You're not going to believe this...

I bought nothing. 

Sorry, whilst you're all picking your jaws up from the floor, yes I'm back! 

I had intended to do a blog or two whilst I was away but basically I was either eating, sleeping, drinking or shopping.   Well, when I say shopping, I do mean of the window variety. 

As yes, like I said, I.  Bought.  Nothing.  Zilch, nada, zip.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't for want of trying.  I will admit that as much as I worship the ground he walks on (within reason...), The Husband is not a great shopper.  He hovers.  Slightly like a petulant dalek.  You can almost see the unease and boredom oozing out of every pore.  Which is fair enough, I feel very much the same when forced to watch Rugby.  At least with the latter, I can watch tv or read at the same time.  But the poor Husband wasn't able to do this as I sort of made him go into one (or ten) shops, each time assuring him it would be the last one. 

Problem was that I'd lost two days of shopping with my girlfriend and there was shopping to be done. 

To be fair though, I can't remotely put the lack of purchasing entirely on his shoulders. 

I could also try and blame the weather.  It was cold.  When I arrived on Thursday it was cold.  It wasn't cold cold though.  We had dinner at Nobu which was a ten minute walk from my hotel and I was meeting the gang there but I was happy to stroll there on my own (in heels with no hat...)  And walk back in a snow storm later.   Yes it was chilly but it wasn't full on cold. 

Oh but then it was.  MINUS ELEVEN not including the wind chill factor and frankly, it was that windy, if you'd chucked up a wind farm or two, you could have kept the city in electricity for the weekend.  I can only ever recall being that cold when skiing in a blizzard in Vermont a million years ago.  And what are the shops full of?  Oh yes, Spring clothes.  Hmmm.  The thought of even starting to strip off (and I was togged out Nanook of the North stylee) to try something on wasn't happening.

But you would be proud of me - boy did I give it a good go.  I came up with some really interesting conclusions as well which I'll go through over the next couple of days.  Suffice to say, we have it good here in the UK & Europe.  We have it really really good.  

And so I spent not a penny and instead we had the most amazing time ever drinking and eating.  Because that, they do really really well in New York.  Nobu, a local seafood restaurant which was incredibly unglam but with the most amazing food ever, super chic hotel bars, a Jazz night with cocktails and a fabulous Dim Sum experience in Chinatown.  Not to mention finding some great local coffee shops in Soho (there were lots and lots of coffee shop stops) and a plethora of Bloody Marys, champagne and Espresso Martinis. 

I got home yesterday and had planned to blog but the small one with Asperger's was very very unsettled (not helped by a mother who sucks her teeth every time he raises his voice and thinks that apparently being having Autism isn't an excuse for rudeness.  The irony of that makes me want to cry.  Or drink.  Which I did last night.  If your own family can't comprehend his difference despite having them explained, how can we expect the rest of the society to?  It is exceptionally kind of her to look after them for a few days but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do it again.)  BUT this is me getting maudlin and this blog is my happy place so let's move swiftly on. 

Despite me doing no shopping, what I have come back with (apart from a font of ridiculous theories on US v Euro shopping which I will save for another day) is a great big Wish List. 

Plus news on the big trends that are a) out there for S/S15 and b) ones that I shall be adopting.  

Starting with all things 70's and yes, we're back at the baby boot cut, dare I say full boot cut and skinny flares.  Which I can yell HOUSE at.  I have my Stella McCartney jeans from last year, from Bicester and they were the best buy ever.  

But surely it pays to buy jeans in the US?  Well yes, it does.  If they fit. 

These are the ones from Saks that were the only pair (apart from Stella McCartney ones which are silly money over there) vaguely long enough for me.

Paige Manhattan Bootcut Jeans $179  And £195 at House of Fraser for the same shade (Armstrong) 



Now don't get me wrong I loved the fit of these at the top and on the thighs. 


