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Tuesday 31 March 2015

London: Shopping, Wine and Afternoon Tea

A couple of weeks ago myself, my mothership and the sister all met up in London town for a Mothers Day get together. We started off in Covent garden and perused the beautiful market displays and quaint little shops such as Sass & Belle



sass & belle covent garden

covent garden market

covent garden market

I love the atmosphere of Covent Garden and don't really care that its typically touristy- it's bloody lovely! After oohing, arring and lots of buying, we found our tummies grumbling so popped for liquid lunch at Wildwood. The food was delicious, the wine too and it was lovely to catch up in a relaxed environment. Their burgers are delicious!

wildwood resturant covent garden

burger wildwood resturant covent garden

We then headed over to The Kitchen by the Tower of London and indulged plenty! It's a quirky kind of venue, with bright colours mixed with traditions of British afternoon tea (and eclectic music too), getting you away from the hustle and bustle of London. We had a marvellous spread of delicious sandwiches, cakes and scones to choose from along with a nice glass of champagne each and tea. Oh and more wine- why not?  

the kitchen tower london
Photograph source: The Kitchen

the kitchen tower london
Photograph source: The Kitchen


afternoon tea the kitchen tower london

afternoon tea the kitchen tower london


All in all it was a wonderful way to celebrate mothers day with my two favourite females and I can safely say we were all a tad tiddly by the end!


I also vlogged the day in London with my mothership and sister! We had a lovely time with plenty of giggles and the mention of a "crusty crease" which is all revealed in the video ; )



How do you spend quality time with your family?



Friday 27 March 2015

That 70s Style

new look paisley smock dress

new look paisley smock dress

SS15 70s trend

how to wear the 70s trend

new look paisley smock dress

new look paisley smock dress SS15

new look paisley smock dress 70s trend SS15
Dress- New Look
Jacket- All Saints
Hat- eBay
Boots- New Look


I've worn this outfit on a couple of occasions now and you may recognise it from the #cambsmeetup blogger event I recently attended. It feels really 70s to me and I kinda like that. I feel like I should dig out some Thin Lizzy to play, (hmm maybe not,) I'm a bit obsessed with smocks at the moment and think this will be a great versatile piece to take me from spring to summer. I can see bare legs, tanned boots and a denim waistcoat being worn when the weather gets a bit warmer! In the meantime I've fallen back in love with the floppy blogger hat and my trusty black boots.

Check out the video to see more of me prancing about in this outfit!



Are you diggin the 70s trend for spring summer?



Tuesday 24 March 2015

My Top 5 Lip Products



1. Sephora Cream Lip Stain  Always Red

Lip stains- they're amazing and that little doe foot applicator makes applying an unforgiving colour a breeze. I'm pretty crap at applying lipstick and that's putting it lightly... On a really bad day I can look like I've had a stroke! A doe foot applicator gives me a lot more control and precision with no mistakes. The colour is a classic bright red and has amazing staying power. I've applied this first thing in the morning and not had to touch up all day- it's that good. It's a matte finish, with an initial creamy consistency which is great for application and once it sets it ain't budging! It isn't to drying either.

2. No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick  Classic Rose

I love the colour of this lipstick. This rich pinky tone is great for a darker lip in spring summer and looks great with a tan. the finish is a semi-matte and doesn't feel drying at all, in fact it's really quite hydrating and creamy on the lips. The longevity is pretty good too, but touch ups are required throughout the day. I find this pretty easy to apply and is buildable. I like to smudge it in for more of a stain during the day and wear it full coverage for an evening.

3. Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick Shade 3

This is my default lipstick. My everyday, go to, easy peasy, love it lipstick. I can't tell you the amount of times I've re-purchased this I love it that much! It's a satin finish and gives a lovely natural looking nude tone to the lips and is just a really wearable colour. I wear this practically everyday and because its a nudey natural tone you don't have to be too precise with application which is great for cack handed people like me!

4. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Peach Parfait

I think I'll always be fond of this lip product as I wore this on my wedding day. A lot of people don't like it because it doesn't show up on their lips but for me it gives a lovely peachy hue with a subtle hint of shimmer and a beautifully balmy shine. The subtle gold shimmer looks amazing with a tan and makes your lips appear fuller. It's a sheer coverage with lot of shine, leaving you looking healthy and glowing- perfect for summer.

5. Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Ruby

This product isn't a lipstick but it may as well be because the coverage is great! This lip treatment is doing you a favour by looking after your lips whilst giving an amazing colour. It leaves your lips beautifully soft and has an SPF of 15 too. I picked this up in America and I'm sad that they don't stock it over here. It's a sheer but buildable colour that I like to use for day or night and it smells INCREDIBLE! It's a watermelony, brown sugar kind of smell- I'm obsessed. I really love the packaging too!

