Miss Selfridge Gypsy Tops

I was near an 'Outfit' the other week (a shop that houses a few brands just in case you weren't aware, so a Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Oasis etc) and spotted this gorgeous cotton top in the Miss Selfridge section.  At the time it was £35 down to £20 which I thought was a great price considering the amount of stitching on it but I've just checked and it's now only £15!  Beware, it comes up huge, this was either a 4 or a 6.  I loved it but it wasn't for me.

After looking at the top, notice the pram and feet behind me.....

And again, someone was bored yes?!

And's she's hit the wall!  (And a 'What I Wore' that day shot!)
Sweater; Uniqlo (although sadly made the decision to sell this on as just to short in the body for me)
Jeans; Topshop
Trainer boots; Timberland

Mono Gypsy Blouse £35 down to £15

I found this other gorgeous top on their website, this feels like more my style as a little simpler, the tassels on the one above felt too much on me.

Crinkle Smock £35 down to £17

They have a great sale on at the moment and you're after a gypsy style top then I would head their way as lots online also.  

The Fur Hooded Parka

So you know in my last post I gave myself just that little bit of leeway to still use my birthday money spends in my dry February?  Well thank goodness I did!  I found this last week when in-between a pre-school drop off and pick up I had to dash into town to run a few errands.  It was down to £40 in Topshop but too big and I also thought the fur hood was too much.  The more I thought about the coat though, the more I felt I had a gap for one (completely talked myself round of course).

A day later I then found this little gem in Miss Selfridge.  I don't have one local to me so grabbed the opportunity to pop in when I was passing.  As always I was in a hurry, sometimes that time limit with me is a good thing as I have to make a decision.  It fitted and was £95 down to £45.  I had my short wool Zara coat on that day but I really needed something longer.  My big puffa down one is great for terrible weather but this felt like a good in-between coat.  Job done!

As usual, it was hung up to look at but after only 48 hours, was worn.  The fur hood is so snuggly and soft around my neck - just what I need when my glands are up and fighting off my tonsillitis (hence I look pale but had to crack a cheesy smile for you!).  Sorry to say only a 4 is left online but do try the stores as there were a few in the one I looked in.  The fur is detachable and the lining makes it extra warm.  I have worn it every day since, why did I leave it so long to purchase a fur hooded parka I ask myself?!?

Not a lot left from Topshop online either but again, my local store had loads in.  There is this one from them online, £75 down to £50 if you are looking for something a little looser fit wise. 

Leaving you with my current situation.....and they work for any tonsillitis sufferers out there!

Some Bright & Cheerful Inspiration

Writing from my sick bed (I wondered why I had been feeling ill all week then took a look at my poor tonsils today!) I feel in need of some hope that Spring is coming soon.  Thankfully I've had emails dropping in my inbox all week with some colour which has cheered me up.  I am having a dry February (I hardly drink so yes, you've guessed it, I'm talking clothes shopping).  I have a little bit left from my birthday money which I'm in no rush to spend.  I don't really want to buy Winter bits now as that's just too depressing but it's still too cold for a Spring wardrobe.  So it's a good excuse to go cold turkey this month!  Please note the disclaimer here, should something pretty amazing turn up, I have the right to spend my birthday pennies ok?

So here's some of my favourites from the emails I've received this week.

French Connection

This a-line dress is £150 so fairly pricey but knowing French Connection and their quality, it will last a long time.  I love the simple elegant cut with the contemporary twist coming in the form of the print. They also do a skirt for £70 if the style isn't right for your shape but like me, you love the print. 

Miss Selfridge

How adorable is the above?  I don't wear midi skirts as, as of yet, haven't found one that does my small frame justice and doesn't completely dwarf me.  However I feel when I am next passing a Miss Selfridge, this one needs to be tried on.  Yes, just in case you missed it, this is a skirt and top combo. The skirt is £45 and the top £35.  (PS they are having a flash sale tomorrow - Friday 13th February 12-2pm, use code FLASH20 for 20% off full price items.  I hear there may well be a 25% voucher in Glamour magazine floating about too).  

Boden

I love this whole look from Boden but in particular the peach jeans.  These are £49 which I don't feel is an unfair price for jeans.  I have a cornflour blue pair of ankle jeans by Ralph Lauren that I only wear in the Summer months and I love them as the colour really does make them a more versatile Spring/Summer wear.  These would look just as chic with a trainer/plimsole style shoe. 

Some very Spring colours above, for now though, I'm back for lots of layers and of course my trusted thermals!  

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....!

The Primark Swimwear Haul

For the last 7+ years I have always headed to Primark as early as January to get some bikini's from them.  As much as I like to invest in quality, I have always really rated them for their swimwear, they last well, the fit is good and the prices as you would expect - ridiculously fair.  This was my second visit this year, I didn't like what they had to offer in February.  I sized up with the bottoms as they do make them a little skimpy but the tops were true to size.  I picked up the navy striped version of the below as well but the green and orange version was so much nicer so went with this one.

