December 14, 2015

Ta-da! My Mega Glitzy Ultimate Christmas Party Dress

December 14, 2015/ Claire Spence

Okay, so in my George at Asda post this week I ran through the benefits of wearing jeggings and a huge Christmas tee or jumper on the 25th, for maximum food intake. I still stand by that statement, but I do have other Christmas events to attend that might frown upon me showing up in my comfies.

I love shopping, but more so shopping for clothes without the trying on part, but when I spotted this stripy sequin dress in the window of TK Maxx in Bangor, I knew I had to have it.

Horizontal stripes are sort of my trademark, but I've never had anything so sequinned in my life.

The dress was £24.99 and although I'm a size 12-14 at the moment, I went for the 16 for the aforementioned, all important food intake! The dress's style allows for going up a size & a half without losing shape, as there aren't any fitted areas; I've plenty of room for the carvery at La Mon for my family's annual meal out.

ASOS seem to be the main online store for Club L, with dresses in plus size as well as the usual high street sizes 8-16, so everyone can be a stupid amount of glittery this Christmas.

December 14, 2015

Which of the #NostalgicDelights Am I? I Make Snacks Molten on the Inside, with Crusts for Miles.

December 14, 2015/ Claire Spence

Molten on the inside with inches of dry, plain crust, why it's the Sandwich Toastie Maker, now over 40 years old and made world famous by Breville. Launched in 1974 they shifted over 400,000 'stacking sandwich' toasters in the first year alone. I'm sure if I could find stats, they surely by this point would have sold enough to stretch to the moon and back.

The toastie maker is such an institution that there are entire websites dedicated to facts, models and trivia. If you should wish to know th history behind the invention, that blog is where it's at.

In the summer there I had hinted that I was going to do a run of nostalgic food blog posts, Crispy Pancakes, Vienetta Slice, Vesta Curries and the like, but only got as far as this retro sweets post about Curious Candy, so call this my second instalment.

We had bacon & cheese toasties for tea tonight, made with butter on the outside.

How about these novelty toasters? Some double up as pancake or waffle makers too.

So what was your favourite toastie filling?

December 13, 2015

Wraps- Wrist Wearable Headphones You'll Never Lose!

December 13, 2015/ Claire Spence

Wraps are wearable headphones. Well, strictly all headphones are wearable, but these are designed to be worn on your wrist when not in use, meaning you'll never have to scramble about trying to find your earphones again.

Smix has a demonstration of the £14.99 bright blue set.

Wraps are a British design product and their online store has more subtle colour choices if the bright ones aren't to your taste.

As you can see from Smix's video, they are so easy to wear a child can do it. The braided texture of the wire makes them far less tangle-prone that usual headphones, so even though you are wrapping them around your wrist, they easily unwrap too.

They kindly sent us a pair each, so I chose the bright pink. I've been wearing mine all weekend and I can let you know they are comfortable as well as snazzy looking.

Oh, and if audio quality is important to you, be assured that that factor hasn't been overlooked in favour of wearable design. Sounds are crisp and clear and the ear buds are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

They'd make a great stocking filler, present for a teen relative, or the family muso.

December 12, 2015

Ever Wondered What Die Hard's John McClane's Christmases Were Like as a Kid?

December 12, 2015/ Claire Spence

Die Hard is my favourite Christmas film. These clever Little John McClane Christmas Cards by Nick Scurfield are for sale on Last Exit To Nowhere. The are priced at £8 a pack, so £2 each.

Last Exit is where a couple of years ago I bought a cool 'Now I Have a machine gun, ho, ho, ho' print Christmas sweatshirt. The print doesn't seem to be in stock now, but there are quote wristbands which would make cute stocking fillers for £2.

By designing prints for the imaginary brands & companies featured within movies, you can wear a more subtle nod to your cult films classic than just a straight print of the poster and stars.

Last Exit to Nowhere have regular t-shirts, women's sizes, kids' tees, caps, posters, hoodies and much more.

Not sure which film is your gift receiver's absolute favourite? Be the coolest inlaw on Christmas morning and get them a gift voucher to pick their own.

December 11, 2015

Boring Socks For Christmas? Not On www.SockShop.co.uk Top Fun Pairs for Dad, Mum & the Kids

December 11, 2015/ Claire Spence

Its that age old joke or socks for Christmas, the dullest gift. Nonsense! The Sock Shop UK have socks that are greatfully opened on Christmas morning.

Here are my top pairs for Dad, Mum and kids. First off, children's socks.

Circus print horse socks

Next, adult sized socks. These Heat Holder socks come with a TOG rating of 2.34 and they retain heat 7 times better than regular socks. Nice and cosy for under boots for winter walks, or even for bed. Of course I'm going to love them when they are stripy!

Photo realistic socks are all the rage, I love the X-ray pair.

Ulster fry socks!

Caped socks! The accessory we didn't know we needed!

So there's something for everyone, have a browse & get those last minute presents in order.

