Pants, Sweat, Wine and Michael Jackson!

Bonjour!

If you read my blog you may be aware that I like the word 'pants' ... to express my displeasure (I do, on occasion use a choice few other words, as I'm sure we all do, but don't feel they're suitable for airing on the net!). So ... pants it is then... pants pants pants pants!!! I'm sorry but did I fall asleep during what seemed to be the promise of Spring only to wake up mid-Autumn during this half term? Cold, grey, dull, rainy, damp and miserable at the end of May = nothing but pants in my book!

It's a darn good job I have Michael in the car to Rock My World  - you can't beat a bit of MJ to accompany you into work - makes you want to throw your shapes all over the car - impossible/dangerous whilst driving!  I have loved this track forever! It's not too fast, not too slow, just so laid back an groovy (which is what I would like to be!) ...

Michael Jackson - You Rock My World

 

So ... MJ chills me out and then I walk into the office to be hit by a mini heatwave. The air conditioning is broken so myself and my colleagues spent the day in full sweat mode - stuffy and stifling...!  I felt so fuzzy and spaced out at the end of the day that I went to the gym to clear my head and sweated a load more - it was a whole day of sweat all round - nice!

And now the last half term of the school year is at an end - bizarre! Both my brothers have been around in some capacity this week and the youngest came back from France bearing (French) gifts - most welcome gifts ...!

I can't even fit the entire length of this monster bottle into the pic! It's so tall it won't fit in the fridge so ice cubes it is! The Rose (in the box) is honestly the best I've tasted in ages - I'm not a massive drinker but this just slips down so easily! The hubby says it's because the French save all the best stuff for themselves - true in this case! And on the end is a 'normal' bottle getting in on the act - just for the sake of perspective!

Hope you've all had a good half term despite the pants weather (there I go again with my pants!). What's your favourite MJ track?

Jen x

A Current Wishlist!

Bonjour!

This wishlist thing - it's an ongoing and somewhat dangerous affair isn't it? Mine is as long as the Great Wall of China but I've tried to narrow it down a little, as you do ;)

A Current Wishlist! by beautyandthebiryani featuring black shoes

Hats - after reading Sharron's (Style At Every Age) post here I think I could do with a new hat to protect my kite and my newly coloured barnet! Was thinking of a trilby but I'm also liking this bright floppy number!
Shoes - I'm blaming my daughter for the Vans - she's kept on and on about wanting a pair and now I want a pair - plain black with a chunky sole, that'll do me!
Brows - currently obsessed with all things 'brows'! Desperately want to try the Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade, reckon it'll be the perfect Summer brow product as once it's on it's on - no more melting brows! Unfortunately there's a pigging waiting list for Dark Brown - for crying out loud! Also need an angled brush to apply it - shame it doesn't come with one!
Nails - mine have been splitting vertically so a couple of bits I'm hoping will help OPI Nail Envy and the Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File please!
Hair - a couple of weeks ago my hairdresser wacked a bit of the Color Wow Root Cover Up on my random greys which pop up all over the place and as if by magic they temporarily disappeared! Then Nic from Strawberry Blonde Beauty Blog raved about the Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Cream here - it sounds ideal for my summer frizzies! It must be a sign that a travel size of the Styling Cream is included with a Color Wow purchase from Feel Unique (with free delivery too!) - a sign I tell you!
Blushers - I wouldn't sneeze at either of these two beauties, my brother toured round the USA recently with Boy George (yep it's alright for some isn't it!) and I nearly asked him to pick me up a Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush (but obviously didn't in the end - stupid me!) - also loving the sound of this Smashbox Halo Long Wear Blush which gives a 'luminous, lit from within' look - I'll have some of that please!

So that's my lot for the moment - I'll have to continue working overtime at this rate! Have you used any of these beauty products? What's on your current wishlist?

Or should I say what 'isn't' on your current wishlist?

Jen x

Laura Geller Baby Cakes Baked Blush Palette - A Firm Favourite!

Bonjour!

I bought my Laura Geller Baby Cakes Baked Blush Palette a couple of years ago  from QVC.  I've mentioned it before with a view to 'Shopping my Stash' but I'm so into it I thought it deserved a little post of it's own!

