Flights of Nancy

      

I don't know how correct it is to call an inanimate object beautiful, but in the case of this leather holdall I was sent by Flights of Nancy it is the first word that springs to mind.
Owner Natalie got in touch with me a couple of weeks ago, after a mutual contact hooked us up. I was instantly smitten both with her charm and website which not only sells these stunning holdalls (£90) but a whole range of high quality leather goods from purses through to messenger bags, such as the "holy bejesus it's yellow" version show above (£60).

"Flights of Nancy started life 18 months ago. Inspired by the leather and batik bags we discovered in our travels across Indonesia, we began working on our own designs in partnership with small family-owned businesses in the region.
Today, we’re proud to produce ethically-sourced, hand made leather holdalls, messengers, shoulder bags, satchels, clutches, and an array of batik bags. Our leather goods are all hand dyed using vegetable-based colouring, while our batik products are made from recycled fabrics".

You can buy the range from the website or via ASOS marketplace

Being the sweetheart that she is, Natalie has offered readers of adaisychaindream a fantastic 10% discount code for her shop; simply enter 4CU60DB0HAUV at checkout (the code has NO expiry date and valid only through Flights of Nancy website).

You can also win your very own leather holdall, worth £90 in a colour of your choice by leaving a comment on this post stating your favourite item from Flights of Nancy and a way for me to contact you.
The giveaway is open to UK residents and will run from today through to Saturday 14th July at 6pm.

Good Luck folk, trust me, this is a good one!

xxx

Congratulations

Wow,

What an amazing response to the Handbags at Dawn giveaway!

I'm pleased to announce we have a winner, and that winner IS

*drum roll*

Chloe!

Congrats lovely, I'll be in touch shortly!

Lucky

It's always lovely to get a surprise in the post, especially when it comes as prettily packaged as this Spinning Ring from Timothy Roe
I love rings and I am slowly but surely amassing quite a collection of them (the new tights?!) and this four leaf clover fits in perfectly with my preferred jewellery style.

I have a massive wishlist for the website, next on my list are the glitter heart, star and humming designs. At £19 each these are an affordable way to build up a jewellery collection and can be worn alone or stacked together. I also think they'd make a lovely gift for one of your best friends...*hints for Christmas guys!*

Which design do you like?
Where do you get your rings from?

You can't beat Timothy Roe for Bespoke Jewellery in my book.

xxx

wild about wild doll

I'm sorry guys, I know you hate how much I make you window/actually shop with my latest discoveries, but I have yet another one to shout about!

Wild Doll boutique offers quirky clothes, statement shoes and an array of accessories at super affordable prices with worldwide shipping! After only a brief browse, all of the above items are what has already made it's way on to my wishlist...the best part?! Nothing featured here costs over $30 (in fact, not much on the site does!)

If you don't believe me, take a look for yourself; and report back on what you fancy!

xxx

P.S. Last 24 hours for the Handbag giveaway!

winning

MotelRocks.com tee, Matalan skirt, Sam Edelman shoes via Stanwells Re-run.

I could pretty much live in this outfit, it's so comfortable, I'm definitely making it a mission to get the mint green version of this skirt in the near future.

I struck gold with these shoes, I was lucky enough to win a gift voucher to Stanwells Re-run a few months ago and whilst browsing new arrivals I spotted these babies in my size; that's the only problem with pre-loved goods shops, the lack of sizes! I can't wait for better weather so I can get decent wear out of them.

The t-shirt was also a prize from around the same time when I won a Motel gift voucher. Sadly my winning streak has since stopped, but I won't stop entering competitions and giveaways!
Speaking of giveaways, mine with Handbags at Dawn ends tomorrow so get your comments in!

Do you enter a lot of competitions? What has been your best win?

xxx

Special Guest at Quidco Cashback Boutique

You may have noticed over the last week some P.S. additions to my posts speaking about tomorrow's Quidco cashback boutique event.

For those that don't know

A store with a difference - where customers are paid to peruse – is set to open for business alongside high-street titans Argos, The Body Shop, Debenhams and Vodafone.
Landing in Rathbone Place at 9am on 28^th June, just yards from the nation’s most famous high street Oxford Street, the Quidco Cashback Boutique is set to attract queues of shoppers hoping to get their hands on some free money.

This high security, retail experience will go down in history as the only shop in the world where consumers can literally pick up free money. From clothes rails of cash to live mannequins draped in dosh – shoppers will enjoy a shrine to free money.

The pop-up experience marks the next generation of Quidco’s revolutionary mobile app that will pay shoppers for simply entering their favourite high street stores, including household favourites such as Argos, The Body Shop, Debenhams and Vodafone.

