Polka Spots and Freckle Dots: flats

Monday, 15 October 2012

I just can't help myself...

This afternoon my Mother was on a mission to get me out of the house for a little while since it'd been about two weeks since I last escaped from imprisonment. We popped in to the next town which has a small high street, as I wanted to look for some studded slippers in New Look. What I wasn't intending to do was buy FOUR pairs of shoes, SEVEN nail polishes, and a few other bits and pieces.

I think I have a problem!

One thing is clear: I'm not to be trusted in a real life shop when I have a little money in my bank account!

So, who would like to see my New Look/Superdrug haul?

I can reveal I bought four pairs of studded flats!

I went in intending to hunt down these wide-fit studded slippers. (I've been hunting for wide fit slippers as my Topshop ones are a little tight around my toes). I've been admiring them online for months, but was hesitant about ordering them online as I wasn't sure which size I needed. I have wide feet, and one foot a half size bigger than the other, which makes things awkward. I'm a UK 6-7 but usually take a 7 because of this. It turns out the sizing was very generous in length and width, even for a wide fit shoe- the size 7 was far too big, and the size 6 was perfect!

The slippers are far nicer in real life than they appear on the website. They look far better quality than I'd imagined and feel like a suedette fabric. I couldn't choose between the two, so I decided to buy both as they'll work with different coloured outfits. The slippers were just £17.99 each and can be found online- navy, black. They also come in purple.

After deciding to buy both pairs of studded slippers, I found these beautiful ballet pumps in the sale area. They're studded all over, and again, are made from a faux suede material. At first I couldn't find the purple in my size and was upset because I loved them. Then after I'd discovered the red pair in my size and had fallen in love with those too, I was just on my way to the till when I found the purple in a size 6 hanging behind some other shoes, and couldn't get to the checkout fast enough! Again, the size 6 was generously cut, but I don't think these ones are wide fit pumps. They were both just £8 each. I can't find my receipt but I think they were about £16-17 originally. Such a bargain!

I can justify buying four pair of shoes because I hardly own anything besides flip flops and sandals, which is shocking! I only spent just over £50 on all four, so I don't really feel guilty. I fell in love with a pair of burgundy slippers, which I may go back for after I've been paid. They also had some great creepers.

A couple of nights ago, I came across the Scottie Dog scarf online. I almost ordered it, but decided to wait a few days. There were several things at the top of my wish list I desperately wanted, but I had to decide which I wanted most. Obviously, the shoes won today (plus a few more pairs...). So while I was in New Look I picked up these cute thin chiffon scarves for just £2.99 each! I can't argue with being able to update a few outfits for so little. They're both available online- Scottie Dog, Skull print.

How adorable is this white Scottie dog print?!

The skull print is of quite happy looking skulls with faint crosses in between them.

I also bought a couple of accessories I had my eye on...

I almost bought this trio of hair slides along with the scarf the other day, so I had to pick them up when I saw them! They were only £3.50 and perfect colours for Autumn. They can be found here.

This feather beaded necklace was on sale (50% off) and just £3.00 down from £6.00. I thought it was cute and would work well with my red polka dot tea dress. Sorry about the terrible photo.

From New Look we headed over to Superdrug, and I splurged a bit in there, too...

I needed a new face scrub so bought Garnier Fresh Essentials Refreshing Scrub in Grape Extract.

I picked up my normal hair dye- Schwarzkopf Live Color XXL Real Red. I was looking to buy one of the new bright semi-permanent dyes, too, but they didn't have them. I'll probably pick one of them up online instead.

And a very boring purchase was a basic toe nail clipper. I'm sure you all wanted to know that!

Now here is where I went a bit nail polish crazy. I couldn't resist them and ended up coming home with seven! In Superdrug there was an offer with Barry M- buy any two Barry M products and get a free croc or web effects nail polish. I took advantage of the offer twice! The standard polishes were just £2.99 each, and the free croc effects polishes are worth £3.99.

I chose an interesting looking polish which is black with pink glitter flecks (353 Ruby Glitter) which I can't wait to try; a burgundy shade I've been wanting for a while (273 Raspberry), and chose the burgundy croc effect as the freebie (343 Burgundy Croc).

