Christmas Shopping | The Haul Post

Sooooo, I went Christmas shopping, with the good intention of finishing off my present buying.

Long story short, that didn't happen as I may have bought a few things for myself. Oops. Please

tell me I'm not the only one that does this. But, that does mean that you get to see what I bought! 

I apologise for the crappy lighting in the pictures :(

 

Cerutti 1881 - Boots £29.99 for 100ml (currently half price)
This is one of my all time favourite perfumes, but as I have quite a few I only tend to replace when I see them on offer. The 50ml version is currently £31 (Littlewoods) so when I saw double the size for less cost, I had to have it, and don't feel as guilty for buying it. Double win! I'm crap at describing scents so I'll go with the fragrance notes from The Perfume Shops website.

"A modern classic fragrance easy to wear during the day, but sensual enough for the evening. 1881 evokes the sensation of fresh air and the feeling of crisp linen, Cerruti's favourite fabric. Notes of Jasmine, Freesia and Sandlewood."

Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencils in Milk, Pots and Pans and Black Bean - £17 for the set from an independant local beauty store
After hearing about it from countless beauty bloggers/youtubers I caught sight of Milk when I was on holiday in Norfolk over the summer, the lid was cracked but at £3 I wasn't complaining. I used it and fell in love with it, the perfect accompaniment to eyeshadows that don't quite have the colour payoff I'd want, and it doesn't crease! I was heartbroken when I lost it, and it's quite difficult to find Nyx products in my local area so when I saw this set of three I couldn't resist! I know I could have got them cheaper, but need overode sense I think.

Yankee Candle Votives - The Candle Store £1.89 each
I love love love Yankee Candles, but don't see the point in buying the jars for seasonal scents as a jar will last me a month or more, I rarely decorate for Christmas before the 14th of December (family tradition) so I tend to only buy the votives at christmas and have the large jars of my favourite scents throughout the rest of the year. The four I've chosen for this festive season are Christmas Cookie, Sugared Apple, Cranberry Ice and Mandarin Cranberry. I also have a Red Velvet and a Snowflake Cookie left over from last year that I will probably utilise.

Benefit Rockateur Blush - Boots £23.50
I've been lusting over this since it's release and have only just decided to take the plunge, I'm yet to try it on my face, but from the swatches it looks like the perfect rose colour. It looked a little scary when I opened it due to the gold spray on the top layer... I know it's Christmas but I don't want to look like a fairy! Thankfully, when that's gone it leaves a lovely rosy blush although I was expecting something a little more akin to Sleeks' Rose Gold.

Benefit They're Real Mascara - Boots £19.50
There is only one word to describe this. Uber-epic-awesomeness! (Okay, I may have cheated there). Even though I use other mascaras, I keep returning to this one, and until they discontinue it and leave a broken hearted Harley in the process, I can't see it being shoved out of my make-up bag. 

Schwarzkopf Live Color XXL Hair Colourant in 43 Red Passion - Boots £4.50
A regular purchase; I've been buying this for that long it's become an old friend. From all I've tried this is the only home colourant that doesn't dry out my hair while giving me the colour I want. Being naturally dark-haired some dyes just don't have the colour payoff I'd like. This one, however = <3. 

Real Techniques Powder Brush - Boots £12.99 (On offer at the moment; buy one get one half price)
I only own one other RT brush, the expert face brush, but it's fantastic. Cleans easily, is soft on my skin and provides a really nice finish to my foundation. So when my old powder brush died (started leaving bristles on my face :S) I went on a hunt for this one, and I mean hunt, FOUR different stores! I don't have much space at the moment so I try not to duplicate on items that I don't need to, but I'm moving house in the new year and will have lots more space, so I may just invest in a few more RT beauties. 

Maybelline Master Kajal Eyeliner in Pitch Black - Boots £5.99
A new product and something I've never tried before, rather reminds me of the Avon Chopstick eyeliners. I'm always on the look out for new eyeliners, so when I saw this I had to try it. I'll let you know how I get on with it. 

and last but not least....
 
Sleeks' 2013 Limited Edition Winter i-Divine Palette in Celestial - Superdrug £7.99
The last of Sleeks four yearly releases for 2013. This is my fourth Sleek palette (Bad Girl, Storm and Vintage Romance being the other three), I loved this at first sight! 11 of the 12 shadows have deep saturated pigmentation, with only one failing to have decent colour payoff. That one being Terrestrial. I swatched it alone and with Nyx's Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk underneath and it definatley requires the base. There is a full review coming soon so I won't say much more!
  
