Birthday Book Haul

Wednesday, November 18, 2020


 
One of my favourite things to receive for my birthday is books - simply because I always have a never ending list of books I want to read, and it's nice to get a few ticked off! Although I love them, I rarely find myself buying hardbacks and much prefer to be gifted them. This year I received three books from my grandparents and one from my parents - four totally different books; two novels, one historical memoir and one modern non-fiction. I can't wait to get stuck into them!
 
 

Clothes and Other Things That Matter - Alexandra Schulman

Synopsis:  Alexandra Shulman delves into her own life to look at the emotions, ambitions, expectations and meanings behind the way we dress. This startlingly honest memoir from the ex-Editor of British Vogue will encourage women of all ages to consider what their own clothes mean to them, the life they live in them and the stories they tell.

Inside Vogue, Alexandra Schulman's diary as the editor-in-chief of British Vogue during its hundredth year is one of my favourite ever reads, so I can't wait to read her recent memoir. It has been described as a mix of "memoir, fashion history and social commentary" and I can't think of a better combination.
 
 

Ghosts - Dolly Alderton

Synopsis: 32-year-old Nina Dean is a successful food writer with a loyal online following, but a life that is falling apart. When she uses dating apps for the first time, she becomes a victim of ghosting, and by the most beguiling of men. Her beloved dad is vanishing in slow motion into dementia, and she's starting to think about ageing and the gendered double-standard of the biological clock. On top of this she has to deal with her mother's desire for a mid-life makeover and the fact that all her friends seem to be slipping away from her...

I can't wait to read Dolly Alderton's debut novel, Ghosts. It is a surprising choice for me, considering the fact that I am not the biggest fan of her memoir, Everything I Know About Love, but when I heard her describe the plot of Ghosts on her recent episode of the Off Menu podcast I suddenly really wanted to read it. I love that there's going to be a friendship and family storylines woven in there and I have high hopes for a great, character-driven plot.
 
 

The Choice - Edith Eger

Synopsis:  In 1944, sixteen-year-old ballerina Edith Eger was sent to Auschwitz. Separated from her parents on arrival, she endures unimaginable experiences, including being made to dance for the infamous Josef Mengele. When the camp is finally liberated, she is pulled from a pile of bodies, barely alive.
The horrors of the Holocaust didn't break Edith. In fact, they helped her learn to live again with a life-affirming strength and a truly remarkable resilience. 

Until I was writing this blog post, I genuinely thought this was a holocaust novel, on the lines of The Tattooist Of Auschwitz, rather than a true story. I now realise this is going to make it even more impactful. It has been a while since I've read a book about the Holocaust, despite the fact you can find many bestsellers in Waterstones. They are far too moving and emotional to read very often, but after hearing great things about The Choice I am looking forward to giving it a read, despite how many tears it will probably cause! 


Us Three - Ruth Jones

Synopsis: Meet Lana, Judith and Catrin. Best friends since primary school when they swore an oath on a Curly Wurly wrapper that they would always be there for each other, come what may.

After the trip of a lifetime, the three girls are closer than ever. But an unexpected turn of events shakes the foundation of their friendship to its core, leaving their future in doubt - there's simply too much to forgive, let alone forget. An innocent childhood promise they once made now seems impossible to keep . . .

I read Ruth Jones' debut novel, Never Greener, a few months ago and wasn't completely sold by it. However, this was more the fault of unlikeable protagonists rather than the writing itself and Us Three sounds more up my street. The story of three female friends is one that sounds very relatable and I can't wait to get to know the characters.


What books have you added to your collection recently, and what are you currently reading? I've almost finished a book called "The Diary of A Bookseller" and have been really enjoying it! 
 

EG x

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The 2020 Luxury Beauty Gift Guide

Sunday, November 15, 2020


A few weeks ago I posted by Boots beauty gift guide and today we are focusing on the finer things in life - luxury beauty. I am here to prove luxury gifts don't have to cost a fortune, with several on my list costing under £20! I have decided to organise them by price into three ranges to make it easier for you to narrow down the gifts by budget. There's something for everyone here - from lipstick fans to skincare lovers.
 

£10-£20

First off we start with the Benefit ‘Makeup Shakeup’ set - at £13.50 this a perfect budget friendly introduction to luxury makeup, especially for someone who has never tried it before. The set includes three of Benefit’s best-selling products in miniature size, all encased in a festive cracker.

Luxury skincare brands have some great sets this year - these are always perfect to try out a new brand. The Rituals bath and body set includes three relaxing best-sellers including a shower foam, while NEOM’s ‘Sleepy vibes’ set includes a calming pillow mist. I’ve wanted to try Fresh products for a while, so this set including their cult favourite cleanser is on my list.

It isn’t a gift guide without a palette, so while you’ll see a few of these pop up in this post, my most affordable option is from Zoeva. Their palettes are cheaper than some but still amazing quality, so they really are the best of both worlds. This Radiance eyeshadow palette at £19 includes some gorgeous rose and golden tones.

