Monthly Archives: March 2014

Dreaming of Summer

28th March 2014
Well, hasn’t the weather this week been a total let down? I had kind of hoped that it’d be nice on the week before I return to work so I could get out, get walking and on my bike and make sure my core muscles are as strong as they can be. Instead I’ve been pottering about the house, playing dress up and bemoaning the fact there is no way I’ll get abroad this year.
Swimsuit: Ted Baker c/o Simply Beach  | Cardigan: Asda | Shorts: Matalan | Shoes c/o Sun Jellies
How beautiful is this swimsuit? I wasn’t really sure how to present it on the blog as I am not one of those to stand merely in swimwear, I just don’t have the balls for that. Instead I decided to pretend I was about to lounge around on a beach and chucked on a pair of Mum’s denim shorts from Matalan, some ASOS sparkly sunnies and a cardigan from Asda (because it was cold inside!)
I remember a few years ago when jelly shoes first made a re-appearance swearing that they were one thing that were staying in my past for good. My resolve clearly weakened this season as they are everywhere, and these from Sun Jellies are just so cute and so comfortable. I don’t know whether to hate myself a bit for the fact I love them so much. These are THE original jelly shoes and they come in such a cute array of colours, I couldn’t help but cave in!
Whilst I might not be getting abroad this year I might manage to get a UK break in- where are your favourite places to go?

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Posted in life, outfits, shoes

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Fashion Targets Breast Cancer x M&S

27th March 2014
Once again M&S have teamed up with Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, asking people to “wear their support” and help raise some funds for the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
This is a partnership that’s been going on for over a decade and in that time M&S have raised over 19 million pounds for the charity.
This year M&S will be donating 30% of the profits from the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer to the charity, and with fun, Daisy printed swimwear AND clothing you can do good and be bang on trend.
If you hover over the images you’ll be able to get the details and prices. My eye is on the daisy print trousers and the sweet pink swimsuit, I can guarantee at least one of these will be mine in the next couple of months. Which piece is your favourite?

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Posted in charity, fashion

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Current Skincare Favourites

27th March 2014
I’m not sure how popular my beauty posts are proving with you guys, but I’m really starting to get back in to makeup and looking after my skin so I’ll carry on with them. Anyone who doesn’t want to read, well, just skip this post- I promise more of the usual posts from tomorrow onwards.

The first product I’m loving is the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water which is currently on offer at £3.33 in Boots and something like £2.66 in Tesco. I bought this a couple of weeks ago after seeing it pop up on instagram a few times and instantly loved it. Since buying it I’ve used it every night to remove my makeup and it leaves my skin feeling so fresh and clean. I’ve already made the most of special offers and bought another bottle despite it’s claims to last for 200 uses
Next comes a product from an unlikely source. Waitrose have recently launched their own line of skincare products called “pure” and I picked up the Beauty Balm out of curiosity, lured in by the introductory offer price. I’m really taken with this, I’ve been applying it before bed- it’s a thick paste really that I warm in my hands and massage in to my face and I wake up with baby soft skin. I want to try a few more products from this range, especially the facial oil- currently only £1.99!
I’ve been wanting to try Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream for so long and recently Mum treated me to a gift set of three different products from the range to see which I liked best. I love them all, but it’s the original orange coloured thick gel that really wins for me. I’ve used it as a lip balm for the last few weeks and my lips have never been in such good condition. I’ll be investing in a big tube of this soon!
Body care is something I’m not very good at and the skin below my face gets neglected more often than not. Years of bad habits are finally being broken thanks to Rituals and their amazing products. I won a competition last year and treated myself to their Imagine Hand Lotion and Touch of Hammam Body Cream among other things. These products smell and feel so good I just want to use them all the time. Rituals is a brand that is usually out of my price range so I am dreading these running out, but for now I have soft skin and a pleasant scent. Perfect.
I would love to know what you guys are using and loving right now to inspire me to take better care of my skin and overall self. I find using nice products and making the effort really boosts confidence and happiness levels, so I must not let myself slack off!

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Minted.

