The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

Tuesday 17.02.

I had a fantastic afternoon/evening yesterday. It was lovely to get to see the dress that my sister has picked out and to see her in it! But it was even nicer to just spend some time chilling out with my sisters! We are very rarely all off together so it really was a nice treat. We walked from my parents house to the appointment at the Bridal Boutique and after we were done there we headed for a nice glass of wine (I love a glass of wine in the afternoon!?? Especially on a Monday when I should have been at work). We then changed location and had a bite to eat followed by a cocktail. It was great and I was home by 7.30pm - so no sluggish feeling for me this morning - thank goodness!

I was trying to have a Jeans Free week this week, but I took delivery of some lovely little knits this morning so I feel that I may have to show you all and it will look so cute with dark denim!

Today's outfit is:

Black polka dot dress - BlendShe
Black leggings - Vila
Grey cropped cardigan - New Look
Black boots - Nine West
Silver Jewellery - Tiffany

Valentine Present.

I thought I would post the beautiful gift that my bf gave me for Valentines!
I have been talking a lot about the Laptop Lunch system that I see a lot of bloggers use and I had asked for one. It turns out that they have really started to take off over here as my bf could not get one in time for Saturday. So he got me this beauty instead!

I love it so much - it is just so cute. It is by Emma Bridgewater (I love her designs and have been picking up bits and bobs for about a year) and it is a great size. It fits a large food container (if I am having soup or leftovers) and there is still lots of room! But it is not too big or heavy for putting in my work bag.

Well it is now lunch time so I am off to empty my new lunch box!!

Giveaway!!

Remember to leave me a comment if you want in on the Faux Black Pearl Earring giveaway!!

I will annouce the lucky winner on Wednesday!

Monday 16.02.

Monday again, I know that I have said it before but the weekends do just go by so fast!

I am only here for about another hour and then my mum is coming to let me away. I am meeting my sisters in town and we are going to see my youngest sisters wedding dress! I am very excited. I am not looking forward to the day that we go looking for bridesmaid dresses - we all have very different styles and all have very strong opinions and even louder voices. But that day is not today we are just going to see her dress and then go for dinner and a few drinks to have a nice girly evening!

I got a bit dressed up today for going to the bridal boutique (I feel nervous - not sure why) and even painted my nails to match my outfit!!

Today's outfit is:

Purple ruffle sleeve dress - Mossimo For Target
Black pattern tights - Tesco
Purple shoes - Forever 21
Black belt - Next
Necklace - Ann Taylor Loft
Purple bangles - Forever 21
Ring - Charlotte Russe

Saturday 14.02.

Well so far today has been pretty quiet for me - I was hoping for lots of young lovey dovey couples out walking (and being treated to a new top) but this so far has not been the case. They must all be waiting for this evening to go for a meal or they are in the pub watching the rugby!!

Dinner was a success last night, although I did scrap the Choc Banana Fool and make Chocolate Fondants instead - YUMMY! I will be making the pork again it was super tasty and so moist.
I am cooking again tonight - I have decided to make my lovely bf a romantic meal!!

I have only just noticed that I had not done my hair before taking the photo and that there was a thread hanging from the hem of my dress!

Today's outfit is:

Cream Lace dress - Vila
Black footless tights - H&M
Cream & black shoes - New Look
Faux pearls - eBay
Black necklace - H&M

I also thought I would share a photo of the Valentine Cupcake that my friend gave me to have as a mid-morning snack! How cute is it?? It was yummy!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Friday 13.02.

Yay, it is Friday again, even though I work on Saturdays I do love it when Friday comes around.

We are having friends over for some dinner and drinks this evening, we have not seen them for about a month and they are getting married in 10 weeks so I am sure that there will be lots to chat about.
Tonight is my turn to cook for us and I have decided to go for full risk and do two recipes that I have never ever cooked before. I am doing Balsamic Rosemary Grilled Pork Tenderloin that I found over at The Recipe Girl and for desert I am going to make a Chocolate Banana Fool which is in the "20 minute Cookbook" that I got at Christmas.

Today's outfit is:

Black jersey dress - Vila
Grey long cardigan - Vila
Black patterned tights - Tesco
Grey suede shoe boots - Armani Exchange
Faux Pearls - eBay

10 things.....

The amazing Kimberly of Fab Finds under $50 and haphazardpurposelessrandom did this little letter thing over at haphazardpurposelessrandom. She assigns you a random letter and you then have to write about 10 things that you love starting with that letter!