 

£20-£30

My middle price bracket, between £20-£30 is easily where I found the most products and I think these are still all really great value.

Mini lipstick sets are always ideal for any lipstick lover. Becca’s set includes a nude and a red to take you from day to night, and Charlotte Tilbury’s includes three bestsellers, including cult classic Pillow Talk, and my own favourite lipstick, Very Victoria.

There’s a couple more items from Charlotte Tilbury’s holiday collection that I am obsessed with this year. Firstly, a limited edition matte revolution lipstick in the shade Super You with gorgeous bejewelled packaging. I recently purchased this lipstick as a treat for myself (review coming soon, promise!) and it’s such a lovely shade. The mini filmstar bronze and glow also stood out to me; having seen it in store I can say that it’s still a very adequate size but half the price cheaper than the original.


 
A few more makeup brands have some great gift sets in this range, including Laura Mercier’s eye kit, which offers an eyeshadow stick and mascara duo in order to create a classic glowing look. Huda Beauty’s Nude Obsessions set features an eyeshadow palette and matching mini liquid lipstick, in three different shade varieties to suit a range of skin tones and preferences. I also love Benefit’s £28.50 “BADgal to the bone” set; including two full sized products and one mini, it really is unbeatable value.

The Floral Street perfume crackers, including a 10ml fragrance for £24 are such a gorgeous gift. I recently received the Wonderland Peony scent for my birthday and it is beautiful, but all nine of their scents are available to best suit your recipient.

My final pick in this price bracket is the body souffle trio from Origins. I absolutely adore their packaging, it screams Christmas! I can only imagine how great these must smell and how beneficial and nourishing they would be. 


£30+

These are the real treats at £30 and beyond, for someone who you really want to spoil this Christmas!

Eyeshadow palettes were the first thing that came to mind when thinking of this price range. The Too Faced Born This Way palette is my favourite palette release of 2020 and includes sixteen gorgeous natural shades. Anastasia Beverly Hill’s Soft Glam is one of the best palettes I own and this year they have released a gorgeous miniature version that is bound to be at the top of every eyeshadow lover’s Christmas list.

MAC and NARS are two of my favourite high end makeup brands so it’s no surprise that they would feature somewhere here. I love this NARS lip balm set for a splash of colour. I don’t know about you, but mask wearing has made my lips so dry, I can’t imagine anything better than these! MAC’s Christmas collection is a winner every year and their firework inspired range this year does not disappoint. I especially love the highlighting kit, including an Extra Dimension Skinfinish highlighter in a gorgeous champagne shade with a brush to apply and a pouch to keep them in.

For all the skincare essentials they could ever need, look no further than Liz Earle’s set including five products, a sponge and cloth to apply them and a wash bag to keep them all in. It’s perfect for someone who loves to travel with a bit of luxury, having a handy kit to grab and go.

My final pick is a fair bit pricier than the rest, but it is the perfect luxury treat for the makeup fan in your life. Zoeva has to be one of the best makeup brush brands around, and their rose gold set includes everything you need, from contour to brows. They are more expensive than some, but they are going to last a long time and upgrade any makeup routine.


Are you dreaming of any luxury beauty products this year? I would love to hear what is on your wishlist!

EG x

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Everything I'm Listening To In Autumn 2020

Wednesday, November 11, 2020


Let's get the Spotify out and see what I've been listening to this autumn...
 
It's been a while since I have written one of these! Today I'll be sharing with you a few music favourites and for the first time ever, a few podcasts that I have been loving this season.
 

MUSIC

 
Let's start off with a few music favourites! Unusually, I really feel like I haven't discovered anything new lately, hence why I haven't written a post like this on my blog for a while. I've tended to just stick to the same old and I'm not too bored of it! However, there are a few recent releases that I can't get enough of right now. 
 

McFly

With their first album in ten years (TEN!) finally being released on Friday, you can bet that my autumnal Spotify playlists will be dominated by McFly. So far we've had a couple of singles and I am loving their latest, Tonight is the Night, with such incredible lyrics. I can't wait to hear what the rest of the album will bring!



Taylor Swift - Folklore

Taylor Swift's latest album may have been released back in July, but I am simply still totally obsessed with it. I always felt like it was a real autumnal feeling album anyway, so in the heat of August I tried to put it aside to when I would really enjoy it, during those drizzly days of October and November.
 

Blossoms - Foolish Loving Spaces

I've recently found myself listening to a lot of the band Blossoms, especially their Foolish Loving Spaces album that came out earlier this year. They are so lighthearted and uplifting with such amazing guitar riffs - If You Think This Is Real Life and The Keeper always guarantee to put me in a good mood. It's definitely the album I have been playing the most when walking around London.

