Rambling on about books, baking and beauty…
If you were thinking of trying Birchbox, use this link https://www.birchbox.co.uk/invite/8hh7s
Here’s my last two boxes
April’s is in the post as are a couple of other beauty boxes. My three month trial is ending and I have decisions to make. This month’s boxes will be the clincher. Stay tuned…
ramblingmads
Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson are starring in the upcoming Pitch Perfect 2, and popping up on magazine covers all over the place to promote it.
I rarely bother buying glossy ‘fashion’ magazines full of pictures of hungry looking models in ridiculous, over-priced clothes. If I do it’s usually just Glamour, which I grew up with – picked up a copy from my cousin’s bedroom floor aged 12, read it pretty much ever since.
Very occasionally if a cover star or strap line intrigues me I will buy another. I think some of them are wildly over-priced for a thick bundle of shiny adverts.
This month I got Glamour and Elle, both of which claim feminist credentials.
Glamour’s cover depicts Kendrick, a slim brunette, full figure in a dress, Elle has her co-star Wilson but a close up of her face framed by blonde curls.
A quick flick through Instagram or Facebook shows that this is common. Slim actresses and models are most often photographed in full, while curvier women are cropped to just their face.
Inside Elle Wilson is shown in lovely dresses, but never a close up of her body, either just her face or from a distance and we know these magazines love their photoshop.
Apparently the subscriber’s edition featured a full figure shot but the one on display in supermarkets and newsagents isn’t the same and that’s where they have the most impact and influence.
As a child I was all legs, they’re still pretty long but a cruel combination of genetics, medical issues and mental health in my teens caused me to put on a lot of weight.
I’m lighter now than I was but still have a way to go to be fully happy in my skin, although I will always be curvy, my bone structure dictates that (broad shoulders, wide hips).
But if I were growing up in today’s culture, with the focus on image and appearance, I would struggle to find anyone who looks like me on the covers of the magazines, arranged as they are at eye level and often above or next to ones aimed at younger girls and teens.
Rebel’s pretty, and her weight has clearly not been an issue in her career as she’s going from strength to strength. So why not put her whole body on the cover and celebrate some body diversity (and yes I’d like a range of ages and ethnicities on covers too).
I’ve been trying to gain some confidence in my body, hence the healthy eating and exercising. I’ve also been following some body positive bloggers and Instagram accounts (check out @fullerfigurefullerbust @curvesandcurlsuk #effyourbeautystandards @tessholliday @toodalookatie @ladyvoluptuous @biggalyoga) for some of women I’ve been taking inspiration from.
I’m also addressing the medical issues that affect my weight, i’ve been diagnosed with an under-active thyroid and started treatment but what I’ve mostly been learning is that confidence doesn’t rely on the number on the label of your clothes (much of which varies widely anyway) but on your embracing your body, personality and comes at any size.
So let’s celebrate ourselves, whatever size or shape you are. You are good enough, beautiful enough, cool enough, strong enough #effyourbeautystandards society and let us feel good about who we are.
ramblingmads
These slim volumes pictured above are the first four issues of The Time Traveller Times.
I discovered the existence of this indie periodical in the Facebook group British Steampunk Community. Steampunk is something I’ve been interested in for a while, even dressing up and attending an event at a steam museum.
For those who don’t know – Steampunk is a literary movement writ large. Most books and films that fall into this genre are Victorian in period but with steam-powered modern technology.
Examples range from Jules Verne to Cherie Priest’s Clockwork Century series. Films like Wild Wild West and The Adventures of Adele Blanc-sec feature traits too. Musically there are lots of bands but my recommendation is Steam-powered Giraffe.
Back to the TTT. Time travel is a popular SP theme – and the chap behind these fun and clever booklets has clearly done his research.
They feature the ongoing story of time travelling adventurer Captain Nik Ve and his crew aboard the ♎. As well as reports from both the past, issue one features Charles Darwin and the terrifying future epidemic Kangaroo Flu! Others will cover events ranging from the Black Death to the Space Race and beyond.
Currently they’re only available from the author via Facebook. As it’s a new venture he is currently testing the waters before exploring the best outlet. His name is Charles Samuel Watson and can be found on the British Steampunk Community page or at many Steampunk events taking place over the summer.
ramblingmads
This is a new feature for the blog. Let me know what you think in the comments.
OK, I’m not Little Miss Fashion Plate, but I think I have decent taste in clothes, even if my day to day outfits are pretty repetitive.
I quite like vintage style dresses and skirts, especially if they flare out a little and flatter my big hips.
