What I Wore Wednesday: Asymmetric Studs, Spikes & Leopard

This Friday was my friend Julie's 30th birthday! Julie, who I went to see Guns N Roses with this summer, and I met when we were both waitresses at a now defunct restaurant and bar called Frankenstein's in Glasgow. It was a bit of a random place and we seriously had a GIANT Frankie monster that came out of the ceiling and sat up when we hit a button---I shit you not. Despite being random it was a fun place to work. I'm so glad Julie and I reconnected through Facebook and was super excited to help her celebrate her 30th!

We ended up at McPhabb's for £10 Prosecco (who could say no?) and some birthday shots! I honestly could not tell you the last time I had a shot so I stuck to one; I used to be the shot queen but not so much! We had a really lovely time chatting and Julie got a wee birthday cupcake from the staff, too!

I met up with NotBlondeHusband when he finished work instead of moving on to the next club so we could pick up Blondie Boy from my friend Jef's and head home. Even though it was a low key it was a great night and a psychic has told Julie she has to go to Amsterdam this year so we'll be looking for cheap flights to celebrate again!

I randomly went into River Island to shop for something to wear; it isn't somewhere I'd shopped before but they had a massive sale sign up and I figured what the heck. I ended up with this asymmetric black studded top with a external zipper back; it is actually meant to be quite baggy, but it is a size UK 8 which is a size I never even wore at my skinniest. I think it looks way cute fitted though so works for me AND it was only £10!

That is literally the best picture I have of my outfit. Yikes. You can't even tell I'm wearing my Booty Up HYH Pants (which I forgot how much I love) or anything else for that matter! So I've made a Polyvore again to hopefully show in a smidge more detail what I wore since somehow there is a halo in my photo. Is it a halo or a ghost or an aura? I have no idea but it's annoying. I was once told I had a yellow-white aura (so I could be a natural witch if I wanted to be) so maybe it is the latter. Anyway as always I digress!

Black Asymmetric Shoulder Stud Top-River Island

Spike Cluster Earrings-New Look

Spike Cluster Ring-New Look

Leopard Heels-Dune

Booty Up Bootcut Trousers-Hold Your Haunches

Studded Bag-Versace for HM

Have you been shopping the sales? 

Have you ever bought clothes that weren't actually your size but made them work anyway?

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Happy 3rd Birthday Blondie Boy!

♥ 

♥ 

TK Maxx Christmas Challenge

It will come to no surprise to anyone that even vaguely knows me or has even glanced at my blog that I jumped at the chance to do the TK Maxx Christmas Challenge. First I freaking love TK Maxx. Second I love shopping. Third I love a challenge. Throw them all together and I have to wander around TK Maxx for an hour looking for the perfect presents--AWESOME.

December/January is a busy month birthday wise for us; NotBlondeHusband's Dad, Mum and Sister all have birthdays as well as Blondie Boy. So for us Holiday shopping, plus the bulk of our birthday shopping can sometimes put a strangle hold on the budget. Luckily you can find a present for just about anyone, at a fraction of the price at TK Maxx.

My challenge was to shop for the different people in our family and find the perfect Christmas gifts and keep it all to under £200. I had my mission and I went for it. First I have to say if you are looking for Christmas decorations hit up your local TK Maxx. Look at all these baubles and decorations!

I was in the Cincinnati Ballet production of "The Nutcracker" when I was 6 so I'm always partial to a cool Nutcracker--plus these were only £9.99! Can't beat that price! I managed to pull myself away from the pretty sparkly things and get on with my mission.

First up my Mother-in-Law. She and her husband recently retired and is headed off on a 7 week trip around Asia and Australia in the New Year. I decided to put my jealousy about her amazing trip aside and use it for inspiration!  She's a sucker for pink and I thought this suitcase would certainly stand out on the luggage carousel.

 RRP: £120.00 TK Maxx Price: £49.99!

It's also her birthday in early January and she's addicted to her iPhone almost as much as I am so I'm pretty sure she'd love this camel smart phone gloves so she can play Words With Friends while out and about without freezing her fingers!

 RRP: £54.00 TK Maxx Price: £19.99!

Next up is my Sister in Law; she also has a January birthday so I decided to pick a theme and buy two presents that would complement each other. She's recently been making cakes for some of her friends so when I saw this baking display I knew I'd find something!

