Strange Times

A Fluffy Sheep Hot Water Bottle - Just Because :)

Hey Guys, it's been a while hasn't it. I did a bit of a disappearing act and I'm sorry for not updating you all sooner, but after a little bit of toing and froing, for the first time since the 31st January I'm back with something for you to read.

I guess this is really just an update, and explanation post as to where I've been and how in these pretty uncertain times I'm going to be moving forward.

To put it mildly I've been poorly, sick, I had a horrid chest infection, the only thing that came out of my mouth for over three weeks was a pitiful squeak, and if that wasn't bad enough I then developed viral conjunctivitis. Thankfully a course of antibiotics cleared my eyes and my vision, but despite a course of oral antibiotics the chest infection refused to budge, oh and did I mention Mummy Lou had the same virus. 

Yeah it's been fun, thankfully I don't think it was "the virus" but I can't be sure and it shows exactly how even a bog standard flu bug can effect people who are vulnerable, I've still got a bit of a cough which is sending my own personal paranoia into overdrive but at least I have a bit of experience of self isolating now - I probably only left the house twice in nearly 6 weeks, I went to see my GP, the chemist, a couple of shops, oh and my local hospitals Urgent Care Centre.

Yes, just as I was starting to feel better I stood on a piece of glass, which went straight into the ball of my right foot. The staff were amazing, I was x-rayed, had it all cleaned and dressed, and was in my way home in less than 3 hours - alas it still hurts quite a bit so I may need to go and see about it, but that's something that I'm trying to avoid at the moment.

So what have I been doing, apart from coughing and spluttering that is? well I've been practising self care, I've been snuggling up with a nice hot water bottle, I've been reading books I've wanted to read for sometime, and I've been trying out lots of lovely face masks. 

I also celebrated a couple of things - Shrove Tuesday, with a mountain of gluten free pancakes, and of course my blogs 13th birthday, which was a bit of a milestone that unfortunately I couldn't share with you, and of course we had one horrible day of snow!

I did a little bit of online shopping and I treat myself to some new shoes, and a few of the NEXT limited edition beauty boxes, and I was also eventually overcome by the power of advertising on Facebook and I treat myself to a box of fudge from The Ochil Fudge Pantry - all I can say is YUM, my Grandma used to make tablet and my mam used to make fudge, and the bars I had took me straight back to my childhood!

When I've had the energy I have also been trying to do a little bit of blog work, I'm now so far behind with my Glossybox unboxings it's untrue but thanks to this little hiatus I've had plenty of time to try most of the products in every box, so I'm going to be bringing those unboxings and reviews right up to date just as soon as I can, as well as sharing lots of other content and reviews with you.

I know a lot of people are quite hesitant about posting quite light hearted things at the moment but personally it's what I need. Life is so scary and serious at the moment, I think we need a bit of light hearted relief so I'm just going to be posting my usually beauty, lifestyle and fashion content, all be it with little to no hauls. 

I'm not making light of things at all though, we've made the decision to stay away from my 89 year old Godmother, which is breaking my heart, and from this weekend myself and Mummy Lou will be self isolating for as long as it takes, my mum is over 70 and has several long term health conditions, and with my own health being so precarious lately, we're going to be following guidelines and staying indoors where we can. So providing I stay fit and healthy, I'll have plenty of down time so proper posting should resume soon x In the meantime keep washing your hands, follow government advice, and try and stay as safe as you can x Thanks again to all you for sticking with me and I will see you all soon x 

Collaborative / Partnered Post - Winter Fashion Staples*

Although by UK standards, the weather is pretty mild at the moment, we all know that it won't last, and that winter is almost certainly on its way. Whether you’re heading out to work, hitting the last of the sales, or meeting your friends, more often than not at the moment, you're probably thinking that staying indoors in your onesie is a better option than heading out into cold. Alas life doesn't stop in the winter months and nesting indoors isn't an option for most people, so think about your wardrobe, your outfits and your accessories, and with a little bit of thought you can not only still feel warm and cosy, but you can also look stylish, and put together. even when you don't feel it

So if you're one of those people who likes to hibernate when the mercury plummets, here are a few fashion staples, that will help you face whatever the winter has to throw at you.

