Cath Kidston comes to Newbury!

I almost couldn't contain my excitement over Cath Kidston coming to Newbury, I was actually really gutted to miss out on the opening and a complimentary Cath Kidston Newbury button badge. Nevertheless, I had Saturday to get my fix and one of the first things I did last Saturday morning was get down to Parkway and pop into the new store.




I must admit that I was a little disheartened as the décor is a little less exciting than previous Cath Kidston shops that I've visited but it's still full of all the lovely things that make Cath Kidston the brand it is. I've got a little saving to do but it's safe to say I'm planning on being a frequent visitor.



Seeing items in the kids section in Cath Kidston can tend to end in disappointment. If I was little enough I would basically dress in their kids range from head to toe. That fox scarf and hat are so cute and although I hate them, I might stretch to lusting after those wellies a little.


It's so nice to see Cath Kidston stocking Quail now rather than their imitation version. These cuties are the perfect match to my money box but I still have my heart set on the pug ones I mentioned a few weeks ago.
I was tempted by a great pair of winter pyjama bottoms but as they're something I don't need right now I didn't pick them up but I did manage to get a few things, two out of the three items were even things I needed so it was a successful Cath Kidston trip yet again!

Sunglasses case: £12

I've needed a sunglasses case since losing mine somewhere in Turkey. I think this is a great investment as I reckon I've got a little more wear out of my sunglasses yet and I'm hoping this case will last a while. Now I have somewhere safe for my glasses rather than having them loose in my bag.
It even came with a glasses cleaning cloth (is that the right word, it doesn't sound like it?), which was a nice touch as I hate finger prints and the like, particularly covering my eyes.

Pin Badge Set: £8

I'm really loving Cath Kidston's woodland theme this season, and am currently lusting after their squirrel-print shirt. At £38, it's a little out of my price range so I settled for these instead. I love a good badge and these are the cutest!

Bluebell Hand Cream: £8

Getting up earlier with the mornings getting colder, as well as working in an air-conditioned office means that my hands have been a little dry lately and I've been looking to get another hand cream to take to work. I sampled this in the shop and it was irresistible (obviously), it's got a floral but light scent and a light non-greasy texture, perfect!
It also has vitamin E, which I'm convinced explains my almost instantly 'less-gross' nails after a nail-biting binge around a week ago. I can only recommend it and although I admit it's far from budget, you don't need a lot at a time so it will last ages. For the amount you get, I think the price is incredibly reasonable considering the difference it's made so far it's actually great value against similarly priced brands.

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I fancy leaving you with an unrelated photo of this amazing dog I saw on the way back home, it's like the dog version of Doll, and was so soft and fluffy. Why yes, I did touch it ♥.

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Hey there, Cath!

Cath Kidston is coming to Newbury next week and I'm super-excited!

On Saturday, to celebrate the opening of their latest store in Newbury, Cath Kidston brought their caravan to the Parkway shopping centre. I wish I'd had my camera because it was so adorable, both on the inside and out. I was also lucky enough to get a discount card for the new store, but not a temporary tattoo as advertised on Facebook (*sadface). Without there being a sale on, I actually managed to get some Cath Kidston items that I could afford, in fact, I got two. I don't know if it's because of the 'Tour' but I'm really pleased with my buys and the prices they came to. I adore Cath Kidston and I'm looking forward to having a proper browse of the new shop next weekend, I am a little sad to miss the opening on Thursday though as they're giving away limited edition Newbury badges like the one above.

You can find out more about Cath Kidston 'On the Road' on the Cath Kidston website.

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I haven't been able to treat myself guilt-free in what feels like an age, even though it's not been that long, so it was nice to buy something that I wanted rather than needed especially when it came in such a pretty bag.




