Rambling on about books, baking and beauty…
Small jar of nut butter (peanut, hazelnut, almond or cashew all work)
1 cup of coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
1 egg
1 tsp baking powder
Chocolate chips, m&M’s, cocoa powder (optional)
Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly, roll into small balls and place on a lined baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes at 200°c. Remove from oven and leave to set as they will be slightly soft.
Eat them all!
No pictures survive of the previous batch due to them disappearing mysteriously!
ramblingmads
Gypset is the French for Gypsy (hat tip Google), and MLB are using it in the free-spirit sense, boho chic meets on the road.
There’s an interesting mix of beauty and lifestyle items in this box.
As usual there’s an illustration from in-house artist Kanako – this one features a quote from Jack Kerouac, author of On The Road.
There’s a patterned bag (seen in the illustration) to carry your wandering essentials, and hair ties that double as bracelets, something I’ve noticed has popped up more and more. These are really cute and soft so will definitely feature in my hair. The bag is cute too. It’s quite small but handy for your essentials, could pop it inside a larger bag for everyday.
In terms of beauty items, there are three full size treats;
Korres Santorini Vine Body Milk – this is supposed to smell like a blossoming Greek vineyard which I couldn’t quite smell but then again I’m never any good at wine tasting – it doesn’t smell like autumn leaves or blackberries – just wine.
So Susan Colour Hybrid cheek and lip tint – this is a deep cherry red, I think teemed with cat’s eyes liner and a hint of shimmer in your skin would work well.
My Little Beauty Summer Caress Bronzer – from their in-house range, this is a soft peachy bronzer that would suit different skin tones depending on how much you blended/layered it on.
The lip stain won’t budge BTW, but the bronzer needs to be deeper I think.
ramblingmads
Actress, writer, gamer, producer, singer, cosplayer, violinist, comedienne, queen of geek culture – all of these things apply to Felicia Day, whose memoir of growing up online is funny, awkward and full of references for lovers of the Geek & Sundry YouTube channel she set up a few years ago.
She’s guested in Supernatural, Dollhouse, A Town Called Eureka, starred in Doctor Horrible’s Singalong Blog, The Guild and now hosts her own online shows on the channel she built (The Flog and Co-optitude with her brother Ryon deserve a mention).
Her geek points are boosted by a foreword by Joss Whedon and a quote from George R.R. Martin on the back cover.
From her home schooled childhood to her music scholarship to college at 16, her early Hollywood career in adverts, to playing video games, writing her own scripts and beyond, You’re Never Weird… is a wonderful celebration of forging your own path and marching to the beat of your very own, totally unique, rhythm.
I first saw Felicia in an episode of Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse, years ago, but if I’m honest I didn’t really pay her much mind. It was only when I stumbled across the utterly hilarious web series The Guild on YouTube a few years ago that I saw what a talented person she is.
If you’re not sure who she is or what you’ve seen her in, Google is your friend. There is so much content on Geek & Sundry that you’re bound to find something you like (Tabletop is a particular favourite of mine, or watch The Guild).
ramblingmads
Last night I watched the last ever episode of Glee.
I lost track of the show for a while, having watched the first series when it originally aired in the UK on channel 4.
As a musical fan, on screen or on stage, a weekly tv show in that style intrigued me, and although I had left high school behind me, it was a period of life I could relate to.
The characters were outsiders, geeks, drama nerds, cheerleaders, and jocks. Archetypes established in 80s tern comedies like The Breakfast Club.
Even when show creator Ryan Murphy (who is also behind American Horror Story) awkwardly forced LGBTQ issues in, making it a character’s only personality trait rather than just part of who they are, the characters were relatable, the songs easy to sing along to, and the storylines didn’t patronize the viewer.
My favourite character was the Machiavellian cheer coach Sue Sylvester (played with tongue firmly in cheek by the fantastic Jane Lynch), who at some point became the school principal (thanks to my sister for bringing me up to speed), and her sidekick, cheerleader Becky, whose Down’s Syndrome was handled very well, in that it didn’t define her. (Favourite episode – the Christmas one where Sue and Becky dressed up as the Grinch).
