My Two March Purchases, Worn Together

I think I mentioned a few posts ago that I'm trying to stick to a strict budget and buy a few really decent pieces a month (I took February off after the January sales and started back properly in March!). So I've already shared this & Other Stories merino jumper but I hinted at the other purchase, my second pair of Ash boots!  They weren't planned, I saw them in the Next sale at £80 down from £160.  I wasn't 100% sure due to not seeing the colour in the flesh so as it was free delivery to the store, I popped them in the basket.

They weren't the colour I was expecting and weren't perfect, the tassels had fallen off on one side, the ring was missing, some slight scuffs on suede but Next's Customer Service team were faultless in rectifying this and I ended up getting them for £30 - WOW!  A trip to the shoe menders later and just like my black Jalouse one's, they are rarely off my feet.  The colour is great for coming into Spring, I am ridiculously pleased with them.  The colour varies in different lights so taken a few snaps to try and show them.

Coat; Miss Selfridge
Jumper; & Other Stories
Jeans; Topshop
Bag; Prada
Sunglasses; H&M (Hello Kitty - not mine!)
Boots; Ash

Guest appearance from Lizzie cat again!

I still adore this Miss Selfridge coat I bought in the January sales, initially I thought the fur hood was a little too much but it's grown on me so much, I just love it. 

April has started well with the Bargain Buy currently featured - the Boden grey merino.  I have a breton on back order from them but my goal this month is bottoms.  I've never enjoyed shopping for them, I always struggle but I need to make an effort as I live in my favourite Topshop ones and even I'm getting a little bored right now.  Will update next month on my April buys!

The Bargain Next Red Coat

I found this gorgeous red coat in Next the other week, I did share it on Instagram and Facebook but in case anyone missed it I thought I would pop it on here.  It is a very similar colour to my red Zara one (last picture below) just slightly longer.  I have had so many compliments on the colour of mine, based on that alone when my one has had it's day I will definitely buy another coat similar, it's a gorgeous raspberry red shade and so flattering. 

£75 down to £35

My Zara coat

The Jumpsuit And A Hello!

I've been neglecting my blog for the last few weeks, I apologise.  We had a week away, a few trips to hospital (one planned for one child, one not - what can I say, the second is just one of 'those' kids that just gets herself into pickles) and I've just not had the head space in all honesty.  I have lots to say and share but not the mojo to crack on with it.  Then a dear friend messaged me today telling me she visits here daily to see what I've writen and it gave me the shove I needed, despite thinking I wasn't ready to start back again.  This was supposed to be a more substantial post but I'm all for short and sweet tonight and to break me back into the swing of things slowly.  Enough on the neglect, here is my first ever jumpsuit (not counting any childhood ones).

Hat; Forever 21
Jumpsuit; River Island
Sandals; Next

I placed an online order from River Island a while back in search of the 'Winter wedding in the sun dress' and when I returned everything to store there was lots still left in the sale.  So I did what any decent shopping Mummy would do, I handed my youngest a bag of raisins and what ever else I had on me and grabbed 10 minutes.  This was £15 and it took a few weeks to be brave enough to wear it for some reason but since then I've worn it several times.

It is very comfortable and not tight in the wrong places.  Not fab to iron but I can't grumble, the fit, comfort and style factor makes up for it.  I kept it simple style wise, I felt it was enough on its own so just added a little light print with my sandals and then my sun hat.  Happy me - just some more Summer please UK?

PS Thank you T for inspiring my return and being a lovely loyal friend, love you x

The Summer Dress Post & Some Help Needed Please!

After having a very lazy day at home yesterday I was up for a quick trip to Bicester Village to get the girls some new sandals.  I am not a 'dress' person, I love my jeans and always feel comfortable in them so it takes a good dress to steer me away from them.  I bought this lace Topshop one last year online.  I am a huge lace fan so when I saw it online I had to give it a go.  I bought it towards the end of the Summer so it didn't get much wear but I am planning on changing that this year!

Dress: Topshop
Sandals; Next

It is so comfy, not tight or a restricting fabric and light for the warmer days.  After having one of those chuck anything on days yesterday it was so nice to feel good in a girly dress.  Clothes do make a difference to my mood!

