Embroidered George Flat Shoes

Hey All

Lately I've been trying to save money as I'm learning to drive and aiming to buy a house early next year which has meant less shopping. The embroidered trend is one I've been admiring from a far, I've been loving all the demin with embroidery but so far have resisited.

That was until I popped into my local asda and saw these beauties for a bargain £14!!

George Home Letter Votive Candles

Hey All

I can't believe it's almost Christmas. Today is my last day in work and I can't wait to just get home and catch up with the family and relax for a few days before jetting off to Copenhagen for New Years Eve.

When shopping in Asda the other day I couldn't resist these little letter votive candles. At only £2 each I had to grab mine and C's initials to pop by our tv! They aren't scented which made C agree I could get them and have burned pretty well. As well once the candle has burned I'll be washing them out and using them as tealight holders!

I always keep pretty candle jars to use for other bits and pieces. Our toothbrush holder in the bathroom is an old candle holder!

Are these too tacky for you or something you'd go for? For £2 each I couldn't resist!

Love M

xxx

The perfect bargain black court!

Hey All

I really real like life is speeding by at the moment and seem to have no time at all! Today has been an amazing day as I got a job promotion at work. I really feel like the luckiest girl at the moment and finally feel like everything may be falling into place. I feel genuinely lucky to have the amazing group of family and friends I have around me!

Anyway's today I had to share with you my ultimate bargain! I popped into my local asda to pick up some T shirts for Glastonbury as after getting burnt in Cyprus I wanted some cover ups. After casually browsing the sale bit I found these gorgeous black patent court shoe! Everyone needs black patent courts right! They were massively reduced down from £14 to £3! I couldn't believe it. I've lived in my nude court shoes from asda they are slightly lower and still sold for £14 so I thought I'd try these!

For my interview today I tried them on. The test of a comfy heel for me is if I can last a full work day in them. I work in a lab and have a 10 minute walk to and from the bus stop everyday so I do do a reasonable amount of walking on a work day.

My nude court shoes from asda are super comfy but these are higher and post glasto feet (from reading posts it's seeming likely we walked around 50 - 60 miles over the weekend!!) I wasn't sure how comfy they'd be! When I slipped them on they weren't the comfiest on my little toe. I did stub it on holiday and it's been hurting since.

Ignoring that though they did feel pretty comfy. Even though they were high. There is a slight platform to them. I did keep them on in work all day even though I took other shoes I didn't feel the need to change them.

Asda yet again have surprised me with a cheap but comfortable high heel. They have a variety of classic court shoes so I'd definitely suggest picking some up!

I am a super clumsy person and have scuffed them already so I thought I'd also share with you how I fix them. It's a simple trick. Any patent shoe you have grab a nail polish the same way and paint over heel scuffs. It disguises them so well!

Let me know if you manage to grab the bargain pair!

Love M

xxx

Wishlist

It's been so long since I've done a wishlist. I used to do them monthly but haven't for a while now. With my birthday coming up I've been trying to think of things I want as I've been asked by a few people. So here's some of things I'm eyeing up at the moment. There are definitely a few if only I had lots of money pieces in here!!

First up is this gorgeous bag from Folli Follie, I love the soft grey/nude shade which will go with everything. I love an everyday hangbag to be simple and classic so I can get lots of use out of it. I love the little gold detailing to the bag and the plated handle!

I've never really browsed Stella and Dot but at the Cardiff Bloggers Meet we were given a brochure from Stella and Dot. Since then I've been browsing the website I love their pieces. This statement necklace is definitely one that really caught my eye. I love the colours!!

I absolutely love the Macadamia Natural Oil range and have used the oil and mask on and off now for about 4 years. The healing oil is one of my favourites and I'm lusting after the oil and deep repair mask. Both can be got from here.

The next one is definitely a dream piece but after watching Ultimate Shopper it's not left my head. It's a beautiful colour, beautiful draping and I love that it has sleeves. I have a winter wedding early next year this would be amazing for but I know it won't happen. You can get it here. It's the Karolina Dress form Bernshaw.

I'm absolutely loving Bioderma. I didn't expect to like it and kind of didn't want to but I am a huge fan after getting a few samples from Escentual. My favourite is the Sebium H20 version. It's currently on offer here.

