On December

Definitely not my footprints, but those of a giant!

I am writing this snuggled up, after finishing the first season of The Crown (so good), seated at just the right angle to be able to watch the snow. I absolutely love snow; it is my all time favourite form of weather. As soon as I realised it was snowing, I wrapped up and went straight out into it. I love the crunch it makes and the glisten when it lays untouched. 

Here are some things I have been loving lately. 

Reading - I have always read a lot and since commuting I get through about a book a week. I have recently just finished His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. I never read the second two books when I was younger but I got completely lost in them last month. I also highly recommend The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell; it was such a lighthearted, easy read, perfect for an afternoon. 

KeepCup - I ordered one of these a little while ago after Boyf found it and thought it would be something really useful. This is such a great company; essentially they are trying to revolutionise the way we currently go to coffee shops by promoting using a reusable cup instead of the paper ones (which are horrendous for the environment). I got a Long Play which keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot - and you can design your own!

Nigella Lawson - Have you been watching At My Table? I have re-discovered my love of Nigella. I recently met her at Stylist Live after watching her speak, where she was actually quite inspirational. In her new book, she writes about how complicated life can be and how it is so nice to just gather around a table and eat food which isn't complicated. She deifnitely advocates a very nice way of living!

Fortnum & Masons - I love Fortnum's. I subscribed to their emails a little while ago and everything they do is crafted so wonderfully. They make such simple things seem so luxurious; I have been over the last couple of days really enjoying their Christmas Spiced Tea. Definitely a little Christmas luxury in it's beautiful tin! 

Christmas at Southbank - We went here last week to explore the Christmas market, expecting it to be fairly standard. However, it was so much better than expected! It has the usual little stalls of crafted goods, food and mulled beverages, but it also goes all the way through into an Alpine-esque Ski Lodge with fire pits. A really lovely smaller alternative to Winter Wonderland. 

Christmas is only 15 days away (!) as is 2018 drawing ever closer. I am about to write my Christmas cards (which I am making myself this year for a lucky few!) with some classic Christmas music in the background. I hope you are all enjoying the snow (if you are experiencing it!) 

Here's to the last few weeks of weeks 2017!

xoxo

On November

Hi Guys.

How are you all?

It's been some time (again).

I am quite a fan of numerous aspects of November. I love Autumn (which I did way before it became 'a thing'). I love getting cosy. Thanksgiving is also possibly my second favourite holiday of the year (despite being British). It's such a lovely holiday; it's like Christmas with the food, merryment and decorations but without the stress and commitment of gifts. It's just about being thankful and grateful. Of all my time spent in America, that time of year was definitely one of my favourite parts. 

With that in mind, here are some updates and things I am currently really thankful. 

Big News. I moved out! Hopefully there will be some more on this to come (the stress, the ups and downs, the packing, oh my word the packing). It's exciting and scary and fun. I am full on adulting now. 

Following from that, I am falling back in love with make up again. Now, I didn't exactly fall out of love, but what with making my morning routine as slick and quick as possible, I used about three products and that was it. But now I have more time (shorter commute for the win!) I am rediscovering everything I used to love about taking that bit more time with make up. (I even ordered the Morphe palette on my lunch break..I regret nothing, it's incredible).

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. If you take any notice of any books I ever mention or that anyone recommends, read this. It is incredible. I have never, ever, been so utterly absorbed and invested in a book. I genuinely felt as though I knew the characters and they were a part of my life. Honestly, one of the best books I have ever read. 

Our building has a gym so I am finally getting back into exercising. My confidence in regards to fitness and body image has definitely become something that I have become more aware of since not doing any exercise at all so I am so happy that I can now get this back on track. I am also currently very motivated; I need to do something to counteract all the new Christmas beverages! 

Glossier. They finally ship to the UK! I know that this is not news at all, but I have ordered some of their products and thus far, am very impressed! Watch this space for more details. (Also, the packaging is worth placing an order alone). 

I also want to say thank you to everyone who has followed this blog over the years, and to the newcomers. It's been a bit of a slow journey here recently, but I am working on it. This year has been difficult in more ways than one and The Kazlight Anthem has fallen by the wayside. But I have plans on numerous levels, so please bear with me. 

Thank you all and here's to November! 

xoxo

On Recent Reads

Photo Credit

I have somewhat at least mentioned (I think?) that I have been absolutely ploughing through books lately. I don't remember the last time I read this many books. It is honestly the one, and I mean the one good thing about commuting. 

So here are some of the books I have loved recently and am definitely recommending!

Talking as Fast as I Can - Lauren Graham

This is a must for Gilmore Girls lovers. It's a really great, quick easy read that will make you want to re-re-rewatch Gilmore Girls and A Year In The Life and fall back in love with Lorelai and Rory all over again. It is autobiographical and sees Lauren go through her childhood, how she got into acting and everything in between. Including all thoughts on the latest episodes of Gilmore Girls - the end if a cliffhanger right?! Right?!

The Light Between Oceans - M L Stedman

This was such an original read and not one that I had ever been planning on reading (I acquired it as a bitter act of revenge when a doctor's appointment was stupidly delayed and refused to swap for another book ... ) Yet it was really good. I loved all of the characters and felt all of their emotions and would genuinely be unsure what to do in their situation also. A young couple who live in a lighthouse discover a washed up boat with a man and a baby inside and it follows their subsequent lives. It's a great story of the distance that love can go. 

Birds Art Life Death: A Field Guide to the Small and Significant - Kyo Maclear

This one I had been wanting to read for a little while (I'd heard so much!) Following the remaining time of her Father's life, Kyo begins to explore what life really means and what we can make of it. She begins to follow a birdwatcher and learns how the small and significant can be the things that really mean the most. This is one of those books (such as Marina Keegan's The Opposite of Loneliness) that will go into a special section of my bookshelves for those books that give more meaning to the more mundane and ordinary lives. One of those books that makes you want to do what you love and pursue your dreams more. 

The book is also filled with little drawings and is written really beautifully. And I am by no means at all interested in birds, but this did make me start to pay more attention to them!

Into The Water - Paula Hawkins

I mentioned this in my last post; I got through this literally in a few days. And I as I finished the last few pages I litrally sat there going Ohmygosh!!!!! Even to the final paragraph. There are a lot of narartors going on here and it does jump around a lot which some people have said they found difficult to follow. But for me I just felt it added to the mystique and intrigue. If you enjoyed Girl on the Train, then you will definitely like this one. I think it is a much better story (and I loved Girl on the Train), but the characters have a bit more depth and it sucked me in a lot more. 

I could carry on with this list, but I think I will save my further recommendations for now...but let me just say that Kate Atkinson has become of my new all time favourite authors. Life After Life anyone?!

Let me know your thoughts and any recommendations please send forth!

xoxo

On Life

First things First. 

Apologies. 

My sudden disappearance for about 5 months was not planned or intentional. But as Summer says in 500 Days of Summer, what happened was what always happens: Life. 

Life gets in the way. Of essentially everything. And yes we are all busy, and we all have things to do, and we all have commitments, and we all want to just do nothing sometimes. So life shouldn't really be used as an excuse. But really it is all I have. 

Working a full time job (that's more than 9-5) plus commuting takes up a significant amount of time. When it was dark as I got up and left for work, and dark as I came home it was really hard to adapt and appreciate what I was doing. I would come home, eat my dinner and not move from in front of the TV until I went to bed. 

I was exhausted and feeling very 'meh'. But now the heavy onset of winter seems to finally be fading into a more dusky morning, there quite literally is light at the end of the tunnel. I am embarking on some really exciting projects. My commuting routine is down to a T (except for of course when a strike or fault hits, then we are all in the horrendous boat of delay). 

I have always been on a 'day-to-day' basis. That hasn't particularly changed, but now my days are planned out hour by hour; my calendar is colour coordinated. 

The first 6 months of the particular industry that I am in is said to be the worst. It is claimed to be utterly horrendous when you are starting out. I am nearly at the end of that bridge and it definitely is looking up. There is purpose and reason. There are projects and rewards. The 'Sunday Scaries' still set in, but that's okay. Because on Monday morning I know I am in the exact same position as everyone else that is crammed onto a train so that they can't actually feel their hands nor are you actually carrying your bag because it is just being held up by the mobs. And time flies pretty quickly when you have too much to do. 

In other news though; I miss my blog. I miss blogging. So I am going to endeavour to return on a more regular basis. 

Because there are so many things I want to explore and share.

My new blender and how everyone needs one. 

How the last three books I have read have seen all of the main characters die (also why you should not read these kinds of books if you are not enjoying your day job).

Why working round the corner from Kikki.K, Mac and Jack Wills is a serious problem.

That my best friend had a baby. 

Why having a routine is beyond necessary if you have little free time. 

That Dublin is amazing and everyone should go.

So please bare with me and thank you all for still coming back despite the lack of new content. Let us all endeavour to do that bit more than just 'our daily lives' (but maybe after Monday...)

xoxo 

On Graduating

Being now about seven weeks since I graduated (!!!) I thought that it was now a good time to share some of my thoughts on Graduating with you all!

Graduation Day is a really strange, but fun and exciting day. It is from your point of view, basically all about you. You get to wear the robes. You get to wear the hat (which is nowhere near as fun as the robes). You get free beverages. You get to walk across a stage and get your certificate. 

Everything about your degree culminates on just that one day. It's kind of a big thing. 

