Time to Learn to Drive

Yup, you guessed right, I’ve spent the whole of my life unable to drive – I onced signed up for a driving lesson in my teens, but I hated the instructor and never went back.  After that I just didn’t bother.

Since then I’ve just managed to get by using the bus, taxis and getting lifts off of family and friends, but it really is starting to become more and more of an inconvenience – I feel some what constricted and boxed in not being able to drive somewhere.

So I have decided to take some driving lessons! I’m actually going to be in Birmingham on business for a few weeks, so I am considering taking an intensive driving course, I’ve managed to find a list of driving schools in Birmingham on City Visitor – but I’m really not sure which one to sign up with.

The complicated world of hair straighteners……..

I have had my ghd hair straighteners for a good few years now, probably a lot longer than most but I am now thinking of buying a new pair as I am not convinced they are as good as they used to be. Now although I am a fan of ghd’s I thought I should have a look at what else is out there.

Babyliss has their new Pro Radiance which is supposedly very quick to heat up and comes in a matching pink bag which also acts as a heat mat but the only thing is it looks a lot more bulky than my ghd’s.

Mark Hill offers Smooth and Shine Ceramic Style which is dubbed as your own personal stylist, but I reckon that is a bit of an overstatement! The back body and fuchsia pink magnetic plates did catch my eye and a bit cheaper than ghd’s may be a contender.

Nutriheat is not a brand I have really heard of but apparently the Nutriheat straighteners are all about tackling the damage caused to your hair by straightening it. They contain a heat activated formula that releases shine inducing silk proteins while straightening. However they are much more bulky which I don’t really want a even though my hair could do with protecting.

Although I am a bit drawn to the Mark Hill stylers I still think I will probably stick with ghd after all I haven’t had any problems with my current ones and if the new ones last just as long I don’t mind the hefty price tag.

Spring into action

As we have now had some warmer weather this past week I decided it’s about time to start getting my body into shape for summer, after putting on a few extra pounds over winter (to keep me warm obviously) I could do shedding them and also toning up my squidgy bits. On top of that my skin seems to be looking fairly dull and very pale at the moment which as I start wearing more summer clothing will look more apparent.

Obviously sticking to an exercise regime will help tone me up and loose those pesky pounds but I can’t just suddenly start that as I haven’t exercised for a good 6 months, well since we headed into winter last year! I read somewhere its best to get your body and mind ready before taking on any mammoth exercise regime a god way to do this is to enjoy a relaxing massage to loosen up all your muscles. So I have decided to motivate myself I will visit a spa, now I know most people think that would be a good prize for getting fit but it’s also a good way to get you prepared. I can have some treatments that can revitalise my skin and give me a nice glow, like a body scrub as well as enjoying a sauna to rid my body of some of its toxins.

Once I have prepared my body I think I should be in a perfect mood to get fit and healthy.

New spring summer hair

I’m due to go to the hairdressers next week and have the hard task of deciding what I want to do with my hair, currently it sits just below my shoulders with what at the moment is a fringe that is growing out badly, it is a medium brown colour with slight red and blonde thin highlights which catch the light. Although I like the colour I think for summer I want something light, not blonde again but a light brown and maybe grow out my fringe in a stylish way.

Scouring various websites for hairstyle and colours that are in this season is a harder task than you think there is so much out there but I have narrowed down to what the people in the know say is big for SS/2010.

Fringes are in although I do eventually want to grow mine out many celebrities such as Dannii Minogue, Alexandra Burke and Jessica Alba are all rocking a fringe at the moment, worn with poker straight locks for a glam evening look and messy and choppy for day – very versatile.

If you have long hair thick wavy curls are defiantly in with glam 1950’s style waves for evening and rougher surfer style loose waves for day, this style is also good for medium length hair adding volume to make it look thicker. For shorter hair sleek stylish looks are also in with sharp pixie cuts or soft bobs.

I do know I don’t want to go short just yet as it has taken me long enough to get this length from a short crop I had 3 years ago so I think I will definitely keep the length but may have to leave the colour and style in the capable hands of my hairdresser!

Brotherly Love

It’s my brothers birthday coming up so I’m currently looking at what to get him, he is two years younger than me and if it’s possible he has more clothes than me (shopping must be a family trait). He has however more expensive tastes and likes designer menswear rather than the standard TopMan and Burtons, which would better fit my wallet!

Now as much as I am an expert in designer when it comes to women’s clothing, menswear I am not so sure of so I have decided to look at many clothing websites for menswear, without getting too distracted and looking things for me, to see what I can find. Now some brands I have heard of because they also sell women’s clothes too, but some others I haven’t, one that has good choice is Firetrap which I know because I like their jeans, I like their selection of polo shirts and jumpers in a classic style which would suit my brother, (if he was born a decade or so earlier he would defiantly be a Mod). Speaking of the classic Mod style Fred Perry which was the main clothing brand for that style is great even now with many of their designs featuring that classic style but with a modern twist.

