Compliments of the Season!

Bonjour!

So ... I realise that the 'Season' is practically over but I started this post mid-week and couldn't think of another title!  Anyway ... hope you all had a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year - despite the snow and ice!  Our Christmas Day was very merry - literally ... the turkey crown had slightly frozen over in the meat drawer at the bottom of our fridge (my own stupid fault - meant to move it further up on Christmas Eve and forgot!).  It therefore went in the oven later than planned so dinner was pushed back, resulting in a fair amount of alcohol going down during the wait - which had the knock on effect of a dubious Christmas Day extravaganza of hubby and brother performing  MC Hammer's - You Can't Touch This ...! The video ended up on Facebook and has had over over 1500 views - there is no hope!  I won't subject you to the entire video but here's a still ... you get the picture ...!

Once again we have enough choccies to last until Easter ... they'll be rationed out accordingly and over time ... my kids know the drill by now ...! Walnut whips are my favourite of the moment ... how do you like my large 'whip stick'?

Some of my lovely presents from hubby and family ... most gratefully received ... the little green bag is the cutest manicure set ever from my mum ... along with a large jar of neck and decolletage cream ... Mum knows best! Started reading Sali Hughes' Pretty Honest the other night ... it's addictive!

And look what Santa brought ... didn't realise he read my blog ... !

Plenty of cosy nights in watching a whole array of films with the kids ... Spiderman, Maleficent, Uncle Buck and Snow White and the Huntsman to name but a few ... plus our seasonal cinema outing to see the last instalment of  'The Hobbit' ... what a brilliant movie - transported me to another world for a few hours (and I got to sit down!) ... not one you can chill out to whilst watching though ... too many Orcs around!  Star Wars planned for next year ... cannot wait!

And to round off New Years Day ... another superb meal cooked by my mum of Chicken Biryani ...

and Meatball Curry ...

What a combination ... taste bud heaven it was ...!

The snow and ice stopped me (literally) from getting to the sales this year ... despite my car having four wheel drive we were still sliding around on some of the hills (we have a lot of hills round here!) so gave up and I ordered some bits from New Look instead. When I did eventually make it I couldn't find anything really ... typical ... may have a quick look through the dregs next week but that may be it!

Anyway ... I only got to the gym once in between Christmas and New Year so have been suffering 'gym withdrawal symptoms' - sad I know, but true - so I'm off to visit the treadmill, cross trainer and  giant cross-stepper shortly with my IPod!

How did your Christmas/New Year go? What did Santa bring? Did you get to the sales?

Jen x

A Very Merry NOTD Christmas ...!

Bonjour!

I honestly don't know where these last few weeks have gone and can hardly believe that Christmas Eve is here again ... !  I've had this week off work and have spent the last few days in what seems like a whirlwind of food shopping, cleaning and wrapping presents ... following by the custom of falling asleep on the settee every evening ... who's with me?  Distant memories of the Christmas Eve office parties of my youth with free booze provided from 10.30am - resulting in drunken antics involving various pieces of office equipment and riding up and down in the lifts (don't ask!) ... before we all headed off to a nightclub for the afternoon hired out exclusively for ourselves to dance the day away ... some of us would then make our way home nursing a hangover before the evening had even started ... and some would stay out and just carry on (as you do!) ... those were the days!

It's nice to be able to finally sit down though (for however brief a time!) and write up a quick post to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!  And ... couldn't let this opportunity go by without a quick festive NOTD ...

Barry M Glitterati Nail Paint - Rockstar ...

I actually had no intention of buying any new nail polishes but when I was in Boots last week (buying my Christmas present from the hubby - best way to do it sometimes!) Rockstar just called to me and that was that ...!  This is my favourite of the Glitterati collection ... the other polishes are lovely but this one has something about it which grabbed me - must be the grey theme!

It's positively jam packed with different shades of  'reasonably' sized glitter  - I'm not so bothered about the 'great big chunks' variety for myself so this is perfect for me.  I think my camera was rather dazzled so had difficulty picking up on all the individual specks but you get the idea - maybe a proper macro lens is in order!  I'm not going all out bling with my Christmas Day outfit (do I ever!) - so it'll be good to wear something a bit sparkly on my nails.  Only problem is ... with the mountain of potatoes and vege I have to peel for tomorrow's dinner I'll have to get the hubby heavily involved to avoid Rockstar glitter in the sprouts ... ahh Christmas dinner problems!

