Autumnal Inspiration

I saw this jumper in Marks & Spencer whilst shopping with a client the other week (I must say, of all the shops we went into, she did the best out of them!).  I love a white/cream jumper as find them so useful as a base colour for outfits.  This one however had a little something extra with the embroidery which was absolutely gorgeous.  My only disappointment was what is was made from, come on M&S, you are better than that, I know you can make things to last!

Floral Badge Jumper £39.50

I also spied this knitted tank at £19.50 but at that price I'm guessing there wasn't a lot, if any, wool involved.  I can't find it online but I'm sure it will still be available in store.  A great Autumn piece that would be easy to wear - I'm thinking some black wet look style or leather leggings!

I loved this pop of colour on a darker background from Warehouse.  Sometimes it's nice to have a few 'Winter' tee's tucked away for a smart casual night out to pop on with jeans.  The red would be a great colour to pick out and use elsewhere in your outfit, be it a red lipstick or nails. 

Pop Daisy Spot Tee £29

My Autumn has shaped up a little like this though!  Proper school mum attire, a spotty fun cashmere jumper from Boden and obligatory hooded puffa!  

Jumper; Boden
Jacket; TK Maxx

PS Uniqlo have their cashmere on offer for a short amount of time, £69.90 down to £49.90!  Crew and V Necks available in a selection of colours.

Crew Neck Cashmere Sweater £49.90

Beautiful Bargain Boden Buys!

I got carried away with the title, apologies (can you tell I've been revising my written English knowledge with my eldest!?).  This post is being split into two as before Boden contacted me I had visited their shop in London and taken some snaps to share.  Then this post got so large so there's going to be a part two next week.  I was so excited when they asked me if I would like to pick a few items to review over on my little blog, I spent a while perusing their website as there was so much I liked but I ended up with some classic staples and one thrown in for fun.  I do browse their Clearance section quite frequently as they always have some great bargains.  I had recently featured this lightweight jacket on my 'Bargain Buy' so I didn't hesitate in trying this.  I copied their look as I loved it with a stripe and simple jeans.  Unfortunately now it's out of stock and I'm not surprised as it was £59.50 down to £29.75.

(1 million shots later - it honestly felt like that, this was the best but the pram made it's debut)

Please note this blog is real - I just can't loose the kids.....However I did dash to the hairdressers straight after seeing this shot!

The breton was also from Boden and is in charcoal grey.  I bought it in a raspberry red last year and it's one of my favourites as far as fit, quality and price go.  It washes so well, only needs a quick iron and hasn't shrunk like other ones I have so I've added a second to my collection.  They come in a huge variety of colours and the fit is true to size and not too tight either.

Later in the day with less hair!

Long Sleeve Breton £26.50

This colour combo of it is currently on sale at £18.55

Because one breton wasn't enough with the order and I'd had my eye on this one a while, I chose a classic navy but with a gold glitter spot - spots and stripes all in one with sparkles thrown in for good measure - genius creation Boden, genius!  It does come up slightly longer in the body than the above style, but being long waisted this doesn't bother me at all.  It has some great little splits down either side so it sits well on the hips. 

My 9 year old is really persevering with trying to take my photo's but the 4 year old insists on getting in on most of them.  Life of a working Mummy.  Sigh. 

Last but by no means least, what else do you think I headed straight for?  Yup, their cashmere in our Spring/Summer.  I harp on about buying out of season staples and this is the perfect time to invest in really good knitwear.  I have a cashmere cardigan I bought from Boden years ago and it really has stood the test of time.  Initially I chose this raglan style however it comes up large and was out of stock in my size.  At £139 down to £69.50 this is a great purchase that you won't regret (and may even wear before Autumn hits if our current weather is anything to go by). 

Raglan Cashmere Jumper £69.50

So instead I chose this polka dot cashmere jumper.  Now this does fit true to size so I actually sized up as I wanted a more loose fit.  This is the same price as the above but has a more structured style to it, especially with the black panelling around the waist.  I am yet to wear it as it has been so warm of late but I don't doubt that this will be a great addition to my wardrobe come the colder months.  If you can, out of season buying really is a great way to build a classic wardrobe that works hard for you.

Cashmere Crew Spot Jumper £69.50

Also worth mentioning that I always wash my cashmere in my machine on a hand wash cycle then air dry.  I haven't ever paid for dry cleaning and as I know this can put people off buying decent fabrics I thought it needed a little note!

Thank you to Boden for allowing me to choose some fabulous pieces that will be staying in my wardrobe season after season. 

Boden Clearance

A quick post to let you know (in case you missed it!) that Boden have an additional 10% off their clearance prices.  Do be quick as items go fast.  I had a voucher so I've just ordered this cashmere jumper.  I have always loved their cashmere and the fact that it washes so well in the machine also helps.  Along with Marks & Spencer I think they are the best on the high street for quality and value for this luxury wool. 

