Clothing And Accessories Haul Featuring H&M, George and Boohoo

Another week and it's time for another haul. I'm not feeling very comfortable with my size or my weight at the moment, so really clothes shopping should be off the agenda but sometime you either see a bargain or you just get the urge to buy some pretties and that's exactly what's happened here.

I've probably done something a bit silly with some things and I've sized down for when I do lose a bit of weight but I'm really hoping that it will give me a bit of an incentive and the offending pieces won't just sit there in my wardrobe for ever more - fingers crossed anyways x

We'll start of with some supermarket buys from George at Asda. Over the last month or so I've had a couple of business meeting in Asda Cafe of all places. With time to kill I had a mooch around the George sale rails and I picked up a few half price bits including this gorgeous blouse.

It looks absolutely nothing in the picture but it's made of a sheer, pale ivory fabric, it has long slightly puff sleeves with crystal buttons and the most beautiful Peter Pan collar that you ever did see.

The collar is covered in the cutest daisy embellishment, made out of crystal and a PVC like, faux leather. The collar was undoubtedly the selling point for LouLou the daisy lover, and even though this top is too sheer to wear on it's own, I know I'll wear it a lot over both leggings and skinny jeans.

Another top that I got from the Asda sale racks was this boxy, purple floral number.

Made of shiny, scuba style fabric, it has a zip at the back of the neck and I love it. There was also a dress and matching pencil skirt available, but me and pencil skirts don't really mix so I'm picturing this with some high waisted jeans, or even some flares, if I can find a pair that fits and suit me.

As well as the tops I also got this floral patterned tunic dress. Made of a textured fabric, it has a black faux leather trim around the neckline, which adds a designer edge. I think I'm mainly going to be wearing this with black opaques, and maybe the brogues you'll see later on in this post, but I think that this would also look good over leggings for a long line tunic look.

The final I bought from Asda was a non sale item but it was only £12 so I still consider it to be a bit of a bargain buy x

I'm loving the silky, shiny scuba type fabric that seems to be everywhere at the moment and I also have a bit of a thing for elasticated waists. Hey, don't knock them until you've tried them. They fit on both your fat and thin days and they're comfy. There also pretty easy to adjust if you lose weight so I'm all over them at the moment and this one fits the bill perfectly. It's black with a large grey and white floral pattern.

Unfortunately I can't find any of these items online now, but if you have an Asda Home, or an Asda store near you it might be worth having a look at the sale racks, you never know what bargains you might find.

Sticking with the scuba fabric idea and the concept of the elasticated waist I've also recently made a little purchase from boohoo. This is one those sized down items but I loved it so much it will be worth cutting back on the bad things to wear it x The Kadie Porcelain Print Box Pleat Skirt, is made of the same, silky, shiny scuba type fabric but it isn't quite as thick as either of my Asda purchases. It normally £20 but buy at the right time from boohoo (usually weekends) and you can either get some money off or free postage. I love the clean, sharpness of the blue and white and I can't wait to wear this when I've lost a few pounds and have a bit of a tan. I'm not 100% sure what kind of top to wear this with so I'd love to hear your thoughts x

I don't whether I've been thinking about the warmer months but after wearing skirts only sporadically for the last few years all of a sudden I'm obsessed with them. Again all about the elasticated waist, this skirt comes from H&M.

When I first received this skirt I couldn't decided if I loved it or hated it. As well as being stupidly tight, I just wasn't sure about the colour and the fabric, or the £39.99 price tag! Although it's still way tighter than I would have liked (I'll work on that!) it has grown on me. I still think it's overpriced, but the almost tan, terracotta brown shade reminds a lot of some of the 70's inspired bits that are everywhere at the moment. The sort of ribbed, knit, almost nylon also has that retro vibe about it. I'll make it work and it's something that you could wear across several seasons so I'm hoping that it will make a versatile addition to my wardrobe.

That almost retro style rib knit seems to be everywhere at the moment and despite the sweat issues that come from the fabrication I'm a bit of a fan. This high, turtle neck black ribbed jumper also from H&M is a real, wardrobe staple, and a bit of a twist on the basic black sweater. I've been wearing this jumper with statement necklaces for a stylish yet classic look. Unfortunately this was in sale so it isn't online any more and unfortunately neither is this jumper.

This is just a classic, black and white horizontal striped, fine knit sweater, with an exposed zip at the back of the neck. I've been wearing this over skinny jeans, and leggings and accessorising if with chunky, black and white jewellery pieces, and my gorgeous Iced Rainbow necklace, that you may have already seen in this post x

This post seems to feature a lot of reoccurring themes, skirts with an elasticated waist, scuba fabrics, florals and blue and white. I think I get my love for blue and white from Mummy Lou and I couldn't resist yet another jumper.

