Craft Love: DIY Knickers

Seriously, you can make knickers from T-Shirts and it's easy peasey! Go over to Come and See the Seitz to learn how. I'm going to be raiding the husband's drawers to make us matching pants.

Fashion Break: Leather Sleek Clutch Bag

I'm a big fan of M&S. I know a lot of of people think it's just for old people but, and hear me out on this, it's good quality, reasonably priced stuff! It's all in the styling anyways... I really like this bag from their Autograph range. It's red, it has a handle and it can fit a personal organiser in it. Call it vintage style, retro or classic - it's a lovely bag.

Autograph Leather Sleek Clutch Bag - £69 at marksandspencer.com

Craft Love: DIY Bookmarks

If, like me, you're doing the SinSin's World book club you'll probably need a bookmark - these are cute, simple and easy! Visit The Sweet Talk Shop to learn how.

Focus on Side Stitch

A lot of novice runners give up quickly thanks to little niggles. Here, I address those problems and solve them so you can get out there and run! Or at least you'll have answers for all those lazy buggers who come up with excuses not to run with you.

Side Stitch

No-one's quite sure what causes a stitch. Some theories suggest it's caused by the liver contracting (which would be why a stitch is usually on the right hand side) due to internal pressure as blood flow increases. Other theories blame the diaphragm or spine.

Whatever the cause, a stitch doesn't feel good. The best course of action is to slow down, stop if you have to, and just wait it out. As ever a strong core can help, and try to avoid food and sugary drinks for an hour before you run.

Fashion Break: Union Jack Dress

The Union Flag has been a bit overdone this year what with the jubilee and the olympics. Even so I just can't resist this dress! If you've got the legs (and the sunshine) for it go for bare legs and black wedges to keep it monochrome or you could jazz it up with some brights leggings, footwear and accessories.

Religion Exclusive to ASOS Union Jack Dress - £40 at asos.com


* * * DISCLAIMER - I know it's not a Union Jack unless it's on a ship. Take it up with ASOS! * * *

My Turn @ Craft Love: Toddler Scribble Art

Remember the toddler scribble art? Here's my attempt! Excuse the rubbish photo, hopefully @millwall_embo (the lucky recipient) will take a better one for me.

Craft Love: Recycling Old CDs

Have you got loads of old CDs Lying around? I know I have. Get some great ideas (and free printables!) from White Life to give your Hanson collection a make-over.

Focus on Back Pain

A lot of novice runners give up quickly thanks to little niggles. Here, I address those problems and solve them so you can get out there and run! Or at least you'll have answers for all those lazy buggers who come up with excuses not to run with you.

Back Pain

A lot of runners complain about pain in their back and, as someone new to the sport, you're more at risk. Novice runners often have a weak core which places strain on the rest of the body.

In your back a weak core can contribute to curvature and compression of the joints which is pretty painful. Combat the pain by including some abs exercises in your warm-up and really concentrat in pulling your core in tight as you run.

Attending a regular yoga or pilates class can help to alleviate the pain, strengthen your core and stretch out any tight muscles.

Fashion Break: Vintage Style Tea Dress

I absolutely adore Poppy Valentine - vintage fabrics crafted into gorgeous dresses, skits and accessories. This Tea Dress is one of my favourite designs - floaty, girly, summery.

Vintage Style Tea Dress - £69.99 at poppyvalentine.com

Craft Love: Paint Chip Art

There's something so mesmerising about the paint colour charts at the DIY shop. This lovely tutorial over at Honey We're Home helps you bring a splash of colour into any room. It's be a great craft to do with the kids, as long as you don't mind the finished piece being a little random!

Focus on Headaches

A lot of novice runners give up quickly thanks to little niggles. Here, I address those problems and solve them so you can get out there and run! Or at least you'll have answers for all those lazy buggers who come up with excuses not to run with you.

 Headaches

A lot of new runners complain about headaches during and after a run. The culprit? Usually dehydration.

As you run your body heats up and you sweat to cool down. Even if you're not running very far or very fast, you nee to remember to re-hydrate your body. As a general rule, when you're training and working out regularly try to drink at least 2.5 - 3 litres of water a day - more if it's hot.

If you're run lasts more than about half an hour you'll probably want to take a drink with you. Something sport focused like Lucozade Sport will help to replace lost electrolytes and give you a carb boost too. If you're still struggling consider using re-hydration sachets before and after a run. Also wear a peaked cap and sunglasses to block out glare which can be another trigger factor.

Fashion Break: Deco Top

I've never really been one for patterns but I really like this deco print top, especially the cute little slits on the sleeves! I think it would look great with a little pair of black shorts and some killer heels.

Autograph Abstract Print Cut-Out Sleeve Top - £29.50 at marksandspencer.com

Why I won't be reading Fifty Shades of Grey

I've tried to avoid writing about this for a while now and I can resist no longer. Fifty Shades of Grey (and the other titles in the series) has been hailed as a catalyst for improving attitudes and openness toward sex. Having read only a few excerpts from the series, I can't really comment on its aphrodisiac qualities but I sincerely doubt that a few hundred pages of housewife style BDSM fantasy can really improve anything other than the author's bank balance.


A recent BBC article (and many others) called it 'mummy porn' and I think that really is hammer, nail and head. The only person I can imagine reading this and enjoying it would be a bored housewife killing time in-between doing loads of washing and picking the kids up from school. Everything about these books puts me off, from the ridiculously 80's Mills & Boon style names (Anastasia Steele? Really?!) to the fact the author, EL James, admitted in an interview she has never even been to Seattle where the series is set. I can only imagine the atmosphere she has conveyed through her writing having experienced the locations solely through Google street view.

I don't even know where to begin on the whole feminist issue the series raises (something which makes me really angry about the Twilight series too). A young woman signing a contract which allows her to be fully dominated - aren't we supposed to be promoting and celebrating being in control of our own lives? Haven't women for centuries been fighting to oppose male domination? Don't get me wrong, if you're into a bit of submission/domination that's just fantastic for you, but I'm not sure we should be celebrating total life control. Of course I've probably missed the point by not reading the book and in reality it is in no way similar to enforced prostitution and sex slavery...

So, I won't be reading the Fifty Shades series. I'm off to my local independent book shop to buy Lady Chatterley's Lover.

Have you read any of the series? What are your thoughts? Please, leave a comment, I'd love to hear your views!