Sunday Summary #71

Another week gone, another week closer to an amazing summer of plans. The weather has finally decided to sort itself out this week and we've had sunshine and blue skies, some mornings have still been chilly and some days I've worn a mac to work. It's so hard to predict what the weather will be doing on my way home 10 hours later in the day. My boyfriend has been so ill this week with a virus so I didn't see him until Friday for a coffee and little shop and then the cinema last night. It feels so weird, like we are dating but its nice in a way, its been an exciting weekend haha. I've got a sore throat today and felt so sick this morning but I'm hoping its just an off day. My boyfriend took me to see The Great Gatsby last night which I was so excited for even though I saw it last week. Its so perfect, I can't wait to watch it again when its released on DVD. I spent today with my Mum and we made an early morning trip to the tip which was pretty exciting haha, its so cool the council has made it so easy to recycle everything imaginable. I hate waste and am a hard core recycler with everything from a cash receipt to a toilet roll going into my blue bin. I had a Matalan return and my Mum found so many clothes to buy but I only got two tops and some clothes for my boyfriend. We went to the Range where we spent a fortune and then to Tescos as I wanted to start on my self catering holiday bits.

I have made lots of online purchases this week that should turn up in the next few days. I finally became a Fragrance Direct customer - excited for it to arrive! I got my new Nintendo 3DS XL and adore it. There is something about Nintendo that is so perfect for me and I am loving my new purchase even though I've barely had any time to play on it yet! I love playing games on my iPhone but when you lose signal it can cut you off and I have debated an iPad purchase for years, years I tell you! There is still a part of me that would like one but for now my DS will do. I'm hoping my boyfriend gets one as Mario Kart is hilarious when you are competing against someone. Me and my brothers had many a battle when we were younger.

 Ted Baker LE Seahorse wash bag £12.50 - Boots

I adore Ted Baker designs and I knew my Mum would love this so I originally bought it for her but they have different sizes so she went in to look herself and came back with the make up bag and a bigger wash bag with handles. They're all lovely and not very expensive. My Mum used a manned till to pay and the cashier said they'd been flying out so get down there quick. I can't decide whether to keep this or get the bow design I've been lusting after for months?

 Nintendo 3DS XL White LE £194 - Amazon 

I bought this with my trade-in gift card but I wanted the LE Pikachu but it has sold out everywhere. I do love this one though as its a matte white and will show finger marks much less and the screens are huge! Mario Kart 7 came already installed and the creators have added so many extra things I never thought would be missing but make the game so much more fun. My friend is a huge Professor Layton fan and has been telling me for years to get on it so that'll be an adventure soon.

 Aviator £3.99, Willy Wonka (original) £4.99 - WHSmith, Silver Linings Playbook £7 - Sainsburys 

I am in a "must-see every Leonardo DiCaprio film" mood so hoping this one is good. I have been searching for ages to find the original Willy Wonka film and finally found it cheap in WHSmiths! I have been itching to add Silver Linings to my DVD collection since it was released and I found it for just £7 on Sainsburys, their prices are really competitive and they're becoming my go-to entertainment website.

 Heart and Spots boyfriend tees £4 - Primark 

I quite liked these for something different but the sizing is so weird as they're boyfriend tees they are straight cut which makes it a nightmare for boobs! I got a size 12 which should be enough room but they'll look cute with skinny jeans and Converse so slightly baggy might work.

 Pokemon HeartGold, Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7, Super Smash Bros Brawl, Sims 3 Barnacle Bay - Game and HMV 

My boyfriend has been searching for the Wii game for a while so he was chuffed to find it relatively cheaply and I had a brave moment and went for a Pokemon game...I don't know if I can play it! I did as a child ha. I am the biggest Sims fan and couldn't resist the pirate theme of this pack so had to get it. One of my New Years resolutions was to make more me time and play games and chill.

 Candy striped beach bag £6 - Matalan 

I have been looking for a beach bag for months and haven't found a single one I remotely like. I thought this was so cute and summery I just went for it. Its quite roomy and will do the job nicely.

