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

WINNER OF THE VINTAGE AT GOODWOOD

DRUM ROLL PLEASE ..******************************* WE  HAVE A WINNER All the names of the peeps who answered the question correctly went into a hat… we put a blindfold on marigold, strapped her to a unicycle and spun her around, she then reached in to said hat…and pulled out AMY MARKS.. Well done Amy and we hope you have the most amazing time at the event xxxxxxxxxxxxxx answer … Read More »

VINTAGE AT GOODWOOD, 13TH – 15TH AUGUST

 Marigold and I have been in touch with the fab people at Goodwood and we have come up with a competition… the prize is TWO CAMPING AND ENTRANCE TICKETS  to this amazing weekend event. So pack up your tent, jump in your morris traveler with your vintage outfits on and scoot along with  tickets in hand to the glorious camping site at Goodwood, Nr Chichester, West … Read More »

42nd Street and Pygmalion

‘Too much of a good thing can be wonderful’ said Mae West.  Clever girl.  I thought the same when driving home from Chichester Festival Theatre a couple of nights ago.  The story goes something like this.  Last year I was taken to the aforementioned theatre and posted a review on this very blogspot.  So I couldn’t believe my luck when I received two invitations … Read More »

LYNDA BELLINGHAM, LOST AND FOUND, MY STORY

  Lynda Bellingham,   Lost and Found, My Story.      “ everyone has a story to tell. I realise how fortunate I am to be able to publish. I hope that people can identify with many of the things that have happened to me and I want everyone to know there is always hope at the end of the tunnel. “     Has Lynda Bellingham … Read More »

MEET LYNDA BELLINGHAM OUR Q&A INTERVIEW

  SHE HAS DONE FILMS, TV DRAMA AND SITCOM, ADS AND NOW HER BOOK LOST AND FOUND, her story. Lynda Bellingham, the OXO mum, Helen in All Creatures Great and Small, tough nut crook in the Bill, getting naked in the West End ‘Calendar Girls’ and so much more. We are so pleased to have caught up with her, here are her Q&As interview. Book … Read More »

ANOTHER LITTLE TIME SAVING GEM FROM SPOONFED SUPPERS

   HERE IS ANOTHER LITTLE GEM FROM SPOONFEDSUPPERS.COM…. WE ARE LOVING THIS BEAUTY Pronto Prawn Paella Repeat after me: “La comida estuvo deliciosa”   Ah shucks. You are making me blush!            Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced 1 red pepper, sliced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 150g / 5 ¼ oz / ¾ cup paella rice Pinch saffron 1 … Read More »

KAI IS NOW IN THE UK

  OMG I can’t believe it at last KAI is here in the UK…. for those who have not found the infinite pleasure of KAI products, it is simply the most beautiful perfume in the world. I was given a tiny perfume oil by a friend coming back from the States, she was telling me about all the celebs the other side of the pond … Read More »

QUICK INTERVIEW WITH DAVID ESSEX

 Q&A Interview with David Essex who is currently appearing in ‘All the Fun of the Fair’ on at the Garrick Theatre until September. You will come out tapping your toes.. full details below             Cupcake   do you twitter? David             no – but I sing a lot Cupcake    I love black and white movies. Do you have a favourite genre of film, … Read More »

DESERT ISLAND MUST HAVES, TEN THINGS

  Marigold got me thinking yesterday with her zero lost and found list… plus I had been talking about being stuck on a desert island with no phone or computer, that would be the most tragic thing for a start! but then I was wondering what could I never go without….  TEN THINGS (bit like desert island disc’s only we get ten) There are … Read More »

Ground zero

This week I’m celebrating (is that the right word?) a ‘zero’ birthday.  Another decade passed, and very much a time for reflection. I’ve been thinking of all the things I’ve learnt, lost and gained over those 10 years, some silly, some scary, some sentimental.  So here goes! LOST A much loved father and sister, a schoolfriend who was far too young, a quite frightening amount of skin … Read More »

AMAZING IDEA’S FROM SPOONFEDSUPPERS.COM

  How about this for an amazing idea, everyday you get an email with fantastic idea’s for supper that evening, one day a week you get the shopping list… I am in love with Candy from Spoonfedsuppers.com it has to be the most useful and wonderful sight ever! check it out. today:  Meat Free Mondays: Summer Couscous with Halloumi    www.Spoonfedsuppers.com.    A lazy supper … Read More »

Boys with balls

Tennis.  (What else would this be about?) Love or hate the game, aren’t you going to miss the style and elegance of those tennis players after today’s men’s finals?  Not to mention the pleasure of the one time you can genuinely say men look really good in shorts, even when they are wearing socks! Marigold xx

Out of the desert!

After what seems like an age, I’m back on line, back on blog and feel like I’ve re-joined the world.  How can a major computer glitch have such an impact on your life?  It’s maddening, but I can’t tell you the feeling of relief and re-control I now have.  I’ve been in this internet and information desert and at last I’ve found my oasis. Firstly, … Read More »

SUNNY DAY WITH FRIENDS

  Today Marigold and I met up with friends in the most stunning garden EVER, it was a beautiful sunny day with just the right amount of breeze.   We talked about families, the government, theatre, HRT, designers, the pill, newspapers, food, TV programmes, wine, fashion, books, writers, sunglasses and then films, I will not cover every comment made, you may well fall asleep… but … Read More »

WEDDING LISTS at ROCKETT ST GEORGE

  You may remember we bought to your attention the wonderful web site Rockett St George,  we have used it for birthday and wedding pressies and now we find out the clever girls at RSG host a wedding list…. oh did that sound like a 70′s ad’ sorry but we love their things so much. This is their ad:    Would you like Rockett … Read More »

       vintage goodwood vintage goodwood

News, odds and bits

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 "