Is it actually Spring yet?

27th March 2019

How gorgeous is the weather right now guys? I can’t help but feel cautiously optimistic that Spring has sprung, although having lived in this country for the best part of 32 years now I know it could all change by tea time.

I’ve been sat on these photos for a while, unsure if could bring myself to post them. I appear to have found myself in hyper self critical mode again, and when I’m not overthinking every inch of my body my thoughts have turned to facial expression, my hair, my everything.

So what’s finally made me do it? Well, to be honest I just wanted to post something that wasn’t a review and reflects what I’ve been wearing lately. I picked up this dress on ASOS a few weeks ago whilst on a desperate mission for some new work clothes; all of sudden it felt like everything I owned was too tight and that I had gone up three sizes overnight. Turns out that wasn’t the case, but it’s scary how I could physically feel a difference that wasn’t there. Eating disorder recovery isn’t all about re-discovering food and living happily ever after; even being so close to the finish line it’s amazing what anorexia can make you believe.

I ended up buying two dresses from the Vero Moda brand and I think they might be my new go-to. They both fitted exactly as I needed them too (skimming over my perceived bloated belly) whilst still looking smart- this poppy printed version can easily be dressed up for an evening too, and is perfect for this between seasons kind of dressing.

I’m currently signed off work for a week with a rather nasty flare of sciatica, the likes of which I haven’t had since pre back surgery. It’s not much fun and seems to have been made that much worse by the fact I’m bloody terrified that the enforced inactivity might make me balloon further.

I’m finding recovery almost impossible to fathom at the moment. I’ve come so far but I truly feel like overcoming these last hurdles might break me.
On the flip side to that, I’m using all of my mental and physical capacity to push on through; with the holiday of a lifetime coming up soon and so many exciting plans for after that I know I can’t afford to give up.

I’ll always be able to find new clothes, like this dress to flatter and conceal a body I am not yet used to and not quite ready to love. You can’t buy true health though, nor the things that achieving it will bring.

I have no idea where all of this mental overspill has come from, but hey, I have a new dress and I love it- admire away and feel free to have skipped the babble!

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New Juices from Liquid Ice*

26th March 2019

[post contains gifted items]

One of the best things about vaping for me is the huge amount of flavours available when it comes to juice. It’s the one thing that has kept me on the straight and narrow; I’ve had the odd lapse and occasional puff of a cigarette over the last six months but can genuinely say I detest the taste now and would take vaping over smoking any day.

I was recently contacted by Liquid Ice who are launching a brand new website, hopefully by the end of this month (watch this space). They kindly sent over a few juices from some of their brands, and as they were all brands I hadn’t tried before I thought I’d pop up some mini reviews.

The selection included juices from Halcyon Haze, T Juice and Coil Hootch, three brands I hadn’t actually heard of, let alone tried. Bob had previous experience of T Juice though and rated it highly so I knew I was likely in for a treat.

First up came “Lizzie Rascal” from Halcyon Haze. Described as a fizzy berry mojito this is a punchy little number that for me started with a big twist of lime then moved in to the promised berries, followed by a hint of mint.

Second came my first experience of T Juice, “Green Kelly”. I loved this flavour, it was every bit as bold as it’s bright green colour suggested it might be. Again it’s a summery mix of berries and citrus, it packs even more of a punch than “Lizzie Rascal” and has made it on to my top tens. For a first impression of T Juice I was very impressed.

I’m not a fan of lemon flavours as a rule- both in juices and with food/drink so I was a little hesitant to try “Lemon Slice” from Coil Hootch. I needn’t have worried though, this, as with most juices isn’t just straight flavour- this is a buttery lemon curd initial hit followed by an incredibly convincing buttery pastry. I was pleasantly surprised by this and look forward to trying more from this brand.

Last but my no means least we have “Red Astaire” from T Juice. Spurred on by my previous experience I was excited to try this. I didn’t check out the flavour profile before trying this out and was instantly struck by aniseed, one of my favourites! Combined with red berries, black grape and some menthol and eucalyptus for good measure this juice has earned a place in my top five juices to date- it’s a best seller for a reason!

Have you tried any of these brands before? If so I’d love to know your flavour recommendations. Leave them in the comments below.

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Mother’s Day Inspiration from Newbridge Silverware*

24th March 2019

[Post contains gifted items.]

