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

Two Of My Favourite Sale Buys

I had to change the title of this post as it included the forbidden word at this time of year (Christmas!) - yes I am that behind with blog posts at the moment but regardless of when I bought them, they were investment pieces so still worth sharing.  The jumper is by Rag & Bone and at £220 originally was hugely reduced to £49.95 in Harrods.  It has that 'worn' look so I wasn't 100% to start with as wondered if it did in fact look old and worn but I really liked the chunky knit and length so I took the plunge.  

I am so glad I did as I have honestly worn it so much.  It is one of my favourite jumpers at the moment, it's just very comfy and looks great with skinny jeans.  It still has that old worn look and probably more so as it's been worn and washed a lot but unless you are up close you don't really notice. 

So my big splurge with my Christmas and Birthday spends (Birthday is 9 days after Christmas - yes, the joy...!) were these Marant boots.  I saw them in the Selfridges sale, fell completely in love with them then spent a week hunting them down.  I tried everywhere, the Kurt Geiger outlet shop at Bicester who stock Marants, the internet - it had to be this specific colour/pattern, Selfridges, Harrods.  Everywhere accept the actual Marant shop it would seem!  Sometimes I even surprise myself at how simple I can be!  So when we were shopping in Westfield (remembered why we hadn't taken the then 3 year old shopping for a while) I left my hubby with the girls and dashed to the shop 20 mins away on the tube.

Now they come up small, just in case you are looking at Marant boots.  They are narrow but leather lined so stretch, even so I still had to go a whole size up.  My plan was to have a every day boot that was a little bit different.  I really wanted some Manolo's in the sale but I decided that even at half price I couldn't warrant it when they would probably get worn 2-3 times a year.  These were £400 down to £200 and my most expensive shoe yet.  I don't feel I have really gotten to grips with them yet.  I daren't wear them when it rains as I don't want to ruin the skin.  Once they've been broken in and softened more around the ankle I'm hoping to wear them with skirts in the Summer.  

I don't regret them, I love that they are different to any of my other flat boots and were hard to get hold of, so you don't see them on other people much but currently but I don't feel I'm giving them a fair go at the moment.  

PS If you are interested in the jumper it is the Camille Tunic and The Outnet currently have it in however it is £110 in the white and £119 in the grey.  I love the white so am going to keep an eye on it on the off chance it gets reduced to somewhere near what I paid for mine.  (Don't ever knock the Harrods sale - it's the best!). 

The Wedge Trainer Debate

As Spring has Sprung, I feel I will start to break out the trainers again.  I like wearing them with ankle skimming jeans or trousers with no socks.  I feel the cold so I have to wear socks in the Winter and letting my ankles see the light of day just doesn't happen until around about now so my thoughts are turning to the trainer again.  Last year I purchased my first pair of Ash Jalouse boots.  They have been stuck on my feet, worn in so well (so well in fact that there was another bargain purchase last months which I will share next, promise).  One trend which I just couldn't get my head around was the wedge trainer.  I still have mixed feelings, I still think they look great on others but for some reason, every time I've tried them on, something felt wrong.

Ash Genial RRP £135

Maybe it's the leather, the price tag, the buckles, I'm just not sure.  But I just really like the idea of a trainer giving little old me some height.  I love wearing a heel which is why I have loved my Ash boots as the heel is the perfect height for every day wear.  I don't think I have written them off completely, more that perhaps I just haven't found the right ones yet.  I like the look of the Esprit ones below.  Maybe it's that they look a little more like a trainer but not as bulky as the Ash Bowie trainer - so a good in between.  I also think that the wedge is slightly more discreet which I like.

Esprit £59

Ash Bowie RRP £169

So have you succumbed to the wedge trainer yet?  Or will you be sticking with the flat versions?

Gisele Bundchen in her Isabel Marant wedge trainers RRP £365

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 Isabel Marant Dicker Boot Alternative

I'm still on the hunt for some more ankle boots.  I have some black suede Topshop ones that I live in as they are the perfect heel height.  However I've been after either a leather pair (for more every day wear than suede) and/or a lighter coloured pair for a more casual look.  Main criteria being they are walkable for hours!  I found the below (not the most flattering shot) in M&S but they were just to big (in the sale and at £39 they've flown off the shelves but am after a 3.5 just in case anyone finds any lurking in their store, thanks!).  

I spent last Sunday in London (more to follow in another post!) and of course checked out the Marble Arch M&S just in case.  It's a huge store with loads more in than my local one.  I saw some gorgeous suede boots but trying to think of my 'needs' I didn't look further into them due to being suede.  Until I popped to Selfridges that is and saw the Isabel Marant Dicker boot in navy.  Yum.  At £360 they are just ever so slightly out of my affordable budget but they got me thinking about what I saw in M&S. Further research on line showed other colours in their suede boot and at £59, just under one sixth (sorry, I do love my math!) of the designer boot, they may just be worth a go.

The designer boot

M&S's boot, ok so it's lighter in colour but so similar in every other way

Ticking my leather and tan boxes, but I am a sucker for suede!

The real deal

M&S's version in grey (although they did look navy in store!)

And the 'nearly' boots also at £59 from M&S which I'm now feeling are a little chunkier than I would like

So do I forget the practicality and go sand suede, or maybe give the tan leather pretend 'dicker' a try?  M&S, please can you just throw me a 20% off all footwear week-end please?  You know how I don't like to pay full price for anything!