You'll find a way to make your natural tendencies pay...

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you; this is in fact an outfit post. Yep. Really!

I'm just as shocked as you are! 

I had an early appointment at the House of Torture- (read: Dentist)- this morning, so I was actually awake during daylight hours for a change, and out of the pyjamas for the first time in a week.  My appointment came at the end of a trying week, but after ignoring my dental discomfort for a few months because my disc injuries make travelling, sitting, and lying on my back unbearable, I just had to give in and grin and bare that necessary root canal. I got through it, but man alive, root canals are nasty! I hope I never have to go through one of those again. 

So how does one dress for such an occasion?

Like it's Summer outside, instead of the three degrees it actually was! 

Some would call me insane for wearing a cropped cardigan over a dress at this time of year, but I didn't want to over heat in the chair. I really didn't feel that cold either.

[Please excuse my face in these photos. My mouth and cheek were still numb from the anaesthetic.]

 So, I think I've shared all parts of this outfit in previous OOTD's but not together. It's been a while since I last wore this beautiful brown bird print dress, but it's one of my favourites. I bought this one back in the Spring from Dorothy Perkins, after falling in love with the black version I bought before it. I love the shape of it. The skirt is perfectly flared and great for swishing around; the fabric has a good weight to it, and the bird print is adorable. It's so comfortable, so was perfect for today's ordeal. I wore it with purple leggings, and an off white shrug, studded slippers, a quilted heart shaped bag, a polka dot snood, a patent black belt, a couple of beaded bracelets, and a heart shaped ring.

The birds have little blue feet!

The two bracelets were given to me last Christmas by my best friend. I've worn them so much this year, so she chose really well.

Last night I decided to try something new with my nails. I'll go in to that in a separate post, though.

The heart shaped ring was part of a set I bought from ASOS earlier this year.

I have a soft spot for quilted bags with chain straps, and just had to have this beautiful heart shaped Topshop one when I spotted it in their Oxford Street store a couple of years ago. It's cute without being too girlie.

My lovely new New Look wide fit slippers got a debut today. These slippers are so comfortable. They're also really generously sized in width and length. I have really wide feet and there's still room  for my feet to breathe, and  I'd recommend sizing down as they come up huge.

And I went with the polka dot Topshop snood today. I love this aubergine colour with the brown of the dress. I think it, along with the clashing pattern, adds a bit of fun to a traditionally boring colour, and brightens the earthy tones up, too. I really like wearing brown with a bit of colour instead of just sticking to neutrals or black. Purple and dusky pinks compliment most brown shades really well.

Outfit Details
Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Cardigan: Lovedrobe at New Look
Leggings: Evans
Ring: ASOS
Bag: Topshop
Snood: Topshop
Belt: Dorothy Perkins
Bracelets: A gift from my best friend

Sorry for the quality of the outfit photos. The camera obviously doesn't like me...

I also hope you don't mind seeing remixed outfits from me on this blog. I want to show that there's nothing wrong with wearing pieces in our wardrobes over and over again. I was always quite the frivolous spender, but I've always shopped with the intention of getting my money's worth, too. I rarely buy clothes that I intend to wear just once. If I buy a piece of clothing I love, I will wear it regularly, otherwise it just seems like a waste of money,  and time and effort pursuing that 'must have' dress or top. I've definitely changed how I shop over this last year; I'm much less frivolous then I used to be, and I'm loving building up a wardrobe full of clothes I actually wear.

Do you wear clothes in your wardrobes again and again, or do you only wear your outfits once or twice?

I promise I won't leave it so long until the next outfit post!

Christmas Gift Ideas: Nightwear

Following on from Monday's gift guide on slippers, today I'm featuring nightwear. 

Whether you open your presents in your pyjamas on Christmas morning, or you stay in them all day Boxing Day nursing a Christmas hangover, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some warm cosy PJs. They can make great gifts, providing you know the size and tastes of the intended recipient, and of course, treating yourself to a pair of cosy new jim jams in the process never hurt anyone!

I searched across the Internet, hoping to do a post on a variety of brands, but it was slim pickings. The pieces were either not to my taste, or not in my size. Cartoon characters and tacky motifs are generally not to my taste, but they seem to dominate most ranges.

