The Zara Jacket

Well it's rare but I actually paid full price for something!  I managed to sell a few items from my wardrobe so took the plunge and ordered the jacket I loved so much from a few posts previous.  It arrived perfectly wrapped and I was in love all over again. 

The very same day I went on an impromptu mum's night out.  I wanted to go out but was tried and didn't feel like thinking too much about my outfit.  The jacket was the perfect solution - I literally added it to my jeans and breton I was already in (they weren't dirty from the day, promise!) changed to some ankle boots and added a colourful clutch.  It is a great lightweight cotton, just right for now when the temperatures are starting to drop and you need something else.  

Jacket & Jeans; Zara
T-shirt; Topshop
Clutch; Miu Miu
Boots; Ash 

The back embroidery detail is still my favourite part.  It just lifts the monochrome look and adds some colour and fun to it.  

NB the front flower needs a little light pushing into place after being boxed if you're ordering from the web.

I'm hoping it's going to be another piece like the little cotton cardi style one I purchased from them last year that really just adds to a basic outfit.  I like these sorts of pieces, they just don't require a lot of thinking.  This is the one from last year that I wore again today whilst working with a client.  It has washed so well and is so comfy to wear. 

Jacket; Zara
White T-shirt (just seen & best ever one I've had!); Vince via TK Maxx
Jeans; Topshop Leigh
Bag; Prada
Shoes; Spanish supermarket!

Love the tassels!

The Sales Have Started!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, bricks really do strange things to a woman.....I'm moving house in the new year (fingers all crossed it goes through) and what with Christmas and too many birthdays in December and January to mention, we are watching our pennies.  I popped to Bicester Village as I had a spare 2.5 child free hours and thought as I was so close, after the school run and some work I may as well for party dress purposes.  Never one to disappoint and true to form, I homed in on some amazing bargains - none of the party dress variety - update on that in the next post.  It appears the sales have come early as there really were some great deals to be had.   These little leather bags from Coccinelle were starting at £49 when they were well over £100 originally.  

I loved the snake effect style more than the suede!

Next up this Anya Hindmarch bag really tested me.  It was £594 down to £145 and a great size - bigger than the Coccinelle above.  I fell for this one and went back later on just to see it again.  I nearly parted with my cash and probably my birthday spends but was swiftly reminded by my husband that my sister, Mum and I are heading to London over night after Christmas - wouldn't it be wise to save my pennies for that.  Well, um, no because now I blatantly won't find anything. So dear family, if you are reading this, there was a new one ready and waiting for me back right of the shop......chop chop!

I've been after a new cosmetic case for my handbag for over a year now.  I have an old Gucci one which has seen better days.  It just holds random things like plasters, nurofen, lozenges, hair grips, ointment - general Mummy emergency bits, nothing glam.   I do however like to house them in something special.  I saw a gold Anya Hindmarch one in the sales last Christmas but Santa must have missed the boat on that one as it didn't arrive in my stocking.  This Fendi was over £100 down to £45. I must admit, leather accessories in handbags don't seem to look good after a short amount of time. My Miu Miu purse looks tatty yet my canvas Gucci cosmetic case (has some leather trims like the below) has lasted years and years before it looked worn.  I'm therefore swaying to the below. This is blatantly a post for my husband and families benefit.  As my birthday is only 10 days after Christmas I am helping them out really. 

Oh and this lovely leather bracelet from Mulberry - £50!  Yes, honestly, all leather with a bow and the Mulberry tree on it, I really didn't think this was a bad price at all.  They had other colours in but I loved the red.

Ugg had also joined in on the sale act.  I liked these fringed boots initially but they came up small and wasn't so keen once they were on.  They were £50.

These gorgeous kids skirts from The White Company were £28 down to £11.20 however when I went back later they had gone up to £16?!?  They had some beautiful children's clothing in, so well made and reasonable prices.

I did manage to grab some lovey Christmas presents but absolutely nothing for myself.  I have a happy husband and better bank balance for it but I'm already feeling like I've missed the boat ever so slightly.  Now, what would you go back for if you had a spare 3 hours Friday and a mate just so happening to be popping there that I could meet up with?!?!?!  I wore the below ensemble to window shop that day!

