TUNES #1

Hello all!!

First semester is finally over and the holidays are here, of corse, this only gave me around 2 days to organise, buy and wrap everything for christmas but it's all apart of the fun! Now I know I'm far too late to be blogging about christmas gift guides or homemade crafts, as I'm sure you are all far more prepared than me.... so instead, as a not quite a christmas treat, I thought I would share some of my favouring wrapping music.... I've combines a playlist of tracks I've loved this year and will get you through the endless wrapping of gifts, or for cleaning the house after christmas dinner and having a little sing to yourself ;)

Enjoy

Lily Allen: Hard Out Here.... giving the Spice girls a Bitch slap in girl power! 

love this song right now... been a great wee motivator too!

Pop Danthology | 2013.... this legendary mash-up magician is back with a awesome track of all last years biggest hits

Another awesome Mash mix to take you down memory lane... a wee bit more chilled an emotional but with an incredible build to it! LOVE 

 Same guy... just more summer beats! 

HOLLLAAAA

This tune brings me back to cuba, partying in the sun back in Glasgow and in Amsterdam 

 BOOM 

what are your Christmas wrapping songs? Are you an old school classic christmas songs guy or like to mix it up a little?

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Sarah xx

Project Finish Line | #1

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

It's now december; deadlines are mounting, i've not slept in months and I now have 'The Feer' of what on Earth am I going to do with my life after graduation? (If I graduate?! :/ )

 It's hard to stay positive with every newspaper giving you the recent terrifyingly high unemployment rates for graduates and you have to balance all this with dissertation research as well?! 

HOW?

All this thought got me thinking of my favourite smartie pants and life conquering fictional character Rory Gilmore! She always seems to have everything her life sorted! she was not only beautiful and naturally smart, but she was constantly working to improve her brains and focus on her career... I mean she even chose Obama over the possible marriage to some hot rich guy.... if she is not a role model for you woman I don't know who is! 

The start of my post grad prospectus pile 

In the final Season (around this time of year) Rory, and fellow academic mastermind Paris, created 'Project Finish line' : A list of everything they need to do before graduating, be it applying for jobs/internships or postgraduate courses to improving skills and updating CV's. 

So in true Gilmore girl style, I am planning my own Project Finish Line in order to create a little harmony in my life!

Are any of you graduating this Summer and panicking? 

Have any of you been through this and have any advice to give I would LOVE to hear it! 

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Sarah x

Culloden Battlefield | National Trust for Scotland

Cuil Lodair | Culloden

Sensible Shoes

"Our blood is still our fathers And ours the valour of their hearts..."

Culloden Battlefield

The Well of the Dead

The government soldiers memorial stone

Cameron Clan Mass Grave (my Clan)

As a hospitality and tourism major in international business, I have the great excuse currently to visit several museums, exhibitions and experiences, and do it all in the name of 'reseach' for my 4th year dissertation. This weekend I headed up to the north of Scotland to visit the Culloden Battlefield site, just a few miles outside Inverness. The last time I paid a visit this site was during History at high school (around 7 years ago) and how things have changed. Once just a cold, muddy battlefield, that you were quickly escorted round by a shoddily dressed Jacobite, the battlefield at Culloden is now a fully educational and enlightening experience. Long gone are the myths of the Scots Vs the English, the new visiter centre looks to unveil the long romanticised propaganda of bonnie prince charlie and his struggle against the 'evil English army' and bring to light the real story of the Battle of Culloden. On entering the visiter centre, you are taken through each part in the history and the lead up for battle by both the government (red coats) and the Jacobites point of view.  After the educational part you then enter the battle itself, in the form of a 360 surround video of the battle re-enactment (Warning, this part can be quite graphic, so would skip it if you are of a sensitive nature or have young children). Then, if the weather is not too horrendous, its off out to the battlefield itself with your own GPS operated listening guide. At each point of interest you stop at, the guide jumps to life explaining information, without the need to mess around with buttons. This is an excellent use of technology on the NTS half. It really lets you stay in the moment as you are not having to look down at your remote every two minutes to play around with the keypad! In all I spent a good two hours around the visitor centre and the battlefield, but could have spent longer if we had been luckier with the weather. Since I am now a NTS member this was completely free but for adults it was only around £8 and I would of happily paid that for this experience.

Have you visited this legendary Scottish Battlefield?

What's your favourite Scottish Tourism site?

