Why Hello There!

Long time no speak/write?!?!  I won't bore you with life stuff - it just gets in the way sometimes doesn't it?  But as it's nearly a year since I last posted, I thought, what the heck, just pop on, say hi and plonk a few pictures on here to show you something pretty and that I'm still alive! I'll admit (and I think I've done previously), I post far more frequently on Instagram but more so than ever now,  I'm fully aware it's not everyones cup of tea - and I totally get that.  So I'm trying again to remember to take photos for here as well as the square ones for Insta.

Apart from the usual life saga's, there's been a name change for my little styling business.  It was a long time coming, it didn't represent what I did but I'm terrible with change so it didn't come easy to me.  For now, this is still GlamRosie as I can't get my head around transporting it to a new name - one thing at a time!

Clothes wise I do feel like I'm evolving as I'm nearing 40 in 18 months - I hope you are still trying some new looks too.  It is so easy to get caught up in jeans isn't it, especially as a busy Mum but always push yourself to try something new.  As a petite little lady maxi styles are something I've always struggled with.  I have persevered though and found this gorgeous midi style in H&M recently.  I'm not a huge H&M shopper despite them being very much on form for most people right now.  I struggle with their quality and sizing but this dress really really made me feel good. The colour, the elastic where it needed to be (!), the femine and flattering length on me and the tiers so that it didn't hang like a sack.   

Red/Floral H&M Dress £24.99

Fairly tempted by the pink as well!

I also tried on this cotton white blouse for £12. It was big on the shoulder but so pretty and floaty. I'm really not in the market for one as I have um, a small (!) selection already but if you can carry extra width on the shoulders, go for it!

I've also started using a shops App in store - have you tried them?  I've used Zara, New Look, H&M and Topshop.  You can scan an items barcode to see if it's available online in your size, or save to your favourites for payday or order online if there's a discount (Topshop had 20% off online only!).  It's so handy.

That's it from me, short and sweet - in all senses!  Below is what I wore for a brief trip to the shops.

Shacket; Topshop
Breton; Boden
Jeans; Gap
Boots; & Other Stories
Bag; Balenciaga

Current Discount Codes

A little round up of some of the best out there at the moment;

New Look - 30% off selected lines (up to 50% starts Thursday 24th May).

What a stunning jumpsuit!

Asos - 20% off of everything until 8am Wednesday 23rd May.  Use code EVERY20 then there will be 30% off Occassionwear for 24hrs.

Adidas sliders now only £24. 

La Redoute - up to 50% off everything until 29th May.

I've raved about this cashmere jumper before, it's one of my favourites and a classic.  Great value with the 40% off.

Laura Ashley - 30% off all Home then Thursday 24th May - Tuesday 29th May 40% off everything.

I have this Lewes rug in the paler grey but love this Charcoal colour they now have.

Boden - 25% off a different department each day this week - shoes on the 24th May.

I have always rated Boden's shoes and after adding a metallic pair of skater pumps to my wardrobe last year, I highly recommend a metallic shoe now!

Topshop - a great sale section online.

I've seen this in the flesh, if you can handle big sleeves, it's a stunning embroidered blouse .

Very - up to 40% off sale for branded items.

I love this Adidas top.  Also worth a look if you need some new Uggs - now's the time to buy them!

Why Hello There! (Holiday Style Post)

I've properly had writers block and no matter how much I've wanted to, felt I had nothing to share that was very relevant or worth a read.  Do people even still read blogs anymore?!?!  I hold my hands up to visiting Instgram daily, it's quick and easy, who has time to sit and read properly these days?  However I do miss sitting and writing/sharing things on here so even if there's one reader still lurking out there, this is for you!  I decided to stop over thinking things (a little like the name we can't decide on for our puppy - yes, we're gong down the puppy route!) and just plonk a load of holiday snaps on here that maybe can inspire you for some looks.  Again, hands up, blog photos have been neglected and these were all taken for the squares of Insta but I promise from now on to take the original size shots for here to make it more readable.

So onwards and upwards.  Here are some of my favourite holiday looks, we went to Disney World so it was mainly comfort based.

