THINK SMART ABOUT YOUR WARDROBE

MARK HEYES CALLS ON BRITISH WOMEN TO THINK SMART ABOUT THEIR WARDROBES

·         The average British woman owns over 100 items of clothing

·         Research shows women admit to having 10 items of clothing they have never actually worn

·         Women in the North West have the most unused items of clothing with 20% having more than 11 unused items

·         Women admit to wearing clothes a maximum of 10 times before throwing them away

We are a nation obsessed with the latest trends; we spend £63.7 billion* on clothes collectively each year, so it should be no surprise that the average woman owns over 100 items of clothing. However, despite the bulging wardrobes and options a plenty, research by Comfort Brights fabric conditioner reveals 10% of the average woman’s wardrobe is made up of clothes they have never actually worn.

Of the clothes they do wear, women admit to wearing them a maximum of 10 times before throwing them away, with the main reason for doing this being that once they’ve washed them, they never quite look the same.  Three quarters of women say if their clothes were to stay brighter and whiter no matter how many times they were worn, they would wear them again and again which is why Comfort Brights – a fabric conditioner specifically designed to help keep your colours and whites brighter and more vibrant– is on a mission to get the nation thinking smarter about their wardrobes with their ‘7 Days, 7 Ways’ campaign with leading fashion stylist Mark Heyes.

Mark Heyes says: “As someone who loves fashion, I know how easy it can be to get carried away with the latest fashion trends, but I also want to inspire women to embrace versatile and stylish capsule wardrobe pieces that will stand the test of time, especially if they’re well taken care of with products like Comfort Brights.”

According to the research, half of women say they generally buy cheaper clothes but more often. However, given the chance, a whopping 77% say if they could they would choose to buy fewer, on-trend but classic, staple items of clothing that are higher quality.

Mark commented: “Capsule wardrobes are proving a real trend, with celebs and even our very own Princess showing off how many great looks you can create with a few wardrobe staples.”

Mark Heyes’ Top 7 Style Tips

1.                  Be a savvy shopper. I know it’s difficult but sometimes taking a step back before hitting the till with an arm full of clothes is the sensible thing to do. It’s all too easy to be seduced by trends, colours and sparkles. The question is, are you going to wear those clothes when you get them home? Visualise what you already have in your wardrobe and work out what you’ll wear them with.

2.                  Quality over quantity. We all love a bargain, but sometimes a bargain just isn’t so. Especially when you either don’t wear it or it simply falls apart. When it comes to classic pieces, quality over quantity is definitely the way to play it. All of your classic pieces will be the core of your capsule wardrobe. For example, a crisp white shirt is a brilliant staple that can be worn in a hundred different ways. Just make sure you take care of them and use Comfort Brights fabric conditioner to help keep them looking newer and stylish for longer!

3.                  Recycle. Breathe new life into those pre-loved items, and give them a new lease of life. Try layering a bright neon vest under a sheer blouse or top, to bring it bang up to date. Or with the help from a friendly alteration shop, think about changing buttons on a coat or blazer for just a couple of pounds. The possibilities are endless.

4.                  DIY design. Get creative and make your own clothes and accessories. Think about attaching a necklace onto an old t-shirt neckline, popping some lace on the bottom of a top. Or if you’re feeling really adventurous, pick up a new skill like knitting or crocheting and make your very own hat, scarf or jumper!

5.                  Care for you clothes as you would your skin or hair. Clothes are made to last, and to do this they really need looking after. Give them a bit of TLC by using Comfort Brights fabric conditioner – it will help keep your bold colours bright and your whites super white; that way they’ll stay looking newer and fresher for longer.

6.                  Swap ‘til you drop. Set up a clothes swap with your friends or colleagues where you all bring in clothes you no longer wear. Seriously, one person’s ‘trash’ is another person’s treasure, you could find your new favourite outfit for free, and it feels great to have a clear out.

