Questionable Ethics

I'll be 100% honest and say that I've ALWAYS been against animal testing for Cosmetic purposes. I can remember writing endless essays about it at school, checking labels for cruelty free logos and actively choosing to to shop in places like the Body Shop and Lush because they were cruelty free. Over the Winter, I carefully checked all labels for any trace of Angora, I didn't want bunnies to have suffered for me to be warm and cosy. I went through a Vegetarian phase and Vegan Phase and I still carefully select my eggs (you can't un-see those tragic images of the factory farmed chickens). I still rarely eat meat but that has more to do with the fact that my tummy seems to have issues with it, not my brain. 

I consider myself a person with ethics. I have values and things I believe in, I give to charity and I try to do my bit. Recently, I decided to start sending out letters for a Charity event which will raise a substantial amount of money for Cancer Charities. The reason I was sending letters was because I wanted to supply goody bags with a few samples and bits and bobs in as a thank you for peoples kind donations. 

Weekend Wishlist: In the Pink!

Just a little Weekend Wishlist inspired by the lovely Sunshine which makes me want to go all Girlie and Pretty in Pink! Enjoy! 

1. Heart Print Shirt £17.99 New Look, 2. Boyfriend Shorts £28 Oasis

3. Candy Fox £6 Topshop, 4. Irregular Stud Earrings £4 Oasis, 

5. Lila Mini Winged Bag £25 Accessorize

6. Metallic Leather Flip Flops £15 Accessorize, 7. Waffle Bra Dress £28 Miss Selfridge, 

8. Enamel Heart Bracelet £12 Oasis, 9. Cotton Frill Socks £3.50 Miss Selfridge, 

10. Wrap Front Bralet £22 Topshop

xxxx

This Week I'm Reading...

2 Stories about Monsters, a bereaved Tortoise and 1 Bottled Heart...

This Weeks Reading!

I know what you're thinking, 'that sounds cheerful!'. But actually I've really enjoyed get stuck in to these books this week. It started out with me asking my 12 year old brother what he's studying in English at the moment and I was so delighted when he replied 'Frankenstein'. I think Adam got more information than he bargained for as I started rambling on about how much I loved reading it and how thrilled I was with my A-level result for the associated paper (102/104 - oh yeah!). Turn's out that so far, Adam isn't a huge fan of the Gothic horror classic, but it did lead us into a conversation about Monsters. Men and Ethics that was very profound for a 12 year old so I'll let him off! It did however, prompt me to show off my beautiful edition of this book and then I wanted to read it again!

My Favourite Disney Characters

I was sat listening to the hail this morning thinking it was going to be a gloomy day when I noticed that the lovely Charlene over at tartanmouth and written a post about her Favourite Disney Characters! Having read it through and been reminded of all the wonderful Disney Characters I LOVE I noticed that Charlene hnd seen the Disney Post on Danielle's Blog - here are her Favourite Disney Characters. I thought it would be nice to keep it going, it seem's like a fun post to Write, so here are mine:

A Spring Summer Trend I'm in Love With!

Hello Lovelies!

I am not a 'Trendy' person, I buy what I like and that's about it. Normally, I loathe Spring Summer Collections. Why? Because I'm not normally a wearer of Pastel Colours or Neon Colours. I don't really suit Florals and Patterns have a W I D E N I N G effect on my frame. I am however, a big fan of Oasis. Oh I could always spend a small fortune in there and everything I've ever owned has always worn/washed so well and kept it shape so, while it may cost more than H&M or New Look, if I have the money I'm happy to spend it there.

1. V Neck Tee £12  2. Tropical Forest Shorts £35 3. Tropical Forest Shopper £40

4. Layla Leather Toepost £22, All Oasis

5. 'For the Birds' Earrings $48, Kate Spade, Matching Items Available

6. Cerise Nail Lacquer £11, Soigne at Birchbox

Johnny Loves June Vintage...and a little trip to the Farmers Market!

I've had the 10th of May in my Calendar for MONTHS! Mostly because it was World Lupus Day but also because it was the Johnny Loves June Vintage and Handmade Fair in Shoreham. Yey! I went to the Christmas one and found so so many goodies but I'd made a mistake - I'd seen something in the handmade section of someone's stall, decided to think about it, gone back and it was sold! Noooooo! Not this time haha.

Now, I'm always honest in my reviews and this is NOT a negative comment about the fair at all, it's more a comment on my personal difficulties with noise! The thing I love about this fair is the stage, they always have entertainment - last time I was there it was 3 lovely ladies singing like they were singing to the troops in the 50's, FABULOUS. And a lovely young lad singing Sinatra like a pro, Lovely. This time, My ultimate favourite, Jive! Jive dancing to some great music and I loved it, I did. But it was a lot louder than I remembered last time and sadly, with the Lupus brain fog and the music I couldn't really process anything. I got a bit panicked and that really did impact on my enjoyment. But looking around, people were loving it and the dancing was fantastic! I made the decision to whiz round, find what I was looking for and sadly, make a quick exit.

