Yearly Archives: 2012

Bristol meets Boux

14th September 2012

Yesterday I was lucky enough to attend the opening of Boux Avenue’s latest store in Cabot Circus, Bristol. I remember when Boux, owned by Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis first launched as online only and wishing they had an actual shop (buying lingerie online is somewhat of a challenge for me) and slowly but surely that wish came true with shops popping up across the country. I literally did a jump for joy when I heard Bristol was getting a piece of the action!
Along with a few of my favourite ladies, at 10:30am we were treated to a press preview ahead of the public…did  Boux live up to the hype?

In a word…YES.
In several words…a well thought lay out with friendly approachable staff and amazing changing rooms (with a choice of three different lightings). A concierge service and a wide range of sizes (from 30A through to 40H in all styles) make Boux Avenue stand out from the rest and all lingerie, pajamas and gifts/accessories have an affordable price point. One thing I especially liked was that the underwear was set out on display for show but instead of fighting with rails, the stock was housed in drawers organised by size, so much easier to get at the goods! We were gifted with a generous gift bag which included a voucher, I shall be heading back to Boux asap to get properly measured and stock up on brilliant bras. I’ve put off being measured for years, but the friendly atmosphere instantly put me at ease and less apprehensive about this up close and personal experience.

I also had the pleasure of a short interview with Theo Paphitis who is really rather lovely and not as scary as his TV persona would have you think. I won’t be sharing that interview on the blog though…on hearing it back I realised I asked nothing of any worth and generally sounded like an idiot!

I think Boux Avenue caters for all tastes, shapes sizes and occasions and would urge everyone to familiarize themselves FAST.

Thank you to Boux Avenue for having us, and big HELLO to all the fabulous blogging ladies I met today.

Outfit: New Look dress, Mexx velvet blazer, Kate Kanzier flats. Really kind of frumpy but hey-ho!

Are you already familiar to Boux? What are your thoughts? Have you visited a store lately, what have your experiences been?

xxx

Posted in bristol, outfits

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wise old owl

13th September 2012

I think I’ve waxed lyrical enough about this Asda George jumper by now, I can’t explain why I love it so much; well, actually I can…my Nan was the biggest owl lover ever, and since her passing we have started to notice owls everywhere…most of them just make me feel a bit sad, but this one didn’t, she would have loved it and at £10 she’d have approved of it’s bargain nature. My next (and final apart from finishing my foot) tattoo will be an owl on my ribs, subject to putting some weight on first; gonna need some padding for that one I think! Many of my family members have had memorial owls done and I can’t wait to join them.
Worn with New Look cords and battered ballet pumps. Bonus shot of how my tattoo looks now the swelling and bruising has gone down.

Today I’m off work and venturing in to Cabot Circus to meet up with some fellow bloggers for the opening of a new Boux Avenue store. I had immense jealous when actual shops, rather than the website started opening all over the country so when I heard a Bristol one was opening, and was then invited to come along for it’s opening I jumped at the chance. I’m all for decent undies and I love that Boux caters for all shapes and sizes and carries a good range in an A cup, why do so many shops start at a B?!

Where do you get your undies from?
Got anything exciting or random to tell me?

xxx

Posted in life, outfits

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Instantly

12th September 2012

A typical middle of the week/starting work at 7:15am lazy kind of post with my last 12 days on instagram (and Ellie’s because I fail at taking photos most of the time!)

1. AMAZING Jelly Beans sent from my friends at Bean Cellars I always thought liquorice was my favourite but it has been relegated by Apricot! If you need a sweet treat or gift then support the lovely folk behind this site…it’s brilliant!

2. One Ellie snapped of me chilling at my Grandad’s and looking very pleased with myself for some reason.

3. You are NEVER too old for Disney pajamas.

4. Or owl jumpers. Seriously can’t get over how much I love this! For reference, I got a size 14 and I’m usually a 10 for a slouchy look. Get yours from Asda George.

5. Knitwear! Black two in one jumper from New Look and the red one was a brilliant find in TK Maxx. I love the collar on it and wish I had got the navy version I spied too!

6. Gingerbread fairy wand biscuit in Waitrose whilst waiting to see if the tattooist would show up on Saturday. Snapped by Ellie, sometimes food is meant to be played with!

7. Standard tired face (now you can see why I never take straight on photos!)

Well,
arse must be shoved in to gear, breakfast then work beckon!

xxx

Posted in instagram

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diet coke break

11th September 2012

Two weeks ago I was challenged to give up something I’m addicted to for two weeks by Now Pensions. I could have gone down the obvious route and given up smoking for two weeks, but given that I have cut down drastically but am not yet ready to quit completley (in time, in time) I didn’t wish to inflict that upon anyone just yet.

So I went for my second big weakness; Diet Coke. I am rarely seen without a bottle or can on my person and the money I spend on it is shocking. But needs must, with the promise of a donation to a charity of my choice (B-eat for those interested) I was determined to give it a shot.

And how was it?
For the most part, not too bad. I did seek alternatives; Dr Pepper Zero was a favourite, but my consumption was far, far less and as most shops only stock Diet Coke/Pepsi I couldn’t waste money so freely on picking up a bottle or two on a lunchbreak or random jaunt.
I think the toughest times were the times I was out for a meal/snack. Sparkling water became my friend much to my tastebuds disgust and my skins rejoice. And then there was the time a popular fast food establishment wouldn’t serve me a coffee because they had no lids and I had to practically beg and swear on my life that not a single drop would be spilt before it was carried over to our table at a snail’s pace.

I didn’t slip however, and yesterday, once the two week’s was up I cracked open a can and savoured the sparkles.

Will I be giving it up for good?
Well, no…
but it was an interesting experiment and I will be making a concerted effort to keep my consumption minimal; I don’t need it as much as I thought I did, and the extra cash in my pocket is best kept there for other treats!

Have you ever given something up for a set period of time? How did you find it?

And for those rolling their eyes and sending me to hell for my nicotine habit, I’m looking to take part in Stoptober with a view to quitting for good….anyone with me on that?!

xxx

Posted in life

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le chat

11th September 2012

Next skinny jeans, George at Asda cat top, New Look shoes.

Just a casual outfit from Sunday, the last day of Summer by the looks of things. It was nice to have an un-expected burst of sunshine, but I truly am ready to embrace Autumn/Winter now.

Quiet start to the week (except where work is concerned!). It should be a good one by all accounts and Thursday I get to hang out with some of my favourite bloggy ladies.

What’s on your agenda this week? Anything fun and exciting?

xxx

Posted in outfits

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