To DIY List

This is just a list of DIY projects that I want to achieve. Limited by budget and skill I don't know if these will be achievable. I have tried to be as realistic as possible... (sorry for the lack of pics)

• Replace regular coat sleeves with leather sleeves - this will require specialist needle and thread but the main problem is the sewing- I've never sewed anything other then a dropped hem , buttons or a small hole. I want this so bad though!!! (EDIT: OMG!!! I've been further researching DIY leather sleeves and came across a wicked post!! The blogger basically took leather sleeves off an old leather jacket and sewed it onto her trench/dress. Now all I need is a plus size leather jacket.....)

http://leiannoffduty.tumblr.com/post/4377126273/diy-leather-sleeve-trench-coat

• T-shirts - I've just brought 3 plain t shirts off ebay (Black, white and ash grey). I hope to stud the shoulders of one, the collar of the other, and with the last one I hope to sew on pearls all over the t shirt. This will take time but is cheap and seems easy enough. Worse comes to worse I can stud all 3 t shirts.
  

• Have you seen those crazy Christian Louboutin flats? Studded with spikes all over. I could do this, but I'm worried I might hurt myself. Or hurt someone else (don't step on my shoes!!!)

• This next one seems straightforward enough but is giving me a headache. I want to stud a pair of leather gloves. The difficulty? I can't find any bargain leather gloves that fit me :( Googling how to stretch leather but a waste of time/money/effort if it didn't work...I'll keep you updated. I always want leather gloves every year.
  

Other things I am trying to do is just to use accessories to update my wardrobe. I've recently purchased a big fur collar to add onto coats because I really wanted a fur trim coat but this way I've only spent £15 instead of £80 for a coat and plus I can wear my collar with everything (not received yet, photo's will be posted).

I also had fur cuffs in my basket but at the last minute deleted them because a lot of my coats have short sleeves (bracelet sleeves or elbow) and so cuffs would probably be a bit pointless, plus I hate things around my hands and can only shudder at the thought of my germy furry cuffs.

Oooh! One more thing that goes into both updating with accessories/DIY is shoe clips! I've been looking into making my own but tbh I think it's more of a phase so can't afford/be bothered to buy all the bits and bobs needed.

If anyone has done any projects or has any cheap and fashionable ideas please let me know!

Am I going round the twist?!

Hi Guys!

Got another of my ebay parcels today. Was confused when I took out the above [pic] from the padded envelope and couldn't remembered what I ordered but on closer inspection (and unwrapping) I discovered these [below]:

What are they? Well, they are pins for your hair. Twisty, sprial hair grips? Something along those lines. /i first saw these being used in a you tube hair tutorial and goggled them but they weren't quite a bargain so I resisted the urge to purchase some.

But then I randomly came across them on ebay from a Hong Kong seller; 10 grips for 99p, free p+p! Even though they weren't the legit version I thought I'd splash the cash and give them a go.

First impressions: When i took them out of the 'candy wrapper' I was disappointed. I can't really explain but they looked a bit crudely made, no gloss and no safety ends (like those round bits you get on the end of good kirby grips to prevent snagging/breaking hair). Also, they came with no instructions. There were a few poor quality images on the candy wrapper but nothing that could be followed...

However, i brushed my hair and rolled it into a ballerina bun and just stuck in a twisty grip. OMG! I love it!! As you push in the grip you can feel it spiral into your hair, thus securely your bun. I've had my bun up (used a few grips around the bun, no kirbys or elastics) for about 2 hours now and it hasn't budged (though I haven't moved off my sofa so it might fare differently on a windy journey to work).

To take them out, DO NOT PULL them out, but gently grab an end of a GRIP AND TWIST (you will realise which way to twist cos if you twist the wrong way you will feel it)

Likewise, if you feel your bun/hairstyle loosening then just twist to further secure.

As simple as screwing and unscrewing a bottle of water!!

Really happy with my buy :)

Wear it pink

Hello Everyone!

Hop you are all well and had a good week. I'm so thankful it's the weekend, totally knackered and grumpy. But anyway!

Yesterday was 'Wear it pink' day at work where we got to dress down (and wear pink if you wanted) to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. Only got the email on Wednesday so didn't have a chance to buy a proper pink outfit in honour of a charity close to my heart.

Face of the Day: Normal make up plus some nina ricci lippie. By 11:34am all traces were gone. I couldn't be bothered to reapply but most of my work colleagues appreciated my effort to add a bit of pink to my outfit I think.

