Talia Joy Castellano

I was browsing the internet this morning and came across the story of Talia Joy Castellano, beauty blogger extraordinaire and 13 year old cancer sufferer, who has become an honorary face of CoverGirl cosmetics.

Talia has been a beauty blogger/youtuber for six years and has amassed over 14 million views to her vlog. She started to make videos when she was diagnosed, and says herself that 'Make up is my wig'.

'When I put on my make-up I feel like I can embrace those features that I really like about myself. I feel if someone's looking at me, they're looking at my make-up, not looking at my bald head.
'I am just trying to make young girls, young adults, adults, anyone, feel beautiful by using make-up,' she adds.

She started a campaign in August to enable her to do Ellen DeGeneres make up for The Ellen Show. As a result of her fans emailing The Ellen Show and campaigning on Facebook she was invited onto the show and made a honorary CoverGirl.

The video below reduced me to happy tears

So beautiful!

Talia's story really struck a chord with me as I have been a reader of beauty blogs for years now, and at times when it all gets bitchy and a bit grabby it all makes me roll my eyes and think 'there are MUCH bigger things going on in the world ladies!' but Talia has been making her videos to inspire young girls to feel beautiful when she is going through so much herself. Just wow.

To subscribe to Talia's youtube click here

Eggplant

I am a big fan of rapper Azealia Banks, singer of the super catchy 212 which was a massive hit this summer, so I was very excited to hear she was releasing her own lipstick with MAC, called Yung Rapunxel.

Azealia herself describes the shade as 'eggplant', while MAC call it a deep, rich shade of plum.

Unfortunately as far as I'm aware it is not being released in the UK which is such a shame as I would totally buy it!

However I was rifling through my make up drawer today and found this: Black Cherry by Sleek which I think is somewhat similar!

Here is Black Cherry swatched:

Here is Azealia in Yung Rapunxel

And me in Black Cherry:

Total twins, right?!

Unfortunately not... But I do love this shade, so until I hear of MAC releasing this fab lipstick in the UK I will be rocking this on nights this Autumn/Winter. Was anyone lucky enough to see her on tour this month, or attend the fabulous Mermaid Ball?

Motel ROCKS!

Yay! I am now a member of Motel Rocks Street Team!

Us Bristolians are lucky enough to have a Motel shop in Bristol, and I have been a huge fan since I was a teen! My first purchase was this super cute white boobtube with pink hearts on it... I actually wore that to a StoneSour concert!! Ah the innocence of youth...

Anyway, for a 20% discount on yummy Motel garms at the Motel website just enter code 'livlouise' and enjoy your purchases!

Summer days, drifting away...

This Summer has just flown by.

At the end of August I took myself off to my parents Place In the Sun - a gorgeous little town called Mojacar, in Spain.

For 10 days I caught up with old friends and lounged by the pool and lay on the beach, enjoying swims in the fresh pool water and the calm, clear sea. This was my view most mornings, as I lay by the pool reading a book.

 

During the trip I got the chance to (finally) read the Hunger Games trilogy, and I also read two of the Fifty Shades books! These were the subject of a LOT of discussion between the women of our neighbourhood so after hearing rave reviews I decided to just read the damn things! My review - I don't really see what the fuss is all about!

Some days we ventured off to other towns to check out their weekly markets for yummy food, fruit and veg, and *ahem* sweets...

 

And took a trip to Carboneras, a gorgeous little seaside town.

 

Road trip to Carboneras - isn't that view absolutely stunning!

 

 

We bit off way more than we could chew when we accidentally visited the most expensive seafood restaurant in the area in search of a tapas and a beer - the above photo is us hiding after we made our excuses and left!

 

 

There is a little community of us who have been going out there with our parents since we were kids, and whenever we get together each year we always have so much fun! We had one big night out while we were there, starting in Lua, a gorgeous beachfront cocktail bar

 

 

and moving along the beach front to a club called Moma Beach for even more drinks, dancing, and lots of silliness.

 

 

We also had some gorgeous meals at some of the most fabulous restaurants, including La Muralla - a truly beautiful restaurant in Mojacar's Old Town which is situated right on the edge of a cliff!

 

 

While we were there it was Fiesta time - the streets were all lit up and we stumbled upon some dancing!

 

 

Our last day was especially fun - as a group we got up at the crack of dawn (okay 9 am, but we were on holiday!) and met at the beach to fly a Solar Airship! We were completely unsuccessful but it was a brilliant group activity to end the holiday.

 

The meeting point at 9 am... coffee was needed!

 

 

One last dip in the sea :(

 

 

Step-bro's wedding...

Last month, my step brother got married, and it was beautiful.

I attended with my mum, sister and step-dad (not pictured).



My dress is from Cara, shoes from Primark, bag from River Island. Mama Smith's dress from TK Maxx, Alicia's dress from Boohoo.com, bag from Primark. Excuse the windswept hair!!

Geeky pics en route to the Church! Rocking my new Missoni's in case I cried.

He and his wife were married in Redland Parish church, which is just across the way from the tennis club he and my sister and I have been going to since we were kids, so we were very familiar with this gorgeous church.

It was a small wedding of family and a few friends, made ever so slightly confusing by all the half- and step-family members present! Thats modern families for ya I guess! The service was traditional, with the vicar's speech made extremely topical by references to Team GB's Olympic success in relation to the future success of Mark and Karen's marriage, and raising Karen's beautiful little boys Connor, 6 and Oliver, 4. He even gave the new family chocolate gold medals to wear which the bride and groom very gamely did!




Married! Their whole family.



Confetti time! Oh yeah

My beautiful mum and sister

From there we all went to Goldbrick House on Park Street for the reception. The room we were invited into for the wedding breakfast was gorgeous - kind of how I envisage my table decorations at my wedding!! Like that's gonna happen!!!

Excuse the terrible photos, they're (broken) iPhone photos!





The Groom!

Step Uncle Graham and his lady friend Viv

                                            My mama and step dad

We all had a gorgeous, emotional, totally fabulous day.

Congrats again to my step-bro and his new wife

<3