the rebrand

Photo by Luke Chesser / free to use from Unsplash.com

This is it. I’ve rebranded.

When princessparasox first started it was just going to be a small corner of the internet for me to write angry feminist ramblings on. As it’s grown in the space of a year or so, I’ve found myself surrounded by a network of fab creatives and blogger babes. Not to mention the wonderful humans who follow my posts and send me messages of support and encouragement. Now I feel like I owe it to you guys to be a bit more adventurous…

The new site, hey kitty grrrl will still be a fierce feminist hub of lifestyle posts, beauty tips and recipes on a budget and much more! It will just be a bit bolder, a bit braver and with some seriously thought-out content. In the next week or so, keep your eyes peeled for a discussion on the word ‘queer’ and a review and pics of our trip to the Hello Kitty café in London…

Hope you can join me there!

Jenna

X

 

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lost my blogging mojo

Recently I’ve lost my blogging mojo. I can’t exactly pin it down to one specific moment but after a series of unfortunate events in my personal life, I’ve been left feeling uninspired. It’s not that I don’t have ideas, I have a few scribbled down in my journal. It’s not that I don’t see what other people are doing and want to talk about, share or promote that. To be honest, I think it’s a lack of faith in myself.

Photo by Martin Wessely / Unsplash.com

 

I don’t want this post to come across as some kind of pity party or an excuse as to the lack of content. It’s just that somewhere between my brain and the screen, things aren’t co-operating. I watch all my favourite Youtubers with their cool set ups and their creative ideas. I scroll through Bloglovin and read some fantastic posts filled with honest opinions. I check my social media and see some great art, be it illustration or photography. You guys are all amazing and I love seeing what you put out.

But that’s just it. I don’t love what I’m putting out. There are a few posts here and there that I would say I like but none that I’m really proud of. And that’s sad.

But… it’s not all doom and gloom. I’m planning a rebrand real soon and moving over to a new domain. It will still be my content but it will be injected with a bit of confidence and a new look. This site was only ever a hobby, a space to rant about feminism and talk about being a curvy, queer, alternative girl… Now I have readers and that’s great! But I owe you guys more. The new site means bigger, bolder, braver content – no more hovering in my drafts, no more photos sat on my memory card. I’m gonna post the thing.

 

Have you ever been in a creative rut? What helped you to get out of it?

Let me know and leave me links in the comments below.

Jenna
X

Keep up to date with my latest posts on:
| Bloglovin’ | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Google+ |

If you liked this post, you should check out:
Dissertation hand-in… I did it! – I’ve finished university for good.
why I’ve been invisible on social media over christmas – I took a break from the internet for the holidays…

tag: Infinity Dreams Awards

The Rules

1) Thank the blogger who tagged you for the Infinity Dreams Awards

2) State 11 facts about yourself

3) Answer the 11 questions that you were asked by the blogger who tagged you

4) Think of 11 questions for the bloggers you tag to answer

5) Tag other bloggers 🙂

Thank you Sarah from Raiin Monkey for nominating me for this award. Sarah and I are kindred soot-sprites and we have to find a way to meet up some time. Whether she’s posting about adorable cartoon characters, sharing her awesome nature pics or talking about feminism, I always enjoy scrolling through her blog.

11 facts about me

☆  I am incredibly scared of heights.
☆  I identify as queer/pansexual.
☆  My favourite colour is purple.
☆  I hate olives.
☆  I am short-sighted.
☆  I’m 5ft 4.
☆  I’m having a blog rebrand soon (watch this space in particular!)
☆  My friends and I play a lot of geeky board games.
☆  I’m quite a good cook but I can’t bake.
☆  I’ve only ever been to one festival.
☆  I don’t have a driving license.

 

What’s your favourite insect?

Butterflies! They are such beautiful and diverse creatures. I have always been fascinated with how they achieve what they need to with such short life spans too. Most of you will know that I have a butterfly tattoo on my thigh that’s currently in-progress. I’ve started working with Ana from Black Lodge in Westbourne and she’s breathing new life into the work. Next we’re going to take the colours out like splashes of paint and make some abstract lines and shapes in the background. It will eventually go to my ankle!