 

I did also venture into Primark, but am planning on doing a seasonal Primark Haul so I haven't included them in this post. I hope you enjoyed seeing my little gift(s) to myself. I would love to know what you think.


See you soon lovelies!


- Harley


QOTP - If you're a queen you're powerless, so I'd probably demote myself and go shopping - Helena Bonham Carter

If you're a queen, you're powerless, so I'd probably demote myself and go shopping. Helena Bonham Carter
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/shopping.html#PzMcddg2v6A0yeqM.99

Battlefield 4 | The Review Post

Battlefield 3’s launch was fraught with server/balancing issues, and to be honest, it hasn’t changed with the release of BF4. Anyone who has played for more than a minute will tell you there are severe problems with the games net code; empty a clip into someone, with every shot hitting, only for them to spin around and one shot you. Issues such as these are expected in any online game at launch; however, it seems that for DICE they are becoming a little bit of a pattern.

Despite this, BF3 was and still is, one of EA’s most successful titles, with a rate of 5 million copies sold in its first week (although, this figure pales if you compare it to COD:MW3, which released the same week and sold 6.5 million in the first 24 hours).

Anyway, BF4 is a large step up from its predecessor in more ways than one. The single player story line has more personality and is deeper in detail, focussing on the developed relationships between squad mates. Pac dancing during a break from fighting, anyone? 

“I love this song. It’s a great freaking song.”

The opening to SP mode is unexpected. Bonnie Tyler serenading you as you sink underwater adds some wit to the proceedings, but the load times soon see the return of nerd rage. How, just how can a single player mode take so damn long to load? It isn't significant enough to destroy the enjoyment of the game, but they do become tiresome after a few.

BF4, in my opinion is all about the multiplayer. The limitations of early FPS’s are long gone, gone are the days where the only interactive stuff on the map was your enemy, BF4 paves the way for multi-vehicular combat. Boats, helicopters, jeeps, and planes to name a few are randomly dotted around the maps. Although the addition of these vehicles means the maps have to be mahoosive! Blowing the scenery up is now a game changer and is almost as much fun as attaining that perfect shot. That one perfect shot.

I may be biased here (I own one console – a silver PS2; or at least, I think I still own it :S) but  graphics are the major reason to opt for the PC version. Played with Ultra detail levels on, it looks stunning. Lighting, particle effects and textures are so much more refined and remarkable on the PC version as compared to consoles, and the jump in resolution makes it easier to spot an adversary against a debris-cluttered background.

The game also includes two new notable aspects of play. Levolution and Obliteration.  Levolution is reminiscent of COD:MW2’s Tactical Nuke. Most maps have multiple layers and areas; which means you’re often collaborating land, sea, and air warfare with close-quarters firefights. In other words, the majority of maps will suit any playstyle, and allow you to get inventive with the devastation. Who doesn’t want to destroy a house with a tank?

Obliteration is a fun single-bomb game type that feels different enough from Rush and Conquest to justify inclusion due to the combination of bomb planting and point capturing. Amusingly, everyone seems to chase the guy with the bomb like school-kids running after the ball in a game of playground football. 

In general, Movement feels almost imperceptibly nimbler, but the weapons handle identically to BF3, giving a bit of familiarity amongst all the improvements. The new peek feature, self activating when you press yourself against a wall and nudge the cross hairs to the edge is useful if not a little hard to get used to.

All maps scale to fit each game mode, adapting to accommodate differing team sizes and objectives; another triumph of smart design.

However, DICE and EA have, yet again, released another Premium package. A years worth of DLC for £40, this in itself is not the issue. I bought the BF3 premium and will probably, given time and money purchase the BF4 equivalent. What I don’t like is the fact that it feels like they are forcing this into your face with every opportunity. I feel that this makes non premium players feel less than premium players and it creates a sort of disparity between the casual and the hardcore players. 

All in all, it is still a fantastic game, and hopefully after a few months, and when they sell enough premium subscriptions, the teething problems will disappear. I do wonder however, why release a game with superb multiplayer content and a mediocre single player mode? Despite this, I still believe it is one of DICE’s best efforts to date. And for that, I applaud you.

- Harley

QOTP

When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die - Jean Paul Sartre

When the rich wage war, it is the poor who die.

