New season new start.

I have been on a blogging hiatus as I have been busy sorting out buying our first house.

This can be very stressful as you may know. But, we did it! The Boy and I have finally moved into our own home.

I am currently sat here surrounded by boxes and wondering where all this stuff (mainly mine!) fitted into our tiny rented cottage.

I love that we have moved in September which has always seems like a time for new beginnings to me.

I can't wait to make our new home cosy for the colder months.

Bargain Hunting

Last year one of our Sunday routines during the summer months was to visit the 'Lazy Bones' Bootsale (I love a bargain but also love a lie-in!) and then go to the Battlesbridge Antiques Market for a look around and then on for some food from the local fish stall.

This year has been pretty rubbish weather wise so I have only managed to get to Battlesbridge once with my mum and sister and I spotted this lovely vintage step ladder. I love how sturdy it is and have pictured using it in our new house! Our mortgage has been approved whoop whoop! 

I plan to possibly use it to display bags and shoes. And maybe to reach things!

I managed to get the price down from £21 to £15 which I think is a bargain as have seen a similar new item for £60.

My other great buy was the bag also pictured. I bought this from the Lawdy Mamma stall in Battlesbridge. I also haggled for this little beauty and she came home with me too! 

My tip for going to such markets is to take cash as they will give you a better deal. 

Fingers crossed the weather gets better and we can get our Lazy Bones to more boot sales!

xx

Perfect Legs Skin Miracle

So this is my first product review so bear with me.

I am what I describe as a product whore! I read about something with good reviews in a magazine and I want it! Very often though they fail to impress and get left in the bathroom for a while before being given to my friends or sister.

That said, I love this product. At £36 a bottle it is not cheap, but this bottle has lasted from the tail end of last summer and I have used it every day for the last two months. 

This Works!

This product isn't shimmery or overly tan enhancing but gives a lovely smooth toned, sun-kissed glow just like it says it will. 

It goes on very smoothly and doesn't take an age to apply evenly. This is very useful as I am always rushing around in the morning. 

The serum also contains Arnica which helps to fade bruising. Another useful factor for someone who is always crashing into things whilst rushing around getting ready! 

The only thing that could be considered as a down point is the smell. Although I love the smell it is quite strong and could clash with your perfume. 

This bottle is coming to an end and I will definitely be buying it again! 

xx 

Summer Evening Dog Walks

The Boy and I were supposed to go to the cinema last night but I decided it was too nice to go and sit indoors whilst the sun had actually made an appearance. So instead we went for a nice long dog walk.

After living in Burnham for most of my life we found a lovely new route to take the dogs on. We walked past some alpacas and horses. I think Bobby thinks they are giant dogs! It was lovely to get some fresh air and it always cheers me up to see the dogs so happy!

Here are a few pictures I took.

xx

The Holy Grail

So I have a confession to make. I have a life long love affair with handbags! 

At one point I had about 150 bags of all different shapes and sizes. Most of these were collected from the local charity shop where my Nan volunteered. So I have been wearing second hand and vintage since a young age. Back then I was just classed as a 'gypo' who couldn't afford new stuff!

Since then however my tastes have become more expensive! Don't get me wrong, I still love a vintage bag but Mulberry and Chanel bags hold a special place in my heart! This annoys The Boy greatly. He just can't understand why I want to spend a month's wages on a bag! I see where he is coming from but I see them as investments. Yes they are expensive, but I always use them. I don't do 'It' bags. I only buy tan coloured bags in styles that won't date.

 I have always loved fashion and designer clothing but bags and also sunglasses last longer and don't make you feel fat. They are my armour on days where I am full of self doubt!

I have a few Mulberry bags but for about ten years I have promised myself a Chanel 2.55 bag. The Holy Grail of bags! Very expensive!!

Seven years ago I had an industrial accident and amputated the ends of three of my fingers on my right hand. Following this I had to have several painful operations and a compensation clain ensued.

I promised I would treat myself to a 2.55 once the case was finished.

Well after 7 years the case has finally come to a close. I did not get the amount that was promised for so long. So to keep the promise to myself, and to keep costs down I searched for somewhere that sold authentic second hand Chanel bags.

Along came Naughtipidgins Authentic bags. I found a gorgeous 2.55 from the 80's for a fraction of the price of a new bag.

I would recommend this site to anyone. Shian who runs the site is the most helpful, lovely lady who provides amazing customer service and gorgeous bags.

I know this is frivolous and ridiculous but that's me! I would never have been able to buy such an expensive bag if it wasn't for my accident so at least I got something good out of it.

(Isn't she pretty!)
xx

Puppy Love

Meet Bobby (left) and Coco (right).

I can't write a blog about the most important things in my life without writing about these two!

Coco is three and Bobby is two. They are typical terriers who bark at other dogs and strangers but once they stop barking and have got used to you they are adorable. 

Having grown up with bigger dogs I always wanted a Labrador but living in a small two bedroom house I compromised and got a cute bundle of fluff who I called Coco (after Chanel). Then a year later I threw a strop until I could get another puppy. Then along came Bobby!

Although they can be very naughty-Bobby once jumped up on the table and ate my entire birthday cake, and Coco ate my brand new Steve Madden sandals, they make me smile everyday! 

When my dad died very suddenly three years ago it was Coco who used to lick my tears away and make me laugh when nobody was around. And Bobby walking around and around wagging his tail with one of The Boy's stinky socks in his mouth looking really pleased with himself can lift me out of my darkest moods.

It's lovely to have someone be so happy to see me whenever I get home! 

Love them!

xx   

Facing The Fear

When I was at school I was part of a lot of teams-Gymnastics, Dance, athletics and a choir and youth club at my local church. I was even the only girl who played Rugby with a full face of make-up!

As I got older and had to travel to college these things fell by the wayside. Going out with my friends and studying became much more important to me and there wasn't much time for anything else.

Recently I began to feel that I wanted to do more than just go to work and then come home. 

I had always wanted to join clubs again but talked myself out of it by saying I was too busy when really I was scared to be out of my comfort zone.

We all fall into a routine of going to work, coming home and watching the same rubbish on the telly and socialising with the same people. 

When I was approaching 30 I decided that this was going to change. I was going to face the fear and join some clubs.

Upon attending my first sessions of a craft club ' The women that do' and a modern choir called 'The sound collective' it seems a lot of women in my small town felt the same.

I went along full of nerves and thinking there would only be a few people there but instead lots of women of all ages turned up.

Each week before I go along I still get a little nervous but after I feel on a bit of a high!

It's great to talk to people I would never have met and belting out a few songs or learning a new craft give me a great sense of achievement I hadn't felt since leaving school.  

I feel proud of myself for facing my fear.

xx

(Bunting making, tea and cupcakes at The Ladies That Do)