books, fun stuff

PokemonGo Reading Tag 

ramblingmads

Stacey at Pretty Books did this fun tag, combining books with everyone’s current obsession – Pokemon Go! 

The first I read for myself was a Beatrix Potter book of rhymes – I was three. I have no real memory of this, just what my Mum said. My favourite book growing up was Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, which sparked a love of horses. 

Alice in Wonderland – it’s a strange, magical book that I’ll never tire off because there’s so much to unpack. 

Harry Potter fans look away now! 

I can’t bear that series- I have my reasons and if you’d like to discuss them, please email me at ramblingmadsblog@gmail.com 

I don’t know about love but I quite liked The Magicians by Lev Grossman – despite it’s obvious influences and many references to a Narnia-like land. 

Nothing phases me – I have read my way through some enormous books and series’. 

I read Red Hot Chili Peppers’ lead singer Anthony Kiedis’ autobiography Scar Tissue in one sitting, his life was so gripping and the writing hooked me in. 

Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None – gripping. 

Erm, I am rather invested in Claire and Jamie in the Outlander books at the moment, and waiting for the next one. 

From an academic perspective I am quite interested in the un/authorised sequels of classic children’s novels like Peter Pan and The Wind in the Willows. 

The Gentlemen Bastard sequence by Scott Lynch is fabulous and seriously underrated. I thought that it would be just another fantasy series but it’s a cracking read – bring on book 4. 

Although I’ve read them now, the hype around The Raven Boys and its sequels, was pretty heavy. But then I started reading them and was hooked. 

The Discworld series’ collector editions are pretty lovely and I certainly wouldn’t mind having them on my shelves. 

Erm, I don’t know – if someone could suggest an upcoming release they think I’d enjoy – please do. 

Anything Neil Gaiman or Tamora Pierce write – as far as I’m concerned they’re both genuises. 

I waited five years for The Republic of Thieves to finally be published – don’t do it to me again Scott Lynch. 

The final ever book written by Terry Pratchett will be released later this year and that’s pretty exciting and a little sad. 

If you’d like to do this tag, go for it. It was quite fun and gave me an opportunity to think about the books I’ve read over the years. 

Uncategorized

#LFSummerLovin 

ramblingmads

July’s Look Fantastic box is here and it’s all about Summer. Perfect for this week’s heatwave. 

This Works in Transit Camera Close-Up – this is a primer, moisturiser and mask in one- use after cleansing and let it sink in. It banishes signs of fatigue and boosts radiance. 

Benefit Goof Proof Eyebrow Pencil – Benefit’s new brow range is everywhere at the moment, including in this box. Designed to fill in any gaps from overzealous plucking or thinning, while offering 12 hours waterproof wear – perfect forcwhen you’re sweating on the Underground. 

Nuxe Huile Prodigeuese Or – this shimmery dry oil infuses skin with moisture while giving off a subtle glow. Highlighting your tan or tricking the eye into believing you’re not that pale.
Kebelo Silk Anti-Frizz Cream Serum – frizz, it ruins your ‘do and possibly your day. This contains skin friendly ingredients to calm and smooth a hot barnet. 

Bellapierre Lip and Cheek Stain – oil free so no clogged pores and a lasting finish, which hopefully endures as the rest of your make up slides off your face (just me?)

Miti Bobbles – similar to other no tear bobbles, these little elastic plastics are designed to not pull or dent your hair, sweeping it off your face so you can avoid that woman fell into a box of hair aesthetic (unless that’s what you were going for, if so, work it!)

Hopefully these things will help me look less frazzled and smeary during this ridiculous heatwave nonsense. 

adventures in post, fun stuff, lifestyle boxes, reviews, stationery

Boxcitement 

ramblingmads

Another fun subscription box on the market at the moment is Boxcitement, a themed monthly box full of goodies. 

Inside July’s Wanderlust box there are travel goodies and pretty little treats. 

Tin of travel mints, a mirror keyring, scented soap bar, wooden luggage tag, cloud brooch, earrings, Aloha card. 

World map wrapping paper, travel liquids bag. 

Travel journal, Paris card. 

Everything is beautifully put together and decorated, the earrings are very pretty too. It really makes me wish I was whizzing off on holiday, but a girl can dream, and plan for next summer! 

Uncategorized

Book Review x 2

ramblingmads

There’s a reason I’m reviewing these books together, eagle eyed readers of the first book will hopefully know why. 

Love, Nina – Nina Stibbe 

Recently turned into a Friday evening comedy by the Beeb, Stibbe’s memoir of her time as a nanny in the late 70s/early 80s, told through the letters she wrote to her sister Vic, back home in Leicestershire, from literary London, are very funny. Several well known literary figures frequent number 55 and live in the street, including Alan Bennett, who joins the household for dinner most days. 

Stibbe doesn’t know anything about being a nanny but neither her employer or charges seem that bothered, and in fact S&W (as she calls the boys she looks after) seem to relish her inexperience. She’s quite a quirky type, with a habit of not wearing shoes, but so it seems are the people around her. 

