Hello darlings,
I know, I know, it's been too long, but I have been in a musical! That's a good enough excuse, right? But now I'm back and ready to gab on about the things that make our lives just that little bit more sparkly. Today, a post about something I'm sure we're all familiar with, the famous first-world problem, namely, the beauty ones, and hopefully I can also offer up some tips on how to deal with these dastardly occasions.
1. HELP! MY EYESHADOW HAS SPRINKLED ALL OVER MY CHEEKS!
We all know the feeling, you finish applying the perfect smoky eye, you're practically catwoman as you preen yourself, and yet that last swish of dark eyeshadow manages to litter a fountain of it all over your under-eye and cheekbone area, leaving you with a rather unsightly smudge. Make-up, ruined. But here's how to fix it!
If you're using a non-matte, glow foundation, try and do as much of your eye make-up befor applying any powder, bronzer or finisher. A non-matte foundation tends to be quite slippery, and this means smudges are easily wiped away with a cotton pad or just a finger, leaving you to perfect the top layer with your finishing powder etc.
If you're a matte girl from the get-go, it's a bit harder, but the secret is then within how you apply your eyeshadow. Eyeshadow is much more of a marathon, not a race, (unless you're late!) It's all about the blending and the building, so start slow, don't load up your brush, and smudges should be minimal. Secondly, a good quality brush goes a long, long way. It's easy to get caught up in cheapo brushes, but these are often the ones that drop powder everywhere. The MAC brushes and the 'Real Techniques' ones (found in Boots) are the ones that I have found best. Be warned, they are a little pricey, but look after a brush and it'll treat you well for a very long time.
If all else fails, or you're in a big hurry, a fingertip never drops powder, I won't tell if you won't!
2. NO! My lipstick always manages to disappear five minutes after leaving the house!
Lipstick, what a game-changer. You can go from boring office-worker to utter vixen in five seconds. But what do you do when the lipstick never seems to want to stay put? The golden rule of lipstick is to always provide a base. This means, when you're doing your foundation, don't miss out your lips! Foundation does just that, provides a perfect foundation for other products to build upon it, so use it!
3. COME QUICK! My skin insists on behaving like an angry teenager!
You look in the mirror, you could have sworn you left those hideous puberty days behind, yet your skin still insists on behaving like the skin of a teenager, and the blemishes still reign strong. The solution? If your skin insists on acting like a rebellious teen, treat it like one! We all grow up and then suddenly think we must use 'grown-up' skincare, when really there is no shame on using products fit for purpose. My current favourite blemish-busting product is Visibly Clear's new pink grapefruit daily moisturiser. It works wonders, smells amazing and the pink, stylish packaging is a world away from the usual clinical look of other skincare products of its kind.
4. SOB! My hair just will not stay put on a night out!
Having straight hair (like me), can be a disaster zone of utter flatness, no matter how much primping you do in the house, a quick taxi ride turns it into something more boring than that report that's been sitting on my desk for the past five weeks....I must do that one day.
The solution? Ever wandered around the haircare section of the chemist and spied those tiny little bottles of haircare stuff, and thought, nah, I'll go for the big one? The small ones are there for a reason! While those diddy bottles are great in case you want to test a product first, they are also dinky handbag-sized solutions to all your hair needs! Pick up a baby bottle of hairspray, and as soon as you get to the bar, go into the loos, tip your head upside and let that tiny bottle work it's magic! For a more summery look, get a little bottle of salt spray, or just some root-boosting powder for a more subtle helping hand.
Just remember, at the end of it all, it's just make-up, try not to panic, and where you cannot see a solution, google! You're bound not to be the only one!
I'll write more often now, promise! See you all soon!
Abi x
Monday, 31 March 2014
Monday, 10 March 2014
Top 10 Chick Flick Fashion Lessons
Hey cutie-patooties (too much? Possibly)
10. Pretty Woman - Redheads CAN rock a red dress.
We all experienced that heart-gushing moment when Julia steps out in that GORGEOUS red number, complete with the ice round her neck courtesy of Richard Gere. We felt that princess moment along with her, as she, once and for all, stamped out the myth that it is impossible for redheads to look fantastic in a well-styled rouge number.
9. Clueless - The visible collar, always a DO.
8. Mean Girls - Halloween, the only night a year....you know the story.
7. Never Been Kissed - Don't be afraid to let out your inner 'nice' girl
Drew Barrymore in 'Never Been Kissed' goes through about a hundred fashion changes in under two hours. An impressive feat really. But never does she look as pretty as when she can finally be herself, in the end scene where she lets go of all the try-hard dresses and poodle coats, and wears a pretty, subtle pastel number. Even Jessica Alba, the beauty of the film, is dwarfed by her all-powerful nice-girl look. Boom.
6. 10 Things I Hate About You - Always make your friends be honest about your new hairstyle.
Oh Julia Stiles, we laughed with you, cried with you, and that's right, cringed with you at the hair disaster during the prom scene of this classic film. Julia looks amazing, and a darn sight better than her 'prettier' sister throughout the film with her tousled, messy-look blonde locks. However, this skin-tight pulled back poodle 'do is one for Fashion Room 101.
4. Legally Blonde - Workwear doesn't have to be void of personality.
If ever there was inspiration for fabulous workwear, it is Elle Woods. Granted, we might not want to turn up at the office in a full hot pink suit, yet the sentiment is still there, there is always room for fashion! Check out these five triumphant looks from the film, a few fully wearable even today!
3. The Devil Wears Prada - Hair changes everything. Oh, and over 40 can totally be fabulous.
I am a full supporter of the full-fringe look. Although a risk, it can turn a plain face into one that is instantly fashion forward with one quick snip of the scissors. It's not for everyone, so compare your bone structure to famous faces who are champions of the full fringe (like Zooey Deschanel) before taking the chop, however, if you get it right, it may change your life (over-dramatic? I think not). Anne Hathaway's transformation from frumpy to fab in this film classic wouldn't be complete without it. Also, Meryl Streep will never not look amazing.
2. Dirty Dancing - A hint to the 50s, a staple summer favourite.
This film is full of iconic moments. The lift, the lake, every time Patrick Swayze melted our pre-teen hearts. But I bet the costume designer for the film didn't guess that she was creating looks still wearable forty years later, with Baby's classic fifties/early sixties cuts, which have all of the feminine class and subtlely of that era, and none of the frump. She also brings out her playful side in the denim shorts, white shirt outfit, which cemented the denim and white combo as a summer favourite for every generation. I challenge thee not to see it as soon as the sun breaks through the clouds this year. Baby, soldiers of fashion everywhere, salute you.
