Skin

• Superdrug – Vitamin E SPF 15 Radiance Moisture Cream  – This stuff is dirt cheap at £2.99 (but often to be found on 3 for 2) and my dry skin absolutely loves it. I was a faithful Oilatum Natural Repair girl but this little cream wipes the floor with it. Instantly peps up tired skin and leaves a wonderful dewy glow. Not greasy though. Only downside is that each tube is quite small at 50ml, however at the current price I just buy in bulk. Probably worth noting that I DO NOT rate the night cream in this range at all. Totally different formulation. Completely rubbish.
• Aveeno – Moisturising Creamy Oil – I think I’m heading into the second year of this being my favourite body moisturiser. My skin has definitely become noticeably drier in my thirties (my Mum said this happened to her as well) and so standard moisturiser just doesn’t cut the mustard anymore. I like baby oil and skin oils but they aren’t ideal for everyday use as they can be greasy and stain clothing. This Aveeno product is an excellent hybrid. Dispenses as a cream but applies and moisturises like an oil without the heaviness. When wearing shorts/ a dress minus tights people always ask me how I get my legs looking so shiny and healthy. This product is the answer. Pricey-ish at just over £7 a bottle but it is currently on offer in Boots with 1/3 off. Each bottle is 300ml tho and lasts around 2 months for me.

Hair

• TRESemmé – Restructuring Deep Conditioning Treatment Masque – I LOVE this stuff. Designed to strengthen dry/ brittle hair and to be used as a treatment. I normally slap it on as I get into the bath and it remains on my head from 20 to 40 minutes (depending how good my book is). It leaves hair really revived and shiny. I don’t notice it adding weight but then again I only use it weekly as a treat. Price ranges on this so shop around. I usually get it cheapest in Tesco and sometimes on BOGOF.
• Bed Head – Dumb Blonde Reconstructor – One word AMAZE! – Yes I’m not blonde and perhaps neither are you but don’t let that put you off. There is nothing in this product that makes it an exclusive for the fairer barnet owners. This is simply an intensively moisturising and nourishing conditioner. It is super thick, almost like applying custard but do not be alarmed as it smells amazing and will leave your hair uber soft. I abuse my hair (I think we all know this) and this conditioner keeps it looking fab. I use it every time I wash my hair and it doesn’t leave it greasy at all. Just really easy to run my hands through and healthy looking. Again shop around. I get mine in TK Maxx for £5.99

A new product I want to mention but can’t warrant adding to the “faves” just yet is the Charles Worthington Hair Healer. I bought this with my Boots points about a fortnight ago. It wasn’t recommended to me, simply an impulse buy.

Basically it’s for leave in conditioner for damaged hair (do you see a theme here….) and you apply it to towel dried hair before blow drying to make it all healthy and stuff. This stuff is seriously SERIOUSLY good. It’s an odd consistency. Kinda feels like you’re applying shampoo/hair gel and I half expected it to lather the first time and be really hard to dry, but the opposite is in fact true. It actually aids my blow drying (plus it contains a heat protectant) and leaves my flyaways sleek without being lank/ flat or greasy. It’s a truly amazing product.

That’s it for now, hope this helps someone xo

Jeans - Oasis Sale "Amber" £20

Last few days of the Easter holidays and so I was running about doing all the odd jobs that need doing before I start back to work on Monday. Banking, new car tyres, food shop… all terribly glamorous.

I wanted to be comfortable and warm but I am SICK of winter jumpers atm and so I paired a thin vest top with a faux leather jacket. Real or faux, leather jackets are guaranteed warmth. The jeans are also the ones with stretch in, extremely easy to wear for someone who finds jeans problematic.

I’ve been wearing my hair up this week which has the tendency to make me look a bit drawn but it’s laziness. I’m trying to get away with washing it every three days instead of daily.

Vest Top - Exhibit £6

All I can see in the above picture is armpit, apologies for that. Plus how pale am I? Answer: VERY. I just can’t be assed with fake tan at all this weather.

