What Aimsui Did

Vajazzled Converse

2012-01-22T11:21:00.001-08:00

With my new found love of glueing crystals to everything, I decieded to push the boat out and vajazzle my Converse.
I've seen quite a few different sites doing this, but with them starting at around £50 I thought it was worth having a go on the Converse I already had.

I bought crystals from Ebay and raided my Dad's cupboard for extra strong glue..... then set about adding crystals to the toe part.

Once that part was finished, I also put my initials down the side and am more than happy with the result! Although I now have to replicate it on the other foot. Eeek!

Finally, I will replace the laces with ribbons.

The crystals fit together snugly so it is easy to make patterns/letters.

I would advise opening plenty of windows when using the strong glue, though! I had the wierdest vajazzle style dreams...!!

**please note.... these crystals are purchased from Ebay and are not the Swarovski crystals most sites use - therefore, can be done on a much smaller budget :) **

The Nail Varnish Resolution....

2012-01-22T10:51:00.000-08:00

Resolution No. 2 seems easy enough. Paint my nails.

But then, not many people have seen the way I paint my nails. I have absolutley no patience and think waiting for them to dry is like..... watching paint dry.

However, the more nail art posts I see, the more I want nice nails - therefore, my Nail Varnish Resolution came about.

The rules are simple. Every time I chip a nail, the varnish comes off and is replaced with a whole new design.

I stocked up on varnishs and ordered gems off Ebay..... here's what I've come up with so far. As you can see, I'm not the neatest yet, but I'm surprised how much my nails have grown already.

I've stopped biting them and if I want a naughty chocolate bar on a night, it takes my mind off that too. Wehey!

The Diet Resolution..... Day 2

2012-01-10T11:36:00.000-08:00

Despite what I said yesterday, the diet resolution didn't carry on quite how I imagined today.
At the suggestion of yoga, my Barbie friend answered 'if you want lie down, you may as well do it at home'. Point made, we sacked the class of and went home (Barbie stopped off en route to pick up a pizza.... I had an omelet and 54 small chocolates)

With this in mind, I was pleased to see a little statistic on the Mail Online kindly informing me 92% of dieters have fallen off the wagon since Tuesday, gorging on comfort food and, erm, lying down.
Smugly, I carried on popping chocolates feeling incredibly sorry for the ones who have yet to realise the gym only ends in tears.

Then I saw this.
Oh Jennifer Ellison. You have ruined my night and saved my diet in one swoop.
I don't care if this picture is airbrushed, it has still become my new wallpaper.
I want to be able to lug a cardboard cut out of myself around whilst sporting Louboutins and body con more than anything in the World.
I'm booked into spinning two nights in a row and I'm even going to a 6:30 am class for people who like to torture themselves before the sun rises.
Have I ordered Ellison's workout DVD?
OF COURSE I EFFING HAVE.
Until it arrives, I'm just off to jog in the sea in my best Nike cap and my worst sports bra. Wehey!

Dare to wear.... whatever you want!

