Topshop Treats

It's been a while again, I'm sorry.  As much as I love to write and share on my blog, it is a little hobby and unfortunately hobbies have to take back seats in life sometimes don't they.  The good news is my new Project Manager hat (for our home renovations) is fitting well and although I'm exhausted juggling everything, we are making progress and have actually cut through a door to my walk in wardrobe - priorities firmly in place (ok, a dishwasher and kitchen has also been ordered...)!  I digress, back to my passion.  We took some much needed time off at the end of May and had a day out shopping.  I'm always ducking and diving into shops for bits and bobs or shopping with clients so it was nice to properly spend time looking. Topshop won hands down.  My photo doesn't do this dress justice and the shoulders need to soften slightly but it is so comfortable and didn't break the bank at £24 (and 100% cotton!).  Would have loved it in a marl grey (pretty please Topshop?) but it was this or white so was a no brainer.  

Ruched Waist Corset T-Shirt Dress £24 

Then I went a little off-piste and took my own advice when I'm working with a client - always take something you think wouldn't work on you into the fitting room.  My item was these trousers.  I am desperate for a variation to my much loved jeans, I needed something to pull me out of a little clothing rut I've been in.  Now I will admit, they haven't been worn yet, they are high waisted and as much as they look fab here, I worry what else they will work with.  I love the fit, the colour, the waist but they are out of my comfort zone.  I know I just need to bite the bullet but I'm fragile at the moment - my wardrobe is in boxes and it's unnerved me a great amount!

Paperboy Utility Trousers £39

The t-shirt wasn't even questioned.  So me, so girly and classic with a high neck, it's a keeper.  

They only have it in the 'Tall' option online however do check stores as it was only 3 weeks ago. There is the grey option which I also love (and am very tempted by!).

Floral Applique T-Shirt £24 

I know people struggle with Topshop, they can be a little hit and miss for me also - and I am the wrong side of 35 just so you know!  However they do have classic pieces, pieces that last.  Recently I dug out an old Kate Moss for Topshop dress.  I wore it to a wedding and still enjoyed it and loved that no one else would be wearing it as it really is so old!  It's washed beautifully so has stood the test of time and I don't feel it's dated at all.  

Watch; Tag Heure
Clutch; Vintage Chanel
Shoes; Zara

Holiday Snaps & Wedding Outfit

True to form I left my packing for a family wedding in Malta to the last minute, I'm a 'I hate packing.com' kinda gal.  However I had a vague idea there was something lurking in my wardrobe for the wedding outfit.  My mate had been round at the start of the year just before I moved to do a wardrobe edit and announced "that would be great for a Summer wedding".  Luckily for me when I asked her she remembered it was my purple skirt (thanks T - if I knew how to insert a kiss emoji here from my  Mac I would!).  It was a very old skirt from Primark of all places, yes, Primark!  Despite my husband hating it I really really loved it still so it was coming with me.  I teamed it with a pale cream top from French Connection that was actually given to me by T so I'm dedicated my outfit to her (insert wink emoji). 

Top; French Connection
Skirt; Primark
Clutch; Accessorize
Shoes; Dune
Watch; Tag Heuer
Bracelets; Tiffany, Thomas Sabo & Annie Haak
Fascinator Clip; Somewhere in Malta!

My first ever fascinator clip and I loved it, so great for keeping your hair off your face!

Trusted Gucci bamboo sunglasses from Bicester Village

Apart from the fascinator clip thingy I purchased whilst out there everything else was grabbed from my wardrobe.  I bought these heels from House of Fraser in Autumn last year, they are by Dune and quite possibly one of the comfiest heeled shoes I own.  They look great with a skirt or dress as the nude suede gives a 'barely there' affect but equally as chic with jeans (said outfit to be featured here soon).  They have a padded front part under the toes too.  It doesn't look like they are available anymore but watch out as Dune do tend to repeat their styles.  I would actually go as far as saying I would consider buying a second pair in a different colour.  I loved the grey suede they did also. 

Dune Mara Sandals
A great heel on them, not too high but just enough

My girls were flower girls and did me proud as always and pretty much out danced me!

Decent full on outfit shots aside from the wedding one just never happened, these were as good as it got I'm afraid.  