Boden Cashmere Jumper £62.37

There are other colours available at a variety of prices and a few with stripes.  This one below is even cheaper at £46.44.  I went for the above as I have enough print at the moment and wanted something more neutral.  I have a cream cashmere jumper that is well worn so feel this will be an update of that.  

Boden Cashmere Jumper £46.44

If you're looking for something a little more casual they are doing this baseball style cashmere jumper, reduced to £62.55.  Again, for me, it was not the style I needed in my wardrobe but would be very easy to wear with jeans.

Boden Cashmere Jumper £62.55

I was a little too slow for this merino jumper in my size which is now £32.04.  The plum and green version is even better still at £24.03.  As I type I'm wondering why I didn't just go for this colour and get the next size up for a more relaxed fit.  At that price, it really is a bargain for merino wool.

Merino Wool Jumper £32.04

Merino Wool Jumper £24.03

Posts may be even more sparse in the next few weeks due to moving house and waiting for the internet - not quite sure how I will cope without it.....wish me luck!

My Favourite Boden Purchases & What A/W Has In Store

When Boden bought out their Alice heels I was desperate for a pair.  Not only were they gorgeous but my second daughter is called Alice and I'm a sucker for things like that!  However, the voice of reason struck and I really didn't need more heels.  So when they released the flat version I was over the moon.  Even more so when the email flashed up that they were heavily reduced, plus I had a voucher - result!  (They also do a mid heel - see here).  

Alice flats £49.50 (other colours from £29.70)

I absolutely love them.  They come up true to size and are so comfortable.  I am a huge suede fan so that was the icing on the cake, plus the tassels in the pewter colour work perfectly alongside the black and grey.  I have a few pairs of ballet pumps so these are a great addition, they are more structured than a pump and feel more like a shoe as they aren't slip on.

I was having a double tassel kind of day!
Jeans and bag Topshop

I am sure I've featured this cardigan before but as it's coming into Autumn I wanted to remind you about their cashmere.  I bought this a while back, again it was reduced to around the £50 mark.  It is probably the best piece of cashmere I own as far as quality goes (I'm talking High Street cashmere here, I'm sure there's some amazing designers pieces out there too!).  It's hard to describe but it's like it's been knitted together tighter, a really well made piece.  I have worn and worn it, it's a proper work horse in my wardrobe.  They have this ribbed jumper in currently which I'm wondering if it will be of similar texture to my cardigan, I will definitely be keeping an eye on it in the sales!

A few photos from their press day earlier this year to follow.  There were some stand out pieces which I'm sharing with you however their basics crew neck cashmere (available in a variety of colours) still drew me in.  

I loved this cashmere jumper - the colour was just as gorgeous in the flesh.  £99

They are launching their new British Icons very soon (sign up here to hear about it first).  The cardigan and coat below were some of my favourite from the collection - I love it when there's a real story behind what a brand is bringing to us.  Even more so when there is going to be less available!

Finishing with a few pairs of shoes and a handbag!

I can't find these shoes online so I don't think they have been launched yet.  The gold are my favourite - you can jazz up a pair of jeans so easily with them.

 These flats were being 'papped' a lot! They have have them in navy and plum satin also.  £99

This fur bag was so soft and totally beautiful.  The leather straps were well made, I could see this being used as an every day chuck it all in bag, glamming up any outfit!  £139, available in two other colours, due in 5 weeks.

My Alice flats have really been worn so much, I hugely recommend them.  Next post will be some recent outfits - apologies in advance - they feature in most of them!

The Zara Order

So the shopping mojo is definitely on it's way back - yippee!  It all started with a very cheap top but I'll get to that, first up - what went back.  I know I'm harping on but I really think Zara offer an amazing delivery service for online shoppers.  Free over £50, get's to you pretty much within 48 hours then free courier to your door to pick it up.  This time round though I was near a store so decided to return there.  The sales assistant whizzed them through the scanner, said she didn't need my card and that it was all done remotely, then within half an hour I received an email to say my return had been received and funds will be reimbursed - brilliant!  

Enough of the praise, back to what went back.  I didn't plan on it all working, so my little clothing budget wasn't going to be blown in Zara but it's always great to try things.  I loved the look of this jumpsuit, the colour was great for every day, it looked like a comfortable fabric - but the sizing, wow how out could it be.  This was an XS and it was huge.  I am petite but this was honestly more like a Medium in size.  I know they are supposed to be worn loose but this was more like a sack (although oddly enough the photo's don't make it look as huge as it was).  I still like it and would recommend but beware, it does come up large so size down.

I had high hopes for this top.  I had seen it in store but not in my size.  I was looking for something smarter than a t-shirt but not too formal.  This again came up large and was really none-descript when on.  It almost felt like the fabric was too heavy for the design.  