My letter is K. So here goes:

1. Keri my sister. I am afraid that I am going to have to break the rules a bit here and say that I love my sister Erin just as much! Just so happened that only one of their names begins with a K!
2. Krispy Kreme doughnuts! Yum I love these. We do not have one anywhere near us so they are always a holiday treat when I head to Orlando!
3. Kimberley my best friend! She has been there for me when I needed her the most (no questions asked) and she made me God Mother to her beautiful daughter!
4. Karma - I am a huge believer in karma (Through the law of karma, the effects of all deeds actively create past, present, and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life, and the pain and joy it brings to him/her and others) and what goes around comes around. I really love when you hear that someone who has done wrong gets bitten on the ass by Karma.
5. Kissing - I love kissing and being kissed. But strangely I find it really uncomfortable to kiss strangers! You know at parties or when they greet you?!
6. Kids. I love babies (and can not wait for that stage of my life). I think that kids at the age where they just say what they think are hilarious!
7. Koalas, they are just too cute. I have only ever seen them in the Zoo, but spent ages just watching them.
8. Kettle Chips Crisps - Yum. These are so addictive and I can easily eat the huge bag all to myself - especially the Sea Salt and Balsamic Vinegar flavour!!
9. Knightsbridge in London. It is just such a nice place to people watch, shop if you can afford it - Harrods etc.
10. Karma Chameleon by the band Culture Club. I was 2 years old when it was in the charts and I loved it. I would dance around the house whenever it came on. But I am always reminded by my parents that I sang “come a comedian” :-)

I have to say that this was fun to do but pretty tough.

Thursday 12.02.

More new clothes today - this time from the collection of French Connection that I have on sale in the shop.
This is the second time that I have worn this and I am in love with it. The pictures that I have tried to take do not do it justice at all.

Today's outfit is:

Black skinny Jeans - Primark
Black long sleeve t-shirt - Primark
Cream drape cardigan - French Connection
Leopard print ballet flats - Primark
Necklace - Primark
Cream & gold scarf - Forever 21

Quidco

I thought that I would do a little post about the fabulous site that is Quidco - the webs cash back co-operative. Quidco is purely and simply a website that gives cash back (worked out on a percentage of what you spend basis) on items that you buy online. As far as I can tell it is the same as Ebates that is available in the US.

It is very simple to get yourself signed up, just head over and click on the JOIN button and follow the instructions. It only takes a few minutes to do and you can then start earning straight away. I have to point out that there is an annual charge of £5. Quidco pass on 100% of what is earned from retailers to their members so they take a £5 admin fee per year this is taken off your account when you transfer funds into Paypal. However, if you do not earn more than £5 in the year you can not move funds to Paypal.

I have been signed up to Quidco for a few months now and I am steadily earning money for nothing. Being a shop owner I am not usually one to take trade away from the High Streets but there are times that we all use online shopping for ease etc. So, when this is the case pop over to Quidco search for the retailer that you want to shop from and if it is an affiliate you can earn cash back on your purchases.

I have decided to mention Quidco on my blog as I know that lots of you guys in the US use Ebates so I wanted us in the UK to know about what is open to us.
Also, I know that lots of you regularly use eBay, well eBay is one of the sites that offer a percentage of cash back if you shop via Quidco.
Others include: Tesco, Asda, The body shop, Play, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, HMV, House Of Fraser, Republic, Office, All Saints, Miss Selfridge and loads more.

Check it out and sign up!

Wednesday 11.02.

NEW CLOTHES!!!

I dragged my bf to a shopping centre not too far from us last night after work - I was looking for a pair of AMAZING sandals that I have seen in a magazine. The trip was unsuccessful and I was feeling a bit sorry for myself (this was the first time that I had been shopping outwith my own shop for ages) when I spied lots and lots of beautiful bright orange (my favorite colour) in a shop window. So, I did one of those complete change of direction swerves and headed on in.

I was admiring a bright orange dress that I thought was nice when out the corner of my eye I spied my new skirt!! The dress was dropped like a hot stone and I raced over to the rack with the skirts. Both my bf and I were very pleased that they had my size (I did not have the energy to have the tantrum that I would have thrown and he has seen them too many times).
After purchasing I was very happy to be led out to the car with my eyes closed (could not bear the heartache of seeing things that I want and can not have) and head home.

So, me being me, I just had to wear my new skirt today and I have to say that I LOVE it. I am very happy with the orange and black look, but I have been thinking that I may wear it with grey next time!?

