Some Random Friday Favourites

Hey lovely people!

So it's Friday again and that means time off work (for most), spending time with friends & family, perhaps having a tipple or two and generally just relaxing.

This weekend is the Froch vs Groves II fight and for those of you who don't know, I do enjoy a bit of the boxing and sometimes UFC. This of course has been a gradual process, after years of being encouraged to enjoy it from my husband. But anyway, that fight is on Saturday and so myself and my hubby will be one of the many millions watching, along with the company of my big cousin and his wife. So it should be a great night. Other than that, my weekend will generally be very quiet.

So enough of the rambling and onto my current faves of the moment. Let me first say that they are random and in no particular order or genre, but are just a bunch of things I am really enjoying at the moment. :)

1.

 

I have been singing this song in my head for weeks and weeks and I just can't seem to get enough of it. It's just another beautiful song from the incredibly talented Sam Smith. I could quite literally listen to him sing all day long. 

2. 

Ok so have you ever had weeks where you just crave a particular food or meal??? This has been my craving this week... beans on toast. I can't stop thinking about it. Lol! And no I'm not pregnant I swear. Lol.

3. 

After falling away from it for a good wee while, I have finally found my way back to the comedy genius that is Cougar Town. I love this wee show... it' so funny and it makes me feel better about enjoying a glass of wine or 5. :)

4.

So obviously I don't look this good in leggings, but I do love them. I feel as though I have been living in my leggings recently. They are just so comfy and pretty to look at. Is it such a bad thing that I won't take them off???

5. 

Ok, so I am a big fan of the Kardashian clan and an avid viewer of their show so you can imagine my excitement at seeing Kim K's wedding dress and all things wedding related. :) She was beautiful and Kanye was dapper and it looked like a fairytale of a day. I'm already a bit of a wedding nut as it is, so as far as I'm concerned she can get married as many times as she likes. I will always be excited about it! Lol!

So that's my faves for another week lovely people. I hope you all have a lovely weekend and hope you continue to enjoy reading my ramblings. :) Love & hugs to you all. 

Take care lovelies. x

TGIF!

Hey there lovely people,

It's that beautiful time of the week where my hubby comes home to me for 2 whole days and we get to relax and unwind, go shopping, play with our dogs and all that general loveliness. 

This week has been a quiet one with not a lot on, so I've had some time to relax and catch up on some of my fave things, some of which are included in this weeks list, so without further hesitation here we go:

1. An old TV fave!

So I started watching this show when it first aired on tv and I got hooked... and for one reason or another I ended up watching it half way through season 1 and then forgot all about it. Until this week! I watched it from start to finish due to the wonder and delight of Sky On Demand and I remembered why I loved it. Even my hubby loved it. He has always had a thing for country music (passed on to him from his grandparents) and he and I both agreed that if we were American, we would be country music enthusiasts. Lol! So if you haven't watched this already, get your behinds in gear and get it done. It is quite literally fabulous!!!

2. Good Food!

So I actually have a post coming up that explains why this healthy food is part of my diet now, but in short, this week I have been enjoying eating super healthily. I've cut out wheat & gluten and all sorts of other things from my diet and I've been eating loads of fruit and vegetables and it's been delicious. Don't get me wrong, I am a big bread girl, and that has seriously been difficult to cut out, but needs must... and it's better for me in the long run (still trying to convince myself of this fact).

3. Flowers (surprise, surprise)

These were 2 very quick snaps I took of my freshly bloomed tulips and carnations yesterday. How beautiful are they??? I know I post images of my flowers a lot, but I seriously think they are some of the most beautiful sights in the world. I always feel better about my home when I have fresh flowers dotted all over the place. They give me a sense of calm and well being and they truly make me a happier person. 

4. Photography

Cindy Crawford - Vogue Jan 1990

Claudia Schiffer - Vogue May 1991

Emma Stone - Vogue Aug 2012

Kate Moss - Vogue June 2013

Kate Moss - Vogue Sept 2010

Scarlett Johansson - Vogue Oct 2006

This week, and more than I usually do, I've been admiring the work of some of my favourite photographers. I've been thinking about how I would like to decorate my home studio as right now it is very plain and boring, and I've been thinking about having some of my favourite photographers images blown up and put on my walls as inspiration. These are some of my favourite images by the ever so talented Patrick Demarchelier, the renowned French fashion photographer. These have been taken directly from his Vogue archive, and you should all know by now how much I adore Vogue magazine!!!