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But here I am - doing my best impression of an M&S model.  They are simply Too. Short.  And this is my issue with boot cut.  They do need a heel - ok they don't necessarily need a heel but in my humble opinion they do look a lot better with them.

And yet with heels.... bad look if they're not long enough.  


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Now whilst I love the look, I do fear that you are so limited to really wearing certain heels of a certain height.  Otherwise they don't work.  Which isn't a massive issue but I certainly don't want to spend £150plus on jeans that I am limited as to where I can wear them (due to shoe issues)

But before I went away, I had a quick look in our shops here and I was very pleasantly surprised by those I found in Marks'. 

High Waisted Flare Jeans Limited Edition jeans from M&S £35 They do these in all lengths which is forward thinking seeing as we're all different heights.  Go hunt out your heels and get trying on.  Just make sure they're all the same height....



They also do a paler wash which has Farrah written all over it.  (who didn't want to be La Fawcett when they were younger?  Sun In has lot to answer for)  At least M&S have remained consistent with their refusal to allow to let their models to wear the correct length jeans but can I please assure you that these are so so much better in the flesh than they look in their online pics.   A friend of mine who is usually addicted to AG jeans, bought a pair of these and they looked fab on.

Slim Bootleg Denim Jeans from M&S £25




My favourite boyfriend jeans, after having tried on literally ( and I do mean literally) every brand out there at the time, were from ASOS.  Amazing fit, great quality denim and again different lengths (although my Saxby boyf jeans are just regular length as they're rolled up so the odd inch here or there doesn't matter) 

But when we're talking boot cut or flare, I cannot stress enough, length matters.  Unless the M&S styling look is what you're going for...... 

ASOS Fairleigh Jeans in Tall £35



Here's a pic below to prove me wrong as actually I don't hate this at all.  In fact I really quite like them but I will say I prefer the flat look with a wider leg all the way through - I think there's a fine line between cool skinny boot cut modern look and "old saggy boot cut with trainers and all you need to do is add a fleece for practical clothing" look.  Great for a younger model but  I think more difficult to pull off when you get to vintage status.   I do like the washed black look though... unusual.. Not yet in the Tall Section.  Gah. 

Jamie Flared Jeans £40 from Topshop (ok the more I look at this, the more I do like it... note to self..... watch this space.  Fickle?  Moi?  Mais oui.  Even quicker turn around - within two paragraphs)



More in a vintage wash at ASOS (again not tall).  These are probably my favourite of the bunch.  Love this wash - love the whole look (although I'm not tempted to get the tattoo, I'll just add)

ASOS Lennox Kick Flare jeans in mid wash blue £35



Although having said that, these look very similar and in a tall.....£35 (LOVE these and for the price - honestly if they fit well, why would you buy anything else?)



Whilst we're talking fave shades of blue and not thinking it's worth spending oodles on jeans, if they had a) had these in the US and b) they had fitted, I would have bought them in a heartbeat.  And then would have spent the GDP of Belgium on the perfect height shoes to go with them... but the great things about these that even if they were a tad long with some 
shoes, they're already frayed on the hem, so no biggie.   Be still my Charlie's Angels' heart. 

Current Elliott Flip Flop Frayed jean with distressing £250




The other big trend which I am still a fan of and will do the High Street research here for in the coming weeks, are skinnies.  I yet again though have realised that high waisted are the only way to go.  Certainly certainly not low waisted.  Otherwise this happens. 


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These are actually the correct size - clearly they are totally the wrong cut.  To be fair, they weren't too bad on the bum and through the thigh at all but it's less of a muffin than a full on birthday cake that is trying to escape over the top of these jeans.  JBrand moto skinnies or something.  I was ridiculously hungover and changing rooms in NY are hotter than a Turkish sauna so I couldn't even be bothered to check who had made these hideous beings. 

