It's that time in December...

.. whenI officially turn into The Grinch.   Suddenly, it's Christmas in A WEEK.  Every year, I swear someone fast forwards the first fortnight of December and I am caught yet again with my pants down.  

Not literally you'll be pleased to hear and this year I was oh so smug as it's usually the jamas that I forget to buy (or I forget to let the Elf know he has to buy...).  But no - ahead of the game, ordered these way back in November. 

Only to be reminded by the children on Monday evening, that this year, at their school Christmas lunch, they are allowed to wear Christmas jumpers (as well as their "home made" Christmas hats which have been BANNED in my house since Papier Mache Snowmangate three years ago.  Still scarred by the experience.  We now wear fabulously "home made by someone else" ones).

This wouldn't be a problem I thought, as I'd seen loads of them over the weeks.  Christmas jumpers everywhere.  Didn't bother buying them as my children have always been very scathing when it came to Christmas jumper talk. 

How wrong can one person be?  I used to laugh (ish) at that (obviously rubbish) film, Jingle All The Way.  Suddenly, it's not a film, it's a hideous documentary.  Apparently EVERY school in Kent has decided that wearing Christmas jumpers to school is a fabulous idea. 

Rocking.  Horse.  Poo.  If you want a baby one, check.  If you want one for a girl, check.  If you want an adult one - funnily enough there are enough of these for us all to sport one for every day over the festive period.  But for boys of age between 7 and 10.  NADA.  ZILCH.  SQUAT.

I tried... Primark, three Tescos (whose Customer Service on the phone is diabolical by the way), two M&S (ditto the utterly awful Customer Service on the phone - why bother having people on the end of the phone if they don't know anything and can't speak to anyone in store?), H&M, M&Co, Matalan, Joules, Fat Face, White Stuff, Gap and Sainsburys (who, by contrast, were fabulously helpful on the phone).

The only winner of the day was.... Next.  YOU STARS.  Thank you.  Rang Bluewater and they put one (the last one in that size & the only jumper seemingly in the whole of Bluey) aside for me.  Picked up last night. 

And before you ask, yes I went to Bluewater after school with the kids.  It will be lovely, I said.  Ice skating and a trip to see Santa.  It will be so lovely, I said.  Suffice to say, parts of it were lovely and parts of it were "interesting".   And it's totally totally my fault.  I always think that things will be better for the 9yr old and I keep putting him in these situations that he just finds too difficult to cope with.  Don't get me wrong, he loves it but he genuinely turns into a toddler.  I turn around and he's gone.  To look at something else.  Without telling me.  Or he's skidding across the floor as obviously that's what you do when the floor is all shiny and skiddy.  Obviously.  And throwing his new gift from Santa (a rather cute cuddly moose) up as high in the air (which is high) as you can.  Whilst walking.  Into people.  Not to mention seeing an escalator and being compelled to walk up it or down it the wrong way (which is an improvement to climbing up the outside of it.. yes, we've had that.  Along with the "I was just seeing what this button did" as the escalator shudders to a stop and all the alarms are going off. 

And breathe....  It's just too exciting and too overwhelming for him and I think he'll be fine and he's not and I got super cross which is So Wrong.  It is my fault, he can't help it, I apologised, he told me I was mean to him (SOB) and I drank wine. 

It's hard for all of us, that I accept.  So he's had a lovely (calm) evening tonight writing cards (his choice) and I've had a lovely evening putting together a wish list from Me+Em and Whistles whose sales have also already started  (my choice),

In fact, I think a lot of the sale this year are going to be starting before Christmas.  Now normally I am a "shop everywhere" gal as I love mixing all price ranges where I see fit.  But in the sales, it makes sense to start at the higher end = bigger discount off a bigger price which makes more sense.  And these are some great classics which will be the perfect addition to your Spring wardrobe (yes I am SO over Winter already.  Well.  The Winter that we haven't actually had yet).  In fact, you can wear these tomorrow.

So starting with Me+Em where they also have an extra 10% off sale today (and I think maybe tomorrow...) with the code XMAS10. 

Brushed Flannel Longline Blazer was £215 now £107.50  Mine is a 10.

And two of my other favourite Me+Em items are also on sale.  I am so tempted to get another one of these as I dread ruining the one I have (one glass of red wine too many is all it's going to take.  Let alone a spag bol...)  It is quite simply the most flattering white shirt I own.  I have a 12 in this - the 10 is a small 10 if you're broad.

I have already asked them if they can please do a black version for next year.  Pretty please... It's the perfect shirt to wear from day to night, the most comfortable thing ever, washes like a dream and, like I said, is super flattering. 

Double Layer Shirt was £88 now £61.60



And my hot tip for the perfect trousers that you will live in next season (and now..  Perfect for a night out with heels or evening flats). 

Wide Leg Crop Trouser in black was £98 now £68.60 - and they also have them in navy.



Blazer wise, for me you can never have too many and I am absolutely loving the longline looser shape.  I am definitely after a black or navy version for the Spring and this is a great buy.

Horn Button Longline Blazer was £198 now £138.60



Or they also do it in the navy - again £138.60




Jumpers that are versatile and can be worn out and during the day?  Look no further.

Polo Neck Swing Jumper in black was £98 now £68.60



Or in the Silver Grey again now £68.60




More jumpers in the sale at Whistles. 

Split hem mark knit burgundy was £85 now £42.50 For Spring - burgundy teamed with camel is the perfect perfect colour to take you from one season to another effortlessly.



In fact, I see your camel and raise you... pale grey.  Oh this with burgundy and white sneakers.  Sublime.  I clearly need both of these in my life.

All Needle Knit Cardigan from Whistles was £160 now £80



Navy blazer love again at Whistles.  

Drew Double Breasted Blazer was £195 now £97.50




And here I am from when I went to Bicester the week before last - just realised I hadn't posted this and here I am in my top Me+Em picks.