This year is just going by all too quickly. That's all I'm going to say on the matter.

July has been a good month, to kick things off I finally found some Tutti Frooties on sale (honestly it took me ages to find anywhere that sold them) and they are as tooth threateningly hard as I remembered. Nice though.

I've been having a bit of a splurge on beauty products, I'm not going to add it up but it was a lot. Or a lot for me anyway. These pictures aren't half of it! Perhaps I'll do some reviews… Needless to say I'm feeling pampered.

Early on in the month I took part in a 12hr sponsored spin, as in bikes - not wool (although I do fancy having a go at that). I was part of a team that kept the wheels spinning for 12 hours, from 7pm - 7am. It was a charity thing, obviously, no-one would do this for fun! But, it was quite good fun although I ate so many sweets to keep myself awake I think I probably consumed more calories than I used. Oh well, it was doing this that finally convinced me to move more.

My patchwork quilt has been a little ignored, although I did discover it is possible to sew while sitting in a hammock - just in case you'd ever wondered. I'm up to 150 hexagon flowers now but have many more to go.

I've done a lot of reading, I finished The Gift by Cecelia Ahern and then read The Hunger Games series, the final book - Mockingjay was finished in less than 24hrs (I had a sleep in the middle). I couldn't get enough and then felt bereft when I realised there would be no more Katniss and Peeta. I haven't picked up another book yet as I think it will just pale in comparison.

I've found myself a new tipple thanks to Jenny over at Sunny Sweet Pea. Violet fizz - G&T with violet syrup - it's so, so good. I'm limiting myself to the odd one here and there, otherwise I think I'd find myself addicted! It's the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

I've been taking part in Jenny's Postcard Swap too, the postcards are starting to fall onto my doormat and it's so nice to receive post that isn't bills or junk mail! To see some of them in all there prettiness search for #postcardswap2014 on Instagram.

I've taken 81 photos of my cats (which is a little less than most months!) and was surprised to find a mouse on the top shelf of my wardrobe... I'd been searching for the little critter for a good 20 minutes at ground level when I heard the telltale scratching noises coming from overhead. Still, it made it easier to catch.

I've also transformed a small chest of drawers, found some great charity shop buys and been pinning inspiration on how to 'dress' our new mantle piece when it's fitted. There will be a log burner too but I'm more excited by the mantle - at last somewhere to put our Christmas cards in December!

How has July been for you?

Love

So I had a little grumble about feeling out of sorts a few posts ago, and we have a rule in our house that we're only allowed to grumble if we're prepared to do something about it.

Truth is I've been feeling pretty crappy about myself for a while. It's all my own doing, I don't eat particularly well and I've let my running slide, so it shouldn't come as a shock to me that my body is responding exactly as it should - by becoming out of shape. I want to get back to feeling healthy and strong.

How am I going to do this? Through exercise and a healthier diet. I'm not going to 'go on a diet' as I don't believe in them. I grew up watching my Mum go on diet after diet to lose weight, then put it all back on (and then some), only to have to start the process all over again. It never made her happy. I need to eat more healthily - have a proper breakfast and stop grazing on unhealthy snacks throughout the day.

As for the getting fit element, I've recently started running again, starting over on the 5K Runner app but I've also got a new running app that is about running for weight loss that I'm keen to try. I'm so annoyed at myself for stopping my running, I was getting on really well and I was even starting to enjoy it but then things / life / work got busy and I stopped. I guess this happens sometimes but what I should've done is start again when the workload eased but I didn't, I ate crisps instead.

All of this comes down to feeling good and part of feeling good for me is to look good (or think I look good when I look in the mirror - is that the same thing? I'm not sure). Dressing the part half the battle, if I feel good in my clothes I'm more likely to stick to it. For now I've relegated any clothes that have become uncomfortable or unflattering to storage and have a selection that I feel good in now.


When it comes to gym gear I have a few items that don't make me wince when I look in the mirror but I've also been lucky enough to have been offered some items to try by Sportsshoes.

I picked out a pair of Nike capri length running tights (I'm not ready to face shorts just yet) as the first time I went running recently my full length tights felt too hot. Although running on one of the hottest days of the year so far, probably wasn't my smartest move! These are much better and super comfy. I really, really like them and love the little zip pocket on the back - perfect for my house key.


