Some Miu Miu, Marant & Chanel Sparkle

Keeping it short and sweet tonight with an image based post (plenty to ramble on about in my next post coming this week) plus I have an article I'm working on for someone so it has to be brief, sorry! However less to read and more to ogle over for you.  I was in London last month and popped to Miu Miu as they were sharing their new range.  One of my favourite brands who deliver style, class, luxury all in one hit so regardless of whether it's purse string friendly for you, indulge in a little escapism with these divine clothes!  Naturally I popped to a few other stores whilst on Bond Street - rude not to right?

Such simple detail that set's the piece off 

I came over all 'Carrie Bradshaw' when I saw these!

Love clashing prints and bold coloured fur

Those ballerinas! 

I adore a simple pattern on a jumper and the colour selection was perfect 

I like how the pattern is just ket to the top half so it's not over powering

Neutrals - a firm staple of mine!

I home in on anything with a heart on!

A few treats (and an extra bag for the children) however it was early and I had a cuppa instead of the champagne that was offered!

Sparkle Shoes!

And more!

I then headed to Isabel Marant as I love the simplicity of the store and I knew exactly where it was from my boot expedition I wanted to have a little nose. 

Tassels with a little colour pop, perfection

I have a collection of tops like this, white/off white/cream and floaty, they never fail to look good with a skinny jean

As Chanel was so close, I couldn't walk past without a look.  I dream of walking in and picking something randomly with no thought just love for the item, in the moment, there and then.  One day. 

Sweet Dreams! 

X

The Vintage Find

I had a rare day out with just my Mum a few weeks back in Oxford.  She has mentioned Summertown to me a few times and after finishing in the city centre earlier than planned, we headed there for a mooch.  It's a small, quaint High Street, it reminded me a little of Primrose Hill.  I found the cutest vintage charity shop run by Helen & Douglas House.  It was attached to a normal second hand shop and was a proper treasure trove.  I found a very old Laura Ashley cream top for £20 and fell in love with it immediately.  

My Mum found this dress by Richard Shops and was very excited by it (I had never heard of the brand! Possibly giving her age away here - sorry Mum!) 

I don't think this pram would have been there long - especially after the photo of Princess Charlotte's one!

I was very tempted by this vintage Smythson however I would have been duplicating one I have that's very similar.

On a random doorstep in London I managed to get a shot of me wearing the top.  Teaming another charity shop find with it - my Chanel handbag and some not so vintage Topshop and Primark!  I do like to mix and match!

Top; vintage Laura Ashley
Jeans; Topshop
Bag; Chanel
Pumps; Primark

Finishing the post with something 'new', these Balenciaga lovelies in the Harrods sale.  They've been on my wish list for a while, I tried them on knowing they would be too large (oh and ever so slightly out of my budget) just to satisfy my craving.  They are gorgeous but for now my Ash ones are just as good and cost me a lot less.  One day I will own a pair though, one day! 

Chanel Gift Ideas

The title needs no more introduction!  I love all things Chanel and everything that Coco made the brand.  For me, it is the ultimate in luxury.  However although I am lucky enough to have found a few handbags in charity shops (it can be done, I also know people have found them at car boot sales!) I know that for most, it feels like a brand that is just so unobtainable.  So this is where make-up comes in.  I was challenged a few years ago to buy for a friend who barely wears any make up but it was a big birthday for her.  I wanted to buy her a little luxury Chanel so the sales lady recommended the Chanel compact mirror.  She loved it as she did always have one with her so replaced it straight away with this little beauty.  It went straight on my wish list that year and I was lucky enough to revive one as a gift also.  It's  been in my handbag every day since. 

RRP £26

Then last year I had another friend to buy for who wouldn't use the mirror but I wanted her to have a piece of Chanel.  I asked at the Chanel counter for ideas and was told about their lovely lip balm.  A lip balm - everyone uses those, it was perfect!  Not only that, of course it looked amazing and had that whole luxe Chanel vibe going for it.  Naturally it has made it's way (finally) into my life this Mothers Day. 

RRP £25

Lastly, a gift given to me that I have used so much and adore, the Chanel no5 hair mist.  I love perfume but I am always forgetting to put some on and feel it's wasted on school runs so tend to only wear some when I'm going out.  This is a great alternative as it's subtle yet lingers longer as you get wafts from your hair throughout the day.  It's the priciest of the three I've shared but it's essentially perfume for your hair so you are paying more for this classic scent. 

