Out in the garden where we planted the seeds...

Navy dress: BS8

Gold squirrel necklace: H&M

Tan belt: Topshop

Black leggings: Topshop

Tan brogues: Topshop

Rings: JWLRY and Elsiebelle

I went to Bristol yesterday with my husband, as neither of us had any interest in watching the Royal Wedding and we wanted to make the most of our day off. It was like a ghost town! I bought the diplodocus ring from a little boutique on Park Street, and my husband bought me the navy dress from BS8, which is one of my favourite shops in Bristol. 

In the (horrid!) close-up photos, I am trying to show you my make up, but my silly laptop camera has washed out the colours! I am wearing my usual base layer, with MAC Fleur Power blush, Urban Decay Sin eyeshadow and Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Electric. Oh, my nails are Topshop Green Room. I love this colour, but the formula sucks. Unusual for Topshop polishes actually - all of the other shades I have apply beautifully.

Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine!

Here's a bonus photo of one of my outfits from last week. I wore it to meet some friends for an after-work drink.

 Polka dot dress: Topshop
Grey jersey cardigan: Topshop
Leggings: H&M
Studded pumps: Topshop


Oops, an almost entirely Topshop outfit!

Look me in the eyes under expanding winter skies...

Wow, what a glorious few days! Sunny bank holidays?! Whatever next? I am sitting writing this post wearing something I haven't worn for at least six years - TROUSERS! Yes, I ventured into the world of cropped trousers last week and haven't looked back since. I've only bought one pair (so far) but have several bookmarked for when I have some money... These are the ones I've got:

Trousers: River Island, Tee: H&M, Studded pumps: Topshop, Fish necklace: Accessorize, Squirrel necklace: H&M, Flower bracelet: Accessorize.

I also tried on these two pairs, but didn't buy them. The first pair are actually supposed to be full length trousers, but since I have very long legs they actually look cropped. I think they could do with being rolled up a little more though.

Trousers: Dorothy Perkins, Top: Dorothy Perkins, Brogues: Topshop

Trousers: River Island, Top: Cath Kidston for Uniqlo, Brogues: Topshop, Necklace: Tatty Devine via eBay, Rings: eBay

Another thing I've got into recently is crackle nail polish. I bought the Barry M black crackle polish AGES ago but it just sat in my make up bag unused until I decided to use it in the week. I've worn it over Models Own Feeling Blue and Collection 2000 Hip Hop, each time adding a coat of Seche Vite as I prefer a glossy crackle effect rather than the matte effect that the polish alone gives. 

Barry M Black Crackle over Collection 2000 Hip Hop

Barry M Black Crackle over Models Own Feeling Blue

Penultimate photo for today is a terrible changing room picture of my new River Island dress, which my mum bought for me in Birmingham on Thursday. The picture washes out the colour somewhat - it's actually a vibrant bright orange shade:

Dress: River Island, Brogues: Topshop, Necklace: Tatty Devine via eBay, Rings: eBay 

Final photo for today (I promise!) shows my running triumph from Thursday - I ran just over 5km! I am at the end of week six of my nine week programme, so I think I am doing pretty well and am therefore entitled to feel a little smug!

Well, that's all from me today folks! I hope you are all well and enjoying the weekend.

xxx

Look out upon the Myriad Harbour...

Just a quick outfit post today as we're off out to see Andy's mum in about ten minutes! I am wearing a new dress which Andy bought for me yesterday - I love it! I think I need to practise my poses as I always look so uncomfortable in my outfit posts. I hate having my photo taken though, as you can probably see from these beauties...

Dress: Matalan

Jeans: Topshop

Boots: Asos

Necklace: Accessorize

I won't bore you all by listing my make-up, as you can see I'm not wearing very much anyway! Let's call it the natural look...

Also, I want to thank all of you lovely people for following my blog - I can't believe that 107 people are interested in my ramblings.

I've been keeping going with the Couch to 5km programme I mentioned a few weeks ago, apart from a week off whilst I was in hospital. I am in the middle of week four and absolutely loving it. Definitely check it out if running is something you're interested in but you're not quite sure where to start!

We're off to see the wizard...

Dress: Topshop via eBay

Vest (just seen): Topshop

Tights: H&M

Brooch: Dorothy Perkins via eBay

Shoes: Office

Lips: MAC Faux

Eyes: MAC Shroom shadow, TBS Carbon eyeliner, Max Factor Masterpiece mascara in black

Face: MAC Select concealer in NW15, MAC Pro Longwear foundation in NC15, TBS All-in-One Face Base in 02

We're off out to Cheltenham for a surprise birthday party shortly. I am looking forward to it, haven't been out for ages! I think I might end up changing the tights to failsafe black ones in a mo though, I feel a bit chunky in these ones! Also need to redo my hair, I swear it looked fine two seconds before taking the photos. Annoying!

Hope everyone is having a lovely Saturday. 

Oh what can I do, I'm still dreaming of you...

Such a glorious day today! I added touches of coral and orange to my outfit and make up today, as I feel they are such spring-like colours. I went for one of my favourite lipsticks (Topshop Brighton Rock) and my underused MAC Melba blush. I don't know why, but I tend to overlook Melba in favour of more pinky shades. Photos were taken using my laptop's inbuilt camera, so look a little washed out I'm afraid! I've added the close up one of my legs as I'm always concerned about the size of my thighs but think they look ok in this picture! Perhaps I have been worrying about nothing all this time, or perhaps it's just a flattering photo...

Firework print dress: Dorothy Perkins

Camel cardigan: Topshop

Orange tights: Accessorize

Vampire blood necklace: H&M

Lipstick: Topshop Brighton Rock

Blush: MAC Melba

Plus the usual MAC Select concealer (NW15) and MAC Pro Longwear foundation (NC15).

