Tuesday 30 December 2014

Denim From DressKode


It's no secret that I like my clothes...just ask my poor Hubby, what with his less than a quarter of the space in our large shared wardrobe ...

...ah well...

It is also no secret that whilst I love nothing more than getting all glammed up every now and again, my main criteria for clothing choices has got to be comfort.

If I'm totally honest, I'm a little bit of a slob really...

...but what can I say, I love pulling on a nice pair of jeans with a huge oversized sweatshirt...if I'm forced out of my PJs that is...

I do love a good old lounge about.

So naturally, I was majorly happy when DressKode very kindly helped feed my love of denim coloured comfiness when they sent me a pair of their jeans - through etailPR - to enjoy at my leisure.

I couldn't wait to pull them on...

...obviously with a chilled out, laid back, super relaxed hoodie...

...of course...


The material of these jeans is super soft and stretchy - they are more jeggings than jeans really.

I wore them to a play-gym and managed lots of running upstairs, lots of squatting and crawling about and they didn't loose their shape or fit at all.

Which was a bonus.




I really did like the fit of these and although they had quite a low rise waist - never usually a good thing for me - I found that I wasn't having to pull them up too much - which was a bonus.

And as you can see from the snaps, I wore these with flat converse, but I could have easily teamed them with heels and the length would have been perfect.

The only downside to these jeans for me was something only very teeny, but I thought I would mention it anyway.

I wasn't all too keen on the tiny little blingy diamantes that they had at the sides of each of the pockets.


Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely a girl who appreciates a little bit of sparkle in her life, but on my more casual, laid back clothes, I'm not so much a fan - I prefer things plain and simple.

But this was only a small thing and it is simply down to my own personal preferences - the stud was only very small - nothing too noticeable really and I do know a lot of people who would love this little bit of jean-bling.

I actually never do usually wear tops that are of a bum-showing length anyway, so it's very unlikely that they will ever be on show too much.

On the whole I found these jeans great - really comfortable, flattering, very easy to wear and easy to style.

Thank you very much DressKode

*Jeans provided via etailPR for an honest review - words and thoughts are all my own
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Wednesday 24 December 2014

Shoetique Winter Boots


It's looking highly unlikely, near on impossible, that we'll be getting anything that resembles a white Christmas this year.

A wet, windy and wild Christmas looks like a more realistic option I think.

But one thing is for sure - the snow, or at least the cold, will certainly come.

* g r o a n *

Myself and snow do not get along.

Not at all.

No - actually that's not the whole truth - me and snow do not get along at all if I have to drive in it.

If I can stay at home or go out with my son to have loads of fun sledging, then the snow I can totally cope with (the cold - not so much!) but the second there is any prospect of me having to clamber into the car to go to work for example - then it all becomes one huge disaster area.

I'm not all that good on my own two feet in the white slippery stuff, so put me in control of four wheels...?

Eeek - I just stand zero chance!

But lets not focus on all of that right now - lets take a few moments and concentrate on me keeping upright on my own two feet.

Well it is a brilliant source of transport - a safer one for me anyway - particularly now that I'm all footwear kitted out that is.

Thanks to Shoetique I now have these fab Tamaris, burgundy, fluffy, furry-lined boots in my possession, and my-oh-my, they are certainly going to be keeping my tootsies happy, warm and dry no matter what this winter throws my way.



The boots are said to be made from a "DUO-Tex membrane", which is apparently a water-resistant material - perfect for the snow and all of that rain which we will definitely be getting lots of...

The boots have a really soft, warm furry lining down the leg area - which is brilliant for added warmth - as is the soft padded inner sole - which will not just help insulate my toes (thank goodness), but it will also keep my feet all lovely and comfy.


Perfect

 And just take a look at the huge, chunky, solid sole that they have!

I think even I would feel safe in the iciest of weathers with these on my feet.

As I'm usually a jeans-and-jumpers kind of gal (when I can drag myself out of my PJs that is...), that is what I would most likely be teaming these boots with...more than likely with a pair of leggings underneath too to fight off the chill...and as you can see - they do look pritty great with jeans...


The lace up detail of the boots can be adjusted to suit - so no more slack boots sliding down the leg, or struggles to pull on those extra tight fitting ones.

These can simply be tied and made to fit - no matter the calf size.

I really do love these boots and they are really going to make my life a lot easier in the freezing cold, wet and slippery wintery weather.


