Winter Sun at Costa Del Cleethorpes

I feel the need to write a post in celebration of my home town after enduring numerous snide remarks and comments about the place where I spent the first 18 years of my life since moving down to Richmond.  Nobody chooses where they are born or the background they are born into but people can choose what they want to do with their lives with the right guidance and upbringing.  I had an idyllic childhood thanks to my parents and family and I have many nice memories of my hometown as a child.  I may have chosen to no longer live there but I still enjoy coming home for a visit and today was a perfect Cleethorpes Sunday.

The cold, crisp sea air mixed with the clear blue skies and a nice blast of sunshine provided my favourite weather combination as I wrapped up in a hat, scarf and coat with my favourite fashion accessory of sunglasses to add to the mix.  We headed down to Cleethorpes seafront to take in the sights and enjoyed the rare tranquility that the winter brings to the coastline before the daytrippers and holidaymakers start to arrive in their droves around Easter time.

Stepping out of the car, I heard the familiar choo choo of the toy steam train which ambles along the seafront from the Leisure Centre to the theme park ferrying young and old alike in a nostalgic voyage of excitement, and I was transported back to childhood memories of a heady mix of noise and steam combined with the chill slap of the wind on your face as the train chugs along the tracks offering tranquil and panamoramic views out to the North Sea.

 

We then headed to the boating lake which was busy with other locals taking advantage of the first signs of spring and walking their dogs and children around the man made lake full of ducks and geese as well as the odd fish.  The lake glistened in the winter sun and the tranquil atmosphere was occasionally interrupted by the echoing squawks of its residents waddling around its banks in hope of a few scraps of bread or bird feed thrown at them by children walking by.

We cut across to the back of the boating lake alongside the tracks of the steam train before heading onto the sand dunes to take in the views of the ferries and transporter ships taking their cargo across the North Sea to Holland and Scandanavia.  Out in the distance you can still see the old, disused forts that have stood empty for so many years despite constant speculation that they are about to be redeveloped into a hotel or a rehab unit or to hold asylum seekers.

It was at this point that I thought that I should stop and snap a few pictures of my outfit, much to my Father's embarrassment who informed me that on a scale of 1-10 of being self obsessed I currently sit at 8.99 (although refreshingly I am apparently marginally behind my brother!)

I am wearing:
Jeggings - Abercrombie and Fitch,
Boots - Ash
Coat - McQ by Alexander McQueen
Jumper and T-shirt - both H&M
Bag - Mulberry
Hat and Scarf - Anna's Boutique on Richmond Hill
Sunglasses - Miu Miu

Of course I couldn't resist getting in a cheeky little pose just to embarrass my Dad further infront of all the dog walkers!

I then stumbled across a piece of drift wood and just had to get in a couple of photos with the husband, by which point my Dad had walked away in embarrassment as my Mum took the photos....

This one was taken by Mum by mistake but looked so hilariously posed I couldn't resist fitting it in....

Finally we emerged onto the promenade, where I had to get in a shot of the beach, with the tide out, just to show you that Cleethorpes has one of the finest sand spaces in England...

 

I feel incredibly lucky to have been bought up in one of England's last quintessential seaside towns.  It may not have the glitz and the glam of London, the contacts of a Middle Class upbringing in Richmond or the cultured opportunities for music and the arts like Liverpool but it does have my family, my friends and my memories...as well as a pretty nice place for a Sunday stroll.

All hail McQueen!

Here is a little outfit post for tonight. I'm heading out for dinner with my parents, husband and in-laws.

Here is what I am wearing:
Shirt - Zara
Scarf - Alexander McQueen
Trousers - Armani Exchange
Shoes - Alexander McQueen
Bag - Mulberry

Wintry Richmond and Alexander McQueen

Today was a wondrous winter's day in Richmond and another occasion where I felt like I had walked into a Dickension novel.  We were up and out early for a walk around Richmond Park after I completed my morning workout tabata training (11 minutes of mountain climbers, 20 seconds on 40 seconds off).  Below is the view of Richmond Gardens opposite my flat. It looked beautiful and was so nice to see families sledging down the hill, it always makes me feel so lucky that I live here.

After the walk, I was starving but it was only 10.00 am and I had to wait until half 11 for my first feed so I threw on a Pashmina and headed down the hill to see if I could try on the Alexander McQueen coat that I had been eyeing up in the window of Vintage Rose for the past two weeks...

I am wearing: Tesco headband / HnM Snood / Pasmina from John Lewis / Lusso London Cashmere gloves / Armani exchange leather and cotton trousers / Ash biker boots / Topshop jumper and Longchamp handbag.

       

Alas it fitted and what's more they knocked a further £25 off for me, making it a steal compared to what it should have been full price! The pictures of it are above, I cannot wait to wear it out!!

I then headed over to Hampton Wick near Kingston to get my nails done and immediately felt a lot better for it.  There is nothing worse than having chipped nail varnish, especially when it's gel and you just want to peel it off (something my manicurist told me off for, oops!)

