A day out at Tangmere Military Aviation Museum

Hello there,

A couple of weeks ago we had a spare day in the middle of the week. I love days like those as it's (normally) the perfect quiet time to visit museums, go shopping, do battle with the bank etc etc. Unless you're like us of course and completely forget that it was half-term! Undaunted, we headed off to visit Tangmere Military Aviation Museum.

This is a perfect little museum to spend a rainy morning or afternoon. It's not far from Chichester and took about 40 minutes driving from Southampton. There's plenty for young or old alike (some of the climb on exhibits were for adults only - that made a nice change!). And the volunteers were real characters. All the ones we spoke were ex-military and obviously had a real passion for the museum and the planes there.

Now I appreciate this probably isn't everyone's cup of tea - but trust me. There was plenty for everyone. All the technical info you could want plus social history as well if that's more your sort of thing. There was a cute little cafe but unfortunately no seating as we hit the lunch time rush, so reluctantly we missed that bit out.

It's not everyday you can park next to military aircraft!

If you're in the area and have an interest in history, I'd recommend this little museum. We were there for about 3 hours and I'm sure we didn't see everything

Oh - and one last tip - don't get in the way of someone taking pictures. It's quite annoying apparently!

Thanks for reading

Cathy

xx

Plus40Fabulous - my skincare routine

Hello there,

The theme for this months post is skincare routines.

Now this one got me thinking. I haven't really changed my routine much over the years, the only things that's really changed is the type of product I use. I'd also love to say I'm really good and I remove all make-up (when I wear any) at the end of every day. But to be honest, if I'm wearing make-up, chances are that I'm going somewhere nice which then means I'll be eating lots, will be late home and too then tired to bother with anything other than falling into bed once home (I'm going to guess I'm not the only one though...) I'm also the person who will skip moisturing after a shower if I'm in a hurry (so most days then).

So with that in mind, this post will be about what I use on hands, feet, body and face. I only ever buy high street brands or products that you can find in the local supermarket. This is all about what works for me and I'm really reluctant to spend lots on products when there's so many beautiful shoes and handbags to buy!

Face

For years, I've used the Olay range, and probably will again. But in the last few months I've mixed it up with some own brand products from Superdrug and Asda. These are some of the products I'm using at the moment.

This cleanser is supposed to be a dupe for the Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser and I've spoken about this before on my empties post. It really makes me feel like my face is looking brighter.

I love a long soak in the bath with a face mask. I'd heard good things about this Superdrug one and I'm finding I need more moisturising products the older I get. This is perfect. Doesn't break me out and leaves my skin feeling soft and plumped up.

Occasionally, if I'm feeling a bit tired or generally bleaurghh, I'll add some of this NSPA Radiant Flash Serum from Asda under my moisturiser. I think it works, it certainly feels lovely and convinces me I'm looking less knackered.

Now I have a lot of moles - and I mean a LOT of moles. So any face cream has to have a minimum spf of 15 all times of the year. At the moment I'm using this Naturally Radiant Brightening Day Cream from Superdrug. It's light and absorbs well and seems to agree with my skin. 

And at night, I'm using a Night Repair Cream from NSPA at Asda. It's pretty thick (and alarmingly pink in colour) but feels gorgeous and in the morning, you certainly feel the difference.

Body

I'm working my way through what seems to be a never ending tub of The Righteous Butter from Soap and Glory at the moment. I'm sure this thing refills itself every week! It smells gorgeous but is quite thick. I think the newer formula is lighter so that will suit me better. I hate spending ages waiting for body butter to sink in.

If I remember, I try to use a body scrub a couple of times a week. I tend to use it on upper arms only though. This Sugar Crush Body Scrub from Soap and Glory is a bit too harsh for my liking, so it's a long slog getting through the tub.

Shower gel tends to be whatever is to hand, but for shaving and feeling moisturised afterwards, you can't beat Soap and Glory Whipped Clean.

Feet

I always have these two creams by the bed. The Soap and Glory foot cream does a pretty good job, but occasionally, I'll need something a bit more hard working like the Scholl Cracked Heel Repair Cream.

Hands

And finally hands! This is my hand cream of choice at the moment. My hands seem to be aging at an alarming rate so I have bottles of hand cream scattered throughout the house, car and in my handbag.

So there you have it - this is what I currently use. I'm sure if I revisit this in 6 months, it will have changed. I'm finding as I get older, I'm needing different products in the winter and summer months.

But of course, all the face creams in the world won't stop you looking like this...

Thanks for reading and don't forget to have a look at the other people taking part:

Christy: http://www.sprintingwithscissors.blogspot.co.uk/
Daisy: http://daisysays.co.uk/

Kate: https://wearingmywardrobein2016.wordpress.com/
Kath: https://fatheffalump.wordpress.com/

Kaye: http://www.polishedcurves.com/

Kellie: http://www.bigfashionista.co.uk/

Leah: http://www.justmeleah.co.uk
Lisa: http://www.kitandkoboodle75.blogspot.co.uk/
Mookie: http://www.mookieslife.com/

Nikki :http://www.nattynikki.com/
Perelandra: http://www.pamperandcurves.com/

Sarah: http://www.plussizeproud.co.uk
Steph: http://misskittenheel.com/

Vicky: http://www.therandomnessoftwee.blogspot.co.uk
Yvonne: http://woosangwashere.blogspot.co.uk/

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

New dress - Gemma Collins at Evans

Hello there,

So I've been on a bit of a shopping spree lately at Evans. After my local branch closed, I kind of lost interest in what was available to be honest. But after receiving a gift card and taking a trip to the London Marble Arch branch and few trips to the lovely store at Portsmouth, my interest has been rekindled.

I have a few outfits to share with you, but this dress deserves a post all of it's own. I think it's a bit like Marmite, you're either going to love it or hate it. I loved it the minute I saw it on the hanger and hoped it would look and fit ok once I ran into the changing room. So often the dresses of dreams end up looking odd or not fitting right.

I often find in Evans that I'm between a 20 and 22 and this was the case here. I opted for the 22 as I have a broad back and it gave me more space to wave my arms about (because that's just what you need to do in this dress isn't it?).

It doesn't come with a belt, but I added one to see how it works. I think it could work with or without.

I love the zip detailing at the back. The colours are so vibrant and the material is the sort that's not going to crease (my pet hate). It's perfect for packing for a weekend away and I have plans to wear this for my birthday in a couple of months. I've not seen anything from the Gemma Collins range before that I've really liked - but this I fell in love with.

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

Plus40Fabulous - things I'm proud of

Hello there

The theme for this months Plus40Fabulous post is things that make you proud - be they big things or little things.

Now I remember doing something similar to this when I worked at the Civil Service (yep - I'll admit to that). The thing that stuck in my mind from that exercise was being told that all the things I'd chosen were invalid, things such as relationships, owning your own home etc etc. As you can guess, I wasn't too impressed! I think what makes you proud is a very personal thing. It's easy to sound like bragging or showing off, but it's not. For me, it's things I've worked hard for and things that have made others happy.

For this post I haven't included relationships etc as the other half is not into social media of any shape or form so I don't like to drag him into that. Maybe one day though (if hell happens to freeze over...). So...here we go...

Learning to drive

As long as I can remember, I was desperate to learn to drive and as soon as I was 17 I was there having lessons and even got myself a Saturday job in WH Smith to pay for them. My driving instructor was called Henry and was the most eccentric person you could hope to meet. He used to sit there doing his nails while I wobbled through junctions and down dual carriageways. He wasn't adverse to swearing at bus drivers either - what a great teacher!

I am so glad though that I learnt early. I think when we're young we there are some things we're braver about. I never remember being scared about having accidents or breaking down. But if I was to learn now, I'd be terrified after watching all those programmes about road rage, traffic accidents etc. Plus in my day, there were no theory tests or parallel parking assessments.

My first car was a little mini, and it took me everywhere - I can't find any photos of it unfortunately - but it gave me the freedom to just jump in the car and go. And to some extent, I still have that mindset today. I'm not going to claim to the worlds best driver by any means, but I'm not a nervous one. Most importantly now, being able to drive means I can take my mother out whenever she wants, I can help friends when they need it and we can have holidays exploring hidden places here and abroad (driving in France will always be terrifying though)

(this isn't how I normally drive - honest)

Getting my degree

When I left college, going to University wasn't the automatic next step it is now for students (although with increasing fees, that seems to be changing now). I always wondered what if - but as I had no idea what I wanted to do - I could never have decided on a course.

Well, after a few career changes, I ended up in the Civil Service where I received funding to do a degree as a mature student at Aberystwyth University. This was an amazing opportunity which I am so very grateful for. The course was primarily distance learning with 3 residential modules. Those modules alone gave me the taste of student life that I thought I had missed out on. The cold showers, cheap booze at the student bar, trying to find my way back to my room in the early hours while a little worst for wear, making friends and bonding over impossible assignments.

After 4 years, I ended up with a degree in Information & Library Studies. I even got to wear the funny hat and do the whole graduation experience.

Myself and my Mother in 2003, I can't believe it's been 13 years since I graduated! Getting my degree opened up so many doors, and now I'm in the early stages of being self employed. Scary but exciting and all possible because I grabbed the opportunity and made the most of it (Plus I discovered that I liked Malibu and lemonade...)

Taking my Mother to Graceland

My Mother is a huge Elvis fan and I'm not adverse to a few good Elvis songs either. Elvis died before she ever got the chance to see him live so the next best thing would be to see his home, Graceland, in Memphis.

We often say that one day we 'must do this' or we 'must go there'. Well, one day, we did just that. I knew that Mother is not a fan of organised or regulated tours. So we planned a holiday where we did all our own things at our own pace and off we went to Memphis - just me and my Mother. You could say we seized the moment!

This I think is my proudest achievement. It was Mothers dream to see Graceland and we did. We stayed in Memphis, hired a car and drove to Tupelo, the birthplace of Elvis and took a paddle steamer down the Mississippi. She loved every moment and I'm so pleased I could help make those memories for her.

Our photos are all in boxes at the moment, so this blurry effort was the best I could find. Hopefully it gives an idea of what we got up to! I really want to take her again.

Looking back through this post, I think that as well as having lots of things I'm proud of, there's also a common theme of grabbing an opportunity as you never know where it may lead you. But it's not just the big things, it's the little things too. Relationships and friends come to mind here.

Hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane - be sure to check out the blogs of the other lovely folk taking part:

Christy: http://www.sprintingwithscissors.blogspot.co.uk/
Daisy: http://daisysays.co.uk/

Kate: https://wearingmywardrobein2016.wordpress.com/
Kath: https://fatheffalump.wordpress.com/

Kaye: http://www.polishedcurves.com/

Kellie: http://www.bigfashionista.co.uk/

Leah: http://www.justmeleah.co.uk
Lisa: http://www.kitandkoboodle75.blogspot.co.uk/
Mookie: http://www.mookieslife.com/

Nikki :http://www.nattynikki.com/
Perelandra: http://www.pamperandcurves.com/

Sarah: http://www.plussizeproud.co.uk
Steph: http://misskittenheel.com/

Vicky: http://www.therandomnessoftwee.blogspot.co.uk
Yvonne: http://woosangwashere.blogspot.co.uk/

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx