Yearly Archives: 2015

Boho with Bahimi

11th May 2015
Being a blogger as Summer rolls around inevitably means an influx of swimwear based press releases arriving in your inbox. I try to read and respond to each and every one, but as much as I appreciate a good bikini I can’t find myself getting truly excited about them when I’m not a fan of wearing them myself. Recently an e-mail popped up that featured Bahimi. I clicked through to the website and had a browse and whilst the bikinis are rather lovely it was the collection of jewellery that really grabbed my attention.

Dress: Topshop (here) | Shoes: Primark (current stock) | Necklace c/o Bahimi

I purchased both the dress and the shoes when I went over to Cardiff on my birthday and had some pennies to spend however I wished. The dress was £25 in the Topshop sale and I fell head over heels for the paisley print and the high-low hem line. I was on the lookout for more summery pieces but I couldn’t leave this behind, the relaxed fit and longer sleeves make it perfect for this in-between weather we’ve been having lately.

I had seen the shoes featured on a few blogs lately so when I saw these at £10 I just couldn’t resist- so much for streamlining my shoe collection! I also picked up another pair of sandals in Primark so the five pairs I sold on ebay how now entirely been replaced, oops!

The necklace from Bahimi seemed to work perfectly with this slightly boho outfit. At £9 it’s excellent value for such a detailed and heavy piece and I have had fun amusing the cat with the jangling noise when I walk! I have my eye on a few pieces on the website, enough for a seperate wish list post I think as well as a couple of the bikinis should I get brave enough to wear one when I hopefully get away later in the year!

What have you been buying lots of lately?

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Posted in jewellery, outfits, shoes, shopping

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The ultimate tips to get your skin summer-ready

10th May 2015
While the weather might not exactly be roasting in Britain right now, winter is definitely
over. With the skies clearing up and temperatures rising slowly but surely, your skin is also waking up from a few long months spent under wraps. Here are a few tips to stay fresh-faced and all-round fabulous all summer long, or even longer.

(image)

No shine on me

We’re not talking about the sun here, which we’d actually gladly welcome in our back garden at the moment. However, with the temperatures rising the skin’s sebaceous glands start producing more sebum, which can make your skin shiny, or a little greasy-looking. And that’s the last thing you want for not all those holiday Instagram snaps.

Thankfully though, the remedies are quite straight-forward. Just start by washing your face regularly with a skin care product that’s right for your own skin type (normal, dry, oily or a combination) to clear the pores and prevent breakouts.

Don’t hesitate to splurge a little more than you normally would on quality skincare products: applying a little Proactiv cleanser twice a day can really go a long way towards keeping your skin healthy.

You can also use a mattifying serum right after to make the effects last a little longer and/or mattifying blotting sheets that will discreetly fit inside any purse and can be used for small touch-ups during the day.

Eat and drink well

Of course, such precious advice would be all for naught if you’re not eating and drinking the right stuff in the first place. But there’s still no need to suddenly turn into a health freak! You might just need to be reminded of a few simple tips after having indulged a bit too much over the last few months.

So you’d better cut back on cheese, cured meats and chocolate (sadly!), and make sure you reach your five-a-day as often as possible. Combined with the recommended daily intake of 9 cups a day of water, a balanced diet will guarantee all the vitamins your skin needs to get sun-ready.

Protection and other hot weather tips

If your skin is prone to breakouts and pimples, don’t get too excited when they all seem to disappear after a few days under the sun. It’s an illusion that won’t last very long: UV rays tend to thicken the skin’s surface and trap in all the sebum in the process, which can eventually lead to a skin disaster once your tan starts wearing out.

Whether you’re lucky enough to jet off somewhere hot in the next few weeks or you’re opting for a more convenient staycation, UV protection is a must. We all know it is quite common for Britons to get a little overenthusiastic under the sun and forgo all kind of sun protection: to avoid sunburns and melanomas you should never hit the beach without applying some high factor sun cream first.

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Posted in beauty

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Escape to the Countryside

08th May 2015

To kick start my Birthday celebrations, which feels like a lifetime ago already Ben and I headed up to stay with his parents for the weekend. He’s recently passed his driving test and has a car so it was the first time we were able to suit ourselves around timing and not be reliant on public transport or needing other people to ferry us around.

On the Saturday he took me on a little tour of Melton Mowbray where he grew up. I was already somewhat familiar with the town centre from previous visits but had absolutely no idea that there was also a country park- how something so vast could have remained so hidden from me I don’t know! Over 100 acres of land with lakes, streams, grass, fields and playgrounds galore this really needed a whole day to explore. We dodged the rain showers and had a little walk through just part of the park…a return visit is needed very soon, complete with picnic and sensible shoes.

Dress c/o Quiz Clothing| Boots: New Look

I just love this dress from Quiz, I always feel good when I wear it. The structured shape and off the shoulder neckline add a touch of glamour and we all know I can’t resist a good floral print. These boots are ancient now and I wish I could find some similar to replace them with as they are long past their best- do let me know if you come across any!
Having felt like I’ve needed a break from routine for ages this weekend was the perfect escape. Long lie-ins and discovery new places, catching up with Ben’s family and being reunited by Tobias (who is in disgrace after killing two baby bunnies). I came back feeling relaxed and refreshed and ready to start again.