With just a week to go until Mother’s Day I left it a bit late to be doing a gift guide, but some items are just worth sharing, and these beautiful pieces from Newbridge Silverware definitely fall in to that category.

Inside the beautiful blue boxes were two items that I instantly fell in love with, and these were just the tip of iceberg when it comes to what the company have to offer, as you’ll find out if you read on.

The silverplate bracelet with coloured stones* is a gorgeous piece that costs a very reasonable £38.00. I love the spiritual meaning behind it- designed to inspire and enhance creativity, emotion and intuition. I gifted this to my Aunt who is visiting from Holland at the moment and she absolutely loved it’s delicate beauty and the meaning behind it.

I was also sent the gold plated necklace version* which carries the same sentiment – it was almost impossible to get photos that do this piece justice but you can see much better on the website. This costs a very reasonable £43.00 and looks stunning when worn.

You’ll also find a whole host of other gorgeous giftware on the website, I’ve popped some pictures of some other favourites below to help inspire your choices. My Mum sadly can’t wear jewellery due to several metal allergies but there are plenty of other options available if you find yourself in a similar situation.

All products can be purchased online at www.newbridgesilverware.com at the showrooms at Newbridge Silverware, Co. Kildare (Ireland) or to find your nearest Newbridge Silverware stockist call 00 353 45 431301. You can also follow @newbridgesilverware to see all of the latest new products and lifestyle news stories.

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Royals around the world: Who’s style are we searching to steal?*

23rd March 2019

It’s a well-known fact that the British royals have been stealing the spotlight lately when it comes to fashion – but there are a few other royal ladies who are ramping up the style stakes in other countries. From princesses to duchesses, these royal ladies look regally stunning no matter the occasion.

Photo by Jared Subia on Unsplash

Queen Letizia, Spain

Renowned for her enviable wardrobe with it’s designer items and high-street finds, Queen Letizia of Spain is always on point.
Take it back to King Willem-Alexander’s 50th birthday in The Netherlands for example when she wore a red one-shoulder Stella McCartney cape gown with matching heels. She opted for red again when she attended the state banquet at Buckingham Palace in 2017, turning heads as always.
Also as part of her state visit, Letizia wore a beautiful floral skirt from one of her favourite designers, Carolina Herrera. After this appearance, searches for the term ‘Carolina Herrera skirt’ rose by 50% from June to July of the same year.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, England

Research revealed that she was the most likely to convince American shoppers to purchase a UK brand. The Duchess of Cambridge has built up a loyal fashion following over the years, in fact, her influence on fashion even has its own name — ‘the Kate effect’.
It’s not only the UK nation that appreciate her either, when she wears an item of clothing or an accessory it reportedly increases the desirability among 38% of US shoppers. In October 2018, she rocked up to the Victoria and Albert museum wearing a cute tweed dress. After this appearance everyone wanted a similar garment! In fact search volume between September and October for the term ‘tweed dress’ rose by 50%.

Crown Princess Victoria, Sweden

There’s no denying that Crown Princess Victoria has her own style, but even she has succumbed to “the Kate effect”. Victoria was photographed in a mini navy pleated dress in 2015, the same one that the Duchess of Cambridge had worn a year prior.
Her wardrobe is recognisable by the vibrant colours and bright prints. At a sustainability awards in August 2017, Princess Victoria decided to wear a cocktail dress from designer Maxjenny. Not only did people want to take her picture, but they wanted a similar dress for their own it seems. Searches of the designer rose by 222% from July to August of the same year.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, England

There are 22,000 monthly global searches of the term “Meghan Markle style” — it seems that she’s made some global fashion fans! And of course, we’re all eager to copy her look.
Understandably, one of her most memorable looks to date was her stunning silk gown that she wore following the luncheon after her wedding. After she was photographed in this look, high-street designers began to replicate the look knowing that she’d be setting the next trends. Research revealed searches for ‘halter neck dresses’ were up 40% following the royal wedding and the term ‘halter neck tops’ increased 21% week on week as people tried to replicate her look on the special day.
It’s not only her outfits that have caused a storm either. When her stunning diamond ring was making headlines everyone else wanted to feel like a duchess too. In fact, global search engine data reveals a 50% increase in searches for ‘three stone ring’ from October to November 2017.
Following her official engagement announcement, Meghan showed up at a Nottingham event with a tote bag from brand Strathberry. Following this appearance a 398% increase in searches for ‘Strathberry’ occurred from November to December 2017.

