tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74592130538738344672024-03-14T11:01:57.683+00:00HauteFutureGabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.comBlogger226125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-62412366416952578882013-03-30T17:50:00.000+00:002013-03-30T17:50:17.185+00:00HauteFuture's Final Post...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hello there,</div>
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*One of my India pics, taken in Pushkar, the holiest city in the country*</div>
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I returned from India unscathed! Sadly, I wasn’t able to go
to Thailand, for personal reasons totally out of my own control. However, I
will go one day, so I have to turn my frown upside down and just save some more
pennies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So I’ve been thinking a lot recently… And I’ve made the
decision to call an end to HauteFuture. I know this is probably quite
surprising, as my blog is the thing I have been most passionate about since I
started it a couple of years ago. However, I’ve found that I’ve basically
outgrown it and that I’ve totally lost sight of why exactly I started
HauteFuture in the first place!<o:p></o:p></div>
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*Photograph taken before a posh dinner out with all of my uni friends when we handed in out dissertations*</div>
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Two years ago, I set up HauteFuture because I wanted
fiercely to become a women’s lifestyle journalist for some kind of top magazine
like Marie Claire or Vogue. I am still really passionate about writing and have
never been someone to turn away a good magazine. However, I’m not quite sure
that having a blog like HauteFuture is what’s going to get me there, or help me
further develop the skills I’ve learned in the process of blogging. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Blogging quickly became about celebritizing myself. I would
panic if I hadn’t blogged in a week because <i>how
</i>would my readers get by if they didn’t know about my terrible lipstick
malfunction?! What if they went and bought that same lipstick and experienced
the same disaster?! It was my responsibility, nay, my <i>duty </i>to TELL THEM THE TRUTH. The honest fact of it is, that there
are about a hundred other girls in the UK who have written exactly the same
review as I would have done, and guess what? No-one really cared! No-one got
handed a top London magazine internship for publishing the same uninteresting
twaddle that I was angsting about and yet I carried on doing it. For what?<o:p></o:p></div>
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*Just about to head out last year to scout bands for my dad's local music festival*</div>
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Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE writing, <i>more</i> than the next person. I would love to be a novelist and
between you and me, I have started writing up somewhat of an autobiographical
novel just for the fun of it. Plus, I’ve written freelance pieces for my local
newspaper in the past year or so which have felt like brilliant, albeit minor,
achievements. But what made me think that reviewing moisturizer improved my
writing skills in any way? How was I ever going to do what I ultimately want to
do, and make money from my space of internet? I wasn’t. And before you ask, no,
it isn’t all about the money. But realistically, I, like many bloggers out
there, started my page because it was the easier alternative to breaking into
the impenetrable career of magazine journalism. But what pays the bills? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Having had time to think, I cringe at how much I made
blogging all about getting followers and building up my lists of ‘fans’. I have
been known to spend HOURS at a time, desperately tweeting and
facebook-statusing my link to people who quite frankly, couldn’t care less
about what I thought of the latest mascara. If someone unfollowed my blog, I
would automatically hate them, even though I didn’t know who they were! A
friend of mine even showed me how to monitor my readers by locating them in the
world, working out how they had found me and even how long they had spent on my
page before getting bored. Now, I know that running a successful website and a
blog in particular is all about maintaining a healthy amount of reader traffic,
but when you are spending more time trying to hunt for new readers and
constantly feeling like the things you write are worthless because you only got
three comments per day, I think you’ve slightly lost sight of why you started
the page to begin with.<o:p></o:p></div>
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*At my graduation*</div>
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For the past few months I haven’t liked the way the women's lifestyle blogging
world is going and that’s the honest truth. Anyone who is anyone has a blog,
and the majority of those in the UK are in the sectors of beauty and fashion. The lack of creativity with blog posts
that have popped up on my blogger dash has made me think, ‘Why do I even bother
writing original posts when there are bloggers out there doing nothing more
than the generic Instagram, Glossybox and 20 Questions posts who are ranking more
followers than me???’ And even after spending so long musing over it, I still
don’t have an answer to that question.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since realizing that I didn’t want to be ‘just another beauty
blogger’ I started trying to veer away from beauty and branch out into other
areas, like travel, food and film and I really enjoyed it! In fact, I enjoyed
it more than I think I ever enjoyed beauty blogging and vlogging. I just assumed
initially, that because I love beauty products I would love writing about them.
But when you realize you’re not really fulfilling any kind of niche, and are
just providing more noise in an already noisy environment, it makes you feel
kind of redundant. There are girls out there who are great at beauty blogging
or fashion blogging and I salute them. I am just not one of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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*On the way to my first 'grown up' job since graduating*</div>
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HauteFuture has served me well. I practiced my writing in a
safe place, set up a successful page with HTML that I never even knew existed
and I made lots of friends in the process. This reminds me to say, that I have
respect for every beauty blogger out there, even those who like posting
Instagram, Glossybox and 20 Questions posts. I actually really enjoy reading posts like
this, I just didn’t like being a part of the culture which made me feel like
these kinds of posts are the only things that would <i>define</i> me as being a true part of the community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At the end of the day, without meaning to sound arrogant, I
feel like I’ve gotten everything that I can from HauteFuture and to carry on
would be denial. <o:p></o:p></div>
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*In San Francisco last summer*</div>
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So, what’s next? Am I going to stop blogging entirely? Of
course I won’t, I’m not sure if I will ever stop blogging! After all, in spite
of feeling like it is time to move on, having HauteFuture as a record of my
past couple of years is a great memento! So if not here, where will I be
blogging, I hear you ask, and why am I moving, what will be different?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, my latest venture is going to be called The NW
Midlander and will be another Blogger-hosted page. The NW Midlander will be all
about what the North West and the Midlands have to offer, as I have noticed
that there are so many blogs out there about how great living in London is but
none about how great the North West and Midlands are! And they are, trust me. Sure, there will be foreign
travel updates, book and movie reviews
and social networking tutorials (and maybe even the odd women's lifestyle posts...), but mostly you will be able to find beautiful
photography, food posts which will make you drool and stay-cation reviews which
will make you consider the North West and Midlands for your summer holiday
needs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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*The sun setting on Tordi Sagar's sand dunes in India*</div>
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And as for my beauty habit, don’t think I’m going cold
turkey! Actually, quite the opposite! I’m even considering going on a makeup
application course, amongst other ideas rushing around my
messy-unemployed-graduate head. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Once The NW Midlander is available to view I will pop the
link on here, but until then this is goodbye! Thank you to everyone who has
stood by me and supported me in my blogging. I really appreciate your loyalty, but now, onto new horizons!</div>
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Lots of love<o:p></o:p></div>
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GabriellaSofia<o:p></o:p></div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-5811206064509772682013-02-12T21:00:00.000+00:002013-02-12T21:00:04.282+00:00Daniel Sandler Perfect Canvas Foundation Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although it is slow moving, I AM still planning on setting up my own business this year (as laid-out in my <a href="http://hautefuture.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/new-years-resolutions.html">New Years' Resolution</a> post) and unsurprisingly, it will involve makeup! So, I've been trying out a few different brands which I wouldn't normally have purchased from and Daniel Sandler has been one of them. If you don't know about Daniel Sandler then you're missing out, because he is a top makeup artist with his own line of makeup products which are every blogger's dream! His Watercolour Blushes are currently on most bloggers' must-buy lists if not already a much-loved product in their makeup kit. I'm yet to purchase one, but they're on the top of my list for when I get back from my travels...</div>
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Anyway, I decided to buy a variety of foundation colours to try out and thankfully, Daniel Sandler's website was offering these little 15ml pots for just £2.50 from £9.50! What a bargain eh? I've only photographed seven, but I actually bought eight... the eighth is in my makeup bag as I am absolutely in love with it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXMYKRgd1yjzoIRuA3mdhDWM3jjJ0EsAin7cgyR6LKPtOQg3OHD35MUCu7mnSmY4ayYP7erx11332_Vth8lwpuGqpIeYY0pV8hGl9plTyrCv9aEf3kbLO17igelErR30elrwX1yFu9SZL/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130129-01130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXMYKRgd1yjzoIRuA3mdhDWM3jjJ0EsAin7cgyR6LKPtOQg3OHD35MUCu7mnSmY4ayYP7erx11332_Vth8lwpuGqpIeYY0pV8hGl9plTyrCv9aEf3kbLO17igelErR30elrwX1yFu9SZL/s640/Stoke-on-Trent-20130129-01130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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*I purchased shades 20, 17, 14, 10, 8 (not shown), 7, 6 and 4*<br />
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<img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKa_-p0TSC7_jp1YRg7Ncw1cmEjwb6VWa4XHzDw7t0KRgI-qaTfaqhVaxJDWx_bTUyfoPizRJ7XS3QnmTiJX89DsszuzpWETxazFc40qAKfXeHfTYJct4r-a8Ytj64jt3E6B02T5fBxVeH/s640/Stoke-on-Trent-20130129-01131.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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*This is the swatch of 4, 6, 7 and 10. As you can see, the four is quite yellow toned and really intended for the palest of pale Snowy White complexions. The 6 and 7 are much more peachy based colours and I find the 7 looks a lot darker in a swatch than you would expect. The 10 is what would be my colour when I'm tanned I think, although we'll have to see when I get back from Thailand!*</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7RS0ZEnLGRwmjxuEDeCqTB2fThFoJj5UVHNmdqkuwFhL3WdKIF6NinTILT1VLF8_3rlzJs8V94947zuJ15J2SfJm8oGvc7Ii_FfVn8vQemwwbn7gWDLyCsWrfXDvlwUZpbE0mXbFEqCJ/s640/Stoke-on-Trent-20130129-01132.jpg" /></div>
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*I blended the colours out a little more so you can see just how much a little goes a long way! Again, the 10 looks like the colour I would lean towards when tanned and the 7 looks too pale for me now, so I've been wearing the 8 recently, will probably be about a 9 when I'm abroad and will hopefully be perfect for the 10 when I'm back*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGBpZwrLT7TcSD3joEvV158TgVykwfl2ZIcKdID1Ub4qNnJTl397AEicwWyNq2tk3U-C5uCy4R15abRUjnOxwCr3XP9i7A6kp2xL3mxlwnq4WY1HjH7lTEJ_-aMDsyAXaK7G3ijWStN1q/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130129-01133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGBpZwrLT7TcSD3joEvV158TgVykwfl2ZIcKdID1Ub4qNnJTl397AEicwWyNq2tk3U-C5uCy4R15abRUjnOxwCr3XP9i7A6kp2xL3mxlwnq4WY1HjH7lTEJ_-aMDsyAXaK7G3ijWStN1q/s640/Stoke-on-Trent-20130129-01133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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*The colours blend out really quite well. Obviously, the two paler colours look the best match in these photos, because I've swatched then on the ultimate palest part of skin I own!*</div>
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I bought the next few shades for costume makeup and also for any clients with darker skin tones. They have the most amazing pigmentation and are so creamy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3hHpQBLq-jJ-FQxmYRdRWd9a8lfszV9LQhwnfpBx_ZMnnfshKUSTNZwbgjKtcuvYxkge-Pjbpynyy2Cp_7sZknhAYCMe2VzK33Ozt_LE7MzXbncMYfsK4nqyZ8p0pNfY1zHrj80AhoEP/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130129-01134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3hHpQBLq-jJ-FQxmYRdRWd9a8lfszV9LQhwnfpBx_ZMnnfshKUSTNZwbgjKtcuvYxkge-Pjbpynyy2Cp_7sZknhAYCMe2VzK33Ozt_LE7MzXbncMYfsK4nqyZ8p0pNfY1zHrj80AhoEP/s640/Stoke-on-Trent-20130129-01134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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*Shades 14, 17 and 20 are just beautiful. I think that my sister falls into the 14 bracket when she is her most tanned. I have experimented a little with each of the colours I bought in terms of mixing and they blend together brilliantly*</div>
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<img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70BqWJFustqtDDZ3trAFYx909ClPDFRDSbKQc1NqVxB6YDDBjHQtxFme0uu17Lbsi6n184oDTILW0LTFuL-szHsAJZ95JelEJa7FDjEj40xfvOai9u9F0kxZ2BwTe86TgICkTQpdkLhJf/s640/Stoke-on-Trent-20130129-01136.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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*The colours leave such a fantastic stain which I have found to last all day... no worn-off-foundation-pale-face (a pet hate of mine)*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWljUxRlpUUi_3-MtRfXr0i8xtZJ2ZIei54VAgzUUGiSagXYI_KsXRiEmkck05sMeDiWNTDTDLlJVLTpnQvF5csj2_R9D9i1pvE_Gx9_wozLmSdBN8jOzwKDpYmZElumYz91MwJp6pG4G2/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130129-01137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWljUxRlpUUi_3-MtRfXr0i8xtZJ2ZIei54VAgzUUGiSagXYI_KsXRiEmkck05sMeDiWNTDTDLlJVLTpnQvF5csj2_R9D9i1pvE_Gx9_wozLmSdBN8jOzwKDpYmZElumYz91MwJp6pG4G2/s640/Stoke-on-Trent-20130129-01137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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*Even though these are totally not my colour, I was amazed by how naturally these three blended out on my wrist... Daniel Sandler really does have a colour for everyone*</div>
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I have been wearing Shade 8 for a couple of weeks now and find it is absolutely brilliant. You only need the tiniest bit of product with a good brush (preferably a stippling brush) and you have a natural-looking, but very forgiving, amount of coverage. On the skin it feels light and appears matte without the need for powder which is exactly what I look for in a foundation. Plus, there is such a wide range of colours that there really is something for everyone. My only niggle with the Daniel Sandler Perfect Canvas foundation is the packaging... I feel that I sometimes squeeze a little too much product out of the bottle. I tend to prefer potted foundations or a squeezy tube alternative. However, the quality of this product more than makes up for the lack of dispensing control. I would definitely recommend these Daniel Sandler Perfect Canvas foundations.</div>
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Have you ever bought a Daniel Sandler product? What is one of your favorite makeup artist branded cosmetics lines? What sort of packaging do you prefer foundations to be in?</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofia</div>
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x</div>
GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-18971673361789737872013-02-09T17:44:00.000+00:002013-02-09T17:44:00.216+00:00Can You Wear Glitter in Spring? Topshop Glitters...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm loving the fact that Spring fashions are slowly seeping onto the shop floors, really I am. But something inside me misses the glitters which covered our Winter 2012 fashions, so I thought I'd throw together this sparkly little blogpost as a review AND a reminisce. </div>
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I managed to snap these Topshop glitters up in the sales in January and although I'm not 100% sure how I will be using them, I can't help myself from twisting the top of them periodically just to watch them twinkle! </div>
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<img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UsU112aPErKSmFS7DduMf_RuhJ7g7wFPT1LW_jGrMquLwA0TOnjt12i6bd-03ZaILQDy6UCwVBfiAgtvgXxooVa0JjCqbwMeJdKeDhIH-gvdglpZR_gbRVGCczR9qsPRCB8oOpztb-Ky/s640/IMG-20130129-01121.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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*So pretty!*</div>
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The loose powders come in these little pots with sprinkle tops attached (like you get in talcum powder). However, I took the sprinkle tops off as they just get in the way as far as I'm concerned! I got all four of these powders for just £4 and I think they are so gorgeous...</div>
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*I think this colour is most likely going to be used the most as it will add a nice twinkle to a smoky eye*</div>
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*This is a cute snowy colour which will be really nice come Winter 2013... very Jack Frost-esque*</div>
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*The gold is so striking, I'm tempted to add this over the top of a lip gloss for a unique look*</div>
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*These blue flecks would be so pretty as an eyeliner. I think they'd also be cool at the festivals in the summer to embellish my facepaint*</div>
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I also picked up these Louise Gray glitters for just £2 which I think would be beautiful with the right kind of nail art... I'd also like to see them at the inner and outer corners of my eyes and maybe even as a bindi... </div>
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*The photo is VERY blurry (if ya hadn't noticed) but the blue ones on the left are heart-shaped, while the silver ones are circular*</div>
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I'm really keen to get practising with these glitters and find some cool ways of wearing them into summer. Do you have any ideas of how I can wear these? Do you think glitter should be reserved just for winter? Have you got any winter pleasures which you try to bring into the warmer months, beauty-related or otherwise? Ovaltine is one of my favorites. </div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-15937456682345124162013-02-06T21:00:00.000+00:002013-02-06T21:00:02.293+00:00Pitch Perfect Film ReviewI love going to the cinema. Literally, I love it. Buying the tickets, bickering with myself over whether to choose nachos or popcorn then inevitably going for both and watching the trailers all make my cinema experience one worth repeating every fortnight or so. And so far, 2013, has been a great year for films! Some weeks there have been two or three that I have wanted to see, and I already have a few on my list which are being released later in the year.<br />
