NOTD China Glaze ~ Conduct Yourself

I haven't done a NOTD for quite a while so let me show you this polish I bought a couple of months back, Conduct Yourself by China Glaze.

(Sorry about the different sized photos, not quite sure what went wrong there?!)

This is my favourite & usual winter shade, deep & vampy but this one is pearlescent, which is not entirely evident from the photos though!  You can buy this shade here at Nail Polish Direct for only £3.95 - which is actually cheaper than I paid in my beauty wholesaler, grrrr!!  I've just found this website & I see they do free delivery too so I'll have to give it a whirl!

I'm a huge fan of China Glaze polishes & only ever use their Strong Adhesion base coat, which is amazing.  However, I'd like to try their Fast Forward top coat next as I currently use - and love - the blogger favourite, Seche Vite but on paper, this product offers the same thing.

Are you a fan of dark nails too?  I know Jenny over at http://beautyandthebiryani.blogspot.co.uk/ is!!

Eateries - Taypark House, Dundee

So I thought it'd be fun to start a blog series with my favourite local places to eat & drink, you know, just in case anyone is ever in my neck of the woods!!  (She says trying to justify going out for breakfast once a week!!)  

Somehow, myself & my two good friends seem to be heading out for breakfast on a Monday morning now - not every single week, although it seems to be heading that way!  There are so many fabulous places near to us to choose from so I thought I'd start sharing them.  The place we visited this morning is totally new to all of us & was on a recommendation of my friend's sister-in-law & it is truly fabulous.  In fact, I think I'll go all out & say it's my new favourite eatery!

Welcome to Taypark House, Dundee.

Taypark House on the Perth Road is a former Scots Baronial home dating back to circa 1863 & is Category B Listed, isn't it just stunning?  There are several different rooms to eat & drink in, each with slightly different decor but equally as stunning.  The rooms are full of quirky decorative items & furniture & I have completely fallen in love with the place!  

I'm sorry about the 'toilet' photo but even those were fabulous!!  I appreciate that everywhere is fairly new & therefore spotlessly clean at the moment but I love the thoughtful touches of leaving a basket full of nappies & wipes & providing a comfortable tartan armchair in the bay window for breastfeeding mums.  Somebody has clearly done their research before doing this place up!

They have 4 suites on the first floor & 2 further rooms on the second floor boasting 180 degree views of the River Tay, which on a glorious day like today, would be stunning!  I noticed that they also do a supper club which I might have to investigate further for a certain upcoming birthday & you can hire rooms for private functions too.

We enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes, crispy bacon & maple syrup, which was divine & a total bargain at only £3.50!!  They serve Matthew Algie coffee, which I'm a huge fan of & we will most certainly be back soon.  We have to try out the lunch menu next!!

I found their menu on their Facebook page.

So, if you're ever in the vicinity of Dundee, I highly recommend a visit here, you'll not be disappointed!

What's in my bag?

I love these sort of posts as I'm such a curious nosey mare!  This was the topic today for the Instagram #JanuaryPhotoChallenge but I thought I'd share it on here for those of you not on IG.

A lot of posts like this consist of very neat & tidy bag contents.....well mine today was basically full of crap, crumpled up receipts & fluffy mints included!!

Today, I was using my lovely Nica bag that I bought in John Lewis last November.  When I carry a larger bag like this, I tend to chuck everything into my lift-out organiser from Primark, it's so handy!  In this, I always keep a notepad, pen, tape measure, tissues, paracetamol & mints - standard bag contents really!  My friends take the mickey out of me for carrying a tape measure but I can't tell you the times it's come in handy.  So much so that's it's falling to pieces!

My Cath Kidston pouch contains Kiehl's lip balm, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, Cath Kidston mini hand cream, plasters, my library card, a perfume sample & 4(why?) lipsticks (Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple, Clinique Chubby Stick mini in Super Strawberry, MAC Brick-O-La & Plumful)  

I've also got a sample pot of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite that my friend had picked up for me the other day.  My new bar stools & bedside tables are going to get a hit of this!  Oh, and of course my phone (Samsung Galaxy S4 mini), my keys & my purse - which for some reason I forgot to add in the photo.

