Collective Homeware Haul SS14

Hi Lovers,

Homeware is my weakness right now! 

Homeware haul vlogs, blogs, websites mmmhhh it's just making me very excited atm!

Accessories in particular are a firm fav of mine as I am mainly buying for my room.

 So here are a few things I have picked up in the last few months.

Phrenology bust TK Maxx £5.99. I have always been obsessed with phrenology busts and had a poster when I was younger. I have even incorporated a custom design bust for a pitch at work! When I saw this I just had to have it! This is the medium , I wanted the bigger one but I couldn't find one that didn't have blemishes so I got this one which fits perfectly on my shelf.

I was actually,  reminded of my love for them when reading The Mesmerist by Barbara Ewing. Which I picked up a few years back in Poundland 2 for 1 sale. It's a very good read too!

Tesco tea light candle holders £1 each aka my new whiskey tumblers. I actually saw these ages ago in the clearance section but didn't get them and they had gone by the time I returned a week later. Luckily after checking their Homeware section there were a few in stock and I bagged 4.

Primark red berry and jasmine tealights £1.50. I do like a scented candle and these Berry & Jasmine candles are lovely and fragrant. I also picked up some pineapple & Ginger ones for 50p! Very exciting times as they are my fav autumn/winter primark candles.

D.I.Y tip: The Ginger and pineapple ones don't have that much of a scent when burning but smell incredibly pungent when they are not burning. So if you break them up and  leave them in draws or your closet they do give a nice fragrant and long lasting scent.

Primark home throw £4. I actually bought this months ago and I am in love with this minty teal tone. It is perfect for spring when it is still a little chilly at night. Throws are an easy way to change up the style of your space without changing your whole scheme.

Ikea SNABBVINGE cushion case £4. 
I originally bought this to trial in our 
living room but decided to use it as an accent cushion in my room. The colour and design really work well with my spring\summer bed linens but are will equally work well all year round. I also picked up a pillow which I folded in half and inserted a old cushion pillow in the middle. I like to pile my pillows high at night and require a certain level of firmness hence using 2 different fillers. It adds a really calming and sophisticated playfulness to the overall look of my room.

Alphabet mug £2

Last but not least, my Matalan initial mug. That every Blogger accessory necessity! I have had a few initial mugs over the years but my fav one was broken in a very mysterious event (Twas all very lemony snickets)! I always find something good in Matalan and headed over there to see what I could find. This is smaller than I would usually go for. I prefer my mugs to be a little bigger or oversized but you can't go wrong with monochrome and at £2 it is an undeniable bargain. I do like a mug and this is a nice addition to the collection.

And that's it guys.
Have  you got the homeware bug and what are you buying?

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

Primark haulin: Spring 2014

 Hi all,

Thought I would show some of my primarni bargains.

I went in for that beautiful red daisy tea dress that has been in every online magazine for the last few months and came out with 3 bags. Took the dress back as the arm pits were not working for me and came out with another 2 bags.

After separating the wheat from the chaff and returning half of it as you do lol, I have my final selection....wheeew

I bagged this really nice slouchy slubby light metallic mesh thread jumper for £3! Its such a basic piece but can be as dressy, smart and casual as I want to make it. I also have a nice skirt that is similar to this so I can do a modern twin set. Seen here

   

 I am pretty much into printed optical illusion graphic digital print shirts this year. Tuck them into a pencil skirt or layer for a casual lazy day look. Its all good with me. Dunno what it is but usually I find the best ones in the mens section but this is a womans piece surprisingly. it said £6 which is fair enough but was £2.50 at the till *dougies*

This petrol blue midi skirt is screaming spring to me.  Once again it is a office to night out piece depending on styling and at £12 I love it. Primark are calling it navy but ...um ..yeh..nah

Purple is my favourite colour and I don't wear it enough. The colour is absolutely gorgeous. I originally saw it in blue and red and liked it but after seeing my friend rocking this berry colour I had to reconsider. It is currently in store and £6. I love collared blouses because they are so easy and chic and are a definite staple in my wardrobe.

