Sarahs Scribbles

Happy God Damn Monday!!!

2012-01-23T10:21:00.001Z

Just wanted to drop a blog post on you for a second.... Monday. For some of you its the word that evokes fear in you, makes you more tired and a little more ranty - well STOP RIGHT THERE!

I know Monday's aren't easy, but it is a new day for you all, a new working week, and the chance to better things in your life that perhaps are bringing you down a little bit. I know some thing's aren't perfect, but did anyone tell you on the day your were born that every day was going to be so god damn amazing and everything in this world was A-OK? Nope, didn't think so. Get with the programme peeps, Monday comes every week, at the same time - deal with it.

This weekend, I took a long hard look at myself (not easy on a no make-up day that's for sure) and realised exactly what I have around me. It was all spurned on by a group of certain people: Karleen Smith - who quite frankly is the most positive person I know and always manages to make me see sense. she also writes a pretty darn amazing blog, she HERE, and also my fab neighbour, Jennie, who is such an amazing woman and I get to have her as my neighbour, I mean how lucky am I?! I have decided that I need to stop wallowing in my own pity, lets face it, its not going to help me, or my situation and it also means I can stop moaning at all you lovely people (your ears can breathe a sigh of relief)

I have started cycling to work again, which on average is about 3-4 miles each way, and yes I know it's not much, but a little bit of exercise in the morning is amazing and to top it all, I feel so good about me, it helps when you sing to Michael Jackson at 7am to no-one at all! As well as doing this, I shall be running in the evenings every other day and par-taking in a work out DVD. I am trying out Davina's Body Buff DVD as quite frankly, it is a little bit of awesome. Targeting specific areas is what this DVD does best, and let me tell you, I sure as hell need that (I will be doing a full review shortly) So my fitness plan is DONE! I am also going to be joining Nutra-Check again. This is something I joined a fair few years ago now, and is just an online food diary! simples! As a daily sufferer of crippling IBS attacks it is imperative that I get to grips with my standard of eating, and let me tell you all now - it aint good!

Something for you!
Aside from my plan to life, I'm also sending daily/weekly emails to two of my gorgeous senoritas: @avragejosephine and @katybbrap - these two girls are in the same boat as me: we all want to lose a stone and kick this years ass! The emails are going to focus on health, fitness and food, doing new things and working on you as a person! It will consist of tasks to be done, advice, motivational words and tips on making this year the best year. I don't claim to know everything in life but what I do know, is that you are a long time dead, so this coupled with my new way of thinking, I wanted to spread some of my kick-assness to people. The first email has already gone out, and if anyone would like in on this email, do drop me a line on: sarahs_scribbles@yahoo.co.uk Sbject: Drop a stone and Kick-Ass and I will add you and include you in on this road to life full of fun! What have you got to lose huh!?

Well, that's my preaching done for today! Tell me, how are you feeling this Monday????

An Ode to.... the scales of doom

2012-01-22T15:34:00.000Z

I'm pretty sure that every time I pass the bathroom, I can hear the dulcet tones of the Funeral March drifting from 'them'. The sheer thought of 'them' evokes fear into me and its enough to get my clothes off even in the most freezing of mornings. What am I talking about? The bathroom scales.

This is my ode to you....

Oh, how on a Monday, instead of looking forward to the beginning of a new working week, I tip toe into the same room as you and just hope you don't notice me. I can feel your steely screen glaring at me as I stand there rubbing sleep from my eyes, yeah, I'm not looking at you. Maybe if I avoid all kinds of eye contact you wont notice me or start your gravitational pull. The curious cat side of me thinks that maybe, just maybe, if I put my big toe on you, you will magically give me the figure that I so desperately want, cos y'know, obviously, my big toe's weight is the equivalent of my entire body, right? ..... right???oh no, you are far too clever for any of those shenanigans. Every other day, the same sequence goes, we try to ignore each other, or should I say I avoid you, but not the other way round, nope. Every day you taunt me 'come on Sarah, just a small step, a teeny tiny step on me and your fate will be revealed' Why do you do that?

Like the person I am, I cant ignore you and your continuous taunts, you are way too persuasive for me. You promise me success: success that the figure that appears on your smooth looking digital display, is exactly what I had been hoping for. You have this power to make me happy, sad, jovial or god damn depressed - you have that undenying power to pretty much make or break my day/week/month or any god damn special occasion I might hope to attend. When you show me something good, I love you. I love you to the point where I'd happily strap you to my chest and walk around displaying your screen like some sort of 'weight sandwich board' - 'Look at me, look how much I weigh, my scales love me' but most of the other times, you hate me and well, to put it bluntly, I hate you.

And so goes the daily ritual: every time before I dare to step on your cold glass surface, I take every single god damn piece of clothing off: anything that is remotely removable on my body, it's-a-coming-off. Trust me, if I had false teeth, a wig and limbs I could remove... I would. There really is nothing more horrendous than the way you look up at me when I'm stood there as nude as the day I was born.... we both know you're not going to tell me something I want to hear right!? and so the story begins and ends, day in day out, and anytime of day or night, you're there, ready, waiting for me. You are the bain of my life and that is why, you are going in the bin.

And on your gravestone is shall read: 2012 - the year I said goodbye to the scales.

I loved to hate you.

Book's I've been reading....

2012-01-19T19:20:00.002Z

I haven't posted a book review in while - work, and well, life, has pretty much got in the way of me ever finishing a book. After continuously looking over at the ever bulging box of books in the corner of my bedroom, I decidedthat I was going to make a conscious effort to read more - I've been taking a book to work to read in my lunch break, and guess what? it's working!

Anyway, here goes a couple of reviews of the books I've read:

'Twelve Days of Christmas' - Trisha Ashley

Forgive me for transporting you all back to December and well, Christmas, but I read this one at the start of December, mainly to help me get into the Festive spirit, and did it? The answer is yes. This book was everything I needed and then some, to get me well n truly feeling like Mrs Claus. Focusing around character Holly Brown, who is not a fan of the holiday season, take on a house sitting job with a difference. I wont give too much away, but what starts as Holly, putting off feelings, emotions and embracing the spirit, ends with a new woman being born before our eyes. What I enjoyed most about the way Trisha Ashley writes is her attention to the main characters surroundings. Descriptions of landscapes, the weather, and general observations, really do put you, the reader, into Holly's place. When the weather got bad and cold - I felt cold. When the thaw began, my heart thawed. The characters are relateable and friendly, and despite most of the story being predictable from the beginning there was a few twists and turns to keep you guessing. Keep an eye out for the descriptions of the animals - probably one of my favourite things about the book: I now want a dog and a horse!

Overall, this is a jolly good read - in fact, at times I could not put it down. Easy going, easy to read and simple. Creating atmospheres just by use of words is a hard thing to do, but Ashley does it well.