2012-01-09T13:18:00.000-08:00

I am in mourning. Actual, physical mourning. Ever since I watched Christmas get packed back into its masking taped up box, I have wanted to wear black.
I hate January. January reminds me I have a WHOLE YEAR before I can eat pate, turkey and mince pies again. Or more to the point EAT in general.
My snowman onesie isn’t hilarious anymore, there appears to be a turkey carcass hanging out of the wheelie bin and, most depressingly of all, work want me to do work again.
There is no solace in TV. The soaps are as bleak as ever (RIP Pat. End of an earring and all that) and are just punctuated by endless furniture adverts. Hello? It’s just been CHRISTMAS. WHO can afford a new dining table?! Then there’s the diet adverts. Weightwatcher have their own song. Seriously. Maniacs who used to be overweight are now free to sing in public on their local high street after Weightwatchers taught them the meaning of life all over again. At least they are real people who once did have ‘do Weightwatchers’ at number one on their New Year’s Resolution list.
Not like the smuggest woman in the World.
The Special K woman. For years, Special K adverts have told us that eating their magical breakfast flakes (and sod all else) will give us the body we all want to flaunt in a (quite frankly disgusting), high legged, low necked red swimming costume.
I’m not going to say I haven’t done the diet before, I totally have. I’ve always fancied turning myself into a human K whilst taking a pool side shower, but this year’s campaign has really got my back up. Smug SKW slinks out of nowhere toying with her soggy flakes like she isn’t STARVING and says in her velvety voice ‘Dare to wear red’
Sorry, what? Dare to wear red? I’ll have you know, my entire wardrobe consists of nothing but black because I’m in mourning for Christmas. It has nothing to do with the fact I could do with shifting a few pounds of pate which has attached itself to my thighs. NOTHING AT ALL.
Now, I don’t want to take SKW’s sneaky taunt as actual advice, however, it did make me consider how daring to wear colour in January may just help. Perhaps a little splash of something other than black would help me to have fond memories of Christmas and it’s wonderful twinkling lights. Really remember the good times we shared, instead of snivelling over my loss.
Pastels seemed a gentle way to start. The jumpers my NBF’s Little Mix wore for the X Factor final are available in Topshop in a choice of pink or mint green
So pretty, so snuggly and so ….. pastely. Unfortunately, if you actually want your name on them a la Jessy and co, you will need to get crafty with sequins yourself….Totally do-able whilst watching Dancing on Ice.

If you’re already sick of the winter woollies, you can still stick with the pastel theme. With the good old British seaside being the inspiration for 2012’s most delicious trend, you can kit yourself out in spearmint, lemon and strawberries and cream a plenty. Pastel jeans give a new season nod to last year’s colour blocking and are much more of a delicate colour to wear.
These little lovelies from http://www.boohoo.com/ make me want to go paddling in the sea already….

If you really can’t stomach ice cream shades in January, add a slick of colour the Chezza C way. As far as I’m concerned, the lass can do no wrong and her new lipstick for L’Oreal is no exception. With £1 going to the Princes Trust and (I quote) ‘the shade of red that everyone wants in their makeup bag’ you’ll feel better in no time. And the next time the Special K Lady dares you to wear red this year……. You can continue scoffing left over celebrations to your heart’s content safe in the knowledge you already have. Just make sure that tiny little Mars bar doesn’t smudge it.

The Diet Resolution.....

2012-01-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

2012 is my year. My resolutions are made and this year I will stick to them. This is the year I will paint my nails, learn to drive, tone up and lose weight AND blog about it whilst I'm doing it. If you're lucky, I might even pen a novel....but that's another blog.

With wheels in motion for the driving lessons (hilare.) and my nails successfully painted, it was about time I kick started my 2012 exercise regime. I honestly hate saying 'I really will do it this year' but I WILL. Not only have I got the trip of a lifetime to NYC at the end of March, I've got two hen do's (both requiring bikinis) and two weddings.

To be honest, just writing this reminds me 2012 is all a little bit too much for me - I really must add 'stop getting emosh' to the list...

Today, with the persuasion of a free five day pass I went along to spinning with my lovely Barbie friend.
Luckily for me, the spinning class was located through the free weights section of the gym so I really got to parade my new gym kit and slicked back hair look to every professional gym goer in there. (F.M.L.)
Just in case you have forgotten what spinning is like..... just in case you were due to kick start your regime tomorrow.... let me remind you. SPINNING IS HELL ON EARTH. Repeat until you no longer feel the need to go anymore.
After half an hour of knee buckling, sweat dripping, TEARS STREAMING HELL the instructor thought we were finished. Until one kind body builder type informed him the class was, in fact, forty five minutes. Which meant we could all bike up the flaming hill we had just free wheeled down. Marvellous. Feel the burn and all that.
Finally, the class finished. For some reason, not only did I have sweat everywhere, I also had snot streaming down my face. Back to the changing rooms, via the free weights - walking like John Wayne with a tomato for a head was the highlight of my night.
A bath informed me I have nice new bruises, which will look excellent in the bikini I will be sporting on the hen do - but as long as I look excellent in the bikini on the Hen do, I don't care.
Every single time the instructor shouted 'TURN IT UP' (or whatever he was saying, I couldn't hear him over my wails of agony) I pictured my goals.

