So as promised I thought I would share with you all of the goodies that I picked up on my trip to Nottingham on Saturday. Have you got a cup of tea? If not go and get one... Im not going to lie we may be here a while!

First up when the meet up finished the Make up Mafia headed over to the Body shop to spend the lovely voucher we were given. I went with the girls because to be honest I had NO clue where I was going. We were greeted at the shop by the lovely Sophie and Autumn who were the lovely ladies who had been at the Meet up.
I was glad they were there as it gave me chance to chat to them a bit more about the products we had seen.

Sophie had mentioned a few of the products which I was keen to pick up so I got chance to discuss a little bit more about these. I was keen to chat about their Vitamin C Microdermabrasion scrub. Sophie has said how much she loved this scrub and I was keen to have a look at it because I am always on the hunt for a good scrub. When Sophie tried this on the back of my hand I was amazed by how it felt! Definitely something I needed as part of my routine. The scrub itself was £12 (although the website says £13) and then I spotted this set was £16 which contained a skin reviver from their Vitamin C range. According to the website this is £14 so I got myself a good bargain here. I also picked up another set which was from their Vitamin E range. I know there were a lot of us at the event who were excited about this Facial oil. I have been looking for something like this for a while. My mum uses the sanctuary one but it didn't agree with my skin so to pick this up for £16 (again for the set) was a bargain. The set should have contained a moisturiser but they were all out so the lovely Sophie put together a set with the night cream instead.
The final thing I wanted to pick up was their Camomille Cleansing Butter. I have read lots about cleansing butters recently and I was interested to try them. A lot of the ones I had read about were high end in the market so when I saw this was £12 it fell straight into my basket!


When I got to the till, Sophie told me about the Rewards card. She explained that it was £5 for the year to join and that I would get 10% off my purchases for 12 months. I signed up and was greeted by the added bonus that because it was still the month of my birthday I would get £5 off so in effect I paid nothing for the card. Also I got a few free gifts for signing up too which is always a lovely bonus!



Next stop was the Mac shop. I knew I wanted to head to the Mac shop and pick myself up a Pro Palette in the 15 size. I also wanted to get a few new shades - I had my eye on Cranberry for a while so I picked up that. I also wanted a nice neutral shade so I picked up Phloof and Vanilla.



Next I was drawn in by Cath Kidston. I try and be restrained when I go there but I just cannnnnt! Everything is so pretty and my birthday money was burning a whole in my purse! I fell in love with this bag as soon as I saw it, I had wanted one of their satchel bags for a while and this is perfect as it fits my filofax and all my things in I lug about with me everyday.


On my way to the till I noticed this gorgeous purse. I love my red Cath Kidston purse but when I spotted this and how many card pockets (why do purses never seem to have enough for all the reward cards you have - just me??). This one has a flap with card slots and also the inside part has card slots too.


I then spotted some lovely make up bags which popped together! Cute!!



I then hot footed off to John Lewis. I wanted to pick up Nails Inc in Porchester Square in a full size. I got this in the Boots Advent Calendar and fell in love. While there I also wanted to head to the Bobbi Brown stand as I wanted to have a look at their Corrector. I know this is loved by a lot of beauty bloggers around. The lovely beauty assistant sat me down and matched my shade and then she tested it on me. She also showed me their Concealer on top. Again I had heard fantastic things about it So decided to pick up the both of them.




 Finally on my way back to the station I spotted H&M and I love to have a mooch as we don't have one in Stoke.

I picked up this gorgeous spotty top and this peach star scarf.

So I thought today we would shake it up a little bit... I have been browsing some of the latest styles which have been popping up all over the place over the last few weeks ready for Spring and summer and so I thought I would share with you what I am loving of the spring and summer styles this year!

