Mini Zara Edit

Hello!  Yes, it's me again, with a long awaited post and one that didn't save so I got the hump and ignored the blog in anger, then got over myself long enough to start again.  Granted, in my sleep deprived state, after all the work of adding the links and writing the text, I may have forgotten to hit the save button.......poop indeed!  So I'll spare you long text because you probably haven't got the time to read it and I haven't got the time to write it all again and just share some snaps of pieces I found in Zara the other week.  I will add the links where I can.  The only temptation was the top but with half of my items still in storage I've kind of forgotten what I have and decided to wait.  

Flowing Embroidered Blouse £29.99

I loved the print on this dress but the style just felt a little nondescript.

Absolutely loved this, didn't try it on as I knew I would & I can't buy another coat (yet!)

Textured Coat £95.99

I liked this simple short black faux fur for something easy but luxe to add to an already glam outfit, sometimes simple chic is the way to go!

Faux Fur Jacket £69.99

Still on the hunt for a camel coat, this one was the perfect shade (just too long for me).  Zara do tend to always have a great selection of coats every season.

Long Oversized Coat £129 with 75% wool

Zara Jacket Lust

I had a little day trip to London the other week with friends. It wasn't a shopping trip but we did happen to pass a few and the Zara windows caught my eye. I think I had seen this jacket on one of their emails but it looked just as good in the window so I was desperate to try it on. A quick trip to Milton Keynes with my girls last week and they had one so I popped it on. You know when you just completely love something? No rational, no contemplating how it would work in your life, you just love it? Well this was one of those. I feel it is slightly pricey at £69.99 for a small thin jacket but the detail of the embroidery is probably what has bumped it up.

Of late I've been wearing lots of monochrome so this ticked that box as well as added some colour with the gorgeous flowers on the back.  It did sadly get left behind as I had just purchased a down hooded jacket after a long search for a decently priced one (far too boring and necessary purchase to share on here!).

I also found this MiH shirt in TK Maxx which was heavily reduced to £36.  I was on a time limit already as my girls weren't up for shopping so I grabbed it but it's going back as it is on the large side on me.  I think I'd also prefer to put the money towards the Zara jacket so I'm on a little mission to sell a few items on some pre-loved pages to make up the difference.  With lots of house renovations going on I'm being very frugal at the moment but also loving the selling on of items to pay for new ones.  

A little shout out and thank you to the new Rush hair salon in intu Milton Keynes who have just opened and gave me a trim and sorted my grey roots!  I am still in shock that my girls managed to sit there for 2 hours whilst I had it done but yes, there was a few treats with their M&S lunch as well as an iPod and extra chocolates from the salon!

New Barnet; Rush
Top and Jacket; Boden 

And last but by no means least, one of my shopping partners for that day......The 'naughty' one in her new t-shirt from her cherished Aunty.  Check out the ultra cool New Balance trainers from TK Maxx online, I would wear them!

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?!? 

The Little Zara Round-up

I was in London last week for a few appointments and naturally popped into a few shops, Zara being one of them.  With no kids in tow or clients to shop for it was purely a browse for me - rare and unfortunately as normal, on a time limit but I snapped a few pieces that stood out.  I do love their coats, especially the 3/4 length light weight patterned ones.  They seem a staple now and I bought one last year whilst in Spain (so much cheaper in Spain, see here for the one I bagged).  However I don't think £69.99 is too unreasonable and I thought this would be a great everyday style.

Coat £69.99

If it's not a stripe, suede shoe or cashmere that I naturally gravitate towards then it's cream/off white tops!  I just think they are such a classic colour to have in your wardrobe.  Again, this seems to be a style that Zara bring out season after season in some variation.  I love the plainness of the first followed by some colour in the second one. 

Top £25.99

Top £25.99

Lastly, I like to always look at something that's not necessarily an item I would buy - it's good to push yourself out of your comfort zone, you never know what you may find!  Being a jeans person I do try to wear more skirts come the warmer months as I hate tights.  A pocket on a skirt is perfect for me as I like it to very relaxed and pretty casual.  This photo doesn't do the skirt justice.  It had a waffle texture and lovely side pockets.  

Navy skirt £29.99

Funnily enough I went to a Zara today but not in London as I was working with a client.  Very little jumped out at me and I saw only the coat from above.  Needless to say it is always worth checking other stores as they don't carry the same and it's great to see the clothes in the flesh if you can as it's far more inspiring than an online image.

The Zara Purchases Update

I won't beat around the bush, the lot went back!  I just wasn't feeling any of them for various reasons. The coat was a great colour but a little long in the sleeve, didn't fall great when done up and felt thin - but at £29.99 I wasn't expecting miracles for my money.  All in all it just wasn't right on me.  

I preferred it undone!

I loved the print on this dress but it was huge - and I ordered the XS!  It doesn't look like it in the picture I know but there was a ton of gathering going on due to the excess material.  I'm also not one for a big baggy sleeve as I feel it drowns me a little.  

Ah the denim dress number!  Short!  It was also on the tight side and I wanted to wear a big jumper underneath.  Overall too short and too tight and that's before you've addressed the extra long straps at the back that would need altering.  

