Feline Fine

12th May 2020

Excuse the super cheesy title, but when a post contains so much cat related goodness there really is little else it could have been.

Two weeks ago it was my birthday, and I celebrated turning the grand old age of 33 in lockdown, just like many others have done and will continue to do.
It was a strange birthday, that much is for sure, but in it’s own way it was lovely. Spent with Bob, in my pjs, speaking to family and friends on the phone or by the dreaded video call. We drank gin and Bob cooked my favourite dinner and that was that. I’d taken the day off work anyway and decided to keep it. Maybe I’ll celebrate again later in the year, but maybe I won’t; once you get past a certain age birthdays really become much less of a big deal!

I hit the kitty jackpot when it came to gifts. Bob bought me this incredible geo-cat print dress from Joy which has been on my wish list since it first landed on their website. It truly is a dress of dreams, not only has it got the coolest print ever (fact), but it also makes me feel good when I wear it, which right now is no mean feat.

We’re both off work this week as we were meant to be up in Scotland on a big family holiday- with Bob’s mum, his brother and his other half, his cousins, aunts, uncles and friends, but alas that wasn’t to be but we decided we’d have the week at home anyway. We’ve both been working full time throughout lockdown, and I for one was definitely very ready for a break from dealing with Covid-19 related chaos on a daily basis. Obviously we don’t have plans to do much, but we’ve done some local walks and I’m in the process of up-cycling a bird table.

I hesitated over posting this photo as I’m really struggling with various body image woes at the moment and currently my face is one of my “I can’t stand it” targets for reasons I don’t even think I can begin to rationalise…
But here it is anyway, because I wanted to share another cat themed birthday gift, this time from my lovely mother in law to be.

This is another item that has been on my wish list from the second it launched- this adorable tiny kittens necklace from Amanda Coleman jewellery. This so perfectly fits my more minimal taste in jewellery that I’ve developed as I’ve got older, whilst remaining quirky (and feline) enough to reflect my style.

I hope everyone is staying safe (and alert?!) and finding ways to keep themselves amused.
I’m not going to make any real promises but I do feel like I might be starting to love the idea of blogging again, so maybe, just maybe there will be more frequent posting for the next little while (but like I said, no promises!)

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Irresistible Luxuries to Treat Yourself to This Summer*

01st May 2020

You definitely deserve a treat this summer; in these trying times why not resort to a little pampering to cheer yourself up? It’s sunny outside so why not bring that sparkle in? Turn your house into a spa, treat yourself to some little presents, and see yourself glow inside and out this summer. Here are some suggestions for luxury ways to indulge at home.

Boozy Treats

Treat yourself to a box of craft beer. Beer52 offers monthly subscriptions of artisanal ales from around the globe. They’re perfect for chilling in the garden when the weather is fine. For a more sophisticated option, you could up your wine game a little. If you’re a budding sommelier or just interested in learning more about wine, some companies are offering virtual tastings such as a grape night in and winetrust100. Why not treat yourselves and give it a try? You’re probably saving a few pennies from not going out. You’ll never go bottom shelf again.

Spa Sensations

If you’re in need of a bit of pampering at the moment what could be better than turning your bathroom into a spa for the day? Try an exfoliating selection like this luxury coffee scrub box made of delicious natural ingredients. Exfoliating removes the dead outer layer of skin, allowing the younger, smoother skin below to reflect the light. Wake up your skin and smell the coffee! The Microdelivery Resurfacing Peel Collection is also highly-recommended and not only does it exfoliate but it’s reported to even your skin tone. It’s well worth splashing out on, and won’t need to be a frequent part of your skincare routine. Give yourself a facial once a month and you’ll see the results.

Bathe in Luxury

If you’re looking to really relax try out a few of these Lush bath bombs. Good enough to eat, Lush bath bombs come in a range of exciting flavours and add colour and glitter to your bath too. You’ll feel like a princess in no time with all that sparkle.

Dry off with a John Frieda Hot Air Styler. This drying and styling brush is easy to use and will give you luscious locks in minutes. Get styling practice in now so you’re ready to show off your new look in the summer.

