The Get Ready for Spring/Summer : Part 1

So it may already be spring by the date but here in the UK. It still is mighty nippy (cold). So this post of getting ready for spring/ summer does not seem so stupid as this is preparation for the nicer weather! (fingers crossed)

Going back to the start of year when resolutions were made, I didn't make a resolution but I told myself I would 'take care/ look after myself this year'.

The first two months didn't quite work out at all, but as we are in the third month already (where time has flown to I don't know). I have decided as I now work in an office, sat on my behind most the day. I would make sure that my "peachy" (peachy is the new nick-name for my bum in work) would not go flat like a chair.

That being said I researched on the wonderful Youtube what is the least time consuming exercises I could do to maintain my bum in tip top shape.

I was correct, squats were good, so were donkey kicks and an odd looking leg lift to the side.

I don't do these everyday! if I did I would look so oddly shaped it would be quite off putting. Instead I try to at least once every other day or 2 days (basically no less than three days a week).

Next I am a small girl on the top area (if you get what I mean), so I too researched any exercises that could help build the muscle area around them to appear bigger ( I am full well there are no exercises that can actually make them bigger).

I found a rather charming girl online showing how she does her exercises so I thought why not give this a try! (no harm can be done, by trying?)

Next Looking after my skin/ making me feel good!

Confidence is the key to surviving the bikini clad, daring girls of summer. Nothing can help you with this unless you help yourself in my opinion. So starting from I will say today! I shall take care of my hair, skin, face and nails.
 This will give me confidence in myself that I look/feel and smell good therefore giving off the illusion I am a confident blonde.(Secretly I want to hide in an Alice and wonderland world where I meet fluffy white rabbits)

 What am I going to do to achieve this? simple buy the right products and use them! Yes that means no hoarding them because I think they will look pretty or will save them for a nice day. (because Charlotte that nice day will come and gone a dozen times till you finally look at it and realise it's gone all ewwyy fide).

My partner had nicely given me a budget of £25 to spend in the lush store.
 I have only ever owned the 'dragon's egg'. I too kept that so long till the smell wore off and I was just in a bath of soft glitter!.
 I thought it would be fun and I would be having to choose what to put back to be in budget. 
Instead I was spoilt for choice so much, that Curtis had to step in and tell me what to pick. (There is a haul coming next week on my lush buys).

So with them in mind I shall make sure I treat myself once a week to a nice bath bomb and give my hair some TLC. (Not that it's abandoned now as I don't dye it. So it's okay! I hope)

Now the fun and exciting bit! CLOTHES SHOPPING.

I have two chest of drawers, a clothes rail and still end up with a pile sat on the floor (excluding the weekly pile up of ironing to be done). I still always end up finding myself looking at it and thinking aww I wish I had that kind of clothing to match with this or this to wear with that.
 So naturally I end up trying to find it in my next Primark shop (that haul is available online, see below for link)

So I can hear you saying what on earth is this post about Charlotte other than what is going on in your crazy mind! (shopping, shopping, jelly beans, shopping, food... mmm...)

Well I am going to share with you over the next few weeks in a few separate parts of my lead up to spring/summer warmer weather and I am inviting you lovelies to join in!.

I am going to tag my fellow welshie friend Sarah Siobhan in this but I tag you all!!:

Create a post on what's in your to do list for this spring/ summer, tag my name in there somewhere and I shall have a nose at your ideas/blog.

Happy Days Lovelies 

Charlotte
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Links:
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Un1que_Beautys
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SecretMoonDevil
Sarah Siobhan : http://cubsjourney.blogspot.co.uk/

Little pieces to make your home, homely

So throughout the past 6 months of living in our first place together, our apartment is starting to look more us (well more me actually as I have free reign to decorate and don't think he would pick most the bits I have for it). Our house is very homely and we both enjoy coming home to our apartment and looking at our changes we have made.
so let me show you the changes and what little bits you could add/change to make your new place homely or even add new life to your rooms.

