Saturday 30 August 2014

Madison State Capitol #OnWisconsin!

Don't know what a Capitol is? No neither did I prior to coming here. And no it is not just an incorrect spelling of 'capital', but more the central political building of the city. Taking a tour is kind of like touring the Houses of Parliament, other than the history of course doesn't go back as far and I don't have a clue at all about what any of the US political terms mean (...) I do however know what a Governor is and I got to sit in his chair. Just call me Governor Karina ;)








I rubbed the Badger's nose for luck, so I'm hoping good things are still to come!
xoxo

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Becoming a Badger | The Beginning







This is just a little glimpse of where I am currently living! I am slowly adjusting to being at a new university in a whole new country and culture, (Bucky Badger is the mascot hence the Badger references!) It is such a lovely city and Lake Mendota is soo beautiful! 

There will be much more to come so stay tuned!
xoxo

Tuesday 26 August 2014

The Times Magazine Best 100 Beauty Products | Part 10 - Suncare

Da-daahhhh! We are halfway through the Best 100 Beauty Products according to The Times Magazine! If you have stuck with us so far, well done. I probably would have struggled myself. You might even be thinking what more could there possibly be for another 10 blog posts?? Well don't you worry about that my friends, as I can assure you...there is more to come ;)

Part 10 -Suncare

1. The Organic Pharmacy Self Tan, £30.95
A self-tan without that strong self-tan smell. 



2. Lancome Flash Bronzer, £24
Face gel that quickly develops an even glow. Idiot-proof.




3. Institut Esthederm Photo Reverse, £55
Good for pigmentation spots.


4. Nivea Sun Protect & Refresh Sun Lotion SPF30, £15
Affordable, water-resistant, non-sticky.


5. Sienna X Gradual Glowing Self Tan, £15.95
An easy-to-apply cream. Good colour. 


Surprised to see no St.Tropez here? I was too! 
For Part 10...I'm keeping you in suspense!
xoxo







*Please take note that I am merely sharing an article made and published by The Times Magazine. I am not stating any of this as my own, but am merely passing along the information which I have read for the benefit of others. All comments and findings are the work of and belong to the publishers and writers at The Times Magazine. All writing in italics are direct quotes from the article and not my opinions, but those of the writers.

Sunday 24 August 2014

The Times Magazine Best 100 Beauty Products | Part 9 - Hair Tools

By the time this goes up, I will have moved to Wisconsin! I fly out at half nine on Sunday morning so by the time you will be reading this I will be on a plane :) I shall be thinking of my little ol' blog and hopefully you shall be thinking of me!
Been struggling with your hair routine ever since you read Part 6 - Haircare (imagine technology was so advanced that I could insert a link here before the post has gone up #awks)? Well now here are the tools that you should be using...

Part 9 - Hair Tools

1. L'Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil, £15.99
Nourishes without making hair feel oily. 




2. John Frieda Frizz Ease Serum, £6.29
An unrivalled formula. Visibly transforms dry, frizzy hair.



3. Hershesons Hairdryer, £110
Great for frizz-prone hair.


4. Kiehl's Creme with Silk Groom, £18
A smoothing cream you'll find in every hairstylists' kit.



5. L'Oréal Professionnel Limited Edition Safari Chic Steampod, £150
Steam creates a smooth, high-gloss finish. 


(Lovin' the leopard on thiis bad boy!)


With all our haircare needs sorted, we will be able to embrace our luscious locks and move on to...
Part 10 - Suncare
xoxo








*Please take note that I am merely sharing an article made and published by The Times Magazine. I am not stating any of this as my own, but am merely passing along the information which I have read for the benefit of others. All comments and findings are the work of and belong to the publishers and writers at The Times Magazine. All writing in italics are direct quotes from the article and not my opinions, but those of the writers.

Saturday 23 August 2014

The Times Magazine Best 100 Beauty Products | Part 8 - Footcare

I haven't even hit the double digits of these parts, yet I am already running out of ways to introduce this :') As a side note, I am currrently flicking between typing this up and re-watching The Killers' video for 'Just Another Girl'. If you haven't seen it, Dianna Agron is dressed up as Brandon Flowers in various versions of their other videos. So.Good.
Anyway...

Part 8 - Footcare

1. Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel, £30
Perfect for tired legs and tense muscles.


