Adidas Bargains at John Lewis

I went to the new store in Oxford the other day (ok, I did the High Wycombe one also - but that was for sofa shopping!).  The new shopping area is nice, you need time as it's fairly spread out.  I'm getting old and more often than not like my shops very close together not only for my little legs but mainly due to a lack of time.  The store is nice, I wouldn't say more stock just spread/laid out better really. Anyway, back to what I wanted to say which is I grabbed two bargain pairs of trainers from them. They are both so comfy, not for now, more Spring and were bought with a big family holiday abroad in Easter in mind (lots of walking!).  I've been after a lighter colour and not white for a while. The cloudfoam inner in both makes them supper comfortable.  Not many sizes online so be quick but check stores too.

£64.95 down to £32.  A size 4 and 6 online here. 

They have a blue in size 5 online here.

£49.95 down to £24.50 but only a 4 left online here.

They did have some on the Adidas website too so worth a browse there.  I went half a size up as the padded innersole does make them a little tighter but then I do tend to in a trainer anyway.  Happy shopping!

Camel Coats

It's been a while since I've done a research post so here goes with one on camel coats.  It's a bit of a hole I've only just noticed for some reason.  I have a grey coat and a black/tan animal coat as far as wool coats go so I've managed fine previously.  However both are pretty old now (you know when you really love a coat and it just lives in your wardrobe then one day you realise it is a tad tatty?) so I've been keeping an eye open.  My need for wool though seems to be a issue.  Goodness I hate a cheap coat that bobbles after one season, I buy to last.  Struggling.com but my findings so far;

My inspiration but it may be a little long for me and this is over my budget but I love how it is smart yet worn casually.

Topshop £195 

Being short I am tempted to go for a pea coat style and like this one at Uniqlo but it's only 33% wool, I need more than that for warmth as well as being obsessed with a good fibre composition (regular readers know I wear thermals and friends know I wear a vest pretty much all year round!).

Uniqlo £69.90

A duffle style from House of Fraser, but I'm not too sure on the actual duffle bit as I think it makes it too casual for what I'm after but it's 56% wool so not bad.

Therapy at House of Fraser £69.30

I love everything about this ASOS coat which I saw on Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup but sadly it's out of stock.  A fair price and at 74% wool I'm not surprised it's sold out.  Come on ASOS, get it back in again!

ASOS £85

I am a huge M&S fan so I naturally checked them out.  A little too girly for me and only 44% wool for nearly £100 so it wouldn't cut it in my boat. 

M&S £89

Getting closer with John Lewis and this Precis Petite coat which is £179 down to £89.  70% wool, 20% polyamide and 10% cashmere - now that's better! If only the fur collar was removable I would possibly give it a go.

Precis Petite £89

And just in case anyone's after a grey coat, I think this is gorgeous from Mango and 62% wool for £69.99 (sign up to their newsletter, they are always doing 20/30/40% off promotions).

So who has a camel/tan wool coat with a great wool content for under £100 - do share please!  I feel I will wait until the sales now anyway!

PS The hubby has just pointed out that I don't have a 'hole' in my wardrobe for one, I don't need a coat in every single colour......um yeah but it's a staple colour right?!?  What does he know!

The Whistles Order

Well, I ordered, I tried, I'm returning!  When I saw the dress I had 'Christmas party' in mind and thought I'd give it a try.  Be rude not to top the order up for free delivery and as I loved the cream jumper I added that in my basket as well.  As soon as I saw the jumper I knew it would be to short on me and I was right.  Another inch and it would have been ok but I wasn't in love with it either.  Nor was it on my shopping list this month - yes I know, when has that ever stopped me but my big holiday coming up has this time!

I would however still recommend it if you don't have as long a body as me!  The quality was outstanding, thick and soft and you could tell it was made to last.  At £95 originally I should think so too but for £30 I would say it is well worth it.  There are still some size 12's left if you fancy it, see here.  

The dress was larger than I expected and a lot more formal so I knew it wouldn't work. I love the shape of it and the bottle green colour (although in my haste ordering it, I thought it was black).  It was a long shot to be able to get a Christmas dress now but it was worth a try.  John Lewis I must say were super quick with their free delivery.  I ordered Saturday afternoon and it was with me by Monday.  Hassle free returns, will just drop it off at my post office and get proof of postage.  Anyone else started thinking 'Christmas party frock yet?  (Thank you to my lovely client who is far ahead of me and booked me for middle of October to be party frock ready in time - you've put the 'C' word in my head now!).

Whistles Sale At John Lewis - Hurry!

I came across a gorgeous top whilst browsing for a client the other day by Whistles but via John Lewis.  It was heavily discounted.  I popped back on today to have a look and they have some real gems on there.  Frustrating as it is, they still have items listed that aren't in stock so you have to sift through but I think it is worth it based on the reductions alone.  Here are a few of my top picks.  I am so tempted by the first two but they aren't on my shopping list....... 

PS I've added links to the ones shown but if you just type Whistles in the search box everything will come up, including non-sale items).

