Wardrobe Maintenane Products

As I've previously mentioned, I've been a bit flippant with the pennies of late and seem to have found lots I liked.  Time to stop and take stock.  With that in mind, it's great to have a little wardrobe maintenance.  There are a few things I always recommend my clients have in their wardrobe to help look after their clothes mainly, but also to organise and make it an overall enticing place to spend some time (especially for those who hate their wardrobes but want to start to love them again!).  

Always always always use something to help keep your jumpers pristine where wool is cocerned. Moths have a way of eating them no matter how much you think they can't get in.  I use the tea bag variety thrown in with all mine but I found the below in Aldi for a bargain £1.99.  Check out Amazon as well, they have a huge selection.

Aldi £1.99

If you are struggling with clothes but want to change your ways, add what you love near it.  Be it a picture, pretty hooks, a nice box to keep seasonal items in (scarf, gloves/swimwear, kaftans) or even change the drawer handles or door knobs.  Homebase surprisingly is great for picking up items like this.  Their home wear section always has affordable items, I love the little drawer set below (white, middle of the photo).

Invest in some decent hangers.  Don't use the old wire ones if you have any, bin them now as they do nothing for keeping the shape of your clothes.  The velvet ones below are in Homebase but TK Maxx also sell them in larger packs and different colours.

Organise that beauty drawer!  I use a clear display unit like the below that fits perfectly into my drawers, it was from Ikea.  TK Maxx are now stocking them and they start from £4.99 with a range of sizes.

TK Maxx from £4.99

I'm a rose fan so loved the below, also from TK Maxx but you can find these in most Homeware shops. 

TK Maxx £5.99

I'm also a big hook fan. I have them every where, inside my wardrobe door, on the wall next to my mirror, next to a shelving unit, if there's space, there will be a hook!  Use them for hanging outfits out ready for the next day, putting your scarves, handbags or belts on, hats, the list is endless.  

TK Maxx

New Season At Next And Some Boden

I spied these boots when my eldest dragged me into Next today and was pleasantly surprised, how trendy have Next now become?!  Even on my way out I was eyeing up some of their jumpers at a reasonable £20.  I am not a huge Next shopper, I think it's because I used to only associate them with work wear many moons ago.  I do pop in and out and always seem to grab a few bits in their sales (£7 leather animal print sandals below).  As TK Maxx is next door I pretty much would always choose to spend my pennies in there as feel I get better value for my money due to most of it being designer.  However I really liked these so thought I'd share them with you.

Black peep toe ££60

£58

I had a bit of a result in Topshop the other week.  I replaced some more old skinny Baxter jeans with new £15 ones and fell in love with this shirt also £15, their sale was fab.  Not the ideal colour combo, had I been organised and shaved my legs (this is my blog so no holds barred) I would have worn tucked into a pretty skirt mixing a masculine clean lined shirt with a floral feminine skirt.  Alas hind sight is a wonderful thing but I'm honest enough to share the photo.  The shirt is not as bright as it appears in the picture.  It is so comfortable and is available in a variety of colours, look under 'Chambray Shirt'.  Not sure how I managed to get it in the sale as it's £29 now but I'm not complaining!

Shirt; Topshop
Belt; Tommy Hilfiger (TK Maxx)
Chinos; Ralph Lauren (TK Maxx)
Sandals; Next

My bargain of the day (Homebase again!) This £40 water and sand kit for £5!  Missing a plug but I've found one to fit, I couldn't not share this steal.  The girls were very happy (and wet) today!

I feel like I'm done with the clothing shops for now (I am not setting a date).  I've hunted down the sale bargains, there's none left, I bought them all.  I then moved on to decorating the lounge and finding Le Creuset in the turquoise colour (to match our glass tiles in the kitchen) at TK Maxx, I think I've just about got it all now.  And todays obsession?  Food.  Nigella and Jamie's been on the TV, I am now planning her chocolate cheese cake when Nan is over on Wednesday.  Next week I think I will be on the A/W wardrobe - well I hope so anyway.  

Is anyone else like this or is it just me who jumps from clothes to home to food to clothes etc?

One final sale bargain should I not have moved on to food would be this from Boden, now £35.40 and buttoned all up the back, love it but no, not buying it!

Habitat, Homebase and some Home Improvements!

As this blog is about my 'shopaholic tendencies' I thought it only fair to share other bargains, not of the clothing variety.  On a whim I decided to paint the lounge and as Homebase were having a 15% week-end and Nectar had given me a voucher for a free paint sample, I started there.  I got a little side tracked.  3 cushions, half a dinner set, 2 lamp bases and lampshades later and a few hours lost over 2 days, I emerged triumphant.  Just in case you weren't aware, Homebase now sell Habitat stock.  I found a shelving rack at the back of my local store full of goodies.  Not only were they a fraction of the price but I got the additional 15% off and triple Nectar points!

Habitat cushion £4.25

These cushions were £25 then reduced several times down to £5, then a further 15% off making them £4.25.  A little quirky but then I like to mix things up a little at times. 

Homebase glass lamp and shade £17

Next up was the lighting department.  I've had my lounge lamps for over a decade now and they needed replacing.  The glass base was £30, the shade £10, 50% off then the additional 15% making them £17 each, result!

Habitat dinner sets £4.25 for 4 pieces

And probably my favourite bargain from Homebase is this dinner set.  I debated over night, headed back the next day to find that the second set of 4 side plates had been purchased (thanks who ever took them) I then spent 45 minutes at the Customer Service desk tracking more sets down.  Yes, when I want something, I persist and thank goodness the sales assistant had patience that day to deal with me.  I located a box of side plates and two boxes of the bowls in the Bournemouth store.  Thanks to my lovely friend who lives there, for £25.50 I bagged a 24 piece dinner set (8 dinner plates, 8 side plates and 8 bowls) which is still on the Habitat website at the full price of £116.  I LOVE a bargain, love love love.  (There are 4 different colour variations in the set, I haven't bought odd sets before anyone questions my sanity).

My new green lounge!

And by night!

So in case you were wanting to freshen up your lounge or replace your dinner set, Homebase is my tip off!

Staying Power - on the lips!

I went out to dinner with some friends last year and as usual the chat turns to girly stuff. They all struggle to keep a lippy on and were commenting on mine still staying put. I discovered none of them use lip liner! This has been a staple of mine since dot (well ok, a little older, thanks to my Mummy!). I always apply and fill in my lips pre lipstick and gloss. I really rate Shiseido for theirs, but also love my Chanel one I recently purchased. I am interseted to try Clinique's new chubby stick lip balm as I love to use pencils.

Hit TK Maxx for their fab new drop of shoe's. Think All Saints, Zara, even found a pair of Costume National - if only they were my size!

I am now post baby (hence my delay in blogging!) and watching back editions of programmes I've recorded. Particularly a make over series and the presenter has the most amazing wardrobe - serious envy and inspiration to shop. I am living in easy access tops at the moment, once I'm done with my current feeding job, I am hitting those shops. Westfield London, me and you have a day long date in the coming months.

Some of my favorite free store cards with benefits;
Ikea Family - apply on-line, weekly store offers, exclusive to your local store. I love Ikea!
Liberty - sale previews, extra 10% off for card holders, evening champagne events, I would use more if I was a London local!
Nectar - use for pretty much all on-line shopping, you just have to shop via their links to a website, nothing else. You get points like Boots and Tesco. Have used to buy things from Argos and Homebase.
Boots and Tesco - if you haven't already, don't ask questions, just do!
Superdrug - if you use regularly, they also now have a points card