My Christmas Novelty Bags

Merry Christmas everyone! 

How was your Christmas? I had a lovely, albeit very quiet, Christmas at home with my family. I got spoiled rotten, ate lots of delicious food, spent some quality time with my family, got cuddles from the Mia dog, and dressed up really festively in a fabulous new dress! I couldn't ask for more than that!

I feel absolutely shattered today, though, and can barely move, so I've spent my Boxing Day in bed watching festive TV, napping, eating a few Christmas chocolates, and going through photos I've taken over the last few days. It's a hard life! I'll be blogging more about my Christmas in the next couple of days, once I've edited my photos, but in the meantime, I thought you might like to see my little collection of Christmas novelty bags before I pack them away for another year.

I currently have four Christmas bags in my collection, which were all purchased in the last thirteen months. Three of them are novelties, and the fourth features a festive print.

The Christmas pudding bag came from TU at Sainsburys last Christmas, and if I'm remembering correctly, it was only about £12- and an absolute bargain. It's a cross-body bag, so I it's the perfect bag to use for Christmas shopping and running errands to leave my hands free for all those shopping bags. Plus, most importantly, it  makes my festive outfits look pretty damn awesome!

Last year, I also bought the red and silver bauble clutch, which was from New Look for less than £13. At the time I'd never seen a novelty bag quite like it, and I still think the design is really fun and eye-catching. It's definitely a conversation starter, that's for sure! It's also surprisingly roomy for a clutch bag, and fits everything I might need for a night out. (Not that I get to have many of those these days!)

The snowman bauble was also from New Look's Christmas collection in 2014, but I didn't buy it until earlier this year. I think I bought it on sale from ASOS for about £5! I just couldn't resist it. I haven't actually had a chance to use it yet, but it will definitely add a touch of whimsy to my Christmas outfits when I do. I mean, c'mon- it's a snowman faced bauble bag! How awesome?!

And last but not least, is my Cath Kidston Christmas book bag, which I picked up on sale earlier in the year for just £7- a bargain considering it was about £18 full price. I put it away to use this Christmas, and I've used it quite a few times already, even if it's just been for boring stuff like going to the supermarket, post office, and popping over to my sister's. 

I didn't buy any new Christmas novelty bags this Christmas, even though I had my eye on several, but if there are any left on sale at the end of the month, I may have to pick up one or two from Skinnydip to put away for next year.

Do you own any novelty Christmas bags? Have you bought any new ones this year?

You might also like:

My novelty bag collection 2015

My Matalan fruity novelty bags

My New Look novelty bags

My Novelty Christmas Handbags

Move over Christmas jumpers, step aside bauble earrings, there's a new way to inject a bit of festive cheer in to your outfits this Christmas- with festive novelty handbags!

The novelty handbag trend has taken its quirkiness to a whole new level this Winter, with many high street brands featuring festive bags and purses in their Christmas collections. Being both a novelty handbag addict, and a huge Christmas geek, I couldn't love this trend more!

In fact, I've added two novelty Christmas bags to my wardrobe over the last couple of weeks and the best part is, neither of them broke the bank. I thought I'd give you a quick peek at them both today, while there's still enough time to snap them up before Christmas.

First up is the New Look red stripe bauble clutch bag, which is the best Christmas accessory I think I've ever seen! The bauble design is so fun, and so different to any other novelty bag in my collection or on the high street, so naturally I'm all over it! It's a real statement piece, so it's the perfect accessory to complete Christmas party outfits. I'll be using it for all my casual Christmas ensembles, too! (Well, I have to get my money's worth!) It's a guaranteed conversation starter, and it's the kind of bag that will attract attention wherever it goes.

For a clutch bag, it's surprisingly large, and it has enough room for the essentials..The best part? This clutch is only £12.99 and currently on sale for just £10.00! I managed to snap one up on Black Friday for less than a tenner, but even full price it's not going to break the bank!

The newest bag to my collection is this TU at Sainsburys Christmas pudding bag, which I treated myself to with some Christmas money on Tuesday, as a post-hospital treat. (Thanks, Nana!) It's not every day that you find a bag in the shape of a Christmas pud! (How cute?!) I actually first saw it a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn't afford it at the time, so it was the first purchase that came to mind when I was given some early Christmas money. I'm pleased I managed to get one before it sold out. I love it!

