Recent Purchases - Clothes.

I love shopping. Unfortunately I don't get to do it half as much as I'd like to as I'm unemployed but I am lucky enough to have a fiance that doesn't mind me having a spend of his wage every now and then :) Since it started getting colder I realised I have bugger all to wear! I have quite a few summery clothes but not very many jumpers or snuggley cardigans.. My typical outfit through winter is leggings and boots with a jumper or top and cardigan. To be fair though I live in leggings all year round..
If you saw my Wednesday Wishlist last month, you'll know I've really been loving the clothes in Asda this year.. Not only have I really liked many items, they're so reasonably priced it's hard to resist - and even then you don't feel guilty - bonus! Here's what I've been buying anyway.

New Look Inspire dress.

New Look Inspire jacket.

I wore the blue dress and cream jacket for my friends sons baptism last month in Birmingham.. I felt great in it til we got there.. Then I felt over dressed! Our families Christenings I've seen pictures of, everyone has been dressed up quite smart but not many people made much effort for this one so Aaron (who wore smart trousers and a shirt and black shoes) and I looked kinda out of place but nevermind. I completely forgot to get a picture of me wearing this outfit so you'll have to wait til it gets used again... Hope you like waiting!!! ;) I bought the dress in a size 22 cause of my boobs and I'm so glad I did cause they only just fit still, bloody things! The jacket is a size 20.
The burgundy dress (which I bought in a 20) below I had the intention of wearing with black tights, flats and a black cardi with a thin black belt.. But when I put all of that together the dress was a bit big and I felt like such a dumpling so I sold it on Ebay! I don't think I'm a dress person? I only own 2.. The one above and a black one for funerals or Christmas parties! LOL.. The jeans (size 16) I bought around 2 months ago and still haven't worn yet.. Oops! Although they do look good on :) I got the top from Select (size 18) a while ago too and really liked it at first but now everyone in my town seems to be wearing it as Select is the trendiest shop here!!

New Look Inspire dress.

New Look jeans.

Select top.

George at Asda tshirt.

George at Asda jumper.

George at Asda jumper.

George at Asda jumper.

The grey tshirt from Asda I sized up twice with and got a size 24. I think it's meant to be kinda fitted but I don't like really fitted clothes, so it's baggy but in a nice way, it doesn't look silly, in my opinion. I should get some pictures of me in these clothes really shouldn't I, especially as I'm terrible at describing things!! The cream jumper (size 20 as they didn't have my size and I had to have it!) I looove.. I actually went back and got it in a purpley blue colour too (size 18). They need a vest top underneath (unless you like showing everyone your bra obviously!) but they're so easy and comfortable to wear. The black and grey jumper (size 18) is thicker but it's also shorter so I still like to wear a top underneath so I'm not showing everyone my belly when I reach up! Finally, the blue jumper with the baggy neck I bought for lounging round the house. I sized up twice (got a 22) so it's baggy and comfy, it's lush :)

Which shop have you been loving recently? xxx

Charity Shoppin' #1

I will hold my hands up and admit that until I started volunteering in one of the local charity shops, I was a bit snobby about going in them. I always thought of a charity shop as somewhere old people shopped that smelt a bit fusty, was packed full of clutter and had a grumpy old lady serving everyone.. For some that is true but they're not all the same! The one I very much enjoy volunteering in (Barnardos) is unlike any charity shop I've ever entered. It smells nice, it's not cluttered, all the clothes are set out in different coloured sections and always looks very tidy and 99% of the volunteers and staff are such a lovely bunch. If you didn't know better, you probably wouldn't think it was a charity shop to be honest - people compliment the place all the time when they're paying for things - saying how it's not your typical charity shop. Oh and I'd say more "young" people come in than "old" people.

I really love a bargain so I'm not entirely sure why I didn't stop being a twit and start hunting around the charity shops before.. I mean, I buy second hand on Ebay so it's not much different is it! I might be biased but our one is definitely the best in the town (having gone in all the others with my lovely nan not so long ago!) so I only really buy from our one.. Plus we get 25% staff discount too! I can't believe some of the things people give away.. Brand new and/or branded items.. Good quality items! Our one always has really nice things from places like Top Shop, River Island, New Look, Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, Next, Dorothy Perkins.. etc.

Anyway, here's what I've come home with so far! All prices are before staff discount was applied.

(Please note: due to my naturally built in need to spend when I see things I like, this post will become a regular thing!)

Yours Clothing top, £3.99.

George cardigan, £1.99.

Red Herring dress, £1.99.

New Look shopper bag, £2.99.

Marks and Spencer slouchy bag, £3.99 (new).

No tag so not sure where the scarf is from but it's soooo soft, £1.99.

Sainsburys vase set, £1.99.