The vest tee was purchased months ago from Exhibit which are super cheap clothing shops in Northern Ireland. They actually carry a lot of the  Missguided line , so that gives you an idea of the price point and quality. It’s good for passing trends/ basics.

Faux Leather Jacket - Exhibit

I picked up this jacket in the same shop just before Christmas and today was the first time I’ve worn it. Kinda forgot I had it tbh (shameful). I can’t remember how much I paid at the time but I’m thinking around £30 which is pretty pricey for that store but I like the classic shape and it really is a beautiful fit whether left open or zipped. Hugs in all the right places!

Arm Cuff worn as bracelet - Topshop Sale £1

Moshi Monsters Jumper - George @ Asda £10

While I was taking pictures Noah asked me to take one of his outfit too Little fashion blogger in the making?

Hope you’re all well xx

P.S Still missing the doo dah to connect my camera to its tripod. Hence lack of posts. I refuse to buy another one as I just know it’ll turn up the moment I do! Grrr x

That’s how long the red lasted. 1st March – 31st. That’s a pretty short shift, even by my fickle terms….

So where did the red and I come unstuck? Quite literally there, in that it wouldn’t. Stick.

My hair beneath the red was/ is a series of highlights and colour tends to wash up quicker when applied over them. Every colour. BUT red in particular just washes up like crazy. In the past 30 days I can honestly say I’ve spent close to £100 keeping my hair red and as someone who is currently only employed “casually” that is NOT a great hairdo to have.

So I have applied a base brown over the red. Obviously this will also wash up to a certain degree and the red will show through but that’s no bad thing. Either way I can safely say I won’t have to spend any more than £5 on my hair for the next month.

Other things I won’t have to worry about are:

• Accidentally putting something pink on and looking… well… crazy
• Getting caught in the rain and resembling an extra from a scary movie
• Having to don plastic gloves every 3rd day and spend a good portion of my evening applying/ dyeing/ drying. What a yawn
• Ruining every single towel we own
• Strangers touching my hair – what is up with that?!

The thing I will miss

• How bloody cool it looked!!! My “normal” brunette bob just looks so meh in comparison, but what I do appreciate is the instant shine that has returned with the dark hair. Shiny equals Healthy (however much of an illusion that might be)

My husband was just reminding me that since Christmas I have been brunette, blonde, redhead and now brunette again. Perhaps I’ll give my hair a rest for a few months……. *wicked smile*

Current Fave Lippy - Topshop Infared

xoxo

Jacket - TRF @ Zara £59.99, Skull Vest - New Look £9.99

It started with the cray cray hair and now it’s a neon jacket. Natch!

This is really hard to photograph, in a lot of pictures in looks canary yellow but the one above (taken on Sat) probably best captures the actual hue. An in your face green-yellow. This jacket will get you noticed (and probably talked about…). The cut is divine, strong structured shoulders and clean lines. Zipped up it gives an almost corseted effect to the waist. LOVE!

Ring - Forever 21

My eyeshadow here is Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil in Morphine. They’re the fattish ones and I believe it cost around £14. So far I like and the creasing by the end of a few hours out was minimal. Most of all I love the handiness of it, swipe the colour on, use finger to blend. Voila. Lazy eyeshadow looks ftw!

Hair Update – SO MUCH MAINTENANCE. I mean everyone said it would be and it is. If you’re considering all I can do is reiterate that fact

xo

No need to adjust your settings… yes, I have indeed dyed my hair quite an “unnatural” shade of red.
33 going on 13. I make zero apologies

Leopard Blouse – Primark, Jumper – New Look Sale

I saw this jumper on Lauren from The Only Way Is Essex and had the wants but it was always sold out. Boooo! I was therefore VERY pleased to find it dangling on a sale rail last weekend. It’s a Size 16 but I think it looks dead on, in fact any smaller and I don’t think it’d be quite as slouchy/ cosy looking.

