TK Maxx Christmas

My free time is almost non existent at the moment, so when I'm Christmas shopping on the high street I want to get as many gifts as possible in the bag in one shop. 

I've been slack (again) this year but being asked to take part in the TK Maxx #TheMoment campaign was the push I needed to get out and get shopping. 

My challenge? To purchase awesome Christmas gifts for five members of my family from the extensive range available at my local TK Maxx store. 

This was going to be a piece of cake for an experienced TK Maxx shopper (and her assistant) on a mission to complete the festive gift buying in one fair swoop!

Christmas Shopping Challenge On!

What did I buy??

1. Cute bobble hat for Betty (as modelled by Biba!)

2. Cute bobble hat for Biba (as modelled by Biba!)

3. Stackable multitool kit for Ethan, though I really want that for myself!

4. Power Port for Yan, though I really want that for myself, sigh.

5. Hat and scarf set for Kelli, though that grey and orange combo is calling out to me... 

6. Socks for Sonny

7. Slinky for the cats, they love a bit of slinky stairs action!

8. Matching Christmas jumpers for Purdy (the Westie) and Cheryl and Aggy (the beautiful Cornish Rex kitties)

9. Headphones for Betty

10. Cocktail shaker for Ethan (in the hope that he visits and makes Gin Fizz for me)

See it really is that easy to shop for your whole family at TK Maxx. My challenge was to buy gifts for five and I came home with bags bursting with the ultimate #TheMoment gifts for my family of nine. Happy days.

*I did come home with 2 additional carrier bags full of goodies BUT I've shipped them off for Santa to wrap.

DISCLOSURE : This is a sponsored post, however all of the items featured were purchased by me in order to write this post.

Dr Martens Factory Shop : LOVE!

Now we might live out in the sticks where the sheep are loud and the internet isn't great, but we do live near the Dr Martens Factory Shop!

We're regular visitors, it's like a traditional family day out for us and whilst I was working away today, Yan & Betty went shopping..... and didn't they do well?!

Pink Dr Martens Clemency Boots £30 (RRP: £115)

For me, a pair of Clemency Boots. I don't have any with this heel, so a new style for my collection.

Dr Martens Aggy Bow Sandals £20! (RRP £120)

For Betty a pair of the lush Aggy Deyn Bow sandals. I bought Biba a pair of when they first came out and they didn't cost me £20!

Dr Martens X Comme des Garcons Mens Sandals

For Yan these fab Comme collaboration sandals. I can't find them online but today they were £20!

Not a bad shopping trip I'd say.

Loving Home Barn Antiques

I get a bit twitchy over the winter months when I can't get my regular Sunday morning vintage fix. Around here the boot sales shut up shop in October and don't reappear until Easter so any passing opportunity is too good for me to miss.

I was on my way to a meeting when I spotted a sign for Home Barn in Little Marlow.

Packed with the stuff that sets my heart racing. Drawers, plan chests, picture frames, carved letters, Ladybird books, London Underground signage.... yes, London Underground signage.

I seriously NEED those drawers in my life and the Transport for London poster and the school cloakroom bench - obvs.

You can find Home Barn just off junction 4 of the M40, in Little Marlow. If you're a lover of vintage / antiques, you really do NEED to make a visit. You'll love it.

Home Barn have an online store so you can feed your need from the comfort of your own sofa, www.homebarnshop.co.uk and you can find them on Twitter and Facebook.

I'm trying to reign myself in here but Home Barn is my new fave store!

See website for address and opening hours.

5 of the Best Lomography Cameras

I've just spotted this awesome Lomography Camera sale over on FAB. It's too awesome not to share, with prices from just £24. Don't hang around though... the sale ends in 5 days!

Pictured clockwise from top left : 

Diana F+ Mr.Pink, Diana Baby 110 + 12mm lens, Lomoking with Lomokinscope, Colorsplash Camera Chakra, Fisheye Baby 110 Bauhaus.

www.eu.fab.com

Emerald Colour of the Year 2013

Expect the high street stores to become a sea of green over the next couple of months as Pantone announce that Emerald Green is the new Tangerine Tango and colour of the year 2013.

I love bold colours, I just rarely feel in the mood for such bright, bold shopping. My wardrobe is testament to this with rails of black, black and more black. Still that at least gives me a good base to accessorise from right?

Enjoy the inspiration but will you be going green?

Geek Sweatshirt from Top Shop, Rosantica Necklace from Matches, Satchel from Cambridge Satchel Company, Notebook from Moleskin, Lucas Nascimento Dress from Matches, Diana F Lomography Camera and Case from Lomography.com, Leather Carry All Pouch from American Apparel, Jil Sander T Shirt from Net-a-porter.com

Christmas Gift Guide : Geek is Chic

What can I say? It's eclectic but it's packed with Christmas Gift Ideas that would otherwise never have crossed your mind!

