From hero to zero

And it was all going so well.  No I haven't fallen off any purchasing wagon although I will admit it's not for lack of trying.  

Beginning of last week when I had my navy revelation, I ordered the most perfect navy skinny polo neck in the sale from Zara - super reduced - yee ha.   I also ordered a whole load of treasures that my 10yr old daughter and I sat down and meticulously selected.  Only today - yes today, over a week later, for those eejits at Zara to email me today, saying alas, *some* (which is clearly Spanish for *most*) of my items had sold out (errr why weren't they just sent to me when I ordered them) but as compensation they were going to give me free delivery on my next order.  Way to go Zara.  So I get free delivery when I always get free delivery anyway?  Fabulous Customer Service.  I am rather (ok REALLY) peed off about my lack of navy polo neck that I had sort of been counting on (ARSES) but the 10yr old is really really upset (a hard lesson to learn at a young age). 

So big fat fail there.  

Second nail in the shopping coffin came when I got home earlier and my H&M order had arrived.  A couple of weeks ago (yet again, quality delivery times... seriously?!) when I was having an oversized cream jumper moment and I needed more cushions (which are actually really worth waiting for), I did a large order of random stuff. 

I'm not entirely how random all of these jumpers might be, as the box that was thrown on my doorstep was half ripped, the pathetic piece of plastic that allegedly keeps it together askew and yes of course, two jumpers were missing (and a cushion... grrrrr)  And what was delivered was horrendous.  There was one jumper dress that is ok (I fear I may be desperate) - the jury is still out.  Huge disappointment all round. 

Cue disaster number three which was today when I went shopping for black skinnies.  I adore my Mint Velvet triple zip black skinnies which I tried to find the other day.  Could I find them?  Could I heck as like.  I went through all my jeans, I went through them again.  I then looked at each pair in detail and hey presto, found them.  And the reason I hadn't spotted them first time round is because they are now grey.  They're not black anymore, they were a washed black to begin with to be fair, but now, nope, they are properly grey.  

Do you think I could find a black replacement today?  Well of course not.  Diddly squat in the sales and of course new season is all blue blue blue denim. 

Missions abandoned.  As I said last week, when life throws you a curve ball, yell PLOT TWIST and move on.  My plot twist is back to my comfort zone.  

I have been seduced by stripes.  Oh I love a stripe.  Adore in fact. 

And did I see some great new season options today.  (I was planning on finding some gems as mentioned above in the sales.  That'll be a sod that)

I had gone into Topshop on a black trouser hunt (negative on the tall side) 

I was totally transfixed by a number of things - the assault on my stripey sense was too much.  These are just all too too lovely.  Abandon all ye who thought you could get through this season without purchasing another striped number.

Striped Long Sleeve Cotton Top by Boutique at Topshop £30 Navy




And a black version (this I definitely don't have..) 



I saw the above tops instore and they are great.  They are lightweight, that's for sure, don't be thinking they're a heavy rib traditional Breton as they're not.  So great for layering and fab for into the Spring/Summer.  And they're the perfect shape to wear with A Line skirts. 

Oh and culottes... now I didn't see these instore (there are precious few pairs of culottes in Bluewater - anywhere actually.  Which isn't irritating at all) but I saw them online and ooooh..... 

Faux Leather culottes £36 from Topshop in off white 



You see I did say that I was Over the sales and this sort of proves it.  I am all over new season.  How could I not be when I saw this dress below? 

Striped Jersey Sweat Dress £36 Now this is beautifully thick fabric.  Heavy, rich feeling, just perfect for wearing now with black opaques.  It does say on the TS blurb that it's navy but I had it up against my black coat and I would swear it's black.  They do it in a Tall (and a maternity - so not needed here) but to be honest with you, the Tall came down to my knees.  Too long for me (slut alert), the regular length I think would be fine.  I'm going to say it and I'm only going to say it once.  How fab would this be with the Lowland R&B boots?  And into the summer with bare legs, sneakers or sandals.  I also think if you threw on a huge statement necklace and some heels, you could wear this out in the evening as well.  This is definitely one for my NY suitcase.  The more I look at it, the more I am irritated I didn't just buy it.  FOOL. 


