Liebster Award.

Hey everyone! 

First just to say Happy New Year, I hope you all had a fabulous NYE!

I've just been notified that I've been nominated for a Liebster Award by Sparrow Mint! (Thank you so much!). It's so nice to see that people actually like reading my blog and that I'm not just waffling on about a load of pointless stuff that nobody ever reads. 

I have to admit, I didn't know what a Liebster Award was until I looked it up. It has quite an ambiguous origin but as far as I can tell it's an award that supports and promotes new or unpopular blogs with less than 200 followers. 

The rules are as follows: 

• Each person must post 11 things about themselves. 
• Answer the questions that the nominator set for you plus create 11 questions for your nominees.
• Choose 11 people with less than 200 followers and link them in your post. 
• Go to their page and tell them. 
• No tag backs. 

11 Things: 

• The fact that my blog is named after me might imply that I love my name. Well, I don't hate it- but sometimes I do wish my mum could have named me something less unusual like Sarah or something just 'cuz it can get quite embarrassing when I have to keep repeating it several times over and over so people know how to pronounce it.. 
• This is why I have the subtitle [Oh.zel].
• I procrastinate WAY too much in life. 
• I started this blog back in 2010 and I only really started blogging in 2012. Don't judge too harshly.. 
• I need a new picture for my 'About me' section. One that's less... Close. 
• Today I found out I won a competition to travel write in Amsterdam. I applied for it in like September 2012 and I forgot about it. I'm so excited! 
• I'm nervous about life after I graduate but I think that's pretty much the deal for all third year university students. 
• I wish I knew more about the current political and economic climate. They're definitely 2 subjects I intend to get to grips with this year. 
• For someone who wants to be a Journalist I probably don't read enough current affairs. This too will change. 
• I love your good ol' standard builders tea. 
• I love Twitter and love new followers. Follow me here. 

Questions from Sparrow Mint:

• What's your favourite genre of music? I enjoy most genres of music but at the moment I'm really into experimental pop and electropop music. 
• Which beauty blogger would you be best friends with, if you could? Well, she's more of a fatshion blogger but I REALLY LOVE archedeyebrow's blog and her tweets are hilarious. 
• What's your all time favourite drugstore makeup product? Not sure if it counts but Bourjois eyeliner. Otherwise it has to be Boots facial wipes. 
• Your top 3 films? Ummmmmmmmmm.. Randomly: 1) The Batman Trilogy (Christopher Nolan). 2) The Pursuit of Happiness. 3) Bridesmaids. 
• Which trend/hype do you hate/or don't get? I read something about a new body mod trend you can get done as opposed to tattoos which is called Scarification (?). It looks SO painful. 
• What's a beauty secret that you swear by? I always prefer using fine brush eyeliner 'cuz it gives better definition to the flick. Lame I know, but I just have to have even eyeliner. 
• What's your favourite hair care product to use? I just LOVE Aussie leave in conditioner! 
• Who is your favourite Actor/Actress? Love me some Christian Bale/Joseph Gordon Levitt/Mila Kunis... 
• What's your favourite scent? I love the smell of oranges... 
• If you could be an animal or mythical creature, what would it be? Either a cat or a bird. 
• Can you really fall in love at first sight? I definitely think you can like the sight of someone when you first look at them.. as for actually being in love, I think it's more complex than your first look. 

My Nominees:

Evie from Live a little, Learn a lot. 

London Bred Ladies who Lunch 

Loz from N O I R 

Jess from J.S and Makeup 

Mandy from Nestled in Nostalgia 

Nora from 2:45AM

Faye from Senorita Glamourista

Kira from Obsession Lacquer

MAISIEDEIR  

Rachel from Rachel 

Bethan from The Pale Female 

Questions for my Nominees: 

1) Where do you envisage yourself in 5 years?
2) What's your favourite topic to blog/write about?
3) Did you make any new year resolutions?
4) What current trend are you loving right now?
5) What's a pet hate of yours?
6) Any guilty pleasures?
7) What's a favourite beauty product that you couldn't live without?
8) What's the last book you read? Did you enjoy it?
9) What do you think of social networking websites?
10) Favourite food?
11) What are you looking forward to the most about the new year?

Thanks again, Sparrow Mint!

Take care everyone! 

·                   
T

Benefit- "Dazzle Me Dahling!" Beauty Box

Golly gosh! It's been a busy couple of weeks, hasn't it?  (well, 'tis the season, after all...). There's just been SO much going on that I've neglected my blog!

So, to make up for my slack behavior I thought post I'd dedicate this post to my Benefit "Dazzle Me Dahling" beauty box that I received for Christmas. I've always loved Benefit products and it's got to be one of my most favoured brands out there, so one can only imagine my face when I unwrapped this little thing on Crimbo!  

