The Spanish Wish List/Shopping Plan

I have been fairly good this month as well as selling on a lot of things from my wardrobe when I (partially) cleared it out, second half due imminently!  What is it they say when you have money, you find nothing?  Well I've stashed away my extra pennies ready for a rainy day and am forming a little list.  I managed to try on a few bits from my Uniqlo post here and nothing worked, only things I didn't manage to try on were the sweatshirts which surprise surprise, they no longer have on line.  Well done for deliberating long enough for them to have gone Natalie! 

I found this coat in Zara the other day, perfect for now as it's really light weight.  I'm hoping to get it in Spain cheaper as feel £79.99 is a lot for it.

Something was funny!

Victoria from Feathers & Frills instagramed this amazing Zara top/cardi that I've searched everywhere for.  Now that I can't get it, I want it even more so again, I'm hoping to find this in Spain.

Finally, a few more things I'm hankering after, Spain, be kind to me, you know you want to! 

Mango £39.99 (adorable so I thought I'd share but I really don't need it - unless it has a cross the body strap!)

Zara £34.99

Zara £49.99, an alternative to the one I tried on above.  I love this but they didn't have in my size.  Thank you Jane for sharing this on your blog, great find! 

The Dream Purchase: Manolo's (& An Outfit: Mango Dress)

Whilst in Dublin visiting my sister the other week, I had some child free shopping time (bliss, if only everything wasn't more expensive).  We popped into Brown Thomas, if you haven't heard of this department store, think high end brands and you get the picture.  I love it when you can be up close and personal with brands you wouldn't normally see and even more so when you can try them on.  Que a pair of Manolo Blahnik's.  Not just any Manolo's, but the one's Carrie bought in the first Sex & The City movie and Mr Big used as the 'engagement ring' (sorry, I get a little carried away with S&TC!).   Wow wow wow.  They didn't have Carrie's blue out so I tried the classic black.  How sparkly were those gems?  So not normally my cup of tea (I'm a PR companies dream, Carrie completely sold them to me) but if I was pushed, I'd make them work for me…….

Hangisi Satin Pumps £600+

Carrie and Mr Big with her pair of Manolo's

And to make me want them even more, Miss Olivia Palermo in hers

And back to reality.  A meeting in Oxford last week called for a dress so my Mango one got an outing worthy of it (school runs with biker boots previously).  Please excuse the fuzzy picture, it was the best of about 20 taken by my 6 year old, but you get the idea.  I didn't realise until trying to take a closer photo that the back drapes down slightly longer than the front hem, it's subtle.  The green isn't as dull as it appears.  I'm so pleased with my impulsive purchase, it lends itself to many different an occasion, changed easily with shoes.  

Dress: Mango
Tights: M&S
Boots; Topshop

A slightly better picture to show the colour

So who's with me on the shoes?!?

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?!  

Shop Window Inspiration

A little round up from my week off, here are some of my favourite window displays from our capital.  On route to Hamleys of course (if not once, twice, several times, I was reminded it was not ''Mummy's'' day out - special trip minus the baby sister) so I had to get my small fix of fashion from the shops windows as I was dragged past (sigh).  Don't forget window displays, they really do give you a brief insight into what styles are now and to come.  That aside, they also give you some fresh ideas on styling your own wardrobe.  They are a trick not to be missed people!

Anthropologie - Love this 'Carrie Bradshaw's bedroom' blue!  So bright & cheerful

Zara - it's all about black this party season!

H&M - this pink jumper is 'this weeks most wanted' on their website £12.99

H&M - printed trousers are still very much 'in'

Liberty - Alexander McQueen, say no more

Coast - black party season ahead again!

Dune - I love animal print!

Reiss - great colour pallet 

Mango - great staple,black leather jacket

Mango - who doesn't need a pair of silver heels?

Ugg - I need me some of their pumps!

Ugg - lots of colour!

H&M - sorry, had to throw this one in, Mr Beckham cheering up busy shoppers!