Outfit Round-Up

This year is the year I moved on from my skinny jeans!  I am not totally without them of course, but the two pairs I bought from Gap that are their straight leg cut have had so much wear already. These were my bargain £12 ones teamed with a very old H&M t-shirt and Next animal sandals. Just a school run/about town look!

And then the skinnies came out for a girls night out!  These are also Gap, their wet look jeans.  I love the fit however the coating hasn't lasted as long as I had hoped.  Teamed with a blush pink lace Warehouse top and some very high heels (luckily we sat and caught up over cocktails and didn't have a dance!).

Clutch; sample from somewhere!
Shoes; Gucci
Ring; Dorothy Perkins
Earrings; Topshop
Bracelet; Valentino

Another day look - before the weather heated up of course.  Ralph Lauren ankle skimming jeans with a Cos top.  I've rolled the sleeves up a little as they finished just around my elbow and felt a little long.  I love the bright yellow hem, it really gives the top another dimension taking it from plain to having that little pop of colour.  

Im very pleased with my J.Crew purchases this year and this top has been no exception.  As I mentioned in my previous blog about it, I was a little dubious about the jewelled neckline but it has been in the machine, inside out on a hand wash cycle and no problems at all.  Gap jeans again and possibly my most worn shoes so far this year, my rose gold Primark sandals.  Don't get me wrong, they go with so much and are easy to throw on if I've not painted my toenails, but I know that won't be around next season as they have been well worn.  At £12, I didn't really expect them to last next season anyway.  

You get the idea - there's a theme to my casual looks - denim!  Flats were needed for the Robbie Williams concert and a cardi for when it got cooler.  I dug out this old Topshop cardi (and I'm talking 8+ years here) that has little peach flowers on it.  Somehow, it has stood the test of time and worked perfectly with my shoes and handbag.  The top is sleeveless, needed for the heat inside the O2.

Top; Zara
Cardi; Topshop
Watch; Tag
Bag; Italian - no idea, sorry!
Jeans; Gap
Shoes; Primark

It's been years since I saw Robbie solo (naturally I saw him when he reunited with Take That - HUGE fan!) and for some reason I didn't have any expectations, but he was amazing.  A true entertainer and the style of songs worked perfectly for him (his Swing Both Ways tour).  His Dad even came on to perform with him!  

Because.....it really is so true!

Bag; Prada
Pumps; French Sole
Jeans; Gap
Pouch; Lulu Guinness
T-shirt; Juicy Couture

A Mango Dress and BareMinerals Update

I had a half an hour window of shopping opportunity whilst in London last week so I decided to only go into shops I don't regularly shop in.  It was a damp, wet day and I was tired and to be perfectly honest had not really made much effort with my clothes that day.  I felt scruffy and needed some inspiration.  Que Mango.  Thank you!  You know when you just see something and think "that's it, that's my shape", well luckily for me this dress shouted at me that day.  I love wearing green, I have hazel eyes so feel it works well for me.  At £34.99 I thought it was a very good price.  It was looser on the top (where I need to add volume) and skimmed my hips to finish at a good length on me.  I want to wear more dresses so this is perfect.  I am however yet to wear it…..something about this cold weather just makes we want to live in thick jeans and cashmere jumpers and little else variety wise.  I will pull myself out of it to bring you a photo of me in it soon, I promise.  But until then, here it is.  I must add I was impressed by their offering.  Yes they had the usual over inflated high street prices on some of their range, but parts also seemed to be really fair, like this dress.  Well worth a good look if you are near one.  They had a good balance between evening, day and work wear. 

I love it with the bare legs however mine will be worn with tights!

I like the small print, anything too large over-whelms me and my shortness!

