Blog On MSI 2016

Last Sunday saw well over a hundred bloggers descend on Manchester Museum of Science and Industry right in the heart of Manchester, I was lucky enough to be one of them. We had come from all over the country to catch up with each other, meet brands, learn and share ideas all around the wonderful world of blogging.

I took a break from blogging last year after my father became seriously ill, and Blog On MSI was exactly what I needed to get myself back into blogging and feeling inspired again. It was so good to catch up with blogging friends like Tracey and to introduce Jon from JonThePhotographyBaker to the wonderful world of BlogOn.

It was lovely to speak to brands who recognise bloggers and are willing to work with them, and actively seek them out. I really enjoyed chatting to the folks from Esdevium Games, and the ladies from Swizzels and Get More Drinks. They have some really great products that I cannot wait to share with you. I really enjoyed the demo game Jon and I played from Esdevium…and my competitive side may have come out a little. I did win though.

The day was a huge hit, and a big thanks has to go to Laura, the MSI team and all of the brands and speakers that made it such a great event. I learnt so much from the Pinterest 101 and the SEO 101 classes – and I have so much more learning to do. There was a mix of speakers and something for everyone. My Pinterest notebook is already full of ideas for blog posts, collaborations and things to work on.

 

 

I came away from the event with so many ideas to share with you, and with lots of goodies from the goody bags to try out. I’ll be letting you know which products were my favourites and where you can get them from soon.

Did you go to BlogOnMSI? If not, check out all of the fun over here on Twitter.

 

Update

Hello!

Just popping in briefly to apologise for the lack of posts. My dad is currently very ill and has been in hospital for over two weeks with a very long stay in ahead of him. I am taking some time to be with my family and look forward to being back soon.

What’s in my bag?

I am always fascinated by what women carry around with them in their handbags. I always seem to end up carrying around so many things that are unnecessary, and regularly have to have a clear out and ditch the things I do not need. This becomes really annoying after a while, especially when I have several bags that I often switch between. I have made a conscious decision to clear my handbag out each night and to ditch anything that I do not need, and I thought I would share the contents of my bag with you.

1) Phone Charger

I would be so lost without this little beauty. I have an iPhone 4s and whilst I love it, and my contract is so much cheaper than if I had a more recent model, the battery life is not so great. It is fine if I am at work, as I can charge my phone there, but if I am out and about and using my phone more frequently then I can run out of power by lunchtime. Having this nifty little gadget with me means that I am never out of power and I can tweet to my heart’s content.

2) Carmex Lip Balm

I have almost every lip balm that Carmex makes. I have been using this brand since 2010 and I can always count on it to soothe and restore my lips if they are dry, and I use it regularly to keep my lips healthy and smooth. There are a huge range of products and flavours, so there will be something to suit everyone. My favourites are the original and  cherry lip balm pots.

3) iPhone

I would be lost without my phone now. There are so many things I use it for, from keeping in touch with loved ones, sending emails, taking photos and getting directions. I love the variety of cases available as well, like the tortoise shell patterned one shown above.

4) Keys

Pretty boring but necessary. I have two sets of keys with me usually, one set for work and one for home. I like to make them more interesting through keyrings. Whether they are photos of friends and family, or designer pieces, they add more personality and usually help my to find my keys as I feel the keyring before they keys.

5) Perfume – Freak by Illamasqua

Since discovering this scent in 2013, it has become my signature scent. I have three bottles and always have one with me. One is on my desk at work, one in my bedroom and one for my handbag. I love that the fragrance is long lasting and strong without being overpowering. The Illamasqua website lists the notes as follows:

TOP NOTES
Black Davana, Opium Flower and Belladonna bewitch the senses into uncontrollable lust and passion.
HEART NOTES
Poison Hemlock, Datura and Queen of the Night blossom, caress and kiss.
BASE NOTES
Aromas of Frankincense, Oud and Myrrh, addictively mesmerises and captures the senses.

6) Notepad

Whether it be for work or leisure, I always have a notepad in my handbag. I always carry a small notepad with me for jotting down blog ideas and anything else that I need to remember, and I would be lost without my work notepad. As a lover of lists, a notepad is a necessity.

7) Purse

This purse is perfect for me. It showcases my love of travel, written letters and keeps all of my money, loyalty cards and receipts perfectly organised. The design I have, Paper Planes is available online, as well as at various stores including Thunder Egg.

8) Mints

With my love of garlic and other strong flavours, I always make sure to carry some mints with me. My preference is for spearmint rather than peppermint, and the cuter the tin the better.

9) Hair Clip

I love wearing my hair down, and more often than not that is how I wear it, but sometimes you need to be able to quickly keep it out of your face and out of the way. As my hair is so thick and long, I make sure that I always have a sturdy hair clip in my bag so that I can quickly sweep it into a ponytail and then clip it up.

Five Things Friday

1) David Attenborough Documentaries

Do I really need to explain this one? The man is amazing, and I would happily watch a documentary by him about paint drying. I am sure it would be fascinating. One of the things I enjoy most on a Sunday is to curl up on the sofa, wearing a face mask and to pop on a documentary. Whether is it about lions or insects, I am equally interested.

2) Strawberry and White Chocolate Magnum Ice Creams

I have always loved Magnums. The white chocolate and vanilla ones used to be my favourite, but recently that has changed. The white chocolate and strawberry flavour have the delicious white chocolate coating that I love, but the strawberry ice cream has layers of  strawberry sauce, creating a lovely refreshing flavour.

3) Macarons

Last Saturday I was out shopping with my mum and discovered the English Rose Bakery, selling the most amazing macarons, cakes and meringues. They have the most incredible flavour combinations and they are the perfect little treat to finish off a hectic day.

4) Tea

It may be my britishness, but there is nothing that cannot be made more relaxing by the addition of a cup of tea. Tea really does make everything better. I love unwinding at the weekend and at the end of the day with a hot cup of tea, and it always tastes better if I am wearing my pyjamas…I am sure that is a scientific thing.

5) Sunny Evenings

With the warmer weather finally arriving this week, it has been so nice to be able to enjoy the evenings. Rather than leaving work with the sun shining and arriving home to a sky full of clouds, I have been able to enjoy a few hours of sunshine to help me relax and unwind.

 

What has been making you happy this week?

Inner City Joules – Polyvore Outfit of the Week

I have been a fan of Joules for several years now, and I clearly remember falling in love with their classy, feminine designs that never seem to go out of style. This brand is perfect for anyone that wants to invest in a few pieces of classy clothing that will last for years without breaking the bank.

This year Joules are celebrating 25 years of business, and they have grown from strength. Their clothes are often seen on stars such as Mary Berry and Great British Bake Off 2013 Winner Frances Quinn regularly wore the brand on the show as she is a babywear designer for them. They clearly like cake!

The idea for this outfit came whilst I was out shopping (as they often do) and the weather changed about four times in less than two hours. In Manchester, an umbrella and jacket are a must. It really does rain as often as people say. I love the fitted style of the jacket, and it would be perfect with a huge range of outfits. I can just picture myself going shopping in this outfit, and stopping for coffee in a cafe whilst I jot down all of my ideas for the blog in the lovely notebook.

Joues currently have a sale on, and the bracelet and purse are currently on sale. Both can be found here along with so many other items to tempt you.

Are you a fan of Joules? Let me know!

Five Things Friday

1) Train Journeys

My trip to London this week has reignited my passion for travelling by train. I love being able to relax and read a magazine as mile after mile of Britain flies past my window. Sometimes I watch the views for the whole journey. For me, the journey is just as important as the destination.

2) My Bed

After such a long and busy week, I have been looking forward to climbing into bed at the end of each day. Sleep is so important, and everyone knows that a lack of sleep can effect your looks, concentration and mood. I always try to get plenty of rest, but sometimes things get in the way. This week, I have been doing all sorts of little things to make going to bed an even more relaxing experience. Things such as new bedding, new pyjamas and overnight face serums all add to make it even better.

3) Time with my Dad

It was Fathers Day on Sunday, and although we did not do anything special on the day I am taking him to see the Minions Movie and then for dinner tonight. I love spending time with my dad, and it is so nice to see how close we are. I am sure that there will be lots of laughter today, and I am so glad that I get to spend so much time with him.

4) Fleur DeForce

Is there anything that I need to say about this lovely lady? I love her videos, and there is always a new product, tip or brand to discover. See her New in June video below.

5) Good Friends

My life has been full of great times with even greater people. We are all at different stages of our lives, but each one of these fantastic people have taught me about life and about myself. Some are people I have only known for a year or two, others I have known for half a decade. Having dinner and chatting about anything and everything will always be one of my favourite ways to spend my time.

Red and Black – Polyvore Outfit of the Week

Red and Black by cashmereandconfetti featuring genuine leather handbags

There is a time in every Lady’s life when she needs to Vamp it up, and dress to kill. For me, there are outfits that give me added confidence, and that I know make me stand out. This has been especially useful for me at work, when I am often initially overlooked due to my age. Having these outfits makes me stand out, and gets people to notice me without needing me to make a point.

This Outfit of the Week is one that I would love to be able to afford, and is Vamped up to the max, but could easily be replicated without having to break the bank. I have a very similar dress for George and patent heels are easy to come by at stores such as Primark, Office and Next.

