Beauty: Adding Quirky Nail Embellishment

Hi guys,
It's amazing what you can buy for a pound: That is the official slogan of Poundland, and something I say all the time when I'm in there! When shopping for craft supplies yesterday I came across these Nail Rock nail emellishments, and at such an affordable price (less than the cost of my car parking) I just couldn't resist giving them a go.

They had two varieties instore: sweets and fruit. Obviously I went for the sweets! The lilac shade of varnish is by Models Own. I then sealed the embellishments in place using Nails Inc Kensington Cavier topcoat. The pack did come with nail glue but I didn't want to ruin my nails so I just secured them in place with varnish instead. I slept on them last night and they're still all in place, so so far so good! Here's how they look:

I have no idea how long this look is going to last (I'll let you know how durable it is) or quite what the other mums at the children's farm will think when I turn up with nails like a toddler today. But looking at these makes me happy: and that's definitely worth the 30 minutes it took to do it, even if they do only last for the day! I'm going back to buy a couple more packs before they sell out: I'm planning on doing these for my holiday, and for my sister's Hen 'Do!

What do you think? Will you be running to your local branch of Poundland to pick up some of these?

Love Tor xx

Last minute Mother's Day gift ideas...

Hi guys,
It's Mother's Day on Sunday. Yup, this Sunday! I figured I should lead with that in case some of you had forgotten - because every good mum deserves to wake up to a card and a cup of tea she hasn't made herself on Mother's Day!

When I was asked what I wanted for Mother's Day this year (this will be my second Mother's Day as a mummy) I replied that what I really wanted was a piece of toast all to myself, without having to share it with Wilbur (he loves to eat everything I eat, and invariably dribbles all over my food!) and a peaceful bath without him shouting 'Peepo' and trying to jump in! Obviously that's not going to happen, so I will be content just to spend the day enjoying some family time (and a bunch of daffodils will be nice!)

If you want to get something for your mum but haven't been shopping yet then here are a few last minute Mother's Day gift ideas that you could order now and still get before the weekend:

Essie Mother's Day Nail Duo, £12.99, Boots
Liberty caption notebook, £22.95, Liberty 
Mummy Deer bone china mug, £8.99, Arundell Farm Shop
Wooden crate planter, £39.99, Not on the High Street
Collage photo board, £22, Next

I actually wish I'd seen that crate earlier, because my mum would love it but I've already got her present! Have you got your mum a Mother's Day present or card? I posted my card this morning (I'll be delivering the present in person next week, as it's too heavy to post) so I hope it arrives in time!

Love Tor x

Say Hello to Collections From eBay

Hi guys,
eBay collections have been big in the US for a while, but this month (March 2014) has seen the launch of eBay collections here in the UK too. Collections is a very clever way to visually organise all the things you love on eBay in one place.

You can also browse and shop other people's collections (find mine here) and I think they're a great way of collating beautiful things: effectively it's like Pinterest but with the added bonus that you can actually shop and own every amazing thing you see! I've been using eBay Collections as a place to collate all of the fabulous looks I hope to be sporting this spring/summer. Here are just a few of the pieces I've been coveting:

Totally Tropical - See the full collection here! 



Minty Fresh in Mint Green - See the full collection here! 

Go Hell for Leather - See the full collection here! 

My current favourite collection is Go Hell for Leather, as I'm in the market for a new leather jacket for Spring. All this choice is making it difficult to choose the perfect one though! I already had an eBay obsession, and the launch of the Collections Feature is just making it worse. Not only does it mean I can spend hours scrolling through listings (which, believe me, I do), I can also check out what other bloggers, celebrities and influencers are adding to their collections: and the temptation is definitely there to do more shopping than I should!

Check out my collections on eBay: I've create 14 so far, and I'll be adding more and updating them as time goes on. I'd love your feedback on how they look and what you think of them: and what you think of the concept in general too! Which of my collections do you like best?!

Love Tor x

*I have been working with eBay on this project and was compensated to write this post 
                             

Life Lately, according to my iPhone....

Hi guys,
Spring has officially sprung, which means life lately has involved lots of outdoor family fun, some spring cleaning in the house and garden, and shopping for spring/summer clothes! When I look through my iPhone now I'm always surprised by how many pictures I manage to take of Wilbur in such a relatively short time frame: my phone used to be full of pictures of shoes! Anyway, here's what my life has been like lately, according to my iPhone:

Trying my hand at making sugar roses to top cupcakes, We went to see the seals on Horsey beach, Hatching out of an egg at the Dino Park, Brushing ponies with Granny at Wroxham Barns. 

Eating doughnuts and ice cream on Great Yarmouth beach, Our bare faced selfie for breast cancer awareness, nibbling on bunny biscuits (it is nearly Easter!), Fun at the soft play

Riding the junior train with Wilbur, feeding the lambs at the farm, the new dino cushion I made for his living room chair (complete with initial!), home made cupcakes!

What have you been up to lately? And do you have anything fun planned for the weekend? I'm having dinner with a friend on Friday night then we're taking a trip to the dino park, and I want to get my hanging baskets planted!

Love Tor x

Having a love affair with House of Fraser

Hi guys,
When I was living in Central London, Selfridges was my department store of choice. It was perilously close to my office, and I used to pop in on at least a twice weekly basis: our flat was littered with those trademark yellow carrier bags!

Since we've moved to Norwich (where sadly, there is no Selfridges) House of Fraser has become my new tempting poison. Whenever I pop into the city center I park in the House of Fraser car park, meaning there's always an excuse for a walk through the many departments which, in the past couple of weeks, have become a riot of colour. And I am really impressed! Therapy by House of Fraser in particular always has something that I covet, and the Linea Weekend range is fast becoming my go-to for yummy mummy everyday wear. Then I saw the latest House of Fraser press shots. And I have fallen in love all over again:


Image 1: Embroidered grey sweater £195 McQ, Floral prom dress £115 Untold, Bird print scarf £30Dickins &Jones
Image 2: Denim shirt £55, Aztec printed shirt dress £50 both Linea Weekend 
Image 3: Blue leather biker jacket £1,115 Acne Studios, Neon green check midi skirt £79Mary Portas Image 4: Denim dungarees £65 Noisy May Yellow logo t-shirt £35 Biba Yellow studded ‘Poppy’ grab clutch £30 Therapy
Image 5:  Pink jacquard printed shift dress £150, Linea White shirt £59, Mary Portas Coral bag £225, Vivienne Westwood

I really haven't ever seen the appeal of dungarees until I saw this image: but teamed with the elegant heels, pop of yellow and the clutch I think they have a grown up appeal that I'd really like to try. They'd be fabulous for wearing during summer day trips: so stylish but practical at the same time! The image that really makes me lust though is the floral combination of the sweater and the prom dress. I need to have that sweater, and I want the scarf to tie in my hair too! House of Fraser have brought their 'A' game for this Spring: I might have to take to parking somewhere else, or I'll be in danger of bankrupting myself!

Do you have a favourite department store? Which is your department store of choice, and why?

Love Tor x