Mary Poppins West End Soundtrack

This one came out only a few days before I am posting this, but yes I am already obsessed. A year ago, for my birthday, I went to see Mary Poppins at the West End and had a truly incredible experience, it has to be one of the best shows I have ever seen. While I can't tell you all to go and see it now (thanks for that, Covid), you can get the audio experience of the show with the soundtrack featuring the amazing current cast. It has taken me right back to seeing it live, and yes, I cry at Feed The Birds on the soundtrack just as much as I did seeing it on stage.
 

PODCASTS

 
Until the past few months, I couldn't really get into podcasts; I much preferred just watching something and found them a bit awkward to fit into my life. However, I've really got into them more - I think it's just a case of finding the right ones, and I have been enjoying listening to them while on a long walk, cleaning, baking, or perhaps just when I feel too tired to watch a screen anymore (Zoom class fatigue is real!).
 

Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster

Off Menu was the first podcast I really got into - it is laugh out loud amusing and has made many a long train journey go by quick. Comedians Ed & James ask a famous guest what their dream starter, main, side, desert and drink would be in their "dream restaurant". It's a great concept that evokes hilarious conversation and controversial opinions - such as whether cheese is acceptable for dessert (my own opinion is absolutely not!).
Best Episodes: Victoria Coren Mitchell, Aisling Bea, Tom Allen, Claudia Winkleman
 

At Home With Lily and Anna

A lifestyle podcast featuring Lily Pebbles and Anna of The Anna Edit (the only YouTuber I still consistently watch these days), At Home With Lily and Anna began a few years ago as a look into other women's homes, but was revived during lockdown earlier this year in a new format. These days, they begin by discussing their lifestyle favourites of the week, including a "top of the box" section of their most recent TV watch. Then, they discuss questions from listeners on a variety of topics, from their blogging journey to music and beauty. I can easily spend an hour listening to these two, it almost feels like catching up with two friends!
Best Episodes: "Q&A: Quitting YouTube and Getting Stopped In The Street", "Off Menu: All Things Food" (recognise the inspiration there?!), "All Things Weddings".
 

The Michelle Obama Podcast

I was so excited when Spotify announced an original podcast by Michelle Obama. In many ways building on topics discussed in her book Becoming, Michelle opens up about a range of topics, from growing up in Chicago to living in the White House - which is such an otherworldly concept that I simply always want to know more about. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of these topics with her brother Craig, who offered some really interesting insights about being so closely related to the Presidential buzz while still being separate from it.
Best Episodes: "President Barack Obama", "Growing Up Robinson With Craig and Michelle", "Family Ties: On Raising Kids with Craig and Marian Robinson".  


Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicome's Lockdown Parenting Hell

My most recent podcast find is one that I am seriously addicted to right now. Comedians Rob & Josh discuss being parents of young children during lockdown, alternating between episodes with special guests, and shorter, more impromptu chats featuring stories from listeners. It is absolutely hilarious and makes me glad you have to wear masks on a train now, because it covers up how much I'm laughing! It's certainly suitable for people who aren't parents - I'm definitely not listening to it to relate, just for the incredibly amusing anecdotes!
Best Episodes: "Jump starting a tent", "Lucy Beaumont", "Rosie Ramsay" (I've still got many to work through though!)

However, all these will probably be out the window soon since Christmas is only around the corner - Michael Buble's album is dying to be played already! What are you listening to right now?

EG x
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Best Boots Beauty Gift Sets | Christmas 2020

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

 
This year, more than ever, I am so excited for Christmas - I think it's the feeling of really needing some joy and festivity in our lives! It might be only October, but it's starting to get closer and closer. So today I will be rounding up my favourite beauty gift sets on offer at Boots this year. Boots have really upped their game this year in the beauty world, with a ton of new brands to choose from, so from affordable treats to luxury gifts, there's something for every occasion and recipient.
 

The Classics

 
This year you can still find all the classic Boots Christmas brands - the ones that always have a huge shelf dedicated to them. Soap and Glory is one of my favourites of these, because their sets are always great value, especially if you know someone who has never tried them out before. For only £10, five mini bestsellers and a tin to keep them all in is a steal, as is this makeup set - the mascara is worth that much on its own!

I remember when Jack Wills Christmas sets first came to Boots, years ago when almost my entire wardrobe was from there, and still today I think they are great sets. This beanie hat and body lotion is perfect for winter time, as is this mug set which even comes with hot chocolate and marshmallows! For essential beauty at any age, this Ted Baker set is perfect.

With the mass of hand sanitiser we're currently using, a hand cream set is an ideal gift. This one from Joules is super cute, including a cream and a gentle exfoliator. I also love their foot care set including some very cosy fluffy socks - is it just me, or is one of the best things to get at Christmas fluffy socks?!
 

Nails

 
I always love the nail polish sets at Christmas because they always include the most exciting golden sparkly shades! This Nails Inc set includes a pink, a berry and a neutral which basically provides you with the perfect shades for any occasion! This No.7 set includes 5 really pretty shades too - tried and tested, No.7's nail polishes are great. I do however find it a little ironic that both these nail sets have the word 'party' in the name, which are pretty much impossible with the new distancing rules! 


