LOCO for COCO | A Coconut Review

Nothing screams summer quite like coconuts. You can drink them, eat them, smell them and rub them all over your body... in that order. They are also a super food, making them that much more enjoyable to have. While on my little trip to Australia I thought I'd pick up a couple of new products, which you can't get at home and the amount of coconut flavoured and scented products was every basic bitches dream! So here's my coconut haul and review with ratings out of 5. 

Coffee Scrub | Bean Body 

Coconutyness: 0/5 

Effectiveness: 4/5 

Usability: 3/5 

I'd seen this product a lot on instagram so I thought I'd join in on the fun and give it a try. Since it's made out of coffee it smelt like walking into Starbucks, so the coconut oil didn't stand a chance of being noticed. But after rubbing it onto my arms and legs whilst taking a shower(at night for best results), I felt as smooth as the day I was born and that smoothness lasted the whole next day. The only inconvenience was that the scrub is pretty messy and you gotta wait 5 minutes for the product to sink in, so you have to stand there naked, awkwardly covered in coffee. 

Body Scrub | K-Mart 

Coconutyness: 2.5/5 

Effectiveness: 3/5   

Usability: 4/5  

This is the second body scrub which I brought and i'd have to say this one was not as effective, although it was considerably cheaper. The initial coconut smell washes away with the product, so don't count on it to leave you smelling delicious. Although it isn't an intensive treatment it is perfect for everyday use, as the scrub helps to get rid of dry skin and leave you feeling smoother. I usually use body wash afterward the scrub, to make up for the lack of scent. 

Dry Conditioner | K-Mart 

Coconutyness: 4/5 

Effectiveness: 3/5

Usability: 4/5 

Since I had never tried a conditioning spray before, I was rather intrigued with this product. You can use it instead of a shower conditioner for those days when you really just can't be bothered with life. The first initial spray is very coconuty but it lingers in your hair throughout the day as well (especially if you tie it up straight after and untie it later) It also leaves your hair soft and shiny. With this and dry shampoo, you may never have to wash your hair again...but shhh ;)  

Paw Paw Balm| Models Prefer 

Coconutyness: 4.5/5

Effectiveness: 4/5 

Usability: 5/5 

I'd been told about how good PawPaw balm is before, so it was on my list of things to try. The fact that they had a coconut flavour just made me all the more excited. It is a multipurpose balm with Jojoba oil, which you can use on your lips, skin and stretch marks. With a strong coconut smell and even a subtle taste (please don't eat it I just licked it) it wins the most coconutyness product. Since is small you can just throw it in your bag and use it whenever for pretty much whatever needs a little moisture.

Although nothing scored a 5/5, that's just because I'm super fussy and nothing will ever beat an actual coconut, but some of these came pretty close! 

xx 

The Dating Diaries | Are Cities Like Dating Buffets?

As you all know there are two things that I love to talk about,food and dating AKA bad dating stories. Well I have a theory for you today that involves a bit of over indulging in some bad food. 

I'm pretty sure you are well aware of what a buffet is, but if you've been living in a hole most of your life here's a summary: They are a place where you can eat as much food as you like in a certain period of time and there is usually a huge selection of different types and cuisine's. But the catch is that it's more about quantity than quality. So you stuff yourself on everything there is to offer because, well you paid for it..

Since being back In Hong Kong for exactly 8 months, i've been thinking about how dating in such a condensed city can be so difficult. Here is why I believe it's similar to a buffet: 

• There is a huge variety, all different nationalities and styles. 

• No one wants to commit, why choose thing when you can pile your plate high? 

• The quality is lacking, so you make do with what's in front of you.

• Since everyone is invited to this buffet, there's always gonna be something/someone else. 

• You never know what course you are, are you a main dish or just a side?  

• It's easy to overindulge and find yourself in a bit of trouble later. 

Maybe it's time for a new restaurant to come to town 

xx

How To | Be A Girl Boss

Being put down for whatever reason Is horrible, especially If It's something you can't control. But as long as you stay confident and take control of your life, you can be the ultimate #girlboss. Here's a little bit of advice I have for being a woman in a world of men. 


Schedule People Around You 

Cancelling or changing your own plans and routines for someone else's benefit never leaves you with a good feeling. You will either feel like you've wasted your time or the person you cancelled for will assume you'll do it every time. In order to be successful you have to put yourself first.

Contacts are key 

It's easy to cut someone off if you don't like them or got in a bit of a fight, but sometimes keeping people sweet can get you what you want in the future. I'm not saying be friends with everyone, just try to avoid making enemies. 


Go Out Solo 

Since my job involves travelling around and eating out, I can't always rely on someone to accompany me each time. Although it's uncomfortable at first, I've now started to enjoy it. Yes, people give you a funny look when you say "table for 1" but you'll get over that. If you find yourself missing out on certain places you wanted to go to or things you want to do, because you can't find someone to go with, just take yourself out.



Stand By Your Decisions 

Whether this is with a toxic friend, family member or partner, it's important to stand you ground. Don't feel like going out? Don't go. Don't think you're being treated fairly? tell them. The sooner you take control and show them what you stand for the more respect you'll earn. 


Brand Yourself Not Your Relationship 

There are very few relationships I make public, especially online. Damage control is never pretty and it's easy to spot someone desperately hiding a heartbreak if that relationship as been so public, it effects future prospects and you own self esteem. Yes allow some pictures of you together if you want to but don't make your relationship your identity. 

Celebrate Achievements 

Finishing a book, getting more work done than you planned or even coming up with a blogpost idea after being in a creative funk (cough cough) are all achievements in their own little way. If anything gives you a sense of gratitude then hold onto it for a bit because you just did something to make yourself happy. It's these moments that help make your confidence grow. 

Happy International Women's Day  xx

Goodbye 2016.

It's time to say goodbye to 2016 and hello to the new and exciting 2017. 

As I was doing my yearly clear out and putting away my decorations, I began thinking about how important it is to have a mind clear out as well. I'm not talking about permanently removing memories from your mind, although sometimes I really wish I could.  What I mean is reflecting on the previous year and allowing yourself to make piece with everything and collect all the memories, put them in a file and store it away. 


2016 was a big year of growth for me. Some years are more of a work in progress while others offer you some serious insight into who you are and where you want to go. So i've categorised all the highlights from my year.  


University

2016 was my final year as a student in university. From writing essays until my fingers felt numb to producing an entire magazine about Hong Kong as my dissertation, I pushed myself over the final hurdles of my studies and graduated in July, which was something I never believed I could achieve. 

Travel 

I was lucky enough to get a good amount of traveling done, which I hope to continue in 2017. Firstly trips to and from UK and HK over the holidays. Some crazy partying in Malia with my best friends. I then moved back to Hong Kong at the end of the summer, ventured to Macau for my 21st and finally snuck in a trip to Vietnam with my family after Christmas. 

Work 

Getting started on the career ladder has been extremely eyeopening, I've learnt what kind of path I would like to go down, as well as boost my confidence in both my writing and myself. You can check out my articles on http://magazine.foodpanda.hk

People 

Every year you get to say hello to a selection of new people, some who merely just pass by while others grow to become main characters in your life. But with hello's also come goodbye's, which my year had a lot of. 

Obviously no year is perfect and sometimes sad moments are going to come, but I would rather keep them private. 

So here's to an exciting, successful and happy 2017, thank you for your support! 

xx