I then sent my Mum to the till with another three, as the offer was one per transaction. I picked up a two-tone teal colour (334 teal); a new bottle of my current favourite polish- a green-black polish I think of as beetle green (299 Racing Green); and added the black croc effect polish (323 Croc Effects) as the free one.

Then, if I hadn't done enough shopping, I bought a bronze-brown NYC nail polish in the pharmacy when picking up a prescription. I've heard some great things about budget brand NYC Color, but had yet to take the plunge and give them a try, and for £1.79 there really isn't much to worry about. I decided to try a brown as it's the one colour I don't own in my nail polish collection, and looks like the perfect nail colour for Autumn.

And, finally, I bought Grazia and Cosmopolitan magazines. Cosmo had a couple of free gifts. Mine has a great fuchsia Missguided lipsplash lipgloss. It's so vibrant and although it's not a colour I'd usually buy myself, I'm really taken with how it looks against my skin tone! The other freebie is an Oral B 3D White Brilliance toothpaste, which appears to be a whitening toothpaste.

I'm tired just thinking about all these purchases! That's me done until the next pay day, when I should really concentrate on Christmas and birthday present shopping since it's all creeping up fast. There are several things I ordered online last week I'm still waiting for, but I'll save those for another post.

I pushed myself a little too much whilst out and about and have been curled up for the last few hours feeling sorry for myself. I'm off to relax and play with my new purchases.

Go fish!

Deciding I valued the ability to breathe over a pretty tea dress, I returned the lovely swan print Dorothy Perkins dress I showed you a couple of days ago, and after a little online browsing, I bought a dress from AX Paris instead.

I'd been admiring this fish print dress for some time, and when I discovered it had gone on sale, it didn't take me long to make it mine.

Although, I was worried that it wouldn't be a good dress for me; that the shape wouldn't suit me, and that it wouldn't be long enough (as I'm not comfortable with showing much thigh), but, as I love the print, I thought it was worth the risk.

And it was.

The dress was delivered this morning. I have to say AX Paris provide such fast and reasonably priced delivery compared to most. They charge £2.95 for standard delivery, and each time I've ordered from them, the parcel has arrived within two days. I wish every brand was so efficient!

I love the way the dress sits. I sized up to make sure that the zip sat properly and didn't want to 'gape'. The fabric is thinner than I was expecting; but it's so comfortable and soft, and glides nicely over my curves without clinging. I'm also happy with the length, as it's just about long enough for me to wear confidently, and the fish print makes me smile.

Fish print

Topshop studded slippers, and assorted beaded bracelets

I think this dress will be a fun one to dress up or down. Today I've worn it with black leggings; studded Topshop slippers; and a load of black beaded bracelets to give it a bit of an edge.

Dress: AX Paris

Leggings: New Look

Shoes: Topshop

Silver and black bracelets: Gift from a friend

Grey stone bracelet: Next, a gift from a friend

Assorted black beaded bracelets: Dorothy Perkins (part of a set)

I attempted to cut my own fringe last night, and didn't do a good of it. That's what happens when you've got poor eye sight and an unsteady hand, and attempt it at 2 in the morning. I never like to trim my own fringe, but have had to resort to it a few times as I've not been able to go to the hairdressers in nearly seven months. It's funny that I miss these little pleasures. I also miss wearing make up, so decided to apply a little eye liner and blusher today.

I managed to get my hands on a few magazines yesterday. I bought Look, In Style, and Cosmopolitan.

The July issue of In Style comes with a free mascara or two eye definers from The Body Shop. I went for the eye liners (which are in black and navy and retail at £16 together) as I already have so many mascaras. I'm wearing the black in today's photos.

The August issue of Cosmo has a free Missguided nail polish with it. I came home with the hot pink shade called Misstify (although each copy in the Coop had the same colour, so I didn't get to choose) and applied it to my toe nails last night. It's easy to work with, and the colour sets nicely.

The view from my bedroom window yesterday evening

Oh, and I hear through the grapevine that it's meant to be summer right now... but I don't think England got the message. It poured relentlessly yesterday evening. I haven't seen so much rain since 2007 when there were floods all across the country. (You can tell I'm English as I feel the need to chat about the weather). I actually love rain and listening to it drum against the windows. When it rains like this, I always want to go for a walk, and get soaked.

