All Work and No Play...

Well that hiatus from blogging turned out to be for longer than I expected.

Those of you who follow me on social media, or indeed know me in the real world will be aware of the crazy hours I have been keeping in the office. Something had to give for a little while.

I'm still putting in some crazy hours but I am planning on being a bit more proactive and getting some bits and bats written up and shared with you guys.

There were a few plans I was mulling over for November, starting with attempting to write a novella in a month. I can safely say, that isn't going to happen. I truly do need to get on top of the housework, but somehow after a long week in the office a Saturday spent cleaning isn't doing it for me right now.

I've been wanting to make rock buns for such a long time, and again it has just not happened yet. I get sat on my sofa and sucked into my crochet.

Some books from amazing authors have landed on my desk this month and there are the festive novels that I love so much also vying for my attention. Always best read with a hot chocolate or gingerbread latte in the other hand. My Kindle is filling up with Christmas-themed novellas and novels too.

Hands up if you are aware of an app that squeezes an extra hour or two into the day, or even the mythical day b'twixt that nestles between Saturday and Sunday.

MIA- A Diary Post

I've been Missing In Action from the blogsphere that is What BeeBee Did. I've also been giving social media in general a bit of a wide berth.

It has come to that time of the year that most production journalists in the TV Listings world either loathe or love. Possibly both in equal measures.

To put it politely I have been meeting myself coming back for a good few weeks now. I took October Half Term Week off from the site, and didn't pick up my laptop. I did keep my head either in a book or my legs underneath a growing blanket I am currently crocheting. After all it's that time of the year... dark nights make me yearn to craft.

I haven't done anything particularly beautimyfied, not even put my contact lenses in for at least a month! My hair has been stuck in Mummy's working mode (aka messy bun) and my car has been my main home.

Or at least that is how it feels.

The diet rollercoaster has been just that and I have fallen off the cart and gained a stupid amount of weight.

This week I have managed to reign that in a bit. I really must remember that it is a one day at a time thing. After all this is forever, and no matter how much I want it to it I will never be skinny - and most importantly it will not happen (in the words of Tommy Cooper) 'just like that'.

And lastly... just because...

Hallowe'en Nails

These beauties are the reason I was growing my nails.

I adore the look of a French polish/manicure, and I had yet to try an actual gel manicure.

I've had the Avon gel finish enamel, but this time wanted to try the real thing.

I've been wanting to try this look for a while. I can do nail art myself pretty well, I fancied a little bit of pampering and my French manicures have the tendency to go a bit wonky.

This look was originally spotted on +Pinterest

The Jack Skellington nail I felt was a little too spooky for the children I've been working with this weekend, so I had a bit more of an acid house smiley face with a spooky twist....

I've already started looking for ideas to have done next halloween!

I'm really lucky that my friend Gemma is a fabulous nail art technician and was able to this look for me, and even added some extra bling to proceedings. 

Free For All Friday: 10 Things to Do in Autumn

1. Make a family time capsule and bury it in the garden (or hide it in the loft).

2. Have a baking day, nothing says Autumn to me like the smell of baking. Apple pies, rock buns and parkin all hold special memories.

3. Go for a night-time walk and see what stars you can spot (there are apps that can help with this).

4. Board game tournament, winner stays on. 

5. Movie marathon, pjs and duvet optional. 

6. Start a craft project. Crochet/knit a blanket, mug hug.  Try this blog for ideas torontoknitcafe

7. Drink hot chocolate at sunset, at the beach

8. Make a family 'Bucket' List. For ideas visit dazeofadventure.com 

9. Tell spooky stories. here

10. Wrap up warm and go for a walk kicking though the autumn leaves. 

Dieting Rollercoaster... failure

This past couple of weeks have not been good.

Carrying on from the tooth pains of the previous week I've been wallowing in my insecurities over life events at the bottom of a packet. You name it, I've probably hit the bottom of it at some point.

I wasn't going to write about it, then I thought where is the use in that. Ignoring the problem in the vague hope that it will just go away.

I've still not got on the scales as I don't want to see just how much I have gained again, but I can feel in my skin that it isn't going to be pretty.

Tapping into the reasons why I want to be smaller is key, my heart must be in it and right now it isn't.

It's a shame that you can't just throw money at it for the problem to go away.

Holistic treatment for life is required. Finding that happy balance where I don't go searching.

Stress is a trigger for me. I have spent a lot of time lately feeling unbalanced and tense. With no real down time. Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. I don't want to let anything go by and feel the need to live life to the fullest. This is also my downfall as I don't sit down so much as fall down.

Avon's Stardust Nail Enamel in Teal Glitter

Just in time for the myriad of Christmas events that are beckoning Avon have released a new range of nail enamels. 

As a rep my customers have been loving the magnetic effect polishes this month. 

I have also sold a lot of this Stardust brand. 

On paper they look good. Promising a matte finish with opalescent glitter in different sizes for a unique 3D effect. 

On the nails they look even better. Easy to apply, I've had this colour on for 3 days now and barely a chip in sight. There is a bit of wear of the edge of my ring finger, but that isn't bad - considering I can chip varnish in a matter of minutes of applying it. 

It dries quickly. And I mean really quickly. 

I barely got the chance to smudge it! 

I have also bought the enamel in Radiant Rose which appears to be a bright cerise colour and I have my eye on the Cherry Dazzler for Christmas. 

Radiant Rose

 

Cherry Dazzler

Currently £3. You can buy online here or find your closest representative here. 

My Nail Woes... Continue

As you know I have started to grow my nails for a particular look I want for this October.

Again my nail have decided that the one thing that they don't want to do is remain strong and intact.

I have had to employ some canny measures this week to stop them from tearing any further than they are already.

My secret weapon is a tea bag. A tea bag and some super glue.

I have been keeping my nails painted so that they have that extra strength that they need. One of the many side effects of having low b12 levels is that your nail can be quite brittle.

These are the tools of my patch up job.

My two offending nails. They look rough don't they.

I empty the contents of the tea bag. 

Then cut two small pieces.

I add a small blob of glue to the tear/break. 

And place the tea bag slip on the top. (bad pic my apologies)

 Wait the for the glue to dry and buff the nail/paper until smooth.

Coat with polish (slightly better than I have here)