This House is Haunted - A Frightful Book Review

  October seems the perfect time for new beginnings so I thought I would bring something I'm much more passionate about within my blog. You may not know this yet but I LOVE books;  I've grown up with them being my constant companions into different worlds and they've helped me learn and thrive on new things. I enjoy books so much that I now study English Literature at university but that doesn't stop me reading for pure enjoyment!
  So, I thought I would share with you all the books that I'm currently reading, whether it be a trusty old classic or an exciting new novel;  I want to share with you books that I either love or am mutually acquainted with so that you can enjoy them, too :)
  Without further ado, to keep in the spirit (pardon the pun ;) ) of October and Halloween, what better way to start than to read a horror story?

  Set (as most classic Horror stories are) within the confines of the Victorian era,  This House is Haunted by John Boyne sucks you straight into a gloriously wretched beginning,  welcoming in its characters and having a guest appearance of a rather special man;  not to go into much detail but his name may rhyme with Gnarls Chickens...

"'This house is haunted. '
He groaned loudly in protest and looked away, his face a study of pain and anger.  'I will not hear these words', he said.
 'Of course you won't, I replied, walking away from him. 'Because your mind is closed. As are the minds of all your type'."

  Never have I felt more proud of a main female character within a book. Eliza's strength of character and defiance of the stereotypical epithets condemned to her sex during the Victorian era in which this story is set, truly made me enjoy this book more than I originally thought. I wouldn't label myself as a full-blown feminist but nothing irks me more than when a female protagonist succumbs to silly gender stereotypes (such as letting the man walk all over her and her beliefs), when I find books like that, I tend to be put off them.

  John Boyne is a fantastic author (as his previous works such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas goes to show) and his work with This House is Haunted is so frightfully realistic; you can almost feel a presence hovering over you as you read the pages...
  A blissfully quick read with characters you empathise with or even grow fond of, and others whom you come to hate due to their ignorant and degrading attitudes *cough* the Victorian men  *cough*. This House is perfect for fans who want a more modern take on such classic Horror stories such as Henry James, The Turn of the Screw and Susan Hill, The Woman in Black or even if you want a quick and frightening read to get you into the spirit of Halloween. Be warned; you may regret reading this in the dark...

   If you wish to find out what else I've been reading this month, then friend me on GoodReads; https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/36022239-jocelle-gibson
  I hope you enjoyed the new arrival to my blog, until next time!
 
Love,
Jocelle
xx

Your eyes look Wonder'full, darling!

Argan oil has been a trend that has been  blowing up the beauty world and taking it by storm. So,  when I saw that Rimmel had a new mascara that contained Argan oil, I must admit I ran to my local drugstore to find it. It took me going to four different shops to find it as it seemed to be sold out everywhere! 

I've been using this mascara for a few months now so I thought I'd do a small review on my thoughts and feelings on how it is so far :)

First,  let's just admire how beautiful the packaging is! It is so sleek and streamlined,  I feel like I'm reviewing a much higher end mascara than a Rimmel London one.

 The curve on the brush lid makes holding the wand much easier as there is no slipping and sliding to keep your hands on the wand whilst applying. 

Now,  for the actual product itself. The advertisement for Wonder'full mascara boasts that this the 'secret weapon' to full volume with no clumps and ultimate definition. I must agree that this mascara has to have some of the smoothest application out of the drugstore. There really are no clumps to be seen when wearing this and every lash is clearly defined - a great plus for me.

In terms of volume, it was okay for me. I didn't wear it and think 'wow, look at how big my lashes look'. One coat was enough to give natural looking lashes and when you tried to build it up, no magic really happened which disappointed me slightly.

The ad also boasts that the mascara leaves lashes feeling 'smooth and conditioned'. On the one hand,  I agree that once the mascara was OFF, my lashes felt more nourished but if I was to wear this mascara for long periods of time, I could feel my lashes and moreover my eyes feel so dry that is was uncomfortable. 

So, this leads to my overall problem with this mascara - the staying power is very weak. Not only that but it smudges so, so, so easily that I was appalled. I remember coming out from a meeting and having a few seconds to look at myself in a mirror and I was so shocked as my mascara had completely came off my bottom lashes and had smudged all along the bottom of my eye. To say I was mortified is an understatement;  I looked like a panda (and not in a good way! ).

That concludes my quick review. I have to say, for something I was looking forward to so much I'm really let down by this mascara. 

Realistically,  if someone was to wear a mascara they would want it to last for as long as they stay out - with this mascara, that's not going to happen. Going out for a few hours is fine but if you go any longer,  be sure to check for smudging as no one wants the smokey eye look when they didn't plan it!

