Instagram #6 December

Instagram still remains one of my absolute favourite apps, I scroll through it numerous times a day and I'm always looking for new people to follow. I didn't post as much as I would have liked to during November and December but attempting to post at least once a day in January, so far so good! I've seen people saying they're going to post every day for the entirety of 2013 which would be epic!

 Cinema treats! Boy did good :)

 Birthday boy breakfast - lucky charms! Waiting for our roast dinner 

 Treats from Mum. Addicted to M&S food 

 Jessie Ware & The Weeknd <3 p="p" snow="snow">

 Pretty sun rise in arctic weather. Panda gloves :)

 Cheese toasties. My 21st birthday castle cake made by my Mum 

 Good morning pretty sky. Good morning frozen bus. 

 Spider-Man! Sunday bun 

 End of the world meeting place. Making bracelets as personal gifts for friends

Impressed with my wrapping skills! Everything ready for Christmas Day!

 Spoilt. Aftermath. 

 LOVE prawn cocktail! Favourite present. 

 Best meal of the year. Its been a long day for some. 

 Can I end my month long listening of The Weeknd Trilogy?! Sparkliest nail polish ever!

 ASOS goodies...and a Halls Soother. No time to lace my high top wedges properly :( 

 Woo Woo & Goldschlager <3 :=":" anniversary="anniversary" card="card" nbsp="nbsp" p="p">

So thats my December Instagram, I love remembering what I got up to. It whizzed past and can't believe its mid January already! My username is dolliegirl7 if you would like to find me :)

Bargain Girl

I expected so much more from the sales this year and I've been left severely disappointed. Its probably a good thing I found so little but I've never known them to be so poor. I'm still very happy with what I did manage to find so here they are -

ASOS -
I actually bought more from ASOS but I'm returning it so no point in showing them.

 Disney Couture Believe ring £20 - Not a sale item but I've kept for this post as I've used Christmas money for it. I've coveted this ring for weeks now and couldn't wait to get it. I LOVE IT!

Orelia rings £8.50 - I love Orelia jewellery, its made with precious gem stones and Swarovski crystals this little set of rings are so pretty. I can't believe I paid so little for them as they're beautiful.

Accessorize (online) -
I actually bought a wheelie suitcase (too small) and Anchor bag (too big) but had them refunded so no point in showing them.

 7 keyring £2, E Daisy keyring £2 - my favourite number and my initial, hoping this E doesn't chip within a few days of being with my keys and other keyrings 

iPhone portable charger £10 - I pondered over one of these when I was in London in November. My battery was down to 10% at 3pm so I wasn't too impressed (I had been using maps for a while and taking lots of photos) so this will come in very handy in the future 

Travel document wallet £2.25 - I have a lovely purse style one already but its more for abroad travelling with different compartments and a passport holder. This will be great if you are carrying various train tickets, hotel bookings, emails regarding trips or offers etc. Its made out of card but should last a while. I usually keep everything in envelopes in separate bag/holdall/suitcase pocket so it'll be nice to have this instead.  

 Summer floral clutch £7.50 - I've liked this for a while but never bought it. I just decided to get it this time and I do love it. Its light enough in colour and pattern that it should be quite versatile and go with most outfits. I'm always put off patterned or bright clutches because they're harder to use with a patterned or bright dress but now I'm just thinking who cares, mix it up a bit. It also has a chain so you can have it on your shoulder. Its a really nice length as I hate little bags that bang against your hip because they don't have enough weight in to not spin around.

Asda - 

A combination of online and in store, my Mum found me these and I love what she brought me home :)

Minnie Mouse fleece blanket £5 - Because I will never have enough!

Gingerbread men pjs £6 - I love gingerbread men so this was a great pick. Its adorable, look at the bottoms!

Disney pjs tops £3 each - I already have the Dalamatian one but I always sleep in these in the summer. I've recently bought new pjs (mostly Disney) as my sleep wear were pretty much all 9-10 or 12-13 years old haha. At 24 it seemed appropriate to charity it all and get some new sets. 

Love vest £3, Unicorn top £5 - Mum thinks the vest is a bedtime wear one (hard to tell with Asda sometimes) but I think I could get away with it as day wear? Love the Unicorn top, looks lovely on and is a baggy, capped sleeve top. 