I’ve bought a few things from Vinted.co.uk which is an online marketplace for clothes, shoes and accessories. Something caught my eye, one vintee was posting lovely 50s style circle skirts in really fun prints.
Sadly I didn’t spot one in my size, but as they appeared to be made by this seller, I sent a message asking whether one could be custom made for me. The answer was yes!
Isn’t it lovely? I haven’t worn it yet as I’m saving it for my Grandad’s birthday lunch next week. Going to team it with a little black cardi, vest top, tights and cute stripy ballet pumps.
If you want a cute summer skirt, search Vinted for user Dolly Diva, and this skirt can be found here on Lesley’s folksy shop. She’s a sweetie and a whizz with the sewing machine. I will definitely be going back for another – probably the flamingo print!
ramblingmads
BuddhiBox is a yoga lover’s beauty and lifestyle box from the US.
They don’t currently ship to the UK as a subscription but you can buy the boxes through Etsy. Which doesn’t make a huge amount of sense and costs a lot more than the equivalent on their website, before shipping.
I also had to pay a hefty customs charge, which means until there’s an easier way to order this box, I probably won’t again. Which is a shame because their Instagram is full of lovely things included in their monthly boxes.
Anyway, back to this one.
It’s not a huge box but it is quite full. I said I didn’t mind which box I got, this is March’s. April’s is curated by a yogi called Jo and contains different items.
I received a small pot of rosewater ghee face & skin cream, which intrigues me as ghee is more commonly used in Indian cooking.
An organic sanitizer spray for use after yoga to kill any bacteria that transfers from the mat to your hands. I recommend giving your yoga mat a spritz of anti-bac every now and then and hanging it outside every now and then to air it so that feet smell doesn’t linger. This will probably end up in my bag, I like to carry hand sanitizer when commuting.
A fancy bottle of nail polish in Namaste, this has no formaldehyde and other not very pleasant chemicals and is a nude shade.
There was also a small yoga strap, which is used to assist with poses.
A small malas or Buddhist prayer bead bracelet to aid in meditation.
A recipe card for a dish called kitchari, which seems to be a bit like dhal with mung beans and rice.
A yoga pose card – tree pose, which is one of my favourite poses as it’s a big stretch to the sky and you have to focus to maintain your balance.
The card listing the box’s contents has a great quote on it “you are the sky. Everything else is just weather” – Pema Chodron.
Loose leaf oolong tea, custom blended for BuddhiBox. It also has a reusable muslin tea bag, which is a clever idea. I don’t drink black tea or coffee, mostly just water and herbal teas so this will come in useful.
There are a couple of business cards from the different companies involved – some with discounts and then the randomest item. A temporary tattoo.
I don’t really get the need for this item and would have preferred something else. This seems to be a bit of a trend because I’ve had at least one beauty box recently with temporary tattoos in them. I remember they were all the rage the summer I was 9, I think a cereal company were giving them away, but I don’t see many grown women feeling the need.
All in all it’s a bit mixed and not all of the items seem connected to yoga or meditation. As I said at the start this was pretty expensive so I’m a little disappointed at the contents. Hopefully they’ll start shipping internationally through their website soon and the prices will be comparative to the US.
ramblingmads
Gaya is an Italian vegan (no animals were tested upon) cosmetics firm newly launched in the UK. At the moment their products are only available on Amazon. Their range includes skincare, make up and those all important brushes.
Quick disclaimer: I was lucky enough to be invited to test two of their products in the run up to their full UK launch but my review here will be unbiased and my honest opinion of the products I tested.
Primer (£32.99) – this is not something I regularly use so I was interested in seeing what difference this would make to my make up routine and application.
The bottle is rather pleasing to look at, not too fussy a design – simple and elegant. A lot of my make up lots like either a kid’s colouring set (I do love an eye crayon or a chubby stick) or incredibly plain and boring, except all the glitter. This looks grown up and makes a nice addition to the dressing table (in my case, shelf).
I had to pump the nozzle a few times before anything came out, but as this was the first use I actually rather preferred that to it all oozing out.
You only need a really tiny amount so this will last ages, I applied it with my fingers, but you could use a sponge if you prefer.
It went on very easily, and left a smooth, soft finish. I applied it as per the directions, over my moisturiser, and it added another layer of moisture to my dry skin.
It did make applying my CC cream and foundation smoother, my moisturiser soaks in fast so this left a smooth, silky surface to work with.
I have really sensitive skin and this did not cause any upset, which was definitely a bonus to me. I will probably use it again and may even decide to buy it once I run out.
The other item I was given to try was an eyeshadow powder in shade F23 (£12.99 currently discounted – normally £18). This is a light gold/bronze shade, there is a wide range of other colours to choose from.
