Monochrome

Back when it was mild in early December I had a Christening to attend.  I didn't feel like wearing tights and a dress or skirt so dug out my old faithful Topshop crop trousers.  I bought these on a whim for a job interview about 5 years ago as I was desperate for a smart trouser.  They have worn so well and am yet to find anything that comes close to them.  I love how they taper in at the ankle but have a slightly looser, masculine look to them. 

I decided to keep it a really simple monochrome look and wore my favourite silk Sandro top.  This was bought from the Bicester Village outlet and I remember squirming at paying £50 or £60 for it a couple of years ago.  I have since tried to buy less cheap items and invest slightly more as this top reminded me that you really do get what you pay for.  I would pretty much say it's been worn monthly since.  I love how floaty it is and the lace detail is a timeless style.  It still looks as good as new.  

Taken on purpose for you to see the top swinging in action....Um no, I wish I was that good at posing for photos,  probably my youngest making a break for it causing me to turn!

My shoes were another Bicester Village find a good few years back also.  They are by Bally and yes, for my regular readers, they are suede and leather lined - what a shoe!  You know me and suede shoes and leather lining, gets me every time.  They have a little gold detail around the heel that I love and really are comfortable.

Just in case you were on the look out for a white/cream top to add to your wardrobe, Boden have this gorgeous lace one.  They are so easy to wear, from jeans to trousers and skirts, it's an item that every wardrobe should have.  It is currently on offer with 10% off with free delivery and returns until the end of January.  

Boden Floral Lace Top £80.50 (also available in navy)

The November Shopping List

Well, I can tick off all of my three items from last month; bobble hat, black jeans and Christmas party outfit - now that's a first, what's going on?!?  I only tried on a few hats in Topshop and saw a few pricier ones I liked on-line when I stumbled upon one in Primark.  I am not a huge Primark fan but it has it's place and for £3, the colours would go perfectly with my grey wool coat and it looked fab.  I compromised on the quality (acrylic - yuck) and the fur pom pom that I actually wanted but I'm pleased with the money spent on it as I have other hats I also wear a lot, this was just a fashion item for me that I liked. 

Cable knit pom pom £14

Cream version - which was my favourite

Primark £3

The black jeans purchase came about in a slightly more random way.  My friend had hugely recommended the Topshop Joni jeans to me.  I have never been a high waisted fan and have recently fallen out of love with skinnies, favouring a straight leg style from Gap.  I was actually after a comfy jogger style trouser to travel in as my flight was 8 hours.  However, she was so enthusiastic about them I gave them a go.  I neglected to take a photo of the blue colours I tried on as they were so awful on me and my toddler wasn't being very helpful at that point but thankfully I pushed on through and tried on the black.  Wow.  Not only did I feel 'cool' (yes, I still use that word) in them but my they were comfy.  The ripped knee was a bonus as I think they do look good, despite being asked by various family members if I had torn my jeans by accident....Can I also just add that the rips in the knee also make them a hell of a lot easier to move in - more give!  I travelled in them comfortably for the entire trip, not considering for one moment that I was uncomfortable.  There was also no gap at the back when I sat down giving me a huge draft!  So I ticked my black jean need as well as a comfy pair of trousers need.

Topshop £38

(I didn't go out with different shoes on - I was playing with footwear at that point!)

And finally the Christmas outfit by way of a silk Uniqlo shirt.  Random I know but I mentioned last month that I wanted to wear my black and white stripe skirt again.  It's a fairly glam skirt in my books  but I also wanted to keep it fairly sleek and sophisticated.  As you may know I am a high lover of damn good fabrics, silk being one of them.  Uniqlo had theirs on offer so I managed to grab this for £19.90.  Yes, honestly, under £20 for silk.  Bargain!  I've tried it on briefly (was on holiday shut down mode) and it works perfectly.  I promise to share in December when it get's its party outing.  

Just a simple, black, sleeveless silk shirt that can be worn again

I had tried this on from Topshop but it was to low cut for me and didn't fit right

To print clash or not to print clash, that is the question...
Skirt; H&M
Left shoe; Mulberry
Right shoe; Bally Switzerland

I turned my back for one minute....Elizabeth got a bit of a telling off for this!

So what I bought not from my list.  Well I had a day trip out with some girlfriends and a little light shopping was done, rude not too.  I found this animal print denim top in Warehouse reduced to £20.  A lover of anything animal print I snapped it up and wore it with my new Joni jeans to travel out of the UK in.  It's fairly loose fitting, making it super comfy.  

Warehouse £20

This was so not properly on my radar.  Joanna over at Poppy's Style has and amazing leather Mango skirt which caught my eye with the elasticated waist (can you tell there is a running theme of comfort with my style....?!).  Whilst away she kindly alerted me to 30% off at Mango and after a few failed attempts (foreign, weak wifi - arrrgh) I finally managed to get it for £41.99.  I've already worn it!