Please tell me I'm not the only person who has a stack of old receipts & fluffy sweets in their bag!!

Favourite gowns of the Golden Globes 2015

I love awards season & eyeing up all of the stunning gowns on display!  Here are my picks from the Golden Globes 2015.

Amy Adams in Versace

Anna Kendrick in Monique Lhullier

Chrissy Teigan in Zuhair Murad

Christine Baranski in Zac Posen

Heidi Klum in Atelier Versace

Helen Mirren in Dolce & Gabbana

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad

Julianne Moore in Givenchy Couture

Kate Beckinsake in Elie Saab (my favourite designer ever, I adore his gowns!!)

Katie Holmes in Marchesa

Kelly Osborne in Georges Chakra

Lorde in Narciso Rodriguez

Naomi Watts in Gucci

Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen

All such beautiful gowns (except for Lorde - I love masculine styling on women!) but I have to say, my favourite pick of the evening is Kelly Osborne.  I adore the shape, the caped sleeves, the jewelled neckline & the colour is divine - simply gorgeous, I LOVE it!!

Does anyone else like to 'gown watch' during awards season.....or am I just a huge saddo?!

New year, new blog

Just a quick one everyone but I'm having a wee re-jig of my blog so don't worry if it keeps changing every time you come on as I'm still tweaking it!  I fancied a change & seeing as I have a thing for grey at the moment, that's the new theme.

I'm hopefully going to be getting a new header too at some point - isn't it bizarre what makes you happy sometimes!

Skincare heroes 2014

I tried a fair few new products throughout 2014, some I downright disliked, some were ok & these above, I've loved & if I haven't already repurchased, I will do so very soon!!

Simple eyemakeup remover - I've talked many times about this & no matter how much I spend on other products, nothing works like this little beauty.  Great product for little money.

She Anti Aging Rosehip Oil - I found this little beauty in TK Maxx one day & as I'd been about to try the Trilogy Rosehip Oil, I though I'd try this one first for £5.  It's such a good, non-greasy oil & it has really helped (along with other products!) to help clear up my acne scarring.  It's an Australian brand though & I can't find it anywhere else in the UK :(

Indeed Labs Hydraluron - Again, another product I've spoken about before & it is a total saviour for dry, parched, dehydrated skin.  You only need the tiniest amount of this clear gel/serum & layer your normal day/night cream over it.  It helps your skin to retain any moisture & I really notice when I stop using it.  I'm now on my 3rd tube!

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel - this was part of the Elemis gift set I won on a Twitter giveaway & I'll admit, the word 'peel' put me off trying it for quite a while due to my rosacea & sensitive skin.  I needn't have worried as it's so, so gentle & my skin looks radiant when I've used it.  It does have a super fruity scent but it doesn't bother me & is a lovely thick cream.  Apply & leave for 10 minutes to work it's magic.

Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz - I bought this one day when I was looking for a soothing toner to alternate with my Clarins Exfoliating toner & it's a great product.  It feels really moisturising & doesn't leave your skin feeling stripped, as some toners can.

Botanics Firming Day Cream - another random purchase that ended up being a great choice.  A lovely, soothing, non-greasy day cream with SPF 15.

Indeed Labs Retinol Reface - this was a product I'd wanted to try for ages after reading many rave blog reviews.  It's a really thick balm-like cream that I apply at night under my usual night cream or oil.  As it contains retinol, an ingredient known for it's ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines, I don't use it if I've used the Elemis peel or the Clarins exfoliating toner to make sure my skin doesn't become too sensitive.

Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Gentle toner - I'm now on my 3rd bottle of this too & I really think that this is the product that has most transformed & helped my skin over the last 18 months.  It's a very gentle acid toner but don't be afraid to try it even if you have sensitive skin.  I've never had any reaction or even slight redness from using it but it's helped significantly with reducing my scarring on my chin.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - I've been a huge fan of micellar waters since the minute they were introduced & although I like many of them, this one by far offers the best value for money.  I use as my first cleanse to remove my makeup before second cleansing with an oil or balm.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo + - Clinically proven to correct marks & blemishes, this is another product that I swear by & can tell a huge difference in my skin if I stop using it.  It's really moisturising & a little goes a long way.  I use about two grains of rice worth for my chin & cheeks applying only where I have scarring & then apply my usual day or night cream on top.  I don't use if I've used any other products with acids or retinol though.

