''You gotta Fight for your Right...''

To parrrrrtay (well that was the original line)

These days though? With so many social networking formats you seem to have to fight harder than ever just to remain yourself and stay strong to who you are.

This isn't necessarily a negative point though.

Twitter, for all it's downsides has been absolutely great for me personally. It's a place where I can socialise with others like myself. Other people who aren't as outgoing in real life situations. It's a safe haven (most days)

There are going to be days that there are any amount of people disagreeing with you over differing opinions but that in itself is worth fighting for.

Although we don't have a Freedom of Speech law here we are, within reason, actively encouraged to give our opinions freely. Some do more than others though ;)

Whereas I might not agree with a lot of opinions belonging to others I do however wholeheartedly defend their right to express that opinion.

My outfit of the day was picked in anger.  It was picked with fighting in mind. When I sat down to edit the photos I realised I wasn't actually in a fighting mood. I was proud. 

I am proud that I stand for what I believe in. I am proud to know people (cyber speaking or in real life) who express who they are. I have great admiration for people with morals and standards and hold them all in very high regard. 

So this post is an outfit of the day post and it's a celebratory post.

We all have rights to fight for. 

They're all personal to each of us.

As long as we're not fighting each other it's all good by me!

OOTD

Jeans by George at Asda

T Shirt by Zara

Be strong to who you are.

''Got It, Flaunting It...''

It's an age old saying and whilst some of us adhere to it a bit too well, others, such as myself, tend to err on the side of .... modest...!? 

Though now I'm this whole new person - body wise - friends and family despair of my covering up. Well, mainly my hubby for obvious reasons!

Today being National Cleavage Day seemed a good excuse to be a tad more daring....

Risque outfit but a modest photo kind of defeats the purpose SO *deep breath*

This is a photo I posted on my Tumblr (a bit bigger than this version) as it's more for my pin up side to run free!

Now! If I'm *completely* honest it's far too flipping cold to really celebrate National Cleavage Day so....

Here's how I'm dressed now using all the flaunt it attitude I could muster!

Stag Jumper from F&F (Ebay for me)

Are you flaunting it today or do you flaunt it everyday!?

;)

''Save All Your 1000 Kisses For Me...''

Back to business as usual here on The Agoraphobic Fashionista. Due to the knock in blogging confidence I was hit with recently I have a few reviews waiting and first up is a review of a fantastic new product that the lovely folks over at Rimmel London sent out.

Rimmel London: Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Lip Tint

I was sent the colour Perpetual Plum and I'm seriously glad as I tend to use more Reds in regards to lip colour (well, it is my nickname after all) and if I'm honest this is not a colour I'd have purchased myself however I'm more than a little happy to have it in my lip colour collection!!!

To the fun part!!!

You get to DRAW on your face :D Now, for me, there is nothing more fun than felt tip type make up, so I rushed to draw in my lips.

I applied liberally as I'm a stickler for full coverage

You then apply the balm which is found on the end of the felt tip 

The balm drys nice and quickly but not to the point of needing to wet your lips in any way.

Voila!

It's a stunning colour and I love it more as it's wearable even if I'm not heading out anywhere but just want to feel ''pulled together'' however it's clearly a fantastic colour for heading out - so! Best of both worlds in my opinion.

The best thing? It really does last!! 

I applied this at 9.30 am and trundled along my usual daily routine which included;

kissing my son Riley (a lot)

drinking a lot of tea

talking a lot

eating lunch 

etc

It didn't need topped up until about 2.30 pm - that's a good 5 hour coverage.

I'm impressed!!!

Thank you Rimmel!!

(available to buy at Superdrug and Boots stores NOW!!)

 

''Brush It Off...''

Good advice when applicable.

I had a sneaking suspicion a certain situation was bound to crop up in relation to myself and this blog and I feared it happening. Well, today it has.

This isn't a fun and fluffy post. In fact I'm pretty angry. I'll get over it but I really felt that I needed to post what happened. I really do not believe I'll be the only person it happens to.

