Friday 2 April 2021

My New Book! REVEALED


 

Greetings lovelies, I have exciting book news! :) 

My new novel  - High Heels on the Beach is out on the 26th April but is available to pre-order now! 

So if you enjoy reading a fun packed, lighthearted romantic comedy this is for you ... 

Blurb 

Decision shy Becca is used to her best friend making decisions for her, but after a disastrous 30th birthday, London living Becca realises she needs to stop relying on others and take control of her own destiny.

With her life plans in tatters, she’s forced to return home to the quiet seaside town of Sunny Bay and the family’s B&B, where the bedrooms are covered in chintz and her mother is still serving up culinary delights from the 1970s. Adamant that she’s not staying, Becca embarks on a soul-searching trip to Europe.

She’s barely stepped foot abroad before a family crisis sees her back in Sunny Bay and in charge of the B&B. Coming face to face with old flames and adversaries, Becca’s reminded why she left and is determined to get back to her old life in London.

But when the mysterious Madame DoTell, fortune teller to the stars, insists that home is where the heart is, Becca begins to wonder if she should listen...

If home is where the heart is, where is home? 

High Heels on the Beach is only 99p and available by clicking this link - Paperback version will follow soon. 

High Heels on the Beach 

Bettina x 


Tuesday 22 December 2020

Coronavirus - What's it like - What are the symptoms ?

 


A day by day diary account of my Coronavirus symptoms 


2020 has been quite a year. I don't think anyone in the world could have imagined or predicted how our lives would literally be turned upside in just a few short months. The consequences have been catastrophic and the effects felt worldwide. Many lives have been lost, jobs have disappeared and the economy taken a battering. 

At the time of writing this (December 2020) we are currently experiencing another wave of the CoronaVirus and this time they are saying there is a new strain that's sweeping through the UK and indeed has been detected around the world.

We've already experienced lockdowns and despite a slight loosening of the reins for a few months, it's time to batten down the hatches and lockdown once again. The advice is always the same STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES. One of the slogans has been Hands. Face. Space - Wash hands, cover your face with a mask, leave space. 

I did all of these things that were asked of me. I followed the rules, I followed the law and yet in mid November I caught Coronavirus. 

What follows below is my experience of Coronavirus - please keep in mind your experience may very well be different. 

I believe the source was my 12 year old son who was going to school. He literally only went outside to catch the bus to school and went to school and back.

My son takes a Covid Test on Monday evening. On the Tuesday we get confirmation he's tested positive. 

Government literature states 

If you have any coronavirus symptoms:

  • a high temperature
  • a new, continuous cough
  • a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste

Get a test and stay at home


Monday 16th November 2020 

Through the night I keep swallowing with the feeling that there is a lump in my throat.

Tuesday 17th November 2020 

I wake up with the feeling I have a head cold. I have a headache and sore throat. I have pain in my eyes. I also suffer with aches and pains in my body. I have hot and cold spells. I check my temperature. It is slightly raised but not to the 38 degrees that was mentioned at various points. I don't sleep. I have an anxious stomach and experience night sweats. 

Wednesday 18th November 2020

I'm tired today. I keep falling asleep. I feel hot and cold all day. I have a headache. As we have someone in the house that's tested positive I am able to book a Covid 19 test. I go at lunchtime. I feel quite unwell. Late in the evening I become aware I've lost my sense of smell. I have night sweats. 

Thursday 19th November 2020

I have all the same symptoms as yesterday but in addition I have a slightly blocked nose. I have absolutely no sense of smell. My taste buds have gone funny - sweet things taste bitter. Things I like do not taste how I remember them. I have night sweats. 

Friday 20th November 2020 

I wake up to an email telling me that I've tested positive for Covid. I have all the same symptoms still but today I have a very slight cough. I take in the news I have the virus that has been taking people's lives and strangely I don't feel too worried. I share my news with twitter and am slightly alarmed when people reply with 'I hope you recover.' I am 43 years old. I exercise daily. I eat reasonably well and I've been taking a Vitamin D supplement which some studies have said could be beneficial in the fight against Coronavirus. I sweat overnight. 

Saturday 21st November 2020

On waking I feel brighter. I feel like I am on the road to recovery. I still feel tired and need to sleep on and off throughout the day. It's very obvious that I am not better as I feel exhausted if I exert myself. I have absolutely no smell - I spray a very strong perfume as a test. Nothing. I have a headache still and the eye pain is still there but not as severe. My cough has gone. I am still having night sweats.

Sunday 22nd November 2020

I feel even stronger today, I almost bound down the stairs first thing and manage to sit through a lovely Christmas film by Dolly Parton - Christmas on the Square. I'm still feeling tired however I manage not to succumb to a nap. No headache. No aches and pains. No eye pain. Hurrah! But still no sense of smell and taste. 

Monday 23rd November 2020

No night sweats. One afternoon nap. Still no sense of smell and food just tastes bland or really salty! 

Tuesday 24th November 2020

I think the night sweats have finally departed. I feel a little tired in the morning but that's probably because my sleep was disturbed by my husband having a night sweat! Good news... About 5% of my smell has returned. I seem to also be able to taste a bit of my food and the normal flavour of it. 

