Bank Holiday binge

The wanderer returns.  From the rugby tour.

Alive, in one piece (although my skin says something different after not taking my beloved Emma Hardie cleanser with me which was foolish.  Nothing to do with the constant drip feed of booze, crisps and other packet crap over the weekend.  No.  Not at all), after having much more fun than I'd anticipated, some shopping, some geography education (trip to Cheddar Gorge) and not as much as sleep as required for someone as old and knackered as me.  Oh and some rugby... (in the rain, natch).

What I didn't have was a single spare minute and, whilst I had taken my laptop with me in the hopes of a couple of free hours to write, that was immensely ambitious and didn't happen. 

But fear not, I have a swifty one for you today and then lots more this week as... wait for it... I think it's going to get warm.  Properly warm...well - properly warm for our rainy little island and what will be a random couple of hot days which will constitute "Summer". 

And in anticipation of that, I'm going to bring you some Bank Holiday offers that are worth looking at, as who doesn't love 20% off. 

Starting with Warehouse.  What seems like a lifetime ago (ie last week), I went in to check out the white lace shirts and ended up finding a couple of gems.  And they have 20% off - finishing at midnight today on the Bank Holiday - code is TREAT20.

A new white lace blouse for a start.  I see you Self Portrait and I raise you a MUCH better option for a fraction of the cost.  Admittedly it's quite expensive for Warehouse but it is genuinely worth it.

I would also say it comes up big.  This is an 8 and I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, an 8 (ie at the moment, my size 12 Self Portrait dresses are criminally tight on me... spanx a must).

It also looks so much better in real life than it does in these pics.  I am a huge fan of Warehouse styling on their website generally (even though I find it horrifically slow and clunky to navigate.. anyone else?) but they've not been able to quite do this top justice, as it's epic.  The quality, the style - it is gorgeous. 

Panelled Lace Top £69 pre discount (so you can see the 20% off is worth it).






Untitled

Then there was the Soft Culotte which I have to say, I didn't find that "soft"...  They're not stiff stiff but I guess I consider "soft" to be like a chambray which these definitely aren't.  They are, however, lovely.  Really lovely and really versatile.  

Soft Culotte £45 pre 20% off








I love these teamed with ankle boots and the blazer that I've got on here but they'd look just as great with a bardot top and sandals in the Summer.   Little tee and statement jacket and loafers?  Or in the evening with a blouse or fitted knitted jumper and heels.  The quality and cut of them belies the price tag, believe me. 


Untitled

And then a sneak peak of a bit of bardot love.  Combined with a jumpsuit.  I adore this look.  Completely and utterly adore it.  Is it me?  No.  Would I be able to pull it off?  Well... actually I may well give it a go.  I think it's the perfect Summer look that is soft and feminine but without being at all boho. 

I will say if you are in the market for an off the shoulder top - Warehouse really do have some great ones.

Untitled


Off Shoulder Top £45  Reason I love this is because it's washable viscose so has a fluidity to it, unlike lots which are a stiff cotton (which = creasing and ironing in my book which = ain't ever gonna happen).


And slightly off piste but the linen mix jumpsuit.  Now I really wish I'd tried this on as it did look a lot looser in the flesh than it is in this pic.. maybe I'd size up? 




And then we have All Saints.  I love All Saints and have done for years.   Lots of people, I know, say they're quite hard to wear and are aimed at a younger market, but I have to say I disagree.  I absolutely see why that impression is in abundance but once you've tried some on and see it last the test of time, you will be hooked.  

No better time to try than with 20% off - code SPRING20 (and again, until midnight today Monday).  Other thing I love about them is that, whilst they are a high street stalwart, I never seem to bump into anyone else ever wearing it.  Demographic thingy?  Maybe.  What it does mean is that unlike others - ahem Whistles etc - you're unlikely to pitch up in an outfit that someone else is wearing.

I have had most success with All Saints dresses.   And have never ever seen anyone else in them.  If ever I have a black tie event, it's an All Saints number that I wear.   They also do amazing day wear dresses and seeing as we're coming up to warmer weather - it *may* be time to get those legs out.

If you're happy to go short, then this is my favourite.  I love this dress so so much.  Joseph inspired knot front which will hide a multitude of sins - especially for those of you, like me, who carry your excess round your middle.  I just wonder how short this will be on someone as tall as me... 





This is an unusual one for me but I have been perusing the site for a couple of days and this has totally grown on me.  I think, with a biker jacket and black ankle boots, this is the perfect Spring/Summer day outfit - so long as it's not too hot... And if warmer - the ideal dress to fling on with sandals.  Or if you want a smarter look - how about loafers or ballet flats and a little black blazer?  On thinking about it - the perfect holiday dress as it would take you happily from day to evening, without being clingy or creasy. 



Another version in the same check which is also growing on me more by the minute. 

The Heny Dress in black check £108.  Would work in all the guises mentioned above... now which do I prefer?  




And they also have it in a red version £108





And they do the same amazing print in a short version too. 

Vista Brocade Dress £198



So are you an All Saints fan or do you prefer Warehouse.  Or are they just two of the high street shops you never venture into?  Would love to know what are your favourites on the high street..... 

Now one from the weekend... the chicken from Pontins who was just the loveliest chap ever.  This is me in "Superhero" mode (after a couple of wines.  It wasn't exactly a tea total weekend)... a nod to the theme with my very old bat sweatshirt.  I knew it would come in handy one day.  Thank you Zoe Karssen.  And yes, that is an orange beanie in my hand....


