The Zara Purchases

I have a tick on my list from last month's mini shopping list for more trousers.  It's been a while since I purchased any from Zara as I find their sizes a bit hit and miss.  However I had some time in the Easter break to have a proper browse and found these khaki cropped jeans.  They come up completely true to size and at £25.99 thought that the price wasn't bad at all (not even in the sale!). They have a slightly faded look going on in the front which I like as gives them a bit of an old worn look.  Unfortunately I can't find them online to share but they had loads in store.  

Shirt and belt; Topshop
Jeans; Zara
Ballet pumps; Jones Bootmaker

I also found a white and beige floaty top for £19.99.  It was available in yellow too but it just felt a little to bright.  I love yellow, just that this one was more orangey (doesn't look it in the photo though!) and the tones just weren't right on me.  I liked the back of it especially however it's been sat on my special hook since I purchased it.  I haven't had an occasion to wear it and I am borderline on the colour combo as without a tan feel it comes up a little bland.  It will be a TBC piece for another week or so I think!

The yellow that stayed in the shop!

Looking online it comes in black and white and a few patterns too.  Think it might be one of those tops I wear once and then forget about.  Watch this space!

The June Shopping List - Published & Updated In August!

I had this idea to have a monthly shopping list, purely for my own benefit as I get so led by a bargain I forget what I actually need in my wardrobe.  I wrote this list in June but I got carried away in the sales and forgot all about it!  To be fair to myself, I have purchased from it however I have also added a few new items and put some on the back burner. 

I firstly wrote; No more breton stripes (for a while at least, I appreciate this is a classic) nor cardigans.  Failed on both BUT this top from the Gap outlet was £4.90 and the cashmere and cotton cardigan from Costco £12.99.  So I'm letting myself off based on the fact that I spent less than £20 on my failures.  

So the 'needs' looked like this;

• Black skinny/fitted jeans (my old faithful Topshop Baxters are now grey).  Not urgent right now
• Beige small heeled ankle boots suitable for walking.  I purchased these from Jones Bootmaker. I sat them on the box in my bedroom for a few weeks and every time I went to wear them something stopped me.  I talked myself out of them so they went back. Maybe it's the weather and that I'm in open shoes (although out of season buying is usually a favourite of mine) either way, they just didn't make the cut

• Casual skirts/dresses - I purchased the Zara one from this blog below and the Moschino skirt seen in this blog so there's a tick here!
• Trophy jacket - this is now on hold partly based on the weather but also I tried on a fair old few and none worked on me so I got a little deflated and stopped looking
• Denim shorts - NEED the most.  I have a good selection of smarter shorts now but am really struggling finding a denim pair that fits properly.  I am tempted by these from Esprit

Stretch denim shorts £29

• Shirts/blouses - smarter styled tops
• Skater Shoes - finally found some that fitted from Next.  I wanted something that sat in-between a trainer and a ballet pump and these do the job nicely (even more so for £9 and leather!)

(Thank you Kat for sharing yours on your blog)

• Newly added - a swimming costume.  They are everywhere at the moment and the hang ups that they are old school is long gone, move over bikini, the swimsuit is well and truly back.  This is probably my toughest quest as not only am I long in the body so the ones I've tried end up far too low, but not being blessed in the chest department I don't want to completely flatten what I have!  I am not holding out much hope
• Second newly added - wedding outfit for a beach wedding end of October.  It will be hot hot hot, sandy and my girls are flower girls so I will be dashing about after them all day.  I need sleeveless, not too pale to show up dirt (preferably a print), a good fabric that won't make me sweat and thick enough straps to cover my bra (comfort will be key and me & strapless bras don't get on).  So the hunt it well and truly on!

So there you have it.  It's written in black and white what I am missing.  Lets see how I do this month and will update you in September.  

