Exfoliation for the Nation

Good afternoon. Do you know what I can't bear to see on blogs? Dull posts where people literally just go through their day's shopping. By all means, tell us about your bargains and show us any gorgeous highlights - I love that kinda stuff - but do I really need to see that you bought some "cute" (and by "cute" I mean, "you ain't getting laid in those sugar") pyjamas and that you bagged a cheeky 3-4-2 on tampons. No I do not. So I decided to show you some toiletries I bought on Sunday ;-) No, I'm serious. However, be assured that there's method in my mundanity.

I am a massive fan of exfoliating. It think it stems from being a greasy faced spotty teenager - I was just always on the hunt for something that would finally resurface my face, leaving it smooth and perfect*. And, believe me, I've tried a million (slight exaggeration) scrubs over the years, everything from own brand cheapness to high end overpriced stuff and my current favourite (for the face) is Soap and Glory's "Scrub Your Nose In It". Plus, it's been my favourite for a good coupla years now, which is quite an achievement, given that I'm prone to being a fickle little madam when it comes to all things skin care. I deviated to other things briefly and quickly came running back, tail between legs (did I tell you I have a tail? It's a little poufy rabbit type one so getting it between my legs takes quite some skill, let me tell you.). So what's to love? Well, first off, the scrub doubles as a mask - two in one action, huzzah! One of the major 'ingredients' is kaolin, a clay mud which draws out impurities from the skin so, if you have time, you can smear a layer on yo' face, leave it to dry and sook out the crap, then wash/scrub it off. Handy! The next thing I like is that it's got a really refreshing minty zing to it. A minty zing just always makes me feel like it's cleaning that bit more. Sucka! And finally, I just love the scrubby texture of it. I hate exfoliators with big scrubby chunks that half take your face off. Ouch, that shit's delicate and it's the first thing I present to the world - I'd prefer it not to be beetroot and to have some skin left on, thanks. However, I equally dislike exfoliators with little or no scrub (does anyone else just not fully 'buy' salicylic acid? I know it's like, science and that, that makes it exfoliate without scrubbing but I really need to feel these things at work!). "Scrub Your Nose In It" has the perfect size scrubby particles so that your face feels ever so gently sanded. Plus, for those buying the science, it has fruit acids for oil zapping goodness. So, if after all that you fancy buying some, here's a picture of what you're looking for.

 

 

So what, I hear you ask, is in the tube on the left. Assuming you can read and aren't just here for the pictures (because, frankly, my pictures aren't that good) you'll know it's name is "Some Like It Hot". Now, this is a new one on me from the S&G crew. I tried it for the first time yesterday and I mother-eeping love it! It has magical genius (magic, science, you decide) that makes it heat up on contact with damp skin so you get a dose of pore opening heat, followed by awesome body scrubbing action. Come winter, this is going to be a shower best friend. Like SYNII, the scrubby particles are just the perfect size and give good exfoliation without scrubbing you raw - it's gentle enough for decolletage and soft arm skin, but tough enough for knees and elbows. And, unlike many body scrubs, it doesn't leave a yukky greasy residue. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for scrubbaliciousness for a foxy body.

And here's the confession. I genuinely love these products (be assured - nobody's paying me or giving me freebies for reviews! I'll be sure to tell you when the offers start rolling in - ha!)  - they're good. BUT, I've been sucked in a bit too. I'm totally smitten with Soap and Glory in general. Completely. Why? Tone of voice. These guys KNOW their brand and everything they do speaks the brand. It's kitschy and retro with tongue jammed very firmly in cheek (their lip gloss is called Sexy Mother-Pucker, for the wee man's sake) and everything from the product names to the safety warnings ooze that brand, so you're left in no doubt as to what they're all about. As a person who does Marketing, I appreciate what they do. As a chick who loves a pun and a bit of sneaky innuendo (in your end-o), as well as a good scrub, well, gee, I think they're just swell.

*I feel morally obliged to point out that, to this day, my face is still not peachy smooth or perfect.

Nailed it?

Evening all. I thought I'd stop off here between watching last night's sky plussed Strictly and tonight's live show. And, whilst watching the show, I figured I'd paint my nails. They've been naked for ages and, what with all the glitter and sparkle on Strictly, they just felt all shabby and left out. And in the spirit of all that is ballroom and latin-a-licious, I decided to get carried away and stick some glittery hearts on the nails. Whatchoo think?

Honestly, at a glance they look cute but they really don't want to stick so I've jumped ship part way through and just gone for doing one hand. Anyhoo, if anyone has any suggestions for nail art for the cack handed, I'd sure love to hear them. Have a swell Sunday evening...

