I'm paying the price of living life at the limit

Outfit:
Black cat eye glasses - c/o MyOptique
Nude sheer stripy blouse - Dorothy Perkins
Black pleather midi skirt - c/o Pretty Little Thing
Black leather heeled ankle boots - Topshop (similar)
Black leopard print collar coat - Topshop (similar)

MyOptique have recently launched a new eye care range celebrating the iconic London Underground stations, each pair is named after one of the many stations. As a self-confessed London fanatic I'm in love with the range so when they asked me to pick a pair to try out, it was a very hard decision. Ranging from both small to large frames, the Metropolitan range is full of beautiful retro-inspired glasses suitable to tickle anyones fancy. It was a toss up between the Eliza or the Piccadilly frames. As I already have a pair of larger frames I opted for the vintage inspired cat eye glasses to help me channel my 50s siren! The black makes them look classy and sophisticated because lets face it I need all the help I can get in that department! Priced at just £79 for the frames, they really are a bargain. The frames feel such good quality - I don't have to worry about them blowing off my face in the wind!

What is your favourite style of frame?

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Put your best foot forward

L-R 1/2/3/4/5/6/7

Next Easter I shall finally be soaking up the sights of New York City. To say I'm excited would be an understatement. I've wanted to visit the Big Apple since the age of 14 and I think I might actually cry the minute I step foot out of the airport - I'm only half joking. As much as i'd love to totter around the city in skyscraper heels doing my best Carrie Bradshaw impression, it just ain't going to happen. Therefore i'm on a hunt for a pair of converse to save my poor feet. After scouring the internet i've noticed Littlewoods range of Converse is an absolute corker. The spotty low tops are winning the battle of the sneaker. They're a colour that will go with most things but the pattern stops them from blending into the background. But if you really want to make a statement, go for the wonder woman option. They'll certainly be a conversation starter! 

Are you a fan of converse?

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Recipe - Malt loaf bread pudding

Bread pudding is one of my favourite comfort foods. There's nothing better than the smell wafting around the kitchen and settling down in front of some trashy TV with a big slice whilst listening to the rain pitter-pattering outside. So when I was very kindly sent a bundle of Soreen goodies I put a recipe passed down by my nan to the test. Look at all that squidy goodness!

You'll need:

1 Soreen Toastie Malt Loaf

1 large egg

2 tablespoons of milk

2 teaspoons of soft brown sugar

A handful of currants

1. Preheat the oven at 200 degrees

2. Soak the bread in a bowl of water for around 10 minutes and then break it up into little pieces. I find a masher works wonders! It doesn't look very nice I'm afraid! Then drain all the water out.

3. Pop all the other ingredients into the bowl and give it a good thorough stir. 

4. Pour into an oven proof dish and pop in the oven for around an hour. If you have a fan oven like me, make sure you keep a good eye on it. The consistency should be squidgy but not gooey. It should be fairly solid. 

5. Sprinkle white sugar over the top. Let it cool down and cut into generous chunks. If you're feeling extra indulgent, pop a scoop of ice cream on top!

Happy eating! Let me know if you give it a whirl and tweet me a picture! 

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Derry, Ireland

My boyfriends dad is Northern Irish and after hearing family rave about the wonder what is Halloween, we decided to fly over and see what all the fuss is about. After packing our costumes, we all bundled to the airport after being pre-warned to stock up on sleep as we were going to have a busy three days.

Although I vaguely knew about the Troubles in Ireland, I wasn't really 100% sure exactly why it started and why there was a struggle. It's not something that was ever touched upon in British history lessons at school and I really do think it's important for youngsters to understand. Connor's cousin took us all to a musuem - history geek at heart! - about the history of the city from way back when to modern day. It was so interesting and I had no idea the struggle between both the Catholics and Protestants dated back to the Tudor times. His cousin then took us around the city walls pointing out certain places of interest - it's always handy to have someone with insiders knowledge! Connor and I wandered over to Bogside which is home to all the famous murals and Bloody Sunday memorial. Everyone seemed so unbelievably young on the Bloody Sunday memorial - some were tragically just 17 years old.   It was quite a strange and sad feeling wandering through the streets trying to imagine what it would have been like with the army patrolling and riots happening outside your front door.

