IT- Alexa Chung Review

"Boys say they don't mind how you get your hair done. But then they leave you for someone with really great standard girl hair and the next thing you know you're alone with a masculine crop crying into your granola" 

I brought the paperback version from Waterstones on Saturday after giving into the temptation that although I didn't need it, I extremely wanted it and I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. The book is a beautiful dusky pink colour and beautiful in design with patterned pages and gorgeous pictures featured inside. It only took me an hour to read after making a cup of tea and putting on the fairy lights.

This book is written in a simplistic but interesting style. Each page or two talks about a topic or person sounding like you're sat in a room with Alexa whilst she shares her views on society,music, fashion and more. She seems to be very fresh and honest too.

Overall, this book is great in design and as a quick read. I wish it could've been a little longer because I love Alexa Chung.

If you like fashion or just interested in having a quick afternoon read from the perspective of this lovely lady, I'd recommend buying it.

Let me know in the comments below or by submitting your opinion in the box on the left if you enjoy these type of posts.

Have you read this book or want to buy it?

Mcsophwar xox

Thanks for reading

Selling their soul for money.

Hi everyone,

Hope you've had a brilliant week. I thought I'd post about a more serious topic today which is very close to my heart- animal testing. I realised that this was going on but I thought that what I was buying was cruelty free.

I was very wrong and all of my products are being replaced with cruelty free ones. Although now some cosmetics are allowed to not be tested on animals in China, the law has been that every new cosmetic product released into the Chinese market has had to be tested on an animal first.

It is your choice if you buy these products or not. The Leaping Bunny is a registered trademark to show that a product is cruelty free. I have emailed several companies who all gave very vague answers to their animal testing policy or very long emails which were hard to figure out.

The popular response is something like "we do not test on animals except where it is required by law"- this means that the company still tests in places where it is a legal requirement such as China.
To figure out if a company is cruelty free, check for the leaping bunny but remember if they don't test themselves, they may be getting a third party to do it for them, they may test their ingredients on animals when they say they don't test their finished products and vice versa. PETA and The Leaping Bunny can help you to shop cruelty free.

There are also companies that are not cruelty free though they don't test on animals. The Body Shop is an example because their parent company/ they are owned by L'oreal that tests on animals. It is up to you if you feel comfortable buying from those companies but please consider that profits from that company may go to the parent company.

Also remember to check if products are vegan/ vegetarian. I was told that some foundations are not vegan because they contain wool from Sheep.

Note: Remember to look out for cruelty free cleaning products too. LUSH sells fresh homemade cosmetics that are cruelty free and all of them are vegetarian. Some are vegan.

AVOID (these brands test on animals)

L'oreal 

Estee Lauder 

Revlon

Bumble and Bumble

Nivea

Garnier 

Avon 

Dove

Sally Hensen 

YSL

Bobbi Brown

M.A.C

Herbal Essences

Johnson and Johnson 

Air Wick

Aquafresh

Clinique

Procter and Gamble

Tom Ford

Vaseline

Useful websites:

companies that test: http://www.thevegetariansite.com/ethics_test.htm

PETA: http://www.peta.org.uk/

Animal ingredients: http://www.peta.org/living/beauty/animal-ingredients-list/

PETA's "bad list": http://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/cruelty_free_companies_search.aspx?Donottest=-1&Product=0&Dotest=8&Regchange=-1&Country=-1&Keyword=

Cruelty free companies:http://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/cruelty_free_companies_search.aspx?Donottest=8&Product=0&Dotest=-1&Regchange=-1&Country=-1&Keyword=

Animal aid- encourages a cruelty free lifestyle including vegetarian and vegan lifestyles.

Thanks for reading and I'll post soon

Mcsophwar xox 

Thoughtful Thursday 2

Hello and welcome to the second instalment of thoughtful Thursday. I've tried to make a more concious effort to think about the little polite gestures I could do and even the larger things.

Normally I want to do a lot of opportunities but I decide that I have to say no because I'm anxious or fearful over getting something wrong. But one thing I've learnt is, even though you make a mistake,  it is worth it because you learn to appreciate when something goes well but with each mistake you're closer to getting it right. Don't be afraid to try something new to help both yourself and others.

Here's 5 more ideas that all of us can do on this thoughtful Thursday and beyond!

1)Help another person with something that they are stuck with and offer advice.

2)Have a pamper night with your friends or family members and treat them.

3)Leave a nice message on your friends Facebook/Twitter wall

4)Pick litter up etc in your local area.

5)Donate things you don't use.

Thanks so much for reading and I hope you've liked this mini series.

Mcsophwar xox

A week off...

Hi everyone,

I just thought I'd take this moment as an opportunity to update you on what i've been doing. Last thursday I wrote but completely forgot to publish my second week of the Thoughtful Thursday series so I will be doing that tomorrow (oopps)

Despite the fact it was over a month ago, I'm editing my Sundown Festival Vlog ready for upload too and planning some Halloween themed blog post for the end of the month.

Happy October!

Mcsophwar xox