Are you a Natural Beauty?

With two teenage daughters, I was very worried that when they started using make-up I would see girls with make up plastered all over them, plus that our bank balance would be hit with lots of 'mistakes'.

My girls are very different, one a very girlie girl and one who does not wear 'make-up' in the true sense of the word.  So how do you combat such different tastes?

My eldest would never walk into a store and take a look and test etc, but I was still aware that she would  need to look after her skin and be able to combat teenage spots etc.  So, thank goodness for the Internet and this fabulous site,  Lilys Perfumery. 

We can all now sit and browse the site at our leisure in the comfort of our own home and have that very exciting moment, when our lovely postman Dave brings our very gorgeous packaged goodies.

Now please humour me and let me share with you some of our favourite buys and why!

Gale Hayman Lipstick - £3.99

This is the fabulous Gale Hayman lipstick barely there.  It does exactly what it says on the tin, the colour I think is perfect for every skin tone and just gives your lips that luscious sun kissed look.  I actually bought this for myself, but funnily enough it seems to have jumped into my youngest's make up bag! The casing is fab too, with the signature Gale Hayman leopard print at the top of the case, if you have never tried Gale Hayman before, I think this is a definate make-up bag staple!

My must have, never will be without it,  is.........

Elizabeth Arden Sun Goddess Bronzer Powder - £10.49

This is amazing price, I first bought this on holiday in Miami, and it certainly had a Miami inspired price tag to go with it!  So I'm thrilled to be able to get it delivered to my door at such a fabulous price. The compact with the mirror is fabulous and the brush is great, I use it as a blush and just to brighten and lift without  having that too much make up on feel.

Ed Hardy Geisha Blue Make up set by Christian Audigier - £18.99

Ed hardy inspired, not only looks good but is iconic and timeless and a great funky set for teenagers or those young at heart!  I wish they had these when I was younger!  Would make a great birthday gift or well done in your exams present.  it is fully loaded with all of any girls must haves:-

• 6 Eye Shadows
• 3 Lip Colours (7g)
• 1 Bronzer (8.5g)
• 1 Solid Perfume: Love Kills Slowly
• 1 Solid Perfume: Love & Luck
• 1 Lip brush
• 1 Eyeshadow brush
• 1 Blusher Brush

And finally just to indulge myself, for those like me that sometimes get it 'wrong' for those hard to buy for people in your life, then please take a look at;

Mens Fragrances - Womens Perfume and of course who does not like to receive a Gift Voucher !

So you think Social Networking is boring? ................ Think Again!

So you have a blog, you dip into Facebook , Twitter and Linked in and now you just sit and wait, and with a wing and a prayer you will have that Eureka moment and millions of followers!  Well, actually No it's just not like that, more or a case of what you put in, you will hopefully get out.

Like all Social Networking platforms, they all have there place and you need to 'pitch' what you are doing in a interesting and informative way, but how do you keep up with trends, what's the next 'best thing' and mingle amongst like minded people?

Well there is one site, that will grab you by your boot laces, have you marching for England! (and Scotland, and Wales and overseas!).  Ladies and Gents, let me me introduce you to SEND IN THE TROOPS! which strangely enough is not political, nothing to do with war or such like but a Fabulous site that empowers you to help each other.

So for a quick how to, pop over to the main page and look in the notes section for how to join (simply hit like !) how to march! you will then join other FB peeps and march together, and more importantly how to get marched on!

If you are marching, the 'SARGE' will advise which page you have to march onto, you like it leave a comment, and hopefully all likes get returned.  If you are chosen to be marched on then you can expect at least 200+ more likes overnight!

Now this is not for the feint hearted, Sarge runs a type squad and if you Can't keep up, you can go back and find the sites you missed, a list is always put up after each march.

Some quick top tips!  Keep your comments current, do not paste the same comment on each link as FB will see this as spamming!  Always sign in from your personal page and leave the likes/comments from your business page.

Now some facts:-

• Send in the Troops is just over 3 months old and has over 8,600 followers!
• Its empowering, you can meet and greet like minded people and share info etc.
• If you want to know who can supply something, imagine having over 8,000 people that can help you!
• It is actually great FUN!
• It's one of the fastest growing, professional networking sites that is FREE!

So go, on join the Troops, dust off your Jimmy Choos ! get on that lipgloss and get marching!

Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh its half term again!

Well we all have that feeling as busy Mums/Dads don;t we, Yes the upside is that its great as no school runs, so its easier to get around and its lovely to have your children at home. However most of us have only just recovered from the recent Bank Holidays and the extra one for the Royal Wedding.

The other un-certain thing is the weather !  Fabulous if we have loads of sunshine, but what do you do, if it is raining.  When my three were small, I had a 'making table' which they loved.  it was always set up, covered with a wipe down vinyl tablecloth and full of wondrous goodies! To be hones, I had just as much fun as them, as I would always make myself available to be 'creative' with them.
I mean, you always love glitter and bling, after all a girl can never have too much bling! and actually the boys enjoyed it too!  So how can you create a good making table?

