Best Buy: Like a bee to honey…

Today my best buy is this gorgeous little necklace from Accessorize.  I was browsing in town and I fell in love with this little lady.  I have a weird love for bumble bees – not normal ones, they can all go to stinger hell, but there’s something about the big fat fluffy ones that makes me smile – and the fact I can wear one around my neck and in such a delicate design makes me so happy.  Plus it’s cheap – only £6.00! Buy it here.

 

Aww! Just so cute! Buzz off and get one! I plan to…

Love,

Stolen Secrets…

Chapter One

I rolled out of bed, bleary eyed and filled with dread at what the mirror would bring.  As expected the frizz and unevenly tufted feathers that make up my hair were woven into an unfathomable tangle.  It had been another troubled night’s sleep.  Dreams and nightmares had intersected my slumber with flashes of the past, warped versions of the present and fabrications of the future.  I mulled over these confused clips as I set to work on taming my hair; a generally impossible task.  Earlier in life I had resented my mother for passing down the frizz gene.  Nowadays I have bigger things to resent her for, like the scar above my right eyebrow.  But this morning it was for the hair that I swore under my breath at my mother while I tried to pull the comb through.

I saw the red light on the answer phone flashing at me as I walked into the lounge so I pressed the play button.  I continued through to the kitchen to put on the kettle for the much needed first cup of coffee of the day.  Then I heard her voice echoing around the walls of the flat, the woman I had cursed just this morning.

“Darling, please stop changing your number, I just want to talk to you.  It’s been so long sweetheart.  Look your father is getting worse… He just wants to see you before it’s too late.  Please call me back darl–“

“Message deleted.”

It gave me great pleasure to hit the delete button, as it always did.  Yet another message I didn’t care about hearing.  One day she will get the message, the one I’ve been trying to send out loud and clear for years.  The one that I want nothing to do with her ever again, that she is dead to me.

She was sinking lower every time she contacted me recently.  Her favourite had been masterminding a fake illness for my father which had been ‘getting worse’ for months now.  I know he’s fine because I saw him a few days ago, laughing over a beer with his friends from the cricket club.  The last thing I needed in my life at that moment was my mother inventing more lies.  As if I didn’t already have enough on my plate!

I let out a long sigh, trying to exhale all the bad thoughts and memories that message had bought to my long awaited Saturday off.  It had been such a long week at work.  Apparently kids still had not caught on that social workers are there to help you, not ruin their lives.  But then as a teenager you think everyone is trying to ruin your life, even when they have your best interests at heart.  I know that’s the way that I felt once.

Ralph was out playing rugby with his mates on the green, I heard him leave this morning, but was so determined to have a couple more hours sleep that I ignored his movements.  It was nice to have some alone time for the first time in weeks.  I love Ralph, far more than I care to admit, but everyone needs some ‘me time’.

I poured the boiling water over the coffee granules and watched the dark brown swirls create the caffeine high which I have come to rely upon so much to get me going in the morning.  This has been an exceptionally tough week.  It’s not that I don’t love my job, far from it.  I get far higher benefits and rewards than many women I know.  There’s nothing better than finding a home for a child who’s never seen love, never been mothered or experienced a real hug with love laced through it.  This job lets me see that, not often, but when it happens it’s magical.  I don’t see myself as a soppy woman in any way, I’m sure my boss would be the first to tell you I have balls of steel.  But then you have years of seeing children wearing their broken hearts and homes on their sleeves.  Years of looking into the faces of a dozen kids who would never really be kids again, not now their innocence was shattered and stolen by the parents who never really cared.  When you finally see those kids get the love they deserve, now that is the one thing which can bring a tear to my eye.

However there had been little of that this week, with two of the children on my list being involved in a mugging, one in a domestic feud and another being named the main suspect after a stabbing. I don’t think anyone could ever call East London a peaceful place, I certainly wouldn’t.

I sat down on the sofa and curled my legs up under myself, the way I always had since I can remember and flicked on the TV.  I spent a few minutes searching for some mindless show which could easily distract my mind.  When no such show appeared I finished my coffee and went through the bedroom to the en suite and turned on the shower.  I could always rely on the shower to ease my mind.

I’ll let you in on my secrets…

Dear All,

This time last year I was spending all of my life in the library trying to create/construct/finish my dissertation.  Since it was finished I’ve done nothing with it, I had even forgotten the title of it – so painful was the memory.  But now I have decided to share it with you, chapter by chapter until you get bored or tell me it sucks.  So starting tomorrow I will post the first chapter of the creative half of my dissertation… Who knows… Maybe you’ll get hooked!

Love,

Best Buy: Cami little closer baby

I have been in love with this top ever since I laid eyes on it.  I know it won’t suit my figure and my boobs will push it out to make me look 9 months pregnant but I still lust after it more than is humanly necessary.  Topshop really are top of the shops for cute little camisoles this season and this one has a gorgeous bold pattern to make it stand out from the crowd while maintaining that sexy, slinkiness a cami should have.  The print is much richer and more amazing in person, it has a kind of movement to it that the internet can’t provide.

Some might think that £26.00 for a little top is too much, but this is versatile, you can wear it in the day with a cute jacket, night time with some skinnies and killer heels or even in the summer over a bikini top with shorts and sandals.  Essentially, it is worth the spend. Buy it here.

If you buy this I will be eternally jealous of you, your ownership of the top and then the fact that it fits you, but also proud!

