A Little Gap Edit

I've always been a lover of Gap, they are just great for classic, casual items and their sales are even better.  I have struggled in the past with their prices as in store always seems to be cheaper than online for some reason but it seems to be balancing out a bit more of late.  I grabbed this jumper a few months back for something like £14 as there was further discount on sale items that day in store.  It's 100% cotton and the sleeve can be turned up nicely for a 3/4 length.  I have worn it so much as it's so simple yet has some shape and style mainly due to the little slits at the front.

Being cotton it isn't too warm and has been an easy jumper to throw on with not only jeans but shorts when the sun has gone in.  It is definitely the kind of jumper you would want to take away with you on holiday for the evenings when it's cooler but proper knitwear isn't appropriate.  

Worn here with my Hush camo shorts

I've just checked and it's currently £11.99 online - a brilliant price for this jumper.  It comes in 3 other colours, I will link it here if you fancy one.   

I also had my eye on the below but it was just over £20 originally, it then went down to £5.99 and am pretty sure I got an additional 20% off on that day.  It has a boxy style to the sleeve which I like and at the price it wasn't going to be left behind in the shop.  I can't seem to find it online now but keep an eye out in the sales section in stores.  

Both tops fit true to size, if anything, on the generous side.  It's worth signing up with Gap for their newsletters as they are always having promotion codes with additional savings.

The Ongoing Camel Coat Saga

This one is pretty much boring the hell out of me!  To the point where I'm giving up and not even looking.  I'm not really a strategic shopper, in that if there's something I'm after I will hunt it down in a week, purchase it and job done.  I normally quite happily wait until the best is available for the price I want to spend.  (I have been known to wait 6 months for a specific perfume I wanted for my birthday until a friend got it a lot cheaper in the States!).  That being said, I did think I had struck gold with the Next camel coat.  It fitted really well, it wasn't badly made and was the right shade of camel I thought I was after.  But it sat in my wardrobe not being touched for a week.  I kept trying it on but I almost felt like it was too pale for my skin tone.  It was very thin and that also bothered me slightly.  Back it went!

Ok so maybe the lighting and being a little poorly didn't help the situation in this photo but I did go back to it several times!

A great camel shade, just not perhaps on me

I also managed to try on some in Gap and Uniqlo.  Something was seriously wrong with the sizing though!

Uniqlo - great coat but the XS didn't come up true to size!  I promise you this was an XS and that I am not that small

Similar story in Gap although it wasn't as bad

I did really like this one in Gap though, incase anyone else is looking, it just didn't fit me

So the search is on hold until one randomly appears for me!  I did find this lovely navy one in Warehouse with 30% off.  £90 originally but even at £63 I just decided that it might be in the Christmas sales in a few weeks, I may as well just hold fire until then.  I really liked the fit of this one though, the pea coat is a nice style on me as I need some shape.  One I will definitely be watching in the sales. 

Warehouse navy pea coat

Who else is holding off until the sales or am I the only mad one?!?!  I'm not desperate at the end of the day and I'm a firm believer of fate so I'm happy to play the waiting game for the above coat.

The New Chelsea Boots From Hotter

I was so lucky to have been offered a pair of boots from Hotter last month to review.  It didn't take me long to decide - the Chelsea boot is pretty much a firm favourite this season.  I also felt I had a slight hole in my boot wardrobe for a pair of everyday wear, flat ones that aren't suede and can withstand the rain and children stomping on my feet (my youngest is very clumsy!).  My only decision was the colour.  Did I take inspiration from Victoria Beckham and go black?

Hell no, that would be way to predictable.  I chose their mink coloured version (please note, this colour is listed as 'grey' on their website).  It did take me a few days to warm to them as although I could clearly see they were mink online, I was secretly hoping for a more grey tone.  However, one not so sunny school run morning it was raining cats and dogs and I grabbed them and ran, literally.  I then popped into town and whilst trying on some items I finally stopped to take a proper look at them.  They weren't half bad, especially considering it was a throw on and run day outfit wise.