The show was keen to showcase that what makes up different, makes us stronger. From Artie’s wheelchair (shame actor Kevin McHale is able-bodied, some representation still needs work) to Kurt’s homosexuality and coming out to his macho dad, Rachel’s upbringing as a mixed race child of gay parents, Puck’s absent father issues and Finn’s war hero dad, whose memory he wanted so badly to honour.
The characters were given depth as time went on, but some of the plots got a little absurd. There were some characters who seemed to be solely there to make up numbers and didn’t have names, let alone a plot.
Then there’s the Jazz Ensemble – always available to crack out a tune, appearing to live in the choir room in case they were needed, despite mostly being students themselves.
It was a show with heart – shown to effect by the remembering of Finn Hudson – the quarterback, played by Cory Monteith, who tragically overdosed during the show’s run.
Yes, there were thirtysomethings playing 17-year-olds, and yes, some of them weren’t much cop as singers. Yes, Mr Schu, actor Matthew Morrison, was a horrific rapper, yes the plotlines were at times utterly ridiculous.
The guest stars were fun – Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf protesting the teens version of The Rocky Horror Show (they played Brad and Eddie in the film version), Kirsten Chenowith and Idina Menzel (stars of stage and screen – big voices).
The final series was probably the wackiest, and the reasons for reassembling the original Glee club line up weak at best, but going out with a bang is Murphy’s signature move. Sue becoming Vice President, with Becky as her Secret Service bodyguard, Kurt and Blaine putting on an all male version of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and then entertaining six-year-olds, just the whole premise of their future lives was fairly hysterical.
They stuck to their guns, and went our with a big musical number, bringing back pretty much every actor who had appeared in it for one more song on the auditorium stage – a version of One Republic’s I Lived.
So farewell Glee, although I’m sure you’ll be rerun endlessly and end up on Netflix. Nothing ever really ends these days.
Were you a Gleek or did it leave you cold? Let me know in the comments.
ramblingmads
This month it’s Glossybox’s birthday and they’ve sent out pink boxes of products to celebrate.
Naobay Calming Face Toner – I stopped using toner ages ago, it seemed like an unnecessary step in my rather long beauty routine but this smells good, contains soothing chamomile, and the products I’ve had from this brand before have been great.
Manna Kadar Lash Primer – apply under mascara to nourish lashes and leave them conditioned and voluminous. Well, that’s some claim but I have yet to see adding make up to anything succeed.
Sass Intimate Purifying Cleanser – ahhhh!! I am so against these so called intimate body products – your vagina is self-cleaning and has a really delicate pH balance that you should never add chemicals to. Ever.
MeMeMe Lipglide in Playful Peach – I’d say this is more deep pink than peach but it’s a good colour and I prefer crayons like this to lipstick as I’m lazy and any make up that reminds me of colouring is good.
Emite Artist Colour Powder Blush – on their Facebook page Glossybox asked blush or bronzer – the results were so close they included Swedish brand Emite’s blush/bronzer hybrid. I think it’s a bit too dark for me but would certainly suit someone who doesn’t have my stupidly pale skin.
Last month’s box was such a disappointment, but this is a step up. I was contemplating cancelling but I might give them one more month.
ramblingmads
This box is packed with great products (£21.95 + p&p) showcasing the winners of Latest in Beauty’s Awards winners.
Burt’s Bees is one of my favourite brands, I love their lip balms and hand creams and this box features two products from their range. The Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream smells good and I know from experience it leaves skin clean and soft. The lip crayon in Sedona Sands is a purple-pink colour that I quite like. Plus all their products are 100% natural.
Colab dry shampoo in Monaco – this is my favourite brand of dry shampoo – although some of the scents can be a little overwhelming. It doesn’t dry like dandruff as some other brands do and it brushes out easily.
I’m a bit concerned by the need for stickers that say ‘Do Not Eat’ on the Zoella Fresh Fizz bath Fizzers, I regularly buy things from Lush that smell delicious and manage not to eat them!
Dr Organic Snail Gel Anti-Aging Facial Serum – still not sure about snail gel as they gross me out in my plant pots.
La Roche-Posay Corrective Unclogging Care – this claims to unclog pores, correct imperfections and marks – big claims for a small bottle. French beauty brands are a big deal and famous for their effectiveness.
