Skin Care Diary 1.

I wanted to do a post about my current skin care routine which has probably worked the best for me out of anything I have used in a long time. My skin is, in a word, rubbish. Ever since my early teens I've had trouble with spots and in more recent years, fully blown acne. In the past year I've suffered from cystic acne which leaves me with huge scars, usually around my jaw line. No fun at all.

I know my acne isn't as bad as some poor people get it; but still at 25 years old, it's frustrating to suffer from bad skin. I have tried pretty much every antibiotic, wash, cream, lotion available. None of which have fully cleared my skin.

A couple of months ago I visited the doctor about something else and happened to mention my skin (for about the millionth time!) and FINALLY they suggested I go and see a dermatologist. I had my first appointment a couple of weeks ago and it's been suggested that I try an Isotretinoin treatment, which is basically an extremely concentrated form of Vitamin A for four months. This isn't something I've decided without a lot of thought and research before hand. Isotretinoin is known for a vast range of side effects and I'll have to go to the hospital once a month for blood and pregnancy tests (It is extremely harmful to pregnant women). I'm thinking of doing updates every now and again to monitor my progress and hopefully help anyone else considering the treatment. Sounds pretty savage huh?!

Anyway enough of the serious stuff, lets look at some lovely skincare products...

Bryden and I were in Boots a few weeks ago and were given some samples from the Clarins counter from their new Daily Energizers range, which in their words is 'A range of gentle yet super effective plant-based skin care products exclusively for 18 to late 20's skin'. After using the samples for a few days, I could already see the difference to my skin. My skin was a lot more balanced and redness had been reduced.

I decided to purchase the starter kit which, for £19.50, contained a full size Daily Energizer Cream and sample sizes of the Cleansing Gel and Wake Up Booster. I also bought the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator as Boots had an offer on where you got Advantage card points worth £10 when you bought two items. The sales assistant also very kindly gave me some samples of the Daily Energizer Cream-Gel (To use on my skin now while it's still oily, I'll use the normal Daily Energizer Cream when my skin starts to get drier from the Isotretinoin treatment) and some eye balm and gel.




I've never used any products from Clarins before and I'm really impressed. My skin can be quite sensitive and react badly to a lot of products, but nothing but good things has come from using this!



In addition to my new Clarins regime I've been using Murad Blemish Target Formula on any spots that have sprung up (I got this in a blemish kit from ASOS, but my skin reacted badly to the rest of the products in the kit. Hello puffy red tomato face!) and the Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 to control my grease fest face during the day.

The ironic thing about starting the Isotretinoin treatment is that my skin is the best it's been in ages, in fact the dermatologist didn't even believe I had acne until I removed my make up! But, due to the scars I've ended up with in the past I don't want to run the risk of another cystic acne break out.

I know this has been a very long winded post, but I'd love to hear from anyone else that has either suffered/is suffering from cystic acne, has had the Isotretinoin treatment or has any other tips or advice. The main side effects of the Isotretinoin are extreme dryness of the skin, hair and eyes, so if anyone knows of any products that will help with this I would be extremely grateful!

Claire
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REDRUM.

I returned from my weekend away working in Durham today; although Durham is a lovely city, I'm so glad to be home! I managed to find some time when I wasn't working to explore the winding streets, vintage shops and even a typical tourist trip to the amazing cathedral.













I was without a tripod or my official photographer (a.k.a. Bryden) this weekend so I had to resort to some good old fashioned Myspace mirror poses.







By the end of the weekend I seemed to be matching my outfits to the lovely 1970's decoration that was a running theme throughout the creepy flat I was staying in. I never thought turquoise sinks would count as fashion inpsiration!

Tops- Primark, Skirt- Warehouse, Belt- Found in my room after a night out!

I picked these little feather earrings for a mere £3, an absolute bargain.

Just a little reminder that the North East Blogger Meet Up is just over a month away. We're so excited about seeing our 'internet fwends' from the Sheffield meet up and making new ones! Just let me know if you'd like to come along; everyone is welcome, don't be shy!

Claire
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Scarlett Hearts.

It feels like forever since I did a blog post, sincerest apologies but we've been working like mad women lately! Don't worry though, we have loads of blog posts in the pipe line! Sadly work are shipping me off to Durham this weekend, to a pub that resembles the hotel from The Shining and has no internet (photos of the horrific decor to follow!), so they'll have to wait until next week.

