The Boden Purchases

The lovely Frances had recommended this red breton from Boden on her blog - who am I to pass up on a breton?!?!  Oh and I actually didn't have a red one so needs must.  I like buying when somethings been tried and tested by someone, especially when it comes to classics like this.  It was £18.75 when they had a sale on.  It's been worn twice already and is a lovely soft cotton.  It does come up large but I didn't want anything too tight.

Top; Boden
Jeans; Gap
Pumps; French Sole

My favourite French Sole pumps purchased via Atterley Road

Whilst looking at the breton I spotted this merino jumper in the sale down to £17.70 - wow!  Merino is a thin wool so perfect for now and as I had returned a previous one from a different store due to shrinkage, I was on the look out for a replacement.  It's very similar to the J.Crew Tippi style which I had bought in the cream and white last year but they were so see through they went back.  The sleeves are three quarter length which I love, it's true to size and the perfect shade of grey (well, apart from Christian's grey of course....).  It's still available in a 6, 10 and 12.

It was late, I was tired, you know I'm not one for good photos (but I over compensate with sharing good shopping buys right???!!) but honestly there is nothing wrong with my lips - just a dirty camera on my phone, oops!

Jumper; Boden
Necklace; Marks & Spencer

Some New Brands (To Me!) To Share

One of the things I love about PR company press days is discovering new brands and being able to see them in the flesh, especially brands that are only based online.  The lovely ladies at Bright Light PR are always a pleasure to see, thank you to them for allowing me to come along and browse.  Here are my two favourites.  Now this first brand was on to a winner as 1. it has part of my name in (Nat) and 2. they are leather handbags, not a lot can go wrong from here on in.  Introducing 'nat & nin'.  The leather was amazing.  It's not often I really get excited by new leather bag brands, it takes a lot.  However the colour palettes were just perfect, think taupes, neutrals and the quality of the finish was immaculate.  Here is what's coming from their Spring/Summer 2014 collection next year.

This is a man's bag, but could easily double for a woman.  Ideal for travel.

My favourite by far.  The strap can be tucked in turning a day bag to an evening clutch.  The magnetic clasp under the flap made the closure fuss free and secure.

Larger day style bags.

Another brand that grabbed me was Annie Haak Designs and namely her unique yard of gold bracelet.  I mainly wear white gold and silver but I would like to wear a bit of rose gold for some reason.  Maybe as it's Winter I feel the need for a bit more warmth in the colour of my jewellery.  I loved the idea of this piece, it's literally a continuous yard of gold beads that slip on over the hand and are loosely held together with a ring of gold.  Available in silver (£128) and yellow gold (£148) as well.  It is currently on sale from £210 down to £155.  I am seriously tempted as I've been looking for a special piece of jewellery to remember someone by and this really grabbed me.  It's also really rare I find a bracelet that fits me so well, they are usually so large on me.

I had a great day in London that day, also meeting up with Avril from School Gate Style.  Here she is trying on some funky glasses at another press day and still looking fabulous.

And what I wore.  Thank you Avril for taking some photos as I always forget to.

Grey cashmere jumper; H&M
Chino's; Ralph Lauren (TK Maxx)
Blet; Topshop
Blazer; New Look

Necklace; Primark

Handbag; Prada
Shoes' French Sole (Atterley Road)

LK Bennett, Zara & French Sole - Shoe Obsession!

I'm back and refreshed (?!) from a lovely break to Cornwall with my family and in laws.  Just stopped long enough from my mountains of washing to share a few new pairs of shoes (not purchased in one go, honest!).  First up I've been hiding these amazing pumps by French Sole that I found in the Atterley Road sale.  I contemplated them for a few weeks as I also bought a skirt which I returned.  I was lucky enough to get a £50 voucher from their press day, so these pumps which were originally £120, cost me £20 (they went down to £70 in their sale).  I have only ever owned one other pair of French Soles, but stupidly bought the wrong size so had to let them go.  If I haven't declared it enough already, I am a animal print lover so the print teamed with one of the best ballet pump makers and in my size, were obviously meant to be.  I haven't had the pleasure of wearing them yet due to the weather (not complaining on the heat front!) so I am hoping they live up to expectations.