This was only meant to be a quick post and I've waffled on for England so apologies if you're still with me!  I've only managed a handful of posts during December and am actually 'champing at the bit' to get back to a regular blogging routine. Plus ... I have a tonne of products to review and am running out of storage space ... my friend at work pointed out that I have a problem! (Thanks Amy!)

What will you be wearing on your nails this Christmas? Will there be any glitter in your sprouts? And once again Merry Christmas to all!


Jen x

Compliments Of The Season 2013!

Bonjour!

Hope everyone has had a good Christmas!  I've been lucky enough to have spent last week with my family and it's been grand! Plenty of food and drink, merriment and music has been had and I really don't want to come back down to earth ...!  Just a few pics from last week to share with you ...

Somebody turn out a light ...?

Mum's Christmas Stuffing - a wonderful aromatic Anglo-Indian recipe passed down through our family - the highlight of Christmas dinner for myself and my brothers!

As usual we have enough confectionery to last until ever after - and it will last - mark my words ...

How cute are these choc boxes my bro brought over from France, (think these are specifically from Geneva airport!) ... bugs filled with smaller bugs filled with sweet stuff - almost too cute to eat!

A few of my pressies  - Gatineau and YBF from Mum and The Body Shop Moringa bits/CDs from the hubby (already loving the James Arthur CD) ...

Annual family outing to the flicks to see The Desolation of Smaug - amazing - absolutely amazing it was ...

Followed by the annual biryani made with turkey stock ...

And last but not least a before ...

... and after pic of the three of us which caused a great amount of amusement on Christmas Day ... !

Yep I should apologise for the bedding drying in the background - forgot to move it amidst all the antics!

Can't believe it's almost over with for another year.  No partying on our cards for NYE - just a bit of  food/drink and Jools on the box.  Then comes the business of getting out of the habit of the late nights and late mornings, cooking, eating and drinking loads and generally sitting around (don't do that as a rule!) with no exercise and actually being aware of what day of the week it is - sound familiar ...!

A Happy New Year to you all whatever you're up to! What are you up to by the way ...?

Jen x

Have A Very Merry Christmas!!

Bonjour!

Finally my daughter can say 'It's Christmas Eve...!' instead of 'It's Christmas Eve Eve...!' or 'It's Christmas Eve Eve Eve...!'.

Created by my little girl!

I spent yesterday engrossed in various wonderful domestic activities, the big food shop (the hubby helped!) and wrapping presents and then managed to drag myself down to the gym last night - it felt darn good to bob around on the treadmill! Still a few bits to tidy up today (and still have a basket full of washing but hey-ho- that's what comes of stripping all the beds at once!) and then looking forward to spending the next few days with my family!  I'll leave you with one of my brother Mike's mellow Christmas Morning Ditties - hopefully there'll be plenty of 'drink induced' piano playing going on in our dining room tomorrow as is usually the case - hope you enjoy!

A Very Merry Christmas to you all whatever you're up to - hope everyone has a stupendous time!!


Jen x

Christmas Bargain Jumper and a Fuzzy OOTN...!

Bonjour!

The first part of this post was meant to be published mid-week but it's been so manic I didn't have time to sort it out in time! So instead of two small ones you have one big one instead (said the mistress to bishop and all that jazz!).

Let's get the fuzzy photo over and done with shall we ... just a quick pic of last Friday night's outfit and I must apologise  - my husband took a few pics as the taxi was rolling up outside, they were all either too blurred, at a stupid angle, I was doing a weird catalogue pose or I had the Christmas wreath growing out of my head, so I'm afraid this is as good as it gets folks ...

I went for all black in the end (as you can 'just about' see through the fuzziness!) - black silky keyhole top, black shorts and tights. Wore my black gladiator style high heels but you can't see them - yep hubby's fault again - maybe I'll have to teach one of the kids to take photos in future!

Make-up wise it was smokey eyes and nude lips (shorts and red lips seemed a bit OTT at my age!). Used my Laura Geller Balance n Brighten foundation, a combination of my new Elf palette and  MUA Undressed palette, Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara over Revitalash Volumising Primer, Mally Evercolor Eyeliners, HD Brow Palette, Laura Geller Baby Cakes Blush Palette and nude lips with Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker 'How Nude' and Revlon Superlustrous Lipstick in Mink. I should point out that the hair had not been finished at this point either ...!

Anyway - back to bargains ... whilst my Dad was doing a bit of food shopping in M& S last week I popped into H&M, the sales have started but I only had time to grab this bargain jumper at £7 ...

