Nail Varnish Comparison - Barry M vs Nails Inc

Now, if someone told me they were comparing Barry M to Nails Inc, I'd have to say there's no contest - Nails Inc every time! (Although Barry M is probably my favourite budget range) but I have recently found myself with two almost identical varnishes.. Barry Ms Arabian and Nails Incs Swiss Cottage. It was an accident, in my defence. I've had the Barry M one for a while, and I was in TK Maxx and they have such good deals on beauty andimsorryitjusthappened. Anyway.. 

To the comparison! To start with, I have painted one nail in each colour. I CANNOT see a difference. The Nails Inc might have slightly more gold.. But it's hard to say, the way the varnish works, changing colour with the light angle means it could be a trick of the light. The formulas are also similar, I did two coats of both, and they both offer great coverage, very similar after the first coat as well. The brush is slightly better on the Nails Inc one, it's fuller and softer. To be honest, I would expect that! The difference in their (full) price is fairly sizeable, Barry M being £3.99 and the Nails Inc being £11.50, although it is worth mentioning that it doesn't appear to be a current colour. 

Nails Inc is on the middle finger, Barry M on the ring finger. Sure, the application isn't perfect, but that's me, not the varnish. 

My own personally snobbery means I'd rather have the Nails Inc one, and the application is a little easier with the wider brush. But really.. There's no difference that's worth paying an extra £8 for. If you find it in TK Maxx though, it's £4.99, and then it probably is worth it! They had a fantastic range yesterday of Nails Inc and OPI, so it's worth a look!

 Do you know any other near-perfect dupes? 

Syn Free Breaded Mushrooms!

I am so proud.. I made up a recipe and it was syn free, and I wanted to share it with you.. Makes a great starter, or a light lunch (which is how I just had it) 

Sorry the photo isn't up to blog-standard, I was only taking it to show friends, then decided it deserved a blogging..

So.. Syn Free Breaded mushrooms. Using bread from the Healthy Extra B Allowance, and everything else is free! I adapted the recipe from here..

 http://momvstheboys.com/2013/03/breaded-mushrooms/

Here is my version! 

1 tub mushrooms - mine had 16 mushrooms

2 slices wholemeal bread

Teaspoon or thereabouts of dried parsley

Pinch cayenne pepper

Salt & pepper to taste

1 egg

Method - 

Preheat the oven to around 475f or 230c.

Blitz the bread in a food processor. I know many people remove the crusts when making breadcrumbs, but I've never felt the need to. When it's nearly blitzed, add the spices and finish it off. I didn't do this, and the little clumps of cayenne were lethal! 

Break the egg into a small bowl and whisk it up a little. Dunk your mushrooms in the egg (wiping off any manky stuff first) and then the breadcrumb mix. Pop them on a foil lined baking tray and bake for around 10/15 minutes. 

I served mine with minute steak as a light lunch, but they'd make a great starter maybe with some dip. My boyfriend recommends them with HP sauce.. If you like that sort of thing! Please feel free to play around with the seasonings and stuff, I will be! I think they'd work really well with Cajun/BBQ seasonings. 

If you try them, please let me know! I'm going to be sharing more Slimming World recipes as I find them! 

Waveya.

I may be obsessed. There's a dance group called Waveya, they're Korean, and possibly HOT. I AM IN LOVE (lust). YouTube search them, especially their version of Psy, Gentleman. It's insane, but I'm now going to hell even more than I was before. 

Just thought I'd share. Seriously, if you like dancing or hot girls look them up. Awesome on both fronts. 

Am I hipster yet?

We've taken to making cocktails in Jam Jars. Partly because we don't own that many glasses (although we have so many mugs its untrue) and partly because it looks cool. The picture is just a vodka & orange, but it looks better with more interesting drinks. :) having said that I fancy a tequila sunrise. Right now.. Which is impractical as I'm writing this on my lunch break at work. I'll stick with my squash.

An Outfit Of The Other Day

Just to see if this is working here as well now.. This is a post to show you an outfit I wore a couple of weeks ago. I love this dress, but it's sooooo short! I had fun curling my hair, I never normally bother, but it looked so cute, I need to do it more often. :)

In my Wonderland..

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Good Morning Starshine..

My Starshine wig, as worn in the park with my cute new sunglasses. I really hope this posts, cos I haven't been able to post any photos so far. :( yay! It worked! Hopefully the app will start working, and I'll be well away. That'd be nice.. 

Right, I said last time that my next wig would be vanilla and mint Icecream. I was half right.. I've ordered Vanilla.. And Galaxy. So pretty. <3

Wigging Out!

Hi. 

Again, long time no see! This is probably going to mark a change of direction for this blog, as I barely do any crafting any more. :( I'll still post when I do though. Anyway.. New Direction!

Wigs! And Lolita style, and punk, and music and dance and domestic bliss and stuff.. I am now the owner of three wigs, and they are rapidly becoming my babies. One is pink & blue with twin tails, the second is pink with white and the last is a long brown curly one with a fringe. They're all from Geisha Wigs (coffee cake, Baby and Starshine if you wondered!)

 Next on my wish list is Mint Icecream, and Vanilla! I always wanted to know what I look like blonde. Also, I'm in Calendar Girls in September and I fancy being blonde for that. I keep my clothes on (playing Elaine if you know the show) so no worry about people knowing I'm not a natural blonde! 

Just finished a production of Oliver! I played Widow Corney, it was my favourite role I've played, I actually got to sing solo in front of 400-odd people. Terrifying, but I'm so glad I've done it. :)  

For some unknown reason, I can't post any pictures on my iPad.. I don't know what it's doing. I'll show you when I've worked it out. :) 

Christmas.. already?!

I'm getting a bit randomly excited about Christmas today. Me and Kirk started talking about how we're going to handle the various family commitments, balanced with our desire to have time together. We've already planned an activity for the first of December (which happens to be a Saturday) of friends, small amounts of alchol and mince pies and A Muppet Christmas Carol, which is a favourite for us both.

I'm quite excited about this. 

This will be my first Christmas in My Own Home. Mine. My choice of decorations, lots of baking, christmassy films and music. Won't be doing a christmas lunch this year though, that'll be with a family. But, I've got a pudding from last year, and several jars of amazing mincemeat.

P.S, sorry for any 'o' related typos.. the key's gone really stiff. Having to hld it really hard to make it work!

Hello! It's been a while, has it not? can't remember when I last posted, but essentially I got a boyfriend, got distracted and went a bit punk/goth.. Most of my craft stuff fell by the wayside. I now live with said boyfriend, and am still a bit more punk/goth than I was previously. BUT.. I've moved out of my parents, I have a space of my own which I can put my own stamp on, and I think maybe I should share some of this. It's not gonna be quite as crafty (although I still love my papercraft) and it might have occasional hints of naughtiness (much like me) but I shall try and keep these inoffensive.

Right! A couple of images (some edited with Instagram)

So, do feel free to say 'Hi', and I'll post (probably irregularly) on my house & home related antics! As well, as images of life out & about.
It's good to be back! x x x
 

T.G.I.F

I have a weekend off work. :-O

This is unheard of, and I sit here on the Friday evening giddily contemplating the three (YES, THREE!) days ahead of me. I have time to do many fabulous things.. tomorrow (Saturday) I have to do a little shopping, a little card making and attend a party in the evening. Sunday I plan to visit Snowdrop Valley, as we did last year and we're going out for lunch.. I will not be hungover. I've decided. Monday is going to be a day of blissful domesticity.. I hope, with much baking and crafty-ness to be undertaken.

On the subject of craftiness, I have a CUTTLEBUG! Those of a paper-crafting persuasion may well understand my excitement at this.. as yet I don't have enough dies to make it properly fabulous, but this is something to work on. :)

We need a photo now.. what've I got..

Something to make me think of the summer to come.. I am so looking forward to Summer! I'm one of those people who is always looking forward to the season to come, never enjoying the one we've got. There's not a great deal to enjoy outdoors right now. It's cold, and largely grey. Hopefully I can find some things to enjoy on Sunday. Pip Pip! xx

Oh, Bother.

Hmm.. I havn't quite managed to keep as up to date with posting as I intended. It always seems that other things happen, and I never have much interesting to say. Ho Hum.

Pantomime has been and gone, and it was F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S!!! I havn't had that much fun in a very long time, and I don't want to wait another year until the next one.. which is why I'll be back on stage in May, all being well for a production of High Society. I'll probably be in the chorus. Since the week of Panto I have acquired the Mother of all colds, coupled with a minor chest infection.. so tomorrows auditions could be a little interesting :S

Right.. we need a photo. Let's have a lookee..

Ahh, yes. Someone suggested posting the view from the kitchen window. As we don't have a window per se, this is taken from the back door. Yep, we have a building site literally on the other side of the fence. It will eventually be our towns new Medical Centre. Joyousness on all fronts. At least the tree is safe. And yes, our garden is very scruffy. :)

No crafting has happened lately, except I made coconut macaroons. They were yummy, and blue! But they didn't get photographed.. I shall photograph something more picturesque soon. Promise. And I'll tell you about it.

Happy Stuff

I love my gloves / mittens. I love the colours and the way they work with my vintage jacket. I like how they work with my favourite scarf without being the same. The colours are similar tones.

I've just resurrected my green jacket, I changed the buttons for these military style ones and it's rejuvinated my love of it. I bought it originally in my favourite charity shop. I don't know how old it is, but it's M&S.

