lush is lush

It is more than rare for me to rabbit on about beauty products and stuff, because (as you might've noticed) my skin is horrendous.
I figured once I was out of me teen years it'd start clearing up - as it turns out, 21 years and 3 months is, perhaps, the turning point cos my skin is slowly, slowly, clearing up.
Age might indeed be a factor, but actually I'm completely chalking it down to the following: Lush.

You'll know about Lush, I would imagine. S'all fresh, and vegan and stuff, and our house is filled to the brim with various Lush products due to one housemate (Dean) having worked there over Christmas and his boyfriend (Richard) being assistant manager at the Metro Centre store.
As such, we get a shitload of free stuff (mostly almost out of date fresh face masks and stuff, but yknow), and discounted stuff...
Ignoring the huge amount of bathbombs/bubble bars in the bathroom, I've been using the following.

For the face; Cupcake facemask & Greased Lightning spot treatment
Despite feeling a bit racist/like Roger in Mad Men (blackface episode, anyone?) in cupcake; and despite smelling like cocoa for the rest of the day, this shit is good, yeah? GL, too, dries my face right out, takes all the redness out, etc. My skin hasn't been this good for years, and I only discovered GL last week.

Otherwise?? In the realm of hair. Goth Juice (HELLO BOOSH REFERENCE), which is awesome for the amount of volume I like in my hair, yeah? And Rehab shampoo, which strips out alllllll the product. And I do use a lot of product. Not pictured, cos I don't have any right now, but Retread conditioner. I've only used the tester, but considering the state of my coloured and re-coloured hair, it's amazing. Makes it right soft. Must get another tester; or yknow, bottle.
Also Snow Fairy shower gel. Included cos it smells nice.

Infact it smells exactly the same as this:

Bubblegum flavoured lip scrub, which tastes like sherbet and I pretty much use it in order to lick it off. But I do have reet soft lips.

So yeah.
Lush can be pretty expensive, but go grab some testers, find your favourite products, and buy the hell outta the ones that work for you. They can't be beaten IMO.
Or get someone on the inside. It's worth it.

As in, literally the only other beauty product I use....well, generic moisturiser and makeup remover....is Aapri exfoliator, which is also amazing.

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ode to the maxi

I'm short. I mean 5"3' short.

This is, of course, why I wear heels ALL. THE. TIME. Well, it's one of the reasons.

But there are loads of people my sized, yes? Loads of bloggers, too. It's not an uncommon height; in fact, it's pretty regular; and yet we are often told "best steer clear if you're short" and the like of certain trends. Hareem pants. Maxi dresses. etc etc.

I own both.

Well, I own one pair of hareems, and a plethora of maxi dresses.

Thing is, if you're also rocking a pair of big ass heels, what's the difference?

So here, an ode to the maxi. (At least 4 of them). I always feel taller, and lither, when donning one of these. And they're so versatile!

Vintage leopard print maxi dress; ebay:

Letting it flow free is, of course, one option. And the reason for buying, surely. But pinned up to the waist is another styling option, and one which will make an interesting and unique effect to even the most commercial of maxis.

Worn with Topshop shoes and H&M socks//Zara boots, H&M jacket and thrifted crop jumper.

Vintage green jersey maxi; Best Vintage:

The fourth option is the "dressing this one down" one; but it's pretty hard to do. This is one of the dressiest dresses I have; I could almost walk a red carpet in it, non? £20 though! I had to take it up...

But pinned up, it's wearable daily!

Topshop shoes//thrifted belt//Uniqlo cardi, H&M socks, Dorothy Perkins shoes//H&M jacket

Grey jersey maxi; ASOS:

I've shown this pinned up before; no need for a repeat.

This is another I had to take up, btw.

But, as a fan of grey, it's epicly versatile in a layering sense! That's the beauty of a maxi; it's another, long layer that you can experiment with.

hat from ebay//Uniqlo cardi, H&M tee, vintage sheer dress and Priceless boots

Thrifted floral maxi:

Another one that's interesting to pin up; although no actual pinning required because of the ties (which themselves make different looks depending on how you tie them).

Topshop shoes & necklace//vintage cardi/coat

Course there's also the slinky black maxi (aka the goth dress) and the two floor length vintage slips in my wardrobe, as well as a mid calf length number - I'm sure you've seen them around...

Short girls, embrace the maxi. A block colour, especially, will add length.

OK, gonna stop, I vowed not to become a "you should wear this!" kind of blogger. I'm not here to tell you what to wear - if you're a blog reader, probability says you know how to dress well.

But don't listen to the magazines who do tell you what to wear - if you wear anything with confidence, you can get away with it.

If When you see me strutting down the street wearing something that I'd probably be advised not to because of my size/shape/hair colour/whatevs; you'll know what I mean.

Err...

I hope.

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i will want for nothing more

aka a lazy Sunday ode to Joanna Newsom, whose new song '81 is below and you should listen to it lying in bed whilst eating breakfast/lunch/meal approps to time of day; definately.

