January Purchases

This post brings you my purchases for January. The 1st 3 items are online purchases & the rest is from my trip to Gunwharf Quays so as they are outlet shops I am struggling to find any links. 

Anyway starting with the online stuff & you would have seen this already when I blogged about it in Spring Fever.

I was wondering whether I should order the navy one instead as I was thinking it may be a better option. However I stuck with the green & I am glad I did. The website makes it look quite deep in colour but actually it is a lot more pale & even nicer.

Holly Hobo - Oasis £34

I've been wanting some Burgundy jeans or leggings for ages but struggle to either find some I like or in the right size. Next came up trumps with these denim leggings though in grape.

Pull-On Denim Leggings - Next £18

I decided I needed some more brown things in my closet - I have no idea why other than I actually don't have a great deal of. It was a struggle to find much actually especially as I wanted just a plain brown top & as basic as poss. Joe Browns were the only ones to tick the boxes. It comes in loads of other colours too 

Versatile Long Sleeve Top - Joe Browns £14.95.

Now we move on to the outlet purchases. As I said I have not got the links so it really is just showing you what I got. Sorry.

I have wanted to replace my Cath Kidston purse for a while & after a look 1st in radley & at 2/3 other places I settled on this one back at Radley :-). So cute. I will always have a soft spot for this cute little doggy friend.

Radley purse - Originally £55 , I paid £22.

This bag was bought to replace an old black New Look one that I use for dog walking & the school run. Just big enough for keys, phone & poop bags! They don't have this blue one on the website but they do have it in a red spot though.

Cath Kids bag - Originally £12, I paid £8.

My next stop was Gap & I can't find any of these on line at all & can't even remembered what I paid.

There were lots of these t shirts. Other place name sin other colours but i wanted this New York one & with it being teal as well this appealed even more.

Last stop Clarks & like the trousers I have also been searching for some burgundy boots. Sorry no link yet again!! 

These were £31.99. I can't remember what they were before but I know I was happy with the saving.

So that brings the January haul to end. A little bit of a dud for links for which I apologise again.

See you soon
Amanda x

Maddie's Weekly Round Up

I'm back again with another weekly round up.

As usual starting with some of the food I have been eating...

1: Potato Gratin, Chicken , Bacon & Green Beans. PG is a favourite meal of mine right now. Yummy!! 2: Inspired lots by Dorothy Camper with my breakfast this morning - mine is not as colourful though!! 3: Dinner last night with hubby & the kids. Beefeater do the loveliest spicy chips!!

1: Tried something new this week by marinating the chicken. Served with rice, coleslaw ( for me not hubby) & sweetcorn it went down very well. 2: Trying hard to keep a bit healthier so lunches of Jacket potatoes lots including this one with Tuna ( in low fat mayo) & a hard boiled egg.) 3: Hubby cooked a lovely Roast dinner today.

A few miscellaneous pics as did not have quite so much going on this week.

1:- A new coat for pup. early days but she does not seem to mind this one as much as the jumper. 2 : Body Shop bath jelly in Glazed Apple - I was a bit late in the day to get the limited edition seasonal things so this was all they had left. Makes my bath smell gorgeous. 3: I think I forgot I am meant to be cutting out the naughty things & came home with Wagon Wheels - they are smaller than the normal ones & so not as easy just to have 1 - & these Mousses by Gu ( OMG!!)

1: Went shopping to Gunwhaf Quays - yesterday loved these animal print DMs but came out empty handed. 2: Chocolate cake baked Sunday morning at request of Brad - its almost gone as it usually is. 3: The Oyster Catcher by Jo Thomas - my reading material this week. A good easy read.

What I have been wearing....

A real mix this week. I have felt a bit more into what I wearing this week more so than previous weeks. The middles picture I am looking rather windswept as I still insisted on having my photo outside!

The camel coloured cardi is a recent purchase from Next. Middle shot taken in the "Animal" shop at Gunwharf , you can see the odd look from the sales assistant - us Bloggers eh? lol. Today's outfit was for a casual comfy day of baking, cleaning , blog posting &  pup coat shopping...!

lastly, what I have been buying ...

