May Scavenger Hunt

hello!

I really enjoy Kathy's Scavenger Hunt every month. After a poor effort last month I managed to get them all this time around, I think it's easier when the sun in shining!

good things

How could I not have a photo of my two gorgeous cats for this?

small packages

Perfect little parcels.

fragrance

This Honeysuckle has the most amazing scent.

station

nose

The cutest nose imaginable!

front page

nine

I spotted this on the ground in the yard. No idea what it is.

beverage

currency

historic

The Swan in Lavenham, Suffolk.

yellow

The fields of oil seed rape around my home are mesmerising. I can't think of anything yellower, at this time of year it practically glows.

do you see what I see?

Thanks again to Kathy at Postcards from the P.P. for the list. Be sure to check out the other entries.
Love

The Mend Pile - Project 2, 3 & 4

The Mend Pile remains largely untouched despite my New Year resolution. Time to crack on.

Project Two
A case of some simple mending. This top has a hook and eye fastening at the neck. One of the hooks attached itself to the jacket of an unsuspecting chap as he walked by, tearing it at the bust seam. I don't know who was more surprised but I know I was definitely more embarrassed!

A few simple stitches and it's back in action after almost four years (sorry I forgot the 'before' pic).

Project Three
Is my favourite pair of shorts. They've had a split in the side seam since I bought them back in 2006 (not that that has stopped me wearing them) and with the sunny weather approaching (she says looking dubiously at the sky) I decided it was time to mend them...

I love these shorts, they're the perfect length, can be rolled down or down as required and are slouchy and faded to perfection. These will be worn until they fall apart.


Project Four
A dress that needed some serious mending from the outset. I picked this up for £4.00 in Primark nearly two years ago. A number of the beads where hanging off, which I reattached some time ago but the seam still needed some attention.

This dress makes a lovely soft jingling sound as I move. The fabric is soft and fluid and the shape is flattering making it easy to wear, which is probably why I couldn't bring myself to leave it in the store.

All perfect for enjoying the sunshine...
Love

Currently Loving : Essie 'At Home' Nail Polish

I recently tested some of the new Essie 'At Home' nail polishes for The Modern Girl's Guide and I've been left with a bit of a crush.

I was delighted with the seven shades Essie sent me to try but I couldn't resist a trip to Boots to check out the entire range. As I suspected I came home with two more - Tart Deco and Lilacism.

Both utterly gorgeous and perfect for the current pastel trend.

At £7.99 each they're worth a look and worth every penny. If I can give you a little advice - get the Essie Good To Go top coat too, it makes colour really pop and dries in no time!

Have you tried the new Essie 'At Home' range yet?

Love

May Challenge - Part 2

Catching up with the May Challenge by Flying Saucer.

Day 10 - Cute tights
I've had this maxi skirt for ages and have been waiting for the sun to shine so I could wear it. Then it dawned on me - I can wear tights underneath (I've always been quick off the mark!). These are by Red or Dead, purchased whilst conquering my fear of hosiery.

I can't resist a cute cat pic - sorry!

Day 11 - Your spring essential
Body brush and cellulite cream. After months of being hidden under jeans and hosiery my legs always need a little (a lot of) TLC to get them shorts ready. The body brush I've had for ages but the cream is new to me, it was highly recommended in a magazine. I swear by body brushing and the cream isn't very expensive so I decided to give it a try. It does sink in quickly, which I love. I have a huge dislike for creams that linger on my skin and make getting into my skinny jeans difficult.

Day 12 - The outfit you've had the best times in
I've found this one really tough, all of the times that are up there as 'one of the best' I wore something entirely different. Can I come back to this one?

Day 13 - Your lazy day at home with style (in front of your housemates/bf/visitor)
Chances are that a lazy day will involve jeans. This is a typical outfit for me - jeans, casual shoes, scarf and a smattering of jewellery.

Day 14 - The item that was hardest to hunt down/buy.
Believe it or not I found a black bag pretty hard to find. It's because I am so particular. It took me ages to find one and then I found two on eBay and bought them both! Since then I have found out that one of them is a copy of a Fendi Spy bag (luckily it wasn't being sold as the real deal, I only paid £8.30), which makes me like it a little less, carrying around a fake makes me feel a little foolish. Is that silly?

Day 15 - Nail art/your favourite polish and your nail varnish collection
With a huge boost from Essie polishes being available to buy in Boots I now have over 30 shades in my collection. Essie Mint Candy Apple is my current favourite, I thought I'd hate it but once on I was smitten.

Hopefully I can catch up completely before the month is out!
Love

Currently Loving : Boticca

Whilst catching up on one of my favourite blogs, The Online Stylist, I was introduced to Boticca.

I have obviously been doing an awful lot of online browsing recently, just check back over my recent 'wishlist' posts to see what I mean. So, I'm not going to post a huge long list of the things that took my fancy, I'm just going to show you my absolute favourite and then urge you to visit the site and take a look for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

Toosis three stones ring with pink quartz and purple amethyst.

Image source: Boticca.com

Pretty yes?

I'd love to know what your favourite piece is!
Love

Nelly.com Launch Party

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the Nelly.com launch party as a result of winning two tickets in Really Ree's competition.

I couldn't believe I'd won and kicked myself that only days before I'd decided to wait until payday before placing my first Nelly order. This would have made my decision on what to wear far, far easier!

In the end I went with a floaty black skirt, skinny jeans and a clutch. However, there are no outfit pics, I decided to wait until I got to the venue to take some. But it rained. Oh my goodness did it rain! And I got caught right, slap bang in the middle of it. So, I arrived looking somewhat less glam than I'd hoped.

But, hell, no one there knew me (if you don't count my companion) so I grabbed a cocktail and made the best of it.

Nelly have only recently launched their UK website - there had been quite a buzz on twitter about it, which lead to me checking them out and posting my findings here. But this buzz was nothing compared to that which the launch party created. My timeline was littered with #hellonellyuk tweets and I was so excited to be part of it.

Let me set the scene - we were in restaurant and bar - Aqua London, it had a night club atmosphere, rails of gorgeous clothes, shoes and boots lined up on the bar and in glass cases under spotlights, beautiful people, cocktails, canapés, a nail bar and a rooftop terrace with to-die-for views over London - all set to music from DJ Gemma Cairney.

I made my exit much earlier than I would have liked (I had a train to catch) with an even longer wish list (watch this space), safe in the knowledge that I'd made a new friend in Nelly.

I was tired but buzzing the next day and, if my twitter timeline was to be believed, I wasn't alone. Which just goes to show what a great success the party had been.

I wonder what Nelly will do next?

Late to the party...

Life has been a little hectic recently and I missed the start of this challenge by Flying Saucer (discovered via Sophie's blog).

Would it be cheating to do this in chunks, a little late, instead of a daily post? You know I love a challenge and it seems like ages since my last challenge ended.

Day 1 - Your Wardrobe.
I recently wrote about my wardrobe overhaul for The Modern Girls Guide. I'm glad to say that I've managed to keep it neat and tidy since then (which is pretty amazing for me as I have been know to use the floor instead of the hangers in the wardrobe)

Day 2 - You have the most…
Bags - 41 and counting. Some I have had for years, some I have been talked in to buying by evil (brilliant) friends, others were gifts and I can spend hours trawling eBay for new additions.



Day 3 - Something you're wearing for the first time.
This cream jumper and using this tiny ASOS bag, I normally carry my world around with me so using this was a challenge in itself! As I was just popping into town I got on okay. All I needed was my purse, phone, keys and a lippy. I don't think I could use this on a normal day.


Day 4 - My favourite print.
Hands down, without a doubt my leopard print ballet flats. I'm a bit of a patternphobe so prints are limited in my wardrobe.

Day 5 - Your best bargain.
It doesn't look much on the hanger, Coast maxi dress, £20 via eBay (RRP £120). I've had this hanging in my wardrobe since October last year waiting for the 18th May when I will wearing it to a charity ball (there will be an outfit post).


Day 6 - Something out of your comfort zone but you love it.
Another eBay purchase this aztec maxi dress is divine. Pretty adventurous for a patternphobe don't you think? That said I haven't actually worn it yet...


Day 7 - A special occasion outfit.
The most recent special occasion for me was my Mum's 60th Birthday. I wore this ASOS maxi dress with a wide belt. On the day my hair looked a lot better and the party was in a local restaurant, not in a field of oil seed rape, but I can't help being drawn to that gorgeous yellow. Sooner or later it was going to feature in an outfit shot… and this may not be the last.

Day 8 - Something you forget you have but love.
This ring. So pretty!

Day 9 - The item at the top of your wishlist.
Choosing just one is hard. If pushed and shoved I would have to say this dress from Wrap. Sadly this has sold out in the blue so this will remain a wish.

So, here we go. I'm still a little behind, I'll try to catch up next week...
Hope you had a great weekend!

April Scavenger Hunt

What a hectic month! This is my excuse for failing so miserably this month. I managed one pic and I love it so much I decided to share it with you anyway.

I have high hopes for May's hunt, I have three of the twelve images already, but then as we all know pride comes before a fall, so I reserve the right to take back my high hopes at the end of May!

On the move

Thanks to Kathy over at Postcards from the P.P. for organising the list every month. See the other entries here.

Love