Hello two thousand and fourteen, pleased to meet you.

Ah, a new year is freshly upon us, eh. It's normally a time when people reflect on the year gone by and make a new resolutions.....but my memories too bad for that and I don't make promises I can't keep. So, I'm going to attempt to look to the year ahead & maybe lay out some plans. Some of which I may even keep too!

Firstly, move house....maybe.

Big changes are afoot & moving to a new homestead is among them. I've been in the city centre for 10 years and, as much as I love my flat, it's time for change. The fantastic summer we had last year made me pine horribly for a garden...I'll probably do what I always do in the nice weather and admire it from indoors & never expose my alabaster skin to it, but it's nice to have the option, y'know?! Also, a whole room to work from! A whole space that's dedicated to making stuffs that doesn't encroach & then take over and destroy the rest of the living space...I can almost taste it! Think of the possibilities, how much more creative and productive I can be....oh, baby, am I excited at that thought. Less so at the automatic assumption that the boy & I will produce offspring, but you never know, eh....

Get more housewares on the go.

In relation to the above, I can now expand on the amount and size of furniture I customise. Yes I am excited about this, think of the possibilities! My wee mind is awash with ideas, but don't expect to see any of them for the first few months of the year, cos it's gonna be a busy one!
And not to fret if your into the wee disfigured figurines, they'll still be plenty of those in the mix...

Little and large....the possibilities are endless!

Attempt to blog more.

Yes, it's fair to say my blogging is anything but regular. It's sketchy at best, but please forgive me, I have dead good reasons, honest!!
Firstly, my flat is too big of a middin (tip) to take any kind of decent picture to do regular outfit posts. I work from here & it's jam packed as a result, but hopefully the big move ahead will remedy this. 
I'm also pretty busy a lot of the time making stuff and attempting to go to the gym as well as being very absent minded, but I shall attempt to remedy this & bring more of my random rants, reviews & nonsensical chat for no apparent reason.

Rant more!

I am a big animal lover, always have been. I have always been vehemently anti-fur, but in the past wee while I've been less vocal about it than in the past. Not sure why. The recent images of Miley Cyrus and Rita Ora are massively dis-heartening & just lend to thoughtless consumerism in my opinion. So if they're gonna wear it, folks like me are gonna combat it where we can!! Although I'll try not to make the picture I post too graphic......try.
Holding in a good rant poisons the soul, so time to let it out!

Let Ms Cyrus know how you feel - https://www.facebook.com/MileyCyrus?ref=ts&fref=ts

Now, I may do a range of Taxidermy? jewellery, but please bare in mind that any wee beastie I use met a natural end, they WERE NOT harmed in any way by me or anyone else. They are normally found & I think they are beautiful and it's better to preserve them forever rather than see them lie about the ground, waiting to be unknowingly squished by a passer by....

A beautiful butterfly I found and preserved.

Get my make-up ooooan.

I qualified as a make-up artist in 2007 & it's safe to say that I really love it....colouring in faces is never a bad thing. But of late I feel I've neglected it in favour of crafting. In the coming year I will be the maid of  honor at my best friends wedding, so that shall be the first task on my agenda....wedding make-up ago-go. I'll also be doing my best to get back into photo shoots as I always really enjoy them and have had the privilege of working with some cracking photographers and models who really make you feel like part of the overall creative process. 

On top of that I'm also going to try and wear make-up more myself. There's no better way of testing out and practising using a product than on your own face, but sitting making things or going to the gym don't lend themselves to putting on make-up much, do they? Time to get out more Lady Bon! I may have to get ma ass a part time job I think....

Have I mentioned my best friend is getting married?

That's right, my dearest chum has decided that it's time to sacrifice herself to the God of matrimony this year ....mental, I know ;) But I get to wear a fabulous dress & be fancy for a day, so batter in! 


All this sounds positively exhausting....think I'll see you all in April!

Meet Miss Vegalucious Cosmetics....Glasgow's all cruelty free, vegan & Halal cosmetics shop!!

Ok, I won't lie to you, yesterday wasn't the first time I've almost peed myself with excitement, but it's definitely been the first time in a good while. & why this near miss wee event you ask? Well, yesterday, I discovered the greatest cosmetics shop EVER!!

I'm a big animal lover, so cruelty free cosmetics is something that's close to my heart. If you've ever read my blog before you'll no doubt have seen my previous entries about the mad make-up clearout I had at the beginning of the year (read here & here). This was mainly due to renewed cosmetic research on my part & a reaction to the amount of formally cruelty free brands entering the Chinese market, where animal testing is mandatory. Although there are a significant amount of brands now on my blacklist, I was heart warmed to find a good amount of ethical brands, many of whom were not only cruelty free but also vegan or vegetarian as well as websites who specifically stocked such brands. Now, as great as this is, there's always that wee bug bear we all have to deal with in this modern age shopping; it was almost ALL online.
Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy a bit of online shopping as much as the next guy, you can hardly wave a shitty stick at something that offers you so much choice & value for money without you even having to lift your arse off the couch! But there are certain things it can be handy to see first hand, & make-up shades are using among them. So my friends, you can imagine my sheer joy when moseying down Shawlands cross, happily raiding the charity shops, when something caught my eye and had my head spinning exorcist style!!
And what was this near neck breaking wonder? It was Miss Vegaluscious Cosmetics, that's what it was!!!