Bodycon Skirt – Forever 21, Boots – Topshop

This bodycon skirt was a recent purchase during a day trip to Dublin. At just over £20 it’s a little more than I’d usually spend on a staple skirt, however it really is top notch in quality. Very taut lycra, not unlike the Hervé Léger material. Uber flattering and gives a gorgeous smooth silhouette ♥

Make-up wise I am mostly to be found sporting my new favourite lilac eyeshadow. It’s from the AVON Purple Haze Quad.

I would really recommend this for people with green/ hazel/ brown eyes. It’s a lovely formulation for not too much money. I got mine on eBay for about £3.50. Bargain! xo

]]> http://dressjunkie.com/2012/03/12/red/feed/ 20 http://dressjunkie.com/2012/01/14/chain-reaction/ http://dressjunkie.com/2012/01/14/chain-reaction/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:03:34 +0000 dressjunkie http://dressjunkie.com/?p=4474

Leather Jacket – All Saints via eBay (the style is Mahonie)
Jeans – Topshop Jamie
Oversized White Tee – River Island

Plaited Chain Necklace – Kate Benjamin via Accessories Direct

I just adore this chain as it feeds into all my current jewellery loves; statement, layers, mixed metals. It’s also a dream to wear as it is deceivingly light. I highly recommend checking out their sale, brilliant reductions and so many stunning pieces.

Next on my want list is this Jacey Withers Ship Pendant. It’d make a lovely Valentine’s/ Birthday/ Just cos it’s a Tuesday present…. oooh and it’s currently reduced as well… (take the bait Matthew…).

Watch – Swatch
Bracelet – eBay
Faux Fur Bag – H&M

Boots – River Island Sale (the style is Shifty Herit)

So delighted with these boots as I had been giving longing looks over in the direction of the laid-back Banddit Boots but they were just too pricey. These were just twenty tiny pounds and have satisfied my urge for a less structured boot. The studding is just an added bonus

Oh and yes, blonde. Well actually for the past fortnight I’ve mostly been bright orange as I couldn’t decide whether I was going to take the plunge with the “obnoxious red”. I got cold feet though and so I’m blonde. Forever fickle… that’s me folks xo

P.S In answer to Why no face?! COLDSORE SIZE OF BEN NEVIS

Just a quick and somewhat random post. I wasn’t even going to share this one as it’s just mundane (for me) but I’ve noticed negative blogs towards this product recently and felt I had another side to share.

The product in question is called Colour B4 and was originally marketed by a celeb hairdresser, Scott Cornwall. He has since disassociated himself with the brand for legal reasons but after enquiry I’m satisfied that they do not relate to product safety.

So here’s the background. I’m addicted to dyeing my hair. Anyone who has ever known me since the age of about 13 can testify to this fact. Colour B4 is a “Hair Colour Remover. Safely rewind to your colour before. Extra strength, extra gentle.”
I have bought the Colour B4 Extra Strength three times and used it three times, on (…yes you guessed it) THREE separate occasions. Most recently last night.

Yes it reeks (chemicals normally do though) and to use it to best effect you need to wrap your hair in cling film (or as I do a plastic bag) and leave for one hour if removing really dark dye. On rinsing you MUST spend at least 15 minutes under the shower. They recommend 12 but trust me, I’m Mrs Three Times. I knows what gets results

Before

After

Yes it is gingery and yes, my roots are my virgin natural brown but if you understand anything about how hair dyes and removers work then this shouldn’t be a surprise. I’m not going to go into detail here (that’s what Google is for) but basically every dye including those oh so innocuous looking “semi”-permanent ones cause permanent change within your hair. Colour B4 can only take you back to that stripped back colour. Personally I’m more than happy with what it does.

