My Holiday

I've just had a lovely week off in southern Spain with my family. One of my favourite things about holidays is the fresh perspective on things for when I get home. I love switching off my mobile to the world and spending days catching up on magazines. Strangely enough it's always more about new beauty products when I'm away, it might be to do with the fact I'm in my bikini so clothes aren't really on my mind. So this break I've been thinking about eyebrow tattooing & lazer eye surgery (I don't do things by halves). If anyone's had either please share! I've had chicken pox scars near my brows since a kid so the hairs never grew back properly and as much as I love Benefits Brow Zings, I do enjoy a very simple daily routine. Not having to fuss about with them whilst on holiday has only highlighted that. I have terrible eye sight (-7) and when I was a kid wearing glasses it was more a vanity thing, but now I'm older the practicality of being as blind as a bat frustrates the hell out of me. Research commencing!

Since having my stint back into corporate life I have had to wear a whole new 'uniform' which has included a lot of 'tucking in'. I've never shied from the fact I've always found it easier to dress other people than myself, I tend to always put myself last (what Mummy doesn't right?) and rarely devote time to myself and my image. Being long waisted most of my tops just hang over bottoms but recently when needing a smarter look I've been tucking. I carried this through on holiday as I've enjoyed defining my waist with my look so did it with a longer tee I'd usually wear over jeans. I've given up trying to perfect that 'bloggers pose', this took my Dad 10+ shots (sorry Daddy!). It was hot and a messed up hair day but you get the gist!

Oh I wish I was back there now!

Was the end of the day, the face wasn't worth looking at!

Before we left we popped to Bicester Village to grabs the girls some new sandals from Clarks. I rarely manage to walk past my favourite shops and Temperley didn't disappoint. New beach/day/pram/light weight bag for £15 (I had to get all the pro's in there just to prove a point it was 'needed' to my husband). Even at the full price of £35 I think this was a bargain.

My bargain

Working the pram look

A holiday is not without it's dramas with kids, and ours of course had its very own in the form of a missing 'bun bun's'. My one year old's cherished blanket bunny whom she sleeps with on every occasion. I'll) set a brief scene, Puerto Benus market, Saturday, rammed, baking........at the time there was more upset from me, the sleepless nights ahead and the pure fact I know how much a teddy means to someone (I never gave up my ted....). Insisting the whole family trek up and down the narrow isles a final time, it was like that moment in 'Dogger' when he was found on a fete stall table. Luckily the lady was English otherwise the Spanish might have thought I was a woman possessed. And all in the name of searching for a pair of leather Spanish shoes that my Mum insisted on buying whilst we were there!

The infamous 'Bun bun's'

And where did we end up finding cheap leather Spanish shoes? Why a Spanish supermarket of course - where else?!? €30 for two pairs, I say no more.

Back to the UK, back to jeans - but at least I had new shoes!

Biege/taupe suede pumps

A 'boat shoe' (not so Granny in the flesh in case anyone was thinking that)

All leather, yes, I repeat, all leather

My Mum's were €19

Then I saw a very similar pair in Grazia for 3 times the price

This is the view we woke up to daily, divine. If you're after a peaceful location in southern Spain, I fully recommend this place. We'll certainly be going back, if only for the shoes!

New Years Resolutions

I am sharing with you my New Years Resolutions in the hope that by making them pubic, I just may stick to them!  I am keeping them short and sweet, small baby steps (I am a Capricorn - I don't do change).

• Be more experimental with make-up.  Due to having a mere few minutes to throw on some face before the school run, I have got very stayed with what I wear.  After being introduced to Benefit's Browzings (I got the real one for Christmas, for more info, see this post) I feel it has changed the shape of my face.  I'm sure there's plenty more work to be done to better hide the bags and occasional pimples, and on the positive side, to brighten my smile so to speak!

• More manicures/beauty treatments.  I've said this for a while now but never stick to it.  In my head an item of clothing is 'forever' where as a treatment is a moment in time.  However after having my nails beautifully manicured for over 2 weeks, it made such a difference to how I felt, even if I was just in jeans and a breton top. Image and style isn't just about what you wear, I need to remind myself of this!

• Get measured!  Nearly a year on from my second child who I breast fed, I still haven't been.  I know I am going to hate being told how small I am so I cheated and bought one new bra in my pre-baby size, oops!  I have to bite the bullet and just crack on with it, good foundations are essential to an outfit. 

• Read my magazines on time.  I always end up reading weeks/months later and miss out on things!  I need to keep up with the times and what the kids are wearing these days!

Any of you brave enough to share yours so that we can help each other out to achieve them?Please shout at me if I don't report back, I will try my best to mention them as and when (see the PMA there...) I tick these off but hey, I'm a Mum, I'm allowed to be forgetful!

Eyebrow Re-Shape

Spot the difference!

 I admit that I get a little tweezer happy when it comes to my eyebrows.  I have dark hair so if I don't keep on top of them, I feel un-groomed.  I decided to ask a professional as felt I was penciling in a lot more than normal.  Apparently I really need to let them bush out!  I had read an article ages ago about where they should start (using a pencil from the centre of the nose to inner corner of my eye) but this was remembered incorrectly!  It is from the edge of the nose straight up, oops!  It is always worth refreshing your memory with beauty routines by asking an expert.  She also introduced me to Benefit brow zings which she hugely rated as said it was softer and more subtle than a pencil and brown gel.  I tried my friends at the week-end and thought it did a great job of filling in rather than a pencil so it's now on my Christmas list, I just need to visit a Benefit counter to pick the best shade.  In the mean time, I found an old (yes I know it should probably be in the bin, but at least it gets me used to brushing my eyebrows through rather than penciling) Body Shop kit, which doesn't have the wax that the Benefit one comes with but it looks better than what I've been using.  I must admit, I think the thicker brow I've been wearing for the last few days has made a difference, next beauty refresher - hairdressers!  Have you tried anything new in your routine recently?

Benefit Brow Zings £22.50

The Body Shop £10

Before

After