Trousers how you pain me!  I loved these, especially the bright colour but they didn't sit right on me and I felt I would be tugging them up all the time (shot on the right to demonstrate!).  However Jane has these and they look amazing on her.  

Then finally came the £7.99 top that I loved.  Cotton, breton stripe, sleeveless and high neck - all the combinations I like on my frame.  It's one of those items you put on and think yep, I like it, I'm wearing it, so I did, straight away!  

We were off to London to the Science museum for the day so I opted for my Onitsuka Tiger trainers for comfort, skinny jeans from Topshop and what's turning out to be one of my favourite pieces of cashmere from Boden.  

Then just because I was feeling happy with a purchase after all the no's, I popped on a chained M&S necklace to glam it up a little!

My favourite perfume was splashed on and easy nails with Dior Glow (thanks Sue), I was set for the day.  

Oh and I dug out my old Gucci messenger bag which I haven't used in years.  I really enjoyed using it that day even though I feel I have moved on from the monogram style now.

Have you made any cheap purchases recently that have made you want to make an effort - or is it just the weather that seems to be helping?!?!  Please stay sunshine, you make everything feel alright! 

My London Day Out

Last Sunday my husband and I had a rare day out together in London (love my kids but, wooohoooo, no kids for the day!).  Three years ago for my 30th birthday he had booked a restaurant but I was so poorly and spent the day in bed.  Finally, he re-booked it, organised his parents to look after the girls all day and off we went!  I had a plan, I am all about the plans.  I wanted to start off in Primrose Hill as I had never been there before and as we were driving and out early, parking shouldn't be a problem (free on single yellows on a Sunday, unless a restricted zone).  The views from the top of the hill were amazing.  It was cold and damp but still took our breath away, imagine a Summers day?!  You could see St Pauls, The Shard, The London Eye.  I would have got some better shots if it wasn't for the huge group of tourists up there (we power walked down the hill to get in front of them….!).

Scarf; Alexander McQueen
Coat; French Connection
Wet look black jeans; Gap
Bag; Chanel

The High Street itself is tiny but full of boutique shops with of course a few quirky ones.  Booties for your dog anyone?!

I was also very happy to stumble across one of the Mary Portas 'Living & Giving' shops.  They are charity shops but boy are they worth a rummage.  Think Helmut Lang, Gucci….more on my beautiful purchase in my next post.  There are a few dotted round, follow this link to see.

(Picture taken before it opened at 12!)

Next stop was Selfridges as it had been a while since we had last visited.  We were so lucky that day and managed to get a space right outside the side entrance.  Nothing like being able to park that close, leave your coats in the car and just pop in to Selfridges!  I love the openness in Selfridges.  It always feels like such a light and bright store.  I headed to see Mrs Beckham's latest drop!

Pure vibrant colour from Vitoria Beckham

Sparkles from Stuart Weitzman

And some more!

Turquoise in Louboutin (check out the bag - wow!)

Wedges, gladiator sandals, brogues and pumps from Balenciaga

Hello Chanel!  Note that knotted heel

More turquoise and bright colours in Chanel

There would have been a time many years ago when I wouldn't have dared go into a designer shop as 1. I didn't see the point as couldn't afford anything and 2. I was way too sacred!  Age and pure love of quality and brands has changed that.  There is nothing wrong with a little light play.  Que Chanel in Selfridges.  I even asked the lady to write the style as one day, one day……Natalie's Chanel (green) meet Natalie's dream Chanel (black).  Stunning.  (Please note, current Chanel was a very lucky charity shop find for about 30% of it's price, was being looked down on that day.  I don't own an array of Chanel's, it was a special day that my one came out for a trip).

Tee; H&M
Cashmere cardigan; Boden
Black suede boots; Topshop Adios
Jeans & bag as previous

Just a large shoe in their window!

Next stop was a quick dash to Harrods.  Their sale was still on and I just couldn't not go and have a peak.  Only outside Harrods would you find a felt covered Ferrari.  Yes, honestly, you could stroke it!

Then finally, my belated (3 years, but there was a baby in that time as well!) 30th birthday meal with my husband.  I had never heard of it before but he had booked us into Barbecoa, a Jamie Oliver restaurant.  It is right by St Paul's and you can even see if from your table.

If you are anywhere near that side of town, I hugely recommend it.  You have to book as it gets busy but it's worth it.  All the kitchens are open for you to see them cook and downstairs is his very own butchery.  

The BEST pork scratchings I have ever had.  I am dreaming of them and would make the trip back purely for these alone.  Divine. 

Words can't express this salad.  Even my husband said it was the nicest of everything we tried that night.  Honey, almonds, prosciutto, clementines, mozzarella, balsamic = delicious. 

The baby back spare ribs.  Yum.

I didn't buy lots but I had such a great day.  I love driving around London, you get to see so much more of the beautiful city.  I'm in again next week but on the train this time so I won't be sharing any more scenic pictures!