So what skincare are you swearing by lately, any recommendations I should be trying?

House revamp - living room media centre

We've been in our house for 4 years now which is generally the time at which I feel the need to redecorate everywhere but our living room is a new addition that my husband built (single-handedly!) only 2 years ago.  It's a lovely, spacious room with a big set of bi-folding doors leading onto the decking & a woodburning stove - these were my two must-haves when we were planning it!

However, over Christmas I was looking around & thinking to myself that it was missing 'something'.  My initial though was that I just need to put more photos/artwork on the walls - which I do - but I realised that I wasn't entirely happy with the long wall where the tv sits.  It's a bit too empty.....

The photo makes it look a lot smaller than it is but as you can see, apart from the tv & tiny wee chest, there's nothing.  So I did what I always do in these situations - I turned to Pinterest!  I spent a happy couple of hours trawling through endless photos of living rooms & the one thing that I kept on pinning were images of media centres.  Admittedly, they were probably all nabbed from American homes but I just knew I could make it work in my room.  This is the sort of thing I'm talking about.

The more I look at them, the more I know this is what I need.  I hate that the tv is the main feature on the wall, this would take the focus off that & on to the piece of furniture itself.  Oh & the extra storage & bookshelves would be great!  I could finally hide the Wii & all the Skylanders gubbins that it currently entails (if you have young boys, you'll probably know what I'm talking about here!)

However, this year is going to already be quite a 'spendy' year as we have to completely render the exterior of the house, add new timber cladding to the gable, install a downstairs shower & do the driveway in order to finally get the extention signed off so spending oodles of cash on something made to measure was never going to happen.

I remembered seeing a similar set-up in Ikea last time I was there so I looked it up online.  They have this one, which is gorgeous, but unfortunately is just a tad too wide as we've yet to install the double doors in the room & the door would knock it when opened.  But the style & storage are great.

This is the Liatorp range & this combination comes in at £820.  However, because the room is decorated in warm, autumnal colours, I don't think white would be quite right anyway.  Ideally, I'd like something in a warmer taupe/grey shade.

Then I found this one, again from Ikea.

This Hemnes combination is significantly cheaper at only £420 but is very plain in comparison.  When I showed it to Hubble, he suggested adding a decorative plinth & cornicing round the bottom & top of the unit to give a similar effect to the Liatorp combi, which would work but then means the whole thing would have to be painted.

He jiggled some figures around & has worked out he could make one around £200/250 so it would then fit exactly but time is the issue here, gahhhh!!!  He could make it no problem, but he doesn't have time to do it at the moment *pouts like a stroppy child!*

So we've decided to take a trip through to Ikea on Saturday to take a look at them & take it from there.  The only certain thing is, is that I definitely want one asap - even Hubble agrees (for once!)  Pinterest is fabulous - and terrible at the same time as there's just too many bloody gorgeous rooms on there!  I've always disliked white decor as being too cold & uninviting & have therefore always used warm colours to decorate with.  Now, however, I'm hankering after white everywhere, look at these...

*Sighs* how lovely!!  It would stay for approximately 2.5 minutes with my mucky bunch though!

Anyway, sorry for the lengthy rambling.  Is anyone else planning a bit of redecoration this year?  You can find me on Pinterest here.

Sales stash!

Today is Day 5 of the #mystylephotochallenge on Instagram, which is Sales Stash.  I have posted a picture but I thought I'd talk you through the pieces I've bought!

I have been known *ahem* to go a bit mad in the sales before, just buying anything because it has a really good reduction but I've decided that from now on, I'm going for quality over quantity.  I've bought too much crap in the past that's only lasted 5 minutes so I'm going to replace these pieces with wardrobe essentials that will mix & match with each other.  That's the plan anyway.....

