Summer sandals

Well you find me  today feeling a tad sory for myself today I have caught a pre summer cold,  rubbish.  I have had quite  busy week this week  and I am looking forward to the second bank holiday of this month. Thinking positively and hoping for amazing weather however, this is northern England and sunshine and bank holidays do not go together!

In the spirit of summer (!) And the bank holiday I thought I best prepare my feet for some exposure to the elements.  I'll be honest I HATE feet especially my own but wearing winter boots as the sun starts shining just doesnt wash!

I have relatively average sized feet size 5 (38) but have inherited (not sure if that is the correct phrase to coin but..) wide and putting it diplomatically chubby feet from my mothers side.  I never realised until I was in my early twenties as a student enjoying the vey long uni break with my friends!  I remember looking my close friends feet in flip flops think eugh bony feet, then lookig around at the group of girls thinking eugh all bony feet! 

I happened to look down and see  my incredibly wide, fleshy foot.   What a eureka moment it made sense why I suffered so much wearing dainty narrow peep toes.  My feet were wide certainly not narrow or bony!  Just to get it in perspective its feet I dont agonise over my wide feet but I always since then have considered my footwear choices carefully.

My choice of summer sandals sort of reflects this, flip flops or thongs as some people call them are out, peep toes again no, rigid sandal nope and definitely not a sandal that shows all my foot.  Ironic considering I got a tattoo on my foot aged 19 I actively try to hide my foot not that I am embarrassed by my wide foot its actually quite a comical foot but I want them to 'fit in' by the same token  I wouldn't swap them.

I went for these gorgeous sandals and and Office as ever have a massive range to choose from,  these beauties come in a variety of colours black, multi, natural and snakeskin effect.  They are really comfortable and dont think they make my feet look wide (if they do just say they dont!).  I got the gold version and I LOVE the centre detail that rests across my foot.  Office do an excellent online shopping service ; certainly within the UK.   My sandals were with me within three working days. Brilliant.

I recommend Office highly they keep up with the current trends but also dont ask ridiculous prices for their shoes.  Check out their site loads of different for both men and women.

Amazing hair accessories: Crown and Glory UK

Hello there have had a very busy week what with work, and life in general.  Today I am talking hair accessories but not any old accessories.  Yes, I am a convert to Crown and Glory which is a British accessories brand based in the UK.  If I sound slightly fanatical you may understand when you check out the website here
http://www.crownandglory.bigcartel.com/

As a kid of the 80s and early 90s crimped hair/big lacy accessories/ribbons and crowns (yes crowns!) was the 'in' thing for any little girl competing over WHO had the longest hair or the best hair in the play ground.  Anyone else have their hair in ribbons for the pony tail/ pig tails (or if American bunches!?) I became a minature ribbon/hair accessory diva. If my ribbons didnt match my dress I would not wear them I even demanded contrasting smaller ribbons be sewn into larger ribbons.  Before you start thinking defo Veruca Salt kid I wasnt I just needed good accessories to pretty my hair!  Understandable (!!).

Then my adolescence I kept my hair long but in the main bar an occasional headband/ hair grip and wannabe emulation of Bjork I kept it pretty simple.

This is where Crow and Glory comes in!  I absolutely LOVE their accessories and as a businss stared by one woman this lady is seriously talented.  Her creations have been spotted on the heads of the glitterati (famous folk) and many British fashion mags and lasses across the UK.  I am not an expert in trend spotting nor would I try to be but I think crown and glory is going to grow and grow. 

Bespoke designs are even available if you contact the website letting them know your budget/idea.  Perfect for a blushing bride or a fashion lover or even like me a lover of pretty glittery girlie things!!

I have a few crown and glory accessories and you can see how well made they are thy stay in the hair all day and whenever I wear them I get compliments.  The colour names of the accessories  you can pick are lovely in themselves how about a glitter bow in petrol?  Or a large glittery heart in cadbury (I had to have this! See picture).  Alongside thie pick from floral crowns, funky turbans, fascinators, hand bands, bobby pins,  and combs,

The customer service is excellent and delivery super quick, crown and glory also have a Twitter account.

Dont take my word for it if you want to get pretty hair check out this site!  I have added some pictures of the accessories I have. Apologies in advance for the roots (hair dye sabattical) and amateurish pictures!

Live at Leeds review

Happy bank holiday everyone not sure if bank holidays are a British thing if so basically it entails having monday off woo hoo!

