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

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Now that we have moved and unpacked (most) boxes my mind can turn to making this house a home. Although detached our house is quite modest and therefore storage is limited. I’m constantly on the look out for nice boxes, shelving and space-savers.

This metal wall hanging is from NEXT and although this particular design is past season they currently do a shabby chic version for £12 here

I have a massive jewellery box for all my good pieces but I was really desperate to find something to house those “every-day” pieces. The ones that aren’t worth putting away but inevitably end up strewn across your dressing or beside table.

This fits the bill. It’s also useful for holding hairbands. The only negative is that it’s not designed to hold ALL of your jewellery. Definitely best suited to necklaces, but that suits me fine, as they are the ones that get tangled on me. I think it makes a really nice addition to the wall in our bedroom too, almost like art…

I also just HAD to show you this great TK Maxx find. I’m the type of person that finds one piece they like and builds the style of their room around it. THIS is my veranda inspiration. At the moment the veranda is dull and dusty, but come spring I hope to find even more weird and wonderful shaped Moroccan lanterns, large jeweled throws for the outside sofa and a huge brightly coloured rug and cushions ♥

Finally I would like to give a huge virtual hug to the lovely Georgia of On My Mind (formerly WelshBeautyBlog). Thanks to her general loveliness I have had a visit from the Fairy Hobmother of AppliancesOnline and will shortly be the proud owner of a crepe maker :D Woo Hoo!!

I know that the Fairy Hobmother has been granting quite a few wishes around the blogosphere lately, so watch out! Next time, it could be you! :) xo

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Wearing my festive jumper/ sweater dress. It would be indecently short on me as a dress so I pair it with lace trimmed cycling shorts from Topshop, dotty Primark tights and sparkly Zara shoes (purchased on my Summer holiday).

Dinner was at my Mum’s house and as usual she outdid herself with the fabulous table decoration. My Mum and I are very similar, in that we are drawn to the more bright and childish Christmas ware. If it doesn’t feature a Santa/ Snowman or Ruldolph then it doesn’t say Christmas to us!

Noah (6) sharing his seat with two of his new friends, Bruno the Dog (Build-A-Bear) and Mosh & Chat Katsuma. Well done Santa ;)

Dinner was particularly tasty. I rarely have seconds (unless it’s the Chinese Buffet… then I have seconds, thirds and fourths…) but I couldn’t get enough of the turkey this year. Scrummy!

My mother (60) and Izaak (10). Pray to goodness that I’ve inherited her ageing genes. I think she looks fab!

One looking at the lens… other looking at the display screen #fail :D but YAY for matching Christmas jumpers!!!

My brother even made dinner this year which was great. Fingers crossed 2012 is a good one for him cos 2011 has been pretty sucky tbh

ATTACK!!!! :)

…..until an impatient Izaak can track Santa again

All in all Christmas was everything I could have hoped for and more. Hope yours was enjoyable too xo

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NOW on to the Sales. I really didn’t buy much this year. Well…. definitely a lot less than previous years but still probably too much *shrugs*

First up is this light from NEXT. I think this is my top sale bargain as it was just £20 and will look amazing in our dining room. WIN!

Then these mid heel leopard booties from M&S for £15. Ridiculously comfortable and I totally fell for the little ruching detail.

Also this colour block scarf from M&S reduced to £12 from I believe £29 (say whaaaaat?!). I live by the sea and you can NEVER have too many scarves, hats and gloves. Also my beloved multi-coloured one from Tesco is starting to look a bit shabby so this is a nice replacement.

That’s it for now, I’m waiting on a few online purchases arriving but nothing too mind-blowing.

What’s been your pick of the sales? xo

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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

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Howdy folks!

Hope you’re all having a lovely Christmas build up. So far my week has been tops! Lot’s of yummy treats, family time and last night Love Actually & Pork Scratchings! (a must watch film at Christmas time). My heart is literally full to bursting with love and happiness and I am super dooper thankful for everyone and everything I have been blessed with in my life!

Of course, I realise that not everyone will be feeling this way coming up to the festive period and that it can in fact be a very bleak time of year for some. With that in mind I would urge you (if you have the means) to give a little to a charity.

CRISIS is one close to my heart and you can donate to their appeal here. Your simple donation will mean a lovely warm Christmas meal and chance for a shower/ shave/ haircut etc. Things that most of us take for granted.

 
 
 
If you are local you might also consider donating to Assisi Animal Sanctuary who do fantastic, tireless work rescuing our furry friends without any funding other than what you and I give. They operate a no-kill policy (last year rescuing 2,300 animals) and as you can imagine until each animal is rehomed the costs are significant. You can donate here or just head to Pets At Home in Bangor and buy something for the animals. The lovely staff there will sticker your purchase and everything gets delivered direct to Assisi in time for Christmas!

There are literally hundreds of worthy charities I could list but I’m sure you’re all well aware of who and what you can donate to. Stop thinking of doing it and actually DO IT!! xo

 

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