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Wednesday 8 January 2014

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I've moaned and ranted about my 5.5 year old Macbook often enough on Twitter. I just about had a cardiac arrest the first time it died on me. It was subsequently resuscitated a number of times but will probably require a triple bypass (replace fan and motherboard as well as an OS upgrade) in order to extend its lifetime for another year. There's an emotional attachment between dear MB and I. The husband had enough of my rather dramatic outbursts so he bought me a new 11 inch Macbook Air. How fickle is my love. Errr.... I mean for electronic thingies. I could write an entire poem about this beauty but I won't (knowing my satirical self, it would probably end up being rather vomit inducing). It's astonishingly light (not much heavier than an iPad) and the battery lasts 8 hours with pretty heavy use. It's by far, the best present that I've ever received.

I'm in love with all things burgundy including this fedora. I saw a friend of mine wearing the most fashionable pair of trainers I've seen to date. Alright, so it's leopard print and you know how I'm rather partial to those black spots. I thought she was going to say something like Nike but they're actually part of a collection that Stella McCartney designed for Adidas. They're great for days when you're running late. At least, you can sprint across town in style.

I usually have an Asian afro going on but mine looks more like a chow chow's mane. I've been using Moroccanoil and it's one of few hair products that can tame my unruly and coarse hair. My friend, Christy gave me this Laura Mercier oil free foundation to use a few months ago. I've only cracked open the lid the first time last week. A teeny squirt goes a VERY long away so don't go pressing the pump all the way down. I'm rather impressed by the matte coverage. It wasn't heavy at all and didn't dry out my skin which often happens when I'm using an oil free foundation. My pores look a lot smaller and it evens out my complexion. Personally, I thought it did better job than my Chanel Vitalumière aqua foundation.

I was beyond ecstatic when I found out that my favorite Geodesis candles were 50% off. Alas, I managed to nab the last one. Bummer. I was hoping to stockpile my candle supply as they hardly ever go on sale. I love their diffusers, particularly the refills as they're more cost effective (the tuberose refill is 50% off here). Just buy new reeds for a few pounds if you already have existing bottles. I love the consistency of the Chanel nail polish. I've found it easier to apply compared to Essie. I'm mad for blue varnish. It's a more muted blue which works well with my rather neutral wardrobe.

I've been hunting around for good natural shampoos. Any has any recommendations?








19 comments:

  1. Marlene,

    don't know if you have possibly tried Aveda?!

    Also don't know if you have sensitive scalp, but I can vouch even if you do, you should be ok with their shampoos. I tried so many different shampoos and after a couple of washes, my scalp would get so itchy, it was unbearable (TMI soz :) In one instance *cough Fructis cough* I thought my hair would fall out.

    Also sometimes with shampoos you can tell if there is a reaction if you get spots along the hairline/down your back/down your front where the shampoo trickles when you shower?

    Anyhow (! :) I switched to Aveda and I'm super happy with it, no reaction whatsoever and my hair feels lovely. I use Blue Malva (ash blond, it takes the brassiness out) and their 1 liter bottle is about Ł27. Expensy when compared to drugstore brands, however a liter bottle lasts me a year (long hair here, for shorter hair the bottle will last longer).

    For what it is worth a friend uses L'Occitane shampoo and is super happy with it (me thinks those are also all natural).

    Hope it helps. Oh and also - love those trainers :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, R!! I have NEVER ever thought of using Aveda. I've tried a few so called natural brands. My scalp started to itch and my hair got greasier each wash. 1L for £27 is cheap considering that I'm paying £15 for 250ml. Thank you you ever so much, R.

      Delete
    2. Pfffffft :) No need to thank me honest, it's just a suggestion! If you don't want to commit to the big bottle, they do travel sizes so you can try and see if it works out (you can find aveda stuff at Selfridges, but also check their website for the nearest shop).

      Again, it seems we have a similar problem, my scalp too gets super itchy and my hair looks like I deep fried it :) so I was delighted to find something that didn't bother me and have been using it since.

