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

MY FRIEND HAS BEEN DUMPED

 
My friend has been dumped by the love of her life………
 
So what can she do?  And as her friends what do we do?  First we call in all her mates for lots of tea (or vodka, mainly vodka) and sympathy. Maybe she’ll even ask for advice, knowing of course she’s … Read More »

THE OSCARS.. BEST OF THE BEST

 
EXCITING RED CARPET MOMENTS, NOT REALLY!
I have watched the Oscars, read all the news, the blogs and the glossies, I have also watched all the TV programmes that pass comments on the movies and the red carpet fashion show.
I thought I would have so much to say about all the dresses, … Read More »

15 MINUTES OF FAME! WHY OH WHY WOULD YOU CHOOSE THIS WAY

 
OK, on twitter a lot of you tweet about the programmes you are watching and I have to tell you on the whole the comments are far more amusing than the programmes!!!!
But recently I have been caught by the comments on a couple of programmes I don’t normally watch, Embarrassing Bodies … Read More »

Hard drive headache

A couple of days ago my hard drive died.  Well, not strictly my hard drive, the devious litttle devise lurking in the depths of my laptop which somehow makes all the words miraculously appear on screen and e-mails arrive by first class post.    I’m totally lost without it, and early prognosis … Read More »

HOUSEWORK… JUST FOR THE GAL’S?

 
My hubby filled the dish washer… which I then re-stacked! he gave me filthy look which I returned ten fold…
We then had a discussion on the right/wrong way to fill a dish washer, it lasted about an hour! other ’stuff ‘came up, as it will at times like this… in the … Read More »

ARE MEN REALLY FROM MARS…. OR AM I SPEAKING IN RUSSIAN?

 
 Do men speak a different language ? do they hear words that suddenly become Russian coming out of our mouths? do they understand or remember simple things said less than a minute ago… easy peasy requests made in an everyday situation? ”can you feed the dog, please”.
How come they can’t retain anything, other … Read More »

HOW OLD IS OLD? FILL IT, NIP IT , TUCK IT, SUCK IT OUT.

 
SO how old is old now… radio four mentioned a prog about how our bodies are ageing… or in the case of some people not being allowed to age and it got me thinking. It is scary for us mere mortals (with a budget) when you see in every glossy mag that … Read More »

TIME & TIDE COME UP WITH NEW IDEAS FOR THE HUMBLE SCARF

 
Some more exciting products from Time & Tide Jewellery, this time they have found The Wonder Wrap and The Ripple Scarf.
 
We like to share with you when we discover something new…. in this case it was a re-visit back to a site we have featured before….. Time & Tide Jewellery, well … Read More »

BURBERRY LIVE STREAM….at LONDON FASHION WEEK

 
I have just watched the live stream at LONDON FASHION WEEK for BURBERRY PRORSUM… and I will say here and now I BLOODY LOVE BURBERRY WITH A PASSION…. and I will always love it.
I do wish I could have been in the front row but hey I am a simple soul and no clout … Read More »

LONDON FASHION WEEK OPENED BY SARAH BROWN

 
My favorite time of year and at least the snow has not stopped the enthusiasm of the fashion followers at the essential shopping event.. Sarah Brown (in a dress by Erdem) officially opened London Fashion Week at Somerset House this morning for autumn/winter season 2010 …
 
I guess the feeling was somewhat subdued by the … Read More »

Putting the Boots in

Sometimes (in fact often) you read something in the paper which really makes you mad.  This week it had to be that our favourite high street chemist Boots has, allegedly, stopped issuing loyalty points for powdered baby milk.  This apparently has come from on high, ie Brussels.  The thinking behind … Read More »

JANE TAYLOR SINGER SONGWRITER

 
 Last year we went to a concert in aid of a hospice… it was an amazing event with the caliber of actors one will rarely get on one stage at the same time, the fantastic Anne Reid, Paul McGann, James Bolan, Patricia Routledge, Aled Jones, Susan Jameson, Geraldine James, two of the Harker … Read More »

PETER DAVISON INTERVIEW currently in LEGALLY BLOND

 
Actor Peter Davison, who is no stranger to the West End Theatre’s is currently appearing in Legally Blond the Musical playing PROFESSOR CALLAHAN. He is also know to thousands as Dr WHO and of course Tristan in All Creatures Great and Small. He has a wealth of talent and his CV … Read More »

AWARD WINNING DESIGNER MARTIN SWATTON

 
 We bring you all sorts of diverse things on our blog posts and this is no exception… this is an amazing designer who took a 30’s bungalow and changed it beyond recognition… it is a fantastic open plan contemporary living space…. and I want it!!
 
 
Award winning designer Martin Swatton uses … Read More »

New word on the street

I speak English.  When I went to school I learnt French and Spanish (and latin but I slept through most of that). 
Now there is a new language on the street.  It’s  called ‘I work in a shop and have the ability to ignore all customers and continue a conversation with … Read More »

News, odds and bits

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.

