Japan #2

So here is my second post of my time in Japan! 

As time went on, I traveled further and my confidence led me to master Japanese train maps!Kyoto was one of my favourite places to visit, it's scenery was astonishing.There seemed to be a refreshing balance of warm-coloured Autumn  leaves and the crisp Autumn breeze rustling the streets.

Kyoto was my favourite place to be, so scenic and natural. It was lovely to get away from the hustle and bustle of normal every-day Japan life. Kyoto was originally the capital of Japan and many Japanese films such as 'Kurosawa' and ' sisters of the gion' were filmed here in the village of 'Gion'. This was one of the most important geisha districts in Japan although they prefered to call themselves 'geiko' which means 'a woman of art'. 

The narrow streets of Gion reflect a lot of history and the beauty of it remains still an attribute to Japan, a place where tourists can learn for themselves what once went on at Gion. There are chances to dress up as geishas and to visit temples and beautiful parks. If you head up to the huge 500 ton Buddah at the top of Gion, you will find a war memorial for those that died in World War II and spectacular views across Kyoto. Breathtaking.

Lots of pictures below to nose at! 

Lauren x

JAPAN. #1

This is the first of my Japan series of blog posts! I do hope you enjoy!

When you think of Japan, you think of bright lights, udon noodles, fish markets, huge department stores and packed out streets. Before I visited Japan, the images that popped into my head that are associated with Japan were just these things. But after living for three months in an a small urban industrial town, I began to see how the real Japan worked. 

I went to Japan for three months to stay in a little town called Takarazuka (famous for it's women-dressed-as-men dancing show at the town theatre). I was working here with a fellow volunteer called Zena who is now one of my most trusted friends. We worked at a Leonard Cheshire Home for mental and physical disabilities where we looked after 50 residents whom only two could walk. Tasks were sometimes challenging and often only rewarding when you see that it made a positive difference to one of the residents.

I was situated in the Hyogo prefecture which was between Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. These were my favourite places to be at the weekend.

 Firstly, Osaka.... for all you shoppers, it is the place to be. There is a shopping district called NAMBA which is lined with shops from all other the world including a huge H&M and a Uniqlo! If you think a big Boots is good in the UK, wait until you see the HUGE beauty department stores, often three or four floors high, filled with hair care, makeup, moisturisers, everything a girl could dream of.  Osaka is in the top five cities for being most expensive and as I was volunteering, money wasn't exactly falling off trees. If I saved up some money I was able to buy an occasional Japanese lipstick or mascara but all I could really do was drool at all the products on display. The place is amazing. Although a little hectic and busy. I was stopped in Osaka H&M for being 'Kawaii' (cute).  

Dōtombori is the liveliest place to be where good nightlife is of priority and flashy food restaurants are a must for those with a little cash to splurge. There is a bridge here where you can take pictures of the streets either side of the river below. It looks like a scene from Blade Runner. 

Just outside of the city centre in Universal Studios theme park, which I couldn't miss. Although I ended up going alone, I had a great time and met fellow tourists there! Lots of western food to be eaten and lots of rides to scream on. I thought John Lewis was big, and I hadn't learnt that everything in Japan was bigger and better, the department stores like ' Hanshin' were huge, and although Zena and I couldn't afford anything in store, we had a little look and then scurried to use the posh toilets. Oh yes, I forgot, Japanese toilets are an experience. They sing songs, they wash bottoms and you don't have to touch a thing. 

Here are some of the pictures relating to Osaka and general Japan, tomorrow, I will be posting about Kyoto, naked hot spring baths and a load of Japanese  food! 

Blog Cat Awards!

This is just a super quick post to say a huge thank you to Blog Cat (@blogcatmew) for shortlisting me as one of the best new bloggers in the category! It is a lovely surprise and I have also checked out all the other categories and I have done my votes! For those of you who are unaware of the rewards, have a look at this link.... Blog Cat awards

 

If you believe my blog is good enough to win the title, I would appreciate your vote! Let me know what you think of the other blogs too! They are all amazing and I am very lucky to have been nominated in the first place! Oh and the prizes are lovely! Anyways, thank you again!

Lauren x

Autumn wish list

So, now that my blog is two months old, I've decided that the blog might take upon other interests of mine! One of my bigger interests involves some serious heavy internet browsing/wilfing. Anyways, like most girls, we dream that money can grow on trees and that this money will buy us pretty and useful things. Some of you might know that I work on the ladies fashion in John Lewis, this is sometimes a little painful when you see so many things you want but can't have. For example the warehouse coat above...£85!! Here is a little summary of my Autumn wish list...oooh all so cosy and warm!

 Dior Nude Skin foundation : £27.90 (I have heard great things.)

Warehouse trench coat : £85

Asos bear fingerless gloves : £10 (too cute)

Accessorize Hoxton Tote bag : £60 (ouchhh)

Topshop Triangle earrings: £10 (These are really 1920s,cute)

Glamorous UK Bird Print blouse : £22.99 (Bargain)

Zara Red moustache slipper : £25.99 (My boyfriend laughed at these, pft!I'm in love )

Well, I best get saving. If you have any autumn wish lists, send me your links!

How much is my face worth? $$$

So, I'm now in Switzerland, ( yes, I'm never at home ) and I have some time to spare and dedicate to my beauty journal. I know these posts are popular and sometimes a little too 'generic' but I really enjoyed doing this post, so that's what matters right?! Sorry for the bad picture quality, no camera with me in Switzerland!

Oh, also, cannot believe my everyday face adds up to this amount, SCARY.

 

 FACE

 L'Oreal Triple Active Day Moisturiser : £6.12

-  MAC Prep + Prime Eye Vibrancy : £22

-MaX Factor second skin foundation Ivory : £12.99

-MAC Concealer NW15: £14.50

-Rimmel Match perfection bronzer : £5.99

EYES

Benefit Smokey Eeye kit : £28.50

MAC 2008 Passion of Reds Smokey kit : £30

Illamasqua Neutral palette : £30

L'Oreal Super Slim liner : £7.99

L'Oreal Million Lashes Volume Mascara : £10.99

LIPS

 MaX Factor Lip infinity Pen in 05 : £6.99

TOTAL : £176.07

Not too bad eh?! Well,this is only what I wear daily....at night it's probably double. pah. Cannot believe how much money it is, good job the stuff lasts well!

My amazing friend and fellow beauty/lifestlye blogger also did this tag, check it out :

http://laurasbeautyheaven.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Review : ST. Tropez Bronzing Rocks

ST TROPEZ BRONZING ROCKS RRP £30

Being fairly pale, I'm always putting on tights, hiding pale bits and fighting over which tanning products are good. I'm not a great fan of self-applying false tan, it's messy and often smells. I was on the look for a bronzer that could really make a difference to my face/decolletage without the obvious look of orange streak marks. Although this is a pricey bronzer, these nuggets will last you forever. There is 40g worth of bronzing rocks in the square pot and even if you use them daily, you won't have to top up for at least a year. 

It gives you a healthy glow, with a slight shimmer which is great for the cheek bones and decolletage bones, highlighting these areas will make a big difference. Use a fairly big brush to swirl around the pot and then apply to the face using a circular motion. It's up to you how much you want to use, I apply all over my face and decolletage and then highlight the important areas, forehead, bridge of nose, cheek bones and lower neck. You can also pick up the nuggets and use as an eyeshadow to create a golden smokey eye.

Smokeyblush TIP: Use the bronzing nuggets on legs and arms using a brush to create a shimmer effect! Your pins will look long and beautiful!