Coolest of the Month: Glen Hansard

Here at She Thinks, She Speaks, we like championing the best of womankind. We're going for something a bit different this month, here's one for the boys.


I was first introduced to Glen Hansard &his music about five years ago, when I saw Once, which incidentally, is my favourite film.  It stood out among the blockbusters, and Hollywood big guns as something refreshingly different, offering more than a conventional plot or a trussed up action sequence. What it continues to deliver is a genuine reflection of human emotion, in all its shyness and complexity, with thanks to be given to Mr. Hansard &his art, as a singer who can act bloody brilliantly too. 


Since then, his music has always stood as a must have in my collection. I like it because his songs stand out from the crowd of woolly, and often facile love songs of chart music. Rather, he has a skilful way of saying (or singing) exactly what the elusive emotion feels like, with its good bits and bad bits, so much so that anyone can relate to his music. His rendering of the much admired love song is genuine, unpretentious, and beautifully simple. I'll always be a sucker for Falling Slowly, &this duet with Eddie Vedder is blooming gorgeous. 

{Via Ezra Ryan}

Currently, I'm hooked on Philander from Glen's new album, Rhythm & Repose, but each of his tracks will continue to evoke something a bit deeper than most can. So thank you, Glen, you bloody genius.




Miss D x

Dublin & then some: B&W

I've just come back from a trip to Ireland, a country I've wanted to see for years. Fuelled by my love of the accent, beautiful landscape & Glen Hansard, I got a bit snap happy. Here are a few:

Toner's Pub, Dublin. I liked the beer garden, even though it didn't have the conventional furnishings of wooden benches on a grassy lawn. Theirs is tarmacked, with a little potted greenery juxtaposed with the stools and booths like the ones inside. It's loud, down to earth fun, and packed full of business men & women soaking up a post-work pint. This isn't a pompous, trumped up bar, but good honest niceness.

See what I mean about the furniture? Quirky, & it works. Toner's was recommended to us after a couple of guys saw us looking a little lost, &I'll definitely go back. 

Bray, right by the sea.

More Bray...

...& a bit more.

We drove down to Wicklow, and on the way, decided to stop off at a place called Powerscourt Gardens. It's a  stately home surrounded by acres of fashioned lawns and the natural hilly landscape. I wasn't expecting a pet cemetery, an odd, macabre, though slightly touching corner of the estate.

The round tower at Glendalough.

& again.

Miss D x

Star of the Month: Emily Eddington

July has been a busy summer month, but someone needs to be acknowledged for being genuinely fabulous, and this month it is dedicated to Emily Eddington.

I cam across Ms Eddington from browsing beauty videos on Youtube. She is so genuine and down to earth I feel like she is a personal stylist and make-up artist! If you haven't already do check out her videos here, so much great advice and beauty tips, as well as make up reviews. The experts in the beauty industry, and those behind the brands are of course paramount for keeping up to date with the latest must haves for your make up bag, but bloggers are also where we need down to earth advice from people who want genuinely effective products! Do visit her blog and watch some of her reviews, it has changed my opinions on a lot of products.


Emily is also a news anchor, I am pretty sure she is invincible!


Thanks so much Emily, you well and truly deserve our star of the month!


Emilys blog can be found here : http://www.beautybroadcast.net/

Miss V x

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

This cream is held in high esteem by just about everybody. A runway essential.  A sunbather’s soother. A lip quencher. So why is it the backbone of Britain’s beauty bag?

I have had Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream in my bathroom cabinet since my early teens. My mother advised me of its utility for skin irritations, and it is something I still replace without question (I cannot say this is the same for many a product that I use once and only once). I mostly use it as a lip balm, but it is very effective on bites, sunburn (my time in Barbados earlier this year confirmed its effectiveness) , it is brilliant for your cuticles and I’ve had very good feedback of its care of blemishes.

