This Week #23

Gigantic instagram update, amiright?

Currently... #2

Because it's Friday...

This Week #3

"Why is Mama gone?" // Avocados look like dragon eggs, for sure! #iamnowkhaleesi // Pup snuggles // Makin' hummus. // Pimm's, anyone? // Eatin' hummus. // Off to a wedding rehearsal! // The wedding! // Post wedding. Feeling tired.

Posts on The Bird Song this week; Monday Lusting #3 // Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream.

Another hectic week.

This Week #2

Standard Sunday biz. // Oops. // Car Selfie. // My car couldn't have picked a worse place to break down. // Freshly a-flame hair. // Sunning it in the garden with my Scruffington.

This week on The Bird Song; Monday Lusting #2 // Real Techniques | Modern Natural Kit // Top 5 | French Skincare.

Well. This has been an interesting week...

Monday Lusting #2

Vest // Cheek Duo // Notebook // Hairbrush // Mask

Happy Monday!

Life Lately #2

I haven't done a monthly notes post or a general chatty update for a while, since there's nothing like the present and I actually have the use of my laptop for once - I figured I should share some of what's been afoot...

This Week | instagram #52

Little bit o' Boots haulin'! // Knackered and sassy face. // Working from bed, not feeling great! // Propercorn Sweet & Salty is delicious! // Trying to decide between tennis ball & Teddy! // Impromptu cat bed using a dressing gown. 

Posts on The Bird Song this week; Fashion | Home | Beauty // Empties #9 // The Body Shop | Vitamin E Serum-in-Oil // No7 Beautiful Skin | Melting Gel Cleanser // Decanting | Holiday Organization.

Happy weekend, lovelies!

This Week | instagram #51

New skincare tray; still needs editing down. // Board game prototyping for uni! // Weekend babysitting; but Poppy stole my heart. // Watching the winter Olympics with these two reprobates.

Posts on The Bird Song this week; Fashion | Home | Beauty // February Favourites // Beauty Bag | March.

Happy Weekend, Lovelies!

Open University | Thoughts Part Two

If you've managed to stick with me after the first part of this post, bravo, hopefully this will be a shorter post. This is my actual thoughts on the OU itself - so if you're interested, keep reading.

Open University | Thoughts Part One

I've paused the usual programming today to bring a requested post; so if you're not altogether interested by this, feel free to skip it. I'm going to do this in two parts - this one shall be how I got to the OU and the second shall be my actual thoughts on the system/courses I've taken so far... 

As mentioned I've had a few requests to do a 'thoughts so far' post on the Open University and so here it is. I may ramble - so feel free to get a cuppa. 

January | Notes

Another month ends and so another ramble begins; if you're not fond of these types of posts, I won't be insulted and normal service will resume tomorrow.

November | Notes

I just need to sit for a minute. Or three. Go get a tea, coffee, rum; whatever you're drinking. Let's just chill for a second. Normal programming will resume tomorrow...

Down Time

An apology of sorts for the lack of standard beauty post today; but it's been one of those days where I had to be out most of the day on personal errands...

I'm trying to make up for it, of course, with pictures of my black and white minions...

October | Notes

Another month has gone by; time is a pretty fickle friend isn't it? Seriously - it seems like yesterday I was ordering Joshua's birthday cake. And that was in February. Crazy business. If you feel like reading a ramble, go get yourself a cup of tea/coffee and let's catch up!

September | Notes

Let's take a moment and kick back, go get a cup of tea or coffee. Maybe some rum. Time is flying by, perhaps because I'm older it feels like a month doesn't last a whole lot now? Either way - oh my goodness, it's October guys! 

Last month I mentioned I'd been to see a back specialist at a local-to-me city hospital who in turn then booked me in for an MRI scan (which hasn't happened yet,) and more physio but at my local hospital - which is only just happening, it starts tomorrow. I feel pretty grumpy about the whole thing and how long it's taken to come into place. I have to remain positive things are actually going somewhere now though.

