Chelsey Prentice

Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner, that I love London so… Well, sometimes.

I was born in East London and lived there up until October last year, when I moved to Southend in Essex. I still go to London fairly often and love where I live but there are a few things I miss about London, other than the fact that my boyfriend and some of my friends and family live there. The biggest thing I’ve noticed with it being Winter is the darkness. London is always lit up and glows at night whereas once the sun goes down where I’m living now I’m surrounded by darkness. So much so that you can actually see the stars. That part is nice but walking home in pitch black isn’t the most fun!

Other things I love about London along with the bright lights are the beautiful buildings, including many landmarks such as Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and Big Ben. There’s something special about the mix of old and new and the ever changing but still recognisable skyline. I also love the eclectic variety of fashion and the sense that you can be unique but still fit in. This brings me on to the shopping opportunities. London is a shopper’s paradise and I miss being able to jump on the train to Westfield in Stratford or the West End if I fancied going further afield. It now takes me an hour to just get to where I used to live and my local high street sadly isn’t a patch on what I’m used to. They don’t even have a Zara or a Lush! It’s a similar story with restaurants and I’ve been craving Wagamama for ages. It doesn’t help that I can’t drive so most places are an hour away by train.

London may be great for visual stimulation, shopping, eating out and entertainment but not so much for space, rest, peace and quiet. As someone with anxiety I used to struggle with the noise when I was trying to sleep and the crowds practically wherever I went. My local station felt constantly like being part of the stampede scene in The Lion King and I’d feel really stressed every time I left the house. I also had lots of sleep issues putting up with less than considerate neighbours and outside noise. It seems that lots of people who live in certain parts of London want to spend their weekends partying all night when I need my sleep! It’s much quieter where I live now, although we do live near a pub and I don’t miss the noise, lack of sleep and anxious feelings at all.

Things have changed so much over the years and the London I grew up in no longer exists but at least I still have the memories and can make new ones in my new home. You also get more for your money the further out of London you go. Personally, when I eventually can afford to move out, my budget won’t stretch anywhere near towards getting what I want in London so I will more than likely stay in the Essex area. The sunsets also seem prettier here. I do like skyscrapers silhouetted against the sunset but the sun setting over the sea just pips it to the post.

 

I do visit London often for blog events or to see my boyfriend or friends but I get to go home to a nice, mostly peaceful place so I feel like I have the best of both worlds, even if those Wagamama cravings get too much at times. I get my Zara fix at least once a month when I go and see my boyfriend, who lives not too far from Canary Wharf. My Lush addiction may be suffering but at least I’m saving money. I’m also walking to more places and getting plenty of fresh air. I’m looking forward to summer by the sea but a little part of my heart will always live in London.

I actually attended this Valentine’s Blogosphere event over two weeks ago but life has been pretty manic so I haven’t had the chance to post about it until now. It was my first Blogosphere Magazine event but I’ve read the magazine a few times and thought it would be a great place to meet likeminded people along with interesting brands and to catch up with some of my blogging pals. The event was held at the Tropical Library in the Luminaire building in South London and even though I’ve been there once before I still managed to get lost and had to spend my last few pounds on a taxi in the end. Once I arrived I was greeted by a really friendly young lady and a sea of tasty cupcakes so all was soon forgotten!

As you can see the decor was pretty Instagram worthy and was a great setting for chatting to other bloggers and brands, some of which are featured below

I’m a sucker for make-up, especially bright colours so I was instantly drawn to the Glo & Ray stand. Their hot pink lipstick is amazing and looked so pigmented from the swatches I made. I definitely want to try more of their products and am planning a review of the lipstick and eyeliner I received in my goodie bag

Samaya Skincare are a natural skincare brand whose products are designed to achieve the perfect balance. Interestingly, they have 3 different ranges designed for different ‘Doshas’ or personality types. When I took the test on their website my result was mostly Vata which seemed appropriate as it was my favourite scent out of the 3

I’ve always suffered with dry, sore lips and anything that helps relieve them gets a big thumbs up from me. Dr Lipp Nipple Balm for Lips is definitely improving my flaky lip situation at this harsh time of year and I love the smooth texture. There is also no unpleasant taste and it’s perfect to pop on under some lipstick too. It’s also multipurpose so great for other dry skin areas.