Pooh bear pj top £3 - another Disney cutie. 

Check bomber jacket £15 - This looks so nice on! Mum knows I love my little jackets, they're so easy to throw on for errands. Its a button up front and has a hood which is always handy when you never remember your umbrella!

Captain top £5 - I LOVE the picture on this and really want it but the fabric is really thick and its quite loose. I'm really undecided about this one. 

Boots - 

I only went into Boots tis week as the website sale was so poor I assumed the store would be the same. I found a few bits and resisted the Soap & Glory but got these bits. 

 Lunch bag £6 - For some reason when I bought this I didn't realise it was a lunch bag! I thought it was an odd shaped make up bag haha. However I've needed a new lunch bag for a while so I'll probably end up keeping this.

Set of 3 tins £8 - I loved the rainbow maned horse on this tin the moment I saw it a few months back. I just had to get this set if only for the first tin. I've used the middle one for Christmas decorations but may give it to charity as I'm not crazy about it. 

Matalan -
I had to return two pairs of high top wedges, I decided to keep the nude studded ones and the bigger black studded ones, see this post and this one.

 Sunny Days bathroom sign £4 - this was full price but has ended up in here anyway as everything else was sale!

 Jewellery - I love these pretty faceted beads and this one is a combination of all different colours and looks really nice when it catches the light. I love these little candelier earrings, I go through times of liking big earrings and then small ones. I'm in the small zone at the moment.

 Beach kaftan £4 - A girl can never have too much beach wear! I haven't booked a hot holiday for this year yet but this will handy for years to come. I tend to burn when in the sun for a long time so this is perfect to cover up to keep the rays directly off me.

OMG sequin top £7 - like a moth to a flame, this was sparkling beneath the store lights and boom into my basket it went. In a few months I'll wonder why I bought it :-/

Peter Pan collar top £7.50 - The camera flash has made this top look quite sheer but its not to the naked eye. I love the beading on the collar and they are multi coloured in the light, you can slightly see in the photo. 

 surfdome.com -
I googled this make up bag as it had sold out everywhere!

Ted Baker make up bag £17.59 - I waited to get this bag as I hoped to get it with money off (which I did eventually) but by the time I looked it had sold out. I googled it and after much searching finally found it on surfdome. Even if it had been full price I'd still have bought it. Its the most expensive I've ever paid for but I'm hoping it'll last longer. It feels very good quality and I'm sure it'll do me for many years to come. 

The Body Shop (online) -
I stumbled across this sale and found loads for my Mum so threw some bits for me in too.

Love etc perfume £7 and solid perfume £2.50 - Like a muppet I paid £7 for the 30ml instead of £9 for the 50ml. I feel some websites trick you into things like this, so pretty annoyed. Its my favourite perfume and reminds me of first being with my boyfriend :) 

Satsuma mini shower gel £1.80 Vineyard Peach showerl gel £3.60 - I adore the smell of satsuma, its my favourite body shop smell so I had to get this mini one. I've got a limited edition peach body shop shower gel so hoping this one smells similar as I love it and use it sparingly. 

Gold Sparkle

I finally took the plunge and got a Barry M magnetic polish. I hadn't faired too well with the 17 ones but I can say I'm really impressed with these ones. I disliked the 17 ones because it was a one coat polish which even with a top coat just chipped so quickly.
The Barry M polishes are already better because you can use more than one coat. The instructions say to do two but one nail I did three because it was being stubborn with the magnet. I had coveted the polish used for the ad campaign for the magnetic polishes and happy days its this one!
My boyfriend was amazed at the results and said the magnet forces the polish to part which makes the effect, which makes sense. This one is quite sparkly and a really pretty bronze colour, with a lighter golden colour which appears under the magnet.

 Barry M 344 Gold Sparkle magnetic polish £4.99

 I used the magnet on the first and second coats, which it only says to do it on the second coat but still worked fine. I used a top coat too and my nails are only now wearing down after five days of wear which isn't bad for Barry M! This is so quick and easy with impressive results that its perfect when you don't have much time.
I really like the look of the blue magnetic one with the union jack type pattern so that might pop up soon.
What do you think?