Today's outfit is:

Orange Tulip skirt - Dorothy Perkins (I never ever shop here??!!??)
Black v-neck t-shirt - H&M
Black tights - SkunkFunk
Necklace - Bakers
Black shoe boots - Armani Exchange

!!!GIVEAWAY!!!

GIVEAWAY!

I have decided to offer all of you lovely ladies the chance to own a fabulous pair of Black Faux Pearl drop earrings!
I was selling these in the shop and the other pieces have been sold leaving a lonely looking pair of earrings!
So, I thought that as lots of you are taking inspiration from the fabulous Michelle Obama and wearing pearls regularly, I would give these away.

So leave me a comment on this post and I will draw a name at random on Wednesday 18th Feb. I will post anywhere, so this giveaway is open to everyone no matter what corner of the globe that you live in!



I have to add that these are brand new. They have never been worn or even tried on!!

Monday 10.02

Back to work today and not too happy about it - I wish I was still on my holidays!!
But it is nice to have a 5 day week this week - it is always so much easier when the working week is just a bit shorter!!

I went for an easy yet cosy outfit for today. I spent yesterday afternoon unpacking and trying to get our laundry from our holiday all up to date so I went for ease this morning.
We also still have a lot of snow and very cold temps so warm and cosy again were a must for me.

Today's outfit is:

Black skinny jeans - Primark
Black top with cream stars - Forever 21
Black cardigan - Vila
Silver star necklace - Plume
Black cardy boots - Ugg

My long weekend!

I am back after my amazing long weekend on the Isle of Bute. This beautiful Isle is practically on our doorstep but this was my first visit and I really hope to return in the summer.
We left on Friday lunchtime and headed 30 miles up the coast to catch the ferry over to Rothesay in Bute, the crossing was only 35 minutes (enough time to get out of the car, get to the viewing deck and have a hot chocolate). My bf and I were away with all of his siblings and their families, so after getting off the ferry we all headed to the house that we had rented for the weekend. It was only 3 miles out of town so the trip was not long.

We stayed in a Landmark Trust property called Meikle Ascog - it is a beautiful big country house. It had everything that 12 of us needed for 3 days plus lots and lots of room making sure that we were never under each others feet! There was beautiful log burning fires that kept us cosy during the snowy evenings and lots of other traditional features.

This is a picture of the house (not mine one that I found online).

Although we were away with my bf's family we did our own thing during the day. My bf and I saw as much of the island as we could on foot in the time that we had. The weather was fantastic weather for walking, dry, bright and cold and made for perfect picture taking weather.

There was loads of Peacocks in the grounds, they were so tame that they came right upto the house.




As well as lots of walking we spent an afternoon seal spotting at Scalpsie Bay. It was fantastic, we were there for hours just watching and getting as close as we could to the amazing seals.



It was very much an outdoors/walking break so I did not take any clothes that were worthy of an outfit post. But I will share this photo of me while out walking (I had just managed to free myself from a muddy, boggy, stinky mess) I am not sure that this fashion will take off!

Thursday 05.02.

Warm and cosy are the name of the game again today for me. The snow has returned here and the temps have really dropped.

I will not be posting for a few days after today, I am off for a nice long weekend to Bute with my bf and all of his family. I am really looking forward to spending lots of time outside walking and playing with the little ones and evenings in front of a roaring fire.
I hope that you all have good weekends whatever you are doing.

Today's outfit is:

Black skinny jeans - Primark
Black and white striped long sleeve t-shirt - H&M
Grey hooded cardigan - American Eagle
Scarf - BlendShe
Boots - Ugg

My Blog Spot

I have been tagged by D'Rae to post about my Blog Spot. So here I go.

I blog at work (in my boutique) so my spot is always the very same - however the mess in my surroundings does change from day to day.

This is the chair that I sit in (next to the heater) with the laptop on my lap. The chair is sat behind my 1950's display case and against the stairs to the store room.

This is what I can see from sitting with the laptop on my knee - pretty much the entire shop!

This is the view from the shop into the blog spot.

The essentials that keep me up on all the trends and styles to look out for - Fashion Magazines!! These are always laying on the floor just to the side of me, my book is there from time to time also!

Here are her rules for participating:

Show Us Your Blog Spot!The rules:
1. Once you are tagged, post a picture of where you blog. This might mean a picture of your cozy bed, or your office at work (you naughty employee, you!), or a boring ol' desk like me. Feel free to be creative, but be honest--if your desk is usually covered in Ritz crackers and love letters to Rahm Emanuel, then show us!
2. Feel free to tell us a little about your space, or explain certain items in more detail. Or not.
3. Link back to this post. (I want to see how far this goes!)
4. Tag five other bloggers to show their blog spots.
5. If you are tagged and do not participate, you will become allergic to cabbage.