'Miracle of Regent Street' - Ali Harris

Keeping in with the Festive season, next up was this first novel, 'Miracle on Regent Street' by writer Ali Harris. I loved this book from the initial blurb - main character Evie Taylor is relateable and I instantly recognised myself in her. As a young woman living in London, with the dreams of starting a new life, Evie Taylor doesn't have it easy. With her life going from mundane to plain boring in the space of a few days, her life seems to stand still: being stuck in a dead end job, living with family and mending a broken heart - Evie's life is not how she expected it to turn out. The storyline moves along nicely, and what is especially great with this book, is how close the reader gets to all the characters involved, and more importantly, to Hardy's. A shop with a history and a life source for Evie, Hardy's is a real home from home but with the news out that this source of love being closed, Evie starts to come to life. With some real laugh out loud moments and at times 'slap yourself on the forehead', this really is a top notch read. The finishing touches with the description of Hardys is second to none and often so hard to achieve on a first novel. The main character, Evie, makes this book what it is, I love her and I think all of us women can see something of ourselves in the way Ali writes about Evie. Setting the scene perfectly for the time of year and twisting towards the end, this was a perfect read from a first novel. I couldn't have asked for better. P.s Keep your eyes peeled for the shop lo-down right at the back!

What books are you reading?

Recipes: Coffee and Walnut / any kind of nut cake...

2012-01-16T08:51:00.000Z

This weekend I went baking crazy! With thanks to Mary Berry and the Great British Bake-Off Sport Relief I decided to indulge my inner domestic - cake - Goddess and bake my own version of Mary's classic, her Coffee and Walnut cake.

A traditional favourite, my mum used to make this for us as kids, and I loved it even from a young age (yes, my caffeine addiction started young) it brings back great memories for me, and at the age of 28, I have avoided making one of these cakes as I was slightly worried, it would never be as good as mum made! but after watching (read this as dribbling) people bake this very cake, I decided to give it a go!

Mary Berry's Coffee and Walnut Cake

* Please note, that I made a few changes to the original recipe, so will use these instead of the original. If you want to follow Mary Berry's recipe, a full copy cam be found HERE *

Ingredients:

Cake:
100g/4oz soft butter or baking spread

100g/4oz caster sugar
2 large free-range eggs
100g/4oz self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
50g/2oz chopped walnuts, but if like me you don't have enough - any nut will do
2 tbsp coffee mixed with water - you can add more or less, pretty much depends on how strong you like your cawfee!
Icing and Filling:
200g butter

2-300g icing sugar
1tsp coffee mixed with a mere spattering of water

Method
1. Preheat your oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4 and Grease and line the bases of two sandwich tins with baking parchment. Mine measured about 18cm - this is not essential.

2. Add your butter and caster sugar and beat together till light, fluffy and smooth. If you're doing this by hand (like me) this is a tres good arm workout - PHEW!

Chop your selection of nuts into smaller, bitesize pieces - this can be done as rough as you like. Once all smooth, add all the other ingredients: eggs, flour, baking powder, your chopped nuts and coffee / water mix.
Beat all of these together until well combined and mixed.

3. Divide the mixture between the two cake tins and gently spread out with a spatula or palette knife. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until an inserted knife / skewer comes out clean. Allow to stand for five - ten minutes before peeling off the parchment paper and turning onto a wire rack to cool.

4.For the filling and topping, beat the butter and gradually add the icing sugar. When all the icing sugar is added, add your coffee mix, only a bit at a time!! I made the mistake of adding too much first time and err it was beyond runny! and beat until smooth.

5.When the cakes have completely cooled, spread half the coffee icing on one cake and squish together with the other half.

6. Ice the top of the cake with the remaining coffee icing and decorate with more chopped nuts. I ended up bashing the nuts into smaller sprinkling by grinding with the pestle and mortar.

Then Ta-Da! Traditional cakey goodness!

HotSquash - Clothes getting technical

2012-01-15T16:46:00.000Z

I'd heard a little about HotSquash around the Twitter rumour mill, and my first thought was well, hot squash... as in hot blackcurrant squash.. Mmmm, one of my faves. However, upon poking my nose into others conversations did I stumble upon the 'new' technical clothing company HotSquash.

By 'technical' I mean science-y, and something that you probably never considered clothes to be. Science in clothing to me, pretty much means getting the size right, but no, HotSquash is a brand of clothing that works with your body to keep you warm and cool. Interesting huh?

Thermal clothing for the Winter season have been about for well, donkey's years. But some are a little less glamorous and not wearable at.all. Most of the time, Thermal wear is restricted to thick fabrics in underwear, which, to be honest, defeats the object of keeping the body warm, if all your doing is keeping your bum cheeks warm - not helpful. HotSquash is so different - its beautiful, stylish, versatile and oh so wearable - I literally would not have known it was thermal just by looking at it. The Winter collection uses THERMOLITE ® and ISOLWOOL ® fabrics for enhanced warmth, and on the Summer season, the fabrics incorporates COOLMAX® and Thermo Cool ™ fabrics to ensure you stay cool. Simples huh?

With the weather all of a sudden getting god damn icy freezing (no exaggeration) and the frost setting in, I just had to try it out for myself. The lovely people at PushPR saw my 'I'm freezing' tweets and offered me the amazing chance to trial the Winter collection myself - and I was not disappointed.... at all. The fabric was comfy and not itchy like I first thought and may I also add, that it was jolly nice to have a top that wasn't cut so damn short that it was pretty much like a crop top (don't want to be getting a chill now) There was a particular 'tightness' about the fabric which was interesting. It was nice in some ways: I mean I felt 'held in' and I think it helped to make me warmer, but it also made me feel slightly rotund, as the size 12 came up quite small - normally I am a 10. The design and colour was just lush - I didn't feel 'fuddy duddy' at all, and no-one asked if I was wearing a thermal top.

I trialled the 'Waterfall' top, priced at £45.99 and well, I think it is superb value for money. It looks lush and time for the elusive question: does it keep me warm? yes, yes and well, yes. There are some other amazing style of tops, dresses and trousers - all made in the same 'warm' thermal fabrics - perfect for this season. what I love most is its versatility - here is how I wore mine for both the office and weekend.

*'Waterfall top: HotSquash, Jacket: Topshop, Black skinny trousers: Next, Black Patent boots: Clarks, Chunky Necklace: Primark*

For the office, I picked neutral and smart accessories. Team the 'Waterfall' top with some clean lines with black skinny trousers, silk blazer rolled up at the sleeves, some shiny black patent boots, and matt black chunky necklace - this is comfy, smart and easily worn and warm - no excessive layers here!