(I need a haircut though.. look at it!)

The scarf was bought in a shop at one of my local National Trust houses.
It's so incredibly diverse, it works with almost everything I own.

Oh, and I was right about my other hyacinth.. it is indeed white, but the pink one isn't doing anything, and I don't know what's wrong with it, but it looks to have dried up or something. It still has plenty of water, so it's not that. If it doesn't do anything in the next day or two I'm going to get proper worried.

Can you see the snow as well? We've still got quite a bit lurking around in places. :)

My biggest thing to report today.. I've been a little naughty ;-)

I've bought a book.

A book of fabulousness and joy and inspiration and eye candy.

I've bought Cath Kidstons Sew! and it's fabulous. So far I've made a card, and I have plans to decorate a purple fleece blanket I've had for ages with flowers, or possibly birdies.. haven't decided yet. I'll show you as soon as I do.

New Look

I've had a bit of a makeover. I just fancied a change for something a little seasonal, although it has come out looking rather festive. I like it, what do you think?

Oh, and one more shot of the snow, this time taken by Dad.. just because I am appallingly vain..

..and because it's a memory I want to preserve, the cold crunch underneath me, lying down in the middle of the road, the coldness on my back where my jumper rode up, and the cold soggyness of my bum for the rest of the walk.

Snow Day!

The snow has arrived in Somerset! I know for many it's a pain, but I do love the snow, particularly when I get a chance to go walkies in it. Was snowed in this morning, so didn't go to work. I did offer to go in for the afternoon, but was told not to bother. So.. a day in the snow to be enjoyed.

I havn't ever been sledging.. today could be the day. It's only 1.40, plenty of afternoon left!

We walked out to our local country lanes this morning, it was a very lovely walk, a good hour or so, snow angels and snowballs included. Havn't built a snowman yet either, but I did come across this fine chap on our walk.

Very impressed by someones building skills, and the combination of snow, door wreath and green door.. all very co-ordinated! Very little colour around though, much monochromosity about. Took lots and lots of photos, and later I'm doing some baking, so more photos to come, I expect!

Lovage! xx

Things That Made Me Smile, and Resolutions for 2010

Hello all.

In my renewed enthusiasm for my blog, I have decided to ensure I post at least once each week. This is 2010 resolution Numero Uno.

Resolution Two is the big one.

I will learn to drive.

At the age of 24 it's high time I had independence of movement. Plus, it will greatly facilitate me (eventually) moving out of home. These are currently my only resolutions for this year. I have other things I'd like to do, but they're not resolutions, as I don't want to set myself up for failure.

So.. the things that are making me smile at the moment..

Pretty pink hyacinth.. looks very vibrant. I'm hoping it retains that level of pinkness, and doesn't fade as it opens. There's another one sat beside it on the windowsill, slightly behind in terms of development. I can't remember what colour it is.. I think it might be white. I'll find out soon enough!

The next thing to make me smile is this Muppets videoclip. The bit I really love is at the very end. There are many many more, but it was this one I stumbled across first.

The thing that I'm expecting to make me smile shortly is the blackcurrant crumble that is currently in the oven, to be eaten with custard, and a great big smile... Ooh, I hear the oven timer.. must dash!! x

*Edited to add - yep, the crumble was indeed worth a smile or two.. very tasty indeed, with a good dollop of Ambrosia!*

2009 continued..

August

Now we come to the month of August in my review of 2009.. possibly the month I know most about, as it was in August that I re-started blogging. How else would I know that I made cookies and tiffin, both from Attic24 recipes!? Other things that happened.. the garden bloomed, along with the wildlife that lives in it.

A bean.. grown by us.. we never actually got around to eating them, but I did eventually collect them, and have got them to plant this coming year.

August was also the month of Donyatt Flower Festival.. really wish I could do photo mosaics, that would be very helpful here.. if anyone can help with that, please send me a message!

I suppose the biggest happening of August was mine and Mums day trip to St Ives. It was to celebrate (or possibly commiserate) my Mother going back into full time work since before I was born.

We had an absolutely brilliant day.. have a few snippits in picture form.

The other thing of much excitement which happened in August was my first attempts in crochet! Not particularly good (and I havn't got much better yet) but I was very, very proud at the time.

Oh, and the bank Holiday Weekend, we went to Tyntesfield.


September


I can't believe I've got around to September already!

Not so much happened in September, but I do at least know what it was. The main thing was The Mayors Musical Extravaganza, a show of song and dance.

I was very proud of this show, particularly the younger cast members.

Nextly, was my first purchase of proper expensive wool (as opposed to acrylic).. I havn't done anything with it yet. I'm still too scared!

