Pretty Luscious Things

City Vibes and Chic Tribes with Trending Urban Fashion

2024-09-08T10:15:00.001+00:00

CC0 Licensed Image Courtesy of Pexels

Trending urban fashion can be hard to keep up with. But at its heart, it’s typically simple. From the latest loungewear lizards to gender-fluid styles, here’s the skinny on today’s street fashion.

Jewelry and Accessories

There’s no end to the popularity of jewelry and other accessories. Combining items for your own sense of style is nothing new. But trends come and go. Right now, piercings and stackable rings are in. Although, even for piercings, lobes aren’t too popular these days. Cartilage piercings seem to be popping up everywhere. And you can find pieces for the rook and unique jewelry for a septum piercing on reputable websites if you are considering getting in the (pun) loop!

How About Oversized Loungewear?

Kicking back is becoming a way of life for many of today’s younger people. Whether Gen-Z and younger Millennials are work-averse is another conversation. However, one thing is for certain, and that’s trendier young people today who love comfort. So much so that everyday wear is becoming more like what some of us might consider pajamas! You have to hand it to the younger crowd, though, as looking good and being comfortable usually doesn’t go hand in hand!

Techy Trending Urban Fashion

Advancements in modern technology have tons of benefits. Today, the smartphone has seemingly jumped from our hands and onto our wrists. Wearable tech is all the rage these days as Gen-Z and Millennials are all too aware of their personal health. A third of adults in the US use some form of wearable tech, mainly to monitor and report on health issues. However, combined with some trending clothing, wearable devices look stunning and complete the look!

Dabbling with Gender-Fluid Styles

Most people thought the 80s were the pinnacle of sexual and gender ambiguity. But that decade doesn’t even come close to how thighs have transitioned today. In a world of liberalized freedoms and everyone wanting to be standing up and counted, gender has become something of a gray area. It isn’t uncommon to see men wearing skirts and women wearing clothing items typically worn by men. Wear what you feel is the order of the day, and who’s going to stop you?

Opting for Sustainable Materials

Never before in history have we had so much knowledge about our impact on the environment? As a push-back against outdated production, manufacturing, and shady practices, younger people and city-dwellers today are trying to be greener. Sustainable materials and reusing clothing are pretty popular these days. Reclaimed garments are just what you need to complete your style when getting out of your new electric car with a wad of reusable shopping bags!

Summary

Accessories such as nose rings are among trending urban fashion items today. Wearable tech is also more popular than ever, as are sustainable and reusable materials as we go greener

Crafting Memorable Moments: Unique Date Ideas for Budget-Savvy Couples

2024-09-07T09:48:00.000+00:00

Let’s face it: keeping the flame alive doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Whether you’re in the fluttery first stages of a crush or in the comfy phase of a long-term thing, coming up with fresh, fun date ideas on a budget can be a bit of a puzzle. But fear not! I’ve got some quirky and wallet-friendly suggestions that’ll keep the good times rolling.

Via Pixabay

Embark on a Cultural Journey at Home
Why not jet off without the jet lag? Pick a country you both lust after and bring it right to your living room. Whip up a traditional meal together (sushi rolling date, anyone?), blast some local tunes, and round off the evening with a film from the region. If you’re over the usual streaming suspects, a quick dive into some 123movies alternatives could land you the perfect foreign flick—sans the price of a movie ticket!

Rediscover Your City

It’s easy to forget the hidden gems right under our noses. Spend a day playing tourists in your own city. Museums—check out the free days—historic sites or just a meandering walk through unknown streets can make for an unexpectedly adventurous day. Each corner turned holds a new piece of your city’s puzzle waiting to be placed.

A Night Under the Stars

Imagine this: just you two, a cozy blanket, the vast cosmos above, and a quiet spot away from the city buzz. Sounds perfect, right? Grab some snacks, a hot drink, and a stargazing app to guide your celestial surfing. It’s a night of romance and wonder that’s literally out of this world, and it doesn’t cost a dime.

DIY Spa Day

Turn your home into the most exclusive spa in town. Light some candles, put on some Zen music, and whip up face masks with ingredients from your kitchen. Take turns massaging each other with household oils—think olive or coconut. It’s about getting that luxe spa vibe without the luxe price tag.

Volunteer Together

Want a date that’ll warm your heart and help the world? Pick a cause you both care about and spend a day giving back. Whether it’s dishing up hope at a soup kitchen or walking pups at the animal shelter, it’s a meaningful way to connect and make a difference. Best part? It’s totally free.

Masterclass at Home

Ever wanted to dance like the stars or cook like a chef? Choose a new skill to tackle together. YouTube’s a treasure trove of tutorials—from salsa steps to soufflés. It’s not just about learning something new—it’s about the laughs and the mishaps along the way. Here’s to enjoying the ride; no wallet is required!

Seasonal Adventures

Each season brings its own flavor of fun. Build a snowman, carve a pumpkin, picnic among spring flowers, or hit the beach when the sun’s out. Embrace the season’s offerings and find joy in the simple pleasures that nature provides. It’s all about making memories, one season at a time.

Memory Lane Magic

Dive into your shared history for an evening. Pour over old photos, laugh at silly videos, and reminisce about your early days. It’s a heartwarming way to reconnect and remember why you fell for each other in the first place. Plus, it’s completely free!

So, see? Creating meaningful, memorable dates doesn’t have to drain your bank account. With a bit of creativity and these fun ideas, you can keep the romance bubbling over without splurging. It’s all about the time spent together, after all. Now, go out there and make some memories!

Healthy Breakfast Tips Everyone Should Know

2023-09-11T19:54:00.007+00:00

Breakfast is an important meal, giving you the energy to tackle your daily tasks. Moreover, the last thing you want to do is skip this meal to get your dream body. Research shows that people who eat breakfast are thinner than those who don’t. This is because taking fibre and protein in the morning can control your appetite. This means you are less likely to snack on junk foods. Despite these benefits, many people still skip this meal. However, these tips will help you get the most out of your breakfast.

Plan your meal the night before

Perhaps it’s not your intention to skip breakfast, but the mornings are so busy that you don’t have time to feed yourself. While this is understandable, you can still get enough time to eat a good breakfast. The key is to plan your meal the night before. This way, you don’t waste time thinking about what to consume before leaving the house. Fortunately, several breakfast meals can be prepared the night before, and you only need to choose what you enjoy. For instance, if you desire something sweet but nutritious, you can prepare and refrigerate the batter for apple cinnamon muffins from PreppyKitchen. Other make-ahead meals include breakfast quesadillas, french toast bake, breakfast casserole, and so on. A healthy breakfast doesn’t mean you must choose an overly elaborate meal that can stress you out or waste your time. Therefore, always stick to simple dishes; only ensure they are balanced. This leads to the next point.

Your dinner leftovers can be helpful

Perhaps you get too tired after a long day at work, and the last thing on your mind is prepping breakfast. In this case, your dinner leftovers can be beneficial. The good thing about nutrition is that you don’t need to limit yourself. Your dinner leftovers can make an excellent breakfast, so feel free to leverage them. For instance, if you have leftover white rice, you can convert it into fried rice with eggs, soy sauce and green onions. Alternatively, leftover meat and veggies will work well in your breakfast omelette.

Let nutrition be your top priority

Not all breakfast meals are nutritious, so make it a point to choose options that will give your body the needed nutrients and minerals. Experts recommend including all food groups in your meal for the best results. A good breakfast should have whole grains, protein, veggies, fruit, and dairy, so keep this in mind. Moreover, leveraging all food groups means you won’t get bored with your dishes.

Don’t forget to hydrate yourself

Water is just as important as food; you should include it when eating breakfast. According to research, taking water in the morning can keep you full, allowing you to reduce your calorie intake throughout the day. Moreover, being hydrated can be good for your skin. As a tip, drink water on an empty stomach to reap the full benefits. You can also include other healthy beverages, like tea, natural juice, and so on when eating breakfast.

Beauty In The Sun: Maintaining The Look

2021-06-20T10:22:00.005+00:00

When the sun is shining and the wind is a slow calm breeze, you will be itching to go to the beach. Sunbathing, swimming and lounging around with friends and family are all pastimes that we have missed throughout the recent few months. However, we must not become docile in our awareness of the sun. You’ll want to enjoy yourself but you shouldn’t forget to be mindful of your skin. You spent an hour or so on your beach makeup, you don’t want it to go all to waste after a couple of hours. So you should do some or all of the following to maintain your look.

