Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Ugg vs Emu

Now, they don't lie when they* say it rains a huge amount in the land of Scot and as a result my long term relationship with 6 inch heels is going through a rocky patch!! As no girl wants to be seen sinking into the mud whilst walking their pooch I have had to look for some practical footwear....


Now, back in the day I used to slip on my UGG boots to pop out and about on a depressing day however, as anyone who's been caught in the rain in UGG boots will know you come home with rather soggy feet!! And then, I found EMU boots......


Emu boots come from the home of the UGG boot -Australia, however unlike the UGG brand these boots are waterproof (no soggy feet for me!!). The boots have been made by top quality sheepskin meaning they repel water and don't stain- what could be better for a dog walking boot....




The experiment


1. EMU boot before water...


2. Tipping water on the boot...












3. Boots after...










VOILA... go chuck away the UGG boots and jump on the EMU bandwagon!!


Bitchy comment: I also, very much dislike people wearing UGG boots now I mean I'm sure these boots are WAY past their sell by date and as they can't even be worn for practical tasks they are utterly pointless and a tad on the chavy spectrum! I feel Emu boots are the classier, practical boot of choice!! 


*they meaning people in general

Tuesday, 10 May 2011

Boux Avenue underwear

I recently discovered new underwear chain Boux Avenue. As a self confessed underwear addict I thought I had stepped halfway to heaven when I stumbled across this store whilst shopping in the Buchanan galleries in Glasgow. 


The store is a refreshing change to their rather dated competition La Senza (the Glasgow outlet is actually slap next door!!)the store has a clean yet glamourous feel all kitted out in pink and black while the staff are dressed smartly in black pencil dresses. When I first walked into the underwear haven I was greeted by a perfectly groomed sales assistant who gave me a sample of their white chiffon hand cream ( RRP: £5 http://www.bouxavenue.com/white-chiffon-hand-cream-75ml-white/602201-10wh) which I feel set the tone for what I can only describe as a smooth shopping experience.


The underwear sets are hung beautifully around the store and you can find your size in the neat draws below the display. They were offering free matching knickers with any bra (how perfect for me!!) purchased, a top tip of mine is to always buy 2 or 3 pairs of briefs to any bra, that way you can wear your favourite bra two days in a row and generally bras last longer.


The staff are what really make this store stand out, they are; friendly, glamourous and knowledgeable. The brand has certainly thought hard into its customer service which rival the likes of luxury lingerie stores such as La Perla and Agent Provocateur. Even online they have created a section to help Gents chose the perfect ensemble for the lady in their life. http://www.bouxavenue.com/lingerie-buying-guide-for-men


Anyway!! I think you get the gist.... I blooming love this store go there, it's great!!! 


  The lovely lady who served me on my visit!!
Theo opening the Glasgow store!! 


My Top 5 items from the website....

1. Sienna Silk and Mesh (Bra £28, Briefs £12)
2.Camilla Satin and Tuelle (Bra £26, Briefs £10)


3. May Vintage Satin Plisse (Bra £24, Briefs £10)




4.Renee Jersey Cardi Gown (£26- WHAT A BARGAIN!!)










5.White chiffon hand cream (£5, as mentioned above)








Frannys favourite.....


Black Mix Provocative Lace (Bra, £26 Briefs, £10)

We're all going on a summer holiday....

no more rain for a week or 5!!......


So, as promised I haven't posted my food diary each day but I'll keep you upto date now:

Friday:
Boiled egg
1 slice of toast 
Steak and garlic potatoes


Saturday:
smoked salmon and scrambled egg
chicken noodles


Sunday:
A kille pie (steak pie)
Dominoes pizza (oooppsss)


Monday:
Smoked salmon 
small bowl of brown pasta
green tea
homemade beef teriyaki and sticky rice ( will post recipe later, super scrummy!!)


Tuesday
1 boiled egg
1 slice of toast
pasta, chicken pesto (another recipe I will post)







Friday, 6 May 2011

Holiday crash diet........

80% of the year I'm pretty good at going to the gym (2-3 times a week), not eating too much chocolate and resisting the temptation to stuff my face with a dominos every night (if I could I 100% would!!) except it seems before I'm about to go on holiday. Most people in the months leading up to a beach holiday will up their gym sessions and cut out the carbs, not me though I seem to completely neglect the gym and eat my body weight in carbs and chocolate!! I'm not sure what is wrong with me, surely the thought of walking down the beach in a bikini should make me want to eat nothing but lettuce. Anyway, I've got exactly 14 days until I go on holiday and I plan to tone up and shift some of this ass that seems to be constantly following me around!!! 


My goal.....



Current vital statistics:
waist: 25"
hips: 34"
arms: 9.5"
thigh:17.5"
bust: 34"

To shame myself into actually doing this I am going to keep a food/exercise diary on here:


Friday 6th May
Food consumed:
Cup of tea
1 slice of toast
green tea
4 dried apricots
slice of smoked salmon 
homemade chicken katsu curry (no rice!)