This open weave jumper is white and features a lovely blousey, blue rose design. Unfortunately this one is long gone from the website too but I think will be a lovely piece for those cooler summer evenings.

My next clothing purchase came courtesy of Dorothy Perkins. I used to be a regular Dorothy Perkins shopper, but lately not so much. I find it quite an expensive store for what it is now, and to be honest all of their clothes are a bit samey :( Once in a while though something will stand out and on this occasion, it was this top.

My pictures just aren't doing this top justice, so I would recommend either checking it out on the Dorothy Perkins website or in person. It's all about the layers, with a wrap over a back and layers of fabric. Again the selling point was the neckline and I love the crystal and bead detailing. It should be £28 but if you look hard enough online you should be able to find a discount code x

My final clothing purchase came from QVC of all places. I know they have a bit of a reputation for old lady, and casual wear but I'm a firm believer that you can find fashion and beauty gems anywhere. One of QVC's most longstanding brands is British fashion jewellery brand Butler & Wilson. As well as a range of distinctive jewellery pieces, they also have their own fashion and accessory range.

I fell in love with this top the first time that I saw it presented. I love hippy and psychedelic swirls and patterns and this multi, coloured rainbow design called to me. The fabric is silky soft and feels gorgeous against the skin. The design has a slightly blurred finish which adds to the trippy feel. It was £30.40 excluding postage which wasn't cheap but I've already worn it once and received a few positive, compliments so it was well worth it for an unusual piece.

As well as some fashion pieces I've also bought a few jewellery and accessory pieces and a pair of shoes.

On those days when the rain and the ice have stayed away I've been ditching my boots for my beautiful Clarks brogues. I've worn them an awful lot and they still look as good as they ever did but I really, really wanted a black pair. Unfortunately I can't justify the outlay at the moment so after a lot of searching I eventually found a decent alternative courtesy of 24 Studio

Okay they aren't real leather but these Dolcis brogues look and feel like the real thing for a fraction of the price. I can't find them on the website anymore but I know they were less than £20 and they have some that look very similar on sale at just £12.99.

It wouldn't be a fashion and accessory haul on this blog if it didn't contain a few jewellery pieces x You've already seen a post on my gorgeous necklace from Iced Rainbow but I also a few pieces from Avon including this beautifully packaged necklace and earring set.

Packaged in a galaxy print, star shaped box you get a silver tone necklace with a tiny star pendant and matching stud earrings. As well as this sweet set, I also got this bracelet x It's a stretch bracelet in a sort of mesh, popcorn style, with a real gemstone, quartzite stone at the centre.

Alas these were sale items so they aren't on the Avon website anymore but it might be worth having a look through a sale brochure if you have a local Avon representative x

My final jewellery purchase came from one of my favourite places to buy jewellery, ebay x

This bracelet set contains a variety of faux gold, and faux pearl beaded bracelets, and one gold tone bangle, several of which have charms such as crystals, coins and stars hanging off them. All of these bracelets can be worn together or separately x They were just £1.09 from this seller x

My last clothing and accessory purchase was a bit of a silly one. I bought a pair of grey, furry bunny ears from Poundland.

An obvious Easter purchase don't you know and I wore them with pride to the hilarity of my family over the weekend x Why not? well all need to do something every now and then that makes us or someone else smile x I don't think Jasper was that impressed, but this picture seemed to make a lot of you smile on Instagram x

I've filmed a little You Tube video to accompany this haul, which I hope you'll watch and enjoy and I'd really love it if you'd subscribe x



If you have any questions or comments on anything that I've bought please leave me a comment, I love reading what you have to say x

Feeling Fresh And Floral With Batiste*

You wouldn't think it from the weather this week but a new month means were one step closer to Spring. I love all the seasons in their own way but Spring really is something special. I'm going to sound a bit cheesy here but there really is something about the new born lambs in the fields and the flowers starting to bloom again that really lifts your spirits.

Spring also means a change a fashion, and probably since the year dot one of the key fashion trends of Spring / Summer has been the floral print. As well as the classic Liberty prints, designers as diverse as Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, and Roberto Cavalli have all based designs and collections on the humble flower.

What about this year? well florals were back again on the catwalk and featured heavily in the Spring / Summer 2014 collections from labels such as J Crew, Valentino, Miu Miu and Erdem. As per usual though you don't need to fork out for that price tag to get the look, ASOS alone comes up with around 1000 hits when you search for florals! These as just some of my high street and online floral picks.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

It's not just clothes though florals really are everywhere at the moment. Shabby Chic is probably the buzz word when it comes to home styling. It's vintage feel and look and vintage floral inspired designs are must haves whether there from Cath Kidston or from IKEA like my duvet cover.

