John and Yoko

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"Interviewer: Why can’t you be alone without Yoko?

John Lennon: But I can be alone without Yoko, but I just have no wish to be. There’s no reason on earth why I should be alone without Yoko. There’s nothing more important than our relationship, nothing. And we dig being together all the time. Both of us could survive apart but what for? I'm not going to sacrifice love, real love for any whore or any friend or any business, because in the end you’re alone at night and neither of us want to be. and you can’t fill a bed with groupies. It doesn’t work. I don't want to be a swinger. I’ve been through it all and nothing works better than to have someone you love hold you."

Product Rave: Benefit's 'They're Real' Mascara

I've been a fan of Benefit products for some time now and it isn't just because they have the most adorably packaging. Before 'They're Real', I was using BADgal, also by Benefit. That was working fine for me, but I felt that I wanted something more dramatic.

'They're Real' boasts length, volume, and lift. I agree that it does give length and volume but I'm not sure about the lift. Then again, no mascara in the world can give my lashes any lift, haha. 

What I really like about this mascara that it has a dry consistency, which works well for asian lashes. It does hold the curl for some time, but I'd say that if you want it to last all day, always apply a base beforehand. The synthetic wand gives a really precise and consistent application. The custom-domed tip is supposed to be for applying product onto your corner lashes, but I find that all the product collects on the tip so it applies too thick.

I usually apply 1 coat on a normal day but 2 coats looks great as well. It can get clumpy, but you'd really have to go crazy with the application for that to happen. 

Here are some before/after photos (with curled lashes)

£18.50 from Boots or buy from the Benefit site

Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

What better way to turn an off day into a cupcake-filled one? I made these lovelies for a dinner party a while back. A simple vanilla cake with amazing chocolate buttercream. Mine didn't come out as dark as it should have but all in all, a success! And the pink sugar sprinkles helped a bit too. Let me know if you try this recipe out! 

Taken From JoytheBaker.com (my favourite food site, I simply adore her!)

The Cake

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened

1 3/4 cup granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 cup whole milk

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped out

2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line two cupcake pans with paper liners and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together milk, vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds.  Set aside.

In a stand mixer, fit with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  This may take 3 to 5 minutes.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is well incorporated.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating for one minute after each addition.  If the batter begins to looks a bit curdled, that’s alright.

with the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and the vanilla milk mixture in three batches, starting and ending with the flour.  When the batter is almost combined, stop the mixer and finish mixing the batter with a spatula, making sure that any flour bits at the bottom of the bowl are well incorporated.

Divide into the lined cupcake pan and bake for 25 minutes or until golden and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.  Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely before frosting.

The Frosting

1 1/2 cup (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup cocoa powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

4 cups powdered sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/4 cup milk

1 cup heavy cream

2/3 cup Ovaltine

Cream together butter, cocoa powder and salt. Butter mixture will be very thick. Turn off the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl and add powdered sugar. Turn mixer on low and mix in powdered sugar while adding milk and vanilla extract. As the sugar incorporates, raise the speed of the mixer to beat the frosting. Beat until smooth. In a 2 cup measuring glass, stir together heavy cream and Ovaltine. Turn mixer speed to medium and pour cream mixture into frosting in a slow, steady stream, until you’ve reached your desired consistency.  You may not need the full amount of Ovaltine and cream.

Flowers Flowers Everywhere

Images via desiretoinspire

Film Review: Anna Karenina

Directed By: Joe Wright 

Starring: Keira Knightly, Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Jude Law, Kelly MacDonald, Matthew Macfadyen, Domhnall Gleeson

Firstly, I would like to admit that I went into the film knowing nothing about Tolstoy's novel. I actually bought the book a few years back and attempted to read it but failed after about 15 pages. Nonetheless, I was still very excited by the film, as Joe Wright has proven himself to be an excellent director of costume dramas - of which I am a devout fan. But he approached this film a little differently from Pride and Prejudice and Atonement because it's partially set in an theatre and the characters are essentially actors in this elaborate play, which satirises the shallowness of 19th century Russian society. This is good and bad - it is beautiful to watch the creative transition from scene to scene but it seems some think that it's too distracting and takes away from the emotional elements of the storyline. 

Casting, in my opinion, was superb. Although some might be turned off by watching Keira Knightly in yet another period piece - I can confidently say that she's amazing in this film. Some might experience a bit of deja vu, as her character sometimes experiences, a little too closely, the one that she plays in the The Duchess. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who I've seen in Albert Nobbs is also great as Vronsky but some believe that his boyish charm did not fit his maturity in the book. It was strange seeing Jude Law not play, not only the male lead in a film, but the unattractive male character. But he pulls it off well and almost makes us believe that he can be unattractive. 

The plot is, simply put, a love affair gone wrong and the danger of human emotion. Of course there are other themes of alienation, oppression, marriage and religion. Levin, played by Domhnall Gleeson, is the rational, balance to all of this - as his personal discovery allows him to overcome the shallow and often meaningless pursuits of the other characters. 

Some scenes are done in a very artistic manner and very Joe Wright. There is a ballroom/dance scene that seems to have been taken right out of Pride and Prejudice. Appropriate that Matthew McFadyen is in this film as well. It was all very fitting in the theatrical style of the filming. Not to say that there was over-acting, but the director was clear in guiding the audience to feel a certain way throughout. I think it's valid to say that it possibly lacks the emotional depth of past adaptations and fails to live up to the complexity of Tolstoy's work - but then again, what film can live up to the written word? It is immensely enjoyable and engaging for what it is - a modern adaption. I personally loved Wright's unique interpretation. Lastly, I must comment on the costumes - which were almost always breathtaking and immaculate. 

Here are some stills from the film.  

My Rating: 4/5 

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Hot or Not? - Headpieces

I'm not sure why but I'm still undecided about headpieces as an everyday fashion accessory. I suppose I shouldn't judge the trend too early, as I haven't given it a go myself but I find that it can either look so right or so wrong.

                          

Chanel's Metiers D'Art show was dripping with opulent headpieces and were, obviously, very beautiful.   But they're understandably hard to translate to everyday.

Cheska Hull from Made in Chelsea (left) wore a beautiful headpiece on the show. I believe it's from River Island - a standout yet wearable piece! But it may be too much for everyday (I think she's on holiday in this episode - yes, I'm quite obsessed haha)

I think simple elastic headbands worn in that way can be really elegant on days when you're feeling a little adventurous. I'm doing a pretty poor job demonstrating in the pic below but that's my interpretation :)

Summertime

Taken in Shanghai and Hong Kong. 

Sunday Mornings

Make pancakes today and share them with the people you love most. Happy weekend :)

Nothing Lost

For there is nothing lost, that may be found, if sought.
Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queen