I'm ebay-in'

I always love buying things from ebay, but I've never sold anything before.

Partly because of my unorganisation, a little because I didn't know how and I got scared....But mostly because I didn't want to part with anything! Do you ever get that? You don't wear something, like, ever. You might even forget it's in your closet.

But part with it?

Have someone else wearing it? HEyllLLL nO.

Anyway, in the end I got over myself (especially with all the new stuff I've been buying lately...I needed to make room for it somewhere) and I've got some EXCITING NEWS for ya'll!

That's right- the blogger, journalist, youtube extraordinaire is now on ebay :)

Bids on myfirst few normalfacesh items open at 18.45pm on Sunday (October 14)

I'll post links once they go live plus details on future auctions

Cheryl- A Million Lights at the O2

Yesterday night I got blown away.

Holy Cow, does that sound rude? I don't care- I said it, it's out there- and I'm going to stick with it.

Yesterday I got blown away. AND IT WAS AMAZING.

You see,  I'm a soldier.

A soldier in the Cheryl army.

And right here and now I am pledging my allegiance because when I saw her A Million Lights tour at the O2 I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

And no, that's not because I'm a massive fan and I've got all three of her albums, her book and more Girls Aloud tracks on my iPod than you can shake a stick at.

It's because genuinely- What. A. Show.

I'll be honest- I've had a fair bit of stick over the years for being a Cheryl fan. 'But she can't sing' 'yea she looks amazing but she's got no talent'

Well sorry mate, if you'd seen her raise the roof at the O2 last night you'd be singing a different tune.

The stage production was faultless.

My sister (also a Soldier) told me Cheryl tweeted after that the roof was on fire. And HELL, YES IT WAS.
(Plus the crowd went a little bit mental at the beginning of 3 Words when she said something along the lines of 'I have a special friend to sing it with me' (I'm not quoting Verbatim, as to be honest, I couldn't hear above my own screams) and Will.i.am emerged) He was wearing some very cool shoes.

**********************************************************************************

You see, what I like most about Cheryl is that she's a fighter.

She's had more than her fair share of media scrutiny, public humiliation and, as the fashion critics say, 'off days'.

Sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) I have serious self-doubts.

I look in the mirror and see a pig.

I go to work and think 'shit, they're going to find out I'm a big phoney on of these days, it's bound to happen, I'm not good enough, I'll never get this story right...'

I regularly wonder what my boyfriend sees in me.

But the uplifting nature of the A Million Lights tour- watching the girl from humble beginnings done good- who still has her Geordie accent and no doubt massive butterflies before hitting the stage- reminded me of something important.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Today's hot gossip is tomorrow's chip paper.

And you should never stop believing in yourself.

There were lots of young women and girls in the audience yesterday, and no doubt they had a cracking time.

But I hope they left with the uplifting feeling I did, too.

In times of trouble, you have to Keep Calm and Soldier On.

....And always make room for fabulous shoes.

I'm now on Youtube

That's right! Because I didn't feel there was enough negativity in my life, and because I thought 'yea, my self-esteem could do with a battering, let's get Trolled' I have begun my journey as a Youtuber.

JOKES, obvs that's not the reason I'm doing it. And I hope not to get hated on too bad (but then if you've got nothing better to do than sit on a computer and try to make someone you don't know feel bad, that's your problem)...In fact, I'm really excited to start this :)

I admit, the quality of my offerings isn't great and let's face it, I'm no prize to look at- but I hope you will watch and follow...

I really appreciate you following this blog, it means a lot. I wouldn't care if I was doing it for one person (hey, mum) or one hundred....keep watching for some exciting things to come!

Time after Time

We all know I'm a whore. A product whore!

And if you're reading this, chances are you know that 'I've accidentally stepped in to Boots and o-m-g what is this? New pRoducts and I must have them!' feeling.

HOWEVER.

Despite all that excitement, there are always those 'fail-safe' products you're going to reach for. You've probably been using them for at least a year or two. They might not make it in to your look every day, but they're like your parents' home- they'll always be home, you know?

So, without further ado, I give you my 'time after time' products.

TA-DA!...okay, okay, so they don't exactly win any prizes for excitement. But when I win an award for being fabulous, you know this little lot are behind it!

