Category Archives: shopping

Thoughts on Christmas Shopping*

29th November 2015
One of my favourite things about the festive season is the excuse to shop for those around me. I’d say I’m a pretty generous person and it’s rare for me to go anywhere near a shop and not bring back something for someone other than myself. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than picking out something to make someone smile and at Christmas I have been known to get more than a little bit carried away. With that in mind here are some tips and tricks I use when searching for the perfect present.

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Set a budget and then allow a buffer for when you inevitably go over it. My best friend and I always do this, we set a “limit” on our present buying knowing full well that when it comes to it we’ll spend at least the same again. If we set the budget at a higher level we’d still go over so this keeps things within what we can afford.

Buy it when you see it or regret it later! How many times have you seen the perfect gift for someone but didn’t get it there and then? Countless times I’ve gone back to get something only to find it’s too late leaving me either paying over the odds on e-bay or having to wrack my brains to think up something not half as awesome. I also never wait for Black Friday in the hopes of snagging a good deal- if I know it’s the perfect thing for someone then I get it when I see it rather than run the risk of it selling out for the sake of a few quid.

Think small… independent local shops are one of my favourite places to pick up gifts with a unique and often personal touch. The same goes for indies online. Some of my favourite haunts include Hill Road in Clevedon, Not on the Highstreet, Lisa Angel and cheekyboo

It’s a common thought that bigger is always better when it comes to giving gifts but I’ve found this isn’t always the case. Some of the most loved presents I’ve given to people have been something small, inexpensive and utterly random that showed care and thought went in to the process of buying it. I like to think I’m pretty good at giving gifts these days and I’m yet to meet someone who disagrees (to my face at least!) It was pretty interesting to see that Currys PC World made an infographic featuring the 10 greatest gifts ever. I don’t think I can top those!

What are your top tips for Christmas shopping? What’s the most extravagant gift you’ve ever given or recieved?

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Posted in christmas, gifts, life, life stuff, shopping

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Current Beauty Loves

27th November 2015
I’m going through a phase of picking up new makeup at the moment, it goes like that…I’ll go months without getting tempted and sticking determinedly to using up my rather vast collection and then BAM, I’ll buy one item that I actually need and it triggers off a chain reaction of picking out new products. Luckily (and rarely) I’ve been happy with everything I’ve bought lately, there’s nothing worse than wasting money on a disappointing product, right?
Coming soon from the team at I Love…* are these gorgeous tinted moisture balms which have the most adorable packaging ever! I believe these are being launched any time now these are an absolute bargain at £2.99 and come in three fantastic flavours- cherry, grape and strawberry. Not unlike the Clinique Chubby Sticks and giving the colour of a lipstick with the feel of a balm these are a must have for any lip product lover and cost less than a festive latte.
Another lip product I’ve been loving is the new lip paints from Barry M. I already had a nude and berry shade of these in my collection but couldn’t resist adding shade “167” in to the mix- a super moisturising matte finish pink. These go on like a dream and aren’t at all drying on the lips, perfect against the Winter elements.
The one product I actually NEEDED to buy was a new brow kit, I don’t get on with gels for some reason and always lose pencils so a palette is my best option. I’d so far been loyal to my Oriflame set but after it’s demise I decided to branch out and try something new and opted for the MUA Eye Brow Kit for the bargain price of £3.50. So far I’m really impressed with this, the darker and lighter shades blend together to create something just right for my colouring and the highlighter and wax are lovely finishing touches. You really can’t go wrong at this price and I think this has just become my new go-to for groomed brows.
I was delighted to see that my local Superdrug has FINALLY started to stock Makeup Revolution…only a year or so late to the game eh? I’ve tried quite a few products from the brand since they launched and have been really very impressed. As there was a 3 for 2 offer on all cosmetics I felt I could justify picking up the Pro Looks Big Love palette for £6 (meaning the brow kit was free) and in the two weeks since I bought it there hasn’t been a day where I haven’t used at least one of the shadows. I love how the palette is divided in to three seperate looks, although of course you can mix it up a bit too! The colours are all really wearable and perfect for day to night beauty or for a break away from home.
Are there any products you’ve recently discovered? Feel free to leave some recommendations below…

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Posted in beauty, make up, shopping

