Favourite Friday Track - The Boomtown Rats - Rat Trap!

Evening!

A late favourite today - been feeling a bit rough this week - dragged myself into work (as you do) but this morning went to bed for a couple of hours to try to recover some energy - sleeping in the daytime! - taboo in my world but needs must (my mum said I need to rest now that I'm not a spring chicken any more - and dad told me I'm taking out more than I'm putting in!). But still feel like I've wasted the day and not accomplished anything (by 'anything' I suppose I mean not charged around like an idiot all day!). Anyway load of useless info there...here's todays tune...

The Boomtown Rats - Rat Trap

Released in November 1978 Rat Trap knocked 'Summer Nights from Grease off the No 1 spot and tells the story of Billy who feels a bit p***ed off with life in his depressing home town which he calls a 'Rat Trap'. Anyone remember the ritual on Top of the Pops of the 'ripping up' of  John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John posters?

"Billy take a walk ..... with me!" 

My husband has actually met Garrick Roberts (guitarist) from the Boomtown Rats - well, went on a training course with him in 2000 and went boozing with him every night! Small world eh...?



Jen  x

Emma Hardie 'Amazing Face' Moringa Balm - Review

Bonjour!

I've been intrigued by Emma Hardie Moringa Balm for a while. Early this year my skin had been playing up good style- oily t-zone, large open pores, de-hydrated cheeks - so when QVC had an Emma Hardie TSV (Today's Special Value) back in May, I jumped straight to it.

To my mind this is a range that nurtures rather than challenges, enveloping your skin in nourishing botanical treats and surrounding your senses with decadent, uplifting aromas! Moringa Balm can be used not only as a cleanser but a facial oil, hydrating mask, lip balm - the list goes on...to me it's like a luxury salon treatment - pure indulgence at the end of the day!

Some information directly from Emma Hardies's own website:-

Key Ingredients and what they do:

- Moringa seed extract, Wild Sea Fennel and Vitamin E:Balance, purify and help to minimise the appearance of open pores
- Orange, Neroli and Mandarin extracts: Rejuvenates and revitalises the skin.
- Jasmine, cedarwood and Rose:  Helps to recondition dull, dry, dehydrated and mature skins

I use Moringa Balm as my evening cleanser, it removes all traces of make-up, including eye make-up.  You can either mix with a little water to emulsify first or apply in it's balm state.  I prefer to apply the balm directly and massage into my kite as it melts into a lovely aromatic oil - feels like it's giving my skin a thorough and deep cleanse.  I then apply a little water to loosen everything up and buff/rinse off with either Emma's own micro fibre cloth or with one of my millions of Liz Earle muslins which - I have say still do a grand job! Skin is left soft, cleansed and comfortable - I don't feel the need to use a toner afterwards and just follow with my night cream.

I think this balm has turned into one of my desert island products - it's had a balancing/calming effect on my skin - although it is expensive at around £32-£34/100ml it's worth it if it performs so well (I'm willing to cut corners in other areas). I'm  now on my second pot which I bought whilst on special offer at QVC (the first lasted a good few months as you only need a small amount to cleanse).

I've enjoyed every product I've tried from the Emma Hardie Amazing Face range so far and have just discovered that good old QVC have another Emma Hardie TSV on 12 December so hoping to bag another bargain!

Have you tried out the Emma Hardie Moringa Balm? What's your favourite night cleanser?


Jen x

NOTD - Maybelline Forever Strong - Extreme Blackcurrent

Bonjour!

I actually bought a couple of Maybelline Forever Strong Polishes last winter before my blogging days occurred and never got round to opening them - can you believe it? This is one of them...

Extreme Blackcurrent is probably the darkest nail polish in my possession, I was a bit worried it may be too deep a shade and too sophisticated for me (I am far from sophisticated - even at my age!) but now that I've finally cracked it open I'm loving the richness of the colour - it's  intense and glossy and reminds me of a well-rounded, full-bodied red wine!  I found the brush made application dead easy and it dried fairly quickly too. The polish didn't last for 7 days unscathed - but I only received my first 'chip' after 3 days (with top and base coat) so I was pretty pleased with that!

Anyway as it's Saturday evening why not? Cheers everyone!

Maybelline Forever Strong is priced at £4.09 from Boots or Superdrug - even better if bought whilst any of the current offers are on I think!  I'll be checking out some of the other colours in this particular range very shortly!

Have you tried out any polishes from the Maybelline Forever Strong collection?

