Beauty | Models Own Hyper Gel Varnish - Review

During my trip to  Blue water on Friday, I spent a lot of my afternoon wandering around in search for a birthday present for Mr. As I began to lose hope and all sense of motivation I stumbled across a colourful stall manned by very happy chirpy girls who immediately lifted my spirits.

The sales attendant at Models Own took an immediate interest in how my day was, complimented me on the dress I was wearing and quickly established my favourite colours, what make up suited my skin tone and what my main beauty bug bear is. Chipped nail paint.

I am always on the go, and simply don't have time to get up every morning and repaint my nails. Sometimes nail varnish for me doesn't even last a day without chipping, so quite often I end up going around with horrid half painted, rubbish looking talons.

That's when she introduced me to Models Own Hyper Gel Nail Varnish, designed with the same shiny finish as the likes of Shellac & Jessica Geleration, but with no need for a UV lamp. The paint, according to the saleswoman would last up to 7-9 days, was chip resistant and the answer to my nail varnish night mares! Plus you can just use normal nail varnish remover to remove it once you're ready to change colour.

While I looked around the stall at the amazing variety of colours, she returned to me with a basket containing a free gift!

"You can get 6 items for £20 today, lovely." She smiled.

That's it I was sold. In went my 6 items and out came the £20!

In my shopping basket was this gorgeous hot pink shade of the Hyper Gel varnish - "Searing Pink". I've become quite a lover of pink, and this shade really stood out to me.

The application was really easy. The brush seems to give extra nail coverage meaning less faffing and less time trying to get to the corners of the nail.

The high shine finish is just gorgeous. You can see from the photo that in natural light in late afternoon they're still shiny! The texture is smooth and light on my nails.

You can buy Hyper Gel Nail Varnish for just £5 each online and in store. I fully recommend you go and see the amazing spectrum of colours on offer and see the hot, high shine effect left by this fab product!

Lunch at Tapas Revolution, Bluewater

On Friday, during my trip to BlueWater, I had lunch at Tapas Revolution.

As I entered the restaurant I was immediately greeted by a welcoming enthusiastic waiter who offered me my choice of tables. The restaurant itself was very clean and I liked that it had no walls per say. It meant that as a solo diner I could still see everything that was going on in that section of the shopping centre and was not dumped in a dark & dingy corner.

As I sat down, I was handed the menu and the gentleman kindly and quickly explained how it worked. There were three menu options; a standard tapas menu, and two special offer menus.

I opted for one of the meal deal options; Paella Valenciana and my choice of a beer, wine or soft drink for just £7.95. I chose a Rose Spritzer to drink and ordered some water too.

Within minutes, my meal arrived at my table hot, tasty and authentically presented, served in an  paella pan. It was delicious and I ate every last morsel. I love cooking paella at home and often struggle to find restaurants who serve it fresh without any fish in when dining out, so it was really nice to be able to eat one of my favourite meals cooked by someone else the way I liked it.

If I were to add anything to this dish, it would probably be some vegetables, tomatoes, onions and the like.

For dessert I had the Coulant de Chocolat. The minute I read 'chocolate fondant' I knew that was what I wanted. I LOOOVE chocolate fondant.

When it arrived at my table I was keen to dig in and discover if they had successfully managed to obtain that gooey chocolate centre.

They had! Yay!

 

When I tasted the desert I was surprised to find it tasted like Jaffa cakes. Cue grab of the menu. I had failed to read the description: Chocolate fondant made with olive oil and a touch of orange. Still sounding appealing I delved further to find a layer of jellified orange at the bottom of the bowl. A little more than a touch.

In truth, the desert, though nice, was a little too bitter and tangy for me and so I did not finish it all.


Over all, the friendliness and speediness of the service really impressed me. As a lone diner the last thing you want to be doing is sitting waiting around for your food for ages. It was nice to have a change from the usual Italian & American restaurants that flood our high streets.

 I will definitely be returning to Tapas Revolution with friends.

Beauty | Pre-Spray Tan Tips

Before having a spray tan there are some vital steps you must take in order to achieve an all over even tan and to ensure you get the most from it.

