Overplayed Songs of 2013

10. 'Let Her Go' - Passenger

9. 'I Knew You Were Trouble' - Taylor Swift

8. 'I Love It' - Icona Pop

7. 'Roar' - Katy Perry

6. 'We Can't Stop' - Miley Cyrus

5. 'La La La' - Naughty Boy feat. Sam Smith

4. 'Royals' - Lorde

3. 'Wrecking Ball' - Miley Cyrus

2. 'Get Lucky' - Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams

1. 'Blurred Lines' - Robin Thicke feat. T.I & Pharrell


(For the record, I actually like most of these songs; this is just my opinion of the songs I think were maybe played a little too often throughout 2013!)


-Lilly x

My Opinions: The Tangle Teezer [Review]

I've wanted to get myself a Tangle Teezer for a while now, but never really got round to it. I was definitely expecting great things after all the hype it's got, especially from other beauty bloggers and vloggers, and I have to say it has definitely lived up to expectations.

I'd say the only downside is the fact that, as the bristles are so short and I have a lot of very thick hair, if I have an especially big knot in my hair, it is tricky to get all the way through on the first try. This means that you do have to spend a little bit of time going through your hair and you definitely have to take your time and brush the underneath of your hair separately. In other words this isn't some magic tool that automatically removes tangles. However, it is the best thing I've ever brushed my hair with.

As my hair is so thick, and I do have quite a lot of it, it gets really tangley, but brushing out tangles with a Tangle Teezer is a lot less difficult (and painful) than dragging an ordinary hairbrush through it. As you can see I bought the purple Tangle Teezer, (although I kind of wish I'd got the pink one or the orange one) and I love the design. I also really like the way the brush is moulded to fit comfortably in your hand.

So to sum up, if you're wondering whether it's worth spending £11 (from Boots: http://www.boots.com/en/Tangle-Teezer-Purple-Glitter_1189454/) on a hairbrush, I'd definitely say it is, and despite a few 'is that a horse hairbrush?' comments I've had quite a few compliments on how my hair looks after I've used my Tangle Teezer. Even if you're hair doesn't get particularly tangley I'd say the Tangle Teezer would work great as an ordinary hairbrush anyway, and would probably get the job done a lot quicker.


-Lilly x

My Christmas Playlist

10.

'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' - Brenda Lee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnIqLlBwzrc

'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' - Mel & Kim
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdnaPAJgAQI


9. 

'Last Christmas' - Wham!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI


8. 
'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' - Jackson 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCEZEOYdfwo

7. 

'Baby, It's Cold Outside' - Carmen McRae & Sammy Davis Jr.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu0l54D2DLU

'Baby, It's Cold Outside' - Zoeey Deschanel & Leon Redbone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjYUzpdKMZs


6. 

'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' - Judy Garland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g4lY8Y3eoo


5.

'All I Want for Christmas is You' - Mariah Carey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY


4. 

'Merry Christmas Everyone' - Shakin' Stevens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeyHl1tQeaQ


3. 

'Merry Christmas Everybody' // Slade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcb9u5fDpMA


2. 

'I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday' - Wizzard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoxQ4Ul_DME

1. 

'Fairytale of New York' - The Pogues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8







-Lilly x

Avoiding Temptation Over the Holidays

The trees are up, the lights are twinkling and Christmas is coming up fast (12 days to go!) so I've put together a few tips for those of you who are watching their weight and don't want to fall off the wagon, but still want to enjoy yourselves this Christmas!

1. Don't Do Your Groceries On an Empty Stomach-
It's a well-known diet tip, but it's especially important when there's lots of chocolate and Christmas treats on the shelves and tons of offers being shoved at you everywhere you look.

2. Avoid Receiving Edible Gifts-
If you know there's a friend or relative who always buys you chocolate at Christmas, just let them know you'd rather have something else this year, or maybe just leave a few hints that you're trying to stay away from the sugary stuff at the moment.

3. Stock Up on a Few of the Healthier Options-
If your boyfriend, mum, dad, roommate or whoever, comes home with a big tin of chocolates and a box of mince pies, you know you'll feel better when you remember that bag of dried fruit and nuts you've got in the back of the cupboard. Or if you're feeling adventurous, some organic, dark chocolate. Okay, it might not seem that tempting, but you know it'll feel good when everyone else is complaining about how sick they feel!

4. Keep Moving
Sticking to your fitness routine during the holidays can be difficult, and you know that once you miss a few days, it's hard to start it up again. But keeping active will mean you won't feel so guilty when you do give in, and will keep you more motivated not to give in in the first place.

5. Buy An Advent Calendar-
Ok, this tip's probably a bit late, seen as, if you have an advent calendar you'll have already eaten half of it, and if you didn't get one.. well it's a bit late to start now! But I think an advent calender is a great tip. That small piece of chocolate every day might be just what you need to diminish any cravings and help you to resist other temptations. Also, if you don't trust yourself with a chocolate advent calendar but feel a bit left out when everyone else in the house opens theirs, then opt for a beauty/makeup related calendar so you can join in the fun.