It does seem there there pretty much isn't a style of jean that won't work this season.  Lots and lots of choice with regards to wash and fit.  I shall be on a jeans mission in the next couple of weeks as whilst I do love the baby boot cut and kick flare jeans and of course will be wearing them - I think there are other styles out there that are more useful on a day to day basis.  (me having rediscovered my love of all shoes flat)

So finally finishing with a hint of my wardrobe escapades from my weekend away.  One photo of what I wore out in the evening.  Only one, I apologise.  This is clearly afterwards - it's the equivalent of about 5am in the morning for me with the time difference and I had been up since 6am.  Yes, I am holding on and yes, I blame the carpet.  The blurriness I'm blaming on The Husband.  (for which I am actually grateful....) 

The other nights there are no photos - the following night, reason being, is that after our long lunch and shopping, I thought it would be an idea to have a "power nap".  And woke up at midnight.  It did mean that we were up super early the next day for a full on day of exploring Downtown.  And the last night out we where there, just sort of forgot!

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Black crepe and leather dress - Sandro
Black suede shoe boots - M&S

And here for a day shopping on Fifth Avenue and then a lunch with The Husband and friends. 

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Black polo neck - Jigsaw
Black leather skirt - Zara
Black Caitlyn boots - Seven Boot Lane 
Black wool coat - Ronit Zilkah
Khaki colourblock scarf - ASOS
Camel wrist warmers - Topshop
Black quilted bag - Zara

And for a bracing day out in minus 11 degrees.  That's not including the wind chill factor.  It really hadn't been that cold previously, but oh my lord, this was a new level of freezing.  Exploring SoHo and then down to the 9/11 Memorial.

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Champagne sparkle Off Duty cashmere jumper - Boden
Black pleather leggings - Topshop
Patchwork fur coat - Topshop
Khaki Colourblock scarf - ASOS 
Black Caitlyn boots - Seven Boot Lane
Cream boble hat - Amelia Jane
Black quilted bag - Zara

And on the last day when we flew home.  A lovely day out for lunch in Chinatown at the most amazing and frenetic Dim Sum place.  Truly an experience.  Then a bit more shopping and coffee in SoHo.

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Champagne sparkle off duty cashmere jumper - Boden
Coated black jeggings - Dorothy Perkins
Black wool coat - Ronit Zilkah
Black buckle boots - Toga Pulla
Camel wrist warmers - Topshop
Khaki colourblock scarf - ASOS 
Quilted leather bag - Zara

So may I only apologise for my total lack of purchases.  I don't know whether I'm proud, disappointed or ashamed.  However, fear not, I definitely have some great ideas for the new season with a corking wish list I shall be working on.  Apologies for having been away so long, I am back armed with ideas S/S15. xx

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26 comentarios:

  1. Proof that London & UK is the best place to shop - I didn't find much to buy in NYC either when I was there.

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  2. I am LOVING your scarf in the first photo outside - WOW

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  3. With sales tax here it really isn't much cheaper - especially for high street brands - J.Crew, sneakers and jeans are definitely the best bargains here. Even the outlets here are rubbish as they make cheap clothes especially for them. I much prefer shopping in London!

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  4. Glad to hear you had a blast in NYC! I'm not surprised about nothing being purchased, I rarely shop on vacation and when I do, I'm with my husband (not the most ideal shopping companion usually). You looked very stylish in the cold, and that Sandro dress is the coolest.

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  5. I was just reading that the Euro is weak so good for hols in France or Spain (where I usually go) and the dollar is strong so rubbish for USA where I'm going for the first time this year. Extended trip ending up in NY and home on boat so no baggage restriction, mind you won't need it after reading this. If you can bare it could you do a leeetle blog on where you ate and drank? And oh dear about your mum, mine used to talk about my daughter over her head ' why is she doing that?' I don't know ask her! They are adorable these grannies but also trying.....

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  6. ....Loved hearing all about your trip...great wardrobe as usual, stylish and cosy...have just bought some black noisy may flares from asos, they arrived yesterday! loving the 70's vibe...think zara will come good if there 'lookbook' is anything to go by...
    And yes the grannys are from a different era, I got an email from mine the other day signed off 'from your dissapointment of a mum' beat that!...