 However, there is one brand that never lets me down, and that's Dorothy Perkins! They've been my go-to brand for sleepwear for years, as every Autumn/Winter they stock lovely good quality nightwear in tasteful styles, which are also affordable, and accommodating to plus sizes up to a size 22. I love the prints and patterns on the clothes; they're pretty and fun without being trashy, perhaps a little more grown up than most on the high street. I rarely use any other brand for PJs these days.

I've not been sponsored to do this post at all; I'm just genuinely passionate about their nightwear!

1. Dorothy Perkins cream cat printed robe £28.00
2. Dorothy Perkins wine bunny print robe £28.00

3. Dorothy Perkins navy heart print hooded robe £28.00

4. Dorothy Perkins grey pinspot robe £28.00

5. Dorothy Perkins fig feather printed robe £28.00

First of all, I can confirm Dorothy Perkins dressing gowns are as soft and cosy as they look; I own two from previous seasons, and snuggle in to them on frosty evenings. I'd prescribe one of these for a Winter cold! I adore the bunny print robe most, which I hope to own, and predictably, my next choice would be the polka dot design. Rachel, when I saw the cat print robe I thought of you!

6. Dorothy Perkins heather reindeer set £20.00
7. Dorothy Perkins cream spot stag pyjamas £20.00

8. Dorothy Perkins navy vest and check pant set £20.00
9. Dorothy Perkins mink feather pyjama set £20.00

10. Dorothy Perkins navy vest and star pant set £20.00

I can never get enough of the pyjama bottoms. After a few wears as a set, I tend to end up wearing the bottoms with an old t-shirt. I'm not sure why I do that, but I'm set in my ways. The trousers last for years, and I literally wear them until they fall apart. My favourites are 6,8, and 10; reindeer, tartan, and stars. 

11. Dorothy Perkins navy check pant £12.00

12. Dorothy Perkins blue bushed check pant £12.00

13. Dorothy Perkins grey swallow jersey pant £12.00

Dotty P's also sell separates so you can mix and match, which is great if you're different sizes on top and bottom. These are a bargain at just £12 each. I'd love to find any of these under the tree this Christmas.

14. Dorothy Perkins navy spot shorts set £18.00
15. Dorothy Perkins snails pace set £18.00
16. Dorothy Perkins blue printed cami and shorts £18.00

If full length PJs aren't your thing, there is a good selection of shorts and vest sets to choose from. I personally find this time of year too chilly for them and would save these 'til Spring, but if you have someone to snuggle up to, or just live in a warm climate, these might be perfect for you!

17. Dorothy Perkins navy check boyfriend shirt £20.00
18. Dorothy Perkins blue check shirt £20.00

19. Dorothy Perkins oatmeal bunny sleep tee £15.00
20. Dorothy Perkins spot penguin sleep tee £15.00

Sleep shirts remind me of the nineties. I seem to remember having a couple of checked bed shirts when I was growing up and they were so comfortable. I'm in love with the two chequered shirts. I actually purchased the bunny sleep tee, as the bunny with the wonky ears reminded me of my old bunny Tigerlily. It's really comfortable and is still a little over sized on my figure! I'd quite like to get the penguin tee now, too!

Which ones are your favourites?

Do you shop at Dorothy Perkins for sleepwear, or do you have another go-to brand?

I used to find some great PJs in Primark, although I can't get to one right now, and Matalan seem to have a nice selection of affordable pieces up to a size 22.

Oh, and I couldn't go without sharing these two...

Topshop Moomins PJ Set £26.00
Topshop Labyrinth Top and Short PJ Set £18.00

These two Topshop PJ sets are amazing! When I little, one of my favourite cartoons was The Moomins, and one of my favourite films was Labyrinth! I was a little obsessed with both if truth be told. They both still have a place in my heart now, so I found myself gazing at these with adoration. It's hit or miss whether they'd actually fit me since they're from Topshop; I'd have to try them on to find out, but I couldn't deny you slimmer ladies the opportunity to see these!

 This is one of those times when I really do wish Topshop would extend their sizes...

But I doubt that's ever going to happen...

Come on Topshop, sort it out!

A Blast From The Past

Back in the nineties every tween/teen girl I knew used Boots' Natural Collection toiletries religiously. I bet if you grew up in Britain in the nineties that you did, too. 

I was no exception. I used their body sprays and shower gels, body creams and bath confetti. You name it, I used it. I loved using all of their scents, but my favourite was definitely the Oceanus range. The products were green and white, and I was convinced they did in fact smell like the ocean. They probably didn't.

