Homage to Mr Marks

Firstly - did you know that if you want to buy school uniform in store, you have to do so in September.  Fact.  (I also did, the other night check online and of course there was none. Whereas now there are shed loads.)  Pale blue polo shirts.  Big fail.  (John Lewis, you were my saviour) 

But, Mr Marks, I forgive you.  It's Christmas.  And to me, there is nothing better to get you in the Christmas spirit than a trip to M&S.  Not that I normally ever buy anything Christmassy from there but a mooch around is akin to a glass of mulled wine and a large mince pie, accompanied by Shakin' Stevens singing Merry Christmas Everyone (which, after Fairytale in NY, is my favourite Christmas song.  Shoot me now, but it is) 

For the record, I get exceptionally Christmassy from November onwards.  In fact even earlier - I was planning Christmas this year in September (saddo).  However, please don't think, for one minute that this means I'm vaguely organised.  Hell no, I am that person who a) is still wrapping presents at 3am on Christmas morning and b) writes their Christmas cards in November but never gets round to either writing addresses on them or buying stamps.  Essentially I turn into the Grinch come Dec 20th. 

But for the moment, I am Santa's little helper - I love it. 

And M&S certainly didn't disappoint with some gems that I will be putting on my Christmas list.  

I also may have made a small (teeny, honestly tiny) purchase...... (shopping ban going exceptionally well again) 

I will preempt my list of goodies by saying that I didn't even attempt to look at clothing (bar kids).  I did spy some gorgeous wine/gold geometric print trousers on my way out but was running late at that point. 

Firstly, I'll come clean with the purchase.  I will admit that I have been hunting for this for a while and it's been OOS in the colourway I wanted.  A friend of mine had it and I pounced on her asking where it was from (thank you C!).  Very much, I feel, inspired by the Virginia Johnson designs but infinitely cheaper.  Different fabric (and quality obviously - what would you expect for a different of £175!) but still I am completely in love.  

As per usual, absolutely pants photography from M&S online.  I shan't say it again as it goes should go without saying really.  Same old, same old.

Pic doesn't do it justice (yawn yawn).  This is huge in the flesh.  Beautifully rich colours.  The Stag Print scarf in Mustard or Purple mix. 




And in fact, I was watching Strictly just now and who should be wearing the same scarf but in  the other colourway but Fern Britton!  If it's good enough at £19.50 for a celeb......  Love this colourway as well but can't justify yet another scarf with wine as the predominant colour.  Honestly can't recommend it highly enough though. 



Now moving onto bags.  I am normally not a high street bag shopper.  I have bought two in the past year from Zara - both leather - but that's pretty out of character.  I will hold my hands up and say I do love my higher end bags.  They get fantastic use and on a cost per wear analysis, I normally stretch the budget to get something I really love (I will say that Bicester is my friend though!  It's rare I pay full price not sale for an expensive bag - new baby hormones were the last time I caved I think) 

However I came across the cutest cross body bag in Marks that I would be absolutely over the moon with if it was under the tree for me.  It's not leather, it's not designer but it is just lovely. 

The quality is really good, it's a perfect size, I love the mix of the chain, the boxy style, the two zips on top, the pebbled (not) leather and little lock openings on the pockets.  It's clearly inspired by a number of Mulberry bags but I do love the fact that it's not an exact replica of any. 

Limited Collection Two Pockets Boxy Bag




They also do it in a red with a gunmetal grey chain and the same silvery grey hardware.  This looks so much more expensive than the £29.50 it is.  If I were a red girl, I would have bought this in a heartbeat - sod waiting for Christmas.  (who am I kidding - as I'm writing this, I'm mentally ordering it -  in the black.  Christmas is far too far away.) 



Whilst I was there, in for a penny, in for a pound, I spied two other bags which aren't what I'm in the market for at the moment, but, if you're after a brown bag and don't want to spend a fortune then I would definitely be checking these out.  

Firstly the Limited Collection Eyelet Cross Body Bag  £25 in brown or a petrol navy.



And the Limited Collection Snakesin Print Eyelet Bowler Bag.  Now at £45 for a bag that's not leather, even I did the proverbial sucking of air over teeth.  But on second thoughts, if it's good enough for Stella McCartney (and her non leather bags are 20 times odd the cost) it's good enough for me.   It's a gorgeous squishy (manmade) fabric, I defy you not to think it was leather.




Just chucking in here a pair of boots which I papped as I swung by - a fabulous tribute to the Ash Jalouse but for a more affordable £55.  They're less of an orangey tan in the flesh, more of a dusty faded tan.   The Limited Collection leather high block heel cowboy boot.   Can I please point out that the high block heel bit is their description not mine.  Definitely a mid heel height in my book!



