Darcey

This is Darcey our family dog, she is around 2 years old. She is all black with a white strip on her belly and just below her chin.
Me and my brother have wanted a dog since around primary school, but we were never home enough to look after one, but when my brother started working nights, and I was at college we all agreed it was right.

We got Darcey in November from a rescue centre in Northamptonshire. Wiccaweys they are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of Border Collies & Working Sheepdogs. We think Darcey was abandoned in Ireland probably because she was an accident, as she is a cross and farmers just don't want them. She is a boarder collie cross but what with we don't know, definitely a smaller dog as she is a little dot.

When we were first thinking of getting a dog we knew we wanted a border collie because we love there temperament, and the look of them, we were also looking for an older male dog which is why we were thinking of Darcey, like Mr Darcey from Pride and Prejudice. But when we saw Darcey (or Cinders as she was) and we all fell in love with her, she had just arrived from Ireland and was still so happy and full of energy, we also walked her around the surrounding fields and she was such a delight. It was a £200 donation which helps them pay for there vets fees and rehousing more dogs.

We have had her now for 8 months and we love her so much, she passed her bronze award in dog club and we will be going on to do silver. She absolutely loves tennis balls and almost always has one in her mouth. 

She has a best friend, Barney, who came with us to Wiccaweys when we picked her and they have play dates whenever we can, we brought her an 80ft lead so they can run freely but we know she can't get lost or run away in all the surrounding fields.

At night she will sleep in either mine or my brother bed, but does on the odd occasion go to her own bed in the study. If anyone is wondering we feed her free flow chicken mince and chicken chappy biscuits once a day at 18:30.

This was here on her first holiday to Barton-on-Sea Beach 

Thank you for reading

And if you have any ideas on what she is crossed with leave me a comment below

Poppies and Cornflowers x

Empties - August

 

Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanse and Polish & Tonic

Not much to say about this product apart from the fact I completely love it, and now it's finished I really relies how much I do love it. It Made my skin feel so clean, like a blank canvas again, it doesn't leave it feeling oily or tight it's just super soft. I would recommend this to everyone. If you don't know what your skin needs this is a really good basic make up remover and cleanser. It safe to use around your eyes and it doesn't sting or irritate them at all. I have just brought a new cleanser but will defiantly repurchase this one after that one is finished.

I also finished the instant boost skin tonic from Liz Earle which I did use up but wouldn't repurchase, it supposed to "revitalises, soothes and tones for instant radiance" and I don't see what it did, if anything. It made my skin get redder and left my skin quite tacky. I definitely would not repurchase this!

Cath Kidston Bluebell Hand Cream.

The smell of this is so lovely really floral and fun, I use every night before I go to sleep, and it lasted a really long time, even when I thought it was all gone it still had more in there and because of the metal packaging I managed to squeeze everything out of it. It has a rich cream that does take a while to fully absorb, but really moisturising and not oily. I would say you could find better or similar ones for less money, like Soap and Glory Hand Food, but a really nice hand cream.

Therapie Himalayan detox salts.

I have heard amazing things about this product, on how relaxing it is and relieves muscle pains. It was also the winner of the beauty shortlist awards 2013.

 I have tried them a few times and there was absolutely no difference, and for the price I would have expected it to something, and personally I don't even like the smell. An absolute waste of money and I'm glad I only brought a small 100gm pouch
 

Original source lemon and tea tree shower gel.

This shower gel has the most amazing lemon smell, it's so refreshing, it has 100% pure and natural essential oils and I will defiantly be trying out the other scents.

Radox shower gel cherry blast.

I picked this up on holiday to share with my family, it's a blood red cherry gel that smells so fun and fruity, it is quite a stong scent but I really enjoyed using it.

Batiste dry shampoo 

I have naturally quite greasy hair, so on days when I haven't washed my hair I spray this to the roots of my hair and just wait for it to absorb the oils, I give a light rub and it looks and feels much less greasy. I usually don't like spaying things around my face but needs must, and the original is quite a light scent. This bottle has also lasted a really long time so worth the £3 just to have in your collection.

Mitchums Advanced Control Women Water lily Anti-perspirant and Deodorant.

Now this is my favourite deodorant and it has a lovely water lily scent, but when I went to pick up another one I realised that the don't sell it anymore. I like roll able deodorants as I hate inhaling the sprays, plus they last a long time and don't leave marks on my clothes. I picked up there new shower fresh one instead which is also really good.

Thank you for reading

Poppies and Cornflowers x

August Favourites

Clinique moisture surge CC cream

I have never been in to wearing make up until this product. I tried drugstore bb cream in Year 11 at school but found it really uncomfortable on my skin, and that put me off wearing make up for another year or so. My skin is also quite pale so many foundations and creams I tried didn't match my skin and make me look orange. I went to the Clinique counter and asked for something with really light coverage they could match me to this in Fresh Peach.

They claim it "enhance skin's natural radiance, offer instant hydration benefits and provide daily sun protection to prevent first signs of ageing. Lasting, oil-free hydration and sunscreen mean a more flawless look tomorrow, too." I really love this cc cream, it gives a nice amount of coverage that balances out the redness in my skin and in spots, but I can still see my freckles through it, and still looks and feels like skin.

 I apply it by adding a small pea sized amount to my finger a dabbing it all over my face I then blending it with the Real Techniques buffing brush, but you can just use your fingers. At first I appears very dewy, but it adapts to your skin in about a minuet it mattes down, it may not be good for people with very oily skin, but I have combination to oily skin and I don't feel like it leaves my particularly shiny, but I have seen reviews were people say it makes them look very oily, even though it is an oil free formula. There is also a SPF of 30 which I like.