I honestly don't think I would buy this again because I feel like it's kind of a waste of money for a mascara that should do so much more. There are other drugstore mascaras out there that have better staying power and if you really feel like having nourished lashes, then actually buy Argan oil in its physical oil form and gently smooth it onto your lashes during your night routine, your lashes will fill conditioned instantly!

Hope this review was insightful and useful to anyone who was thinking of trying this mascara! Until my next review!

Love, 

Jocelle

xx

Small Body Shop Haul + Reviews

  Hello everyone, it's been a while since the last post so I thought I'd write something that I've never really done before; a haul!
  This was my first time ever shopping at the Body Shop so I only had a few recommendations that I knew to look for - the rest I left up to fate!

 I'll start with the less exciting purchases of my trip,  I didn't intend to leave with a shower gel but there was a special deal with this and another item in my haul that meant I just had to get it! I've not tried it yet but from its scent, an almost gummy bear aroma - fruity and sweet. I don't think much can go wrong with this product.

   I had heard about the Body Shop Rainforest range for hair being amazing so I picked up a pre made collection of both the shampoo and conditioner. I thought I'd start with a smaller size so I could see if I really liked the product or not;  if it was a hit, then obviously I'd buy the full size, if a miss, I could just finish up the small bottle and leave it at that.
  I'll try and do a review of this sometime in the future for you guys, as I'll try to do with all my products so you can enjoy them as much as I do!

   This was another impulse purchase that I didn't really think I would leave with. However, I was browsing through the body mist and perfume section, spraying random bottles onto my wrists and nothing was catching my attention. After walking round the store some more,  I noticed the most amazing scent coming from one of my wrists; it was this gorgeous English Dawn White Gardenia Fragrance Mist!
  The great thing about this mist is that at first,  it may smell way too strong but the more you leave it, it disperses beautifully! It's one of those scents that if you spray it on in the morning, you'll randomly catch it's scent throughout the day and think 'wow'.
  I would recommend this to anyone who is into that sort of smell; a subtle floral scent to add that touch of class and femininity. It does say special edition on the bottle so quickly get yours before it's too late ;)

The next few items will be to do with the face/skincare. I got the Tea Tree Pore Minimiser because I was searching for a new primer and the fact that this was suitable for blemished prone skin (me!!) made me feel like I should give this a try.

One of the first things you'll notice about this primer is how strongly it smells of tea tree - but I really do quite like that. As soon as you put it onto cleansed and moisturised skin, your skin feels purer (just like the bottle states). I love the feeling of a product working on my face so that was a hit for me!

For 30ml, a little goes a long way, I've been using this for a while now and I still feel like I've not cracked halfway into it. If you want something which has great lasting abilities, this will be great for you. 

The bottle also states the pores look smaller and it instantly mattifies. I'm not sure how much I would agree with the smaller pores but if you have oily skin, this does to an extent, mattifies your face.

I'm still in a 50/50 state of mind about this product but I'll give it some more use and see how I get on! However, if you do want a relatively cheap and long lasting primer which won't break you out, then try this one!

   This next skincare/primer product was recommended to me. I heard so many great reviews on how wonderful it made people's skin look etc. I've not used it too much to give a detailed analysis on this but from the first few tries, I have to admit I'm not really loving it myself, which is sad considering it's price. I'll keep trying it out over the next few weeks and see if my opinion changes.
  If anyone has any recommendations on Body Shop skincare items, I would love to hear them as I really would love to try some of the other ranges out!

 I reckon nearly everyone knows about the Body Shop body butters and I walked into the store knowing I was going to leave with one of these beauties!
  I love love love the scent of raspberry,  so there was no difficultly in deciding which one I should pick up. As soon as you open the tub, the smell hits you and you start to salivate just because this smells soo yummy.
  Thick (not too thick though) and moisturising, this is great for giving dry to normal skin a much needed moisture boost whilst making yourself smell absolutely incredible!

My final product is the one I'm the most excited about! I've heard all about the Body Shop Honey Bronzer for months and months now, how it is THE bronzer. I knew I had to get it as soon as I walked into the store and saw it's beautiful packaging. Also, just how cute is the honey comb design on the actual product?

I got mine in 01 Light Matte which is the lightest shade and best suited for fairer skin tones like myself. 

Instantly, I can see how unlike other bronzers I've tried this is. For one, it doesn't have that annoying orange undertone to it that I hate to a bronzer - who really wants to look like a sculpted tangerine on their day/night out? It also has such a lovely consistency to the product, lightweight but still giving colour pay off.