Luxury Beauty

 
MAC is now at Boots! That was probably one of the only good things to come out of 2020. Yes, I know, you can find these sets in MAC's own shops / every department store, but then you couldn't earn Boots points on it, could you?! I love their firework inspired sets this year, including a lip kit which comes in two shades, blush and berry, and a highlight and brush set to achieve the perfect glow. 

I also love Too Faced's Christmas range in Boots this year - their melted lipstick set is perfect for any lipstick fan, especially if they haven't tried a Too Faced Melted Matte lipstick yet, because here you get four shades to try and choose from - spoiler, they're one of the best lipsticks around. This mini-sized palette is also super cute and the warm golden tones scream Christmas festivity!

Benefit Cosmetics' range of sets are great value and perfect for every price bracket - starting at as little as £13.50 ranging to about the £50 mark. This 'badgal to the bone' set is £28.50 and includes two full sized products and one travel size, but I also love the three miniatures for £13.50. Considering one mini sized product retails at about £12, it's fair to say this is a very good deal.

I also have to rave about Pixi Beauty's Christmas products, including a glow tonic in festive packaging, and a set of three toners to try out. Glow tonic is one of my skincare essentials, and I first tried it at Christmas a couple of years ago. This is the perfect way of trying a new skincare brand if you're not too sure if you'll love it - although, trust me, you will!


Brushes

 
Makeup brushes make a perfect gift for a beauty lover - it means they can finally get rid of those old grotty ones in time for the new year and replace them with some new ones, which, if you choose Real Techniques, will also be styled in Christmas sparkle. However, I also love Spectrum brushes' range this year, their brushes are great quality and the pale pink is so pretty.
 

Newbies

 
Time to celebrate a couple more new brands included in the Christmas shop this year! Boots released their 'Glow' range a few months back and it has been packaged into some perfect sets for Christmas. I am also excited to see cult brand Frank Body this year, there's a few different scrub sets to choose from. Christmas sets are the perfect opportunity to try out a brand new brand!  
 

The Perfect Accessories 


Skinny Dip are a great brand for beauty accessories and their ranges in Boots this Christmas are gorgeous. This navy 'cloud and stars' makeup bag is absolutely dreamy, while the bamboo travel cup is an on-the-go essential.
 

Let me know what your favourite sets at Boots are this year - which brands are you most excited about?

EG x

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Pretty In Pink: The Charlotte Tilbury Eye Quad

Wednesday, October 07, 2020


 
Charlotte Tilbury's Luxury palettes are exactly that - a luxurious package of four gorgeous complimenting eye shadows. They have now been expanded into a variety of shades, from golds, purples, or even green tones, something to suit every eye colour and skin tone. There's also a range of finishes too; some palettes include four very festive shimmery shades, while some have four mattes, and some are somewhere in between.
 
I had become a little bored of the huge, everything-you-could-ever-need eyeshadow palettes, and fancied something a little smaller and prettier in my makeup bag instead. After looking at eye quads from different brands, it is little wonder that I instantly fell in love with Charlotte Tilbury's palette range. The burgundy and rose gold packaging is stunning, and every shade combination offered something different.
 

After much deliberation, I settled on the Pillow Talk palette. Charlotte Tilbury's 'Pillow Talk' range is her best-seller,  so popular that one 'Pillow Talk' product is sold every three minutes! Starting with one gorgeous, cult-favourite lipstick, the collection has grown and includes blush, mascara, eyeliner, and of course an eyeshadow palette. The range is inspired by soft rosy-pink hues, which make up this palette.
 
As mentioned, as a quad the palette features four shades. This one has two shimmers and two mattes, which makes it perfect to create a look with this palette alone, you have everything you need! 
Unfortunately, the shades don't have names, which I may have expected from a luxury brand, but because there's only four it's very easy to differentiate.
 

The shade in the top left is a really pretty champagne-pink shimmer, a very classic and wearable shade. I consider this the highlighting shade of the palette and use it in the inner corner of the eyelid. It's not an 'in your face' shimmer, more of a satin finish which makes it really easy to blend out.

On the top right is our first matte of the two. It is a blush, rosy pink that I blend into the crease with a fluffy brush to begin a look. I am all about rosy shades like this right now so I really can't get enough of it. It's quite a light and neutral shade, for a classic everyday look this could be blended all over the lid for a really pretty rosy tint.

Underneath that one is the second matte. This is a pink with more of a dusky brown tone, perfect for adding depth to the eye. It might be my favourite out of the four, it's very pigmented and easy to blend and I simply love this sort of shade, it's really pretty in the outer corner of the eye.

The fourth and final shade in the palette is a rose gold shimmer - this one is very sparkly and effective placed all over the lid with a little flat brush. This shade really makes your eye pop! It's much more glittery than the other shimmer shade in the palette, you can tell the difference between their two finishes, and how the one above it is definitely more of a satin.
 