And then suddenly it's all done and that's that. 

Before you graduate, but once you have finished exams and everything, you are officially termed a Graduand. The period of time is pretty great. You are on a high and loving life. You have just finished some of the best years of your life, you may not know what you're doing and the world seems all ahead of you.

Then you graduate. 

And all of a sudden you are in a whole other world as a Graduate. You need a job. You need somewhere to live. You need income. And it can take a long time for everything to properly settle down; for you to decide what you're doing and where you're going. It's exciting and terrifying all at the same time. 

My status for a siginificant chunk of my Graduand/Graduate period was 'doing nothing'. Then the reality sets in and you really should start doing something. It's a time of change, and getting rid of old things and bringing in the new. It's weird, and wonderful all at the same time. 

So essentially, I'm looking forward to this whole new chapter, but I have no idea what it entails. Which both excites and terrifies me! 

xoxo

On Saving Money (And On Not Spending It!)

Photo from www.katelavie.com - I used this as inspiration for the lovely things that can be done with money!

I have mentioned previously that I am on a strict spending ban. This is all in a bid to save money. Now this is not something that I am actively bad at; I have always saved birthday and Christmas money. However I do have a fairly bad spending habit (not to mention my year abroad did pretty much drain my savings, but that's another story). 

Now that I've graduated, I have moved back home, and with the knowledge that I will probably be here for at least a year, I want to save as much as possible in order to make it all the easier for when I do move out. (Boyf is already concerned about the kind of home interior that I want!) So I thought that I would share some of the ways in which I have been saving money lately, and how I have avoided spending any!

Not Going Out - This seems like an obvious one, but I am not actually referring to the Micky Flanagan 'out out' situation here. I am meaning plain going shopping kind of out. As Mother and I always say, if we don't go out, then we are not tempted to buy anything! Plus the fact, shopping with no money is just not fun. Instead of my usual fairly frequent trips down the town, I have been far more productive inside!

Organising - I have been having a full on clear out of my room. (The amount of stuff I had kept and who knows why was beyond ridiculous). This has meant that I have gotten rid of a lot of clothes (and other things). Clothes can easily be taken to Cash For Clothes sites where you are paid for giving your clothes away based on the weight. Not to mention upcoming boot sales!

Do I Need It? - When having looked at something I really like, I have thought to myself, 'Do I need it? Will I actually use it? Where will it go?' All of these kinds of questions generally result in negative answers, meaning that I do not buy anymore things that I do not need nor have any room for. (Read: no more books, make up, moisturisers etc.) 

Piggy Banks - Yes I am 22. And yes I have a piggy bank. Which is in fact a giant pig named Penny. And as ridiculous as it sounds, having put all of my money that I have acquired (the amount I found in aforementioned clear out!) has been put in there. Not only do I forget I have it, but I also cannot easily get it. (Don't worry, it will be going to the bank!) 

Having Ideals and Wishlists - Knowing that I like to buy things, knowing that I like to have what I want and do what I want, and having some sort of ideal of what I want to be doing and where I want to be living all helps with the fact that these all require money. And having money means saving. Following Boyf's advice, I have started a wishlist, helping to narrow down the things that I do really want. Keeping all of my ideals (and kind of dreams I guess :') ) in mind helps to put down the reduced bedding set that I do not need. 

Hopefully these have helped to motivate you to save some money and be more frugal!

Are you a spender or a saver?

xoxo

On Books | The Opposite of Loneliness - Marina Keegan

A few weeks ago I did post about this book over on Instagram, telling everyone that they need to read this book. This had been on my to-read list for a long time and I ordered it a couple of months back from Amazon after seeing someone else post about it and thought that now was the right time to read it. 

Marina had just graduated from Yale in 2012. I was just about to graduate when I started to read The Opposite of Loneliness. Tragically, Marina died four days after graduation; a tragedy which I think only hightens just how wonderful this book is. 

A combination of essays and stories, Marina's writing is amazing. I did not even realise at first that I was reading fiction, and not her own life, when I first started the book. That is how well she draws you into the stories. The essays (most of which were written for the Yale Daily News), all involve considerations that seem so mature and well thought out for someone so young (because I'm so old!) She was clearly highly intelligent; she knew what she was good at and how to do it, and do it she did. In her essays she covered thoughts that probably all 20 somethings have about how hard life is and what we are going to do with ourselves. She discusses topics that were obviously very close to her such as the conservation of whales and being a celiac. All of which are written in a way that makes you feel as if you are reading the thoughts directly from Marina's mind. 

The stories also hit directly on the emotions of the characters that you feel as though you know them, that they are your friends, that you are there going through the motions with them. 

The way that Marina writes gives you hope and inspires you to find something that you love and to pursue it. And with the knowledge that Marina could not do the same, it almost compels you to go and do that thing because of her. 

