#ChooseAvonGifting

I always enter the festive season with the intention of getting my gifting situation sorted early. I plan on buying and wrapping my gifts early and not leaving it to the very last minute. Needless to say, things rarely go according to plan, and this year has been no different. Luckily for me, this year I don't have to panic. Avon has come to my rescue!

Avon gifting has something for everyone. Whether you are looking to spoil your parents or nieces and nephews: the variety of options will make the task much easier. Their gifting options range from world class fragrances to luxurious bath essentials and everything in between. I recently joined the #ChooseAvonGifting campaign and I am super excited to share the gifts I received.

I think the absolute best thing about it is that I get to forgo busy shopping malls and long queues. And so  can you. You can shop online using my link and relax while your gifts are delivered straight to your door. It's that simple!

Really liked this makeup. 

So what are waiting for? #ChooseAvonGifting right this second and spread the joy this festive season. Follow the conversation by searching for the #ChooseAvonGifting hashtag on social media and see just how many gifting gurus have chosen Avon this season.

I would love some support on my socials.

Instagram: laurenvogel

Twitter : @CkoBlog

Facebook : Cool kids only blog

TILL LATER, LAUREN! 

Book Review: Duplicity by Fin C Gray

 

England, 2003. Tom McIntyre is a worried man. Debts are pillng up, his career is in a free-fall, and his family life is under strain. Only his wife, Allison, remains unswerving in her support. Close to rock bottom, he clinches the deal of a lifetime before tragedy strikes , putting everything Tom values at risk.

In the aftermath, a toxic mix of grief, substance abuse and blame lead to different paths for the family. Duplicity is a story of lost innocence, unwitting deals with darker forces. and fragile family bonds. Can grief, love, lies and hate be reconciled? And can Tom repair his fractured family and release himself from the pact he has made? What fate does he deserve?

Disclaimer: this review might contain spoilers. The book was sent to me by the author in collaboration with Booktasters.

Duplicity: "the state of being double"

I am almost at a loss for words when it comes to this book.  The blurb does not prepare you for what is to follow in the actual book. I was stunned right from the first sentence of the prologue. It was intense and gripping and I knew right away, I was going to have to finish this book come hell or high water. You are not immediately aware of what is happening, but once the penny drops, so does your heart. The book is narrated by the main character Tom and his son, Daniel, in two perspectives: then and now. Right away I found Tom's character very unlikeable. He had a harsh manner about him and seemed to, more often than not, only be concerned with himself. Gray's writing is not the style that I am use to ,but I found the straight forward style perfectly suited to the story.

The story features other characters such as Tom's wife and children as well as some colleagues and it was really interesting to see how these characters developed  throughout the story. The most compelling of them all is definitely Tom's son, Daniel. Now there is a damaged character if I have ever come across one. After an event in his childhood that he feels too ashamed to share and the loss off two very important people in his life, Daniel sees no other option than to make others feel the same pain.

When a series of events catapults Tom's life into disaster, he seems to think the universe has it out for him. He loses control of his sobriety, his children and perhaps even his sanity. It becomes very clear that Tom does not get along very well with one of his children and completely ignores the other. I'm really trying not to give too much away, but I have so much that I want to say.

Throughout the chapters, you slowly start to uncover what actually happens in the prologue and, let me tell you, I was completely astounded. I had my suspicions initially, but nothing could  have prepared me for the journey to the end. This book will force you out of your comfort zone. It discusses topics such as religion, sexuality, death and substance abuse so be warned. I felt a great sadness while reading the last few chapters of the book because I could not imagine having to make sacrifices like those. There were alot of shocking moments as well. A few times I had to take a break from reading just to process, but the end gave me hope. Hope that one is never so completely lost that he/she can never be found again.

No doubt this book will stay will me for the longest time and I will recommend it to anyone who will listen. My rating for this book is a solid 5/5 . Have you had a 5 star read lately? I would love to hear from you. 

TILL LATER,LAUREN!

