Another Birthday, Another Wishlist ...

Bonjour!

If you follow me on Instagram you may have gleaned that Friday was my birthday - I forced myself to wear a dress - get me!  This post was obviously meant to be published earlier on in the week but it didn't get finished in time - we're having fitted wardrobes in my daughter's bedroom and there has been a lot of moving of stuff around! How does one so young accumulate so much crap stuff?!  The floor of my own bedroom is currently littered with boxes and resembles an 'Albert's Bazaar' - that's my mum's term for jumble sale! It's doing my head in but a bit of deep breathing will help - won't be for much longer!   Anyway ... I didn't think it was appropriate to sit finishing off this post on my actual birthday as the husband was patiently waiting to take me out for a spot of shopping and lunch ...  so, a bit late but lets just pretend it's a few days earlier!

'It's my birthday, it's my birthday. I'mma (not a spelling mistake) spend hubby's money!  Yep well that's the plan anyway!'

Another Birthday, Another Wishlist! by beautyandthebiryani featuring a beveled mirror

When my mum and hubby first asked ... 'What do you want for your birthday?' ... I couldn't bring anything in particular to mind ...I know ... I must be mad!  Then I realised there are a few things I would quite like ... after all it's ok to have a few treats on your birthday right?

Bronzo Italia Rolo Link Bracelet - I'm into the whole Rose Gold thing and I love the chunkiness of this bracelet. Hoping my mum will take the 'QVC hint'!

Green Shirt and Tangerine Platform Pumps - I'm so ready for a pop or two of colour after the dreariness of Winter! I'd love a bright shirt to wear with skinnies and maybe a new pair of posh shoes (these are posh to me!) to wear with a plain outfit - I'm blaming the latter totally on Donna from I Won't Wear Sludge Brown take a look at her post here and you'll see what I mean!

Adidas/Nike Running Shoes - I'd say these are more of a need!  Being a regular 'gym-goer' my trainers take a lot of battering and I've had my current pair for so long that the tread is starting to wear so they could do with being replaced.  I'm fancying a change from standard white - which would you go for?

Funk Soul Classics - been listening to a lot of 80s groovy stuff recently. Takes me back to pre-house music days of dancing round my huge clutch bag in white stilettos and big curly hair!  I'd love another compilation to put in the car!

MAC Blushbaby/Benefit Dallas - I figured it's ok to buy one more totally unnecessary blusher on your birthday! I've been wanting to dip into the world of MAC blushers for a while and there's something about Blushbaby ...!  Can't decide whether to plump for me ol' matey Benefit Dallas though, which I've never got round to replacing!

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream - an absolute favourite but one I tend to save as a proper treat as it's rather pricey! I've asked my brother to bring me one back from France when he comes over this weekend. Bet he forgets! 

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue - this is a Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream with SPF30 and I don't think it's available in the UK until April but it's a product I really fancy trying for the warmer months so it's on my list!

Dressing Table Mirror - last but not least and yes - a bit of a weird choice but ... I would really like a new dressing table mirror! Although not strictly a need - I already have a mirror but it's not so big and it's balanced on top of a basket on my set of drawers which acts as my dressing table. A taller mirror, properly positioned, so I don't have to squat to look into it every time I want to apply some slap or dry my hair would be such a treat!

So ... that was my birthday wishlist - bit back to front but that's me all over! I did have a lovely day though - the hubby was super nice to me - not that he's usually horrible or anything but you know what I mean! My brother had come home from France for the weekend (and yes he forgot the L'Occitane hand cream!),  my musician brother is on tour in America with Kid Creole and the Coconuts (remember them!) and called to wish me a Happy Birthday from Dallas, Texas (how the other half live!).  My mum baked a superb three tier cake (which also went on Instagram) and we had a huge chinese with the family in the evening - suffice to say we were all stuffed! 

What would be on your birthday wishlist? Is it a big one (the wishlist not the birthday!)?


Jen x

PS. And yes I'm aware that my font is a bit weird in these last few paragraphs but I've had the same problem as you Sarah from Forty Therapy with regards to the font! Don't have time to sort it at the minute so it'll have to do for this post!

Birthday, Sportsday and Hot Day(s) ... !

Bonjour!

Again it's been a totally crazy week ... my girl's birthday, which involved lots of shopping and food - lovely but manic and we're still not done with all the celebrations yet! School sports day which was also lovely but slightly poignant as it's my girl's last year at Primary. It's a whole school-day affair at a large indoor sports arena with all the usual races, together with gymnastic/cheerleader style dancing and a big relay race round the track at the end! My girl was the 'fastest girl in her year' - go girl! The entire school joins in from infants up to Y6 - watching all the tiny reception children today it's hard to believe my two were once that small (had a small tear in my eye!) - think they get tinier every year!

And ... as the weather has been hotting up last week so has the temperature in our office (broken air con) - up to 33 degrees no less - we have it on record! Yep the fire doors/exits have had to remain shut so we've all been sweating our bits off - literally! You walk in from the balmy weather outside into the sauna that is now our office and the heat hits you right between the eyes - similar to that feeling when you get off the plane at the start of a 'hot holiday' but far less enticing and without the cicadas calling out - yes - many pores have been well and truly opened up last week. I made sure I had a good deep cleanse, exfoliation and overnight hydrating face mask once I got home - you can't take the beauty out of this blogger!