Now I promise you at this point, I haven't lost my mind.  I am trying on kids clothes.  At 5ft10, taking photographs of myself, I clearly did look like the men in white coats would be rocking up around the corner at any minute. 

And it clearly looks utterly ridiculous over my blazer with this outfit.  I had to take it as quickly as possible before someone asked me what on earth I was doing - hence I didn't have time to strip off.

A divine faux fur gilet in a petrol blue mix.  It does come with a significantly dodgy belt for someone my height (and with as many layers on as I had) but that is very easily removed.  

This is age 13-14 (they would have to be a huge 13-14) and I am beyond tempted to go back and get it.  For £28!!  Limited Faux Fur Longline (for a child!) Gilet with belt






As you can see, if you are of a more diminutive stature than me (and wear less Michelin style layers), then I think it looks fantastic with a belt. 



And so there we have a very quick round up of my smash & grab (only one thing mind) tour of M&S.  What do you think?  Any other gems you've seen?

A quick round up of what I've been wearing.  Excuse the fuzziness of some of the photos.  Chief Photographer Number One has decided she's gone on strike and the stand in (6 yr old) isn't quite up to scratch yet.  Apologies. 

Wednesday 



Burnt orange thin knit long sleeved jumper - Cos
Distressed biker jeans - By Malene Birger
Navy knitted military peacoat - Zara
Jade & mustard striped scarf - Aubin & Wills
Camel Cyrpess boots - Acne
Chestnut Cross body bag - Campomaggi from Plumo

Thursday during the day 



Black longline jersey top - Baukjen
Black distressed tweed shrunken blazer - Zara
Khaki skinny zip trousers - By Malene Birger
Khaki & black leopard print scarf - By Malene Birger
Black Madonna stud wedge trainers - Ash
Cheetah print ponyskin bag - Zara

Thursday night - out for drinks with the girls. 



Snakeskin blouse - Zara
Black coated skinny trousers - Cos
Pink blazer - Zara
Blush, khaki & black snakeskin scarf - M&S
Black suede & patent leather ankle boots - LK Bennett
Black clutch bag with chain - Tory Burch 


Friday 

Wine jumper - Dorothy Perkins
Distressed paint splatter skinnies - Zara
Wine & blush boiled wool coatigan - Clements Ribeiro
Tartan scarf - H&M
Black Faridah hobo bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs
Bea suede wedge trainers - Ash
Sunglasses - Tom Ford

Right, off to catch up on The X Factor!

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CONVERSATION

38 comentarios:

  1. I too spied the gilet in 13-14 on Thursday and thought it looked extremely long in the body for a child, looks fabulous on you. I brought the beige/brown version last year for my two daughters and they are still wearing.

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    1. It does look massive doesn't it?! And I'd have loved it in a beige brown version. The jury is still out on the petrol blue one. I still have my eye on a fur coat for A/W (Christmas present fingers crossed!)

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  2. Love the M&S scarf, have just ordered the purple version. Love the mustard one too but that's a colour i can't pull off unfortunately :(
    I'm with you on getting excited about Christmas early too, have done most of my shopping for my kids and others in the family, just got DH to sort!

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    1. Oh god i'm so so behind on my shopping! Actually not true - I've done most of the kids in the family (bar mine!). But the rest is a disaster. DOh!

      Hope you like the purple scarf!

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    2. Scarf arrived and i love it! Thanks for the tip :)

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  3. I bought the stag print scarf at Westfield today, I think the quality of M & S scarves are fantastic for the price. I also managed to pick up some pieces from the Grey Concept collection at H & M. Wanted to buy it all, really liked it xx

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    1. They're really great for £19.50 aren't they? Oh and i'm so jealous you managed to snag some Grey Concept stuff! What did you get?!

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    2. I bought a dark denim pair of jeans and the long grey cardi, have worn both pieces today's and will blog about later today if ou want to see! I'm going to order the cost online as I

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    3. Arghhhh stupid iPad, as I was saying, going to order the black coat online as I have a 25% off code to use.

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  4. Love Marks and Spencer bags,actually!
    Have quite a few and always delighted with them.
    Fux fur gilet lovely.
    Have lots of boots from there too.
    Sue

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    1. Yes I would also agree that their boots are always worth a look. Really impressed with their bags recently, it definitely has to be said.

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  5. Simply gorgeous items on display here.....loving your style snapping the mobile pics! I often buy kids clothes, my daughter would def be fighting me for that faux fur gilet!

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    1. Can you imagine how much of an oddbod I must have looked papping those photos?! Pleased you all appreciate them! And yes, I'm pretty sure my daughter would have her eye on the gilet as well.

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  6. All I can say is brave girl heading to M&S on a Saturday! Some great pics - I miss M&S greatly - always my first port of call when I'm back.

