Wednesday 31 July 2013

July Beauty Favourites

 It feels a little weird jumping form a foodie post into a beauty favourites, well what can I say, my blog my rules. 



I've had quite a few beauty products to get excited about this month so picking out my favs was a little tricky. I also may have gone on a mini haul on fragrance direct over the weekend so when that arrives I'm guessing next month will be a little harder. However here is what lotions and potions I've been enjoying this month. 



Twisted sista hair serum £1.
  So as your might be able to tell from the packaging this product is designed for afro hair. Now since my blog is titled little BLONDE life you may have already guessed I don't have afro hair. However this product was recommended to me by a hairdresser some time ago for damaged or dry hair. I recently came across it in a pound shop when I threw it into the basket. I never thought to add this product onto the favourites until this afternoon when I saw sat twiddling my hair around my finger bored at work wondering why my hair felt so silky. Low and behold it was down to this cheap little yet rather amazing product. For the price of this product (I'm not sure but I'm going to put my neck on the line and guess a pound) its worth the try. 


I always seem to suffer from dry hands and I am forever trying different hand creams. I think I currently have 3 on my desk at work, 2 in my handbag and countless scattered around my bedroom. So I know my hand creams! This was a rather good purchase this month and I've already gone through quite a lot of it. It smells nice, is fast absorbing and keeps my hands nice a smooth for a long time. Everything a gal could want in hand cream. It was also thicker than most hand creams and although it was scented it still didn't irritate my skin. The only downside I have is the screw top pot type packaging. Unlike most hand creams with there on the go flip top caps its a little impractical and so for that reason its more a product for a dressing table then and handbag or desk. 


I often find, finding beauty products for my face I like hard to come by. They either feel like they don't work, dry my skin out, make it greasy, or I just see no results whatsoever. However every blue moon I find something I like. The vitimin C Serum has been brilliant for my skin recently and a little of this product massaged gently into my skin seems to work wonders. Although using even the slightest bit more than needed can make the skin feel, not oily as such but it feels as though the product stays on your skin for a long time before it absorbs, I would recommend using this product before bedtime to wake up fresh faced. Or if your like me and need rescuing Sunday morning when you have hangovers from hell and want a day in your Jim jams watching questionable TV it's also perfect then. 


I really did shock myself when I used this product. I've never been a fan of using body lotion much. As a kid whenever sun cream was applied to me I would stand there like a mummy whilst my own mum latherer hell in a bottle onto me before I toddled of in a zombie like walk to jump back into the swimming pool and try and wash of the god awful sun cream of my skin. 
So to say I'm in love with this product. Is a big deal.
As mentioned before my skin is rather sensitive to I avoid anything too heavily perfumed when it comes to body lotions. This doesn't have much of a scent to it what's surprising when you think of lush products. However what really sold me was how quickly absorbent it is. I can scoop out big handfuls of this stuff and not have to worry I've applied too much. It also leaved my skin feeling silky soft.

What are your favourite beauty products?

Sammie

Monday 29 July 2013

Reds True BBQ Leeds .... again

Reds True BBQ
Reds Iced Tea 
Reds True BBQ

Reds True BBQ
Root Beer
Reds True BBQ

Reds True BBQ

Reds True BBQ

So last weekend I had quite a busy little week, what mostly consisted of eating and drinking. A carvery with the parents Monday, a trip to Nandos (I mostly wanted to go here for a bowl of olives) with my friend Laura Wednesday but most importantly a trip to Reds BBQ for my friends birthday Thursday. 

The night had been planned as a work night out as her birthday isn't actually until this Saturday. Due to the high demand Reds has, the table had been booked a good few weeks in advance to accommodate the large group of us. This unfortunately meant we could only go mid-week, however I prefer to have something to look forward too mid week so this didn't bother me. If you happened to read my last post on Reds BBQ, you will know I deem this one of the best food places on earth. So needless to say I was pretty darn excited about going. For all you loyal readers to LBL you may of noticed this was my 4th visit.

