Weekend Hot Mix: The Other Side

It feels like ages since I've shared a mix I love with you and there could only be one option this week. It has to be the soundtrack to my Ibiza holiday...

Every year, my boyfriend has put together a mix that we listen to when driving round the island - to and from the beach, to and from the clubs, or just for chilling to by the pool.

This one is particularly special as it features loads of my favourite tracks (including a few Tracks of the Week) and its over two hours of the finest deep house out there.

Hope you enjoy this one as much as we have! Have a great weekend!




Lindsey

Nails of the Day: Kiss Me On My Tulips

There's something about choosing the colour nail varnish for my holiday that completely captures the excitement and hopefulness of the pre-getaway build up for me.

This year was no exception, having had no more than a couple of days away, let alone a good stint on a beach since last July, I was completely ready for my latest trip to Ibiza.

Now for the last few years I've always been drawn back to a coral varnish but when I saw this shade from the new OPI Holland Collection Spring/Summer 2012 I knew this was the one for me.

Inspired when I saw my friend Amy jet off to Marbs with a pink manicure, I didn't hesitate to buy Kiss Me On My Tulips. This was the perfect colour I was looking for to take me from bronzed goddess by the pool (ha!) into a glam party look for the evening - this was great as it was striking but without being gaudy or tacky.

Not only am I happy with the colour, but this varnish has lasted brilliantly. It lasted six days without chipping on my fingers - that's with Nailtiques step 1 as a base and top coat, and its been two weeks on my toes and still going strong.

I've given my nails a few days break and I'll definitely be re-doing them ready to jet off to Marbs with the girls tomorrow. Kiss Me On My Tulips - great shade, long lasting - the perfect holiday varnish!

What colour will you be painting your nails for your holiday?

Lindsey

Really Ree Elemis Giveaway

So the first week back to work after a holiday is normally a bit grim to say the least. Particularly this week coming back to a cold, grey, wintery England.

Now I enter loads of stuff but I am the unluckiest person I know - "I never win anything" is a massive cliche, but genuinely, if I'm at the races, people ask me what I'm betting on to make sure they back something else. I'm also banned from watching any important football matches as I'm that much of a jinx (not that Leeds United need any help from me, ahem).

However, the blow of returning from Ibiza was well and truly softened for me, as I learned when I was away that I'd won a competition that I entered ages ago.

You may know that Elemis products and facials make up a major part of my regular skincare routine (previous post here), but what you may not know is that one of the first Beauty Blogs that I stumbled across, and one of the reasons I was inspired to start blogging myself was Really Ree. So it seems even sweeter to me that I should win a competition on her blog!

Here's the lovely package I returned to after my holiday:

It contained full size bottles of the following - meaning the prize was worth a staggering £144!:

• Papaya Enzyme Peel - love this and use already
• Melting Cleansing Gel - new product out this year that I haven't tried yet so can't wait to test this one out
• Sensitive Cleansing Wash - not tried this before
• Maximum Moisture Day Cream
• Maximum Replenish Night Cream - not used either of these before as I currently use the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream and Night Cream so will be very interested to see how they compare as there is a huge difference in price!!

Anyway, this has definitely taught me that despite how unlucky you may be, you are always in with a chance. Many thanks to Ree and I look forward to letting you know how I get on with this huge package of luxury products!

Have you won any great competitions from other blogs?

Lindsey

Track of the Week: French Soul Party

Throwing an indie track in there this week as I'm over the moon to finally find a new band that makes me want to get stuck in down the front of a gig, bouncing up and down and singing at the top of my lungs.

Firm favourites of mine include Arctic Monkeys, Friendly Fires, Pigeon Detectives, Delphic, Fenech Soler... but its been a while since I've managed to find any decent "guitar" music as opposed to my usual house choice. My radio has been filled with whispy, warbling women or boring folky blah blah for far too long so I was as much relieved as excited to hear this track...

Apart from the obvious accent giveaway, the mention of "The Headrow" had me guessing that this was a Leeds band... not far off the mark, French Soul Party are actually from Holmfirth in Huddersfield so its nice to be supporting some local talent.

French Kissing is a perfect summer indie love song and the short 2 minutes 39 seconds forces me to hit repeat several times before I'm done with this one...

Lucky for us, this one is free to download from Soundcloud... just hit the button below.

You can find out more about French Soul Party on their facebook page or follow them on Twitter @FRENCHSOUL. Definitely hoping to catch these guys live soon!

Enjoy!




Lindsey

Wedding #1: The Perfect Jubilee Wedding

Well hello strangers!

Its been a serious while since I've found time to post anything on here between a hen party in Marbella, a wedding, new job, holiday preparation, a serious health and exercise kick, my Ibiza holiday including another hen party and wedding....

Yes May and June have been ridiculously busy but amazingly fun months that have disappeared in the blink of an eye... this sets the tone for the rest of the summer that I have planned! I just hope I can remember everything I wanted to share with you...

First and foremost has to be one of the best weddings I've ever had the pleasure of being invited to - that of my old housemate Anna and her lovely hubby Gav on the Jubilee weekend at the beginning of June at Clumber Park near Mansfield.

Now I firmly believe Anna was born to be a bride and I never expected her day to be anything other than traditional but I was blown away beautiful everything was from the dress, the bridesmaids and the flowers, to the marquee, the table arrangements, the crooked cake and the yummy food - check out the trio of desserts below! It really was the perfect wedding!

So what did I wear for such a special occasion? With it being a summer wedding I wanted something bright and colourful but still in fitting with the traditional feel...

Dress: Next

Shoes: Next

Bag: Zara

Earrings: Accessorize

The dress was exactly what I was looking for and a perfect fit so I was really pleased to find it in Next for the bargain price of £45 with the classic nude heels for just £26! I found this statement grey wire clutch with fringing detail in Zara for £40 which I know will go with so many other things.

This was the first of four weddings I have this summer which has proved fun and stressful in equal measure to get all my outfits sorted... I hope you like this one!

Lindsey

* Photographs by me, Sarah Jackson and Andrew Ward Photography