RRP £38

There of course are other great brands who also do some fabulous little gifts like these, so if you're not near a Chanel counter always ask at other beauty ones as I've found the staff so helpful when it comes to gift ideas.  Don't forget to ask them to pop it in a little gift bag too (free!) to make it look that extra bit special.

Royal Ascot Ladies Day

(No, this is not how I arrived.....next time!) 

It was my first time at Royal Ascot this year and I loved every minute of it in the end, but boy was I panicking about the dress code.  I was in the Royal Enclosure where your hat (or the base of it) has to cover 10cm of your head and skirts/dresses not too short.  I went for a H&M dress I bought in London last year (seen in this post).  They've recently bought it out again in a floral print (shown here) but the fabric is a lot thinner.  I love how the dress has structure to it down to the fabric and stitching without it being so stiff it's not flattering and doesn't move.

(excuse these grainy photo's,the best 'outfit' ones I had!)

The dress is a cream/pale peachy flesh colour - hard to describe really but I went along with the pale colour palette and added a very old Topshop blazer in a pale grey.  As my hat was black, I bought in my favourite Topshop necklace just so I had a little dark to complement my headpiece (which also had a cream flower on).  My Gucci shoes and vintage Chanel also in neutral pale tones, I went for a varied shade look!

With A LOT of food packed behind me....

Lots of shades going on, greys, blacks and a warmer cream with the dress

I've never been the most patriotic person which is strange as my parents are but I did come over all funny when I saw the Queen.  I do get fairly excitable over things and this was no exception.  I pushed my way to the front and got to see the lady herself.  Oh and the lawns - I want grass like that!

Of course, I was also slightly excited at the hats and outfits but was on a mission to place my first bet so I only managed to pap a few!

After a few small wins we headed to the track to be a little closer to the action for the final few races.  I soaked up the atmosphere, I love experiencing new things and this was no exception.  I always end up feeling a little over whelmed and quiet, especially when we were then picnicking with the best of them (Sir Steve Redgrave....) in the owners and trainers car park! 

Oh and we bumped into Mr Noel Edmunds as well - he has barely aged and looks amazing for 65.  He was so friendly and chatty to everyone. 

It was a long but perfect day.  For anyone who hasn't been, I fully recommend it.  I am desperate to go again! 

Hat; Jaeger (borrowed)
Bag; Vintage Chanel
Necklace; Topshop

The Bloggers Meet Up (and a little light shopping!)

When I started out at blogging, I pretty much had no idea what I was doing nor where it would go.  I had no preconceptions.  Roll on 3.5 years and although it's not as frequent as I would like, I seem to have made my blogging a part of my life.  More than that really, it's lead to meeting some really lovely friends.  Last year I met up with a group of ladies who also blogged and had welcomed me to their Facebook group, the same happened again this year along with some welcome new additions.  The venue remained the same, The Mayfair Pizza Company, right in the heart of the West End.  Not only are they all a bunch of totally stylish ladies in their own right, but I love how diverse the group is and the knowledge that's bought and shared to the table.  Last week was pretty much just about a damn good chit chat but on a daily basis we all try to help each other out with blogging (ok and sometimes random!) problems.  How lovely is that?

From L to R around the table; Helen, Donna, Kat, Avril, Fiona, Joanna, Sue

From L to R; Marlene, Michelle, Helen, Donna

Apologies to Frances who I didn't manage to capture in my only two shots of the day!  All the ladies blogs are linked to their names, my favourites reads so go and have a look.  As always I was rushing around and had a brief outline of my boots and coat but not the rest of the outfit planned!  I wore my comfy black wet look Gap jeans and a orange Boden top which for some reason I didn't feel comfortable in that day.  Maybe I just needed a bit of a tan!  The following two pictures were taken by the uber talented Marlene with her fabulous camera (featured above!).  She very kindly snapped away at us for the day.  I'm not a natural in front of the camera and like most women, spend time picking out my flaws when I see the photos.  Marlene has written an amazing, inspiring post about just that.  Have a read here, thank you Marlene for the wake up call.  You rock, simples.

Coat; Zara

Bag; Chanel
Boots; Sam Edelman

Whilst I was meeting up with her I asked Sue if she would bringing with her one of her fabulous bracelets that she hand makes over at Susie Ho.  She makes them to order, so the size can be made for you and she even gave me the option to pick gold or silver fastenings.  They make fabulous gifts, especially if you want to send something in the post as they are perfect for the letter box in their little gift bags.  Mine comes in a few other colour ways and was £4.  