Luckily I cheered myself up with this cheerful number form Topshop.  Completely not the fibre composition I would normally buy and in a few months time I may well come to regret it if it's a bobbling state.  However my lovely friend had a student discount of 20% (she's a student at night time - not a you student in the sense you may be thinking - don't kill me for saying that J, I'm as old as you....!) so at just over £20 I felt like taking a risk.  It feels a little Mork and Mindy but I still love it!

Nanoo Nanoo!

Zara Special Prices

On the eternal hunt for a wool based camel coat for under £100, I spent some time browsing Zara online.  I've been a bit lapse of late on the shopping front - and the inclination for it (bank balance is happy though and needs must when you're moving house - how preoccupied does your mind get when it's time to buy and sell bricks?!?), so it feels like ages since I had a good look around Zara - virtually of course.  I stumbled across a pink coat last night, I've always felt like I've missed the band wagon on the pink coat trend.  It was 53% wool and only £29.99 - wow!  It was sold out in my size so I signed up to the alerts and low and behold, it was in stock this morning.

Also available in ecru

Naturally I ordered it and yes dear husband, as you are proof reading this I know exactly what you're going to say - 'you don't need anymore coats' - but we live in a cold country, until then, I will keep buying them.  At this price and with some wool in it, it felt like a no brainer so I'm hoping it's just as good in the flesh.  It's not camel I know but I tend to buy as a bargain presents itself so I'm hoping the camel will drop into my inbox one day.  Naturally I had to top up for free delivery - their 'Special Prices' section is pretty good, do take a look.  This dress was £19.99 and I really need to ditch the jeans a little more so I'm liking the idea of this with ankle boots and tights when it's cold.  It's available in red also.

I'm not in the market for a black coat but if I was, this wool one for £29.99 (also in their Special Price's section) looks great value for money.  Currently sold out online but worth signing up for alerts or checking your local stores via their online search option too. 

I'm always telling my clients to try an item they wouldn't usually when going into the changing room so with that in mind, I popped this dress into my basket.  I'm not entirely sure it's me but I was willing to give it a go.  I'm now hoping nothing fits as I was actually quite pleased with my lack of spending of late, I will report back soon!

The Spanish Wish List/Shopping Plan

I have been fairly good this month as well as selling on a lot of things from my wardrobe when I (partially) cleared it out, second half due imminently!  What is it they say when you have money, you find nothing?  Well I've stashed away my extra pennies ready for a rainy day and am forming a little list.  I managed to try on a few bits from my Uniqlo post here and nothing worked, only things I didn't manage to try on were the sweatshirts which surprise surprise, they no longer have on line.  Well done for deliberating long enough for them to have gone Natalie! 

I found this coat in Zara the other day, perfect for now as it's really light weight.  I'm hoping to get it in Spain cheaper as feel £79.99 is a lot for it.

Something was funny!

Victoria from Feathers & Frills instagramed this amazing Zara top/cardi that I've searched everywhere for.  Now that I can't get it, I want it even more so again, I'm hoping to find this in Spain.

Finally, a few more things I'm hankering after, Spain, be kind to me, you know you want to! 

Mango £39.99 (adorable so I thought I'd share but I really don't need it - unless it has a cross the body strap!)

Zara £34.99

Zara £49.99, an alternative to the one I tried on above.  I love this but they didn't have in my size.  Thank you Jane for sharing this on your blog, great find! 

The Zara Purchases

I have a tick on my list from last month's mini shopping list for more trousers.  It's been a while since I purchased any from Zara as I find their sizes a bit hit and miss.  However I had some time in the Easter break to have a proper browse and found these khaki cropped jeans.  They come up completely true to size and at £25.99 thought that the price wasn't bad at all (not even in the sale!). They have a slightly faded look going on in the front which I like as gives them a bit of an old worn look.  Unfortunately I can't find them online to share but they had loads in store.  

Shirt and belt; Topshop
Jeans; Zara
Ballet pumps; Jones Bootmaker

I also found a white and beige floaty top for £19.99.  It was available in yellow too but it just felt a little to bright.  I love yellow, just that this one was more orangey (doesn't look it in the photo though!) and the tones just weren't right on me.  I liked the back of it especially however it's been sat on my special hook since I purchased it.  I haven't had an occasion to wear it and I am borderline on the colour combo as without a tan feel it comes up a little bland.  It will be a TBC piece for another week or so I think!

The yellow that stayed in the shop!

Looking online it comes in black and white and a few patterns too.  Think it might be one of those tops I wear once and then forget about.  Watch this space!

The Bargain Next Red Coat

I found this gorgeous red coat in Next the other week, I did share it on Instagram and Facebook but in case anyone missed it I thought I would pop it on here.  It is a very similar colour to my red Zara one (last picture below) just slightly longer.  I have had so many compliments on the colour of mine, based on that alone when my one has had it's day I will definitely buy another coat similar, it's a gorgeous raspberry red shade and so flattering. 

£75 down to £35

My Zara coat