As you can see the box is pretty lavish number containing all sorts of treats, including a few of my Benefit favs alongside some other products I'm eager to try: Benefit BadGal Lash Mascara, The Porefessional Primer, Hoola Bronzer, Some Kinda Gorgeous Foundation, and Laugh with me LeeLee fragrance. 

I just LOVE that the box has an actual latch on it! It adds an extra touch of quality to the whole thing. 

Check out the confetti! 

BadGal Lash and The Porefessional are two really great products that I use regularly so I was pretty excited to see them in the box, especially as I'm almost out of both! I've yet to try the Hoola Bronzer and the foundation- I might review these two products at a later date.
Even though I love Benefit their perfumes have never really appealed to me, however I can say that the LeeLee spritz actually has a pretty nice scent AND it doesn't fade out into nothingness after a few hours. The description reads that it's a "woody floral" fragrance with top notes of cassis, melon and citrus as well as a few other middle and lower ones- It certainly did have a floral smell and one that wasn't so sickly so this one's definitely a keeper.

Yaaaay, so excited to use all these productssssssss :))

Lancome: Gel Eclat

Lancome are  a brand that are usually associated with bringing luxury and quality with their products. 

This little number is a cleanser for all skin types with a "pearly foam" that supposedly "acts deep down to free skin of toxins and impurities". It claims to be "rich in anti-oxidants, with white Lotus and Rose de France". The latter ingredient is probably why it smells so good. The gel is quite thick and you only really need a little bit to do the job. Overall, you do get a sense of luxury whilst using this product. Though I have to be honest, I usually prefer exfoliating face-washes as I feel like I really need to scrub away at my face, albeit with a gentle cleanser, to really get rid of the dirt in my pores. So it feels weird just lathering on this smooth gel that, quite frankly, acts a bit like body gel. The only semblance I get of 'clean' is that once rinsed off, my face is left feeling quite dry. So I guess if you're one who doesn't want a trace of moisture on your face- this is for you. 

Yet another American Apparel scandal.

A couple of months back US fashion retailer, American Apparel was part of a dispute over their rather provocative 2011 Autumn campaign which pictured scantily-clad women in somewhat provocative poses. Well, they’ve only gone and done it again.

American Apparel has yet again found itself in a predicament with the UK ad watchdogs who have ruled their ads as “sexually suggestive and gratuitous” following a complaint from a mother who came across a series of risqué images whilst trying to shop for tights with her 12 year old daughter.

She said that that there digital ads are “… sexually provocative… and likely to cause widespread offence, because they were displayed on a website which could be viewed by, and was likely to appeal to, children under 16 years of age.”

Further complaints were received over the nature of their ads showing young models posing in their range of coloured t-shirts.

Naturally the ASA were quick to issue a statement on the matter stating that:

“We told American Apparel they should not use images which were likely to sexualise models who appeared under 16 years of age, and they should not use images which were likely to cause offence.

“Because her breasts were visible through her shirt, we considered the images could be seen to sexualise a model who appeared to be a child.”

After all, their perpetual use of such images seems to suggest that they really don’t give a damn about how offensive these images can be.

The execs down at American Apparel tried to defend themselves over their t-shirt ad campaign issuing a statement that outlined that all the images were a “completely fair and decent representation of their product”… Nice way to really hit the nail on the head there. Objectification of the female form at its finest.

They went on to argue that it is “standard practice” to market their hosiery in the way they do.

Oh, that’s fine then, if it is a standard practice this MUST mean that it’s all entirely ethical and not sexist in the slightest.

Sources used: www.guardian.co.uk, www.holymoly.com, www.store.americanapparel.net

How to shop in Primark

It’s been there for us through and through; from that one time you needed that last minute - cheap- purchase for a night out, for the times you couldn’t afford to go to Topshop because you went into your overdraft, for the excuse to buy a onesie, or for the time you realised that you’re in dire need of an underwear fix.

Primark- or Primani has it all.

It’s the ultimate student-friendly high street gem lending us a cheap and cheerful alternative from the other slightly more expensive high street brands out there. Let’s be honest though, the budget king that was Primark has put its prices up. It’s also extremely messy - ALWAYS - so no matter how many people are recovering a section, it’s still a nightmare to shop in. So here are a few tips to make your shopping experience less of a mission impossible for a somewhat tolerable one.

Always check the price signs properly.

Imagine you’ve been waiting a good 10 minutes in the queue and it’s finally your turn to be served next. You walk up to the counter with a dress you believe to be £10, but low and behold, a nasty surprise flashes on the register.

“Um, excuse me but I thought the dress was £10? The sign definitely said it was £10”

The cashier shows you the price tag, it’s actually £14.00. Oh.