    So stay strong you are doing a great job, the hardest in the world....I say carry on shopping!

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  7. Glad I'm not the only one with a whole bakery of low rise induced muffins, haha.
    MIH Marrakesh are by far my fave jeans, incredibly flattering, muffin free and a leggy 36" inseam.
    Bring on spring!

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    1. Where are they from Emma?
      Lou x

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    2. MiH has a website with all of the different washes and sizing advice. Matches carries them I think and The Outnet sometimes has bargains if you're lucky x

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  8. Your trip sounds fab! Food, drinks, food, drinks...what's not to love!

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  9. Glad you had a good time, sorry you didn't find anything to buy though! That must've been really hard coming home to your son being upset, family can be so difficult at times (your mum, not your son!). Would love to hear your eating & drinking suggestions for NY please, I'm planning :) x

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  10. Great to hear all about your trip, I was having a nosey at the instagram photos you posted over the weekend. Firstly sorry to hear about you mum's lack of understanding, sounds very like my own mother. my 6 year old son was diagnosed dyspraxic last year and I have never even told her- all the rest of my family know but she just wouldn't understand and has that attitude of "there was nothing like that in our day". Is it your mum or MIL who is Irish?

    Interesting to get your opinion on flared jeans, I had been on the hunt for a pair and was in Gap outlet yesterday getting kids clothes when I saw a fab pair of high waisted flares (given that it was Gap outlet they have probably been in their stockroom since 1999 when flares were last in fashion and only recently brought out again!) Tried them on and they are FAB, exactly what I wanted. It's funny because I loved boot cut and flared jeans before they became a fashion faux pas once skinnies came on the scene. I love my skinnies and more recently boyfriend jeans but bootcut and flares are so flattering. Wore today with a high heel boot and they were the perfect length- think they'll be perfect with wedges in the warmer weather. Like you I didn't want to pay silly money for something I'm not going to wear too often; I have some J Brand skinnies and cigarette legs and Seven skinnies so I have no problem in investing in designer denim when they are the right ones.

    LOL at the photo of you in the very low rise skinnies- I weep for the days I could wear low rise; after 3 kids is mid and high rise all the way now!

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    1. Oh dear, I hope I misunderstood that, but what does being Irish have to do with old fashioned views about Autism? I have an Irish mother, (and am one!), and an English mother in law and only one of them was completely dismissive about developmental delays in my son. And strapping kids into car seats(we just used wicker baskets!), and playing with lead paint covered old toy cars(wheres the harm!). But sorry, I am ranting. I too can never wear low rise again and swear by Salsa secret tummy push-in jeans. And they do a very long leg too, I think!

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    2. Sorry Lucy, I didn't mean to sound insulting, I am an Irish mammy (born and reared in Dublin but living in Co Down now) and have an Irish mammy. She is 81 and of the generation who recommended I put baby rice or rusks into my babies bottles at one month old, drop of brandy for teething pain etc!If she hears about anything like ADHD or autism she just dismisses it, saying "we had none of that in our day". Its not that its a specifically Irish thing just that Irish mammies/grannies of that generation, while being the best in the world in some ways, can also be so stubborn and set in their ways (or maybe its just my mam!)

      Thanks for the advice on the jeans, unfortunately I don't need a very long leg- I'm 5'7" I am one of those who was cursed with a long body and disproportionately short legs, so a 32" does me fine. My favourite most flattering jeans ever are my J Brand 814 cigarette leg in a very dark indigo.

      Carmel (isn't that such an Irish mammy name, I think I am probably the only under 40 year old who is called that. Every other girl born in 1976 seemed to be called Joanne or Jennifer or something- thanks again Mam!!

