Breaking The Silence (With A Mini Shopping Trip!)

So hello!  Long time no speak.  I had what was probably known in the business as 'writers block' but in my real world it was more a little break as life just became a little over whelming.  I had planned to write a post explaining myself but I randomly woke up this morning after feeling unwell for the last few days wanting to share two little treats with you so here they are.  Maybe I will break again, maybe I will share a little more insight into my shenanigans but there is no real plan, I am free-styling it and going with the flow.  No pressure being placed on my little self - so apologies to the probably now small regular audience I have left, I can't guarantee the frequency on here!

So what got the creative juices flowing again you may well ask?  The Victoria Beckham tops I managed to bag 5 weeks ago or the shoe post I drafted back in March?  Nope.  A new piece of nightwear I think.  Rock and Rock, totally.  Oh and it was a belated Mothers Day present so perhaps sub consciously it follows on from my now very old last post!  On Mothers Day we popped to Bicester Village as in the end I just fancied some new PJ's.  Alas there were none there until nearly 7 weeks later and I find the most comfiest night shirt ever.  It was reduced to £21, one left in my size then another 10% off with my VIP card.  Not forgetting 100% beautifully brushed cotton from The White Company.  It was meant to be.  

Next up, for any Jo Malone fans, The Cosmetic Company are now stocking it permanently and also more than just the bath and body range.  These little travel perfumes are £9 (you have to spend over £55 to get any discount) and just perfect for me as I don't tend to get through perfume easily.  This scent was gorgeous and a lovely little treat.

Dolce & Gabbana

Gucci

So that's all I bought.  A belated Mothers Day present of a night shirt and a £9 bottle of perfume.  It was enough to excite me after the last few months, trust me!  However look at these beauties from Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana.  Nothing that could warrant a place in my life right now but the stylist in me truly appreciates the beauty and drools over the fabrics, craftsmanship and art of the pieces. Maybe it was seeing these that got me going again and not the nightshirt after all......

Clothes really weren't on my agenda and if they were, I gravitated towards comfy jumpers - that's all I tried on!  And rather fittingly the nightwear was also a 'comfort' purchase.  I saw this wool and cashmere jumper in All Saints.  I really liked it but the reduced price tag of £70 felt a little hefty.  Also, whenever I go there they always have and extra 20% off everything and lucky me that day - they didn't!  Coming into Summer I didn't want to pay that price so I left it behind but I now have a friend working in the village so will have to get her to keep an eye on it!

Shacket & Jeans; Topshop
Jumper; Rag & Bone
Boots; Ash
Bag; Balenciaga
Watch; Tag
'N' brooch; Markus Lupfer

The first time in what felt like a while that I'd made an effort so thought I'd share the outfit!  Nothing mind blowing just my favourite Joni ripped jeans from Topshop, a jumper (with a thermal vest under - that start of feeling poorly!), shacket and my beloved Balenciaga handbag.  Some classics in my wardrobe.  Comfort plus a little style - my staples.  

NB The VIP discount card is available to anyone with AA cover.  You just need to show your card to the information desk on the day to get one.  There are conditions naturally but generally it is very handy to grab, even if just for a cheeky coffee discount!

Feeling A Little Monochrome

It all started when I dug out my wet look Joni jeans which I purchased a few months back in the Topshop sale.  I was off to London and wanted something a little smarter.  For some reason they hadn't been worn before but I knew I would eventually as I love their Joni jeans for a snug fit.  From then on I have just been feeling 'black'!  I wouldn't say I wear a lot of it, being petite I sometimes feel a little lost in it so go for a more neutral pallet.  However sometimes you just have to go with it so that is what I've been doing!

T-shirt (just seen); Vince from TK Maxx
Jacket; Zara
Jeans; Topshop
Pumps; French Sole
Bag; Chloe
Small person; Stylists own

From there it led on to a completely monochrome look, again with an item purchased and not worn - maybe the jeans started something!  Now it's not something I advocate, buying and leaving it to lurk in the depths of your wardrobe but ever so occasionally you just forget!  This top is by Joseph and I grabbed it in a TK Maxx.  It's a little odd with he additional bands around it and that's possibly why I hadn't worn it but I was in a hurry to see the Ab Fab preview and it just felt simple and right.  

Joseph top & leather bag; TK Maxx
Jeans; Topshop
Shoes; L.K. Bennett

And so it continued when I managed to hit Zara for the last 15 minutes before it closed and I literally grabbed this top.  Most probably supposed to be an off the shoulder one (I hate strapless bras so not an option and who can manage to actually keep it off the shoulders when you are running around after kids - tips please!) however it sat just nicely above my bra strap.  It was £39.99 down to £25.99 (100% cotton also) and I just really fancied it however there was a nice little surprise when I got to the till and it was £17.99!  I can't find it online but there were loads left at the Knightsbridge branch so assuming it will still be in others.