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*I LOVE singing-related puns... Smack my PITCH up*</div>
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Anyway, I wanted to give a quick shout-out to one of my favorite films of January. Pitch Perfect (2013) is something between Easy A and Glee... only, imagine that all of those characters are in university and so are automatically more hilarious and more talented.<br />
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Apart from Anna Kendrick (of Twilight, Up in the Air, End of the Watch and more) and Brittany Snow (from John Tucker Must Die and Hairspray) the cast aren't exactly what I would call 'star studded'. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had obviously each been chosen due to their 'one-to-watch' status in the Young Hollywood category. Rebel Wilson (who appeared in Bridesmaids) was my absolute favorite character as she is so hilarious I found myself eagerly awaiting her witty one-liners and awesome comic timing.<br />
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*I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks Fat Amy (aka. Rebel Wilson) is amazing... here is a video of most of her best bits, but you have to see the film to really get her humour*</div>
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Of course, the comedy isn't the main focus of this film although it provides a fab backdrop to the musical plot which leads the movie. Pitch Perfect follows a female acapella voice choir competing to be the best of all the universities. There are standard 'thrills and spills' along the way, including a bitchy-girl battle, a 'I'msadandmopey' montage and a somewhat predictable love story. However, the brilliant sans-instrument mash-ups (including one which mixes Price Tag by Jessie J, Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds and Give Me Everything by Pitbull with Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars, Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus and Turn the Beat Around by Gloria Estefan), singing-related puns and an abundance of projectile vomiting really raise this film above what we would usually expect of a cheesy teen rom-com.<br />
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*This is the Bellas' final performance which includes the amazing mash-up I mentioned above. Prepare to be AMAZED*</div>
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I would definitely recommend Pitch Perfect, especially for a night out with the girls. Boys might not like this film as much as there aren't any guns (in spite of Fat Amy assuming she's been shot when someone throws a burrito at her...) Having said that, my boyfriend thought it was quite good and didn't complain once! </div>
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Have you see Pitch Perfect? What would be your dream mash-up? Who can think of the best singing-related pun?</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofia</div>
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x</div>
GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-41802284506322303152013-02-03T21:00:00.001+00:002013-02-03T21:00:03.539+00:00I'm Going On A Journey! India and Thailand BackpackingSo long, farewell! I'm off to the East :)<br />
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I know I haven't posted much about my travels so far and my flight date has been creeping up on me much faster than I had expected, so I'm not going to be able to write too much before I head off. That being said, I figured I would just let you know what my itinerary is so that y'all can seethe in jealousy while I'm away :p Just joking! A little bit...<br />
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Anyway, here are my plans!<br />
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8th February - I fly to Delhi India... I'm booked on a 9am(ish) flight from Heathrow with Etihad. I've never flown with them before, so it should be an experience worth blogging about! I will be flying to Abu Dhabi first where I need to change onto my Delhi flight, hopefully everything will be signposted so I don't get too lost.<br />
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9th February - I will be arriving in Delhi at 3am(ish) their time. By the time I get through customs, get my bags and take the transfer to my hotel it will probably be about 5am meaning it will be about 11.30pm for me (if my calculations are correct...) so I will likely be exhausted. Having said that, if my experience in the USA is anything to go by, I will be buzzed on adrenalin and hungry, so I'm going to see what happens. If I'm awake enough I might go out for a stroll, but otherwise I might check into my hotel early, have a bit of a nap and then go for a mooch. My G Adventures tour begins on this day so I will meet the group in the evening and find out what the plan is for the next morning.<br />
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10th February - We'll be taking a train to Agra in the morning, which is pretty exciting as this is where the Taj Mahal is based! This is something that I have always wanted to see and learn about, so hopefully I will be able to cross that off my bucket list.<br />
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11th February - I'll be in Jaipur for the next few days. Jaipur is the biggest city in the state of Rajasthan. There are tons of tourist sites which I will have the opportunity to visit, including Hawa Mahal and the Amber Fort. I'm sure I'll see plenty on my orientation walk though. I might even see if there is anywhere to shop while I'm there, what with it being the capital city, maybe I can pick up some loose-fitting trousers because I'll need some for my explorations of the temples...<br />
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12th February - Still in Jaipur.<br />
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13th February - I will be heading into Tordi Sagar which seems to be quite a rural place. I hear that there are many opportunities to get to know the locals and visit cobblers, potters and markets. There will be the opportunity to take a camel ride to the dunes to watch the sunset, hike in the hills and try henna paint! This is the part which I think I am most excited about.<br />
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14th February - Today will be our first day in Pushkar. There will be an orientation walk so we can get to know the area, but generally it seems like our time will be free in Pushkar town apart from for meal times. One is planned for with a local family and another for on the dunes with entertainment. I hear that the sunrise is amazing from the Savitri Temple, but apparently it is quite a climb so I'm not sure how I'll fare so early in the morning... I must push myself. <br />
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15th February - Still in Pushkar.<br />
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16th February - I'll be arriving in Udaipur which is a popular tourist destination in India. Many people visit Udaipur for its lakes, palaces and lively work spaces and culture. Also, apparently tons of people go to Udaipur to get married, so maybe I can do a bit of wedding watching! We'll have an orientation walk and the opportunity to visit Lake Palace which was initially built as a summer palace but has since been converted into a 5* hotel.<br />
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17th February - Still in Udaipur.<br />
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18th February - Still in Udaipur.<br />
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19th February - En route to Mumbai, we will be stopping in Ahmedabad to visit Mahatma Ghandi's ashram which is a meditation place. When we arrive in Mumbai, we will be going on an orientation walk and soaking up the home of Bollywood! I'm really excited about Mumbai, although I'm not quite sure what to expect.<br />
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20th February - Still in Mumbai.<br />
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21st February - We will be taking the short flight to Goa, one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. My grandparents will actually be staying in Goa whilst I am there, so I'm hoping to stay a night or two with them. Our G Adventures guide will be taking us on an orientation walk of Old Goa, but really, for me, being in Goa will be all about relaxing on the beach, sampling the tasty cuisine and indulging in the rich nightlife.<br />
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22nd February - Still in Goa.<br />
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23rd February - Still in Goa.<br />
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24th February - Still in Goa.<br />
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25th February - I will be leaving Goa to fly to Delhi which will provide my connecting Air India flight to Bangkok in Thailand! My flight arrives in Bangkok at about 7pm and my boyfriend's flight from the UK lands at about 8pm, so I'm planning on hanging at the airport to wait for him before we get our airport transfer to our hotel. We might go out into the Thai evening to grab some green or red curry before catching some shut-eye.<br />
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26th February - We will be getting to know Thailand's capital Bangkok during the day with an orientation walk. There will be options to visit Wat Po and the Grand Palace and even have a Thai massage before hopping on what will be an overnight train to the Khao Sok national park.<br />
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27th February - At Khao Sok, we will be soaking up the natural beauty of the national park. I plan on doing a bit of hiking and a bit of swimming too because apparently there are lovely spots to chill out. I love national parks so much so expect a lot of photographs from there!<br />
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28th February - I'm so excited about Koh Samui! I hear such great things about this island and it seems to be really popular with 18-30's so I'm expecting big things. White sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut trees, please. Apparently there will be watersports on offer, but I don't really like being underwater and my boyfriend isn't too keen of watersports too, so we'll probably be bypassing the snorkelling and just soaking up the rays on the beach and paddling in the ocean.<br />
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1st March - Still in Koh Samui.<br />
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2nd March - Me and my boyfriend will be able to have even more romantic paradise time on Koh Tao which is sometimes known as 'turtle island'. It is basically just another place to chill out and laze on the beach. EXACTLY what I'm need after all the travelling I'll be doing.<br />
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3rd March - This is my birthday! So I'm so excited to be on an island paradise for it :D We'll still be on Koh Tao.<br />
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4th March - Still in Koh Tao.<br />
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5th March - We will all be heading back to Bangkok for our flights home... but not before we have one more evening soaking up all the Bangkok has to offer!<br />
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6th March - Sadly, it will be time for me and Ben to fly home and wave goodbye to our first holiday as a couple. We'll be flying back to Heathrow with Etihad via Abu Dhabi and that will be that!<br />
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Have you ever been East before? Do you have any travel plans at the moment? Would you ever go backpacking alone?</div>
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Love and snuggles (and wish me luck!)</div>
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ps. I will be periodically posting while I am away, but these are just scheduled posts, so please don't be upset if I don't reply to comments until I return. I'm not taking my laptop abroad with me.</div>
GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-80117121931211503852013-01-28T21:00:00.000+00:002013-01-28T21:00:02.061+00:00January Sales Suck.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hate shopping at the best of times. There, I said it. But the January sales in particular drive me up the wall. Why should I enjoy battling through chaos in the local shopping centre, fighting my way past nutters who have been up since some ungodly hour just so they could be first in line to blitz their way through a horrific mess of seasons-old clothes which are still overpriced in spite of their offensively unavoidable red signs promising 'up to' 50% OFF!?! I find the red signs unsettling, alarming even. The amount of people in the shops who are downright aggressive needs policing more efficiently! Why are the clothes never tidy, or organized, or even *gasp* in a good condition? Why do brands think I am dumb enough to ignore the 'From £60 to £58' tags on the item and only pay attention to the horrifically misleading, 'up to 70% OFF' sign in the shop window, with 'up to' in the smallest font known to humanity *ahem, TOPSHOP, ahem*? If I didn't want the shoes over a year ago when they were priced at the same 'bargain' price of £30 why the hell would I want them now??? I absolutely do not want to go and waste my Christmas gift vouchers on things I would never normally buy if they were full priced, so why on earth do some shops completely clear their floors of new stock, just to shove the old stuff which nobody wants down my throat??? </div>
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*Look at the state of Miss Selfridge!*</div>
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*River Island is even worse! I can't think of anything worse then hunting through those rails to find something worth salvaging from the greasy mitts of some Sales Lemming*</div>
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<img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmH6WvYJJm8ONxojDwAiVIPgG7YPohJfH04EN2GwXhkbIu2YoHvyvIcpfmBiRVFDB4Xu11jamwi9jzn_a3QBrRctJNTAWW9AR8QquYl0dSNp2MIIeadqoxsaeLquIJ1TD4_tvluEr2Ah6/s400/IMG-20121230-00972.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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*BANK just turned me off so much... even the mannequins weren't sporting the current season styles but startling red 'Sales' t-shirts... for just in case anyone had forgotten why things inside the store were slightly more affordable than usual*</div>
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<img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn630TDMZFA_Gvtr8OMMqDhWtUiwY3FCwONTwdYydXS5ZRugUubBTCfRfxU9-OOMNLFLxJ6Je2kwQ-hhLTwbKsqDT5IF0uFyV62lANwQHT21cQWQdQaLYBy5D6Pded3MD_rZCxefocWuL/s400/IMG-20121230-00971.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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*La Senza just reminded me of a street-walker's wardrobe*</div>
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<img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSK7Aqyq1SnUxj9py83sTi8G40rISRnLrYrcMVWkeac9H0ONmoY-wTHQBnxXqpEVCMPKMT4znuOpUIY5FoTYoQHSg3H1hOJD9WTmwQHauSqVTxa1Tu22faLlsGvYgWDQz6AO6-kkguihx/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20121229-00970.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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*It concerns me that people are actually fooled by this kind of tag on clothes! There were worse ones around USC, but they wouldn't let me take any more photographs, in fear of being exposed for robbing unsuspecting customers in broad daylight, I suspect*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphY9_t53810U07EjZK0XayPKjeVEGdfIbIQmHxyLu1likLhEzln9lsd-w3Vb4lrHhxlEAw2VW_Mqf9aXk0iMlJSd0h1Yh17AoT7_CotxzgHTn7h9P1ZalwAhpIQRnjtKz4-hF5ia3nWUm/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20121229-00967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphY9_t53810U07EjZK0XayPKjeVEGdfIbIQmHxyLu1likLhEzln9lsd-w3Vb4lrHhxlEAw2VW_Mqf9aXk0iMlJSd0h1Yh17AoT7_CotxzgHTn7h9P1ZalwAhpIQRnjtKz4-hF5ia3nWUm/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20121229-00967.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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*My boyfriend thinks I am obsessed with these River Island shoes. He doesn't think this because I've been lusting after them for the past few months, but because every time I have been into the store for over a year, this same pair of shoes, in the same size, have been at the same £30 price. When is the store going to get into their heads... NOBODY WANTS THEM!!! I have also seen these shoes in other stores, so they must have massively over-produced them. The first time I saw them, I wanted them. Now, I want to be sick in them*</div>
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Amongst some of the worst offenders, I must include three of my favorite brands... Topshop and Miss Selfridges sales this year hugely disappointed me. That's not to say I didn't buy from them. However, I bought a dress from each and automatically regretted both. Upon getting them home I found that they BOTH had the wrong sized tag on them. Because I've been so busy, I've kept them. Hopefully I will shrink into them. I also need to name and shame Soap & Glory for 'reducing' their massive collection boxes before Christmas even began. If I remember correctly, they were 'reduced' by 50% in Boots and were advertised as such. However, I'm not sure I EVER saw them at the 'original price'. And even if they had been originally priced at the cost it was 'reduced' from, I want to know WHY the brand think it is acceptable to rip customers off by up to 50%!?! Their early 'reduction' meant that by the time the Boxing Day sale rocked round, there was no Soap & Glory big gift sets left at my local Boots. This whole thing has sadly shown me that Soap & Glory is quite a greedy brand, using some of the most corrupt selling techniques. Respect? Pah!</div>
