Star Wars: The Force Awakens

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I'm going to be upfront: I've never seen any of the Star Wars movies. It's not that I don't want to, but I feel like all the major plot twists have been spoiled for me already. Nonetheless, I went ahead and watched the seventh episode, Star Wars: The Force Awakens on New Year's Day, and let me tell you, I was blown away!

*warning* spoilers ahead!

Let's get to the main point. I'm shocked, my family's shocked, Buzzfeed's shocked: in a galaxy far, far away, Han Solo was killed. GASP. Each movie before this had equally shocking scenes, so I guess I should've seen something coming. I just never thought it would be Han Solo; so many things relate back to him and Star Wars without him seems wrong!

For a lot of movies, the girl protagonist is whiny, irritating, and weak. I am very happy to say that Rey is not one of those cookie-cutter mains. In a way, she reminds me very much of the beloved Agent Peggy Carter: she's a strong, independent female, they both have English accents, and at angles she looks like her too. The fact that Rey is a talented fighter and pilot makes her character even better. Also, the compulsion ability she possesses due to the Force was a nice touch.

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With all movies comes a ship that's set to sail. The most obvious ship (aside from Leia and Han) was Rey and Finn. Their meeting was practically designed for them to end up together. However, what was so painfully refreshing about the whole situation was that they didn't end up together at the end. Granted, there are still two more episodes to go, but nothing was forced. They didn't create this clichéd scene where the two of them share a kiss and declare undying love for each other. My friends and I agree that this is one of the factors that made The Force Awakens so enjoyable.

My list of favourite characters is unnecessarily (or is it?) long, and General Hux and Kylo Ren are definitely on it. Their bitter anger towards everything is wonderfully portrayed by Domhnall Gleeson and Adam Driver, respectively. The first time Hux appeared on screen I couldn't resist thinking, "Bill Weasley!" Ren actually had me fooled when Han pleaded him to leave the First Order, and he agreed to do so. Though I'm shocked at the brutal murder, I really liked his character.

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On the topic of Ren, unless you have been living under a rock, you must have seen the Emo Kylo Ren memes somewhere; I for one am IN LOVE with them. The whole emo vibe mixed in with Ren's parental issues and struggle for power is undoubtedly hilarious!

*gestures* *door opens* yes Rey you see when you are as powerful as I you can do these things "kylo that was an automatic door"

— Emo Kylo Ren (@KyloR3n) December 31, 2015

~you are what you love, not who loves you~ i'm darth vader

— Emo Kylo Ren (@KyloR3n) December 29, 2015

There are a ton more on the Twitter page so check it out here.

Was I the only one excited about the cameos? Thomas Sangster, one of my favourite actors, unexpectedly popped up during the scene when Finn and Poe were escaping the First Order base, but sadly got blown up after 3 seconds of screen time. Bummer! Billie Lourd a.k.a. my favourite Chanel too made an appearance as Lieutenant Connix, who worked in the Resistance base. Daniel Craig also appeared in the movie as the stormtrooper Rey used compulsion on when she got captured. 

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It's safe to say I'm excited for the next episode, coming out in May 2017. I would definitely like to learn more about the origins of, well, everyone - especially Poe Dameron and Rey - and I'm quite certain we will. 2017's a long way away, but I'm already anticipating the eighth episode!

So, all in all, I really enjoyed Star Wars: The Force Awakens. If you haven't seen it, what are you doing now?!




Have a lovely day! x

Ringing In the New Year

Ahhhhhhh... new year, new me! Or so the saying goes. 2015 has been full of its ups and downs, and I'm ready for the new year. Nitpicking at things I want to improve in and making goals for change is easy, but keeping up with them? Not so much.

Last year I went with three resolutions: 1. to read more, 2. to make more time for certain things, and 3. to make videos. I feel like I've fulfilled 50% of that list; I've definitely read more, I've participated in some activities, but making videos didn't go as planned. Well, that slate has now been wiped clean and here are my 2016 resolutions.

