Go Balmy Lip Balms from George At Asda

Wondering around Asda on a Sunday morning as you do, getting there too early to pay for your shopping, can lead to my wandering around and buying things on impulse.  My Asda has just had a make-over, nice though that is, nothing is where it was and I find that insanely annoying, I don't take well to change!  

That said, the beauty section is a little bit better than it was, mainly because there are now bits of make-up present, so when I came across these really cute lipbalms, it would have been rude not to pick them up and try them. I had been looking for some little gifts to go into a birthday box I was making and these fit the bill.

Every brand it seems is bringing their own lip balms out, Maybelline did it with Baby Lips, Collection have just done it with their Little Mix branding which you can read about HERE, Barry M have done it with Cor Balmy and Collection also have their Mardi Gras range, so for Asda to get in on the act is not a surprise.

The Go Balmy Asda range comes in four different shades and scents:

No.1 is Mint and the balm is see through, sheer some might say and to go with the mint scent the Go Balmy writing is in mint green.

No.2 is strawberry scented and is a light pink shade again with the Go Balmy wording in a light pink

No.3 is Cherry and the lip balm for this is a much deeper shade of pink, almost red and the writing matches the colour

No.4 is honey scented, this one is quite sweetly scented, though not over-powering and the lip balm is beige shade, an inbetween orange and brown colour whereas the writing on the tube is a bright orange.

Once applied they are surprisingly quite moisturising and there is a very slight hint of the colour when applied to your lips, but it isn't long lasting and they are quite good for wearing over lipstick.

These lips balms are currently on offer for £1.99 but have an RRP of £2.50, so they are definitely worth trying and would make a great gift for a youngster.

Have you tried these balms?

How to Rock Swimwear this Summer

Whatever your shape or size there's guaranteed to a swimsuit or bikini to suit you. It's funny how, the minute the sun comes out, we all dread getting into our swimwear that summer - we hit the gym, jump on the wii fit, go out for more runs and try to eat healthier, just to look that little bit better on the beach and by the pool. There are certain tricks you can use however that will help transform your body, highlight your best bits and hide the ones you aren't so keen on, without upping the fitness routine. So how do you do that with swimwear? Read on and take a look:

Boyish and Slim Figures

If you want to create curves, go for a padded bikini top. You can also add the illusion of being slightly wider than you are by wearing horizontal stripes. You'll also find that you can wear pretty much any type of swimwear thanks to your fantastic figure, be it a string bikini or a cut out swimming costume. You may find it hard to believe but a cut out swimming costume can actually create curves thanks to the way in which it's cut, so don't shy away from them.

Big Bust

If you have a large bust, you need a costume that offers plenty of support. Whether that's in an underwired bikini, or a costume or tankini with built in support, is up to you, but you need to have your assets under control so to speak. Halternecks are great for this, but you can get away with wearing any style of neck if the support is right. If you want to create the illusion of smaller breasts, wear a lighter colour on your bottom half and a darker colour on top.

Large Stomachs

Many women are conscious of their tummies, particularly after having children, but the key is to disguise it. Buy a swimsuit with added support in the stomach area to help cinch you in where you need it, and consider one with ruching around the tummy or prints, both of which will help to disguise what's going on under your swimming cossie. George at ASDA's swimwear offers some great choices to help ladies who'd prefer to keep their tummy underwraps, including the Bodysculpt Mixed Animal Print Swimsuit and the Spot Ruche Swimsuit. Both of which are just what ladies with insecurities about their tummies need to feel confident on the beach this summer.

Pear Shaped

If you're bigger on the hips than you are on your bust, try a costume that is darker on the bottom than on the top. This will give the perception that you are in fact smaller on your bottom half than you are. You might also find that a chevron style print will work equally as well when worn all over the costume.

If all else fails of course there are some amazing cover ups that are just perfect for the beach and around the pool available to buy from George at ASDA and on the high street, so, no matter what, you'll end up feeling confident in your swimwear this year.


