Happy Halloween!

Hello everyone! I'm back after my very short break from blogging, and to start off I'm going to wish you all a very Happy/Spooky/Frightful Halloween!

This year I didn't do anything for the holiday because I was too busy celebrating @ultimatecoddy's birthday with plenty of drinks on Friday night and a lovely meal last night, but it has been great looking at everybody's photos of their costumes - I definitely have plenty ideas for next year now! I've always wanted to be Sally from 'Nightmare before Christmas', as well as some sort of gothic corpse, maybe a dead flapper...

Little Mix's Halloween make-up that I want to try!

I really enjoyed this weekend's X Factor too. I thought the newly-named Little Mix's were great (and have been every week!), and I LOVED their spooky make-up - the pinned-on skin look is very cool! I would definitely give this a go for Halloween next year, although I know it would take me a lot of practice! I'm so pleased Johnny was given a swing song to sing (it's what he should have been doing all along), of course Misha B and Janet were brilliant again and - even though I hate that I'm going to say this - I think Kitty was good too! I just wish she wasn't so nasally... is it just me?!

Anyway, now I'm back to blogging, I've got some new posts lined up including my Drinks-Lab experience and Britney Spears' Femme Fatale tour... eeek! (Roll on Saturday!), so keep an eye out and, as always, I welcome your comments and thoughts!

Hope you all had a wonderfully eerie weekend!

I'll be back...

Just a quick post to say I'm having a very short break from blogging - just for the week in fact! I have a very busy few days ahead of me and over the past few months I have worked hard to maintain this blog to try and make it bigger and better than before (which I definitely think I've achieved!) so I thought this would be a good time so rest my blogging head. I do, however, have lots of new post ideas ready for when I'm back - which will be next week - so keep an eye out readers! 

And I'll just take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who takes the time to read, comment and follow this blog, it really does mean so much to me! So I will definitely be back soon - you can't keep me away for too long!

Blast from the past: Graduation 2010

I can't believe it, a whole calendar year ago today ( Friday 22nd October), it was my graduation - and it was one of the best days of my life!

After three years of hard work at East Coast Media (part of the Grimsby Institute), graduation day had finally arrived and I was about to become Lindsay Cowie, BA (sounds ace!) I had been looking forward to this day for a whole year, ever since I attended the previous year's ceremony with the Grimsby Telegraph as a part of my work experience. Seeing the graduates walk across the stage in their robes, collecting their qualifications was so inspirational; I found it very motivational as I wanted to achieve the best grade I could so I could feel just as proud on my day.

Me and my brother

I spent aaages thinking about what I would wear, how I would style my hair - all of the important things of course! And I made sure that I had all of my garments reserved in plenty of time, I had picked a suitable photography package and that all of the family were able to attend - my mum, dad and brother, and I'm really looking forward to seeing him graduate too in the not too distant future! Once myself and my classmates had received our robes, that was it! The nerves kicked in, but it was so exciting!

Of course, there was another reason why I was so nervous - I was the recipient of this year's Student of the Year award!!! That was it, my hard work had paid off! Luckily I didn't have to make a speech, but I did receive a fab trophy that has my name engraved into it and is stood in the Grimsby Institutes' HE Office (I went to see it last time I visited college - is that sad?!) It really did put the icing on the cake on this fantastic day!

My 'Student of the
Year' trophy!

Or, at least I thought it was - that was until I was in the car on the way to a family meal straight after the ceremony, and I received a phone call from COSMOPOLITAN magazine! YES - my favourite glossy monthly and they had called me to see if I could do some last minute work experience due to somebody dropping out. Devastatingly, I couldn't do it - I was absolutely gutted and still am to this day. I had already started working at Walton's Publications and, due to the short notice, I couldn't take the time off, and I couldn't afford a week in London due to lack of funds...

My degree and medal

BUT the fact they had considered me absolutely made this day the best of my life! Since then (well, before then actually) I have been working as a Features Writer for a local publishers and - now I can officially say - as of Monday I will be Deputy Editor of each of the publications! It really is incredible what a difference a year makes...

One for the Gleeks!: Back Soon!

I wasn't actually aware that Glee was taking a break! So, I'll be doing the same too and my 'One for the Gleeks!' feature will be back soon!

 In the meantime, you can still take a look at my posts so far! Check out the best quotes from:

Brittany

Santana

Finn and...

Rachel!

The power of social media

If you are from the Grimsby area, like me, and are on Facebook, then you may have noticed a lot of status updates and shared links about this.