Yesterday I went to live at Leeds and a jolly fun time was had by all, live at Leeds has been running since 2007 and basically entails buying at ticket, getting your wrist band and spending the day picking and choosing what bands/artists you want to see in venues scattered across Leeds city centre and a bit further out. Brilliant!

After queing for our wrist bands at Leeds city museum (us Brits are AMAZING at queuing!) we were off. Here is my review music taste is unique to each and everyone so this review is my opinion.

Swimming Lessons at Leeds uni stylus bar: I had never heard of this act but the lad is from a Leeds band called the Blood oranges; Not sure what I was expecting but it certainly wasnt what I thought.  One man, his guitar and his keyboard it was all very chill out/etheral and he had a very nice voice in retrospect probably a very good warm uo for the coming hours.  I couldnt warm to it unfortunately although he seemed to have a fan base, his songs seemed overly long and a bit drony with the keyboard/synth noise. Nuff said.

Blackeye at Leeds uni Mine bar: this was an extremely attractive band and a cynic might say on the basis of the female fronted band they would get signed on her looks alone.  However, this band impressed me maybe it was the nostalgic Brit pop fanatic of my teen years but the songs were catchy, the guitars catchier and the lass had a good voice that was sultry yet stuck two fingers up at people thinking yaawn ANOTHER pretty girl with a guitar. Good tempo, good beats and catchy songs I liked it a lot well done Blackeye.

Department M at Leeds uni stylus bar: I didnt like these at all sorry again I think it is my aversion to synth/keyboard based music the lead singer reminded me of the band Talking Heads (weird I know but he did) we moved swiftly on.

Charlie Boyer and the Voyeurs at Leeds uni Refrectory: I only caught the tail end of this set but it looked good.  They had swagger good, music and were in my mind a bit Ramone (ish) I predict good things for these just a shame they werent on later they deserved a bigger crowd.

London Grammar at Leeds met uni main stage:I did enjoy this band and they got a raptorous reception. The lead siger had a fantastic voice very Florence Welch if I am honest husky, clear and angelic. They didnt quite float my boat as the backing drums over powered a voice that didnt need to be drowned out by synth drums.

We then proceeded back to the city centre to try and catch the 1975 at the Cockpit venue but the queue was ridiculous so that sort of put paid to that!  Apparently they are excellent I hear!

Those dancing days at Holy Trinity Church:  this may well be the wrong name of this band I wasnt too keen unfortunately. The setting in the church was amazing with the stained glass window in the background but was like we are in a church here! I digress, to me their music wasnt uplifting or anything else much really, it was depressing to me but as I said earlier this is only my opinion.

Pins at Leeds met stage 2: now these girls were right up my street, an all female band that were very very well out together.  They played their guitars brilliantly and got in with their set.  If you want to see this band and are expecting a Hole like band you will be mistaken. They songs whilst quite dark are catchy with brilliant drum beats and a rich sound.

Finally we wound up the night watching:

Darwin Deez at Leeds met main stage: what a lovely way to end a busy day these New York boys were great! Slightly surreal but by this point me the mr and friends had had a few lagers and been walking/standing about for nearly 12 hours. They were late on however, in their defence they were they perfecting the sound of their guitars/drums so were stood on stage.  Darwin their lead singer had a loveky all american voice and they slightly had a sound of Ben folds five which I liked a lot. They danced between songs (see pic) and involved the crowd. Very uplifting indie bubble gum pop to me but if you get a chance to see em, go!!

After this I was ready for bed it was a great day and to be able to see unlimited bands for £25 is pretty good going.  The sunshine underground were the late addition playing the Brudenell at 11pm which I bet was really good to see.

My advice if you go next year and want to see a specific band go a few bands prior to it or you may miss out.  My friend missed out on the Pigeon Detectives due to going too late and the venue being full.Luckily the bands we wanted to see were in two venues.

Another tip for the ladies defintely wear flat shoes heels are a big no no!

Gone Gymming!

Hello there just a quick post about going to the gym.  I have to admit I am NOT a gym bunnie.  At school my PE (physical education) consisted of forging my mothers handwriting for a note stating I would not be able to participate in PE for the next 4 weeks due to a knee injury/migraine (yes a 4 week migraine!) Needless to say the PE teachers loved me!  I was good at swimming so never missed that but anything else?  Forget it!

Ironically despite my lackadaisical attitude to PE I was very studious at everything else and academic,  this makes me wonder why this has followed onto adulthood.  

I tend to think its psychological I associate the gym with PE, bitterly freezing morning classes spent getting changed in a sub zero temperature hut but slowly my attitude is changing (I stress slowly I wont be running any marathon anytime soon!).  Exercise has amazing health benefits and for me it helps me to lose weight,  my Mr is sporty wih football once a week, regular jogs etc so going to the gym we can spend time together also.

My primary aim is to lose weight and tone up but also to start ENJOYING the gym plus if I lose more weight I can get a nice PE kit rather than the dreaded kit I had to wear at school or my current get up on leggings,  t shirt and probably the wrong trainers for the gym!

Anyone else like this or is it me?!

Also have I got the wrong trainers?!

Imedeen Derma One

Today I am talking about Imedeen Derma One which is a skin care supplement.  I use it to compliment my current normal skincare regime and as now I am over 30 (I stress only just! I was born in the 80s!) I thought it was time to take preventative action as I have been mean to my skin.

Smoking? Guilty luckily I  quit but there will be damage; the idea of a cats backside mouth was too(!!) much alongside everything else associated with smoking and expense, but at least I dont smoke anymore.

I am a goodie in terms of I am not a sun worshipper and when I do go abroad I wear a high SPF, a hat and sun bathe minimally.  My daily foundation also has an SPF so hopefully some redemption (!!).

Another tip my mother told me is never to wash your facial skin with soap I have stuck to this and it seems to have worked.

Derma one is aimed at the first signs of ageing over 30 as your skin doesn't bounce back as quick and cell renewal sloes down slightly and keeping the same skincare regime (hello my teenage years oxy10 paint stripper style cleansing pads!).  It contains zinc, vitamin c and Imedeen marine complex to work on the skin I aint a scientist but it sounds good to me!  However, anyone with an allergy to seafood should not take it.

All I do is take two tablets daily morning and before bed simple as that so far I have noticed an improvement in my skin it feels softer looks more glowy and my make up stays on great rather than sinking into pores. 
It isnt cheap retailing at approx £37 for one months supply but I see it as an investment for the future and if I start fighting ageing now (which is inevitable I know) I will be pleased I did later on!

I cant recommend Imedeen enough it's straight foward and from what I can see it works.

L'Oreal Paris GlamShine Stain Splash

Right thought maybe best to hit the ground running and do a make up review, these views are my own!  I do love my make up and when I saw this I knew I could not leave the shop without it also I saw Cheryl Cole advertising it the next day on TV was a bit like one step ahead (that will  be me she has probably been advertising it on TV for ages!

I purchased the colour in Princess shade colour 200 due to the fact I loved the shade on the back of my hand in the shop.  Its like a coral colour perfect for the summer and if you are very pale like me  it gives a lovely hint of colour.
I have had not great experiences with L'oreal lipsticks and glosses in the past I found the GlamShine lip glosses too claggy/sticky and my hair has ended up stuck to my lips and covered in gloss in about 30 seconds flat.  This was not the case with GlamShine Stain splash so I am assuming the formula is different its non sticky lasts ages and feels lovely on. 
I spent the weekend in Windermere with one day of torrential rain and it stayed put even then. It is a  colour I will wear for work as its not too much brash in your face colour and it fits nicely into my work make up bag (yes yes I know I take another make up bag into work).
The applicator is also really good and if you havent got access to a mirror you can apply it without looking like Bette Davies in 'Whatever happened to Baby Jane?'
It is retailing at approx £8 mark so its mid price range in terms of lipstick and well worth it for a treat (my excuse was it was my birthday).

Hello

Hello and welcome to my blog!  I am very new to this so be kind!
I am an early thirty something living in northern England I work full time (bar today flexi day whoop whoop!) I live with my fiance who also works full time,  anyhow enough of the boring stuff.
I have decided to start a blog due to a number of things these are:
1. I enjoy reading blogs but sometimes they dont have the right mixture of things for me e.g. all about make up, cookery, sewing, etc I love these blogs don't get me wrong but thought I might try it.
2. I love to write, my current role at work is a non writing office job, enough said!
3. I LOVE make up and fashion, want to learn to sew and bake and thought combining this with the next point may be fun
4.Fingers crossed me and the Mr are buying our first house due for completion contracts mid june I can talk ahout house decor and get tips and stuff from readers(if I get any!)
4. I love reading so want to do book reviews also

So in a nutshell (!) I want a blog that combines things I love make up, beauty, fashion, reading.  Things I love but cant do sewing, baking general domestic goddess style stuff and things I hope to love,  home decor.

My nickname is Bertie so welcome to my blog!