A Sister's Gift

As I write this I realise that I really hate making decisions. I said it yesterday about perfumes, I came over a flustered mess at the hairdressers today when she asked what I wanted, and I'm about to say it yet again.  Every Christmas my sister buys me a new dress. She  is 13 years older than me, so invariably chooses me things I would never even consider. This usually results in something unexpected that I love (except for last year where the dress was just pure evil). This year, however, I was in two minds, so I thought I'd try reviewing it objectively.

 

The dress is from Whistles, which as a student is out of my price range, so it was lovely to receive. It is called the "Lula Plain Dress" and it is teal in colour, made  of silk and has an exposed zip going all down the back. It has a lovely pleated detail on the front, which I think is quite flattering on the belly. The main downfall of the dress is that it is dry clean only, which I find very irritating. Another annoyance for me is that the website says the model is wearing a size 10, but she really looks like a size 8, so being a curvy size 12 the dress looks completely different on me. Does this annoy everyone or is it something that only grinds my gears?

So what does it look like on a non-model, with legs that only go up to there?

Key learning point: It is very tricky taking photos of yourself in the mirror without pulling a smug yet dazed face. Also my smile is very creepy, I'm glad I don't have to look at it too often.

So I had to drag my mum into help. She still hasn't grasped the concept of digital cameras, and I have a lot of photos now of her face & fingers. This explains why I'm pulling my classic impatient bitch face. Also my hair looks a bit weird as I'm prepping it for a 40s party tomorrow.

Trying to smile... A one time thing. I promise

Wow, that's a very unflattering picture.

The last photo highlights my main problem with this dress. If I raise my arms up and then lower them down (which is a fairly common occurrence) then this happens. I somehow manage to get a hunchback, massive bum, and pregnancy belly. Which are pretty much my top 3 traits I hope never to have (until I actually happen to get pregnant). My mum's genius advice was simply to not do that. Brilliant.

So, it is fairly true to the online pic, but with a non-skinny girl filling it out. I quite like the colour, but only with black opaque tights for some reason (it looked too wintery for bare legs, and sheer tights make it look very cheap). It feels lovely on, and the zip doesn't get in the way when sitting (but it does hit you slightly when walking). All in all I do like it, I would recommend it, and I think it's a keeper.

So what do you think? Did you get any clothes for Christmas you can't quite decide on?

Kat x

Remembrance of Smells Past

Every December I am given a new perfume, and this usually lasts me for the whole year. I love not having to go out and choose a scent for myself as I get a bit overwhelmed in fragrance halls and my nose seems to go on strike after about 3 samples.

Fragile is very dark because it's 11 years old. Also all the glitter has gone, which I find very confusing. Did they dissolve?

I was going to do a review on this year's gift, but I think I need to use it for a bit longer to make it fair. So I thought I'd go over my previous gifts (yes I do keep all the empty bottles). Now I quickly have to say perfume preference is just a matter of taste & what I may love others may hate and vice versa. This is just meant to be a quick review/recap of my perfume history.

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER - Fragile

This was the first perfume I ever owned, so I do view it through rose-tinted specs. When I was twelve I was given the bottle shaped like a snow globe with actual bits of glitter in the liquid. I was in love with it. I felt so sophisticated and I loved the scent (very warm & glamorous, with the main scent being tuberose). However after a very short amount of time the liquid went down below the figurines head (can still be seen) & I freaked out and refused to use anymore. I have had a few more bottles of it since, each time in the long bottle so I won't have to relive the same childhood trauma! Whilst not being my absolute favourite scent, I do like it, and will reach for it before a cocktail party when I fell I need some old school glamour.

ANNA SUI - Dolly Girl Bonjour L'Amour (Limited Edition)

This was my first perfume ever gifted by my boyfriend, and once again I'm pretty sure we both only loved it because of the bottle. Its scent is much lighter and youthful, and I was very comfortable wearing this in the day. It's very sweet & fruit, and the most stand out scent for me was peachy melon. I think I would be a bit too old to wear this now, but it's a lovely fragrance for your teen years.

GHOST - Sweetheart

This was my first perfume of my 20s. I was growing up so obviously I got my first perfume without an interesting bottle. This has a very feminine vanilla-y smell and was very practical for wearing to work. However it did not have much staying power, and would basically vanish by the end of the day. I did like it, but I didn't love it so would not repurchase it.

GUERLAIN - Insolence

If you look at my photo it's pretty obvious what my views were on this perfume. Now I'm not a wasteful person, I did think of giving it away but the boyfriend made it quite clear this would not be well tolerated. I even lent it to my house mate for 6 months to decant as I just wanted the bottle back for my collection. But she never got round to it. So in conclusion: don't judge me, judge her! The bottle is pleasant enough, but nothing exciting. The scent isn't too bad, but a bit heavy, powdery and slight "essence of old lady" for my taste. But my main problem was that it stayed around for far too long, and after wearing it for a couple of hours I would have the worst headache. I just sniffed it again now, and I swear I can taste the perfume at the back of my throat. Yuk. But, all my friends like it so it just be one of those smells I can't stand, like peanuts and rice pudding.

