Yearly Archives: 2015

Tastes of the British Isles with Marks and Spencer

20th May 2015
You can count on Marks and Spencer for some truly tasty food and when I first heard of their Tastes of the British Isles collection a couple of months ago I knew we were in for something special. I’m a true fan of British food, from the fabulous fruits to the earthy flavours there’s something so satisfying and wholesome about it all. Less wholesome were the sweet treats that Marks and Spencer kindly arranged for me to sample- but sweets are yet another thing that Britain does best!
I was super-duper excited when I saw liquorice catherine wheels in my bag of goodies as they always have been and probably always will be a favourite of mine. The manager in my nearest M&S said he preferred these to the original barratt’s ones and I would be tempted to agree- perfection! Also erring on the traditional side the fruity swirl lollipop put a smile on my face- who can resist the bright and beautiful lure of pure sugar?

On the less traditional side there were some new and exciting discoveries to be made. Strawberries and clotted cream fudge took me straight back to childhood holidays in Devon and the Rhubarb & Custard (made with freeze dried rhubarb, wheat crispies and custard flavoured white chocolate) might just be the greatest thing I’ve tasted this year. The Elderflower Raspberries were almost too pretty to eat but the sweet white chocolate and the sharpness of the freeze dried raspberries balanced beautifully with the delicate Elderflower flavour. The British Pudding sweets also deserve a special mention- lemon meringue and cherry bakewell flavoured sweets encase a cracknell centre that bring about all sorts of retro fabulous feelings.

I admit to being skeptical when I heard that Marks and Spencer had launched a rival to my beloved Marmite. Long time readers will know how devoted I am to the brown goo. Thankfully they end up being two entirely different products thanks to M&S’s addition of fruity notes to balance out the savoury overload so I can happily announce I love this product (created in collaboration with London Based Greenwich Meantime Brewery) without being disloyal to my first love.
Have you tried any of these products, what else do I need from the Tastes of the British Isles range? There’s so much more to it than what I’ve featured and I have no idea where to start…

Also, are you a lover or a hater? I’m not sure we can be friends if you can’t stand Marmite.

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Posted in food, M&S, review

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New Balance

18th May 2015
Same skirt, different day- I knew I’d end up living in this the second it arrived. Apologies for the creased state, anyone who knows me will attest to the fact I am hardly a domestic goddess and it didn’t occur to me that I might want to iron it before wearing again!

Skirt: New Look| Jumper c/o Skip n’ Whistle | Trainers: New Balance

This particular pair of New Balance has been on my wish list for well over a year but I couldn’t justify the expense. When I saw my pal Lois from Bunnipunch selling a pair for a bargain price I just couldn’t stop myself from snapping up despite having just bought my Adidas Gazelles and really, really not needing another pair of shoes. Still, I couldn’t be happier with my purchase as they are every bit as comfortable as I imagined and go with so many things.

This outfit was what I wore to a day time hen-do for one of my favourite people, Ellie. She gets married on the 23rd of this month and I just can’t wait to see her walk down the aisle. Fingers crossed that the sun shines on Saturday!

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Posted in life, life stuff, outfits, shoes

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Denim Dreams at Trilogy

16th May 2015
Is there any style blogger out there who doesn’t have (at least secret) admiration for Alexa Chung? She so rarely makes a sartorial slip-up so when it was announced that she was launching a range in collaboration with AG jeans I couldn’t wait to see it. Sadly it’s about as far out of my reach as waking up and looking like Ms Chung herself, but I couldn’t resist popping together a wish list of my favourite pieces, all in stock at Trilogy Stores.
The collection has more than a touch of Seventies about it and rarely, for me there isn’t a piece that I wouldn’t consider wearing. Stand-outs to me are the olive green pinafore, the ruffled denim dress and those black denim dungarees. Have you checked out the collection yet, which piece would you most like to wear?

Talk to me about celebrity style icons.

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Gazelle

15th May 2015

I’ve been really digging trainers lately. Wearing nothing but this sporty style throughout my teenage years as soon as I discovered high heels and a more feminine style I ditched my old faithfuls and didn’t look back.

With the fashion world saturated with trainers lately, from the ever popular New Balance to the latest on the scene Adidas Superstar Colour range it was inevitable I was going to cave at some point and although I did almost purchase a pink pair of the Superstar trainers in the end I opted for something a little bit more classic and something I’ve had my eye on for quite a while.

Tee: Uniqlo | Skirt: New Look | Trainers: Adidas at ASOS

I love the retro look of the Adidas Gazelle shoes and this pink pair went in to the ASOS sale a few weeks ago at a bargain price of £40. This colour (and price) is no longer available but there are plenty of alternatives should you be unable to resist like I was! They make the perfect partner for this A-Line denim skirt from New Look. The perfect A-Line skirt has been on my Spring wish list since they first started hitting shops but I couldn’t bring myself to part with the cash that some shops are asking for. At £19.99 this one from New Look had both the right price AND the right length (my other main issue) and I see this becoming a real wardrobe staple over the next few months.
This set of photos was another that Ben and I took when we went up to Melton Mowbray before my birthday. It was freezing cold when we took them but as we drove past the alleyway leading to the vast open field we couldn’t help but stop and grab some shots. It might not be the interesting city scenes that most bloggers favour but there is something so charming about the English countryside that I’m always drawn to taking photos there- that and I’m not quite brave enough to just pose and prance about in the streets for fear of people thinking I’ve lost the plot.

Are you a fan of trainers? I’ve since purchased a pair of New Balance as well (oops) and I’m quite afraid my Summer sandals won’t get a look in this year!

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Posted in life, life stuff, outfits, shoes

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KiK the habit?

13th May 2015
I’ve never hidden the fact that I’m a smoker on the blog, I’m well aware it’s a disgusting and dangerous habit to have and over the last couple of years I’ve started to hate it more and more. Hating it is all well and good, but alone it’s hasn’t been enough to get me ditching the habit for good. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tried and failed despite trying various methods and strategies. Inspired by Corinne’s post and a timely email from the team at Kik I’ve gone in to a new territory on my mission to be cigarette free- the Vape Kit.
I was sent this kit to try out as well as a selection of the liquids to add. The flavours of the liquids are all really appealing and I like how there are different strengths of nicotine available so you can start off higher (as I plan to) and wean down.

The Vape Stick itself is quite sleek looking but not as subtle as I might have hoped. It’s fine to use at home but I’m a bit hesitant to use it in public. To combat this I need to make sure I buy no cigarettes so I can’t have a crafty one whilst walking home from work, or get braver at using the Vape Stick. At home it’s been brilliant. Currently I am still smoking regular cigarettes too but the number of these has dropped and I am ready to reduce this further.

I’m not advocating “vape-ing” as something cool to do, or for a non-smoker to pick up but I can see how it might be the strategy I need to quit the cigarettes and the wean off of the nicotine addiction. For me, I find the hand to mouth action and the inhalation the most addictive part of smoking so being able to have a nicotine free alternative appeals hugely.

Has anyone else successfully quit with one of these? I’d love to know.

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