Obsessed Much

I may be a year late with my latest wish list item but please bear with me.  On our last Tuesday evening in Marbella, whilst sipping a Cosmopolitan on the terrace of La Sala, a group of girls walked out that I hadn't noticed when eating inside earlier.  One girl/lady (whatever) in particular looked absolutely amazing and reminded me of Kat from doesmybumlook40.  She had the same hair colour and wore it in a very high ponytail.  The dress she was wearing was stunning, it was a nude/blush pleated backless maxi that just fell from the neckline as she tottered out of the restaurant in the highest of heels.  It was one of those moments when you are so in awe of another woman's beauty/outfit, well just everything about her really and even the depression of wishing you were the said woman's age, probably 20 years younger, still doesn't detract from the fact that this girl looked amazing.  I wish I had asked for her photo, although she would have no doubt thought I was some sort of pathetic weirdo but it would have been a look worthy of any Pinterest board.
Her dress also reminded me of one Kat bought last year (this is the part where I am a year late on the pleated dress front) although I couldn't remember if it was backless but I remember she bought it for a wedding and had it taken up, which after seeing this dress in Marbella, feels like a shame somehow and ever since I have been back from holiday I keep thinking that I want a pleated dress. Obviously not backless at my age "choke" and one with sleeves would  be wonderful although I doubt I will ever find one.  It turned out Kat's one from last year was a Cos number, so I made that my first port of call and sure enough, they have one that may well fit the bill.  I swear I could buy all my dresses from Cos, I think it's the A Line cut that suits my apple shape perfectly......

Cos £89.

Here is a backless one from Next for those of you who fancy a bit of back exposure.  Hopefully you would be able to leave the belt off and add heels to make it more glamorous.

Next £50.

Ted Baker £199 at Asos.

Biba at House of Fraser was £189 now £132.30. Also available in red.

Teal Pleat Maxi Dorothy Perkins £40.

If I've got you hooked on the idea of pleats but a maxi dress is not your thing, then look no further than this blush coloured number.....

Karen Millen £175

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OK so this post was drafted over a week ago, I've been busy I'm afraid so to update you..........

I ordered the dress and love it!  It hides a multitude of sins, shame it doesn't have sleeves then every problem area would be covered.  It only came in small, medium or large so I ordered the biggest size although normally a 16 would equate to an XL. It's a bit tight on the bust underneath the outer layer where there is a seam across the top of my bust, but it is too lovely to send back. I might see if a seamstress can do anything or give up food completely for a month and hope that like most women, I lose the weight from my boobs first!

So Kat, I know you are off to Marbella in July so be sure to go for dinner at La Sala in your Cos pleated number and knock em dead honey!

Have you seen somebody wearing something lately that you have just had to track down and buy?

Product Junkie - John Freida Luxurious Volume

Lank, damp and frizzy has been an apt description of my hair of late. Not only here in the UK over the last few days with the heavy downpours, but also during my week in Marbella where the weather could only be described as unusual for the time of year.  It was wet, windy and overcast, all of which played havoc with my hair.  The only advantage being that I didn't have to wash it every night (a job I hate) like you normally do on holiday when you have been sunbathing and in the pool all day, so imagine how delighted I was to come home to a parcel from John Freida which would have been perfect for use on my holiday but one that will be a very welcome addition to my bathroom shelf.

I am a huge fan of Frizz Ease when I don't have time to allow my hair to dry naturally and need to blow dry, it really is the perfect way to tame my locks for a smooth finish.

I don't usually use a spray specifically for volume when blow drying but I don't like my hair flat to my head and with a centre parting, it is often difficult to achieve, so this Fine to Full Blow-Out spray will be perfect for my current hair style.

Dry Shampoo is a hair care must have, especially for someone like me who puts off washing till I really can't get away with it any longer and this John Frieda Volume Refresh Dry Shampoo not only smells divine but it is a fine spray which doesn't leave a thick white powdery slick down my parting like many similar products I have used in the past.

So if you are concerned about thickness and would like to add volume when styling, you can finally love your fine hair with the Luxurious Volume range which also includes shampoo, conditioner and a root booster blow dry lotion.

If you are looking for expert hair care and styling tips, don't forget to check out the John Frieda YouTube Channel where you can find tutorials on curling, waving, how to use Frizz Ease with ease, along with the heads up on the new product range I am currently reviewing here.

Are volume boosting products on your hair care shopping list?

Holiday Essentials - Kaftan Chic

Forget the denim shorts and vest tops you have been taking on holiday for the last two years or so as your swimsuit cover-up, yes they serve a purpose and are great for daytrips or a walk around the local market but when it comes to pool or beachside glamour, nothing cranks up the glam factor more than a Kaftan.

Just imagine a day on the beach in St Barts wearing a floaty Pucci number, well we can all dream can't we? But in truth you don't need to spend a fortune to achieve the celebrity look, just look at Coleen Rooney who is just as comfortable in this River Island number from their Pacha collection as she is wearing Melissa Odabash or Missoni.

The traditional Kaftan is full length but a mini or midi length version is a light and chic way to conduct some serious posing in the pool/beach bar area or make for a sassy cover up when you fancy a paddle.

Plain or patterned, Kaftans suit every age, just look at Elle and Cindy, don't they look fab?

Get the Celebrity look on a budget with my top picks from the High Street........

White Zig Zag Tie Waisted Kaftan £19.99 New Look. Aztec Geo Full Length Kaftan £24 Dorothy Perkins. Paradise Print Kaftan £20.00 Dorothy Perkins. Blue Mojito Kaftan £135.00 from John Lewis. Autograph Snakeprint Kaftan £39.50 Marks and Spencer. Juliet Dunn Kaftan £95 at John Lewis.

Are you a shorts, beach dress or kaftan kinda gal?

Product Junkie - Beauty Buys, Freebies And Bargains

Lots of fabulous beauty freebies with the June Glossies!  I bought Elle magazine as I was in need of a new mascara to see me through till I visit the Duty Free Chanel counter and have only heard good things about the Benefit one, which although isn't a full size product, still works out to be worth in the region of £9. Instyle have a choice of Nails Inc colours, red, pink or peach tones and Red magazine have a selection of Aromatherapy Associates products, I opted for the Rose moisturiser.



I picked up this Inecto Coconut Body Butter in my local Tesco the other evening for the princely sum of 50p! What a bargain, and the product is completely paraben free which is good news for my skin!
My May Glossy Box arrived and I got another mascara, this time by Jelly Pong Pong and a nail polish by a brand I have never heard of but needs to be taken into serious consideration for the holiday mani/pedi which colour do I choose  dilemma. Summer 2012 was all about Holiday and the previous year, Orange Fizz so maybe Fracas should be the one, I just can't decide.  I really wanted a bottle of China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy but haven't been able to get one and have stupidly left it too late to order online.  For me, it looks like the perfect holiday colour.

 

Mani/Pedi update - after an instagram and twitter shout out for nail colour advice, I went against what most of you suggested and opted for Orange Fizz in the end!


What are your favourite beauty buys or magazine freebies this month?

   

Thank God It's Friday

Although it ain't over yet. I'm working all weekend as well, so by the time I actually get to Marbella on Wednesday, I think I will sleep for a week and will never again text my regular clients reminding them to book in before I go away, it was not a smart move in hindsight!

 

So this week the coffee machine has been working overtime.

 

I spent hours decorating my beauty room for a bridal party booking where I prepared tasty treats,
cocktails and added a sprinkling of confetti.

 

Got my daughter to pick me up a cobalt blue maxi dress I had seen in Gap after convincing myself I didn't need anything new for my holiday.

   

Deciding which summer sandals to take away with me. I can never resist a bit of sparkle in the sunshine!

 

At least some members of the family had time to laze around soaking up the sunshine.

Oh and if you don't already have it, download Viber for your phone to send and receive free calls and text whilst abroad and eliminate those horrendous mobile phone bill charges. Find out more here and get all your friends and family to join too.

Wishing you all a happy and relaxing weekend.

Out With The Pugs Wearing New Uggs

I have always been a huge fan of Ugg boots and have built up quite a collection over the years.  Most are classic in style and colour, although I couldn't resist a leopard print pair a few years back and am always looking at updated new season styles as soon as they hit the stores.

 

Case in point, this seasons "Meet Me In Marrakesh" collection which not only consists of stunning sandals and wedges for warmer weather (there are a few pairs on my lust list) but also features a classic mid style boot with pretty Moroccan tile inspired floral embroidery, so when I got the offer of reviewing a pair, it was an opportunity I would be a fool to have turned down from one of my favourite footwear brands.

I never fail to remember how wonderful it feels to pull on a new pair for the very first time, the ultra soft and comfy sheepskin feels heavenly underfoot and I love the shorter style with it's deep sheepskin cuff for all to see.

 

I took them out for a test drive on a cliff top walk with the pugs last week and it seems Poppy was more than a little impressed by my new footwear.......

The embroidered mid boot comes in three colours, Chestnut, Sand and Sea and costs £210.  Buy here.

 

Summer Loving at Joe Browns

I am a huge fan of bright colours, florals and prints when it comes to summer dresses.  A dress that is bright and bold can be worn by women of any age, the floral trouser trend, not so much.

I love the simplicity of summer dresses worn with a pair of flat strappy sandals and how wearing one on a hot summers day turns the daily outfit dilemma into a breeze. School runs, throw on a dress and your done, trips into town, ditto.

It was an instagram status by Joe Browns which led me to investigate their summer day dress/holiday attire options and I have been both pleasantly surprised by the prints, styles and more importantly when you have a holiday looming, the price points.

£27.95.

£24.95

£32.95

Team any of these with metallic footwear and a matching bangle and banish any thoughts of winter layers to the back of your mind. Well for a month or two at least!

What do you think of my three favourites and what is your top brand when looking to buy a reasonably priced summer dress?

Take a look at all the Joe Browns dresses here.