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    3. I have oily scalp. Even one of Jason's shampoos I'm trying out right now leaves it greasy so I'm now limiting it to once a week. But honestly, I have to wash my hair once every 2 days or else it looks like.....yeah, like you've said - deep fried. £25 for a litre is very reasonable. I've just bought a bottle of Phillip Kingsley so I'll finish that and move on to Aveda. I've popped it into my basket at Lookfantastic so that I don't forget which one to get.

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  2. The Jason shampoos I find very good and extremely reasonable, and they don't have any parabens etc. I have found Aveda shampoo to be too strongly scented for my liking. I love Moroccan oil.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catherine, I've tried Jason shampoos but my scalp is just too greasy. Phillip Kingsley works but it has all the nasties in them.

      Delete
    2. OK, I also have a greasy scalp, but fine blonde hair. I have a Paul Mitchell clarifying shampoo (with nasties) that is quite good, and with lemon. Another one I like is Avalon (found in my local chemist) Organic Clarifying Lemon Shampoo, for greasy hair. I use it to stop product build-up. You could try Dr. Bronners soap, it's used for everything. I used to wash my hair everyday when I went to an office but stopped doing that now that I work from home. I also hardly ever blow dry my hair now.

      Have you ever tried any of the Frederic Fekkai products? Available at Space NK.

      I do like most of the Jason's products, esp their large size body washes with the pump. Good value and good if you have a child.

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    3. Thank you for the recommendations. I don't think I would've known any of these if none of you mentioned them. I didn't know about Avalon either. I actually developed eczema from using Dr Bronners soap. I've seen fantastic reviews about Fekkai shampoos but they're horrendous expensive. I think they contain all those nasties too.

      Delete
  3. I've had a problem with my laptop recently, and am thanking my lucky starts that I purchased an MB Air earlier in the year. The battery has died, the charger is no longer working, and I'm painstakingly putting everything on a hard drive thanks to a power cord which works, but doesn't charge the laptop. I have a feeling that trying to fix it is probably not worth it, considering how cheaply you can purchase a new laptop these days!

    And love love love your fedora. It's so gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually replaced my battery but I shouldn't complain because the first lasted me nearly 4 years. The second is still very healthy with lots of cycles left. Even my frugal dad thought I was nuts to hold on to it after 5 years. Transferring everything across was the worst. Installing drivers/software/passwords....ARGH. Oh well, Thank God it's all done.

      I get a lot of comments regarding my fedoras. I'm probably known as That-woman-who-wears-hats-all-the-item lady in my neck of the woods.

      Delete
  4. Oh yes to new Macbook Airs! My husband got me a new one as well since the previous one's battery died and we haven't gotten around to replacing it (argh, parts are of course back in NYC) but we thought we would upgrade it and gift it to my mom. Transferring everything with iCloud now is so easy! We also use Dropbox a lot as well and it has made things so much easier.

    Oh and I've heard good things about Wen haircare and Sheamoisture coconut shampoo. Bumble and bumble makes some great daily shampoos too!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't heard of Wen haircare or Shea moisture. Okay, will check them both out too. You're right about iCloud. A friend of mine asked me to go for the highest specs as Macbook Airs aren't upgradable.

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  5. Hi Marlene

    I've been using One n Only Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner for about a year now. Don't know if it's available in the UK but it leaves my family's hair soft and wonderful smelling. Best part is that it costs $22 for about a liter at the beauty supply store. Here's my Pinterest link to the conditioner. Highly recommend it. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/488429522058435840/

    Very cool sneakers!! Great choices as always.

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    Replies
    1. Everything seems a lot cheaper in the US. Thanks for including the pin, Maria. I've tried macadamia oil shampoo and it was a terrible and an expensive mistake.

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  6. i love it!!

    kisses

    New post: www.pourquoimoi.es

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ahh - you have new trainers! You found some in your size!

    And I too am a Yay! for the MacBook Air. I still have my old broken Apple laptop and whenever I come across it, I'm struck by how heavy it is. Where as the Air - that is a joy to put on my lap each evening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahem. Got them in a size too big. So yup. Had to use insoles again. Le sigh You've got an Air too. Gosh, we're both practically trendy these days :P

      Delete
  8. Oooh, so these are the sneakers that caught my eyes on your Instagram shot! Once again, great buy!

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