The newest Quidco app is set to transform the high street: shoppers simply download it for free, check into any of the 70+ signed-up stores and receive cash into their Quidco account. Users are literally paid for stepping into their

Users of the app must take four simple steps to receive cash for checking-in:

1.       Download Quidco app to smart phone

2.       See nearby check-in stores and amounts

3.       Enter store, check-in and bank the cash

4.       Share shopper experience via twitter or Facebook

The excitement at the Cashback Boutique will be heightened by the recruitment of a celebrity store assistant. TOWIE beauty  Lucy Mecklenburgh, also known for running her own shop, Lucy’s Boutique, will man the tills and greet hundreds of excited customers.

Lucy’s Boutique also joins the likes of Debenhams as yet another fashion retailer to join the Quidco check-in revolution.

If your planning on heading to the event, taking place tomorrow 9am-1pm at Rathbone Place, off Oxford Circus then don't forget to visit the Quidco website and download the quick and easy App (or you can do so in the queue!)

Do let me know if you pop along, I was hoping to attend myself as I'm a long time Quidco fan, but sadly work and living far from London makes it not possible.

xxx

My Fair Lady

Blouse c/o OASAP, Skirt from New Look, Shoes Jeffery Campbell c/o Sarenza.

I don't really own that many tops, and those I do own are plain vests and tees for the most part. I have plenty of skirts and a couple of pairs of trousers but nothing much to go with them...I just don't seem to be drawn to tops in the same way I am to dresses.

I made an exception for this blouse from OASAP which came with the dress in yesterday's post. I was hesitant as it's "one size" but it fits pretty well and is a perfect/versatile length.

I really need to feel my wardrobe with more pretty tops and blouses, I'll finally be able to make the best of some of my dresses and skirts...
Where do you suggest I start?  Have you seen any in the sales that might appeal to me?

xx

The eyes have it.

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Vision Direct about featuring some coloured contact lenses on the blog. Initially hesitant, I remembered my extreme curiosity when these first came on to the market and decided it could be quite good fun (I guess I also wanted to see if we only suited the eye colour we were born with).

One of the samples I recieved was these Jade Green ColorMaker lenses with no prescription. These are a monthly disposable lens and I was also sent a container to keep them in and bottle of solution for between wear.
I wear glasses but have never experimented with lenses, so how easy were these to use? Well, as long as you don't mind fingers near your face, they are a doddle!

I really loved the vibrant green colour, although not that many people noticed (but then, I don't walk around inspecting people's eye colour!) They were also really easy to remove and store and I shall be wearing them again soon.

The other sample I was sent was a more subtle green daily wear lens by FreshLook which I am yet to try, but I shall report back when I do!

Have you tried coloured contacts? What do you think of me as a green eyed girl?

xxx

Summer Blues

Let's blame the weather and lack of nice lighting for these dire photos!

Dress c/o Oasap, Tights Dorothy Perkins and Shoes c/o Sarenza.

 Oasap is another of those sites I only found through blogging, it's a real shopping mecca and not only are the prices super; the delivery is free and fast too!
I do love this dress although I probably should have checked the length before selecting it...ah well, who needs decency anyway?

This was Sunday's outfit, and since then the weather has touch wood picked up...typically just in time for going back to work and not being able to enjoy it!

Have you heard of/shopped with Oasap before? They are holding a pretty awesome giveaway right now!

For entry (Mandatory):
1. Sign in your account on oasap.com. No account yet? Register to get a 20% off coupon code.
2. You need choose a size and then vote, so that we know the size you need if you win. Click on the product image to see size details.
3. One account may have at most 3 entries; that is to say, you can vote a maximum of 3 items.
4. Winner(s) will be selected at random and contacted through the email(s) that used to register account(s) on oasap.com.

The prize is an amazing 152 items and you have until July 10th to enter!
Click here to get entering.


xxx

Easy Baking; Super Simple Chocolate Brownie

Who doesn't love a chocolate brownie? This recipe has to be one of the quickest, simplest ones I have found, using only store cupboard ingredients meaning when the craving hits, you'll be able to oblidge without a mercy dash to the supermarket! There is plenty of scope for something fancier too, for the small one in the first photo I added honeycombe pieces, other additions would be fruit, nuts, chocolate chunks...whatever you like really!

The recipe is one we clipped out of a magazine many years ago, so long ago I can't even remember which magazine!

You'll need:

8oz butter or margarine
16oz brown sugar
8oz plain flour
1 level tsp baking powder
1 heaped tsp salt (trust me!)
8 tablespoons of cocoa powder
4 eggs

(the recipe is very easily halved, it does make rather a lot!)

