The Face Cream Post

I know I haven't done anything remotely clothes related for a while but as I'm already struggling to fit in blogging, I'm just going to share what floats my boat at the time being so bear with me!  I've been meaning to share this little gem of a night cream for a while now.  I saw the reviews on it and thought I'd give it a try.  I am impressed Marks & Spencer!  It goes on so well, really feels like it sinks into the skin.  It does have a scent (which I noticed wasn't favoured in the reviews) but I don't find it over powering at all.  

Marks & Spencer Formula Absolute Ultimate Sleep Cream £22 

I have enjoyed it so much that when another deal came up I bought this bundle.  The night cream was free when you bought the other two products and then I had 20% off with my Sparks card so it was a little over half price for the lot.  I only use face cream with SPF in now, no matter what the weather.  It's not the Absolute range but the reviews were still good so I will report back.  Serums are something I haven't got into yet but keep hearing they are a must so thought it was worth a go.

Marks & Spencer Formula Range 

For the eagle eyed........What's wrong with the above picture?  It's testament to how away with the fairies I am at the moment.  

Yep, I read the reviews but not the actual blurb and the pictures on the website didn't have 'mature skin' on them, grumble!  Neither did I look at the ages of the people who rated them.  Let's see if Marks & Spencer understand and let me have a refund.  What a plonker I am.  

*UPDATE*  Good old M&S and their great Customer Service.  I had my poor husband searching the recycling bin for the receipt but with no luck.  The assistant found my online order anyway and there was no problem returning them - after having a little chuckle with me over what I'd actually ordered!  

Autumnal Inspiration

I saw this jumper in Marks & Spencer whilst shopping with a client the other week (I must say, of all the shops we went into, she did the best out of them!).  I love a white/cream jumper as find them so useful as a base colour for outfits.  This one however had a little something extra with the embroidery which was absolutely gorgeous.  My only disappointment was what is was made from, come on M&S, you are better than that, I know you can make things to last!

Floral Badge Jumper £39.50

I also spied this knitted tank at £19.50 but at that price I'm guessing there wasn't a lot, if any, wool involved.  I can't find it online but I'm sure it will still be available in store.  A great Autumn piece that would be easy to wear - I'm thinking some black wet look style or leather leggings!

I loved this pop of colour on a darker background from Warehouse.  Sometimes it's nice to have a few 'Winter' tee's tucked away for a smart casual night out to pop on with jeans.  The red would be a great colour to pick out and use elsewhere in your outfit, be it a red lipstick or nails. 

Pop Daisy Spot Tee £29

My Autumn has shaped up a little like this though!  Proper school mum attire, a spotty fun cashmere jumper from Boden and obligatory hooded puffa!  

Jumper; Boden
Jacket; TK Maxx

PS Uniqlo have their cashmere on offer for a short amount of time, £69.90 down to £49.90!  Crew and V Necks available in a selection of colours.

Crew Neck Cashmere Sweater £49.90

The M&S Sale Is On!

Make sure you check out their shoes and cashmere - my favourites (OK and their Homeware but that comes as standard right?!).  I've had my eye on these fringed boots, they were £69 now down to £39.  I love both the black and tan.  I have a pair similar that have been so handy when you want to smarten up a look but don't want to be cold!  I actually wore mine with black jeans turned up for a meal the other day too. 

Marks & Spencer Suede Boots 

Speaking from experience, I would always size up with wool - especially if like me, you refuse to pay dry cleaning bills and use the hand wash cycle on your machine.  So long as you are careful, you shouldn't have any problems however naturally wool shrinks so I am now always buying the next size up, especially if it's a good piece of knitwear I want to get as much wear as possible out of.  You can't go wrong with a simple round neck and after previously ordering a pale pink one from another brand that turned out to be very thin, I may give this one a whirl.

Marks & Spencer Cashmere £75 down to £41.50

They have quite a few pieces available in cashmere that's just gone into sale, so it's worth a peak.  They have v-neck's, polo necks and cardigans as well as the above round neck style.  You have to sift through the colours though as some are still full price.  I also spotted this lambswool jumper which is now £19 from £29.50.  Another classic at a great price, well done Marks & Spencer!

Lambswool now £19

Black Friday - Keeping It Simple With M&S

I haven't gone mad like my inbox has with Black Friday, I am finding it all a little too much to be honest.  Some shops offering 10% over a certain spend when actually they hand out better deals than that with their catalogues - do they think we are that stupid?  It is hard not to get caught up with it all though but the one shop I salute to the way they've done it is good old Marks & Spencer. Keeping it simple with easy to navigate discounts in store and online, I headed straight to the 50% off sections - after all, this is about a proper bargain right - not a measly 10%.  Yes, things have sold out online but stores still have stock (my girls have got a gorgeous new winter coat at 50% off from my local store). Just to give you an idea - here's a few of my favourite half price deals online.  

Yes THIS skirt is half price from £199 down to £99.50 - all suede and featured in numerous magazines!