That's everything I've bought since I started in July.. I'm truly addicted now and always trying things on - especially Wednesday mornings, me and the lady I work with are in and out of the changing rooms when it's quiet! If I were a size 10/12, my wardrobe would probably have collapsed by now so I guess it should be thankful that I'm a chubster and it will take me longer to fill it!!! I bought a couple of bits today and will more than likely keep buying bits so there will be another post in the near future.

Have you bought any bargains lately? What are the charity shops like near you? xxx

Wishlist Wednesday

As you may know if you read my ramblings, I have a new job - yay! - and since getting this fantastic news, my wishlist has been getting longer and longer and longer... Uh oh! - I don't start until next week so won't be getting any pennies just yet but it doesn't stop me lusting after nearly everything I come across at the moment, I'm terrible! Here's what I'm loving/wanting right now..

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6

George at Asda has had some really nice pieces this year (either that or my taste has changed!) and this isn't a good thing when you're living on one wage and do your food shopping there!! - Walking past all the nice clothes and not being able to buy anything.. Soon it will be walking TO all the nice clothes and not being able to NOT buy anything.. I'm not sure which is better, haha! 98% of my wardrobe has nearly always been New Look clothes (and 100% New Look hangers from all my online orders!) but I do find myself picking more things up from other places now too.. Especially since more and more places seem to be catering for those of us who like their food! ;)

Where do most of your clothes come from? xxx

Sports Direct Review

When I was contacted by the lovely Natalia from Sports Direct, offering me the chance to review something within the category of ladies swimwear, I was in 2 minds as to what I should do. I don't wear swimwear but I've also not put many clothes type posts on my blog yet, although I have said on Twitter several times that I want to, once I have more money (which will start happening very soon!) I replied letting Natalia know that I don't wear swimwear but would be happy to review something else and she gave me a link and said to pick out something myself which I thought was a really nice thing to do.
I chose a funky pair of shorts and a summery top :)

The top I picked is the Ocean Pacific Koh Samui vest. Unfortunately, they didn't end up having this top in my size so I was sent a size smaller. I tried it on and it's only just too small around the top part so providing I continue to lose weight, it will fit me nicely next summer so that's not a problem. I love the bold, colourful print on this top which is why I chose it - I don't have anything like it in my wardrobe and I'm always saying I need to wear more colour! It's elasticated and more fitted around the bust area then the bottom part flows out a little which makes it really comfy to wear. In my opinion, the picture on the website doesn't do it justice, I can't wait to get some wear out of this!

The shorts I picked is the Ocean Pacific Caribbean small shorts. Thankfully, they did have these in my size and they're a perfect fit. I thought they might have been slightly shorter than they are as they're called small shorts but they're "normal" (if you know what I mean!?) which made me like them even more, although it depends where you wear them, of course! I have always loved the look of these type of shorts and since I don't have many clothing items in purple, even though I really like the colour, I thought I'd pick these. The waist is elasticated and like the top, they're so comfortable to wear - I've worn them a few times already. I popped into Sports Direct last weekend for some trainers for Aaron and had a look to see if they had these in any other colours but they didn't :(

As you can see, the top has some purple in it so you probably could wear the top and shorts together although personally, I would wear the top with my plain white shorts or white leggings and the shorts with a plain white/cream or black top but it's all about personal preference. I'll be honest, I never thought Sports Direct had nice non sporty looking type clothes - I always think of them as just a sports shop but they actually have some really nice items too (and nice shoes!) so I will definitely be popping back to purchase things myself :)

You can purchase the top for £4.50 (reduced from £14.99) here: Top.
You can purchase the shorts for £4.00 (reduced from £12.99) here: Shorts.

Where are your go-to shops for summery clothes? xxx

mini new look haul - bargains!

so, i sold some of my clothes that i dont wear anymore on ebay and with the money i made, i bought some new stuff :)
anyone that knows me will know very well that i pretty much only shop in new look! its been that way for like.. 5 or 6 years now! i dont strictly limit myself to new look - i also like select.. and george at asda and matalan have some nice bits every now and then.

i havent shopped in top shop for years and i have never purchased clothing in river island. although both shops have some really nice things, they're both stupidly over priced for my liking. i love a bargain! and 9 times out of 10 you can find similar items for way cheaper!

i have always been the same in that i wont buy something just cause its in fashion. also, i wont stop wearing something if i still like it and its gone out of fashion.. if i like something then ill buy it and ill wear it until i decide i dont want to anymore.

because i dont follow fashion and just buy whatever i happen to like, i have so many different styles. i personally think its a good thing! i dont want to look the same all the time and i dont want to follow what everyone else is doing and look the same as them either!

anyway, here's what i bought: sorry they're not all personal pics, have lost my camera and the lighting on my ickle phone was shhhhhhhocking! forgive me? :) ta!

