The High Fives- March 2018

This month has been all about stimulating the senses. As I drafted a list of what what I've been enjoying this past few weeks I quickly realised that it's mostly been about sparking the imagination and inspiring new ideas. When the weather's a bit naff and a break away somewhere hot isn't on any imminent horizon, a sure fired way to get out of a funk is to enjoy new things or rediscover old favourites. 

   With a busy month of productions going on stage (I choreograph for a living) dining out and indeed dining well has sadly not been a feature. Tupperware dinners and copious gallons of coffee have fuelled the month of March, so despite not being able to give any foodie recommendations, what I can offer you is equally delicious. As you read on, you'll discover that I commuted my way through March to the soundtrack of many a podcast episode and music download. There was a bit of time for retail therapy and some inspiring viewing which has left me longing to go travelling. Enjoy!

PODCASTS

I'm always on the hunt for a new series to add to my collection. With an episode roughly lasting 30-45 mins, I can devour a few in one day if I'm commuting a fair bit. I have my faves which I've already introduced you to, but this month I've been loving a couple of newbies. Firstly Fearne Cotton's Happy Place is one which I knew I'd enjoy. Interviewing the likes of Stephen Fry, Paloma Faith and writer Matt Haig they explore life and what happiness looks like for them. Uplifting and insightful, I highly recommend you tune in weekly for a dose of feel good vibes and in depth discussion around mental health issues. 

Find 'Happy Place by Fearne Cotton' here: 

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/happy-place/id1353058891?mt=2

Already an avid fan of her other podcast 'The High Low' with fellow journalist Pandora Sykes, I knew Dolly Alderton's 'Love Stories' was going to be a perfect match for my motorway marathons. From first times to heartbreaks, passions to unrequited love each week a new guest divulges the most intimate details of their most defining relationships. Light-hearted yet weighted by some real poignant and topical discussions each episode is a joy from start to finish with a heady mix of vulnerability, wisdom and laugh out loud anecdotes.  

Find 'Love Stories with Dolly Alderton' here: 

https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/love-stories/id1343714594?mt=2

DOCUMENTARIES

Photo courtesy of http://www.leonlogothetis.com

It's rarity to get some sofa/telly time but when I do I take full advantage and try to take sole ownership of the remote control if at all possible. Hubby and I are guilty of mindlessly scrolling through Netflix struggling to find something we'll both want to watch. Akin to the vultures in The Jungle Book indecisiveness plagues our relationship and we often find ourselves deliberating back and forth, with very little progress being made in terms of making a decision on an array of topics, including what kind of takeaway food to order.   We both enjoy a documentary and feeling like we both needed some pick-me-up viewing, I tuned into episode one of 'The Kindness Diaries'. Relying entirely on the kindness of strangers, former broker Leon Logothesis embarks on an around the world tour in his yellow motorbike, Kindness One. In return for the shelter, food, fuel and friendship he is offered by so many Leon repays the kindness he has been shown in the most extraordinary ways, realising some dreams for his unsuspecting new friends who were only to happy to help a man in need. Episode one was so gripping  we subsequently devoured all 13 episodes in the one sitting! Surely that speaks volumes?! If you want to restore you faith in the human race this is the series for you.  

Check out this trailer for 'The Kindness Diaries' here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN51oWwwbqg

Photo from https://www.netflix.com/

Watching this then sparked my interest in world travel (can you tell I'm dire need of a holiday?!) and so the following evening we watched 'Expedition Happiness' on Netflix- a vlog-style account of one couple's adventures travelling in their converted school bus from Alaska to Argentina. Breathtaking scenery, chance encounters and the inevitable set-backs of crossing the globe in a bus, film-maker Felix Starck and his musician girlfriend Mogli both from Berlin, with their very cute dog Rudi in tow, explore the Americas documenting every step of the way. Inspiring viewing indeed! 

Check out their YouTube page: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDfAt3KEBpjVWsDkBY_OdAg

ISLA CANDLES

I was thrilled to discover I'd won an Instagram competition this month with the prize including three gorgeous candles from Isla Candles. With each scent inspired by travel I felt this was very apt following my Netflix-athon of travel documentaries. Born from the founders' memories of their wedding in Mallorca, each fragrance although sourced in Scotland, is reminiscent of their adventures abroad. 

Perfectly packaged and beautifully presented, these candles would make a perfect wedding day scent, a birthday gift or a treat to oneself. Having burned the scent 'Mallorca' I can safely say these handmade with 100% eco soy wax candles are worth investing in for a fresh, inviting home scent. We also love 'Granada'. 