The stigma still attached to anyone who is open about their mental health issues is a disgrace. 

An utter disgrace.

I was contacted by a company (I won't be naming them so please do not ask) who politely enquired if I would like to sample their product range. 

I replied that yes, I would as I felt their product would be of use to me and some of my readers and I included a link to my blog in the reply.

The message I got back was disheartening to say the least...

Quote: 

''We feel your blog is an unsuitable platform for our products as it is more a mental health aimed blog rather than fashion or beauty''

Followed by:

''We need social advertising for our brand/product and unfortunately at this time we see you are unable to meet those requirements''

And finished off with:

''Please do not let this deter you from making any further purchases''

Now, I feel I need to stress to you... This company contacted ME, not the other way around.  

I feel hurt that they hadn't bothered to read the blog before contacting me in the first place and to be honest I am completely aghast they had the audacity to send me such correspondance. 

I enjoy blogging about fashion and beauty and yes there are sprinklings of mental health issues here because these are challenges I face daily. I don't shy away from that. 

No pictures, no products, no fun.

STAMP OUT STIGMA.

THIS IS A BEAUTY AND FASHION RELATED BLOG 

And I will NEVER be made feel I'm not able to contribute to sales figures because I find it difficult leaving the house.

How utterly preposterous.

However, to finish, instead of naming and shaming and allowing mob mentality to take hold I am using this post tonight to say to this company;

In future, please be more aware of WHO you are contacting, be respectful and have a look at a bloggers work BEFORE contacting them and please take some time to research mental health issues as I honestly feel you could do with educating yourself a little more. 

Sincerely and Honestly

as always,

Sera x

''Be Vintage...''

Time to fire up this week's Lazy Sunday Lust List and recently I've been in love with anything Vintage so I didn't have to think too long about where I was headed.

The lovely Emma at www.myvintage.co.uk has a virtual warehouse FULL of true vintage items ready for your love and attention.

Here are my picks, my lusts ;)

Vintage 1950s Black Fabric Multi Colour Floral Tapestry Bag

Vintage 1950s Green and Cream Fabric Flower Choker

1970s Vintage Goldtone Victorian Scene Pendant Necklace

Vintage 1970s Electric Blue Sequin Lapel Evening Maxi Dress

Vintage 1980s Black and Red Spotted Swing Dress

Vintage 1970s Pink and Lilac Checked Pussy Bow Dress

All of Emma's stock is particularly sized as they are one off vintage pieces however! she does also supply a line of reproduction clothing!!!

50s Pin Up Style Sindy Dress

And as if that wasn't enough there is also a Gift Box service, with many made up vintage themed boxes to choose from.

This one is the Lady of The Manor Gift Box

So what are you waiting for :D Go and have a nosy at www.myvintage.co.uk

Also, if you're stuck and would like to take advantage of Emma's love for vintage wear, give her a tweet with a colour, style and size and watch as she finds your perfect vintage piece!!!

Happy Lazing!

Sera x

''Mum's The Word...''

I am over the moon to have been shortlisted for a Brilliance In Blogging Award through BritMums.

This is the first time anything like this has happened and I'm so excited! 

So I'm here to ask you all, pretty please with cherries on top, would you mind sparing me a little vote?

I'm Number 16 in the STYLE category

You can vote by clicking on the button to the right of my blog page OR simply click this link and *hopefully* it should take you straight to the voting page...

Vote for The Agoraphobic Fashionista 

I'm ever so grateful to any of you who take a few moments to vote for me. 

And just to give something back, don't forget to enter yourself in my Giveaways that are ongoing atm!

We have a FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY where you could win Punky Pins earrings AND a cute little anchor necklace!

ENTER FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY

AND!!!

My TARGETS GIVEAWAY is still up and running! You could be in with a chance of winning your very own Rockalily Lipstick AND a cherry rockabilly style fascinator!!! 

