The New Coat With An Old Dress

I think I may have mentioned a few times on my blog over the last year how I've been on the hunt for some sort of 'trophy' jacket.  My interpretation of this is something that adds to my wardrobe in the patterned department to enhance a simpler look or add contrast to an already lively one!  I've tried several, most of the cropped ones are just too short on me (the Mango one from this post being one of them) and nothing ticked the boxes.  Until I saw this one in Zara which I blogged about and decided to wait until I was in Spain to benefit from the current Euro exchange rate.  However, I then found the one below, exactly the same style just a different pattern (warmer I felt) and no fake pockets around the bust line which I wasn't keen on anyway.

It's £79.99 here but I paid in the £50's for it after the exchange rate - it was €69.99

It's perfect for this time of year, a lovely light weight cotton with 3/4 sleeves and it's fitted in very well with my current wardrobe.  So much so it's probably been one of the only jackets I've worn recently! I had a christening to go to last week-end and wore a very old Kate Moss/Topshop dress and the coat was the perfect addition to it.

It was a tad windy!

I decided to mix up the blues for this outfit

An oldie but I still love it, thank you Kate Moss!

The accessories were kept minimal with a few bracelets from Tiffany, Swarovski and Annie Haak.  Miu Miu clutch and a bright Essie polish (which picked out the red in my coat) and my little Chanel card holder for a few cards and notes!

First outing for my blue suede courts which were bought in the January sales from TK Maxx for around the £10 mark - last of the big spenders me! 

So there you have it, one of my purchases from my Spanish holiday - a few more to share but this is possibly my favourite so I had to share it first.  I am so pleased with how it's worked so quickly for me in my wardrobe, especially when it's made me wear an old dress lurking in the back.

The Skirt Got An Airing!

Well, finally I wore my stripy H&M skirt seen in my last post (and previously here on my blog) to my fabulous friends 40th.  It was still touch and go, I still thought it was borderline a little short due to how much it puffed out but I got over it and really enjoyed wearing it!  

(The white box is a cake I baked - not a unique/odd accessory I'd decided to add!)

I changed my mind last minute and decided to wear my Zara tank top instead of the grey Cos tee.  This was another sale purchase, £35.99 down to £10 and is 55% silk, 45% cotton, I adore it!  So much so I went back online this morning to order another but they have all sold out.  So if you see any in store, I fully recommend it.

I also changed my mind on the shoes (I am very impulsive when it comes to dressing on the actual day - unlike anything else in my life!).  I opted for my black suede Zara shoes as they just felt a tad more 'evening' and glam.  I was planning on my vintage pink Chanel clutch but as I went dark with the shoes, I chose my old faithful black Miu Miu clutch.  

I am slightly addicted to my Topshop flower necklace at the moment (another post where I am wearing it coming soon).  I was bought for me by my lovely (uber stylish) friend Jo years ago.  I tend to wear it loads then give it a break then dig it out again.  Well I've well and truly dug it out again recently.  It's just one of those necklaces that seems to go with everything, the tones and shades in it blend with my outfits and bring it all together.  I need another please Jo Jo!

Considering how much I don't wear skirts, I really loved wearing this one.  It felt very fun and girly for a change, especially with a high heel.  I had my Essie Lollipop nail polish on to add a bright pop of colour to my nails and kept the rest of my jewellery simple.

And finally, just because I am never happy with my photo shots of my outfit, one just before I went to bed as wanted to really show the volume of the skirt.  I am so happy I kept it.  It's always a good idea to push yourself out of your comfort zone from time to time!

My Christmas & Birthday Wish List

I am not going crazy, my birthday is the beginning of January so I always send out a few extra hints this time of year.  The sales have started and after a week of illness, yes the dreaded V&D bug (hence the lack of blogs this week) I seem to have a bit of a shopping mojo going on.  That coupled with my usual 'Spring Clean' this time of year, I've been updating my wish list.  Maybe it's because we have so many birthdays at the start of January but that as well as the additional Christmas presents always makes me want to clear out the old and bring in the new (presents, New Year, sale buys etc etc).

River Islands sale has started on line only, items are flying so act fast.  I'm after some new necklace's and fancy some gem heavy ones.  I love the below (please Sister…..).

£8

I really like suede court shoes and blogged about them earlier this year here.  Trea over at 'Treasures n Pleasures' has the below in black and they caught my eye straight away.  The bright pink will be perfect with a straight leg jean and cute top (and hopefully the above necklace, hint hint, nudge nudge again family).  They are in blue and green also. 

£20

I had the pleasure of a L'occitane evening earlier this year (see here) and received lots of lovely samples to try.  Having only just gotten round to trying them, I used their Divine range.  I have read lots about it but wow.  My skin really did look and feel more radiant after a few days.  The samples have run out so I'm hoping that they may be replaced with some full sized ones soon.  I have always used Lancome but they say a change is good for your skin and my skin obviously appreciated it.  They are pricey products, starting at £38 for the lotion below but I'm hoping some gift sets may be reduced in the sales.  Failing that, I think I will just have to buy myself if no-one else does.  I liked it that much.  My skin looked clearer, more matte in texture if that makes any sense at all.  I am not beauty blogger but I really did rate this.

It's been a while since I've bought a handbag.  Something's obviously gone seriously wrong this year.  I feel there's been a hole in my wardrobe for an everyday tan one. This Zara leather one is currently in their specials section for £39.99

Since putting this cashmere scarf on my list, it's been bought out in more colours, I love the grey and red now available.  It's £34.99 but the black is what I am after.  Boring I know but I have an animal print coat that needs it and my old black scarf is well and truly worn out.

I seem to have mastered a good manicure (when I have time) this year and love wearing my Chanel Lotus Rouge red colour.  One of my favourite dressers Miss Olivia Palermo is rarely spotted without her red nails and this Essie in Lollipop is her go to.  It's now been added to my list!

The biggest problem I have is that if many of these items go in the sale and haven't made their way to me by Christmas, I really struggle not to buy them before my Birthday.  My husband gets very frustrated with me but I have this problem with the word 'sale' and a good bargain.  I look forward to sharing with you in the New Year what has made it's way to me.

Merry Christmas everyone!