First things first

The very first thing you need to do is to select the right sun protection. Every single person’s skin is different and you cannot hope to go with just one product. It's a good idea to test out your options after you understand your skin type. If you find that your skin gets dry reasonably quickly, then you should try an spf stick. Rather than a cream, these are like a paste full of antioxidant-rich minerals. They also protect against free radicals which will prevent your skin from inflaming. When skin becomes hot and dry, blood tends to rush to the area to try and cool it down and bring fresh hydration. This can take time and be irritating. So instead, use a product that beats your own body to the punch.

Sweat-proof makeup

There’s no doubt that you will be sweating while lounging in the sun. Nothing looks worse than make-up that isn’t sweat-proof. Streaks of your foundation running down your cheeks are not going to fill you with confidence. So, look for products that are sweat-proof, as they will be the most absorbent and light. This is something that is only found in products that have some kind of cream as an ingredient. Words like matte, creme, anti-gloss are what you need to look for. Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup is one of the best examples. It's for an oily complexion and has the ability to reduce redness and minimize the pore size on your face. This will prevent excessive sweating.

Lighter touch

When you apply your makeup, utilize a lighter brush than you normally would. This will spread your makeup much more evenly. The Glossier wowder brush is made from synthetic fibers that have been made to be tapered and nimble. They flex easily and yet absorb the right amount of foundation that you will need. This kind of brush can be used for the entire face. Because it is synthetic and doesn’t use something like horsehair, it will not irritate your face and cause redness.

While you take it easy in the sun, just remember to maintain your look. Utilize a thicker SPF product that will protect your skin for hours instead of minutes. Make sure to choose a sweat-proof foundation that is lighter, will absorb easily and has a matte finish.

Putting Together Your First Modelling Portfolio

2021-01-28T17:11:00.007+00:00

There are lots of things you need to be a model. You have got to have a distinct look. You must have personality and charisma. You have to boast a strong work ethic. You must have a flexible lifestyle. However, all of these mean absolutely nothing if you do not have a perfect modelling portfolio. There is nothing more important.

Would you get a job without a resume? Never! Well, your portfolio is your resume, so if you don’t have one, then you can pretty much kiss goodbye to securing the job you are going for.

Before trying to enter the industry of modelling, it is important to be prepared and take any of the steps that are needed. For example, let’s say you’re planning to have a natural neck lift because you have sagging skin in this area and you believe a neck lift will help you to secure more jobs. Make sure you get this done before you start taking portfolio images and before you apply for jobs. You will want to give it plenty of time to heal as well.

Doing your research is also critical. This is an industry that has a very specific way of operating. If you show up to a modelling casting call and you do not know what to do or how to act, this is going to work against you. In this fast-paced industry, no one wants to take the time to teach you how to do things. They expect you to already know this.

And, as discussed earlier, one of the most critical things that you need to do is put together a portfolio so that you can show off your modelling work and give clients a glimpse into why you are the best choice for them. However, what actually makes a good portfolio? What should you consider when you are putting this together? Below, I will take you through some of the different things that people expect from a modelling portfolio so that you can master yours to perfection!

One of the main things potential clients lookout for is versatility. One pose will get you nowhere. You need to show you have the potential to fill any brief thrown at you and this is exactly what a portfolio does. It gives you the opportunity to show the client your range. This is why diversity is the key to a successful portfolio. You need to make the client feel confident that you are going to ace whatever task required; that you can convey the emotion required and fulfil the brief to perfection. If your portfolio is filled to the brim with the same shots it’s not going to fill them with confidence, is it? And if you don’t have a portfolio at all then how are they supposed to know whether you are good or not?

The importance of having a portfolio does not completely stem around showing diversity. In fact, one of the crucial reasons why you need to have one is to show that you experience full stop. Nobody wants to run the risk of hiring an amateur. Of course, every model needs to start someone. However, you need to make the client feel as if they are not taking a risk. You need to emit confidence, professionalism, experience and expertise. And the only way you can show this is the case is by presenting a portfolio filled to the brim with show-stopping modelling shots.

In addition to this, having a portfolio shows your professionalism. If you turn up to a client meeting without this then you are going to look unprepared and unorganised. These are qualities nobody wants in any individual looking for a job, not just those who are trying to make it as a model. Therefore you should definitely make sure that your portfolio looks professional too. It needs to be put together perfectly. Don’t incorporate an array of different sized images. Keep everything clean cut. You don’t want the messy presentation of your portfolio to distract from the excellent shots.

When you take everything into account it is quite easy to see why a portfolio is so essential for those who are trying to make it as a model. If you don’t have one then there is no way you will secure the job you are going for. Always have your portfolio handy and make sure it is filled to the brim with diverse shots. Use the tips above to ensure success.

The Festive Season: 10 Ways to Prepare for the Holidays

2020-11-20T15:22:00.008+00:00

It is never too soon to start your holiday celebrations, and especially not when it comes to giving a little thought to things you can do to prepare for the holiday season. Let us face it; you do not need to get acid reflux, just prepare beforehand by getting the right medication here.

The preparation doesn’t have to be stressful and tedious unless you are completely clueless on where and how to get started. Let this be the year you take control of everything to do with your holiday preparations so you can get the most out of this special season of the year. Here are some tips to get you started.

Figure out Priority Areas

What is more important to you and your family this holiday? How would you rather spend your time? Alone, with friends or family? You have to identify what is important to you before the holidays begin. You can create a to-do list with your loved ones and schedule for everything on your list.

If the list is long, you can narrow it down to “must-dos.” These should be things you and your family cannot go without during the holidays. In other words, what do you think will make your holiday incomplete if you were to skip them?

Figuring out your priority will help you get the best out of your holidays by preparing to get them done at the right time.

Buy Some Essentials

If you plan on having guests over the holiday period, ensure that you have your stocks of essentials ready. You should always have items that include hand towels, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet rolls, and hand soaps. And if you don’t expect guests, ensure your family has the things they need over this festive period.

When shopping for supplies, avoid impulse buying of items, decide which stores you are going and how long you are willing to spend on every item. With the wide range of online shopping choices, you can do some pre-shopping even earlier before the festive season.

Plan Ahead

Spare some time to sit down with a notebook or your PC and calendar to do a mind dump of everything you need or have to do during the festive period. You can start planning ahead as early as one month before the holidays and list all family traditions, community events you have to attend, or church service you want to attend. After you have captured everything, revalue them to see:

How realistic they are
What you can remove from the list without sacrificing your fun
What you can change or replace

Start Cleaning

A cluttered space adds more anxiety, taking away your concentration. On the other hand, a clean house makes you more relaxed, giving you peace of mind to focus on more important things.

Additionally, getting rid of things you do not need around will free up some space to make your house look larger and attractive. This can also help you to spare some space for festive goodies. To begin with, you can:

Clean out the refrigerator and pantry before stocking up with holiday foodstuff.
Clean up your kids’ rooms, removing things you can donate or sell. You should consider donating some used toys to get your kids involved in sharing this festive season.
Refresh your bathrooms and other rooms that your guests might use.
Declutter your bedroom and other personal spaces. Move to the closets and spaces for gifts.

Budget for the Holiday Season

Many people fail to budget for their holiday spending and end up falling prey to rush buys without intending to. Instead of following the same path, you can spare some time to work out how to spend your money and the limits to which you are willing to extend your expenditure.

You can decide how much you want to spend on the kids, entertainment, food, and parties during the holidays. Remember not to overstep your budget, trying to keep up with your neighbors or please the kids.

Go the Extra Mile if You Can Afford It

The festive period is, by far, one of the most hectic periods when it comes to shopping. This makes it even more relieving if you can get some extra hands to help with the preparations. If you have some room in your budget, you can hire some people to help you with the chores and ease your burden, giving you time to focus on keeping yourself and your family happy.

Give it a Festive Touch

You should never wait until the last minute to start your decorations. You will likely get very too busy to juggle other things. So why not start early to make your work more manageable. You can put up your décor and add some seasonal touches around your living space as early as possible. If you are preparing for Christmas, start your decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving. Waiting for the last-minute rush can turn your holidays into an epic fail.