1. Grease - Saucy and morally questionable. A winner all round.
Yes, we know Grease has a terrible moral lesson. Sweet, shy Sandy abandons everything she believes in and lives by and sexes herself up, all to bag herself a man. But who can worry about that when Olivia Newton-John looks so goddamn amazing at the end? Plus, we were all brought up on Grease, yet we don't walk around sporting skin-tight shiny trousers and red lips....oh wait.
The ultimate moral is, monochrome works. It has always worked, and will always work. Meoww.
You know what I love on a Monday lunchtime? A good countdown to read. So today I'm compiling the top 10 fashion lessons us 90s girls learnt from those good old fashioned chick flicks. Warning, I'm talking classics only, none of this new fangled rubbish.
10. Pretty Woman - Redheads CAN rock a red dress.
We all experienced that heart-gushing moment when Julia steps out in that GORGEOUS red number, complete with the ice round her neck courtesy of Richard Gere. We felt that princess moment along with her, as she, once and for all, stamped out the myth that it is impossible for redheads to look fantastic in a well-styled rouge number.
9. Clueless - The visible collar, always a DO.
Clueless, famous for it's fabulously 90s preppy fashion, delivers an understated look in the form of it's collared, 'grown-up school uniform' style outfits. Now, in 2014, you can't walk the street without seeing someone sporting the same look, albeit slightly updated. Clueless also cemented it's name within fashion stardom by proving that if Calvin Klein says it's a dress, it IS a dress.
8. Mean Girls - Halloween, the only night a year....you know the story.
Dressing in lingerie and animal ears on halloween. A hotly debated topic. Every year there is a rampage of women moaning about girls who dress as a 'sexy big bird' or other slightly hilarious outfit options. However I say, if halloween is the one night of the year we can dress as sexy big bird, why the hell not?! Halloween is about dressing up as something else after all, so why can't the mousy librarian from floor 23 dress as her own fantasy of herself. In Mean Girls, we were all thinking it, they look bloody fabulous.
7. Never Been Kissed - Don't be afraid to let out your inner 'nice' girl
Drew Barrymore in 'Never Been Kissed' goes through about a hundred fashion changes in under two hours. An impressive feat really. But never does she look as pretty as when she can finally be herself, in the end scene where she lets go of all the try-hard dresses and poodle coats, and wears a pretty, subtle pastel number. Even Jessica Alba, the beauty of the film, is dwarfed by her all-powerful nice-girl look. Boom.
6. 10 Things I Hate About You - Always make your friends be honest about your new hairstyle.
Oh Julia Stiles, we laughed with you, cried with you, and that's right, cringed with you at the hair disaster during the prom scene of this classic film. Julia looks amazing, and a darn sight better than her 'prettier' sister throughout the film with her tousled, messy-look blonde locks. However, this skin-tight pulled back poodle 'do is one for Fashion Room 101.
5. She's All That - Wearing glasses and your hair in a ponytail does not make you hideous.
As pointed out in 'Not Another Teen Movie' - the entire premise of Rachel Leigh Cook's makeover in 'She's All That' is ludicrous. We can all clearly see she is pretty right at the beginning of the film. However, watching it now has an entirely different meaning with the new emergence of geek chic, you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching a film in reverse.
4. Legally Blonde - Workwear doesn't have to be void of personality.
If ever there was inspiration for fabulous workwear, it is Elle Woods. Granted, we might not want to turn up at the office in a full hot pink suit, yet the sentiment is still there, there is always room for fashion! Check out these five triumphant looks from the film, a few fully wearable even today!
3. The Devil Wears Prada - Hair changes everything. Oh, and over 40 can totally be fabulous.
I am a full supporter of the full-fringe look. Although a risk, it can turn a plain face into one that is instantly fashion forward with one quick snip of the scissors. It's not for everyone, so compare your bone structure to famous faces who are champions of the full fringe (like Zooey Deschanel) before taking the chop, however, if you get it right, it may change your life (over-dramatic? I think not). Anne Hathaway's transformation from frumpy to fab in this film classic wouldn't be complete without it. Also, Meryl Streep will never not look amazing.
This film is full of iconic moments. The lift, the lake, every time Patrick Swayze melted our pre-teen hearts. But I bet the costume designer for the film didn't guess that she was creating looks still wearable forty years later, with Baby's classic fifties/early sixties cuts, which have all of the feminine class and subtlely of that era, and none of the frump. She also brings out her playful side in the denim shorts, white shirt outfit, which cemented the denim and white combo as a summer favourite for every generation. I challenge thee not to see it as soon as the sun breaks through the clouds this year. Baby, soldiers of fashion everywhere, salute you.
1. Grease - Saucy and morally questionable. A winner all round.
Yes, we know Grease has a terrible moral lesson. Sweet, shy Sandy abandons everything she believes in and lives by and sexes herself up, all to bag herself a man. But who can worry about that when Olivia Newton-John looks so goddamn amazing at the end? Plus, we were all brought up on Grease, yet we don't walk around sporting skin-tight shiny trousers and red lips....oh wait.
The ultimate moral is, monochrome works. It has always worked, and will always work. Meoww.
Monday, 3 March 2014
eBay - A Bargain Hunter's Do's and Don'ts
Hello pretty people,
I'm sure you're all flooded with blog posts about the Oscars and those beautiful dresses. Alas, I fell asleep long before the cream of the crop even started arriving, so I'm going to have to wait for the highlights tonight before I can make my decisions on who I think belongs on the best-dressed list this year. I know it's naughty to hope for at least one dress disaster, but come on, these people get to be dressed by Valentino, we deserve a little fun!
However, today I'm going to go against the trend of Oscar posts, and rather than write about dresses that cost more than what most of us make in a year, I want to give you all a few tips on one of my favourite pastimes, a little bit of bargain hunting on eBay. You never know, there might be an Oscar winner hidden there somewhere.
I won't claim to be an expert or anything, but I spend an embarassing amount of time on this gem of a website, even if it is just to drool over the bags that I know I can't have! Over my time, I've learnt a few tricks of the trade, so listen up, beauties, and a bargain might be waiting for you!
Try out a search with a mispelled brand name. Sometimes proof-reading isn't someone's special skill, and if they don't look at it properly, Hollister can often become Holister, and so on and so forth. Beware, if something is mis-spelled it might mean they know less about the brand, or it could be a warning sign of a fake, so keep your eyes peeled. However, it's always worth checking that fashionista having a clear out didn't make a mistake while distracted by this month's Vogue.
careful the mis-spelling isn't actually on the item!