Let's start with our bedroom, it is nowhere near finished but it's getting there! when we moved in it was a mix of colours; Cream papered walls, black & purple bed, light brown vintage wardrobes, golden love seat, green curtains/ cushions, gold/black/brown/ red pictures then lastly and most oddly a purple chandelier. Now I ADORE chandeliers I very nearly pooped excited jelly beans when I saw our new home had chandeliers but why on earth a purple chandelier in a room with absolute no purple in it at all!?!
So here is what we are doing to change it. We had both decided and been after new lamp shades for our bedside lamps since we moved in, Curtis hated the swirled cream lamp shades that came furnished with the rental. I personally wanted to try and change the bedroom to purple to match the chandelier (heaven knows why as I have had different shades of purple bedrooms since I was 6 and I have been trying to get away from purple since I got bored of it at 13 when my little sister decided the bedroom to be a lighter shade of purple)

Realising changing everything to purple would be an expensive nightmare I settled upon making the room a more cosy green. We already poses a teal throw on our bed so when I spotted simple cut teal lampshades in a soft satin material for £3.99 each, I leaped at the chance. (already the room looks brighter and warmer).

Next was the huge bulky ornate frames that were on the far side wall that held what looked like small golden coats of arms (Curtis too despised these). I love going in my local store21 for a nose at the home ware items they always have good sales on the glass bottles/ornaments. For weeks I had been fancying a shiny green picture with a bird in a cage and stamps on but thought I had no where good enough to place it (plus Curtis wasn't too enthusiastic about it). I saw a cute light green canvas rose on sale for £4 it, I think so far every 'picture' I have bought for the apartment is canvas so far. It fitted and the light green matched so I picked it up and thought lets have that one I been fancying for ages too, then they can both replace those huge things. guess what it was on sale too for £5. BONUS. Two new pieces for our bedroom under a tenner I would be stupid to say no esp as been after the one for so long.

(this is a long ass blog post ain't it?)

Little shoe boxes/ keep safe/ bits and bob boxes have been the bane of me I have searched high and low for the perfect boxes for our style home and suitable to swap and change there contents. I went in B&M bargains then there was a whole shelf load full of boxes, containers, bins in all shapes and sizes. I was so stuck for which ones if any after numerous times of walking back and fourth I settled on a very cute set of three wicker boxes for £9.99 when I got home I fell in love with them and so glad I bought them. I adore the small details of the patched hearts and even the cotton string detail holding the boxes together drew me in. Safe to say as per the boxes didn't end up being used for the first intention. One is on my desk to hold bit & bobs other is so nicely sat in front of my long mirror holding all my hot hair tools. this was a brilliant idea and can not applaud myself another they look so tidy and cute somehow.

the bigger one is currently sat on my desk chair waiting for its new use.

Now I believe this little wooden basket is probably for letters or receipts but I have decided to use it as my newest make-up products holder/ keep items I would like to blog about next in. £2.99 I think maybe I should of bought another one for my study?

I have already done a post on the glass bottles/ ornaments I have bought for the sitting room so if you would like to see them visit this post.

I have to show you my two other canvas' though seen as I mentioned them so here are the lovelies. This one is from next I believe for £7 (please don't quote me I bought it on impulse when out shopping with my sister) it reminds me of an paris scene.

Next is my first canvas buy a colourful peacock canvas from the range (no idea how much sorry)

Now there is many more items I bought on this haul but if I put them all in I would surely talk you to sleep so head over to my youtube channel and watch the full video, I give details, prices and there is make-up, clothes and accessories thrown In for good measure. Go on grab a drink and watch me show you what I naughtily spent this week!.

Charlotte
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Beautiful Sunny Winter Days

Beautiful Sunny Winter Days

So last weekend was hopefully the start of many lovely warm/hot days.

Dogs were happily running around in the surf, chasing each other, making friends or like one cheeky bonche frisce puppy that clambered on top of the unsuspecting me and decide to give me a doggy lick on the lips.

 People were happy, many were quiet polite with their driving letting others pull out and helping slow down traffic for cars that been sat waiting awhile. 

Families seemed genuinely happy and care free. One lovely couple were trying to film their little toddler in his push bike but he seemed totally unfazed as he stared at our ice creams. I voiced this to Curtis both of us thinking I said it barely louder than a whisper but the mother smiled and looked up saying 'yeah, I think we will go get him one now'. I laughed feeling awkward and shocked she heard.