Crown Princess Mary, Denmark

Following her picturesque wedding to Prince Frederik in 2004, Princess Mary has been thrown into the spotlight.
Princess Mary is known for her fairy tale dresses, statement dress coats and pillbox hat — often being compared to Jackie Kennedy. Due to her love of fashion, it’s no surprise that other women want to channel her look too. In May 2018, she attended the Copenhagen Concert Hall in Denmark wearing a blouse and pleated skirt by designer Charlotte Eskildsen. The designer would’ve been pleased for this exposure — searches for ‘Charlotte Eskilden’ rose 51% after Princess Mary was spotted wearing the brand.

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How to Overhaul Your Beauty, Fashion and Health Regime for a Revitalised You*

21st March 2019

When you’re feeling sluggish, unmotivated and anxious is there anything better than a weekend of fixing up? Refreshing your entire wardrobe, indulging in new skincare products and taking some much needed time out for yourself is priceless. When it comes to beauty, fashion and health you will always be looking for ways to improve upon your knowledge and daily routine; whether you’re trying yoga for the first time or splashing out on some new jewellery it can help contribute to happier mindset overall. It’s time to start thinking about switching up your regimes and routines right now and you will soon discover a healthier, happier and more stylish you.

Simple Style Updates

First of all you need to think of simple ways to revamp your style and give yourself a confidence boost. You don’t need to head out to the shops and spend a fortune on a whole new wardrobe, but you can invest in small statement pieces that give you that little bit of self-esteem you’re looking for. H Hogarth Jewellers has a collection of exquisite jewellery that would really add some fresh feeling to your tired old ensembles. From beautiful bracelets to exquisite earrings, you will be able to find a handful of items that make you feel completely renewed.

Photo by Kyle Frederick on Unsplash

Dare to Be Different

Don’t feel as though you need to stick with the same old styles you have always been wearing. Daring to be different can sometimes bring about the positive change you have been looking for, so why not give it a go? Spruce up those plain black jeans with some rips and ruffle up your hair with some styling mousse. Small changes that allow you to loosen up and express yourself will always be more effective that sticking to social norms and fashion trends.

Move and Groove to Feel Good

One of the reasons why you might have been feeling slow and lethargic is because you aren’t moving enough. Even if you aren’t the most athletic person you can still embark upon exercise routines that you enjoy such as walking, dancing or swimming. Getting out of the house when you feel demotivated will help you to increase adrenaline and good endorphins inside your body. You will never regret a workout, so what have you got to lose? Being stuck at a desk 9-5, I really enjoy being able to get out for a stroll, even for just ten minutes.

Beautify From the Inside Out

You can’t expect to look glowing and gorgeous if you aren’t feeding yourself properly. If you have been living on fast food and sugary snacks, then now is the perfect time to make a change. See how good you feel when you indulge in a green smoothie bursting with fruit, veggies and protein for your breakfast in the morning. It’s going to give you much more energy to survive on than a sugar laden cereal. Think about making small swaps to your everyday diet and you will soon notice glowing skin, healthy hair and a positive mindset.

Switch Up Your Skincare

Once you have started to glow from the inside out, you might want to change up your skincare regime to match your new healthy way of life. If you are the type of person who swishes a makeup wipe over their face to cleanse in the evening (guilty!) then now is the time to stop this habit. Use a good quality cleanser to wipe away the day’s makeup and dirt and use an exfoliating brush to get deeper into your pores. Once a week you should think about treating yourself to a face mask so that you can really pamper your skin flawlessly.

Mental Health Matters

When it comes to improving your mental health there are a number of different methods you can adopt. Taking time out for yourself can be one of the most beneficial things you can do every so often. Sometimes you spend so much time putting other people first that you forget about how important your own sanity is. Whether you head out for a walk in the park with the dog or you read your favourite book for the afternoon, these small self-care moments will help keep your mental health in check.

Instead of allowing yourself to feel slow, sad and sluggish it’s time to reignite the passions inside you again. Find out what really makes you click whether it’s a new pair of shoes or fabulous facemask. Overhauling your beauty, health and fashion regimes will not only give you a new lease of life, but it will also give you the motivation to feel great about yourself again. Give these ideas a try and see how quickly you can go from gloomy to glorious in the next few days.