Be tempted by eBay fakes. It's not worth it by any account. Personally I don't like fakes in general, as I always think anyone with an eye for fashion can tell in a heartbeat. However if you buy in person you can check out the stitching, the lining, and see if it at least is a well-made fake. On eBay, this person is already breaking the law, so you don't know what else they are doing wrong, are those pictures real? Did they just nick that off of someone elses' website?
Have a quick check in your area. By changing the location settings you can see if anything is less than ten miles away from where you live. If that pair of Louboutins is waiting in the next street, why pay for ten pounds of postage?
They're out there somewhere, find me, pretty red soles!
Don't -
Be willy nilly when getting anything cosmetic related. I wouldn't risk it unless I was ABSOLUTELY sure that it was a genuine product. Be warned, people are sneaky and use pictures of receipts etc. to trick. There have been a lot of stories of people buying fake cosmetics on eBay hoping for the real deal and getting some nasty chemicals, or just a cheap product put in a fake designer bottle. Don't risk your money!
Some subtle differences between a real and fake perfume, it's almost impossible to spot! You have to get your clues from other parts of the listing.
Do -
Check the feedback on that seller from other buyers. If a lot of other people have had problems, it's likely you will too. Don't get me wrong, there are people out there who will moan about anything, but learn from other's mistakes and don't go near a seller who messes people around.
Probably best not to trust someone with the username 'iaintpayinyou'
Don't -
Bid straight away. eBay is a game just as much as anything else. No-one else can see if you are watching someone but they know you're interested if you bid 4 days before it ends. Watch in the background like a little fashion tiger waiting to pounce. Timing is everything, so catch the other bidders out in the last hour, minute, or second, just keep them guessing! You never know, they might be busy and forget and you can nab it! Naughty!
This is how I like to imagine a fabulous fashion tiger. Has this blog gone a little loopy?
Do -
Check in-season items haven't gone on sale. Often, eBay sellers sell off in season items that they have been given, or cannot take back to the shop, at a small reduction of the shop price. This is a great way to get a new item that you have seen in the shops for a bit cheaper. However, I once went to buy an asos jumpsuit from eBay, at 25 pounds when it was 35 online. I thought I would just give it one quick check online and saw that it had suddenly been put in the asos sale at 15 pounds! It's a rare occurrence but always best to check when sales change so fast.
Don't -
Trust anyone who asks you to make payment outside of eBay. They are trying to scam you. Always use PayPal, as it's the safest way to pay on eBay.
Do -
Know your buzzwords. Words like 'vintage' often bring up a lot of rubbish someone has found at the back of their wardrobe. However searching for a specific era, like '1960s' or using words associated with that era (e.g. hippie) will come up with more specific and fashion-friendly items. My favourite current buzzword is 'blogger' as people tend to tag this onto items that have been popular in the blog world, meaning they have often already been reviewed and approved by the hallowed halls of blogger fashiondom. Also, remember searching for specific brands is is pretty fail-safe - but be wary of people who cut out the label and still insist it is a certain brand, I spy a crook on the horizon!
Score a beauty like this party dress with the right vintage buzzwords.
Don't -
Search in the 'lowest price' option. Unless going for 'Buy it Now' items, the 'lowest price' search often will usually lead to false hope and disappointment. Of course that mulberry bag is going to be fifty pounds if someone uploaded it an hour ago, however when it gets closer to the end of sale, the price will rocket up. I find it is better to go for the 'ending soonest' option. You get a much more realistic idea of price, and you get the excitement of knowing it's ending soon.Do -
Try out different wording options. Looking for something in particular? Maybe your perfect dressing table stool might not come up when you type in 'dressing table stool'. But type in 'bedroom stool', and BAM! Shabby chic galore. Looking for that perfect fifties skirt? 'Fifties skirt' might churn out lots of fancy dress items, but 'A-line skirt' brings you a fabulous swishy skirt to bring out your inner Marilyn!
Speaking of which, midi A-line skirts are going to be huge this year, I love this little tulle number from Topshop, what a pretty summer colour!
And lastly...
DO -
Remember. If it is too good to be true, it probably is. eBay is a community full of thousands and thousands of people. If no-one else is bidding on that once in a life time, stop the press, jaw-dropping bargain, it is probably because they have spotted something you haven't. Look again, do some research, you'll probably save yourself a big headache later.
I hope this gives you some useful strategies when you're hunting for that perfect spring outfit on a budget, or trying to find that out of stock item you've wanted for weeks! eBay is great for finding labels while keeping the purse strings tight, but you just have to keep your wits about you.
I hope you are all having a happy Monday, and if you haven't watched the Oscars yet, I hope you enjoy it tonight! Let me know in the comments if you have any good eBay tips of your own!
Abi x
Thursday, 20 February 2014
Pretty AND Funny, An Impossible Goal Or An Age-Old Prejudice?
Hi my beauties,
Right, let me start by saying the daily thing last week definitely didn't work, I'm just too busy to committ to a daily post, but I hoped you liked it anyway! Today, a thought post, which I do enjoy writing just as much as my beauty ones, as this means I just get to speak my mind without the distraction of making sure I'm covering all the angles of reviewing a product and making sure I'm representing it properly to you!
I've read a few articles recently about the idea that there are too few female comedians on panel shows, which has eventually led to the BBC banning all male panel shows, which will certainly have an effect on all the major comedy shows such as '8 Out Of 10 Cats' and 'Mock The Week'.
The statistics certainly show there to be a large difference between male contestants and female ones, with often only one or no women appearing on each show, while all of the main recurring panelists are all men, for the large network shows. So what problems does this cause? Are we overreacting to a natural tendency in the sexes, or does this reveal the innate sexism within our society? (Note: neither of which I'm stating as my opinion, rhetorical!)
The move from the BBC has certainly had a rather large backlash, but mainly from women, rather than men. The majority of comments are from females, and all the top rated ones say things like:
"The problem is women just aren't funny!"
"Oh god, this is so embarassing, I apologise on behalf of women!"
"There are just fewer female comedians, for good reason!"
Personally I think this is the worst thing about this whole situation. There seems to be this inherent 'embarassment' from some women when anyone even analyses a clear statistic of inequality. I'm not saying we should all hold hands and burn our bras, but I don't think anyone, male or female, should disregard anyone when there are clear figures supporting their opinion. I also feel there is often an ulterior motive behind comments like this, which is that I often find people think that pointing out any inequality between the sexes, is somehow unattractive, especially with things like "I apologise on behalf of women!"
