Stationery Haul

Whilst I realise that everyone has seen notebooks & pens before, I figured there must be many like me who like to have a nosy at other peoples stationery purchases. Here is what I have been buying recently - there is a few more things I am waiting for my I am desperate to use some of this so doing this post instead of waiting for the rest to get here.

I loved notepaper, notebooks, planners etc. I like to make lists , sometimes just for the hell of it. I have my own personal planner as well as a family organiser because it doesn't hurt to have things wrote down in several places.

I go through many notebooks. I use them for ideas for blog posts & keep a check on what I have already done.

So, if this interests you then please keep on reading - if not, then hopefully my next post will be your thing.

Let's start with some EBay purchases.

Kirstie Allsopp A4 lined notebook. I was lucky & got mine a little cheaper from a one off from someone else so do try to shop about if you can & see if you can grab a bargain too.

A5 Notebook & pen set. 

OK, so if you have notebooks you will generally also need pens. Now I know I don't NEED this set I bought below but they are awfully cute anyway... 

Set of 3 pens.

I have no idea what these stickers will be used for. In my planner - probably.

Add caption

I had a trip to Tesco in the week & wondered down the stationery aisle there.Not a great deal caught my eye except these post it note packs. Handy for phone messages, lists, etc! Sorry to say though I can't link to either via Tesco but have found the Post It Brand elsewhere.

Post It Super Sticky Lined.

Pushpins. MIne need updating & I thought these from Tesco were super cute & the colour goes with the room!

Again not on the Tesco site - try these from Amazon instead.

Wilkos now. They always have some fab things. Adore this notebook.

Wilko Forget Me Not A5 Notebook.

And ....

Inside the Forget Me Not book - please tell me I am not the only one excited by details like this??

A whole book filled with more sticky notes!!

Wilko Sticky Notes

Prepare to get as excited as I did when I opened this in the shop...

STICKY NOTE HEAVEN. Only £2. What a flipping bargain.

One last item from EBay because I forgot to include it earlier.

Always need pens like this. Colour coding lists & diary entries ...yes I may have a problem ;-)!

10 Fineliners. Assorted colours.

So, do let me know if this sort of things interest you. Link to any haul posts you have about stationery too.

Thanks for reading
Amanda x

Throwback Thursday

TBT to 1993 - meeting "Take That" outside their hotel in Bournemouth.

 

Thanks for reading

Amanda x

Wicked Wednesday - 25/02/15

I actually took this a week ago but planned to use it for the next Wicked Wednesday because it was only after I posted it on FB & had a good look I noticed what a funny pose he was doing!! I have no idea why he felt the leg needed to be lifted but did give me a chuckle!

Outfits From The Week

I was so busy with half term & looking after the kids that I didn't actually remember to take photos at all. Instead this week I thought I would just post my outfits from the past week instead.

Thanks for reading,

See you soon 

Amanda xxx

Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara - A Review

I picked up the "Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara" at the weekend & thought I would pop my thoughts in a little blog post.

Here is the blurb from Maybelline ***

Our 1st Layer-Reveal Brush captures even the tiniest lashes and volumises the look of longer lashes for a layered, multiplied lash look.

I was naturally drawn to the pretty packaging...

The wand is similar to others on the market & I have to say....

...this mascara does exactly what it says. 

I used just one coat on my lashes on the morning I took this & the difference was astounding. Many mascaras I would not get this effect at all unless I pop another coat on. My lashes had so much volume & it lasted for ages too.

It's called Very Black - not sure if they will release other colours over time but this black one is just amazing.
 I have to actually keep looking at my eyes when wearing it because it really does make them pop.

I never get THIS excited about a mascara. There are plenty that I like very much but I would go as far to say I am in love with this one & would not hesitate to keep buying it when the times arises. A definite 10/10 for me.

*** I was not sponsored to do this post. The mascara was bought with my hubbys money & I fell in love with this all on my own.

Have you used this mascara? let me know your thoughts too.

Thank you for reading
Amanda xx

Throwback Thursday

Heading back to the very early 80's for this one when I clearly had NO DRESS SENSE AT ALL - aka letting your Mum buy your clothes.

Link me to your Throwback pics! 

Bye for now everyone

Amanda x

Keeping Healthy Update 1 - 1 Month In

Please read my initial post regarding keeping healthy....!

I am 1 month into my resolution & it is fair to say its not going great. 

Whilst I have made a very small start in my exercise regime, after starting very well - as you tend to in the very beginning - to eat more healthily, I have found myself finding it extremely hard to resist the bad snacks!

Whether it is an extra chocolate biscuit ( or 3 ) with my cuppa or the cooking an extra fish finger for Fins tea as it seems silly to leave just 1 in the bag in the freezer, I just can't quite so no. I then feel incredibly guilty & extra fat... although ironically I have not actually put any weight ON!!

I do out a ton if this down too being JANUARY! OK yes it's now Feb but the point is I know full well I am not the only one who finds these dark & dingy early months of the year difficult to face. I am not making excuses so much as saying that my downfall is definitely comfort food in excess. 

My aim this month is to get myself back on track with more healthy food again - I used to love a bowl of fruit for my breakfast - usually raspberries or strawberries with some yoghurt but got out of the habit. I need to go shopping - I currently do online with Ocado but its not so easy to look for the healthy options & actually going to a good old fashioned shop & looking myself seems to give me the gee up more - as long as I avoid the cake aisles ...and the biscuits...oh & he sweets!

Then I need to up the walking. Of course there is the dog walking. Need to go a bit longer though. I do go once a week at the minute also for a walk in my own. I should do that more often as in the short term I feel so much better for it so going more can only have good long term prospects.

Badminton is still an option - as I said before I am just waiting for my friend to be ready.

I may look into a class & do have other ideas up my sleeve too.

So, not a great start but at least I know where I have gone wrong this month & can only hope I can improve. 

Anyone have recommendations for apps I could download? Would be good to know when I am doing my walking , how many calories I am burning. My lovely Iphone has a timer but not sure about a step counter - must look into that too. Let me know what you use anyway.

Thanks for reading & be back with another update soon

Amanda x

What Maddie Did Last Week

Here I am for look back over the past week. Lots of food more than anything this week though!! 

Porridge, Granola & fruit was on the menu lots last week for breakfast. I love this kind of thing & could actually eat it for every meal daily! 

More porridge - this time Quaker oats with apple & cherries sachet. Friday morning , I was a bit more naughty with a pancake, with lashings of maple syrup - I did pop a banana on though, does this count as healthy?

I adore salmon & I love cream cheese. A great combo for my lunch. Another curry on Wednesday, with a tasty made from scratch Sausage casserole on Thursday. 

Friday, hubby was rather late home so takeaway it was. A plate of mushroom curry, chow mien & egg friend rice. Bliss. Homemade Quiche & a ham roll for lunch on Wednesday. Sundays meal was Chicken Satay Wraps. 

Bits & bobs from the past week now...

1:- Dog walking - of course - we take a ball some days too now as she loves to play.
2:- Sunday morning we took Finley to the soft play near Arundel.
3:- My lovely Valentine's flowers & card!

Had a few purchases arrive this week.
1:- Little haul from Feel Unique. 2:- The Glam Guide from the beautiful Fleur De Force. 3:- A Kirstie Allsopp Notebook - I adore all things stationary - I have a few more items coming so expect a haul very soon!

1:- Haulage from Boots - you can see that haul here. 2:- Selfies with pup! 
3:- Reading material - more Nicci French, this time "Beneath The Skin." fab book although i should not have read so close to bed time - I am such a wuss! hehe.

And... What I have been wearing ...

A mixed bunch of colours this week. Hoping the weather cheers up  so we can start losing some layers!

Thank you for reading. Hope you all have a good week.
Amanda x

Boots Beauty Haul // Feb 2015

If you follow me on Instagram - if not , why not? - you will have seen my lovely flowers & card from Hubby. Because he is fab, he also treated me to some beauty goodies but I wanted to do a separate post for that on the blog.

The 1st photo is for those who may not know what Boots bag looks (haha I am so funny ...or maybe not!)

The batiste was not part of my present, that is just a staple of my regime some days when I really can't be bothered to was my hair, although that is not such a chore now my hair is so much shorter. Batiste is currently buy 1 get 2nd half price in Boots - i generally shop around when I buy it & this was the cheapest in my local shops atm.

Eye cream - mine will run out at some point & trying this new one from L'oreal will be nice.

Currently only £8.69. Usually £12.99

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Awakening Eye Cream.

The 17 Contour kit I bought because they are also Buy 1 get 2nd half price too & this looked interesting.

Seventeen Define & Conquer Contour Kit.

Then the main reason I went to the Seventeen stand... I adore this stuff & go through loads of it. 

Seventeen Clear Definition Mascara.

Maybelline also have the Buy 1 get 2nd half price too.. I love their Colorstay lipsticks. I also wanted to try the Rimmel Provocalips to see if this is as good as the Maybelline & Max Factor versions. I think I got £2 off this. 

Maybelline 24 Hour Superstay in Cherry Pie.
Rimmel Provocalips. Not sure the colour is, think may be "Make Your Move."

My 2nd Maybelline purchase...

Maybelline Lash Sensational Multiplying Mascara.

Do let me know if you have tried the Rimmel lipstick, the Maybelline mascara , the Seventeen Contour Kit or the L'Oreal eye cream I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for dropping by - see you soon.

Amanda x

Current Skincare - Feb 2015

I think I am pretty certain that I have not done a Skincare post for a very long time. Quite a lot of this would have changed since then so seems a great time to do another 1.

In the morning I keep it pretty simple as right now I am struggling to get up in the mornings so as little as possible to do is just fab.

I am currently washing my face in the mornings with this. I only opened it a few days ago though so I can't be too hot on what I think still right now. One of the reasons it was chosen is because my funds for buying make-up & skincare products has significantly dropped so I use a few more of the more purse friendly brands these days.

Nivea Daily Essentials Refreshing Facial Wash Gel.

Same with eyes - this is what I could afford at the time. Using this for a bout a week & liking it so far - which is odd as I used it once before & wasn't so taken with it. Must be better on my skin in the colder months? 

Simple Regeneration Age Resistant Eye Cream.

This moisturiser is newly opened this morning. I actually got this in a beauty box & believe it has now been discontinued as it was limited edition. It smells really nice but of course too early to tell if it will do much for my skin. Pretty packaging!!  

Seduire Steam Cream - Discontinued? 

My last morning product is this from L'Oreal that I use on my neck only. A sucker for the Clarins one as I said funds meant I had to choose a lower priced one instead. Nearly finished it & actually I think its really good.

L'Oreal Revitalift Face, Contours & Neck Re-Support Cream.

Moving on to the evening now. I start with removing my eye make-up. Currently using this one. I must say its a bit hit & miss for me. It works well in getting rid of the make-up but despite saying "gentle" it does sometimes make my eyes sting - quite a lot! Other times it won't do it. Shame as smells lovely & does do its job very well.

The Body Shop - Camomile Gentle Eye Make Up Remover.

I then use either a Cleansing Balm or right now I am using a Hot Cloth Cleanser. Its brilliant, I love Ren products anyway & this is on the list of what I would buy. Its a good price too so I think this could stay on my list of things I can actually afford too. 

Ren Hot Cloth Cleanser.

I like to double cleanse to make sure I am getting all I can. This one from Clarins is my FAVOURITE & thank goodness I still have another full size bottle left in my stash. It smells absolutely divine & when I am feeling lazy I am happy to just use this - well it is meant to be a 1 step cleanser I suppose! 

Clarins One- Step Facial Cleanser.

Now & again I use a toner - about once a month because I always forget!

Then I use my eye cream, moisturiser & neck cream again before moving on to my hands & feet.

I have had this one from Molton Brown for ages because it smells so gorgeous I wanted to save it for as long as possible. Rhubarb & Rose - reminds me of those fruit salad sweets a bit. Gorgeous scent that only lingers very mildly once rubbed into your hands.

Molton Brown Delicious Rhubarb & Rose collection.

We don't want to discuss feet too much do we? I get awful dry feet so is a constant battle. Had this one from Origins for a while - mainly because during the winter months I get a  bit lazy & only use it once a week but with the hope of sandal weather coming soon I really need to get them in ship shape condition again. Its not my favourite though. For a lot less than half the price I can get Heel Genius from Soap & Glory which is amazing,

Origins Reinventing The Heel.

Lastly, my weekly treat is a mask of some sort. As I said I am loving Ren & this is actually the 2nd one of these I have had so that says a lot. 

Ren - Invisible Pores Detox Mask.

So, there we have my updated routine for you. I hope you enjoyed reading this.
Many thanks for dropping by, Amanda x

Throwback Thursday

Heading back to April 2003 with this one - Brad was just 6 months old & this was taken on his very 1st holiday.

Wicked Wednesday -11/02/15

Thought I would give #wickedwednesdays  a go - here is my 1st photo.