5. Blog Of The Week

http://www.hemsleyandhemsley.com/blog/

I am absolutely loving this blog this week my lovelies. I've recently started a health kick and I discovered these fab ladies on Instagram. This blog is filled to the brim with brilliant recipe ideas and the most beautiful images of deliciously healthy food. I seriously recommend you go take a look. You will be hooked instantly! Get following them on Instagram too, because let me tell you, there is nothing more pleasant than gorgeous photographs of delicious and healthy food popping up on your news-feed when you're hungry... it will encourage you to stay on track and not reach for the chocolate cake!

So that's my faves this week. It's a good mix of things for a change, as the previous weeks have been a little beauty heavy, and that is certainly not the type of blog I aimed to create when I started, so I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it! 

Take care lovelies. x

Friday Faves!

Hey lovely people! 

How's everybody's Friday been so far. The hubby and I have been busy doing a bit of DIY in the house... and getting rid of some furniture so not exactly a relaxing evening so far. However, we're calling it quits for the night and settling down to watch some "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip", with a couple of bottles of beer and a bar of chocolate. Before I do that though, I will share this weeks favourite things with you all. 

1. You guessed it... My hubby!

I got to spend an extra day this week with my favourite guy, with it being a bank holiday Monday, and it made my week that little bit better. I love this picture of him... It was taken as part of my photography coursework and reluctant as he was to let me take it, it's ended up being one of my favourite images of him. 

2. Concert Tickets!

Excited is an understatement! My boys are playing Bellahouston Park in Glasgow on the 19th of August... And being a member of The Victims (The Killers Fan Club) I managed to get myself some pre-sale tickets!!! So me, the hubby, my big cousin and his wife will all be dancing our asses off in Bellahouston Park on the 19th of August... and yes I already have a countdown on my iPhone! 

3. New Purchases!

Who doesn't love new nail polish? I've already spoke at length about these glorious little pots in my previous post so I won't go into any further detail about them. I just love some new beauty goodies to play with.

4. Cuteness Personified!

I had a shoot with these 2 cutie pie twins last week and spent the best part of this week editing their photos. Seriously, is there any better job than this??? It is quite literally... like I've already said a million times, the best job in the world.

5. Blog Of The Week!

http://www.supergorgeous.co.uk/

I've really been loving this gorgeous ladies beauty filled blog. The writer behind the blog Super Gorgeous is the delightful Alice. She is a makeup artist and freelance photographer, sharing her views on the latest beauty and fashion trends, not only through her interesting and descriptive words, but her technically astute use of a camera. Her images are engaging and her reviews are an absolute pleasure to read. As well as this, her Instagram is equally enthralling, and you should definitely give her a follow. 

So that's my favourites for this week. I hope you have a great Friday night and I will be back tomorrow to annoy you with another Saturday post. 

Take care lovelies. x

Another Friday Faves!

Hey lovely people!

It's FRIDAY!!! And its the beginning of the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend! I am so excited!!! Can you tell from the overuse of the exclamation marks??? Eeeeek!!! 

Anyway, it's just a quick little post today because the sun is shining and I am just home from a lovely walk with my dogs and I intend on heading back out with hubby... perhaps to a beer garden somewhere! So here goes:

1. My hubby!

I love this guy soooooo much and I get to spend the whole weekend and Monday with him. You have no idea how happy that makes me. He is quite simply the best person I have ever met in my whole life and he makes my life so much better. :)

2. This weather!

Blue skies and the smell of fresh cut grass, it is the ultimate spring weather and there is no better way to spend the day, than with my gorgeous doggies and my handsome hubby! :)

3. New makeup!

It's always a good week when I get to play with new makeup! :) And not only that, but the price I paid for the makeup was outrageously cheap that it made it all the more fun. As well as that, i've been trying out my new Models Own nail polish, and it is fab! 6 for £20... how can you go wrong! 