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HOWEVER, my sales experience wasn't ALL bad. Here are a few bits I managed to pick up and was actually happy with...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAz6Y1Hsyxomob1mVP1aWN041srw7uUodxIZrES1EivVG4yCq4ggp0AdxqA6m7bnIalvwDBZzRHfFGs45pn8lcZrwt-nGHuKiFn_HZ1I4nhJ91MxHNdoEnH9BKljaU7fRZoLg-6DmEgBA/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130121-01059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAz6Y1Hsyxomob1mVP1aWN041srw7uUodxIZrES1EivVG4yCq4ggp0AdxqA6m7bnIalvwDBZzRHfFGs45pn8lcZrwt-nGHuKiFn_HZ1I4nhJ91MxHNdoEnH9BKljaU7fRZoLg-6DmEgBA/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130121-01059.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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*This sewing kit was reduced in John Lewis from £18 (overpriced) to £6 (perfectly reasonable). My Mom grabbed one for my sister too, because who doesn't need a sewing kit??? I also managed to grab these two Umberto Gianini products for just £8 in Boots, saving me about £6 in total. Result!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB_U4sZhddgsmfY9W52Oy6nBqMKHKSeiNnGO1z0AzgDNPQk97s52ixmuXHDOztQEA3ZwLZ9cNdatT77rmJqoe6sQuCmddF8ItwmLKNjP1V7vbT6tgW445bm0_XAb9Ivo4dwXiLWuiST0c/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130104-00983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB_U4sZhddgsmfY9W52Oy6nBqMKHKSeiNnGO1z0AzgDNPQk97s52ixmuXHDOztQEA3ZwLZ9cNdatT77rmJqoe6sQuCmddF8ItwmLKNjP1V7vbT6tgW445bm0_XAb9Ivo4dwXiLWuiST0c/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130104-00983.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Daniel Sandler never disappoints! His sales are absolutely fab, and since I wanted to widen my foundation collection in terms of colours so I can use them in my makeup artistry, being able to get these for just £2.50 each instead of £7.50 was epic*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXxZXrB_HJhyZNJvV5c7oHzscZRL0OFn5NhXI-qsXN5Hp4fvqz7k2Oo5K0v_iOdNvC0x_KYhJTFhqFMbPL8Gcb13xlGZeCckEXKWD2KkOmo3z8FBRPwAx5JhS3DZmFt-Ua5fZazkNGwkm/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130121-01058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXxZXrB_HJhyZNJvV5c7oHzscZRL0OFn5NhXI-qsXN5Hp4fvqz7k2Oo5K0v_iOdNvC0x_KYhJTFhqFMbPL8Gcb13xlGZeCckEXKWD2KkOmo3z8FBRPwAx5JhS3DZmFt-Ua5fZazkNGwkm/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130121-01058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*My Origins Brighter by Nature exfoliating pads weren't on sale, but were totally worth the £30 spend. My Revlon Just Bitten Lip Balm Stains were only £5 each from £7.99. Tidy or what? These two Topshop cream eye shadows were just 50p each from I'mnotsurehowmuchbutatIwillhavesavedatleast50%. The same goes for the £1 eyeshadown I got from Topshop too.* </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVpnhyvbnFXpe5mEJW339dWdfbwwVWMOzroSwVNd8NrFhhSxGg1WSw9WyskXmqXo5u1FohFyQOW9dc-QA1rJu1TYqKmD-lnqHHz9OVdI7hl0p9FWM9VoOZUDbd3jce2jQVcqM9kkwHGtJ/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130121-01060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVpnhyvbnFXpe5mEJW339dWdfbwwVWMOzroSwVNd8NrFhhSxGg1WSw9WyskXmqXo5u1FohFyQOW9dc-QA1rJu1TYqKmD-lnqHHz9OVdI7hl0p9FWM9VoOZUDbd3jce2jQVcqM9kkwHGtJ/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130121-01060.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*I managed to grab the Benefit and Clarins skincare samples for free. The Louise Gray Glitter Pots from Topshop were just £2 from £8 and the other Topshop glitters I got were just £4 although I don't remember how much they cost initially*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMppicrk-YmURFLYQIABlw_n6MB4TUO2-Sco2cE5T4uAAvY2q4h8IBd0sC6KtaLtoFRJsS3cRIGxsGvj_EXKfzmdVsHec5NLgYXnzVfcSWACJcxXjlFaTxsqRlsPjQVEqVfxEJ9ySO1eh/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130121-01061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMppicrk-YmURFLYQIABlw_n6MB4TUO2-Sco2cE5T4uAAvY2q4h8IBd0sC6KtaLtoFRJsS3cRIGxsGvj_EXKfzmdVsHec5NLgYXnzVfcSWACJcxXjlFaTxsqRlsPjQVEqVfxEJ9ySO1eh/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130121-01061.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*This clutch-bag from Warehouse was just £17 from £30... it's more of a maroon colour, but the light made it purple for some reason!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sOgPR8XydlYq7XvFU8Nxw_uZi6kl-U9cFzheqqY7k_LTavsikj91263paKVGg9jmj8b8fnWs1QBuW3OVBH5-Du64IoLnbaF_xfFIq2bDzrv7UEO56VhwOuOSI6exO9PRKpUAHaPS7Auc/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130121-01063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sOgPR8XydlYq7XvFU8Nxw_uZi6kl-U9cFzheqqY7k_LTavsikj91263paKVGg9jmj8b8fnWs1QBuW3OVBH5-Du64IoLnbaF_xfFIq2bDzrv7UEO56VhwOuOSI6exO9PRKpUAHaPS7Auc/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130121-01063.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*I got this underwear set from Ann Summers... I got it in black too, so the bras were reduced from £18 each to £24 for two and the knickers were two for £10 from £8 each. Bargain-alicious*</div>
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I've bought a few other bits in January with Christmas gift vouchers, but they weren't on sale. You'd probably see them in upcoming posts though, so I won't bore you with them now :) I guess I didn't do TOO badly in the January sales this year, but I can honestly say that shopping in stores was not enjoyable for me at all. Actually, I haven't enjoyed going to the shops for quite some time now, so in this coming year, I expect that I will do most of my shopping online, like I used to at uni...</div>
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How did you find the January sales? Can you name and shame any sucky sales culprits? Did you manage to buy much in the sales this year?</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-67402089408935313442013-01-27T21:00:00.000+00:002013-01-27T21:00:00.617+00:00Ted Baker Goodies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just a couple of months ago I reviewed <a href="http://www.tedbaker.com/">Ted Baker</a>'s Workshop Accessories line <a href="http://hautefuture.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/ted-baker-workshop-mens-accessories-line.html">here</a> so they reached out to me to say, "Thank You". I think that is so sweet because brands don't often offer thanks when you write nice things about them... its something which would be so easy for them to do, and yet, as not many of them do it, those that do really stand out. On top of the, "Thank You" email, they asked me to send them my home address, so on Thursday, I received this lovely package in the post...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelluK9RGrvOxdsDImUb9L7aJjY62XDJqs-M87W9XoCmXScfTCW7HDfW6uNvm-QzQIj3MMDJkJrXxTKy94LufvgPoNQECBqx-pGaeO_CG5y67ZU0p7MvpG4m3GXuEfr6-kkudYQDfWDugj/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelluK9RGrvOxdsDImUb9L7aJjY62XDJqs-M87W9XoCmXScfTCW7HDfW6uNvm-QzQIj3MMDJkJrXxTKy94LufvgPoNQECBqx-pGaeO_CG5y67ZU0p7MvpG4m3GXuEfr6-kkudYQDfWDugj/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01042.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Even the box is luxurious!* </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIs6GCctkVwLfG1iMyjusLuxN61b5xO0G-uD56H-0dHnkm0byczXzTBkNTSYwtpL4KNjU0MRJ9rZ4k_SS5NqiYbmkvkXHfPmCr8cq6PqY0EDDogzEG4EUGOXn_jFjD2nTutsSbf1Wum5I/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIs6GCctkVwLfG1iMyjusLuxN61b5xO0G-uD56H-0dHnkm0byczXzTBkNTSYwtpL4KNjU0MRJ9rZ4k_SS5NqiYbmkvkXHfPmCr8cq6PqY0EDDogzEG4EUGOXn_jFjD2nTutsSbf1Wum5I/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01043.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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*All of my lovely goodies! I was brimming with excitement when I saw the silver book...*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvgdqdKFGnTmxmLU8SGE5_PUJLXM1disTtNPGs4Wq5aqEMFanDAKsnvI6t7UnVzchHYDQS92XAKeiykoFZlsfwa5nFnuDAd2AZF1fTWvJBfqSb0WGD4v6KytjtNRhArmdfn5gPyU9aNYj/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvgdqdKFGnTmxmLU8SGE5_PUJLXM1disTtNPGs4Wq5aqEMFanDAKsnvI6t7UnVzchHYDQS92XAKeiykoFZlsfwa5nFnuDAd2AZF1fTWvJBfqSb0WGD4v6KytjtNRhArmdfn5gPyU9aNYj/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01046.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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*It was a diary! Which is EXACTLY what I have been wanting to buy for ages! I love writing my appointments and days out and so on, so this will end up being really super-duper useful.*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuLB3Q4tZwvDm-_lxTepSGaxTPQm0s2bn7U6TbhhNHxn7RiMi-foUAhMroKHaJHEE0K0PUlQzAhr5g6OUtg3dHxBlGtjB-0yEK2-r7jAjgjdd_x4l6APo5rEf4TNMPgDaXBqYbQuPGoYZ/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuLB3Q4tZwvDm-_lxTepSGaxTPQm0s2bn7U6TbhhNHxn7RiMi-foUAhMroKHaJHEE0K0PUlQzAhr5g6OUtg3dHxBlGtjB-0yEK2-r7jAjgjdd_x4l6APo5rEf4TNMPgDaXBqYbQuPGoYZ/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01044.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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*I got a lovely pink iPhone case which is very gorgeous... Sadly, I don't have an iPhone though, and I don't plan on getting one, so you may see this in a giveaway soon!*</div>
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9e9150xGAIEcSg91ItShLjyecKgzEDrTQFwdn7VCdPzDFZwttTiIqogJ0Dw9TVDiL7qvzmdYpiThY0UpyWDAfKS4HfWPgEe0rX-Ewp0DRAl4NdD06FU2znIa1GLQruneFOXufNr7gfoL8/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01048.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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*Ted also sent me this little catalogue full of beautiful pictures...*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sqbdSTSSbAZYepGO375I4RhjxovbyjxW02zctLNA1x0nhLTe2dz8Z_cG4TgZFamr9LViY0KiIj1yUNBpKrbnY-GPLyQcyZcnQ0F11R5gQDUR0gSOcqd5nD16BnsEJpAbwLqveBQEaf8T/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sqbdSTSSbAZYepGO375I4RhjxovbyjxW02zctLNA1x0nhLTe2dz8Z_cG4TgZFamr9LViY0KiIj1yUNBpKrbnY-GPLyQcyZcnQ0F11R5gQDUR0gSOcqd5nD16BnsEJpAbwLqveBQEaf8T/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01053.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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*... See! How gorgeous is this picture? I am going to be cutting them all out and creating a collage soon because I think its a travesty to keep the photographs confined to the pages of this catalogue*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQyqhOhw4LhdLk3fPkc3vkgYiFBf42_Cle0ES8qo-Z6bL3Kr0sm92_Bn_11KR9Z_y-w49UQdDf_ploJCm4-LXYbLU3s5I5wzsrP4AhcpYBC-We09h6eDdSc_veOfJXvNqn6llbARsLW6X/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQyqhOhw4LhdLk3fPkc3vkgYiFBf42_Cle0ES8qo-Z6bL3Kr0sm92_Bn_11KR9Z_y-w49UQdDf_ploJCm4-LXYbLU3s5I5wzsrP4AhcpYBC-We09h6eDdSc_veOfJXvNqn6llbARsLW6X/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Ted also sent me this little envelope...*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuWEZASHFIfXTHLhcB7oXcXHI93OtwNRZG8YNDnxsVWofH8W2kPW9IdEQud0pfv6ke5prF9PsCUtR_hZK811blTw32MR_ybXP-6QaAWSGTOSUpcHkDTWtQVy9LKiIkUt9lMWPjyYBHH61/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuWEZASHFIfXTHLhcB7oXcXHI93OtwNRZG8YNDnxsVWofH8W2kPW9IdEQud0pfv6ke5prF9PsCUtR_hZK811blTw32MR_ybXP-6QaAWSGTOSUpcHkDTWtQVy9LKiIkUt9lMWPjyYBHH61/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20130120-01055.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*... Which held this sweet little note inside. Such a nice touch!*</div>
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I am so touched that Ted is a brand which actually reaches out and thanks bloggers like this. Before reviewing their men's accessories collection, I hadn't really considered them as a brand I would buy from, perhaps purely because it is not readily available to purchase in my hometown. However, I have since been searching their website and looking through their products and I am now really lustful for everything they have! I'm really excited to work with Ted Baker in the future and I want to say how appreciative I am of the gifts I received.</div>
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Have you every bought anything from Ted Baker? Do you know of any other brands who are so sweet to bloggers? How would y'all feel if I put my iPhone case into a giveaway?</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-41680697645880698662013-01-26T21:00:00.000+00:002013-01-26T21:00:00.741+00:00Work Experience at Conde Nast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Apologies for my Blog Silence for the past week or so, but I have been doing work experience in Conde Nast Traveller magazine's advertising department! I did work experience in their editorial department back in 2010 and I've managed to keep in touch with one of the top dogs on the mag, so when a work experience girl dropped out before her last week was completed in the advertising offices, he mentioned it to me. Like everybody else, I had to send my CV in and wait. Thankfully though, my wait wasn't too long and within a day I was hunting for London accommodation and booking my trains. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgae9prdbW-Sp8adWhrDOd3V0NvUCtGvPNGxrUQijFsfrROKLxzO6ccECXr0Fo5Jc4XUW7gtGPS4J3qqu0I8BSL7wI9Aqp2pRU5cPK0LofWIJnzwRsI49dqgLyguuJTl0aeYWq5b5TUcaGt/s1600/Westminster-20130125-01073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgae9prdbW-Sp8adWhrDOd3V0NvUCtGvPNGxrUQijFsfrROKLxzO6ccECXr0Fo5Jc4XUW7gtGPS4J3qqu0I8BSL7wI9Aqp2pRU5cPK0LofWIJnzwRsI49dqgLyguuJTl0aeYWq5b5TUcaGt/s400/Westminster-20130125-01073.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*The Conde Nast Traveller corridor in Vogue (yes, VOGUE) House on Hanover Square just off Oxford Street*</div>
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<a name='more'></a>The snow very nearly cancelled my train down to London, but luckily I just ended up with some slight delays. I travelled down to Watford on Monday evening and was picked up at the station by my lovely Uncle Norman, as I would be staying with him my Auntie Jan (who fed me so well whilst I was with them that I am SO craving her spaghetti bolognese even as I type).<br />
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<img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_qfRePgRq2COagRaGkFyVFWTD7nCiVyDJUr3lk5nUWta1TkYTi0GwmjhA51wGaVDzms_kGfuqTFIoDrSG9Hggb4ZGAFUmkY3JeMK_b-WD2XFvySZVIez9XfEm9kT4LNMTpWyU2Yo0q1Y/s400/IMG-20130123-01069.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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*This was a gorgeous Italian fish dish which my Auntie prepared on my second night staying with them... it had olives and cherry tomatoes and potato in it. Just beautiful*</div>
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For those of you who don't know, Conde Nast is basically the most well-respected publishing house in the world. Titles such as Vogue, Tatler, Vanity Fair, Glamour and GQ are published by Conde Nast (amongst others) and the offices share a building with the Traveller magazine. So it is a pretty big deal that I got to work there for the week!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGimy3ql3sFMzJ-hOZH2CvFxxyQzcQdxEn-8AAHe3azptqfC9pPptvNiuZQEzshG1iBhTI9QPqVndzPGRhCEGvL1tHaTKXGwYZkIBTnIZx71qUiMgPuBw-3DoPZi3m-dF8uZeRCBgtf7lg/s1600/Westminster-20130125-01075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGimy3ql3sFMzJ-hOZH2CvFxxyQzcQdxEn-8AAHe3azptqfC9pPptvNiuZQEzshG1iBhTI9QPqVndzPGRhCEGvL1tHaTKXGwYZkIBTnIZx71qUiMgPuBw-3DoPZi3m-dF8uZeRCBgtf7lg/s320/Westminster-20130125-01075.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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*Traveller carpet!*</div>
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The advertising department are responsible for negotiating prices with luxury brands to be put in the magazine. They also commission freelance writers to jot the promotions which you usually find towards the back of the magazine. It sounds pretty straight forward, but trust me, it is not! My job was to help them to complete databases which they need so that they can review their progress. I had to go through each of the magazines since September and log into a spreadsheet how many times, and on which pages, hotels, tour providers, airlines, restaurants, spas and so on, have been mentioned. I was also responsible for updating the contacts spreadsheet, but sadly, although I worked on it for a whole day, my computer experienced a TOTAL DISASTER and deleted all of my work :( This was because the spreadsheet was started in a PC and I was working on it in a MAC. Everyone was really nice about it, whilst I just felt like the idiot who looks like she didn't save her work EVEN THOUGH I DID every half hour. GRRRR.</div>
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<img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixD_WJRENvKf6Y2pyLlCtsfiA89Vi0Y-1t1Yc46XSlhlcqlyVCKLg2XuK7p0w6O0mm9eBYB8s661bUSohSozFipoS1GOa3MoHyyxF22wy-c-fYEbwzFASmSJGFPiYjYNbOOR7_TPpk-Hut/s400/Westminster-20130125-01080.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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*This was my outfit of the day on my final day with Traveller. The dress code is really quite casual, although I would never wear jeans and Converse...*</div>
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Another part of my job was post. This meant I had to go and collect the post from the mail-room and drop it off when the advertising staff needed me to. A couple of days I had to actually hand-deliver post to Conde Nast's other offices on Old Bond Street. Although the weather wasn't great I loved walking to the other offices because the shops on New Bond Street and Old are so beautiful! Check out some of the pictures I took on my travels... </div>
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<img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwWan5DWrWa2BAGtU9zkwbxTWA8zAu0eOmBNE8kd_G6dUq-Q-sDIoWS4GRT5W0qFrr_SFGLCRBYbmoYtPmhqXQ1esoEo_z5uperDxKjVBwcFLPWLxD-QcL3BS1APvo4n_htukPiwn6CbJ/s400/Westminster-20130125-01084.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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*The London map which ensured I didn't get too lost!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4D3QQ2hNRLzLBZw-t6ePUKsPN9SEt4qZXSN9RsG7xOtXD5kI6hd4imVwcOza82zREVQ3aFdfw6kDnckiWEdI_pzA4auWy5deWGoMv-Y8cdr-PkDYQUx5_V5buP6YKw1qLZkkf6xVdhlGM/s1600/Westminster-20130125-01083+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4D3QQ2hNRLzLBZw-t6ePUKsPN9SEt4qZXSN9RsG7xOtXD5kI6hd4imVwcOza82zREVQ3aFdfw6kDnckiWEdI_pzA4auWy5deWGoMv-Y8cdr-PkDYQUx5_V5buP6YKw1qLZkkf6xVdhlGM/s400/Westminster-20130125-01083+(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Tiffany & Co!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKORdouDU9sxSrPXN-Ot4gj8CFzWRL7TeNV0JnghDSdK8u0v9MnzJU3pJ99wTXFzZ1C9yx2QHJTAcWlwFy_-l-F8m0a-CZw_r-ZyzLQPd3yjx5bAeeL6K_J6uWAZ0OWk9m4teiLKrOmXm1/s1600/Westminster-20130125-01082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKORdouDU9sxSrPXN-Ot4gj8CFzWRL7TeNV0JnghDSdK8u0v9MnzJU3pJ99wTXFzZ1C9yx2QHJTAcWlwFy_-l-F8m0a-CZw_r-ZyzLQPd3yjx5bAeeL6K_J6uWAZ0OWk9m4teiLKrOmXm1/s400/Westminster-20130125-01082.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Even the outsite of Chanel looks gorgeous, never mind the inside!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xd7SRMU7c0LkDkXmJqMAPhefVTImpXIDIddrUQHgM7uJFnGCxIgrAhnhOfFhNxk2ejwp29BcT9Blab3QqvYc4iZmEzM2zVZlAE6B85wWKNdS7dsha-QHNCizQxR7mKOHJETpcM7UeWNF/s1600/Westminster-20130125-01086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xd7SRMU7c0LkDkXmJqMAPhefVTImpXIDIddrUQHgM7uJFnGCxIgrAhnhOfFhNxk2ejwp29BcT9Blab3QqvYc4iZmEzM2zVZlAE6B85wWKNdS7dsha-QHNCizQxR7mKOHJETpcM7UeWNF/s400/Westminster-20130125-01086.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Louis Vuitton is designed in such a unique way! Isn't it gorgeous?*</div>
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<img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcY53frPyUJtQgD-ZyNxdoLEzxYMDH2P69acSKR46x3iY5S61KywZORiwbc_6RSr7Ou3g03ZEa3dbvaQ_6KXoBYj89W40_yh0QOO-xYs-S5-OHbwlfTPsLOIQbVD1j19bBTkif8rmKTbwV/s400/IMG-20130125-01088.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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*Victoria's Secret! Eeeeeeeeeeep!*</div>
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*In the window of Victoria's Secret, there are costumes which the Victoria's Secret Angels have worn in the past... I love the bottle green of this one...*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaW8Eh5XMWf_MMuL7vdgxhsBzVXER8agcBlrikr5LQTao_aZJEU-O1eriBpJgZ1w7ePZ7DOlu_E5eqTKq04p149ksfsCkAy1mh7pXA9gBki1S2o6gGpj-D-NPeOIMHvZk5jG9226Wqf0x/s1600/Westminster-20130125-01089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaW8Eh5XMWf_MMuL7vdgxhsBzVXER8agcBlrikr5LQTao_aZJEU-O1eriBpJgZ1w7ePZ7DOlu_E5eqTKq04p149ksfsCkAy1mh7pXA9gBki1S2o6gGpj-D-NPeOIMHvZk5jG9226Wqf0x/s400/Westminster-20130125-01089.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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*This one reminds me of some kind of circus-inspired piece... So beautiful*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NDLArZNaG80bAtVrS_3zBiZcrw84imPK02LcT_X1kaTCSX0wARjMnILnAe_oiPTf9BZdJXSlSTW_2gtHR-Y553Nk9xA_0EvX98zujXSiOL779ghDyLcVteJ-UgSIa9D_40HF8ks8jXas/s1600/Westminster-20130125-01092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NDLArZNaG80bAtVrS_3zBiZcrw84imPK02LcT_X1kaTCSX0wARjMnILnAe_oiPTf9BZdJXSlSTW_2gtHR-Y553Nk9xA_0EvX98zujXSiOL779ghDyLcVteJ-UgSIa9D_40HF8ks8jXas/s400/Westminster-20130125-01092.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*This little 'outfit' epitomises the Victoria's Secret Angels to me! So delicate but sexy. I would love it for myself*</div>
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As well as work, there was also play! Whilst I was in London I was able to meet up with my two friends, Louise (who I met whilst I was working in <a href="http://hautefuture.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/how-to-mouse-stole-my-magic.html">Disney World</a> in the summer of 2011) and Jayne (who I met on my <a href="http://hautefuture.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/quick-update-succeeding-in-my.html">USA Road Trip Adventure</a> in the summer of 2012). I actually stayed with Louise on Wednesday night in her Essex-abode and we went for a mooch around the Stratford Westfield Shopping Centre. I didn't buy anything, but I did enjoy this amazing Caribbean meal from one of the little fast-food outlets...</div>
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<img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDieOyyeQ6FGQPL8PtcXJRxnNdv_0CI7ChHmoRXjn2KOp3dxWsM4pRsXqwu5iKMEzYZf3ue2MwEzJR_pyo_bmyBtRnG4vgV8_YN5zZOfuJa20EmQqEruJqIWC1O2PKXmXEx34e4h9nEVK5/s400/IMG-20130122-01066.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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*I had a jerk chicken burger with rice, peas and friend plantain. NOM*</div>