We arrive at basic basics. I always stock up on vests as I wear them in winter clothes and as a base piece in the warmer months. They are £2 and really long wearing. They used to be cheaper but I will let it go. I also picked this cotton navy light snood. I have been chucking it over everything especially as my office has a deep love affair with the air con. 

 

Finally I spotted these cleated heel suede effect Chelsea boots. They were on sale for £15 in my size and my eyes lit up. Our weather is so cray one second its sunny and next rain and sleet

(slight exaggeration) so these are a great transitional shoe. I looked long and hard for an unscuffed pair but it looks like mark shows up fairly easily so be aware if you get a pair :-/ . I have recieved so many complements it may be my fav primarni bargain this year so far.

Have you responded to the siren call of Primarni of late??

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

Cardiff....until next time

Hey dawls, its been a while
I know. Technical difficulties were being had. 

So it was my Birthday on the 10th and I decided once again to commandeer more days and make a long weekend of it.

As per usual I was last minute and decided to go up to the valeeeeyyys aka Cardiff for a day trip like a week before with my bestfriend. ;-)

I have been to Cardiff before and a great time and this was no different. We had a fun despite the rain and being slight windswept (nothing compared to the storm that followed our departure!). We decided sustenance was definitely  needed for the day ahead and stopped off at The Meating Place, which has the BEST Parmesan chips ever! Seriously recommend trying them but take cash. If you ever go there you will understand lol.

After lunch we hit up St David's shopping centre, Wharton street, Queens street and the Arcades.

 In hindsight we could have made a weekend of it and partied the night away and maybe explored some more but my weekend wasn't over. Ohhh no! 

On Sunday I had a lovely dinner with friends at GOGI a lovely Korean bar and grill joint and on the big day I went to a spa for some much needed relaxation and pampering.

I couldn't leave Cardiff without getting my shop on so here are a few things

......

I have been looking for a new bag for ages, see here and really couldn't find anything that grabbed me. This season has a lot of thin handled or undersized bags and that is not practical for my everyday use. I had my eye on both of these bags and basically succumbed to both. The grey has a lovely texture and a subtle on trend trapeze shape but is practical yet edgy with the silver mini studded panels. I really love this black bag. it is structured and lady but big enough to carry all my work stuff in. It also gets bigger when unclipped, it  isn't shiny and  has a nice sheen but is still a textured matt. 

Grey bag (alternative) here

Black bag here

  I picked up this oversized jersey with floral detailing in H & M. I love the grannyish floral aspect and it is a odd off black that looks nay but isn't. It had an exposed zipper at the back and is a cool casual piece to jam or run errands in.

Sweatshirt here (mine was alot less as it was on sale so check in stores first)

 I also picked up this cool sheer black kimono, which I love love love. I should have tried it on in store as it is a lil big but meh just adds to the whimsical edginess.it is really versatile and can take you from the beach to a night out.

Not currently available on there website in the cardi section so check in stores

  I have a strange relationship with River island and the price versus quality but I am so glad we stopped by as bargains were a plenty! I  picked up his beautiful t- shirt and just look at it. I want to frame it is so purdy. I love the black and white "silk" print as it lends an air of  sophistication o any outfit. Unfortunately I cant find it anywhere online

I also stopped by my old lovers place....MAC and picked up 3 beautiful lippies. I was  having an issue with lighting so went down an "artistic" photography route lol.

The shades can be found here.

Diva - matt

Cyber - satin

 Film noir - satin

  Finally we stopped of at Topshop and I picked 2 matt finish nail varnished. In denim and Mystic. I pretty I am pretty disappointed in Mystic and am super happy I used a gift card my old work colleagues gave me. Granted it doesn't have a lustrous finish as most varnishes aim for but it certainly isn't matt. If anything it seems to get shiner after 2 coats or a top up. It also drys darker which I actually liked but I found myself being more drawn to the frosted bottle rather than the varnish.

All in all a wonderful birthday was had and I will definitely be going back to Cardiff!

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

Well hello there 2014 (haul)

Hi Lovelies its is my first post and haul of the year! 