1. You can't beat a  retro style camera and this handmade silver necklace is so cute. A must for Instagram lovers. $83.99 from Uncovet.com

2. Last year my lovely family bought me the LEGO VW T1 Camper Van and I spent two glorious days locked in my office building away like I was 10 again. If you happen to read this Santa, I would love to get my hands of the 4295 piece LEGO Tower Bridge £209 from Lego.com

3. I love the idea of the Polaroid Z340 Instant Digital Camera but then I'm a Polaroid fan full stop. The 14 megapixel digital, twist on the much loved retro models delivers an ink free 3 x 4 print in less than a minute. I wouldn't say no. £199 from Amazon.co.uk

4. If you're looking for something a bit different you really can't go wrong with a foldable ARTcHAIR. Ultra light and water repellent it makes a perfect festival or camping companion and low maintenance house pet. Despite it's petite looks it can take up to 200kg in weight. £14 from Fab.com

5. I LOVE this set of postcards featuring 100 awesome, classic Ladybird Covers. I picked this one up for £9.99 in my local TK Maxx store and following a fab suggestion from a friend today I'll be seeking out frames, like these ones from HomeSense and creating personally chosen print sets for my friends.

6. Kiss goodbye to being caught without an all important gift tag and delight in being crafty with this funky Gift Tag Stamp Kit £9.50 from Fab.com. It's simple but no home should be without one.

7. Every girl needs a new dress for the party season and if you're planning a designer number why not track down a piece from one of the many fabulous up and coming new British designers? You'll be supporting them and rocking a frock that hasn't been mass produced. Dress £495 by Yan-to.com

8. Mine's on order and even though I got over Hello Kitty four years ago I just had to have one in my extensive satchel collection. From £110 from Zatchels.com

9. If you want to ensure a bit of 'me time' once the pressies are opened, my top tip for getting the family out from under your feet so that you can enjoy your champers whilst pretending to cook the Christmas dinner is to buy them a Go Kart... a Kettler Silverstone Air Go Kart. £219 from Kettler.co.uk

10. And finally... If you are a woman with a blog, how about treating yourself to that Cybher™ ticket before they sell out? Cybher.com

Enjoy your shopping!

Vintage Kitsch at FabUK

I think it's been at least a week since I shared my love for Fab and today I spotted some really cool things in their sales (birthday in a few weeks...).

I love these vintage notebooks by Madame Chalet and at £10 for 3 I think they are not to miss.

Or these cool cards... 

Made from sustainably sourced card with a 100% recycled envelope featuring retro figurines. I have a large collection of those cats in my bathroom and a couple of the dogs too and I simply don't have enough of those deer ornaments! At £8 for a set of 4, you can't go wrong.

I have a couple of vintage typewriters knocking around too but they aren't in the same league as these funky little numbers.

Prices vary, you can shop the typewriter sale here.

I could go on but I really ought to do some work. *sigh*

What do you mean you aren't a member? You can join the awesomeness that is FabUK here.

Make Your Macbook Happy

I think my blog is dangerously close to becoming a Fab UK fan site but I'm powerless in this. They simply sell things that are too cool not to share.

This morning I'm loving this awesome Macbook Air sleeve from Mujjo.

Handmade in the Netherlands from top notch leather and soft felt. If I was a Macbook Air, this is where I'd like to be residing.

Actually, when you think about it in those terms I'd say that Bob (as my Air is affectionately known) deserves a nice pad after the battering that he gets from me. He works long hours, travels extensively, makes sure that I'm at meetings and tells me the time, on the hour, every hour.

Don't hang around though. Fab sales are time sensitive and you only have 6 days to make your Macbook happy! No Macbook, no worries, there's a matching iPad and iPhone case too!

If you would like to join this cool members only site you can do so using the invite link below.

Join Fab UK NOW!

You can find them on Twitter @FabUK

Today I'm Loving Yumalum

A couple of months ago one of my best friends posted a pic on Instagram of some awesome prints that she'd just taken delivery of. Naturally I commented, asking where she'd bought them.

She ignored me, so I asked again and she ignored me again. I started to think that I didn't like her quite so much after all.

Then the following week this beautiful pic arrived....

She'd been ignoring me because she had already bought me one. I love her!

The print is from yumalum on Etsy. Go take a look, they have some really cool prints and graphic cards and they have a 15% discount code on there store at the moment so what on earth are you waiting for? Here are a few more of my faves.

Tweetville print £36.12

Big Love Cards £7.88 

Love Eames print £19.05

Dance to the music print £19.05

Update (5 mins after posting)

Sorry I just bought the Big Love cards!

Today I'm Loving : Mulberry

I'm supposed to be working and I didn't mean to end up on the Mulberry site but a Christmas shopping mailer landed in my inbox.... What's a girl to do?

Dear Santa,
Please bring me this beautiful Hot Fuchsia Mulberry iPhone case.

Love,

Update : 

Someone just pointed out that £70 may be over budget for a Christmas pressie... but let's face it, the only person who would possibly buy it for me is my hubby and he knows that I'm worth it so I recon that i'm good to go.

Then came across an alternative case from Rightbag priced at the very affordable £14.99. 

Then I started looking around the rest of the site. Hello.... They have the best range of laptop bags aimed at women that I've ever seen.

Sticking with the pink theme that this post seems to have fallen into. This thick wool laptop sleeve is divine.

Looks like they have a great delivery service too. Order by 3pm for same day dispatch. It doesn't get any better than that!