Shopping Ban Lifted - & I Can't Shop!

So since my last purchase I have completed a month of no shopping, congratulations me!  With that in mind and the fact I have a contract in the centre of London, smart business attire needed, I hot footed it in to town today to try and grab a few key pieces to see me through.  Having worked in smart/casual environments for the best part of 10 years, my business clothing has depleted and at best, I reckon it's going to last me the week.  I was after some separates, namely a skirt and perhaps another pair of trousers.  Nothing.  I'll take that a step further, not only was there nothing for me in smart clothing, nothing casual jumped out at me either!  Everything I looked at I scrutinised and felt wasn't worthy of my hard earned pennies.  It seems my break has done me good, it's made me appreciate what works for me and not scrimp on quality for a fast fashion/shopaholic fix.  Mmmm, how long will it last I wonder?

I did find these lovelies to share with you though, £49.99 from Marks & Spencer.  They were so well padded and looked very comfy, it's just the ankle strap that I have an issue with.  I must make an effort to get used to them as I really like them on people, I just feel restricted and uncomfortable when I walk in them.

I thought this cute little cosmetic case from Next was very quirky and a great reminder to us all.

Note to self, save these socks for the house only.  Didn't plan on trying on any shoes, but was having a play and forgot I'd put these on, oops!

And finally, a mug shot!  Posing is not my strong point, I've said it before.  This was the best of about 10 and both eyes were open!  I just wanted to share my bargain £2 dress from H&M I blogged about previously.  I've worn it twice now but this time I added my heeled M&S boots and a slightly clashing vertical stripe on my cardigan.  I have worn these boots more times than I thought, they seem to go with everything and with heels I feel my posture is better.

Tunic - H&M
Cardigan - Ralph Lauren (Bicester Village)
Leggings - Topshop
Boots - M&S

TK Maxx, Next & My Wish List Item

Well I decided to throw caution to the wind and enter a few shops post school run the other day.  My eldest needed a new rucksack and it was easier to drop in to a small retail park than go into town.  So I braved TK Maxx to get one for her.  I of course started to have a look through the ladies rails but no sooner had I started, and found some great items, I ran away to the kids department.  This ban (self imposed to any new readers) seems to have really dragged on and boy have I found it hard.  Shopping comes so naturally to me, bargains seem to find me, it was just what I was born to do (not sure if I have previously mentioned I did study drama - so yes, dramatics have come out!).

I found this great little smock dress by French Connection, £82 down to £24.99.  Such a easy piece to wear with cropped leggings in the Summer and an amazing price with all that detail.

Then there were these shorts.  The pictures don't do then justice and I am first to admit that, but honestly they were better in the flesh.  I can't do short shorts, nor being petite can I do very long ones either, these were a great in between but I would turn them up a few times just to add a more relaxed look.  The print is small enough not to be to in your face, but enough to make them more than a plain boring short.  Maison Scotch is not a brand I usually buy but I thought this price at TK Maxx was a great introduction to the brand for people like me who haven't bought before.

Close up of the print

Popped my head in the door at Next (for the kids obviously) and was greeted head on with these cheerful jeans.  £20 - wow!  Great price Next, very impressed.

And if I wasn't on a ban and wanted to buy a loved but not needed item (we all need a few purchases like this once in a while) then I would head to Zara for these, £49.99.  I love a nude based shoe, it elongates shorter legs and the studding on these are so current and add interest to what can be a dull colour on some.

So come on, taunt me some more, what have you been buying this week?

PS Marks & Spencer sale now on, usually some great bargains, for people who are shopping that is......

Clarks AW13 Press Day Round Up!

Welcome!

One of my favourites so far - and I'll openly admit that the way to my heart is helped along by food (shallow I know).  And on that day, Clarks delivered!  The concept upon arrival was that of a 'Market Stall' environment.  You were given a large tote to fill with the fruit and veg displayed around the room not before being talked through their fabulous collections.

Some of their displays

Random I know to take a photo of the inside of a shoe but the black suede ankle boots (named 'Curtain Ring'!) have their soft ware feature, so extra padding for dancing the night away.  The suede was so luxurious, the pictures really didn't do them justice.  Ankle straps were a big feature for next seasons party collection.

AW13 Party Shoes!

I stopped for a little tea break and scrumptious muffin whilst I jotted down some notes in their 'grassed area'.

Tea break!

Refreshed and rested I started on some more shots of their lovely boots.  The tall Italian black leather boots are a classic, a great addition to any wardrobe.  Pony skin was another feature from them, from a more casual block heeled burgundy boot to a more dressy black wedge.  Throw in a worn look ankle cowboy boot and your collection is complete!

AW13 Boot Collection

Finally some super sharp flats in the form of brogues and Clarks highest ever (yes apparently so) heel at 4" bought to you courtesy of Mary Portas - thank you Mary!  Love the spikes around the heels, adds something different to the classic court. 

Flats & their highest heel yet!

And finally me!  I wore my trusted Topshop Baxter jeans (my older ones as still love them with a worn look), a Warehouse top, French Connection coat and Marks & Spencer boots.  Not forgetting my favourite item ever, my Balenciaga Velo handbag.  Night all! x

Thank you Clarks!

A Quick Whiz Round London

I am pleased (not happy) to report that I have continued with my shopping ban, even though in the last 2 weeks I have been in the big smoke 3 times.  It is getting a little boring now, I just want to purchase but the end goal of holiday funds is still very present in my mind so needs must.  Boooo hiss.

