Monthly Archives: November 2015

Party Pieces and Cyber Monday with Moda in Pelle*

30th November 2015
If ever there was a reason to go shopping for a new bag and pair of shoes then it’s party season. Add in to this the fact it’s Cyber Monday and you’re pretty much obliged to pick up a new pair of dancing shoes (and matching clutch, of course!). Moda in Pelle just so happen to have one of the most stunning ranges of party perfect accessories that I’ve seen online so far and with an extra 20% off everything with the code Cyber20 for today only what more reason do you need to indulge in a lunch break browse?
I’ve helpfully (because it’s such a chore) put together a little wish list of my perfect party pairings.
How striking are the Jagger Shoes and matching bag? These are perfect for adding a new twist to your old faithful little black dress and are sparkly enough to allow you to keep jewellery to a minimum.
I love a caged heel and the Lonero style adds a new take on the trend with it’s mesh detailing. These are probably my pick of the bunch out of all off Moda in Pelle’s offerings and I’d take them up a notch by pairing them with the super sparkly Celio diamante clutch (which could probably also double up as an impromptu disco ball!)
For a splash of colour I just love the ombre effect Lucina shoe which comes in two stunning colour ways. A matching bag is also available in the two colours meaning you could mix and match with the mermaid-esque blue shoes and a flame red clutch or vice-versa.
Are you sorted for party season yet? I thought I was but looking at these I’m suddenly not so sure…

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Posted in shoes, shopping, wish list

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Thoughts on Christmas Shopping*

29th November 2015
One of my favourite things about the festive season is the excuse to shop for those around me. I’d say I’m a pretty generous person and it’s rare for me to go anywhere near a shop and not bring back something for someone other than myself. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than picking out something to make someone smile and at Christmas I have been known to get more than a little bit carried away. With that in mind here are some tips and tricks I use when searching for the perfect present.

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Set a budget and then allow a buffer for when you inevitably go over it. My best friend and I always do this, we set a “limit” on our present buying knowing full well that when it comes to it we’ll spend at least the same again. If we set the budget at a higher level we’d still go over so this keeps things within what we can afford.

Buy it when you see it or regret it later! How many times have you seen the perfect gift for someone but didn’t get it there and then? Countless times I’ve gone back to get something only to find it’s too late leaving me either paying over the odds on e-bay or having to wrack my brains to think up something not half as awesome. I also never wait for Black Friday in the hopes of snagging a good deal- if I know it’s the perfect thing for someone then I get it when I see it rather than run the risk of it selling out for the sake of a few quid.

Think small… independent local shops are one of my favourite places to pick up gifts with a unique and often personal touch. The same goes for indies online. Some of my favourite haunts include Hill Road in Clevedon, Not on the Highstreet, Lisa Angel and cheekyboo

It’s a common thought that bigger is always better when it comes to giving gifts but I’ve found this isn’t always the case. Some of the most loved presents I’ve given to people have been something small, inexpensive and utterly random that showed care and thought went in to the process of buying it. I like to think I’m pretty good at giving gifts these days and I’m yet to meet someone who disagrees (to my face at least!) It was pretty interesting to see that Currys PC World made an infographic featuring the 10 greatest gifts ever. I don’t think I can top those!

What are your top tips for Christmas shopping? What’s the most extravagant gift you’ve ever given or recieved?

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Posted in christmas, gifts, life, life stuff, shopping

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Mae Reviews: The November Purrfect Box

28th November 2015
After the success of previous packages from Purrfect Box it was hard to tell who was more excited about another delivery from them a couple of weeks ago. The Purrfect Box is a monthly subscription which costs £19.90 a month, or £15.90 per month if you take out a years subscription. The contents of the box are guaranteed to be worth at least £30 with 4-6 premium products inside so it’s a pretty sweet deal, especially as each box is catered to your feline’s needs and preferences. Let me know if you’d decide to treat your feline friend to a box- I’ll be picking up a few on a one off basis throughout the year, I can’t afford it on a monthly basis but as an every so often treat I think it’s wonderful!
In typical Mae fashion she wasn’t been at all co-operative in the taking of these photos so you’ll just have to take my word for it that she really enjoyed her box once again. There was a fantastic array of products in the box, from treats to toys and pretty much all of it was greeted for what one assumes was enthusiasm from my feline fiend.

A particular favourite in this month’s box were the lovely paw print blanket from Sauvagine which is keeping Mae nice and toasty warm in this recent spell of chilly weather. She’s never really been much of a cat for blankets and beds but this one appears to have changed her mind somewhat as she’s spending a good deal of time hiding under it and looking rather smug.

