Meet the Blogger: house in the sand

Hi guys! Today I have an extra-special post for you. I've been chatting to music blogger Vanessa for a while now and when I tweeted about the idea of interviewing a blogger, she jumped at the chance. I love her blog because it's a brilliant example of where hard work can get you. So, without further ado, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Vanessa...

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your blog

I’m a big music fan from the South of Germany. I live by the motto "the only way you fail is when you don’t react” (lyrics written by Jim Kroft) and believe in the saying "what you put out in the world is what you’ll get back".

The thought behind my blog is it to get unpopular bands/solo artists a bigger fan base and to put them into the spotlight they deserve. Also it’s kind of the road into my future as a journalist.

2. Why did you decide to start your blog?

I decided to start blogging on a really boring Wednesday afternoon. I have been a writer for quite a while and I wanted to improve it, connect with people and get my thoughts 'out there'. After blogging for about six months the idea of becoming a music blog popped into my mind and well... here I am.

3. What is your proudest blogging achievement?

That is a really good question! I think it was when I got my press card for a Tom Odell concert because of my blog. (You need press cards to take your DSLR camera with you here in Germany.) But I also love the 'smaller' moments where great musicians just tell me how much they like what I do. That’s a really wonderful feeling!

4. Is there anything you dislike about the blogging world?

Yes, the jealousy. I’ve experienced that from the very beginning when some musicians helped me out and their fans took it completely wrong and started to talk not the nicest things about me and my blog. It was kind of depressing for me because I didn’t (and still don’t) really understand why you would get jealous about something you could do yourself. Everyone can blog. Everyone can do what they love.

5. What are your hopes for the future of your blog?

I hope that I can grow with this blog and do lots of cool things and never quit because of the down phases. And I hope that I will keep on meeting more wonderful people and stay in contact with the ones I already met. A few more readers would be quite nice too, haha!

And since mine is a beauty blog after all...

6. Tell us a bit about any German beauty brands you can think of or that you like

The first one that comes to my mind is the brand called 'essence' – it’s a drug store brand and basically offers everything you need – eye shadows, eye liners, brushes, make up, nail polishes, etc. Their limited editions are my favourites because they’re always really creative and the products are mostly worth a buy.

Another brand I really like is called 'alverde' which is a natural cosmetics brand. They also cover the whole beauty section. I personally love their blushes and lipsticks. High quality – affordable prices.

7. Are you into beauty? Which are your favourite products if so?

I definitely am into beauty. But I used to care about make up a lot more a while ago, nowadays I care a lot about skin care and keeping my skin and hair healthy.

Besides that I’m really into nail polishes (that’s definitely a reason why I love your blog!). I totally suck at nail design but I love painting my nails. My favourite nail polish brand would be Essie – I love their colours and how long the polishes stay on your nails.

8. Are there any other blogs you would recommend?

Yours, definitely!

I love the blog 'Dirty Little Secret' written by my friend Ola, a beautiful model with an amazing taste in clothes. Whenever I need some inspiration I just head over to her blog.

Another blog I really love is 'London Calling' by a great friend of mine called Jana. Her blog is basically one big bubble of inspiration. Jana and I share the same interests (music and photography) so it’s always really nice to see what she’s up to.

There are lots of other great blogs which I will be introducing on my blog soon. 

9. How can my readers get in touch with you if they want to know more?

Either they can come over and visit my “house in the sand“ and discover some really talented musicians, talk to me on Twitter or see what I’m up to on Facebook. You can find all the links on my contact page.

So, please head over and say hi to Vanessa :-) I'll leave all of her links below underneath my own. If you have any more questions for her leave them in the comments below and I'll be back next week with some more beauty themed posts.

Thanks for reading,

Rachel x

Twitter: rachelizabethxo

Personal blog: estoy mejor sin ti

Instagram: iRachey

Email: rachel.soshedances@gmail.com
Tumblr: lookintothestorm.tumblr.com
YouTube: soshedancesxo

Vanessa's Twitter: vanyhoney
house in the sand Twitter: houseinthesand
Vanessa's blog: house in the sand
Vanessa's email: houseinthesand@web.de
Vanessa's Facebook: house in the sand

P.S. apologies for the hideous line spacing... Blogger hates me. Haha.

Falling out of love with Nails inc

Part of me really hates that I'm writing this post. Long-time readers of my blog or followers on Instagram will know that I've always been a big Nails inc fan. You may also remember that last month I posted my first 'In the Magazines' and mentioned how excited I was that InStyle magazine was giving away three different NI shades. And I really was, until this happened...

Yes, that is my carpet. Yes, that is an NI polish. And yes, somehow the glass bottle has come apart round the top. It didn't smash, it literally came clean apart. It went all over the products in the top left picture. Thanks to a fabulous girl I met at uni, I managed to get the majority of the polish out of the carpet (eventually) but some of the products are still covered in the stuff.

Anyway, Nails inc don't have a customer service line that operates at weekends (this incident occurred on a Friday evening) and their website tells you to send complaints in via email. Not that it was easy to find out how to send a complaint... I had to google it in the end. For anyone wondering, it's under Terms and Conditions on their website. This section also states your complaint "will be acknowledged within 3 working days". So, I emailed in my complaint and attached the above photo along with an explanation of what happened on the 3rd of May. I finally received a response on the 14th of May. That is definitely not 3 working days.