4. Instagram!

I have been taking part in a photo-a-day challenge throughout April and it has really made me appreciate how great Instagram is all over again. It's been super fun, and I think I will make it a regular thing every month. Not only do you get the chance to see everybody's fab pics, but it encourages me to get my camera out everyday... even if I'm not working! :)

5. Blog of the Week!

http://www.onestopsavvy.co.uk

This fab lady is a mummy and a brilliant little beauty guru, delivering posts ranging from makeup reviews to parenting advice. She is a super sweet lady, with an obvious passion for blogging, and after only having recently met her via twitter, it has become a part of my daily routine to check her tweets and admire her instagram images. You should definitely follow her and keep up to date with her fun and interesting blog posts. 

So that's my Friday Faves this week lovely people. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I will hopefully be back tomorrow with another post... but please forgive me if I don't... I may get carried away with this weather. 

Take care lovelies. x

Thank You For The Music

Hey there lovely people!

Well today is Thursday and we are officially one step closer to the long Easter weekend. I'm super excited for this weekend, as not only do I have the company of my hubby for an extra day, but I have a lovely Christening to photograph on Sunday, a night out with friends on Sunday night and obviously with it being Easter, I have permission to eat lots of chocolate, without the usual feeling of guilt attached to it.

Anyway, today's post has been inspired by my love affair with music. I honestly feel like my life would not be what it is... or at all interesting for that matter... without music. I'm sure you all feel that way too!!!

So I thought I would share my current fave tracks and albums, that I just can't get enough of... and let me just clarify that these are not ordered in terms of my fave to least fave... that's far too difficult a task. I have just numbered them for the purpose of neatness and organisation. Lol!

Fave Tracks

1. Aloe Blacc - The Man

I love this song so much, not only because Aloe Blacc's voice sounds just like velvet... but also because of the influence of Elton John's Your song in the chorus. It's just a beautiful little easy listening track. 

2. Imagine Dragons - Demons

This band are just unbelievable. They are one of those bands, whose songs get into your bones. You know what I mean??? Like, every time I listen to one of their tracks, it just feels so powerful and important that I feel like the music and the lyrics course through my veins!!! Beautiful words and exceptional music to go with it!

3. The Killers - Shot At The Night

Although not entirely new, this is the most recent single release from my absolute favourite band of all time... The Killers! It's another electro-pop, indie rock fusion of splendidness!!! If you're not already a fan of The Killers, then what are you doing with your life??? Get on board & enjoy the sweet vocal styling's of Brandon Flowers, the dulcet tones of Dave Keuning on Lead Guitar, Mark Stoermer on Bass Guitar and Ronnie Vannucci trashing it out on the drums. You will not be sorry!!!

4. David Guetta ft. Sia - Titanium

This is just a classic! This is one of those songs, that in my opinion will be played in 20 years time, and remembered fondly, like "Rhythm Is A Dancer" and "Children" are now. It is just a fantastic track, with inspirational lyrics sung by the amazing Sia! I just love it!!!!!!!!!!

5. Embrace - Gravity

Now this song, is one that I loved when it was released way back in 2004, but like many other songs, I forgot all about it... until I started watching "Gavin & Stacey" a few months ago (for the 1st time) and this song was used in the final episode of Season 2. It is such a beautiful song, written by Coldplay, and graciously and generously given to Embrace. They too, recorded a sensational version of the song. 

Now onto my fave albums at the minute. 

1. The Killers - Battle Born 
This is their 4th, and most recent released studio album. It is a brilliant compilation of what they do best - write tremendous lyrics and pair them with the most beautiful music. I will never get tired of listening to them.

2. Beyoncé - Self Titled Another fantastic album from this amazing lady. It is her 5th studio album, and man oh man is it gooooood!!! She is the absolute epitome of a singer, songwriter, businesswoman, actress, model and mum. She can quite literally do no wrong in my eyes... everything she touches turns to gold... and this album is no exception.