The four shades compliment each other so well and work perfectly together to create a classic eye look, which can be taken from day to night with the addition of a bit more of the shimmer and darker matte, to add depth. All of the shades are very pigmented - they are really a dream formula! I also found the shades very long-lasting, as long as I used an eye primer, they're good to go the entire day.

The palette retails at £40, which is rather pricey as this evens out at £10 a shade. Thinking about the fact that you get triple the amount of shades in an Urban Decay or Too Faced palette for a very similar price point, is it worth it? For a treat, I would say so - it is the perfect travel palette that looks and feels very luxurious. It is a special item to have in your collection, and all of the four shades are super wearable. If you're often overwhelmed by a bigger palette, or feel like you won't get the use out of all the shades, this is definitely suitable for you.
 

Have you ever tried Charlotte Tilbury's eyeshadows before? I have been won over by this palette and now I am eyeing up which one I want to try next - the orange toned Desert Haze is calling my name!

Purchase the Pillow Talk palette at Selfridges or John Lewis
 

EG x

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An Updated Vinyl Collection

Saturday, October 03, 2020


I wrote up a vinyl collection over two years ago, when I had only owned my record player for a few months, but today I think we are long overdue an update. My collection has more than doubled in the time since my last post - which sounds like I've added quite a lot!

You will see a theme of mostly similar artists because generally because while I love a huge variety of music, usually it's just the odd track of an artist that I can find on Spotify - these are all full albums that I truly love. You'll also notice that I love vinyls that are a little bit different - translucent, coloured, picture discs - so will be sharing with you the best ways to get a hold of these! This is definitely going to be a bumper post, so get comfortable!
 
Let's start with my first ever vinyl, The Script's Freedom Child. We ordered this from their official store, so I love that it is signed. Their latest album, Sunsets & Full Moons (I really recommend a listen, every track on this is incredible) is a picture disc and I love how unique it is. I also ordered their #3 album pretty cheap on Amazon and it sounds so good on vinyl.


I mentioned in my last collection that I really wanted Harry Styles' album on vinyl and now I have just that - twice! While I play the normal black vinyl a ton, I also have a pink version of the vinyl that my parents got me after A Level results, which was released to celebrate 2 years of his debut. It's so pretty! Speaking of funky vinyls, possibly the coolest design of my collection has to go to Fine Line, his most recent album. The black and white splatter print certainly isn't something you see everyday and I think it's amazing.
 

Speaking of One Direction members, I also have both albums by Niall Horan on vinyl. His Flicker vinyl was one of the first to enter my collection so when he recently released his new album, it only felt right to order it. The Heartbreak Weather vinyl is a limited edition green which is super cool and I have loved getting to know the album recently - his single Nice To Meet Ya is a firm favourite but I also love the title track Heartbreak Weather.

An artist I absolutely love is Taylor Swift and I have been slowly adding her albums to my collection. I finally got 1989 not so long ago, which I was really excited about because it is one of my favourite albums. I also love the translucent pink and blue of the Lover vinyl. One of my most played vinyls has to be George Ezra's Staying At Tamara's. It is still one of my favourite albums two years on; every single track on it is incredible. 


Unsurprisingly my Coldplay collection has grown a fair bit - last time I only owned A Rush Of Blood To The Head, their second album and one of my favourites. I have now added A Head Full Of Dreams which might actually be my favourite album ever? The Butterfly Package is a live vinyl from their Head Full of Dreams tour - this was a pricey one, being three gorgeous gold discs, and two dvds (concert and documentary), but I was very happy to get this at Christmas and believe it is totally worth it. While that one is gold, their latest album Everyday Life is a lovely silver which perfectly matches their black and white cover. This album feels more like a masterpiece, with my favourite tracks being Orphans, Champion of the World and Everyday Life.
 

I'm very proud of the fact I own all four of The 1975's albums on vinyl, it feels like a proper collection. I still remember how excited I was the day HMV had their first two vinyls on offer for £19.75! Their most recent album, Notes on a Conditional Form is the latest addition to my vinyl collection and I love how its sleeve is made with recycled materials. 

On the subject of The 1975, I also have to mention the 7 inch vinyls that have recently been added to my collection. Instead of the usual 12 inch vinyl, these tend to only have a couple of songs on which makes them a cute collectible. By The 1975 I own Medicine and Loving Someone; I picked both of these up at the independent record label day at Coal Drops Yard, just behind Kings Cross, for £5 each. This event happens twice a year and you can get some amazing vinyl - just be aware that for The 1975 stuff, you will have to queue!