Happy 2014!!!

 I went out for a new work/ every day black tote bag and came back with er'thang but a black tote. Hehe famous last words.

This haul started out as things I actually needed and ended up like so.....well what I want and what I need is pretty much the same ish. 

Enjoy.

L-R: B.pure Micellar water, Naturally radiant 2 in 1 moisturiser and serum and Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Day Cream SPF15

These are actually repurchases that have become a daily part of my skincare base routine. Superdrugs had a promotion on B. pure and as one of the bottles was slightly dented I got another discount. As my skin worked so well with the Naturally radiant range, I decided to add their day cream to the mix. It is has a good level of absorbency ,is light and on sale here.

 

Top: Tea Tree water toner
Bottom: Mask of Magnaminty

Who doesn't love a bit of LUSSSSSSSSSSHHH?!  I stopped by the Brent Cross branch and practically yanked my friend Nikki inside for some lush loving. I limited myself to 2 things that I actually needed. I know I know, I went in and came out with nary a bath bomb but as you will see in my last post and below I have enough to be getting on with.

I stocked up on  Mask of Magnaminty which is currently working wonders on my face as I type.It smells sooo good. This mask has gained cult status in the blogesphere and with good reason. My skin always looks refreshed and feels so silky after using it. It also contains some of my fav scents in the world. Vanilla and peppermint. 

Quick tip: I leave mine in the fridge and have never had any problems with mold.

My second purchase was Tea tree Water . It is good for so many things such as normal toner, face refresher, makeup setter the list goes on. The combination of tea tree , juniper berry and grapefruit work perfectly together. If you have oily or spot prone skin this is a definite must have! the tea tree is very nurturing and doesn't dry or strip the skin. It is perfect for all skin types.

If you haven't heard of Lush. Check them out

L-R: Vanilla Body Mist, Strawberry Body Polish, Hemp Hand Protector

Another one of my old favs is The Body Shop. Once again I limited myself to shit I need yo. because I am a grown up like that lol Anything Vanilla in the body shop is up my street. I am all about it. When I saw the body mist on sale my eyes literally popped out my head,I loooooove it. I used to go in to the body shop everyday on my way to school and spritz myself shhhh.

I have mentioned the Hemp hand protector before on here and It really is a god send but they didn't reduce this one iota in the sales which was disappointing - rather annoyed. I still bought it as it lasts me a long while and our winter weather is horrid right now. Luckily I got a 20% discount as I purchased 4 things. If you haven't tried the strawberry body polish go and smell it, its divine.

L-R: Zara  Eau de toilette natural sprays: Black peony and Oriental

I have never paid too much attention to Zara perfumes but boy oh boy am I now! On my quest to find a suitable black tote I stopped off at Zara and my eye was immediately caught by the perfumes as I looked at jewellery.

I am not a massive perfume girl. I usually have 4-5 signature perfumes on the go that last me ages and I usually prefer mens stuff such as Armani code unless its my Chanel, daisy or obsession. I am not a big fan of super sweet scents and love bergamot and sandalwood notes found usually in mens stuff.

I picked up Black peony which is very heady and has notes of bergamot, vanilla and sandalwood, which appeal to me. Likened to Viktor Rolfs Flowerbomb with less sweetness it  is a little intense for some and mostly recommended for sultry evenings but I would where it anytime. It is a gorgeous scent. For an in depth analysis click here

I also got Oriental which also has notes of vanilla, floral and wood. Its less intense than Black peony and a beautiful fragrance which works well with me. Analysis here  Both were under £10 each and are great bang for buck. The packaging is very nice and good quality all round. I will definitely be going back for more.

Nike Blazer Mid Twist  Grey Suede

I am not much of a trainer girl and I wanted something that would incorporate style as well as function. I got these at the London designer outlet in Wembley which is not to far away from me for a bargainous £45! These can sell for up to £120 so I am very happy with my discount. I haven't seem many people wearing them which is good and I went for a dusky grey which goes with a lot. I love the snake skin detailing and ankle wrap around feature. The laces are a little unusual and don't actually let you tie them yourself. They are made of elastic material and are pre -tied.