This bag is far more casual than the bauble clutch, and I'd say it's much more convenient with its cross body strap; it's ideal for Christmas shopping when you need both hands to carry all those heavy shopping bags! It has slightly more room than the clutch bag, too. It obviously won't fit the kitchen sink but you should get your purse, phone, keys, lippy, and iPod in here no problem.

I'm pleased to say this was another bargain-priced find; it retails for just £12!! It's inexpensive enough that you don't have to feel too guilty about giving yourself a pre-Christmas treat! Sadly Sainsburys still don't have a website for their clothing range (what's up with that?), but you should still be able to find it in your local Sainsburys if you hurry!

Will you be treating yourself to one this Christmas?

Polka Dots and Vampire Teeth

If you can believe your eyes, I have an outfit post for you today! I'm on a roll at the minute; a slowly moving one, but a roll just the same! I actually have a few more outfits snapped and ready to show you over the next few weeks! I'm spacing them out to make them last, since I never know when I'll have the strength to take some more, or even get out of my PJs long enough to wear outfits worth snapping.

This is an outfit I threw together a few weeks ago while I was waiting on a delivery. I thought it was best I didn't scare the courier by opening the door in my PJs! 

It was about 9am when I took these photos, and I'd only had about two hours sleep, so I look rough as hell in them- and felt it, too. I just had to take advantage of the bright sunny morning, though, and got myself in the garden with my camera while I listened out for the door.

The chiffon asymmetric dress I'm wearing is an old one from Matalan, but it's one of my favourites. I always feel great in it, so I return to it time and time again, as I do with almost all of my favourite clothes. I'll never be one of those girls who won't wear anything twice. One: I can't afford to live like that, and two: even if I could I wouldn't; I get too attached to my favourite clothes, and enjoy wearing them regularly! Plus I live in the real world, where it's normal to wear clothes and accessories again and again, until they fall apart. There's no shame in it!

This outfit, apart from the bag, is actually made up entirely of old pieces. I didn't realise it at the time; I was just focused on selecting pieces to wear that I thought would work with this amazing novelty clutch bag. It's a simple look, but I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Excuse the nails; I was half way through painting them when I fell asleep!

The best part of the outfit is definitely the amazing vampire lips clutch bag, which I'm pleased to say is a current line. It's one of ASOS's novelty Halloween pieces, and it's without a doubt the best novelty bag I've ever seen (or owned)! The novelty bag trend has become so popular over the last few months, and there are so many great bags to choose from, but what could be better than a lip-shaped clutch with vampire teeth?? Nothing!

It was one of those bags that had me squealing at my laptop screen and there was no question about it, I had to have it. For £20, it's so well priced, and the quality is surprisingly good for an inexpensive high-street clutch. It's well made and sturdy, and the design is just fantastic! There's also a surprising amount of room in it for the essentials. I can't afford a Lulu Guinness clutch, so this ASOS novelty is the next best thing!

If you want to embrace a little Halloween spirit but don't fancy dressing up this year, the vampire lips clutch is the perfect accessory for adding a little fright-night fun to your outfit. It makes a statement on it's own without needing the cape and fangs to go with it! It' definitely grabs people's attention, and it's a great conversation starter, too!

Looking back on these photos, the only thing I think the outfit was missing was a belt or a statement necklace. I forgot to add one or the other at the time, but two hours sleep will do that to you! 

I'm also not quite sure why my hair looks so dark in these photos; it's still the same bright red it's always been since I began this blog! I think my camera's just shit! 

Outfit Details

Dress- Matalan // Cardigan- TU at Sainsburys // Tights- Evans // 

Shoes- New Look // Brooch- Cath Kidston // Bag- ASOS // Glasses- Roxy

How would you style the vampire lips clutch bag?

Thanks for reading!

Hearts and Polka Dots

I've been meaning to blog about this outfit for a couple of weeks, after snapping the photos in the garden one sunny afternoon, but as I wasn't happy with any of the photos, I've been hesitant about sharing them. 

I can see too many flaws in my photos from the shadows on my face to one strap of the dress that had unknowingly slipped off my shoulder. The garden's a mess and I also have a wheelie bin in shot because it was the only angle of our one hundred foot long garden which didn't give me over exposed photos (it gets all the sunlight), and I physically couldn't move it out of view. I was going to re-shoot the photos, but I've not made it out of bed in nearly a fortnight now, so sod it, I'm just going to blog them anyway, flaws an' all.

