Get Ready For Summer || Part 1 || Dresses

This month I am turning my clothing posts to myself! Hurrah! Over the next 3 Wednesdays I will be posting a selection of my favourites. This week dresses, next week will be all other clothing , finally finishing with shoes & accessories.

Today's post as I say is dresses. I adore dresses these days so could have literally spent hours finding favourites for this one. I have managed to whittle it to 10 though. Interestingly , not until I was sorting out the photos did I notice a similar shared colour with quite a few of them!

I've tried to include affordable for all dresses, as well as few in the higher price brackets.

Available in 2 colours.

I can't wear Maxi dresses as I am too much of a short arse for them to suit. Thought this was stunning though so had to share.

If money was no object ....

LINKS

ASOS
BODEN
RIVER ISLAND
SEASALT
BOOHOO
DOROTHY PERKINS
HOBBS

I hope you enjoyed reading this.

Beauty Product Empties #10

Morning all,

I would not have done another product empties post quite so soon, only I have accumulated so many  more used up items that I just want to get rid of them into the trash!

So , here we go with Empties post number 10! 

Yes, Batiste Dry Shampoo ( in Tropical scent)  & Dove Deodorant (this time in grapefruit & lemongrass ) once again . As always a huge thumbs up from me. Buy at Boots, Superdrug etc...!
VO5 Extra Hold Weather Resistant Hairspray - to me as long as a product is doing its job then I will buy whichever. Hairspray , as long as it does not leave my hair sticky or crispy is fine by me. This did a good job. I would buy again happily. Am I right in thinking they have changed the packaging as I can only find a link for you to a pink can?
Nivea Hand Nourishing hand Cream - One thing I do suffer from is dry hands from time to time. This does a great job at helping. I have gone through so many of these tubes. I cannot buy it right now as I have so many other hand creams to use up. I definitely recommend giving it a go though if you suffer from dry hands too. Pleasant smell & sinks in very well.
No 7 Bath Soak - This is for sure on my re-purchase list. It was heaven using this in my bath. Such soft bubbles & left my skin feeling so amazing. The scent is subtle & so relaxing.
Clarins Relax Bath Concentrate - For use in the bath or shower. I hated the smell of this. I got it in a bonus gift bag otherwise I would not have bought it as essential oils are really not my thing. It did leave me feeling nice & soft though so just because it is not my cup of tea does not mean you would not like it.
This Works Perfect Heels Rescue Balm - To be honest, it was OK it did its job but I don't think it did it any better than products I have used with a price tag much lower. Would not buy this again right now.
Baylis & Harding Lavender & Cassis Foot Balm - I got this in a gift set at Xmas  & cannot find it for sale individually. Did find a gift set though on eBay ( not the one I got but at least it contains the foot lotion.) Anyway, I thought it was rubbish. Did nothing for my heels at all.

Soap & Glory Peaches & Clean 4 in 1 Cleansing Milk - they seemed to have changed it from 4 to 3 in 1 now. I did have this quite a while. It is used up, doesn't look it because those are the bits I can't get out! I adored the smell of this. I don't think it worked as well some of the cleansing washes I have used but I would use it again ( & do have a 3 in 1 I got for Xmas already.)
No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Night Cream - this was nice. I got this in a huge set at Xmas ( I am still using up the day cream that came with it.) I would maybe re-purchase , or look in to trying other night creams from No7 as they seem to do a few.
Attitude Make Up Fixing Spray - This I love but struggle to find it in stock ANYWHERE. I can get through eBay but I bought mine for less in Savers. Right now I am using others so don't actually need to be in a rush to buy it but may have to fork it out if I really want it. One of the next fixing sprays in my opinion. My make-up lasted for ages.
Clinique Liquid facial Soap Oily Skin Formula ( 3 or 4) - Not for me this one. I used it because I got it as a free gift & used it up. Nothing wrong with it, just not for my skin type.
Deep Sea Spa Magik Cleansing Facial Wash - a product from a beauty box. I quite liked this. Fresh smelling & I quite liked what it did to my skin. I doubt I would buy it in full size though as I don't think it was that good.

Now we finish with 3 products that are not empty but will be heading bin wards!
Bath & Bodyworks Hand Gel in Tuscan Vineyard- Like the other hand gel I had from them the smell is just way too overpowering! I was having to wash my hands when possible to rid myself of it. I will not be buying anymore of these. Thumbs down!
Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation in Nude - There is nothing wrong with the product overall itself. I have just had it so long that it is starting to smell. Not near my face thank you! I won't buy it again. Purely because I have other foundations already & have found better ones since I 1st got this.
Maybelline Superstay 24 lipstick in Forever Heather - There is not actually a great deal of product in this. You can tell by the other end being missing that I have used loads of it. It is just what is left is a bit on the dry side. Pretty colour though so will always repurchase this as it stays for hours!!

What products have you used up recently? Post links to blog posts / YT videos of  your empties as I love to see them.

Thanks for reading

Cbeebiesland - My Review

If you have children of a certain age you probably won't have failed to see that Alton Towers have now opened Cbeebiesland within their resort. It opened on the 24th May 2014 & we were lucky to plan our family weekend away to go on the 2nd day of opening.