 

 

Which do you prefer- white, milk or dark chocolate? 

I get cravings for all three but milk chocolate is easily my favourite.

 

What is your favourite topic to blog about or type/style of post to write?

Feminism. It’s something that I feel so passionate about and there’s so many misconceptions about what feminism is/ what it’s fighting for. I write about a feminism that is intersectional, sex positive and that promotes queer theory because I think that’s supporting and fighting for genuine equality at its fullest. I also love reading other people’s posts about feminism – some of my fave feminist bloggers are Tara, Sophie, Kathy, Holly, Emma and Elena.

 

 

List one thing you’re looking forward to this summer.

Although it’s not set in stone, I’m really looking forward to a holiday! It’s been a stressful year already and I still haven’t seen a lot of the world. Whether its the rumored group trip to Amsterdam in August or a weekend away with Josh, I am in dire need of some time away to relax and reflect.

 

What’s the best toy you’ve ever got inside a kinder egg?

Haha, what a brilliant question! I can’t really remember a lot of Kinder egg toys I’m afraid. I’d be interested to hear what other people got though.

 

Tell us about something embarassing or super adorable that you did when you were a child?

A story my Mama loves to tell people:

When I was about four or five,. I was obsessed with the late Stephen Gately from the band Boyzone. He came out on television and I immediately went to my mother and asked what ‘gay’ meant. She told me it was “when a man loves a man or a woman loves a woman”. I got a bit confused and said: “Well I must be gay Mummy, because I love you!”. CRINGE.

 

What’s your favourite lipstick shade? 

At the moment I’m wearing all different shades! I’ve only recently started embracing colourful lip choices. My favourite I own is probably my Rimmel Lasting Finish 04 though – its so vampy and cool! (Update: Unfortunately this shade is no longer being sold but I recommend these lipsticks nonetheless, they’re great.)

 

Last movie/tv show that made you cry?

I cry at nearly everything. Most recently it was at the TV show ‘Vets in Action’. There were two very small, weak kittens who were born early and neither of them made it. Josh had to give me a cuddle…

 

Name something on your wishlist right now & tell us why you want it. 

Pins! I recently bought an oversized grey denim shirt and I’m gonna decorate the hell out of it. So far I have a Mockingjay pin that my friend Jake gave me from his Loot Crate and a Space Kitty pin that I bought from Samantha Eynon. On the back, I’m going to put this awesome patch that I won, specially made for me from the lovely Punkheart Patches. I’ve been eyeing up some great pins from a variety of stores so watch this space!

 

What’s your dream job?

I don’t have a specific job role that I am aiming towards. All I ask is that I get paid to write about things that interest me without selling my integrity. I don’t want to endorse a product that I don’t believe in or promote an organisation that I think is corrupt. I’d like my work to entertain and inform people but ultimately to inspire them to make up their own minds. If I can do that, I don’t mind where I work or what it’s called on paper.

 

 

Recommend a blog that you enjoy reading.

There’s tons! I always give a shoutout to my favorite bloggers where possible as they’re a constant source of inspiration and motivation to up my blogging game. Today I’ll give the spotlight to Sarah from See the Stars. I’ve followed her blog for ages and she seems like someone I would be good friends with offline. She is genuine, funny and sweet and her posts are something a bit different. She has a real eye for taking gorgeous photos too. Go and follow her!

 

My questions are…

If you’re old enough to do so in your country, have you voted before?
What’s your one beauty regime staple?
What are you most proud of to date?
Name one person (dead or alive) that you would love to have over for dinner?
Show us a picture of your best fancy dress costume (or cosplay).
What is or was your favourite board game?
Describe your blog using only five words.
Name one skill you’d like to learn and tell us why.
Do you have any birthday traditions?
What was your favourite childhood cuddly toy?
Describe your perfect Sunday.

