Bargain Tops From H&M

If you're anything like me you are currently in the midst of the school holidays, juggling childcare with work as well as trying to entertain your little ones without blowing the budget all in the first week.  It's not easy is it?  I had a morning off before work and my eldest had been going on about some new jeans so we headed to H&M for a little shop.  Needless to say both girls did better than me but I made sure they accompanied me to the ladies section for a little browse!  I found this very lightweight cotton sweater for £6.99 - and it isn't in the sale, that is the actual price!  It's a great throw on sweater for now.

Sweater; H&M
Jeans; Zara
Trainers; Adidas 

(slightly in love with my animal print Adidas trainers!)

I would't have been me if I didn't then gravitate quite naturally to the stripes.  However the orange trim and more boxy style did make this one a little different to anything I already had.  At £5.99 for another cotton top (go H&M with your natural fibre at silly prices) it was of course purchased as well. 

T-shirt; H&M
Belt; Tommy Hilfiger
Jeans; Gap
Shoes; Isabel Marant

Now back to my reality right now - home renovations!  Column radiator research anyone?!?!

Holiday Snaps & Wedding Outfit

True to form I left my packing for a family wedding in Malta to the last minute, I'm a 'I hate packing.com' kinda gal.  However I had a vague idea there was something lurking in my wardrobe for the wedding outfit.  My mate had been round at the start of the year just before I moved to do a wardrobe edit and announced "that would be great for a Summer wedding".  Luckily for me when I asked her she remembered it was my purple skirt (thanks T - if I knew how to insert a kiss emoji here from my  Mac I would!).  It was a very old skirt from Primark of all places, yes, Primark!  Despite my husband hating it I really really loved it still so it was coming with me.  I teamed it with a pale cream top from French Connection that was actually given to me by T so I'm dedicated my outfit to her (insert wink emoji). 

Top; French Connection
Skirt; Primark
Clutch; Accessorize
Shoes; Dune
Watch; Tag Heuer
Bracelets; Tiffany, Thomas Sabo & Annie Haak
Fascinator Clip; Somewhere in Malta!

My first ever fascinator clip and I loved it, so great for keeping your hair off your face!

Trusted Gucci bamboo sunglasses from Bicester Village

Apart from the fascinator clip thingy I purchased whilst out there everything else was grabbed from my wardrobe.  I bought these heels from House of Fraser in Autumn last year, they are by Dune and quite possibly one of the comfiest heeled shoes I own.  They look great with a skirt or dress as the nude suede gives a 'barely there' affect but equally as chic with jeans (said outfit to be featured here soon).  They have a padded front part under the toes too.  It doesn't look like they are available anymore but watch out as Dune do tend to repeat their styles.  I would actually go as far as saying I would consider buying a second pair in a different colour.  I loved the grey suede they did also. 

Dune Mara Sandals
A great heel on them, not too high but just enough

My girls were flower girls and did me proud as always and pretty much out danced me!

Decent full on outfit shots aside from the wedding one just never happened, these were as good as it got I'm afraid.  

Airport attire.  Comfort needed after a 2.45am start - never again!
Top & Tommy Hilfiger Belt; TK Maxx
Jeans; Gap
Skater shoes; Next
Watch; Tag Heuer
Cosmetic Pouch; Fendi (large enough for all our passports and items I needed quickly.  It was a Christmas gift that got tucked away in the move.  So nice to bring out something new for the holiday and I have carried on using it in my handbag daily).

I got this in TK Maxx's final clearance last year for something silly like £3, it's a great slouchy style top.

One of the hardest items I own to style up - my J.Crew purple/blue shorts.  I've just resigned to the fact they can only be worn with white or grey simple tops.
Top; Hollister
Shorts; J.Crew
Handbag; gift from Marrakech
Shoes; Zara

Topshop embroidered t-shirt 

Another old classic form Primark, this strapless jumpsuit.  Only bought out on holidays as is so bright and needs to go with lots of sunshine but it is the easiest throw on I have and doesn't show any kids ice creams on it!
Bag as before
Flip flops; Havaianas (and a gift from T so this blog post really is for her!)

Feeling A Little Monochrome

It all started when I dug out my wet look Joni jeans which I purchased a few months back in the Topshop sale.  I was off to London and wanted something a little smarter.  For some reason they hadn't been worn before but I knew I would eventually as I love their Joni jeans for a snug fit.  From then on I have just been feeling 'black'!  I wouldn't say I wear a lot of it, being petite I sometimes feel a little lost in it so go for a more neutral pallet.  However sometimes you just have to go with it so that is what I've been doing!

