The Summer Coat

Not only does Spring make me want to head to the shops and update my wardrobe but it also means I can bring out the lighter weight garments that I just don't get enough wear out of, so they feel like new.  I feel the cold, I really do.  I am sat here now with the heating still on, several layers and I'm still cold.  However it doesn't stop me, I just suffer quietly!  This Topshop coat was purchased when I was pregnant with my now 3 year old.  I saw it whilst on my friends hen do in Windsor, months later when it was cold it naturally went into the sale for around £40.  I don't feel like it's had a proper chance in my wardrobe but I have been wearing it a lot of late (naturally over a jumper and vest!).

Shot taken by my 8 year old - she's now been promoted to chief photographer!

I love it's simplicity with the twist locks to do it up and deep pockets.  The sleeves do look best rolled up which isn't ideal for cold me but needs must.

Coat & Jeans; Topshop
Jumper; Marc by Marc Jacobs
Boots; Gap

It's a great colour - I vaguely remember it being described as a blush pink, which is correct, it has those warm tones about it.  The temperatures have dropped these last couple of days but I hear it's set to warm up (double the amount of washing I can dry in one day then - hooray!) so it will no doubt be thrown on even more for the school run.  It just has that ability to tidy up an outfit if you know what I mean!

The Sales Are In Full Swing....

And I've been ordering away online, I can't quite stop myself now and have gone over my birthday money budget in the hope (and also knowing how fussy I am) that half of what i've ordered won't fit!  But to start with, the boot in my post here, damn it they've gone down to £57 and they still have my size......what to do, what to do.  I haven't stopped thinking about them and what I can wear with them so I think I may call tomorrow and reserve them to pick up this week.

The Chinti and Parker top also in this post has now sold out, so that's that decision made (was also told it looked like a pj top by the husband and that did put me off slightly).  My quest for a cashmere hoody has been a long one so when I saw two on sale, I ordered both.  The Next one I'm not holding out much hope for as I reckon the stock will have gone by the time they despatch but it was worth a shot.  It was over £100 down to £39 in grey, no image even left on their website!  The pink Whistles one may be too pale but again, giving it a go as both free delivery so nothing lost there. 

£195 down to £60 (and now sold out via HoF from yesterday!)

Next currently have this lovely Whistles jumper left in their clearance.  It is 70% wool 30% cashmere.  I was tempted but I have a pink cashmere jumper already so I'm refraining from a double pink in the wardrobe. 

£145 down to £50

After searching around to see if the pink cashmere Whistles hoody was a good buy, I stumbled across this Whistles dress in Asos.  I have a wedding in a few weeks and although I have some outfits in the pipeline and wasn't planning on purchasing a new dress, I thought I'd give this one a go as I fell in love with the unusual print.  I have a very old silk Whistles dress that I bought for the exact same reason, I like it when the print is just that little bit different. 

£155 down to £51 via Asos

And whilst I have a bit of a jumper thing going on, I thought I'd share with you my bargain jumper I found in the Charing Cross TK Maxx on my birthday.  It is Marc by Marc Jacobs and was £45 from over £100.  I questioned it to start with as I thought it was a little retro for me but the more I looked at it, the more I loved it.

Marc Jacobs, Cath Kidston & Ugg at Bicester Village

If you are a Marc Jacobs fan then get yourself down to Bicester Village as they've just opened up a new shop there.  I am a huge fan of the village, not the least because it is also very close to me but also being the bargain hunter that I am, it does have some great finds.  You can't always guarantee  to find the bargains but I seem to have a nose for them!  It was a very colourful Sunday when I went a few weeks back, the whole place seemed to have that Spring feel.

The Marc Jacobs shop had a full range of products from handbags to accessories and a rail of clothes.  They had his diffusion line; Marc by Marc Jacobs as well as some pieces from his main line. 

My favourite top there, silk £117 from £195 (40% discount)

I wasn't on a mission for much that day, I just went with a friend to catch up and have a browse.  I purchased the below from Cath Kiddston to post to my sister as a little treat and the kind sales assistant gave me some cute paper bags and stickers to wrap them up in, how lovely!  Service like this always impresses me, it's all about that little bit of something extra to make your customers feel appreciated and satisfied. 

Completely not on the look out for a new handbag (but always keeping one eye firmly open) I popped into Ugg who seem to have a bargain bin out of late.  They have been selling off samples at hugely reduced prices.  Having worked in Buying for many years, I am used to samples and a lot are pretty much nearly the finished item, so it never really bothers me.  I spied the below at £35, they had others in the store at £60 but this was a sample.  That day they had 20% off handbags for Mothers Day so I cheekily asked if mine was included.  Yes it was!  £28 for this leather beauty.  My friend said I was mad to walk away but being the Capricorn I am, I do like a little ponder.  It was held for me whilst I wondered around the village.  After putting in a call to the husband and confirming he was in fact planning to go to Tesco that afternoon for my Mothers Day present (nooooo, I need no more aprons or tea-towels with I Love My Mum on) so I said not too, I had found a bargain.  Pennies saved from Tesco bits and invested here instead.  I was lucky enough to still receive some beautiful flowers and cards on the day also.  