4. Don't Forget, You are Human and It's Ok to Make a Mistake or Two-
Giving in to a chocolate or two, or accidentally having a few glasses of wine at a Christmas party isn't the end of the world. It won't kill you so just remember it's ok, you're only human. Maybe just do an extra 10 minutes of cardio the next day!

5. And Don't Forget, It Is Christmas!-
If you've managed to control yourself in the days leading up to Christmas, then maybe forget about the diet for a few hours on Christmas day. As long as you don't go overboard, then you'll be fine. Give in to a few roast potatoes and a piece of Christmas pudding, just remember to pile lots of veggies on to your plate too. And finally, just relax; after all it is Christmas!


-Lilly x

My Opinions: Miley Cyrus

Straight away I'm going to say, I love Miley Cyrus; so this won't be a post about how much she's screwing up her life and she needs to sort herself out.

I've always been a fan of Miley, ever since her Hannah Montana days. However, that doesn't mean that now she's an adult and she's doing what SHE wants, that I'm going to go out and copy everything she does (especially not the eyebrows which are now thankfully back).

If Miley wasn't Miley, and she wasn't in the spotlight 24/7, she would likely be seen as an average 21 year old, (happy birthday to her for the 23rd) and in my opinion people really need to back off her a bit, seen as that's probably more likely to make her continue the way she is anyway. But just let her have fun and get it out of her system, or if she's 'found herself' and realises that this is who she is, then just let her be!

And as much as I love Miley's short hair, I just saw these pictures -

and they just reminded me how much I loved her long hair :(

Also, if people took the time out to watch an interview or two, and not just read what they read in the papers and on Twitter they might understand what she's all about. I recently watched Miley on Ellen, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcPUFZlnTOc) and it's a great example of her explaining what's been going on with her. She also talks about her album (which is amaaaazing), how the 'tongue thing' came about and how the story of her relationship with Liam is displayed throughout it.

People seem to forget too, that Miley is so talented and has an amazing voice. She was in Radio 1's Live Lounge a few weeks back, covering Lana Del Rey's 'Summertime Sadness', (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93CZ6oFR8Q0) and she proved that she CAN just sit down, and let people listen to her voice, without all the drama (and wearing slightly more clothes than usual).

-Lilly x

5 Places I Want To Visit (Bucket List Post #1)

I've always been interested in travelling, and something I really hope to do is to visit a few places in my gap year. So I thought I'd make a list of the top 5 places I'd love to visit most in the world.

1. New York- I've always wanted to go to the United States more than anywhere else, and New York is definitely the first place I'd love to visit. Also, what I'd love more than anything is to be there around Christmas time, witness a white Christmas in New York, and stand in Times Square as the ball drops on New Years.

2. Los Angeles- As I said already, I'd love to go on a road trip around the U.S, and L.A is the second place I want to visit. Hollywood is one of the main areas I'm interested in visiting and I think it'd be great to see the Hollywood sign and the Hollywood walk of fame in real life.

3. France- It might not seem like the most adventurous place as I think it's actually one of the UK's closest neighbours, but surprisingly I've never actually been there. I particularly want to go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower and take a trip to the Louvre, but I'd also love to visit the South of France too.

4. Italy- Again, it's not very far from the UK, but I've never been there. I'd absolutely love to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel. Italy just seems like such a beautiful place and is definitely one that needs to be ticked off the bucket list soon.

5. Ireland- This might seem like an odd one to be on the list, and I'm not really sure what it is about Ireland that's always intrigued me, but I've always wanted to go there. Maybe it's the accent, maybe it's my love for the movie P.S I Love You, or maybe it's just the fact that it's so close to where I live and I've never managed to make it there.


So this is probably a list of the most boring/ordinary places you could visit, but I'm not too experienced in travelling and I'd like to visit the 'basics' first I suppose; thanks for reading!

-Lilly x

What to Get HER this Christmas

Whether you're looking for a present for your mum, your girlfriend, your girl friend, or any other special lady in your life, I hope this gives you a few ideas!


1. The Safe Option
It might not be the most adventurous gift but at least you know it's something she'll appreciate. If you know there's something she's always using (makeup, perfume, a candle etc.) but maybe it's nearly ran out, find out where it's from and pick up a new one.

2. Pay Attention 
Maybe you haven't noticed the glaringly obvious hints she's been dropping. Make a special effort to look for clues of what she'd like to see under the tree this year. Maybe she's circled it in a catalogue or magazine, maybe she's bookmarked it on her computer, or maybe she's written it on your forehead, but if you pay enough attention you might be able to figure out what it is she wants.

3. Do Something Different
Maybe she's not so into beauty or fashion and she's told you a million times that she doesn't want anything anyway. If that's the case then do something that she wouldn't be expecting. If she loves to travel, take her somewhere she's never even thought about visiting. Or maybe a slightly more affordable example, if she likes sport, buy her tickets for next summer's Wimbledon. Perhaps she likes cooking, buy her a recipe book full of things she's never made before. Buy her something she'd never think of asking you for, or buying for herself.