Dashing from the car to work or the supermarket will no longer be a "take my pride into my own hands" kind of a mission.

I will be able to walk upright, in warmth, with no soggy toes, knowing that I will make it to my destination without falling flat on my face.

And for this - Shoetique - I think I love you

* Boots provided for review - words, pictures and thoughts are all my own
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Sunday 21 December 2014

One Cottage, Three Laughter-Filled Nights, Eight Bloggers...


You may recall me owing you a little post giving an insight into what eight blogger ladies could possibly get up to during a weekend away, in a cute little cottage in the middle of the woods, in a teeny village in Osmotherley.

But are you sure you really want to know...

Well...OK then - you asked for it.

Here is that "little post"!

As you will be well aware by now, what with my numerous posts, Tweets and Instagram pictures, that a short while ago a few of us blooger girls popped along to Osmotherley for three brilliant nights - all thanks to Sykes Cottages I must add - and we stayed in the cutest little house.
(post here)


But what could we possibly do to entertain ourselves with no-one around and - *the horror* - only limited Wi-Fi connection?

Well night number one was simply all about arriving, settling in, eating and - well - drinking alcohol - of course.

Sounds fab doesn't it - well it was.

Sammie and Hayley cooked us up a right storm for tea - it was amazing.


And then with full tummies we cracked open a lil' bit of booze and settled down to watch everyone's favourite...

~ Frozen ~


...complete with top of lungs sing along too.

The drinking carried on into the wee hours for some, whilst others - the oldies (myself very much included in this category) - crawled off to bed much, much earlier


And after far less alcohol consumption too.

As you can imagine, getting up the next day was a very different ball game depending on the group you belonged to the previous evening.

However, no matter the group, no one wanted to cook breakfast/lunch...so into the village we ventured for a little mid-afternoon wander and some good old pub grub




Slightly gutted we had to miss pudding though, but each of the three (!!) village pubs stopped serving food at 2.30pm...

...on a Saturday afternoon...

* s i g h *

Ah well - biscuits from the shop it was.

We had a little mooch back to the cottage, taking in a few of the sites nearby...



...and then we spent the rest of that evening on the alcohol again (well why not!), making a very failed but very well intended effort at getting the beautiful fire going and sat around in our PJs enjoying each others company, talking the night away...



...and having a real laugh at Tinder...

But when the conversation left the topic of social media dating, we scared ourselves absolutely silly thinking that someone had wandered into the house...or that there was something upstairs...

* E E E E K K K *

I will admit, I was terrified - I'm a right scaredy-cat, but Sharon protected us all beautifully and used the iron poker from the fire in a very useful, protector-weapon manner...

I slept a lot better that evening knowing I had Sharon nearby that's for sure.

Sadly I had to be up and on my way on Sunday ready for work on Monday morning, so I left the rest of the ladies to their daily outing and evening wood-wanderings and off home I popped.

But it was just so much fun - I really can't wait until next time.

I do love my girlie holidays
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Tuesday 16 December 2014

A Christmas Movie Trip To Bradford's Picturehouse


This week has been a whole new level of crazy busy

Why I don't take my own yearly advice and start the Christmas shopping earlier I'll never know

Rush, rush, rush

But no matter how much there is to be done I will always make time for a Christmas movie or two.

Got to keep those priorities in order haven't I.

So this weekend I ventured out of the house in search of my Christmas movieness and popped along to my local Picturehouse (find here) which just so happens to be located inside of The National Media Museum in Bradford

Verrry local for me, but surprisingly it was the first time I have ever visited this particular cinema before...which even I think is quite crazy after living in Bradford for my whole 31 years.

But hey-ho, this issue is now rectified, and after such a pleasant experience I shall be visiting again that's for sure.

The Picturehouse box office is located in the main foyer of the museum and the different cinema screens are dotted about various levels of the museum.


Obviously I had no clue where the "Cubby Broccoli" screen was (or why it was named as it was), but the very helpful staff gladly pointed me in the right direction...and were really chatty - and just plain nice too.

Which certainly made for a very welcome, refreshing change that's for sure.



So screen wise, ours was clean, tidy and really quite small and cosy...perfect for the three teeny groups of people that arrived to watch the film.


And what was our film I hear you ask?

Well, it was my first ever introduction to Jack The Pumpkin King and my first ever viewing of...

~ The Nightmare Before Christmas ~


...which is most defiantly a movie suitable for both Christmas and Halloween.

And what did I think of it?

