What a lucky girl!

I turned 27 this month and was lucky enough to receive some wonderful gifts from those who know and love me best.

From left to right, top to bottom:

1. Real Techniques Foundation Sponge, Stippling Brush and Foundation Brush. 

I watch beauty bloggers video blogging about their make up routines and these brushes came up many times. I don't really do much eye makeup and don't do lip lining at all so as I wear foundation most days these were the brushes I most wanted to try.

2. Original Tangle Teezer Brush.

Again this was something that I had heard good things about and wanted to try. I believe it was an idea put to the Dragon's Den team. 

3. Thorntons Premium Collection Chocolates.

4. Percy Pig Sweets from M&S.

You can't go wrong with edible presents in my eyes.

5. Philomena DVD.

This looks a sad film but it was an Oscar, Bafta and Golden Globe nominee and Judi Dench is amazing. 

6. Champneys 6 Way Buffing Nail File.

7. Bourjois Paris Colour Boost Coral lipgloss in shade 04 Peach on the Beach. 

8. Barry M Wink Black Marker Eyeliner.

9. Vogue August Edition with Victoria Beckham cover and Elle August Edition with Cheryl Cole cover.

10. The A List Family by Christina Hopkinson. Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher. You're the one that I want by Giovanna Fletcher.

My sister reads Giovanna Fletcher's blog and thought I would like her books. I love to read. The author is a young girl like me and writes RomComs. Unlike me, Giovanna Fletcher is married to a member if McBusted.

What did you get for your last birthday? 

Would you like any reviews on any of the above gifts? 

I spent my 27th birthday with my family. The sun shone. I did a gym class after breakfast and presents. My birthday was listed on the board at the gym.

My family and I made a quick pit stop in Liverpool City Centre and then we took a picnic to Sefton Park. The weather was glorious and even more appreciated as the forecast had been rain up until only a few days before. 

Sefton Park

That evening my family and I ate at a pub I had heard great reviews about called The Sparrowhawk in Formby. The good was delicious, the service was friendly and the setting was perfect for a summers evening. 

I think all the weight I worked hard to lose last month has been put straight back on after my weekend in London and my birthday. Back to work and back to healthy eating and daily workouts.

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A weekend in London

During my two weeks off work I went to London for a weekend.  I haven't been since January so I was really looking forward to it and had made no plans for my break from work. My friend Stacey had a spare ticket for the Barclaycard British Summertime Festival in Hyde Park which sounded fab. 

As you know from my last post, I met Stacey for cocktails in the sunshine on the Monday to celebrate finishing work for two weeks and to plan our trip.  Since then, I spent time with my family and made daily trips to the gym and enjoyed the sunshine.  I took a trip into Liverpool city centre to pick up some must haves for my trip.

Pre-London prep. It was a soaking day! I had my turquoise waterproof on and then I saw this girl in a Joules yellow waterproof with a striped lined hood and I was insanely jealous!  My Converse were soaked through so I had a look at the wellies in Primark.  Stacey had picked us both up a pair for the festival so I just tried them on to make sure of the correct size with me being an awkward in between size.  

Primark £10 

I did a proper look around Primark this day and was pleasantly surprised by the accessories. Last time I went into Primark I thought I had outgrown it and was over the place.  As I have previously mentioned, I am going for quality over quantity.  However, with accessories I can be swayed.  A mint green overnight bag caught my eye for only £8, it also comes in black.  If I traveled more I would of got both.  There was a pretty, bejeweled iPhone case for £3 which I loved but as I drop my phone and have recently cancelled the insurance, I cannot risk a non practical phone case.  I also spotted two Aztec, beaded clutch bags too which would be perfect for summer nights on holiday each and every year.  I actually only bought two gym tops which I actually went into Primark for and what I needed.  I picked up two plain vests for under my kimonos this summer.  What restraint.  Oh how sensible I am.

Next was Boots and Superdrug.  I was planning on buying a lipgloss from Smashbox but got distracted by many things.  I got the toiletries that I needed but also spotted the new Maybelline Baby Lips which has arrived finally from the US.

