Indianblondee

Christmas for me was spent on the beach with temperatures up to 40 degrees in South Africa. I remember my first Christmas in Belfast, me standing in my dressing gown in the snow like a little child.  I had seen snow on the Drakensburg Mountains back home but this was the first time I was making and throwing snowballs. It was truly magical. Every year I say to myself ' the market is going to be more or less the same as previous year's, so no need to go'. Well, I can't seem to drag myself away, every time. I can't tell you exactly what it is whether it's the power of the churros, an excuse to catch up with friends or the amazing smell or food wafting around Belfast city hall or just that the market has something that puts me into the spirit of Christmas. I have to confess I am drawn to the Belfast Xmas Market every year and no doubt it won't be my last visit. Located in the grounds of Belfast City Hall.  I was lucky to get a little sunshine on Friday just be...

Where has the sunshine gone? I blinked and two and a half months have passed by. We spent a glorious sunny week in Sentidocalavinas this year. Today's blustery rainy Sunday has made me realize winter is coming! Wedding I attended a very glamorous wedding at the Galgorm Manor in October. The bride planned everything down to a t. The Ghosthouse for the intimate ceremony and shortly afterward the ceremony we were whisked off to the Great Hall where drinks and dinner followed in the decadent, immaculate setting. I wish I had stayed overnight at this perfect venue and can't wait to visit again. Hidden Gem above Aether & Echo A friend suggested going to Apoc for a cocktail. It is really well hidden away but really quaint when inside. We were welcomed with a glass of prosecco served in old fashioned champagne glasses and pretzels, a nice ice breaker and definitely worth a visit. Dublin I haven't been to Dublin in years and forgot just how busy this city, always is...

Winging it I found myself perfecting the Benefit gel liner this week. I picked the liner up as part of a set with the benefit real mascara and remover for £19.50 from House of Fraser in VictoriaSquare , a real steal. The matter black gel mascara is waterproof and won't smudge, hooray exactly what I need. I have always used a liquid liner and on first application used far too much ending up with a very thick line. The tip is to twist until you see a little black gel and little goes a long way and you decide on the size of your wings. I can't wait to take this on holidays next week. No smudges or re-application needed for the whole day. Holiday planning We booked our holiday in the sunshine 21 days ago. It was exciting until I realized I had pretty much overindulged for the last 12 months by eating too much, not excercising and pretty much having far too much of a social life not accepting that my metabolism was not what it used to be. So in a desperate attempt to fit into a...

Health kick The time has finally come just like a friend once told me it would. My metabolism has finally slowed down and now I have to work a little harder. I decided to make a few little changes this month by eating properly and exercising.  I don't and have never believed in dieting and depriving the body of everything it needs and because I love my food. I began my quest at the start of August by eating 3 meals and walking to work and back. Every little bit helps right! I'm not trying to lose weight, I just want to get fit. It's amazing how motivating food posts on instagram can be. One sunny day If I had to describe this year's summertime. It would be one sunny day!  I went out and enjoyed the sunshine in Belfastcity hall earlier in the month when the sun decided to pop out for an hour or two and even treated the occasion by having an ice cream. Playing Tourist I met a friend and we played tourist for a day. We went on theweetram which is a hop on hop off t...

So who is Peterphilips remember to spell his name correctly otherwise like me you will be asking yourself, why is the only son of Anne, Princess Royal launching make-up for Dior... Laura who works for Dior in Houseoffraserbelfast invited me to the launch of Peter Philips Cosmopolite Look collection. Peter Philips is a Belgian make-up artist known for his creative infusion of high fashion and new ideas. "He gained international fame for his imaginative and bold vision and is in constant demand known as the Dior Magician. Ok enough of the history lesson. I went down to Victoriasquare and got the first class treatment. I am not to sure about the lighter shades of metallic eyeshadow on my skin tone! The deeper colours looked better adding a little (80s) sparkle. The blush came in fresh pinky tones, again I need to be braver and go for a deeper colour.  I am eager to give this range another go. I think the bold colours may have frightened me for today.

The bene f it of a mascara   I called into the Victoria Square, House of Fraser today (you are probably asking, what again?), taking my lunch break in a shopping centre can be a very  refreshing, informative and also an expensive diversion so restraint is needed.   I went in with the intention of buying a new mascara after having seen the new They’re Real! Mascara (available at) on display the other day and I ended up getting a full make-up lesson from Reagan who works in the House of Fraser Victoria Square . Reagan was patient as she explained the various products she was using on me. I tend to stick with the same brand and am always nervous about trying out something new. Now, I can honestly say that I tend to stick with that particular brand after I have found what works for me and am reluctant to try new products, especially foundations. This experience gave me opportunity to see and feel what the products they looked like on my skin without feeling ob...

