Blogoversay!

My blog is 4 years old today!
Thank you to all my readers, and especially those who take time to comment. Lurkers, please come out of the woodwork and say hello! I'd love to meet you.

Anyway, please have some cake on me:

Image from http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1325732

Shoegal Flashback

What I was wearing this time last year. I didn't like this outfit that much, and the boots have long since gone on eBay.

Review: Revlon Color Burst Lipstick

I saw another blogger (I think it was Mary of Undergrad Fab) raving about this lipstick in plum and the next time I was in Boots I had a look at it. I had been looking to replace a discontinued No7 shade in a dark red for a long time and had never found anything that quite fitted the bill – until now. I bought the plum (I think it was reduced to £5.99 when I got it) but paid with my Boots points so it was free! It is a lovely lipstick, very smooth to apply and has good staying power. I find I have to reapply after eating but this is probably because I just slick on one coat and go in the first place – no blotting and layering for me. I will definitely be buying this again, and would consider the other shades if one of my other favourites was discontinued.
Buy Revlon Color Burst Lipstick at Boots for £7.99.

Shoegal Flashback

What I was wearing this time last year. It had got cold and started raining by this point!

Review: Bloom Make Up

I was sent some samples of Bloom cosmetics a couple of weeks ago. Bloom is an Australian company, started in the 1990s by Natalie Bloom. It is being stocked in the UK by Superdrug.

I was sent various products to review so I shall talk about each one in turn.

Full & Flirty Waterproof Fake Lash Mascara

This was nothing special and certainly has nothing about it that will make me switch from my premium brand or current favourite high street ‘false lash effect’ mascara, but I did like the fact that the wand has lots of bristles on it to really fan out your eyelashes.

Eye Shadow Liner

I was sent this in Midnight Blue, a lovely deep royal blue colour – my favourite shade. The shadow liner is a cleverly shaped eye liner which doubles as a shadow thanks to its flat side. The narrow side lets you draw a precise line under your lash line and is smooth and easy to apply. The end twists up so no sharpening is required and it is protected from breakage once your twist it down again.

Lipstick and Lip Definer

I was sent the lipstick and definer pencil in Sweetheart, a lovely natural shade of dusky pink. I absolutely love these products and have used them quite a bit since my initial trial. The definer pencil glides on smoothly and the lipstick is rich and creamy, giving a good coverage and completely natural but full-lipped look.

Bloom cosmetics are available at Superdrug stores throughout the UK.

What I was wearing this time last year. I must wear those shoes again soon!

Review: Clarins Fix’ Make-Up Spray

Are you fed up of your make up melting off when it’s hot outside? So was I, so I decided to try one of the make up fixing sprays that are available. I went for the Clarins Fix’ Make-Up spray (because the Urban Decay one I was after was sold out everywhere and the Clarins was the next one I spotted). It is sort of like a hairspray for your face and holds your make up in place all day. I would not be without this now – even after I had cycled 9 miles in the heat the other afternoon my make up was still in place and although it was not perfect, I would have happily left the house with it in the condition it was in, no touch ups required.  It also prevents the oil slick that my forehead and chin can become by mid afternoon.

I tend to put a towel around my neck/shoulders (like a bib) before I spray it as I am not sure of the effect it would have on clothes (and I am not willing to find out the hard way) but I have been using it on a daily basis recently and find it indispensible.

Clarins Fix’ Make-Up is available for £18.50 at Boots.

Shoegal Flashback

What I was wearing this time last year. My pregnant friend has custody of that black and white top currently!

Review: Scholl Deo-Activ Fresh Foot Spray

I was sent some Scholl goodies a few weeks back and I have been testing out the Deo-Activ Fresh Foot Spray. It’s like a deodorant for feet which is perfect for the hot weather we have been enjoying lately. You just spritz it on and it leaves your feel feeling cool and refreshed. It also helps prevent odours and limits the growth of bacteria. It won’t harm your shoes as it is not greasy or sticky, making it a must have for all girls in warm weather.