For now I'd just like to show off my new favoruite necklace which I bought from the lovely Scarlett Hearts a few weeks ago. Bryden had won one in a competition they had on Twitter and I got major jewellery envy and had to buy one for myself!






It's a little typewriter key with a 'C' for Claire on it, how canny! If you'd like to get one for yourself just head on over to the Scarlett Hearts and check out the lovely items they have on offer. For all you North East bloggers, Scarlett Hearts are having a launch party at Florita's on the 2nd of June. So get yourselves down there!

Hopefully I'll survive this weekend to post next week!

Claire
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Screen Style: Sedmikrásky (Daisies) 1966.

I've been meaning to start a series of blog posts about films that I've found style inspiration in for a while now and after watching this 1960's Czech new wave film the other night I thought I'd start with this.

This bizzare film follows two young girls- Marie I and Marie II; who have decided if the world has gone bad, then why shouldn't they. Cue the girls conning older men into buying them dinner, getting drunk, eating excessive amounts of food and generally causing mayhem (Girls after my own heart!).

What I really loved, of course, was the clothing and accessories used throughout the film. Block colour shift dresses, perfect gingham bikinis and floral headbands- perfect summer style inspiration.

Claire
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North East Blogger Meet Up!

Hiya everyone,
I hope you've all had a lovely time over the past two weeks; with all the bank holidays, royal wedding celebrations and what not. I think we're definitely on a royal wedding come down, Bryden is obsessively googling Kate Middleton and I could seriously watch the whole thing over and over again!

Anyway... Just a quick post to confirm that the date of the North East Blogger Meet Up in Newcastle will be Saturday the 25th of June.

We'll be meeting at Central Station between 11.30am and midday. The day time will probably include food, getting to know everyone and maybe a spot of shopping. We'll be meeting up later on to go out for a few drinks and a dance. Any suggestions on where to go/things to go are welcome! It would be so nice to see everyone, we've having a day time meet up and a night time meet up so people can choose if they want to go to just one or hopefully both!

The meet up is open to absolutely everyone. It doesn't matter if you're a blogger/you tuber/subscriber/follower/friend, the more the merrier! I know from when Bryden and I went to Sheffield it can be a bit daunting going to meet random people, but I can promise you all the girls we already know that are coming are lovely and it's going to be a great day.

If you would like to come along if you could let either me or Carla know, just so we have an idea of the number of people coming. You can either pop a comment down below, tweet us or drop us an email (treblesandamixer@hotmail.co.uk).

If you're coming from out of town and need somewhere to stay, just let us know and we'll try to help you out in anyway we can. If anyone under 18 years is coming please let us know; this isn't a problem at all, we just need to know for organising where to go.

I'll keep a running list in this post of confimed attendees, so you can see who's coming along. It would be great if you lot could all blog/tweet/make a video/generally spread the word about the meet up, even if you can't make it.

Carla, Bryden and I are so excited to see you all and we've got a few suprises up or sleeves for the actual day, so get yourselves along!

EDIT:
Here's the list of possible meet up attendees. Just give me a shout if you need to be added or taken away, don't be shy! Haidee has also set up this form, if you're coming along can you please fill it out, it's so we can get a better idea of who's coming along.

Me and Bryden.
Carla- http://messycarla.blogspot.com/
Haidee- http://beauty-is-funny.blogspot.com/ and http://www.youtube.com/user/haideeandkatie
Helen- http://dirt-style.blogspot.com/
Becky- http://wasitthecure.blogspot.com/
Klee- http://wakeupbuttercup.blogspot.com/
Jay- http://constantlyginger.blogspot.com/
Charlotte- http://scarlettheartsxo.blogspot.com/
Maxine- http://maxinecassidy.blogspot.com/ and http://www.youtube.com/user/maxinecassidy/
Helen- http://areyoudressingupordressingdown.blogspot.com/
Lizzy- http://ea-beauty.blogspot.com/
Maxine- http://maxinebutton.blogspot.com/
Jessica- http://jessica-ex-oh.blogspot.com/
Yasmina- http://yasminaamagdyy.blogspot.com/
Katie - http://iheartkatiecakes.blogspot.com/ (Night time only)
Emma - http://emma0m.blogspot.com/
Tally & Nicky- http://female-boss.blogspot.com
Steph- http://buttonsbowsandbrogues.blogspot.com/
Rachel- http://monpolkadotcheri.co.uk/
Amy- http://youtube.com/Amydixon08
Zoe- http://zoerandomlywrites.blogspot.com/
Rebekah- http://disfordangerous.co.uk/
Bethany- http://stylefashionvintagebaby.blogspot.com/

Claire
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Newcastle Fashion Week.

