Random Ramblings #1

Just wanted to do a quick post on what has been happening recently as my blog has taken a serious back seat this month! I wish I had something exciting and amazing to tell you but unfortunately I don't, what has happened well life I guess!

I had a great Easter of relaxing before I wanted to start my serious revision for my next exam the biggie Financial Statements which is apparently the hardest module in my course eek! 

Since Easter however I have not been well, I have had a terrible cold. I lost my sense of smell for well over a week and at some point my boyfriend couldn't bear to be in the same room as me. I could hardly breathe and he couldn't hear the tv over my heavy breathing. I have honestly never had a cold like it, I was bed bound for two days, just putting clothes in the washing machine exhausted me.

After finally feeling more human and thinking the the worst of the cold was done I then had terrible earache. I was in so much pain so started taking decongestants like they were going out of fashion, as this was the only thing that stopped my earache. Unfortunately I don't think my stomach appreciated it and there were two days of feeling seriously nauseous and vomiting, nice eh.

That was a couple of weeks ago now but I am still now back to normal, my right ear constantly feels like I have been swimming and I have developed a manky rash on my hand. I haven't been to the doctors as to be honest whenever I go they always diagnose stress or a viral infection.

Talking of stress I have also had one of the most stressful months ever thanks to my ever so helpful bank. I am not going to say exactly what happened as frankly I have written it out so many times to said bank that the thought of even thinking about it brings me out in cold sweat. But thanks to them have had no money this month, literally not a penny. I had to borrow money from  my dad and boyfriend, and also use all my Christmas and birthday money I had saved up, just get back into my overdraft. After ringing my bank, emailing them, tweeting them, going into branch and writing a formal complaint my bank have done absolutely nothing to rectify their error and the best bit is I have incurred loads of charges thanks to their absolutely appalling customer service.  

I am now in the process of looking for another bank and think I am going to with First Direct as they are offering £125 to switch which would go some way into replacing my birthday and Christmas money. 

As I said earlier my next exam is coming up at the beginning of June so some serious revision is being started so not sure whether May will have any more post, but I will try.

Sorry for the random rambling but just wanted to explain my absence.

If anyone has any revision tips or recommendations for a new bank please let me know.

The Big Read - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald #1

My aim to get through the BBC's Big Read has gotten off to a slow start, not only has it taken me ten years to start but also only read one book since my original post in August, which you can read here. 

I have been inspired to start reading The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald after seeing the trailer for the new film which you can check out here. I can't wait to see the movie, I love the fashion, hair and make up of the 1920's and the cast looks amazing. Any way back to the book I have never read or watched any adaptation of the book, so thought for a change I would read the book first.

I have downloaded onto my iPad mini and was pleasantly surprised that it only has 173 pages so should finish before the film is released on 16th May.

I downloaded my version using the iBooks app for free but can be bought via amazon.co.uk in either paper copy or for your Kindle

Although this was number 43 I don't know anyone other then my mum who has read the book and she gave less then a glowing review.

Have any of you read the book or as excited as I am by the trailer?

Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser

Continuing on my mission to find a cheaper alternative to my beloved Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, which you can read the full post here. I have been trying a Superdrug alternative recommended Mez, if you would like to check our her blog you can find her at mezmadeup.blogspot.co.uk.

I must admit I don't usually go into Superdrug always used to sick with good old trusty Boots but headed in there looking for their version. What I didn't count on was that they did more then one version. I decided on the Vitamin E version for Normal to Dry skin as my skin has been very dehydrated.

The texture of this is a lot more comparable to Liz Earle's hot cloth cleanser as opposed to the No7 version which you can read my review here. It is nice and thick and has a lovely scent, not a herbal floral scent but a lovely scent none the less. It also feels a lot more nourishing on my skin, after I use it my skin feels soft, clean and not tight at all. 

I don't put this over my eyes simply because I actually bought an eye make up remover which saves my cloth from getting covered in mascara and eye shadow. Talking of cloths I really didn't think much of the cloth included, so have been using ordinary flannels which I think work much better then muslin cloths and are loads easier to clean as you can use fabric conditioner.

Back to the product I can't get over how good this is I didn't think I would find anything better then Una Brennan's Rose Hydrate Cleanser which I reviewed here but this is equal in quality and is cheaper for 50ml more!

I will definately repurchase this but at the moment I have my eye on an Nspa version available from asda.com that is not to say that I haven't been blown away by this product might have to nip to Superdrug and try out some of their other offerings. Has anyone got any recommendations?

You can pick this up from superdrug.com for £4.99 for 200ml (usually £5.99)

Birthday Beauty Haul

I received some money and vouchers for my recent birthday so decided to treat myself to a few beauty items.

The first two items I actually bought on my birthday from a gorgeous shop in Holt, they have a website which you can check out victoriagoss.co.uk 

I got a Wild-Olive Bath Sundae in Peony which looks adorable and smells divine  I can't wait to try this out just waiting for an evening with no plans so I can really relax.

I also picked up some Wild-Olive Bath Tea Bags in Tuberose, Jasmine and Rosehip. I have never seen anything like these so I wanted to try these out, again waiting for an evening when I can really relax. The shop had loads of gorgeous smelling bath time treats, next time I go to Holt I will definitely go in again.

I have been looking for a Beauty Spoon since seeing it featured in a video on Leighannsays channel here. I still can't find any stockist in the UK but did find a beauty spatula from Every Drop available from amazon.co.uk. I am hoping that this will save me some money. I will let you know how I get on.

My love for Philip Kingsley shampoo is well documented and when I received some vouchers from  feelunique.comI wanted to try some of his famous Elasticizer which is a pre-shampoo treatment suitable for all hair types. My mum swears by this and I can't wait to give this a try. Has anyone else tried this?

I also picked up some Phytobaume Volume Express Condition from feelunique.com I have never found the perfect conditioner for my fine hair.  I have read a lot about this brand and remember Kate from gh0stparties.com likes this brand so thought I would give it a try.

The last two products I got from feelunique.com  are Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask. I have used his old scalp masks before and really liked them especially when my scalp has been playing up. I am looking forward to trying out with the Elasticizer.

The last product I got was Nyx Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Beige I have heard so much about this lip gloss when I saw this on amazon.co.uk I knew I had to try. I have heard that these smell amazing I can only say I think that the smell is very synthetic and overpowering.