Dazzling Diamonds

It’s getting hot outside so freshen up with a little bit of ice. If you’re looking to treat yourself or your partner make sure you consult yourdiamondguru.com/a-guide-to-vvs-diamonds/ first, to get all the info you need on diamond types, size, and shape. The hypnotic shine of these precious jewels will leave you dazzled otherwise.

Gorgeous Scents

There’s no excuse not to smell nice even if you’re only at home. Treat yourself to some new perfume this season, check out a few of Cosmopolitan’s best new fragrances this year. Whatever your style, fruity-floral or earthy musk there’s a new fragrance for you. Big names like Dior, YSL, and Gucci are all up there, so enjoy!

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Loungewear Life with Femme Luxe*

30th April 2020

Undoubtedly the biggest trend in fashion right now is loungewear, it might not be the most flattering of ensembles but it sure is comfortable, and very forgiving- perfect for accommodating all of those lockdown snacks!
I might be going to work each day, but trust me, the second I get home I am straight in to my comfy clothes, and this tracksuit that I was kindly sent by Femme Luxe is my new favourite thing to chill out in.

Along with the tracksuit I was sent this t-shirt which is THE perfect oversized tee, ideal for wearing with the jogging bottoms for some hard work in our poor, neglected little garden, or for slinging on with jeans. This is literally my dream fit for a t-shirt (and yet I failed to get a decent photo of it) and I’ll definitely be picking up a few more for every day wear.

Lockdown life is strange, I’m not one of those people who can sit around the house doing not a lot. I like to be busy, I like to have missions and I think I’d be going stir-crazy if I didn’t have to leave the house each day for work.
But at the same time I am enjoying the enforced staying at home on the weekends, and on my birthday. Bob and I are working our way through Vikings on Amazon prime, we’ve finally started to overhaul our garden after neglecting it last year, and I’ve done more baking in the last few weeks than I have in the last few years.
I think this can teach us all some valuable lessons about how to relax, how to take pleasure in being at home. It’s hard not to see family or friends, especially when they all live so near by, but I know, personally that I’ll enjoy every second I get to spend with them once this ends.

One thing I will miss when things start to go back to normal is the wearing of pyjamas or loungewear all weekend long. Tracksuits for the weekend, a day in leggings and a giant blanket for my birthday… there’s nothing better after a manic day at work than changing in to a fresh set of comfies and collapsing on the sofa with a g&t in one hand and some snacks in the other!

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The April Degustabox- UK vs. International*

22nd April 2020

Box gifted by Degustabox
This is a PR box, this means there will sometimes be additional flavours or products than you’d get as a subscriber, I will highlight this within my post.

My monthly food review post courtesy of Degustabox seems to be the only content I can reliably write at the moment, which is no bad thing, but I have such good intentions of being an all round better blogger!
The April edition of Degustabox had a theme of UK vs. International which instantly got my attention as I love trying foods from other countries, as ever, Bob and I wasted no time getting stuck in!

We were so happy to see Broccoli crisps from Growers Garden in the April box. We already gave them a rave review a few months ago and have been craving them ever since. This sharing size bag didn’t hang around long, so addictive! We’re yet to find a stockist near us, but if you see them then they are 100% worth the £1.99 price tag. Visit growers-garden.com/stockists to find your nearest.

Very Lazy pastes are a staple in our pantry as we love to cook but can’t be bothered with prepping the fresh products for a recipe when you know you’re only going to use a tiny amount and waste the rest. Both the Lemon Grass Paste and the Ginger Paste have already proven their worth and will be re-purchased. £1.85 per tube from Tesco.

These Percy’s shortbread sticks are pricey at £3 per box, but damn they are good! Beautifully buttery shortbread, caramel milk chocolate and dark chocolate decoration- you can’t not love these! Available at Sainsbury’s, Ocado and Independent Stores, these would be perfect as part of a hamper type gift, or just for a special tea break treat.