2. Margaret Dabbs Intensive Foot Oil, £22
Effective relief from dehydrated, cracked skin and nails.


3. Susanne Kaufmann Warming Foot Cream, £32
Great after exercise. 


4. Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Foot Remedy, £15
Soothes the roughest of feet. 


5. Barielle Total Foot Care Cream, £16.95
Helps to eliminate calluses and cracks. 


Now I don't know why the next part wasn't previously with haircare...but there you go...
Next up Part 9 - Hair Tools
xoxo





*Please take note that I am merely sharing an article made and published by The Times Magazine. I am not stating any of this as my own, but am merely passing along the information which I have read for the benefit of others. All comments and findings are the work of and belong to the publishers and writers at The Times Magazine. All writing in italics are direct quotes from the article and not my opinions, but those of the writers.

Thursday 21 August 2014

The Times Magazine Best 100 Beauty Products | Part 7 - Haircare

With only 30 products down so far, there are still a lottttt to get through here! I won't keep rambling, let's just dive right in to Part 6, haircare.


1. Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense, £27.50
For anyone with thick, chemically treated hair. 


2. L'Oréal Professionnel Intense Repair, £13.99
Softer, gloossier hair after one use. 

3. Batiste Dry Shampoo, £4.99
Nothing beats Batiste if you skip a wash. A personal favourite of mine!


4. Aveda Shampure, £13.50
Can be used every day without build-up.


5. Shu Uemura Ultimate Remedy Shampoo, £24
A tonic for dry, damaged hair. 


Keep your eyes peeled for Part 7 - Footcare!
xoxo






*Please take note that I am merely sharing an article made and published by The Times Magazine. I am not stating any of this as my own, but am merely passing along the information which I have read for the benefit of others. All comments and findings are the work of and belong to the publishers and writers at The Times Magazine. All writing in italics are direct quotes from the article and not my opinions, but those of the writers.

Wednesday 20 August 2014

What's In My Bag? | Video

So I made a new video the other day with my homeyhome background. If, as most of us are let's face it, you are nosey and would like to peruse the inner contents of my bag...then here is your chance!


Or if you would like to go on over and watch this on my channel then please click here :)
As ever, please like and subscribe!
xoxo

(As a side note... I am aware the quality is not amazing, but I am only just starting out on youtube and am still kind of finding my feet. I am also still a student so please stick with me here!)

Tuesday 19 August 2014

Make Up Storage that Doesn't Break the Bank

 





Make up storage is one of my absolute favourite things to look at and nose at other peoples and I had been in the market for some myself. I know that the Muji drawers are a big hit with most bloggers and youtubers, being somewhat of a 'cult' product. And believe me I have looked at those, however they are quite pricey and being a student I didn't really want to invest £30 or so on make up storage. Yet I was still in quite desperate need...the make up collection kept growing and the space kept shrinking!

I saw this one in Home Sense and was not only drawn in by the price...but also that it's blue! I thought that this was a really nice version of all the clear plastic storage sets that I have seen previously and the blue was a really nice touch. And at just £9.99, you can't really go wrong!
It has 12 lipstick spaces, 4 small square spaces, 1 medium rectangular space, 1 bigger rectangular space and the square bit at the front.
There is also a smaller version available for £7.99 which is slightly different.
Whilst checking to see if you could get these online, I discovered Home Sense have a blog! You can check it out here.
I'm so happy with how this turned out and would definitely recommend it!

Would you use this make up storage?
xoxo



Sunday 17 August 2014

The Times Magazine Best 100 Beauty Products | Part 6 - Masks

Aaaaand it's back! (Told you I'd keep you on your toes didn't I?) The Times Magazine* Best 100 Beauty was an article in which, well need I explain? I know it's been a while since the last few installments of this, however you needed time to go and buy all the other products ;)
This edition includes five of the apparent best masks, so let us wait no more!

Part 6 - Masks

1. Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask - £93
A soothing mask that refreshes and smooths.


2. SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque - £52
Non-drying zit zapper. 

3. Aesop Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste - £35
An easy to wash off exfoliator that leaves skin squeaky clean.
(Let it be known, this may not look like it but this is a tube that's gonna crease up!)