OK, so I didn't have my camera on me and had to use my phone, so sue me......

Now, turns out I already 'liked' the Miss Vegaluscious Cosmetics via the Tatty Bon Facebook. But damn, if I don't 'like' so many pages on there it just slipped passed me....for which I am kicking myself! This little wonder on Kilmarnock Rd, on Shawlands Cross, is a home to ALL CRUELTY FREE VEGAN & VEGETARIAN MAKE-UP!!! Arrrrgh, how excited was I. I swear, I had to sit down. I actually can not say enough good things about this place.
Firstly, all my Glasgow make-up loving lovelies, you should probably know that Miss Vegaluscious stocks LIME CRIME! That's right, an actual physical shop where you can get your velvetine fix! This brand are making big waves in the lippy world (well, that's what Instagram says anyway), & although I was recently informed that their owner is apparently a nutter who, apparently, lied about their cosmetics being vegan in the past, the lovely lady in Miss Vegaluscious assured me that what they stock is definitely carmine free! Now, the next thing you should know, is that Lime Crime is just the tip of the iceberg! 

They have sooooo many brands in there. Brands that I have only ever been aware of being online before (in the UK anyway) such as Sugarpill, Yaby and OCC (get obsessed by their Lip Tars now!) as well as firm favorites like Beauty Without Cruelty and Barry M. There were also many brands, despite all my research, I either previously hadn't heard of, or was unaware that carried vegan/vegi products amongst their range....brands I am now dying to try! Everything you could possibly need for your make-up kit is in there. Liquid foundations, mineral make-up, pan shadows, loose pigments, lip glosses, lipsticks, everything, just....everything! & know how Manic Panic hair dye is now a complete pain in the arse to get hold of now? Well, they have that too!!

Oh & the brushes, did I mention the brushes?! A whole, rather large, section of beautiful, soft synthetic make-up brushes. Eco-tools, Real Techniques...the list goes on...... I have died and gone to make-up heaven! And this is a heaven where, if you spend £30 or more you get a 20% DISCOUNT!! I think this is especially good as you normally only get a discount like that if your a working make-up artist.

I was in there for ages yesterday, gabbing away to the owner (I was too excited to even remember to get her name) and she was really lovely. So friendly and well informed. On top of the fact that they have vegi friendly beauty they also hold a fair few brands that are Halal approved. From researching for my previous cruelty free posts I discovered just how hard a thing to get hold of that is. Make-up may contain no animal by products, but there is an issue with the alcohol used in a lot of products. So if you were struggling with this before, you won't be now!!!
This wee shop just has so much going on. Everything I have mentioned may be glorious, but if that ain't enough for you there's also manicuring, laser hair removal and threading.....& if you've never had your eyebrows threaded before, do it, you'll never get a better shape! They even offer wee pamper sessions for the bairns (aged 4-11 years) with foot spas and chocolate facials.....mmmm.

I may have refrained from chocolate fascial yesterday, but not from a few fabulous purchases.....I'm only human after all. Lucky girl that I am, I had my wee brother with me (patient wee soul that he is) & he hadn't got me a Christmas present yet. Well, we put that dead to rights! So I moseyed off, rather large grin on my face, with a Lime Crime Pink Velvet Velvetine, a Beauty Without Cruelty foundation and mascara and lovely wee blender brush. 

My wee beauty haul from yesterdays awesome discovery

It's safe to say that today I am one happy bunny. If you wanna be to, get your arse down to
Miss Vegaluscious Cosmetics

• 26 Kilmarnock Road
• Glasgow
• G41 3NH 
• Mon - Sat: 10:00 - 18:00
• 0141 328 7110
• Not in Glasgow? Not to worry, I'm assured they will be launching online soon......

Thanks for reading and always remember...Lady Bon loves you...

http://www.tattybon.com

Things to do in Glasgow when you're dead.......excited about Christmas

Hello lovely friends. OK, so I know I haven't been about for a while, but you know what, who cares, Christmas is a-coming!
So what, pray tell, is there to get up to in the run up to Jesus' birthday in the fair ol' city of Glasgow.... while you're getting your Christmas shopping done of course.
Well, here's a wee run down to get you started .

Abandon Ship Apparel Christmas party

So, those lovely folks at Glasgow based brand Abandon Ship Apparel have opened up in their home town. They've got a wee sneaky pop-up shop in Princes' Square (ground floor, entrances on Buchanan St or just off Queen St) & it's just spiffy. I mean, any shop that finds itself in Princes' Sq that sells pants that say 'fuck you buddy' has my thumbs up any day!! On top of that you'll find all the classic gear you'd expect to find from the Abandon Ship boys, Deathtoopers et al, as well as a few new pieces in there.....here come the Christmas jumpers!