So those are my top 5 lip products. On a whole I'm a big fan of pinky peachy shades in a range of consistencies, with a classic red thrown in for good measure. What are your favourite lip products? 


Friday 20 March 2015

Youtube Tips from a small YouTuber, to a small YouTuber

laydey katabella youtube tips


I'm not sure if you're all aware but I've been on YouTube now for three years! It genuinely feels like yesterday that I started making videos but looking back at my old ones and cringing made me realise I've actually come quite a way in my journey. From bad editing to rambling on nervously, I've picked up some tips and tricks along the way to improve and thought it'd be fun to share with anyone who is thinking of starting up a YouTube channel or has just started.

I am by no means an expert and my channel is still a very small fish in the YouTube ocean, but if it helps one person or gives people ideas then yay!

If you want to hear my tips and tricks, click below!





What are your tips and tricks for YouTube?


Tuesday 17 March 2015

Blogger Event- #Cambmeetup

Recently I went to my very first blogger event! I was so excited to be invited and loved that it was a local event being held in Cambridge. 

I must admit I was pretty nervous to go, feeling like a real novice when compared to a lot of big blogs out there and not knowing a soul going to the event. I was also suffering with laryngitis so my voice sounded like it was breaking which added to my nerves!

The event was held at Vodka Revolution and initially I couldn't find the room! Luckily I bumped into the lovely Robyn of Simple Little Pieces and together we found where to go.

blogger event #cambmeetup

blogger event #cambmeetup

blogger event #cambmeetup

blogger event #cambmeetup

blogger event #cambmeetup

blogger event #cambmeetup

blogger event #cambmeetup

Inside was full of activity, lots of people mingling, delicious cocktails being served and pretty displays of products. In hindsight I don't know why I was so nervous as everyone was so friendly and lovely! Despite my horrendously husky (and lack of) voice I met some wonderful bloggers and it was great to talk about blogging with other people who have a real passion for it; sharing tips and ideas and just generally chatting to people who get blogging! We also had talks from Cision and Local Secrets Cambridge which were really informative and interesting. Cision are a PR company and gave us all lots of tips and advice on blogging and Local Secrets Cambridge are magazine with a guide to what's on, where to eat and places of interest in Cambridge- great for lifestyle posts!

blogger event cambridge  #cambmeetup

blogger event cambridge  #cambmeetup

blogger event cambridge  #cambmeetup
With The Middle Sister

blogger event cambridge  #cambmeetup
Some of the lovely bloggers I met: The Middle Sister, Lifes A Catwalk & Crave More Beauty

blogger event cambridge  #cambmeetup
With blogger Simple Little Pieces

blogger event cambridge  #cambmeetup
With Bloggers Simple Little Pieces, Clashing Time, Crave More Beauty & Miranda Kenny
Photographs courtesy of: Nadderz Photography

There were lots of wonderful brands at the event such as BelvoirSniffy Wiffy, Hairy Jayne, Lush, L'Occitane, Neals Yard Remedies, Lisa Angel, Jilly Jilly, Claireabellemakes, The Snug,  Kryptik Rose, Chocolat Chocolat and Kettle Chips. We were each given a wonderful The Blogger Programme goodie bag- I was so chuffed! I may have already eaten some bits before I photographed them though...oops!




I did do a teeny bit of vlogging about the event if you want to see more and you can see more of the goodies we were given too! (Before I scoffed them nom nom nom!)



I must say a HUGE thank you to Pippa of Clashing Time for putting the event together. She did a fantastic job and without her I wouldn't have met such a wonderful bunch of people. Another thank you as well to all the brands who supplied us with such great products which I'm really excited to share with you guys in future posts!

I really enjoyed this event and came away feeling truly inspired to keep doing what I do and enjoying it.  

Have you been to any blogger events?




Friday 13 March 2015

My Evening Pamper Routine

Everyone deserves some me time and to pamper themselves. I try and make this a weekly thing, generally on a Sunday to settle down for a good sleep before another hectic week begins or on a Friday night after a long week to help me unwind.

If you fancy a nosey into my routine, the products I used and generally how that shizz goes down then click the video. Also please excuse my horrendous voice over! I've been ill with laryngitis the past two weeks and my voice has been either non existent or a husky mess. I really wanted to get this video up for you all so enjoy the huskiness!





What's your pamper ritual consist of?