Shirt; Hollister
Gilet; North Face
Bag; Prada
Jeans; Gap
Boots; c/o Hotter

Yesterday I was off to meet a friend for a few child free hours so I decided to give them a proper go and style my outfit around them.  They worked much better with my (very old) jeans, the denim is slightly darker than those above.  I popped my hat on as we were going to be wondering the lovely High Street of Berkhampsted and I knew the Heavens would open.  I really need to wear hats more often, it did a fab job of keeping my head warm and my hair semi dry as well as being in the same colour palette as my boots, I felt it finished off an easy, simple look.

Hat; Vintage
Top; Zara
Jeans; Topshop
Boots; c/o Hotter

I ran out of time but on closer inspection my turn ups needed a little adjusting to sit better above the boot but hey ho!

Looking at the camera with a bit of a smile - that blogger pose is coming after nearly 4 years.....

I managed to pop to the Hotter shop in Merry Hill (West Midlands) whilst visiting a friend the other week and took a photo of the other colours available.  All of them are pretty great to be honest. There was a moment in the week I started thinking I should have got the black, black goes with everything but with wear, the grey seems to be getting better and better.  This boot is called the Shawbury boot and are £85.00.

The same boot in tan and black

Comfort wise, they are amazing.  On a par with my Timberland Earthkeepers which I always go on about.  I have also rain tested them (super important for the country we live in) and after getting completely soaked, they dried out quickly and looked no different than before.  I am under no obligation to recommend products as this is my blog however I do genuinely think these are super comfy and easy to wear.

The September Shopping List

My monthly update on trying to stick to what I actually need in my wardrobe continues.  On working it all out, I feel I have been fairly successful this last month so maybe I should ensure this is a definite  regular post (even if it is purely just for my own benefit...!).

So the 'ticks' are as follows;

• Beige ankle boots: after mixed views from my Insta buddies, I ended up keeping this style in the biege/sand/nude (call them what you want).  When I returned the black to store, I had to look away, I still love them!  But I don't need them, nor do I need doubles of the same style.  Vairety is the spice of life!  I have sprayed mine so they are protected and worn them several times already (blog to follow on those outfits).  At £30, they were cheaper than the ones I returned in my August list here, they are flatter and more sand in colour than taupe which was my original criteria. 

Now don't anyone else tell me they preferred the black...

The keepers!  Worn, no going back now! Topshop £30

• Casual skirts/dresses: I wasn't properly on the look out as my focus was mainly on sorting a wedding outfit but I grabbed this grey dress in Dublin's Topshop when I was visiting my sister.  It worked out at under £20 and was so comfortable, ideal for my hot holiday in October. 

• Trophy jacket: not a proper tick but I got this Gap number from the outlet and is light and casual, a little bit thicker than a cardi.  

Gap £30

• Denim shorts: well no, I didn't find any but I did find some in the Zara sale for £9.99 so I bought those in stead - that's a tick right?!?!   

Zara £9.99

The usual with denim shorts.  These were from Zara.

Topshop's wall of denim shorts couldn't even help me

• Shirts/blouses: I found this Zara one in store for a ridiculous £5.99 and this Whistles silk one from the outlets for £35 (was £125) so a proper tick for these two.  My wardrobe is very casual so they have been a welcome addition.  Both have already been worn, will share pictures soon. 

Zara

Whistles

• Swimming costume: now this I thought was a definite unrealistic addition to my shopping list,  but I found not one but two!  I'm yet to christen them so I can't comment on how they wear but I was surprised at how easy I found them.  The black strapless was in TK Maxx in Dublin and the navy M&S was whilst I was down in Cornwall.  Both heavily reduced so that made me even more happy.  

TK MAxx $109 originally, €13 to me

M&S £17, I love that it has adjustable straps.

• Wedding outfit: another item ticked that was easier than I thought.  I did a lot of online shopping for this, I was not successful when I was looking around shops, I just found nothing.  In the end I had 3 to choose from and luckily for me and my bank balance, the cheapest was the winner.  I'm on a role with Topshop this month.  Am I the only one who seems to find this with them, I buy nothing for a while then find loads in there? 