Dream world allowed for a split second, the lovely Kat from Does My Bum Look 40 steered Avril (School Gate Style) & I into Anthropologie.  I haven't been to their Regent Street store before and I will definitely not be passing it again.  It was vintage meets fashion meets comfy and I loved it.  On the pricier side for me but in a world where I wasn't watching the pennies, I so would.  

£48

£118

£228

We were in London for a Press Day (more on that on another post) but of course managed to have a quick peak in some stores.  Also on route was & Other Stories a new offering from H&M.  Different but I liked it.  For some reason I only grabbed a few shots, I was just taking it all in.  It was minimal in appearance, no fuss.  Clean and clear if that makes any sense at all.  Very modern and dare I say it, it didn't come across as 'cheap' looking as H&M can sometimes (don't get me wrong, note previous post, I do like H&M and I do shop there).  It definitely needs another visit to absorb it better.  I did find a great tan leather iPad case for £45 which seemed very reasonable as it had space in the side for cards etc.  

As Avril said, it had an 'industrial' feel

I will leave you with this lovely little note from & Other Stories, my personal style story this week; tired.com!  Night all! x

Confession - but only a £2 one!

So I've decided to be very honest and admit that my self imposed shopping ban may have be ever so slightly broken.  But it was only a £2 dress, and I'd been working in the shopping centre all week-end so had been very controlled.  Then I was given a free £5 voucher (my sister didn't use it) and I hatewaste.com so felt it only right.  I headed straight for H&M as it was on my way out (see, there was some thought into breaking my ban in only one shop).  They had a sale on so after I took a few piccies of some full priced items that I liked, I headed to the correct section.  I've just had a quick look on line and it's £12 but for some reason they were £7 in store, so £2 to me!  Please can I just say I also made my own lunch that day and didn't spend a penny on food, so I kind of felt it was justifiable right?

Originally it was £19.99 and only has an 8% wool content, the rest man made fabric's so I wouldn't have bought it at that price as I'm not expecting it to last long.  But for £2 (or £7) it was a quick, cheerful, easy addition to my wardrobe.  I am huge lover of the breton stripe, I did move slightly outside my box and went for a brighter coloured option (others also available on the web).  I know, I hear what your saying, making my own packed lunch, £2 on a dress, opting for cerise instead of black/navy/white stripes, I know how to live...  Family holiday saving account, it get's me every time!

I love the simple buttons down the back

I hold my hands up again, I didn't get a picture of me wearing it, I am always running out the door.  But I teamed it very simply with black leggings and black biker boots.  I wanted to add some grunge to the girly pink!

Two of my favourite finds in store that day;

I always opt for light weight cotton, embroidered tops like this in the Summer, great with rolled up jeans

Not one to wear a pattern on my lower half but I appreciate them on the right people.  Love this bright blue

And I will finish by saying that I refrained from the Gap sale yesterday.  They had an additional 20% off on line, but nope, I backed away.  All in the name of a damn good holiday (it best be worth it!).

My Shop of the Week - Superdry

I had a great day at the Superdry AW13 press day at their flagship store in Regent Street, London.  I have a few pieces of Superdry in my wardrobe, mainly hoodies.  But my I was pleasantly surprised by what was to follow.  A fantastic range of really wearable day pieces to easily fit into your wardrobe.  Prints for jeans were still very much present, as was the neon trend.  But the way it was worked into more structured garments really caught my eye.  Embellishment on trims really changed the garment from casual to evening or a more chic day look.  Of course the collection wouldn't be theirs without their hoodies and these were bought up to date with sequinned trims also, and no heavy branding on these ones.  I felt that as a working Mum of two, it was definitely more my cup of tea.  A move on from casual to smart/casual.  Thats not to say they didn't have their usual colour flash of tracksuit style wear with their logo, but I was so mesmerised by everything else it didn't feature on my radar.  Their new make-up range was also a welcome surprise.  With very reasonable price points (lippy £8) and amazing scents (coconut - lush) they had a great capsule range to start their collection.  Oh and they ended on a high - I found two silk numbers, one of my favourite fabrics, completely won over! They definitely upped their came and I came away really excited by what was to come.  

PS Apologies in advance, I did get a little camera happy and had an 'angle' thing going on that day but I couldn't not share as seemed wasteful to limit the beauty!

PPS Some items already available on their website.

Some gifted samples, the hand cream I tried there, it smelt good enough to eat!

Coloured and printed denim,

Close up on those panther print - my favourite

Some more printed bottom, colour pop on the right

Check out their watch collection if you haven't already.  Rose gold still very much present.  £119.99

I love the structure and cut of this, personally I like high neck tops (small bust!) and the darker colour slims out my broader shoulders

The back of the top is the same as the dress version.  I love the combination of a more day/casual fabric dressed up with a sleek shape and an open back.  Relaxed glamour!

Neon trim, modernising a classic look

A more formal slant for them but keeping it simple, such a flattering shape.

Another classic simple shaped winner

Full on sequin on the left, with a strapless number and sequin embellishment on the right

Casual wool cape

And the sequin trims start here! 

Can you see the sparkle in the skirt?

And a sexy drop back

Swing vest dressed up with neon orange sequin trim

And all done by hand

Add some sparkle to those hoodies!

More sparkle

Timothy Everest collection

One of my favourite fabrics, silk, thank you for using it Superdry!

And a silk dress 

Their press release; "Womenswear is all grown up with a collection that offers modern, feminine glamour."  It is just that.  Good job done Superdry.