Weekly Update!

Triple Country Club & Bank Holiday!

This week has been a nice, steady one, not too exciting, but enough to keep me entertained! On Tuesday I tried a new class at the gym called Kettlercise - which involves a series of minute long exercises with a kettle bell. I really enjoyed it, and felt that it didn't overexert me as you constantly change the muscle groups you're working, but I could tell I had done a workout, ideal class! 

That evening I ate there with Aum, and had salt and pepper tiger prawns with a side of broccoli and asparagus, followed by Paris Mess - which is very naughty (whipped cream, macaroon biscuits, ice cream, almonds and apricots) but tastes amazing!

On Thursday I was lucky enough to eat there again, as we went to use the free wifi for Aum to do his maths (they still have no internet at their new house). This time I had teriyaki glazed salmon on top of sweet potato chips - a lovely portion size and just what I fancied. On Friday I finished work early and it was a lovely evening, so I strolled to Styal Country Park and met Mo on the bike there. They were filming a period drama there so we had to stay out of the way, but had a nice chat on the kids play area in the sunshine!

The next day we got up quite early and went to Cheshire Oaks and then I babysat and took Aum to see Horrible Histories at the theatre (see previous posts). Today has been spent lounging around, followed by brunch with the girls again at the Country Club (I had the crab eggs benedict as it was so good last time!) and then after a drama with Mo's car not starting, we went to my parents house for a roast dinner. I am just about to get ready now for a night out with Amanda and Emma, two of the girls from university. We are going to Mojo's and intending ending in Liars Club, but we'll see how it goes!

Days Out...

Cheshire Oaks!

I have just returned from a day trip to Cheshire Oaks in Ellesmere Port with Mo. Surprisingly it was him that suggested it, so obviously I jumped at the chance! We set off at 11am so got there just before lunchtime and had a wander around a few shops first before getting a coffee in Starbucks.

My first purchase of the day was from AllSaints, where I tried on quite a few pairs of tailored shorts, an item that was on my list of things to buy. One pair were a lovely black satin with leopard print embossed on them; but unfortunately I was bang in between sizes so decided to give them a miss - I always regret buying things that don't fit properly. In the end I got some pale grey biker style jeans that are lovely and soft, and fit me perfectly. They had a slight tear near the waistband at the back, so were only £28, and a problem easily fixed. Full price they should have been £95, so definitely worth a bit of stitching!

We stopped for lunch (just at the Sainsburys cafe, quick and cheap!) and then continued around the rest of the shops. I also got two pairs of shorts for my holiday from French Connection (£15 and £18), but the bargain of the day was a dress from Karen Millen. I tried it on as I love dresses from there as they fit me really well, and it is a pretty minky-purple colour that was unusual. However, when I took it up to the till, the lady said it was £85 - way more than I thought it was (or could afford!). I pointed out a slight rip in the seam at the back (it is a pencil style skirt so is quite a common problem, and again easy to fix) so she reduced it down to £50. I still wasn't willing to pay that though, so the manager came over and I haggled her down to £30!

After I realised that we had been shopping for a few hours and I could tell Mo was getting impatient, so I suggested we went home. He didn't refuse!

Days Out...

Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port

Yesterday I went to Cheshire Oaks with my mum for a little shopping trip. I am still on my time off work, and she had a day off before returning to her job after a holiday, so we decided to do something enjoyable. I needed some shoes for my friend's wedding this weekend, so that was the purpose of the trip, although ironically I came home without any!

There were a lot of really good sales on this visit; I often find Cheshire Oaks is a little hit and miss, and sometimes you can wander around for hours without finding anything. Fortunately this wasn't one of those occasions. My first purchase was a cut out swimsuit for £12 and a pair of grey cats-eye sunglasses for £4 both from Vans. The swimsuit is cream with multicoloured leopard style spots on, interspersed with the occasional eye or two! I am not usually a fan of swimsuits (as they hinder maximum tanning opportunity!) but this one is completely open at the back, and the side sections that are cut out are quite big, so it isn't much more covering than a normal bikini.

Next, I tried on a few bits in Calvin Klein, mainly pyjama pants, as I have a pair already that are super comfy. I eventually went with a grey leopard print pair with a magenta waistband that were £15, that can be turned up into 3/4 length ones, which is great for all this hot weather.

My next purchase was an absolute steal! After trying on a couple of potential wedding shoes in Daniel, a pair of taupe studded heels caught my attention. They fitted perfectly and for only £11, I couldn't resist. Despite having a pair that are a similar colour already, I would wear them each for separate occasions (the other pair are wedges) so I didn't feel too bad.

At this point we were getting a bit tired, and craving coffee, so rushed the last few shops. I got a pair of Diesel bikini bottoms for £6 to go with a plain black top I have already, and a pair of little maroon shoe boots that were only £12 that Mum is putting away for a Christmas present for me. I also got Mo a purple striped shirt for the wedding, that was just £9 from Moss, bargain!