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I managed to grab lunch with Jayne on Friday and as she works near to my work, we decided to go to Itsu japanese restaurant next door to Vogue House. They were giving out free samples of chicken curry and rice and it was so delicious that we both decided to buy it, except Jayne had noodles in hers. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapZ2aRSrRSPw8Bx2fxhrI0_fHklL8z-Ni0FH4dvRdCy8U3xPMeXeCkiGLzG1rLWgolhBhNwvV_iqnP3N-OwEJivKyDdSrcVTSwcXmPoJsmLdf5gIU29wBWu96XiPQ9ZAhLyTUccWGlKOg/s1600/Westminster-20130125-01093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapZ2aRSrRSPw8Bx2fxhrI0_fHklL8z-Ni0FH4dvRdCy8U3xPMeXeCkiGLzG1rLWgolhBhNwvV_iqnP3N-OwEJivKyDdSrcVTSwcXmPoJsmLdf5gIU29wBWu96XiPQ9ZAhLyTUccWGlKOg/s400/Westminster-20130125-01093.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*It is so rare for me that I actually like the chicken they use in these kinds of places, but there was no skin or fat or gristle in the whole thing. Just so yummy! And because it had spinach, mushrooms and green beans in it, I felt like it was a healthy choice.*</div>
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So now that we are all up to speed, let the blogging recommence!</div>
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What would be your dream magazine to work on? What are your favorite fast-food outlets? Did the snow affect you this last week?</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-18662645902498317922013-01-18T21:00:00.000+00:002013-01-18T21:00:01.784+00:00Creative Writing... Five-Minute Fridays: CherishedI spotted a hashtag recently on Twitter called '#FMFParty' and as I hate not being invited to a party, I decided to click and find out what I was missing out on. I am so glad I clicked on the hashtag now! Basically, the deal is simple, every Friday, <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/">LisaJo Baker</a> posts a prompt word on her blog for us all to whip up a bit of creative writing about. You only get five minutes to write and you aren't allowed to go back or change anything. It is kind of a stream-of-consciousness writing challenge which I love! I've loved writing since I was a very little girl and it is something which I practice regularly, especially as I'd like to try and get a novel published before the time I am 23... a bit ambitious I know, but that gives me just over a year so maybe I can manage. Plus, a bit of ambition never hurt anyone. Anyway, on with the challenge. The word we have been provided with is 'Cherished' so here goes...<br />
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I had always been their pride and joy, from the moment I was born. And yet it wasn't until now, when I stood in the face of potential death, that I really felt the most loved, the True Baby of the family. As I stepped up to the stage, the warmth of my family's presence surrounded me, acting as a forcefield which forced the glares and stares of my enemies to rebound. </div>
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As I looked up into the Mind Master's cold shallow eyes, I knew then and there that this was not going to be an easy task. Regardless, I stepped past him to the microphone and stated my name, 'Rosabella Henley', before slipping into my place in line to hear the next number be called. </div>
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They gazed up at me, each of them crossing their fingers, hoping and praying that the worst would not happen, my father and my six sisters, but my eyes were drawn to those of my grandmother. She was the only one who looked as if her heart was genuinely breaking. The chance alone that I might be the most unlucky of the seven seemed too much for her. The thought that I, her life-long Favorite, might be throw into the maze rather than the other youths with whom I shared the stage, poured out of her eyes as they screamed, 'I love you so much... You, little Rosa, are my soul-mate and I will never find another.' Our kindred spirits clutched onto one another as I never broke eye-contact, and we waited. </div>
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So there you go, that's what I came up with in five minutes. I know it isn't fab and there are probably a bunch of grammar errors, but I don't think it is terrible for a topic which I hadn't prepared on. I love this tag. It just reminds me of why I started blogging; I love to write!</div>
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Have you taken part in the #FMFParty? If so, what is your link? Have you or any of your friends ever written or published a novel?</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofia</div>
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x</div>
GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-39689127706425452412013-01-17T21:00:00.000+00:002013-01-17T21:00:03.038+00:00How To Use Up Skincare Samples...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm forever receiving tiny skincare samples from fab companies in the post, but without sounding ungrateful, they clutter up my room something rotten! This doesn't usually bother me unless I know that each of the samples are right towards the end of their use... they don't have much product remaining in the tube and I am struggling to squeeze the remains out. So what do I do? Create a SUPER-PRODUCT, that's what!</div>
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I had a couple of empty pots left over from previous products, so I washed them out and decanted a mixture of products into them. My favorite pot at the moment has the products above in it and it is currently working wonders for my skin!</div>
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Inside the pot are the following products:</div>
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L'Oreal Youth Code Eye Cream</div>
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No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Day Cream</div>
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Clarins Daily Energizer Wake-Up Booster</div>
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Dior Wrinkle Correction Eye Cream</div>
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Balance Me Rose Otto Intensive Lip Salve</div>
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I know it is probably a bit weird to use lip salve in a facial moisturiser, but I love the balmy texture it has given my cream. It feels as if it helps the products to penetrate deeper. I like to use this mixture in the mornings about thirty minutes before I start my makeup routine so it gives the cream time to sink into my skin. After half an hour, I get a tissue and blot off any of the excess oil the cream has left as a residue on my skin. And that's it!</div>
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I'm really into making super-products with my favorite bits and bobs at the moment. I've done the same with a variety of scented body moisturisers and also with some leftover foundations, BB Creams and tinted moisturisers. It is a great way of using products up and really getting the most out of them all without having all of the different containers taking up all of my space.</div>
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The key is to choose products which complement each other... Day creams will go well with brightening toners. Wrinkle creams suit eye creams. I would even consider putting leftovers of a primer in with lip balms, because they both work to prepare and moisturise in advance of further products! So give it a go :) You might find an absolutely incredible mix which could be the end to all your skincare woes.</div>
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Have you ever mixed your products all up like this? Which products would you use to create a super-moisturiser? Do you have any other ideas for using up the last bits of skincare products?</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofia</div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-70957952479998677022013-01-16T21:00:00.000+00:002013-01-16T21:00:01.610+00:00HauteFuture Now Offers Advertising!That's right my lovelies, HauteFuture is now offering advertising on this page for just £2 a month! After paying via PayPal all you have to do is email me your button, preferably in the same size as the lovely Lucy from Louminous has done recently and I will pop it on the side of my page with a link back to your page. The order in which the advertiser's buttons will be placed will be decided basically on the order that people pay for their advertising.<br />
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Just so y'all know, if you go on my blog, you are exposed to between 14,000 and 17,000 unique visitors each month!<br />
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So what are you waiting for? It's first come, first served... Let the advertising begin!<br />
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Love and snuggles<br />
GabriellaSofia<br />
<br />GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-60976804901318033952013-01-14T21:00:00.000+00:002013-01-14T22:11:23.762+00:00What I've Been Watching: Les MiserablesAs MASSIVE Les Miserables enthusiasts, my father and I were so excited when we heard that the longest lasting musical from the West End would be adapted by Hollywood for a film a few years ago. We clung onto every rumour about the cast list and watched every documentary about the movie in the run up to the film's release on the 11th of January 2013. I even bought my Dad cinema vouchers for Christmas! We set up the Daddy-Daughter date, bought the tickets and packed the left-over Christmas chocolate into my (not-so-inconspicuous) rucksack and headed to our local Vue cinema.<br />
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Although we knew what to expect in some ways, we were also a little apprehensive in others... Most of the cast list aren't globally renowned for having the amazingly semi-operatic singing voices which many of the roles required, so we expected that the music-side of the film might be somewhat disappointing. In some ways, we were right. Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, (the main character, a fugitive from the law since stealing a loaf of bread to feed his nephew) for example, LOOKED the part. Seriously, his look was SO Jean Valjean. However, the powerful voice which we had come to expect from watching the likes of Alfie Boe and Colm Wilkinson playing the part, just simply wasn't there. Instead, we got a much more raw emotional performance which did redeem the actor in some ways. Having said that, it could be argued that the rawness came not from the actor himself, but from the director, Tom Hooper, who insisted that each part would be sang live throughout the movie, bar one. </div>
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This technique seemed to work particularly well for Anne Hathaway during her show-stopping number I Dreamed A Dream. The finished piece was filmed in just one take and was everything it should have been. It was ugly, and real and fully epitomised the painful disappointment which her character Fantine really had in life (having been left a single mother, sacked from her job and forced to sell her hair, teeth and body on the streets of Paris.) Her performance was good, without a double. But once again, I do tend to prefer the more on-point operatic versions of the song which I have heard. Kudos to her on such a hard part to play though... Fantine's character really is the most miserable of The Miserables!</div>
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Russell Crowe who played Inspector Javert (the character who chases Jean Valjean for his entire life after he breaks parole) was horrifically disappointing to me. I was really excited when I heard he would be playing the role as I felt that he looked like Javert. I mean, he looked like I imagine Javert to look like when I eliminate all memory of previous stage-Javerts. And yet, the humiliation in not recognizing Valjean years later, the determination to find the escaped convict and the ultimate depression which drives him to deliberately fall to his death didn't come across strong enough from his vocal chords. In fact, I whispered to my dad that when he was singing it sounded like a yawn. Also, during the first song, Look Down, it was almost as if he was consistently a few beats behind... I'm sure this was deliberate as they wouldn't have included it otherwise, but I really wasn't a fan. He seemed to step up his game during my favorite song of the show, One Day More, but reverted to a half-hearted performance for the final half of his performance. My favorite Javert of all time has to be Norm Lewis. Search him on Youtube!</div>
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It wasn't all bad though! Not by a long way! I have to commend the younger cast for their performances. Eddie Redmayne made his lovesick sap of a character, Marius, relatable and passionate, in a way that I have never seen before. His performance of Empty Chairs at Empty Tables in particular was a massively pleasant surprise as this is a song which I usually doze off during and yet I was on the edge of my seat throughout, feeling his sadness at the loss of his friends. </div>
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Amanda Seyfried was an amazing casting choice for the object of Marius's affections, Cosette. Once again, she looks exactly as I've always imagined the character to look. However, I was a little nervous for her in terms of the remarkably high notes which are required by the role... even the boldest sopranos have been known to cringe away from the part due to the easily-screeched top note at the end of the romantic trio A Heart Full Of Love. Amanda Seyfried absolutely smashed it. There are no words... seriously, she was... wow. She IS Cosette. No doubt.</div>
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One of my top three most anticipated characters was that of Eponine by Samantha Barks. This is a role which Samantha Barks (who started her acting career on BBC's I'd Do Anything... she was passed over by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber for Jodie Pringer for the role of Oliver!'s Nancy... BIG MISTAKE Andy!) has played effortlessly on the West End. She even held the role during the 25th Anniversary performance which I have become accustomed to being the pinnacle of Les Mis so far. As you can expect, I was so excited to hear Samantha Barks belting out her solo piece On My Own (she is in love with Marius, he is in love with Cosette... it's all so traj...) However, I felt that she was really holding back. I'm sure that those who haven't seen her performing on stage wouldn't know any different and would still commend her performance, but as she was one of the only musical theatre actors on the whole film, I wonder if the director told her to pull it back a little so she wouldn't outshine the other cast members. After all, although the film is a musical, I felt a big point was made throughout of NOT making it about the singing. This may have saved the film actually, as if they had tried to make it about the singing the casting choices would for the most part have been a huge disaster.</div>
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*Must I be the one to comment on the elephant in the room??? Is it just me, or is Barks, really, really, thin?*</div>
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Commendable performances go to the two main child-performers in the show, Daniel Huttlestone as Gavroche a child hero during the revolution and Isabelle Allen who plays the child Cosette, were very professional and really can't be faulted. Allen's performance of Castle on A Cloud was especially heart-felt and I definitely just wanted to give her a cuddle the whole time!</div>
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Now, two of my favorite actors, Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter offered the comic relief of the film as the Thernadier's (owners of an inn and just general low-lifes who fostered the child Cosette). I was so anxious to watch them and luckily my high hopes were not misplaced. They were literally hilarious, both bringing their own styles to the performance, and really emerging from what are generally quite small parts in the grand scheme of things as some of the strongest performers of the film. I would LOVE to see more from these two as a comic pair in the future... Tim Burton will have to throw something together and get Johnny involved (as usual) as I'm sure it would be a total hit after their screen joint-debut in Les Miserables.</div>
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Another couple of characters of note would be Gossip Girl's Aaron Tveit as the dedicated-to-the-revolution Enjolras and the West End stage original Jean Valjean Colm Wilkinson as the Bishop who offers Valjean shelter in his darkest hour. Tveit is another character who performed amongst the strongest and it was such a nice touch to have Wilkinson return to the musical, I was so excited when I recognized his face, although he too seemed to be holding back his voice for the lesser-talented-in-singing Hollywood cast.</div>
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*Ooof. Nom. Gobble.*</div>
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I know it seems like I've been REALLY critical, but to give you a taster of why, compare these two videos...<br />
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*The film trailer...*</div>
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*The standard I am used to...*</div>
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In all, I think Les Miserables film was fantastic, and I would recommend it to anyone. Especially if you are aiming to be more cultured in the New Year as the history behind the plot is really fascinating in its own way. If you have seen Les Mis live though, I would suggest trying as hard as possible not to compare the film to the musical, as you will find yourself scrutinising every word (as I am guilty of doing) throughout! Just sit back, take it for what it is and enjoy!</div>
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Have you seen Les Miserables? Had you heard much about the musical before Hollywood adopted it? Who was the stand-out actor in the film for you?</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofia</div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-11966377268296246112013-01-13T21:00:00.000+00:002013-01-13T21:00:02.670+00:00New Year's Resolution: Healthy Lifestyle UpdateThis year, I'm so keen to make sure that my New Year's Resolutions actually come to fruition that I've been keeping a super close eye on my progress so what better way to log it than to blog it? One of my main resolutions was to have a healthy lifestyle 'most of the time'. What I mean by 'most of the time' is that unless there is a special occasion or one meal a week where I want to pig out, I'm trying to be really good and put the best things into my body and up my fitness levels. It is no secret that I'm not fat. Seriously, I know that. But still, my tummy had pinchable flesh which I'd really rather wasn't there, my upper-thighs touch and my arms have a larger surface area than I'd like. Plus, although I don't think I look any bigger in person and my clothes fit the same as before Christmas, the camera really does seem to add those ten pounds of chocolate I'm sure I consumed over the festive period... So, what have I been doing to claw my way to a healthy lifestyle?<br />
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Well, firstly, I've stopped eating things like this...<br />
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*I am such a cheese freak and I ate TONS of it over Christmas! No good for cholesterol and very fatty...*</div>
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*My Dad bought a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts for New Year's Eve dessert... Yummy, but lethal!*</div>
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*A tapas feast at La Tasca is always dangerous, because I know the dishes are smaller than your average meal, so end up ordering too many. This was paella, prawns, chorizo and manchego cheese with sundried tomatoes. Totally delicious, but a massive over-face of food as this was only half of what I had brought to the table.*</div>
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I have totally cut out Coca-Cola which tends to sneak up on me every now and then in a 'ohI'lljusthaveoneglassbutendupdrinkingfourbottlesbecausethey'reonofferinTesco' kind of way. I can't give up fizzy drinks entirely though, so although I drink mostly water, I also treat myself to Tonic water with my evening meal. </div>
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From the 3rd of January I launched myself into my healthy lifestyle, so these are some of the meals I have been eating since...</div>
