Jeepers Creepers.

I have been interested in these for some time now. I rarely choose statement pieces that suit me as I am oblivious to my own body shape, I plan outfits in my minds eye and the reality isn't always how I pictured it. How smug I was when I found these creepers in Primark for £12. If they were a mistake and make me look ridiculous then at least I haven't broke the bank. To my delight, I love them. They are quirky, flattering on the ankle (nothing short of a miracle), comfy and they seem to go with plenty of outfits. Following my first success I expect to have a new pair, perhaps a more elaborate style, when my next pay day rolls around. Thank you to Jenny at The Pulse Of Fashion for your inspiration!

 

 

xoxo

Beauty base zero.

I'm not a fan of modifying my own body beyond recognition. Plastic surgery and fake additions have never had an enormous appeal. A few little pieces of body decoration seem harmless, tattoos and piercings, but nothing extreme. Ink takes commitment, piercings are an expression. But fake hair, fake body parts, fake face, fake nails? No thank you. I'm more interested in beauty base zero (a term I came across while reading the Hunger Games). Scrubbing off any nasty dead skin, cleaning and shaping nails, cutting any split ends off your hair, tidy eyebrows, clean, moisturised skin. Stick to this ritual matched with a healthy diet of a few pints of water (minimum) each day and plenty of sleep and I believe the world is a better place. I see no harm in playing around with make up and hair dye. This will eventually wash off leaving the body barely untouched. Our clever bodies are disgarding cells and creating new ones faster than we care to imagine, so I see it in my best interest to look after what I have, pave the way for new cells to cocreate in harmony. I'm clearly stuck in limbo between two beauty worlds, and my point it this. Shouldn't we celebrate who we are as individuals instead of morphing ourselves into unrecognisable creatures? Look after our bodies and from a place of joy decorate ourselves in a manner that illuminates our true potential, instead of hiding behind masks and out of fear changing ourselves to a misguided level of conformity? Beauty, like all aspects of life should be approached with a positive frame of mind. Not as a means to conceal discontent.

Now, where's my nail varnish?

xoxo

 

Lent.

Wednesday 13th February - Saturday 30th March.

 

 

I wasn't raised with religion, but taught to at least appreciate it. I think in the UK christianity has leaked into the lives of even the least religious families and so this spring I will be taking part in Lent. This period is reserved for remembering the 40 days and nights when Jesus was in the desert, then captured by the Romans, crucified and then his resurrection. Christian communities recognise this suffering by giving up luxuries, penance and paying alms. Churches strip their lavish decorations.

 

As serious as this can all sound, many people choose to take part as some kind of social detox. Januray can be a cruel month, Christmas left overs still hanging around waiting to be eaten, the weather is still grey, no more pretty fairy lights to brighten up our lives, we all need treats and goodies to cheer us up. So it is easy to understand the appeal of a fresh start.

I know a girl who is a casual shopaholic who gave up shopping for Lent a few years back.

I knew a guy who gave up smoking for Lent and when Easter came, he didn't restart his habit.

A fellow blogger is attempting to give up unrefined sugar and processed foods.

 

I have done the unthinkable and I have given up the mother of all vices. CHOCOLATE.

Yes, I have decided to have a chocolate detox. No chocolate from today until Easter Sunday, that's 31st March. That's 46 days.

At 11.58pm last night I was cramming one last chocolate hobnob in my face. Sigh.

There isn't any chocolate in the house, so all I have to do is avoid it when I'm out. With a very convenient vending machine in work it might be a struggle. I guess I can just head to the nearest mirror and take a good look at my wobbly bits for motivation. That usually works.

Bring on the withdrawal symptoms.

 

xoxo



Bestival 2013.

 

The fates have aligned to grant me a long weekend of heaven. I'm going to Bestival in September!

I'm going to help out as a member of crew in Boutique Camping and I couldn't be more grateful. The team are absoloutely lovely. If you're thinking of Boutique Camping for any festival this summer, which includes a nice clean area, remarkable accommodation, friendly staff, SHOWERS and nice pop up cafes, head over to the Cloudhouses website for all your hospitality needs.

 

So I'm off to the Isle of Wight, that's a train journey to Portsmouth and a nifty ferry to Fishbourne.

The line up has got me crazy excited. Snoop Dogg, Elton John, Franz Ferdinand, DJ Fresh, Wu-Tang Clan, Rudimental, M.I.A., Bombay Bicycle Club, Caravan Palace, Annie Mac Presents, Mark Ronson / Zane Lowe DJ battle, Carl Cox, Rob Da Bank...

Not to mention all the lovely goings on that only a good music fezzie can bring.

 

I've got 6 months so prepare! Not only do I need a fresh set of camping gear, but the official fancy dress theme has been announced. Nautical. Oh hell yes. Think captain hats and lots of red, white and blue. I couldn't miss out on four days of fancy dress and not broaden my choices, so I'm on the hunt for a decent dinosaur onesie and a good top or bowler hat.

 

 

Here's the link to their website with information on tickets, travel, line up, etc. 

 

#HMSBestival

 

xoxo

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