Or is it that we think funny women just aren't attractive. Is it actually possible to be both? I remember watching a program once, a sort of X Factor for stand-up comedians, but without all the corruption and annoying crying. There was one woman who was quite funny, but every week, there seemed to be some comment about how she needed to make herself 'less pretty', coming straight from the female judges' mouth! However, we have to admit, it does seem like a trend with women in comedy to relentlessly make fun of the way they look. Jo Brand is a great example of this, and often Sarah Millican, but on a slightly smaller scale. But then, I stop and think, is this just the girls? How many times have you seen a male comedian in a shirtless advert, or in a cologne tv ad donning a suit and preening in the mirror? Not often I bet. It seems that it's a similar situation for both sexes, but we focus much harder on the girls, because it's somehow much more strange for us to not want to be pretty? The truth is, self-deprecation is funny. It's funnier when it's obvious.
Let's talk about the central issue here, inequality. Yes it is there. There is no denying it really. But, is it a negative thing? I suppose the word 'inequality' might be the wrong word to use, but I just mean 'difference'. The fact is we see it everywhere. If you walk down the high street there are ten times more clothes shops for women, rather than men. But I've never heard someone saying it's a particularly negative thing. The shops aren't saying 'WOMEN ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT SHOP, YOU BIG SHOPAHOLICS!'. It's just something that is there, and I won't complain!
The big question is, do we, as viewers, feel that these shows are oppressing us/girls? I have never watched an episode of Mock The Week and felt angered by their misrepresentation of women. I've never watched a stand-up comedy show and groaned when the one female comedian came out. I suppose it's because, at this point, I'm not looking at them as female and male comedians, but simply, comedians.
I suppose that we might not have all the facts here. If female comedians themselves feel that they are constantly being judged for what's in their knickers, not in their heads, and feel they are denied work simply because of their gender, then we have a problem. But unless that is the case, I'm not sure a problem should be created where there isn't one. Can we not look at these people, as just funny people?
Right, let me start by saying the daily thing last week definitely didn't work, I'm just too busy to committ to a daily post, but I hoped you liked it anyway! Today, a thought post, which I do enjoy writing just as much as my beauty ones, as this means I just get to speak my mind without the distraction of making sure I'm covering all the angles of reviewing a product and making sure I'm representing it properly to you!
I've read a few articles recently about the idea that there are too few female comedians on panel shows, which has eventually led to the BBC banning all male panel shows, which will certainly have an effect on all the major comedy shows such as '8 Out Of 10 Cats' and 'Mock The Week'.
The statistics certainly show there to be a large difference between male contestants and female ones, with often only one or no women appearing on each show, while all of the main recurring panelists are all men, for the large network shows. So what problems does this cause? Are we overreacting to a natural tendency in the sexes, or does this reveal the innate sexism within our society? (Note: neither of which I'm stating as my opinion, rhetorical!)
The move from the BBC has certainly had a rather large backlash, but mainly from women, rather than men. The majority of comments are from females, and all the top rated ones say things like:
"The problem is women just aren't funny!"
"Oh god, this is so embarassing, I apologise on behalf of women!"
"There are just fewer female comedians, for good reason!"
Personally I think this is the worst thing about this whole situation. There seems to be this inherent 'embarassment' from some women when anyone even analyses a clear statistic of inequality. I'm not saying we should all hold hands and burn our bras, but I don't think anyone, male or female, should disregard anyone when there are clear figures supporting their opinion. I also feel there is often an ulterior motive behind comments like this, which is that I often find people think that pointing out any inequality between the sexes, is somehow unattractive, especially with things like "I apologise on behalf of women!"
Or is it that we think funny women just aren't attractive. Is it actually possible to be both? I remember watching a program once, a sort of X Factor for stand-up comedians, but without all the corruption and annoying crying. There was one woman who was quite funny, but every week, there seemed to be some comment about how she needed to make herself 'less pretty', coming straight from the female judges' mouth! However, we have to admit, it does seem like a trend with women in comedy to relentlessly make fun of the way they look. Jo Brand is a great example of this, and often Sarah Millican, but on a slightly smaller scale. But then, I stop and think, is this just the girls? How many times have you seen a male comedian in a shirtless advert, or in a cologne tv ad donning a suit and preening in the mirror? Not often I bet. It seems that it's a similar situation for both sexes, but we focus much harder on the girls, because it's somehow much more strange for us to not want to be pretty? The truth is, self-deprecation is funny. It's funnier when it's obvious.
Let's talk about the central issue here, inequality. Yes it is there. There is no denying it really. But, is it a negative thing? I suppose the word 'inequality' might be the wrong word to use, but I just mean 'difference'. The fact is we see it everywhere. If you walk down the high street there are ten times more clothes shops for women, rather than men. But I've never heard someone saying it's a particularly negative thing. The shops aren't saying 'WOMEN ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT SHOP, YOU BIG SHOPAHOLICS!'. It's just something that is there, and I won't complain!
The big question is, do we, as viewers, feel that these shows are oppressing us/girls? I have never watched an episode of Mock The Week and felt angered by their misrepresentation of women. I've never watched a stand-up comedy show and groaned when the one female comedian came out. I suppose it's because, at this point, I'm not looking at them as female and male comedians, but simply, comedians.
I suppose that we might not have all the facts here. If female comedians themselves feel that they are constantly being judged for what's in their knickers, not in their heads, and feel they are denied work simply because of their gender, then we have a problem. But unless that is the case, I'm not sure a problem should be created where there isn't one. Can we not look at these people, as just funny people?
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
Beat the Winter Beauty Blues - Day 2
Okay, okay, so I already failed miserable at doing the daily post thing, but hey, I had a busy day yesterday! Now that my boyfriend is back from New York I have to fit in valuable hours of annoying him!
So today I shall write the day 2 post, and we shall simply pretend Tuesday was lost somewhere in the abyss, which I don't think too many people would complain about (who in the world ever likes Tuesdays?)
Today's post is all about getting that little extra spark of fierceness and energy you remember so well from summer, that seems to go out of the window in winter when we resign ourselves to cosy knitwear and slippers. But truly, what can possible make you feel better than feel just a little bit fabulous on a cold morning?
Beauty Tip -
Nothing could possibly scream 'fierce' like a fabulous red lip. Or why not go bright pink and really stand out. Red is a typical winter colour, but a pink will really curb the trend and draw the eye. In winter, unless you are blessed by the lip fairy, you will at some point feel the dreaded dryness looming, leaving your lipstick cracked and unappealing, and your lips anything but kissable. You could go for a specially moisturising lipstick, such as Lancome le Rouge Absolue - which has the most gorgeous (and enormous) range of colours, and are specifically designed to combat dryness as well as being highly pigmented.