 Orange bird print vest £10 - Matalan 

I love bird prints and loved this as soon as my Mum pointed it out to me. I can't wait to wear it with blue jeans.

 Matalan jewellery 

The jewellery was buy one get one free so I got these bits. I love the flower ring its so unique and eye catching. I am always in stud earrings these days and a new set can never hurt the collection. I thought the gold ring was unusual and would be a nice accessory to a maxi dress to keep things simple.

 Union Jack notice board - The Range 

I've got a really old cork board from my childhood so thought an updated board would be nice. I'm not sure if I want to use pins on here incase it leaves big holes, otherwise all my bits should sit under the ribbons.

 The Beach rope letters, Beach Hut photo frame - The Range 

I noticed the letters over an archway in the aisle and had to have them, hopefully I can recreate the look on a wall in the future. The Beach Hut photo frame was too cute to leave, I need a holiday picture to put in it now :)

 Paris trunk - The Range 

Ah how sweet is this trunk? I saw a girly pink floral one in TK Maxx a few weeks back but resisted as it was so pink but this should fit into my own home one day and is so vintage and kitsch. I don't know what I'm going to keep in here yet though!

 Live, Laugh, Love letter tray - The Range 

I have also been looking for a letter tray as I put things in safe places that are so safe I then can't find them! I'm hoping having this will mean all important letters, to-dos and deadlines go in here to be dealt with and not having a stressful hunt for it or forgetting it entirely!

 Card making and scrap book bits - The Range 

I love making scrapbooks and cards for my family and friends so I love any opportunity to get my hands on new bits and the Range has such a selection it takes me absolutely ages to look at everything and decide what I need.

 When I spotted this beach hut seaside selection I must have looked mad grabbing every item I could. These will be perfect for holiday sections of my scrapbooks.

 Alice In Wonderland pjs £11 - Tescos 

I have a thing for pjs, especially Disney themed ones, I just have to buy it even if I already have too many pjs!

Bronze ring, Daisy earrings F&F - Tescos 

I love daisies so the earrings were a find as I only have gold and silver daisy earrings and a pair with white petals. I loved the bow ring and although they had silver it looked nicer in the bronze.

So that's my week, a rather quiet one as I've been tired again this week and busy with errands and chores. I've been attempting five a day fruit and veg and when I have more I feel less tired. I am still composing my eat clean blog post and will have it up before my holiday.
Hope you've all had good weeks

April Favourites

I'm finally getting round to this post well into the middle of May, I always think every month I'll get it up in the last few days of the month or the first week at least but then life happens and it gets left til tomorrow. I haven't got too many favourites this month, I've been so busy running the house and being nurse its left very little opportunity to indulge. I hardly need any new products as I'm bursting with stuff to use!

Ultrabland £6.75 - Lush 

I was having a nightmare with my skin recently being incredibly sensitive particularly my eyes when removing make-up. I was bordering desperation to find something to soothe my skin and eyes. I'd already changed all make-up products incase it was any of them and it was still happening. I was in Cambridge with my boyfriend and although I have a Lush in town now I hadn't been done recently. We dashed in just as they were closing and a girl asked if I needed help so I explained the situation and she suggested Ultrabland or the 9-5 Cleanser. I was torn between the two and she said Ultrabland had cleared up her acne over the course of a year and her skin had never been better. A friend uses this religiously so I thought I'd try this first. Its a beeswax and oil formula so smells like honey to me (if you have read my hayfever story you will know I virtually cannot stand honey anymore) but I was brave and took the plunge. It felt super weird to be smoothing this into my made up face and rubbing it in (effectively melting the make-up off with the oily product and the warmth) but I persevered and then wiped it off with a wet cotton pad. Its hard to put into words how amazing this product makes your skin feel and look. My skin was brighter, softer, subtler everything you want your skin to be. Its made putting make up the next morning easier as your skin is so much more easier to work with. I love this so much it has seriously made me consider dropping all my usual Garnier/Body Shop/Clean and Clear/Simple products in favour of fresh, good products from the likes of Lush.  

