Some eBay Bargains

This post has been a long time coming as I kept meaning to share it earlier in the year but then Winter passed and the items didn't seem relevant.  The principle however did remain the same.  I am a contemplator. I don't tend to make decisions easily, especially with my wardrobe.  Being a bargain hunter I hate paying full price for items so try to hang on for sales.  That being said, it doesn't always work so eBay has been great when I feel I've missed out on something.  Queue this post I wrote 2 years ago about the pale pink faux fur gilet in Topshop.  I popped it on here, on my Christmas list, no one took the hint and it sold out.  I then saved a search on eBay for what seemed like eternity.  I missed out on another that my husband was supposed to bid on for me (yes he got a telling off) then finally this grey one popped up.  I paid £30 for it, it was second hand but in new condition.  Yes, I possibly think that paying £60 for the pale pink one 2 years earlier may have been the right thing to do but hind sight is a great thing.  Oh and thank God for eBay!

Gilet; Topshop via eBay 

Jumper; & Other Stories
Bag; Chloe
Hat & Gloves, Moschino via TK Maxx
Jeans; Topshop
Trainers; Nike

Gilet, jumper and jeans all Topshop!
Trainer boots; Timberland

Next up was another Topshop faux fur, this time a proper 'Bet' jacket.  Am sure I've featured it on here before but this was another eBay purchase.  It actually came up as a suggested item when I was looking for my gilet.  Then I got hooked on finding a decent one in my size.  I think I paid £40 for this and it was about £90 new but sold out by the time I stumbled across it.  I must say, these two faux fur pieces from Topshop have been brilliant.  They really are well made and a great soft faux fur - one of the only imitations I will do! 

Coat; Topshop via eBay
Chanel Bag; lucky charity shop find
Jeans; Zara
Trainers; Nike

Cashmere hat, leather gloves and my daughter 1D rucksack;TK Maxx
Jumper and boots; Gap
Jeans; Topshop

More recently I had a very old search saved for a Whistles shopper that I spotted years ago again, in a snake pattern.  The ones that kept coming up were used and the leather appeared to show wear really easily so I wasn't prepared to pay huge amounts for one.  This one came up and was brand new (there was still the gift recent in it when it arrived!).  I paid £26 for it.  My back's been playing up of late so I've needed to stop using my Prada everyday handbag as much.  They are so well made they are heavy unfortunately so I've swapped to this lightweight leather shopper style instead and it's been great.

Whistles via eBay

Really simple inside and raw leather lining

So if you feel you've missed out on something in the sales (especially as they are coming up) make sure you save a search on eBay.  It might not happen straight away but give it some time and something will always turn up.  I don't tend to randomly buy off there for clothing or accessories, only when it's been something I've seen and know it fits and is of good quality.

Re-visiting New Years Resolutions and Wild About Beauty

A little over half way through the year (where has it gone) and I've been thinking about the resolutions I set at the start of it.

• Drinking more water - well I've really tried and I have good days when I down glasses then bad days when I forget, but I've definitely drunk more that last year.
• Magazines - swiftly moving on to the next, epic fail, full stop.
• Bra's - work in progress.  Measured twice so far this year.  I'm varying between sizes, bra dependant so I need to buy majority of them on line.  I just need to do it and accept no amount of padding is going to give me what I had pre breast feeding.
• More beauty treatments - the hubby bought me a voucher for a massage for Valentines Day but apart from that, another fail, oops.
• Make-up - as below!

I still had a birthday voucher left for Debenhams (saved from January, I'm good I know) so when I was lucky enough to have a very patient 6 year old with me for a change, I had a browse round the make-up.  I have read a few reviews about some Wild About Beauty products, namely their multi-purpose tint.  It is a brand devised by Louise Redknapp and make-up artist Kim Jacob.  I decided to try a new lipstick and eyeshadow.  The sales assistant helpfully applied a few lip shades, a red one and a peach one.  I opted for peach and chickened out with the red.  Although the child was nagging me to get the red, it's just not a colour I wear on my lips regularly, I like subtle tones.  The main selling point for me though was what the products contained; 'packed with skin-nourishing, naturally active ingredients'.  The lipstick has Wild Mango Butter, Argan Oil (super moisturising) and SPF 15.  The eye shadow contains Vitamin C and E and Aloe Vera.  Maybe it's an age thing but I defintely care so much more about what I put on my skin now.  I loved the ethics behind this brand and so far, the products haven't disappointed.  The lipstick stayed put for hours and I didn't have to apply my lip balm after an hour (which is usually the case).  The eyeshadow goes on really well and was shown that if you apply with a moistened brush (she dipped hers in rose water) the colour intensifies.  I am yet to try this out.

