Happy Birthday Mam.

 

This weekend my beautiful Mammy came to visit. Yes that is her birthday card from little me. Being her birthday we enjoyed a weekend of girly catch up. She brought Looper with her (wahhh it was so good) which we watched in bed with wine and treats (watch the crumbs!) and I've finally been blessed with the viewing pleasure that is Django Unchained, what a stunning film, thank you Tarantino.

On the morning of her birthday we had a rather messy toast breakfast, with jars of everything all laid out on the table including marmite, tahini, lemon curd and hummous. Then it was off to the nail salon where we treated ourselves to a cheeky mani. I only opted for the classic mani with french polish but Mam went the whole hog and had acrylics! It was quite quick really, I expected her session to last about three hours but we were out in an hour and a half. It's so nice to have tidy hands, I couldn't have cared less about the french polish, but just having all the nasty scuffed skin removed around my nails and cuticles tidied and then to have it all buffed and moisturised... mmmm.

Then it was off to Nando's for her birthday lunch, now I know you're thinking 'isn't she vegetarian?' but hear me out. Nando's do the yummiest veggie food. I mean to die for. The chef made a mistake with our food and before I'd even had a chance to look unimpressed the head waitress was tripping over herself to apologise and gave us free desserts! We hadn't even considered ordering more food, but when free cake comes your way you have to take it, or you'll break every natural law in the universe and it will implode and kill us all. Obviously.

After too much food we walked to the National Museum, which houses art, nature and ancient welsh artefacts. Loads to look at and I think my favourite was the huge statue of Icarus. Stunning. There was also a beautiful room called "Words" which had loads of framed quotes and poetic art, of which I fell in love with a slate with an elightened message carved on it.

A lovely weekend with my lovely Mam and I was sorry to see her go.

 

xoxo

So long, troublesome wisdom teeth.

After a few years of dull pain, I'd begun to experience nearly a dozen bouts of severe pain from my wisdom teeth. The kind that wakes you up at night. I went to the dentist about a year ago and asked them about it, they had a look and said I had enough room in my jaw for my lower molars to develop. What a load of bollocks. Six months ago I went back, complaining of suprising pain (not to mention my front teeth buckling under the pressure, not very sightly). They begrudgingly referred me to the hospital, where today after an xray I was told I do not have enough room in my jaw and experiencing such pain means I'm eligible for surgery to have them taken out. As she was telling me this, my face is in agony, my cheeks ruddy and I'm starting to get a temperature. I just about blurt out 'oh god yes, please, get them out!' while she knowingly smiles. Despite my oblivion (I have no threshold for pain) I notice she has lovely teeth. Yes, I want this woman to help me. I doubt I will ever see Lois The Consultant again, in a hospital that size. Now that I have what I wanted all along, to have them removed, a fear has set in. A realisation that they are going to pull my teeth out. Have you ever seen the root of a molar tooth? I didn't think my teeth were that long under the surface. The reality of my impending horror is dawning on me. Worse still, they are drawing out the procedure by removing one at a time, waiting for the first to heal before taking the second. I have never felt so sick.

xoxo

 

Hotel Chocolat.

This winter my fair city was blessed with a shiny new Hotel Chocolat. About time!

It's only a tiny shop, but the contents are just as exciting as you'd expect. A bit pricier than your average confectionary elsewhere, but you get what you pay for. This stuff seriously delivers.

I was given a christmas selection box and a pack of milk chocolate reindeers. The selection box was full of weird and wonderful treats, orange truffles with candied orange segments, salted caramel, hazelnut pralines, christmas cake flavoured fudge, eton mess truffles, mulled wine orbs, you name it. Some of the alcoholic pieces were lethal! They came with a tiny leaflet depitcting different levels of alcohol and I got a shock as I tried one of the lesser chocs because it was so strong. Great stuff. The white chocolate and vanilla bell was beautiful. Such a great gift for anyone who is adverturous with their chocolate.

 

 

Now, the milk chocolate reindeer. My usual choice would be plain milk chocolate, so I was really pleased about these. I love their milk chocolate, it is heavenly and so it is probably best that they only do packs of eight (which is more than enough!) as I could eat a truck load.

 

 

 

Hotel Chocolat are brilliant for gifts as they are luxurious and are always interesting.