As I like to layer my eyeshadow up, this was a great colour to work with.
Again the packaging is rather elegant with a wooden lid embossed in gold. This will also look grown up and rather attractive on the dressing table or shelf.
The only problem I had was that as the pot was super packed with powder I had trouble getting it out of the tiny holes. I usually use eyeshadows in cake form, either in a palette or solo, whereas this was a very fine powder.
Using a soft eyeshadow brush, not a sponge applicator, I swept it over my lids, building up the colour in layers. Finished with gold glitter liner and mascara, my eyes looked bright but not overdone or too heavy for daytime.
The pot is very generously filled, so you definitely get your money’s worth. Again I will most probably continue to use it, but may not purchase it as I own other eyeshadows in similar shades.
These are not cheap products but I feel you get value for money. From a quick google of their ingredients it looks like they go for quality and as they are vegan, not tested on animals and in good quality packaging, it’s understandable. I don’t know if I would willingly spend the money but you get what you pay for.
ramblingmads
Mandala means ‘sacred circle’ and in Eastern cultures are symbols of wholeness and eternity.
They are often used as a form of art therapy as they are absorbing and meditative.
I’ve been trying to practice mindfulness and learn to control my anxiety better.
And this week I’ve been colouring as a way to relax the part of my brain that panics and worries, and stimulate my creative side again.
I got the first issue of Art Therapy magazine which had some interesting patterns to colour in.
I’ve got some colouring books for adults to work on, so far I’m quite enjoying it and I do feel calmer when I’m doing it.
I’ll be posting them over on my Instagram so if you’re interested come and take a look.
ramblingmads
So a little box of treats winged its wayt to me from Glasgow.
I am trying to eat better and stay away from chemical heavy cosmetics and beauty products so I thought The Vegan Kind’s boxes would be worth a look.
This is apparently a mystery box, presumably they are themed. This one contained several edible things and a body wash.
There was a pouch of pear puree which went into my herbalife shake along with a banana.
The red banana powder is something I already use and like, so this was a bonus as it’s not particularly cheap.
The gingerbread topper mix – designed for I think granola or muesli will either end up in a shake or on a fruit salad.
Quinoa crisps which I will try during the week with some quark dip.
Teabags – I like a herbal tea every now and then – so these will be drunk at some point.
Recipe card – what a lovely idea, including a recipe card so you can make something tasty – this one’s for a super green smoothie.
Finally the Organic Surge shower gel – started using this yesterday – smells amazing and really cleansing. And it’s a generous full-size bottle not a dinky sample.
I’ve also ordered their vegan beauty box to test out, will review once it’s delivered.
ramblingmads
Today, Callum, my boyfriend, finally graduated with his Masters degree in psychology.
We went to the Barbican arts centre in Central London for the ceremony as he did his degree with OU. It took him 6 years part-time while working, training and playing sledge hockey with team GB.
I like to tease him because I did my Masters in a year while working and found writing my dissertation exhausting. He didn’t have to do a dissertation for this.
I am really proud of him for keeping with it even when they changed his course twice, and he struggled with the sheer cost of it all.
He looked very fetching in his blue robe, shaking hands with dotcom millionaire, chancellor of the OU Baroness Martha Lane-Fox, who gave a somewhat rambling speech advertising the OU to people who had just graduated!
Actress and baking goods businesswoman Jane Asher was awarded an honourary degree for her charitable work for the National Autistic Society and Parkinson’s Association, and she also made a speech that could have done with an edit.
My hands ached after clapping all the new graduates off the stage and I was glad to escape the Barbican (a place I ordinarily enjoy being in) for the streets of the City of London.
We went for dinner in a slightly eccentric restaurant, that I’m sure had moved further away, despite being exactly where I remembered it!
Now we need to find another space on the wall for his certificate (mine aren’t on display, I don’t feel comfortable). There are mutterings of another degree, perhaps in history and I’m still trying to decide whether or not to do a PhD!
ramblingmads
I went to my first Fit Club session last night, led by my friend Kayleigh and now I ache all over.
I am not remotely fit, but it’s time to remedy that, having spent the last few months changing my eating habits, I’ve decided my sloth-like habits need to as well.
Wednesday nights are Fit Club, and hopefully Thursday afternoon will be yoga, I’ve sent an email to a local yogi so fingers crossed there’s space in her class.
Bits of my body ache that I don’t really get why, and since I walk everywhere, really shouldn’t.
What’s your fitness routine? Are you a gym bunny or a sloth like me? 🙂 Let me know your favourite exercises/work outs in the comments.
ramblingmads