If nothing else, I truly found this book inspiring. At moments it was sad, funny, just good old interesting. If you read nothing else this year, then make it this book. I cannot explain how much I adored this book and want everyone else to as well.

xoxo

On Mondays

I know, I know what you're probably thinking. She doesn't normally post about Mondays? But seeing as July saw me quite absent from the blog, I thought we might as well shake things up a bit! 

A lot has happened. 

July saw me move back home, watch the boyf graduate, graduate myself as well as fill my days with anything at all. I have read numerous books. Cleared through old magazines like there is no tomorrow. Celebrated birthdays. Eaten way too much food. Met new people. Organised my beauty collection (I do not need anything.)
Now we are over a week into August (already!) and here is a Sunday-meets-Monday post for you, filled with the things that I've been loving lately.

I (finally!) bought this plate and the matching cup from H&M.

I am absolutely loving Bear's Den and Blossoms music wise.

I am currently in a phase of trying to make bendy rollers a thing.

Mac Velvet Teddy. Enough said.

These M&S glasses are my new favourites.

After seeing the poster at tube stations, I've just watched the trailer for Wiener-Dog; definitely on my must-see list!

I recently acquired a Jack Wills rucksack; their bags are so en pointe.

It's the Olympics! I'm finding Google the best way to keep up with it all.

I am really appreciating having started my One Line a Day Diary last year; reading back what I was doing is really really nice.

This Boots Time Delay moisturiser is my new favourite.

If I wore glasses, I would definitely buy this Paperchase case.

It took me a half hour at least to unsubscribe from Apple Music; unsubscribe today from everything you're accidentally paying for!

The Garnier Ultimate Blends Collection have been the cause of me receiving a fair few comments on the condition of my hair lately; the Honey Restorer is the way to go!

How was your July?!
xoxo

On Row, Row, Row Your Boat

It was Thursday. Is it just me, or does anyone else find that Thursdays just have that kind of Thursday feeling? Like, it's not the mid-week. And it's not the end of the week. It's post-mid-week. But that sounds ridiculous. But it just feels heavier than Tuesday. You know?

Anyway, I digress.

I was having the Thursday feels.

I was in the Philosophy Common Room, in which there are sometimes some unusal to say the least, sights. (Two people playing Chess and relating it back to Philosophy. Existentially though, can we check mate?)

I was reading an article that had the words to Row, Row, Row Your Boat in it. It had the final line as Life's but a spiders dream.

Life's but a spiders dream.

I read it over and over. Singing it to myself in my head. (Although it wouldn't have been that out of place to just start singing it). 

I always thought it was Life is but a dream. 

I messaged my friend, source of all reason, and the 'Mother' of our group.

Me: What's the last line of Row, Row, Row Your boat?

Her: If you see a crocodile don't forget to scream.

Me: Nono, the merrily merrily merrily one.

Her: Life is but a dream

I heaved an actual sigh of relief. For about five minutes I had begun to question everything I had known since I was a child, thinking that I had based everything solely on my mishearing.

Are the primary colours actually red, blue and yellow?

Is this actually my left hand? 

I was having an existential crisis (in the Philosophy Common Room, how apt). 

I re-read the article.

Life's but a spiders dream.

Life is but a dream.

They aren't really all that different.

And all it shows is that sometimes people do things a little differently. It doesn't make it, or them, or you wrong. It just makes us different. 

And why would we all want to be the same?

Life is but a dream. 

xoxo

On Blogging

After reading this post on Hannah Gale's website, and this blog in general, I really came to terms with the fact that blogging has really changed since I first started.

When I first started, blogging as a whole, Youtube as well, was still pretty much a hobby for most people. All of my favourites blogs had not yet become the worldwide successes that they now are. And don't get me wrong, I'm really happy for those people. But things like that kind of have a dampening effect on the blogging world for those who are still just doing it for fun and as some sort of creative outlet.

So I had become very disillusioned with the whole of the blogging world. (Which let's face it, loads of people have said and probably more than once).

But since finding blogs such as Design For Mankind, I have really started to appreciate the art of writing again, and blogging. And I don't just mean blogging to review something, or to share a new beauty deal. But blogging to share something a bit, heavier. 

I have for a long time aspired to write semi-autobiographical essays/books and I think that is the kind of route that I wish to take with The Kazlight Anthem. At the end of the day, it has Anthem in its name, and so really it should be a Anthem to me and what I'm doing and everything I want to share.

I think that I have started to find more the kind of style and just, way, of doing things that I want to do. I wanted to write about myself, but in a way that not only engaged readers, but also was kind of cathartic for me. I wanted to write in a way that not only covers the kind of things I always wrote about anyway, but things as well that maybe weren't just about going somewhere new, or buying a new lipstick.