Last time I went in to my small local Boots, I searched to see if they still stocked any of the products I remembered because I wanted to add some nostalgia to my older Sister's Christmas beauty box. There wasn't a trace of them in store. The ideas soon slipped my mind, but last night, both bored and curious, I hopped over to Boots online for a browse. And what did I find? 

That they do still make Natural Collection toiletries!

I think I actually let out a squeal of excitement when I saw them!

They still do a full range of the strawberry products, but the other scents weren't around back in the day. They do however have a scent called Sapphire and Sea Minerals, and I'm curious to whether this might be Oceanus renamed. I shall have to try something sooner or later and find out. 

The product I was most excited to see was the Wild Strawberry Body Cream; I just can't believe they still make them. I had so much love for those little tubs when I was in my early teens, and I remember my Sister using them, too. I wanted to buy one for her but it was out of stock, but I did end up buying a few of the other strawberry products to give her for Christmas as they were her favourites. (I did technically have her Christmas box finished, so I'll have to redistribute a few things). FYI: there's a 3 for 2 offer running on these items right now.

Did you use Natural Collection in the nineties?

What beauty products remind you of growing up?

Christmas Gift Ideas: Slippers

Slippers are one of those gifts that most of us find under the Christmas tree at one time or another. I personally can't recall a single Christmas without one member of my family receiving a new pair.

They may seem like a boring gift, but with so many gorgeous cosy slippers to choose from nowadays, they don't have to be. In fact, a new pair of slippers are often welcomed as they bring some much needed TLC to those tired feet after a hectic month of Christmas parties and chaotic shopping trips.

Here are some of my best picks from the British high street. All of these shoes are purse friendly at £20 or less.


Boot Slippers

1. Accessorize cosy ribbed fairisle boots £20.00

2. Accessorize Autumn fairisle and button slipper boot £20.00

3. Joules fleece slippers in purple £19.95

4. Joules fleece slippers in navy £19.95

5. Matalan knitted stripe slipper boots £10.00

6. Dorothy Perkins wine fairisle fur boot £15.00

Boot style slippers are my favourites to wear. They're so warm, cosy, and comfortable, and they never slip off my feet.

I own a pair of Accessorize's and Joules' slipper boots from previous seasons, and I find both brands to be comfortable and accommodating to my curvy legs. In fact, the Joules boots have enough stretch to fit legs larger than mine, too. These slippers make great Christmas presents, especially for teenagers and twenty-somethings. We stocked the Joules ones at work and they always sold like hot cakes. Joules also sell similar slipper boots for children, too.

Mules, Booties, and Pumps

7. Topshop Ermine French Slippers £14.00

8. Dorothy Perkins navy star ballet slipper £8.00

9. New Look navy fairisle knitted fur trim slippers £12.99

10. New Look grey fairisle knitted fur trim slippers £12.99

11. Matalan fairisle mule £5.00

12. Accessorize Autumn fairisle mule £16.00

Slipper boots aren't to everybody's taste, so of course there are plenty of other styles to choose from such as mules, ankle boots, and ballet slippers.

I bought the Accessorize mules (#12) to give to my Mum this Christmas, although I would have loved a pair myself. I'm also quite taken with slippers number 9- they look so comfortable and the pattern is amazing. The French Ermine slippers are so chic, and they also come in several other colours with different French words emblazoned over the toes.

Whether you're buying slippers for a friend or relative, or just treating yourself, all twelve pairs would be perfect for curling up on Christmas evening  with a festive film, some nibbles, and a glass or two of something bubbly.

Which pair is your favourite?

Do you buy slippers for Christmas gifts?

And would you be disappointed to receive a pair this Christmas?

A Love Affair With a Scalloped Satchel

A little earlier this evening, I was browsing ASOS for Christmas present inspiration, when I came across this beautiful leather satchel. 

I immediately found myself making goo-goo eyes at it from across the computer screen, and little sighs of contentment were audible over the sound of the music which serenaded us...

You would assume I'm joking, but this is only a slight exaggeration! It's true love!

Satchels are one of my favourite styles of bag. They're a classic wardrobe staple, which work with almost every outfit, and can be brought out year after year. They're practical and in my opinion, aesthetically pleasing, too. I love how ASOS have given a classic tan satchel a new spin by adding scalloped edging to the design. It softens the masculine style of the ordinary satchel, and gives it quite a bohemian appearance, too.