 Ted Baker Origami body spray £5 - Boots

I got this at Christmas and thought I'd end up leaving it in the work locker room as I didn't like the smell. I used it for the first time before I was going out and my gosh I couldn't stop smelling myself! Its the most intoxicating scent I've discovered in a long time. Its described as "a blend of juicy raspberry, a touch of vanilla and delicate rose and sandalwood" I'm not sure which addition it is but it has a spicy, almost cinnamon type smell to it and as a massive fan of musky scents this is right up my street. I can't believe I haven't discovered this sooner as I really love wearing it! I wish they did a perfume as I would buy it in a second.

Nivea deodorant £3.29 (on offer in Boots for £1.64)

Its taken me a good few years to find a deodorant that I get on with. I remember being a teenager and certain deodorants stinging my underarms literally for the whole day but I couldn't not use it for the fear of smelling. I switched to roll ons as they helped reduce irritation and sting - it became a nightmare to shave as my arms always had red irritated spots. My skin calmed down with roll ons whether it was a sensitive one or they improved formulas. I began working in Debenhams as a Visual Merchandiser and decided to try spray deodorants again as they're stronger and I wanted to have protection. For a few years I only wore spray deodorant during the summer and then roll ons in winter. I bought Nivea on offer when I need an anti white on black one for a party and I had a black dress and this is back when deodorants never dried and smeared every clothing item no matter how much powder you put on or how carefully you pulled the item on. I was amazed at how good it was from no white marks to the protection it gave me and the smell - not the awful alcohol/chemical smell I was used. I also think certain deodorants smell like sweat! To me anyway. The Nivea ones are all nicely scented and I've never had any problems using them. Its become one of my most trusted everyday toiletry and I wouldn't dream of changing it. I always get them in bulk on offer in Boots as I never pay full price for everyday items because they are always on offer, somewhere, at some time. My favourite is probably the pearl and beauty one (pink) or the double effect one (purple) the smell stays all day.

Lynx shower gel £2.99 (also always on offer for 99p/£1 somewhere! Currently Superdrug)

Yes I am a girl and yes I love shower gel targeted at men but hear me out. The Fever one pictured here is "Brazilian Hot Mud and Red Dragonfruit" it is the most incredible feeling in the shower, its feel warms like cinnamon and has tiny exfoliating beads in and the smell is just insane! I was hoping to get some today in Superdrug as they are 99p but they were completely sold out of all of them! The new Apollo one is nice and I love Excite. I can't find it but I just used up with the Lynx Thai Massage with Tigergrass Oil and Bali Sea Salt, its like a cooler version of Fever and also has exfoliating beads in it. They don't have an overly man scent which makes it much better when its the first one to hand in the shower with three brothers and a boyfriend!

So that's my favourites, not too many but as you can see some items that I really do love and would highly recommend.

Sunday Summary #61

It's crazy that its officially Spring and it looks like Narnia out there! It snowed all day yesterday, how can there be that much snow in the sky!? I hate how cold its got again, I just want Spring weather to appear! I went on a little shopping trip this week. New Look had 25% off, I wanted to look in Paperchase and get some Easter bits. I tend to shop better alone as I can look alone and don't get distracted, but when I'm shopping for an outfit I like another pair of eyes and opinion. I was meeting my friend for a cinema trip so went into town earlier. I came back with lots of lovely new things but New Look disappointed me clothes wise. I haven't found anything in there for absolutely ages. I spotted a beautiful rainbow jumper in Topshop but resisted. I went to see Oz The Great and Powerful with my friend as she wanted to see it and I loved it the first time round. I enjoyed it just as much the second time and knew when the scary parts were coming with the witches. We saw an extended trailer for The Great Gatsby which I'm desperate to see but its not out for a while yet. It looks incredible!