Buy it here for £3.99.

Shoegal Flashback

What I was wearing this time last year.

Outfit: Moto Jacket and Fab Shoes

Turns out that what I was wearing yesterday was perfect for the day. I went and did the Tesco shop after work, and I always get too warm in Tesco. The t with the scarf was just the thing to stop me sweltering.

I went to the gym in the evening and learned how to programme the machines. I had a go a thing called a Wind Jammer which is like a bike, but for your arms. It seems like it will be a good way to tone up my arms.

When I got home the young man was watching Friends so I joined him for the second episode. Then he voluntarily switched over to Film 4 who were showing In Her Shoes. I love that movie so was very happy to watch it with him.

Today I have stuck with the jackets, but have gone a little more casual with a moto style one. I actually started this outfit with the shoes as they were just sitting there in the wardrobe looking at me, begging to be worn. I am going for a swim this afternoon, hence the glasses again.

Grey moto jacket – Next Tall
Navy tank – River Island
Jeans – Next Tall
Black and cream shoes – Matalan
Blue bead bracelet – gifted
Blue and turquoise bangles – Oxfam
Silver cross necklace – gifted

Total Est. Cost £50

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Outfit: More Favourites

I’ve had these shoes since 2006 and I wore them to death that summer. I think I’ve had these jeans just as long as I’m pretty sure I wore them with the shoes to my sister’s wedding rehearsal. This is my favourite jacket right now – I love the shape of it. And it’s windy out so I wasn’t sure how warm it would be so I added the scarf for good luck.

Last night I went to the gym for a session on the cross-trainer. The posher machines have a built in TV screen so I watched music videos, then a bit of Gok whilst I exercised. Fab stuff.

Tonight I have my gym orientation so hopefully I will learn to use the machines properly and find out what else is on offer.

Grey jacket – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
White ‘Yes, I’m very tall’ t – Café Press
Jeans – Topshop Tall
Red shoes – Next
Silver belt – local boutique
Cream bead bracelets – Diamonds and Pearls
Red and cream bangles – gifted
Red beads – eBay
Leopard print scarf - Diamonds and Pearls

Total Est. Cost £96

Outfit: Red Hearts

It’s not so hot today so I thought it was the perfect time to give my Vivienne Westwoods another outing. I paired them with all black again, but a completely different silhouette this time.

Black cardi – New Look Tall
Black cami – 3 Suisses
Black pencil skirt – Long Tall Sally
Fuchsia shoes – Vivienne Westwood Anglomania for Melissa (Shudoo) (gifted)
Red beads – eBay
Silver bling ring – River Island
Red glitter bangles – Primark

Total Est. Cost £64

Outfit: Ruby Shoesday

I can’t get over just how comfy these wedges are. Considering the height of them you would expect major foot pain, but there really isn’t any at all.

I have to stop by the mall on the way home – to check out another source in the never ending quest for bathroom curtains, see whether Primark have any of their cheapo (but so comfy) foam flip flops left (I have a feeling my pair from last year is about to fall apart) and to pick up some shower gel for the young man. Then this evening I have a drama group committee meeting.

Navy cardi – Next Tall
Cream and navy stripe tank – River Island
Navy skirt – Long Tall Sally
Red wedges – River Island
Blue bead bracelet – gifted
Cream bracelets – Diamonds and Pearls
Navy heart necklace – Scope
Silver earrings – gifted
Silver chain belt – Dorothy Perkins

Total Est. Cost £92

This Week I Will Be Mostly...

...wearing red shoes
...reading Celebrity Shopper by Carmen Reid
...watching Julie and Julia on DVD
...listening to Belinda Carlisle
...eating flapjack
...shopping for nothing

Outfit: Grey and Red Monday

It is dull and grey outside today. I was going to wear the Insane Red Wedges, but we were forecast torrential rain. It was dry when I left the house and it is a bit drizzly out now so well done BBC, wrong again. Ah well, there’s always tomorrow.