Untitled

And reworking the outfit (ie wearing again...) for the trip home yesterday.  Minus the beanie.  Which was worn all day at the rugby though... 

Untitled

Black bat sweatshirt - Zoe Karssen
Black zip ankle skimmer jeans - Boden
Onyx biker jacket - hush
Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose
Black Haworth bag - Village England
Leopard print scarf - Louis Vuitton

Off to start work on blogs for the week.  After tackling the mountain of washing from the weekend... Not to mention trying to locate the school uniforms that were flung somewhere in a bag as the kids got changed in the car on the journey down there on Friday... 

Share this:

CONVERSATION

31 comentarios:

  1. Love this top but why is it only available up to size 12!!! Rules this one out for me. Looks fab on you. Would have purchased in a heartbeat if available in larger size xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it may have been but sold out perhaps?

      Delete
  2. Kat - the top looks beautiful on you and I'm very tempted though just need to clarify what you mean on the sizing. You say it comes up small but then go onto say you've got an 8 on and are not normally an 8 (which then made me puzzle over whether it was actually large in sizing!)...help!! I'm hoping to order before the discount disappears at midnight. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OH gosh - SORRY - meant to say it comes up BIG!!!! ARRGGGHH Will change!

      Delete
    2. Will order now - it's a fab find. Thank you! x

      Delete
    3. I've ordered it in the 8 and a 10... and the off white shirt as well... didn't try that in store but the lace one is easily easily as good as the SP one - in fact, I'd say better.

      Delete
  3. I've been admiring your Wyse cashmere jumpers, what's the sizing like and are they short in the body?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sizing is on the average side I would say - a size 2 is a 12 I would reckon.... And no they're not short in the body, they're amazing!

      Delete
  4. I've been a big Warehouse fan for years, but recently haven't been too impressed. However I've just ordered the blue culottes after reading your blog. I actually saw them yesterday but i was undecided! Being 41 I'm a bit scared of fashion these days... I only discovered your blog last week and I'm really inspired, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're a baby!! And thank you xxxx I think the culottes are amazing and will look fabulous into the Autumn with ankle or knee high boots too. xxx

      Delete
  5. Ooooh that's a difficult question. If you'd asked me blind, I'd have said All Saints - love the cut of their fabrics and ohhh the drapes. But after reading this, it's Warehouse hands down. I don't do Warehouse very much at all but there's some lovely pieces here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Out of ALL of the high street? Or just these two?! Personally I would go All Saints as I prefer - as a whole - their quirky edge. But Warehouse definitely offers better value for money generally!

      Delete
  6. That lace top is perfection...but it appears to be sold out?!? Tears. Truly. I am in the USA and I can't find it online anywhere. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh noooo. I think it was low stock anyway but yes, with the last day of the promotion, it may have sold out. Have you tried ASOS??!

      Delete
    2. I will check...thank you!

      Delete
  7. Wow, some fantastic choices there and several of which I managed to snaffle before the promotion finished. Thanks for that! Or not, depending on how you look at it! Have to say, the picture of you in the Warehouse top is a gazillion times better than their shot! Keep up the good work! X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yay! Although I've just had an email saying the delivery of my top is delayed... uh oh.... so so hope it turns up!

      Delete
    2. mmmm, I've had no confirmation yet of either the warehouse (from the) items or the being fulfilled from store 9i.e. the tops!) Doesn't bode well does it?! I now neeeeeeeed that top!! Your fault!

      Delete
  8. For high street, I really like Zara. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You see I used to love Zara. I used to be head to foot in Zara all the time. But I have to say I think the quality of lots of it has gone very down hill whilst the prices have gone up. And the problem is, everyone wears it! BUT BUT BUT that's not to say there isn't still the odd complete gem! I have to say I think I might be a Topshop addict at the moment....!

      Delete
  9. Great blog, just indulged in some warehouse goodies, thanks Kat. May I ask about the white river island sliders you wear, I'm the same size as you did you opt for a size 6 or 7 in the sliders? Ta

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually I have the 6 in them. They came up big!

      Delete
  10. The warehouse denim culottes are winging their way to me. Hurrah. ....denim I can wear to work. So glad I found your blog kat. So far you have inspired me to buy the M & S ava blazer, a pair of denim dungarees, M & S alexa trench and the warehouse culottes. And a pair of golden goose sneakers (new with tags $200 aust on eBay - Yay for teeny tootsies )

    I think your work here is done.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That's funny AJF, I've bought warehouse culottes and m&s blazer too.... M&S have a 20%off until midnight tonight! Also bought the m&s strappy culotte jumpsuit. :) Kat, it's been great discovering your blog! But my credit cards taking a bashing. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sorry! But both are fab fab fab buys!

      Delete
  12. It's like the sisterhood of the travelling pants. And blazer. And by travelling, I mean sitting at home eating grapes and hitting 'add to basket'.
    I really love the way this blog presents lots of different price points amd styles ' some aspirational, some cheap as chippies, but all great in their own way.

    Long live all that is good about 40 + fashion and lifestyle blogs.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm sure they will be, can't wait for them to arrive :) x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Kat, can you tell me what size your Wyse Breton stripe jumper is?? I have the longer jumper in a 2 as I am a 12 but not sure in the Breton stripe whether to get a 2 (which they say is a size 10 to 12) or a 3 (which is a 12-14). It's a bit tricky when you are a stock standard 12.

    ReplyDelete