T H E  F U L L  C O L L E C T I O N 

12 INCH 

The Script - Freedom Child
The Script - #3
The Script - Sunsets & Full Moons
Niall Horan - Flicker
Niall Horan - Heartbreak Weather
Ed Sheeran - +
Ed Sheeran - X
The Killers - Hot Fuss
Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay - A Head Full Of Dreams
Coldplay - The Butterfly Package
Coldplay - Everyday Life
Taylor Swift - Reputation
Taylor Swift - 1989
Taylor Swift - Lover
5 Seconds Of Summer - Youngblood
The 1975 - The 1975
The 1975 - I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It
The 1975 - A Brief Enquiry Into Online Relationships 
The 1975 - Notes On A Conditional Form
George Ezra - Wanted On Voyage
George Ezra - Staying At Tamara's
Harry Styles - Harry Styles (x2)
Harry Styles - Fine Line 
Sam Fender - Hypersonic Missiles
 
7 INCH
 
The 1975 - Medicine
The 1975 - Loving Someone
Coldplay - Orphans / Arabesque
 

  W H E R E  T O  B U Y  T H E M


Back in the day, certainly when I wrote my last vinyl collection post, I used to buy the majority of my vinyls from HMV. This was because of their loyalty card scheme which meant I could eventually earn enough points to get one for free. However, since they went into administration, ending the scheme and closing a lot of stores, they no longer became my point of call.

I am a huge fan of collecting vinyl records in fun colours and prints and the easiest way to find these is usually the artist's official store. This is where you'll find the exclusives, usually at the same price as a standard black vinyl from other retailers. Often, exclusives are saved for independent record stores too, which are worth a look in if you're in a big city. If you're more accustomed to shopping online, The Sound of Vinyl's website has a lot of deals and exclusives of a huge range of music.

H O W  I  S T O R E  T H E M


I think vinyls are too pretty to just be kept away all the time, so I love displaying them on shelves on my wall. I only had room for six vinyls up there so I change them around regularly. The rest of my vinyls are kept in a super handy rose gold storage box. They are so easy to sort through in there, and the handle means you can transport them anywhere - although because the box is nearly full, it is pretty heavy!!

W H A T  N E X T ?


As you can see my record collection has grown quite a lot now so there aren't too many gaps that need filling. George Ezra's first album Wanted On Voyage was at the top of my list for quite a while, but I picked that one up last week! One of the next vinyls to come into my collection will be Taylor Swift's Folklore that I have pre-ordered. It's a long wait, from July until late November, but the limited edition style (I got the Into The Weeds edition with dark green vinyl) will be worth it. There's still plenty of Coldplay albums I want to add, but they can be quite expensive, so that will take some time!


I'd love to hear what is in your vinyl collection!

EG x

Read my original vinyl collection here.
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How Can Theatres Survive In A Post-Covid World?

Wednesday, September 30, 2020 West End, London


On average, a theatre needs to hold performances at 70% capacity to break even. If it costs more to perform a musical to a socially distanced crowd, than to not bother at all, how will London’s famous theatre industry survive?
 
On 16th March 2020, a week before lockdown officially began, theatres across the country closed their doors, with no one knowing when they would re-open. As each month went on, more shows were cancelled, more runs postponed, and then postponed again. Eventually, some of the West End’s most popular shows, including Les Miserables and Hamilton, announced they would not be reopening until 2021. The industry seemed doomed; it’s difficult to socially distance an audience, but even more difficult to distance a large ensemble cast, in a musical jam-packed with energetic dance numbers. The idea of bringing these shows back while social distancing remains the norm may be hopeless. The time and effort required to rehearse a show revamped for social distancing measures, along with a highly reduced audience capacity, would lead to a greater loss than not performing at all.
 
Despite this, early attempts were made to adapt the theatre industry for social distancing. Back in July, Andrew Lloyd Webber organised Beverly Knight’s performance at the London Palladium, trialling an audience sat several seats apart and wearing masks. However, renowned stage producer Cameron Mackintosh described it as a ‘disaster’, with Webber himself commenting that the distanced audience was a ‘sad sight’. Venues are designed to be packed; a quarter-full audience does not have the same atmosphere, nor does a masked audience have the same cheer. Is it really possible for the industry to adapt to our new normal?


It’s worth remembering that turning off the lights of the theatre industry doesn’t just affect theatres alone. With over 15 million tickets sold for shows at London’s West End every year, theatres are at the heart of the capital’s tourism. The influx of theatregoers increases spending on other industries including travel and hospitality; many restaurants in Theatreland have a dedicated pre-theatre menu, demonstrating their reliance on show-business.
 
So, how can theatres survive? The government announced a £1.57 billion support package for the arts industry, but for many this seemed to be too little, too late. This money will go towards buildings and institutions that house the industry, but not the freelancers that make up its majority workforce. Instead, the theatre industry has had to adapt to the situation with creativity, turning the focus to the online world. From the comfort of their homes, theatregoers are switching to digital content, with many shows being streamed online. The National Theatre’s At Home series streamed some of their most popular plays, including A Streetcar Named Desire, for a free limited period on YouTube. With a similar approach, The Old Vic used streaming as a way to boost revenue, streaming a performance of Lungs starring Claire Foy and Matt Smith, with tickets starting at £10. A digitalised version of the theatre industry could carry on into the future, as this makes performances more accessible to all, even if it's not in the traditional theatre as we know it. 
 