Well I really rather enjoyed it.

I tend to steer clear of Tim Burton movies if I'm honest - there is no way any kids movie should be that crazily strange and scary...

...yes I am a total big wimp...

But I'm rather glad that this 1994 UK released movie has now hit my watched list.

I just really can't quite believe it is 20 years old though!

Then again, the graphics aren't perhaps as "modern" as many new films are, but there was nothing wrong with that at all for me...my son may have grumbled a little bit though...

Anyway, Jack is (obviously) all about Halloween but feels there is something missing from his life of horror, gore and terror.

So when he stumbles upon Christmas' door, he can't resist taking a peek...


...and once immersed in all things festive he realises that what he really needs are all of the warm and fuzzies that Christmas brings.

And off he goes, attempting to add a little bit of Christmas cheer into Halloween.

Which he soon steps up a level by wanting to blend the two a little - a Halloweeny-Christmas - which he can then present to all of the people of the world.


And this process naturally involves a real Santa kidnap...
(you see - Tim Burton is too scary for me...!)

...a chance encounter with The Boogie Man...
(!!!)

and of course

...a "have we just ruined everything this Christmas" moment

I'm sure most people aren't as rubbish as me and will have watched this movie, but I won't spoil it all - just in case anyone hasn't.

But what I will say is that perhaps Jack does manage to fill that emptiness inside, but with something other than the joy of Christmas.

Perhaps what he was searching for all along was right there under his nose, in his own Halloween world after all.

Perhaps all Jack needed was to fall in love...

Wow - a movie suited for Christmas, Halloween and Valentines Day...

Clever Mr Tim Burton

*movie tickets provided free of charge
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Friday 12 December 2014

Cheesy Christmas Jumpers - Amazing Cheese for 2014


Oooh - Happy National Christmas Jumper Day all

I reckon today is possibly the best day to show off the two fab new additions I have placed into the Christmas Jumper Collection I seem to be amassing.

And yes - I would say I actually do have a little "collection" coming along right now - well - six Christmas jumpers is the beginnings of a collection in my book anyway.

Especially when each one is so very different and so very brilliant too.

I think I should also point out that each and every jumper I have is from the same fantastically festive, loved by the Celebs, Bradford born company that is...

Cheesy Christmas Jumpers
(find them here)

! Yay !

I love all the crazy designs they come up with year after year, and it may be that you actually get a little sick of seeing my two newbies by the time I am finished with them I'm afraid.

But there's no way they will be appearing on my blog just this once - I mean it's only right that they feature in at least one outfit post now isn't it...

Naturally

But I just couldn't keep them to myself until then - especially with today being such an important day for all of the Christmas Jumpers everywhere.

I wanted to get them out.

So, first up...

...well, we have a very bright, very in your face, very blooming fantastic Nutcracker Christmas Cardigan to be feasting our eyes upon
(find here)


This is just amazing - it's unisex so would be great for just about everyone - male, female, boy, girl - the whole family could get in on this action in fact!

...oooh - a matchy-matchy Christmas Jumper themed outing...I like it...

I have to say, I did actually catch my Hubby eyeing this up as soon as it arrived - in great detail - he was obviously very gutted when he found that it was only in a size small...

Ah well.

I was very pleased that it was I have to say - if it had been any bigger I reckon I may have lost it by now.

The cardigan is made from a lovely woolly material which is oh-so soft and amazingly comfy - definitely not one of those horrible itchy and irritating creations that's for sure.

I love it


And just how cute do Santa and the Nutcracker look!

Oooh - and this is actually the first ever cardie created by Cheesy Christmas Jumpers too.

The first of many I'm guessing.

Anyway, as much as I do love this brill cardigan, next up we have my absolute FAVOURITE thing

A brilliant little light up number...

...which is also unisex...

...and is also extremely soft and comfortable without an itch in sight...

...it is the brilliant Flashing Fireplace Christmas Jumper...
(find here)


An actual full fireplace in jumper form!

Complete with silky bow adorned holly wreath...


...three actual Christmas stockings which hold actual real-life, edible candy-canes...


...and...

...an actual working fireplace...


...well - OK - it's not actually a proper working fireplace (are you crazy - on a jumper!) but it does light up...

~ Are you ready for this ~

...it's quite special...


See - I told you

HOW AMAZING IS THAT

I absolutely love this...as you can probably tell...and I can not wait to wear it next week.

My workplace won't know what hit it.

