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  • Dear Diary | QueenBeady

    Dear Diary | QueenBeady

    Today I really struggled. Sometimes tears just have to fall despite trying to keep your head above water. It would seem that tears keep falling a bit too frequently at the moment. To me this indicates that I’m not just swimming without a paddle, I’m slowly sinking. Things are tough at the moment and those things that are just going round my head like a whirling derby. I need to start taking my own ”Happy Selves” advice but sometimes it’s hard to sing from your own hymn sheet, you know?

    I’m making slow positive steps and creating myself a new diet and exercise plan, to motivate me, but once I make a positive step I seem to jump a few hurdles back. I’ve been somewhat lacking in motivation for the last few months. With a countdown to our holiday in Egypt I think it is the welcome break I need after a very crazy, roller coaster year. This month marks a year since my dear Granddad was taken in to hospital with pancreatitis, a very deadly disease. It was a raw & painful 5 months and the family pulled together through some of our darkest times. He defied all odds, and there were a lot stacked against him, but he came home earlier this year to open arms.

    It seems the winter months are the hardest, for most people they are. The dark mornings, the pitch black nights. You barely live an existence (or that is how I feel, which is probably down to my own personal issues). But, things just generally start going wrong at this time of year. Planning forward I know I need to see a light at the end of the tunnel & I am slowly getting there but it’s pulling everyone else dear to me in to the light too. I take on not just my own personal battles but the ones of those I love and surround me, too.

    2014 was a beautiful year for James & I, we got married and it was a wonderful day celebrating just him & I. A day I will never forget. I am thankful for those moments and it’s them that I need to cling on to to bring me closer to feeling 100% right again. I’d hate for this entry to end on a negative note. One day I am a half empty glass kind of girl and the next it’s half full, even brimming. I suppose that’s my exuberant nature of my personality. It is like a see-saw and I just need to find that balance.

    Footnote: I had a chat with my boss after writing this and it felt so great to just release all the demons that have been plaguing me recently. It was so nice to speak so openly and honestly with someone that you look up to and respect without being judged. The advice was sincere and genuine, I know I’m going in the right direction by asking for help rather than drowning on my own. I can do this. I just need to always remember,Things will get better

  • Tartan & Breton Stripes | QueenBeady

    Tartan & Breton Stripes | QueenBeady

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    Camel Coat Hand me down | Breton Top Zara | Chinos Mango | Shoes Primark | Scarf Barbour

    Tartan & breton stripes have to be my perfect combination. Are you all with me on that one? I don’t know about you, but when Autumn comes I love to mix patterns to create a brighter and stand out look against all the tree’s & plants that have browned over.

    There is something ever so ‘’Parisian’’ about this look that I can imagine walking down Montmartre & taking in the sights of the Eiffel Tower and drinking tea in quaint little coffee shops.

    I have been lusting over the camel coloured coats recently and could not believe my luck when my little sister decided to pass on her coat to me (there is nothing I love more than a hand me down so I can give it a new lease of life!) this has firmly stayed on recently and never want to take it off it’s that cosy!

    My shoes are also a particular favourite of mine too! These faux snake skin shoes were a steal from Primark recently and they have not come off my feet. So comfy & versatile they can do no wrong in my eyes!

    How would you style breton stripes or tartan would clash like I have?

    Rebecca xxx

  • Cotton Traders Day Trip Decider: Skiing at Xscape, Castleford | QueenBeady

    Cotton Traders Day Trip Decider: Skiing at Xscape, Castleford | QueenBeady

    I was lucky enough to be asked to take part in Cotton Traders Day Trip Decider. This handy online tool is the creation of high street retailer Cotton Traders. They have carefully selected hundreds of ‘’Days Out’’ ideas for families & couples alike through a nifty little questionnaire which ultimately decides a fabulous day out for everyone!

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    After inputting a few details such as location, if we wanted the day out to be active or relaxing, indoors or outdoors we were given probably what I think is one of the most fantastic ideas in our region…

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    Yes, indoor skiing at Xscapes SnoZone! When this came up I was practically jumping for joy as Mr C & I have always wanted to try skiing but never had the guts to do it. So armed with an opportunity we were not going to miss out on this.

    After a relatively easy checking in process and adorning ourselves in some very sexy waterproof outerwear we set to getting our ski’s and boots. Note to self; Ski boots are very uncomfortable we were ready to go on the afternoon of the 25th October and experience some sheer extreme sport fun!

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    As we were all beginners we were on the nursery slopes all being pushed through our paces towards completing Level 1 of Skiing. As a complete novice no matter how many times someone tells you how much your muscles are going to hurt the next day you do not believe them, but trust me, after sidestepping up & down the slopes about 15 times I promise that you will feel the burn for days after (yes, I am wincing in pain right now as I write this!) but in the name of fun it was all fabulous. Our lovely instructor, Liam taught us how to control our speed and stop as this is the first thing you need to master if you are going to go skiing properly! It took me a couple of times to really get it but it eventually the penny started to drop and on my last run I had (just about) mastered it.

    I know what question is on everyone’s lips. How many times did you fall over? And the answer is 3 spectacular, face planting times! I occasionally resembled a scene out of Bambi where my legs were skirting around the snow so bad that I gave in and went head first, arse up and looked ready for action all in the space of t-minus 2 seconds. So lady like of me? In all honesty there is nothing demure about skiing, well not if you are me that is. The husband had it down like a pro the first time down the slopes so at least one of us was good!

    A big thank you to Liam as he was always so encouraging, despite me shouting expletives for the whole 90 minutes I was there and completely doubting my ability! He was always at the bottom ready to cheer you on and give you constructive criticism.

    So, did we pass Level 1 I hear you ask? YES! I’m pleased to say we did & we’re going to be booking our next lesson shortly to master the art of turning on the slopes in Level 2. So keep your fingers, toes and anything else you can that I pass the next one too.

    Thanks to Cotton Traders we have now done something that we thought we would never do & it has given us a brilliant opportunity for not only a day out but what is hopefully going to be our newest hobby!

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    Why not try the Cotton Traders Day Trip Decider for yourself and see what fun & exciting idea you get!

    Rebecca xxx

  • Making Paisley Print Chic | QueenBeady

    Making Paisley Print Chic | QueenBeady

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    Jacket C/O WearAll.com | Shirt Zara (eBay) | Trousers Topshop | Shoes New Look | Rings 770diamonds & Primark

    I adore paisley print. People may associate it with Festivals and a summer vibe but I don’t see why you can’t bring it 100mph in to Autumn? For me it’s a delicate print and all the different lines, swirls and mini patterns send me in to a wondrous frenzy because you never know where it will go.

    I recently picked up this gorgeous chiffon Zara shirt from eBay & I blagged it as cheap as chips. I was too excited to receive it & I gave it my first outing last week. I have to say I’m always a little cautious with shirts but this one fit just right and I felt fabulous in it.

    I teamed with my black leathers because why not? They a super flattering and elongate your legs. What more could you possibly want from a pair of trousers?

    My black barely there heels from New Look always manage to complete a look perfectly, probably because they are just so elegant and effortless.

    For those cooler nights I would wear a light jacket, purely because I get too hot with anything else. This zip detail waterfall jack from WearAll.com is perfect to just pop on over an outfit and I love the shape to it, it’s so slimming! It really creates that androgynous, tailored style.

    Last but not least, where would an outfit be without a little accessorising? I picked up these midi rings from Primark recently and I have found myself wearing them all the time! They complimented the darker, autumnal tones to the outfit.7

    Rebecca xxx

  • I Heart Boucle Jackets | QueenBeady

    I Heart Boucle Jackets | QueenBeady

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    Boucle Jacket Boohoo Boutique (eBay) | Top New Look (eBay) | Skirt H&M (eBay) | Shoes Primark

    Yes. As you guessed it from the title, I love a good boucle jacket & this one is not to be ignored! As you know I spend A LOT of my spare time browsing through eBay trying to find all the trends at a fraction of the price. Some say I am ‘’The Thrifty Shopping Queen’’ and it’s a title I quite like thank you very much.

    When I won this jacket for a mere £2.99 (plus postage!) I was more than excited to try it on and wear it out. I love the blue & white porcelain style to it, the jacket is a little different to what you would find on the high street & that is one of the main reasons I love it! I don’t like to wear something that is off the shelf and readily available and if I do I like to give it my own twist.

    I paired it with a little crop top and lace cream skirt to keep it quite cute and girly! I love the way my heels completely elongate my legs (Yep, I think I just got a cheeky #ILoveMyselfBecause… hashtag in there!)

    All in all this outfit came under £20 and I think it is great for a lovely lunch date or even office wear! The jacket is so versatile and could jazz up any outfit!

    How would you style this jacket?

    Rebecca xxx