Tune Tuesday: My Favourite Soundtrack Songs

Hey guys!


As my Tune Tuesday posts tend to be about recent songs, I thought I'd do something a bit different this week. I recently created a Spotify playlist dedicated to my favourite songs from childhood films and musicals, so it seemed like a good idea to share them with you.

 

 

1. Defying Gravity (from 'Wicked')

2. Popular (from 'Wicked')

3. My Favourite Things (from 'The Sound Of Music')

4. So Long, Farewell (from 'The Sound Of Music')

5. Sixteen Going On Seventeen (from 'The Sound Of Music')

6. Let It Go (from 'Frozen')

7. Memory (from 'Cats')

8. I See the Light (from 'Tangled')

9. This Is Me (from 'Camp Rock')

10. Greased Lightnin' (from 'Grease')

11. Summer Nights (from 'Grease')

12. We Go Together (from 'Grease')

13. Hopelessly Devoted to You (from 'Grease')

14. Once Upon a December (from 'Anastasia')

15. What Dreams Are Made Of (from 'Lizzie McGuire: The Movie')

16. Part Of Your World (from 'The Little Mermaid')

17. Colors Of the Wind (from 'Pocahontas')

18. A Whole New World (from 'Aladdin')

19. Once Upon a Dream (from 'Sleeping Beauty')

20. Over the Rainbow (from 'The Wizard Of Oz')

 

 

Yes, I know I included 'Let It Go'. I loved it at first, and then it got a bit annoying since it was played so much, but I do love Idina Menzel's voice, and Demi Lovato's version is incredible too! I've loved the songs I've included from 'The Sound Of Music', 'Grease', 'The Little Mermaid', ' The Wizard Of Oz', 'Pocahontas' and 'Aladdin' since I was like 5! I can pretty much recite the lyrics to all of these songs, particularly 'Over the Rainbow', 'Once Upon a Dream' and 'Hopelessly Devoted to You'.

 

Of course, there are so many other songs I could've included on here, such as those from 'The Lion King', 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Mary Poppins', some of my favourite Disney movies. I definitely need to sit down and rewatch these films and musicals!

 

 

What are your favourite songs from musicals and Disney films?

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

 

 

18 Blog Post Ideas For Lifestyle Bloggers

Hey guys!

How are you today? Today I am going to share some blog post ideas that are suitable for lifestyle bloggers. 

Trying to think of something to write is a challenging process. You sit down at your desk, because you've scheduled a writing session, but nothing comes into your head. As bloggers, writer's block is pretty much unavoidable. It affects all of us at some point. It's definitely happened to me on a few occasions, especially during the last year when I've been really busy with my dissertation and applying to jobs and haven't had much time to blog.

A way to overcome writer's block is to read other people's blogs for inspiration. Several blogs have a post dedicated to ideas for what to write about, and I have included one of my own. I hope these are useful for when you find yourself in a bit of a blogging slump!

 

 

1. Playlists - I love playlists. They are a great way of finding new music. Why not share a list of your favourite songs?

2. Throwback Thursday - This is basically a post dedicated to something that happened in the past, such as a holiday, or an event, or even a band you loved as a kid.

3. OOTD - A.K.A. 'Outfit Of The Day'. Simply upload a photo of the outfit you're wearing and include a little info about where you bought your clothes from.

4. Reviews - This could be for a favourite beauty product, a book, a film, etc. Make sure they are honest and don't just ramble.

5. 10 Things You Didn't Know About Me - This type of post is great for creating a connection with your readers as it enables them to find out more about you.

6. What I Love About My Home City - I recently did a post called 'What I Love About London', which is the city I grew up in (and live in now).

7. Recipes - Made something delicious recently? Write a post about it!

8. Haul - A haul is basically a shopping spree whereby you share the products you bought on your blog (or vlog). Beauty Hauls tend to go down well.

9. Wishlists - Ideal for Christmas and will mean that you don't actually have to go out and buy anything.

10. Gift Guides - These are also popular around Christmas, when people need inspiration for presents to get for their loved ones.

11. Bucket List - What are the top 5 countries you want to visit?

12. Favourite Blogs - Are there any blogs you really enjoy reading? Why not share them on your own blog?

13. Photo Diaries - If you don't feel like writing, why not upload photos from a recent event or holiday instead?

14. Advice - Examples include ways to save money at uni, how to cope with a mental illness, or changing schools.

15. Tags / Award - For example, The Liebster Award or The Netflix Tag. These are particularly good for newer bloggers, who are just starting out.