JEAN-PAUL SARTRE

Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/w/war_quotes.html#rJBj3HpZCBgTHo60.99

Graphics are the other major reason to opt for the PC version, or wait for the next-gen consoles to hit. Played at 1080p with High or Ultra detail levels switched on, Battlefield 4 can look stunning. God beams, lighting effects, particle effects and textures are all so much more sophisticated and impressive on the PC version, and the simple jump in resolution makes it easier to spot an enemy trooper against a debris-cluttered background
Read more at http://www.trustedreviews.com/battlefield-4_Games_review#vsu4ADvKuU4ihZCk.99

Graphics are the other major reason to opt for the PC version, or wait for the next-gen consoles to hit. Played at 1080p with High or Ultra detail levels switched on, Battlefield 4 can look stunning. God beams, lighting effects, particle effects and textures are all so much more sophisticated and impressive on the PC version, and the simple jump in resolution makes it easier to spot an enemy trooper against a debris-cluttered background
Read more at http://www.trustedreviews.com/battlefield-4_Games_review#vsu4ADvKuU4ihZCk.99

This or That | The Makeup Tag

  I've some free time, and I spotted this on DarcRose22's blog. The rest is history.

Makeup

Blush or Bronzer?
Blush. I've never really managed to find a bronzer that a) isn't too orange or b) doesn't have pants colour payoff. My skin seems to hate bronzers; Benefit's Hoola doesn't stay on my skin, with or without primer and fixing spray. UD's Naked Bronzer (Flushed palette) doesn't have much colour payoff in my experience. Although, saying that, I have quite strong cheek bones and a defined jaw line, so the need for contour is minimal.

Lipgloss or Lipstick?
Neither, I've never been a big lipstick wearer. Too frightened of dark colours I think, I love the way they look but have never been able to pull them off. I've always preferred balms, so the balm stains (Revlon Just Bitten/Rimmel Colour Rush/Clinque Chubby Sticks) are right up my street. Notwithstanding however, I do have a soft spot for MAC's Angel.

Eyeliner or Mascara?
I can't decide! Neither looks good without the other...so..both! Benefit's They're Real and UD's 24/7 in Zero are my everyday combo.

Foundation or Concealer?
Concealer. I was blessed with relatively clear skin, without many blemishes, so I only use foundation (and a low coverage one at that) when I'm doing a full face look and not an everyday one.

Neutral or Colour Eyeshadow?
Neutrals are easier for me to wear, although I do like dark colours such as purples or navy. I don't think I'm brave enough for oranges and yellows. :(

Pressed or loose eyeshadow?
Pressed. Me + loose eyeshadow = new carpet required.

Nails

OPI or China Glaze?
My job means I rarely get to wear nail polish, so I tend to pass them by when product shopping. I own nothing from either of these brands so cannot form an opinion.

Long or Short Nails?
I prefer long, however, for the same reason as above mine are short. /sadface.

Acrylic or Natural?
I used to wear false nails quite a bit; they damaged my nails and it took me ages to get them to grow strong again. But, in fear of sounding like a broken record, anything but short, unpainted, natural nails are a no-no at work.

Bright or Dark?
On the odd occasions I do paint my nails, the colours I usually reach for are white (Rimmel's Silver Bullet - a white with a slight shimmer), black (Butter London's Union Jack Black) or neutrals (2True in Shade 11 or Ciate Angel Wings).

Flower or no flower?
No flower. I prefer less fussy nail art.

Body

Perfume or Body Spray?
Depends. Pefume for my days off/nights out. Body sprays for everyday and work.

Lotion or Body Butter?
Lotion. Specifically the new in shower one from Nivea. So much time and energy saved. Love love.

Body Wash or Soap?
Body wash. Soap dries my skin out.

LUSH or Other bath companies?
LUSH. Nuff said.

Fashion

Jeans or Sweat Pants?
Jeans. You cannot go wrong with a decent pair of indigo blue boot cuts. Sweat pants should never leave the house, unless, of course, they're in a bag on the way to the gym.

Long or short sleeves?
Short. If a garment has long sleeves chances are they'll end up at my elbows anyway. My arms, they need to be free :P

Dresses or skirts?
Dresses. I don't think I own a skirt. :S

Stripes or Plaid?
I like both, if styled correctly. But from the two...I do have a soft spot for my plaid shirts.

