Yearly Archives: 2013

Show your Festive Selfie for Charity with Westfield

11th December 2013
So, Friday December 13th is Christmas Jumper Day and I was in charge of arranging a day of festive knits at work,
since I’m not going to be in work now I’m jumping on another way to raise some funds.
Westfield London are calling out for bloggers to pull on their favourite Christmas Jumper, strike a pose for a selfie and get sharing.

For every blogger who writes a post about the campaign including a snapshot of themselves in their favourite Christmas jumper, Westfield will donate £10 to Save the Children. We’re asking that everyone tweet their post before the 13th of December to @westfieldlondon including #Selfies4STC so we know to make a donation on their behalf! Some of the best selfies will be shared on the Westfield site as well.


I paid a huge amount of money (well, huge for me) for this Topshop knit a couple of years ago but it’s earnt is keep as I bring it out every December. 
I’ll be tweeting my post in time to raise some funds for a vital cause and I’d love as many of you lovely folks to do the same too.
It doesn’t take long and it’s a bit of fun too!

Are you doing anything else for Christmas Jumper Day? 
Send me links to your posts if you do get on board with this campaign!

For more information about this campaign and for more fundraising events check out the Westfield London website here.
xxx

Posted in charity

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Festive Drinking with Fruitbroo

10th December 2013
Fruitbroo had been causing a fair bit of intrigue in my little mind for a while after during the Autumn months I saw it popping up on twitter and instagram feeds everywhere. I did a little research and discovered WHAT it was…tasty fruity, spicy drinks that make a nice change to tea or coffee…add a tsp or two to hot water and away you go, but I was still intrigued, more so by the amazing sounding range of flavours.
I was contacted by Fruitbroo and offered some samples of a couple of the flavours which I willingly accepted.
As you can see I was sent the Rhubarb, Apple & Cinnamon Flavour as well as the Apple & Ginger Spice, both festively decked out with their little gift tags.
These gift tags play a part in the “12 days of Fruitbroo” which works as follows;

Every day for the 12 Days of Christmas, we will be giving one lucky FruitBroo customer
a gift when they purchase from shop.fruitbroo.com.
We have lots of goodies under our Christmas tree and we will be tweeting with the
#FruitBrooGaveToMe    each    day    to    let    you    know    what’s    up    for    grabs.
You will automatically be entered and be in with a chance of winning the gift of the
day by placing an order online at shop.fruitbroo.com.
Each bottle of FruitBroo sold during the promotional period between the 1st and 12th
of December will be gift tagged, so if you wish you can pop them into your families
stockings, works Secret Santa or your Bessies Christmas hamper.
I guess though, before you go placing orders you’re going to want to know how they taste!
Well, I passed the Apple & Ginger Spice on to my Grandad as he is more of a ginger fan than I am. He’s also rather fussy when it comes to drinks and so it’s a real tribute to how good fruitbroo is that his review was so glowing:
“It was a pleasant surprise to find a hot drink so easy to prepare. A little syrup in a cup, some hot water and a quick stir and it’s ready- no messy tea bags to dispose of. The taste was also a pleasing surprise with the predominant spice apple enlivened by a hint of ginger”.
Trust me, he’s never so complimentary about any drink I make him!
I sample the Rhubarb, Apple & Cinnamon flavour and was first struck with how much it smelt like Christmas. I’m a lover of herbal teas but often find them bland so this was a really good alternative and so convinient. It’ll be perfect to stop my coffee guzzling habits when I’m back at work! The flavours really come through and it really is so simple to make. I added 1tsp of syrup to my drink but you can add a second one for a stronger taste. It’s also a great alternative to sugary hot squashes (another work favourite) coming in at 15kcal a cup.
Both of these would be perfect to serve at Christmas gatherings as a non-alcoholic warming drink. They’d also make fantastic presents. I know I wouldn’t say no to a bottle or two under the tree.
I can’t wait to try some of the other flavours. Grandad has put in a request for the Elderflower & Lime and I have my eye on the Peach, Pear & Honey.
Have you tried Fruitbroo yet? Which flavours were your favourite if so…
I can’t express how much I love this brand, especially as they are based in Bristol too. If it comes from Bristol, I’m generally a fan (until it comes to football that is)
xxx