That mix match of food on a silver pot above is what I was informed was a local delicacy. In the same way we love to get a cheeky kebab in Essex whilst having a night out, the chicken box is what the people of Derry scoff their faces with. Consisting of a layer of chips, cheese, mayo, fajita mix and chili sauce. It tasted nice at the time but it's not something I would even entertain trying if I was sober. But when in Rome eh? The amazing view at the top is right outside Connor's uncles front door. Imagine waking up to that every day? Let me tell you though, that is one steep hill to walk down to into the city! We had an fantastic view of the fireworks over the river on Halloween night. The best seat in the house! I have one word for Halloween in Derry... Carnage. I'd never seen so many people on the street! Some of the costumes were absolutely brilliant. My personal favourite was a group of about 20 people dressed up as zebras!

I'd love to go back as I feel we only really scratched the surface. Belfast and the Giants Causeway are just a few places that spring to mind as well as exploring Derry a bit more. As it's only really a hour plane journey away, there's no reason why we shouldn't visit more often.

Have you ever been to Northern Ireland?

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Give me shelter or show me heart

Outfit:
Black and white tailored jumpsuit - c/o Warehouse at Debenhams
Black faux fur cape - gift (similar)
Black and white pointed court shoes - Primark (similar)
Peony pink lipstick - Liz Earle c/o

If you cast your mind back to this post, you'll remember that I was contacted by Debenhams to offer my take on A/W dressing. This jumpsuit was the second item I picked using my voucher. I've got to be honest and admit I'm not 100% confident wearing this. As someone who's a owner of child-bearing hips I try to stay away from clingy outfit that draw attention to my bottom half. But I do really like how this outfit has turned out. I adore the sharp tailored look and think it's a great outfit choice for any festive parties if you fancy a change from a glitzy dress. The faux fur lined cape gives it a very glamorous feel. It taps into the yearly monochrome trend as well as the androgynous trend. Two birds with one stone? Don't mind if I do!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a gorgeous Beara Beara bag.

Do you own any jumpsuits?

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Giveaway with Beara Beara

Fancy winning yourself a brand new bag?! What am I thinking - of course you do! The lovely guys at Beara Beara got in touch and have offered the above bag to one lucky winner. It's the top seller in Topshop concessions don't you know?!

The story behind the brand is pretty special. Beara Beara were founded by a travel writer living in Bolivia, Latin America. After meeting a talented bag maker named Julia who was selling leather bags from a tiny back street shop along with her extended family and collaborating on unique designs, Beara Beara was born. The company actively encourages employment and every business is family run. The customer treats themselves to a snazzy new bag while helping out families in a third world country bring in much needed finances for their family. It's a win win situation and one that I think is pretty amazing.

The bags use vintage Andean cloths, known locally as Aguayos. Each Aguayo is hand woven and are unique to their region so you'll likely to be carrying around a one off. You have every right to be smug when someone comments on how pretty it is! The impressive art of making these cloths are passed down through generations over hundreds of years and reflects the fascinating history of the indigenous Bolivian people.

The giveaway ends on Sunday 24th November and I'll send a tweet/email out to the lucky girl. a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This week i'm loving - Liz Earle Lipstick

Liz Earle Peony - c/o

This is my first Liz Earle lipstick and it won't be the last! I love the fact that the lipstick is slightly sheer meaning you can build up the colour depending on how bright you fancy your lips. A quick sweep of colour for the daytime or a more intense pink for the evening. It's been my go-to lipstick for when I'm dashing out of the house for the past few weeks. It's a perfect neutral yet still manages to pack a punch. It feels lovely and moisturising on your lips although I'd recommend prepping your lips with a lip balm or scrub as it does tend to show up the dry patches. It has a fairly decent staying power - after a few hours it was still intact and visible.

Have you ever tried the make up range by Liz Earle?

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Why d'you only call me when you're high?