26th March 2014
It’s not just pink I’m crazy for this season, I’ve also fallen head over heels for all things pastel. There is something so endearing about sugary sweet colours and when I was sent a pale minty green dress I decided to go all out on the matchy matchy pastel front.
Dress c/o shelikes | Boots: Mista via Sarenza | Necklace c/o Spoiled Brat
This dress is probably my current favourite piece in my wardrobe, I don’t own many green pieces, especially not in pastel so this is a welcome addition from shelikes. Unusually this dress is the pefect length on me and the colour seems to work quite well with my skin tone. It has a subtle embossed floral design which adds texture and it fits like a dream. I’ll be wearing this a lot over the coming months and it’ll be a nice addition to my work wardrobe as well as for out of work.
I’ve spoken about these Miista boots before, my current favourite brand for unique and edgy shoes these were on my wish list for ages before I was able to get my mitts on them in the Sarenza sale. These are so perfect for the chillier spring days and a more dainty alternative to my beloved black ankle boots. The only downside is they are too pretty to wear in the wet weather lest I get them covered in mud but that just means I’ll have them even longer! I’m seriously in love with Miista’s Spring/Summer designs- there are so many pastel pairs that I need on my feet.
It’s a well known fact that one of my favourite online boutiques Spoiled Brat sell an amazing array of on trend and covetable clothing, but did you know they also stock the most incredible selection of jewellery too? I was sent this brilliant Chelsea Doll “Meow” necklace as well as another from the range (which sadly didn’t survive the post, I think the postman was playing football with the package) and it makes me smile every time I see it. It doesn’t quite fit in with the pastel theme of the outfit but I couldn’t wait any longer to wear it! Next on my list is this amazing Runaway Fox wooden cat cuts necklace
These photos are another set that Ben took for me, he’s been choosing which photos I post lately as well as I’m really struggling with body image right now and learning to accept my body at a healthy weight. I’m getting there, slowly but surely with the help and support of my family, friends and boyfriend and I’m looking forward to living a healthy and active life. Recovery hasn’t been easy and it’s still a massive struggle now, but the benefits make it so worthwhile and I’m never, ever going back to a life of anorexia- for the first time in almost twelve years I feel free and this period of not being ok with how I look will pass. Thank you to every single one of you who have supported me from the start, I’m almost at the end of this journey now and you’ve all given such incredible encouragement and advice.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to get quite so personal there, I get carried away sometimes. Feel free to skim over any such posting from me.

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Posted in jewellery, life, outfits, sarenza, shoes

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Mother’s Day Gift Ideas with Find Me a Gift

25th March 2014
Ok, so it’s only a few days now until Mother’s Day and I imagine may of you will have sorted out what to get for Mum already, but incase you haven’t then I have some top selling gift suggestions from my go-to gift shopping site Find Me a Gift who have express delivery options available so it’s not too late to get your order in!
First on the list, moving from the top left hand corner is the perfect gift for those who can’t decide between chocolate and flowers. The Grow Your Own Chocolate Scented Flowers costs £9.99 and will last longer than either of the gifts alone. I’m so intrigued by the idea of these!
Next up is the Margarita R-Evolution Molecular Drinks Kit, £28.99. This is perfect for the Mum who loves a cheeky cocktail or two and it also comes in Cosmopolitan and Mojito flavours.
The next two products are both from skin care hero brand HealGel. Find Me a Gift stock both the face and eye cream and whilst this stuff isn’t cheap, you only need to google a review or two (I have my own review coming up soon) to find it’s worth it.
For the foodie Mum who likes to try new things then I highly recommend Joe&Seph’s popcorn, I’ve tried several of their flavours over time and they are all outstanding. Worth the £4.99 price tag for a special treat for sure!
Bomb Cosmetics make perfect presents with everything from candles (why not treat her to the blissful rest scent?) to full on pamper gift sets such as the Mrs Miracles set? Everything is reasonably priced and really smells incredible, I find it hard to walk past a display without wanting to eat it.
Cuffs of Love are the perfect way to show your Mum you have an unbreakable bond. Favoured by many a celebrity and costing from £24.99 I think these are a really love way to show you care.
Last but by no means least here’s the perfect present for a wine loving Mum (and if your Mum is like my Mum she’ll be claiming she needs it!). With a choice of either red or white wine with a personalised glass this makes a perfect Mother’s Day treat with a keepsake too.
I hope this gift guide helps at least one person, but hopefully many more! I usually like to surprise my Mum but this year she knew what she wanted and so I went with that. What have you got your Mum this year?

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