I've always been a fan of their cashmere, this one is £129 down to £64.50.  There is green online as well and quite possibly the grey was in on the deal - again, check your local store for more options

We all need an animal print coat in our lives - trust me, you will wear it more than you think!  This one is  £129 down to £64.50

Only certain colours left online but their classic crew neck cashmere is now £37.50 from £75!  

I wouldn't be without my fur hooded parka for the school runs - it's the best coat to have.  This one is £39.50 from £79 an utter bargain.

Finishing with another coat - because Winter brings out my coat problem, that literally is all I want to buy right now!  I fancied some Sex & The City mid week so I put on the first film.  When I saw this coat below it reminded me of Carries - yes, I know the outfits inside out!

This is £69 down to £34.50 and I actually think I would have to buy it if I saw it in my size and it fits!  Regardless of whether I need it or not as to quote Carrie; "it's not logical, it's emotional".

There's more so please go and have a look, I honestly think they've nailed it by making it a select amount and easy to navigate.  There is 30% off a ton more items but being the bargain hunter I am, those items will probably go down further in their sale which no doubt will start in a couple of weeks anyway, so I can wait.  Unless of course you are present shopping then go for it!

PS This is not a sponsored post by any means - I am just sharing the bargains!

The Prada Skirt & The M&S Sandal

When ever my sister is home (she currently lives in Dublin) she insists on 'popping' to Bicester Village as it is local to us.  My sister is possibly more of a shopaholic than me......!  On strict instructions not to over spend - self imposed, I do have a wardrobe full of clothes and there is only 7 days in a week, I naturally had a browse.  Prada is one of my favourite stores there, I can always find things I like, from the jewellery to the handbags and wallets, shoes and clothes.  I have purchased the odd few clothing items before in the sales - nothing like the prices you would expect, you need to hunt people!  And hunt I did last month.  They had a mega sale on and this skirt was down to £50, yep, £50 for a Prada lovely.  

Now it's not my usual style, I am more of a shorter skirt kinda gal purely as I'm not blessed in the height department and don't like to feel swamped in clothes.  However, I really really do want to wear more skirts and dresses - it's an ongoing saga, I just love my jeans and they work for me in my life perfectly.  This skirt had pockets - I love a pocket in a skirt, was fully lined and semi worked with what I had on that day.  I couldn't leave it behind so it came home with me.

I'm yet to wear it.  Something has stopped me, 1. perhaps for fear of a cat or child ruining it, 2. because there hasn't seemed to be a time when I could.  This may indicate it was a bit of a mistake however, it's Prada, so I will forgive myself and find a way to incorporate it into my daily life.  Watch this space!

Finishing the post with the shoes that I was wearing when I tried said skirt on.  I saw them on Alex's blog a while ago and loved them.  They have had a marmite response in my household, it stopped me from wearing them for all of a few days but I since haven't got them off my feet.  They are from M&S and were reduced to £25 in the sale, leather of course (yes, you know me and my material obsession).  I love the bling, I love that they are a more structured sandal and I had no black in the sandal department.  I had been hankering after them but they sold out quickly when they went into sale.  I was shopping with a client and saw them on the shelf.  Ever the professional that I try to be, I hid them behind a few other pairs and prayed they would still be there when I finished.  Firm believer of fate and what's meant to be - they were still there!

Hope everyone is enjoying the much longed for sunshine.  Posts will be a bit sparse due to the young ones eating up more of me than normal and a few little vacations planned.  I have a back log of posts to share with you so they will be coming through in dribs and drabs!  

Hurry Hurry Hurry - Cheap Cashmere!

Now be very quick people, don't deliberate like my dear self.  I've been talking recently about out of season buying - prime example coming up.  Cashmere is the luxe of wool wear, it is super soft, warm and oh so comfortable.  Marks and Spencer is, in my humble opinion, possibly one of the best on the high street.  I have several pieces, all bought in the sales, that have lasted several hand washes in my machine and still no bobbling.  So grab one of these online as currently they have a full range of sizes as no one would think to buy cashmere in this hot weather - but I'm hear to teach you to buy key items that last for half the normal price!  I will link them below so go straight to what you like and check the hell out!

Light Lilac Jumper (also available in green for £43) £119 down to £45

Antique Rose Cardigan £85 down to £42

Blurred Cardigan £99 down to £50

Ribbed Jumper (also available in green) £99 down to £36 

PS You have my client to thank for this as I found just the one piece in store today whilst shopping with her so it made me check online.

PPS No, I haven't purchased any.  I have a little collection that is doing well for me however the orange one really is very tempting.   

The Bargain M&S Cotton Jumper

The sun is out - yay!  I couldn't help but be drawn to this selection of jumpers in Marks & Spencer the other day.  The colours screamed Spring and they were a great price at £19.50 for 100% cotton.  I thought they were perfect for this time of year when it's not hot enough to go short sleeved yet (ok, some may disagree but I feel the cold!) but too warm for woollen knits.  

I think the pink was my favourite!

When I was looking for the link for the above, I stumbled upon this gorgeous lilac one (also 100% cotton) which is currently in the sale.  It's down to £8.99 but only has size 8 and 10 left so be quick as this is an absolute steal.

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 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....!