*'Waterfall top: HotSquash, Waterfall cardigan: Tesco, Skinny Jeans: Sainsbury's, Boots: Jones the bootmakers, Metal link necklace: Primark, chain bracelet: Topshop*

For the weekend, I chose something that every single one of us could wear. Simple jeans, which are a weekend staple in my eyes, a long, but thin grey marl waterfall cardigan and some classic brown stack heel boots. Add in a chunky necklace and chain bracelet and you have the perfect outfit for the shops or even for coffee out with the girls.

Personally, I love HotSquash, it going to become a firm member of my wardrobe - stylish and functional are two of my favourite words.

Go check out HotSquash HERE

*Even though I was given this top to trial, all opinions are my own, and yes, I genuinely loved*

The 'Very' best of friends......

2012-01-11T20:42:00.000Z

I have strong views about these celeb-filled collections for various well known brands, I find them dull, boring and un-inventive, and most of all, un-wearable. However the only, and I mean this hand on my heart, the only, celeb collections that ever catch my eye is from Very. The Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby collection really do seem like a match made in heaven.

It is well documented that both Holly and Fearne are the best of mates, and yes, if I could have a dream, girls night in, they would be the two girlies I'd be telling to bring the wine and SATC boxset round. Not only are they genuine best friends, I cant help but idolise both their styles. Now, I know they are not the 'high fashion' people most people write about, or grace the covers of Vogue - but to me, they are realistic. Fearne covets the rock-chick, fierce and different side within me. If I could look half as decent as her in skinnies, boyfriend fit jumpers and mannish brogues, I'd be a ruddy rich woman that's for sure. Now Holly, well, well, well, I have the biggest crush on her - look at her body for lords sake, shove her in a brown paper bag and whit woo, she is looking fly. With this new season, SS12, coming along thick and fast, the new Very collections from both Fearn and Holly are quite frankly - LUSH. Wearable, achievable and beautiful - I love them. So what if I want to look exactly like both of them and what do you mean I don't? What do you think?

Both Dresses: £59.00

Leopard print wrap dress £39.00 Chiffon tea dress £49.00

Peter pan collar dress £49.00, Bow Knitted dress £39.00

Tulip lace dress £69.00, Chiffon skirt dress £49.00

Lace trim blazer £49.00, Bird print dress £49.00

Floral tunic dress £49.00, Zip detail jumpsuit £39.00

Vintage style skater dress £39.00, Heart jumper £29.00

As well as being a self-proclaimed girl fan of both Holly and Fearne, I also happen to love these clothes as they are, not necessary because they are in them, even though they are both kinda awesome.

Go check them out at the Very website HERE

Do you like celeb collaborations? What's your fave?

Wednesday's Thought........

2012-01-11T10:00:00.002Z

The feeling of being with nature: seeing, breathing and touching...

A feeling you can't describe

Monday's Must-Have Purchase: Dark Horse

2012-01-09T09:00:00.001Z

To say I love a good statement necklace, is quite frankly, an understatement. They are the one thing I turn to every day. Not only will a fat, chunky necklace glam up even the most boring of outfits, they are guaranteed to be a conversation starter. I fell onto Dark Horse by accident through goggle, and ruddy hell, am I glad I did. Created using the finest leathers and various textiles these necklaces pretty much speak for themselves. I also think the colour choices on these two, are going to transport you right into the forefront of SS12 - think hot summers days by the beach, a Latino vibe and colour popping everywhere. Priced at £61.50 these have to be a must-buy in the run up to the new seasons.

Go check out the website HERE

On the road again...

2012-01-08T16:57:00.000Z

Nope I'm not talking about road tripping somewhere, even though that does sound like a ruddy good idea. I'm talking about running. oh yes, that again, (did I just hear you yawn?) well New Year, and back on with the trainers it goes. After completing last year with a half marathon under my belt and discovering my love (yes, love,I am that sick) for the humble 'putting one foot in front of the other' running malarky, I have set myself some new goals.

On April 1st I am set to kick my home town, Reading, ass in its Half marathon. Along with the gorgeous Kerry Warnes (@rockdiva1976) and formidable Jo Gifford (Dexdiva) we are taking this bad boy on, with an aim to rock it. I cant deny, I am well 'n' truly cacking it. It has been a long time since the last (and my only) half mara, but this time it wont be as Team Bangs either. The rest of the girls are going to be kicking Berlin's ass, which just so happens to fall on the same day, so yeah the Team Bangs spirit will be there with me, but this time its different. I know I can do it (I hope) but this time I want to do it in under 2 hours. My time in London last year was 2 hours 11 minutes, so somewhere, I've gotta shave some time off - yeah.. good one.

Running aint easy, and never will be, I pretty much want to find any old excuse to not run, even though, when I'm out there I sodding love it. But even now, I still struggle. This is yet another journey I feel the need to present myself with, and with an aim to complete another half marathon this year (would love to do three, yes three) and two 10K's I just hope my will, and my body will take me through.

So, who wants to do this with me? anyone? no, I still cant hear you. But in all seriousness, I think its so important to keep shouting about running - I want all you ladies, to get out there, for a jog, and jog/walk session - you will amaze yourself - where there is a will, there is a way. Do it for you, and only you, I promise you, you can do it. I will be posting about the running trials and tribulations through this years journey, and my official half mara training gets under way as of tomorrow. So please, do think about getting out there - I'll be so proud of you.

Thank you and good night.

New Season Shade Inspiration: The grown up pink

2012-01-08T16:05:00.000Z

I'm bored with Winter and I'm bored with the colours. For me, everything was just a little bland and well, a bit 'blah' this Winter. Granted, there was some sublime animal print chucked into the colour mix, and we all mixed things up with textures - leaning close to furs, bobbly wool and brushed velvets, but to me, everything was a little nondescript.

I am dreaming of 2012 in a whole new light - I want vibrancy, I want grown up colours. I wanna stand out, I wanna mix things up. Enter the colour pink. I don't know about you, but when I think of the colour pink, I get immediately transported to the little girl I once was, when everything had to be baby pink and fluffy. It was the kinda pink that would even make you teeth hurt. However, with age and time gone by, pink has well n truly grown up for me. No longer do I crave the sickly sweet tones of baby candyfloss pinks - no, the grown -up pink I want is hot, its spicy, its shocking and eye catching - this is Barbie, but on speed.

The variations are endless: Magenta, Coral, Scarlet, even fluoro pinks, and the best thing about this colour is it's diversity. You can happily team hot pink with pretty much any colour - even clashing oranges and red's cause quite a stir without looking wrong. Designer label, Preen have been pulling out the hot pink stops, and created some amazing hot pinks and red dress combo's that are so wrong, they really shouldn't be this right. If wearing head to toe pink is just not 'you' then team it with black - go stripey on a jumper - Whistles have a fab one, or go for some slouchy hot pink palazzo pants which not only hide a multitude of sins but teaming them with a grass green top, shoes or bag, you can positively sizzle in the run up to the new seasons. This is one new season shade, that really is like fire for the soul.