BEAUTY: Avon Anew Ultimate Day Firming Cream SPF25

Once I turned 30 my interest in anti-aging skincare grew leaps and bounds. I've been using this firming day cream from Avon for a few months now and I am in awe of the results. I wanted to wait to do a proper review and I am glad I did. I love the texture so much. As soon as I apply it, it absorbs quickly leaving my skin feeling moisturized and not greasy.

This day cream contains Protinol. This is clinically proven to restore both types of collagen in healthy skin. It also helps with mimicking the perfect collagen equilibrium found in baby skin. That little bit of information was enough to win me over for good. I am not even exaggerating when I say my skin looks smooth and supple throughout the whole day.

Protinol is a gentle alternative to retinol although they both rank equally high when it comes to anti-aging effectiveness. I am not sure when I will introduce retinol into my skincare regime so I'm especially thankful to have gotten my hands on this product. Protinol is a game changer for me because I have never seen my skin react this way to any other ingredient. It's safe to say that this will be one of those products that I keep purchasing. 

I should mention that you might want to think about keeping it away from your eyes. I made the mistake of applying it to my whole face, eyes included, and I ended up a little teary eyed for a while. However, I am not sure if this will be the case with everyone. This month the 50ml day cream is retailing for R329 and, believe me, it is worth every cent. It is definitely one of those beauty products I plan to keep in my skincare routine for a while to come. 

Have you started using anti-aging products yet? What are some of your must have products? I would love to hear from you!

P.S you can shop Avon products using this link to my online store here

TILL LATER, LAUREN!

LIFE: Purpose

I often wonder about my place in the world. My purpose. Growing up I genuinely thought I would do something in writing. I always had my nose in a book. I loved making lists, making up my own stories and even dreamt about what my life would be like as an author. People gifted me with books and stationary and no one would frown if I ignored everyone at a family gathering to get better acquainted with a book. It seemed to be an unspoken fact in my family that writing  (or something in the field ) would be my path.

Fast forward a few years and I went to university. I got into my first choice, but I was ill prepared. Yes, as much as books exposed my to another world, I was completely out of my depth. Nothing could have been prepared me for the sinking feeling I had in my first semester. I had trouble adjusting to the classes, my peers and the course. I decided to do a BA general degree  which was my first mistake. I had no direction. Do not get me wrong, BA general is an admirable choice, but for someone who thrived on routine, this was not the best choice. Why didn't I just do a degree in journalism you ask? Frankly, in the back of my mind, I figured this degree would expose me more to the "media'' side of things. Needless to say, university did not go as planned and I dropped out. I had my son around that same time and eventually got a job in finance. Motherhood was a dream, but I hated my job with a passion. There was absolutely no room for creativity and my brain felt stifled. For six years, I dreaded getting up in the morning. For six years my creative side wilted away. I could not deal with it anymore.

Along with Covid 19 came some much needed clarity. With life hanging in the balance, there was no time to be unhappy. Life was for living! Please note, this is not me trying to encourage you to leave your job without a solid plan. I was lucky enough to have the luxury of making that choice and I had wonderful support from my family. As it stands, I have no idea where this new journey will lead me, but I do know one thing: I am going to write as much as I can. I am going to write about life and love and everything in between. Chances are I will probably end up writing some horrible stuff and develop some sort of writer's block or imposter syndrome ,but that wont stop me. 

It's too late to turn back now!

TILL LATER, LAUREN!

LIFE : Keep it moving

 

2021 has been a difficult year. And difficult is so much of an understatement. But, while it might seem easier, therapeutic even, to complain about the year that damn near brought me to my knees, I’ll take a rain check for now.  What I will say however is that 2021 was one big (albeit painful) lesson. One realization that was particularly hard to digest was the fact that most of the time; I am my own worst enemy.  I discovered that I am the only one holding myself back from living the life that I want to live. Yes, that was a bitter pill to swallow but; it was also a necessary one.