A deep green with slightly metallic/sparkly thread running through it - thought I might stick in on with my skinnies on Christmas Day - should keep me warm enough but hopefully I won't get too hot and bothered in the kitchen! May well dress it up with one of Mum's vintage pendants and my new Rose Gold M&S watch ... (just cos it's Christmas Day!) ...

And whilst we're still on the subject of Christmas ...

Oh dear...well it's not Christmas without Pringles is it...?

Which flavour of Pringles would you go for? Have you bagged any festive bargains recently? Who takes your outfit pics?

Jen x

For Once In My Life ...

...I would like to be prepared for Christmas!  Happy Mad Friday!!

Didn't manage a midweek post this week with all the madness going on - hubby went away on a works Christmas conference/dinner thingy (any excuse for a booze up these managers!) and came back poorly, then the dog was poorly and had us up all night (every two hours to be precise). Christmas 'school' things, Christmas shopping, work, more Christmas shopping and I hadn't wrapped a thing before today - only just got the kids stuff done whilst they're at school ... !

Anyway ... just wanted to let you in on one of my favourite Christmassy tunes, I say Christmassy because you can guarantee that every year on Christmas day my brother Mike (the musician) will put this on whilst we're cooking dinner.  And why not, it's a brilliant combination of Tony and Stevie, doing their own thing, side by side, in complete harmony...

Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life...
  

Have I ever mentioned that Mike once had the opportunity to play with Stevie, yes Stevie Wonder himself happened to call in on one of Mike's gigs at Ronnie Scott's earlier this year and ended up joining in on the act first of all with his harmonica and then at the piano! To say that the band were gobsmacked is an understatement! What an experience ...

Here's a pic of them from London Jazz News...

source

Well I'm off to have a cup of tea and mince pie and listen to Tony and Stevie in an attempt to chill...! I tell myself every year that I will take it all in my stride, I will not get stressed and I will not run around like a headless turkey (get it!), guess what - it never happens! This time next week it'll all be over with for yet another year - how bizarre is that!

What are your plans for this 'Mad Friday' evening? Are you chilling or partying? Are you prepared for next week?

Jen x

Treacle Moon Winter Special - I'm Loving those 'Warm Cinnamon Nights'!

Bonjour!

Those lovely people over at the Treacle Moon factory have only gone and done it again (check out their full range of mouth-watering recipes right here!).  Understandably I was over the moon (so sorry for bad pun) to be asked if I'd like to try out their new Winter 2012 Special Edition ....

Warm Cinnamon Nights Bath and Shower Gel...

I have to say I'm a little obsessed with Treacle Moon products and this has definitely lived up to all expectations!  I wish there was such a thing as 'scratch n sniff' on blogger because I'm sure this would be a real winner.  It's a real 'happy fragrance' - smells good enough to eat - well, drink actually - although that is obviously completely out of the question and highly un-advisable (blogger told me this should be 'inadviseable'! ).  It reminds me of bathing in a vat of fruit punch - and smells of warm sweet oranges, apple, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and honey with a bit of zest thrown in! I absolutely love it and my little girl does too! It's the ideal fragrance for use over this freezing cold (I can't stand the cold) winter season and I can see me reaching for it well into the New Year to perk myself up - after all the Christmas hustle and bustle - when we all feel a bit down etc.

What I also love about Treacle Moon products is not only do they last for ages but the entire bathroom smells wonderfully fragrant after your shower/bath (I'll not go into detail but it's not often my bathroom smells so good with two boys in the family - if you get my drift!). You can check out my reviews on some other lovely Treacle Moon products here and here.

Available exclusively at Tesco stores right now and priced at £2.99/500ml this is ideal if you're stuck for any last minute pressie ideas.  Have you tried any Treacle Moon products?  If you fancy a bit of Warm Cinnamon Knight Nights then look no further!


Jen x

Favourite Friday Track - The Pogues & Kirsty McColl - Fairytale of New York

Happy Mad Friday!

Well here we are - another mad Friday is upon us! Many a year (pre-children!) have myself and hubby gone 'down town' drinking on this afternoon/evening along with the throngs of fellow party goers! Never has my husband been as traumatised by the long queues leading to the bar as he was today when he accompanied me to do the 'big Christmas food shop' at our local Sainsbury's!

The Pogues & Kirsty McColl - Fairytale of New York

Released in 1987 it's one of the best Christmas tunes of my era in my humble opinion!

Brilliantly seasonal -  many of you will have swayed along to this in a haphazard fashion during the Christmas party period I'm sure ...

Come on - tell me you haven't!


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