A few weeks ago, I found this cute fit and flare dress when I was window shopping at Dorothy Perkins. I had been on the look out for some dresses that I could bare to wear on scorching hot, muggy summer days, and it was just what I was looking for. A light-weight cotton dress which is breathable and doesn't leave me too flustered and over-heated on hot days. 

It's a navy fit and flare dress with a polka dot and heart print print, a sweetheart neckline, and capped sleeves. It's a little shorter than I usually wear, as I'm not a fan of baring my thighs, but I feel comfortable and confident in this dress with tights or leggings underneath. The length hits me an inch or two above the knee (I'm 5'6''), but if you're much taller it will be quite a short dress, which may be good or bad depending on the skirt length you prefer to wear! The shorter length has actually been a god-send for me on several sweltering hot days already, when I've worn it bare-legged around the house and managed to remain fairly comfortable in the heat.

I purchased this navy heart print polka dot dress along with two others in the same design, including this cherry print dress, and this bow print frock. They are all such pretty dresses, and so inexpensive at just £18 each. I bought them while they were on promotion, and with a discount code, so they were fantastic bargains and well worth the price. The dresses come in sizes 6-22UK, and they have a lot of stretch to the fabric, so your usual size should be fine. 

I paired the dress with a red cardigan, black opaque tights, ruby red ballet pumps, a toadstool brooch, and an owl necklace.

The fabric is a darker navy than my camera captured, and it has a polka dot and heart print all over it. You just can't go wrong with polka dots, and when it's combined with another awesome print it's even better!

I've always loved red and white toadstools, and when I saw this Cath Kidston brooch last Autumn I couldn't resist making a cheeky purchase. It's no longer available online, but it could be worth checking your nearest Cath Kidston shop or outlet shop in case it's still available in store. It's such a cute little brooch.

The owl necklace was a gift from my older sister a couple of years ago. She bought it in Florida on one of her Disney holidays, but I've no idea who it's by or where it's from.

These shoes are always so difficult to photograph; they just don't translate well at all on (digital) film. They're actually dark ruby red in colour and extremely glittery; just like Dorothy's ruby red slippers, but without the heel. I bought them from Evans around seven or eight years ago, because I'd always wanted a pair of ruby red slippers and I fell in love with them the moment I saw them. They're such cute pumps, but after all these years they still severely butcher my feet every time I wear them. Why must pretty shoes hurt the most? I try to only wear them now when there's not much walking involved, or I will end up with bloody blistered feet.

Outfit Details

♥ Dress-Dorothy Perkins
♥ Cardigan-TU at Sainsburys
♥ Tights- Evans
♥ Shoes-Evans
♥ Brooch-Cath Kidston
♥ Necklace-Gift from Florida

What do you wear to keep cool in the summer heat?

Purr, Purr, Purr

January... another month, another year, a time for fresh starts... and the month when most of us have to really watch the pennies after all that Christmas (over) spending. January has rarely been a month for adding new clothes to my wardrobe, but thankfully, I'm all about wearing my clothes more than once (hell, sometimes hundreds of times), and like to show my old favourites some love every now and then.

When I put my 'favourite outfits of 2013' post together a few days ago, I came across a few photos of myself in my coral AX Paris cat print dress, and realised I hadn't worn it since the beginning of last year. So, yesterday, I retrieved it from the depths of Narnia, and wore it when I popped in to town with my Mum.

I'm sorry about the quality of these photos. We've had torrential rain and gales for weeks now, which have made taking photos outdoors near impossible. I gave these ones a shot indoors at 6pm when it was pitch black, so I'm aware they're not the most flattering. The camera always captures my freckles oddly indoors, making it look like I've caked my face with dark foundation in patches. I haven't.

I adore this dress; it's so colourful and quirky- and very me! It's a sleeveless prom dress, with a cat print all over it, and cost me the astronomical price of £6.19 on sale last year! Bloody money-grabbers! 

I'm kidding, of course. It was a fantastic bargain, and probably the least inexpensive dress I've ever bought. Sadly it's no longer available, but if you come across one on eBay or a blog sale etc, be sure to snap it up!

On previous occasions, I dressed this dress with other colourful pieces, but this time I made it pop with lots of black. (Which matched the little bow-ties of the cats). It was a quite simple outfit, really. I wore opaque tights; a super soft cardigan with gold buttons; my black studded ankle boots; and a heart-shaped quilted chain bag. I then complimented it with a short colourful statement necklace, that Dani kindly sent me when I won her giveaway before Christmas. (I love it, thanks, Dani!!) 