£2.99

My favourite summer nail colour is a bright pink shade by Barry M for £2.99.  I wear this every year.  A new bottle always applies easiest and looks neater. I did a mani/pedi that night. I had planned to pay to get my nails done but this is a much cheaper way to do it of course.  I also needed travel sized products which I love buying!  I bought a teeny Original Source shower gel in the lemon and tea tree scent and as I have stopped using face wipes I just bought a mini pack with just 7 wipes in.  I used to use them all the time but they never really cleaned my skin properly.  Then I just used them when abroad because I feel they dry the skin out a bit and when I am applying suncream all day I think the wipes balance it out.  So basically I keep them for convenience.  I am actually using Simple products to clean my skin now and I will do a review and post about that soon.

London.
I met Stacey in Liverpool Lime Street early on Saturday morning and we got the direct train to London Euston.  We had a bit of an eventful journey but made it in one piece and were super exited to get to our hotel and then on to the festival in Hyde Park.  We travelled in our festival outfits which were playsuits and pumps with our bright waterproofs and changed into our little wellies at the hotel.  

Stacey

We stayed at a hotel right by Hyde Park.  The staff were very friendly and helpful.  When we checked into the room we thought they'd put Wimbledon on for us but it turned out the TV wouldn't switch off so later that night we had to put a towel or two over the screen to block out the light.  We were staying in the Club Room which had a double and a single bed, a fab little bathroom, I would definitely stay there again.  

The forecast had been rain on the Saturday it turned out to be mostly overcast, a little shower and a tiny bit of sunshine trying to break through.  Just incase we slicked a layer of suncream on before we headed into the park.  We took little cans of cocktails with us to drink outside on the grass and we shared those with some South African and American friends we made.

Festival.
Inside we headed straight for the toilets which I was pleasantly surprised by.  Next was lunch. Alongside the music, I was looking forward to tasting some fabulous street food.  Stacey decided on some spicy paella and I got a burger and chips.  

Food!

We caught the end of the Cuban Brothers set who I've seen in Ibiza before.  They put on a show!  I'm not a huge live music fan but I recognised the names of a few of the bands and of course the headliners were Pete Doherty's band The Libertines who I was curious to see.  Bands on that day included:  The Pogues, The Enemy, Reverend and the Makers, The View.  I didn't recognise any songs unfortunately and once the alcohol started to affect people I started to enjoy myself a lot less.  Luckily, Pete Doherty did show up and came on even earlier than expected and performed a great set.  30 people were hospitalized due to the crowd serging forward when the band emerged.  I chose to stand comfortably at the side by the food stalls and which from a safe distance.  Not one bit of me wanted to go in the crowd.  I got to dance at the back and enjoy some Ol' El Paso fajitas in my own space.  In fact there was a family with a little baby in a sling were I was so you can tell how far back I'd retreated.  I'd already been made uncomfortable by a man smashed off his face and shoved metres by a couple of lads who were fighting.

The stylish kids in the riot

The Libertines.
Once Stacey had told me that Pete Doherty was in The Libertines and named a few of their songs I realised I actually knew and liked some of their songs.  I downloaded 4 of them and listened to them before our trip.  I read up about the band on Wikipedia and was looking forward to seeing them.  Pete Doherty looked really well, that was the first thing I thought when he came out onto the stage.  I thought he put on a great performance and came across as very caring when he kept stopping the song to check the people at the front were OK.  I thought he was adorable when he played the harmonica.  

The Libertines

Sunday in London.
We had a little lie in on the Sunday morning and then headed out for breakfast in Patisserie Valerie. 

Patisserie Valerie

The shops don't open in London until 12noon so we had a little wander around Carnaby Street and Regent Street.  We watched the opening of Hamley's and a dance event on the traffic free Sunday which is a great idea throughout the summer.  

Whilst in London I really wanted to visit the temporary rooftop garden at John Lewis Oxford Street.  Stacey got a Joe and the Juice and we relaxed on the deckchairs before we headed off for some more exploring. 

Rooftop garden

I was curious to visit the South Bank and see the London Eye, Big Ben etc.  When in Australia I loved the Brisbane and Melbourne South Banks and found them similar to the London one with exhibitions and events happening and surprisingly sunshine.  I tried lots of chocolatey treats!

We were both so tired so headed to Euston with a bit of time to spare and relaxed in leather armchairs in the station's pub before our train departed.

