Outfit Post: Topshop Varsity Tee

Thought I'd follow the trend and start doing some outfit posts!

However, I'm not the most photogenic person in the world so a photo of the clothes laid out, ready to put on, will have to do.

Here's what I wore today:

Tee Shirt - Topshop // Jeggings - Topshop // Shoes - Vans at Schuh // Necklace - River Island

I only bought this tee recently; I wanted it since seeing it in the Topshop SS lookbook. I've already saw one girl wearing it today and can sense it will be something you'll see everywhere, but I liked it so much on that I don't care! It's nice and soft with a relaxed fit, and the sporty design reminds of an American Football jersey, a style I think looks really cool when dressed up a bit.

I teamed it with my light blue Topshop leggings as I was feeling summery (not sure why, it's freezing!), and, to carry on the monochrome trend I wore my black and white Vans. These Vans were an impulse buy, but I absolutely love them so they were definitely worth it! They're so comfortable I am sure I'll wear them to death.

To dress it up a bit I added my spiky silver necklace, I'm really into statement necklaces at the minute!

 I think this top works both casually, and would also look really edgy with a more dressy, tailored skirt. It comes in black too, check out the white one here and the black one here. It's also in blue on an image on the Topshop website, but I haven't actually seen that one yet.  

I'll leave you today with a great local band my friend introduced me to earlier from Middlesbrough, Collectors Club. Their song 'First to Know' is apparently playing on Made In Chelsea tonight, so if you watch that then listen out for it!

Here's another of their singles, 'Wanna Be You'. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading, I hope you like it!

Sophie.

Rimmel Makeup Review

Hello lovely people!

I was on a shopping trip last week with my Mum and spotted a great 3 for 2 offer on cosmetics in Superdrugs, so took the chance to get some Rimmel goodies I'd been after!

Here are my thoughts on them.
(Images are at the bottom of the post, my laptop is pretty much broken so am blogging from my phone!)

Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Stellar:

Having tried out a tester of the new Apocalips a few weeks ago and seeing how amazing they were, I was desperate to own one after payday!
It's a lacquer, so is gorgeous and thick on your lips, not to mention the colour is eyewateringly bright (which I love) and comes in several summery pink shades.
The colour also stays puts really well, lasting ages but does need reapplying to maintain it's maximum effect.
Despite it's gooey thickness, it doesn't feel too heavy and clumpy on your lips as you might expect.
I wore this to work and got several compliments so it mustn't look that bad!
I would definitely recommend this lip lacquer, and am in fact going to buy some more shades myself!

9/10

Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara:

I was previously using the original Lash Accelerator Mascara, which is my favourite, but after reading a great review on my friend Megan's brilliant beauty blog Thumbelina Lillie, I decided to give the Endless version a go.
It work pretty similarly to the original in terms of lengthening and separating your lashes really well. The brush is nice and thin too (I can't stand or use big huge mascara brushes) but seems a bit more flimsy than the original and applying it is a more delicate task, not good if you're always in a rush like me!
Overall I like the mascara, but think I prefer the original Rimmel Lash Accelerator.

7/10

And lastly...

Glam'Eyes Trio Eye Shadow in 750 Tempting:

I'll be honest, I just picked this set to make up my 3 for 2 offer haha!
I actually have an eyeshadow duo pencil from Avon in similar shades, but thought I'd give this a try.
The back of the container says suits brown eyes, and though I have blue I like using green around my eyes to bring a bit of colour rather than browns and blacks all the time.
The shadows come with a nice little brush, though I wish it had a mirror! It has three different shades, and has some cool instructions on the back for how to build up different looks.
It stays on all day really well, but the colours aren't quite as brightly pigmented as I wanted them to be, especially the lighter colours; the darker green is definitely my favourite.
A good choice if you just want some subtle colour.

6/10

Have you tried any of these products?

Thanks for reading!

Sophie.

(all products purchased by myself, my reviews are all my own honest opinion)

Review: Steven Soderbergh's 'Side Effects'

Side Effects

Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Starring Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum

Side Effects is a psychological thriller (an overused term I know, but bear with me) about Emily (Rooney Mara), a woman who is prescribed a new drug for depression after her husband (Channing Tatum) returns from a stint in prison, but suffers from some startling and violent side effects as a result....

I hadn't heard too much about this film prior to seeing it, strangely enough, so was happy to be in the dark while watching it and not have any judgements to go on.  I'll be honest, it starts slow. Really slow. The first scene is that of bloody footprints across the floor, which then flashes back to three weeks earlier. This does give a sense of tension, but by about halfway in you are almost so bored that you've completely forgotten about it.

However....

This is definitely a film of two halves, because after we see the cause of the blood stains in a brilliantly stark and shocking portrayal of murder (I actually gasped out loud and shot my hand over my mouth!), Side Effects really gains pace.

The highlight of the film is the excellent soundtrack; the music is chilling, hypnotic, and almost childlike at times, perfectly enhancing Rooney Mara's vulnerable, ethereal character and the mysterious plot we see unraveling on screen. The scenes between Mara and Jude Law's psychiatrist Jonathan Banks are the best, both playing their part with subtlety as their relationship develops. Catherine Zeta-Jones is Emily's previous psychiatrist, and despite having quite a key part in terms of the plot, I think her character is a little cliche (you know, hair slicked in a bun, big glasses to look more intelligent, dodgy suits) and the more we find out about her and Emily, the less believable it gets.

There are a fair few twists as the film nears its end, which keeps you guessing and forces you to question your initial judgement of the characters and their motives throughout and is part of the reason the second half is so gripping. However, there isn't enough backstory provided for you to fully understand what's going on at times, leaving you confused, and when you do understand it all seems a bit tenuous. Channing Tatum's character Martin and his past is crucial, but you can only figure that out after thinking long and hard about it! It is entirely possible that this is the point; the less you know, the more you have to piece it together yourself, and I guess it's better than patronising the audience and having everything spelled out for you. 

I realise that paragraph is a bit baffling in itself, but it's quite difficult to talk about this film without giving away any spoilers! I'd hate to ruin it for anyone.

Overall, I came out of the cinema happy. It may take a while to get into, but is definitely worth it by the end. Steven Soderbergh, who also directed Channing Tatum in Magic Mike, has a certain voyueristic style of filming that makes you feel part of the scene and I think that's what gets you so intrigued in the story. There are good performances all round, particularly from Jude Law, who is the only character you truly empathise with as you watch his life fall apart. 

Side Effects is an interesting film that works hard to surprise you, and uses the grim subject matter of depression to create a bleak, cold mood that blends with the psychological theme. The sense of mystery around the characters is done really well, and the second half alone is a reason to watch this film.

Rating: 3/5

Thanks for reading!

Sophie.