1. Get rid of the hair!

If you're going to be showing of your newly tanned pins, it's important to remember to blitz the last of the winter fuzz before your spray tan, as if you shave or wax after the tan it will not last as long.

I love my Gillette Venus & Olay Razor from boots as it combines shaving & moisturising in one go.

Depending on how sensitive your skin is, some people prefer to shave the day before rather than on the day of a spray tan.

2. Exfoliate 

It is essential to exfoliate prior to a spray tan to avoid any horrible darker patches appearing on your dry areas (knees, ankles & elbows are prone to dodgy patches!). I use the BodyShop Satsuma Body Polish to exfoliate pre tan as it lathers up really nicely when used with exfoliating gloves which means you don't have to use loads. Also I love the fresh summery fragrance.

3. Avoid other lotions & potions
NEVER moisturise before a spray tan! You will turn Green! Also avoid deodorant, face cleanser and any other alcohol containing potions.

The clear out

This week, as it often does, life has forced me to look back at the person I once was.

To admire the person I am now. I am so proud of who I have become.

But I have to get it out of my head. Get it out.

Apologies in advance for rambling.

If you had met me eight years ago, I'm not sure you would have believed I'd be sitting where I am today.

I was a troubled sole.

A sad, vulnerable, confused, het up, anxious girl who had to grow up too soon.

Plunged into a silent responsibility to step up as the stand in parent.

A little tubby. Strange shoes. Brown skirt, white trainer socks. Self conscious. Angry.

I struggled to hold friends down the whole way through my school years.

I'd been bullied through primary school for being a bit different. Puberty hit me when I was 8. Periods came at 9. I was taller & spottier than most.

I remember the day my Mum could not keep her anger in with the bullies any more. She drove me to one of their houses, told the ringleaders parents what her daughter had been doing. How I cried every day going to school.

I remember feeling bad that day, that I might have got them into trouble. I was worried for one of them, worried if at 10/11 she'd be able to cope with a telling off. Her Dad had died weeks before. Even then, even when I was terrified and scared of what they might do or say next, I still did not want her to be any more upset than she already would have been.

When it came to choosing my secondary school my Mum was determined that I would not be subject to the same hell that was primary school. She insisted that I went to Grammar School, an all girls school just a few minutes walk from where she then worked, three train stops away from home.

Gah! I remember the arguments leading up to my 11+. I was adamant that I wanted to go to the local comp, where my 'friends' were going. Where the people were familiar. Regardless of who they actually were. The trouble with me was that I was always so bloody forgiving!

I worked hard to at least not FAIL at the exam, regardless of which school I'd end up going to. Failure has never really been an option for me. 11+ passed, we together sat down and decided that Grammar would be best. There were two people from my primary school who were going. Nice children, who were friendly & bright who there was every chance would share a form with me once there.

Two months into secondary school, my parents separated. My Dad came to collect me from my dance rehearsal for a big show that was coming up. My mum had prepared me for the conversation I was about to have. I knew it was going to happen, it was only a matter of time.

As we sat in the car tears filled his eyes as he told me he would be leaving that afternoon, to stay in our holiday caravan until something else was sorted.

I suppose, looking back, it was strange that I was not sad. I remember tears rolling down my face as he told me, but they were not sad tears. They were tears of relief. No more arguments every Friday because I couldn't find my tap leotard.

I, like my mother, could not cope with his shouting and short temper any more. He would turn in a second from smiles & laughter to aggression and pure anger. I remember once, in a rage, he emptied and threw the contents of my box of barbies ( I had LOADS) across the room.

From then on our house would be quiet and calm, just Mum, Lobster & I & the cat. A safe haven. Everything was going to be okay.

Until the Break-ins started. The fierce malicious name calling. The stalking. The threats. Death threats from him to my Mum. The phone calls to me at bedtime telling me it would be the last time I'd ever hear from him. The time I walked in on him & L's nursery teacher in his flat when he was supposed be watching me as I was ill & off school. Being held against the wall. Running home to phone my Mum. Locking the doors. That time he threw me in the car kicking & screaming, holding a crying 2 year old L, trying to protect her from his fury. He drove us to the middle of nowhere and told me we'd never go home again.