Outfit:
Black crochet midi dress - H&M Trend (similar)
Silver snakeskin platforms - Next (similar)
Sliver ball Return To Tiffany charm bracelet - Tiffany & Co (similar)
Grey drop pearl earrings - Birthday present

I was frantically shopping for some black pumps when I came across this dress in H&M and decided now and then I had to have it. It was brought completely on whim and I actually trekked to two different stores to make sure I could take it home. H&M is never usually a store I shop in very often as the jumble sale-esque layout isn't my favourite. I like to be able to shop stress free and see everything clearly on display. This was hanging clearly in view so it was obviously meant to be. I decided to pair with it some 70's style platform shoes to help give me some height. I find a midi can look frumpy on a night out if they're not paired with heels. I wore this out at the weekend for an evening out watching a Take That tribute act after tagging along with the mother and my friend.

This week is slightly less jam-packed than usual which is proving to be a god send. As I'm coming down with a cold I'm loving popping my onesie on as soon as i get in the door from work and snuggling down in front of the telly. Socialising is fun but boy is it tiring! I've also managed to get quite a few Christmas presents out of the way so I'm feeling rather smug! Boots 3 for 2 is proving to be very helpful!

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A/W hair inspiration with GHD

When Best British Bloggers challenged me to create my own take on an a/w hairstyle using products from the GHD range I puffed my chest out and racked my brains.

I'm not the most amazing at creating hairstyles but I can do simple and chic. I hope. After spotting side braids across the Valentino catwalk I decided this was the direction I wanted to go in. It's a little something out of the ordinary (for me anyway) and can work from day to night if you're hoping to paint the town red after you've finished work. It's also perfect for freshly washed hair or day-old hair you're trying desperately to hide and make look presentable.

After a giving your hair a rough towel dry, apply 4-6 sprays of the Straight & Smooth Spray before drying it fully. The pins really help to give you a sleeker finish as it's so much easier to blow dry in sections especially when you have a lot of hair like me - the big paddle brush was a god send! Give your hair a good ruffle at the roots and spray evenly with hairspray to give it some oomph.

Divide your hair into three even sections and plait to the side keeping it nice and tight. It might help to use some gum/wax if you have layers to keep the plait in tact. Simply run a little through your hair before you start. Tie the end with a snag-free hairband and give it a few squirts of the Final Shine Spray to give it the perfect shine and keep away those pesky flyaways. Add any colour ribbon to fancy - I don't think you can wrong with red!

Have you tried any hairstyle from the catwalk?

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October empties

October over already? Just where is this year going?!

Fudge Dry Shampoo mini
I think I received this in a goodie bag at an event. Mini toiletries are always life savers when you go away or to pop in your bag when you're going out after work. I didn't really feel like this was an amazing product. It took a lot of product to do the job to my satisfaction. It's not really in the same league as Batiste and I wouldn't buy this out of my own money.

Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo mini
I don't really think I can add anything about Batiste that hasn't already been said. It's good so buy it. Not this one though as the smell is very overpowering and I wasn't a fan.

Bioderma Cleansing Water
I gave into the blogger hype with this product and haven't been disappointed.  The lovely Elodie picked some up for me when she went home and the stuff lasts for an absolute age. I use it at night to take off my eye make up. It all comes off with such ease and feels very gentle on my face. I know it's going to be a staple in my skincare regime.

No7 Soft and Soothed Gentle Cleanser
I think I stole this off my mother when I'd run out of cleanser and my bank account was empty - it had around half a bottle left. It was a joint effort to finish this! It does the job nicely and feels lovely on your skin when it tales the grime away. I like the pump as it makes life a hell of a lot easier.

Daisy Marc Jacobs Bubbly Shower Gel
Daisy is one of my favourite day time perfumes and I got this in a gift set last Christmas. It's perfect for the evening when you want a longer lasting smell. It lathers up perfectly and of course smells gorgeous. Winner all round!

Ponds Institute Nourishing Anti-wrinkle Day Cream c/o
This is my first step into Ponds products. They've recently had a re-brand and you can buy them in Boots. It still has quite an old fashion smell but it doesn't tend to linger and it does actually smell quite nice. It glides onto your skin making it feel nice and refreshed. It a great thickness without feeling too greasy.

