1dEwwri7xMnEN6MBBF6IXKyXbZ4_55wcyOnjyIRTgKsgMw6QL8yRX-O8VsaARh9vqDwe7SPZ0fW_iKybv_b9TSi5sitxfU3rldw69D15Gn7ttUybxw/s1600-h/lippies+004.JPG"><br /></a></div>This is number 58, a really rich deep red with a hint of purple. As you can see the amount of pigmentation lost in the swatch is immense, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, for those looking to try darker colours but a bit scared of going the whole hog this is a nice in between colour.<br /><br />Finally (yeah I'm nearly done)<br /><br />We were given some hand cream and perfume to try out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2waIGHtYIp5m-ZPnlPWIlgt74UxhJHc73LxGGW-zpy4tv6bjrKM5OG5hkBktX5iWaWZMDJzlwRFuLwkTi3cC0JMgSFoXMJIFYTT-ZVU8irXWPgfSuWaj5d7vJkfCofX1HqOTrXQLVpA/s1600-h/ok+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380335865638545154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2waIGHtYIp5m-ZPnlPWIlgt74UxhJHc73LxGGW-zpy4tv6bjrKM5OG5hkBktX5iWaWZMDJzlwRFuLwkTi3cC0JMgSFoXMJIFYTT-ZVU8irXWPgfSuWaj5d7vJkfCofX1HqOTrXQLVpA/s320/ok+003.JPG" /></a><br />The body shop soft hands kind heart hand cream has had a lot of press lately, even Ashton Kutcher was tweeting about it. Now for every sale a donation is made to ECPAC which raises money to stop sex trafficking of children and young adults. Pretty darn good cause. However I'm not letting that interfere with my view of the product. I am a totally cynical about beauty campaigns and charity and would rather give my money direct to a charity than have 90% of money made go to the company itself, but I guess that buying these products is a lesser of two evils in some way. I am in some way annoyed at the body shop - with loreal more precisely - since it was taken over the campaigning history and focus Anita Roddick brought to the company is not there any more and I can't help but feel this is all a bit of a marketing ploy (gah, when is anything not).<br /><br />Anyway, the hand cream itself. Well it isn't anything special. It has a nice fresh non-perfumed fragrance and isn't too greasy so is absorbed into the skin easily. It won't change your life, but it will stop you having dry hands.<br /><br />Ok, last product (gold star if you made it this far) is the love etc perfume. This retails for a very reasonable £16 for a 50ml bottle of eau de parfum (not toilette) and the scent is lush. It's floral, with a hint of citrus and I was bloody impressed. Apparently it was mixed by world famous perfumers yet whether TBS brought the formula from someone or had it made themselves I'm not sure. Either way, go try this stuff - I reckon you will love it.<br /><br />So have you tried/been sent any of these products to try? What do you think of them, are they good, bad and how much do you reckon getting the product for free interferes with your review?<br /><br />Final note:<br /><br />Sorry I have been away, been busy with life lately (not always for good reason) but I have just had something leave my life which means I will have a lot more time and energy to blog. Fantastic :-)<br /><br />FYI: I shall be reviewing the illamasqua dystopia collection soon (just as soon as I can get my hands on the products).Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02431878270856257327noreply@blogger.com14