Previously my monthly whims would have seen me bleaching the life out of my poor hair. Colour B4 lets me indulge my fickleness without being quite so evil to my hair. Truly hand on heart I don’t find it damaging. I’ve saw people complaining that it gave them chemical burns, however what they don’t say (or do in the next paragraph) is that they bleached their hair directly after using the product. You’re not meant to do that. Chemicals + more chemicals = risky business

I let my hair rest and then in a fortnight I will either get a full head of highlights or dye it bright obnoxious red. Haven’t decided yet, but that’s the beauty of it

There are negatives though and for me they are these

• Your hair will STINK like rotten fart for up to a month when wet. I haven’t found any way of making the stinky process shorter. Just lots of strong smelling shampoo needed! Haha! Thankfully when dry it doesn’t pong
• When using the buffer under the shower your hair will feel super super dry. Like when you use one of those cleansing shampoos that make your hair squeak multiped by ten. I think if your hair were ALREADY in a delicate state then this is where YOU could potentially cause breakage by pulling on it/ trying to de-tangle. Just let the water run through and then use a big massive dollop of conditioner (like Aussie). It’ll be super soft again after that and this step doesn’t need to be repeated in subsequent showers as that drying effect only happens straight after using the buffer.
• It’s pricey (but nothing compared to a salon colour correction). I have thick hair but obviously short and I need two boxes to cover my hair sufficiently. Not much change from £25

Even so, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Colour B4 BUT YOU MUST HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED

xo

P.S I was not paid for this post and the product was purchased with my own pennies

Hands up who has a faux fur addiction? *raises both hands*

This gilet was reduced to just £30 in River Island a few weeks back. It’s sold out online but check out your local branch as mine still had a few even up until yesterday. It’s extremely cosy as you would expect and I just love the sixties vibe it has going on. I’d classify most fur as sexy but this one is definitely cute!

The hair has been scraped back into one of those ridiculous 2″ ponytails that I always ridicule others for. Frankly it’s this or the chop right now as I am totally fed up with my unruly barnet.

My boots are from Next and cost £78. More than I would have liked to pay but I think this design is a forever classic and I wanted to invest in a comfortable, quality leather pair. I tried SO many on, including most notably the Topshop Dashing ones, which are around the same price but imo really uncomfortable and badly sized.

Next isn’t somewhere I would normally shop but they’re definitely on my shoe-radar now. If you likey too then check them out asap as these appear to be selling out fast!

xo

Let’s just get stuck right in shall we?

I am up to my eyeballs in life stuff at the minute and my current daily uniform consists of paint splattered jeggings and an equally decorative jumper. Wouldn’t make for the most dynamic outfit shots….

So I’m a little stressy (but in the productive way) and free time is sparse. This hasn’t stopped me indulging in some retail therapy tho, helps relive the tension dontcha know

Oxblood Pleather Shorts from Topshop £30. Gorgeous colour, really Xmassy and easy to wear with thick opaque tights and ankle boots. What’s not to love? Well, if you buy online the sizing. It’s atrocious. I would suggest the Size 14 if you are normally a UK Size 10-12. Anything smaller would imo be indecent (think arse cheeks hanging out to say hello).

New Look Mittens £5 ish pounds. Everyone comments on these. Pure 70′s and ultra cosy. On the downside they (along with any mitten) are of course deeply impractical. It’s like having a pair of flippers and I struggle to lift anything when wearing them. Cute tho

Versace for H&M Leggings £24.99. I couldn’t resist. In fact if money was no option I’d have bought lots from this collection. Not everyone’s cup of tea, granted, but isn’t that the beauty of fashion and life. We all like different things? Quality wise these are not your average Primarni style leggings. Very heavy glossy material and ridiculous flattering. WIN

Charity Shop Purchase and I could not have been more delighted when I clocked this. I have been after a decent vanity case for an age. The modern equivalents just don’t cut it size or quality wise. My ultimate aim is to reduce my (still frankly embarrassingly large) make-up collection to the point where it all fits in this. Rome wasn’t built in a day tho…

One of the rare days where I did actually wear real clobber and a visit to the hairdressers. Namely Hedonist Hair on Botanic (apologies if you do decide to click the link. Their website hurts the head and eyes. Trust me).

You clicked didn’t you? Matt had bought me 2 cuts and a 50% off colour deal through Living Social and I must admit that because of the price my expectations were low. However I was pleasantly surprised, the salon is quirky but cool and the stylist I had (I believe her name was Cathy) was bubbly and friendly. She also listened to me (massive thumbs up). I told her I was growing it out and simply wanted a tidy and a bit of shape to the back while the layers grow down. Now at this point what normally happens is the stylist nods and proceeds to “thin out” my hair and generally undo all my hard growing out work. She didn’t. Refreshingly she did EXACTLY as I asked. SUCCESS!!

