Hair Pin Twist Review

Happy Sunday!
Today I shall be reviewing these 'Hair Pin Twists' that I brought a few weeks ago. Online, they can be found under many different names, but if you search that, you should be able to find some.
I've seen these around in shops for quite some time now, but have only recently given in to actually buying them. These particular one's that I brought are from Matalan and were £4 for six pins, but I unfortunately can't find them on their website.
They are little sparkly flowers made out of small crystals on a metal spiral that you twist into your hair. Mine have flowers on, but you get some with pearls, studs, anything really. Before I brought these, I thought that I would have trouble keeping them in my hair, but I was wrong. All you have to do is twist them clockwise into your hair and they stay all day. Sometimes I check if they are still there throughout the day, as they are so light I forget they are there, and just twist them back in slightly. They are just more of a decorative item though rather than a pretty replacement for bobby pins. Although, they do manage to hold small bits of hair such as stray strands of hair that may have fallen out as the day progresses.

I think that these hair pins work and look best when your hair is up. My favourite ways to wear them are dotted about when my hair is in a bun or when it is braided, especially in a fishtail braid, although I'm not too good at them. I love how they look in my hair and think they would look good in all hair colours and styles. I also really like how you are able to dress them both up and down with the placement of them and the style of your hair.
I would suggest these to anyone who asks as I absolutely adore these and I can't wait to buy more in different colours and styles!

Nifty Notebooks!

 

Happy Sunday!
The title of this post sounds rather odd, but then again most of my titles do. Lately, I've noticed how many notebooks I have and how I more than what I actually need, and for some reason, I feel need to write in detail about the wonderful creation that are notebooks.

The main notebook that I use is an A4 Pukka Pad Project Book. These books are divided into five sections which make them really handy for using the notebook for different subjects and purposes. I have two sections for homework, two for revision and then one for just random stuff. These notebooks are rather thick too, with 200 pages to use. Although they are thick, I've nearly used up a whole one since September, that's a result of the ridiculous amount of homework I get. I love this notebook so much so that whenever I see one on offer I buy.

This white design on this notebook is what drew me to it. Well that, and the fact in was in the clearance sale in Sainsbury's for only 80p. I brought this A5 notebook few weeks ago, but I've still not used it yet as I've not decided what to put in it, so any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I think I got this notebook as part of a set with a smaller one and a larger one a few years ago for my birthday. I tend to use this specifically for maths homework, as it generally takes up a lot of space and this way its all in the same place.

This last one isn't technically a notebook, but a diary that looks like one. I don't really use it as much as I should, but I really like it. It's the Dodo-Pad. Each week is on a page that is about half the size of A5, which has a blank page opposite specifically for doodling. I love the concept of this as I had never seen anything like it until I got mine for Christmas last year.  
I do apologise if this post has been rather boring, but its getting late as I had a lot of work to do today, but I'll definitely try harder next week.
Have a good week!

Sweater Weather!

Happy Sunday!
I noticed yesterday how cold it is already starting to get as I was watching a football match (which we unfortunately lost) and my toes were frozen. This, I thought, makes it appropriate that I do the Sweater Weather tag. I was tagged by Sarah to do this tag, so here it goes!

1. Favourite candle scent?

I don't really own any candles because I don't trust myself with fire, but I do consider myself an avid candle sniffer in shops *trust me, I'm not as weird as I sound* I love anything that smells of vanilla, especially in the winter, and also pretty much every Yankee candle ever made.
2. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?

Eww, none. Water all the way. I don't like hot drinks, they scare me. I think that I'm going to scold my throat and never be able to talk again or something equally scary.
3. What's the best fall memory you have?

*cough* Autumn *cough* I can't really thing of one specific memory that is better than all the rest, but I do remember collecting conkers when I was little. Me and my dad would go down to the park and come back with bags of them. I have no idea why because they would just sit untouched in the garden for ages, but I remember doing it every year.

4. Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner?

It's winged eyeliner for me. I just thing eyes are beautiful, and drawing attention to them can be so mesmerising and captivating.
5. Best fragrance for fall?

I've mentioned this on my blog so many times, but I'm not going to stop doing so now. This of course has to be Wonderstruck Enchanted. I've tried to sum up my love for this many times before but I regularly fail in doing so. It just smells amazing and so warm, so is perfect for the winter.
6. Favourite Thanksgiving food?

I live in England and Thanksgiving isn't celebrated here, so I have no idea what my favourite Thanksgiving food is, although knowing me, it would probably be something unhealthy that I would eat way too much of.

7. What is autumn weather like where you live?

Living in England means that I get to endure months of freezing cold temperatures accompanied by lots of rain, wind and occasionally snow.
8. Most worn sweater?