Joanna is pretty frickin' amazing, as it goes. I first heard of/saw her on another lazy (and MOST EXCELLENT) Sunday, which was in fact, not so lazy at all - at Latitude festival in 2008, at midday. She forgot most of the words to Sawdust and Diamonds and I was immediately enamoured with her.

Course that day will always be remembered fondly. Later in the day was Blondie and then INTERPOL; YEAH BOIIIII.

*ahem*

But!

She is also awesome in the fashion blog sense, being a purveyor of folk-y vintage dresses and floaty, wispy, ethereal garb which fits just so alongside her out of the norm voice and unusual instrumentation (what, how many harps do you know of in popular music?).

Also, she's big on the Rodarte, AND the Comme.

images from zimbio, wikimedia, mistermort, last.fm and google images

&& that last one is off of aforementioned Latitude fest.

Her new triple album, Have One On Me, is out on Feb 23rd and you can pre-order it here, which is exciting.

ode to... snoop dogg

So I picked up this music-based paper in Best Vintage* on Saturday; casually flicked through it.

It's rare for me to read a music mag these days. I'll pick up The Fly if I come across it, I always forget you can read it online (although I am now cos I've just remembered. Wild Beasts are on the front!), and perhaps Narc (another free paper effort based in the North East...also has the same name as an Interpol song. w00t!), but nothing like the "good ol' days" of NME (around the years 2004-2006, I would assume) before I matured enough to realise it was a bunch of epic dross whose only aim was to hype whatever band they thought would make them money.

If I need to know it now, someone on facebook will likely do a status about it. This is how I found out about the imminent (NEXT YEAR NEXT YEAR) next Interpol album. Also popjustice; legendary.

Oh yeah, sorry, what was my point? The Stool Pigeon! That's what!

It's been running 2 years - a monthly paper based in London, and tis a hefty lil' thing.

I will get around to reading the interviews with Vampire Weekend and Julian Casablancas (♥) and what I assume will be some reviews an' ting further towards the back, but the interview with Snoop Dogg on page 22 with accompanying photo (above) was the one that caught my eye and made for a classic read.

I shall insert some classic snippets below. Warning (mam): Snoop is well down with the ol' swearing; that's just how he rolls.

SP: Kids are forced to grow up quick these days, I think.

Yeah, you don't wanna shape and mould your kids because your gonna shape and mould som'n that you don't want. Let them find out who they are and let them become the best at whatever they gonna be - even if it's a criminal, a preacher, a doctor, or whatever it is...

You need to come back to Britain. We need to sort that out.

Yeah, they need to let me in and quit bullshittin'! They acting like bitches over there! Let me in the motherfuckin' place!

Who decided you can't come in, the home office?

Well, the people, they want me there and love me and wanna see me. It's the motherfuckin' government. Some white-wig-wearin' parliament motherfuckers. They running they shit based on the 1800s, as opposed to the 2000s. Y'all livin' in yesteryear! Y'all need to change your shit over there!

OK, no politics - dull subject - but it makes me think of money, and you do have a lot of that. What do you do with your money?

Well, you can't die with it! Fuck it! Spend that shit! What you gonna do? Save and shit?...

So you don't feel like you should start rapping about doing the dishes and putting the kids to bed?

I don't never do the dishes! So why would I rap about it? I got a motherfuckin' maid to do that shit!

Anything you wanna do that you're yet to do?

Yeah. I feel like a gotta win a motherfuckin' Grammy.

More than an oscar?

Yeah, real shit. But I'ma get one of those too.

Snoop; an expert on childcare, politics, money, housework, awards....legend.

They even call him Uncle Snoop, up in the rap world. BRILLIANT.

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* a usual favourite of mine on the Newcastle vintage scene, but not so much of late...I think London has spoiled me with the quality of the ol' vintage. Hmm. Better stuff to be found in THE BEST charity shop, RSPCA in Byker, I reckon. Must pop in there soon. Anyways, yeah.

Ode to... my wonderful and sorely missed gran.

She would've been 91 today!

As an ode to a much missed family member, here are some old photos my mam sent me.

One each from Gran's 75th and 80th birthday meals, and one from 1940 (in which, might I add, I adore her coat.)

The second pic also has me and my mam on it! I would be....9 on this? Almost 10. Teehee.

:)

Goth Boots

I just find them amazing!

I don't think I'd actually wear them, ever, but a quick trawl through eBay, particularly a visit to one of my watched shops, does usually put a smile on my face (but they only have one pair in at the minute!).

Super awesome half leg buckle boots.

Buckle wedges

Skull buckle boots.

Um, these are amazing and I take back the "I probably wouldn't wear goth boots" sentiment.

High leg buckle platforms.

Silver detail hidden platform boots.

Um, THESE ARE ALSO AMAZING. That is all.

Platform boots.

I actually have some not toooooo dis-similar from this waiting for me at the Post Office....

MASSIVE platform wedges.

Yeah, these are pretty much the most gothic shoes you can own.

I may or may not be watching the skull boots right now....mmm.

ode to... Petites Curiosites

Another etsy store, this time with super cute animal pendants!