After nearly 2 years I've finally finished my bareMinerals loose powder foundation (yes I know I was probably not supposed to keep it this long).  I wear a Mac powder every day but use this when I want a more polished look for going out.  Not that I have loads of Christmas parties lined up but I am anxious to replace it soon.  I popped into Boots and tried their new 'Ready Foundation' which looked just like a pressed powder.  I was told it had slightly more coverage than the loose powder I'd been using from the starter kit.  Part of me wants to try something else but do you know what, I just don't feel like it deserves my precious time right now.  It just seems easiest to go back to the brand I've been using and like and try their newest product, saving me time and also money on a brand that might not work for me.  Lame I know, but with tinted moisturisers and liquid foundations, I just don't like getting my fingers dirty!  My hands are so chapped this time of year anyway, they don't need an extra wash in the morning.  I only had it on for about 4 hours, but was impressed in that time, it looked natural and stayed put.  I also liked that you can use the Mineral Veil from the starter kit I have with it to set it.  So if anyone else has tried this, please do share before I spend my Boots points on it!

bareMinerals Ready Foundation £25

PS The hubby thought I was mad admitting to wanting a Juicy Couture tracksuit (at the right price I hasten to add).  Can I just share these pictures from their Regent Street windows please?  Not so 'tacky tracksuit' hey?!  

New Purchases From Zara & H&M

I don't know about you but with the dark, cold nights it's made me less inclined to add any colour to my wardrobe and more about adding warmth and comfort.  With this in mind (and a few on-line vouchers floating about) I ordered a grey round neck cashmere jumper from H&M.  It is £39.99 however I paid £28.89 with postage.  There are some codes about still, try 1304 for £5 off and 0560 for 25%, they both worked together. I have worn it three times already.  £28.89 for a cashmere jumper = bargain.

I've just sent the link through for this black cashmere scarf to my family for a hint hint nudge nudge for Christmas.  Strangely enough I have a hole in my wardrobe for just a plain black scarf. More often than not I have plain tops and add a patterned scarf but there has been times I have the reverse.

H&M £34.99

I had a huge tip off from the lovely Joanna over at Poppy's Style who did this post on fur gilets and trying to find the right one. Her daughter had a Zara kids one.  I loved it.  Not having a Zara local to me I took a chance and waited until I popped into one with a kids section.  It wasn't in the store I went into in London last week but there were others so I could try on the size.  I went for the XL in kids and it's perfect.  A lot longer than I thought which is an added bonus as I am quite long in the body.  Like my cashmere jumper, I've worn it several times already.  That is always key for me.  If I buy something and at least go to wear it within a week, it's definitely meant to be.  On the other hand, the fun jumper I blogged about in this post was returned!  No matter how cheap and quirky it was, I just couldn't bring myself to spend a penny on a jumper I believed would last a few washes.  It may have proven me wrong, but I am pleased I invested in my cashmere instead.

Zara £22.99

Wearing it with my grey H&M cashmere underneath

As this is my blog, I've always been honest.  I do not shy away from the fact I still harbour a desire for a Juicy Couture velour tracksuit.  I still think they look comfortable (and ok, yes, cool).  I just haven't parted my cash for one yet!  I did however find this in TK Maxx today for my eldest.  It's going away for Christmas but at £9.99 for 100% cotton and designer, I thought it was a fab deal.  She may not appreciate it just yet (well some days she does) but I will enjoy watching her wear it!

PS If you are after the cashmere at H&M, under the ladies section, look in 'This Week' then 'Premium Quality products'.

PPS The hubby just asked if I was really going to admit to my readers that I thought the JC tracksuits were 'cool', um hell yeah, warts and all!

Surviving A School Trip!

It was a loooong day!  But I did it, 25 x 6/7 year old's, a gaggle of Mum volunteers, a sore throat by the end of it (tonsillitis none the less) but a very pleased daughter that her Mummy was there.  We spent the day at Claydon House and I am ashamed to admit, I've never been before and it is so close (Waddesdon Manor is even closer I'm afraid).  What absolutely stunning views and grounds.  I will definitely be going back with the family and a large picnic when the weather warms up next year.  So what did I wear, well probably should have swapped around what I wore today for it but never mind, on disrupted sleep, a poorly baby and getting out the house by 8.30am this is what it ended up being.

Cardi - Jack Wills (Bicester Village)
Top - H&M
Satchel - The Cambridge Satchel Company
Jeans - Topshop
Pumps - French Sole

Apologies about the colour on these shots, they were rushed whilst the children were acting out the Crimean War and we had a minute to ourselves, somehow a filter was applied!  I am loving wearing my bargain £15 Topshop Baxter jeans that were made for short people (the 28" leg ones), it's great not to have to turn them up, although I do like a turn up.  I have had my orange H&M breton for a while now, it hasn't lost it's shape but I must admit I prefer the Zara organic cotton ones, they don't tend to ride up.  The Jack Wills cardi is getting a lot of wear, I love it.  My French Sole ballet pumps are breaking in nicely, they have loosened up so I may need an innersole for my smaller foot (yep, odd feet, a whole size).  