My oldest friend turned her back on me within weeks. Disappeared into the distance. Her family, who had spent the last 11 years at parties and holidays and days out with mine decided that whatever he'd told them was true and that she should no longer be my friend.

That's when it all changed at school really. That's when I became a bit weird. Stood out. Cried a lot.

I was not particularly fashionable, nor did I come from a wealthy family as many of my peers did.

I hold that Man personally responsible for the hell that then became the first five years of secondary school. I trusted no-one. Believed that everyone was out to get me. Once again became an easy target and so the bullying was back.

It would come in waves. I moved from friendship group to friendship group. But the groups just merged. The bitching and gossiping of teenage girls meant that there was no escape. The shit was going to bite me on the arse wherever I turned. At the same time, those primary school 'friends' would be waiting at the train station on my way home to follow me & hurl homophobic abuse. Apparently, because I went to a girls school, it automatically meant I was a lesbian.

My poor Mum. Not only was she facing a new battle with him each & every day, she was having to drag me to school each morning willing me to get through. Willing them to stop. Give me a break. Willing the teachers to step in. Determined not to let those bitches get the better of me. Nor that bastard for that matter.

She'd talk non stop the whole way to school to keep my mind busy,  we'd listen to heart fm who without fail would play Take That's 'Shine' somewhere in that 25 minute slot. We'd listen & sing at volume.

Some mornings she quite literally had to push me out of the car, knowing that as I left her tears would begin to roll down my cheeks, tears rolling down hers the minute I could not see her.

For some time I really struggled with food. The amount of food I ate at that the was the only thing I now realise I had any control over. Not eating was me taking control. As was the constant scratching of my arms.

I had counselling for a short while. Had to go to special sessions with pastoral care. Was advised by the school to take a few weeks out of school because it had all become so bad.

Eventually, at 16 I was moved to another form, in which there were two girls I knew from my options classes. After a VERY bumpy start in a new friendship, which resulted in me FINALLY standing up for myself  and deciding I was not about to be walked all over again to a girl  who had made it her mission to make me feel as unwelcome as possible (cue nasty facebook & msn chats).

From that moment on really everything started to get better at school. There were a few arguments, don't get me wrong. But you put a load of teenage hormonal girls in a group there's always going to be. Particularly when there are boys involved.

Through it all, against the odds, I passed my GCSE's with flying colours. I doubt very much I would have done without my Mum's continued ushering on. Though as I said before, failure was never an option in my head. Sixth Form was in sight.

Home life was still as tough as ever. The break ins, the stalking, the verbal attacks, the taking us and disappearing for days, all of that was still going on.

And then along came Mr. The boy who saved me.

The boy who is now the man who stands beside me at every turn. Who has stood beside me through thick and thin, beautiful and ugly.

Who makes me laugh.

Shelters me from the storm.

Loves me unconditionally.

The boy who gave me the confidence to be who I am today.

The bulshy, head strong, ambitious young woman who will not let anyone stand in her way.

The boy who opens the jam jars when I cannot.

Rescues me when the bus does not show up, even though he's in the middle of something and miles away.

Who at the end of a really crappy day, reassures me that everything will be okay.

The boy who one day I hope will become my husband, the father of my children.

I still find it difficult to trust. I do not let people get too close. Even he struggles sometimes.

I have friends who I love with all my heart, who know me inside out. They know my deepest secrets, my silly habits. They are there always and regardless.

If you had met me eight years ago, I'm not sure you would have believed I'd be sitting where I am today.

But I am so proud of what I have achieved.

And so thankful to those who helped me to where I am today.

And to those who broke me

I am not sure I will ever forgive you

But I must thank you.

Just look at me now.

Chocolate Candy Cake

On Saturday, it was my Mum's birthday and what with it being so close to Easter too, we decided to make an Easter - Birthday Cake for her.

Generally, I am a useless baker. Honestly rubbish. The last time I made a cake we ended up with a hard sponge with a burnt chocolate chip mess at the bottom! 

This time, I went for something that would be simple to make but easy to make pretty and hopefully taste good too. 

To avoid any disasters, I used 2 packets of premixed cake mix and simply added eggs & water. I find it is not only easier but much cheaper this way! 

Once the mix was fully stirred and without any lumps I poured the whole mixture into a well greased deep cake tin (one of those with the removable bottoms) and baked for 30-40 minutes at 180. 

While the cake was rising nicely in the oven, we made our chocolate icing. 

We combined a few blobs of butter and some icing sugar (sorry! I'm more of a keep adding until it looks right than a 'we must measure everything perfectly' kind of baker) in a bowl until a smooth mixture is formed. We then melted 2 bars of milk chocolate in a bowl over a pan of boiling water which were added to the butter icing to form what became a glorious melt in your mouth bowl of wonder. 

Once the cake was baked and had cooled down, we covered it evenly in layers of the chocolate icing before decorating the outside with Cadbury Chocolate fingers and filling the the top with cadbury mini eggs and smarties eggs.

Et Voila! 

Despite Libby later dropping the cake ON THE DOG!!! it tasted really good and I'll definitely be making it again, perhaps for the Baby Tilda Barn Dance. The beauty of it is that you can top it with any sweets you like so it doesn't have to be Easter themed either! 

Over all I think I spent about £7.00 on the ingredients for this cake. 

What's your favourite thing to bake? 

All out of sorts

This month has been a funny month.

'Huh? it's only the 17th?' I hear you cry.

Forget about March, April, May. For most women, there are two types of months that run along side each other. I refer to the month cycle that most women base their lives around. The month that has a week of big knickers, nurofen & an un-dying NEED for chocolate right here right now.

Don't worry, I'm not about to go into any further detail about anything else that happens that week and break the all important TMI barrier. It is safe to read on. I promise. 

This month started well. I was upbeat, ready for action. Noone and nobody was going to stop me doing anything. And so with confidence and the adrenaline of leaving my job fuelling my fire I got up and went. Everything was checked off on my brains to do list, the house was tidy, I'd seen all the people I needed to see, talked about all of the things I needed to talk about. Everything was going to work out. It might be tough, but it'd work. I was, shall we say, bouncing my way through life. (Imagine Crash Bandicoot after an ooga booga shot.)

However as the weeks passed my mood really slumped. Nerves and thoughts of 'Can I really do this?' took over my mind and frustration began to build as the possibility of me & Mr moving to a home of our own began to fade. I felt stuck. Add to that a UTI, horrible skin out break, three panic attacks and a series of nightmares, I think it's fair to say I've been left a little out of sorts.

It seems I've had a three week long bout of PMT! Fingers crossed, that from today my hormones have a little bit of a relax and let me get back to doing what I do best.

Wedding Day Dreaming

So, the Mr's brother gets married in September to his lovely fiancee.

It promises to be a quiet, intimate affair (though how that is possible with the size of their family, I've no idea!) set in an understated location near to where we live.

I love a good wedding! I'm the first to get my tissues out during the ceremony as the bride walks down the aisle, and well, when it gets to the speeches I blub.

For a woman, there is always something so magical about a wedding I think.

The Mr is an usher and went for his suit fitting last weekend. Trust him to be one of the only groom party to need full alterations to every element of his suit. Aside from this and the whole cream waistcoat, white shirt, grey jacket & pink tie debate that seems to be consuming every dinner, every discussion, every DAY, I'm actually getting quite excited.

I am looking forward to picking out a dress to wear. I love dressing up and making the most of a posh occasion and although I have got a million dresses at home which would most likely all be perfectly suitable, nothing quite beats that manic walk around the shops trying everything on in sight!

All of this wedding talk has got me day dreaming about how I would like my own wedding to be.

I think it will be quite different to theirs.

I have always dreamed of getting married, bare foot on a sandy beach somewhere warm, the gentle sea breeze blowing my hair.

Followed by a sit down meal and a party on the beach.

