Coco White Review

CocoWhite should be called CocoYellow.

I'm going make this quick, so click here to watch my full review.

• It does not work - do not fall for it.

• It made my teeth start to go yellowish

• It is better to just buy pure coconut oil from a supermarket or online.

• It is celebrity-endorsed crap - celebrities have their teeth professionally whitened then are paid to promote this.

• It does make your mouth feel healthier

• The lemon flavour makes you feel sick

• Not worth the money or the time it takes to swill this around your mouth.

xxx

LNAT TIPS

So I did my Law National Admissions Test (LNAT) last year and I can remember looking online trying to find some advice on it, tips on it and just any information about what the test is like. I can also remember that there was not much information out there about the test so, I thought I would give you my top tips.

First off, I actually had the pleasure of meeting the guy who wrote the test last year at Oxford University and although he did not give me the answers (I wish he did), he did give a lot of good advice which I took on board and which I think helped me score above average on my LNAT.

• There is no pass rate for the LNAT - the aim is to get above average in your year. Last year, the average was 23/42 on the multiple choice questions.

• Your chosen universities which you have applied for will get a copy of the essay that you write, it is not marked but it is a massive chance to impress them with your impeccable skills. Do not rush it! Quality is better than quantity.

• You cannot revise for this test. The guy who wrote this test told me a story of a girl whose parents paid for her to go on a 'special' course to 'pass' the test and she got below average.

• I highly recommend reading complex articles - what I found most difficult was the vocabulary in the articles.

• It is better to take your time and read the article and then answer the questions than rush through the whole test trying to get through everything quickly. I made it through two-thirds of the questions, then guessed randomly the last 1/3 and still got above average. This is because when rushing through the whole thing, you can miss out vital pieces of information. It is better to read at a steady pace and get more right at least for half of the test, then go quickly for the rest. Most of the time the average score is around 21/42 - if you get the half you did steadily right, that is the average score and if you get a few more in the parts you rushed that would become above average.

• Remember if worst comes to worse, you can use the process of elimination. Out of the four multiple choice answers, there is usually one obviously wrong answer, one that's mostly wrong and the last two are the ones that are hard to guess which is wrong. So use a process of elimination if you're really stuck!

• There is so much more information and advice that I can give you, but it would be quicker for me to tell you than write it all down. So click here to watch the video I made for more LNAT advice and tips.

xxx

Latham & Watkins

2 weeks ago, I attended a law fair in Cardiff where I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and talk to lawyers and recruitment workers from many leading law firms. The majority of my day was highly insightful and positive, but what this blog post is about is my rude encounter with Latham & Watkins (which I now know is the top law firm in the world).

Only being a first year, I knew that many law firms did not have much work experience that I could apply for this year. Nonetheless, I did not let that fact hold me back. I am very proactive and enthusiastic when it comes to law so I eagerly made my way through the law fair; getting lots of advice, making contacts and having great conversations. 

The hall quickly filled up and it became a task to talk to the firms, then I spotted an empty stand (which had been empty for the majority of the afternoon). Not going on my insticts (that clearly people were not at the stand for a reason), I made my way to talk to the people from Latham & Watkins. When I got there, I was grudgingly greated by three people from the firm. I kindly stated that I had to be honest, I had not heard of their firm and I was wandering whether they would give me some information about their firm. Anyone would think that I had told them that I was a serial killer or something, if they saw the look of disgust on their faces as they began to boast, in a condescending manner that they were the world's leading law firm, that they had little time for 'first years', that their firm would not waste resources on 'first years', that they are better than the rest of the firms in the building and so on and so forth.

I kindly said, 'thank you for your time' and quickly made my way over to Allen & Overy (who are one of the most friendliest people that I have ever spoken to). 

What I think is so disappointing is that, Latham & Watkins should have been the firm that people crowded over to, the firm that made the best impression, the firm that us 'undergraduates' ('first years') want to aspire to be like, simply because they are the top in the world. Yet they were the totally opposite and that is very sad.

(with all of that said, one cannot judge a law firm made up of over 2,000 employees based on 3 people)

xxx

18 things I've learned in 18 years

1. Brutal honesty is the key to great friendship.

2. Family is the most important thing; appreciate you parents (bilogical or adopted).

3. Be happy and love who you are.

4. Make no time for meaningless relationships.

5. Love the people that you choose to be around. Do not hang around with people who you cannot stand for the sake of 'popularity'.

6. Quality over quantity when it comes to friends (but not so much when it comes to clothes)

7. Your struggles do not define you, it is how you deal with them that defines you.

8. If possibe lay off the antibiotics, pain-killers and other man-made medication that we are not fully aware.

9. An original is worth so much more than a copy; don't be like sheep to the slaughter.

10. Being 'popular' is lonely and overrated.

11. Investing in a good bike is wise.

12. Make time for relaxation.

13. You grow out of friendships and it is okay; moving on is a part of life.

14. Confidence is key in all aspects of life.

15. Education is so important.

16. Grades do not define a person. You can be the most intelligent person in the world and not get A* in your exams

17. Success is a choice.

18. Regardless of whether you believe it or not, Christianity is so real, your belief or lack of belief does not alter that fact.

xxx

Roath Park

Roath Park opened in 1894 and is Cardiff's most popular park.

Last week, my friend Jenna insisted on me going for a long walk with her. Me being me, did not want to go and complained the majority of the way there. Questioning her on whether, the place she was taking me was worth walking up hill after hill and down lane after lane.

As I stepped through the entrance to the park, I realised that it was so worth the walk. Before me stood a beautfiul, well-maintained, lushously green park. Complimented nicely with a 30 acre man-made lake with boats, littered with greedy geese and elegant swans.

The Scott Memorial Lighthouse (pictured above), on the lake, is one of Cardiff's iconic images. This idyllic park still retains its Victorian atmosphere and layout; complete with 4 different gardens and Llandennis Oval (an ancient pond).

There are a variety of features, including an ice-cream shop (my personal favourite), sports fields, changing rooms, discounted plant sales at the botanic gardens, playgrounds, bowling and much, much more!

So here is what you need to know about the park:

- The park and pleasure gardens are open from 7:30 - 30 minutes before sunset

- The recreation grounds is open 24 hours a day

- There is something for everyone at this glorious location.

This is definitely my all time favourite park!

So go explore!

xxx

Clinique Superbalanced Makeup Review

This foundation is oil-free, fragrance free and comes in 22 colours; for combination skin types with a sheer to medium coverage.

PROS:

• Absorbs oil where it needs to be controlled and adds moisture where hydration is needed

• Non-acnegenic: if you go to bed at night with this foundation, you won't wake up with a break-out as a result.

• Sweat-proof: whether you are working out in the gym or out for a run, this foundation does not look disgusting when you sweat.

• No need to hurry and blend it in: Some foundations start to set quickly, this on the other hand does not, which means you do not have to rush to blend it in.

• It does not cake up on skin: I found that on my skin the MAC Studio Face & Body Foundation starts to become cakey as you layer it on, this layers up nicely and smoothly on skin.

• No need to wear a primer with it: it is very long lasting on its own

• It does not turn orange as you layer it on your face: no matter whether you use a lot of a little, the colour remains the same.

• No shimmer or glitter finish

CONS:

• Packaging: glass bottle without pump means that you cannot easily get all of the contents out of it; because this is not a cheap foundation, it is annoying that you cannot access all of it with ease.

• Contains no SPF
• Gets everywhere: without a powder or setting spray, if you touch your face with your hand, clothing, phone, etc. expect to get foundation on it.

xxx

For more information about this foundation check out my video review!

A conversation between two unborn babies

(not written by me)

In a mother’s womb were two babies. One asked the other: “Do you believe in life after delivery?” The other replied, “Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery. Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what we will be later.”

“Nonsense” said the first. “There is no life after delivery. What kind of life would that be?”

The second said, “I don’t know, but there will be more light than here. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths. Maybe we will have other senses that we can’t understand now.”

The first replied, “That is absurd. Walking is impossible. And eating with our mouths? Ridiculous! The umbilical cord supplies nutrition and everything we need. But the umbilical cord is so short. Life after delivery is to be logically excluded.”

The second insisted, “Well I think there is something and maybe it’s different than it is here. Maybe we won’t need this physical cord anymore.”

The first replied, “Nonsense. And moreover if there is life, then why has no one has ever come back from there? Delivery is the end of life, and in the after-delivery there is nothing but darkness and silence and oblivion. It takes us nowhere.”

“Well, I don’t know,” said the second, “but certainly we will meet Mother and she will take care of us.”

The first replied “Mother? You actually believe in Mother? That’s laughable. If Mother exists then where is She now?”

The second said, “She is all around us. We are surrounded by her. We are of Her. It is in Her that we live. Without Her this world would not and could not exist.”

Said the first: “Well I don’t see Her, so it is only logical that She doesn’t exist.”

To which the second replied, “Sometimes, when you’re in silence and you focus and you really listen, you can perceive Her presence, and you can hear Her loving voice, calling down from above.

xxx

(something to think about)

(apologies for the late post)

Turkish Airlines Review

Planes I boarded:  1997, 0623, 0624 & 1982 

Watch my journey!

I would like to start by saying, I am petrified of flying and I am a massive food snob! So when I had to fly to Africa this summer I was dreading it because I would have to spend at least 16 hours in the air (there and back) and at some point, I would get hungry and have to eat the food on the plane.

As you can imagine, when boarding my flight to Istanbul my expectations were at an all time low. Yet to my pleasant surprise, I could not flaw my whole entire journey (apart from the fact that they put too much salt in the rice). The cabin crew were friendly, polite, approachable and professional on all 4 flights that I boarded this summer with Turkish Airlines. As soon as we were full airborne the cabin crew came round and gave us all Turkish Delight which I thought was a nice touch, seen as we were flying with Turkish Airlines. Then they came out with menus and soon after that brought us our 3 course meal.

On previous flights (not with Turkish Airlines), the food was repulsive and cardboard like, but on Turkish Airlines it was exceptional, honestly, if I could order the same again in a restaurant on land, I totally would. Even just thinking about it now, makes my mouth water. After food (which came with alcoholic and non-alcohol beverages), we were offered more drinks. Even on the longer flights, they gave us a sandwich to take away with us! All of this is included in the price of this ticket.

To fly from London to Abuja at the time, Turkish Airlines was the cheapest option and although I have never flown with them before, I will be doing so again.  When I checked in, the woman said that they usually only give large men the exit door seat as it has the most room, but seen as I was so polite, she gave me the seat and I had so much leg group (which was a lovely blessing because my legs are so long).

For entertainment, each person had a screen which had games, up to date films, audios, a map to see where we were, etc. It was fab!

I can see why Turkish Airlines were voted Europe's Best Airline (2015). My biggest fear is when I can really feel the airplane shaking as it goes through clouds and different weather conditions (turbulence), but I could barely feel it, I felt safe.. unlike the time when I flew with Ryanair.

Overall, I would highly recommend Turkish Airlines! 

xxx

Exit Darcus

Today I want to talk about my new favourite book; I love it that much that I have read it four times within the space of a month. If I could only pick one novel that was compulsory for all of mankind to read, it would be this book. Every time I read this book, I learn something more - it challenges another aspect of my life.

If every girl read this book, the world would be a different place, if every guy read this book, the world could be an incredible place.

I am not going to say much more than that about this book, simply because I do not want to give anything at all away. I am such a literature snob and critic but I promise you this book will change your life if you would let it!

This book is not age or gender specific, but I must warn you that people have broken up with their partner because of this book; because they do not want to settle for less than complete happiness - they are looking for something more, something real.

I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting the author of this book and filmed our discussion about her book so do check it out!

xxx

I thought I would let you get to know me...

My Birthday is on the 26th of April.

(all presents are welcome)

I am doing a law degree.

I eat ice-cream more than I eat anything else.

My favourite colour is blue.

I think transparency is a very attractive trait.

I have a thing about water, I just love it! I drink ridiculous amounts of water and I like being in water.

I am a Christian.

I want to learn how to speak Chinese.

"Confidence is key" is my mantra.

My mum is my inspiration and I love her more than anything in the world, she is what keeps me smiling everyday and I don’t know where I would be without her.

Making lists keep me sane and organised.

I want to be a lawyer.

I can’t go a day without listening to music.

I have a Youtube channel.

I love reading because it forces me to see things from another persons point of view.

xxx

Call it arrogant but I love myself.

When people ask me: “Do you love yourself?” I’ve stopped saying: “Of course not. I’m not arrogant”, because I do love myself, I’ve learnt to love myself.
The amount of times I here people say “why don’t they love me” is uncountable. We expect people to love us when we don’t love ourselves. If you can’t see a reason to love yourself then why should you expect someone to see reasons to love you.
Learn to love yourself because, 1. You’ll be happier 2. You’ll stop letting people treat you like crap because you do deserve better and 3. You are worth loving.

x x x

Click here to watch my Youtube video where I discuss the importance of learning to love yourself.

L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil-in-Cream Leave-in-Conditioner Review

For me, when I think of leave-in-conditioner, I think of light weight, sweet smelling, liquid sprays that claim to give intense moisture but really only works for a couple of hours. I know leave-in-conditioners work for a lot of people but I guess me being someone with long (weave) and thick hair (afro hair), I often feel that a lot of the leave-in-conditioners could give more moisture and the ones that do give a lot of moisture could be less greasy.

So when I walked into Boots last week to buy a drink, I really was not very interested in this "extraordinary" new leave-in-conditioner for dry hair. In fact, I was even more put off by the fact that it was a lotion because I assumed it would be thick, heavy and greasy. However, the persistent sales woman was very eager for me to at least try it, so I reluctantly put some on my hair, clearly stated to her that "we'll see if it lasts all day" and headed over to the drinks aisle.

I did not want to admit that to my surprise it did not have that sticky, greasy texture, instead the small patch of hair where I applied the lotion felt deeply nourished, light and soft. However, in no way was I prepared to buy it then, because I know from past experiences that most leave-in-conditioners feel great on your hair at first. Even so, I could not deny that I loved the delightful smell of the product on my hair which I have to assume was the 6 flower oils that the sales woman was talking about.

