So for 20% off I get a chance to rant...

.... but to start with, it would be rude not to highlight some excellent things that I've seen in M&S.  Yes, I have taken this on as my personal public service for which I get absolutely ZERO thanks from M&S.  Harrumph.  To be fair, this isn't a huge surprise as I am inevitably rather rude about them - but it's borne out of frustration.  I love M&S, I love the heritage of the brand, I used to work there as a teenager and it has such a feeling of familiarity for me.  And I think they have some amazing lines.  Price wise and generally quality wise, they are one of my favourite places to shop on the High Street. 

But boy do they not make it easy.  I shop for a living yet I find their stores frustratingly difficult to navigate and confusing to walk around.  They've tried over the years to divide their stock lines into categories.  Which frankly, I don't think works.  The overlap between their departments has been eroded to practically nothing now.  Yes, Indigo is supposed to be the more boho range, Limited Edition (which was Collection until last year - confusing much?) is the hipper end of the ranges and Autograph the more elegant?  I'm assuming..... seeing as it's pretty much impossible to tell due to the lack of info about the stores and their ranges generally.  Then you have the Best of British which is....?  Expensive.  

Then you have Per Una which used to be frumptastic but now seems to sell every sort of style bar the kitchen sink.  And don't get me started on Per Una Speziale.... ?  Que?

And then (I'm on a roll now - there's no stopping me) there's the selection of "Collections" dotted all over the shop.  Some have trousers, some have jackets, some have dresses.... on top of the trousers, jackets and dresses that there are in Limited Edition, Autograph etc.  Are they a drastically different style from the "brands"?  In my opinion, that will be no.  

So in a nutshell you're left with whole load of confusion.  

THEN (nearly finished), you have online.  This has to be someone's idea of a joke surely?  The only website I know where you can see something instore and then spend half an hour searching to find it online.   As it bears absolutely no resemblance to the item in the flesh.  They must try really hard to do this as they manage to do pretty much with every single item (bar shoes).  Tis a gift. 

But in the interest of making sure we all look fabulous and uncover some gems that M&S do have (and most people would probably avoid!), I am happy to carry on with my unearthing of beauties.  Maybe one day they might ask people who shop there, their opinions...

So these are a selection of goodies that I saw last week and had planned to slot them in to various blogs which I have planned for the next couple of weeks.  But so that we can take advantage of the 20% (didn't they just have one of these last week?) and I was able to get my massive M&S rant off my chest (personally feel much better for having put that out there, although the chances of them ever wanting to work with me now are probably nil), I am happy to bring them to you in one go.  And you may get an idea of what I've got coming up on the blog.

Starting with some writing.  Now the reason I like this is that it's not a sweatshirt like so many others out there, but actually this is on a jumper.  I think this is quite cute.  I love the idea of it with a shirt under - maybe even a checked shirt... (see below), skinny jeans and my newly found love of (one pair only) sneakers.  Or loafers.  Loafers would do very well, as would brogues.  Ooh love the idea of brogues actually..... Would also look forward to wearing it in slightly warmer climes with a vest underneath, faded boyfriend jeans and yet more sneakers. (or ballet flats if you're that way inclined..)

Am actually embarrassed to post this photo...

M&S Collection (see??  What is that?) Pure Cotton Tres Chic Jumper now £23.60

Staying with jumpers and continuing the theme of excruciating pics from the online site of misery. 

This honestly HONESTLY is so lovely in the flesh. 

M&S Collection Pure Cotton Panelled jumper with StayNEW (anti bobbling stuff) now a total bargain at £15.60





This is it in the chambray colour - the perfect addition to your wardrobe to tick that pastel trend but works just as well with all the old denim and white that you've had for years.  Also gorgeous with navy. 

M&S Collection Pure Cotton Panelled jumper with StayNEW £15.60







Here is the blouse in the first pic - a collarless lovely jersey one which works perfectly on its own under a blazer or layered under a wider necked jumper or sweatshirt. 

This has taken me Ages to find.  I have seriously looked at every shirt on this blasted site about 10 times. 

M&S Collection Pure Cotton Twin Pocket Shirt  now £14





Limited Edition Bib Front Blouse now £23.60 Gorgeous in real life - very Acne inspired (a friend of mine who has a lot of Acne tops assures me - she bought it and if it's good enough for her.....)  A virant mustard shade - gorgeous with navy or black. 







Finishing with something I simply love.  Fabulous nautical inspired jacket which you could make look properly smart or de-prim with some faded boyfriend skinnies, check shirt (see above...) and sneakers.  Now I have trawled the site for this. Can I find it?  Can I heck as like.  It may be that it's not there - I'm assuming that as I can't even see how M&S could misrepresent this on a photo.  If you can find instore, good luck.  This was taken a fortnight ago actually so I assumed (wrongly) it would be online by now. 



So what do we all think of good old M&S.  I so so want to be besotted by it as some of their stock is truly amazing.  Comparing it with the prices from Warehouse yesterday, I think it represents much better value for money and to be honest, you're less likely to see someone wearing it as it's such a hideous shop to go into and purchase online from (don't get me STARTED with their seemingly non-existent next day delivery to store.  Has anyone found any clothes item they can get delivered next day?).  But it just feels that they're missing a huge trick.  I'm not going to pretend I know what the answer is - I think the problem is that everyone wants to love them and that's just too huge and disproportionate a demograph to please. 

Would love to know your thoughts.  Apparently they were due to get a new online site in the New Year.  Clearly not early in the New Year then. 

Me here from yesterday.  As I said on Twitter.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing and on reflection, I realise there is a fine line between cool eclectic and Helena Bonham Carter.  I threw this on (as you can perhaps tell) and maybe should have checked in the mirror.  Coat would have worked if it was navy.  Bag would have worked if it was navy.  Seeing as I only have the former, I should have changed my coat.  But I am LOVING the trainers.  Had a wobble when the 9yr old proclaimed it looked like I had second hand shoes on (she meant vintage....) but ploughed on regardless.  Best thing?  The comfort.  Like walking around in my slippers all day.  Bliss.  Anyone else caved?  People have said this is a slippery slope - and I can see that... Must. Not.  Buy. More.



Dark denim shirt - New Look for Men
Horsing around sweatshirt - JCRew
Khaki zipped skinnies - By Malene Birger
New Balance sneakers
Checked coat - Zara
Whisky Medium Marcie - Chloe

Am off to try jeans on today.  Just for you xxx