I have already used my bag, proof for me it was meant to be if I use it within two weeks of owning.  The body of the bag is nice and light, it's the chain that carries the weight.  I didn't realise until using  it that the chain also clips off so you can thread it through and make it shorter to a little arm strap.  

Jumper; M&S kids cashmere
Jeans; Gap
Boots; Sam Edelman
Bag; Ugg
Lizzie the cat again!

The Review: House of Fraser High Summer Press Day

I had the pleasure of a quick trip to London last week for House of Fraser's high Summer press day.  It was a damp, cold day so I was in much need of some cheer and reassurance that Summer isn't that far aware.  There was a lot to share!  I've grouped my images together as best I could to give you a good idea of what lovely treats they have in store for us shoppers.

The welcome!

First up was the dresses, perfect 'Ascot' and 'Summer wedding' dresses in lots of floral prints with some amazing fascinators.  Check out the footwear, I love the ankle straps paired with these dresses as it adds another dimension making the whole look more interesting. 

The Mary Portas range had some great colours as always along with some bold prints.  The cuts seemed to cover all body shapes, from the tailored, to the draped look as well as a structured box style top (plain white one in the second set of images).  My favourite by far was the amazing white shirt below left, the simple beading turned a boring white shirt into something far more appealing. 

No collection is complete without some animal print (in my opinion…..!) and these sandals do the job perfectly.  If you don't own a pair for Summer then rectify your error with these.  I was left dreaming of weather where I can wear a bikini, come on UK, give us a Summer to remember this year. 

For all you maxi dress lovers out there, they had a great selection for day wear.  My favourite being the grey tie dye on on the left, great design for adding length and elongating the body.

There was a great selection of tops, a lot of detail as well.  I love embellishments on tops as they can turn a pair of jeans into a more substantial outfit especially when you just don't have the time to think about your look. 

Simple shapes in block colours and denim also featured.  A great twist on the classic breton as well. 

One of my favourite dresses for the colour, the simple shape and the quality was this by Hugo Boss.

The accessories!  This statement Biba necklace looks gorgeous against the lime green yellow dress.

I was so excited to see bareMinerals there as they are my favourite foundation brand.  I was introduced to their glosses, in particular the one on the far left, it gave my lips a fabulous irridescent glow.  

I didn't have long to get in and out of London and back for the school pick up so I needed comfort with some stylish edge.  I had on my black suede Topshop ankle boots (sorry, not seen!), Gap wet look skinnies, a cream Pyrus top (not seen as well!) finished off with my Zara coat.  Accessories were my Balenciaga handbag, TK Maxx gloves, H&M cashmere scarf and bracelets by Tiffany, Annie Haak and Marc Jacobs.  Last and by no means least, my nails were painted in my new birthday Chanel nail polish in a shade called 'April' - bring on that month! 

It's been a long week since my last blog as at the time of going to press; the whole family is ill!  Boooo! 

Some Marc Jacobs and Todays Outfit

With the day being a bit cooler, I opted for my Ralph Lauren chino's, boy have I lived in these.  Originally featured on this post, they have washed and worn well and were worth every penny and probably a few more.  I opted to add my print on my upper body as that is where I wear it best on my frame, balancing out my proportions.  It was a comfy outfit, which even received a compliment when I popped in to get my fringe trimmed at the hairdressers!  (Head chopped off as pre-fringe trim photo!)

Top, Vest & Belt; Topshop
Chino's; Ralph Lauren from TK Maxx
Sandals; New Look

For some reason I failed to share with you my sale find from Harrods, what came over me?!  Marc Jacobs has always been a favourite of mine so when I saw this leather bracelet with the words 'sale' next to it, it called out my name.  Originally somewhere in the £90 region, it was £36 in the sale.  I love that it is fully adjustable as having slender wrists I've always struggled with bracelets.  The studs and belt designed clasp just add the edge that Mr Jacob's does so very well.  It came in a variety of colours but I decided I had colour in other accessories, but I was missing a fail safe, go with everything.  It's been worn a number of times already, I love it!

Worn here with my Tiffany bracelet (bought by my lovely friends for my hen party 8 years ago - and I'm still wearing it!  A timeless classic)

Mothers Day Gift Ideas

For any last minute shoppers out there in a panic, here are some gift idea's to help.  I have tried to cater for all budget's, starting with the 'no budget' purchasers!  I've avoided the flowers/chocolates/perfume idea as I know you clever people would have thought of those all on your own, these may just inspire some further gift idea's for you.

Marc by Marc Jacobs at Liberty £405

Mulberry Purse £295

Tiffany purse pen £90

Smythson lambskin leather notebook £35

L'occitane hand cream set £20 (free gift wrapping and samples and additional promotion as pictured)

Emma Bridgewater mug £19.95

Clinique Chubby Stick £16 (a personal favourite of mine, great for Mum's on the run)

Marks and Spencer Limited Collection Scarf £15

Or if your looking for something more personal, hop over to 'Made with Love by Gemma' she has Mothers Day hearts as below at £2.50 and if you mention GlamRoise, you will get a 20% discount off of the last two left - bargain!  (Offer ends Friday).  There are also some very cute cake stands available and other gift idea's, all ready to pop in the post.  I have bought 7 personalised hearts already for gifts!