Coat; Mulberry
Jeans; Topshop
Boots; Ash
Bag; Prada

Jumper; & Other Stories 

The Wedge Trainer Debate

As Spring has Sprung, I feel I will start to break out the trainers again.  I like wearing them with ankle skimming jeans or trousers with no socks.  I feel the cold so I have to wear socks in the Winter and letting my ankles see the light of day just doesn't happen until around about now so my thoughts are turning to the trainer again.  Last year I purchased my first pair of Ash Jalouse boots.  They have been stuck on my feet, worn in so well (so well in fact that there was another bargain purchase last months which I will share next, promise).  One trend which I just couldn't get my head around was the wedge trainer.  I still have mixed feelings, I still think they look great on others but for some reason, every time I've tried them on, something felt wrong.

Ash Genial RRP £135

Maybe it's the leather, the price tag, the buckles, I'm just not sure.  But I just really like the idea of a trainer giving little old me some height.  I love wearing a heel which is why I have loved my Ash boots as the heel is the perfect height for every day wear.  I don't think I have written them off completely, more that perhaps I just haven't found the right ones yet.  I like the look of the Esprit ones below.  Maybe it's that they look a little more like a trainer but not as bulky as the Ash Bowie trainer - so a good in between.  I also think that the wedge is slightly more discreet which I like.

Esprit £59

Ash Bowie RRP £169

So have you succumbed to the wedge trainer yet?  Or will you be sticking with the flat versions?

Gisele Bundchen in her Isabel Marant wedge trainers RRP £365

The Animal Print Reigns Chief

I was off out to the Backstreet Boys film premier/concert last week - yes, honestly, I love them.  I don't get how people can like music then disown it (I am fiercely loyal in all walks of life!).  Damn it those boys can sing and not only that, they still can 22 years later......that's just a little 'in your face' for all the haters/laughers out there he he he!  I knew I was going to have an hour or two spare before hand to wonder the streets of London so needed comfort yet wanted to feel a little smarter than just the jeans and t-shirt I had on.  My old faithful Zara coat did the job along with my vintage hat find from last year.  I literally had a beaded style t-shirt on (ok and a thermal vest) underneath as I do get hot on the tube etc.  Throw on my cashmere H&M scarf for extra neck warmth and I was good to go.  

Hat; Vintage
Coat; Zara
Scarf; H&M
Bracelet (rose gold, just seen); Annie Haak
Jeans; Topshop
Bag; Prada
Boots; Sam Edelman

For my regular readers - spot Lizzie the cat!

T-shirt; Topshop (beaded up the top, forgot to grab a photo!)

I love how animal print really can just add something to an outfit without making it too much.  This Alice Temperley scarf was the perfect addition to my otherwise fairly bland outfit.  I don't ever feel 100% comfortable with a lot of black on so before I ran out of the house to a client, I added this scarf.  The print brought another dimension to the look and as it has a lighter stone colour in it, it also took the eye away from my black bottom half.

Merino Jumper; Gap
Scarf; Alice Temperley
Bracelet; Annie Haak
Watch; Tag Heuer
Skirt; Mango
Tights; Primark
Boots; Ash
Lucky Black Cat; Lizzie

I think this scarf was called the 'panther' print, it's a few seasons old now

The Outfit Post

Just a little round up of some of the outfits that I actually remembered to take a photo of over the festive period!  Starting with my eldest's Christingle service.  It's always cold in the church so I opted for my large coat and a thick knit.  I bought this coat years ago (I am thinking about 4 years) in the Brussels Zara.  At the time I remember writing a blog post on it as I was desperate for the Topshop big animal fur one but I had too many people around me shouting loudly not to (and Bet Lynch!).  This seemed a more subtle coat and a compromise.  I am so glad I took the leap with it, I love the fit and years later, I still dig it out and feel good in it.  Done up or not, I just feel it falls really well. 

Coat; Zara
Jeans; Topshop Baxter
Boots; Ash Jalouse 

Jumper; Alice Temperley 

Boxing Day madness, my sister and I decided to head to Bicester Village and to be honest, it really wasn't that bad.  We were really lucky with a car space and from there on in, it all seemed to fall into place.  There were queues but they moved fast (apart from Ugg, we refused to wait in that line).  My Ash boots are becoming a firm favourite, the heel is really great for walking in.  They have broken in so well and I don't think I've worn a boot this much in a while.  Another Zara coat as well!  This was bought in the sale last year.

