In Flight Entertainment // Movies

Before any flight as soon as the month of travel arrives I'm on the airlines website to see what the current months movies are and start planning my time onboard. My flight experiences vary depending on general mood, who I'm travelling with, seat etc (for example during last years flight to Florida I spent an hour staring at the back of my nephew's head as he sat on my lap watching a film!).

Despite little sleep, an early start and the knowledge that when I arrived in Las Vegas it would be very late UK time I didn't manage to sleep much on the plane only gaining a few hours but this did mean I was able to work my way through 3 films all of which I thoroughly enjoyed.

World War Z was the film I started with. I wasn't sure what to expect and when the action started during the first few minutes I was impressed and then slightly concerned when zombies appeared but it managed to retain credibility and not turn into some farcical horror movie. I recommended it to my mum but she wasn't impressed so let me know if you've seen it and what you thought.

White House Down was only ever going to impress when Channing Tatum was running around in nothing but a white vest but again this was another film I enjoyed. It reminded me of the original Die Hard style films, action with humour and yes far fetched on occasion, the type of film my dad would roll his eyes at but just the sort of film to lose yourself in.

Hangover 3 didn't receive the best reviews and admittedly I wasn't as impressed with the second film but when you're on a flight to Vegas you have to watch the film featuring Caesars Palace the hotel you're staying in. Was it great, not really but worth killing a couple of hours during the final restless leg of my flight.

On the return flight I chose to watch The Way Way Back. This was a film that I'd seen a trailer of some weeks before and as a fan of Alison Janney wanted to watch and wasn't disappointed. Not my usual film but one of those wildcard films you watch just because and end up enjoying.

As I was on a night flight and in a seat which enabled me to put my feet up I was able to sleep much of the way home. I did put on The Intern with Vince Vaughan & Owen Wilson in the final hours but unfortunately didn't get to see the end. The film was ok so I'll wait for it to appear on Sky to catch the end rather than rush out to rent or buy a copy.

Have you seen any of the films, let me know what you thought of them and I promise I will be back to normal blogging next week once I can get some photos taken over the weekend of all my goodies.

Las Vegas Empties

In the past I have always loved that trip to Boots pre holiday when you stock up on all the essentials you'll need for holidays but it does often mean I leave behind half full products to avoid excess baggage charges as the space in my case has been taken over with duty free and other shopping purchases.

This time with only 4 nights and a flat filled to the brim with fabulous products mum and I had a chat and I was left to take along products that we could share to ensure maximum usage. I also decided to take along one or two products that were at the end of bottles so I could use up whilst away and those are what are photographed above.

Batiste Dark & Deep Brown has become somewhat of a staple for me lately. This was the can lived in my draw at work and used to give my hair a little life before a night out but was nearing the end so thought it'd be perfect for the trip. I can never tell how my hair will react on holiday due to using a different hairdryer, water etc and thought this would come in handy in case I was left with lacklustre hair. Mum also became a fan whilst we were away so it was very easy to use this up and leave behind.

To be honest I wouldn't have thought to take along sun protection to somewhere like Vegas in the past as it wasn't for me a 'sunbathing holiday'. These days reading so much about the importance of protecting your skin there was little way I cold avoid taking an SPF along with me - and let me tell you Vegas was HOT! I was lucky enough to receive Reimann P20 Once a Day Sun Protection* before I left for my trip and with the knowledge I only had to apply once a day made it's use even easier. P20 previously was only available in factor 20 but they have since expanded the range and I took along factor 15 for myself, mum and aunt to use. Containing both protection from UVA and UVB and popping on after my shower in the morning I was able to forget about any need to reapply. My time in Vegas was only spent outside sporadically so I can't comment in detail about it's protection qualities but I do know that the weather I experienced would have easily lead to burnt shoulders etc in the past as you don't realise how hot it can be and there was no danger of that with P20 protecting me.

I had been using Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Body Moisturiser prior to departure and as it was such a small tube it was perfect for travelling with particularly as for dry skin which would be likely in such an air conditioned environment. I have some dry patches on my legs from where I cross them, was shaving legs daily and needed to protect some psoriasis patches on my elbows which need attention and this cream was a pleasure to use. It soaked into the skin without leaving a greasy residue and moisturised the dry areas sufficiently.

You all know I'm a big fan of L'Occitane's hand and foot creams and after all that walking around casino's up and down the strip I knew feet were going to need some attention (I even treated myself to a foot massage at the airport before my flight home). Nothing but good things to say about this cream. Wearing flat shoes for the majority of the trip and covering more square foot than I care to remember my feet didn't suffer badly from hard skin on my return which can make returning to heels at work painful.

And finally my toothbrush. I know a lot of people take a new toothbrush on holiday with them but I prefer to buy a new one for my return home and take the one I'm currently using and leave behind - what about you? New toothbrush or take the old one?

So there you have a bonus empties post for you this month.

*PR Sample

Leaving Las Vegas

I have arrived home to a cold and wet England after a fabulous trip to Las Vegas and feel like there is so much to catch up on.

My blog has been sadly neglected this month but the break has been good for me and once again I am enthusiastic to get back into my little space on the internet. I did a lot of shopping whilst I was away so plenty to show you and I'll share some posts on my travel experience which should hopefully help anyone else planning their own holidays.

For now it's back to work having hopefully fought off the jetlag which I never seem able to beat when hitting the West Coast and getting back into the swing of things although I have plenty to look forward to this week, namely a trip to see Mickey Flannigan and a MAC make up lesson.

Book Review | Wicked Wives by Anna Lou Weatherly

It's been a difficult few weeks trying to find a book that I actually want to bother reading on top of a stressful few weeks at work but finally Wicked Wives from Anna Lou Weatherley (available here) has come to the rescue. 

Wicked Wives is exactly the type of book I love to read; rich women, secrets to hide and reminiscent of Jackie Collins. Casino owner and serial gambler Tom Black has left a trail of broken hearts in his wake and when he disappears suspicion points to three women from his past. The story centres around socialite Eleanor, gold digger Loretta and heartbroken Victoria, not necessarily the most likeable characters but ones you want to read more about. 

Anna Lou Weatherley uses each chapter to tell part of each persons story which is a style I really like when reading a book. Firstly it's great for reading when commuting because you can always finish a chapter before jumping off the train and secondly you want to keep reading to find out what happens next in each characters story.

If I was in any doubt to my enjoyment of this book I was actually supposed to return to the library on Saturday and naughtily have kept hold of it till I'm finished and whilst being unwell in bed over the weekend I've reach for this to escape with limited concentration for the tv.

I'm off on holiday next week and will be using my iPad instead of carrying a book so I need to make the major decision of what to download and read - send me your recommendations.

Week 41 // What I'm Reading: Wicked Wives

It's been a difficult few weeks trying to find a book that I actually want to bother reading on top of a stressful few weeks at work but finally Wicked Wives from Anna Lou Weatherley (available here) has come to the rescue. 

Wicked Wives is exactly the type of book I love to read; rich women, secrets to hide and reminiscent of Jackie Collins. Casino owner and serial gambler Tom Black has left a trail of broken hearts in his wake and when he disappears suspicion points to three women from his past. The story centres around socialite Eleanor, gold digger Loretta and heartbroken Victoria, not necessarily the most likeable characters but ones you want to read more about. 

Anna Lou Weatherley uses each chapter to tell part of each persons story which is a style I really like when reading a book. Firstly it's great for reading when commuting because you can always finish a chapter before jumping off the train and secondly you want to keep reading to find out what happens next in each characters story.

If I was in any doubt to my enjoyment of this book I was actually supposed to return to the library on Saturday and naughtily have kept hold of it till I'm finished and whilst being unwell in bed over the weekend I've reach for this to escape with limited concentration for the tv.

I'm off on holiday next week and will be using my iPad instead of carrying a book so I need to make the major decision of what to download and read - send me your recommendations.