Primark Haul - March 2016 Edition - Clothes, Beauty, Jewellery And Home

Greetings from LouLouLand, or should I say cough and sniffle land! After managing to keep it at bay for what seems like weeks, on Wednesday I eventually succumbed to the horrible cold virus that seems to be floating around at the moment. Despite feeling beyond yuck, I feel way better than I did yesterday and on Thursday so I thought I'd try and get a little post and a video up just so you don't forget who I am :)

On Monday I managed another Primark trip - hurrah I love a good Primark trip, almost as much as I love a Costa Mango Creamy Cooler :) and on Monday I managed to combine the two :)

Normally I just go to Primark to have a look round and see what's new, but this time I went for something specific from their home wear section.

Yes, it's the daisy cushion, to match the duvet set that I featured in last months Primark haul (you can read it here if you haven't already). I'm obsessed with daisies and I'm obsessed with cushions so it was only natural that I went back for this one. It comes in two sizes but this one is the larger of the two which was £6.

The cushion comes with a zip fastening, removable cover, and like the bed set it's double sided. One side features the huge yellow and white daisy on a blue background, and the other features a daisy chain pattern, on a coral pink background.

I haven't managed to put the duvet set on the bed yet but I'll definitely post some pictures on my Instagram page when I do. In the meantime though I'm using this cushion with the gingham, check side of the IKEA Rosali bedding and strangely enough, the pattern clash seems to work. That's why I love interiors so much, it's like fashion sometimes things that shouldn't work, just do.

Next up beauty and I eventually managed to find out where the beauty stands had moved to. If you're looking for them in Primark Metro Centre you'll currently find them right on the back wall next to the nightwear and underwear, but take a tip from me, if you're looking for make up don't bother!

I know the staff can't supervise the stands all the time but you'd think they'd try and keep a bit of an eye on them? The majority of the make up items had been opened, and there was bronzing powder over everything! It was a total mess - I loved the look of the Velvet Lip Pencil in Nude but every single one had been opened and tested or broken :(

I was really disappointed but I cheered up a little bit when I saw some of their new make up brushes - swoon so pretty with matte black handles and rose gold ferrules, when I looked at the price, I had to pick a few up to try.

The first brush I got was duo fibre stippling brush, ideal for use with foundation or cream blush products. I use this type of brush an awful lot but especially in the summer when I use them with cream blushes and my Chanel cream bronzer.

For me this brush is probably a bit small to use with foundation but it's something that I'll definitely get plenty of use out of. The fibres feel nice and soft on the skin, and at just £1.50 the PS Stippling Brush is definitely worth a try.

The next brush that I got was a double ended eyeshadow and concealer brush, again in the matte black and rose gold this brush double ended brush can either be used for powder, liquid and cream concealer or for eye shadow.

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The brush features two different sized heads, both of which are made of super soft, duo fibres. Whilst the fibres are soft and silky though the brushes heads themselves have just the right degree of density and firmness, to make blending and precise application a breeze,

This brush believe it or not was just £1 - if this had different branding on it I'm sure that it would sell for a lot more else where. I'm definitely going to have another look at the brushes next time I'm in store, and I definitely think I'll pick up another one of these.

My final beauty purchase was surprise, surprise, another two packets of the PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Wipes. I've been doing a lot of swatching lately and I went through nearly a packet in a week so I thought I'd stock up - these are a bargain at just £1 for 2 packets of 25 wipes.

Clothing wise I only picked up a few essentials - the summer things are nearly all in store now but I just can't get excited about summer just yet. I don't have any holiday plans and I'm not happy with my weight so I think I'm just going to hold fire at the moment and not go out and spend money on things I don't really need, hence I just picked up a few bargaintastic basics.

I guess you could argue that these jeggings are really a summer purchase. The very, very pale blue colour is probably more appropriate for the dry days of spring and summer but the price was too good to turn down. I own a few pairs of these jeggings in different colours now and they normally retail at £7 a pair but they were on offer for just £5.50. My only advice would be that you probably need to size down in these as they are quite stretchy but they're cheap and they're comfy.

