How Did A See Through Top Give Me The Boost I Needed?

I've always been very impulsive as a person and sometimes you can see that in what I'm wearing. Since starting this blog I've also wanted to push my barriers and force myself to wear something I want without thinking about what people might think or say about it. It also gives me an instant confidence boost if I'm the right mindset for it so it's a win-win situation.

So the other night when Mike and I went food shopping I was as very often pondering what to wear when I came up with this outfit.



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Little Baby Everything In My New Manic Street Preacheresque Coat



I gave myself a promise this year that I would radically buy less clothes this year as I've got tonnes of it and not very much space since Mike and I live in a small studio flat. So instead I'm going to re-discover my wardrobe and also do a lot of alternation to clothes I already own instead of wasting money on something I think I might like and that never end up being worn.

But right before the new year Mike bought me a couple of things from New Look that I loved and knew would become firm favourites of mine. He called it a getting better present since I was in hospital and needed a little cheering up. He is so sweet to me and he has been the best support while I've been in hospital.

Picture from Pintrest


I've been a huge fan of Manic Street Preachers since I was 17. Their glamorous style always was something I loved, but never dared to adopt living in Norway. So now at the age of 41 and a half(it's important with the half!!!:D) I'm finally the proud owner of a Manics coat!!!! And I love it! It's so warm and nice for these very cold days we have in England at the moment. Since I got it, I've been living in it.



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I've Fallen Out Of Love With....



Hello everyone.

How are you all doing? Did you all have a nice Christmas and New Year celebration? Happy New Year to you all as well.


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New Year Celebrations On A Budget





A Guide To The Top Methods To Save Money On A New Year Celebration

Despite having spent a great deal of money on Christmas celebrations, you find you have yet to fund another large celebration immediately after - the New Year celebration.  Planning an outing or throwing a party to celebrate Christmas can be damaging to your budget; however, it is possible to avoid such a situation allowing you to see in the New Year without having to break the bank.  This article acts as a guide highlighting some of the best ways you can use as a means of saving money for your New Year bash.




The Different Ways To Save Money On A New Year Celebration

Below are some top tips that will assist you in saving money instead of spending in on a New Year celebration:

1. Online Shopping
Christmas is the time where most of the stores offer various types of deals. You can get best of out of it by shopping on black Friday or Cyber Monday. You can take benefit of online deals as well by using discount codes sites like dealsqueen.co.uk which help in saving money on your online order.


2. Using Second-hand Stores

While it may sound exceptionally frugal to many people, shopping at second-hand stores can be highly beneficial when trying to save money.  Thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales are useful when looking to purchase items that are value for money while spending a small amount of cash.  Contrary to popular belief, using second-hand stores for purchases are not only for individuals who have restricted budgets; it is a situation where you are able to buy intriguing items without wasting funds.

3. Making Handmade Gifts

One of the best ways to save money during the New Year season is by giving people handmade gifts.  Buying each individual a different gift can be expensive; therefore, if you have enough time available, it is recommended you consider making homemade presents and save some money.  In addition to being a money-saver, creating these homemade gifts can be enjoyable and is a useful method to bring family members together for a day of crafts and happiness.

4. Hosting Your Celebration

It is common practice for people to head out for New Year and go to parties at different establishments; however, this can be costly and a weight on your bank balance.  One means to avoid this problem is to consider hosting your own celebration instead of going out for the night.  It is important to note that if you choose to host a party you will need to prepare for the event, in a frugal way of course.  Decorations can be obtained by purchasing party supplies in bulk, at dollar stores, or by creating your own.

5. Avoiding The Bar Area

It is possible that friends will choose to go to a club or restaurant for the New Year's Eve celebrations dragging you along for the event.  If you find yourself in this situation, there is a chance that you will need to pay for certain items; however, this does not mean you need to spend large amounts of money.  It is recommended you offer your friends the option of having "pre-drinks" at your home and avoiding the bar before heading to the clubs.  This can reduce the amount of money spent on drinks and possibly admission fees for different venues.

