Holiday Snaps

I promise this is the last I will bang on about my holiday in the sunshine whilst it was Autumn here....(!) Despite loving clothes I do find on holiday I tend to not be so bothered about dressing up, mainly because it's too hot but also because I try my best to fully relax and forget about routines, work, lifestyle etc.  However there were a few decent outfits I wanted to share before I finally put the sunshine to bed so here goes.  

First up, probably my favourite TK Maxx find this year, my Moschino skirt.  It is so comfortable to wear and not too short.  I teamed it with my Cos silk and cotton blend t-shirt as it's a fairly smart due to the fibre composition.  I popped on my Topshop necklace (although I'm not a large jewellery fan on hot holidays - too much fuss, but I felt I needed something more for that night's meal out).  I ran out of time to put my black sandals on as their required some doing up so had to slip on my old Carvela gold ones, not ideal but I wasn't bothered - holiday mode!

I purchased this navy sun dress about 6 years ago from Topshop.  It has been dragged out every holiday since, despite me thinking it was a little too dark for holidays when I bought it.  The bonus about the colour is that no matter how much sun lotion or food/drinks/sweat it has on it, it still looks pretty good.

At the start of the holiday...

By the end - a little more crumpled! 

We had a day trip out to Bridgetown for a browse one morning so I popped on my version of a denim short (a proper jeans short will remain on my wish list).  These Tommy Hilfiger shorts are made of a lightweight denim/cotton.

Top; Zara
Shorts; Tommy Hilfiger
Bag; River Island
Sandals; Carvela

Everything always looks better in the sunshine, colours, diamonds.....I didn't purchase but I was very tempted!

A beautiful fabric shop in Bridgetown

Checking out the local bling

I've already mentioned about my Topshop Joni jeans and how comfy they were to travel in so they were worn on the way back as well.  I kept it simple with a loose breton t-shirt (I slipped on a vest  underneath mid flight!) and my Nike's again (but wore my flips flips to the airport).  I had a large animal print bag for my carry on as the girls and myself never travel light.  I hadn't planned on a monochrome theme it just happened like this!

T-shirt & Jeans; Topshop
Flipflops; Haviana's
Bag; TK Maxi

Next to Wes Hall (legendary cricketer) - the cardboard version, however he actually married my cousin!

Finished off with a little Duty Free purchase on the plane.  My Mother in Law and me decided to go halves as we couldn't afford the whole set then I was kindly told my half was an early Christmas present!  Lovely little treat thank you MIL x

Au revoir holiday, until next year! 

Love From The Carlisle's

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 Green Post! Featuring Topshop & Dorothy Perkins

Sorry, I may have built that up for all the 'green' people out there.  I am referring to the colour just to clear it up quickly.  I had a dash into my local town today to run a few errands and of course it would be rude not to pop into a some clothes shops.  Come on Spring, all the shops are ready, where are you?  I love seeing all the pastels come in, it is so refreshing and inspiring after all the layering we are currently having to do to keep warm.  This pale green jumper was in Topshop and is £36.  It also comes in baby pink.

I then came home to my daily 'Hot UK Deals' email to find a voucher for Dorothy Perkins.  30% off (including sale items) and free nominated day delivery.  Their version was £22, down to £11, now £7.70 delivered.  Use codes; WWWDP101 for 30% and FREENEXT for the delivery part.  Don't forget to purchase through Quidco for the additional bonus of some cash back.

If you were thinking about going the whole hog with mint green then Poundland have Revlon nail polishes in for yes, you've guessed it, £1.

I spotted this top in Topshop, a hint of green but the unusual print is what caught my attention.  It is different and a little quirky but I could really see it with a pair of tailored black cigarette pants and plain courts.  A statement piece that needs plain accessories to accompany it.  This is £36.

On my wish list is this top from River Island.  At £20 (and I rarely say this) I think it is a great, fair price point.  It is 100% cotton and comes in a lovely peach colour also.  

There are still some great reductions about so keep your eyes open when shopping.  I'm trying so hard to be good and not spend but I'm off Birmingham way tomorrow to see a friend so I don't expect it will last.  I am however in the 'housey' mood also and looking for a few furniture pieces so I may just focus on them instead.  (Sounds good writing that down, lets see if I can follow through….!).

