Orla Kiely Tesco Bags

I don't know if any of you have been collecting the lovely Orla Kiely charity bags for Tesco, but I have been delighted to spy one in the store every so often. I think I spied my first one back in 2010, priced very competitively at £4.00 and have remained at this price ever since. I think the lovely and re-usable bags offer great value and with each one purchased, a contribution of 50p is divided and sent to CLIC and The Royal College of Art. I don't know how many are being released, or indeed if I have all of the designs, but I thought I'd share my little collection of seven different designs with you. I've forgotten exactly what order I purchased them in and if you have any different ones I would love to know :)

I loved the pear design on this one and if I remember rightly the first design released back in 2010.

This one I only got last week, so could still be in store, I love, love, love the jazzy red handles!

I think this may be have been purchased over a year ago, and maybe the second design released? Quite a retro design I thought.

  Next up we have this flowery number - it didn't quite float my boat straight away, but is turning out to be one of the favourite's in my collection.

I had to have this floral dot style - just love it and really like the contrasting green handles.

Next is this very 70s inspiring design, mustard's and greens are not my normal favourite colours, but I think work well in this design.

Finally is this jazzy sunflower-esque design. I love its zingy colours and think would make a great wallpaper.

So there you are, my little Orla Kiely collection - next time you are in Tesco I'd say it's well worth a little moochy (they are normally at the end of the tills) to see if there are any new designs.

I would love to know how many were/are being released - they really are super little bags and especially so as worthy charities are benefiting too :)

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Stylish Dressing For Back To School & The School Run From F&F

 I'm really excited to have collaborated with  F&F at Tesco again, and where we are given the opportunity to review items from their Back to School  range. We have thus far been super impressed with the school wear range from Tesco and again the quality and value for money is second to none. With Miss. Poppins growing at quite some rate, it can be challenging to find suitable sizes for her, though Tesco offered items in sizes that fit her really well. We always buy a 'spare' pair of shoes for the new school year in case of any eventuality and she absolutely loved a F&F pair of school shoes so we couldn't help but try them out. At only £10 they offer real value for money too, with a fashionable wedge heel great for her, and also very practical looking for me.

As well as the shoes, which I have a feeling shall become the 'main' pair, we opted to try out a pair of cotton rich navy cycling shorts. These come in a 2 pack, and are perfect for P.E. at school. She said they felt super soft on, and of a very high quality. She also tried out the girls jersey zip through hoodie. As Miss Poppins is hoping to join many sporty groups at school - this really is a perfect buy. Even I had a little try on and it really is super comfy.

Next it was Master Poppins' turn and for him we chose some staple items - two sweatshirts, including one from their basics range and which I have to say for £2 is not bad at all. The two pack sets of shirts, the long sleeve set and short sleeve set are indeed as it says on the label, easy to iron, good quality and very smart!

The 2 pack school shorts have special dirt defence, adjustable waists which are very handy for my skinny minny  - I think he looks very preppy!

His school trousers, with Teflon fabric protector at just £3.50 are a great value choice, and the 5pk of fresh feel ankle socks I think are just the cutest!

We have all been very impressed and shall certainly be going back to Tesco for any other back to school items needed.

 Prices: (can be dependent on sizes)

1x Basic Sweatshirt - £2

1x Unixsex School Sweatshirt - £4

1x School Trousers - £3.50

1x 2pk School Shorts - £5.50 (Sale)

1x 5pk Ankle Socks - £4

1x 5pk Sports Socks - £1.50

1x 2pk S/S School Shirts - £4

1x 2pk L/S School Shirts - £4.50

1x School Hoodie - £6

1x 2pk Cycle Shorts - £5

1x School Shoes - £10

So eleven pieces of school wear items for the grand total of £50. I think Tesco offer great value for money in their back to school range, and they really are quality items too.

The team at F&F also very kindly offered an outfit for myself to test out and wear on the school run. Being the fashion loving shopaholic I am, I couldn't wait to get browsing! Being somewhat of a thrifty shopper I headed straight over to their sale and found some lovely items I thought perfect for drop off. Early September can still be warm (here's hoping) so I couldn't resist the little jazzy denim skirt! The pretty pink crochet detail cardigan is so me and the camisole a perfect staple to go with many outfits. With some simple canvas pumps I think a cute little outfit to maybe head off and grab a coffee with one of the school mums. 

