Posts tagged Boots

January Sales Haul

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Hi everyone!

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas.  Mine was spent at home with family, which is just how I like it.

After a few days of relaxing, and purposefully avoiding the first crazy days of the sales, I spent yesterday and today doing a bit of shopping.  Luckily the shops weren’t too busy, and though I didn’t go mad, I managed to get quite a few items that I’m really pleased with.  Here are most of them…

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Primark Biker Jacket – Was £23.00, Paid £10.00

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Primark Dressing Gown – Was £12.00, Paid £5.00

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George Penguin Fleece – Was £16.00, Paid £8.00

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Primark Black Bag – Was £6.00, Paid £3.00

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Primark Green Bag – Was £6.00, Paid £3.00

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New Look Boots – Was £27.99, Paid £14.00

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New Look Shoes – Was £11.99, Paid £4.00

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7″ – Was £139.99, Paid £79.00

I bought a few other things in the sales which aren’t pictured, including a pair of gloves for £2.00, some Christmas decorations reduced from £3.00 to £1.00, a diary for £1.99 (down from £7.00) and a Vax hoover for £45.00, reduced from about £70.00.  I also bought a couple of non-sale items too, namely a top and a case for my new tablet.

In total, I made a huge saving of around £90.00 in the sales this year, made all the better by the fact that a few items were paid for using vouchers that I got for Christmas.

What did you get in the sales?

Naomi x

What I Wore: November Red

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The last couple of months have been ridiculously busy and stressful for Charles and I, what with us both starting new jobs and moving house.  This weekend was the first in many that we had time to spend on ourselves, doing whatever we wanted, so that’s exactly what we did!  Seeing as Friday was pay day, we spent Saturday shopping, eating in our favourite bar, and in the evening we went to the annual bonfire and fireworks display at the local park.

A relaxed weekend called for a relaxed outfit, and as there is finally an autumn chill in the air, and I was spending most of the day (and evening) outside, it had to be warm too!

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New Look Leather Biker Jacket (Thrifted) / Primark Crew Neck Top / Blue Rags Red Ornate Embroidered Trousers / Dr Martens Lauren Boots / DressLink Cowl Scarf / Topshop Leather Bag (Thrifted)

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These red embroidered trousers are a new purchase of mine.  They’re by a French label called Blue Rags, but I actually got them from Everything5Pounds.  Most of my wardrobe is black, but I like to add a splash of colour here and there, and these trousers are the ideal shade for Autumn.  They’re incredibly soft and comfortable and the detail of the embroidery is stunning.  I also ordered a pair in black and I’m so glad I did as they’re a real statement piece.

My Dr Martens Lauren boots are another new purchase.  They have that buckled biker look that I adore, so they match my biker jacket, but they’re not as clumpy as a lot of my other Dr Martens.  I’ve been wearing these a lot over the last few weeks, casually with jeans, but also with my work dresses, and I think they look great.  I walk to work so it’s essential that I have a warm, comfy, waterproof, sturdy pair of boots for the winter, and these tick all the boxes.

Naomi x

NOTD: Barry M Glitterati ‘Fashion Icon’

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When it comes to nail products, Barry M are one of my favourite brands, so when they announced a flurry of new shades for Autumn/Winter 2014, I was incredibly excited!  As well as adding new colours to their Gelly, Silk, Classic and Aquarium ranges, and releasing some gorgeous Christmas glitters, Barry M have also launched the new Glitterati collection.  Glitterati features six ‘blinging’ glitter paints, and they really caught my eye when I first saw them on Instagram.

So far I’ve only picked up three shades from the new selection – Rockstar and Fashion Icon from Glitterati, and the new Aquarium Glitter, Atlantis.  I’ll be posting about each shade individually over the coming weeks, plus any more that I end up buying, but today’s NOTD is Fashion Icon.

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Blue and purple are two of my favourite and most worn colours, so I was immediately drawn to this beautiful shade.  Fashion Icon has a purple base with a blue duochrome effect, and is packed full of micro glitter, some of which is holographic.  I find this shade so mesmerizing as it looks different every time I look at it.  It goes from electric blue to grape purple to bright violet in one movement, whilst all the time remaining strikingly sparkly.

All of my swatches show three thin coats, with no base coat or top coat, which I think looks great, but I bet it’d look just as gorgeous layered over a deep purple shade.

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I’ve also found Fashion Icon to be impressively hard-wearing.  Despite spending the whole day cleaning, unpacking boxes and generally being busy, my nails look just as good as they did when I first painted them.