Sorry about the mess in the background....my clothes rail collapsed (first time, it also fell on me whilst I was in bed :()

OOTD: I am wearing one of my bargains from Tesco. Technically I don't think it was pink, mabe a peach? But it was a good enough effort and just about passes for a very pale pink (chiffon, pussybow).

In honour of it being Friday and to help me get through the work day a bit less grumpy I had fish and chips for lunch. And a sausage in batter. Oink oink in pink! lol

DIY: Studded collar

Hi Guys!

I got this shirt of ebay a few weeks ago and was waiting for some studs to start my next diy project.

The shirt was either £7.99 but I can't remember if that was with p+p, though I think that I paid extra for postage, but def under £10 all together.

It is a cream polyester long shirt and it has a very subtle check/square pattern (cream on cream).

Studding a shirt was much easier than shoes, not because of the thickness of the fabric, but because it's easier to get access to both sides of the material.

My studs were also from ebay, gold triangle studs (8mm); 100 studs for about £4 inc p+p.

The seller has a webpage www.idreamcraft.com and the prices are actually slightly lower on the webstore then on their ebay seller page (bigbenworld).

The seller also included a little free gift which was a sweet touch; a few round flat gunmetal studs. Very nice if you wanted a proper grungey rock and roll feel.

So I started studding the tips of the collar - three rows either side and then building up one row at a time, alternating sides so that I wouldn't use up all of the studs on one side and end up with a lopsided collar.

Pic above is what I thought was the final product (6 rows) but I've added another row. I would have liked to do many more rows of studs but 100 studs actually gets used up really quickly. The collar tips used up about 70 studs. I am thinking of getting another 300 studs and stud more of the collar, but also the centre (it's a fly button shirt) and maybe even the cuffs.

The studding is addictive!!!

Eyebrows

Hey Guys!

Another random ebay purchase. This was a bargain at £1.99 and it arrived pretty quickly.

You're probably wondering what it is...it doesn't have a name, or at least not an english name but it is basically a 'tool' used to remove unwanted hair. It supposedly uses the same principles of removing hair as threading does.

I was really excited about getting this because it is a potentially (beauty) life changing item to have on a dressing table. So.....does it work?

Erm, I don't know.

I eagerly ripped it out of the packaging after the blog pics were taken, but I've spent the last few hours trying to 'thread' my hairy legs (no shame no shame!) and I just can't get the hang of it.

I don't want to be unfair and judge the product too quickly, maybe I am just being cack handed (which is totally possible as I am left handed - I can just about use a can opener and that takes ages, and a potato peeler is just aaaaaarrrrrggghh) so I shall reserve judgement for now.

Fingers crossed I can get the hang of using this - my mono brow would really appreciate the effort ;)

I want: Turquoise pendant

Hi Guys,

I really want a turquoise pendant. It's quite the in thing at the moment (swings and roundabouts)and I think it would add a nice fresh pop of colour to my outfits. Also, turquoise is my birthstone so I guess it would be lucky for me to wear it.

What do you think of this retro stone?

Do you believe in the power of crystals?

Ring ring

I went to primark last week (or the week before?) and got a few vests to wear with my sheer tops and also picked up this ring.

Now we all know I don't really 'do' jewelry but I have felt the urge to wear some recently. When I was a teen I wore tons of jewelry; hoops earrings that fit up my arm, thick chains with giant crucifixes on them, loads of bangles and bracelets. I even had an anklet and toe ring! But I never really wore rings due to my hand washing 'thing' and because whenever I did buy a ring, they ended up falling down the toilet. Classy and sophisticated are my middle names(!)

So anyway! Was in primark, and was determined to buy a ring. I wanted tons, the bigger the better but settled for one to see how my allergies would cope. I am glad I only bought one (£2.50 btw) because though I like the look of it it is not very practical for me. I end up wearing it to and from work but during the day i take it off and leave it on my desk.

What do you think of my foray into fingerwear?

If you are a ringwearer, how do you dry under your rings after washing your hands?

Happy 25th Birthday baby bro!

Thai foodage

October 2011 Ins and Outs

Hi Guys!

Can you believe we're well into October already?! This December it will be penny for your thoughts' 2 year anniversary!! (And also mine and Jesus' birthday!) I cannot believe I've stuck at it this long (blogging...not the being alive).