Skirt - £8 (Sale)

Cardigan - £8 (Sale)

Camisole - £3    

Again, great value for money and when the items arrived I was really impressed with the quality. Well I couldn't leave it there could I, so I popped these in the basket too - again two items from the sale being the jeggins and shirt. I thought a lovely outfit to wear on cooler days. I love the slogan snood and a perfect scarf for between the seasons.   

Jeggins - £5 (Sale)

Polka Dot Shirt - £7 (Sale)  

Snood - £5

On my more comfy days I loved these on trend aztec pants - they really are so comfy and having a hint of pink right up my street. A pretty lacy waistcoat creats a very relaxed feel and they go perfectly with the camisole too.

Aztec Pants - £6 (Sale) 

Camisole - £3 (As Before)

Waistcoat - £7 (Sale)

So some great items there, 8 items, and 3 outfits for just less than £50 - probably more than 3 outfits in fact as you could mix and match. F&F I occasionally find tend to be quite a generous fitting so a couple of these items had to be returned and different sizes purchased, and I have to say the customer service was ace!

As I was in a spending mood and have this 'big' birthday in less days than I care to think about, I thought I'd treat myself to something to wear on the day. Again I headed to the sales and fell in love with an outfit that cost me less than £20! I thought I could also perhaps incorporate the camisole.

Oh I just love it and it fits perfectly - I was thinking I could wear tights if a cold day and go bare legged with some vintage style sandals if a little warmer. The waterfall jacket is just lovely and I think shall go with many items. Of course I couldn't resist a little try on ;) The cute sunshine bag is also a F&F item and was a gift from the children for Mother's Day.

  

Stripe Jacket - £10 (Sale)

Stripe Shorts - £7 (Sale)

Camisole - £3 (As Before)

 So there we, are a very Tesco-tastic post, some super items from F&F and I can't wait to see what new ranges they bring out. Whats so great about ordering is as I have discovered, if you don't want to wait in, with click and collect you can pick up your order from your chosen store for free! And, if you order before 3pm, you could collect it the next day! So a really good service too :) As for me, I have to be careful I don't get to click happy - as I could spend a small fortune - at least for now, my wardrobe is looking much prettier :) 

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Disclosure: F&F at Tesco contacted me to be involved in their 'back to school' campaign. We were provided with vouchers for schoolwear and a school run outfit for the purposes of this review post. Some items I purchased myself. All words and opinions my own.

Tesco Back To School Range Giveaway....

Well, it is nearly time for the school bell to ring again, and as ever in the Poppins' household, we do kind of leave things last minute to get the uniforms and all the new pencil cases and pens. * Tut Tut *  So, it is at times like this that I am glad I am friends with Mr/Mrs. Tesco who sent out a selection of uniform, notebooks, pencil cases, pencils and pens for Master and Miss Poppins to help get them in the mood for getting back to school.

Oh yes, the little Poppins are certainly getting in the mood.... and I am very impressed with the high quality and feel of the uniforms, and many items you don't even need to iron *hooray*

To help get your little ones back in the mood for school, Tesco have kindly offered a £15 voucher code to spend on their online Tesco Back to School range. If you would like the voucher code to spend on the back to school range, feel free to leave a comment on this post saying so by teatime (ish), 2nd September, and I shall pick a winner from the hat and email the voucher code over to the lucky winner.

Good Luck.

Edit: Thank you, a winner has been picked from the hat, enjoy your voucher :)
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My Tesco Experience & Money Off Vouchers Giveaway....

Thank you for your comments on my last post, I am slowly finding my own balancing act on the www and my internet time management use. I shall get there, hopefully. So, we know I like the internet and we know I like shopping....hmmm sounds like a plan!!! The crew at Tesco must have known this as I was offered a voucher to use off my shopping bill with them and review their online service at Tesco.com and do a Tesco Grocery Shop online. They have also offered money off vouchers for 10 of you too for your first online visit. So keep reading if you think this may interest you.

 I have never bought groceries off the internet before. Bags, shoes, clothes, fabric, etc, etc, etc, etc, yes, but not groceries. I wasn't sure if it would be as much fun as shoe shopping, but I was in for a lovely surprise. I had some advice beforehand from avid online grocery shopper friends of mine of what to expect, little tips and found that very useful. One thing that excited me about the shop was that I could do it online, at my time, my pleasure and in the comfort of my own home. For me, and being a late bird, my online shop took place at around midnight. I shan't tell you what time it was when it was all completed ;0) The Tesco website was so easy to navigate, even as a first time user I quickly got used to it. There were some great 3 for 2 offers on many of my items, I got quite into it, thinking I was some sort of contestant on Supermarket Sweep.... I shall have one of those, two of those, oohhh that looks nice....