Method:

Melt the butter and sugar together in a large pan over a gentle heat

Once melted, add in all of the dry ingredients/eggs and beat togther

(at this point you'd also add anything fancy your throwing in)

Bake in a greased/lined 8 x 12 inch tin at 180*c for 20-30 minutes; a skewer insterted in the middle should come out clean. If you don't want the top to go crispy/if the middle is taking a long time to cook you can cover the brownie with foil after 20 minutes and continue to bake.

Remove from oven, cool and slice.

This is one of those recipes that is amazing straight from the oven, but the texture improves if you can resist until the next day!

The recipe also suggests adding a topping, which I didn't do, but a chocolate or coffee buttercream would work well!

Happy Baking,
let me know if you make this and what extras you add in!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dream scenario: get paid up to £100 to shop and get served by a celebrity shop assistant. Interested? Head down the Quidco Cashback Boutique on Rathbone Place, just off Oxford Circus next Thursday from 9am-1pm and you’ll get both.  P.S. We’re finding out tomorrow who the celebs are – stay tuned!  

(Check out the Quidco Website for more information and to download the App)

Sunglasses Winner!

I was really impressed with all the entries to my recent giveaway with Smart Buy Glasses, but there could only be one winner,
and that winner was....

*drum roll*

LOU!

you can see her entry, entitled "Pre-Holiday Blues" here, I can't wait to see what she chooses!

Congratulations Lou,

and a big thank you to Smart Buy Glasses for running this.

xxx

Sarenza Shoe of the Week

It seems with the rubbish weather we've had lately my lustings for pretty sandals and impractical shoes have been washed away and replaced with something entirely more sensible.
This week my Sarenza shoe of the week goes to these frankly stunning Chuck Taylor Speciality Ox in Silver priced at £68. I think what swung it for me was the baby pink laces against the Silver textile shoe...pricey for Converse perhaps, but these aren't just your average Converse and will see you through all kinds of variable weather.

Are you a fan of Converse? What shoes have you been living in lately?

xxx

Daisy Chain Dreaming: Shoes from Spy Love Buy

One of the best and worst parts of blogging is finding awesome new places to shop; best because, well, I just said it...worst because my budget does not match my desire.

Introducing Spy Love Buy and their frankly awesome selection of shoes; purse friendly statement shoes AND on 3 for 2 offer...payday, why still so far away?!

From top to bottom:

1. Josephine creepers, £29.95
2. Jazmine in Aqua, £24.95
3. Jazmine in Black, £24.95
4. Feather sandals, £24.95
5. Macy Hi Tops, £29.95

Take a look and tell me which three pairs you would choose...struggling to choose a third pair?! I take a size seven!

xxx

reasons I am not a beauty blogger

A few weeks ago find-me-a-gift.co.uk got in touch asking if I'd like to review a couple of makeup products.
I love makeup, a few years ago I went through a phase where it was my "thing" and built up quite a collection. Since then I have shamefully become lazy and fallen out of the loop so I thought this might be a good oppurtunity to get some of that love back. I think this post proves I still have a long way to go!

Apologies for the shocking photos that are to follow (reason number one why I am not a beauty blogger/you should always read your camera instructions)

 

I was sent The Balm Makeup- Hot Mama Blush/Eyeshadow, £14.99 which is a gorgeous rose gold colour hideously portrayed by my less than amateur photographing. The colour payoff on this is amazing and as a pale girl the colour really compliments my complexion; as an eyeshadow it doesn't work for me, the pink makes me look like I have sore eyes, but I am confident it will look stunning on people who wear pink eyeshadow well and the texture is a dream.

I also recieved The Balm Bronzer Powder Compact- Betty Lou Manizer, £17.99. Reason number two why I am not a beauty blogger is that I have never in my life tried Bronzer before; I am infact scared of it.
As with Hot Mama the texture of this is a dream, an utter dream, and the colour pay-off is impressive; the photo above is one gentle finger swipe worth of colour! It was trial and error getting this to work for my beyond the pale skin but with a light hand and some careful buffing I think I managed admirably for a first attempt

 (And here's reason number three why I am not a beauty blogger, the faces!)

I think both of these products will really come in to their own once I have had the benefit of some Spanish sun to lessen the bright whiteness of my skin; most of the time I love being pale, but sometimes I find it really, really hard work! That aside I really rate these products, and the colour payoff, retro packaging and luxury feel makes them worth every penny of their price tag.

Have you tried The Balm before?

And PLEASE PLEASE give me bronzer/general makeup advice!

xxx