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Sarah X 

A very 'Wedding' Weekend

My OOTD

Engagement cake

Bridesmaid's Flowers

As summer comes to a close I had one last wedding to attend this season of my lovely cousin and his fiancée! The night before we had also a surprise engagement party for my flatmate so I was very much feeling the love (and a little hungover) by Sunday night. I thought I would share some pictures of the beautiful day.

Have you been to many weddings this year? 

Do you Have a go to formal outfit/ hair/ make-up look?

Sxx

Hair today, Gone tomorrow

Sweeney Todd? 

All smiles with my freshly chopped mop

For anybody who knows me, it's a well known fact that I HATE the hairdresser. In my entire 23 years on this plant I have only had around 3 haircuts that i've not truly disliked. I don't know if its my hair type (crazy curly and uber thick) or if they just never listen to me but I alway end up leaving fighting back the tears and repeating over to myself 'It's only hair, it will grow back'. Being in Montreal all of last year was the perfect excuse for me just to not get it cut due to the language barrier (I really will use any excuse) but after 14 months of colouring, curling and sub zero temperatures the time came for me to finally get rid of my dead ends. Luckily for me, two of my close girlfriends informed me that they have been cutting their own hair for the past few years and offered to give mine a quick snip! Result, a free (much needed) haircut in the hands of someone I trust! It took them a grand total of 4 and a half minutes to go from a bit of a birds nest to much more manageable curls and I love it! 

Are you a hairdresser lover or hater?

Any bad hairdresser experiences??
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Sxx

Niki de Saint Phalle @ MoMA | Glasgow

 Had a wee trip into Glasgow's museum of modern art today to check out the Niki de Saint Phalle exhibition that is currently on. I don't know much about this particular late, French born artist, apart from the fact that she is the artists behind the mosaic panels in front of the museum. On entering the uppermost gallery, You are engulfed in a world of colour and statues. Almost everyone on the surface seems bright, even childish. Until you look at the figures and art more closely, where the artists dark and slightly tormented past seems to emerge to the surface. Niki de Saint Phalle largest and most extravagant work takes form in her outdoor 'Tarot Gardens' Italy. (Another place to visit on the list) Where she depicts the themes in the tarot cards in a magnitude of wire, cement and an array of brightly coloured tiles.

This collection will continue to be on show until the 27th October @ MoMA Glasgow

Have any of you visited this exhibition? 

Or visited the Tarot Gardens in Italy?

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Sxx

Barry M's Limited Edition Summer Nail Paint... Get Them While They Are Hot....Pink!

Barry M Nail Paint - Limited Edition | 'Pink' 2013 Summer

Summer is pretty much over, most stores have ditched the BBQ gear and halloween themed candy is already filling the shelves but thankfully you can still grab this lavish limited edition summer nail paint in 'PINK' (yes... that is all it's called?!) This was the first Nail Paint that I picked up since returning to the UK in May and i have fallen head over heels for the shade and its application - It keeps a slight translucency so you can still see the whites of your nails even though the colour is pretty pigmented. I am a hard core lover of black outfits and I am truly devoted to bright, borderline neon, nails to brighten up my outfits... and on rainy days! So quick guys... go down and grab yourself this nail paint while you still can!! only £3.99 from Superdrug and Boots. 

What has been your 'go to' summer shade that you are going to miss this A/W??

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Thats all for now

Sxx

OOTD | Last of the Summer Sunshine

Got a wee Outfit of the Day for you. It's been raining pretty much all week here in Glasgow and its been depressing. But, out of the blue this Saturday, the sun came out!

 Whoop Whoop

To make the most of the last of the sun this Summer I donned some pink lipstick a dress with a thin jumper and heels and spent a lovely afternoon shopping with Friends in the West End. 

Lips : Body Shop in 'Neon Pink'

Dress : H&M |  £7.99

Tights: Primark |£4

Jumper: Red Herring @ Debenhams | £5

Boots: boohoo.com | £15

Super Healthy Kale Smoothie

 Want a quick and easy, super healthy breakfast? Well look no further than this kale smoothie.

first you can add bananas, oranges, blueberries and raspberries (a mix of fresh and frozen fruit is best to keep the smoothie chilled and still full of goodness). Then add a handful of washed chopped fresh kale and drizzle with a fruit juice of your choice (make sure it is a fruit juice and not a 'juice drink'). Blitz in a smoothie maker or food processor until smooth. Serve in a cold glass to kickstart your morning.

