Italy and Style

I have just returned from a trip to Italy, and had a wonderful time, as ever. Here are a few pictures that really capture the elegance and style of a beautiful, and very sophiscated country.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas!

Miss V x

Please, let's just cut the bullsh*t

Honesty, that old chestnut. We've all been lectured about its value &importance, and how, invariably, it is very wrong to lie. If you've been lied to, I'm betting you didn't like it much. Yet, even if we don't do it in the cheating, dishonest, immoral way, all of us are prone to inauthenticity. What I mean by 'inauthenticity' is a different, and a little more subtle rendering to the common understanding of 'lying', but I think it's important, so bear with me.

Recently, I had a discussion with someone- the topic is irrelevant, and a little contentious, so let's leave that behind- and, we were clearly at odds with one another. He said one thing, I argued another, and so it continued. Yet, having had far too many conversations in which either I or the other person water down our opinions and judgements to 'soften the blow',  I found it incredibly refreshing (and enjoyable) to speak to someone who had confidence in their conviction, and didn't feel the urge to present an inauthentic or diluted version of his beliefs for the sake of mine. The simple fact is, by being truthful with one another about our views, we knew exactly where the other stood, and neither of us had to sift through a veil of 'holding back' in order to work out what the other really thought. 

Thinking about the idea of honesty more closely, the need to cut the bullsh*t, and not dumb down what we really mean isn't just necessary in debate, but on pretty much every level of our daily conduct. From the people too frightened or intimidated to say exactly what it is that they want to do with themselves, to the types prone to stringing paramours along by dancing around their real desires, we could all do with being more authentic. Think how much simpler our days &lives would be if we didn't succumb to a perceived need to mask our true feelings or intentions for whatever reason we may deem valid.

Proof in point: I've listened to friends ranting about what they 'really, really wanted to say' to the object of said rant, and then, chastising themselves for not being as frank as they wanted to be. Personally, I've found myself- far too often- walking away from an encounter with someone I really wanted to be frank &open with, whether I could have told them that I think they're quite brilliant, and would like to be more than friends, that they're a prize idiot, or whatever else.

If frustration comes from not getting what we want, or not knowing where we stand, it seems simple enough that the solution lies in not shirking away from the real madness/severity/hopefulness of what we want to say &just coming out with it. I reckon we'd be much less frustrated, ergo happier. Maybe my insistence is a symptom of my naive optimism, but I can't help but think that my little theory might work. Why not try it out? Go on, I dare you.

Miss D x

Rimmel's Scandaleyes Kohl eyeliner

Merry Christmas one and all :) while travelling abroad I have a few moments to blog, so thought I would tell you about the latest product I am RAVING about! It is Rimmel's Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl eyeliner. I have heard some great reviews about this eyeliner, so I wanted to try it for myself. Before, I was using MAC's eyeliner in 'engraved', which is a great eyeliner (especially for contact wearers like myself !) , but of course costs a little more. It also has the tendency to smudge towards the end of the day, so I wanted a budge-proof eyeliner on a budget. This eyeliner definately ticks all the boxes! It gives quite a smokey finish, which I like as I hate it when eyeliners look too harsh and artificial. This is therefore briliiant for taking a look from day to night, as I think it is perfect for a stunning day time look, as well as highly suited for an evening out. Do go and buy, at £3.99 why wouldn't you ?!

For more info and colour options, click here for the Rimmel site.

Miss V x

'Hurts' are back- happy days (no, really)

Remember their evocative, emotional belter of an album of 2010? Well, the two-man act are back to deliver another dose of moody but romantic feeling. Judging from the trailer for 'Exile', it won't disappoint. Excited? I am. 

Sadly, however, we're going to have to wait until March 2013 to get our hands on their second instalment, but in the meantime, 'The Road' is available to download on iTunes- get in there.

Miss D x

Beauty Hints for Christmas

As a treat for all of our readers, I thought I would share with you 15 beauty tips that will leave you feeling really quite beautiful this Christmas time. Enjoy, and do let me know what you think!

1st - Always keep a lip balm in your coat pocket. Your lips never have to be dry again  - and it is a must for sealing lip stain colours. My favourite - Carmex. Cult classic.

2nd - Coconut oil on the ends of your hair. Apply a small amount after shampooing. Either wash out or leave in, depending on how dry your hair is.

3rd - You don't need to buy a seperate eye primer in my opinion - just dab some of your normal primer (eg. Benefit Pore Professional) on your lids, and your colour will stay all day.

4th - Layer your mascaras for the ultimate impact eyelashes. The different textures of the products will create a dramatic look, that is often not achieved by one mascara alone.

5th - Moisturize your hands last thing at night. This cold weather means hands are so dry, and you are left with unsightly cuticles.