I then happened to wander into River Island, getting less enthusiastic by the minute at the prospect of having to hunt down the elusive black trousers and losing all interest when I set eyes on this. 

In.  Love.  This has First Holy Communion all over it, over a cream or black dress?  And it would look just as amazing with jeans for a totally dressed down look.  And the best bit - oh the absolutely best bit is, it's just £60. 

Red Stripe Cropped Drape Summer Jacket £60



Also saw this one this one which again, would be ideal over a dress and just as fab with jeans.  The pic online doesn't do it any justice, the one I papped in store gives you a much better idea of how gorgeous it is.  Probably not as end of Winter friendly as the one above is (I would have no qualms about wearing the red one over a merino black jumper, huge black scarf, jeans and black ankle boots - I am honestly obsessed with it) 

Cream Stripe Boxy Boucle Jacket £60





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So there we have a selection of new season beauties, all of which I could easily have bought today.  There are a huge array of styles and colours out there, which I will explore in the coming months, but I was over the moon to see that the stripe is still as popular with the buyers as it is with me.

Can you have too many stripes??!

Finishing with outfit from today - a lovely lunch with a friend at Bluey (detox - what detox?  Five Guys I love you.....)  A selection of old favourites, made even more favourite with current boots and my new bag. 

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Black polo neck - Zara
Boiled wool black coat - Ronit Zilkha
Leopard print jeans - Great Plains
Quilted bag - Zara
Buckle boots - Toga Pulla 

Tomorrow I am on a chair painting mission with the girls..... slobs at the ready!  

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CONVERSATION

33 comentarios:

  1. 3 words - Dylon machine dye. Your skinnies will look brand new again. I dye my favourite Top Shop skinnies every year, gives them a new lease of life!

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    1. OOH what a fab idea. You star x (does it trash your wwashing machine.....??)

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  2. I love. top shop Joni jeans....skinny,Lycra and high waisted...they are fab! I have them in black and got in TS sale today in Bluey black with a hint of sparkle

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    1. Hmm now I haven't seen the Joni - I have Baxters (not skinny) and Leigh (actually where are they... I've got a red pair I haven't seen for eons! Hmm great reminder thanks!) And I've got Kirsten which I LOVE - high waisted and skinny. I did see a fab coated pair in TS but they didn't have them in tall - can't for the life of me remember what they were. Maybe Jamie actually? I need to do some ordering online (or just go to a bigger TS!)

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  3. Today I took delivery of two lovely stripey tops from the Asos sale....from the menswear section. Again, all down to your blog and your recent post on men knitwear. That got me looking!

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    1. Oh fantastic!! There are some great options there aren't there?!

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  4. I second Kitty - Dylon for black trousers is AMAZING, You can get it at home base. They will be like new leaving more money for that lovely stripey blazer!!!!

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    1. Great point but again, does it trash your machine? I have visions of everything turning grey for the next week!

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  5. Check out Sainsburys for greats 'stripey' tops.......and no, you can never have too many stripey tops!!!!! ....loving the dress, going to take a peek at that one right now x

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    1. I never manage to find anything in Sainsburys! Others get great bargains but ours is all very supermarkety clothes...... (love their homewares though!) I'll hvae another peak thank you xx

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  6. Love stripes you can not have too many. Boden does an amazing Breton lovely soft cotton and plenty of colours, always a bargain with their discount codes.

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    1. They do indeed - but they never seem to fit me that well - always really short in the body (I am a giant though!)

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  7. Have you tried the M&S 5 pocket jeggings? They have the black in long length in a 10 and 12 (if I recall your size, roughly??) The black version is quite thin, but for £22.50 I find them pretty good, and suitably high waisted enough for a January waistline to be comfortable.