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*This is a tuna salad with pickled onions, cucumber, tomatos, carrots, avocado, a tiny bit of blue cheese crumbles, a few peanuts and a quick squirt of salad cream*</div>
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*This is a 'Christmas Leftovers Soup' which my dad made. It is mostly vegetables but also had a bit of ham in it too. I added a grating of Parmesan cheese and a scoop of pickled red cabbage*</div>
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*This was just a dish of Christmas leftover parsnips, sprouts and gravy with a bit of Parmesan on it*</div>
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*Here's another salad. This one has just tomato, cucumber and peanuts involved with that squirt of salad cream*</div>
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*I whipped myself up this prawn and veg stir-fry with some prawns, green beans, tinned peaches, honey, soy sauce and Tabasco. I had half a nest of noodles with it too. It was GORGEOUS!*</div>
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I made myself an English muffin with prawns, an egg yolk and a squirting of low-fat mayo on top for my brunch last week. Nom gobble*</div>
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*I've been getting myself into the habit of eating breakfast, but as I don't like cereal I've been starting my day with a few tablespoons of natural yoghurt, a squeeze of honey and halved cherries. Its really nice!*</div>
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For the first week of my healthy eating, I'll be honest, although my meals were healthy, I was snacking on chocolate in between, just as I had done over Christmas. I was still cutting calories as during Christmas I was snacking AND eating masses of unhealthy food, but still, I knew I would have to cut the chocolate, so I'm doing my best at the moment to avoid the leftover Celebrations and Miniature Heroes!</div>
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As for the exercising side of my new healthy lifestyle, a friend of mine has put on a fitness program which offers six weeks of four one-hour sessions a week for just £55, so I signed up immediately. The classes include two circuit training sessions, a Zumba class and also a box fit class, so things are always varied. It is much easier to get motivated when you know there is a bunch of other ladies who will be in the class feeling exactly the same. Plus, there's nothing like seeing women double your age huffing and puffing half as much as you to push you to work harder during a session!</div>
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At the moment, I've been over-taken by what I can only describe as a minor strain of the norovirus, so I've been off my food for a couple of days. However, hopefully when I'm back on it I'll be driven enough to keep up the good work I've put in so far and keep working my way towards a healthier lifestyle... Watch this space.</div>
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How are you getting on with your New Year's Resolutions? Do you have any ideas on how I can kick my choco-addiction? What have you been cooking since Christmas?</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofia</div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-56986270153104187812013-01-09T21:00:00.000+00:002013-01-09T21:00:03.530+00:00New Year's Resolution: Travel UpdateOn the 31st of December 2012, I posted about all of my New Year's Resolutions (as most bloggers do) but I didn't want to just post what my resolutions are. I think the best way of making sure we succeed in resolutions is by recording our progress, so my first resolution, to get my passport stamped in at least three countries I have never been to before, is the first resolution which I would like to update you all on...<br />
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I'm going to India and Thailand in February. There, I said it. I am shocked that I have managed to part-finish one of my resolutions so soon in the year! Particularly when in it is going to cost me about £2500 of my savings to do it as I don't have a job at the moment. Then again, you only live once (#yolo) and I'm only 21... I have an entire lifetime to stress out about money and work my butt off. I always say, there's loads of money out there just waiting to be earned, so <i>carpe diem</i>, live for the day.<br />
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*Eating Pizza on the Grand Canyon... More times like these please... just in India and Thailand!*</div>
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So what's my plan? Where am I going? Who am I going with?<br />
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Well, I am leaving Heathrow airport for Delhi on the 8th of February. I am flying via Abu Dhabi with Etihad and will be arriving in Delhi at 3am. I am going to India all by myself! However, I'm not totally crazy, I am going with G Adventures, the same tour company that I travelled the USA with, so the tour is organized meaning that all of my transportation, accommodation and some meals will be paid for already. My tour begins in Delhi, then I go to Agra, Jaipur, Tordi Sagar, Pushkar, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and then we fly to Goa! Phew! The tour lasts for 15 days, so I'm sure the days and nights will be really quite jam-packed in order for us to get the best from the experience. This tour is called Uncover India Delhi to Goa.<br />
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When I arrive in Goa, I will be meeting up with my grandparents for a day or two as they will be on vaccation there at the time so that should be nice, to see a bit of home :) On the morning of the 25th, I will be flying from Goa to Bangkok with Air India. When I arrive in Thailand, I will be meeting up with my lovely boyfriend and we will have a lovely paradise holiday!<br />
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*We won't be needing coats and scarves in Thailand, that's for sure!*</div>
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It will actually be my birthday while I am in Thailand, so it should be a wonderful way to spend it. Again, we will be travelling with G Adventures, so we should be relatively safe. The tour is called the Southern Thailand Sojourn and we will be starting in Bangkok before travelling to the Koh Sao National Park. Then we'll be taking a ferry to the well-known island Koh Samui before hopping over to Koh Tao and then returning back to Bangkok. The tour lasts for nine days so we will be flying back to Heathrow via Abu Dhabi with Etihad on the morning of the 6th of March.<br />
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I am so excited, but also really quite apprehensive as I have never travelled to Asia before so I've had to get used to a few differences already... For example, I have had to have a few different vaccinations and collect my Malaria tablets. I am so terrified of vaccinations, I actually had to get my grandma to come with me and hold my hand! Nonetheless, I am now protected against Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus. Hooray! Also, to go to the India you need to apply for a visa, which is a massive pain because of all the paperwork. And you have to travel to the Indian Visa Centre in Birmingham, sit for an hour or more and hand your passport over, which always worries me a little bit... Like, will it be back in time??? Who knows, I sure as hell hope so, as I only handed it in yesterday... Eeek.<br />
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As well as being apprehensive, I am so anxious to go, I just want time to fly and for it to be my flight date! I don't know an awful lot about Thailand or India apart from what we see on the movies, so I'm looking forward to discovering cultures which I never could have imagined. Wish me luck! All I have to do now is find one other country to travel to before 2013 is up and I will have completed one of my resolutions... Where to next?<br />
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Have you ever been to Asia before? Can you recommend any restaurants or tourist spots in any of the places I will be travelling to? Do you have any travel tips for the Eastern side of the world?<br />
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Love and snuggles<br />
GabriellaSofia<br />
x GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-68875753256810284292013-01-05T21:00:00.000+00:002013-01-05T21:00:00.767+00:00GabriellaSofia's 2012 Holy Grail of Beauty... Part 4Welcome back for the fourth and final instalment of Hautefuture's Beauty Awards or my 2012 Holy Grail of Beauty. So let's get on with it...<br />
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In First Place... Liz Earle's Hot Cloth Cleanser is winner for 2012. It is really gentle whilst simultaneously exfoliating my skin and opening up my pores. The best way to wash my face in 2012 was with this genius product.<br />
Must Buy In 2013... I really want to try some Origins skincare and they do a foaming wash which is my kind of thing. Also, I want to invest in a Clarisonic Mia... or a cheaper alternative. Does anyone know of a cheap version I can buy?<br />
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In First Place... The Liz Earle Skin Tonic is a brilliant toner which removes any last traces of makeup from my face after my Hot Cloth Cleanser and closes my clean pores after a cleanse. Plus, it doesn't smell of alcohol like some toners!<br />
In My Bad Books... I absolutely CAN'T STAND the Clinique Clarifying Lotion. The smell of alcohol is so strong it makes my eyes water and nose hurt. Also, it stings when I wipe it on my face and leaves me with a terrible raw-skin rash. Definitely not a fan.<br />
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In First Place... It is a tie between Liz Earle's Superskin Moisturiser and Estee Lauder's DayWear Moisturiser which I think are basically identical to one another!<br />
In My Bad Books... Thea's Perfect Me Moisturiser was really not nice for me... It smelt like tea and curry. I don't want my face to smell that way!<br />
Must Buy In 2013... Origins have a gel-like moisturiser which I have sampled before and LOVED. It is called Make a Difference +Treatment and its on my list for the 2013.<br />
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In First Place... I'm going to be boring and say that without a doubt, the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum is gorgeous. I only have a little sample pot though, so I want to buy it in full sized in 2013.<br />
Honourable Mention Goes To... Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Skin Protectant is a beautiful night time serum which perfects my skin overnight. It leaves a bit of a weird residue in the morning though, so needs rinsing off. Also, I've been really enjoying Bio Oil used as a serum recently as it has been clearing up any old spot scarring and hydrates the dry patches on my face.<br />
Must Buy In 2013... Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair and Estee Lauder's Advanced Day Repair serums. Yes please.<br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>And now for the Big One...</i></b></span></div>
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5) Benefit - For me, Benefit have had some hits and some misses this year. However, their hits far out-weight their misses, which is why they made my top five.<br />
4) Trevor Sorbie - This is one brand which seems to finally understand my hair and be able to tame it like I've always wanted. No mean feat.<br />
3) Royal and Langnickel - Being confident enough in your brand to give out whole sets for free earns a lot of respect from me. It is understandable that the brand trust people will buy in the future... the quality of the their brushes speaks for itself!<br />
2) Urban Decay - The eye shadows make Urban Decay a no-brainer in my top five beauty brands. Their packaging, quality and company ethics really make this brand stand out.<br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b><i>And in first place...</i></b></span></div>
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1) Revlon - The lip butters, mascara and lip stains have raised Revlon a real cut above the rest!<br />
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So there you have it, my beauty favourites of 2012 have been named and now there is nothing left to do but purchase the items from my wishlist and make 2013 an even better year. On that note...</div>
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Does anyone know of a cheaper alternative to the Clarisonic Mia? Have you ever tried any Origins skincare products? What is your favourite beauty brand of 2012?</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofia</div>
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x</div>
GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-72662543306849680122013-01-04T21:00:00.000+00:002013-01-04T21:00:01.847+00:00GabriellaSofia's 2012 Holy Grail of Beauty... Part 3Fancy seeing you here! Back for Part 3 of my 2012 Holy Grain of Beauty? Well, welcome! I've really enjoyed choosing my favourite products for these awards but I'm even more excited about the products which I am hoping to but in 2013. Its great being able to write my Must Buy list on my blog so I can't forget what I am saving up for. Anyway, let's see what other products are on my 'Re-Purchase For 2013' list...<br />
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In First Place... I am actually really disappointed with 2012 in terms of eye liner. I have tried many and thought they were fine, but not a single product has really stood out to me this year. Even my beloved Fabuliner felt-tip liner by INCOLOUR in the USA didn't cut the mustard this year as it has been fading and transferring to my upper-lid. Other products which haven't set my loins alight include Maybelline's Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner, Benefit's BadGAL, Soap and Glory's Smoulder Kohl and Barry M's Liquid Liner. Disappointing.<br />
Must Buy In 2013... I just need a good eye-liner that won't transfer to my upper-lid or melt in the outer corners of my eyes. Any suggestions?<br />
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In First Place... I have to say that the DiorShow New Look mascara has been my favorite of the year, although I never actually bought it. I was provided with a sample by the Dior counter in my local Debenhams and fell in love. I will be buying one of these in 2013.<br />
Honourable Mention Goes To... Revlon and their Grow Luscious mascara is a real drugstore hit in my opinion!<br />
In My Bad Books... They're Real! by Benefit has disappointed me immensely as the ring inside the tube which is supposed to remove some of the product before you take the wand out has disattached, so my mascara wand is always CAKED in thick black product meaning that it then transfers to my lashes.<br />
Must Buy In 2013... DiorShow New Look mascara is on my list.<br />
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In First Place... Revlon's Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie has been my most worn lip product of the year. So hydrating, a lovely warm natural colour and very reasonably priced, Revlon, I salute you!<br />
Honourable Mention Goes To... My MAC lipstick in New York Apple with a Frost finish. The colour is so rosy and looks great with any makeup look.<br />
Must Buy In 2013... I am really keen to try the £1 MUA lipsticks which bloggers rave about. I'm not sure how the quality will be what with them being so cheap but I'll soon find out.<br />
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In First Place... I have to award the top prize to Royal and Langnickel's SILK Pro GreenLine 12 piece brush set. I got gifted this set by the company at IMATS at the beginning of last year and they are still standing strong. The brushes are eco friendly, really soft and dense and don't shed. Top marks!<br />
Honourable Mention Goes To... I really like the ECO Tools range. They are great value for money and last for ages!<br />
Must Buy In 2013... I am keen to try out all of the Real Techniques brushes as they are obviously going to be great, what with being created by Youtube beauty guru Samantha Chapman.<br />
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In First Place... Carmella by Benefit will ALWAYS win in the perfume stakes for me I think... It is just so sweet like candy and that's exactly what I like to smell in a perfume.<br />
Honourable Mention Goes To... My lovely boyfriend surprised me with Sweetheart by Ghost one day during my lunch break at work and I couldn't have chosen it better myself. It is very sweet but also kind of floral which makes it more subtle and wearable than my Benefit scent. Then again, what else did I expect? I've loved Ghost since the first time I tried their original perfume in the tall light blue bottle.<br />
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In First Place... Trevor Sorbie's Beautiful Volume Shampoo is a great product for me and genuinely does seem to keep my curls big and fluffy for longer than any other product I've tried before.<br />
Must Buy In 2013... I'm desperately looking for an anti-dandruff shampoo that really works. I know its really embarrassing, but I do get the occasional dry scalp, so 2013 will be the year that I cure it with the right shampoo. I hope.<br />
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In First Place... My Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Volume Leave-In Conditioner has turned me into someone who really trusts leave in products. I never used to use leave-in conditioner until I got gifted this last Christmas. It keeps my hair silk, shiny and tangle free until the next time I wash it. And it smells really good too.<br />
In My Bad Books... The Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner really disappointed me. I just doesn't have the same effect as the Trevor Sorbie one, plus it makes my hair really heavy and weighs my curls down.<br />
Must Buy In 2013... I'm dying for some kind of Argan Oil conditioning product in 2013. If you have any recommendations, let me know!<br />
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The fourth and final instalment of my 2012 Holy Grail of Beauty will be posted up tomorrow, so make sure you head back to find out what are my best cleansers, toners, moisturizers and serums of the year. Also, I'll be crowning my favorite beauty brand of 2012, so that should be fun.</div>
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Can you recommend me a good eyeliner, anti-dandruff shampoo and Argan Oil conditioner? Have you ever tried the MUA £1 lipsticks or Real Techniques brushes? Which beauty brand do you predict will be my favourite of 2012?</div>
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GabriellaSofia</div>
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<br />GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-50337319746064101452013-01-03T21:00:00.000+00:002013-01-03T21:00:01.569+00:00GabriellaSofia's 2012 Holy Grail of Beauty... Part 2Thanks for coming back to HauteFuture for Part 2 of my 2012 Beauty Awards (also known as my 2012 Holy Grail of Beauty!) Without much further ado...<br />
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In First Place... This year I have really learned how to contour my face with bronzer and my best ally in this has been my Hoola bronzer by Benefit. It is really quite dark, but bronzer should be used sparingly and in layers anyway, so it doesn't need to be dark at all.<br />
Must Buy In 2013... People RAVE about NARS Laguna bronzer so this year I think I'm going to bite the bullet and add it to my collection.<br />
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In First Place... Part of what has made me want to buy the NARS Laguna bronzer is the fact that I have adored the NARS Orgasm blush, yet another bloggers cult product.<br />
Honourable Mention Goes To... Although it is very similar to NARS Orgasm just less pigmented, I've been a fan of CORALista by Benefit for years because it just smells so good! Also, I've been using one of the Barry M Dazzle Dusts on my cheeks. Shade DD3 is the best.<br />
In My Bad Books... In the summer of 2011 I purchased a MAC blusher in Frankly Scarlett because one of the sales assistants put some on me and I'd liked it in store. However, regardless of which brush I use, or how little of the product I attempt to pick up, I almost always look like I have been punched in the face when I use it because of how pigmented it is. In a different shade this would probably be a benefit, not a negative point, but with the shade being so bright and vivid I really can't manage with it!<br />