Me and my boyfriend spent last night at our friend and her boyfriend's house having a Chinese takeaway and watching Lawless as they missed it at the cinema. Despite the blood I really love the film, Tom Hardy and Shia LaBeouf aren't too bad on the eye. But they also act their roles so well with perfect southern drawls. We ended up not getting home til the early hours as our taxi took ages to get us but it was understandable with road conditions. We had a duvet day and watched Breaking Dawn Part II, can't believe the Twilight Saga is all finished now. I spent this evening tidying my bedroom, so wild! Got a very hard week ahead of me at work but my Easter weekend is keeping me going. Off to Cambridge with my boyfriend on the Saturday to see his brother, sister in law and nephew. We picked a blue rabbit suit for his nephew for Easter and I'm making Easter chocolate treat bags for everyone. I'm hoping the order comes soon so I can blog about it as you can adapt the bags for any occasion.

Aussie hair treatment 99p, Carex Strawberry Laces hand soap 88p, Carex Moisture Plus hand gel 99p - Superdrug 

I had a quick dash into Superdrug one lunchtime and picked up some odd bits. I hear so many good things about Aussie so picked up this hair treatment to try. My hair can look quite dry with the amount of Batiste I use so I'm always looking for products to soften and using this type of thing before washing my hair really helps. Hand wash that smells of strawberry laces? Er yes! My boyfriend bought this Carex hand gel a few weeks ago as we both get dry hands and he said it seemed genius he could clean his hands on the go and get some moisture back into them. It was on offer and it smells lovely, plus we use alot on the go so it'll get used. I'm obsessed with TRESemmé hair products as they were half price so I couldn't say no. 

TRESemmé Keratin Smooth hair mask £2.95, TRESemmé Platinum Strength leave in conditioner £2.95 - Superdrug 

 Glass jar £5 - Wilkinsons  

I couldn't resist this pretty jar and am going to use it for cotton pads. I have so many bags in my bedroom and the bathroom, it seemed a cute idea to keep them in here. 

 Coral Mary Janes £22.99 - New Look 

Like I said New Look had 25% off so I didn't pay full price for these. I adore candy coloured heels and already have the nicest pink pair. I've a wedding in September so depending on my outfit these could be the perfect pair. They are so ridiculously pretty and Spring like I can't wait to wear them!

 Flower bulldog hair clip £2.99

I really love using these to chuck my hair up after work and it limits the damage as it doesn't snag your hair like a hair tie. New Look always do the prettiest ones and I loved this one.

Diamante bow hair clips £3.99

I can't resist bows! As for sparkly bows, they always come home with me. I'm growing my fringe out so these will be perfect for keeping it off my face as it gets longer.

 Pearl and flower gold collar necklace £6.99

I love collars and this caught my eye immediately. Its so pretty and the pearls are on hooks so move which adds a little something more to it.

 Flower heart ring £1.50, Heart diamante earrings £1.75

I'd never seen this concession before but it was all half price. Looked a little teen for me but I found these two gems. 

 Anchor necklace £4.99

Nothing to say except I love anchors!

 Butterfly necklace £5.99

I have a feeling I have this in pink or they did it in pink before and I wanted it. Either way I love these types of necklaces for summer to go with tops and dresses. 

 Easter stickers £1.50, Easter card - Paperchase 

I love Paperchase. I'm such a stationery lover and I just want everything when I go in. I always use stickers in my scrapbooks and when I make cards so these will get used somewhere along the lines. I've searching for an Easter card for my boyfriend and this was so cute! 

 Strawberry fold away shooper £4.50, Penguin pass case £4

I've been meaning to get a shopper bag for ages that can go in my bag as I hate taking plastic bags. I loved this strawberry design. This pass case was so cute, it was the last one and I have my Oyster card in a MasterCard wallet it came in so decided a girlie upgrade was needed. 

 Chicks £3

I have so many yellows chicks it seemed about time to get coloured ones! I can't wait to use them on my Easter cake!