I also picked out some Nike trainers in a cool purple design (in my head pretty trainers make me run faster) and I've found them to be really comfy and noticeably lighter than my previous pair. They're really nice to run in - well, run and walk in for a while and then run a bit more ;o)

Any tips for motivation, healthy eating gratefully received!

Thank you to Sportsshoes for sending me these items to review. All opinions are my own.

Love

I love those days when you go into a charity shop and find loads of really cool stuff. I had some time to waste before my dentist appointment (teeth are A-OK, yay!) and I ended up leaving with an armful of bits and pieces.

I've given up looking at the clothes in my local charity shop. The prices just keep going up and up and I refuse to pay such prices for second hand clothes - no matter what brand they are (I trawl the charity shops in Ipswich instead as they are more reasonably priced). I seem to have a maximum spend in mind for second hand clothes, I dont know where it comes from, but it's proving to be steadfast.

There is a good sized bric-a-brac section at the back of the shop though.


I picked up this small wicker picnic basket for a fiver, it'll sit on the top of my wardrobe with my other ones - I'm thinking I'll fill this with clutch bags to clear some (much needed) room in the wardrobe space.

I found a book that I've been wanting to read - Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doherty - for 60p. I'm reading more this year in an effort to decrease my to-read pile and it's working, slowly, so I don't feel too bad about buying another book. Have you read this?

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants DVD - perfect viewing for a night home alone. At £3.25 it's not cheap, most charity shops only charge a pound for a DVD, but I kinda wanted it and I prefer my money go to a charity shop over Amazon whenever possible.


Rather colourful tie hangers. I'd been meaning to get some for Andy for ages and while these aren't the colours that Andy would choose, I figured that no one sees in our wardrobe anyway, so for £2.25 I bagged them.

This necklace was £2 (I think it's originally from Boden). I'm going to take it apart and use the beads for some bag charms and tree decorations to sell at a Christmas bazaar (thinking ahead!). But not before I've worn it for a wedding in September...

I picked up this little purse and it gave me such a jolt of nostalgia I didn't even question whether or not I'd be keeping it. I had a tan coloured one when I was really little. It's too small to be of any use but it makes me smile and that's got to be worth the 75p I paid.

And lastly I found this wreath. I'm going to get my craft on and do something festive with it. I don't know what yet exactly but at 65p I wasn't going to leave it behind. We're having a wood burner and mantlepiece fitted soon (exciting!!) and I can see this perched on top come December.

I love it when I find something that someone has discarded, that I can put to good use. When I'm done with the book and the DVD I'll pass them on to someone else or give them back to charity to be enjoyed again.


I found myself in The Salvation Army shop in Ipswich a few days later, I picked up this Miss Selfridge top for £3.49. Apologies for the mirror shot... they seem so much easier than setting up the tripod these days.

I found a Wallis cardy for £3.50 too, but the best buy of the day was a Cynthia Rowley LBD for £3.99. I think the dress has to be my best secondhand purchase ever. I'd heard the name before (on Sex and the City, hehe) so I had a look online and saw the prices. Oh my. £3.99 is quite the bargain! I'll do an outfit post soon.

Have you had any good charity buys recently? What is the best bargain you've found?

Love

Have you seen the film Garden State with Zack Braff and Natalie Portman? If not, watch it, it's a great film.

This is the second of the Boohoo maxi dresses I purchased recently. I'm inexplicably drawn to anything with a blue floral pattern. It's just the tiniest bit see-through, so I had to find something to wear underneath, I'm sure if I wore nude undies I could get away with it but I think I'd feel too self-conscious. I'm a lady of advancing years don't cha know! Anyway now that I have a plain white dress in my possession (good ole eBay), I think this is going to get a lot of wear.


My nails are painted with Colour Club in Glossy Seal. Blue nails always make me think of my final years at high school because I wore electric blue nail polish constantly. This particular colour has been formulated especially for the GlossyBox Stars and Stripes edition although I can't help but think of Action Man's pants when I look at it...


On my lips I'm wearing Bellapierre mineral lipstick in Mandarin, also from GlossyBox. It's a lovely orangey red and smells sweet (when did it become fashionable to make lippy scented?) but it doesn't have much staying power sadly. This is one that will require proper application, and by that I mean the faff of fill, blot, cover with powder, brush on, blot, put your left leg in, your left leg out...