Hat; Vintage
Coat; Zara
Scarf; Moschino
Jeans; Topshop Joni
Boots; Ash

New Years Day saw me drive into London to take my sister shopping for her birthday.  We had a great day roaming around, it was fairly quite and again, the Ash boots served me well.  I forgot to get a full on shot but you get the gist of it!

Scarf; Dents - cashmere
Jeans; Topshop Joni
Leather Coat (just seen); Miss Selfridge
Bracelets; Tiffany, Valentino, Annie Haak
Bag; Chanel
Boots; Ash Jalouse

Lastly, my eldest's birthday a few days later and more shops - but this time the Disney Store!  I layer up when shopping as I hate getting hot and flustered (usually happens when the sales are on.....) so I can easily peel layers off.  I mixed up prints and dragged out an old sale purchase from Accessorize.

Scarf; Accessorize
T-Shirt; Topshop

I didn't get a shot of me on my birthday (besides the cheesy grin one outside VB's store in the last post!) but yes, you've guessed it, the Ash boots were worn again.  What did I wear before I had these?!?!

The Ash Jalouse Boots

I mentioned a few posts ago that I had made a sneaky purchase at the Ash sample sale.  It wasn't planned, they weren't on my shopping list (bugger, forgot to do one for this month, oops!) and truth be told I didn't 100% need them BUT, I'm not sure what I was wearing before as they've lived on my feet since.  They are a great heel, not too high or short, I adore the suede and the distressed worn look and they are very comfortable.  The way the boot dips at the front really elongates the leg, especially when worn with skirts and dresses.  I actually changed into them as soon as I bought them in London and walked around the city in them for the rest of the day, which is really unlike me - I do tend to mull over a purchase for a little too long!

My PTA Christmas Fayre outfit - I stood on a stall for hours in them!
Jumper & Jeans; Topshop
Boots; Ash

My cashmere jumper I bought from M&S in the Summer months was worn today, it's so warm and snuggly.  I returned it as it went down again and ended up paying something like £32 for it from their Autograph section, it was £129 full price.  I know, I know, a proper bargain hunter that's me!

Jumper; M&S
Jeans; Topshop
Boots; Ash
Tail; My cat Lizzie's - not mine!

A closer picture of the worn/aged look

I paid £75 for these from the sample sale but they retail at about £145.  They are true to size but can be a little tight getting on to start with.  There were also navy and grey ones but these fitted the best and I have some old black Topshop boots that 'needed' to be replaced (after I found these and justified them to myself of course!).

The Ash Press Day

I had a half day in London the other week where I raced around to a few press days and sample sales in between school drop off's and parents evening.  I shunned the tube and reckon I walked a fair old few miles but I love London so any opportunity to view it from ground level, I take it.  First off I went to the Ash SS15 press day.  For those of you who don't know the brand (where have you been??) they are pretty damn famous for their Jalouse boot and wedge trainers.  New to 2015 is their clothing line, some great pieces in store for us all.  Here's a round up of my favourites.

Their new clothing collection has a simple colour palette with distinctive yet un-fussy patterns.  The quilted texture, looked just as good in the flesh.

The leather items were stunning.

Suede boots - my absolute favourite and the peep toes weren't bad either!

Their wedge trainers are still there with the trainer addition of animal prints, colour and sparkles.

For those of you who thought the skater shoe was a one season wonder, think again.

Snake print, fringing, studding, leather and suede = WINNERS!

I'm not a huge fan of the heavier sole but agree they are very trendy.  However the snake print can stay for good!

If I wasn't such a tight Mummy then I would so be decking my girls out in their shoes - oh and grab myself a matching pair of trainers!

The leather back pack is back for another season.  Stunning leather, a true made to last item.

Fringing also back again next season with three amazing easy to wear colours available

Simple and chic, love this so much 

So what to wear on a damp day walking around London?  My leather skirt of course!  I wore a simple thin merino jumper (with a vest under for extra warmth, naturally) and kept colour out accept for my jacket.

Jumper; Gap
Bracelet; Annie Haak
Watch; Tag
Skirt; Mango
Boots; Topshop

Jacket; Zara
Bag; Balenciaga

I may have made an impromptu purchase at the Ash sample sale but that can wait until another post....!