Jen x

Favourite Friday Track - Ray Charles - What'd I Say!

Bonjour.

Felt a bit fed up this morning to be honest - don't know why because Christmas is a-coming and all that - bit of low mood or whatever..... Anyway, I always want to listen to jazz/blues/soul of some sort when I feel like this - just find it therapeutic...so today's track is from one of the 'all time greats' who really needs no introduction...

Ray Charles - What'd I Say...

Released in 1959...and according to Wikipedia...

 "It was improvised one evening late in 1958 when Charles, his orchestra, and backup singers had played their entire set list at a show and still had time left; the response from many audiences was so enthusiastic that Charles announced to his producer that he was going to record it."

How fantastic is that?

I love the way this tune builds up and up and gets your foot tapping and hand banging on the table as it goes on .... and then when the brass section get going and the band all stand up at the end ...love it! ... maybe that's just my Dad's old school jazz influence coming out in me!

Feel a bit better now after listening to that - thanks Mr Charles! What would you play for a bit of musical therapy?


Jen x

Phase Eight Collection at House of Fraser!

Bonjour!

So - the main topic of conversation floating around our office (as well as work-related dribble of course!) is - what are we all wearing for the Christmas party? The star-studded event of the year - where everyone (well, mostly everyone!) gets dressed up to the nine's (to the extent that some colleagues are barely recognisable) - is once again upon us! And although there are other more 'low-key' gatherings planned, this is the one where you need to get your 'glad-rags' on...!

With all of the above in mind I was particularly interested to browse through the Phase Eight Collection at the House of Fraser (both in store and online).  My friend at work (well - one of them - I actually do have more than one!) is really into the 'classic' pieces, she has a voluptuous figure (ie good bum and boobs - in no particular order) and goes for well-cut, structured dresses that enhance her lovely curves and keep everything in it's place. I, on the other hand am small and skinny (think not-quite-developed teenager!) and have to be careful not to 'swamp myself'.  I ain't bragging - I'd love some curves but they seem to have disappeared since having kids - my good friend once likened hugging me to 'hugging a sparrow'!  Ah well - have to make the best of it and all that jazz - so no more complaints!

Anyway - have a look at some the dresses from the  Phase Eight range here which grabbed our attention...

Lolita Lace Panel Dress

NOW £ 99.00

WAS £ 110.00

Cobweb Sequin Dress
£ 140.00

Lovely lacy affairs here - now would it be full on 'red lip job' and simple on the eye front or 'smoked-up to the nines' eyes and nude lip and then would you do gloss or not - decisions eh? ... (I think Lolita and Cobweb are my favourites by the way!)

Dido Pleated Dress
£ 110.00

Teresa Floral Crush Dress
£ 150.00

Love these pleated frocks (would have to dig out my trusty old padded bra mind!) - very elegant with adequate heels and a good pair of sparkly earrings? - there's something about Teresa which I'm particularly drawn to - not that I would turn Dido down!

Rhona Lace DressNOW £ 59.00WAS £ 99.00

Vanessa Dress

NOW £ 75.00

WAS £ 150.00

A couple of juicy brights to move away from the LBD syndrome - very mouth-watering are Vanessa and Rhona - I can imagine some exotic lippies coming out to party-on with these two... and maybe a messy up-do!

Vida Silk Dress

NOW £ 49.00

WAS £ 89.00

Wilma Belted Jumpsuit

NOW £ 69.00

WAS £ 99.00

Gorgeous jewel colours to be had here- you could really go to town with the eye make-up! Wilma has a definite Charlie's Angels vibe going on - bring on the big hair and heels! I love floaty dresses like Vida with heavier footwear ie boots or shoe-boots to toughen up the whole look!

Claire Cable Top Dress

NOW £ 45.00

WAS £ 79.00

Diamond Rib Dress

NOW £ 49.00

WAS £ 79.00

Slightly off-topic here but how cute are Claire and Diamond for Christmas Day perhaps - with a good old pair of opaque tights (with not too tight a waistband to accommodate a huge dinner of course!)? Although - heavy duty aprons advised for those who will be kitchen-bound (such as myself) for obvious reasons!

So....those are our favourites from the Phase Eight Collection at the House of Fraser - you can check out the full range of dresses here if you wish....(and just to clarify I am aware that Cobweb and Diamond aren't girl's names but I like a bit of consistency!) let me know which ones you're partial to....! 

What will you be wearing for your Christmas Party?

Jen x