And if you're still struggling then heres a few gift suggestions!

• Makeup & Beauty

- If you know the person you're buying for's makeup taste well, then go for it and pick a lipstick shade you know she'd love. Or maybe a palette would be a safer choice. If you're looking for something more affordable, but still great quality I'd go for a Sleek one, or if your budget's slightly higher then maybe the Urban Decay Naked palette. Or even better, if you want something slightly more personal, you could opt for a Mac palete and put together a few colours you think she'd like.
For something more along the lines of beauty/relaxation, you could chose a bubblebath, or bath oils. Aromatherapy Associates or Philosophy are great for this type of gift.

Other gift ideas include:
Perfume
A makeup brush set (I suggest Real Techniques or Sigma)
A makeup starter kit (for the makeup beginner)

• Fashion

- It can be a risky option if you're not too certain on the person you're buying for's style, but if you know exactly what she'd love then go for it. However if you don't want to take the risk, then opt for a gift card, and I'd personally go for a topshop one.

• Home & Decor

- A great gift for your mum, or maybe you just have a friend who's into this kind of thing, but a great easy gift is something for the home. A candle's an obvious one and I personally love fruity/vanilla scents. Also, something like a cute calendar or a hanging sign with a cute quote can be great presents that can be personal to the person you're buying for.

Good luck with your christmas shopping!


-Lilly x

'Autumn into Winter' Fashion Essentials (& My Favourite Autumn 2013 Lookbooks)

So, winter's on it's way and where I live it starts to feel like winter mid September and I thought I'd just put together a little list of the things I basically live in, in the cold months. Enjoy!


1. Black Leggings
Black leggings are pretty much a staple for me all year round, but especially in winter I always have a few pairs at the ready to throw on with a baggy jumper and a pair of Converse, or to dress up with a good pair of heels. They're also great as a transitional piece because they're still wearable on those slightly warmer days.

2. Baggy Jumpers
Pretty self-explanatory, but I like to chuck on a baggy jumper if it gets a bit chilly around the house, or with aforementioned pair of leggings to pop down the shops. (I'm also a fan of a blouse and crew-neck sweater combination in autumn/winter)

3. A Classic LBD
A must-have to have in the wardrobe whatever season you're in, but a 'little black dress' is particularly great for winter as it's easy to throw on with a pair of tights and also great for layering.

4. A Warm Winter Jacket
As it's moved into autumn I've got a lot more use out of my black leather jacket, but my personal choice for a winter coat is a plain old Parka jacket with a faux fur hood. I think it's great to be prepared for the winter weather and as long as you have a big snuggly coat to throw on you'll be good to go.

5. Ankle/Military Boots
As great as they are when the weather's nice, (which isn't often in the UK) when it's cold and wet outside your favourite pair of Vans, or you brand new Nikes, aren't always the best choice and when you're in that situation, I think a little pair of military boots come in very useful and are also very easy to wear with many different outfits.

6. Chunky Knit Cardigan
Whether you're lounging on the sofa watching TV or you're out shopping with you're mates, a chunky knit cardi will always come in handy. It's comfy, casual but can also help you look  put together if you layer it right, and I think layering is pretty much the key in winter.

7. Something with a Pop of Colour
Although autumn and winter are largely about the darker colours, it never hurts to throw a little bit of brightness in the mix. If you're already getting a bit bored of all the blacks, browns and burgandys then just add a little splash of pink or yellow in here or there. Personally I like to go for an all black outfit and then throw on a bright blazer over the top, with a few matching bangles.

8. Winter Whites
Going along with the brights, I think you always need a few white pieces in your wardrobe in winter. You need to be prepared in case you get invited to that winter wonderland themed party, or maybe you just want to blend in with the snow.

9. A Onesie
I know onesies were big last year, and understandably went out of fashion over the summer, but for me, now I've been introduced I think I'll always be a onesie wearer whether it's cool or not. Whether it's an animal onesie or just a cute print, I think a onesie is something everybody (boy or girl) should own.

10. Christmas Jumpers!
Ok, you knew it was coming; once it gets to December I am officially giving you permission to whip out that Rudolph jumper with the flashing nose that your aunt got for you a few Christmas' ago. (I'm also giving you permission to go shopping and buy the first brightly coloured, Christmas print jumper you see) You have a little while to wait until Christmas, but there's no set date you're allowed to start getting excited about it is there?



Favourite Autumn/Winter 2013 Lookbooks:

pollyanne b-

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWTE-nnzweo

backsyncfan-

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWjnt-43ork&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL5EC84715057C62EC

Lois Lillian-

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObAPjMi-YCw

Sprinkleofglitter-

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvKVJgo94bw

Zoella-

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKpcAbMu3Ig&feature=c4-overview&list=UUWRV5AVOlKJR1Flvgt310Cw

This video isn't actually a lookbook, but I really enjoyed it (as I do all of Zoe's videos) and it is an 'autumn/winter essentials' video so I thought it would be appropriate.



I hope this gave you at least a little bit of inspiration for your winter wardrobe. Happy winter clothes shopping!



-Lilly x