In September I also won a blog giveaway from Surfer Rosa! A gorgeous parcel of loveliness arrived, making me very happy indeed.

pins, crocheted pincushion, chocolate, needles, cake cases and a stitched heart decoration. I love them all.. obviously I don't have the chocolate any more!

Lastly, another National Trust visit.. this time to Arlington Court near Barnstaple.

(How Country Homes & Interiors is the wheelbarrow photo!?)

October

October is the month for Carnival! Technically they start in September, but I didn't take photos until October. We always watch Wellington (last Saturday in September) and Ilminster (first saturday in October). The above float was the most incredible tableau (not sure on spelling) of Robin Hood.. it was HUGE. Apparently it didn't age well, and was looking a bit ropey by the end of the circuit.

My best photos of the month came from a walk to the Garden Centre. The most amazingly blue sky helped!

Also in October, I planted many many bulbs.. you'll probably see them in another month or two! (The indoor ones were hideously mis-treated, and may be dead)

November

Finally, toward the end of November the weather decided to become Autumny. Overnight, it got proper cold.

These three are all from my Birthday outing to Watersmeet, about the only thing that really got done in November.

Oh, and this was my birthday cake, a very yummy chocolatey one.

December

We've come nearly full circle now, but I have almost no photos from this December.

The few I do have are unexciting.. anyway. I was doing my Christmas Wrapping, and I was so proud of this parcel, I photographed it! I never wrap something that well! Obviously this wasn't the full effect, it also had some gold glitter paper and red paper raffia added.. my parcels looked so good this year! :)

That just about completes my 2009.. there was so much more that I've forgotten, or didn't photograph. It wasn't the best year, but it was far from being the worst. I'm now looking forward to 2010, and all it may bring. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

A 2009 Review

I'm feeling nostalgic for the year just past (well, almost) and I feel the need for a brief review. Some of these pictures havn't been seen on here before, but I still think I should share them.

January

I have almost no pictures from last January, and certainly no properly attractive ones. That's a good start to my annual review! The best I could find was this one of Nigella Lawsons chocolate fruit cake. There are a couple from Pantomime, but they're not flattering of the people in question, and I wish to avoid the repercussions!

February

February brought the snow, made our feet and fingers glow. The day before the snow came in we went to Snowdrop Valley, near Wheddon Cross on Exmoor.

Lots of pretty snowdrops, and I think they're the native variety. There were the very first flakes of snow blowing in the wind. Snowdrop Valley is only open for one month - this year it's from the 30th January, til 28th February. Visit here for more information.. it's beautiful, and if you're in the area, I'd recommend it!

That night (or possibly the night after) we got our first PROPER snowfall that I'd ever seen. At midnight, or thereabouts, we built our snowman. The next morning....

we had a reasonable amount of snow! That was possibly the most exciting thing I'd ever seen.

March

March was a lovely month. We went on holiday!

How many March days have there been where one can eat a civilised breakfast on the patio? Not that many, I'll bet! The weather was unbelievably good. A perfect spring. You can tell it's March, the daffodils are in the hedge, and the hedge isn't green yet. A few more fabulous pictures from our Dorset holiday (please indulge me, this is one of my favourite parts of 2009)

Skies like that in March? Doesn't happen every year.

April

April we started National Trusting on a regular basis, we went to Knightshayes and Killerton.

Mostly photographed flowers, but one random arty shot of Dad in there for good measure. Not much else happened in April, that I can remember.. there must have been something, but I can't remember what!



May

In May, we went to Dunster Castle, and Blue Anchor, and several of my friends starred in a production of My Fair Lady.. this will be so much easier after I get to a point where I was blogging, and I have a point of reference. At this moment, I have no idea what else happened in May..

June

A far more interesting month! Lots happened in June.. firstly was My Dads 60th birthday. He wanted to go to Stourhead in Wiltshire, so that's where we went. Stourhead is beautiful, one of my favourite places.

A beautiful view across the lake.Umm.. A leaf.. I think it's copper beach, but it's so beautifully lit, and pink. Another view, of a different folly.. there are many.

And Dad, cutting his birthday cake. Date and walnut, if you're interested. Not a spectacular cake, especially for a 60th, but it's what he wanted.

Next thing that happened in June was my tax rebate. £1,500 of tax, returned to me. Part of that money paid for us to go away for a night to Cornwall. We stayed in Padstow, but went to Boscastle first, as I'd never been down to the harbour, and I wanted to see it. It's beautiful. The water really was that blue.

Now for two shots from Knightshayes, when we went back.

July

In July we did quite a lot of Pick Your Own-ing. We picked raspberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries and strawberries. I made strawberry jam for the first time, which we're still eating now.

I doubt Mum will thank me for that.. never mind. It's one of very few pictures I have from July!

Time for a new post I think, for August onwards.