Airport attire.  Comfort needed after a 2.45am start - never again!
Top & Tommy Hilfiger Belt; TK Maxx
Jeans; Gap
Skater shoes; Next
Watch; Tag Heuer
Cosmetic Pouch; Fendi (large enough for all our passports and items I needed quickly.  It was a Christmas gift that got tucked away in the move.  So nice to bring out something new for the holiday and I have carried on using it in my handbag daily).

I got this in TK Maxx's final clearance last year for something silly like £3, it's a great slouchy style top.

One of the hardest items I own to style up - my J.Crew purple/blue shorts.  I've just resigned to the fact they can only be worn with white or grey simple tops.
Top; Hollister
Shorts; J.Crew
Handbag; gift from Marrakech
Shoes; Zara

Topshop embroidered t-shirt 

Another old classic form Primark, this strapless jumpsuit.  Only bought out on holidays as is so bright and needs to go with lots of sunshine but it is the easiest throw on I have and doesn't show any kids ice creams on it!
Bag as before
Flip flops; Havaianas (and a gift from T so this blog post really is for her!)

The Winter Sale Purchase Worn For Summer

I will admit that my shopaholic tendencies do sometimes lead me astray, especially in sales times and sometimes I buy and it's still sat there a year later in my wardrobe.  I say sometimes, we all make mistakes and it's worth the risk as I don't make that many.  This leads me on to the little gem below I purchased in the Topshop Winter sale after Christmas and previously blogged about here in January.  I had my eye on it last year but it was £45 and there wasn't much need for it in my wardrobe nor to spend that much money on it.  Fast forward half a year and it was mine for £13.50 (I got an extra 10% off as it was my birthday month!).

Kimono, belt & jeans; Topshop
T-Shirt; Vince
Sandals, Ash
Watch, Tag

Unintentional that I had three pieces of Tophsop on!  The belt is so old but leather and has stood the test of time

I'm aware it is more of a beach cover up but felt it was a little too nice for my girls to cover in sand, sun lotion and ice cream.  It will be worn that way one day but I wanted to appreciate the embroidery and beautiful vibrant colour all to myself on a day out first.  Anyone else dug out a purchase they bought in Winter for the Summer recently?  (Or is it just me who does this!).

The New Coat With An Old Dress

I think I may have mentioned a few times on my blog over the last year how I've been on the hunt for some sort of 'trophy' jacket.  My interpretation of this is something that adds to my wardrobe in the patterned department to enhance a simpler look or add contrast to an already lively one!  I've tried several, most of the cropped ones are just too short on me (the Mango one from this post being one of them) and nothing ticked the boxes.  Until I saw this one in Zara which I blogged about and decided to wait until I was in Spain to benefit from the current Euro exchange rate.  However, I then found the one below, exactly the same style just a different pattern (warmer I felt) and no fake pockets around the bust line which I wasn't keen on anyway.

It's £79.99 here but I paid in the £50's for it after the exchange rate - it was €69.99

It's perfect for this time of year, a lovely light weight cotton with 3/4 sleeves and it's fitted in very well with my current wardrobe.  So much so it's probably been one of the only jackets I've worn recently! I had a christening to go to last week-end and wore a very old Kate Moss/Topshop dress and the coat was the perfect addition to it.

It was a tad windy!

I decided to mix up the blues for this outfit

An oldie but I still love it, thank you Kate Moss!

The accessories were kept minimal with a few bracelets from Tiffany, Swarovski and Annie Haak.  Miu Miu clutch and a bright Essie polish (which picked out the red in my coat) and my little Chanel card holder for a few cards and notes!

First outing for my blue suede courts which were bought in the January sales from TK Maxx for around the £10 mark - last of the big spenders me! 

So there you have it, one of my purchases from my Spanish holiday - a few more to share but this is possibly my favourite so I had to share it first.  I am so pleased with how it's worked so quickly for me in my wardrobe, especially when it's made me wear an old dress lurking in the back.

The Boden Purchases

The lovely Frances had recommended this red breton from Boden on her blog - who am I to pass up on a breton?!?!  Oh and I actually didn't have a red one so needs must.  I like buying when somethings been tried and tested by someone, especially when it comes to classics like this.  It was £18.75 when they had a sale on.  It's been worn twice already and is a lovely soft cotton.  It does come up large but I didn't want anything too tight.

