Tuesday 22 November 2011

The Kooks

It's a music post! I thought I'd talk about a band that are haunting my iPod.. The Kooks...
They're an English indie pop band with a flare for originality, and a cool urban vibe. Formed in Brighton, East Sussex, 2004, the band has gone from strength to strength in the music industry, signed to Virgin Records just three months after forming. Their first album- Inside/Inside Out was amazingly successful- achieving quadruple platinum status in the UK within a year and picking up a nomination at the Brit Awards for their single: 'She Moves In Her Own Way.' This band is so unique, cool and have a great style. Here's some of their most successful songs:


She Moves In Her Own Way



                                                                          Naive


                                                                 Do You Wanna

Which of their songs is your fave? Do you like The Kooks?
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Friday 18 November 2011

100 style and beauty tips- 4

The fourth in the feature! Check my tips out below:

31. Use a peach-coloured eyeshadow if you're tired and want your eyes to look fresher!
32. If your hair is greasy- start washing it less, once every two days if you don't already. Also, you could try going for a shorter cut next time you go to the hairdresser's.
33. Don't go for the bright red lipstick look if you're under eighteen. In my opnion, it looks a bit tacky.
34. To make the casual jeans & t-shirt look a bit more interesting- have you tried a waiscoat? They're amazing!
35. Going to a party? Opt for gold shimmery eyeliner- not liquid, pencil looks more impressive.
36. If you need to get your hair out of the way, have short hair, and don't want to wear a hairband, simply buy a few cheap grips to clip it back. They're barely noticeable and keep your hair out of your face- much more effective than using big clips.
37. But if you've got long hair, sleek and shiny ponytails are in! Try clipping back your fringe too to make the effect more dramatic.
38. Want a romantic look? To get inspiration- take a look at this post by Katie from her blog Katie's bliss. It inspired me!
Click HERE.
39. For a sweet, neutral scent this winter my fave is Daisy by Marc Jacobs. Put it on your Christmas list!
40. Snoods are so gorgeous! Swap one with your winter scarf- they're warm AND fashionable. Accessorize and Topshop have a great selection.


Remember my competition! Comment YOUR style and/or beauty tips below and the best one will be the 100th at the end of this feature and I'll leave a link on the post to your blog!
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Wishes & waves

Something to sweep you away, a quick sketch......

I sink into the soft grains of sand. They quickly engulf my legs, swallowing them up so only my pink toenails are visible- pink that is, decorated with sand sprinkles. It's a beautiful time to be up. Only tiny wisps of clouds are making their way across the sky, like fragments of candyfloss. The sun has just arrived. And so, I see, have you.
You sit by my side all morning, tracing broken hearts in the sand, splashing in the waves, dancing in both. You listen and you don't interrupt. There's no-one else around. We are safe in our own little paradise.
It's warm, well- actually, slightly cold. I wrap a soft blanket around my shoulders and sigh. When was the last time I actually though deeply about things? When was the last time I smiled with genuine abandon? When was the last time I watched nature get on with it?
I look down to you, and sigh as you start to dissolve in the water. A shadow doesn't stay where you can always see it, I guess.
I stand up, ready to return to real life.
Well, almost.
I send my wishes out to the waves.........
From The Girl With The Notepad :)


Monday 14 November 2011

Book review: Marshmallow Skye

You may have seen my last post on the vintage style. I got inspired for this post by Cathy Cassidy's new book: Marshmallow Skye. It's really dreamy and the plot is great, so I thought I'd share it with you here.
Marshmallow Skye is the latest in Cathy Cassidy's Chocolate Box Girls series. In my opinion, it's the best! The series is all about sisters (plus one stepsister) who all have stories to tell. Skye's story? She's the dreamy one out of all the sisters. When she finds a trunk containing vintage clothes, accessories and objects she adores them. And then she finds out they belonged to a girl called Clara long ago who drowned in the sea to escape from marrying a man she didn't love...
Then Skye starts having weird dreams, dreams she loves, dreams she wants to stay in as real life isn't going too well for her at the moment. Her twin sister, Summer, is constantly getting the spotlight while she is overlooked. Even her best friend, Alfie, fancies Summer instead of her! On top of all of this, why is there a boy she's never seen before appearing in her dreams?
It's a great 'escape' book. Fab if you're feeling in a dreamy mood. This book makes you think, and the ending is not what you'd expect.
Five stars from me!

