Product Review ~ Mr Fox Cases

This is my first product review so don't be too harsh! 

My boyfriend bought me a kindle for my birthday, as an avid reader he thought it would be more suitable to all the travelling I do back and forth from Northern Ireland. I was a sceptic at first; I love how books feel in my hands, I adore the sound of turning pages and as someone who owns alot of secondhand books you just can't beat that old book smell! After a few days with my kindle I saw the benefits, I can travel with a whole library of books in just a tiny reader that fits in my bag or suitcase. Also, since my kindle is a ink based reader it doesn't leave my eyes sore after looking at screens for ages. 

So, with my new kindle I begun searching for a cute case to keep it safe and clean in my bag. As a vegan I didn't want one of the many leather cases on offer; I also wanted something really cute that suits my personality. This is where Mr Fox comes into the equation!

A few weeks before I got my kindle my iPhone case begun to crack and therefore I was in need of a new one. I only paid £2 for the hard case I had and it lasted me over a year, so I wasn't willing to spend alot. I was tempted by the silicon cases, I'm very clumsy and I drop my phone alot and I was informed this would be more suitable so off to eBay I went. Originally I was going to indulge my love of owls and buy a case with an owl on, but I couldn't find one I liked. So I searched for other favourite animals of mine, one of them being a fox and result! Not only did I find a cute fox case but it was silicon and very well priced at £6.09 including postage. I waited only a few days for my case to arrive and from the start I was in love. The case fits my phone like a glove, is very high quality, waterproof and not cumbersome. I can use the side buttons with ease and my charger still fits in without trouble. The casing was cute and I even kept the back cardboard for a future craft as it's so adorable! 

So, when looking for a kindle case I searched for Mr Fox again on eBay and lo and behold I found a matching kindle case in the right size for my e-reader! The case gives a cute fox design on a turquoise background and is made of strong cardboard (I think) and a canvas like material. This means that I can bend the case back making for easier reading. The kindle is fixed into place with orange elastic which is the same as what is used to keep the case closed. The case is lightweight, thin and slightly cushioned which makes it perfect for when I have to pop it into my suitcase or satchel bag. Again the product is high quality and exactly what I expected. The case was also very good value for money at £8.99 including postage. 

Overall, the Mr Fox brand is fantastically made, value for money and I recommend to anyone who needs a cute case themselves or a gift for a friend or family member. :) 

To buy any of these Mr Fox products click this link. 

The sellers I used are stars-aberystwyth  and from-then-to-now

Why wait to discover your dreams?

Wearing: Black pattern flatforms - Office, Black tights - Marks and Spencers, Denim Mini Skirt - Topshop, Black belt - Primark, Oversized cream blouse - Urban Outfitter's, Necklace - Etsy

I hope all my readers had a lovely Easter! I come from a non-religious family and I'm an atheist myself so it was never a big thing in my family bar chocolate. Now I'm older (and vegan) I didn't get any chocolate, apart from two eggs I had from Jonathan's Mum and Aunt when I was in Northern Ireland last. I did buy Phoebe the Lion King on dvd as an Easter present and I think it'll turn into a tradition now that she gets a new Disney dvd for Easter. She gets alot of chocolate from family already so I'd rather give her a little gift that lasts! I might look for some Easter crafts next year as she'll be two and able to do more. Though she did make an Easter card with my Mum for me! However you celebrate Easter or not at all then I hope you had a good weekend. 

Easter chick card made by Phoebe and my Mum. 

Since I have had three weeks at home before jetting back to Northern Ireland for Jonathan's birthday I've been wanting to work on some projects I keep putting off. I'm not the best person at always finishing something I've started because my mind and imagination are always jumping off to the next thing but I'm trying to remedy this habit. As a result I've been working on some sewing projects that date from Christmas. I've made my sister and my niece each their own cushion, my first ever go at quilting! I finished all the machine sewing yesterday and then tomorrow I'm going to do the fastenings and they'll be finished. Mum's helping me with some other projects that are a tad more complicated for my current skill level. 