December 11, 2015

Home Alone and Elf Christmas T-shirts! Deck the Halls, & The Entire Family Out For Less at Asda This Christmas.

December 11, 2015/ Claire Spence

All my blogger buddies are featuring beautiful party dresses for the Christmas season, and the sequins & lace sure are appealing, but fancy frocks aren't the way to go for me, and I'll explain why.

Its Christmas Day, and now I'm in my 30s, the presents aren't the best bit of the day any more, it's THE FOOD. If I wear a stunning, fitted dress I'll look super cool in the photos, but. BUT, if I wear elastic topped jeggings and a Christmas jumper one size too big, then guess who can fit the most food into themselves possible, and be comfy for a nice, afternoon. I've-gorged-myself nap. That's right, yours truly.

So, let's take a look at George at Asda's Christmas jumper shop. They stock clothing for everyone in the family, so no traipsing round the whole internet and waiting for two or three deliveries to come. Asda delivery will be quick and in plenty of time for the 25th. The free click and collect at your local store delivery is next day if ordered before 9pm for mainland UK, or two days for NI. Free home delivery in some cases, £2.95 otherwise.

If it gets too warm with a house full of friends and family, why not whip off your jumper to reveal a snazzy Christmas themed t-shirt.

Christmas tees for absolutely everyone, even your hipster uncle who likes Guns N Roses ironically

If you are searching for gifts then Asda has lots of Christmas themed sleepwear. I always like to give my son a nice new set of pyjamas for Christmas Eve, then he doesn't look scruffy in the photos the next morning.

If you are Yuletide crazy, like me, check out the Christmas Shop Home Accessories.

If you love faux fur, and still haven't decided what you'd like for Christmas, check out the fabulous fake fur jackets, coats and accessories.

This faux fur trimmed jacket was £35 from George at Asda, but sadly they are out of stock right now. However these coats, and more, are in stock and range from £10 to £40. Everyone appreciates something warm and fuzzy at Christmas time.

Finally, those elastic topped jeggings for competitive Christmas eating? George at Asda jeans and jeggings Wonderfit takes care of that too. Snug without being tight, perfect for daily wear and available in many different styles and colours.

December 10, 2015

New You Meal Replacement Diet Plan- Completely Free 3 Day Trial (Worth £30+) For ALL World of Kitsch Readers.

December 10, 2015/ Claire Spence

The New You Plan is a total meal replacement diet which can give mind-blowingly quick results. Stick to it and you WILL lose weight, it would be impossible to not, as long as you stay on Santa's Nice List and don't break the rules.

I tried the plan right here on my blog for a few weeks back in August/September. Along with four of the New You products a day, you can drink their broth or fruit powders for water, as the other secret is tonnes of fluid.

I loved their cottage pie meal and the coconut bars, as well as the fat burning pineapple dilute.

I went from 10st 3lbs to 9st over those two months, with New You being the kick start I need to get to a size I was more comfortable with.

I have to add a disclaimer that these results aren't guarenteed, but a visit to the Secret Slimmers' Facebook Page shows you lots of other men and women with great results.

So, maybe you read my diaries on the plan a few months ago, or perhaps you have losing weight as a goal for 2016, but whatever piqued your interest you can't deny this is a flipping good deal.

New customers can get a COMPLETELY FREE 3 day detox trial of the New You Plan. No other purchase necessary, but stock is limited so get in there quick and apply for one.

The only cost you will incur is that of postage which is £3.99 Saying that, New You use a courier which means any package I've ordered arrives the very next day with me.

As well as a range of their different types of meal replacement products, you also get a Christmas themed wall chart to mark your meals off and tally your weight and water intake.

Its worth £33/€43 and once they are gone, they are gone. So even if you are getting it to try in January, you need to order it NOW.

Good luck everyone, I hope you read this soon enough to get one. If you do start the plan and do the 3 days, gimme a poke on Twitter @rudedoodle, and let me know how you get on. Ditto if you have any questions before applying for the free trial, or before you begin with it.

It's recommended that you speak to your GP before beginning a VLCD- a very low calorie diet, which New You is. It's recommended for adults with a BMI above 25.

December 09, 2015

Enchantingly retro Toys at the Winter Pop Up, Bangor.

December 09, 2015/ Claire Spence

At lunch time I scooted down to Bangor to grab a 24" slice of pizza from Little Wing.

Bangor was busy so after a lap with no parking spaces I finally found somewhere in Dufferin Avenue (the steep hill road beside the train station).

I just so happened to get a space outside a curiously lovely little shop- Winter Pop Up.

The store is here only for the Christmas season and stocks European toys with a classic, retro flair. Francesca who was in charge today is absolutely lovely and chatted to me while I snapped the toys that took my fancy. The mid-century dolls' house was very hard to not want to just but for myself.

I spotted dozens of gifts that I would be buying for Baby Spence if it was next year. I think while the Winter Pop Up is there, I'll buy some stuff in advance for my brother & his wife's baby arriving in Spring.