The people I tag:

Shoegal
Schoolgate Chic
What that Girl wears
Blog Fashion
A Blonde Redhead

Wednesday 04.02.

I really did not want to post this picture today but I am not just a fair weather blogger so here it is!
I have terrible hair today for 2 reasons, the first is I am giving my sensitive scalp a much needed product break this week and the second is the hat that I was wearing (put it on just after damping my hair to try and tame it - not a good idea).

However, I really do not care about all of these things as I took my very first delivery of French Connection stock this morning. My little boutique is finally a stockist of a well known brand - I am so excited. I hoping that this means big things for me and my baby (the shop).
I am also super excited about all of the new things that I get for cost price (well when I actually pay).

Today's outfit is:

Black knitted dress - H&M
Teal tights - Primark
Necklace & earrings - made by me
Black patent ballet flats - Old Navy

Tuesday 03.02.

I really wanted to put yesterday's clothes back on this morning as I knew that it was going to be another cold, cold day. Thankfully I managed to resist and this is really just as cosy - plus it does look more stylish!!

Last night was an unusual one for me. I headed to the library after closing the shop and they did not have the 2 books that I really wanted, I then headed home and got caught in the snow (for the second time). I went swimming as always and that was all fine, as was my bf getting home from work and us having dinner together. However, I was making a pot of soup (to cover our lunches for the week) and the power went out!!!!
This never ever happens so it was total state of shock in our house, we just stood there in the dark giggling for a few minutes. I fumbled about using my phone and the glow off the gas flame as a torch and got some candles lit and the actual torch from under the sink. My bf checked that it was nothing to do with our fuse box and he noticed that the entire street was out!!!!

Very quickly or heating went off and the temperature really started to drop. So, after we got off the phone to the power company (and being told that they were working on it and power should be restored by midnight - it was 7pm) we took lots of candles and all the bits that we wanted upstairs and got into bed. I made 2 huge mugs of tea (boiling water in the pan) and cut 2 big slices of cake, got my book and we got comfy and cosy. We had a lovely relaxing night I read my book by candle light for a few hours and my bf just chilled. We both had a very much needed early night (9.30pm). Power was back to normal this morning.

Today's outfit is:

Grey leggings - Vila
Grey & cream striped jumper dress - American eagle
Grey cami - American Eagle
Cream boots - River Island
Silver jewellery - Tiffany

Monday 02.02.

WOO HOO!!!!

Finally it is February - boy am I glad to see the back of January.
I am excited that it is starting to get a bit lighter in the evenings when I am making my way home, I have a nice weekend away this month, all of the S/S 09 collections begin to finally filter through into the shop, I am having a Valentine Night with my bf (on a budget) and it is slowly but surely getting closer to spring and some nicer weather!

Today, all that my outfit is about is being warm and cosy. I know that it is just not stylish, but it is practical. It has been snowing overnight and I needed to get to work warm and dry and I really needed to stay dry once I got here. I turn the heating to OFF on a Saturday night (to try and save some pennies) so Monday's are always a little cooler, but I knew that today I would almost freeze myself.

This outfit has worked a treat. The tee is a kind of tight thermal fabric but it has a nice bright star print (cosy), the cardigan is thick and warm but not bulky and the Ugg boots well they may be Ugg-ly but they are keeping my toes very, very warm.
I have to say that I do like all of the pieces together, this is the kind of thing that I wear for a Sunday in the house.

Today's outfit is:

Skinny Jeans - Vila
Long sleeved t-shirt - Forever 21
Cable cardigan - Forever 21
Chunky scarf - Tesco
Cream boots - Ugg

It is just a bit of snow.....

Yes the UK has been hit my some snow over the last 48 hours.......
Of course it means national disaster!!!! WTF?? It is just snow, yet somehow the country is slowly grinding to halt.

I have just heard on the news that 1 in 5 people have not gone to work today - that is simply shocking!
The area that I live in has not been badly hit, we have about 0.5 inch of snow (we never get much as we are right on the coast) but closer to Glasgow and more central Scotland things are bad (as is a lot of England) but this weather was warned more than a week ago. Why then are people not able to get to work, why are so many schools closed, why are trains not running, buses cancelled and various airports closed???
Why were we not prepared for this?

So, many other countries get this (and much more) regularly and these countries do not come to a total standstill.

COME ON IT IS JUST A BIT OF SNOW!!

Rant over.