However this post is not about my tumultuous 2021 but, rather why I am looking forward to the 2022 . I didn’t make any new year’s resolutions because I normally fall back into my old habits so easily and then I end up feeling even worse for failing at my resolutions. The only thing I want to focus on this year is radiating and attracting positive energy. There have been a lot of times last year where I have made excuses and let myself down. I have also been too focused on other people’s opinions of me and what other people had been accomplishing. I’ve decided that this year I am only going to put in the work and trust the process. We are all on our own timelines and while it might be bittersweet, learning to clap when others win is essential to one’s peace. I look forward to my journey, my process this year. Not just the end result.

I also get to plan my dream wedding this year which I am ecstatic about. I have heard a ton of horror stories about the stress of planning a wedding and what it can do to a relationship but, I am confident that my fiancé and I can both remain sane while doing this.

Then there is my little blog. Up to now it has been more of an escape to me: a hobby that’s become my therapy.  And while it will always be that, I would love to do more look posts as well as work with a few of my favourite brands. And who knows where that could lead. I feel like I should have my site redone first though. It just doesn’t fit my personality or aesthetic anymore.

Lastly, but most importantly, my gorgeous son is happy and healthy. As someone who has been battling with depression for the longest time I cannot express the wonders it does to my soul knowing that I am able to take care of and provide for my son. I’ve been a single mom for most of the kid’s life and that sh*t is hard. There are no office hours and often you receive unsolicited advice and comments from people who do not even have dogs (let alone children). My son brings so much delight and love into my life that every single struggle is worth it. It gives me such purpose.

Ok enough with the sentimental stories. My point is, even with 2021 being one big uncomfortable roller-coaster ride; there is always something to look forward to. There is always hope. And while there is hope, there is always something to be thankful for. 

TILL LATER, LAUREN! 

BEAUTY: #7days7faces - Bronzed Up

Make up has always been my safe space. There is nothing I don't love about it. So needless to say when the time came for @Foyin's #7days7faces I was ecstatic to take part. It's not a new concept, but up to now something has been holding me back from participating. That something was performance anxiety. On the previous occasions I have seen the most amazing work, not only from Foyin, but also from everyone taking part. To be frank, I was worried I would suck.

Nevertheless, I decided that this would be the time I finally participate. I was beyond excited. With my skin moisturized and my make up brushes washed, I planned my look for the first challenge: BRONZED UP. I wanted to do something that I would not do on a normal day. I wanted the look to be fun and creative. So I armed  myself with tons of cream and powder bronzer and, much to my son's amusement, this is what I came up with. 

The sad part is that I got really sick and couldn't participate in the other challenges. There were a few that I was rather eager to interpret , but I got to live vicariously through the other participants. The internet can be a cruel place but this concept, the whole idea, was the exact opposite. It felt like a celebration of sorts, It goes without saying, sick or not sick, I will be going the extra mile to participate in the next one. Please enjoy some pictures from the only challenge I managed. For me,  out of 1 out of 7 was good enough. 

I would love to participate in a few more make up challenges this year. Are there any challenges you participate in without hesitation? I would love to here from you.

TILL LATER, LAUREN! 

LIFE: Boundaries

 

Why am I always tired? As an adult, this is a  question I frequently ask myself. No amount of sleep or self care can take the feeling away. Am I doing something wrong? I have been struggling to feel at least somewhat human over the last two years. I feel like the pandemic has taken everything from me, but I have personally been facing a bigger pandemic: I have no boundaries.

As a mom, being a caretaker comes naturally, but I feel my issue goes back even further than that. As the oldest sibling, I was always making sure my brother was taken care of. This is just what older siblings do. As soon as said sibling grows up or can take care of themselves, you kind of just latch onto someone new to take care of. My problem is that I don't stop. If I don't take care of somebody, I need to take care of something. In other words, doing nothing really doesn't sit well with me. I am not sure how many of you can relate, but I feel really guilty whenever I find  myself with nothing to do or simply just resting. This has been coming back to bite me in the ass lately. Like I said, I am always tired.