 

…and I tag:

hanarosella
jessica and her journey
the forest mermaid
petticoats and patriarchy
teatime with naomi
see the stars

I look forward to learning more about you all!

Leave links to your answers in the comments below or tweet them to me – @jennalloyd27

Jenna

x

Keep up to date with my latest posts on:
| Bloglovin’ | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Google+ |

If you liked this post, you should check out:
the liebster award – more facts and secrets about me!
versatile blogger award – another tag where you get to know even more about me

 

 

Gin Festival Bournemouth*

Last weekend, I re-GIN-dled my love for a much-loved spirit.

Terrible puns aside, the Gin Festival at Bournemouth Pavilion was an absolute delight. The Ballroom was packed with a variety of sights and smells, with over 100 delectable premium gins to sample.

Armed with my trusty partner-in-crime Lisa, we ventured to the Festival on the Friday evening and we were not at all prepared for such an experience! We were kindly looked after by some very hospitable staff and we learnt all about the history of gin and some rather interesting flavour pairings. Oh, and we got to take home our beautiful glasses too!

 

The idea being that you purchase drinks tokens to exchange for your gin and then you choose which Fever-Tree mixer to pair it with (the sponsors of the evening). I opted for classic tonic water whereas Lisa preferred lemonade in her drinks.

My first choice was Pinkster, a dry London gin made with fresh raspberries. Garnished with a raspberry and a mint leaf, it had a very smooth sweet taste. Lisa opted for Silent Pool with lemonade and an orange garnish. It was also very fruity and had a floral, citrusy aftertaste.

Next we wandered over to the exhibitors of the night. Local Dorset brand Conker Spirit was very light, it didn’t have the burning aftertaste that some shots do and went down very smoothly. Next we spoke to James from the Locksley Distilling Company. They were serving their Sir Robin of Locksley Gin with elderflower tonic, which had a really nice blend and a taster of pink grapefruit.

 

 

Our absolute favourites of the night however were Brockmans from Langley. Their gin smelt delectable and got its jam-like sweetness from blackberries and blueberries. Mike from Brockmans told me that they are a brand about the ‘darker side’ of gin, hosting raunchy events and creating some questionable content online. In Mike’s gin masterclass, he told us the story of ‘Mr Gin’ and the creative process that inspired them to combine flavours for a gin you could enjoy over ice. I’ll be buying a bottle of Brockmans for my next night in with friends, that’s for sure!

At this point, musicians Holder & Smith took to the stage. Having performed magic tricks amongst the crowd, the duo played some great and fitting jazz and swing covers to liven up the party mood. Having had a delicious pulled pork roll made by the Pavilion’s in-house catering and a bit of a boogie to ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’, we then decided to enjoy some drinks outside overlooking the beautiful Bournemouth pier.

 

We opted for two Edinburgh Gin Liqueurs. Lisa had the Raspberry with lemonade and said it was her favourite as it tasted ‘like fizzy squash’. I had the Rhubarb and Ginger liqueur with tonic which was also really sweet with a great tangy aftertaste. This was my favourite too!

 

 

At the festival, you could also exchange two tokens for a choice cocktail. Lisa chose a ‘Rhubarb Rumble’ which combined Edinburgh Rhubarb and Ginger Gin Liqueur with Advocaat, apple juice and fresh lemon. We also got a rhubarb and custard sweet, which the cocktail tasted just like and Lisa said it reminded her of ‘her childhood in a drink’!

I too had a gin cocktail, a ‘Drunken Tulip’ made with Martin Miller’s Gin, Prosecco, pomegranate juice, elderflower cordial and fresh lemon. This was really refreshing and I joked that all the fresh, fruity flavour made it taste ‘almost healthy’…

We had a quick chat to the ladies from Gin Explorer too. They are a subscription service who send you 4 carefully chosen 50ml vials of different gins each month. We tried new Black Shuck gin there and the ladies very kindly gave me a code for £5 off your first order with them. Visit GinExplorer.com and use ‘PASSPORT‘.

You’re welcome!

 

We had a great time at Gin Festival and I’d recommend that you get tickets to an event near you soon.