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In First Place... I have been using a slanted liner brush and a few different eye shadows to shade in my brows recently, but my favourite has to be Brun by MAC. It is a really dark brown which really helps my brows to frame my face.</div>
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Honourable Mention Goes To... My Model's Own tweezers make plucking my brows feel less agonizing, without a doubt. </div>
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Must Buy In 2013... I have been trying to get my hands on one of the Sleek Brow Palettes in Medium for MONTHS but it seems like it is never in stock, so in 2013 I'm making it an official resolution. Also, I want to buy one of Urban Decay's Styling Brush and Setting Gel for eyebrows.</div>
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In First Place... Primer Potion by Urban Decay is a bloggers cult favourite and I totally understand why. It holds onto both pressed and loose shadows beautifully and prevents them from creasing throughout the day.</div>
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Honourable Mention Goes To... Lemon Aid by Benefit is a great eye primer... I even like it without shadow over the top! It just brightens up the eyes and makes the surface of the lid look much cleaner. </div>
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In My Bad Books... Stay Don't Stray by Benefit is in my bad books because I went to the makeup counter in Debenhams recently and attempted to try some out, but sadly, the pump action of the container meant a TON of product (so much that it covered the entire back of my hand) was released. Pump action on such a thin liquid product is never a good idea.</div>
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Must Buy In 2013... I'm absolutely dying for the Urban Decay Primer Potion in Greed, Sin and Eden. They'll be fab for any wedding looks I will be creating in 2013!</div>
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In First Place... My most used shadow must be Virgin by Urban Decay. Even though it is quite bland, I think its fabulous when I'm in a rush and just want a slick of liner over a cream-coloured shadow.</div>
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Honourable Mention Goes To... Gun Metal by Urban Decay is my ultimate go-to shadow for a smoky eye. Its really buildable, creamy and stays put during a night out. </div>
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In First Place... I'm going to go and be REALLY predictable, but Urban Decay's Naked palette is the best value for money on the market. The shadows are super pigmented, the brush is nice and there is such a range of colours which can be mixed and matched for any occasion.</div>
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Honourable Mention Goes To... My Victoria's Secret Metallic shadow really proves that cheap palettes can be really fab. I've never been a fan or buying makeup from companies that don't specialise in it. However, these shadows are really easy to work with and I get loads of compliments when I'm wearing them.</div>
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In My Bad Books... I'm sad to say that I'm really unimpressed with Clinique's shadows at the moment. My Mom has one of the Eye Shadow Trio's but the colours are so powdery and bland that I don't think I would buy this sort of product from Clinique in the future. </div>
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Must Buy In 2013... I need an Urban Decay Naked 2 palette (or just to nab the one that I bought my Mom for Christmas...) I fully expect my Coastal Scents 252 Ultimate Eye Shadow Palette to be in first place next year.</div>
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I will be posting up Part 3 of my 2012 Holy Grail of Beauty tomorrow, so make sure you come back to see what my favorite eye liner, mascara, lip product, brushes and perfumes of 2012 are.</div>
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Have you ever been really disappointed with a brand's palette? Do you know of a cheap palette from a brand that doesn't concentrate of makeup that you have liked? What are your favorite products of 2012?</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofia</div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-64547885669135664042013-01-02T20:29:00.000+00:002013-01-02T20:29:37.901+00:00GabriellaSofia's 2012 Holy Grail of Beauty... Part 1Happy New Year everyone! I'm hoping you all celebrated with your friends and family and are super-excited about 2013, because I sure am. I don't quite know why... I just have a FEELING about this year.<br />
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Anyway, I wanted to do a post like this last year, but never got round to it, so here it is, my Beauty Holy Grail for 2012! In some categories I've also listed items which fell into my Bad Books in 2012 and some beauty products which I'm looking forward to in 2013. So sit back, relax, and let the good times roll.<br />
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In First Place... I have to say that even though I've only ever had a sample size of it, Benefit's Porefessional makes my skin look so smooth and literally flawless!<br />
Honourable Mention Goes To... I really like my L'Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Anti-Shine Mattifying Primer. It was especially brilliant when I was in the USA as it kept me looking shine-free no matter what the heat was!<br />
In My Bad Books... I purchased the Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold back in the summer of 2011 and although it makes my skin look quite nice, I'm now having to face up to the fact that it really wasn't worth £42.50.<br />
Must Buy In 2013... Having felt the texture of the Bourjois Flower Perfection Primer I think it is really similar to the Benefit Porefessional in terms of filling in pores and creating a flawless matte base for foundation. Plus, it is quite cheap at just £9.99 so I think I'll be buying this before I invest in a full-sized Porefessional.<br />
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In First Place... My Guerlain Lingerie de Peau foundation goes on like an absolute dream and stays put with the right amount of dewiness all day long. At £37 a pop, it isn't cheap but I think it is totally worth it!<br />
Honourable Mention Goes To... I was so lucky to have found a Chanel Vitalumiere foundation in the lost property at my uni job. Ever since, it has been one of my favourite makeup possessions giving a perfect base.<br />
In My Bad Books... Lancome's Teint Miracle are so hard to match to my skin tone and I really don't know why. I have tried nearly every colour on the counter and left with a sample of the closest. Once I got home though, I realized it is basically fluorescent orange on my skin. Weird colours.<br />
Must Buy In 2013... I'm really looking forward to purchasing some Daniel Sandler foundations for my makeup artistry kit!<br />
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In First Place... I discovered L'Oreal's True Match Powder in the USA in the summer of 2011 and I have never looked back! It only costs £8.19 and I think it is worth every penny. It even looks good over the top of my moisturiser and without foundation beneath.<br />
Honourable Mention Goes To... Witch Anti-Blemish Pressed Powder gives a nice mattifying touch without suffocating your skin!<br />
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In First Place... Maybelline Superstay 24hr Concealer has been my favourite for about three years now. The coverage is brillaint and it only costs £6.19 too, so it definitely gets top marks!<br />
In My Bad Books... Erase Paste by Benefit is a bit of a cult product in the beauty blogging world, but I just find it so cakey! Also, it can't be used on spots and is intended only for under-eye circles of which I have very few. Not a good investment in my opinion.<br />
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In First Place... I have to say that Benefit's High Beam is one of the best highlighters I have ever tried. And I have tried the cheaper alternatives and have found them to be very average. That being said, I'm still not totally used to using highlighters in my regular makeup routine, so perhaps I'll discover one better in 2013...<br />
Honourable Mention Goes To... I've been using Barry M's Shimmering Eye and Lip Crayon on my brow bone, cheek bones, cupid's bow, bridge of my nose and inner corners of my eyes and loving it! Shade SEC3 is the best.<br />
Must Buy In 2013... I'm really keen to be a sun-kissed beauty after my India experience coming up in February so I'm excited to try Benefit's bronze-toned Sun Beam in 2013.<br />
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As you can see I have seperated my Beauty Awards into multiple posts, so stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow! Can you recommend any products for me to try in 2013? Are you disappointed with any cult bloggers products like I am with Erase Paste? What are your favorite multi-use products, like Barry M's Shimmering Eye and Lip Crayon?<br />
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Love and snuggles<br />
GabriellaSofia<br />
xGabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-52166954250023083502012-12-31T18:57:00.000+00:002012-12-31T18:57:10.777+00:00New Year's Resolutions...I KNOW that many of you think New Year's Resolutions are silly and a waste of time. However, I am an optimist! So get over yourselves and read my list :)<br />
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1) I want to get my passport stamped in at least three countries I have never been to before.<br />
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*My favorite photo of 2012... I was in San Francisco, I had just bought this dress new and I had absolutely no commitments apart from to enjoy myself in my favorite country. I was literally carefree. Wishing for more times like these in 2013 please!*</div>
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2) I want to find the PERFECT skincare and haircare routines.<br />
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3) I want to build my own business.<br />
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4) I want to cook a new meal from a new recipe every week.<br />
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5) I want to save as much money as possible!<br />
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6) I want to stop drinking alcohol (apart from with meals).<br />
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7) I want to finish writing my novel.<br />
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8) I want to lead a healthy lifestyle (the majority of the time).<br />
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9) I want to be more creative... with my make-up, my hair, my nails. I may even paint.<br />
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10) I want to move out of my family home.<br />
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As you can see, it looks like a VERY busy year for me! 2012 really wasn't fab although there were absolutely amazing parts of it. Some of the highlights include graduating (and hence saying goodbye to academia for the foreseeable future), travelling the USA all on my lonesome and securing my first 'real' job (and learning that office life is NOT for me). Having said all that, I've got a feeling that 2013 will be MY YEAR. I just hope I can give each of these resolutions a real go because if I am successful I will be richer, healthier, sexier, more cultured and happier which really can't be bad at all. I will be blogging throughout 2013, so I'm sure you'll all be able to keep an eye on my progress... cheer me on.<br />
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What are your resolutions for the new year? What is the best New Year's resolution you have ever heard? Have you ever followed through on a resolution and if so, which?<br />
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Love and snuggles (oh, and a Happy New Year too!)<br />
GabriellaSofia<br />
xGabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-59323820294898723472012-12-27T20:00:00.000+00:002012-12-27T20:00:03.193+00:00A Somewhat Belated Merry Christmas and Haul...Merry Christmas beauties!<br />
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I know I'm slightly late wishing you a Merry Christmas, but what are you going to do about it? I was too busy scoffing all the treats my Dad bought, looking through all of my brilliant presents and drinking myself into merriness. So I'm sure you can let me off for not posting on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day... can't you?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAL_Kb1IxGzXYuDdd-opVGFEstGEIzlF3MqG78XLQJFBKGcBghfzrErXEJw59fv-QNahaqtWmfVGMqtfnDbNoA-kdIrjxw3Udzr5kdnDHnpKb3RD14IICskm9wzxnqoq9TCUTPufAUoQr_/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20121225-00952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAL_Kb1IxGzXYuDdd-opVGFEstGEIzlF3MqG78XLQJFBKGcBghfzrErXEJw59fv-QNahaqtWmfVGMqtfnDbNoA-kdIrjxw3Udzr5kdnDHnpKb3RD14IICskm9wzxnqoq9TCUTPufAUoQr_/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20121225-00952.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Proof of the scoffing...*</div>
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*... and again! I chose each of these cheeses and they were absolutely beautiful!*</div>
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Anyway, here's my obligatory 'I'm-not-bragging-about-all-of-my-presents-but-really-I-am' blog post. If you don't like haul posts, then that's cool, but look away now. Hurry back though, because at some point over the next week I'm going to be posting my 2012 beauty round-up which you're really NOT going to want to miss.<br />
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<img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXBJUiJL3gkNmN1MteHVRlNAil8-EvQe6e8in12DHyxgA5A7tCynYcBsIVsU57FpPdxxmcOMoXLAFXZD8ICprRMiMxTW6i4AScqIbX1_C5fHi3WyGSNgT_Mp2gLeLChWbRrgDw1X_yYIs/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20121227-00961.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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*Ooof. Looks like I was a VERY good girl this year!*</div>
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*These are the beauty bits I got. As you can see, I've had A LOT of books to help with my makeup artistry. I had the Real Techniques Stippling Brush and Core Collection of brushes too from my parents. I had two Coastal Scents 252 eyeshadow palettes (one off my parents the other from my LOVELY boyfriend), a Coastal Scents blush palette from my boyfriend and a Coastal Scents concealer palette from my parents. They also go me my Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Volume gift set and my Carmella perfume. My boyfriend's brother and his girlfriend got me a Baylis and Harding toiletry pack. My next door neighbours treated me to a Ted Baker gift sets and my boyfriend bought me the Ted Baker scrub which is lucky really as it wasn't in the gift set!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fvMPjkKGN3VcQC1hcnBURdawKZZtB5GiVXej1m21pjlGFpRuM-SrqE4lWntd-d4EWGTytCULtEroDrmuKrPGY0QzyqrBYo7z_lQ8U6aE853Ygw2gX4I0by22_Pq-lGqmsucsDItiXTTV/s1600/Stoke-on-Trent-20121227-00956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fvMPjkKGN3VcQC1hcnBURdawKZZtB5GiVXej1m21pjlGFpRuM-SrqE4lWntd-d4EWGTytCULtEroDrmuKrPGY0QzyqrBYo7z_lQ8U6aE853Ygw2gX4I0by22_Pq-lGqmsucsDItiXTTV/s400/Stoke-on-Trent-20121227-00956.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Here are all of the books I got, so you can see them more clearly. My Dad got me Style Feed which is full of fashion photos and also Blog Inc which is a book all about blogging. He is so thoughtful!*</div>
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*Here is what the palettes look like in more detail... I would swatch the colours, but it would take me a MILLION years, so for now, this is all you're getting! I'm so excited about using the Real Techniques brushes. I couldn't be happier to have two of the Coastal Scents 252 colours palettes as the individual colours are quite small. Having used them though, they are so pigmented I just KNOW they'll last me for ages. Yet another Christmas gift which will be useful for my makeup artistry. Eeeep.*</div>
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*Choco-fest. Unreal. My two favorite bits are the Smores flavoured Pop Tarts from my Dad and the sweeties hamper from my boyfriends other brother and his girlfriend. Nom gobble.*</div>
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*I have had two lovely pairs of slippers, one of my Mom, the other from my boyfriend's mom. I love the little black clutch-bag from Warehouse as it looks so classy, almost like it should be Yves Saint Laurent or something! My auntie and little cousins got me this cute elephant necklace from Accessorize and the little day planner from Next... its so pretty with the butterflies on it. I've had socks from a variety of people (including my Grandparents!) which I was really happy about as they seem to vanish from my drawers all the time. My boyfriend got me some Topshop earrings which I couldn't have chosen better for myself! I got a heart-shaped keyring from my Mom and a bottle of Tabasco (standard) from my Dad. I also got £20 worth of vouchers from my Grandparents for Boots and £40 for my local shopping centre from my parents. My Mom got me a Jobs and Careers magazine too, in the hopes that I might find a boring corporate job which pays well.* </div>
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*These are all of the bits and bobs I found in my stocking thanks to my little sister! My favourites were the three lipsticks from MUA, the two glitter nail polishes from H&M, the rings from H&M, the Ted Baker body spray and the different flavours of hot sauce. I can't wait to eat all of the chocolatey treats!*</div>
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So, yeah, I guess I am spoilt. At Christmas at least! But then again, if you can't spoil your family at Christmas, when can you spoil them? And let me assure you, I spoil my family and boyfriend just as much as they do me. I bought my Dad £30 worth of cinema vouchers, my Mom the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, my Grandparents £10 of M&S vouchers each and a box of chocolates and biscuits, my sister a load of stocking goodies including rings, nail varnish and socks, and my boyfriend got a load of toiletries, a Ted Baker pocket scarf and a lovely warm jumper from Next. By the end of all of my shopping including bits for other people, cards and wrapping paper, I think Christmas came in at about £300 for me! Crazy, considering I don't even have children... I'm going to be such an over-spender once I do! Whoops...</div>
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What did you get for Christmas? How much did you spend on other people for Christmas? Did you Christmas dinner look as yummy as mine?</div>
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Love, snuggles and mistletoe!</div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-30945919430524477342012-12-23T21:00:00.000+00:002012-12-27T17:21:13.065+00:00Happy Graduation GabriellaSofia!It happened... it finally happened, I graduated! And I absolutely can't believe it.<br />
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I actually missed my official graduation back in June because I went on my <a href="http://hautefuture.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/2012-summer-adventure-usa-road-trip.html">USA road trip</a> but this nearly broke my poor mom's heart, so I got my butt in gear and decided to do graduation in December rather than missing it all together.<br />
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For those of you who have followed my page for quite some time, you will know that university became a real struggle for me towards the end as I just couldn't hack the pressure. It basically turned me into a miserable, nervous wreck because there were just so many people telling me that if I didn't do well I wouldn't get a good job or might disappoint my family that it almost made me ill with worry. Even during my last exam, I literally just thought to myself, 'Why am I even here???' and almost got up and left! Nonetheless, I pushed myself to stay and finish the exam and I now have a 2.1 in English Literature from the University of Birmingham. And I have the pictures to prove it...<br />
