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

My Weekly Tesco Shop....

Ended up a little more exciting this week!  As 'A' woke up earlier than planned (my plan, not hers) from her nap, I ended up with a whole 30 minutes extra in Tesco, yes I know, I am a lucky lady.  Feeling a little a drift with this extra time, I of course made my way to the clothing section, for me, not the children!  Low and behold, a 10 minute changing room session later and I come out with 2 pairs of new trousers, and still a happy baby in tow.  Always reluctant to try on trousers, I am lazy when it comes to them as I find them hard to shop for, I forced myself with this added time to make the effort.  I still like to stick to darker colours for my bottom half, I tried some light green ones on but they just emphasized the parts I didn't want to.  So I chose these dark green soft trousers with zips up the ankles (£14), and these oiled like black ones (£16, which the husband hates!).  Both came in a shorter leg - well done Tesco!  I will model them at a later date for you!

 Off to London Fashion Weekend tomorrow and I can't wait.  I always have a great day out with my sister and we hopefully will discover a new brand for us to get our teeth into!

On a more 'Wintery' note, Timberland have just launched these.  For those of you who follow my blog, you will already know how I feel about their Earthkeeper range and these look so nice.  Will be looking out for a sale or discount code, £140 full price.

Sales Update!

Topshop - silk dress sold out even after I had checked out & purchased, so annoying! So it didn't turn up with my order. Tunic dress not so fab but cape a bargain for £15 for Summer, so tucking that little gem away. Went back on-line the other night as had an email through saying further discounts and new lines added, trying some more bits! In need for a School run coat - long, hooded and warm. Found one (how did I miss it before?!?) for less than half price with great reviews so giving that a whirl - lets hope it makes it to my door this time!

Managed to try on the Timberland boots in store and they were too high up my leg. Instead I went for these Earthkeepers ones. I love them - and they are even waterproof! Can't wait until I am back in my navy skinnies AB (after birth!!) and can wear these lush brown boots with them. On school runs I have been only in flats, these were so comfortable and a really sturdy, stocky heel so will see how I go.

Also tried on the Miss Selfridge gilet in store - not in my size, but I got the jist. Another no no, just wasn't up to much really for £40.

On-line sale shopping lesson learnt - majority I liked has not been the same in the flesh, so get out if you can and view the real deal! Needs must though, and as I'm nearly ready to pop, places like Topshop are just too busy for me so I have resorted to on-line ordering twice. But when I have managed to get out in the week and view some of the bits I've liked on-line, it has saved me the hassle of returns as they haven't been right.

Happy New Year to everyone! Here's to a stylish and comfortable one for all!

Christmas Sales

So the sales seem to have been and gone on-line this year! If you didn't get in there quickly (ie mid night when they went live - before Christmas when we were all busy preparing for the big day!) then all the best bits have gone! Even as I tried to do a quick spot of shopping pre the big day, the stuff was selling out before I could check out! I think they need to be re-named the pre-xmas sales! Definitely think this was the worst year I've experienced them selling out this fast on-line.

So all I have managed was a maternity dress (pre xmas of course!) from Asos. I have not ordered from them in a long time, but in sheer desperation and with a 20% off code and free returns (it pained me to pay the £4 delivery!) I did bag a bargain. It was £21 (then discount) but now back up to £30. Delivery was very prompt, returns for the ones that didn't work were easy and refunded quickly, over all I was impressed. Dress is comfy and simple, I felt really good in it. Follow the link to view.

Bagged a few bits in the Topshop sale. A silk black dress (classic for post pregnancy, silk's one of my favourite fabrics - now sold out!), tunic number and cape style top for the Summer. Yet to take delivery so will report back later!

Popped (and I mean 'popped' - it was a 2 hour trip due to busyness!) to Bicester Village. Clearly some sale bargains to be had. Hubby managed a bargain pair of shoes for work in Clarks (£70 down to £15) and I grabbed an oil cloth lunch bag for shopping trips with the kids from Cath Kidston, £14 (Tesco bag in bottom of pram not cutting in anymore.....!)

Eyeing up these boots from Timberland as bought a pair from their Earthkeepers range last year and literally lived in them. Not sure the discount is enough for me at the moment, so playing the game and hanging on to see if they are reduced further! Also contemplating this leather gilet, not for now of course. A few years ago I had a cropped green jacket in what looks like the same leather also from Miss Selfridge and I have surprisingly worn it a lot. I seem to always use the Christmas/January sales to buy things for later in the year!

So far, that is it! Beauty sales seem to be good but am not in need of much at the moment. Pregnancy legs permitting, going to attempt a few department stores later in the week, will see what that brings!