Primark Frustrations!

In February I set myself a spending ban. It was harder than I thought (as the world is full of cute little things I want to buy and wear/hang up/use) and there were a few points I found myself very very tempted, especially with all the sales and discount codes everyone seemed to throw out! Nevertheless I struggled through and was actually quite proud of myself come payday.

Even though I couldn’t spend I obviously window shopped (obviously), particularly in Primark which I pass through on a daily basis on my walk to work. There were many t-shirts I ooow’d and aaah’d at, both for myself and my wife, and I promised myself come March I’d  snap one or two of these tops up as a little pat on the back.

With a little time the other morning before work, I went into Primark to grab myself and my wife a new top each to perk up our spirits, but as I rifled through all the size 8, 10, 12, and 14’s, I quickly realised I was going to end up disappointed. It’s not the first time I’ve had this problem with Primark. They’re renowned for their dodgy sizing and lack of stock, but I still couldn’t help but be annoyed. On my second day with no luck, I grabbed a sales assistant to help me out. She sent someone to rifle through the back room and found one of the tops in my desired size. It was the Harry Potter one, which I was thrilled with as my wife had wanted a new HP top for a while. Eventually, I found another top I wanted with only one size over 14 jammed in the middle.

I just don’t understand, when it’s clear the demand is high, why Primark refuse to stock as many 16+ sizes as they do 14-. Especially when they have ‘geeky’ t-shirts and must know their larger sizes are gone extra quick with there being so few. It’s frustrating and disappointing, even more so when their sales are littered with these smaller sizes they couldn’t shift before.

Another problem I have with Primark (and most high street stores in general, actually) is the selection of men’s and women’s popular culture clothing (comics, TV shows, movies etc). Me and my wife are both massive Marvel and Star Wars fans and the selection of men’s clothing compared to women is infuriating. Girl’s clothing must be tight fitting, pink and proclaim something about only dating whatever kind of character they’re selling. Yes, they can be great and sure they’re fun, but why is this our only option? Why can’t  I have the Marvel belt or The Walking Dead t-shirt? And y’know, what if a guy wants a FRIENDS t-shirt? These gender stereotypes are ugly and useless and placed on top of the fact that women’s size availability is ridiculous it makes me really despise the place sometimes…

…but the clothes are cheap. For many years ‘geeks’ have struggled with the price tag that comes attached to our favourite obsession’s merch. It’s just one of those things when it’s your morals vs. your wallet and GOD DAMN that’s a pretty bad ass Batman top for just £6.

In closing BAD, PRIMARK! BAD!

 

Velvet Volcano: The Frankenkitty Range

I’ve always had a deep undying love for handmade products as well cats and Frankenstein, so you can imagine my glee face when I stumbled upon the wonderful Velvet Volcano and her incredible products – in particular her FRANKENKITTY line!

I must go through ten pairs of gloves every year as I always find myself pulling those flimsy little cheap threads and unravelling the whole thing, but not this year. I first spotted the adorable Frankenkitty gloves on Instagram and became ridiculously excited.

And then I saw the rest of the set…Unfortunately I only had enough money for two of the three items, so I pawed at the screen for a while and finally settled on the skinny scarf and added the hat to the wishlist.

I ordered just before my honeymoon, but I’m told the package arrived just after my leaving. I was astonished at how quickly these items were made and shipped out. To say most of these items are made to order and I know how popular they are, I can only imagine how much hard work goes in to the whole process. I was over the moon to return from my incredible honeymoon to find two lovingly packaged and extremely well made accessories – the Frankenkitty gloves and skinny scarf.

Honestly, words will never do justice to the work that so obviously goes in to these products. Warm, cute, unique, cosy, durable, comfy, eye catching…the list goes on.

Black Friday came quickly with all of its discount temptations, but there was only one place I knew I’d be spending my money.

And finally I completed the set!

There are so many amazingly designed and well-made items over at Velvet Volcano, and I urge you all to check them out and fill your basket!

Here’s the next on my wishlist:

Also…HEADBANDS! *eek*

Classy, Sassy and a bit Bad Assey!

I absolutely adore steampunk. The fashion, the background, the accessories – it’s all just basically beautiful and quite frankly if I had the money or the day job to prance around in Victorian garments and brass goggles and cogwheels I’d be doing nothing else with my day.

So you can imagine my absolute glee face when I went to West Didsbury’s Maker’s Market this Sunday and saw a steampunk stall.