£5 Skincare Budget Buys : Lacura

In these times were many of us have to watch the pennies, one of the areas I have to cut down on is my beauty and skincare. On the other hand I don't want to compromise on quality so I have found  some great skin care that are purse friendy.

In my research for budget skincare I searced many blindtests published in magazines and newspapers, and one brand that popped up quite frequently is Lacura. Lacura can only be found in Aldi and the frenzy for the brand have often resulted in empty shelves in the beauty aisle and the products selling on Ebay for up to 5 times their price.

Lacura offers a complete skincare range for normal skin and for mature skin, with many add on products. Here are my favourites.


Multi Intensive Beauty Serum 50 ml. £3.49

Lacura Multi-intensive serum is a light cream gel which has been developed in accordance with the latest scientific research. The special combination of ingredients includes Vitamins E and C, Shea Butter and Macadamia Nut Oil. Its moisture complex has a 24 hour effect to help improve the skin's elasticity. When used regularly the skin feels noticeably smoother and tighter.

Celeb on Sunday 1st Place Winner - Intensive Anti-Ageing Serum

I love this one, because it is light enough to use as a mousturizer on very hot summer days and as a serum under a day/or night cream.

Q10 Anti-wrinkle Day Cream 50 ml. £1. 99

Lacura Anti-wrinkle Q10 Day Cream moisturises the skin throughout the day and helps to protect the skin against ageing. This cream contains a bioflavonoid formula which is a natural component of elder blossom. In conjunction with Vitamins E and C, it helps to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the environment.

Coenzyme Q10 is a natural substance that can be generated by the body. It stimulates the biological functions of the skin and protects it from the harmful environmental effects that are responsible for accelerating the ageing process of the skin.

As featured in Woman’s Own February 2009
"This anti-ageing cream has been flying off the Aldi shelves since an independent trial rated its skin-smoothing properties higher than more expensive brands."

A lightly whipped cream that results in dewy, plump and smooth skin!

Q10 Anti-wrinkle Night Cream 50ml. £1. 99


Lacura Anti-wrinkle Q10 Night Cream moisturises the skin at night and helps to slow the ageing process. The Retinol complex helps to repair and revitalise the appearance of the skin and the Coenzyme Q10 promotes the body’s natural supply of energy to the skin to help reduce wrinkles.

“…this anti-wrinkle cream left my skin feeling nourished and well taken care of. An absolute bargain as well. 9/10. “ The Sun, Tried & Tested (12.10.09)

Slightly richer than the Q10 day cream, this does what is says it does and is amazing in the wintertime where restorative creams are vital.

Wrinkle Stop 10 ml. £4. 99

This oil free, anti-ageing cream called Wrinkle Stop contains a key active ingredient - Syn-Ake. Syn-Ake is a synthetic substance which mimics the effect of a protein found in the venom of the Temple Viper Snake. Amino acids found in the venom block nerve signals telling muscles to contract, which helps to stop wrinkles forming as well as smoothing out the skin, producing a wrinkle free appearance. It has been proven to help reduce forehead wrinkles by 53% and crow's feet by 24% after 28 days.
 
I used this cleverly packaged, syringe style, serum on the area just above my nose, where you get those two frownlines and I have noticed a small diference. My frown lines aren't deep but if it helps keep the wrinkles at bay, this is one of the cheapest options out there.

 
 

Please go here for more information: Lacura.


Mai
xoxo

Jubilee tea party

When you are heavily involved with the vintage scene, you will automatically get many friends involved in the same and you often meet up whenever there is an event planned or you yourself is hosting our is involved with an event or party. So it was really lovely to meet up with a bunch of my great friends for tea and pimms and just have a lovely day together!

My weekend had been full of working as Darhling Photographer so I really enjoyed getting some scones with cream, a nice cup of tea and a few G&Ts.. You can never go wrong with that combination!

We had a raffle where the donations went to the Marie Curie foundation and I was very lucky to walk away with the price I wanted the most, a painting of the Queen!