16. Host a Giveaway - A great way to boost traffic to your blog is to host a giveaway. Most bloggers use Rafflecopter for this.

17. Tutorial or How-to - Are you super talented at something like photography? Share your top tips in a blog post.

18. Guest Post - If you're really struggling with post ideas, you could always get another blogger to write something for your blog?

 

 

What ideas would you add to this list?

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

Christmas Blogger Gift Swap

Hey guys!

 

 

So I know it's a bit early to be thinking about Christmas (I mean, it's not even Halloween yet!), but after the lovely Viola at A Piece of Viola announced that she was going to do another Christmas Blogger Gift Swap, I knew I had to get involved!

Viola created the Christmas Blogger Gift Swap in order to increase interaction between bloggers around this time of year. You are randomly paired up with another blogger and then have to exchange gifts. You both agree on a budget so that it won't break the bank! It sounds like such a fun idea and I'm so glad I heard about it!

 

 

So how do you get involved?

 

Getting involved in the Christmas Blogger Gift Swap is simple. Although you do have to be based in the UK, there is no limit to how big or small your blog is. Firstly, fill in the Google form. Then, once Viola has confirmed that you can participate, write a post about the swap. Just make sure you complete the form by 1st November! Oh, and spread the word by using the hashtag #apovgiftswap!

 

 

If you want to find out more, feel free to email Viola at apieceofviola@gmail.com and follow her at @violahelen_ on Twitter.

 

 

Have you ever participated in something like this before? Let me know in the comments!

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

What I Love About Spain

 

Hey guys!

 

 

If you read my Garnier Micellar Water Review, you'll be aware that I went to Spain last week. Since I didn't take many photos during my holiday, I thought I'd do a post on the things that I love about Spain instead. It's no secret that I adore Spain - I've been there at least 10 times and I'm eager to go again! Spain is such a beautiful country and there are so many places to explore. I have yet to visit Valencia and the North of Spain, as well as the islands - Tenerife and Lanzarote are high on my list. So, without further ado, here is a list of the things I love about Spain!


1. The weather

I think this is an obvious one. Spain has glorious sunshine 300+ days a year. You can pretty much hop on the plane to Spain at any time of the year and be guaranteed hot weather. Living in England, I'm used to rain, wind and freezing cold weather. It's nice to go to Spain and not have to wear so many layers and shiver constantly!


2. Tapas

Tapas are one of my favourite types of food. I love tortilla, chorizo and patatas bravas. There are some restaurants in London that serve tapas, but unfortunately they don't quite match up to the quality of the tapas you get in Spain. That being said, I do like the tapas at Iberica and Ambiente (which is in York).

The Cooking Academy

3. The people

The Spanish are really friendly and they seem to have so much to say - you could literally talk to them for hours! The downside is that they all speak English quite well so I don't get much of a chance to practice my Spanish! This brings me onto my fourth point...


4. The language

Spanish is a beautiful language, there's no denying that. It's so romantic and rhythmic.


5. The traditions

I love flamenco dancing. I've watched it in both Barcelona and Marbella. The dresses are beautiful. I still don't quite get the appeal of bullfighting and throwing tomatoes at each other though (not that I've ever experienced either or plan to)...

Inside MC

6. The relaxed vibes

Spanish people are so laid back. They never rush anywhere. I don't think I've ever experienced a traffic jam when I've been in Spain and I haven't had to queue to enter a club or even get a drink from a bar. I also love the idea of a siesta - it's definitely necessary when its 30-odd degrees outside!


7. It's safe

Honestly, I don't think I've ever felt unsafe when I've been in Spain. I've never come across any pickpocketing or anything in Spain either, even in the major cities. If I ever live abroad, I'd have no doubts about choosing Spain.


Thousand Wonders

8. The architecture

Spanish buildings are unique and stunning. The buildings designed by Gaudi in Barcelona are so intricate and vibrant. I particularly like La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo. When I went to Seville I was in awe of Plaza de Espana. Although it looks old, this building was only built at the beginning of the twentieth century.