The Christmas Presents: Bare Minerals, Dior, Essie & H&M

I thought I'd share with you a few of my favourite presents (sorry, there is favourites!).  Kat over at Does My Bum Look 40 recommend these Dior Lip Glow balm and glosses and being a fan of their Lip Maximiser (the tingling gloss plumps your lips) they went straight on my wish list.  I love them!  The lip balm is sheer in colour when it goes on (although as you can see from the below it looks pink) and has this special formula that adapts to your own natural colour, so it is different on everyone.  It makes my lips look pinker but is so natural and is perfect to use minus a lip liner and mirror.  It may be my new 'Chubby Stick'.  The gloss works in a similar way (don't be put off by how bright it is below) but literally its the gloss version, goes on clear and adapts to your natural colour.  If you want an easy, low maintenance pout then give these a try.  

I was thrilled to receive Miss Olivia Palermo's favourite 'Lollipop' Essie nail colour.  It's brighter than I thought it would be but that hasn't stopped me loving it.  I've got a little too used to a duller red.  This is refreshing on my nails, not as neon as below, but a slightly more orange tinge to it.  I think it will be worn loads over the Spring/Summer months.  I hurried a coat on for New Years eve and one coat still gave a great colour.  I didn't have time for a second so it did chip the day after, but I think a second  coat would have made it stay put a little longer. 

A favourite foundation brand of mine is BareMinerals.  My sister picked out this blusher set for me and it came complete with the softest brush.  I have used all three colours together which gives a definite shinier look but have also been using the cream and pink on their own.  I have been trying to get to a counter to re-buy my powder foundation as I have now finished it and love it to bits but I've so far been really unlucky and the staff have either finished for the day or been on a break!  I will get there soon as I miss it already.  

Finally onto the scarves.  My black cashmere scarf featured in this post was lovingly sent by Santa, thank you Santa so much.  It is yet to be worn but is a missing item in my scarf shelf so it's a definite keeper.  It's a lot wider than it appears so I am pleased with the extra cashmere for the money!  Now sadly onto a returned one.  I saw this one also from H&M a while ago and being an animal print lover and thinking it was a bargain for around £8 added it to my wish list.  Seen below, I was pretty happy with it so far (sign says 'Merry Christmas' by the way!) until I sat in the car and looked down at my cashmere top beneath.  It was covered in fluff.  I hadn't realised when I wrote to Santa (!) that it contained angora and it's never been a material I've liked due to the fluff factor.  However due to recent media coverage on how a rabbit is actually skinned to get the fur, it's further secured the fact it won't be present in my wardrobe.  I took it off immediately (it had literally been 10 minutes), sorry Santa!

Jeans; Topshop Baxter
Black short sleeved cashmere top: Joseph
Cardi: Jack Wills
Boots: Topshop Adios 

What's been your favourite gifts this Christmas?

PS I also got the lush River Island gem necklace from this post, 3 out of 6 from that post, not bad at all Santa!

PPS I'm off to spend a voucher in the Boden sale, it finished tonight in case you didn't know! 

My Christmas & Birthday Wish List

I am not going crazy, my birthday is the beginning of January so I always send out a few extra hints this time of year.  The sales have started and after a week of illness, yes the dreaded V&D bug (hence the lack of blogs this week) I seem to have a bit of a shopping mojo going on.  That coupled with my usual 'Spring Clean' this time of year, I've been updating my wish list.  Maybe it's because we have so many birthdays at the start of January but that as well as the additional Christmas presents always makes me want to clear out the old and bring in the new (presents, New Year, sale buys etc etc).

River Islands sale has started on line only, items are flying so act fast.  I'm after some new necklace's and fancy some gem heavy ones.  I love the below (please Sister…..).

£8

I really like suede court shoes and blogged about them earlier this year here.  Trea over at 'Treasures n Pleasures' has the below in black and they caught my eye straight away.  The bright pink will be perfect with a straight leg jean and cute top (and hopefully the above necklace, hint hint, nudge nudge again family).  They are in blue and green also. 

£20

I had the pleasure of a L'occitane evening earlier this year (see here) and received lots of lovely samples to try.  Having only just gotten round to trying them, I used their Divine range.  I have read lots about it but wow.  My skin really did look and feel more radiant after a few days.  The samples have run out so I'm hoping that they may be replaced with some full sized ones soon.  I have always used Lancome but they say a change is good for your skin and my skin obviously appreciated it.  They are pricey products, starting at £38 for the lotion below but I'm hoping some gift sets may be reduced in the sales.  Failing that, I think I will just have to buy myself if no-one else does.  I liked it that much.  My skin looked clearer, more matte in texture if that makes any sense at all.  I am not beauty blogger but I really did rate this.