This satchel is the perfect size for a day bag; not too big, and not too small. It would be perfect for work, day trips, and shopping, for example. It has a removable shoulder strap so could be worn on the shoulder, across the body, or just held in the hand, and there are even a couple of inner pockets to keep your belongings organised. It's also real leather, although as long as the quality is good, I don't care if it's leather or pleather. In fact, as an animal lover, I'd rather buy faux.

It's currently on offer for £42, down from £60 which is an incredible bargain. I can't afford to buy it yet, but rest assured if my bank balance would allow me to, I would have ordered it hours ago. There's just something about a tan bag that sends my heart all aflutter. I think this one is going right up the top of the wish list and I'm praying it'll be available after Christmas.

You can find the satchel here.

Making Christmas Shopping Cheaper with Discounts and Deals

I was catching up on emails last night, and found my inboxes flooded with shop newsletters that were promoting discounts and/or offers of free delivery. I find it hard to resist an offer of money off my purchases; why settle for full price next week when there's great bargains to be had now? With a month to go til Christmas I figured most of us are committed to Christmas shopping now, so I've put together a little post on some great deals to make Christmas shopping a little easier for you.

River Island

Firstly, River Island have free standard delivery until midnight tonight. I took advantage of this rare offer, and snapped up this beautiful hair scarf for myself. I've been wanting to purchase some new hair scarves for a while now, and for £6 I couldn't say no to this floral beauty. There's a camouflage version I have my eye on, too gave in and bought as well. River Island rarely have free delivery, so take advantage of it while you can!

Accessorize

Accessorize have 20 percent off full priced items and free delivery until Sunday the 25th. Just use the code Treat20 at the checkout.

 I managed to order these gorgeous fair isle slippers for £12.80, instead of £16.00 + delivery charge, for my Mum for Christmas. I've been planning to buy these for her for a while, so I'm glad I held off. The great thing about Accessorize slippers is that they go up to a size 8/42. My Mum finds it hard to find nice slippers that fit her size eights, so hopefully these will go down a treat. If not, well, I'll be happy to take them off her hands. Shame my feet are smaller than hers, because I really want them for myself!

The Body Shop

You'll get 35% off full priced items + free delivery with The Body Shop until Monday 26th by entering 'SECRET' at the check out. It's a great time to stock up on goodies for gift boxes, like I showed you guys on Monday, or to snap up some lovely gift sets for your loved ones.

I'm debating about getting this Cranberry gift set to complete my Mum's Christmas presents. It'll cost £9.75 instead of £15.00 + delivery! Thoughts?

And Many Others...

Ciate

If you sign up to Ciate you'll get 10% off your first order. The code  I was sent is CTRG10. I'm desperate to order their Mini Mani Month advent calendar, but I just haven't got the money to splurge on myself right now, but this code will make it cheaper for anyone who's planning on buying one.

Dorothy Perkins

Dorothy Perkins have a flash sale on which end on Sunday 25th. DPBDAY should still get you 15% off dresses all year round.

Evans

Evans currently have up to 30% off knitwear and up to 30% off selected boots.

F&F at Tesco

You can get £10 off when you spend £50 with F&F at Tesco with the code CYBERDEAL until Midnight Monday. They also have an up to 50% off sale on.

H&M

H&M have up to 50% off selected knitwear.


Maggie Angus

Maggie Angus have 20% off everything today for Black Friday. If I had the money I would so be taking advantage of this offer and buying it all because I love their quirky jewellery. This brand is perfect for friends who love something a little bit different and kitsch.

New Look

You can get up to £10 off selected party wear with New Look, although I don't think this applies to anything from the Inspire range. There is also up to 25% off selected shoes and boots. Why not get a new pair of shoes (or six) to see you through all those Christmas parties?

Pin Up Girl Clothing

Pin Up Girl Clothing are offering you  35% off almost everything today only with the code CC35_BF12. It's the perfect excuse to treat yourself to one of their amazing retro inspired dresses.

Topshop

Topshop have free delivery (worldwide) until Monday the 26th. Again, Topshop don't often offer free delivery, or really many discounts at all, so this is the time to make your Topshop purchases.

I'm sure there are many more discounts and offers to be had out there, but these are the ones which made it through to my inboxes.

