We Have A Winner!

Congratulations Camilla on winning this stunning Becksondergaard scarf kindly donated by Coco Marie for my blog give away.  We hope you enjoy wearing it (when it cools down a bit of course!) and would love to see some pictures when you do!

So school is finally out for Summer.  Just completed day 2 of the holidays and I've had to take an ibuprofen.....She was so ready to finish school and needs lots of sleep just like her Mummy does right now!  With the youngest enjoying the day with her friends (Nursery Friday we like to call it!), it was a Mummy & Holly day to spend her vouchers.  She did really well, I on the other hand, well I'm not sure what's happened.  Maybe it's because I've kind of done the sales and am a little bored now and it's all starting to look a bit messy or maybe it's because I don't 'need' anything right now (shush!) but I left empty handed.  So instead of sharing my shopaholic tendencies today, here are the choices of my 6 year, not bad at all!

To end the school year I had a lovely evening out at the Chinese with the school Mums.  I wanted a dress roomy enough to stuff my face (so un-lady like I know, but we are talking Chinese food here, nom nom nom).  I went with this Kate Moss & Topshop collaboration from a few seasons ago.  I love the print, it's small and not too over powering.  I teamed it with a Modalu clutch/strapped bag that has been out on my Sister's 'handbag library card' for a few years and was recently returned (I found the receipt in it Em from 2010, I say no more).  I love picking out colours from a multi dress like this and the green is so refreshing.

Please excuse nappy clad toddler in the background!

For a more 'day look' I would add some cropped leggings, especially for running around after the kids as it's a little bit shorter than I remembered but I was sitting for a meal so it was ok!  The flip flops are also from a few seasons ago by Carvela.  Looking at the outfit makes me feel even colder now so I'm off to put my thick socks on for bed (I wondered how long I would be able to last without them, not long enough me thinks!).  Have a good week-end everyone.

Matalan Style Project

I was contacted to take part in a style challenge for Matalan's blog.  Never one to shy away from a shopping challenge (!) I was asked to put together an entire 'Beach Holiday' outfit for £50.  Now I will hold my hands up, I'm not a Matalan shopper.  That's mainly because my nearest one is 20 miles away and I don't use the internet to shop a brand/shop unless they are known and trusted by me as otherwise it's a bit of a mine field.  Being petite, some main stream shops are a no no.  I assumed this would be the case with Matalan and was envisaging a safety pinned out fit for the photos.  How wrong was I.  A bargain £47 later (and well actually nothing as Matalan kindly donated the £50 as a thank you) I will let the pictures do the talking!

Shorts £16, top £6

If you like my outfit, please drop by this link and give me a vote.  You just need to comment in the section below for a vote to be registered. 

Beach bag £6

Havaianas £9 (real ones I promise!)

Necklace £10

A close up of the shorts, I didn't feel the first picture did them justice!

I went to a lovely wedding yesterday and as always, I was in a rush to get out and forgot to take an outfit photo!  It wasn't a new ensemble so your not really missing out.  But I will share with you a snap I took of two of my favourites things; a delicious Pina Colada and my vintage Chanel handbag, needless to say it was a fab evening!  Hope you've all enjoyed a sunny week-end!

Still not to late to try and win a scarf kindly donated by Coco Marie, worth £85.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Boden A/W13 Press Day

On a beautiful hot Summer's day here in the UK, what am I going to talk about tonight?  Autumn/Winter, yes that's right!  I've been meaning to share my fab afternoon down at Somerset House for some time now but I had taken so many photos, it needed some proper time invested in ploughing through and grouping them into stories to share.  Colourful as ever, it didn't really feel like Autumn/Winter in the room.  And being a sun lover, thank goodness as I don't like to be reminded about our  dull and dismal Winter.  I really was over-whelmed by the selection that Boden had to offer.  From classic fair isle knits to animal print totes, there was something for everyone.  I will let the pictures talk for themselves.

To set the scene for you!

Chunky knits

Thinner patterned knits with button back

Knits with a statement neckline

Bags and shoes!

Textured and printed bouses

Little black dress, my favourite trousers and a classic coat

Not only did I get really excited about Winter (it's rare, trust me) but I was very kindly given a voucher from Boden to spend at my leisure.  Special thanks to Lizzie Harper at the Boden Press Office for getting my voucher to me safely.  My eldest also had a fab read (!) of the look book which kept her quiet for a good 10 minutes on a long car journey, who'd have thought!

Some light Boden reading!

And so far, what I've ordered with my voucher.  In case I don't mention it enough, I'm a bit of an animal print lover.  Previous belts have actually worn out so when I saw this in the sale, I snapped it up.  Leather and now £12.50, bargain!  Follow this link to grab yours.  I'm saving the rest of the voucher for when AW gets released, one of those jumpers is mine!

Not only did I get a gorgeous belt but how lovely to receive a complimentary notebook!  Thank you Boden for a great afternoon, goody bag, belt and notebook, such a wonderful experience with you!

Don't forget to enter my free give away.  There really is no catch, you simply have to 'like' some Facebook pages (both gets you 2 entries!) and the winner is drawn at random. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coco Marie Prize Give Away

A few months ago I had the pleasure in helping style the lovely shoppers at Coco Marie.  The boutique shop in the heart of old Amersham is a little treasure trove for clothes.  They stock a great selection of brands from Maison Scotch to Twist & Tango.  But one of the main attractions is it's easy to navigate around the store and it isn't over whelming.  Displayed by grouping colours that work well together and mixing the brands makes it a stress free experience.  If your near, pop in, it's well worth a rummage.

Thank you to the lovely Jen at Coco Marie for donating this amazing silk scarf by Becksondergaard  worth £85.  To be in with a chance to win it's very simple, you just need to 'like' both of our pages on Facebook.  Please feel free to share this competition with your friends and family, someone has to win!  This competition is open for 2 weeks and the winner will be chosen at random using Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I grabbed this fab Maison Scotch tee in their sale - £15 - bargain alert!  They also sell on line, so be sure to check out their store virtually if you can't physically!

PS this leather clutch is AMAZING and currently half price in store and on line at £64.50!

Some Reiss in my Life!

After my month long shopping ban in May I struggled to find anything that excited me in the shops.  I thought the ban did me good to re-evaluate what I had, take stock of what was worn and what was needed.  Then the sales started and I lost all self control.  Always led by a discount, coupled with a fabulous staff discount, there really is only one Harrods sale!  Ouch to the purse and so starts another ban commences (when contract finishes next week obviously!).

I've started to move away from some of the more obvious choices on the high street, mainly due to quality and sometimes certain shops being a little to 'high fashion' for me.  On a normal week I need a smart/casual wardrobe that stands the test of time fabric and style wise.  I've turned to Reiss, Whistles, Zara and the likes of small independent boutiques such as Coco Marie (competition coming soon, watch this space!) who stock great key brands under one roof.

'More cardigans' I hear you roar! But they are so versatile I shout back! Both are from Reiss and worked out at under £30 each with my discount. I love how the striped one is elasticated at the back to fit into the waist.

Classic stripe, it's fitted and well designed

This mint green cardi is a little more casual due to the 'Grandad' style cut and textured cotton knit. It's a great seasonal piece as the colour is Spring/Summer yet the thickness works for our cooler climates.

I wore it with simple blue Topshop jeans (blue and green shouldn't be seen - rules are meant to be broken...), white M&S vest, gold Topshop belt and mint Office ballet pumps (all old, and I'm talking 2 years + for the rest of the outfit)

I'm not gong to bore you in one long blog post about my recent finds/purchases as 1) It highlights the fact I've been naughty recently with my budget and 2) I can drone on with over excitement! So for your sake I will group together. Enjoy!

Some More Pink In My LIfe

Yipee the sun has been shining this week!  After a complete melt down thinking I'd lost my fashion mojo, I am pleased (unlike my husband) to report it has found me again, phew.  A trip to H&M Knightsbridge and I got me some business clobber, yes H&M really!  Amazing how much more you see in a store in the capital to others.  More in a future post.  Today I just wanted to share some colour  this week.

First it comes in the form of this Clarins Crystal Lip Balm £18 (I had a voucher, so £3.50 pour moi - bargain!).  I saw this in a magazine, and as a lip balm addict, thought I'd give it a try.  The colour is in the middle, with a clear balm around the edge.  You can make it as deep as you like.  I've been applying it like a normal lipstick first thing, then using the outer edge to moisten my lips through out the day.  I would highly recommend.

Shade Crystal Rose 05

Secondly I've been playing with belts this week (pants as always at having time to take a photo when I'm rushing out of the house) but I did manage to grab one today (although you can hardly see the belt and this took approx 10 attempts before the hubby got the hump so blame him).  My old faithful jeans are getting looser through wear and I fancied adding some pink to go with my blush pink sweater so added this patent leather slim belt.  I chose a deeper shade of pink to compliment the sweater, I like doing tonal colour pallets.  I've found another hole in my wardrobe - an animal print slim belt, so that's now on my list of 'needs' (!).

Scarf - Temperley, Panther print
Sweater - Tommy Hilfiger (TK Maxx)
Belt - Hobbs
Jeans - Topshop Baxter
Boots - Marks & Spencer Limited Collection

Just before I leave you all in peace to enjoy the bank holiday week-end, if any of you live near Amersham, please pop along to the lovely Coco Marie boutique on Tuesday evening.  They are holding this great event, and after a sneaky preview of their current stock, I predict the till to be busy busy busy that evening.