Category: Beauty

Winter Sun Fun…

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This year for all sorts of reasons , but mainly because non of us can face it without mum. We are going to leave on a jet plane and spend Christmas abroad somewhere hot.

Mum was our Christmas .

She was ‘Mrs Christmas’.

She adored it. She always had the best, most tastefully dressed tree [always red  and gold ], ensured the house was lit up like Blackpool, and her giddiness was infectious. Family was everything to mum and she ensured we always had the best time.

I tend to get my own way and have spent every single Christmas Day at Mum and Dads, bar one when I went to my ex-husbands house for Christmas lunch. I hated every single minute of it. Not because they did anything wrong, it just wasn’t the same without my mum around.

I’m positively dreading this year , the first year without her. 

It’ll never be easy but I’m kinda guessing this year will be tough for us all. Firsts always are.

We [ dad, BF & brother] made a collective decision that this year we would take ourselves out of our usual surroundings and do something we’ve never done before. Hence a week abroad is on the cards. It’s new, there are no memories of mum there. [though I’m sure we will all be thinking about her.] It will still be absolutely gut wrenching her not being there with us … 

I love Christmas but quite frankly this year I could take it or leave it. 

So while I’d normally start looking for a warm, snug yet stylish outfit with an elasticated expanding waistband;  this year that will be substituted for a new bikini, sandals and a good false tan.  Continue reading →

Updates & Beauty Banter…

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This blog post is brought to you by a rather discruntled and fed up Tracey.

Since mum left us [ I still can’t say died, it’s far too final and blunt] I’ve been trying really hard to wake up each morning with a smile; to think happy thoughts.

Obviously I’ve not always succeeded and on quite a few days I’ve been in tears before it’s even turned 10.00am. I’m a lady in grieving and I take it this is normal behaviour.

To make matters worse,  today I’ve woken up to a poorly Mollie [ dog ] she’s struggling to walk on her back leg and looks and probably feels the same as me.

Very Fed up.

It’s just another worry I could do without. I love the bones off that little fur lady and couldn’t bear it if anything happened to her. I’m currently sat typing with her next to me, that way I can keep my beady eye on her.

I’ve cried, I’ve had coffee. Normality is resumed… for a few hours anyway.

So anyway today I thought I’d share some beauty products with you. I’ve been using all of these on and off for the past couple of months.

Just to clarify [ I know their are skeptics out there who think Bloggers only feature gifted goods] Non of the products featured were gifted by a brand.

I love them, I buy them and I use them. Simples!

So without sounding like a chuffing record [ I do , I know ! ] the stress from the last few months has really taken a negative toll on my already shitty skin.

A few weeks ago I had a major, MAJOR break out. I’m 46 please stop. Lots of lump, bumps and white heads around my chin and jawline , some of which turned into angry red spots.

Due to lack of sleep I’m hollow and dark under my eyes . I look drained, spotty and knackered. I sound delightful don’t I?

Makeup helps. Thank the lord for makeup!  Continue reading →

Little Steps …

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As your probably aware it’s been a whole 4 days since I lost my beautiful mum. 4 days of walking around in a blur.

I’m trying to keep busy, not think too long or too hard. I mostly just feel numb and extremely sad. I cry randomly, my emotions are like a rollercoaster. I enjoy highs and I hit lows.

I want the world to stop. Why are people still laughing and enjoying themselves, don’t they realise my mums just died?  Why isn’t the nation in mourning? Everything is exactly the same as it was before only my mums not here ; my worlds been turned upside down. Nothing for our family will ever be the same again.

Everyday life doesn’t seem real, I have a constant ache in my stomach – it’s like I’ve been punched. I feel empty. Alone. Scared even … but as I’ve been told on numerous occasions “life goes on.”

So here I am, trying to ‘go on‘ little steps at a time … the only way I know how.

By writing.

By sharing …

I’ve started wearing mums wedding ring at all times, it brings me some comfort. She feels close.

I’m scared to death I’ll lose it so if you happen to bump into me and I’m constantly checking my right hand … it’s not some weird ailment. I’m just checking it’s still there.