Wham bam, thank you ma'am!

So called because today's gonna have to be a quickie. Off to spend the night with my awesome friend, some Chinese food, some gin and the X-Factor (yes, I watch that shit. I can't help it. I don't vote though and I never buy the god awful music that comes out of it. Mind you, I did vote for Will Young and I do have a Girls Aloud album. What?!) and I have to shower and get out pronto!

Today I am wearing ugly clothes. I spent the morning swinging through the trees and being dragged through woodchip at Go Ape. I AM action woman. Seriously, I'm a ball hair away (apologies to those of a sensitive disposition. I nearly peed when I first heard that phrase and I've never tired of it. Technically, if you're being Scottish, it's a baw hair too) from jumping on a plane to Japan to compete in Ninja Warrior, so actionous am I! So, today's ugly clothes aside, let's look at something nicer I wore this week. Something which included pair of shoes # 24!

 

Believe it or not (and when I look at them sometimes, I really don't), they're from bargain emporium Matalan. Really. They were about 7 quid in the sale a year or so ago. They're purple faux suede with a faux snakeskin platform and conical heel. I love a conical heel, I love a platform and I'm a fan of purple too. So, really, an all round winner, innit?

 

And much like yesterday, we have an indoor and outdoor look to go with them - can I get an 'ooh!'!? You may have realised that I'm really rather digging my H&M aviator because here it is again. You may also be growing tired of the sight of the grey Urban Outfitters dress I have on AGAIN. What can I say, I don't have either a limitless wardrobe or budget. However, I think I'm gonna hop back on my sewing machine again soon and try knocking up some purdy little dresses.

And let's take it indoors:

 

 

And it's a slightly mental look again! Darn red eye! Anyway, underneath the jacket and dress, shaweeeeeee, we have black and pink heart print Uniqlo leggings (my tubby legs love their leggings) and a purple H&M  belt and cardi, plus my super cute ASOS, like-the-socks-you-wore-at-school ankle socks with frill. I love them. If your shoes are remotely loose though they rub a bugger at the heel! I learned this the hard way.And you better believe it's time for a close up!

 

 

My necklace was from eBay aaaaages ago when I was into quirky plastic necklaces. Sometimes, I feel the urge to whip back out one of those plastic necklaces. Time for zoom: 

 

Time to go wash people - over and out! Unless you have any worthwhile singstar suggestions for after the X-Factor. Dude, did you think a night of chat, X-Factor, Chinese and gin could POSSIBLY be complete without singstar. We're so gonna put those stage show brats to shame...uh-huh. Oh yeah. OK, I should stop. Now.

Dotty about shoes

I'm well jealous this evening. My pals are off to see the Charlatans and I couldn't afford a ticket. Boo! So here I am typing away instead, but, oh what a pleasure it is to be here. The shoes I'm wearing here (pair # 23) are from schuh, by Irregular Choice. Circa 2003 ish. Practically vintage, non? And as far as I'm concerned, they're one of the prettiest pairs I own!

So what's so good about them?

They manage to combine red and pink and still look good. I once had a pink t shirt with the outline of a lady in red (is dahn-cing with me!) with a big afro. It looked shit. Plus it was too short. So tragic.

They've got a frilly trim!

They're the perfect round toed shape

They have polka dots!

It's a shame the heel's been a wee bit munched by the mean cobbled streets of Edinburgh. It's just one of life's inevitability's - get nice new heels, wear them outside, catch them between paving stones.

 

 

Here's what I wore them with indoors (oh yes people - you're getting indoor AND outdoor looks! Aha! And don't even try to tell me that a little bit of wee didn't sneak out there in your excitement)

 

 

Look at me kidding on at being all demure. So, the shoes we know about (schuh, Irregular Choice, keep up!). Here's the chat on the rest...

Dress: Trollied Dolly (check out their new range - some ace stuff in there...)
Sparkly Lurex Cardi: George at Asda! It totally looks like something vintage though!
Leggings: Uniqlo

 

 

 

And here's the outdoor look (apologies for the slight 'dead person' look again)

What do you mean, "what's changed?"?! I've got a foxy aviator jacket on, of course! It's my bargain H&M one (£24.99 site says sold out I'm afraid) which, despite it's bargainousness is really cosy and doesn't look too plastic fantastic. However, if anyone wants to trade it for the Burberry, I will consider the request.

And one last shot of the shoes:

 

Final thought - is all the glitter and sparkle on Strictly giving anyone else that Christmassy feeling?

Sesame Street Cupcakes!

Oh, come on, what's not to love?! I don't know where they're from or who made them but they're awesome. Just one question: why does Oscar look so cheerful? He's supposed to be a grouch!

