The Body Shop Birmingham Grand Re-Opening

I was lucky enough to be invited to the grand re-opening of The Body Shop on New Street in Birmingham  via The Bloggers Parlour and I was interested to see how the brand had changed since my younger years. If you are a similar age to me it was the place to get white musk (the must have perfume of my teenage years) but the brand has really evolved over the years.

My first impressions of the store was that it was light and airy with plenty of room to manoeuvre so you could browse comfortably. The staff were lovely and very helpful and were on hand to answer any questions. They were also more than happy to offer a skin matching service for their make up.

The displays were beautifully laid out and really made me want to spend but sadly as I am on a very restricted budget at the moment I just bought a few small bits. The collections I wanted to see were the Oils of Life and Drops of Light which look so luxurious and if at sometime money allows I want to try at least one product from the ranges.

I treated myself to some travel size pieces which were on a three for two offer and at the till I was given a tote bag with some goodies in which included my favourite body butter.

I was also really happy to see the lovely Kitty from Adventures of a Riot Grrrl and have a catch up and it was great to meet Abbigayle from The Bloggers Parlour.

All in all it was a fab event and thank you to The Body Shop and The Bloggers Parlour as it was lovely to have a Birmingham based event.

Plus 40 Fabulous April Edition

Hello and welcome to this months edition of Plus 40 Fabulous and the theme for this month is skin care.
Now that I am in my forties I realise how important it is to look after your skin (I should have realised this when I was younger!!). I know that unless I have plastic surgery or botox the wrinkles aren't going to disappear but then I don't think I would want them to as after all they tell the story of my life.

These are my daily cleansing and ex foliating products.

Ever since I discovered it I have been a huge fan of the Garnier Micellar Water, and whilst I know some people advise you should use it with other cleansers I find it gets my skin really clean and my breakouts have almost stopped since I started using it. If I have had a heavy make up day then I also use the Garnier 2 in 1 make- up remover which makes quick work of eye make up removal and doesn't pull at my skin.
The Dermalogica ex-foliant  I don't use everyday as I don't think my skin would stand it but instead I use it a few times a week especially on my nose and my skin feels so soft afterwards. I got this in a goody bag from a event and I am tempted to purchase it once this runs out. It comes as a powder which you mix with water on your hand to make a paste and apply to your face.

For moisturisers I use...

My daily ones are the Witch Overnight Clearing Serum, this is really meant for overnight use but I pop it on under my moisturiser as it helps with any blemishes. I then apply Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream which I got as perk from Klout and I must admit that although it is expensive I would be very tempted to purchase another one once this runs out. I have suffered with a terrible dry patch on my forehead and this has finally sorted it out. I also find it light enough to not give me breakouts and it makes a good base for my make-up.
For night time I have started using a Superdrug Optimum Comforting Night Cream which is recommended for 40+ skin and I do notice a difference in the morning as my skin feels so soft.

For primers I use..

The N-Spa Instant Blur Primer I first became aware of when I got it in a goody bag from an event and I was so taken with it that when it ran out I bought another one. A little goes along way but my skin feels like silk when I use this. I also use the Me Me Me Seventh Heaven facebase as a primer, it has the most heavenly smell of oranges and again a little goes a long way. It is only in the last year or so that I have started using Primers and they do make a difference.

So there you have it that, my skin care routine which I realise I now need to add something with SPF in it as well for sun protection so that is next on my list!!

Not bad for a nearly 41 year old!!


Don't forget to check out the other ladies to see what they use.


Cathy: http://southernyacht.blogspot.co.uk/
Christy: http://www.sprintingwithscissors.blogspot.co.uk/
Daisy: http://daisysays.co.uk/

Kate: https://wearingmywardrobein2016.wordpress.com/
Kath: https://fatheffalump.wordpress.com/

Kaye: http://www.polishedcurves.com/

Kellie: http://www.bigfashionista.co.uk/

Leah: http://www.justmeleah.co.uk
Lee: http://www.pinkybellesshed.co.uk/
Lisa: http://www.kitandkoboodle75.blogspot.co.uk/
Marged: http://www.divadellecurve.com/?m=0
Mookie: http://www.mookieslife.com/

Perelandra: http://www.pamperandcurves.com/

Sarah: http://www.plussizeproud.co.uk
Steph: http://misskittenheel.com/

Vicky: http://www.therandomnessoftwee.blogspot.co.uk
Yvonne: http://woosangwashere.blogspot.co.uk/

Springtime OOTD

Hello sorry for the lack of posting recently but I have been taking a mini break to deal with a personal issue but I am back and raring to go!

I seem to have a backlog of outfits and items that I have yet to share some of which were sale purchases after Christmas but due to a combination of things they haven't made it onto the blog.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the New Look store in Redditch carries the plus size range in-store and as I had some Christmas gift vouchers to spend I nabbed some bits in the January sale.

This top cost me a huge £8.00 and I really do love it! It has been worn with leggings and jeans and is super comfy. My only quibble is the arm holes are massive so I wear a vest underneath to hide my bra but beyond that all is good! I did size up to get a baggier fit (you all know me and my love of oversized stuff). The jeans are my old Simply Be acid wash skinnies which have the highest waist known to man and my trainers were from Lolly in her blog sale.

I have to admit that on the days when I don't feel like wearing a dress this type of outfit is the one I tend to reach for as I find it easy to chuck on and go.

Sadly this top is no longer on the New Look website and since buying it they have re-branded their plus size range and re-launched it, although the selection on offer in the Birmingham store was still less than stellar!!

Have you nabbed any bargains lately?

Holiday Vlog Pontins Brean Sands

Over the Easter holidays we went away on our first holiday in four years to Pontins in Brean. Whilst we were away I vlogged some of the holiday and you can now watch this!!

Enjoy!!

My Sunday Photo

Work It Yoga Leggings with Du North*

Late last year I was contacted by the lovely Lydia at Du North to review some of their patterned leggings (you can read the review here), so when she asked me if I would like to try something else from the range I was excited to see what there was.

After having a good mooch through all the leggings I settled on a pair of Yoga Leggings (not that I do Yoga but I like comfy pieces for wearing at home!). I will admit that when they first arrived I was slightly concerned that they wouldn't fit as they looked quite small but appearances can be deceiving.

These Yoga leggings are super stretchy and come right up to under my bra (which has I like my leggings) and once on it feels like you are being hugged as you wear them! They have flat seams so they don't chafe, a gusset which means they move with you and moisture wicking fabric.


To try them out I got out in my back garden and tried to do only two yoga poses I know!!!

If ever I decide to return to Zumba then these would be ideal as they hold me together and stop me jiggling everywhere! For the time being I shall leave Yoga to the professionals and enjoy wearing these on some walks around the park!!

*Denotes item gifted for review but all opinions and words are my own