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*Look how lovely and red brick the buildings are! Got to love them!*<br />
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*In the marquee after graduation they were serving wine and not-just-any-mince-pies-but-Marks-and-Spencer's-mince-pies. Yum*</div>
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*Happy face!*</div>
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So it is the end of an era, and boy, am I glad? YES! I'm going to try my hardest to make 2013 MY YEAR, the year when I do things that I want to do, and not the things which I think I should because I'm scared my family will disown me if I don't!</div>
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How did you feel on your graduation day? Is there ANY WAY to make yourself not look obese when wearing one of these gowns? Would you rather go to graduation, or on a USA road trip?</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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*The Fresh Graduate*</div>
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GabriellaSofia x</div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-2720946849101471262012-12-22T21:00:00.000+00:002012-12-27T17:24:09.625+00:00The Clothes Show Live 2012 ReviewA couple of weeks ago, I got my stuff together and head to Birmingham (AGAIN) to go to my second ever Clothes Show Live experience. Having been kindly offered a press pass once again I thought it would be a great opportunity to go and pick up a few bits and bobs to give as Christmas, so off I went!<br />
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I must be completely honest... Last year, I didn't enjoy the Clothes Show Live all that much at all, purely because I found it too chaotic, full of brands I rarely purchase from and just very overwhelming. The fashion show itself was the main redeeming feature with a department store theme. This year I found the overall feel of The Clothes Show to be slightly different. The brands in the beauty section were better (in that they had more products on offer and seemed far from selling out), the deals seemed to be more cost effective and the general atmosphere felts a lot more relaxed than last year. The fashion show on the other hand was really quite average by comparison with that of 2011... Here is my Clothes Show Live 2012 story...<br />
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJj4-fwsfLvw7pyxhNt-zczAuXYVlKeUbOveBS0yOlftZfo3-5hsmrFr4FgEjHAlZr1WsW8Mvb0-jwpj0uJx5Fqpmo0zOnx6s2nwhkxTi5fPcSFHceO_MhC6zSWVF0bVdeEdD7-LIINXg/s400/144+-+Copy.JPG" width="225" /></div>
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*On with the show!*<br />
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Once I arrived, I realized I'd managed to leave my money in my boyfriend's car, so begrudgingly got into the twenty minute line for the cash point which then charged me £1.99 to withdraw £50. Needless to say, this was not the fantastic start to the day which I had wished for. At least I had a plan, get into the beauty hall, buy up some goodies, wander around the clothes area to see if anything might take my fancy and watch the fashion show before heading home. I headed over to the Press Office to grab my pass (brilliant for flashing at self-righteous security guards to pounce as soon as you take your camera out of your bag) and worked out what time the fashion show would be. Then that was it, I was off.<br />
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I headed over to the Barry M stall, which ended up being very frustrating. There were quite a few deals on although none of them were particularly generous apart from the £10 goodie bag. Nonetheless, I decided to collect up about nine Dazzle Dusts and five lipsticks under the impression that I might be able to haggle myself a better deal when the assistants saw how much I was going to buy. As I headed over to the lady at the till, I saw her swapping a couple of the Dazzle Dusts which a customer had received in her goodie bag (I guess she wasn't happy with the colours or something) so I thought, "Fab, I'll do the same." I purchased the goodie bag first and asked if I could switch some of the colours out... "No." Was the answer that came. Fantastic. So now I was lumped with a goodie bag (which really wasn't that bad at all, but still...) I handed over my basket of products to buy and asked if there was a further deal which could be offered to me. "No," again. Whatever, I left the products and stalked off. I must admit, aside from the fact that they were unable to offer any further deals, the assistant was also very rude as was the manager of the stall who doubled as the-annoying-lying-lady-on-the-microphone. "Only five goodie bags left guys, get them while you can!" she was screaming... before screaming the same thing five minutes later after the original five goodie bags were sold. I really wasn't very impressed.<br />
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<img height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1BJ0sRE-sRqs-zH2VIPXBXYRyUWTJ8cdTYyitaReeeLv3k7dCRqkQioWITOfrDyH7IXsEvtAMp33rWOPSlJLYzbQn6VrFStl539r5IdCyEdGQBkU_5kp6shKFU89RI2Y-6q9kVA8YyUA/s320/066+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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*The Barry M stall that RUINED MY LIFE. Melodramatic*</div>
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<img height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztahn4waN-8HnxHcsnDxSymJlelDNh_7rNAM3A0WKOZs-A7iXrYA6XvoeUpwBwYHpi9dJvKaFhgIjHOLlO5UwyQ1-NyBRAvZ9Wa1s9FWRDMeFfMkyuxz31UiYqnDHgVg__yrspU-zyiLg/s400/183.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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*All of my Barry M goodies. Whoop-dee-doo*</div>
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I didn't want my Barry M Disaster to ruin my day, so onwards and upwards I thought and headed to Models Own, who had a fab goodie bag deal on. You could choose any two nail colours and get a goodie bag included for just £10. Barry M should maybe take a leaf out of Models Own's book and allow customers to choose their Dazzle Dusts. I was really pleased with the service at Models Own and the products I got will be used without a doubt!<br />
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<img height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mwGohtQsrlkk1YVrn7Ts__y0OCxuwOx3_c4gqFlyeWibH_diklsuJoMlFofSzgfW6cNFd6QVxoS6zuuo6xREqtExDBKKk73RzEd1lN7cJGgLmwx1plnux_JDQr2XJYKNKQb8ZtjVgBET/s400/068+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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*Models Own rocked my world at the Clothes Show...*</div>
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<img height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuje88f70PjvCCmprb1CBZnS1Go6ISD4kOIv8-nIlgsJ3FKUH9cagH7HOF8wYJBBOY8D2FfKJuXmf4RWcljje8jdqyqX3d_ZfpXMl0qZYgFbiEAn2Q5MdEHhLc0Ham2jnOwcxall9T8j6/s400/178.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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*...SEE!*</div>
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After my Models Own triumph, I wandered over to Bourjois, a company which I have never purchased from before but have always been curious to try. Once again, they had a brilliant deal on their products where you could grab any 3 for £12. Then, if you spent over £20 you could get a goodie bag full of items to the value of £15. I snapped up a few bits including the bloggers holy grail in nail varnish remover and the Flower Perfection primer. The goodie bag had a few gems inside, but there were also some bits which I just know I will never use. Having said that, the sales assistants were really lovely and helpful in terms of matching my foundation shades, so I really can't fault Bourjois.<br />
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YLf8FUaxIcKT8TMlvcnCKnM3AGDqrXADHNg5uI1gC8c2zSqXGeFWLbaU9LRClYQfmxYbt4gjW94YbqoRHI1HT3_LD4u6wBBoO_cAPmwaAE6qXM4dSIHZaU1mo9x1bwr9E9o1PVUJt-q-/s400/067+-+Copy.JPG" width="225" /></div>
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*Bourjois came out a winner with these deals*</div>
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<img height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSs4sRqauEuKo2-WF1OlL-mTRoM9FiSomrUIVUDB7YLKurMt4LY2Y0Q2hIjBI_JlVekno1HFEp1sOp9f-a8hCKXLg8K5gc2W2BYWA5UybprIlNeG5l1iI9XSwOxy9HlwATrdKnbyelZs8/s400/197.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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*Look what I got!*</div>
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<img height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-cY5y44UeQ-JX7b8UJCjgex54oWBDujMW9NpQmjpRTOQ_bzLmqWH4HLVpxRh82SQLb-zpb_68WT2-NHPr09wFSvj_Nu-YM6qDqd9fW1T0aSpzj2IksS1pRU1NLRyXydlCwY5SmV89Ag8/s400/195.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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*And this was the contents of the goodie bag... the mascara, eye liner and mini blush will definitely be used*</div>
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All of the Barry M, Models Own and Bourjois products will be reviewed soon, promise!<br />
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There were some other great deals, especially on haircare. However, I was trying to be good and keep my money in my purse! Cosmopolitan, Company magazine and others were selling their own goodie bags for just £3 which included copies of the magazine, bottles of coconut water, chocolate bars and in one such bag, a bottle of OPI Crackle nail polish. I didn't bother purchasing any of them though, because I don't really like the crackle nail effect, plus I was saving my last few pennies for a delicious snack...<br />
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkFz8iuX7BTBc1PkT-fy98UtuHS_MYHgrUHGc0xWFbSIk6x8IEeZyLNFrNEF5Tee4qlEdFMcAGDxbgLw-7lENzMp9hR5vYoDld9Nrs4Oaea8AaPNxovJTe-fPsT4Yzup6qRVXTxBI_-bo/s400/075+-+Copy.JPG" width="225" /></div>
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*Chocolate fountain... I want to lie underneath one of these*</div>
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<img height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8D3-R-Q_0RM7S6jTv5zem_yVTaEVg4kSx4vet5AT2bzbpiTTRwzvuwmlv3byaPFdXGjq6T8hKAEf5YI3w31-opLXRwl7uJzKdtT7MPDFxKwuF-C067FXJQyGYE0rlU0RiUU9Nqsedh0w/s400/080+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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*Cinder Toffee flavoured ice cream... NOM*</div>
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As I strolled over to the main arena for the catwalk, I spotted a few cool brands and snapped the following photos...<br />
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyglxthKtQWmAYsEuNqREMeJ1AOhr7KS7GP8X9RkOhVaereJsfQt2U-6irrdbbgedF97bwG8hkSrZmIJJGuHwwG7652tqbQNGdft678vJz5eDh2_1qazZqMnwEpakJicmx80h7TXypDSF/s400/071+-+Copy.JPG" width="225" /></div>
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*Miss Selfridge competition... give me a £500 shopping spree please!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6l7LHqXh4v4T2ok2Q5ezEo6fobKIJZlQEWme1DAmfyqdAzOk7FJY2hvoRiZElcICxS7j3PUbeyVlA9TehI9Hq-OKZw0Z5TKHi9SC5Ji1NJPD2tNbwOSu6fUtbZBrYXk0SeKV7bJf_W-3/s1600/076+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6l7LHqXh4v4T2ok2Q5ezEo6fobKIJZlQEWme1DAmfyqdAzOk7FJY2hvoRiZElcICxS7j3PUbeyVlA9TehI9Hq-OKZw0Z5TKHi9SC5Ji1NJPD2tNbwOSu6fUtbZBrYXk0SeKV7bJf_W-3/s400/076+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*I just love David and Goliath's image! So bright and fun!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjkQr86aguk-fDBtxJnj4E2hpQ8R06SHd6xV6qy4sszEkQNjIOf8EjuFF9DdkKIzj6TewmrfAEvYZLteRbmTAA3K6vROYLiBCdpXr4ZDRjPe0Q9JE366oVoZfrR4_U4zVm656vbBizt58/s1600/078+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjkQr86aguk-fDBtxJnj4E2hpQ8R06SHd6xV6qy4sszEkQNjIOf8EjuFF9DdkKIzj6TewmrfAEvYZLteRbmTAA3K6vROYLiBCdpXr4ZDRjPe0Q9JE366oVoZfrR4_U4zVm656vbBizt58/s400/078+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*How adorable are these Nancy Smith headdresses? Wish I'd bought one now*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tvZrfWBSjtOKZtFsvEmGO74M_ro507xsLvDKr0PdkKMzDth9LaMC6_g7rOov9rVs0UFy3-KTRDzgmhL58k7xuSLwaElX2R209X0MmdFuUg5Z-0qnA69qoi3whk0Lf9IFcCdSjsySV2B7/s1600/079+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tvZrfWBSjtOKZtFsvEmGO74M_ro507xsLvDKr0PdkKMzDth9LaMC6_g7rOov9rVs0UFy3-KTRDzgmhL58k7xuSLwaElX2R209X0MmdFuUg5Z-0qnA69qoi3whk0Lf9IFcCdSjsySV2B7/s400/079+-+Copy.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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*Not ALL of these things were in every goodie bag. If they had been, I might have invested!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEik4G6_EHmRxlvzLFLH0NJHa8vvvH4SUenBwI-2U3O4PBWAagyEeQiKeT5MbYVplWAHqYqYN6g5HQ8fZQIa8l9MLQAWdUsKcvC2vsn8wDkKoWbOfvPK4wgoMDTWBkjMAJ2f99UDxFeYd/s1600/081+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEik4G6_EHmRxlvzLFLH0NJHa8vvvH4SUenBwI-2U3O4PBWAagyEeQiKeT5MbYVplWAHqYqYN6g5HQ8fZQIa8l9MLQAWdUsKcvC2vsn8wDkKoWbOfvPK4wgoMDTWBkjMAJ2f99UDxFeYd/s400/081+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*How awesome is this Photobooth cab???*</div>
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The theme of the fashion show this year was the production of a top fashion magazine. It was full of a variety of scenes including Showrooms in Shoreditch, Model Casting and After Party. The class of Grace Woodward, Henry Holland and a fake Anna Wintour clashes dramatically with the frequently seen tackily over-exposed men, chavvy music and poor scenery. Regardless, I did enjoy the show and there were many looks which I would love to be able to afford featured! In spite of the total disorganization of the whole press department, we managed to get great seats on the front row. Here are some of my favorite shots...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe5GouudfYIJ8MlTDEU4xguxR6NtZ6tBO7HmoKUOmF6vZmqE4fhioLQQbMPQ0HooyjYUCxmJwf48in0k-y1fjBW4Cn1JysNbw2wOqXIx39tqp2PxeiiRyGX5U9xKwWU07MLm4qCp1wT_n/s1600/085+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe5GouudfYIJ8MlTDEU4xguxR6NtZ6tBO7HmoKUOmF6vZmqE4fhioLQQbMPQ0HooyjYUCxmJwf48in0k-y1fjBW4Cn1JysNbw2wOqXIx39tqp2PxeiiRyGX5U9xKwWU07MLm4qCp1wT_n/s400/085+-+Copy.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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*Grace and Henry... yup, first name terms*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpdICmqXaXk6cU5SPh56BC_9oBRB4SRo-ijtmZY8Ef3oMS2NU2FxmnGbCNQ_-bByl3bG18eEVxSTVs_MRhr-E8yriRwFKxWHmQtGCDGc2gl9ppasA7i8uV_rGgLliHv29GHQHXe2F_CGW/s1600/088+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpdICmqXaXk6cU5SPh56BC_9oBRB4SRo-ijtmZY8Ef3oMS2NU2FxmnGbCNQ_-bByl3bG18eEVxSTVs_MRhr-E8yriRwFKxWHmQtGCDGc2gl9ppasA7i8uV_rGgLliHv29GHQHXe2F_CGW/s400/088+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Check out the busy arena*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ULB-vgaUrvBldmnnba6vVlVVKc-x5WTeomHT3bAzJa6FkBLv4nqkWYef2iqR2YLqB3IsRXF26mkR37-JrJA-u_lALW5yeCyMCFRimuVX5s4HioxnLrwTBxL1RoRDoFZSg4cyiScwqJex/s1600/090+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ULB-vgaUrvBldmnnba6vVlVVKc-x5WTeomHT3bAzJa6FkBLv4nqkWYef2iqR2YLqB3IsRXF26mkR37-JrJA-u_lALW5yeCyMCFRimuVX5s4HioxnLrwTBxL1RoRDoFZSg4cyiScwqJex/s400/090+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Times Red from The X Factor performed and were great. They are ever so handsome*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CD39AmvN06kn84VZOHdGwuCVLU8IAtqcfwpSrqEyns0bljoiuxohWCgJxA-ubecI5p0cA2oxeLTLWV_E08PP5uyi8SK8Do3sN_MtGmCowl9seH8JVOQSOb1y46dE9v8ueMmf3V9q1aHI/s1600/092+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CD39AmvN06kn84VZOHdGwuCVLU8IAtqcfwpSrqEyns0bljoiuxohWCgJxA-ubecI5p0cA2oxeLTLWV_E08PP5uyi8SK8Do3sN_MtGmCowl9seH8JVOQSOb1y46dE9v8ueMmf3V9q1aHI/s400/092+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*'Anna Wintour'... NOT!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqdzcXkhRHmMhsANecWVTS-WQ6-pbDEHoo4LyNwA_-BcChFC9Kec-cNYYiloye4sxwvp2RPXE6Lz8TMp3xhUX6L3sKzyQkgGyWWF3hc7RLWUjJn30yaWmnuQzqLnxwaEW9FWsRUfkmkGN/s1600/094+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqdzcXkhRHmMhsANecWVTS-WQ6-pbDEHoo4LyNwA_-BcChFC9Kec-cNYYiloye4sxwvp2RPXE6Lz8TMp3xhUX6L3sKzyQkgGyWWF3hc7RLWUjJn30yaWmnuQzqLnxwaEW9FWsRUfkmkGN/s400/094+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*I'm not a lesbian, but... BLEAUGH. These half-dressed guys just cheapened the whole thing*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5psbFeBn_hSM58ltzvLQhE2f2LXdP1I8bSshKjITjhahO2m9oGHcKqCPEiIe4qgBOuRpJLDsUMBVIp8KGI4RUUr_YRhGKge2zh8wp-qfn4rg2UD8TsgzPm5Nz3jFii8Uh4bdBCGp1aE7/s1600/095+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5psbFeBn_hSM58ltzvLQhE2f2LXdP1I8bSshKjITjhahO2m9oGHcKqCPEiIe4qgBOuRpJLDsUMBVIp8KGI4RUUr_YRhGKge2zh8wp-qfn4rg2UD8TsgzPm5Nz3jFii8Uh4bdBCGp1aE7/s400/095+-+Copy.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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*Adorable dress*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusTZ77nwz356-RxN9W0Z9JIppXZmxREZaPSAuh1ImqBY6CBQ5NPTmhrB2IAA7V-VpvoZftlnHeKlLU7b-7fOkIfJOGw-BW_t73Nttf5PMgwKQ7rfgDzKdfBsxE4FBWaLI9jyqnkzWC8rx/s1600/101+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusTZ77nwz356-RxN9W0Z9JIppXZmxREZaPSAuh1ImqBY6CBQ5NPTmhrB2IAA7V-VpvoZftlnHeKlLU7b-7fOkIfJOGw-BW_t73Nttf5PMgwKQ7rfgDzKdfBsxE4FBWaLI9jyqnkzWC8rx/s400/101+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*I thought the dancer in the middle looked SO MUCH like Caroline Flack... anyone else seeing that?*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3IWjPHLzydcsRSUBy3beipHGAJNaiG6db_TH1_k0t4b5ieS4wAII8tMhuBQF51GSXO6jErqnOi_nzycxNbK-oBPq_4bOxQ6f_RF9c6T4klzrUb7AT0kHj2VkBawteXiIP1gPehsFUvvP/s1600/104+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3IWjPHLzydcsRSUBy3beipHGAJNaiG6db_TH1_k0t4b5ieS4wAII8tMhuBQF51GSXO6jErqnOi_nzycxNbK-oBPq_4bOxQ6f_RF9c6T4klzrUb7AT0kHj2VkBawteXiIP1gPehsFUvvP/s400/104+-+Copy.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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*Weird hat but awesome colours*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnss9lRmhldr8_ZFz9wiQYWfdnv8rBIZom3511vE4UcYlO4P_pbk9KEhh8787idkWbJXY0AU-nUBHSQzJhJxCuW3zm_ulzhjq61yQFPiLO0mJgMJLFXqNMrs0gV28Nip_evfWPQwbSgQCd/s1600/107+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnss9lRmhldr8_ZFz9wiQYWfdnv8rBIZom3511vE4UcYlO4P_pbk9KEhh8787idkWbJXY0AU-nUBHSQzJhJxCuW3zm_ulzhjq61yQFPiLO0mJgMJLFXqNMrs0gV28Nip_evfWPQwbSgQCd/s400/107+-+Copy.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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*Check out this weird, Lady Gaga-esque bodysuit. Very odd*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL09G34tR6shat5LYZblHFdPYNf2sglbBdUE49cGGbl8_WjifgiaadYEwxcgj-SN-DZMuH4CWGWKBsEFXM9Urql94MatJm6IXdJkANH0gmT-TtTp9oSMNDE2kGrn-AFCnoxvPyQCkilPP/s1600/109+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL09G34tR6shat5LYZblHFdPYNf2sglbBdUE49cGGbl8_WjifgiaadYEwxcgj-SN-DZMuH4CWGWKBsEFXM9Urql94MatJm6IXdJkANH0gmT-TtTp9oSMNDE2kGrn-AFCnoxvPyQCkilPP/s400/109+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Gorgeous yellow swimming costume*</div>
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*I LOVE this bra and knicker set on the right... very BDSM*</div>
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*Sticking wings on your models doesn't make the show as classy as Victoria's Secret's, Clothes Show. Trust me*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPabevTBSKNNz792LiZYzY5jGwpcNvMnATI9h85sWFdHCxlkhGYoO-31E3cjH-Nn_lGXEZjkD7T0LOaFgls7YAXkYebJBChngt1TG2ds5dMfDdM0EqA5UM53Q_6Zw8nOgZ1G949CbfBDzy/s1600/116+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPabevTBSKNNz792LiZYzY5jGwpcNvMnATI9h85sWFdHCxlkhGYoO-31E3cjH-Nn_lGXEZjkD7T0LOaFgls7YAXkYebJBChngt1TG2ds5dMfDdM0EqA5UM53Q_6Zw8nOgZ1G949CbfBDzy/s400/116+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Some weird Nicki Minaj look-a-like*</div>
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*I adore a short-suit!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPb_m9HBFxAvd5DYeiBotLvUvpux0WDB4lRFN8cwf26D1ryPtXNaWcioPiUmR8xbYzTBxUJ_54N3pXtbzcJUi9gzKgg4_7VP1SbBr4dj71szt7QmFLcwjwbvotRAOym3SoLgUW5KvVQYlf/s1600/123+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPb_m9HBFxAvd5DYeiBotLvUvpux0WDB4lRFN8cwf26D1ryPtXNaWcioPiUmR8xbYzTBxUJ_54N3pXtbzcJUi9gzKgg4_7VP1SbBr4dj71szt7QmFLcwjwbvotRAOym3SoLgUW5KvVQYlf/s400/123+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Posh dancing*</div>
