Beauty Haul - July 2019

Hi everyone,

I have recently been shopping to pick up a few essentials and also a few goodies to try, as I'm running low on a few things. So, I thought I would share with you what I have purchased.

Ole Henriksen Brightening Essentials Set

I have tried the Truth serum in the past and I really enjoyed having it as part of my evening skincare routine. The Ole Henriksen Truth serum was the product that introduced me to having a vitamin C serum as part of my skincare routine, and this small size should last me a good few months. This gift set also contains the new Banana Bright eye cream, and also the C-Rush Brightening Gel Creme moisturiser, and I'm looking forward to using these products once I get around to using them.

L'Occitance Aqua Reotier Water Gel Cleanser

I'm down to using my last evening cleanser, and I was looking for something that added a little more hydration to my skin as well as keeping it balanced at the same time. My skin seems to be in need of a little hydration at the moment. I'm really looking forward to introducing this cleanser into my evening routine once my current cleanser runs out.

L'Occitane Aqua Reotier Ultra Thirst Quenching Gel

I tried a sample of this moisturiser when this was released last year, and my skin loved it. Its a lovely, lightweight gel moisturiser that sinks into the skin straight away. I've got this to use as part of my morning skincare routine.

L'Occitane Aqua Reotier Ultra Thirst Quenching Cream

I've got this to go alongside the Ultra Thirst Quenching Gel, but to use in the evenings due to it being a slightly thicker consistency.

Aussie Pure Locks Shampoo

I was in need of a deep cleansing shampoo to use once to twice a week, as my current one is due for running out. This one appealed to me the most while I was looking for something that would suit me and my hair type.

Aussie Mega Shampoo & Conditioner

The Aussie Mega shampoo and conditioner are more of a daily use shampoo and conditioner. I just fancied giving them another go, due to my hair getting longer.

NYX Extra Creamy Lipsticks in Fig (640) & Paparazzi (512A)

These caught my eye as I was browsing the NYX section in Boots, and these are very similar shades but these where the only ones that appealed to me. The shade Paparazzi is just ever so slightly lighter than Fig, but not by much. These shades are my ideal 'My lips, but better' shades.

Aldi Handwashes

I really enjoy using the liquid hand washes from Aldi, and these are lovely to use. I've had the Nourishing Shea Butter & Ginger hand wash before and I really enjoyed using it. The scent is lovely, and its also a nice moisturising hand wash. I've also used the luxury hand washes from Aldi. The Rhubarb & Rose scent is gorgeous as it has a rhubarb & custard sweet vibe to it, plus the fragrance once it is on your hands lingers for a short while. I've also picked up another Orange & Bergamont hand wash, as well as the new Pomegranate & Ginger scent that has just recently been released.

Travel Size Products

I picked up a few travel size products, as I'm going away for a couple of nights. I picked up two mouth washes as I use one before and after I brush my teeth, and a Simple soothing toner as I don't think I'm going have enough to last me. I also picked up a tropical dry shampoo from Batiste, a small Sure deodorant in Bright Bouquet, and also a Colgate Max White Optic toothpaste.

Thats it for my current haul, and I know its a mixture of old and new products. I'm really looking forward to using these products once I have finished using up my current products.

Theatre Review: 'The Deep Blue Sea' by Terence Rattigan

Hi everyone,

I had the pleasure of watching Terence Rattigan's 'The Deep Blue Sea' twice at the Minerva Theatre, at the Chichester Festival Theatre on the 16th & 17th July 2019.

Cast
Nancy Carroll - Hester Collyer
Gerald Kyd - Sir William Collyer
Hadley Fraser - Freddie Page
Denise Black - Mrs Elton
Matthew Cottle - Mr Miller
Ralph Davis - Philip Welch
Laurence Ubong Williams - Jackie Jackson
Helena Wilson - Ann Welch

Act One begins with Hester lying unconscious in front of the fire. She is found by her neighbours Philip and Ann Welch, along with their housekeeper Mrs Elton. Mrs Elton goes to get help from another tenant of hers called Mr Miller, and Philip and Ann suggest that they try to get in contact with a relative of hers as her husband is nowhere to be seen. So, they inform her husband Sir William Collyer, who is a well respected judge and he comes round to Hester's flat straight away. Once William arrives he asks Mrs Elton to leave, and Hester asks him how much does he know about what happened, and he has been told just enough to stop her lying to him. While William is round Mr Miller comes in to check on Hester, and William thanks Mr Miller for helping her. Soon afterwards William has to leave Hester, as he is due in court in fifteen minutes, but he wants to make sure that Hester will be alright before he goes to court.