It goes without saying that florals play a major role in the beauty industry, more and more products are botanical based and more and more floral prints are popping on product packaging, in product design and on beauty accessories such as this cute floral design pocket mirror*

I said in my recent Batiste Monochrome review that Batiste are a brand that like to follow fashion, and they've done it again with the recent introduction of Batiste Floral.

I'm really impressed with the designs on Batiste cans and the illustration on this one is gorgeous. It's a pale lemon with pink roses and bright green leaves scattered - not dissimilar to my duvet cover if the background was yellow - obviously.

When it comes to it's abilities as a dry shampoo having reviewed so many Batiste products  before, I guess I don't really need to say anything bar it does exactly what it claims to, they are nothing if not consistent. - where they do vary is with the fragrances. Batiste Floral as you would expect has floral notes at it's heart and features a combination of rose, violet, blossoms and lily of the valley. Perhaps more unexpected though are fruity top notes of melon, orange and peach. When you think about it maybe it's not that unexpected, all the top fragrance houses mix up their fragrance families to product unique scents and that's exactly what Batiste have done here. As you've probably gathered I'm useless at describing scents but you definitely do get a sort of fresh fruitiness at first leading to a sort of fine fragrance floral aroma afterwards. The smell of this one definitely reminds me of something but I can't put my finger (or my nose!) on what. At first I thought it was DKNY - Be Delicious and whilst I can see why I thought that (it has a similar combination of fruits and florals) I don't think that's the scent I'm thinking of. No matter, if you like floral fragrances but you don't like in your face say rose or violet, then you might like this fruity floral -it's definitely up there with my favourite Batiste fragrances of all time, and the can makes a lovely edition to my room x

Batiste Floral* is a Superdrug exclusive and retails at £2.99 for a 200 ml can x

(*Press Samples)

Holiday Outfits Of The Day and Night

Another one of your requests on my giveaway post was outfits of the day, eek as you probably know I'm not a million percent happy with my body at the moment but whilst I debate starting yet another diet I thought why not. Mummy Lou took a few pics of me whilst I was on holiday so I thought I'd show you some of the things I wore. You've seen some of these outfits on me before but there are plenty of new combos x

Travelling In Comfort

Drawstring Waist Cropped  Black Harem Pants -George at Asda

Purple Long Line Vest - Top Shop

Lightweight Black Waterfall Cardigan - ebay

White 2 Strap Birkenstocks

Snowflake Obsidian Gem Bracelet

White Round Glass Bead Bracelet

A Few Day Outfits

Multicoloured Striped Pocket Skirt - H&M

Yellow Vest - People Tree

Blue Brazilian Havaianas

Floral Skirt - Dorothy Perkins

Purple Bandeau Top - Dorothy Perkins

Black Havaianas

Prescription Sunglasses - Jai Kudo

Night Time

Black Floral Maxi Dress - Uttam London

Black Melissa Bow Flip Flops- ASOS

Not Seen - Red Rose Earrings - Superdrug

Kelly Maxi Dress -Boohoo

Coral Toned Bracelets - Evans and Primark

Not Seen - Peach Flower Earrings - Peacocks

Cream / White Cropped Cardigan / Shrug - George at Asda

Melissa Flip Flops - As Before

Purple Floral Maxi Dress - Mela Loves London

Cropped Cardigan - As Before

Flip Flops - As Before

Not Seen - Purple Rose Earrings - Superdrug

Turquoise Floral Maxi Dress - Bon Prix

Fiona Black Mesh Shrug - BooHoo

Same Flip Flops

Pandora Style Bracelet - Gift

Silver Tone Turquoise and Coral Earrings - Cyprus A Few Years Ago

Navy Blue Sequin Details Dress - Moda at George at Asda

Flip Flops As Before

Blue Sandstone Lola Rose Bracelet and Earrings

Navy Blue Silver Tone Gummy Bracelets

As you can see I need a bit of practise with the posing, but now I'm home and I've got my tripod this might be a bit easier - I warn you I am one of the most boring dressers ever but my public has spoken lol Any questions on anything leave me a comment x Next up the post you've all bee waiting for the holiday haul!                          