It could not, therefore, have been any other tune other than Nelly - Hot in Herre (that's how he spells it!) ...

Luckily no one did take (all) their clothes off  although the dress code had been relaxed so people have been wandering round the office barefoot (imagine all the humming feet!) and in shorts (girls and boys) and strappy tops (just the girls mind!) and an ice cream van has been parked in the car park to distribute free ice creams to all staff - although my choc 'n' nut sundae was melting as soon as I got back inside ...! It's been an experience I can tell you.  Hopefully the air con will be fixed by next week and then we'll all be freezing - can't win!

How's your week been? Have your pores been well and truly opened? Any sweat stories to tell me?

Jen x

Birthday Bits ...!

Bonjour!

So you may or may not know that it was my birthday recently - actually it was a while ago now!   The day consisted of some shopping, some family and some food! My musician brother was home so he cooked a 'birthday' curry and my other brother was over in France (where he lives), so he sat within the confines of the laptop (on Skype) situated on the piano to be exact, watching over us and chatting whilst we had dinner - it was like having all the family in the same room! Here are some of my lovely pressies ...!

The Body Shop Bath and Shower Gels from my friend, L'Occitane and Gatineau goodies from my lovely mum. Mac lippie in Lady Danger from a friend and the hubby treated me to the Liz Earle Botanical Essence No15 (love it!), Real Techniques Core Collection and Philip Kingsley Scalp Mask - good to know he has my scalp's best interests at heart!

Bought myself the No7 Illuminated Make-Up Mirror (half price) with money from a good friend (now I'll be able to see all my wrinkles and open pores illuminated and magnified!) and couldn't resist this long-line 'Run DMC' distressed T from New Look - go me! The lovely bright scarf came all the way from my Aunt in sunny Melbourne, Australia - thanks Auntie J! x

My brother's tasty Sinhalese style chicken curry with aubergine, red pepper and fresh coriander and mum's wonderful triple layer milk choc birthday cake - once you start eating it you can't stop!

So yes - I can't complain - it was good! The only spanner in the works was caused by the boiler packing up at the end of the day - luckily after we had cooked and eaten but there was no long hot pampering soak in the bath that night!  Thankfully we managed to get it sorted pretty sharpish (I nearly hugged the plumber!) - washing hands in cold water was painful after a while! NEVER underestimate the power of a good boiler or a good plumber for that matter chaps!

What do you think of my birthday bits then?  Have you ever hugged your plumber?

Jen x

Birthday Wishlist!

Bonjour!

Bit of a hint in the post title there ... yes my birthday is on the horizon - not so exciting an event when you're getting on! Still - always room for some sort of wishlist whatever your age eh?  I've never done a 'wishlist' post since I started blogging but I've recently discovered Polyvore - it's a bit addictive - like Pringles - once you pop you can't stop and all ... I've definitely popped ...!

Birthday Wishlist! by beautyandthebiryani featuring black laced boots

Quick blurb on the products then kicking off with the Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask, must try this -after all good hair begins with a good scalp right? Had to restrain myself on the make-up front (obviously) or there would have been tenfold blushers on here, but how cute is the Cargo blush - there are several different 'beach based 'options and who knows I may even try a couple! Been wanting a pair of Dr M's for ages and I reckon I can get away with these ... probably not the ideal footwear to wear for the school run though unless I give myself ample time to do the laces up!  I only possess one MAC lippie (in Chilli which I still have to review) - I think it's time for another, preferably bright and matte - hence Lady Danger. Can't wait to shed my duffle coat and get Spring started, love this teal blazer!  Also need a new handbag - something like this would be ideal, roomy enough for my kitchen sink! Last but not least, I tried a sample of the Liz Earle Botanical Essence No15 and I was addicted - gorgeous!

So that's the list -will keep you posted if I end up with any of this lovely lot!

What's on your current wishlist?

Jen x

My Boy's Birthday!

Bonjour!

This week it was my boy's birthday - it's ridiculous how fast he's growing up - I don't feel mature enough myself to be a parent to a  teenager! Mum did him proud with one of her wonderful cake creations...!

I started with slight twinges that morning (two weeks before my due date) - all those years ago. My husband dropped me off - complete with my pre-packed maternity bag, at Mum and Dads while he went into work. Gradually throughout the day the pains intensified and by early evening I was sat on the settee with my two brothers jotting down the times between contractions (whilst playing on their latest games console next to me!).  Had to ring the hubby to tell him to cancel his footie match after work as the baby was definitely coming.  I asked for an epidural at the hospital but the midwives said it was too late - I was apparently too far on - so that was that - only gas and air!  He was born just after 11 that evening after a short(ish) sharp labour!  A few things that stick out in my mind ... being ferried off in a wheelchair to bed with this tiny bundle in my arms thinking - er..I have a baby! And the next morning waking up with his little face right next to mine - (they'd put him in bed next to me in the middle of the night to keep him warm!) his eyes were open and it was as if he was thinking - right mum - let's get on with it!  Also remember having a bit of a cry that day (pumped full to the brim of hormones) after the extremely stern midwife told me off for not knowing why the baby was still crying after I'd fed, changed and winded him ...!

This was the tune at Number 1 at the time...

Spiller - Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)  

It's a good one alright - not that I got to dance to it for quite a long time after he was born... ;) !

Jen x