My most worn sweater, or jumper as I would call it, is my NCIS one. I never really wear it outside of my house, but I practically live in it inside. It's the thickest jumper I own so is super cosy and warm, especially since I don't have a working radiator in my bedroom.
9. Must-have nail polish this fall?

I don't really wear much nail polish, but I think dark purples, blues and reds are great for the colder months - but not all three together, that wouldn't look good.
10. Football games or jumping in leaf piles?

I've started to get into football lately, but you get really cold watching it, so I'll  have to go with jumping the leaf piles.
11. Skinny jeans or leggings?

Skinny jeans, because legging can be rather... unforgiving on certain people *A.K.A me*12. Combat boots or Uggs?

Combat boots, although the new range's that Uggs have been bringing out lately are completely different to what you would usually think of when someone mentions Uggs, and I really like some of them. However, I would like them even more if they were cheaper.
13. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype?

Probably not, because I just had to Google it to find out what it actually is.

14. Favourite fall TV show?

Aside from my usual mountains of TV that I watch religiously I really love 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here'. It's only on in the autumn and it is possibly the best 2/3 weeks of British television ever.
15. What song really gets you into the fall spirit?

This one for me is a no brainer, it has to be Autumn Leaves by Ed Sheeran.

 

I never know how to end a tag... Oh yeah, by tagging people, but I have no idea who to tag, unless you want to do it Georgina *hint hint*

Have a great week!

October Favourites

Happy November!
^  That is all I've had written for the last two hours because I found out that Taylor Swift is at the Teen Awards and I could have gone. So I suppose I should actually start this now.
The start of October seems like ages ago now, and I can't really remember what happened but I'm sure it was good. Aside from that, I really have loved many things the past month, so let's get started.

Fashion
I only brought one new item of clothing this month *shock horror!* but I most definitely love it. I got an oversized baseball top from New Look. They have it in various colours but I got it in a deep burgundy, a colour that I have really loved lately. It's so big and comfy and would look great with both skirts and jeans.

Skin Care
This month my skin has been annoying bad so I've had to invest in some new things in an attempt to keep further outbreaks at bay. The first of which are these Spotless Skin Quick Fix Cleansing Wipes by Simple. They have really helped to clean my skin much more than my usual make up wipes do. However, I do not really see them as a replacement for my make up wipes, rather as an extra thing to use, or if I haven't worn any make up, like today.

My second skin care favourite this month has been the Clean & Clear Advantage Fast Action Spot Treatment Gel. This really helps prevent nasty spots from gracing my skin and also to reduce the redness of already existing ones, which is always helpful on early morning before school. My only negative I have about this is that the first time I use it on a certain area of skin I find that it actually makes the spot redder so I tend to use it first at night so no one can see, but once I've used it once, its fine.

Soapy Stuff
I had no idea what to call this little category.
But as far as 'soapy stuff' goes I've really been loving my Plum Lily Swirl shower gel from Bath and Bodyworks. My friend brought this back from America with her a few months back but I have only recently started loving it. It claims to smell of many different things but as far as my nose is concerned I just smell cucumber. But it's definitely a nice cucumber. I wish I had more of it though as I've nearly run out and it will be hard to get some here in the UK.

This next product amazes me. It's the Strawberry Laces soap by Carex. This stuff smells so good it's unbelievable. I've never smelt soap so good. When I've washed my hands the smells stays on them for a while and isn't rubbed if straight away.

Make Up
I've not really brought any new make up this month but my favourite is still the same product as it has been for a while now. That is the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Fibre in Black. I really do love this mascara and I'm not planning on stopping so any time soon.

Scent
I did a whole post on this a few weeks ago, which you can check out here, but my favourite for the month of October has definitely been Wonderstruck Enchanted by the beautiful Taylor Swift. This girl must smell amazing. I find the perfume, that's full of notes of berries and fruit, great for these colder winter months as it just smells so warm and cosy. I absolutely love it.

TV
As some of you might know, I watch way to much TV for what is considered to be normal. This month I have really loved Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, The Blacklist and Castle. Castle doesn't start here until January, but you can catch Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D Fridays at 8pm on 4, and then The Blacklist at 9mp on Sky Living, also on a Friday.

Music
I've been loving a lot of new music this month, a lot of which is by Kodaline. I have become obsessed with their album In a Perfect World, and I especially love After the Fall, High Hopes and All Comes Down To.
October also brought the episode of Glee that addressed the passing of Cory Monteith, which included some great music. The episode was great, albeit rather emotional, but the music is even better, I think. The songs are well picked and you can really here the emotion in the voices of those singing them.