Let me know if you've read it- did you like it? What's the 'dreamiest' book you've ever read?
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Saturday 12 November 2011

Vintage!

I LOVE vintage everything!  Here's an cool vintage style outfit for you to try:




Hat: New Look, £6.99
Ring: H&M, £6.99
Dress: Topshop, £46.00
Bag: H&M, £34.99
Shoes: New Look, £15.00

The best vintage style item of clothing, accessory or shoes you've ever bought?
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Wednesday 9 November 2011

Erm... I've changed the design. Again.

Yup, I've changed the design again. I have a feeling this is going to happen often...
Let me know what you think!
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Tuesday 8 November 2011

Operation: Cheer myself up

Hey! Well, I've not feeling that great at the moment because one of the guys at school has nicked my purse, which had my bank cards in. I'm not looking forward to trying to get it back tomorrow.
So I thought I'd think of a list of things to do to cheer myself up, and if possible, to do them. Sometimes just thinking about them make me smile! I also thought I'd share them with you here:
OPERATION: CHEER MYSELF UP!
Things that cheer me up:
1. Watching an episode of Friends
2. Chocolate. ANY kind.




3. Reading & commenting on blogs!
4. Shopping
5. Playing the piano
6. Talking on the phone to a best friend

7. Reading fashion mags

8. Having a bubble bath
9. Trying out new makeup
10. Playing basketball

So what cheers you up?
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Sunday 6 November 2011

100 style and beauty tips- 3

Who knows? One of these might be useful to you...

21. Bad hair day? Wear a hairband, or put a flower or a pretty clip in your hair. It'll make you feel better. Plus, people will be distracted and won't notice your hair!
22. Instead of shaving, for really smooth legs use Veet Hair Removal Cream, it's amazing!
23. When applying concealer, never rub it in. Pat it in for a more even finish.
24. For fuller, smoother lips.. you don't need the lipgloss! Vaseline is perfect, in particular for winter.
25. When a new brand is giving out free giveaways.. ask for two. Say the second one's for your sister, cousin, mother, etc. This way you can get double freebies!
26. If you want to look fresher and make your legs look longer, opt for skin tights instead of black tights.
27. Always take off mascara before you go to bed. If you don't your lashes over time can become dry.
28. For shinier hair, when it is completley dry blast with cool air with your hairdryer.
29. With cream-based eyeshadows, less is more.
30. If you want to give yourself more of a figure, try cinching in your waist with a belt. This ALWAYS works!

REMEMBER my competition! Comment your favourite tip (or tips) on style and beauty below and my fave will be the 100th tip in this feature, plus I will leave a link on the post to your blog!
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Thursday 3 November 2011

Wherever you will go

I have fallen in love. This song is AMAZING. Have you ever seen the Twinings tea advert? This is the song in the background. It was originally done by a band called The Calling, but this girl did a cover of it for the advert. You will be blown away.
Don't you just wish you sang like that?
From The Girl With The Notepad :)

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Death or love

I've just read a post that made me think how lucky I am. It inspired this poem:

Wading through
Water.
Dirt, glass, plastic.
Noises swirling
Crying, wailing
Overwhelmed.
You never knew life could be this bad.
A little girl
Sat in the gutter.
‘Take this,’ you say, and hand her the pack.
She looks up.
You’ve never seen her before.
But suddenly
It’s like you’ve seen into her soul.
She gobbles the food
But who knows? You might already be too late.
You scan her face
Looking for signs
A clue, if you like.
Your finger traces the tears on her face.
You hand her more food, and she stares.
You stop.
Is it death or love in her eyes?

I might turn it into a song one day, I think it's that kind of poem. What do you think? Was it death or love?
Drop a commment to give me ideas for posts- fashion or writing related if you think of one you'd like me to do. =) Thanks!
From The Girl With The Notepad :)