The J.Crew Review

I heard all the hype and saw the store from the outside but based on the prices I had seen in magazines, online etc, I never bothered entering the doors of our first UK J.Crew on Regents Street. Why I don't take my own advice in looking as you just never know, I don't know.  My sister now travels a lot with work so when she told me she was near a huge shopping mall in Seattle I had a browse and saw there was a J.Crew.  Yep, I should have tried stuff on!  I investigated further and found the prices were like for like pound to dollar.  Oh and that the US had a 25% off promo going. God I love the US.  I spent the entire evening composing a wish list for her last month based on nothing but images and hear say it was good stuff.  I was willing to take the risk.  My sisters criteria, only two items, her choice based on quality, fit for me and actual colours.  Poor lady, no pressure Emma.   

It didn't end up being entirely left to her.  Bless her she called me twice as had found a merino jumper she also thought was 'me' but I abstained.  Error!  As soon as I opened my package this week-end (she now lives in Dublin, so I've had to wait!) I knew they were going to fit me.  I love it when I find a brand that just works.  I am so petite up top and always struggle but they fitted like a dream.  Size wise they are bang on what they say they are.  I only hope the quality lives up to my expectations washing wise.  Second major plus, the prices.  The below cotton top is £39.50 in the UK, $39.50 in the US then it was reduced to $29.99 -25% = £13.50.  I left it up to my sister on the colour choices but I now wish I had asked her to get both.  It is currently sold out in the UK, follow this link to see it.  It doesn't feel like just a normal cotton top, it is thicker, in between a cotton tee and a sweatshirt.  The 3/4 sleeves ended at just the right point.  Love it.

Top: J.Crew
Jeans: Gap
Pumps: Jones Bootmaker

The grey version

Second purchase was this grey silk tee, added to my wish list based on my love of silk.  £65 in the UK, $65 in the US - 25% off = £29 rounded up - less than half the price!  See it here but I'm afraid it's  also sold out (I know how to pick them!).  Now just warm up weather so I can wear it.

The front

The back

Online image

I am an eternal bargain hunter.  It hugely winds me up to pay more for something that is less elsewhere.  My poor sister will now be armed with lists when in the US particularly.  When she was in Dubai in January she was trying to buy me some discounted Manolo's but as I wasn't 100% on my sizing (and funds weren't available!) I declined.  Typical there's now currently 30% off J.Crew in the US.  She unfortunately isn't going back this month, damn.  

PS Laser eye op didn't happen.  Long, boring story with pants eyes so contact lenses and glasses it is for me!  Just such a shame it was on the day of the surgery they find something else out but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.  

The Purchases: Ikea, Jones Bootmaker & Timberland

Something a little festive for you all, Ikea's tea light holder, how cute is this?  Oh and it only costs £2! They come in silver and black as well as my white and are called the 'Rotera'.  I also grabbed a napkin holder, not particularly festive but it doesn't have to go away for the rest of the year.  This was £3 and called 'Liksidig'.

Next up is my usual out of season buying bargain.  I was on the hunt for some snow boots for the kids and just so happened to come across these little lovelies.  I have blogged previously about my pink Jones Bootmaker ballet pumps and how well they have worn so when I saw these snake print ones, also leather, there were straight in my basket.  £60 originally, down to £19.  Hands up, I admit, I do not need these now and yes, it's Christmas and pennies are tighter.  However when I come to buy these when the weather heats up, they will be 3 times as much, that infuriates me when I know I like something no matter what the current trends are.  So there is my justification!  Granted they will look a lot better with a more tanned foot, they look a little pasty now!

And probably my bargain of the year (considering the time of year, I still can't believe my luck buying a pair of boots at this price).  Another love I've harped on about on here is the Timberland Earthkeeper range.  Like a shoe with the comfort of a slipper, I can literally walk all day in a pair.  Having popped to Bicester Village to look for a coat for the hubby (he did get one, also from Timberland!) I spied these on a sale rack.  £90 down to £25.  I remembered I had a 30% off voucher and they said they accepted them at the outlet as well!  Wait for it, when they scanned they were £15, further 30% off = £10.50!  Yes, I just paid £10.50 for a £90 pair of part leather/canvas boots.  I know, I am still in shock.  They don't look the prettiest of things but needs must on a school run and I think they happen to look a little trendy actually.  Warmer than my animal print Converse, they are perfect for running around after the kids in.   My Ugg's made me feel 'ugly' the other week and I am yet to find a good leather brown ankle boot so these are my interim purchase.  However I have a feeling they may not be so interim after all.  Anyone else been bagging a bargain with all these sales going on?