All the pictures from the day can be found on my photography site, DarhlingPhotography very soon.

I hope you all had a lovely Jubilee weekend!

Mai
xoxo

Little Vintage Lover Fair in Burnham Market

One of my favorite vintage fairs is the Little Vintage Lover Fair that travels around most of Norfolk and last weekend it was held in Sussex Barn in Burnham Market.

There were lots of things to see! Besides the many great stalls that had people drooling over RAF coats and uniforms, 40s American suits and lovely hats, there where a tea and cake shop and you could get mulled wine too. Perfect in a day where the winds were blowing so much, gals held down their skirts and men held onto their hats!

Dead Mens Spex where there and I was lucky enough to find myself a pair of new glasses that I will be able to wear out in the sun (were they go dark - how clever!!) and inside, so now I can stop squinting in the low winter sun. I also love the fact they are a greenish/brown that seems to adapt to all colors of clothing, so I don't have to worry about that when I dig out my babypink dress!

The Historical Sauces were there too, having prepared a lovely space to rest your feet, browse through books and magazines carefully selected to inspire and educate about history and vintage fashions, so there were something for the gents too. They also had a little snuffbar for those so inclined.

Kerry and Lucy, 2/3rds of the Historical Sauces

A newcomer to the Vintage fairs is milliner Annelli Clarke, she is trained at St. Martins in London and makes the most exquisite fedoras and smaller hats for ladies.

I have to get one of her hats, which is displayed on the table above in babypink and midnight blue, which looks like the hat ingrid Bergman wears in a cafe scene in the movie Casablanca!

To entertain us and get us in the mood, DJ78 was playing his records on proper old grammophones and he told me that he uses one needle per record! That is dedcation!

More pictures can be seen on my Darhling Photography website!

Darhling

xoxo

Darhling Photography

Darhling is venturing out!

Darhling Photography will be your photographer for any event, wedding or engagement where you need glamourous pictures.

Please have a look over on Darhling Photography's website, browse through the pictures and have a look.

For events, it is free of charge and the pictures will be avalible for a small fee each.

Weddings and engagements shoots will be at very competitive prices, but the result isn't of the norm. If you want old Hollywood glamour, Brief Encounter style or something completely different, Darhling Photography is the place to go.

At the moment there is an amazing offer of the first three bookings being free! All I ask for is fuel expenses covered. Now that is a bargain for anyone on a budget!

Darhling

xoxo

Moon manicure tutorial

Good evening darlings!

I thought I'd do a little post about how to do the moon manicure in 4 simple steps! And 3 of those are the brushstrokes. So no need for those paper hole reinforcers, that never make enough of a curve for me anyway.

I like for the moon to be curved, so it doesn't look like nail polish outgrowth!

According to sources, the moon manicure started to become popular in the 1930s and the most common form of the moon manicure was done in a deep red or maroon color. The half-moon shape at the base of the nail was generally left bare, with only a clear coat of polish for shine.

 

1: Start with the first stroke, the middle one, but start higher up the the bottom of the nail, it wil make the touching up so much easier.

2 + 3: Then you do the two side strokes, begin at an angle sloping down at the sides and meeting the middle stroke higher up. You get a bit of jagged curve, but it will be very easy to clean up.

4: Clean up the curve with a cotton bud lightly dipped in nail varnish remover. 

Moon manicure!

A little note, my favourite red nail polish that gives excellent cover in one layer is Bourjois So Laque! in 24 Rouge Escarpin.

Toodle pip!

Darhling

xoxo

What Katie Did Flash Sale!

My one and only supplier of stockings, What Katie Did, is having a flash sale right now!!

Don't forget to register on their page and get an additional 5% off!

This is what WKD writes in their newsletter:

Last Friday we had a delivery of 10,000 pairs of Retro Seamed Stockings so it's no surprise that this week's flash sale is for Retro Seams! Our basic Retro Seamed Stockings are continuously the best selling item on our site and it's easy to see why: they're hardwearing, comfortable and affordable. Well, now at 40% off (45% for account holders) they're a real steal! The flash sale extends to our Contrast Retro Seamed Stockings and our new range of Retro Seamed Tights.

