PORRIDGE N PICKLES OFFICIAL BLOG

So today I thought i'd talk to you all about my hobby which is, pin trading/collecting. I know it sounds really quite dorky and that is why I never really tell anybody apart from those who do it themselves ;) Truth be told though, I really do enjoy it :) Pin trading, is actually the trading and collecting of Disney pins. For those of you who have been to a disney park you will know what I mean i'm sure of it! I started collecting back when I was about 9 years old, the last time I went to a disney park actually and I still have those pins now! However since then, my collection has grown quite a lot (not as much as some peoples though!). It is an expensive and some times cut-throat hobby. When I first started out, I feel it was defiantly more one for the kids with the trading of pins before they gained this 'perceived pin value'. Now a days pin trading can be sometimes difficult; after a pin is sold it loses it's 'sale value' and gains what i'm going to call a 'perceived value' based on how desirable a character and/or scene is. For example, the pins based upon the movie Tangled and it's characters sell for 5x their original sale price sometimes even more(!) whereas pins based on the fab5 lose value instantly because they aren't as desirable character wise. When making a trade the two pins involved must be of the same 'perceived value' for it to be considered a 'fair trade'. If they aren't and the trade is considered to be lopsided by either party things can get a little hairy... See, it's a little complicated, I don't even truly get 'perceived value' now! That is why I stick to pin collecting more than trading. I mostly buy pins in order to complete collections or because I simply like the look of them. I love it. I do trade from time to time but it is defiantly something that is much easier to do in person. I have met some really nice people during my time both collecting and trading which makes it much more enjoyable. There are many websites out there where you can find other collectors and traders who can help you out! For more information visit either Pinpics or The Disney Pin Forum! Here are some examples of my little collection...







These are some of my favourites :) The 12 days of christmas was a set brought for me a couple of christmases ago and the framed Belle is my favourite one of all time. I also had the Aurora from this set but I traded her away so that somebody else could complete their set :) I do miss her though... The pins with the little picture in the middle are from the first Piece of Disney Movie collection (there are 3 more to this set but I store them on a separate piece of plastic thingy maboby. Finally pictured is my pin bag where I store a few traders and some uncompleted sets. The cinderella pin is from a Reveal Conceal girls set, I love it! I also have Snow White from this set but she's on a different page :) I don't really feel i've sold this hobby option to you as much as I could have BUT I have told you as it is, no fluffy bits ;)

What do you enjoy as a hobby? :)

p.s - I'd like to wish you all a very merry christmas and a happy new year! Hope you all have a fabulous christmas with your family and friends and I shall 'see' you all in the new year! May 2013 bring you all everything you hope it will :)

So the studded bra is quite a trend this season, in fact studs in general are a big trend this season. I have been looking out for that perfect studded bra for ages but I just haven't found one that I feel I could 'pull off' in an appropriate way. In my opinion, it is one of those statement pieces that if not worn spot on it could end in a tragedy that isn't so suitable for daytime wear, should we say. I have found from some very needed research some ways that it can be worn in a classy day time fashion. One of them being with a chunky knit sweater, I just love that idea! Another way could be with a plain or patterned shirt over the top with a jacket for cold weather, both ideas are shown in one of the images above :) Another point i'd like to put forward is what kind of studs are best? I prefer the look of the pointy studs but it somebody went to hug you or you happened to reach out for something you could catch yourself on those things quite easily! So probably for that reason (even though I know they aren't extremely sharp but pointy is still pointy...) the flat square shaped studs will be better. I have a denim bralet that I brought back in the summer which I have constantly struggled to style but I now might have an idea... ;)

How would you style a studded bra?

I have been looking for a deep red lipstick for a while now and I was torn between two makes, MAC and Topshop. MAC lipsticks are priced at £14.00 whereas the Topshop lipsticks are just £8.00. In the end I chose to go with the Topshop lipstick in 'Hazard' for many reasons; 1. There isn't a MAC store for miles whereas there is a Topshop store just 30 minutes away 2. Topshops lipsticks are a lot cheaper and 3. they were pretty much the exact same shades and i'd heard that the quality was pretty much the same :) I am extremely pleased that I went with this decision. The Topshop lipstick is extremely pigmented, moisturising but not shiny like a lipgloss (I prefer matt lipsticks over glossy ones), the packaging is pretty neat and it's a lot cheaper! I also get a discount which makes it even cheaper, boooyaaa. Overall I think i'd give it a 9/10 just because something has to be extremely brilliant for me to give it a 10/10 ;)

Have you guys tried the Topshop lipsticks? How did you find them? :)

Hey everyone! So today I thought i'd share with you just a few instagram pictures :) I haven't been using instagram as often as I normally do so there is only four pictures to show you. First one is a present from my good friend Jack ;) haha. Not really but it's a parcel I got in the mail. Next is a photograph of all the presents i've been busy wrapping (poorly I might add... i'm an awful wrapper!) I also ran out of labels so there is sticky tabs on each present so I know which one is for who until i've brought more labels! Christmas tree is next! There is one single christmas tree on the whole of campus, such bah-hum-bugs! More christmas decorations please :) Finally there is 'Home Alone'. I've never actually seen this film, I know i've been living under a rock... BUT, I will be watching this movie over the weekend when i'm chilling and eating lots of chocolate.

 What are you guys going to be doing this weekend?