I can really see this wonderful shade becoming one of my all time favourite glitters, and I can’t wait to swatch Rockstar to see if it’s as stunning as this one.

Barry M’s Glitterati nail paints cost £3.99 each, and are available in store and online from Superdrug and Boots, and online from Barry M.

Naomi x

What I Wore: Foxton Locks

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Today my fiancé and I visited Foxton Locks with my sister and her boyfriend.  Foxton Locks are ten canal locks on the Leicester line of the Grand Union Canal, and the whole area is so lovely and green.  I’ve always enjoyed visiting the Locks, ever since I was a child, but today’s trip was extra special as it was the first time my fiancé had been.  We all had a nice time and had a little picnic whilst we watched the boats go by, before going for a walk along the canal paths.

As April’s weather is usually unpredictable, I thought layers would be best, so I wore my favourite Primark skater dress (which is becoming a Spring wardrobe staple of mine), and teamed it with my trusty faux leather biker jacket and some basic leggings.  Over this I wore an oversized but light floral skull scarf which I thrifted last year, for an extra bit of warmth if necessary.  As it happens, the weather was gorgeous and the sun was shining, but luckily it didn’t get too hot.

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Primark Faux Leather Biker Jacket / Primark Faux Leather Cap Sleeve Skater Dress / Primark Leggings / Dr Martens 1460 W Purple Shimmer Boots / Abandon Floral Skull Scarf (thrifted) / Topshop Leather Stud Bag (thrifted)

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As I knew we’d be walking a lot, I thought it best to throw on my Dr Martens, which was definitely the right call, and I also took another thrifty find of mine – my Topshop leather stud bag.  The perfect size to carry my camera and picnic food.

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I’m so pleased that Spring is finally underway as I love being out and about enjoying the nice weather, and today was a great opportunity to do so!  Have you been taking advantage of the sunshine lately?

Naomi x

Rekindling my Love of Converse

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When I was a teenager, my footwear of choice was always Converse.  I had bright ones, plain ones, printed ones, even tie dye ones, but for some unknown reason I stopped wearing them a few years ago, and moved on to boots and heels.  But all that changed when I spotted this pair of beauties on the John Lewis website…

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This particular pair of Hi-Tops are a new style, and are made of soft black suede, so they’re a bit warmer and a bit thicker, but just as comfortable and casual as their canvas counterparts.  They also feel really soft and luxurious to the touch.  What first drew me to them was the all over polka dot print as I’m crazy about polka dots, and I love the combination of large and small silver dots. The grey laces are also a nice touch, as they blend in better than the usual glaringly white laces.

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I’ve worn these almost every day this week, and I’ve had a lot of fun styling them in different ways. One day I wore them with jeans and a jumper, another day with a skater dress and leggings, and yesterday with a somewhat smarter dress, and they looked great with everything.  That’s the beauty of Converse… They’re just so versatile!

I’ve well and truly fallen back in love with Converse All Stars, and I’m looking forward to wearing my polka dot pretties all Spring long.  I have a new black mini skirt that I can’t wait to pair them with!  You can find these and many other Converse styles online at John Lewis.

Naomi x

*These Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Printed Suede Hi-Top Trainers were paid for using vouchers that were sent to me.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*

What I Wore: Sloppy Joe

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After a stressful week of work, job interviews and getting caught in the rain, I fancied a bit of a day off today. Granted I had to go food shopping and do some washing, but other than that I’ve had a chilled day of taking photos for my blog/eBay, and writing. A relaxed day calls for a relaxed outfit, so I decided to wear my new sloppy joe jumper, which has to be one of my favourite sale buys of the season.

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House of Fraser Label Lab Men’s Jumper / Primark Grey Skinny Jeans / H&M Black Ankle Boots / Claire’s Bird Skull Necklace

Here’s a bit of advice from me… never bypass the men’s department just because you’re a woman! I found this little beauty in the men’s section of House of Fraser, and it’s by a brand called Label Lab. This was the only one left and it’s a size XL, but I think it looks great as an oversized slouchy jumper.  I’d even wear it as a jumper dress over leather-look leggings.  The jumper feels incredibly soft, and is soooo comfy and warm.  I love it, and at £14.40, down from £45.00, it was an absolute bargain.

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This outfit also features two other bargains from my January Sale haul.  The grey skinny jeans were a snip at just £5.00 from Primark.  I was actually surprised to find these, as Primark jeans are usually too short for me, but these are long length and fit me perfectly.