Light and easy to wear.  It will be jazzed up don't you worry!

I just need one of those straps to pinch my bra in as the back is cut out, which I love.

The rejections; 

This was second in line and was from Miss Selfridge, £60 (I found a code as always and got it for £50).  It fitted beautifully and if it wasn't a beach wedding, this would have won.

This was originally my favourite reduced to £27 in Topshop but after several people said the colour did nothing for me, there was no chance it was staying put.

I loved the back though.  Damn it. 

Additional purchases; oops.  Slipped off the 'shopping list' wagon.  Apologies, but pretty self explanatory why (will write it out though just in case someone questions my motives...)

It's cotton and cashmere, Antoni & Alison at TK Maxx and was £8 odd.  Quirky, natural fabric, cheaper than Primark!

My sisters fault.  I introduced her to the black trainer, she purchased then, I then wanted them even more.  I've worn my Onitsuka navy suede ones loads, I needed black.  But I did wait until I got back into the UK and got these for £50 with a voucher (they were over £100 in Dublin). 

Ok, ok, epic fail on the breton front.  But it was a good quality, well fitting black breton which I don't have and again, I waited until I got back to the UK and bought from Topshop for £16.

I missed out on the J Crew camo sweater that went into the sale so when I saw this for £4.99 in Gap, it didn't take much to part with my cash.  Love it.

So that leaves me with what I am looking for this month.  I'm saving now and on count down until my holiday so the list needs to be teeny tiny.

• Diamante sandals for wedding (but I have a back up that may have to work as I'm been on the look out and seen nothing glam enough so far).

Carried over August's list:

• Black jeans
• Denim shorts - but on the verge of giving up!

I'm not thinking too far ahead to Winter yet, I'm still in Summer mode whilst my holiday is on the horizon.  I may not be saying that in a few weeks though....!

The One About The Bows

I had a lovely afternoon out with some girlfriends last week, we were so fortunate with the weather and met up for Afternoon Tea (and a little light shopping!).  I didn't want to overdress so opted for my loose jeans then dug out an old top that I nearly got rid of in my clear out recently.  It wasn't a style top I would normally purchase as isn't very long in the body and just sat on the hips but it worked perfectly with these jeans.  

Top; Holister
Belt; Alice Temperley
Jeans; Gap
Bag; Prada
Sunglasses; Prada
Shoes' Bally Switzerland

I decided on my favourite court shoes from Bally Switzerland but then as the shoes and back of the top had black bows on I added my bow belt as well!  

I know I've mentioned the Dior Nail Glow before (Sue, I owe you, it's a life saver!) but haven't shown you the effect.  It makes your whites white and your pinks pink!  This was literally one quick coat as I jumped in the car, allowing it time to dry whilst I drove. 

The Gap Order

I promised I would share my orders with you after I went through a slump of  being un-inspired. Well, mmmm.  Gap.  The high waisted jean on me - Simon Cowell eat your heart out.  Yes, just in case you were wondering, they did go back.

I've always loved a turn up on a trouser (and sleeves, I am forever rolling them up) so thought I'd try a light grey with a large turn up.  After looking back at the pictures, they don't actually look as bad as they did in the flesh.  They had this acid wash all over them and they were just a little bit too cool for school for me.

Then another too cool for school style, the ripped effect.  As these were £24.99 I thought I'd give them a whirl and they were the same 'Straight Cut' as a pair I'd bought earlier in the year and really enjoy wearing.  My only concern was my original pair have got very loose, so I ordered two sizes. This was the larger size.  They were ok.

However I felt the size down fitted better, although a little tighter, they would perhaps wear better after a few washes and not loosen too much.

I do find it really frustrating that stores have such different prices online.  When I went to return the jeans, the ones I wanted to keep were £12.99 in store!  Nearly half the price than what they were online.  So I returned the lot and bought them back again at the reduced price.  That was after I got a talking to by the manager who said it's not normally allowed but would do as a good will gesture. Well I am so stubborn, had they not have done I would have walked away on principle. Anyway, rant over, I got them at the price I wanted to pay!