I'm not entirely sure this was the most flattering combo for it, I would love to see it with some white skinny ankle jeans instead but that's also after looking at the photos which were taken after 9pm and running around a football pitch for the afternoon. Yes, I played football in Ash studded sandals.....it was a friends 40th so needs must.  Keeping it real!

Top; Zara
Jeans; Topshop Joni's
Sandals; Ash

Maybe it was the weather and it will change now that (fingers crossed) we are about to get a summer again.  Does anyone else just go through a random colour phase - and one that's not particularly seasonal either?!? 

Discovering A Hole Of The Blazer Variety (and a little life lesson)

I'm late in posting this post due to my holiday so I am side stepping slightly on my Spanish shopping but I will get back to it, I promise!  So, completely starting off on a different note here (my blog, my rules and all that!).  I was on my way to London to meet a client the other week when a lady and her husband got on the train.  With only a few seats left they were forced to sit apart.  I offered to swap so they could be together, it's ok she told me, "we've been together 53 years, I think I could do with an hour to myself!"  An hour later we had put the world to rights, talked about death, marriage, raising children, being a working Mum and of course, when she found out what I did, a little bit of fashion added in there too.  I won't disclose her stories as I was honoured enough to have been told them and they are hers to tell.  But I urge you all to always be open to people, no matter where you are or who you're with.  It was a wonderful start to my day, she had some amazing stories to tell.  If we all listened and smiled just that little bit more, you just never know what you may discover.  Thank you Jennifer, the pleasure was truly all mine.x

So to back to the rest of that fateful day.  I always need to be comfortable when sorting through ladies wardrobes however as I'm representing myself, I need to feel smart and approachable too.  A usual start to outfit deciding for me - toys out of the pram, I have nothing to wear.  My Joni jeans from Topshop are still a firm (tummy hugger!) favourite of mine with no gaps at the back when I bend down.  So that was the bottom half decided.  It was going to be warm that day so I went sleeveless with a Zara top from a few years ago.  Then came the jacket.  My husband thought I was loosing the plot when I announced I had nothing appropriate.  I managed to dig out (sigh, yes it's a hard life) an oldie from pre kids (8+ years for those who want to know) from New Look of all places.  They don't make them like they used to!  However it has seen better days, shrunk a little and I'm left where I was last year when I'm sure I blogged about searching for that statement jacket.  That and another blazer please.   

Blazer; New Look
Top; Zara
Jeans; Topshop
Bag; Prada
Boots; Ash

I had to include this shot as my 8 year old took it and I filtered it on instagram and she was over the moon as it has been my most successful shot yet with over 100 likes - thank you all who liked it, you've made a little girl very happy that she is a better photographer than her Daddy! 

And this shot as the leotard clad 3 year old also wanted a piece of the action (crumpled top as it was now the end of the day!)

My friend bought this from Zara the other day, a blazer wasn't on my radar at the time so I didn't try it on.  It looked great on her, the perfect combination between relaxed and formal so now I'm contemplating it!  £59.99

My Two March Purchases, Worn Together

I think I mentioned a few posts ago that I'm trying to stick to a strict budget and buy a few really decent pieces a month (I took February off after the January sales and started back properly in March!). So I've already shared this & Other Stories merino jumper but I hinted at the other purchase, my second pair of Ash boots!  They weren't planned, I saw them in the Next sale at £80 down from £160.  I wasn't 100% sure due to not seeing the colour in the flesh so as it was free delivery to the store, I popped them in the basket.

They weren't the colour I was expecting and weren't perfect, the tassels had fallen off on one side, the ring was missing, some slight scuffs on suede but Next's Customer Service team were faultless in rectifying this and I ended up getting them for £30 - WOW!  A trip to the shoe menders later and just like my black Jalouse one's, they are rarely off my feet.  The colour is great for coming into Spring, I am ridiculously pleased with them.  The colour varies in different lights so taken a few snaps to try and show them.

Coat; Miss Selfridge
Jumper; & Other Stories
Jeans; Topshop
Bag; Prada
Sunglasses; H&M (Hello Kitty - not mine!)
Boots; Ash

Guest appearance from Lizzie cat again!

I still adore this Miss Selfridge coat I bought in the January sales, initially I thought the fur hood was a little too much but it's grown on me so much, I just love it. 

April has started well with the Bargain Buy currently featured - the Boden grey merino.  I have a breton on back order from them but my goal this month is bottoms.  I've never enjoyed shopping for them, I always struggle but I need to make an effort as I live in my favourite Topshop ones and even I'm getting a little bored right now.  Will update next month on my April buys!

The Ash Jalouse Boots

I mentioned a few posts ago that I had made a sneaky purchase at the Ash sample sale.  It wasn't planned, they weren't on my shopping list (bugger, forgot to do one for this month, oops!) and truth be told I didn't 100% need them BUT, I'm not sure what I was wearing before as they've lived on my feet since.  They are a great heel, not too high or short, I adore the suede and the distressed worn look and they are very comfortable.  The way the boot dips at the front really elongates the leg, especially when worn with skirts and dresses.  I actually changed into them as soon as I bought them in London and walked around the city in them for the rest of the day, which is really unlike me - I do tend to mull over a purchase for a little too long!

