Dirty works - budget buy review

Now I'm as much of a sucker as the next vintage gal for a bit of Retro 

packaging. So, when I spotted the dirty works on the shelves of 

Sainsburys I had to try some. 

I started with some of the 'hardware' rather than the toiletries and 

bought the compact mirror and a retractable lipbrush. 

Christmas time I was given a DW toiletry bag containing a lipgloss, day cream 

and another mirror - whoops. As wells a few more things from the range, 

brushes and case, clippers, tweezers and a trio of toiletries

I was pretty pleased with the Day Cream, it quite thick, but absorbs 

reasonably

quickly. My skin is very dry and it keeps it moisturised fairly well, 

although not quite for as long as my normal cream. 

The lipgloss smells lovely, it is a nice natural colour - but is 

ever so sticky!

Across the web I've read a few review on the toiletries and opinions are 

mixed.

Read The PrincessPrudence's review of the face wash here 

and more products on Victoria-Vinage's blog here

All of the other (non toiletry gifts) were fab, well made , fun graphics 

- vintage belles, glossy black or powder blue and polka dots! 

I would definitely recommend these to add to your makeup bag!

 

So when I was on the look out recently for a new eye cream I decided to 

give the DW one a try. First impressions weren't good, 

I opened the box and the tube took up less that 

half the box - a pet hate of mine!

Come on, Sainsburys we don't need wasted packaging! 

But the cream inside was pretty good, not to greasy, it went on easily 

and seemed to reduce the appearance of any fine lines. 

In fact, all seems great until I went downstairs 5 minutes later and hubby asked 

what had happened to my eyes?? 

My skin had turned red where i'd applied the cream - Eek not a good look! 

So unfortunately the cream was not good for me :( 

And if you have slightly sensitive skin 

I'd definitely say give this one a miss.

Overall, I'd say it is a range of two halves! 

People (myself included)seem to love the hardware, bags, tools etc 

but the toiletries are a bit hit and miss!

Luckily its cheap enough to give it a little try and make up you own mind.  

New Skirts And Skate Parks....

Forgive me, again, for the lack of posts. Its the Easter hols and family life has taken over a bit! Easter break also meant the last of my sewing lessons. I finished my skirt in time -and begun a new dress - but since the holidays began I haven't had time to pull out the machine at all :-(

I must of had a subconcious Thursday (sewing lesson night) pull though because yesterday afternoon, I bought this fabric and knocked up something with little miss. Nothing vintage, just a self drafted skirt in a Retro pattern! We sewed it together - fun challenge! 

It only took an hour or so from measuring to wearing - most of that threading the elastic and breaking the bodkin in an all to narrow channel! Little miss was rather impressed I'm pleased to say, but did turn round at the end and ask....'but mummy why did YOUR SKIRT take so long to sew?' 

Today she wore it when we headed back to her new found hobby of skateboarding! 

Of course her second favourite pastime is modelling!!

Son swapped between bike and board all day. They're still beginners but they've got alot more confidence in the past few days!!

Birthday Time!

 

Yesterday was my birthday, which I am lucky enough to share with my good friend and vintage mama Bunny. Anyhoo between us we got a fair few retro / vintage images sent to us! They inspired me to find more, so here's a carefully selected favourite few, enjoy!

Aren't birthdays great!? I didn't really do too much celbrating but I'll be back soon, when I have the pics to show you what we did get up to!!

Retro Christmas Tipples

I'm sure I'm not alone on this one but people seem to have special drinks they associate with christmas time! (and if you don't drink stay tuned I have some treats for you too)

From a  mulled wine at the Christmas Nativity, to a Sherry left out for Santa, there seems to be an assortment of nostalgic tipples, here are a few of my favourites....

For me, christmas morning has memories of my mother making snowballs as a pre dinner drink and me sneaking the bubbles and cherry from the top! This tradition has now passed full circle and my daughter now pinches the bubbles from my christmas morning drink!!!

{Snowball Recipe}

Place 2 measures of Advocaat and 1/4 measure of Lime Cordial

into a glass. 

Top up with Lemonade and 

add a glace cherry!!

The next Christmas Tipple for me has to be a local, Babycham! I spent my childhood peering out my window when we went through Shepton Mallet, craning my neck to see the larger than life Babycham deer!

Babycham is a light sparkling Perry and was lauched in 1953. It was also bought in every year by my parents 'especially for guests at christmas'!

Now to start a few traditions of my own.....

Popular in the 50s, I'm looking forward to trying this on a cold Christmas Evening

{Hot Buttered Rum}

Place1 teaspoon of caster sugar in a warmed glass

Add ¼ cup boiling water, ¼ cup dark rum, 1 tablespoon butter

 Sprinkle with nutmeg & serve

{Mulled Ginger Wine} We're big fans of ginger beer here, so when I saw this on the shelf the other day, I had to pick up a bottle!! Seems a pretty good candidate for a new xmas drink!

{Non Alcoholic Tipples}

Lots of us don't drink when were at Parties, designated drivers, on meds, children sharing drinks etc so its a great idea to have a few non alcoholic drinks available...

No quite sure how this one came about other than, the children wanted a cocktail on xmas eve....

{Kids Christmas Eve Cocktail}

Add 1 tsp sugar to a tumbler 

Add 2 quarters of lime and muddle

Add 1/2 glass of crushed ice

Top up glass with lemonade

Decorate with loads of umbrellas and gawdy fab decorations!!! 

{Mock Champagne Punch}

Combine I litre of chilled sparkling water and chilled ginger ale.
Add 3 cups of chilled white grape juice.
Serve immediately in champagne glasses

{Mulled Wine Alternative}

I'm not claiming to have a recipe for this only a tip on what I do... take a normal mulled wine recipe and substitute a red grape shloer or similar for the wine. I've also just warmed up shloer with a mulled wine spice bag in it to infuse flavours, adding sliced clementines!
Quick, easy and infinitely quaffable!

{Christmas Coffees}

Add some christmas flavours to your hot drinks with a teaspoon of syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, this list is as long as your imagination!!

Spinkle on a festive design to your cappuccinos....

Chin Chin! And remember to drink responsibly!