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The Dos and Don’ts of Leggings

Leggings were a big deal in the 80s, then the 90s, and again in the 00s. It is now 2014 and it seems this particular item is going nowhere. There have been some interesting incarnations of the legging, some more appealing than others, but however you wear them, you have to admit that, when done right, they look great as well as being comfortable. Despite the fact that leggings have been around for a good few decades, there are still those that commit big fashion crimes when wearing them, so here are the basic dos and don'ts of wearing leggings: 

As tights

It is perfectly acceptable to wear leggings as a substitute for tights, they are much cosier in the winter, and less see through if you’re rocking a short skirt. If you choose to do this however, make sure you are wearing boots or other foot covering footwear, as being cut off at the ankle does nothing for the legs, even on the loftiest of supermodels. If you are wearing your leggings in the place of tights, you should shop around and try and find a pair with invisible seams so they really look like thick tights even up close. For really cold days why not invest in a pair of thermal leggings complete with fluffy inners to keep your pins extra toasty?

As trousers

The nation is split as to whether leggings should be worn as trousers with most believing that if you are going to do this you need to wear a long top that covers at least the top half of your bum. An absolute must if you are going for leggings in the place of trousers however, is that you buy a quality pair that are big enough. The least attractive thing in the world is a pair of leggings that have worn through or are being stretched too much over a derriere so that your whole bottom can be seen through the fabric. Have a look at George at ASDA's range of leggings for some good quality thick pairs.

For the gym

Leggings are great gym-wear as they are stretchy, absorbent, comfortable and available in different lengths. Originally most popular with aerobics goers, they are not used by weight lifters and runners as the training attire of choice. Team your leggings with an oversized t-shirt for a practical yet stylish workout outfit that won’t let you down at that critical moment. Leggings are especially good for those who are new to exercise and don’t want to fork out on expensive gear until they have decided whether it’s really for them. As you progress you can look into purchasing special sports leggings or yoga pants. 

Leggings are one of the most versatile items of clothing you could own, easily transitioning from day to night depending on how you wear them. What other item of clothing could both be worn to the gym for a workout, or with a tunic dress of an evening for cocktails? Leggings are 100% here to stay, so now’s a great time to invest.

Do you wear leggings?

**This is a sponsored post

Fruity Melon Yankee Candles!

I love the fact my local Asda now sells Yankee Candles, though it can sometimes be too difficult to walk past the aisle within which they reside and not pick up a few everytime I am in there.

The latest additions to my collection is this set - Fruity Melon.  Priced at £13 for the Large jar which has a burn time of 60-95 hours and the samplers which have a burn time of around 15 hours are £1 each they are total bargains.

I always smell the candles before I buy them because if I don't like the scent on first sniff, then I know I won't like it once it is lit.  One thing I am always looking for is a hint of vanilla because it is one of those scents which can give me a headache, so I stay well clear.  This candle though was an instant hit as soon as I sniffed it.

So what does it smell like?  A fresh melon, a watermelon to be exact.  The first time you cut into a watermelon and you pick up that fruity scent, that is what you get with this candle, but obviously no seeds and no mess.  Once it is alight, the same scent permeates the room within which the candle resides and slowly works it way around the house.  The reason I have come to like it so much is because it is such a fresh scent and one that is definitely designed to burn on a chilly spring morning to just add a hint of scent.

I am a big fan of this candle, everything from the bright green colour to the fruity scent, it isn't too heavy and it smells wonderful from the moment it begins to burn to a good few hours after you have blown it out.

Have you bought any new Yankee Candles lately?

Spring Breaks in the Sun: Suitcase Essentials

It’s no surprise that many of us are dreaming of faraway lands; the weather in the UK is shocking at the moment and while spring should, technically, be around the corner, who knows when the nice weather will eventually turn up! In the meantime, visions of sun, sea and sand wouldn’t go amiss and with plenty of last minute deals available online, we wouldn’t blame you if you decided to go ahead and book. But, what should you pack to ensure that you will look and feel great? Many holiday destinations offer milder climes at this time of year, so you may wish to think about your staple holiday wardrobe and what you should take to ensure you’re warm, no matter what.