Now on to what has been taking up almost all my days and nights. Decorating. Yes painting, papering and sanding shit. I’m doing it all and YES, I too wish it were more exciting. We are moving house this time next week and I still have an absolute mountain of work to do BUT I really feel like I’ve broke the back of it today. So YAY!!

This afternoon I completed our bedroom (carpet is coming on Thursday). I kept it pretty neutral. Cream walls and a simple floral paper behind the bed. That way I can put any duvet/ curtains with it.

In natural light (on a dismally dull day) it gives off an almost silvery hue

Under lamplight it takes on a lovely warm buttermilk colour ♥

Finally… if you’ve made it this far give yourself a little round of applause and feast your eyes on my sneak peek….. what’s in the box???

Find out this weekend

xo

Why so sad?

Black Bodysuit (not seen) – River Island
Black Blouse – F&F @ Tesco
Shorts – H&M Sale £6.99

This is my little toe-dip into the sheer trend. I picked the blouse up in Tesco of all places and although I’ve searched for it online I’m unable to find a link, so please accept my apologies (as it’s a pet hate of mine when bloggers don’t link to where they’ve purchased things).

This pic also shows off my highlights quite well (…probably helps that my hair is also clean and not drenched by days of rain for a change), I’ve had them for about 3 weeks? now and I’m still digging the lighter side. Perhaps I’ll get more……

xo

It’s been a bit of an emotionally draining week. My brother isn’t very well and there is a lot of weight of everyone’s (not least his) shoulders at the moment.

So I took a bit of time out yesterday morning and went to the hairdressers. Thinking about going lighter, how much lighter I’m not quite sure yet… but lighter and brighter.

I got some foils pulled through and an ickle trim. It’s a subtle change but I enjoyed being pampered for a few hours.

Best of all it only cost £34. I took a bit of a gamble and let one of Hair Traffic’s students at it, but I needn’t have worried. She was great and I’m pretty sure paying eighty odd quid elsewhere wouldn’t have got it done any better.

My comfy aztec style cardy is another Forever 21 purchase. It worked out at about £32 in our money, bit more than I’d have liked to pay but it is seriously cosy and thick, almost jacket like. In my mind that justifies the price (…..and why I also got it in the black and cream) and means it will get plenty of wear.

“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul“

xo

So my little reddy hair phase lasted about 3 days. I think that’s a record even for a hardcore hair-dye addict like myself. I just wasn’t “feelin’ it”. I dyed over it with one of those Nice & Easy Semi Permanent Browns which of course translates as BLACK. Yup black as your boot. Hopefully it’ll wash up a little as I’m feeling a bit Snow White right now.

In happier hair news it’s now reached that stage of the earlobes where I think I can streeeeetch to the word “bob”. Herein lies my hair comfort zone. However I plan to do what I always do., waste time growing it past my shoulders, wear it up often and then chop it pixie short again. It’s a cycle. Makes life that bit more interesting.

Oh and I twitpic’d this hoodie during the week and it went down a storm. It’ll likely mean nothing to you unless you’re a UK Reality TV fan, but to those that get it… and would actually like to “get it” you can do so here

Size wise it’s a pretty generous in fit. I’d order a small if you’re anything sized about 8-12 (UK)

xo

Sprocket...

The Tedster...

Hmmmmm….

Time for a groom me thinks…

xox

That’s what a simple hair cut makes me feel like.

I’ve had my fringe cut back in and all the length and weight taken off the back, graduating down into a bob.

Simple & relatively inexpensive but it’s made such a difference to how I feel.

I guess the move and all the stress associated with that meant that my appearance really did take a bit of a back seat. In fact… most days I pulled my hair back into a ponytail. Kinda defeating the purpose of growing it….

I’m lazy when it comes to long hair, I also have ridiculously thick hair, so long hair is A LOT of work… and well… I’m a pretty simple girl when it comes to that kind of maintenance.