Oh dear sounds like a lot already (I'm going to the cinema late so I may as well add half a kilo of fizzy cola bottles on too)


Exercise carried out:
I actually got locked in the house by Franny this morning which meant I missed my body pump class (oh dear!) so I went on youtube and did these workouts:


If you look past the dreadful 90's gym kit these exercises are actually really good.


8 minute abs



8 minute bums




8 minute legs

Thursday, 5 May 2011

You know you're getting old when......

you get excited by home wears!!


This afternoon Franny and I popped into Glasgow to have a look around the shops, usual situation we have no change for the pesky parking metre. So, I run into the nearest shop and find something to buy to get some change, but this time I ran into TKMAXX!! Now, my experience at TKMAXX has always been on a day when me and my mum just wanted to buy something, anything in fact we would probably go to TKMAXX when we'd visited all the other local shops that week and were running out of shops to go to!! (I will put up a post on my mum later, I love her to pieces but she is a nightmare when it comes to shopping, she is the only woman I know who can find something to buy anywhere, anytime!)


Anyway, I walked into to TKMAXX expecting to pick up a pair of socks and walk out only to be met with the most spectacular homewear department!! Okay, spectacular maybe a slight exaggeration as it is no Liberty's, but the shop is still fantastic. I quickly bought something, rushed back to the car and dragged Franny to the homewear mecca!!


Franny even got excited by the huge range of cushions, hangers and kitchen gadgetry!! I couldn't believe all these gorgeous bits and bobs were in this shop. Now, me and Franny are house hunting at the moment and I can assure you TKMAXX will be our first stop for homewear accessories....


A few photos below..... (check out the colourful felt hangers LOVE LOVE!!! £9.99 for 18)






What else is good in TKMAXX?


1. Gym clothes- probably last seasons Nike but I doubt even the most fashion conscious gym goers care if you've got a cerise sports bra rather the a fuschia one!


2. Underwear (both girls and boys)- you can pick up some nice basic Calvin Klein underwear sets and boxers for a fraction of the RRP, they also stock Ultimo and Playtex!


3. PJ's- In fact on our recent visit Franny picked up some new Calvin Klein PJ's for just £9.99


4. Luggage- Although, I have never bought any luggage from TKMAXX I am always impressed by the huge selection of quality luggage in store




XOXO I promise I'll do a more glamorous post next time!! x

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

aye aye fish pie!!

In my new role as house manager** I have actually become pretty nifty when it comes to rustling up a nice home cooked dinner for Franny. I won't be boring you with my recipes everyday but I'll share this one as its really easy and super tasty!



                                            Franny about to tuck into left overs for lunch....




Ingredients:


4 potatoes
double cream
a tub of extra light cream cheese (150g)
grated cheddar
200g of cooked king prawns
fish pie mix (can be found in most supermarkets, alternatively a bit of cod, salmon and snapper!!)
spinach
250ml dry white wine
butter
salt 
pepper
milk
3 hard boiled eggs


1. Start by peeling your spuds and cutting them into large chunks. Put them into a pan of boiling water and leave them to simmer for about 25mins, until they are really soft!


2. When the potatoes have been cooking for about 10minutes heat another sauce pan and pour in the dry white wine, let this reduce by about a half (should take about 3mins!) then add your assortment of fish. Let the fish cook in the wine for around 5 mins and then add the prawns and leave to simmer for another minute.


3. Add the cream cheese to the fish and stir thoroughly, then tip a few tablespoons of double cream (for extra naughtiness add a handful of grated cheddar) and season well. Leave this to heat through for about 3 mins adding the spinach until wilted. 


4. Pour the mixture into an oven proof dish and top with slices of hard boiled egg.


5. In the pan used for the fish heat some butter, add about 150ml of milk and another couple of tablespoons of double cream. Drain the potatoes and add them to the pan and mash. Make sure the mash is super smooth, if not add more of the same (milk, cream, butter)


6. Spoon the mash onto the top of the fish mix and create smooth lines using a fork, sprinkle with grated cheese and pop under the grill for around 5mins or until it looks golden brown....... Voila easy peasy fish pie!!














** not to be confused with housewife

My Beauty Rules.....

Perhaps a rather generic post, but I am completely obsessed with beauty/haircare products and I pretty much try every new-line. So, I thought I would share with you-what's in my make-up bag.

Some people believe a make-up bag says a lots about someone but whether you believe this or not- I know I love to have a good nose at other peoples make-up choices! ENJOY



This is my make-up bag- messy, un-organised but packed with goodies that turn my bare face.....




into something better.....(I will post a picture of my dolled-up face at a later date as I am currently detoxing my face of make-up for 14days- yes 14days without any slap, it has to be done!!)


