Some New Look Beauties

Having had a little too much time to sit and browse this week (how much does the flu knock you for six?!?!) I felt like looking for some Spring inspiration for my wardrobe.  Lace is one of my all time favourites so I typed it into the search function at New Look.  I haven't shopped there for a while so fancied a little snoop. How stunning is this skirt below?

White lace midi skirt £24.99

Jumping straight to the opposite of the smart skirt above, this casual smock dress is the perfect throw on for the day when it gets warmer.  Such an easy style to wear - even with boots.

Smock dress £18.74 (currently on sale)

I have always looked at New Look for leather sandals.  Year after year they bring out a great range.  Am sure I've featured a pair every year I've written this blog.  I've even bought them in the Summer sales and popped them away for next Summer (as I type I remember the £7 black lace up leather pair currently awaiting our Summer!).  I love both the colours below.

Lace up sandals £22.99

Black leather sandals £22.99

I'll leave you with these - my favourite!  Suede, tan & tassels - a winning combination and the price isn't too bad either. 

Tassel suede sandals £14.50 

The New Look Revival & A Snuggly Superdry Jumper

It was so cold today I had to bring out the big guns in the form of a chunky knit.  I got rid of all my polo necks years ago, I had so many and I'd fallen out of love with them that I literally cleared the lot out.  So when I saw this Superdry one the other week I decided it maybe time to re-visit the old roll neck as I loved the thick jumper and the colours in it.  It did feel a little odd wearing it but for the first time all week I was warm all day.  

Jumper; Superdry
Jeans; Topshop
Boots; New Look 

Without having much time to think before the school run (no matter how hard I try to plan out my mornings - toddlers always manage to throw a spanner in the works don't they!) I literally grabbed these boots from the depths of my wardrobe.  I bought them years ago from New Look for around £20.  They are real suede but fairly high for me hence they don't get a great deal of wear.  They did keep me warmer than my ankle boots though!  It was also actually nice to wear a higher heel in the day for a change, they always make me hold myself better I find! 

Continuing on with a New Look revival is this sequin skirt, also years old. It was from their Limited Edition range and quite possibly may be my party outfit saviour for next week-end. I've been burying my head in the sand and with just over a week I really need to get it out and sort out what I'm wearing. This is my first port of call - just a top to find, that's if it still fits.....Yes, I loved it so much it's lurked in the back of my wardrobe every time I've had a clear out refusing to leave it.

Skirt; New Look
Shoes; Dune

PS Full body shot photo credits go to my 8 year old who is in training but doing a grand job at 'papping Mummy' as we are frantically racing out the house for school. Thank you H. X

The Out Of Season Buying Success

Last year when I was on a mission to 'organise' the way I shop, I started to update monthly on here a shopping list of what I 'needed' and what I had purchased just to help the habit.  I haven't been so great this year as I hold my hands up - my love of a bargain over rides what I need in that current minute.  I'm not sure I'm ever going to change, I know my style, I know what I like, it will get worn eventually......well that's the plan.  There is always a little room for error though.  Last September I blogged about these shorts from Zara.  I bought them for £9.99 in the sale, it was coming to the end of the Summer clothing season.  Everyone else was looking at coats and I went and bought shorts!  Needless to say, they didn't get worn much last year.  It's a risk to buy some items out of season yes, however these weren't.

T-shirt; Vince
Shorts; Zara
Bag; Topshop
Sandals; Kurt Geiger

A little over excited about my Zara purchases that day!  Post coming soon, promise! 

I took them on my recent holiday to Spain (I need that heat again) and they were so comfortable.  Perfect for travelling in a suitcase as they didn't crease, the spots hide any sticky finger prints from the girls and unlike all the denim shorts I kept on trying on around the time, they are the perfect length.  

A few things to remember;

• If you buy something out of season and tuck it away until it's wearable, leave the tags on.  That way if you change your mind when you dig it out, it can be sold on as new.
• Try to stick to classics when buying, especially if this is a new way of buying for you.  Avoid current on trend pieces - there's no guarantee they will be OK to wear next season!

Some of my favourite shorts currently on the high street;

White Stuff at John Lewis £35

Maison Scotch at Asos £60

Topshop now £15

Boden £49

Hush £30

New Look £24

Sandals Research (yes, you read that right!)

I'm struggling to keep to my shopping list this month, I hold my hands up.  Partly because there are still some little sales going on and partly because I hate having to buy something specific, I feel compelled to get it right!  Not to mention the need for some sparkly sandals for a beach wedding next month that I won't be able to wear again for about 6 months.  I have been doing a little research but I haven't purchased, yet.  So here goes, baring in mind the dress above;

My favourite so far and only because there is the subtle hint of animal print involved!  I don't think they would work that well but I love them!

Steve Madden at House of Fraser £34 (was £69)

I like the simplicity of these but I think they are bordering on too simple.

Ravel at House of Fraser £30 (was £40)

Probably the best in terms of ticking boxes so far; leather, bling, sandal, not too pricey.

New Look £27.99

No bling but I actually have a black sandal hole in my wardrobe so these could possibly kill two birds so to speak.  There is black in the dress and a kind of flower/abstract print so they aren't a million miles off.

Office £26 (was £40)

I am due a trip to Bicester Village this week so I am holding off until I've been there.  Failing that, I think I will just have to order a few pairs as I did with the dress and take it from there.  The shopping list this month feels like no fun at all!  (Hence I've just got majorly side tracked over at Zara and added some bits to my basket, to check out or not to check out.....).

The Purchase & The Returns: Ralph Lauren & New Look

I do tend to be fairly lucky when I hit TK Maxx or maybe it's just my radar, I can smell out a good find!  Another Ralph Lauren beauty.  This chunky knit cardigan was £130 down to £39.99.  'Because you really needed another cardi' says the hubby.  Well, um, yes, I do when it's quality like this, don't I? Help me out here people.  I love the neon threads through it, it makes me feel that bit more on trend (I'm a stylist about style, not all trends make it into my wardrobe!).

I missed out on these from Dorothy Perkins the other week and was gutted as I then spent a day searching for something similar.  In my blog post here, they were down to £24, I didn't manage to get them at this price but at £27 for leather I jumped at them.  I have to say, the leather was superb, really soft but not so much so they would loose their shape.  The decider came with the actual ankle part.  They were just too wide and loose and my jeans didn't sit comfortably over then.  Gutted.  

Next up were these leather lovelies from New Look.  £60 down to £45 as I had a 25% voucher.  The leather was slightly stiffer and I wasn't feeling the rounded toe so much.  A great heel height for day wear though.  

I LOVE these and still do, even though I returned them.  I just felt they looked a little too masculine on me and they also came up a bit large, making my feet feel like boats.  Not ideal being suede, I am after a leather boot really but as I was placing the order I thought it was worth a go.  £60 down to £45 also, gorgeous colour tone on them.

The onesie.  I have been wanting one for a year.  Down to £15 in New Look at the moment.  Mmmmm.  I didn't fall in love so they went back.  I don't think I'll be going for a foot covering one.  Being short they were so long.  The other style just didn't feel as comfortable, the crotch was so low I kind of felt like I was wearing a nappy………

Come on, admit it, you have a onesie, you love it and I'm missing a trick here right?!?!?

I'm off to 'capsule pack', my absolute worst nightmare.  I am going to visit my sister in Dublin for the week-end and to save pennies decided a carry on would be best and quickest.  I forgot that I hate packing at the best of times and this it has already given me a headache.  Wish me luck. 

PS if you're looking for a 'decent' Christmas jumper, give Urban Outfitters a try, £1 delivery at the moment also.   Oh and it's national 'Christmas Jumper Day' on the 13th December in case you forgot to put the date in your diary!

Some Marc Jacobs and Todays Outfit

With the day being a bit cooler, I opted for my Ralph Lauren chino's, boy have I lived in these.  Originally featured on this post, they have washed and worn well and were worth every penny and probably a few more.  I opted to add my print on my upper body as that is where I wear it best on my frame, balancing out my proportions.  It was a comfy outfit, which even received a compliment when I popped in to get my fringe trimmed at the hairdressers!  (Head chopped off as pre-fringe trim photo!)

Top, Vest & Belt; Topshop
Chino's; Ralph Lauren from TK Maxx
Sandals; New Look

For some reason I failed to share with you my sale find from Harrods, what came over me?!  Marc Jacobs has always been a favourite of mine so when I saw this leather bracelet with the words 'sale' next to it, it called out my name.  Originally somewhere in the £90 region, it was £36 in the sale.  I love that it is fully adjustable as having slender wrists I've always struggled with bracelets.  The studs and belt designed clasp just add the edge that Mr Jacob's does so very well.  It came in a variety of colours but I decided I had colour in other accessories, but I was missing a fail safe, go with everything.  It's been worn a number of times already, I love it!

Worn here with my Tiffany bracelet (bought by my lovely friends for my hen party 8 years ago - and I'm still wearing it!  A timeless classic)

My Shops of the Week - in my Dream World!

So we are now the second of the month, and so far so good, no clothing/shoe shopping done.  Phew.  Only another 28 days to last.  Instead of bringing you my one 'shop/brand of the week', I thought I would mix it up a little and share with you my favourite shops for certain areas of my wardrobe.  Oh and in a dream world of no shopping ban, what I would purchase if I was let loose in there!

Smart; Zara

Coat £99.99

Dress £25.99

Casual; Gap

Khakis £35.99

£29.95

Fashion; Topshop

£40

£32

An idea of how they could look together

Shoes & Handbags; TK Maxx & Zara

Zara £39.99

Zara £59.99

TK Maxx (Dune) £29.99

TK Maxx (Gant) £34.99

TK Maxx £69.99

Accessories; New Look

£4.99

£14.99

£5.99

Now I've finished zooming around the internet searching out some fab finds to share with you, I'm back to reality and my bank balance.  April's going to be a long old month!