Create Some Time for Yourself

All the headaches you have to go through during festive seasons should motivate you to focus on yourself for some time. As much as it is important to concentrate on the family, it is vital to give yourself some me-time. Spare some time to relax, have a bubble bath, and go out for a walk, or stroll down street window shopping and enjoying the lease of fresh outdoor air. Whatever you decide to do, find some time that is entirely dedicated to you. Do not worry about everything else you have to do, and just soak in the joys of the festive period.

Everything else can wait because the most important moments in life are those that focus on yourself.

Do not Forget the Family

As much as you want to give yourself a break and enjoy some me-time, do not forget that your family depends on you for happiness during the festive season. Sometimes it becomes easier to forget about your loved ones because you are busy shopping, decluttering, attending community events, or just focusing on yourself. Make sure you spare some time for the family and make memories with them.

Attend events together, go sledding, or shopping hand in hand. Family traditions and memories are what make holidays worth remembering. And they are the best gift you can give your kids.

Make Reservations for Travels

If you plan to travel for your holidays, try to make your travel reservations as early as possible. Why so? Early tickets are often more affordable, plus you do not have to rush-check available flights. Additionally, making early reservations helps you focus on other aspects knowing your travel and accommodations are sorted out. Seats on buses and airlines fill up during festive periods, and so do hotels. If you are not fast enough, you may end up spending time in places you did not intend to and risk throwing away the fun and happiness you wanted.

Final Thoughts

The festive period can be overwhelming and hectic if you are not careful enough to plan ahead of time. This is especially true if you are not good at juggling tasks. Even for those that can multitask, the workload is often too heavy to bear, and you may end up stressing out instead of enjoying some quality time with family and friends.

Get ready for the holiday period by preparing smartly, dress for autumn, shop early enough, prepare your home, Craft with the kids, and ensure you have all essentials ready. What is more important is the preparation you put in place as this is often equivalent to how much you enjoy the holidays.

4 Beauty Tips and Tricks That Actually Work

2020-10-29T17:07:00.003+00:00

The concept of beauty has changed dramatically throughout human history. Professional makeup artists, hair stylists, and dermatologists are all key people who are revolutionising the beauty industry in their own ways. But what if you knew the top beauty hacks out there to help you improve your skills without any hassle? For sure, that will be amazing. So, whether you are a make-up pro or a novice, the following beauty tips and tricks can work for you

1. Layer your skincare products from the thinnest to the thickest texture

The creams you apply to your face and body usually end up being soaked by your skin. If your routine consists of skincare products with both thin and thick textures and you want to layer, here is a tip for you. Start with the lighter and watery skincare products before you finish things up with the heaviest oils or creams. Oil helps seal all your products that were applied earlier on. That means if you begin with oils before adding light hyaluronic acid, you may not benefit much.

2. DIY lipstick mattifier

Lipsticks are among the most common make-up items ladies cannot do without. They come in various colours, shapes, and sizes. But what would you do to get your regular creamy lipstick to look matte? Well, with the aid of some loose powder and tissue, you should be able to do that. All you have to do is apply the lipstick of your preferred colour. After that, place a tissue paper on your lips and brush over it with powder. The powder will soak up the shine and give your adorable lipstick a new finish of smooth matte.

3. Store your eye cream and nail polish in your fridge

You may have observed that many eye creams come with tubes with metal tips. The metal's function is to cool your skin and constrict the blood vessels to deflate the puffy areas. Another simple strategy to experience a similar effect is to stash your old eye creams in your refrigerator. This trick could work like magic, especially during the summer. Also, when you use your fridge to keep your nail polish, it will prevent the polish from thickening over time.

4. Get rid of flaky lips, acne, and wrinkles

Exfoliated lips are essential for a beautiful lipstick application. However, there is another way to solve the problem of flaky lips when you are doing your beauty routines. You can do it using a do-it-yourself (DIY) scrub made from coconut oil and brown sugar. How about if you want to keep your wrinkles away? The solution is also pretty simple — just sleep on your back, and you will not have to wake up the next day with puffy eyes and wrinkles. If you are also suffering from acne, you can find professional acne treatment from Zo Skin Health.

By now you should have realised that staying beautiful does not always have to be too challenging. You can upgrade your makeup skills using these simple hacks.

7 Tips To Help Improve Your Home On A Budget

2020-10-21T18:40:00.003+00:00

A beautifully decorated home doesn’t need to cost you a fortune. It’s quite easy to give your home a new lease of life without having to break the bank, especially when you use a few hints and tips to guide you. Believe it or not, it is possible to make an impact without having to do a complete renovation or spend a tonne of money.

Whether you have saved to do some decorating or you want to limit the amount you spend because are looking for loans for bad credit, you can rest assured that it is possible to create the house of your dreams and give it a new look without worrying about finding a lot of funds.

Have a look at the hints and tips below to help get you started:

Add Some Colour Too Your Walls

It’s certainly a time for don’t move, improve, and there is no easier way than with a lick of paint. It can give your home an instant lift as well as being inexpensive. Whether you paint the entire room or create a feature wall using frog tape to create a range of patterns, you will be guaranteed to find a new striking look that will impress.

Relook At What You Already Have

It costs you absolutely nothing to relook at what your room already provides you. Try moving a few pieces around, sometimes having a fresh look on a room can be all you need to motivate you to declutter and make it feel like new. Do you need everything you have? Or can you give you room a new open walkway by reducing your furniture collection? Less is definitely more in a home.

Be Careful With Your Lighting

The right lighting has the ability to completely transform any room. It can alter the mood at minimal cost, making it a great way to improve a home without spending a fortune. Replace mismatch lamps with a matching set, add a new lampshade to change the look of the central piece in your room, and change your light bulbs to natural bulbs to make your home feel like it’s letting in the outside. Remember to shop around when it comes to lighting, you will often come across bargains in this department it’s just about doing your research.

Change Up Your Throws And Cushions

Take a good look at your current cushions and throws, now you will probably be able to admit that they have seen better days. These items become drab and dreary without us realizing and can make a home look messy, cluttered, and unkept. Plus a lot of people start to blame their sofa and go out to spend a small fortune on a new one if you replace your cushions and throws you may find that it makes you sofa have anew lease of life and that you didn’t need to spend all that money in the first place. Want the ultimate bargain? Think about making your own cushions, there are plenty of tutorials on platforms such as Pinterest.

Create Your Own Headboard

You can easily give your bedroom an instant lift by making your own headboard. Cut some MDF to size and upholster it in a fabric of your choice, add button, gems, you name it to make it unique to you. You could even make some curtains and cushions to match. No one will have the same as you, and no one will be able to tell that you have done it yourself.

Add Some Mirrors

Mirrors are extremely cost-effective and a great alternative to artwork. You can use them to add shimmer and light to your walls. They work really well to maximize the light in your home if you put them on the wall opposite a window. Try not to use too many, but it’s not uncommon to see a mirror in every room, this is because it makes such a difference to the lighting in your home.

Transform Your Windows

Windows often get left unattended, however, they make a brilliant focal point without the need to overspend. Adding something like Roman blinds work as a fantastic low-effort but high-impact option. Making sure you have statement curtains that are properly hung and have ties back is another good way to make your windows look well dressed and standout. If you don’t want to lose out on any light, why not add a privacy film to your windows? It provides you with the privacy you need, the light that you need, and can easily be removed.

These seven tips are just the start of the many things you can do to your home on a budget. Have you started any low-cost projects to improve your home? Please share some ideas in the comments below.

Ideas & Inspiration For Dressing To Impress This Autumn

2020-09-21T07:08:00.003+00:00

Once again a new season is upon us, which means that it’s also the start of a new fashion season - aka AW2020. Of all the seasons, autumn can be one of the hardest to dress for, particularly as the weather is so indecisive - one minute it’s boiling hot and sunny, then next it’s freezing cold and raining - so it’s no wonder it’s a little more complex getting your look right. However, just because it’s a little hard to hone your autumn look, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get it right - it’s just a case of finding the right inspiration, that’s all.

What it’s important to remember when it comes to new season style is the fact that you don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe each season. A lot of the clothing from previous seasons can easily be updated to look smart, stylish, and on-trend, it’s just a case of knowing what steps you need to take in order to update your clothing. Believe it or not, it’s far easier than you might think.

Keen to dress to impress this autumn? Below are a few tips, ideas and pieces of inspiration to ensure that whatever you’re wearing - whether it’s last season’s items or new couture - you are on-trend. Read on for everything that you need to know about AW2020 fashion!

Have a wardrobe clear-out

One of the first steps that you need to take when it comes to ensuring that you are able to dress in a way that is on-trend, is to have a wardrobe clear-out. Take the time to sort through your wardrobe, picking out any items that you no longer like, don’t wear, or that don’t fit you anymore - there’s no point hoarding clothing, so take the time to have a good old clear out. You will feel better for it - a clearer wardrobe will allow you to see what items you’ve got, and determine how best to utilise them.

Any items that are summer-only items and you know that you won’t wear during the winter months, consider packing away and storing. That way you will leave your wardrobe clear for your autumn-winter wardrobe. When it comes to your wardrobe, the more space you have, the better, as that way it’s easier to see what items of clothing you have.

Look at what you've already got

The next step is to think about the items of clothing you have already got, and which ones you could incorporate into your autumn-winter 2020 looks. For instance, if you have items like pinafore dresses, plain skirts, jeans, and dungarees, these are fairly versatile items and don’t tend to change that much from season to season.

For example, a pinafore dress is a pinafore dress, and the design rarely changes. What might change, however, is how and what you wear a pinafore dress with, such as the colours, for instance. The good news is that by simply buying a new top in an on-trend colour, you can update an out-of-season pinafore dress, making it look like an on-trend item. It’s not just top colour that you can change either, you can also incorporate a quirky - and on-trend - pair of tights or boosts, for instance.

The fact is that you can easily utilise the garments you already have to create a number of on-trend, seasonal looks. It’s just a case of getting creative with what you’ve got, that’s all.

Create a capsule wardrobe

If you don’t already have a capsule wardrobe, now is the ideal time to create one. What is a capsule wardrobe and what is the benefit? A capsule wardrobe is simply a wardrobe of clothing where everything can be worn together - it’s a wardrobe that is versatile and accommodating, not to mention a wardrobe that keeps clothing costs low.

Creating a capsule wardrobe means putting together a collection of versatile clothing that will allow you to create a number of different looks that are stylish and on-trend. What’s great about a capsule wardrobe is that it can last for years, as you simply need to switch out certain basic garments as seasons and trends change.

So, what are some capsule wardrobe staples and what basics are needed to pair with them? In terms of staples, ideally, you would want to have: black jeans, blue jeans, simple skirts - ideally in monochrome tones - and a couple of different pinafore dress colours and styles. These items make up your staples, and then teamed with a collection of seasonal basics, such as on-trend tees, tights, jumpers, and cardigans. You can utilise a few basic items in the colour and style of the season’s trends to ensure that your capsule wardrobe always remains up to date - it’s a simple yet effective method of staying on-trend without breaking the bank.

Incorporate some new garments to team with your clothing

As touched on slightly above, a simple way to update an old look is by incorporating some new garments to team with older clothing. You would be amazed at how easy it is to update and upgrade an old look with a couple of new items. For autumn-winter 2020, jewel tones, metallics, lilac, and toffee-shades are on-trend, so buying garments and accessories in these colours can help you to update an old look more easily.

For instance, say you’ve got a gorgeous pair of black skinnies, these are truly versatile and will last for years, as jeans never go out of style even if new cuts come in each season. If you want to update the way in which you wear your jeans to meet the new season’s style trends, you might want to invest in a few new items to team with them. For a casual look, a simple tee tucked into your jeans, and topped with a shacket - aka a shirt jacket - could look fantastic, especially if you opt for a shacket in one of the on-trend tones - army green is a popular colour this season.

Utilise accessories to add style

Another simple way to add style to your look, and ensure that you are dressed in a way that meets this season’s trends, is to think about using accessories to update your look. You would be amazed at just how easily a few carefully throughout accessories can really lift an older look and make it look brand new again.

Wondering what items you can utilise to upgrade your look? There’s no limit to what works, from scarves, bags and tights to boots, cardigans, and hairbands, not to mention eyeglasses of course. If you’re someone who wears glasses, you can use your glasses to update your look and ensure that you are on-trend for the season at hand. When it comes to sourcing smart, stylish, fashionable glasses, resources like www.eyeglasses.com are invaluable. When it comes to adding style to a look, often it’s the little things that make all of the difference.

Jewellery is another option for adding a sense of on-trend style to your look - if you want to update an old look using accessories, a few carefully selected pieces of jewellery can help you to do that - even costume jewellery will do the trick.

Shoes are of course another way that you can update an older look - it’s just a case of choosing the right shoes to match the season. By upgrading your go-to shoe collection for the start of a new season, you can help to keep your look smart, stylish, and on-trend. Of course, if you have shoes such as ankle boots, for instance, these tend to stand the test of time and don’t really need updating, as they will last for years and still look on-trend. However, if you want to add a pair or two of new season-style shoes to your wardrobe, this can help you to more seamlessly update your look further.

The fact is that when it comes to the new season fashion trends, it’s easy to feel like you have to buy an entirely new wardrobe. However, the fact is that not everyone is able to afford to completely update their wardrobe each season - and to be totally honest, doing so is a huge waste. Just because an item of clothing is from last season or the season before, that doesn’t mean that it can’t look good - it’s just a case of knowing how to update your overall look by making a few small, simple changes.

Hopefully, the guide above will help you to learn how to seasonally update your look without having to replace your entire wardrobe in the process. Believe it or not, it’s actually easier than you might think to update your wardrobe by implementing a few new garments in the season’s on-trend colours and styles. If you’re stuck for ideas, you can find plenty of ideas and inspiration online - it’s just a case of taking the time to find the inspiration that you need to look and feel good whatever the season and year.

Hit The Floor!

2020-06-11T08:30:00.002+00:00

Painswick Oak Flooring**

#Advertisement Feature

2020 was supposed to be my year.

I was ready to have my hot girl summer but then the lock down happened. So now I'm trapped in my apartment - not a festival or bikini in site so I guess I better overhaul my apartment... again!

I have my paint ready to go, so my walls will be shiny and new in no time but what to do with the floor?

I have carpet in the hallway and bedrooms already but it's a constant struggle to keep it clean as carpets and shedding hair extensions are mortal enemies!

With this in mind I headed to Luxury Flooring & Furnishings* to look for an alternative. Looking through their site was easy and there are lots of different flooring choices from laminates to engineered and solid wood flooring to name few.

After oohing and aahing I deciding on Painswick Oak a engineered wood. The wood is warm and inviting but bright enough to bounce light off my walls and I love the way it was laid in the Herringbone pattern. It will look great with my furniture now and in the future and it looks super classy. Looking at the spec I noticed the wood can be re-sanded & re-varnished in the future if it gets tatty which will be perfect in my hallway as it gets the most wear and tear.

Before measuring up and placing a order I noticed I could order a free sample. This was simple, quick and easy to do. I ordered on Monday and fast forward to Wednesday the sample arrived.

I can't believe it came so quickly considering all the craziness in the world right now!!

Anyway the sample looked exactly like the pic on the site and the quality is fantastic. I'm super happy I just need to measure up and order away!

I might not get my hot girl summer but with my new flooring I'm sure to have a cool girl winter!

Are you thinking about getting new flooring and if so what are you getting?

*Advertisement Feature

** Image used with permission from Luxury Flooring & Furnishings

Give Yourself A Brand New Look This Year

2020-02-07T09:00:00.001+00:00

If you have ever had a morning when you have woken up, looked in the mirror and thought, I really want to make some changes to my look, then you may want to keep reading. While there are many posts out there that may suggest some huge things to revamp your look, this is not the direction this post is headed in.

Today, we are going to be looking at some of the simple things you should be considering when it comes to changing your look. While they may be simple, more often than not, it’s the basic things that will always make the biggest difference.

Why You Don’t Need to Overdo Things

One of the most important things you should remember when it comes to giving yourself a new look is not to go OTT. While you may not like everything you see when you look in the mirror, the truth is, not many people do.

When it comes to making yourself feel brand new and looking completely different, you may be surprised at the difference; the smallest things can make. While we may only suggest some very simple things that can alter your look, maybe it’s worth trying them before you move onto something that could be more expensive and more drastic.

Make A Few Subtle Changes

If you want to make a difference to your appearance with something small but effective, why not start off with something really subtle.

One of the best things you can try is maybe mixing up your makeup a little bit. If you are not confident doing this, then there is an amazing and free thing you can do. If you head to your local beauty store, you will often find makeup counters that will be willing to sit you down and try out a few things with you. All you need to do is tell them what your vision is and let them loose on your face.

All you need to do is tell them what your vision is and let them loose on your face.If you want to try something that may make a little more of an impact, then maybe you could consider a new piercing. The great thing about piercings is, if you don’t like them, you can just take them out and best of all, they can offer so much to your look.

Whether you choose a nose or helix piercing, you will find that they offer a lot to your look and you may even feel great about your appearance once again with simple little addition.

Finally, we are going to look at the simplest addition of all; if you want to feel brand new, then it’s time to give your wardrobe an overhaul. By introducing some new outfits into your life, you will also be bringing in a lot more confidence, and you will find a side to you that you may have thought had disappeared some time ago.

The truth is, as soon as you target the most basic of things, you will start to feel amazing once again, and let’s face it, you deserve to feel that way.

Fun Ways to Make Yourself Feel Pretty Day to Day

2020-01-29T18:00:00.001+00:00

Life is busy and chaotic, sometimes our appearance is at the bottom of the priority list. But there’s nothing worse than catching sight of yourself in a mirror or a shop window halfway through the day and being shocked at how bad you look- from under eye circles to scruffy hair, unflattering clothes - it can make you feel rubbish. If you’re fed up with looking a mess and want to take steps to feel prettier and more confident, here are some fun ways you can go about it.

Try a new makeup look

Makeup is a fantastic tool. It can completely transform your face, or it can subtly hide scars, marks and even out your complexion - it can be whatever you want it to be. If you have more time one day you could play around with smokey eyes, contouring and different lip colours - you can keep it more subtle if it’s earlier in the day or go full on glam if you’re going on a night out. If you don’t have much time in the morning, how about coming up with a five minute makeup routine? A bit of concealer, some pressed powder, mascara and a swipe of lip colour can make you feel much better about yourself for the rest of the day.

Have your hair done

If you’re currently trying to keep a super high maintenance style, chances are between hair appointments and on days that you don’t have much time, your style looks really bad. Instead of working against your natural hair, work with it. Instead of dying it a colour which requires constant root uptake, work with your natural shade. Not only will this suit you well, but it will be far easier to keep on top of. If your hair is curly, scrunch through some mousse and embrace your curls instead of battling the straighteners every morning. If it’s naturally straight, enjoy the sleek look instead of fussing around with hair curlers and extensions. You’ll feel much more put together each day, instead of your hair looking scruffy and only looking its best on days that you have more time.

Buy some new clothes

Comfortable, practical clothes are what most of us need day to day. However, clothes can still look good while fulfilling these purposes. Instead of throwing on loungewear like tracksuit bottoms and oversized hoodies, look into comfy jersey dresses, wear them with tights and put a comfy cardigan over the top. Another option would be a pair of jeggings with some flat boots and a flowy top. You’ll be just as comfortable, but the clothes will flatter your body shape and you won’t find yourself hiding away. You can easily pop on a statement necklace, grab a brightly coloured back or throw on a patterned scarf to add more interest with very little hassle or effort.

It’s good to dress up and look nice if you’re going out and have more time, but you can feel pretty every day too if you follow this simple advice. It’s a great way to give your self esteem a boost.

Decorating My New Apartment

2019-10-14T16:41:00.002+00:00

Coconut Chilli Lunchtime Delivery Review

2016-07-26T05:00:00.000+00:00

I adore Indian food - I honestly could eat it every day and now this seems a lot easier with Coconut Chilli's lunchtime delivery service.

Coconut Chilli are a Bristol based company who make curries inspired by ingredients from India's Hill Station region. The dishes are freshly prepared using fresh local ingredients and are free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.

Yum this looks so good

Let me tell you these dishes are the real deal and so fresh they only have a shelf life of 6 days, so you know they've not been hanging about for ages in some factory.

Coconut Chilli have currently 4 dishes in their range; Cardamom scented chicken with squash, Shrimp and coconut milk korma with crunchy cashews & lastly Root vegetable, mooli with lentil sambhar. These dishes are available to buy online & now they offer a delivery service straight to your office.

Fresh & Tasty and all you need in 1 pot

I received the Lamb and black pepper keema meatballs in spicy coconut gravy* which arrived by courier in a box stuffed with woolcool liners and the cutest silver ice-packs to keep the dish cold.

The minute it arrived in the office that was it - everyone wanted to know what I received and where they could order a curry straight to the door. As the dishes are microwavable I had 3 people waiting for me to head to the microwave with forks ready to 'help me' eat my lunch.

Err no.

Your asses are too thirsty!

So as much as I wanted to have my dish for lunch I knew I wouldn't get a mouthful so I took it home and had it for dinner. Yes, I missed the point of the whole deliver for lunch thing but it look so damn tasty it was causing serious food envy with my colleagues boring sandwiches. You have been warned!

Anyway so later on I get home & zap the lamb meatballs in microwave and boom!

Oh yes, get in my belly

Taste on a plate!

I enjoyed every mouthful of the meatballs they were really soft & tasty and the sauce was hot and spicy but not over powering.

I really loved the dish and can't wait to try out the other dishes - great addition to the lunchtime menu.

As Coconut Chilli are a small company these meal pots can be ordered in any combination from 10 upwards & remember just because you buy them for lunch it doesn't mean you can't have them for dinner!

*promotional sample received

MYA Vaser Journey: Part 5 Surgery Day at MYA Fitzroy

2016-05-30T11:16:00.000+00:00

Here it is surgery day!!

If you're not certain what surgery I'm having and want to catch up catch all the other parts here - 1, 2, 3 & 4.

Ready? Let's go....

Last night we arrived in London late and straight away I went to bed ready for the morning. I normally get up early to go to work so I was up at 5.30. To kill a bit of time have a good old gossip with my cousin who lives in London, watch some TV for a few hours & do a bit of blogging before heading out.

I'm staying in Farringdon so its about 4ish stops and a short walk to MYA Fitzroy - so even though I didn't know where I was going it was super easy to find.

Oh My I'm So Excited!!

My admission time was at 10 a.m and they pre-warn you that this is not your surgery time - you could have up to a 6 hour wait. Not an issue, got my ipad (free WiFi on site), magazine and I'm sure they'll be a few girls there to have a good old gossip with whilst I'm waiting.

Entering the waiting room there was just one lady waiting and she looks like she might be waiting for someone as she has no bag with her - so no-one to gossip with yet! I'm just about to sit down and a nurse calls my name and asks me to follow her upstairs.

All Alone At MYA Fitzroy

We arrive on the hospital floor & I'm surprised to see my name is on the door as well as well my Dr's name - Dr Joffily. The room is nicely made up with a TV, wardrobe, sink & bathroom. The room is a double but I appear to be the only one in the room as the other bed is not made up. The nurse let's me know there is a hospital gown to get changed into, I need to be measured for compression sock, blood pressure/temperature taken and a pregnancy test needs to be done. This is all done in a matter of 10-20 minutes - it's not rushed but there was no hanging about.

My Legs Are Getting Surgery Ready

After lying down for about for 10 minutes Dr Joffily came in and we signed some paperwork and re-confirmed some details. Dr Joffily asked me if it was OK if they used general anaesethetic instead of local. I was okay with this as I think this would be better for me and my 'Band C' fat. Dr Joffily marked me up, left and then the anaesthetist came in to confirm some details and then I had to sign some more paperwork.

I sat back on the bed sent a couple of texts and then a nurse popped her head round the door and said they were going to take me up to surgery shortly.

WOW!

Really it was not even 11 a.m yet. I couldn't believe me luck. Every time I was about to whip out my phone to take some pictures - more stuff was happening.

Gotta Love The No Make-Up Rule :(

Heading to the theatre I wasn't nervous more like surprised that I was going up so quickly. Once in theatre more details were reconfirmed again and then with a 1, 2, 3 I was out.

I woke up then at about 3.10 in my garment and back in my room!

Waking up I felt groggy but in no pain, going to the bathroom was difficult as I was stiff but I managed to hobble about. After about 3 hours the nurse said I could be released. At this stage I was leaking a lot from the tumescent fluids which is the norm so they gave me some extra compression sock & some protective plastic sheets.

Chilling After Surgery With My Gammy Foot

Around 6.45 my cousin came to pick me up, I was pleased to see him - it's really important to have someone to lean on after having surgery as getting about is awkward. When we drove down we took the Range Rover and getting in and out was no problem but after surgery it was pure hell as they are so high! My cousin had to lift me in out and out of the car as I couldn't bend my knee's but not before I put some towels down just in case of leakage.

Getting back to the apartment was straight forward enough, I was fearful we'd get stuck in traffic but the roads were surprisingly clear & it took just 20 minutes to get back.

So glad I was staying so close by.

Overall I feel okay tonight, just chilled out had some dinner but found it difficult to sleep mainly because I had drunk so much water. I was up and down to the toilet every 30 minutes!

In the morning we packed up and headed back home.

Today is 2 day's after surgery and I'm at home. I'm in no pain it's just uncomfortable walking, getting up and getting down so going to the ladies room is a event but gets easier every time. Getting used to the garment is also a little tricky, very hard to sleep properly all trussed up. Glad I did food prep as this is massive weight of my mind. For the first 3-4 days at least I can just chill

Right time to rest up and recuperate. My next update will cover the 6 week post surgery period.

*These events have already taken place but were written at the time.

Elle Beauty School At Debenhams Cardiff Review

2016-05-17T05:00:00.001+00:00

In April one sunny morning I headed off to my local Debenhams for the Elle Beauty School event.

I've got a golden ticket

This was a tour which introduces you to the latest trends in make-up and show's you how to do it yourself with help from YSL Beaute's make-up artists. These events were initially launched to celebrate the advanced version of YSL's Touch Eclat Foundation.

Arriving at Debenhams finding the YSL set up was easy and there was about 12 area's set up with make-up trays already assembled.

A couple of the staff came round with make-up remover for us to remove our make-up and a make-up artist came round to help us find the right shade of foundation for me which was B80. Mine took little longer to do which I took on the chin but knew it was because my skin shade as they had to find the right one.

After waiting for a few minutes we were all there and Sophie introduced herself and told us what the next hour would bring. iPad's were set up showing the latest trends and all we had to do was follow the video using the colors in front of us.

A bit of guidance by Elle

This was relatively simple but of course all of the shades in my tray were not complimentary to any skin tone which was not 'fair'. So every time I had to apply a eye shadow/blusher/highlighter I had to ask for a different shade to compliment my tone. Initially this wasn't an issue but by the end I was a little ticked off with having to constantly ask for things.

My make-up area

At the end of the hour we all had our pics taken in the photo area & my ticket allowed me to choose something from YSL up to £25 so I thought I'd grab the Touche Eclat foundation I was wearing as it seemed pretty good.

I won't give up the day job

When I got to the YSL counter one of the PR girls could not find my shade to which one of her colleagues piped up 'we don't stock unpopular colors'.

Okay, last straw.

I was not impressed by this comment one little bit and told her so. The first PR girl looked liked she wanted the ground to swallow her up and looked horrified and apologized. First of all you have an event which clearly was not designed to cater for all skin shades and then you hire staff who clearly have no tact what-so-ever.

My 'unpopular' shade

We tried to find some way round the foundation issue and asked the manager if I could pick up my 'unpopular shade' in a few days time when one came in but she was in no way interested. Eventually I left with a Touche Eclat only to discover one in the goodie bag... not to worry it wasn't my shade anyway!!

Some of the treats on the day

Lawd, you would of thought the staff would of swapped it for the shade I just picked up and told me to pick something else or Elle/YSL would of put a black mascara in the bag as this would cover everyone.

Overall I really like the idea of an expert showing you how to do the latest looks but feel that consideration has to be put in place that not everyone turning up will have a fair complexion. Setting up an event & having just the 'popular' shades of foundations on hand means you were never really catering to anyone else in the beginning.

Anyway I did pass on my feedback to Elle to which I received no response what-so-ever so I think we know where they stand on the issue!

MYA Surgery: Part 4 The Day Before Surgery

2016-05-15T11:37:00.003+00:00

It's the day before my surgery so if you've missed the other parts then click here for Part 1, 2 & 3.

Yesterday was my last day in work for a little while. I have taken 2 full weeks off and today we are driving down to London ready for the surgery in the morning. (My journey is serialized and surgery would already have taken place by the time this goes online).

I have been given a admission time of 10 a.m so I'm not the first one in but still its the morning which means I don't have that much time to sit around and get nervous.

On the weekend I picked up some bits of pieces that I was told I would need either via MYA or the forums:

Pyjamas, dressing gown, slippers, Hibiscrub (anti bacterial wash) & Arnica

I also bought some joggers and a zip up top as it's recommended to have something easy to pull on after surgery.

To make life easier for myself I've cleaned the house from top to bottom to make sure that I won't need to do anything when I get back.

I've prepped some food beforehand so for the first few days I will have some tasty food to eat.

Some of my food for the upcoming week

I don't see myself as being incapable after the surgery but doing this would definitely take the pressure of me having to worry about what to eat. For my meals I just prepped 2 different types of meals: Chargrilled Salmon, roast veg & springs greens, Chargrilled Lemon & herb chicken, Baby Corn with Shitake Mushroooms & Pak Choi.

Food is ready and waiting for me

Prepping the meals was super easy and its great knowing that I can grab a meal out the fridge and I'm good to go. I used Meal Prep containers by Meal Heaven a 7 container pack was just £12.95 from Amazon. I've used these containers before - very handy when you're trying to stick to a diet or you just want to make sure that your portions are not out of control.

Get in my belly

Well that's me all prepped and packed up.

Ready for the off!

Thin thighs I'm coming to get you!!

Next time: Surgery Day

MYA Vaser Surgery: Part 3 Pre-Op

2016-05-03T05:00:00.001+00:00

Time has now moved on and I'm just a few days away from having my surgery done. Read parts 1 & 2.

Waiting for my surgery seems to be taking forever but in reality its only been like 3 weeks since I paid - they are really quick with dates!

At every stage the MYA staff give you loads of info about the procedure and what to expect but reading about other people's experience has really put me in the loop. I've been obsessed with the MYA forum and Realself for tips/tricks and patient journeys. I would really recommend these sites if you're thinking of having surgery to get the bigger picture even before you go for a consultation

Anyway...

Before you're given the complete go ahead by MYA to have surgery you discuss pre-existing conditions & you have to get a letter from your GP.

Show me the way to heaven please

Since I've been given the go ahead its just a few days before surgery so I popped into my local MYA for a pre-op appointment. This is just a meeting with the nurse, pics were taken, I was weighed and we ran through a list of things to do/not do before surgery. I was also given lots of printouts with all these details plus info on the hospital, parking etc.

My Vaser surgery is due to take place at MYA Fitzroy, London. After surgery a chaperone has to pick you up, stay with you & you must stay within 1 hour of the hospital that night. You can of course stay at the Fitzroy but it's £400, so I won't be doing that!

Luckily for me my 2 cousins have come to the rescue - 1 will be my chaperone/driver and the other one is providing digs for us before and after the surgery. It's then back to Wales the day after surgery.

As for the actual surgery I'm booked in for 3 hours under local anaesethetic. On a poster in MYA they say they can remove up to 4 litres of fat in 2 hours using the Power 'X' machine. So with this in mind I'm assuming that my 3 hour slot includes time to be anaesethized. I'm hoping to lose 3 litres of fat & for the shape of my thighs to improve.

I’m a realist so I’m not expecting to walk in a size 12/14 and leave a size 2. The aim of the procedure is to remove ‘stubborn’ fat & to sculpt areas - it is not a weight loss treatment. Whilst 3 litres of fat would be loads it will be from 2 area's (stomach & thighs) so I doubt I will look different to people who see me day to day. The difference will be when I go shopping and I don't have to buy a size up to cater for my thighs & of course when I'm naked.

I have booked just over 2 weeks off and I will use that time to recover and get used to to the 2 compression garments that I'll need to wear 24/7 for 6 weeks.

24/7 & 6 weeks?

Yep you heard that right. I'm gonna be trussed & bounded up for 6 weeks. The compression garment helps control swelling and aid’s skin shrinking to the new sculptured area.

I have heard nothing but terrible things about the compression garments, so I'm not looking forward to wearing them but they are essential to getting great results.

Right time for some last minute buys...

Next time: The day before surgery

*This series on my Vaser journey was written as it happened but has been serialized

Turtle Bay Cardiff Review

2016-05-01T12:06:00.001+00:00

I'm after a bit of sun, jerk and reggae so I head to the Turtle Bay restaurant in Cardiff to put a smile back on my face*.

Turtle Bay is Caribbean based restaurant taking some of the best love dishes from the Caribbean and bringing them to the mainstream. The restaurants are brightly decorated and feature posters of Caribbean iconography like Red Stripe & Bob Marley.

I literally want all of the posters

The decor is really well done I love reading all the posters & the displays of hot sauces makes me wanted to or try them all out - even though I know this will be a mistake!

Great interior

Once we settled down into our seats we checked out the menu which appeared to be bigger than the one that we found online earlier on in the week. This threw us into a spin being greedy guts we had already pre-selected what we wanted to eat!

Back to the drawing board!!

After perusing the menu for a few minutes I ordered the Jerk Pork Ribs with spicy fries & my friend ordered the Chicken Festival salad. Being greedy guts we also ordered a extra portion of spicy fries (for the salad chick), plantain & fried dumplings

Whilst we waited for the food, we sat back took in the ambience and had a good old gossip. The food only took about 20 minutes to come out & when it arrived it looked gorgeous. We couldn't wait to get stuck in.

My friends Chicken Festival Salad had mini fillets of jerk chicken laid on top of rocket, baby gem lettuce and was stuffed to the gills with mango, avocado, sugar snaps not just salad leaves.

A festival of flavors

The side dishes were ok. The fries were nicely spiced, dumplings were dumpliney but I like my plantain a little more ripe so it tastes really sweet when fried.

Side chicks

My dish looked tasty - meaty ribs, nicely cooked fries with salad I was just about to tuck in when I noticed the ribs came with the sour orange chutney I asked to be left off (twice) so I sent it back. My friend of course was salivating so I told her to go ahead and tuck in!

Dinner time!

When my dish arrived back from what I could taste of it, it was fine. The ribs were full of flavor, but before I managed to tuck right in I found the ribs with the chutney had been placed underneath the other ribs. I couldn't finish that part of my meal. Not impressed. But I did speak to Turtle Bay regarding this and the matter was resolved.

Anyway my friend said her Festival Salad was scrummy & it was so huge that she asked to take the rest home with her so she could make room for dessert.

Too bad I dislike raisins :(

My friend ordered Rum & Raisin Bread pudding - it looked and smelt amazing. My friend really really enjoyed it, great texture, well made but maybe just a touch more rum was needed.

We ordered quite a lot of food for two peeps - 2 mains, 3 sides & a dessert which came to £34. I thought it was good value but £2.50 for a can of Ting is outrageous.

Rainy outside but always sunny inside

If you have never tried Caribbean food this is a great place to have a dabble especially with lunches from £7. But if you're used to the 'real thing' then the food might not be for you but their cocktails are amazing & should not be missed by anyone.

*This review was written in February 2016 but unpublished

MYA Vaser Surgery: Part 2 Meeting My Surgeon

2016-04-29T09:24:00.003+00:00

I’m on a journey to have slimmer thighs and have decided to get Vaser surgery….

Read Part 1 before catching up to where we are now…

I arrived over to the Bristol clinic in good time and as usual with MYA there was little to no waiting time before I heading in to see Dr Joffily.

I was a little nervous on the inside as I was scared that Dr Joffily would see my thunder thighs in the flesh and say that they were not suitable. But my meeting with Dr Joffilly went well. He had a look at the area I wanted the Vaser Surgery done which is right at the top of my thighs (hence no pictures) & recommended I have it all the way down to my knee's.

Yikes!

All the way done to the knee's was a bigger area than I thought I needed, but I was happy to go with his recommendation for the best results.

Since I was already disrobed in front of a man that I had just met 4 minutes ago I asked Dr Joffily to look at my stomach area. Dr Joffily had a thorough look and said he could do it the same time if I wanted to.

Satisfied with my consult all that was left to do was to discuss the price with a Personal Co-ordinater (PC). The prices at MYA are bespoke based on what you require so I had two different prices one for doing the inner thighs only and then one for stomach and thighs.

The price was more expensive than I first thought it would be due to the work involved & being 'Band C' fat (I don't think this was a good thing!).

I breathed in deeply when I saw the prices - either one was equivalent to a small deposit on a house.

Driving back home I really thought about whether or not I should get the surgery done or not. The safety aspect was never an issue for me but now it was down to price. Should I do both area's, just one area or spend a quarter of the price on a gym membership and a personal trainer for 24 months?!

Yep, this ain't for the broke.

After thinking about it that night I knew that I really wanted to get it all done despite the cost.

So I had a chat with Sarah my personal care co-ordinator & looked at some part finance options. Everything worked out so I went ahead, paid up and now I’m waiting for my appointment which is in just 3 weeks’ time.

Next time: Pre-Op & Shopping!!

*My Vaser Surgery has been serialized.

Spa Day At Hale Country Club & Spa

2016-04-25T07:30:00.001+00:00

Last month it was my cousin's birthday and to celebrate her fabulousness we descended upon Hale Country Club & Spa for a day of pampering Cheshire style.

Okay so if any of my readers lives up in Hale then you are truly blessed with the best country club in the world!! From the minute you enter to the moment you leave it is full on luxury with great customer service.

There were 6 of us booked into the spa day on the Spa Discovery package which is a full day at the spa, 1 x 60 minute treatment, lunch & refreshments.

We signed in at reception and organized who would go in first for treatments before heading down to the uber swanky changing rooms - man this place is like a 5 star hotel.

This light is flattering to everyone

Piece of fruit, Fruit infused water? Don't mind if I do!

All wrapped up in the gorgeous robe and slippers we made our way back upstairs - 3 of us went in for our treatments and the other peeps chilled out/used the gym.

After a short while it was time for me to head in for my treatment. I had chosen the ESPA Anti Cellulite Hip & Thigh Treatment from a long list of treatment as y'all know I'm obsessed with my thighs. Oh my, this was heaven. I'm not too into being touched by randoms I'm just not a massagey type of person but this was truly relaxing. The masseuse really got in there with a series of lotion, potions and scrubs by ESPA.

It felt wonderful.

Oh man, no make-up at the spa :(

After our treatments we hung out in the champagne lounge for a little while to let all the lotions and potions sink in. We sat back and sipped lemon water before heading onto the heated loungers and into the heated infinity pool.

Aaah this is the life

There is nothing like swimming in an hot infinity pool with the crisp cool air around you.

Wellness pool - love it just like Hogwarts

After a little relax and splash around it was time for lunch which we had already pre-ordered from a set menu. As we made our way over to the table there was champagne waiting for us and then the food came out.

Are all these for me?!

I had ordered the Prawn Hot & Sour soup & Chicken Robata with Mango salsa.

Oh this was so tasty

Other goodies ordered by my fellow spa-ers were Tempura sushi roll, edamame beans, sticky glazed pork & grilled haloumi cheese. For 20 minutes there was silences as we all tucked in.

All the food was lush

The lunch was gorgeous & filling but not too much - after all you are on a spa day!

After lunch we then went into the Rasul which a room full of steam and mud! 4 little gorgeous pots full of different types of mud for the face and body ready to be rubbed all over. The room is gorgeous head-to-toe in tiles with a cute little bench probably not designed for 6 people though! It was a snug little fit but one of the highlights of the day. My skin felt like butter after washing the clay off for days afterwards.

Who knew mud could be so much fun?

Once we finished in the Rasul it was back to the spa area. I went into all of the different heat treatment rooms sauna, fire & ice, steam & salt.

Sauna time

Then it was one last lay on the loungers and a dip in the pool before reluctantly leaving for dinner and drinks in Manchester.

You know I stayed in the shallow end right?

I had a lovely time at the spa and if I lived locally I would definitely be here all the time, its no wonder you Cheshire cats are always smiling.

MYA Vaser Surgery: Part 1 Vaser or Liposuction?

2016-04-22T07:30:00.001+00:00

Since about 1996 I have disliked my thighs.

