Monday's Moments - 20/01/14

Most depressing day of the year? My eye!! 

Yep it's Monday but tomorrow's Tuesday & the next Wednesday, so? We're pretty adept to blocking out Monday Blues and searching for the silver lining so here's 5 Moments from my past week that mean Monday Blues can suck it!: 

1. Lucky Smashbox Ducky

Despite being cooped up so much over the past few months that I've started to call Diesel Wilson, I had THE most amazing opportunity last week, thanks to the Smashbox and Bumble & Bumble haircare dream teams. 

Off I hobbled to Smock Alley like something that had gotten up out of a box at the side of the road and just 25 minutes later this was me! Bumble's vintage stunner Bea Watson performed voluminous miracles with my hair, Smashbox International Pro Make Up Artist and all 'round cool chick, Lori Taylor beautified me in minutes.

 I was whipped over to meet and be forever immortalised (& hopefully heavily photoshopped by) Davis Factor (great grandson of Max Factor, co founder & creator of Smashbox studios & Smashbox Cosmetics - say whaaaat?!). An incredibly talented photographer and ridiculously down to earth chap, he made me feel like a million dollars and I'd like one for Christmas please. 

I had to pinch myself repeatedly for such an opportunity as I headed home like a Real Housewife of Fingal County as mine was the first appointment of the morning. My profesh pics will be available in one month and you best believe I'll be posting them - coming to a lamp post near you!

2. 'BAILED' Out for Nowt

While we managed to have a sociable few in the local public house this weekend, it wasn't long before I had to head home again, CrocksRUs but I did quite fancy a nightcap so we headed into the Off Licence next door. 

Not being able to find the Bailey's on the shelves I asked the chap behind the counter. 'Eh, yeah, we do have them but they're all back here' - 'Could I have one out here?'. Turns out they had to be taken from the shelves as their BB date was Dec 13. BUMMER. Until... 'Look, I can't sell it to you because they're past their date but I could just give you one?'. 

Do I even need to finish this Moment? I won't say where as Sir Thanksalot could be in a lot of trouble but you know the only thing tastier than Baileys at night? FREE Baileys at night! What an absolute gent. 

3. Genius. In a Box. 

Yes, I'm stupidly easy to please but this here box of genius just about made my weekend - no more trawling though the ascustin' ones to get to the goodies. I know it's January and I'm meant to be starving myself but COME ON - LOOK AT THEM!

4. Last in the Susi Q

Yep, they have a terrible reputation and yep, Aaron has been in college for almost six months already but this week we learned that National Grant peeps, SUSI are gonna help a son out. 

It'll just be some assistance with travel and not being left like Oliver Twist, while his mates dine on lobster and light their cigars with fifties but it's something and that really helps. He's over the moon, craytur like him. 

5. College Times Regroup

While we're on the subject of my eldest manchild/Gorgebag, we had news this week that blows last weeks Moment out of the uisce. CollegeTimes.ie have decided to launch their own domain as CollegeTimes.com and have been so impressed with Aaron's reviews that they've taken him on as their Movie Reviewer instead. 

Hello 100k uniques a week! Now that's a way to get your career started for a 17 year old, right? I couldn't be prouder, he couldn't be more humble (cough, splutter) but it's a huge step up and he deserves every minute of it. (ALSO, he got it from his Momma - we know this). 

Tell me, what's chasing away your Monday Blues today? 

The Monday Chattery

Morning, All - is it just me or are the evenings getting brighter for much longer these days? It was almost 5 before nightfall yesterday and shizz like that just cheers me right up. 

I managed to pop up a post on Wet n Wild on Saturday to let everyone know what was on stands now so I'd love to hear if you picked up some bits? 

Other than that - how was everyone's weekend - too blahhdy fast like mine? 

Let's chat!

Cherry Pick of the Week: Pharrell Williams - HAPPY (Dublin is also Happy)

I've been LOVING this Pharrell Williams song for a couple of weeks now (even his 24 hour music video version) but when I saw this Dublin version via Darragh Doyle last night I couldn't help but smile. 

Times may be tough, relationships may be strained and your health may not be the best *looks at self* but watch this here vid and for just one moment - smile & be Happy. 

Fair bloody play, Pharrell!

Wet n Wild in Ireland - A Closer Look at What's What

If you go down to your Dunnes today

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go down to your Dunnes today

Your purse better go in disguise!

For every girl that ever there was

Will gather there for certain because,

today's the day that

Wet n Wild launch their maaaaake - up!

You'll have heard rumblings over the past couple of days, then seen Instagrams trickle through and even ALL CAPS TWEETS exclaiming that budget beauty giant Wet n Wild have landed on our shores and arrived with little or no fanfare into local Dunnes Stores' everywhere. 

Since learning of their arrival this week I quickly learned that there is to be a national launch at the hands of one of our favourite PR companies (WHO WILL ALSO BE BRINGING NYX - ARRGGHH). I'll be popping along to the launch so will be sure to take lots of behind the scenes snaps but for now, snaps of the products as they stand will whet your appetite just enough. 

Ready? 

Mega Rocks: €3.99, Megalast: €2.99 & FastDry: €2.99

As of now I've only sampled the Megalast in I Need a Refresh-Mint and you can see the results of that here on my Instagram feed. The pro brush is short, wide and applies the formulation beautifully. I'll 100% have more in-depth reviews coming up.

Mascaras (various) €5.49, Color Icon Palettes €5.49, Color Icon Shadow Collections €6.49, Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios €4.49, Eyeshadow Singles & Glitter Singles €1.99, Lip Liner €1.99, Brow Liner €1.99 & Idol Eyes Creme Shadow €2.99

Again I have swatched the majority of these in store and been very impressed overall. You can see up close swatches of the Comfort Zone palette here but I will continue to add good quality swatches as & when I have them. 

Mega Slick Balm Stains (Crayons) €3.99, Megalast Lip Color €2.99, Lip Gel €2.99, Lip Balm €4.49, Lip Gloss €2.99, Liquid Lip Color €4.69 & Silk Finish Lipstick €1.99

H20 Proof Liquid Eyeliner €3.99, Mega Eyes Defining Marker €4.49, Megaliner Liquid Liner €2.99, Cover All Concealer Palettes €4.49, Mega Glo Illuminators €4.49, Color Icon Blushers €4.49, Brow Kit €3.99, Cover All Cream Foundation €4.49, Liquid Concealer Wand €3.49, Cover Stick €2.99, Cover All Pressed Powders €3.99 & Bronzers €4.99

Pheweee! As I say, once I have decent swatches available I'll have them on my Instagram (you really should follow that, there's bonus kitteh & Rottie pics) but also here in more detailed posts. 

Just thought I'd give you a quick glance at what everyone else is seeing on stands as of this week and a better idea of price points. Overall, I'm very, very impressed - as with every brand there are standouts and there are some you can skip over happily - I'll be letting you know which is which ASAP. 

First impressions? 

The Wolf of Wall Street - Teenage Movie Review

Who's in it?

Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Kyle Chandler and Matthew McConaughey


What's it about?

The Wolf of Wall Street is an adaptation of the Jordan Belfort's autobiography; it follows Belfort build one of the biggest stock brokers in America from almost nothing, all while devolving into a huge drug addict along with his business partner Donnie Azoff.

Any Good?

I had HUGE expectations for this movie ever since I saw the first hint of it early last year, and while it certainly didn't disappoint, it fell just short of my expectations. Now, that's not saying it's bad, the movie was FANTASTIC.

The story was good to begin with, Matthew McConaughey playing the boss of Belfort's boss was excellent in the short time he was in the movie. Watching Belfort drag this penny stock broker to the big leagues was brilliant and watching him train his staff how to con people with lies was hilarious at times. Then came the drugs, there is barely a scene where Belfort or Azoff are sober after this point, the acting is INCREDIBLE, as if they were really tripping off their faces.

The most intense scene I've watched in a long time

I can't overstate that the acting is FANTASTIC. Leo was breathtaking in every scene,and I honestly think if the Academy don't go for Oscar bait then he's the only real competitor to McConaughey's Ron Woodroof. Jonah Hill was equally as good, showing why he should without a doubt be at least an Oscar nominated actor. He acted every single scene, even when not talking and he was honestly my sure winner for the Supporting Actor statue until I saw Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club (review will be up later!). Margot Robbie was great in her role as Belfort's trophy wife, the chemistry between the two was real married couple chemistry and she really shone in her scenes giving out to Leo. 

This was a brilliant movie, a truly Oscar winning performance by both Leo and Jonah Hill make it my hopeful for Best Picture, and also the best con I've ever seen. Belford will make millions from this, and it's certainly worth the money into the cinema to add to this genius' fairly ill-gotten gains to see his story. This is a STRICTLY 18's movie, considering if Scarface and Breaking Bad had a child then it would be bullied by this film for the amount of drugs. Also, orgies. Like, a good 5 or 6 orgies, so, yeah..that..

Rating:  

The (sigh..) Eldest Gorgebag