I've Been Shopping #1

Yesterday I took a shopping trip with my Ma and Grandma - I can't say my local town is comparable to Covent Garden, but now and again I find some little gems. Here's what I picked up...

I found this book in TK Maxx. If you've never looked in the book section of TK Maxx your missing out - Often I've found brilliant Art, Design and Fashion books for a margin of their original cost. I picked up "The Vintage Tea Party" to show my mum as she and my dad are taking part in "Come Dine With Me" with their friends. The front cover is what really attracted me, it's beautifully illustrated. The recipes are traditional, but each have quirky little tweaks, coincided with images of interesting ways of presenting the food. I like this book as it's not as twee as the title would make it seem, it's actually pretty cool and even if your no Nigella Lawson (me included), it's one of those books that's nice to flick through and a bargain at £7.99.

Essie Polishes L-R Infatuation, E-Nuff is E-Nuff, Adore-A-Ball and Grow Richer

Another TK Maxx find much to my surprise were these Essie nail polish. The three coloured polishes came in a set for £9.99, which is an absolute steel seeing as I think I paid that price for one in Boots. I'm not sure if they're discontinued colours or last seasons range or something, but they pretty much suit my nail polish needs, especially "E-Nuff is E-Nuff" it's the perfect coral for summer. I also picked up a "Grow Richer" for about £2.99, as a serial nail biter anything that claims to speed up nail growth is my friend.

I found this little white smock dress in a YMCA down the dodgy end of town - I've been looking for something like this for about two months now after seeing a gorgeous one in All Saints. It cost me £4.99, possibly one eighth of the price of the All Saints dress, however my YMCA version is still great quality, weighty and has pretty embroidered detailing all over it. I'm not taken with the buttons, but those can easily be changed. I'm planning on wearing it this weekend (fingers crossed the weather stays nice) so I'll get some pics of it being warn as I don't think my photos show it's full potential.

Last thing I bought was completely a frivolous purchase on my part. This little coin purse cost me £1 from good ol' Primark. I'm a bit obsessed with anything sailor or nautical related (hence the ship on my header) so this just completely sucked me in, it had a red and white bow on, but I quickly got it removed. I don't know what I'll use it for as I rarely have change.. maybe I'll put receipts in it or something. It's fulfilled my maritime needs anyways!

Hope you liked what I bought :)