Blast of the Past

As I work 5 days a week (including most Saturdays!) I like to cherish my days off and do things I wouldn't normally do. 

So yesterday me and my boyfriend decided to go to the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle. This museum just reminds me of my childhood so much, I used to love going here when I was younger. It's basically a museum that documents the past, from wild animals to the Egyptians; you name it. 

Now this post could become quite controversial for the reason that the museum does hold some stuffed animals, which I know some people disagree with so I am sorry if this offends you in anyway. 

There are two parts of the museum that I remember from my childhood. The first was a section laid out like Noah's Ark to show us what animals used to exist and where there habitat was, along with the animals that we all know and love today. 

The second part has quite a funny memory attached to it. I remember a big glass case full of all different types of spiders (obviously they weren't alive thank god!). My grandpa absolutely hates spiders to the point where he wouldn't even go near this section of the museum! So me and my brother decided to buy a plastic spider from the gift shop and that night we put it on our grandpas pillow and eventually heard a very feminine scream come from him! 

So I when I arrived yesterday for the first time in years, I was a bit disappointed that it had all changed! But it is still an amazing museum nontheless. 

As you arrive, you walk into this huge hall dedicated to all the wild animals that grace our amazing world. Now some of these animals were stuffed, but I personally find it amazing that we can get the chance to see these animals. 

I mean how amazing is that! Now as we worked our way around the museum we ended up on a balcony upstairs which meant we were directly opposite these wild animals which was so incredible! 

So after the first room, we walked through to the section all about fossils and sea creatures. But the most amazing part of this room was the huge dinosaur skeleton. I couldn't quite get over how amazing it was to be stood so close to a real dinosaur skeleton. 

Next to each artefact was a plaque of facts about the animal.. These were so interesting to read.

We then moved on to the exhibition all about Ancient Egypt. I was blown away by this part as right infront of me was an actual Mummy. It's hard to think that mummifying was a real procedure years and years ago and reading all about it yesterday was insane. 

The next section was probably my favourite. It was entitled 'Natural Northumbria' which made me love it even more as it was all about things that can be found or was once found in my home area. There was a super cute model of a little lamb that I actually 'aww'd out loud at.. But when you see it you probably will too!

Look at it!

There was also a gorgeous model of a swan, it was so beautifully presented and matched the elegance of the swan to the point.

 Also in this section there was some gorgeous, gorgeous butterflies. Just looking at them made me realise how incredible this earth is.

There was obviously loads of other sections in the museum but these ones were my favourite by far. And if I included them all this post would be so long so I just hand picked my favourite out of the lot.

I seriously love this museum and would recommend to anyone visiting/living in Newcastle!

Let me know if you've ever been and what your favourite parts out of the ones I mentioned are!

Lots of love,

Hannah xxx

Versatile Blogger Award!

Well, not long after I finally got my motivation back for my blog, I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by the lovely Amy. I just want to say a huge Thankyou to Amy, not just for my nomination but for being so lovely to me on my venture back into blogging. So be sure to go check her blog out over on http://apetiteview.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

#THE RULES

#1 Thank the person who gave you the award and include a link to their blog.

#2 Share seven facts about yourself.

#3 Nominate 15 other blogs and let them know you've nominated them.

#MY FACTS

#1 My absolute favourite animals are monkeys, anything monkey related I will stop and 'aww' at it until someone physically drags me away

#2 I used to is suffer from severe acne for over 6 years, so if you're ever in need of a good matte, high coverage foundation, I am your girl!

#3 I dropped out of university in December 2014 and it was the best thing I have ever done. Hands down. 

#4 My job now is so different to what I once saw myself doing, but I think it's so important to push yourself out of your comfort zone

#5 As soppy as this is, my boyfriend is my best friend

#6 There is nothing I enjoy doing more than cosying up in bed with a cup of tea and a film. (Who knew I was such a granny?!) 

#7 I try to be positive every day and leave negative thoughts behind me as I think if you think good things, good things will come your way. I have learnt this first hand 

#NOMINEES

I found this part quite hard as I know there is so many worthy bloggers out there, but I am happy with my end decision!

#1 Lucy- http://www.aspectatorsport.com

#2 Hannah- http://www.hannatalks.uk

#3 Charlotte- http://www.coloursandcarousels.com

#4 Lauren- http://www.beautydivisionblog.co.uk

#5 Courtney- http://lipstickfullofoptimism.blogspot.com

#6 Lucy- http://www.lucestephenson.com/?m=1

#7 Katie- http://www.katiesworldofbeauty.co.uk/?m=1

#8 Mel- http://www.raisethewaves.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

#9 Katie- http://www.katiejaneonline.com/?m=1

#10 Sophie- http://sophieroseblogs.com/

#11 Emmy- http://www.Emmysukblog.blogspot.co.uk

#12 Georgie- http://beansbeautyblog.co.uk/

#13 Tamzin- http://www.throughneweyesx.blogspot.co.uk

#14 Ffion- https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/a-south-wales-blog-12296803

#15 Lizz- http://lizzs-world.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Make sure you go give them all a read! 

Lots of love,

Hannah xxx

Battle of the Mascaras

So girls, please help me out and here and prove that it isn't just me that searches high and low for the ultimate mascara. I'm talking, THE mascara of all Mascaras, THE one that adds the volume, the length, the ability to flutter your lashes to get your own way.. THAT mascara. 

So I used to swear by Maybelline 'The Colossal' mascara, then I tried out Rimmel's 'Wonder'Full' mascara and fell in love with that. But then Benefit came along and tempted me with their new 'Rollerlash' and to no-ones surprise, I fell in love with that. However, just after I started to use it every single day, I heard the rumours that Maybelline had an exact dupe for a fraction of the price; which pleased me greatly. So I thought I would take the chance to do a comparison between the two, to see if they are exactly the same.

So I'll start with Benefit's 'Rollerlash'. This comes in at a hefty £19.50 which to me, is ludicrous for a mascara but hey ho a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do (for amazing lashes). I however picked up the mini tube just to see if I actually liked it before splurging on the full size.

How could I not resist this super cute little thing. I love the packaging, and to me that's always a selling point to me. If it has nice packaging, I want it, and will buy it. 

Anyway on to the actual point of this post: the quality.  

First of all I have to say that I love the brush of this mascara. It's a plastic applicator which I find really helps to coat all the lashes and add a curl to them.

As you can see, the brush itself is curved which again helps to catch all the lashes and add that extra oomf. If there's one thing I look for in a mascara it's how they manage to curl and keep the curl as my natural lashes are quite straight. And Rollerlash did this for me!

I do have to join the hype and say I was so impressed with this mascara that when it runs dry, I will most likely splurge on the full size. 

Now onto the drugstore dupe.. Maybelline's 'Lash Sensational' mascara. This RRP's at £7.99 but as it was a new product I snapped it up at £5.99, what a bargain! 

Now as I mentioned about Rollerlash having super pretty packaging, this Maybelline product is so aesthetically pleasing I couldn't quite believe it. The metallic pink is so cute, I couldn't not take it home with me.

I mean look at it. Just take a minute to admire that beauty. 

Now in terms of whether it is a dupe for Rollerlash, I would have to agree and say there is a LOT of similarities. Lash Sensational also has a curved plastic brush, which again, grips onto every individual lash and holds the curl all day.

If anything I prefer this brush as I did find it easier to ensure that I was getting an even application to each of my lashes But when you hold the two together it is hard to notice any differences. 

The only thing is that Maybelline Lash Sensational is slightly thicker than Rollerlash.

One thing I did notice with Maybelline is that the mascara was a lot more of a noticeable black which I LOVED. I always go for Mascaras that claim to be 'blacker than black' as I think it adds something to my eyes. 

I loved how it opened my eyes and drew attention to them with even just one coat. 

Overall I would say the two are quite similar but I do edge towards the Maybelline Lash Sensational slightly more, simply because I think it creates thicker and blacker lashes than Rollerlash does. Saying that though, I rotate between the two on a daily basis as I love them both!

But if you're on a budget/craving payday, then I would definitely recommend go check out Maybelline's counter until you can afford to splurge on Benefit!

Lots of love,

Hannah xxx