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I bought this cute little bird skull necklace yesterday whilst in town.  I spotted a £1 stand in the doorway of Claire’s and just had to have a look, and picked up this necklace and two others for a total of £3.  Not bad!

Do you have a sloppy joe jumper that you turn to on lazy days?

Naomi x

What I Wore: Batik & Black

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Hi everyone!

Today I thought I’d share with you what I wore on New Year’s Day.  My outfit of choice consisted of a gorgeous new pair of jeans that I purchased from ASOS in their winter sale, which I paired with a simple black zip back jumper from Primark.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPrimark Black Zip Back Jumper / ASOS Only Batik Skinny Jeans / H&M Black Ankle Boots / H&M Black and Gold Clutch Bag

I seem to have collected quite a few black tops over the past few months, so I decided to invest in some colourful pieces to wear with them, and these Batik Skinny Jeans by Danish brand Only do not disappoint.  Purple is my favourite colour, and I’ve always been a fan of batik/tie dye style prints, so as soon as I saw these I knew I had to have them.  They’re an excellent fit as well.  The sizing is accurate, and they have a range of leg lengths to choose from, so they are plenty long enough for my 36″ inside leg!  These jeans cost me £12.50, down from £60.00, and they’ve now been reduced even further to £11.00, so I have ordered another pair as I love them so much.

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To finish the outfit, I went for more black.  A few weeks ago I received a couple of fashion items from BLOGGERS[edit] to review, so I decided to give them a whirl with this outfit.  Despite only expecting one item from them, BLOGGERS[edit] actually sent me two (thanks!) – a gorgeous pair of black ankle boots, and a surprise black and gold clutch bag, both from H&M.

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Those who read my blog regularly will know that I have a thing for black, and a thing for boots, so these Black Ankle Boots are right up my street.  They’re made of imitation suede which looks and feels almost real, and they have a sturdy but flexible rubber sole so they’re easy and comfortable to walk in.  One thing I always look for in simple black footwear is a little bit of a twist to make them a bit more interesting, and these pass that test.  The boots have a curved panel on the front, and a lip at the top that sits higher than the back, giving them a slightly more unusual shape.  At £24.99 these are a real bargain!

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This Black and Gold Clutch Bag is a little beauty, and even comes with a chain strap hidden inside, so you can wear it over your shoulder if you so wish.  The bag has a sturdy gold metallic shell, which is underlaid with soft black suedette, and it fastens with a large clip on top.  Despite only costing £14.99, the bag oozes quality, and adds a touch of glamour to any outfit.  It’s not the biggest bag in the world, but it’s roomy enough for your phone, keys, money, lipstick and chewing gum, which is just about everything you need on a night out.

What do you think of this outfit?

Naomi x

*These Black Ankle Boots and Black & Gold Clutch Bag were sent to me by BLOGGERS[edit], on behalf of H&M, for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*

Party Shoes from Brantano

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Happy New Year everyone!  The festive season may be over, and funds are likely running low, but that doesn’t mean celebrations have to stop!  I was recently browsing Brantano’s range of ladies shoes and they have a huge selection of party shoes available at impressively low prices, so we can all continue to look good and have fun in 2014!  There are a large variety of brands available, some well-known and some not so well-known, and hundreds of really beautiful shoes that are perfect to go with that dress.  Here are my party shoe picks from the Brantano website.

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Emilio Luca X Red Starry Night – £32 / Emilio Luca X Red Lacey Cassy – £30 / Emilio Luca X Red Lace Boot – £23 / Emilio Luca X High Rise – £16 / Emilio Luca X Red Glitter Toe – £30 / Emilio Luca X Red Glitter Power – £21 / Emilio Luca X Red Nicky Glitter – £22 / Emilio Luca X Pointed – £14 / Madden Girl Getta – £23

Brantano is the ideal place to go if you’re looking for an affordable pair of shoes that look great, and are good quality too.  I always enjoy nipping into my local store when I’m nearby, as you never know what little gem you might be able to pick up on a budget.  I particulary have my eye on the Nicky Glitter shoe boots pictured above.  They are just so pretty and would look amazing teamed with a simple black dress, an equally glitzy clutch bag and some matching statement jewellery.

If you like the look of any of these shoes, or anything else on the Brantano website, it might be worth popping down to your local Brantano store to pick up a pair ready for any parties you may have coming up!