As the booking was for a large group we all had to pay £5 deposit and order our food in advance. I really wanted to be adventurous and order something I had not tried before, however in the end I went for my favourite pulled pork and slaw, with a side of mac n cheese and fries. 

As usual my food was delicious and I heard no complaints from anyone (believe me that's a big deal) except for some people saying their portions were too big. Amateurs! 

I kind of felt I had a glorious man v's food moment as I was saying to myself (in my head of course - I've not gone completely insane just yet)  "mmm... the creaminess of the mac n cheese really compliments the tangy bbq-ness of the pulled pork"  (actually maybe I have gone a bit insane) but there was no denying the food was delicious. 



Have you been to Reds True BBQ?

Sammie

Saturday 27 July 2013

When all the cows were sleeping and the sun had gone to bed

Up popped the scarecrow and this is what he said
So last weekend I took a little trip to the Dales with the family to enjoy a family BBQ and a get together. When we arrived in the local village there was a scarecrow festival. There was a competition to guess what films all the scarecrows were representing and to answer questions on them. As it turns out we won. Can you guess the films?
















It was very hard to pick a favourite but my personal favourite was Marry Poppins.

What's your favourite scarecrow?

Sammie

Tuesday 23 July 2013

Run horsey run









So Saturday afternoon myself and some friends headed of to Ripon for a day out at the races. I had never been before and had no idea what to wear, I had been informed to go all out in an evening dress fancy hat etc and then others told me jeans and a t-shirt would be fine for this race course. This caused some panic Saturday morning, having woke up with my head feeling twice the size it did Friday night (I was at a friends leaving do from work) it made the the task of picking out what to wear some what troublesome and yet again I had nothing to wear. I often think my wardrobe might belong in Narnia as I'm often faced with this problem despite the fact I own too many clothes. In the end I settled on this dress, despite been from Primark what I bought at the start of the year I actually love this dress it seems to suit so many occasions. I actually think its made quite a few appearances on here by chance. I decided to wear flat shoes as although it's normal to wear heels to a day at the races I love my shoes far too much to risk getting a heel stuck in the grass and didn't want to risk grass staining my new wedges. 

We all boarded the coaches in the city centre, with my can of G&T in hand the day began. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the races despite spending more time in the bar it was a lovely day out, plus I always enjoy the excitement of a good old gamble. I even won a few cheeky bets.


Have you been the the races?

Sammie

Summer Snapshot





Action Man guarding the Pims obviously.

What does your summer look like?

Sammie

Monday 15 July 2013

Monthly Shoe Wishlist

Nia



Babycham - Nia Wedges £55
I don't really own any wedges and the summer weather recently has made me lust after one or two pair. Most of the wedges I find seem to be more day wear however this pair would great dressed up or down. I also like the quirky retro 50s look of Babycham shoes .

necker red
Gandys Flip Flops £19.99
I can't lie, I'm sure for all you regular readers you will be aware I was sold purely by the name of these flip flops alone. I know I could pick a pair up in Primark for £1 however Gandys are and ethical brand what supports the charity orphans or orphans. These are going to the top of my holiday wish list.

Blowfish Banu Sandals £40
Again with the recent heatwave it made me aware my show collection isn't very summer friendly. Therefore I have been searching for a pair that can be versatile and these look simple enough for classy day wear yet they look classic enough to be dressed up for a summer evening. 

Image 1 of ASOS TRACE Wedge Shoe Boots
ASOS - Trace Wedge Shoe Boots - £60
I love the perspex wedge and the cut out details on these shoes. They seem edgy yet practical enough for daily wear, however I like the idea of clashing these with a pretty floaty dress for a more grungy look. 

What are your favourite pair in the wishlist?

