Welcome to Hangups and Handbags Worldly, witty and wise women. Style with a smile; Our blog's eye view of life

You won’t be surprised to hear Cupcake and Marigold aren’t our real names, but perhaps they tell you a little about us as people. No Woody Allen film could every replicate the humor and day to day life experiences shared between soul mates. And whilst we’ve all had lives, loves and losses it’s the everyday things that big us up and bring us down and when we really need our friends.

Think of this blog as your daily mag, soap opera, HRT patch or latte. Whether you’re just bored or after meaningful inspiration – and lets face it, aren’t we all? – enjoy bites of our daily lives, all washed down with lashings of tips, info, opinions and hopefully a touch of humour!

Cupcake and Marigold


Our latest blog posts

FANTASY LIST… OH YES I SO WOULD

  This may well be an odd list of  ’oh yes I so would if given half a chance’. Some of the girls on twitter have inspired the list, and I can tell you there are some wonderful dirty little minx on twitter! So first Tom Selleck…now wait, I can hear you groan… Tom in his ‘Friends days’ he was my ideal then! Alan … Read More »

Detox day 1

With great enthusiasm, I started.  Lots of water, only a small coffee, more water, healthy breakfast and lunch and then hey presto!  An impromptu supper out and a sublime spinach and goats cheese lasagne with an illegal amount of goats’ cheese  probably undid all the good of the day.  Peter Rabbit would have been proud of the spinach intake and I felt very green when … Read More »

The first of the month

There’s nothing like the first day of the month to start something, so in a strictly back to school/new uniform/getting ready for autumn mood, I’m going to let this first day of September be my gateway to the autumn and winter months and endeavour to get fit to fight those bugs that are hovering just around the corner and dying to come inside and … Read More »

Organic Fortnight coming up 3rd – 17th September

  Winter draws on… no it’s not very funny but it was something my grandmother used to say and we giggled at…  With winter comes central heating and  with that come the thoughts of how to look after your skin …protect from the drying heat of office and home! Also it is Organic Fortnight, September 3rd – 17th, so we thought we would investigate … Read More »

Camel Conundrum

Well, I resisted the boots.  But the wave of pride I had in my self restraint has been relatively short lived, as I’ve now fallen head over heels – and strictly no pun intended – with another.  Not boots, this time a simple yet sublime camel winter coat.  It’s on hold for me until I decide  whether  I can again resist another temptation too good to turn … Read More »

Mistresses

Maybe it’s the time of year with this week’s weather evidence of the summer nearing its end and the onset of autumn and winter, but there is nothing like a good drama on TV to look forward to.  All the talk around the new Cameron baby and a possible Cornish name started me thinking of Poldark with the lovely Demelza.   Galloping across windswept Cornish … Read More »

EDEN INSPIRES. Base Camp Eden hosted by Ben Fogle.

HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD ABOUT THIS GREAT COMPETITION this looks like an amazing adventure and a great opportunity to get to the great outdoors… all details at the bottom. have a go   Here is a great family competition to win an exclusive trip to Base Camp Eden hosted by Ben Fogle. Wildlife presenter, writer, and adventurer Ben Fogle is on a mission to get … Read More »

OMG THE RED DRESS…

  I was very late getting to read the papers this weekend, don’t ask, busy busy but actually getting nothing done! however I picked up The Times Mag’ and this week nearly every page was great, an interview with Vidal Sassoon, what an amazing guy in his 80′s and still with the trendy glasses, love him. Sarah Vine, and of course Spinal column, Melanie … Read More »

A DISCOUNT CODE FOR www.mybag.co.uk ENDS 31/08/2010

  AN ADDED BONUS FOR YOU… A DISCOUNT CODE FOR www.mybag.co.uk Here is your exclusive discount code – the code is HANGUPS10 and is valid from today until midnight 31/08/2010 http://www.mybag.co.uk/home.dept It code will get all our readers 10% off anything at mybag.co.uk, WE BRING YOU THE GOODIES XX

Vintage Va Va Voom!