I have a tiny family compared to Mr's, and so for my own this whole idea works well for them. (Plus, it means a certain unwanted guest won't be able to just turn up.)

For his family though, the thought of us getting married abroad seems to fill their faces with horror.

The thought that great aunt Edna's second cousin twice removed might not be able to make it has caused a stir.

I feel I have got some work to do on twisting their arms. Though considering we aren't engaged yet, I think I've got some time!

Did you get married abroad or at home? I'd love to read your stories. 

Lifestyle | What's in My Bag #1

I quite enjoy having a nosey at other peoples 'what's in my bag' posts, so thought I'd do one myself.

The bag I am using this weekend is my Burgunday Tote Bag from New Look which was bought for me as a gift for Christmas.

I absolutely love this bag.

Its just perfect for when I am going to and fro between meetings as it's big enough to fit everything I need in it - diary, tablet, phone, note book, brochure, a pair of flat shoes for travelling between and anything else I tend to pick up on the way.

It looks great too and adds a bit of color to a dull outfit. Quite sophisticated I think.

I am at the Mr's this weekend though, and so the contents is a little different to normal.

1. My favorite scarf. It's a gorgeous black & white paisley pattern and looks great with a blazer and jeans. I bought it from Next at the Ashford Outlet for £6! Bargain!

2. Ted Baker Hand cream & Lip Balm. Where ever I go, I am always applying one or the other. They both smell divine and the hand cream is great for use after a hand sanitiser.

3. Essie Nail Varnish - LIL' BOA PEEP. I'm always chipping my nail varnish. It's always handy to have my currnet colour in my bag ready for quick touch ups!

4. My Make Up Bag.... Need I say more?

5. Optrex Eye Drops. Where spend most of my time working in front of a computer screen (yes! Even at the weekends) I suffer quite badly with dry eyes. Whenever they get tired, these eye drops are ideal for a quick eye re-hydrate.

6. Train Tickets. I don't drive yet and so unless Mr comes and gets me or drops me somewhere I spend a lot of the time on a train. These tickets are still in my bag from Tuesday when I went to visit my friend in Ulcombe.

7. Bridget Jones - Mad About The Boy. Ahhh, Bridge. I started reading this book back in January, but with one thing or another coudn't find the time to fit my reading in! Now that I am working from home, it's important that I make sure I take some time out, and what better way than a catch up with my old friend and idol?

So that's my bag, what's in yours? 

Birthday Present Idea's for Mum

So as well as it being Easter weekend next weekend, it is also my Mum's birthday.

She is possibly the most difficult person (aside from Mr) to buy for.

I'm generally against buying her anything for the house, unless its something that she really wants and has specifically asked for.

I've been having a look online in preparation for my trip into town on Tuesday, and these are just some of the ideas I've come up with.

1. White Floral Pyjama's | New Look 

2. Olay Daily Moisture | Boots

 3. Black Tote Handbag | New Look 

4. Daffodil Bunch | Local Florist 

5. Ghost Perfume | The Perfume Shop 

6. Kiss Me Once, Kylie Minogue | George at ASDA

My Dreams of a Beebies Home Office

Back in January, I wrote how me & the Mr were preparing to fly the nest.

We were so nearly there, each of us saving as much as we could each month to gather a deposit.

A generous offer to match our savings when we'd reached a certain amount came from a family member who appreciated how keen we were to move.

Right now though, it seems we couldn't be further away from having our own home if we tried.

My recent decision to leave my job and concentrate on the business means that right now, Mr is the only one with a guaranteed stable steady income. Our savings are being used to tide us over and invested into the business.

This doesn't stop me from dreaming though! Ideally, when we do move, we'll buy a three bedroom house.

A room for us, a room for a bump when the time is right, and a room for Beebies.

One of the things I am most looking forward to about having our own home is being able to have my own designated work space.

Somewhere I can sit and work effectively.

Somewhere to tidily store the stock I hold.

A place of organisation.

Somewhere unlike the spare room currently resembling a jumble sale of boxes, paper every where.

Somewhere you can actually get in the door!

Somewhere like this.

