'Tis the season to be SPARKLY. Or if we're totally honest, it's not quite that season yet but I'm a forward planner and already way too over excited for Christmas (66 days!), so we're all going to have to pretend that this post isn't overly keen and totally too early in the year.

So with that said, here's all the sequinned, embellished and magpie-enticing bits and pieces that are on my festive must-have list right now. Unfortunately for me, post Barcelona mini-break (more on that coming soon) I am third world poor and unable to afford bread, cheese and beans to eat let alone a totally unnecessary beaded clutch bag or sequin jacket.

All the beauty must-haves for AW15... according to me. (& some random people on the train who were raving about Max Factor Pan Stick while I was fully listening to their whole conversation and staring at their perfect faces. Thanks gals.)

1. Max Factor Pan Stick. Apparently 'not as thick and gunky as you expect' and 'literally the easiest thing to use ever'... 'you just scribble it on your face'. This is currently on my weekend shopping list because honestly, the girls on the train had the most beautifully matte faces and the range of skin shades available (browse here) will suit ALL skin tones. 

2. Oh Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer how did I live before you? Twist the bottom of this easy applicator pen to load the brush and glide it over your eyebrows arches, imaginary cheekbones, nose and chin for a glow Kim K would be proud of. I hate it when highlighters are too shimmery, but this little number manages to have a soft sheen without looking cheap. Smashed it.

3. This Contouring Brush by Real Techniques is 100% worth getting hold of if, like me, you were blessed with 'cute' chubby cheeks as opposed to womanly, sexy cheekbones. I don't actually own it, but my friend at work does, and after borrowing it to do a last-minute bit of makeup before a meeting the other day, I can fully see myself hunting this beauty down asap. It's only £9.99 in Boots at the moment, which is much more realistic than some of the over-priced competition.

4. So, I've said it before and I'll say it again, but my hair is out of all control. Actually it's out of control 95% of the time where I cannot be bothered to set aside the 2 hours needed to wash, blow-dry and straighten it. Leaving my hair to dry naturally is not an easy option for me, but damaging it with heat styling is the price I pay. Anyway, after lots of market research (see: buying whatever smoothing product was on offer) I found this gem in TK Maxx. Bed Head Blow Dry Lotion is light, easy to use and actually DOES smooth the hair and make blow-drying an all round nicer experience. Most importantly the effects last more than just one day which is a dream.

5. An oldie but a goodie, no mascara will ever come close to Maxfactor 2000 Calorie for me.  It lengthens and thickens without lashes going all spidery and I like that they haven't tried to do anything fancy with the brush. Maxfactor are true advocates of the 'if it 'aint broke don't fix it' mantra and I love that. Unfortunately, in a moment of weakness (and dire financial straits) I panic-purchased Collection Big Fake Curves mascara and I legit hate it. My bad. 

6. Rimmel "Nudes" by Kate Moss. I actually did that awkward thing where you approach someone in the street to ask where something it from. Only because this girl had the nicest nudey-kylie-jennery pout and I couldn't resist, not because I am going to make a habit of being one of those people. Anyway I am now the proud owner of shade 040 Pale Nude and seriously considering pushing the boat out and buying 043 Tan Nude also.

7. PANIC STATIONS I am featuring a nail varnish that ISN'T NUDE. Basically, my long-standing issue with other colours is that once they loose their initial shine, dark colours show up scratches and chips so easily and I really can't abide by less-than-perfect nails. However, OPI have just launched their Infinite Shine collection and my nail guy (haha yep you heard) has persuaded me to try this colour - "Raisin' the Bar" next time I go in. He's pretty in-the-know about great varnishes so I'm going to trust him and give it a go. It's such a gorgeous shade.

Honestly, I know I've said it before, but it's official; I am poorer than I've ever been IN MY LIFE. The slightly more annoying thing is that I have no one to blame but myself. I am poor by choice, after deciding to take the man in my life away for a birthday surprise, and I totally underestimated how much all the little bits add up. Once I'd got flights and accommodation covered (was feeling all smug) things like airport transfers, luggage allowances and day trips started jumping out at me. Anyway, in all honesty I don't regret my decision at all because 1. He absolutely deserves a treat and 2. I get a holiday out of it all.

Here's what I'm wishing for this month..

Missguided Khaki Utility Dress | £30

I know this is totally disregarding all fashion advice for people with short legs and less-than-slender ankles, but all I can think about now the nice weather is IN FULL SWING (yess) is lace-up shoes. Gladiators, flats or heels I've got a feeling my next purchase will look something like one of the gorgeous pairs below...

It has to be said that I am a little too obsessed with interiors & home furnishings. To the point where I am constantly forming plans that are far bigger than 1. My Budget and 2. The amount of space I actually have in my diddy little studio flat. To try and scratch my itch without heading straight into my overdraft or becoming one of those weird crammed-in hoarders, I'm constantly adding new candles, cushions, and wall art to my online wish lists (currently on Next, NotOnTheHighStreet and M&S), but recently I've been lusting after a much bigger item; An armchair. 

After quite a while explaining exactly what kind of shabby chic/vintage chair I want to a clearly interested Kieran on the phone last week, he gently reminded that I really don't have the room for such a piece of furniture. Then, even when I started trying to convince myself that I could move my drawers to the end of the bed and cram a chair in the corner by the door, I was bought crashing back down to earth by the realisation that by having anything at the end of my bed, my fridge wouldn't open. Yes, my flat is that small.

Anyway, this blog is mostly full of me harping on about items that I wish I could own and never will, so why break the habit. Here's the armchairs I'd be snuggled up in if I could.. (yes, they're all ridiculously pricey.)

Oh hello there, it's me again. My excuse for a lack of blogging activity this time is that I've had a  couple of months where it's felt like my body has been fighting against me and malfunctioning in a way I've never experience before. It all started with a bad cold at the end of January, developed into a chest infection which strained my rib (again), my attractive face-eczema joined the party with a major flare-up in February, and it all climaxed with a horrific kidney infection at the end of March. So, I didn't feel much like blogging loads and I truly spent so much time napping in bed feeling sorry for myself I genuinely wondered if I was getting seasonal affective disorder on the side (drama queen). 

Anyway, coming out the other side (I'm aliiiiiiiveeeee!) I thought now was as good a time as any to big up some beauty/skincare/hair care products that have helped to make me feel a little bit more like me again. So here's my top 5 must-haves for May. 

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1. Nothing new to see here, but I really have done some pretty intense research in the conditioning treatment market and have ended up back where I started. I always used to be loyal to Aussie haircare, but talked myself into being really put off by the prices of  last year when I was being "sensible". Silly really, as Boots & Superdrug regularly have three-for-two offers on their shampoos/conditioners/treatments and BOOM I'm back in love with the 3-Minute Miracle Reconstructer. 

2. This was a lovely birthday gift from my friend Emma. I've owned a few Topshop beauty bits in the past but never one of these Lip Polishes. I have always liked their lipsticks but found them a little drying and I literally HATE claggy (you heard), patchy colour at the end of a night. Lo and behold, this lip glaze remedies that problem and is so moisturising (as well as long-lasting) that I wanted to kiss myself when I wore it on Saturday night. 

3. Thanks to Jessie J, who posted this wonder product on her Instagram feed, my eczema is now fully under my control. If I'm a little tired or run down and I can feel the familiar itchy/dry sensation building, all I have to do is sleep with a 'mask' of this thick oily cream on my face and it can nip a flare-up in the bud. If I leave it too late and my skin is irritated, it's the only thing that calms and cools it. Honestly, BUY THIS NOW if you suffer from any sort of dry skin complaint. You sooo won't regret it.

4. Oh, Baby Skin Anti-Fatigue Primer from Maybelline, how did I ever live without you?! This cheeky little tube of joy really does do what it says on the tin, quickly and easily blurring away eye bags, imperfections or uneven skin texture to give you a fresh-faced appearance. When I don't want to wear any makeup (or am feeling rough) this is my go-to, but it also sits nicely underneath foundation/powder as a base. A teeny tiny blob of this goes a really long way, so whilst £7.49 looks like a lot of money for the amount of product, I'd say it's worth it.

5. AND FINALLY, those amongst you with too much time on your hands might realise that I've mentioned this product before. So the fact that it's popped up here AGAIN tells you that I do think it's really rather bloody excellent. After years of drawing on my brows with pencils, I finally took the plunge and now have a gorgeous set of semi-permanent brows which I'm deeply in love with. Really, they don't need any touching up on a daily basis, but if I'm rocking particularly dark eye-makeup or I'm nearing my next treatment and the tattoo has faded slightly, this Gosh Brow Pen is ideal for filling in a bit of colour and shade. It won't smudge or budge until you use makeup remover so it's a great holiday companion because sweat (mmm) and swimming pools won't phase it. 

This post really is only for anyone who has been blessed (... cursed?) with boobs bigger than a G, so apols to others who happen to end up here but you can go and browse your vast array of delicate, lacey, backless, strapless, stick-on, front-closing, multi-way, wireless, embroidered, mesh, crop-top bras to console yourself while the rest of us congregate here in big-boobed sisterhood.

The truth is that settling for horrendously 'practical' (see: ugly) black, white or beige bras is a way of life for me, and it has been for some time. All clothing has to be chosen carefully around disguising those greying, straining extra thick shoulder straps (supposedly for more 'comfort' and 'support') and halter necks worn for any length of time undoubtedly cause lasting neck/shoulder damage. I know others can relate to that awful dull ache!

Back fat - a good sturdy roll on each side - is just inevitable because of the mandatory 3-clasp closure on these big bras. Pair the triple hooks with having to have the bra super tight around your middle to avoid under boob spillage or a black eye when your morning bus goes over a speed bump a little too quick and you've got no hope. Oh, and let's not forget that the extra secure closure also stops any spontaneous bra-whipping-off in a moment of passion, and even the most seasoned professional can't work out what on earth is going on when he reaches round to try and subtly / smoothly unleash the beasts. Que awkard struggle.

It's around this time of year that all the above bra complaints attempt to overshadow the excitement of booking any sort of holiday, because, joyfully , all these issues also apply to finding a bikini top that looks socially acceptable and actually holds anything in any sort of desirable position. The most un-ladylike thing has to be emerging from a pool / rising from a sun lounger / rolling over mid-tanning and having to heave both boobs upwards and together, whilst attempting to tuck away the excess flesh which has escaped sideways subtly under your arms.

Anyway, I clearly could (and sometimes do) talk about how damn IRRITATING it is that the boob life chose me (and don't get me started on brands charging MORE for big sizes), but I'm going to try and move this post along and give a shout out to ASOS, one of the only sites who are really trying to rectify this situation, especially in the field of swimwear. They've absolutely smashed it this year and I can't wait to start holiday shopping as soon as.

Here's my must-haves for Spring/Summer 2015 (some styles tested by my own colossal 32GG/34G chest and some great recommendations from similarly endowed pals). Enjoy.

I have a right old footwear fiasco when the weather starts to turn more Spring-y. I spend the entire time from October through to March in black boots or trainers and then suddenly, when I re-introduce lighter colours / less layers into my day-to-day wardrobe, they immediately look all butch and inappropriate on the end of my little legs.

Standard ballet pumps are a problem for me because they remind me so much of my later wilderness years - between the age of about 15 and 21 - where I just didn't know how to dress WHATSOEVER, so went for the most mainstream attire I could find and hoped for the best. They also just end up stinking - let's not be at all shy about this - at the end of a day where you've attempted to create a barrier between foot and shoe using a little elasticated 'pop sock' and it's just failed miserably. Not okay and so emotionally distressing when the damn sock pops off your ankle and rolls down inside your already slightly clammy pump. EW.

I suppose the next step towards summer would be foot exposure in some strappy sandals, but these are just way too too much too soon until about mid-July when the UK (hopefully) finally sees some proper sunshine. Also, I have a total aversion to pale feet in sandals so I'll need to actually catch some sun before that's resolved. 

I've been searching the internet for the perfect SHOES (not trainers, not boots, not sandals) and here's what's now on my purchase hit-list for March / April.