Cashmere jumper; La Redoute
Boots, Sam Edelman

I promised my eldest I would include one she took (after a little cropping), thank you H!
Gilet; Zara

I think I may need to change the direction/title of this monthly update as my list at the bottom for the coming month always seems so short compared to what my research has been from the last months list but hey ho, here goes it;

Pretty much nothing on my list, Christmas is around the corner and that's never a cheap time of year is it.......BUT please Santa may I have this?  I have worn my animal print gilet so much more than I thought I would and this colour looks good on me right?  I have been a very good girl this year, eaten all of my dinners and baked lots of cakes for people.  Love Natalie. X

Topshop £65

More pricey than my one but the fur was very lovely, I will give it that

The One About The Bows

I had a lovely afternoon out with some girlfriends last week, we were so fortunate with the weather and met up for Afternoon Tea (and a little light shopping!).  I didn't want to overdress so opted for my loose jeans then dug out an old top that I nearly got rid of in my clear out recently.  It wasn't a style top I would normally purchase as isn't very long in the body and just sat on the hips but it worked perfectly with these jeans.  

Top; Holister
Belt; Alice Temperley
Jeans; Gap
Bag; Prada
Sunglasses; Prada
Shoes' Bally Switzerland

I decided on my favourite court shoes from Bally Switzerland but then as the shoes and back of the top had black bows on I added my bow belt as well!  

I know I've mentioned the Dior Nail Glow before (Sue, I owe you, it's a life saver!) but haven't shown you the effect.  It makes your whites white and your pinks pink!  This was literally one quick coat as I jumped in the car, allowing it time to dry whilst I drove. 

The Gap & Red Event & Some Sparkly Shoes

After waiting a whole extra month (thank you London transport for striking at the wrong time) I finally made it to Red magazines evening with Gap.  Gap has a new creative director Rebekka Bay, previously from Cos and this was her first collection since joining. 

So first up, what to wear.  Yep, it was a last minute job with a few unexpected extra's thrown in to really make me work hard to get there but thanks to a great mate who happens to also be fab with my kids, my childcare dilemma's were sorted swiftly.  I am definitely very much a dresser based on mood, I need to feel it at that moment in time.  I had wanted to wear something bright but I just couldn't so after lining up some of my favourite tops, The Kooples on the right won.  It's navy with black lace, comfortable, forgiving in the tummy area and stylish.  

The below however is what my husband came home to find.  SORRY!  He knew it was no mean feet to get there so he tidied it all up for me and made no comment.  I am grateful for his patience with me at times like this!

With half an hour to spare before it started, I dragged my friend to Selfridges to have a play.  She was mortified that I try on expensive handbags and shoes then walk away.  What's wrong with that?! In my dreams one day I would love to walk in and pay full price for high end items, until then though, I am content with trying them on and dreaming, then finding them cheaper elsewhere (best ever charity shop find post coming soon).  

I give you, Mr Christian Louboutin.  Just to sparkly for words and the camera!

The best outfit shot you will get from that night, I was to distracted!
Jeans; Gap
Top; The Kooples
Leather jacket; Miss Selfridge
Ballet Pumps; French Sole (changed into my Bally Switzerland courts for the event!)
Bag; Balenciaga

More sparkles over at Gina.  My only regret on my wedding day was not splashing out on the silver Gina sling back shoes I had fallen in love with.  I couldn't justify the price at the time.  8.5 years later and I still think about them and how many more wears I would have had out of them.

Over at Gap we were suitably welcomed with Champagne and canapés whilst we awaited the talks to start.

Fiona Collins from Gap started off the evening (check out her amazing heels, I should have zoomed in!) followed on by Red's fashion & shopping editor Laura Fantacci.  Laura put together some great staple looks, my favourite featuring the denim shirt.

Probably the shoe of the moment right now, the skater shoe.  Move over bright colourful trainer, the skater is in town.

I was pretty slack on the photo front, I was to busy rummaging around and playing dress up.  Luckily that day Gap's 30% off had arrived so armed with my voucher I decided to not get carried away and only buy what I needed.  I loved this print below, £24.95.  It made a nice change from Gap's staple stripe prints even though I am still a fan of their stripes, if it ain't broke and all that.  However I feel I have bought a few sweaters recently so I wasn't really in need of any more.