6th - Mix facial oil with your normal moisturizer, and ta da  - you have a night cream, without having to buy a different product or compromise on your normal skin routine.

7th - Recently the lovely staff in Liz Earle told me that their spritzer version of their skin tonic can be sprayed over make up to set it - and it really works! My make up stayed in place and my skin looked glowing.

8th - Drink lots of water. This time of year, we are enjoying ourselves more, but somehow thinking less about the affects it has on our skin.

9th - Find out what hair type you have, and stick to a shampoo for that hair type. Specialist brands, such as Liz Earle, have really great ranges. Understanding the type of hair you have is half the battle to maintaining great hair. The Body Shop also do fantastic hair products, also paraben free.

10th - Make sure you keep your mobile phone and laptop as clean as possible. The bacteria from these appliances can make us break out if they come into contact with our face, which is never a good look at all the Christmas parties.

11th - When life is hectic, give yourself a home spa treatment. Steam your face with a bowl and a towel, and put lavender essential oil (few drops) in the bath. After a face mask too, you will feel relaxed and pampered.

12th -Double cleanse. We often think we have got all our make up off the first time, but often we have not truly cleansed our faces, which can lead to breakouts. To know whether you have really cleaned all your make up away, swipe your face with a cotton pad soaked in a gentle toner.

13th - Concealer under the eyebrows gives the appearance of structure to the face.

14th- Bronzer is not just a summer product. Often looks more natural than blusher.

15th - The true key to radiance this time of year, is to have fun, be thankful and enjoy the Christmas Time :)

Miss V x

Beauty Mart, the ultimate shopping experience

A few weeks back, I visited the latest craze to hit Harvey Nichols - their Beauty Mart. Of course, we all know their long established glamorous beauty floor that hits you as soon as you enter their doors, but this is something completely new.

A few floors up and you come across lots of make up. Not your Chanels, nor your Clinques, but a menagerie of really quite good makes, with plenty of testers to try there and then. I really fell in love with the fun element of this little pop up shop - after chatting to the very helpful assistant for some time, she encouraged me to try some of the nail varnishes, open up tester bottles and just generally really enjoy the make up boutique. It felt like someones make up collection rather than a shop, and this personal element made the afternoon care-free and all about discoveries of great new brands. Another big plus of the shop is the fact that the prices are incredibly reasonable, so one can have the 'Harvey Nicks' experience, without the Harvey Nicks expenditure. Do go and visit  - and make the most of shopping for make up!

Miss V x

The man who gave the sitar to the west

This morning brought the news that one of India's greatest, Pandit Ravi Shankar, had passed away. Since then, I've seen countless tributes to the musical genius, all of which serve as a reassuring reminder of the legacy he's left behind. This is how I'll remember him.

My parents introduced me to Ravi Shankar's music when I was little, and I vividly remember his jangly sitar strumming  from the CD player in our living room on a nearly constant basis. To me, he was the guy who made classical Indian music cool, not only because of his insurmountable mastery of the sitar (a damn difficult instrument to play, trust me), but also how he smoothly delivered India's musical heritage to the West. As early as the 1950's Pandit Ravi Shankar worked closely with musical greats of the West, including John Coltrane, Philip Glass and, not forgetting, of course, George Harrison. Theirs was spiritually potent and personally close relationship that has left a lasting imprint on Indian music and demonstrated the ease with which two traditions can mingle, making something of the best of both. 

I know it's a desperately cheesy thing to say, but we were lucky to have him for ninety-two years. Few musical careers last longer than a couple, so to see a man and his sitar blend effortlessly into anything from a performance at the Sydney Opera House, to the muddy Woodstock field in 1969, is quite brilliant. 

So, thank you, Pandit Ji, you wonder.

{Via Gabrielle Smith on Pinterest}

Here's a little something for your eyes&ears, from The Concert for Bangladesh, 1970. Enjoy.

Miss D

Look no further for beauty news!

It is getting mighty blustery out there! So a winter treat for you is to spend a few moments looking at the Telegraph beauty pages of their website. The other evening I found myself not only topping up my news- tank with the latest stories of what is happening around the globe, but also thought I would see if they could tell me anything brilliant to do with beauty. And they did.

I am already going through the archives and keeping a mental record of some of these bits of invaluable beauty-info. Everything is here, from a history of iconic beauty products, to what the stars are using, and my favourite - a list of priceless beauty hints and tricks.


Go see for yourself! Meanwhile - anyone have any good beauty tips they want to share on our blog?! Do comment below, we love hearing from you :)

Miss V x

Listening: Talk to the ear, not the hand.

It is a very intimate, kind and considerate act when you properly listen to someone. It is just not something we always do with sincerity. How much do you really listen to those that want to be heard?