Act Two begins with Freddie talking to Jackie Jackson over why Hester tried to take her own life, and it was because Freddie didn't remember that it was Hester's birthday the previous day. Freddie wants Hester's divorce to hurry up. After Freddie has left, William comes to see Hester as she has offered him around for tea. But, because William's and Hester's moments are special he doesn't want her to waste those moments by her making tea in the kitchen. He also asks Hester if should would like to go out somewhere, but she wants to stay in to see what happens with Freddie. Freddie arrives back home and notices William. He asks Hester if she has seen Mr Miller, as he hasn't been to the club.

Act Three begins with Hester making a phone call to find out where Freddie is. Then Mrs Elton comes round to check to see if Hester is okay. While Mrs Elton is round at Hester's; Ann also comes round, as she wants to know if her husband Philip is there as he has been out with Freddie. Ann doesn't like being alone. Everyone in Mrs Elton's flats heard the argument between Hester and Freddie.
  Soon after, William comes to see Hester; he is dressed in a dinner jacket as he has had guests round for dinner that evening. William advises Hester to get out of the flat, as he doesn't like the idea of her being alone in the flat. But, she doesn't know of anywhere where she could go. Hester offers William a drink, but Freddie has finished off the bottle of whiskey. So, she offers him a bottle of Claret that she opened the night before and they toast to "the future". William offers Hester a different future, but she no longer wants to be his wife. But, William is more in love with Hester now than on their wedding day.
  Philip turns up by letting himself in with a key that Freddie gave him. Philip has come to collect Freddie's bag, as he needs it for that night. Hester asks Philip to check in on Ann before he goes back too Freddie, as she is getting worried about Philip.

Gerald and Nancy work beautifully together as Hester and William Collyer, as they are a natural pairing that manages to create something magical throughout the production. Gerald makes William both compassionate and caring, while still showing that he still loves Hester despite her loving Freddie. Nancy makes Hester both subtle and delicate when she is with William, but also powerful and passionate when she is with Freddie. I really enjoyed Hadley's entrance as Freddie, as he gives Freddie 'bounds of energy'. Denise  portrays her character as Mrs Elton as someone who tries to help in anyway they can, and whose heart is also in the right place. Helena and Ralph play Ann and Philip Welch with young innocence and who are also concerned for Hester's well being. Mr Miller is played with great gentleness by Matthew, as well as someone who is always looking out for Hester.

Paul Foster's revival of Rattigan's 'The Deep Blue Sea' is a brilliant piece of theatre, as he lets the cast play to their strengths to enable them to bring out the best of their characters. I really enjoyed experiencing a new play where the cast can express true emotions; as well as exploring situations that still happen in today's society.

Personal Planner Haul

Hi everyone,

I have recently placed a few orders with one of my favourite planner companies called Personal Planner, and they are based in Sweden. 2020 will be my third year of using Personal Planner.

I really like using Personal Planner, as I can design my planners to suit me and my needs. They also offer notebooks, wall planners and also accessories such as pens, stickers etc. All of their prices also includes shipping, and they ship worldwide.

My 2020 Planner

 







I have decided to use the squared layout for my 2020 planner as I wanted to try something a little different. The weekly still have a space for my work hours, as well as a lined module. I also still have my monthly and yearly spreads. My yearly overview is placed at the back, along with a selection of lined and plain pages. I use the plain pages for my monthly budgets.

Health Planner

This is a new addition to my 2020 planner line up, as I have chosen to have a planner just for my health. I have again decided to have the squared layout, but this time have lined in blue which is something I've done in my previous planners. Another change to this planner is that I have decided to have a weekly graph where I can track my daily mood and/ or stress levels. I also have monthly spreads where I can also track different aspects of my health; and at the back I just have mostly lined paper where I can keep a record of certain things if needed.

