Topshop Addict Moi?

Yes, another blog post featuring Topshop, sorry if I'm getting boring!  So one rule I try to live by re Christmas party frocks has always been to buy well ahead of time to avoid the horrible moment when you see someone else in the same outfit as you.  Time as always, got the better of me this year and I left it very close to the date.  I nearly returned this Topshop dress for fear of just that but somehow, with over 2000 people in the venue I avoided seeing anyone else in my dress.  I was also worried it was too short, too tight etc but I didn't really have much option but to wear it.  Oh and I was reassured by some lovely friends it was just fine.  I can report though it didn't feel too short or too tight after wearing it all night and it's washed brilliantly on a gentle wash.  A classic that hopefully will be in my wardrobe for a while.  

Monochrome Floral Contrast Dress £100 

The shoes were also Topshop and also current but I loved them non the less so went the whole hog with Topshop. I threw in a vintage Chanel handbag which I knew no one else would have so that made me feel a little better! 

Topshop Graceful £59 (I managed them in the Black Friday deal for just over £40 so watch out for their sales!)

This wasn't planned but I'm living in my Topshop faux fur coat right now (and also because I still haven't got my other winter coats out of storage in the loft yet!) so I popped it on top - a whole Topshop ensemble pretty much!

These shoes didn't make the cut for my wardrobe though, sorry Topshop!  I love a little sparkle and they looked like such a great shoe.  From the front I loved them, they were comfy, a great heal height but the actual heal itself made them go back to store.  They were just too clumpy for little old me.  Gutted but I won't keep them if they aren't right.  Even my 9 year old said 'come on Mum, they so aren't you, what are you doing'.  Enough said really.  

Glitter Shoes £49 now £20 (only silver online in an 8 so try stores!)

Finishing off with another shot of my Topshop faux fur which jazzed up my new sweater featured on my last post.  Such a good find on eBay, so glad I took he plunge at the end of Winter earlier this year, it was a slight risk that I wouldn't get the wear but animal print just never dates does it! 

I'm not sure when I'm going to get a chance to write again, so if I don't, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.  Don't forget to shop wisely in the sales, check the returns policies to give you extra time to decide at home but do consider buying out of season staple items - get some bargain Summer sandals now! 

With love from Natalie 

X

A Little Topshop Edit

I'm back!  Illness got the better of me and I gave in to antibiotics in the end (which I hate taking) but I'm finally on the mend so please excuse the lack of silence.  Just before I got poorly I had a day out in London with my lovely blogging friend Jane and before we met I popped to Topshop.  The only item on my mind was a party frock.  I always try and buy way ahead of the time to save the embarrassment of seeing someone else in it.  I really didn't spend long in Topshop, it's amazing how speedy you can be without the kids.  I literally grabbed a load of jeans and some fancy dresses and headed to the changing room.

I put this on and thought no, not quite sure why really.  I'm not a huge dress person so maybe it just felt a little too dressy and fitted.  I then tried on everything else and something made me go back to it.  I think I looked at the photo on my phone of the above and fell back in love with the neckline.  

Monochrome Floral Contrast Dress £100

No I won't wear it with the boots but I needed something on my feet!  I bought it and it's a lot more than I usually spend in Topshop but I felt it needed a proper try on with heels.  It's actually still in the bag as I've just not felt well enough to try it on again.  I think I need to see it with proper shoes as I am still wondering if it's a bit short. 

The socks made the full length shot.....oops!

I loved the idea of this one and decided to try something longer on me.  It just didn't fit properly anywhere and I didn't like the length, I'm petite and felt it was just way too long.  

Fishnet Braid Trim Midi Dress £89

I try to practise what I preach and took in this sparkly midi on the off chance it would work (I knew it wouldn't but you should always try shouldn't you!).  I felt like humpty dumpty.  Ok so the angle of the photo isn't the most flattering but I just don't feel I can carry this style off.  Jane didn't think it looked that bad in the photo and maybe it was just not what I was used to seeing myself in.  I will carry on trying, perhaps the pleats just didn't work.