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“Dear Santa…” Paulie Wish List*

26th November 2015
In amongst all of my recent browsing for the perfect Christmas gifts I’ve managed to a) discover rather a few new to me brands and b) amassed quite a wish list for things I wouldn’t mind myself. One such enabler of these wish lists and new discovery is Paulie, a London based womenswear retailer with an in-house label as well as stocking contemporary brands such as Rag & Bone and J Brand.
My recent objects of desire have taken on quite a minimalistic approach as I feel myself gravitating towards pieces that will stand the test of time and last me a good few years. I couldn’t resist injecting a bit of fun in the form of these amazing flared dungarees by Citizens of Humanity which are just crying out for some breton stripes and platform heels.

The fringed dress by Smarteez is perfect for the party season and be given a new lease of life year on year with some clever accessorising making it worth the near £200 price tag in my eyes (any excuse!). The boots are a true classic, or would be if I could walk in this kind of heel.

I’m not sure if you’d class the Rag & Bone military coat as a classic or not but it’s too stunning not to include- if I were suddenly to find a spare £500 this would be the first thing I purchased.

No wish list would be complete without a beautiful bag and this classic black leather backpack, again by Rag & Bone would be the perfect addition to my every day wardrobe…I hope you’re taking notes Santa!

What’s on your wish list right now and have you discovered any great brands lately?

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Posted in brands I love, shopping, wish list

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& Other Stories

16th November 2015
Trust me to be a few years late to the game on discovering a gorgeous brand that makes me want to buy everything they stock. I always did get a pang of envy when I saw & Other Stories pop up on the blogs I follow, knowing that unless I made a special trip to London I would only be able to browse online (which let’s face it, just isn’t the same) I resigned myself to the fact I had rather a long wait on my hands to experience the joy myself.
That experience actually came about sooner than anticipated as when I was in Spain at the start of October I happened upon their Malaga store. A lengthy browse on our first trip there convinced Mum and I that we had indeed being missing out and we promised ourselves another trip before the end of our holiday to make a purchase each (courtesy of my very generous Dad who in the end paid for our purchases, thanks Dad!).

Dress: & Other Stories (here) | Tights c/o Heist | Boots c/o Just Fab (get them here)

With an un-limited budget I could have quite easily bought an entire wardrobe worth of clothes from & Other Stories (with the jewellery and shoes to match). Being limited in both budget and luggage allowance Mum and I both picked out one dress each with resolve to save up for a trip to London and spending spree next year. I went for the drop waisted cactus print dress which I was inexplicably taken with over everything else that was on offer. I love the subtle Victorian vibe to this dress with the sleeve and collar style and it’s such a dream to wear. Mum was equally taken with the print and went for the sweater dress version which is equally wonderful.
Even browsing the site today looking for the products for this post I’ve added another dozen items to my wish list, oops! Have you experienced the wonder of & Other Stories yet? What has impressed you most (and how am I going to resit blowing a month’s wages when the post-christmas sale starts!?)

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Posted in brands I love, life, outfits, shopping

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The Suede Shirt

30th October 2015
Now we’re at the end of October and my holiday feels like it could have been years ago rather than just a month. I keep catching myself looking at the photos wishing myself back on the beach in the sunshine and also seriously regretting not picking up certain things I bought back with me in multiples, the shirt in this post being the perfect example of this.

Suede Shirt: Bershka | Trousers: H&M | Boots c/o Long Tall Sally

Bershka is one of my favourite places to shop when it Europe, they have amazing on-trend pieces at bargain prices. Sure, they also have a UK website but a) I can’t find half the items I’ve seen on there and b) It doesn’t compare to browsing in store.

I was drawn to this shirt the second I saw it, at around 20 euros it was a complete bargain and I wish now that I had picked it up in other colours too; I’m sure there was a burgundy and a camel version available and possibly some others.

It’s such a warm piece, and totally different to anything I own, perfect to chuck on over “treggings” from H&M (anyone else hate the word treggings?) or jeans for a casual off-duty look. It can also be layered over dresses or tucked in to skirts, the combinations are endless and I just can’t get enough.

Where do you like to shop most when you’re on holiday? Bershka + Pull and Bear are my top haunts, both available over here too but cheaper and more exciting when overseas!

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