You may remember last year I wrote this post way way back in January about how much I loved the offerings that Next were offering last year and this year is no different! Next have once again delivered and have some seriously gorgeous things in! As I am sure I have mentioned we are off to Ibiza for 2 weeks in May and so its that time to having a look for some pieces to add to my summer holiday wardrobe. This year will be very different from the holiday I had last year, last year was all theme parks, combats and trainers.. this year I am swapping that for flip flops and lying by the pool!

First of all can we just take a moment to just appreciate how awesome this tshirt is! I will defiantly be picking this up next time I am in Next!

Even this early in the season there are some beautiful pieces coming through ready for the summer season. I love all of these pieces and the gift card I had from one of the doctors at work is burning a serious hole in my pocket waiting to be spent however I wanted to save it to get something for my holiday! You know I am partial to a spot or 2 and I love both the spot dress and the bikini! I don't normally wear bikinis owing to my flabby parts but when your on holiday and you don't know anyone who wants a white belly?? I am sensing lots of cute dresses and a cute alternative may be one of these jump suits which I fancy trying. And this hat! I had a hat very similar in my hand last year from h&m which I didn't end up picking up and then regretted! I definitely want a cute hat like this, this year! If this is the start of what Next has to offer this year then I am excited to see what other beauties start to filter through as the season goes on!

Do you have any loves in Next this year??



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Ah don't you love a good wish list!

As you know I am off to Nottingham for the Mids Blogger Meet up on the 22nd of this month and I have already made a cheeky look at the shops they have to offer and left a bit of shopping time when booking my train tickets! So I thought I would put together a wish list of things I am keeping my eyes peeled for while I am there.

Do you have any Mac eye shadow shades? What are your favourites?? Any I should keep my eye out for?


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I decided to combine these to posts today because I seem to have too many posts left and not enough weeks as I wanted to get these done at least a couple of weeks before Christmas so that if you spotted anything you would still have chance to get it!

Today I want to talk both ends of the scale - gifts for the young en's and gifts for the oldies. First up lets do the young ones.

1. Personalised Disney Princess Book - £9.99 - Buy a gift - Buy a gift have a load of different types of books which can be personalised for your little prince or princess. Perfect for those little ones who love to read. 
2. 50 things to do before your 11 3/4 - £9.99 - Hawkins Bazaar - I love the idea of this book! It would be a really fun book to try and get all of the things done! 
3. Make your own lip balm kit - £15 - Not on the high Street - Not just a good ones for teens I would be quite happy to find this in my christmas pile but I thought this would be a good one for those teens who love to get a bit creative! 
4. Puppies and Kittens Nursery Set - £12 - Cath Kidston -  I think this is so cute and a perfect little present for those younger ones. 
5. Toy Story Aqua Blaster - £4 - Superdrugs - I know this would be a popular one with boys! Its a game of blaster you play in the bath.
6. The bear who had never seen christmas - £7.99 - John Lewis - This book is the book version of the John Lewis advert (which I can not watch without crying - come on it can not just be me) 
7. Make your own pencil case - £12.99 - Selfridges - Again another good one for those creative little people. I would love the idea of being able to design my own pencil case when I was younger! This set is awesome! 
8. One Direction personalised mug - £12.99 - Gone digging - For all those directioners out there - a 1D mug that can be personalised
9. Minnie must have fashion nail art set - £10 - Boots - For your little lady who loves to paint her nails. 
10. Make your own Monster - £8 - Next - Because who doesnt want to make their own monster! I love this awesome gift from Next. 

Now to the gifts for the oldies. Does anyone else struggle thinking of presents for the older generation? My Nanna is SO easy to buy for, get her a CD from Alfie Boe (thanks for the well timed album release Alfie) or Michael Ball and anything with an owl on and she is happy! My grandad on the other hand! He is 87, only goes out to go to the paper shop or the hospital about his eyes, is a fussy eater, diabetic and hasn't really got any hobbies... What on EARTH do you get him?? There is only so many pairs of slippers, pj's or gift sets with a razor or body spray you can get him!