I also mentioned last month a little To-Do list and I'm halfway there! The wall unit and runner that was in place (when a computer used to be in this nook,) has been ripped out and walls and the worktop/desk have been painted white. I'm leaving it white for a while - I quite like how more spacious it looks at the moment. I also need to get a few bits from Ikea still, but on the whole it looks so much more organized - more like a vanity and less like a computer desk. Score.

Baking has recently come back into my life - although I need help putting it into the oven, there's nothing from stopping me rolling out pastry and serving up some pie. I was quite pleased this one came out so beautifully. I also made banana and oat muffins - they were delightful. 

Uni has officially started for Josh and I, obviously me at home on my laptop can be distracting but I find myself not wanting to go off and window shop - I've found that I am pretty good at keeping to the task at hand. Which I'm proud of myself for.

Apart from that nothing much else has happened. I've acquired all my bits for my Autumn wardrobe; lots of light knitwear and a two new shirts/blouses. I'm all set - although that probably won't stop a cheeky purchase or two in the near future!

If you're wondering who's the cutie in the picture - that's my dog Scruffy. We didn't name him, by the way. Also please don't comment on his eye - the vet called it Cherry Eye and it's nothing to worry about, it's just one of his quirky little features. ;)

All that remains to be said is have an awesome October - normal posting will resume tomorrow if you're not a fan of these rants - and I'd love to hear what's happened to you guys over September. 

Peace!

August | Notes

Last month I did a little 'kick back' session and just rambled about everything from that month - a thorough little personal update which I quite liked writing, so here I am again; get ready for some rambles.

I went to hospital on Thursday to meet with a back specialist. It went pretty well, he thinks it's mechanical back pain (and actually explained what it meant,) but I still have to have an MRI in about six weeks time just because of something that happened, just to for sure rule out anything 'sinister' - but I felt much more positive afterwards. 

It just feels like it's taken a long time to get to this positive point after quite a few down days, rages and just plain anger/grumpiness. He also mentioned that I am quite 'mobile' (or joint hypermobility) which is something to do with the collagen in your joints (don't hold me to this, I ain't medically trained after all) which apparently affects dancers and gymnasts; to which I wittily replied "well, I've missed out on that career then" - my mum laughed... he didn't.

I also start physio up again although thankfully a tad more local - and I'm really thinking I might see a change over the coming month. Fingers crossed!

Home wise I've pretty much decided on what's going to happen over the next month too - we have limited space in this house so making it to our tastes, whilst having approval has been difficult in past but is getting easier over time. I'm still undecided on paint colour for the worktop but I still have a few weeks to decide anyway.

I've also found my dream team for a super triple threat mask combination! It's taken some time and no doubt I'll have to switch it up again in three months time but for now they are amazing.

Products I've swooned over as of late; this biker jacket from H&M - oh my god I need it and also this lightweight insect patterned scarf from Topshop. Because why the hell not.

Blogs I have loved as of recently; Jen writes on jennypurr and it is a delight to read, and there's always a plethora of skincare goodies to read about. I also love The Private Life of a Girl - written by Sophie, who also runs Oh My Clumsy Heart - an amazing shop full of beautiful jewellery - I want it all!

As for what I'm hoping for in September? Cooler weather, not a lot of rain, for physio to help my back and possibly the space to make some soup and pies. 

Peace!

A Bug's Life...

I found these photos I took from about a month ago and thought I would share them. This maybe a beauty blog - but it can't hurt to look at some of natures beauty... and that's coming from a serious wuss in regards to 'creepy crawlies.'

This little guy was just pondering around. He had little orange eyelashes/antenna!? -- I have no idea what kind of bug/beetle this little guy is but we just called him 'Alfonzo' and set him on his way.

In certain photos it really looks like he was regarding us too...

'What the hell is THAT? Oh god it's HUGE!' Haha.

I tried looking up what the name is for this particular bug but could only come up with a Squash Beetle? Any gardening/bug whizzes feel free to let me know. 

Peace!

