Christmas Presents

A bit late with a Christmas presents haul but I'm always in two minds when sharing gifts 'cos there's always the risk of people thinking you're bragging; personally, I love reading these posts - I'm noisy like that - and it's a great way to get ideas and find undiscovered gems. :)

Gorgeous DKNY bag - the colour is in between brown/grey - smart looking and I will definitely save it for special occasions.

People know me well and they have been certainly feeding my pugs & owls obsession! :)

Check out these pugs salt&pepper shakers - Awesome or what?!!!

I love watching American Pickers and my husband got me a t-shirt from the States - love the rooster logo!

The frame with the wire is an handmade jewellery holder; the shabby-chic feel is right up my alley and it will look perfect against the purple wall in the bedroom.

Basilur Tea is a tea brand that I discovered few years ago and my mum sent me a new selection book over the holidays; I don't normally like fruity teas but their selection are delicious/yet not too sweet. I'd definitely recommend to check their website http://basilurtea.co.uk if you're a tea junkie - prices are average and their packagings are beautiful too.

Beauty related goodies: Especially Escada Eau de Parfum is a fragrance that I've been liking since it came out few years ago; it's described as joyful and light-hearted and I couldn't agree more - definitely not overpowering.

My sister also got me this Laura Ashley Fig Tree & Cassis Hand Wash & Hand Lotion Gift Set because she knows I love fig scents; this smells like proper fig leaves with a sweet twist and the hand lotion is also very good quality and light. I don't shop in Laura Ashley often enough, they are currently having a massive sale and I will make sure to pop in and check it out.

Finally… Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette! Yes, I couldn't resist and asked Santa for it. I will do a dedicated post with swatches soon. 

Haul / Clothes & Accessories

Autumn always puts me in the mood for shopping. I love buying winter stuff - the colours, the textures, the variety... when it comes to clothes hauls, I'm never sure what to say - Pictures definitely speak louder than words so here is what I picked up recently.

Forever 21 Life In Progress Bleached Denim Shirt Dress

I've been looking for a denim shirt dress exactly like this one, for while! 

I can take or leave the bleached effect, but the length is perfect (not too short that I can also wear it at the office) and it has a built-in braided leather elastic belt. I think it would look super sexy with cowboy boots - unfortunately, I just have regular boots ;) 

Zara Denim Skater Skirt

A cute weekend alternative - I'm planning to wear it casual with a white shirt tucked in and trainers.

Zara Pinstripe Mini Skirt

There are some fab skirts in Zara, this season!

Love the pinstripes, the ruffle and the fabric is super soft... it's not that mini either.

Dorothy Perkins Cobalt Twist Neck Tee

Something comfortable for the office. I like the texturized effect and what a gorgeous colour... although it looks like it's going to crease like crazy, otherwise I would get one in every colour - it's a nice basic top.

Dorothy Perkins Mirrored Floral Print

I've been wanting this for a while: I like the mirrored effect, the floral, the pastels and the more you look the more you see stuff (never noticed the ballerina until now). It's very flattering on, too!

I scored these Warehouse earrings for £2 - woop woop - I think they are cute! :)

Also, picked up a couple of items from the Asos sales:

Matt And Nat Japanese Paper Wallet

I thought the distressed effect was pretty cool and also the wrap around string. It looks pretty roomy but at the same time compact and flat. 

Becksondergaard C-Starry Sky Burgundy Scarf

umm, like I need another scarf (!)

Personally, I don't know this brand but there is a bunch of different scarves on sale for £8, down from £33 so I decided to buy one and then see if I liked it. I like it! :)

It's very long but thin so you can wrap it around easily; I like burgundy and the silver stars that are stitched on. 

... that's all folks! :)

Haul / January Sales

Hobbs Caravaggio Dress £199 £59
ohhhhhh I'm so pleased about this purchase!
I've been eyeing this dress since I saw it in August and finally, at under 60quid, I can afford it. :)
Beautiful print, soft at the touch and flattering waist and sleeves. Smart enough for a friend's wedding later in the year... it will both suit a spring or autumn event.

Oasis Crochet Ruffle Snood £16 £7

I actually thought this was a scarf but turned out to be a snood, not an issue for me.

I spotted it in the sale pile and loved the colour and lace knitting pattern - I couldn't leave it behind for 7quid.

Ted Baker Nail That Performance £12 £6

I already mentioned how I wanted this nail set when I go the lip pens tin.
I have only tried 2 colours so far but I'm impressed: colour is pretty opaque with only 1 coat and the glitter is very fine, leaving a smooth surface. They also dry very fast. I suppose the real test is to see how long they last without chipping.

Ted Baker Rowon Rocking Horse Earrings £29 £14.50
I couldn't resist these sweet Ted Baker's studs at half price. Love the rose gold colour, unfortunately the matching ring was too small.

Ted Baker Jewellery Travel Box £46 £31
uh! Apparently Ted Baker theme going on... ;)
I received an House of Fraser gift voucher at Christmas so I picked up this small jewellery box. I chose this colour combo 'cause it's smart and it'd look beautiful on any dressing table. It comes with a magnetised compartment inside.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet-Creme £20 £10
I bought this in Debenhams - I think they are discontinuing Caudalie so everything is on offer; the packaging has now changed but I don't mind this bottle.
I have plenty of day creams that I need to finish first, but this is one of my favourite and was on my list of items to repurchase. You can read my review here.