1. Glass Photo Coasters - £4 each - Next - Cute coasters that you can add your own photos too! Because everyone needs somewhere stylish to stick their cup of tea!
2. Family Tree Photograph Print - £28 - Not on the high street - I really love this photo frame! Not on the high street have some fantastic gifts and even have a gifts for grandparents section. 
3. All butter shortbread - £9 - Marks and Spencer - What is it with Christmas and biscuits?? Marks and Spencer do some fantastic biscuits. They quite often have a half price offer on them too so if you want some keep your peepers peeled! 
4. Grow you own tea and coffee - £13 - Buy a gift - I really like this gift! Perfect for those who love a cup of tea or coffee.. even better if your grandparents like a cup of tea in the garden! Combine 2 loves!
5. Build your own hamper - £15 - John Lewis - If you really cant think of anything to get then building your own hamper is a great idea because it means you can make it more personal to whoever your giving it to and put their exact favourites. 
6. Walkers Slab Toffee - £6 - BHS - This just reminds me of a really vintage toffee and is SO cute! 
7. Seed Packet Organiser - £19.99 - Strawberry Fool - This is the perfect gift for organising packets of seeds if they love to Garden! Heads up though - Thrifty Mrs posted a picture of practically the same one as this from Home Bargains for £2.99
8. Lavendon Manor Preserve Collection - £8 - Boots - A little mix of Jams which come in perfect little pots! 

Well I have been well and truly in the festive spirit this week and have managed to buy and wrap most of my presents now with the exception of a couple of bits. So here today is another one of my gift guides - this time with gifts for the guys!

1. Sandel Socks - Prezzybox - £4.95 - We all know that one person who is not adverse to going out in socks and sandels despite the fact it makes us cringe - I love these for a little stocking filler! 
2. Clinique great skin for him gift set - Clinique (Boots, Selfridges) - £30 - I love Clinique skincare and this is a great set for the boys - It contains a moisturiser, face scrub, post shaving balm and an eye gel. 
3. A butlers guide to gentlemans grooming - £7.99 - John Lewis - Again another stocking filler present for the guy who always likes to look good. 
4. Single handel detachable shoulder strap briefcase - £59 - M&S -  Us girls have a bag to carry around all our stuff but we never think about the boys needing one do we?? 
5. Drivers glove kit box - £8 - Boots - I suppose this would be handy for girls too - This handy little kit contains a handwarmer, ice scraper, plastic gloves, a snap light, travel sweets, mini pen and paper, wipes, plasters and a sewing kit! Handy to have to reach if you get stuck in your car!
6. iWallet for iPhone 4/5 - £18 - Hawkins Bazaar - Handy for keeping your phone, money and cards all together
7. Cufflink Box - £12 - Next - If the men in your life are anything like the men in mine they seem to collect cufflinks like I collect nail polish and they all seem to hang around in little jewellery boxes! I love this little box from next to keep them all together! 
8. Jack Daniels Bar Set - £20 - BHS - BHS in my opinion always do some fab gifts for friends and family who like a bit of a tipple! I really like this Jack Daniels set they have on offer this year. 
9. Pickmaster Plectrum Set - £14.99 - Totally Funky - I dont know anyone who plays the guitar but I liked the idea of this gift which allows you to make a plectrums yourself
10. Not all who wonder cufflinks - £12 - Not on the high street - Not on the hight street  have some really cool cufflinks with different quotes or sayings on! I loved the quote on these ones. 

With Christmas slowly creeping up on us - here is the second of my gift guides - Gifts for the girls! Again I have tried to give you all a good variety of different options because lets face it - we all like different things!

