Some Polka Dot Fun

The last minute party outfit post will be coming, I promise.  Truth be told, I'm drowning in a sea of Christmas, Birthdays, house move and work and I was so late getting out for it, I had no photos of the outfit!  I will therefore recreate it by laying it out for you but the silk top is currently screwed up in the hand wash pile awaiting it's bath.....there really isn't much Glam going on here in this household at the moment. In the mean time, I bring you a little light relief in the form of my mates 40th birthday drinks a few weeks back.  In an attempt to dress up a little more than black jeans and court shoes (my true comfort zone), I bought out the leather mini and a Coast top that hasn't seen the light of day.  

Top; Coast
Skirt; Mango
Clutch; Stella & Dot
Boots; Selected Femme

I was worried I would be cold but actually the ankle boots kept my toes nice and warm and the camisole under the top (it came with it and just poppers on to it) added that extra layer I always need. In looking back at the pictures I think I may try my own nude camisole under it instead next time. I like a high neck however still a little unsure on the ruffles on this one. I love the polka dots though, that's what drew me to it in the first place. I may also pair it with some black tapered trousers next time, in some ways it was just a little too girly for me with the skirt.

The Sales Update

Two returns, one success to report back on.  The Whistles cashmere jumper from House of Fraser was a little disappointing.  I liked the colour initially then it felt a bit 'blah' on.  As much as it was probably supposed to be a slouchy fit, it felt large and too non-descript.  The quality was ok, not £195's worth (it original price) and due to the other factors, not £60's worth either.  

The Whistles dress from Asos also came up large, it was gaping around the arm holes and was slightly too big in the body.  It is a nice dress but was more formal/office in the flesh than I expected it to be and as I had it in mind for a wedding, it wouldn't work.  Lesson learnt - Whistles seem to come up larger on me (although some of my older Whistles items don't).

These Bobby dazzlers though - well these are keepers and have already been worn twice.  I am so pleased with them, they have fitted into my wardrobe perfectly.  When a court shoe is too formal (or cold!) and you want a smarter boot (heels play a part here) these work perfectly.  I've worn them with jeans and also with tights and a leather skirt so far.  I have sprayed them with a protector and removed them when driving!  

Boots; Selected Femme

Jeans and top; Topshop

This was my bargain £10 top mentioned in this post, from Topshop

I used a burgundy Coccinelle clutch and kept jewels simple (there were some semi-bling stud earrings going on under the hair though)

The Sales Are In Full Swing....

And I've been ordering away online, I can't quite stop myself now and have gone over my birthday money budget in the hope (and also knowing how fussy I am) that half of what i've ordered won't fit!  But to start with, the boot in my post here, damn it they've gone down to £57 and they still have my size......what to do, what to do.  I haven't stopped thinking about them and what I can wear with them so I think I may call tomorrow and reserve them to pick up this week.

The Chinti and Parker top also in this post has now sold out, so that's that decision made (was also told it looked like a pj top by the husband and that did put me off slightly).  My quest for a cashmere hoody has been a long one so when I saw two on sale, I ordered both.  The Next one I'm not holding out much hope for as I reckon the stock will have gone by the time they despatch but it was worth a shot.  It was over £100 down to £39 in grey, no image even left on their website!  The pink Whistles one may be too pale but again, giving it a go as both free delivery so nothing lost there. 

£195 down to £60 (and now sold out via HoF from yesterday!)

Next currently have this lovely Whistles jumper left in their clearance.  It is 70% wool 30% cashmere.  I was tempted but I have a pink cashmere jumper already so I'm refraining from a double pink in the wardrobe. 

£145 down to £50

After searching around to see if the pink cashmere Whistles hoody was a good buy, I stumbled across this Whistles dress in Asos.  I have a wedding in a few weeks and although I have some outfits in the pipeline and wasn't planning on purchasing a new dress, I thought I'd give this one a go as I fell in love with the unusual print.  I have a very old silk Whistles dress that I bought for the exact same reason, I like it when the print is just that little bit different. 

£155 down to £51 via Asos

And whilst I have a bit of a jumper thing going on, I thought I'd share with you my bargain jumper I found in the Charing Cross TK Maxx on my birthday.  It is Marc by Marc Jacobs and was £45 from over £100.  I questioned it to start with as I thought it was a little retro for me but the more I looked at it, the more I loved it.

The Birthday Spends

I always think I am a bit of a weird sales shopper.  I get all excited then loose the will to live in stores very quickly,  so I ignore them for a few weeks.  Then the sales pick up a bit more momentum and the discounts are upped and I get all excited again.  Only to ponder whether I'm really purchasing for the price or the actual need.  Mmmmm!   So I've put all my birthday money into my savings account and I'm pondering these items.

I saw the above Selected Femme boots in a little local boutique in November.  They were reduced from £115 to £69, I loved them but having recently purchased my Ash boots, I thought another pair was a little extravagant.  However I didn't stop thinking about them.  There is a little hole in my wardrobe for a dressier boot such as this to wear with skirts/dresses when I wear tights.  However I failed in one of my golden rules - always try on!  Two months later, I was there again today and they fitted perfectly.  They are leather lined too and still at £69.  I walked away again thinking I want them to be £50 - mad?  Yep, I think so too.

Then I felt I had another hole for a really thick school run coat.  I have a Nike down filled one that I impulse bought when I was pregnant with no 2 as was getting drenched on the school runs and it fitted over my bump.  It did the job but 3.5 yrs on after a failed washing attempt, it's not so thick anymore.  I saw the above in the Zara sale.  £109 down to £69.99.  It looks thick and is also down filled, I love the big hood (my Nike one has a big hood but it's so big it covers my eyes - don't random buy when pregnant is the moral of that story!).  Initially it was the price that put me off, just not reduced enough for my liking.  However as I sit here typing it's currently pouring with rain, the school run is in an hour and I'm now thinking the lack of 'waterproofness' may also be a big fat no no.

And here is the random, 'I just like it' purchase!  Do I need it, nope but this is birthday money talking here.  I've heard and seen a lot of this brand Chinti and Parker and I do love their cheeky/cute designs just not the price tag.  This was £90 down to £45 and is organic cotton.  Part of me wants to give it a try and see what all the hype is about, part of me says that's a silly price for a cotton top.  BUT you get what you pay for - in most cases anyway.  Even me, the shopaholic that I am, is still learning about what not and what to invest in brand wise.  It's hard, you get swayed by a price but then within a year it's bobbled, shrunk, fit for bed wear and you think is it actually worth spending more for it to sit in my wardrobe longer?  I'm not heavily into faddy fashions, I buy to last and my style is pretty simple with twists used in accessories.  

So conclusions.  I'm popping to Bicester Village tomorrow to do a pre-shop ready for a client so it would be rude to not have a little look around.  After writing this, I'm kind of thinking the boots and the top.  The coat I can make do with, I have a Barbour (with no hood - they so need to come as standard) and other warm coats.  I hate snow so if we get any, my large Nike puffa will do for the few paces I will walk in it.  The C&P top is a little treat, something I probably wouldn't buy normally - so what birthdays are about.  The boots, well them boots.  If they are meant to be mine, they will still be there when I go back!  Oh the life of a shopaholic!

PS If the shipping was all free it would help, internet shops - #JustSaying ....