I couldn't believe my shopping would be with me technically the same day, I even enjoyed choosing a slot, I choose 4-6pm as I knew the children would have fun seeing the little lorry turn up, and see our man and our bags of shopping....( We lead a simple life ). Club card points get popped on too and any substitutions you don't have to take, and can be refunded there and then.
I haven't got onto my driver yet have I....COR!!! is all I am going to say. He was also helpful, friendly, chatty and a delight to welcome into my kitchen to help with my bags. Yes I did plum for bags, perhaps won't on my next visit online, thinking of the olde environment and all that....

So, a really enjoyable first time experience for me, and even if I couldn't get me some handbags and shoes, it's not all about the food, as I found myself some super day cream, and a bargain at half price, £5.10 from the original price at £10.20....

( No getting old jokes please, I bought it because my mother always tells me off for not wearing face cream, so there you are mum, probably my first face cream I have bought in about 10 years ) I was an avid wearer of Nivea for my face in my youth, couldn't get enough of the stuff. Anyway, I digress. If you would like £12.00 off your first online grocery shop when you spend £50.00 or more, all you need to do is let me know you would ike the voucher by comment here. I have ten money off vouchers to giveaway so if there are more than ten of you, then I shall pop you in a hat and choose ten winners. I shall send you over your special code which is valid from the 28th February for a shop delivered on or before 11th March. Winners shall be picked just before Take Me Out ( embarrassed icon ) on Saturday 21st February.

Seemingly I have to let you know about these too....

Terms and conditions

£12 off your online grocery shop when you spend £50 or more. Code is valid from February 28th 2011 on a single grocery order, delivered on or before 11th March 2011. Customers must spend & have delivered £50 or more of groceries from Tesco.com/grocery Purchases from Wine By the Case do not qualify. £50 minimum spend excludes purchases of tobacco, infant milk formulae, prescription medicines & the service charge. Valid on purchases from  Tesco.com/grocery groceries site only. Valid for first-time Tesco.com grocery shoppers only. Cannot be used in conjunction with other coupons. This coupon is and shall remain the property of Tesco Stores Limited and is not for resale or publication.

Good luck and happy shopping!
 
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A Mary Poppins Week....

Thank you so much for your wonderful and inspiring comments on my florals post and the wearing of them. I thought the comment from Shabbily By The Sea  was very touching...." If a hundred year old walled garden can can wear roses then why can't we? " So true Kristina.

Well I have been nosing at fashion magazines and actually it seems, florals are the *in* thing at the moment. Many of the catwalks have pretty florals gracing them and I enjoyed reading this post on Fashion Urbia  Hey blogettes, maybe we have started something with this floral thing ;0) As I mentioned, I love to wear the floral cardigan I photographed in my last post, and here I am wearing it. I don't post photographs of me often, so please be gentle....

I was featured in a lovely magazine that is local to my area and surrounding towns and villages. The article was about blogging and my love of handmaking what I call my pretties I use the word a lot, I think I first used it on my blog here gosh one of my first posts back in 2008. I really enjoyed chit chatting with the friendly editor of the magazine at my home, and I have to say, I have had lovely feedback ( even my super postman said he enjoyed reading it ) I was quite tickled that my photograph, on the contents page, was bigger than Sir Alex Ferguson's  ;0)

It actually has been somewhat of a Mary Poppins week, first my little article in this months Tesco magazine, then on the same day as this magazine's release, I was on the television. It was the repeat of my Bargain Hunt episode, where I appeared as a contestant with my lovely friend  in 2009. I didnt realise it was on until it was nearly over, and some people who didnt get to see it first time round, said they really enjoyed it and it looked like we had a ball, we certainly did !! We even made it on to their 25th anniversary edition last year, those bloomin' candleabra's are famous I tell you....

So after all the lovely attention I have had, I am hoping for a quiet week, in my own little world, making pretties and getting on with life and all that it brings. I have been getting into more of a sunnier disposition, and holding off buying that light box as the sun has been a peeping on occassion, and very much lifting my mood. Though she is obviously a little shy and hasn't been back since. Come on Sun I miss you....
 
