So I see you your J.Crew & raise you...

...good old M&S.  No I haven't been drinking (ok so maybe a smidge of red wine) and no, I clearly have not been approached by M&S with some fabulous sponsorship/review deal (I fear I am far too rude about their website for them to care.  

But my love for our stalwart of the British High Street continues and I feel it is my duty to share more of some totally fabulous things that I can't justify buying. 

And, and and and (or should I say but but but....), I have been sent a 20% off voucher which I am going to share (not sure I should, but, like I said, I'm not remotely on M&S's radar so go forth and shop with the discount)

Code is MAY14EM for 20% off clothes, accessories etc and can be used multiple times.  Oh and it says Family and Friends and I'm sure you lot come under the heading "friends"!  All the prices listed here are without the 20% off.  From today the 22nd till the 26th May.

I haven't been into Marks for a while actually and I went into today with a lovely friend, hunting for the black and white striped Autograph Dress which she bought.  However whilst I am on the look out (still!) for a striped dress (I've to report back on that actually and will do in the next couple of days), my head was totally turned by a myriad of other things, starting with a couple of beauties that had more than a whiff of the J.Crews about them.  (I would say I'm not obsessed with them but alas, I am)

This sweatshirt - doesn't look anything in either of the pics here to be fair, but it is gorgeous.  A slight neoprene feel to it. 

Floral Sweatshirt £39.50

To complete the J.Crew look, there is a matching skirt.  Oh yes.  In different lengths and everything.  Fab fabric - stretch, non crease, just gorgeous.  Wear as an outfit or wear separately.  Total double bubble in an outfit - my fave thing. 

Wisteria Pencil Skirt £45







Now yesterday I posted a print dress - well.  It seems that M&S have also been taking some leaves out of the J.Crew almanac as they have pretty much the identical dress, admittedly in a different print. 

Cotton Rich Oriental Floral Dress £45







Before we move on to other things that caught my eye - I have to include this as it's obviously not just J.Crew that M&S have been hawking.  Can we expect more All Saints tributes?  Check this out.  (but do not look at the styling - the dress is where the comparison to AS starts and ends.. think outside the box peeps if you do go and have a look.  It's not pretty...) 

Pure Silk Abstract Print Shift Dress £89 




Now moving onto other gems in the M&S wardrobe - they had some truly fabulous tops. 

This is a different way of wearing stripes - the best drapey jersey ever. 

Striped Jersey Top £22.50






The other amazing striped top in, again, great drapey jersey, was this black and white one. 

Striped Boxy T-shirt £25








A Jacquard Shell top in yellow - same price as a tee but would work so much harder.  Could be worn out for dinner, for work, over jeans with flat sandals for the school run - hell, put it with a smart pencil skirt and some fab accessories and you could wear it to a wedding.  

Jacquard Shell top £25


 
I do have in the pipleline, a linen tee thread (all will be revealed) but I will just throw you a tiny starter with this which is just perfect for that elusive "tee" hole in the wardrobe.  Linen back with a silky front.  Beats the hell out of a normal tee for sure. 

Linen Back Top £25



And for the first time EVER, I have seen something online with such a great photo that I am actually going to hunt it down.  The fact I know I can't do a waisted skirt and would need it to sit lower on me is neither here nor there, I am that impressed with the pic.  (and maybe the shoes as well.... *checks to see how much wine I've actually drunk*)

Lace Skirt £99




I also found this skirt online which I didn't see in store - slightly confused though as it says it's black.  Looks silver in these pics to me.. Is exactly the shape I want though for day wear - a vaguely tempted to order and see what turns up! 

Leather A-Line Skirt M&S £149 in black?!



But finishing with my total "am desperately trying to justify buying it and am ridiculously pleased that I didn't buy the Hobbs one" love, is this coat from Autograph.  Interestingly, in some of the photos online it looks like it had a round collar but I'm 99% sure that the collar is actually stitched down as in the pic below (maybe you can unstitch it - it may just be tacked down but it's part of the reason I loved it - created a much more unusual look) 

This was divine. Unbelievable luxury - the feel of it, you would honestly think it was £300 plus worth of coat. 

Duster Overcoat with Cashmere £169 in Wedgewood



Not sure (in fact I know) I wouldn't wear it with this outfit - slightly too heavy I think (the outfit for the coat) but I would die trying to make this work.  Absolutely IN LOVE.