T-shirt (just seen); Vince from TK Maxx
Jacket; Zara
Jeans; Topshop
Pumps; French Sole
Bag; Chloe
Small person; Stylists own

From there it led on to a completely monochrome look, again with an item purchased and not worn - maybe the jeans started something!  Now it's not something I advocate, buying and leaving it to lurk in the depths of your wardrobe but ever so occasionally you just forget!  This top is by Joseph and I grabbed it in a TK Maxx.  It's a little odd with he additional bands around it and that's possibly why I hadn't worn it but I was in a hurry to see the Ab Fab preview and it just felt simple and right.  

Joseph top & leather bag; TK Maxx
Jeans; Topshop
Shoes; L.K. Bennett

And so it continued when I managed to hit Zara for the last 15 minutes before it closed and I literally grabbed this top.  Most probably supposed to be an off the shoulder one (I hate strapless bras so not an option and who can manage to actually keep it off the shoulders when you are running around after kids - tips please!) however it sat just nicely above my bra strap.  It was £39.99 down to £25.99 (100% cotton also) and I just really fancied it however there was a nice little surprise when I got to the till and it was £17.99!  I can't find it online but there were loads left at the Knightsbridge branch so assuming it will still be in others.

I'm not entirely sure this was the most flattering combo for it, I would love to see it with some white skinny ankle jeans instead but that's also after looking at the photos which were taken after 9pm and running around a football pitch for the afternoon. Yes, I played football in Ash studded sandals.....it was a friends 40th so needs must.  Keeping it real!

Top; Zara
Jeans; Topshop Joni's
Sandals; Ash

Maybe it was the weather and it will change now that (fingers crossed) we are about to get a summer again.  Does anyone else just go through a random colour phase - and one that's not particularly seasonal either?!? 

Hush & Topshop Denim Dresses

I've had some comments on my Topshop denim dress I bought the other year which unfortunately is now not available.  However I was browsing the Hush sale and found one very similar.  There aren't pockets at the front but that isn't a deal breaker as although they are a handy feature, it isn't the ideal placement for me on my dress, they are on the widest part of my body which is not where they need to be!  This Hush dress therefore ticks that extra box for some sleekness.  I have worn mine so much as being a jeans addict, I struggle to push myself to put on a dress.  A denim dress is a step in the right direction!



Hush Denim Shift Dress £35 (previously £55)

Dress; Topshop
Flipflops; Havaianas 

I like it so much I've actually decided to order another denim dress but a pinafore style.  It then just allows me to add some colour or print underneath as well.  I will keep you posted on how I get on as I've ordered the two below.

Topshop Plait Strap Denim Pini £39

Topshop Square Neck Pinafore Dress £35

PS my current Bargain Buy boots from Schuh would go perfectly with the Hush dress!

Daydreaming In Chanel

It was a trip to London today with my sister who was visiting for the week-end and we headed straight to Harrods to hit the sales.  We always love to spend time ogling over items we can't have - a tease in some ways but also creating a little wish list with goals for future purchases.  Chanel is a long standing love of mine and they had 30% off selected shoes - honestly!  I don't think I've seen anything as beautiful on my little toe toes as these.  I completely fell head over heals in love.  They were £790 reduced to £553 and one pair in a size 3 left.  Meant to be right?  But no, my bank balance isn't healthy enough for such beauties in my life and yes, when one day in the distant future that it just might be, I won't find them will I?!  Have you ever put a pair of shoes on and got goose bumps and gone all giggly at how utterly stunning they are?  Nope?  Ok, well I have and I'm not ashamed to admit that these completely and utterly did it for me.  Lambskin in, out and around with pearls and bows.  Divine.  

And why not go the full hog and find a handbag to match I hear you say?  I don't aim to disappoint.  This arm candy was £3340.00 and not in the sale but I'm thinking I have just over 4 years until my 40th so this is just enough time for the husband to save.....

GOALS!

Back to reality.  I really didn't buy much and went back to get some shoes but they shut the till (as it was closing) so I walked into Zara and bought a top for £20 in the sale instead!  I really just enjoy browsing and looking at all the luxury items, I'm a pretty happy window shopper.  I wore all high street apart from my Chloe handbag which was a purchase from Harrods in their Christmas sale.  

T-shirt; Vince
Jacket; Zara
Jeans; Topshop
Shoes; French Sole
Bag; Chloe