Birdcage Umbrella, £10
I love this style of umbrella and have been in need of a new umbrella for a while, with so much drizzle and the likelihood of more, I think this is pretty sensible. I think it might be a kids one but I'm pretty little, plus it's in one of my favourite Cath Kidston patterns. ♥



Recycled All Wool Rug, £20
I'm hoping we won't be moving from our tiny flat for a little while so my next project is to 'cosy up' our bedroom as it hasn't really got much personality and we've mainly only paid attention to our kitchen-lounge. This rug is so warm but would be good for sitting on too. It's been so cold recently so having the extra layer is really nice/makes me a bit of a granny.


For spending over £30, I got these free gifts, I'm not usually a sucker for a free gift, but I think these are pretty good. You can never have too many keyrings.



I think Doll appreciates the new rug, although she did attempt to rip it up just after these were taken...

Getting and getting.

This photo sure makes me look small, I'm pretty sure I'm not actually that small.
Although I've passed the age of getting presents from every person I've ever met, I felt truly spoilt on my birthday this year. I got so many surprises as well as so many things I wanted. I know some people don't think of their birthday as a big deal and generally I suppose I don't go as crazy as some other people I know, but I like to feel spoilt and get nice things, it's not like it's my birthday every day.

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These light switch faces were a secret gift from my best friend sent with my birthday card, she's so thoughtful. I first spotted these in the window of Maiden back in November, now I have two classy light switches in the kitchen, they've been already become a hidden talking point. My prized gift was my Nikon One, I hope to take it on a few adventures this weekend but it still feels like I'm cheating on my D90, I guess I'll just have to alternate. Also pictured are my new kitchen knives, not the most glamourous of gifts, but probably the most needed.Note the kind birthday card from aforementioned best friend.


Gift from Moon: This was a surprise and something I wanted, it's from Tesco of all places, but I love it, and it already goes with my kitty cushions. I've been loving Cath Kidston's soldier designs and this comes very close and the rest of it is my favourite color ♥.


Gift from Moon: This pin is from Cath Kidston and compliments my new cushion so well.


Gift from Moon: Sadly I don't have this anymore as it was a bit big and no longer in stock when we sent it back. It's from Cath Kidston too, I genuinely wish I could have kept it but at the size it was it was kind of unflattering and a shame to waste such a nice dress, I loved the alternative take on polka dots.


Gifts from Moon: Moon and I are sometimes weirdly in sync, I happened to be browsing 'Drive' posters just a few weeks before and this beaut landed in my lap, all the way from America in a pretty frame. It's one of our favourite films, definitely has potential to easily become a classic. He also picked me up a vinyl of Wall of Arms by The Maccabbees as they're my favourite band and it's my favourite album - we do have a lot of vinyl for people who don't have a record player but this is a perfect piece of artwork and I love the scale.


Gift from my sister: This is actually my third name necklace, I've not had the best luck and they always seem to break on me. Hopefully this one won't, I love how huge it is.




This was a jokey gift from my Gran filled with cat toys for Doll, it's quite a useful tin though and appropriate.

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The weekend after my birthday we headed 'home' home to Dorking, and after a trip to Brighton, we spent the Sunday morning at our favourite car boot in Rusper, we hardly ever go away empty handed as was the case this time.

As soon as we got home I had to put her on the shelf, she sat there for a good 5 minutes.
We have far too many books and DVDs and it's been annoying me from the moment we unpacked them that they had to sit on just one shelving unit together, so we picked up this for just £5 and it doubles nicely as a side-table. We couldn't resist this vintage 1930s Thermos for £3, we're thinking to give it dual use as both a vase and as a plain ornament.


Before


After/Now.



So satisfying to see all my books in one place.



For Reading, although the weather ended up not really permitting it and I was covered in a jumper nearly all the time, a few of us decided Hawaiian shirts would be a good idea. I got these from 'To Be Worn Again' in Sydney Street for £5 each, a bargain, and I'm looking for any excuse to fit them into my everyday outfits.


I yammered on about these after my first visit to Porta in Brighton. It's a tiny person necklace, it was in the sale and just £14, I had to have it after searching everywhere with no joy.

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Have you received any nice gifts lately or bought yourself anything nice?