Movie Review: Paper Towns 8/10

Paper Towns is another in the string of John Green book adaptations which will inevitably grow longer. And with good reason. We have already been blessed with the amazing "The Fault In Our Stars" and now we have "Paper Towns" to fall in love with.

I'll start by saying please read the book first because it really does make a different to your enjoyment of the film. I read the book a while ago and I was quite let down by it, I invested hours and hours into the books pages and I was hopelessly in love with the story and the characters. But the ending really let me down, it felt dragged out and the books message felt lost within the rambling conclusion. I came away feeling sort of cheated out of my ending! 

This film fixes that for me. The ending was ever so slightly changed in a way that completely gave me the ending I wanted from the book. For this reason, I loved this film more than someone who hasn't read the book if that makes any sense? I just feel like if you didn't have that let down in the back of your mind, you wouldn't have felt so happy with the ending. Not because it was bad but because you wouldn't appreciate it as much. 

Lets talk a little about the actors and the characters. I love Nat Wolff (top right), I think he is a great actor and he plays the prefect under dog type character, he is truly great in this role. Cara Delevingne (top left) had me feeling pretty apprehensive because she hasn't acted much before. I tried my best not to judge her to harshly and I think she did a good job but she didn't blow me away. I do think the two main characters were well chosen and acted but I was especially impressed with the supporting characters. I think they were all amazingly cast and all the characters were so well developed, I really think all the casting was superb which was a relief to me because I feel like book adaptations always miss the mark here. 

Ultimately, Paper Towns is a beautiful tale of growing up, falling in love and growing into your own person. It has been adapted from book to movie really well and the subtle changed actually improved it, I hate when books are changed for the movie but in this case it was the best decision.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film and I left the cinema feeling really warm and fuzzy. I would definitely recommend it!

I am now going to read the whole of John Greens back catalogue in preparation for the inevitable future adaptions coming our way.

Thanks for reading!

Make-Up Review: Tanya Burr Cosmetics - Hollywood Eye Palette

I love Tanya Burr and have been watching her youtube videos for ages but when she first released her cosmetics line I was a little let down, Im not a lipgloss fan, I don't wear nail varnish very often because of my job and I hate false eye lashes. 

So, when I heard she was releasing eyeshadow palette I almost peed myself with excitement. 

My absolute favourite make-up item to buy and own is eyeshadow, especially palettes because they just feel luxurious and full of possibilities. You can create so many looks with the right palette and I just think you can never have enough. 

Of course, on the day of release I went out in the pouring rain and drove to my local Superdrug store. I scoured the aisles in search of the new range and couldn't find it! I was getting quite angry when finally I saw the range on the lowest shelf tucked away under some Zoella Beauty items, this infuriated me as I almost left empty handed! 

I expected myself to be completely crazed, throw all the items in my basket and go running to the till but actually, I was a little disappointed on first look. The colours are very basic and the saver in me got the better of me as I decided that I already owned such similar colours in other palettes so I just didn't need them all. The palettes contain greys, black, silver, gold and browns. All beautiful but nothing new. Eventually I decided on the Hollywood eye palettes as the "enchantment" shade looked gorgeous and glamorous and I felt that I didn't have another shadow like it.

The Packaging

Ok, I like the packaging. I don't think it has that luxurious feel that I like in an eyeshadow palette but considering the amazingly cheap £6.00 price tag, I think that the packaging is cute, classy and functional. I can imagine this looking lovely on a teenage girls dressing table. I however, as a 23 year old, will probably keep in the a draw. Simply because it doesn't match the other items I have on my dressing table. 

The Eyeshadows 

The palette included four colours that all match and can be used together to create an array of different looks. The back of the palette does explain the recommended way to use the four colours but there are multiple ways this can be used. You can go bold, you go everyday and you can go somewhere in between.

Nude Delight - A buttery yellow based nude

Gold Coin - A caramel gold with slight shimmer

Enchantment - A chunky glitter bronze gold

Bookworm - Light cocoa brown

In the pan, Enchantment and Gold Coin look really pretty and glamorous, they have glitter and shimmer and I thought that these would be the stand outs in the palette. Nude Delight and Bookworm look very basic but none the less, pretty. 

The Texture/Colour Pay Off

Enchantment      Bookworm      Gold Coin      Nude Delight

Wow! The colour pay off is incredible! They are all super pigmented and much more intense than the price tag would suggest. The texture (mostly) is extremely buttery smooth and lovely to apply but one downfall is that they MUST be applied with your finger. 

None of these shadows can be applied with a brush, despite there buttery texture, they still crumb off the brush and don't plant on the skin at all. The first time I used this palette I used a Eco Tools brush and I was incredibly disappointed. There was little to no pay off and I was really disheartened. After some experimentation however, I found that if you use your fingers to apply then these are dreamy. So pigmented and the texture is super lovely.

This fact does bother me a little as I feel like I can't get right into the socket with my fingers and it also makes blending difficult. However, Enchantment which is the colour I was most excited for is a completely different texture to all the other shades. It contains a lot of chunky glitter which has made the shadow really dry and brittle, mine has already crumbled in the pan and I didn't drop it, it just crumbled when I rubbed my finger in it.

The Wear Time

I wore Nude Delight and Gold Coin to work last night, I am a waitress and I worked a 6 hour shift with sweat dripping down my face. I did use Urban Decay Primer Potion as a base but when I got home, the shadows looked as good as when I applied them. So Im very pleased!

My Favourites

Bookworm and Nude Delight are actually much to my surprise, my favourites. They are so wearable and creamy, perfect for everyday wear. I think on lazy makeup days, I will definitely use these shades as quick colours just to wipe over the whole lid. 

Overall 

I think this is a nice little palette. The price is great for young people and the colours are great for young people. I don't think it will become one of my favourite palettes as I feel that there are a lot of better options available but for £6.00, Im glad that I now own it. 

I believe in Tanya and her range so I am very excited to see what comes next!

Book Review: All The Bright Place - By Jennifer Niven

I'll be honest, I heard about this book in total fan girl fashion through a Zoe Sugg (Zoella) favourites video. I thought to myself "I haven't read a book in a while, lets give this a go" and I am so glad I did because it is one of the best books I've ever read. 

This book tells the tale of Violet Markey and Theodore Finch. Violet was once one of the popular girls at school until the day she and her older sister were in a car accident and her sister tragically died. Violet became shy and scared of living due to this life changing event. Finch however has been known as a "Freak" for the majority of his time at school, he is found to have a difficult family life and we learn that he has constant suicidal thoughts. 

The two meet a top a bell tower, both there to feel how it feels before you jump to your death. Neither intending to do it but for both it is a cry for help. Finch talks a scared Violet down from the ledge and from there the embark on the road to healing each other.

This book will make you cry, you will fall in love with the characters then have your emotions toyed with. But I can guarantee you will enjoy every minute of it.

The outcome of the book is extremely bitter sweet but it is also satisfying in its conclusion. I don't want to give to much away but it is a beautiful story of two people who find peace within each other. 

I never read books more than once but this one I will definitely read again.

Buy it, read it, falling in love with it.

Buy Here 

Primark PS Love Skin Care Haul / Mini Review

You won't see many skin care post on this blog because I don't take care of my skin. Im sure you are all gasping and wondering what the hell is wrong with me but I'm lazy and I'm lucky enough to have really good skin naturally.

I got a few spots and dry skin in my teen years but now days I have pretty much clear and moisturised skin without the help of any fancy skin care routine. On a day to day basic I use a makeup wipe to remove my makeup then just some soap and water. But I'm 23 now so I think its about time I start taking care of my skin so I don't end up leather faced and hideous. 

However, I didn't think splashing out on expensive skin care that might not work for me, I need to experiment a little and find the right things for me. I've been using the Primark makeup wipes for years and although they have done nothing specifically good for my skin, they haven't broken me out either so I thought that starting with Primark's new skin range would be a good place to begin. 

I'll talk you through what I bought I what my initial thoughts are..

Peppermint Softening Foot Scrub

I have ugly feet like most people do so I thought this would be a good idea. I'm on my feet a lot so I have hard skin on my heels and I can get blisters quite often, this scrub is really gritty so it feels really nice to scrub it into the skin after a long day.  I feels like its doing something and it feels good but I'm not sure that it actually is doing something. The process of doing it feels like a little foot massage though so i'll definitely keep using it.

Gentle Eye MakeUp Remover

I'm used to waking up with panda eyes because makeup wipes just don't get the job done. This stuff really does get off tough mascara and the result is that I look so much fresher in the mornings. This remover does work and for a tiny £1.50 it is totally worth it. Only downside is that it is in no way gentle, if you get this in your eyes it will sting like a bitch. 

Gentle Cleansing Foaming Wash

I get severe oily skin, especially after a long shift at work. Soap and water really doesn't feel refreshing enough when my skin is so oily and sweaty. I like this, it is foamy when you squirt it out and it foams up further as it is massaged into the skin, it cleans all the oil away and it leaves the skin feeling great. This feeling doesn't last long though which is a slight let down. 

Oil Balancing Facial Wash

This is the biggest let down of the lot, it doesn't lather well and it isn't oil balancing. It does clean my face but the the Foaming Wash is better and i'll probably just use that instead. 

I am pleasantly surprised by the range, it isn't the best and I'm sure there are much better products on the market but for the tiny price tag, I think these products are pretty great. If you are a skin care newbie like me then this is a great place to start. If you only buy one thing from the range let it be the eye makeup remover, just don't get it in your eyes! You might go blind.

Let me know if you would like an update when I have been using these for a little longer! And if you have a budget skin care suggestion for me to try, I'd love to hear it!

Thanks For Reading!

Music Review: Melanie Martinez - Cry Baby 9.9/10

I haven't done an album review on this blog in so so long! But, I really enjoy doing them so I will try my very best to do them more often. Melanie's debut album is perfect to start this series off with! 

It is important to note that this is a concept album which in this case means that the album tells a story from start to finish, Cry Baby is a character who has had a difficult upbringing and the track in order tells her tale. It is a very twisted, violent and emotional tale. I really love this about this album, you feel a huge connection to Cry Baby and so the album becomes both music but also a story. It is a whole experience. I suggest that the album is listened to in order and that you listen to the deluxe edition because it is the best way to experience Cry Baby's tale. 

It kills me that Melanie's music is not more well known because this album is just incredible! I also recently posted a blog post talking about the singles and promotion singles for this album so have a look back on that post for more information on the build up to this gem.

1. Cry Baby

The opening track introduces us to Cry Baby herself. Melanie begins to build the bridge between herself and Cry Baby giving the impression that they are the same person. Cry Baby is alone in the world, she has lost everything and everyone, she cries through the pain. This song is really great, it is actually a very empowering song..

They call you cry baby
Cry baby
But you don't fucking care
Cry baby, cry baby
So you laugh through your tears

...The chorus (above) is a very simple shout to the world that she doesn't care anymore, she doesn't give a fuck that people call her a Cry Baby, instead she embraces it and she wears it like an armour so people can't get close to her. 

I look at you and
I see myself
I know you better
Than anyone else

(Above) These lyrics are our first sign that Melanie and Cry Baby are the same person. This is a deep running theme through out the album and listening for these clues is an amazing part of this album and one reason why I love it so much.

This some is very simple is composition and repetitive in its lyrics but this is what makes it such a great opening track. It really imbeds Cry Baby into your mind.

A hauntingly beautiful opener. 

2.Dollhouse

This is the song that started my love for Melanie. I heard it by chance a while back and just fell in love and I have been anticipating the release of this album since. It is haunting and intense, the instruments sound like a child's fantasy coming to life. This song is a little story in itself, it sings of Cry Baby's family life. Her cheating father, oblivious vindictive mother, drug addicted brother and this mysterious event that occurs in the family kitchen. It sings of this perfect family being portrayed to the world when the truth is very different. I think it is a very relatable song and it is incredible catchy.

Places, places, get in your places

Throw on your dress and put on your doll faces.

Everyone thinks that we're perfect

Please don't let them look through the curtains

3. Sippy Cup

This so is one of my favourites, it is a follow on from Dollhouse in that it finally tells you what happened in the infamous kitchen. It is chock full of metaphors and dark intense lyrics, the song is very simple in its structure, it combines gentle claps and the sounds of a dripping tap. The main focus is on the lyrics, it is a song you need to listen to and take in. You get to know the family a little better and what happened in that house becomes known and it builds the foundation to Cry Baby's mental health. 

He's still dead when you're done with the bottle

Of course it's a corpse that you keep in the cradle

Kids are still depressed when you dress them up

Syrup is still syrup in a sippy cup

4. Carousel

Carousel starts to show Cry Baby trying to live her life and overcome what has happened to her. She meets a boy and falls in love but of course, it isn't as it seems. She cant quite reach him, they cant quite make it work. These feelings are expressed with the metaphor of being glued on tight to this carousel, the song uses carnival sounds and carnival themes to explain her feelings towards the situation with this boy. The song is fantastic, it has become my new theme song I will think of when I think of carnivals. 

5. Alphabet Boy

This song is an addictive one but it is also the most distant on the album. It talks of Cry Baby's struggle with presumably the same boy as in Carousel, his being a lot smarter than her and not letting her forget it. It is one of the only songs that isn't sinister and dark which is a nice way to break up the album a little. What makes this song great however, is the use of letters. The lyrics are a play on the alphabet and it is really fun to listen for. 

6. Soap

Another one of my favourites, it is riddled with metaphors and sounds of popping bubbles. It is beautifully structured and the perfect bath time anthem. Cry Baby sings of having told this boy she loves him and wishing she hadn't because she didn't get the response she wanted. I think is something we can all relate with and the soap metaphors are perfect to describe the feeling. 

Should've never said the word "love"
Threw a toaster in the bathtub
I'm sick of all the games I have to play

7. Training Wheels

Continuing the love theme, we have the only slow song on the album. She is now begging this boy to love her back, telling him she isn't asking for much, just to know what he cares as much as she does. It is a really vulnerable song and it makes you really feel for Cry Baby. You start to see the gentle loving side of her. This isn't one of the best songs on the album but I feel it was a necessary one in order to show us another side of our lead character.

Love everything you do
When you call me fucking dumb for the stupid shit I do
I wanna ride my bike with you

8. Pity Party

Pity Party is the albums lead single and its a good one. I feel like its a little out of place with the albums story because one minute she is talking about a boy she loves then all of a sudden she is throwing a birthday party with no mention of him. Did they break up? I guess they did. The song uses an interpolation of Lesley Gore's classic “It's My Party“ and at first this felt boring and over used to me but on further listens I feel in love with it. It is a playful but also childishly upsetting, it is a great leading single as it does give a good inside look to Cry Baby's life.

9. Tag, You're It

Cry Baby's life now goes from bad to worse when she is attacked and supposedly raped by a stranger. Poor Cry Baby has been fighting for happiness through out the duration of this album and now she is receiving a further blow. This song is very dark and again shows our lead characters vulnerability. This is another favourite for me, its starts a new chapter in her tale. 

Rolling down your tinted window
Driving next to me real slow, he said
"Let me take you for a joyride
I've got some candy for you inside"

10. Milk and Cookies

Milk and Cookies is a follow on from Tag, You're It. It seems that her attacker has kidnaped her and is making her be with him, he is keeping her captive in his home. But Cry Baby's had enough, she lets her inner demon out and she poisons him with cookies she has made. She murders him in order to escape, much like her mother killed her father. She is becoming the one thing she never wanted to be. Her mother. I love this song, it is both depressing and empowering.

Ooh, honey do you want me now?
Can't take it anymore, need to put you to bed
Sing you a lullaby where you die at the end

11. Pacify Her

Cry Baby is taking love a little more seriously now, she isn't a victim anymore. She is making someone else the victim and viciously taking someone another girls man. Cry Baby is telling this man to get rid of her, she doesn't say it but it feels like she is saying that if he doesn't then she will. And I very much doubt this would be in a nice way. Cry Baby is becoming her worst nightmare, she is showing her mental health issues so clearly now. This is an amazingly sinister track. 

12. Mrs Potato Head

In all honestly, I'm not sure how this song follows the story but I also don't care because it is the best song on the whole album. It is sinister, depressing and provides a huge dose of sickening reality. And of course, full of metaphors again. If you only listen to one song from this album, let this be it.

Oh Mrs. Potato Head tell me, is it true that pain is beauty?
Does a new face come with a warranty?
Will a pretty face make it better?
Oh Mr. Potato Head tell me
How did you afford her surgery?
Do you swear you'll stay forever
Even if her face don't stay together
Even if her face don't stay together

13. Mad Hatter

Mad Hatter rounds off the album main track listing perfectly but finally Cry Baby finally confessing that she is crazy. He and Melanie are one person and every friends she has is both imaginary and as crazy as she is. She has finally accepted that she is not sane and she isn't like everybody else, she is herself and she has been shaped by everything that has happened to her. And she accepts it. This song feels and sounds manic and crazy, it takes its influence from Alice in Wonderland and the metaphor works perfectly. 

Where is my prescription?
Doctor, doctor please listen
My brain is scattered
You can be Alice,
I'll be the mad hatter.

Bonus Tracks

14. Play Date

Every album has to have a let down right? This is it. It's just not good. This is the only reason I didn't rate this album a 10/10

15. Teddy Bear

These bonus tracks don't seem to follow Cry Baby's story but instead they seem to act as stand alone tales. This song is probably one the most amazing albums on the album and easily one of my favourites. Cry Baby sings of a man she loves and shared her life with turning against her and trying to kill her. Poor Cry Baby just had no luck with men! 

Teddy bear, you are my teddy bear
You were comforting and quiet
How did love become so violent?
Oh, teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
Everything was so sweet until you tried to kill me

16. Cake

Don't give up on this one! It takes a few listens to see it but this is a great song. At first I didn't like it but it is a deep complex song and it requires a good few listens to take in all the sounds and lyrics to really appreciate it. The classical piano sounds at the beginning are beautiful and hypnotic. This is a great song to finish of the bonus tracks.

Your skin is warm like an oven
Your kiss is sugary sweet
Your fingers feel like cotton
When you put your arms around me
I feel like I'm just missing
Something whenever you leave
We've got all the ingredients
Except you loving me
And respectfully...

Wow! That was a long post and I'm sorry that it became less of a review and more of an explanation to each song but I feel with this album the story being told is the most important aspect. Don't think that the songs aren't equality as pleasing to the ear though, this is a great album and so close to being perfection. This album is consistent all the way through, it is a truly incredible listen.

Purchase Here

COLLABORATION WITH: ROHMA MALIK - DIOR LOOK FOR LESS

I have teamed up with blogger Rohma Malik to bring each others viewers a post based on creating budget friendly makeup looks for London Fashion Week. 

Have a read of Rohma’s post below and if you love it, check out her blog! 

While you there, have a read of my Green Grunge Catwalk Colour post that I have written for Rohma's readers!

Enjoy! 

Hey! 

I hope you guys are all well and awesome. Can you believe we are now at the middle of August?! Fashion Month is just around the corner and if I was to say I'm not excited I'd be lying. Never have I been more excited than this year. For those of you who do not know, I am a Swedish fashion blogger based in London and this year The Swedish School of Textiles are showcasing at Fashion Scouts #Representing

Now if like me you find yourself stuck on what to do with your make-up don't worry. For here you have your very step-by-step guide on how to  create a A/W 15/16 Dior runway look for less. So no matter what, these products are super affordable (perfect for those student fashionistas out there). 

1. Start by applying the 'light' foundation stick (Primark) and blend using a damp beauty blender.

2. Use the 'Clear Complexion' face powder (Rimmel) to set the foundation.

3. Using the 'Poptastic' pallette (MUA), dampen your eye shadow brush and apply the deepest shade of purple. 

4. Use the 'Matte Bronzer' (Beauty UK) and apply it along the cheeks and nose. Do not over contour as the Dior look is very pale and natural, making the features less defined (resulting in the eyes being the main attraction). 

5. Using an eye brow brush and a shadow darker than your original, go along your natural shape and fill in your eyebrows. I used the natural collections duo as I find it both long lasting and pigmented. 

6. Apply your blush lightly along your cheeks (not on your chin). This blush is part of the 17 range and is very pigmented (therefore only use a light amount).

So there you have it, six easy steps to get the Dior runway look. 

Why not check out this link and feed your creative addiction: https://rohma0malik.wordpress.com/

Movie Review: Inside Out 0/10

Let me start by saying that I have never been so let down in my whole life, ever. I have never reviewed any film as a 0 because I always try and find some redeeming quality in a film but this just didn't have any redeeming qualities at all. 

I also think the world must be full of idiots because I have read so many glowing reviews, I was convinced it would be a great film based on the reviews alone. I should have known really, animated films have been pitiful recently. Who saw Home? That film was horrible but again was reviewed so well and I thought it was the most boring thing ever.

Inside Out follows the life of a young girl called Riley, the film starts with a baby Riley being born and shows the emotion Joy manifest inside Riley's mind. Joy is then joined one by one by the rest of Riley's emotions, these emotions run Riley's mind. They are a part of her and they are responsible for the smooth running of her mind. 

Now, this idea sounded really good to me, it felt unique and really interesting. But somehow it was completely rubbish. Despite the unique story line, it still managed to be a huge cliche. Every line, every character, every inch of the film was one giant cliche. 

I just hated it. 

Im just really ashamed and disappointed in Disney Pixar, how can the makers of such incredible films such as Up and Toy Story release something so genuinely awful?!

Well, heres hoping the next Pixar effort is better!

Thanks For Reading!

Wishlist: Rose Gold/Copper

One          Two          Three          Four

Rose Gold and Copper have been a huge thing for a while now but I have only recently fallen head over heels in love with it. 

These are the four items I have been lusting over, a very broad variety of objects that I am dying to fill my life with. My boyfriend bought me a gorgeous rose gold Olivia Burton watch for my birthday and since then I have been looking for a simple ring to match, I have definitely found it in this amazingly classy Pandora bow ring. 

The frame and the clock are too incredibly pretty not to buy, I just need them. I think my home needs a more girly, sophisticated touch and these items will definitely bring that in heaps.

In a moment of madness I decided to have an orange and green theme in my kitchen, it felt jazzy and retro at the time but now it feels tacky and childish. I am seriously considering a complete kitchen over hall, starting with this incredible pots set. Aren't they just beautiful?!

On another note, I am furiously searching the net to find a rose gold/copper based eyeshadow palette. The closest thing I can find is Urban Decay Naked 3 but for some reason, Im just not feeling it. If you have a suggestion, please tell me in the comments below! 

Music Appreciation: Melanie Martinez

I have done music reviews on this blog before but this post will be a little different. It doesn't require a review as such because I couldn't possibly rate it anything other than a 10. 

Melanie Martinez was a contestant on the American version of The Voice, she didn't win but she did extremely well in the competition. I am obviously not american so I never watched the series, I found Melanies music by chance and a while after it was released.

I came across the song "Dollhouse" on youtube and I must have watched the video on repeat a million times. The song is insanely addictive, haunting and the lyrics beautifully complex. The music video for the song is completely different from anything I've ever seen, it depicts Melanie as a doll living in a dolls house but this is a child like cover for a damaged family life in which the lyrics tell the story of. 

Dollhouse lead me to falling in love with the rest of the EP, aptly names Dollhouse EP. It is an incredible collection of songs, I couldn't even highlight a favourite track because every song is just so insanely good. It is a must listen. 

Melanie has a new album coming out later this month and has been slowly releasing singles and promotional singles. I genuinely spend my life these days refreshing internet pages to see if she has a new song out yet, I am addicted to the album and I haven't even heard it yet. So far she has released...

1. Pity Party

2. Soap

3. Sippy Cup

Every song that is released is better than the one before, Im not sure how the next song could possibly be more incredible but I am already certain it will be. The name of the album is...

OMG! Even the cover art fills me with excitement. Just look at how unique and amazingly pretty it is! As you can probably tell, Melanie's theme of sorts is children and childlike imagery used to explore very adult themes such as murder and adultery. The way she uses the opposing themes to tell a story makes her music so unique, the way she fully absorbs herself in her character. Melanie has revealed through her twitter account that the album will tell a story beginning to end and this fact excites me to no end! 

I couldn't end this post without discussing Sippy Cup, this song is the most amazing thing I have heard in a while. The song is thought to be a follow on from the story told in Dollhouse, Dollhouse sings about a family who are hiding problems behind closed doors. Sippy Cup continues this story by telling what actually happened behind those doors. It is a slow paced, tension building, dark and twisted tale and I am in love.

Melanie Martinez is my new addiction and I guarantee she will also be yours.

Follow this link to Melanie's youtube channel and let the binge listening commence.