Today I wanted to share with you some of my favourite iPhone apps :) I use these pretty much everyday. Some are really handy whereas some are just plain old fun! I'm not really a big app user so it wasn't hard to distinguish between those I really do use and enjoy and those that have been installed by never used. So... my top apps consist of: Youtube, Nike Fuelband, Instagram, Tiny Tower, Temple Run, Tumblr, weheartit, HSBCs Fast Balance and Hay Day!

What apps would you call your favourites? :)

Hey everyone! :) Today I thought i'd share with you 10 items that I would re-purchase.   Firstly I have to show you my pair of black Emu boots which can be purchased here. I really love these! I brought them brand new and boxed from ebay because we all know i'm one for a bargain... I wasn't quite sure how much wear I was actually going to get out of them but it turns out I wear them ALL the time. They keep my feet warm and cozy in this chilly weather we are having and also, they're black so they go with everything! You can see they are already getting dirty and warn looking...  I then have MACs Perfectly Plus Brush Kit: Essential from the 2012 holiday collection. I brought this because the size of the brushes is perfect! They are a great small, compact, travel size, great for putting in your makeup bag on the go! You can see from the pictures I still keep the plastic wrappers on my brushes even though i've used them. This is mainly so that product doesn't mix between brushes :) Unfortunately, this has now sold out online but it still can be viewed here. Check out your nearest MAC retailer, they may still have some in stock!  Next are my Toms Classic Polka Woolen flats found here. I brought these the other day as a replacement for the basic black ones I owned which I wore constantly throughout my trip to new york city and now they are just unwearable... So really, I have already re-purchased these? The Nike+ Fuelband, you utter GENIUS! This thing is brilliant. It tells you how many calories you've burnt, how many steps you've taken and converts these things into 'nike fuel' which you can view in your own little profile on the Nike Fuelband app (available for free from the app store). I thoroughly enjoy seeing the little man dance across the screen when you've reached your daily goal... You can view the Nike+ Fuelband here. AHA, the Louis Vuitton Key Pouch. I've spoken about this before in a little mini review I did here on the blog which you can take a look at by clicking here. This little key pouch coin purse thing, is the most handy thing in the whole world, probably. I use it everyday, it fits in my pocket, hangs on my jeans or if you wanted to, you could even carry it! It fits all the things that I need it to :) YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat, Touche Eclat and Mascara Volume Effect Faux Curls. Need I say more? These things are amazing. My everyday essentials would defiantly be these three. Le Teint Touche Eclat is my go to foundation. It provides a nice light coverage for hours on end and the colour suits me perfectly! (I wear B10) The mascara doesn't clump and provides a nice length for everyday use. As you all probably already know, the Touche Eclat is the go to for removing those dreaded dark circles and adding some luminosity to the face. GEEK, that's me! I love Topshops new 'geek' line as i'm going to refer to it as :) I have this specific tee in both burgundy and navy (which i'm wearing right now). They are nice and loose fitting and something that anybody could throw on in the morning and still look cool! ;D You can view the burgundy one here and the navy one here. Finally, the Otterbox. I have a commuter on my iPhone and let me tell you, it has saved my poor phone from the dreaded cracked screen many a time... Just this morning I caught the charger cable and my phone landed flat on its face on my hardwood floors. It's scary how much of a cluts I am... Always be prepared, buy yourself an Otterbox here! What are 10 products you'd re-purchase? :)
Disclaimer - this post is not sponsored in anyway. All opinions are my own.

Here is a little list of some small items you might like to treat yourself to during this festive season. Each reminds me of christmas, the holidays and the season in its own special way...

blue fair isle jumper - jack wills | red lipstick - topshop | opi nail polish from the skyfall collection - opi | reindeer leggings - jack wills | gold glitter purse - ted baker | red sparkle heart jumper - wild fox couture | glitter tote - ted baker 

It's beginning to look a lot like christmas, everywhere I go... I'm getting more and more excited for christmas as each day goes by (which they're doing really quickly!!). I've wrapped presents and began to decorate. I've also nearly finished with this semester which will leave that little bit of extra time for all of the christmas movies I plan to watch over the next few weeks, oh and all the chocolate I plan to consume ;) Some much needed relaxation time after these very busy few months...
What are you planning to do that is christmasy for this magical run up?

A few weeks ago I went out and purchased a Louis Vuitton Key Pouch in the Damier Azur white print. I wasn't quite sure whether I wanted to spend so much on such a small thing but I guess the best things come in the small packages (it cost £105)! I chose to get it in the Damier Azur white print because it was 'different' although now i've realised it's more common than I first thought... There are no dimensions on the website and so I made sure I watched other reviews on youtube so I was able to get an idea of the size. If you are wondering, it actually measures 12 cm x 6 cm. As shown by the photographs above, I carry four cards in my key pouch along with an old parking ticket, some hair bobbles, a dried out flower and some change. I could get one or two more cards in it as well as more change but I just don't need to :) When carrying my key pouch I normally have it on a lanyard I got from Victoria's Secret and when I have a larger bag with me then I remove the lanyard. I am extremely pleased with this key pouch, you can fit a lot more in it than I expected and the build is really sturdy. The brass wear doesn't scratch as easily as I expected it to which I pleased with but it does show dirty finger prints! The bright canvas print doesn't dirty as easily as I thought it would either which is great! It can be gently rubbed down with a damp cloth if it does get a little dirty though :) The presentation and packaging is impeccable also, kudos to you Louis Vuitton!

I hope this helps anybody who has been considering getting one of these and if you have any questions, just ask! :)