I couldn't go into London without a tiny little browse around the shops.  I have read so much about Uniqlo's 'HeatTech' under garments and what with permanently feeling the cold, I decided it was time I tried one out.  I am not ashamed to admit I wear a vest pretty much every day now, I am always cold.  However they are just thin cotton ones, nothing thermal.  This cream tee-shirt was £9.90 and I can report it really does make a difference.  They are long in the body and fit true to size.  There were long sleeved versions too.  So if you need that extra layer, I fully recommend.  I am yet to try Primarks version which I hear is also very good but I wanted to try Uniqlo's first as they were the one's that I've heard so much about.

The blurb, sounds pretty impressive doesn't it?

To finish with, a debate I am constantly having with myself and also with my husband.  Investment virsus cheap thrill.  I found this jumper in Uniqlo for £5, yes £5 and its 60% wool.  I grabbed it without hesitation.  Wore it the next day (and the day after that...) but there is already some bobbling going on.  I got the 'I told you so' look from him but then came a bit of a challenge which I am not sure I am ready to take up.  "Instead of spending £10-£15 here there, why don't you not.  Save up for one really good quality piece once a month."  Mmmm.  Well quite frankly he has a point.  However like most, I want it all.  I want a cheap, quick thrill of a bargain and some key investment pieces in my wardrobe. I also want to believe that one of these cheap thrills will actually stand the test of time quality and style wise.  I can't help but think about it though and that if I turned down everything I was going to buy for a month and put the money away then bought one really decent thing, would my wardrobe be better for it?  Quite possibly.  But where's the fun in that?!?  And who else is with me that when you have the pennies to spend, you can't actually find anything?

The bargain jumper over my Topshop shirt

Then layered with my Zara gilet for more warmth (HeatTech underneath so I was proper warm!)

The L.K.Bennett Event

I had the pleasure of aiding some fabulous shoppers the other week at L.K.Bennett's store in Marylebone High Street.  If you haven't had a walk down there, then do.  It's such a lovely little part of London that is so close to the hustle and bustle yet feels like miles away.  Think boutique, high end shops (it reminds me of the scenes in the movie Notting Hill for some reason) with some very good charity shops too!  

All about me!  (Right next to that gorgeous scarf!)

L.K's have some great work wear staples not to mention their shoes which covers you from flats to courts to boots.  If you are near, stop by and pay Natasha and her team a visit, they are all so friendly and helpful and know their stock very well. 

My favourite item from the night had to be these little bobby dazzlers which had me and a shopper mesmerised in conversation over them.  Team with a great boyfriend jean for a chic, understated  look.

The 'Tilly' £195

Over to what I wore for the evening.  I started with my feet and worked upwards!  My trusted L.K sandals were the basis for the colours of my outfit.  I wanted to wear a trouser as I feel my most comfortable in them when running around looking after clients.  Then I decided on a blazer to keep the ensemble smart.  It was the first outing for my bargain sparkly Topshop blazer (blogged about here) and I loved wearing it.  I then picked out the nude/pink from the shoes and popped that  colour underneath the blazer.  Please excuse the grainy, tired looking shots.  I took the photo around 11pm after a long day.

Blazer; Topshop
Top: Warehouse
Trousers; Topshop

Lastly I added some accessories.  This broach was my Nan's, its costume jewellery, not real diamonds but I am hugely sentimental when it comes to family items so it's worth a lot to me.  It's actually one broach that cleverly splits into two.  Just before I dashed out of the house leaving my Mum in charge of the girls (poor lady) she said I needed something else, so the broach it was.

(the netting either side of my blazer?  Yep, that's my pac-a-mac...)

You may see a glimpse above of my belt.  I am a sucker for an animal print and enjoy adding some for a bit of fun to my looks.  It's a black and white belt so sort of in-keeping with the over all colours and tones of my look.

Shoes: L.K. Bennett
Belt; Boden
Bracelets (in order top to bottom; Thomas Sabo, Annie Haak, Tiffany
Nailpolish; Chanel

PS Huge thank you to Charlie from the Marylebone Electric salon for curling my hair!  I wish I lived just around the corner from him and his team so I could drop by more often.