7.                  Shape up. Knowing your body shape is the key to successful shopping and dressing. If you’re apple shaped, meaning you carry weight on your upper half, then opt for bright colours down below. If on the other hand you’re a curvy pear shape and carry weight on your hips and bottom, wear brights up top and draw attention away from your areas of concern. In other words, let the colours do the talking and accentuate your best parts with them.

Healthy Back Bag Spring/Summer Review

 

 

Chris has a Healthy Back Bag, he uses it whenever we are out and about, it comes on all our holidays, days out and weekends away.

 

As a bag, it has so many useful features, a clip for keys, a place for a drinking bottle, lots of sections, inside and out for storing all of our days needs, wallets, camera, food, and shopping.

Now by the end of the day its usually full to the brim and this is where it really shines.

 

The bag is designed to combat stress on your back from weight, its down to the single strap, unlike most backpacks it is not only comfortable but does not move about if walking.

 

Chris has also mentioned its great for his shoulders, even the one that sometimes aches.

 

I am quite happy for him to tote around our belongings, he puts my stuff in too, I feel quite guilty that he does this, but he insists.

 

I have tried the bag, the strap is nice and wide and it certainly feels easy, but its a little big for me.

 

So when the Healthy Back Bag company asked me if I would like to review one for spring/summer, I jumped at the chance.

 

I was sent the Mojave Jute bag, the sunlight was really bright, (can't complain after waiting so long) and  really does not do the colour justice, its a lovely pastel affair, lots of cream, stone, greens, pinks and powder blue.

 

 

I took it on a day out first, just popping my handbag in full inside as it arrived as we were just on our way out. A full day out and the comfort of the bag really made me appreciate it. The wide strap was lovely on my shoulder, I am quite small and bags tend to slip or not feel too good. This one just stayed put. My back and shoulders are relieved as my handbag always has weighed me down. Chris prefers the size of this one for days out but the lovely feminine print has deterred him from more than holding it while I try something on.

 

 

I have spotted a nice lightweight nylon one in navy for him, it will be great for short afternoons out!

 

I have since used it every day, for now its my main bag as I can find everything easily.My keys are attached inside. My purse is inside but zipped another compartment. It has a great pocket for my beautifying bits and the only downside  is that on days out, Chris will not be offering to carry my bag.

 

 

 

 

Vivid Naturals, Poetic Pastels, and Hot Tropics, plus a brand new casual collection, Sporty Vintage, the SS’13 Collection adds 24 new bags to the hugely popular range of fun and functional Healthy Back Bags.

Sophisticated sustainable elegance underpins the Vivid Naturals range; natural texture in cotton and hemp based fabric.

Poetic Pastels is a fabulous range of ice cream colours and romantic pastels including new hi-shine Pastel Patents, perfect for sunshine and holidays and bang on the new high-gloss and plastics trends.

Hot Tropics introduces vivid bold colours: Dark Teal, Mango, Citron and Terracotta to add zip and vitality to our Textured Nylon range.

London’s 2012 triumph and a celebration of sport and fun through the years is brought to life in the new Sporty Vintage range, a collection of hardwearing, ultra affordable casual bags, reflecting a nostalgic era of style and sport.

The success of the Healthy Back Bag is attributed to its registered teardrop shape which enables weight to be distributed across the back making it one of the world’s most comfortable one-strap bags. Sold in 26 countries, worldwide, the bags are renowned for their comfortable fit which contours to the back, multi-functional pockets and secure zipped access. Worn across the body the bags are perfect for an active life.

The Healthy Back Bag Company was set up by Managing Director Priscilla Chase in 2004 following the success of parent company, AmeriBag in North America and Canada. Since then the Healthy Back Bag Co. has expanded into over 26 countries worldwide with new territories in South Africa, India, France and the Middle East launch to open in 2013. Healthy Back Bags retail from £35.