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    1. OOh good point - I went into M&S the other day and it was CRAP. Which is very very unlike me who always manages to find something in there. I'll have another look on Monday thank you xxxx

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  8. I am a total sucker for anything with stripes

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  9. Love a striped top but that dress is calling me! The red jacket is beautiful but would be too short for me, meh 😩
    I've only ever ordered once online from H&M as I found the 17 day delivery a total shocker, totally unacceptable when everyone else manages to deliver within 48 hours these days, 24 hours in a lot of cases. They need to sort that out!! X

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    1. Are you super tall??! Oh and bloody H&M - the ONLY good thing about them is their returns which is just a phone call and then leave it on the door step. But the delivery is a joke x (only matched in crapness by Zara in the sale)

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  10. Yes, I agree with others - definitely dye them. Dylon machine dye (I think the one I used was 'velvet black'. Will give them a new lease of life.

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  11. Definitely Dylon! John Lewis and Wilson also sell it. You can buy black and also blue for jeans. Refreshes other black clothes too as long as natural fibres. I have just bought grey Mint Velvet jeans in JL sale, as recommended by you. Even better I had a gift voucher, so they cost me £9.

    Love a stripe, too. Always useful. H&M are not good at delivery, we waited ages for my 9 yr old's coat last autumn, and the pyjamas were then out of stock, which is what the whole order had been waiting for. Grrrr.

    Tanya

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    1. Oh I'm so pleased you like the jeans - yes I'm going to deffo dye these so long as you can all reassure me I won't dye everything in my machine black for the next month!!

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  12. Great picks. I loved that aztec jacket.

    Jennifer Jayne xx
    jenniferjayne.blogspot.co.uk

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  13. Persuaded my wife to get me the bag you featured yesterday in Topshop for my birthday, nabbed the LAST one in store! Hurrah. Trying to not buy clothes so spent £70 on cosmetics and toiletries instead (Sali Hughes list) in vain attempt to stop me looking haggard with a side order of dreary......Love love love a stripe! saw that TS dress today and it's fab

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    1. So pleased - it's great isn't it?! And yes, I am v tempted by the dress....

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  14. Hi Kat, I love a stripe too and have several in the wardrobe. Check out the Pull & Bear Stripe Fluffy jumper in the sale at ASOS for £23.00. Saw it on another bloggers website (worn with black leather trousers and biker boots) and looked rather fab.....and hey its still cold out there so ANOTHER jumper is really needed (ahem). So have ordered it in Size Medium and Large as apparently it comes up small. Here is the rather long link:
    http://www.asos.com/pull-bear/pull-bear-stripe-fluffy-jumper/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4606485&clr=Blackwhite&SearchQuery=pull%26bear+stripe+jumper&SearchRedirect=true

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    1. That's gorgeous but I can't do jumpers like that - can't do fluffy ones even though I love them on other people!

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  15. Hi again, also I cannot recommend enough the Vila Vikura Striped jumper (very similar look to the R13 striped jumper last year at Matches and Netaporter). I have the blue and black stripe and the white and black stripe which I wear with my Isabel Marant Etoile Melina black cropped trousers (bit wider in the crop). Here is it in the white and black a at Vila (only XL left but other websites do have it ) http://vila.com/vila/l-s-knit/vikura-top-a/14024305,en_GB,pd.html?dwvar_14024305_colorPattern=14024305_SurfTheWeb_446007&forceScope=

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  16. I absolutely love that dress & it is super versatile! Get it!! x

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    1. I'm convinced I have nothing else like it so am going on Monday to snaffle it! (well try it on and check I don't look like crap in it!) x

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  17. Hmm yes the Dune boots - they might go into the sale soon OR there may be a 20% off in the next month or so at John Lewis or something??? At least they sometimes have offers unlike R&B who NEVER discount ANYTHING. Bastards. (oh and dry schmy Jan)

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