Now, at home, it all doesn't seem so bad. In fact, I'm glad I have yoga, abs and another two spinning classes this week.

2012 is going to be painful.

Kick start your Colon.....

2012-01-08T11:11:00.001-08:00

Ahhhhh January. The start of the New Year. Resolutions are being made left, right and centre and I can practically guarantee a good 80% of them are to lose weight, tone up and get the body of Cheryl Cole, Kim Kardashian or Ruth Jones (the woman has lost four and a half stone!)
The January diet is torture for all of us. The week between Christmas and New Year was MADE to desperately cram a mixture of Celebrations, cheese, selection boxes and turkey korma down your neck in the vain hope come New Year's Day you won't want to look at food again.
Doesn't work like that, does it?! I'd say there was a 50/50 split - with half of the population carrying on in a 'we don't go on holiday for SIX MONTHS' fashion and the other half crying whilst chewing on Ryveta, only to give in and eat a whole packet of digestives whilst watching the Biggest Loser.
Either way, the phrases bloated, heavy and down right exhausted spring to mind.
If the feeling is mutual, I would like to suggest the answer. Sarah Brookes of Holistic Ascentuals is an absolute life saver.
A colon massage may sound terrifying. Honestly, tell your friends you are having one and their expression will say 'you are mental and no longer my friend' ..... but just get them to hang in long enough to explain what happens and they will be queuing up to have the same procedure.
First of all, do not panic. A colon massage IS NOT colonic irrigation. No underwear is removed and no embarrassing scenes occur.
Sarah's website says a colon massage can help your colon to work more effectively leaving you feeling less sluggish, improved skin condition, toned can also help with stretch marks and cellulite. - as far as I'm concerned, EVERYBODY wants this!
It can help with a kick start to a Detox (yes please), constipation, bloating, IBS, stomach pains and much more.
When you arrive for your appointment with Sarah, she will immediately put you at ease. Whilst you sit on her sofas and have a drink, she will chat to you about your lifestyle and eating habits and really determine why you are feeling the way you are to guarantee you have picked the correct procedure.
She talks you through exactly what will happen and makes sure you are comfortable with the massage you have chosen. You will then be asked to remove jeans/trousers etc. and lay on the bed with a towel covering your bottom half.
Take it from me, the bed is seriously comfortable! With calming music on in the background and Sarah continuing to chat and explain the massage, you couldn't feel more relaxed.
Sarah explains that Colon Massage aims to help you to relax and promote the body's natural ability to heal itself by cleansing the colon of toxin build up. - as she is massaging you, she will explain exactly what is going on inside you. Although, possibly not for the faint hearted, it's nice to know the massage is working!
The results are instant and highly noticeable. I went for one of my first treatments with my mum, who couldn't believe how my bloating had disappeared.
Sarah advises on how to keep your diet healthy after the massage - and encourages you to drink plenty of water to avoid any side effects such as headaches.
She explains how regular massages can help - however, the regularity of the massage will be different for everybody.

I cannot recommend Sarah enough. She genuinely cares about her clients and wants to make sure the procedure they have chosen is right for them. If she doesn't think it is, she will suggest the correct alternative.
I recently enquired about the much hyped up Virtual gastric band, to which i was told 'absolutely not' (Sarah can do this type of therapy, but told me it wouldn't suit me)- and an alternative was suggested.

If you have over indulged and don't quite know how to kick start January, give Sarah a call.
Check out her website here to see everything she can help you with
.http://www.holistic-ascentuals.co.uk/page12.htm

The other blog.....

2012-01-08T11:05:00.001-08:00

Last year I won the chance to blog for Handbag.com at the Britain and Ireland Next Top Model Live Event.
As part of the prize, I was offered the chance to continue blogging for Handbag.com.
Find out why I hate the January sales, how I pick party dresses, and exactly what goes on backstage at BINTM Live here.....

http://www.handbag.com/archives/fashion/the-fashion-schmooze/by_author/11893/3;1

Keep checking for updates as there's more to come!