Speaking of comfort I don't think that there is a piece of clothing that it more comfortable than a pair of leggings. Find the right pair and they feel like a second skin, but finding the right pair isn't easy. I've bought so many pairs of leggings it's untrue some cut your circulation off, some bag at the knees and some are just well, perfect, unfortunately they never seem to last that long, and about 3 weeks ago now, two pairs breathed their last and ended up in my mam's rag bag.

So I needed to replenish my stock and to be honest I think Primark's leggings are as good as any. I tend to go for their viscose mix and they feel really soft against the skin. The sizing is generous and the price is even better, they are normally £3 a pair, but on Monday they were on offer at just £2.80 so I took advantage and got two pairs.

That was it for clothing but I did mange to pick up a couple of jewellery pieces including this super cute bracelet from their new Disney collection

Despite the fact that it says bracelet I actually bought this as a necklace never mind it's really sweet just a very fine gold tone chain, with a gold tone Mickey Mouse head charm attached, It's really sweet and really delicate and it was a bargain at just £2.50. They also had a few other pieces including a crystal embossed Mickey head necklace and a Love necklace, where the O is shaped like a Mickey head. I'm not the worlds craziest Disney fan, but I do love cute jewellery pieces so I'll definitely be back for more.

The final jewellery piece that I picked up is the complete opposite, where as the Disney bracelet is small and delicate, this silver tone bracelet is a real statement piece.

This elasticated bracelet is on a small, irregular bead band, and features a large, silver tone, filigree charm, with a long silver tassel dangling from it. I don't know what it is about this but I had to have it the minute I saw it. I like layering my bracelets and I think that this would work equally well on it's own, as it would alongside some of my more delicate pieces. It was just £2.00

As I say just a small haul but I hope you enjoyed it and found it useful anyways. Before the sore throat hit I managed to record a quick video to accompany this haul so don't forget to watch it via this link or below x



Thanks for reading and watching and if you've been to Primark recently I'd love to know what you bought so link me up or let me know below x

Primark Haul - February 2016 - Clothes, Home And More

So far this year hauls have been a bit thin on the ground for me - I really am trying to be good this year but for the past month or so I'd really been craving a Primark trip. I hadn't been to Primark since before Christmas and I was suffering for severe withdrawal symptoms! So last week I eventually managed to get my fix and predictably I bought a few things.

I love watching haul videos and reading haul posts and the first thing that I got was something that I'd seen on quite a few blogs and instagram posts...

According to Mummy Lou I have quite an obsessive personality, and two of the things that I'm slightly obsessed with are bedding, and daisies, so buying this duvet set was pretty much a given. This cotton and polyester mix duvet and pillowcase set is double sided - one side features large daisies and flowers on a back ground and the other side features a daisy chain pattern on a coral, pink background. I got the double which was just £11. I'd just made my bed so I haven't put this on the bed yet but I'll stick some pictures onto Instagram when I do x

You can also get matching cushions in two sizes and whilst I stayed strong on the day, my cushion obsessions is kicking back in and I'm really tempted to go back and get one of the larger ones. Primark's home wear collection just keeps getting better and better and whilst I didn't buy anything else on this visit, I can't wait to see some of the new additions when the Metro Centre store completes it's expansion.

Although it feels like it's still winter in my little part of County Durham, the shops are now full of Spring and Summer fashions and Primark is no exception. To be honest I don't need any clothes at the moment especially since I'm trying to lose a bit of weight so I only bought two things, something for now and something that will ideal for the warmer weather.

I know they aren't always the trendiest or coolest things but I'm a big fan of jeggings, You have the comfort of a legging but the look and feel of a skinny jean, but without all those zips and buttons that seem to embed themselves into your flesh! I buy most of my jeggings in H&M or Asda, but a few months ago I tried a pair of Primark's and for the price they were pretty decent. They had a couple of new colours in this time round a real stone 80's stone wash and this bright blue pair. They look a bit more of a navy blue in these pics but in real life they are a much brighter blue. These jeggings  are only £7 and they are stupidly comfy.