If we are down, or have data we need to download, we hope for someone’s full attention when we are talking to them about what is making us anxious/ upset/ gloomy. Often we are needing a different perspective, or a sympathetic companion, who is happy to listen to our heartfelt tale to be told. However, in today’s world, are we really there enough for our friends? We need to ask ourselves: are we actually listening to the ones who are trying to speak most to us? If we choose not to listen, this is a decision that has a motive behind it, and may be at times justifiable. The problem is a lot of the time we are not even noticing that our mind is wandering when we are spoken to, as we are too busy often thinking about our own concerns, our own lives and our own hardships.

Have you ever been talking to someone who isn’t meeting your gaze, who is psychologically ‘elsewhere’ and isn’t hiding it very well? It can be awkward and upsetting. Yet, this is something we all suffer with! None of us want to be a vacant friend but our lives are so busy we do end up this way and we become less close to those we care about. There is a presumption that a quick Lunch catch up with a friend suffices, or an after work drink will be all that is needed to get the jist of our friends lives. The social gathering might have been good fun. But, we then wonder why we grow apart. Could it be that we are just not listening to the lives of those we are concerned with most?  I think we can all really be deeper friends if we suspend our own lives for those moments when we are really needed. Even if by listening, we say nothing at all.

When a friend wants to chat, and it isn’t over the latest episode of 90210, really listen. Immersing yourself in the thoughts of others can be very releasing for you and whatever is challenging you as well. Want to know what it would be like to be someone else? Lose yourself in what they are saying, and imagine how they feel.  A friend indeed is one who listens to a friend in need.

Miss V x

India Jane Interiors

If you ever walk past one of the many India Jane shops, and you have some time to get lost in the beautifully stylish world of interiors that it offers, then don't hesitate to go in. It is the place to day dream about what you would like your home to look like - where there is gorgeous lighting everywhere and glass glinting from every  beautiful table. Who wouldn't accept your invitation to dinner with a table setting like this?

Miss V x

Please, don't ever ask me when I want to have kids

Dear reader, I warn you, what you've just stumbled across is a (well reasoned) rant. Brace yourself, I'm a woman with a point to make &my gosh I'm not backing down.

Now, this rant isn't unprovoked. Worryingly, since I turned 21, I've had more than couple of people remind me that 'the clock is ticking' and that I really should step up the hunt for a mate. I have been able to think of countless ways to rebuff this recurring statement, but, due to social propriety, I have refrained from saying what I really think until now.

So here goes...

I see my situation: I'm 23, still a student, have pretty much no idea where I'll be this time next year, &would much rather get my own stuff together before I even think about inviting a spouse &infant into the equation, if I ever do.

In juxtaposition, I'm beginning to see Facebook photo albums of my school-friend's weddings. Needless, to say, it looks like the ante is very much in need of upping. I'm happy for them &I wish them and their spouses well; yet, despite the promise of a lifetime of happiness &babies these couples display, I have no desire to follow suit any time soon, nor am I going to hinge my future plans on my body clock or fertility rate. Why? Because, dare I say it, I'm not entirely sure that I want children. Don't get me wrong, kids can be cute&I can appreciate that they can add a lovely sort of value to human life. By being a parent, one can learn to love unconditionally, &I can see that the idea of bringing life into the world is wonderful one. But, there are other things I would much rather do than procreate.

Thanks to the wonder that is 'How to be a Woman', I am now unequivocally certain that, far too often, human life (more so a woman's life) is valued (in part) on a desire to have children. I get it, mothers are wise, wonderful beings, and maybe one day the idea will appeal to me more. Yet, I cannot believe that motherhood is the ultimate achievement for a woman: fulfilling a natural &biological urge. Surely there are other significant and socially relevant ways in which we can add value to our lives, and feel a glow of  'yes, I did something worthwhile today'? As Cailtin Moran puts it:

'Whilst motherhood is an incredible vocation, it has no more inherent worth than a childless woman simply being who she is, to the utmost of her capabilities. To think otherwise betrays a belief that being a thinking, creative, productive and fulfilled woman is, somehow, not enough. That no action will ever be the equal of giving birth.'

To me, she has hit the nail on the head. Such a lot of fuss is made over being a mother. Not only is it assumed that motherhood is the fundamental and primary manner in which a woman injects her life with value, but we are supposed to want children by virtue of being broody creatures. Call me a naysayer, but this isn't always a given, &thus the assumption is a little bizarre. Too often have I heard people saying 'Children make the woman' or, 'You'll know what it's like once you have children of your own! You'll see!' This, to me is more than odd. After all, no one would ever suggest that us girls really ought to be nurses, or primary school teachers because we're female, so why is it assumed that we are naturally bound to want babies? Proof in point: At a recent wedding I was asked about my baby plans by a relative, &I simply replied that my mind wasn't made up, that I'm not sure that I want kids. They were clearly shocked by my answer, and I was equally bemused that it was apparently quite controversial. 

