The Change & My Ikea Bargain

I've been meaning to make some updates to my blog for a while now but time always gets the better of me so I've set myself a little deadline and with that in mind, a short post seems the best way to start.  Like most, I am a busy working Mummy but now my second child is in school I will hopefully get back to some more regular writing on here.  My blog started off years ago with no real direction, I just wanted to share great buys with you but it always ended up being of the clothing variety.  Life isn't just about that so my direction on here needs to reflect that too.  I'm an avid bargain hunter, I only want to pay what I think something is worth and if that means waiting for a sale or even until someone travels abroad then so be it!  So you won't just be finding clothes from now on, there will be other items on here and shock horror (like the Zara coat) I do sometimes pay full price for items too!  That being said, quality is always in the forefront of my mind, you do get what you pay for and if it's worth the money, I invest!  I love sharing new finds - that can be anything from clothing to food to makeup so bear with me, my little journey on here is a wobbly road with bits and bobs thrown in along the way for good measure.  

So there will be an updated bio soon, some proper T's&C's for when I do sponsored posts so you fully understand what goes on with them (and the little ad's down the side) and more varied posts.  Oh and a slightly adjusted logo so you know it's me, Natalie and not that my name is Rosie! (NB I will explain the reason behind the name in the updated bio!).  

Based on that, here' s little peak of a chair that I have been after for a while.  It was originally £195 from Ikea (they adjusted the price to £179 in August 2016 though) but it's for a room that isn't currently available yet (current kitchen will be a study/family room next year).  So I saved a search on ebay for a decent second hand one as it's not a desperate need right now.  They are all selling for around the £100 mark but then I happened to stumble across this one last week-end in the 'Bargain Basement' section of Ikea for £69!  My pretty fabulous friend who was on a mission more than myself that day then went ahead and bargained it down further to £55 for me!  It will end up in the garage for a while but I'm going to wash the seat cover and clean the arms up a little but aside from that, it's structurally and fabric wise in a brilliant condition!

The Purchases: Ikea, Jones Bootmaker & Timberland

Something a little festive for you all, Ikea's tea light holder, how cute is this?  Oh and it only costs £2! They come in silver and black as well as my white and are called the 'Rotera'.  I also grabbed a napkin holder, not particularly festive but it doesn't have to go away for the rest of the year.  This was £3 and called 'Liksidig'.

Next up is my usual out of season buying bargain.  I was on the hunt for some snow boots for the kids and just so happened to come across these little lovelies.  I have blogged previously about my pink Jones Bootmaker ballet pumps and how well they have worn so when I saw these snake print ones, also leather, there were straight in my basket.  £60 originally, down to £19.  Hands up, I admit, I do not need these now and yes, it's Christmas and pennies are tighter.  However when I come to buy these when the weather heats up, they will be 3 times as much, that infuriates me when I know I like something no matter what the current trends are.  So there is my justification!  Granted they will look a lot better with a more tanned foot, they look a little pasty now!

And probably my bargain of the year (considering the time of year, I still can't believe my luck buying a pair of boots at this price).  Another love I've harped on about on here is the Timberland Earthkeeper range.  Like a shoe with the comfort of a slipper, I can literally walk all day in a pair.  Having popped to Bicester Village to look for a coat for the hubby (he did get one, also from Timberland!) I spied these on a sale rack.  £90 down to £25.  I remembered I had a 30% off voucher and they said they accepted them at the outlet as well!  Wait for it, when they scanned they were £15, further 30% off = £10.50!  Yes, I just paid £10.50 for a £90 pair of part leather/canvas boots.  I know, I am still in shock.  They don't look the prettiest of things but needs must on a school run and I think they happen to look a little trendy actually.  Warmer than my animal print Converse, they are perfect for running around after the kids in.   My Ugg's made me feel 'ugly' the other week and I am yet to find a good leather brown ankle boot so these are my interim purchase.  However I have a feeling they may not be so interim after all.  Anyone else been bagging a bargain with all these sales going on?

Guest appearance from Lizzie the cat again

A Winter Wedding

I did end up wearing my bargain French Connection shift dress to a friends wedding.  However being busy with the girls, I left piecing the look together until the last minute (I always work better under pressure!).  The suede peep toes I had planned on wearing, once tried on, reminded me exactly how unconformable they were.  This was a 12pm wedding, I had to last 12 hours, these weren't going to work!

Luckily it was half term and a customary trip to Ikea for meatballs, left me next door to a shopping centre.  So I hit the shopping centre hard, with a 2 hour limit.  30 minutes to go, slightly panicked, I ended up with some Ted Baker court shoes from TK Maxx.  I loved the colour and I thought it would work well with the dress, adding some warmth and softness to the overall look.  Luckily I knew I had an unused (I knew it was going to work for me one day!) Coccinelle clutch, also from TK Maxx that even though was not an exact match, as my clutch didn't sit right next to the shoes, it would work.  Throw in a free Nails Inc nailpolish I had from a magazine and  a new £1 Clinique Chubby Stick in Curvy Candy (thank you Debenhams for my £15 Beauty Card Reward - stick is £16 RRP) and I was pleased with my final look.

My only regret is my necklace.  I should have worn my bold flower one and foolishly listened to my husband who had a very strong opinion on it (does anyone else do that - ignore their own opinion in favour of someone who really doesn't know best?).  But it wasn't a major fashion disaster, we live and learn!  The dress was so comfortable and not tight and restricting and the shoes were so good to my feet that I can't wait to have the opportunity to wear them again!

The shoes that saved the day! £49.99 all leather and free nailpolish

The 'old' clutch and new lippy

The necklace worn (New Look Limited Edition)

What I think I should have worn!(Topshop)

Group shot of accessories (and the better necklace!)

The final ensemble (yes I wore a coat!)

Does your Home Interioirs reflect your Personal Style?

Ever one to draw inspiration from all sources, most recently from an evening baby sitting!  My friend J had told me about her living room changes and without knowing how utterly stylish she was being she had opted for for a 'Carrie Bradshaw' look.  Previously she had a featured deep red wall, she has lifted the mood entirely with this amazing blue and taupe combo.  On a budget, a trip to Ikea spruced up a lamp, some new cushions and a throw. I think it looks amazing!

I love this modern print, also from Ikea!

This left me thinking about my own interiors.  I am not daring in my own pursuit of colour, I enjoy relaxed neutral tones, my whole house is the 'hint of' range from Dulux!  This is reflected in my own personal choice of colour when I'm dressing.  Greys, taupes, dull some may say but I enjoy wearing them!  It was actually one of the first things my tutor noticed about me when I was studying at London College of Fashion, so just to throw her, I wore a green blazer one day!  You can't help wearing what you enjoy, and sometimes I do feel like adding a blast of colour, but usually with accessories.  My friend J who's living room grabbed me, has always been one for wearing colour and patterns and she looks great in them.  I am always open to inspiration of any kind, I am now just trying to find a way of incorporating that lovely blue into my life/wardrobe/home!

My neautral colour pallets!

Does your interior choice reflect your clothing?

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