Footwear

Footwear can make or break an outfit in more ways one, and whilst letting your beautiful summer shoes spend the season in your wardrobe can be painful, pretty wedges, and sandals, just don't cut the mustard when it comes to everyday winter fashion. Whilst I own a gorgeous pair from Emilio Pucci, let's be honest, wellies are rarely a fashion statement, and whilst they are super practical for the ice and snow, chunky walking boots don't exactly scream style either but if you need them you need them - keep them for the extreme days, and for the days when you want to stay safe and warm, but you don't want to look as though you want to trek up Everest, then boots are your best friend. I love boots and there are so many different types on the market to suit any purpose and any occasion from funky snow boots, to knee highs, and the classic Chelsea boot, to Uggs, Emu's and sheepskin boots, that are perfect for cold, dry days. You can never have too many pairs of shoes, and in my opinion the same applies to boots - the more the merrier.

Jumpers

I think I've mentioned it before but I'm very much an Autumn / Winter girl when it comes to fashion, and one of the reasons why is that I love knitwear. Let’s be honest here, who doesn't love a woolly jumper, especially in the winter months. As much as I love my Christmas jumpers though, it's time to say goodbye for another year and it’s time to embrace something a little more conventional as January comes around. To look and feel great, check out some women’s knitwear that keeps you warm and can fight away the chill of those winter days. Again there are so many different styles to choose from from huge chunky knits, to finer, fitted pieces for layering, embellished pieces for occasion wear, and of course the must have, over sized, boyfriend knit. Jumpers don't have to be dowdy and boring, keeping warm, and looking smart, and put together, can go hand in hand.

Scarves

A winter spent without a warm, fluffy scarf is a miserable (and cold) one, and there’s still time to get your hands on some fashionable neck wear if you’re struggling to get through those winter days. I love all different types of scarves, from fine, to chunky and they are something that I wear all year round, but when it comes to winter scarves, the rule is the thicker and comfier the better, so shop around to find something that you love and something that will work for you. Once you find something that is just right, you won’t want to take it off, even inside the house!

Hats

OK, so most of us are pretty divided about hats. You may put one on and think wow, this is definitely not a look for me. I have to say I'm not a hat person but like red lipstick I do believe that there is a hat out there for everyone, and that if you look hard enough you will find a winter hat that looks perfect, and keeps your ears warm as you head out for some January fun. Woolly hats come in many different shapes and sizes, and you’re sure to find something that suits your needs and the shape of your face perfectly, so don’t give up, and don't be afraid to try something new, be it a beret, a hat that looks like a pandas face, or even a giant bobble hat, your perfect winter hat is out there somewhere.

Coats

It goes without saying that you’re not going to head out into the winter air without a perfect coat to keep you warm - if you don't have a decent coat then you may as well stay indoors. As any coat fanatic will know, there are plenty of different styles out there, from puffer coats to their wool counterparts. If you live in a rainy area, aka the UK, then waterproof coats are probably the way to go. A good coat can often be an investment purchase, so think about when you're going to wear it, and the type of weather that you going to wear it in. I personally love a waterproof storm coat, you can get a waterproof outer with a hood, and usually inside you have either a zip off, shorter padded jacket or a fleece jacket that can be worn separately, they are usually a little bit more expensive but with so many ways to wear them depending on the conditions they are well worth the extra investment.

So, if you’re looking for some winter wardrobe staples, then keep these things in mind. Fashion doesn’t have to be compromised in the name of warmth, so shop around, buy wisely, and you'll have some classic pieces that you can bring out winter after winter. What are your winter fashion staples and must haves? Let me know in the comments and make sure your following me on Instagram in the next few weeks to see some of my own personal winter fashion staples x

*Collaborative / Partnered Post

Getting Ready For Winter Colds With Olbas Oil Tissues

If there was one smell that would probably sum up my childhood, it would probably be Olbas Oil. I remember getting lots and lots of colds and sniffles when I was little, nothing much has changed there I guess ;), and my mum was always there with the bottle of Olbas Oil, Either on a tissue under my pillow, or in a bowl of water to help me to breathe more easily. That little bottle of oil really was a godsend, but it wasn't always the most practical thing,

That's why the makers of Olbas Oil have teamed up with top tissue manufacturer Lotus, to produce a convenient and easy to use product, to use at home or whilst your out and about

Meet Lotus Olbas Tissues, super soft paper tissues infused with the traditional and distinctive Olbas Oil fragrance of mint, eucalyptus, cajaput, menthol and juniper berry. Simply crush the tissue between your fingers, to release the soothing vapours.

