Aldi is sure to spark a price war as it offers school uniforms for less than €5.50

We are only at the start of the school holidays and already budget retailer Aldi has kicked off a new uniform price war, with this: offering a full school outfit for less than €5.50.

The German supermarket said frugal parents can buy a pleated skirt or trousers, two plain polo shirts, and a round neck sweater for €5.47 from any of its stores.

The ‘Back to School’ range, part of the retailer’s Special buys, also includes pinafores, scuff-resistant shoes, jackets and sports gear, and will go on sale next Thursday, July 23.

Research last week found that, on average, Irish parents pay out €166 to dress their children for school.

Aldi’s value school uniform features a pleated skirt or trousers (€1.99), a two pack of plain polo shirts (€1.99) and a round neck sweater (€1.49).

The range is available in a selection of colours, including grey marl, red, navy, white and blue, and comes in sizes 4-11. All sizes are the same price.

A study by the Irish League of Credit Unions last week said Dunnes Stores offered the best back-to-school value when it came to children’s uniforms.

But similar items from the store cost between €13.50 – €24 for girls and €12 – €21.50 for boys.

Rob Farrell, Group Buying Director at Aldi Ireland, said: “Each year, families across the country are put under huge pressure with back-to-school expenses. From books, to uniforms and stationery, the costs all add up.

“We had an extremely positive response from consumers to our uniform range last year, so it was without hesitation that we wanted to offer the best value school uniform in Ireland again this year.”

The school uniforms are machine washable, suitable for tumble drying and easy iron friendly, Mr Farrell added.

Aldi said the clothes were all “independently quality tested” by a “worldwide testing laboratory” and the trousers and skirts are coated in Teflon to help protect against common classroom stains and water.

❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

TV3’s The Restaurant 28/01/2015

TV3’s The Restaurant 28/01/2015 

Another week and my mug is in the media again 🙂 This time on the foodie show The Restaurant as a diner and critic of the celebrity chef on TV3.

Guest critics on TV3’s The Restaurant 28/01/2015

My hubby and I headed off to the 5* Wineport Lodge to be wined and dined in absolute style, from chauffeur driven luxury cars , to walking the red carpet, sipping on delicious champagne to dining with the legendary chef Marco Pierre White , it was a spectacular evening and one I would happily repeat in the morning.

The evening kicked off when we were picked up by our driver for the evening and taken to Wineport lodge, but from my point it started way earlier when I was picking out the frock and the accessories and doing the make up, the build up was magical, almost like a child on the build up to Christmas I was 🙂

We arrived at the venue, our door opened for us and ‘bam’ lights, camera, action, the red carpet is not for the faint hearted , the lights are bright, the cameras are flashing and you are attempting to listen to the director.

Off inside we go to being the wine sampling, and champagne sipping, mingling with the other diners and enjoying the canapés, we had no idea what wines we were tasting at the time but they were all absolutely gorgeous and went down a treat 🙂

About an hour or so later we made our way into the main dining room where we were show to our table by the fabulous, flamboyant yet charming John Healy.

Next came our waiter with water, more wine and our 1st glimpse of the menu, I will not go into the entire menu here as it will take all day and all the details on on the show here http://www.tv3.ie/player/show/708/89452/1/

Next in come the incredible , mountain of a man, Marco Pierre White, at this point my heart went out to the celebrity chef, I could could for nearly anyone but someone like him , I would fall to pieces.

We ate, we laughed, we tried to guess the celebrity chef and we just had the most enjoyable evening and at the end of the evening we were introduced to the celebrity , who I have to admit non of us guessed 🙂

Filming went on for a good 4-5 hours and we ended up with a 45 minute show, a really great show even if I do say so myself 🙂

Sure watch it here and tell me what you think http://www.tv3.ie/player/show/708/89452/1/

Thank you for reading you FABULOUS people

❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

Aldi launch clothing line for fuller-figured women

Bargain Buys! Aldi launch clothing line for fuller-figured women with sizes from 14-30.

THE budget supermarket favourite, releases its 1st stylish collection of jersey tops and denim for plus-sized ladies.

With the average dress size now 16, Aldi is also trying to muscle in on the growing plus size market with its announcement today of a range for women wearing 14 – 30 clothes. The range focuses on casual clothing and is in store from the 26th October. They’ve got essential wear, wide fitting loafers, tights and undies.

Fill your basket with more than a tub of milk and loaf of bread this autumn with Aldi’s new clothing range.

Aimed at fuller-figured women from size 14 to 24, the range features everything from classic denim jeans to must-have chunky knit cardigans.

The supermarket promises to add affordable fashion to your wardrobe without compromising on quality.

Stay warm and cosy when the weather turns chilly with a comfy cardigan.

Available for a very purse friendly €12.99, in brown, black or lilac, it looks perfect teamed with a fun fuchsia, cool cobalt or classic black and white top, priced at €12.99 for two.

The range also has essentials covered such as  of jeans.

Forget expensive Labels, Aldi’s great fitting, cotton jeans are a bargain at €11.99.

They are available in black or blue denim and for that price you can buy both.

For ladies who like to show off their pins the denim skirt, also €11.99, can be worn with a smart shirt in the office or teamed with a sparkly top for evening.

Aldi’s Specialbuys range also has the basics covered.

Stock up on their Fuller Figure 70 denier tights for €3.99, available in sizes L-XXL, and wide fit socks, €4.49.

Be sure to head to Aldi stores from 26th October 2014 when this range will arrive in stores.

Thank you for reading you FABULOUS people

❤ Claire with the hair McCarthy ❤