FF CXIII

Amber's post on her childhood imaginary horses made me laugh so hard my cheeks started aching.

Erica looks gorgeous in her blanket wrap.

Kaelah has written about her experience gaining a firearms permit and the post has sparked quite the debate. I'm completely against gun ownership but it's a very interesting read.

Katia's photos of Disneyland Paris have made me really want to go!

Other Favourites
It's fascinating seeing how English/ British soldiers' kits have changed over the centuries.
Russell Brand has addressed the Parklife joke with his own parody video. 
Speaking of parody videos, THIS is how you approach criticism on Youtube!

Book Review: Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary Road- Richard Yates

Way back in 2008, Rich and I watched Revolutionary Road due to all the hype about Leo and Kate reuniting. 6 years later, I could only remember the final image and perhaps something about a couple at a dance. So when I saw the novel in a local charity shop, I decided it was time I read the original text and refreshed my memory.

Interestingly enough, having just read Stoner, I found this novel similar in many ways. Both feature couples marrying for the wrong reasons and living a miserable suburban life. Both have a male protagonist who throws himself into his career, eventually having an affair with a girl from work. Perhaps most strikingly, both address the theme of a wasted life- going through the motions of life and keeping up appearances rather than doing what you really want.

Revolutionary Road, in case you hadn't worked it out from the above, tells the story of Frank and April Wheeler, who live an unhappy, often violent, life of suburbia. As they attempt to make plans that fulfill a happy, content life, events predictably go awry and lead to a life together that feels more hopeless than ever.

The novel opens with April Wheeler, who once dreamed of being an actress, performing on stage for a local amateur dramatic production. This idea of being on stage is present throughout the novel. It is sectioned in three parts, much like the traditional three-act structure in playwriting, and the lives of the Wheelers are on show. From the outside, they have a perfect life but they are merely playing characters in a fictitious account of their marriage. Behind the scenes, if you will, is where the misery plays out.

The Wheelers' marriage, and the seemingly comfortable lives of their neighbours, is the aspirational life for many: A pleasant home in a nice neighbourhood, a stable job, two well-behaved children. Revolutionary Road teaches us that this is not necessarily the ideal. We are all remarkably close to becoming another Wheeler: Don't let yourself fall into the trap that is comfortable suburbia. It's all an act. 

Buy Revolutionary Road here

Affiliate link has been used in this post

Review: Gerard Way at Koko, London

Somehow, my friend Christie managed to get hold of two tickets to see Gerard Way at Camden's Koko on Monday which, both being huge MCR fangirls, was pretty exciting for us. We've already seen him play solo at Reading, but this was to be our first experience of his own gig without the other 3- or 4, depending on the year- band mates. 

Being old and having used up all our waiting-in-line-for-9-hours-to-get-to-the-barrier days 10 years ago, we decided to pop across the road and have a drink before heading into the Koko at the end of support act Darlia's set.

Securing a nice little spot in the corner of the lower floor, we had a good vantage point to see the stage while keeping sweaty teenagers at arm's length. We were both surprised by how many young teens were in attendance, often with their parents. I'd assumed that his fan base would mostly be girls in their mid to late 20s- those who were teenagers when MCR hit the scene. However, we let these whippersnappers head down the front while we hung back with the parents, an odd-looking man who turned out to be the editor of Kerrang, and two very nice Glaswegians who had bought tickets on Gumtree, unaware that they were for the January gig, but were kindly allowed in by security.  

In between support acts, David Bowie's greatest hits played as a reminder of the artist and British music that has always inspired Gerard. His debut solo album, Hesitant Alien, and new flame-haired image is certainly reminiscent of Bowie but his influence has been obvious as far back as 2005's cover of Under Pressure. 

Before Gerard walked out on stage, however, we were treated (for want of a better word) to Chantal Claret's support set. Her shrill squealing voice was immediately grating for me but was made up for by her catchy, bluesy rock pop tracks and her infectiously happy backing singers. Although undeniably entertaining, Chantal's antics on stage were increasingly sexual in a quite antiquated fashion, strutting around with her microphone propped in her cleavage and selling her broken bra. Halfway through her set, she took time out to thank Gerard for being such a genuinely nice person for allowing her to support him, telling the crowd that she was tearing up just from thinking about how lovely it was of him. I was a little confused as to why she was chosen to support him. Although her sound was certainly well-matched, her antics on stage were an odd choice for a predominantly young female audience. Then, for her last song, she brought out her husband- Jimmy Urine of Mindless Self Indulgence, the band mate of Gerard's wife. Suddenly everything seemed very contrived when it became clear that she was Gerard's mate and I was pretty disappointed, even more so when she began clambering over her husband and licking his stomach, ending her set with a gratuitous kiss. 

By the time Gerard walked out, in a far more humble manner than his previous touring days (although Christie hoped he was going to be lowered from the ceiling Mission Impossible-style!), the crowd was crazy with anticipation. Kitted out as ever in his sharp Modish suit, he has clearly lost none of his charisma or stage presence. His ability to control the crowd is enviable. Whether he asks them to show him jazz hands or chant on command, he had them eating out of the palm of his hand. 