A person in the town has filmed and absolutely awful video that really is shocking, but has used it for good! He videoed his neighbours punching, kicking and beating their dog with a stick- and in front of their children! It is absolutely disgusting to see, but instead of just posting the video, he attached the phone number for the RSPCA who have reportedly received a large amount of complaints about the incident(s).

Obviously, word spread quickly across Facebook and a large mob arrived at the house - I bet he was in for a shock! I'm not entirely sure what has occurred here (I haven't been there myself, this is just what I have seen from updates) but it has been alleged that violence has taken place - this may not be the most suitable answer, but hopefully the dog is now safe!

Word spread across to Twitter where, people have said, police from the Humberside force were informed - so now they are at the scene and the dog has been rescued by the RSPCA - all of this has taken place in approximately three hours!

As I said, I'm not entirely sure of all the details so I am unaware of what has happened to the family (other than being punched and having their windows put through, apparently!), but it just shows how powerful social media can be when it comes to putting a message across.

I will most definitely be keeping my ears open about this story!

A Quick Diary...

Well, what  a weekend it has been! I've been so busy I didn't even have time to write a post for Monday morning!

Firstly, I made a quick visit to my friend on Saturday morning as she is leaving good old Cleethorpes for a fab life as a hairdresser in London - I have known her (and her family) practically all of her life so of course I am very happy for her and wish her all the best! Unfortunately, on the way to my car and dropped my iPhone and COMPLETELY smashed it to bits! @ultimatecoddy described it as 'a spider's web' so you can imagine how damaged it is! Luckily it still works but it's just too dangerous pressing the glass so it has now gone to be fixed - so if I'm quiet on the tweeting front for the next few days you know why!

Anyway, Saturday was also the day of our workmates' wedding! It was a lovely event; the sun was shining, everybody looked beautiful, the food was yummy and we all had a great time! You may have seen my previous blog posts 'What to wear...' and 'I still don't know what to wear...' where I picked some of my favourite outfit choices from Miss Guided - keep an eye out on future posts to see what my choice was! *wink!*

The next day was also full of weddings - I attended the Save the Date wedding fair with one of my best friends, Miss Emily Savage! She is getting married next year and has a beautiful theme in mind - the Wedding Event with a Difference was perfect for her. There were a lot companies that had an abundance of vintage inspired ideas which, being perfectly honest, is not too common around our neck of the woods, so it was definitely worth a visit.

By the time we came back from the exhibition, which was held in Derby, I was knackered - too much excitement for one weekend! So to finish it off, I made my first Drinks-Lab concoction - they have created a home brewing kit that turns juice in sparkling wine - yes, you heard me! So look out for another post coming soon to see how this one turns out!

So, that has been my weekend. It has been a while since I've written a post like this so I hope I haven't rambled on too much! I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

P.S: I would have uploaded some pictures, but my camera has died too... thank god I still have my Macbook!

Happy Chocolate Week!

Yum, yum, yum - that's all I can say! Since Monday (10th October) it has has been National Chocolate Week and, because I have an incredible sweet tooth, I have been in heaven! So, for the last two days of Chocolate week, here are a few chocolate images to make your mouth water...

All images: shutterstock

And look at what we at Food and Drink Network UK magazine received this week from Storm Communications! Fun times ahead!

Until next year... Bon Appetit!

One for the Gleeks!: Rachel

Following on from last week's 'One for the Gleeks!', there is only one character that can continue the series on from Finn - and that is Rachel!

Since the moment they first sang 'Don't Stop Believin'', I think we all wanted these two to get together. With Finn's blonde but awesome lines and Rachel's big-headiness, and with the compassion they both have, they make a great pair!

Rachel's made no secret throughout the two-and-a-bit series that she wants to be a star, and it's safe to say she definitely has the voice (Jar of Hearts, anyone?), and the attitude! So with that in mind, here are few of Rachel Berry's best quotes.

Rachel: You may laugh because every time I sign my name I put a gold star after it, but it's a metaphor, and metaphors are important. My gold stars are a metaphor for ME being a star.

Rachel: (To Finn) You're very talented. I should know, I'm very talented too.

Rachel: Oh hello! I couldn't help but notice you admiring me yesterday in the courtyard.
Sunshine: Um, what?
Rachel: Oh you don't speak English. YOU LIKE ME SING! YOU LIKE ME SING VERY MUCH!
Sunshine: Um, I totally speak English.

