The Quick Catch Up Featuring Bare Minerals, Gap & Moi!

It's been a busy week and doesn't show any signs of slowing down what with half term!  Anyone else loosing the will to live with their little sproglets already?!?!  I had a rare few hours in a shopping centre all to myself last week, I actually didn't know what to do with myself, no kids, no time limit.  So I set myself a two hour time limit instead!  I popped into Gap to try and find some boyfriend jeans (I'm going to start back on the 'what I need' lists), no luck but I did spy these gorgeous ballet pumps.  All leather, £34.99.  I love the colours, they could literally go with anything.

Next up I have been desperate to try the new Bare Minerals Ready product and the kind ladies at the Debenhams counter gave me some samples to try.  I have used it twice now, I'm not 100% the colour is right so I may go for a shade lighter but as with my starter kit set, it is natural, goes on well (been using some samples of liquid foundation and I'm just not cut out to blend properly!) and quick to apply.  

Apart from that, my trip was brief!  I am trying to be good with 'Frugal February' so I wasn't going to be buying anything I really didn't need.  I even put down a reduced body spray in Hollister as questioned did I need it right now.  The answer being no as I still had over half a bottle left of what I was using.  What is happening to me?!  I'm sure it won't last long.  Here is what I wore to run about in, school run included. 

Jeans: Gap
Sweater: Dorothy Perkins
Gilet: Zara

(Discarded jeans on the changing room floor: Gap)

Handbag: Prada
Boots: Sam Edelman

Scarf: H&M (cashmere)
Furby: Tesco
Lizzie the Cat: Me, the adoptive Mother

PS who else did well on Valentines day?  Look at what my lucky little ladies received from their doting Aunty.  They did better than me (yep, hubby was in the dog house for it!).

Reviewed: Tesco Winter Hats

A fellow school run Mum friend had a gorgeous hat on today, it looked so nice on her.  I am not one to walk past and not comment so I told her how lovely it looked and promptly followed it with my usual; 'where's it from?'.  Tesco!  So I detoured after a very long day helping the PTA with the Christmas Fayre and on route to the milk aisle, stopped by the hat section.  Wow, what a lovely load of knits for no more than £6 a piece.  With further investigation on line, there is 25% off until Monday and matching items available.  Who needs a Winter warmer pick me up?  Head their way…….

The hat in question.  I LOVED the pom pom on her, it looked so good on.

£6 with some sequins around the bottom (you can just see to the right)

£7

Grey version of the above

£6 with diamante owl

£4 bargain!

£6 

£6

£5

So who's putting their decorations up Sunday????  Have a good week-end everyone x

Quirky Knits & Some Major Bargains

I was dashing around Tesco the other day when their clothing sale caught my eye.  I was immediately drawn to two jumpers, both a little different to what I would normally home in on (think classic, smart, casual dresser who loves a breton stripe and animal print).  I tried them both on, I definitely preferred one over the other but then I checked the fibre composition, mmmmm. I have never shied away from the fact I don't like acrylic, I always aim for natural fibres as I like my clothes to last as I buy classic shapes.  But it got me thinking.  At £9 was it worth a try just to have a bit of fun in my wardrobe?  Or is it compromising my 'rules' on garments and after two washes I will be fuming that it looks a mess and will never make it to next season in my wardrobe?  Is it a little 'young'?  Or is it quirky and cheeky?  I am still undecided.  The husband is against it, thinks it looks daft.  I like the colours but I feel I am going to be cheated of my £9 if it ends up in the rag bag bin.  Yes there is the slight chance I am over thinking this, but that is me, I like to think about my clothes.  It's rare that I buy an item and wear it straight away (like my Jack Wills cardi), I ponder.

Tesco £9 

The one that jumped away...had more cotton in but not a great shape on me, £7

For £9 part of me wants to give it a go, but then I look at the cut around the neck, feel the fabric and I cringe.  I am not saying that everything I've bought from Tesco has been like this, their cashmere is amazing but then for £40 a piece, you would expect it to be.  I guess I just expect a lot for my money, but then why shouldn't we, we all work hard for it.  Throw away fashion has never really been part of my wardrobe, yes a few odd pieces but never the foundation of it.  If you are a fan of these jumpers and want to/have the means to spend more, I love this French Connection version and it's pretty much all wool.  