Nivea Daily Essentials Regenerating Night Cream
Review here

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Bigger boys and stolen sweethearts

Outfit:
Black felt fedora - From granddad (similar)
Quilted faux leather jacket - Zara (similar)
Tartan midi jersey dress - Boohoo
Black leather heeled ankle boots - Topshop (similar)

After having a sort through the cupboard looking for my Halloween outfit I came across this hat. It belonged to my granddad and when he passed away when I was 16 I nabbed it from my nans house. I still remember the day he bought it, we were up in Scotland and it started to rain so he walked into a shop in the village to buy something to keep the rain off his head. It's funny how certain memories stick in your head when you glance at something. I'd eyeing up a fedora lately for the winter months so this one has popped up at just the right time. Plus something with sentimental value is always more special isn't it? I saw this dress on Sarah's Wednesday Wants and as soon as payday rolled around last week I popped it in my basket and put my card details in before you could say tartan. WINTER20 helps you get 20% off your order.

I was hunting out a Halloween costume as  I'm off to Northern Ireland - Derry to be exact - on Wednesday to celebrate the holiday in style. We been told by my boyfriends family that it's kinda a big deal and we're in for a treat. It's only a flying visiting as we're visiting for just three days but I'm very much looking forward to it and it'll be nice to all catch up. I'm glad we fly back on a Friday so I have the weekend to recover  if the last trip was anything to go by. My liver is already weeping at the thought...

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You gotta work it out

Zaggora medium hotpants - c/o

Recently I've decided to try and get fit. I am the worlds worse at bringing exercise into my life but have decided to start running. I've been doing it for the last few months - although not for the last two weeks as been poorly boooo - and I might not be able to say I enjoy it but I can say I feel so much better for it. I'd been intrigued by the Zaggora hotpants after seeing them doing the rounds on various blogs so jumped at the chance to try them myself.

The medium hotpants cover you from the waist down to your knees and are said to help you burn those all important calories while you work out. The special thermo-technology fabric helps to harness your body's natural heat when you exercise thus helping you burn those all important calories.

After trying these underneath my running leggings - I'm not brave enough to just wear them on their own yet - I can honestly say I feel they work. It's not the nicest feeling when they come off as they make you sweat A LOT but this means that they're working. Combined with running and healthy eating, the hotpants have helped me feel a lot better about my body shape. I've given up weighing myself so I don't actually know if they've made me lose weight. But I feel I look better so that's what counts right? My bum isn't wobbling as much as it used too! They're definitely something that I think are essential to my fitness regime and I wouldn't mind adding a top to my collection!

Have you tried any exercise clothing from Zaggora? 

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I say the right things but act the wrong way

Outfit:
Black sheer paneled top - c/o Missbehaver
Black midi tulle skirt - Next (similar)
Red round toed heels - Asos via Leather Lane Market (similar)
Gold chunky cuffs: c/o George at Asda

This skirt has to be one of my oldest items in my wardrobe. I tend to forget about it for months at a time, find it when I'm rooting around at the back desperate for something to wear and then wonder why I don't wear it more often. I got it way back when I was first working in retail as part of my uniform about 6 years ago and at only around £7 it's certainly got its cost per wear! This unusual top was sent to me from Missbehaver and I love how versatile it's going to be. It can be worn with an all black outfit - the sheer panels keep it interesting- and is plain enough to be paired with a patterned bottom half.  It's going to be a very worn item in my wardrobe I can tell!

Don't forgot to enter story20 at the checkout if you see anything you fancy from Missbehaver. 20% of goes a long way! It means you can buy twice any many clothes obviously. This way of thinking is why my bank account is currently weeping.

This week seems to be  all systems go yet again - I'm longing for a week where I have absolutely nothing planned and I can just hibernate to escape this awful weather. It's my own fault though for being unable to say no. Still suppose you sleep when you're dead right?! I'm very excited to be going along to the AX Paris event on Thursday. Will I see any of you lovely lot there?

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The finer things in life

Flower dust stud earrings c/o Timothy Roe

Over this past year my taste in jewellery seems to have shifted from over the top gaudy pieces to the more subtle dainty looking jewellery. Don't get me wrong I still like a good statement necklace but I just prefer not to overload in accessories anymore. When Timothy Roe got in touch, I clicked over to their website intrigued to see what kind of earrings they had on offer. As soon as I saw these gorgeous flower earrings I knew they had to be mine. Set in sterling silver, they're so pretty and dainty and at just £20 they're an absolutely bargain. They look fantastic with your hair tied up to show off their beauty. The studs are just the right size without being too in your face. Thanks to the well thought out expensive-looking packaging they came in, I think they'd make a great Christmas present. You'd gain lots of brownies points!

Do you prefer dainty or statement jewellery?

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This is no Bridget Jones

Outfit:
Oversized plaid blazer: c/o Missbehaver
Black stretch vest top: Primark (similar)
Black supersoft skinny jeans: Primark (similar)
Red pointed ankle strap pumps: Dorothy Perkins
Red nail polish: Knockout Liz Earle c/o
Red oval statement ring: Primark
Red plastic boyfriend watch: Toywatch

One trend I'm loving this autumn is checks and this oversized blazer certainly ticks all the boxes. It's the perfect statement piece to tap into the trend. It got many compliments on a night out so it's obviously not me that thinks it's a gem. I love the slouchy fit and the huge pockets to keep your hands toasty warm. With an eye-catching blazer i've toned down the rest of my outfit. I'm sorry but I still can't get my head around clashing prints - my heart just cant accept it. I've tried not to be a boring Boris by adding some red shoes - who said I don't live life on the edge?! A slick of red lippie would finish this outfit off but due to my head cold and dry lips, lipstick is staying firmly in my drawer. My immune system is currently taking a battering.

The lovely people at Missbehaver have offered readers of the blog a very generous 20% if they wish to treat themselves. Aren't you a lucky bunch? All you have to do is simply add story20 at the checkout and voila 20% will be taken off. Go on, treat yourself!

Total blogger problem but this rubbish weather is a complete pain. No photos outside due to the rain and indoor photos have bad lighting. Can we have summer again please?! I'm fed up of having to listen to pouring rain all weekend.

Are you getting on board with the checked trend this season?

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This week i'm loving - Vibrant red nail polish

Knockout - c/o Liz Earle

There's one colour nail polish I come back to time and time again. Red. I like my red polish to be very bright and vibrant - it needs to make a statement. Many nail polishes fall short but I think i've found a keeper in this Liz Earle beauty. With orange undertones, it really is a bright pillarbox red. The best kind of red! I find I need to apply two coats for it to make the maximum impact.

Aptly named Knockout, this polish features avocado and borage oils to help strengthen your nails. I don't know about you but I find when i'm sporting coloured fingernails for a long period of time, my nails are very brittle and flaky by the time it comes off. So i'm very pleased this polish helping my nails in the long run.

It does promise to last chip free for up to 12 days but i'm afraid this doesn't hold true for me. I tend to get around 4 days before it starts to look scruffy. This is still nothing short of a miracle for me though. I work at a computer everyday and find my polishes are lucky if they last a few hours so I was very pleaased with 4 days! At £7.50 a bottle, I really do think they offer great value for money and will be purchasing more in the future.

Have you tried the nail polish range from Liz Earle? They have some very pretty colours!

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I'm not calling you a ghost but stop haunting me

Outfit:

Red sheer long sleeved utility shirt - New Look
Black supersoft skinny jeans - Primark (similar)
Beige belted trench coat - Topshop (similar)
Tartan studded scarf - H! By Henry Holland c/o Debenhams
Dalmation print loafers: Next
Red nail polish: Knockout Liz Earle c/o

When Debenhams got in contact with me and offered me a voucher to try and put my own spin on the a/w trends I knew immediately I had to try and incorporate the punk trend in my wardrobe. After lots of browsing on the website I eventually settled on a tartan scarf. I think an accessory is a great option to try and subtlety introduce a trend without going all out. It's a chance to dip your toe in without having to fully commit. Trends change at such a fast pace that by the time you've invested all your hard earned wages in it, it will be deemed unfashionable in a blink of an eye.

You always need a scarf in the UK thanks to the freezing climate and I think a tartan version will be one you can pull out year after year. This particular one is a brillant option to keep away the chills thank to the supersoft material. I felt very cosy commutuing to work this week!

Have you embraced the punk trend yet?

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