L-R: H&M xoxo bracelet set and earrings

I picked up an xoxo bracelet and bird bracelet set in the sales. I also picked up a lovely set of triple arrow studs. They have a military-esque feel to them.

Top: Primark slate grey knitted coatigan
Bottom: Punk strap boots

 

Sorry Guys I didn't realise how creased the bottom of my cardi was. I picked these 2 items in the primark sales. I love a cardigan and this one is just a classic piece. It is just below bum length and close knitted with a round neck. The ares are a little dropped which gives it a coatigan effect.

I also had to get these boots as I saw them when they first came out and totally forgot about them as they usually sell out in my size quickly. Luckily My friend found the last pair or me and I snapped them up. I have a love affair with the 90's and cleated soles are my thing. Tartan is always trendy and with this rainy weather a nice pair of toasty toe warmers.

 

Notebook

And finally a notebook. I like to start of the year with a fresh note one and this one is so purtay. It has recycled paper so I am helping the earth and only cost £1 in the pound shop! I know too good to be true.

Its been a bit of a long one but I hope you saw some cool ideas and have been having a good new year thus far.

Until next time.......

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

Fresh spread, clear head: Ikea bedding

Hi loves,

I absolutely love a new bedspread. That fresh cosy feeling when you snuggle into a freshly made bed is second to none! I went to Ikea with my mum last week to pick up a few things and ended up buying some lovely bedding for myself.

Now everyone who knows me will testify to the fact that I can't stand the Ikea buildings. They make me really tense and annoyed. Don't know why because I am not claustrophobic and I like the products, just not the actual shop. So the fact that I stayed over 2 hours browsing is a testament to their products and deals.

Anyway here are 2 of my purchases.

I am a big fan of Ikea's bold prints and design so I am hoping they are good quality and last.You can find the same items here and here.

With the clocks being moved back an hour I hope everyone will be as comfy and well rested as me!

ÖDESTRÄD £7 Quilt cover, DVALA sheet in red £7

 Look out for my Ikea haul coming soon!

Until next time............

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

 

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

I'm on that all black everything

Happy New Year guys! Can someone tell me why I am buying sunglasses in winter please? Because certain folks think my wardrobes are a shop to come and pick up stuff from -_- you know who you are lol but also coz they are super cheap in the winter months and I am slightly obsessed . Anyhoo I was really "good" and somewhat restrained in the sales this time around. I found myself dividing my shopping into colourful spring stuff and black basics.  It is grey and dark and frankly I have been wearing bright colours to cheer me up and flip the bird to winter, but now I am feeling black.

 

All clothes shown above were below £10 and sunglasses were all below £2.50!!! Bargains *dougies*. What I really wanted with these pieces is something that I could slip on shuzzzz up or down and be on my way, simple yet effective. The Midi, maxi skirt, skater and jersey dress are simple up to date twists on the classic LBD which keeps it fresh. The creepers are one of those trends that doesn't really go out of fashion but evolves in style and is a great alternative to heels. They also so add a little edge to an outfit without being try hard.

 I wasn't really bothered with shopping this Christmas and New Year and didn't go out for the boxing day sales. I stayed at home snuggled up warm in my housecoat with a glass of wine and occasionally surfed the net lazily.  I could not be doing with train delays, massive crowds and jabbing people in the gut to get items that weren't even reduced enough to warrant the energy so online sales was mainly the way forward for me. I think I did very well lol.

What did you buy in the sales, let a girl know about them bargains!

Until next time ...........

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

Matalan Haul:A/W12

Well bonjour Madame Matalan!  Matalan isn't a shop I visit very often but that will definitely change. I have been receiving a lot of their catalogues and discount cards of late so decided to stop by.  I was a little late and didn’t discover Matalan until Uni days. Even then it was one of those shops that you hit like twice a year because of its random location. 