I have yet to use this but trust me, I'll be whipping this bronzer out all day, everyday, once I have more time to do my make up fully. You have no idea how excited I am about this bronzer (is it weird to be this riled up about a make up item?)!

That's all I picked up recently from the Body Shop, I hoped you enjoyed seeing what I got and having little mini reviews on products that I've tried out so far. Do tell me if you have any recommendations of your own that you think I should try out!

Love, 

Jocelle

xx

  

A day in my life - Beach Relaxation

Hi guys,  I realised it's been a while since I did a day in my life so I whipped my phone out to take pics of my day out to Walton on the Naize; a lovely beach in England :)

The required bored-whilst-travelling selfie ;P

 Once we got there, we decided to stop and have a coffee in the sunshine! The weather so beautiful, I couldn't have been happier :) Here's a quick snap of my mum!

Tried to take a selfie with one of my puppies but she wasn't having it! She's fed up of me taking pictures of her all the time! Does anyone else take way too many pics with their dog?

  Feeling such soft sand between my toes almost convinced me that we weren't on an English beach! Alas, I still wished I was warming my toes on an exotic white sand beach somewhere abroad though!

A quick ootd:
 Hat (which you can't see very well) - New Look
 Vest - Urban Outfitters
 Shorts - Peacocks
 Shoes - Asos
 Glasses (my own regular prescription) - Red or Dead

  We ended our day with cool drinks and ice cream, of course! Mine was mint choc chip; one of my favourite flavours :D

To end the blog post, here are a few pictures of what the gorgeous beach looks like! It has so many remnants of WWII scattered around the beach but it made the experience all the more exciting :)

I hope you enjoyed following me around on this impromptu day in my life!

Love,
Jocelle
xx

Battle of the BB - #2 (Korean BB)

Hi guys!
  It's been a long time since I did my last BB cream review so I thought I would get started on another BB cream that I've been loving these past summer months! As promised, I have branched out and have decided to review a Korean BB cream!
  For those who don't know, BB creams are all the rage over in Asia and more specifically; Korea. Not to be too biased but I must say Korea does make the best BB creams by far! I don't know what magic they use in their formulas but their creams are top notch!

   The BB cream I'll be reviewing today is called the Super Beblesh Balm by Skin79. It's said to have three functions of whitening, UV protecting SPF25 PA++ and Wrinkle improvement.
  Right off the bat, can we just take a moment to appreciate the gorgeous packaging here? In hot pink with silver detailing, this BB cream makes any makeup collection or vanity table look super cute and fashionable!

 This BB Cream has been raved about by many beauty bloggers and the hype over it really is worth it! The formulation is light but feels moisturising to the skin as it is said to contain Phyto Complex for added moisture for the skin. However, coverage isn't too heavy as you would expect; if you need to cover up any extra blemishes just use some concealer :)
  As for its three functions, I don't really have wrinkles just yet so I can't really give a fair judgement on that and I can't really judge UV protection but having it is an added bonus. I must say, any dark spots or patches on my face are hardly there anymore and my face feels super soft after use.
  I love how this BB cream can be easily blended into the face with just your fingers and is lightweight enough for the hot summer days as well as protecting you from the harsh summer sun!

   The cream comes out easily just by pushing the large silver pump on top of the bottle which is great for convenience and for hygiene reasons. One pump offers enough for you to cover your whole face evenly.

Overall, this a great BB cream that I really can't find fault in! However, as far as I can tell this comes in only one colour, which is for lighter skin tones, if you're of a darker skin tone this may not be for you. It's only around £8 depending on where you buy it online and you get 40g worth for your money, so it's enough to keep you going all summer long. 

  I truly recommend this BB cream to anyone who wishes to start out or wants to try something new, it's great for keeping you looking refreshed and flawless through the sizzling summer heat! 

Score:4.5/5

Love, 

Jocelle

xx

Maybelline Matte Maker Review

Hey guys! I've been away from blogging for a while due to school and exams taking over my life but now that I have some more free time,  I can finally get back into blogging and reviewing products again! Yay! (/^_^)/

  I thought I'd begin my re-entry into the blogosphere by reviewing the Maybelline Matte Maker powder in 10 Classic Ivory (I believe there was one other shade for darker skin tones but can't recall the name >.<).
  When I saw this in Boots I was intrigued (as I am with all new products! ) and seeing as it was on offer for only £3.99 - it was an offer I couldn't resist!
 