I’ve experienced that a little goes a long way (the texture is quite greasy, so plastering you face as I did with it once isn’t a great look). However add a small amount to your moisturizer and you can illuminate your complexion. I actually love using it over a lip colour, as it creates a lovely gloss, keeping lips from becoming too dry.

 Are you keen on Eight Hour, and how does it work best for you?


Miss V x

Paul Smith Black Label

A lot of fashion is very quick, very bold and very 'in the moment'. This dress is eternally fabulous.  Every woman needs a LBD...this time its blue. 

Blue Capped Sleeve Shift Dress , Paul Smith Black Label £295 Liberty London

Miss V x

I want long nails!

A french manicure, when done professionally looks very chic. As does funky nail art on longer talons. But more often than not, our nails are short and not out of choice: cold weather, poor diet, and tap-tapping on our keyboards means we have to embrace filed down nails. 


1. Massage cuticles daily with a balm or nail oil. I actually use Liz Earle Superbalm on my nail beds.Caring for cuticles keeps nails nourished and strong.


2. Keep a hand cream in your bag. It gives you something to do on boring train journeys, it smells great and best of all, it stops your hands and nails getting dry!


3.Superdrug 3 in 1 Base Coat, Ridge Filler and Growth Enhancer - this product is amazing! Great if you are on a budget, and I would even be as bold as to say it is better than quite a lot of the more expensive nail lines. It is a super base coat which acts like a primer for your nails, and makes your nails grow like cress!


4.If your nail polish is chipping, don't leave it on. My nails quite often peel if I have not bothered to remove an old colour. Not only does it look scruffy, it seems to really dehydrate your nails for some reason. If you haven't time for a new mani, just put a clear varnish on instead.


Miss V x

Summer Nail Colour

I love this pink nail varnish. A 'handy' 24/7 fashion accessory! 


Here are my nails, seen this week on Grazia Daily! The colour is Nails Inc 'New York'.

Miss  V x

You cannot go wrong with Liz Earle

I am in love with Liz Earle Beauty products, so much so that I thought I would give a big product review of their cleansing range! I recently received lots of their goodies for my birthday, so here is a speedy review for all those intrigued by the Liz Earle Range!

Instant Boost Skin Tonic -  Basically a toner, but with a difference – no harsh chemicals and very energising for your skin. Some toners I find just dry out your skin, but this calms down any redness and is great for combination skin as it gives that extra cleanse.

Skin Repair Moisturizer (dry/sensitive) – Liz Earle do different moisturizers depending on the skin type that you have. Mine is combination, so for the day I use their combination cream, but this is great for dryer skin types or in fact when used as more of a night cream. Tip: keep moisturizer in the fridge, cooling and refreshing!

Skin Repair Light Moisturizer (combination/oily) - A real all time fave, because it sits so well under makeup. It is very light but very hydrating, and the bottle seems to last ages.

Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser -  there are a lot of reviews out there about just how good this cleanser is. They do not lie. It takes off your makeup, it exfoliates and best of all – it leaves your skin crystal clear. I honestly have had less to complain about when it comes to my complexion. I do not joke when I say I will probably never use a different cleanser!

Spot on -  If you have a really bad whelk of a spot, you might need something a bit more concentrated than the Liz Earle zit stick. For enlarged pores, or you feel a zit lurking under the surface, then this is great for any-time-of-day treatment (can be applied over makeup!). Unlike a lot of over the counter spot solutions, this also does not contain anything that could damage your skin.

Eye make up remover – I am a contact lense wearer, and get quite nervous about putting ay chemicals near my eyes. This eye makeup remover is very effective but not only that, my eyes look bright and I have had no sensitivity from this product. It is also a good product for anyone who suffers from milia, as it is very cleansing.

Superbalm – a very soothing and gorgeous scented lip balm. Melts on the lips and very hydrating.Can be used on cuticles to stimulate nail growth and soothe any dryness.

Has Liz Earle helped your skin too?

Miss V x

LONDON: E1