The Little Zara Order

So after my last post, I caved and checked out on my Zara order.  Shopping from a list is dull dull dull.  But it has made me question my sporadic purchases so it does have its benefits.  I ordered 3 items and they are all going back.  I so very nearly kept this dress.  I loved the star print and at £7.99 I thought it was a bargain.  I wasn't sold on the loose, cut out sleeves but when my friend told me it looked like something her Mum would wear, my mind was made up.  Even at that price it wasn't worth keeping.  It's now gone from their sale items, luckily for the customer some may say!  

(That's my hair that looks like a shooting star.  I decided to keep the shot for good luck!)

I failed to put this on my shopping list as it's not really a 'need' but I've been on the look out for some housey/loungewear trousers to replace my faded Nike joggers which are starting to get thread bare.  As I wear them a lot more than planned (I am honest that I love my joggers at the end of a hard day, there is absolutely nothing glamours about them) I was thinking about upgrading them to something a little more flattering.  I also feel for the poor people who see me outside watering my baskets or I open the door to in my current ones.  I saw these and thought they were worth a go.  I don't have her figure so needless to say they looked terrible, not even photo worthy for here.  Also a little static, so back they go.  They are £17.99 here in case anyone else fancies them. 

I was thinking about keeping this t-shirt then as I decided to return the others and saw a top in All Saints (it's coming up below) I thought I'd rather put the £10 towards that instead.  Nothing majorly wrong with it, comes up fairly large, I was just being good - yes, I'm probably coming down with something.  They do it in a few different colour ways and I would say for £9.99 it's worth it.  See it here.

So I managed to get to Bicester Village and found nothing in the way of sandals for my beach wedding outfit so tonight I will be ordering a selection from my previous post and update you on them soon. All Saints is back at the village (yay!) and I fell in love with this top.  It was £178 down to  £71 which I still felt was a bit steep as well as it's not on my shopping list - so I walked away.  However, they have a VIP date coming up soon with 20% off items so I'm hoping it may still be there then!

And finally, one for the Christmas list!  My very old Gucci make up bag has seen better days and I loved this leather one from Anya Hindmarch.  I like light coloured items for my handbag so I can easily see them.  This was down to £65.  Please Santa, I have been a good girl this year, honest.

Sale (well mainly TK Maxx!) Finds

I'm not sure what made me trail through the TK Maxx clearance sale on line, however I'm glad I did.  With free delivery for an over £50 spend (easy!) and free returns to store, I doubled up on shoe sizes so as not to miss out!  

Dune (TK Maxx) £96, down to £44.99, price to me £18!

Real suede, I love the nude colour for Summer

After seeing this close up and my little toe cleavage I am now slightly unsure - or am I being to picky?

French Connection (TK Maxx) £140, down to £39.99 price to me £18!

Such a classic cut LBD, I've been looking to update my faded one for a while now

Love the detail on it, just add's something else to it instead of it being a 'plain Jane'

Love love love!  Worn the day after arrival, real suede £18!  Honestly! (no idea of brand,  it didn't matter in this instance!)

Oh dear.....Bertie, can't remember the original prices but I paid £26

They just didn't work for me, but it's all about trying!

Whilst returning the brogues (Victoria Beckham inspired me!) I walked away from the till and straight into this Whistles number - honestly, it was right in front of me!  £150 down to £29.99, 100% silk (lover of all good materials, silk and cashmere being my favourites) I headed straight to the changing room.  It had a slight fault on the back with a faint line across the print, however this is hardly noticeable and as I wouldn't pay the full £150 I am in love!  Having a design on my upper body is perfect for me as I have little in the breast department so can get away with a print and high neckline.  Similarly, the bottom half is a dark colour (more flattering on me as my widest part is my hip area) and plain, therefore overall balancing my petite frame out.   I threw in my trusty All Saints heels to give lots of height, but I feel this dress would work just as well with a court.  I can not wait to wear it.

Whistles (TK Maxx) £150, TK Price £29.99 (not in Clearance)

Trying to strike a pose (just don't zoom in on the un-shaven legs...)

Original label still in tact and a close up of the amazing colours

And finally my M&S vests......boring I know, but an essential for me and my wardrobe.  I always stock up in the sale, they work out at £2.50-£3 each so at that price they are worth buying in bulk.

I'll be back with more bargains soon (nearly finished spending my birthday and Christmas money, then I'm on a self inflicted ban......)

