Zara Jacket Lust

I had a little day trip to London the other week with friends. It wasn't a shopping trip but we did happen to pass a few and the Zara windows caught my eye. I think I had seen this jacket on one of their emails but it looked just as good in the window so I was desperate to try it on. A quick trip to Milton Keynes with my girls last week and they had one so I popped it on. You know when you just completely love something? No rational, no contemplating how it would work in your life, you just love it? Well this was one of those. I feel it is slightly pricey at £69.99 for a small thin jacket but the detail of the embroidery is probably what has bumped it up.

Of late I've been wearing lots of monochrome so this ticked that box as well as added some colour with the gorgeous flowers on the back.  It did sadly get left behind as I had just purchased a down hooded jacket after a long search for a decently priced one (far too boring and necessary purchase to share on here!).

I also found this MiH shirt in TK Maxx which was heavily reduced to £36.  I was on a time limit already as my girls weren't up for shopping so I grabbed it but it's going back as it is on the large side on me.  I think I'd also prefer to put the money towards the Zara jacket so I'm on a little mission to sell a few items on some pre-loved pages to make up the difference.  With lots of house renovations going on I'm being very frugal at the moment but also loving the selling on of items to pay for new ones.  

A little shout out and thank you to the new Rush hair salon in intu Milton Keynes who have just opened and gave me a trim and sorted my grey roots!  I am still in shock that my girls managed to sit there for 2 hours whilst I had it done but yes, there was a few treats with their M&S lunch as well as an iPod and extra chocolates from the salon!

New Barnet; Rush
Top and Jacket; Boden 

And last but by no means least, one of my shopping partners for that day......The 'naughty' one in her new t-shirt from her cherished Aunty.  Check out the ultra cool New Balance trainers from TK Maxx online, I would wear them!

Feeling A Little Monochrome

It all started when I dug out my wet look Joni jeans which I purchased a few months back in the Topshop sale.  I was off to London and wanted something a little smarter.  For some reason they hadn't been worn before but I knew I would eventually as I love their Joni jeans for a snug fit.  From then on I have just been feeling 'black'!  I wouldn't say I wear a lot of it, being petite I sometimes feel a little lost in it so go for a more neutral pallet.  However sometimes you just have to go with it so that is what I've been doing!

T-shirt (just seen); Vince from TK Maxx
Jacket; Zara
Jeans; Topshop
Pumps; French Sole
Bag; Chloe
Small person; Stylists own

From there it led on to a completely monochrome look, again with an item purchased and not worn - maybe the jeans started something!  Now it's not something I advocate, buying and leaving it to lurk in the depths of your wardrobe but ever so occasionally you just forget!  This top is by Joseph and I grabbed it in a TK Maxx.  It's a little odd with he additional bands around it and that's possibly why I hadn't worn it but I was in a hurry to see the Ab Fab preview and it just felt simple and right.  

Joseph top & leather bag; TK Maxx
Jeans; Topshop
Shoes; L.K. Bennett

And so it continued when I managed to hit Zara for the last 15 minutes before it closed and I literally grabbed this top.  Most probably supposed to be an off the shoulder one (I hate strapless bras so not an option and who can manage to actually keep it off the shoulders when you are running around after kids - tips please!) however it sat just nicely above my bra strap.  It was £39.99 down to £25.99 (100% cotton also) and I just really fancied it however there was a nice little surprise when I got to the till and it was £17.99!  I can't find it online but there were loads left at the Knightsbridge branch so assuming it will still be in others.

I'm not entirely sure this was the most flattering combo for it, I would love to see it with some white skinny ankle jeans instead but that's also after looking at the photos which were taken after 9pm and running around a football pitch for the afternoon. Yes, I played football in Ash studded sandals.....it was a friends 40th so needs must.  Keeping it real!

Top; Zara
Jeans; Topshop Joni's
Sandals; Ash

Maybe it was the weather and it will change now that (fingers crossed) we are about to get a summer again.  Does anyone else just go through a random colour phase - and one that's not particularly seasonal either?!? 

& Other Stories Cotton Knitwear

I've featured some gorgeous knitwear from this brand recently so when I was in London last month for work, I took a break and popped in.  The ones I had seen previously in the sale had gone but I managed to find two others I loved that at £45 for a thick knitted cotton, I didn't think were a bad price.  This monochrome stripe one jumped out at me straight away.  

I loved the heavier black panels around the tops of the arms as it gave the whole jumper a smarter feel. 

I tried this one on as the colour felt more 'Spring', it was a pale peach.  The perfect pastel colour.

I ended up going for the stripe (surprise surprise!) as I just really like the way it fitted me and the peach jumper was definitely a more casual feel.  I did go a size up as I didn't want it as tight as the first picture shows plus it allows for shrinkage which happens when it's 100% cotton.  Worth mentioning that they were offering a 10% discount in store if you bought in some old material to recycle.  They weren't fussy, it could be towels, linen, clothes and not a huge bag full either.