My reply (which, to be fair, was from a lady who sounded genuinely lovely) stated a couple of relevant things:
1. "This is the first problem we have encountered with our polishes breaking without force" - False, I know someone who experienced the same problem AND emailed to complain.
2. "I am pleased to send you a fabulous gift box full of goodies worth over £200 including bestselling products and just-launched items as well as replacing the Nails inc products you had purchased." - What a great response to receive, right? I should add here that the faulty bottle damaged products that I had also received in an online order from them that very same day, hence "products you had purchased". I was pleased with this response and thought it was very good of them to handle it so generously. 

On the 20th of May, I received this package...

After doing some research, I found the total value of this box to be roughly £68. None of these products are replacements for those damaged either. So, on the same day I emailed the lady I had been in contact with to ask if I should expect another package, given that it did not match the description she gave me.

I didn't receive a response.

Because it was a week day, I tried to ring the two numbers I could find - the number she attached to her email, and the number on their website - nobody answered. 

Someone finally answered the phone on Monday. I explained that I had emailed because I hadn't received the package promised and the response I received was "I'll get some additional products sent out to you today." So, I'm now waiting for a package that I'm doubtful will actually arrive. And on a side note, I've been having to get up early everyday to wait for said package because last time it arrived first thing in the morning. Because it's not an order I've placed, I can't track it or get an ETA for it. Brilliant. 

I know every company has customers who unfortunately are on the receiving end of terrible customer service, but seriously. It's been over a month since my initial email and in five days it will have been a month since I received that box. I've spent a lot of money with Nails inc over the years and if you took a peek into my polish collection you'd find a whole drawer dedicated to their polishes. I doubt I'll be spending any more money with them after this experience. I certainly won't be dealing with their customer service team again anytime soon if I can avoid it, though I have a feeling I'll have to. 

Have you ever experienced terrible customer service from Nails inc? Or from any other company too? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading,

Rachel x

Twitter: rachelizabethxo

Personal blog: estoy mejor sin ti

Instagram: iRachey

Email: rachel.soshedances@gmail.com
Tumblr: lookintothestorm.tumblr.com
YouTube: soshedancesxo

Recently on the nails...

1. My nails for the wedding reception mentioned in my last post. I used Essie 'Blanc', Orly 'Glowstick' and a few random brights.

2. Beach themed nails! I based these on an image I spotted on Tumblr and looking back on them I'm in love with them. The sandy colour is Essie 'Sand Tropez'. How appropriate ;-)

3. I don't necessarily get along with bright, vibrant blues like this, but there's something special about & Other Stories 'Twill Blue'. 

4. Oh, how long I spent on these nails! I used my Rio nail art pens over Essie 'Blanc' and Rimmel 'Double Decker Red'. I think I prefer the white background to the red though.

5. Glitter and ombre, how exciting! I intended to wear this design to the wedding reception but when I compared the colours to my dress, they weren't bright enough. I'm still not in love with plain ombre on my own nails though.

6. Bourjois 'Amande defile' (which I can no longer open after only one use, excellent packaging there Bourjois...) with white striping over the top made for a gorgeous, pastel design that I thoroughly enjoyed wearing. 

7. Orly 'Glowstick' and Nails Inc 'Portobello' with a kind of tribal design... making bright and neon a little bit 'edgier'?

8. Rimmel's 'Tangerine Dream' with white stripes and plain rhinestones. This is another design based on an image I saw (this time on Instagram) though I'm not convinced the rhinestones look brilliant on shorter nails. Not a bad design though. 

Please let me know if you'd like a tutorial on any of these designs! I have plenty of time and polish on my hands at the moment, so I'd love to do some if you guys would like :)

Thanks for reading,

Rachel x

Twitter: rachelizabethxo

Personal blog: estoy mejor sin ti

Instagram: iRachey

Email: rachel.soshedances@gmail.com
Tumblr: lookintothestorm.tumblr.com
YouTube: soshedancesxo

A wedding themed FOTN

Hola guys :) Tonight I'm back to share the make-up look I went for last Saturday for my sort-of-cousin Lucy's wedding reception. You'll have to forgive my slightly vacant look in the decent quality photos... it appears neither of my parents are capable of taking photos when they say they are. 

I opted for Mac's 'Girl About Town' on my lips - a gorgeous vibrant pink that, due to its Amplified formula, sticks around for hours and is totally meal-proof. 

My eyebrows were a combination of Mac's 'Omega' eyeshadow and & Other Stories' 'Worcester Taupe' eyebrow pencil. I fixed them in place with Gosh's eyebrow gel which I don't find does a great deal, but in heat like we've been experiencing here in the UK anything like that is sure to help a little.

My mascara was Benefit's 'They're Real', which I know receives mixed reviews (it's either amazing or terrible) but is by far and away the best mascara I've tried. 

I was given that photo printed out in A3 by a random middle-aged man during the evening. I'm still baffled.

Other products used (but not worth proper mentions) were YSL's Le Teint Touche Éclait foundation in BD40, Vichy Dermablend in Opal, YSL Touche Éclait in the lightest shade, Mac Studio Careblend Pressed in Light, YSL Blush Radiance in 2, Sleek Face Form Bronzer and Highlighter, & Other Stories  Sateen Aubergine eyeshadow quad.

Have you tried any of these products? Are any of them your favourites? Let me know in the comments below :)

Thanks for reading,

Rachel x

Twitter: rachelizabethxo

Personal blog: estoy mejor sin ti

Instagram: iRachey

Email: rachel.soshedances@gmail.com
Tumblr: lookintothestorm.tumblr.com
YouTube: soshedancesxo