Surely I'm not the only one?

Clothes or cosmetics?

Hey guys,

Hope you're having a great start to the weekend.

My Friday afternoon was spent curled up listening to the wind screaming and the rain lashing down outside while watching a couple of movies (The Time Traveller's Wife, and The Holiday FYI), and catching up with a few magazines.

It was particularly refreshing to read this week's body-positive, curve-celebrating issue of Look magazine, and to see normal bodies being loved instead of criticised. Well done, Look! I personally would have loved to see more curvy ladies of all shapes and sizes featured, but I commend them for focusing on something most wouldn't.

From reading it, I learned that a few brands sold larger sizes than I realised (Zara, Oasis and Wallis go up to an 18, and Gap to a 20- who knew)?! and I picked up a few tips from fashion bloggers like Sian who were also featured in the magazine. Well done, Sian, for being featured in such a great issue!

I'm back in my crazy altered Aztec dress today. The pattern is totally mad but I love it! It originally hit mid-calf on me, but I had it shortened to work better for my shape. I finally picked up some black tights to wear with it; all I need now is a biker jacket to give it an edge. I've teamed it with black accessories to tone the madness down!

The dress has an unusual crochet collar; perhaps something I should avoid wearing in the sun to prevent an elaborate patterned sun burn! From a distance it just looks like a black panel, but up close the detail is intricate and pretty.

I thought it was time to give the Topshop studded slippers another appearance, and to stack lots of black bracelets on my wrist. Most were part of a set from Dorothy Perkins, but the two silver ones were a gift. I also added a pair of black studs, and a black skinny belt.

Dress: ASOS

Tights: Evans

Belt: Dorothy Perkins

Earrings: Accessorize

Silver and black bracelets: A gift from my bestie

All other bracelets: Part of a set from Dorothy Perkins

Shoes: Topshop

I'm trying to decide whether to buy a new dress OR to take advantage of The Body Shop's buy 3 get 3 free offer that's currently running, to buy make up and toiletries. The items currently in my basket come to £44 instead of £78... I do need the moisturiser, and have wanted the blusher and under eye concealer since I ran out months ago. But I can't decide whether or not I can justify it.

Do you splurge more on clothes or cosmetics?

Oh, and does anyone know if there's a way of following Blogger blogs when they don't have the Google Friend Connect button, but in a way that adds them to the reading list?

The girl in the pink scarf

Hey guys,

Hope you're all having a fabulous jubilee Tuesday; did many of you get an extra day off work?

I hope the rain hasn't washed out anyone's celebrations. It's been lashing down all day here. I feel so chilly; it couldn't be more different to the weather we had last week. I want to curl up under a blanket and watch wintery movies but I refuse as it's supposed to be summer!

I made myself get dressed, so I have an outfit share with you today...

I've pulled out an old favourite; a bat-wing floral dress from Next which has been worn on many an occasion over the last year and a half, but one I've yet to feature on here. I wear it regularly and anybody who knows me is probably sick of seeing it, but it's so comfy and I love it! I've dressed it with several accessories that haven't seen the light of day in a while.

This charm bracelet is another of my Abilu pieces. I was drawn to this particular one because of the vintage Pepsi can charm. Yes, really. It's unbelievably cute and quirky, with leaves, birds, feathers, stars, and lots of other cute charms hanging from it. It's finished with a signature Abilu piece; a fender medium guitar plectrum! I really don't wear it as often as it deserves. Today I've got a purple Barry M nail polish on my nails.

I decorated my other wrist with one solitary magenta pink beaded bracelet which has a little black heart attached to it. I find I don't wear jewellery on this wrist all that often these days; I guess I don't like covering up my tattoo (even though the pink stars are a complete mess and desperately need filling in). I'm also wearing a bright button-like pink stud in each ear.

I've had these pink ballet pumps for a year or two and still haven't worn them. They were tearing my feet up just walking across my bedroom floor to take the photos. I really must break them in because I love them with this dress.

The scarf is cashmere and luxuriously soft. My brother-in-law brought it back from Afghanistan for me as a gift a couple of years ago.