With so many great offers being promoted by all the big name shops and brands, it's the perfect time to get stuck in your Christmas shopping. You'll be able to give more for less, or you'll be able to save a few pounds
. Without sounding like a tesco ad, we all know every penny counts during this recession we keep drifting in and out of. Of course, you could use what you save towards a new outfit for the Christmas party! Take advantage of these great deals while you can!

Happy Shopping!

Do you try to take advantage of discount codes and sales when shopping?

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Smoothly Does It with Cosmopolitan

The December issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine (UK) has a pretty great freebie with it this month- a tube of V05's 'Smoothly Does It' Frizz Free Cream. I'd only ever tried V05's shampoos and conditioners, and as I've been impressed with them in the past, I was pleased to see this freebie and excited to give it a try.

Smoothly Does It is designed to keep hair smooth and sleek, while protecting it from heated appliances such as straighteners and curling tongs. I'll admit that I'd never used a heat defence product before, even though I regularly straighten my hair. I know, I know, it's appalling hair decorum. I've always intended to pick one up, but I always forget by the time I go shopping.

This 100ml tube is so generously sized it will last for months. It's a full size bottle, and retails around £3.89, so not a bad freebie at all. The packaging is simple and sleek, and easy to handle, and it won't look out of place on the dressing table.

I've used the frizz free cream twice so far, and I can honestly say, I'm really impressed with the product. It's so easy to use, too. Just apply a small amount of the serum to the palm of your hands (a little goes a long way), rub them together and smooth through towel-dried hair before drying your hair with a hair dryer. It leaves my hair super soft, glossy, sleek, and well tamed. I could notice a difference straight away. As for the scent, I can't put my finger on what it smells like, but it's pleasant enough and not at all overpowering like many hair treatments are.

Needless to say, I love this frizz free cream, and I will be purchasing it again once this tub is used up. 5/5 from me! I can't recommend it enough. What are you waiting for? Go grab a copy of Cosmo NOW!

Have you used this serum or any of V05's other beauty products before?

Can you recommend any of their other products to me?

Another Lovely Liebster Blog Award

The lovely Rifka of Creative Confessions very kindly recently nominated me for a Liebster Blogger Award. Thank you very much, Rifka, I'm very flattered.

So as part of the Liebster Blogger Award I'm required to share 11 facts about myself and answer the 11 questions set to me. I will cheat a little and not nominate the 11 people, because I can't possibly choose between all the wonderful blogs I follow.

11 Facts About Me

1. The last song I listened to was Paloma Faith's cover of INXS's 'Never Tear Us Apart'.

2. I have a little backwards-C-shaped scar on my left palm which I've had since I was fourteen or fifteen. I cut my hand on a little piece of glass that I didn't see on my bedroom floor when tidying up.

3. I have another scar next to my navel from an argument with my Sister when I was sixteen. She lashed out with her nails, I bled. Thankfully only one of the cuts scarred.

4. I'm very shy. Always have been, probably always will be.

5. Tina Hobley, the actress from Holby City, was one of my regular customers at work. I assumes she's still a regular there. She's lovely in person.

6. I've read almost every Richard Laymon novel. I'm holding off on reading the last two or three because there'll never be any more of his books to read for the first time. (He passed away a few years ago).

7. When I was seventeen I spent six weeks carrying out work experience in two zoos away from home. I had to live on pot noodles and cup a soups for sustenance (six weeks in hotels wasn't cheap). It's been nine or ten years, but I still can't stomach those instant meals.

8. I've never been to Alton Towers.

9. I'm a big animal lover and would love a house and garden full of pets. Yep, I'm gonna be that crazy cat lady people run away from. Except it'll be big bunnies, not cats.

10. I'm currently reading Stephen King's Skeleton Crew short stories, and I've had it on the go for months. I think I've lost my reading mojo as I'm only about 40% through and struggling to get in to it- and anything else.

11. My favourite perfumes are the DKNY Delicious range. I currently own four of them. 

Rifka's Questions to Me

1. What is your style? How would you say you dress.

Wow, that's quite hard to put in to words. I'd say my style is quite unique. It's quirky and colourful; feminine with an edge; dress-heavy; a little bit kitsch; vintage-inspired; and not to be taken too seriously.

2. How often do you blog?

I try to post every day, but that's not always possible, so generally at least several times a week.

3. Who is your icon?

As in style icon? I'm really not one of those girls who worships a particular celebrity fashionista's every move, but I'm most often found admiring the outfits worn by Dita Von Teese and Zooey Deschanel. They're often seen wearing beautiful vintage or vintage-inspired dresses and skirts, and they always look so put together. I just love forties, fifties, and sixties looks. Would you judge me if I added the old cliche and said my fictional icon is Carrie Bradshaw?

4. Biggest pet peeves?

I hate noisy eaters; rude people; customers who talk on their mobile phones at tills and still expect service; parents who don't control their kids in shops; the phrase "amazeballs"; being ignored; people who talk over me when I speak; reading Facebook statuses etc that have no basic grammar, punctuation or spelling; bullies; fat haters ... 

I swear I'm not a horrible, miserable person!

5. If you could travel anywhere... who would you take?

I'm currently having major New York withdrawal symptoms, so I would pack my suitcase and get myself on the next flight there. I'd want to take my best friend because she's never been, and I can't wait to see her experience the city for the first time- plus we'd have a lot of fun holidaying together.

6. When it comes to food- safe or adventurous?

Safe. I'm quite the fussy eater, and I have to be careful due to my intolerances to certain foods.

7. How do you take photos for your blog?

I take all my own photographs myself on my little Canon digital camera. It's just a run of the mill compact camera; it's certainly not the best or most professionally little gadget out there. For photos of my outfits I set the timer. I occasionally use my ipod for photos, too.

8. Tribal or animal print?

I like both, but animal print, probably.

9. What captures your eye when you're shopping- colour, cut, or embellishments?

I'm drawn to colour and little details like patterns, texture, motifs, and embellishments more than anything else. I usually notice the cut and style of the garment last.

10. If given the chance would you go back to the past?

I might consider turning time back ten or twelve years to live the last decade or so a little differently. I've wasted my twenties, and although I don't wallow on that, I do wonder how differently my life could have been if I'd found direction and more confidence in myself in my late teens. 

If I could go back to another era, I'd choose to experience the fifties for the music, and style. Can you imagine dressing in those fabulous swing dresses all the time?! Heaven.

11. Where do you find the inspiration for your blog and your overall dressing?

For my blog, many of the ideas just come to me organically. Ideas just randomly pop in to my head. I may use a product I want to write about, or have some tips to share. Sometimes I get ideas from other blogger's posts, or from a feature in a magazine, and I do my own interpretation, but generally, I just think up ideas when I least expect to.

For my overall dressing, again it often just happens. I'm often drawn to particular pieces or colours when dressing or shopping and give them a try together. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but I never know unless I experiment with a look. I get inspiration from other blogger's outfits and posts. I get inspiration from magazines, media, TV shows and films, out on the street, friends and family, from displays in shops, seeing particular colour schemes together on anything at all, ... but mostly I just go with whatever my eyes are drawn to.

Fabulous Little Known Shops and Sellers

Sometimes I like to wear fashionable pieces which can't be found on every high street in the country. I've nothing against mass produced fashion at all- obviously I frequently shop from well known brands, it's just I don't want to turn up to a gathering or night out and see six other girls wearing the same dress with the same necklace as me. Nobody wants to feel like a mannequin in a high street window.

Granted my personal style is a little different to that of the average small town girl, but I still enjoy scouting out unusual pieces to accessorize with. That's just who I am. I love to wear quirky jewellery, especially pieces I know nobody else I know is likely to have. I usually head to Camden to source some rare handmade gems, but I also take advantage of the Internet, too.

And today, I've decided to share a few of my new favourite online shops with you lovely lot. Well, it would be rude to keep such lovely things to myself now, wouldn't it?

Enjoy!

Ali Buttons Jewelry

I stumbled up on Ali Buttons' shop after seeing photos of her wearing amazing quirky outfits on my Tumblr dashboard. I loved her style, so I hopped on over to her blog to follow, and discovered most of the clothes she modelled were for her shop! Obviously, I couldn't help myself and had to have a look, and immediately fell in love with everything.

 She sells plus size skirts made from the cutest, quirkiest patterns, which I long to purchase (and hopefully will in time), and also a great range of jewellery from gorgeous adjustable button rings to cardigan clips. Basically, I would own it all if I could!

Sweet and Lovely

Sweet and Lovely is an online shop ran by Kate of Scathingly Brilliant, which is another wonderful blog I found through Tumblr. Her vintage-inspired, pastel loving style clearly influences the jewellery and other products she makes, and they're all, well, sweet and lovely! I adore her sweater clips, which I plan to investigate further by purchasing one when I have the funds. I can't help thinking how perfect they'd be with my yellow polka dot AX Paris dress in spring and summer!

