My Cath Kidston Heart Print Collection

It's no secret that I'm a huge Cath Kidston fan. I feature their products regularly on the blog in everything from outfit posts to wish lists, and home tours to What's In My Bag? posts. I adore their quirky prints, and I've built up a large collection over the years because I just can't resist them! While I own many different prints, I think my favourite to date is the red and white heart print, which launched earlier this year. 

The heart print is so bold, eye-catching, and fun, and it's a great alternative to red and white polka dots. I'm slowly collecting the pieces I want from the range- just a piece or two at a time, because I'm not rich- but I thought it was time I blogged about the ones I have so far.

My favourite heart print piece so far is the large dot hearts travel case. It's probably the best travel case I've owned to date. It has two large compartments, with plenty of room to be used as a wash bag for holidays, and more than enough room for holding make up essentials, with room to spare. I can even fit my make up brushes in with them. I'm hoping to pick up the smaller case to go with it, so I can use one for make up and one for beauty products when I pack for future holidays. Since they're made from PVC, they're easy to wipe clean, and should withstand major shampoo explosions!

The dot hearts make up case is great for carrying my make up essentials in, although I can't quite fit everything I need in it at once. (Which is why I want to get the smaller travel case). It fits a decent amount of products inside, though, with more than enough room for eye make up, lippy, blusher, and powder. If it was just a little bigger, it would be perfect. I do love the design, though, and enjoy using it. I think it could also work well as a pencil case.

I bought the dot hearts zipped travel purse to use when I'm carrying smaller bags with limited space, like my New Look novelty clutch bags. The star print clasp purse I usually use is getting grubby and tarnished, and this purse seemed like a good alternative. It has a zipped compartment for cash, and space for a few cards, or tickets. It also has a key ring that can be zipped in with money, so it's a convenient little purse, and ideal if you need to travel light. It doesn't take up much space at all, so it's perfect for clutch bags. The only negative is that it's a bit over-priced at £12. (Thankfully, my sister's student discount saved me a couple of quid).

The mini dot hearts key fob is one of the nicest key rings I've ever owned. It's so pretty, and looks really smart. It's my second CK key fob, and I only replaced my last because it's starting to get a little grubby around the edges. I've had that key fob for at least six years, and I'm impressed by how well it's held up. Apart from the dirty edges, it's still in great condition, and I see no reason why this one won't last as long. It's strong and sturdy, and can be easily wiped clean if it gets dirty.

The hearts Stanley mug is the newest addition to my collection, and has become my new favourite mug. The design is so lovely, It's a good size and shape, and it's really well made, too. I think this is the third or fourth CK mug I've owned, and one of the reasons I love them is because drinks always taste so nice from them. That probably makes me sound crazy, but it's true! The right mug, cup, or glass makes a difference!

I even have some heart-print tissues! I bought a couple of packs a month or two ago when I had that awful cold, and was low on handbag tissues. I'm usually a Kleenex girl, but I'm impressed by the quality of CK tissues. They're reasonably thick, and they look cute, too. These don't appear to be available online, but there are other designs here.

And that's my heart print collection... so far. I'm still hoping to get my hands on the sandwich plate, small travel case, and ticket holder before the season is over and the design is retired. I only wish there were more items in the print, especially more homeware, stationery, and luggage. I'd kill for a good heart-print purse or wallet!

Do you have anything from Cath Kidston's heart print range yet? Which piece is your favourite?

Mantaray Bags and Purses

If you live in Britain, I would bet good money that you shop at Debenhams from time to time. For those who don't know, Debenhams is a well known department store chain, rather like the American Macy's. It's one of our most iconic brands on the high street, and has been for decades. In fact, it was formed in the late 1700s!

If you frequent the department store, or know your way around their website, then you're probably aware of a brand called Mantaray. If you shop in store you will have passed the brand at the very least.