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    3. I'll be back as I need to go and drink more wine as my mother is still but just to stay that my sister in law is also called Carmel and both parents are Irish!! And another friend at school who is from Northern Ireland is also called Carmel so you are in great company! My mil is indeed Irish and my mother is also Irish although wasn't brought up there (was brought up in India in the Raj - yes, the mind boggles...!! To say she is a stickler for Manners, is a teensy tiny understatement. And fair enough, she knows no difference)

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    4. Aaagghh....so sorry! I am not only lrish but obviously super touchy too. My only excuse is that I promised my (irish) kids I would buy nothing online until March and this is putting me in a very bad mood. I miss the DHL man! I miss opening ASOS bags! Anyway, lucky you Carmel, I wish my dob was 1976. Sadly it is 1969. Many thanks for your reply and sorry for being narky. Btw, I'm pretty sure I heard there are J Brands in TK Max at the moment.

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    5. Don't worry Lucy, you weren't being narky, I should just think more before I type!! You're being very good with your online shopping ban until March, I'm practically on first name terms with all the couriers here- living 1 hour from Belfast and 2hrs from Dublin with young babies and toddlers meant I had to embrace online shopping, Newcastle isn't exactly a shopping mecca! Thankfully my kids are usually all in school when the courier calls so I have plenty of time to destroy the packaging evidence. Just think how wonderful it will be in March when you can buy online again, it will be like eating chocolate after being on a juice diet!!

      Kat, sorry for taking over your comments section! Your mum sounds.......... interesting! Im sure you will be glad to have the house back to yourself today- sure have another wine (or two) this evening to celebrate, theres always a reason for wine o'clock, C

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  11. I would be interested to know how you make your scarf look so nice? On the Asos site it looks bulky and generally not great but on you it looks amazing! Is there a knack for wrapping a scarf around yourself?

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  12. Kat- Regular reader, rarely comment.
    Came on to commiserate on your return; and to offer my experience with ASD. I found the 6-9 age the worst bit.
    10 y.o DS will always have Aspergers, but he can now cope with things much better- local services here are fab, including anxiety management classes for him. He is starting to have insight and can be related to at an intellectual level even though he still doesn't (and won't) get things instinctively.

    You are a fab mum - your positivity is inspiring. So is your style; and as the world's most hourglassy shape, I am THRILLED that flares/baby bootcuts are coming back. I NEED that flare at the end to balance out my hips.....I have a grand total of 2 pairs of skinnies that I only look decent in when I've hit the Pilates hard. I will throw them out with ne'er a backward glance.

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    1. Made so many spelling mistakes here, I had to take it down!

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  14. Hi Kat, the comments your mum makes are indeed hurtful and I see them as a symptom of NIMBY > Not In My BackYard.
    She knows full well autism exist, of course. She can't however accept the fact that her grown up daughter doesn't have the perfect life she envisaged. At least this is my theory, my parents' attitude is pretty much the same. Special needs, problems, that is for the other people, not for us. One of my friends has a son who has ADHD and one who is deaf. The grandparents consider the first boy as rude, unbehaved etc and the latter as having bad luck. I find a lot of that generation is like that, But still, don't put up with it! As for acceptance in wider society: I'm quite positive about that. Philips for instance has a program in place to employ technical personnel with autism.

    And now for a lighter subject: jeans. Thanks for the great finds! I'm looking forward to wear the light (La Fawcett) jeans in summer with wedges and a flowy blouse. Hmmm, very much like the things my mum wore when I was 5.......

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  15. I never buy anything in New York when I'm with my husband. Its all too overwhelming and hot in those dressing rooms! It is the perfect place for cocktails though ;)

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  16. So glad you are back & by the sounds of it had a fabulous time away! Tbh no shopping is a good thing as it means that nothing was quite right & you didn't buy for the sake of it! Plenty of time to make up for it here! I'm so buying some boot cuts this Spring! Big Hugs! xx

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  17. Loved following your adventures on Instagram, Kat. Such a shame about your mum struggling :-( I've been looking at a couple of pairs of old glares I have stashed away. I'm thinking this spring might be the time to unleash them... Lynne xx

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