JUICY COUTURE - Juicy Couture

Spoiler Alert, this review is probably going to be quite gushing. I adore this perfume. This is (almost) the first perfume I specifically asked for. I subtly dragged my boyfriend over to the Juicy Couture section of the perfume hall & shoved Peace, Love & Juicy under his nose & gushed about how much I loved it. However, come present giving time I got this. Yes I was disappointed & wanted to return it but he didn't have the receipt, so I stuck with it. And I'm so glad I did. It's floral without being too sweet & girly, long-lasting without being over-powering & the bottle is pretty without being garish. I think it's perfectly suited to being both a day & night scent. This perfume has gotten me compliments on almost a weekly basis, even from complete strangers. I love it so much I didn't even want a new perfume this year, but I am a traditionalist (read OCD), and I like sticking to a schedule. So to conclude: Favourite. Perfume. Ever.

LANCOME - Tresor

This is my most recent perfume, given to me by my mother who didn't want to stray from he signature Chanel. I'm not a fan of the bottle, I think it's neither an exciting design, or a simple classic one. It is just dull, and I think the black circle around the neck makes it quite ugly. The scent itself is quite a heavy, yet still floral. It is is quite a mature smell, and makes me think of what perfume would have smelled like back in the day. It also has incredibly staying power so definitely don't go overboard when applying. I would not wear this in the day as it is far too heavy, but this is definitely suitable for a more sophisticated night out. So really I think this is the better (or the more my-nose-friendly version of Insolence). I would recommend it for a more grown up perfume.

I Heart Juicy!

So in order of preference my perfumes go:

Juicy Couture > Fragile > Tresor > Sweetheart > Dolly Girl > Insolence


So what perfumes have you gone through in the past few years, and what were you favourites?


Kat x

So Much Better (well not quite)

I first saw Legally Blonde The Musical two years ago when it starred Sheridan Smith & Duncan James. I went along with very low expectations, as I'm not a fan of films being turned into musicals, but I was completely wrong. It was really fantastic. I was also expecting very little from Sheridan Smith as all I only knew her  for being in Two Pints, and I don't think even her biggest fan could applaud her acting skills for that. But I was wrong, she was fantastic, and the whole show blew me away. It was obviously very tacky and girly but also brilliantly written.  I did however think the songs were the weakest link as I didn't really remember them once they were over. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the show, but it wasn't anything I would go to see again. However, I was recently given tickets again and I couldn't think of any reason to turn them down, so once again I donned my girliest dress and highest heels (it felt necessary) and tottered down to The Savoy.

Carley Stenson is now playing Elle, and one again I was not expecting great things. Though I this is explained with many teen years of being bombarded with this. But she was really good, and her voice  was beautiful. I also thought the songs were quite good this time around.  Maybe they need a second hearing to be fully appreciated, or maybe I was being a bit moody last time. Even so, if I were to directly compare both Elle's, I think that Sheridan was just a little bit better. She played the part with such joy, you couldn't help but completely root for her, even in the beginning when she was a shallow air-head. 

Phwoar!

The rest of the cast was also very strong, though a few seemed to think the best way to achieve an American accent was just to talk very loudly & nasally (Warner & Paulette). The actress who played Vivienne had a stunning and powerful voice & I can't help but be in awe at the fitness needed to play Brooke. Emmet was very good, only he wasn't dreamy enough for my liking (probably cause I was hoping Lee Mead was still playing him!) and it was always going to be quite exciting to see Professor Callahan being played by The Doctor.

So what do I think of it over all? Yes it is very girly, but it has good songs, talented singers & dancers, a cleverly written script and wonderful staging & effects.I think it would be great for a girly night out, especially a matinee so you can still go out after. Infact it is becoming really popular with hen parties who turn up in fancy dress! Now to all you theatre snobs out there (which once included me) who refuse to see anything but straight plays & opera, just give it a go, I guarantee you'll leave with a huge smile on your face.


Have you gone to see it? What did you think?


Kat x

The First Step is the Hardest

If anyone has stumbled onto this blog I'd like to say "hello" and "thanks so much for taking the time to read this".

I have been reading blogs (mostly beauty & fashion related) on almost a daily basis for much longer than I am willing to admit, & I thought that it was about time I joined in. But what is my niche? Well after a few days of self-reflection I have realised that, as far as my interests go, I am the epitome of a jack of all trades but master of none. This either means I am extremely well rounded or just very easily distracted, and I fear it is the latter. So I foresee that this blog will begin by being a mish-mash of my thoughts & happenings and hopefully it will eventually evolve into something more specific.  But random is in the name (twice in fact) so I am technically fulfilling the criteria I have set myself.

I hope to start posting properly over the next few days and (without sounding too needy) I'd love it if you came back to check it out. 


Kat x