I've been a fan of Laura Geller baked products (especially her blushers) for a while now. They start off as creamy liquid pigments, are baked (in Italy I believe) for 24 hours and formed into compact domes. These blushers have the most amazing silky texture - soft as a baby's bottom, glide on effortlessly, are extremely blendable and packed with those crazy pigments - so much so that you have to remember to go easy on application! This particular palette comprises one matte blush  - Sugar Free Raspberry and three shimmer blushes, Pink Grapefruit, Golden Apricot and Sunswept - when I say 'shimmer' I'm not going down the big chunks of glitter route, but more of a subtle, gleaming affair, makes you look healthy and glowing (not in a sweaty way!). You can restrain yourself and use just one of the colours at a time or swirl the brush very lightly round a couple or even the whole lot to create a lovely mix!

You know when at first you hold off using a product because it works so well and you don't want to use it all up too quickly? Well, I'm past all that now and have been wearing these blushes for work and nights out (unfortunately the former being the more frequent activity!) - they are so long lasting, applied in the morning they last for much of the day with hardly any need to touch up! I wondered whether this was a bit pricey when I bought it at around £23, but looking back it's been well worth the money and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Sadly I don't think it's available in this combination over in the UK at the moment so will have to bide my time!

Have you tried any Laura Geller Baked Blushes? What's your favourite palette?

Jen x

Mally Volumizing Mascara - Review

Bonjour!

Mally Beauty products are described as high performance and bulletproof, used by A-listers and busy mums alike! The Volumizing Mascara has been part of my ongoing stash for a couple of years now - you know when you keep going back to that certain something because it just works for you? Can't believe I haven't blogged about it before now!

Mally's mascara includes a combination of natural waxes blended with powders to create a formula neither too thick nor too runny. As you can see from the above pic. the brush is of a standard size with fairly closely packed bristles. The two work really well together to create hefty black lashes with volume, length, definition and curl with minimal transference to the lids! It stays in place all day with no flaking, smudging, melting or running until removed - and as long as you use a decent eye make-up remover it comes off fine. You can also add further coats throughout the day should you want to 'up the ante' - I have to confess I have done just this on occasion before a night out, reapplied more mascara over the top and just changed the make-up around it! Do all mums take short cuts like this or just me? As with all the Mally products I have so far tried, I find this mascara easy to use, it's gimmick free and delivers great, long-lasting results with no faff or fuss. There is also a waterproof formula available which I imagine would be ideal for water babes on holiday. It's not cheap to buy alone at around £17 but mine have all been included in QVC kits so I've never actually paid full price!

A couple of coats on (regular readers will know how puny and pathetic my bare lashes are!) ...

So ... another winning product from Mally - it's easy to handle, does the job with minimal fuss, is reliable, a great all rounder and sticks around (until you need to get rid) ... a bit like some men!

Have you tried any products from Mally Beauty? Which is your most 'reliable' mascara?

Jen x

New Specs Haul!!

Bonjour!

Totally blaming my new specs (below) for this one! Had to pop into Boots to pick them up (check for fit etc) - it's been 3yrs since I last had my eyes tested so new specs were overdue. Of course, any 'normal' person would just walk out with their new spectacles but not me - oh no ... it's like offering sweets to a child letting me loose in there ...! I don't think I'm on my own with this affliction? Correct me if I'm wrong - actually don't ...!

To be honest everything here (apart from the nail files) was on offer. 3 for 2 across haircare - my hair is mis-behaving at the moment so I went for the No Sulphate Nourishing Care System - can't wait to try it out! The hand cream was down to £1.99, selected Original Source Shower products are down to £1 (why did I only get one?!) and the Rimmel Salon Pro by Kate Nail Polish had a quid off so only £3.49 ...

I bagged the Trilogy Rosehip Oil and Bourjois Cream Blush in 'Pink Sunwear' with my Boots points - don't you just love those Boots points!

So I actually didn't spend that much believe it or not (even my specs were half price) and it gives you such a warm feeling inside when you walk out of Boots with a large carrier bag of goodies ... doesn't it?