  The first thing I must mention is my love of the texture of this product. When I first swatched my finger on the tester in store,  it felt incredibly silky smooth! Then when I got home,  I tried it for myself on an unopened package and was amazed by its smoothness and fresh scent. I knew I was going to like this powder! 

The next day,  I incorporated the powder into my everyday routine and found it to be very light weight and also great at making oily skin look matte and unblemished. 

The consistency is a light to medium coverage but that's great for the coming summer days (fingers crossed that England actually gets some sun! ) as you want a powder that lightly refreshes your look without leaving you cakey and feeling weighed down by make up. 

  

Although compliments aside,  I do wish that this powder had slightly more staying power but this isn't a really huge problem as you can easily touch up throughout the day  :)

The overall score I'd give this powder is a 4/5. I've still to use this product more before making any other judgements! Go grab yourself a matte maker whilst it's still on offer,  you get great bang for your buck and you'll look gorgeously shiny free for the summer :)

Now let me get back to my summer reading...ah bliss!

Love, 

Jocelle

xx

"Say my name... Heisenberg. You're damn right it is"

Hey guys,

I was just in a café drinking coffee and I thought I would update on my life and look a little.

 I haven't been able to do review lately due to school but I promise one soon and some new blog post ideas I have in store! 

I just had a half term which was eventful and a very welcome break from the gruelling chore of sixth form. Even though we just started again, I feel like I need the break back. Do you ever feel the same way about school/work?

 I went to see Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre in London. Such a great play to watch if you want to get a fright! Tense and terrifying;  I loved every moment of it 😍

   Here's an outfit I wore out to be with friends during half term , inspired by the awesome show, Breaking Bad. I love that show and have seen all the seasons! Have you seen any episodes and what do you think?

  Check Shirt - H&M
  Heisenberg Oversized Jumper - Boutique in     Chinatown
  Boots - Doc Martens
  Gold Hairband - Camden
  Necklace - Gifted

Here's a picture of my friends and I on a magazine cover!  We're just that famous ;)
  Only joking, we went to a photo booth in Chinatown and took countless pictures - this one is my particular favourite 😀

  Yesterday I finally got Lady Gaga's perfume, Fame for the first time. I was overly cautious by having a black liquid perfume but the smell and packaging is amazing! Definitely worth the buy because the scent last for ages and catches peoples attention - I fully recommend it to you if you feel like letting your 'monster' out.😈

  That's all for this post, folks. I'm off home to work out because I really need it after my half term of binge eating xD

Love,
Jocelle
xx

Mother and Daughter day in London - OOTD

 Well hello my lovelies! ♡
   I thought I would do a quick post on my outfit from yesterday when I went to London. I finally braved the orange lip trend with Rimmel's Apocalips in 500 Luna. I gotta say guys, I'm totally in love with it! The colour was more of a natural coral than a vibrant orange and went really well with my skin tone.
  I love Rimmel's Apocalips range, I have quite a few of their colours! They instantly glam up your lips for any occasion and bring attention to your face by their bold colour.
  Quite long lasting and not too sticky - I'm seeing them as a staple beauty piece for the season to come!

On my nails was the gorgeous colour Bahama Mama by Essie.

 Essie nail polishes are great for strong colour which last ages and goes on with only a few strokes. 

(Disclaimer: All products used by me are not given to me or asked to be reviewed.  It is just my genuine opinion on products that I use and love/hate :P)

Here's the whole outfit; lucky for me the sun was actually shining in England when I took this!
 Hat - H! by Henry Holland (of course!)
 Tartan Hoodie/Shirt - H! by Henry Holland
 Ripped Black Jeans - George by Asda
 (a girl likes to save money! )
 Boots - Clarks
 Watch - Fossil

  Hope you enjoyed reading this and I'll be sure to do another post soon! Have a beautiful day whilst I go back to my binge watching of Gossip Girl ^_^

  You know you love me...xoxo (points to you, if you know what I'm referring to ;) )

Jocelle
xx

Valentine's Day OOTD (Outfit of the Day)

Even though I didn't have a loved one to celebrate the famous day of love with,  I decided to go all out with my outfit in order to boost my self esteem and have a great day even though I alone amongst a swarm of overly attached couples!

Valentine's Day is also about learning to love yourself; so dressing up to the nines with nowhere to go is great for making you feel good. 

 My outfit of the day consisted of:
   Dress - New Look
   Blazer/Cardigan - Vintage
   Tights - Primark
   Lipstick - Topshop
   Rose - given to me as a gift ;) teehee

Even though the colour red isn't necessarily in style anymore, what better colour to represent the day of love than vivid and passionate red.

