Category Archives: review

Scented Saturday

01st October 2011

The other day whilst stalking catching up on Twitter gossip I noticed Laura Ashley mention their new fragrances,
as a brand I grew up knowing and associating with gorgeous homewear and covetable clothes, I was curious about how well they could do with a scent.
A few tweets back and forwards about this and they kindly offered to send me one of the perfumes so I could see for myself…
the next day a bottle of “Green Meadow” was on my doorstep, just in time for me to road test it for work.

The packaging is lovely, which wasn’t such a surprise given the brand’s fame for florals and prints! The bottle looks elegant with an air of vintage style around it, perfect for any dressing table.

As mentioned, I wore this in to work. I work in an office full of scent obsessed women, where we are forever sniffing each other and comparing latest fragrances.
As soon as I walked in I was greeted with “oh, you smell nice…who’s that by?”

Laura Ashley wasn’t the response they expected, and to be perfectly honest I didn’t expect to love this quite as much as I do! The scent isn’t as floral or sweet as I usually wear,
but it also doesn’t have the heavy scent  I reserve for evenings. I’m not really sure how to describe it, other than the name “green meadow” suits it to a tee.

Have you tried any of the other scents yet? I’m keen to try the others, too, when they launch on October 3rd. At £36 for 50ml this isn’t your bog-standard off the shelf in Superdrug perfume but it also isn’t in the realm of “in my dreams” … plus you can get a gift set of all three for £48.

Get writing those Christmas lists early girls!

Available online and in store from October 3rd.

xxx

Posted in beauty, perfume, review

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At Last

30th September 2011

Matalan dress, Primark tights, Clarks shoes c/o Sarenza

And at last,
I’ve come to my final shift before my week off. Before this job I only ever had weekend work, and so the pleasure of an entire week’s break from the normal was fairly unknown. I also under-estimated just how much I would appreciate it. I have no plans, and that suits me fine…right now all I want to do is chill out with good books/crap TV and make the most of this weather if it lasts.
I also hope to experiment in the kitchen in terms of baking, making meals and creating snacks. I miss whipping up treats whenever I felt like it…although I wouldn’t change my life right now for the world.

I was also lucky enough to be sent a selection of goodies from Vivo cosmetics to review,
Launched this month, Vivo announced a line “alive with colour” exclusive to Tesco. Full of catwalk inspired colours at supermarket prices, Vivo is already being compared to the likes of MAC.
((note to local Tesco store, PLEASE start stocking this now, thanks))
I was sent the following:
1. Baked Shimmer Palette, £6. These are really beautiful, the eyeshadows apply like a dream and the blusher, despite looking quite bright suited my pale (and I mean ghostly) skin perfectly. I will be re-purchasing this.
2. Lipstick in Coral Flair, £1.99. Previous experience with cheap lipstick has been awful. Drying and garish colour. This was neither. It applied silky smooth with a more subtle hint of colour than one might expect…though it is easily buildable. There was a gorgeous hint of the smell of Vanilla too.
3. Primer, £6. My only complaint with this is that the tube feels half empty. I’m usually loyally to my Witch primer, but I can see myself alternating between the two, depending on what kind of day my skin is having ((current status, bad, hence no photos of my face wearing the makeup!))
Huge thanks to Vivo for the products. If you see these in your local Tesco then I suggest giving them a whirl…best budget cosmetic brand I’ve tried to date.
Happy Friday folks..here’s hoping for a hot and sunny weekend
xxx

Posted in beauty, make up, outfits, review

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flowers

01st September 2011

Anyone who has read my blog for any length of time will know what my obsession with florals is like! When the lovely Sue at Yuju.co.uk 
sent me a preview of the new collection (it launches today!) and asked me if I’d like to pick a piece I was instantly drawn to this leather triple flower necklace.
The colours work perfectly with most of my workwear and livens up plain dresses and tops perfectly. I’d also like to give bonus points for the beautiful packaging…sparkly tissue paper will forever win.
A couple of other favourite pieces from the new collection:

I hate to mention the “C” word so soon…but Santa, if your reading…

What do you think of Yuju? I’m compiling a wish list AND a present-buying list as I type!
xxx

Posted in jewellery, outfits, review

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Floral Fabulous

25th July 2011

I grew up with the Joe Browns catalogue. I have many a memory of sitting in the 6th form common room flicking through the pages and adding items to my Christmas list.

I admit, as time progressed, I kind of forgot about their existence. I stopped getting leaflets in the post and with so many retailers to choose from their website wasn’t the first that sprang to mind when shopping online.

It was a surprise when they got in touch last week, asking if I’d like to take a look and pick a dress to feature on my blog. All those memories came flooding back, and although no longer my typical style I found myself coveting many a thing…I think it’s the quirky cuts and slightly off-beat nature that won me over; just like it always used to.
(Not to mention they have a mega sale on right now, too).

Naturally I headed straight for the floral dresses.

I love my new dress! It’s more…I don’t know…I can’t think of the right word. It’s not the first thing I would pick in a shop, and yet something drew me to it. The colours, the shape, the fact it’s cut and fits like a dream. The perfect “day off but don’t want to wear jeans” kind of dress….baggy jeans induced comfort included.

Anyone else a Joe Browns fan? Do you have memories of the brand, and will you be giving them a second look now?

What stores hold memories for you?

Happy Monday guys,
back to work for me today!

xxx

P.S. Just had to share my weekend highlight!

Posted in dresses, food, outfits, review

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Simply Beach

16th May 2011

The last time I bought swimwear I was 17 and it was a bog standard, funny shade of purple tankini from BHS.

It had never really occured to me that finding the right swimwear might actually make me feel better about wearing it in public places (er, that’d be my back garden if we ever get the weather for sun bathing) until Simply Beach contacted me asking if I’d like to take a look at their range of Bikinis
When I’ve looked in shops before I’ve been put off by the fact everything seemed to come in sets, and separates were somewhat lacking in style. I am not well gifted in the bosom department finding a top to fit is something of a nightmare, being able to shop by bra size made the experience much easier!

I went for this little number

Photobucket

which has the added bonus of being convert able AND padded, making me look much better endowed than I actually am. There are also a wide range of bottom styles on the site; I prefer something that sits a little higher on the waist, and isn’t shorts or tie side.

What I’m trying to say is that this site has something for everyone and a huge range of beach clothing and accessories too; with brands such as Sea Folly and Speedo. The service was fantastic, with easy checkout and fast but cheap delivery- I placed my order on Thursday evening and had it by Saturday morning for the grand sum of £1.99!

So if you are heading on holiday, getting in to swimming, or like me just like to laze in the garden I’d head off to Simply Beach now.

…now if only someone would send me a holiday.

What does your dream bikini look like?

xxx

Thank you to Simply Beach for the Bikini. Although I was sent the product in exhange for this post it in no way impacts my view.

Posted in review, swimwear

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