we decided to go for a little trip. wonderful break and will be going back soon for sure. already miss our apartment :(
I found this video on motherboard recently and was shocked to discover the untold truth regarding the production of the electronic products we all know and love. The lack of coverage on this is insane, and the fact that there are far safer alternatives which aren't being put to use is just saddening when you look at the effect it's having on real people. Just watch. It's been out for a while now, but I can't stop watching the "Water Me" video by FKA TWIGS. Not only do I love the song and listening to Twigs' flawless vocals, Jessie Kanda is an amazing artist and I literally can't look away when I'm watching this video. It's eerie, trippy, has a beautiful colour pallette and of course, Twigs' unusual beauty adds to the video as a whole. So if you haven't seen it, check it out.So day in day out I get asked the question, "what do you do with your hair?" or "what products do you use", so I thought i'd write this quick post for anyone wondering! :) For me, there are 3 essentials that my hair couldn't live without. Now- I'm not claiming to be some kind of hair guru, and in fact for those asking what I "do" with my hair, the answer is very little! BUT this stuff works. My Routine: Every 4 days or so I wash my hair using the argan oil of morocco shampoo and conditioner. I often tend to buy two bottles of the conditioner and just one of the shampoo because i always detangle my hair when it has a lot of conditioner in it which often leads to it running out first! After washing, I use a generous amount of the penetrating oil, THIS is the most important part. Many experts call argan oil "liquid gold" because of it's instant effect on flyaway / dry hair. This was definitely the experience I had when I first used the oil, my dry ends were no longer dry, and when the oil had absorbed into my hair, the texture had completely changed and it was so much softer AND shinier, this is because argan oil is rich in omega 3 and 9 fatty acids that help in the healing of split ends. I tend to pour about a £2 coin size drop onto my palm and work it through my hair, starting at the ends because these are areas with the most damage. I then massage the oil into my scalp and throughout my hair, and either let it air dry or blowdry it on a low heat.
I know it doesn't seem like much, but if you're struggling with dry hair, these products are definitely something you should try. They don't have to be this exact brand either, just any shampoo/conditioner containing pure argan oil, and of course the oil itself needs to be 100%. I got this on offer in Boots, it was 3 for 2 so I ended up spending about £15 on this stuff. As for the oil, you can find it for alot cheaper I just wanted to get the complete set in this brand so that I could review it more fairly. In primark there are tubes of 100% argan oil for £1!! Anyway, thats what I do in terms of how I actually care for my hair! I know it's not much but it works for me! If you have any questions either comment below, tweet me or insta direct me a message! TOP TIP: If you already have a shampoo and conditioner that you are happy with, try pouring some pure argan into the bottle! (This is a huge money saver too if you already have a selection of haircare products in bulk. Hope that helps! Neela x I'm a huge fan of Jungle. Watch their new music video below (which so happens to have been produced by my friend, Charlie Di Placido. :)Since Coco Chanel's death in 1971, Karl Lagerfeld has taken the reigns as chief designer at the brand in an effort to continue Chanel's legacy. It remains one of the world's most valuable brands and has shown longevity as both young and old can relate to the brand. One of Chanel's biggest fans, Rihanna, was seen today at the Chanel show sporting a complete look straight from the runway of Chanel's SS14 collection. Karl Lagerfeld is a big fan of Rihanna also and she is often pictured wearing Chanel pieces. In April 2013, there was so much publicity around Chanel and Rihanna, the whole world was asking the question - "Is Rihanna the new face of Chanel?" These rumours were squashed shortly after however, as a spokesperson from the fashion house commented that the Vogue cover girl and singer has not been photographed for one of its campaigns - despite reports on the contrary. In addition to this, Rihanna fans have called for what was once merely rumours and speculation to become a reality, as with her regular instagram posts "#CCertified" (Chanel Certified), her continued loyalty to the brand (she is often seen sporting Chanel pieces) and her appearances at the brand's shows- It seems as though Rihanna herself is gunning for the enviable position of being the face of Chanel. But does Rihanna really represent Chanel? The brand started in 1910 with a mission statement promising to stay true to the distinction of it's past founder, while still moving it into the future. In their words, "To be the Ultimate House of Luxury, defining style and creating desire, now and forever." It could be argued that Rihanna brings the element of the future to the brand, reinforcing it's longevity, however- it could also be argued that Rihanna, famed for her party girl lifestyle and revealing stage outfits is a far cry from the original Chanel that Coco had envisioned all those years ago, who once said a girl should be two things, "classy and fabulous". She also said, "Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.” Coco was known for the understated elegance of her pieces- which seems inconsistent to Rihanna's personal sense of style. Looking demure and well presented at Paris Fashion week, but half naked and provocative in her next music video. If Coco Chanel were alive today, would she approve of this disconnect? Or would Rihanna be revealing too much for the designer, who once said "be classy. Anything but trashy".
One thing that draws a similar line between the brand and Rihanna's sense of style, was the initial pioneering design aesthetic that brought Chanel into the limelight. Coco Chanel redefined the fashionable woman. She introduced masculine elements into the dress and gave a look of youthful ease, a liberated physicality, and unencumbered sportive confidence. Rihanna too champions a free, youthful sense of style which can at times seem androgynous, and although her fashion choices do not always carry a look of understated elegance that Chanel had once envisioned, they certainly have made the singer a bigger star and a well respected member of the fashion community, Rihanna's multiple transformations through her look and fashion have kept her in the public eye and for this I can only admire her, so as Coco Chanel once said, “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” I've been thinking a lot about life recently, and I've realised that the majority of bad decisions I've made have come from a lack of trust and confidence in myself and my emotions, with too much focus on the perceptions of others rather than being honest with myself. Throughout our lives, and as we grow, the focus on us and what makes us happy becomes less important. Society teaches us to value other people's opinion more than our own and people end up caring more about how they will be perceived for feeling a certain way rather than being true to themselves and being honest with themselves about what it is that they want. Of course, it can go the other way- selfishness is a vice we all partake in at times and to think of ones happiness over others isn't necessarily a good thing. I personally feel that putting others before yourself is always a positive way to live life, but not if by doing this you put yourself in situations that you don't want to be in. That's where the problem lies. When people don't trust themselves and aren't honest about how they feel, I feel that ultimately it can only lead to unhappiness. If you feel something for someone, allow yourself to feel that way. And if you don't, be honest about it because lying to protect another's feelings will only be detrimental in the end. Rip the band aid, per sé and just be true to yourself. In essence, all of this is a kind of miscommunication and suppression of ones emotions., I feel like there are so many people who are missing out on true happiness because they feel as though the pressure to conform to society is stronger than their desire to pursue their own happiness. People who equate fitting in and conforming with happiness are being dishonest with themselves and, well- honesty is the best policy (cheese!) Anyway. I guess after having thought about this stuff recently I just wanted to put it out there for anyone else stuck in a battle between what they "should" feel and how they actually do. Don't waste your time worrying about fitting in, remember that when it comes down to it, we are in charge of creating our own happiness. Neela x So a couple of days ago, I lost someone close to me. Never before have I ever been close to even being able to imagine what it feels like to lose someone you love. It is unbearable. I still can't believe that someone I love has been taken from me, and the fact that there's nothing I can do about it. Joe was one of the smartest, most amazing people I have ever met. And I know everyone says that, but this is really true. Joe understood the world, he understood and admired the universe in a way that made him so special. He saw things differently, he saw people as they are and understood human nature on such a deep level, I'm left in awe of his uniqueness. Joe studied physics, he was interested in how the world worked and the essence of human nature. I know Joe was fascinated by buddhism, and strongly believed that in order to connect with the universe we have to truly accept all of the pain and hardship that comes with life, to achieve both global and inner peace. Today I watched this video, and not only was it visually beautiful, but I know it's something he would have liked. I post this for all the people who look up at the stars and wonder, because I know that's what he did. I think now, that he's somewhere up there- a part of the amazing universe he was so fascinated by. Everyone has different interpretations, but i like to think he's up there looking at that amazing view I know he would have loved. It hurts every single day you not being here. I still don't want to accept you've gone. But I know that you'll always be with me as long as you are in my heart, and I will never forget you and the lessons you have taught me during your life, and after you left this earth. This first video is for you. Your views on life will absolutely change the world, just as you have changed my world simply by being in it. I love you, and I miss you. Joseph Elliot Goode, 3rd July 1992 - 4th December 2013. |