Urban Summer

Before I write anything more, I should probably clear up that your eyes are not deceiving you, and there is in fact a huge bruise on my thigh, in case you were wondering... I have no idea how it happened, all I know is I woke up last Saturday morning with an enormous red addition to my left leg.  Luckily, it's healing up quite well - soon I could probably convince people it's a shadow instead of having to mutter in embarrassment that yes it is a bruise, and no i have no idea how it got there.   Anyhow - I recently popped into Urban Outfitters, always a dangerous choice for my bank account...

...and picked up these b-e-a-utiful blue patterned shorts, for a bargain £18.  It's taken me a good while to realise that, as much as I love skirts, for me, they're a highly, highly impractical choice of clothing.  All it takes is the slightest gust of wind for a Marilyn moment, and frankly, I think people could do without seeing my derriere at any given time.  These shorts are the perfect hybrid: nice and swingy, providing all the comfort of a breezy skirt whilst still protecting my dignity.

 Sunglasses - CK Jeans (TK Maxx) /  Body - Urban Outfitters / Bag - Urban Outfitters (old) 

Shorts - Urban Outfitters / Shoes - New Look (similar styles here and here)

I also couldn't resist getting this simple, slinky white body.  I can't find the exact one online, but I've found a good substitute here, which also comes in conveniently at the £10 mark (if you can't tell already, I really love a good sale).  This is a lovely soft cotton material, and quite sheer, cut to plunge at each side so you can show off your fanciest bralette, if you so desire.  

 

 I picked up these adorable Dorothy-esque red lace ups quite a few months ago in New Look for a bargain £7 - I couldn't quite believe my luck!  Having not been sure about them initially, I've already got so much wear out of these babies.  The colour is actually really easy to pair with almost anything - I particularly love matching these with boyfriend jeans (a vast proportion of my wardrobe) or pleather leggings.    

I wish I could tell you this was the extent of my trip to Urban Outfitters, but alas, this outfit is only a small chapter in the book of my spending habits in that store.  Watch this space, the next instalment is coming soon...

Ruby x 

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Unboxing and Impressions: Beats Solo Wireless Headphones

As you may or may not know from some of my previous posts, a few weeks ago the unthinkable happened, and my beloved 2012 Macbook Pro bit the dust.  What ensued was a very stressful week: first up, I visited the Apple Store, where I was told the laptop would cost between £200-£500 to fix, and had been caused by mysterious 'liquid damage'.   I knew exactly what the liquid damage was... 3 months or so prior, whilst I was in the midst of essay writing madness, I managed to spill almost an entire cup of tea over my keyboard.  I naively thought I had got away with it, but evidently not.

So that was the prelude to me buying a new Mac - and with it, thanks to Unidays, I also got student discount and a set of Beats Solo headphones for free, apparently worth £202 (?!).  

I think Beats have generally received mixed reviews; but I don't think anyone can deny they've done a great job on branding, and this begins with the packaging.

Big claims, right?  

I chose mine in rose gold even though it's not a colour I would normally go for at all.  At first look, despite having seen Beats before, I was pretty impressed. 

They're very lightweight and highly adjustable, and sit comfortably.  I've never owned a pair of headphones (as opposed to earphones) before and I've really been enjoying not having a speaker literally in my ear.  

They're also incredibly compact and fold neatly to fit in the little case which is included.  Another thing which previously had put me off headphones was the thought of either having to carry them round with me in my bag, or having to wear them around my neck constantly.  But luckily the people at Beats have obviously thought about that and come up with a solution.  

Probably the best thing about these, for me, is the fact that they're wireless.  They come with a USB charger and when fully charged can last up to 12 hours, connecting to your phone through Bluetooth.  I find this especially handy for doing exercise (on the rare occasion I actually do it), because you don't have headphone wires trailing everywhere or your earphones falling out.  

In terms of sound quality, obviously I'm no expert, but I'm certainly more than happy.  They cancel a relative amount of noise from outside, and can go impressively loud.  I've actually really been enjoying walking more since I got these, too - I can put on some good tunes and get a pace going like never before.

I have to say, I don't know if I ever would've invested in these myself, as they are such a big investment!  But I was never going to say no to a freebie, and for me they are more than adequate.  If you're a student and thinking of investing in a Mac, I would definitely recommend using Unidays to nab yourselves a free pair of these too!  