Chick Lit Winter Warmer - 'Wrapped up in You' - Carole Matthews

2012-01-08T10:28:00.000-08:00

Winter Warmer?! This book is like central heating for your insides!

As soon as you are greeted with the lovely opening letter from Carole you will feel toasty..... and it only gets better.

Janie Johnson is a hairdresser. Her single status is the gossip of her friends and clients alike.

Determined to prove them wrong and show them she can get back into the dating game, Janie gives in to her best friend and goes on a blind date.

Janie sees the date as disastrous (it's hilarious!!) and when, not long after, her ex informs her he is having a baby with the new love of his life, Janie realises it's time she did something with hers.

Whilst being stalked by the man from the blind date, Janie wants to escape everything for a week. She leaves her evil cat with her lovely, lovely (divorced) neighbour Mike and heads to Africa.

The Maasai Mara couldn't be further from the life she has left behind. Janie finds herself falling in love with the Maasai Warrior Dominic and he tells her he feels the same.

Back on British soil, Janie can't imagine spending Christmas without her new Warrior and, oblivious to the warnings of her friends, she saves and borrows enough money to get her back to Kenya.

After spending a blissful Christmas with Dominic, Janie realises there is nobody else she would rather be with - not even Mike who is, quite clearly, in love with her.
Despite her friends concerns, Janie pays for Dominic to move to England.

Dominic is completely out of his comfort zone. Watching him settle into Village life is both hilarious and touching.

Janie's friends are sceptical about the new love of Janie's life they are convinced they have been proved right when Dominic disappears without a trace.

Mike is the much needed shoulder to cry on and is happy to help Janie in any way she needs.

The ending of this book is so delicious, I couldn't possibly give it away..... but be prepared to have your heart well and truly warmed in this magical story.

The way Carole Matthews shifts between the bright Mara background and the bleak British background is fantastic. Dominic's African clothing feels so bright against the British winter, yet it's almost as though some people find it too bright. Stereotypical points of view are highlighted in an excellent way as Dominic tries to fit in with Western culture.

This book does exactly what it says on the tin and completely wraps you up with a romantic, humorous and exotic blanket.

Chick Lit Winter Warmer - 'Something From Tiffany's'- Melissa Hill

2012-01-08T09:20:00.000-08:00

I'm very sorry to say with the general excitement of Christmas taking over, I didn't do a very good job of keeping my Chick Lit Advent Calendar up to date! This is not to say I haven't been reading though....... I have. In true January style, my New Year's Resolution is to make sure I review every single book I have read. I am going to start with some of the books I initially bought as part of my Advent Calendar - simply because they can still be read even though the decorations have been packed away.
They are no longer my festive favourites, but my Chick Lit Winter Warmers - guaranteed to help you through January with a smile :)

First up is 'Something From Tiffany's' by Melissa Hill.

This is probably the book I was the most excited about reading. The front cover has the famous Little Blue Box spilling out some Tiffany's magic and I just couldn't wait to get stuck in!

The story starts in New York - and more importantly - Tiffany's. Here we meet the two men of the story and the little twists start almost straight away.
We have Ethan who is buying the most famous piece of Tiffany's jewellery of all for his Girlfriend Vanessa. Accompanied by Daisy, his daughter, he wants to make sure the engagement ring is perfect.
At the other end of the scale, we have Gary. Gary is on holiday in New York courtesy of his long-suffering Girlfriend, Rachel.
On realising he hasn't bought Rachel any sort of Christmas gift, he rushes to Tiffany's and buys her a charm bracelet.
The men leave Tiffany's - but unfortunately for Gary he walks straight into the path of a Taxi. Ethan and Daisy are first on the scene, tending to Gary and making sure his shopping doesn't get stolen.
The next morning, Ethan realises his good deed has ended up costing him £20,000. The engagement ring is missing, and in it's place is a charm bracelet.
In a hotel room elsewhere in New York, Rachel finds the very ring in Gary's carrier bags. Oblivious to what has happened, and out of hospital, Gary uses the ring to propose to his shell shocked girlfriend.
Ethan doesn't want to admit to the error and, along with Daisy, he sets to work on retrieving the ring in ways only a man would!
A story of romance, sadness, humour and what can only be described as a grown up fairytale follows.
Ethan wants to make Daisy happy and give her the family she deserves after her mother (and the love of Ethan's life) passed away. He genuinely thinks Vanessa is the woman for the job..... but as the search for the Tiffany's magic continues, he starts to realise he may have made a mistake.
Rachel is blissfully happy wearing her rock and to the dismay of her friends, continues pandering to lazy Gary's every need.
As part of his plan to retrieve the ring, Ethan forms a friendship with Rachel - watched by her best friend and business partner, Terri.
The friendship blossoms over dinner and both Ethan and Rachel question their own relationships.
It's not long before the ring goes missing from the restaurant Rachel owns and the story really takes off - with lots of little twists to keep it moving quickly.
(my personal favourite? The passengers of the taxi which knocked Gary over......)

