Clothing Shopping Haul

Don't you just love it when you come in to some unexpected money, and are able to treat yourself to a bit of whatever you fancy? I sure do!

It was only recently I confided how between September and the New Year I can't afford to spend much on myself, with Christmas and four family birthdays to think about, and how as a result, I don't really have much of a winter wardrobe. I was trying to decide which item on my wish list or need list to treat myself to... And then suddenly I found myself with a little (and gratefully received) extra cash and decided I would splurge a little, and fill a few gaps in my wardrobe.

I bought most of the clothes in this post in Sainsbury's last week, when they had 25% off all of their TU clothing and accessories. So not only were the clothes inexpensive to begin with and fantastic quality, but they were a complete bargain on sale, and my bank account thanked me for it.

I bought this adorable fox motif jumper, which is so thick and warm, and will be perfect on days when it snows or there's a heavy frost on the ground. Until this shopping trip, I didn't have any thick knitwear in my wardrobe at all (shocking, right?!), and although I over heat really easily, there are days when something thick like this is needed. This jumper was £18.75 on promo, usually £25.00. It comes up quite large.

I couldn't resist this cute Scottie dog jumper, either. I've always loved Scottie dogs, and motifs of them are far too irresistible. This jumper is a little thinner than the fox one, but still thick, warm and cosy, and will look perfect over jeans with a pair of boots. It was £15.00, originally £20.00, and you'll probably need your usual size.

I also picked up a bunch of basic cardigans in a variety of colours that were missing from my wardrobe.

I've been searching for a red cardigan for a couple of years, and I finally found one I liked in Next with a covered panel over the buttons, which I can't wait to wear. I also bought the same cardigan in a gorgeous forest green colour. They were £18 each, and they come up small, so size up from your usual cardigan size.

The black, purple, and light teal (which is much darker in colour than in these photos) cardigans were all from TU at Sainsbury's and they are just about the softest cardigans I've ever found in my life. Seriously, they're lovely. The sizing is very generous, so sizing down is advised. They cost £11.50 on promotion, £14.00 normally.

I originally went to look for a long line boyfriend cardigan, and I found one which ticks all the right boxes for a basic black cardigan. It's super soft, has pockets, and is a decent length, too. It retails for a reasonable £14, and it comes up large so size down if you can; I should have. 

Sorry I couldn't get a decent photo of it; my camera didn't want to capture it wherever I tried.

I fell in love with this lovely plum coloured waterfall cardigan, and the photo really doesn't do it justice. It was another garment that was proving a nightmare to photograph. It's a beautiful plum colour, and is flecked with pink, purple, and teal thread, which is a little different, and it may be a contender for the cosiest cardigan ever to grace the earth. Seriously, it's like a giant hug. I was surprised to see how large the sizing was; I tried on the XL and then the L, and they swamped me. In the end I bought the M but it's still really over sized on me; I could have bought the S! It will be ideal for wearing over dresses, and was a steal at £18.75 down from £25.00.

I had to treat myself to some new PJs as everything I own is on its last legs. These Scottie dog print ones just leaped in to the trolley; I don't know how that happened! They're pretty true to size, and as I'm wearing them as I type, I can tell you they're very comfortable. They retailed for £16.00 and I bought them for £12.00.

This polar bear and snowflake print onesie also came home with me because I fell in love with the print.  I love me a cute print. This is my first onesie, and the XL fits me really well, but ladies with larger chests may struggle with it as it's buttoned up from the waist band up. Still, it's lovely and not too thick, so should be great for chilly winter nights. I really wanted the daschund print version, as well. I paid £12.00 for it, and it originally retailed for £16.00

And finally, I just had to treat myself to the Pink Clove tartan skater dress that every plus size blogger and their dog have gone absolutely crazy for. I'm sure you've already seen it on many blogs. It didn't wow me as much as I hoped, but it's lovely and the quality is amazing. I sized up, but it's stretchy and your regular size should be fine. The dress has recently lowered from £30.00 to £22.00, so get in there fast, guys!

So, that's my recent clothing haul. I've managed to buy the staple pieces I've needed, and a few lovely treats for my A/W along the way. They'll all be coming to outfit posts really soon, I'm sure. I just need the weather to get colder so I can wear them!

I've also bought a few little accessories this week and some stationery, too, but I shall share those with you in a couple of separate posts really soon.

What have you been buying lately?

Christmas Gift Ideas: Nightwear

Following on from Monday's gift guide on slippers, today I'm featuring nightwear. 

