IN THE WOODS - Flash Fiction

Leaves crunched and twigs snapped underneath thirteen-year-old Abbie. She had no idea how she got here. Trudging further into the depth of the forest, splinters pierced and punctured her bare feet. The cold air bit through her armour of thin cotton pyjamas. Silhouettes of naked tree branches or spirit's long fingers reaching up to heaven. This being hell. The wind cried, cutting through the silence. Then something patted her on the shoulder.

Despite getting a small case of whiplash from turning her head too quick, she found nothing. Nothing but a dirt path narrowing into the distance. The urge to follow it pulled Abbie like a magnet. Poor curious mind. In a trance, she wondered down it like a zombie. Once too far in to go back, a girl appeared screaming only twenty feet away. Her dress looked as though she came from a hippie camp protesting against the nuclear weapons. But her floral pattern clashed with the blood splatters that covered her.
"Help me!" The hippie cried. Ignoring the impulse to scurry away, she followed her. Where could she have run to anyway?
"Oi, hippie girl!" Abbie shrieked, "What's happened?" She twisted around to reveal bloodshot eyes that had seen far too much. Vomit dripped from her chin onto her bony chest.

Pouncing over to her, the hippie slipping in the mud. Continuing to crawl over just as far. She was at Abbie's feet in seconds.
"Please! You have to help me! He's after me, he's gonna get me!" She cried, mascara running down her porcelain skin.
"Who? Who is going to get you?" Her eyes tore away from Abbie's to look behind her shoulder. She screamed. So hard as though her jaw was about to dislocate.

A man was storming over. And he had a bloody axe in hand.  

A review of Cujo - Stephen King

A rapid dog is out for the kill. Of course, it’s written by Stephen King. Published in 1981, King’s spectacular novel Cujo was created in the midst of his struggle with alcoholism and drug addiction. This progressing to the extent that the author, himself, doesn’t even remember writing a single page of the iconic terror at all. This killer book will terrify you into turning pages night until dawn. Set in a place King named Castle Rock, in an existing place Maine that King grew up in and loves enough to set a large majority of novels in. Castle Rock is a place where a variety of characters are living. From a little boy with something hiding in his closet to a guy who is never sober. The fact that all these characters have their own separate lives yet cunningly all interweave with each other fittingly is very clever, very complex, very King.

Cujo is a grand Saint Bernard who - like any dog - enjoys chasing rabbits and munching on treats. Yet once his paw is down the rabbit hole, the story is anything but a sweet Alice in Wonderland type of fairy-tale. It’s ridden with rapid bats that nibble and chew on Cujo’s fresh skin. And so the transformation begins. He isn’t the Camber family’s friendly dog anymore…

Similar to countless other novels written by King, Cujo builds suspense and tension through the first section of the book. King describes his characters in such depth that you feel as though you know them so well that you distinguish everything about them; you sympathise with the characters. We begin to love Gary’s satiric humour. And we feel protective over young Tad. That’s when the plot thickens. King has slyly done this as when you read that far into the novel, you will not be able to put the book down. You’re involved now. You’re a part of the novel. And you’ll need to know what happens next.

Triumphantly bloodcurdling, King is fully aware of what makes an outstanding novel. ‘Good books don't give up all their secrets at once.’ Stated King. Cujo is a prime example of just that. King almost seems to humanise Cujo’s train of thought throughout the novel such as: ‘It was possible that one of them might call him BADDOG. And at this particular moment, he certainly considered himself to be a BADDOG.’ Making the reader sympathise with a rapid dog. Did you expect that?

The narrator of Cujo is opinionated about all the other characters and talkative to the reader. Yet we don’t truly know who he or she really is. ‘Belasco, who was a prick of the highest order.’ The narrator pretty much hates everyone. On the other hand, they entice you to learn more about their lives and eventually feel distraught for them and their troubled fate with the rapid dog. 

We envision the characters’ lives as they go through aspects of life from money trouble to having an affair. With these characters, you are either going to love them or hate them but that’s what is so fascinating about this book. It forces you to have an opinion on each character spiralling in whatever shape or form.

If you have the patience with the slow unravelling beginning of this book then you’re unquestionably going to enjoy this book to its full potential. As it lures you in one page at a time.

Just remember: ‘The monster never dies.’

A Century of Makeup! - Part 2

The 1960s - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

With the pill being brought about women felt sexual and social liberation. More independence meant that women were off to work and meant more financial independence too. With this new found liberation and independence, women burnt their bras to ash. Makeup was more creative and individualistic. Hippie ideology spread amongst western culture. This spiralled into a mass use of recreational drugs. Flower power and anti-government, hippies were all for the peace movement. Planning to disrupt te distribution of nuclear weapons by laying on the road and living in tents. So despite creativity stretching far, living in tents meant that makeup was quite messy.

The 1970s - Punk Decade

The makeup looks ultra daring and dramatic yet being non-conformists,  turning heads was exactly what they wanted to achieve. Being anti-establishment and rejecting anything mainstream, spikes and black, bold eyes were a must have. Anti-authority ideologies showed through their makeup in order to represent the rebellious persona that punk culture wanted to achieve. 

The 1980's - Cyndi Lauper 

"I splash my cash to look flash." In this decade, makeup was art for both genders to play with. This is arguably the birth of guyliner and it was fashionable for guys to wear crop tops. Gender roles weren't strict in fashion, woo! New romantics was in full swing and fabulous. Makeup was available in an abundance of vibrant colours.The brighter the better!

The 1990s - Courtney Love

With the birth of grunge music thanks to Nirvana, makeup joined the bandwagon of grunge. The appearance of your makeup being slept in was very much desired. If it looked kinda dirty then it was perfect, Grunge was commonly associated with shooting up heroin alongside with a devil may care attitude. 

Wagamama Inspired Gluten Free Spirialised Parsnip Noodles

Diets are forming in all types and variations nowadays. Cutting out this and adding in more of that, the lists are endless. Luckily for the paleo followers and pescatarians out there, I have taken my own twist on a recipe from the book 'Inspirialized' by Ali Maffucci - which is perfect for any gluten free diet and has a blog which you can find here. This twist spun the dish into Wagamama heaven in your own home. Plus it was ultra easy and takes no longer than fifteen minutes.

Ingredients:

(Serves 1)

- 1 chunky parsnip

- 3/4 a tin of crab meat

- 1 red chilli

- 2 garlic cloves

- A handful of coriander

- 1 tsp of lazy ginger

- 1/2 a lime 

- Olive oil

- Salt and pepper

Equipment:

- A Spiralizer 

- A frying pan

- A knife and chopping board

1) To start, grab your parsnip and chop off each end in order for it to achieve the best noodle shape. Additionally, larger and chunkier parsnips work best to achieve the desired shape. It says in the book mentioned earlier to use blade C. Once everything is in place it's time to get spiralizing and you will end up with something similar to this:

2) Next splash some olive oil onto a frying pan and throw in the garlic and chilli that is chopped into tiny pieces. Let them fry slightly on a medium heat for about 30 seconds.

3) Throw in the parsnip noodles and sprinkle over some salt and pepper to season. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes. Tossing occasionally until the parsnips are ever so slightly softened. 

4) Add the crab, coriander, lazy ginger and the juice from the lime and let it cook for a further 2 minutes until the parsnips are cooked through and the crab is hot. 

And you're done. Go and enjoy your home made gluten free Wagamamas!

A Century of Makeup! - Part 1

1910's - The Mary Jane Kelly

Travelling way back in time to the start of the century it was taboo for women to wear makeup. God forbid a little bit of lipstick! Many people were disapproving of this because it was associated with prostitution. To avoid looking like a whore of sorts, upper-class ladies took part in back door entrance under the counter action. Alternatively, they would bite their lips and pinch their cheeks for that desired rosy glow. Wearing a powder of the palest colour was also popular to show that they did not take part in any kind of manual labour.

1920's - The Daisy Buchanan

During the roaring 20s, pale skin was still popular, however, this was for a different reason. It was in order to exaggerate the main features of the face: eyes and lips. This is a turn from attempts to hide the fact they wore makeup and they began to celebrate it. Using makeup as was part of their feminist rebellion along with smoking in public and wearing leggy dresses. You would have to be blind not to notice the smoky, bold eyes. The thin eyebrows that ran into your temples were the height of fashion at the time. Eyebrows that would be seen as a joke as of today. Truth being that eyebrows of today would have been seen as joke back then      

1930's - The Ginger Rogers

Deep set eye looks were seen as ultra sultry and popular alongside rouge lips. This was during the Great Depression were everyone found themselves in ultimate difficulty. Deep in strict gender roles, women had no choice but to become housewives. With men's roles of being the breadwinner in trouble, no woman lost her job. Yet they still found their own difficulties as they were still depending on finding a man to marry in order to have a home. Women felt the need to wear makeup in hope to find a man. It may well be possible that this is why makeup is a form to avoid insecurity - despite how much I disagree with that and how it should just be used for fun and individuality.  

1940's - The Judy Garland

Midway through the 40's and after the war women faced grief and depression over the deaths and injuries of fathers, sons and husbands. The arched eyebrows sent the look into the future as today's brows are still a fan of the arch. Cat wing eyeliner came about during this time as well as different variety of lipsticks such as orangey-reds and pinks. For some makeup may have felt like an escape from the mourning and grief. Bringing some colour into their lives.

1950's - The Elizabeth Taylor

This decade brought about rockabilly and pin-up girls which inspired everyday woman's choice of makeup. Rouge lips and cat eyes were a must have in cosmetics and it gave women the ability to feel sensual without being disapproved. As it went on pin-up makeup and fashion gave women more and more confidence in themselves and their bodies. 

I AM THE WALLS - Flash Fiction

I saw all.

Despite the petty attempts of suffocating me with that tacky pattern, I saw all. Rimmed with yellow urban moss, I was not blinded by the nicotine. The stench that spewed from the cracks in the window (although repulsive) could not force me to leave. The flavours of futility swam through the room and into my throat. Still I would not bow out. The wuss of a door handle quivered as a cackle erupted behind it. We had a guest. 

Falling to the floor, a woman with matted hair glued together with vomit entered. Grasping the bed, she attempted to bring herself back up and off the ground. She failed. Her purse no longer on her person. God knows where that was. She didn't give a shit as long as the white powder she had was still wedged in her bra. A few sambuca shots later, she forgot it all. Sorting the coke into three lines, she realised there was no way she could sleep here another night.  

Our next guest was a man with an upturned pig nose. Some may argue this resembled his true identity. With his ring conveniently lost in the midst of his bag, a girl showed up. Thus, there were a few cracks in his vows. When three minutes of fun were over, he realised that there was no way he could sleep here another night.   

Our final guest paid a visit hammer in hand. Knocking me off my feet with no mercy. The community thrived in pitiless happiness. The grungy motel was shutting down. That's when I realised there was no way I could sleep here another night.

I saw all.

Drugstore VS High-End Liquid Lipstick

Liquid lipsticks have been a Godsend compared to the high maintenance of lipsticks. Now there is an option for a red lip that doesn't bleed or transfer. Awesome. Yet there are only a few options so far.  As a potential liquid lipstick junkie, I have tested and compared a drugstore brand to a high-end brand so you can join me in this love for them. In the drugstore corner is L'Oreal's Infallible 24h Lip Colour in shades 113 Invincible Sable and 506 Red Infallible with a pro-seal lip balm sidekick. And in the high-end corner is the Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in shades Posh Spice and Redrum weighing in at 0.19 oz.

ROUND ONE - COST

When it comes to affordability drugstore is an obvious win. In the UK L'Oreal's Infallible 24h Lip Colour price stands at £9.99. Alternatively, Jeffree Star's Velour Liquid Lipsticks are harder to find in the UK. Luckily, I discovered the website www.cocktailcosmetics.co.uk that have some American must-haves. On this site, the velour liquid lipsticks cost £14.00 with a £3.95 postage rate. This is a factor to take in when deciding on which one to get.

ROUND TWO - PACKAGING

Both drugstore and high-end's packagings are very sturdy. However, the shape is very different. From L'Oreal's squared off edges compared with Jeffree Star's cylinder features to the sophisticated black of L'Oreal compared with Jeffree Star's chic rose gold. When it comes to travel friendliness, Jeffree Star's pocket size is a plus. L'Oreal is a bit too long to be travel-friendly yet its thinness means it must be able to fit in certain makeup bags - even if squeezed in.

The liquid lipsticks both have a doe foot applicator which makes applying it much easier. Yet Jeffree Star's applicator is more unusual as it is more curved and flexible making the application process, even more, easy and is very lip hugging. The lip balm of L'Oreal's liquid lipstick is the perfect shape for lips.

ROUND THREE - MORALITY

L'Oreal are no longer testing on animals however, one thing to take into account is that there is an exception if regulatory authorities demanded it for safety or regulatory purposes. In comparison, Jeffree Star's products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

ROUND FOUR - PIGMENT

Both brands are extremely pigmented. One thing to take into account about liquid lipsticks, in general, is that they are almost always matte. This is a massive bonus for me due to my love for matte, yet this is not the same for everyone.

Posh Spice: A 90's nude shade with tones of browns and greys in it.
Invincible Sable: A mix between the shades of taupe and rose nude. 
RedRum: A true blue red. 
Red Infallible: A red with a hint of orange making it brighter.

ROUND FIVE - WEAR TIME

L'Oreal's Infallible 24h Lip Colour is defiantly infallible. After five hours of wear and breakfast and lunch, the liquid lipstick had stayed put. It faded slightly in the inner rim which took seconds to reapply and was not a problem in the slightest.

As for Jeffree Star's Velour Liquid Lipsticks, it is also super long wearing. One minuscule problem I found was addressed on the box it came in where it stated to 'Avoid food with oil... and no making out, kisses are ok!' With the experience of both, I discovered that this is a tip not to ignore.   

ROUND SIX - COMFORT

Drugstore brand L'Oreal have crafted the liquid lipstick to be a part of a handy lip duo with a lip balm. And with great reason as I found out! In a rush, I didn't want to waste valuable minutes waiting for it to dry so I could use the lip balm. Once out the door, I found my lips sticking together as the liquid lipstick almost formed as a glue. Nonetheless, with the lip balm, it is only slightly drying. Most of the time I managed to forget about it which is a plus.

The Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipsticks although slightly drying are super comfy. Yet due to the fact it is slightly high maintenance, it is slightly uncomfortable. This is defiantly not going to stop me wearing these and purchasing more as they are amazing.

RESULTS

Both L'Oreal's Infallible 24h Lip Colour and Jeffree Star's Velour Liquid Lipsticks are great quality and are correct when they claim to last hours. They are great purchases and would recommend both. Just depends on the colours and price that you wish.