Top; Boden
Jeans; Gap
Pumps; French Sole

My favourite French Sole pumps purchased via Atterley Road

Whilst looking at the breton I spotted this merino jumper in the sale down to £17.70 - wow!  Merino is a thin wool so perfect for now and as I had returned a previous one from a different store due to shrinkage, I was on the look out for a replacement.  It's very similar to the J.Crew Tippi style which I had bought in the cream and white last year but they were so see through they went back.  The sleeves are three quarter length which I love, it's true to size and the perfect shade of grey (well, apart from Christian's grey of course....).  It's still available in a 6, 10 and 12.

It was late, I was tired, you know I'm not one for good photos (but I over compensate with sharing good shopping buys right???!!) but honestly there is nothing wrong with my lips - just a dirty camera on my phone, oops!

Jumper; Boden
Necklace; Marks & Spencer

My Christmas Party Outfit

My silk Uniqlo shirt was worn for the first time at the week-end for my husbands works Christmas party.  Over the many years he's been there it's been a bit of an evolution as far as my party froc is concerned.  I used to stress for months in advance and buy such a sparkly dress I would rarely have the occasion for it again nor would dream of wearing it to the next Christmas party they threw.  The dress code has also got more relaxed, smart trousers are accepted and peoples outfits really vary.  I really didn't want to buy something I was never going to wear again.  I already had everything in my wardrobe apart from the shirt.  I grabbed this when it was on sale last month for £19.90.  

It was far too cold to stand outside for a more scenic shot and was dark anyway.  Must work on finding a good corner somewhere in my house for photos and better lighting!

I decided last minute on my shoes and accessories.  I did a shout out on my Facebook page as to which shoes a while ago.  It was either a suede bow court or these animal ones.  The majority ruled so animal it was!  I really fancied clashing a little more so went with my blue clutch and red festive nails but put a little more blue in with my bracelets as well just so there was some more colour elsewhere on me!

Skirt; H&M
Bracelets; Swarovski & Annie Haak
Clutch; Miu Miu
Shoes; Mulberry

Just peeping through my shirt was my little diamond heart necklace

Because they deserved a picture all of their very own!  'Strokeable' as well!

We completely forgot to get a proper shot together, this was a quick one taken by a friend!

So are you all party ready?  Have you purchased a new froc or recycling current pieces with the odd new one thrown in?  I am really pleased with how my outfit turned out.  I love the skirt, it's a real show piece as has a lot of volume to it.  I can't believe I nearly returned it!

The Ash Press Day

I had a half day in London the other week where I raced around to a few press days and sample sales in between school drop off's and parents evening.  I shunned the tube and reckon I walked a fair old few miles but I love London so any opportunity to view it from ground level, I take it.  First off I went to the Ash SS15 press day.  For those of you who don't know the brand (where have you been??) they are pretty damn famous for their Jalouse boot and wedge trainers.  New to 2015 is their clothing line, some great pieces in store for us all.  Here's a round up of my favourites.

Their new clothing collection has a simple colour palette with distinctive yet un-fussy patterns.  The quilted texture, looked just as good in the flesh.

The leather items were stunning.

Suede boots - my absolute favourite and the peep toes weren't bad either!

Their wedge trainers are still there with the trainer addition of animal prints, colour and sparkles.

For those of you who thought the skater shoe was a one season wonder, think again.

Snake print, fringing, studding, leather and suede = WINNERS!

I'm not a huge fan of the heavier sole but agree they are very trendy.  However the snake print can stay for good!

If I wasn't such a tight Mummy then I would so be decking my girls out in their shoes - oh and grab myself a matching pair of trainers!

The leather back pack is back for another season.  Stunning leather, a true made to last item.

Fringing also back again next season with three amazing easy to wear colours available

Simple and chic, love this so much 

So what to wear on a damp day walking around London?  My leather skirt of course!  I wore a simple thin merino jumper (with a vest under for extra warmth, naturally) and kept colour out accept for my jacket.

Jumper; Gap
Bracelet; Annie Haak
Watch; Tag
Skirt; Mango
Boots; Topshop

Jacket; Zara
Bag; Balenciaga

I may have made an impromptu purchase at the Ash sample sale but that can wait until another post....!