Whether you open your presents in your pyjamas on Christmas morning, or you stay in them all day Boxing Day nursing a Christmas hangover, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some warm cosy PJs. They can make great gifts, providing you know the size and tastes of the intended recipient, and of course, treating yourself to a pair of cosy new jim jams in the process never hurt anyone!

I searched across the Internet, hoping to do a post on a variety of brands, but it was slim pickings. The pieces were either not to my taste, or not in my size. Cartoon characters and tacky motifs are generally not to my taste, but they seem to dominate most ranges.

 However, there is one brand that never lets me down, and that's Dorothy Perkins! They've been my go-to brand for sleepwear for years, as every Autumn/Winter they stock lovely good quality nightwear in tasteful styles, which are also affordable, and accommodating to plus sizes up to a size 22. I love the prints and patterns on the clothes; they're pretty and fun without being trashy, perhaps a little more grown up than most on the high street. I rarely use any other brand for PJs these days.

I've not been sponsored to do this post at all; I'm just genuinely passionate about their nightwear!

1. Dorothy Perkins cream cat printed robe £28.00
2. Dorothy Perkins wine bunny print robe £28.00

3. Dorothy Perkins navy heart print hooded robe £28.00

4. Dorothy Perkins grey pinspot robe £28.00

5. Dorothy Perkins fig feather printed robe £28.00

First of all, I can confirm Dorothy Perkins dressing gowns are as soft and cosy as they look; I own two from previous seasons, and snuggle in to them on frosty evenings. I'd prescribe one of these for a Winter cold! I adore the bunny print robe most, which I hope to own, and predictably, my next choice would be the polka dot design. Rachel, when I saw the cat print robe I thought of you!

6. Dorothy Perkins heather reindeer set £20.00
7. Dorothy Perkins cream spot stag pyjamas £20.00

8. Dorothy Perkins navy vest and check pant set £20.00
9. Dorothy Perkins mink feather pyjama set £20.00

10. Dorothy Perkins navy vest and star pant set £20.00

I can never get enough of the pyjama bottoms. After a few wears as a set, I tend to end up wearing the bottoms with an old t-shirt. I'm not sure why I do that, but I'm set in my ways. The trousers last for years, and I literally wear them until they fall apart. My favourites are 6,8, and 10; reindeer, tartan, and stars. 

11. Dorothy Perkins navy check pant £12.00

12. Dorothy Perkins blue bushed check pant £12.00

13. Dorothy Perkins grey swallow jersey pant £12.00

Dotty P's also sell separates so you can mix and match, which is great if you're different sizes on top and bottom. These are a bargain at just £12 each. I'd love to find any of these under the tree this Christmas.

14. Dorothy Perkins navy spot shorts set £18.00
15. Dorothy Perkins snails pace set £18.00
16. Dorothy Perkins blue printed cami and shorts £18.00

If full length PJs aren't your thing, there is a good selection of shorts and vest sets to choose from. I personally find this time of year too chilly for them and would save these 'til Spring, but if you have someone to snuggle up to, or just live in a warm climate, these might be perfect for you!

17. Dorothy Perkins navy check boyfriend shirt £20.00
18. Dorothy Perkins blue check shirt £20.00

19. Dorothy Perkins oatmeal bunny sleep tee £15.00
20. Dorothy Perkins spot penguin sleep tee £15.00

Sleep shirts remind me of the nineties. I seem to remember having a couple of checked bed shirts when I was growing up and they were so comfortable. I'm in love with the two chequered shirts. I actually purchased the bunny sleep tee, as the bunny with the wonky ears reminded me of my old bunny Tigerlily. It's really comfortable and is still a little over sized on my figure! I'd quite like to get the penguin tee now, too!

Which ones are your favourites?

Do you shop at Dorothy Perkins for sleepwear, or do you have another go-to brand?

I used to find some great PJs in Primark, although I can't get to one right now, and Matalan seem to have a nice selection of affordable pieces up to a size 22.

Oh, and I couldn't go without sharing these two...

Topshop Moomins PJ Set £26.00
Topshop Labyrinth Top and Short PJ Set £18.00

These two Topshop PJ sets are amazing! When I little, one of my favourite cartoons was The Moomins, and one of my favourite films was Labyrinth! I was a little obsessed with both if truth be told. They both still have a place in my heart now, so I found myself gazing at these with adoration. It's hit or miss whether they'd actually fit me since they're from Topshop; I'd have to try them on to find out, but I couldn't deny you slimmer ladies the opportunity to see these!

 This is one of those times when I really do wish Topshop would extend their sizes...

But I doubt that's ever going to happen...

Come on Topshop, sort it out!