So I think I know what style to go for, classic with a modern twist, just need to decide on what item of clothing, polo shirt or stylish light jumper……..?

Tops

My friends ‘Bridget Jones’ moment

Sat enjoying a refreshing glass of wine this evening with one of my close friends who I have known for years , she admitted to me that she has had enough of trying to find love the conventional way and has decided to join the world of online dating. I did laugh although I shouldn’t have really, so many more people now find love with online dating that now there really is no stigma with it been for desperate, ugly, weirdo’s!

She has been looking at all the dating websites that are now available and there are many, to find out which would suit her, the main problem is meeting people, going on a date and having absolutely nothing in common, so you are stuck sitting there with nothing to talk about. However some of the websites she told me like www.parship.co.uk offer compatibility tests so they find someone who according to their test would be a perfect match. Thus hopefully when you find someone you like the look of you should when meeting them have plenty to talk about and share many common interests.

It does somewhat to me feel like you are taking the romance out of finding love but what do I know, I will defiantly be interested in how it works out for my friend and to see if she does find ‘the one’!

An excuse for eating Easter eggs

Recent news that chocolate is good for you will be music to the ears of many chocoholic like me and just in time for Easter, but and there is always a but with things like this only certain types of chocolate actually have health benefits.

The average milk chocolate bar with its high levels of sugar and calories as well as other flavourings is not at all good and especially in large quantities but darker chocolates and unsweetened cocoa powder is.

Now for the science part as to why, the key component of chocolate that has the health benefits are flavanoids, which are found in the seeds of cacao plants (from which chocolate is made). These flavanoids are generally bitter in taste so are normally removed in most commercial chocolate processing however darker chocolates and unsweetened cocoa powder still have some in! Hurray!

So this Easter I am going to opt for a nice darker chocolate Easter egg and enjoy safe in the knowledge it’s not that bad for me, well one isn’t!

Dark chocolate Easter egg

Picture courtesy of Chocolate Review

Looking for Vintage clothing

As much as I love shopping for new clothes and seeking out this season’s hottest trends sometimes I do get bored by seeing the same thing in every shop I come across, however I have recently taken a keen interest in vintage clothing, I find that it is a breath of fresh air into the limited options on the highstreet. As well as that recycling other peoples clothing for use myself also ups my green credentials and stops adding more older clothes to landfills thus better for the environment.

I have a couple of pieces of vintage clothing in my wardrobe although I never went out purposefully to buy them but happened across them, but it has perked up an interest so I will be looking out for places to buy vintage clothing such as charity-run second hand clothing shops, car boot sales, flea markets, antique markets, auctions, vintage clothing shops, textile or collectables fairs. As well as those places you sometimes can rely on family or friends who have pieces they no longer want especially accessories like handbags, belts and brooches.

Spring cleaning my wardrobe

As we are now in March and we have had a few days of sunshine I decided it was time to give my wardrobe a spring clean and get rid of any clothes that are old or worn, anything I really shouldn’t be wearing anymore and also put away my really thick winter clothing (although knowing British weather the last one may not be a good idea).

The best part of doing this means I will have room to buy more clothes but it will also give my wardrobe and style a bit of an update. The main problem I find when I am shopping is that fashion seems to change so frequently I don’t know where I stand half of the time with what I have already got. The best way to combat this is to by good quality basics, (things that will always be in fashion or things that can be worn with everything) such as jeans, trousers, t-shirts, vest tops, cardigans and plain and simple dresses, these items are great no matter what fashion dictates.

If you also buy good quality you will know that they will last a couple of seasons so you can spend your money instead on the things that may only be fashionable for one season, who knows if Parisian chic, lace clothing or wearing your underwear as outerwear will be in fashion next year, and I don’t want to spend too much money on styles like that if they are not going to be in! So I am going to buy the basics like a good pair of skinny jeans, some nice vest tops and t-shirts and I’d better buy some cardigans as it’s not that warm yet!

Basics

Mother’s Day gift dilemma’s

It’s coming up to the time of year where we thank our mothers for well being mothers. Since I left my teenage years behind I came to realise how great my mother actually is, as a sulky teenage I never realised how much she did for me and how much she put up with from me so as I am a bit older now I like to show her my appreciation.

Most shops seem to push any product or item they have as an ideal Mother’s Day present some however I’m not sure my mother would want. The problem I have is that anything my mum wants she normally ends up buying herself so when I hear her mention things in passing and cleverly plan to get it for her I normally find out she has already gone and got it! I have already sorted out an awesome card for her that I had personalised using my wit so it’s just the pressie I am stuck with. This year again I am racking my brain for the greatest gift, with little luck I might add, you have the usual can’t go wrong with gifts such as flowers, scented candles, a pretty scarf or some pampering however after so many years those gifts get a bit tiring.  I think I may have to scour the internet for that elusive gift and see what I find.

Mother's Day flowers

Picture courtesy of Mothers&Daughters