Wednesday 25th November 2020

Same as Tuesday...

Thursday 26th November 2020 

Very slight cough. Slightly more taste returning and I can smell the perfume when I first spray it but it's very feint and disappears quickly. 

Friday 27th November 2020

My sense of smell is stronger than yesterday. I can officially and legally leave the house! And I do. A leisurely walk to the shop to pick up some supplies. 

Saturday 28th November 2020 

My taste buds have almost completely recovered. Smell is not quite there yet.

Sunday 29th November 2020 

My taste is back! Smell is not fully returned but I can smell some things :) My energy levels are good but I'm not sure I can walk 10,000 steps like I did pre getting Coronavirus. I go to the shops and back for some fresh air and exercise, on the way back my breathing becomes laboured. 

Also ... today I achieve my goal - I finish writing 50,000 words of a new novel in November for NanoWrimo. I'd pledged to take part not knowing what the month was going to bring me. I don't know how I did it with Covid, but I did. Go me! 

Monday 30th November 2020

A rest day. It's been exhausting getting to this point. I've had Covid. My son's had Covid. My 4 year old has been isolating with us. My H has been working througout. 

Tuesday 1st December 2020

Back to school for the littlest. I manage 9,000 steps. 

Wednesday 2nd December 2020 

I walk 10,000 steps 

Thursday 3rd December 2020

Although my sense of smell hasn't fully returned, i'm guessing I've got about 70% back... I am feeling fine otherwise. 

I stop keeping a diary of how I am feeling. 

Final thoughts

I'm one of the lucky ones, I've had it relatively mild. I never really got the classic symptoms of Covid and if it hadn't had been for my son and his positive test I might very well have thought it something else. I do lose my sense of smell when I have sinus problems ... 

At the time of writing we've just been told by scientists and Boris Johnson that there is a new strain. I wonder if this is what I have had? Apparently It's been sweeping through Kent, Essex and London. Before we got ill we could count on our fingers how many people we actually knew who had had it. A  couple of weeks after we had our bout of Covid I'm hearing of so many people who are testing positive. It's taking hold in schools, with whole classes and year groups having to isolate. 

I don't know what 2021 holds but with vaccines emerging and indeed already beginning to be administered, we as a world are hopeful we can put this nightmare behind us and go back to our old normal way of life. 


Friday 2 August 2019

IT Cosmetics CC Cream Review

It's hard to believe that there may be a product waiting in the wings to snatch the crown from Estée Lauder's iconic Doublewear Foundation... but I think I might just have found it... In all honesty I don't think I will ever feel comfortable not to have a bottle of DW on my makeup shelf, reaching for it for those special occasions BUT Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ is the product I've been reaching for this Summer and is now my must have base.



What IT Cosmetics say 

Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50 is our #1 best-selling, colour-correcting cream that delivers 7 benefits all in one! This multi-tasking hero could possibly be everything your skin needs in one easy step: full coverage foundation and anti-ageing with SPF50 that brightens and hydrates while camouflaging skin imperfections. Our skin-loving CC+ Cream diffuses the look of wrinkles, minimises the appearance of pores and gives you a beautiful-looking complexion. Ideal if you’re looking for full coverage makeup, hydration and younger-looking skin. Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream is available in original, illumination and oil-free matte finishes.



My thoughts 

I use the original version in shade Light. My skin type is normal/combination and I am yellow toned, usually wearing one up from the lightest shade. This shade is perfect for me.



This does everything that it promises. From the useful design of the tube with an easy pump dispenser, one small pump and you get enough to give perfect coverage. The texture of the cream is serum like and blends beautifully and seamlessly into the skin so it looks just like your skin but better. For those who have a keen sense of smell, this CC Cream has a very light herbal scent. Full coverage, it covers blemishes, redness and imperfections. It feels hydrating on the skin, skin looks smooth and the foundation makes skin have a healthy and luminous glow without looking greasy. I love it.





A blindingly brilliant 10/10 I can't think of a single fault with this product. Have you tried it yet?

Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ costs £31 

Thursday 1 August 2019

Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara

When you find a good mascara you know. It is immediately apparent, this isn't something that grows on you. Instant results and instant impact. I recently returned to using one of my all time favourites and it dawned on me, I have never blogged about it! So here it is... my review of Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara in shade Noir (black)

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara



What Marc Jacobs Beauty say 

Major drama. Over-sized lashes. Velvet-like look.

Experience ultimate volume and the look of thick, false lashes with Marc Jacobs' Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara. The lash-maximizing, curvy brush places the most volume at the hard-to-reach centre lash line, and the defining tip styles lashes for major drama.

The super-concentrated black pigment delivers the greatest visual impact, and the Flash Volume Complex™ creates instant, smudge-proof length and volume in three strokes or less. 

Wearing Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara


My thoughts 

I absolutely love this mascara. The brush style wand picks up every single lash, lifts and defines them , coating them in a rich, black shade giving a sexy, fluttery look to the lashes. No smudging or flaking, this mascara lasts the day.

I give this mascara a mega 10/10 

Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara costs £22 

*Gifted 

Wednesday 31 July 2019

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Illuminating Powder Gelee Review

If there is one product that I think is a Summer essential, it's the highlighter and if you only buy one this Summer, make it the Illuminating Powder Gelee from the limited edition Bronze Goddess collection from Estée Lauder ...

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Illuminating Powder Gelee in Heatwave



Estée Lauder says 

Turn up the heat. Give yourself a heavenly glow with this super-luxurious bronzer. This seductive all-over bronzer is endless summer. Smooths on as a soft sheen. Builds to a luminous pearl highlight. 

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Illuminating Powder Gelee in Heatwave


My thoughts 

The second I applied this highlighter to my skin, I was smitten. It has a beautifully soft formula that literally glides over the skin, applying evenly and lighting up the skin with a wonderful, lit from within appearance. Providing that all important healthy glow this warm toned bronzer screams Summer. This is one makeup item that I am using every day. An utterly gorgeous must have. 

Wearing EL Bronze Goddess Illuminating Powder Gelee in Heatwave



A mega 10/10 

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Illuminating Powder Gelee costs £38

*Gifted by Boots Lakeside 


Thursday 16 May 2019

Without a Hitch on Honeymoon!



Tomorrow marks the release of my third book - Without a Hitch on Honeymoon - It's the novella (short story) sequel to Without a Hitch - the wedding themed romantic comedy which is still only 99p!

Blurb -

Come on, the honeymoon was never going to go without a hitch!

Agnes, Sienna & Bryony are back!
Making memories one beach at the time...

Misunderstandings, coincidences, sunshine, sea & plenty of cocktails. A lot can happen in two weeks but one thing's for sure, life's about to change forever...

Click here to buy - 99p or FREE to read with kindle unlimited

mybook.to/WAHOH 



Without a Hitch 


Blurb

‘The path of true love never runs smooth, the path to the perfect wedding, even bumpier.’

Three brides-to-be
Nine months to plan the dream wedding
What could possibly go wrong?


They have been dreaming of this day for as long as they can remember, but what happens when fate intervenes…

Sienna is determined not to become a bridezilla but planning a wedding is proving much harder than she thought. With obstacles flying from every direction, can she take back control without upsetting those closest to her?

Bryony is the bride on a budget dreaming of a big white wedding. A family full of secrets threaten to ruin her big day, can she find it in her heart to forgive and forget?

Agnes is the career woman who appears to have finally found Mr Right, but will her scheming boss come between her and her new-found love?

One date, three brides-to-be, united in their quest for the ‘perfect’ wedding.

A heartwarming, contemporary romantic comedy.

To buy -

UK readers click here
US readers click here



Wednesday 12 December 2018

The Sanderson Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea Review

Just off of London's Oxford Street is Berner's Street and it is here that you will find The Sanderson Hotel. Step inside and you are instantly transported into a fun oasis, home of the famous Lips Couch and serving up the famously themed Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea. 



I did my homework before I made my booking, I looked at the reviews and a few people mentioned that if you are seated in The Courtyard it can be a little cold. Blankets are provided but, as we were going in December and my mum had recently undergone a major (life saving) operation and felt the cold more than most people, I called to make my booking. At the other end of the line was the really lovely Mikey and he promised that we could sit in The Restaurant so I went ahead and booked. 

On the day I was mightily glad that I had made that phone call as the wind was whipping up a treat, it was bitterly cold and snow was on its way, literally, it arrived that evening!! We were shown to a fabulous and private booth and it made us very feel special, which was a lovely touch as this was a very, very special occasion for us. 

The staff were utterly fantastic, friendly, attentive and helpful to the extreme... one of them was always happy, offering to take pictures of us as he went past which gave us a good laugh :)

The afternoon tea is fun, quirky and most importantly absolutely delicious. Our package came with a free cocktail included in the price and this was a lovely touch too.



The menu

Savoury

Smoked salmon Scotch quails egg with caviar and cream cheese 
Stack of King of Hearts ham and Parmesan croque-monsieur
Cornish crab brioche roll with spiced avocado and coriander 
White Rabbit cucumber and cream cheese sandwich on pesto bread 

Sweet

Queen of Hearts rose and strawberry Jammy Dodger 
Mocha chessboard gateau 
Tweedle Dee lemon curd financier 
Mad March Hare vanilla pocket watch macaroon 
Chocolate and pistachio Blue Caterpillar 
Wonderland marshmallow magic mushrooms 
Mad Hatters lost carrot and fennel meringue 
Alice’s exotic fruits 'Drink Me' Potion'

Warm scones served with Cornish clotted cream and fruit preserve.








A nice mix of savory offerings, I loved the crab brioche roll in particular. The sweet treats were a genuine real treat, with the fun and magical theme carried through and thought out brilliantly. You cannot but help having a smile on your face as you sit down to devour each and every one. This was a faultless afternoon tea and with all the little touches, like the quirky teapots and mini bottles, it was just utterly delightful. The afternoon passed almost too quickly! 

I give it a A Mad Hatters 10/10 

The Sanderson Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea costs from £48 a person 

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