Etsy Buys And Finds

    I have been clearing out once again. And I have been trapped in a sea of ebay items. I am now up to a total of 81 sold items. I still have plenty of stuff to go but I think it's time for a little break.       
     It's quite strange to have gone from somebody who loved shopping to somebody who loves getting rid of stuff.
    I no longer look at shops in the town centre and I never even look at websites I used to buy from all the time (ASOS, Topshop etc.)  When I decided to go on a shopping ban at the beginning of the year, I didn't think I would manage to stick to it so well and end up wanting to get rid of most of the things I own!
      It hasn't been a complete ban and I have still been buying a few things from Etsy. Most of these things have been gifts. But I have still been adding to my favourite collection (I always will).  
     One of the other things I have bought is a doll from Boopsiedaisy. I have liked a lot of the dolls from this shop but had never bought one. So I decided to make my first purchase a custom order. And I asked for (you guessed it) a black cat doll. I'm so glad I decided to get this doll made (her name is Pawlie), she is so cute. I would recommend this shop if you are looking for something cute and quirky.

Pictures belong to Boopsiedaisy you can find her shop here.

I thought I share a few other cute finds that I love but won't be buying!

I really like these anthropomorphic macarons and cookies from SandraArteagA. You can find her Etsy shop here.

And I have been quite tempted by these gorgeous vintage French knife rests in the form of cute little cats. They are From LaManche and you can find her Etsy shop here.

My Local Lush Has A Makeover

      I had meant to write a post about this a while ago (the opening was on 23rd Feb!) but never got round to it.
    I love Lush, what they stand for, but most of all their beautiful products! So it was only natural that I had to go and see what the new store was like. I didn't really know what they could do to make it that different.
    I dragged my Mum down with me and when we went into the shop it looked fantastic. It just looks so much classier. All of the wooden interior has gone in favour of a more modern and sleek grey colour scheme. They have the same amount of stock on the shop floor but it seems as if there is less so it looks much tidier.
   Upon entering the shop there were lots of goodies on offer, Champange, luxury fruit sticks and one member of staff had even made macarons and chocolate truffles. I opted for a chocolate truffle, while my Mum chose a macaron (glittery I might add). And I have to say I think the truffles were the best I've ever tasted, I am told the macarons were great too.
    To keep the macaron theme going I purchased two bubbleroon bars. I chose Green Bubbleroon which reminds me of a fresh meadow and Yuzu and Cocoa which smells of chocolate and grapefruit. Of course I had to limit myself as I am trying to save money.
     What's more with every purchase you got your choice of tote bag (I liked pineapple best) and badge (I chose red).
      The launch of the new store was great it was very classy and posh, I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately I wasn't brave enough to take photos inside the shop.
     I also came home with a Fred and Ginger calendar (which mum treated me to) it was half price, so well worth it for 12 pictures. My Mum and I both have a soft spot for gingerbread men and the Fred and Ginger range is just so funny.

Shopping, Cake And Macarons

        I have been doing very well cutting down on my spending. As much as I love shopping, it is great to see the old bank balance rising rather sharply.
       But two weeks ago on Saturday we decided to take a little trip to St Andrews. Mainly to see what Easter goodies the shop had to offer.
    Although the Easter stuff was not great (we didn't buy any), I did manage to find a few other things...

       I bought two items from the Gorjuss range (I seem to buy something from the Gorjuss range every time I'm there). First the Ruby purse because it has a cat on it and it shares the name with one of my kittens. And then the Poppy Wood clutch which is also pretty.
     From the same shop I bought a black cat pen holder (for my collection) and two cards. One featuring a cat dressed as an Easter bunny, the other with a duckling wearing a tutu on it.
       Then we went to a charity shop that just sells books, some modern and a lot of vintage. Both my Mum and I really like vintage books and this time we weren't disappointed.
     My Mum bought a few vintage Agatha Christie books, what's great about them is they have the lovely vintage illustrations on the covers. She had most of them years ago but got rid of them and regretted it.
       I came away with a very nice selection all of which my Mum was kind enough to buy for me. I got three Timbucktoo books by Roger Hargreaves. I grew up with the Mr Men and Little Miss books but I'd never heard of these.
    The three I picked were Sniff (rabbit), Baa (sheep) and Roar lion.
    I also got two vintage Beatrix Potter books. I used to have quite a big collection of Beatrix Potter stuff. But even when I had my collection none of the books were nearly as old as these. An added bonus is that they both have their dust jackets.

      
        Of course the trip would not have been complete without a visit to Bibi's Bakery. I picked one of the specials for that day which was pecan and white chocolate (which was delicious!), My Mum picked Victoria sponge (so my kittens could enjoy it too). And they did, especially Ruby, who has a big weakness for cake and icing. Of course we only let them have a little bit. But Ruby enjoyed carrying the cake case around in her mouth, then tearing it to shreds later on!

    
         I also had a big craving for a macaron. I opted for lemon while Mum chose strawberry. These macarons were quite expensive at £1.50 a pop. But I have to say they were very close to what a proper macaron should taste like (they were so good).