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

Current Discount Codes

A little round up of some of the best out there at the moment;

New Look - 30% off selected lines (up to 50% starts Thursday 24th May).

What a stunning jumpsuit!

Asos - 20% off of everything until 8am Wednesday 23rd May.  Use code EVERY20 then there will be 30% off Occassionwear for 24hrs.

Adidas sliders now only £24. 

La Redoute - up to 50% off everything until 29th May.

I've raved about this cashmere jumper before, it's one of my favourites and a classic.  Great value with the 40% off.

Laura Ashley - 30% off all Home then Thursday 24th May - Tuesday 29th May 40% off everything.

I have this Lewes rug in the paler grey but love this Charcoal colour they now have.

Boden - 25% off a different department each day this week - shoes on the 24th May.

I have always rated Boden's shoes and after adding a metallic pair of skater pumps to my wardrobe last year, I highly recommend a metallic shoe now!

Topshop - a great sale section online.

I've seen this in the flesh, if you can handle big sleeves, it's a stunning embroidered blouse .

Very - up to 40% off sale for branded items.

I love this Adidas top.  Also worth a look if you need some new Uggs - now's the time to buy them!

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

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!

The Grey Cashmere Jumper

It's almost as bad as the camel coat search the grey jumper one, it's just one of those staples that needs to be right.  When La Redoute had their '40% off everything' sale I ordered 3 to try, not holding out much hope to be honest.  I have found as cashmere has become more available over the years, it's quality has become worse, a lot thinner.  I have jumpers and cardigans that are 5+ years old and still look good, any recent purchases just don't seem to have held their shape.  With the discount they were all between the £50-£70 odd mark which is about my limit for cashmere.  The cheaper two were thinner but the colour the perfect marl grey.  

La Redoute Cashmere Boat Neck Jumper £95
The neckline just wasn't right on me.

Crew Neck Cashmere Jumper £89
The perfect shade of grey but when I tried the below on, it was the clear winner.

La Redoute Collections Cashmere Jumper £119
A definite slouchier style jumper than the first two, which i preferred (but my dear Mother didn't....sorry Mum!)

Due to time of the year (we have birthdays straight after Christmas!) I did have a momentary question but the £71.40 (after the discount) one was so luxe, I loved how the shape was that little bit different and the thickness was just how it should be. It did come up slightly large, I have turned the sleeves up, however all my recent cashmere has shrunk and I've even gone two sizes up in anticipation of this. As I've got older, it really is about more quality pieces, less of them perhaps but pieces that won't date and will stand the test of time. There was also a cheeky offer to pay for it over 3 months 0% so that did make it more achievable. I've worn it straight away and absolutely love it. It is slightly darker than I thought I wanted but actually it doesn't matter as the pile is so rich, it's more about that than a slight shade discrepancy.

The only other one that has caught my eye in recent months is Zara's cashmere.  I have scoured the high street and it really is worth paying slightly extra for the quality.  It was also a great thickness but I stupidly didn't try it on when I was in London and my local store doesn't stock it.  You can order online but it is the pricier end.  I love the pale pink but it's a slightly more boxier style than my La Redoute one.  One to watch in the sales I think.  Silly me for not trying it on!

Zara Round Neck Cashmere Sweater £95.99 

Zara Light Pink Round Neck Cashmere Sweater £95.99

And because I didn't think the sales would get any better than 40%......naturally, they did!  Currently La Redoute have offers on; £30 off a £60 spend, £50 off £100 and £100 off £200.  Making my jumper now £69!  I'm not going to get mad over the few pounds but at now under £70, I really recommend it.  Use code XMAS and it expires 16th November 2017. 

PS This isn't a sponsored post, I've just done my research and shared what I've purchased! 

I'm Still Here......(with a little home update thanks to Laura Ashley)

Oh gosh my little blog really has been neglected this year.  It's not because I haven't wanted to, just the pure exhaustion with what life has thrown my way the last 12 months.  Cancer, operations, seizures, family bereavements, dodgy builders, angry tradesmen, rare bricks (!), the list goes on. You name it, we seem to have had it.  I've constantly had blog posts in my head, desperate to put finger to keyboard and tell you all about things I've managed to buy along the way but time really hasn't been on my side.  I write whilst currently sleep deprived - who else tends to be more on fire when they are seriously lacking in sleep?!?!  Odd isn't it.  So, I can't promise I will be regular, but it's not because I don't want to.  My home really is my priority right now, it needs to be a proper one by Christmas as I'm hosting!  

So whilst I'm sourcing granite/quartz and flooring, I will share with you a little post I did for Laura Ashley.  I've so enjoyed writing for them, their homeware never fails to inspire me and it's these small touches that really have kept me going whilst we have been renovating our house.  Before you click on the link below, here is a before and after of my front door.  We extended out and up (there was an old porch there originally) then added a new door and knocked through the old one, opening up our hallway.  It's all still a work in progress as other areas became more important but the extra internal space is brilliant.  

To see all of the extras above, follow this link to read my full article over at the Laura Ashely blog.

PS A little heads up, there's up to 50% of furniture and upholstery from tomorrow with them!