Make a night of it!

Have you been to a Gin Festival?
What’s your favourite gin or gin cocktail?

Let me know and leave me links in the comments below.

 

* This post is a collaboration with Gin Festival.

For more information, see my disclaimers.

 

Jenna
X

Keep up to date with my latest posts on:
| Bloglovin’ | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Google+ |

If you liked this post, you should check out:
Jazmin’s 15th Birthday (in pictures) – We went for a meal at Frankie & Bennys to celebrate my little sister turning fifteen!
what I did at Christmas – a selection of posts about mine and my family’s Christmas celebrations…
Scissors Christchurch Ladies’ Night* – My Nan and I were pampered for the evening by the Scissors team
the perfect Pimms – I make the Pimms’ cup recipe with a little help from my mum!

Eloquence Pure Luxury Collection* | 10-day Skincare Trial

I was kindly sent Eloquence’s Pure Luxury Collection to review as part of my new focus on skincare. I am a bit crap at keeping up with skincare regimes but I was really excited to give this one a go and actually commit. I vlogged the routine and the effects over ten days of using the products.

(Scroll to the bottom for the vlog!)

 

 

Who are Eloquence?

Eloquence are one of the UK’s newest natural skincare companies. They combine the hydrating powers of Sacha Inchi Oil and hyaluronic acid to restore your skin to a healthier balance. Their products are cruelty-free and contain no harsh chemicals or perfumes. Using oils like cucumber and coconut to nourish and protect your skin, the Eloquence range was also featured in Cosmopolitan magazine last year as a must-try for all skin types.

 

Inside the Pure Luxury Collection (RRP £75.00) is:

Step 1) Purifying Facial Cleanser

Step 2) Firm & Tone Serum

Step 3) Firming & Moisturising Eye Gel

Step 4) Protect & Repair 24hr Cream

 

and their Nourishing Treatment Oil

 

You are advised to use the four-step routine morning and night for the full benefits.
You can buy any of the products separately too though!

 

 

What did I think?

The Cleanser and Serum used one after the other had a lovely fruity smell and a creamy texture. Instantly my skin felt refreshed and lighter.

Dabbing on the eye gel was a nice little pick-me-up too, as it was cool and easy to apply.

I found the 24hr Cream a bit heavy for daytime use as I usually wear quite light moisturisers. It was nice before bed when I’d had a shower and my pores were open.

I also used the Nourishing Treatment Oil on my hand and rubbed it into my nails, both of which needed some TLC. It was a bit weird at first to use oil on my hands but it definitely cheered my skin up and strengthened my nails.

I would recommend the Pure Luxury Collection to anyone who can afford it (unfortunately, I can’t!) but I’d also say it’s worth trying the products individually for problem areas for a low-cost option.

 

The vlog

 

 

Have you tried or bought any of Eloquence’s range before?
Do you buy cruelty-free, natural skincare?

Let me know and leave me links in the comments below.

 

* This post is a collaboration with Eloquence.

For more information, see my disclaimers.

 

Jenna
X

Keep up to date with my latest posts on:
| Bloglovin’ | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Google+ |

If you liked this post, you should check out:
foundation-free fridays series – I let my skin breathe with some awesome foundation-free makeup looks
guest post: Mermaid Look – Peter Minkoff of Your Style Forecast talks about the mermaid trend!
FOTD: Smashbox Art, Love, Colour Bestsellers Kit – A makeup look using my prize from Jemma
tag: boyfriend does my makeup – a silly vlog where Josh attempts to paint my face

Dissertation hand-in … I did it!

I did it! I’ve finished my dissertation!

 

Anyone who knows me particularly well will know that my time at university hasn’t been an easy one. From picking the wrong course to personal difficulties, I ended up on a degree program that thinks about the bigger questions. I made some great friends along the way, despite being a commuter and sometimes missing out on events. I have grown as a person and learnt important lessons about self care, tolerance and hard work.

 

Most importantly, I have learnt to believe in myself and that I can do something if I set my mind to it.