1. Maintain the blog

Firstly, I'm not going to be filming any more videos. For now. I noticed that I posted less when I uploaded videos, and I feel like I should focus on the blog as it is my main priority. Throughout 2015 I became more aware of my blog's quality and how I can improve in aspects such as photography, content etc. The pressures of filming videos is completely off my shoulders so it's a good opportunity for me to improve the blog. I've decided to post when I have a post rather than post every week, as churning out posts just for the sake of it isn't what I hope to achieve. 

2. Keep up with exercising

I lost a littleeeee bit of weight this year as I started working out during the summer. Though the change is small, I intend to continue exercising. Exercising to me is more about health, rather than losing ___ amount of weight, because I feel like weight loss is part of staying healthy overall. I'm not saying I'll be dropping by the gym everyday, but going running 2-3 times a week isn't actually all that bad.

3. Eat more fruit

Truth be told, I got this resolution off a friend. Fruit is a healthier alternative to snacks, and it also helps with inside-the-body systems. A little fruit ain't gonna hurt nobody!

4. Handle time management more wisely

Poor time management has gotten me into sticky situations in the past. It's something I hope to improve at, especially with my exams not far ahead. 

5. Just wear it

There are times when I've put off wearing outfits that I've planned because "I'm not going anywhere particularly interesting", ending up in the usual jeggings-and-Vans combo. As a student there aren't many times I can go out during the week, so outfits go to waste. This year I've decided to let loose and just wear what I feel like wearing.

Following resolutions is hard. Who cares about gyming when you've got that slice of cake at home? Why study when there are two new episodes of Galavant waiting for you (have you watched it though? It's amazing)? It'll take a whole lot of self discipline and control to stick by these resolutions, but I have no intention of giving up.

I'll see you soon! x

Merry Christmas!

Hello all!

I would like to just drop by and wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope your day has been great and I wish you all the best for the coming year.

After taking a few weeks off from posting, I'll begin posting again after New Year's, so make sure to keep an eye out for that!

Love you all! x

Feeling Blue | Current Thoughts

Hello all!

Many things have been running through my head lately, and they all seem to relate back to blue, whether it's the colour or the feeling. 

First up, Troye Sivan's 'Blue Neighbourhood' dropped yesterday and oh my god it is amazing. His music falls under the indie electronic category which may not be for everyone, but I absolutely love it. I've without a doubt mentioned his music in past Favourites, but the release of the album had to be mentioned. He's created a whole background to it, so there's more to it than just the music. The songs really are that good and it's impossible to choose one favourite. Check out 'Blue Neighbourhood' on Spotify here or hit up his iTunes here. 

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Pantone has had the internet buzzing these past few days with the release of 2016's Colour of the Year... or in this case, Colours. The two colours chosen are both pastels; rose quartz is a pale pink, and serenity is a cornflower blue with a touch of purple. Both shades are really pretty and I can definitely see how they can be incorporated into coming trends. Though I won't be rocking rose quartz hair anytime soon, serenity would make a great Spring nail polish to brighten up the rainy months. 

We are proud to announce the Pantone #ColoroftheYear for 2016 is #RoseQuartz & #Serenity! https://t.co/PJIADN59DX pic.twitter.com/q7vY0hOyH3

— PANTONE (@pantone) December 3, 2015

So it's the end of the year - Christmas is in 20 or so days. I can't help but feel a little sad that the year is almost ending, and I just can't get into the festive spirit. I'm not a huge celebrator of Christmas but I do love the festivities surrounding it. It may be just the work I've got to tackle during the holidays or the coming exams. I've still got that EE and past papers to complete before I can relax!




Hope you are all doing well! x

November Favourites

Hello all!

I hope you're all doing well. Mother Nature has been more lenient and we've been blessed - finally - with sweater weather. But of course, the wave of cold weather brings sickness and cold; stay strong, stay moisturised, and fight through it!