 
Contrary to Webber and Mackintosh's initial disappointment, physical theatres are now beginning to be adapted in accordance with social distancing guidelines, in order to kickstart the industry again. I visited Wembley's Troubadour theatre for the first large scale socially distanced performance - the musical Sleepless, starring Jay McGuinness and Kimberley Walsh. With an audience sat in bubbles and a cast tested daily, it became a prototype for what we may see in the future. With Nimax theatres announcing socially distanced runs of shows such as the popular Six from this November, it looks like we might be beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
 
 
Will theatres return to their original glory? I certainly hope so. Socially distanced seating plans might not be the perfect long-term solution, considering the heavily reduced capacity and its finanical effects, but I'm happy to get used to the extra space and leg-room for now and wait out the storm until I can see my favourite shows again. 
 
Have you experienced a digitalised version of theatre during lockdown, or perhaps are planning to attend a socially distanced show? I'd love to hear!
 

EG x

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Liquid Matte Eyeshadows: Glossier VS Too Faced

Saturday, September 26, 2020

 
Liquid eyeshadows have been around for some time, from NYX's Lid Lingerie, to Stila's Glitter and Glows, but it's only recently that I've started to notice matte formulas popping up in the beauty world. 
 
The idea of a matte liquid eyeshadow intrigues and excites me: this is a product you can swipe across the whole eyelid for a classic look with minimal time and fuss. It's perfect for travel - even if you carried a couple of these, it's a world away from lugging a big palette around. I've always liked shimmery liquid eyeshadows like Glossier's Lid Star, but find they can be difficult to blend out - a matte formula is so much more versatile.
 
The two biggest liquid matte eyeshadow releases this year come from two of my all-time favourite brands, so I had to give them a go. Glossier's Sky Wash, released in March, came first, but was shortly followed by Too Faced's Melted Chocolate eye shadows two months later. Today I'll be putting these two to the test, comparing formula, longevity and ease of application. 
 

GLOSSIER SKY WASH:


Price: £15 (£4.28 per ml)

Packaging: The Sky Wash has Glossier's trademark simple but effective packaging. It's easy to see the shade of the product with the colourful lid, and the sleek design makes it the perfect travel companion. 

Shade Range: Glossier's Sky Wash comes in seven different shades, from oranges and beiges to more out there shades like bright blue and yellow. Sky Wash is perfect if you enjoy a more creative and colourful look, but there aren't too many neutral shades to choose from. 

My own shade, Valley, is a gorgeous burnt orange tone. It's a must-have for autumnal months, but because it's not too bold it can be easily worn all year round.

Formula: The Sky Wash is a very sheer matte, with a thin formula. This makes it buildable and suitable for every occasion, whether you prefer a sheer wash of colour, or bright pigment.

Ease of Application: The buildable formula makes applying the Sky Wash super dreamy. It's easy to blend out a little bit with your finger, and put more on as you feel necessary. It's easy to build other eyeshadows on top too.

Longevity: Even though Sky Wash is a light wash of colour, it's still visible for the entire day. I'm impressed that there's no difference whether or not I use my Morphe eye primer with it, it lasts all day without creasing too much either way.

Overall thoughts: Glossier's Sky Wash is perfect if you fancy a light 'wash' of colour all over the lid. It's a very on-brand product, and incredibly travel friendly. Your eyeshadow is easily complete with a simple swipe and blend of Sky Wash, or can provide the perfect base for powder shadows.

View Sky Wash on Glossier's website.
Read my full review of Glossier's Sky Wash in Valley here.


TOO FACED MELTED CHOCOLATE EYESHADOW:


Price: £19 (£3.87 per ml)

Packaging: Like Sky Wash, Too Faced's Melted Chocolate shadows are super travel and handbag friendly. They are all different colours corresponding to their shade, making it really easy to differentiate between them. They are very sleek and have a typically Too Faced style.

Shade Range: Being 'chocolate' inspired, the eight shades are all varieties of neutral brown tones. Some are more purple, red or bronze toned, but they are all based in brown. To some this would lack variety, but I think it means there's a shade for all skin tones and preferences.

The shade I own is Amaretto, a brown with a slight pink tint. Because the shades are all quite brown toned, they are very versatile and match with any sort of look.

Formula: The Melted Chocolates are PIGMENTED! You only need a tiny little bit to cover the entire lid. And yes, like the rest of Too Faced's chocolate range, it does have that dreamy chocolate scent, you'll be pleased to know!

Ease of application: It might just be something to get used to, but because of how pigmented they are, the Melted Chocolates are not the easiest products to apply. Unlike the Sky Wash, which you can blend with a finger, this definitely requires a fluffy brush to achieve even blending (and so your fingertips aren't stained!). 