Living in the North East of England we sometimes tend to feel left out or forgotten about when it comes to things like fashion events, but fear not Geordies- Newcastle Fashion Week is on its way! The first of its kind, Newcastle Fashion Week will see a number of events running throughout the week beginning the 14th of May until the 21st.

I’ve selected what I think could be the highlights of the week, but obviously there’ll be loads more going on.

Running all throughout the week.
En Vogue: Fashion from the Stack- The City Library will be housing a large number of fashion magazines including vintage copies of Vogue from 1945 onwards. City Library, free.

Where beauty begins- Beauty workshops showcasing various products. John Lewis, free.

Saturday 14th May
The Official Newcastle Fashion Week launch party. Tup Tup Palace.

Sunday 15th May
Make and Mend Market. Star and Shadow Cinema, £1 entry 12-5pm

Venus in Furs vintage and craft fair. Settle Down Cafe 11am-4pm.

Official Fashion TV Party. Tup Tup Palace, £10 entry 8pm-3am

Monday 16th May
An hour with Wayne Hemingway. Northumbria University, free (tickets need to be booked in advance) 11am.

Tuesday 17th May
Eldon Square Pamper Day- Free beauty treatments available.

Fashion Front Row: Newcastle’s Design Talent.- Showcasing Newcastle’s up and coming talent. As You Like It, free. 7.30-9pm.

Wednesday 18th May
Independent Shop Crawl- A tour round the city’s finest independent shops, featuring special discounts. Starts 9.15am, free (tickets to be booked in advance).

Thursday 19th May
Northumbria University Catwalk Show. The Baltic, £10.

Daisy Green’s Great Big Swap- Swishing fun. As You Like It. 5pm onwards.

Eldon Square VIP Shopping Night- Free, 6-9pm.

Girls Night In Out- Beauty treatments, boutiques, cupcakes, jewellery etc. Tiger Tiger, £5. 7-10pm.

Friday 20th May
Newcastle Vintage Guide- Learn how to discover great vintage pieces. City Library, free. 2-3pm

Saturday 21st May
Charity Shop Challenge- 5 contestants get the chance to compete to find the best look for under £15, racing to shop and unearth a brand new outfit which will be revealed at the Monument with the winner picked by the crowd. Monument, free. 1pm.


More information about the events throughout the week can be found here.


In addition to Newcastle Fashion Week there’s also Newcastle’s Affordable Vintage Fair at Northumbria University on the 7th of May , the lovely ladies over at Scarlett Hearts having their official launch party in June (Check out their shop out for some super cute jewellery) and of course the upcoming Newcastle Blogger meet up. Get those diaries out!

Claire
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Happy Easter!

I finally got a day off work today, so I decided to go home for Easter Monday. As usual when I go to my parents house, we end up going to somewhere along the coastal route. Today we ended up in Warkworth. It was so pretty there, bunting was hanging everywhere for Easter and all the flowers were in full bloom. Summer is well and truly on its way...














Look at me taking outfit photos on location like a real fashion blogger, shame I haven’t figured out how not to look awkward yet! My hair is also looking a bit wild thanks to the wind.



Jacket- Primark, Top- New Look, Skirt- ASOS, Belt- Primark, Bag- ASOS (Bought with my Groupon voucher), Brogues- Primark, Sunglasses- Ray Ban.

I’m very excited to announce we’re currently trying to organise a Blogger meet up in Newcastle with Carla, the provisional date is Saturday the 11th of June. We had such a lovely time meeting everyone when we went to Sheffield and would really like to see you all there. Are any of you up for this?
EDIT: The meet up date is now more likely to be the Saturday the 25th of June, so we don't clash with the Manchester meet up, confirmation coming soon!

Claire
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