The M&S Sale Is On!

Make sure you check out their shoes and cashmere - my favourites (OK and their Homeware but that comes as standard right?!).  I've had my eye on these fringed boots, they were £69 now down to £39.  I love both the black and tan.  I have a pair similar that have been so handy when you want to smarten up a look but don't want to be cold!  I actually wore mine with black jeans turned up for a meal the other day too. 

Marks & Spencer Suede Boots 

Speaking from experience, I would always size up with wool - especially if like me, you refuse to pay dry cleaning bills and use the hand wash cycle on your machine.  So long as you are careful, you shouldn't have any problems however naturally wool shrinks so I am now always buying the next size up, especially if it's a good piece of knitwear I want to get as much wear as possible out of.  You can't go wrong with a simple round neck and after previously ordering a pale pink one from another brand that turned out to be very thin, I may give this one a whirl.

Marks & Spencer Cashmere £75 down to £41.50

They have quite a few pieces available in cashmere that's just gone into sale, so it's worth a peak.  They have v-neck's, polo necks and cardigans as well as the above round neck style.  You have to sift through the colours though as some are still full price.  I also spotted this lambswool jumper which is now £19 from £29.50.  Another classic at a great price, well done Marks & Spencer!

Lambswool now £19

The M&S Sale - Be Quick!

I am supposed to be wrapping teacher's and anniversary presents not to mention packing for a few days away but I couldn't not share with you some amazing finds online at M&S.  Here is what I've bought.

Pure silk skirt for my eldest daughter (adjustable waist band as well).  £6.99 from £32.  Buy it here.

Mens suede belt, £25 down to £5.99.  This is for me!  I ordered the baby pink as well but it was marked so I returned that one but I love this coral colour more.  It is the perfect width, not too skinny or fat, result!  See it here.

Excuse the creased shorts, it was the end of a long day!

In keeping with the coral theme, this 100% cotton jumper was £35 down to £12.99 from their Limited collection.  It is fairly chunky so not for now but will be perfect when it starts cooling down.  Find it here.  (Size 18 left only at time of publishing this post!).

Another 100% cotton item, this Conran duvet set, £89 down to £28.99 (with pillow covers).  I was looking for something with more grey in it but still some white and the taupe stripe also breaks it up.  Yet to christen it but I don't doubt it's quality or style.  Find it here.

I always do bulk orders for M&S.  It's so easy to collect in store the next day and return to them too and I would rather do that and not miss out on sizes.  There were however some items that didn't make the  cut (bank was pleased, I was not so, especially on the cashmere front).  

Pure cashmere t-shirt £69 down to £24.99.  It just came up too large and boxy on me, but I adore this so urge someone to try it as I will be happy that I've at least given the amazing purchase to someone else!  Sizes 10-18's left, find it here.  I also ordered an apple green one for my Mum but her's didn't fit either (and is now completely out of stock).  

These Italian made shoes (from the Made In Italy range) were £175 and finally went down to £26.39 but all out of stock.  They just didn't work on my feet but boy were they amazing.  Boxed with dust bags, the whole shoe was leather and so well made.  See here (just teasing you now, I'm sorry).

Now these weren't in the sale but at £19.50 for a leather slider I thought they were a bargain.  Better still, today they have 20% off so are £15.60.  I so wanted these to work as I have a black sandal style hole in my wardrobe but they came up deep.  Fully recommend though, another well made pair of shoes M&S.  Find them here. 

Moral of the story, hunt down those bargains when M&S go to 70% off!  I put in keywords such as silk, cashmere, leather to find items I love.  Happy shopping!

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!