There was so many surfers in the morning it was such a strange sight at first I thought my eyes deceived me. In my odd strange creative world that I live in I came to the conclusion that they looked like a load of penguins in the sea chatting to each other.

 

This picture above is by far my personal favourite photo of 'landscape' that I took on that day.

It looks peaceful and beautiful with the sun shimmering on the small rippling waves.

Do you have a sunny days of winter photo's you'd like to share?
Send me your links either in the 'comment' bar or through twitter

Charlotte
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Want rights to the original photographs without the Copyright? 
Please contact me via mail box on twitter or send me a email at secretcharlottejess@gmail.com

Nothing more to say than a............. PRIMARK HAUL

It's safe to say I like my big Primark shopping spree's. Well hardly even a spree cause you can get so much for so little! I am astonished nearly every time I come out of there with at least one large bag.
So why not dive in there too? But fancy first of all seeing what's on offer? I don't blame you. This post will give you an idea of what's still available and whats coming out for Spring.
Who else like me can not wait for the warmer weather!?!

 

 I came out with two naughty but very happy bags from Primark full of clothes, shoes and Accessories. So lets make a start it is in no particular order by the way just in how they loaded on my laptop.

I am actually quite glad these happened to be the first photo as I am in love with these £2 sunglasses. For me these are a rather risky 'out there' pair of sunglasses for me. 

I have decided to try and be a bit more adventurous with my choices and live my life to the fullest. So when I noticed these in my opinion 'lady gaga' inspired sunglasses I could not say no, they were perfect. They were not my usual plain aviator style they have a bit of style to them with a simple aviator glass wear but I must say the rim looks pretty good with my bobby blonde fringe sitting above it. Happy!

It's been a good while since I bought a pack of earrings from Primark, normally I opt for the pack of 12 in the white pack for £1.50. But this time I went for 50p more and added some classics to my basket. From the left across and down is a pair of fake diamonds that do shine quite pretty in the light, blue plastic roses then my second favourite and what I wore today is pink roses with a small fake diamond in the middle acting as the centre of the rose. I think that small detail just really makes my outfit a bit more dressed up. Next up is some fake pearls, my favourite 'glitter balls' as I have named them they are actually only rounded on the one side and flat on the back but they have small fake diamante all over the front and really shimmer in the light. The last is probably my least favourite personally they are simple pink clear bubble with a gold rim, simple for nice outfit I guess.

I only own one (well I did till now) pair of Fake eyelashes from Eye-lure and Fair play to them giving them credit I have worn them on some nights out for three years now. But unfortunatly they are starting to loose their curved shape so spotted these cheap £1 option in a natural look lash so thought why not for a pound I could give them a chance yes!

 I actually forgot I bought these till I got home so it was like a surprise to myself!.

I mostly chose this set for the pretty rose and leaf design on the right (unfortunately this picture does not give it justice). The heart is very pretty and will probably will be worn quite a lot too! The middle one is quite simple with very tiny fake pearls stuck in along the front half-way along the ring it's self. 

I accidentally picked up a Large size because I was already too busy eye-ing up the next set of rings I bought. Not a problem though as they are midi-rings I can just wear them as normal rings because the large midi-ring size is my perfect normal finger size.

 I fell in love with these straight away and as it was me and my partners 3rd year anniversary he had bought me a beautiful silver amethyst bracelet to celebrate. I knew I would not want to wear it everyday for fear of it breaking so thought these a great pretty alternative. 

In my video on youtube I actually said I could not go wrong with these unless they broke. I think I jinxed myself as this morn I took them off the packet tried putting the pretty heart string one on and the string came un-done!. The grey beaded one sits quite akwardly and the gold 'love' chain is quite big even done up on the last clasp it sat on my hand for most of the day! but then I do have tiny wrists!!.

 These were the next set I was already eye-ing up and I have already worn (hence the broken tag duhh!). My favourite and the one I have had many comments on is the one on it's own at the top the very delicate side heart with sweet diamond in the middle. The rest are great stack-able rings I love the heart one just on it's own for £1.50 but you get a whole set and I have worn two of the others so brilliant value!.