I had a great weekend.  I love visiting London and can't wait to go back.

I think if you search Kitty Sowerby in YouTube you should be able to view my videos from London.

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How I survived the first 5 days of the summer clearance

The first 5 days of clearance almost killed me but I kept focused on the light at the end of the tunnel - 15 days off work! 

Things that got me through clearance this year:

Chef the movie.

The day before the sale I did a workout and a few dog walks, had a raw juice from our local juice bar and then my sister and I took advantage of Orange Wednesday and went to see Chef the movie. It was brilliant. I love Jon Favreau anyway in The Break Up and his films Elf and Iron Man are two of my favourites and I was not disappointed by Chef. He plays the main character Carl Casper. Dustin Hoffman, Scarlet Johansson, Robert Downey Jr and Sofia Vergara starred alongside Jon Favreau. I would recommend it as a great summer film. This was a treat to ease me in to the sale which started Thursday.

Essie Button.

I have recently found Essie Button, she is a Canadian blogger called Estée living in London with her boyfriend Aslan and their greyhound, Reggie. Their "vlog" (video blog) channel on YouTube has kept me thoroughly entertained! They "vlogged" (video blogged) every other day in June about their days, what they got up to, reviews etc but they are so funny. I amused myself with the 15-20 min long clips most evenings whilst recovering from busy clearance days in work. 

Snacks.

As I'm eating healthier as of late I have been snacking on grapes and rice cakes. My skin has gone AWFUL! I thought it would be temporary while my body got rid of all the toxins but my sister thinks it's the rice cakes which have an affect on hormone levels. I was having a bag of snack a jacks every few days so it must of been the dark chocolate covered rice cakes I was having at the end of lunch in place of a chocolate bar. So they've been banished! I'm into week 5 of healthy eating so I thought my skin would be looking better than ever.

Reading.

Jill Mansell's book Take A Chance On Me. It's a fictional rom com that I read a few years ago and loved so I fancied reading that again and thoroughly enjoyed it once more. I love the main character Cleo and her family and friends. It's a fun story with mini storylines in there too.

Songs.

"You're just a chance I'll take" my summer song is Hideaway by Kiesza and it has been on repeat and has saved me at the end of many clearance days!

Calling All Hearts by DJ Cassidy ft Jessie J and Robin Thicke is such a happy, positive song. I love it. I can't help but dance when I hear it.

Treat tea.

After the madness of the first Saturday of clearance I bought myself a little chippy tea. Small chips, small sausage and a spoonful of curry sauce. It was delicious.

Long dog walks.

After my chippy tea, I talk my dog Louis down to the beach for an evening walk. We were out 1hr 15mins. The sky was beautiful and the way the sun streamed through the clouds made me feel emotional. That was probably more the stressful day I'd had though. I did the same dog walk again Sunday morning before work and it was lovely and sunny. 

Louis.

A little party never killed nobody.

On Sunday eve, I went to a party at my friend's in Liverpool. The sun was still shining and her flat opens out onto a huge terrace and was the ideal location for a party. I had a great night dancing with my friends and eating party food. I treated myself to a Pimms too. 

My friend Faye and I.

My summer holiday.

To celebrate finishing work on Monday eve, I met up with my friend Stacey for a catch up and a cocktail in the sunshine. We luckily got a table outside the popular Las Iguanas and enjoyed a Strawberry Red cocktail each. We're going to London for the weekend so we made some plans for that. It was a lovely way to start my summer holidays. 

My sister has been home so it has been nice to spend some time with her. My family have just returned from their holiday too. 

I plan to workout most days and continue on with my healthier eating. 

This weekend I am going to London to a daytime festival in Hyde Park travelling down Saturday morning. It's on all day and has love music, tasty food and fairground rides. We are staying at a hotel close to Hyde Park. On the Sunday, I'd like to go to Wimbledon and experience the buzz on Murray Mount even though he has been knocked out now. I think we will visit Oxford St including the rooftop garden at John Lewis for a juice. I'm sure we'll have a nice lunch in London and so a bit of shopping. 

I would like to go to Alton Towers if I can this holiday, I've never been. I might book a spa break for a treat.

My birthday is coming up next week so I will have a little celebration with my family and friends. 

I'll let you know what I get up to. 

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