As for the dress, it's long and floaty and I love that I can wear a shorter dress underneath and it'll look like one of those dresses with a sheer skirt. Or, I can do what all the cool kids are doing, and knot it at the hem. I was doing this back in college, I was such a trendsetter, ha! No matter how I chose to wear it, it's going to be perfect for all the hot days we've got coming out way *crosses fingers*.

Do you subscribe to GlossyBox? What do you think of it? My only real dislike is the shredded packaging - it covers everything in a fine dust and I have enough dust in my home as it is!

Love

Life can be freaky sometimes. Twice in the past few weeks I've been contacted by companies asking me if I want to review things (this doesn't happen very often - i.e. once in a blue moon - which makes it seem all the more freaky). Both opportunities have been so perfectly timed that I'm beginning to wonder if I'm playing a Jim Carey type character in… what's that film where his whole life is a movie and everyone else is played by actors?? Well anyway, that.

Freaky thing no.1.

I'd written this post about my bedside tables, I'd taken the pictures, edited them and scheduled the post when I was contacted by Trinca Ferro asking if I wanted to review some of their decorative knobs. If the post was live I would have assumed that they'd been in touch because of it. But it wasn't, which to me = spooky.


I'd pondered giving my Ikea storage unit a bit of a make over with a coat of paint and some new knobs. So, I had a look at the website and liked what I saw. They sent me six decorative knobs, that I chose from a vast range of styles, and I set about the transformation.


I'd seen this Ikea hack on Pinterest and wanted to do something similar. I'd also pinned this Java Gel Stain and wanted to give it a trial run for another project I'm considering and this seemed like the perfect time to try it - if it went wrong, no biggie. If it worked well, I'd have the solution for another project.


I roped in my Dad to drill the holes in the drawers and shorten the threads before I set about sanding and staining.  I rounded off the corners and edges with sandpaper to give it a worn look and the Java Gel Stain was a breeze to use. You simply rub it on with a soft cloth (or an old sports sock) and then buff off any excess with a clean cloth. It wasn't long before it was starting to take shape.


But I had to wait hours for it to dry before I could apply a second coat. Patience is not my middle name (it's Joy), I just wanted to plonk it on my shelves and fill all of the little drawers with my bits and pieces. I had to wait until after supper to apply the second coat and then wait again overnight for it to dry. Needless to say Sunday morning I hopped out of bed, attached the decorative knobs and filled the drawers before anyone could say 'good morning'.


Have a guess what I put in the drawer with the button knob (disclaimer - I chuckle every time I type the word 'knob'. Will I ever grow up?)...


Not hard to guess really. These drawers are the perfect size to keep all my craft and office bits and pieces neat and tidy. You might be wondering why I need so many buttons (you can never have too many buttons) and I'll show you've what I've been doing with them soon.

I'm really chuffed with the result. So much so I'm tempted to see if I can find some similar drawers, and choose some different knobs for a second set. Like buttons, you can never have too much storage!

I also rather like some of the necklace organisers they have on their Pinterest board, and the door knob wine stoppers (although wine doesn't last that long around here). I feel a new obsession coming on... yep, a knob obsession *chuckle*

Caroline - have you got your wardrobe knobs on yet?

Thank you to Trinca Ferro for sending me these decorative knobs to review. All opinions are my own.

Love

I love those serendipitous moments in life, and this one is no exception. I was browsing the ASOS sale, for no particular reason (as you do), when I happened across these... half price at £25.00 :OD

I admired them back in February but quickly forgot all about them. Then the Shoe Gods smiled upon me, guiding me gently back to the website with their mystical powers to furnish me with gorgeous new boots. They've got me thinking about jeans and jumpers, scarves and woolly hats!

I'm sure we've all had those moments when something previously purchased pops up at half price in the sale, causing you to curse loudly. I certainly have. I see this as payback.


You like? What have you found in the sales?

Love

This summer is fast becoming the 'Summer of the Maxi Dress' for me. I've said it before but they're just so darn easy and not just because I don't have to worry about leg stubble to wear them (although that is a definite bonus).

(Did you see me go head first into a post with too much information there? Did you?)

Anyway, prickly legs aside, they're perfect for when it gets hot. The last thing I want on warm day is an overly complicated outfit, and chucking on a dress couldn't be simpler.


The one I'm wearing here is from Warehouse. It's not a neckline I normally go for but the aztec pattern and colour won me over and as I'm always telling people to try something they normally wouldn't when it comes to clothes, I thought it best to take my own advice (just this once - I won't make a habit of it). Turns out I rather like it!


The dress requires a strapless bra (or boob tape for the brave), or in my case a boobtube. The neckline feels a little revealing and I'm not a fan of showing too much cleavage (or lack of), but it's a super dress. The fabric is soft and floaty and the contrast edging finishes it off nicely. The waist is elasticated at the back making it very forgiving too, perfect for someone who can't say no to dessert!


I accessorised it with a super old and rarely used clutch bag and then went out for supper with my fella. On my feet I wore the wedges that, having spent the last few years in their box, seem to be getting paired with everything recently.


My nails are done in Mavala Waikiki Orange, it came free on the front of a magazine and has turned out to be the easiest nail polish I've ever owned, it goes on like a dream and it's a super colour too!

I'm going to a wedding in September and although I have the wedding outfit sorted (another fab charity shop find) I know I'll be taking this along with me for the celebrations the night before.

What's your summer staple?

Thank you to Warehouse for sending me this dress to review. All opinions are my own.

Love

I saw this necklace on Wearing It Today and clicked through to Accessorize with the intention of buying it, but when I looked at it more closely, I though 'I can do that' (or some version of it). And so I did.

I had some jewellery making paraphernalia kicking about already so I just needed some waxed cotton and extra beads - the blue shiny ones - to complete the job.


I started by treading the beads, I had a rough idea of what I wanted but pretty much made it up as I went along. I used to do this sort of thing all the time and had forgotten how relaxing it can be. It didn't take long to have all the beads in place.


I then used some cotton to make the tassel, folding it directly over the waxed cotton and securing with a few strands wrapped around and knotted tightly in place. It's pretty straight forward - I used this tutorial found via Pinterest. I decided that one was enough and left it at that.



Whadaya think? I'm kinda loving it.

Love

Yesterday I had one of those days when I got out of bed not quite feeling myself. I was having a fat day. I don't say that out loud very often because I find I get a general response of 'how can you have a fat day!' Well, I can, and I do. Being small does not mean you can't feel uncomfortable in your own skin, at odds with what you see in the mirror. I felt podgy and out of sorts and it made me unhappy.

I had no idea what to wear, everything I put on was wrong, wrong, wrong. If I didn't have appointments yesterday I would have stayed firmly in my PJs, where I know it's safe. But I did have appointments and so I had to find something to wear, then I tried this skirt, my yet-to-be-worn wrap skirt, and it made me feel a little better.

I've had it for a while but had forgotten all about it. I picked it up in Spitalfields Market, it was on one of the first stalls I looked at and I kept going back to it thinking 'I'll never wear it', 'what will I wear it with?', 'it's so pretty'. Upon my fifth return I decided to just go ahead and buy it.

I'm bloody well glad I did. Putting it on I felt better, not because it made my podgy feeling go away because it didn't, but it's easy to wear (the best thing about a wrap skirt is that it always fits) and it swished and flounced and made me feel ladylike. If it can make me feel better on a bad day, imagine how good it will feel to wear this on a good day!

It's a bit tricky to photograph when the wind is blowing but it's a lovely shape that dips at either side and it's a gorgeous bright, summery pattern.



Thank goodness for this skirt. I'll be keeping this on standby for future fat days.

Do you have go-to items of clothing for days like these?

Love

I popped to my local high street this week and found these in a lovely emporium near the station. Crammed to the rafters with all sorts of bits and pieces I often spend time wandering around gazing at all there is. This time I spent ages flicking through their vast array of old postcards.

They had some particularly lovely specimens, so nice that I couldn't leave them behind. They're all written and posted in the early 1900s.


Look at the handwriting. I wonder if Miss M Goldsmith was pleased to receive such a thing? Kezzie, do you get such postcards from loving pupils?

I've driven up and down Spring Road thousands of times, but next time I do I'll be sure to look for no.19.

This next one made me chuckle - what a strange baby with an adult face! But once again, it was the back that delighted me...


This is next one is my absolute favourite.


'Come and see me tomorrow don't forget. Yours Truly Polly' with no less than eight kisses. I wonder who Mr W Moss was to our dear, sweet Polly? Was this the start of an exciting young love affair? I do hope it was...

Love