I like to play with my hair colour and cut wise. Having shorter styles means I can do that without committing to anything long term. If I colour my hair and I go off it, I simply re dye and get a good chop. Thus cutting out the majority of damage. If I took the painstaking time to grow my hair long and THEN dyed/ ruined it (inevitably that is EXACTLY what I would do), I’d be beyond gutted.

So…. it’s back to messing with my hair again and the fun of wearing wigs and extensions when I feel the need for a little extra length. In fact… my Dad just picked me up a new Jessica Simpson Hairdo in the US and it’s amazing.

Really girly and glam. All in one piece which beats fiddling with numerous wefts any day in my book. Told you I was low maintenance…the husband might disagree

It’s one of the new Tru 2 Life range she launched. It can be curled and straightened up to 180˚ and washed. Hooray!

It’s quite pricey here at almost £100, so if you know anyone in the US I’d get them to buy it for you on QVC. It was only $80 ish so worked out waaaay cheaper. I always wear the shade “Midnight Brown” which blends perfectly with darkest brown hair. It’s the shade next to black in the JS line.

Give it a go! 2 different looks but with zero style commitment.

xox

Thank you so much to Dottie at http://www.pinkpoppolkadot.blogspot.com/ who tagged me with a “You make me smile” Award.

She said “Arlene is a breath of fresh air and I absolutely love her blog posts and her lovely accent ”

Now I’m not one for displaying award tags normally, I think it’s a bit silly to celebrate “best lay-out” etc, however if my blog causes someone to break a smile that’s definitely worth boasting about!

So I accept my award with pride Dottie, and it definitely made me when I read it xx

Rules
- You have to put a song that makes you happy.
- You can tag as many people as you like, there is no limit.
- Say at least one thing about each blog you tag, that will make them smile, something nice about their blog that makes you smile when you read it!

So below is a song that always makes me smile….. I sing along and I never fail to get my groove on

I’d like to award Marie of http://marie-loves.blogspot.com/ because she’s a really down to earth girl with a varied blog, who’s not afraid to send herself up for a bit of a laugh, and even though I’ve never met her in real life I can hear her thick Scottish brogue in my head as I read her hilarious posts.

xoxo

Well….. It’s October… and did I lose a stone in September? Did I heck!

I did however lose 2 full inches off my waistline thanks to my new love of running
Yes, I’m addicted. I’ve found my exercise. Four weeks ago I could barely run 45 seconds without feeling like I was gonna to die, and now I can run 15 minutes!!!! and feel amazing to boot.

I’m still using the same iPhone application “Get Running”, and I think this has been key to my success. It focuses on gradually building up time and stamina. It doesn’t even look at distance (until the very end).
Once I’m running 25 – 30 minutes comfortably, then and only then will I start thinking about time and mileage together.

So….. all this running means a lot more showering!!

Not that I didn’t shower before (that would be gross)…. but whereas previously I could have maybe got away with washing my hair every other day, after running that’s NOT an option. I didn’t realise I could actually produce sweat until I started running, but produce it I can, and by the bucketload…… Washing my hair daily is now a necessity.

With more hair washing, comes more hair drying, and this is extremely damaging at the best of times, never mind daily. I also find that my hair loses body quicker the more often it is washed. So I started to look for leave in products. Things I could use to add texture and allow me to leave it to dry naturally.
I’m rotating use of a few at the moment but this is my current favourite:

“Lee Stafford Beach Babe”

A Sea Salt Spray with a Pro Mineral Complex & 26 Minerals

I simply apply a generous spritz of this all over lightly towel dried hair and leave to dry. It smells utterly amazing, as with all of the Lee Stafford range. Musky and very sexy, the husband approves!

It is slightly sticky, but as its drying I run my fingers through it every so often to separate. My hair is naturally poker straight but it adds volume and a slight wave throughout. This is low maintenance Sunday hair at its best!

I got it in Boots on a 3 for 2 Promotion or you can buy it for £5.99 but it’s definitely worth it. Check it out xox

Over the Knee Boots

Tarty?

