And back in my comfort zone.

Proudly presenting item number two of my January purchases.  I'm not going to lie to you - I may have been ordering like a maniac (aka woman possessed with needing a new top/dress) from Matches, Whistles and Net a Porter.  Me and Mr DHL are on first name terms.   Seeing as he's had to come and pick up every single package as well as delivering them.  But if you kiss enough sales frogs, one will turn out to be a Prince. (that's purchases by the way - NOT the DHL man) 

And here is my Knight in shining armour.  I don't have a link as it's now sold out everywhere but this is the best pic I could get.  Yes it's safe, no I'm not reinventing the fashion wheel here but it's so so me.  I'm out for a very special lunch next week and this is perfect for that outfit - coated skinnies, navy swing coat - the opportunities are endless.  

Plus it goes in the washing machine.  OH YES.  Nothing else i ordered did and whilst I have ended up paying a lot of money (although it was half price) for a polyester top (ouch), it does feel like lovely heavy silk and I'll wear it so much more on a casual basis as I know I can wash it and it's going to come out the same shape as when it went in. 

Dare I say, this is also a camping top.  Just great with a pair of cut off shorts.  Who'd have thought I'd be able to find something so versatile.  (to be fair, the amount I did try, I sort of did deserve to) 

And so here it is.  

Kenzo Flower Print Blouse 

Now throwing this in there as it is also new but this doesn't count as a purchase.... as it was a birthday present although admittedly I did choose it.  It happens to go rather well with the top and also matches the Brompton shoes which I bought in the sale and can't wait to get loads of use out of.  Would have been rude not to.  The sandals will also go perfectly with that top for the summer but I'm hardly getting loads of wear out of them when we're knee deep in rain at the moment. 

Larissa Cobalt Pleat Clutch from Reiss now £35 was £95




That then got me to thinking that there was a pair of shoes in Zara in the sale that I didn't bother buying as clearly they weren't one of my chosen three things but DARN it they would have been fabulous with the bag and my top.....and they were - wait for it..... £12.99.  I feel sick typing that.  Balls to my being abstemious set of pigging rules - I have missed out on some fabulous shoes.  I do now have a total obsession with a pair of blue suede stilettos.  You have been warned....

But moving onwards with some other amazing print shell tops that I would get oodles of use out of.  Some say if they have a bigger bust they don't suit them - I think it depends on the cut and the darting at the sides.  Definitely need trying on.  Certainly anything with a very much higher neck is probably going to be a no.  Clearly not a problem I am lucky enough to have hence these are probably my favourite shaped top.

This isn't necessarily the bargain of the century but for me, these are such versatile tops, it's worth considering. 

Reiss Eleanor Snake Print top in Indigo was £110 now £79



Alternatively they do have a new season one which isn't silk and so possibly isn't slightly as dressy but it does go into the washing machine so personally I'd get loads more wear out of (alternatively I would put it on a handwash but don't tell anyone I said that) 

Ellie Print Black/White Snakeprint £89







Whistles come up trumps as per usual and whilst this is  3/4 length sleeves and a slightly higher neckline than I would normally consider for a shell top, I love the green of this which would work easily as well with black and/or navy.  Ditto camel.  Absolutely adore this print, shape and colourway. 

Whistles Mystic Mountain top in green £115 




Whilst i'm slightly off piste I may as well go knee deep into the powder and shove this in as I love it.  This definitely comes under the heading "blouse" (seeing as it has buttons) but when I do my "Would Dr Nikki Alexander wear it?" test, this comes out with an A*.

Whistles Mystic Floral Blouse  £125




Thinking about the pastel themes which are everywhere this Spring, this from Ted Baker is gorgeous and still in the sale. 

Ted Baker Rubea Tea Party Print shirt now £50 was £99  This is an absolutely ideal purchase for the new season.  It's like a fabulous version of the one I bought from Forever 21 last year. 


Great Plains have just released their Spring collections and there are some gorgeous numbers there to explore.  Staying on the pastel theme:-

Chevron Candy top £40.00 in two colourways.





This is slightly more ditsy but I think would look great with a navy blazer, distressed boyfriend jeans and a pair of sneakers..

Daisy Maisy top £70



Waterfall Garden Print £45



So there we have a selection of a few that you could easily wear now on a night out but would be just as useful come the Spring for wearing during the day (I'm not saying you couldn't wear them during the day now but it's ever so slightly chilly perhaps.....)

Here is my outfit from today.  To say I am over the rain is an understatement.  There is no surprise in this, I lose my rag with the weather a lot, particularly at this time of year.  If it snows, I make no apology for having a complete sense of humour failure.  Just putting it out there now. 




White shirt - M&S Autograph mens
Leopard print sweatshirt - Zara
Indigo jeans - Boden
Black peacoat - Zara
Madonna studded wedge trainers - Ash
Faridah black hobo bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs

So I did cave yesterday and ordered my third and final purchase of January - the New Balance Trainers from ASOS.  I have since discovered they come up small so as I'm usually a 6.5 and ordered a 7, they probably aren't going to fit.  GAH!  On the upside I think there is definitely a trainer shaped hole in my wardrobe so watch this space....

I am now obsessed with needing a new pair of blue shoes though.... and something else from the other day.  I am busy creating my wish list for February.  As you do.