Sunday Summary #50

Wowee week number 50! Its been odd but amazing each week watching this number increase and can't believe I'm almost at a whole year. I'm really glad I've come this far though as I don't like giving up on things.
I'm really surprised New Year was Tuesday, only a few days ago but already it feels like ages ago. I had a chilled night in with my boyfriend, a buffet to nibble on and rubbish tv! I wouldn't change it though as it was special to see the New Year in with him and let all the turbulence of last year go. There aren't words to say how supportive he was to me but I truly believe we met so he could help me get through it all.
I finally saw Up on New Years Day, I've got the DVD but never got round to watching it which saddened me being a huge Disney fan. I cried like a baby after the first ten minutes, I won't say why incase it spoils it for anybody else, but it really pulled on my heart strings. I can't say I was overjoyed to go back to work but back into it now and making lots of plans to give me things to look forward to.
On Friday I did a little dash around town taking refunds back and then popped to Matalan. I got sale items so I'll put it into my sales post which will be up soon. Went with my boyfriend and our friend Joe to see The Hobbit last night. I wasn't too sure what I would make of it having never seen any of the Lord Of The Rings films but as soon as The Hobbit credits started rolling they wanted to know if I wanted to watch them. It has definitely intrigued me because Gollum is in there and you see The Ring/A Ring? I tried my best to follow the story and feel I did ok. At almost three hours long it was a very long time especially when I needed a wee after forty minutes, I'd bought a large cherry Ice Blast which I couldn't stop sipping and that can't have helped. I'd already had a drink in the pub before and a drink in the chinese before. I'd nipped to the loo before the film but you know you'll still need the wee pretty bad because you don't want to go for one! I kept feeling hot and cold too which didn't help the impending bladder situation. Anyway The Hobbit is very good, some breath taking beautiful scenes and quite easy to follow whats going on. I didn't understand the Gollum/ring scenes but my boyfriend explained a little and I guess if I watch the films I'll understand completely. I bought him The Hobbit book as he's misplaced his and as soon as we got home his nose was in it! Astounded that The Hobbit has been split into a trilogy but I can't think of anything that could have been left out of the film. And its left on a scene that makes you want to see what happens next!
I am far far far too excited for Les Miserables! I saw the musical last year and it was INCREDIBLE. I'm hoping for great things from the film. I'm not sure it will be able to capture the magic and atmosphere of seeing it performed live in a theatre but I'm prepared for a different feel to it on the big screen.
Me and the boyfriend should be seeing it as we've planned a date like our first date (same restaurant, then cinema) and it will have just come out when we've set the date night. We've been such social butterflies recently that we haven't gone out just the two of us, just shopping, so it'll be lovely to just be a couple for an evening.

Barry M Gelly in Prickly Pear £3.99, magnetic polish in 344 Gold Sparkle £4.99 and free LE glitter polish!

 I nipped into Superdrug on New Year's Eve to stock up on cherry Batiste (£1.45 instead of £2.99, I LOVE the scent, and I haven't pictured the sickening number of cans I bought...) and I always have to do a quick reccy past the make-up and spotted the glitter polish, sparkling away, calling my name. And it was free when you spent £6...no justification needed! Its a clear polish full of red, green and blue pieces, very festive looking. I couldn't resist the Prickly Pear and I've wanted to try the Barry M magnetic polish for ages. I always wanted the one in the ad campaign (gold with black stripes and could never find it. I took a gamble that 344 was "the one" and hurrah it is! I've got a NOTD to post for it separately.

Matalan Ditsy Floral Canvas Stool £20 here

I don't know why this is called a stool, as I'd say its more a bin or storage box. Its quite sturdy and big inside. It's currently holding my Christmas presents in our hall until I get round to putting them out/away in my room. I've wanted this since the summer and always resisted as I have so much in my room already but its an investment and I'm sure it will look fine in any future room/home of mine.

Just posting a few random iPhone photos as I haven't anything else to show you!

Forgot to post this on last weeks summary, I bought Mum a cake from M&S as I didn't have time to bake one...amazing! Chocolate dream!

New Year Eve's buffet 

Ronnie was hoping to nab some buffet food! 

Keeping to my new years aims - a lush bath! The Think Pink bath bomb has loads of tiny heart confetti! 

My Ronnie

 Boyfriends cat casually in a bag!

Getting in the way of tidying!

