liberty loves hello kitty

Firstly, I can't believe it has taken me nearly 2 weeks to write about the most exciting partnership to hit the scene since Ant and Dec! I am ashamed.

FINALLY us 'grown ups' have a valid reason to squeal in delight at the sight of every little girls favourite feline- Hello Kitty, and its all thanks to the clever people at Liberty. YES, London's emporium of design wonder has joined forces with Hello Kitty to create a range of gorgeous girlyness, and the best part is... you don't have to be under 10 to enjoy it! Hooray!

From yummy bath treats to pretty stationary, there is something for everyone. Here are a few faves of mine...



Bath Time Toiletry Bag £18

 

Kitty Wonderland Cosmetics Bag £16

Apple Tree Jewellery Box £18

Hello Hands Hand Wash Set £10



Happy Holidays Travel Set £12

SO CUTE! You can view the full range here. Lots of bits have sold out already on the Liberty website but fear not, the collection is available at Boots too! The Boots website states that all stock is due in October so I shall be keeping my beady eyes peeled. Oh, and it will all be in the 3 for 2 offer! Brilliant for Christmas pressies!

x





a little birthday wish list

So it's my birthday in 2 weeks and I'm getting all excited and ahead of myself. I've been all sicky and ill lately and I'm still off work at the moment so I'm literally keeping my fingers, toes, ears and everything else crossed that I will be well enough to celebrate in style.

I haven't planned a great deal of birthday shenanigans, just a nice lunch out with the fam and drinks with friends. A few days after my birthday, me and the boy are planning a little trip away to Brighton and I'm peeing my pants about it because I haven't been since May. I'm certainly due a good rummage around the boutiques and vintage shops of the North Laine! We'll probably visit Komedia in the evening because it's just BRILLIANT. Exciting!

I've decided to put together one of these slightly annoying wish lists. Mainly because I can't think of much I want this year so a lot of these bits are little and quirky and hard to list to people, but also because I'm dead bored of daytime telly.

Feast your eyes...

1. Bird pin-badge set by Cath Kidston 

2. Hedgehog cushion by Sass & Belle

3. Initial purse by Urban Outfitters

4. Keys necklace by Kiki's Boutique

5. Key earrings by Kiki's Boutique

6. Purple face watch by Casio for Urban Outfitters

7. Peace sign cushion by Sass & Belle

8. Bird overnight bag by Kiki's Boutique

9. Pug brooches by Gemma Correll

10. Pugs not drugs tote bag by Gemma Correll

11. Beano flask by wild and wolf for John Lewis

12. Bath flowers torch by Cath Kidston

 

Apparently I have a fascination with soft furnishings and brooches at the moment, just to confirm, I'm turning 23 not 70! 

This little selection of goodies are things I've seen which have made me think, 'ooh I best not buy this for myself, birthday soon and all that'. Hopefully they will prove to be inspiration for my nearest and dearest.

I'd just like to mention, there are a mammoth number of clothing items I've got my beady eye on at the moment too, but that's another post for another day (probably when I've got about 10 hours to spare) Also, I'm one of those types that prefers pressies to clothes and vouchers... it's far more fun that way :)

x

Cath Kidston freebies!

If there's one thing I love more than a bargain, it's a FREEBIE! And if there's one thing I love more than a regular freebie, it's a freebie from Miss Cath Kidston! Hoorah!

THIS WEEKEND Cath Kidston has teamed up with The Telegraph to offer readers TWO brilliant booklets full of step-by-step instructions and templates on how to make her iconic gifts and accessories for the home!

The first booklet, available Saturday 8th October, focuses on gift-making ideas and includes a selection of projects from handmade cards to iPod cases!

The second booklet, available Sunday 9th October, reveals a range of inspirational ideas for injecting a bit of personality and colour into your home.

What perfect timing for Christmas pressies! A few weeks ago I decided I was going to create a homemade Christmas this year. I really need to tighten the old purse strings and I absolutely love receiving pressies that have been made with pure TLC (and I'm hoping everyone I know will feel the same!) I won't lie, I have gone off the idea recently because I am utterly rubbish at sewing and I'm dead lazy busy, but I feel these handy little books could rekindle my creative flare!

I will definitely be trotting down to the village newsagents first thing Saturday and Sunday morning to bag my booklets!... Stay tuned to see my makes.

Cheers Cath!

x

models own 50% SALE!

So, remember i blogged a little while ago about a possible Models Own 50% sale, which would be taking place once they hit 50,000 fans on Facebook? Well, they only ruddy went and done it didn't they!

HOW EXCITING!

Unfortunately all was not plain sailing. I don't think MO were prepared for this level of hype on their website which lead to them suspending the sale by a couple of days while they installed new servers and other fancy techno mumbo jumbo. Apparently, said servers did not suffice as the website crashed allllll day and basically pissed off a lot of people. However, i can't stress enough how amazing MO have been throughout the whole frustrating process! Honestly, they were absolute legends. My order crashed at the last minute so i contacted them via Facebook and they personally checked that everything had gone through and made the necessary confirmation. What perfect customer service!
They have also been replenishing their stock levels relentlessly throughout the day so the majority of people don't have to miss out on the bits and pieces they wanted, amazing!