So my question to you.  The bag - did you notice it?  I have been deliberating over it for the last two weeks. I spied it seriously reduced in TK Maxx and bought it to ponder later as I didn't have much time.  Now as much as I know I like what I like, I do have a tendency to go 'off on one' as my husband likes to call it and when he saw this, he said it was one of those times!  I love the leather, the colours and I am rather partial to a stripe.  Oh and it's very well made.  But is it nice?  I've been looking for a more Summery day bag with a shoulder strap for the pram and thought this was the one.  But after purchasing (and returning I hasten to add) a Juicy Couture tracksuit top recently I am questioning my sanity!  I had a long standing need for a JC tracksuit in my life, since, well a kid so I thought I had better buy it.  Turns out, I had to loose that need in favour of spending my money a little more wisely!

£233 down to £58.40

So answers below please - am I loosing my marbles?  Is it a bit bonkers or 'cheap' looking as one friend called it?  Or quirky and different like I originally thought?!

PS if you are in need of a Summer dress, Topshop have just reduced this shape below.  I've ordered the grey so will let you know how it works when it arrives.  Link to it is through my 'Bargain Buy' above right.

Next Bloggers Network Workshop

I had the pleasure of attending Next's first ever Blogger's Network Workshop last week.  I went completely blind as to what to expect.  Starting with my commute in.  I had planned on the trains but St Jude had started and trains were being cancelled left right and centre.  I decided to drive into London (probably about 50 miles from my house).  I love driving into London so it didn't bother me in the slightest, I just planned a little extra time and to drive slower.

London bound!

Pleeeeease let me make it to London!

The event was held at The Hoxton Hotel in Shoreditch (fab venue if you're near).  We were greeted by Gemma from Jam (who sends the friendliest of emails I want to add, lovely lady) and welcomed into the 'kitchen' for a cuppa.

The fully working kitchen and breakfast, yum!

We were then split into 3 groups for 3 different sessions.  I won't bore you with all the details (boring for you, not for me that is!) but needless to say the sessions were so informative for us Bloggers.  I am so thankful to Next for organising such an event, it was a great day full of hints and tips for us bloggers, with guest talkers from other very successful blogs.  Namely, Abisola from Abimarvel, Emily from Fashion Foie Gras, Kit from Style Slicker, Lily from Lilypebbles, Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup and the very blog design savvy Faye from FK Designs.  All of whom were so friendly and humble about their achievements.

Eyes open shot, I'm good to you I know.

I am honest enough to admit, I was having serious wardrobe malfunctions leading up to the event.  I wanted to be comfortable yet feel smart and confident therefore height would be needed with some heels.  Court shoes and skinny jeans it was.  Plus probably my favourite top by Pyrus, I really need to visit their store and buy some more.  It has silk in it (one of my favourite fabrics) and washes so well without loosing shape.  I love how it fits and feels.  Teamed with my Next chain statement necklace (£12) and my Moschino shoes (very very old TK Maxx buy) and voila.  (Obviously I drove in Uggs!). Oh and saving the best until last, my Chanel handbag which was a charity shop find, I know I am a lucky lady, someone was watching over me that day.

Some pictures from the day.

Hollie from Mummy, Wife and Chaos was just as pleased as me to see the sweetie station!

There were just a few outfits on show with a couple of rails to browse through.  I love the biker jacket with the elegant dress look, really adds some va va voom to it all! 

'Cheese'!  Hollie, me & Aimee-Jade from Bella La Moda

The lovely Monica from The Elgin Avenue's fab Next shoe boots

YUM!

Afternoon tea, we were well and truly looked after

Check out Sandra's jumper who blogs over at The Chicest, roar! 

Because they deserved a close up all of their very own.

Thank you Gemma from Spreading Jam agency!

The scariest part of my day?  The storm? Nope.  Driving my car into a lift to get into the car park.....

Thank you Next for a fabulous day.  I think you can safely say it was a success and has left me seriously impressed with the effort made by you to engage with your bloggers.  Now bare with me readers, after all that I've learnt, some changes will be taking place to make this a better read for you!