I wear jeggings all year round but the next thing that I got is probably more suitable for the warmer weather.

This pretty sleeveless ivory lace detail top was just £10, it's quite sheer so I would need to wear a vest or a camisole underneath it but I just thought it was unbelievably cute. It has a little collar, a tie at the neck, lace detail around the neck, shoulders and decolletage, and little lace trimmed cap sleeves. It also features little pleats and pin tucks.

That was it for clothing but I did buy a few accessories, including two lots of hair bobbles.

I got some Invisibobbles in a recent beauty box, and I really liked them.  Although my hair is in a pretty good place at the moment  (find out why soon!) I've suffered from quite a  lot of hair problems over the years, and having long hair I;m always careful what I use to tie it back with. I normally use Primark Opia plain, metal free, bobbles  (read my review / rave here) but I really liked the Invisibobbles. Marks and indentations in the hair don't really bother me but I like that way that they don't seem to pull out chunks of hair when your take them out. They aren't cheap though so I'm really hoping that these Primark alternatives do the trick. I first saw these on the lovely Ray's blog Who Is She, and whilst I couldn't find find the exact ones she had, I got the metallic rubberised coil rings, which have little charms on them that you can see above, which were £2 for 5, and a pack of black, fabric hair rings, which were £1 for 6.

I think that the rubber ones might stretch a bit overtime but I'll see how I get on and I'll let you know. The next thing that I bought was something that I nearly bought over Christmas.

Why on earth I didn't buy it at the time I'll never know - it was only £1 for goodness sake. Never mind at least I managed to get it in the end. All it is a gold tone ring, in a sort of cage design, with a thin, black oval stone. I liked the idea of cage or kiss rings like this but I wasn't sure how comfortable they would be. Surprisingly though despite the size and the shape this ring is actually really comfrotable and easy to wear, and it was a bargain.

The final thing that I got (apart from some Minion Tic Tacs!) was an old favourite and something I buy every time I go into Primark...the duo pack of the PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Cleansing Wipes For Combination Skin


These wipes are just £1 for two packs of 25 wipes, and to be honest I've lost count of how many packs I've used. I very rarely use them for my face though, I normally use them for either freshening up on the go or for cleaning up swatches. I used nearly two packets already this month for swatch cleaning so I thought I better stock up.

I had intended to have a look at the new look Primark Beauty range, which I'd seen online and includes some new foundations, some velvet lip pans, and a pretty exciting Urban Decay Naked Palette dupe, but the usual stands were nowhere to be found. I'm presuming that they were missing either due to the store makeover or due to the new launches but I'm hoping they'll be back soon.

I'm already planning another Primark trip to pick up a few things that I left behind, and to look for a few things that I couldn't find, so if you have any recommendations or you've done your own haul post or video then please let me know x In the meantime please take some time  out to watch the video to accompany this haul either below or via my You Tube channel x Thanks for watching and thanks for reading x

OOTD - In The Nude

Well I made it out of the house for once ;) my mum had a hospital appointment this afternoon so we had a little drive around the north east. My mum's hospital appointment was in Washington - her consultant was really pleased with her progress but she does have some swelling in one of her legs which may need antibiotics but everything is looking good ;) We then headed towards Durham and went to Sainsburys - I was really surprised actually how good the clothes selection was I was really tempted by a few bits but I stayed strong, then we went to Boots on the retail park which was a different story whoops a diddle - more on that to come ;) Anyway I quite liked my outfit today it was quite simple but I think the accessories really made it x





Today I Wore

Indigo Jeggings - ASOS
Longline Nude Vest - Top Shop
Stud and Ruffle Detail Nude Pumps - Primark
Nude Quilted Chain Bag - ASOS
Pale Pink Stone and Faux Pearl Chandelier Earrings - Primark
Pastel Floral and Butterfly Ring - Boots

