Punky Pins Jewellery Haul And Wishlist

As I've said many times before, one of my huge passions is jewellery. Like every girl, I love gold, and diamonds, but fashion jewellery is my real love. I love wood, acrylic and natural gemstone pieces, and I love quirky necklaces, bangles and bracelets.

To be honest I'm not sure what I ever did before the invention of online shopping, I probably had a bit more money, but I was probably much more of a sheep. Having to buy jewellery pieces in the same shops, as your school and college, friends and enemies, meant that it was so much harder to have your own individual look and style. Bar a few ladies that made their own jewellery we all looked the same and wore exactly the same necklaces, earrings and rings.

Thanks to the kazillions of options online though, it's now much easier to find quirky and one of a kind jewellery pieces. I'm a huge fan of ebay, and charity shops for unusual and vintage pieces  but I also love online boutiques, and one of my longtime favourites is Punky Pins.

Way back when, when Sex In The City premiered, the jewellery piece to own was the Carrie name necklace. I loved the concept but whilst I love small ditsy, pendants and chains I wanted something a bit bolder. The answer came via magazines, and various chat forums that I frequented - a North East (Middlesbrough) based site called Punky Pins, which was founded in 2005.

My first purchase was one of their acrylic, mirrored name necklaces, and an NYC themed acrylic pendant, that featured a mirrored gold Empire State Building, a star and the I NY logo. I don't think I've ever owned a jewellery piece that's attracted as many comments as my name necklace did. I wore it at my first ever blog event which was FABB Newcastle, and it proved a great conversations starter and well and helping people remember my name -  you can't see it too well but just to refresh your memory this is my FABB outfit post x 

All was well then something awful happened - I stood on it :( Being mirrored, acrylic it broke in two -  I was sad and a bit annoyed at my carelessness but these things happen and I never thought much more about it but a couple of weeks ago a Punky Pins offer landed in my inbox and I decided to replace it.

There are several different types of name necklaces to choose from, from wooden, to different styles and colours of acrylic, but I went for what I had before, the Sexy City Personalised Acrylic MIRROR Name Necklace.

You can get any name up to 9 letter and it comes in either silver or gold and whilst I'm normally a silver girl, gold was what I had before. It comes on a 41 cm gold plated chain with a 7 cm extender chain which features an acrylic Punky Pins logo.This necklace is £15 but since every one is made to order I don't think that it's a bad price. 

The reason why I chose to place my order when I did was not only down to a free P&P offer but it was also because of a free gift offer. I love a free gift and I love my cats so the offer of a free cat themed necklace with a £15 purchase sucked me in.

The necklace I got was the Wooden Cat Necklace, which features a super cute, wooden engraved cats head on a 48 cm silver plated chain, with a 5 cm extender and a metal Punky Pins logo. You can buy him on the website for just £5.

I know name necklaces and cats aren't for everyone but if you're after something quirky and a bit unusual then I would definitely recommend having a look at Punky Pins. As well as necklaces, they also do a range of other jewellery pieces and accessories. Here are some of my other picks and wants from the site.

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Have you ever bought anything from Punky Pins? Let me know in the comments below x 

Foodie Friday - Kitchen Gadget Wishlist

I don't know about you but my kitchen cupboards are filled with kitchen gadgets. There's the hand blender, the juicer, the food processor, the popcorn maker, the George Foreman Grill, the sandwich toaster, and the deep fat fryer - Do I need to go on? The thing is though I love a bit of gadgetry, and more so in the kitchen. Gadgets really can change how, and what you cook. Yes I know some end up at the back of the cupboard unwanted, unloved  and gathering dust, but choose carefully and choose a good one and you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. 

Despite having more gadgets than I can shake at stick at I still want more, to help me to experiment more and have fun in the kitchen. Some of these gadgets are sensible and very on the spendy side, some are more frivolous, and more budget friendly. I've provided some random links for each item, just so you know what I'm talking about but most of these items are available from numerous retailers.

