Forever 21 purchases

I have been a lover of Forever 21 since I went to California about 3 years ago. As you do when you're on holiday I went into a shop and picked up a few things but then without realising I went into the shame chain a few days later, but a different location, and then it clicked. I was hooked. I remember when I got back I searched for it online and saw that you could order to have it delivered in the UK but it had a hefty price tag. Wah! So I forgot about it for a while until I went to Birmingham about a year later and saw it in the Bullring. I was super happy and amazed at how huge the shop was! Three floors ladies. It reminds me of H&M and Topshop in that it is pretty on trend, has loads on offer and has great price tags. One of the first things I bought was a skirt which was like £11... £11!! Just crazy.

So when Dave said we had tickets to go see the Arenacross in Birmingham last weekend I immediately started planning what time we should leave so I could have enough time to go into the Bullring, hit up Forever 21 and then get back over the The NEC. It was like a dream day.

I know some of you may be thinking, get over it. But it's such a great shop and it's a shame the nearest one is a good hour or so's drive.

So, back to what I bought! I didn't go as crazy as I would have liked to. I had Dave with me who was obviously unimpressed with this diversion and I also am trying not to spend too much money at the moment. So I took into the changing room about 9 items and bought 4. Not too bad! There were things I umm-ed and ahh-ed over but I thought it's not worth buying and regretting seen as I wouldn't be able to return it!

£16.75 Forever 21

The first thing I laid eyes on was this neon green jumper. I have a big, baggy jumper from Topshop which, admittedly  is tonnes warmer as it's thicker but this was only £16.75 and I loved how bright it was for Spring. Dave said he liked it too which I was surprised about so this was a definite purchase from the moment I stepped in the doors!

£14.75 Forever 21

I also bought this pretty white/cream 3/4 length top with lace/crochet detailing on the back. I thought it would be another nice item for Spring and I don't own anything like it at all. Come to think of it I don't own many tops that have a lot of sleeve! It's very odd. I'm a short sleeve, cardigan type of gal normally but this I just loved.

£9.75 Forever 21

£12.00 Forever 21

I then had a bit of a peplum spree and picked up about 3 peplum tops, as you do! I opted for this very casual, black one with small shoulder sleeves as I just loved the stretchy material and thought it would be great on a day to day basis or dressed up. The second one is much more sophisticated with the zip going all the way down to the end so you can put it on a bit like a hospital gown! I didn't realise this until I took it off and thought I broke it. Scary. I thought I could wear this for work, once I get some better bottoms or even as another more dressy occasion. 

So all in all I'm really happy with my purchases, I wish I could have found more for work, as I'm still struggling to find things that I really like, but I'm sure I'll find some things soon.

I'm going to the pub to watch England v Ireland rugby today which I hope will be good. Have a lovely rest of the weekend.

I went shopping and...

So I lost my way the other day and accidentally came back with a couple of naughty purchases... Who I am kidding I planned to go into town this week with my mum and I bought some lovely things that I want to show you!!

My plan was that I needed some new work clothes as come the Winter months I've been really struggling with what to wear. I like never wear trousers as my shape just doesn't suit them - I have quite small/thin legs but big hips so trousers are normally baggy in some areas and it looks horrendous so I go for dresses and skirts mostly! I didn't buy loads but I'm pleased with what I did get.

Next, £16.00 RRP £36

H&M, £15.00

Primark, £7.00

Primark, £25.00

Primark, £12.00

Primark, £7.00

I also got some of those cosy tights from Primark which are £3.50, I've heard good things about them but when I initially saw them I thought they would be a bit weird as they seemed quite thick - they are sooo comfy! They feel super soft and are nice and warm.

So yes, I went into Next firstly as my mum loves Next but I've never been a convert. I browsed through the rails and saw a few things to try on but there sizes are so different to the sizes I'm used to that the dress I bought is slightly too big. Boo. I just cinch it in with a black belt though and it looks fine! For £16 I thought it was a pretty good bargain for a nice dress to wear to work. I got a dress from Primark before which was probably only slightly cheaper and it has shrunk so badly I can't wear it anymore! Next should be much better quality.

Onto H&M we went, where I usually buy a lot of work wear as it's reasonably priced and consists of pretty basic items but a few nicer things too. I also was being naughty and had a look for everyday wear but didn't see much that took my fancy. I find it so hard shopping with other people! I'm such a loner. I prefer to just go on my own so I can spend as much time as I like without someone thinking, god hurry up woman!! So I just picked up the black blazer which was reduced to £15 - sorry I can't remember the initial price! You can never go wrong with a blazer and I haven't got a black one which I can wear formally or to interviews. It fits perfectly and they had loads in the sale!

Now onto Primark. This place especially I think needs to be handled either on your own or if you're with a friend you need to separate as I wanted to look at everything but felt like my mum was ready to leave! I managed to get  a few items for work, and out of work! The first item is just a black top with cute lace and stud detail around the collar. It also has chiffon sleeves which I think makes it really girly and a bit more, nice! It's not fitted so I'll wear it with a high-waisted skirt. I'm pretty sure they had them in another one or two colours too. I then picked up this grey coat, I have needed a coat all year but I just can't justify spending a small fortune on one! My nan gave us all some money for Christmas instead of presents so I thought this was ideal for buying something like this. I looked in a few shops before Primark but didn't see anything that took my fancy. I thought this grey was pretty classic and a nice length. It goes well with my new dark hair too! So then I got a top that is not for work, yay! I didn't get chance to try it on so I just took a chance and I'm glad I did as it fits really nice. It's quite long so can be worn with leggings or maybe thick tights and is just baggy enough that it still can look smart. The little stud detailing on the shoulders is also very on trend and makes it a much more dressy top than if it were plain. The studs are a bit funny though as they're not very secure so they keep turning around!!

The last thing I bought, which I'm not 100% sure on to be honest, was this high-waisted, long tube style skirt. I was on the look out for one but all of the ones I picked up before this one were way too long for me. I wear flat shoes to work too so it would have looked terrible. I tried this one on with the black, studded/lace/chiffon top and I thought it looked okay but I could see all the lumps and bumps from the top. I just thought this was because I was rushing them on and it would be fine once I got home and got dressed properly. I went to put this on yesterday and it didn't go well. You could see the outline of my tights and my top and no matter what I did it just wouldn't work. I'm really disappointed as I really wanted a skirt like this. I will try it again with a few other tops but I hope I don't have to take it back!

Other than this little shopping trip I've not been up to much. It was Dave's birthday Wednesday so I had the day off work and we went to the cinema and out on the evening with his family. We're going snowboarding on Sunday which is also part of his birthday present so that'll be fun, and I think we are viewing a house tomorrow! Woo. Hope you all had a good week and a lovely weekend.