Marley and Me

Yesterday I went to see Marley and Me. Every now and then a film is released that restores my faith in humanity a little bit, and this is one of them. On the surface, this is a film about a dog who most of the time acts like a misbehaved child, but I believe it’s more than that. It’s a film that a gives an insight to real American life, and that is why it’s so endearing. There’s nothing forced by the actors, and while the humour stems mostly from Marley’s anecdotes, it’s also entertaining to watch the couple’s relationship develop with the joys and struggles of a marriage. It’s incredibly natural and true to life and seems very much like a real American family.

It’s a long film, and I'm usually very aware when a film goes on for longer than the 1 hour 30 minute mark, but it’s not drawn out, every scene is valid. Most importantly, it’s worth the two hours of your time.

You would have to be made of stone not to want to cry by the end. Call me sentimental but the last few lines really touched me: A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his. Any dog lover knows this is true, we’re supposed to be the most evolved, intelligent ones, yet a dog understands something we easily lose sight of.

MAC Hello Kitty

I realise the MAC Hello Kitty range is old news now, but I'm still in love with it. Admittedly I was a little late jumping on the bandwagon and now it's selling out fast, regret not finding it sooner. I only purchased one item from this range although I happily could have bought it all.


I used to love Hello Kitty, but the obsession seemed to fade away. The MAC collection has reminded me what there is to love about Hello Kitty and that you're never too old to still enjoy it! It's cute, quirky and iconic.

I am a sucker for anything that is shiny/glittery, so there was no way I couldn't pick up this blush in Fun&Games. I was a late starter with blushers, it was the last item to join my make-up collection. I never really saw the point of them, but after latching on to the idea that they can really improve your overall complexion, giving a healthy glow, there was no going back, and a blusher was the first product that introduced me to MAC. The name of that blush was Springsheen, described as a "light peach with gold pearl (sheertone shimmer)". It is a gorgeous shade, I'd say it looks better on a tanned face though, rather than a pale, wintry one which I'm sporting right now, because it's not actually that "light". That's why the Hello Kitty blush is all the more wonderful, because it's a paler version of Springsheen. Rather than the pinky-peach undertones, Fun&Games has softer orange-gold undertones. It's easier to build this colour up without looking overdone, unlike Springsheen which I have to be careful with.

So overall I love this product. I'm sure I would have purchased something from this collection anyway, the packaging is incredibly cute, patent black with pink glitter and MAC and Hello Kitty embossed logos, but it's great that it is very wearable and the normal high quality you expect from MAC. If you haven't already, go and check out the collection, it's Hello Kitty and it's limited edition, what other excuse do you need.

Neal's Yard Remedies

Free this month with Marie Claire you get a Frankincense Hydrating Cream, 25g. Neal Street near Covent Garden is one of my favourite places to shop with MAC, Space NK and various clothes shops there. The original Neal's Yard Remedies is along here too and thanks to Marie Claire I have experienced my first product from them.

Neal's Yard Remedies was the first company in the UK to sell soil-association certified organic essential oils. Along with this, the ingredients used are as close to nature as possible, free from parabens and artificial colours and fragrances. It's a bit pricey so I've never purchased anything from them before, but learning more about the company I'm tempted. I'm using this hydrating cream for my hands, because it's small enough to carry around in my bag and use when I need it. It works great at moisturising them, the smell is a little weird at first, I can't say I've used anything with frankincense in before, but you get used to it, and it's worth it for it's antiseptic properties and it's ability to give you long lasting hydrated skin.