So back to the chine it is, I enjoyed making these pretties....:0)


Pretty cushions....
 

Sweet fabric covered notebooks....

And Oh so pretty bags....

Is it wrong that I want to keep everything I make ;0)

Hope you are having a good week whatever you are up to, going to go for a blog moochy to see what your news is....

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Orla Kiely For Tesco Charity Bag Giveaway....

Some of you may know that Tesco are working in collaboration with Orla Kiely and a little like the Cath Kidston range of charity bags that were on offer last year at Tesco, it is now Orla Kiely who is the cutting edge desiner of the new style charity bags

These range of bags I gather have been quite hard to come by, my local store was delivered 90 and have all but pretty much sold it seems. I got there just in time to grab a couple and would like to offer one to someone who would appreciate it, who perhaps may have tried to get hold of one and for whatever reason couldn't. Or just because you like it. All I would like to know if you would like to go in the hat, is what you would use the bag for. As for me, it shall probably be used as a shopping bag, until I can think of something a little more imaginative ;0)

So, one gorgeous Orla Kiely bag up for grabs, leave your comment if you would like to be in with a chance to win it, and a winner shall be picked at random in a week (29th) Overseas welcome and good luck :0)

 

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Thank you, a giveaway winner has been chosen, thanks to all who entered

Are You And Money At One....

Can I ask you a personal question?

Well, what could be more personal than talking about money and finances, and what your relationship is like with money. Do you work well together ? Do you get on, are you good at saving your pennies.

For me, money goes through my hands like water, I should appreciate it much more. I know deep down I should be popping my spare pennies in a little money pot and look forward to watching those pennies grow and prosper, to be spent on a rainy day. Though I am very much a live for the day kind of girl, retirement and having funds to spend when I am old and grey seems such a long, long way away. Though know it shall be here before I know it. So, for me I spend for the now, I shop to my hearts content ( though not my husband's) and I would certainly have me down as somewhat of a shopoholic. I think credit cards can have their place, if used carefully, wisely and with the respect they deserve. When I worked as cabin crew, I ended up being grounded, along with other crew members in Tenerife, one of the aircraft tyre's needed repairing and we ended up in Tenerife for a couple of days whilst the aeroplane was being fixed. My trusty credit card came in useful when stuck abroad, with no cash so to speak of. Amongst my own local supermarket, when one can get lots of lovely local produce, I like to shop with Tesco, and they even have their own Tesco Credit Card and I think as long as one goes in with ones eyes wide open, and a good financial head on ones shoulders, credit cards can be used wisely.

As for me....well I could have the shopping personality to get myself in a little trouble ;0) I mean look at this photograph of my kitchen table with some of my shopping on, not all bought in one go, I must say.

And how many Cath Kidston crush mugs do I really need....

There are more in cupboards, *embarrassed icon*

Blogging I have found to be very influential, and perhaps some of us shopping fans can be quite influenced by each other's pretty buys, I know I can be, I may even be saving money in my own way if I didn't read so many pretty blogs where shopping is shared, I am sooooooo easily led, and I lOVE pretty things in my home.

So would you own up, are you good with money. I am a nosy olde sort and would love to know if any of you are as norty as I am with those pretty pieces of paper one can hand over at something called a till point, and in exchange get something ever so pretty handed over in return....

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Stuck For Idea's On A Present....

With my daughters birthday coming up on bonfire night, I have to start thinking about what to get her as a little present, and I have to say, I am really stuck. Yes I have asked her what she would like and her response is, I would like....a surprise. Sheesh no help there then. So I popped online at Tesco for some inspiration on children's gifts  Luckily there is a half price sale on many of their toys and I found one or too that may be suitable. Miss Poppins, even at 8, is still a fan of disney princess  and barbie dolls but if she is happy then I am, I think I played with dolls until....;0)

 She doesn't own a mobile telephone, a DS wotsit, or any other gadgetry things and doesn't really show much interest in them anyway. She loves to draw, paint, create, write ( she is a brilliant, poetic writer, being a fluent reader when she was 5, her love of words is astonishing ) even at this tender age I do think writing is something that may develop and who knows I could have an aspiring author on my hands. One gift that I truly think would be perfect for her and I had I not be sent it by the team over at  The Great Toy Guide for her and I to review, I would certainly would have had it on my birthday list for her.

