Why Hello There!

Long time no speak/write?!?!  I won't bore you with life stuff - it just gets in the way sometimes doesn't it?  But as it's nearly a year since I last posted, I thought, what the heck, just pop on, say hi and plonk a few pictures on here to show you something pretty and that I'm still alive! I'll admit (and I think I've done previously), I post far more frequently on Instagram but more so than ever now,  I'm fully aware it's not everyones cup of tea - and I totally get that.  So I'm trying again to remember to take photos for here as well as the square ones for Insta.

Apart from the usual life saga's, there's been a name change for my little styling business.  It was a long time coming, it didn't represent what I did but I'm terrible with change so it didn't come easy to me.  For now, this is still GlamRosie as I can't get my head around transporting it to a new name - one thing at a time!

Clothes wise I do feel like I'm evolving as I'm nearing 40 in 18 months - I hope you are still trying some new looks too.  It is so easy to get caught up in jeans isn't it, especially as a busy Mum but always push yourself to try something new.  As a petite little lady maxi styles are something I've always struggled with.  I have persevered though and found this gorgeous midi style in H&M recently.  I'm not a huge H&M shopper despite them being very much on form for most people right now.  I struggle with their quality and sizing but this dress really really made me feel good. The colour, the elastic where it needed to be (!), the femine and flattering length on me and the tiers so that it didn't hang like a sack.   

Red/Floral H&M Dress £24.99

Fairly tempted by the pink as well!

I also tried on this cotton white blouse for £12. It was big on the shoulder but so pretty and floaty. I'm really not in the market for one as I have um, a small (!) selection already but if you can carry extra width on the shoulders, go for it!

I've also started using a shops App in store - have you tried them?  I've used Zara, New Look, H&M and Topshop.  You can scan an items barcode to see if it's available online in your size, or save to your favourites for payday or order online if there's a discount (Topshop had 20% off online only!).  It's so handy.

That's it from me, short and sweet - in all senses!  Below is what I wore for a brief trip to the shops.

Shacket; Topshop
Breton; Boden
Jeans; Gap
Boots; & Other Stories
Bag; Balenciaga

Why Hello There! (Holiday Style Post)

I've properly had writers block and no matter how much I've wanted to, felt I had nothing to share that was very relevant or worth a read.  Do people even still read blogs anymore?!?!  I hold my hands up to visiting Instgram daily, it's quick and easy, who has time to sit and read properly these days?  However I do miss sitting and writing/sharing things on here so even if there's one reader still lurking out there, this is for you!  I decided to stop over thinking things (a little like the name we can't decide on for our puppy - yes, we're gong down the puppy route!) and just plonk a load of holiday snaps on here that maybe can inspire you for some looks.  Again, hands up, blog photos have been neglected and these were all taken for the squares of Insta but I promise from now on to take the original size shots for here to make it more readable.

So onwards and upwards.  Here are some of my favourite holiday looks, we went to Disney World so it was mainly comfort based.

These are the best denim shorts I've found and I kept meaning to blog about them last year but never got around to it.  A little like the camel coat saga, denim shorts were on my wish list for what seems like forever.  Any ones that I deemed 'cool' enough sat too far up my derriere and any that sat lower seemed a little frumpy for my petite height.  They are from Gap which I know for most can be hit and miss re sizes but just hold them up and look at them for sizing more than anything and try try try.  Top is an old Zara sales find for £12.99 in Winter time, hat was Warehouse, again a sales find for £10 and leather rucksack was from a preloved shop but by Jigsaw.  It's gold so adds a touch of glam but it is well used now by me and I'm not precious about it so it is perfect for this type of holiday.  

Pretty sure these are them!  They do different leg lengths and these are the 5" which are currently on sale at £24.47.  A choice of washes also available.

A Zara jumpsuit below - I know - it looks like a dress but it has shorts underneath, highly recommend it!  Recently found another little black Summer dress from them too which I will share but I haven't worn it yet.  Is it me or have they dropped their price points? Anyway, I'm loving them right now and could easily spend a fortune which I don't have!

Zara Short Embroidered Jumpsuit Dress £29.99

They are totally different......I've told myself that a few times as did my mate who was with me when I purchased it!  Oh and being pretty short has it's benefits as it doesn't sit at this length on me.

Zara Short Frilled Dress £29.99

Two of my US purchases.  J Crew scalloped shorts and a cool t-shirt, both under £15 each.  I love the outlets in America!  

I know I'm repetitive but two more sales purchases; a Whistles t-shirt which was via Very and my Marant skirt via the Harrods Winter sale.  I started to regret the skirt as thought I'd picked up the wrong size but it was fine in the end.  I don't find it the easiest of skirts to style, I still wasn't happy with the t-shirt combo but I was in holiday mode so went with it but it needs some more playing with now I'm home (and if we get the weather here!). 

The denim shorts again, with a little Topshop t-shirt and my favourite Adidas sliders - sooooo comfortable.  I tracked them down a few years ago via Asos. 

My current favourite striped t-shirt from Topshop £12

Adidas Sliders reduced to £19

No, I didn't purchase, I was just window shopping for my 40th in a few years!  Dress is Topshop and cardi/jacket is Zara.  Chanel keep upping their prices, grrrrrr, at least another one increase before I would be ready to buy - well um, I say ready, lets see how the saving go!

Topshop Pinafore £36

I'll end on this note.  He arrives Monday.  Wish me luck! 

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

That Day About Love.....

Yes, it's me again, long time no write! But in fairness, the house renovations are coming along nicely now. I hope to resume back to more regular check in's, in the not to distant future. In the short term though, some 'Valentines' inspiration. Whether you have a partner or not, fancy a treat because we should all love ourselves (!) or need to send this blog to someone so they don't buy you tut (this is now my yearly excuse!), nice stuff to follow!

Hush had some great jumpers and I couldn't choose which to share so did all three for you!

Hush £75

Hush £79

Hush £75

As always, Topshop had a great selection so I picked a few. Special shout out to the handbags though. Totally fabulous at great prices, I think I really need the lobster one in my life, like now.

Topshop £25

Topshop £3.50 (out of stock online so try in store however plain black with a cute pink heart also £3.50 here)

Topshop £25

Topshop £8 (also a matching pouch for £6 here)

Heading to TK Maxx as there's always a bargain to be had there.  This is one of my favourite nightwear brands - Cyberjammies.  I only wear 100% cotton in bed and their's is just gorgeous.  This has an RRP of £27 so it's a great buy for £12.99 with the cutest little hearts over it.  

TK Maxx £12.99

Now they won't let me use their image for some reason but the bag is so good, I had to find a way to share it!  So this bag below by Love Moschino they have in a stone suede with no top handle as it's the clutch version.  I will link it under the picture but it has an RRP of £153 down to £89.99.  This large black one (and they did a red also) is sold out via ASOS.  Suede shoes and handbags are my favourite.  

TK Maxx £89.99 (in a stone colour)

I've done a few GlossyBoxes before and really rate them.  This one is a special girls night out one and includes 5 products.  Don't forget to unsubscribe if you only fancy the one though as it's a monthly rolling subscription.

Glossybox £13.25 including postage for a monthly subscription 

A personal favourite of mine, the Diptyque candle.  I was lucky enough to get the 2016 Valentines one but missed last years so this is top of my wish list.  The smaller £28 one seems to have sold out online so you will need to send someone to store pronto to try and find one. Failing that, size up to this one!

John Lewis £50

Nothing says love like a new placemat set right?!?!  There is also matching coasters and tea towels so don't miss out on those either.  Please note, you're furnishing the house so it doesn't really count as a proper gift.  Make sure you add in a bar of chocolate at least.  

Laura Ashley £8.25

If all else fails then there's food!  Marks & Spencer have a brilliant range of hampers but this little one caught my eye for some yummy treats with an affordable price tag. 

M&S £20

PS Damn you Baileys for only releasing the strawberries and cream version in the US!  Life can be so unfair at times.  I am not a big drinker but that is my little tipple and I got all excited over it to be let down.  Booooo.

And finally, this is where I've been at recently.  Grouting.  We are still project managing our house and my husband took on the particularly challenging hexagon tiles in the kitchen.  The black grout was not as straight forward as previous grouting for some reason so it took the two of us.  It was such a messy job and along with the tile shape I'm not sure my husband has forgiven me yet but the result is what we wanted!  Some before, during and after just to show you I'm not swanning around not writing as I'm retiring, I am properly multi tasking!

Adidas Bargains at John Lewis

I went to the new store in Oxford the other day (ok, I did the High Wycombe one also - but that was for sofa shopping!).  The new shopping area is nice, you need time as it's fairly spread out.  I'm getting old and more often than not like my shops very close together not only for my little legs but mainly due to a lack of time.  The store is nice, I wouldn't say more stock just spread/laid out better really. Anyway, back to what I wanted to say which is I grabbed two bargain pairs of trainers from them. They are both so comfy, not for now, more Spring and were bought with a big family holiday abroad in Easter in mind (lots of walking!).  I've been after a lighter colour and not white for a while. The cloudfoam inner in both makes them supper comfortable.  Not many sizes online so be quick but check stores too.

£64.95 down to £32.  A size 4 and 6 online here. 

They have a blue in size 5 online here.

£49.95 down to £24.50 but only a 4 left online here.

They did have some on the Adidas website too so worth a browse there.  I went half a size up as the padded innersole does make them a little tighter but then I do tend to in a trainer anyway.  Happy shopping!