Playing both Action Cat and Millions within the first four songs, Gerard perhaps peaked too early as the energy levels slumped towards the middle of his set with four slower numbers in a row. The problem here is that with only one album to fill an entire set, and understandably refusing to bring out past hits with the band, it's necessary to play those tracks that just don't work well live, even with the inclusion of two cover songs and a Japanese bonus track. 

The second problem with basing an entire gig around a single album was the need to fill time by talking to the crowd. This has never been a problem for Gerard. As a charismatic showman, he's always been able to strike the audience with powerful and entertaining speeches. In this intimate venue, however, he struggled. Darting from campaigning for transgendered people's rights and saluting women's power, to admonishing body shaming and assuring fans that they will be ok as they pass 25 (a possible nod to his original fanbase), he seemed to try and tick as many positive-message boxes as possible but without any context. The end result was one of trying to be all things to all people and ended up with a show that was half music and half Gerard's Soapbox.

Of course he was a thoroughly enrapturing performer, strutting around the stage with the confidence that a decade of live shows has fostered and unashamedly open with his vocals. Assured that he is working on a new album in September (cue obvious hysterical reaction from the crowd), this time next year should bring a more dynamic set list. 

I loved the gig. It was fantastic seeing Gerard in his element again and I feel very honoured to have seen him in such an intimate setting. But you better believe I'm excited to see what he can pull out with more tracks to choose from! 

Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red: Tower of London Poppies

Last week, I was fortunate enough to visit the Tower of London and see the poppies- an art installation named Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red. Consisting of 888,246 ceramic poppies, the installation marks the centenerary of the First World War and each flower represents a British military fatality during the years 1914- 1918.

Although the artwork is beautifully poignant, it's very difficult to appreciate the true impact due to the atmosphere surrounding the Tower. Crowds pour out of the tube station in such great volumes that it is very difficult to move comfortably and is a struggle to reach the barrier for an unhindered view. 

Due to such huge volumes of people visiting, there are inevitably people who don't seem to understand the significance of the art. What should be an opportunity for reflection is instead turned into a backdrop for smiling, jovial selfies. 

Ultimately, the artwork itself is a hugely moving piece that truly puts into perspective the tragedies of war. I just wish the Tower of London had implemented a system to allow visitors to reflect on the military sacrifices. 

10th November 2014

Catsuit: ASOS
Hairpiece: c/o Annabelle's Wigs

Becky, you know Halloween has gone right? Yes, yes, I know. I just love the holiday so much that I cannot resist snapping up all the discounted stuff in early November and saving it for next year. One such item is this incredible ASOS ghost-print catsuit. I bought a size 18, but it's actually pretty big, especially around the chest where it hangs down far too low. I should have gone for the 16 instead but never mind. I can always sew some darts in the chest.

It annoys me that the print doesn't line up in the front but this piece is so versatile that I don't care. I could wear leggings over it to have it as a long-sleeved top, I could wear with a different top and just have the leggings poking out. I could also pop a skirt on, going for a matching top-and-leggings deal or, of course, I could just leave it in all its catsuity glory!

Review: Wilko Kiss Prime of your Life Light Reflecting Primer

There was a little ruffle of attention for Wilkinson (or Wilko, as they seem to prefer these days, being all hip and down with the kids as they are) when they released their own range of beauty products, named Kiss. I'm not sure if they're a new release or if it just spread through the power machine that is blogging word-of-mouth but, either way, suddenly it was all about Wilko. And I'm never one to ignore hype, so off I went to fill up my basket.

After years of denying my need for them, I've become a little dependent on primers. Benefit's Porefessional is one of the most vital products in my make up bag, so I had high hopes for this primer. Plus, the packaging is insanely cute and the admittedly overlong name reminds me a little of Green Day.

The primer is dispensed through a very thin nozzle which ensures a little product comes out at a time and prevents the problem of using too much at once. It's released in a thick white liquid, which applies clearly and a little more thinly than I was expecting. Although the scent isn't particularly unpleasant, it does have quite a chemical hint to it. On application, it takes a little while to absorb into the skin, but it does help my make up apply a little more evenly, if not quite a velvety as Porefessional. In terms of make up longevity, Prime Time does keep my foundation and concealer firmly in place without causing any greasy, oily patches.

For £4, it's certainly worth a try. It might not be the best product on the market but it's certainly not the worst either. And it is so cute, after all! 

Cosy Night In

I'm not exactly a party girl so I usually choose to stay in, but there's just something extra special about being snuggled up inside on a cold winter evening. Now that we're leaving autumn behind, I've been nesting and making things even cosier for what is essentially my hibernation!

When the dark, cold night close in, I like to don one of my thick, fleecy onesies. This is the warmest by far as it has feet attached. Curling up on my bed with a book (and giving Fluffy a hug!) is my favourite way to spend the evening, especially when I have a deliciously fragranced candle burning. At the moment, I'm burning Yankee Candle's Salted Caramel which has such an amazing warm, enveloping gourmand scent. Perfect for feeling cosy!

The blanket I'm buried under here is from Heat Holders* and it is genuinely the warmest, most amazing thing I own. It's so soft and fluffy to the touch with heatweaver thermal fleece, absolutely massive so I can wrap it right around myself and, since it's 1.4 tog, it is incredibly warm. I've pretty much been wearing it as a cape all day every day. You may even have spotted it in some of my vlogs!

Cosy nights like this make me love winter. It may be cold outside, but I'm certainly going to be staying warm and snuggly!