I thought I would do a review of out visit.

There was so much for our son to do. It was busy day , of course. 2nd day of opening over a bank holiday so this was expected. This meant though that actually we did not go on every ride  & this gives us an excuse to go back ;-).

Photo courtesy of Alton Towers 

Photo courtesy of Alton Towers

Photo courtesy of Alton Towers

Photo courtesy of Alton Towers

Honestly I was almost as excited as my 3 year year old about this trip. Actually , I think it was because of him I was so excited! We started by queuing for the Tree Top Adventure ride. It was quite a wait , however there were little signs on the walls with the bugs on & words like "jump" "stretch" & "run" on them & this did so much to keep Finley entertained. The ride itself took you over the whole of Cbeebiesland so Finley was enthralled seeing all his favourite characters including Mike The Knight & Evie performing their show in the arena. 

Our journey then took us to Justin's Pie o'Matic , Postman Pat's Parcel Post , Numtums Number Go Round as well as In the Night Garden Boat Ride ( I LOVED THIS! ) The Something Special Sensory Garden followed by another go at Justin's House , the Tree Top Ride & Numtums. Oh & also the Meet & Greet with Upsy Daisy at the arena.

We will have to return to do everything else as we really did spend all day there!

The thing I loved was that whilst waiting for rides there was lots going on to try to keep the kids entertained. Postman Pat drove past the ITNG ride with Jess. The Mr Blooms Veggies were doing circuits in their prams. You had bubble blowing, stilt walkers AND we were also lucky to watch the Zingzillas drive past on their way to the arena ( seriously I tried very hard not to scream with excitement!)

Rob, my husband , who took Finley into the Pie O'Matic said the only bad thing he had to say was that Finley struggled to reach the guns that fire the balls. Whilst he is small for his age ( he will be 4 in August) I do think this maybe needs to be addressed so that next time he could enjoy it without my husband having to lift him to do it. It is such a minor thing though.

Overall we had a fantastic day. Our 3 year old most definitely made the most of his time there & I think that is the best way to judge of all. I doubt we will return this year but it is most surely on the list for next!! So see you 2015 Cbeebies.

A little collage of our day :-) 

Many thanks for reading

Amanda x

100 Day Make-Up Spending Ban - The Finale

I did it! I did it! That was the longest 100 days of my life, I really have to tell you. Whilst it is not a proper real life nightmare case , I am NEVER DOING IT AGAIN!!! ON a day to day basis it was quite easy I guess BUT that was trying very hard not too look at ANYTHING that came in emails/ magazines etc. The amount of sales etc that have happened in this time have been so hard to ignore. As for going INTO shops that was the worst thing but at least I could avoid that as much as poss as my own town is crap for make-up anyway. However, my recent trip to Brighton with my friend was a bit hard as we had to walk past the beauty counters in Debenhams to get to the sections were looking for. This involved me putting my hands either side of my face so as to avoid eye contact with the counter ladies. I probably looked very silly but this meant my ban was still safe with just 1 week to go!!

See HERE for the beginning!

Over 100 days I only bought the eye cream. Plus Rob bought me some perfume in Brighton the other week. I don't class this as cheating though as...

1 Rob paid for it

2 It is the Bronze Goddess one by Estee Lauder. Which is limited edition for summer every year & as mine was nearly gone I wanted some before they sold out!!

So, 100 days & there is a big dent in my stash so I guess I better go do some shopping then :-)!!!

Have you done a ban of your own? How long was yours for? How did you get on?

Thanks for reading

Amanda x

New Blog

Good Morning My Lovelies

Just to let you know I have created a new blog "What Maddie Wore". There I shall mainly posts of the What I Wore Today variety as well as other things fashioned related. I do have a few posts coming up on here related to clothing so I shall leave those here as I have no desire to move them!

This blog is still going to be here just filled up with every other interest in my life. 

I hope you join me in my new place.

Thanks Amanda xx

Outfit Of The Day || 14/05/14

 OOTD for Wednesday 14th May 2014

I ditched the blazer very quickly because it was a super hot day! I was busy running round doing the usual Mummy errands as well as buying accessories for the change of colour scheme in our bathroom & drinking my free coffee in Waitrose.

White Top & Blazer are both from New Look, the jeans from Zara & as always , the Skechers shoes because they are so comfy for running around in.

Thanks for reading. See you soon

Outfit Of The Day || 13/05/14

Morning all,

I am usually to scared to wear yellow clothing. With white clothes it is that fear of sticky hands & spilled coffee but yellow I always think only suits certain people. Anyway after looking at many photos on  Avenue 57 & seeing the array of yellow in others wardrobes I bit the bullet & bought myself a yellow top. I must say I was pleasantly surprised & love it! It will be nice to have something other than blue in my clothing stash!

The top is from Next. They do different colours , patterns , non patterns too if yellow is not your bag at all. Jeans & Cardy both H&M whilst the shoes are also from Next but a few seasons old now.

Thank you for reading