Hello Kitty Cake Pop Maker / Pretty Pink Candy Floss Maker / Kitchen Aid Artisan 4.8 Stand Mixer /  Bosch Tassimo Joy T45 Coffee Maker

This first part of my wishlist contains a nice mix of fun and serious items. Cake Pops are a huge thing at the moment, and what could be better than cake pops in the shape of a Hello Kitty head. I love the idea but I think my decoration may leave a bit to be desired. Next up a candy floss maker, sorry sugar police but the taste is so, so good, who doesn't love that burnt sugar taste, it's a winner  with both the kids and the adults, and fun to make. 

The next two items are a little bit more serious but no less fun. The Kitchen Aid - which serious baker or cook doesn't want one of these. Is it wrong that I want one of these purely for butter cream? Holding a hand whisk for 6 minutes doesn't half take some doing, and this would definitely ease the pressure, not only that but they look so good on the worktop, almost stroke able even - love it x 

Finally a Tassimo machine, I've wanted one of these for ages, I love the ease and convenience of the pod systems and I've heard some good things about this one. Mummy Lou isn't as keen as me but she is a huge fan of Costa coffee so I may win her round x 

Yonanas Princess Frozen Dessert Maker / Tefal AL806040 Actifry / Waffle Finger Maker /

 Cuisinart 2L Deluxe Ice Cream Maker / Lurch Spirali Cutter

I've seen a couple of  demonstrations of the Yonanas Frozen Dessert Maker on television, and I believe it's the one that Fleur De Force has, I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong though, and it looks fab. It makes healthy ice cream and frozen desserts using fresh fruit in just 2 minutes.

Ah, the Actifry, several bloggers have one these and I have to say I'm really keen. I normally do my Slimming World, esq chips in the oven but one of these would make it quicker and easier, and I also like that you can use it for other things including stir fries.

A similar thing to the Yonanas admittedly but with a bit more va va voom. 2 litres of fresh, homemade ice cream, where you know everything that's gone into it, in 25 minutes? Yes please :)

The final item on my current kitchen gadget wishlist post is a spiraliser. Despite the inclusion of some naughty gadgets I'm still trying to lose a bit of weight. I'm struggling at the moment though and as per usual I'm blaming my reliance on carbohydrates. With one of these I could make my own courgette noodles to have instead of pasta to help me fill up and not fill out. Whilst I would love all of these things this one is at the top of my wishlist and probably one of the most obtainable.

I showed Mummy Lou this wishlist and her response was "Where on earth would you keep all that? You'd need to turn the whole house into a kitchen cupboard!" She's right I guess all this stuff would take up an awful lot of room but it's nice to dream, and you can always find space if you really want something ;) What kitchen gadgets do you use most often? and which ones are on your wishlist? Leave me a comment and let me know, and I'd also love to know what you think about wishlist posts in general x Thanks for reading xx

Beauty Wants From Across The Pond or My Fantasy Shopping Bag

I don't know about you but I spend ages drooling over websites such as Sephora, and even Ulta, and Walgreens playing fantasy shopping, safe in the knowledge I can look but not touch, or buy lol so I thought I'd do a little post showing you some of the goodies I would buy if I could that is ;)

First up this baby the Sephora Floral Funk Eyeshadow Palette - Warm - purely for the packaging which remind me of a Louis Vuitton bag I have :)

More eyeshadows - Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow Palette - Ludwig - love this lady and I've always wanted to try her eyeshadow palettes

Sephora by OPI Urban Ballerina Mini Collection - I only have one Sephora by OPI colour and I love it - this kit has some great neutrals and a lovely purple

Hello Kitty for Sephora Brush Set - I love the full Hello Kitty range all in pinks and silvers

Marc Jacobs Lola Perfume Rollerballs - a fabulous idea why don't we have Rollerballs in the UK?

L'Oreal HIP Eyeshadows  - I love these I have a few I've got from swaps but I really like the line but again we don't have it in the UK :( I have noticed some of it is now part of the Studio Secrets line so there may be hope

Physicians Formula Happy Glow &; Mood Boosting Blush - I saw this on the lovely Michelle's blog and it is gorgeous


Does anyone else ever play fantasy shopping?