Posted in review

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Berry Nice

09th December 2013

Dress c/o Lashes of London
Tights c/o Charnos
Boots: Sarenza
I know, a real influx of outfit posts lately. I’ve been seeing a brilliant osteopath which means my back is no longer in spasm and I can move a bit more freely so I’ve been making the most of it even though it still hurts like hell (time to slip back in discs, please). It’s stopping me going stir crazy too, getting a little bit dressed up and blogging as normal. I regret it later but at the time it’s fun!
Anyway, recently Charnos sent me a couple of pairs of their AW collection tights to style up. I may not feature them as much but I still have an obsession with tights (and around 100 pairs) and I couldn’t wait to try these subtly jazzy aubergine coloured beauties on.
I paired them with this dress from Lashes of London and my brown ankle boots. This is something I’d wear for a Saturday shopping trip or drinks with friends in the local pub (sadly neither are an option currently!) I can never quite make up my mind on this dress, there is just so much of it even though it’s my usual size and I’m not convinced it’s flattering but I love the colours and print so I think I’ll let it stay in my wardrobe.
I was really impressed with the quality of  these tights and the fit. Both are something I have a big issue with but I wouldn’t hesitate to make repeat Charnos purchases knowing how they suit my shape and height. Perfecto.
Stay tuned for the second pair I was sent. I’m dreaming up an outfit as I type.
xxx

Posted in outfits, tights

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Perfect Partywear at M&S

08th December 2013
Recently Marks and Spencer got in touch with me asking if I’d like to collaborate on a partywear solutions feature involving real women and real shapes.
The idea was to choose a party dress and piece of lingerie or shapewear to suit your body type and requirements for a party outfit. I was so up for this and decided to use my height and lack of boobs to be the focus of the post.
Shoes: Matalan
Cat Ears: Topshop
Owl: Primark
The dress is actually part of the “drop a dress size” range which wasn’t really my intention. I did want a streamlined shape from the dress though so the supportive features helped. What I really liked was the length. As a tall girl it’s nice to be able to pull off something that sits on the knee without looking stumpy. Of course I could have gone for a maxi dress, but I’ve had one too many incidents of falling over the hem of those!
For the lingerie part of my outfit I chose this push up bra although it hasn’t given a dramatic effect because there wasn’t much there to start with. It has given a subtle lift to my assets though and stopped the neckline of the dress gaping.
Flat shoes were a no brainer for this outfit right now due to what’s going on with my body but if heels had been an option it would have been these sparklers from Sarenza just to finish the look off. Thankfully one of the benefits of height is that you can get away with party flats without it destroying the effect of the dress.
A huge thank you to M&S for the dress and bra. I may not be partying this season but the dress is a classic and one I envisage wearing time and time again, and I’m sure as I put on the remaining weight I want to gain the push up bra will come in to it’s own. It has the added benefit of being a multiway bra so will go under countless outfits.
This was a really fun project to take part in and I may not have gone for the most exciting of options but it certainly worked well for me as I felt confident and happy- that’s what matters most when going out right? Comfort and confidence. That’s the key to a good night!
What are your party staples? What styles suit your shape best?
xxx

Posted in christmas, outfits, sarenza

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The Dressing Room Becksondergaard Blogger Challenge

07th December 2013

Jeans and Jumper: Primark
Shoes: Converse
I was recently invited to take part in a blogger challenge held by The Dressing Room, myself and several other gorgeous ladies were sent this gorgeous Becksondergaard scarf and were asked to style it in a way that expresses our style and personality.
I’m quite laid back when it comes to scarves. I just sling it round my neck a few times, snood style and I’m good to go. Usually half way through the day it ends up draping all over me but to start with it looks quite neat and I wear them with or without a coat.
To me this scarf screamed laid back style so on went my trusty Primark Skinny jeans and fluffy jumper as well as my converse. I’m still on sick leave and this is pretty typical of what I’ve worn most days and well as being my go-to weekend style. I may not be able to match the other girls in the fashion stakes (or photography skills) but I’m comfortable and warm and that’s what counts to me. I had fully intended to get Mum involved in getting some outside photos but typically the day I had earmarked was one where it was pouring with rain.
If you haven’t already you should really check out The Dressing Room it’s a fairly recent discovery for me and one I feel everyone needs to know about. If you love this scarf as much as I do they have an amazing array from the AW Becksondergaard collection as well as many other heavenly beauties. Perfect for Christmas pressies.
How do you wear your scarves?
xxx

Posted in challenge, outfits

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