A crush on velvet

Very happy to see that velvet is back in many guises for both day and evening delight. There are plenty of jackets around and they look great with jeans. My tip is to try them on because they can be very variable in terms of the way they hang, and their fit. Some cheaper jackets are too soft and don't have any structure so they aren't very flattering.  The Marks & Spencer navy velvet jacket I'm wearing below wasn't expensive but it does have a nice shape.

A Handbag?

I saw the Russell & Bromley hobo bag in a magazine and was instantly smitten. I love the berry shade, it goes with everything. The only problem is, I love the bag so much I haven't used it yet. I'm afraid it'll get dirty, or the plush will lose its pile. So at the moment, it's in the soft bag provided and I like to stroke it occasionally.

Jacket: Marks and Spencer, jeans Levi's, boots Office, bag Russell and Bromley

Linking this post to Catherine #IwillwearwhatIlike link-up and Patti at Visible Monday.

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Two easier ways to wear scarves

Scarf by Rew

I don't know about you but I find scarves impossible. I just can't tie or arrange them in a pleasing way.  I usually end up looking like Dick Turpin. I've tried YouTube tutorials but I'm afraid this is one skill that eludes me.

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Is it OK to wear a bomber jacket second time round?

I used to say that if I wore a fashion first time round, I wouldn't wear it again (except for wedge shoes). Well, Mary Berry put paid to that. If she can rock a bomber jacket, it doesn't matter if I last wore one in the 70s.

My bomber jacket in floral jacquard is from Asos, in floral jacquard. Low stock, reduced to £45.50.   Ashleigh silver leather boots also from Asos, £60.  Jeans: Marks and Spencer, past season. Ring: diamonique, QVC.  I shall be wearing this ensemble to see Heaven 17 at the weekend.

What do you think about wearing fashions the second time round? Are there any "no go's" as far as you're concerned?

Necklace: Heavenly Necklaces

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Beauty Advent calendars

Years ago an Advent calendar either offered little images linked to...er....Advent, or chocolates behind each window.  Now they offer beauty products, miniature whiskeys, anything which can be packaged into the "one treat a day" format.

I love opening a window each day - it's like being a kid again.  But you need to be quick if you want one of the more desirable beauty advent calendars. Some of them are in limited numbers. They make fantastic presents.

I had the Selfridges calendar last year. It was a little disappointing. Definitely aimed at a younger demographic and there were too many repetitive products  (hand creams, eye pencils, etc).

If you want one, it's £95 and on their website now. It does look quite tempting this time (left) with products from Lancome, Kiehl's, Urban Decay and YSL.

You Beauty

I was impressed with the You beauty club calendar in 2014. The 2016 calendare is £69.95 and contains some goodies such as prestigious brand Oskia's Renaissance mask, The White Company's Orange Clove signature candle, Omorovicza Refining Facial Polish and MUA Twelfth Night Palette or Dusk Til Dawn Palette. There are also quite a few products that don't appeal to me including a Rimmel nail polish and a Charles Worthington leave-in conditioner. There's free p&p if you sign up for the regular beauty box product.

Decleor

The calendar I've bought for myself this year is the Decleor advent calendar.  You really can't go wrong with Decleor  (husbands and boyfriends please note).  I'm looking forward to the gorgeous oils and lusciousness.

Charlotte Tilbury

For a touch of luxury there's the Charlotte Tilbury World of Legendary Parties advent calendar at £150. This has 12 treats including Mini Magic Cream, Mini Wonderglow, Mini Multi Miracle Glow and Pocket Pout: Jessica Red. I have one of these upstairs - it's a Christmas present for a lucky young lady.

Judging by the picture the products are slightly bigger than you get in most calendars but only having 12 is a bit of a con - Advent runs from the Sunday nearest to November 30 and covers four Sundays.

There are many other beauty advent calendars to choose from including Look Fantastic (£70), The Body Shop (£60) and Ciate (£60). Which one(s) do you have your eye on?

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Beauty

A tale of two mascaras

This post has been a long time coming - two years since my last post! I wasn't planning to return to this blog but in the two year hiatus, a number of "mature" beauty and fashion blogs have sprung up in the UK, which makes me excited to return to the fold.

First up: some of my latest beauty hits and misses.

I'M LOVING:

6-in-1 Perfect Lash 7.2ml by Studio 10, £26

Image: Marks & Spencer

I'm very impressed with the Studio 10 range which is aimed at the mature woman.

This mascara is the best one I've ever used, and I've got through a lot of them - Guerlain, Dior, Benefit, Lancome, Eyeko, Maybelline.....

I have a problem usually with "panda eyes." Most mascaras start to transfer and give me embarrassing smudges and rings under the eyes and sometimes above the upper lashes. Or, weirdly, I have the phenomenon where, after curling my lashes and applying the mascara I have va-va-voom lashes, only to find they've returned to their normal state an hour later.

This mascara has two sections, cleverly screwed together,. with a brush and a comb.  The brush gives very lush long lashes and the comb separates them.

Most importantly, I didn't get any transfer and the va-va voom effect remained all day. Very impressive. I've never had such generous lashes. You can buy this from Marks and Spencer and Cult Beauty.

I'M HATING:

Joan Collins Class Act Mascara 6ml, £33

Image: Marks & Spencer

I fancied that Joan, who knows a thing or two about makeup, might have a few good products  (and I LOVE the vintage appearance of her nail polish range), but this mascara is a real dead duck.

Very liquidy from the tube and instantly smudged and transferred to my eyelid and below the lower lash line. I cleaned it up and carried on applying, but strangely the good length and curl that I initially achieved simply disappeared, even though I had used an eyelash curler previously.

I can'd find anything good to say about this mascara except for the smart packaging. To add insult to injury, it's more expensive than the Studio 10 mascara and you get less.

If you've found any great mascaras lately, please let us know!

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