Anyway, I've been a bit lazy with the random picture posts so I thought I'd say a quick hello and do a Ins and Outs post :)



Loving:


Studs! - As I am sure you can see, I am currently obsessed with studding stuff. It's such a cheap and easy (though painful and time consuming) way to update your wardrobe and breathe new life into things that are a bit 'blah'. This hobby has given me a new respect for embellished items and a better understanding of the seemingly ridiculous price points!!

Pendants - About 2 months ago I didn't own any pendants and now I have enough to say I have a (very) small collection. I wear them with my leather necklace or on the original chain under collared shirts. I get all of mine on ebay. i just like big ones ;) Sometimes I look for inspiration on the high street and get dupes. My leopard pendant cost under £1 and retails for £6 in Peacocks. Nuff said really!

Chiffon - I've always loved the sheer stuff but I am finding chiffon a great fabric for this random late summer transitioning into winter period. A chiffon shirt and then a cardi or light jacket/mac means you are prepared for the chill or for sweltering heat.

Custard - Hot custard. Cold custard. Peach crumble, apple crumble, chocolate torte. Just give me some custard!

Chunky knits - Specifically men's chunky knits. Love the contrast between girly stuff; chiffon, bows, leopard prints and then boom, chuck a chunky knit over the top and we are too cool for school :)

Ebay - big big big love for ebay! Sept/Oct has been tough financially but ebay is letting me indulge without breaking the (overdrawn) bank. If you are patient you can find loads of bargains.




Loving not so much:


Westfields Stratford City - I do love having Westfields on my doorstep but a month in and it's just a bit overrated. Full of teens trying to pick up members of the opposite sex. you're suppose to be in a 'nice' place but I am scared to pull out my purse/mobile and so it's just an extension of the streets and takes the fun out of shopping.

X Factor - ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Not enjoying X Factor at all. And it has nothing to do with the judges; TBH I don't get the whole hoo ha over the line up change because to me it doesn't make a difference, the judges are just something you have to put up with to see the acts, much like the million adverts! But anyway, the contestants are just blaaaaahhhh. I am watching the live shows as I have nothing better to do on my weekend evenings and it keeps my twitter busy :)

Zachary Quinto - has just come out the closet. I am happy for him, but sad for myself as I was hoping to marry him one day.

Doctor Who - love Doctor Who but hate that it's not on our screens at the moment! Christmas cannot come soon enough!!! Another thing to look forward to in December.

My credit card bill - I hate you! Nuff said!

Turkey Ham - Bernard Matthew's turkey ham was on special offer so I got a big pack and holy christ even if they give it away free next time I am saying "thanks but no thanks". I don't know what I was thinking cos I don't like turkey slices nor ham . A lesson learnt!


And on that note I hope everyone is ready for the colder weather and hope the rest of October is ab fab xoxox

eBay pendant haul

Rave: <3 Mars triple choc <3

NOTD: lightening

DIY: Studded tan pumps

NOTD: Sneak peak!!

DIY: Studded bow pumps

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Hi Everyone,

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

This is just a very short blog asking for just a few minutes of your life.

Below is a link to YouTube that I would like you to click on. It's just a very very short video but by watching it, the maker of the video will donate the money made by your view to Breast Cancer Research.

All you are donating is a few minutes of your time and those few minutes could save a life. This will cost you no money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SasAYjCJeU

Thank you.

Penny x

Rant: Lazy so and so

Ok, this is a random wordy post. Just a bit of a rant so please feel free to avert your eyes.

There's an advert that comes on the radio everyday and it bugs me so much, it really gets my blood boiling. The ad is for 'Three' (nothing wrong against Three as a company) and it's their "do the smart thing'" campaign. The ad man basically says that there is no need to waste time shopping or researching for a new smart phone, go to Three where they've done all the hard work for you and you can just pick out of the best phones and packages they've chosen for us.

Why does this piss me off?

To me, the message given says all there is to say about what is wrong with today's youth; especially after the recent riots: lazy so and so's.

I'll put my hands up and say "yes, I love convenience. Yes I am a lazy cow", but you know what? That's on PJ Sundays, in the week I live and lead a real life and contribute somewhat to the society I live in.

The advert pisses me off because it highlights how we now live in a society where it's all about instant gratification as opposed to the generations before where it was about deferred gratification.

Of course advantages in technology and science and globalisation means that life really is easier, and I am not suggesting that we wash our clothes in a river and shun the washing machine; I am not even suggesting we don't make use of Three's service, heck, why waste time when we can save it? But it's the underlying message that hurts my heart.

