9 Dec 2013

Statement Coat Styling Challenge (with Marks and Spencer)...


I am pretty boring when it comes to coats, with the exception of my pink coat almost every other coat I have ever owned has been black or navy blue. I have always been wary of spending money on a coloured coat because I thought there would be limited outfits I could wear it with. I was wrong. When M and S asked if I would take part in their Statement Coat Styling Challenge I jumped at the chance. I chose a red coat, something I think I would normally be too afraid to buy but when it arrived I was immediately in love. Not only is it super warm but the red is really striking too. I suddenly wanted to wear it with everything but eventually I settled on four different looks proving that a statement coat doesn’t just have to be for Christmas it can be a real investment. 

Look one...





Get the look (or similar): Coat. Jeans. Wellies. Jumper. Hat. Scarf.

Look two...


 
Get the look (or similar): Coat. Jeans. Top. Boots. Headband. Bag.

Look three...








Get the look (or similar):  Coat. Shirt. Skirt. Shoes. Bag

Look four...




Get the look: Coat. Shirt dress. Shoes.

So I say go on be bold, take a risk and indulge in a statement coat this Winter...

You can see more of the M and S coat collection here.

Love you long time. X


4 Dec 2013

Spa days, important dates and that festive feeling...


Hello everybody.

I thought I would write a quick post to tell you all about a spa day that I attended a couple of weeks ago. Rock on Divas, run by the lovely Gloria, is a day aimed at women who have finished cancer (or any other illness) treatment and are looking for a way to re-establish their health life balance that some women feel they have lost during treatment.

On arrival at The Spa Dolphin Square everyone was greeted with a hug and then given a name tag. We were then all invited to share as much or as little of our story as we liked with the rest of the group. Once all the introductions were out of the way, the day began with a juicing tutorial from Gloria who explained the benefits of juicing and gave a demonstration. Afterwards we all went for a healthy but delicious lunch where everybody shared stories and laughs.

The wonderful Jennifer Young then gave a skincare and make up workshop educating us all on what was actually in our favourite beauty products. She makes a bespoke skin care range that is made with 100% organic and natural ingredients. There is even a line designed especially for people under going cancer treatment. You can find out more about Jennifer and her skin care range here.

After another glass of juice we all got changed into comfy clothing and went to a yoga class which was aimed at beginners and was incredibly relaxing. The day finished with a beauty treatment. You could choose a massage or a facial. I went for the facial and it was AMAZING, the 25 minutes of bliss left my skin positively glowing and I made the trip home (with my lovely goody bag) on a busy train with NO make up on.

The best part of the day was meeting other ladies who had been through a similar thing to me. Everybody was supportive and kind and I had a lovely time. To find out more about Gloria, her spa days and retreats click here.

Me and the other lovely ladies who attended the spa day


Apart from treating myself to spa days I have also baked a Christmas cake with my lovely friend Jane (Mary Berry eat your heart out).


The cake before it entered the oven

Oh and there is the small matter of my one year Cancerversary which was on the 23rd November. I cannot believe it has been one whole year since I was diagnosed and what a year it has been. I am so glad it is mostly over now and for those of you reading this who are currently undergoing treatment I hope that I can reassure you that times can get better. I am a happier person now than I was before treatment, I have a whole head of hair (even if it is unbelievably unruly) and I am hoping that soon the last year will just be a nasty memory that I can lock away in some far corner of my mind.

I am unbelievably excited for the festive season so excited in fact, you might as well start calling me Mrs Clause. I cannot wait to snuggle up watching Christmas movies and start wrapping presents. I pretty much hum carols in my sleep and the prospect of a New Year and a new start is also extremely appealing. I plan on making 2014 my year no question. 

That's all from me for now.

Love you long time. X