The Trends for 2017: Year of the Rooster

Hydrangea Paniculata Vanilla Fraise: copyright Bakker.com

2016 was a tumultuous year and one that many of us will be glad to see the back of.  I'm always intrigued to hear what the predictions  are for the new year in terms of fashion, food and general prosperity. Here's my summary of trends for 2017 including flowers, fashion, colours and food.

Lip balms on trial

The one thing that most of us cannot do without is a lip balm. I'm always buying different ones, particularly if I'm out and find I don't have one on me. Winter makes my lips even more prone to dryness and cracking so a good lip balm is essential.

I rate a lip balm on three factors: 

1. Does it moisturize and give a nice sheen to the lips? 
2. Does it last on the lips or fade within minutes? I find that some lip balms, when they fade, leave a nasty residue, a "bittiness" on the lips.
3. Does it taste good?

I rounded up my lip balms and found 8, two of which were free gifts in magazines. I've put them on trial and the verdict is in.

Rodial Stemcell Super-Food Glam Balm Lip

One of the more expensive ones at £17.00 for 7ml. I had a generous 10ml tube as a free sample in a magazine. Quite a strong rose flavour and smell. Gives a good glossy finish and camouflages lip lines (this must be the "3D filling spheres"!). It lasted for about an hour and disappeared in a clean way. Score: 4 out of 5. 

Argan+ Nourishing Lip Balm

£3.49 for 15ml.

Picked this one up at Waitrose (as you do) as I had read a lot about the hydrating qualities of argan oil. A bit cloying and sticky on the lips. Score: 2 out of 5.

Lypsyl

£1.50 from Tesco and other outlets

Ah, Lypsyl. Everyone of a certain age will remember this one. I see from the website it has a new formulation and comes in different varieties, but the one I have is described as the original and I buy them in bulk at Amazon. I absolutely love Lypsyl. It has a very distinctive taste and smell and sweetens the breath.  It's instantly hydrating and comforting on the lips and has good lasting power. When it does disappear, it does so without becoming sticky or leaving a weird after residue. Score: 4 out of 5, 

Dr Organic rose otto lip balm serum

£4.99 from Holland and Barrett.

This one is in a category all of its own for tasting and smelling absolutely delicious. It reminds me somehow of a lovely cake. I used to keep it in the car so I could apply it at times of stress on the M25. Gives a nice sheen to the lips and lasts about two hours before doing a good disappearing act. Score: 3 out of 5

Nivea Fruity Shine - Peach

£1.99 from Boots

Nivea have long had lip balms in various permutations. This one is a big disappointment.  It doesn't really give your lips any colour and the flavour is very synthetic. It disappears quite fast and leaves an unpleasant residue on the lips. Score:1 out of 5,

Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips

£12 for 15ml from outlets including Space NK

This started as a nipple balm, as its name would suggest, but mothers were using it on their lips too. It's a multi purpose balm you can use anywhere. It's similar to Vaseline, gloopy, waxy and unpleasant tasting. I wouldn't wear it outdoors on any day where there was wind because your hair gets plastered to your lips. It's OK for wearing overnight. It gives a good glossy finish and lasts a few hours. The website is fun. Score: 2 out of 5.

Ren Vita Mineral Lip Balm

£10 for 15ml from outlets including Space NK, Marks and Spencer

I believe this was another free gift. It has a slightly weird taste. Imparted a good shine but didn't give such a smooth lip as the Rodial.

Clarins Instant Comfort Lip Comfort Oil
I remember reading about the launch of this and trying several times to buy it, only to be told it was out of stock. When I finally got my hands on it I found it a big disappointment.  It's quite a thick oil with an unpleasant taste, and as it fades away it leaves a sticky residue.  Unpleasant.  1 out of 5.

Which is your favourite lip balm, and do you disagree with any of my findings?

The Decleor Advent calendar: how was it?

I've been a Decleor fan for years. I love their sublime facial oils and have found their products very effective. In recent years I haven't used their products quite as much so I decided to treat myself to the Decleor Advent calendar to see what's new.

Bargain red tartan and a classy reindeer jumper

Two more outfits for Christmas

Browsing among the groceries at Sainsburys, I had a quick look at the TU clothing, having seen an article where their clothes were said to be much improved. I've been itching to wear something in red and so this tartan skirt and jumper leapt out at me and before I knew it, were in the trolley along with the fruit and veg.

Remember these beauty products from the 70s and 80s?

I've been enjoying Sali Hughes' book "Pretty Iconic: A Personal Look at the Beauty Products that Changed the World". I am somewhat obsessed with finding the beauty products I grew up with, and it makes my day if they're still around today.

5 outfits for Christmas

I haven't bought many new pieces this Christmas and the reason is linked to the fact I'm currently not working, for the first time ever.  I haven't had any office parties to think about. If I did, I have a rich seam of dresses that have only been worn once or twice. Here are five outfits for Christmas. I have left my Boxing Day outfit for another post (yep, it's the jumper.....).

Christmas shopping with Mum 

I always go to Plymouth a couple of weeks before Christmas to spend a few days with my mum, who's 84, and to see my brother and his family. Mum is a widow, very independent and enviably sociable: she's social secretary for a couple of organisations and is on a constant whirl of lunches and day trips. She loves buying clothes, usually in bright colours: she hates the idea of being a "beige old lady."  Here she's wearing a collarless coat and teal polo neck jumper. I'm wearing my green coat from Marks and Spencer and an embellished jumper from Boden which I absolutely love  (it is about three years old).