I enjoyed this, definitely more than the TV version – where Bennett is replaced with a random grouch called Malcolm. It is funny, touching and warm. 

The Lady in the Van – Alan Bennett

This slim volume contains Bennett’s record of the years Mrs Shepherd lived in a dirty van on his driveway. Recently made into a film with Maggie Smith, who also played the role on stage, it’s also humorous and Mrs S is eccentric to say the least. 

The link is a single reference made to Bennett’s driveway occupant in Love, Nina, where she tells her sister that Bennett has the only drive in the street but it’s occupied. 

Both offer a slice of London life among the literati during the reign of Mrs Thatcher, and I think, compliment each other quite nicely. 

Have you read either of these books? What did you think? Let me know in the comments. 

fun stuff, questions, tag posts

Four in a row tag

ramblingmads

Spotted this on a blog and thought, these tag posts are quite fun, so why not. 

🍍Four places I’ve lived 

– Harrow Weald, Middlesex

– Stanmore, Middlesex

– Roehampton, Surrey

– Edgware, Middlesex 

(Pretty much spent my whole life in North London) 

🍍Four places I’ve worked 

– In a posh shoe shop fitting kids’ school shoes

– In an indoor play centre aka Hell

– In a charity’s office (several times)

– In a holiday playscheme (best job ever) 

🍍Four songs I’m listening to at the moment

– Chandelier – Sia 

– Painkillers – Brian Fallon 

– Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers

– Change my Needs – Scars on 45 

What can I say, I have eclectic tastes. 

🍍Four Places I’ve travelled to 

– Moscow, Russia 

– Southern California, America 

– Venice, Italy 

– Beziers, France (where my sister was born)

🍍Four dishes I like 

– Creme Brulee 

– Crab cakes 

– Halloumi salad with watermelon

– Roast chicken 

🍍Four drinks I like 

– Diet Coke 

– Fruit infused water (especially limes)

– Peppermint tea

– San Pelligrino Limonata 

So that’s it, short and sweet, unlike me. 

Feel free to join in.  

beauty, fun stuff, make up, questions

The Beauty Knowledge Tag

ramblingmads

I’ve seen this popping up on lots of different blogs and Twitter feeds. The answers are often pretty hilarious. 

For this tag you need a partner or friend who doesn’t use make up or know much about it. I am using the Mr as my guinea pig. He doesn’t get my interest in make up at all. Let’s see what knowledge he has absorbed. 
💋What are these different beauty products and techniques? 

💋Bronzer – giving a tanned appearance 

💋Blusher – making your cheeks pink like a doll

💋Mascara – making eyelashes black and curly 

💋Eyeliner – making your eyes look more Egyptian 

💋Strobing – something to do with disco

💋Eyeshadow – colouring your eyes in 

💋Powder – do you put that on your face? Is it like manual photoshop?

💋Foundation – like a base coat 

💋Concealer – covers spots and blemishes

💋Setting Spray – like varnish or hairspray for your face?

💋Contouring – using your make up to give your face different shapes?

💋Primer – another base coat

💋Lip liner – makes lips look happy 

💋Brow pencil – drawing on your eyebrows after you stupidly shaved them off. 

💋Serum – watering down make up to apply an even coat

💋Cleanser – taking your make up off

💋Micellar Water – no idea, is it for cleaning your face?

💋Toner- matching your make up to your skin tone

💋Was this test hard? Not really, I think I knew a lot. 

💋Why? You didn’t ask for an essay and I had no idea about some of them. Did I win something? Is there a prize? 

I then had to explain what everything was, he still doesn’t get the point of most of these products. He still wants a prize. Bless him. 

If you want to do this tag, go for it. Let me know in the comments, I’d love to see if your partners and friends do any better. 

fun stuff, life

The ‘adult tag’ 

ramblingmads

​Thought this might be a bit of fun as I lay here dying of serious cramps. Join in! 


1 – How old are you and where do you live?

29, almost 30, North London on the border of Hertfordshire. 

2 – Where did you expect to be by this age?

I think I expected to be a bit further along in the old career, own house, maybe married. Life is a lot more complicated than you imagine. 

3 – Are you on track to where you want to be now?

Yes and no. My career took a back seat to health issues and that set me back. But I’ll get there. 

4 – What piece of advice do you wish people told you when you were young?

Life is what you make it, take more risks. 

5 – What advice would you give to younger people now?

Take every opportunity that comes your way, don’t be afraid to jump in with both feet. You never know how it’ll turn out. 

6 – Do you still suffer from FOMO?

I don’t know if I ever have – my decisions are my own and if I’ve ‘missed out’ maybe it’s for a good reason. 

7 – What is your opinion on living at home vs moving out in your 20’s?

Having done both in my 20’s, I can see that living at home can have it’s advantages in letting you save some money, but having your own place does allow you more freedoms at time but definitely costs more! 

8 – Have you had any sudden realisations about life/relationships/friendships since hitting your 20’s?