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*There was a lot of focus on black and white block colours for occasion-wear... beautiful*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNv3AOMoFxnjPJgFALxpBxX-LLVs3eNREnC8Xu8nWZkAqwFX8ez5bEyV6hElBVbyhhqdK1Dxo7M1gxmm0dMtFL8vFCLu1KlhWCAtXfVcaXxiKv5f9eY4o280hF6ATLaqdi8wzognAIigR/s1600/132+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNv3AOMoFxnjPJgFALxpBxX-LLVs3eNREnC8Xu8nWZkAqwFX8ez5bEyV6hElBVbyhhqdK1Dxo7M1gxmm0dMtFL8vFCLu1KlhWCAtXfVcaXxiKv5f9eY4o280hF6ATLaqdi8wzognAIigR/s400/132+-+Copy.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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*Very cute mini-dress*</div>
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*This is the awkward moment when the models confuse themselves with the dancers... embarassing*</div>
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*'Anna Wintour' is happy. Someone, stop the presses*</div>
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I had a good day out at the Clothes Show Live 2012. I met the lovely Clara from <a href="http://www.countessdublush.com/">Countess Du Blush</a> so we hung out together for quite some time and that was a definite highlight of the day. The lowlights include being shepharded around like an animal, seeing chavvy girls all over the place and being spoken down to by sales assistants. Nevertheless, I had good day and would love to go again next year as the beauty buys are THE BOMB.</div>
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<img height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoUyXg2DPHkx2_S1tyW_VTOK3oVmCeSMwhC3AXkGd_ZQoJMl1Qzqw7FWCM76PeLTX8yV9P7g8C7fnO-NY2mZKZ5OGZIf3v0iot_QfsIdbKx38a-p19LNE3Zu_KKqfFRUEV1RCii1X5EFW/s400/082+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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*Look at all of the humans slobbed out on the floor*</div>
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<img height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NQPjv9GK7tIrTBEejsoMvC_lDPxSaJ1BNQKwObj1F5keH7AfSOfXGpD1Ky_H5mzi2yhVa_XdbYW1RDhEwAnWk76qcx-Vve9bWp1lxESE4odTHAaljVPKOfau1BdRyxybGYoyq_MBkTRq/s400/084+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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*Me and Clara!*</div>
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Have you ever been to the Clothes Show? Do you find the half-naked men detract from the overall experience? Would you have rowed epically with the Barry M sales assistant? I wish I had done now...</div>
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GabriellaSofia</div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-18661879797496353332012-12-21T21:00:00.000+00:002012-12-27T17:24:48.017+00:00January Sales Scouting: PaperchaseDuring my time in London a couple of weeks ago I found the enormous Paperchase store based on Tottenham Court Road and I just fell in love with, well, everything! The entire store was so gorgeously decorated for Christmas and the ornaments and trees on sale were so sparkly and beautiful that I was so disappointed at the fact that I really don't have enough money to spend on glittery items which are only really appropriate during December. So I came up with this idea, that I'm going to bide my time, keeping my eye all the while on the different bits and bobs that will make me a much happier person, and buy them all as soon as they go on sale in January. I've done this with a few shops recently because it is breaking my heart spending all my money on other people. Yes, I went there.<br />
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Anyway, here are a few snaps of the store, so hopefully you will be able to understand how I've been taken in by the unique stationers...<br />
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<img height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAawRniqy_dLmY9XbynZz27ByTXX-FR0BkKNt4c_F8cqDm0OqsvIKPcVJWkiDONBlvz8447oqj3jqGmUrbVtsiw94USMrRzxEmK-5hmVRyi5b1zvgqzJgyLI_gaWdR5v7U7x1r8F_o61i/s400/177.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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*The shop window enticed me in. I couldn't help it*<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqW7IEE9gnmyeVAc5tOCh2nxudboWdsj7z1G8DbqViw2DuZKCAlMGpGOK9nDrpiNvxC6ZXCY8VPvoFtlVxUAKgYq0idoiUFnSkSPl9Ymq95SK29U0-NfNFmrEEUmV9_0Xr_LNMPeFCP1G/s1600/172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqW7IEE9gnmyeVAc5tOCh2nxudboWdsj7z1G8DbqViw2DuZKCAlMGpGOK9nDrpiNvxC6ZXCY8VPvoFtlVxUAKgYq0idoiUFnSkSPl9Ymq95SK29U0-NfNFmrEEUmV9_0Xr_LNMPeFCP1G/s400/172.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*I really like the black tree... I would like a real tree in my living room, but this would be lovely for my bedroom!*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvTm5SwC_NTPRtI6VKDctBF9uay6ZPEcYva7G9hnTpLqUR3M8o3gfo6xPIrifzzb0Gi7QdEwyPGigIJ_TS5WeQ_9sPRqkbH3pkkJBVhTHIPxtB3IUviSK8P0s5abxaZG5zkLQ_jbBYRtc/s1600/173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvTm5SwC_NTPRtI6VKDctBF9uay6ZPEcYva7G9hnTpLqUR3M8o3gfo6xPIrifzzb0Gi7QdEwyPGigIJ_TS5WeQ_9sPRqkbH3pkkJBVhTHIPxtB3IUviSK8P0s5abxaZG5zkLQ_jbBYRtc/s400/173.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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*Don't you think it is cute how they have used cards on the tree instead of baubles on the tree? I think its a great idea, especially at times when hanging ornaments for the tree can cost so much these days! I'm going to be taking a leaf out of Paperchase's book (pardon the stationary-related pun) and follow in their footsteps next year*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUf2CgN8SYApZmWHBJIWqh5Cd8Cxm39yLBEhXrxit5Tn4QTWqQT1Vti24q4S3TtVbXZAgAovLtpKfiTC_IKpYzYN7JNrw2ZpRaxZ_bne4htKHYqWuj2phhF2dEE18zOYv2xo-L7WMxp3u/s1600/174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUf2CgN8SYApZmWHBJIWqh5Cd8Cxm39yLBEhXrxit5Tn4QTWqQT1Vti24q4S3TtVbXZAgAovLtpKfiTC_IKpYzYN7JNrw2ZpRaxZ_bne4htKHYqWuj2phhF2dEE18zOYv2xo-L7WMxp3u/s400/174.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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*These boxes of multicoloured baubles really caught my eye as I figured they would look ideal on the black tree. Plus, at only £12 for 180 I don't know why I didn't just grab them then and there... Probably because I'm hoping they will be 50% off come January*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQ9k8SeThSdEQXyeTpLV-Kp7_816oRiTuA-KNsjDV8rDve6sglH1PEFYSl3hzO5fs2IMxBpsn5hZrZSh1_c0sg_cbbHAmh3Wsnsi6uC6cz1eiN45oxWu_TEd6UUIeIHmyTbf9SVQWMEYF/s1600/175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQ9k8SeThSdEQXyeTpLV-Kp7_816oRiTuA-KNsjDV8rDve6sglH1PEFYSl3hzO5fs2IMxBpsn5hZrZSh1_c0sg_cbbHAmh3Wsnsi6uC6cz1eiN45oxWu_TEd6UUIeIHmyTbf9SVQWMEYF/s400/175.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
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*I liked this silver, white and light blue colour scheme. I don't know why, but it really reminds me of skiing... snow is white with silvery sparkles and the sky is always light blue. Call me crazy*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDhGtxadOSCj7jiypYbqFM1EoeF6U4PKaz5q97qT9TIFgZgtYVIy_viqjt9ckON55SKS68YP4RdvuS2xx1txsgQ-7J0SAPr0rlbS8qX96LboNju3pUkNfBc7uXW6rKS0cUFP-Yxix6-Jx/s1600/176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDhGtxadOSCj7jiypYbqFM1EoeF6U4PKaz5q97qT9TIFgZgtYVIy_viqjt9ckON55SKS68YP4RdvuS2xx1txsgQ-7J0SAPr0rlbS8qX96LboNju3pUkNfBc7uXW6rKS0cUFP-Yxix6-Jx/s400/176.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*All of the wrapping paper is so beautiful and good quality! I actually bought a little bit to wrap for my family, but it is quite expensive. Sad really as I would love to paper my walls with it*</div>
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Have you spotted any Paperchase goodies you'd like to invest in? Are there any stores which you are waiting for in terms of the January sales? Is it only me that seethes at the idea of spending my hard-earned pennies on others? Not that I don't love them, I do, but still... *insert sheepish face here*</div>
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Love and snuggles</div>
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GabriellaSofia</div>
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-4387200243790345192012-12-20T21:00:00.000+00:002012-12-27T17:26:02.796+00:00Hotel Russell ReviewThis week just gone my company happened to send me to my second favourite city in the world so far (Los Angeles is my first) LONDON! As I would be based on Tottenham Court Road for three days, the company booked me into a nearby hotel... Hotel Russell is a 373 bedroom situated in the picturesque Russell Square, not a five minute journey from the Russell Square tube station. Upon walking into the hotel, I genuinely thought my company had made a mistake and thought that a director was going to London instead of me, because it was so grand and majestic!<br />
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*Impressive, right?*<br />
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As I walked up the steps to enter the hotel, a doorman held the door open for me and welcomed me inside. Upon stepping through the doors I found one of the most beautifully decorated lobbies I have ever seen in a hotel. The mosaic floors, the sparkling chandeliers and the traditionally decorated Christmas tree contributed to the warm and luxurious atmosphere and I automatically felt at home.</div>
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0MPzF3jTwftk-BgvYB8I25fWQQA6YC-jHvXuxeMjjYLtB0ZeSV_gYaWJI8phvIvyyRenENWAnj9UShMR3RJEyUzhuIzl2KkUf2ZCJkftop5PGX3zaPjVklY4hIF54YGZ3ctwZgXralY9/s400/170.JPG" width="225" /></div>
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*So pretty!*</div>
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBBXrgYup_BEgVTfHAX_rYn7knYRfgDORvJgtfaSfArr1TVKxwUghhynNBsRGd7-MTHX7QM5ed7ALY9_2chrH7N7iWgO3gXOjEpEpuLJUd-kpSBIndMRDxf5itGShxuzGFrwv86TDAzb8/s400/171.JPG" width="225" /></div>
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*I definitely want one of these for my bedroom*</div>
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After checking in and paying the (reasonable) £12 for my breakfast for the next day, I headed up to my sixth floor room where I was greeted with the most unique and sweet room I've stayed in thus far. Plus deep red carpets lined the floor with matching bedding and pillows providing that extra attention to detail that you would expect from a £179 hotel room. Something I found to be quite unusual was the fact that I had a single bed as opposed to the usual double. However, I'm not complaining because the rest of the hotel more than made up for the lacking few inches of mattress width!</div>
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*This is what the room looked like before I properly make myself at home and made the whole thing as messy as my bedroom back home...*</div>
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*I love the decor. Although it is undoubtedly mis-matched I think it looks so gorgeous*</div>
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*This was the view from my bedroom... Look, you can see the BT Tower!*</div>
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<img height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFd-DRfu6GYBDYiSwD9qxpZed-mn_GYbmNmoCzIZtoMTWhv5UbAjfd78oRIZ3T6V1AcpdX8UHEz46p2PP3oyPAuvpWuBF9I2awUuHvfAjB6zpb5N9KjaGJGZ8LXVZwqk3dYzuG0JVp_Z0/s400/165.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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*Russell Square look so very picturesque with all the frost sitting on it*</div>
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*I went to explore my bathroom which I found to be surprisingly large, which works for me as I spend so long getting ready in the bathroom in the morning!*</div>
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*The shower was really powerful and easy to control in terms of temperature... call me an idiot, but this is something that I often struggle with!*</div>
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*I took a quick snap of the toiletries I got provided with. I had a shower gel, shampoo, body lotion and shower cap. As a matter of interest, I didn't find any of these products to be of very good quality... the shower gel and shampoo didn't really lather and none of the products smelt particularly nice although they didn't smell bad either. However, as someone who loves really strong smelling toiletries, this bothered me a little but is practically the only blemish on my stay at Hotel Russell*</div>
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It was nearly time for bed and I hadn't eaten or showered yet, so I opted for room service. I called down to reception and ordered the hot cheese and tomato baguettes and a tonic water. I took a twenty minute shower and by the time I'd dried off and gotten into my pyjamas I had a knock on the door, paid the £19 room service bill and settled down to eat. Sadly, I found that my 'hot' baguette simply was not hot, but on calling down to reception the hotel manager called back within minutes with his sincerest apologies. He asked if I wanted another sandwich and told me he'd give me my money back too. He dealt with me very efficiently and respectfully, so top marks Hotel Russell.<br />
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*My sandwich was lovely even though it was cold*</div>
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After a good night's sleep I headed down for breakfast. The breakfast room looked like small ballroom with a nice big open fire. Again, the room was appropriately decorated from Christmas which put me in such a happy festive mood. The clientèle in the breakfast room appeared to be well-to-do tourists from both inside and outside of the UK. I didn't notice many children... in fact the youngest person I saw in the hotel throughout my three days there was maybe 25 years old. Then again, this could be due to the price tag on a room which I'm sure not many under 25s could afford. The atmosphere was so friendly and almost as soon as I sat down I was offered a steaming hot teapot. The breakfast buffet was literally fantastic and set me up for the rest of the day!</div>
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*Another pretty tree! I love the colour scheme*</div>
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*There was a variety of fruits on offer including prunes, apples, pears, oranges, pineapple and more. Beside the fruit was a couple of different types of yoghurt*</div>
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*The bread and pastry section had white and brown rolls, croissants, pains au chocolat and muffins amongst other things*</div>
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*There was everything which you would expect as part of a full English breakfast... Eggs (both fried and scrambled), mini hash-browns, fried bread, black pudding...*</div>
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*...two types of sausage, bacon, beans, mushrooms, chopped and grilled tomatoes and so on. Plus, there was ketchup, brown sauce and mustard for those that want a bit more flavour. My sauce addiction was satisfied*</div>
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*My favorite area of the buffet was the cold section which included continental meats and cheeses, smoked mackerel, and a variety of cereals and muesli*</div>
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*This was plate on the first day. Each day I tried something different and I can honestly say that everything was very tasty, fresh and hot. I didn't even need lunches while I was at work because I was still so stuffed! Not bad for just £12, is it?*</div>
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The surrounding area of the hotel is great. Although I was in Central London due to the beautiful Russell Square I felt at times like I was staying in some kind of country area. The tube station is literally next door so you can be anywhere in the centre of London in a matter of minutes and if you are interested in walking (as I apparently am) you can be at Oxford Street in twenty minutes by foot. Furthermore, there are numerous restaurants within a five minute radius of the hotel that are really reasonably priced... my friend and I found a little independently-owned Italian restaurant where I managed to get a huge plate of pasta for just £8.<br />
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The general atmosphere of this hotel is very comforting and made me feel like I was someone special being treated to luxury. Even though the hotel is large and has been open for quite some time, the customer service was top notch and the attitude of the staff was reminiscent of that which you would expect from those in a brand new boutique hotel, working hard to impress new customers. My stay at Hotel Russell was a very pleasant one, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a well-located London hotel and I hope to return very soon.<br />
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Have you ever heard of this hotel? What would you have chose from the extensive breakfast buffet? Would you stay at Hotel Russell having read this review?<br />
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Love and snuggles<br />
GabriellaSofia<br />
xGabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7459213053873834467.post-60166326183079040642012-12-19T21:00:00.000+00:002012-12-27T17:26:35.189+00:00Doing Our Bit For Charidee: The Rebel Bear BandI haven't written a Doing Our Bit for Charidee post recently, which I'd like to make a monthly thing of in 2013 because I think it is really important to offer whatever help we can give to those that need it. This post is about a group of bands local to my area who are so compassionate, innovative and driven that they have actually collaborated with one another to write, produce and promote their very own Christmas single of which all the proceeds will be donated to the Joe Gilligan Trust.<br />
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Click 'Play' on this video and once it has started playing, read the rest of this post...<br />
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So who are these amazing musicians? Written by Neon Rouge's Kieran Oakes and Jon Finney, 'Unite' by The Rebel Bear Band features a handful of Stoke-on-Trent's top talent where music is concerned. Aaron Mobberly works with representatives from Vellocet, 3's A Riot, In the Cards, Nuclear Safari, Moscow, The Rat Race and Neon Rouge in order to perform this super-catchy tune which is pretty much going to be the soundtrack of my life for the next month or so.<br />
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In typical Band Aid fashion, each of the singers get a line or two each, join in for the chorus assisted by a choir and are even backed up by Christmassy bells chiming towards the end. 'Unite' is very easy to listen to, and so much fun to sing along with. Its no wonder so many local performers wanted to be involved, this song has the potential to seriously put the Stoke-on-Trent music scene on the map!<br />
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Please click <a href="http://rebelbear.bandcamp.com/">here</a> to download the track. It will only set you back by a single £1 coin (or more if you choose to be really generous and donate a bit extra) the profits of which will go to the Joe Gilligan Trust. If you have never heard of this charity before, please head over to <a href="http://www.joegilligantrust.com/home.html">their website</a>. This charity is particularly near to my heart, as Joe Gilligan was the son of my favorite teacher and we were in the orchestra together. Sadly, Joe passed away just over three years ago. His parents, my teacher, created the charity in order to support and improve the lives of young cancer sufferers nationwide. As Joe was an avid musician, it makes sense that local young musicians have supported the cause so admirably, so I just wanted to write this post to back them up even further. The fact is that cancer doesn't care who you are, how many years you have lived or what you are into. All of us know at least one person who has suffered cancer, so it really is in all our best interest to donate at least £1 to The Rebel Bear Band's song 'Unite'. Please be generous, dig deep and have a Merry Christmas :)<br />
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How much have you donated? What do you think of the song? Have you ever created your own charity project?<br />
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Love and snuggles<br />
GabriellaSofia<br />
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GabriellaSofiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643825186661877656noreply@blogger.com0