Holly Hobo bag from Oasis as featured in my Spring Fever post - I did um & ah about colour as wondered if a blue or grey would get used more but I stuck with this one & it is gorgeous. Another bag this one From Cath Kidston Kids - I needed a new smaller bag for the dog walking - my old one from New Look is a plain black one I have had for about 6 years., Time for a change & this is perfect for everything I need when I take Clara or for the school run - it was £8 too which made it even better. They don't have this one on the website as I got it from the outlet shop. Here it is in red though. I have not bought anything Radley for ages but wanted to replace my Cath Kidston purse & found this one in the Radley outlet shop so again I don't think it is on the website.
Lastly, I needed a anew phone case & bought this cute Owl one from eBay - they have other ones for different phones as well.

So that's my week rounded up. Hope you have had a good one too & hope next week is even better.

Amanda x

Spring Fever

I am not sure about anyone else but I am sick to death of all this cold miserable grey weather - with a little bit of snow coming next week still apparently - ugh, really?? I seriously need things to brighten up a bit now but I thought whilst I wait for spring to start appearing I would take a look at some more spring like clothing & accessories. I am thinking a bit more colour for my wardrobe whilst also still thinking of what will still most cold days too for a while. 

Here are a few things that caught my eye...

1st stop was Boden ... I adore their stuff so why not?

This skirt is just so cute. I do love a pattern & love the way it is worn in this photo very much. One for me to try & & copy if poss!

Grace Skirt in Lavender Grey Botanical - Boden £79. ( Currently £71.10 though so not sure how long for.)

If a pattern is not your thing then they have something for you too...

Grace Skirt in Pink Peony - Boden

Grace Skirt in Capri Blue - Boden

& if you are still in darker colours mode it comes in navy too!

Grace Skirt in Navy - Boden.


This next one also Boden was another where the whole outfit looked fab but it was the cute little cardigan that caught my eye. It comes in many colour ways but I do think this green one is gorgeous.

Fifties Cardigan in Ivy - Boden. Currently £39.20 ( Usually £49.)

Also in ...

Amethyst 

Sulphur & ....

Mineral.
As well as Ivory, Navy Pewter & Tuttie Frutti ( phew!!) 

A quick trip over to Top Shop & just this caught my eye...

Striped Neckerchief - Top Shop £14.

Next I went to Zara & all 3 things great for switching seasons but more neutral toned for a less quick change over.

I like the ankle length of these. A hint of spring around the corner with these for sure but keeping things covered just a bit longer too.

Ankle- Zip Viscose Skinny Trousers - Zara £35.99

Both the tops below would go with these trousers just perfectly.

Printed Top With Uneven Hem - Zara £29.99

Two Tone Shirt - Zara £29.99.
John Lewis is a favourite website of mine - I love that I can order things & get them delivered to my local Waitrose for free - it's a 5 minute walk for me to collect my packages.

This dress from Oasis looks gorgeous.

Animal Print Dress - Oasis £55.

The next a lovely take on a Breton style stripe.

Slub Cotton Scoop Neck T Shirt - John Lewis £29.

A couple of warm jumpers but with more spring like colours...

Chunky Corded Jumper in Green - Fat Face £58.

& ...

also in Indigo.

I want these ankle boots...

...won't get them at that price though!
Senso Blake X Cut Out Detail Leather Pony Ankle Boots £165.
I do love a bit of Radley in my life & either of these style bags in this pattern would suit me..

Elliot Vale Small Cross Body Bag - Radley £60

Elliot Vale Medium Multi Way Grab Bag - Radley £95

We are back at Oasis for these last 2.

Lovely detail on this jumper.

Pontelle Detail Cute Jumper - Oasis £35.

I am seriously eyeing this bag up  -it may well have to be mine ...

The Holly Hobo - Oasis - £34. It does come in many colour ways but this stands out the most for me.

So tell me what you have been liking the look of to add to your spring wardrobe.

See you soon
Amanda x

Maddie's Weekly Round Up

A day late due to feeling proper rubbish with a headache & cold on Sunday eve & Monday!! 

Starting as usual with what I ate ...

I always forget the photos & in fact considering I love to take them I spend rather a lot of time forgetting!! Sorry! 

Cheese Scones & the Quiche Lorraine made by my own fair hands! The curry was made by Rob on Monday. He made it with the chicken left over from the roast the day before - this made it taste even better I thought!

A little bit of what I did - 

From top :- I was feeling a bit low on Tuesday so went & bought myself a new book & wasted some time in Cafe Nero with a Chai Latte. Thursday I had all my hair chopped off! I love it although still feels rather odd not having so much hair at the back! Friday we had dinner at our local Wetherspoons. I remembered to take pics of our drinks but not that food! I had gammon steak in case you were interested followed by waffles with raspberry compote & vanilla ice cream - oops diet??!
Walks last week involved much frost! It looked very pretty though & was good for the soul on the doggy walks. We went as a family to see Paddington - thought it was OK. Paddington very cute but not quite the great film I was expecting.
Lastly a friend & I are going to walk the Race For Life in July. I enrolled on Monday & my things arrived by the end of the week.

What I watched...

Broadchurch & Location as per usual. Musketeers wasn't on - blasted football!!
It was the 1st ins series for both Wolf Hill - I love me some Tudors!!! Then Pets - Wild At Heart - cute animals AND narrated by David Tennant!

I am currently reading ....

Absolutely amazing so far - it takes me much longer these days to read anything even a magazine.

Lastly, my outfits for the week....

Trying to introduce more colour as a bit fed up of dark, dingy January! I will be pleased when I can get the more spring like stuff out again though!

Thanks for reading
Amanda xx  

Weekly Round Up

Time for a round up of my week then. Starting with what I ate...! Th

bh be honest I can be a bit rubbish at remembering to take photos. The times I have made a really yummy dinner & only as \I pop the last bit into my mouth do I remember & of course that is rather late!!

The aim is to lose a little weight right now or at least eat healthier. It would be easier if the world was not full of cakes, crisps, or at least the healthier stuff tasted like a chocolate biscuit.
Monday I made myself a Jacket with Tuna. No rabbit food that day as my Ocado order came the next day.
Salmon, Mash & Veggies - quite healthy if you ignore the lashing of Hollandaise sauce (please DO ignore it...) The fruit bowl is constantly filled to the brim. Good for myself as well as the rest of the family of course.
Lastly a really unlike me lunch including some green stuff!!
*****
Next what I got up to! 

As usual plenty of walks with the pup. Woke up to this beautiful frosty day Saturday morning. Pup was not so keen to go on the grass & did actually put up with her jumper - she hates it really!

Coffee on Thursday with my lovely friend where I did partake in some cake!
A trip to Paradise Park on Sunday morning with another friend & our 2 smalls!!It was a bit wet but great to get some fresh air.

I was at the cinema again on THursday. This time with friends to see this amazing film. It won't be for everyone but was right up my street.

This week I have been watching Broadchurch & Musketeers again & this...

I adore the show. A chance to have a nosy around some homes especially when they come local. I may also have a slight crush on Mr Spencer...!

THis week I have some discovered some new things that I am loving...

Technically I already knew about the Peppermint & Licorice tea by Pukka thanks to Essiebutton ( I think ) but finally got round to buying a box to give it a try. Bloody yum!!
I spotted the Jacobs Crispbreads when I nipped into my local Tescos mid week. They do a few other ones but I chose the Mixed Grain. They really help me keep my lunch a bit healthier.

Finally a few outfits.

There is usually tons of blue in my outfits each week but I have noticed a lot more black & red this week when putting my collage together. I am still very uninspired atm although gradually things are starting to get back to being a bit more interested in the outfits I put together.

WEll that is all from me again. Let me know what you have been doing.
See you next time

Love Amanda x

Keeping Healthy 2015

At the end of last year I posted about want to sort my weight out in 2015 - you can read that post here.

2015 is now here - just & my plan to get fit & hopefully take a few pounds off too begins here.

I'm already doing the dog walking I said I would do. Not so keen when the weather sucks of course but on those very odd glorious sunshine moments its really rather soothing.

I want to do more walking at other times too. That is to literally just take myself off for a walk as the school run is just a mere 20 mins of my day in terms of actual walking - & the traipsing around town doesn't count either because I generally stop of for a coffee & cake too. I don't al;ways want to take the dog so would either need a walking buddy or at least pop some tunes on my iPhone & listen to some music as I walk.

I plan also to have the odd game of badminton with a friend soon - this is going to happen just waiting for her to recover from an injury.

I am still undecided re any classes right now but I am not ruling them out.

My biggest issue is picking! I really need to either cut out those snacks between meals - I don't need any biscuits with my tea, let alone 5 or *ahem* 10 *ahem* -  or remember to have a healthier option. I am trying with the fruit. I have stocked up very well. 
Lunches are getting better too.
Dinner is a work in progress & actually trying work out a menu that would suit both Rob & I is hard. There are many things I cannot eat because of Crohn's Disease as well as the stuff I won't eat. The things I would eat more of , Rob isn't so keen on. Rob though would happily sit & devour a plate of salad or vegetables, not me!  
I need to do more research for healthier meals that would suit both of us - Fin too of course, Brad is a lost cause! 
I think though if I can cut out the snacking on rubbish, this would actually make a big difference as I know it has done so in the past. 

I am not asking to be stick thin, just healthier & if something comes off my hips & waist whilst doing so then it is all good.

I am just under 10 & half stone so nearly 2 stone I could do with losing. Whether I can achieve this I do not know but surely some healthier eating is always a good thing.

I'll update you probably monthly unless I feel I can do some more often.

Thanks for reading
Amanda xx

My Week Rounded Up

I have been such a bad blogger of late. At the moment I have decided not to continue with my "What I Wore.." blog as I am not particularly inspired on that front & as a minor ban has been put in place on spending on any new clothes, it is all the same clothes anyway. Maybe one day I will get the mojo back & post there again. 

For now I am going to concentrate on this blog as it is easier for me to have many subjects to blog about. I can't say I will post any more often but one can at least give it a try.

Today I thought I would start a new ( ish ) thing & on a Monday I will do a round up of the previous week. I read other blogs who do something similar & think it is a really nice idea.

So here is mine...

This week I have been eating....

..out rather a lot! I forgot to take pics of anything I had at home but in a world of taking pics of meals when out...A lovely steak with spicy chips at our local Beefeater. Then Pollo Formaggia al Forno at Bella Italia - this was divine!!!

I have been buying....

Stylist Dress - White Stuff || Lace Collar Spray Floral Dress - Fat Face || BerryLicious & Aloe Water ( the Xmas Votive was a free gift) - Yankee Candle

Everything here is from The Range... The Decorative Lizard Metal Wall Art more Hubby's choice than mine though!  New York Canvas & Village Harbour Print.

What I have been doing ...

Dog walking - although I always forget to photograph this!
Reading - magazines , usually home improvement types & my current book is this gem from Stephen Fry - More Fool Me .
Cinema to see The Theory Of Everything - superb film. Go & see it if you can. Full praise would have to go to Eddie Redmayne who was just amazing.
lastly, I spent the week scrapping a lot of paper off the walls - actually it wasn't a huge amount at all but during the scrapping it felt like it! When the lounge & dining room are all newly decorated though, the work involved will be worth it.

Lastly, a few outfits from last week...

main photo :- what I wore to the cinema. Small photos : from top Mondays outfit. Next to that :- my outfit for the Beefeater on Thursday. In the blue for ...well I can't remember at all, sorry! & lastly what I wore for a childrens party - it Frozen themed & I now wish I had gone as Elsa!

Let me know what you think you these sort of posts. Hoping to be posting much more but only time will tell how well I keep to that idea!

Speak soon
Amanda x