Rosie Corriette

Notes from a retired blogger

Author: Rosie

  • Mumspiraton | Clothing at Tesco

    Mumspiraton | Clothing at Tesco

    I’m a product of the 80s so experimenting with fashion has been a big part of my life (thank goodness social media wasn’t around when I first started clubbing – phew!). The biggest influence on my style and how I view clothes comes from my Mum.

    When I was growing up I thought my Mum had mystical like powers, her hair always looked perfect and lipstick or ‘picstick’ as I preferred to call it would be on all the time, all this while chasing me round trying to stop me doing random gravity checks – I can assure I was the clumsiest child you ever did meet!

    Mumspiration Collage
    Rocking the mother daughter look since 1988!

    F&F asked me to create a Mother’s Day outfit taking inspiration from my Mum so whilst I don’t wear any of the same clothes as my mum, I’m pretty sure most of my choices from casual weekend looks to glam dresses take inspiration from her.

    Mother's Day outfit

    First up this wouldn’t be Mumspirtaion if jeans didn’t feature, what can I say; I’m from the 80s and spent the most of the 90s living double denim to the full (check out our style snaps from my childhood!) – I decided on these simple to wear skinnies that work well with both flats and heels. I love monochrome so when I saw this brilliant contrasting strip shell top I fell in love – the perfect day to night top. To finish the outfit I decided on these gorgeous cobalt blue faux suede stilettos – my Mum was the Queen on heels when I was younger and whilst I’m more at home in Converse I had to have these as they’re a classic addition to my wardrobe and will work with so many outfits.

    F+F shoes
    Is it possible to love shoes too much? Don’t be silly!

    Above all my Mum taught me that fashions come and go, but as long as you’re comfortable and confident you’ll always look good – pretty sound advice if you ask me, thanks Mum!

    Mother's Day 2014
    Mother’s Day 2014

    Disclosure: We received F+F online vouchers to help put the outfit together. No payment was received and all opinions are 100% honest we promise.

  • The disappointment of Facebook

    The disappointment of Facebook

    The world and their great aunt are on Facebook, which means a melting pot of tastes, interest, religions, political views – horses for courses has always worked well for me; but what happens when content on Facebook is plain wrong?

    This morning I saw a status by an old school Friend, Siobhan about a Facebook page – Juicy Jailbait (I downright refuse to link to it) promoting and encouraging the sexualisation of teenage girls, the majority are underage. I’m not too sure on the correct terminology appropriate but for me the men who liked, leered and commented what they’d like to do to these children are nothing more than pedophiles.

    A whole bunch of us reported both the page and individual photos as inappropriate using the process created by Facebook (clicking the ‘more’ button the reporting and categorizing the reason why you believe the content should be removed). I along with everyone else I know who reported them received the same response from the message centre, that the content after been evaluated had not been deemed to breach Facebook’s community standards – I have no words, as a Mother, woman, human I’m appalled, saddened and angry. As of this moment Juicy Jailbait is still open as a page encouraging young girls to submit fan photos, these are children and in a digital age where we talk about online global communities aren’t we as adults charged with safeguarding their innocence, all of us?

    Instead of leaning in Sheryl Sandberg, may I suggest you get your act together and deal with this – nothing more, nothing less, only what is right.

  • Muppets Most Wanted: Film Review

    Muppets Most Wanted: Film Review

    Muppets Most Wanted hits cinemas today and we were lucky enough to get a chance to see what we thought last month at an exclusive special advanced screening at Leicester Square.

    There were lots of firsts that cold Sunday morning – first cinema trip for Boo, first time on the tube without a pram (felt sooo free!) and first time in nearly twenty years I went to the cinema with my Mum. I’m happy to report that all went well – although I’ve learnt the best way to ensure a compliant toddler for nearly two hours in the cinema is to bribe said toddler with a the fruits of a balloon modeler’s labour!

    The oohs and aahs from Boo as the lights dimmed and the film began were just wonderful to watch and within minutes she was mesmerized, chuckling with happiness when Miss Piggy delivered a witty and painful blow to some poor unfortunate victim.

    Tina And Kermit

    Under the guidance of their sinister new manager Dominic Badguy, played by Ricky Gervais – it is a French name, pronounced “bad-jee” the Muppets go on a European tour and Kermit is kidnapped and replaced with a lookalike Russian criminal frog. The film then follows the efforts of Kermit to be escape a Serbian Goulag prison all the while his prion warden – Tina Fey grows fonder of him by the day!

    I think it’s fair to say that Miss Piggy is not a happy lady – she’s trying to organise the wedding of the year and without the help of Kermit (or is it Constantine?) it’s starting to take it’s toll on her – however before you start to fell sorry for her, just remember that she does indeed end up having a Vivienne Westwood bridal gown.