As well as coming in a traditional tissue box, you can also buy Lotus Olbas Tissues in single pocket packets and in packs of 6. These tissues really do the job, easily, and without any mess, both myself and Mummy Lou have had the odd sniffle over the last few weeks and these really have made a difference. The only is you have to be super careful with these, so if you've got little people you will need to supervise them, the scent on the tissues is quite strong so you really shouldn't wipe your eyes with them and you should always wash your hands before putting your fingers near your eyes or mouth. I didn't read that part and wiped my eyes with them bizarrely enough when I was at my cousins wedding so it probably just looked like I was crying ;)

These tissues really are a must have at this time of year when there are loads of colds and bugs floating around, I can also imagine that they would be pretty useful in hay fever season too. Lotus Olbas Tissues retail at around 59p for a single pocket pack, at around £1.59 for a 6 pack, and around £2.29 for a box. They are available from must major retail outlets including Asda and Boots. If you have any questions please ask xx

(Lotus Olbas Tissues Box and 6 Pack Were Provided By PR For Review Purposes )

One Step Forward Two Steps Back

Hi Guys
Well it hasn't been a great few days has it - riots in London, torrential rain, and to make it worse on Saturday night I developed the worst sore throat ever, it's gotten worse and worse - summer colds suck -just when I start feeling better in one way I go downhill in another boo
Anyways enough of the misery I'm focusing on the happy things my blog :) I spent yesterday curled up under my quilt taking photos for my blog - This week I have a shampoo and conditioner review for you, a nails of the day post, and yes the first MUA posts in My Budget Beauty Series, I promise it will be up this week, I've just been waiting for the lovely people at MUA to respond to a few queries I had :)
Looking a bit further forward I have two exciting new series of posts planned including showing you my entire MAC collection and an exciting nail polish series which I'll tell you more about tomorrow.
It's taken a while but the blogging mojo is back with a vengeance, and I'm excited for it, some people imply my reviews are too thorough and I ramble too much but that's the way it is, thanks for being their again and a big hi to my new followers :) I think I'm going to head back to bed now with a cuppa and a few paracetamol zzzz

Cough, Wheeze, Sniffle

Well yet again this week I have been a bit AWOL. At the beginning of the week I have a sore throat which has since developed into a full blown cold, with a dry tickly cough and pains in my face :( It seems lately as though I am skipping from one illness and disaster to another so erm yeah I'm sorry for going AWOL again. I will try and make up for it over the weekend although reviews and stuff involving my face may have to wait till I look less ghastly, posts planned include a little peek at a magazine freebie, and a review come product rave, just pray for better lighting for me to take some pics- after a little bit of sunshine the other day we are back to grey, dull, dank misery again grr

I have to say though despite my melancholy whinging, this week hasn't been all bad I have been managing to walk a little bit (less of the Bambi on ice comments Mummy ;) with my special cast shoe and my walking frame, it's a little bit surreal as you can't really feel the floor too well but at least I can get upright again and I can stand for a little bit. I am getting more confident with it everyday so hopefully I should be okay when my cast comes off in two weeks fingers crossed. Till then I am going to have a little blow into a tissue, eat some graze box (use my code 97N1BP13 for a free box ), drink plenty of fluids, and try to find a better light dance somewhere on the Internet all be it one I can do on 1 leg :) See you tomorrow xx

2008 = Great - Not So Far!

Happy New Year and a very belated Happy Christmas readers!
Christmas was fab I got some amazing goodies, ate some yummy food and generally made merry! After Christmas however things started to go down hill. From Boxing Day onwards I started to develop the lurgy cold flu or whatever it is! Aches, pains you name it, then vomit, snot and now a hacking tickly cough! What an amazing start to 2008 and the football hasn't been much better! Here's hoping things can only get better - I have made some resolutions but I ain't going public with them - they aren't anything spectacular but they are personal ! At least the place looks nice today outside anyways - lovely snow making everything look clean and fresh better than indoors anyways all bare with the tree and the decoration being taken down!
Oh something good did happen I got an A for my first Counselling assignment!