So you think, well I guess it’s only 4 quid and you’re in a rush. Fine. So you buy the dress anyway. But you could have sworn the sign said it was for a tenner…?

Well it did, but perhaps you failed to notice the teeny- tiny “From” strategically placed before the supposed, larger printed price. Any item on the rail or table you were looking through is from a certain price. This is especially the case for folded items like jeans or t-shirts. Always check the price tag on the item to see if it matches the price sign to avoid any disappointment once getting to the tills.

Don’t trust the hangers.

Any experienced Primark shopper knows NOT to trust the size the hanger says. Usually the store is such a mess that clothes are just flung onto any given hanger, even if it’s not the right size. Check the label before you pay for the item. It will definitely save you from coming back and queuing up for customer service!

Always check the shoes are in the correct pair.

Because the shoe aisle is the messiest section of the store (alongside the underwear section).

They don’t have your size?

Nonsense! Primark always tend to overstock and still have MORE in the stock-room. Just kindly ask an employee to go and check if they have anymore. If they don’t there’s always bound to be another delivery sometime soon. Or to save time you could check one of the many other branches around town!

The art of the paper bag. 

Is annoying. If you think your items are too heavy for the bag ask the cashier at the till to double-up your bags. The last thing you want is the bag to rip on the bus revealing ALL those cute french knickers you picked up for a £1 each...

Need to return something?

You don’t always have to go back to the same Primark you bought your purchase from if you want to return or exchange it. How inconvenient would that be, say, if you bought something from one whilst visiting your mate at uni only to find out much later (returning home later) that it is damaged. As long as you have the receipt you can return any Primark item to any Primark store.

No receipt?

It’s OK, I’ve heard Primark will still allow an exchange for the current price of the item you want to return. Go ahead.

The final and most important tip of all:

Check your items!!!

Especially if they happen to be jewellery, underwear or cosmetics because Primark do not accept these if you want to return them. If you have your eye on a necklace- check that it’s in tact. Wanna by a tin of lipgloss? Check it hasn’t been imprinted by another’s fingers. If you want to buy a four pack of underwear check they haven’t been opened or you’re more than likely to open a packet of underwear with an array of different sizes…  (I’m being serious).

Good luck!

Image from: Wikipedia.com

Soap and Glory 'Feel Good Factor'

One day, after running out of my usual Johnson's day cream, I found myself in Boots. I wanted to try something new. Brace yourselves...

POW- this was my choice! (obv)

I've always been intrigued by the Soap and Glory range. I mean, one cannot fail to notice just how feminine a product it's marketed as...  Obviously the Soap and Glory folk know how to target the growing "shabby chic" trend with their retro packing and vintage imagery. Let's be honest, the vintage market is bang on trend right now and has been for quite some time.

I'm not going to lie, the pretty packaging is what attracted me the most, but enough about the aesthetics- Soap and Glory is more than that. This "Facial Moisture Lotion" contains SPF 25 and "SUN- TRIGGER" antioxidant vitamin balls (whatever they are) and claims that with daily use it'll "help protect skin against wrinkles, sunspots and dryness". So why not?

I do always feel a million times better in the morning after I've moisturised and it's always great when you find a product that leaves you feeling fresh as opposed to greasy. I've been using the Feel Good Factor for quite a few weeks now and I can safely say it's a pretty good cream to start the day with. I always use it before I apply my makeup and it's good in consistency, not too thick, so my skin absorbs it pretty quickly. You don't need much at all for an even coverage and the best thing about it is that it's light and does not leave the horrid oily residue on your face like some other creams out there. It's slightly more expensive than some of your average high street creams at £12 a tube but so far all I can say is that it was worth it.

I guess the packaging is just a plus.

Some AW12 Wants:

The goth/grunge look has got to be one of my most favourite trends this season, mostly because I love wearing black in general, but also because I just cannot get enough of the skulls and the studs and the lace and the leather. I love it all. It'll be a sad day when this trend is no more. There is just one item that I really want most of all and that is: The Leather Jacket. 

This Jacket from Mango in particular has caught my fancy. It's faux leather and I enjoy the gold zips. Black and gold is such a classy mix.    

MANGO Gold Hardware Biker Jackt £44.99

These next two wants are rather random but I'm loving TOPSHOP's latest Galactica collection: a range of "galactic glamour with a techno twist". I love the cute design of the crystal planet jumper- this is ideal for the cold winter season, adding a touch of sparkle to the day. The skeleton tee is just an awesome print.. and I want it. 

TOPSHOP Knitted Crystal Planet Jumper £55.00 

TOPSHOP Petite Skeleton Tee £20.00

Thanks for the read!


Pictures from: www.mango.com, www.topshop.com