Topshop Khaki's, Jeans & Black Trousers

Hello again!  Yes, two blog posts in a month, I'm clearly on a roll!  So you may remember I featured these lovely khaki's on here last year?  They were from Topshop and looked great however the waist band was so high up on me and no matter what top I tried on, they just didn't feel comfortable.  They ended up going back but part of me always regretted it as I never found anything else.  That was until last month. 

With the Topshop account card you always get a 20% off voucher for your birthday.  After over splurging in the sales straight after Christmas and with my wardrobe still in boxes (grrrr) I literally ordered two pairs of trousers and that was it.  Feels like a waste now, especially as there's lots more in ready for Spring.  Don't have babies in January people, it really is a pants time of year!  Ok, back to the khakis.  So yes, I found some and guess what - they are perfect!  Fit like a dream with no big belted bow to get in the way.  I braved the cold and wore them the other day (thermal vest on don't panic) as I was desperate to ditch the jeans and feel a little more Summery.  

Breton; Boden
Gilet; Topshop (via eBay)
Shoes; Clarks

Both the bow and my ones are in stock (they even used the same image for the bow ones as I featured from them last June!).  

Paperbag Utility Trousers £39

Khaki Utility Trousers £39

While we are on the trouser subject, I've been a long standing lover of their jeans.  Most recently I loved their Leigh style as they were super soft and the perfect skinny for me.  They were however getting thin and old so I tried the Sidney at the end of last year.  They have been great for Winter as a thicker denim and slightly higher up the waist.  I ordered the washed black pair along with the above khakis but for some reason they have come up super tight, unlike the blue pair I have.  I have worn them around the house but they just aren't the same so I am disappointingly having to return them.  Such a shame!

You can see the extra width and my blue ones are only a few months old.

Great colours though.

Looking at how tight they are on the model below, maybe I just got lucky with my pair and they are actually meant to be that tight?!?  Either way, I'm blatantly getting old and need them to be comfortable and not that restrictive!  *UPDATE* I needed to wear some thicker black skinnies, I broke them in, decided to take a chance as they had my birthday voucher of 20% off, paid off, love them!  Still highly recommend but beware they do come up slightly different in size.

Sidney Jeans £40

Whilst we are on the subject of their trousers, I dug these black ones out the other day.  They must be at least 7 years old, probably older (I remember wearing them when I just found out I was pregnant with my second).  They have totally stood the test of time and still wash up brilliantly.  I've found a few pairs that look similar and are currently available at Topshop.

Slim Tapered Trousers £45

High Waisted Cigarette Trousers £22

Pleated Peg Leg Trousers £22

The End Of Sales Sales

This is probably my favourite point in the sales, the time when the brands just want to shift the old stock to make way for the new so the prices drop even more.  There really are some great deals to be had now and it's the perfect time to buy slightly ahead of time - i.e. buy some Spring/Summer bits that won't date, now.  Here's some of my best picks (and I did get slightly carried away with Topshop  to start with - some are currently sat in my basket!) including my best sale buy this season to finish with.

Cord Pinafore £22 from £39

Lace Midi Dress £25 from £49

Sequin Hoodie £25 from £46

Lace Ruffle Top £12 from £26

Suede Sandals £25 from £46

And the rest from a variety of places;

Whistles sandals via John Lewis £40 from £140 

Zara Contrast Dress £9.99 from £29.99

New Look Bobble Hat £5 from £9.99

Baukjen Slogan Top £14 from £49

 Laura Ashley Outside Wall Light £36 from £60

 French Connection Large Clock £37.50 from £125

I dashed into my local TK Maxx to see if I could find some last minute party shoes for my youngest and low and behold, I happened to find myself in the ladies shoe isle.....I saw these suede boots by the brand Iro and instantly loved them.  There was a pair for £79.99 then another on the bottom Clearance shelf for £11.  Yes, a whole £11.  Even the soles are leather.  I dread to think what they would have been full price.  They came home with me, no questions asked, they just did.  Bargain!

Some eBay Bargains

This post has been a long time coming as I kept meaning to share it earlier in the year but then Winter passed and the items didn't seem relevant.  The principle however did remain the same.  I am a contemplator. I don't tend to make decisions easily, especially with my wardrobe.  Being a bargain hunter I hate paying full price for items so try to hang on for sales.  That being said, it doesn't always work so eBay has been great when I feel I've missed out on something.  Queue this post I wrote 2 years ago about the pale pink faux fur gilet in Topshop.  I popped it on here, on my Christmas list, no one took the hint and it sold out.  I then saved a search on eBay for what seemed like eternity.  I missed out on another that my husband was supposed to bid on for me (yes he got a telling off) then finally this grey one popped up.  I paid £30 for it, it was second hand but in new condition.  Yes, I possibly think that paying £60 for the pale pink one 2 years earlier may have been the right thing to do but hind sight is a great thing.  Oh and thank God for eBay!

Gilet; Topshop via eBay 

Jumper; & Other Stories
Bag; Chloe
Hat & Gloves, Moschino via TK Maxx
Jeans; Topshop
Trainers; Nike

Gilet, jumper and jeans all Topshop!
Trainer boots; Timberland

Next up was another Topshop faux fur, this time a proper 'Bet' jacket.  Am sure I've featured it on here before but this was another eBay purchase.  It actually came up as a suggested item when I was looking for my gilet.  Then I got hooked on finding a decent one in my size.  I think I paid £40 for this and it was about £90 new but sold out by the time I stumbled across it.  I must say, these two faux fur pieces from Topshop have been brilliant.  They really are well made and a great soft faux fur - one of the only imitations I will do! 

Coat; Topshop via eBay
Chanel Bag; lucky charity shop find
Jeans; Zara
Trainers; Nike

Cashmere hat, leather gloves and my daughter 1D rucksack;TK Maxx
Jumper and boots; Gap
Jeans; Topshop

More recently I had a very old search saved for a Whistles shopper that I spotted years ago again, in a snake pattern.  The ones that kept coming up were used and the leather appeared to show wear really easily so I wasn't prepared to pay huge amounts for one.  This one came up and was brand new (there was still the gift recent in it when it arrived!).  I paid £26 for it.  My back's been playing up of late so I've needed to stop using my Prada everyday handbag as much.  They are so well made they are heavy unfortunately so I've swapped to this lightweight leather shopper style instead and it's been great.

Whistles via eBay

Really simple inside and raw leather lining

So if you feel you've missed out on something in the sales (especially as they are coming up) make sure you save a search on eBay.  It might not happen straight away but give it some time and something will always turn up.  I don't tend to randomly buy off there for clothing or accessories, only when it's been something I've seen and know it fits and is of good quality.

Breton Bows & Sparkles

Well I have some wifi finally!  House moving is never easy so please bear with me as I feel I have so many posts to catch up on but still feel worn out.  I am starting back with a simple post on a breton I found at the J.Crew store in London.  I saw it when I had a day out with my Mum and Sister but stupidly didn't try it on, as I thought we might make it to the bigger store down Regent Street with more sale items in.  Needless to say we never did so when I was in London next I managed to pop in and grab one as they were sold out online in my size.

J.Crew striped t-shirt with bow embellished back

If you look closely you'll see a little sparkle to the bows.  I loved how simple it was, just a plain breton with a twist at the back in the form of some bows.  They did it in red and black but I kept with a traditional navy stripe.  It was £59.50 down to £29.00 (a much better price for a cotton top) with only size XXS left online I'm afraid (it comes up true to size and pretty tight in the arm) but check back in case other sizes come back into stock.  It was a very windy day as you can see and after working a Sunday (it's a good job I love my clients!) I just wanted to get inside so please excuse the next shot. However below is just to show you it really is a classic breton from the front, no frills, just a good hard working stripe.  Then from the back, magic!

I am a pretty classic dresser, I like to add a twist to an outfit with accessories or sometimes an all out there top but something like a breton is just my go to.  I can wear a print up top easily, it suits my shape so I tend to stick with what I know works on me.  Bretons just never go out of style.  I have my eye on this swing style one below from Boden as they sent me a Birthday voucher.  Another classic with an additional small twist, this time in the cut.

Boden Supersoft Swing Top £29.50 (or £50 for two/3 for £72 - different colours available)

Phase Eight Bargains

I was working with a client in House of Fraser the other week and a fair few items in Phase Eight caught my eye.  I wasn't able to take photos but they had the cutest leather cross body bag - which has now been reduced even further in the sale.  I've been really impressed with them of late, it's not a brand that is heavily on my radar but I have recommended different items to several of my clients, from shoes to dresses.  They seem to have got it right as far as delivering to a broad age group.  I will stop my rambling and just share and link a few of my favourites right now - mainly handbags, they really are my thing but do have a browse around their site.  Oh and be quick - these beauties won't hang around for long.  When I was planning this post the other week they had some other amazing handbags which have now gone.

NB This isn't a sponsored post, purely me sharing a brand I recommend at the moment!

£49 down to £22 I saw this in the flesh and it is gorgeous - the perfect small bag size 

Suede and tassels - what's not to love?  This bag is £69 down to £34

£65 down to £29, this leather bag is great for a luxe day bag feel due to the gold and the tassel

£55 down to £16.50 I love this beach bag, it's the perfect colour combination so that it won't look scruffy after a few uses

A great little clutch, metallics go with everything and the texture/animal print adds a bit of character.  This leather clutch is £59 down to £41

This suede bag is a great travel companion, or if like me, you daily carry the kitchen sink with you, a great day bag to.  Tan is one of my favourite colours for bags as it's so easy to wear.  £120 down to £60

Their shoes are equally as good and if I wasn't so sleep deprived, I would continue on and share a whole load - but I promise there really is something for everyone so follow this link to head straight to the shoes.  Flats, sandals, heels, boots, sparkles, leather, they have got them all covered.  I will leave you with the below though, a favourite of mine.  I ordered the blue but the colour was just that little too similar to another pair in my wardrobe, the black however is a classic.  They were so comfy and well made - suede lined, I could just picture them with some casual rolled up jeans and a cute little top (oh and maybe one of their bags too).  My self imposed budget means they can't be mine right now though (insert sad face if I could!).

These are £110 down to £33

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