However, these lipsticks, at £22.50, are a bit pricey if you're more of a high street lover, and I can totally sympathise, with all the gorgeous lipstick ranges on the high street (Rimmel Kate Moss, cough cough!), sometimes spending over the odds on a lipstick unless you've completely fallen in love with it can seem silly. Do not fret, my beauties, I have another solution! I can bet you have a pot of lip balm in your purse right now, but lip balms are often marketed as being much more nourishing than they are, when really they just protect your lips from outside damage, rather than cure the damage already done. Do you know the feeling when your lips feel fine and then as soon as you start applying lip balm, you feel like you always need it? That's why! This is when the lip butters come in. Ultra-nourishing, lip-butters have always been on the outskirts of the beauty world, when I think they deserve a front row catwalk seat (the Alexa Chung of products, if you will). The one recommended highly to me by friends is Nivea Lip Butter, which comes in four delicious but not sickly flavours. Boys can also get away with the original one as it has a really neutral and just generally nice scent. Slather on a lip butter the night before you plan to rock the bright lippie look and your lips should be silky smooth come morn! At £2.50, these are a snap!
Fashion Tip -
Now, I know what you're all thinking, "It's winter, she's going to suggest going out in a splash of colour so I ultimately clash with the very grey landscape". Quite the opposite in fact! Adding colour to your wardrobe in winter is a classic way in which to brighten up the cold days, but in fact, it often just does not go with the surroundings! There is a reason all the fashion lines go with burgundy, navy and forest green this time of year, and that's because if you go out in lime green and shocking pink, you slightly look like you got beamed down on the wrong planet (aiming for planet sun maybe?) Of course, there are exceptions, and a well-placed bright accessory here and there would never go amiss. However, today I want to talk about rocking the monochrome. At the moment it's all about the clean-cut, slightly androgynous, poker face look. I'm talking crisp blouses with feminine embellishments, skin-tight, well-cut trousers, heels (not too high, this isn't a look for stripper heels, but rather, cool, quirky ones).
To give a blouse a quirky, monochrome twist that won't look out of place with an outfit such as this, try this easy tip which I wear to work in order to give my suits a little something extra. (By the way, sorry about the lack of pictures, I'll take some on my phone tomorrow and upload them so you can see what I mean).
- Take a small piece of black ribbon, whatever thickness you want, the thicker the more dramatic. Just makes sure lengthwise it can fit round your neck with a bit of space for a bow
- Do your top button up, then thread the ribbon under the collar like you would a tie
- Cross the ends over each other at the front and loop it round to create a 'bow' (this doesnt have to actually be a bow, just look like one, so it can merely be held in the middle by your fingers)
- Take a stud earring (whatever kind you like, this is a chance to be creative, and it is a really good use of those odd earrings that never manage to be reuinted with their twin), and push it through the centre of the bow held together by your fingers, in order to hold it in a bow shape, then push the end through the side of the button hole on your shirt, securing at the back with the back of the earring.
There you have it, a super-chic and simple way to make a blouse different, and all for the little cost of a black ribbon (which you probably have lying around anyway, I used to sometimes use the ribbons that come on the insides of clothes under the arms which you are supposed to use to hang them up, but everyone cuts them off!)
Foodie Fix -
My, my! This is becoming a long post, so I shall try and be quick! One of my recent favourite favourite favourite foodie fixes (breathe) is using vegetables as a substitute for starchy carbs in food.
Now now, I know what you're thinking, sounds very very dull right? Just trust me! I thought the same as you, until I read about using courgettes as a pasta substitute, and when I cooked it that evening, my world changed!
In winter, we constantly stock up on warming plates of pasta and bread and other bloating carbs, which often (when eaten in mass, as I so often do!) make us just feel worse, we feel tired and far too full. So recently I have been using vegetables instead and it could not be easier.
- Simply use a potato peeler on a courgette to make it into tagilatelle-like strips, fry them up for a little bit and then serve with pasta sauce, it genuinely tastes jusyt like al dente pasta!
- use sliced aubergines and courgettes in a lasagna instead of pasta sheets, roast the vegetables up first to make them softer.
I'm sure there are loads more online but those two are my absolute faves, and you can really enjoy 'pasta' without the food baby afterwards!
Lifstyle -
I know I always feel a bit down when my room feels unappealing, or I don't want to have people round to be in there because I don't feel homely there. This could be because it's a mess, or maybe you're just too used to how it looks and are a bit tired of it. My new favourite home-thing right now is removable wall stickers. Like instant wallpaper without the mess, effort or commitment, as well as coming in so many different shapes and patterns, I am loving these new ways to style up a boring bedroom. Ebay is an absolute haven for them so check them out. Also, they're cheap as chips!
These are some of my favourites:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Removable-Vinyl-Wall-Art-Stickers-Decal-Paper-Mural-Home-Decor-Black-Flowers-New-/400635017704?pt=UK_Wallpaper&hash=item5d47b539e8#ht_6826wt_1041
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Transparent-Border-Dandelion-Flowers-Wall-Stickers-Mural-Decals-Art-Decor-Paper-/251116597103?pt=UK_Wallpaper&hash=item3a77b72f6f#ht_1721wt_958
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/48-butterfly-wall-art-sticker-wall-decal-wall-decor-/261152880050?pt=UK_Wallpaper&var=&hash=item3ccdecb5b2#ht_2979wt_721
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAMASK-BAROQUE-WALL-ART-STICKERS-DAMASK-BAROQUE-INTERIOR-STICKERS-/251448190265?pt=UK_Wallpaper&var=&hash=item3a8b7ae539
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-BAROQUE-STYLE-FRAME-Wall-Sticker-Decal-20-COLOURS-3-SIZES-FR01-/221351660629?pt=UK_Home_HomeDecor_Frames&var=&hash=item3389964c55#ht_2809wt_1030
There are absolutely zillions so make sure to have a good search around!
Love to you all, and thank you so much to everyone who has commented recently or who is reading this in general, it really means a lot to me, and do comment if you want me to write about anything in particular!
Abi x
So today I shall write the day 2 post, and we shall simply pretend Tuesday was lost somewhere in the abyss, which I don't think too many people would complain about (who in the world ever likes Tuesdays?)
Today's post is all about getting that little extra spark of fierceness and energy you remember so well from summer, that seems to go out of the window in winter when we resign ourselves to cosy knitwear and slippers. But truly, what can possible make you feel better than feel just a little bit fabulous on a cold morning?