Have any of you invented your own Smoothies?
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Thats all for now
Sxx

Lush Goodies | Ultimate Shine Solid Shampoo Bar

(source)

Ultimate Shine Solid Shampoo Bar

I have been a massive fan of Lush's solid shampoo bars for so long. They are perfect for traveling and on short trips or beach holidays when you don't want to be carrying bottle after bottle of cosmetics and toiletries. Before my recent trip to Amsterdam I headed into my nearest Lush store to pick one up and after a wee chat with the ever s helpful Lush staff I decided to go for this, Ultimate Shine bar. Lush have changed back the recipe of there bars so they lather much better than they did before so that was a massive plus. This bar really did live up to its name, just after one wash (and with no other products) my hair was super soft and even managed to tame my frizzy hair in the Amsterdam heat! The sent on this bar isn't as strong as some of the stores other products but it leaves your hair smelling fresh but not overpowering. Ultimately I can't wait to use this bar again next time I go away on a little holiday to give my hair a shiny treat, and for just £5.50 I think its pretty good bargain too!

Have you tried any of the Lush solid shampoo bars?
Do you have a favourite travel essential??
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Sxx

The Coolest Shoes in Middle Earth

"A red sun rises, Blood has been spilt this night" - Legolas Greenleaf 

Middle Earth map

One of my good friends has some awesome artistic skills and has always been into fashion and customising her own clothes. Just before she is due to head out to Australia for a while she picked up a basic pair of white pumps and customised them with a map of the world and lots of traveler quotes and I fell in love with them instantly. She said that she had bought a spare pair incase she made a mistake on hers and she offered to make me my own pair (we have the same size feet). Due to the fact I'm a massive Lord of the Rings geek she based my ones on the Middle Earth map with some epic LOTR quotes. I love them so much I just had to share them, and my mates talent, with everyone.

Any and of you guys handy with the Sharpie??
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Sxx 

Saltire in the Sky

Saltire in the Scottish Sky

Just wanted to share this lovely pic, I glanced out of my window and say the Scottish flag embalmed on a unusual blue scottish sky and just thought it was rather beautiful.

Do you have any beautiful pictures of your homeland?
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Sxx

One Direction for MUA | 'Rock Me' Lipstick

'Rock Me' 1D for MUA

Well I would never call myself a 'Directioner' but I was quite intrigued when the boy wonders teamed up with the bargain make-up brand MUA to create a small range of lipsticks,nail polishes and tints. Most  things in the collection didn't really take my fancy, but I feel this collection was produced with a much younger target market in mind! I was however drawn to one shade of the 'Kiss You xx' lipsticks so thought I would pick it up and give it a try. At three times the price of the other lipsticks that MUA offers, I was expecting the quality to be a little bit better. This shade however was relatively glossy and took quite a few layers for the desired colour so that was a little disappointing as I'm usually a massive fan of this brand but oh well, can't win them all!

Have any of you tried any of the One Direction MUA range?
Do you have a winner?
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Sxx

Time to Take a Walk Down Autumnal Street | Nails

Jermyn Street

IT AUTUMN 

I used to love this time of year, mainly because I used to be a ginger, and autumn colours went really well with my orange locks. This year, I kind of wish Summer lasted just a wee while longer. I'm guessing its just the scary thought of going back to school for my final year. There is however two Autumn trends that I am loving and looking forward to wearing and that it Nude nails and lips. Due to my super pale skin and quite naturally pink lips, finding a nude lipstick that matches and suits my skin tone is almost impossible (My self and several MAC girls have tried and failed this quest many times). To get my mind back onto season I thought I would dig through some of my old nude nail polishes and came across this gorgeous shade 'Jermyn Street' by Nails Inc.

Amsterdam | A Perfect End to an Exceptional Year

Just before the long and lovely Summer ends, I just had enough time to squeeze in one little holiday to meet up with some of my European friends that I met and studied with in Montreal. Amsterdam seemed like the perfect option because it is a pretty cheap and central place for us all to travel to. We only had four days but I crammed in everything from the Rijks Museum, pedal boating on the canals and enjoying the seedier side of the Red Light District while enjoying a beverage or two on the way. I feel like I haven't slept in the past few days with not getting in until 5am and being up at 8am to beat the queues at the art galleries but it was all worth it!

Im off to go sleep for a week now before back to reality and back to school for my final year.

Sxx

Edinburgh Festival '13 | #4

I'm With The Band | Tim Price

Long Live The Little Knife | David Leddy

Where did the past four weeks go....!?

with late night shifts and late shows I havn't had much chance to see many new shows! Tomorrow is my last night and I get to see Brand New Ancients by poet and playwright, Kate Tempest, and I am super excited about that! It was my last time working some of my favourite shows that have been on this year so I also picked up a few scripts!