3. Snow Patrol - Eyes OpenSnow Patrol are one of my favourite bands. I've watched them live on loads of occasions and I could honestly listen to Gary Lightbody sing all day. He has such a distinctive and soulful voice, that every word he sings feels like oxygen being pumped through your veins. This album is my Snow Patrol album of choice (at the minute) and I can listen to it, from start to finish, over and over again until I'm blue in the face. 

4. James - The Best Of
Now James are a band that I was properly introduced to by my husband and his family (who are majorly big fans of them). I had always known of them and liked a few of their songs but never really anything more than that. Now however, that is a different story. They are a great band who formed in 1982 and still to this day, are touring every year. They have written some amazingly good songs, all of which can be found on this album... and if you haven't seen Tim Booth's dance moves then you really need to check that out ASAP!!! 

5. Frozen - The Official Soundtrack

Finally, after watching (and crying all the way through) this wonderful Disney movie, I have fallen over the heels in love with the soundtrack, and find myself randomly singing out loud at the most inappropriate of times "...do you wanna build a snowman..."! Does anybody else suffer from this? I think its an epidemic that's afflicted a generation of people. Lol! Anyway, if you haven't already seen the movie then get that sorted... and soon you will understand my dilemma. 

So yeah... these are my current fave tracks and albums. And yes, like everything else in my life, my choices will of course change as often as the weather does. Hope you enjoyed reading all of my ramblings and I'll be back tomorrow with my Friday Faves!

Take care lovelies. x

Friday Faves - My Favourite Youtubers (Part 2)

Good morning lovely people!

The sun is shining here in Glasgow and I am in a very good mood. I'm waiting on a new TV being delivered - a 50" beast - and I am chilling out and catching up on all my YouTube subscriptions which appear to have doubled since the last time I shared my faves with you all.

Anyway, I mentioned on my twitter feed, but I thought I'd also mention it here... I'm going to start featuring my favourite blog every week in my Friday Faves. I do have a list of all my favourite blogs at the minute in a list down the right hand side column of this blog - but I've decided to remove that and just focus primarily on one blog per week. I figured it's a nice way to personally get to know a lovely new blogger and get down to the nitty gritty of what they are all about and what they want to achieve through their blog. I thought it would be a super fun addition to my own post and would help you - my amazing readers - to find new and exciting reads too.

So anyway, onto today's business and the addition of 5 new Youtubers into my faves.

1. WheezyWaiter.

 

This guy is an absolute genius and comedian all rolled into one. He somehow manages to take actual real life pieces of news and current affairs, and interpret his thoughts and feelings on the matter in a funny and coherent way. I have literally never stopped watching his videos since discovering him and I think you should definitely give him a watch yourself.

2.Amelia Liana

This gorgeous lady is another of my Youtube faves who is a bit of a makeup guru. She shares makeup tips, shopping hauls, tags and all sorts of other fun and entertaining videos. She is so charismatic and normal, that you genuinely feel like your listening to a friend speaking. Definitely pay her a little visit.

3. Aaman Birk - Girl On Beauty 

So this lovely lady is Aaman and again she is super similar to Amelia Liana above in that she's a bit of a makeup, hauls & tag person. The reason I chose to share her with you too though, is because she's a really great speaker and is super confident in front of the camera. I know that's a weird thing to say really... but I have watched several videos over the past few weeks of young girls, obviously just trying to get into YouTube and they are so shy and nervous that you often can hear or understand what they're saying in the videos. That's why I love Aaman, she is super straight talking and to the point and doesn't waver on her opinions about skincare and beauty products. She's a straight shooter and you should give her vids a watch. 

4. Digital Rev TV

Ok so in my last Fave Youtubers post I shared Matt Granger with you all. He's a photographer sharing his skills and knowledge through reviews and tutorials etc. This team of experts are similar in that sense. However, Kai and Lok, break everything down into layman's terms, making everything more understandable for the less knowledgeable. As well as that, Kai is super quick witted and sarcastic and most of these videos are just downright funny, so if you're wanting to learn a bit more about photographer equipment then these guys are your best bet for learning successfully.

5. Carrie Fletcher - It Was Way Past My Bed Time

Ok, so Carrie, as many of you will probably know is the sister of Tom from McFly... and if you don't know who that is, he is the amazingly romantic guy who sang his wedding speech and shared it on YouTube and it went viral a few years ago. Ok??? Got it now??? Ok, so Carrie is Tom's sister, and she is a star in her own right. She plays a part in Les Mis on the West End in London and has the biggest and best personality a person could have. She is a tremendous singer and often collaborates with her brother and others on her page, singing songs with just the accompaniment of her acoustic guitar. To say I LOVE HER is an understatement. Every time I watch her videos she just fills me with absolute joy. She is one of those people who was sent here to be kind and make the world a better place. You would be bonkers not to subscribe to her NOW!!! 

So there you go my lovelies. Another 5 Youtubers for you to get to know and hopefully subscribe to. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Youtube is a truly remarkable place, full of super talented people, all sharing a little part of their lives, and I feel truly blessed that I am able to enjoy and be part of that... I hope you do too. 

Take care lovelies. x

I want that... and I want that... Oh and I want that!!! Part 2

Hey there my lovelies! :)

So earlier I posted my accessories wishlist, which included the likes of earrings, a handbag and some sunglasses. However, now I'd like to share with you some of the other items I've had my eyes on, specifically of the skincare variety. 

So, I'm a bit of a QVC addict. I watch it every night when I go to bed and have been watching it for the last 15 or so years. It's where I discovered Liz Earle, one of my absolute favourite genius skincare creators.

This skincare set I am about to show you, contains the famous Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. It is the absolute best cleanser I have ever used in my life... and I have tried a lot! You're skin feels so clean and smooth after each use, especially if you've had a heavy face of makeup on. This will wipe it off as easily as you could possibly imagine.

Liz Earle Essential Superskin Collection - £41.52 (£4.95 p&p)

If you were to purchase these items separately from the Liz Earle boutique or website, it would cost you a total of £75.50, so you are saving yourself a great deals of money buying from QVC, not to mention you have a full 30 day money back guarantee with them.

The next set of items is from L'Occitane, the most deliciously sumptuous beauty products and fragrances inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle, promoting well-being and an absolute delight for the senses. I am yet to find an alternative for the Shea Butter hand-cream, having tried many so called dupes and absolutely none of them coming close to the luxurious, creamy and nourishing feel of the L'Occitane collections.

L'Occitane 3 Piece Shea Hand Collection - £31.92 (£4.95 p&p)

Again, if you were to purchase these items separately from the L'Occitane boutique or website, then it would cost you a total of £46, not as substantial a saving as the Liz Earle products, but still less than the RRP. 

The final skincare set that I have chosen is from Decleor. It is the 4 Piece Salon Size Skincare Collection. This is a brand that I have had very little experience of. My mum has used Decleor products for years, and I have dabbled a bit with some of the products she had, as well as the odd Decleor facial at salons I've visited. But other than that... I'm not too familiar. Except for the fact that I have watched these items being used over and over again for years on QVC and up until recently I had never really bothered about trying them out properly. However, over the last few years my skin has become more and more sensitive and I am quite prone to have breakouts, especially in the areas on and around my cheeks. This is unusual for me, even as a teenager, I seemed to be spared of the horridly vicious acne phase. So now I've decided that this is a skincare regime I would really love to try.

Decleor 4 Piece Salon Size Skincare Collection - £80.04 (£6.95 p&p)

So yes it is very pricey, but it is after all high-end, as well as being enormous salon sized products. The thing about these items is that they are not available anywhere else, other than QVC, in these sizes. So the price comparison I am giving you is based on the standard sizes available at the Decleor boutique and website. Surprisingly, these same products, at half the size offered on QVC, would set you back £104. That's for half the size!!! So really... despite it being quite a considerable investment to make, it is one that is well worth it in terms of the value for money you are getting.

So that's all for my wishlists today lovely people. I hope I haven't bored you too much, and if you haven't already you should definitely hop on over to QVC (Sky channel 640, Virgin channel 740, Freesat channel 800 and Freeview channel 16) or visit their brilliant website here. 

Take care lovelies. x

Monday Wish List - True Blue Inspiration

Hey there lovely people!

Well it's time for my Monday wish list and this week I'm showcasing choices from both Yours Clothing and Simply Be - 2 of my favourite places to visit for plus-sized clothing.