Helping me combat rough, scaly skin is the Creamy Madly Dreamy body lotion from Zoella's core collection of products. With a light, floral scent, this lotion is thick but absorbs into the skin quickly, replenishing moisture.

For my lips I recently picked up this Wild Argan Oil lip balm from The Body Shop to replace my ancient Nivea tin. For $109, this little 20ml tin is on the pricier side; nonetheless, I believe it is worth every dollar because it truly does moisturise my lips well. I apply this every night before going to bed, and before I apply a matte lipstick to avoid my lips from drying out.

Personally, washing my face in the morning is a chore. I'm perfectly fine with washing my face at night because I do it in the shower, but in the mornings I'm often barely awake. Using facial wipes isn't quite as effective as properly using a cleanser, but the tea tree wipes from Superdrug have really helped me out. After using it on my face it leaves a tingly, refreshing feeling, and my face feels nice and clean after. I was shopping one day when I came across them and decided to give it a go; for only $20 these wipes work really well!

Here's a fun little fact for you: my whole family's quite into Lush. I've mentioned my love for Lush products in previous Favourites, and for this months I have included their American Cream conditioner. Originally my mum bought this to use in her shower, but I took and started using it! It smells divine, as Lush products do, and my hair has definitely become less tangled up when I come out of the shower.

Through November, I delved more into the world of hip hop and rap. Tyga found his way into my playlists and I've been listening to his songs all month, particularly the 2011 hit 'Rack City', his sick collab with Chris Brown 'Ayo', and his latest single 'Dope'd Up'. I mentioned Kid Ink last month but 'Iz U Down' featuring Tyga popped up and earned a permanent spot in my music library. 

I really must applaud Justin Bieber on 'Purpose'; it was nothing like I imagined it to be and I absolutely love the album. The dance videos accompanying the release of the album are amazing. 'Sorry' is my favourite on it, along with 'Company', 'No Pressure' featuring Big Sean, 'Where Are Ü Now', 'Life Is Worth Living' and 'The Feeling' featuring Halsey. Speaking of Halsey, 'Coming Down' from 'Badlands' is another track on the favourites list. Her voice is pure liquid gold!

Power girl group Little Mix dropped their new album 'Get Weird' this month and it would be a crime not to include it in my favourites. It's nostalgic to see how far they've grown, as I've been a fan since their early X-Factor days. Tracks I love are the cheeky 'A.D.I.D.A.S.', 'Grown' and 'Secret Love Song' featuring Jason Derulo. Little Mix is the ultimate epitome of a perfect girl group (imo!) and I'm super happy that they are attracting more attention. 

To end the music favourites, I'm including Nick Jonas's 'Levels', Daya's 'Hideaway', and Panic! At the Disco's horrifically entertaining 'Emperor's New Clothes' (THE MUSIC VIDEO!).

And those were my November Favourites! November has been a slightly icky month for me, and I'm hoping to regain balance as we head towards the end of 2015. Have you been feeling like that too? Nonetheless, here's a little Pinterest inspiration!

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Have a great day! x

Autumn/Winter Lip Product Picks

Hey there!

With the colder months here, a whole new set of lip colours is required to go with the change of attire. My pinks and corals are retiring for now, and I'm bringing out deeper, more autumn/winter-appropriate shades. 

Topshops's Matte Lip Bullet in Get Me Bodied is the perfect maroon shade, complete with a not-overwhelmingly-dry matte formula.

VDL's Expert Colour Lip Cube in 502 Hello Stranger is a nice bright red that's an alternative to the traditional scarlet. It's such a Christmassy shade and it gets me excited for the festive season.

When I first swatched VDL's Festival Lipstick in 501 Bordeaux, it immediately reminded me of Lorde; the name of the shade suits it very well! The shine of this product is fantastic, making it less Halloween and more vampy-glam.

Probably my favourite out of the set is Mac's Whirl. Dubbed as one of Kylie Jenner's 90s lip colours, I am absolutely in love with this neutral shade, along with Velvet Teddy. Whirl is slightly darker than Velvet Teddy, and Autumn and Winter are great times to rock those darker shades. 