I wrote a dissertation examining the self/other relationship of modern feminism, exploring intersectional and queer theories and suggesting a situation not dissimilar to the dialectic of enlightenment in Adorno and Horkheimer. Through reading Hegel (and critiques by my professor as well as his no. 1 fan, Gillian Rose) I began to wonder if equality and the freedom that it promises can hold any truth. I’m still not sure what I concluded, only now I think that a key component of mutuality is difficulty. In other words, we struggle to see the other as their own entity, even when they present themselves as a subject. Also, feminism shouldn’t revert to mastery and barbarism, it should be reflective and aware of contradictions as and when they present themselves (white, bourgeois feminism etc)…

The deadline day

Yesterday I had a meal and drinks with my course mates and my tutors. It was emotional as we played games, told stories and laughed a lot. Now comes the time to close the chapter of my life that was BA Modern Liberal Arts. I’ll be pretty emotional about leaving it all behind but I know that the way I’ve been encouraged to think won’t ever leave me, and that’s okay… Although I’ll still roll my eyes when anyone asks me to explain what ‘liberal arts’ actually means or what we did.

What’s next you ask?

Well I’ll graduate in October and I’ll post all about that, don’t you worry. As for now, I’m on the lookout for a job where I can help a brand that I believe in to blossom through creating engaging and interesting content. Ideally I want to write like I do here, but I’d just be happy to do something social or events based. The blogging will continue regardless and I will of course keep you guys posted as to what the future holds.

 

More photos of the hand-in day with the delightful Cami will be up at some point.

Cross your fingers for me guys…

Jenna
X

Keep up to date with my latest posts on:
| Bloglovin’ | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Google+ |

If you liked this post, you should check out:
Where have I been?! – I talk about why I took a blog hiatus
where will we go on holiday in 2016? – my wishlist of holiday destinations for this year
Mental Health and University – some important advice about looking after your mental health while at uni

 

foundation-free fridays: vamp

 I started this series on the blog last June when I was a lot less experienced at blogging and didn’t have a good camera. I still really like the ethos though.

Firstly because it’s important to let your skin breathe and some base makeup products don’t do that. Secondly, it’s about learning to love your skin even if it has what might be considered ‘imperfections’. After the recent response to Match.com’s poorly thought out advert, I thought it would be nice to revive foundation-free Fridays, especially as I’m majorly focusing on my skin and skincare at the moment.

Previously my looks have been what I would call ‘everyday wear’ for me and so I wanted to create a look that you could try on a night out. I must admit I do tend to wear much more makeup than this when I go out and I usually opt for foundation! I do really like this ‘vamp’ look though and I think it draws the attention away from any blemishes/discoloration on my skin.

 

The foundation-free look: ‘Vamp’

The products I used were a little more expensive and have been gifts from Josh, friends and family so I tend to keep them for special occasions. This look felt really sexy and vampy because of the contrast with my hair. You can just about see my freckles now the sun is out too!

Brows: Collection Intense Colour Supersoft Kohl Pencil in Birdy Song // Makeup Revolution I ♡ Makeup Brow Kit Bold is Best
Eyes: ‘Verve’ and ‘Blackout’ from the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette // Shu Uemura Pressed Eye Shadow in Gold Glitter // Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black // Seventeen High Drama Intense Liquid Eyeliner in Blackest Black
Lips: Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in 04

Do you like/own any of these products?
Do you take foundation-free days?

 

Jenna
X

Keep up to date with my latest posts on:
| Bloglovin’ | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Google+ |

If you liked this post, you should check out:
Mermaid Look – A guest post by Peter Minkoff – Peter explores the magical world of the mermaid fashion trend.
FOTD: Smashbox Art, Love, Colour Bestsellers Kit – My prizes from Jemma at Floral Etiquette provided a great daily makeup look…
Unicorns Unite Lipstick Collection by Makeup Revolution – I vlogged swatches and tried on these magical lip colours!
Rimmel Lasting Finish for an Autumn Lip Look – I used the same lipstick for a fab Autumn makeup look…