 Panda pen £1.25

A stationery geek can't pass up a new pen. The pandas on it are so cute!

 Butterfly photo frame £4

I rather like these types of frames. I already have a heart one and I love butterflies so I can't wait to put a picture in this one. 

 Charity bracelet £2, "E" bracelet £6.50 - Topshop 

I couldn't find anything in Topshop but really liked the E bracelet. I love dainty jewellery and these would be perfect for gifts for friends. I got another charity bracelet as I love girls that layer their wrists with lots of little bracelets so if I can live with it I want to give it a go.

 Ted Baker Lilcon shopper bag £26.99 - Psyche.com

I can't resist these bags! If I could I would buy all of the colours. I really liked the black but already have one so went for this baby pink. I got 10% off as it was my first order. Lovely website to order through and came in a big gift box. I'm keeping the box to keep this one and my other in as it has the glitter bow and I want to look after them. 

The Hummingbird Bakery Home Sweet Home £8 - WHSmith

I would buy so many cookery books if I could but I need to limit myself. When I get my own home I want my cookery books on a shelf in my kitchen but I don't want a huge number that overwhelms me. After flicking through this it had enough recipes to be bought, their last was all cupcakes whereas this is all kinds of cakes, biscuits and treats. It was half price and I had a 20% off voucher so only paid £8! WHSmith always give out money off vouchers and if you time it right you can get ridiculous bargains especially on books. 

So that's my week. A rather quiet one with lots of new goodies. I'm definitely old as I enjoy nights in over drinking all night in town. So weird to go through that transition! But me and my boyfriend have been discussing moving out and how much money we'll need to save and what not. Its so exciting to be on the cusp of growing up. I don't feel like an adult but when I think how other people see me they must see an adult. I am 24 after all!
Hope you've all had good weeks

Sunday Summary #52

52 weeks of these! A whole year, wow wee! This week has been crazy with the UK being snowed under. I've loved having a white blanket and even though the temperature has plummeted I've been wearing six layers inside, adding my Superdry coat, hat, gloves and snood for outside. I've been toasty with just a cold face haha. Luckily transport wise its been ok getting around, the roads could have been better but could have been worse. Its been snowing all day today so it isn't going away anytime soon. 

I made a little trip back to Primark this week to get a refund on some of the items I showed you last week. I hate the way all shops size their clothes differently and Primark are truly awful. I always have to look at the design and material to work out the size I might need. As I haven't shopped there for a while I'd forgotten how to size myself, my favourite item the blue bird shirt didn't fit my bust, wah. I did look at it buttoned up to under my bust but it looked hilarious. Praying I find a bigger size as they're currently sold out of it. I kept popping into Boots this week for cold relief and throat soothers for my boyfriend and nasal sticks, make up and eye drops for me and resisting the Rimmel Kate Moss matte lipstick in 107 even though I want it so badly. Since seeing it pop up on Instagram I want it even more and think I should just be brave and go for it - I can wear red so surely I can wear this deeper purple red?! 

Last night me and my boyfriend finally had our long awaited first second date (the same as our first, but second time round to celebrate reaching a year) and we had an amazing meal before cinema. We went to Frankie & Benny's and I picked dough sticks for my starter - INCREDIBLE! Who knew such pleasure. My main was ruined by the overuse of salt, I hate salty food and I just couldn't eat it :( I went for the cajun chicken melt wrap and had such high hopes too. We skipped dessert and headed to the cinema. It was so cold even though I was bundled up that as much as I wanted an ice blast I didn't get one but also as we were seeing Les Miserables I didn't want to need a wee as I refuse to leave during a film. We got a bottle of water because my mouth felt horrible from the salt and we didn't have any gum. The film was amazing, I wasn't sure what to expect having seen it in the theatre but it is so well done. An amazing cast, playing their characters spot on. I loved the little Cosette, so cute but outstanding in her role. I can't believe Russell Crowe can sing, or Hugh Jackman or Anne Hathaway! A must see especially for Les Mis fans. I want to go and see it all over again. Should be seeing Gangster Squad on Tuesday which I'm excited for as I love Ryan Gosling and I think Emma Stone is really doing well for herself. 