4. Colbert MD Intensify Facial Discs - £52
Pre-moistened exfoliating discs.

5. NuBo White Diamond Ice-Glow Mask - £100
An excellent ten-minute pick-me-up.

Next time, haircare!
xoxo






*Please take note that I am merely sharing an article made and published by The Times Magazine. I am not stating any of this as my own, but am merely passing along the information which I have read for the benefit of others. All comments and findings are the work of and belong to the publishers and writers at The Times Magazine. All writing in italics are direct quotes from the article and not my opinions, but those of the writers.

Wednesday 13 August 2014

The Novel in the Viola - Natasha Solomons | Book Review


(Sometimes known as 'The House at Tyneford', I know confusing right? Oh I see. This other name is the US version; confusion resolved.) 

This was amazing! It really was one of those type of books. Now I know what I mean by that, but I'm not exactly sure how to get it across; it is one of those where the writing is just soso good that all of the sentences keep enticing you to read and read. The phrasing is so beautiful and the words feel so true and meaningful that you really do feel attached to the characters. These are my favourite kinds of books and this has definitely gone up to the top of the list!
Elise Landau lives with her wonderful parents and sister at their beautiful home in Vienna. They are a wealthy Jewish family and the story starts just before 1939. Yes, this is a war story, however quite unlike any that I have read previously. Her father is an author and he tells Elise that he has hidden his final novel in the viola, which she lacks the ability to play. Unlike her mother and sister, Elise is not blessed with musical talent and so she feels underwhelmed and as if she is a disapointment to her mother who is a world renowned performer. Her sister, Margo, is expected to follow in her footsteps. Yet with the war starting, Elise must move to England and become a house maid in order to protect herself and provide money for her family. It is Tyneford which for Elise then becomes home. 
The Master of the house takes kindly to Elise, unlike the other residents of the house. She struggles to get along with the daily tasks of servants and maids, having come from a bourgeoisie family previously where she has been used to being served on. Yet then she meets Kit, the Master's son and well I'm sure everyone could see where this is going. The two of them together cause outrage to the rest of the household, yet as teenagers they really don't care. And why would they? War is inevitable and on the horizon meaning that Kit will soon be leaving. Thus they must both learn how to change and adapt. Yet this is not where the story ends. I won't carry on so as not to ruin it, however it really is a gripping tale. 

There is little that I won't read, and I never read blurbs of books (I will not tolerate any sort of spoiler) and so I would never shy away from a book because it is set during the time of war, or that it is 'just another romance novel'. This book is so much more than both of those and I would definitely recommend it for anyone that really appreciates great writing and a thoroughly gripping story. 

Next Up: The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion
xoxo











Friday 8 August 2014

TheKazlightAnthem is Now On Youtube! | Top 5 Make Up Staples Summer 2014

Ever since I have started blogging it has been my aim to then also start a Youtube channel. Although I filmed this video quite a while ago (still in my uni room!) it has taken me quite a while to actually edit it and upload it, not only due to time constraints but to me feeling very awkward about actually putting myself out on the internet in this way.
As I will very soon be moving to America I thought that it would actually be a really great way to capture and record the whole experience through videos and vlogging and this really spurred me on!

So here it is, my very first Youtube video! This is my Top 5 Make Up Staples of Summer 2014. Please like and subscribe if you enjoy it and comment letting me know what your staples are!


To watch the video over on my channel please click here!
I hope you enjoy!
xoxo

Thursday 7 August 2014

Ladies Who Lunch #TheBrickyard

So a couple of weeks back now my friend Amy and I went to the infamous Brickyard (infamous only to those who obsessively watch Towie...)
If you are reading this thinking why am I fussed about a place I have never heard of, then I shall insert some photos for you to imagine the excitement of one of the The Only Way Is Essex's oft' visited establishments.


(Credit to various google...searches...i.e. these are not mine)
Hopefully now you have a bit more of a feel for the place... Now despite this being only down the road from me, I had never actually been! Amy and I went for lunch as their prices consist of a lunch deal (Mon-Thurs I do believe) of 2 courses for £9.99. Not too shabby! Seeing as we had exhausted most of our other usual options we thought we would give it a go!







I opted for fish and chips which was huuuuuge! Sosogood. Amy went for the salad and addded in salmon fillet and it looks amazing! We both then had the brownie (mains and dessert, no started of course.), switching out the chocolate ice cream for vanilla, again, of course. 
The atmosphere was really nice, although quite quiet when we went, but I would definitely recommend! The service was good and the food was fab!
TOWIE chose well ;)

Would you try The Brickyard?
xoxo