These are the best denim shorts I've found and I kept meaning to blog about them last year but never got around to it.  A little like the camel coat saga, denim shorts were on my wish list for what seems like forever.  Any ones that I deemed 'cool' enough sat too far up my derriere and any that sat lower seemed a little frumpy for my petite height.  They are from Gap which I know for most can be hit and miss re sizes but just hold them up and look at them for sizing more than anything and try try try.  Top is an old Zara sales find for £12.99 in Winter time, hat was Warehouse, again a sales find for £10 and leather rucksack was from a preloved shop but by Jigsaw.  It's gold so adds a touch of glam but it is well used now by me and I'm not precious about it so it is perfect for this type of holiday.  

Pretty sure these are them!  They do different leg lengths and these are the 5" which are currently on sale at £24.47.  A choice of washes also available.

A Zara jumpsuit below - I know - it looks like a dress but it has shorts underneath, highly recommend it!  Recently found another little black Summer dress from them too which I will share but I haven't worn it yet.  Is it me or have they dropped their price points? Anyway, I'm loving them right now and could easily spend a fortune which I don't have!

Zara Short Embroidered Jumpsuit Dress £29.99

They are totally different......I've told myself that a few times as did my mate who was with me when I purchased it!  Oh and being pretty short has it's benefits as it doesn't sit at this length on me.

Zara Short Frilled Dress £29.99

Two of my US purchases.  J Crew scalloped shorts and a cool t-shirt, both under £15 each.  I love the outlets in America!  

I know I'm repetitive but two more sales purchases; a Whistles t-shirt which was via Very and my Marant skirt via the Harrods Winter sale.  I started to regret the skirt as thought I'd picked up the wrong size but it was fine in the end.  I don't find it the easiest of skirts to style, I still wasn't happy with the t-shirt combo but I was in holiday mode so went with it but it needs some more playing with now I'm home (and if we get the weather here!). 

The denim shorts again, with a little Topshop t-shirt and my favourite Adidas sliders - sooooo comfortable.  I tracked them down a few years ago via Asos. 

My current favourite striped t-shirt from Topshop £12

Adidas Sliders reduced to £19

No, I didn't purchase, I was just window shopping for my 40th in a few years!  Dress is Topshop and cardi/jacket is Zara.  Chanel keep upping their prices, grrrrrr, at least another one increase before I would be ready to buy - well um, I say ready, lets see how the saving go!

Topshop Pinafore £36

I'll end on this note.  He arrives Monday.  Wish me luck! 

A Few Mothers Day Gift Ideas

It's a bit of a comfort post for gifts, some snuggly treat ones!  I'm a sucker for a candle but I also am very particular that the majority I burn are natural or soya wax (Diptyque a huge exception to the rule).  One of my absolute favourites is the Parks Aromatherapy range which I grab from TK Maxx for £9.99 a candle.  I like to light them at night time especially.

This was a larger one in the most beautiful glass jar.  (stunning vintage roses - Aldi)

They burn evenly so there's no waste.  

You can pick them up in store and in HomeSense but there's a few lovely gift box sets online here. 

The Clarins hand cream above I bought from duty free last year but at the time John Lewis sold them as a trio set.  It smells amazing but there's another set out currently that has a lovely range of scents.  

Clarins White Flowers Trio Set £25

As we've got the candle, some nice hand creams it would be wrong not to include the Queen of all comforts - a nice new hoodie!  Love this one from Uniqlo and grey is my perfect sweater colour. 

Hoodie £24.90

Whilst we are on the grey jumper side, the lovely Susie So So popped this one up on her Insta feed the other day.  So up my street.  80% merino and 20% cashmere and a great price too. 

Cashmere Merino Cable Jumper £55

And finally, a firm fail safe gift for me, something Emma Bridgewater!  I popped to Bicester Village at the week-end (no pleasure for me, watching my hubby spend his birthday pennies!) and saw this gorgeous new print called Rainbow Dots.  They had a few pieces in but there's only 6 in the range anyway.  I just really fell for it.  I think the candle and jug were my favourites but was in a rush so not the best photo's I'm afraid but you get the idea.

Plate £19.95 (£12.95 at Bicester)

Rainbow Dots Flower Candle £17.95 (Bicester outlet were cheaper - around the £10 mark)

Rainbow Dots Jug £34.95 (£25.95 at Bicester)

Well ok, I did window shop....This Gucci scarf and bag was on my 'lust list' from December.  Santa obviously thought I wasn't well behaved last year.  No comments please.  Bag stayed in stock (reduce it more Gucci?!?!) scarf didn't but just came back in - when I've totally spent all my Christmas and Birthday money.  Life just isn't fair is it.  I will leave you with these beauties.  Princess signing out now.