Another peruse around Bicester Village

I think this must be my only ever shopping trip I actually put money back into my account (I returned some tops) and didn't spend a penny (even bagged a free lunch due to having to wait in Pret!).  I did enjoy a roam with my friend though, we had a great time catching up and browsing.  I found this amazing Miu Miu dress in Prada (they sell Miu Miu in there, as it's their sister company), it looked so 'Victoria Beckham' so I tried it on - purely for the hell of it!  At £350, it was slightly out of my budget but we had time and I wanted to experience it for myself, even if only in a changing room.  The quality was what you would expect, a thick luxurious fabric and the cut just as good.  The sleeves looked spectacular, however not really a dress that I could get a lot of wear out of with my lifestyle.  As always, it came up a bit too long on me, so I was pleased that as much as I loved it, it wasn't right for me in fit or for my bank balance.

There is no point in including any of the face shots taken - my eyes were closed for a change, I blame the photographer!

Victoria and her collar! 

Bicester Village was fully stocked up with lots of ideas for Christmas presents.  We had a candle over load as my friend loves them but she introduced me to The White Company's 'Tuberose' scent, so lovely with notes of Gardenia, my favourite.

Temperley had beautiful leather key rings and luggage labels starting at £12 and L'occitane (I now know it's correct pronunciation!) had loads of great offers on, especially when you bought more than one item/gift set.  All Saints was full of sequinned sparkle, ready for the party season.

Whilst quing for Prada (yes, we qued!) I spotted a lady wearing a gorgeous black coat.  It was three quarter length but it stood out as the top part was leather.  I thought it was by a designer, the cut was perfect on her and you could see the quality was good straight away.  That night I had an email through from Zara for their look book and low and behold, there it was!  I am making a beeline for a Zara store to try this on asap.  It is £119 so still a pricey coat but I honestly thought it was high end designer when I saw it on the lady.  She was wearing it casually with jeans and pumps and it looked so smart.  If I hadn't have just been let in ahead of her to the shop, I would have embarrassed my friend by asking her where it was from, I have no shame when I like something.  I say it's meant to be mine purely because I got an email the same night.........I hope it doesn't fit!

Zara Leather Biker Coat

Clashing Brights & Miu Miu

Well my Topshop green dress finally got it's outing.  I really enjoyed wearing such a bright colour compared to my usual staple of neutrals.  It must have been the sun's influence as I decided to throw in a second bold colour of coral/orange on my nails.  Following through with the black zip up the back, seen in the pictures here from my previous post, I added black shoes, stud rose earrings, necklace and clutch.  I received some lovely compliments on my colour choice, so I will definitely be venturing into some brights again soon.

Dress - Topshop
Necklace - Primark
Earrings - Topshop
Clutch - Miu Miu
Shoes - All Saints

Discovery from recent trying on session's - new bra's needed!  Putting it off again as probably the only item I hate shopping for (yes, there actually is something I dislike shopping for) but they are so old and shapeless and I need to practice what I preach about the foundations to any good outfit.  Wish me luck!

Staying Power - on the lips!

I went out to dinner with some friends last year and as usual the chat turns to girly stuff. They all struggle to keep a lippy on and were commenting on mine still staying put. I discovered none of them use lip liner! This has been a staple of mine since dot (well ok, a little older, thanks to my Mummy!). I always apply and fill in my lips pre lipstick and gloss. I really rate Shiseido for theirs, but also love my Chanel one I recently purchased. I am interseted to try Clinique's new chubby stick lip balm as I love to use pencils.

Hit TK Maxx for their fab new drop of shoe's. Think All Saints, Zara, even found a pair of Costume National - if only they were my size!

I am now post baby (hence my delay in blogging!) and watching back editions of programmes I've recorded. Particularly a make over series and the presenter has the most amazing wardrobe - serious envy and inspiration to shop. I am living in easy access tops at the moment, once I'm done with my current feeding job, I am hitting those shops. Westfield London, me and you have a day long date in the coming months.

Some of my favorite free store cards with benefits;
Ikea Family - apply on-line, weekly store offers, exclusive to your local store. I love Ikea!
Liberty - sale previews, extra 10% off for card holders, evening champagne events, I would use more if I was a London local!
Nectar - use for pretty much all on-line shopping, you just have to shop via their links to a website, nothing else. You get points like Boots and Tesco. Have used to buy things from Argos and Homebase.
Boots and Tesco - if you haven't already, don't ask questions, just do!
Superdrug - if you use regularly, they also now have a points card