The thing about uttering the words "spending ban"...

.... is that all you therefore see are gems of deliciousness which simply have to be yours.  Now the sensible thing would, obviously, be to steer clear of all shops. How hard can that be?

Pass.

Ok so in my defence, as I've mentioned, it's half term this week and so I'd rather poke forks in my eyes than take my three anywhere near a shop (the supermarket is a necessary evil as a) I can get a coffee and b) it takes an hour and can be classed as an "activity".  It's all fun and games chez moi)

Therefore a quick trip to Bluewater was par for the course last week and I have to say, I impressed myself by steering clear of all the higher end shops.  But a quick nip into H&M for "research" purposes wasn't going to hurt anyone was it?  Well no, apart from my wallet.  Fail. 

To be fair I didn't go mad.  And I am so pleased with my purchases (that's an absolutely pathetic defence, isn't it?  Am almost embarrassed to write it.)  

But sod it, here they are - one of which you've already seen.  The tartan scarf.  Look away now if you don't like anything that's acrylic.  This is 100% of the hideous man made fibre.  But.  But but but.  Honestly it's not that bad.  I did have to look at the label to see what fabric it was as it's not that vile, don't stand near a naked flame, scratchy acrylic.  (well not to me it's not anyway) 

Can't find it online but they did have quite a few instore with another scarf in a similar colourway.  Yesterday there was a photo of me wearing it but here it is close up.  (let's ignore the exceptionally unironed bed linen it's on.)



And secondly, for me, a real gem of a find.  An A/W alternative to the Zara linen t shirts that I live in a lot of the year round.  Zara do them in a longer sleeve style but they've never quite worked for me.  So I was over the moon to find this one in H&M.  I had assumed it would be online but no - hissyfit - can't find it on there at all.  Which is a bummer as I'd really hoped to order a lighter cream one that they didn't have in my size instore. 

It also means this is a terrible photo as I papped it very swiftly so I could get on with the blog (and yanked it out of the laundry bin - clearly proving my prowess as a domestic goddess today.) 

£14.99 from H&M.  I've worn it recently with a long sleeved Baukjen longline tee underneath and I was over the moon with it.  I've really struggled this year with tops that will go under blazers and coats that are casual enough to wear daily, go in the washing machine and hide my muffin.  Oh and that don't cost £50 each.  This one is the perfect layering top.  I'm beyond pleased with it.  Expect to see it a lot. 


Another small purchase which I again, am very pleased with is this scarf from a clothes party I went to on Thursday night.  Another Taylor Stephens party (email me on doesmybumlook40@gmail.com if you'd be interested in hosting a party.  I've mentioned it a ton of times but they really are a great night out.  As I always say - wine and shopping, what's not to love?  Actually having said that, I'm hosting another party in Dec but am having it during the day.  There will be cake (of the mince pie variety).  Which is obviously the next best thing to wine.)

So here's my £9 purchase.  Taupe scarf (actually a shawl but I wear it as a scarf) edged in gold pyramid studs.  I think it's a pretty good bargain.  It was not hard to persuade me to part with my credit card.  I've already worn it twice and see it being a staple in the months to come.



Finishing with my outfit from Sunday.  Total dress down day for me, just being a glorified taxi driver dropping the children and the husband off at various sporting events and then family over for the afternoon.  Not a lot of make up going on.


Khaki skinny rib longline vest - Joseph
Khaki and bone oversized jersey tee - Next
Stone skinnies - Dorothy Perkins
Tan knee high suede & leather boots - La Redoute
Olive star scarf - Scarf Envy

There are no photos of yesterday and today as they're of me in - wait for it...... - a dress or a skirt .  Determined to finally do my bit for the FrOctober cause.  My final day tomorrow in another dress.  I'm not going to lie - I've struggled.  More on that very shortly.  On the upside, I haven't been shopping...... *polish halo*.........

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CONVERSATION

35 comentarios:

  1. Love those tops - I have the cream, coral and mocha - I think they were available here back at the start of summer...and I can't find them now! I was in H&M today buying wrist warmers it's so damn cold here in Atlanta!

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    1. No I couldn't find them the other day either. I wanted the cream one. DARN IT!!!!

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  2. p.s. I think H&M are amazing at the moment - some awesome sparkly stuff coming in here for the Holidays!

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    1. I'm love love LOVING them. Just stunning. I may devote a whole blog post actually!

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  3. Looked for them yesterday in the hell that is The Trafford Centre,no luck am afraid and no wristwarmers either.
    I fact totally unimpressed by most of the shops,tbh.
    Hunted in Zara but failed there also.
    Sue

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    1. oh love sorry. I'll keep an eye online in case they come back in

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  4. love your casual outfit look for sat....ab fab!!