So many options to choose from! I had to restrain myself from not buying anything for myself! I decided to go with a 14 Piece Cupcake Decorating Kit and a gorgeous sterling Cake Stand to display her creations!

RRP: £19.99 TK Maxx Price: £9.99

RRP: £45.00 TK Maxx Price: £16.99

Next up I was looking for a Chanukah gift for my Grandma Bess. She was a bit of a Carrie Bradshaw back in the day and is still really stylish. She's partial to scarves so when I saw this designer beauty I knew it would be a perfect gift for her!

RRP: £109.00 TK Maxx Price: £34.99

NotBlondeHusband is notoriously hard to buy for so sometimes we just end up going for more practical presents. He wears button down shirts to work but can have trouble with some shirts since he has broad shoulders. I know this American designer fits him and favourite colour is green so it was a winner!

RRP: £120.00 TK Maxx Price: £39.99

Last but not least is Blondie Boy. As you know he is obsessed with Cars and he also loves building towers and garages with Duplo; he doesn't have this set yet but I know he'd love to add it to his collection!

RRP: £40.99 TK Maxx Price: £29.99

The total retail price of my shop should have been £508-

 I only spent £201.93! 

I went just under £2 over budget but I shopped and bought for 5 people including 4 Christmas presents, 1 Chanukah present and 2 birthday presents! I think we can let the £2 slide don't you think? I've always loved TK Maxx for shopping for myself but now I more than know it's perfect to shop for everyone on my list! What's the best deal you've ever found when shopping?

TK Maxx provided me with a gift card for my mission but all opinions are my own. Y'all know well enough by now I don't say something I don't want to right?

What I Wore Wednesday: London Calling

I left to go down south for work on Thursday and didn't get back home until Sunday night and then Monday was my birthday. It was all a bit of a whirlwind but I had such a great weekend. The lovely Lizzie from Mummy in Manolos took me out for birthday dinner and drinks in Marlow Thursday night and look at this AMAZING drawing she did of me for my birthday!

I LOVE it! Check how I'm taking a photo of myself with my iPhone and of course I'm wearing pink-- when I'm back from holiday I suspect there will be a new WIWW button!

We had such a great time chatting away and having the most amazing dinner at La Cantina Del Vino which so authentically Italian most of the waiters didn't really speak English!  My lobster linguine was to die for and I have no idea what wine we ordered but it was delicious :)

The next morning I grabbed the train to Paddington station, grabbed a Krispy Kreme and took the tube into London. I stayed at my favourite hotel, The Andaz Liverpool Street, which is smack dab in the centre of EC1 and feels absolutely luxurious but won't  cost you more than any other hotel in the area.

That afternoon I had a lunch, cocktails with my girls Siân and Claire and an awards ceremony in the evening. I wanted something that could translate across all the events so I went with a floaty dress and a blazer with my favourite leopard heels.

HM Swallow Print Dress

HM Cropped Blazer

Dune Leopard Heels

Black Hoop Earrings

Monica Vinader Fiji Friendship Bracelet

Saturday was a conference so again I wanted to look nice but I also wanted to be comfortable since I knew it would be a long day. Luckily I struck gold, again, with another Cynthia Rowley dress from TK Maxx. The dress fits me perfectly and shows off my best best while masking my not so great bits. I paired it with my wedding shoes, yes I had purple wedding shoes, but threw flip-flops in my bag for the end of the day when I knew my feet would have had enough. 

Purple and Blue Skater Dress- Cynthia Rowley (TK Maxx)

Purple Peep Toe Heels- Barretts

Black Hoop Earrings

Monica Vinader Fiji Friendship Bracelet

Don't Siân and Claire look super cute, too? We spent a lot of time chilling in the TK Maxx style lounge where you could try on clothes, relax on super comfy Home Sense chairs and chaises or get style advice on what clothes suit your body shape best. We also took a liking to Visit Orlando and Acer UK's photobooths but I can't say the booths liked us. Siân and I had one shut down and power off when we were in it and then the three of us almost knocked over another.  Needless to say we had a lot of fun in them!

The three of us talk on Skype all the time but it is rare we are actually in the same place together so it was great to hang out in person.  They also got me some AMAZING Doc Marten Darcie boots and a kick ass new skull scarf for my birthday that I am sure will feature in a future What I Wore Wednesday.