Flip Flops or Sandals?
Flip flops. I prefer the convienience of them as I tend to spend as much summertime as I can barefoot. You can get some really pretty decorated ones everywhere now, rather than the boring old rubber ones.

Scarves or hats?
Hello, my name's Harley and I have an addiction to scarves.

Studs or dangly earrings?
Studs are more versatile, I tend to wear sleepers, studs or a combo on a daily basis. Plus, I have long hair so I find dangly earrings a bit redundant, although I see the attraction in a cheeky earring peaking through a waterfall of hair.

Necklaces or Bracelets?
I wear a necklace permanently (part of my jewellery that I don't take off - also includes some earrings and a couple of rings), although I enjoy layering bracelets.

Jackets or Hoodies?
Leather Jacket over a Hoodie?

Hair

Curly or Straight?
Post-wash, if I don't touch it, I become a frizzball. The frizz doesn't go away if I curl it alone, so I have to straighten before I curl and...well...effort rating ^^. I tend to either only have time/can be arsed to straighten it. GHD's = <3

Bun or ponytail?
/sigh....work regulations again, hair off the collar, so bun. As much as I'd love a ponytail somedays.

Bobby Pins or Butterfly Clips?
Kirby grips. British here! Although, I think theres a grip stealing fairy living in my house. The same one who also collects odd socks.

Hair Spray or Hair Gel?
Hairspray of the low hold variety. Just enough to keep the style without making you sound like a crisp packet when you move your head.

Long or Short hair?
I tend to flick between the two. I have long hair and want it short, I cut it and want long hair again, so I grow it and then want it short again. It's long at present with no current plans to change.

Light or dark?
Dark. Mine's currently a dark cherry red colour. I've been dying it various shades of red for about a decade. I'm a brunette naturally.  

Side sweep or Full on bangs (fringe)?
I did have a side sweep, although it's now grown out. A full on fringe, sadly, doesn't suit my face shape. 

Up or Down?
Either or. I tend to wear up on a daily basis and down for going out.

Random

Rain or Shine?
That weird time in the summer when it's just finished raining and is now warming up again. I love that smell, it's almost as good as the smell you get post-thunderstorm.

Summer or Winter?
Winter. Our summers last about 4 days.

Autumn or Spring?
Autumn. I love being able to layer clothes, and prefer boots to shoes, and my scarves, gotta love me a decent scarf. And dark evenings, candles, fireworks, comfort food, playing in leaves....I love everything about it!

Chocolate or Vanilla?

There's nothing wrong with good old basic vanilla.

- Harley

QOTP - I live by a mans code, designed to fit a mans world, yet at the same time, I never forget that a womans' first job is to choose the right shade of lipstick - Carole Lombard

I live by a man's code, designed to fit a man's world, yet at the same time I never forget that a woman's first job is to choose the right shade of lipstick.
Carole Lombard
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/lipstick.html#tsYSOkh8T9biev1K.99

I live by a man's code, designed to fit a man's world, yet at the same time I never forget that a woman's first job is to choose the right shade of lipstick.
Carole Lombard
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/lipstick.html#tsYSOkh8T9biev1K.99

I live by a man's code, designed to fit a man's world, yet at the same time I never forget that a woman's first job is to choose the right shade of lipstick.
Carole Lombard
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/lipstick.html#tsYSOkh8T9biev1K.99

DotA2 | The Review Post

My friends and I have a running joke...

..Meepo, Meepo, Meepo, Meepo and occasionally late to the party Meepo.

Don't worry, I haven't gone stir crazy. I've just been introduced to a game that has literally taken over my life, meaning that I've become - occasionally late to the party Meepo.

Gaming is not a new past-time. I started with the wonders of CoD4, progressing quickly into WoW circa WotLK. Having had a few other hits and misses along the way I had settled into running a large successful raiding guild and occasionally sniping my way through a BF3 map or two...

               "Where are you....where are you....where are you....BOOM! Headshot!"

Running a guild is demanding, I'm the first point of call for any issues and have the responsibility of delegating to the officers. So, I was planning on spending our raid teams' summer break AFK. Until *drumroll* I got sent a DotA2 invite.

As I've already said, I am kinda a late-comer to the game. The original DotA being released in 2003 and its stand alone sequel having been out for eight weeks before I even took notice, although, it seemed longer due to how much time certain members of the raid team were dedicating to it :P. 