What is the outfit that gives you the most confidence?

Five Things Friday

This week has been pretty long and stressful, so this Five Things Friday is all about the things that help me to relax.

1) Yankee Candles

I have loved these candles for a while now, and I am always keen to try new scents and styles. There is one scent that I always come back to, and that is Black Cherry. I love burning this whilst winding down from a long day at work and watching something on TV. The scents last for a really long time and I love the range of scents available. These are available online, in various stores such as Boots and Clintons as well as in Yankee Candle stores.

2) Good Weather

When the sun comes out, everything just seems so much better. I find myself feeling happier and more alert, eating better and exercising more. Maybe this means that I should relocate to somewhere lovely and sunny?  I find myself wanting to do more and explore places when the sun is out. This little change in the weather can have a massive impact on my happiness.

3) Sour Cream and Chive Pretzels

These things are so moreish and tasty. I find myself craving them all of the time, and they are the perfect savory treat. The trick I have not quite mastered with them yet is to not eat too many. They are just so good! They can be found in most supermarkets and come in a “share” sized bag.

4) 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

If there is one thing better than a fantastic show, it is two fantastic shows merged together. 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown is a fantastic blend of humour and quiz questions, and it is the perfect combination. I can happily watch episodes all night long, and often try to find the longest word or to solve the conundrum. I still find myself laughing at each episode, and it is the perfect show to watch whilst relaxing.

5) More Vitamin Drinks

I am terrible at making sure that I drink enough water each day. At work I can be so busy that I go for hours and hours without drinking anything, and recently I have been trying to change that. At Blog On I was chatting to the lovely ladies from More Vitamin Drinks and they kindly offered to send me a few to try out. I have been taking one to work each day to test the flavours, and I make sure that I finish it before lunchtime. So far I am loving them, and it has been a really good way to increase my water intake.

Talk Disney to Me – Polyvore Outfit of the Week

Talk Disney to Me by cashmereandconfetti featuring a long necklace

Hi, my name is Sarah and I love Disney. There, I have admitted it. For those that know me, my love of Disney is no secret. As I have grown up, my love for Disney has not diminished, it has simply evolved. I love watching classic Disney films and seeing them in a whole new light, spotting things I had missed as a child and appreciating the films in a whole new way.

One of my favourite things to do then is to obviously visit Disney World. I have been there twice, once as a child and once just before I turned 21. Each trip was magical (as I am sure every trip would be) but for its own reasons. Disney parks are like Disney films, with new things to appreciate each time, and for a trip to Disney, you need a special outfit.

This week’s Outfit of the Week is a tribute to my love of all things Disney, and I would be more than happy wearing this whilst exploring Epcot or whilst hanging out with friends at the weekend. I am completely in love with the bag and the necklace, and need to have more Disney in my wardrobe.

Five Things Friday

 

Recently I have been thinking about all of the little things that I love, and how thankful I am for all of the god things in my life. It can often be so easy to focus on the things that are bad in our lives, or the things that we do not like and all of the good things become lost. In order to focus myself on all of the things that make me happy, I have decided that every Friday I will share five things that make me happy.

1) Lazy Sunday Mornings

Is there anything better than enjoying a lazy Sunday morning once in a while? TV, pyjamas and breakfast in bed is my idea of heaven. My day job can be really busy and stressful, and generally I like to spend my Saturdays meeting up with friends and being out and about, so my Sunday mornings are all about unwinding and allowing myself to do absolutely nothing at all.

2) Post Secret

This has been a love of mine since I first discovered it many years ago, and I still visit the website every Sunday morning to read the new secrets. The idea is that people write their secrets onto postcards (some are blank, others are decorated) and mail them in anonymously. Frank, who runs Post Secret, then posts them onto the website for the world to see. Some are uplifting, others heartbreaking; but they all leave me with questions.

3) Suits

It is not often that I watch a TV series all the way through and look forward to the next series, but Suits is one that I certainly wait each week for. In the UK is it shown on Dave, and you can also watch online. I love everything about this show. The clothes, the script and the characters, this show has it all.

4) Sushi

To those who know me, this is no surprise. I absolutely adore sushi, and could quite happily eat it every day. This is the perfect treat to myself after a day of shopping or before meeting up with friends for drinks. Both Wasabi and Yo Sushi in Manchester offer amazing sushi, and I cannot wait to discover more places to indulge in my favourite meal.

5) Sunshine

The weather has seriously been improving over the past couple of days, and it is so good to finally see some sunshine. Even if I am not outside, just being able to see it makes me so happy. I am really hoping that the weather stays nice for the weekend so that I can enjoy it properly.

 

What things are currently making you happy?