1. 32" white linen trousers. £12.00 (was £19.99)  here!
i have these in black and because they're so comfy, i had to get white too! they have an elasticated waist band, which i love cause there's nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable! they do these in the normal range and the inspire range. mine are from the normal range.
2. coral aztec bubblehem vest. £6 (was £7.99) here!
i have loads of their bubble hem tops cause they're brilliant for every day. the only one i didnt have was pink - weird considering its my fave colour! :) this one has coloured stitching round the edges to make it a bit more exciting. it was from the inspire range. until my foot heals and i shift some weight, i can buy tops in the inspire range aswel as the normal range but buttom half i can only buy in the normal range!
3. white flower bubble hem vest. £9.99. here!
again, this is from the inspire range. it has come up a bit big but they dont go any smaller as its inspire and i love the print so its staying! i need more light colours in my wardrobe for summer so this will be perfect! cant wait til the sun comes out again so i can wear it :)
4. stripe and bird print shopper. £6.74 (was £8.99) here!
id been looking for a new bag for weeks - im so fussy about bags.. and clothes... most things actually..! - but had no luck.. until i saw this! just what i was looking for. a bargain bag thats cute and summery :) i love the pattern and i like how it has a draw string so its not such a plain shopper. a girl can never have too many bags, right?!
5. coral gem hair slides (x2). £3.50. here!
i like clipping one side of my hair back in the summer when my thick hair (that acts like a scarf) gets on my nerves. i take the top layer from the side opposite to my side parting and clip it back slightly, its a nice summery look (especially with wavy hair) and now i've got the summery hair slides to match :)
6. black studded bulldog clips (x2). £3.50. here!
i could not resist these.. they're covered in gems and they catch the light.. purdy :) im not sure when ill wear them but i pinky promised myself i would so obviously i will... wont i?! :D

where do you usually shop? xxx

skipping photoaday today. here's my weekend in a blog.

im skipping this weeks photo a day today. me and my mum really arent that close unfortunately. i wish we were but hey, we're not. so i dont get to talk about how great she is or how she's always there for me and how close we are because sadly it wouldnt be true.

so instead im gonna talk about my weekend, where we went and share what i bought :)

saturday we took a trip to Jimmys Farm (the bloke off the telly, Jamie Olivers friend) we've been before, a couple years ago and i really wanted to go back to see the cute piglets and stuff.
its changed quite a bit since we last went.. there were more pigs (i loove pigs, theyre so cute!) but the sheeps had disappeared :/ there was a few goats and a couple of cows aaand some peacocks and things but that was it :/
its free to get in to where the shop and cafe is but to see the animals is 4.50 per adult which isnt too bad. heres some pics i took and messed about on instagram with:





cute piggies!




there's also a butterfly house full of pretty flutterbies, it has a pond in there and its mega hot!



 

 

 

there is also a farm shop where you can buy meat and other fancy bits. its pricey but its all really decent stuff. the meat is all from animals from the farm and there are eggs, milk plus handmade bits like cookies, cakes, jams etc..
we bought some cookies and a pack of sausages. both were YUM!
the cookies where about £4 for 6 and the sausages were £10 for 15 - 5 different types, 3 of each.



left to right:
classic essex pork, suffolk beer pork, pork apple and cider, guarka lamb & suffolk farmhouse pork.



the classic essex pork was my favourite - it was like the perfect sausage!
then pork apple and cider - usually hate apple in sausages but it was subtle. lovely!
next was the suffolk farmhouse pork, then suffolk beer pork - both alright.
lastly is the guarka lamb. erk! too chewy, lamb shouldnt be in a sausage!

 anyway, on our way home we stopped in a town to have a look about.. heres what aaron bought me:

 hair pins, pearl drops whitening toothpaste, asda nail varnish, select clothing tops and leggings.

the hair pins were a real bargain - from family bargains! - 350 for 99p. im forever losing them so i thought they'll last me ages!
the pearl drops whitening toothpaste i saw on a post by natalievsbeauty and had to get it! i wasnt disappointed, i've used it 3 times now and i really can tell the difference already. this was also from family bargains for 99p.
the asda nail varnish i got today while food shopping after seeing it on a post by somebody on here (so sorry but i dont remember who - if it was you please let me know and ill edit!) it was £2. its mostly blue sparkles with some pink in there too.. you need a few layers for it to look good though.

the 3 tops are from select clothing and were £6 each which is a real bargain. i actually got the black one a couple weeks ago but thought i'd add it in! when i went back yesterday they were 2 for £10 so i got the blue and pink as im always going for black and need some colour! also they fit lovely and are perfect for summer. plus we've been talking about a holiday so i deffo needed them, right?! lol..
the leggings i got were 2 for £8 - again a real bargain - and i got both pairs in white as white things dont tend to last long!! i also have these in black that i bought when i bought the black top.
i dont usually shop in select, its usually just new look but they're getting so expensive lately (is it just me that thinks that?!) so got to bargain hunt! select have got way better and often have some really nice things - the quality isnt as good but if you look after them a bit more than you normally would its ok, you get what you pay for!

hope everyone else had a good weekend! :) xxx