I need to go to Boots today but of course I have managed to leave my £2 haircare voucher at home (and it expires tomorrow) so if the rain holds off (or has been and gone by 4pm) I will have a cycle up there later on.

Grey dress – Long Tall Sally
Red shrug – New Look Tall
Red shoes – NOW Discount Shoes (gifted)
Red belt – mall market stall
Red and cream bangles – gifted
Red beads – eBay
Cream bracelets – Diamonds and Pearls
Silver hoops – gifted

Total Est. Cost £54

Weekend Recap (and Sunday's Outfit)

Saturday was hot and sometimes sunny. There was a drama group fundraiser on at my church so I baked some flapjack in the morning to take down. The young man’s mate came for dinner, then the lads went off on their bikes and I cycled down to church to help out with the fundraiser. I wore cropped jeans, a turquoise cami and my Merrell grey trainers.

When I got back I changed into denim shorts and the same red wedges I have on today, read my book outside for a while, watched part of Julie and Julia (until the DVD player decided it had had enough and got stuck), and then read some more of my book in the conservatory as it looked like it was going to rain. The lads got back and we had a BBQ late into the night.

This morning I have done some ironing and put on some washing. The young man’s mate is coming over again and we are going to go and check out the new homewares store that has just opened up the road. I might go for a swim this afternoon.

Plaid shirt – Primark
White cami – Topshop
Jeans – River Island
Red wedges – Orchard (Brantano)
Whitby Jet cross – gifted
Blue bead bracelet – gifted
Silver bling ring – River Island
Silver hoops – gifted

Total Est. Cost £73

Friday Afternoon

I had this afternoon off work (I was supposed to go shopping with a friend, but she couldn’t get the time off). I headed to the mall first up to buy a new nude bra as my old was starting to fall apart. Next up I went for my free try out at the gym. A member of staff showed me around and I had a lovely swim and ended up signing up for membership as they have an offer on right now where you get two weeks for free.

I knew I was planning to sign up and I knew I was lacking in the swimwear department (and I am planning to swim at least a couple of times a week) so when I spotted that Debenhams had swimwear options in longer length, I ended up with these two:

They saved me from having to wear the costume from 1993 that I mentioned earlier!  And there was a blue cross sale on so I saved 20% on each one.

This is the one piece that I am expecting from Long Tall Sally (it should be waiting for me at work on Monday morning) but if for some reason that one doesn’t work out, I am covered (literally) now.

Reveiw: Merrell Siren Sport Goretex

Last week I was contacted by Fitness Footwear to review a pair of Merrell walking shoes to tie in with the Merrell campaign they have running this month. These are not the kind of shoes you would usually find on my feet but us shoe queens have to have something other than stilettos for activities such as walking in the countryside so I was glad to accept them.

The shoes I chose are the Merrell Siren Sport Gore-Tex in raspberry and mocha, just one of a wide range of women’s Merrells that Fitness Footwear have available for you to chose from.

These shoes feature Merrell Gore-Tex technology, making it waterproof but breathable and the leaflet enclosed in box says the Gore-Tex is guaranteed to keep your feet dry.

So, how are they to wear? I put them on and they immediately felt comfortable. What’s more, my feet felt supported and this is down to the special design of the sole and inner sole. The inner sole features Q-Form technology, created by Merrell and 100% tailored to suit the way women move and walk. The sole is air cushioned to absorb shock under the heel and the sides are firmly supported for stability.

The Merrell Siren shoes are a fabulous design for women. I wear an 8 and they are not at all big and clumpy like most walking shoes. They are more like trainers to look at yet with all the protection and grip of a walking boot, and even a size 8 looks fairly small on your foot. They even have pink detailing – all very girly.

The Merrell Siren Sport Gore-Tex shoes are available for £80.95 from Fitness Footwear and as always, UK shipping is free.