Rachel: You might think that all the boys at school would totally want to tap this, but my MySpace schedule keeps me way too busy to date.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. Now I don't have to fantasize about what song I'd sing at your bedside if you were in a coma.

Rachel: Have you ever liked somebody so much you just wanna lock yourself in your room, turn on sad music, and cry?

Rachel: I think the rest of the team expects us to become an item. You, the hot, male lead, and me, the stunning, young ingenue everyone roots for.

Finn: Do you know what we should do?
Rachel: Elope?
Finn: What?
Rachel: Nothing.

Rachel: I'm like Tinkerbell, Finn. I need applause to live!

Mercedes: Look Rachel, the truth is, you're the best singer we've got.
Kurt: As much that it hurts me to admit it, and it does... she's right. Rachel is our star. If anyone is gonna go belt it on the fly, it should be her.
Rachel: Well, I do have something that I've been working on since I was four.

Rachel: I look forward to the day the paparazzi provokes me and I attack them.

Rachel: Your face tastes awesome.

Rachel: I'm very specific when I give a gift. You don't know how many kittens I gave away because they just weren't right.

Rachel: When I'm done rehearsing, I'd like your feedback. Tell me if I was brilliant or simply outstanding.

P.S: If you liked this post, then please take a look at Brittany's, Santana's and Finn's best quotes!

P.P.S: Glee Series 3 is on Sky One at 9pm on Thursdays!

Shoe Love!

I love shoes - I started work at Barratts in Grimsby three weeks after turning 16 and it was one of the best times of my life! I met some great friends who are still absolutely brilliant to this day and this is where my shoe love began.

Three and a half years later I moved onto Shoe Studio in House of Fraser, the Young Fashions department, and in February 2009 it turned into Office; the one thing you can definitely say about Office is that they certainly know how to make attention grabbing shoes!

Anyway, I was browsing through their sale items and I came across these beauties! I'm sure they're not to everyone's taste but, for me, they are show-stopping without being *too* in your face!

Twine Fine in black glitter...

... and blue glitter!

Teamed with a simple bodycon dress, I think these would look fab! And the best part is, because they are in their current mid-season sale, they have been reduced from £88 to £60! Definitely worth considering for all of those upcoming festive parties...

Goonies never say die!

'Hey you guuuuyyyysss!"

The Goonies has got to be one of my all-time favourite films, I love everything about it! The characters, the scenery, the story, the chemistry between the actors, the way everything comes together - everybody must see it at some point in their life. If you haven't yet, then get to it!

I spent my Sunday afternoon watching this film with @ultimatecoddy and, even though I have seen it so many times now, it still has the ability to take you back to being a kid, wanting to go on adventures, finding buried treasure - absolutely brilliant!

THE Secret Pirate Ship

 My personal favourite aspect is the settings; the way the waterfalls look in the underground caves, the gold of the treasure and reds and greens of the jewels against the wooden pirate ship and blue waters, it all looks just as you'd imagine a pirate treasure hunt to be.

So as we were watching this, it got me thinking - if you happened to find an ancient treasure map that led you to secret buried treasure, what would you do with it?

Treasure Ahoy!

I know, it's quite a question! Most people have some sort of a plan just in case their numbers happen to roll out of the lottery machine on a Saturday night, but if it was treasure that you had spent hours, days, maybe even months or years finding, would you react any differently?

I think I would - after all of that effort finding the gold and jewels, I would want to preserve the place I found it, especially if, like The Goonies, there is a legend behind the location and treasure (and I am a very sentimental person!) So, a good chunk of the treasure would go towards protecting this special place.

Of course, I would like to keep a bit of the booty for myself, just so I can make myself financially stable and not have to worry about money for a LONG time, and of course I would donate to my favourite charities, help my friends and family, build a walk in wardrobe... the necessities.

But then we came up with, what could be, a genius idea - A Goonies theme park! Why hasn't this been done before?! The visitors could walk around the houses (how fun would it be setting off Mickey's gate contraption?!), have refreshments and food in the beach area and, upon entrance, get their own treasure map and dubloon so they can find the buried treasure. Complete with water slides, skeleton pianos to play, booby traps to set off and a pirate ship to climb on, it would be fantastic! In fact, if I win the lottery, I think this will be my new mission in life!

So, if you stumbled across all the riches in the world, what would you do with your new found treasure?

I still don't know what to wear...

As I mentioned in What to Wear... a couple of weeks ago, I will be attending the wedding of my workmates very soon and I still really do not know what to wear! Now, the ceremony is in EIGHT DAYS and I have just gone and confused myself again by looking on the missguided website and liking more dresses - yes, more dresses!