 Wearing: Black shoes - charity shop, black tights - Marks and Spencers, Black PU skirt - River Island, Thin belt - Primark, Batwing jumper - Republic

When I get home, probably after my holiday to Devon with the family, I want to start work on a fabric covered noticeboard for my room with some of the pretty bird material I bought. I've also decided to paint my feature wall in my room cream like the rest of my room instead of wallpaper because I want to carry on my collection of pretty paintings and prints of animals and things. I currently have two owl paintings that my Mum created for my birthday, two owl prints I got for 50p each at a market and a vintage style painting of finches by my Gran. Plus I need room for my hockey jersey! I'm not a minimalist person in style as I like lots of trinkets so I'm learning to balance that to make practical spaces without overcrowding - I can't wait to have a whole house to decorate! 

Finches Painting by my Grandmother. 

Another experiment of mine was a baking experiment. It being easter weekend I needed to make something sweet and yummy to celebrate and I was entranced to make the mini pineapple upside down cakes from A Beautiful Mess. Obviously, I would need to adapt the recipe to make it vegan so I used my now trusty cake batter mix (it's for a red velvet cake but I just leave out the chocolate and food colouring and it makes a gorgeous batter that has tricked many into not knowing it was vegan!). I also changed the whiskey in the recipe for amaretto as I'm not a big whiskey fan and we didn't have any in anyways! The results were the best pineapple upside down cakes I've ever made! I've made them before but never thought to put a caramel layer under the pineapple and it makes such a difference. These are now my go-to party cakes and I'll be whipping up a batch for Jonathan's work colleagues next week! 

My vegan mini pineapple upside down cakes.

Currently Reading: Syd Moore's 'Witch Hunt'

Currently Listening: Deftones - Koi No Yokan

I've had three outfits here to show you as I've been a tad behind. I'm trying to brace more spring attire despite the cold temperatures for the UK. Today it was actually sunny and a lovely 8 degrees which was very welcome! It's not quite at the stage where I can not wear tights but my cute summer dresses will be hopefully be making more of an appearance now. The only things I want to buy clothes wise this spring/summer is a new swimming costume for my Devon holiday (probably not ready confidence wise for a bikini yet though with my latest weight gain) and some pretty walking around sightseeing sandals. I want some decent long lasting sandals that are going to last from May until the end of September when I go to Athens so any suggestions of brands are welcome (no leather or suede or flipflops though!).

Wearing: 

Tan brogues - Urban Outfitters, Black tights - Marks and Spencers, Green retro bow pattern dress - Primark, Tan belt - New Look, Pink Lace top - Urban Outfitters, Owl necklace - Accessorize. 

Ps. I'm selling some of my old or unworn clothes on eBay. 

Less than a day left to bid but any that don't sell will be auctioned again. 

In the valley of dolls we sleep

Did a little too much today so I'm currently curled up in bed having to focus so hard on typing cos of the vertigo. ):

Luckily it was worth it, I went shopping with my Mum and it's been a while since we were last able to go out just the two of us because we tend to go with my sister. It was nice having a few hours mother-daughter time; and since I'm going away for six weeks to Northern Ireland it reminded me how much I'm going to miss her while I'm away. I seriously have an amazing Mum who does anything for my siblings and I that's within her power. I'm very lucky to have her. :) I wish I could do more for my Mum to treat her more but I do have my own budget restrictions in place but I'm hoping to buy her a camera for her birthday (though it'll be early) that she can take on the holiday she's hoping to take to Italy in October. My Mum paints watercolours and her cameras pretty old and rubbish now so I want to give her one she can use to take pictures that she can then paint when she comes home. 

So on our little adventure we both bought some henna from Lush (I use caca rouge and my Mum's going to try it with caca maroon), I bought some earrings for £1 and a new bird blouse, aztec tights and a khaki skirt all for £12! I also wore my wig out as I was feeling lazy and couldn't be bothered to wash my hair. Shockingly, not one person questioned me and the woman in Lush thought it was my natural hair! Another woman in another store told me I look like a china doll which was a little odd but lovely nonetheless. 

I also started a new book today, Stephen King's 'The Shining'. I've seen Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece of a film based on this book and I've always wanted to extend my King collection and so when I saw this a while ago in a charity shop for 90p there was no way I could resist! I think it'll take me a few days to get through as I really need to work on my sewing projects tomorrow and Monday and then I leve Tuesday evening. I just hope it's as good as the film! 

Finally, well-done to the English rugby team for beating Scotland today in their first game of the Six Nations! Jonathan said he's going to try and teach me the rules of rugby so I can understand it more. Hopefully we can keep this winning streak and get a grand slam this year!

Outfit details

Skull playsuit - TKMaxx, Cream vintage blouse - Urban Outfitters, black opaque tights - Marks and Spencers, Mustard skinny belt - h&m, Shoes - thrifted (charity shop), black socks - Dunnes Stores, Owl necklace - bought in Rome, Mustard woollen hat - New Look, Black wig - eBay.

Remember what the dormouse said "Feed your head"

Yesterday was a very exciting day for me because after waiting over three weeks my Alice In Wonderland tights finally arrived! These are one of my many eBay bargains and as an Alice fan how could I resist? They were shipped from Hong Kong, hence the long delivery wait,  and I am so pleased with the product. The one problem I found is that as I'm 5'8 the tights are a little too short but I just about managed to get them up my legs! Anyone taller then me I'm afraid I feel your pain with buying tights and having to buy large or extra large! As a result if you see these advertised anywhere as 'one size', as mine were, and you're over 5'8 you probably won't be able to get them all the way up your legs which is a shame. ): 

I spent a while deciding what to wear with these beauties and settled on a vintage monochrome look to complement the tights without overpowering them. I did wear heeled ankle boots while taking the pictures but I can't walk in heels very long with my condition so I switched to flats when I went to the supermarket in the evening. I also stole another opportunity to wear my wig as I won't be able to wear it for a few weeks while I'm in Northern Ireland (I'm a little worried about it going out of shape or something in the suitcase cos of how full it usually is). Make up wise I went with grey smokey eyes (boots 17 collection) and a muted lipstick (boots natural collection) for a gothic feel to the ensemble. I loved how this worked with the wig and the outfit as a whole as it was striking without being overpowering. I adore this look so much and I wish I was able to go out more to show it off! 

Not alot else has happened the past few days. I went to the doctors today to discuss my asthma and he was wonderful and reassuring and I'm glad I have him on my side with all my medical problems at the moment. I start my CBT next week via telephone so going to really tackle the anxiety problems I have currently. I'm meant to be sewing at the moment as I have some projects to finish but I've been so tired this week I have hardly the energy to read half the time! ): 

Books I have read this past week: 

Patricia Cornwell - The Body Farm (4/5)

Patricia Cornwell - Potters Field (4/5)

Patricia Cornwell - Cause of Death (3/5)

Erin Morgenstern - Night Circus (5/5)

Currently reading: 

John Harding - Florence and Giles

If anyone would like to see other ratings I've given books or what kinds of books I read then please add me on Goodreads. My name is Amy Maries on there as it's linked with my facebook. I'd love to see what other people read so it'll be great to have some more friends. :)

I'm going to Taunton tomorrow with my Mum to get a new supply of henna hair dye from Lush (I use caca rouge) and probably pop into some of the shops there. I would have got some Tuesday from Bath with my physio but my asthma was still bad so I had to cancel. My lungs are improving again though so fingers crossed I have no more trips to a&e! 

Outfit Details.

Lace blouse - made by my Mum, PU skirt - river island, alice tights - ebay, lace up heeled ankle boots - forever 21, wig - ebay and owl pocket watch necklace - gift.

I'm gonna pop your bubblegum heart

I bought a wig! Well I ordered it a while ago and been waiting for it to arrive, I didn't want to mention it in case it was really awful but I'm actually impressed! For £6 the quality is fantastic (thankyou eBay!). It's not itchy and keeps on my head. 

My boyfriend doesn't like it, but I've had positive comments on other social networking sites. I used to have black hair but it was shorter and I soon changed it to brunette. I like my hair this dark as it doesn't warm my features like my normal red hair does but makes them more striking. My Mum commented on my cheekbones looking more prominent earlier. I'm pleased that it gives me the chance to change my look without changing it permanently as I have fickle days. I think if anyone wants to make a change that's temporary then wigs are a fantastic way of doing that. Just make sure you take good care of them and you'll be fine. 

Ended up in a&e last night with another asthma attack. Luckily the medication worked well enough for them to let me go home but it looks like I won't be able to lower my steroids for another week at least, going to see what my Gp says tomorrow.  I had to miss my physio as the dizziness is bad today and I fainted in the hospital and I knew the long journey would make me feel worse. Luckily, my physio understands that I have to travel quite far and I'll speak with him tomorrow about progress as I'm going away for 6 weeks from next Tuesday. 

Outfit details:

Long black wig - eBay, floral blouse - thrifted (charity shop), PU skater skirt - river island, tan belt - came with another skirt form new look, floral tights - Tesco.