There’s something about Flapjack, it’s such a comfort food for me and one of the first things I learnt to bake. I sometimes find shop bought flapjacks a bit artificial tasting but I really liked these ones from Brynmor Flapjack- they pack health benefits (fibre galore) without compromising on taste, and whilst they are a calorie heavy treat, they are lovely. £1.29 each from Ocado, Waitrose, NISA, WHSmith Travel, Independent health food shops and online at brynmorefoods.com

I’ve only just learnt to love rice, and microwave pouches are now a regular feature in our food shop. We had this Peri Peri flavour rice by Tilda (£1.59) with some grilled chicken and a salad and it’s really very good. It’s gluten free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Available at all major supermarkets- 100% recommend this if you’re a Peri Peri lover and looking for a quick meal.

These popping candy Terry’s Chocolate Orange were sent along and described as coming with a Chocolate Orange Easter egg at £4 in shops. Easter has now been and gone so you probably aren’t going to find these again (perhaps until Christmas) but if you do see them and love a bit of fun then grab them for sure. The chocolate orange we know and love with a popping candy twist…good stuff!

Bob’s embracing the cider drinking life now he’s firmly established in the West Country, he enjoyed this Cripps Pink Sxollie Cider over the super sunny Easter Bank Holiday weekend. £1.80 from Sainsbury’s and Waitrose- this is gluten free and vegan friendly.

I really enjoyed these sweet piquanté peppers from Peppadew in salads. They have a quite complex flavour- sweet, a bit spicy and are a lot crunchier than I expected. At £3 per jar these would be a rare treat, but great for picnics and BBQs. Available in Tesco.

Kombucha is definitely not for me. Bob and I both tried these drinks from Remedy and just can’t get over the vinegar taste. However, for those who have more sophisticated palettes to us, we’re sure you’ll love these flavours- and they certainly came through after the initial shock. Available for £1.85 per can from a huge variety of retailers.

et me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you thought in the comments.

If you’re new to Degustabox, it’s a monthly food subscription box that gives you the chance to try new and exciting products on the market whilst providing amazing value for money.
On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this as you can see if you do the maths.

If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim a brilliant £5.00 off of your first box (making it just £7.99!) by entering the code XOQGC at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.

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A Girl Can Never Have Too Many Watches*

13th April 2020

Happy Easter Monday everyone! What a strange long weekend it has been, but a welcome break, and such glorious weather! Although it’s been sad not to spend the holiday with family, Bob and I made the best of it and cracked on sorting our garden out (well, he did most of the work), as well as spending some quality time in the sunshine on my beloved deckchair.

That’s not the point of this post though, the point is my new watch…
I do own quite a lot of watches, more than one for every day of the week, but that doesn’t stop me falling in love with new ones; I just can’t resist them. I was the same once with earrings, and then tights, and then shoes…now my collection of all of these things is lacking, but my time-telling wrist-wear stash is still growing, and growing strong.

The most recent addition to my collection comes from a brand called Nordgreen, who kindly gifted me their “Native” style watch in a gorgeous gunmetal colour.
I love the tough vibes this watch gives off, it goes so perfectly with my current dress style. The biggest win for the watch is how easy it is to adjust the strap size; often with this style I have to take it to the local watch repair shop to get it adjusted, but Bob managed make this the perfect fit for my oddly small wrists in seconds.
The other big win is that the straps on Nordgreen watches are interchangeable, meaning you can create a custom piece super easily (and you get a discount when you add one or two additional straps to your order.

You can also choose the watch diameter and strap width- I went for the smallest in each to create a more feminine looking piece. This watch is a unisex piece- and I’d be tempted to create a mid-range size one for Bob and I to share.

The ethics of the Nordgreen brand are admirable. For each watch purchased you can choose from one of three causes to give back to. The brand ethos is quality, sustainability and putting others first and I think they nail it. A danish brand created by lifelong friends- there is an unmistakable Scandi minimalism about their products, yet the attention to detail and craftsmanship is second to none.

What are your little clothes or accessory obsessions? And what have you been up to over the long weekend?

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← Older posts Newer posts →

A Daisy Chain Dream

Feline Fine

Irresistible Luxuries to Treat Yourself to This Summer*

Loungewear Life with Femme Luxe*

The April Degustabox- UK vs. International*

A Girl Can Never Have Too Many Watches*