I think I managed to take in some information about Florence Nightingale and the Crimean War whilst I was there, well definitely the story about loosing her cat on the train anyway!  No testing me on my knowledge though please, just use Google.....

I Couldn't not share some of the views, stunning English countryside.

The Converse, well I have worn them twice already!  Yes, a little pinching on the big toe but so needed an in between shoe from a ballet pumps with no socks to a hardcore Winter boot, these fit the bill perfectly.  A bit of an animal over load today, but it's fun to play with prints sometimes.

Tee - Juicy Couture
Cardi - Gap (merino wool one)
Jeans - Black (kind of grey now) Topshop Baxter
Shoes - Converse

Anyone else been experimenting with double prints recently?

Topshop - My Shop Of The Week

I know I know, it's been a while since I last featured one, I need to get out more!  But on a serious note, I seem to be rekindling my love of Toppers of late.  I steered away from it as felt it was getting a little to high end fashion and I'm a bit more classic with a twist than a bang on trend dresser.  But recently I have been in and seen a whole host of items I've loved.  I had a lovely week-end T'up North to see my friend and she dragged me (I honestly wasn't that bothered at going!) into her local store.  Not only did I nab some sale items (Baxter jeans £10, yes thank you very much) but got all excited at their new stock.  Here are some of my favourites.

For a long drive I wanted to be comfy so donned my bargain new £3 Roxy flip-flops from my last post, some old (very faded) black Topshop Baxter jeans and my favourite Tee of the moment, a Juicy Couture one.  I purchased this from the lovely Susie Hall's online shop for around £16, bargain!  It's washed so well and I've worn it loads already, I love purchases like this.

And the boutique hotel I stayed in......thanks Jo Jo!

PS One final plea, if you haven't already and think I deserve a vote, please drop by the Matalan Style Project before it finishes in a few days time and leave a comment!

Night all x

Sale Shopping Part Deux

I have found some amazing deals-but none in my size so I haven't benefited, I am sharing so you guys can!  Hit Accessorize, leather ballets pumps for £8.40.

Zara leather court shoes.  I think from memory they were between £30-£40 I was getting a little carried away hunting for a 36, I just saw they were in the sale and that was enough love for me!

Just to throw you off the scent of my shoe addiction, a versatile clutch!  I love the colours in this suede one from Zara, neutrals, navy, I think this could work for all seasons.

TK Maxx 'Schutz' £39.99 (not in the sale) but all leather, a beautiful court shoe, I need a 37 so be on the hunt for me please!

Bicester Village had some really great deals.  LK Bennett had a huge sale on and my sister found these two pairs reduced down to £50.  They were over £200 originally and are so well made.   My sister managed to step away from her Nigella book long enough to send me these pictures through.

Marks and Spencer always have a great sale and I've been after these for years now, cashmere joggers.  The hubby thinks they are still a ridiculous amount of money (£99 down to £69 - birthday and Christmas money combined for these lovelies!) but my argument is this; if you can spend money on looking and feeling good for outside of the home for everyone else's benefit, why shouldn't you do the same inside for your own?  My sister bought a pair of Juicy Couture velour jogging bottoms for £19 (Bicester Village again), mine are only 3 and a bit times more and should hopefully outlast hers. And then there's the warmth (had the velor looked as good on my behind as they did on hers I would also have purchased!).  So the tags are still on, the jury's out.  They sold out on line in a jiffy, there was only one pair left in the Milton Keynes store in my size......meant to be? Investment?  They feel like a little peace of heaven on, madness or one of life's little luxuries?  Oh and they are in the charcoal grey colour (more child friendly) and the waist band folds down so they don't look as 'Simon Cowell' as they do on the model!

I will return with my fashion and beauty New Years resolutions once I have finalised them......unless any of you care to share yours so that I can pinch them?!?