Life’s too short to be an arsehole. Grudges and fallings out are for school kids, move on. It’s not worth trying to force a friendship – it either is or it isn’t. 

10 – Do you feel like an adult?

Sometimes. I pay a bill I don’t want to pay (like council tax) and feel like an adult because I’m doing the adult thing, but sat on the sofa in my pjs eating dark chocolate digestives (the best kind, I’ll fight you) watching TV on a Saturday morning, feel like I’m still a kid. 


Well there you go, my adulting knowledge in a nutshell. Feel free to copy and play along. 

beauty, beauty boxes, make up, reviews, skincare

Blogger Beauty Box 

ramblingmads

As always this box is a great mix of items curated by bloggers for bloggers (it’s £10 too – hello bargain!)

There are five items in this month’s box, three are full size. 

I love to smell nice, and a fruity shower gel certainly gets me ready for the day. This little bottle of I Love…Mango & Papaya Bubble Bath & Shower Gel is right up my street. 

One of the things that frustrates me the most is my lack of volume – in my hair, I’m certainly loud enough! So hopefully this Nanogen Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray does exactly what it says on the bottle. 

One of the more unusual items is the tub of Derma Babies Full of Hope Heavenly Mummy Nipple Cream. Now, I am not currently a nursing mother so you might think I’d have no use for this but because it’s designed for sensitive, damaged skin, it’s actually incredibly useful if you have dry skin, or even ezcema like me. Plus this is full of skin loving ingredients including aloe vera and olive oil. 

The next is a useful addition to your handbag – fab little bag is a clever and discreet way of disposing of used sanitary products. It’s designed to be opened with one hand, made from biodegradable materials and provides a better way of disposing of tampons than flushing. 

Finally there’s a lipstick from new US brand 4U2 Cosmetics, weirdly the shade I have isn’t listed as one of their Lipaholoc shades. They’ve just launched in the UK with their range of PETA certified cruelty free make up. 

 
Really quite happy with this box, should get a use out of each, unlike some other boxes. 

fun stuff, happy mail, lifestyle boxes, mental health, mindfulness, reviews

Buddy Box – Summer Sun

ramblingmads

The Buddy Box from The Blurt Foundation is designed to help people dealing with mental health issues like depression and anxiety. It’s basically a hug in a box. And this month’s comes with a little summer sun. 🌞

Fruit seems to be the theme too, with pineapples and watermelon popping up on the box itself and inside. 

Inside are some bright, sunny treats to help you get through July even when inside your brain it’s more like November (that may just be me). 

There is a very cute notebook with a fox on it, I love notebooks and own about a gazillion of them, so this is welcome. 

A pineapple scented air freshener. I don’t have a car but my wardrobe/beauty cupboard will look very snazzy (and smell sweet) with this. 
Fruit Fix Pomegranate & Blueberry face mask. I love a good face mask, deep cleaning all the crap out of my skin so I will  be slapping this on for a Netflix session. 

#365 Days of Selfcare challenge card and post-its. Which you can join in with. #365daysofselfcare on Twitter and Instagram.  
Personal note from the Blurt team on a fun card, which I will be adding to my inspiration wall. 

Finally, I saved the most fun till last. As you may already know, I am a stationery nerd. And I love quirky pens and pencils. This pencil is a superhero. This pencil has a cape. 

While the crappy winter weather definitely batters on my hatches, summer can be just as hard. When the sun’s shining and fun is being planned, we need to still be looking after our mental health. It’s hard to be “on” all the time and it can feel impossible to tell people you’re feeling bad when the sun’s out and you’re supposed to be jolly. 

The Blurt team know that and I am telling you, self-care, whatever form it takes, isn’t selfish. If you need to stay in, wearing your pjs, eating Nutella croissants or a pile of toast or a bowl of mashed potatoes, or whatever your go-to is, watching crappy tv, an old film, reading a good book or even just taking a nap. That’s A-OK. 

beauty, beauty boxes, make up, reviews, skincare

Little Known Box – Summer Starts Here

ramblingmads

Five products, three fullsize plus one bonus treat – June’s Little Known Box is crammed with great beauty products to get your summer going. 

Oxynergy Paris Power Infuse Cushion Foam cleanser from France, a country that loves great skincare. Wash your face with this lightly scented foaming cleanser containing amino acids, copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium. 

Manna Kadar is a cruelty and paraben free brand from the US. Fantasy 3-in-1 is a powder blush, highlighter and eyeshadow in a nude blush pink suitable for all skin types. 

PHB’s Anti-aging Serum with Rose & Sea Buckthorn is vegan, cruelty free and Halal as well as being suitable for all skin types. It smells pretty good too. 

Lucy Annabella travel sized treatment oil for skin, face and hair. This has Orange and Marjoram oils for a restful mood. 

In the Buff Mineral Highlighter in Sunshine Glitz is a golden hued 100% natural ingredients and vegan glow.

Bonus: Creme of Nature 100% Pure Argan Oil & Leave in Conditioner samples.