Fate steps in and helps romance to give the book an unexpected, but very happy ending.
Fairytale Tiffany's magic is sprinkled throughout - I really wouldn't expect anything less from the book with the magic blue box on the front cover.

The Chicklit Advent Calendar - Door three

2011-12-13T10:59:00.000-08:00

No matter how much I love Christmas, I have to admit it has its stressful points....... However, I have never had a Christmas quite as stressful Lydia Grant's.

A Christmas break away with your best friends, boyfriend, the perfect Christmas dinner and a lot of alcohol sounds perfect. Until you find an engagement ring in your Boyfriend's sock drawer......realise you probably don't want to marry him...... and get snowed in at your best friend's (not so perfect) hotel. Throw in the secret love of your life (who just happens to be the new love of your best friend's life), a central heating system that doesn't work, a cooker which keeps giving up, a giant mutilated turkey, a new hunk (I don't usually use that word, but believe me - he is a hunk) a dog with one ear, two children and a very pregnant friend........ then you have Lydia Grant's Christmas - The Night Before Christmas by Scarlett Bailey.

Poor Lydia is desperate to make Christmas perfect, but the more she tries, the worse it gets.

Scarlett Bailey has created the perfect Christmas novel of fun, laughter and tears from a very honest cast with a very real story line.

No Christmas is ever what you imagine and Scarlett captures this perfectly.

The book is full of lovely, festive moments mixed in with the not so festive nightmares everybody experiences at least once (don't tell me you haven't ripped the turkey's leg off in a vain attempt to get it in the too small oven)

The friendships are perfect, the scene is perfect, and if you don't shed a little tear when Carole arrives, quite frankly, there is something wrong with you.

If you want to escape Christmas for a while and immerse yourself in someone elses..... this is the perfect book.

Scarlett Bailey also has her very own advent calendar.....featuring the heroine Amy (she visits Hull and had a boyfriend called Gavin so I like to pretend she is almost me).

Click here.... http://adventcalendr.com/scarlettbailey/ to get a snippet of story behind every door.

What are you waiting for - you've got thirteen to catch up on! And today..... today is the very special day when Bronson makes an appearance. I can confirm Bronson the Reindeer really is named after my lovely dog :) (Thank you!)

The Chicklit Advent Calendar - Door two

2011-12-04T08:52:00.000-08:00

Behind the second door of my festive selection of chick lit was the lovely Miracle on Regent Street by Ali Harris.

Another Tiffany blue cover, splashes of pink baubles and the words 'Dreams can come true.... it could happen to you' and I was tucked in with the electric blanket back on and my new Christmas lights twinkling.

This gorgeous book is an advent Calendar in itself - buy it quickly and you will be able to catch up! Starting on the 1st of December, you are taken through to the 19th December in shopping days. This, in itself, made me ridiculously excited! If I could have read the right chapter on the right day, I would have done..... but be warned, you will have to wait until 1st January (and 357 shopping days until Christmas) to read the epilogue!

Evie Taylor works in the Stockroom of Hardy's, an old fashioned department store at risk of being sold. She is invisible to the shop floor staff, who don't even know her name and her talents are wasted stuck in the basement. To be perfectly honest, for the first few chapters of the book, I really wanted to ring Evie up myself and tell her to stop wearing those shoddy black trousers..... but a little touch of festive sparkle later and she starts to slowly reinvent herself.
Hardy's Department store was opened in 1910 and Evie's stock room is full of glamorous vintage beauties which have been hidden away for years.

When Hardy's starts losing money and is threatened with closure, Evie envisions a store which was as amazing as it used to be.... romantic, dazzling and the place to be.

Vowing that nobody will ever find out who has changed the store bit by bit, she turns 'secret Christmas elf' gives Hardy's a brand new lease of life.

Whilst doing this, Evie is pretending to be somebody else..... literally..... falling in love.... trying to keep her family together and realising friends are the people who are always there for you.

If you love shopping, Christmas and London.... you will love this book. I want to go to Hardy's, I want to buy their vintage make up compacts, go in their VIP changing rooms and have tea at Lily's tea room.

Most of all, I want to congratulate Evie on 'The Wardrobe' and visit the shops in her Vintage London Address Book with her.

Delicious!

Daisy Does.... Dazzling Designs!

2011-12-04T08:22:00.000-08:00

There is something seriously special about having one of a kind jewellery..... and if it was made just for you...... well that is the most perfect thing in the World!

With the trend for personalisation soaring, I decided it was time I got my hands on some commissioned jewellery and discovered http://www.daisydoes.net/

What a find!

Daisy stocks ready made handmade jewels on her site. Everything is only made once so every design is one of a kind. You can choose from this selection (I did and bought Snow White) or you can contact Daisy about her commissioning a bracelet for you.

That's exactly how the AMAZING Christmas Deluxe came about.

Clearly, I love Christmas. I cannot get enough of it. So when I asked Daisy to make me a bracelet which wouldn't look out of place on a Christmas tree, I was worried she would think I was slightly strange.

If she did, she didn't show it!! She explained to me she would include stars, snowflakes, snowmen, Christmas trees, stockings and even a partridge - all set off by red, gold and green baubles and little ice cubes.

I knew it was going to be good. I didn't know it would be THIS good!

Daisy explained she would need to order the charms in especially for me - so I thought it would take longer for my bracelet to arrive. I desperately wanted it for my BIG SURPRISE weekend away which is the 10th December.

I ordered it on 25th November and it was ready by the 29th.

They arrive beautifully packaged in tiny little gift bags with Daisy's little card inside.

I also ordered a second commissioned bracelet, which for the time being, must stay secret..... but Daisy was just as lovely helping me with that one.

I can't say enough about how helpful, professional and lovely Daisy is. At a time when personalisation is huge, it's so nice to see that Daisy cares about her customers and wants them to be happy. Her replies to questions are instant and she is genuinely pleased when you are happy with your jewellery.

Receiving a bracelet you know is a one off is a lovely feeling. I can't wait to wear mine for the rest of December and have people ask me where it came from.

I've already got my eye on this fairytale of a bracelet http://www.daisydoes.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_2&products_id=471

I also can't wait for the Valentine's Deluxe...... the Easter Deluxe...... the Tooth Fairy Deluxe..... ermm...sorry Daisy!

The Reindeer bra and other festive favourites.

2011-11-30T12:17:00.000-08:00

Simply because..... who doesn't want to wake up on the 1st December surrounded by Christmas?

Why only have a week of festivities when you can have four??

I'm falling asleep snuggling with reindeers, dreaming that Evie from my festive novel 'Miracle on Regent Street' gets noticed (eeekkk, please Ali Harris!!) and waking up smelling the..... festive spice fragrance diffuser I bought from Next.

I'm bathing in Lush Golden Wonder bath ballistics, I'm ordering custom made bracelets from Daisy Does like a mad woman and I've even got snowflakes on my BRA (although I'm not sure posting a picture of it on the internet was the best idea I've had....)
Keep posted for reviews on ALL things festive..... including the chick lit advent calendar :)
WELCOME TO CHRISTMAS 2011.

Let's have a ball!

*cue Mariah*

Vote Blue Maiden

2011-11-27T13:38:00.000-08:00

woaahhhhhh would you look at that makeup!