In Need Of Some Brown Ankle Boots

I have found a bit of a hole (yes, another shoe one I hear you say) in my wardrobe again at the week-end. Some casual, short ankle boots in a brown colour.  I like brown/tan etc for casual as it's a smart casual look with them and that's what I like.  I have my old faithful Timberland Earthkeepers but they are higher up the leg and a few other but none that would be an all day walking around the shops boot (!).  I am short enough as it is so don't want to cut part of my leg off so to speak with a taller boot.  That being said, I still have higher boots and still wear them but there's a time and a place.

So I've been on the 'virtual' hunt, and here are my favourites so far.  Criteria; must be leather, ideally not suede due to our temperamental weather here in the UK, however I do prefer the look of a suede boot!  Would like a lace up, but I am being swayed by a Chelsea boot style.  Mmmmm, I need to get trying on!

H&M £59.99

Seven Boot Lane £150 (thank you Avril over at School Gate Style for introducing me to this brand!)

Next £55

BCBGeneration at TK Maxx £39.99 

Timberland's Earthkeepers £130

At the moment the TK Maxx (even though heeled) and H&M ones are my favourites.  I'm in no hurry though so will keep you posted.  Has anyone else discovered a hole in their Winter wardrobe so far?

It's All About The Pink Coat

I'm not a huge 'on trend' follower, I don't rush out and buy what's 'hot', it takes a lot for me to do it.  However this season's pink coat trend really is floating my boat.  It may have something to do with my handbag obsession being replaced by shoes and coats in the recent month, or simply because I like the colour.  Either way I'm smitten.  I love the variety of what's on offer, but my favourite is the bold bubblegum pink ones.  It just seems such a smart colour to wear for Winter yet I think would look equally as good with jeans.  Here's a selection of my favourites.

Marks & Spencer £85

£89 Topshop

£265 Jigsaw

Hobbs £239

Next £55

Zara £79.99

Marks and Spencer £99

Fearne Cotton

Eva Mendes 

Jennifer Lopez

Reese Witherspoon

I have promised the husband I will sort through my coats first before investing.....  Are there any trends you will be sporting this season?

New Season At Next And Some Boden

I spied these boots when my eldest dragged me into Next today and was pleasantly surprised, how trendy have Next now become?!  Even on my way out I was eyeing up some of their jumpers at a reasonable £20.  I am not a huge Next shopper, I think it's because I used to only associate them with work wear many moons ago.  I do pop in and out and always seem to grab a few bits in their sales (£7 leather animal print sandals below).  As TK Maxx is next door I pretty much would always choose to spend my pennies in there as feel I get better value for my money due to most of it being designer.  However I really liked these so thought I'd share them with you.

Black peep toe ££60

£58

I had a bit of a result in Topshop the other week.  I replaced some more old skinny Baxter jeans with new £15 ones and fell in love with this shirt also £15, their sale was fab.  Not the ideal colour combo, had I been organised and shaved my legs (this is my blog so no holds barred) I would have worn tucked into a pretty skirt mixing a masculine clean lined shirt with a floral feminine skirt.  Alas hind sight is a wonderful thing but I'm honest enough to share the photo.  The shirt is not as bright as it appears in the picture.  It is so comfortable and is available in a variety of colours, look under 'Chambray Shirt'.  Not sure how I managed to get it in the sale as it's £29 now but I'm not complaining!

Shirt; Topshop
Belt; Tommy Hilfiger (TK Maxx)
Chinos; Ralph Lauren (TK Maxx)
Sandals; Next

My bargain of the day (Homebase again!) This £40 water and sand kit for £5!  Missing a plug but I've found one to fit, I couldn't not share this steal.  The girls were very happy (and wet) today!

I feel like I'm done with the clothing shops for now (I am not setting a date).  I've hunted down the sale bargains, there's none left, I bought them all.  I then moved on to decorating the lounge and finding Le Creuset in the turquoise colour (to match our glass tiles in the kitchen) at TK Maxx, I think I've just about got it all now.  And todays obsession?  Food.  Nigella and Jamie's been on the TV, I am now planning her chocolate cheese cake when Nan is over on Wednesday.  Next week I think I will be on the A/W wardrobe - well I hope so anyway.  

Is anyone else like this or is it just me who jumps from clothes to home to food to clothes etc?

One final sale bargain should I not have moved on to food would be this from Boden, now £35.40 and buttoned all up the back, love it but no, not buying it!