Trendy?

Practical?

Discuss

I really didn’t think I would be partaking in this particular item of footwear, especially as when I recently tried a heeled pair on in New Look, my eight year son said “but you’re not a rough Mummy, those boots are for rough Mummy’s”.

As I stood back and surveyed my reflection in the mirror I had to agree with him. I looked like I should be stood on a street corner or at least serving in a sex shop. Not good.

I couldn’t help but feel disappointed, I’m one of those people that actually likes to follow fashion, thinking for myself and being “individual” in the clothes area has just never appealed. Don’t get me wrong I love to see other people expressing themselves via their togs but it’s safer and easier for me to just have Look Magazine do it all for me.

So I was pleasantly surprised when I re-visited New Look this week and they had taken delivery of flat Over the Knee Boots, looking more demure altogether.

They were £35, they’re not real leather, but they are lined so you don’t get the sweaty thing going on. The toe is an almond shape which I think is quite flattering on bigger kebs like mine, and they have long leatheresque Gucci style tassles on the sides. I thought these might trip me up when walking as they are floor length but no issues at all, they swish back and forth and make me feel all catwalk.

I don’t think they look cheap, but feel free to disagree. I think this is due to the lack of sexy heel and also the fact that they come just over the knee in a slouchy style, but they’re not “thigh high” which gives a different impression altogether imo. Think Pretty Woman…. to that mind it probably helps that they’re not wipe clean PVC or have concealed pockets for doms……

Jumper Dress – Peacocks £14

Leggings – Asda £6

Bag – Tesco £3.50 (Sale)

Thoughts? xo

A big thank you to everyone who made a purchase from my blog sale, the shoe fund is looking healthy now

Everything that has been paid for was posted out on Thursday & hopefully will soon arrive at your end xoxo

*SALE NOW FINISHED* Should you wish to purchase anything, please leave a comment below stating what/ which items and your paypal address. I will then invoice you. Payment is required within 1 hour or items will be relisted.

I am afraid I can only post within the UK/ Ireland. Postage is included in prices

*SOLD* Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal – Oily Skin (Brand New, Never Used) £6

*SOLD* Cetaphil Daily Moisturiser SPF15 All Skin Types (Used 4 times 80% product remains) £6

*SOLD* MAC Play on Plums Mineralize Eyeshadow (Used once, does not suit me) £10

*SOLD* Riotous (all used a few times) £3 each

*SOLD* GOSH Multicolour Blush (Swatched once) £5

*SOLD* Benefit FYI Eye Primer RRP £17.00 (Used a few times) £8

*SOLD* Barry M Natural Dazzle Compact £5

*SOLD* Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Palette (Used 3 times, looks like new) £15

*SOLD* Remington Shine Therapy Straighteners (Used literally 3 times, like new) £24

Thanks guys, hope you see something you like xoxox

The town next to ours held its annual 4th of July Celebrations last night and we went along for the sunshine, music, hotdogs, ice-cream and Elderflower Slush Puppies (well actually I went for the beer)…. yum

I took full opportunity to work cow girl chic using a new dress from Peacocks £16 and vintage boots from The Ragged Priest £24.99

I felt really girly as the dress has some netting underneath, so there were a number of gratuituous twirls for the husband

The boots kept it quite casual though and this particular pair are like wearing slippers! With a four hour wait for the Fireworks, I’m really really glad I opted for these over strappy sandals!!

Make-up wise I wore a thin layer of Dior Forever Foundation, this is my go to for evenings out at the moment.

I kept the eyes bright but simple, using just one eyeshadow namely MAC Steamy and then lined my upper lid with Barry M Turquoise Liquid Liner. I adore this liner, however I hate the applicator which is like a spear, and its also near impossible to remove in entirety. I’ll have a little blue hue around my lashes for the next 2-3 days. Not ideal….

Eye brows are courtesy of the Urban Decay Brow Box, blusher is MAC Tippy from the Hello Kitty range, still in my top five and lips are my own

We had a brilliant night, the weather was just perfect and it was nice to see people from all walks of life congregate for something fun! Roll on next year!

Matthew & Izaak skimming stones

Johnny Cash Tribute Band

This band caused much mirth and amusement with us, every song up until about 10 minutes before the end was NOT a Johnny Cash song. Not unless Johnny Cash was the 6th member of Boyzone……

Hard to capture the impressive Firework display on camera phone but it was amazing and such a beautiful setting over Groomsport Harbour.

xoxo

P.S Check out how much my hair has grown?!! We’re entering short bob zone here folks

Breathe in…………..

I woke up this morning, logged onto Blogger and YouTube and felt completely uninspired, frustrated and frankly a bit bored.

Can I possibly be the only person who is sick and tired of reading and listening to the same old regurgitated reviews on the same old products? Or am I alone in thinking that a little originality wouldn’t go amiss?

When I first started blogging, it was for fun, and essentially for myself. When people started to read and comment that was simply a bonus. I’ve continued to feel like that about it and enjoy it up until about 2 months ago. I can pinpoint when the tide turned for me, and I would have to say it was when the PR companies got in contact.

Suddenly rather than review things I had picked and paid my hard earned money on myself, I was being sent cosmetics and hair products for free. GREAT I’m sure you’re thinking….. well I would have to disagree.

I’ve reviewed a few of things I was sent such as the OSiS Gloss and the Barry M lippies, these got reviews as I actually personally tried & loved them….. however I’m basically left with an ever growing drawer of shite as I get sent more and more things that a) I’d never have bought for myself and b) are just pure and utter crap. I don’t want to be a PR Product Prostitute.

Its no surprise then that when I log into Blogger or YouTube all these items are being reviewed by fellow bloggers, and I’m sorry but some of them are blatantly bigging up ANYTHING they are sent, regardless if its a good product or not. I have issues with this on many levels but basically for me its all about the integrity.

If I recommend a product to you and give it a positive review, you can be 100% sure that I genuinely feel this way about the product. I’m not a nodding dog. I won’t sell out, and I honestly couldn’t live with myself if I thought I was encouraging people to waste their money on a product I didn’t actually like, or even worse (and what I suspect with sadly quite a few) had never even tried it.

So agree or disagree with me, but this morning I have taken positive steps to undoing the “damage” as I see it. I’m not suggesting in any shape or form this is what you should be doing, but this is what I have done to up my enjoyment levels of them again.

This morning I culled the channels I subscribe to on YouTube by around 3/4. I literally couldn’t see the wood for the trees, and by that I mean all these insignificant reviews were covering up the true diamonds I had subscribed too. It was only when I deleted these that I realised all the fabulous tutorials I had been missing out of, they were simply being pushed out of sight.

I’ve retained only 1 major Product Reviewer, namely Lisasz09 as I trust her reviews are totally genuine, I know she buys the bulk of her own products and as she is US based I get a sneak peak at whats coming to the UK. 

The rest of the subscriptions I held onto are truly talented people in the application of make-up. Not all of them are Make-up Artists but I believe more than ever you don’t need a qualification to be an artist or expert, in any creative field. If you’re good at something, you’re good at it. End of. I’ve also kept some weight loss & fashion gurus that inspire me in there too.

In regards to Blogger I have my favourites who I will still be reading and enjoying, but there has been a major pruning there too, and you know what?…. I wish I’d recognised the problem 2 months ago and done it then. Already this morning I’ve enjoyed 2 refreshing tutorials on YouTube and all because they weren’t hidden under frankly a pile of twaddle.

I’m going to get lynched for this post aren’t I? Ah well, I have to be true to myself!

I’m now looking forward to blogging again, if I want to review a mascara that came out a year ago, I’ll do it, an eyeshadow that came out 6 collections ago, I’m gonna do it, a lipstick that has just been released… I’m gonna do it But I’ll be doing it in the order I want to, and not just because 20 other bloggers have decided thats the flavour of the day. I’m nobody’s sheep.

Breathe out……… wooooooooooooooooooo

Talk soon beautiful people xox