   The only wrist accessories I wore was my Fossil watch in Rose Gold - a timeless (haha) piece which goes with pretty much everything!

  On my feet, I'm wearing my gorgeous high-heeled boots by Red Herring. A solid, darker red so that it blended well with the other colours rather than overpowering them.

  A closer look at my neckline. The heart statement necklace, appropriate for the day is from Topshop. Eye - catching and still able to work with the rest of the outfit.
   The dress has a slightly high and ruffled collar to give it a rather Gothic Victorian edge and it has slight lace cut outs to add a little oomph to the dress.

  I hope everyone had a brilliant Valentine's Day, whether you spent it with a loved one or alone; just know that someone out there loves and cares for you (perhaps you just haven't noticed it yet). Even if you don't think or believe so.

  Anyway,  I love you guys and I'll be happy to be your valentine any day ;)

Love,
Jocelle
xx

Asian Beauty Products - Sheet Mask

  I've been a fan of Asian beauty items for a while now and love how they can help the most dry of skin and help the most blemished of faces. This got me thinking that I should share my Asian beauty product experiences with you; from those who already use such products on a daily basis to those who have never tried anything before - this post will help you try something a little different today!

The first beauty product I thought I would share with you is a sheet mask. I love sheet masks, they instantly hydrate and moisturise your skin leaving you feeling relaxed afterwards. The best product for a girly pamper night!
  This mask is a Red Ginseng Essence Mask which I picked up from an eBay store called wikitrend, they ship worldwide so this mask can be bought by anyone.

  Known for helping blemished skin and restoring elasticity, once left on the skin for 15 minutes or so, you can pull up the eye masks attached to the sheet mask and leave them to sit on your closed eyelids for a few extra minute. So when you finally remove your mask your eyes are also relaxed and less irritated.
  After use, any remaining moisture can be rubbed onto the skin for extra benefits. What I like most about this sheet mask was that it didn't smell too strongly like other previous masks that I tried and when I finally removed it my skin was smooth and shiny.
  All these views and opinions are all my own and I'm not sponsored to say them, I just wish to spread my love Asian beauty products further and let you all feel the benefits, too!
  Have a go today, I promise your skin will thank you for it :)

Love,
Jocelle
xx

A Day in my life - City Hall + Natural History Museum

  My day started off with a quick trip to Starbucks, we all know those early mornings where coffee helps to bring you back to life. I love lattes, so a fix of vanilla latte perked me up and got me ready for my first appointment in City Hall.

What was I doing in City Hall you ask? I was attending a Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony, both beautiful and in some ways haunting. I took this picture outside of City Hall, the timing was perfect and the Shard looked radiant in the sunlight. 

 Opposite City Hall was this brilliant view of Tower Bridge looking so majestic!

Here's me *Hello!* standing opposite City Hall. Look at the awesome building behind me! A semi-outfit of the day:

Snood - Chinatown stall

Coat - Henry Holland

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Boots - Clarks

After finishing the ceremony I had a lot of extra time on my hands so I thought I would head over to South Kensington and explore the Natural History Museum. As an avid historian, museums are a haven of knowledge and links to the past.
  I spent the best part of three and half hours wandering around and losing myself in history.  I didn't even get to see all of the museum as it is just so big!! When in London, I do recommend that one of the best places to go (and it's free!) is here.

   The mammal room! As soon as you walk in you are taken away by the size of the humongous blue whale taking pride position in the centre of the room.

 Whale bones in their glory. I found many an artist sitting and drawing them, from a balcony just opposite the hanging bones.

Whilst wandering, I took a picture of the inside building which held the Darwin exhibit.  Unfortunately it was closed for renovation so I couldn't go inside. I'll have better luck next time!

 A view of the entire main hall from the highest balcony in the museum.  I love architecture in England. Everything is so overwhelmingly stunning and beautifully made you can tell it's history just by looking at the arches and staircases. It looks like Hogwarts! ;)

Chilling with Charles. Darwin, of course! His statue takes prime position in the main hall in the middle of the staircases (as shown by the photo above).

  The main hall. Here you can see Dippy, the museum's famous diplodocus! He's much too big to take a picture up close to, so the bottom picture shows another one the museum holds in their dinosaur exhibit.

The dinosaur exhibit is one of the best and easiest places to get lost into the past with, seeing the towering structures of such incredible beasts show you just how long the earth has been around!

That's all I have for now folks! It was hard condensing all my photos into a small selection for this post but I hope you enjoyed visiting London and living my life with me. To finish off, here's a picture of an awesome T-rex! Rawrr!

Love,
Jocelle
xx