And this was the petite version! 

How it should look.  Glitter Pleat Midi Skirt £55

Gorgeous little animal number below.  A blouse fabric and very easy to wear.  I just don't have the need for another top like this (saying that, should it go in the sale then maybe I would....).  

Mono Animal Ruffle Blouse £34

The lace one which is completely inappropriate for ice Queen me who feels the cold and can never wear short sleeves in the Winter (aside from said party dress) did get the better of me.  I adore lace.  I adore monochrome.  I couldn't walk away.  This however has also stayed in the bag and hasn't been tried on since.  On reflection of the photos I'm now wondering if it's a bit short in the body for long wasted me - please no when I try it on again!

Lace Ruffle Top £36

I papped this cute little white blouse, a really lightweight crisp cotton.  Perfect with black trousers for a smart look or jeans for a more casual vibe.  

Poplin Ruffle Shirt £34

I also popped in & Other Stories and to be honest nothing much grabbed me.  It all felt a little plain in there until I saw this bag in the sale.  I was so tempted, it was a cotton with leather trim shopper style  down to half price.  It just looked huge on me but I do slightly regret it, I love a throw it all in bag.  It's not online but the bucket bag and purse is.  It doesn't say leather trim online but I searched for the label in the bags and it definitely was.  

& Other Stories £22.50

I went for a monochrome look that day also.  My Topshop top I blogged about last month is now a subtle shade of baby pink......Note to self.  When ill again, don't allow husband to do any washing.  Kids new school cardigans in red with my cream top.  Grrrrr.   

Top & Jeans; Topshop
Boots, Isabel Marant

The Topshop Lace Dress (Again...!)

I know I've featured it before in a more day dress capacity (and recently in Jody's blog here) but this time I wore it to my daughters Baptism so teamed it with some high heels.  It worked just as well.  I love versatile dresses like this that just effortlessly fit into your wardrobe.  I need to find more!

Dress; Topshop
Shoes; Zara

It wasn't this creased at the start of the day, honest

I do love a suede shoe!

The Summer Dress Post & Some Help Needed Please!

After having a very lazy day at home yesterday I was up for a quick trip to Bicester Village to get the girls some new sandals.  I am not a 'dress' person, I love my jeans and always feel comfortable in them so it takes a good dress to steer me away from them.  I bought this lace Topshop one last year online.  I am a huge lace fan so when I saw it online I had to give it a go.  I bought it towards the end of the Summer so it didn't get much wear but I am planning on changing that this year!

Dress: Topshop
Sandals; Next

It is so comfy, not tight or a restricting fabric and light for the warmer days.  After having one of those chuck anything on days yesterday it was so nice to feel good in a girly dress.  Clothes do make a difference to my mood!

So my question to you.  The bag - did you notice it?  I have been deliberating over it for the last two weeks. I spied it seriously reduced in TK Maxx and bought it to ponder later as I didn't have much time.  Now as much as I know I like what I like, I do have a tendency to go 'off on one' as my husband likes to call it and when he saw this, he said it was one of those times!  I love the leather, the colours and I am rather partial to a stripe.  Oh and it's very well made.  But is it nice?  I've been looking for a more Summery day bag with a shoulder strap for the pram and thought this was the one.  But after purchasing (and returning I hasten to add) a Juicy Couture tracksuit top recently I am questioning my sanity!  I had a long standing need for a JC tracksuit in my life, since, well a kid so I thought I had better buy it.  Turns out, I had to loose that need in favour of spending my money a little more wisely!

£233 down to £58.40

So answers below please - am I loosing my marbles?  Is it a bit bonkers or 'cheap' looking as one friend called it?  Or quirky and different like I originally thought?!

PS if you are in need of a Summer dress, Topshop have just reduced this shape below.  I've ordered the grey so will let you know how it works when it arrives.  Link to it is through my 'Bargain Buy' above right.