Maybe when my thirties strike, I'll feel that same burgeoning broodiness and start a personal mission to get me a baby. But, I do not believe that children are essential to my adult life, there are many other ways in which I plan to add value to my existence, and that's what gets me really excited. So, no, I may never be a mother, but I'll do much more by being a thinking, creative, productive and fulfilled human being. 


Miss D x

Oh hello, I like this

Don't you love it when you're on YouTube &you stumble across a new artist/a good cover/any other musical  treat? Well, Josh Kumra's cover of 'Wildest Moments' is definitely one of them. 

Ms Ware's original is real stunner, &this newly emerged cover is no disappointment. Put the two together &you've got a shining example of young British musicians we can be proud of. 

I'm a particular fan of this, aaand a little bit of this too.  Enjoy. :)


Miss D x

Fall Fashion and a very Happy Birthday to you.

What an autumnal Saturday! Blue skies and colourful leaves...not forgetting the fabulous opportunity for us to make the most of our autumnal wardrobe!

I hope you are all enjoying October so far, I just wanted to take this moment to wish a very happy birthday to my fellow blogging partner Miss D :)

Here is a question for you all : what recent fashion purchase have you made this autumn so far?

Miss V x

P.S : Feel glum summer is over? Read our post on reasons to embrace Autumn here!

Khushi Makes us Happy

I just read of someone describing this lad as 'our very own British Bon Iver', and they weren't wrong. Listen to 'Magpie' and 'You Say', & you'll hear sultry song accompanied by the pretty hum of a guitar &percussion.

This stuff is seriously good, and it's always a brilliant thing to hear the work of Home-grown talent such as Khushi. After all, these are the folk who are keeping British music alive &well. Oh, &for something a little different, check out his side project, Strong Asian Mother ('Position to Fly' is my favourite).

Miss D x

On Imaginary Friends

Go on, admit it, you too had one/many when you were growing up. It's OK, in fact, I reckon that having an imaginary friend is one of the most special hallmarks of childhood. This is a time when it's acceptable, nay, wholeheartedly encouraged to have an over-active &trippy imagination, so why not make the most of it?  Personally, I was the little girl with a troupe of animal imaginary friends, who sincerely believed that Narnia was real until she was ten. No, really. I sat in my wardrobe for almost an hour to test this belief out. 

In my early years, I was definitely in the geeky/nerdish minority at school. Most of the kids were cool&popular, who had actual real person friends, not figments of their imaginations to keep them company. In fact, the small (really small) group of allies I did have were equally proud to have their own apocryphal compatriots, who, according to my memory, would chill out &do all the things that imaginary friends do while us kids played hopscotch or whatever. I should clarify, reader, that I was about 5-6 at the time, and was fed a literary diet of 'The Never Ending Story' &other wild&fanciful tales by my parents. That's right, I put all of this down to my upbringing. 

Via An Elephant Life

Shall I tell you something? (I realise that what I'm about to say is desperately uncool and could be construed as a desperate attempt to cling on to my childhood). If I ever have my own spawn*, I'll feed them with a literary diet similar to the one I feasted on, just so they will be secure in the knowledge that having an imaginary friend, or a whole band of them is absolutely fine, or rather, quite brilliant. 'Cause let's face it, being little isn't always fun. Kids are mean, and we all know that childhood can be pretty lonely and disheartening. But, when you've got the creations of your mind to keep you company, you've got something to rely on during the bad bits of being a small person. 

If only having a fictitious companion wasn't so frowned upon for adults...

*i.e children. 'Spawn' is my preferred term.

Miss D x

Anthems of Our Time (& a bit earlier)

I'll admit to being a little disillusioned by most modern music. From where I'm standing, we're being constantly inundated with teeny-bopper boy bands (1 Direction *ahem*), or generic, over synthesised pop that sounds good only when played in a club at 1 AM. Yet, thanks to talent both old &new, we can look upon the music of our time with a glimmer of hope. These are the people with gumption enough to make music that not only sounds good, but has real depth to it; the stuff to get really excited about. So, in my own little celebration of these artists, here is my list of what I think are the Anthems of Our Time (in no particular order)...