The last few weeks I have really been trying to be a little more selfish in terms of how I allocate my time, and how much of it I spend taking care of myself. Something needs to change drastically. I will probably always feel the urge to take care of the people I love no matter how old they are, but I need to dial it back a bit before my cup runs empty.

How I am going to do this? I am not sure. So I hope you were not expecting some sort of resolution in this post. I just needed to admit, out loud and on paper, that I lack boundaries. I am aware of that now. The next few weeks I going to actively look for ways to pour back into myself. Whatever that looks like.

TILL LATER, LAUREN! 

"IT ENDS WITH US" by Colleen Hoover

 I felt every single possible feeling one can feel with this book. To say I  was not prepared for the emotions would be an understatement. With that being said, I would like to mention that the book contains scenes of abuse and sexual assault. If this topic is triggering for you, please do not keep reading.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are all my own. This review might contain spoilers. 

PLOT

Lily hasn't always had it easy, but that's never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She's come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up- she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily's life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He's also sensitive ,brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily, but Ryle's complete aversion to relationships is disturbing.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan- her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. 

When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened. 

Some moments in the book are very light and easy to read while others are really dark and traumatic. This is something you need to prepare for mentally. As you can see from the synopsis there is no trigger warning, but the book tackles issues such as rape and domestic abuse. I wish there had been some sort of indication as to what I was getting myself into, but I couldn't put the book down nevertheless. It explores the idea that essentially love has two sides: one side is beautiful and fulfilling and the other is destructive and toxic. This was certainly the case with Lily and Ryle's relationship. The contrast was so stark at times that it felt like I was reading about two different relationships. Needless to say, sometimes  I could relate to the characters (especially Lily) and other times I was furious. How much do you take in the name of love? Where do you draw the line?

I really enjoyed that the author took the time to write from young Lily's perspective as well. It was insightful to see how her friendship with Atlas started  and also the kind of relationship she had with her parents. These relationships essentially shapes how she reacts to Ryle when things are not so great between them. For the most part I spent my time really angry at Lily ,but there was a side of me that could also relate to how she was justifying certain things. Acknowledging unsavory behavior somehow made it real.

I felt uneasy about Ryle from the moment his character was introduced. You get the feeling that there was always a storm brewing or something sinister was always bubbling just beneath the surface. He seemed lowkey manipulative  and slightly forceful. I felt like he had a bit of a superiority complex because of his job and, at times in the book, he proved me right. As the book progresses ,his better qualities do come to light , but it never quite dispels the initial weird feeling you get about Ryle.

IT ENDS WITH US is a book that no doubt will stick with me for a very long time. It forced me to confront how much I had accepted in the past and how very often I have adjusted that limit for the sake of a loved one. Ultimately it is a story about standing up for yourself and ending the vicious cycle of abuse. It left me feeling hopeful. Like, no matter what I have been through, I can always start over. 

Rating 4/5 ****

Have you read this book? I would love to hear from you! 

TILL LATER, LAUREN! 

One of us is Lying!

 I love books that become series. Especially if I really enjoyed the book. My new favourite thing to do is to check whether a series I want to watch has a book by the same name or not . Yes I know, I need to get out more. I was delighted to discover that this was the case with "One of us is Lying". From start to finish this book captured me, so much so that I decided to completely abandon the series in fear of it spoiling the book.

Disclaimer: This book review may contain spoilers so if you wish to avoid them, do not keep reading. Otherwise, let's dive in. All views in this post are my own.

FIVE STUDENTS WALK INTO DETENTION. ONLY FOUR LEAVE ALIVE.

Yale hopeful Bronwyn has never publicly broken a rule.

Sports star Cooper only knows what he's doing in the baseball diamond.

Bad boy Nate is one misstep away from a life of crime.

Prom queen Addy is holding together the cracks in her perfect life.

And outsider Simon, creator of the notorious gossip app at Bayview High, wont ever talk about any of them again.

He dies 24 hours before he could post their deepest secrets online. Investigators conclude it's no accident. All of them are suspects.

Everyone has secrets, right?

