Welcoming Holly Ringsell Owner of Dark Side Comics UK

I'm sure most of you by now are aware of my geeky side, I'm a reader of comic books, a watcher of superhero films and I will be attending my first comic convention this weekend. 

Holly helps me with my comic obsessions as she owns Dark Side Comics UK which is based in Essex  http://www.darksidecomics.co.uk/

Luckily Holly agreed to have a little chat with me to share our passion for everything geeky. 

What gave you the idea to open your own comic book shop?
It has been a lifelong passion, for me to be able to do something I really love!

What attracts you to comic books?
I've been reading them since I was little, partly due to my dad introducing them to me. I've always loved reading anyway, so the combination of that with the wonderful artwork and amazing characters is a no-brainer.

Do you have any recommendations of the best comics and novels to read at the moment?
Comic-wise, Lady Killer, Bitch Planet, Feathers, Goners, Operation SIN, Thor, Secret Six, The Unbeatable & Squirrel Girl.
Graphic-wise, Deadly Class, Chew, Saga, Sex Criminals, Legendary Star Lord, All-New Ghost Rider, The Legend of Luther Strode, Black Widow, Ms Marvel, Rat Queens, Captain America, Winter Soldier & The Wild's End which should be due out in graphic novel soon too. I could probably list billion.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I don't get much spare time! But if I do find any, it's usually spent playing video games, drawing, reading, watching movies or at the Zoo.

As a cosplayer what has been your favourite costume so far?
Hmm that favourite costumes that I've done, probably Batwoman or my custom Sith.

Do you have an idea of what other characters you would like to cosplay in the future?
I have plenty of ideas but never enough time! Star Lord, Winter Solider, Captain America, Silk or Spider-Woman, Josie from Lady Killer, Peggy Carter...There's probably a new character I want to cosplay every week! 

Is there anything you can suggest to my readers which will help them with starting up their own business?
Research, research, research! 

The above images were not taken by myself, these have been sourced from Holly.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Here is my Valentine's Day gift guide of the things I think you need to buy your other half this year.

For the Geek - Dark Side Comics:

Pop! Breaking Bad Jesse Pinkman £11.99
http://www.darksidecomics.co.uk/


For the Mod - Calle Modista:

Paisley Turquoise Delight Scarf £25
http://www.callemodista.com/


For the Biker - SWS of London

1951 Mexican Skull Ring £55
http://www.swsoflondon.com/


For the Trendy - RAP

All Seeing Eye Baseball Tee £10.99
http://rubiesandpoison.co.uk/

Win a signed print and neckless from Justine-Louise photography

Following the popular interview with the very talented Justine-Louise photography, she has agreed to give away an amazing signed print of Candy Valentina 

https://www.facebook.com/candyvalentinaofficial as Poison Ivy and a neckless.

To enter the competition you will need to share the image below on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and hash tag #justinelouisephotographycomp

You MUST include the hash tag in every post otherwise your entry will not get picked up and your entrance won't be included in the draw

Justine-Louise photography

My friend Justine-Louise is a very talented photographer based in Essex and has been working professionally since 2010, photographing some of her favourite artists and making some amazing friends through her passion.

Justine has worked on all types of photography from alternative fashion and live music too weddings and portraits. I have Justine here to talk to us more about what started her passion for photography and what other loves she has. http://www.justine-louise.co.uk/

When did you realise you had a passion for photography?
I have always loved taking photos, even as a kid with a small instant camera. I started to become seriously interested in photography when I was 13 and started attending gigs. I would never go without a camera, and I would literally queue for hours outside the venue so I could be right at the front to take photos of all my favourite bands!

What is it that attracts you to the art?
I love how you can really push boundaries with it. I really enjoy experimenting with lighting, colour, textures and creating something out of almost nothing. I like how I can see my idea come to life and develop over time.

Is there a certain part to photography you enjoy the most?
To be honest I really like it all! I started out doing music photography and eventually moved into photographing models, and I tend to dabble in most areas as I like to keep my work fresh, and keep myself inspired.


How has your journey been in the profession since 2010?
It has been great, I have met and worked with some amazing people. At the start I had the awesome opportunity of assisting one of my favourite photographers. It has been great to see how my work has progressed since then. I have grown a lot more confident and I'm not afraid to try new things.

Has there been a stand out point that you are most proud of within your photography career?
I would say 2014 as whole stood out to me, as this was a year where I discovered new areas, worked with new people, and probably got published the most :) 
Recently Justine has been published in; Gorgeous Freaks, Sour magazine, Twisted Edge magazine, Freque magazine and Elite magazine.



What is it that you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time I can be found doing other creative things, such as drawing, making jewellery or creating props for shoots. When I am having some downtime though I can be found on my PlayStation either playing video games, or watching Netflix. I also love reading fiction and graphic novels.

What are looking to get out of 2015?
I am looking to produce more high end fashion images, and also creative beauty work. It would be great to also do more weddings as well as work with more families. I would also like to delve further into the cosplay scene.

Please visit Justine's website for pricing on weddings and portraits as well as all of her fabulous experience http://www.justine-louise.co.uk/  
If you would like to contact Justine-Louise regarding prices and packages please email her;
contact@justine-louise.co.uk
Also make sure you like Justine-Louise Photography Facebook page. 

Christmas gifts for him

Sorry I have been away for so long, I've been a busy bee lately! This is my 60th post now, so I am creeping my way towards the big 100 - which is exciting I will have to do something extravagant for that post. Although I am getting a little a head of myself, so lets get back on track with my better late than never Christmas gift guide for him.