Beauty Tip -
Nothing could possibly scream 'fierce' like a fabulous red lip. Or why not go bright pink and really stand out. Red is a typical winter colour, but a pink will really curb the trend and draw the eye. In winter, unless you are blessed by the lip fairy, you will at some point feel the dreaded dryness looming, leaving your lipstick cracked and unappealing, and your lips anything but kissable. You could go for a specially moisturising lipstick, such as Lancome le Rouge Absolue - which has the most gorgeous (and enormous) range of colours, and are specifically designed to combat dryness as well as being highly pigmented.
However, these lipsticks, at £22.50, are a bit pricey if you're more of a high street lover, and I can totally sympathise, with all the gorgeous lipstick ranges on the high street (Rimmel Kate Moss, cough cough!), sometimes spending over the odds on a lipstick unless you've completely fallen in love with it can seem silly. Do not fret, my beauties, I have another solution! I can bet you have a pot of lip balm in your purse right now, but lip balms are often marketed as being much more nourishing than they are, when really they just protect your lips from outside damage, rather than cure the damage already done. Do you know the feeling when your lips feel fine and then as soon as you start applying lip balm, you feel like you always need it? That's why! This is when the lip butters come in. Ultra-nourishing, lip-butters have always been on the outskirts of the beauty world, when I think they deserve a front row catwalk seat (the Alexa Chung of products, if you will). The one recommended highly to me by friends is Nivea Lip Butter, which comes in four delicious but not sickly flavours. Boys can also get away with the original one as it has a really neutral and just generally nice scent. Slather on a lip butter the night before you plan to rock the bright lippie look and your lips should be silky smooth come morn! At £2.50, these are a snap!
Now, I know what you're all thinking, "It's winter, she's going to suggest going out in a splash of colour so I ultimately clash with the very grey landscape". Quite the opposite in fact! Adding colour to your wardrobe in winter is a classic way in which to brighten up the cold days, but in fact, it often just does not go with the surroundings! There is a reason all the fashion lines go with burgundy, navy and forest green this time of year, and that's because if you go out in lime green and shocking pink, you slightly look like you got beamed down on the wrong planet (aiming for planet sun maybe?) Of course, there are exceptions, and a well-placed bright accessory here and there would never go amiss. However, today I want to talk about rocking the monochrome. At the moment it's all about the clean-cut, slightly androgynous, poker face look. I'm talking crisp blouses with feminine embellishments, skin-tight, well-cut trousers, heels (not too high, this isn't a look for stripper heels, but rather, cool, quirky ones).
To give a blouse a quirky, monochrome twist that won't look out of place with an outfit such as this, try this easy tip which I wear to work in order to give my suits a little something extra. (By the way, sorry about the lack of pictures, I'll take some on my phone tomorrow and upload them so you can see what I mean).
- Take a small piece of black ribbon, whatever thickness you want, the thicker the more dramatic. Just makes sure lengthwise it can fit round your neck with a bit of space for a bow
- Do your top button up, then thread the ribbon under the collar like you would a tie
- Cross the ends over each other at the front and loop it round to create a 'bow' (this doesnt have to actually be a bow, just look like one, so it can merely be held in the middle by your fingers)
- Take a stud earring (whatever kind you like, this is a chance to be creative, and it is a really good use of those odd earrings that never manage to be reuinted with their twin), and push it through the centre of the bow held together by your fingers, in order to hold it in a bow shape, then push the end through the side of the button hole on your shirt, securing at the back with the back of the earring.
There you have it, a super-chic and simple way to make a blouse different, and all for the little cost of a black ribbon (which you probably have lying around anyway, I used to sometimes use the ribbons that come on the insides of clothes under the arms which you are supposed to use to hang them up, but everyone cuts them off!)
Foodie Fix -
My, my! This is becoming a long post, so I shall try and be quick! One of my recent favourite favourite favourite foodie fixes (breathe) is using vegetables as a substitute for starchy carbs in food.
Now now, I know what you're thinking, sounds very very dull right? Just trust me! I thought the same as you, until I read about using courgettes as a pasta substitute, and when I cooked it that evening, my world changed!
In winter, we constantly stock up on warming plates of pasta and bread and other bloating carbs, which often (when eaten in mass, as I so often do!) make us just feel worse, we feel tired and far too full. So recently I have been using vegetables instead and it could not be easier.
- Simply use a potato peeler on a courgette to make it into tagilatelle-like strips, fry them up for a little bit and then serve with pasta sauce, it genuinely tastes jusyt like al dente pasta!
- use sliced aubergines and courgettes in a lasagna instead of pasta sheets, roast the vegetables up first to make them softer.
I'm sure there are loads more online but those two are my absolute faves, and you can really enjoy 'pasta' without the food baby afterwards!
Lifstyle -
I know I always feel a bit down when my room feels unappealing, or I don't want to have people round to be in there because I don't feel homely there. This could be because it's a mess, or maybe you're just too used to how it looks and are a bit tired of it. My new favourite home-thing right now is removable wall stickers. Like instant wallpaper without the mess, effort or commitment, as well as coming in so many different shapes and patterns, I am loving these new ways to style up a boring bedroom. Ebay is an absolute haven for them so check them out. Also, they're cheap as chips!
These are some of my favourites:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Removable-Vinyl-Wall-Art-Stickers-Decal-Paper-Mural-Home-Decor-Black-Flowers-New-/400635017704?pt=UK_Wallpaper&hash=item5d47b539e8#ht_6826wt_1041
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Transparent-Border-Dandelion-Flowers-Wall-Stickers-Mural-Decals-Art-Decor-Paper-/251116597103?pt=UK_Wallpaper&hash=item3a77b72f6f#ht_1721wt_958
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/48-butterfly-wall-art-sticker-wall-decal-wall-decor-/261152880050?pt=UK_Wallpaper&var=&hash=item3ccdecb5b2#ht_2979wt_721
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAMASK-BAROQUE-WALL-ART-STICKERS-DAMASK-BAROQUE-INTERIOR-STICKERS-/251448190265?pt=UK_Wallpaper&var=&hash=item3a8b7ae539
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-BAROQUE-STYLE-FRAME-Wall-Sticker-Decal-20-COLOURS-3-SIZES-FR01-/221351660629?pt=UK_Home_HomeDecor_Frames&var=&hash=item3389964c55#ht_2809wt_1030
There are absolutely zillions so make sure to have a good search around!
Love to you all, and thank you so much to everyone who has commented recently or who is reading this in general, it really means a lot to me, and do comment if you want me to write about anything in particular!
