Outfit Ideas Diary - Oversized Winter Sweater

Outfit Ideas Diary - Oversized Winter Sweater by zin-s featuring a winter outfit

Whenever I buy an item of clothing that is in trend I get so excited that I don't
think about what I would wear with it, so here is my solution! A deep red
oversized winter sweater is perfect for this winter and so I have put together a
few ideas on what to wear with it.

Firstly, the sweater doesn't have to be deep red. Just to set that straight. Okay,
back to the outfit.

Sweaters can look good on their own (by that I mean without an obvious shirt
underneath) but I think that a collared shirt is perfect for making an outfit
smasual (smart/casual). I also think that this theme is great for this time of year
when there are more formal occasions. I wouldn't wear this to a Christmas party,
mind you.

Not only would a collar be a formal twist on an oversized sweater but also a skirt.
There are two ways that you could possibly style a sweater with a skirt and that is;

1. Tuck the front of the jumper into the skirt
2. Leave it un-tucked

Finally, the jeans are here so we don't have to keep to the smasual look! I think
that lighter jeans, like the one in the image, are the best for a relaxed and laid
back outfit but black is what you would go for if you did want to be a bit smarter.

And for shoes.... there are two smarter choices in my pick but the red boots
don't have to be heeled but still of the same Timberland-style boots. Black heels
with this outfit would be the smartest choice and the black sneakers are the casual
and relaxed choice.

I hope this has given you some ideas and inspiration for your winter outfits!

- Zin

Double Skin Care Review | Quick Fix Facials & No 7 Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask

Happy Autumn, everyone! Sorry for being very inactive recently as college and other commitments are taking up any spare time that I might have. Anyway, enough about me and my suddenly hectic life and more about the 2 products that I'm going to be reviewing today!!

I decided to review both products because I have been using them at the same time (not literally at the same time, but I'll use one every few days then the other and so on) and I thought that anything that I have noticed from one of these products could actually be an outcome from the other product. I hope that makes sense because it took me a few minutes to think of how to say that in the most understandable way possible...

Quick Fix Facials Exfoliating Scrub - Blackheads and Blocked Pores : £2.49 

One of the best methods to clean and clear skin is to try make your skin clean and clear. A make-up wipe does not get off all your make-up and you need to cleanse with warm water to really get rid of all that cake! Every so often I think it is also important to go one step further in cleaning out your pores which is why I picked this up in the first place!

This scrub is a very delicate rose pink colour, which is actually one of my favourite colours at the moment, and the smell matches the colour. As funny as it sounds, it smells pretty! It's made with pomegranate extract which will be why this smells so nice.

It's simple to use, just apply to wet skin and gently massage it around your face - whilst paying attention to problem areas. Leave for 5-10 minutes then remove with warm water.

As with any scrub - don't rub viciously!  I can rip your skin and cause it more damage than good. That is also why you should use a scrub every so often.

Back to the product. It feels very delicate on my skin but also feels like it is clearing out my pores which is how a scrub really should feel. It doesn't set like you would expect a mask to but you can feel that it dries up and therefore it doesn't actually take ages to rinse off your face like some masks do.

Afterwards, my face always feels refreshed and CLEAN!! Even after the first time I used it my pores were definitely less clogged and frequent use means that my pores can breathe much more clearly with each use.

Now, my skin has it's dry patches and frequent use of scrubs can make your skin become drier so it is important to always moisturise whilst using a scrub often. Because I had also bought No 7's Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask at around the same time I thought I would use them along side one another.

No 7 Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask : £12.50

So as I mentioned in a previous post, this was an impulse buy but I'm so glad that I did because this has been great for combating the early winter wind drying up my skin.

Firstly, I love the smell and texture of this thing! It's a bit like sun cream, and I know what you're thinking - sun cream is NOT something that is desirable to smell or feel. But don't judge just yet because, although I have never experienced sun cream in a really positive way, it is as though I am dealing with a very high quality sun cream that I want to put on.

Enough talk about it being like sun cream though because that is not what this is...

The smell is very delicate and, again, I would describe it by saying pretty (and let's not forget that hint of sun cream). And as for the texture, it is semi-velvety. By this I mean it has a deep yet soft feel but it is still very light and a little thin.

I love the feeling of putting this on my skin because of the texture and sometimes I can get a bit carried away and I'm stood massaging this into my skin for a good 3 minutes. All you do is massage it onto your previously-cleansed and dried skin, possibly focus a bit more in areas where your skin may need it more than others, and leave it for 5-10 minutes.

Again, this mask doesn't necessarily dry but you know when you should take it off - rinse or wipe off in this case actually. It goes translucent but keeps its texture, basically.

I have tried to wash this off and I don't really like the experience so I prefer to just kept some kitchen towel and wipe it off (it's a lot better and more hygienic than using a towel in my opinion). The moisture is still left over so there is no need to moisturise after using this mask which is one of my favourite things about it!