Naomi x

*This post is a collaboration.*

What I Wore: Bitch

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I know I’m a few years behind the universe on this one, but I recently started watching Breaking Bad and, just as the rest of you were, I am well and truly hooked!  So much so that I just had to add something Breaking Bad related to my wardrobe.  Jesse Pinkman is my favourite character (he’s just so well written), and I love the fact that he single-handedly revived the word ‘bitch’ from the bottom of the 90s insult bin, so this t-shirt is my tribute to Jesse and his famous catchphrase.

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  Jonny Cotton Jesse Pinkman ‘Bitch’ T-Shirt / New Look Black Skinny Jeans / Schuh Black Biker Boots

I ordered the t-shirt from an eBay shop called Jonny Cotton.  I was slightly worried at first as it’s impossible to judge the quality of t-shirts like this on eBay, but I’m really pleased with it.  Both the fabric and the print are great quality, and at £7.99 with free postage it was an absolute bargain.  I’m usually a size 12 but I ordered a men’s medium as, being 5’10”, I often find women’s tees to be too short in the body and I wanted something baggier, and it fits really nicely and isn’t too shapeless.  I’d definitely recommend Jonny Cotton for printed tees.

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I teamed the t-shirt with my go-to black skinny jeans from New Look, and a pair of black biker boots from Schuh that I found lurking under my bed.  I must have had them for about five years now and I wasn’t too keen on them at first, hence why they were under my bed, but they’re starting to grow on me now.

Do you like Breaking Bad?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.  But please, no spoilers!

Naomi x

‘Spend or Save’ Fashion and Beauty Christmas Gift Guide

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Whether you’re on a tight budget, or you’re able to flash the cash this Christmas, today’s festive post features a selection of ‘Spend or Save’ fashion and beauty gift ideas for women.  The ‘Spend’ section includes a variety of luxury options for those who want to spend that little bit more on a loved one, and the ‘Save’ section includes some great alternatives that are just as good, but don’t cost the Earth.

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Spend:

Alexander Wang Kirsten Bag $295 from ialexanderwang.com / Jurlique Rose Shower Gel (300ml) £14.40 from LookFantastic / Urban Decay Naked2 Palette £33.30 (was £37.00) from Debenhams / Ciaté Tree Trinkets £21.00 (was £30.00) for 6 from Ciate / No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum (30ml) £23.95 from Boots / Dr Martens Cherry Red 1460 Boots £100 from Dr Martens

Save:

Multi Belt Two Way Bag £38 from Rings & Tings / Bayliss & Harding Wild Rose and Raspberry Leaf Shower Creme £1.99 from Superdrug / MUA Undress Me Too Palette £4 from MUA / Lacura Multi Intensive Serum Aqua £3.49 from Aldi / Limited Collection Mini Nail Polish & Lip Gloss Bauble £5.00 each from M&S / Burgundy Boots £24.99 from H&M

I’ve been lusting after Alexander Wang’s Kirsten Bag for ages, but it’s really quite expensive and difficult to track down, so when I spotted the copy on Rings & Tings I just had to share it with you all!  I don’t yet have either bag myself, but from photographs the copy looks pretty impressive.

I currently have both the Jurlique and the Bayliss & Harding rose shower gels in my bathroom, and they are equally lovely.  The Jurlique one foams better, but each has a distinct sweet rose scent and luxurious packaging, making them both gift-worthy.

The Urban Decay Naked2 palette is perhaps one of the most highly sought after beauty products in the blogosphere, so would make an excellent gift for any beauty blogger.  If it’s a bit out of your budget though, MUA’s Undress Me Too palette is the perfect dupe.  I have it myself and the eyeshadows are all excellent quality, and at £4.00 you really can’t complain!

I’m new to serums, but have recently started to use the Lacura Multi Intensive Serum from Aldi.  It’s aimed at women aged 25-35, so I’m almost in that age bracket, and it makes your skin feel so soft and plump.  It’s lovely, and an absolute steal, but if you want to gift a more classic brand then No.7 is the way to go.

When I first put this guide together, Ciaté’s Tree Trinkets were £30 for the set, but they have now been reduced to £21 which is actually a pretty good deal, especially if you want to split the set up as smaller gifts.  If you want more for your money however, M&S’s beauty bauble contains a nail polish and two miniature lip glosses for £5.  I also spotted a Primark equivalent earlier this week, costing £2 for a bauble containing 3 little lip glosses, which is even better value for money!

I absolutely adore Dr Martens and am building up quite a collection.  They last forever and, once they’ve been broken in, are incredibly comfortable.  But if you’re looking for a cheaper version for your fashion-loving friend this Christmas, H&M’s burgundy boots look fab.

Check back soon for another ‘Spend or Save’ gift guide!

Naomi x

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