Social
This is a bit of an odd one, but one I thought worthy on an inclusion. The social site I have been loving the past month is 8tracks. 8tracks is a site where you can create and share playlists of your favourite music. I love the concept and have never really come across anything else like it before. There is over one million playlists and you can search though them by using key words so you can easily find one to fit your mood.


1. Teal 23 Baseball T-Shirt - New Look (in a different colour)
2. Simple Spotless Skin Quick Fix Cleansing Wipes - Boots
3. Clean & Clear Advantage Fast Action Spot Treatment Gel - Boots
4. Plum Lily Swirl Shower Gel - Amazon
5. Carex Strawberry Laces Handwash - Boots
6. Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Fibre in Black - Superdrug
7. Wonderstruck Enchanted - The Perfume Shop

Sorry about the lack of pictures but my laptop decided that it hates me this evening and everything I try and use it for. I'll try and add some tomorrow.
Have a great week!

Halloween Havoc!

Pumpkin fairy lights from 'Poundland'

Happy Halloween!
Or should it be scary Halloween or haunted Halloween? I've never really got that...
Anyway, if you haven't already guessed today is Halloween!
Living in England Halloween it isn't really big a deal, especially compared to America, but it is definitely growing in popularity. When I was younger, my family never really celebrated it as I wasn't allowed to go 'trick-or-treating' but now I'm older, me and my sister have taken celebrating Halloween into our own hands.
So, here are our essentials for celebrating Halloween!
One of our favourite things to do is carve a pumpkin. However, me being the rather creative person I am, its never just your average squares and triangles placed strategically to make a face, oh no, it has to be something 'arty-farty'. I decided to carve one of my favourite scenes from my favourite show NCIS, silhouettes of Tony and Ziva dancing in the season 10 episode entitled 'Berlin'. In order to carve this I drew out the shape I wanted on a piece of paper, cut it out and stuck it to the pumpkin and used this as a guard. As the design was quite intricate and fiddly, I resulted to using multiple cocktail sticks to carve out the design which lengthened the process greatly but I am pretty pleased with the result!

Left: My pumpkin. Right: The picture it is based on

Usually me and my sister do some Halloween baking but didn't get a chance to this year as my sister went to see Jessie J last night *the lucky devil* and didn't get back until 2:30am so she was rather tired. We usually make cupcakes and put white icing on them followed by 3 black circles of piped icing (maybe more depending on the size of the cake) and make lines through them using a cocktail going from the centre outwards to make spider webs.
Me and my sister also like to play games on Halloween, and force my parents into playing them too. One of the classics is apple bobbing, where you put apples in a big bowl/bucket of water and have to get them out using only your mouth. To make it extra fun (and disgusting) we also put a few lemons in there as well which are horrible to bite into! Another game we often play is the mummy game. This is where you each have a toilet roll and have to wrap it round the other person making them into a mummy. The person who makes the best mummy or uses up there toilet roll the fastest wins.
Of course you can't have Halloween without sweets! The door to my house is down a little ally that gets quite dark in the evening so we don't tend to get many 'trick-or-treaters', in fact last year I don't think we got any, but that doesn't stop us from buying chocolate. This year we have 'Maltesers' and 'Milky Way' to hand out *or to eat myself...*. At Halloween you also get all these spooky editions of regular treats. This year we got these Cadburys 'Spoooky cake bars' in which there is a green slime that tastes of strawberry. That fascinates me way too much.

I hope you all have a great Halloween!