 

http://www.thehealthybackbag.co.uk/

World Pistachio Day Giveaway

Wonderful Pistachios have teamed up with Given To Distracting Others to help celebrate World Pistachio Day by giving readers some really interesting info on women's snacking and a chance to win a more healthy snack.

Sounds good to me, so get reading and entering below!

World Pistachio Day was on February 26 2013, Wonderful Pistachios, has taken a look at working women’s snacking habits with some revealing results...

• Women will put on almost a stone in the first year of working in an office
• Two thirds of women go to work with good intentions to eat healthily but fail
• Less than two per cent of women succeed in their aim of only eating healthy snacks every week
• 9.58 am is the average time that most workers have their first snack
• Four in ten women say they indulge in at least two unhealthy snacking sessions every working day
• Twenty per cent of women admit to buying treats to gain popularity
• One in six women say their co-workers seem to talk about food all the time, with the average experiencing more than 23 minutes of food-related chatter each and every day

But, just under half of all female workers say that snacking cheers up their day with one in seven saying that it is their absolute highlight.   And, a snacking boost proves essential to six in ten workers who claim it helps productivity.

For people looking for a tasty healthy snack, Wonderful Pistachios are a great option.  A 30-gram serving contains 160 calories and provides a variety of different vitamins and minerals.

What’s more, the empty shells act as a reminder of how many we have already eaten acting as a visual cue to stop overeating.

Here are some things that you might not know about the pistachio nut…

• One of the oldest flowering nut trees, humans have eaten pistachio nuts for at least 9,000 years.  Pistachios are one of the only two nuts mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 43:11).  
• The Queen of Sheba loved pistachios.  In fact, she demanded that the entire region’s pistachio harvest be set aside for her.  
• The green colour in pistachios comes from the important antioxidant, lutein
• In China, the pistachio is known as the “Happy Nut” because it looks like it is smiling.  Often given as a gift during the Chinese New Year, pistachios are a symbol of health, happiness and good fortune. 
• Pistachios contain only 3-4 calories per nut - they also offer vital nutrients including more than 30 different vitamins, minerals and beneficial phytonutrients making them a great guilt free snack.
• During the cold winter months, people in India snack heavily on pistachios as they are believed to be a ‘hot food’ capable of warming the soul.
• Israel’s seven million people consume nine million pounds of pistachios each year, making it the world’s leading per-capita pistachio consuming country at more than one pound per person.   
• California is the leading producer of pistachios worldwide producing more than 400 million pounds of pistachios each year.
• In Russia, legend says that anyone who hears the crackle of an opening pistachio nut will soon find success.
• One of the most popular sayings in Mexico is “Quiere el pistache pelado y en la boca,” which means wanting everything the easy way (“He wants his pistachios shelled and in the mouth”).
  
  
  
  
  

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GOSH Boombastic Review Giveaway

Yves Saint Laurent said 'The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy' 

I agree, I have a passion for makeup, eye makeup being a favourite. I think a great eyeliner and mascara does wonders for me. I would have them as my desert island must haves! I have tried all manner of mascaras, lengthening, treating, curly and volumising.  I find I go for the length as volumising can be a bit heavy for my lashes, but I like the look at night.

GOSH have been a major find for me in cosmetics as they come up with new products all the time that actually do what they promise at prices way lower than I would expect for the result.

When they asked me to try out the GOSH Boombastic mascara, I was very happy to oblige.

GOSH say this  mascara is for people who really want to build up extreme volume and length at the same time.The huge brush with its three giant reservoirs will store plenty of mascara and add the most precise accent on the lashes when applied. It will also separate the lashes without clumping the lashes together.

More than ever you can build up massive volume and in the same time the lashes will appear perfectly separated and long.

The brush is lovely and big, I found that for the first few times in use as with most new mascaras, I needed to wipe of the brush. It is a lovely deep black, and goes on easily with no clumping. The first coat immediately lengthens, I found that two coats gave the really full thick lash effect and a good curve to my lashes. Three coats still does not leaves clumps and would be great for a night out.