Business | Competition is Healthy

Starting up a new business or breaking out into other markets is daunting, there's no doubt about it.

The majority of the time, regardless of the industry you are entering, there is always going to be competition. Someone who sells or does a similar thing to you.

Some business owners go into absolute turmoil when a new competitor comes to the market & can often end shooting themselves in the foot if they don't act positively.

Here's why, in my opinion, competition in business is healthy.

1. Networking and business relationships.
Networking, if done right, is effectively a free advertising tool. Building a relationship with competitors can help to establish your place in your market. Chat, absorb and offer advice publicly.

2. Innovation
Competition is great for encouraging innovation within a business. It gives you the opportunity and the nudge to think outside the box, differentiate & make your business stand out amongst the rest. Competition prompts you to identify a USP, and show your customers why you're the one to choose!

3. Learning Curves
By watching & observing a competitor, you can look to identify issues that might also relate to your own business. If a customer of theirs is unhappy with their service, look to see why, and whether a similar problem could come up for you & then change it before it does.

Likewise, if a company is receiving praise, look to see why & relate it back to you. Do you offer the same perks? Can you match or better them?

4.  Customers Benefit
There's nothing worse than not being able to help a customer find the specific item they need. Having good relations with companies in your industry means that, generally, if you can't directly help a customer, you know someone who can! A quick recommendation can go a long way and 9 times out 10 that same business will return the favour. Plus the customer sees you both as mature, and professional organisations who go the extra mile to help their clients. A win-win if you ask me!

5. You Identify Key Customers
Competition helps point out who your key, loyal customers are. Focus on these! They are, after all, the people keeping you afloat. By catering to them, you are reinforcing in their minds why they choose you, and the likelihood is, that if they're constantly happy with what you provide, they'll talk about it and the word will spread.

6. Gets People Talking
Did you see the 'rap battle' on twitter between O2 & Tesco Mobile? The two big wigs were battling it out to show who could provide a better price plan & service for their customers. Each of them made relevant points in a fun and light hearted fashion. With over 800 retweets & lots of customer responses this shows how good relations can involve and encourage customers to talk and get involved!



There are so many more reasons why competition in business is healthy, but these are just a few to make you think about.

Do you have any more you'd like to share?

Breast Cancer Awareness Part 2 - I Found a Lump

When I was 12 I found a lump.

A big, painful lump,on the outside of my right breast, adjacent to my nipple.

As you can imagine, as a young girl, just started secondary school and already having a tough time with a messy parent break up, this knocked me for six! I was, I am, a worrier.

My mum & I went to the doctors the very next day and was seen my GP who prescribed me with a course of antibioitics and said it'd go down.. nothing to worry about, 'just a cyst'.

And so I took them. And the pain went down, but the lump remained.

Eight years, three courses of antibiotics, countless GP appointments and two trips to the breast clinic (at 13 & 16 ) the lump is stil there.

I will never forget my last appointment at the breast clinic. The doctor was an hour late. He walked in, took one look at my young 16 year old face and laughed. 'There's nothing wrong with you, you're wasting my time.' He walked out.

I felt stupid. Was I making a big deal out of nothing? Should I just ignore it? Suck it up?

Now though, the lump is bigger than it was and painful most of the time. The pain is less isolated and has spread to under my armpit. Some days I cannot even wear a bra. It is effecting my moods. My relationship. My confidence.

Back in  January, I went to the doctors again to be examined. This time by a different GP, one I have a lot of confidence in.

He examined, poked, prodded and compared.

'It's just a cyst' He said. But like no other had, he explained how he knew & what that meant.

The lump can be moved slightly, which indicates that it is not a cancerous lump, nor one that is likely to 'become cancerous' which if I'm honest, aside form the pain has been my biggest worry. That what is now 'just a cyst' might one day become something more.

After a long conversation, discussing all of the pros and cons, he agreed to refer me to breast clinic once more. This time stating how he felt that due to the limitations it is causing, the lump should be removed.

I would receive a letter in the post with my appointment date and time 'shortly'.

We are now in April, and I am still waiting for the letter.