Hot or Not:
FIRST NOT Victoria B's feet.. I looked back in our archives and found the piece we did on her shoes... oh ages back, how does she even walk... let alone walk in those daft very high shoes.... they should be for red carpet do's only....

FIRST HOT:JOSEPH JOSEPH range, I have several bits now and I love them..so easy and stylish but affordable, doesn't hurt that these thirty something twins are pretty devine in the looks dept!

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


America’s Next Top Model Challenge News

New ANTM challenge

In the next upcoming episode the girls are flown to Hawaii for their shoot on location. And although you might not be able to get to Hawaii yourself, ANTM would like you to think about your location for the next online challenge.

For this week they want to see your model poses in an interesting location. Think about the surroundings, the light and how you interact with the background.

Check out the video below for some more tips from Jane Ko, a freelance creative director scouting locations for an upcoming shoot in London:

http://www.antmchallenge.com for people to watch the video

America's Next Top Model Challenge 7: The Makeover – tips from an ASOS makeup artist
Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9Bd12r8muk

Fierceness. It's a look. But it’s also an attitude. Tyra talks a lot about personality, having the right attitude and being fierce.

For this week’s challenge ANTM are looking for someone who stands out from the crowd for all the right reasons. All you need to do is send in a three quarter length shot of you showing off your fiercest look.
www.antmchallenge.com

The next online challenge for America’s Next Top Model has been announced and this week it’s all about posing with a friend! Rochelle Kent-Ellis from Bristol was chosen as the lucky winner. You can check out her winning image at www.antmchallenge.com

This week’s challenge closes at midnight on Weds 17th Feb – and you can enter your best photo of the pair of you working it over at www.antmchallenge.com now!

ANTM 13 –this week’s online challenge is all about ‘Statement Accessories’

So pick one of the accessories mentioned – from kitten heels, handbags, silver cuffs, bows or golden jewellery - and then get ready to show us what you’ve got.

This week’s challenge closes at midnight on Weds 10th Feb – and you can enter over at www.antmchallenge.com now!


Must haves….

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

OUR VERY BEST FRIENDS BY OUR SIDES,

POSTMEN I love our local postie

wet wipes in the car !!

Xocai healthy chocolate: www.chocolatefalls.co.uk

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.


SHOPPING LISTS

ever look into peoples shopping baskets or their trolley??
we find its fasinating, so for fun we are adding a shopping list section:

SEND US YOURS.....

Weird and wacky shopping list left in trolley!

eggs (large) bacon (lean) cucumber (hard) bread (fresh) Glamour mag (new) cheese (cream) advocado (firm) ice cream (choc) coffee (strongest) sugar (brown) mayo (large) milk (semi).... and it went on, was it written by male or female ? answers please

this one was sent by sarra... we are so impressed, YOU GO GIRL

B&Q Shopping list

Self-tapping screws
Rawl plugs
Electric screwdriver
Junior hacksaw
Hammer
Pliers (little diddy ones)
Stanley knife
Safety goggles
Plastic crate to stash it all in

here is one I saw earlier!

2 Bardsley The Breadmaker Multigrain Rolls
2 Butterkist Organic Sea Salt Popcorn
1 Colgate Sensitive Enamel Tooth Paste
1 Cooks' Ingredients Toasted Pine Nuts Waitrose
2 Duracell Ultra AA 1.5V
2 Finish 30 Quantum Lemon Tablets
1 Glamour Magazine
1 Granular Dishwasher Salt essential Waitrose
1 Grape-Nuts
4 Green & Black's Organic Chocolate 85% Dark
2 Marmite Rice Cake Multipack
1 Mr Muscle Shower Shine


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!!

company telephones, always an 0845 or worse 0844 press 1 or 2 or 5 or 99 and then you are put on hold! I really do hope they are recording MY CALL, hate the music loop and then I swear at them all.

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!!!

Folk who think their time is more precious than yours, they make an appointment and then DO NOT SHOW.... and NO phone call to let you know they are going to be a NO SHOW....arrrrgggg it makes me so cross. cupcake xx

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

oh lord I have on white trs and black pants! they are comfy pants, I hang my head in shame and can only tell you that you can't see them as also wearing long top cupcake x

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.

Butter in cafe's which comes in a horrid little foil packet, is golden yellow and tastes rancid. Bring on the creamy white unsalted please.

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 "


Our fave quotes
  • “" I always seemed to fall in love with policemen"”

    Cynthia Payne

  • “"history is bunk"”

    Henry Ford

  • “My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it”

    Mark Twain

  • “"It's not that I'm afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens." —Woody Allen”
  • “Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping”

    Bo Derek

  • “"Drama is Life with the dull bits cut out"”

    Alfred Hitchcock

  • “I don't think I've ever drunk champagne before breakfast before. With breakfast on several occasions, but never before”

    Paul Varjak (Breakfast at Tiffany's)