I wish we had a country park near to where I live with my parents, I find these kind of places are so serene, the perfect hideaway for when you need to unwind and escape from the pressures of every day life.

Where do you go to chill out?

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Posted in life, life stuff, outfits

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Degusta Box- the April Edition

06th May 2015
Here we are with the fourth Degustabox of 2015 and the April edition took on an international theme. As ever there was a great selection of products in the box, although this time not suited to my own tastes- no matter though, my Dad stepped in to test things out and still love the monthly excitement.

I’m sure that by now you’re all familiar with what the box is about, but just in case you’re not, it’s a monthly food subscription box that delivers a selection of new and surprise products to your door for the cost of £12.99 per one off box or £11.99 per month when you take out a bi-annual subscription. I’ve been reviewing the boxes over the last year and they never fail to impress me and get me eating outside of my comfort zone.

The first product out of the box was some crisps from the folks at Nandos. I only first visited a Nandos about 6 months ago (I know, I know) but I’m 100% a fan of their chicken-y goodness. I’m not the world’s biggest crisp eater but even I enjoyed the Peri-Salted variety and my Dad’s eyes lit up when he spied the spicier flavours in the range. Each pack has a RRP of 69p.

Chopped tomatoes are a store cupboard essential and I don’t care what anyone says, I do think branded ones often taste better than their value counterparts. Cirio have long been the tomato of choice for me so it was nice to see two new to me products in the box. The tomato fillets are perfect for using as a base for a chunky pasta sauce, or simply heated up and served on buttered toast. Yum!

The drinks section of the April box didn’t really appeal to me and I can’t claim to have tried the selection yet. The Idrinq can claims to make you think smarter, aiding creativity and idea generation. I think this is probably a placebo effect but if I try it out and discover a miracle I’ll be sure to let you know! (£1.49 per can). The Scheckters organic energy drink (£1.35) is something I will be trying in the near future, probably when I’m on a long day at work. It’s full of natural ingredients and delicate flavours which will probably benefit me far more than the additive loaded monster energy drinks I sometimes indulge in!

I’m not a beer fan so the Kingfisher Indian beer, which is India’s best selling brand has gone straight to Dad who is a fan. There’s a reason it’s so popular apparently, and I am sure that if I was a beer drinker I would find it excellent myself. (£2.00 a bottle).

Are you ever too old for Kinder chocolate? I think not! The April box included two bags of new bite sized treats. The chocolate with cereals is lovely, there’s a bit of an odd contrast in tastes and textures at first, but these are light and more-ish (and long gone!). Ben had the other bag, the original choco-bons and there barely lasted five minutes. I used to love these until I became allergic to the hazelnuts (which thankfully aren’t in the cereal variety) so I was really quite envious. (£1.55 a bag but I have seen them on offer at £1).

Barry’s Tea is an Irish favourite and I wish it was more widely available as this is just lovely. My love of coffee has switched to a love of tea over the last couple of years and this is the perfect everyday blend for enjoying with a biscuit on the side. The cookies in the box, by USA brand Debeukelaer Cookies Bakery looked like the perfect accompaniment, the pack I received had a soft and creamy nougat centre which was very much enjoyed by those who tried them. At £2.00 for a packet of four (rather large) cookies these are a luxury treat but I think well worth it, I’ll be seeking out some of the other varieties to try for myself.

Last but not least there were some microwave rice trays from Veetee. These are a staple in our house and the new flavours are really appealing. The peri-peri was excellent in a chicken stir-fry and I think the mexican rice has been earmarked for a fajitas night. These cost £1.49 each and I always stock up when I see them on offer!

If you had the April box too, what were your thoughts? As I said before, this wasn’t a box I could personally enjoy as much, but other people benefitted hugely and I still think the concept of Degustabox is a brilliant one and something I always look forward to arriving at my door.

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Posted in food, life, review

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The Ups and the Downs

04th May 2015

One of the many reasons I love living in (well, near) Bristol is that one minute you’re in the hustle and bustle of a busy city centre and the next you can be somewhere so calm and quiet that it feels like another country.

“The Downs” is a huge open space made up of Clifton Down and Durdham down and in the Summer it’s awash with people- from the dog walkers to the runners, from young families having a picnic to the sweet elderly couples walking hand in hand. It’s a brilliant place to people watch and there are some pretty spectacular views on offer too, the most impressive of which has to be Avon Gorge which features the famous Clifton Suspension bridge- an iconic part of Bristol City.

The other weekend Ben and I ventured up there to chill out for a while- despite being busy there is always a quiet spot somewhere. We also took the opportunity to branch out with outfit photo locations…I’m getting quite used to prancing around in public now.

Top: New Look (similar) | Dress: River Island at ASOS | Boots: Missguided

The downs could also kind of describe how I’ve been feeling lately, as life hasn’t been the easiest. For as long as I can remember I’ve struggled with my mental health and the last few months have been testing to say the least.
I know a few people have commented and expressed concern over my weight and all I can say on that is I’m working on it- working on getting it back to where it was a year ago. Mood wise things are finally picking up, thanks to a tweak in medication and the unwavering support of my friends, boyfriend, family, colleagues and awesome GP I feel in a happier place right now and I’m starting to enjoy life a bit more again. Next on the agenda is to break out of my self imposed social isolation- any volunteers for dragging me out of the house?
Do you have any places near where you live that you like to escape to?

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Posted in bristol, life, life stuff, outfits

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