Based in Paris, they are a brand new store with a selection of cute animals in gold, silver, white and black enamel (I assume...do I look like a jewellery designer?) on oxidised gold and silver chains. All epicly cute.

Vidi:

All necklaces are $22 (£13.50-ish), + P&P.

Visit the store here!

Ode To: Julie Brøgger

As discovered at geometric sleep., Julie Brøgger showed at Copenhagen Fashion Week last week, as part of the Designer's Nest show...

I adore sheer layering, so the pleats and tucks in the third look are making me crazy, but all these looks are so...worked? but also flattering and close fitting....lots of love for her work.

I'd love to put the jacket from the last look with the sheer of the third look. Probably over my grey unitard. That sounds like a hot look maaaan! Feh. Lack of money *kicks it*.

The Cooperage; the legend.

I'm taking time out from the arduous task of completing my placement report to attempt to save one of my favourite places in the world!

My beloved Cooperage, which has been mentioned numerous times on this blog, is a Newcastle institution, and is without doubt the best club in the north, probably the country, is being closed down, NEXT TUESDAY O_O.

One the plus side, this means there is one more Connection @ Cooperage (I only hope connection finds a new home, for it is the best night out ever. But it won't be the same without the rickety stairs and the ye olde-ness of it all ;_;) before they shut up shop, but on the minus side, there is only one more Connection @ Cooperage...

Me and Aaron have already vowed to get mahhhhtal (as drunk as is physically possible, non-northerners) next Monday in honour of the establishment. Aaron even said "let's get so drunk we die! we'll die in coop!" although I think this is probably a little far. Muchos wine will be drunk before leaving, this is for certain.

There is, inevitably, a Facebook group to save it - I beg of you, even if you've never been, even if you never will, even if you've never been to Newcastle, EVEN IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO THE UK!, join this group. To quote Tesco; every little helps.

The Cooperage, FYI, is a (probably about) 500 year old timber framed building on Newcastle's Quaysides. It is a beautiful building and the fact that it is a public space and a club at that, is so awesome and unique its beyond belief. The reason it's being closed down, I hear, is because of noise complaints from people in neighbouring apartments - what I find shocking here is that these apartments are new, and these people surely knew it was a club beforehand, and yet because the brewery who own Coop aren't fighting them there is every chance that this historic building will be torn down for the sake of some moaning folk who live in shiny modern apartments. SO WRONG.

RIP Coop, we'll always have the memories.

*sigh* back to the report. I want it finished ASAP because I wish to have time to spend a night in the Lake District next week with Mam & Tom...

Photo from panoramio.com

French Film Viewing; Italian Learning; Cinema Appreciating Moi

That was a long title O_O

And this post is part 'french films are awesome', part 'ode to the Tyneside Cinema'

So this was almost a week ago now, but last Friday was a bit of a culture trip. I went to aforementioned cinema to see Pierrot Le Fou (aforementioned French film). It was pretty awesome, very colourful and graphic and interesting, and as such I'll probably be making more trips to the cinema in the near future. I do get a weekly newsletter after all! 

I'll be there tomorrow for Harry Potter with the rest of the house, so yeah. And I want to see Moon too so maybe next week...

At this rate I'll spend all of my money on the cinema ><

Oh and I found this poster outside the cinema and lol'd:

Why, you ask? Because, THE GHERKIN IS STILL STALKING ME. This time from movie posters. XD.

So, this cinema, is awesome. It's a listed building, and it's all art deco and amazing.

If you are a northerner and you've never been, I demand you go RIGHT THIS SECOND. I don't care what to see! It's about 3 billion times better than the multiplex cinemas, and it's cheaper, and it shows more interesting films (although often not the biggest releases, unless they're action based, for some reason. No Bruno here!).

And it has my favourite cafe in the city centre; second favourite in Newcastle; at the bottom.

AND it's down a bit of a back street.

ALL TUCKED AWAY!

Regarde:

Down the alley...

Inside the cafe, where I did molte italiano.

:D 

Seriously. GO NOW.

Ode to... meredithwaterstraat on Etsy

I don't remember quite how I stumbled across this Etsy shop, but meredithwaterstraat's customised boots are more than a tad sexy.

Taking inspiration from Ann Demeluemeester (ahhh the boots! ♥ The beautiful booooots!) et al, she transforms tired old-fashioned boots into cut-out-and-laced-up beauties, and I realllly want a pair, but can't decide which colour to get, or whether to wait and see if a new style with a different heel or shape pops up...eep!

Actually, the ones I really wanted seem to have disappeared from the store, and aren't in the sold items list - they weren't lace up (le gasp!), but had a cut out toe and heel, and were cream with a chunky heel. Oof.

This being Etsy, all sizes are US sizes, but to top off the AWESOMENESS, said customised boots are only $30 a pop, plus delivery.

Also, her profile page informs me it's her birthday tomorrow, so despite the fact that I meant to post about this so long ago now, it's probably fitting that I waited. Do check it out if you have time, as the shop also has a bunch of handmade jewellery and some art, if you're into that kind of thing.

Me? I just like shoes.