1. 3 in 1 Cake Maker - Next - £35 - You know I am partial to a bit of baking and this little gadget is a 3 in 1 maker that makes cupcakes, donuts and cake pops! 
2. Mr Grey Mug - Not on the high street - £12.50 - I love this mug from Not on the high street! Perfect for those female friends who loved the 50 shades books :) 
3. Little Love Potions - Benefit - £29.50 - You know I love Benefit and I love this little set which contains 10 mini benefit goodies including porefessional, hoola bronzer and bad gal lash mascara
4. Baileys Latte Set - BHS - £18 - Christmas is all about the Baileys coffee! How cute is this set! 
5. Betty and Walter Manicure Set - Boots - £8 - I love to keep a manicure set in my bag for those nail emergencies and this one is SO cute! 
6. Ciate Very colourful manicure kit - Selfridges - £18 - Because every girl needs colourful nails in her life and this set by Ciate is very cute! 
7. Cath Kidston sew book - Cath Kidston - £16 - Perfect for those girls who love to sew and get creative!!
8. Colour on the Go - Clinique - £20 - Lipsticks on the go without being bulky in your little handbag while your out and about enjoying youtself
9. Floral Organiser - Paperchase - £22 - I brought this filofax/organiser a few months back when I went to Manchester with mum. I am SO in love with it! It is perfect for organising everything! I loved my filofax but this one is perfect as it is A5 and is an amazing price when you consider most of the filofax ones are twice the price of this! 
10. Citybag with Zips - Zara - £59 - If you follow me on instagram you will see that I have purchased this bag a couple of weeks ago! It is perfect for those girls who like me love to carry everything but the kitchen sink around. 

Its not very often I talk about fashion here on my little blog - but this weeks selection from British blogger selection asked us to talk about our favourite clothes shops.

I have to say, I have never been loyal to a particular clothes shop. As you know I have lost nearly 3 and a half stone doing Slimming World and up until this point I was a size 22. When I was bigger I used to basically shop where I could get clothes - I worked in Evans as a 'saturday girl' from the age of 16 to 21 and used to get quite a good discount so I had quite a lot of clothes from there. I also used to shop in places like Inspire at New Look and Asda. Basically I would try anywhere that did my size.

Nowdays I am down to a 16/18 and it is SO lovely to be able to shop in clothes shops in the 'normal section'.

Anyway enough rambling....




I have been a massive fan of TU at Sainsburys for a long time. I find that they do some fantastic clothes which are affordable but the quality is fantastic and looks more expensive. I have made quite a lot of purchases in there over the past few years - particularly when they have their 25% off events!
You couldnt mention clothes shops and not mention Primark! I do have a bit of a love hate relationship with it because you can either find lots of stuff at good prices or you go in and see absolutely nothing. Primark again is fantastic if you want to update your wardrobe without spending a lot of money. I have been a fan of Primark basic T Shirt for a long time and find they are great usually ranging from £1-2 for vests and £2-4 for a T shirt. I mean for how long you wear them for why pay any more? I also love Primarks tights because again I find for how long tights actually last, their price of under £5 is enough to pay and they have it all covered from basic's to patterned to coloured tights.
My favourite Primark purchase of this year has got to be my lovely Mac which was £20. It is the perfect style that I was looking for and again who can complain about this price?

I have been a fan of New Look since back in the day when I was buying from their Inspire range and now even more so. I have always loved the clothes New Look offers up. I particularly love their Jeans which i always find to be the right length and are a fantastic price at around £10 for a pair. They are always a nice high waist which I love in a jean and are always a great fit. They also have some fantastic dresses in there and I have quite a few in my wardrobe that have come from there from everyday dresses to workwear to going out dresses!
I think New Look is probably my favourite all round shop. There are not many times I dont go in and see something that I like or come out with something whether it be their great basic wear like their Tshirts or Vest tops, a dress, jeans or even shoes and accessories!

There are another couple of shops I fleet in and out of, I do like Dorothy Perkins and I have been loving Forever 21 but like H&M we don't have one in Stoke. I think I am finding myself branching out a bit more when it comes to clothes shopping which I really enjoy. It is nice to be able to shop in different places instead of having to stick to the same shops all the time and I am defiantly enjoying being able to spread my shopping wings a bit more!

What are your favourite clothes shops? Do you like to shop around or are you loyal to one brand?

I love Next. However when i think of christmas it isnt automatically one of the first places I would think of looking for a present. However when I was putting together my gift guides I was actually rather surprised by the gifts next had on offer! Here is just a run down of 10 of the things I have my eye on for people!

The last couple of years I have done this post, it seems to have gone down really well. Even now they are two of my most viewed posts here on my little blog - so I thought if it aint broke dont fix it... I have decided to do a bit of a Christmas series this year with focus on different gifts for different people as well as a focus on some of the big brands out there. I will probably be posting a couple of posts every week and I hope you enjoy. If there is anything you want to see give me a shout!!!

And so here is my first christmas guide - Christmas gifts under £10 - I have tried to mix it up this year and include gifts for both girls and guys!

1. I want Candy - Lush - £7.95 - Lush do some lovely gift sets all year round. This one contains 2 lush favourites - The Candy mountain bubble bar and the rock star soap! Perfect for those friends who love to smell like a sweet shop! 
2. Craft Sewing Tin - Next - £10 - Everyone needs a needle and cotton at some point in their life. I love this little set which comes in a cute little tin to store everything. 
3. Spot E Reader Case - Cath Kidston - £10 - This is currently in the sale I believe on the Cath Kidston website. Looking at the size it probably isnt big enough to fit either ipads in but someone on the website has commented to say it fits a Kindle in. 
4. Make your own cross stitch iPhone case - BHS - £6 - Perfect little stocking filler for your crafty friend. Remember to check model of phone as this is for the iphone 4/4s - if they did an iPhone 5 one I would definitly be getting one! 
5. Yankee Candle 2 Voitive and holder set - Boots - £9.99 - I like that Boots have started doing Yankee candle. This contains honey blossom and fruit fusion candles and 2 holders. It is currently sold out online (sorry - that just happened) 
6. Cadburys Roses Jigsaw Puzzle - Strawberry Fool - £9.99 - I am always on the hunt for different unusual presents for friends and this is funny and cute and perfect for any chocolate lover 
7. 10 in 1 pocket tool - Boots - £6.50 - All men need one of these right? I dunno but for this price its a perfect stocking filler. 
8. Eames House of Cards Notebook - John Lewis - £6 - I love little notebooks like this range to carry about and make lists in! I am sure you have a friend just like me - there are lots of cute designs in this range :) 

Now I know... I know!! Its only January! It may be a little early to start thinking about Summer but with the snow outside, you cant help dreaming of warmer times! It is just under 19 weeks until me and Matt go to Orlando so I have been keeping my eyes peeled closely on what the shops out there have been offering in their 2013 collections.
Next was one of the first places I was watching to see what they came up with. I never really bothered with it before, my closest one is so tiny and I never really found anything I liked when I went in - So i stopped bothering. Then I had a couple of nice tops from a massive one which is on one of the retail parks near where I live - Then a couple of things in London when we went last year and now I am hooked! They have some really lovely stuff in there. I have always thought next was a little overpriced but I have found the quality of the things I have purchased to be great!

So I thought I would share with you some of the things which I am lusting over for when we go to Orlando! 

1.  Dip Hem Dress - £22 
2. Halter tie swim suit - £25
3. Textured Cotton Chino Shorts - £16 (avaliable in 5 colours) 
4. Boob Tube - £10
5. Hardware Sandels - £28
6. Printed Trousers - £25
7.  3/4 leggings - £7

There are at least 3 or 4 of these that are definate purchases for my holiday! I love the dip hem dress and I think it would be great for the days we go to the water parks where I could just throw it on top of my costume. I love the costumes as well because they have a build in panel to hid your stomach which is good. I love the colourful shorts too, I am quite fussy about shorts but I am loving these. I shall be keeping my eye in my local next for these although I think we did say we may take a little trip to the Trafford Centre closer to because obviously I am hoping by then I will be able to buy things in at least 1/2 sizes smaller!

Are you a next fan? What are you loving for Summer 2013?