Outfit Details

Dress-AX Paris Curve // Tights-Evans // Cardigan-TU at Sainsburys // 

Boots-Catwalk Collection at Simply Be // Bag-Topshop (similar) // Necklace-Gift

I got more than a little wind-swept popping in to a couple of shops in this outfit, (what's up with this crazy weather in England right now??) and had to hold down the skirt, but thankfully I avoided flashing anyone, and felt really good dressed like this! A sales assistant in Morrisons complimented the dress, and I came home from town with this bag that I've wanted since last summer, so it was a successful little trip, I'd say. I'd only gone in to pay a bill!

I'll be blogging about the bag along with a couple of other little sale purchases in a few days, so be sure to stop by again soon!

Do you find yourself cutting back on frivolous shopping in January, and try to make the most of what you already have?

Red Velvet and Reindeer

I've been going really stir crazy over the last couple of weeks. I've learnt to deal with being house bound and stuck in bed most of the time, and I accept it- but every now and then I get really frustrated with being cooped up, and would give anything to get out of the house. Anything to be out in the fresh air, just doing normal every day things... things that I used to take for granted. The ~cabin fever~ usually passes after a day or three, but I still miss living my life outside the confines of these four walls. I miss having the freedom to live a normal life; to go wherever and do whatever I want to do; to make plans or act on impulse, and just be me, I guess... but, c'est la vie. One day it will end.

My sister gave me a temporary break from captivity at the end of the week by taking me to Sainsburys for groceries. (Ooh, aah!) Yes, I live such an exciting existance! I did come home with a new jumper, though, so it wasn't all bad. I wore it out in to the garden the next day to get some fresh air, and test out my new boots on the patio.

It may only be mid-October, but yes, I'm wearing a reindeer jumper! I regret nothing. 

I saw the jumper in Sainsburys and I couldn't leave without it. (Mostly because my sister wouldn't have allowed me to). I don't know what it is, but I love fairisle patterns, especially on knitwear. My Mum used to dress me in the things when I was little, and then I spent the next decade or so avoiding them like the plague... it's funny how tastes change, and styles come back in to fashion again. Fairisle prints and Christmas jumpers are everywhere again. Bill Cosby would be proud! 

The jumper is so thickly knitted, and so cosy. It'll be perfect when Winter sets in. It was really chilly (and raining) when I took these photos, but I felt lovely and warm wearing it. The background is cream, and the pattern is in red and navy, with a burgundy reindeer. It was only £20, which is a pretty good price for a lovely, good quality sweater.

I had an urge to try it with my black velvet sparkly skater skirt that I bought from New Look last Winter, and opaque tights, and I really like how all these pieces look together. I'm not hugely comfortable in jeans, but I think the jumper looks cute over a skirt. I think I'll be trying to recreate looks like this through Autumn and Winter.

I was also wearing my new studded ankle boots from Simply Be that I treated myself to a month or so ago. This was the first time I'd worn them out of the house, and although I was a little underwhelmed when I first got them, I'm now loving them more and more each time I look at them. Looking at these photos, I think they look quite nice on. The colour is lovely, and they fit so well. They're wide-fitting boots (I got the EEE as I've got really wide feet), and I don't think I've ever had a pair of boots that fit so well. They're so comfortable, and there's even width to spare! I must get the other colours!

Who says a girl can't sparkle on a dreary drizzly Friday in October??

Close ups of the pattern, and my messy red hair.

The boots are a rich burgundy, and they are studded on the outer sides. Sorry about the crap photos. The zip feature makes it super easy to get them on and off. Always a bonus with wide feet!

I wore my anchor ASOS ring.

And I wore an old Evans ring on my other hand, which is missing a couple of gems and looks unsightly, but I still love it. 

I went for a burgundy nail polish (Barry M's 'Raspberry'), and added a red and black glitter polish to the tops of the nails (Barry M's 'Ruby Glitter'.

Outfit Details

Jumper-TU at Sainsburys // Skirt-New Look Inspire- Tights-Evans // Boots-Simply Be // 

Anchor Ring-ASOS // Black Gem Ring-Evans // Nail Polishes-Barry M

Well, I don't know about you, but I think I've found myself a casual Christmas outfit!