Mantaray is a brand which features casual wear for women, men, and children. The designs are relaxed and what I would describe as 'surfer wear'; casual, but fun; featuring prints, colour, and comfortable fabrics that wouldn't look out of place on the beach. I really like their clothes, which cater for sizes 8-20, but today I'm going to focus on their bags and purses.

Last night, I was window shopping on Debenhams' website, and had the urge to check out Mantaray's bags. I found a gorgeous Daschund shaped bag with floral applique on sale for just £18 (with discount code FL72 it was just £15.30), and had to adopt it! I also thought that many of you would probably go mad for this bag, so I had to share it and some of my other favourites.

Bags

1. Tan Floral Dog Cross Body Bag // 2. Cream Owl Backpack // 3. Dark Yellow Flower Shoulder Bag // 

4. Light Green Floral Bird Cross Body Bag // 5. Dark Tan Cut Out Owl Cross Body Bag // 

6. Tan Owl Charm Satchel Bag //

The adorable Daschund bag is easily my favourite of the current designs, but the floral bird-shaped bag is a serious contender. I wanted to buy it along with the dog, but I restrained myself... at least for now. They're both so cute, and would look perfect with a denim dress, shirt, or jeans. 

To me, fashion is all about having fun and not taking myself too seriously. It doesn't matter that I'm reaching my late twenties; I still love wearing quirky accessories, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Purses

1. Light Blue Daisy Applique Coin Purse // 2. Lime Dog Coin Purse // 3. Taupe Beehive Mini Coin Purse // 4. Natural Squirrel Flapover Purse // 5. Tan Small Daisy Applique Purse // 

6. Light Blue Applique Bear Purse // 7. Tan Applique Fox Large Flapover Purse // 

8. Taupe Appliqued Owl Purse //

Mantaray also have the sweetest appliqued purses dedicated to woodland animals and nature. Foxes, squirrels, owls, bears, and bees are just some of the animals used in designs, and there are daisies galore, and cute red and white toadstools, too. I particularly love the daisy, squirrel, and fox designs (1, 4, and 5, are my favourites), but there are so many that I like. All of them would make spending money more enjoyable, wouldn't you agree?

There are far more on the website that I haven't included, and there's currently a sale on the Debenhams website with 20% off most items. I used the discount code FL72 which gave me an extra 15% off my order, and it appears to be valid until the 7th of July. Delivery is currently free in the UK, and they also deliver to 66 countries, so they're really worth checking out.

Please note: I've not been asked to promote Debenhams or Mantaray; I just genuinely like the range, and wanted to talk about them.

Are you a fan of Mantaray? Which piece is your favourite?

May 31 Day Blogger's Challenge: Day 26- What's In My Bag?

Day 26: What's in my bag...

I did a post like this a little over a month ago, which you can find here Everything But The Kitchen Sink.

I've decided to interpret the challenge in to 'what would normally be found in my bag'. The last time I carried a big bag around with me was in September, and since then a few bits and bobs have found temporary homes around the room. I've gathered the typical contents together just for you.

♥ Bag: Jane Norman at Debenhams

♥ Duvet Set: Next

A sweltering hot sunny day like today inspired me to show you my lovely Jane Norman shoulder bag. Nothing says summer more than a bright shade of yellow. I've owned this bag for several years now; I can't even remember how long ago I bought it.

It has so many pockets to organise things in!

I spy...

Is it bad I've just counted four Cath Kidston things in this snap shot alone?

Everything thrown in to a heap...

So, you caught me- I'm a gadget geek!

 I've had the Kindle since Boxing Day and it's one of the best things I've ever bought myself. I looked down my nose at e-readers for years (how could a screen compare to paper?), but I couldn't be without it now. I've read so much since I bought it. The pretty floral case is from Cath Kidston- highly recommend both!

The red star Cath Kidston case is for my camera (which I used to take the photos). I like to carry my camera everywhere. Then we have my red and black Blackberry, and my ipod with apple earphones and an ipod sock. I'd be lost without both of them.