Tuesday 10 March 2015

Personalised Dog Tag

First of all may I just say that trying to get my crazy springer to sit still and pose was a real challenge, but I somehow managed to get a few snaps of my beautiful boy!

photo of hooobynoo world personalised dog tag

photo of hooobynoo world personalised dog tag

photo of hooobynoo world personalised dog tag

photo of hooobynoo world personalised dog tag


I first came across these Hoobynoo World personalised dog tags via Stephanie Dreams Blog (oh my god check her out, she hits the nail on the head with lifestyle and style posts for me) and thought they looked great!

They have lots of designs to choose from and when I found the jolly little springer design I couldn't resist treating Harry to one. He's just had a hair cut so doesn't look particularly springer-like here, but we'll blame hubby for that as he insisted we have his ears short, boo! (Never again!)

Since wearing his new tag, Harry has had lots of compliments on how regal he looks- such a dapper hound and the quality of his tag is excellent. Harry likes to run into bushes (don't ask me why) and get lovely and muddy on his walks yet his tag as stayed beautiful, I'm highly impressed!

I'd love it if Hoobynoo World did matching dog bowls as I really do love the design but for now I'm lusting over the phone cases- too cute!

What d'you treat your furry friends to?






Friday 6 March 2015

DIY: IT'S OK Banner Tutorial

photo of diy it's ok banner

Today I finally have another crafty post up- squee! I have been SO excited about sharing this one with you as it’s been in the making for a while and I’m absolutely in love with it!

photo of it's ok banner

photo of it's ok banner


I’ve seen these wonderful banners popping up everywhere over the past year and really wanted one but when sourcing it I’ve found it’s never in stock (nooo). However being a keen crafter and with the lack of stock available I decided it was the perfect excuse to be inspired and make my own.

You will need:

materials to make an it's ok banner

  • Scissors
  • A wooden dowel
  • Black felt
  • Cream cotton fabric
  • Pins
  • Black & cream thread
  • Needle and/or sewing machine
  • Twine
  • Printed "IT'S OK" text
  • Ruler
  • Pencil



Step 1
Fold your fabric in half and measure 25 cm x 30 cm for the rectangle aspect of the banner. Measure an additional 9 cm down from your 30 cm mark and drawn a line across your fabric. From the centre of this line angle your ruler up to your 30 cm mark on each side of the fabric. This then creates the V of the banner.  Next cut out your banner.


how to make an affirmation banner

how to make an affirmation banner

how to make an affirmation banner

how to make an affirmation banner

how to make an affirmation banner

make your own it's ok banner

make your own it's ok banner



Step 2
Print off your letters for the banner. I did this on Microsoft word, using the font “Arial Narrow” at size 240 and filled in white, with the letters outlined in black so they’d stand out against the black felt.

Once printed cut out each letter to create a template and pin to your felt. Once pinned, cut around your letter templates on the felt.

it's ok banner template

make your own it's ok banner

how to make an it's ok flag

diy it's ok banner

diy its ok flag

make your own it's ok banner

it's ok banner tutorial


Step 3
Now arrange your felt letters on the bottom half of your banner and sew into place. You can either use a sewing machine or hand stitch- whatever works best for you. I opted for hand sewing as I’m a novice with a machine!

it's ok banner tutorial

it's ok banner tutorial

DIY It's ok banner

DIY It's ok banner

DIY It's ok banner


Step 4
Next fold your banner in half but this time have it inside out. Sew along the edge of your banner to marry both pieces and leave a 5 inch gap at the top of your final side. This gap is important so you can flip your banner right side out! Again you can machine stitch or hand sew dependant on your preference- I machine stitched for quickness and neatness.

DIY It's ok banner

DIY It's ok banner

DIY It's ok banner

DIY It's ok banner




Step 5
Flip your banner right side out and sew up the hole you left. To create the loop to thread your dowel through, fold your banner down on itself and sew the edge to the back of your banner.

DIY It's ok banner

DIY It's ok banner

make your own it's ok banner

make your own banner


Step 6
Thread your dowel through the loop and attach your twine to each end of the dowel, leaving the desired length of twine you require to hang your banner.

DIY It's ok banner

DIY It's ok banner

DIY It's ok banner


And you’re done!



I am obsessed with this banner and think it makes a really cheerful fun (and reassuring) feature to a room. It’s also so fun to make! My measurements are a bit smaller than the originals you buy online but I think mine is perfect for the little corner I've hung it.

I hope this tutorial makes sense, but if you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments below. I’ve also done a video on this tutorial so check that out below:

 

Do you like affirmation banners? What would you have on yours?



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