Dorothy Perkins Shopping Spree

OK as I said a few posts ago I've majorly screwed up my spending diet for February - thank goodness its nearly over lol Well as I said I'd placed a Dorothy Perkins order last weekend when there was a free p&p offer - well it's came and scarily it's all gorgeous and it's all getting kept - whoops a daisy !
Anyway as with my other purchases this month I ordered a few basics - more jeggings, and more white t-shirts but I also ordered some more interesting purchases :)
First of all socks - I actually needed some new short socks and there was a 3 pairs for £5 -I order these little cuties I especially love the NYC taxi cabs

I also ordered a couple of t-shirt style tops - first of all this one with a heart shaped perfume bottle design



and also this one with slightly puffed sleeves and a rose print around the neckline


I also got a couple of jewellery pieces including this gorgeous Italian style glass ring


and this lovely chunky faux pearl necklace

I have two more haul posts to do from February's spends, one from Boots / Sainsbury and one from ASOS then were back to square one and hopefully back on track in March

One Month To Go

Argh I can't believe that it will Christmas Day a month today ! I have done quite a bit of shopping so far so I am not too worried but I still have my cards to make which usually takes me a few days argh!
I did manage to pick up this yesterday how cute!

It's not that Christmassy which is more often than not my biggest failing with advent calendars but its cute. My mum has bagged herself a dairy milk one which I have to say is much more festive than mine with Santa and his elves, even the cats have one again this year which I have to say is way more festive than mine, but ho hum (or should I say ho ho ho lol)

Anyways in the same shop which we got our advent calendars they also sell a whole load of ex catalogue and chain store clothing - my mum very kindly bought me this top / tunic for the festive season - Sorry for the bad pic but it's a gorgeous electric blue colour with gunmetal sequins and seed beads :) very pretty I am thinking of wearing it for Christmas lunch with my jeggings which give plenty of room for expansion but we'll see I have a few family and friend things to do over Christmas so I need to sort out a few outfits :)

Talking of Christmas the lovely Sarah at I Heart Cosmetics is hosting a super generous Christmas giveaway so don't forget to check her out x

I have a few things planned for the rest of the week including a visit to the Vampires (the nurse for bloods:(), and the hairdressers on Friday -bye bye roots !! and potentially something exciting over the weekend but I'll try and get a few posts in xxx

ASOS, George and La Redoute Goodies - Pic Heavy

Despite the postal strike I've got a few parcels through this week including two from ASOS :)

First of all I picked up a few winter clothes essentials (all these pics are from ASOS )

2 pairs of indigo jeggings - I look a bit chubby in the thigh area in them but hey ho they are comfy :)



2 jumpers one in tuquoise and one in mink



a long sleeve slight roll neck black top for layering


not for winter but this super cute old fashioned style telephone pendant - ASOS do some super cute necklaces


I also picked up a few beauty bits now there is a surprise

This lippy from Paul and Joe in RPM :) which has been on my wishlist for a while - look at the imprint and the packaging soooo cute


Two Marian Newman Inkredible nail polish sets these look so interesting I will do a demo on how to use them and a review soon



also OPI Barefoot in Barcelona


I also picked up another few bits from ASOS which I've photographed - spot the difference - lol

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark


and an Body America Mango Peach Body Butter which came with a free lip butter :)


I also got a parcel from La Redoute this week containing this gorgeous silver waterfall cardi - great for the festive season


A huge plus point for me this week was a vist to my local Asda Hypermarket - why was this so exciting - well my local Asda doesn't stock the George cosmetics range and this one does :)
I have read quite a bit about their nail varnishes and when I got to the store they were on special offer at only £1 each so I picked a few up :)
No. 36 Smog

No 15 Midnight Black

No 22 Ultra Violet

No 26 Mocha Ice

I will definitely do a review on these at some point - they are such a bargain at only £1.50which is the normal price
I also had a little look at the rest of their make up range and picked up a Velvet Eyeshadow in No4 Combat and boy am I glad I did. In NYX style packaging this eyeshadow is super gorgeous - a gorgous olive greeny / gold - very like MAC Sumptuous Olive - The texture is gorgeous and its so pigmented - love it :)



Any questions give me a yell and I'll try and do some reviews of the Marian Newman and George nail bits in the next week or so xx