The Flash Sale starts now, and will be finishing approximately 3pm UK time on Friday 1st July. 

I have now stocked up on my favourite seamed stockings!

Darhling

xoxo

Jazz Picnic in the Secret Garden in Norwich

Saturday evening the chap and I attended a jazz picnic set in the Secret Garden in Norwich, also called the Plantation Garden.

 The beautiful fountain

The Plantation Garden is a grade II English Heritage registered garden established 143 years ago in an abandoned chalk quarry some 600 yards from the city centre. It comprises nearly 3 acres in all, and includes; a huge gothic fountain, flower beds, lawns, Italianate terrace, 'Medieval' terrace wall, woodland walkways, a 10 metre long Victorian-style greenhouse and rustic bridge.

The Jazz Band

The garden was all originally created in 1856 by Henry Trevor in a chalk quarry, but was forgotten after his death. Rediscovered 25 years ago when it was virtually a total ruin, it is now one of Norwich's great treasures. It is also known as the Secret Garden, many people know it exists but have never found it. It's actually very easy to find, right beside the Roman Catholic Cathedral on Earlham Road. 

We had such a lovely evening, the band played from 7 pm to 9.15 pm, there was set up a lovely barbeque at the entrance to the garden, in front of the local pub.

We were also joined by the lovely Retro Chick, Gemma who brought the most amazing picnic basket and portable drinks cabinet.

 The lovely Gemma and Pete

The chap and I both fell completely in love with the place and the chap had many visions for the Secret Garden and how he could help out, since he is The Bygone Gardener!

 The chap and I!

I can wholeheartedly recommend a trip to the garden, it is a lovely, tranquil place that I am sure you will love as much as I do.


Darhling


xoxo

Miss L Fire's amazing range of shoes!

In my quest to find amazing, vintage appropriate shoes from the 40s era, I have finally stumbled across Miss L Fire. I know, I am very late in the L Fire game.

Miss L Fire shoes are not cheap, but far from expensive and so worth the money! They can be purchased from Miss L Fire's own website, on Amazon and in shops such as Black Truffle. More stockists can be found on Miss L Fire's own webpage.

Their range of shoes range from quirky and colourful to elegant with a twist. My favourites so far are the Lanai, Havana, Hibiscus and Vee Eight.

The Lanai has the perfect 40s heel and a tiny peeptoe, making it suitable for both summer and autumn, but I wouldn't risk it in a British winter. The have contrast sticitching and a little bow on the front. The red has white stitching, the blue has white stitching too and the black has brown.

The Lanai in red will be a pop of colour to your basis wardrobe if it consists of black brown, and it is not too flashy but will compliment your red lisptick perfectly. It will also look lovely with lighter summer clothes and look beautiful with tanned summer legs.

 

The Lanai in blue are my absolute favourite, if any admireres will want to surprise me, thi sis the pair to get me! They will be perfect with ,y recent additions to my wardrobe, which amongst other things, consists of the HeyDay Mary dress in chocolate brown, a new yummy, matte colour.

The black with brown sticthing will serve as a classic in your wardrobe, even though it has brown sticthing, it will still match other colour in your wardrobe, the brown will only add depth to the shoe design.

The Havana is close in design to the Lanai, the peeptoe in slightly different design and instead of a big bow, it has a smaller bow of grosgrain ribbon and two small cherries.

The red Havana is absolutely stunning with the grosgrain ribbon in purple and with purple piping.

 The Havana in mint is perfect for summer and matches so many light coloured summer clothes.

The Hibiscus in white is a pretty summer sandal with a t-strapthat makes it perfect for dancing too, the heel of the foot is made out of pretty leave, withstitching and the front of the shoe has a lovely flower. These come in black with multi coloured flower too.

Now I know what to spend my money on the next few months!

Darhling

xoxo

Radio Days Vintage Shop by Waterloo

"RADIO DAYS opened on 15th of November 1993 and is run by Chrissie and Lee.