Ji Ji Kiki, My Top 7!

Hello My Lovelies!

It's that time again, My Top Picks! Today it's the lovely Ji Ji Kiki, run by Emma and her Packaging Monkeys (her words, not mine!). Ji Ji Kiki describes itself as a company run with an indie ethos which strives to bring you, the customer, unique and quirky products. Sound's great, sign me up! This independent Boutique is online only so click on over and have a nose about!

I've limited my top pick to earrings for this post but obviously, they have lot's of other lovely things. I wanted to focus on the Studs in particular because it's so hard to find nice, quirky stud earrings!

7 Of the Best Stud Earrings from Jiji Kiki - Photo's all from their Website.

Liebster Award - Blogger Community Award!

A proud moment for my Little Blog today as the lovely Rebecca Simplement nominated me for the Liebster Award. The first thing I did was Google it! haha. A little research tells me it's an award given to Bloggers with fewer than 200 followers by other Bloggers to recognise up and coming lovely Blogs. So naturally I did a little happy dance and I'm proudly displaying my little Award Badge (there are several to pick from, I like this one, the Colour suits my Blog!) and as I have accepted the award I must now follow the rules:

Love From Hetty & Dave: My Top 5!

Love from Hetty & Dave: Top 5! All Pictures from their Website

Hello Lovelies!

Time for another 'Top Picks' feature and today I'm bringing you 5 gorgeous pieces from Love From Hetty & Dave!

This gorgeous Label is the creation of Zoe Larkin, a Silver Smithing graduate from the Kent Institute of Art and Design.

These beautiful pieces are loving hand-stitched by Zoe and made from Leather. 

Zoe is based in Bournemouth so if you're ever in the area why not pop into her lovely Studio/Shop? 

(864 Christchurch Road - in case you wanted to know!)

So, on to my favourite items! I had great difficulty selecting just 5 but I am a bit OCD about following my '5 Picks'/'7 Picks' formula so today its 5!

I nearly did a feature on just the gorgeous Brooches but then I was so drawn to several of the necklaces so I just had to do a mixture!

All so Lovely *sigh*

Lets have a look in more detail...

Kate Garey, My Top 7!

Well Hello My Lovelies, I couldn't resist publishing my next Top Picks feature!

Today's feature profiles UK Designer/Maker Kate Garey. Kate studied textiles at College and started designing her brand in 2007 and launched her website in 2008. The products are made in limited numbers from really gorgeous fabrics. I received my first Kate Garey pieces for Christmas 4 years ago and they're still going strong! I've used the same beauty bag since I got it and I use my little clutch purse as often as I can! The attention to detail is outstanding and Kate's designs are so cute and quirky! This is definitely a brand to appeal to your fun side, your inner child will be thrilled! 

As I tootled over to Kate's website and started snooping around I realised she's having a sale on selected products! Hooray! Here are my favourites this week:

Kate Garey: My Top 7 Pick's!

This Week I'm Reading...

2 Novella's and a Classic...

Hello Book Lovers! This week's reading list includes Light Boxes by Shane Jones, A Matter of Death and Life by Andrey Kurkov and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. 

This Week...

As previously mentioned, I love books and have a beautiful collection! 'This Week I'm Reading' is my Wednesday Blog Feature where I bring you books old and new. I may be re-reading them or reading them for the first time but here you'll find a few thoughts and short summaries on the books I've read in the last week. Yes, I read a lot! 

Hannah Zakari, My Top 5!

Hello Lovelies!

Kicking off my New Feature (oooooh!) is the Gorgeous Hannah Zakari based in Edinburgh, Scotland. This Beautiful little Boutique also sells online (hooray!) and my goodness, do they have some real treats in the Jewellery Section! 

Founded and owned by the Lovely Rachael, Hannah Zakari are committed to sharing the work of independent designers and bringing you something a little different than your everyday high street products. In addition to the Jewellery you'll find Accessories, Art, Bags and Stationary all under one Roof (or banner, if you shop online!). 

*The purpose of my New Feature section is to bring you My Favourite, On Trend Pieces from around Web and highlight the Talented Designers who make them as well as the Gorgeous shops that stock them!*

Top 5 from Hannah Zakari, All Images are From their Website.

Did you Enjoy the Bank Holiday Weekend?

Hugo and Dave

             

After all the excitement last weekend going to see Sarah Millican (read it here), the Mr and I decided on a nice relaxed weekend at home. Friday night was #PizzaFriday - what little fatties we are! But seriously, you can't watch Gogglebox without some sort of delicious (fatty) food! 

Saturday, a lovely day to sleep in  wake up at 08:20 for no apparent reason. Matt has been at his placement all week and I think his brain has decided to sync his body clock already. Not that I minded, I'm normally up at this time and catching up with Corrie or something on the Tablet! 

Response to 'It's a Family Trait'

I recently wrote a post about my experience living with Lupus which you can read here: It's a Family Trait.

