My London Day Out

Last Sunday my husband and I had a rare day out together in London (love my kids but, wooohoooo, no kids for the day!).  Three years ago for my 30th birthday he had booked a restaurant but I was so poorly and spent the day in bed.  Finally, he re-booked it, organised his parents to look after the girls all day and off we went!  I had a plan, I am all about the plans.  I wanted to start off in Primrose Hill as I had never been there before and as we were driving and out early, parking shouldn't be a problem (free on single yellows on a Sunday, unless a restricted zone).  The views from the top of the hill were amazing.  It was cold and damp but still took our breath away, imagine a Summers day?!  You could see St Pauls, The Shard, The London Eye.  I would have got some better shots if it wasn't for the huge group of tourists up there (we power walked down the hill to get in front of them….!).

Scarf; Alexander McQueen
Coat; French Connection
Wet look black jeans; Gap
Bag; Chanel

The High Street itself is tiny but full of boutique shops with of course a few quirky ones.  Booties for your dog anyone?!

I was also very happy to stumble across one of the Mary Portas 'Living & Giving' shops.  They are charity shops but boy are they worth a rummage.  Think Helmut Lang, Gucci….more on my beautiful purchase in my next post.  There are a few dotted round, follow this link to see.

(Picture taken before it opened at 12!)

Next stop was Selfridges as it had been a while since we had last visited.  We were so lucky that day and managed to get a space right outside the side entrance.  Nothing like being able to park that close, leave your coats in the car and just pop in to Selfridges!  I love the openness in Selfridges.  It always feels like such a light and bright store.  I headed to see Mrs Beckham's latest drop!

Pure vibrant colour from Vitoria Beckham

Sparkles from Stuart Weitzman

And some more!

Turquoise in Louboutin (check out the bag - wow!)

Wedges, gladiator sandals, brogues and pumps from Balenciaga

Hello Chanel!  Note that knotted heel

More turquoise and bright colours in Chanel

There would have been a time many years ago when I wouldn't have dared go into a designer shop as 1. I didn't see the point as couldn't afford anything and 2. I was way too sacred!  Age and pure love of quality and brands has changed that.  There is nothing wrong with a little light play.  Que Chanel in Selfridges.  I even asked the lady to write the style as one day, one day……Natalie's Chanel (green) meet Natalie's dream Chanel (black).  Stunning.  (Please note, current Chanel was a very lucky charity shop find for about 30% of it's price, was being looked down on that day.  I don't own an array of Chanel's, it was a special day that my one came out for a trip).

Tee; H&M
Cashmere cardigan; Boden
Black suede boots; Topshop Adios
Jeans & bag as previous

Just a large shoe in their window!

Next stop was a quick dash to Harrods.  Their sale was still on and I just couldn't not go and have a peak.  Only outside Harrods would you find a felt covered Ferrari.  Yes, honestly, you could stroke it!

Then finally, my belated (3 years, but there was a baby in that time as well!) 30th birthday meal with my husband.  I had never heard of it before but he had booked us into Barbecoa, a Jamie Oliver restaurant.  It is right by St Paul's and you can even see if from your table.

If you are anywhere near that side of town, I hugely recommend it.  You have to book as it gets busy but it's worth it.  All the kitchens are open for you to see them cook and downstairs is his very own butchery.  

The BEST pork scratchings I have ever had.  I am dreaming of them and would make the trip back purely for these alone.  Divine. 

Words can't express this salad.  Even my husband said it was the nicest of everything we tried that night.  Honey, almonds, prosciutto, clementines, mozzarella, balsamic = delicious. 

The baby back spare ribs.  Yum.

I didn't buy lots but I had such a great day.  I love driving around London, you get to see so much more of the beautiful city.  I'm in again next week but on the train this time so I won't be sharing any more scenic pictures!

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! 

The Purchases: Gap

Happy New Year to you all!  I hope you've had a great Christmas and New Year and are well fed and rested.  I've managed to get out a few times and shop the sales, but with it at it's peak, I tend to get to overwhelmed by the mess in most shops so I am picky as to what shops I spend time in.  Thank goodness for Gap and their tidy store!  On Boxing Day they had an additional 20% off online, not sure what stopped me but I'm glad I didn't check out.  Their sale in store is so much better, be warned!