6. Complete Some Research

It is always recommended that you conduct some research into the various restaurants and clubs before heading off on your New Year celebration.  Research can be completed using the internet, street ads, newspapers and restaurant brochures.  The reason you should do this research is to find any possible New Year discounts where you can save money on the modified fees.  It is common for restaurants to offer a flat fee for meals during these events, you can also enter competitions and look to see what you can claim for free stuff & UK free sample websites.

7. Host A Child's Party At Home

Children's parties can be extremely costly due to the need for various decorations, entertainment and a mass of gifts.  Many individuals opt to take children to external venues to avoid having to complete all this planning.  By hosting the child's party at home, you will save money and reduce the chance of any teenaged children getting into trouble.  To ensure your teenage children enjoy their home-based New Year event, it is recommended you plan certain activities such as makeovers or junk food fests.

8. Frugal Celebrations

Various cities embrace the frugal celebratory lifestyle and offer their communities low-cost public celebrations.  If your area arranges shows, such as a New Year's Eve fireworks event, it is recommended you attend these with friends and children.  Family movie nights are also beneficial as they help children stay out of trouble while enjoying a cost-effective New Year's Eve celebration with the family.

9. Staying In The Local Area

While some individuals often choose to head out of town for their New Year celebration, there is nothing wrong with remaining in your home area.  It may be possible to enjoy an evening at a local hotel if you feel the need to change your scenario; however, staying in the community reduces the cost of travelling and saves money to a great degree.





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Lovedrobe choices

I have always had a good eye for Lovedrobe. Their dresses has always been very me. Very feminine and great designs for a party dress. So when they asked me to take part in this collaboration I was very very happy and said yes.


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Plus Size Men Deserve To Feel Stylish Too

The struggle is real for finding good and well sized plus size clothing. Not just for women, but also for men. It's always so much talk about female plus size fashion. It's in media about female plus size models walking catwalks at big fashion weeks, plus size bloggers are taking over the internet and it's great to see so much representation of diversity among women. But plus size men are not so much talked about or putting themselves out there. Why is this? Does plus size men care less about what they wear and settle for baggy sweatpants and oversized t-shirts? I don't think so. I think a lot of plus size men likes looking their best and dressing up so I'm expressing my support for plus size men out there. We love you and we would love to see more of you do your own blog, be more visible on social media and so on.

My husband is a plus size man, although on the smaller side of plus so he can freely buy clothes in most shops without having to compromise. But not everyone is that lucky. So when I came across this website that are selling suits and more smart and formal wear in sizes up to a chest size 60" I thought I would share it with you cause that is amazing. I'm so glad that bigger men have the option to buy smart and well fitting suits for work, parties or even weddings. The shop is called Suitsmen and they have 40 different styles up to a chest size 54" and 20 styles up to a size 60" so it's a wide range of suits as well as a wide range of sizes.






How gorgeous aren't these suits and tuxedos? They are crafted in luxurious fabrics and comes in different colours. There are so many lovely suits so whatever the occasion and your personal style I'm sure you'll find something that will take your fancy.


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An Autumn Struggle! Wide Calf Boots With Wide Calf Boot Store.

With autumn the need for putting on boots becomes inevitable as it gets cooler and you don't want to have cold toes! But for some of us it's not as easy as just going to the shop and buying a new pair of boots. I'm talking of people that has bigger calves than most. I remember when I was younger, how much I envied people's boots cause they looked so stylish and elegant. I didn't own a pair of boots until I was in my 30's because of this as I couldn't find wide fitting boots in Norway. I tried on a few pairs of wide fitting calf boots when I visited London, but despite the boots claiming to be for chunkier calves they still didn't fit. I have quite toned legs for a fatty, but I have lots of muscles in my calves and they make it difficult to find something that fits. 

When I was contacted by a company called Etrias where they asked if I wanted to review some boots from their online store, Wide Calf Boot Store, the size issue was my first thought. In the email from them, they told me that they had wider calf boots, but still so I had to take a look at their website to see if they did wide enough ones for me. They do wide calf boots, extra wide calf boots and also cater for slim calf as well which I think is very good. I saw that they had boots from JJ Footwear which I had tried products from before, and knew fitted well. They also had boots from a company that also specialises in footwear for wider calves, Jilsen. I have heard so much nice about boots from them so I was very excited to try some myself. 