Abi x
Monday, 10 February 2014
Beat The Winter Beauty Blues - Day 1
Hello cheekies,
This week, I'm going to be blogging every day you lucky things! (Don't worry, I am saying this with a hint of irony) My daily blog posts are all going to be about little beauty hacks to banish those evil January-February blues, while we wait for the promising appearance of yellow, in the daffs that promise slightly warmer temperatures and, gasp, we can wear pastels again!
Today is all going to be about the detox, and making our bodies feel glorious again after the onslaught of drowning our sorrows, winter comfort food, and "It's too cold to leave my bed so I'm not taking my make-up off".
Day 1 Beauty Tip -
Let's face it, we're all still a bit strapped for cash after christmas. The sales drained our January pay day, and now we're having to act like horses with blinkers on when walking past the new Spring lines down the high street. So what better than a beauty hack to help your wind-whipped, dry skin than a face mask with nothing but the stuff from your kitchen cupboard?
Honey and Avocado Face Mask Recipe -
Ingredients - 1/2 ripe avocado + 2 tablespoons of honey.
Simply mash up the avocado, then mix in the honey. Apply liberally to your face and leave for about 15-20 minutes, before washing off. To wash off, use warm water and gently scrub it away, finishing with a splash of cold water to close pores.
Day 1 Fashion Tip -
Tips on fixing tired winter fashion:
Winter food is all about comfort, and this usually means loading up on the carbs, which makes you feel even worse afterwards and does nothing for your immune system to battle those bugs! The ultimate winter comfort food with tons of vitamins could not be easier to make and have more variations, good old fashioned soup! Cook up a batch at the beginning of the week and take it in a flask wherever you go, for lunch on the go that doesn't mean a trip to the chippy!
Go for an easy tomato or vegetable - or check out the following link for some really different ones to keep your tummy guessing!
http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/blogs/jo-romero/10-seasonal-soups-111659395.html
Day 1 Lifestyle Tip -
One of my favourite winter fixes is getting my blood pumping first thing in the morning. I'm not talking about getting up at 4.00 and going for a full blown run, heaven forbid! But just the smallest bit of exertion can brighten up your skin and get a fresh flush on your face, perfect for curing a tired complexion after a big weekend!
When you get up in the morning, maybe do something small like ten jumping jacks, just to feel that burst of energy. Or if you have to walk somewhere every morning, like I have to walk to the train station, try doing a brisk jog there, not enough so you turn up looking sweaty and worn-out, but just to refresh your whole body and ready it for the day!
Another point which I simply could not leave out of the detox post, is just to have a dry weekend every so often, I feel that at our age we get so used to having a glass of wine every evening, and immediatly reaching for a vodka tonic on a Friday because it's finally the weekend! There's nothing wrong with this obviously, but I think we severely underestimate the cleansing effect it has on our bodies to lay off for a week. This weekend I didn't drink a drop and suddenly my body feels so refreshed! Maybe if you're feeling a tad groggy, give it a go?
Hope you enjoyed this post, tomorrow I shall have a whole new theme of banishing those blues!
Abi
This week, I'm going to be blogging every day you lucky things! (Don't worry, I am saying this with a hint of irony) My daily blog posts are all going to be about little beauty hacks to banish those evil January-February blues, while we wait for the promising appearance of yellow, in the daffs that promise slightly warmer temperatures and, gasp, we can wear pastels again!
Today is all going to be about the detox, and making our bodies feel glorious again after the onslaught of drowning our sorrows, winter comfort food, and "It's too cold to leave my bed so I'm not taking my make-up off".
Day 1 Beauty Tip -
Let's face it, we're all still a bit strapped for cash after christmas. The sales drained our January pay day, and now we're having to act like horses with blinkers on when walking past the new Spring lines down the high street. So what better than a beauty hack to help your wind-whipped, dry skin than a face mask with nothing but the stuff from your kitchen cupboard?
Honey and Avocado Face Mask Recipe -
Ingredients - 1/2 ripe avocado + 2 tablespoons of honey.
Simply mash up the avocado, then mix in the honey. Apply liberally to your face and leave for about 15-20 minutes, before washing off. To wash off, use warm water and gently scrub it away, finishing with a splash of cold water to close pores.
(If you have oily skin, best to cleanse and tone after this mask, as the oils from the avocado, while nourishing, will not help your shine, especially if you are on a night out later!)
On a detox day, it's time to detox your wardrobe! I know what you're thinking, please don't be another post about getting rid of old clothes that we don't wear, we want our pink jeans from when we were thirteen! Don't worry, I'm not about to persuade any fashion hoarders to part themselves with anything, as I am one! No, I'm talking about every blouse you've always sworn you would sew that button back on, every scuffed pair of boots you keep insisting you will shine up and wear them again. Get out that sewing kit Mum bought you a billion years ago, because you would "never know when you might need it", that day is today!
Tips on fixing tired winter fashion:
- If a button has come off a blouse or cardigan, and you cannot find one to match, and the little spare one is long lost, take the top button out, use that to replace the missing one, then find a pretty, vintage button to replace the top one. It looks much less out of place if the top button is different. Also, when you do the top button up on your blouse, as is de rigeur this winter, it adds a whole new dimension to a simple piece of clothing!
(Vintage buttons like the ones in the picture above can be found for dead cheap in bulk on eBay, or keep a look out in charity shops and car boot sales for little pretty finds!)
- Clean your patent items with glass cleaner. It really shines them up and it much cheaper than a proper patent cleaner! (Be careful when cleaning designer bags etc. and always check on the appropriate designer website for advice)
- Remove water marks (severely needed in this rain!) from Faux Leather - water just leaves more marks when it dries! Adding white vinegar to your cleaning solution gets rid of them in a tick!
Day 1 Foodie Fix -
Go for an easy tomato or vegetable - or check out the following link for some really different ones to keep your tummy guessing!
http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/blogs/jo-romero/10-seasonal-soups-111659395.html
Day 1 Lifestyle Tip -
One of my favourite winter fixes is getting my blood pumping first thing in the morning. I'm not talking about getting up at 4.00 and going for a full blown run, heaven forbid! But just the smallest bit of exertion can brighten up your skin and get a fresh flush on your face, perfect for curing a tired complexion after a big weekend!
When you get up in the morning, maybe do something small like ten jumping jacks, just to feel that burst of energy. Or if you have to walk somewhere every morning, like I have to walk to the train station, try doing a brisk jog there, not enough so you turn up looking sweaty and worn-out, but just to refresh your whole body and ready it for the day!