Ooh, little hearty socks!

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls (though I'd suggest this blog isn't really child friendly fodder - sarcasm and sweary words are not the recommended diet for little 'uns as I understand it), shoes # 22 from schuh by Irregular Choice. Look how nom, nom, nommy they are!

 

Ooh:
Sparkly!
Shiny!
Suedey!
Sequiny!
Sheer! (ok so that's the socks but who else is getting a total alliteration high here?)

And, getting back to non 's' words, they're totally shock inducing electric blue. Yes, I loves these shoes a LOT. I mean, will you LOOK at the heels!?

 

"Now", I hear you holler, "I thought she was yacking about socks in the title", so let's have a look at my nice little ASOS socks. I've been meaning to embrace the ankle sock for a while but was a bit tentative about trying it. While I'm fortunate not to be the possessor of cankles, I don't have, shall we say, the most fortunate legs in the office/house/blogosphere and I was a little afraid that they'd look a bit dodgy or draw the wrong sort of attention. However, as is often the case I said 'fuck it' and got some anyway. And I love this particular pair. Verging on 'barely black' pop sock territory they're saved because of the adorable little hearts on them and a slight ankle frill (which you can't see. It's there though, trust me. It's just a little shy). Anyway, here they are poking out of my lovely shoes. Aw!

 

So, when one's feet are so gloriously shod, what else should one wear? Judging by me, the expression of a grumpy person on the verge of falling asleep/dropping into a catatonic trance. Apologies folks, I'm a fairly cheery sort usually. And seriously, last week was a tiring one. Right now I'm sporting black bags big enough to fit both Olsen twins in so expect a few more glazed looks to come. Anyway, to the matter in hand - what I wore was:

Sequined H and M T shirt come dress

Gold lurex Toppers or Primarni cardi

black leggings

My amazing Lady Luck Rules OK Owl Necklace

 

For shame, there's so much crap in my hall.

 

Twit, twoo! Say goodnight to the shoes!

What do you mean I'm so two weeks ago. I'm SO next year!

Like, I imagine, many people, the first pictures I saw of the Giles s/s '11 show were the images of Abi Clancy (love, preggers or not, he nailed a prossie - RUN FOR THE HILLS!) and Kelly Brook hitting the runway. I tell you, putting, as Carrie put it, a 'non-model' on the runway is a guaranteed publicity grabber these days. Just look at Jean Paul Gaultier with Beth Ditto today if you don't beeeeeeeleeeeeeve me. BTW, is anyone else loving her after the Fearne Cotton meets Beth Ditto show? I wanna bake cookies, go shop for vintage and do an unhealthy dose of karaoke too! Anyway, This post ain't actually about Ditto, Clancy, Brook or hookers so here we go:

 Once I'd been reeled in by Kelly's, frankly nasty, make up (it's definitely a look though) and actually pretty cute eyeball and flower print dress, I enjoyed what I saw! Here are some of my favourites:

I had to go for these two looks first for the sheer kooky factor. I for one would definitely like a head pom-pom for spring/summer/winter/whatever. What's not to love? Plus I am waaaaay digging the something-your-gran-would-knit with a twist jumper. However, whilst the mouse tee is cute enough, it ain't no decapitated Bambi (why did I like that so much?!) and I can say with some certainty that transparent yellow trousers will never be bothering my lower regions. No siree! Still, I enjoy a fashion show with humour and this certainly had it in spades.

 Next up is this pretty little puff skirted dress. Regular readers may have picked up that I'm a fan of the nipped waist and full skirt and I love that this is a slightly girlier, more youthful take on winter's austere take on the look. The bronzed crosses toughen the look slightly with the pink waist detail, adding a spoonful of sugar. My feeling on the neon shoes is 'they're god awful' but look out people cos neon is back, back, back. Seriously. Ask Christopher Bailey. This does not mean, if you are plentiful of belly, that you should rock a should-be-baggy-but-on-you-it's-clingy neon pink vest. Can you tell I've been offended by this vision recently. Seriously, you'll just look like a chav and that's never good. NEVER.

Check out this tremendous jumpsuit. In the same navy print as Kelly's dress, interspersed with the yellow of the transparent trousers, it focuses in on the waist and elongates with the yellow stripe down the side. Clever. I just love that it's a nice fusion of floaty elegance and silly fun.

Dear Giles. This is the one I'd like please. Sugar sweet, bow covered, boob cupping perfection! Admittedly pastels wash me out something chronic so I'd probably need well oranged up to stand a chance of looking good in this but when the dress is this cute, who cares. Plus, haven't you ever heard of Dylon ;-)