Rimmel's Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 008 is a smooth blue-toned pink. The formula applies very well and the product is quite moisturising. 

L-R: Topshop bullet, VDL lip cube, VDL lipstick, Rimmel Apocalips, Mac Whirl

What lip products will you be wearing this Autumn/Winter?

I'll see you next time! x

Sick Beats and a Splurge | October Favourites

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Hello all!

Now that October has passed, it's only appropriate for me to do my October Favourites. Last month went past as a blur as two major things happened: I went to Borneo for a week with the school, and I moved house! I'm back and settled down, so prepare for a chatty post today.

The month of October was a month I splurged on a couple of items. First is my Kate Spade Ceder Street Stacy purse. After several years of switching between Accessorize and Forever 21 purses I decided to invest in one that would last me a long time without going out of style. I decided on the Stacy because it's roomy enough for all things necessary in a purse, and still sleek and compact. Black was an obvious choice as a. it tends to hide stains, marks and scratches better than other colours, and b. black is a timeless colour. Another splurge is Mac's Velvet Teddy lipstick. Thanks to Kylie Jenner, I have found a nice shade that goes with pretty much everything! The matte finish isn't too drying, which I find is the case with some matte lipsticks.

From Borneo I brought home a few henna cones, and it truly is addicting to draw designs on your arm. It's a fun way to accessorise without all the commitment or pain of a real tattoo.

My TV show favourite of the month is ABC's 'Quantico', a thrilling series that follows Alex Parrish, an FBI agent who has been accused of a bombing in New York. The show very much reminds me of an all-time beloved, 'How To Get Away With Murder', as it is set in the present but flashes back to the Quantico training. Priyanka Chopra, who plays Alex, is gorgeous and it makes me happy that they cast a woman of colour as the lead; you don't see that too often!

After a month of dawdling I finally purchased 'The Wrath and the Dawn' by Renee Ahdieh. It had been on my books-to-buy list for quite a while, and I am so glad I did eventually buy it.  The story is an adaptation of the classic 'A Hundred and One Arabian Nights', revolving around Shahrzad, a girl who sacrifices herself to be the Caliph of Khorasan's next wife. The reason why I love this book so much is that the description is lusciously rich, similar to Erin Morgenstern's 'Night Circus', my all-time favourite book. I would highly recommend this book to anybody remotely interested because it truly is a hidden gem.

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In Borneo I rediscovered old songs from the group of people I went with, and discovered my appreciation for rap music. I started off with Kid Ink's tracks after hearing him on Fifth Harmony's 'Worth It', and after listening to his album 'Full Speed', it's safe to say he's now one of my favourite artists. Spotify has been my go-to app lately for discovering music because they've got hundreds of playlists made according to genre and mood. Through one of their hip-hop playlists I started listening to Big Sean's 'I Don't F*** With You'; granted, it's not a song you can go round blasting out of your speakers, but I can't deny that it's catchy! Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's 'Downtown' is a spunky, magical creation and the choreography videos I've seen on YouTube from the likes of Kyle Hanagami, 1Million Dance Studio and Matt Steffanina perfectly capture the different moods expressed through it. Tracks I've picked up from dance class are Dawin's 'Dessert' featuring Silento and Redfoo's 'New Thang'; I am an absolute sucker for danceable songs as dance is one of my favourite hobbies. Justin Bieber is making quite the comeback with the new releases off his coming album 'Purpose' and my favourite so far is definitely 'Sorry'. The hottest new track that literally everyone has been playing is Drake's 'Hotline Bling' so it's not a surprise that it's included in my Favourites. To conclude everything, my last favourite is Troye Sivan's 'TALK ME DOWN'. The Blue Neighbourhood trilogy is absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking, and, along with thousands of other fans, I am secretly waiting for a Part 4/3 because the ending to Part 3 was undoubtedly brutal. 

Ahhhhh, I've missed writing long posts! I'll see you in my next one! x