I know a lot of people moan about the Next sales in that they bring out a load of old stock to shift & although there are sometimes some questionable pieces for sale, generally I've always dropped on in their sale.  I had every intention of getting up early this year but yet again, this didn't happen so I didn't get to the store until 11.30am.  I wasn't expecting to find anything so I was pleased to find 3 items that I wanted, all half price!

First off, these denim leggings at £12.  I've got 4 pairs of these now in varying shades of denim & I swear, they are the most comfortable 'jeans' you'll ever wear.  They have a zip fly & waistband so essentially, just look like a pair of skinny jeans but the comfort factor is fab-u-lous!  They're called a legging so as you'd expect, are super stretchy & for me, they fit really well.  The solid black pair are next on my list to get.

I also picked up a v-neck fit & flare knitted dress in the berry shade.  I bought this in black a couple of months ago & it's a great day dress.  I like to wear mine with opaques, denim jacket, oversized scarf & my biker boots.  Then I found a navy long belted cardigan too.  This, I was in two minds whether to keep as I honestly think it would look much better on someone a lot slimmer than myself & it does have a hint of 'dressing gown' about it but, but......the more I tried it, the more it grew on me. Then Hubble pointed out to me that I'd pay £13 or more for a crappy cardigan in Primark so I'm keeping it.  I can see myself wearing this in the spring with a breton top, skinny jeans (see above!) & my Converse.

Next up is a blazer that I've had my eye on for a while in Debenhams.  I tried it on a while back & was surprised that it fitted quite well & would actually fasten over my boobs so when I spotted it half price at £27 & it was the last one left.....in my size!.....then I had to have it!  A couple of friends of mine have lovely tweed blazers & always look so classy when they wear them - I'm hoping I'll exude the same air of classiness wearing mine, pfffttt!!!  You can find a similar one here.

The next shop that I always go to the in sale is Gap, but usually to buy my son clothes.  After picking him up some pieces, I spotted a rack of scarves & this super-soft winter white & navy check one just called my name.  It was down to £10 & is ridiculously warm & snuggly, a fabulous buy.  They also had some rain macs down to £24.99 but Hubble was losing the will to live at this point & I didn't want to push it so I left!!  I might pop in tomorrow though & see if they have any left.

Last, but by no means least, I bought these gorgeous boots at the end of November.  They are the Kendra Aviva but are not available in Clarks anymore although there are some on eBay. They fit like a glove & are immensely comfortable due to the extra padding round the balls of your feet & arches.  I danced happily for hours in them & my feet were very happy!

What did everyone else manage to get?

2015!!

Happy New Year!!!

So, here it is, the year I've been dreading for so long - the year in which I turn 40!!  *says with tongue firmly in cheek!*  I do seem to have come to terms with the fact though that in 14 weeks, I WILL be turning 40 which, although it stills seems so very grown up, now actually sounds.....ok!!

I'm grateful to have found so many amazing blogs over the last year written by some fantastic, stylish, beautiful, clever, witty ladies of a similar age that have basically, given me a kick up the arse & reminded me to get a bloody grip - 40 isn't old at all these days, it's merely a number!

So I'd like to kick 2015 off with a shout-out, in no particular order, to my favourite inspirational bloggers of 2014!

Kat from http://doesmybumlook40.blogspot.co.uk/
Jane from http://www.mymidlifefashion.com/
Avril from http://www.schoolgatestyle.com/
Andrea from http://inmamaswardrobe.blogspot.co.uk/
Donna from http://iwontwearsludgebrown.blogspot.co.uk/
Frances from http://schoolrunstyle.blogspot.co.uk/
Nikki from http://www.midlifechic.com/
Sharron from http://www.styleateveryage.com/ 
Lynne from http://dorothycamper.blogspot.co.uk/
Joanna from http://poppys-style.com/
Michelle from http://myfashionable40s.blogspot.co.uk/
Annmarie from http://fashionmumof40.blogspot.co.uk/
Jenny from http://beautyandthebiryani.blogspot.co.uk

Anyhoo, back to business!  This first post of the year is just really to catch up & fill you in on our lovely Christmas & Hogmanay.  The house is now clear of all remaining Christmas detritus & I'm trying to get back to normal before the kids start back at school on Wednesday.