Anyway, my make-up bag faves:






1.Bobbi Brown make-up brush set
My Dad bought me these for Christmas this year from Selfridges. Yes, my Dad chose one of my favourite make-up tools and I didn't even have to tell him, my Dad surprises me regularly with his unbelievable knowledge of what I like. Anyway, these brushes are a dream- I wash them once a week with baby shampoo and they remain their perfect, soft selves!!

2.Chanel vitalumiere - 40 Beige
Although my skin can be fairly oily I always seem to go back to this dewy foundation. For daytime I mix it with tinted moisturiser and for night I wear it alone. It gives such a gorgeous post-holiday glow that I just can't seem to get enough of (even if I now live somewhere where any sort of tan can only be created from a bottle or a UV light!!)

3.laura mercier illuminating tinted moisturiser- Warm radiance
I came across this wonderful product after regularly visiting a make-up artist named Nina Turner who worked in Space NK on Brewer St, she has since gone freelance but I wish her all the luck in the world!! This product is seriously a MUST MUST have, it transforms a dull lifeless, drank 4 bottles of champagne last night complexion into one which would rival Blake Lively's.

4.Benefit- girl meets pearl 
I was given a benefit voucher for Christmas this year and was introduced to this product by one of the girls on the counter. I had always used mac strobe cream as my highlighter however, I love how pearly and iridescent this product is. I put a few dots down my nose, in the bow of my lip and along my brow line. It works fabulously to highlight my eyes, slim down my nose and well not too sure what it does for my lips but it looks good!

5.Shu uemura- UV under base mousse
When I'm not looking for that dewy glow that I seem to be completely addicted to, I use this primer to mattify my skin. It's a foamy texture so soaks into the skin easily and enables foundation to glide on top.

6.laura mercier creme cheek colour- Canyon
A gorgeous little cream blush, I use this almost everyday on the apples of my cheeks for a cute girly look!

7.Benefit bella bamba
As this is slightly brighter than the cream blush, I use this in the evening when I want a striking pink cheek.

8.Benefit- hello flawless
I carry this nifty powder compact in my bag to touch up any really shiny areas and cover any nasty blemishes. I also dust this powder over the top of my foundation before a night out to keep it in place. 

9.Bobbi Brown bronzing powder- Golden Light
I love to look sun kissed all year round and I was introduced to this bronzer by one of the ladies on the Bobbi Brown counter in Frasers, Glasgow. I used to be completely devoted to either Benefit hoola or the St Tropez bronzer, but this one is a lot more natural looking and I can build it up when I want to look a little bit more l'orange than usual!!

10.Benefit big beautiful eyes- 
I have to say I'm not great when it comes to smokey eye affects as I've always opted for a natural looking  make-up however, this clever set from Benefit allows me to wear a subtle smokey eye for day and build it up (slightly) for the evening.

11.YSL- touch eclat
I'm not sure I need say much about this cult beauty product- AMAZING, LOVE IT and COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT are the only words that spring to mind.

12.Bobbi Brown eye shadow- Saddle 61
As I have fair hair my eyebrows a pretty light too. I use this eye shadow to darken my brows when I want a more 'done-up' look for the evening.

13.Mac studio sculpt concealer- NC30
Love this concealer, I use my fingers to pop this life saving product onto my skin should any pesky spots appear!

14.YSL false lash mascara - Black 
As I mentioned before, I love a new-line and I literally try every new mascara but I am yet to find one that beats this product. Yes, it can become gunky but by simply running the whole product under boiling water for a minute or so it rejuvenates the mascara back to its original smooth self. I love the way you can keep applying this mascara to create a dramatic effect or a simple light sweep is ample for daytime.



 

Tuesday, 3 May 2011

always match your underwear first blog...

Firstly, I'll introduce myself- my name's Georgia, I'm 21 and I've recently moved from London to Glasgow in the name of LOVE (i guess?!). I've been thinking about writing a blog for a while but I've never seemed to have the time, however now I'm not working I have endless amounts of time to scribble down my thoughts for the day.


I haven't 100% decided the theme of this blog yet, so to begin with I'm going to post blogs about all sorts and see how it goes. Each day I'll finish with a top tip- today's always match your underwear. It's a philosophy I live by as it gets your ready for the day and I love the feeling of having a mini outfit hidden which is just for you (or anyone who is lucky enough to see it!!)


At the moment my life as a house manager ( a job title I have invented as I'm too young to be a housewife but essentially that is what I am right now!!) consists of looking after my puppy Rufus (I'm sure he'll feature heavily in this blog), visiting various salons/shops in Glasgow, looking after the bf (for the purpose of this blog he'll be called Franny) and generally preening myself in order to fill my days. I'm going to review recipes, spa treatments, outfits etc..... 


Enjoy and please share with your friends...


XOXO squeaky.....