Competition Post #3

10 Pots of M.A.C Pigments

So today I received my 'big' win. which was 10 pots of various colours of M.A.C pigments. These can be used in a variety of ways. Although as a bit of a make-up n00b I will be using them primarily as eye shadows, although I think is the correct products are used they can be used as eye-liners and lip colours as well.

So as soon as I get them I open them up and have a play and I must say I am very impressed and now fully understand why they have such a high price tag. The one with a metallic sheen I particularity like. I was lucky enough to get a grey/silver as well as a purple/pink which I can see becoming regularly used shades.

As I mentioned I am a make-up n00b and as such have only just learned about the need for primer under foundation and after a few tests with these pigments I have realised I prefer their colour when applied over a primer. Now If anyone happens to read this and could recommend a good eye-primer I would be grateful. Or is a facial primer just as good to use? What is the difference between eye and facial primers? I'm guessing there is one otherwise people must be getting ripped off with the tiny amounts of eye primer on sale.

Book Post #1

Rivers of London

So this was the first book I bought and read on my kindle fire. As a first point unrelated to the book I would like to express how happy I am with the feel of reading on the kindle. Having had and original e-reader back in the day this was a much more pleasant reading experience. I especially loved how i could adjust the page parameters to my liking which made reading in the device much more to my style.

Anyways about the book. As primarily a fantasy/horror/thriller book person I thought this book was brilliant. After having recently read A song of Ice and Fire in it's current entirety I did find the first half of chapter one slightly hard to become absorbed into. But I do believe this is due to the change in writing style from what I am used to rather than as a negative point on the writing style of the book. Once I was pulled in however the book flowed well and I had to pace myself so that I didn't read it all in one go! 

I loved the about of pop culture comedy added to the story, as it is a magical based story in the modern world, I particularly liked the 'digs' characters made at comparing their situation to Harry Potter for instance. The level of comedy and sarcastic undertones make for at times an actual laugh out loud book. But it is a book which at the flip of a switch become completely serious a pulled in some gruesome imagery. 

As this is the first book in a series based around the main character PC Peter Grant and his become a wizard who deals with supernatural and magical related aspects of crime to kept London a safe place. I will be reading the other books in the series and think anyone that prefers fantasy style books should give this ago, it is a much easier style of reading than other fantasy based books but if definitely not lacking actions and depth of characters.

Film Post #2

Chernobyl Diaries

So me and the fella watched this last night on Lovefilm Instant, we never went to the cinema when it was released as a friend had told us it was awful and not worth watching. As it was there and we where bored we thought we'd give it ago.

Whilst I have definitely seen better and scarier films, I do not think it was as bad as it had been made out to be. It was gripping and whilst being pretty predictable about which character would make it through the majority of the film, it did build a lot of suspense keeping the 'evil' thingy-me-bobs unseen for the majority.

I wouldn't necessarily go out and buy it, or paid to see it at the cinema but once again I have found a film with poor reviews or recommendations to be an enjoyable boredom buster. And considering the type of film the acting could have also been a lot lot worse. There were moments that the acting was laughable, mostly when certain actors needed to cry over the lose of a party member, but overall the acting was good and not over the top.

Competition Wins #2

So yesterday I came home to find a recent win in my post box. This is a book call Blood Oath and is the first book on a series by Dan Scott aimed at ages 9+. Whilst I am well above this age range I will at some point give this book a read. Although it is likely to end up being saved to go towards one of my siblings birthday/Christmas gifts. If my Competition wins carry on at this rate I can see many of my family members and friends ending up with very random gifts this year.

Initial impression is that the artwork is not as sophisticated as I would like in a book cover, but it is aimed at young children, I'm guessing primarily boys, so it may appeal more to them than a seasoned reader. Hopefully I will have more wins to post about soon, and hopefully some I can use directly!

Competition Wins #1

So far I have won a fair few competitions but as I said before I won't be listing my wins until I have received them. This week I got my first win through the post and it was a random win from a multi-prize competition. I had entered to win the other items that where on offer but a win is a win.

Now as I don't own a horse the 2 in 1 Fly Repellent and Skin tonic I have won if of now use to me but thankfully I have many friends with horses that would benefit from this. Especially since the weather has been so ridiculously hot this year.

Although with the amount of fly's that seem to be gathering in my flat I am sorely tempted to open this and start spraying it around the living room to see if it decreases their numbers!

Film Post #1

So this will be how I list films  I watch and what I think of them. This will be by no means the most comprehensive critical assessment of the film in question as I do not claim to be a 'critic' but I often don't fully agree with what critics say about films in any case. I feel sometimes people expect to much from a film and that is where disappointment is born from. I generally view a film with little to no expectations and judge the film on how well it gripped me and whether I would watch it again.

So the first film:

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

 

So this Walt Disney film which as far as I know didn't do massively well is a new take on the short included in the original Fantasia. Now whilst it only had lukewarm reviews from the most part I enjoyed it. Whilst it may not be the best film in the whole wide world that where little bits of comedy gold. I think this film suffered a lot of prejudgement and I for one didn't go to the cinema as I didn't know whether it would be any good or not. I can say I would not have been disappointed had I ventured to the cinema to watch this film.

If your expecting hard core graphics and really fast paced action this probably would be your thing but if you like your Disney film, and easily watchable/predictable film go for it. I would have no issues buying this film (especially since I collect the Disney movie rewards from which I have so far earned my self eight free blu-rays).

First Post

So due to my new found amount of spare time and new levels of boredom I have decided to maybe give this 'blogging' ago. As I am not back at Uni until September this may also be a useful way to keep up writing skills and so on. I come into this with no expectations except to possible share this with friends and family, most likely it will only be my good ol' dad who will end up reading this. More out of duty than actually interest, but you never know.

I've seen a few other peoples blogs and like a few of the ideas they use so I intend to cover books I read on my new kindle and obviously traditional paperback books. Now matter how much I love my kindle and how easy it is to buy a new books once a finish the previous, nothing quite beats the feel and smell of starting a new book.

I may also chose to impart my thoughts on films that are posted to me from LoveFilm, not so much what I watch on the instant services as i tend to watch reruns of TV shows I know and love rather than new films.

At some point there may also be some sort of food related series of posts, I love food, and even though I would probably like to lose a little bit of weight food just keeps being tasty and irresistible!

Also as a new 'comper' there will be references to any wins I may have. Having only recently started comping in June after being badgered into by a close friend who also comps, I have so far found it appeals to my love of making lists and doing fairly repetitive things. It has also been fairly rewarding when you receive those lovely little emails stating you have won something.

 Presently I am waiting for my first lot of wins to come through and I will only blog them once they have been received as I am still skeptical on whether some wins are legit and will actually make it through due to the awkwardness of receive any package in the block of flats I happen to live in!