On my actual birthday NotBlondeHusband spoiled me rotten by taking me out to an overly indulgent dinner at Blytheswood Square Hotel in Glasgow and since I loved it so much I wore my Blue and Purple Cynthia Rowley dress again. It was actually sunny on my birthday so we got to have cocktails outside in the sunshine before devouring a truly amazing meal. If you are looking for the best steak in Glasgow the Blytheswood is the place to go!

I'm so lucky to have such amazing friends and family! Tomorrow NBH, Blondie Boy and I are off on holiday to France courtesy of Eurocamp and I can't wait to tell y'all about it when we get back! I will try my best to get a French WIWW edition up next week but I hope you'll forgive me if it is a wee bit delayed. Fingers crossed we have nice weather and this sneezing fit I'm having is just allergies and not a cold!

Our accommodation while on holiday is provided by Eurocamp but all travel and other expenses we will and have paid ourselves. All opinions on our holiday are our own and will be expressed as such.

What I Wore Wednesday: NotBlondeHusband's birthday

Last week was NotBlondeHusband's birthday! The lucky birthday boy got two dinners out but I of course forgot to take a picture on his first night but I did manage to get him to take a photo on his actual birthday before we went to Scott's in Troon. If you've not been before and you are in Ayrshire I totally recommend it as it has amazing views of the harbour.

I'm still in a bit of a funk so I focused more on my hair than anything else and attempted to try and make it something other than just straight and hanging there. The last time I used my curling tong I gave myself a nasty burn on my eyebrow so I'm pretty happy I ended up with sorta cute hair and no major injuries this time!

Ruffled Black Top- HM
The Flirt Jeans-Old Navy
Swarovski Tennis Bracelet
Black Sparkly Flats-Chinese Laundry

I've always really liked Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt's hair where it is loosely curled at the ends so this is my vague attempt at that. Not perfect but not that bad!  I normally complain that NBH will only take one photo of me each week; well this week he went all paparazzi on me and the result is what you see below.

We had a really nice dinner out (a new Cars magazine, colour changing Ramón and iPhone apps thanks for entertaining Blondie Boy) and the birthday boy was even treated to a sparkling fountain in his Baked Alaska! I'm not sure which boy enjoyed it most!

Blondie Boy's 2nd Birthday

It was Blondie Boy's Birthday on the 5th and I think he had a pretty awesome time. As always all his treats were egg-free for his birthday and if I'm honest I thought the pancakes, cupcakes and cake were all super tasty if I do say so myself!


We had his party yesterday at The Life Craft in Glasgow and all the kids had a great time with messy play (painting, playdough and more) and got to decorate their own tote bag to take away! Can't recommend it enough if you are looking for a children's birthday party in Glasgow. Instead of blabbing on about BB's big T-W-O I will let some photos do the talking!

Yay Birthday! Woke up to presents and Egg-Free Mickey Pancakes.

Auntie Katie got him his first car! He calls it "Elmo car"--it is read with googly eyes!

Birthday Boy requested Purple Frosting for his Egg-Free Chocolate Cupcakes

Come Inside, It's Fun Inside! Fantastic Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Birthday Party at the Life Craft

Happy 31st Birthday NBH!

Happy Birthday to the best friend, husband and baby daddy a girl could ever ask for.  I'm so grateful to have someone who supports me in all my endeavours and loves me not in spite of, but because of all my idiocentricities.  The two of us are so lucky to have you!

Love Blondie & Blondie Boy

Birthdays a go go

My family is over run with April birthdays and today alone is the birthday of 2 different cousins, my step-sister and my Dad!

I hate being so far away from family on days like today but hopefully we'll be able to Skype later on today. Blondie Boy and I are going to play outside in the fabulous weather in their honour to celebrate!

Happy Birthday Grandpa! 

Happy Birthday Aunt Gin!

Wordless Wednesday: Blondie Boy's 1st Birthday

Happy Birthday Mimi Linda!

Happy Birthday Mommy/Mimi Linda!

We love you & miss you; can't wait to see you in January!

Happy Birthday Bessala!

A very happy 88th birthday to my Grandma and Blondie Boy's GG Bess!

We love you and miss you very much!

Happy 30th!

Today is NotBlondeHusband's 30th birthday!

He is my baby daddy, husband and best friend and I love him more than anything. He not only puts up with my crazy, but he doesn't mind and is the most amazing Daddy to the Blondie Boy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WE LOVE YOU!!!

Happy Birthday Alison!!