I am really very impressed and seriously hoping GOSH make a waterproof version as well.

GOSH have kindly offered five Boombastic mascaras to Given To Distracting Others readers.

Just fill in the simple rafflecopter.

GOSH Boombastic XXL Volume Mascara Extreme Volume and Length GOSH Boombastic Mascara is available from Superdrug stores nationwide or

www.superdrug.co.uk, £8.49

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DAXON CALLING ALL FELLOW LOVERS OF FASHION!

Daxon are giving UK’s finest fashion bloggers who love and live for fashion by offering the chance to become part of an exclusive blogger network.

Daxon is part of Redcats, which is the 3rd largest home shopping organisation in the world, with other fashion greats such as Vertbaudet and another favourite of mine La Redoute.

Daxon specialise in top quality clothing. They aim to find the perfect fit for you.

I have been lost all morning in their fabulous sale items and after looking at the site, I am impressed, big brand names in shoes such as Ecco and Clarks.

The lingerie range boast Triumph, Sloggi and more.

Pluswear, menswear, home and many more ranges are all covered.

I'm really hoping to be a part of the Daxon exclusive blogger network, they have some fabulous items for all occasions and I would enjoy showcasing some of the items.

Oh and here is one of my favourites sale items below, (which I might just have to add to the basket!!) I am just so impressed with the price! Plus free  delivery and returns, which all makes for a pleasant shopping experience.

If you want to know more about the Daxon VIP Fashion Blogger opportunity take a look here.

Anne Weyburn Ladies Double Breasted Trenchcoat £29.99 was £99.00

Click on the description for more details!

http://www.daxon.co.uk

Matalan September Style Project

 

I was very excited when Matalan approached me recently and asked me to take part in their Matalan Style Project. Each month it sets four UK fashion bloggers out on a mission to create an entire outfit with Matalan clothes, focused on a specific theme.

The theme for this month was ‘English Heritage’, which fits perfectly with the onset of these cold autumn months. 

I had great fun choosing an outfit which summed up the theme. It has caused great comments from friends, "To the Manor Born" new nickname from my friend Nicola, is Jo Holmes, as in Sherlock  quite cheeky but I love her, so she gets away with it. 

I am not what one expects in the fashion blogger world, having just moved house and caring for Granny meant I could not get out to find a nice autumnal backdrop. Also having to unpack boxes, chop a tree, feed a family and make Granny comfy, meant I dashed into the garden with my chosen outfit for a quick photo shoot, hair designed by me, its more Jo Buffoon than Vidal Sassoon.

Now what you need to know in all good styling projects are the clothes I chose in more detail.

I went for the wine skinny jeans, a snip at £16 a stone cami vest £3, I intend to pick up a few of these, it washes well,fits really nicely.

These wear really well as an outfit, but for these decidedly crisp autumn mornings, I topped my ensemble off
with a Grey Checked Toggle Wrap, £10, this will be a key piece to my wardrobe this year, I love the shape and softness, though named as grey this is more brown shades so suited my look well.

Some lovely on trend Lace Up Brogues these are really comfy, have a lovely ribbon detail for the laces and are £14.

I added a chunky cable knit scarf  £8 in wine to coordinate the whole look, what do you think?

Now if you like my look ,good, I would love a vote on the Matalan September Style Project

You never know, I may go on to win the the coveted title of Matalan Style Project Winner this month!

Vote for me here with a comment such as Jo from Given To Distracting Others

Update: I won, thanks for all the likes

http://blog.matalan.co.uk/september-style-project-english-heritage-winner/

LUSH USE WORLD'S FIRST FAIRTRADE VANILLA ABSOLUTE!

Did you know…

LUSH USE THE WORLD'S FIRST FAIRTRADE 

VANILLA ABSOLUTE IN VANILLARY FRAGRANCE!