Shirt & boots - Topshop
Bag - Prada

Slightly in love with my new trousers!

I found some wet look black jeans for £14.99 (£32.99 online here) they feel amazing on and suck in your legs if you know what I mean!  Even my 6 year old loved them.  Then there was the cape.  Mixed feelings from the family as I walked out the changing room, husband didn't get it at all, 6 year old pulled a face, 1 year old had given up and was asleep.  Maybe it was the mood the jeans had put me in but I loved it.  And I will hold my hands up now, there is acrylic in the mix…….I am trying not to be too hung up on fabrics.  How long that will last I have no idea, maybe after it bobbles with a few washes I will revert back to my old obsessive ways but at £24.99 I grabbed it.  It is currently £39.99 online here.

You can just about see the sheen to them

Lastly was a green leather 'pony hair' belt.  I loved the bright colour and for £7.99 I couldn't walk away from it.

No doubt there will be another sales post, but for now my top tip is get to a Gap.  After a bit of a disastrous trip to Westfield White City (they closed the car park!) we ended up popping along as you do to the Stratford one instead.  We got there a lot later than planned so we hit the crowds, it was heaving and the stores a mess.  It was my first visit there and I did like it, but I prefer White City.  Now this is going to sound odd but I like my shopping centres to have a flow and easy shopping route.  White City is pretty much like a square doughnut (in my head…) and I can navigate it easily.  Stratford seemed like an arch shape with a bit outside you had to walk through if you wanted to get back to the start without going back on yourself.  I'm stopping there before I sound like a bit of a freak when it comes to shopping centres!  

What greeted me at Westfield Stratford

All those poor shoes!

I just want to take this opportunity to thank all my loyal readers.  I've spent more time than ever on my blog this year and I feel it's really grown along with my styling business.  Thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me.  I hope next year comes with more growth and readers.

The Dream Purchase: Manolo's (& An Outfit: Mango Dress)

Whilst in Dublin visiting my sister the other week, I had some child free shopping time (bliss, if only everything wasn't more expensive).  We popped into Brown Thomas, if you haven't heard of this department store, think high end brands and you get the picture.  I love it when you can be up close and personal with brands you wouldn't normally see and even more so when you can try them on.  Que a pair of Manolo Blahnik's.  Not just any Manolo's, but the one's Carrie bought in the first Sex & The City movie and Mr Big used as the 'engagement ring' (sorry, I get a little carried away with S&TC!).   Wow wow wow.  They didn't have Carrie's blue out so I tried the classic black.  How sparkly were those gems?  So not normally my cup of tea (I'm a PR companies dream, Carrie completely sold them to me) but if I was pushed, I'd make them work for me…….

Hangisi Satin Pumps £600+

Carrie and Mr Big with her pair of Manolo's

And to make me want them even more, Miss Olivia Palermo in hers

And back to reality.  A meeting in Oxford last week called for a dress so my Mango one got an outing worthy of it (school runs with biker boots previously).  Please excuse the fuzzy picture, it was the best of about 20 taken by my 6 year old, but you get the idea.  I didn't realise until trying to take a closer photo that the back drapes down slightly longer than the front hem, it's subtle.  The green isn't as dull as it appears.  I'm so pleased with my impulsive purchase, it lends itself to many different an occasion, changed easily with shoes.  

Dress: Mango
Tights: M&S
Boots; Topshop

A slightly better picture to show the colour

So who's with me on the shoes?!?

Boden's Breton Tee And A Zara Tip Off

Happy Halloween from my girls! (for yesterday)

Well hello!  My, what a busy week.  I've been planning (not just in my head you'll be pleased to know!) all my next few blog posts as I have so much to share.

Today I fancied some casual colour.  I am a huge lover of the breton stripe and have 'tried and tested' many high street versions.  My latest find is the Boden one though.  It's £15 with 96% cotton (I do like my natural fibres) and 4% elastane for that all important stretch and longevity wash after wash.  I opted for some pink with my favourite colour as the base, grey.  Several washes and wears already and I can report that I would recommend.  I tried to get my eldest (6 years old) to take a photo outdoors but at least 30 blurred shots later, I gave up so no smiled, 'posed' shots from me today.

Top; Boden
Scarf; School Gate Style Shop
Jeans; Gap
Boots, Topshop

I've teamed it with my gorgeous scarf from the School Gate Style shop (£15) as felt like being bold with some clashing prints. I always try to keep my bottom half pattern free as I am better balanced with the prints being up top.

Boden's Crew Neck Tee is available in a variety of colours 

A quick tip off for today, check out Zara's 'Special Prices' (if you don't follow me on Facebook, you may have missed this).  They are selling wool coats (57%) for £29.99.  They seem to be adding a few new bits every day so keep checking back.  I've had reports it's short lived so don't procrastinate.  Free delivery over £50 and free returns, what are you waiting for?  A few of my favourites below.

£29.99, other colours available

£25.99

£29.99

PS 20% off toys at ELC and 20% off shoes at Marks & Spencer until Sunday, just in case you wanted to get some kid's Christmas presents! x

A Sample Sale & Some Great Markets In London

A while ago I shared a post on my Facebook page about Grazia's 'Gladrags & Handbags' sample sale in aid of the charity Kids Company.  I had completely forgotten about it until end of last week then panicked thinking I had missed it.  Phew, I hadn't but the only day I was free was Sunday.  I actually love driving into London on Sundays.  It's free parking on single yellow lines, the shops aren't open until later which means as I have two young children who like to get up early, we get to most places just as they are opening!  The plan was to drop me off somewhere in Shoreditch (The Truman Brewery apparently) and the hubby take the girls for a wonder while I had some precious time alone with some bargains.  As soon as we got there and my 6 year old saw the kids rails and my husband the mens rails, that plan was out of the window.  Damn.  I hold my hands up, I get a little excited about sample sales, I literally dash around to grab anything that jumps at me straight off then I get back in for seconds, thirds etc. which means I have no photos of my own to share.  Follow this link though and you will get the gist if you haven't had the pleasure of a sample sale before.  I did manage to walk away with some MiH jeans for £40 though (£148 on their website!), and they fit so well (picture to follow in another post).

With a few beauty bargains also, a cardi for my eldest and a some pieces of Adidas's Y-3 for the hubby, we had just about exhausted the snack bag packed to keep the 1 year old occupied.  I am so going to this one again and next time I will be there at the opening.  I fear I missed out on some serious designer bargains.

Just a few designers.....

Despite the horrendous downpour yesterday, with pack a mac's and brollies we continued on exploring and found some great little markets around Brick Lane which included some home made cake stalls!

My little lot, they were happy, honest!

Tons of vintage sunglasses!

We ended up browsing around Spitalfields.  It's been a while since I've been there so glad I got to have a roam. It has such a great atmosphere but for me the best bit is the variety of foods.  It's just buzzing there, even on a damp, wet Sunday.  

The undercover market in full swing

I opted for comfort over and above anything else but failed on the warmth front.  Even with a cami under my shirt, a scarf and pac a mac (I didn't need to photo that, it's North Face, black, you can all picture it) I was still cold.  My black Topshop boots were fine all day, they have a tiny heel but I feel it showed up a hole in my wardrobe.  A tan coloured pair of flat boots.  There were some amazing ones there but at £80 they can wait a while, more research to be done!

Shirt - Topshop
Watch - Tag
Belt - Boden
Jeans - Topshop
Boots - Topshop
Necklaces - All made by a jeweller in Dubai for less that half of what they would be here!

Double denim with a hint if animal!

I love wearing two necklaces together  

Scarf - Alexander McQueen
Bag - The Cambridge Satchel Company

 If you are after a satchel style handbag, I fully recommend mine.  It was amazing in the rain, the water just fell off of it.  Mine is the antique gold one, 11" and I did manage to get it on a promotion over a year ago so was about £70 from memory.  If you are looking for something a little more cheerful, they have just launched a limited edition range with Vivienne Westwood.  Prices start from £170, how fab are these!