1-Hot Pink stripe bikini £30 Topshop, 2-Hot pink skull ring £10 Topshop, 3- Hot Pink Ballet Pumps £16 Topshop, A5 notebook £5.25 Paperchase, 5-Marc Jacobs Laptop case £45 Net-a-porter, 6- Nail Varnish 'Shoreditch' £11 NailsIncww.nailsinc.com, 7-Karlstead Armchair £199 Ikea, 8-Silk Miu Miu Bow top £365 Net-a-porter,9-Stare 2 Platforms £50 Tophop, 10-Lacoste Rubber Watch £60 ASOS

What do you think of pink as a colour? Do prefer baby pink to hot pink? and will you be wearing it this year in 2012?

An ode to.... The red lippie........

2012-01-05T20:21:00.000Z

This morning I woke up after approx 4 hours sleep, my eyes felt like I'd been stung by hundreds of wasps and quite frankly made me resemble that of a pig. My hair was stuck up so high and ratted it looked like I'd spent a year in the bush outside my house, my entire body ached like that of a 80 year old, my skin as dry as a boot and my mouth as dry as Gandhi's flip flop, oh yes, this morning was not my finest hour. You know that moment when you stare at yourself for a good 5minutes just trying as hard as you can to take in the face that stands before you. Exactly how much make-up am I going to have to shove on today eh? Do you think its possible to sweep the hair so far over one side of my head that it'd disguise the tired, spotty mess I see before me? Probably not... think bad toupee.

However, this morning, a little brain wave came to me, there was one small, solitude item that could save my day, yeah , this ode is to you, the humble red lipstick.

Your bright shiny casing is like a little ray of sunshine on a dark dismal morning. I love the way I can always spot you in the bottom of my make-up pile, always reliable, always shining bright. A quick, one coat slick, and well well well, Claudia Schiffer eat your ruddy heart out, for I am hotter than you. A quick purse of the lips, a quick glance in the mirror and I am ready to take on that world. I am the pure sex right here, right now in my moth eaten pj's - I reckon I could rule the god damn world.

O' Red lippy, you make me wanna slap my lips together in a loud smooch at every opportunity, you make me wanna dress to the nines, attend those high powered business meetings, attend those glitzy parties.. but most of all, it is the way you make me feel invincible all the time, even in those cotton flannel pj's... there's nothing wrong walking round the house in them and full lippy is there?!

As I step out the door, the sky is brighter, the air if fresher. The walk to the car had me strutting and smizing like a real supermodel, walking past mirrors I can hardly believe my eyes - that's me! When asked questions at work, you make me feel more intelligent. People smile at me, doors open for me, and more of all, those big bad tired eyes of mine are long gone.

Red lippie? I love you.

Wednesday's Thought...........

2012-01-04T14:23:00.001Z

That moment when you wake up, taking the time to enjoy your first cup of tea and breakfast, dreamy.....

I plan on doing this more often....

*images courtesy of weheartit.com*

That, again...

2012-01-03T22:02:00.000Z

Hello, hello.... oh yes, that time has come. Another New Year *does jazz hands* and along with it comes the same old resolutions: I will diet, I will eat more healthy, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. I have been there and quite frankly,done.it.all. and I am never going to spend another year like it. Last year, I set myself some pretty adventurous and quite frankly stupid resolutions. There was, noway in hell, I was ever going to do any of them - why did I even put them down, why? Because I have spent pretty much all of my god damn adult years focusing on all the negatives, the bad things that I need to change, when, to be honest, hate to sound full of myself, but I really don't need to change anything. The key to a resolution is to improve.

My life is not perfect but most of it is pretty darn awesome. This year I will still be aiming to get fitter etc, but I am going to build on this amazing body I already have. I'm no size 8, but I can run when I ruddy well want too, I will improve myself in so many ways and build on the amazing blocks I have been given. I urge you people, think before telling yourself you will climb Mount Everest, run twenty marathons or go and win the lottery. Be realistic with your goals and you will achieve them , I promise you, you will.

Think positive, breath deeply, smile towards the sky and look around at what you have already. Improve.

Just a quick message...

2011-12-24T16:55:00.000Z

It's that time of year again where you eat until you burst, drink until you fall over, or asleep, and you spend time with people that mean the most to you: yes, it's Christmas. This year, I'm in Devon with Mumma and Pappa Scribbles and my big bro. Just a small family affair this year, but still filled to the brim with food and happiness. This is the perfect time to reflect on what I have, things that happened and what didn't happen for me this 2011. All in all, I can safely say this has been the year of self-discovery: nothing has been perfect, in fact, at times, things have been bloody difficult, but that's not to say I've been amazingly lucky to get through it all and come out of this year knowing a little bit more about myself and who I am.

Short of boring you all with the dull, I shall concentrate on the good, there has been a lot of it. I am now nearly 2 years into living in our first home with my partner Mark and the adorable Scruffy - Mark ha been my very own power house at DIY and generally putting the house back together when it didn't look so good. I learnt how to run this year, y'know, that small feat of putting one foot in front of the other? yeah.. that. I also joined a Team that changed my life for the better: Team Bangs on The Run2. We ran a half marathon don't you know!? I have had the best, close friends: the rather amazing Emily who I work with, who without her laughter, this year would've looked alot differently. And to Mike and Emily who are the dream couple of 2011 (Congrats on baby Oscar!) Also, Twitter. Massive thanks to Twitter this year. For giving me friends and support I never knew I had or could get - it's an amazing world and once again without it, I'm not even sure I'd still be sane this year. And lastly, my family who, always, I adore in every way - THEY are what makes Christmas, Christmas.

To you readers: Thank you for still being here and reading my waffle, its not an easy task that's for sure. But one thing I ask of you all this Christmas, is to support the people that don't have as much love as me, those who are alone and without someone, and those who find this time of year just a little bit harder. This dedication is to you. You are NEVER alone, NEVER. There is people out there who want to help and can be there, remember that, and for those needing it, this list is for you:

MIND
www.mind.org.uk
0300 123 3393

Samaritans
www.samaritans.org
08457 90 90 90

Alcoholics Anonymous
0845 769 7555
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/newcomers

Stonewall
Info line 08000 50 20 20
www.stonewall.org.uk
London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
0207 837 7324

SANE Line
0845 767 8000
www.sane.org.uk

Preventing young suicide
www.papyrus-uk.org

For people in Northern Ireland
www.lifeline.info
0808 808 8000

Childline
www.childline.org.uk
0800 1111

Depression alliance

www.depressionalliance.org

Refuge

www.refuge.org.uk
0808 2000 247

Eating Disorders Association
www.edauk.com
0845 634 1414
Shelter
www.shelter.org.uk
0808 800 4444

NHS Direct
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
0845 4647

No Panic
0808 808 0545
www.no-panic.co.uk

Please think of those less fortunate this Christmas.... I give my love to those this year.

Thank you.

*Special thanks to Kellie over at Big Fashionista for compiling the list and reaching out to us bloggers to help others*

The past weeks in photos...............

2011-12-22T13:39:00.000Z

Been a bit slack with the ol' my week in photos, but here it is - my last couple of week's in photos..... Hope you enjoy..

Lots of Black Forest hot chocolates have been consumed

Stared and swooned over the giant rabbits..... Santa??

Stroked and cooed over the Reindeer at the Bideford, Devon light switch on...

....The lights!

I made mince pies...

...then compared them to Heston's mince pies, complete with pine dusting

Finally decided on my 'scheme' for Christmas wrapping

Planned ALL my Christmas TV

Dressed as Santa and went on a 5K Santa run.

Finally finished the red wall.... oh and my Christmas deco's clash.

I baked, iced and decorated 108 cupcakes for the boy's 30th party...

... and this is what I wore to the party

then the boy and me went for some beauty treatments for his birthday. I got Geleration!!!

That's me for the last couple of weeks, what have you been up to?

Small Business Series: BoBelle London

2011-12-22T12:10:00.000Z

Not long now before Christmas right? well, here is something that I am wishing will appear under the tree this year, failing that, how about as a New Year treat to myself! Welcome to BoBelle of London. BoBelle was founded in the heart of London back in 2008, they specialise in offering fine leather accessories - these are top class pieces that combine elegance, and a classic vintage style. Normally I don't really take much notice of leather as a material - all I know that it's my 'go-to' material for bags, but at BoBelle they use a combination of leathers including eel skin leather, which is a by product of the food industry in Asia. Eel skin leather is pretty similar to the more traditional cow hide, but Eel skin tends to get softer over time and doesn't crack. The driving force behind BoBelle London is Claire Watt-Smith, this amazing lady has dedicated herself to BoBelle to make it the absolute success it is. What I personally love about BoBelle is the originality of the designs - from the classic but glam styling of the Athena leather purse, to the more studious, preppy looking Brackenbury satchel, there is so much to love about the original collection. Here, Claire answers the Small Business questions:

Tell me about you? I am 28 years old and I am the founder of BoBelle London, the luxury fashion accessories label. I love the luxury fashion world, all things business and a hot strong cup of tea.
How did you first get into / come up with the idea of: BoBelle London? I always wanted to set up my own business and I absolutely adore handbags and accessories – I am incredibly driven and hard-working, so I just got on and did it!
Was this always a dream for you? Yes it was. It was either that or becoming a policewoman...but my Mum wasn’t so keen!
What is the best and worst thing about working for yourself? You don’t fully appreciate just how much work there is involved when setting up on your own; every goal that is achieved, there are more around the corner. With me, I am rarely satisfied and always want more for BoBelle. It also takes time; and patience is not one of my strongest points! It can also be very lonely starting out when you do everything – no one really warns you that in the beginning. Having said that, knowing that BoBelle is my own company and I have grown it from nothing is a wonderful feeling and one which I am very proud of. That’s what keeps the motivation up.
What’s a typical ‘day in the life’ like? There is not really a ‘typical’ day, which is what I love! I have regular meetings lined up each week/month; be it with buyers, networking events, award ceremonies, journalists or other events. I do have an admin day where I try to keep ahead of expenses and bits and pieces; that is a must when growing. I tend to start work at 9am ish and finish around 6pm; I always a good dinner with my husband where we often discuss what has happened in the markets etc and see how BoBelle can develop – my brain is constantly active!
What is your favourite item to make? My favourite piece from the collection so far has to be the Brackenbury satchel. This is an amazing bag and I absolutely love it; as do our customers and the press! It looks great on women of all ages and is a classic vintage style with a modern feel.
Where do your inspirations come from? Inspiration comes from all forms; be it colours, shapes, locations. The BoBelle London collection really encompasses classic styles with a modern twist that are reliable, wearable and desirable.
Where do you see BoBelle London in 5 years time?
I see the brand having a more dominant market presence and loyal following. I see the collection growing organically and the brand’s personality shining through.
Any advice for someone wanting to create a business from their hobby?
Make sure you do your research. It also takes far longer than you think for it to be a ‘success’; don’t give up on the first hurdle
Your guilty pleasures outside of the brand/work?
This might be very controversial, but I love cleaning! And getting my feet massaged – I love that.
How do you chill out? My husband and I love going for long walks which relaxes me. I also go for a jog once a week and I am trying Zumba with a girlfriend soon! We always go out at the weekend with friends/family and just relaxing with a glass of wine or cup of tea and my book instantly calms me.
Tell us something not many people know I have recently opened BoBelle London’s first boutique and it is on a gorgeous street called New Quebec Street, just behind Marble Arch. The well known landmark, Marble Arch, was originally built as the entrance to Buckingham Palace, but was never used. There is actually a tiny office inside it, which use to be used as a police station.

So, yeah, regretting adding them to your Christmas list? Thought so! Get yourself over to BoBelle HERE and follow them on Twitter @BoBelleLondon I think you'll agree, a worthy member of the Small Business Club!

L'oreal - Casting yourself

2011-12-14T16:21:00.000Z

A while ago I told all you lovelies about L'oreal giving you the superb chance to star alongside Cheryl in a Casting Creme Gloss advert, this was an amazing opportunity to put yourself forward, to flash your pride and glory in front of the cameras and utter those elusive words: "because I'm worth it" dunno about you but I pretty much say this day daily.. what??

Whether your a Redhead, Brunette or Blond, this really was an amazing opportunity to stand, swish and smize next to Cheryl. Now for the bad news, the competition to enter closed on 27th November, now if you weren't lucky enough to nominate yourself or someone and be picked, I hope you at least clicked and voted?!

Competition was hot, and all the lovely ladies who got through were feature on L'oreal's facebook page, Personally they are all gorgeous and I'd love hair like any of them! If you want to have a nose at the lush hair gallery, head over to Facebook HERE

Keep your eyes peeled as they announce the winner shortly and why not think of copying some of the lucious locks by sporting a new shade for Christmas.... a nice dark red would be Festive!

*please note this is a sponsored post, all entries were open to female UK and ROI residents aged 16+. Entrants must register with L’Oréal Insider, colour their hair using Casting Crème Gloss and upload a photo on facebook. No purchase necessary. Closing date was 27/11/2011 and voting has since closed*

A new muse for Chanel?

2011-12-13T13:46:00.001Z

When I think of Chanel I cant help but think of luxury... Chanel's advertisements are always womanly, graceful and expensive looking. Over the past years, the likes of Jerry Hall, Lily Allen, Diane Kruger and Blake Lively have been the faces of Chanel's much sought after handbag range: all of the above women are exactly what Chanel are about, they are beautiful, pure to look at, with luscious clean and natural looks, simple make up, and a certain air of innocence. Imagine my shock when the latest rumour is that Chanel have picked Alice Dellal as their new face of their handbags.... I dunno about you, but really??

With her well-known trademark shaved locks, and dark, aggressive looking features, for me, she is hardly the 'typical' Chanel face right? Personally? Me no likey and I'm hoping this is just a rumour. I always like looking at the Chanel campaigns and adored Blake Lively and Diane Kruger.

Alice just doesn't seem to fit in for me. I will more than likely take this back once official photos are released. Perhaps they may do some feminine style make over that will make her appear somewhat less, angry and err, dirty looking. Who knows...

What do you think? has Karl Lagerfield chosen a good muse? who would you pick?

Small Business Series: Cathryn's Designs

2011-12-12T22:07:00.000Z

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, come forth and peruse the next Small Business Christmas addition. This one is a pure, unadulterated corker!

Like to think you like Art, well you haven't seen proper art till you've seen this. Cathryn's Designs by Cathryn Nicholson is an amazing feast for the eyes and soul of every fashionista out there. If you are looking for something original, made with utter love and something that is all together gorgeous to look at, Cathryn's Designs is just perfect. Illustrations of Chanel, Louboutin, Mulberry, Dior and Hermes, I adore every single piece. I simply wish to own a collection of all these whimsical pieces to adorn every single wall in my study, so I can stare out whilst blogging and picture all the amazing things that inspire me. They are a mere snip also, and would truly make a perfect gift for a special friend, girlfriend, wife or anyone that is a fan of contemporary art and illutration.

Here Cathryn tells us more:

Tell me about you?

My name is Cathryn Nicholson and I am 25 years old. After working as a designer within the fashion industry for a few years, I have recently taken a brave jump and gone freelance, but in the evening I like to dabble in the world of illustration. I live in Hampshire with my fiance (I am getting married next May), but I am originally from Devon.

How did you first get into / come up with the idea of: CathrynsDesigns?

I didn't intend to set up a shop to sell my prints, it just sort of happened! I used to spend many (MANY!) hours on the Internet torturing myself by 'window shopping' for Christian Louboutins, I knew that my finances couldn't stretch to owning a pair, so out of frustration I decided to illustrate a pair of Louboutins. I got so much great feedback via my blog, with people requesting to buy a print that I decided to set up an Etsy shop! Ever since then I have slowly added new items along the way, most of these are of things that are on my 'lust' list!

Was this always a dream for you?

I have always loved being apart of the fashion industry, and have always known that this is where I belong, but in regards to my illustrations, at the start, no, but now I have set up a shop, I get huge satisfaction everytime I make a sale. Knowing that one of my prints will be going to a good home puts a huge smile on my face.

What is the best and worst thing about working for yourself?

The best thing is having complete control over everything you do, and having the final decision. The worst part is, it can be quite lonely, and there is a lot of pressure to pay those little things called bills.

What’s a typical ‘day in the life’ like?

It completely differs day to day! I normally start work between 7.30am and 8am, where I always check my emails and respond to as many as I can. If I have any orders come through over night, I always print them out straight away and package them up. I then get on with my day job as a fashion designer, working on whichever project I have going on at the time. During my lunch I take a trip to the post office to send my prints off to their new homes! I then head back to carry on with the day job. When 6pm comes along, I put pencil to paper and illustrate whatever is inspiring me at the time. I also like to update my blog every other day!

What is your favourite item to make?

I think my favourite items to draw are perfume bottles, as they are such works of art in themselves. They come in all shapes and sizes but I think I have a slight obsession with Chanel...they are my favorite!

Where do your inspirations come from?

Shopping, reading magazines, blogs! Literally anything and everything around me could spark an idea off in my mind!

Where do you see Cathryns Designs in 5 years time?

I would love illustration to become more apart of my day job! I love designing, but I would love to combine the two more! I would also love to see some of my prints on sale in a shop somewhere!!

Any advice for someone wanting to create a business from their hobby?

As long as you believe in your product, and you know you can sell it then you are half way there! No one is going to want to buy a product if the creator isn't 100% sure about it! No matter how much fun it is to create items you love, you have to remember that you are running a business so you won't always be creating things you love from 9 to 5, realistically you need to have a good balance of accounting/selling/promoting and then creating! You need to swot up on the whole business side of things, which was a real eye opener to me! Also what you put in, is what you will get out of it!

Your guilty pleasures outside of the brand/work?

I love to go back home to visit family and friends in Devon & Cornwall! Me & my fiance both surf, so we always try to get in the water as much as possible! I am also getting into baking, which my fiance is loving!

How do you chill out?

Any one who knows me, knows that I struggle to switch off, I'm always checking my emails! However I do love to sit down and read a good book!! I love going to the library and picking up a few books to read my way through!

Tell us something not many people know about you

I have a guilty pleasure of listening to country music!!

I have just fallen in love with Cathryn and would mostly like her to be my roomie, to decorate my house and for us to sit, with a cup of tea, country music on in the background, talking about our fave shoes/bags/perfume..... isn't she lovely!? Go check out her illustrations on Etsy HERE and for more insight to her lush world, check out her blog HERE

Please RT and advertise this blog post as much as you can. I am not getting any payment for these blog posts, but I want everyone to get behind the smaller businesses out there. Go show them some love this Christmas.

Monday's Must - Have Christmas Purchase

2011-12-12T12:03:00.000Z

For her....

These are too cute for words! Not only are the Jelly Belly cushions a delight to look at, squeeze, cuddle, and rub your face on, but they are also heated, yes that's right, heated! All you have to do is pop them in the microwave for less than a minute and they will stay warm, cosy and positively snugglable for over an hour! This is a perfect stocking filler for the girl in your life, the mum's and grandparents! I think these are beyond cute and a mere snip at only £14.99. Go get yours over at Firebox HERE

Scribbles Christmas Star Buy: Boots No7

2011-12-09T19:03:00.000Z

By now, I'm that person that is going a little bit nuts with the thought of Christmas just round the corner. I have done *ahem* little to no shopping and well, am feeling a little bit at a loss. I hope I'm not the only one?? anyone? Well, I have had my eyes peeled for some bargainous goodies that are going to give me more for my buck, or pound, this Christmas . Easier said than done right? From now until Christmas, I'm going to try and feature some tip top deals that quite frankly, will make your Christmas, by saving you money, and someone else's, by giving it to them!

First up is everyone's favourite, especially mine, Boots. A real pampering gift that would be ideal for pretty much any female, and yes... I do want it (hint, hint) This week, Boots are offering a No7 Ultimate Collection gift box - this is just a little bit exciting, I very nearly fell off my chair with this!

This hat box is filled to the brim with the well known, and my personal fave, skincare range by No7 and all on offer for the teeny, tiny amount of £30.00, instead of £65.00 Err, dunno about you but that is just a little bit of awesome right!? So, what's in it right? Here goes:

No7 Heavenly Hydration Moisture Mask
No7 Cleanse and Care Eye Make-up Remover
No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Beauty Serum
No7 Protect and Perfect Night Cream
No7 Protect and Perfect Day Cream
No7 Eye Shadows - 6 of them
No7 Lip Gloss
No7 Exceptional Definition Nutrient Mascara
No7 Quick Thinking 4 in 1 wipes
5 piece brush set

Isn't that a little (alot) amazing? and if that's not enough you can get 120 advantage card points with every purchase to put towards another Christmas pressie... for you.

This offer is only available from Friday 9th - Thursday 15th December so go go go - buy online HERE or go to your nearest branch!

Small Business Series: Temporary Secretary

2011-12-06T12:05:00.001Z

Another one for you now, and a more popular one I think! Temporary Secretary are more well known in the blogger and twitter world than most, and have been featured in many famous publications such as: Look, Heat, and Glamour magazines. What I think attracts me to Temp Sec most, and I'm sure those fab publications will agree, is Sarah's eclectic collection - there is no, one generic scheme or design, there is literally something for everyone individual taste and styling. I have long been a fan personally, and remember them being the first people I followed on Twitter. The Temp Sec website is like a home from home, with vintage-esque styling, it is beyond friendly and easy to read and I love the fact that these home made trinkets and jewellery can make such a good present, especially at this time of the year. My absolute faves to look out for are the Black Bow Neck Tie Brooch - this is a Fashion essential in my book, the Bee ring which just needs to adorn your fingers and the rather amazing Ampersand wooden necklace which is just perfection and so geek-chic.

Here Sarah answer's some of the Small Business Series questions:

Tell me about you?

My name is Sarah, I’m 26 years old and I run my own business Temporary:Secretary. I graduated in 2009 from Northumbria University in Fashion Marketing. I can paint, illustrate, design and sew.

How did you first get into / come up with the idea of: Temporary:Secretary?

It happened by accident. I was selling things on ebay to earn a bit of money for university. I spent my loan on rent and was left with very little. Stupidly, I was financially unprepared for student life! To begin with, I was selling my old things (clothes, cd’s, dvds, shoes, the usual jumble sale things!) and when I ran out of things to sell, I started making things like skirts, dresses and customising tshirts and vests. I enjoyed this and got a lot of feedback from it in which I took on board. I decided to get a website up and running and do things properly. During my 2nd and 3rd year at uni, I took up an internship at a fashion company where I learnt a lot of things. I never had plans to run my own business but doing work experience there made me realise that this could be a career option for me. It was really difficult to juggle my 4th and final year at university and the website but it was a massive learning curve and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I like to keep busy!

Was this always a dream for you?

No, as this happened by accident and I never intended to keep the business on because I underestimated how well it would do and how much I would enjoy it. I always thought that I’d move to London after I graduate and get a job within the fashion industry. The more money I invested in to the business, the more difficult it was to let go of it. It has had its ups and downs. It started off really well and then it dwindled a bit and it is depressing when this happens but I have persevered and I haven’t given up (yet).

What is the best and worst thing about working for yourself?

Learning something new every day is the best thing about being your own boss, as well as flexibility in time and full control of the business. It’s also a brilliant feeling whenever something good happens, I know that I have achieved this myself. It is lovely to hear from happy customers saying they’ve appreciated that I have gone the extra mile. I want to give them a shopping experience that they wouldn’t experience on the high street. Apart from PR, I have very little help. All decisions are made on my own. Having said that, the worst thing is when I get things wrong and I have no one to blame. I take it very hard on myself and it’s a struggle to pick myself up and rectify things. I would think about it for days, analysing where I went wrong, how I could’ve changed things and how I would never make the same mistake again. I’m still learning every single day.

What’s a typical ‘day in the life’ like?

I would love to say that it is different every day but it isn’t! Not very glamorous life at all. I start the day with a big cup of tea! I check what orders have come through and what I need to make during the day. Then to answer all emails and get up to date with correspondence. I have Twitter up on the screen all day as this to answer any queries such as “do you have this in stock? When will it be back in?” or “does this come in any colour” etc. Customer Service is so important to me and I will always answer every tweet, email, message. Other tasks to do throughout the day are paperwork, packing orders, go to the post office, update the website with new products, stock count, blog, graphics, product photography and image/graphics editing.

What is your favourite item to make?

I love making the Alice in Wonderland bracelets because with each charm I put on, I go through the film in my head. I also love making the Keep Calm and Carry On necklaces , they are my favourite! Both items are exclusive to our website and when I make them, I know that someone is receiving a special item.

Where do your inspirations come from?

Admittedly, I used to be more creative with inspiration. When the website first launch, I was still at university and making jewellery was just a hobby. I was constantly generating inspiration and I would act upon it straight away. There was no pressure and I was having fun with it because I never saw it as a long-term venture. I thought to myself that if the website didn’t work out then I could still follow my dreams and move to London armed with my portfolio, fresh from university and find a job in industry. When I was doing this as a hobby, I could buy things in very small batches, maybe even a one-off. And if it doesn’t sell, I would give it to my friends or keep it for myself! I would be more creative with the items I make. However, as well as having bills, fees and overheads to pay now, the pressure also gets to me and I constantly think in “business mode”. I find that I’ve been restricting myself with factors to think about such as whether something will sell, is it “on trend”, will it fit in to magazine features, will it even be requested by the press, what are the press looking for this season, and if it gets featured, will I be able to source anymore of that product?

Where do you see Temporary:Secretary in 5 years time?

It would be fantastic to have a shop! A proper shop! Maybe in 10 years time. But realistically, in 5 years time, I would just like to be in a proper business premise and be able to create job positions. It would be a dream to work within a team. I miss the interaction with people, it feels very isolating at the moment working on my own. I can’t wait to employ people, I would be a good boss! We could all sit around making jewellery, eating sweets and watching chick flicks!

Any advice for someone wanting to create a business from their hobby?

To take it to the next level whilst keeping it as a hobby is completely do-able. I helped Hero And Cape (www.heroandcape.com) with setting up their business and my advice to them was to make sure you do market research before you embark upon launching your business. Check what is already out there and be prepared to be stand out. Differentiation is really important, even if it’s small aspect, otherwise you will find a hard time competing with others in a saturated market. Your concept has to be strong and everything has to be cohesive. Think of the branding, who your target market is, how will it fit within the market and what will be your USP and how will it be communicated to your customer? I know it sounds really businessy, and boring, but I am a fashion marketing graduate and luckily, this is the sort of thing I am really interested in! Hero and Cape is a good example of a business that has thought of all the different stages prior to the launch of their business.

Your guilty pleasures outside of the brand/work?

I don’t do much other than work! My guilty pleasure is watching tv shows like The Only Way is Essex and Made In Chelsea! I am addicted. I love tv shows like this, I used to watch all episodes of The Hills on repeat!

How do you chill out?

This will sound crazy but I don’t. I hate this about myself. I imagine this to be true of all that are self employed, but I find it really difficult to switch off from work. I’m the only one that can bring home the bacon! I’m the only one who can make this work. I am constantly working. I am always on the computer, laptop, mobile phone – working. People that know me will tell you this. Even when I am watching tv, or if I am out shopping, I’ll go on the Internet on my phone to answer tweets and emails. It’s crazy but last year I used to work from 9am until midnight! I never went out and I hardly saw my friends! I got really ill from stress and overworking and it was really scary, I neglected myself and it made me realise that I HAVE to calm down! I haven’t been too bad this year, I’ve been able to find more of a balance between work and personal time. This year, I have given myself the weekends off!!

Tell us something not many people know:

Things I keep quiet from people… I went to ballet lessons from the age of 3 until I was 14 years old. I am a grade 5 pianist. I have a fear of pot plants (although real life friends will know this about me), I cut the tops and bottoms of all fruit and vegetables before I eat them (including cherry tomatoes and grapes…), I only eat the long shaped chicken McNuggets (When I was younger, someone told me the round ones were not “real chicken”!). And one of my eye is slightly bigger than the other!…I sound like such a freak!

How cool is Sarah and Temp Sec?! I can root for hours on the site and my Wish List is still growing - this is the ideal Christmas pressie site and if that's not enough for you, check out the blog, cos quite frankly it is awesomeness! Check out the website HERE and follow their musings on Twitter @TempSec.

Lastly, I want to please urge you to RT this post, advertise this and all of the ones in this series - it is imperative to try and help the smaller, more needy businesses - especially at Christmas time! Let's keep UK's business alive.

Winter Warmers Number Four: Dressing it up

2011-12-06T09:45:00.001Z

Number Three on the winter warmers list for me is the Dressing Gown. Oh how you are so overlooked. Everyone loves a good pj don't they, but what about the dressing gown peeps?! For me, it comes part and parcel with the pj, you cant have one without the other in my book and y'know what? the bigger, the fluffier, the better.

As long as I can remember, when the nights started to draw in, my mum used to pack me off to have a bath and get in my pjs and dressing gown much earlier and more frequently. The thing that stood out for me, even to this day, was how putting on my humble towelling dressing gown made me feel instantly cared for. I was warm, snugly and cosy. To me, it didn't matter what the thing looked like, oh no, Fashion didn't really come into it. The only criteria it had was it had to be a size bigger than me, was in a lush towelling or fleece fabric and it was full length. oh yeah, have I told you how I'm sitting in mine right now? This tradition stayed with me through my life, and even now at, shhh, 28 I still love that feeling of putting on my dressing gown.

My dressing gown of choice right now is a vivid and baby pink number - does it match with any of my pjs? no, does it coincide with my decor? no. I love it because it is cosy and its my dressing gown.

Here are my picks of the dressing gown world:

A: Sorbet Love Print Robe £25 Very, B: Long Velvet deluxe robe £150 The White Company C: Animal Print £28 Marks and Spencer D: Cotton Flannel print £36 Charlotte and Co E: Reindeer print £26 Next F: Satin Bow Hooded Robe £35 IdleWild

What do you think of the humble dressing gown: an essential or novelty? do you dare to bare and not wear one?

Monday's Must-have Christmas Purchase

2011-12-05T21:17:00.000Z

For the stationery addict....

How absolutely stunning are these - not only to look at, but can you seriously imagine how awesome you are going to feel if you are seen scribbling your ideas down in one of these recycled sari fabric journal's. I have completely fallen in love with them and as a self-proclaimed stationery-addict these pretty much have to be delivered to me on Christmas Day.

These journals have so much history surrounding them and some of the fabrics covering them are over 20years old and what's more the paper inside, is recycled cotton paper. Priced at £15 these are a beautiful bargain. Go grab yours HERE

The way underwear should be... Freya

2011-12-02T09:24:00.000Z

I'm never normally one for caring about lingerie, I am usually a strict white or black, no lace, no frills kinda girl - some might say verging on granny, but I like to think I keep it simple. However thanks to Freya I have a gone a little undie mad!

Their collections are not only divine to look at but are made for real women. No more will I have to look at some size 6 Victoria Secret-liquid-only-diet model, but now I can look at lush lingerie on women who are of a realistic figure and know I'm not going to be in for a big surprise when I get home to try it all on. For me Freya are at the forefront of lingerie design, ,but not only are they making our breasticles look good, they are of amazing quality and fit. Racing to the top of my 'naughty' Christmas list is pretty much all of the new collections!

With bold, vibrant colours with classic stable, but sexy styling, every set is pretty unique, all with their own personalities. As a certified member of the Freya fan-club (yes, there really should be one!) I find myself feeling more attractive in my lingerie, yes Im no Kate Moss, but hey, I sure as hell wear my Freya well!

My personal faves are the 'Nina' collection - to me, I am Queen of the jungle and I just love the delicate embroidery and glitter - gives me that "I am woman, hear me roar" feeling

Nina Rosewater Plunge from bra £31 shorts/brief/thong from £12.50

Next up is the Lyla. This is pure, unadulterated lush-ness. It's dark, sexy and very sensual. In sheer fabrics, crystal drop bow details this is pure opulence and sex-appeal. This is the bond girl of the underwear world. What is especially nice about this design is the co-ordinates that run along side it: Briefs, shorts, luxury thong and even suspender sets - these are just stunning.

Black Balcony Bra from £31.00 Briefs/Thong/Shorts/Suspenders from £17.50

Going traditional and chintzy now, with Nieve. I adore this design purely for its vintage-esque feel but with a much more modern, confident design. With it's classic Liberty inspired print, this padded long-line bra creates really good uplift, but still with the intricate ribbon detailing. They do this style in a normal un-padded bra, but personally, I love the longer length and classic shorts to match!

Nieve Padded long line bra from £31.00, brief/thong/short from £12.50

Next up, and last on my wish list is Taylor. I simply adore this one. This is not too far away from what I would normally wear, but by God, it is sexy.as.hell. Velvet ribbon and black lace frames your body to give a real tailored and structured look, but the difference in fabrics and textures plays with your senses. Plus, tell me if I'm wrong, but look at that neckline - sexy as!

Black moulded bra from £33.00, brief/short/thong/suspender from £16.00

Now try telling me you haven't fallen in love Freya. Go check out their really amazing website HERE

What's your underwear style? and what's your favourite brand?