Currently exploring the world

I thought I’d make a little blog post about 5 of my favourite skin care products that are easily available from high street stores and that actually WORK without having to spend hundreds of pounds (which, let’s face it - as much as I wished I could afford Creme de la Mer - is usually just for a name).

You can get all of these from the majority of Boots and Superdrug stores.

1) Sanctuary microdermabrasion body renewal - £9.45

This scrub is great for those annoying little bumps on the backs of the legs and arms, also known as ‘chicken skin’ (something that affects roughly one in three people in the UK).

Apply before showering and then rinse off. Simple as. It leaves skin feeling super smooth and one tube lasts between 3-5 weeks, depending how often you want to use it.

One of my personal favourites.

2) Nivea in-shower body moisturiser - £3.65

I’ve only used this product a couple of times but the difference it makes after each application is well worth the £3.65. Skin feels much smoother after each use and even has a bit of a shine to it.

3) Nip + Fab tummy fix - £19.25

This one is slightly more expensive, but great for targeting that area that few girls ever grow to love (unless the architectural Gods sculpted a washboard stomach for you in the womb). Works around the abs, stomach and hips, leaving skin feeling smoother and tighter, with results visible after around 6 weeks.

I’m not saying that it’s the answer to wobbly stomach woes, but it’s a nice little substitute if you can’t be bothered to do those trusty sit-ups.

4) Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream - £25.00

Once again, slightly more towards the top of the high street spectrum, but something that myself and a lot of people I know swear by. It can be applied to spots, blemishes, cuts and burns, and helps to heal, sooth and calm skin irritations quickly - usually in just eight hours (hence the name).

Mine has lasted me YEARS, so well worth the investment.

5) Sudocrem - price varies depending on size, but between £2 and £6

Now where would we be without good, old, trusty Sudocrem? Though originally intended for nappy rash, Sudocrem can be used pretty much anywhere to sooth dry, sore and irritated skin - both on the face and body. Really great for soothing shaving rash too, which no matter how hard we try, all fall victim to every now and again. Just a great all-rounder really!

Sometimes I like to draw whiskers with it to make myself look like a cat, because why not?

Basically just a post of Daphne Groeneveld because

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<3

Now as some of you may know, I love Wildfox. A lot. And this summer’s range is no exception.

I am absolutely OBSESSED with Valerie Van Der Graaf’s ‘Hello, Sailor!’ shoot, combining classic pin-up with that Wildfox twist.

Here are a few of my favourite shots (make sure you check out the whole shoot here)!

Now all I need is an extendible bank account and an excuse to dress up as a bunny and wear point shoes… 

A year down the line since I packed my bags and moved from the beloved flatlands to el capital, so I thought I’d write about the city I love and the not so lovely thing that comes with it, aka the dreaded and doomed UNDERGROUND. Because what better way to mark my year anniversary as a Londoner than with a good old British moan?

In no particular order because they’re all equally as fucking terrible.

- Rush hour.

- How everybody thinks that they’re that little bit more important and in more of a rush than the person in front. You know what I’m talking about; the angry mumbles under the breath, the tuts when the person in front doesn’t beep their Oyster first time round. We’ve all done it and we’ve all been victim to it.

- Tube sweats in summer (and winter). No amount of fanning yourself with the Evening Standard will do.

- When people breathe their morning breath on you.

- When people breathe their ‘I’ve had six coffees and twelve fags today’ breath on you.

- The invasive armpit.

- The self-righteous businessman.

- Not sure whether to give up your seat for the woman that sort of looks pregnant, but might just be overweight.

- Not sure whether to give up your seat for the woman that looks over 60, but that might just have aged really badly.

- Tourists that stop in the middle of the underground to check maps.

- People that stand on the left. STAND ON THE RIGHT AND WALK ON THE LEFT. THEY SAY IT EVERY TIME.

- People that think it’s acceptable to walk at a glacial pace, particularly on a Friday afternoon after work. WHERE IS YOUR SENSE OF URGENCY? 

- That weird drunk guy that tries to talk to you.

- Germs.

- Weird smells.

- People that don’t move along inside of the carriages when there is clearly loads of room.

- Backpacks. Backpacks should definitely be illegal.

- So should couples that read the Metro together.

- General PDA.

And of course the number 1 rule:

(unless you’re me and stare and suited and booted businessmen for weirdly inappropriate amounts of time and decide that you’re in love until you step off of the tube and go about your day as if they never even existed.)

Straps, buckles, leather, silk, lace, satin, chains, PVC, corsets; bondage-inspired lingerie is so in right now and I cannot get enough of it. 

MYLA

Delicate and feminine, this piece by Myla is absolutely lovely. With sheer lace and thin straps that cross the hips and waist, this set is a real tease for both the eyes and the mind. 

AGENT PROVOCATEUR

Sexy, sophisticated and downright erotic. Unlike the demure Rita by Myla, AP’s Whitney set is bold and daring with thick black straps that cling to the body, giving it that belt and buckle feel. This design is classic and one of the many reasons why Agent Provocatuer are one of my favourites.

COCO DE MER

This set from Coco de Mer is absolutely incredible, capturing submission perfectly with its strap and collar design. It’s been designed to reveal the body, yet covers just enough to drive the mind wild. I imagine that even a leash could be attached for those wishing to take their relationship that little step up…

FRAULEIN KINK

This is an absolute gem by Fraulein Kink. Similar to the Coco de Mer design pictured above, FK have used straps to create that bound effect, though they’ve gone that little bit further with the chains and the cuffs, giving it that real edge. The mask and ears come with it too! J’a-fucking-dore.

BORDELLE

There is absolutely no beating around the bush with Boredelle when it comes to erotic lingerie. Kink bondage at its finest, yet still managing to keep that feminine edge by enhancing curves. A real treat for both lingerie and bondage lovers.

FLEET ILYA

Reigns, harnesses, masks, corsets; if you’re after daring and unsubtle, Fleet Ilya is your port of call, creating erotic masterpieces that reach far beyond your bog-standard erotic stores that fill the streets of Soho. Their designs are sexy and decadent, bringing endless possibilities to those that want to indulge in bondage, domination and submission.

Of course, these are just a selection of my favourite designs; and this is without all of the lovely little accessories that come with them. Whips, paddles, cuffs, collars, nipple pasties, clamps, blindfolds, masks. In fact, I got myself this earlier on from Coco de Mer:

LOVE!

Bondage has been around for a long, long time; much longer than most people realise. Until recently, it’s been somewhat of a taboo, a sexual deviance. However in this day and age, we’re much more open about sexuality; we’re encouraged to embrace and explore. Sex and intimacy doesn’t stop at pretty floral bras and missionary, and bondage most certainly doesn’t stop at blindfolds and handcuffs.

Why play it safe when things like this exist? They’re far too exciting and intriguing to be ignored, not to mention how intricate and incredible they are aesthetically. I’m not saying that people should go out right now, buy a cane and demand to be spanked until their skin is pink and purple; I’m merely saying that there’s no harm in experimenting with fantasy and desire. Who knows what you might find?

As a wise man once said, “Those who restrain desire do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained.”

NOTE: I do not own any of these photos (apart from the final one). Credit to all brands for photos used.
www.myla.com
www.agentprovocateur.com
www.coco-de-mer.com
www.frauleinkink.com
www.bordelle.co.uk
www.fleetilya.com