I would really recommend using this product even if you don't have dry skin, because the winter wind can bring out those dry patches and this is a great mask to soothe those areas and have them more moisturised! If you have very dry skin then this would be great for your skin and I definitely feel a difference after I have used it.

That's all folks!
- Zin x

Shopping Haul | End of Summer into Autumn

So who else is trying their hardest to hold onto summer even though we're only a few days away from October? It's pointless really but I even changed into shorts and had an ice cream in the sun that lasted for half an hour the other. I supposed I'm just really bad at letting go of things I love.... which sounds very very sad.

Anyway, I have been shopping a few times in the past month and picked up a few things that I should have bought mid-summer rather than beginning of autumn but, well, what can you do? So here is my end of summer into autumn haul!

First stop, The Body Shop.

I usually only go into The Body Shop if it's for a friend/family member's birthday or Christmas and I have never bought anything for myself in there before, yet there I was 10 minutes after entering the shop buying 2 products.

Fuji Green Tea Exfoliating Soap
Japanese Cherry Blossom Fragrance Mist

This soap is one of my favourite things at the moment. It had a strong but subtle scent of green tea as you could definitely smell it but it was quite gentle, which is something I notice when I buy soap.

I really hate being able to smell something 40 minutes after I wash my hands especially when my hands aren't anywhere near my nose. But with this I can only smell it when I smell my hands and it's a nice smell. Bonus: my hands get dry very easily but since I started using this soap they have not got dry once!

The smell of the fragrance is also a favourite right now. I reckon that if the sky on an early summer sunset had a scent it would be this! It's weird to say this but it smells pretty. I know, it's strange how I would describe it that way but it's true.

Original Fruity Flapjack

Next I popped into Boots to pick up one thing (it turned out to be four things but we'll get to that bit later) and the food section started to scream at me - literally. OK, maybe it didn't but it felt like it was. Anyway, I have tried Graze a few times before online and I love their snacks and I was so glad they sold this because this is a real winner with me.

Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Body Lotion
No 7 Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask for Dry/Very Dry Skin
Baby Lips - Pink Shock

On to the rest of what I got from Boots. A very good body lotion for the dry skin on my arms, legs and feet was needed and Vaseline is notorious for helping dry skin plus this one had a nice scent that was not too powerful.

The No 7 mask was an impulse buy. I had just enough money left to buy it so I did. But I do not regret it! So far it has been really hydrating to my skin and I am going to do a proper review on it at some point.

And finally, a second purchase of Pink Shock. I love Baby Lips, as I have probably mentioned in previous posts, and this colour is perfect. I used to always go back to buy a Baby Lips that I had just finished but I would always get a different shade, but this time I have actually re-bought a colour that I already have.

Aaand last but not least (indeed - these were quite pricey!). I have been wanting some circular sunglasses for well over a year now but I have never been able to find any until I walked into Topshop!

Thankfully there are still days where there's not a cloud in the sky and I can whip these out and look the pinnacle of fashion no matter what I'm wearing. Unfortunately, I think Topshop are no longer selling these particular ones but there are some similar.

Phew! I feel quite puffed out after this post and I certainly did after buying these products. Now I just need a job to get some more money.....

Anyway, until next time goodybye!
- Zin

Red Velvet - The Red : Album Review

How long has it been since I have done an album review? Too long for me to leave it any longer that's for sure!! And because I have been really loving Red Velvet's 1st Album, The Red, I thought I would review it.

1. Dumb Dumb

The title song! Probably my favourite song they've done, it's got such a good tune in the chorus and the repetitive 'dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb' that makes the song really fun also makes the song so addictive.

Even though the rap parts really do not show good rapping and there is no part that has incredible vocals, sometimes songs don't need them to deliver what the producers or artists want to and the song works great with what is has. I will most likely be listening to this for the next week none stops.

2. Huff n Puff

Again, another really good tune that's really fun which is common for Red Velvet and I can't help but feel like this song, along with the concept as dolls, is a bit Christmassy. Am I the only one getting that vibe? Like I know it's the next major holiday after halloween but maybe the beginning of September is a bit soon for Christmas vibes, you know?

Anyway, back to the song. The electronic and hip hop beat is quite odd but because it works so well (for me, anyway) it really makes this song as lovable as it is.

3. Campfire

Campfire has a mellow-er feel but is still upbeat. If I'm honest, I would have made this song a lot more mellow and laid back if I was the producer for this song. Don't get me wrong - I love it the way it is but because it is a song about being at a campfire and the surroundings with feelings of love and I don't think the song works well with the lyrics and feelings that it's trying to portray. As someone who studies music and wants to be a music producer, I feel very strongly about these types of things so ... please excuse me....