I didn't go too mad on my spending spree because times are hard (sob) but here's what i ordered...

You can still take advantage of the sale by liking the Models Own Facebook page. This will then grant you access to the discount code which you will need to enter at the checkout to get your 50% off. Oh, and if you spend over £25 you get free delivery too! Go now!!


X

keep calm and listen to gallows

I feel it would be completely inappropriate of me to write about anything without mentioning the horrifying turmoil London has found itself in due to thieving malicious thugs. These 'people' are nothing but bullies on a power trip and i truly hope what the PM says is true, and they will be hit with the full force of the law. This behaviour can not be justified in any light, and i genuinely feel sick knowing that i am from the same country as the scum bags who are ruining the lives of innocent members of their own communities. 

I urge everybody with a twitter account to follow their local authority as they will confirm any suspicions or concerns you may have about your safety and the area you live in. I've noticed today that twitter has become a mass of rumours and allegations which just aren't true, so take everything with a pinch of salt unless the police in your area say otherwise.


Hope

I've found it quite fitting to listen to the 'Grey Britain' album by Gallows today. The lyrics make sense more now than ever. I'm so excited about the news of former Alexisonfire guitarist Wade Macneil becomming Gallows' new front man. I'll admit, when i found out Frank Carter was leaving the band three hours before i saw them live at this years sonisphere festival, i was utterly gutted (to the point of hurling abuse at him when he came out on stage). I'm a little bit more okay with it now because I'm genuinely stoked to hear what Frank's new band, Pure Love has to offer, and i can't wait to hear Wade's take on the Gallows trademark raw sound.

I was lucky enough to see Gallows at a local venue a few days before Sonisphere with only 99 other people. I'm so glad that the second to last time i saw Frank as the frontman was at such a personal gig, i shall never forget that one!

I listened to Alexisonfire constantly throughout my teenage years and always regarded them as my favourite band before Gallows hit the scene. Now i have the best of both worlds. Whoever would have thought things would turn out this way.


X

models own 50% sale!?!

Think of this as a plea. I urge you to tell all your friends about how wonderful Models Own products are so i can go nuts on their website without denting my bank account too badly. Anyone who knows me will totally understand how exciting this news is for me as i am utterly obsessed with Models Own nail varnish. Please help a sister out and let me have a bargain splurge. Just go and like the Models Own facebook page and when they get to 50,000 fans they will have a 50% sale on line! Waaaaaaaaa, SO EXCITING!

X

27 dresses

This week has become spontaneously wedding themed. First off my best friend got engaged (hello bridesmaid duties) and then my other best friend had a nervous break-down over a wedding outfit needed for next Sunday. Naturally she came to me in her state of desperation as her fashion woes are usually resolved with a healthy dosage of my wardrobe.

I was a bridesmaid last month for another friend and had THE best time, although i am a total baby and found the whole thing slightly very emotional. Not sure if this was down to how beautiful the whole day was (regardless of the rain) or because i came to terms with the fact that i am NEVER going to get married! Either way, cue posey shot. Et voila...

Bridesmaid Hannah, bridesmaid me, cousin Nataly and bridesmaid Em

With all these bridesmaid situations i keep finding myself in, my 'other' best friend (the one having the dress nightmare) compared me to the lovely, yet unlucky in general life, Katherine Heigl in 27 dresses. So, as a homage to that terrible movie (i secretly love it) and because my friend was so rubbish at finding a suitable wedding guest dress, i have compiled 27 fine contenders. Avery this ones for you!

All of these babies are between £20-£80 and can be found on the Great British high street! (Let me know if you'd like info on where you can purchase anything featured, and I'll try to remember the exact shop).

Personally, i probably wouldn't wear every single one of these but i wanted to show the range of occasion wear that's currently out there... Mainly to prove my useless friend wrong.

Anybody else got any weddings or special occasions coming up? I'd very much like to see your outfits of choice!

X

we wish you a merry July

So I've been feeling all warm and festive this week, not too sure what's come over me. I almost watched Elf tonight but talked myself out of doing so. The weather has just been so crap and I've had a cold which has left me feeling all cosy and wintry. This was the view from my shop yesterday, Brrr!

Okay, so the picture doesn't do the rain justice, but it was pretty epic.

Anyway all this wind/rain/general dullness has got me excited for warm clothes. I have always preferred autumn/winter wear to that of spring/summer, don't know why. It probably has something to do with the fact that i am a 22 year old grandma who makes being cosy my main priority in life.

The postman delivered me h&m's autumn catalogue just in time to make this disgusting weather slightly more bearable with the promise of some delicious looking cold weather wear. I had a good browse and have spotted a few things which i will be keeping a look out for in store. Here's what took my fancy.

Yum! Lots of goldy, burgundy, floaty, cosy, yumminess. Anybody else got their eye on autumnal delights already? Or is it just me being hugely premature... Haha.