Our children, our youth, our future are the sort of people who cannot be bothered. A generation of wastemen and wastegash!! The only dreams they (ok, I know I am super duper generalising but you get the point yeah?) have is to win X factor and become instant superstars.

Sure, if I had the talent and opportunity I would also want to be an instant superstar/instant millionaire but that hasn't stopped me from slogging it out in the rat race. For a lot of 'kids' these days, when they say "I've only wanted to sing/danceactplay football" they are also saying "and I am not going to bother doing any thing else until I get what I want".

Of course I am being ungenerous here, there are plenty of 'good' kids out there working weekends in McDonalds and not looting during the riots. But they don't piss me off so they are not what my post is about ;)

And I've run out of steam. Felt good to get that off my chest. I might have to start listening to another radio station from now on! xoxo

NOTD: Dark skies and palm trees

Hi Guys!

Just did my nails; please forgive the messy edges but I thought I'd quickly post before I tidied them up.

For the first time I used a base coat - to be honest I don't usually bother, I don't see the point but for some reason my last nail polish (Nails Inc's London) stained my nails so thought I'd be safe rather than sorry with this dark nail choice.

So anyway!! I've got on Elf's Dark Navy. I've had this for maybe a year but only just used it now. I thought it was shimmery but it's actually a gorgeous deep, dark navy with a sheen but no glitter. When I first painted in on I thought it was black but once tried it is def navy.

On a random finger per hand I've also used LA Colors palm trees for a bit of fun and I also think it helps the navy to 'pop'.

In real life the contrast is lovely and represents the weather we should be having vs the sunshine we have been having. No idea what outfit this is going to go with tomorrow which is another reason why I've been avoiding the navy polish. I guess I could wear a yellow dress and red lippy and I'd be like a colour wheel!

Review: Palmer's Tummy butter

I purchased this about a month ago and thought it'd be time to review it.

First things first though - I am not pregnant!

The product:

Palmer's tummy butter for stretch marks/pregnant bellies with cocoa butter and lavender oil.

It was £4.59 but I got mine at Boots in the 3 for 2 baby promo, so I got 3 tubs for £9.18, which equals £3.06 each.

What can I say? I started off absolutely loving it, it was really moisturising and it was good to get back on the wagon (I got put off moisturising with anything other than baby oil after my latest allergic reaction to fake tan).....and then...........it gave me a frigging rash!!!

After about one weeks usage I just broke out in a rash and silly me I just kept using it for about another week by which the rash had spread :(

After stopping all usage for one whole day (cos I was applying this stuff about 5 times a day on my tummy - I used up one whole tub and half of another tub and then a 1/3 of another tub - I liked to have a tub in each room!) the rash started to subside!!!!!

The thing that pisses me off majorly is the fact that I read up loads of reviews on this and a lot of the mothers said that it broke them out in a rash. Why did I ignore this?!

So now I am back using baby oil and my home made sugar scrub cos now that the rash is gone its left me with dry skin - so I am back at square one again!!!!

Score? It's not really their fault I am allergic to it, if I hadn't broken out in a rash I'd give this 7-8/10

I am looking for something a) cheap b) ultra moisturising and long lasting

- any recommendations?

xoxo

Nom nom nom

Had the urge to cook (well actually, just had the urge to eat food that didn't come out of a packet and required heating in the microwave) so I did a bit of cooking.

Pictures are a bit washed out but I was too busy slaving over the stove then to take too many pics ;)

[Above]

For starters I made a thai beef salad.

Ingredients:

Steak (you could also use smoked sausage)

Red Onions, Onions, Shallots, Corriander, Lettuce, Gem Lettuce, Cucumber, Chilli

Fish sauce and lemon juice

[Below]

Main course was suppose to be dover sole but when the fish defrosted (couretesy of mum) it was a fish with a head and eyes and a tail, not filleted as I assumed so instead I made.....

Stuffed chicken breast wrapped in parma ham

Ingredients:

Chicken breast, soft cream cheese, garlic, parma ham, salt and pepper

New potatoes, butter, asparagus

[Above]

Erm...this is suppose to be a cheat chocolate cheesecake but it so totally wasn't lol

But!! Even though it didn't look or even taste like what I was aiming for it was acutally all right :)

Ingredients:

Crushed ginger nut biscuits (for the base)

Chocolate custard and mascarpone cheese

That's it!

And as you can see from the pic I probably would have been better using a whisk but lumps just add character......just like me and my lumps/humps LOL

xoxo

NOTD: matte London