What If The Hokey Cokey Really Is What It's All About?

Hello All!

I've decided to do a HAUL post on things I bought at the MetroCentre in Gateshead. 

I don't go there that often, not since I left Sunderland, but I went a few weeks ago with the girls and got some great stuff. 

So I decided to go again this week and, since one of my best friends lives about 15mins away, we drove over on Monday. 

I'd heard about this American Candy place opening up and the week of it opening there were apparently queues out the door, so I was excited the check it out.

Well, evidently the reason the queues were out the door were probably because its smaller than my bedroom! It's a tiny place, for anyone who knows the MetroCentre it's in that little village set-up between the green & blue malls, so only teeny.

They had a few nice things, but my friend went to America for a couple of years and would send loads of stuff back so there was nothing that really stood out to me. I did get a couple of cans of Mountain Dew though because I've never had the proper American stuff, just that energy one you can get over here.

I also got some, more, candles. If you follow my blog / twitter you'll probably know I have a bit of an addiction to candles, and a quite substantially larger addiction to Yankee Candles...

BUT, in my defence, the Nature's Paintbrush is one that I've been after for ages!

 

Also, the Christmas Tree tealights were super reduced from Christmas so that's okay, right?! 

The Pink Rose one just looked pretty, and smelled nice.

And was only £1.50 from Primark. Bargain.

I have to admit to totally going off Primark in the last few years, and if I'm being honest, I got a bit snooty about it, thinking it was just cheap tat. BUT, I think they've really raised their game recently and although you can't expect to compare the quality against the more expensive shops, they do have some nice stuff.

The only clothing I bought from there was this Roxy Music top. It's really short so probably good over denim or high-waisted shorts maybe? 

I also got some stuff from the Home department, I really like some of the things they have on offer...

I loved this cushion, I'm redecorating my room with a neutral walls and colourful accessories set up so for £7, I thought this would fit in really well.

I also got these pillowcases, because they're so pretty, but mainly because they were only £2 for a pack of 2!

I got a huge bag for half price at only £5 which has a bright orange lining, and I was after some quite plain summer flats so I went for these nude snakeskin pumps for £5.

From Topshop I just got a couple of bits of jewellery...

The cross rings were £8.50, but the other ring was in the half-price sale so was only £2!

We went into That's Entertainment on the way home and I got some DVDs and some posters...

I'm not even embarrassed about the Avengers poster! It's only a mini one but I still unashamedly LOVE it :)

The DVDs, if you can't see them, are Three Kings, Tropic Thunder, The Office Series 1 & 2, Dogma and Pearl Harbour.

I also got two other posters which I havent put up yet, but they're big ones in the style of the "Keep Calm And Carry On" signs, but one's movie quotes and one's song titles. (I'll take snaps of them when they're up!)

I got a vest top from New Look for £8.99. I love the design.

Finally, I got a wooden sign for my room...

I like inspirational stuff like that.

So that's what I bought! (& spent far too much money on!) 

If there's anything you like that I've forgotten to say where it was from or how much then feel free to ask :)

I'm gonna sign off with something that me & my friend both absolutely adored but at £14 couldn't justify buying...

It tickled us anyway!

Anyway take care, Lots of Love, Taz x

Have A Little Faith There's Magic In The Night, You Aint A Beauty But Hey Youre Alright

I had such a busy full day yesterday. First we had to go to some of the Asian shops in one of the villages to get some fabrics so I took some photos. I love the stuff they sell in there because everything is so bright and beautifully decorated.

 We came away with some gorgeous green embroidered material which is covered in green sequin flowers and gold thread. So lovely!

Later we went to the beach front for some lunch and then on to Dalton Park which is a big retail outlet. I bought some lovely stuff which I'll post about after this.

I've started making my way through our classics collection at home. We have about five huge bookshelves around our house and they're all crammed full so I need to get reading!

I picked out 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens because it's one of his that I haven't read yet. I also wanted to refresh my memory on Nicholas Nickleby so I downloaded some iBook apps and audiobooks so I'm currently reading and listening together.

I really recommend this app:

Audiobooks by Spreadsong Inc.

because it gives an amazing range of classics, modern and original audio books completely free. Some of the readers' voices are a little questionable and I do find myself getting the giggles at times but luckily, and unlike other apps I've had, each chapter is read by different people so you don't have to worry about being stuck with that comedy voice and it means the reading doesn't get monotonous.

Anyway I will post straight after this about what I've bought and hopefully some of you will download the app and enjoy it!

Lots of Love, Taz x

With The Wind In My Hair And The Sun On My Face.

I went to Saltburn the other morning to clear my head and got some gorgeous shots of the beach and pier. 

I apologise for the watermark but my pictures in the past have turned up on other websites by people trying to pass them off as their own! Cheeky monkeys.

My friend came round yesterday and we made cookies, or rather tried to... they ended up a little more like rock biscuits when we'd finished. But they still tasted good! (kinda.)

I was just wondering if anyone has ever tried a Graze box? A friend told me about it ages ago and I was sent an email for special offers they're doing at the minute. It's like a tiny packed lunch they deliver to you at work or home with four sections in it and a different snack of your choice in each. It looks intriguing but I've never heard from anyone who has actually used it so wondering if it's worth a try. It's meant to be really healthy because you get such little portions but it totally fills you up!

Praise the Lord it is the weekend! 

I love Friday nights because they're so stress-free! Better yet, I thought I was going to have to start another uni assignment over the weekend but I actually have a week longer than I thought so rest and relaxation is my plan for the next couple of days.

I think I'm off to the big shopping park tomorrow so will blog about any gorgey things I might buy!

Until then, look after yourselves...

Lots of love, Taz x