What are your favourite spring shades?

Spring has sprung...

Spring has sprung... by carelessthoughts 

First outfit: Cath Kidston Uniqlo tee and Topshop skirt

Second outfit: Antoni & Alison Uniqlo tee and River Island shorts

Third oufit: Topshop blouse and Miss Selfridge shorts

Earrings: She Draws and Plastic Bat, both at Hannah Zakari

Recent eBay purchases...

From top to bottom: Topshop t-shirt (£4.96), Tatty Devine necklace (£14.99), Topshop dress (£5.50), Assorted rings (£2.20), Primark dress (£1.99).

All bought in the last three weeks. Bargains! The Tatty Devine necklace cost more than I'd usually spend on eBay, but I've wanted it for so long so I snapped it up at its "Buy It Now" price of £14.99 as soon as I saw it. It retailed at around £40 years ago, so I thought £14.99 was a really good price.

All pictures were taken from the eBay auctions.

March 2011 Polyvore...

Untitled by carelessthoughts 

Top row L-R: Helpless Romantic brooch, £12, Tatty Devine necklace, £45, ASOS wedges, £35, Topshop blouse, £36.

Bottom row L-R: Stolen Thunder necklace, £29, Tatty Devine necklace £21, Topshop jeans, £40, Topshop trousers, £42, Topshop trousers, £45.

Outfit post...

We went out last night and this is what I wore...

Please excuse the hideous photos - I am terrible at having my photos taken! I never know whether to smile or not, so always end up with some weird half-serious, half-gormless look on my face.

Anyway, outfit details are as follows:

Floral jersey dress: Topshop

Brown leather belt with heart detail: Topshop

Grey jersey cardigan: Topshop, via eBay

Forest green tights: M&S

Long black ribbed socks: New Look

Taupe wedges: Office (a sale bargain!)

Vampire teeth and blood necklace: H&M

We had a really good night, although I spent much of it worrying that my skirt was too short!

Yet another Topshop wishlist...

I went to the shops and I bought...

Didn't get the zebra blouse as it was too short for me :( I know it's a cropped style, but it just looked incredibly unflattering on. I was very disappointed as the print is beautiful, until I found the bird print blouse in New Look, which is GORGEOUS in real life. Mine actually has more birds on it, but I couldn't find an exact picture online. The ring and leggings are from Topshop, the telephone necklace is from Accessorize, the pussy bow blouse is from New Look and the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Daily Scrub (wow, that's a mouthful) is from Boots. I tried a sample of the scrub last year and liked it, but only just got round to buying it!

January 2011 Polyvore...

January 2011 by carelessthoughts on Polyvore.com

Skincare Purchase - Soap & Glory The Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser

I received a late Christmas present yesterday, a £10 Boots voucher from my great uncle. I finished work at 12.15pm today (the joys of being a supply teacher) so popped into town and headed straight for Boots, intending to treat myself to something I wouldn't normally buy. 

I LOVE the Soap & Glory body range, but haven't tried much from the facial skincare range as it's a little too expensive for me. However, I have been very impressed with the things I have tried (The Fab Pore 15 Minute Facial Peel and The Greatest Scrub of All Self-Activating Facial Smoother Exfoliator) so I was keen to try something else. My skin is very temperamental and I struggle to find cleansers that work for me (they are either too drying on my dry bits, too moisturising on my oily bits or too harsh on my sensitive bits) so I was very intrugued when I came across The Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser, which is, according to the Boots website, "a natural all-in-one cleanse, polish & skin smoothing cream" and which comes with a muslin cloth. Make up removal, cleansing and toning in one step? Sounds perfect, right? It costs £9.19 for 100ml which is more than I'd normally spend on a cleanser, but if it works I'll be sure to buy it when it's on offer as Boots often have 3 for 2 offers across their skincare ranges.

Online reviews are very good and it has been compared favourably to Liz Earle's famous Cleanse & Polish™ Hot Cloth Cleanser, which I have been wanting to try for a while.

I will write a review in a couple of weeks time.

Soap & Glory The Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser

Oh, I may or may not have bought a cardigan in the Topshop sale today... In my defence, I bought it with two £10 vouchers I got for Christmas so I didn't actually spend money on it...

A NARS purchase and two wants...

Just bought a NARS Orgasm blush with a £15 House of Fraser voucher I got for Christmas, meaning it cost me £4.50. Bargain! It will be delivered to my local store tomorrow (for free!) so I will report back once I've tried it...

NARS Blush in Orgasm, £19.50

I want these Office wedges BADLY. They are now £31.50, down from £92. A bargain. I love wedges and I love buckles, so I need these. But I am determined to stick by my no shopping rule, at least until the end of the month...

Office Wellington Kings Wedges, £31.50

Last but not least, after a recommendation from Allie at Allie in Wonderland, I really want these Topshop jeans...

Moto Super Soft Blue Leigh Jeans, £36

Topshop Virtual Makeover tool...

I had a play with the Topshop Virtual Makeover tool a couple of days ago. It was fun! Here are the results, plus the products I used...

Left = before, right = after.

The products I used.

I didn't pick a very good photo to start with so it was quite tricky to get the lipstick right (you are supposed face the camera straight-on but I was slightly skewiff, as you can see), but I like the end result.

Also, you can just about see my Accessorize Aztec nails - I love this polish!

NOTD: Topshop Misfit

Described by Topshop as a "violet nail polish, fast drying, extra long wear with lasting glossy finish and perfect coverage."

I love this! It was recommended in Grazia's Christmas edition but I'd already bought it - ahead of the game or just addicted to polish? Hmm...

Here are some pictures, the final one was taken with the flash on:

Topshop Misfit, £5 for 8ml