This December 13th they'll be having an in-store Christmas party. So get you mingingest, madest Chrimbo jumper & get your arse down there....you won't regret it!

Pink haired hottie Honey Pop shows the new Abandon Ship Christmas jumper

                                                            

                                                               

Christmas outfit fun the vintage way

I'm a big fan of vintage, it's no secret. Vintage ornaments, vintage pictures, vintage everything! But is there anything better than a great vintage dress? I think not. We all love  Topshop & Primark, but who wants to turn up to the Christmas party wearing the same dress as their work buddy? The answer should be 'no one'!

My personal favorite Glasgow shop is, of course, the City Retro on King St (just behind the Trongate). I've had many an epic wee vintage number from there, including my greatest 50's party dress ever! Right now it is chocked full of sequins and glam that's make you the bell of any Christmas party. Fact. All that on top of the usual vintage goodness they have, what's not to love...

Get along too Granny would be Proud

Everyone that knows that Glasgow is a pretty crafty place.....well, they should. A grand old selection of what's going on can be found at Granny would be Proud fairs. What better way to your Christmas shopping done & support the little guy that this? Granny takes place in the Hillhead Bookclub, just off  Byers Rd, every second Sunday but will be on every Sunday in the run up to Christmas. Each fair has 18-20 stalls....that's a lot of crafty goodness to choose from. There's handmade jewellery, hand knitted hats and geeky toys, Christmas decorations, vintage clothes, hand made cushions and homeware....tones and tones.

Add that to the warm Granny atmosphere & the fact that you can have a wee sneaky mojito while you browse & you've got the perfect little Sunday out.

Lots of selection at Granny, including the best vintage specs in town from Eyedresser & some Darth Rudolf action from Tatty Bon

Get your good self festive ready

So, everyone wants to look their best at Christmas right? Folks out buying themselves new outfits instead of getting presents (it's not selfish, it's just common sense, right?), investing in fake eyelashes they know fine well they can't apply....you know the drill.

Well, when getting yourself up to your Christmas standard get down to Parnie St. Peaches Wax bar is one of the newest additions to Glasgow Cross area. Open only a few months I've already heard it toughted as the best place in town to de-fuzz. The salon looks amazing! Glitter to the max, baroque mirrors & a friendly atmosphere.... & there's Chopper the Chihuahua to coo at, take your mind right off any waxing discomfort.

T'is the season to be tidy & well trimmed folks! Eyebrows, foof, legs, these things are important. Go see the professionals. You can even get lash extensions......& I hear they even do a wee cheeky vajazzle.

So there it is folks. There's no need to get dragged down by the Scrouge types this year. There's always lots going on in Glasgow & this is only a tiny wee selection, I'm sure your town is just the same if you have a look around.......& if that's not enough to bring you out of the holiday blues.

Thank you for reading. And always remember....Lady Bon loves you...

Product review: Liz Earle.....it's love

My new love

So, I hate my skin. I have combination skin and it's a big ol' pain in the arse....oily t-zone and easily dried out cheeks.
Have tried lots of products over the years, some of them not too bad, but the main problem with combination cleansers is that they're rinse off...effective for the oily parts, dries my cheeks out like a bandit. I've been applying cleanser then taking it off with a flannel for a while,  it was def better than the usual cotton wool over the face, then I was told about the Liz Earle hot polish. 
I've spent a fair few bucks on cleaners before, so I was a touch skeptical,  then my buddy Rach (love that bitch) got me a wee pressie; Liz Earle hot polish cleanser and moisturiser for normal/combination skin. It is now THE favorite beauty product I own (& I own a lot, buddy).

The cleanser is applied with your fingers, soak the muslin cloth in very hot water, then remove the cleaner with the cloth in circular motions. The first time I realsied I loved it was when I came out of the shower. Instead of tight, dry cheeks my skin felt supple and soft.....& that was before I even applied the moisturiser. I've been using it for just over a week now and can def feel and see the difference in my skin.

They love bunnies too...

A little goes a long way and it smells pretty dam fine too, especially love the eucalyptis, but the most import feature for me, other than the obvious, is that it has NO ANIMAL by products and NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS.

Price and purchase.

Cost wise, I'd say it's at my ceiling for price. The moisturiser is £18.75 (50ml jar) & the hot polish cleaner is £12.75 (100ml pump, £14.25 for starter kit with cloths ), but for just over 30 quid for both it's not too bad, especially given the results. Marie, who I go to for facials, recommended that I don't use toner and pat as cold as I can bear water into my skin to tighten my pores, and I really think that helps too.

All in, I definately a big fan so far and I'd try other products based on how good their skin care is, especially keen on trying the lipstick....I am a make-up artist after all....

Liz Earl is available online - http://uk.lizearle.com
Via QVC (if you dare watch)
& in John Lewis stores...