It's been a while since I've bought a handbag.  Something's obviously gone seriously wrong this year.  I feel there's been a hole in my wardrobe for an everyday tan one. This Zara leather one is currently in their specials section for £39.99

Since putting this cashmere scarf on my list, it's been bought out in more colours, I love the grey and red now available.  It's £34.99 but the black is what I am after.  Boring I know but I have an animal print coat that needs it and my old black scarf is well and truly worn out.

I seem to have mastered a good manicure (when I have time) this year and love wearing my Chanel Lotus Rouge red colour.  One of my favourite dressers Miss Olivia Palermo is rarely spotted without her red nails and this Essie in Lollipop is her go to.  It's now been added to my list!

The biggest problem I have is that if many of these items go in the sale and haven't made their way to me by Christmas, I really struggle not to buy them before my Birthday.  My husband gets very frustrated with me but I have this problem with the word 'sale' and a good bargain.  I look forward to sharing with you in the New Year what has made it's way to me.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Jeans on our High Street

I've had a very busy day helping ladies into the right style jean for them at the Jean Genie event in The Chimes shopping centre, Uxbridge.  We were spoilt for choice with all the styles currently available on our High Street but a few really did shine through and work well on people.  Starting with Next's Lift, Slim & Shape Boot Cut at £45.  These worked a treat on ladies needing a little extra support around the tummy and bum area.  They didn't come up as flared as they looked on the hanger, which pleased all of the ladies that tried them on.  The general consensus was that they really made them feel supported and the slightly thicker denim really helped them fit perfectly where they needed to.  One lovely lady was so pleased with the way her bum looked she rushed out of the changing room to show her mum!  These also come in slim and skinny cut's as well as a range of colours.  So give them a try, the ladies were all pleasantly surprised.

Next

Another boot cut working well on the 'apple' shape to balance out the body was Debenhams designer range, Star by Julien Macdonald.  These currently have 20% off so £45 down to £36.  These came up slightly lower, so more a mid rise jean but again, the thick well cut fabric was a winner.

Star by Julien Macdonald

River Island's super skinny Amelie jean was very popular for the 'skinny jean' lovers.  At £30 they sit in the middle of higher priced denim and cheaper, thinner fabric ones.  Yet the thickness of the denim was just as good as the top end High Street prices.

River Island

And the last pair I'm going to share tonight was a very reasonable priced pair from Dorothy Perkins.  These were a straight leg jean, and a slightly lighter fabric which worked well with this classic shape.  These are priced at £25 and available in 3 different lengths and a variety of colours. 

Dorothy Perkins

After seeing so many different pairs of jeans on a variety of body shapes, it does remind me that jeans are one of those items that just takes times to get right.  There really is a huge variety out there across shapes, budgets and colours.  Make sure when you go searching you give yourself the time that this valuable item needs in order to find your perfect pair.  

River Island - my Shop of the Week

Not a normal choice of shops for me personally as my day to day look is a lot more comfort/smart/casual than high fashion.  But I wanted to take a peak at their Rihanna range and as with a lot of retailers at the moment, their sale is on.  Never one to pass up a browse on line, I have been pleasantly surprised.  Their fair prices seem to have won me over (but not so much so to risk a proper telling off from the husband for shopping AGAIN).  Delivery is £3.95 with free returns.  Be nice to see them offering free delivery to store like some other retailers. 

With regards to the Rihanna range, it's not for me.  A lot of crops and a very fashion led colour palette of black, grey white, acid yellow and denim.  But with prices as low as £20, I applaud them for letting all the young Rihanna fans have a piece of her style.  I know when I was younger if the Spice Girls had done a range with prices and pieces like this, I would have been there in a heartbeat.  Instead I made do with Bay Trading's take on their pinstripe suits.......

£70

£18 top, £30 shorts

If I was going to buy something from Rihanna's range would definitely be one of these, I love high neck sleeveless Tee's

£20

And some of my favourite sales picks;

£27 down to £15 (leather)

£25 down to £10

£35 down to £15

£25 down to £10

£30 down to £15

£45 down to £20, size 7's only left on line (leather)

Topshop Final Clearance

£18

£25

£25

£30

£30

£20

Some of their best bits!  I love that you can now check stock in all stores on line.  This came in very handy when I was after a sale dress and found one up north near where my friend lived!

House of Fraser, Debenhams, Gap, River Island, all going into final clearance so hunt down those bargains - and if you feel the need - share them in the comments section below!