A day out with the boy!

So the other day I was home from work early to spend some time with my boy, see he works in retail so can end up working all weekend then having two days off in the week. This can get a little frustrating when you want to do stuff and when I work mon to fri. So the other day we decided to make the most of the sunshine, on went the shorts and off we went ... well almost. First we had to decide on something cheap and cheerful we could do in the local area, unfortunately we dont have a garden or we would just spend time out there. 

Anyway after a little bit of googling we found a local 18 hole mini golf course 5 minutes drive away and off we went. It was a lot of fun, a bit easy most of them par 2 but oh well we had a good time and took some funny pics. I know this selection are a bit small but meh. 

xXx

Three for the price of half one!

So the other day I was in town and saw these earrings in the New Look sale £3, I really liked them but thought they might be a bit big for day to day wear. The more I looked at them the more I decided that with a little fiddling they might work, so I bought them. When I got home I decided to take a look at exactly how they were put together to see where I could take them apart. 

In the end I have managed to come out with a pair of earrings, a long necklace and a bracelet. Here are the pics, top is the earrings as they were then the necklace, the new earrings and the bracelet. To make them I separated the two circles detached the gold feathers from both large circles at attached 1 to each earring. Then for the necklace I attached 2 of the silver feathers from one of the large circles to the other circle and used a cord off an old necklace with sections of gold beads. To make the bracelet I took another section of cord of the old necklace, cut it into three strands (to attach to the three loops) reattached the beads and plaited the chord. To finish I added a final section of beads and a clasp then used the remaining feather as detail. 

xXx

Gym update ..

So in the last few weeks I have aquired some new gym gear.

First up is just a little towel I got a the gym, I have a grey one from in our welcome pack but when you are going to the gym a few days a week its nice to be able to swap out so stuff can be washed and dried  properly. This is also the reason I have lots of different gym tops and bras so my stuff is fresh and clean.

Next up is my new running shoes! I decided that as my run was coming up soon it was time to get some actual running trainers. My current gym shoes are just a pair of adidas youths size 5 1/2, at the time they were the only decent priced trainers I liked the look of. I would recommend any girls out there who are just starting out to take a look in the kids/youths section of places like sports direct as they have good deals on good brands. 

The new ones are also adidas but they are designed for running, they have a nice thick heal to cushion the impact and lots of ventilation so stop feet sweating and getting minging. So far they are going really well, no pain or rubbing as yet, which I was expecting with them being brand new. 

I love the colour as well, not a big fan of white trainers they remind me of being a kid then of the chav kids at school who loved bright white trainers. These also came in a black but they were a bit harsh. I looked at a couple different pairs in Sports Direct but the girl said the heal on these would be best for me, and they were on offer at like £35. I did have a look over at the specific running trainers in the running section but they were all 45-90 odd quid which is a bit much for a 5k charity race and also a bit much for keep fit running. Plus if you talk to some of the professionals they actually recommend you buy a pair of decent shoes that are the best for you not necessarily the 'best' out there. 

I also picked up this karrimor arm strap for my iPhone, fiancé has the same one in yellow and black, they are really good if like use you like to listen to music then you train. the shiny bit on the front is a soft plastic that conducts so you can still use the touch screen on an iPhone and there is a little hole in the top for your headphones. The only downside I have found is that its one of these one size fits all deals so is a bit big on my arm even on the smallest size. The fastening is just velcro so I think I am going to give it a custom re-model hehe 

These next items might seem a bit random or try hard but bere with me. I picked up some Nike dry fit women's weight lifting gloves also from Sports Direct (its the only sports shop near us and offers branded stuff really cheap) Now dont get me wrong I have not been hitting the free weights with the fiancé, instead I got these for when I use the weight machines.

I know they have the rubber handles but if your gym is anything like ours you will know that those things are well worn and can move around a bit. Also I find that if I've done a good cardio session first or if its a warm day my hands slip which causes problems with my motion. I also got them as I was starting to develop callouses just under my fingers which is not a good look on a girl, having the gloves my grip is much better even when its warm and the callouses have stopped. 

I would definitely recommend looking into some if you are going to be using a lot of weight machines or will be starting with the free weights. 

The last bit of gym wear is a new gym top hehe I couldn't help myself when I saw it I love the colours on the adidas logo and I dont actually have a black one. The design is the same as my grey Nike and pink Adidas ones mainly because I find this style really comfortable. 

The length of the vest means that all three just cover my bum, I like this because they dont ride up or flap around when I run which I've found shorter tops can do and this is really irritating when you are trying to run etc  The racing back is a fairly obvious choice as it stays out of your way when you are moving your arms about so you dont have any restrictions on your motion, it also allows for excellent ventilation. The three tops are also all a bit loose, I like tight bottoms but looser tops so I can stay cool, the fairly straight sides on these mean that these are a great shape for me. 

So this was £10 from Sports Direct and the same style of top comes in lots of different colours for both Nike and Adidas. If you are looking to stock up on sports wear I would recommend looking in Sports Direct before going anywhere else. We have bought so much different stuff for me and for fiancé, he's had football stuff, running gear and general workout gear so we can definitely attest to them having a good variety.

The last two pics are just on here because I wanted to show them off but didn't want to put a whole post up. I decided to invest in some new swimwear for the gym because my stuff is mainly really old or bought for wearing abroad not swimming. I got these from Sainsburys of all places and I love the pattern its so bright and timeless. I'm having to get used to the one piece as its got tummy support which means that pulling it on is different to a normal cozzie. As for the two piece for that I'm having to get used to the briefs, I'm not overly confident about my bum so I have usually gone for shorts style bottoms. 

xXx

What to wear for a wedding ... Mark II ...

So the other day I wrote a post about what I was going to wear for a wedding. Well I have since completed my outfit, with the help of my mother.

I have two options:

A silk pashmina and a floral cardigan for if it is slightly cooler.

So my mum spotted both of these on a trip to Laura Ashley and after Whatsapping me pictures told me I had to go down to check them out. She had also sent me a pic of a edge to edge blazer style jacket in light pink which was really nice but looked the wrong shape on me. 

Mini Laura Ashley Haul!

First up the cardigan. 

Bracelet length sleeves, covered buttons and a round neck. The pattern is really nice, dark purple and bright pink flowers on a white back ground, so it tones in really well with my dress whilst still adding a pop of colour. Its also really soft and not too thin so will be excellent if its a bit cool. 

This is in store at the minute for £65 but I took advantage of a 30% off deal so got it for £45.50!! Bargain. I also liked this cardigan as well because I can wear it again, with this dress or a different outfit and it doesn't look too Wedding. 

Second up is the Pashmina, this is Laura Ashley again. Floral pattern but more muted lilacs and pinks with a hint of green. I likes this one because its quite big so I can wear it as a wrap around my shoulders  and tops of my arms for in church, but still be cool if its a really warm day.

Again this will tone in really well with other outfits, and as I am a lover of pashminas will add to my collection as a nice summer addition.

This is in store at the minute for £27 but I got it the same day as the cardigan so got 30% off and bought it for £19.60! another bargain.

After securing a cardigan and pashmina that last piece of my outfit was a bag! Cue a trip to the Metrocentre and a look in Accessorise.

I usually love this shop as I am a bit of  a magpie when it comes to jewellery as fiancé will definitely attest to hehe

So initially I just wanted to have a look at a cute little envelope clutch I had seen online, it was cream with yellow down the sides. I didn't know how light it would be so thought it could tone in quite well with the white cardigan, and yellow is complimentary to purple so there we go. Unfortunately when I got in the shop it wasn't quite as bright yellow as I was hoping so decided against it. As we were looking fiancé spotted this little lilac number in the same bag.

As you can see its the same envelop style but in light lilac with cream sides. It also has an over the shoulder handle which is really handy. I thought this would tone in really well with my dress and cardigan/pashmina. 

So I had already picked this one up but an assistant had heard us talking and asked if we were ok, I told her we were going to a wedding and described my outfit. She said they also had a really nice light cream art deco style clutch in the back which I might like to look at. When she got it out the back I was really torn ... 

As you can see they are both gorgeous and will both look lovely with my outfit ... what to do. Step in fiancé who suggests I just get both I can decide closer to the date which one I want to use for the Ampleforth wedding and keep the other for another wedding or event ... I knew there was a reason I was marrying him hehe. 

So as you can see this one is a slightly smaller clutch, but a litte wider and has a lovely folded art deco design. It also has an over the shoulder handle, I prefer when bags do as its nice to have the option, I have sewn one in on a bag before because its easier when you are out to have 2 hands at times. 

Both of these are from Accessorise, the first is on the site atm but the second isn't, lilac was £27 and cream was £30.

Due to the fact my cardigan now has a white base I think I am going to swap out the cream/nude court shoes and go for a silver pair of Mode in Pelle shoes I have had for ages. They are really comfy, I have worn them to 2 evening events so know I can last in them and dance. 

As for a fascinator my mum has a really light almost white one which is really nice that I think I will use. Not too sure what I will be doing with my hair yet but hey I have the best part of 2 months to decide that. 

Totting it all up I've made quite a saving :D 

Dress:           Hobbs       RRP £179       Bought £89         Saving £90

Cardigan:     LA             RRP £65         Bought £45.50    Saving £19.50

Pashmina:    LA             RRP £27         Bought £19.60    Saving £7.40 

Handbags:   Accessorise Bought retail £30 and £27, Only going to use 1 at a time so call it £30 

Shoes, fascinator and jewellery I already own. 

Total outfit: 

Retail                    £301.00  (including both cardigan and pashmina) 

Spend:                  £184.10 

Saving:                 £116.90 

Thats 63.5% saved, awesome!!! 

I cant wait to go to this wedding I think its going to be a great weekend. 

xXx