We stopped and had a coffee and McFlurry at McDonalds (new Galaxy Caramel flavour - amazing!) and then I met up with Claire who used to live in Paris and we all drove back home as she was staying the night. Successful trip!

Days Out...

Cheshire Oaks

Now that I don't work at the pub on Saturdays I have the novelty of a two day weekend, so today my mum ad I decided to go to Cheshire Oaks for a shop and some lunch. I have been looking for a nice winter coat for a while now, so thought that I may be able to get a decent one a bit cheaper with it being an outlet village.

We set off at just gone ten so arrived at eleven, and managed to get a car parking spot close to the shops, which is definitely a bonus. The first purchases of the day were from Warehouse, a really nice pair of red and black print silk trousers that are pyjama style, and a nylon burgundy track jacket with a gold zip that has a sport-luxe feel. I then found some really nice Miss 60 jeans that were stonewashed denim and had leather laces down the calf. They were £68, which isn't bad for a good pair of jeans, but with it being a fairly substantial buy I left them so that I could have a little think about it!

I got a top for the gym for £4 from the Nike shop, and then found my perfect coat - in Next of all places! It is corally red, the exact colour of the strap on my Mark Jacobs bag, so it seemed like a good omen. I had budgeted about £120 for it, but this one was only £30, so I felt less guilty for buying lots of other things that I didn't desperately need. 

By this time it was around 2pm, and we were both feeling peckish, so stopped at Wagamama for some food. I love the place, but my mum had never been, so it felt like the perfect opportunity. I chose the new dish called asai udon: flat noodles in a tamarind sauce with egg, tofu, prawns, lime and garnished with peanut, while my mum went for my favourite, cha han, a rice dish with mushroom, sweetcorn, mangetout, spring onions, prawns and chicken. It comes with a side order of pickles and a bowl of miso soup - an acquired taste, but I love it! 

My first purchase after lunch was a pair of brown leather flatforms with leopard print on the front and a buckle across from Soled Out- they are gorgeous! I also bought a pair of dark purple tights from M&S, and two t-shirts from Vans that were buy one get one half price, so it was only £10.50 for them both! They are fairly simple, but will be perfect to wear with jeans for work.

By this time we were flagging, so stopped at McDonalds for a coffee and cake, (everywhere else was packed full and it was too cold to sit outside) and then we drove home; but not before I sneaked back to Miss 60 for my jeans!

Traveller's Tales...

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

As I missed Mother's Day last week due to visiting my friend down South, my mum and I had decided to spend today doing something nice together. We got ready and then drove to Cheshire Oaks in the lovely sunshine for a spot of shopping. We got there at around 1pm and started in Ralph Lauren.

The outlet is a McArthur Glen one (they have them at various places around the country - I have also frequented the York one) and so everything is cheaper than in the normal shops, sometimes to a ridiculous degree, not that I'm complaining.

My first purchases were two bras from Elle McPherson Intimates, which are lovely and were only £5 each. They had loads available, so I had to choose carefully! Unfortunately they only had the matching briefs and thongs in big sizes, so I'll have to improvise with stuff I already have to make them complete sets.

We worked our way steadily around the perimeter, before stopping for some lunch at Pret A Manger. I was paying as a belated Mother's Day treat, and we had some soup each (I had pea and ham, Mum had curried lentil and chickpea) and then shared a crayfish and rocket sandwich. In hindsight we really didn't need both, as the soups were very thick and hearty, but we still just about managed to finish everything. I would insert a picture of our food here, if I had not forgotten my camera, and my Iphone had run out of battery!

After lunch we continued shopping, and I ended up with a couple of nice smart/ casual tops from Vans, a beautiful Fiorelli handbag that has been put away for my birthday later in the year, and a top and dress from Karen Millen. Both are very structured, the top is quite Japanese in style as it is sleeveless with a high collar, with a neckline that then drops, and was only £25. The dress was an absolute bargain, as I saw it reduced to £50 from £190 which already was a huge saving, and then when I tried it on I realised the zip was broken, so it had another £15 sliced off the price! Luckily I have a couple of people that I can call upon to help fix it, as it is gorgeous - black bodycon style, with a lace top panel that has a swirled pattern appliquéd on, I am hoping to have it ready to wear for when I go to New York in a couple of weeks.

It got to around 4.30pm and we were beginning to feel a little shopped out, so we stopped at Mcdonalds for a cheap coffee and McFlurry before heading back home, laden down with our bags. I am excited for my birthday to hurry up now so I can get my handbag! I have since worked out that all my purchases should have cost me £414, yet I paid £86. Well worth a visit if you are ever in the Ellesmere Port area!