A Primark haul - and a few shoes!

Hello there,

Question for you all - how many pairs of shoes is too many? Reason I ask is because I ambled into Primark for a quick look around - and ended up leaving with 3 pairs. And if that wasn't enough - I then popped into New Look and bought another pair.

In my defense - I really did need some new flats (but 4 pairs - seriously?) Anyway - here's a look at some of the goodies I got.

3 espadrille style shoes at £4 a pair. They seriously feel like slippers and have already been well used. They're perfect for wearing with jeans or a summer dress (did I mention they are SO comfortable?)

Primark slouchy tees are the best. At £2 each they're perfect for layering up under jumpers or cardigans during these chilly spring evenings. 

A sleeveless navy blouse for £8. I think this will work well as a blouse or worn open with a vest top during summer. Plus it's that great material that never creases (ideal if you hate ironing as much as me!).

There's a bit of a blue/navy theme with this haul. I've been looking for navy cushions for a while and these were 2 for £6. Lovely soft velour finish and very cuddly and comfy.

And finally for Primark, something I always get, a few packs of their cosmetic cotton pads for 50p a pack. I also picked up a new blending brush - I've seen these around for a while now and I'm interested to see how they feel (so far it feels a little like using a kitten's paw....).

And if that wasn't enough shoes...I'd seen these shoes from New Look online, but often things online never look as good in real life. Well, these were better. And after wearing them for a very long day of walking, I can confirm they are a winner. 

So that's my little (or not so little) shopping haul. You know it's a biggish shop in Primark when they give you two bags.... oops!

Thanks for reading

Cathy

xx

New shoes from Dorothy Perkins (they have glitter!)

Hello there,

I'm sure a lot of you will know what I mean when I say - have you ever been shopping and seen something you loved, but didn't need?

I certainly don't need any more shoes (especially not trainers). The bottom of my wardrobe looks like the stock room of a shoe shop at the best of times....but these shoes from Dorothy Perkins? Well, let's just say, my heart overtook my head.

Oh look, they've got glitter toes, heels and suede. Perfect practical shoes for the British Autumn/Winter. But you know what? I don't care. I love them. I think that if you walk past something in a shop and it makes you stop and go 'oooh' - then it's a winner.

I love (and as I've got older, need) practical shoes. But if they come with added sparkle, than I'm sold.

Happy feet = happy me

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

A day at RHS Rosemoor - holiday post

Hello there,

Has there ever been something which you didn't really 'get' or understand? For me it's gardening. I love to sit in gardens and I could look at them all day, but the practical side of gardening confuses the hell out me. Bit like this really:

So when it was suggested we spend a day at RHS Rosemoor during our week in Devon, I braced myself for a day of confusing terms, lots of nodding at unpronounceable plants and a hell of a lot of walking.

And you know what? It wasn't bad at all. We bought our tickets online before we travelled down to save a few quid and it worked out at £9 an adult. Not the cheapest thing to do but if you plan to spend the whole day there like we did, it's not too bad. I also took a LOT of water, sunglasses and sunscreen as it was a hot day with a lot of walking around in not a lot of shade. My trusty Primark trainers were so comfy.

There's a quite a lot of photos - but just be grateful I didn't include all the individual plant ones that were taken during the day - otherwise you'd be scrolling through 100's of them!

There was a lovely mix of formal and wild meadows, I did enjoy ambling through here.

And of course, no holiday to Devon is complete without a cream tea and a local beer.

So the overall verdict from a non-gardener? I had a great day. It helps that I like people watching and I was quite content to be just left to sit and admire the view while everyone else raved over the vegetable gardens. It also helps to come prepared with water and proper footwear. Would I come again?

Yes!!! It really was an unexpectedly good day (can you tell from the photo?)

Thanks for reading.

Cathy
xx

Shoe haul - TU and Primark

Hello there,

I've been quite ruthless lately and had a major clear out of old shoes, shoes that I'm never going to wear again, shoes that don't fit and those shoes that me wonder 'what the hell was I thinking when I bought them' shoes.

So of course, that left gaps in my wardrobe. But instead of being good, I went shoe hunting. Now in my defence, Sainsburys had a double up promotion on their Nectar Points, so technically I didn't really spend anything...

Anyway, here's what I found from TU at Sainsburys. I really like the shoe range here. I find their sizing true to size and they often seem to have 25% off or a Nectar point promotion.

Now if only I had a beach holiday to wear these on! I don't think they're going to be any good for hiking through the Belgian countryside. But even so, they were so sparkly.

These next shoes are whole lot more suitable for everyday wear. I think they're going to look great with jeans in the spring summer months. But...my goodness they leave glitter everywhere!

And finally - I popped into Primark and spotted these. They're supposed to be beach shoes, but I plan to use them around the house and in the garden. For £4 they're cheap and cheerful for just ambling around.

So that's it - no more shoe purchases this summer - or is that famous last words?

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

Star Wars trainers and other bits

Hello there,

I had a bit of a successful shop in Primark the other day. I'd been on the hunt for some pink Star Wars trainers since spotting them on Instagram. But frustratingly, there was nothing in my local branch (it was becoming an obsession - I needed those shoes in my life!).

I'd finally resigned myself to never owning a pair - until that is I popped along the coast to Portsmouth. Despite it being a smaller Primark, they had a pair left in my size. Cue much excited and undignified squealing...

So here they are, it was truly love at first sight.

And if that wasn't enough shoe shopping for one day, I spotted these beautiful shoes in Dorothy Perkins. Now I'm lucky enough to be able to wear standard width shoes - which I'm pretty sure these are. They're not terribly practical and to be honest, I couldn't see me wearing them for a whole day of shopping - but they're glittery, sparkly and have little hearts on the back - what's not to love?

To round off the day, some unicorn, cloud and dinosaur socks - obviously!

So that was my little shoe haul, and as my other half pointed out, it looked like a teenager had been shopping. Which is perfect - let's hope I never dress for my age!

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

Day trip to London and the Cutty Sark

Hi everyone,

It's been a busy few weeks lately but I always manage to find time to sneak in a day trip or two. Last week we had a family day in London and decided to visit the Cutty Sark.

It was a lovely sunny day with a fair bit of walking. After my recent ankle op, comfort was the order of the day. Although, let's be fair, anyone who reads my blog will realise how much I love my jeans.

Here are a few piccies from the day

 I'm only 5'3 - these are low ceilings!

Top - Primark (old) size 20
Jeans - M&S boyfriend style size 20
Shoes  - TU at Sainsburys

Bag - M&S (old) but holds the kitchen sink

I love the sky in this shot - it didn't rain but just looked so threatening

The work involved in restoring the Cutty Sark is amazing. Being able to see underneath like this is breathtaking

The obligatory silly shot

 I was told to stand by the door for scale - so I did

My favourite shot of the whole day

I love days out and I'm so lucky to live only a couple of hours away from London. I used to go there regularly in my previous job and it's nice now to be a tourist again.

Thanks for reading

Cathy

xx