I had a lot of very Positive Feedback, as it stands the post has been viewed over 800 times, this is what some people had to say:

Review: Robinsons 'Squash'd'

I appreciate that people might think this is an odd item to review on a Blog but: I love squash, I love Peach flavoured things and I love thing's in miniature so this is a great buy from my point of view.

So, in a nutshell, the lovely people at Robinsons have created a small squeezable bottle of squash, ideal to have in your handbag or lunch box and the like. I was sceptical at first, after all, who really needs this? and then I thought about it: camping, festivals, people in hospital or away from home and day to day hydration spring to mind. My best friend hates drinking water on it's own and always has to have a bottle of squash with her. With this she can just carry this and get a bottle of water or just ask for a glass of tap water and add this! Great for toddlers (just dilute with more water) and kids. 

Ruby Ruth Dolls

I feel I should probably explain why I added a direct link to the Ruby Ruth Dolls website from my Blog. They're not my creation (Sadly!), but the creation of Brighton based Artist, Jenny Mustill. Jenny studied her degree in London and went on to work as one of Damien Hirst's studio assistants. She created the dolls to sell at a market stall in London's Brick Lane and also sold them at festivals. At this time the dolls looked very different, they were a lot smaller and filled with little beads (not dissimilar to Beanie Babies, just a lot more quirky and handmade!). During her time in Cornwall, Jenny came across the Lovely buttons which are now used as the Doll's eye's and the size of the doll's evolved to fit in with the button's! 

They're now made from a mixture of new and recycled fabrics, the little hats are made from jumpers found in charity shops and jumble sales! They're stuffed with a bead/polyester toy mix and finished with buttons and colourful threads. They each have their own little story so you might pick a 'Ruby' (who is building a spaceship in her garden and plans to take all her friends to the moon when it's finished!) or a 'Jack' (he's a Fisherman and a Poet) or perhaps even a 'Peggy' (she was quite a looker in her day and is never seen without her make-up and floral headscarf).

Lily Loves Sleeping Under the Stars

Noddy! And The Museum of Childhood

How excited was I when I stumbled across this little gem in Oxfam Books, Brighton? Errrrrm, Extremely! It's in absolutely outstanding condition, a Noddy annual style book from the 1970's. This is the kind of thing I dream of finding at Vintage Fairs and they normally have a price tag that makes me think twice (and then buy it anyway) but this beauty set me back a mere 49p. Thank you Oxfam, this one is pride of place in my Noddy Collection! 

Noddy

85p in 1974

This week....

My week began with a lovely night out with my Mummy! hahaha. We got all dressed up pretty and went into Brighton to see Dreamboats and Petticoats. We also went to Pinnochios, I forgot how much I love it there..and I also forgot how big the portions were - not that I let it stop me eating cheesy garlic bread, pizza and profiteroles! 

Tummy's extremely full we went of to the show and I have to say, it was a real feel good kinda show. A lovely sing-a-long too, even though the songs are 50's and 60's I still grew up listening to most of them! We had great seats and the cast were absolutely fabulous. It was so nice to have a night out with my Mum too :-)

I picked up a little Badge to add to my Collection! 

It's a Family Trait.

Before you read this please be aware that this is MY life, my story. It may be a long blog post but I wasn't going to cut it down in the hopes that more people would read it. You may find the content upsetting/disturbing. I won't apologise for this because it actually happened to me and I wanted to share the story. If you're going to comment, that's great! If you have something negative to say, please say it elsewhere. So, grab yourself a nice cuppa and settle down,  it's reading time!  

*Thank you*

I was 12 when I lost my Granny. It's really odd to think it was 16 years ago because it really doesn't feel like it. I still dream about it, about the last time I saw her and heard her voice. She was in the hospital and everything about her seemed to have changed. Her strong, Scottish voice sounded weak but happy, in a forced way. I can remember her saying she was fine as I played with my yo-yo (playground trends repeat themselves huh?!). I'm already welling up and looking at the screen through glazed eyes but I really feel I need to do this. She'd lost her sight, her stomach was swollen like she was pregnant - such a shock to me because I don't think I ever thought of my Granny as fat or big so to suddenly have this stomach really surprised me. 

My Granny

The fact that she was in hospital wasn't a huge shock, I mean to say, it wasn't my first experience of her being ill. She'd had a heart attack 2 years before. To give you an idea of the kind of woman she was, she called an ambulance and then went downstairs to open the door to her flat. Whilst having a heart attack. She was one tough cookie, My Mum tell's me the greatest stories of when she was a kid, all the things that went on that my Granny pulled through. She was strong. According to my Mum it's a family trait...

When Granny passed away I was devastated but I'm not sure how much it showed. I don't remember crying but I must have, I've certainly cried a million times since. We didn't know, until afterwards, that my Granny had Lupus. We didn't even know what Lupus was which I think is understandable, I meet a great many people now who have never heard of it and there's so much information available now. It was Kidney failure, I believe, that they said she officially 'died' from. Obviously, Lupus played it's part.