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  5. I got a "petrol" (nice shade of bluy-ey/green) linen long sleeve top in Zara a couple of weeks ago but somehow it doesn't seem as nice as the short sleeved ones that I lived in over the summer. Might need to have a nosey round H & M... Liking khaki as an alternative to black for the winter and really looking forward to seeing your posts re skirt outfits

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    1. The Zara ones had a funny neckline if I recall. I adore khaki. Just love it. Perfect with pretty much every colour.

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  6. The words "spending ban" and "diet" remind me of these other words "reverse psychology".

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  7. Hi I could really do with some longer t shirts for layering, I always seem to end up with ones that come above the hip, would like some that are longer...can you suggest somewhere I might find them? Many thanks Donna

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    1. My best longer (long sleeved) tops that I've got are from Baukjen. I know other people have great success with H&M but being 5ft 10 I've never found them long enough. What sort of style were you after?

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    2. Thanks for replying..I like you am a Skinnies girl and like tshirts that come down on a longer line when layering..I have a couple of All Saints short sleevd longer tshirts but they do tend to go a bit baggy after an hour or so..I will look out Baukjen I have also seen some at Saltwater. Although I am not very tall H&M are just to short for me (and I shrink them in the tumble dryer!!!!). Loving your blog and style. Regards Donna

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  9. I am approx 1 million miles away in Devon, but rather loving that scarf. Any means of getting hold of it without schlepping to a party?

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    1. Hmmm If you email carolinejdavies@googlemail.com she may be able to help you out! Good luck - it's a fab scarf. She'll help you if you she can (she runs the Taylor Stephens parties in my area) Hope that helps. Kat
      xx

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  10. Hi - for some reason your blogs are no longer being delivered to my inbox...is anyone else experiencing this...?

    I miss you!!

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    1. nooooo! Oh bum. Actually I've had an email about that, so I'll see what I can do (ie I'll ask on twitter.) If you are on twitter, I put notifications on it when there's a new blog @doesmybumlook40

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    2. HI this has happened to me also...I have now set up to receive as RSS...which seems to working, Donna

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  11. Love that taupe scarf!

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    1. thank you! Am most pleased with it, it does have to be said! I may be wearing it right now as well........

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  12. Hi,
    I am on spending ban too!... That is until I come up with a shopping list of things I need (rather than buying Steve Madden loafers in summer. oops). I also need a budget like you seem to have - or is it like my budget? As long as I can pay off the credit card each month it's all good.

    Would love to hear more about how you clothes budget and plan what to buy. Or are you like me and the plan is really a figment of my imagination?

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    1. hmmmm tis a mix of both if i'm honest! No, in all seriousness, I do plan - I look at what I have in my wardrobe & what I need to add to it to keep it up to date and fresh. And then I try to justify purchases that I dont' really need!!!

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  13. Hi, I'm loving your blog! I kinda stumbled across it and now I'm glued to it and can't wait to see what you buy and wear next! I to am obsessed with fashion and have very similar taste to you so it's great to get ideas from your pics and get ideas how to mix things up. Loving the scarf by the way!

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    1. Thank you so so so much. Hope you continue to enjoy the blog! xx

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  14. Never heard of Taylor Stevens, but I love that studded scarf! Must get me one (because I need more scarves, right?).

    Btw finally succumbed to the lure of wedged trainers, thanks to you. Love them and they have the bonus of making my kipper feet look almost normal-sized!

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    1. SO SO pleased you like the trainers!! Warning though - they're addictive - you won't just stop at one.......

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  15. Heh - don't google Taylor Stevens, appears she is a "webcam superstar"! Remember the "ph" people ;)

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  16. Hi, have a look at www.cloggsoutlet.com - if you have size 7 feet there are 5 or 6 pairs of different Ash wedges on the site - CHEAP!!! mel x

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    1. ooh I had my eye on those coral and tan ones last year but didn't bite. If I hadn't just bought my other ones I would be SO tempted. Thanks for the heads up xxx

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  17. For Anonymous 30 October 2012 12:19......H&M Have wristwarmers marked down to £2.49 in the sale on their website; I bought some last night! I also found some lovely ones at La Redoute here and here if this is any help!

    Kat, I've found exactly the same this week, the week before payday when I really should be spending nothing, all of my favourite shops are conspiring against me and having sales that end in a few days or I find voucher codes that are only valid until midnight.....and....well......!

    I think the best way around it must be to impose no spending limits and then I won't want to buy anything at all. Theoretically.

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  18. Very descriptive blog, I liked that bit. Will there be a part 2? http://www.exoticcarrental305.com

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