Reading Glasses Trauma & Sneaky Shopping

Many of you will have seen that I've been making a few sneaky purchases lately.  I can't resist my own personal stocking fillers at this time of the year.

There is the sparkly cat sweatshirt from H&M, a snip at only £14.99.

There are a few cheeky items from Primark last Monday - I was on a training course, so while I wasn't paying for my own train ticket it made sense to pop in on the way there.  What I didn't realise was that Primark must have opened at 8am or something, as I walked by Piccadilly Gardens at around 08.30 and saw the doors were open.  My course was only a ten minute walk away and didn't start until 09.30 so I had time to kill!

Now, I don't know if any of you are 'getting to a certain age', but once you've hit 40 everyone starts to remind you that your eyesight is going to turn to mush.  At the ripe old age of 44 I had to relent and get reading glasses.  I have a really posh pair for work, proper prescription with computer screen filters, which cost me a lot of money.  But I worry that I will leave them somewhere, so found that Primark do a great range of reading glasses and the prices vary from £1.50 to about £4, with most styles coming with their own case.

I have various pairs dotted around the house - I don't know if any of you do this, too, but there is nothing frustrating than trying to read cooking instructions in the kitchen then realising you have to walk halfway round your house to find the glasses in order to read them!

When I was in Italy earlier this year, the other thing I realised was that I had to remove my sunglasses and switch to reading glasses to look at maps, menus and wotnot.  None of the glasses I had brought with me had UV filters, so I still couldn't see because I was squinting.  Well fear not, Primark did a pair for £3 - they will be going in my case for the next holiday.

If anyone else has any funny eyesight stories to share, please feel free to comment - I'd love to hear if any of you are as daft as me!

In the meantime, for those celebrating Christmas, I hope your preparations are going well.

Catch you all soon.

It's My Birthday!

So today is my birthday.  I found out today that it was also John Pertwee's birthday before he passed on, meaning I shared my birthday with Dr Who - now that really does show off my inner geek.

It is also the 10th anniversary of the London bombings today, where bombs were let off on the underground and on a bus.  My thoughts are with those who were impacted on that day.  I am sure there will be many inspiring stories heard today from those who survived as well.

Now I don't know whether this is good luck or poor judgement on my part, but today I have a job interview.  As I went to Manchester with my sister yesterday, we thought we'd have a quick trawl through the sales for an interview outfit.  I can normally cobble something together from my existing wardrobe, but since our office moved to a full casual dress code, the number of smart outfits I have has dwindled rapidly.

So I popped into Mango and was able to pick up this beautiful skirt, reduced to £17.49.  The little top was a snip at £4.99.  Then, after a rummage in a couple of other shops, I ended up in H & M and picked up this cute jacket for only £19.99.  I am pretty sure this is going to be a knock out success, whether I perform as well as I look will remain to be seen!

By the way, I don't know if I am going to wear the shoes that I've teamed them with.  I might go for some kitten heels instead.

Until next time.

Primark Is An Addiction

How does Primark do it?  On Tuesday, I had a business date with my work colleagues in Manchester.  This is not my usual working location, so I find myself easily drawn in to the town centre, which is about 5 minutes from the office, past the tram station.  Firstly, I popped to Greggs for some lunch and ended up with a yummy slice of Spicy Chicken pizza.  Then, as Primark was just across the road, I just had to pop in through those automatic doors and take a quick peep.

If you go in through the side entrance on Mosley Street, you are met with beautiful swimwear - bikinis and kaftans in all colours, shapes and sizes.  It really puts you in a holiday mood, that's for sure!  The Manchester store has a Costa Coffee on the first floor, so as you head up the escalator there is this heady aroma of coffee and cake (mmmmmmmm)

This time I purchased some jeggings, jeans, a new top, a hair accessory and some bangles.  I love bangles and they're often featured in my style-ups.  The grand total of this haul was only £63! How do they do this?!?!

Have a lovely few days ahead and I look forward to sharing more stuff with you soon x