Love,

Got your lipsticks marks still on my coffee cup

As we move from the winter months into the spring, trends are changing.  But lipstick is something which stays on trend for a long time.  Whilst bright post-box-red will always be classic, my two other favourite trends for lip colour at the moment are…..

Deep dark and daring reds:

Gwyneth Paltrow :: Megan Fox :: Ashley Olson :: Rooney Mara :: Kate Winslet :: Anne Hathaway

Wear with a simple winged eye or a smokey bronzed eyelid and lashings of mascara.  This type of lip makes a statement, so you don’t need to go overboard with the eye make up too, or the phrase drag queen might be batted around a little.  I like to match the strong lip with a strong brow to make a real statement… And a Megan Fox style pout won’t hurt either!!  Here are some gorgeous colours to try, there’s something for all budgets…

 

1. 195 Raspberry - Maybelline Superstay24 DualEnded Lip Color* – £8.99.  2. MAC Red – M-A-C Lipstick - £14.00.  3. 542 Cherry Pie - Maybelline Superstay24 DualEnded Lip Color* – £8.99.  4. Queen of Hearts - Collection 2000 Lasting Colour Lipstick – £2.99.  5. Red Devil - SEVENTEEN Supreme Shine Lipstick – £4.99.

*This stuff really works, it stays on for ages and doesn’t fade or flake.  Quite hard to take off when you’ve got a few wines inside you though!

Bright, bold and beautiful pinks:

Emma Stone :: Kat Graham :: Lea Michele :: Selena Gomez :: Kelly Osborn

While pink isn’t everyone’s favourite, you can’t get more girly or feminine.  With pink lips this season, brighter is better.  Don’t go for anything to cotton candy coloured or you will look like a bad barbie/gypsy bride.  Think bold and bright like Emma Stone.  Again this lip should be teamed with a simple eye, and beautiful highlighted cheekbones (I like high beam by benefit).  Here are my top five faves…

1. Peach Pop - Clinique High Impact Lip Colour SPF 15 – £16.00.  2. 020 - Rimmel: Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick – £5.49.  3. Candy Yum-Yum - M-A-C Lipstick - £14.00.  4. Fuschia Flash - Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Lipstick Collection – £7.19.  5. Raspberry Glace - Clinique Different Lipstick – £16.00.

Have fun making a statement with your lips,

White Collar Crush

This one’s for my bestie Eva.  Sorry, this post is less about how gorgeous Matt Bomer is in the White Collar series (well it’s not at all about that really, other than the sexy picture and word play) and more about fashion…  Shirts and blouses are all the rage this season, especially those inspired by or with a vintage twist.  Those which stand out and fit on trend (but will also be a wardrobe staple over the seasons) are those with the contrasting white collar.  Here are a few of my favourite white collared pieces from the high street and online…

1, Pop Boutique Dress with Contrast Collar and Cuffs – £30.00 – ASOS.  2, Dolly Delight in dusty pink - £48.80 – Miss Patina. 3, Contrast Collar Shift Dress – £46.00 – Topshop.  4, Blue Geometric Print Cap Sleeve Shirt - £14.99 – New Look. 5, Pearl Drop Top in electric blue – £48.80 - Miss Patina. 6, Pearl Collar Necklace – £14.00 - Topshop. 7, Melody White Teardrop Beaded Collar - £10.00 – boohoo.  8, Summer Explorer Dress in grey bird – £39.80 - Miss Patina. 9, ASOS Sleeveless Dress with Contrast Crochet Collar - £35.00 - ASOS. 10, “Keep Your Shirt On” in dog print – £45.80 - Miss Patina. 11, Molly Studded Collar Necklace by RegalRose - £29.00 – Not On The High Street.

Any one of these can add some instant chic to your wardrobe.  Wear blouses tucked in to high waisted skirts for a vintage look, or un-tucked over skinny jeans for a more updated casual look.  Jazz up any high necked jumper or T-shirt with the necklaces, or layer them with real shirt collars for a great effect.

I hope you enjoy going white collar!

Love,

Clutching the Envelope

With the wintry seasons approaching and the cold setting in, it’s all going to be deep colours with dark leather and furs.  So why not add a little light to your wardrobe with a pastel envelope bag.  Perfect for day time or evening, these bags are lightweight and trendy and will break up all the wool and knit with a pop of creamy colour.   I love all the creams, ivories, muted pinks and (God forbid!) beiges on offer this season.  Here are a few of my favourites at the moment…

1.  Metal Corner Envelope Clutch Bag – £18 - ASOS.  2. Ted Baker Elder Studded Envelope Clutch Handbag – £89 - John Lewis.  3. Grey Pastel Envelope Clutch - £15.99 –  New Look.  4. ‘It’s time to start living the life you have always imagined’ Envelope Bag – £50 – ISWAI.  5. Johnny Loves Rosie Envelope Clutch Bag – £38 – ASOS.  6. Beige Asymmetric Zip Clutch Bag – £18 – River Island.  7. ’You were all I could think about today’ Envelope Bag – £50 - ISWAI.  8. Faux Leather Diamante Skull Envelope Clutch Bag – £16.99 – Amazon.  9. Brown Geometric Panel Clutch Bag – £28 - River Island.  10. Faux Snake Front Clutch – £22 – Miss Selfridge.

Now wrap up warm and go open up to the cold when the postie brings one of these lovelies to your door.  Be warned, you might be enticed to step out into the really very brisk and chilly air to show it off!

Love,