 It is pricey at £28 but really worth it, if you wanted something lighter for summer this would be perfect, they also released new shade and have 9 from very fair to deep.

Nike Flex Experience Running Shoes

These are Men's Running shoes but I have size 9 feet and I find it hard to get shoes in my size that I like, also the colour and design are not to masculine that they look odd on me. They say they have "comfortable fit thanks to a highly breathable mesh upper with padded ankle" and they are very comfortable, I tend just to use them for walking but my feet still feel fresh and cool even after a long time.

I never been into long walks of running mainly because I have nothing suitable or comfortable to wear but these are really nice, and having a nice pair of trainers is a really motivating and encouraging thing to get you going.

Also this summer I have been wearing pink nail polish on my toes, it is a really pretty pearly blue toned pink and it much lighter and softer shade for summer rather than my usual deep reds.

 I also started a new book this month, another one of Jill Mansell's books, really enjoyable and an easy read. I couldn't help but wish well for the main character Lola. A girly escapist read, I can't wait to see what happens and start another Jill Mansell book.

I also want to give a mention to the Body Shop Body Puff, it is the most amazing, thick, fluffy puff that is not scratchy and it lathers up your body wash like I have never seen, plus they are only £2!

Thank you for reading,

Poppies and Cornflowers x

Creative Ways to Give Money as a Gift

Depending on how much you want to give someone there are loads of different ways to give money rather than in a card. With a little bit more effort and some creativity you can give a fun unique gift. Here are 10 ways.

1. Wonka Bar:

Print out a Wonka Bar label cut to size and cover a chocolate bar with it. Inside that put a golden envelope with money in it.

2. Money in a Box:

Tape a line of notes together with low adhesive tape, roll it up and put it in the box with a card note peeking out. Tape the box shut and wrap it up.

3. Egg Box 360:

Another fun way for the gamer is to remove all labels from an egg box, and if you want paint it. Then cut out some paper letters and glue them in place.
 If you have not seen the Two Ronnies sketch I have linked it here. My Blackberry Is Not Working! 

4. Coins in Balloons:

A classic: simply to blow up lots of balloons with coins in them and present with a pin to pop them.

5. Puzzle Box:

 Put the money in a puzzle box, it a bit more pricey but it's a lot of fun, and they can keep the box to use and store other things.

6. Secret Book Box:

Using a moderately thick hard back book, that you can pick up from a charity shop, divide the pages into four equal quarters, from the two middle sections, using an art scalpel cut out the middle of the pages into your desired shape, making sure you leave at least a 2cm border all around.
And there you go, room to hide the money inside.

7. Christmas Cracker:

Put the money inside toilet roll, wrap wrapping paper around it, pinch the ends and tie up with ribbon, trim any extra paper and there you go. Really easy for Christmas.

8. As a Cake Decoration:

Make them a cake and use coins wrapped in tin foil to decorate it. A delicious and thoughtful gift.

A homemade cake is also a great gift on its own, it shows you have taken the time to do something for them.

9. Pass the Parcel:

Using the general idea of pass the parcel, but without passing it around, wrap each layer with some or none of the money for them to find when opening it, to give it some weight and size put a bags of sweets for them to find at the end. If you have the resources use other materials to wrap it like cardboard boxes, it makes it a lot more interesting.

10. Treasure Hunt:

Finally if perhaps the person you are giving money to is younger, you can do a treasure hunt with money or chocolate and hide them all over the house and garden. You can also use clues to make it more interesting.

Thank you for reading

Poppies and Cornflowers x

Men's Gift Guide

Same as with my Women's gift guide I have tried to come up with ideas of gifts that I would give, so I hope this helps.

Buying clothing can be hard, but if you know what shop or brands they like you can usually find something, and if you wrap it with a gift receipt even if they don't like it, they can return it and get something they do want. Or rather than that clothing accessories like socks, belts, ties are even easier.

Another book from a series they are reading is a really good gift, and if they are not already reading one, Lee Child's Jack Reacher books are great reads. Alternatively a game console game or a DVD makes good gifts. I would recommend Marvel or something from Simon Pegg and Nick Frosts Series.

Buying them something related to their hobbies or interest is a thoughtful and useful present. From fishing and golf to photography and cycling there is always something, whether it's a new pair of sports socks or a snazzy new gadget.

And if you know they like to spend a bit more time grooming themselves a luxury shaving of hair set would be a really nice treat.

 

If you are really stuck a cinema or theatre voucher and a bottle of their favourite tipple would make a nice treat for both of you.

Thank you for reading and I hope this helped you

Poppies and Cornflowers x

Cuff links- Debenhams

Tie- Marks and Spencer

Tie pin- sorry I couldn't find the link for this

Pen- Debenhams

Socks- Samuel Windsor

Avengers assembled - Amazon

FIFA- Amazon

Amazing Spider-Man - Amazon

X-men - Amazon

One Shot-Amazon

Running watch- Amazon

Loreal men expert - Boots

Face scrub- Boots

Shave gel- Boots

Shave balm - Boots

VO5- Boots

Compass-

Gloves- Tredz

Auto glym-Amazon

Wash MIT- Amazon

Coffee - Waitrose

Wine- Laithwaites

Whiskey - Tesco