I looked at all the measurements, and used the measurement calculator  on the Etrias website very carefully and found that with my 19.5 inch calves would need a pair of boots in size 6.5 XXL. I looked at all the different boots I could chose from, but the first ones I saw was actually the ones I ended up choosing. 

These stunning Jaden* boots in the colour Chestnut. 


Aren't they gorgeous? I loved them as soon as I saw them, but I looked through the rest of all the stunning boots that are on the website. They have such a great range of high quality boots in all kind of designs and colours. You're bound to find some that fits your style and your price range.



I love the gorgeous detail on the outside of the boot with the gold coloured fake zip and the button. The colour is beautiful and I adore the darker shaded toe.


Jacket from New Look (sold out)
Top from Dorothy Perkins (here)
Skirt from New Look (sold out)
Tights from Primark
Boots from Wide Calf Boots Store (here)*



These calf fitting is spot on and the zip went up with no problem. As you can see in the photo, I've even got a bit of room to spare which will be great for colder weather and wearing jeans or leggings inside them. 

When I put the boots on they felt a bit tight over the foot. This is something I think is quite common with leather boots. They need to be worn in before they get really comfortable. I will use some thick socks in them and wear them around the house to walk them in. I've had leather shoes before that has been tight on my foot to begin with, for so to become the most comfortable shoes there is.


The heel is very sturdy and practical. This boot is stylish and elegant and I can see myself wearing it with lots of different outfits.




Every year when the summer is over, I'm sad to say goodbye to cute ballerina shoes and sandals, but as soon as I get a pair of boots on, I remember how much fun it is to wear more clothes in the cooler seasons. And when you can find such sexy and beautiful boots like these it just make my autumn wardrobe that much easier to put together.

What are your experiences with wider calves and boots? Tell me in the comment section as I would love to hear about it.



* gifted item, but all views are my own.
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My Holiday Outfits, Or The Lack Of Them!



Whilst on my travels in Spain the last 10 weeks I've only worn a fragment of all the clothes I brought with me. Since we were driving down there I had the chance to bring so much more than I would normally do on a weeks or two weeks holiday so I brought no less than 25 dresses with me. In addition to this several pair of shorts, t-shirts, tops, skirts, shoes, necklaces, bracelets, sunglasses, hair flowers and so on, so needless to say I haven't been lacking things to wear. I have also been shopping a little bit while out here so all in all I have got so much clothes, shoes and accessories to bring back to UK. It's quite crazy really considering we have had washing machine in all the places we have stayed in.

In this blogpost I thought I would show you some of the outfits I've worn whilst I've been away. Although I must admit that most of my time was spent in swimwear and beach cover ups like these so nothing too exciting to show off.






But when we went out exploring around Spain or doing something special I actually made a bit of an effort and put something nice on.  I've noticed I've been wearing different kind of styles throughout the last few weeks. All from edgy to super feminine.  I should have thought before I left that it would be way too hot to use all my pin up style dresses. They have too thick fabric to wear so I've opted for lighter maxi dresses or shorter summer dresses. I'm getting more and more in love with wearing shorts as well, so they have been firm favourite. Note to myself is to get more shorts for my next holiday!!! I have also bought quite a lot of different sunglasses as you can see!!!

Well I will let the photos do the rest of the talking and please let me know what outfit you liked the most.

Not bad sunglasses for one euro!!!


Old dress from Topsy Curvy


My favourite Scarlett&Jo dress which is great for sightseeing.


Lady V London and Vixen Curves for a birthday party


Lindy Bop and Dorothy Perkins makes a nice combination for a cooler night. 

Lady V London lovely design

Found this skirt in C&A for 3 euros so teamed it with a simple t-shirt from New Look

New Look t-shirt, ASOS shorts, Modcloth Sunglasses and Evans shoes


Lovely maxi dress that I bought at C&A. I'm going to do a review of this dress in  a later post. 

Love this outfit. Skirt from Everything 5 Pounds, top and shoes from Primark and my lovely sloth necklace I got from Leah for my birthday 

When it's too warm to wear anything you chose cool cotton. Old top from New Look and skirt is a very old dress from Zizzi

Cow t-shirt I bought in Guadalest cause I love cows of course!!! 