La Sagrada Familia - Eye on Spain

Casa Batllo - Building

Plaza de Espana - Travel Channel

Have you ever been to Spain? What are your favourite things about the country?


Hasta luego!


Serena


 

Garnier Micellar Water Review

 

Hey guys!

  

You've probably noticed that I didn't post much last week. Well, that's because I was enjoying 30+ degree heat in Spain! I was initially going to work last week but I was given the week off instead so I decided to join my dad and brother in La Manga. Surprisingly, my mum wasn't that keen on going to Spain. I guess someone had to stay at home and look after the cats since the holiday was arranged very last minute and we couldn't really book them into a cattery! Anyway, Spain was amazing! I pretty much swam, sunbathed and read books all day every day! (Hence why I don't really have any photos to share!)

 

As promised in my beauty haul post, I have done a review of Garnier Micellar Water, which I will be sharing with you today :)  



 

One of the most annoying things about wearing makeup is having to remove it at the end of the day. When you've had a long day at work or just come back from a night out, do you really want to spend ages cleansing your face? I know I don't. Fortunately, micellar water has been invented, promising to make removing makeup fuss-free.  

 
 

So what exactly is micellar water?

 

 Micellar water is a cleansing product made up of micelles, which are tiny molecules that float in water. Hadley King, a dermatologist, claims

"The idea is that micelles are attracted to dirt and oil, so they are able to draw out impurities without drying out the skin"

This makes micellar water great for not only washing your face and removing makeup, but moisturising your skin too.

  

What do I think of Garnier Micellar Water?

 I was quite late to start using micellar water, and even later to review it. I wasn't sure whether it was a decent product or not, but after reading tonnes of reviews I decided to purchase it. I was lucky enough to find a small bottle of Garnier Micellar Water (125ml) in my local Superdrug shop for only £1 - real bargain considering the Bioderma micellar water costs around £10. I was also particularly drawn to the packaging of the Garnier Micellar Water. As you can see in the photos, it comes in an easily transportable bottle which is sleek and has a pink lid, making it really feminine.

 In order to use micellar water, you have to simply dispense a little bit of the liquid onto a cotton wool pad and then wipe it all over your face. A little like toner, I suppose. Depending on how much makeup you have on, you might need to repeat this a few times. However, it's still much quicker than using face wash.

 

The great thing about this product is that it really leaves your face feeling fresh and energised. And it lasts such a long time considering it size. Perfect if you're a student and can't really afford to keep buying new beauty products. Garnier Micellar Water is also ideal for anyone with sensitive skin as it doesn't contain any alcohol or perfume. however, I have found that my eyes do get a bit irritated if I use micellar water to remove my mascara, eyeliner and eye shadow. It would be best to stick to a regular eye makeup remover such as the one from Simple and just us micellar water for cleansing your face.

 

 Verdict  

Overall, I think that Garnier Micellar Water is a really convenient product. While it does sting my eyes a little, it doesn't aggravate my face at all. The small bottle is also handy for taking away on trips - I've used it when I've travelled around England and Spain. Garnier Micellar Water is worth purchasing as an alternative to toner since it's much more effective and like having two products in one. Nevertheless, if you're going to be using this product on a regular basis, it's advisable to continue using your normal cleanser as well.

 

 

Have you tried Garnier Micellar Water? Or micellar water from another brand? What are your thoughts?

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

 

 

 

 

What To Bring To Uni

Hey guys!

Today I am back with another university post! If you're heading off to uni later this month, you've probably already started to pack. If not, now is the time! You don't want to end up turning up to your new home and realise that you don't have half the stuff you need. Before I started uni, I spent some time reading checklists of things I would need to bring with me so that I wouldn't leave any essentials behind or take anything I didn't need. I still somehow forgot to bring stuff for the kitchen! To make your life easier, I have included a checklist of my own in this post. I hope it will be of some use to all you new freshers out there!