Flapper Girl 

I became aware of Flapper Girl a month or so ago, and am smitten with their 'Lady Ties'. They're inspired by actresses from the 1920s and 30s, and come in so many different patterns and colours. The above are a few of the ties I love, but there are many equally beautiful others to choose from. They're designed to be worn under collars, and I think they're an amazing way of completing an outfit. I hope to purchase one or two soon.

Kitschen Sink

I discovered the Kitschen Sink shop after Rachel blogged about her Bambi skunk brooch a few months ago.  Kitschen Sink sell some amazing kitsch accessories, and these brooches are my favourites. They're handmade by Rowan Grant using pages from damaged vintage books, and are all one of a kind- and not to mention, utterly adorable, too!

The Nearsighted Owl/Femme Club

I've been following The Nearsighted Owl blog for a few months now, and not only do I feel inspired by Rachele's posts on body positivity and fatshion, but I've also fallen in love with the crochet collars she's started making for her Etsy Shop. I have a soft spot for collars right now and these two have to be my favourites. They look so soft and vintage; and would look perfect over dresses, cardigans, and tops. She has many others for sale, so head over and have a look.


Well, I hope you've enjoyed this post, and I hope you'll check out a few of these great online shops. They really are all too wonderful to keep to myself . I'm pretty sure I'll be making a few purchases when my Christmas shopping is all done.

Have you shopped from any of these shops before?

Can you recommend an Etsy or other online shop I might like?

An Apology

I just wanted to quickly apologise for the lack of outfit posts I've been bringing you lately. I've gone from posting them a few times a week to barely at all. It's not because I've lost my outfit blogging mojo- in fact I've been dying to share outfits with you as I love to- it's just sadly my back has been having other ideas.

My back injuries are like a hand holding the strings. They control my every move. I may by desperate to leap out of bed, get dolled up, cut my tethers and leave the confines of my home to live a normal life- to live, not just exist- but in reality, I can't. The hand pulls me back

 The pain in my spine and lower back from my disc injuries has been constant these last fourteen months; constant seering hot pain I never knew was possible. I have a high pain threshold, but after fourteen months the pain still overwhelms me to the point I often feel like I might pass out. I try to push myself through it, and get about when I can, but the majority of my life is now spent in bed just trying to get through to the next day. Nothing, not painkillers nor exercises, has brought me any relief or improvement as yet. I can do little more than lie on my side and read, surf the net, or blog with shaking hands to keep my mind busy for another day. I've become a slave to painting my nails to brighten up each day, and retain a little piece of normality.

In the last few months the pain has been almost intolerable. I've been unable to get dressed and pose for photos to blog with. The handful of times I have dressed, I've looked too dishevelled with hair scraped back, tired skin, and little energy for posing. I was hoping to change that last week as I had to leave the house for four appointments in five days. Seriously, I had no appointments for two whole months and four come along in the space of five days! I'm sure going to the dentist, hospital, Doctor's surgery, and a medical assessment in the same week is cruel and unusual punishment! Needless to say, I was struggling after the first one, and a right sorry state by the last, so I wasn't able to blog about what I wore.

 I'm still recovering from it all, but I hope I can get back to outfit blogging soon. I'm sorry that it's all a bit sporadic at the moment, but I will continue to post other types of fashion and beauty posts to fill the void in the mean time. If there's something you'd love me to blog about, just let me know.

I hope you can understand, and I just wanted to say thank you for sticking with me through my erratic, unreliable postings!

How to Create Christmas Beauty Boxes 2012

This is the third of my festive themed posts, and today I am going to show you how I create beauty bags and boxes for friends and family.

These beauty parcels make great Christmas gifts, but work just as well for birthdays and other occasions throughout the year, too. Just change the gift wrap accordingly.

I love giving presents much more than I do receiving them, and I always put a lot of thought in to them. I try to personalise them as much as possible, and spend a lot of time considering what the particular person would love. I consider their tastes in fragrances and make up, and it's also important to consider any allergies, skin conditions, and whether they even have a bath tub!

I've been collecting this little lot for my Sisters and best friend... (If any of you three are reading, this is where you stop!)