OPI GEL, You don't know Jacques

I have really struggled to avoid caffeine today.  It's so cold, exactly the sort of afternoon for coffee and a cake! I've had to really push through and stick with the peppermint tea when all I really want to do is head to a coffee shop and have a big mug of coffee and a piece of chocolate cake!!  I did weigh myself this morning though (which is apparently not allowed, so my scales have now had the battery taken out of them by my husband) and I am 3lbs down in 5 days which is a great incentive to push through! Just another half a stone to go until I'm back at my wedding weight!!

I am going to have a power nap now to stave off the hunger pains before doing the second workout and having dinner followed by a movie off sky box office...detoxing is so not rock 'n' roll!

Bracing myself for the weekend!

Woohoo! I have made it through 5 (pretty stressful) days at work on the detox plan and this weekend is the first big test.  After the week I've had the first thing I would normally do is crack open a bottle of red or some of the fizzy stuff and go out for dinner but not tonight!!

I'm tired, achy and in a bit of a grump at the moment (having to abstain from alcohol when I know everyone else is in the pub!) but I am also proud that I have completed 5 days and I am digging my heels in to push through.  Not even the fact that I had psyched myself up to buy the Alexander McQueen coat in the window of the vintage shop on my street and it was shut due to snow can tempt me to fall off the wagon.  Besides, there's always tomorrow!

If this coat is in my size I am treating myself to it tomorrow morning (The McQueen on the right, not the Chanel!)

So tonight, I'm going to have a nice bath and relax and enjoy the fact that tomorrow I don't have to set my alarm for 5.30! In fact, I am going to set it for 8,30 and then head to the gym before going to get my nails done with a friend. I cannot wait!

The view from the School Terrace at 11.00 am 

After a full eight hours of snow, I donned my hunter wellies and trekked home along the river.  I could really feel my calves as I walked up Richmond Hill for the last stretch home but school to my house is exactly 40 minutes which fitted in nicely with the 40 minute of low intensity exercise as instructed on the plan.

Here's to a weekend of self-discipline and strong resolve!!

Christmas 2012

Christmas and New Year 2012 saw a fantastic end to a fantastic year and I thought I would share with you a few of the things on my list which were very kindly bought for me:


Ash Studded Biker Boots
I am going to be living in my Ash Studded Biker Boots for the next few months until summer. I have posted about them so many times and been lusting after them for 18 months now so I was over the moon to finally receive them...even better they were an 'after Christmas present' and we managed to get them 50% off from Think Bubbles in Cleethorpes which has made them an even better purchase!!

Beauty and Makeup Products

My dressing table is looking full again thanks to my generous parents and in-laws who have spoilt me with an array of products.  I was down to using testers before Christmas and was living in hope I would be restocked at Christmas but did not expect to be this spoilt!!

My favourites are:

L'Oreal Professional Vitamin Color Shampoo and Conditioner/L'Oreal Mythic Oil

Finally I have found a good shampoo and conditioner that not only smells salon fresh but also makes my hair feel and look healthy.  I've swapped onto this as I have just changed hair colour and I am hoping it will help make my colour last the 7 weeks I am going to have to go before I next get back up North to get my colour done again.

The mythic oil is really good for keeping your hair in a good condition, particularly if you dye it a lot like I do mine.








Clarins for all my facial washes/cleansers/moisturisers

I cannot get enough of Clarin's at the moment. I use their day and night creams, their facial washes, scrubs and masks as well as their body exfoliants. I've now got the Bath and Shower Concentrate to try too! Personally, I think it is definitely worth the expenditure on good beauty products to maintain healthy and glowing skin.  What's the point in spending lots of money on clothes if you are not looking after the body you are putting them in?

Sanctuary and Soap and Glory Body Scrubs

I am the easiest person in the world to buy Christmas presents for...if in doubt just get me Soap and Glory or Sanctuary products.  I swear by both of these body scrubs and recommend either for regular use, especially if like me you can't afford to splurge on Clarin's or Laura Mercier all the time.  Personally I prefer the Sanctuary one as it is just like rubbing pure salt all over your body and the result is silky. smooth skin.  However, I also know plenty of people that prefer the Soap and Glory scrub so go with whatever suits you best.








Mac Fluidline Eye liner and Laura Mercier Compact

I've used this eyeliner exclusively for about three years now and would be very reluctant to switch to anything else.  It gives a bold definition to the eyes and can be used both above and below the eyes for dramatic effect.  This is my first ever piece of Laura Mercier makeup and I love it, in fact my new years resolution is to buy and experiment with more of her range.

Alexander McQueen Scarf

Finally I finish with this Alexander McQueen scarf my husband bought me as a surprise gift on Christmas Day. I have wanted one for years and I was so surprised he remembered as I had not mentioned it for quite a while!! I love the colour he chose, it goes with everything!

Shoes!

My number one passion in life is...shoes! Shoes glorious shoes! Here are some of my favourites on my shoe shelf at the moment.