Delilah, Shades of Grey

I've written about this particular lady before, and now that she's released her début album, I am convinced that she is one of the best British artists of the tenties. All of her tracks are easy to listen to, with her sultry vocals &heartfelt lyrics. Yet, Shades of Grey really stands out. When it comes to relationships, we all have our bad experiences. Feelings of loneliness, frustration, the inevitable end; swiftly followed by the drive to get over it &move on: all of these sentiments Delilah communicates with heart &sincerity, in a way anyone can relate to. This is a song that doesn't make you feel sorry for yourself, but will make you want to have a party, much like the one Delilah has in the video. Plus, it will leave you with a grin plastered over your face, something everyone needs after a bad break up. What more can you ask for from an anthem?

Via Helen Oh on Pinterest

Razorlight, Golden Touch

Ok, so we're rewinding a little bit here, but isn't this such a tune?! I remember when 'Golden Touch' came out, &every girl in school was swooning over Johnny Borrell, giggling nervously at that nude photo of him on the cover of NME. Yes, my fifteen year old self was also one of those girls, &I listened to this track on loop for about two weeks. Under 18 club nights always played this song, and everyone would just get happy at the first bar, and on my first big night out in Oxford, the DJ played this song &it still managed to have exactly the same effect on everyone in the room. Imagine my excitement when the boy I 'fancied' back in 2004 (eeesh) played it to me on his guitar, down the phone. Oh happy days!

Elbow, Open Arms

So, maybe I could have chosen 'First Steps' as one of these anthems, but whenever I listen to Elbow I'm always reminded of their belting performance of 'Open Arms' & 'One Day Like This' at the Olympics closing ceremony. Oh my gosh, wasn't it amazing? With the athletes walking in to the stadium in true carnival fashion, dancing &smiling along to Guy Garvey's booming yet sweet vocals, I turned into a gushing wreck, welling up to the brink. I'm pretty certain that everyone else watching felt exactly the same way. When the closing ceremony promised to deliver a symphony of British music, these guys were a stand out act, representing the heart&soul of British alternative rock with insurmountable class. It's not just Garvey's vocal delivery that makes 'Open Arms' such a brilliant track, nor the jangly crescendos that fill it, it's the sincerity& simplicity of the lyrics:

'And you're not the man who fell to earth,

You're the man of La Mancha,

And we've love enough to light the street, 

'Cause everybody's here.'

Really, this was always cut out to be an anthem.

R.E.M, It's the End of the World as We Know it

Ok, so we're rewinding back to 1987. I wasn't even born when this song came out, but, like many others I have always tried (and failed) to keep up with Michael Stipe's speedy singing on this track. I like R.E.M because their songs always made a point about something, rather than just being facile croonings about puppy love or whatever else. Yes, it's a bit political, and I get that that can turn some people off, but their music carried on the revolutionary streak in the industry from the sixties and seventies. They made points that needed to be made, and with this particular track, I love how the listener is lulled into thinking that it's a cheery party song with an upbeat tempo, but, listen to Stipe's voice and you'll hear a relevant reminder of a few issues that the world still needs to face up to. 

Via Sharon Autenrieth on Pinterest

Jamiroquai, Canned Heat

&Off we go to 1999. Wasn't it a good year? We were all really really excited about the Millennium, and I turned ten. I was so excited. This song really sums up the party mood of the year. We were ready to move on to a new decade with the internet, mobile phones & Brit Pop. I guess, in a way, we felt like we really could dance all our cares away. Even now, my friend Kate &I try our hardest to perfect Jon Heder's legendary dance from 'Napoleon Dynamite'. Truly, this is a song that has continued to make us happy until today, and I'm sure it will for many years more.

Eddie Vedder, Hard Sun

So here it is, the last in my little line up. Mr Vedder did a top job when he worked on the soundtrack for 'Into the Wild', the biopic of Christopher McCandless, but this song is the real stand out track. A drum and guitar bubble away in the background as Eddie works his magic with the vocals, telling a story of human exploits lived out under 'a big hard sun, beating on the big people in a big hard world'. It's evocative because we all know what it's like, or will do at various points in our lives. That's an anthem right there.


So go on, give these anthems of our time a listen. They'll make you happy, I'm sure of it. :) 

Miss D x

Moroccan Argan Oil: Our Verdict

Happy bank holiday readers! Miss D and I were having a catch up recently and both of us were talking about how great a particular type of product was, hence we decided to write a review together on Argan oil! Both of us have from loose wavy to corkscrew curly tresses on the hair-spectrum, and we love products which don’t weigh our hair down, keep our hair smooth and eradicate any frizziness! What products do you use that have argan oil? By all means comment underneath.

Tresemmé Liquid Gold Restorative Complex

Versatility in a hair product is rare, since normally the product is to be used either on dry hair, or on freshly washed hair before it has dried. With the Tresammé Liquid gold, you can apply to drenched or dried hair, making it a really dependable product. The other day I was about to go out when I noticed my newly washed dry hair looked dry on the ends, making them seem unruly and not-intentionally un-brushed. A couple of pumps of this oil defined my waves and sorted out the ends of my hair. My hair is quite long but I don’t need more than two pumps to sort my hair out, showing the ‘restorative’ nature of this product. The product is quite reasonably priced I think, and suitable for hair of whatever length and style.

Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner

I love how Organix have travel size conditioners, because you aren’t having to then stick with a big bottle of conditioner that lasts a long time if you don’t actually think much of it after your first use! I had just coloured my hair and wanted a conditioner that would be gentle and protective. I am still getting used to the fact my hair is magnificently frizz-free, and shiny! I was a bit apprehensive that the product might be too rich and heavy, but my waves just seem to be invigorated.  Treat yourself to their travel size bottles, and tell your hair frizz where to go.

Moroccan Oil Curl Defining Cream

I'll admit that the Moroccan Argan Oil craze pretty much flew over my head until recently, when I took a much needed trip to the hairdressers (no, really, I cut my hair once a year, if that). I do like my natural curls, but I've found that searching for a product that really works is a rather irksome chore. Step in Moroccan Oil. After the stylist I saw used the product on my hair, I was convinced. No longer were my curls weighed down, limp, or frizzy. Instead, the product delivered incredible results: smooth, silky ringlets which maintained their natural shape. I often find that most products make my hair too 'big' or turn the curls into an uncontrollable, unnatural looking mess, and despite the steep price tag (one helping will set you back about £23), I'm more than happy with the results, and the huge bottle lasts for ages- get in. 

Miss D&V x

Cologne and Cotton

Everyone likes to take a little time to get lost in beautiful shops, and this is what I did when I re-visited my much loved haunt of Cologne and Cotton. After a few years spent close by to the Kensington store, this shop is a place I like to come to look at the gorgeous soaps, perfumes and cottons that this store encapsulates. The items in the shop are quite unique and all of a very high quality, and the presentation of the shop is of a significant level of sophistication. The staff are welcoming, allowing you the space to look around but on hand should you have a query. In my view this is a fabulous place to pick up gifts, as everything is something you would want to receive! If you have the chance do go in if you see a Cologne and Cotton. It certainly won’t be long till I return !

Miss V x

Very simple Watercress Pasta Salad!

I adore pasta dishes but don’t want a lot of hassle when I am enjoying the summer sun with friends. This recipe which my mother taught me is so quick, effortless, and tastes scrummy! Prepare it for lunch or have for a relaxed dinner with friends.

You will need: Tube pasta, watercress, parmesan, black pepper, balsamic and olive oil.

After cooking the pasta, and once you have drained the water, place in a large bowl. Wash the watercress and put with the pasta. Grate parmesan on top and drizzle the oil and balsamic, before serving with black pepper. Tell me if you try it, and what you think!

Miss V x

Is Feminism still relevant?

A little while back, a friend of mine asked me, quite casually, 'Devi, are you a feminist?' To which I responded, 'Yeah, sure I am! But I wouldn't burn my bras in protest or anything.' I'm ashamed to say that my response was naive and dismissive at the very least. Anyway, the topic of feminism has come up in recent conversations with both men and women, & some of the ideas and opinions expressed have made me want to say something more about the subject.

In the UK, us girls are pretty lucky. Thanks to past generations, and some not too long ago, we are secure in the knowledge that we have sexual freedom, are able to plan if and when we have children, and now, divorce is a viable way out of an unhappy marriage, an action no longer stigmatised by society. Yet, we still have 'Women's Hour' and talk of the sisterhood; it looks like we're still fighting for something. It's clear to see why: the glass ceiling is still a real problem, with women earning 14.9% less than men per hour, and FGM on the rise in this country, a shocking trend in our liberal democracy. At this point, then, it seems logical, nay, wholly correct that feminism is still seen as relevant and necessary to us, even in a 'progressive' society like ours. Surely?

I want to make it absolutely clear that I don't intend for this post to be a rant, or a tirade against men. What I hope to do is try to piece together a clearer picture of how people respond to the 'F' word, particularly men, because I think that theirs is a perspective that is often dismissed in this discussion.

All this started when the aforementioned word came up in conversation with a male relative of mine, who quipped that women don't need feminism anymore, as it does more damage than good. In his mind, all it does is widen the gap between men and women, something very few of us want. I pressed him, asking that he recognise that there are issues which women face, such as the glass ceiling, and many others. This he didn't deny, but what crept beneath the surface of his argument was the perception that feminism, as it is understood today, wishes to supplant men, to out-do them and prove that women are somehow bigger and better. Now, I'll admit that at first, I was aghast. How could he make such an outlandish statement?! Needless to say, we proceeded to have a rather heated debate about the issue, ending, finally, with the age-old attempt at diplomacy: 'let's agree to disagree.' Me being me, I wasn't satisfied, so I decided to look for answers from more people.