Randomness

So today, like the majority of times I update you on random things, is a Sunday, but for some odd reason today I don't know what to write about. I know what I'm writing next Sunday, and there may even be a post during the week as well, but today I appear to be idea-less so you get to put up with some random talking *which is technically typing*.
Pre warning - this will either end up being really long or really short, so get comfy. Or don't if it's going to be short. But comfy is fun, so I'd suggest doing it anyway. See this is what happens when a post doesn't have a designated purpose, it get all weird. So I hope you enjoy weird.
Poop. I just accidently clicked 'Publish' instead of 'Save' and had to delete it before anyone saw it. Oh well.
I'm now racking my brain for something remotely interesting to write about... OH got it!
Yesterday was the first time I made it through the whole of a football game. By football I mean the one you play with your feet, not the American kind. I was, and still am, quite proud of that achievement. Me and my family went to watch our local team play in the FA cup, because they are doing surprisingly well. That sounds harsh, I know, but we won 1-0 and this is the first time we've been in the 'First Round Proper' in 140 years. As far as my first ever match goes, I think it was pretty good. I spent the first half just standing at the back not really playing attention, but got a lot more involved in the second. I learnt the chants and made a right fool of myself cheering in the rain when we scored, but it was worth it. My family and I enjoyed it so much we're considering going to watch the next game in the cup even though it will be a two hour drive, but we have a good chance of winning as the team we are playing is in our league and is only a few points above us.
I think that has made me sound like I know what I'm on about when it comes to football, when truth-be-told, I know nothing. I literally learn all that yesterday, but I'm quite proud that I remembered it all. Lately I've noticed how bad my memory has gotten. I seem to forget the really important things people say to me, and just walk away from a conversation remembering the odd sentence vividly but hardly anything else. The other day, I had a full on, sit down conversation with my form teacher and I can't remember most of it, which is rather frustrating. I just remember her saying "Oh, Kelly you do make me laugh" but I can't even remember what she found funny. I'm going to blame my recent bad memory on the fact that my brain is taken up with all the pointless things I need to know in order pass my exams.
I just realised that this post is going to look quite boring if it doesn't have a picture, so I need to go and take one, and think of what to take one of. When I say 'take one' I really mean take close to 100 and go through them all until I find one that I am remotely pleased with. I always end up taking way to many pictures for the amount that I need, which means that I have to go through all of them and pick out the ones I want to use. But hey-ho, better safe than sorry I guess.
And on that note, I think we'll call this post done. Congratulations if you have made it all the way through this rather odd and rambling post, but next week there might actually be something worth reading. But I said 'might' so don't get your hopes up.
Have a good week!

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Spectacular Scents

Hey!
Okay, the name of this post sounds rather cheesy, I know, but it's far better than my other idea of 'Perfect Perfumes' so it'll have to do.
I'm not really too sure what inspired the idea for this post, maybe it's because I have a current obsession of taking hundreds upon hundreds of 'arty farty' photos or because I'm never able to decide how I want to smell in the morning.
I've still not decided which is my favourite, but these are definitely my top 6.

My first pick is Britney Spears' Fantasy. I don't really wear this enough for the amount I love it. It's quite a sweet, floral scent, but the majority, if not all, of the ones on this list will be. This perfume was released about 7 years ago so the price has gone down since then, but is still more expensive than some of my favourites.

 

Number 2 on my list is the Vanilla Body Spray from the Natural Collection at Boots. This is possibly the cheapest on my list at only £2, but smells just as nice as the next. The vanilla scent is one I find quite warm and cosy so is great of the autumn and winter months. It's also great to just throw on when you're in a hurry or after P.E at school as it's quick and simple but has a great staying power.

 

I got this as part of a Christmas present from one of my friends last year and I absolutely love it. I think it's originally from Avon, but you can find it on EBay, which is where I shall be purchasing more from soon as I have nearly run out. This is Vanilla Berry, part of the Sassy Swirls collection. Its small size (only 15ml) makes it the perfect essential to carry about in your bag, just as I do.  

 

My fourth pick is part of the 'So' range and is So... Sinful. A few Christmases ago you could find these everywhere in multiple different scents, but now not so much. But of course, me being me, I regularly go hunting for it as I just can't get enough of it. As it seems to have become a rarity in shops, I generally result to buying it online, and hoping it shan't be broken by the time it gets to me. This again is a floral scent, but also slightly spicy which makes it great for the colder months of the year.

 

To those who know me, these next to picks will come as no surprise as I adore Taylor Swift. This is her second perfume Wonderstruck Enchanted. Before I even get onto the scent itself, I would like to take a moment to appreciate how beautifully this perfume is packaged and the bottle itself. You can really tell that so much time and effort has gone into the presentation of this product and I love that. Surprise, surprise this is another floral scent and it is currently my 'go-to' when I'm in a rush - which is pretty much every day. I really can't get enough of this; it's like my scent guilty pleasure.    

 

Last but not least, pick number six is Wonderstruck, the first perfume from Taylor Swift. The bigger bottle of this, and Wonderstruck Enchanted, has three charms around the top, which I find incredibly cute. I love this just as much as the other perfume by Taylor Swift, but I find this one to be more of summer scent, which is good as it means I don't have to be debating with myself every day on which one to wear. This is quite a fruity-floral scent, if that's possible, as the fruitiness makes it more summery in my opinion.   

 

1. Britney Spears - Fantasy

2. Natural Collection Vanilla Body Spray

3. Sassy Swirls Vanilla Berry Eau de Toilette (15 ml)

4. So...? Sinful Eau de Toilette Spray (50ml)

5. Taylor Swift - Wonderstruck Enchanted

6. Taylor Swift - Wonderstruck

 

I hope enjoyed reading my ramblings about my current favourite scents.