5000!!

I have reached 5000 followers on Instagram as of Sunday night!! 

I swear I never thought I would get here as after all this was only a side hobby thang, let alone this quickly...besides the fact that, I don't know, I am genuinely lost for words! At the beginning I still remember being too shy to let any of my friends see my account, joking that I will when the time comes, like when I'm at like...over a THOUSAND.

Things are getting real. Been in talks with Marvel! Feels rude to be talking about this whilst in a DC cosplay but as it turns out they work in an office out in America, like the rest of us, in an office. With landlines. Not underneath a remote, unspoilt island with all sorts of secret ops happening and a departments directory like one of the Disney World Park Maps (huge). It is going to be a very interesting 6 months! ;)

This Ame-Comi version of Supergirl was my first ever 'published' cosplay as Karina Dash so I thought it'd be a nice loop to come back to. It is interesting to see how far I've come; I have become so much more comfortable with myself haha!

Enough narcism. I mainly just wanted to thank everyone who has been part of my support system, in which ever form and role, directly or indirectly. None of this could happen without each of you! I am honestly so grateful! Come join the gang instagram.com/karina_dash or simply click the IG bar on the right!

xoxo

1/1: My 100th Post!!

TO THIS NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

I'm a fan of new years resolutions. I think it's a good point to pause and reflect, and look to improve for a better future for ourselves. Nowadays we're all constantly in a rush, on the clock, in a haze. Mind, I have a firm obsession with time myself, which probably makes this all the more important that I can make sure I don't waste any of it without knowing.

I'm feeling extra positive this new year - probably more than ever before! Here are my 3 resolutions for the year 2014 ahead of me; it's important to be realistic and focused. I used to write a whole list of things I'd like to achieve no matter how small or big, thinking it'd be good to be able to tick off half of it by the end of the year! Now though I think it's much more effective to stay focused on a few important things, so we don't overwhelm ourselves or be as big a defeatist I was. These are hardly original but I feel everyone can benefit from; in the order of priority:

1.
From 2013, I realised I focus a lot on negatives than I do on positives; basically taking negatives too seriously and dismissing positives too easily - driving myself into corners which is never healthy. That is why when I came across this I just know it's the perfect potion! I've even ordered my special jar as an incentive! Will any of you join my voyage?

2.
Health & Fitness: This seems awfully generic but it doesn't need to be if you're determined. I spent most of last year stuck in a chair, be it at my desk or in a car, for my brand/business, being deeply unhappy and gained a lot of unhappy weight. So this year, I would like to start exercising again and regain my body happiness! We all know fitness generates happy hormones! I simply can't wait to take up yoga again! 

3.
I'd like to officially try something new every week! (Everyday seemed too ambitious as I thought my No.1 Resolution was more important to myself right now, then my original idea of every month seemed a little naff - so every week it is!) No matter how big or small, it's always good to surprise our eyes and awaken our minds as life starts becoming a very fixed routine, like a rat race. Even walking a different street to work you've never been down counts! I'm very open to new suggestions though as I'm not sure how I'll find something new to discover every week yet...but I'd certainly like to try and am determined to make it happen!

I hope I have inspired your January 1st a little, and don't listen to those January Blues talks - toxins they are!

xoxo

#BirthdayBlues

I have been quite expressive on Twitter of not wanting another birthday, not wanting to get yet another year older. The dreading was actually worse than anything else, whilst I have never been big on birthdays this year it took a whole new definition. It is official that behind any birthday celebrations the true reason is to take the edge off. The bf did a fabulous job - much more than just taking the edge of and completely made my day. I'll get onto that in tomorrow's post, although those of you who are with me on Instagram would know what I was up to! ;)

For now, I thought I'd share with you my pre-birthday dinner at Plateau, Canary Wharf. I were sent there a long time ago as a job and have loved the place since. It is at the prime location of the finance district with the easiest and shortest walk from the tube station. With the submersion of dense, glistening building lights and its crisp white interiors, sink into their seats and let their amazing wine wash away your worries. The price tag isn't cheap but we had caught some amazing 3-course deals from them in the past.

The Knickerbocker Glory with Strawberry Ice Cream. Super Nom!

For more details of Plateau click here.

Lightbox Fun!
My dress is from River Island, cardigan from MaxMara, clutch by Vivian Ying,
shoes from Mr. Louboutin and baroque bangle from Anna Dello Russo for H&M.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post - I have got so much to share for my actual birthday (yesterday) but for now I need to run along and enjoy the last of it today! Find me on Instagram! Always amazing when they fall on weekends! xxx

Drift Away with Dove Spa

I was sent to the Dove Spa at Lakeside Shopping Mall, out in Thurrock, Essex to review their current "Double the Pampering" promotion on their existing "Drift Away" experience. Drift Away is a package of a 35 minutes back massage with a 25 minute mini facial and a choice of scalp, hand, or foot massage whilst the face mask works its magic. With "Double the Pampering", customers get two of the treatment for £75 rather than the original £52 each with a complimentary Skin Diagnostic session each. I took my best friend as a treat to celebrate her results of flying colours at the Aviation Academy! Couldn't be more proud of her!

The Waiting Room

We were brought into the waiting area to fill in some standard forms about our medical history. We were then individually taken to the Skin Diagnostics machine to check out our levels of skin damage, hydration, oil balance, and elasticity on our face. The therapist explains every step, the results, what SPF to wear and how to improve any of these levels if necessary. Sadly my elasticity was the weakest but unfortunately can't remember what she suggested...I was told I will get a print out of this report at the end so I left it at that.

The Therapy Room

The walls between the therapy rooms were sliding doors which is amazing. We each had enough space and privacy but can still talk to each other and are truly sharing the experience. The rooms boasts a large wardrobe area with a few lovely touches like a porcelain dish for your jewellery.

The back massage is followed with a very nice back scrub and an incredible hot sponge down. We couldn't believe how soft and smooth our backs felt when we were putting our clothes back on! When we returned to the waiting room we each had a cup of tea and this lovely hot wheat sack waiting for both of us. It was perfect.

It was hard to leave you behind!

When we were ready, we went back out to the reception and she was asked if we would like to make any purchases or try any samples of any products we tried during our treatments. With that though I forgot to ask for my skin diagnostics report. My friend had hers waiting for her on her seat back in the waiting room and I was meaning to enquire about mine - but got too distracted by all the other lovely things! We were supposed to have had a choice between a scalp, hand, or foot massage but both of us received a scalp massage without being asked, which is a shame. Scalp massage would have been my last choice...

Lastly, I do apologize that the pictures aren't great. I can't afford to break my cover so I can only sneak in quick snaps with my phone!

For more details of the Drift Away Experience, click here, and here to find your local Dove Spa. There are 5 branches just in London! The Lakeside branch boasts the latest opening hours (as late as 22:00) so if this is near you their details are:

DOVE SPA LAKESIDE

Brompton Walk, Lakeside Shopping Centre

Thurrock, Essex

RM20 2ZP

0844 875 1551

xoxo

Welcome 2013!

Following my last post; my brief was to enjoy the new years eve countdown in a secret nightclub. I was asked to collect the tickets at 8:30 and the address was actually in the middle of Gerrard Street, mainstreet Chinatown. Under the paper printout logo of Vesper was the buzzer. The set up was like a house party. The crew unfriendly and the tickets took just too long. The "two private patios promising fireworks view" is enough to raise some doubtful eyebrows. To call it "Mansion" is rather far-fetched.

By the time I was trying to get into the 'club' at 00:40, a group of french speaking girls were hanging around the small doorway impatiently whilst the door was pulled shut by the door keeper. Chaos soon broke out as these girls start demanding entry whilst lots of guests are simultaneously coming out for air. A pair of these guests were shouting something about having called the police. The doorman and the french speaking girls were then in a full scale shouting match, literally throwing their heels down about money back and how they have paid too much to be kept waiting this long - they have been there for 15 minutes. The place was clearly a mess. I never gained entry. 

VESPER London NYE - I'm afraid it is a massive NO from me!

I must say, if I had paid £300 entry for this place last night not knowing what I was getting into, I would be pretty angry. Deciding to make last minute plans for countdown was definitely the best idea of the year! Was lucky enough to end up in Parliament Square and said goodbye to the glorious year of the Olympics, Diamond Jubilee, and surviving the apocalypse.

It's a Brand New Year Everyone! x