ENTER TARGETS GIVEAWAY

And on that note I'm done bothering you for the day!!! 

Mum's the word ;)

Sera x

''One Day I'll Fly Away...''

Today I'm posting what have fast become my 3 favourite items within my somewhat limited wardrobe.

1 dress

1 jacket

1 pair of shoes

Simple!

The shoes and dress are from Matalan who have constantly surprised me in the last year with their collections which are bang on trend and they're affordable which means they win out with me.

I'm starting with the shoes. A bargain in the Matalan sale at just £6.00. I've long been a fan of Mary Jane type shoes especially those with a double strap, to me they scream elegance and the colour of these shoes is beyond adorable. 

No makeup on my face still :( cannot get my skin under control at the moment so any advice in that capacity would be well and truly appreciated! 

As you can already see my favourite dress is the Butterfly Dress from Matalan priced at £20. Now £20 is normally not an amount I'd spend on just 1 item of clothing BUT it can be worn SO many different ways. As a glammed up dress or like my post today, dressed down. I figured it was a good investment ;)

Now, I don't know about you but this changeable weather we're experiencing has me a hot, cold, freezing, sweating mess at times plus it's giving me a huge headache. When I started taking pictures for today it was warm annnnd it changed - so I did too!

I ask of you... is it possible for a jacket to match everything?! I picked this little Denim & Co jacket up on Ebay recently for 99p!!!! And I've worn it so much already. Have a feeling it'll be paired with a lot more bits and pieces...

The movement in this dress is gorgeous though beware if you're out and about with no leggings on as it could bring about a Marylin moment so stay away from grates ;)

Thanks Matalan for bringing Butterflies into my life :D

Sera x

''Rollin' With The Homeys...''

£25.00 is a bit much to pay for a pair of slippers (especially if they're not made of glass!) .... at least that's what I used to think until a few years ago when the hubby begged and pleaded for a pair of certain slippers. They go by the name Homeys. To me, they just looked like cool slippers, nothing groundbreaking or world changing.... 

Then, one night I may have sneakily dipped my toe into the hubbys felted slippery goodness ;)

OH MY OH MY OH MY!

You've never felt comfort like it!

That was nigh on 4 years ago now. Since then I've been wishing so hard for a pair I can call my very own but at that price they weren't going to be something I purchased for myself. Cue Mothers Day :D

My Mothers Day present arrived today (after only being ordered on Sunday - now THAT is service!)

A pair of my very own Homeys and I've literally only slipped my feet into them about 10 minutes ago... I feel SO strongly about these slippers I had to tell you about them IMMEDIATELY lol

The hubby picked these ones for me - leopard print - always a winner! And I had to share the description on the Homeys website with you...

From the day KATZ was produced she stopped all the slippers dead in their tracks. Her sassy walk and pin sharp wits have had all the Homeys with their mouths wide every time they meet. She is as catlike in her ways as her fabric suggests, with an attitude to match. The girl Homeys love KATZ and the fellas just can't get enough. This very special Homey decided she'd had enough parading her footwears and found her perfect penthouse at Homeys HQ.

Katz? You're pretty special to me already ;)

Little teacups complete the perfect slipper.

Yes, you heard me and no, it wasn't a slip of the tongue (ooerr!)

THE PERFECT SLIPPER!

I beg of you folks, go get some, you'll not regret it!

They have a magnificent mens range by the way....... 

But for now, my feet are firmly ensconced in these beauties

(yes, I promise to get dressed!)

Now we just need to get Riley a pair of kids homeys (yup! A kids range too) and we'll all be set although I've been informed my anniversary present to Lee is a new pair.

Sera x

''Hometown Style...''

I live over 60 miles away from my parents.

It takes 2 hours in the car on a good day.

There are always so many factors I can blame for not going home to visit more often ;)

BUT

Something even I would consider travelling that distance for (apart from seeing my lovely parents) would be to attend one or all of the events scheduled for Newry Style City.