What really matters is how far you'll go to protect them.

Although the book was published a while back, May 2017 to be exact, I only discovered it recently and I think it definitely deservers a review. Young adult fiction is slowly starting to become one of my favourite genres.

So by now you have probably gathered that this is a teenage thriller of sorts. I was not too excited  about that being an adult and all, but I was pleasantly surprised. Although a bulk of the story is set at Bayview High school, their is nothing childish about the dialogue. I could relate to and understand the actions of the characters.  They were all dealing with situations that most of us can still relate to and I found myself wondering a handful of times how I would react in that moment.

 My favourite character was Nate. Even though he had an amazingly difficult  childhood, and still has to deal with demons of his past everyday, there is a softness to him. I enjoyed seeing how the relationship between him and Bronwyn developed because they were such polar opposites. There were so many issues that were discussed in the book that I wish was exposed to as a teenager. I was certainly triggered by the role social media plays in everyone's life in the book. Things that did not seem so bad at first were amplified by this gossip site that Simon ran and the consequences were dire.

 I had my suspicions about who the killer was (although I doubted that with every chapter), but I never could have predicted that ending. I loved seeing how events from the past were all tied together. Overall, I am really happy I gave this book a chance. I have given up on the series because it differs so much from the idea I had in my head. I suppose that is not such a bad thing, but because I like the book so much, I would like keep it the way I had it in my thoughts.

I realise this book review might differ from the ones you normally read or might not seem as formal but, since I'm new to doing book reviews , I really wanted it to sound like I was just chatting to a friend. I look forward to doing many more in the future. What are you currently reading?

TILL LATER,LAUREN!

Empties : What made the cut?

I'm ecstatic to finally be sharing my second installment of my "empties" series. The first one was done a while ago because, like I said, I insist on finishing all my products. My budget and my bank balance simply does not allow me to do otherwise. Before we jump into today's post, read my previous "empties" post  here. 

The products I am saying goodbye to today are some of my absolute favourite and I am glad I get the opportunity to share them with you. 

 

CLARINS one step gentle exfoliating cleanser

This cleanser was such a pleasure to use. If you have read my initial  review here, you know how happy I was when I received this as part of a free gift. The 30ml lasted quite some time because you really only need a little bit to achieve results . The smell of orange extract is so refreshing especially in the morning. I am definitely considering getting a full size one. 

NEUTROGENA Hydro Boost water gel

This is literally the best thing I have ever used. I am not even being dramatic. I have never heard anyone say anything bad about this water gel and with good reason. The gel is so lightweight that it absorbs almost immediately. But dont be fooled by that, it leaves your skin feeling hydrated, nourished and supple. You are welcome to read my full review here

Ultimate Originals stimulating growth oil

This gorgeous oil has become such a staple since I started transitioning. It helps repair and moisturize the hair and it has become my savior when protective styling. I apply it directly to my scalp most of the time, but I also mix it my hair mist sometimes. I'm sure this particular oil will remain in my hair care regime for a long while.

YVES SAINT LAURENT's Manifesto L'elixir perfume

I am really sad that this perfume is finished. When I first received it as a gift I did not anticipate that I would love it this much. The smell is perfectly intoxicating. I have had it for a while so I am not even sure if YSL still makes it, but I will definitely purchase it if I get my hands on it.

That's it for today's post .Do you spot any products you enjoy as well in this post? What is on your empties list? I would love to hear from you.

TILL LATER,LAUREN!

Monochromatic dreams

 Hi guys.

So I've been trying to get back into the (fashion) swing of things because  I feel I have been playing things way too safe for the last few years.

Everything changed when I had my son. In my head I was still a skinny person and that's how I shopped for things. Not for my actual body. I would buy things with my skinny mentality and instantly regret it when  I finally  wore the clothes. It was a vicious cycle and it chipped away at my confidence. 

Over the last few years social media has opened my eyes to so many inspiring individuals. All different body types, all different aesthetics but, they all had one thing in common. They all were fearlessly themselves. I love those streetstyle  shots highlighting individual style and personalities and I have decided to take a few myself . I'm taking more risks now and worrying less and I wanted to document it so  that  I can look back every time a feel dull and uninspired. 