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    1. Oh good lord I didn't go on Saturday!! I went on Thursday when it was empty. I can't imagine anything worse than heading to a major shopping centre on a Sat, let alone this near Christmas!! And yes, I do have a soft spot for M&S it has to be said. It's a close run thing between our beloved John Lewis & M&S mind you.

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  7. Saw the scarf yesterday on a trawl thru for a new scarf to replace the pink DP one that got a huge hole in it (shoddy quality, but was only about a tenner), wasn't sure about the colour, but having seen it on SCD it seems more purple than wine.

    Lovely outfits as ver - the khaki BMB scarf is particularly gorgeous.

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    1. I would say it's definitely veering towards the fuchsia/purple than wine. I also think it would depend what you put with it - something pinky, it would definitely look purple whereas with something more maroon, it would look much more of a wine tone. Clear as mud? I think you'll love it!

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  8. Love all those pics from M and S, espec the cross body bag - so preeetty!! Sat down to watch X factor that I had recorded only to find my rotten children had used up all the memory and it hadn't recorded...can't win in this house. I give up.X

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    1. WHAT a bummer! Hope you managed to catch it on repeat today. Twas a good one (I'm addicted to both the UK and the US one)

      I am so so in love with the black x body bag..... (not ordered yet though - polish halo, polish halo...)

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  9. Last outfit definitely my fave. You look fab-u-lous. I'm waiting on my delivery of (most of) the Grey Concept from H and M. Did you snag any of it?

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    1. oh you love, thank you. Have to say love all the textures of wool (errr some being acrylic) together. And no, I have been hugely abstemious from ordering anything = FOOL!!! Whatcha get??!!!! Please do feedback how fab it is and what the best bits are. xxxx

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    2. I picked up the long skirt here the other day - it's lovely but haven't worn it yet...hardly any other items here in Atlanta...we're slow off the mark.

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  10. Great outfits as always and loving the M&S scarves. Must investigate. You're not alone in getting excited about Christmas this early .. I'm exactly the same! Bring it on ...

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    1. The scarves are definitely worth hunting down and would make fantastic presents as well actually. And yes, I LOVE Christmas in Nov! (am over it by the actual day mind you...!)

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  11. I haven't made it into M&S yet but I'm looking forward to going and seeing their Xmas shop as it always makes me feel Christmassy. Loving the scarfs and bags too. I have a fab Xmas present ap on my phone which I love except it tells me how much I've spent so a spending ban is definitely in place now! Loving your outfits as usual - Ant xxx

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    1. Oh my god I think I need that app - if you get a mo and could let me know what it is, I'd be very grateful...! Thank you!

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  12. That red bag is gorgeous!

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    1. If red is your colour then that red bag is so so so worth buying. You can't see in the photos but with the gun metal grey hardware is just gorgeous.

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    2. I'm a silver rather than a gold person, which is why I love it! It's described as "tomato" - is it more an orangey red or a scarlet?

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    3. I would say tomato describes it perfectly. Definitely an orange edge as opposed to a scarlet. Gorgeous though - really really gorgeous.

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  13. Don't you ever get bored of skinnies and big scarves?? I know we all have a style we get used to and feel comfortable with but blimey........done to death or what?!!

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    1. Well apparently not if you take a look around the shops.

      Kat does this look (irritatingtly!) well and lots of us follow her style to get ideas. You don't like it, then don't do it! Perhaps start a blog of your own based on your style...

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    2. blimey ladies calm down!!!!!!!!!! Just my opinion - not miaow at all - just voicing my thoughts. I enjoy this blog- have no interest in starting my own whatsoever - just thought a bit of variety would be good.


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    3. It did come across quite rude. You are more than entitled to your opinon but sometimes its how you express it.It always amazes me how people seem to feel 'safer' saying things online. would you actually say that to someone in real life? if no, then dont say it online.

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    4. Sorry. No offence meant whatsoever. I would say it in real life, but the danger with online is you can;t see the smile...........lesson learnt.

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    5. Interestingly (or not probably) I have just recently (actually since the blog began) discussed the issues with having a "uniform" And have explored whether or not there are alternatives and how to redress the balance of wearing skinnies. Scarves I make no apology for. It's cold. I wear a scarf! (occasionally I wear a snood. Maybe I need more....hmmm. Food for thought!)

      And randomly, as you posted your original comment, was wearing a totally different pair of trousers. Which elicited a huge response, some good, some saying - horrendous, skinnies are so much better on me and I should stick to them! You're never going to please all of the people all of the time!!

      I, happily, am rarely unhappy with what I wear. As I am a super sad cow and spend waaaay too long thinking about them. Thank you for apologising even though no offence taken xxxx

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  14. You're so funny! And spot on at the same time! Just ordered the M&S owl dress, can't wait!

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