I guess it is because I am from a village that I am more passionate than some about supporting the local businesses. We regularly attention farmers markets and half my Christmas presents came from our local frost fair. In the same way I am always looking for the smaller businesses online. This month I can recommend two.
http://www.kukee.co.uk/ is a jewellery site with plenty of gem stones and unusual pieces. I ordered two necklaces bith with different gemstones than usual. Within a week I eagerly opened my little parcel and was more than delighted with my purchase. None were more than £8 each yet their quality doesn't show this. I love the originally of these pieces and can't wait to place my order.
The other is Funkydory available via twitter on @xxfunkydoryxx . Here I got myself two scarfs for £5 each. For fast service you can't beat them and the scarfs are beautifu. I found a lovely pink and black click print one and a thicker glitter one. Both were a good size snd again good quality. Again I will be ordering again and I have a feeling a lot of people will be getting presents from them.
So these are my first choices of the new year, and I am hoping to give some other independent businesses a write up next month..
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Count down till Glasgow (motor sport post)
I doubt I am the only person who at the moment has was is commonly known as Top Gear brain. Its only 3 days away and I am no where near ready. At this very moment I am simultaneously writing this and yelling at my husband to get the suitcase out the loft. Subsequently he has asked the million dollar question, what is so special about Top Gear?
If I knew the answer I along with probably many producers would bottle and sell it. For I don't really remember a time when Top Gear wasn't part if my life. From an infant I remember it being weekly viewing with out fail. Then when it was revamped my flat mate reminded me of my petrol addiction. Over the years thanks to the programme I have ended up travelling over the country seeing various events not just those involved in the programme but akso to support drivers we have since got to know and make friends with.
In fact since I started going to see the live show I now have a very full social diary and can honestly say made a few friends for life. That said it does come at a cost and I don't just mean financial, as any one who knows auto sport will tell you. More than once I have had to witness the accidents that can occur and sat there with my heart in my mouth praying that it's not serious. But that's the nature of the beast and you have to realise that these people do know what thet are doing.
So with that in mind I am heading off to Scotland to start what is known in my house as silly season, which tends to run till October. It involves weekends living out of suitcases and very very early starts, in some cases getting up before the birds. But I wouldn't change it for the world, although I may consider buying shares in Starbucks and Red Bull as they are stables in the early hours.
All this down to one show presented by three middle aged men who refuse to grow up, not that we would want them to. Having meet them all, I think it is their natural chemistry and the accessibility to fans that is the answer. They aren't perfect or that of heart throb material, but people who love their work and sharing that enthusiastic energy. It is with that thought I will fall out of bed on Friday come rain or shine and get on a flight to the other end if this island, knowing from start to finish I will be caught up in this whirlwind known as Top Gear Live. I will kiss goodbye to sanity and sleep till Monday and enjoy every minute of it. Welcome the start of silly season, Now GET THAT SUITCASE OUT THE LOFT!
If I knew the answer I along with probably many producers would bottle and sell it. For I don't really remember a time when Top Gear wasn't part if my life. From an infant I remember it being weekly viewing with out fail. Then when it was revamped my flat mate reminded me of my petrol addiction. Over the years thanks to the programme I have ended up travelling over the country seeing various events not just those involved in the programme but akso to support drivers we have since got to know and make friends with.
In fact since I started going to see the live show I now have a very full social diary and can honestly say made a few friends for life. That said it does come at a cost and I don't just mean financial, as any one who knows auto sport will tell you. More than once I have had to witness the accidents that can occur and sat there with my heart in my mouth praying that it's not serious. But that's the nature of the beast and you have to realise that these people do know what thet are doing.
So with that in mind I am heading off to Scotland to start what is known in my house as silly season, which tends to run till October. It involves weekends living out of suitcases and very very early starts, in some cases getting up before the birds. But I wouldn't change it for the world, although I may consider buying shares in Starbucks and Red Bull as they are stables in the early hours.
All this down to one show presented by three middle aged men who refuse to grow up, not that we would want them to. Having meet them all, I think it is their natural chemistry and the accessibility to fans that is the answer. They aren't perfect or that of heart throb material, but people who love their work and sharing that enthusiastic energy. It is with that thought I will fall out of bed on Friday come rain or shine and get on a flight to the other end if this island, knowing from start to finish I will be caught up in this whirlwind known as Top Gear Live. I will kiss goodbye to sanity and sleep till Monday and enjoy every minute of it. Welcome the start of silly season, Now GET THAT SUITCASE OUT THE LOFT!
