15.3.12

'Spot' the difference

Well hello there,


I've made a few awesome clothes purchases recently but haven't been able to take any photos of myself in them to show you all so I've had to think about something else I can write about in the interim (lest you all worry I'd fallen off the face of the blogging earth!!).


Some of you may already know that the skin on my face is a constant source of aggravation and disappointment to me. It is usually very dry but during times of stress or the slightest hint of a hormonal imbalance whatever lies beneath the epidermis gets rather miffed and wages full-scale biological warfare, resulting first in very red spots which then - even with minimal poking and squeezing, and yes I know the cardinal sin of beauty is to fiddle with your spots but sometimes I just can't help it!! - develop into large scabby, dry patches.


Up until now I've never found anything which calms and heals this issue, most anti-spot products being too astringent and then anything moisturising only making the oil issue worse. Then last night I was rummaging around in my parent's bathroom cabinet to see if they had any Sudocrem as my mother had said it's the hot new beauty essential everyone is raving about as it's great for spots. She read this in the Daily Mail. So obviously it must be true.

Now, I didn't find any Sudocrem but I did find this Tisserand cream instead:

And it's brilliant!! The combination of antiseptic tea tree and soothing manuka honey means it keeps my spots from drying out but doesn't make my skin greasy and prone to more spots either. Even under full make up of primer, then foundation and concealer I barely notice they're there whereas before putting make up over them used to irritate them dreadfully.


Also feeling rather pleased as my latest purchase from Boots afforded me a £5 off voucher for their No.7 products. Now I love Boot's No.7 as it's very sympathetic to my sensitive skin and it's predilection for diva strops! So I bought myself this:

It really smoothes out my skin, covering any lines and unevenness so when I put my foundation on it looks a lot more natural and 'radiant'.


So that's nice.


A more interesting post coming soon, promise!!


TTFN!! xx
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11.3.12

Shoplifters of the world, unite and take over.

Hello dears!!
Totally addicted to Downton Abbey! It's become a bit of a Sunday evening ritual with my mother that we watch an episode or two before going to bed.
Lady Edith is my favourite of the sisters, poor 'plain' downtrodden Edith.
She's the perfect anti-heroine!! And rather stylish too.
I've had a very nice weekend - charity shopping is a good cure for a hangover I found yesterday. Especially as I purchased a lovely shiny lycra and black net midi skirt, a coral one shouldered jump-suit with huge flared legs (perfect for dancing the night away to Chic at this years Vintage festival!!!!) and a Garbage album on CD that I used to own years ago.
Today I had a spa morning at a hotel near Oxford. One back massage and facial later I left feeling fully rejuvenated! And before you start thinking I'm all hotsy-totsy you should know I got an excellent deal on it through Travelzoo, all thrifty girls need a cheap day of pampering from time to time!! Then I spent the afternoon in the city of spires and picked up a rather natty pair of high waisted checked trousers - very Katherine Hepburn.
Pictures to come soon!
TTFN xx
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5.3.12

....and a night at the races

On Saturday night my friend Hazel and I had a night out at Oxford Dogs, it was my first visit to the world of greyhound racing and I had an absolutely fabulous time. We had a delicious 3 course dinner and both had substantial wins (£21.40 for me and £45.80 for her!!), I'll definitely go again!!
I arrived at her house and was greeted with balloons, cake, pressies, party poppers and Schloer! This is because she didn't get to see me for my birthday weekend.
I must admit that when I've been to the horse racing in the past I've had a bit of betting fever, the dogs were no different!!
Can't wait for my next visit.......
TTFN xx
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A day at the jumble....

Hello there,
I had a very productive and fun weekend.
On Saturday afternoon I accompanied Clare to the jumble sale at Naphill Village Hall (I grew up in Naphill but no longer live there, whenever I return it feels like I'm entering a weird parallel universe). I think I spent a grand total of £3.00 and came away with some fantastic swag....
My favourite: a blue and white polka dotted dress, original Berketex, looks ridiculously good on.
Amazingly 70's printed maxi dress, cannot wait for festival season when this will be teamed with a denim waistcoat, long necklaces and plenty of fringing for a Stevie Nicks look (I nicked this off of Clare, I owe her 30p).
A fine knit bat-wing jumper, will look great with wide legged jeans or trousers.
A royal blue Chinese brocade tuxedo/smoking style jacket from Monsoon (nicked off Clare, I owe her 30p!!). I plan to wear this to death.
Shame this picture doesn't fully illustrate the lovely bead work spanning out from the collar of this sweater, a modern take on the 20's style
A grey vest with a navy lace and satin bow, I think this will look cute with jeans but also tucked into a pencil skirt!
A Lipsy khaki tunic/long line shirt - will be great worn with skinny jeans or leggings.
An aubergine coloured M&S bias cut dress
I also bought some tortoiseshell 'Wayfarer' style sunglasses, 3 books and 2 nicely coloured metal tea caddies which I'll use for storing stuff in.
All in all a great afternoon!!!
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2.3.12

It's Friday I'm in love....

as Robert Smith once sang. And what better opportunity to do an entry about things I'm currently loving/lusting after.I seem to have developed a bit of an obsession with folksy cushions, they'd certainly brighten up my 'compact' bedroom! The shoes are simply beautiful and by a designer called Penelope Chilvers. At nearly £300 they are also out of my price range but rest assured should I ever win the lottery they'll be first on my shopping list (I know, priorities right?!).

The leopard jeans and butterfly dress are however much more affordable, both being from popular high street retailers. I might get them at the weekend in fact, although really I shouldn't!




I have put the picture of daffodils in there because their lovely yellow colour always cheers me up and I have a vase full of them on my desk which are in the process of flowering. Working in an office with no plants or flowers would make me sad.




Off I go to Waitrose now to purchase the ingredients needed for my steak dinner.




Happy Friday everyone!




TTFN xx































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1.3.12

The trials and tribulations of lipstick....

Hello lovelies,



I've got lipstick on today! I rarely wear it because I find it so difficult to find a formula that suits me. The cheaper ones which are not special 'kiss proof', 'smudge proof' and generally life proof end up everywhere!! On my teeth, on my lovely gingerbread man mug, sometimes it'll get on to my cheek (I have no idea how). Quite tiresome. But then the more expensive formulas which are designed to stay put all day dry my lips out and then I get a very unattractive cracked and flaky look. I do moisturise my lips daily and yet this still happens.


Can anyone tell me if that 'Lipcote' stuff works? That also looks as though it can be quite drying...


How on earth did women cope with having to wear lipstick every day when it's so tricky to maintain?! I salute those ladies.


I am also wearing my very favourite dotty dress (from Hobb's, natch!) and I have attempted a modern and somewhat 'deconstructed' version of Victory Rolls in my hair.


What do you all think?






The last picture is of me in my favourite coat - it looks yellow in the photo but is in fact Camel. I always feel so smart and polished when I wear it.


Everyone in the office was quite taken aback today by my 'glam-retro' look, they aren't used to seeing me with lipstick on!


I am very glad it's Friday tomorrow. Roll on the weekend I say!!


TTFN xx

















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29.2.12

She looks good but her boyfriend says she's a tramp; she's a vamp but she still does her dance

Hi there,


Today I have been downloading some lovely new music to listen to on my iPod (I bought myself a rather snazzy new 'Touch' in white and it's currently my favourite toy). Most of the music I am in the mood for today is of the 60's girl group orientation as I am wearing a rather 60's outfit today, including an Alice band which is an unusual accessory for me!!


Here are some photos (I apologise for the rather grainy quality of the images, the lighting in my office toilets is not up to par and there is nowhere else to pose):




Dress - a charity shop gift from http://misssimmondssays.blogspot.com/


Alice-band - from Primark I think


I am also looking into joining a vocal harmony or jazz choir so I've been googling local groups and think I've found one in Amersham that might be worth a punt.


My friend is taking me to Oxford Dogs on Saturday night, it'll be my first trip and I am rather excited at the prospect of a flutter and a good dinner. I'll definitely take pictures!


Other things occupying my brain today are: Ebay vintage finds which I have no money for (sadly), planning to buy tickets to this year's Vintage Festival, where to go on my next National Trust jaunt, cocktails, and how I'd like my hair to look when I get it done tomorrow night.


Oh, and work!!


TTFN xx









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