Miranda Coutts

Recently I tried to eliminate sugar from my diet in an experimental attempt to lower my blood sugar. This is what I learned. To go sugar free, you need to be really tough and dedicated. Did you know there is a huge sub-culture of sugarless food people all sticking to a diet called Keto? These are people wanting to put their body into a state of ketosis. I think of ketosis, I think of bad breath. Something to be mindful of, halitosis is never glamorous (try and think of that whilst watching the Oscars. Those beauties barely ever eat sugar). Sugar is added to practically everything that is stocked at a supermarket. Since when did sugar become such a villain to society? How can something so beautiful, so delicious be so bad for us? How can you go on a sugar free diet if you are a foodie?  I bought myself a couple of sugar free cookbooks. I will let you know how I go. Maybe even take photos of what I make. I like to live in hope that sugar free foods can be delicious. I m...

Can you believe I finally did it? Every time I take my daughter to dancing, and she does a LOT of dancing, I have to drive past the 'cat orphanage' and I always feel a longing to go in and adopt all those little unwanted fluff balls. Every single time. I was even brave enough once to venture into the 'orphanage' just so I could see the little babies with no home. I didn't leave happily. Never do. A few weeks ago, I went in again. Not a wise move. A huge litter of unwanted tabby babies had just arrived. I adopted one, much to my husbands annoyance.  He does seem to be coming around though and I would even go as far to say he likes the little fluffer. I mean, who wouldn't love this little fella? Monsieur Remegius McGonagle Coutts (aka Silky Boy) PS:  he is now 4 months and weighs 3.1kgs.

My Little1 has a white bedroom. When I say white, I mean - white walls, white bed, white blinds, white toy chest and white tallboy. And there really is nothing wrong with white. White on white. Lovely. But, besides the fact that she currently prefers to bunk in with me and my beau (and I hope this will change pretty soon), I believe it's due time to add a little bit of colour to her boudoir. Having recently moved into a new home, I am of course near-obsessed with home interiors and gardens. Do not get me started on the garden. It's a complete blank slate out there! There's mud - check. Weeds - check. Bugs - (ew!) check and I hope there are not snakes slithering about. That's about all there is at this stage. If I were being positive I would call it a 'blank slate'.  I need to get onto it. I do. Or hire a landscaper. Bear Grylls, Jamie Durie? Or... who knows where to start? Anyway, back to topic. Have a click ont...

This is gorgeous. Just gorgeous with a '70's style thing going on here. And I have to admit I am rather ever so slightly envious of her abundance of accessories. Lucky plasticated bombshell... A Barbie for grown up girls? I think so. Though I have a feeling my little girl would confiscate it from me. I, kittens, am confined to the boudoir today as I suffer from consumption. Ok, not quite consumption. A case of hypochondria perhaps. And a post-nasal drip. Though I might just roll out of bed for one of these beauties. I don't know what one of these gems would cost. Anyone? Are they still available? Who knows..  But for now, I shall just roll over and get back to Club Duvet.

Today I trialled Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment Mascara. I began with the usual light curling of my naturally straight eyelashes. I always use mascara in black as opposed to brown, and I always recommend using black mascara too. Unless of course you are after a particular effect. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment Mascara   This mascara is packaged very well for glamour-pusses. The tube is shiny, gold and slim-lined. It matches my YSL products. The mascara wand is also slim and the bristles are short and that makes it really easy to coat each eyelash. The ceramide triple complex with vitamins is designed to condition and restore the protective barrier or your lashes. This mascara felt very light on my lashes and left them very soft. It is easy to forget I am wearing mascara with this formula. There is only a slight inky smell which is inoffensive and goes away once applied. This mascara lengthened my eyelashes and it didn't flake or clum...

Let me share with you the amazing The Animal Print Shop by the amazingly talented photographer Sharon Montrose.  www.theanimalprintshop.com   These prints were the first thing I coveted for my daughters nursery. I still covet! Her Little Darlings range is my favorite of her collections, all portraits of baby animals. She also has images of forest, farm, birds and an array of other kinds of adorable critters.  Please browse her independent online art gallery www.theanimalprintshop.com . All images taken are of living, well-cared for and sometimes rescued animals. I am so sure you will adore and covet her work just as much as I do.