The colour I'm feeling this week is blue... and all the different shades of blue for that matter. This has been inspired by the amazing sight of the bright blue skies we've had this week, what with it being the start of Spring and all. However, I've not went overboard with the skimpy clothing - it is after all still freezing most days, so I've included a few Spring jacket options, perfect for those days where the sun is shining but there's still a nip in the air. So anyway, let's just get on with it.

The first selection comes straight from Yours Clothing.

1. Blue marl sleeveless jersey top - £9
2. Mid Blue Basic Crop Jeans - £18
3. Navy Blue Lightweight Cotton Parka Jacket With Hood - £39
4. Navy Blue Canvas Trainers With Laces - £16
5. Black Sunglasses With Silver Snake Trim - £6

I love these items because they are very appropriate for a Scottish Springtime. The cropped jeans give enough coverage and are thick enough that if it's cold they provide enough heat, but if it's warm you have the turn-ups that give your legs a bit of a breather. The blue tones in each of the items are quite muted and therefore would be appropriate for all kinds of weather, whereas my selection below, from Simply Be, is much more bright and vibrant and just kinda screams SUNSHINE!!!

This selection comes straight to you from SimplyBe.

1. Boyfriend T-Shirts (2 pack) - £24
2. Cara Boyfriend Jeans - £40
3. Parka Jacket - £40
4. Sole Diva Lace Up Pump - £22
5. Fiorelli Classic Cat's Eye Sunglasses - £61

Similarly, Simply Be offer a great spring line, all be it at a slightly higher cost than Yours Clothing. I particularly love the pop of colour from this blue parka, which can I just add would be a perfect addition to any festival goers suitcase this year!

Anyway lovely people, be sure to give these great sites a visit. There's an abundance of choice at amazing prices and I promise you will get lost in amongst the offerings.

I'll be back with another Wish List post next Monday and I hope you enjoyed this one.

Take care lovelies. x

My 3rd Friday Faves!

Hey there lovely people!

Happy Friday to you all.

Is it just me or are the weeks just flying by at a ridiculously fast rate. I mean it's almost April for crying out loud. Where did that come from???

Anyway, it's time for another round-up of my favourite weekly things. Enjoy!!!

1. This guy again!!!

My husband and I, taken myself in November 2013.

As always, my hubby has made the top spot. As much as he annoys me (and let me tell you he has done his fair share of that this week) he will always be the favourite part of my week.

2. Some time with the In-Laws!

This is a rare occurrence as Michael doesn't have a big family like I do, but this weekend is the 50th birthday of his uncle and we are all having a night out to celebrate. Should be a fun filled night! :D

3. Significant numbers this week!

The number of followers I reached on Twitter!!! Yay!!!

The number of page views my blog reached this week!!! Double Yay!!!

I am soooooooooooo thrilled to have reached these super important milestones! And I have YOU to thank. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!

4. Fun Decorating!

This weekend my husband and I plan on swapping my little home studio with our bedroom. There's a couple of reasons for this - the main one being I just fancy a change. Lol! The other reason is that our current bedroom is south facing and therefore gets way more light than my little studio and is therefore much better for my shoots. It will be a big job but I am really looking forward to it... especially the shopping for cute little accessories. 

5. Chatting with all of you lovely people!

My weekend ritual now includes reading & watching everything all you lovely people have to say. It is a joy and truly an inspiration to see how wonderfully creative and talented you all are. I just wanted to share with you, some of the new people I have discovered this week, some you may already be following yourself:

1. Letters To Antoinette - A beautifully written blog, by a beautiful girl named Antoinette.
2. Milk Bubble Tea - The most adorable blog, with the most stunning photographs.
3. Lily Melrose - A fabulously trendy little blog & equally entertaining Youtube channel to go with it.
4. I Heart Organizing - A fantastic blog full of helpful tips about how to better organise your life.
5. Lily Pebbles - If you're not already, get following this lady - she is the definition of FAB!!!

Anyway, I will leave it there and I hope that you enjoy whatever it is that you've got planned for this weekend!

Take care lovelies. x