Another point which I simply could not leave out of the detox post, is just to have a dry weekend every so often, I feel that at our age we get so used to having a glass of wine every evening, and immediatly reaching for a vodka tonic on a Friday because it's finally the weekend! There's nothing wrong with this obviously, but I think we severely underestimate the cleansing effect it has on our bodies to lay off for a week. This weekend I didn't drink a drop and suddenly my body feels so refreshed! Maybe if you're feeling a tad groggy, give it a go?
Hope you enjoyed this post, tomorrow I shall have a whole new theme of banishing those blues!
Abi
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Fear - The Big F Word
Hello pretty people,
Some of you know me, some of you do not. Of those of you who do, a smaller number of you know that my biggest fear in the world, what it has been all my life, is getting on a plane.
Before you say this in the comments, trust me, I have heard it many times that flying is the safest way to travel, and that I'm much more likely to be hurt in the car ride to the airport than in the plane itself. But with any irrational fear, facts no longer matter, and all that is apparent is how much that certain thing makes you want to cry and run a million miles in the opposite direction. Think about it, we all know that spiders can't really kill you in this country, and will very rarely hurt you even a tiny bit, yet the majority of people will scream when a little one runs across the floor. We know it cannot hurt us, but something within us screams 'danger'.
Until I was about 17/18, I couldn't look at planes in the sky, nor films with planes in, even mere pictures or the thought would turn me on edge and make me jumpy. I remember once waiting for the X Factor auditions with a friend and it being near an airfield. The planes going over made me feel sick and shaky everytime it happened, even though I couldn't even see them through my tightly-closed eyes.
Yet, despite my crippling fear, I really started to feel like I was missing out, and it hurt a lot. So I went to the doctors and started my first attempt in the long journey of ridding myself of this fear. He told me I first had to desensitize myself to the image of planes, and should put pictures of them in places where I would see them often. I couldn't bring myself to put them out in the open, but I hid a little picture of a plane in my bedside table, and every night I would force myself to look at it. Eventually I decided that I would find out the specific type of plane it was, and built up a whole image of the way it flew, how many people it could hold etc.
For the first time, I forced myself to stare out a plane flying above me, I felt like a tiny little mouse locking eyes with an elephant about to stomp me to oblivion. It must seem mad to anyone reading this, but the sense of accomplishment was unreal. Now when I see them above me I force myself to watch them until they are out of sight. It's like an act of defiance against my fear.
Now...I seem to find myself at the end of my journey into conquering this fear. There's nothing left I can really do to help me along my way, and it's now come to the breaking point. I have to actually fly in one. I have known this for a while and something is still holding me back. But I have made a decision that THIS YEAR, I will finally do it. This will be the year that I actually get on one. I will cry, and howl and shake and protest, but I will make sure I do it and get rid of this confinement to one country and I will finally see the world!
My dream has always, always been to go to Borneo and volunteer with endangered Orangutans there, helping build shelters for them, and rescuing injured ones who have been damaged by human interruption. Maybe now, if I actually manage to stick my bum on one of those lined up seats (probably with the help of a gin and tonic or two) that dream will actually be a possibility. My boyfriend and a few friends are currently in New York at the moment, seeing the world and enjoying being young, and I think it's high time I started doing so.
2014 will be the year I fly.
(To anyone who made it through this massive post, well done and I love you! Please comment if you have any fears, whether big or small, and if you have any tips on how to conquer them!)
I can't ever remember not being scared of planes, when I was younger I just assumed I would always be scared of them, and I never had any desire to see any more of the world than England, as it would be getting close to one of those massive, terrifying flying machines, that seemed like they could fall out of the sky any moment.
Until I was about 17/18, I couldn't look at planes in the sky, nor films with planes in, even mere pictures or the thought would turn me on edge and make me jumpy. I remember once waiting for the X Factor auditions with a friend and it being near an airfield. The planes going over made me feel sick and shaky everytime it happened, even though I couldn't even see them through my tightly-closed eyes.
Unfortunately, at this age is the time when friends begin to go on holiday together, and I found myself suddenly turning down requests to go on girls holidays, post-A level holidays, trips to visit friend in other countries. While my facebook feed began to be flooded with my nearest and dearest with gorgeous tans and bright cocktails in the sun, I stayed home and shuddered at the thought of how they had to get there.
Yet, despite my crippling fear, I really started to feel like I was missing out, and it hurt a lot. So I went to the doctors and started my first attempt in the long journey of ridding myself of this fear. He told me I first had to desensitize myself to the image of planes, and should put pictures of them in places where I would see them often. I couldn't bring myself to put them out in the open, but I hid a little picture of a plane in my bedside table, and every night I would force myself to look at it. Eventually I decided that I would find out the specific type of plane it was, and built up a whole image of the way it flew, how many people it could hold etc.
For the first time, I forced myself to stare out a plane flying above me, I felt like a tiny little mouse locking eyes with an elephant about to stomp me to oblivion. It must seem mad to anyone reading this, but the sense of accomplishment was unreal. Now when I see them above me I force myself to watch them until they are out of sight. It's like an act of defiance against my fear.
Then I took another step, I wanted to see one close up, and touch one. So one weekend my Dad took me to Duxford airfield, a place where modern and vintage aeroplanes are stored for show, so you can look around them and see the insides of them, how they work etc. For the first time in my life, I shakily stepped on a plane. To my surprise, it wasn't nearly as terrifying as I thought, and my excitement about seeing all the WW2 aterfacts (which I am slightly obsessed with) slightly overshadowed my fear. I learnt exactly how planes stay in the air, what they are made of, and how and who makes them.
Now...I seem to find myself at the end of my journey into conquering this fear. There's nothing left I can really do to help me along my way, and it's now come to the breaking point. I have to actually fly in one. I have known this for a while and something is still holding me back. But I have made a decision that THIS YEAR, I will finally do it. This will be the year that I actually get on one. I will cry, and howl and shake and protest, but I will make sure I do it and get rid of this confinement to one country and I will finally see the world!
My dream has always, always been to go to Borneo and volunteer with endangered Orangutans there, helping build shelters for them, and rescuing injured ones who have been damaged by human interruption. Maybe now, if I actually manage to stick my bum on one of those lined up seats (probably with the help of a gin and tonic or two) that dream will actually be a possibility. My boyfriend and a few friends are currently in New York at the moment, seeing the world and enjoying being young, and I think it's high time I started doing so.
2014 will be the year I fly.
Picture - Some friends and I (far right) on holiday last year in Devon. I thought I'd put a happy holiday pic in after this rather serious post!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)