Powder Shadow £13 in alana

Nutrilips Colour SPF 15 £15 in 03 betty

I will be heading back to try out the Lip Pencil Duo as anything with coconut in gets my vote (coconut oil is this case) and the Golden Beach Bronzer which is packed with vitamins.  Has anyone else discovered this brand?

I've also purchased a second lip colour recently (via Ebay, thank you Ebay) by Stila.  I had a lip glaze given to me a while back but never opened it, not really sure why.  I've definitely been missing out as it's a great gloss colour without being to sticky.  I then found out that none other than Mrs Beckham also shares the love with her favourite being the 'Mocha' colour, so I hit Ebay to found one!  It actually smells of coffee as well!  Another recommendation on the beauty front from me.  I'm off now to drink water and read a magazine in a bid to work on my other New Years resolutions, it's a hard life....

Old verses new; Mocha and Sugar Plum

A Quick Post Tonight - Ebay - Yes Ebay, Shop of the week!

I need to hit the sack, 3 hours sleep (poorly kiddies) does not make for a coherent Natalie!  I was just sorting through inbox and opened my Ebay email, they just wanted to remind me about their French Connection Outlet with up to 70% off ending today, so kind!  So instead of my usual time spent browsing, I am going to hand it over to you guys to do.  Their prices will still be discounted tomorrow but not as much as today, so be quick!  However, purely for research sake and adding some visual prettiness to my post other than words, here are some of my favourites.  Happy Shopping people!  

£95 down to £28.50

£155 down to £37.50

£47 down to £14.50

£180 down to £45

£125 down to £30

£125 down to £28.50

Alternative to my grey coat

I've had some lovely compliments on my grey French Connection cost seen in this blog.  So much so, some have been to try and buy it but it's sold out at Bicester Village.  It was a bargain for £60 and I've had a lot of wear from it already, it is so versatile.  I have found a few alternatives though!

The red version, currently on their site in the sale section, reduced to £97.50.

Gap have a slightly shorter coat, which is very similar.  It is £89.95 but they recently had 30% off, they are always doing deals, so if you can hang on, it might be worth the wait.

£115 for the blue version at Asos

£68 at French Connections's Ebay outlet, this is 68% wool and was originally £190.  I am loving this one!

Reiss outlet section, was £245, now £163, 80% wool.  Stunning classic, easy to wear, an investment piece!

Amazing Ebay deals - be quick!

Still not sorted out my pictures, so here are the links, be quick, selling fast!

Boden Waterfall Cardigan, 100% merino wool £20, was £59

French Connection black coat, 100% wool coat, £39.99, was £100

Womens Timberland Boots (only a size 6 left now!) £34.99, was £135

Follow this link for more Sunday Spectacular's, just picked the best 3!

PS Don't forget to log on through Nectar for extra points

PPS Anyone in London today, 20% off at Selfridges, and free parking on single yellow - get shopping, do me proud!

Discount French Connection

I feel like I've been on a bit of a roll with French Connection of late.  I recently ordered a dress and top via BrandAlley, the dress being over £100 originally, and the top around £60.  The dress is for a Winter wedding, I am going to add a lighter coloured blazer (like this) to it.  I ended up paying £32 for the dress and £19 for a 100% silk top (seen in this blog).

Picture does not do it justice

Nor does the close up!

I was then tipped off (thank you G) about the French Connection outlet site on Ebay, with furthers discounts for a day and free delivery, I ordered a few pieces.  Although these are being returned (due to fit) I am definitely keeping my eye on their Ebay shop.

Third time lucky I ended up at their outlet in Bicester Village and bagged a £195 coat for £60, another silk top and animal print jersey dress (similar on sale here just different print).  All around the half price mark.  I think the moral to this story is that if you get to know brands that work for you, you can end up getting classic pieces from their range, discounted from a variety of places.  One dress from their outlet I loved but it was only about 30% off.  I am now waiting for this to come up on one of the sites mentioned, have I said before how obsessed I am with bargains?!?  I will keep you posted on how it pans out!

Bargain with 45% wool for £60, ideally more wool content  but you can't have it all!

Needs a good press though!

I love this turned up cuff detail, great for me with short arms!

Love this print, versatile material and dress

Like this extra piping detail, makes it look more expensive

I love silk!  Not as shiny as it looks!

Zip up the back just to add extra detail and make it easier to get on and off!