Essentials
 

A Lady In London

  

 

1. ID / Passport

2. Mobile phone

3. Laptop

4. Credit / debit card

5. Uni acceptance letter

6. CV

7. USB Stick

8. Chargers

9. Extension cable

10. National Insurance Card

 

 

Clothing

1. Underwear

2. Socks

3. Sports clothes

4. Swim wear

5. Raincoat

6. Slippers

7. Casual tops

8. Dressing gown

9. PJs

10. Jumpers

11. Hoodies

12. Jeans

13. Dresses

14. Skirts

15. Evening shoes

16. Party shoes (for clubbing and campus events)

17. Hats / scarves / gloves

18. Trainers

19. Winter boots

20. Fancy dress (Typical fancy dress themes include Decades, Disney, Cavemen and School Uniform. You'll also need something for Halloween)

 

 

Bedroom

 

Pinterest

 

1. Duvet

2. Pillows (I'd recommend taking two so that you can swap them round every so often. You might need a couple extra if you've been lucky enough to be assigned a room with a double bed)

3. Mattress protector

4. Fitted sheets

5. Blanket (for when it gets cold)

6. Alarm clock (Let me tell you now that the alarm on your phone isn't always reliable so it's good to have a back-up)

7. Hangers

8. Posters and photos (to make your room feel more homely)

9. Laundry basket

10. Bin (though this should come with your room)

 

 

Bathroom

 

 1. Toiletries (including shampoo, conditioner, face wash, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)

2. Toothbrush

3. Soap

4. Plasters

5. Toilet paper (unfortunately, this isn't provided)

6. Towels and flannel

7. Bath mat

8. Hairbrush / comb

 

 

Kitchen

 



Save the Student

 

1. Plates (preferably microwable ones and one spare for guests - you can always buy cheap plastic ones if you plan on having more people over later in the year)

2. Bowls

3. Cups

4. Mugs

5. Forks

6. Knives

7. Spoons

8. Water bottle

9. Bottle opener

10. Saucepan

11. Frying pan

12. Measuring jug

13. Sieve

14. Colander

15. Scissors

16. Can opener

17. Oven gloves

18. Vegetable peeler

19. Tea towels

20. Washing up liquid

21. Scourer sponges

22. Chopping board

 

 

You might want to bring a blender, though it would be best to keep this in your room. Also make sure that you have some food to keep you going during Fresher's Week (e.g. pasta, noodles, cereal, milk, snacks, sauces, fruit and veg). If you're planning on going out, bring a bottle of alcohol to share with your flatmates. Vodka and Sourz usually go down well. Just remember to get a mixer for the vodka!

 

 

Academic

 



Ideal Store

 

1. Stationery (including pencil case, pens, pencils, highlighters, ruler and erasers)

2. Notebooks (one for each module - you can always buy spares if you run out)

3. Diary

4. Folders (for any loose sheets you get during lectures and seminars)

5. Post-it notes

6. Calculator

7. Hole punch

8. Any reading material you might need for your course.

 

 

Other

 

 1. Reading books

2. Kindle / Tablet

3. Storage boxes

4. Camera

5. Printer (there are ones on campus but you might end up having to queue for ages around deadlines so it's useful to have one of your own)

6. Recipe books

7. Bike

8. Hot water bottle

9. Fairy lights

10. Medicine

11. Jewellery

12. Make-up

13. Pack of cards

14. Musical instrument

15. Spiralizer

16. Rice cooker

 

 

(First Image from Tumblr)

 

 

So there's my university checklist! I'm sure I haven't included everything, but those are all the main things you need when you start uni!

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena



Beauty Haul #2

Hey guys!

 

It seems like forever since I last did a beauty haul (almost a year ago, in fact). As I recently brought some products I've been lusting over, I thought it was time for another beauty haul. So here is my second beauty haul! Enjoy! :)

 

 

1. Carex Love Hearts

The first product in my haul is the new Carex Love Hearts soap. I saw this all over my Twitter and Instagram feeds and knew I had to purchase it! I absolutely loved the Strawberry Laces soap from Carex so I've been looking forward to trying some of their different editions. Don't you just love the bottle?

 

 

2. The Body Shop Pinita Colada Shower Gel

 

As I absolutely love Pina Colada, I thought I'd try The Body Shop's new Pinita Colada range. Luckily, there was an offer when I went to the shop, so I was able to buy two bottles!

 

 

3. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

 

 

This one is a repurchase. I've bought the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water a few times now and since I'd run out earlier this week, I added a bottle to my shopping basket when I popped into Superdrug. It's become one of my favourite products. I'll be doing a review shortly :)

 

 

Have you bought any of these products? Let me know what you thought of them!

 

 

Hasta luego!

 

 

Serena

 

 



8 Films I'll Always Rewatch



Hey guys!