Finally not sales related but I also got some yarns and needles to getting started with my NY resolution: knitting. I discovered John Lewis has got a wide section... I couldn't wait and I've already started - I'm enjoying it very much... any other knitter out there??!
xxx

Christmas Presents

Happy New Year!!!

I took a well deserved (well, in my opinion) break over Christmas; I still had to work a couple of days during the holidays (which sucked big time!) but for the rest I literally did sweet nothing.

I had a lovely Christmas and New Years Eve and consciously tried to detox from technology a bit; I still checked my phone (constantly?) and used the iPad but I haven't turned up my desktop in 2 weeks and felt right, actually - I now feel totally recharged and got few post to share!

... and what's the best way to re-start then Christmas Presents?!

Once again, I was spoiled rotten and love everything I was gifted... it's fair to say that Richard and I give each other a list because I hate surprises and I stink at coming up with ideas every year.

Although, I also realised that I need to stop to buy myself stuff because I was actually straggling to come up with things that I really wanted.

I love Lowie pieces but they are fairly expensive plus the book is to start off my New Year Resolution - knitting!

Hat is a lovely present from a friend that knows me well and my love for owls - soooo adorable and makes me look cute! ;)

Swatch Lady Collection in artic sea - This watch is just too cool and I couldn't resist. It comes in so many gorgeous colours but I went with the minty pastel green. It has a long bracelet that wraps around twice. I'm gonna wear it layered with more arm beauties.

Calendar was a sweet wee extra from my hubby... and I totally melted 'cause I'm obsessed with pugs!!!

Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules perfume - a wild card really because I had never smelled this before; honestly, I still need to make up my mind about it: I don't hate it but I was expecting more... on the other hand, my husband really likes it. I heard it works well layered with other scents so I'll try that next.

Plantini is a gorgeous Victorian metal planthouse to build - I think it will make a very interesting decoration piece.

Nike gym bag - I love the colours on this bag and I have been eyeing it for months... when I spotted it on sale, I added it to my wishlist. I'm very pleased, I thought it would be too big but it's actually perfect for everyday use.

Comete Gioielli Romantica Necklace - my parents sent my this necklace that matches the bracelet from my birthday post. Stunning!

The blue framed tile is already on my kitchen wall and the Swatch Bijoux Glamorous Love Earrings are a present from my sister; she knew they would match my Love Explosion ring and my Swarovski Malaysia set, too! They are great studs for every day, too and I haven't taken them off yet since I got them.

ummm, do you remember when I said that I kinda of like pugs? Well, we're bringing this obsession to a whole new level here... Richard's sister got me the Flying Pugs from Dwell. I cannot wait to put them up on the wall! :D

 New Pjs and dressing gown are in order every year, of course - posh ones if I may add, this time. Love the colour on those Calvin Klein trousers and the stars on the robe.

Givenchy' Dahlia Noir eau de toilette is beautiful - I urge you to go and have a sniff, it's just up my street!

Gift vouchers from House of Fraser and French Connection from Richard's mum and she also gave us this lovely frame - ideal for a wedding picture!
Finally, my parents also sent me some extra presents to open on the 6th January - the Epiphany is just as big in Italy as Christmas; It's a national holidays and more for kids really which get sweets and presents.
My parents got me the matching earrings from Comete Gioielli and a card game; this is our family thing: since I was a child I would always get some cards or board game and I still love them *geek* :)

What did you lovely ladies receive?
xxx

Delivery / Asos

I placed a cheeky order on Asos.com few weeks ago... well, not that cheeky after all since everything was on sale.

Yeah, I kinda of trained myself to avoid the website, otherwise I would order something every bloody week - still, I let myself indulge during the sales... good compromise, right?! ;)

ASOS Lula Ballet Flats with Colour Block

I've been wanting a pair of pastel flats for few months but couldn't decide on the colour... so I went multicolour - yay - and I like the metallic inserts, too.

These were pretty affordable at normal price (£25) but I got them for 13quid which I'm very pleased with. I wear a 7Uk and the shoes are a bit on the large side but the 6 was too small... oh the joy of being an half size, NOT!!!

They didn't come in a box but they sent them in a dust bag, at least.

 Oasis Pearl Flower Stretch Ring & Earrings

That's a lovely wee set for under a tenner! The earrings were £6 (down from £10) and the ring only £3 (down from £12).

The rose gold caught my eyes, at first... and then I thought that the pearl and the black enamel combo were kinda of Marc Jacobs-esque, too.

 I just wish the earrings thingy on the back was central but they are small enough that the flower doesn't actually hang off the earlobe (am I making any sense here??!)

 Nice detailing of the metal, tho and the ring is stretching so is very comfortable and no issue with the size there.

 Ted Baker Raspberry Ring

There's a whole series of jelly fruits from Ted Baker... I've also seen a yellow lemon and green apple; you can get the matching pendant, too but I actually got the ring to wear it with an Hobbs necklace that I already got (just realised that I never featured it on the blog so I'm gonna post a pic below).

I wanna bite it!!!

 As always, every detail is perfect - there's an engraving with the brand and the size on the inside of the ring and the packaging per se is outstanding.

Hobbs necklace

Did you hit the Asos sale? :)