Have you bagged any Boots bargains recently or are you 'normal' ie able to walk out empty handed?

Jen x

Emma Hardie Natural Lift and Sculpt Firming Eye Serum - Review

Bonjour!

This Emma Hardie Natural Lift and Sculpt Firming Eye Serum was included in the last set I purchased from QVC a while ago (yes, yes I know, me and my eternal QVC sets!) - been using it for a few months now ...

Comes in a nice looking sleek bottle with (sorry Emma!) the most useless pump I have ever used. I say this because it just doesn't do the job - the small tube inside the bottle is so short that it never sucks up any of the serum so you have to unscrew the lid and go through the whole malarkey of tipping up the bottle to extract the serum manually - something I could really do without first thing in the morning!

Packaging aside - the serum is described as light, hydrating, easily absorbed and firming, enriched with botanical extracts to help reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles and including a unique combination of bio-photon enriched marine actives which apparently give the feeling of strength and protection to the eye area, and also help with fine lines.  Don't ask me to explain what a bio-photon is - if you google it as I did you may get a faint idea - something to do with light radiating from cells of living things - and please don't quote me on that - it's fascinating but very confusing to my mind!

I've been using it morning and night. You don't need loads and it sinks in easily with no sticky residue. Initially I did just apply around the orbital bone but didn't find it very effective, just didn't feel it was hydrating enough.  I'm sure I heard Emma state on a QVC show ages ago that the serum could be applied all over the mobile lid - I've therefore adopted this method. It feels cooling and soothing on the eyelid and doesn't cause any excess greasiness.  However, I can't report any improvement in dark circles nor have I noticed any lifting or firming of my saggy eye-bits! As to the question of puffiness, it comes and goes, some days are quite bad and some not so bad so a bit on the fence really. Don't get me wrong, it's pleasant to use with the signature Emma Hardie 'slightly herbal' scent, but all in all  I don't think this is potent enough for me so unfortunately not a product I would repurchase at £34/15ml.

Have you tried this eye serum? Which eye products have you found to be the most effective?

Jen x

Low Pressure is Pants!

Bonjour!

It's pants isn't it? Just when you think the weather is behaving itself and you can finally get your summer clothes (and feet) out - a big wedge of low pressure decides to pay a visit! On the weather news this morning they did say that one minute the sun may be out and the next you could get caught in a short sharp shower and be completely drenched. Well it appears this description was pretty accurate and as I can't stand getting my feet or hair wet it's boots back on and hood up today - fantastic!

Anyway...I'm boycotting stupid weather patterns by playing some of my feel good music and this is one of my feel good tunes ...

Duke Dumont feat. A*M*E - Need U (100%)

I've loved this track from when I first heard it! It's in the car, it's in the kitchen, it's in my head! Just makes you want to dance - I feel that the last phrase 'want to dance' should have been written 'wanna boogie on down'  but anyway ...!  My daughter was totally unimpressed with my throwing of shapes around the kitchen the other day and asked if I could 'please stop that!' for gawd's sake - can't even dance around my own kitchen! One of these days I'll throw my shapes around in the food isles of Sainsbury's (like the geezer in the video) - preferably when my daughter isn't shopping with me - she'd be scarred for life - bless her!

Where do you throw your shapes around? What's your 'pants weather' feel good track?


Jen x

Nails Inc with June Instyle ...!

Bonjour!

I have been so very good with magazine freebies lately ... 'pfft' I hear you say .. no really I have! And ... even when I realised that Nails Inc had teamed up with Instyle for their June issue I still hesitated - until I spotted a Sainsburys voucher on the kitchen side for £2 off an Instyle magazine ... after that it was a proper no brainer ... !

There are three colours available as below ... after much indecision I went for the pink ... Sugarloaf Sunset!

Ignoring the fact that my hand looks really weird in this pic -what a gorgeous pop of vivid pink!  I love it and can see Sugarloaf  Sunset getting plenty of usage over the coming months. Am trying it out with my new Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Top and Base Coat so will report back in due course. Unfortunately, or fortunately (whichever way you look at it) I've also heard that Instyle mag is selling for £2.50 in Tesco - the question is will I be able to resist popping in to pick up another colour?