£7 for the set

Unusual for me, I went for one with a clasp fitting, I normally like to be able to tie them up as tight as possible but the fit on this one was great.  I love the option to add straps but I like to have at least one bikini I can wear and not worry about strap marks.  It is not the most bust enhancing style but  I would prefer not to have strap marks and the cups are softly moulded so it isn't too bad.

£10 for the set

I grabbed this without even trying it on, it was £5 and I thought the print and colours were gorgeous.  Again, not hugely flattering as it squashes my chest slightly but so easy to pull on and wear when I'm running about after the kids.  Holiday wear only - far too much leg would be on show minus a tan in this country!  Oh and it has pockets, double result for Mummy duties!

£5

Whilst queueing I saw the below hangers.  My wardrobe is in need of a tidy up again (I aim for every 3 months) so I thought these would cheer it up and entice me.  Time isn't on my side as always but they have worked as far as a little colour co-ordinated organising has started to happen.  They are great for not leaving hanger marks as they are felt covered.

£4 for 10

Not from Primark but whilst I am on the holiday wardrobe radar I clocked these in BHS, from Miss Selfridge.  All leather, even the soles and with that amount of jewels on I didn't think the £35 price tag was that unwarranted.  

My big Summer holiday isn't until October this year so I am hoping that we have a good one here in the UK so I can get a bit of colour.  Anyone else buying months in advance like me?!

The Gap & Red Event & Some Sparkly Shoes

After waiting a whole extra month (thank you London transport for striking at the wrong time) I finally made it to Red magazines evening with Gap.  Gap has a new creative director Rebekka Bay, previously from Cos and this was her first collection since joining. 

So first up, what to wear.  Yep, it was a last minute job with a few unexpected extra's thrown in to really make me work hard to get there but thanks to a great mate who happens to also be fab with my kids, my childcare dilemma's were sorted swiftly.  I am definitely very much a dresser based on mood, I need to feel it at that moment in time.  I had wanted to wear something bright but I just couldn't so after lining up some of my favourite tops, The Kooples on the right won.  It's navy with black lace, comfortable, forgiving in the tummy area and stylish.  

The below however is what my husband came home to find.  SORRY!  He knew it was no mean feet to get there so he tidied it all up for me and made no comment.  I am grateful for his patience with me at times like this!

With half an hour to spare before it started, I dragged my friend to Selfridges to have a play.  She was mortified that I try on expensive handbags and shoes then walk away.  What's wrong with that?! In my dreams one day I would love to walk in and pay full price for high end items, until then though, I am content with trying them on and dreaming, then finding them cheaper elsewhere (best ever charity shop find post coming soon).  

I give you, Mr Christian Louboutin.  Just to sparkly for words and the camera!

The best outfit shot you will get from that night, I was to distracted!
Jeans; Gap
Top; The Kooples
Leather jacket; Miss Selfridge
Ballet Pumps; French Sole (changed into my Bally Switzerland courts for the event!)
Bag; Balenciaga

More sparkles over at Gina.  My only regret on my wedding day was not splashing out on the silver Gina sling back shoes I had fallen in love with.  I couldn't justify the price at the time.  8.5 years later and I still think about them and how many more wears I would have had out of them.

Over at Gap we were suitably welcomed with Champagne and canapés whilst we awaited the talks to start.

Fiona Collins from Gap started off the evening (check out her amazing heels, I should have zoomed in!) followed on by Red's fashion & shopping editor Laura Fantacci.  Laura put together some great staple looks, my favourite featuring the denim shirt.

Probably the shoe of the moment right now, the skater shoe.  Move over bright colourful trainer, the skater is in town.

I was pretty slack on the photo front, I was to busy rummaging around and playing dress up.  Luckily that day Gap's 30% off had arrived so armed with my voucher I decided to not get carried away and only buy what I needed.  I loved this print below, £24.95.  It made a nice change from Gap's staple stripe prints even though I am still a fan of their stripes, if it ain't broke and all that.  However I feel I have bought a few sweaters recently so I wasn't really in need of any more.

So I ended up with some jeans.  Those who know me, know they are my favourite bottoms to wear, I am a jeans girl and a 'skinny jeans' style girl at that.  I have tried on various other styles but the fit never seems to work. Until that day in Gap. Emily Gegg from Gap had on an amazing pair and after we chatted about how she also had been into skinnies but these made her change, I tried on their 'straight leg' style.  I wanted a lighter pair for Summer and these were perfect.  I paid £31.46 and have worn them so much already.  They have lightened up my wardrobe, although the sun has helped as well!  They are not a boyfriend fit but are looser than a skinny, the perfect in-between style.  They do come up large so you may need to go down a inch in the waist.   

worn with my Converse and Zoe Karssen sweater

So the moral of the story is, for all the ladies who I work with and those on email, even when you do think you've found the perfect style jean, it's always worth trying another style again.  You never know what you may find, even I have moved into a new jean era!