The Speech

I graduated from University on Wednesday.  I am alive just doing lots of toasting, wine drinking and enjoying myself really. I have felt so many emotions coming up to this moment. I must say that I did not cry, which many of my friends thought that I would. Yayyyy me, #notearsonraduationday, #classof2012. 

All in all I would just like to thank all of my friends and family members who supported me financially emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Those who had unwavering confidence in my abilities to get this degree done (and still do). Even though at times I was trying to lead myself off the garden path, you were always there to listen and bring me back to my centre. 

To my lecturers thank you for stepping up the the challenge of being educators and passing on your knowledge, experience and support to not only myself but my peers.

Some friends/confidants have been there from the beginning, some joined in along the way, but one thing they all share, is that they saw and believed in the greatness I possess and to you all I say thank you. 

For all the well wishes and the gifts I say thank you, for all the wine and rum and cokes thank you. I wish you guys the best and hopefully you will be here in great health when I do my masters.

Kae-Toya Lee-Bramble

BA (Hons) Business Studies with Economics

Wednesday Post

At my graduation ceremony, 

Class of 2012 stand up.

Light, Liberty and Learning. 

What to Wear to Work - T M Lewin 1898 Maxine Red Check Shirt

        

       Along with the trailing of the size 4 shirt on their website (go, look, buy), the powers at be, over there at T. M. Lewin sent me a shirt to trial to provide feedback on the size and fit. The shirt I was sent is the Maxine Red check shirt,  listed on the website as the "Fitted Red Check Shirt2 here . The pattern is a slanted Red check (my boss has taken to calling me Daisy Duke ever since I wore this shirt to work.)

    The material is 100% cotton as usual,  and has a bit of texture to it. The material is not as light as material used to make the Blue Dot Print shirt here, it is slightly heavier. This shirt is very suitable for use as layering piece in the colder months and can be used under a suit jacket/blazer/cardigan/vest. The colour of the shirt is deep ruby red which fits in with a winter colour palette. The patterns helps it to straddle the border between formal and casual. 

packaged

Material sample 

Shirt on hanger

Collar (Maxine)

Sleeve

This shirt features: 

- small collar

- a button cuff

- contoured side panels and seams

- is best washed at 40 degrees Celsius (a temperature higher and there might be some bleeding/fading of the colour) 

Fashion fades but style remains eternal. " - Yves Saint Laurent

T. M Lewin Blue Dot Print Fitted Shirt here

Winter Skincare Series - Lip Balms

     Lip balms don't tend to bring the glamour or get as much hype/excitement compared to lipsticks and lip glosses. However lip balms are very important when it comes to keeping lips moisturised. Our lips unlike the rest of our body no not contains any oil producing glands, so all the moisture they receive needs to be applied externally. Our lips need care all year round  especially during the winter months, when the cold air and fake heat can cause chapping. 

Lip balms come in many varieties, some contain colour  shimmer, spf the *moist* important part is that they moisturise the lips!!! 

Nivea lip care essential - Been using this since 2001 and I always will, unless it is discontinued. This lip balm  contains JoJoba oil and moisturises lips very effectively. It is even guy friendly no colour/no scent/ minimum shine/ affordable, so my fellas you can upgrade from those tubs of Vaseline.

Blistex Lip Massage - it works well especially around the end of january/ early february when the snow is in full force. 

Blistex Lip Conditioner -  works the same as the lip Massage but it has more menthol and comes in a little tub. 

MAC Lip Gelee - this product is a thick but ultra moisturising product. It is not quite a lipstick or lip stain not quite a gloss and delivers a wash of colour and it lasts a longggggggggggggggggg time. 

MAC lip Gelee in moistly

There you have it guys and dolls. No reason not to have the perfect pout this season.

xx

Review - Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File

What they say:

The CRYSTAL NAIL FILE is an award-winning must-have from Leighton Denny - it has been carefully treated so it simply turns the nail edge to dust. Traditional nail files can leave the nail edge rough or uneven, but the CRYSTAL FILE smooths the nail completely, sealing it, leaving not a trace of a split or catch. The filing surface comes with a lifetime guarantee for 25 years. The small CRYSTAL NAIL FILE comes in a protective aluminium case so it's handbag and travel friendly.

Instructions:

Good nail practice is to file from the side of the nail in one direction towards the middle. If you prefer the Crystal nail file can be used back and forth - the only nail file that can be used this way.  File nails  to a gentle curve  echoing the the shape of the cuticle.  Keep nails filed to an even length.  It is better to have 10 nails of an even length than a mix of short n long nails. 