Maybe it was just that suddenly I wanted to be a bit more selfish with what I was actually sharing, and wanted my blog to become a kind of place for me to work through a lot of things.

Essentially, I didn't want to get stuck in the world of blogging as how I'd seen it become, so much that I couldn't break free from that and blog in my own way.

Hopefully that's what will be happening here more. But don't worry, it will still be me, just probably a bit more me than maybe you'd be used to.

xoxo

Lent

It was pancake day. We went to my friend's flat for pancakes (savoury pork and mango ones which, were AMAZING, and I don't even like mango). On their notice board they had a list of what everyone had given up for lent and the weeks. As well as cute little drawings to move themselves along the timeline.
I thought this was a great idea and then realised that I hadn't planned to give anything up this year. Then the boyf said, 'You should give up Pepsi Max'

...

For anyone that knows me, then they will know of my love of Pepsi Max. If I get a meal deal, my beverage of choice will be Pepsi Max. If I have a beverage craving, it will be for Pepsi Max. If I'm re-using a bottle, it will be a Pepsi Max bottle.

To be fair, he had a point.

So I said, 'You should give up biscuits.'

To which he had the same response.

So together we have embarked on the struggle that is giving up something you indulge in maybe a bit too much for 40 days and 40 nights.

There have been the withdrawel symptons 10 days in. 

There was the relapse weekend following being up for 26 hours as a result of having to take the boyf to A&E. Only Pepsi Diet was available, which had to do. But it is NOT the same,

Some McDonald's diet coke also ended up in the mix.

Normally I give up everything sweet for lent, but seeing as I rarely eat sweet things now anyway, the Pepsi Max is definitely proving a greater struggle. (It also includes all fizzy drinks except for tonic; I was not giving up G&Ts, no sir). 

With 16 more days to go, we are over halfway!

If you've given up anything for Lent, we are in the struggle together!

(And maybe keep in mind the actual meaning as well, whether you're religious or not, it's about testing yourself and proving to yourself that maybe you don't actually need all these things. The test is even more real when the boyf writes on Pepsi Max bottle on your desk (see above) a line around the remaining liquid with the caption 'You better not go under the line'.)
Never has water tasted so good.

Have you given anything up for Lent?

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging... on a Monday

Things have gotten a little slow here on the blogging front...for which I apologise. I've just been una, I don't really have a good excuse, for which I also apologise, but sometimes, as we all know, life just gets in the way. (But recently it's been in a good way!)

So this past weekend I spent in Wausau, a city a couple hours north of Madison. And lo and behold, look what they had there! A London telephone box! I could hardly get over it! Especially as apparently there are in fact two! Never before have I seen one outside of London.

I saw the tallest building in Wausu and some incredible ice sculptures as well. It was really nice to see a more surburban area that is away from a college town. We also went into a Walmart, which I was again beyond excited about as I had never been in one; I feel no shame!

I have only been back in Madison for just over a month now, but things are definitely really good here. I am at the point now where I don't want to to leave and can't really imagine going back home. It's a really nice time in my life!

On that note as well, it is just under two weeks until Mother and my sister come to visit! I cannot wait; it will be soso good! I can't wait for them to see where I've been living and to meet everyone. It will be wonderful.

To do with blogging, I just feel at the moment that my blog is not what it needs to be. That it needs to be a lot better, with layout and all that technical shibang. I am currently stuck in a mode of thinking that there is so much that needs to be done to it that I am just unable to do. Whether or not this is the actual case, I don't know, but that is where I am at. I am struggling to not become disillusioned with the blogging world as a whole, which would devastate me a litte, but currently that is where I am at. (Sorry to bring a downer there everyone! I'm all up in my feelings [new favourite phrase])

So there is just a mini update on my current state of being. I have also just finished writing a paper that is due tomorrow, which through the pressure of writing on a book that not only do I absolutely hate, but do not understand (Foe by J.M.Coetzee if anyone was wondering) I have managed to make some very hard hitting points if I do say so myself!

I hoep you are all well! 

xoxo 

Easy Like Sunday Blogging

It is one week today until my 21st! I've decided I'm not going to age for a bit after that; I'm just going to take a break from it. Mother and I have also decided that we're going to do my birthday again in the Summer when all the Christmas stuff is finally out of the shops :')

- I have discovered that doing your own nail gems works much better if instead of putting them on the tips of your nails, you put them on the cuticles. They also look really pretty! Mother got me a nail gem wheel for Christmas and I am loving it! I have put on a white metaliccy holographic kinda base colour (great description Karina, well done) and then put silver ones on and then blue. They looked really good...before they came off!

- Using a douche (for those unsure what that is, it's a shower poof), to polish off body scrubs in the shower is really effective! It still scrubs but also just washes it off, leaving your skin feeling even softer. 