I've had the worst period pain this week. It started on Thursday and honestly I can't remember it being so bad recently. I've always suffered and tried every medication including IBS tablets (to relax stomach muscles, suggested by a doctor, they did ok) Nurofen Plus has been doing the job for the past year or so. I don't remember much pain from my first pill prescription. I had to change following a health scare and my current pill has been ok but I've still needed a high dosage of painkillers. This time was so bad I couldn't sleep and have ended up with a badly burnt stomach from so many hot water bottles and a burnt arm, where I fell asleep clutching the bottle to me one night. My boyfriend has told me not to have such hot water in the bottle but nothing else helps. If anyone has any tips or ideas I'd appreciate them :) I've also tried raspberry leaf (natural remedy). 

This weeks buys:

Hello Kitty Liberty Of London shopper bag £12.99 (£6.49 at WHSmith, not online I just looked so only in store)

It has lots of London landmarks on it and Hello Kitty and her friends dotted around :)

Variety Club Monsters Inc pin, I got mine in Cineworld 

 Schwartzkopf Osis Dust It Texture £8.95 cheapsmells.com

Dorothy Perkins cat hat £8 - I live in these in the winter and not bought one this year!

Dorothy Perkins Pearly bead collar £7.50

Dorothy Perkins Peace bracelet £2

Dorothy Perkins Reindeer earrings £2

 Boots VO5 Give Me Texture spray £3.49

 Primark nail wraps £1

Primark Anchor pumps £6 - I wanted these SO bad, my Mum got me a pair the same day I did so I have two :) which saved me going back for a second pair haha

Primark lace and stud collar £7

 Primark hoody £8 - I changed the grey one for this and sized down

Primark polka dot and bow vest £8 - love the bows on the shoulder

Primark cotton polka dot skater dress £5 - bargain or what! This looks so cute on and will be perfect for a more casual occasion when I still want a dress

Ted Baker shopper £22 ASOS - This should be £29 but is set at £22 on ASOS. I love this little puppy print and I couldn't resist it. I love the little details on this bag such as the city names down one side of the bag and "no ordinary designer bag" down the other side. The puppy is on the back like the make up bag. I love little shopper bags as you can tell! I rarely take plastic bags and if I do its because I've gone shopping by surprise or mine are all full. I wish we had the law like Wales to pay for plastic bags as I bet we'd cut usage so much

Minnie Mouse shopper 99p Card Factory - another bargain!! This bag is quite strong and sturdy for the money (that light plastic with a foamy backing) its slightly bigger than A4 size. I used it to carry a days worth of clothes about the other day and they only filled it about two thirds with a bottle of drink and at one point had my bulky snood and hat in too. I look bag obsessed also in this post!

Models Own ASOS Exclusive Models Own in Party Pieces £5 - I found this by accident and am so pleased with it. Its full of rainbow coloured glitter pieces which I expect will look amazing on. Reminds me of OPI's Rainbow Connection, for a much lower price. 

ASOS collar tips £4 (sale) - I love collar tips and wish more tops came with them. I found these in the ASOS sale and they are so beautiful. They have pink, blue and clear crystals so will go with almost any top I attach them to. They had ones with different coloured stones too. 

Primark heart fleece blanket £3 - another bargain. Mum got me this. I already have about ten blankets but they are so useful as I get cold so I've always got one in the bed with me, on the bed over the duvet while I sleep, my boyfriend often sleeps with one, and we put one on the end of the bed frame because its metal and its cold on my boyfriends feet and for when we're watching DVDs in the lounge.

And some snow pictures -

So that's my white week. Hope you've stayed safe in the snow and its not affected your day to day routines too much.
Hope you've all had good weeks