Toddler sale haul

I love love love sales, you can pick up some great bargains and pay a fraction of the price. This time of year is the best time to pick up things for next winter and Christmas. Yes I have bought things for next Christmas! I just put it all in a box and stick it away but it saves me a fair amount of money on things I would have ended up buying for Michael anyway. 

Mothercare

I was quite late to the Mothercare sale this year, a lot of the things I would have wanted for Michael they ran out of his size in my local store. However I did pick him up a pair of red pumps in a bigger size reduced from £10 to £3. They also had a range of other colours. I love these on Michael, they look great with jeans and shorts in the summer. Hoping they fit him when we go away in May. I also picked him up a pair of cute snowman socks for Christmas 2016. At 50p they were really cheap and he would have got a new pair of Christmas socks anyway.

Next

I really like Next clothes, I think they are a great quality and wear very well. However they can be expensive, therefore I do try to take advantage of their sales. This year I picked him up some really nice long sleeve t-shirts for next winter in the size 3-4 years. At £3 reduced from £7 and a double pack at £5 reduced from £14 they were a great price for good quality. Hopefully they will also do him good for two winters since Next is quite generous with their sizing.

In my post on a Christmas Eve box, you would have noticed I also give Michael new pjs on Christmas Eve. From Next I also picked him up a very cute pair of minion Christmas pjs that were £5 reduced from £16. He really likes the minion films and since he will be 3 in September, I think the size 3-4 years will fit him by the December. 

Asda

My local Asda reduced all their Christmas bits really quickly so all of the stuff I picked up from Asda are Christmas related. A snowman t-shirt reduced from £3 to £2, snowman socks reduced from £1.50 to 50p (I forgot I already picked him up a pair!) a Santa key that was 50p reduced from £2 and a letter writing set that was just 25p. I didn't bother doing many Santa things with Michael in 2015 because at 2 I just didn't think he was quite there with understanding it all but 2016 and at 3 years of age, I think he will understand and really enjoy the key and letter. 

Not for Michael I also bought Lego Darth Vader in Asda reduced to £10 from £25. That is the cheapest I have seen them and will be a really good birthday present for my partner in July. He loves Star Wars and Lego so two birds with one stone. Star Wars mania is everywhere! 

Primark

Last but not least was Primark and these bits I just picked up today. I am not the biggest fan of Primark for children's clothes but I had to go in there for vests and they had a lot reduced so I had a look. I am really pleased with what I bought and pleasantly surprised at the quality. Fleece pyjamas at £3 a pair, needed this week it's freezing! A tracksuit  onsie at £3 reduced from £7, a rain jacket at £5 reduced from £9 and a really cute rugby style long sleeved top at £2 reduced from £5. All bigger sizes, while I don't think they will last Michael two winters like the clothes from Next, they should last until next year.

I don't think I spent too much on the sales but I must admit that I do try and buy Michael's clothes in the sales and at a cheaper price. I have also been looking for a new coat for him next winter at a reduced price but have not yet found one I like. Perhaps when Next have their sale in the spring. All of the stuff I bought should still be available online/in store.

Let me know if you found any great bargains in the sales, or if you know of some nice coats for toddler boys let me know in the comments below.

H. 

Getting Ready for Winter - Clothing

It is now September and the new school year for me signals the start of the colder weather. Sure enough the temperature is falling and the nights drawing in. I actually love autumn and winter! Cosy nights in watching Downton Abbey and Strictly. Lovely! It is at this time of year I start to prepare for the winter by heading to the stores and buying Michael what he needs for the upcoming months. Luckily he has a lot of long sleeved tops and decent trousers that fit him from last year so I did not really have to buy any more of them.

1. Jumpers I am in love with wool jumpers at the moment for Michael. So thick and warm and really well made. I like plain and traditional designs for Michael and think they look really smart. 

The blue jumper was £13 from Next and the green one only £7 from Asda. He also wore one on his birthday(see post) that was from H&M. They have a really good range of winter clothing this year.