First up- My Cetaphil cleanser.

I've gone through three bottles of this in just over a year, and I loveeee the stuff. It's gentle, it gets all the crap off and it's great for troubled skin.

And Then- Boots Cucumber Face Mask.

I have written about this range before- you can get all your skin essentials for the best part of a tenner. Sound.

Aside from the fact this costs about £1.89, it's actually a great face mask. Whever my skin is feeling run down, this gives it a massive lift.



For Hair- Batiste.
There is not much I like more than hair- big, glossy, wonderful hair, to be precise.
But one thing I do like more than hair, is sleep. Mainly, of the lie-in variety.
Unfortunately, lie-ins are not conducive to the lion mane look.
So when it's lagging, needs a refresh or a volume boost- you've got to love Batiste.
A can of this is always on my shelf...just dont mistake it for your deodrant...which yes, I have done before...

And if you've bothered to actually wash your hair- Mousse is where it's at.
The one I'm using at the moment is L'oreal Elvive- I have to be honest, it's not the best I've tried, but it does the job.

And to make your new 'do stick- Pantene Hairspray.
Shamefully, I'm known as the hairspray queen in my circle of friends (and yes, it's a small circle. And yes, the fumes make me happy). Sure it could be any, and usually, when you're as dang-nabbit broke as I am, it will be any. But Pantene is my absolute fave. It's the smell :)

Skin- Baby Oil.
Cheap, good for hydration, excellent in the shower, great if you get shaving rash (and hello, sensucal massage, you dirty dog!)

Palmer's Cocoa Butter.
Great for dry skin all over and as a sink-in leave-on face treatment at night. I constantly go back to this, especially in winter when the elements can be so cruel!

And For The Face-

For a feline flick, I use this thick liner (unbranded).
For lashes, it has to be Maybelline Colossal Volume.
I've tried so many mascaras and for me, none match up for this. Unlike with the other products mentioned, I won't just buy another version to save a few pennies- it has to be this one.
 (Plus alot of curling, to the point of almost snapping my lashes off. Aahhh, the favourite part of my morning....)

For Lips- Despite having like, a gazillion lip products- and despite loving a classic red- I always venture back to Rimmel's Be Bold. So much so, that I have a spare. I think it's because, teamed with a feline eye flick and glossy locks, I can at least pretend I look a little bit like Jameela Jamil.

Book Review- All the Hopeful Lovers

I have thumbed this book good and proper.

*tsk* Keep it clean, ladies and gentlemen- I mean this is a proper page-turner. And although I told you to keep it clean, the book doesn't necessarily....

You know that old adage 'don't judge a book bu it's cover?' WELL- this is a classic case.

I picked this up on the grocery shop. It was £1.99, I love a good trashy read, Bob's your uncle.

There it sat, unassuming on the bookshelf. And actually, this is my one big problem with the book.

*shield your ears*

WILLIAM NICHOLSON, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING LETTING THEM MARKET YOUR WONDERFUL NOVEL LIKE THEY HAVE?!

On the cover are the words 'Playing away. You thought of it first. Then he did it. Would you forgive him.'
Oh right, you're thinking, a simple book bout adultery. Two main characters, beginning, middle and an end. Capiche.

NO. NO NO NO NO NO.

The book tells the stories of several characters- ranging in age, affluency and outlook- who are all linked to one another.

The main theme of all their stories? Love, desire, and where we all fit in to the world.

The one thing that I like most is Nicholson's ability to write with such conviction from every view point. In one chapter he's inside the mind of an 80-year-old man- the next he's telling the story of a teenage girl.

Apart from the odd 'hmmm, no self-resecting 19-year-old would ever use that word, mate' he does it very convincingly.

 I like the way he pulls off *excuse the expression* the portrayal of an insecure teenage girl (we've all been there) when he's, presumably from his name, a man.

There are so many depths to this book. It's sad, it's thought provoking, and at times it's hilarious (there's a very funny sex scene about 2/3 of the way through...)

I haven't actually got to the end yet, I just couldnt wait to share this with you! I really think it's worthy of much more than its been marketed for. It should have a great big audience and be discussed by reading groups everywhere.