Swimwear

If the weather behaves itself and the winds stay low, you’ll undoubtedly head for the pool or the beach at least a couple of times during your break. Whether it’s an all-in-one cozzie, a tankini or one of the many bikinis on the market that take your fancy, there’s bound to be a perfect piece of swimwear available for you. Take a look at the George bikinis for some fabulous, affordable style inspiration.

Don’t forget to take something that you can use as a beach bag too, rather than trying to lug everything by hand every time you fancy bronzing your bod!

Day Clothes

Shorts and vest tops wouldn’t go amiss, but pack a few t shirts with short sleeves and cap sleeves, too. Depending on where you’re going, a couple of thin, long sleeve tops may be handy too, just in case it’s a little mild one day.

Evening Clothes

The evening is a great opportunity to dress up, whether you’re staying at the hotel restaurant or you’re venturing out into the resort. Your trusty little black dress would be ideal, and can be accessorised with jewellery, sandals and scarves or pashminas so that if you’re trying to travel light, it can be reworn. Maxi dresses are also a winner, while cotton or linen trousers with a simple strappy top or blouse would be perfect for an elegant evening.

Sun Hat

Even if you’re expecting mild weather, you can never be too sure. Pack a hat just in case the sun comes out in full force and remember that you can still burn, even if there’s cloud cover. Make sure you have plenty of suncream with you, too.

Light Jacket

You never know, do you? If you don’t pack a jacket, chances are you’ll be faced with a rainy or chilly day. Pack one, just in case, and at least you’re ready for it if the weather does take a turn for the worse.

Whether you are holidaying for a weekend, a week or more, packing appropriately can help you to ensure that your wardrobe requirements are covered, no matter what weather comes your way. While the UK’s weather is renowned for being a little unpredictable, you can never be too sure when you’re abroad, either!











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Beat the Winter Skin Blues with Palmer’s Intensive Relief Range + Giveaway!

The cold weather is still with us and if reports are to be believed, if is going nowhere soon, so taking care of your skin is still really important and probably like me you are going through a lot of products to lock in that moisture and keep your skin feeling soft, smooth and supple. 

Palmers, famous for their Cocoa Butter brand, have a new Intensive Relief Range that has just hit the shelves and it is described as follows:

If you are looking for a solution to super sensitive and extra dry skin look no further than Palmer’s new Intensive Relief range. The UK’s favourite Cocoa Butter brand has used its years of expertise in skin softening and smoothing to develop two new products to give even more intense moisturisation, helping those suffering from extra dry and sensitive skin. A unique blend of anti-itch, soothing and deeply hydrating natural ingredients that leaves skin soft to the touch.

The new range is hypoallergenic, fragrance free, paraben free and dermatologist tested – and will provide long lasting moisturisation for up to 24 hours.

Within this range you will find a body lotion and a hand cream which are shown below.  To promote these products, there is a giveaway at the bottom!






Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Intensive Relief Body Lotion £4.89 / 200ml

Perfect for those looking for an all over solution to combat tight, parched skin, this quick absorbing formula will help soothe, calm and leave your skin feeling perfectly soft and smooth. Alpha hydroxy acids gently exfoliate dry, scaly patches, whilst key ingredients Soy and Oat help to alleviate itchiness and natural moisturising factor Urea locks in moisture to maintain radiant skin. Start the day with an instant boost of intensive moisture and relief by adding Palmer’s Intense Relief Body Lotion to your everyday body care regime!

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Intensive Relief Hand Cream £2.99 / 60g

Palmer’s Intensive Relief Hand Cream is ideal for those suffering from ultra dry, itchy and chapped hands that need some extra attention. This luxuriously creamy formula gives long lasting hydration, whilst calming Soy and Oat provide comfort for irritated hands leaving them soft and smooth. The fast absorbing texture makes it an every day essential for keeping hands moisturised on the go!

These products are available from Boots, Boots.com, Superdrug, Superdrug.com, Amazon.co.uk and Asda.

Now for the fun part, as part of the campaign to highlight the importance of Palmers are giving one of you lucky people the chance to win a pair of Cashmere Fingerless wristwarmers which you can see HERE. All you have to do is complete the Rafflecopter entry form below to be in with a chance of winning and it is open for just ONE Week!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PJ's and Nail Polish

Whilst in Asda collecting a Christmas Gift for my Nephew, these PJ's caught my eye and I bought them, well they are fantastic and oh so comfortable and they cost just £12.  I had intended to give them as a gift, but well, they are now mine.

They come neatly folded inside a fabric bag which matches the PJ bottoms as you can see below and on the bag itself are two buttons which keeps the PJ's secure until opened:

Once the PJ's are in use, I wondered what to do with the fabric bag, I love the pattern of it and didn't want to just throw it in the bin because it woould have been a huge waste.  Then I remembered that I needed some new storage for my nail polishes, below is the bag I had been keeping them in, but it got so full that I could no longer zip it up.

Those are just some of my nail polishes and one random bottle of Moon Beam which I had been looking for and naturally am chuffed I have found, but in total there is almost 40 nail polishes shown there and I have around another 15 in need of a home, which they now have:

Now I have a lovely fabric bag to securely store all of my nail polishes all in one place.

How do you store your nail polishes?  Do you like what I have done with the fabric bag and would you have used it for something else?

Winter Clothing Essentials for Men and Women

There’s definitely a chill in the air at the moment, isn’t there? And with the cold front set to stay for the next few months at least, it’s time to rummage through your wardrobe and check that you have everything you’re going to need to keep yourself warm and toasty throughout the cold spell. If you need to top up your winter clothing, now is the time to do it so that you can be sure that you’ll be snug through Christmas and beyond.

For the Girls

You’re bound to need some knitwear. Whether it’s a couple of chunky cardigans or a lovely thick jumper that you can snuggle up in when it’s nippy, you can find some superb knitwear from George at ASDA that will leave you toasty without breaking the bank.

Make sure you have a good pair of winter boots, too. While it’s tempting to pick up a cheaper pair, it may be worth investing in some that will last. Boots with a good grip will ensure that even in ice and snow, you won’t come a cropper, while fur-lined boots can help to keep the little piggies warm. Invest in a good quality pair that will suit all outfits (think blacks, greys or browns) and you won’t have to replace them next year!

Some of my recent purchases

Warm and woolly accessories will help to keep extremities toasty – a nice chunky hat, gloves and scarf or snood will help to keep the chilly bite at bay. Ear muffs are also super cute and handy to have! A thick winter coat is also an essential piece of clothing that everyone should invest in – don’t worry about replacing this every year, a good coat can last for ages!

For the Guys

A decent selection of jumpers and hoodies would be perfect – ones that you can throw on over a t-shirt underneath your winter jacket as an extra layer. Christmas prints are all the rage at the moment, with festive jumpers making their way into plenty of wardrobes already.

Fancy jumping on the bandwagon? Onesies aren’t just for the ladies, you know! Take a look at some of the superb onesies available at ASDA for the guys too – you’ll be amazed at how snug and warm they are; perfect for a Sunday on the sofa.

Similarly to the girls, hats, gloves and scarves are essential if you’re planning on going outside (which, inevitably, you’ll have to!) – simple colours would do the trick because they go with anything. A decent coat would also be ideal – if you’d prefer to have one coat that’s multipurpose, take a look at the ones found at in ski shops and outdoor pursuit stores. Many of these have zip up fleeces on the inside that can be used separately, while the waterproof outer would be perfect on a dull, rainy day.

My scarves and gloves and from Asda

Wrap up warm and keep the cold at bay with a capsule winter wardrobe to be proud of – you don’t have to spend a fortune to update your clothing essentials, either!

Do you ever buy anything from Asda?  

Do you like the selection of clothes from George?