4. Red Dress

The verses of this song have really got it going for them! They are killing it! The chorus, however, is a different story. It's OK but it doesn't really compare to the verses which are so lively, upbeat and full of expression. If I'm honest it is a bit boring and I remember feeling a bit disappointed when I first heard it because it was a bit like an anti climax really.

5. Oh Boy

This is a song that I think will grow on me. I listen to it and I know it's good because I can hear the beat and the vocals enveloping around me and make me feel good but it doesn't stand out as much as other songs do on this album.

6. Lady's Room

Now please don't hate me for what I'm about to say. This entire review is my opinion and I would respect you if you said that 'Dumb Dumb' or 'Huff n Puff' were not taking your fancy. Lady's Room really has nothing to it and I don't really see a point in it. Because of this it reminded me a bit of Girls' Generation's 'Party' as it felt like it was just created because they needed a song. Sorry .....

7. Time Slip

Opposite to Red Dress, I really love the chorus but the verses are not so good, however parts of them are. This is because the chorus and verses have different styles and almost belong in different genres - the verses are hip hop based whilst the chorus is a slow pop song. And let's just mention the harmonies because they are very nice to listen to!

8. Don't U Wait No More

Part of me likes this song and part of me doesn't. It's an easy beat with adventure of vocals ... maybe a bit too adventurous a few too many times, though. The easiness of the song is likeable but the repetitiveness is plain and the toe-curling vocals (at times) is not.

9. Day 1

This takes me back to kpop back in the good old days. Am I the only one who got this? I'm thinking Early Orange Caramel and IU style. It's fun and doesn't have anything too over powering (I'm talking about style or instruments). It could maybe have something more too it to make it more memorable but I'm not sure what that something would be. Nevertheless, it's a good song without this secret something that my concious is telling me it should have.

10. Cool World

Somehow I listened to this song before I even watched the 'Dumb Dumb' music video (I don't really know how either). And though I may want to call this song a bit boring, it is actually a right tune! The melodies and rhythm that it contains wraps well with the beat and instruments. It's not a song that I could get up and dance to but it is a song that I would listen to when I'm on the bus or walking to college - that says something!!

So there it is! My review on Red Velvet's 'The Red' album. Please let me know what you think about the songs if you feel the same way that I do or even if you feel like I should know how much you disagree with my opinion!
- Zin

How to Deal with Disappointment

Received your exam results and couldn't be more disappointed? Most of us have felt that way - whether you were 1 mark of an A* or had been told you were working at a B grade to then get a D.

In most cases you can't do anything about it other than to get your head around these things and I will give some help as to how you can deal with self disappointment even in situations separate from your exams.

1. Firstly, try and see what you did rather than what you achieved. I know that I tried so hard for my AS level exams that I gave up ALL of my interests and hobbies to do revision and work for my courses and I'm proud that I did that (even though I didn't like it).

If you know that you you did the best you could do then the outcome should not have your full attention. GCSE's and A levels are a process of 2 years of work and (personally) the exams at the end of the year do not show your full potential. Of course you could apply this theory to many things such as if you do exercise and you feel disappointed that you didn't do more - at least you did something.

2.Find out what you can do with the result. If you can still take the subjects you want , that's great but if you can't you could either take another subject (that you wouldn't mind learning) or let the people in charge know that you will be completely committed and will work your hardest. Whatever you do, do not feel defeated because you are worth more than an exam result.

Again, if you are having a hard time dieting then look at what you have learnt when you have tried to diet, for example if you know that you will binge eat if you are stood around in the kitchen or that having spare money will make you buy from that vending machine. Every day and every experience is another chance to learn no matter what the lesson may be.

3. Talk to someone. Even if they don't know how they can help you, just talking about whatever is bothering you will make you feel like you have released something that has been really annoying you. Sometimes you might not realise that it is something you need to talk about or it can allow you to figure things out for yourself. 

I know that there have been plenty of times that I have been so disappointed with something but then when I tell someone I realise that my mind is making it a much bigger deal that it is or that there is a simple solution that I hadn't realised before. You never know that the other person might also have some very important advise to give you anyway.

4. Think about it perspectively - will this exam result be relevant in a year? Or 5 years even? Sometimes it could be and you need to find a way to counter that so don't procrastinate and really reach for what you want. If it won't be then don't beat yourself up about it. My Dad got a U in his German A level and it obviously wasn't that important because he got on with the rest of his life and has a successful job.

5. As I had just said - don't beat yourself up about it. There is no point in getting getting upset then staying upset. Once you have been upset accept it and move on. It might sound harsh but moving on will help you to counter the set back and take your mind away from it. It will help the problem to become something bigger or to be left behind instead of staying forever as a disappointment.

I hope these few little point of how to deal with disappointment have been useful.
- Zin