£115 down to £55 Jenna jumper (wool) (updated after published, it's £35 at House of Fraser and in black also!)

£95 down to £30 Adora jumper 

£75 down to £30 Skater skirt

£125 down to £35 - now gone online I'm afraid, teasing I know by sharing but you may be lucky in store

£115 down to £35 Gracie Short (Michelle, I was thinking of you!)

£185 down to £60 Fee Sandals

£165 down to £45 Mystic mountain dress

I've caved.  But on what?!?  There is a method behind my madness, honest.  I promise to fill you in if it's a successful purchase!

PS I've just seen House of Fraser also have some pieces online so check there is your size is out of stock.  Most prices are matched however as now noted above, the first jumper is £20 cheaper with them!)

A Twist on a Christmas Party Dress

A client came over to show me her great find at Coast in Bicester Village.  She wasn't initially sure, however upon trying on properly at home and not being so rushed, realised and rightly so what a little gem this item was.  The dress is called Mathilde and was reduced to £90 from £160.  What I love about this dress is that it is sleek and classic from the front then twisted at the back with this amazing extra panel which really changes the traditional side of the dress.  It has a great shape and looked even better on.  We talked about adding something else to give it a bit of a lift in colour, purely because she is going to wear back tights and shoe boots (to give it more of a modern edge).  After trying on various necklace shapes with it, a bold bib style definitely worked the best.  So she was off to find a silver version to add that Christmas sparkle.  And judging by the pictures she's sent me, didn't she do well!  Well done T, you are learning and thinking more about your outfits as well as investment pieces that can work again and again.

Asos and John Lewis are still stocking this dress at slightly more than the outlet at Bicester Village

I love this extra panel, it looks so chic

A sparkly clutch also from Coast, £55 down to £35

I love this one from FCUK and believe this is her winner!

A slightly different style from Next, go with the other one T!

I, on the other hand have been let down by an online order having been sent the wrong sized dress and what I did order is no longer available, mentioning no names!  So I have less than a week to put my party outfit together, a rush yet again.  I really should start listening to my own advice with pre-planning these things.  I have too many birthdays and parties straight after Christmas which take up valuable pre Christmas time.  Wish me luck!

Holiday Lessons Learnt

Who else loves the feeling of returning from holiday refreshed and ready to start again?

Having recently had 8 days of beautiful sunshine abroad with my family and friends I have vowed to get back to my blogging and continue to share my style tips old and new with you all. Writing this on the plane journey home as the family catch up on some sleep, I am also entering another chapter in my fashionable (!) life as I am expecting my 2nd child. With 1 to run around after already, I feel my wardrobe this time will be very different (think 25wks pregnant tottering around in heels and you'll get the gist!)

So there's my little life update, back to my holiday lessons! To save her blushing, I will refer to my friend who joined us on holiday as Madame Glam (sorry hun!). Ok so Madame Glam already has a slightly unfair advantage in the style stakes, she's a trained hairdresser and boy does that make a difference. However, her lack of worry about a stray eyebrow hair (unlike myself) and focus on a natural glamour is something I needed reminding of.

Lesson 1; buy a decent sun hat that fits please Glamrosie, not an age old H&M one that is faded and 'does the job'. Madame Glam strolls to the pool in a beautiful Debenhams hat that not only looks damn fab but shock horror, protects her from the sun too! Lazy moi so neglected that side of the poolside glamour.

Lesson 2; continue with practising the 'messy bun look' Madame Glam has taught me to buy some hair clips other than brown kirby grips. I have been really lazy with my bonnet of late. GHD's are my life saver but I have become very boring with them. Too hot to use them abroad, Madame Glam loosely pulled my hair on top of my head whilst I tipped it upside down, put a hair band round as though doing a pony tail, but didn't pull all the way through on the last go. So left with a kind of top knot, wrapped the ends of the hair around the band and secured with grips. Then used some of her pearl grips to pin down some stray hairs and shape into a messy bun.

Lesson 3; costume jewellery-wear what you've purchased Glamrosie, it's not just to look nice on the jewellery hanger. Madame Glam was not without some dainty pearl drop earring's even on the flight! For fear of cheapening my look, I've been more classic of late and played it safe with diamond studs and an old family bangle. But Madame Glam was a regular jewellery 'accessoriser' on holiday. A collection of bangles here, a flower hair grip there. She looked refreshingly fun in her evening outfits. Goodness I'm lazy!

Its nice to pick up new ideas from friends, sometimes its easier than reading them in a magazine. So thank you Madame Glam for jogging my memory and reminding me that it takes more than the clothes on your back to create an overall look.

Recently purchased items; Toppers tunic dresses attached - I will mainly be wearing leggings, leggings oh and leggings! But I have a Hen party coming up and can't wait to wear this bright and colourfully bold dress! Stripes - personally can do no wrong for me!

Shopping list item: Bare Minerals - not heard anything but praise for this brand. So am booking in at my local John Lewis for a trial and consultation. Whilst my wardrobe can not be majorly invested in in the next 4-5 months, I'm targeting other areas!