I got the Cath Kidston case for my Blackberry in Carphone Warehouse.

Do you remember those days before iPods when we had to carry around a stack of CDs and a Discman, or a pile of tapes and a Walkman, to get a musical fix on the go? It was back breaking being dedicated to music as I grew up. I think I'm starting to show my age now... but iPods are such an amazing invention.

I always like to carry a notebook and a pen on me. This pretty notebook has faded a little and was from a local shop.

I always carry a spare pair of glasses and a pair of sunglasses with me.

The glasses are Red or Dead; the sunglasses are Guess. The star case is Cath Kidston.

♥ Vaseline Cocoa Butter and Carmex lip balms. The Carmex ones are by far the best I've found.

♥ Contact lenses canister. It's usually on me in case the lenses irritate my eyes and I need to switch to glasses.

♥ Plasters... I'm prone to paper cuts and blisters.

♥ Body shop powder compact... useful for the mirror and for any touch ups.

As you can see, I use the palest shades as my skin tone is so pale. The freckles give me a little colour, but even they've lightened along with my skin since I've been off work and out of the sun. I must be one of the only girls who actually likes being pale.

This little hair brush may be compact but it's as good as a full sized brush! I always carry a spare hair bobble on me- I get a little wind swept sometimes.

Cath Kidston wallet... I showed you this a few days ago so I won't go in to detail again.

And on days like today, when there's not a cloud in the sky and the temperature is high, I try to keep some kind of refreshing spray on me to cool me down, and of course Sun Cream (not pictured). I usually use a Nivea factor 50+.  

I'm usually pretty sensible when it comes to protecting my skin on hot days.  I'm pale, I'm freckled, and I often burn with it on, even when regularly applied. I hate being sun burnt so I try to be careful. What ever I do I just seem to end up burnt with a million extra freckles.

So, this is my bag today. I often have make up on me- but which ones varies from day to day, and look to look. You may sometimes find perfume, a magazine, something to drink, a scarf, keys, or all of the above in there, too.

What's in your bag?

May 31 Day Blogger's Challenge: Day 23- Something From Your Favourite Store

Day 23: Something from your favourite store...

It took me a split second to decide what my favourite store was: Cath Kidston. I adore all things Cath Kidston.

Cath Kidston's stores are the most amazing pieces of heaven. They're treasure troves of beautifully patterned every day goodies. Walking in to one of their stores, where these gorgeous retro-inspired products hang from pretty wall-papered walls and pop out colourfully from displays, I temporarily lose all self-control and like a kid in a sweet shop, I have to browse through everything. It's heaven.

The pretty polka-dots, vintage-looking florals, and bird prints that adorn everything from bags to kitchenware are quintessentially English, and have a 1940s feel to them. And obviously I only mean that in a good way.

I love how Cath Kidston gives a retro yet modern twist to their patterns and products. They sell cases for all the modern gadgets in vintage looking prints which change each season- I have a beautiful Kindle case to prove it. They sell everything from bags to stationary, to wall paper and wellies. I have quite a collection of their products, but today I will share with you my CK wallet and purse...

I might as well confess something to you: I'm obsessed with stars. I even have a star design on my wrist. So, when I saw this pattern it naturally didn't take me long to choose a few items. I think I actually picked them up in an outlet village.

 The wallet has been my day to day wallet for a couple of years now; and the clasp purse is used when I carry smaller bags or am travelling with two different currencies. They're both really practical and sturdy, and the oil cloth is easy to keep clean. I also have a camera case with the same small star design as the purse.

I also found an old shot of my messenger bag on my laptop.

A peek inside shows the wallet, and if you look closer you might see a star-print purse (behind the book) that I use as a make up bag.

As well as Cath Kidston, I also love browsing in Paperchase. I love stationary. There's nothing like writing on the first page of a new notebook.

Where do you like to shop?