Sammie

Sunday 14 July 2013

Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time

I just wanted to write a quick little post as I feel I've neglected my blog a little recently. I think I've now hit the stage were I've realised my blog is read by family, friends, work colleagues etc and it makes me hold back writing what I want to actually say. I always wanted this blog to be a diary and I enjoy rambling on, lets face it we don't like real life moaners, but online it seems more acceptable. The last few weeks have been a little whirlwindy (is that a word, no?, sounds good so I'm keeping it, sorry red squiggly line) and it's been one of those weeks were everyone has had advise to give, something that needs to be discussed or plans that need to be made. Plus I've had a 7 day working week. Don't feel too bad for me I always find the time to par-tay, aka been sent home early for been a sozzled. (That's right sozzled,  I'm bringing this word back)

The next few days however I just want to focus on having a few quiet days. I've a lot planned from next weekend until the end of August, I therefore want the next few days to relax. I'm therefore focusing again on the little things that make me happy. So I'v made my second little things that make me happy list.

Starting running again. I never thought I would ever get into running but I briefly began a few months ago and I felt great. Physically I noticed no difference what so ever but I did notice it gave me more energy and I started to find it relaxing.

Eating green olives. My new addiction.

Picking out pretty holiday dresses. (although narrowing down my selection is a bit of a chore)

Picking out prettier holiday shoes.

Sun-bathing.

Catching up with friends.

Glasses of wine in the summer breeze. 

The two guys that held the door open for me together when leaving M&S ( I was buying olives) It's nice to see people been courteous and it was rather amusing. 

The checkout assistant who juggled my change. It takes little to amuse me at the best of times but it was amazing.

Having Douglas back from animal hospital. 

Listening to Lewis Watson 

Going on the Train.

Curling up with a magazine.

Winning eBay bids.

Cheesy chat up line. (I dare you)

Laughing.

Living for the moment.

The positive outlook on life summer brings.

Finally getting sun to my legs.

Feeling like a movie star every time I have my Ray-Bans on. (best purchase made this year)

Beyonce dance moves.

Dressing up.

What makes your week a little better?

Sammie

Wednesday 10 July 2013

Great Yorkshire Show

So this week I headed of to the Great Yorkshire Show. For all of you non-Yorkshire folk the Great Yorkshire Show is an agricultural show showcasing best in show farm animal competitions, lots of yummy food and drink from the County, market stalls and plenty of fun and games. 


When we first arrived at the show there was some children's digger rides. Since my little cousin wasn't quite big enough to go on his own, I kindly stepped up to the plate. Guess who had the most fun? However I will shamefully hold my hands up when I say he drove it better than me. 
 Next I came across the sheep shearing competitions. I don't usually take much interest in sheep shearing, in fact I can't say I have even seen a sheep been sheared (try say that really fast 5 times) or had any desire to do so. However when I saw the "sheep shearers" (aka fit farmer boys) It held my attention a little better. 
 Next we watched the sheep. I have no idea who this women is but the sheep looks adorable. 


 We then moved onto the piggys. I thought it was adorable how curly the pigs tails are. I'm not normally one for animals the closest I get to seeing pigs is in the sweet isle at M&S so it was nice to actually see them close up. Rather cute little creatures.
 I think this fella was called Derek. However I might be making that up.

 Next was the cows!






 I even managed to sneak away with my own little moo. I named her Jersey. (Daisy would of been far too common) 

 Later in the day I came across the BBC Yorkshire tent were I got a chance to present the weather. I didn't do too well reading the script (it's pretty difficult) however I'M ON TV!! yoohoo mum...can you see me. 

 I then discovered the food hall!! It's the small things in life what put a smile on my face and sampling all the beer, gin and vodka would normally put me in a pretty merry mood however then discovering the free curry samples after made my day. 






 The best named beer I have ever come across. 
 What blog would be complete without a cupcake picture.



 The Great Yorkshire Show was a fantastic day out. It has something for everyone, Adults, Children and BIG KIDS. 




Have you been to the Great Yorkshire Show?
Sammie

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