It truly is a wonderful crafty item for any creative child, and soooooooooooo pretty to look at too. Please feel free to keep a look out on the Great Toy Guide for our review, which shall be posted shortly.
So, off to search for some more inspirations I can see me at this rate leaving it all very last minute but if you have any suggestions on what present an 8 nearly 9 year old  could receive that would make her eyes shine and her face light up. A bit like shen her little brother got his tardis, boy, he could barely take it in, that he had his very own tardis to play with, he was ecstatic. And I so would love to see her face light up with joy the same way when she unwraps her gift from us.

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New Beginings....

Hello, hope you are all enjoying the sun, well if you are, lucky you, because I haven't seen any for a looong time ;0) Actually I am in sunnyish Wales and the sun I think, could be joining me for the day, she is there, just wish she would shine a little brighter, I am always in a better mood when the sun is out :0)

Well, the time is getting nearer for my baby, my little boy, my 3lb at birth bundle of joy to be starting big school. All the stress I spoke about here about me being a little late getting his forms in, and then the possibility of us having to appeal for a place at his school. A, within catchment and B, that his big sister already goes to, was, I have say, a little stressy. As it happened, I believe our local MP got involved as there were others in a similar situation and a further 5 places were allocated, normally there are only 20 places available at our village school. Your comments and support on that post were invaluable and got me through a very tricky time.
Thank you.

Here is my little man, a couple of days old, after being born 11 weeks early and having a little extra oxygen....

So we had his school place, and time ticked on as it invariably does and now here we are only a couple of weeks away from him starting, and guess what, I DON'T WANT HIM TO :0(
Well, yes of course he should, and shall be going. But he still has little naps ( with mummy sometimes) with my floral scarf as his little comforter, he also has a heart condition ( Pulmonary Stenosis) and although he had a successful cardiac ballooning at three months old, and you would never know there was /is anything wrong with him, he is as fit and healthy as the other boys his age, though is always there on my mind. Think it is a mummy thing, shall never stop worrying.

But go forth he must, I know he shall be alright, especially with his lovely, beautiful, special and proud sister looking after him, she shall keep her beady eye on her special little brother....

But believe me, all the tissues in the world won't fix my tears on his big day. I have been putting off the inevitable, venturing into the shops for the big boy uniform. I think I managed a little pair of shorts for my little bundle of joy, but that made me blub, so I quickly paid for them and ran home ;0) So, talking of lovely bundles of joy, imagine my delight and surprise when this lovely hamper of bundles of uniform arrived from the people over at Tesco I have to say as a mummy I sometimes struggle on ocassion to find suitable, appropiate clothes in Miss.P's age range. ( Anyone else think the young girls clothes range in many stores are sometimes not appropiate )  I don't want my 8 year old to dress like a four year old, though neither do I want her to look like a teenager quite yet. For me, the young girl's clothing range at Tesco have come up trumps this summer, and I have found some lovely, pretty numbers that both Miss. P and I both love. Anyway back to the lovely hamper I received....

Not only uniform for Master P, but also for his big sister too, who loves her trendy uniform from Tesco. The uniforms are lovely, many from their Signature range, which is very stylish. Miss.Poppins especially likes her cardigan and skirt.

Thank you very much  to the lovely people at Tesco, if they hadn't sent me some lovely uniforms  maybe, just maybe, the little man in my life would have gone to school in only those little shorts I bought him ;0) Anyone else have these *my baby to ickle to start big school feelings* Master P is only a week or so over the age of four. Though I shall do my best to be the proud Mummy that he deserves and when I dress him ( see, I even dress him still ) in his smart new Tesco uniform, I shall shed a tear of happiness too of how very far he has come.

Well, I have been very kindly given the opportunity from Tesco to offer one of you, one of my lovely friends the chance to receive a lovely uniform hamper filled with delights for your child/children too. I would so dearly have loved Tesco to send each and everyone of you with school age children one, and had to think hard about who I think would like to receive this wonderful  uniform hamper.

Yes, I thought, she would love one....

My lovely friend Lesley who I met through blogging when we both started up about 2 years ago. We realised we lived not too far from each other, and have had some lovely meet ups, our children have a lovely friendship, even sleepovers have taken place, and these lovely friendships, perhaps, would not have been formed, had we both not entered the world, that is blogging. So Lesley, I would love you to receive some  uniform treats for your children, and enjoy. Thank you for a being a good friend.

So, I have the uniform, all I need now is the courage to drop him off and wave goodbye....

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