Longevity: They are long-lasting but not quite as well as Sky Wash - I think because they are more pigmented, there's more product on the lid and thus it's bound to crease easier.

Overall thoughts: The shade range of Too Faced's Melted Chocolates is totally up my street, it was very difficult to choose a shade! While pigmentation is a good thing, I think blending it is going to take a bit of getting used to.
 
View Melted Chocolate on Boots. 


GLOSSIER VS TOO FACED:


Comparing the two by price, Too Faced's eyeshadow costs a little bit more, but you do get more ml for your money so I'd say that evens things out. Too Faced offer eight shades to Glossier's seven, so again, not much difference there. Personally, I prefer Too Faced's neutral shade range but Glossier's more colourful range has an appeal too. 

The difference in formulas is where things get interesting - to say these are both matte liquid eyeshadows, they both have completely unique formulas! Glossier's is sheer and buildable which I find easier to apply. Too Faced's is thicker, more pigmented and more difficult to blend out, but it definitely makes for a more effective and eye-catching look. Where I may be tempted to add other eyeshadows to the Sky Wash to create depth, the Melted Chocolate requires nothing else. 

Overall, both the Glossier Sky Wash and the Too Faced Melted Chocolate shadow are great items in my collection. I'd say that Sky Wash is more suited to everyday looks, but because it is so buildable you could perhaps add a little more to take you into the evening, if you so wish. Too Faced's is probably a product I would be saving for evening/event wear because it is such a bold shade, I'm not so sure I could pull it off everyday!
 

Have you ever tried a liquid eyeshadow? I would love to hear your thoughts!

EG x

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A Socially Distanced Musical: Sleepless

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 Wembley Troubadour Theatre


After many dark months for the theatre industry, with venues up and down the country unable to open, it was Wembley's Troubadour theatre that opened the first large scale show. Sleepless, a musical adaptation of the classic Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan rom-com Sleepless In Seattle, began a month long socially distanced run, becoming a show like no other.
 
As an avid musicals fan, I had, like many others, been sorely missing the theatre. The last time I visited was in March, to see Dear Evan Hansen only days before they all closed, and was longing to see a live show again. I was so excited that the producers of Sleepless, Michael Rose and Damien Sanders, had made this possible, because we all knew this was going to be a challenging feat. I had to go and see it, not only because the show sounded just up my street, but also to support the industry that has been overlooked and in serious danger the past few months.


The Theatre

 
Being a socially distanced event, I have to speak about the setup of the theatre as well as the performance. I had never been to the Troubadour and it struck me as very different to the classic West End venues I am used to, because of its very modern design and feel. The theatre has great indoor and outdoor seating areas to wait in before the auditorium opens - the amount of space makes social distancing a doddle. I realised this would be more difficult in an older venue, where I can remember waiting around, packed into small and uncomfortable corridors.

Inside the auditorium, the capacity had been reduced from 1300 to 400 seats. Cutting back so much causes huge financial challenges, so I have much admiration for the producers making it possible to run. Keeping distance was very easy inside the auditorium, seats are purchased in household bubbles, in groups of between 1-4 people. There are 'X's on many of the seats, demonstrating the distance between everyone. I had a whole row to myself, giving me some unbeatable legroom that I could really get used to! 
 

Being such a modern venue, there's no stalls and circle but just one level on an incline, so you would have an excellent view wherever you sat - especially because there's no one directly in front of you, another social distancing perk!

The Show


Being an adaptation of Sleepless in Seattle, the story is already familiar - a love story between widowed Sam, who's son Jonah rang up a radio station talking about his wish for a new mum, and hopeless romantic Annie, who heard them on the radio. The musical starred Kimberley Walsh as Annie and Jay McGuiness as Sam, who both delivered stellar performances. I've read reviews saying their acting isn't up to Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan's standards, but I mean come on, they're not Hollywood actors! I'm sure Hanks and Ryan could not have delivered the same incredible vocal performances, if we're judging them like that!

The show flowed very well with never a dull moment, and even the supporting cast members had stand-out songs, including the memorable performance of 'Now Or Never' by Jonah and Sam's best friend Rob. All of the songs were brand new and original - it was Annie's songs that stood out for me, especially the Act 1 finale, 'Things I Didn't Do'. The creators of the musical have described it more of a 'play with songs' rather than a traditional musical, but the format worked very well, and a stunning dance number for the show's finale satisfied any traditional musical lover.
 

 
The set design was remarkable, with a revolving house in the middle. Screens came down around it to create an airport, and boards around it towards the end to create a very realistic looking Empire State viewing platform. The Troubadour is a large, wide theatre and they made such great use of the space available.
 

Sleepless is only on for a few more days at the Troubadour, but it has definitely paved the way for other socially distanced shows to come. Slowly the steps are coming together for live venues to open up again and I can't wait. 
 

EG x 

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