Lovely velour from Pink Clove

Going back to my late teens/early 20s in this 90s edgy and bold look 

Cute style from Cow Cow



An Old Favourite From Taking Shape

Back to the 90s again!!! 

This dress was the first thing I ever reviewed as a blogger and I still love it so much. One of my very favourites!!!





I guess you can say I have worn my usual style, which a colourful mix of retro and new things. When people ask me to describe my style I can't as I haven't got a particular one. I wear what I like and therefore creating my very own Mookie style. 


What outfit did you like the best? 



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How To Save Money At Christmas



Save Money On Christmas But Never Lose The Sparkle
When the idea of Christmas is in the air, it is normal for many people to feel a major financial crunch when they start to think about the different gifts that they need to get for friends and family members. The recent economy has left a great deal of people with a lot less money to spend on gifts than what they are used to having on hand.
The fact of the matter is that you do not have to worry. There are a lot of options available to you other than going to the mall and spending far too much money. At the same time, Christmas is a time where you can reflect on the birth of Jesus, spend a lot of quality time with your friends and family, and also appreciate everything that you have in your life.
However, this is not to say that the exchanging of gifts should not be a part of your holiday events. Christmas shopping is fun and the gifts can be a nice way to show others how much you care or that you enjoy sharing in a friendship. These are some festive and creative ways that you can save some money this Christmas season without losing sparkle or straining your budget.
Send Cards Instead Of Gifts
A nice Christmas card can show someone that you are thinking of them, offering a meaning that is more than just a commercial gift. You can save even more money if you are able to purchase your cards in bulk. Be sure to include a handwritten note that will personalize your card.
Make A List
When it is time to go shopping, have a list handy of everything that you need to buy to help prevent impulse purchases. Stay on top of the money that you can afford to spend and then stick to it. Establishing a budget ahead of time will help you to save a good bit of money this Christmas.
Do A Secret Santa Exchange
Instead of purchasing gifts for all of your family and friends, you can draw one person's name and be their Secret Santa. Putting a dollar limit on just ho much to spend on one person will save you over buying for several.
Save Money On Wrapping Paper
Buy your wrapping paper at local discount stores. You can also save up gift bags throughout the year and you will not need quite as much paper to wrap with. Wrapping paper will also go on clearance just after Christmas, which is the time to stock up about a year in advance so that you can save money.
Shopping Online
Many stores extend sales and promotions for online stores. Compare pricing and look for promotional codes online to help you save even more. You will also save on gas when you do not have to drive to all of the stores.
Tip: Do you like filling Christmas stockings? Try getting free samples they are a great way to fill them up with small little perfume samples, make up samples.


Plan Your Online Purchases In Advance
A lot of online stores will offer buyers free shipping when they reach a specific dollar amount. Plan out your purchases in advance so that you can order your items together and save by receiving reduced or free shipping. Shipping the items directly to the recipient will also help so that you do not have to pay to re-ship them after they arrive. Many online companies will give gift options that allow you to choose gift wrapping, a tag and even a receipt.
Offer Homemade Gifts
A smart way for you to save money this holiday season is by creating gifts that are homemade. Think about sending baked goods or crafting items instead of buying items in a store. Homemade items will offer a sentimental touch that you are simply not able to find in the department stores. Look for interesting homemade gift ideas online and then plan ahead so that you can have a good amount of time to create the gifts.
The Gift Of Service
You can create redeemable coupons that will be good for a variety of services, such as serving breakfast in bed, a home cooked meal, a back rub, free car wash, doing the dishes, mowing the grass, or tackling errands. There are endless possibilities that you can choose from and a lot of people will appreciate the help over a store-bought item.
Focus On The Celebration
Talk with your friends about spending time with one another instead of exchanging gifts. There are sometimes that people will feel obligated to give gifts over and over each year. Tell people you would rather spend time with them instead of a present.
Share Holiday Meal Costs

If you are hosting a holiday party or meal, never be shy about telling people to bring certain items. Allow others to bring food items so that everyone is able to share in the celebration. Make the focus about spending time with loved ones instead of trying to make everything perfect, which could lead to the best Christmas you have ever had.




