When two become one

I have to confess I have bitten off more than I can chew. I am in a tizz, my knickers twisted.

When I started Lambchops and Butterflies I had so many ideas buzzing around my head about the content I wanted to include. Thing is with a new baby in the house and a toddler who still needs lots of mummy time I cannot manage the expectation I have for my blogs.

But, you see, I love beauty and I love fashion so a decision has been made.  Why don't I just merge my blogs together.

So 'She was not at all domestic', will continue to be what it has always been - my day to day diary, my thoughts and my experiences and this will now include my fashion and beauty musings too. In a nutshell - my blog!!!

If you don't subscribe or follow me already over at Shewasnotatalldomestic do pop over and have a look. I promise lots of fashion and beauty posts and will subhead them Lambchops and Butterflies, so you can hone in on these if that's your interest.

Perhaps when things have calmed down lambchops and butterflies will once again become a stand alone blog, but until then its going to make itself at home in the Scruff household....

Dreaming of a caramel coated Autumn

There is a nip in the air. I am wearing pj's to bed. I have removed my pedicure polish.

Is summer over?

To cheer myself up at this dreary prospect I have been browsing the new season trends, earmarking the looks I love. Will I actually try any of them? Probably not but I won't let that detail ruin the pleasure.

Today I have been eyeing up the caramel crew. The ladies that are neutral but are anything but natural. These sophisticats don't hit snooze, not when there are shadows to blend and rollers to apply. Caramels, mushrooms, taupes, beige, latte, ecru... even the shade names are chic.

Oh how I day dream of being like her - wrapped in camel cashmere, honey highlights bouncing, bronzed-rimmed eyes darting, mascara only smudging to create that perfect lived in look.

Check her out and then bitch behind her back at Paul & Joe, Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs and Philip Lim

flashing a flawless chocolate palette at Anna Sui

The brows, the tousle, the wool and sequin clash, the perfection at Paul & Joe

bra skimming lengths given the tong treatment at Philip Lim

Caramel coated nails at Marc Jacobs




 

new hi tops and wrinkle buster!

Shopping with Little Miss P is a nightmare. It requires nerves of steel and the patience of a saint.

I have neither.

Yesturday I took her to Brent Cross to buy new shoes. I returned with her first pair of trainers and a new wrinkle for me.

Office Shoes has a brilliant selection of kids trainers. They stock lots of Nike and Adidas in fabulous colour ways as well as a huge collection of Converse. It's the most un-child friendly environment to shop as the blaring music merely hyped an already wired toddler right up to the max. I didn't need to choose which style to go for as Miss P went straight up to the stand, tossed aside a few pairs and homed in on these beauties. She then proceeded to run around the store squealing with delight at her new find. They were £25.99 which seems to be the standard cost of sneakers.

the one trouser leg up completes to the 'fly' girl look

And for mum.....

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus wrinkle and UV damage Corrector
I'm not usually big on wrinkle products, but after the stresses of the last few months I have gained a few new friends on my forehead so I have been testing this out. Its ace. As instructed I apply three drops to my face, concentrating on my troubled forehead. I only do it at night as mornings are too manic in the Scruff household.

I have been trying it for about three weeks now and I can see a difference. My lines are still there, but the skin looks softer and in better nick.

It contains three whizzy ingredients that repair UV damage (I have lots of this) and encourage your skins natural collagen production so it firms up and puffs wrinkles out.

It hit the shelves TODAY...whoop whoop. Its £35 which seems a lot but actually you need such a small amount each application (think cost per wear) and I reckon it works, this is a bit of a bargain.

Go forth and conquer the wrinkle.

New mum!

Well my head is finally emerging above water.

Phewy what a crazy few weeks.

I gave birth to a big eyed boy on Friday 13th (typical!). It was quite an adventure (read all about it over at www.shewasnotatalldomestic.blogspot.com)

I am finding my feet (painted in Essie Footloose) and am getting back into the beauty swing.

I have lots I would like to share with you...what products I hauled to hospital and what I actually needed...some pampering treats for time strapped new mums and most excitingly the new season trends...whoop whoop!

Just bare with me as I hoist the baby off the boob and get a tippy tappying.....

Does absence make the heart grow fonder?

Dear readers, I have neglected you.

But before you think I have run off to join the circus that was in my town last week (a personal fantasy of mine). I haven't.

You see I am in labour...well sort off. I have been in and out, on and off giving birth for 5 days now. And yes I am fed up, anxious, excited, over cooked and pre-occupied.

My mind has been on whether now is a good time to wash my hair before it all kicks off, and whether my bath oil will slow down or speed up contractions, rather than posting fashion and beauty gos.

So please forgive my brief absence, but be assured I post again shortly with new babe in my arms.

x

Bon Voyage...holiday essentials

I am fantasising about jetting off to a Greek Island to feel the hot sun warm my skin as I emerge from the cold, crystal clear sea.

The only packing I have done is my hospital bag, but who am I to spoil everyone else's fun, so here are my beauty holiday essentials.

Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Bronzing Powder
I hail this up to the heavens as the best bronzer I have used in years. It is sparkle free and therefore natural looking, blends in an absolute dream and the colour enhances just about every complexion. Bravo Liz.

Korres Yoghurt Cooling Aftersun gel
Divine. I keep this in the mini bar so it is icy cool on my skin post shower.

Dermalogica Multi Vitamin Power Recovery Masque
Even I, the most cautious of beauties, have turned a little hot under the collar after an over enthusiastic day in the sun. This, my friends, makes your skin forgive all your sins. Burn? Moi? As if.

Organic Children No Scent Sun Lotion SPF 20
For babies and kiddies with sensitive or eczema prone skin, this is the best, and trust me, I have slathered Miss P in many.

Kerastase Soleil Bain Apres Soleil Shampoo and UV Defense Masque
I, for one, cannot pull off the Gisele-like beach head hair. I go more seaweed than surfer wave. This combination ensures any green tinge and frightful frizz is kept at bay.

Essie nail polish in Foot Loose
I am an all year round nude kinda gal (nothing says well groomed more than a well filed buffed up bare nail), but when the sun shines, so do my toes. This shade says it three - fun in sun!

MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF15 in Gentle Coral
Fling in the beach bag. The hint of sheer colour makes you feel that bit more glam poolside

Nars The Multiple in Malibu
Holidays liberate you from your make up bag. Take this to dot on your cheeks eye lids and lips plus a waterproof mascara and leave the rest at home. 

Christian Dior Diorshow Waterproof mascara
Fat lashes ahoy! Don't faff about with spindly brushes. Sweep this on with wild abandon. I, for one, will flirt with no other flutter.

And not forgetting the boring bits:
Sun screen: I love La Roche Posay and Clarins
Wipes: Seriously is there anything worse than applying sun screen with sandy hands? No.
Hair ties and clips: A Big N.O. to heated appliances - they encourage frizz in the heat plus all that effort to blowdry will be a fat waste of time as soon as humidity gets its way. Go with your hairs natural texture and play with plaits, buns and ponytails.
Mosi spray: Neals Yard Remedies Citronella Spray. natural and effective

Chanel Shades? Check.
Melissa Odabash Big straw hat? Check.
Pucci Roomy beach bag? Check.
Diane Von Furstenburg bikini? Check
Missoni kaftan? Check
Miu Miu gladiator sandals? Check.

Well I did say it was a fantasy!

Happy Holidays xx

Style Icon no.2: Julie Christie

It's all about the blow dry.....