The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil for hair, skin and face. I am obsessed with this, I have tins stashed everywhere, my bag, the sofa, next to the bed etc. Smells great, leaves hair soft and shiny, provides much needed moisture and softness to skin. And as it’s a solid – no leaking!
Eye of Horus goddess mascara in Babylon brown. Once upon a time I tried brown mascara, it was very short lived. When I do wear mascara, I prefer to coat my blonde lashes in dramatic black, the brown just looks weird.
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer – designed for Audrey Hepburn, this is really popular and while it didn’t seem to make much difference to my stubborn hair (nothing does – it resists all styling products) friends say it makes theirs healthy looking and shiny.
ramblingmads
I went to state school, church school at that, but remain as obsessed with boarding school stories now as I was at 13 when I desperately wanted to be sent away to school as I was so unhappy where I was.
Malory Towers, the Chalet School, St Clare’s, these schools were what I dreamed of. Now I know that life is not all midnight feasts and hockey matches (or hiding from Nazis in the Alps).
But the magic of boarding school stories continues, and I am loving Robin Stevens’ Wells & Wong Mystery series, there are three books so far, inspired by Agatha Christie’s fantastic stories (I adore Monsieur Poirot).
These are aimed at the Young Adult market but since I dont believe there should be a cut off point for reading great books, I don’t care. The brightly coloured spines are smiling at me from the bookcase.
Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are thirteen year old boarding school girls. Daisy from a posh English family and Hazel the daughter of a successful Hong Kong businessman. They are the founding members of the Detective Society, the Holmes and Watson of the bun break and prep set.
The books are funny, clever, well written, I haven’t yet guessed the identities of who dunnit? which is always a plus in a murder mystery.
ramblingmads
This month Birchbox have decided to cover their boxes with emojis and yes that’s so 2014!
Inside is a sheet of emoji stickers, which would be great if I was still 12, I hope this isn’t this month’s fake tattoo trend.
Inside is 6 beauty samples. All of them are really diddy.
Formula 10.0.6 Over Night Success Spot Minimizing Patches – 21 single use patches to shrink and fight off spots. Not sure how well it will work on the monthly ‘guess what time of the month it is?’ lumps I get, especially as it’s formulated for young skin and mine is getting older!
Rituals Fortune Scrub – sweet orange and cedar scented, although to me it smells like hubba bubba.
Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo – now I am fussy about my shampoo – it’s taken a while to find one I like, so I don’t chop and change. I never quite see the point of shampoo samples as everyone’s hair is different.
Lord & Berry Blush in Lotus – this is a teeny sample – it would have been nice to have at least one full size product.
Huygens Face Scrub – French brand, tiny pot of face scrub, it says to use a coin-sized amount, so that’s the whole tub then!
TheBalm@ cosmetics – desert bronzer – I don’t think I have an applicator small enough.
I found this box disappointing – so many wasted opportunities for a really nice selection and the lack of full size items is frustrating as they usually include at least one. Last month’s was so good, shame the quality slipped.
ramblingmads
Wow is this box disappointing.
These boxes are never as packed as others on the market but this month’s is especially underwhelming.
The two items I picked from their shortlist were Model Co blusher in Just Peachy and Inika Mineral Bronzer. The other options were nude nail polish, and an endless array of serums for skin or hair.
The ‘included in every box’ items are pretty poor. A sachet of SiennaX gradual self tan and a chapter sampler of Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones.
The box is smaller than previous ones, perhaps an attempt to hide how poor it is. Hopefully next month will be better – a more varied list to choose from and better samples for all.
P.S ignore the messy living room in the background, I couldn’t take pictures where I normally do.
ramblingmads
#blacklivesmatter
#transisbeautiful
#notallmuslims
What do those three hash tags have in common? They are the voice of the oppressed, the mistreated and derided. They are voices calling into the wilderness of ignorance and trying to show that human beings in all that varied forms are more than labels and are indeed precious and important.
I stand as an ally to anyone who is repressed, who is knocked down, insulted, mistreated or denied because of their perceived differences. I will speak up with you, I will be by your side, not in violence but in genuine honest protest and discussion. This is how I was raised and who I am.
I will go with you.
ramblingmads
ramblingmads 