I haven't done a feature on the beauty of the colour blue until now. And I am a little bit blue today only because I have to fast for a medical procedure I am having tomorrow. And I want to eat! Oh dear. Anyway, back on subject - Blue. It's such a cool and sophisticated colour. I really hope you enjoy my smattering of images which are very complimentary to the Bombshell life and style.  Here is Jennifer Lawrence doing what all good Bombshell gals do - loving our animals. It's Betty Grable looking fabulous in blue and tangerine. a blue Tiffany & Co. chandelier Dita Von Teese striking it with blue our gorgeous Amy Adams on set, loving her hair Wedgwood blue cake anyone? Blake Lively in a blue coat, our baby girls are the same age. . . Fortnum and Masons turquoise blue Jessica Alba looking every bit a glamorous Bombshell, reminding me of Lauren Bacall here. . . I had to include Emma Stone, she looks fabulous with her stunning b...

Norma Jean/Marilyn. What a beauty. It was just too young to die. I wonder what it would be like if she hadn't passed away so young.

Today I am testing Lash Define Mascara by Innoxa. It was given to me to try and my first impression is of a very inky black (it is also available in brown though I would only recommend black) and has a definite scent of ink, which I don't actually mind. The wand is rubbery, slim and designed to reach each and every lash, which is lovely if you like a very separated and defined lash look.  Note: This mascara does not thicken lashes. I do believe this mascara is designed to curl eyelashes. I started by a quick squeeze of my Shu Uemura eyelash curlers as my lashes are quite curl-resistant. It is always a good practice to curl your lashes before applying mascara for best lash-curling results. For longer lasting curl, I will warm the eyelash curler slightly before using it. Just be careful to ensure the curler is not too hot. I did not warm my curler today.  My verdict is this is a good mascara. My lashes feel not to soft and not too wiry. This product is opthamologically te...

Oh the truth of this quote. First impressions are so important and people are very judgmental. There is never going to be a second chance for giving a first impression.  Having said that, I do check myself in the mirror, every time, baby clinging to my hip before I go out and by the time I reach my front gate there is no-doubt a lovely dollop of foul-smelling spit-up on my shoulder. I wouldn't subject anyone to my dark circles from late night feedings with a screaming baby, so although I have gone to the effort to do my makeup (thank you YSL Radiant Touch Pen!), by the time I reach public domain my hair is the key issue. Usually affected by the humidity, it has defied my tonne of hairspray and turned from a sleek chignon into a style reminiscent of a Diana Ross frizz-fest circa 1980. That is all I have to say about that for now. Except this, leggings are not a substitute for trousers.

I had the ingredients in my larder, so why not? I am a tiny bit proud of these little scones and I hand-whipped the cream. It didn't take long either. Now to brew the tea, sit back and relax. . .

It is spring cleaning time for my blog, although it is actually Autumn here. My blog is well over due for a new look. I hope you now find it easier to navigate and cleaner to look at. x

When we were little girls, my sisters and I used to get creative sometimes on weekends whilst watching episodes (not reruns!)of The Brady Bunch, Valerie, Heart To Heart etc. and at one point I remember we made pompoms. I was really young but I think my sisters actually taught me how to make them. Last week I couldn't remember all the details of how to make them but my husband, who is a living, walking wikipedia knew just how they are made, and he refreshed my memory. So I bought 3 balls of wool and set about making them, et voila! A pompom garland for the baby's nursery. It was so easy to make. But now I have a problem. I believe I may have unleashed some sort of creative force from within and I can not stop making pompoms. They are just so cathartic to make! It's a bit like knitting (not that I can really knit). I may need to ask my husband to hide the wool.    

This is the second red haired woman I am blogging abo ut in a row. The insanely beautiful 55 year young Julianne Moore. One of my very favourite actresses in Hollywood (although she does live in Manhattan). Her birth name is Julie Anne Smith. But her name was taken at the Actors Guild so she changed her professional name to Julianne Moore.  and here she is at the Oscars.  oh and a different shade of red. . .  stunning black and white images. It just portrays more emotion.  These Bvlgari adverts are so memorable. And it reiterates the Bombshell love for animals.  Green eyes!! And below, Julianne at home in her Manhattan garden.  More Bombshell animal love. . .  That hair!  on the film set. . .    Another favourite image. . . Legs!!    Having her induction to the Hollywood Walk of Fame  Another stunning image - for Talbots  I love this hairstyle. . ....