The Zara Jacket

Well it's rare but I actually paid full price for something!  I managed to sell a few items from my wardrobe so took the plunge and ordered the jacket I loved so much from a few posts previous.  It arrived perfectly wrapped and I was in love all over again. 

The very same day I went on an impromptu mum's night out.  I wanted to go out but was tried and didn't feel like thinking too much about my outfit.  The jacket was the perfect solution - I literally added it to my jeans and breton I was already in (they weren't dirty from the day, promise!) changed to some ankle boots and added a colourful clutch.  It is a great lightweight cotton, just right for now when the temperatures are starting to drop and you need something else.  

Jacket & Jeans; Zara
T-shirt; Topshop
Clutch; Miu Miu
Boots; Ash 

The back embroidery detail is still my favourite part.  It just lifts the monochrome look and adds some colour and fun to it.  

NB the front flower needs a little light pushing into place after being boxed if you're ordering from the web.

I'm hoping it's going to be another piece like the little cotton cardi style one I purchased from them last year that really just adds to a basic outfit.  I like these sorts of pieces, they just don't require a lot of thinking.  This is the one from last year that I wore again today whilst working with a client.  It has washed so well and is so comfy to wear. 

Jacket; Zara
White T-shirt (just seen & best ever one I've had!); Vince via TK Maxx
Jeans; Topshop Leigh
Bag; Prada
Shoes; Spanish supermarket!

Love the tassels!

Zara Jacket Lust

I had a little day trip to London the other week with friends. It wasn't a shopping trip but we did happen to pass a few and the Zara windows caught my eye. I think I had seen this jacket on one of their emails but it looked just as good in the window so I was desperate to try it on. A quick trip to Milton Keynes with my girls last week and they had one so I popped it on. You know when you just completely love something? No rational, no contemplating how it would work in your life, you just love it? Well this was one of those. I feel it is slightly pricey at £69.99 for a small thin jacket but the detail of the embroidery is probably what has bumped it up.

Of late I've been wearing lots of monochrome so this ticked that box as well as added some colour with the gorgeous flowers on the back.  It did sadly get left behind as I had just purchased a down hooded jacket after a long search for a decently priced one (far too boring and necessary purchase to share on here!).

I also found this MiH shirt in TK Maxx which was heavily reduced to £36.  I was on a time limit already as my girls weren't up for shopping so I grabbed it but it's going back as it is on the large side on me.  I think I'd also prefer to put the money towards the Zara jacket so I'm on a little mission to sell a few items on some pre-loved pages to make up the difference.  With lots of house renovations going on I'm being very frugal at the moment but also loving the selling on of items to pay for new ones.  

A little shout out and thank you to the new Rush hair salon in intu Milton Keynes who have just opened and gave me a trim and sorted my grey roots!  I am still in shock that my girls managed to sit there for 2 hours whilst I had it done but yes, there was a few treats with their M&S lunch as well as an iPod and extra chocolates from the salon!

New Barnet; Rush
Top and Jacket; Boden 

And last but by no means least, one of my shopping partners for that day......The 'naughty' one in her new t-shirt from her cherished Aunty.  Check out the ultra cool New Balance trainers from TK Maxx online, I would wear them!

The Zara Jacket Review

I went into Zara the other week-end and saw the green coat feaured in this blog post so had to try it on.  It's gorgeous but I still wasn't convinced on the price.  It is unlined but then I guess you wouldn't need it lined for warmth as it's a lighter weight jacket for a reason, but it made it feel un-finished without one.  When it goes down in the sale I may invest although it will probably by Winter then!  I am a stickler for paying only what I believe it to be worth!

Zara Coat £89.99

I still loved this one below (as shown before in the same blog mentioned above) even more so when Look magazine recommended it (after me I hasten to add.....Look, you need me scouting the shops for you!).  It felt a little more worth the pennies in terms of fabric and quality however it is still a more formal style in my opinion.  Love them both, just not the price.

Featured in Look magazine

So instead.......I bought this one!  Recommended by Avril who tried it on and then Sue who pointed out it was £39.99 in Zara's 'Special Price' section.  I mulled it over for 24 hours then hit the checkout button.  It's on the cusp of being a little too warm (especially on the day it arrived) but my warmer knee length coats are too much and I'm not yet ready for a light weight mac.  It has 53% wool and the style is a lot less formal than the two above.  It's not as bright as it seems below by the way!  I still feel there is a place in my wardrobe for either the cream of green one but for now, I am happy with paying the £39.99 for this one. 

I am finally managing to crack a smile in some photos!

Just in case any one has not tried Zara out before for on-line shopping, I fully recommend them.  Free delivery over £50 and it pretty much arrives in 1-2 days.  Not only that, it's so well packed and looked after.  Boxed then wrapped in plastic with a carry handle (it's the small things with me....) then your clothes are all beautifully wrapped in tissue with a cute little sticker to seal them.  You can then arrange for a free home collection if you don't want to keep your items. Easy peasy.  Love them.

Sunshine yellow items used to top up my order for free delivery.  They didn't fit, phew!

Zara is one of my favourite stores.  I always feel inspired when I go in, they have a great mix of stylish classic items and more fashionable pieces.  Here are a few of my favourites right now.

Beaded tunic £59.99

What shops are inspiring you right now?  Gap is working well for me right now as well.