Lucy likes a bargain (another bloody SALE HAUL!), as well as optimistic resolutions!

Hi all!

First of all, I just wanted to wish everyone a really happy new year! I hope 2012 is bloomin' brilliant for all of you, and I'm sure it will be. I'm a little scared about this year, to be honest. I graduate in June (hopefully!) and turn 21 in July so it's time to be a proper adult sadly! I've made a few new years resolutions, which I think are realistic so am praying that I actually stick to them:

1) WORK HARDER! I definitely need to start studying a little bit more (lots of extra reading and going to ALL lectures, only one proper term left) so I've got myself a cute diary and proper stationary to help me keep on top of things.

2) EXERCISE! I've bought Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred (Link!) DVD as it's only 20 minutes of exercise a day and there are three levels, so room for progression. I think twenty minutes is definitely doable and I'm going to make my housemates do it with me so we encourage each other and keep motivated. I'd also like to get into running again once it gets slightly warmer.

3) FEWER WISPA GOLDS! I am unhealthily addicted to Wispa Golds, they're just so damn good, and I really need to kick the habit. Going to try to replace them with Options hot chocolate as that's low in calories and then finally fruit (ideally!)

Hopefully sticking to 2) and 3) will lead to me losing the Christmas chunk, and 1) isn't too unrealistic!

I've absolutely loved reading about all of your new years resolutions, and they've made me feel a lot more motivated about keeping to mine!

Secondly, as the title suggests, I hit the sales again, couldn't resist! I got myself a couple of pairs of shoes, a jacket, a ring and some make-up-y bits.

Got these beauties from Bank: originally: £25, down to £6!!
I've been wanting a simple black loafer for ages but have struggled to find a pair that were comfortable, sturdy and patent.
These are SO comfortable as they have a lot of cushioning in them.
I could not believe that they were SIX POUNDS!
They also had them in Oxblood, a deep red, which were absolutely gorgeous but they only had them in fairly big sizes, bad times.

Select (again!): Originally: £25, down to £12
I really love shoe boots, and constantly wear them when out. I bought these as I love an almond toe and wanted a chunky heel instead of a wedge, for a change. They're so comfortable and cut at a really flattering part of the ankle. I just won a navy vintage beaded top on eBay (will show you it when it comes!) and I think these boots would look so good with the top and standard wet-look leggings.

New Look: Originally £44.99, down to £9!Recently, I haven't been too keen on New Look and have struggled to find many pieces that I really liked. Because of this, I wasn't really expecting much when I had a quick look in their sale. Saying that, I cannot believe this jacket was NINE POUNDS! I think £9 for a coat is insane, especially one with such cute detailing around the collar and pockets. It falls to just below the hip and has a slight a-line shape, which I am a fan of.

Topshop: (L to R; clockwise) Ring: Originally £12.50, down to £6.25; Lip Balm (in Dew): Originally £4, down to £1;  Eyeshadow Mousse (in Tundra): Originally £8, down to £2
I had my eye on this ring for a while, as I absolutely love quirky, animal rings. The lip balm is really moisturising and is ever so slightly pink-y so it's nice to use throughout the day as I really like a natural lip (can't really go wrong for a pound). The Eyeshadow Mousse (swatch below) is honestly brilliant! It's such a gorgeous colour and just does not crease like normal mousse formulations. It stays on for absolutely ages as well so if you see it, I'd definitely recommend getting it! I absolutely love the mousse in Glint but they were all out in the Topshop I was looking in.

Right that's all of my sale purchases and I really need to stop spending now! I think in my next post I'm going to go through my favourite products of 2011 (better late than never!).

Let me know what you think of my purchases and if you've had anymore successes!
Also please let me know about your resolutions; I'd be so grateful for any tips for effective exercising or organisation!

Hope you have a super Tuesday,

Lots of love,
Lucy xxx

Lucy does not like sales! (HAUL)

Hola!

I'm on a bit of a blogging roll tonight! There's so many bits I want to chat about and show you all!

Thought I might show you a few things I bought when in town on Christmas Eve and yesterday. I didn't brave the sales on Boxing Day because there was nothing I was desperate to get and I normally panic and grab hideous clothes just because they're 80% off or something, so instead I went in for a little look yesterday (although it was still so busy). Also, the Topshop sale started on Christmas Eve instead of Boxing Day so I went in then to have a little look. It was so quiet and tidy and there was so much there; I'd definitely recommend heading in before Christmas next year (although I'm not sure if this is the case in all stores).

Right, so from Topshop, I got these bits:

Original price: £38, down to £20
I love chunky knits this winter and really loved the neck on this especially.
I really like wearing it with dark red chinos and glittery gold pumps,
as it's so simple and comfy.
 For £18 (I got student discount) I'm really happy with it!

Original price: £36, down to £15
I really love the colour of this top and the sleeves
(apologies that the sleeves aren't shown very well here)
I think the cut out detail is interesting and it'd look great with
leather-look leggings and wedge shoe boots when I'm going out
but don't want to completely freeze!
For £13.50 I think it's so good!

After Topshop I had a quick look in Select. I really find Select to be a bit hit and miss: sometimes they have some really nice pieces that look a lot more expensive than they actually are, as well as being on trend; other times I am really not a fan!

Original price: £14, down to £7
I have been wanting this shirt for SO LONG,
but I could never find it in store and they didn't have it in my size online,
 so I was so happy to finally find it in the sale for half price!
 I absolutely love the studs/gems and the dropped hem at the back.
It's such a lovely length and I can't wait to wear it!

Those are the only things I found in the sales. Not much, although admittedly, I didn't look too hard or for very long! Did anyone have more patience than me and get any real bargains? Can you recommend some good sales I should have a look at?

Whilst shopping, I also bought a few pieces of make up, which were sadly not reduced:

I was trawling the GOSH counter in Superdrug and came across this brilliant brow pen for £5.99. I've been looking for a brow pen that suits my colouring for a while now; I always find them to either be too ashy, too red, or too dark. That's why I was drawn to this product. I've found that it stays on for so long (as the name suggests!) and the nib makes it so easy to apply in order to keep it looking natural. I chose the shade 004 (Wheat) and there's a swatch below. I really do love this product!

I also couldn't resist another Topshop Blush (£6.00)! This time I went for a creme blush is Neon Rose (link!). I love coral shades and this is such a brightening colour. I'm really into keeping my skin dewy at the moment so creamy formulas like this are brilliant for me. I haven't found a brush I love applying it with yet though, so I was hoping you'd have some suggestions?

Here are some swatches of the two products - apologies for the awful photo and my pale arm!

Please let me know if you found any bargains! I'd love to hear what you all found!

Lots of love,
Lucy xxx