Pink Haired Princess

Boots Star Gift this week is one of the most anticipated each year, Soap & Glory. The set this year is called Bubble Act and comes specially packaged for the promotion in a beautiful tin designed by illustrator, Zuki Turner. The tin is quite different to previous boxes or bags, though still in keeping with that retro feel S&G products have.

You responded well to my Top 12 Irregular Choice shoes of 2018 and when I asked if you wanted to see more 'random' posts like that, you did! You also had some great suggestions, so I am going to hopefully continue with blasts from the pasts and bits of my collection without the need to be relevant to whichever season/collection we are in. Today I have my Irregular Choice tights collection. I didn't even realise I had a "collection" to be honest, I seem to have amassed them rather quickly. I've said this before, but I always thought I was too big for IC tights (they are 'one size'). While my lower legs and bottom are maybe average-ish sized, my tummy, hips and thighs aren't, so I had my concerns. It wasn't until The Muppets collection that it became a case of "I can't live without these" when I saw them on IC's Instagram Stories the morning of the launch and they just looked so perfect with the shoes, that I took the plu...

It's that time of year again when I feel totally overwhelmed with all the "Black Friday" emails and offers popping up. It wouldn't be so bad if it was a genuine "Friday" or even weekend deal, but I've been getting emails ("to prepare") for weeks already and more often than not, the deals are just regular promotions or sales that they've bundled up into a black bow to look more enticing for this time of year! Then the genuinely good deals, I feel pressured to take advantage of, because it's stuff I want anyway and at a good price, but so close to Christmas, I don't have as much money or shouldn't be spending on myself anyway. However, one place I was keeping a close eye on was Revolution beauty . I really wanted some of their Christmas gift sets as they looked adorable and had exclusive shades in them and from today, they have 50% off.

Do you remember earlier in the year I showed you my Disney shoe shelves in the shoe room? I felt I was at the stage that I had enough pairs to put them all in one unit back then and indeed I did, with a couple of shelves to spare. In the months since, I've accumulated several more and by sheer fluke, had the required 32 pairs for my cabinet (8 shelves, 4 pairs per shelf) and 4 boots left over (All Mad Here, Lost Your Muchness, Hot Diggety Dog and She's Hip, He's Hop) that are too tall to fit in anyway. Last time I tried to do most of the shelf arranging with pictures on my laptop, before tackling the real thing (to save energy), but this time I decided to just go for it (with the help of my sister). I felt there were too many to play around with in photo form.

Hello all! Good and bad news for you today. Bad news first, today is the last teaser post for Bambi and Dumbo, noooo!  However the good news is, that's because the full collection launches tomorrow at Irregular Choice ! Wowee, that snuck up on us quickly didn't it? You can find the teasers from last week, here and here and IC have definitely left the best until last, as I adore everything I'm about to show you.

I was shopping the other week and there was a really nice Estee Lauder GWP in Debenhams. I had my eye on their Pure Color Love lipsticks , but my first choice, then second choice were both out of stock. I was really taken in by the sparkly ones, so got a white one instead (intended to be a topper over liner or another lipstick), but really had my heart set on the other two. The girl told me to take a photograph of the other ones I liked so I'd remember their names if I saw them elsewhere. I thought I had nothing better to do than go home and buy them online, but they were sold out everywhere I could think of. I kept torturing myself with that photo of the testers, but fast forward a couple of weeks and an email popped up about another GWP and lo and behold, they had the lipsticks I was after! I must admit to double and triple checking, because I thought it was too good to be true and I'd got the shade names muddled! However they arrived last week and are the ones I wante...

It's time for another sneak peek at the Irregular Choice Disney collection(s) launching next week. Click here to see an earlier reveal and read on for more from Bambi and Dumbo.

In the second part of my Irregular Choice accessories post, I'll be showing you some of the recent scarf and rings. You can find my first post on tights and socks here . I've been buying IC scarves for a while and have amassed quite the collection now. Although I wear them a lot, I wouldn't consider myself a "scarf person".  You know those people that always have a scarf draped around their neck? That's definitely not me or my style, yet I am using them regularly (I know what I mean in my head, just not sure I'm articulating it properly)!  Despite them being quite thin, they can really warm you up on cooler days in or outdoors.  Sometimes when I've got my jumper on and my blanket on and I'm still freezing, I've wrapped one of these around me as a shawl too.  I also wear them on my head.  You know I'm very fond of a headwrap and these are great to use for that as they are so big.  I'm trying to think of something that they are a sim...

The latest Irregular Choice and Disney collaboration is due to hit soon and for the 9th collection, we are being treated to a double release. There will be shoes, boots, bags, purses and tights from both Bambi and Dumbo and today I have a first look at some of the collection.

Irregular Choice have always dabbled in accessories here and there, but for the past few years, we've seen a more steady flow of goodies in this department. I've gotten quite a few current season pieces and also from SS18, so thought I'd share them with you. I've split the post into two, beginning with hosiery.

Firstly I'd really like to apologise for the tardiness of this review. I actually took these photos at the beginning of May, not long after the shoes were released, but haven't had time to write the post until now. I'd hoped to get it out before going to London (for the Toy Story launch), but that well and truly didn't happen!  Anyway hopefully this is a little sunshine to brighten up a dreich Autumn day. You know how I posted my Top 12 Irregular Choice shoes of 2017 the other day? I'm calling it now, that these will be in my 2018 favourites, I just love them. I'd unfortunately had to bypass all the new releases at the start of 2018 as I had no money. Then the announcement came of hula girl heels and it was one I knew I couldn't miss. I also got Hono Lulu in blue, which were my favourite until I saw the Waikiki shortly before their release at 12pm. This style was an Ashbury Skies exclusive, so only available through their website and Irregular Ch...

I don't think I've ever done a post like this before, but at the start of the year (these photos were taken on a very grey January), I thought it would be fun to put together my favourite Irregular Choice shoes and boots of 2017. I get asked for favourites a lot and I never really have an answer as I find it far too difficult to choose. I've tailored my collection over the years to those I really love and am lucky I can collect anything rather than having to buy specifics, like "black shoes" or "mid heels" etc.  So it's quite hard to pick one over the other, when you collect for passion rather than necessity. There are of course some you like that little bit more and that can be for a variety of reasons, not just aesthetics, but Irregular Choice make such interesting and innovative styles, that it made my job very difficult to select just 12. Actually it began as a Top 10 before I realised that was impossible. Look at it as one a month instea...

Mega excitement today with the arrival of the new Irregular Choice fairy toadstool heels that launched on Friday. I bought two pairs, with the intention of returning the shoes if the boots looked hideous on me, as the boots were my first choice. I don't know when (I'm honestly shattered just from opening the box), but I'll have more photos and info when I do a Shoesday fit review on The Shoe Girl Diaries and a more in-depth review here, but I wanted to give you my first impressions.

It's always pretty exciting when you catch a glimpse of the new season soles at Irregular Choice, but this season, looked really, really good! I didn't have to wait too long before I got a pair and of course, I've taken photos for you to properly see them.

I'm a massive fan of masking. If you follow me on Instagram , you'll likely be aware of this, as I regularly post photos of my masking exploits in my Stories. I was in Boots a while ago and noticed No7 had launched their own sheet masks and I was super excited! I don't know why masking is so fun to me, but it is, I just love it and am always thrilled to see new releases or try one I haven't. 

Irregular Choice released another perspex heel style last Friday, the beautiful Blossom Bunny. Since the early days, they've been making carved, lucite heels which have come in many forms; low, wedge, stiletto, even heart shaped, but the chunky one on the new Blossom Bunny is probably the most recognisable as it usually reappears at least once each season. It's little wonder I own so many of them as they've come in every colour or style of shoe or boot you can think of. Not only is it pretty, it's manageable and easy to wear, so it's a firm favourite of mine.  What I see a lot of on social media from first time buyers of this heel though, is that they dislike seeing the screws. In fact many wonder if this is 'normal' or if they got a dodgy pair. In short, yes it's normal and actually completely essential that the heel is attached to the shoe! Shoes, whether cheaper, mass produced or more exclusive and expensive, machine or handmade, will usually h...

It was November last year, when I previously blogged about the ASOS beauty box . I've bought most of the monthly boxes since then and July is a special one as it only contains Clinique products. The brand has just launched at ASOS, so the box is to celebrate and it's a great way of trying out several products.

I'm excited to bring you the first of my Irregular Choice Toy Story in-depth reviews. Right now, I'm travelling back from London, having attended the Carnaby Street VIP launch last night. Can't quite believe I'm writing that!! I wanted to blog about it beforehand, as I'm sure you'll realise it's a big deal for me (with my M.E.) to get out of the house, but I haven't had time. Hopefully in due course, I can share all the details. So, today we begin with the new character heel(s), in You Are A Toy!* ankle boots.

I feel I should start these posts with "howdy partner" or something similar! The new Irregular Choice Toy Story collection is now live, so I hope if you're reading this, you're getting on well with queueing/buying! I know how stressful it can be!  I have a little something to keep you going in the meantime and I really think IC have outdone themselves with this beautiful packaging. So, this is the beautiful box the Disney Toy Story footwear will come in. My jaw hit the floor when I saw it and I've been dying to show you it! The biggest reason being, it's not a traditional, signature IC, drawer-style box, but a lifty-lid one! Star Wars is the only other Disney collection to feature a non-drawer box and I adored that one too; it was like an old-fashioned doll box with the window bit. Anyway, this one has a similar theme, it appears to me that they wanted it to feel like a toy storage chest. It has that exciting "ooh what goodies are inside?" vibe...

The launch date is almost upon us. Just 24 hours to go until Irregular Choice release their latest Disney collection, Pixar's Toy Story. Over the past few weeks, we've been teased with a light up bag , glitter aliens and brand new character heels . Today, it's the turn of (my personal favourite style), yee-haw, cowgirl Jessie!

It's hard to believe that next week at this time, the latest Irregular Choice Disney collection will be released. I feel like it was just yesterday that the announcement was made. That collection, will of course be Pixar's Toy Story. If you've missed that and the previous two teasers, then you can find them here and here . Before that, take a peek at another item that may be winging it's way onto your wishlist (no apologies for 'winging')!

Last week, I teased you with two brand new character heels (Woody and Buzz) from the new Irregular Choice/Disney Toy Story collection, along with patterned tights. This week, I have another couple of items to reveal, which I think you'll be very excited about.

Hot off the news on Wednesday that Pixar's Toy Story will be the 8th Irregular Choice Disney collection, I have the first teasers for you.

Irregular Choice announced their 8th Disney collection today, Toy Story! Coming soon, this is the 6th character partnership we've seen (both Star Wars and Alice In Wonderland had 2 waves) and a collaboration with Pixar for the very first time. I really appreciate how diverse the ranges have been thus far. As "irregular" as Irregular Choice may be, they still manage to be very inclusive and aim for something for everyone in my opinion. The Disney umbrella itself is a broad one, so if you are a fan, that doesn't necessarily mean every story or character appeals to you. Star Wars for example I've never watched and have no interest in, yet there were shoes I liked.  I'm not the biggest Muppets fan, but that collection was my absolute favourite and I wanted everything from it.  So far Irregular Choice have chosen classic characters like Mickey & Minnie, a traditional Disney princess in the form of Cinderella. Something a little quirkier with Alice, a gi...

This is my umpteenth attempt re-writing this, I've been coming back to it for months and indeed there's a very similar one lurking in my drafts folder from February last year. That in itself is very telling of the theme of this post, I'm struggling. I'm struggling to blog, I'm struggling to share my 'life' on social media. I'm struggling to read or reply to the hundreds of emails that fill my inbox every week ( sooo overwhelming), I'm struggling and my body is letting me know that. We've had this conversation before (me and my body and you and I); I think it was one of my earliest M.E. On posts, where I said I'd no longer apologise for missing deadlines, falling behind with work or not doing something I said I'd do and yet a couple of years on, I've fallen into the same cycle and trap of saying "yes" to everything and thinking I can work like a 'normal' person. I can't, so why do I keep pretending I can? I...

Disappointment is how I'd sum up the feeling of 2018 so far. Towards the end of last year, I was tiring more easily, but put it down to doing more than usual during the festive period. It had also been an eventful 2017, with the diagnosis of gallstones and eventual removal of my gallbladder in June after 7 months of agonising, random attacks. It's no surprise that I spent a lot of the year in clinics and hospitals, which was a big increase on the activity I was accustomed to. Plus there was the after-effects of an attack, which I felt for several days and all the worry that went with not knowing what was going on (before diagnosis) or when I'd next fall ill. As well as physically, mentally, it took it's toll over the year. A year of worry and non-stop medical appointments is no fun for anyone. Besides this, the surgeon had warned me pre-surgery that going ahead with the operation could worsen my M.E. permanently. This was a big shock to me and one of the scaries...

Over the past few weeks, I've been using the Retinol Reface * from Indeed Labs . It's a creamy, skin resurfacing, retinol serum and I've really enjoyed trialling it.