Overall, I had a great day (despite my head pains being pretty bad recently but that’s another story) and would definitely attend another Blogosphere event in future. Also, now I’m in full time work it may be time to treat myself to a subscription to the magazine

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit has been on my wish list for some time so once I’d built up enough funds in my Paypal account I decided to treat myself. I purchased it through Beauty Bay which had enough in stock and it arrived a few days later. I find it’s most effective when worn over a liquid highlighter to really make your skin pop. It’s definitely my favourite highlighter palette but I’m not quite sure if it was worth the £44 price tag. My favourite shades are White Sand and Snow as they have a subtle white based shimmer which you can build up. I feel like all the other shades are pretty similar as they are all a variation of gold sparkle which look almost the same on my skin. I would’ve been happy with my two favourites and just one gold shade but that option isn’t available as far as I’m aware. They also aren’t quite as highly pigmented as I expected, especially the gold toned shades. Snow is probably the most pigmented I’d say. That said, each shade in the palette does give your skin a pretty glow

With all the new lip product formulas around nowadays and the liquid lipstick revolution transforming everyone’s make up bag, sometimes it’s a nice change to keep it simple and go back to classic lipstick. For someone who loves make up I’ve never actually tried a Mac lipstick until now. My brother got me a voucher for Christmas so I decided to spend it on the cult but very wearable Matte lipstick in Velvet Teddy. A friend of mine wears it and I loved the colour and finish so decided to try it for myself. I’m definitely not disappointed and would like to add to my collection at some point. It also has a smooth texture, a pleasant smell and is easy to apply. Now I understand how people build up a collection of Mac lipsticks!

I know it’s slightly last minute but there’s still time to treat your partner or even your best friend to a present this Valentine’s Day. If you’re stuck for ideas then here are a few suggestions

Gentlemen’s Tonic specialise in male grooming and were founded in the heart of Mayfair where they have an establishment that offers traditional barbershop and other grooming services. They also have a range of high quality products such as shower gel, fragrance, hair care and shaving products to name a few. The Sinsa Eau De Toilette and the Babassu and Bergamot aftershave balm would make great gifts for the well groomed man in your life. The fragrance has an unusual warm, spicy but modern smell that I’d actually wear myself! The aftershave balm is light, fresh and contains natural essential oils to nourish the skin.

we’ve covered male grooming so now here’s something for the girls. If your significant other loves skincare and prefers to use vegan products then it’s definitely worth checking out White Rabbit skincare. They have a range of natural and luxurious cleansers, toners, moisturisers and body products, including this good-enough-to-eat chocolate orange lip balm

If your partner likes tea or coffee then a slogan mug should be right up their street. This ‘His Lordship’ mug is £4.50 from Sainsburys and is a great last minute buy that you can grab whilst doing your weekly shop. They also have a ‘Her Ladyship’ version for your favourite female.

Other ideas include a meal or afternoon tea for the two of you, gift vouchers, cufflinks, anything from the Lush valentine’s collection, a bottle of their favourite tipple or a good old box of chocolates.

Lip products are the kind of makeup I buy most often and I’ve been wanting to try the Kylie Jenner lip kits for ages but don’t think it’s worth the cost plus customs charges. Makeup Revolution have come to the rescue with a very similar product for the bargain price of £6! They’re currently only available in selected Superdrug stores but luckily my local in Southend had a choice of four shades. I opted for Noble which is a light brown/nude and Reign which is a pink toned nude. Both are very wearable shades for both day and night.

The creamy texture and smell of the lipliner are really good quality for the price and it applies so smoothly, with good coverage. The liquid lipstick also has a nice texture but I did find it slightly sticky. Strangely, Reign is stickier than Noble so maybe I was unlucky with the particular batch of product but it’s something I can live with as everything else is great! It lasts for most of the day with no need to reapply and fades in a subtle way rather than leaving patches.

The only problem was that one of the kits had a missing lipliner but luckily Superdrug allowed me to swap it for another one. I’d definitely open the box and check that both products are there before you go home, just in case. I can’t get over what good value these lip kits are and I want to buy more! I also can’t wait for the metallic options to be released as I have my eye on the rose gold version.

 

There’s something quite exciting about a trip to the theatre in London’s West End. The bright lights are enticing, the anticipation reminds me of being a young child and once the show starts the action and music keep me engrossed until the curtain falls. I must admit, it’s been a while since I’ve been to the theatre but in that time I’ve built up a list of shows I’d love to see. I’m gutted I missed out on We Will Rock You but hopefully going to see at least one of these shows in the coming year should make up for it.

Motown the Musical

Motown is one of my favourite genres and my mum would listen to it when I was growing up so singing and dancing along to this musical, which is bursting with classics, would guarantee a great night out! Some of the songs also remind me of Dirty Dancing which I saw a few years ago and is a favourite of most girls my age. Performed at the Shaftesbury Theatre, the story chronicles the journey of Motown founder Berry Gordy and is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. It would be interesting to learn about the history of Motown whilst being entertained and enjoying the music. The costumes look great too!

The Lion King

I made good use of my Lion King VHS as a child (showing my age here) and The Circle of Life is one of my favourite Disney songs ever so I’d love to be part of the action and sing along. I’ll just have to look away when Simba’s dad dies as that part used to make me cry! Rafiki has to be one of my favourite characters as he is rather eccentric and has always made me laugh. The show first opened in 1999 at the Lyceum Theatre and is now one of the biggest shows in the West End. Altogether now: ‘Can you feel the love tonight…’

Thriller Live

The King of Pop sang arguably some of the best songs ever made and added the best dance moves to boot, both of which I’d be excited to see performed at Thriller Live. I can’t think of a Michael Jackson or Jackson 5 song I don’t like and they were the soundtrack to my childhood. Plus, they always go down well at parties nowadays. This show is a great feel good celebration of Jackson’s music and legacy.