Gifts I'll Use

As you can see, I've been collecting little goodies like a squirrel preparing for Winter! I budgeted about £20-£25 for each of my three recipients, and ended up getting a little carried away. This lot came to a little over £70, with £45 spent on The Body Shop products alone.

 I stocked up on their products over three transactions to take advantage of some great offers (5 minis for £5, free delivery), and couldn't believe the wonderful toiletries that were on sale for just a few pounds each. Taking advantage of offers will allow you to buy more for your money, and make a hamper look much more substantial for the same cost. I bought lots of cosmetics ranging from shower gels to cleansers and scrubs, a little make up, soaps, and chocolates.

A full sized bottle of her favourite beauty product will earn you major brownie points, and will last her for months. Nostalgic scents are a fun touch and will have you both reminiscing about the good old days.

Mini bottles of daily essentials are an easy and inexpensive way of providing variety, and are perfect for people who have an upcoming holiday, or trip planned. The Body Shop has a large variety of different products and scents. I picked up shower gels, body and foot lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and a cleanser and toner with each person's tastes in mind. I personally favour the satsuma and coconut scents.

Body scrubs and butters are perfect for some essential post-Christmas pampering. These pots were just £2 each on sale, they smell divine, and they give skin the TLC it deserves!

Cath Kidston is such a beloved and well known brand here in the UK, and CK gifts are always well received in my family. These hand creams were on sale via ASOS last week for just £1.50 (!) so I quickly snapped some up. A little bit of luxury will make any girl feel special.

A beauty box wouldn't be a beauty box without a fragrant soap to compliment the lotions and potions. This range of handmade soaps reminded me of Lush's range (which I swear by), but they were a little cheaper at £1.99 each. These smell deliciously of grapefruit and other citrus fruits. I'll be going back for one for myself!

I found this great Accessorize nail polish gift set in Superdrug which is perfect for my Sister. The Lily Cole lipgloss is another of my Body Shop purchases.

Little boxes and packets of chocolates are great for bulking up a gift and are perfect for chocoholics. The boxes were found in the supermarket and Superdrug for a £1 each, and I picked up the M&Ms in a new local sweet shop which now stocks American goodies! 

Handmade Touches

I always make time to write a hand written letter on lovely stationery to send with any presents, and I also send CDs up to my best friend from time to time. On this occasion, I even made album sleeves to put them in, too. (Although I've been meaning to send those up since September). Oops.

How to put it all together

These are some of the things I may use to wrap my beauty parcels. You can use gift bags or boxes, or you could just use a sturdy cardboard box. If it has branding on the outside or you just want to make it look prettier, you could cover the box with wrapping paper.

I love to add a little decoration to presents at Christmas. I purchased little packs of inexpensive tree decorations from Paperchase last year for this purpose, and I still have enough to embellish this year's lot, too! Once the presents are opened, the decorations could go on their tree if they want to keep them. 

I'm also that annoying friend who adds confetti to cards.

I'm sending the following parcel to my best friend.

Without any gift wrap, I can't help thinking how dull and ugly this parcel would look to the recipient... I can soon change that!

Line a box or bag with a sheet of tissue paper. Then shred a couple of sheets to nest the presents. 

You could use a shredder, or use a pair of scissors. Just cut a sheet of tissue in to quarters; then fold each piece over and over length-ways until the paper is about an inch in width; then cut it in to thin strips. When you undo the little pieces of paper, you'll have long wavy strands perfect for nesting the presents! 

I like to wrap each gift up individually, but you can just pop the gifts in the box or bag as they are and hide them in layers of tissue paper.

I used different patterned tissue paper to wrap these, and finished some with ribbon, string, and/or little star and jingle bell decorations.

Arrange everything in the box with the heaviest items on the bottom.

Top with some more shredded tissue, and fold the box lining over the gifts. Arrange the letter, and personal touches like mix CDs on the top.

Make sure to add a Christmas card with a personal message and place it on top of the gifts.

And to finish, seal the parcel, and get it to your loved one!

And voila! That's how I put beauty parcels together for my friends and family.

I usually give more of a variety of brands and products when giving beauty hampers. The Body Shop and Lush are my personal favourite brands to use, but you could easily find some gorgeous products from any number of brands in department stores and pharmacy shops like Boots and Superdrug. I will probably add a couple of face masks and a nail polish or two to these presents, which are both great products to include.

I hope you've enjoyed this long-winded post. If you've made it this far, thanks for sticking with it!