I know there are a lot of ladies out there who find it hard to buy for their other half or any male member of their family for that matter. I am here to help you by showing you what I think are some great choices for gifts, some brands have been featured on here before but that's because I am a big fan of their products. We do have some new entries to the blog this time though, with some unique and wonderful products which you would never think of buying someone! 

First up are my favourite and forever loved brands.

Rasha Swais:  

You want your other half to stand out from the crowd this Christmas and with this fabulous paisley shirt they will. 

Available from http://rashaswais.com/ for £48.00.

Mod Shoes:

No I am not going to tell you to buy shoes for someone, as I think it is more of a personal choice but I am going to show you this lovely knitted tie. It is great for a stocking filler and the best thing is they also sell socks to match!

This very stylish knitted tie is available from http://www.modshoes.co.uk/ for £29.


Johnny & Me:

Keeping the style going with this fantastic on-line accessories website for men. What's a great fit for men's stocking fillers? wallets? cufflinks? sock sets? You name it Johnny & Me will have it.

These smart cufflinks are presented in a stylish gift box available from http://www.johnnyandme.com/ for £32.50


Green People:

Recently I discovered Green People while looking for make up which is organic and chemical free, in the hope of improving my skin. When I was on their website I got lost within the amazing products hair care, make up and best of all beauty products for men.

This nifty shaving set is available from http://www.greenpeople.co.uk/ for £25.


IT'S A WOT:

Here is a website that is full of unique paraphernalia that is perfect for a secret Santa gift or stocking fillers. Ranging from the quirky to the practical!

Image from http://zoeliannex.blogspot.co.uk/ visit her blog page to read her review

For them guys who are always on the go available from http://www.itsawot.com/ for £9.99.



Keep your eyes open for my next Christmas gift guide for her....

Glossy Box - Pop Art

I have noticed that there are some bloggers who have signed up to Glossy Box, where they get sent 5 samples of products at random which they then in turn review. 

Well I'm unable to review them all as I have yet to try all the products, actually I think there is only one I haven't used yet as I keep forgetting - which is always helpful! 

It was off to a good start, the packaging is lovely and being a pop art fan I will be keeping this box for keep sakes. I was so excited when I received my Glossy Box, it was like an early Christmas present to my self - every girl loves make beauty products even if you don't wear them all the time like myself.

In my box there was; Etre Belle Liplift Peel, Nuxe Creme Fraiche de Beaute Mask, Rimmel London BB Matte Minis, So Susan Flutter Mascara and Ciate Paint Pot (Blue).

My favourite products from my box are the Ciate nail polish, the colour is gorgeous such a lovely deep shade of blue - it matches a lot of my clothes as well. The Etre Belle Liplift Peel was surprisingly good as well, when I originally read the back of the tube - I thought this is going to be rubbish, but I was wrong. Its a very good lip exfoliator while moisturising the lips, which prepares them well for lipstick and keeps them soft even after applying lipstick.

The products that didn't get me excited was the Rimmel London BB Matte Minis, mainly because I found the foundation to be too thick as well as being slightly too dark for me (which isn't there fault - how were they to). I have a thing about the consistency of foundation, can't be too thick or too runny and in this case it was too thick - I felt like I was caking it on even though I wasn't.

So Susan Flutter Mascara was a big disappointment for me as that was something I desperately needed as mine had dried up, and when I opened it the brush was one of them annoying plastic type ones. I am also fussy when it comes to mascara and I like to have a big thick brush when I get a mascara, I think it makes my long eye lashes look 10 times better. The other brushes make it look like I don't have any mascara on most of the time - that was my main problem with the mascara. 

I have not yet had the chance to try the Nuxe Creme face mask, so I will have to let you all know about that but my favourite product out of my Pop Art Glossy Box is Etre Belle Liplift Peel - I would never think to purchase this but now I have used it, once I run out I will be getting more. 

I will be receiving another box this month but that will be my last one, as I can't afford to do this every month and just wanted to see what they were like.

Bargain Buys

I have been having some technical issues lately, so excuse the average images - my camera is causing me problems at the moment.

Anyway I thought I would write a student budget buying post, as I have recently discovered some great buys for a cheap price. I had to pop to my local 99p shop the other day, for an emergency chopping board and uncovered some jems while I was in there.

Timotei Brilliant Repair Shampoo - 

I have been looking for some less chemically shampoo for a while but I can't afford to keep buying Naked beauty products, so when I saw this paraben and colourant free shampoo I got rather excited! As well as it being a lot better for my hair and scalp, it smells incredible and leaves your hair feeling soft and healthy. Timotei Brilliant Repair has 100% natural Jericho Rose extract which helps to provide intensive repair by strenghtening damaged keratin and reduce hair breakage. This bottle cost me 99p, the conditioner was also the same price I think I will try the shampoo for coloured hair next. 

Argan Oil Heat Defence Spray -

I have been naughty recently and haven't used heat defence on my hair in a very long time, so when I saw this in the 99p store I had to have it! This Argan Oil leave in spray defends your hair against damage caused by heat styling, from blow drying too straightening. Argan Oil leaves your hair feeling soft, looking shiny and healthy, this also cost me just 99p.

So from now on I think I will always have a little snoop in my local 99p shop, to see what bargains they have in there. 

I will have a Glossy Box review coming up, once I have a working camera it shall be on here - watch this space.