Has anyone else used Beats headphones or any other products before?  What did you think?

Love,

Ruby x

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Rimmel London Volume Colourist Mascara: Review

Originally, I absolutely hated this mascara.   Putting it on for the first time, I was thinking 'what have I done!!!!!'  Remember that post where I said I'd been totally converted to high-street mascara and would never pick another again after finding L'Oreal's Miss Manga?  Well, let's just say I get far too excited about trying new things, and picked this up instead of going for the safe option and buying Miss Manga again or my slightly more expensive Lancome fail-safe. 

However.  All is not lost.  This product has been a grower, not a shower (lol), and the more I've used it, the more it's grown on me.  At first, admittedly, I was disappointed because the length and volumising effect of the produt is not in any way, shape or form dramatic.

In fact, as a mascara, it's pretty unspectacular.  

Yes, it gives me a little bit of length and a little bit of volume, but it's no lash-enhancing extraordinaire.  The brush also took me a little while to get used to...

(Who would have thought a postage receipt would've made the perfect background for showing a mascara wand?! - the struggle is real, guys.)  

The wand is your classic bristle wand, fairly chunky, not particularly tapered and all in all, a little cumbersome.  After a few uses though, I have got used to it.  And in fact, like I said, this mascara has grown on me.  

It's certainly not night-out-on-the-town material, but actually, for day to day (or those days when mascara is about all you can be bothered with - see below), it's pretty damn perfect.  Because the look is actually so natural, it really makes a great product for a 'no-makeup makeup' look.  Also - and this is what I really should've got onto earlier - the USP of this mascara is supposedly not it's mascara-rey capabilities.  It's actually a lash tinting formula.  Who'd have known!?  

Despite my skepticism, I have actually noticed that my lashes are looking a little darker each day I wear this mascara, even after I take it off.  I don't know what they're putting in that little pot, but it's working.  

So - for an everyday, natural looking and 100% clump free formula that gradually tints your lashes, this is a winner - it just takes some getting used to.

Ruby x

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Brighton Pride 2016: Photo Diary

I'm so excited and happy to be sharing all of these photos in what is probably going to be the biggest photo diary this blog has seen yet...  This was the first Brighton Pride I've been to, despite having lived close to the city all my life, and it's safe to say I've never been to an event quite like this one!  

The parade started at 11am in Hove - pretty early, especially as we had been celebrating a belated birthday for my housemate Bex the night before!  But we managed to drag ourselves out of bed (before 9 at least) to start getting ready.  I love any excuse to dress up, and the Pride crowd certainly didn't disappoint - think Joseph's technicolour dream coat times a thousand, then double again and you'll be halfway there (you'll have to see it for yourself).

We headed out into the streets just after midday and caught the parade as it came down London road. I've never known Brighton like it - there was this feeling of immense elation, and well, pride in the air that is so impossible to describe... but the feeling was so contagious.   

The parade began with a tribute to the victims of the Orlando shooting, accompanied by a beautifully peaceful hush as we all blinked in the glorious sunshine.    

It must have lasted at least an hour and a half, and the streets were packed.  Floats from all sorts of organisations and companies went past, including the likes of Virgin, Tesco, Pepperami... 

...and there were more wacky and wonderful costumes than you could shake a stick at.  I don't think I've ever said 'wow' so many times within such a short space of time as I did that day! 

Once the parade was over, we decided to embark on a trip down the street to get some food and drinks to keep us topped up for the day - this was easier said than done.  I ended up leading the way in my rainbow wings, flag held high, feeling a little bit like a tour guide leading a group of tipsy tourists.  

We met up with Josh and some of my friends from home for a bit in the afternoon outside St Peter's church to soak up some sun (a little too much for me if I'm honest, I was looking pretty tomato-ey by this point) before heading up to Preston Park for the festival itself...

 

... stopping along the way for a little sit down... in a pram (as you do).

All in all we had a great Pride - never have I laughed so much, sung so horribly, danced so clumsily and felt so happy in my life.  I love Brighton, and I'm so proud to be part of such a vibrant, diverse and accepting city.  

Ruby x

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