2012 Best Buys

Happy New Year one and all!

Hoping everyone had a wonderful Xmas and New Year this year.  Mine was relaxing and full of Family Fun & Frolics.

2012 has been a good year for me, seeing the birth of my niece, my Sis turned 40, had a great year at work, and seen lots of my wonderful family.  It has not all been plain sailing as one of my Bro-in-Law's has not got to the bottom of his arrhythmia heart defect - see previous post - resulting in 2 shocks a few days ago, rendering him hospitalised, but let's hope he stabilises in 2013.

Anyway, as it is now 2013, I thought I would share some of my best purchases in 2012.

1st up, I think it has to be the YSL Tributes, that I bought when I went for a cocktail in HNs in Manchester.  That was one expensive cocktail!

See previous post for the full low down, but suffice to say, it was all Stylisa's fault!

I think the next fabulous purchase had to be my retina screen iPad.  Previously called the iPad 3 before it was renamed after the introduction of the lightening connector.

I did not need an iPad. I now wouldn't be without it!  I also had to buy the pink Marc Jacobs cover which is padded (from HN's Manchester), so absolutely great! The iPad is great for quick and easy to access the internet, email etc.  However, I don't use it for blogging as the app is not great.

A classic dress is next.  I love this Phase Eight Penelope dress.  I love monochrome anyway, and this 60s shift dress style really suits my shape.  It was also reduced, so it would have been rude not to purchase!

Next up is my Michael Kors bag.  I needed a lighter coloured classic bag, so when I spotted this in the US, it was a no brainer.  Especially as it was more than £100 cheaper in the US than over here.  I also got amazing service in Nordstrom as I had a credit card nightmare.  The CC company thought there were fraudulent purchases going on - little did they know it was just me shopping!  You'd have thought they would know by now, right?!

I absolutely love this tote and get loads of comments each time I wear it.  Very versatile too with the shoulder strap.

Next up is my iPhone 5.  Despite needing to leave T-Mobile and taking my custom to O2, and having a customer service nightmare, I absolutely love my iPhone 5 and can often be found surgically attached to it.

I had the 3GS before, so this in comparison is on another level totally. It is super fast, and as I got the 64GB one, I have all my beloved photos stored on it - all 11,000!

Whilst the next item isn't technically MY purchase, it is a purchase for me!  So I need to include it as it was the 1st purchase  from my Niece.  I was a very surprised Aunty when she gave me this on my birthday this year!  What impeccable taste she has!  She was just 4 months then - she clearly has Aunty's shopping gene!

This was bought from local Sheffield boutique Lizziz on Ecclesall Road in Sheffield who stocks lots of Missoni and Anya Hindmarch accessories as well as By Malene Birger, Halston Heritage and more.  I love this scarf as it is shiny, with lurex, I love the magenta colouring, and it is from my niece - so pretty much perfect.

And finally, my final purchase of 2012, relatively speaking, not including Xmas and bits and bobs are my By Malene Birger black Demetra boots.  I bought them from the lovely Jo at BlackWhiteDenim (@BlackWhiteDenim) when we headed over there for a tweet up end-November.  I met up with Selina (mrs_monkeycat), Penny (@PJC16 who came over from New Zealand) as well as Jo herself (@JoBWDenim) and Fashion Boy (JordanJMcDowell) and the lovely Pippa from Rumpus Resort (@P_RumpusResort).

By Malene Birger Demetra Boots. Buy from BWD here

Jo's customer service is 2nd to none, making me feel as if passing over my hard earned cash was almost a favour to me!  This is the type of customer service that everyone should adopt.

These boots are super sexy yet very comfy and have pretty much lived in them the last month!

So I shall leave you with my happy smiley beauty and wish you all a fabulous fun-filled 2013.

With lots of love
Kate 
xxxx

What's in my bag?!