French Connections £79

I also tried this on that I found in the M&S sale for £22 but it wasn't my size.  I do love the detail on this though and I like that it's on top as it balances out my proportions.

And a few randoms to finish off with tonight.  If you are a cooker/baker and enjoy a good book, I found this in my local Poundland (there is branded stuff in Poundland before anyone shouts at me, and the more I save there, the more I can 'invest' in my wardrobe).  I did a quick Amazon check and it's £12.72 there with an RRP of £18.99, bargain!  Oh and it's recommended by Nigella.

I did warn you it was random - a new night cream!  It's that time of year when my expensive one runs out and I am waiting for it in the sales again.  I have heard quite a lot of good stuff about Aldi's creams so for £3.49 I'm giving it a whirl.  Will feed back on my findings.

And last but by no means least as it's probably been the highlight of my day, I need to get out more I know, my Waitrose shop.  Somehow I managed to walk in at just the right time of day that mark downs were happening and instead of spending the £37.50 it totalled, I spent £13.08 and all the meat/fish has gone straight in the freezer.  I do LOVE a bargain, don't say I don't share everything with you on my blog.  Have a good week-end everyone!

Faux Leather/Wet Look Leggings

A little late to join this trend, but then I have never been trend led, I just like well styled, classic, quality  clothing, sometimes I throw in a twist.  This I guess is my twist.  After recently seeing the lovely Fiona over at Avenue 57 in some faux leather trousers, I loved how she dressed them down yet they still looked effortlessly cool.  I am a jeans girl through and through, they are my smart/casual comfort zone.  I try to push away from them at times, this is one of those times.  My friend came to visit me the other day wearing some shiny type of leggings.  They were very subtle, I didn't notice properly until I saw them in better lighting but they just looked a little smarter (and cooler dare I say it!) than normal leggings.  Originally I took photo's of her cute Clark's boots but then I got closer and saw the leggings!  They were from Tesco's over a year ago.  I am not so sure they are the a 'true' wet look type, but as I'm not sure I could do the whole faux leather/wet look just yet (baby steps for new styles of course) they seemed a great in between way to try something new.  I'm off to google some (research purposes only, purchasing ban still in place) as they are not on line at Tesco, so if you can recommend any, please share.

Not the best photo, but originally I was focusing on the boots!

Fab boots though!

My wish list item this week, these coral courts from Topshop, called 'Gwenda'.  They are suede, and I have a thing about suede shoes for some reason.  At £58 I don't think that's a bad price at all.  Oh and I have a shoe thing at the moment also........

My Weekly Tesco Shop = Cashmere Yay!

I dread the Tesco shop, I always underestimate how long I will be in there and this time was no exception.  Alice and I started off with our list at the ready, eager to make it a quick shop.  Baby aisle done, half price clothing sale opposite, damn, it was going so well.  I spy the special protective covers over the cashmere section hanging up high (why don't stores think of short people when they hang things up high?) and excitedly threw 3 items in my trolley.  Yes, I admit, I am one of those annoying people who hog my sizes until I've made a decision.  I felt a little too excited at the prospect of half price cashmere to make a rational decision straight away.  So after an hour and a half and a very patient Alice, I headed back to the mirror to try on and decide.  I put back both the grey and black cardi's, they fitted well however I didn't really need them - I have black and grey cardi's.  For £25 I did grab the green jumper.  I love the high neck on me, I thought it was superb value and the colour would look great with black trousers.  There are still some left on line, but be quick, great quality and great value sell fast.

The cardi that didn't make the cut!

I thought this simple animal print tunic was a great addition to a wardrobe for £10 if pennies are tighter and you need (!) a pick me up piece.  Easy to wear with leggings or jeans (or as a dress!) it will take you anywhere.

A little F&F (Florence & Fred!)

Who says you need loads of cash for a fab outfit?  Not me!  A little food for the family, a little cardi for me, £4,  BARGAIN!  100% cotton, when other shops only use 50% and mix with a man made fabric then charge double this price.  It was £14 but I doubled up a £5 clubcard voucher (free just for doing the necessary food shopping) so only had to part with four little pounds.  Great 3/4 sleeve, great colour (have a thing for coral  /orange at the moment), great chunky cable knit, great price, I salute you Tesco!

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