2. Dressing Gown and slippers.  Must haves when getting up on cold mornings! Love soft dressing gowns, I have 3! The one Michael has was only £5 from Mothercare. His slippers were from the Disney Store and were a birthday present from my mum. 

3. Vests! These really don't have to be anything special. I got Michael some plain white vests in a pack of 3 for only £1.70 in Primark. They are only to wear under his shirts on the days it is bitterly cold.

4. Winter coat I actually bought Michael's winter coat last year in the sales. It was £25 reduced to £9. Winter coats can be expensive but Asda sell reasonably priced coats that are quite nice. Michael's coat is from Next and is fleece lined so should keep him nice and toasty. 

5. Gloves and hat. Again bought these just last week from Primark because you really do not need to pay a lot of gloves and a hat in my view. Just plain black will do. Although I am not sure Michael will wear his hat, he took off his summer cap all the time. If anyone has any tips for encouraging their child to keep on their hat let me know!

6. Wellies. It rains a lot! Must have if you are out a lot whatever the weather like we are. Got plain blue ones from Asda for just £5. They will do nicely. Even in the buggy with the raincover Michael needs waterproof shoes. Yet to find a buggy raincover that covers his bottom of the legs and feet! 

There are still some things I do need to buy Michael. He has long sleeved pjs but I will probably buy him some thicker ones as well. It gets really cold at our place. 

Also have to share, how cute is Michael's Halloween costume?! 

I know it's early since Halloween is a while away. However Home Bargains have some of their range in and this vampire costume was only £4.99 Bargain! so thought I would buy it and put it away for him. I love Halloween so of course Michael is dressed up every year! 

Now Michael is all set for Winter clothing wise I can get my winter stuff out and have a sort out. Every year I always seem to need more jumpers! We also dig out the extra blankets and hot water bottles later down the year. Am also in love with more autumn based candles. 

Let me know what you do to prepare for Winter.

H. 

Shopping Haul

This last week I have been quite ill with a viral infection and stuck indoors. Today I finally felt better so I had to get out of the house. I took Michael to my local shopping centre at Romford for some bits and bobs I needed. I picked up some great bargains so I thought I would share them.

1: Home Bargains. I love this store! It is so affordable and does loads of things cheaper than most stores. The store also has everything for sale

The Flash All Purpose Cleaner is my favourite product to use to clean the bathroom. It smells fantastic, usually £2:99 in my local Asda. In HB, it was only 99p

Simple Wipes 80 pack-99p

Two pk children's toothbrushes-69p

Toilet Cleaner Wipes-59p a pack

Mickey Mouse Cupcake Mix-99p. Michael will love these when we make them tomorrow.

Photo Frame-69p

Cup with Lid and straw-59p. Michael really likes these and they don't spill.

Jake and the Neverlands Facecloth-19p!

Cans of drink-29p-35p.

Toothpaste-69p

I also saw these adorable cushions and had to have them 

How cute is the rabbit and the squirrel?! I thought they would add a nice touch to my sofa and living room. They were just £3.99 each.

As I was at the till, I also saw these little card messages. 

So I picked some up for relatives, they were just 19p each! In most of the card stores they are more like £2.

2: Peacocks.

I do not usually shop in Peacocks but today I noticed they had a sale on so thought I would have a quick browse. Again I was disappointed with the store's selection for women but I did get these three bits.

Dinosaur Top Size Age 2-£5 reduced to £3.

Pack of Alien Stickers-£1:50 reduced to 50p 

Owl scarf-£5 reduced to £2:50. My mums loves owls so I got this for her and will be putting it away as one of her christmas presents.

3: HMV

4: Asda

Underwear- 3 pairs for £6

Nappies-£4:50

Take a Break Magazine

Notepad- £1:50

Pack of 3 pens-£1

Asda had loads of back to school bits so if you have children at school, have a look in there. It was all very affordable.

I do enjoy looking around the shops at Romford and was up there for about two hours. Michael of course kicked off on the bus and was a right pain for most of the 45 minute journey so I don't often make the trip to Romford but I was pleased today with what I bought. 

H.