Monday, 13 January 2014
Time to lower the tone ( make up post)
I have to be honest I have several tried and tested styles of my make up. Maybe because I am not an everyday wearer but once I find something that suits me I tend to stick with it. I am actually braver with my eye make up than anything, so a radical change of lipstick is almost enough to give me a panic attack.
That was until Collection brought out 3 very tempting shades. Now there has always been an inner Gothic punk underneath this meek surroundings, so a Gothic range was enough to wake my inner person. Now as I seem to have a very extensive rainbow in eye and nail wear I became drawn to the lipsticks. There is a choice of no1 seduction a dark berry red no 2 scorned almost black and no 3 revenge a deep plum brown. Needless to say at £2.99 all 3 were purchased from superdrug on line and in my paws within 3 days.
Now I don't know what I expected for the price but I am more than delighted with the colour and feel of these. The only downside is the fact I tend to touch my mouth a lot and I found this out but the colour all over my hands so i must remember to seal the colour with some translucent powder. But I think that's the only issue and so I have to move these colours into my rate them pile.
Brings a whole new meaning to the saying welcome to the dark side.
That was until Collection brought out 3 very tempting shades. Now there has always been an inner Gothic punk underneath this meek surroundings, so a Gothic range was enough to wake my inner person. Now as I seem to have a very extensive rainbow in eye and nail wear I became drawn to the lipsticks. There is a choice of no1 seduction a dark berry red no 2 scorned almost black and no 3 revenge a deep plum brown. Needless to say at £2.99 all 3 were purchased from superdrug on line and in my paws within 3 days.
Now I don't know what I expected for the price but I am more than delighted with the colour and feel of these. The only downside is the fact I tend to touch my mouth a lot and I found this out but the colour all over my hands so i must remember to seal the colour with some translucent powder. But I think that's the only issue and so I have to move these colours into my rate them pile.
Brings a whole new meaning to the saying welcome to the dark side.
How much? (fashion post)
It's that time of year when not only are finances are low but wardrobes need replenishing. For me it's nearly always boots and jumpers that always need a restock. Now both of these can be expensive items and I always seem to ruin them within 12 months. So you can imagine my delight at finding a site that does it for £5 an item.
Now I will be honest and admit I was suspicious of the quality so I tried them out with basics like hats and bags. That quickly became an addiction and I now have a hat and bag for every season. Even the current fashion if satchels is covered. So I moved on to shoe's and also found they had everything from fleece lined trainers with snow grip to skyscraper heels. So I bite the bullet and I bought jeans leggings dresses and tops. I even scored a military style jacket all for a £5 each. Now you don't get high end fashion but the quality isn't skimped, one jumper I have is la redoute labelled .
This site is amazing and I am convinced, even 18 + sizes are covered. Although you do have to be quick there have been times items sell out as you are ordering. So you need to be prepared to buy as you see. That said they re stock daily 7 days a week so its worth logging in every day around lunchtime.
The name of the site http://www.everything5pounds.com/arrivals-c-40.html it is worth a visit. Oh and they have a section for your other half ... valentines anyone?
Now I will be honest and admit I was suspicious of the quality so I tried them out with basics like hats and bags. That quickly became an addiction and I now have a hat and bag for every season. Even the current fashion if satchels is covered. So I moved on to shoe's and also found they had everything from fleece lined trainers with snow grip to skyscraper heels. So I bite the bullet and I bought jeans leggings dresses and tops. I even scored a military style jacket all for a £5 each. Now you don't get high end fashion but the quality isn't skimped, one jumper I have is la redoute labelled .
This site is amazing and I am convinced, even 18 + sizes are covered. Although you do have to be quick there have been times items sell out as you are ordering. So you need to be prepared to buy as you see. That said they re stock daily 7 days a week so its worth logging in every day around lunchtime.
The name of the site http://www.everything5pounds.com/arrivals-c-40.html it is worth a visit. Oh and they have a section for your other half ... valentines anyone?