They have something for everyone whether it is their affordable tablets of various flavours or their range of selection boxes from classic to adventurous.

Welcome to Wales, Hotel Chocolat.

 

Here's a link to their website.

 

xoxo 



Hibiscus Blend.

Starbucks Hibiscus Blend Tea.

Hibiscus flowers, lemongrass, rose hips, mango and passion fruit.

I'm in love.

xoxo

 

MAC 'All For Glamour' Touch Up Kit.

I've recently started using this make up set I was given for Christmas and I thought it time to share it with you. It's very girly and not usually something I would buy for myself, however it is a lovely gift set and the colour palette is perfect for me. As far as I know this touch-up kit is from their All For Glamour range, launched over the festive season and comes in various shades (mine is 'Medium'). It features a daywear lipstick and pressed powder. I'm such a novice when it comes to lipstick and I have made some rookie mistakes mostly through colour choices. I'm what I'd class a 'natural beauty' in the sense that whether I wear make up or not you can rarely see much difference. Perhaps intensifying my features isn't my strong point and it has taken me two and a half decades to learn that a delicate application is enough to enhance my chubby chops.

 

The Blot Powder is ideal for those lunch break touch ups (handy little mirror). The applicator puff is a little awkward as I find that it takes quite a few goes to get a liberal covering across my T-zone and chin. I suggest you do not go for a sweeping action with this, as it will smear your puff with your carefully applied foundation! However, on a lazy day when I don't feel like wearing much make up I can apply this powder on my bare skin after my moisturiser has dried and I get really good coverage.

(I wonder if it is designed to it only works well with a MAC foundy?)

 

The Sheen Supreme Lipstick comes in their strangely dubbed 'Fashion City' shade and this is the star of the show for me for the colour alone. It's a very natural shade with a hint of coral. Barely there with a good shine. Sadly if you have dry or chapped lips not only does this product do nothing for you, it actually accentuates any problem areas making them stand out. I highly recommend a little lip prepping before you try this style of lipstick. I usually brush my lips (softly!) with my toothbrush after I brush my teeth and then apply liberal amounts of lip balm. By the time I have walked to work my lip balm has sunk in leaving my lips soft and moisturised. This is the best time for me to get my lippy out.

(Does anyone have any other tips?)

 

The case is really good quality and comes with a fitted mirror. It's heavier than I expected and the lilac quilted silk top is beautiful.

 

Overall, this is a handy product and I can't deny I have grown to use it on a regular basis. But for the money (£30) I think I could find products of the same calibre and walk away with some change.

 

The All For Glamour Touch-Up Kit is only in stock in Medium-Dark and Dark at the moment, but here's a link to their page to check for stock (you can find them under 'Face Kits'). link!

 

xoxo

 

 

I look a bit daft here, but here's a shot of what this stuff can do...

 



New Year Resolution

I think I want to learn to play the guitar. I've found a fair price on an acoustic model and there seems to be plenty of tutors in the area to get me started. I've always written poems and sung ditties here and there. It sounds like fun. I'll keep you posted.

xoxo

Christmas 2012.

Merry Christmas.

What a lovely time to reflect on the past year and to happily anticipate what is to come. Fairy lights and gifts to brighten the mood. Delicious food and treats to fill our bellies. Bright greeting cards with messages of love and well wishes from our loved ones. Scented candles to make for a cosier living room. New pyjamas. Great telly. Speaking to your family. My wonderful family. I love you all.

Merry Christmas.

xoxo

Present swapping.

With the big day fast approaching my friend Anna and I saw a window of opportunity to meet up before it was to late and have a little Christmas party for two. Well, not so much a party as we just drank tea but it was nice, we had dinner and swapped cards and presents. The waiter didn't think much of the cards on the table and wrapping paper all over the place, but we loved it. I gave Anna a pair of stripey panda gloves that even had little pom pom ears, you know the type of fingerless gloves that have that extra flap which can convert them into mittens? Genius. Anna gave me the coolest double finger moustache ring. I've been lusting over moustache jewellery all year but I never took the plunge and actually bought anything, I have no idea why. I'm completely in love with it.

So we didn't wait for Christmas Day, but we had our own little celebration and it made my week.

Thank you again, Anna!

xoxo

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