Fresh off the back of the resounding success of Belfast Fashion Week we have my hometown, Newry, firmly holding it's own in the style stakes. 

Heralded ''Newry's most stylish week of events'' Newry Style City promises to be event packed with something for everyone.

Kicking off the festivities on Sunday, 25th March would be a must-go event for me! 100 guests will have the opportunity to be styled to within an inch of their lives (in a thoroughly pleasant manner!). With industry experts to hand you will emerge a style god/goddess ;)

Newry Speed Styling

How clumsy of me! I seem to have forgotten to mention the Complimentary Mojito!

This event will have a speed dating layout so you can gather the most information possible - very clever!

Of course, no style week is complete without a killer of a show, right?

Well, let me tell you! The Style City Show is set to rock. 

Mentions of cocktails, canapes and goody bags are floating about so head on over to www.newrystylecity.com

to find out how to get tickets for these events and many many more!

Oh and if you fancy yourself a stylish fashionista or have a friend deserving of a Style Award then head on over to www.sugahfix.com to find out how to nominate whomever you like. There is an awards show to close the weeks proceedings on Sunday, 1st of April, to be held in The Vault nightclub (The Bank).

I haven't been out for absolutely ages! Well over a year and a half now :S To me? It sounds like a week of events not to be missed ;)

Get your heels at the ready!!!

All images courtesy of www.sugahfix.com

Sera x

ENTER MY GIVEAWAY HERE (click on this link)

''Targets...''

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!!!

Winner has been contacted, if they don't respond within 48 hours I will redraw.

I spoke about my upcoming ''Target'' with Slimming World in the post entitled: The Target Dress and the time is fast approaching! 

I still haven't settled 100% on my Target Dress but I know I worked damned hard for it at this stage.  I'm proud of myself this past year. I decided to make a good change for my health and it's paid off. 

I *do* know where I will find my ultimate Target dress though. There isn't a doubt in my mind......

VIVIEN of HOLLOWAY

Why am I so certain that it's within these satin and print filled virtual railings I'll find my dream dress?

Because they cover everything!

From 1950's Halterneck Circle Dresses

To their stunning Pencil Dresses

They even do....

1940s Swing Trousers

They cover accessories, flower fascinators, petticoats etc the list really does go on! 

Onto why I'm filling your head with Vivien of Holloway .....

Because I'm SO close to Target AND my one year anniversary of the best decision I ever made (joining up with slimming world) I decided to do a little giveaway.

What would you win? Well I believe it's a treat and a half! I always like to give away something I've loved recently so with that in mind the first prize is a very cute cherry print fascinator.

from a seller I've featured before Purrple Kitty Crafts 

(take a good look as you'll need to remember what it looks like *cue anticipatory music*)

AND!

 The winner will also be invited to choose their very own colour of choice from the
MAC Lipstick Range

Cool, huh!?

Not done yet ;)

The winner will also recieve this...

beautiful Swallow Necklace from the lovely Dolly Cool

So, how to enter I hear you cry - well maybe whisper to yourself as opposed to wailing out loud ;)

It's fun and simple.

I have teamed the cherry fascinator above with a dress on the Vivien of Holloway site and scheduled it as a blog post.

All you have to do is guess which dress I'd have teamed it with. Either leave me a blog comment, tweet me or facebook your answer.

 Everyone who guesses correctly?  Simple... their name goes in a hat.

*Edit 31st March 2010*
The dress has been picked correctly so many times so for an extra entry for those who have already guessed and for those entering for the first time simply leave a blog post comment and let me know your favourite dress from www.vivienofholloway.com 

Giveaway ends Friday 13th April at 10pm.

Vivien of Holloway

Sera x

''In and Out of Love...''

My mood swings are a force to be reckoned with and as for decision making? Forget about it! Partly why this blog is so theraputic for me, it allows my confidence in decisions to grow.

This week I made a decision.