We had a nice quiet time this year, which suited us down to the ground after a manic November & December.  We found a fabulous new forestry place the other side of Dundee & bought the most perfect 7 foot tree we've ever had.  It was decorated in my usual Nordic style but the kids have asked if next year we can have an extra tree in the hall that they can go tinsel-tastic with!!

I had some truly amazing presents this year, including 4 new notebooks (I'm a list-making freak!!), a tan saddle bag from Clarks & a polka dot bag for my sewing machine (yes, really!) from my mum, CDs & smellies from my kids, Next vouchers & the biggest surprise of all, a new iPad mini from Mr F!!  It was very naughty of him to buy me this as we'd agreed months ago that we weren't getting presents for each other this year due to impending trip to New York but then he totally surprised me with this amazing present "for my travels"!!  Oh, he's a keeper all right!  I did however, feel like a prize shit for not getting him anything other than the usual Chocolate Orange & whisky!  But it will be so much easier to take this with me to Marrakech & New York so I can blog on the go!!

We've had pretty good weather so far with only a smattering of snow so we've enjoyed plenty of long walks round the lake with the hound.  One day in particular was absolutely baltic though, as shown by the facial expression below!!  So beautiful though - the lake that is, pas moi!!

I've had a couple of nights out with my fellow mums & we celebrated Hogmanay at my friend's house, watching the fabulous fireworks over St Andrews bay.  And I seem to have been rocking red lips rather a lot lately!!

*Sorry, should've cropped the cleavage!!*

I've picked up plenty in the sales too but I think this is more than enough for one post -that'll have to follow!!

I hope you all had a fabulous time with your loved ones & I wish each & every one of you the very best for 2015!!

Life lately

Hi all, how is everyone?  I've been MIA for a while I'm afraid - I totally lost my blogging mojo for some reason.  It wasn't down to lack of post ideas or anything like that as I currently have 9 draft posts waiting to be published, life has generally just got in the way!  My pc (or internet connection, we're not sure which) is just not working properly either & the last post I did took over 2 hours to do as opposed to the usual 20/30 minutes, which really hasn't helped.  I've also been volunteering at the school again & have spent a LOT of time there in recent weeks.  It's all good fun though!

Anyhoo, I have a couple of hours until I have to be back at the school again(!), this time to help with the Christmas parties.  But first, let me fill you in on what I've been up to the last few weeks.

The Hubble & I spent a couple of days in Edinburgh at the end of November (you may have seen some of my photos on Instagram!)  We like to get away just the two of us now & again & had I not come down with a stomach bug in the night, it would've been perfect!!  Never mind, we'll just have to go again - what a shame!

We've also been really busy with sporting activities on the weekends recently.  Wee man plays rugby every Sunday morning, which the Hubble coaches & he's recently started golf lessons on a Saturday morning too.  However, these are held at the Carnoustie golf course so we drop him off for an hour then enjoy a walk along the seafront followed by coffee in the Carnoustie Golf Hotel.  Last time we went, I took a peek in the spa & have decided that in the New Year, I'm going to treat myself to an Elemis facial or two!  Well, that's if Mr F didn't pick up on the very heavy hints I was dropping & book me in for some treatments, ahem!!

I worked out the other day that I've bought 5 pairs of boots & shoes in 2 months, is that excessive?!?  One of my new pairs are the lovely Kendra Aviva from Clarks.  I wanted these last year so I'm glad I managed to pick them up with 25% off.  I bought them in the suede & I really think they are the most comfortable pair of heels I've ever owned.  I wore them last week on our Mums' Night Out (yes, it needs capital letters!!) & my feet felt fine, even after dancing for 4 hours!  Actually, they were so comfortable, I've just ordered the Crisp Kendra shoe in red as they're such a bargain at 50% off.  Let's hope they fit as well as the boots!  But no. more. footwear........for now, anyway!

I've got lots of posts that I need to finish up with lots of lovely new products to show off & I'm going to have a wee redesign of my blog over Christmas & New Year so don't worry if it all looks strange whilst I'm doing it!!

I hope you're all prepared for the big day & are feeling lovely & festive?!  Even my 6 year son knows the words to my Mr Bublé Christmas cd!!!  I'll be back soon!