Want that sun-kissed look As you may have gathered I am a huge Bobbi Brown fan so I went along to see what all the fuss was about with their new Telluride Collection which launched last week (how did I miss this?) available from Bobbi Brown counter at the Houseof Fraser Victoria Square.   What better woman to have model their newest Tulleride collection, but the gorgeous Kate Upton. The collection is described as ‘A warm, tawny glow inspired by the late afternoon sun’.  The name got its inspiration from the late afternoon sun in Telluride (one of Bobbi Brown’s favourite holiday spots in Colorado).  ‘The collection is all about a gorgeous glow’ We all want that glow, don't we?   I have a dark complexion and I love earthy browns and pink bronzers and this collection ticks all the boxes for me. The collection ranges from soft pinks, rose and shades of brown and mauve.  The limited palette is described as ‘capturing the skin flattering ...

For the love of shoes, whether it's stiletto, court or a simple ballerina flat we want them all, in every colour, and fine leather. We can't live without them nor can we live with too many, (my house is far too small for the number of shoes, boots, sandals and trainers I own) My shoe addiction started a very long time ago. When mummy took me shopping she would  say "make sure to get two of everything, just in case", now what little girl was going to refuse that ever! She used to have different pairs of glasses to match her outfits. I did this until fairly recently, maybe there is still hope for my shoe habit. My mummy, my hero, I miss her dearly. I think shoes tell a story about one's personality. Some of my favourites are KurtGeiger Carvela , ninewest , Guess , Manas Peragamo , Puralopez . My most recent purchase is Jessica Simpson ballerina flats from Houseoffraser VictoriaSquare Belfast.  Due to a knee injury I can't seem to carry off my usual 5inch h...

Uptown Girl If you were to ask me where to go for a cocktail in Belfast, my first choice would have to be The Merchant Hotel, Waring Street Belfast.  I have been going to The Merchant ever since it first opened in 2007. I remember our first visit to The Great Room (2AA Rosettes), where we dined out from the very decadent a la carte menu.  There was a strict dress code at that time, men were not allowed in jeans, shorts or trainers, ladies also had o be suitably attired.  There was a sign posted on entry advising diners not to use their mobile phones to allow for complete intimacy to savour the delicious food.   The dress code is pretty relaxed now and the food is just as excellent as the first visit and there is a choice of different affordable menu options. For me going to the Merchant is an excuse to dress up because they have a knack of making you feel so special. M personal favourite is enjoying either an Apéritifs  or Digestifs in the cocktail...

Ladies, I hope I am not alone in this! Lipstick drama as I call it, the choice of finding the perfect lip colour, texture and price.  When I'm feeling a little blue a new lipstick or in this case BobbiBrown art stick makes me feel a million dollars. They remind me of crayons taking me back to my childhood. There is something empowering about applying a bright lip colour. It lights up my day, makes me smile and I feel a whole lot more confident.  The art stick comes in many gorgeous colours which can also be used on cheeks, (just remember not to use it like a crayon on your cheeks). My skin colour pretty much dictates the colours that work for me. In this case I spurgled on two shades.  I'm wearing bright raspberry in my photo and my back-up is Rose Brown for a change. I bought my art sticks from Houseoffraserbelfast Victoriasquare  where the knowledge staff are more than happy to advise. The art sticks are an affordable £19.50 and lasts a long time. It is easy to ...

Hi there, welcome to my first blog in a long time. I thought I would start with a little about myself and my insanely fine hair. It's every girls dream to have luscious hair, right? Is it just me or are we all pretty much the same if we have curly hair we want straight and like me on the other hand with my fine, thin, straight hair always longed for a gorgeous mane of flowing bouncy luscious locks. I have always managed to keep my hair at a good length until recently.... I felt I needed a drastic change and opted for a not only short but oalso invested in the Remington waving wand for those days when I want to have extra va va voom.  The wand comes with a handy heat resistant glove (which I should have used) instead of burning my earlobe on the first use.  I am notorious for not reading instructions. (a very bad habit).  It comes nicely packaged in a heat resistant sleeve and sits on a built-in stand when not in use and so you don't burn anything you put it on. As a ...