There is just something about monochromatic dressing that I am attracted to at the moment. I know these won't get me invited to NYFW anytime soon...but they make me so damn happy!

Everything I'm wearing is from Mr Price except the glasses. Those were a freebie with my favourite magazine. PS. I want to live in these shoes. 

TILL LATER, LAUREN! 

YOU do you. Unapologetically!

Hi everyone and welcome to my first tag post for 2022. Tag posts are my favourite posts to do because you really get a sense of who the person behind the blogger is. Today's post is all about fangirling. The dictionary describes fangirling as "a female fan behaving in  an obsessive of overexcited ". To be frank, I have always thought of fangirling as a negative thing. Being a little unhinged if you will. But, this post is quite the opposite in fact.

I was recently tagged by K Rashell from Diary of an Unbreakable Soul to do this  post and I was delighted. Let me tell you a little about the tag first.  In this case a fangirl approach to life is about purposely sharing the things that bring you joy in life and being unapologetic about it. The Be Unapologetically You movement, created by fellow blogger Izzy Matias, aims to celebrate the things that make you inexplicably cheerful. Without reason and without question. It's literally about being your own biggest fan and bettering yourself. There are seven questions in this tag ,but before I get into that let me explain the rules.

1. Use the Be Unapologetically You banner in your post. It can be the  feaured image or not. That part is up to you.
2. Include the link to this blogging tag (https://www.izzymatias.com/be-unapologetically-you )  in your post .
3. Answer the 7 questions in the tag.
4. Nominate 5-10 bloggers, link to their blogs and tag them on social media to notify them.
5. Have fun!

Let's get into the questions.

• Introduce yourself and your blog while sharing one trivia about you that not many people know. My name is Lauren Vogel and I have been blogging over here at Cool Kids Only Blog for a few years now. My blog is basically anything that comes to mind but I do keep up with books, fashion and beauty quite a bit. One thing people might not know about me is that love singing and I think I am pretty decent at it. 

• What topics do you love geeking out about that you would say are topics that give you bliss?Do you blog about them? Why or why not? If not, would you like to blog about them one time? Fashion and beauty are definitely my favourite things to geek out about. I have loved fashion magazines ever since I was a child and whenever I get to read or blog about it I am at my happiest. My blog covers both fashion and beauty apart from the lifestyle posts. 

• Would you say you are living life by being unapologetically you? Why or why not? If not, what would your life look like if you were unafraid to share more about the things that make you happy? I haven't always been unapologetically myself, but lately I have been intentional about living my truth. If I was unafraid to share the things that make me happy I would be a full time blogger with a quaint little book shop. I would spend my days creating the content I love and sharing it without reservation. 

• Permission to geek out and be unapologetically you: share with us one thing you fangirl over and how you became a fan of it. It can be anything. Your love for soy candles, a band or an underrated film. Like I mentioned before, I am the biggest fan of fashion. From streetstyle to haute couture. I used to make these fashion scrap books when I was younger where I would cut out pictures from magazines and paste them. As an adult I'm still inspired by this. However, now it's evolved to my social media as well. So I would say I still completely fangirl over those fashion scrap books. 

• What do you love most about being a fan?  Just the sense of belonging somewhere or  having a bond with someone because of a common interest. This is how we make most friends and enjoying the same things keep those bonds strong.

• Share a fun or unforgettable fan experience. The closest I have come to an unforgettable fan experience is a celeb interacting with me on social media. I haven't met anyone famous yet, but there is still lots of time. 

I really hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did. It is always so much fun to share a glimpse of who I am on a day to day basis. With that being said the bloggers I nominate are as follows :

Nabeelah from The Fabulosity Diary

Tasneem from City Girl Vibe

Desle from Diva Desle

Megan from Meghan Silva

Kim from A Very Sweet Blog

TILL LATER, LAUREN!