X

artist crush - gemma correll

I've loved the work of artist and illustrator Gemma Correll for a while now. Not only is she a ridiculously talented little lady, she is also totally obsessed with pugs just like moi!
Here are some of my favourite bits by Miss Correll, check out her blog, website and flickr for more little delights.

Gemma in action

With her adorable pug Mr (Norman) Pickles

There are some wonderful things to buy in the shop on Gemma Correll's website including these brooches which i am very much in love with. 

X

      

the great leggings debate

Last week i had what can only be described as a leggings revelation.

There i was frantically packing for sonisphere festival, (for some reason i left everything until the last minute this year which is very unlike me) when i faced the fact that i would have to sew together the remains of several old pairs of leggings to make a sturdy new pair for the weekend. Then, my saint of a mother suggested i nip 5 minutes down the road to Sainsburys because TU had a sale on and their leggings looked 'nice'. In a slight state of desperation (and because i wanted to buy some sweets for the journey) I took mothers advice and ended up purchasing the new loves of my life, hoorah!

These lycra lovelies cost me £10, that's £5 a pair! And they are just perfect! I dread to think how much I've spent on damn leggings in the past, I've owned just about every pair on the market and have had an on going legging debate with the girls forever.

I thought I'd put together this mini review of some of the brands I've tried in a bid to destroy any legging woes that are still out there...

So, starting off with New Look:

 

These babies cost £7.99, not a bad price but no, just no. Not only are New Look's leggings ridiculously seamy (it literally bulges) they are the most transparent of all. Seriously, you'd get more coverage from snipping the feet off your 40 den' opaques.

Next up is River Island:

Now, i don't know if it's just me, but i struggle to find a pair of leggings in RI that aren't high waisted. Yes the added support of a high waist is appreciated from time to time, but a girls got to breathe! These tummy tucking bad boys will set you back £9.99- again, not a bad price, but RI leggings are another culprit when it comes to flashing a little too much on the goodie front. You can even see the transparency of these in this photo taken from their website- probably not the best selling point.


Here's an old fave, Topshop:

I have always sworn by Topshop's leggings and if I hadn't been in such a rush last week I probably would have purchased new ones from my trusty high street faves. At £12.00 a pair, Topshop aren't great competitors in the value for money game but they do know their leg wear. I fully appreciate the petite option for pint sized lasses like me and have always found them to be relatively hard wearing...ish. They do go a bit misshapen after a while but they don't go see through and flash your polka dot pants when your dress is just a little bit too short for
leggings.


And H&M:

H&M's leggings cost £6.99 and are long, so so so long. I fully appreciate that at 5.2" i may have to tuck things under a little bit, I've come to terms with this, but these had to be tucked half way up my calves! I actually asked a member of staff in H&M once if their leggings came in different lengths, she sent me in the direction of what she referred to as the 'petite selection' where i found knee length leggings that were similar to something you might see Lance Armstrong rocking in the tour de France.


Lastly, American Apparel:

Before i started saving for a new car/flat/pug etc i decided to do something crazy and spend £24.00 on leggings, yes i know *slaps wrist* I learnt my lesson the hard way and should have read the online reviews before i purchased. Everybody really slates AA's leggings and to be fair they're not that bad. I mean, yes they did go insanely bobbley after one little wash, and grew air vents in areas one does not need air vents... but i did have thirty colours to choose from!

So that's my little homage to the leggings i have tried and tested over the years. I urge you to get a pair of Sainsburys TU leggings, you can buy them individually as well so if you don't want to take the plunge and be lumbered with two pairs you don't have to.

I'd love to hear other peoples opinions on the leggings matter as if there are a pair out there which can better my new TU loves, i need to know about it!

X

Cath Kidston does it again

This week I was lucky enough to sneak a peek at Cath Kidston's full A/W'11 collection thanks to my lovely local stockist. I spent a good twenty minutes on her shop floor browsing through the catalogue of delicious new delights, getting far too excited about bath towels, tea pots and cake tins (I'm moving out soon!)
When I got home I had a bit of a rummage on the Internet to see if I could find some pictures of the new bits and noticed that a few things are available to buy online now. Here are some of my faves...

 

Country rose and placement spot tea towels £12.00

Set of 4 coffee bean spoons £10.00 (love!)

Mini dot handbag £55.00

British birds day bag £48.00



I absolutely love the new style of the Mini dot handbag, I'm so glad the clever people at Cath Kidston have finally designed a bag which will actually sit on ones shoulder- short straps are a pet hate of mine.

The new British birds print is beautiful, it's probably my favourite print of the whole collection, I can't remember if I saw this print in the style of the mini dot handbag though. Guess I'll have to wait until the rest of the new range hits the shops! I would go back and pester my local source of all things Cath Kidston but I fear she may place a restraining order on me.

There was also a lovely little Stanley dog door stop which came in black or red but I can't find a picture of it, it's so cute though, definitely one to keep a look out for!

Overall I haven't come across anything in the A/W collection that I don't like. All I can say is thank goodness I have an Autumn birthday or my bank balance would be getting a right good hiding :)

X