Matilda

This is another childhood favourite of mine, from the 1988 Roald Dahl book to the 1996 film featuring Danny De Vito. Now I just need to see the show at The Cambridge Theatre. I’ve seen pictures of the set on social media and it looks so inviting with all the books on shelves, reaching up to the ceiling. My friend’s nephews and niece also love the story, especially the part when Miss Trunchball forces Bruce to eat all the chocolate cake! Comedian Tim Minchin provides the music so I would expect songs that are relatable and full of humour.

Aladdin

Who didn’t want to be the exotic beauty that is Princess Jasmine growing up? Even Kim Kardashian dressed up as her for Halloween recently. Based on a story from the Arabic collection of tales, One Thousand and One Nights Aladdin is another feel good Disney classic with catchy songs such as A Whole New World and Prince Ali. Reliving my childhood and being transported to far away lands at the Prince Edward theatre would be a fantastic experience.

If any of these tickle your fancy or you would like to see what else is on offer at London Theatres then why not visit TheatreTickets.uk? It’s one of the largest theatre booking websites in the UK with long standing relationships with venues and ticket providers so you can count on a reliable and secure service. Once the weather improves and I come out of hibernation I plan to book to see at least one show as they are such a great way to lift your spirits, invoke nostalgia and it’s an enjoyable alternative night out.

 

I love a good meal out and one of the best things about living in the Southend area are how many nice restaurants there are to enjoy! On Sunday I tried the Roslin Beach Hotel for the first time which is near Thorpe Bay and is often booked up for weddings as it has such a good reputation. It’s very popular but still has a great atmosphere with an air of luxury.

I love a mocktail and chose a fruity option to quench my thirst. There are also a few classic cocktails available, including Mojitos and Strawberry Daquiris. The Sunday menu has a few roast dinner options but I fancied something different so I opted for pan fried hake with lemon mash.

To start I had squid tempura which was pretty similar to calamari. They also do afternoon tea which I’d love to try soon, especially if the cakes are anything like the cheesecake below which was out of this world. Seriously, this mango and passionfruit creation is the best cheesecake I’ve ever had and I’d go back just to eat that!

Outfit pictures are something I took for granted during the early years of blogging as my uncle was usually around to take them or if not my boyfriend would. Sadly, my uncle passed away last Autumn and I now live over an hour away from my boyfriend so I have far fewer opportunities to have outfit pictures taken. If only I had a photographer friend who lived close to me! Also, call me over practical but I prefer to fit them in with my life so if I’m going for a meal for example, I’ll dress accordingly and have the photos taken usually just before the meal. I do need to go out and do an outfit pictures ‘shoot’ but the practicalities of finding a photographer and somewhere to get changed have stood in the way so far.

These photos were taken by my boyfriend before we went out for lunch on Sunday. The top was a Christmas present from Zara, the trousers are from Primark and the boots are old Zara ones but are so comfortable. Do you have any tips for taking outfit photos?

 

 

 

 

As a blogger in today’s digital landscape we’re all expected to have social media nailed, racking up followers by the day and posting engaging and consistent content but I’m not afraid to admit that this isn’t always the case. I mostly use Twitter to promote my blog, followed by instagram and occasionally Facebook but I find Twitter best for follower count and engaging with brands and fellow bloggers.

With Instagram I battle between blog friendly and personal posts and feel that my account can be slightly selfie heavy at times. (soz) I also rarely have someone on hand to take outfit photos so I don’t get to post as many as I’d like, hence the selfies. My followers are made up of both fellow bloggers along with family, friends and acquaintances so it can be hard to please everyone. Does anyone else struggle with this? When people unfollow me or don’t follow back I take it quite personally which I need to work on as you need a thick skin to be a blogger in the current landscape!

I use Facebook for personal posts as I only have a handful of bloggers as friends on there and I think we all need a part of the internet where we can post candid, unedited photos and have a good old rant on occasion. That said, I often share links to my blog when I’ve posted something new so my friends and family can have a read. I did have an actual Facebook page for my old blog but I’m not sure if it’s worth starting from scratch to make one for my current blog. If anyone finds this worthwhile then please let me know.

Twitter is the least disappointing and I find that people are more willing to follow me on there than on Instagram. I can post a few times a day and write about both what’s going on in life along with sharing my blog posts. I also love Twitter chats and feel part of a blogger’s community. It’s a great place to make new friends, discover other bloggers and mutually support each other.

I’ve covered the three main social networks but are there any others I should be utilising? I am on Pinterest but something went wrong when trying to share my blog images on there so I haven’t even logged in for ages. I also struggle to remember passwords so I find 3 accounts easier to juggle. Also if you don’t follow me on any of these networks already why not do so now? More often than not I follow back. If anyone has any tips on social media I’d love to hear them