Just when we thought our English summer was being ‘festivaled out’, along comes Vintage – a fresh new filly from the festival stables, all dressed up and rearing to go. You will have all heard about Vintage from our Vintage at Goodwod competition, and really hope the lucky lady winner  Amy had as much fun there as I did – and had checked the weather forecast and … Read More »

WOMAN OF A ‘CERTAIN AGE’ DO SOAP LAND THINK THEY ARE ALL SUCKERS ???

  WOMAN OF A CERTAIN AGE …. that’s the saying used for a women in or heading for middle age! nowadays it’s so hard to tell what age a lot of women are to be honest. But in the land of  the ‘soaps’ these woman are being portrayed as easy suckers… Emmerdale with the landlady Diane and the romancing con man, now it’s good … Read More »

THE HUT GROUP HANDBAG COMPETITION NOW CLOSED

  COMPETITION NOW CLOSED LUCKY WINNER NICKIE CHAPMAM THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THE HUT GROUP     OK LADIES…CHANCE TO WIN THIS BAG..   HAVING RUN THE VERY SUCCESSFUL COMPETITION FOR VINTAGE AT GOODWOOD WE HAVE LOTS OF LOVELY IDEA’S FOR MORE PRIZES…. SO EVERY NOW AND THEN WE WILL BE SETTING UP COMP’S FOR FABULOUS PRIZES… HERE … Read More »

Oh no, not again

  There I was nipping to the bank between appointments, flying down the high street, when WOW!  A coup de foudre like no other.  This was pure Nora Ephron – (she of the Hollywood romantic greats) – I spotted them across the road, prostituting themselves in the shop window  in all their leather loveliness, the left coyly angled towards the right just dying to … Read More »

MARIE CLAIRE LAUNCHES DESIGNER COLLABORATION WITH SEPTEMBER ISSUE PART TWO

JUST HAD A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE MARIE CLAIRE FRONT…BRINGING IT STRAIGHT TO YOU just some of the PRIZES below. READ BOTH POSTS… Check Marie Claire Website for the Prizes details everyday and be a fan of Marie Claire Facebook to win the prizes.  http://www.facebook.com/MarieClaireUK Exclusive competition on Marie Claire’s Facebook page: Is it in the Bag?  asks readers to post pictures of … Read More »

MARIE CLAIRE LAUNCHES DESIGNER COLLABORATION WITH SEPTEMBER ISSUE

BOTH MARIGOLD AND I ARE  MARIE CLAIRE READERS AND WERE REALLY PLEASED TO GET THE LOWDOWN ON THIS LITTLE BIT OF NEWS…. NOW  WE  ALWAYS SHARE OUR FINDS WITH YOU SO GET OUT THERE … YOU GOT THE  HEADS UP HERE… LITTLE PICTORIAL SAMPLE OF THE BAGS… MARIE CLAIRE LAUNCHES DESIGNER COLLABORATION WITH SEPTEMBER ISSUE To celebrate London Fashion Week and the launch of its September issue, … Read More »

FACE & BODY GOMMAGE FROM COMFORT ZONEFACE & BODY GOMMAGE FROM COMFORT ZONE

News, odds and bits

email from nickie: I came home to my lovely bag today! It's HUGE and very cool. Thank you again! It shall be accompanying me on my mini-break to Cambridge tomorrow :)
we look forward to doing another comp with The Hut Group and www.mybag.co.uk

OUR WINNER OF THE BEAUTIFUL MISHA B HANDBAG IS NICKIE CHAPMAN, MANY CONGRATS TO NICKIE. AND THAMK YOU TO THE LOVELY FOLK AT THE HUT GROUP.
WE HAD A LOT OF ENTRIES AND WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING A GO... THERE WILL BE LOTS MORE COMPETITIONS SO KEEP EYES PEELED AND FOLLOW CUPCAKEFANCY ON TWITTER FOR DETAILS AND OF COURSE FOLLOW US ON H&H XXX

GP's To tell you're fat... what's your opinion?

Lynda Bellingham book Lost and Found, My Story

THE WINNER OF THE 'DESERT ISLAND MUST HAVE'S' COMP IS TATTOOED-MUMMY.. many congrats TM xx

Heart Tea Lights... perfect for a summers evening 'do' and so romantic. we found these on Time and Tide www.timeandtidejewellery.co.uk.