Can you resist a magazine freebie?  Which of these Nails Inc shades is your favourite?

Jen x

April Empties!

Bonjour!

Ok so I know I say this every month but did we really get to the end of April last week? A few weeks from now and we'll be half way through the year and the kids will only have a few weeks of school term left ... can't get my head round it!

April Empties then ...

Nivea Stress Protect Anti-Perspirant  - I've used the dry stick version of this and found it really effective (I am usually stressed anyway so need something potent!) - however this spray didn't quite hit the spot and definitely didn't perform as well as the little dry stick - so I won't be repurchasing.

Q Radiance The Fine Fragrance Body Spray - love these Fine Fragrance sprays for my gym bag - smells of fresh flowers, always welcome after a sweaty gym session! This is the second time I've emptied one of these out - this one was half price in Sainsburys so I snapped it up. Will repurchase when it's on offer again.

Tesco Softening Body Lotion - I have both this Cocoa Butter and the Aloe Vera formula permanently in place in the bathroom.  They're both so easy to apply (no excess rubbing here!), super cheap and last for ages - brilliant for every day use. Have repurchased many times.

Percy and Reed Bodifying Cream -  a great styling product, you can apply exactly where you want it, doesn't gunk your hair up unless you use far too much. Granted I do chop and change my styling products a lot (I have a fair few to use) but I only need one good pump of this for my barnet and it's lasted ages. Full review from last year is here

Biotherm Aquasource Deep Serum - the lovely Biotherm lady in Boots very kindly gave me these samples to try. I must admit Biotherm products fascinate me, especially the serums - it's all that aquatic and deep sea stuff I reckon. This particular serum is light and silky, smells amazingly fresh and left my skin really soft and hydrated.  Would love to try a full size someday to check out the long term benefits - just need to decide which one to choose first!

Aveeno Skin Relief Shea Butter Moisturising Lotion - I know this is technically a body lotion but I always have one of these round the house and slap it on my hands or any eczema prone bits when they feel extra sore. I can afford to be liberal with this big size - will repurchase.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum - my skin seems to like all the Vichy products I've tried so far and this is no exception. I use it every morning under moisturiser to keep my skin hydrated - the bottle has lasted from November until the start of April.  Have already re-purchased. Full review here.

Gatineau Defi-Lift Revolumising Lipcare - my favourite bedtime lippie treatment - helps with fine lines around the lip area as well as being soothing, hydrating and conditioning - a great all rounder. Love it and my mum has already supplied me with another to use every night! Review here.

And one more regular empty ...

... another bottle of my beloved cumin seeds, I'm obsessed with the stuff and would use it in practically everything if I could! Needless to say I have repurchased ...!

What products did you use up last month?

Jen x

Happy Anniversary!!

Bonjour!

So ... this weekend the hubby and I celebrate our 17th anniversary - 17 years of wedded bliss!

Don't worry - this post isn't going to be all mushy - I don't do full on mush ... but ... you know those butterflies that you get in your tummy when you first meet 'the one' - well I can't say it's a full blown 'big mother' butterfly these days but there's still a bit of a mini-moth type thing fluttering around in there when I hear his voice. We discussed this at work the other week and the majority of the girls knew where I was coming from - although one friend categorically stated not and had us in stitches!  Remember that scene from Friends where they talk about 'finding your lobster' - well I guess he's my lobster - despite the fact that he never fails to leave his 'newly removed' whiffy socks on the front room rug every evening and his post workout gym clothes smell like battery acid ... love eh!!

He reckons this is one of our tracks from when we first met in 1992/1993 ...

Bizarre Inc - I'm Gonna Get You

Yes ... I remember bopping away (in my 90s clubbing gear - some of which I still have and must share with you at some stage for a laugh!) to this many a time ... a time when we both had substantially more energy and hair ...! Happy Anniversary Mr G!

Do you still get moths or even butterflies when you see/hear your OH?  What's your tune from when you first met?

Jen x