Decided to have a chit-chat.
My script has changed and I’m going back to normal as oppose to an American sales robot?
Used to go to a lot of female bonding parties when I lived in Manchester, we had a friend from London who was either middle or upper class who used to organise them, then I enrolled on a performance/community art course she recommended and met more friends and had more of these type of parties.
Really miss doing those as you could chit-chat for hours about female topics without men getting bored with you.
They were encouraged to do men’s things from football matches to outdoorsy type sports that women tend not to like unless they are faking it because they fancy one of them.
Perfume Junky
This has become more focussed which means less shopping but am starting to learn more about the showcased perfume of the week.
Quite enjoy this as I have to think a bit more.
Have to say I can shop, but was buying maybe too much if it is going to be every week.
Japanese September
Added more this year so we can learn more about Japan. Hoping to purchase a wider selection of Japanese food to try.
End-of-month Lifestyle Calendar Party
This month is the summer Holiday Abroad Party.
The food is a 70’s buffet, Greek, Spanish or Italian
Suppose we just have to try our best with what is out there at the moment, but hopefully next year food will be back.
Ultimately we will all be abroad on holiday, until then have found a few recipes I would like to try when food comes back.
It has been decided we are doing Italian, so I think I might opt for Italian salad, garlic bread, and hopefully Cinzano. I used to use fresh pasta, but we can’t get that or cook it as our extractor fan has gone, also I don’t think supermarkets stock it anymore.
Not sure if you can get Italian desserts anymore, quite like tiramisu.
We aren’t sweet people anyway.
Would like some alcohol though.
If we could cook here would like to try Greek or Spanish for a change.
Makeup Journal
Would like to do this more, but don’t run my life how I want to at the moment. Also I used to purchase new makeup every week. Apparently makeup went as some women got in debt buying Mac. I never got in debt with Mac as couldn’t afford it. Purchased a few things but the packaging was better in the budget shops I bought my makeup from. I’ve never been in debt from purchasing makeup? didn’t everyone shop at budget shops?
Fashion Shopping in 2026
Does her bum look big in that?
Pleats obviously don’t work for pear shape ~ I don’t suit flares in that area either so not being a bitch ~ can we have fashion for problem areas back please!!!
Actually does anyone suit flares and pleats in that area?
Beige makes it look bigger still.
(p.s. a famous comedien used to do that gag as all women related to it as we used to all say it in the changing room ~ really funny but we aren’t allowed to larf anymore for some reason?)
I do fashion shopping nearly every day now.
Even though I shop every day I hardly ever receive fashion hauls?
When I do it rarely fits and you are supposed to be a fashion designer and redesign it to fit you?
I’m not a fashion designer.
In 2026 you can only learn how to design fashion that doesn’t fit.
To be honest I just want it to go back to H and M/La Redoute sizings pre covid.
I was happy with that.
It wasn’t expensive, was easy to purchase, always fully stocked and fitted properly.
It was high quality and made well.
At the moment a lot of things look hand made and aren’t good quality.
I don’t like hand made as had to have that when I was little.
Have tried all the styles and mainly wear black leggings, black long sleeved tops and my old clothes.
This NEEDS to change.
I’ve collected up the fashion calendar for you.
Haven’t received hardly any of it so not sure why I’ve done it?
Sort of hoping the fashion will change to fit again and the links will be of use and the warehouses will post out orders again like before covid.
Empties/New Favourites
Got to the end of a few products.
‘Really’ grateful to Boots and H and M and the brands involved.
Here are the products I have finished, re-ordered, and are new favourites.
Never tried shower mousse before, but now I love it. It is so easy to use. There is a fair amount of product in this as well. It took a bit of getting used to I suppose at first, but it kind of lathers up immediately rather than you having to add water and make your own.
It is a bit like Japanese face wash.
The fragrance is gorgeous as well.
Got to the end of this and have started on a new packet.
Not sure how this works but it does, it is almost like magic.
Sometimes I feel it sort of tickles a bit, then my thoughts get stronger, but then start going. Always end up asleep with these.
Great if you can’t switch off.
Started saving them for bad nights, but I got my next load really promptly.
If the post is working again will use these whenever I want.
They have a home in my sleep drawer now!!!
Vichy
Have to say all I used to use was Vichy.
Just got to the end of a bottle of this and noticed the product has changed maybe.
This is the best product I have found for my skin to date.
Have got one of the new versions to try but just noticed a foam.
At the moment I’m finishing off Aveda, so interested in trying the foam.
Need to shop for the new versions.
Review of new versions
Since Vichy changed I have to purchase a lot of products to try and emulate what it did.
My facial drawer has a riduculous amount of product for different areas.
Vichy was expensive but no where near how expensive it is now.
It also takes a lot of money to try different products until you find one that works.
Hope Vichy goes back how it was as it was the best product for my skin.
This is my new cellulite product ~ hopefully.
Ordered some more.
The fragrance puts me in the mood for exercise also.
Have definitely started seeing results as felt confident enough to show my arms in an old Asda pre covid cami top.
Hopefully, get some more.
Maybe will feel confident enough to wear a skirt again soon.
Found my flavors
I’m looking for healthy drinks rather than drinks to replace alcohol.
These two were really nice so ordered again plus some more to try.
These are great if you need something to replace sugary drinks to lose weight or want to ring the changes and try different health products.
Ginger drinks go really well with Japanese food. You really need water or a healthy drink or green tea on hand as the food for September makes you thirsty. This is good as we should drink a lot of water.
On my second packet of these, but they have helped me acquire a taste for green tea. Would recommend you start with these then try green tea again.
My hair has gone really shiny, can’t believe it as it was so dry and in really bad condition.
Japanese women pride themselves on their hair, this must be some sort of ancient beauty secret maybe.
If you have dark hair the glow adds dimension to what can look flat.
I swear by this at the moment.
My hair is naturally almost black, so I lighten it with this to add a bit of depth.
It is hard to find a semi-permanent that lightens dark hair.
This seems to be working got to the end of this packet and hope to keep going with it till it is all the same length and hopefully get more new hair growth.
This is one of my favourite under-eye patches.
I wear the under-eye patches with my face masks.
It solves the problem if the sheet mask is too small also.
Japanese skin witches swear by these.
I first got some Vichy ones, think they introduced them to the UK.
My old hangover cure actually.
Got some on re-order.
Conclusion
Last night we had the biggest Friday night party for ages.
We managed to acquire a party lamp that flashes disco colours, and watched the top of the pops on Friday night TV.
Really enjoyed it.
So glad I got round to trying white wine spritzer from the 80’s party, had this and low calorie gin with extra tonic. I’m not a heavy drinker or party animal, but I do enjoy unwinding a bit once a week and letting my hair down. These ideas make the alcohol last longer.
I get too uptight otherwise.
Saphire.
SAPHIRE LIFESTYLE BLOG 