Moving to the suburbs

This month marks a whole year since we bought our house. It's funny to think how fast time has flown by - I remember the utter stress of trying to find a mortgage, credit checks, traipsing around building sites, researching everything, trying not to get our hopes up.. and then, spending the most money we ever have on something that wasn't even built yet.

Dwellings cross stitch collection by not so modern millie (etsy)

It's been eight months since we moved to the suburbs, and life has changed in so many ways. Before, we were in a tiny little flat in the centre of town, surrounded by neighbours and noise and cars and shops. Now we live on the edge of a country park. Our neighbours are spaced out and super quiet - at night I can stand in my back garden and look to the sky and hear only the wind in the trees.

I used to be able to walk to the shop in two minutes, now I have to actually make shopping lists (!) and plan in advance (like a real, proper grown up). It's forced me to learn to cook, as I can't just nip out for tea. I have to be sensible now and think about money and where it goes. I can't just spend it all on dresses these days, I budget, have home insurance, and swoon over homeware catalogues. I've changed. (I still buy a ridiculous number of dresses though).

So here's to being a grown up, I guess. It's actually a lot of fun.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

BENEFIT BROW BAR

I used to get my eyebrows threaded, but fell into a bit of an eyebrow-rut when I could no longer get it done at my hairdresser. I tried a few different places but wasn't satisfied for various reasons... they were too expensive, or I didn't like the shape, or it was a pain to book... etc etc.

So when I noticed Claire, the lovely events co-ordinator from Benefit, tweeting that a brand new Brow Bar was opening in John Lewis Edinburgh I instantly messaged her saying - tell me more! (thank goodness for twitter).

I visited the Brow Bar on the very first day it opened, which was MANIC (well done to the staff for keeping so calm and collected while surrounded by a zillion customers) and had my eyebrows tinted and waxed. I was very happy with the end result, but didn't get a chance to fully take in the Benefit experience (or take any photos!) so Claire invited me back for another treatment* & to see how things operated on a more normal day.

When you first go in they sit you down at the make up bar and explain the process. The Benefit brow is tailored to match your face (no stencils in sight!) to ensure the perfect look. The Brow Expert maps your ideal shape in relation to your facial features, so it starts, arches and ends in the perfect position.

I was getting my brows tinted as well (mine are naturally super fair) and they chat to you about what look is best - I like strong brows so mine are quite dark, but if you're more of a natural girl you don't need to stress - it's all about making you happy! Your brows are then waxed (I find it a bit sore, but it's so quick you barely notice it), then a cooling gel is put on to calm things right down.

The very best bit about a Benefit Brow Bar is afterwards they take you back to the make up bar to conceal any red patches! This means you can easily book an appointment at lunchtime (it takes about 15-20 minutes) & go back to the office without your colleagues wondering why you have a red brow. They also define your new brows with brow zings (a brow shaping kit) which keeps them super neat.

This is what the finished result looks like (ignore my scruffy, scruffy hair!). I'm really pleased with them, thanks Benefit!

It costs £11.50 for a brow arch, or £18 for an arch and tint which is a total bargain in my books!

Tiny felt creatures

Aren't these the loveliest things you ever did see? I just wanted to share something awesome with you all today - little felt creatures that my very talented friend Kate crafts!

Here's some of the brooches she has made recently - I think my favourite is the very dapper fox with the anchor jumper & tiny pipe. Look at the attention to detail! Amazing.

Every felt creature she makes is stitched by hand & are all custom orders - so you can ask for anything! They can also be made as brooches or necklaces -  I think a little fox brooch pinned on a yellow cardigan would look really lovely.

If you would like to order one, just email colleran.kate (at) gmail (dot) com with an idea of what you had in mind. Prices start at £20 (there's a little bit of waiting line, but it's totally worth it!).

Happy thoughts

Aw, it has been TOO long since I last did a happy thoughts post, so I thought I'd bring them back. Here's three things that have made my life that wee bit happier recently.

1. It's my birthday week!

Last year's birthday face - I got a Sheriff badge! 

I'm one of those people who, given the excuse, will make a celebration last as long as possible. It's my birthday on SATURDAY (hiya!) so this week is officially my birthday week & I will make sure everyone knows it! I'm not sure exactly what my birthday plans are, but as long as I see my pals & family I'm a happy girl.

I quite often get comments along the lines of "oh, it must be weird having your birthday so close to Christmas..." but I actually really, really love it! My family have always made a big deal of keeping my birthday & Christmas totally separate and it's such a FUN time of year - everyone is in a good mood. Including me. Hooray!

2. The Hobbit

INCREDIBLE Hobbit Hill cake by Katrina Kippen

We went to see The Hobbit last week and I really loved it! I'm a huge fan of Lord of the Rings, and was a little apprehensive about it (would it have the same magic? how on earth could they stretch it out to three films? what is HFR? etc) but it really was everything I wanted in a Hobbit film & I'd highly recommend it!

We watched the high frame rate version (which means you see 48 frames per second, rather than the usual 24) and it was really strange at first! I kept thinking it was like watching a TV show, which was really bizarre (although my helpful friend Murray pointed out that this is because TV films at a higher frame rate - I wasn't just going mental). It takes a while to get used to, but all of the fantastical & 3D scenes look BEAUTIFUL. Go and get lost in Middle Earth for a couple of hours, you won't regret it!

3. NASA

I love NASA so much. I have said it before & I will say it again, but I wish I was an astronaut! Or had a mind that was a little more science/maths friendly, so I could work with them!

The students at NASA's Johnson Space Centre have made a Gangnam-style (I know, I know) parody video.... but it's actually really good! Love you, NASA.

Party people: Scottish bloggers & The List Hot 100

Ooooh it has been a fun week!

On Monday I went to the Scottish Bloggers Christmas Party, which had been organised by Roisin, Gillian & Claire. I headed through with Lianne beforehand and was super nervous - this was my first proper blogger meet up & I wasn't sure what to expect! Luckily (and obviously) it was totally ace - everyone was lovely and chatty, the drinks were plenty (thanks Monkey Bar!), it was brilliant meeting people in the proper real world AND we raised £190 for Glasgow Women's Aid in the charity raffle (I won goodies from CuriouScope & a Barratts voucher - lucky me!).

The dress code was christmas party dresses/awful christmas jumpers & I found this BEAUT in the charity shop across from my work for £3.50. It has animals on it (dogs? llamas? who knows?), is grey & brown striped & has TASSELS. Oh yes.

There's chat of another meetup being organised in the new year in Edinburgh & I can't wait - bring it on!

The next night (my poor head) I went to The List's Hot 100 party. If you don't know The List (shock, horror, etc) it's basically a Scottish version of Time Out & also where I spend most of my time, Monday to Friday. We're putting on more and more events these days and it is FUN, and it was ace getting the opportunity to invite my fellow Scottish blogger pals along.

I drank ginger grouse (yum!), tried to dance to music that was a bit too cool for me, and could not resist the photobooth (I'm addicted). FUN!

Today is the List staff lunch, then I have a quietish weekend, and then the countdown to my birthday starts. Tis the season to have parties!