So I ended up with some jeans.  Those who know me, know they are my favourite bottoms to wear, I am a jeans girl and a 'skinny jeans' style girl at that.  I have tried on various other styles but the fit never seems to work. Until that day in Gap. Emily Gegg from Gap had on an amazing pair and after we chatted about how she also had been into skinnies but these made her change, I tried on their 'straight leg' style.  I wanted a lighter pair for Summer and these were perfect.  I paid £31.46 and have worn them so much already.  They have lightened up my wardrobe, although the sun has helped as well!  They are not a boyfriend fit but are looser than a skinny, the perfect in-between style.  They do come up large so you may need to go down a inch in the waist.   

worn with my Converse and Zoe Karssen sweater

So the moral of the story is, for all the ladies who I work with and those on email, even when you do think you've found the perfect style jean, it's always worth trying another style again.  You never know what you may find, even I have moved into a new jean era! 

The Outfit Post Featuring Bally Switzerland, MiH Jeans, Isabel Marant for H&M & Topshop

Last week I went to see Denise van Outen in her show 'Some Girl I Used To Know' with my girlfriends.  We had a great evening, I thoroughly recommend you see it if she is performing near you.  We all couldn't believe her singing voice and how emotional we felt at the end, I will say no more in case you do get to see it!  Another un-planned outfit but I am learning to live with that little imperfection on the planning side.  I knew I wanted to wear my Bally Switzerland court shoes and fancied a bit more of a trouser jean than my usual pairs but that was it until an hour before I left the house!  I wore my MiH jeans with a slight turn up, they are a dusky dark blue, straight leg jean.  I wanted a bit more glitz so added my Topshop tee.  

I kept jewellery to a minimum as the top is heavily embellished.  I am getting lots of wear from my H&M cuff.  Thank you Isabel Marant!

Goodness I love my shoes.  The Second outing for them, they have stretched slightly already which I knew they would being leather in and out so I'm really glad I went a little smaller and tighter in the size.  

Is anyone else with me on the serious lack on planning their outfits at the moment? Is it the weather do you think?  I am off to London tomorrow and so far I know what coat I'm wearing…..Off for some much needed zee's in the mean time!  Night all x

The Birthday: La Redoute, River Island, Bally Switzerland & Gucci

I think I had one of my best birthdays ever at the week-end.  I was truly spoilt by all my friends and family.  I had loads of heart themed presents (my favourite symbol/shape!), baking items, Chanel (make-up), every single present was perfect in it's own way.  With it starting off so well, it made me want to wear some sparkly gems for my trip to Bicester Village.  I had some girly time with my Mum and sister followed by a Chinese take away with all the family (lush!).

My new jewels, a birthday gift.  From River Island.

I never get a proper outfit shot, so this is good as it got for my birthday (in a changing room!).  Leggings are of the shiny variety from La Redoute.  My eldest says they are like Sandy's from Grease…..however surprisingly my 66.5 year old Mum (sorry Mum for sharing your age, but lets face it, no one would guess as you look so young) thought they were fab!  I actually really enjoy wearing them, they glam up an outfit more than plain leggings but worn here with my biker boots, they aren't too much.  I found this great slouchy jumper in the River Island sale for £20 from £40.  I can't see it online to show it to you in more detail but it is a peach colour with two zips (just seen below).  It's a great length to go with leggings if you are in need of that sort of jumper, I would really recommend.

Bag: Balenciaga (my all time favourite, even beats the Chanels…!)

You can just about see the sheen on the leggings here

And finally…..the birthday shoes.  Now I'm a varied shopper.  Those who read my blog regularly will know I don't tend to spend a fortune on clothes, but I do like quality and have always invested in handbags.  I feel it is only fair to treat my feet every so often so with my birthday money I bought these Bally Switzerland suede and leather courts.  I was in love from the moment they went on my feet.  There is no rational behind them, they are just simply divine.  Yes Mum, after a HUGE wardrobe clear out pre Christmas there are several gaps in my wardrobe but the following two items don't need to be a thought processed purchase.  They were a birthday treat, not an every day purchase.  They were over £300 to start with, I can't remember the exact figure but were down to £138.  (PS in keeping with my fabric composition obsession, both shoes are 100% leather in, out and sole and both made in Italy.  Pure quality).  

I've had a thing about suede shoes for a while now, the leather contrast bow makes the suede stand out even more

Gold metal heel and 'Bally' written at the top

Then there were the Gucci's.  My wonderful Sister (and not just because she bought them for me) found them, the last pair and in my size, they were meant to be.  There was just something so different about these sandals.  They are ridiculously high so are purely for show time events only but they felt unique and glamorous all in one.  

£585 down to £265.  Then they heard I was coming so they went down to £132.50.  Approx 77% off (saddo here likes to work these things out)

It's Winter, my toenails are on a vacation from paint at the moment.  Forgive me, I wanted to show the shoes on!

Look at those heels…….

The Gucci bamboo adds some more detail

The ones that got away.  Sorry Mr Jimmy Choo but as much as I loved you and love animal print, you were the cost of both of the above and I just wasn't so in love.

Even though I know no two prints are the same, it still bothered me that from the front the pattens were very different 

Their first outings will of course be shared with you!