I'm pretty confident about my decision.

My decision? I unsubscribed from my 2nd Beauty Box.

I had tried Feel Unique for 3 months and out of those 3 boxes of samples... I used one product.

I then signed up to Glossybox and after this 3rd (and subsequently last) installment, an alleged luxury product sample box in collaboration with Harrods I just couldn't do it to myself anymore.  The excitement when the pretty box comes

Then the disappointment when you open it and find it contains anti aging samples and skin firming samples :S

 I'm only 27 and yes, whereas I am beginning to consider options for my skin in this respect I think it's a tad presumptious of a company to pre-empt my own decision in that regard.

Maybe I'm just touchy ;)

The mascara sample honestly? I could take it or leave it.

The perfume? It's heady, musky and flowery. Nice. Not spectacular. Not the smell of pure and utter luxury one would expect from a Harrods collaboration...

So that brings me to the only product, from a box which was heavily advertised and pushed by the Glossybox team, that I actually like and have used.

After a horrible week and still no computer or car I needed a destressing shower (I'm not really a bath person) and was itching to try out this ridiculously glorious smelling shower gel

The consistancy of this gel isn't as gloopy as the regular gels I use so that's a plus to begin with as it means you don't need a lot to get a good lather, also comes out nice and slowly so you don't end up with spillage. It lathers moderately, not hugely which I would have liked. 

The redeeming factor? The sheer luxurious scent. Oh my! It's wonderful. It clings to your skin for the rest of the night. Even the hubby remarked ;) If more Molton Brown products found their way into my possession I'd be one very happily de-stressed lady!

But, as for the Beauty Box dilemma? It is no more. Simple as that really. I'd rather spend the money on a product I actually want. At £12.95 inc postage it's not particularly budget friendly which is a consideration for someone out there.... Budget Beauty Box???

This was the height of the excitement the GlossyBox brought to this house

At least someone is happy eh?

Sera x

''Ruby Tuesday...''

Second up in my Glitter Series as mentioned in yesterdays post is the stunning Deborah Lippmann Razzle Dazzle.

I only have this in my possession by pure chance and kindness really!

I was sent one by the lovely Claire who blogs at World of Kitsch (yes it's a link so go and check it out! A distinctly weird and wonderful blog it's truly not what you'll be expecting) and then, because I loved it SO much the ever so lovely Carlyn who blogs over at Smoking Peaches (another link GO GO GO!) sent me another one exactly the same and I'm so relieved because the colour is PERFECT for me, my personality and my blog. It's my dream nail colour if I'm honest. Yes, in conclusion I really do love it that much so a huge Thank You to those two beauties for hitting me up!

If you're a subscriber to Glossybox (which I'm now not) you will have recieved this glorious polish in your December box - lucky you as I believe it would be perfect for Christmas parties but as for me? I'd wear it any day for no ocassion at all.

And with flash

As you can see it's a deceptive little minx of a colour. A deep fuscia almost with stunning ruby red glitter pigmants through it (to my eye anyway).

As I sit here typing this my nails look ruby however when outside there are hints of purples and deep dark pinks. Beautiful in any light and different in every light.

Perfect for my skin tone and I really did just fall in love with it immediately.

I applied 3 coats (out of habit really as I'm sure 2 would have sufficed) and I didn't apply a top coat which I now wish I had as the texture when dry is bumpy and rough which I'm not a fan of.

No denying the sheer prettiness though.

The only other thing I would say to you is follow Deborah Lippmann's advice and use the tin foil method of removal! (click on her name to go to the method)

Such a job I had getting the polish from yesterday off my nails and I'm dreading removing this but I'm armed with Tesco's own nail polish remover pads (hideously overpriced in my opinion) and I will be sending hubby out for tin foil...

So! Fingers crossed I get it off in time for the next in the Glitter Series ;)

*sigh* I'm actually a wee bit sad to be removing it so soon, when we've only just met...

Sera x