Somebody SERIOUSLY talented must have put that look together...... No, it wasn't me :(

My friend (and fellow Bridesmaid...more to come on that later) Kathryn is the most talented make up artist in the ENTIRE WORLD (as voted for by me)

She created 'Blue Maiden' herself and is now in the running to win a whole load of amazing prizes...... but she needs your vote here...... http://www.facebook.com/OfficialFearneCotton?sk=app_326590657357324

Just find 'Blue Maiden' in the gallery and click vote.....simple!

She is currently in fifth position. I am clearly biased, but she DESERVES to be winning by a MILE.

And...... if you do vote, she might just let me write about her fabulous makeup a little more :)

The Chicklit Advent Calendar - Day One

2011-11-21T14:22:00.000-08:00

It may only be November, but with so many lovely glittery books out there I have started the Chick Lit Advent Calendar nice and early to allow maximum time for you to get snug with my festive favourites.
First on my list was A Season to Remember by Sheila O'Flanagan.
If you think November is a little too early to start feeling festive, can I suggest you step through the Tiffany coloured door of The Sugar Loaf Lodge. Do it wearing a onesie, carrying a hot chocolate and with every intention of turning the heating up and your electric blanket on.
A Season to remember promises ‘A special book of touching and poignant stories, guaranteed to warm your heart on a cold winter’s night’ – I’m expecting you are already fairly warm, due to the stifling amount heat I suggested you read in, however if your heart is too icy to be melted by the Sugar Loaf Lodge, I’m not sure you even deserve a Christmas anyway….
Sheila O’Flanagan’s characters range from the heartbroken Holly Gallagher (be prepared to be jealous of her Christmas Eve outfit. Especially if you took my advice on the onesie) right through to the unexpected Louisa.
Fans of Sheila’s will also enjoy a guest appearance from Andie, Jin and Cora from 'Anyone but him.'
She covers every topic imaginable including affairs, debt, adoption and even a sneaky lottery win – with each and every one, the magic of Christmas can always be relied on.
Don’t be fooled though. This book is not just about Christmas. Oh no, it has other angles covered . The history of the Sugar Loaf Lodge is such a sad tale and really does set the scene for the place which so many people find happiness within.
As each character’s chapter comes to an end, you are left waiting to see how they blend in with each other – and you will not be disappointed with the results.
As for the ending – all I can say is, please don’t get too over excited and accidentally look at the last line before you have finished. Wait….. savour it….. don’t even turn the page until you have finished your hot chocolate and you are ready to have a happy little cry (nobody wants snot and tears in their chocolate, not even happy ones).
Now….. turn over and enjoy.
What a book, what a cast of characters, what an ending.
Sheila O Flannagan has truly kick started my Christmas in November – starting the Chick Lit Advent Calendar early was the best idea I’ve had all year.

Bronson is on the Nice List

2011-11-20T08:32:00.000-08:00

Just another reason to LOVE Christmas.

Bronson's festive outfits are from Primark.... He will be getting plenty of special treats in his stocking this year :)

The Chicklit Advent Calendar

2011-11-20T07:53:00.000-08:00

Ahhhhhhhh........ Just the start of my countdown to Christmas with chicklit.

I have a fleece duvet, fleece pyjamas, electric blanket and a stash of biscuits...... No, I don't do this EVERY single night.... but it is a very snuggly countdown to Christmas :)

Reviews will follow shortly :)

My (Faux) Fur (Faux) Photoshoot

2011-11-20T06:58:00.000-08:00

Today I took to the great outdoors (yes, my back garden) to have a photoshoot* to show off just how much I love, love, LOVE my new Rosa coat.......

It's soft, furry and goes with everything (a little bit like Bronson) Only yesterday, I wore it to the library just to feel more glamourous.

I will be wearing it for shopping, meals with friends, Christmas fayres and, most importantly of all........ my surprise weekend away.
I have absolutely no idea where I am being taken (by the best boyfriend in the World ;)), so I need a jacket that makes me feel amazing. Rosa (with a touch of Vivienne Westwood sparkle) is the one :)

I bought Rosa from http://www.room31.co.uk/ - unfourtunately, like all the best things in the World, it's currently sold out.