Make sure you check Cheesy Christmas Jumpers out
(you know you want to...!)


...and I will be back soon with a few Cheesy Jumper outfit posts...

Happy Jumper Wearing

* Jumpers sent for an honest review - thoughts, pictures and video are all my own
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Wednesday 10 December 2014

Toxicfox Send Me Claireabella Crazy


Have you ever had one of those days where anything and everything just seems to go terribly wrong?

Everything

From that early morning dreaded one 'brow refuses to co-operate drama, to finding that there is no milk left for that all important first coffee, to then find no free car parking spaces at work, which naturally means a freezing cold hike down a hill in full on gale force gusts.

Yep - I'm sure we can all relate to THOSE kind of days now can't we.

But then there are times when even these disaster-days can be salvaged.

And by some stroke of amazing luck - something - anything - happens and it makes everything totally perfect again.

That one thing, however big or small, is capable of eliminating every aspect of the rubbish day, almost as though it never even happened.

Yes, I have certainly had a few of those kind of days - one very recently actually.

On this particular evening, my little moment of rubbish-forgetting-happiness came in the form of a fantastic package from those wonderful people at Toxicfox.


I have always been a fan of the Claireabella range - ever since I first saw it pop up all over the TV.

From Corrie to TOWIE, it seemed all the stars had their own little piece - and I remember really wanting in on the action, but I unfortunately never got around to it.

Until now that is.

Now I have my very own hand-made, hand-designed and hand-crafted Claireabella bag and I couldn't be happier.



It's fab.

The material is really strong and sturdy but without being too stiff.
I've found with jute bags I have used in the past that they can be quite scratchy and really uncomfortable to hold.

But not this one - the handle is really soft and slightly padded too - not a scratch in sight.

I personalised my bag online and it was so easy - all it took was a few option choice-clicks and then *bingo!* - off all of my details went, ready to be turned into something individual and fabulous.


I actually very much adore the finished product.


Everything about it is just great - especially how neat and tidy it all is.


There is even a sprinkling of silver glitter across the whole design and it is obvious to see a lot of time has been spent getting it all just perfect.

I mean check out the very cute bow and heart detail near the handle...


Very cute

Another new addition to my household found inside my amazing package was this brilliant Heart Matt-Framed typography picture


I love the fact that this is really unique and personal to me and my family - it is really going to make a lovely addition to my living room.

And, again, it was just so easy to create.

On the website, categories such as word colour, frame colour, words to be included are all individually looked at and choices are hand-picked and then put together, along with some pretty sparkly gems which all help to create this really striking finished item.

A perfect gift for someone special this Christmas I reckon...well...I know I would love to receive one anyway...



~ Pretty ~

Toxicfox also, very kindly, sent me a very vintage-y looking, very pretty and very useful Messy Baker cooking apron to have a little peek at too


I mean - just look at it!!

Do pinny's actually get anymore glamorous than this...?

I think not.

And not only is the name of the company - "Messy Baker" - very apt for myself, what with me being a Baker (by name only!) and all, but I also do have a little love of baking...and have been know to make a little bit of a mess whilst doing so from time to time...

What a perfect pressie for me this is then!

Oh - and it is obviously very cute too of course.


I adore pink

I adore hearts

I adore the cute contrasting materials

and

I adore the fab little pocket on the front too


A total winner in my book

Make sure you check out Toxicfox - and fast too, especially if you are after a Claireabella for a surprise Christmas pressie

...these handmade creations need a little time to be put together...

I found that the website is very user-friendly and easy to navigate and I really rather enjoyed watching the gift guide suggestion videos that are slotted in on various pages.

They help make for a more fun, unique shopping experience.

And whilst you're there, shopping away, make sure you use the offer code TFBLOG at the checkout to save yourself 10% too!

Let me know what fab treats you pick up

* items sent to review - opinions and pictures are all my own
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Tuesday 9 December 2014

Getting Bold In The Cold


My goodness me - there is certainly no denying that winter is well and truly at our door now is there.

It's blooming freezing out there

And for me, this is not a good thing.

I hate being cold.

I will, quite regularly, be heard saying that there is no doubt in my mind that I was totally born in the wrong country.

My body just needs the warmth all of the time.

~ Brrrr ~

Anyway, I found it rather humorous then that I received an email from Virgin Holidays detailing a new competition they have running, encouraging people to...

Go Bold In The Cold

So what is all this about then I hear you ask?