It was not until when I got back home after a long day of work; after my hair had been abused my rain and wind all day that I realised that, that same patch of hair was still beautifully soft. In actual fact, when I looked in the mirror it even had a shine to it. I was very impressed!

So the next day, I swallowed my pride and I bought this amazing product for £6.99 and my hair has honestly, never been softer! It has a lustrous shine, a weightless free flowing feel to it and a delicate floral fragrance.

Although some may argue that £6.99 is a bit on the pricey side for a leave-in-conditioner, I would argue that one, it works so it is worth it and two, with this product, less is so much more, therefore, it will last longer.

This product really is "EXTRAORDINARY" so, if you don't mind applying a product to your hair with your hands then the new L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil-in-Cream Leave-in-Conditioner should really be at the top of your shopping list.

xxx

Coping with the loss of a parent

I was going to title this post, "dealing with the loss of a parent, but the word "dealing" almost suggests that it is like a checklist: lost a parent "check", dealt with it "check". As much as I wish it was that easy, it is not. So this post is titled "coping with the loss of a parent, because it's more of an ongoing thing".

When I lost my dad in a car accident when I was six years old, I was made the promise by so many people that it gets easier and although I know they hearts intentions were on the right place, it was a promise that was untrue.  Because it does not get easier, in fact in some parts of my life it gets harder. Losing a loved one is like loosing an arm or a leg, in fact loosing a parent is like loosing two legs, because just like a person who has lost their limbs learn to live and function that way, you learn to live and function without that person in your life. You learn to cope, but it doesn't necessarily become easier, because just like a person who has lost their limbs is reminded everyday that they are different from the average person in some way and they are missing something, you are also reminded everyday that a vital part of your life is missing. 

What I didn't want to hear, what I needed to come to terms with and what you need to come to terms with if you're watching this and have lost a loved one and please don't hate me for saying this, is that no matter how much you cry, how much you loath in self pity, how much you say it's not fair or how many 'what ifs' you come up with in your head, It's not going to bring that person back, it is not going to change the situation, at the end of the end of the hours, days, weeks that I spent crying and stating his unfair it all way, my dad was and is still dead. 

So after that, it was kinda up to me. My English teacher said in our lesson once, "why let the hand of the dead control the living". Well in this context it is the idea that it's okay to move on, at first I felt so awful about moving on, I hated anyone doing anything that my dad would have done because I didn't want it to be like he was being replaced. But at the end of the day he's not coming back to do those things, so I could either push everyone away and be lonely and depressed. Or I could use the circumstances that life has thrown at me as the driving factor as to why I want to succeed and that's what I've chosen to do. I want to make my dad proud and I'm not going to do that if I'm sat inside all day crying.

My family and friends are also incredibly, I love them so much! Especially my mum, who is the most incredible woman I've met.

Most importantly, how I cope with the loss of my dad is my faith, we live in a world were the majority believe that we have no purpose and are very nihilistic, but I don't believe that, you might disagree but, each to their own, I don't like to argue about it, I just think when we all die, we'll see who'll be saying "I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so". I believe in Christianity in the same way that I believe the sun has risen, not because I see it, but because by it, I see everything else. 

Finally, if you are reading this now and you have lost a loved one, please accept my deep condolences, it is the worst feeling in the world and it is something that I would never wish upon anyone, not even my worst enemy. 

(for more on this topic, watch my youtube video)

xxx

When It Comes To Love, Finders Keepers!

I’m tired of hearing/reading “if you have something good let it go” or “if you love someone let them go”. If you’ve found something good, don’t be stupid and let it go because there isn’t much good left in this world. If you are lucky enough to find someone you love, don’t make the mistake of letting them go, life is just too short. Stop playing with the boomerang, hoping that it comes back; once you’ve got it, keep it, cherish it and never let it go.

x x x

Do Not Call Me Pretty.

Pretty is not a compliment, it is a concession. What is pretty? Pretty is superficial. Pretty is a judgment we can make in one second: “Yeah, she’s pretty”. Pretty is a pedestrian kind of beauty, one I cannot understand ever having wanted to attain.

I looked up the definition of pretty so you girls will stop accepting it as a compliment or desperately wanting to be called pretty: (adj) Attractive in a delicate way without being truly beautiful or handsome (n) An attractive thing, typically a pleasing but unnecessary accessory.

So really, when someone calls you pretty, it’s an indirect insult; they are saying you are artificially pleasant to look at yet, “without being truly beautiful.”

Never settle for less than what you deserve! 

x x x

Introduction

So this summer I decided to start a Youtube channel and set up this blog! On this blog you will find posts on beauty, advice, reviews, 'girl talk', rants and much more. I intend to post on this blog every Thursday, so be sure to pop back next week! I am really looking forward to getting this blog up and running and I do hope you enjoy reading my posts. 

x x x