So that's my week. Quiet but nice all the same. I feel more tired but that could be the extra time off. I've rested and slept much more and it seems to have made me realise how busy I've been lately and not taking moments to stop. I really want to continue this year at a slower pace. Today may just be too slow as I was in bed til three, and then back in bed at five. But I have been dressed since three so that's something! 

Hope you've all had good weeks

Happy New Year 2013

image from weheartit.com

 2012 has to be the quickest year of my life. My boyfriend wrote in my anniversary card "times flies when you're having fun" and there couldn't be truer words. Despite some tough times in the year it's still been the best year of my life. I am so lucky to be with my boyfriend, I truly believe we were meant to be and our paths crossed to bring us together. I am all kinds of crazy about him and we brought the New Year in together with a kiss, one of the most magical moments ever. I'm so proud of my achievements during the past year, from learning I'm stronger than I thought, looking after my family and becoming even closer to them in the process and all the little bits in between. My boyfriend has really helped me believe in myself and see the potential I have for future career movement. I'm so pleased with the direction of my blog and the satisfaction I get from doing it. I don't believe in New Years Resolutions as I think you set yourself up to fail and then feel down about it. I seriously did not want to return to work today, definitely enjoyed my time off far too much. I usually put a list on my pin board of goals to aim for. I don't see it everyday but when I do it reminds me of what I want.

1. Money - I have drastically cut down my spending in recent years. I remember the elation of my first full time pay slip and I went a little crazy with the hundreds I had in my account. I've slowly become better and more careful with money and really want to continue this.

2. House Deposit - I have numerous savings accounts, ISAs and sharesave schemes to my name but I still need to save much more as the bigger house deposit I have the better mortgage I'll be able to get, and I would rather like an average sized house. I've been saving slowly but steadily since I was 17 (the one and only thing I've always wanted over everything else is my own house) I'm still a way off.

3. Blog - I enjoy blogging so much and having my own little corner of the internet. My boyfriend has really become involved with helping me and giving me tips and advise and is so supportive. I've certainly been lacking the time and energy to post as often as I like to so hopefully now everything has calmed down and life resumes to some sort of normality (?) I'll be posting more regularly.

4. Purchases - This ties somewhat into the money goal. I want to buy myself more expensive items, but less all round, if that makes any sense. So rather than buying four cheap bags I'd rather save up for a more expensive bag. I'm definitely a way off affording a Chanel but it would be nice to own something I saved for and really appreciate. I find I don't appreciate or care so much for items that cost me a few pounds from Primark over something that cost me £100.  I have so much stuff in my room and I'm dreading moving out purely because it'll take so long to pack up and me and my boyfriend want a minimal, clean look.

5. Me Time - I rarely just take a few hours to read or watch a DVD. I loved reading and I haven't done any in so long. I've been toying with the idea of an e-reader to encourage me more but I love the look of a bookcase so much. I also hope I may have a library one day like the one in Beauty & The Beast, haha so I need a few books for that! I have a large cupcake stand overflowing with Lush and a bag in my Mum's room because I don't have anywhere for my new purchases. I really should make the time for a bath to enjoy all these bath bombs I've accumulated! And it could link to the blog one if I could share with you my favourite ones. I have bought almost all of the Sims 3 games in the last six months yet I haven't really played it and two of the expansions are sitting in their cellophane in the corner (very naughty!) I loved Sims 1 and 2 and I'd love to enjoy 3 too.

And so that's roughly it. All of them are important to me and I'll work on trying to get more of them into my life this year. I hope you all had an amazing New Year. Me and my boyfriend meant to let sky lanterns go at just after midnight but the howling, forceful wind and rain stopped us. We'll wait for a calmer night to let our wishes go for this year :)

I'll just leave you with my Facebook post as it really sums up my feelings of 2012 and what I learnt...

Can't believe 2012 will be over in a few hours. Couldn't have got through this year without my wonderful family and my amazing boyfriend and friends. Thank you all for your love and support through times I hoped I'd never have to go through. Just goes to show love does make the world go round, you're always stronger than you believe and you can always find the positives in a negative situation if you look hard enough. Nothing will defeat you if you have no fear and you know you'll find the light at the end of the tunnel. Wishing everyone a very happy new year xxx