Savvy Sales Shopping

A Happy New Year to all my readers, I hope you are all well and truly rested after the festive break.  Or perhaps the break starts now the kids are back at school......!  We have lots of family birthdays around Christmas time (great planning I know) but it does always mean we hit the shops for various reasons quite a bit.  As we are midst renovations right now I'm being more selective than ever and currently have a nice little stash of birthday and Christmas money being saved away.  That being said, I have managed to grab a few bargains - but beware, the sales haven't reached their full potential yet, wait for better discounts if you dare!

I do love M&S cashmere, it wears well and only recently have I somehow managed to shrink a few pieces.  I loved this red crew neck which was £75 down to £50, then scanned at £40 and I had a £5 Sparks birthday voucher so £35 - happy me!  I've linked their cashmere here but I've found more selection and better prices in store right now.  

(Not as bright as it seems and paws to the left courtesy of Lizzie cat)

Gap is always a firm favourite of mine and as a few of my sweaters need replacing I grabbed this cotton one which was down to £14.99 (£24.99 online though I'm afraid).  Make sure you sign up to their emails, they are always sending offers and I had a further 25% off via a recent one making this £11.24 - bargain.

A blog post of mine wouldn't be a post without featuring Topshop would it!  When I was supposed to be running to grab a last minute child's present I saw the sale sign and couldn't help but duck in.  I had seen this shirt earlier in the year and loved it but at £12 I wasn't going to let it stay in the shop.  It is a size larger than I normally take but it fitted well and as it's cotton it allows for some shrinkage. I've not seen it online so check out stores if you're after one.  

Gorgeous back detail

On the same 'emergency' Christmas present shopping trip, I had to pop to H&M and saw this wool hat for £2.  Yes, you read that right, £2.  Needless to say that didn't remain in the shop either.

Now this is the one I need a little help with.  I love the Missoni print and this was down to £20 in TK Maxx.  I thought it was gorgeous but I'm not a huge scarf wearer to be honest and after it was joked I looked like a llama herdsman (I have the best mates) I've not worn it yet.  I don't want to be sucked in on price and just because it's designer, but it is still beautiful.  Being short of space at the mo I'm being very careful what makes it's way into my limited wardrobe.  

Lizzie cat again, yes! 

Feeling A Little Monochrome

It all started when I dug out my wet look Joni jeans which I purchased a few months back in the Topshop sale.  I was off to London and wanted something a little smarter.  For some reason they hadn't been worn before but I knew I would eventually as I love their Joni jeans for a snug fit.  From then on I have just been feeling 'black'!  I wouldn't say I wear a lot of it, being petite I sometimes feel a little lost in it so go for a more neutral pallet.  However sometimes you just have to go with it so that is what I've been doing!

T-shirt (just seen); Vince from TK Maxx
Jacket; Zara
Jeans; Topshop
Pumps; French Sole
Bag; Chloe
Small person; Stylists own

From there it led on to a completely monochrome look, again with an item purchased and not worn - maybe the jeans started something!  Now it's not something I advocate, buying and leaving it to lurk in the depths of your wardrobe but ever so occasionally you just forget!  This top is by Joseph and I grabbed it in a TK Maxx.  It's a little odd with he additional bands around it and that's possibly why I hadn't worn it but I was in a hurry to see the Ab Fab preview and it just felt simple and right.  

Joseph top & leather bag; TK Maxx
Jeans; Topshop
Shoes; L.K. Bennett

And so it continued when I managed to hit Zara for the last 15 minutes before it closed and I literally grabbed this top.  Most probably supposed to be an off the shoulder one (I hate strapless bras so not an option and who can manage to actually keep it off the shoulders when you are running around after kids - tips please!) however it sat just nicely above my bra strap.  It was £39.99 down to £25.99 (100% cotton also) and I just really fancied it however there was a nice little surprise when I got to the till and it was £17.99!  I can't find it online but there were loads left at the Knightsbridge branch so assuming it will still be in others.

I'm not entirely sure this was the most flattering combo for it, I would love to see it with some white skinny ankle jeans instead but that's also after looking at the photos which were taken after 9pm and running around a football pitch for the afternoon. Yes, I played football in Ash studded sandals.....it was a friends 40th so needs must.  Keeping it real!

Top; Zara
Jeans; Topshop Joni's
Sandals; Ash

Maybe it was the weather and it will change now that (fingers crossed) we are about to get a summer again.  Does anyone else just go through a random colour phase - and one that's not particularly seasonal either?!? 