My PTA Christmas Fayre outfit - I stood on a stall for hours in them!
Jumper & Jeans; Topshop
Boots; Ash

My cashmere jumper I bought from M&S in the Summer months was worn today, it's so warm and snuggly.  I returned it as it went down again and ended up paying something like £32 for it from their Autograph section, it was £129 full price.  I know, I know, a proper bargain hunter that's me!

Jumper; M&S
Jeans; Topshop
Boots; Ash
Tail; My cat Lizzie's - not mine!

A closer picture of the worn/aged look

I paid £75 for these from the sample sale but they retail at about £145.  They are true to size but can be a little tight getting on to start with.  There were also navy and grey ones but these fitted the best and I have some old black Topshop boots that 'needed' to be replaced (after I found these and justified them to myself of course!).

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 November Shopping List

Well, I can tick off all of my three items from last month; bobble hat, black jeans and Christmas party outfit - now that's a first, what's going on?!?  I only tried on a few hats in Topshop and saw a few pricier ones I liked on-line when I stumbled upon one in Primark.  I am not a huge Primark fan but it has it's place and for £3, the colours would go perfectly with my grey wool coat and it looked fab.  I compromised on the quality (acrylic - yuck) and the fur pom pom that I actually wanted but I'm pleased with the money spent on it as I have other hats I also wear a lot, this was just a fashion item for me that I liked. 

Cable knit pom pom £14

Cream version - which was my favourite

Primark £3

The black jeans purchase came about in a slightly more random way.  My friend had hugely recommended the Topshop Joni jeans to me.  I have never been a high waisted fan and have recently fallen out of love with skinnies, favouring a straight leg style from Gap.  I was actually after a comfy jogger style trouser to travel in as my flight was 8 hours.  However, she was so enthusiastic about them I gave them a go.  I neglected to take a photo of the blue colours I tried on as they were so awful on me and my toddler wasn't being very helpful at that point but thankfully I pushed on through and tried on the black.  Wow.  Not only did I feel 'cool' (yes, I still use that word) in them but my they were comfy.  The ripped knee was a bonus as I think they do look good, despite being asked by various family members if I had torn my jeans by accident....Can I also just add that the rips in the knee also make them a hell of a lot easier to move in - more give!  I travelled in them comfortably for the entire trip, not considering for one moment that I was uncomfortable.  There was also no gap at the back when I sat down giving me a huge draft!  So I ticked my black jean need as well as a comfy pair of trousers need.

Topshop £38

(I didn't go out with different shoes on - I was playing with footwear at that point!)

And finally the Christmas outfit by way of a silk Uniqlo shirt.  Random I know but I mentioned last month that I wanted to wear my black and white stripe skirt again.  It's a fairly glam skirt in my books  but I also wanted to keep it fairly sleek and sophisticated.  As you may know I am a high lover of damn good fabrics, silk being one of them.  Uniqlo had theirs on offer so I managed to grab this for £19.90.  Yes, honestly, under £20 for silk.  Bargain!  I've tried it on briefly (was on holiday shut down mode) and it works perfectly.  I promise to share in December when it get's its party outing.  

Just a simple, black, sleeveless silk shirt that can be worn again

I had tried this on from Topshop but it was to low cut for me and didn't fit right

To print clash or not to print clash, that is the question...
Skirt; H&M
Left shoe; Mulberry
Right shoe; Bally Switzerland

I turned my back for one minute....Elizabeth got a bit of a telling off for this!

So what I bought not from my list.  Well I had a day trip out with some girlfriends and a little light shopping was done, rude not too.  I found this animal print denim top in Warehouse reduced to £20.  A lover of anything animal print I snapped it up and wore it with my new Joni jeans to travel out of the UK in.  It's fairly loose fitting, making it super comfy.  

Warehouse £20

This was so not properly on my radar.  Joanna over at Poppy's Style has and amazing leather Mango skirt which caught my eye with the elasticated waist (can you tell there is a running theme of comfort with my style....?!).  Whilst away she kindly alerted me to 30% off at Mango and after a few failed attempts (foreign, weak wifi - arrrgh) I finally managed to get it for £41.99.  I've already worn it!

Cashmere jumper; La Redoute
Boots, Sam Edelman

I promised my eldest I would include one she took (after a little cropping), thank you H!
Gilet; Zara

I think I may need to change the direction/title of this monthly update as my list at the bottom for the coming month always seems so short compared to what my research has been from the last months list but hey ho, here goes it;

Pretty much nothing on my list, Christmas is around the corner and that's never a cheap time of year is it.......BUT please Santa may I have this?  I have worn my animal print gilet so much more than I thought I would and this colour looks good on me right?  I have been a very good girl this year, eaten all of my dinners and baked lots of cakes for people.  Love Natalie. X

Topshop £65

More pricey than my one but the fur was very lovely, I will give it that