    Are their lots of cameos? Yes. Does this matter? Of course not – For me like millions of people the Muppets is as much an institution as a Sunday roast or mince pies at Christmas. Cameos are for the cools kids in Hollywood and its what we expect when we head to see a movie like this. There’s also lots of singing which unusually doesn’t bother me – what can I say Miss Piggy can bring all the musical mayhem she likes, she knows hot to work it!

    Ricky And The Muppets

    Thanks to the Muppets Most Wanted I’ve rediscovered my love for the Kermit and the gang and a whole new (hopefully life long) love affair has been ignited in Boo.

    In UK cinemas on March 28

  • Sk:n Laser Hair Removal

    Sk:n Laser Hair Removal

    After the little dabble in sunshine the last couple of weekends I think it’s fair to say that Spring is in full swing which means summer is on it’s way, Whilst I don’t expect you to all start patting me on the back as I’ve learnt to read a calendar it does help to keep me focused with #operationyummymummy and to ramp up my beauty routine ready for summer dresses, sandals and baring flesh.

    I’m pretty sure most of you will agree with me that hair removal is one of the biggest pains in the backside, and with hectic schedules one less thing to worry about is definitely something to get excited about. Laser hair removal is becoming increasing popular thanks to clinics such as Sk:n – they offer a national network of clinics that offer permanent hair removal as well as a host of other treatments from anti-wrinkle injections to acne scar treatment.

    Sk:n Clinic

    Laser hair removal is a safe, almost painless method of removing unwanted hair; it works be focusing a laser beam at the base of the hair follicle, resulting in permanent hair removal aka bye bye shaving, waxing, threading or plucking!

    One major aspect of laser hair removal that’s put me off is the cost, I’ve always imagined it to be horrendously expensive, however laser hair removal is more affordable than you may think. Prices are broken down into separate treatments depending on the size of the affected area, with prices starting from less than £40 it’s definitely an option to consider.

    I’m no dermatologist (I bet you’d already guessed that!) so I don’t have all the answers however the Sk:n articles page is the best place to get advice on all sorts of treatments which have been answered by Doctors to help you make your mind up.

    Disclosure: A fee was received for this post but in no way affects the honesty of my opinions and experiences told in my own words.

  • Pampers Innovation: Tour of the Pampers Factory in Manchester

    Pampers Innovation: Tour of the Pampers Factory in Manchester

    Last month I was invited along to the Pampers Factory in Manchester along with a some other bloggers for a very hush hush day about Pampers Innovation and a tour of the factory where all the nappies for the UK are made – this was a pretty big deal, as you can imaging they’re rather protective of their production line (more on that in a bit).

    I started the day at 5am to make my train to Manchester, however being Boo free any tiredness was cancelled out by the luxury of being able to enjoy breakfast and a magazine on the train in peace and quiet – a rare treat for any mummy!

    It’s crazy to think the last time I was in Manchester was back in June 2012 when me and Boo appeared on BBC Breakfast for the second time – mental note: really must plan a weekend in Manchester, I’m certain there’s way more to it than Media City and train stations and I have a feeling I may rather like it.

    The Pampers nappy plant in Manchester has been established for 80 years with Pampers being produced there since 1991, we kicked off the day with a fascinating talk by Dr Frank Wisemann, who spoke about the history of disposable nappies and the processes that take place with nappy development – did you know that it can take up to 10 years of research, design and testing at the Pampers Research and Design centre in Schwalbach to bring a new nappy to the market – meaning over 1,500 babies testing their nappies every week with a staggering 45,000 nappy changes – and I thought 2 hourly changes in the early days was tough!

    Pampers Innovation Gang

    After a delicious lunch (I’m seriously jealous of their canteen if our lunch was anything to go by!) it was time for a tour of the factory floor, something that is very rarely seen by outsiders. Suited (high vis) and booted (steel toe cap boots) we made our way onto the busy and extremely loud factory floor to see how Pampers nappies are made. There are 20+ raw material components in each nappy and it takes less than 4 seconds for these to made into the finished product, helping them to produce more than 5 million nappies a day!

    Pampers Factory Floor

    I’ve been brand loyal to Pampers since Boo was born only ever trying another brand once (as in one nappy) and hating them and it’s no surprise that every day over 3,200 manufactured nappies are randomly selected for product quality tests, and their standards are pretty high with those that don’t make the grade being rubbished – ready to be recycled back down to the raw components.

    After our tour we also got the chance to chat with Dr Ellie Cannon from the Pampers Love, Sleep & Play panel of experts about the importance of a good nights sleep for our little ones.

    Dr Ellie Cannon
    Me and Dr Ellie Cannon

    Pampers is a brand that had me at hello back in July 2011 (they after all were the only ones how made nappies small enough for Boo) and even as Boo nears the end of the road with nappies I’m still excited as a parent to try out the new innovations that will be hitting the shops later this year.