One product that I really rated were the wipes by Camon as I’ve lost count of the times where I wished such a thing existed. Utterly ideal for when a certain someone comes flying in after a dig around in the garden and for removing the evidence that she’s been walking through leftovers on a dinner plate again.

As ever the toys in the box were brilliant fun for both Mae and for myself. The treat roller is an endless source of amusement to me and frustration to Mae as she doesn’t want to work hard for her treats (and often I relent and give her a few extra, oops!). The only product that she didn’t like was the Cat Pudding from GimCat. She’s a bit funny about textures and for some reason wouldn’t even go near the packaging for this- but worry not, a visit up to Ben’s family saw this enthusiastically lapped up by their three cats so I’d say it’s still a success.

Have you given Purrfect Box a try before? I’d love to hear your thoughts…and watch this space for more “Mae Reviews” type posts, she’s getting quite in to this blogging lark.

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Posted in life stuff, Mae, review

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Current Beauty Loves

27th November 2015
I’m going through a phase of picking up new makeup at the moment, it goes like that…I’ll go months without getting tempted and sticking determinedly to using up my rather vast collection and then BAM, I’ll buy one item that I actually need and it triggers off a chain reaction of picking out new products. Luckily (and rarely) I’ve been happy with everything I’ve bought lately, there’s nothing worse than wasting money on a disappointing product, right?
Coming soon from the team at I Love…* are these gorgeous tinted moisture balms which have the most adorable packaging ever! I believe these are being launched any time now these are an absolute bargain at £2.99 and come in three fantastic flavours- cherry, grape and strawberry. Not unlike the Clinique Chubby Sticks and giving the colour of a lipstick with the feel of a balm these are a must have for any lip product lover and cost less than a festive latte.
Another lip product I’ve been loving is the new lip paints from Barry M. I already had a nude and berry shade of these in my collection but couldn’t resist adding shade “167” in to the mix- a super moisturising matte finish pink. These go on like a dream and aren’t at all drying on the lips, perfect against the Winter elements.
The one product I actually NEEDED to buy was a new brow kit, I don’t get on with gels for some reason and always lose pencils so a palette is my best option. I’d so far been loyal to my Oriflame set but after it’s demise I decided to branch out and try something new and opted for the MUA Eye Brow Kit for the bargain price of £3.50. So far I’m really impressed with this, the darker and lighter shades blend together to create something just right for my colouring and the highlighter and wax are lovely finishing touches. You really can’t go wrong at this price and I think this has just become my new go-to for groomed brows.
I was delighted to see that my local Superdrug has FINALLY started to stock Makeup Revolution…only a year or so late to the game eh? I’ve tried quite a few products from the brand since they launched and have been really very impressed. As there was a 3 for 2 offer on all cosmetics I felt I could justify picking up the Pro Looks Big Love palette for £6 (meaning the brow kit was free) and in the two weeks since I bought it there hasn’t been a day where I haven’t used at least one of the shadows. I love how the palette is divided in to three seperate looks, although of course you can mix it up a bit too! The colours are all really wearable and perfect for day to night beauty or for a break away from home.
Are there any products you’ve recently discovered? Feel free to leave some recommendations below…

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Posted in beauty, make up, shopping

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“Dear Santa…” Paulie Wish List*

26th November 2015
In amongst all of my recent browsing for the perfect Christmas gifts I’ve managed to a) discover rather a few new to me brands and b) amassed quite a wish list for things I wouldn’t mind myself. One such enabler of these wish lists and new discovery is Paulie, a London based womenswear retailer with an in-house label as well as stocking contemporary brands such as Rag & Bone and J Brand.
My recent objects of desire have taken on quite a minimalistic approach as I feel myself gravitating towards pieces that will stand the test of time and last me a good few years. I couldn’t resist injecting a bit of fun in the form of these amazing flared dungarees by Citizens of Humanity which are just crying out for some breton stripes and platform heels.

The fringed dress by Smarteez is perfect for the party season and be given a new lease of life year on year with some clever accessorising making it worth the near £200 price tag in my eyes (any excuse!). The boots are a true classic, or would be if I could walk in this kind of heel.

I’m not sure if you’d class the Rag & Bone military coat as a classic or not but it’s too stunning not to include- if I were suddenly to find a spare £500 this would be the first thing I purchased.

No wish list would be complete without a beautiful bag and this classic black leather backpack, again by Rag & Bone would be the perfect addition to my every day wardrobe…I hope you’re taking notes Santa!

What’s on your wish list right now and have you discovered any great brands lately?

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Posted in brands I love, shopping, wish list

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