TK Maxx: Designer Heaven

TK Maxx can be hit or miss – but with the added advantage of the online store, the new store in Dundrum, minutes from my house, and my favourite store in Carrickmines, I get the best of all worlds.

It has absolutely everything, and with my eclectic tastes and vintage style TK Maxx always has something to offer me – I rarely walk away disappointed. The past two weeks between Carrickmines, Dundrum and the UK online store, the selection has  been exceptional. I felt like I was in an episode of SATC with all the brands coming at me: Oscar de la Renta, Cynthia Rowley, DKNY, Nine West and Steve Madden. I mean, I’m literally living in heaven.

I have a lot of friends, who don’t like to follow brands, and I used to be one of them – I also have friends who like good quality, and friends who live for labels. I love the romance of the labels, the quality of them and the luxurious feel of my very newly acquired trove.

It started in Belfast at the end of February when I came across a pair of Green Vintage Superdry jeans for £14.99. They fit like a glove, I was in love and HAD to have them. Then it was my Nine West heels. I was on a mission to find a pair of nude coloured heels to add to my ever expanding collection; and all my usual suspects having failed, I ventured into TK Maxx, making a B-line for the shoes – surprise, surprise! After much disappointment with Steve Madden and Guess, the Nine West heels fit like a second skin. They were a steal for €39.99 as they are on sale in Debenhams atm for €125!! They also have a few pairs left in Dundrum in size 7 & 8 but aren’t available on the UK site.

After my win on the shoe aisle I ventured over to the nightwear/ underwear section, boy was I in for a treat! I got a DKNY Nude Strapless Bra for €9.99. I also bagged myself two nighties, one black Cynthia Rowley €12, and my favourite a white with black lace Oscar de la Renta €22.99 – I may not be able to wear his shoes, but I can sleep with the dream every night!

My newest addition to the closet is my Steve Madden Leopard Print Pony Haired boots. I got these for a steal in TK Maxx at £39.99 which converts to about €49. This is an absolute bargain. They not only do they look beautiful but they make my legs look amazing to! 

 

They only have a few pairs left so if you love them as much as I do, make haste! If you are shipping from the UK to Ireland, you should check out ParcelMotel. I use this company every time I shop on the TK Maxx UK website and my boots which I ordered Monday lunchtime, were on my feet last night at 8.55pm! That my dears, is quality service.

This is only a small, selective selection of the fabulous gems I’ve bagged in TK Maxx of late; others include Roxy and DKNY jeans. It really is Irelands answer to Century 21.

The Green Hen Restaurant, Dublin

I along with several other food enthusiasts went for dinner here last week. I had never heard of The Green Hen, but once I knew where we were going I jumped online to check out the menu; eager to see what delights they had in store for us. Their website is classic, tasteful and easy to navigate, so within seconds I was glancing through the menu options. I clicked on the Early Bird option as I knew this was what we’d booked and was delighted to see the choices on the menu, 3 courses for €22.

 

I have walked down Exchequer Street hundreds of times and never noticed this beautiful restaurant, more the pity. I got there just on time and was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception of the staff and the chic décor. I felt a sudden sense of familiarity which reminded me of a Parisian café, nestled in a corner that I’d just happened upon. 

 The waitress led me upstairs to our table which was situated beside the bar. This space is a smaller, more intimate dining area but was perfect for our table of ten. 

The staff were so attentive and we had ordered in no time at all – I opted for the Goats Cheese & Beetroot Salad to Start, followed by the Pan Fried Fillet of Hake with white beans, Chorizo and Kale; and to Finish the most amazing dish of all, the Chocolate & Hazelnut Parfait. 

 

While I thought all the food was beautiful, I did feel the mains was lacking in Kale; apart from four tiny leaves and a few white beans there wasn’t much to accompany the Hake which was disappointing.

The Green Hen is ranked #223/ 1962 best restaurants in Dublin on Tripadvisor and I would highly recommend this restaurant if you fancy “French cuisine with an Irish Twist” (GH).

12 Day Blogger Challenge - Day 2: Review a Product, Service or Brand

I came across the Sleek makeup brand a couple of months at a friends party. I admired someone's lipstick which turned out to be a Sleek matte me ultra smooth matt lipcream. It was bursting with pigment. I was shocked when I heard the price! A few weeks later in Boots I went looking for it. What I found was so much better: Check it out.   

Rows and rows of eye pallets for €9.99!! There are 12 shades on each pallet, which is an absolute bargain. I chose two pallets Vintage Romance 141 & Oh So Special 658, a blush pallet with three shades called Lace 367 with “intensely pigmented matt and shimmer blushers” and an eyebrow pallet: Light 817! I also chose one of the matt lipcream’s in Petal 435.

Vintage Romance

Vintage Romance

I love the brow kit as I’m having an issue with thinning brows over the past few months, so the brow kit helps to keep my brows full looking without being too false. The kit comes with a handy mini tweezers, angle brush to get the shape just right with the pigmented wax, and another handy brush to brush on the setting powder. 

You can check out the Sleek website here.  

I'm sure you will love this brand as much as I do! 

Enjoy 

Juls x

12 Day Blogger Challenge - Day 1: Why Do You Blog? Plus Five Random Facts!

I came across the 12 day challenge on Miss Sugar Spice Blog and thanks to Amy from Style Storms Blog for sending it on!

I started blogging in 2011 after my first year in college, as an outlet for my writing passions. I had imagined there would be some form of college newsletter or magazine I could contribute to, but sadly not. So this along with my love of literature, theatre, Film and life led to my blogging path.

This blog is actually my third, after two years developing the other two I finally realised what I wanted to focus on and moved on to Juls Hidden Gems. My blogging journey has been such a learning curve for me. I love writing, I just get lost in it. Unfortunately when I was finishing my thesis earlier this year, it had to be put on the backburner, but it has my full attention again. I have time now to actually root out those little gems around Dublin and on my other travels to share with you!

Five Random Facts

1.      Penguins have knees

2.     I have moved over 20 times in my life

3.     This winter is set to be the coldest in 75 years FACT

4.     The male seahorse carries the foetus

5.     Nanook of the North  (1922) is the first known documentary film

Juls x

Angel Park Eatery, Deli and Restaurant

Dare I say it but the Angel Park Eatery is a little gem! It’s conveniently located near my office, so today knowing I would be working late, I took the plunge and ventured down for a hot lunch.

The interior is simple, yet tasteful with a vibrant staff and a buzzing atmosphere; a New York eatery in the heart of Dublin city, compounded by thick Dublin accents. It makes for a very warm feeling, topped with top quality wholesome food.

They had an array of hot boxes on offer including: Malaysian Chicken curry, Chicken Dippers, and Chilli Con Carne. They also had a large variety of salads and sides. I chose the Chilli Con Carne with steamed rice, mixed leaves and toasted seed & carrot salad, topped off with sour cream. It was utterly scrumptious.

I would highly recommend this little deli, located on Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.

Chow Down!

Juls x

Liebster Award Nomination

I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Paige, Queen Beauty blogger over at Miss Sugar Spice All Things Nice . 

Paige is a charismatic blogger, who has a lot to offer. I came across her blog on Twitter and have been hooked ever since.The blogging world can be isolating, but every once in a while you meet some new energy who livens up the blogosphere! Thanks Paige for the nomination!

The Liebster Award is about choosing to recognise flourishing bloggers.  There are a variety of badges, as well as different requirements, but regardless, the general initiative remains the same: 

·        Acknowledge The Blog Who Nominated You And Display The Award

·        Answer the 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you

·        Give 11 facts about yourself

·        Nominate 11 blogs who you feel deserve this award

·        Let The Bloggers Know That You Have Nominated Them

·        Give them 11 questions to answer.

Below are my questions from Paige:

1.     How tall are you?

                              5ft 6.5 in

2.    Goals in life?

To be a published author of a novel or two!

3.    Your favourite bloggers? 

My top three favourite bloggers are:

·        Peacoats and Plaid

·        Lost in Travels

·        Miss Sugar Spice All Things Nice

4.    If you had the chance to endorse a beauty product/ brand, who would you choose? 

I don’t particularly believe in endorsing brands. I’m quite honest really, I either like something or I don’t. If something is good, it speaks for itself!

5.    You are stuck on a deserted island what three things would you like to have?

·        Food

·        Water

·        Shelter

          (I like my creature comforts) 

6.    Would you rather spend or Splurge on Makeup?

I think both of these options are the same? I am addicted to the new SLEEK makeup pallets at boots!!! I have two eye pallets, one cheek and one brow. I NEED more FACES to paint!!!

7.    Song you love at the moment? 

I love The Scrip’s Superheroes; it’s such a feel good song!

8.     Celeb Crush?

Have and always will love Bruce Willis

9.     Do you prefer Straight or Curly hair?

It depends on the weather!

10.If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why? 

Edinburgh; To me, it is the most magical city on the planet.

11. What’s your go to lip shade?

Either Red or Revlon’s pale pink Chubby stick.

 

11 Facts about Me!

1.     My Favourite food is salad.

2.    I lived in Australia for four months

3.    I have two cats: Harry and Jessie, both tuxedos

4.    I drink coffee from a teacup and saucer, with a china spoon!

5.    LOVE Downton Abbey.

6.    Still miss my Nokia every day.

7.    Favourite author Maeve Binchy

8.     Favourite Singer The Original Rude Boys

9.     My undergrad thesis focused on domestic violence in the Victorian Period  

10.Currently reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society 

11.  This is my first Blog Award!

I nominate:

           Put a Bird On It

           Dipping in Dublin

           JooJoo-Blog

           Penny's Vintage Home

           Pink Tea and Paper

           My Lifestyle Diary

           A Compass Rose

           A Golden State of Mind

           Heidi's Wanderings

           A Well Traveled Woman 
           Peplum and Coffee

My questions to you are:

          1. Reasons for blogging?

          2. Favourite blog post?

          3. Favourite time to write?

          4. Favourite book?

          5. Favourite Author?

          6. Favourite Film?

          7. Your favourite place in the world?

          8. Have you ever written about that place?

          9. Favourite Restaurant?

         10. Favourite means of transport for travelling?

         11. Favourite Blog?

Happy Halloween!

The decorations are up, and the treats are ready for some trickery n treaters!

I'm looking forward to my annual  Hocus Pocus screening this evening; some witches brew to wash down some tasty kurly kale 🎃👻. 

If you're heading out tonight and want some last minute costume ideas, check out my articles on Krank.ie!

Last Minute Costumes

Have a Happy Halloween!

Juls

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