I adore this!!! This actually came in a set of pajamas's but it was on a sale rack of mis-matched items. Obviously the bottom part has run off somewhere so I got to buy this rather cute Thumper and his girlfriend Disney pajama top for £2. Bargain and so cute!!!!!!!!

This is not exactly my kind of style top that I usually go for, I rarely wear tee's with any kind of printing never mind an ibiza club one when I do not even listen to club music. But I liked the colours of the crowd and black fits in with my mostly colourless wardrobe so I picked this up for £3. It has small turned back cuff's on the short sleeves and is super comfortable I would definitely go pick up one of these or similar style if I was you.

So far this weight-less dark green chiffon top has reached 10/10 in my books. I have worn this twice now to work, it sits so nicely it is not too shear but has that girly sheerness to it that is quite playful. I grabbed this up in the sale for £3. It has a big keyhole cut out at the back with a cute bow tied up the top in the same material. This top has girly elegance that can be worn on a night out or dressed down with a pair of heels for work or a normal day.

So far I think this is my favourite, unfortunately I have not worn it yet as I have told myself to keep some nice things for spring/summer so I am not stuck wearing all my winter items. I love this because this kind of top is so not me, I do not wear collar tops/shirts. If I do I make sure the buttons are quite undone. But with this top there is no buttons to undo other than the small white one on the keyhole cut out at the back. The pattern design is so cute and girly, its flowery for spring/summer but is not brightly coloured so feel more safer wearing it as it's monochrome like most worn items are of mine.

Not much to say about this helpful little black vest top for £2. I bought one in my previous Primark haul as its tight fitting with a snug soft feel and is quite log so I could get away with layering it on top of leggins and a check shirt or something similar. I mostly just roll the bottom up and have a scrunched up look but I felt like I needed another as I wore the other one quite a lot layered under other items or on it's own with a cardi/jacket.

I have been telling myself to buy another black cardigan for ages. I bought my first one from Next over 2 years ago for a boots job interview (I did not get but all turned out for the better) I payed £16 and it paid it's dues but now the elbow's where I bend have become thin and saggy also the colour has been lost dramatically. When I noticed this cute black version with pockets this time and cute silvery/gold buttons for only £6 I had to grab. One thing I would say is even though it is a lovely fit! If you have long arms I would go for a size up as I am forever trying to pull these down as they just sit below my wrists and this always bugs me so much!.

Okay so some may call me mad for getting these. In my defense sandals and flip flops were going pretty fast, I have already bought bikini tops for my planned (but not yet booked) holiday. So a pair of flip flops as I don't own any, anymore seemed quite reasonable for the holiday and to have so I ain't searching around for a pair when the sun does come around. Also who can argue with a £1 for such a pretty Aztec design. I couldn't!

Unnecessary buy but I know from my previous mistake last year that once the sandals start coming out they no longer sell these so I grabbed a dark tan pair this year. Now I am safe in the know that when my beige ones do wear thin I am not left fake ugg bootie-less. At £5 I should of bought two pairs but I had no need as my ones at the moment are doing Okay!.

These were a 'talk myself into buying that item' I only own black flats so decided I must have a pair of summery pretty flats for this year. When I noticed the huge rails on the wall I delved in, I was so tempted to buy this pair but in the black and white version. Thankfully I picked these pretty green/blue and pink leaf design ones up before I could tempt myself any further.

I have only bought super-cosy tights from Primark so far, So these are a shot in the dark. I fancied having some thinner black tights for work when the weather gets warmer and did not fancy paying other shops prices when I knew in my job they would get scagged so easily on files/ desks and such.
I stupidly had no idea what the difference in denier was with the numbers so I took a shot and went for this pair of three for £2.50 I believe.

Nothing too exciting is this one, just some top up of bobbles, I am slowly running out of my previous ones I bought from Primark, they were exactly same as these 30 for £1 and without any scag silver bits. I love these hair bands they are by far my favourite hair bobbles and so cheap! 

So Thank you for taking a look at my Primark Haul.

I also have this bundle available to see on Youtube so you can check it out at :

http://youtu.be/YM5NhpVxMTI

I like to nose at what is in Primark too, so why not send me over your links if you have one.

Charlotte

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