Well, basically, Virgin Holidays are asking each and every person to submit a short video or a photograph to them via Twitter, Instagram or Vine using the hashtag #BoldintheCold 
(full details can be found - here - )

And the prize?

Well, the winner of the competition can look forward to enjoying a fantastic holiday - to DUBAI no less - for themselves and THREE friends!!

! How amazing !

However, the video (or photograph) has to illustrate you getting "Bold In The Cold" and I'm guessing the crazier and more "out there" the entry, the more chance of snapping up that big prize.

Now personally, stripping down to my bikini (*shudder*) and sitting in an ice bath in the garden is just a step too far away from being "bold" in my book and is edging more towards being plain old "crazy".

So this idea was a huge, big no-no for me.

But on a recent trip to Chester Zoo I came up with a little plan.

I scoped out the animal I found myself relating the most to all things cold - which as it turns out were the penguins...

(Awww - I just love lil' penguins!)

...and then I tried my hardest at pleading with their keepers to let me get a tad closer...

But - well...obviously I had no chance at getting anywhere near, but at least I had a try.

And not to be defeated, ignoring some strange looks thrown my way from the general public, I stripped down to my jean shorts, vest and shades, positioned the cold (yet cute) penguins behind me, and casually "chilled out" (Ha! - chilled out...get it...?), reading a good old fashion mag...

...just as I would do if I were sunning myself on a red hot beach somewhere...

Trust me - it was more than a little chilly - well - it was Chester - in November...

It was cold

But I did it

And here is the proof that I did get all -

~ Bold In The Cold ~


Have some crazy, freezing fun yourself

The weather is certainly cold-competition friendly right now that's for sure

* post is my entry into a Virgin Holidays Competition
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Saturday 6 December 2014

Cote Ghyll Cottage - A Sykes Cottages Blogger Holiday


! Yay !

We did it again

The Blogger Ladies took another little road trip, and this time last week I was waking up in a lovely cottage in the teeny village of Osmotherley in North Yorkshire.
(find here)

And it was once again down to those fantastic-o people at Sykes Cottages (find here) that helped make this happen...our Blogger Holiday Number Two

~ I think I can see a twice yearly tradition forming here ~
Wohooo

So last Friday, I excitedly finished work early, nipped in for a quick hair wash at my hair dressers (money very well spent in my eyes!) and after the school run was all done, off I went - all brave and on my own - to meet the rest of the ladies already waiting for me.

Apart from a few "Eeek how dark is this motorway" moments and one particularly terrifying "Oh My God, where did that sharp bend come from" episode, I arrived in fairly good time, and immediately set about exploring my weekend home.

The cottage...well it was more of a house really...was down a r-e-a-l-l-y long, woodland surrounded drive, which made for some very beautiful views and was obviously oh-so peaceful...

...but it was a tad scary - especially with my over-active imagination...at midnight...on a Saturday evening...after a few Gins...



But it was undoubtedly very pretty.

The cottage had a caravan park next door which was closed for the season and a little bridged water fall a teeny walk away.


Very relaxing.

And the house itself?

~ photo credit to the lovely Sharon at Stargazyeys ~

Well it was just really cosy - and very clean (important!) - and all lovely and pretty.

There were four bedrooms, each sleeping two people...


~ Awww - my room! ~



...and inside of the games room downstairs...


...the sofa pulled out into a bed too, so we had plenty of room to rest our weary (drunken??) heads.

The living room had three sofas, beanbags and cushions, so lots of things to plonk ourselves on for out Disney Movie Marathons...



And the kitchen-diner was really spacious and fully stocked with everything we could need - we even had a washing machine and a dishwasher.

The bathroom and toilet were separate too - very handy with a house of eight beauty bloggers who all like to spend "a few moments " on their pampering...


Oh and we also had a downstairs loo and shower...which I forgot to photograph (duh!)

Something we didn't quite bank on was the lack of mobile connectivity - brilliant if you really want a weekend away from everything and everyone...not so great if you have social media to be keeping up with.

Thankfully the cottage did have some WiFi...if you sat in just the right spot...which naturally we all made sure we scoped out...

I love the beautiful properties Sykes Cottages have on offer...a few of us even found ourselves chatting on Twitter last night and bookmarking a couple of other places we quite fancy checking out next year...


Thanks again Sykes Cottages - you know how to make us ladies happy!

Oh - and there will be another post shortly on our weekend antics...

Ooooh - I do love holidays
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