(pics from Sephora, Ulta and Walgreens )

Christmas Wishlists

Well now is the time when we start to think about what we'd like from Santa I know a few bloggers have done this so I thought I would too - it's just a bit of fun really :) Wishlist is the operative word here I've already got some of my Christmas pressies a new laptop and a new tv so some if not the majority of these are just pie in the sky - if I win the lottery tho ;) Obviously my number one wish would be to have my health back but if not any of these goodies would make me happy :)


An Oversized Mulberry Alexa in Black

OK we'll start with a dream on I have a Next tan copy which I adore but I'd love the original x

Some Sort Of IPL Hair Removal System

What can I say at the weekend I looked like I was taking part in Movember and believe me hair removal in this cold weather makes your skin smart afterwards

A Missoni Scarf

I would love a Missoni scarf not necessarily this design but I had one and I lost it - hmm that's why I won't be getting another one

An iPhone

A possibility this one, my mobile contract is nearly up but since this is an ongoing thing and I need to get my finances into gear I doubt I'll get one of these in my stocking

Calvin Klein Beauty Perfume

I've asked for this so you never know - I tried it when I was on holiday and didn't buy it but I do like it not that I need another perfume tho...

Benefit Gift Set

Not this one is particular but I usually end of with some form of gift set from a cosmetic brand and Benefit have some really cute ones this year

MAC Cool Thrillseekers Pigment Set

Love this kit and I've asked for it so fingers crossed oh and I'd love a back up of Faerie Glen lipstick if Santa's listening

(pics from Apple, Net-a-Porter, MAC Cosmetics, House of Fraser, Superdrug and Boots)

So there you go, tell me what you'd like to get under your tree this year xx

Forum Sale and Back 2 Mac Bits

OK I said in my last post that I had been a bad LouLou (again!!!), but blog and forum sales are so good!!! From a recent forum sale I managed to pick up a few brand new MAC items from somebody who works in the beauty industry. The are all marked as samples on the outer cardboard packaging and on the name labels but they are genuine items.



I got (L-R) 2N Lipglass for £7, Sunsational Lipstick £7, and Local Color Dazzleglass also for £7 - half price!!!!!!, and a free Maybelline Eyeliner Pen !!!

Close up of Sunsational - I hummed and haahd about this when Style Warriors was released but never got it - I am so pleased to get it now



I also got some of my Back 2 MACs through the post this morning - I am sure I was due a couple more but ho hum



L - Hue - R - Hug Me

Really pleased to get these two colours to add to my nude toned lipstick collection :)
Talking of MAC lip products I've also done a bit of research on the lip products from the upcoming MAC Make Up Artists Cosmetics collection and I have managed to axe all the ones I wanted from my wishlist - they all seem to dupe things I already have -hurrah -money potentially saved for once :)

A Few Changes

As regular readers can see I've made a few changes to my blog. Blog spot backgrounds are functional and practical but at the end of the day they aren't always pretty. So I decided to change it to something that more reflected me and who I am. Anybody that knows me, knows I love flowers and quite hippy type, psychedelic patterns and prints so I chose this cute floral design from Shabby Blogs - much more cheery as you can see :).
I've also been editing my wishlist a bit. I have trimmed a few lout and added some fresh wants. Some particular bits I have had a fiddle with are my wants from MAC Colour Craft - I originally wanted 3 MSF's but I have decided 2 is probably more realistic on my current spending diet, but I have added the 226 Blending Brush after reading positive things about its size and usefulness when like me you have a small crease and small lid space :)I have also added a few more Barry M bits, and some bits from the ELF Studio line which launches here in the UK at the end of July - I am really liking the look of particularly the bronzers in this collection. I've also added a few summer clothing bits all at the lower price end of the spectrum thankfully which I may yet be tempted to buy especially if I do manage a holiday this year. Never mind its remaining exactly that at the moment a wishlist I have about 21p left to spend this month - roll on July :D