So, along with the choices I showcased here, I now am considering these options too...

Absolutely ADORE this: Amica pleated
dress with pearl shoulder detail in
blush - £34.99

Lanca polka dot box pleat skater dress
in navy - £18.99 (bargain!)

At the minute I am favouring the blush Amica dress - it is elegant but still fun and ever so pretty, and I can see this as a wedding outfit, but part of me still loves all of the others! So, I would definitely appreciate your thoughts on these dresses - answers on a postcard please! (Or the comment box below will suffice...)

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

One for the Gleeks!: Finn

So, we all know Brittany and Santana are best friends and that Santana is *really* in love with Brittany, but do you remember when they both went on a double date with a certain high school jock? This brings me onto my next character - Finn!

From his little blonde moments to sometimes crazy costumes and caring personality, it is easy to see why Finn is the favourite New Direction-er to many (and why he has won the heart of many gleeks too!) He has had many classic lines during the two series' of the show, so here are few of my favourites in part 3 of the series!


Finn: I came up with the best baby name of all time: Drizzle.
Finn: What's that saying, the show's gotta go all over the place, or something?
  
Finn: I’m still on the fence about the celibacy club. I only joined to get into Quinn Fabray’s pants.

Finn: (To Rachel) Do you believe in that thing called karma? Can you explain it to me?

Finn: Coach Tanaka pulled a Jessica Simpson: he lost his fiancee, gained 40 pounds and stopped showering.

Finn: Rachel’s what you’d call a controllist.  
Rachel: I’m controlling. Controllist isn’t a word.

Rachel: I've never even had a drink.
Finn: Seriously? No wonder I never got past second base.
Finn: I’m going to say this as nice as possible, but you look like a sad-clown hooker.

Rachel: I'm sorry for calling you contemptible and deplorable.
Finn: That's okay. I didn't even know what those words meant.

Terri: What time do you go to bed?
Finn: I don't know. normally whatever time Skinemax starts showing regular movies again.

Finn: I was super hungry but my mom was gone so I busted out the George Foreman. It wasn't making cool grill marks like it used to after I tried to use it to dry my shoes, but when it comes to grilled cheese, I'm not that fancy.

 

Now, I don't what some of you think, but my favourite 'Finn' episode has got to be 'Grilled Cheesus' - brilliant! So here are a few quotes from to finish off this post.

Finn: When I pulled the sandwich out, I saw the face of God. Literally: I have made a Grilled Cheesus.

Finn: Dear Grilled Cheesus, first of all, you're super delicious. Please, Grilled Cheesus, please let us win our first football game. It would mean so much to Artie & I think you kind of owe it to him. I mean, you did kind of screw him in the leg department. And in return, Cheesy Lord, I'll make sure we honor you this week in Glee club. 

Finn: What up, Grilled Cheesus? I need to ask you for something. I didn't go to Sunday school so I don't know if God works the same as a genie and I only get three wishes, but here's the thing... Dating Rachel is great, but she's kind of a prude and I'm sort of going crazy. Anyway, her boobs aren't that great, but they're still girl boobs and I'll still like to touch them. So, Jesus, considering that I've dedicated a week of my musical life to you, I hope you can see it in your heart to answer my prayers. Amen.

Rachel: Both of my dads' people were slaves once. I need to know that my children will be free to worship in the way that I decide is right. 
Finn: Sure. Of course. Yeah, they should totally go to Jew church and wear those hats and eat that salty orange stuff with their bagels.

What's your favourite Fin quote, and have I missed one on here? I'm also open to any suggestions for next week's post, so feel free to leave any suggestions or comments! Until then, happy Glee watching!

A walk in the park...

That's right, I've been Instagramming again! Here are a few pics from mine, @ultimatecoddy and Brandy's trip to Weelsby Woods along with some extras from Friday night  - I hope you like them!

In the trees...

Racing!

Fighting over a stick.

Me and Daniel, Friday night.

Playing around with the new Instagram techniques

Make-Up: Night Out!

I always enjoy looking at other people's blogs and I always find posts about their make-up and what they've warn that day interesting - so I thought I'd give it a go!

Last Friday (30th September), I went on my workmates' joint hen and stag do! As I mentioned in my 'What to Wear...' post, they met at work five years ago and now they are getting married, so of course we had to celebrate in style! Firstly we went for a meal at Caspers, a local 'pizza ristorante'/takeaway - I am a big fan of their pizza platters - and then we moved on to drinks at the 'local' followed by the Riverhead (the area in town were the pubs are - well, the one that is still open at least!) It was a fantastic night and it is safe to say that my head hurt the following morning...