I took to Facebook & Twitter (as you do these days) to do a little research. I was pretty very excited when Cherry Healey responded to the title of this post, answering: 'It depends on your definition. If it's 'equality& freedom of choice', then I hope it is.' Isn't this the crux of the issue? Isn't this what Emmeline Pankhurst and Mary Wollstonecraft were fighting for? Yes, of course it is, but as I have had to realise, this idealised picture of feminism and its goals isn't always accurate.

After talking to a few men about it, I have come to appreciate that there is a very real issue: there are some feminist voices which can alienate men, and even intimidate them. Why? After talking to a few blokes about this, I began to understand that it's an all too frequent reality that feminists, or feminism, are seen to create a divide between men and women, perpetuating a 'battle of the sexes' of sorts, in which us girls are seen to pit ourselves against men, staunchly dedicated to a game of one-upmanship. It's this breed of feminism which is oh so close to looking like women want to supplant men, and unfortunately, tips gender balance over the edge: a symptom we should always be wary of, whichever sex it disadvantages. I won't deny that women do still face gender inequality, trust me, this is something I don't wish to downplay. Aside from the really serious offences, such as FGM and pay inequality, the objectification of women is an issue that needs to be tackled. Yet, let's not forget that men face it too- even if it doesn't happen as often. I wonder... if 'Magic Mike' was a facile portrayal a band of female strippers in Amsterdam's red light district and their woes, with bits bouncing around, would feminist groups rise up in protest, or no? Think about it. What makes it OK to paint men as sexual objects, implying that their worth depends solely on their physicality, when it's definitely unacceptable for this to happen to women?

After listening to some men who were quite clearly wary of the 'F' word, it became evident that the question of whether feminism is relevant or not depends on a return to its original aims: the achievement of gender equality and respect for men and women in equal and just measure. Remember, men face gender inequality too. There's a good reason why Fathers for Justice are in existence, and the underlying issues which provoke the organisation should be a concern for all of us, including feminists.

What I'm trying to say, is that if we want feminism to be relevant, we need to make it relevant. Somewhere down the line, it's become a dirty word, something to shy away from. Maybe this is why I got defensive when I was quizzed about my feminism, instantly insisting that I have not, and probably never will, burn one of my bras. I admit that my reaction was naive because the original ideals the 'F' word represents are still in demand, and it's thanks to the actions of women of past generations that we've come so far. While gender inequality persists (whoever it disadvantages), these values need to be put into practise, let's just do it in a way that puts well-thinking people on side, not solely other women. As Jane Galvin Lewis put it bluntly: 'You don't have to be anti-man to be pro-woman.'

See? Obama gets it! {Via Stephanie Speer on Pinterest}

Miss D x

Montage

Manicure! Barry M in Vivid Purple

Literature

NYC Kiss Gloss in Sugar Hill Shine, MAC eyeliner in Engraved, No 7 brush

Miss V x

Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes and Bourjois Black Jack Volume Clubbing Mascara

I don’t know where I would be without mascara and I know a lot of you would agree with me! I get a bit overwhelmed with all the different options out there for mascaras, and the prices can vary a great deal. So I thought I would compare two volumizing mascaras with different price tags and tell you what I thought!

The first is the highly acclaimed Givenchy Phenomen-Eyes. Most notably is the packaging of this mascara – it is gorgeous! I couldn’t wait to try this out when I received it as a present, and was very intrigued by the orb like brush. So did my lashes have volume? When you first put on this mascara, it is quite striking and does really open up your eyes. I felt like all my lashes were covered and it gives enough volume for a day-time look. Another reason why I wanted to do this review however is that I am a contact lense wearer, so I need my mascara to last all day without smudging and that is compatible with wearing contacts. Unfortunately, as the day went on, this mascara did smudge around my eye area. It isn’t a massive downfall, as it takes a few seconds to wipe away the smudge – but it wasn’t what I expected from Givenchy cosmetics! However I am aware that maybe this is because I wear contacts – so it would be great to hear if anyone else disagrees with me, or has also had this problem.

The volume mascara that I am comparing Givenchy’s mascara with is the Black Jack Volume Clubbing Mascara from Bourjois. I am afraid I am probably already biased towards Bourjois Volume Clubbing mascaras because I think they are all absolutely fantastic! I first tried Volume Clubbing mascara a couple of years ago and couldn’t believe the volume! My eyes literally looked double their normal size, and I was wearing it during the day with natural makeup, and also when going out in the evening. The major thing for me with this mascara is that is never smudges. A day in a gale wouldn’t  budge this range of mascaras! The volume is significant and for me it is probably better than Givenchy. It says on the Black Jack mascara that it has ‘light-reflecting micro-particles of gold’ in its composition, but I think this mascara isn’t dissimilar to the rest of the volume clubbing mascaras. As a contact lense wearer this is a perfect mascara for me, and lasts a long time.