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Smoking? Have You Ever Thought About Stopping?

Growing up I was surrounded by people that was smoking. A lot of my friends, my boyfriends, family friends and my mum were all smoking and I never thought anything of it when I was younger. It was "normal" that my mum smoked. My dad had been smoking when he was very young, but had stopped long before I was born. As a teenager I tried smoking, but since I had asthma it made me feel really sick. So I never started smoking. As a grew up and got older I started to worry more and more about my mother especially as she was smoking a lot. I asked her if she had ever thought about stop smoking and she said that she had, but she found it so difficult. I guess it is the same with all addictions, you have to be motivated to stop. You have to go inside yourself and find the will and strength to quit. You have to do it for your sake, or for your future. I would be happy if you took time to read this as my mother died of a big heart attack at the age of 65 partly due to excessive smoking.

Five Reasons Why Your Skin Wants You To Quit Smoking
Amongst anti-smoking activists the month of the October is known as Stoptober month, a month where we are all tasked with the collective task of encouraging the people around us who smoke to quit. As a site that’s concerned with everything beauty-related, we thought it would be good to take part in encouraging smokers to quit by reminding them of the sort of damage cigarettes can do to their skin – sorry, but if we don’t, who will.
In conjunction with The British Skin Foundation, I have gathered the top five reasons why you should give up smoking if you are really want to have healthy skin.
1. Smoking ages the skin
According to Dr Anjali Mahto, British Skin Foundation representative and a consultant dermatologist, our skin, much like any other organ in our body, is susceptible to damage caused by cigarette smoking. If, as a smoker, you want to prevent pre-existing skin conditions from getting worse and wish to age gracefully, then it is about time you started considering stopping – and if you aren’t a smoker, then it’s advisable that you don’t pick up the habit.


The British Skin Foundation further adds that smoking speeds up the skin’s ageing process as it reduces oxygen levels in the blood and promotes the production of an enzyme known as matrix metalloproteinase-1 – two things that considerably degrade elastin collagen. People who smoke develop wrinkles around their mouth, also known as smoker’s lines, and crow’s feet – things that have repeatedly been proven since the first studies were conducted in the 70’s. In some studies, it’s been seen that women are more likely to be affected by smoking than males.


2. Smoking slows wound healing


According to Dr Mahto, smoking also affects our body’s healing process. As such, the healing of a wound after surgery or trauma can take longer than it should in smokers. At the same time, there’s a high risk of failure of skin grafts and wound infection in people who smoke. The habit can also lead to the development of leg ulcers that never heal. The carbon monoxide and nicotine in a cigarette causes vasoconstriction, which in turn affects oxygen supply to the skin, slowing down the production of new collagen.


3. Smoking can cause skin cancer


Compared to a non-smoker, a cigarette smoker has twice the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma or SCC – a type of cancer that affects the skin. At the same time, a smoker is also at a higher risk of contracting oral cancer – about 75% of all reported cases occur in smokers.


4. Smoking leaves you susceptible to skin disorders
Dr Mahto further explains that some skin disorders like dicoid lupus erythematosus, hidradenitis suppurativa, and psoriasis amongst others, are more likely to happen in smokers than in non-smokers. Exposure to smoke from tobacco leaves increases the likelihood of developing psoriasis. Sadly, smokers that already have psoriasis have lower chances of improving compared to non-smokers. However, the good thing is that if a psoriasis patient quits smoking, then they are more likely to notice positive effects on their condition.


5. Cigarette smoking can cause smoker’s acne


According to the British Skin Foundation, smoking not only causes the skin to age prematurely, but it could also leave smokers, especially female smokers, at risk of developing smoker’s acne. British Journal of Dermatology researchers have noted that this type of acne is characterised by large blackheads and blocked pores; however, the spots themselves are less inflamed compared to regular acne.

To quit smoking is a huge achievement, an achievement that most people should aim for, as it is one of the biggest killers in the UK, there are ways to get help to quit, and at the moment they are running Stoptober which is aimed to help people to quit, there are also other options too like using an e cig, or using nicotine patches.

I wish you a good Stopober and if you have successful or unsuccessful stories of quitting smoking, please feel free to drop them in the comments below.


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