Anyway, if you read 'The Body Shop: New Products!', you may remember I mentioned their new smoky eye palette - well, now I've had the chance to try it out, in public! But of course, before I could beautify my eyes, I had to apply the basics to my skin, so for my night out look, this includes:
 

• Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse
• Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer
• Collection 2000 Loose Powder
• Bourjois Sunshine to go! Bronzing Powder
• Benefit Coralista Blusher
• Benefit Realness of Concealness Kit
• The Body Shop 4-Step Smoky Eyes Kit
• Collection 2000 Eye Liner
• Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara
• Loreal Glam Shine Lipgloss

 And within Benefit's Realness of Concealness kit is...

•  Lemon Aid - for the eyelids to reduce darkness
• Boi-ing - although the shade is too dark for my complexion so I don't use this one (unless I have a spot emergency!)
• Ooh La Lift - for below the eye to reduce darkness and the appearance of bags
• Lip Plump - which I don't use, my lips are plump enough, thank you!
• High Beam - a highlighter for the cheeks

All in all... this is a very handy kit!


Now, I won't bore you with all the details of how it is applied (obviously foundation, followed by concealer, powder, bronzer, blusher, eyes, lips, etc, etc...) but this is the finished result.

Before styling the hair.

I am a big fan of smoky eyes and I have always been a believer of heavy eyes, minimal lips, which is why I opted for a nude shade in lipgloss. Below is the result of The Body Shop's 4-Step Smoky Eyes kit (although, for some reason, the shadow looks really light in the pic?)

Make-Up: The Body Shop's 4-Step Smoky Eyes Palette

Despite the not-very-good image above (I must work on that!), I was very pleased with the result of the palette. I never really used to use brown shadows but because it has an easy guide to applying the shadows on the back of the case, and teamed with my favourite mascara and cheap yet brilliant eye liner, I think it looks fab!

As I mentioned, this is the first time I have attempted a post like this so I would really appreciate any feedback or comments you have - or if you have any make-up tips or suggestions then feel free to leave those too! To end this post, I have included two final images of the look for the night - I hope you like them!

Hair complete - soft waves and volume!

Myself and @ultimatecoddy
ready for the night!

More for the Wish List...

As I was looking through October's issue of Elle magazine, I came across MANY items that caught my eye, but there were some in particular that I couldn't stop thinking about...

Love purple, love shine, love show-stopping shoes!

First of all was these beauties from Kurt Geiger! Then I remembered, I already have some similar - not in shape, but in material and colour.

My Berties - 2/3 years old

I bought these Bertie shoes back when I worked for the Shoe Studio in House of Fraser, Grimsby (with staff discount, of course!) After working at Barratts shoes from the age of 16 until 19, and then moving straight onto Shoe Studio (quickly followed by the new Office concession in the same HOF until I was 21), I became addicted to shoes and fell in love with these at fist sight! You will have to excuse the lighting in the image however - poor energy efficient light bulbs and no flash on my iPhone!



 Next up came this beautiful necklace from Pandora...

One for the jewellery box

My bracelet

Anyone who knows me personally knows I love my Pandora charm bracelet - it was a present from my Mum and Dad for my 21st birthday and each charm I have signifies a special occasion; five were for my 21st, one for Christmas, one that has a heart, cross and anchor that I relate to my Nanna, Mum and Grandad (RIP), a pile of books with an owl on that is so similar to the owl on my infant and junior school uniform that I got for graduation, a good luck charm from the Office girlies when I got my first full-time journalism job and a house charm now that I am living with the one and only @ultimatecoddy! I may be slightly biased towards Pandora jewellery purely because my bracelet means so much to me, but this necklace really is stunning in a simple kind of way.

I'd need a lifetime supply of protector spray for these!

Finally came Ugg boots, but not how I've seen them before! I have never been a fan of the classic style (I think nearly every woman in the Grimsby area owns a pair - or the cheaper version at least!) but these really stood out to me. Since I am short (5ft 1!) I have always been sceptical of above-the-knee suede boots, but these wedge ones I would definitely give a try!

Hello, Google+!

Just another quick post to say I am now on Google+ too! Well, I have been for a fair few days now but I'm still getting used to it. So if you've signed up too, feel free to find me (I think this is the link?!) - so far, I think I like it!