Now, I haven’t stopped talking to them but over the years we have not got on.

I’m a size 12/14 depending on fabric – not fat but not thin. I have tried lots & lots of treatments over the years to get rid of stubborn fat but it’s finally got to a stage when I either have to face up to the fact that my thighs are not my friend or I need to do something permanent.

My Nemesis

So with that in mind I took myself off to Transform and MYA to see what surgery if any was open to me and also the cost.

My initial meetings with both clinics were led by Patient Care Co-ordinator's (PC) these are the ladies that will guide you during your cosmetic surgery query right to the end results if you decide to proceed. Before I went in I knew that 2 possible options were open to me traditional liposuction or Vaser liposelection.

After meeting with both PC's I felt that MYA was more ‘me’ & that Vaser surgery was what I wanted as the skin tightens during the surgery and there is less down time.

Decision made!

So I took the next step and booked a consultation with the surgeon who luckily had one spare slot the following week over in Bristol.

Arriving at the Bristol clinic I was excited to meet Dr Max Marcellino as MYA give you a print out on your surgeon. Reading up on Dr Marcellino I felt really confident as he had loads of great reviews online.

MYA give you lots of docs to read

At my consult I virtually bursting through the door of the consult room - I couldn't wait to drop my pants and show Dr Marcellino my problem area and in just under 5 minutes my meeting was over.

5 minutes?

Yep, honey that was all that was needed.

Dr Marcellino was lovely & super quick. He looked at the area but recommended that I see Dr Joffily the Brazilian surgeon instead who would be in Bristol in just under 2 weeks.

Upon hearing his recommendation I was immediately panicked and worried. Not because of Dr Joffilly but concerned that maybe my thighs were soooo huge nothing could be done or that this was a ‘sign’.

I booked the appointment to see Dr Jofilly but after a few days I cancelled it. I was just so worried that I would be wasting both our time but after speaking to Sarah (my PC) she forwarded some pics to Dr Joffilly to get his opinion.

Not too long after sending the pictures over to Dr Joffily, Sarah got back to me and said that Dr Jofilly could do the Vaser Surgery and the appointment was set back up.

So off I headed back to t’internet to research everything I could about Dr Joffilly and Vaser.... man this is beginning to feel like stalking!

Next time... Part 2: Meeting Dr Joffily

*To effectively blog my journey will be serialized

Winter Sun & Golfing in Villaricos

2015-12-12T13:29:00.002+00:00

The beautiful coastline of Villaricos

Summer has long gone and I was in desperate need of a bit of R & R so I jumped on easyjet & left behind cold Wales for 5 days and headed to Spain.

Arriving in Spain the weather was distinctly warmer than the UK about 22 degrees but very cold in the evening more shorts, t-shirts and cardi weather rather than bikini. It was lovely to have any sun as it was particularly cold in the UK when I left so the fact that it wasn’t blistering hot was not really an issue.

Not Miami but look at those palm trees in December

I've been to Spain a couple of time before - Marbs, Barcelona and also Madrid but never to the south coast, so this time I headed to a small fishing village just outside Almería called Villaricos.

Villaricos is a very nice small town but very very quiet in the winter. The town allegedly is busier and much hotter in the summer. There are a couple of busier towns nearby Garrucha, Mojacar (if you have a head for heights) & of course Almería.

Love the sky in this town

This side of Spain is considered to be very 'Spanish' and not touristy which is fantastic for the authentic side of things but no chance of throwing shapes to a bit of Rhi Rhi & anyone under pension age might struggle with things to see or do.

Keep it clean ladies! Ha! Ha! Ha!

So what did I get up to?

Well there was a lot of eating… so much I forget to take pictures of some of my meals but notable meals include Garrucha Prawns at Rincon Del Puerto, middle eastern food at Taberna Christina, nice meal at Goah & Paella at La Balsica Villaricos.

Tomato salad with anchovies. Yummy

Finding Paella was hard but I got some in the end

There was also a little bit of drinking – mainly vodka but I do love a bit of Cava and would of loved to have gone to a vineyard like the Freixenet vineyard just outside Barcelona.

Cava anytime over the dreaded Prosecco

In between eating, drinking there was of course golfing! For the last few years I've wanted to take up golfing not for the sporting aspect but for the outfits!

Ready to hit the driving range

I think I look pretty great playing golf and since getting back I've been bidding like mad on a set of clubs to hit my local driving range with of course these need to be pink and fabulous!

Getting my golf on

Joking aside playing golf was a lot of fun, I went to Valle del Este Resort & I had 10 minutes with a pro who gave me some great tips on how to improve my swing. I tried to book a lesson but funnily enough he was leaving the country and was not going to be available!! I would like to think this was entirely coincidental!

I'm a natural!

Overall visiting Villaricos & the neighbouring towns was a pleasant little break, I came back feeling refreshed, relaxed and ready for rain, rain and more rain in Wales!

Shrinking Violet Body Review At Ice Body Sculpting Cardiff

2015-11-29T16:00:00.001+00:00

December is the month to dig out the little black dress and show the world how fabulous you look.

Alas if you’re like me it always gets to November for me to realize that my body could do with being a little bit tinier for that fabulous dress I’ve just tried to squeeze myself into.

With this is mind I set off to Ice Body Sculpting in Cardiff for a Shrinking Violet Body wrap the body wrap that celebs have been going crazy for.

The Shrinking Violet Oil is a blend of botanicals & lecithen. The oil is massaged into the body and the oil works by using Lipolysis a process that binds & breaks down fat cells. Your body naturally dispels the fat through your lymphatic system. NO muss no fuss.

Weapons of Choice

Before this fabulous treatment could begin I was measured all over so the results could be compared afterwards.

All measured up! Let the treatment begin!

Next up I had a quick rub down with a body brush & then Nerys rubbed the Shrinking Violet oil all over my body and wrapped me in special spa wrap film.

Doing my best mummy impression

ow as you can see this is not an attractive look but I felt myself getting slimmer already.

I hobbled up onto the beauty bed where a nice warming blanket was ready to keep me toastie and warm. Nerys wrapped me up in the towels and left me to day dream of smooth gorgeous thin thighs for about an hour.

When my time was up I was cut out of my new plastic suit and re-measured.

I lost an staggering 20.5 cm which is equivalent to 8 inches all over on the initial day and then when I re-measured myself 3 days later I lost another 3 inches taking my total loss to a stonking 11 inches.

I love the Shrinking Violet wrap & I can see why so many celebs & people are go ga-ga over it.

The results are near enough instant and if you have a LBD/ bride/bridesmaid dress that you need a little help getting into this is really going to help. I really love this as treat day for a bride & matron of honour/mother of the bride treat or how about a girly spa day out?

The Shrinking Violet Body Wrap is just £50 or if you fancy booking it for two of you its £40pp or for lots of inches off £145 for course of 3 sessions!!

So pleased with my inch loss now of course I just need to find the perfect LBD!

Safe Car Journey Tips

2015-11-11T16:00:00.001+00:00

Just over a year ago I passed my driving test and bought a new car a Fiat 500.

My ickle car

Since getting my car its been fun zipping around Cardiff but I also have something new to think about like car maintenance.

Luckily for me the Fiat 500 has all types of fancy things as standard which tells me if I need to put oil/petrol in the car (yeah I'm that girl) and if any air is needed in my tyres.

My car is fantastic for helping me keep an eye on those things on a day-to-day basis but before I take any long journey I always like to make sure that no problems will happen along the way.

These things are essential to make sure your journey goes as smooth as possible.

Check the oil by pulling out the dip stick wiping it with lint free cloth and then resubmerge. The gauge on the dipstick should be between min and max. If it's looking a little low then top up but make sure the car is on even ground.

Fill up the windscreen bottle - nice clean windows are essential

Check all bulbs are working

Check the tyres tread and pressure. So far my tyres are great but if I needed new ones I would head to Point S tyre depot in Cardiff who stock all brands of tyres including the ones I need for my little Fiat.

Petrol - essential to have a full tank just in case there is a diversion or traffic jam.

Sat Nav! I love my Tom Tom - every car should have one as standard & I urge all drivers to get one & keep it updated!!

Lastly for my journey I would need some great old school tunes from Kisstory & a huge bag of Wine gums!

Ready for my journey!

How do you prepare for a long journey in the car?

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