I am devastated - I love it so much, I want both of the other colours. In fact, I even want another black just in case I drop mince pies down this one......
Still, Room 31 have plenty of winter warmers available for to check out while I'm dreaming of Rosa....
Both of these sparkly little numbers will be coming on my weekend away....

http://room31.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=78&product_id=442 -

http://room31.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=78&product_id=435

And, since I fancy giving Kelly Rowland a run for her money, I will also be packing this... http://room31.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=78&product_id=444

Roll on pay day Friday....... I'm just a tiny bit concerned the new wardrobe I'm buying for my surprise shopping trip will leave me with no spending money for other people's presents......hmmmm
At least December is the best time for window shopping..... :)

*photographer = My Mum - who couldn't go very far since her leg is in pot and she is on crutches.... :D

Christmas Roses

2011-11-10T12:25:00.000-08:00

Sixty Five Roses is a local (Hull) charity and with the help of Waitrose, Willerby we are raising money for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers.
We want to get you in the mood for Chrisssttttmmmaaassssssss!!

What could be a better way of spending Saturday 3rd December than surrounded by all things festive?

Stalls full of gift ideas make present buying easy, carols will have you singing, and if you need any more encouragement - Waitrose will be providing the mince pies, Coffee and hot chocolate.

If you have a craft stall, or would like to donate any lovely, festive presents please do get in touch.

If you would just like to part of this delicious, festive EXTRAVANGANZA (I'm clearly excited).... we'll see you at St. Mary's Church in Beverley on the 3rd December. Doors open at 11am..... (till 4pm) but please get there early as I really don't want to eat all of those mince pies before lunch....

'I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds round my neck'

2011-11-10T11:26:00.000-08:00

Cystic Fibrosis. Easy to say isn't it?........ Now, ask a four year old to say it.

Not quite the same?!
Sixty-Five Roses is a charity created when Fiona and Suzi realised it would be easier to call this life limiting disease something a bit less clinical and a lot easier to say
Suzi's daughter Billi-Grace was born with the disease, and Fiona and Suzi, along with the kind support of Waitrose and the John Lewis Partnership, have made it their mission to make people aware of it and let them know how they can help.

There's the history...... now, we need YOU (and lots of roses)

We have a room at Feren's Art Gallery (Hull) to fill with roses......we have a Valentine's Ball to auction them off..... and we have an empty space where our logo should be.

Can you help?

Send us a rose..... let your imagination run wild - anything goes!

Paint, papier machier, even solid gold if you are feeling classy *ahem*

You rose will be put on display in the local art gallery and voted for...... the winner will be made into our logo.

All roses will be auctioned off at our Valentine's Ball in February....... so the better it is, the more money we make for people like Billi-Grace.

We would love roses from everybody - if you are a business, incorporate your logo, if you are famous, incorporate your autograph (and perhaps a lovely signed photo hehe)......... the list goes on.

Every last rose counts and will make a difference.

Please contact myself for more information :)

God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.

James M. Barrie

PS. Chocolate roses are also more than welcome :D

PPS. or cupcake shaped ones

PPPS. Or roses made from cheese........

SNUGGGG

2011-11-08T11:55:00.000-08:00

The most wonderful time of the year...... SERIOUSLY, I LOVE it. I cannot get enough of buying new coats, boots, hats, scarfs........ Anything snug, festive or sparkly and I'm all over it.

So, this year I wanted boots that were as comfy as Uggs but looked like I had made an effort.....and a coat that I loved more than life itself.

Like I said, this time of the year is quite important to me.

I found these boots on www.room31.co.uk They were delivered in pink parcel full of pink tissue.....who doesn't want their new darlings wrapped up in pink?! The boots are PERFECT. A little wedge gives me enough height to make sure I don't look like an elf (the one festive thing I don't want to be)....... they had fluff on the outside and LEOPARD PRINT on the inside. The cutest little things I've ever seen.

The coat is from www.ByJam.co.uk who I discovered at the BINTMLive event. WHY I hadn't found this website before, I have no idea. Real wool, fur collar and floral buttons. Need I say more? No, I don't think so.

Winter allllll wrapped up.