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!