Nail Polish | Current Collection

(click images to see full size, much prettier.;)

I'm an odd one; this statement is true for most people though. I have this perfect 50/50 split of how I treat hoarding/collections from my parents. My father, a hoarder - my mother, an obsessive compulsive who fears not with throwing anything away and would probably have a supremely minimalist house if it wasn't for the rest of us (you know, pesty children, grandchildren...)

I hoard (magazines, books, make up...) but then a while later just throw it out - not everything, I re-evaluate what I will use/read and then donate the rest to family members or bin them if they've gone bad (magazines usually go straight to the doctors office,) - books are the only exception, they always stay. 

My boyfriend rolled his eyes when I purchased a magazine and it came with free nail polishes. 'But you already have a ton!' -- 'But they are Ciate,' I say. And mores to the point, a freebie with a magazine I would of bought anyway. Win win. He told me to go take a picture of my collection; and here's what I've learnt...

You can never have too many nudes/whites. They are perfect for doing accent nails, nail art, and just as a base to a glitter nail. No matter how much I grew up hating pink; it just looks god damn good on my nails. Four of a shade range seems to be a healthy balance (blues, orange/corals, yellow/golds.) I'm probably going to donate 'Crack Your Colour' to my niece, it slipped through the net. I don't have enough greens/mints. There can only be one red.

Okay, 'only one red?' I hear you cry? Let's just take a minute to process this thought. I swear by this particular red polish time after time because I know it suits my skin tone, know it applies like a dream and I can rely on the fact it will still be on my nails after three days at least before any tip-wear occurs. I also have a favourite red lip stick that I know rocks any outfit and makes me feel awesome. A red nail is as much as a staple as a red lip, a little black dress, a crisp white shirt and those perfect jeans (if you're lucky enough to have found your perfect pair...) and a classic pair of black pumps. It's just something you have to have - need to have because it's your beta, an old friend, a comforting soup... 

Have I made my point? This is my red. 

So, what's your favourite red polish? I put it to you to narrow it down to one that you know is perfect for you.

Peace!

Fashion | Home | Beauty

1//2//3//4//5//6

Happy Monday lovelies!

This is the week. The. Week.

I'm going to go outside. My back is getting better, now it's time to get out and strengthen again. It's been to long, couped inside. My skin feels dull and no amount skincare/lotions/potions can help; it's all about the vitamin D, people! 

Let's start small, mainly walking the dogs. Then increase from there. 

I'm completely in love with the shirt dress from Topshop + the leather bag. It's not exactly summery but it's a classic. I dig it. Bit of bronzer, red lip. Wham.

Let's get this week off with a positive start, am I right? This cheers me up and just sums up positivity to me. Go listen and get pumped for the week ahead!

Peace!

instagram #16 - This Week

 My boyfriend puts a blanket over my dogs, all the time, but they don't seem to mind.

 Rockin' the Rimmel Salon Pro in Peppermint + showing off my new yellow/orange moleskin.//Essie Bikini-So-Teeny is the cutest polish name. Ever.

 Two favourite men in my life. // Naughty Stuffed Chicken - Recipe here.

I can't go shopping without picking up fresh flowers. // When cats attack.

This week has been pretty productive for me - plus my back is gradually getting better so I'm feeling unusually positive! We've had terrible weather this week here in Devon - so I'm hoping for better next week. 

I've been going googly eyed over Meg's top 10 picks for summer. Several of these items have been added to the 'Must Purchase!' list. Also check out Caroline Hiron's cheat sheet for routines - pretty handy if you're stuck in a skincare rut to get back to normality. Cleanse, cleanse, tone, tone, eye-cream, serum, moisturise!

Remind me to start saving money NOW for this time next year. I had no idea all the best sales start within the same week (Selfridges, Whistles and now Mulberry!) and although most of these deals are insanely amazing - I didn't buy anything. So I shall save a little more each week (I already save 50% of my wages, don't look at me like that Mother!) so I can go completely crazy next year. Deal? Deal!

Did you get lucky in the sales? Or where you completely unaware until the last minute like I was?

Peace!