Category Archives: shopping

Pleats, please.

14th November 2016
Anyone else loving the pleated skirts that are everywhere right now? There’s something so compelling about the combination of midi-length and perfectly aligned pleats that has captured my imagination and my current “in my dreams” shopping basket is full of skirts in every fabric from satin to jersey (and everything in between).

Skirt: ASOS | Jumper: New Look (tall) | Boots c/o Ted & Muffy

I’ve seen many of my favourite (and infinitely more stylish) bloggers rock a pleated skirt with a chunky knit so thought I’d give it a whirl myself. This jersey pleated number is by pull&bear at ASOS and was a very reasonable £15.99 although an even better deal for me as it was a gift from Mum. I loved the grey paired with the deep green of this New Look jumper- another bargain at £9.99 and in a fit of madness I ditched my usual black ankle boots for this snakeskin pair from Ted & Muffy which I adore but for some reason overlook.

This has pretty much become my go to comfort outfit at the moment. Perfect for days when it’s a) freezing cold and b) you’re really not feeling your best. It makes a slightly dressier change to slobbing about in jeans, allowing me to feel a little bit more “put together” but still providing the comfort I crave.

Have you fallen for pleated skirts? What’s your go-to comfort outfit? I really wouldn’t say no to a bit more inspiration…

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Posted in life, life stuff, outfits, shoes, shopping

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Gift Inspiration: Chickidee Homeware

10th November 2016
I have a pretty good sense of humour and most of what I say to my nearest and dearest is laced with a touch of sarcasm. This would probably explain why I was so smitten with Chickidee Homeware when they got in touch offering me one of their rather fabulous mugs. After a good long browse I decided to expect my tongue in cheek approach to myself and picked myself a pretty perfect gift*.
I think mugs make a brilliant gift, I’m always grateful to receive one. I absolutely love the range on Chickidee- they have the perfect selection for all of your nearest and dearest for the very reasonable price of £6. I’m forever being told I’m a pain in the arse (and I don’t beg to differ) so I decided to indulge myself with a constant reminder.

And it’s not just gorgeous mugs that Chickidee Homeware sells, as the name would suggest there are all kinds of products that would make perfect gifts or adornments to your home. I have quite a wish list brewing for when I move out again some time next year and also rather a few ideas for the last of my Christmas shopping!

If Santa is reading my blog then I really wouldn’t say no to this candle to brighten up my days.

Which mug would you pick and for whom? Not going to lie, I really AM my favourite pain in the arse.

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Posted in brands I love, christmas, gifts, shopping, wish list

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Handmade Gift Guide: Clorty Cat Crafts

06th November 2016
My list of favourite sellers on Etsy grows larger quite literally by the hour at the moment and for the next installment of my handmade gift guides I am showing off yet another of my fabulous finds. Actually when I made a purchase from this particular shop- Clorty Cat Crafts it was for something entirely different (and something I can’t show on the blog this side of Christmas). I was so delighted with it that I decided there and then that I wanted to contact shop owner Shannon about featuring her on the blog and it was then I discovered the exciting news that she was releasing a line of enamel pins- a.k.a. my new obsession and THE perfect stocking filler gift.
I was so taken with the pins (current range of six designs shown, but watch this space as there are more on the horizon which I’m super excited for- my bank account less so!). I’ve had the David Bowie pin and the Purple Rain cloud on pre-order since they were first announced and can’t wait for their arrival which should be any day now.

Incase it had somehow escaped your notice enamel pins are big news right now and the ones on Clorty Cat Crafts are definitely on the reasonable end of the pricing spectrum. I’ve seen them go elsewhere for £10+ or have extortionate p&p (Shannon charges a very fair £1.50). I’ve pretty much finished with my Christmas shopping now but I am kind of wishing I had held back a little bit as I know I’m going to want to buy any new designs from the shop as soon as they arrive. This could work to my advantage though, surely if I don’t need to buy anything else for anyone else I can justify a gift or two for me?

Have you caught on to the pin craze? What designs would you like to see next from Clorty Cat Crafts?

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Posted in christmas, etsy, gifts, inspiration, shopping, wish list

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The Cord Pinafore

31st October 2016

Hello and Happy Halloween! I thought today would be an apt day to post up this outfit as the colours are very in keeping with the occasion.

Yes, I have added yet another pinafore dress to my collection (and may have also discovered one that I had forgotten about too)…I’m pretty obsessed with them to be honest- so easy to chuck on and perfect for layering! I think I’m up to five now, perhaps six as I’m sure one is still missing- organisation is not my strongest point in some areas of my life!

Dress: New Look (direct link) | Top: New Look (similar) | Boots: ASOS

Sorry the pictures are terrible in terms of light- Mum and I left it far too late in the day to get photos but wanted to make the most of the dry weather so we just did our best to dodge the worst of the sun glare with varying degrees of success!

I couldn’t resist the colour of this dress in New Look, and I totally didn’t break my shopping ban for it either as I was lucky enough to have it bought for me! If you look on the website you’ll see it’s also available in about six other colours and I’m wondering if I can justify adding the khaki one to my basket any time soon. I was pleasantly surprised by the length of this as New Look tend to come up on the short side, it’s so nice to be able to walk around confident that I’m not flasking my knickers at all and sundry.

I’m still obsessed with my ASOS ankle boots which are once again out of stock. I’ve been wearing them with so many different things so despite my initial worries about what on earth they would go with they proven themselves surprisingly versatile.

What wardrobe items are you bulk buying this winter? Pinafores and roll neck jumpers are my achilles heel.

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Posted in life, outfits, shoes, shopping

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Handmade Gift Guide: Bumble & Moss

29th October 2016
This year as part of my Christmas gift guides I really want to pop an emphasis on the small businesses that I love and support. This week I’m kicking things off with a shop I have a huge amount of adoration for- Bumble & Moss (who I featured earlier in the year too). I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Tina, the brains behind it all twice now at a local craft market and I can never resist a purchase from her stall!

Specialising in botanical style jewellery worthy of a fairytale (with a dash of Poldark inspiration thrown in for good measure) Tina’s pieces make for the most wonderful gifts. I’ve popped together a little collage featuring some of my favourites but please do check out her Etsy shop to see the full scale of what she can do.

If you live in the North Somerset area as I do then also make sure to check out the Bumble & Moss facebook page as there are lots of local markets and events happening in the run up to Christmas. I shall be popping along to the next HAVE market to see what’s new from Tina- keep an eye on my instagram for a look on the 20th November!

Don’t worry if you’re not based in the UK by the way as you can have your items shipped internationally- there are a few botanical pieces winging their way to America as I type.

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Posted in christmas, craft, gifts, inspiration, jewellery, review, shopping

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