I am incredibly happy with the pieces I got and have already been complimented on several items. This is a very autumnal haul with key accents in plum, aubergine and oxblood. It was not deliberate but it seems that I am reaching for these rich colours more and more. The velvet metal capped brogues give a feminised shoe the much needed edge I love in my accessories and can be teamed with the floaty dress and blazer for a business look or with turned up jeggings and the over sized knit for a casual Friday look.

The over sized orangey coral clutch is really beautiful and the studded horses really lift the bag and add another element to any outfit. I also really loved the over sized tote in cream. You cant see very well from the image but it has a very slight hint of pinky mink blush to it which helps the rose gold studded detail to really warm up the tone of the bag. 

I always get flat ballet pumps where ever I can as I love them and they are super comfortable. The quilted finish is an added extra to the patent capped look we have been seeing on the high streets. Finally Metallics are very big this season and who could resist that gorgeous wear me at Halloween or Christmas party foiled dipped hem skirt? It really reminded me of the foiled Christmas wrapping paper and I just had to have it!

To be honest I didn't go mad as I was looking for smart casual pieces that could go from day to night and not have the rigidity of office wear.  For me their range this season was either too casual or to office wear, so it was definitely quality over quantity this time around. I would definitely suggest trying things on in store if it is your first foray into the shop as I have found their sizing really weird and usually have to go a size smaller some items and bigger in others. I would highly recommend their jumpers this season as they are comfy slouchy and tailored enough to be duel party and business pieces.

 Matalan have really stepped up their game over the last 10 years apparently and I can definitely say their clothes are fashionable and excellent quality. Unlike some other well know high street companies their leggings and jersey dresses don't bobble and tear upon impact with skin. Have you found any Matalan gems of late?

  Until next time.......

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

H&M and Primark body candy

Hey lovelies, just a quick one on new items in my jewellery box. Here are a few of my favs right now.....

I got these a few months back but loads of people have been asking me where I have got my necklaces from. So I thought I would share them in a post. When a woman chases you down the high road in the rain its time to give out the secrets lol

Collar: short rigid necklace was £7.99 now £3.99

I have been wearing this so much have had to prise it out of a few fast fingered friends hands. This is still on the H& M website in silver. I am unsure about in stores. I actually got my necklace for £5 so I was lucky I guess. This is a cool way to brighten up any outfit. The laser filigree cut out design is modern whilst the flowers give it a feminine elegant edge. I will say be careful of the hinges as they turn in odd ways and are strangely hard to twist back :-/

This is a detachable super long gold chain with a gorgeous orange rock pendant and gold backing. I love that the colour is so on trend and  I absolutely love rocks.  When I was younger I wanted to be a geologist or archaeologist so rock cores have always fascinated me. You can't really see it in the picture but the swirls are cool. I am totally feeling the hippie talisman quality and is a great summer alternative to the Navajo trend. This will defiantly get a lot of wear at festivals and beauts summer days lazing in the park. This would also work well as a key chain accessory. Unfortunately I couldn't find this online but it may still be in stores.

On to primarni.........

 Primark have been impressing me in regards to jewellery as of late! Their clothes are still a bit hit and miss unfortunately. The seasonal look books always look beautiful with several possible purchases but as everybody knows the primark shopping experience isn't the best. Anyway I bought these a few months ago once again and have been getting rave reviews.

Those massive hoops at the top were £2.50. they are so gorgeous and they look really different on every person (lost the back of one today waaahhh). I chose the silver as they looked better to me and the gold looked a little garish for my tastes. They are rather light compared to other hoops  but do have a little weight to them. As I have gotten older I am becoming more aware of  the fact that I need to preserve my ear holes. I don't want my ears weighed down and end up hanging or resting against my shoulders when I am old lol.

The earrings below were £2 as you can see. They have a strange tarnished finish to them . They have a mild  Grecian feel to them. Totally beauts.

I love, love , love this necklace.  I have been wearing it none stop! It was £4 and has a substantial weight to it and the hinged areas give it a really modern tribal feel. If you are creative and want to switch it up you could remove some panels or incorporate other jewellery pieces into the design them. It also looks good when worn the wrong way round as well.

Until next time lovers

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays