Primark Haul;

I've said it before, but I think Primark is my favourite store. Last weekend I took a trip to Plymouth to see Busted and visited a 3 floor Primark store. I've been trying to save up for my holiday in March and I'd resisted buying anything else the whole shopping trip. I only just managed not to buy half of the shop so I thought I'd share with you the few things I did come away with.

My mum is forever telling me that I need new pyjamas, I think the last time I bought any I was in college, and since then I've pretty much survived on any I'm bought for Christmas. Pyjamas just don't seem like a fun thing to buy myself... usually.

I'm a massive Pokemon fan, and the only good thing about the worst Pokemon game ever (i.e. Pokemon Go), is the increase in Pokemon merch. I couldn't resist these adorable bottoms covered with Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle and Pikachu heads. I don't think my legs have ever looked better than when I am wearing these, and they're really soft too!

I also picked up a set up of silky, button-up Tinkerbell pyjamas. The pattern on these was also too cute for me to walk away from. Again these are super soft and comfy, I will say that these are pretty long, so if you're 5'1" like me expect the bottoms to get dirty if you wear them into the back garden with just your slippers!

Pretty much everything in this haul is fandom related and the next two things I picked up I just couldn't resist because I'm a total Potterhead. The first is this maroon long-sleeved shirt, with the Hogwarts crest embroidered on the right side. I really like this shirt because I think its subtle and not too cheesy. Its a nice casual shirt that looks great with jeans and the Hogwarts crest just makes it amazing.
I also picked up this gorgeous Gryffindor blanket/throw. I spent forever oggling over the (very extensive) collection of blankets that Primark have because they are all so extremely soft! I had convinced myself that I really don't need a blanket and then I came across this one... I've taken the Pottermore quiz and its official that I belong in Gryffindor house, so I justified buying this one as I need to show my house pride! They also have these for all of the rest of the houses, and I really love the design with the Gryffindor crest, stars, moons and the word Hogwarts. I think its so detailed for a blanket from Primark and it is literally the softest blanket ever.

Another thing I picked up was this Alice in Wonderland makeup bag that I absolutely love. Whenever I go away I tend to use a vanity case, so I definitely didn't need another makeup bag but this was too gorgeous to walk away from. Its made of a kind of pleather material that feels really durable. On one side this is black with silver glitter that is exposed, but doesn't come off (or atleast not yet), with the quote 'Curiouser and Curiouser' in a pink flourished font that I totally love. The other side has a collection of stills from the Disney movie in triangles. Its really colourful and reminds me of a kaleidoscope. Although you can't see it in the pictures there's also a purple keyring attached to the zip in the shape on the Cheshire Cat. The makeup bag is a really good size to fit in enough makeup for a night or weekend away. If I don't use this atleast I know it will make a lovely blog prop.

The last thing I picked up was this jar candle in the scent Raspberry and Vanilla. I pick up a candle nearly every time I'm in Primark, these candles aren't the strongest smelling, but I think their really great for the price, this one was just £5. I really don't see the point in spending a lot of money on candles, because its literally like burning money. The scent of this fruity, sweet, but fresh which I think will be perfect for Spring. I also love the pink of the jar, its a lovely Spring update for my bedside table.

Have you found any great bargains in Primark lately?

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My Current Fashion Favourites;

When I started this blog I intended for it to be about fashion as well as beauty. I have since discovered that taking OOTDs alone is rather a feat, so while I work on that I thought I'd share my super summery current fashion faves. Beware there are some really awkward poses throughout.

I thought I'd start on top. Crop tops are must have at this time of year, this one is from Topshop. I love the high 90's-esque neckline, the stripes and monochrome make it really easy to style especially with block coloured bright pieces. Another shirt style that I love is off the shoulder, I'm so glad to see these everywhere. I think they're a great way of baring some flesh without being too risqué. This one is from Primark, the pattern is amazing! A trend I've loved this year is the 70's. And I found this shirt which I think is prefect from New Look. The sleeves and bottom are lovely and flowy but with a little bit of off the shoulder action. This is pretty just-ish and perfect for festival wear.

Up next of course is the playsuit, a complete summer staple. My newest addition is this long sleeved number from Boohoo. I love the flowy-ness and tribal (is this tribal) print and the colour. Play suits are the perfect no effort outfits! Something else I love is flowy, non form-fitting little summer dresses like this floral one from H&M. They keep you lovely and cool and look really girly. They're also great to chuck on over a bikini on a beach day.

I thought I'd also pick out a couple of oldies but goodies that I always reach for at this time of year. As for summer coverups the denim jacket is always my go-to when it's warm. Because I'm not wearing jeans I like to wear denim on top. They're keep your warm during cooler nights but not to warm. This is an old favourite from New Look that has lasted me about two years.  I have to say that when I first saw stores selling dungarees again I literally ran to them. I have a few pairs but I thought I'd show you these slightly quirkier ones. These are from Primark and are pretty much styled on the deck chair, but I think they're cute. Dungarees may be my favourite clothing item ever. They're great for summer layering and look great with crop tops or oversized t-shirts. And the nostalgia factor is the icing on the cherry bake well.

DIY Sunglasses Holder;

Good evening and welcome to the world's simplest DIY. The picture pretty much shows you what to do because it is that simple, regardless I'm going to tell you how I did it and the utensils I used.

It all started on a hot summer day when I retrieved my many 14 pairs of sunglasses and set to put them back in the drawer they're supposed to be kept in, but it simply wasn't happening. I have quite a collection of boxes and pots that I have once used as makeup storage but none quite worked. I keep all of my bits and pieces on a shelf in my wardrobe, and on a trip to find another pot I was, quite literally hit in the head with idea, actually with a coat hanger but hey ho! It is a velvet covered one from a set in Primark that I keep all of my more sheer items of clothing on as they don't slip off. Any hanger with a bottom will do, and I decided to hook my sunglasses around it. I had a spare screw in the wall from an old photo but any hook, screw or nail will do. To jazz it up I used a tartan bow from an old dress that's been hanging around my wardrobe handle for an eternity. I grabbed a hair band and tied it around the handle.

I think this looks chic, tidies my sunglasses and is something Kirsty Allsopp would be proud of. I discovered afterwards that this is all over Pinterest already so I won't be buying hangers and ribbon to make my millions in after all....

xoxox

OOTD: Spring Layers;

First Post of My Face Alert!

Aloha fashion blog readers of the interweb! First things first yes, that is a Justin Bieber calendar but everyone needs a guilty pleasure don't they? And many apologies for awkward poses I'm not exactly made for standing in front of a camera.

Can I be the first (I'm really not the first) to say that I am done with winter!? Any excuse to crack out my legs in a skirt/ tights combo and I am there! This time I've opted for this Quiz playsuit, I'm also trying to break out of my black winter wardrobe and I thought the red did that nicely. I think a light jumper is a way to adapt it into spring when its still as cold as ice here! I also like the way I can still see my playsuit through this sheer jumper from Primark. 

I accessorised this outfit with my everyday ring that my dad bought be and a silver plain above the knuckle ring from Kukee. The bottom 2 of my necklaces are also from Kukee and the star necklace is from Delilah Dust. My nails are Queen of Green from Topshop dotted with a nail pen from Argos.

Is anyone as fed up with the weather as I am? And if you've been affected by the floods I send my love!

Lots of love, GAV

xoxo

Primark Haul;

Primark  is quickly becoming my favourite store, lately I seem to be taking weekly trips in for so-called essentials. Primark has definitely upped its quality game the last year, the prices have of course risen with that but its not quite breaking the bank yet. This week I picked up a few wintery bits, and some accessories...

Jumper; £6

 My only fashion piece of this haul is this sheer white jumper. I've been looking everywhere for plain jumpers for tucking into skirts, over the top of dresses and hanging on to summery clothes for as long as humanly possible and I think this was an absolute steal. The only reason I resisted buying this in every colour is because I do need some jumpers to see me through when the even colder weather, and this is slightly sheer and doesn't exactly keep all the warmth in.

Snood/ Circle Scarf; £5

I can't believe I found this snood/circle scarf in Primark, it looks so much more expensive! A few years back I had a slight obsession with River Island scarves, but that was an expensive habit so this chunky-knit gorgeous scarf in Primark was great! The plain colour means it will go with everything, its very thick and will actually help keep the cold out in the months to come and its made very sturdy (as far as I can see).

Socks; £3 (3 pack)

I have a thing about knee length socks under boots during the winter, and the day I went shopping I had a pair of ankle boots on, they just looked so plain without that little bit of sock poking out! These socks are the usual length and they finished off my outfit so well and I see me wearing these out over winter.

Midi Rings; £1.50 (8 pack)

Midi rings are one of my favourite accessories even if I don't need an excuse to wear more rings, but they're so small I have a tendency to lose them. But for £1.50 for 8 it doesn't matter if I lose them or if they discolour! They're plain and in every colour so they will go with everything, its safe to say I'm so glad Primarni has jumped on the midi ring bandwagon!

Scrunchies £1.00 (3 pack)                                      Hairband 50p

I have to wear my hair up for work so I'm always looking for simple ways to jazz up my up-dos. The right hairband goes so well with a high ponytail, I already own this in gold but black goes with everything (except brown). Seeing these scrunchies lit up my day, I'm a 90s kid and I ran across River Island when I saw dungarees during summer! I've seen scrunchies hopping across UO and Topshop lately but they were expensive and I like to keep to fairly neutral colours at work and keep my hair down when I'm home so these were perfect. They go great around ponys and doughnut buns.

Hairgrips £1.00 (40 pack)                              Clothes Hangers £4 (10 pack)

These were my true essentials and the only reason I actually ventured into Primark (oops!). The mythical hairgrip fairy seems to have stolen all of my grips yet again, I swear I have to buy new ones every month, where can that amount of hairgrips even go?! I also have completely run out of hangers (again) and these are great they have a sort-of velor (how do you spell that again) material which is great for sheer shirts etc. as it helps them to grip, and the price is cheaper than Wilkinson!

Lots of love, GAV

xoxo