Appealing to all ages, gender and collectors, Radio Days offers a wide selection of vintage clothing, collectables and memorabilia dating from 1920's through to 1980's.. Radio Days also buys from the public and offers prop hire for stage, screen and shoots .

"We are the only vintage shop to sell clothing, magazines and household goods in London. It has been a roaring success and we have been featured in many top magazines and papers over the years."

Well established in Lower Marsh's unique and thriving market community, Chrissie and Lee hope the shop will go from strength to strength in the future when they will open the basement for furniture and hire goods."

I have just moved offices to Waterloo and was out browsing the area a few days ago. just a few minutes walk from our corporate headqueaters I found Radio Days and I was thrilled! Everywhere you turn you see dresses, telephones, cups, hats, brooches that you have to get a closer look at. The atmosphere is incredibly friendly and relaxed, lee,the guy who runs the shop now is quite possibly the friendliest and most enthusiastic vintage shop owner I have come across! Always ready with an offer to know a little of the price, if something catches my eye and a knack for putting on records he thinks will suit the customer.

Lee Williams

I found some lovely pyramid bakelite telephones, but a little out of my price range, I opted for this lovely little pale blue trinket box, with the lid in the shape of a shell. It will go perfectly in the boudoir, with the dressing set I bought at Heydon Vintage Lover Fair last weekend and I will use it loose powder with a big fluffy powder puff put in the inside of the lid.

They have an amazing collection of brooches, cufflinks and compact mirrors and compacts and I haven't even started looking at the back room where they keep all the clothes! I am sure this shop will be the destination for many of my lunch breaks.

I have my eyes on the ivory pyramid telephones in bakelite, cigarette holders, emerald green turbans and 40s platform shoes.. to start with! And there might be a little left over for a gorgeous cravat for my chap too.

Radio Days

87 Lower Marsh
Waterloo
London SE1 7AB


Tel: 020 7928 0800

OPENING HOURS
Monday to Saturday 10am - 6pm
Friday Closing at 7pm

Darhling

xoxo

Little Vintage Lover Fair in Heydon, Norfolk

On Sunday the 5th of June, the Little Vintage Lover Fair made it's way to the little village of Heaydon in Norfolk. The chap and I went to Heydon to visit friends who live in the little village, but also to see what the fair was all about.

The entrance was only £1 and that was a very good deal! There were many lovely small stall more focused on home and kitchen ware from the Art Deco period to the pastel colours and kidney shapes of the 50s. There were also many lovely small stall with vintage clothes and accessories at very good prices, especially prestine shoes and fur stoles in amazing shape and great prices too!

I came across one of the stalls that had a lovely dresser set laid out in a lovely, clear, light blue consisting of a mirror, a hairbrush and a clothes brush for only £8. At the same stall they had the most lovely Art Deco-y teacup, saucer and plate one set had light yellow onthe inside of the cup/black on the outisde and yellow on the saucer and plate, the other set was similar but with babypink instead of yellow. I made the typical mistake of not getting them immediately, only to return later to buy them and find out they had already been snapped up by a lucky vintage lover!

After being dissapointed in loosing out on the china tea cups, I had my sights set on getting a tea or coffee put and got my mittens on a half pint Beryl tea-pot for just £7. The design is lovely and very robust and very easy to collect since it is so wide spread. I will have to save my bone china dreams for a later date.

 It felt more like a big picnic with lovely small stalls and tea served in bone china cups to enjoy on the lawn.
Both the chap and I got stopped so many times by lovely people who only had great compliments for our attire - even though I was in my Land Girl dungarees and hair set on lazy victory rolls.


Dead Men's Spex had a big stall and I had been needing a new pair of glasses forever! I narrowed it down to three pairs and settled on a pair of Luxury Lady in silver, which is not quite 40s and not nearly 50s.

The Luxury Lady is the top pair, also shown here in detail above.

I can't wait for this fair to pop up againsomewhere when I am up in the Norfolk area!

Darhling

xoxo