- Sticking with the bathing theme...I have really gotten into baths. I always want a bath when I don't have one and then when I'm home never fancy one, but since I've been home I have been loving them! I am loving using ten tonne of bath stuff in them, candles, a bit of music. So good!

- I've begun to clear through the piles of stuff in my room, mainly magazines and papers etc. I have been reading through Elle's Feminism Issue today and it's been so interesting. It has also motivated me to really get involved with promoting feminism. Equality between genders has always been a big issue for me personally; in an interview for a job working on elections in my first year, I was asked what I would like to make sure happens within the work force and everyone involved. My answer was that all genders were treated equally. The issue of 'lad-culture' is something that is huge within the UK and such an issue but one that it never really targeted.
Upon this, I think we should all rewatch, this amazing and powerful speech by Emma Watson at the UN last year:

But, more on this to come I'm sure!

- I discovered today that if you google 'Sunday blogging' on google images, I come up within the top five!I'm a top google result; how exciting is that!

I hope you have all had a lovely week and a good New Year! 

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging

I am currently making tea with the very last of my teabags from home which I have been saving for when I really need it. Tonight is definitely that time...

- So this week's segment isn't going to be quite the same. Some of you may have noticed my absence from pretty much everything...I haven't been on twitter, I haven't been on youtube, I haven't blogged, I even made some recent posts on Facebook private after realising I didn't want them to be seen. 

Overall, I have just lost a lot of motivation for near everything. A few things have contributed to this, which I won't go into, however every year pretty much around this kind of time I go into what I call 'hibernate mode'. I don't want to do anything, I feel completely useless and I just want to hibernate in my bed all day and night. This is pretty much what I have been doing the past few days...I have just been in my bed and binge-watched mediocre films on netflix and the current series of the Apprentice. 

When it comes to not blogging it makes me feel really rubbish, and I apologise for the lack of posts. I have however been planning some, and I didn't want to let this weekly post past me by. 

For the American readers out there (The Kazlight Anthem is hitting pretty much near every continent!), you will know that it's Thanksgiving this week. I am travelling on Tuesday to New Jersey to stay with my wifeyforlifey's family. I really want to vlog this experience, and always intended to, however I don't want to vlog something that is then just, meh. 

But hopefully a little break away will put the zest back into things! (zest? I don't know...)

*Please note* I am not making this post to just have a little moan about that I'm not feeling motivated to do stuff that I don't have to be doing, but when you run a blog, and have a readership, there is always an expectation and an unwritten promise that you are going to make content for those people. And so I don't want to suddenly just stop doing anything at all, but didn't want to leave you all hanging. I have a lot of negative memories associated with this time of year and always struggle in various ways around now; we all are after all, only human.

Thank you again for all of you that are reading and following; you are my favourite people, and I love you all.

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging

Easy Like Sunday Blogging by superkarina5 featuring a panda hat

We are already well on our way into November; the countdown to Thanksgiving being prominent! (16 days!) 

- Firstly, I have an accouncement. In what can only be described as typical me fashion, I missed my blog's birthday. That's right. On the 5th of November (bonfire night, who knew! And how DID I FORGET?!) I made my very first post. I cannot believe that a whole year has gone by since then, but thank you to all who have followed me since the beginning, or have just jumped on the love train that is The Kazlight Anthem. I am eternally grateful for all the support and if I could make you all a cup of tea I would!
Starting this blog was one of the best things that I think I have done and could ever have done and I absolutely adore it. Without my blog, I wouldn't have started my youtube channel which is something else that I love. 
And don't worry, there will be an obligatory birthday post coming up!

- Secondly, I am sorry if my posting has gotten a bit slower of late. Midterms have happened (where I made up Greek names... #winning), papers are currently happening, work is imminetly happening. Basically, a lot of stuff has been happening. I have also been in a bit of a blog dry spell; my blogging spirit has, like the temperature here dropped and with that has come the sense that I don't want to to just whack out any old post for the sake of posting.
So I apologise, but be thankful you aren't getting posts talking about how much I hate all of the essay prompts for my History of Ancient Philosophy paper. 

- Last Sunday night, after receiving a Beauty Insider email from Sephora, depicting the latest freebie which was available for a limited time only, a purchase was made. Damage was done. Yet I felt no shame, only that wonderful rush  of excitement and joy when you purchase something that you've been saving up for for weeks yet still can't reaaally afford. 
That's right everyone, I purchased the Sephora Favourites Superstars Set. And ooohmy. I love it. I have been experimenting with it today, whilst avoiding aforementioned philosophy essay and I must say: make up makes me so happy. 

- The Starbucks Red Cups are back!!!! If you follow me on Instagram, then you will have seen my obligatory selfie with me posing with said red cup. Sooo many people here did not know what I was talking about!! Madness!!

- I've been thinking about filming a video showing all of the beauty products that I brought with me from home, yet have been shying away from doing it with the thought that 'nobody cares'. But would you guys be interested? Let me know and maybe it will give me more motivation to actually film it, instead of keep talking myself out of it!

I hope you have all had fabulous first weeks of November! Remember those gloves everyone, it's getting chilly out!
xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging

Easy Like Sunday Blogging #2 by superkarina5 featuring tea cups

I cannot believe a week has already passed since I last did this post! I'm hoping you can tell I have upped the ante with the post...and made a banner for this one ;) (Oooh get me trying to be all fancy; emphasis on the trying!) 

• If you watched my latest haul, then you will have seen me having a little ramble about Michelle Obama and seeing her speak! It really was so inspiring and I am so glad I got the opportunity to go.
  
• I really feel the need to share just how nice people have been to me this week; I have genuinely felt so overwhelmed by it all.
  Firstly, when I was struggling to pay for a hot beverage; (I was trying to count out $4 in change, literally out of ten tonne of coins) a girl then just paid for it! It was such a beautiful moment; I could have cried.
• The same day, as I already mentioned in this post, a lady gave Deja and I free tickets to the musical Once. They were great seats and she wanted nothing for them!
• And then yesterday, in between working the earliest shift possible and the latest shift possible, a girl from the first floor (who I do know!) came to my room and said she'd got me a gift because she saw it and thought of me. It was a really cute mug :) I was so touched!
• People this week realy have been soso nice and it has made me feel not only welcome but really as if I'm at home here. I couldn't be more thankful for not only all of these lovely people I have mentioned, but also everyone that I have met here.
  
• If you follow my instagram, then you will have seen that my few Zoella things finally came! I'm sure I will be posting about them at some point. I really like the look of all of the products and will definitely be looking into trying more of them when I'm back in the UK.
  
• I recently really started to enjoy Gabriella's videos. I am really loving her vlogtober; she's such a really nice and down to earth person. And I love hearing all the English accents now; I have a new found appreciation!
  Speaking of youtube, I have also been looooving the SacconneJolys. They are all so cute and lovely and funny; not to mention all of their dogs are like a stampede! They really make me happy to watch them :)
  
• As a side note, the scarf in the picture above is one that I have been lusting after ever since FleurDeForce mentioned it in a favourites video. I need it in my life...but it's sold out both in the UK and the US!!!! Whyy!!

Essentially, this post has mainly been what's really made me happy this week and just how lovely people have been!

I hope you've all had good weeks!

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging*

As you might have guessed, I am hoping that this will be my new Sunday post! Although I blog on most days, I'm not always actually talking about things that I've done, so I thought that I would start catching you up on my week every Sunday. 

Essentially I'm just going to ramble on a bit more than normal every Sunday from now on, hopefully!

• I had my first midterm this week. That's right, I've already had an exam. Madness! If I was still back at homehome, I would only have just started back at uni this week! It's crazy how different the system is over here.
  
• We went to the Mall yesterday (after I had a complete mare with work...) and it was soo nice. Damage was most certainly done. Like a true UK blogger/youtuber I had quite a moment in Bath&BodyWorks. Their candles are absolutely gorgeous! And I of course had to get the 5 for $5 hand sanitisers; they smell so damn good! I also picked up a really cute little tray and my absolute all time favourite lip balm/hand cream. It's by a company called Bigelow and I first got it in New York years ago. There was an incident with a sink of sand with that one however...and I hadn't seen it anywhere since! So obvs, had to pick that bad boy up!
  
• Some really exciting news...Moda is the lifestyle magazine here on campus that's student run. And I'm writing a piece for the fashion section of the print issue! I don't want to give anymore about it away...but I'm really excited! You can check the magazine out online here. I'm also working on a make up/art piece...so stay tuned for more info!
  
• I have two new videos in the mix at the moment. Both of them have been quite a while in the making; one simply because I've just been a bit lazy, but one because that's the nature of the project!
  I'm hoping to get them edited and uploaded pretty soon but I'm really excited for you all to see them! If you also have some suggestions of videos you'd like to see I am definitely open to them!
  
• This next thing is a kind of shameful favourite...shameful in the sense that I am a little reluctant to say that I am really loving this at the moment. In Charlotte Russe at the mall yesterday this song came on (we at least think it was this one!) and having now found it on youtube I am really loving it. It's Someone Else by Miley Cyrus, and I'm not a big fan of Miley herself but her Bangerz album is actually a lot better than I was expecting! So all presumptions I made, I have retracted! Listen here and share in my new song obsession!
  