I'm really missing my pink hair I had last year so I'd love to brave a wig for days when I want to be a bit different. I love the colour and style of this one from Annabelle's Wigs.

Next up is loads of dresses!! Everyone needs a good birthday dress right!? Here are some of my top picks!!

I've been eyeing up this one for a while. I'm a huge fan of lace but only when it's not the shiny cheap lace you seen everywhere. This is the Elizabeth Dress from Lydia Rose Bright's collection. I love how simple it is and the colour. I definitely think I could get away with wearing this to one of next years weddings with opaque tights

Next up is more lace dresses from Lipsy. I love both of these as the lace doesn't look tacky on them in my opinion. I also love that they are classic dresses that will last!! The first on is the Lipsy VIP waxed lace pencil dress and the second is the Lipsy VIP Lace Shift Dress. This also comes in white and grey.

These two are from AX Paris. The New Look in my town carries this range and I can usually find a dress I love on the rack. There is always something I want. I love the first dress. I've tried this on in Navy with cream crochet. It fitted amazing and made my waist look tiny. I really love the print on this style. This is the Floral Crochet Neck Skater Dress it also has a great back to it. The next dress is something really simple. I sometimes think less is a more and would love this for a night out with a statement necklace. This is the Long Sleeve V Front Dress.

Lastly are some dresses from George at Asda. Lately they seem to have some amazing dresses whenever I go shopping there. The first dress I absolutely love the simplicity of it. This is another wedding contender dress for me. Best of all as it's from George it's an absolute bargain. This is the Lace Panelled Bodycon Dress. I absolutely love the colour of this dress. Next is an amazing green dress. I'd love this for a night out. It has some mesh panelling to it so I'm not sure if a bra would show. Lastly is a dress I've been after for a while. I think an illusion dress would be really flattering on me figure and I love this one. This is the Bodysculpt Panelled Midi Dress. This dress has hidden support so I think it would be great on my pear shaped body.

Lastly I really need a new Pro Longwear foundation. This will probably one of the first things I buy when I finish project 10 pan. I'm really working hard to use up make up and I'm slowly getting there.

That was a long wishlist. What are you lusting over at the moment?

Love M

xxx

Spending Ban Update 5

I've been meaning to write a spending ban update for a bit now. It's been a while since I've done one. You can read my last one here. I've not been doing them weekly as not much has changed.

So far I'm pretty proud of myself. It's been 56 days and I've still not bought any make up. The Saturday before last when L and I went to LFW I forgot to pack my flat shows so picked these up from Asda. For only £10 I wasn't too annoyed at spending. I love the stud detail and the nude colour. They also come in black, you can see them here.

So in 55 days to have only bought these which were truly something I didn't need. I have bought shampoo and conditioner and some DVDs but at least I haven't added to my make up collection.

Last week was probably my hardest. I was moody and all I wanted was a new lipstick. It was so hard to actually resist. So far I have, the thing keeping me going now is that me and L are going to go to MAC and have our makeup done for her birthday. It is before the spending ban is up so I'm going to add on a few extra weeks for those purchases.

I feel like I'm getting past the not buying thing now, it was making me moody at first as I couldn't shop but I'm starting to feel more proud now when I put things back.

L and I went to a Bloggers meet up on Saturday. I did resist buying anything but I did get my brows done. They were bugging me as they were uneven.

For the next 4 weeks (prior to L's Birthday) my plan is to not buy ANY make up, clothes, skincare, dvds, starbucks (this may be hard as on Thursday's I'm in uni all day and my flask isn't enough to last me). I'm also going to make sure I buy food to keep in rather than buying junk food and lunch.

I think my spending is getting better but I'm still not as good as I can be. I think for me the spending ban needs to be a more permanent only buy if I need things.

I've also signed up to my local pool which is £26 a month so that's money I need to stop wasting now. 

My Wishlist.

MAC Brick-O-La (this has been there since the beginning. I've still not seen it in person)

Urban Decay Setting Spray

MUA Eyelid Primer (my mum got me one so I've taken this off)

Illamasqua Pigment Base

Origins Cheeks and Balance

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (L has offered me both of these this week as they are cheap. It's hard to tell myself I don't need them)

Daniel Sandler Water Coloue Blush

Elf Brush Cleaner

Elf Blush and Bronzer Duo (we were very lucky to get an amazing goody bag from the Bloggers meet so I don't feel like I need this now, post coming soon)

Stocking Tights

Maybelline Colour Tattoo

Rimmel Appocolips

This time I'm adding

Laura Mercier Undercover Pot Concealer 

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation or the Tinted Moisturiser. I want to get samples of both of these.