Sunday, 5 January 2014
2013 remembered the photo highs and others
.GOODWOOD All needed to be to said
Local lavender fields
Bolddog in action
The new arrival being supervised by the oldest
The start of the year looked promising
The end was far better
Typical early morning start on a rainy day
Lydden hill 
Bolddog at their best
The new arrival being supervised by the oldest
The start of the year looked promising
The end was far better 
New Year Old Problems ( CRPS Post )
I have really had enough of this weather and the fact that we are now promised snow and ice is enough to make me either become a bear and hibernate or go on a long hot holiday. Not because I am a sun worshipper or even hate the pretty sight of snow glistening. It is a the fact that since we have had this storm like weather the pain in my back and hips has been intolerable. It has got so bad today with the sudden drop in temperature that I have personally turned the air blue with Anglo Saxon and several other languages.
However that doesn't mean that I can get out of the jobs for the day like remove the Christmas decorations and wedding anniversary. And here lies the problem. Having attended the first of what is probably going to be many trips to the pain support clinic, they instructed me to stop working on the roller coaster of pain. What that means is I am not meant to over do it then suffer and know when to take it easy. That's brilliant in principle but I have a husband who just doesn't or won't understand. hence I am doing the Christmas decorations myself. Unfortunately the real world and the ideal world are two very different places.
So whilst I can't do a thing about the weather, the one thing I should be able to correct I can't. On top of this there is little more the doctor can do with pain medication with out comatose me, which will solve nothing. So it becomes a case of grit and bare it, whilst educating the neighbours of various insults in Czech, Hebrew and Cypriot. However this comes with its own issues, the fact that I actually do grit my teeth and in the process break already weakened teeth, so thanks to this bout of pain I have yet another trip to my dentist next Thursday to review this rounds damage. In fact I have got so much tension in my jaw I have caused swelling in my cheeks and currently the entire family are calling me a chipmunk.
All this has meant my 6th wedding anniversary comes courtesy of hubby's evening job, pizza and ice cream and guess who is on the ice cream.
However that doesn't mean that I can get out of the jobs for the day like remove the Christmas decorations and wedding anniversary. And here lies the problem. Having attended the first of what is probably going to be many trips to the pain support clinic, they instructed me to stop working on the roller coaster of pain. What that means is I am not meant to over do it then suffer and know when to take it easy. That's brilliant in principle but I have a husband who just doesn't or won't understand. hence I am doing the Christmas decorations myself. Unfortunately the real world and the ideal world are two very different places.
So whilst I can't do a thing about the weather, the one thing I should be able to correct I can't. On top of this there is little more the doctor can do with pain medication with out comatose me, which will solve nothing. So it becomes a case of grit and bare it, whilst educating the neighbours of various insults in Czech, Hebrew and Cypriot. However this comes with its own issues, the fact that I actually do grit my teeth and in the process break already weakened teeth, so thanks to this bout of pain I have yet another trip to my dentist next Thursday to review this rounds damage. In fact I have got so much tension in my jaw I have caused swelling in my cheeks and currently the entire family are calling me a chipmunk.
All this has meant my 6th wedding anniversary comes courtesy of hubby's evening job, pizza and ice cream and guess who is on the ice cream.
Saturday, 4 January 2014
The danger of online shopping (fashion and beauty post)
That's it I admit I have a chronic aversion to shopping in person so to speak and an addiction to on line shopping. Although I always claim that its the dangers of trying to manoeuvre with crutches but that's not the truth. Its the changing rooms, which suffer from one of a multiple list of problems, if it isn't the smell, its the evilly deceptive mirror, crafty lighting or worse still interfering attendants. With this is mind I attempted to work through mums evil shopping list with out leaving my nice warm sofa bed.
Alright some of the shopping was household as it started with Pyrex dish's and bodem coffee maker, but it did lead to some successful shopping. In Tescos I managed to get a lined varsity top for £8 instead of £16 so somehow that managed to be obtained along with the smoothie maker. (New years resolution to eat even more fruit and vegetables ).
Next on the list was cheap trainers for the allotment. Not that I really like cheap trainers, but I can not justify converse or DC's being trashed in a month whilst planting this years crop. For this mission I went to everything5pounds.com. Now this isn't high end fashion, but if you are fast on the clicking you can get some nice bargains here. Not only were several pairs of cheap trainers bought, there was also a military style coat, biker boots and leggings. I pity the poor postman as the parcel is going to be massive, as mum also found cotton jumpers in her plus size which is hard enough, but at a £5 unheard of. Even if you add in the postage for 10 items including boots the postage only added £11 to the £55 bill. So I count that as a good hour shopping. However I will point out we are not talking designer label, although one jumper I had bought there was blatantly labelled for La Redoute.
Next stop was snow boots. Now this is more a necessity for me as I find wellingtons to heavy for me and these are a perfect substitute. I have had two pairs over the years and tend to wear them to destruction. After a half hour search I found a pair on Ebay for £16 inc postage sent from the UK. Result as again these are less a fashion statement as a work tool. However whilst there I also found a few other little gems. Just before Christmas I got a handmade unique Gothic hat for £27 again from the UK and a burgundy derby hat for £5 from china. Both of which welcome additions
Finally came the dreaded belt search. Now I hate belts but due to a sudden but not appreciated weight lose none of my jeans stay up so mum demanded I do something about it as she was fed up of me having to pull them up. I have never really found belts I like but 5 minutes on ASOS and I found 3 I liked under £5 each, oh how I love sales. So they were added to the basket along with a wet look skirt, white stripped joggers and a top to die for, total £25 no postage and already on their way to me.
Now the purpose of this blog is not to brag I have a new wardrobe, but to point out this. I spent 2 hours on the PC with a list and a budget. Using google and a bit of common sense I came in under budget (even with the added items and smoothie maker), and didn't get cold and wet, bruised or annoyed. Instead I saved myself several hours and managed to sort out the kitchen.
However there is a downside to all this. Now I have achieved this, mum has had the wonderful idea I can do this for all her house renovation. nice in principle but the next item on the list on the list is a dinning chair suited for my back and unbreakable to my husband, pass me the brandy NOW.
Alright some of the shopping was household as it started with Pyrex dish's and bodem coffee maker, but it did lead to some successful shopping. In Tescos I managed to get a lined varsity top for £8 instead of £16 so somehow that managed to be obtained along with the smoothie maker. (New years resolution to eat even more fruit and vegetables ).
Next on the list was cheap trainers for the allotment. Not that I really like cheap trainers, but I can not justify converse or DC's being trashed in a month whilst planting this years crop. For this mission I went to everything5pounds.com. Now this isn't high end fashion, but if you are fast on the clicking you can get some nice bargains here. Not only were several pairs of cheap trainers bought, there was also a military style coat, biker boots and leggings. I pity the poor postman as the parcel is going to be massive, as mum also found cotton jumpers in her plus size which is hard enough, but at a £5 unheard of. Even if you add in the postage for 10 items including boots the postage only added £11 to the £55 bill. So I count that as a good hour shopping. However I will point out we are not talking designer label, although one jumper I had bought there was blatantly labelled for La Redoute.
Next stop was snow boots. Now this is more a necessity for me as I find wellingtons to heavy for me and these are a perfect substitute. I have had two pairs over the years and tend to wear them to destruction. After a half hour search I found a pair on Ebay for £16 inc postage sent from the UK. Result as again these are less a fashion statement as a work tool. However whilst there I also found a few other little gems. Just before Christmas I got a handmade unique Gothic hat for £27 again from the UK and a burgundy derby hat for £5 from china. Both of which welcome additions
Finally came the dreaded belt search. Now I hate belts but due to a sudden but not appreciated weight lose none of my jeans stay up so mum demanded I do something about it as she was fed up of me having to pull them up. I have never really found belts I like but 5 minutes on ASOS and I found 3 I liked under £5 each, oh how I love sales. So they were added to the basket along with a wet look skirt, white stripped joggers and a top to die for, total £25 no postage and already on their way to me.
Now the purpose of this blog is not to brag I have a new wardrobe, but to point out this. I spent 2 hours on the PC with a list and a budget. Using google and a bit of common sense I came in under budget (even with the added items and smoothie maker), and didn't get cold and wet, bruised or annoyed. Instead I saved myself several hours and managed to sort out the kitchen.
However there is a downside to all this. Now I have achieved this, mum has had the wonderful idea I can do this for all her house renovation. nice in principle but the next item on the list on the list is a dinning chair suited for my back and unbreakable to my husband, pass me the brandy NOW.
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