I was inspired to write this post by my good Twitter friend Jo Holt (@JoJoMoJo_71; http://www.jojosayswhat.blogspot.co.uk/).  Jo blogged about what was in her bag, so I thought I'd have a go at that too!

I am one of those people that pretty much changes my bag depending on what I am wearing, so I attempt to keep the level of clutter and rubbish down to a minimum - in theory!  I am having a "no holds barred " bag insight here, so I may be shocked by its contents too, so let's see!

My daily bag is my Mulberry EastWest Bayswater.  I treated myself to this bag last February and I bought it from the wonderful Harrods with Sharon (@SharonAWilliams). http://www.harrods.com/product/mulberry/chocolate-east-west-bayswater-bag/000000000002022805?icid=search-result

Mulberry East West Bayswater (Black) - Harrods - £595

So let's start with the purse and sunnies!  Essentials!

Bulgari Black 8016-B Sunnies and Mulberry purse

I absolutely LOVE my Mulberry purse as it is pink and shiny!  Very me!  My sisters bought me this for my birthday a few years ago - though I did prompt!!  It's a very grown up purse with plenty of room for cards, notes that don't have to be folded and a zip part for coins.  It's ace.  The only thing is, when I went to Sweden for work, I put it next to my passport and the passport logo rubbed off on the purse leather.  Gutted!

Today I swapped out my VB sunnies for the black Bulgaris.  I ALWAYS carry sunnies - in the vain hope that the sun will come out - yes even in the depths of winter!  I was wearing black and pink today so of course they had to match the outfit.  I bought these sunnies 4 years ago from Sunglass Hut in Manchester.  I asked for 30% discount, and they obliged!  They were pretty expensive, so thought I would ask!  If you don't ask you don't get!  As my previous boss says, "Shy Baerns get nowt!"  A motto which I live by!  I always haggle!  Father's Daughter!

Next up - lippies!

Top Row - L-R - QTICA solid gold nail oil gel, Mac Curvaceous gloss, Chanel No.19 gloss, New ID Cosmetics gloss- Spice Berry, Mac spice lip liner

Bottom Row - L-R - Mac Faux (pink) lipstick, Chanel SPF15 Hydrating lip treatment, Mac Cherish (nude)  lipstick

As you can readily tell, I like my lippies and glosses!  I am a big fan of Mac as they do great colours and are relatively cheap.  I love Mac glosses too as they are rich albeit a bit sticky.  Mac Spice is my go-to lip liner.  I  have been using it for years, even since I got my lips Mac'd at the Kings Road store Chelsea 10+ years ago.

I bought the Chanel No.19 lipgloss from Selfridges when I was last in London for London Fashion Week.  The trip where I was 2 hours late to meet the girls, but that's another story!  Sharon (@SharonAWilliams) was donning this super sexy gloss that stayed on, so we all had a go.  The next day I went out to buy it.  Everyone wants it now - sis, Mum etc!

The Chanel lip treatment is the *best* lip balm I have ever used.  It is hydrating without being claggy and it's  uber-moisturising.  I absolutely love it and would be another Desert Island item! It's perfect for holidays for reapplying whilst chillaxing by the pool.

I bought the QTICA Solid Gold nail oil gel after having a mani in the spa at Hawks Cay last October.  I am a cuticle picker I am afraid, so I am always putting oils on to help repair and prevent!  It is fantastic.  The tiniest amount is needed and it rubs in from a gel to an oil and also has antiseptic in. It was about $13 I think, so money well spent.




Small Denman hairbrush, iPhone 3GS

You always need a brush to tend to your locks and I do not go *anywhere* without my trusty iPhone 3GS.  I love the hard leather pink case that I recently picked up from HMV Oxford Street.  It was reduced from £30 to £2!  I love a bargain!

And for the boring bits:



Tissues, wipes, car key, lots of pain killers, plasters and old tube ticket

I said I would include everything, so you have the warts and all! 
What's in your bag?

I look forward to your comments!
Fabulicious love!
Kate x