VANILLARY

ATOMISER 30ml  £26.00 SPRITZER  10ml  £12.50

As purveyors of fresh handmade cosmetics we always strive to use the best quality ingredients that we can get our hands on. Vanilla is no different. Agnes, our top notch Creative Buyer, has found high quality gourmet FAIRTRADE Vanilla beans nestled on the foothills of the Rwenzori mountains, Uganda.

Favoured by celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-­ Fairtrade beans to be brought to the UK by Ndali. Our next step was to transform these delicious beans into an absolute, something that has never been done before. Through a lot of hard work Agnes brought the beans to France where they were skillfully transformed into Vanilla absolute, to be used exclusively in our Vanillary fragrance.

To tell us more about the project Agnes talked with Lulu who manages the Ndali estate.

Vanilla has been grown at the Ndali estate since the end of the 90’s.It was the perfect crop to re-­invigorate the ailing estate and, more importantly, to provide a valuable income to local farmers. In 2005 the beans farmers formed a co-­op that now sells 20-­ 25% of their crop at a Fairtrade premium.

In a region with low literacy and treacherous terrain the challenges of establishing just such an organization have obviously been great;; with a pharmacy built, a school roofed, maize milling machinery bought and bee-­keeping projects funded, vanilla beans can be clearly seen.

It’s a testament to the farmers and the Ndali estate that they have been able to pull themselves up by the bootstraps and produce some of the best vanilla we can get our hands on. We are delighted to be using this exclusively in the Vanillary atomiser and spritzer fragrance, which has made that creamy vanilla goodness just that one step yummier!

To pick up Vanillary and many more ethical, cruelty free cosmetics visit Lush shops nationwide. For shop details and Lush online, please call 01202 668 545, or order at www.lush.co.uk

LUSH Tailor Made Party

We Do Parties, Yes we do!

And we host them at a store near you…

That’s right, at LUSH stores NATIONWIDE, you can host your very own LUSH Party in-store!  Lush Tailor Made Parties are especially for you and your party needs and aresuitable for any occasion. Be it a children’s birthday party, a bridal pampering session or a mums group event, the choice is endless and the theme of the party is completely chosen by you – whatever it may be!

To celebrate that We Do Parties, this Saturday 18^th August, come along to a Lush store near you from 11.00 AM – 5.00 PM for a Nationwide customer party! Experience just how fantastic Lush parties are with a free day of product making and party games! Enquire at your nearest LUSH for details.

Lush Tailor Made Parties enable you to use a space within the Lush store of your choice for an out-of-hours private event, accompanied by your very own designated Lush Party Brand Ambassadors, or during opening times where your group can mingle amongst other customers. You choose whatever is best for you.

Whatsmore, if you dream of making your very own LUSH products at your party you can even do that too! For just £20 per product making kit (in addition to the party cost), you can choose from a selection of popular bubble bars and bath ballistics for all party-goers to make and then take home! Or, alternatively, Lush will provide a selection of free activities and games appropriate to your requirements such as treasure hunts, bubble bar cocktail making competitions and relaxing pamper treatments including hand and arm massages!

If you would like to host your very own Lush Tailor Made Party then please contact your nearest Lush store for details. Party prices vary upon party size and differ in each store and part of every party price includes a redeemable LUSH product spend for guests.

For shop details visit Lush stores nationwide now or contact Lush online on www.lush.co.uk or

01202 668 545.

Store Twenty One

Last of the Summer

Now I am holding out for an Indian Summer, in fact I demand one after this sorry excuse for an English summer.

Teal Snakeskin Asymmetric Swimsuit

 £14.99

So when Store Twenty One asked me to take a look at their Last of the Summer swimwear range I got a bit more hopeful . The range as always is bright,on trend and above all in this economic climate, looking after the pennies!

I was sent a couple of pieces to review and loved the punchy colours.

 

Purple Chain Print Halter Bikini Top, 

£12.99

This Katie Price bikini in vivid purple has a chain pattern and the cups are slightly padded to give a  discreet and uplifting effect.

Teal Snakeskin Jewelled Kaftan, 

£12.99

We may be lucky and get a real heatwave which means a cover up would be needed ( I am very optimistic) and this teal snakeskin tunic is great over its matching swimwear and also looks great with a pair of distressed denim shorts, or white skinnies.

Purple Leopard Print Beach Jumpsuit, 

£14.99

I loved this the rest of the family were out, but I am a diddy 5ft 1 and I think it would look fab on a willowy leggy beach babe.

Clashing Zebra Halter Balconette Bikini Top, 

£12.99

Clashing Zebra Tie Side Bikini Brief, 

£5.99

I love this the best, I love the hot summer look, the ties which make for a better fit have a lovely bead, to give it a style of laid back hippyness I like, again its slightly padded 

You can find all of these in your local Store Twenty One or online at 

http://www.storetwentyone.co.uk/

Disclosure: I received samples of swimwear to review. The opinions are my own and I was not given any other payment.

Marks & Spencer Body Shapes Advice Hub

 Marks & Spencer Launches Body Shapes Advice Hub for Real Women

Marks & Spencer has called upon five fashion bloggers of real shapes and sizes to create body shape styling advice for the woman everywhere.

I am so interested in this concept, its high time 'real women' got some positive support in wearing clothes confidently that are not showing on a stick thin model!

The newly-launched online advice hub has an informative video and styling tips page, giving clear information on how to identify the five main body shapes.

With over 10,000 people searching online for advice around body shapes each month¹ and the BBC reporting that more than half of the public has a negative body image², M&S hopes that the hub will give women the confidence they need to make an informed decision when choosing dresses for their body shape.

Working collaboratively on the project fashion bloggers Muireann Carey-Campbell, Amanda Carr, Kate Sutton, Gemma Cartwright and Harriet Thorn offer their personal styling expertise and can be seen self-modelling the dresses, proving that there’s a style for all women at M&S.

Rectangle shaped, Muireann of Bangsandabun.com, says, “For me it’s all kind of about the optical illusion of creating a bit of a waist. I tend to go for classic shift dresses but if there’s gathering in that area it always helps. I’ll experiment more with different fabrics, colours and patterns.”

But for curvy hour-glass shaped Kate of WitWitWoo.com, it’s all about the right amount of cleavage, “I can’t really avoid it, but [I tend to show] my cleavage area - but I don’t like to show too much off, just enough! I would tend to wear a maxi dress in the day, something free-flowing and comfortable. In the evening, something more fitted, probably a bit sexier and just below the knee. “

Amanda of TheWomensRoomBlog.com is more concerned with support and structure, “Because I’m slightly older - I’m over fifty - I’m looking to cover up that ‘fifty-roll’ you get as you get older, around the waist. So I really love dresses, often with a bit of structure in them. As you get older you like a bit of structure in your dresses.“

Gemma of BigGirlsBrowse.com and Harriet of WhereIsHarriet.com, who are pear and hour glass shapes respectively, agree that nipped in waists and fuller skirts are the most flattering on their frames.

The body shape advice hub also offers a free to download ‘buyer’s guide’ with tips from assistant dresses buyer, Barbara Bobadilla, which customers can print and take to store with them to assist in the purchasing journey. Barbara says, “Pop the guide in your handbag and bring to your local M&S, so you’ll always have some key pointers to stick to when dressing your body shape”.

 View the ‘How To Dress For My Body Shape’ advice hub online within the dresses section of 

www.marksandspencer.com

                                                                                                            

The body shapes advice hub (featuring the video and downloadable buyer’s guide) can be viewed here: https://www.marksandspencer.com/Dress-your-Bodyshape-Dresses-Womens/b/1892339031

The dresses featured in the video are all available to buy now from: http://www.marksandspencer.com/Dresses-Womens/b/43091030