French Bedroom Co JUST LOVING THESE DRAWS, more to tell ...and share
Modern Art Chest

Revel in your quirky side with our baroque Modern Art Chest. With two large drawers, and leaf-motif silver handles it is very 'on trend' and very very cool - the Girls here have absolutely fallen in love with it! £775

Paul's Chest

Combine a touch of modern art with a baroque French style chest and look what you get! The gorgeous Paul's Chest with fancy leaf motif silver handles, two deep drawers and hand-painted stripes in bright vibrant colours. This amazing piece is the perfect accompaniment to a monochrome room scheme. £775

HOT PROPERTY ABOVE FOR SALE
CHECK OUT www.martinswatton.com

VERY VERY HOT, BRAND SPANKING NEW INKY BLUE OVERSIZED ALEXA.

HOT again ALEX MONROE JEWELLERY it is time-less and breath-taking. web details on our MUST HAVE section.

Another HOT the Mulberry HAYDON TOTE...soft as butter leather and on my wish list is the Peony pink... yummy

The sad news of Lee Alexander McQueen who died yesterday has hit us all hard...it was such shocking news, what an amazing designer... both marigold and I were huge fans and our sympathies go to his close friends and family. May he rest in peace.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HANGUPS AND HANDBAGS, we have been going a year this week Jan 2010 xx

WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED A SUNSHINE AWARD.
HAPPY BLOGGERS XXX


Must haves….

Use Red Direct for shopping a great on line shopping experience, no they have not paid us to say this!!

A Kitty Shepherd handbuilt earthenware ceramics with slip and scrafitto decoration. see our web watch for her site and the image above, 'hello dolly'

'COX & COX the difference between house and home'

ALEX MONROE Jewellery.
A wonderful collection, with exclusive pieces hand-crafted in silver and gold by one of Britain's top designers.
I am lucky enough to have three pieces of her work and it is simply amazing, the tiny detail is inspired by the beauty of nature.
www.alexmonroe.com

Check out this web site... you can hire a stunning 'designer bag' how cool is that... show off and then swap it... we love the idea :0)
http://www.kennedypurple.com

The new Mulberry Alexa ... oh yeah xx

a blackberry phone.. they bounce

tin foil baking trays/dish... my christmas turkey and I loved the fact we could throw away the big baking dish... a must for all roast's from now on.

GOOD TEETH XX

wet wipes in the car !!

Comfy knicks and a decent bra

PROPOLIS, a nature's defender, I have the lozenges, collected by honey bees, its a must for all ill's!

CLEAN WHITE COTTON SHEETS, getting in to clean crisp white bedding is the most wonderful thing in the world, even more so if your feeling poorly.

Green and Black organic hot chocolate

AMBER it has healing quailities, should be worn next to skin, is very helpful to the immune system and teething babies.


FOLLOW US TWITTER… CUPCAKEFANCY

Pet hates

CALL CENTERS; when the person can't help you in ANY way and then says " I hope you have a good day, thank you for calling" my response is unprintable!!

selling your home, people walking around your home that you love, put your heart and soul into creating and they CRITIC IT RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!

a supermarket trolley... it/they have minds and wills of their own. hate them.

mascara that does not do anything like the ads say it will!!!

Baggage Allowances! The real down side to a holiday, creating the supreme look with clothes weighing no more than a cupcake and a pair of marigolds...

packaging, the dreadfully sealed,hard, rip your skin off packaging, ten mins or more with scissors or knife to get your purchase (smoke alarm in my case) out of the UN-biodegradeable stuff, cupcake x

Supermarket shopping before a bank holiday - what is wrong with everyone?

the world of MP's and the driffel (think I made that word up!) that comes out of their mouths

DIY petrol pumps - no, I'm not lazy, just hate the smell of diesel on my hands and having to squeeze past greasy pumps and pipes.

The wrong underwear under white trousers. Colours - and white - are out. It's flesh coloured only.

Very young girls in top to toe designer wear, with large statement handbags. All swank, no style.

Shop assistants who look you up and down to see if you are worthy of their store. In my book, a sackable offence.

one of my pet hates is when you go into a shoe shop and ask for a shoe in a size 7 and get told they only have a size 5, " would you like that to try "