Guest appearance from Lizzie the cat again

My London Survival Kit

I am spending approximately 3.5 hours a day commuting to and from London at the moment.  I'm working with an amazing store and really enjoying it but I will admit the commute is a bit exhausting (hence my lack of posts - but fear not, it's not forever!).  I have been so grateful for a few key pieces that have helped me survive so far.  Firstly, my Mulberry Bayswater.  I will admit to buying this 3+ years ago as it was a very 'on trend' handbag and I had to have one.  It did get used, but not as much as it should.  However it has shown it's true colours now.  I love that I can just chuck everything in it (lunch, shoes etc) and I can let out the sides for it to expand and hold all my junk.  Once at work I can then unpack it and do it up again, making it sleeker.  The simple internal pocket is perfect for easy access to passes and the single twist lock closure is a no fuss quick lock, perfect for a London commute.  The handles are great for either over the arm or on shoulder.  My Baywater's has had a new lease of life.  I am loving the raspberry colour (originally thought it was red when I purchased it...) and have had several comments on it's cheerfulness.  I also must add that the studs on the button are a double up in regards to this sturdy bag.  It's a hard wearing tough leather, I would really recommend if you are going to be hard on your handbag.

I purchased these Jones Bootmaker ballet pumps a while ago now for the bargain price of £15.  They are leather inside and out and have really moulded to my feet.  They are easy to slip on and off ready for the commute and still look good after wear every day for the past 3 weeks.

I use my Bare Minerals powder first thing but throughout the day I need to touch up especially after being on the trains.  It gives a great matte look and the solid surround means the powder doesn't break up. 

My true savour is this Jessica nude nail polish called 'Sweet Tooth' (No; 434).  I apply just the one coat the day before (this picture is just the one coat) then the second on the train the next day.  By letting the first coat dry with no extra layer straight away, I find it's a firmer base and the colour lasts up to 3 days.  Even after that as it's nude, even if there is a slight chip it's barely noticeable.  I am missing wearing a brighter colour however time doesn't allow for a daily colour change so this is doing the job of tidy manicured nails perfectly.  

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Love (and some very cheap Ballet Pumps!)

I don't know about you but I love the Palmers Cocoa Butter range.  I find their products very fairly priced and always good quality.  Last year when I ran out of my usual night cream and was waiting for the Christmas sale offers, I saw in Superdrug that Palmer's had a skin care range.  There were only a few products but they did have a night cream.  I was in a rush at the time and never got back to the store to purchase.  So this week whilst I was on a little light shopping trip with a friend, I paid Superdrug another visit.  I had asked in a few Boot's stores but they didn't stock the skin care items.  It's currently on a 3 for 2 offer and also available on line (just did a quick check and found they do a coconut hair range as well - yum!).  So my friend and I shared the offer as I only currently need a scrub, she bought one as well as the face mask.  This worked out at £4 and while it hasn't set the world alight as far as scrub's go (but then I am no expert), I feel that Palmer's have delivered again on a fair price and a good product.

£6 but cheaper if you use the 3 for 2 offer

Also on offer were their lip balms.  I have used them before but not the tinted dark chocolate cherry flavour.  For less than £2 each I grabbed them and am so impressed with the tint.  If you are after a cheaper alternative to the Clinique Chubby Stick, I really recommend this.

£1.89 for the plain, £1.99 for coloured

My favourite lip products at the moment

I was very well behaved on this shopping trip.  I even put a £10 top back in Zara.  However, after a recent trip to London where I had to wear some ballet pumps on the commute then swap to heels, I realised how much I needed a comfy pair.  These just called out to me.  They were sold by an independent but are by Jones Bootmaker.  Originally £60, last day of their sale, £15.93 to me - BARGAIN!  All leather, I thought at half price for £30 they were slightly over my none existent budget but for £15 odd, why would I walk away?  I can't wait to wear these bobby dazzlers!