Rinse file in warm water from time to time to clean and restore performance.

                                                  

What I say:

   If you don't have one you need to buy one. For the fellas your mother, sister, cousin, best friend, girl friend, fiancee, wife needs one of these. I have been wanting a new nail file for about 6 months. Since I have not been using aryclic nails for 2012 I have been taking more time with my nails. At home manicures are one of my new favourite things/money saving tips/tricks.  I found this nail file by total accident I was browsing in Boots and was attracted to the sticker. This file was behind another nail file hence I did not notice it at first, but then I did and  took it out to have a look. After reading the back I was a bit apprehensive at the price (I wont lie) but then I thought if I buy 3 nail files then that will equate to the price.  I used it as soon as I was able to and I was thoroughly impressed. I also like the fact that it comes with an aluminium case to protect it while it is in my bag. I am one of those people who likes to have my stuff with me,  there are usually a few stray bits around the bottom of my bag, which may not be nail file friendly. 

                             

Price of nail file - £12.50  --------------------> it is totally worth it though. 

would i buy full priced - yes

would i recommend? - yes

would i repurchase? - yes 

What to Wear to Work - TM Lewin 1898 Size 4 shirt.

     

      T. M. Lewin 1898 fine shirt retailer recently decided to introduce a smaller sized shirt to their collection of sizes. This new category is a TRIAL!!!  Depending on the popularity of the new smaller size the powers at be will decided whether to keep or cut the category  The new shirt is a size 4 shirt which is a sized smaller than their usual sized 6 shirt. I received one of the smaller shirts, from the powers at be at TM Lewin to provide feedback to them and you guys. 

      Below are some pictures of me wearing the Maxine Red Check Shirt size 4. In this photo I am wearing a modern T shirt Bra from LaSenza (which is NOT padded) underneath the shirt. I am a UK sized 8 (US 4) both top and bottom, Bra size 32B (unpadded), 32C (padded).  you may find La Senza Lingerie here 

The Front worn with unpadded Bra

The Back

 As you can see the shirt fits well across the shoulders and there is room under the arm.

Material sample 

Closer shot of bust

      Let me speak frankly T. M. Lewin 1898 is an old established and successful company.  A company like T. M. Lewin 1898 could easily, just continue to do what they have been doing, during the worst recession of the 21st century.  Why, because it has been WORKING for them so far. However they are branching out tapping new markets, opening new stores internationally. Also T. M Lewin has been diversifying their portfolio by utilising a wider colour palette and introducing casual clothing. Introducing a size 4 shirt is a bold and brave move by TM Lewin 1898. In their own way they are appealing to the womenswear market in an even greater capacity. 

        

     I am very pleased to report that the new sized 4 shirts fit  very well and even leaves a little room suitable for a camisole/vest underneath. Perfect for those who would like to layer up for the winter/colder months The length in the sleeve is quite suitable, which is great. Usually smaller shirts tend to have short sleeves (like the company was scrimping on material) which ride up your arms and  can be a bit unflattering.

"Fashion fades, Style remains eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent 

Winter Skincare Series- Hand cream

     Hand cream is not only a Winter must have, but a year round must have, a handbag must have and a desk top must have. Your hands are one part of your body which is always exposed, we see and use them quite often. Our hands are very delicate and often start showing signs of ageing quickly, hence the need to moisturise. 

Handbag Handcreams

     The L'occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream this cream is quite thick but it absorbs quickly without any greasy after feeling. This come in a varying amount of sizes 10ml, 30ml (the size shown above) and  150ml. The 30ml is priced at £8, and the 150ml is £17.50. 

Desktop Creams

      These are the creams which are great not just in size but value, yes the L'occitane cream is great but there are great choices also available from the lower priced brands. I do not like using my handbag cream at work, because at times I tend to forget it. For me it is better to have different creams with their individual uses and assigned purposes.  These are the hand creams which I use at work because of the larger sized tubes. They are convenient for me to use at work, aka I can use as much hand cream as I like without fearing they will finish at any moment. 

 These hand creams are great follow ups to the L'occitane Shea Butter hand cream. they are moisturising but not greasy.  The Garnier hand cream is 100ml and is priced at £2.50 - £3.50 depending on where you purchase. The Jergens hand creams are £3 - £3.50. 

Double Duty 
This is a mini body butter this is a great body cream which can also double as a hand cream. The small 50ml size makes it a great size to be used for a weekend away or for sharing with friend. 

Check out my post on body butters here

Check out my post on shower creams here

Check out my review on the L'occitane hand cream here