We all know I love a bargain...

So, my very good friend Thomas has just managed to pass out of the Navy! Well that sounds peculiar and perhaps I haven't said it right. He has completed training to become an officer in the Navy, and, as a super friend, I have been invited to be his guest for the passing out ball. Well, I think we all know I love a bargain, and with a strict dress code - dress only, length between mid calf and floor, no shoulders bare during dinner etc. I got planning and found:

Dress, never worn, eBay - £12.50

Shoes, Charity shop - £2
Cushion pads for shoes in case they hurt - free, already had them

Bag, Charity Shop - £1.50

Shawl, Free - the dress came and it was far too big so mum and I altered it. With the excess mum craftily made a shawl, meaning the colour was perfect and my shoulders won't be exposed

Earrings, Matalans - £3

Hair, 99p store - 99p. I think I'm going to have either a bumpit in, and a lot of hair pins or just a lot of hair pins.

So my whole outfit comes to a tidy £19.99! 

Goats cheese poached pear and Parma ham starter. The main was a type of served buffet, and the stew was tasty. 

Toms foolish trifle 

My incredible lemon meringue that we thought was cheesecake 

(Swap the paper for poker chips) 

Poker! We bowed out with a 4 grand win- those tables were awful busy! 

The whole night was incredibly fun and it was a super event to share with someone you are proud of. The dresses were gorgeous, the people were so friendly and the drinks were ridiculously cheap. The whole evening was a hit and I'm so glad I got to go! 

Benefit Addict.

For a couple of years, I have been a benefit addict. Only their 'They're Real' mascara, because they had darn good advertising and when I tried it, it was really good. So I bought it religiously and used tube after tube.

Until recently, when my boss had a mini tester she didn't plan on using and asked if I wanted it. Loyal to benefit, but nearing the end of the tube, I hesitated yet took it.

Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara. It is incredible. It has all the things I like about 'they're real' - thin brush so no clumps, incredibly lengthening, dark enough (some aren't for me) etc. It is significantly cheaper than Benefits mascara, so I honestly have to admit that I am converted to this product, and urge you to try it!


What mascara do you like to use?

Medals

So as I've mentioned before, maybe just once or twice ha, Michael served 6 months in Afghanistan this year. His family and I attended a whole day organised just to celebrate everything they achieved. This went on from 10 in the morning, to past 10 at night. With a 5.50am wake up call that neither of us were used to, though, we certainly didn't make it to 10pm!

Salisbury Cathedral  

Far right

(at this point we all did a mexican wave of cheers, they couldn't help but laugh)

getting his meal - if you can see the officers, he's the one being handed something

It was a really lovely day, followed by a hog roast, some fair ground rides, meeting his pals, fireworks (from his room) and an early night. I couldn't have asked for a better day, which is making me miss him all the more right now, but his Christmas leave starts on the 13th so all shall be well again :)