Continue reading →

Fathers Day Goodies … the edit

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I’m not one for celebrating ‘faddy’ days pushed on us by advertisers intent on making loads of wonga out of us  … you all know my thoughts on Valentines Day.  If you don’t … head over here

There are a couple of days I do enjoy celebrating those being Mothers & Fathers Day. If there’s anyone I want to celebrate and say thank-you too it would be to my parents … mainly for putting up with me for all these years!

Perfect timing its Fathers Day in a few weeks time so I thought today I’d do a gift guide for all those deserving dads out there.  I personally always find it hard to buy for men, don’t you? Hopefully something might catch your eye and inspire you.

Saying that if your dads anything like mine he’ll not even know it’s Fathers Day. He won’t expect anything and would be perfectly happy with just a card and a pint!

Some of these suggestions are cheap and cheerful and some are investment pieces . Something to suit every purse string.

I’m still a big advocate ‘home made with love’ … If all else fails bake a cake ! Show me a dad who doesn’t love his sweet stuff. 

So here goes: Continue reading →

Friday Favourites … 

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Hello …

I hope you’ve all been enjoying the last couple of days of sunshine, it’s been glorious hasn’t it? Saying that its currently raining here.

Summer lasted all of 3 days!

 I jest … hopefully it will visit us again soon.

I’m sure I’m due another favourites post though I can’t seem to get these out in any particular schedule. My current mind set is ‘all over’ something I’m hoping will work itself out when mums out of hospital and back at home with us.

So here are the things that I’ve been enjoying / have made me smile recently.

A few of these items are newbies and a few I’ve been using for years but thought they deserved a mention.

First up …

ALL IN ALL – Temple Spa £20.00 – 300 ml

As you may ,or may not be aware, I used to be a Temple Spa Consultant. Despite loving the majority of the products I was rubbish at hosting parties. 

Basically I used to have panic attacks and talk about 100 miles an hour. Public speaking terrifies me and people were mostly confused. 

I tried but for my own sanity I gave it up as a bad job but continued purchasing some of the goodies.

All in All is one of the products I fell in love with and still use religiously.

It’s a multipurpose balm that can be used on your hair, body and face.

I use it to souly moisturise my body but it can be used as a face balm and a hair conditioner.

It contains essential oils and botanicals – lemon, nutmeg, coriander and guaiacum. It has the most delicious smell which I love slathering all over and which more importantly lingers on your skin. If you catch me sniffing my arm … that’s why! 

Most definitely my favourite body moisturiser. EVER.

Continue reading →

It’s all ‘H2 Elemental’ my dear …

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Skin care it’s a funny old thing isn’t it? It’s a bit like me . . .at times confusing, can be over complicated or plain simple ! 

Today I’m just hung-over … [ yes this is me who said I’d never drink again … about 20 years ago]

While I’m laid on the settee, coffee in hand feeling sorry for myself, nursing my banging head I thought I would share a recent discovery with you. Continue reading →

Vionic Leopard Feet … getting feet summer ready

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It’s that time of year when I reluctantly have to shave my legs. It’s not that I enjoy being compared to a hairy mammoth . I honestly just can’t be arsed.

It’s a faff too far.

Talking of faffing. I will then have to  false tan myself. Some people like to embrace their paleness . Me … well I like to look like a sultana!

False tanning usually results in stripey legs and bright orange palms!

Everywhere else applies like a dream but when it comes to my legs it’s a totally diferent ball-game. If I was a cafe I’d be called ‘Streaky patchy central’

No matter how much I wash my hands my palms always remain a slight tinge of orange.

I need to invest in some tanning gloves and moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!

Something I do enjoy [ good faffing let’s say] is preparing my feet … making them look all pretty for the forth-coming  ‘sandal days’ the anticipation of the beach , of BBQ’ S and fun in the sun.

I love bright toe nails, tanned legs and feet adorned in beautiful sandals.

In an ideal world I’d surround my bath tub with candles and light them to create ambiance. I’d then jump in making sure there were lots and lots of bubbles.  Continue reading →