Music Journal

I'm currently using a music journal to keep a detailed record of my flute practice routine, and this does seem to be working as I can just quickly reference to my teacher what I need help with as soon as I go into my lesson. I use this to keep track of my scales, arpeggios, harmonics, exam pieces and additional pieces that I'm also learning. I also record any other areas that I'm having working towards improving such as a few notes within my low and high registers.

My Music Journal

Hi everyone,

I would like to talk to you about my music journal, and this what I take with me to my flute lessons.

For the first 30 minutes or so of my flute practice session I usually start off by doing Harmonics on C, as this helps me to warm up, and tune my flute as well as adjusting the head joint if it needs it. Once I have done my Harmonics I will then focus on anything that needs a little extra focus, and this at the moment is working on my low C# to low D as I'm having trouble getting those to flow smoothly and sound nice.

Once I have finished on this little segment of my practice I will then focus on the scales and arpeggios that my flute teacher has set me to do. At the moment I'm currently working on G Major 12th, Bb Major 12th, D Major 2 Octaves, G Harmonic Minor 12th, & E Harmonic Minor 12th, as well as the corresponding arpeggios. Arpeggios are every other note in the scale, and a 12th are four notes above the 8th note of the scale.

The second part of my flute practice focuses on two of three exam pieces that I have to learn. I'm currently working towards the ABRSM Grade 3 flute, and the pieces that I'm learning for this grade are 'The Irish Washerwoman', 'Cinq Sets', and 'Study in D Minor'. I alternate one pieces per week, so then I can just focus in on two pieces for that week. Some days I will work on certain passages, or it could just be a few bars that need some extra work to get it right. Other days I will run the pieces through its entirety, now this doesn't always go according to plan, but it does help me to work out what needs work and what I can improve on.

The third part of my flute practice routine is that I work on a piece or two of my choice. At the moment I'm currently working on the Chopin Nocturne Op 9, No 2; and Saint-Saens 'The Swan' from 'Carnival of the Animals'. All of these pieces have their own challenges, and I tackle these the same way as I tackle my exam pieces.

The notebook that I use for my music journal is from a company called Personal Planner, who are based in Sweden. I've designed this journal myself, as I really like the lined paper that they do as its narrow ruled. But, you can use any notebook for a music journal just as long as you keep a record of everything you do in your practice session.

To record in your music journal:-

- Date

- Warm Ups

- Scales & Arpeggios (including what needs work or if you have just started to learn a new scale or arpeggio)

- Exam Pieces (what you have practice & what needs work to get that piece up to performance standard)

- Additional Pieces (what you have practiced, what needs improvement)

- Anything else you fit into your practice sessions

These are just a few ideas for your music journal, but do what best to suit yourself and the way that you practice and learn. Everyone learns differently, and what my work for me may not suit you're learning needs. Feel free to use my method of a music journal as a starting point if you think it would benefit your music learning; and you can always change it up if it doesn't suit. 

Review: Dr Botanicals 100% Natural Bio-Restoring Overnight Nutrition Moisturiser

Hi everyone,

I have been using the Dr Botanicals 100% Natural Bio-Restoring Overnight Moisturiser for a couple of months as part of my evening skincare routine. I use this moisturiser on alternate evenings.

I'm really enjoying this moisturiser as part of my evening skincare routine, as it has a lovely thick consistency that sinks into the skin straight away. I've also found that it makes my skin feeling a lot more hydrated than the other moisturiser that I'm also currently using.

Claims

Intense overnight moisturiser with bio-nutrients that aim to smooth and firm the skin and minimise the look of pores. Wake up refreshed and restored ready for a new day.

Active Ingredients

Crambe Oil

Reinforces and smoothens the skin's surface making the skin look youthful & refreshed. The oil is high in omega 9 essential fatty acids that deeply nourish & hydrate the skin.

Almond Oil

Is high in fatty acids that work to hydrate & nourish the skin

Grape Seed Oil

Is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, & vitamins C, E & D that work to hydrate & nourish the skin

I'm really enjoying using this as part of my evening skincare routine, as this works like an overnight mask; but it isn't. This is a lovely, but intensively hydrating moisturiser that works wonder for skin that is slightly dehydrated. After I have used this moisturiser I wake up the following morning and my skin feels plumped and hydrated; and this one moisturiser that I can that has worked overnight.