DotA2 fits into the MOBA - or Multiplayer Online Battle Arena genre. Two teams of 5 each select their favourite hero, or more riskily let the game randomly select you one, from a pool of 102. Each hero has different skills, and requires different items to perform the role they set out to play. 

The picture above shows ALL of the possible items, although in personal experience you only have enough time and gold to buy 4-6 of these. 

It is a session based arena game, with each match lasting approximatley 30-60 minutes, although games have been known to be a long way either side of these margins. There is one arena, with The Radiant fighting upwards from the bottom left hand corner and The Dire coming from the top right hand corner, but due to the fact that there are 102 heroes and only ten in the match, no two games are ever the same.

The game ends when one team of heroes, alongside help from AI-controlled creeps destroys the other teams Ancient; a large structure sitting in the middle of their base. So, alongside destroying the opposing Ancient, you, as a team also need to defend yours......Defense of the Ancients....geddit? 

Returning to roles, each hero is set out to perform one or two particular roles. The carry, for instance, carries the rest of the team by getting the most kills and therefore becoming more dangerous to his/her opponents, as with any good game, or even real-life (RL) situation, a carry is only as good as his support. Turning a long story short, teamwork is heavily depended upon, communication moreso, and if your hero fulfills the role they set out to be is essentially up to your team.

As with all good games, it has developed it's own sub language, cries of "push mid", "stop feeding, you're making him fat" or "ooh, crap, ulti, run!" have filled our VoIP server recently, much to the dismay of the non-DotA2 players. It is a language born of necessity, with words often being shortenend as there is an urgency to portray as much information as possible in the shortest possible time. Ulti = Ultimate Ability Incoming (i.e a shit-ton of damage or an unavoidable stun). 

I'm not going to lie, it is a difficult game to master, it requires the knowledge of most if not all character abilities, and the varying effects buying items will have on these, plus the capability of playing as part of a team, with the brains to adapt your play to fit with the other heroes on your side. But, it is rewarding. 

It is completely free to play, no outright cost, no monthly subscription, with the oppurtunity of buying items to individualise your favourite characters appearance but not their abilities. Meaning that this game is a level playing field. It is completely dependant on skill and teamwork. There are tense moments, just before a team fight, or when you're watching the opposition destroy your ancient after being team wiped, but it is also gloriously funny, Sand King getting stuck in trees anyone?

It is complicated, downright cruel and difficult to master. However, with deep and rewarding team play, and an ever changing but yet consistant environment it's also fun. Which, after all, is the aim of a game...right?

- Harley

QOTP - After a certain point, money is meaningless. It ceases to be the goal. The game is what counts - Aristotle Onassis

Layer Cake | The Introductory Post

Everyone has layers, different aspects of personality that collectively create a holistic being. The song that Meredith Brooke is most acclaimed for is a perfect example of personality facets. 

    "I'm a bitch, I'm a lover, I'm a child, I'm a mother, I'm a sinner, I'm a saint....."


There are also facets of your personality that do not define you. I am, as of now, a blogger. Yet, this does not have a profound effect on the way I act. Whereas, I am, engaged to be married to Bugz (a pseudonym) and that does affect how I go about my day to day life. Are you with me so far?

My reasoning for this introduction will become clear, I promise.  


I have been toying with the idea of creating a YouTube channel for about the last six months or so. Aiming to be a cross between a beauty guru type and gaming reviews (think FleurDeForce/Tradechat/Grav3yardGirl all rolled into one). However, due to the regulations of the professional body that governs my career, my internet presence is required to be stilted, if not completely anonymous. In addition, Bugz is a private person and due to him being a huge part of my life it would be difficult to maintain the level of privacy he enjoys with me being on such a visual platform.

As my career and my relationship are the two largest effectors on my actions, the reasons detailed above are the causal factors of me starting this blog. A compromise, if you will.

This means, for you, my readers, there will be some compromises too. I cannot at the moment see any way to reveal some aspects of my identity to you and maintain respect to the factors above; so make up reviews and swatches will be accompanied by pictures of the product on hands, rather than my face and gaming reviews will not reveal the server or gamertag I play on/under. I'm sure there will be other compromises I have to make, but my brain is failing me at the moment.

This rather wordy, introductory blog has shattered my brain as I'm sure it has yours. So I'm going to leave it there for now...

See you soon!

- Harley

Quote of the post (QOTP)
A grownup is a child with layers on - Woody Harrelson