• I have also just discovered Polyvore. So.Good. Go, sign up now and waste hours of time. Sorry, it's not wasting time at all. 

*Originally this was posted under a different name. However when a friend of mine suggested this title, I had to change it!

I hope that you have all had a lovely week! Please let me know if you enjoyed this post, and what you've been up to this week :)

xoxo

Mid-Exam Blues

I wouldn't necessarily say that I am blue, but everyone at the moment is definitely feeling the pressure of exam season in its near-peak. With one exam down, and two to go, I am most definitely on the countdown for them to be over (two weeks yesterday at 5 and I am freeeee!).
With that aside, I thought during my break of incessant note making that I would share some things that have recently been getting me through the stress and boredom of revision, and also a list of things that I will most definitely be doing when I am finished.
If you have already finished your exams (or don't have any), please spare some thought for those of us who are students. Possibly send us some puppies and snacks as well.

• This video which has been made to The Black Keys - Gotta Get Away will definitely lift some spirits; not to mention the song is great!
• This post. The 50 Cutest Things That Have Ever Happened. Prepare to taste heaven. 
• Bobble Bottles. More to come on this bad boy later, but trust me, you need one. (I have the pink, just sayin'). 
• The Simpsons Tapped Out. Now, beware, this is addictive and I would only suggest it for those with copious amounts of self control; it is basically the Sims but with The Simpsons, or as I call it, The Simmpsons. You heard that here first. 

If you're still not feeling motivated or would just like some more happy thoughts, here are some things that I am counting down the days to do!

1. Sleep in until whenever. No more getting up at 8 o'clock to start work!
2. Watch stupid amounts of television (currently it's re-watching Friends and Gossip Girl...) without feeling any guilt at all about not working. 
3. Go for a celebratory meal with mes amies and a tipple that won't have to be cheeky!
4. Pimms. 'Nuff said. 
5. Buying celebratory hoards(hords? hordes?) of Nars and Mac make-up as a treat to myself with Emily. My eyes are most definitely set and locked on Nars Sheer Glow and a Mac 266 Angled Brush. 

I hope that if you are mid-exam season that this has perked you up a little bit! (It certainly perked me up a bit; Immanuel Kant definitely needed blogging back in those days.) I wish you all good luckkkk! If you're not doing exams, you luckylucky people, I hope you just enjoyed this little post!
(I also apologise for the lack of posts recently...revision is my life right now. If that already wasn't clear...)

Happy working!

xoxo

Mid-Blog Crisis

I am aware that in my description it says 'trying to post at least once a week' and that it has now been around double that...My apologies. Not only has second year completely broken me, leaving me in a state of feeling completely run down and exhausted, but the mere thought of doing 6000 words in less than a week broke my laptop too. It is currently in limbo awaiting me to restore it back to its original settings. I may sound cheery here, but believe me, I am devastated. Like my wonderful friend Lucy said, 'it's like you don't realise just how necessary computers are...it's like losing a foot.'
Anyway, whilst I have been consequently limping along...I just wanted to let my lovelylovely followers know why I have seemingly been on hiatus from any form of social media for the past couple of weeks. But don't you worry, photos have been taken, blog posts have been planned and as soon as the ol' lapapatop is resurrected, The Kazlight Anthem will be back on it's top alright form!

In the mean time, here are some things which I have been enjoying lately and which have been getting me through this very boring and quiet time:

• Tanya Burr's blog; how could you not be loving this at the moment!?
• Blog Sales. They really are a case of one man's trash is another man's treasure. 
• This Missing Cat article (believe me, it's a lot funnier than it sounds).
• The Wolf of Wall Street; my current book and I am whizzing through it! Stay tuned for a review.
• Cadbury Egg and Spoons. Enough said. 

What have you been loving recently?

xoxo

Cleaning Make Up Brushes || How To 1

It's a new year which means a fresh start and quite often, a spring clean. My spring cleaning has begun (and most probably ended) with the cleaning of my make up brushes. I know that this post is quite a common one, but I didn't think a blog posting about beauty could really get away without doing one.
So here is my little take on making those stained brushes clean again; or at least cleaner!

1. I ran a sink full of some warm water, whilst just rinsing off some of the less in-built mess from the brushes.
2. Squirt some baby shampoo into your water. 
3. Soak brushes in the water for only a little bit before then really trying to brush the first out of them.
4. I then got some kitchen towel and placing it in the palm of my hand, swirled the brushes around on it to remove the make up. Really scrubbing the bristles with your fingers helped to get some of that make up out which really did not want to move.
5. Leave to dry!

Before

After

 Obviously, the more often you clean your brushes, the less work you have to do with them! It seems that everyone has put 'Cleaning make up brushes more regularly' on their new years resolutions; perhaps I should too!

Have you put this on your resolutions?

xoxo