THE FRIDAY FIVE #5

I'll bring you flowers

After a serious case of blogger block the Friday five is BACK! I was feeling a bit meh the last couple of weeks so I decided to buy myself some flowers from my favourite flower shop, Scarlet and Violet in Kilburn. While my favourites aren't in season (the biggest blogger cliche, peonies) I got a gorgeous bouquet of stocks. IT's amazing what a bunch of fleurs can do for your mood. 

La Roche launches

On Tuesday I headed into town for the launch of La Roche Posay's latest suncare products. They are all factor 50 but don't leave that ashy look that a lot high factor sun protection products leave in black skin (I've learnt the hard way). I'll be popping a blog post up nearer their launch date but for now above is an attractive photobooth picture of me and Zoe from the launch.

Bowlin' babes

So my friend Nads has this thing where, despite me still living at home, so likes to give me kitchenware for my birthday. It all started on my 21st when she gave me a Le Creuset oven dish and so for this birthday present (which came this week despite my bday being in December because as a group we aren't the best with this stuff) she stuck with the trend bad I received a gorgeous mug and this cracking bowl from anthropologie. It's just been making breakfast that much more special.

Formation

Bey came back with a bang at the weekend with Formation and as a Bey fan I naturally was all over it. However, as much as I love the video and most of the song ("I got hot sauce in my bag" YAAS qweeeen) I've found the debate it's sparked even more interesting. While I think that the black women's experience is different in the USA compared to the UK I've read some articles from black women both sides of the pond that have extremely interesting, valid points on black culture. Have a read for yourself here and here.

Back to the 20s!

My mum loves a good party, she is the hostess with the mostest always and so when she randomly said she wanted to throw a murder mystery none of us batted an eyelid. It was so fun and all our family and friends got all dressed up for some jazz-era fun. Our team didn't win but it's the taking part that counts. Duh.

The Friday Five #2

Photobox buys

Being a known Instagram addict I'd have forgotten the thrill of having a physical photo as a memory that isn't from a photobooth. If I wanted a trip down memory lane I'd just have a scroll through Insta or glance at Facebook. However, when I was ordering one of my secret santa gifts I decided on impulse to pick a few insta pics that I'd like IRL too and I love them! The quality is so good and they genuinely look like polaroids!

Fake birthday

This week as it was pretty much everyone's last in the office before Christmas and therefore my birthday (which is on the 29th FYI) the team suprised me and Sazzle (who's birthday is the day after mine) with a little cake, card and present, I was so shocked that I cried. I mean, it was a special time if you catch my drift but still that's no excuse. Anyway it was my first work birthday ever and it was the best day ever.

UGH! - The 1975

The 1975 are one of my favourite bands. None of my friends share the love with me (although Emma did come with me to their concert once and for that I will always love her) so I don't really have anyone to share the enthusiasm with. I'm obssesed with the upbeat tempo that UGH has - it just puts the biggest smile on my face. Play it and I dare you not to dance.

I'm Freeeee

On Thursday I finished work for the year! *breaks into song and dance*. On my last day we had to finish next month's edition of the magazine and get it to the printers so as I cleared up my desk and set foot outside the relief that swept over me was like no other. Roll on a week of unadulterated Christmas festivities! 

Alterna Caviar Moisture Oil Creme range 

I nabbed this range from the cupboard at work as I'd heard loads about the brand but as it's not easily available on our shores (only selected salons and online retailers) I just hadn't gotten my hands on it yet. This range is especially for thick and porous hair like mine and promises to make hair soft and smooth without sulphates, parabens or phthalates. After I used the three products (pre-shampoo treatment, shamps and conditioner) my hair was so soft and easy to detangle and to top it off smell like a greek goddess. I will have to purchase when they run out but the price makes me cry. 

The Friday Five #1

I thought that as an attempt to stay on top of blog content I would commit to a weekly post. I've been thinking for a while what this could be, what kind of topic etc because I didn't want it to be on one topic as I figured that would be something I'd struggle with as I just knew I wouldn't keep it up. So after a bit of umming and ahhing I decided on...

The Friday Five!

A post every Friday where I write a little bit about five things I've done/tried/loved/watched/read/thought about that week and that way I'm not limited to one topic (Lord knows I don't like to be restricted). So here goes!

Friend Christmas dinner

Ok, so this was last week but since this thing'll run from Friday to Friday it counts. Every year since we were tiny little 18 year olds me and my bestest buddies have had a Friend Christmas complete with roast dinner, games and presents. As a group we are basically family - we have all known each other since we were 11, been best friends since we were 14 and have experienced much of life together - make-ups break-ups, marriages... so literally they are my second family! It's always so nice to share the Christmas spirit with the ones you love!

The Dressmaker

On Tuesday I was invited to view The Dressmaker with the brand Charles Worthington, and while I didn't really know what to expect, I did know that I'd be getting to see a lot of Liam Hemsworth. The film was strange (I won't give away spoilers) and kind of like a dark comedy but with serious undertones and when I left the screening I was sure I hated it. But when I explained it to my co-worker, Sarah, the next day I went into ridiculous details and analysis so I guess it meant it moved me in some kinda way... check it out if you can but be prepared to go 'huh?'

Purpose - Justin Bieber

Me and my friends have becomes such Beliebers since this new album dropped - well it began slowly since where are u and then gained pace after what do you mean and sorry and then reached peak after purpose. It's such a great album, seriously - my faves are Love Yourself , Sorry, Purpose and We Are.

Bobbi Brown + Clarins

I have a new favourite lip combo the Clarins Lip Definer in Nude Mocha all over the lips and the Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Brown Berry dabbed in the middle of the lip and then blended out. It's literally my nude lip combo from heaven. Alone, the Bobbi art stick is slightly too ashy but this liner makes it perfecto!

New sneaks

I really really really restrained myself when it came to the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales a couple of weeks back - in fact I only bought one thing and I have been wearing them to death this week - my new Nike Pegasus 83 trainers in lunar grey *insert heart eyed emoji* Eghh I just love them so much. They are suede so I refuse to wear them when it's raining, which sucks but I love them nonetheless.