My top tips would be to buy some basic items, but first and foremost that wipe down vinyl tablecloth, after all, you know in all the chaos things will get knocked over and spilt and pva glue always manages to get everywhere!

So once you have your table and a cover, lets think of what to put on it!  One of the first making things you can do is to make some storage container, now I don't want you to go out and buy them, I don;t even want you to use your best Tupperware!  Make them, empty ice cream cartons, butter cartons etc and decorate them! Now lets have some ideas for the type of things you can put on your 'making table'

Well I think tissue paper is always a good start! its colourful, tactile, can make fab flowers and the like and sounds great when scrunched up.

Now whilst I have my health and safety hat on, always use children's scissors after all, you do not want your kitchen scissors to disappear but more to the point you must make sure that small hands are sensible with scissors!

Pipe cleaners are great too, so many things you can made and do, and because you can bend them and make something, then tomorrow your fabulous cat could become a little cute dog!

And of course lets not forget the GLITTER! after all it has to be done, and children love all that sprinkling and mixing colour!

So with Fathers Day fast approaching, make it more personal and get the children to make cards, much more fun and it will keep them entertained!

We would love to see what you make and create! 

Also remember to display there artwork in the kitchen or on a wall, encouragement goes a long way!

For more ideas for more items to add to your making table, why not visit Rainbow Creations who can offer a great choice at good value and all delivered safely to your door!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post, just happy to spread the word on a good reliable web site.

Blue spots - Just for a change!

Magpie Monday!

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Now I have to confess that I love all things spotty and dotty!  Especially Pink! which seems to adorn all manner of things in my craft room, trays, cups, table covers............ need I go on.

So I was a bit lapse last week with regard to Magpie Monday due to the children being off and having a busy time with customer orders etc so I was very pleasantly surprised when I managed to find time to visit the local car boot on Saturday morning.

I went to see the lovely man that sells fresh vegetables, at low prices but high quality.  As I turned around with my over sized cauliflowers and bags bulging with cooking apples and rhubarb, I saw this...........

It is actually a white spotted blue roman blind. Its actually a lovely pale blue (the picture does not do it justice) and it is about 4 feet wide by about 10 feet drop.   The fabric is upholstery quality and it is lined.   Sadly it will be cannibalised and the rods given to a friend who makes blinds, the Fabric will be made into pockets for my new range of children's aprons, so as soon as I have made one I will photograph it and post for you all to see, it will not be this week sadly as I have rather a lot of other things to do first!

My blind cost 50p  which was an absolute bargain, I gave the lady a £1 and said I did not want the change, but she insisted on giving it to me!

Linking up with:
Flea market finds

Magpie Monday

and

Thrift Share

A Tisket A Tasket, I love my Pink Gingham Baby Basket!

This is the latest of the baby baskets to leave Never Forget.

This was an order for a small basket, which as normal is lined with pink checked gingham and edged with broderie anglaise.   The basket is finished off with pink ribbons.  Once all of the bespoke baby items are placed inside, it is wrapped in cellophane and finished off with a personalised ribbon which also has the baby's name and birth date!

Inside the basket we placed at the customers request:-

A Pink Teddy Baby comforter edged with satin and satin backed.

Gorgeous frilled baby socks in a voile pouch and bottom of socks have Little on one foot and Angel on the other! for that real Awwwwww factor!

a pink spotted personalised baby blanket which was personalised with baby's name and finished off with a pink spotted bow!

A personalised baby bib with our lovely honey coloured bear with pinks scarf and personalised with baby's name and edged in pink and white gingham bias binding!

A personalised card showing name and baby's birth date a great keepsake for years to come!

And this is the basket complete with personalised ribbon and finished off with cellophane prior to being delivered!

I love making bespoke baby baskets and I know that the new mums love to receive them!

Curtains, Sheets and more Sheets

Magpie Monday,

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Well this will be a bit of a 'hurried'  Magpie Monday, on account of three children being off school, orders to get out, washing, ironing and deliveries to do!

My finds this week really are a blast from the past!

So from the top, we have a double pair of brand new candy striped sheets, just like I had on my bed as a child!

In the middle a lovely pair of heavy weight navy gingham curtains.

At the bottom a brand new double vintage bed sheet.

Now those that know me well, will know that none of them will end up as they were originally meant too!

As soon as I have a 'free sewing day' I will start creating.

Could not believe  that both sheet sets were brand new! and perfectly 'vintage'

I paid £6 for the striped sheets (two of them - double size)

£6.25 for the gingham curtains

and £5.99 for the vintage floral double sheet (only one of them but I have a great idea of what they will become!)

Will post pics at a later time to show what happened to them all.

Good Luck everyone and happy hunting!