Freebies Ahoy xx

Hey my loves I now you've probably already seen a zillion posts on this already, but the September issues of some of our favourite magazines are packed to the brim full of freebies. Me and Mummy Lou headed to the Asda superstore this morning where I managed to pick up 3 magazine (I only paid for one though tee hee thanks mum). I'd already tried my local Tesco but so many of the freebies were missing or had been stolen it was untrue. Anyways from just 3 magazines I got this little lot and a pile of sachets including perfume, shower gels and body lotions

Marie Claire this month features a free Ciate Paint Pot Nail Polish, I got the nude shade My Fair Lady, and it also came with a 50ml tube of Dove Intensive Repair Express Treatment Hair Conditioner, I first got a tube of this free with an ASOS order and I have to say it's really good and it smells gorgeous

The Semptember issue of Elle as you'll probably already know comes with a free exclusive Mavala nail polish in the choice of three colour red, grey and the orange that I got :)

Finally I got Red magazine - I like Red it has a more grown up feel and a wide variety of article - this month's has a free 125ml sized Balance Me Body Wash , there are two varieties to choose from and I went for was Rose Otto, which has a lovely natural rose scent

They were the ones that I got but there are plenty more magazine freebies to be had this month, Cosmopolitan has free false eyelashes and Tatler has free Rigby and Peller knickers!!! This seems to be the month for freebies next month doesn't seem to be half as exciting still Red does appear to have a free novel so I'll be picking up that to read on the beach.
As well as 2 magazine Mummy Lou also picked me up a few bits including the infamous Goody Spin Pins, and a George lipgloss, and she also ordered me some clothes from Boohoo  reviews and pics to of these to com x  and of course you can expect to see the nail polishes featuring in some nails of the day soon, Any questions please leave me a comment I love hearing from your guys xx

Pressies, Freebies and Goodies From A Fellow Blogger x

Despite my saying I wouldn't really be hauling, here is another what is in essence a haul post. It's a haul post with a difference I guess. First up the things that I paid for myself, and something your probably sick of seeing - yes the Benefit freebies from Glamour

I only picked up two copies and got the mini Posietint and Benetint. I already have half a full sized High Beam, and two mini ones from sets so there was no need to get one of those. I haven't actually tried Posietint or Benetint instead I have a couple of the high street dupes so it will be interesting to see how they compare.

Next a parcel from one of my fellow bloggers the lovely Charlotte - I'd already purchased something from her blogsale and yes I went back for more - I got a Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties Fragrance and a Top Shop Lip Polish in Poetic for less than £6!!! - Definitely check her out if you haven't already xx

Poetic is gorgeous I don't know why I didn't buy it when it was released - it is gorgeous -a beautiful milky pink shade with a gorgeous vanilla taste and fragrance x
So that's me over my limit already for June eek I really need to be good from now on - HELP!!!!
LOL a tiny shred of salvation came this week from Momma Lou - yesterday we popped to IKEA to get some new storage for my bedroom and on our quest for a copy of Glamour we popped into the Asda Superstore. I love this Asda it is sooo much bigger than my nearest one, it's on two levels with a full George clothing and cosmetics section. I went to have a look at the cosmetics section and my lovely mummy treat me to a few bits. First up a couple of nail polishes - they are currently on special and are only £1 each - the colours I went for were 70 Shipwrecked - a gorgeous Aqua / Turquoise and 10 Indigo Dazzle - a gorgeous indigo blue with multi colour reflects

She also got me a lipstick  01 Natural Metallic which is a gorgeous shimmery mauve and was only £3.50

I will do some swatches of these in my upcoming George make up post as part of my Budget Beauty Series x If there are any brands that you would like to see featured in this series please leave me a comment or let me know x Any questions on anything else please leave me a comment xx Next up a product review xx

Flippy Skirt Delight

OK the spending diet is broken for the month - If you read my last haul post you could probably guess that this was going to happen and what was the straw the broke the camels back, a flippy skirt of course :)
I received an email about the George sale and I couldn't resist having a little peak :) I have to say I love Barbara Hulanicki, not only her original Biba designs but also her more recent collaboration with Top Shop -her first Asda collection didn't wow me as much as I thought it would but low and behold in the sale there was the Barbara Hulanicki Flippy Skirt

Down from £14 to £9 this is just a plain jersey flippy, flarey skirt - it has a roll down elasticated waist which means you can wear it as a dress as well. I really love skirts like this and I still have a Primark one from a few years ago which comes out every summer. I sized down with this because of the elastication and I'm glad I did there is a lot of give in it, but my flippy skirt and flip flop fantasy can be fulfilled, just need the weather to hold out ;)

I also got this top which was only £5 - I love these ruffle / frill style tops - this one is in black and has sort of bronze splatters on it - really nice for evening wear.
So my spending diet for the month is blown already whoops I am going to try and be super good for the rest of the month, honest :)
Never mind I can try and recoup some of it back with a blog sale update :) Check out my blog sale page from Sunday afternoon for the first in a number of updates - this one will included some limited edition MAC items, some Bare Minerals, some Revlon and much more x I'll stick a post in my main section and tweet when it's live. Any questions give me a yell x

(Pictures taken from Asda )