How are your bans going?

Don't forget to check out Marvelle's blog here to see more of the lovely ladies doing the ban.

Love M

xxx

Xmas Wishlist

I've seen lots of these posts lately and I've not done one of my monthly wishlists lately so I thought I'd do a Christmas one. Plus I'm feeling ill at the moment so what better way to make myself feel better than day dream at pretty things online.

I've asked for a few things for Christmas but most other things on this list are more dream world to get not stuff I expect.

The things I know already are these boots from my Grandad. I usually get shoes from him. I'm lucky that he worked for Clarks most of his life so now gets 33% discount. I love Clarks boots. They are classic styles that really last and look great. I tend to sway towards brown or tan boots as I struggle to find nice black ones. This year I was determined to find some.

image from clarks

I really liked the simple style of these and they look great on. They are a sort of suede material so not completely black and shiny which I love. You can find them here for £79.99 I was lucky to get them for just under £50 as I had another discount.

I've also asked for Real Techniques brushes as I really want to have a good set of brushes and these are such a reasonable price and I love everything about them. I've got a lot of these coming from different family members as I couldn't think of anything else I really wanted.

image from Real Techniques

They are also currently on offer in boots.

I also really love the Vans/Converse/Toms style. I want some practical shoes that I can wear with my jeans for dress down days. I love my dolly shoes but want something a bit warmer for days I don't want to wear boots. I think I'm more swayed to Vans as I think they'd look better on my feet (I have big feet, a size 7 and worry converse would exaggerate this) Toms are probably more Summery but I like them and Imagine them being so comfy. Schuh have a great range of both.

image from Schuh

I love the floral girly version of these.

Image from Schuh

I think Burgandy version of these would be perfect for dry winter days.

I'm still yet to find a foundation that makes me want to stop trying others. I have lots at the moment I really like but I still think there is better. I'm loving Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and have heard great things about there make up range. I'd love to try the natural glow bronzer and signature foundation from this range.

image from John Lewis

I think this will be great for contouring as it's a matte shade.

image from here

I've seen lots of great reviews for the signature foundation and would love to try it out. I've seen good reviews for oily skin too which make me lean towards it more.

If you've seen any of my wishlist you'll probably know I've been lusting for coloured skinnies/jeggings. While getting my dine in for £10 deal the other day in M&S I was very surprised by there selection of coloured and patterned skinny jeggings and jeans. I can't wait to try some of these.

images from M&S

These three are my favourites. I love the zip detail on the purple ones and the subtle patterrn on the middle ones. I'd love to be brave enough to pull off the full on floral but I don't think I am. If you are on the look out for new jeans I say look in M&S you may be surprised. They seem reasonably prices too.

The Benefit Feeling Dandy is probably at the top of my wishlist. I recently purchased Erase Paste and the MUA put Dandelion blush on me and I loved the way it looks. 

image from John Lewis

The set is great, you get mini posie tine and high beam as well as a lip gloss to match. All the colours in the set compliment each other. They also have them with Coralista Blush and Sugar Bomb so there is a shade to suit everyone. I'm wanting to try more Benefit make up. I love all the gift sets. What's your recommendations?

Being winter I'm also eyeing up snuggley jumpers. George at Asda has a great range of jumpers for a reasonable price. These are some of the ones I'm loving.

And lastly and totally not something I'll own but I've been lusting over these for years so just thought I'd share these beautiful shoes! The Love Moschino Heart Studded Pump. I saw these a while ago and have been in love with them since.

What's on your Christmas Wishlist?

Love M

xxx

OOTD: George Coat

I've never done an outfit of the day post before, mainly as I rarely wear anything exciting on a day to day basis (have been sat at home on my laptop for the past few months writing my dissertation!).

If I do leave my house it's for the gym...not such an exciting OOTD? Maybe I'll do one if I'm feeling I look good haha.

Anyway, I've had plenty of compliments on my new coat so I thought it was a good place to start.

This is my newbie to my wardrobe: