Outfit Round-Up

This year is the year I moved on from my skinny jeans!  I am not totally without them of course, but the two pairs I bought from Gap that are their straight leg cut have had so much wear already. These were my bargain £12 ones teamed with a very old H&M t-shirt and Next animal sandals. Just a school run/about town look!

And then the skinnies came out for a girls night out!  These are also Gap, their wet look jeans.  I love the fit however the coating hasn't lasted as long as I had hoped.  Teamed with a blush pink lace Warehouse top and some very high heels (luckily we sat and caught up over cocktails and didn't have a dance!).

Clutch; sample from somewhere!
Shoes; Gucci
Ring; Dorothy Perkins
Earrings; Topshop
Bracelet; Valentino

Another day look - before the weather heated up of course.  Ralph Lauren ankle skimming jeans with a Cos top.  I've rolled the sleeves up a little as they finished just around my elbow and felt a little long.  I love the bright yellow hem, it really gives the top another dimension taking it from plain to having that little pop of colour.  

Im very pleased with my J.Crew purchases this year and this top has been no exception.  As I mentioned in my previous blog about it, I was a little dubious about the jewelled neckline but it has been in the machine, inside out on a hand wash cycle and no problems at all.  Gap jeans again and possibly my most worn shoes so far this year, my rose gold Primark sandals.  Don't get me wrong, they go with so much and are easy to throw on if I've not painted my toenails, but I know that won't be around next season as they have been well worn.  At £12, I didn't really expect them to last next season anyway.  

You get the idea - there's a theme to my casual looks - denim!  Flats were needed for the Robbie Williams concert and a cardi for when it got cooler.  I dug out this old Topshop cardi (and I'm talking 8+ years here) that has little peach flowers on it.  Somehow, it has stood the test of time and worked perfectly with my shoes and handbag.  The top is sleeveless, needed for the heat inside the O2.

Top; Zara
Cardi; Topshop
Watch; Tag
Bag; Italian - no idea, sorry!
Jeans; Gap
Shoes; Primark

It's been years since I saw Robbie solo (naturally I saw him when he reunited with Take That - HUGE fan!) and for some reason I didn't have any expectations, but he was amazing.  A true entertainer and the style of songs worked perfectly for him (his Swing Both Ways tour).  His Dad even came on to perform with him!  

Because.....it really is so true!

Bag; Prada
Pumps; French Sole
Jeans; Gap
Pouch; Lulu Guinness
T-shirt; Juicy Couture

The Ralph Lauren Bargain & Blogging Guests

I had another result in my local TK Maxx the other week with Ralph Lauren.  Last year I found some amazing chino style trousers that fitted perfectly and I have lived in them come the warmer months. This time round I found a skinny crop coloured jean for £22, yes, that's £22 for Ralph Lauren!  As with my pair last year, they fitted perfectly and finished just at the right point around my ankle.  I wore them the next day as the sun was shining!

On a very rare occasion I had a photographer to take the shots.  Within moments however, I was photo bombed by the sprogglets.  The out-takes!

Preparing myself....

Here comes the eldest.....

Trying to control the unruly child....

Oh heck, the youngest makes herself part of it too

One last ditched attempt of controlling the situation....

I give up!

So I sent them away and went back to taking the shots myself!  Don't say I don't share with you guys on here!

T-shirt - Superdry
Jeans - Ralph Lauren
Shoes - from a Spanish shop!

I was in such a hurry to wear them I wore them with the tags on, oops!

News just in - my sister who lives in Dublin has found me a Victoria Beckham top in her TK Maxx! Have I ever mentioned how much I love my sister?!?!  It best fit, excited, me, much?  Anyone else finding some gems there at the moment?

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 New Brands (To Me!) To Share

One of the things I love about PR company press days is discovering new brands and being able to see them in the flesh, especially brands that are only based online.  The lovely ladies at Bright Light PR are always a pleasure to see, thank you to them for allowing me to come along and browse.  Here are my two favourites.  Now this first brand was on to a winner as 1. it has part of my name in (Nat) and 2. they are leather handbags, not a lot can go wrong from here on in.  Introducing 'nat & nin'.  The leather was amazing.  It's not often I really get excited by new leather bag brands, it takes a lot.  However the colour palettes were just perfect, think taupes, neutrals and the quality of the finish was immaculate.  Here is what's coming from their Spring/Summer 2014 collection next year.

This is a man's bag, but could easily double for a woman.  Ideal for travel.

My favourite by far.  The strap can be tucked in turning a day bag to an evening clutch.  The magnetic clasp under the flap made the closure fuss free and secure.

Larger day style bags.

Another brand that grabbed me was Annie Haak Designs and namely her unique yard of gold bracelet.  I mainly wear white gold and silver but I would like to wear a bit of rose gold for some reason.  Maybe as it's Winter I feel the need for a bit more warmth in the colour of my jewellery.  I loved the idea of this piece, it's literally a continuous yard of gold beads that slip on over the hand and are loosely held together with a ring of gold.  Available in silver (£128) and yellow gold (£148) as well.  It is currently on sale from £210 down to £155.  I am seriously tempted as I've been looking for a special piece of jewellery to remember someone by and this really grabbed me.  It's also really rare I find a bracelet that fits me so well, they are usually so large on me.

I had a great day in London that day, also meeting up with Avril from School Gate Style.  Here she is trying on some funky glasses at another press day and still looking fabulous.

And what I wore.  Thank you Avril for taking some photos as I always forget to.

Grey cashmere jumper; H&M
Chino's; Ralph Lauren (TK Maxx)
Blet; Topshop
Blazer; New Look

Necklace; Primark

Handbag; Prada
Shoes' French Sole (Atterley Road)

L.K.Bennett, Marylebone High Street

I had the pleasure of being invited to an L.K.Bennett fashion evening at the beautiful Marylebone Hotel last week.  As with most things in my life, it was a rush to get out the house but once I got there I was greeted and welcomed with drinks and canapés (my favourite food, bite size little nibbles, keep them coming!).  The hotel is a little hidden gem if you are near the area and looking for a boutique style hotel, it's part of the exclusive Doyle Collection.  I have to say my favourite photo I took was that of the animal print chair in the toilets!  I do love an animal print.

Please can I have one???

Ok and on with more important things than interiors; the shoes, the clothes, the colour.  I want to go shopping!  I love that their pieces are individual enough to wear alone but still work well together.  The show was put together by the staff at their Marylebone High Street store themselves, how dedicated to have staff willing to do this?  I guess it speaks volumes about the brand.

NB I am not a photographer by trade, my photo's reflect that but you get the gist!

I love the blue and gold together

They match their clutches to their shoes oh so well

Colour pop court!

Sleek and sophisticated 

And on the model, stunning.  A timeless classic cut

Working those ankle boots with abstract print and bold colour

I LOVE this coat

Gorgeous striped fur, really adds some character to the dress

Working that tailored suit in the monochrome trend

Bright orange is still a key on trend colour

I love this look.  Chic pencil skirt with a twinkling pretty top

Hello purple!

Of course the show wouldn't have been complete without the staple LBD

Ooh la la!  Look at those leggings and spangly top!

Letting the rear view do the talking

I of course wore my L.K.Bennett shoes.  Their second airing in less than a week.  I wanted to dress them down slightly as I did have a commute to do (in ballet pumps!) so wore my Ralph Lauren chino's but picked out the pink/nude colours from the shoes in my Warehouse top.

Accessories were kept minimal, it was all about the shoes.  Just a few bracelets (Tiffany and Marc Jacobs)

Just peeping through is my Hugo Boss black belt, a charity shop find from Marylebone High Street!  (And Lizzie the cat getting in the way again). 

I love Marylebone High Street, it feels so different to the normal hustle and bustle of say Oxford Street. Like 'old London'.  Think fromagerie's, hidden parks (like the one at the end of the Notting Hill film when they are on the park bench!) and some great boutique style shops.  Drop into L.K.Bennett, you can be sure that Natasha (store manager) and her amazing team will give you a very warm welcome.  

PS this is not a sponsored post, I was just invited and I like to share.  Just in case anyone was thinking that this was a tarnished view!