The New Coat With An Old Dress

I think I may have mentioned a few times on my blog over the last year how I've been on the hunt for some sort of 'trophy' jacket.  My interpretation of this is something that adds to my wardrobe in the patterned department to enhance a simpler look or add contrast to an already lively one!  I've tried several, most of the cropped ones are just too short on me (the Mango one from this post being one of them) and nothing ticked the boxes.  Until I saw this one in Zara which I blogged about and decided to wait until I was in Spain to benefit from the current Euro exchange rate.  However, I then found the one below, exactly the same style just a different pattern (warmer I felt) and no fake pockets around the bust line which I wasn't keen on anyway.

It's £79.99 here but I paid in the £50's for it after the exchange rate - it was €69.99

It's perfect for this time of year, a lovely light weight cotton with 3/4 sleeves and it's fitted in very well with my current wardrobe.  So much so it's probably been one of the only jackets I've worn recently! I had a christening to go to last week-end and wore a very old Kate Moss/Topshop dress and the coat was the perfect addition to it.

It was a tad windy!

I decided to mix up the blues for this outfit

An oldie but I still love it, thank you Kate Moss!

The accessories were kept minimal with a few bracelets from Tiffany, Swarovski and Annie Haak.  Miu Miu clutch and a bright Essie polish (which picked out the red in my coat) and my little Chanel card holder for a few cards and notes!

First outing for my blue suede courts which were bought in the January sales from TK Maxx for around the £10 mark - last of the big spenders me! 

So there you have it, one of my purchases from my Spanish holiday - a few more to share but this is possibly my favourite so I had to share it first.  I am so pleased with how it's worked so quickly for me in my wardrobe, especially when it's made me wear an old dress lurking in the back.

My Christmas Party Outfit

My silk Uniqlo shirt was worn for the first time at the week-end for my husbands works Christmas party.  Over the many years he's been there it's been a bit of an evolution as far as my party froc is concerned.  I used to stress for months in advance and buy such a sparkly dress I would rarely have the occasion for it again nor would dream of wearing it to the next Christmas party they threw.  The dress code has also got more relaxed, smart trousers are accepted and peoples outfits really vary.  I really didn't want to buy something I was never going to wear again.  I already had everything in my wardrobe apart from the shirt.  I grabbed this when it was on sale last month for £19.90.  

It was far too cold to stand outside for a more scenic shot and was dark anyway.  Must work on finding a good corner somewhere in my house for photos and better lighting!

I decided last minute on my shoes and accessories.  I did a shout out on my Facebook page as to which shoes a while ago.  It was either a suede bow court or these animal ones.  The majority ruled so animal it was!  I really fancied clashing a little more so went with my blue clutch and red festive nails but put a little more blue in with my bracelets as well just so there was some more colour elsewhere on me!

Skirt; H&M
Bracelets; Swarovski & Annie Haak
Clutch; Miu Miu
Shoes; Mulberry

Just peeping through my shirt was my little diamond heart necklace

Because they deserved a picture all of their very own!  'Strokeable' as well!

We completely forgot to get a proper shot together, this was a quick one taken by a friend!

So are you all party ready?  Have you purchased a new froc or recycling current pieces with the odd new one thrown in?  I am really pleased with how my outfit turned out.  I love the skirt, it's a real show piece as has a lot of volume to it.  I can't believe I nearly returned it!