Quite honestly if the volume clubbing range had the packaging of the Givenchy phenomenal eyes it would be the ultimate mascara! Let me know if you have tried these mascaras, or if you think another mascara gives shocking volume!

Miss V x

Avène Cleanance K

I was chuffed to re-discover this rather cool skin product from Avène not so long ago. Avène is a really mild and caring range for skin that needs a little more assistance. I am one who is always watching for good products to help my combination/ zit prone skin that can be incredibly annoying at times.

Surveying the products in Boots this grabbed my attention due to the fact it claimed to be a creamy gel texture that not only provides hydration but apparently ‘exfoliates’ too. Sounds a multi-tasker I can definitely put to good use. The sales assistant spoke very highly of the product after asking for her advice, so I went ahead and bought ‘Clearance K’ by Avène.

Now having used this quite a few times, it really is a worthwhile product if like me your skin can be challenging when it comes to zits. I find this tightens the pores, clams down spots present and future to appear, but leaves skin soft and moisturized. I personally use this at night, as for me it works as a good overnight treatment, and gives my skin a clean slate (as it were) for the next day. The cream is weightless and does have a gel-quality that blends in with no fuss.  I would love to know any readers who have used this product and how  it has helped them, or whether you have used any of the other products from Avène which you would rate highly?

Miss V x

Pastel Polish Adore

I got this polish from Pixi in Carnaby treet - a fabulous make up boutique that has some really great products ( feel free to click here to have a peek at my Pixi review !). One of the polish brands they do is Pop beauty. I really like their polishes because the colours are bold and they are also a really good quality. 

   

I really like this quite neutral, yet quite confident 'Lavender Love' shade. It is actually quite hard to be sure what the colour is - I would say it is like a very very pale grey, with a hint of indigo (the colour is so washed out I would say lavender is a bit strong, but it is gorgeous anyway!). I wear a lot of neutral colours so this fits my wardrobe perfectly, and the colour will stay put for a good week. 

One thing you could do is add a mattifying top coat to really create that subdued colour effect. This Rimmel one literally does last 10 days as the bottle claims, and is great for any of your pastel polishes.

Miss V x

Be Beautiful (& nice about it)

As my better blogging half will tell you, I am a  sucker for natural & ethical beauty products. I spend an embarrassing amount of time looking up new eco/animal/pocket friendly brands, and as us girls (and some blokes) like to look good, to me it makes sense that the products we use do good too. Here are my three new-found favourite treats, all of which have their own special place in my grooming basket, and are the creations of two companies that are changing the face of the cosmetic industry.

L-R: Model's Own Nail Polish in Stormy Night, Trichomania by Lush, &Silky Underwear, also by Lush

Pro Nail Polish by Models Own (Stormy Night is my favourite)

I'll be honest, when it comes to make up, I'm pretty clueless &tend to use a mere slick of eyeliner, even when I'm going out. I make up for this lack of macquillage with a magpie like addiction to nail polish, especially the fruits of Models Own. What I like about this brand (besides the wealth of hues on offer), is their '3- Free' formula and no- go attitude towards animal testing. Kinder to you, furry creatures and the planet? A job well done.


Trichomania by Lush

Thanks to my Dad's genetic make-up, I've got a somewhat unruly mass of curls a'top my head. Judging from the beauty sections of many women's magazines, ringlets are much coveted. Yet, as I'm sure many curly haired folk will tell you, they can be a right royal pain in the behind. In my case, frizz abounds, and I have always been on the look out for something that will tame my misbehaving tresses. Step in Lush, with their wonder of a solid shampoo. It might look like an ordinary bar of soap in the above photo, but it packs a punch. This stuff not only smells beautiful (it's packed full of coconut), it lasts for ages due to its concentrated make-up, and it actually works, delivering soft, silky &defined curls that manage to stay frizz free all day long. Thanks to this wonder bar, my straighteners have been banished to the bottom drawer in my dressing table, & I'm beginning to understand all the fuss about curly hair.


Silky Underwear by Lush

Ok, don't confuse this for the talcum powder of yesteryear, it's much more exciting. I'll be honest, I brought this dusting powder mainly due to it's gorgeous jasmine scent, but as I soon found it, that's not all this humble looking bottle delivers. It's made up of lashings of crushed up cocoa butter, so it doubles up as a moisturiser of sorts, leaving your skin uber soft. They say 'it's all anyone needs to wear', and while I may not be brave enough to test the theory out, you may well be.


Miss D x