Why I won't read your post about the latest releases (& Why I won't write one, either)

*WARNING* This post may (will) offend. Don't @ me.

I have an extensive make up collection compared to my non-blogger/non-make-up-lover friends, but probably a modest collection compared to other bloggers. I am proud to say I use almost all of my make up but I know a lot of small to medium bloggers don't. Why do we have SO much more than the average consumer?

Because we are constantly writing and reading posts about new releases. Constantly buying that new Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in a nude pretty damn similar to several we already own because we KNOW it is guaranteed to take a good picture that will rake in the likes.  Or feeling shit because we haven't bought the eye shadow palette that the whole of Youtube is taking about. Or even worse - buying the new releases (every fucking shade of a range of lipstick including the green and purple that you KNOW you will never wear) just to write a swatches post/first impressions and never touch them again. Desperate to get on that PR list.

It's too easy to get sucked into the world of must-haves and wants that you don't need, trying to keep up with everyone else, or even worse trying to keep up appearances of a person that you are not with products you don't want or use.

Most bloggers, myself included, are not practicing make up artists and a lot a lot a lot of people don't do much more than a browny/reddy/bronzy smokey eye, moving into the pinky peach tones when they became trendy. (Not this gal, gimme a neon green halo eye). What purpose does owning 23598 eye shadow palettes serve? Not to mention a Z-palette full of MAC, ABH and MUG singles of the exact same shades we have amongst our collection of palettes.

I'm not here to judge believe it or not, because I am as guilty as impulse buying a product that everyone is talking about as the next gal, but I now make sure I'm doing it for the right reasons. It's a learning curve.

Because I want that palette because I don't have those colours. Because that lipstick line is my favourite formula and I don't mind another nude in the perfect formula. Even because that perfume bottle will look lovely on your dressing table and it will make you smile. Or because you are a collector and you just want to own it.

Please can we have less of because it would make a good Tati Westbrook style WTF post. Or because that jumpsuit fits our Instagram theme. Or to be ahead of the curve and review every colour while people are still interested (knowing full well you won't use that navy liquid lipstick after you swatch and review it). Let's stop having oodles of make up collecting dust and going bad - especially when animals are suffering for a great deal of it. But that's another argument.

I wanna read posts about your old favourite palettes and why you love them and what you do with them. I don't care if the boots in your #ootd are this season or 4 years ago - I wanna see your personal style. And I want to read genuine reviews about products you have picked up because you were interested, not because every other bugger is reviewing them because, lets be honest, in a sea of the exact same posts swooning over pigment and blendability the majority of posts unfortunately get lost to the big bloggers. Be different. Don't follow the trends. Break the "good blogger" rules. Let me read about what floats YOUR boat, not what's floating the rest of the world's.

Back with a bang: a new me and an un-polished blog

So I haven't blogged in ten million years.

Hi. I think I'm back.

I moved house and furnished said dwelling on a shoe string, had no fucking money to buy anything to write about, started a PhD, went on a few holidays, had a tough time with my mental health and just fell sincerely out of love with blogging: writing and reading.

Because I couldn't compare against the editorial style bloggers with their brightly lit rooms and pretty trays on their white unwrinkled bedsheets with peonies next to their toast. And their perfectly composed low shot of a gold lipstick (probably Charlotte Tilbury) with flowers and ribbons in the background, or resting on a hardback book (Probably Alexa Chung or Girl Boss).

I couldn't compete with the tall, slim, perfect fashion bloggers with their vogue poses and London street and blossom tree backgrounds. I look like a lil slug, feel like a wally posing and smizing at the camera and Martin is a SHITE photographer.

So - WELCOME TO MY UNPERFECT, UNPOLISHED BLOG. Here, my friends, we don't go for posh brunch every afternoon. We eat cornflakes and soy milk before work. We don't keep up with the latest releases because a girl is concerned about waste and consumerism and, realistically, bills gotta get paid and cats gotta get fed yaknow.

7 Things to Watch on Netflix This Month

 Martin and I got pretty bored of Netflix and committed fully to watching The Office. We tried really hard to find some gems in between, though and I think we succeeded! Definitely take a look at our seven picks to watch this month. 

The Fundamentals of Caring

Anything I see with Paul Rudd in it I’m instantly going to click on. (Even though he’ll always be Crap Bag to me). Selena Gomez AKA my ultimate girl crush, was a welcome surprise too. I loved this honest and genuinely funny story of a guy with no caring experience becoming a carer – in the same vane as Me Before You but less sickeningly romantic and weepy. 