 

 

How are you all? Today I am going to share with you some of my favourite films that I'll will always be able to rewatch.

 

 

I love watching films. There is something so comforting about snuggling under my duvet with my laptop and a tub of Ben and Jerry's (cookie dough, of course). While I do love finding new films - especially ones that not many people have heard of - it is sometimes nice to watch a film I'm familiar with. I'll often find that there are way too many films to choose from on Netflix so I'll end up watching something I've already seen before. Although this does mean that I know what happens, there are some films that I can watch over and over again and not get bored of them. These tend to be musicals, childhood classics, teen movies and Christmas films. There are eight films that really stand out.

 

 

1. Matilda  



Film Forum

 

This is one of the first films I ever saw, and I'm pretty sure I've watched it at least 10 times since. I know, crazy! It's such a heart-warming film, and Matilda and Miss Honey are my favourite my favourite characters. I always wanted a teacher like Miss Honey. I love the fact that Matilda can move objects just by looking at them - and she's so brave. I'd definitely say that Matilda is one of the best films of my childhood.

 

 

2. The Sound of Music 

The Sound of Music

 

The Sound of Music is another film I have watched numerous times. I love the songs (especially My Favourite Things and Sixteen Going On Seventeen), and the setting is beautiful. The interior of the house is stunning too. Julie Andrews is perfect for the role of Maria. She is so energetic and has an amazing voice. The Sound of Music is a timeless classic and I'm sure people (including me) will still be watching it in years to come.

Daily Mail

 

 

3. School of Rock  

Viral Thread

 

School of Rock is one of my most favourite films of my lifetime. Jack Black is hilarious, and the kids are great. I love Miranda Cosgrove's character. I also like the soundtrack, even though I'm not really a fan of rock music.

 

 

4. Home Alone 



Mental Floss

 

Home Alone is the ultimate Christmas film. It features a cute kid (played by Macaulay Culkin), hilarious villains and memorable lines (e.g. 'Keep the change, ya filthy animal'). I also love the setting of the second film - New York looks so magical at Christmas. I pretty much watch either Home Alone or Home Alone 2: Lost in New York every Christmas. It has me in fits of laughter every time.

 

 

5. Clueless 

The Daily Beast

 

Clueless is undeniably one of the best teen films. The fashion is great (I've always lusted after Cher's wardrobe) and there are so many quotable lines. While Cher is shallow, she is still a likeable character. For those of you who may not be familiar with Clueless, it's based on Jane Austen's Emma. Alicia Silverstone portrays Cher, an attractive and wealthy teen who lives with her father in Beverly Hills. When Tai Fraser moves to her school, Cher teams up with her best friend Dionne and they decide to give Tai a makeover in order to make her more popular. After failing to set up Tai with Elton, Cher begins to focus on her own love life, soon realising that the guy she likes was right in front of her the whole time.

 

 

6. 10 Things I Hate About You 



College Candy

 

I only discovered this film five or six years ago, but it quickly became one of my favourite films. I've watched it at least three times since. 10 Things I Hate About You is such a quotable films - and it stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. What more could you want?!

 

 

7. A Cinderella Story 

i Movie Quotes

A Cinderella Story was released in 2004, twelve years ago! Hilary Duff plays Sam, the 'Cinderella' character, while Chad Michael Murray is her love interest. In this updated version of Cinderella, the protagonist lives with her 'evil' stepmother, who is obsessed with Botox, and her 'ugly' stepsisters Brianna and Gabriella. Sam uses a school chatroom to escape her unfortunate life and meets Nomad609, who turns out to be Austin, the most popular guy at her school. Once Brianna and Gabriella find out, they are determined to humiliate Sam in order to ruin her chances of being with Austin. Fortunately, their plan backfires and Sam ends up with the happy ending she deserves.

 

 

8. Mean Girls 



Trouble With Film

 

How could I not include this?! Okay, it is full of clichés, but it is an absolute must-see for any teenage girl. Even though Mean Girls was released over ten years ago, it is still so relatable - two of the major themes in the film are relationships and bullying. The cast is brilliant too - it includes Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried (as the ditzy Karen), Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.



Now Here This

Mean Girls

 

So those are the eight films I'll always rewatch. I feel like having a movie marathon now! What would be on your list?

 

 

 

 Hasta luego!


Serena