Window Shopping

Going way back to some lovelies I photographed just after Christmas in the sales. Some are just too good not to share, whether they're still available or not (and I warn you now, there's a lot of luxury items to follow - hence the 'window shopping' title).  I do love to window shop and day dream about what I would buy should money not be an issue and items didn't have to work so hard for me. Starting with some Valentino's that were more recent in Bicester Village. These aren't at the actual Valentino shop but the Kurt Geiger one that stocks a huge array of brands - so do pop in.

Miu Miu silk tops at Prada, Bicester Village in January - £50.  Yes, I was so tempted.

Currently in Zara, £49.99 suede beauties

Spotted in TK Maxx last week for £50 - Valentino sunglasses

It's a good job these were too big on me or 'dry February' may have had to have changed...!

The Christmas sales in particular are always a good time to invest in accessories and this last one was no exception.  I could have gone mad on shoes and handbags but I was so restraind.   I decided I wanted to invest in shoes that could be worn more on a daily basis than a special pair (more on them soon).  I was also not in need of a large handbag so all of the below didn't come home with me.  But how beautiful is this little lot!

Fendi at Bicester Village.  Canvas with the softest leather handles.  I still love this. 40% off down to £223.20

Chloe at Bicester Village, £795 down to £282 - the raw suede lining was just as good as the external view

Miu Miu at Selfridges £890 down to £445

Gucci at Gucci Westfield, these had 40% off from memory.  I was very tempted by the yellow as it was a cross body style bag I had my eye on

Karen Millen samples (very recently) at Bicester Village - these were £45 (from my poor memory, but am pretty sure they were under £50).  The back pack especially was gorgeous

Also at Karen Millen at Bicester, these suede shoes were also £45.  How stunning are they.  I just don't go out enough to warrant them!

From one beauty to another - these are from Manolo Blahnik and were in the Libery sale after Christmas, £650 down to £325

Completely having a play here!

With Winter feet and un-manicured toes these Chanel's still looked good - properly day dreaming about these.  They were around the £400 mark and no, not in the sale!

Finishing with something a little more accessible, these jumpers from & Other Stories.  I love a chunky knit at the moment, almost as much as a sweatshirt.  I am back in London soon and on the off chance these are still in (saw these a few weeks ago), I may just have to try one on as I love that they are that little bit different.  They were both half price at £47.50 (£95 full price - wow!).

PS Just checked and the above jumpers are both £40 online but there's £6 for delivery. 

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.

The Bargain Returns & Some Possible Ash Sandals!

Following on from my previous post with my silk top, here is what I returned today.  Both amazing fabrics and quality but they've been sat looking at me for a few weeks with no thought to wear them. Since hankering after those decent, well made Ash sandals, I figured that sending these back pretty much pays for them, no matter how good a deal they were!

Silk Zoa New York top £20 from TK Maxx

Leather Edun skirt £34 from £400 TK Maxx

An absolute amazing piece of leather and a bargain but no matter how cheap it was.  I already have a leather skirt and this was just that little bit to puffy at the back

So, do I, don't I.....a lovely Instagram follower alerted me to the company Brand Boudoir selling Ash sandals.  I've not heard of them before and she said they fluctuate their prices (annoying!) so to act fast.  Now do I take the risk and wait until I'm home or get them sent to my Mum's whilst I'm away?  A lot to pay I know however after extensive research, a decent sandal on the high street is £40 odd and every year I buy a cheaper pair for around £20 that last me 1-2 years max.  Decisions decisions, I have until I fly Monday!

£159 down to £79

£135 down to £67

£129 down to £65

As much as I wanted black I am now veering towards the middle ones?  What do you think?!?!

The Bargain AllSaints Top

I begged the kids and hubby for a half hour in TK Maxx the other week.  It was the Watford store which I know always has some good bits in.  I didn't come out disappointed, I bagged this silk AllSaints top for £17.  Yes 100% silk, yes a great design, yes a fab brand = a happy me!  (more show and tells will follow once I've worn them, there is a few 'pending' purchases).  I love the boxy, loose fit shape.  As I'm favouring skinny jeans again I like my tops to flow a little more to balance out my proportions. 

Seriously, the best shot of a bad bunch of photos!  Natural daylight though

The eldest wanted a piece of the action whilst I was trying out a close up of the print

Back to the bedroom mirror selfies, my hubby needs some photographer tips (although he would say I need to pose better and smile!)

What a cool print - flowers turning to studs

Anyone else found some little gems in TK Maxx recently.  You have to hunt people, have some patience and you will find!

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.