Why I Don't Hate Instagram

Short answer: It's not that big a deal.

Yes, it's kind of annoying. Especially because it didn't need to happen - why ruin a good thing? But in the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter, and it can easily be spun into a positive.

Home Buyer Diaries #3: Post-Survey Stress

I've hinted in a few posts that we've found another house, but I haven't wanted to scream and shout about it because we haven't yet signed the contract. And, of course, based on our experience thus far we DEFINITELY aren't in the all clear. I'm still slightly aware and terrified that they're going to steal this one away from us, too. I literally couldn't even bear it.

The house is definitely more perfect for us than the house that we lost. (Everything defo happens for a reason!!). We really love this one - all stone walls, quarry tiles, spiral staircases and climbing flowers around the front door. Swoon. I cannot wait to be living in it and making it ours with all our furniture and paint and bits n bobs. Mr Puddles can climb stairs for the first time!

What to Expect from a LUSH Interview & Recruitment Evening (Part 1)

I went to a recruitment evening at my local Lush Spa in Cardiff tonight. I had absolutely no idea what to expect, what to wear etc and it gave me so much anxiety in the build up, so I thought I would share my experience to hopefully help someone else! (FYI - dress was suuuuper casual and full of different styles which was great. Definitely wear something that reflects your personality and style and that you feel comfortable in).

I couldn't believe how LONG the queue was for the recruitment evening. Easily 120 people long and it snaked all along the high street. I couldn't decide whether that made me more or less anxious because it felt less "intimate" which is a good thing, but also the thought of having to do horrible group role plays in front of stranger and aaaall that competition was very nerve wracking. Especially because the majority of people were paired up in little groups of friends.

When we were let in to the shop around 7.30pm we all squeezed in and gathered around the manager who gave a little talk where she shared what she expected from us in terms of hours to be worked, permanence and the right attitude. We then split up into maybe 10 smaller groups and were assigned to different "areas" of the shop with a member of staff where we were given some  demonstrations of products, which I think most of us had seen a thousand times. I'm still not sure what the point of that part was because it took around 40 minutes. I think it was to show us how they showed and explained products, but considering that wasn't part of our interview maybe it was a little premature.

We then had to find a stranger to pair up with for the rest of the interview, with the intention of finding their perfect product. We had to ask lots of open questions to determine their skin type or favourite smells or their problem areas. This didn't seem to be observed in any way so I wouldn't worry too much about this bit - just try and genuinely learn about your partner.

I've got to be honest, here. I was lucky that my partner said she wanted a cleanser that was also moisturising and suitable for sensitive skin. I knew straight away that Ultrabland was perfect because I have used it. If I didn't know about the products as much as I do or if she had asked for a skin type or fragrance that I don't know about then I might have found this really difficult. They say you don't need to know about Lush products and ingredients, but I don't know what I would have done if I wasn't a Lush nerd...

We then had to queue for a REALLY long bloody time (like 45 minutes) for have our little one-on-one interview in which we had to explain why we picked the product we picked and talk a little about ourselves.  It was super informal and friendly so don't panic about being all profesh. I knew exactly why I picked mine and knew a little about the ingredients so I didn't find that too difficult. I think the most important thing is to be friendly, be confident and be yourself. The girl and I had a laugh about shoes and products and I talked to her like a friend which I think went down well. If you're a good fit for the company, they will know straight away. Even if your product knowledge isn't strong.

I was lucky to be invited for a trial shift which is the next stage of the interview. I'll do a little part two on this once Saturday has been and gone - I think that's the hard and scary bit. Wish me luck, guys!!


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Staying Sane While Being Unemployed

I've been unemployed pretty much since July, when I quit my job in a makeup shop because I graduated from Uni and was going on to bigger and better things. Lol I'm dull.

I've had a few "self employed"/freelance jobs in the mean time that have tided me over for a few weeks. So I've managed to support myself for a little while but I've had no long term, steady and stable employment. I'm skint and bored and feeling pretty shite about myself.

In the TEN MONTHS (omgod my life sucks) I've been on-and-off out of work, there's been a few little things that have kept me sane. Ish, but not really... If they can help anyone not feel as depressed and dejected as I have these last few months then they are worth sharing.