Christmas carol concert

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the wonderful BT Christmas Concert at the Royal Albert Hall. We had dinner beforehand at one of the venue's restaurants, the Elgar Grill. The concert includes singalong carols, the Royal Marine Band, Chris Hollins (as MC), an orchestra and choirs, and two guest opera singers. It's an exuberant celebration ending with a rendition of "Merry Christmas Everyone", fake snow and indoor fireworks.

Green is my favourite colour and as it's so mild I didn't need to wear a thick coat with gloves and scarf. Out came the M&S green coat, a green jumper from Boden, necklace from Etsy, burgundy boots and navy trousers.

Christmas party dress 

I love a sequin like most women. I've only worn this dress from Hobbs once - I feel it's a bit too short on me.I paired it with a white faux fur stole that I've had so long it has the label "St Michael"  (which used to be a brand name of Marks and Spencer).

I have a bit of a shoe crisis.  I decided a few weeks ago that high heels were no longer for me. I gave away several pairs to the charity shop.  But my usual ankle boots and flat shoes don't look great with my party dresses, so I had to improvise with sandals I normally wear in summer. I wouldn't usually wear tights with open toe sandals, believe me.

The LBD every woman needs 

You've probably got a dress like this in your wardrobe, whether it's from Vivienne Westwood, Aleia or in my case, Marks and Spencer. It's designed to flatter the figure and is conservative enough to wear to more restrained functions, but can be dressed up for more ritzy parties. 

Mine is a little longer than I would like. The mid calf, midi trend, was not one I greeted with enthusiasm. I find knee length a more flattering length.  The block heels are a good substitute for high heels when you need something more than a flattie. Mine are from Dune. 

Here I have added my glamorous black velvet coat - bought more than 15 years ago.

Sequin skirt and ruffle sleeve jumper

This skirt still has its label attached because in the two years I've had it, I've never found a top to go with it.  I wanted something in a vibrant pink but this is a colour the stores forgot this year. I finally found a ruffle sleeve jumper by Lost Ink which fit the bill.  I had sore misgivings to start with: I feared it was going to be a crop top and ride up.  Wearing tops loose doesn't suit my shape - I need to create definition at the waist or with my big shoulders and bust I can look like a fridge. Fortunately the jumper tucks in OK.

So those are my main picks for Christmas. I've had fun looking at all the lovely outfits on different sites. In particular I loved Lizzy's red dress and Michelle's blush pink number. Nikki adds the wow factor to a jeans and velvet top combo with gorgeous gold heels and jewellery (I need those gold shoes in my life!). 

Sharing this post with Style Me Wednesday at Shopping My Closet, Catherine at Not Dressed As Lamb #SaturdayShareLinkUp and Patti at NotDeadYetStyle for Visible Monday.

* all outfits bought by me 

Congratulations

The winner of my Christmas giveaway beauty bag is @vanityandmeblog. 

You should get the bag before Christmas. Thanks for entering!

Sequin bomber jacket

Any reservations I had about buying a bomber jacket the second time around have been dispelled by the purchase of a second one.  This black sequin bomber from Lipsy was bought specifically for attending Elton John's concert in Belfast.  I figured Elton would appreciate a sequin or two. Not that he got to see!

Christmas beauty giveaway!

I've put together a dreamy bag full of brand new, unopened samples from many cult brands, and it'll go to the first comment selected at random on Dec 13, midday GMT.

It's got everything you need for a big night out: cleanser, hair conditioners; face treatments; a body lotion; fake tan; eye shadows and products to remove it all before you go to bed. List below.

For your chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment (not anonymous) saying which of the products you would most like to try. 

Happy to ship abroad!



Good luck and share the love with your friends.

The bag itself
Pureology

What's in the bag?
Decleor Hydra Floral light cream, 15ml
Decleor Micellar Oil 5ml
Lancome Energie de Vie 5ml: smoothing and glow boosting liquid care
Ouai hair treatment masque
Benefit They're Real! remover
January Labs restorative tonic mist 30ml: alcohol free toner that minimizes the appearance of pores and prevents breakouts. Designed to tone, rehydrate, and balance all skin types.
Omorovicza Ultramoor Mud Mask: transform skin’s appearance in just a few minutes with this flash-lifting anti-ageing mud mask.
Inika mineral eye shadow, gunmetal: vegan pure and vibrant mineral eyeshadow, pigment-rich, that will last all day.
Nudestix Magnetic eye color, angel: über long wearing eye shadow pencil that highlights, provides intense luminous colour, precise lining and primes lids for all day wear.
Lypsyl original lip balm
Emma Hardie Protect & Prime sachet: light weight, non-greasy skin protecting and priming cream with a broad spectrum sun protection SPF30,
Frederic Fekkai Protein Rx hair repair strengthener: treatment that mends brittle damaged hair.
Sienna X instant bronzing gel
Australian Bodycare tea tree oil hair conditioner: detangles and restores natural lustre leaving hair manageable and healthy.
Weleda evening primrose age revitalizing body lotion: firms and increases skin elasticity
Melvita argan oil for face or hair

Terms and conditions can be found here.

A fantastic weekend in Belfast

You could say I'm wearing what I like in this pic - it's a Game of Thrones cape! We had a fantastic weekend in Belfast, starting first at the Titanic Experience which has quite rightly been voted the world's top tourist attraction. Nine galleries, all very evocative and interactive, take you from the history of Belfast's shipbuilding and other associated industries (linen, rope) to the discovery of the wreckage and retrieval of some of the artifacts.

A tale of two wedding dresses

Writer Raffaella Barker recently wrote in the Mail on the dilemma she faced as a 51 year old second time bride in choosing her dress.

I had exactly the same challenge in 2010 when I married John.