Next up are my style steal shoes from Zara, as seen on Olivia Palermo (not afraid to admit the celeb endorsement works on me...).  Labels still on as I am telling myself off as I don't feel these were bargain enough.  I believe they were around £50-£60 to start with and only went down to £39.99 in the sale when I found them in my size.  I love suede shoes, another obsession of mine and tan colours go with everything.  Unlike the lovely Olivia, I don't really have the lifestyle to get the wear out of them.  That being said, I do tend to buy all my shoes in one go then none for months on end and there is a gap in my wardrobe for them, mmmm!

Olivia rocking hers, oh go on then, I'm keeping them!

And finally, my biggest bargain (discount wise) were these little lovelies from LK Bennett.  £195 down to £40!  I walked away, paid for the parking then ran all the way back to get them for fear of regretting it!  Another pair of heels that I need an occasion to wear them, but they were too beautiful I couldn't leave behind.  They are so well made, leather inner, outer, lined, sole, you name it, stunning.  I was wearing my Ralph Lauren chino's from my previous posts (I need to head back to TK to try and get some more!) and the Chanel Particuliere nail-polish when I tried them on and they went so well.  I can't wait to wear them.

Does anyone else buy shoes in bulk or is it just me?!

PS if you haven't already and feel I'm worthy, there's still time to vote for me in the Matalan Style challenge, just follow this link.

Business Attire - Where Do You Shop?

So I have a short term contract to help out an amazing store which has led me back to formal business clothing.  Having enough to get me through this week only, when possible I've been hunting down some new options.  I don't want to invest tons into this section of my wardrobe, as its not needed.  I am looking for a skirt, nothing to structured, a blazer and a few dresses, all items that can be worn again and dressed down when they aren't needed for business.  So far I've been into Topshop, Cos, Gap, H&M and Zara.  And I came out with nothing.  I feel my shopping ban has left me with no desire to shop (or so my husband is leading me to believe).  So in an effort to avoid that horrendous scene that we all have in the mornings where clothes fly everywhere, I've adopted the internet to save me.  With no crowds, time restrictions, trains to run for, children to run after, I think this is just going to have to work for me at the moment.  So here is what I've found but I'm yet to hit the order button!

Skirt - American Vintage £49.99 at Atterley Road (NB this would come up longer on me being short, have measured it!)

£35.99 Zara - now thinking a little too dressy

£25.99 Zara - my favourite so far in style, cut, price & ease of wear

£35.99 Zara - second favourite

£45.99 Zara - now thinking a little too dressy also

£17.99 Gap - I have these in the black and the fit is amazing

£27.99 Gap - the only reason I'm holding off is I missed out on an extra 20% off sale items the other day, so now feel like I'm being cheated if I pay this price (even though they are still reduced).  I want a comfy solid shoe to walk about in, rather than an un-structered ballet pump.  Not the most glamorous I know but needs must and I will have heels in my bag!

I nearly placed 8 dresses into my basket with Zara, with free delivery and returns it is very easy to do.   then thought some more into this.  Tights have to be worn for this contract but in my every day life, I prefer to go bare legged so that needs to be taken into consideration.  Now on to another long standing debate I regularly have with my husband.  I set myself a budget of £100 to try and kit myself out with a few pieces.  Should none of this fit and I not find anything, do I just buy what I like?  Had I done this previously, I may not be clutching at straws now in a blind panic that I have very little formal attire.  The coat below I fell in love with a while ago, I saw it on someone today, amazing.  I also love the yellow blazer.  It works great with denim and if it's not any brighter in the flesh, could look as good  with black trousers.  I just feel that the prices are so much to spend on one garment for myself (yet I so would advise others to!).  Do I just bite the bullet and order the lot in a vain hope or do I waste more time thinking?  I believe I have my answer!

£99.99 Zara

£69.99 Zara