Accessories and Beauty Haul

A little earlier in the week I shared my recent clothes haul with you guys, and today I've got an accessories and beauty haul for you. I decided to divide my haul up in to a few posts since I've splurged a little (a lot) on myself lately. It would've been a bit overwhelming in one post, but I can't deny it's been lovely to have the freedom to treat myself to a lot all at once without feeling guilty. Hurray for unexpected funds!

I was supposed to schedule this post for yesterday, but I must have gotten too excited at the prospect of hunting for Fall Out Boy tickets first thing Friday morning that I forgot to actually schedule it. I've wanted to see Fall Out Boy play live since about 2005, and I've finally got tickets to see them next March! There are no words to describe just how excited I am! Though I could've done without the two hours of ticket stress it took to get them! I love having things to look forward to, and this one will be something for me to aim for and work towards. I shall get myself there in one piece if I have to crawl! I can't wait! Did anybody else get tickets to see them on their UK tour?

Anyway, enough rambling; this is my haul of random beauties...

So, I made it to Cath Kidston this week. Twice...  On Christmas shopping excursions with the sister. I really shouldn't be allowed near that shop as I just want everything, but I was fairly restrained. At least on the first trip... I bought a basket full of Christmas essentials like cards and gift wrap on the second trip, but to be fair they were all just a £1 or £2 each! And needed.

Ah Cath Kidston accessories! Oh how I love them. I treated myself to these accessories as it's an area I'm lacking in. I bought three brooches and a set of hair clips. 

The polka dot and floral hair clips were £4, the blue tit bird brooch was £5, and the red rose brooch was £6, all bought in store. I picked up the toadstool brooch (isn't it gorgeous?!) from ASOS which was on sale for £4, it's usually £6. I did spot it in store, as well. I adore toadstools, and their new toadstool range is all amazing.

I couldn't leave without this cream rose bracelet, which was £6. I already have it in dark red and I wear it constantly, so I just had to have this one as well.

I got this gorgeous green polka dot purse on sale at Cath Kidston's outlet shop in Bicester Village. I couldn't resist the beautiful emerald green colour, as it's one of my favourite colours, which I can never get enough of. It's beautifully made like everything Cath Kidston tends to be. I just love the quality of CK oil cloth purses, they're so hard wearing and last for years without showing the slightest sign of wear. I've got two other CK purses I've had for four or five years now, and they're still going strong! This one was £12 on sale, and originally would have been £28.

I went in to The Body Shop looking for banana conditioner, which is my new favourite hair product, but they were out of stock. They did have a banana shampoo, though, which I didn't even know existed, so I bought it to try it out. It has the same sweet banana smell that reminds me of those banana yoghurts I used to find it my lunch box at primary school when I was growing up. I can't wait to try it. It was £4.50.

The Models Own nail art pens came from ASOS and were both on sale for just £3 each, down from £6. I bought pastel lilac and pastel blue. I really love the Models Own nail art pens as they're so easy to work with, and I hope to collect the other colours before they sell out.

Some of my first purchases of late were these three beautiful scarves. I had been coveting the polka dot and tartan Accessorize scarves for a month or two, so as soon as I could afford to, I had to pick them both up. I used my sister's student discount, so I at least saved myself a few quid. The polka dot one retails for £19, and the tartan for £17; they're both stunning and wonderfully thick.

The pheasant scarf is from TU at Sainsbury's and I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. I mean, how often do you see a scarf with pheasants on it? It's so very English, and since I love our local / national wildlife, I just had to have it. I didn't buy it straight away, but went back for it and as there was a promotion on, I got it for £6 instead of £8. The quality is fantastic, so you guys need to go check it out!

I bought these boots from Simply Be, which are wide fitting ankle boots by Catwalk Collection. I fell in love with them online, but it took me a little time to warm to them in real life. They just weren't as stunning as I had anticipated, and didn't have studs all the way around on both sides, like in the photos online. However, they are great fitting boots and they do look lovely on. I bought the 7 in EEE, but I think the 6 would've been better. They retail for £45, but I found a 20% off discount code which saved me £9. I'm still considering buying them in black and forest green. These ones are 'wine' and are much more burgundy in real life.

And finally, we have the panda print ballerina slippers from Next, which I blogged about last week. They're adorable and only cost the bargain price of £10! For that price, what's not to love?

What have you been buying lately?