Check out the website for their entire range:

http://islacandles.co.uk

ANNE-MARIE

Photo from twitter.com/annemarie

Choreographing for a living I listen to A LOT of music in any one day, spanning many decades and from all genres. I tend not to keep abreast of the charts, opting for podcasts rather than the radio on my commutes, mainly to stop me from 'working' as I drive. However one current artist that I've been loving for sometime is Anne-Marie. Her track with Rudimental, featuring Sean Paul 'Rockabye' soared to number one in the charts in 2016 and from then she's enjoyed much success at home in the UK and across the globe, with hits 'Ciao Adios' and 'Alarm'. In a bid to stick to my new year's resolution to enjoy more live music and theatre I jumped at the chance to see her at Glasgow's o2 Academy just last night and she did not disappoint. Her distinct tone, insane resister and unique phrasing matched by her passionate performance is something quite remarkable. Even if her music isn't your cup of tea, the raw talent she possesses both as a performer and song writer is undeniable. Although I prefer the stripped,acoustic back versions of some of her most well-known tracks, the power of her band behind her was impressive. There's nothing quite like live music and Anne-Marie as a force on stage is both captivating and inspiring. 

Here is a link to one of my favourite versions of her track 'Ciao Adios'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCQRBqJxSI4

#CHARITYSHOPFRIDAY

If you've been following us on Instagram for some time you'll know I'm partial to a charity shop bargain or two. I love unearthing something super affordable that I feel is the perfect addition to my wardrobe, without the pang of guilt that comes with high street/online shopping. Being self-employed I'm frugal and don't like to splash the cash on myself but with charity shop buying it's practically sin-free with the added bonus of helping support a worthy cause to boot. I mostly have a Friday afternoons free and often find myself perusing the rails of my local shops in the hope of picking up something pretty. Our Instagram family have been appreciating my weekly posts teamed with the hashtag #charityshopfriday and it got me to thinking-what sort of treasure is everyone else discovering in their local thrift/charity shops? So as March comes to a close, we are striding into April in the hope that we can spread the joy that is bargain hunting by asking our followers to share their #charityshopfriday purchases. In addition, I love to see how others piece an outfit together using their wardrobe staples along-with vintage or second-hand items. Don't worry if you bought that £2.50 skirt from The Salvation Army store on Tuesday...just wait until Friday to give us the low down on your weekly finds. With trends coming full circle, if you're someone who likes to keep up with what's 'in' right now you're bound to rummage your way to finding exactly what you are looking for at a fraction of the price. Happy shopping-can't wait to see what you find!

The High Fives- July 2017

C'mon, own up! Who stole July from right under my nose?! I swear it was just the 1st of the month and now it's gone...bonkers!

I've had such a busy month (I'm always saying that, eh?!) and haven't quite had the time to discover as many new found faves as I would have liked but I do still have a couple of gems for you to peruse! As I'm prone to doing from time to time, my focus switched over momentarily to home decor (and crafting!) and away from beauty and fashion In July but you can bet I'll be back in style mode come August when I'm going on holiday! That's just how I roll! Anywho, here's my July High Fives....

Fan-Girling over....

Instagram home decor/interior pages have been my jam this month. Man alive, there's so many good 'ins on my radar! I love seeing how other folks piece things together and what colour schemes they use throughout their homes. I love me a hack or a bargain find so I've trawling Instagram non-stop recently and boy, am I itching to get decorating again?!! If you're looking for inspo for your humble abode be sure to check out Violet and Thistle, My Home Impression, Lucy J Whitehouse, Theresa Gromski, Malmo and Moss, and On a Wing and a Chair. 

Get Listening to....

As I'm a big advocate of podcast listening, I feel it's only right I continue the theme and recommend at least one new one that I've discovered each month. Although there's only been one episode realised thus far, I'm  waiting with great anticipation for more of popular Youtuber beauty and lifestyle guru, Estee Lalonde's recent release, THE HEART OF IT WITH ESTEE LALONDE. In this pilot episode she discusses her first experience of protesting at  as a young person living in Canada and what standing up for what you believe in means to her now as a woman. A very open, honest and thought-provoking account of getting to grips with what is important to you, respecting others' views and how you can make a difference in the world. Give this a whirl for sure! 

Quids in with....

Never one to turn down the opportunity to nab a bargain, I've been loving using Quidco this month. Offering cashback on 1000s of online retailers, it's the UK's top cashback site.  Mimi uses it for many of her on-line purchases but annoyingly there's been so many times I've just clean forgotten to check for Quidco before buying something. It's simple to use and although you don't always receive the money immediately you will, of course, eventually (I got a little surprise of £41 back from purchases I made earlier in the year when I signed back into my account the other day). 34% cashback from my airport parking? Eh, yes please! There's an app and it's super easy to use! Go on, start saving some dosh! 

Fill up at....

Hubby and I decided to check out Big Feed a few weeks back to see what all the fuss was about. Attracting a lot of interest since it started earlier in the year, this street food social held in a warehouse in Govan offers live music and a variety of food vendors serving up all sorts of yumminess, from seafood to burgers, mac 'n' cheese to cupcakes. I opted for fish tacos and Rob a burrito and they were delish. It's such a cool concept and with fairy-lights, mismatched furniture and boardgames there's a relaxed, fun-for-all vibe which we really enjoyed. Highly recommend to anyone looking for grub and somewhere new to hang out on a weekend! 

Just Because....

On a visit to Princes Square in Glasgow city centre, I was lucky to grab myself (and Mimi and mum) a gorgeous bottle of Jo Malone Basil and Neroli. I say 'grab' as I literally did....using one of those grab machines you get at the arcades! As part of their Just Because campaign, this giveaway grab machine was visiting the Glasgow store that weekend and we were lucky enough to win ourselves this stunning scent. Having been a loyal Pomegranate Noir gal, I'm delighted to say that I have found another love in this lighter, fresher scent. Always nice to find a new perfume..especially when you win it! 




Happy August peeps! See you real soon!
Weesse x

The High Fives- June 2017

Another month has zoomed by and it's felt like there's been no time at all to find some new firm faves since proclaiming my undying love (well, maybe not as dramatic as all that but you get the drift, right?!) for a select few tit-bits in May . However, luckily I've been keeping note (thanks to my iPhone) of anything that's been floating my boat in the month of June and have concocted a small but perfectly formed list of good 'uns for you to check out. Shhhhhh don't tell anyone but there's more than five ( well 'the high seven' doesn't rhyme does it?!)!!! 

1. Fan Girling over..... 

If you love losing yourself in an Instagram/Youtube induced stupor of seriously chic styling and perfectly poised flat-lays look no further than Karen Britchick (for fashion advice and vintage-meets-high-street-meets-high-end styling) and Song of Style (for fashion and interior inspo). Oh my days! These women know how do things beautifully! I particularly love Karen Britchick's enthusiasm when discussing style- her passion for fashion is infectious and her ability to dream-team pieces together from her wardrobe is fascinating! Aimee Song's home has decor to die for and her personal style nails that effortless chic vibe we all crave for. All I can say is....you're welcome! 

 

Photo from superdrug.com

2. Beauty Spot

 This month I went back to using a tinted body lotion and I have to say I'm perturbed as to why I ever bothered with all the faff (and mess!) of fake tanning. Aside from my cheerleader days, when I needed my torso to resemble that of a creosoted garden shed, a little boost of colour is all I've ever strived for. Garnier Summer Body is my new best friend when it comes to getting that fast, fuss-free glow we all want when the weather starts to pick up and the pins come out to play! It smells of apricots and develops in a matter of hours (I put it on after showering just before bed). Streak-free (just remember to wash your palms after applying) and a healthy glow achieved with minimal effort- SUNsational. See what I did there???!!!.....ah, never mind! 

I've also re-discovered the awesomeness that is Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Oil. I'm lazy when it comes to skincare so even though this permanently resides in my bedside cabinet, I hadn't been using it for a good few months and I can honestly see a difference in my skin from regularly treating it to some pre-snooze care. The lavender scent is a perfect bedtime accompaniment and as it seeps straight in to the skin, you're not left with a sticky or wet residue which always puts me off any lotions and potions (CANNOT do hand-cream that lingers on the surface. Yuck!). I have noticed that it helps to balance out my complexion which is a biggy for me-I have uneven skin tone which I loathe, which I feel I then need to correct with make-up (even on days where I'm trying to go minimal on my look). I like the idea of something working on my skin as I sleep. As I wear make-up practically every day in life, it's not given much a chance to recover other than when I'm in the land of nod. A bit on the pricey side but if you're in the market for a skin oil I'd highly recommend this. 

3. Get listening to.....

Photo from acast.com

'At Home With....' is a new podcast by popular Blogger and Youtuber besties Lily Pebbles and The Anna Edit. Interviewing influential women from the worlds of beauty, fashion and social media about everything from their work to wardrobe, interiors to inspirations, this podcast is a light-hearted, yet informative and interesting insight in to the lives of business women who are doing what they love and loving what they do. A perfect commute companion! 

4. 'Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper.....trainers?!'

Picked these beauts in Primark for a whopping £3 (originally £8) and I'm loving them! A little up-grade from they usual white or black canvas casual look, a little touch of metallic adds more of a styled, slightly dressier edge to any outfit. I love me some rose gold/copper accessories so these were a no-brainer purchase at such a bargain price! Super comfy and an excellent dupe to the all-the-rage Converse All Stars (which I have and still haven't worn for fear of dirtying them!), these have been a June highlight for sure! 

5. Garden Goals

I am not green-fingered in any shape or form but when the sun decides to make an appearance (never for any length of time, of course!), I like to be able to sit out and enjoy it in somewhat presentable, appealing surroundings. First stop in achieving garden goals was painting one of our sheds (we also have a Man Cave!) a nicer colour. B&M Bargains stock an array of brands but I opted for Cuprinol Garden Shades in the colour Willow. An afternoon of Spotify, a big paint bush and two coats later the shed was looking brand new and more chic than shabby! I plan to paint our other shed another colour from the range, possibly Muted Clay. 

 In a bid to spruce up the seating area, after a Pinterest-athon for ideas, I picked up these fantastic solar lightbulbs from Poundland (please don't do the joke where you ask 'how much were they?'! That's hubby's favourite thing to do when we're in there!), strung them up using rope from The Range and et voilà, ambient lighting for an evening on the patio. Cheap and definitely cheerful!  

And there you have it, June's best bits. Hope there's something in there for you to enjoy! Thanks for the support as always and see you July! 

Weesse x