All things new and shiny

Ok so no exactly shiny but new.  Oh definitely new.  And things you can buy now.  And wear now. 

I'm sat here watching the news and apparently it doesn't look like it's going to get warmer any time soon.  Frankly it can't get any colder.  If you were in the South East today - seriously, how cold?!  Coldest day of the winter so far - I was off to London and had put on a maxi dress (no tights - moron alert).  Did the school run and had to come back to get changed. -4.5 degrees according to my car.  Not cricket chaps. 

But it was definitely worth the trip to London as I went to one of my favourite press days - the hush Spring/Summer launch.  

We've only got a couple of weeks to wait until the first of their major Spring drop but in the meantime - a little transitional range to keep you going. 

You can see the full range here but what would my top picks be?

For a start, I am officially addicted to black and white. 

Joanie Sweat Top £50 Size wise - I'd say a Small is a generous 10, small 12.    As someone who was the biggest Happy Days fan, I am absolutely in love with this.  Will separate the men from the boys for sure (Joanie who?).  The lettering on this is old school baseball jacket furry style.  Pure vintage inspired class.

Staying in my comfort zone with a pair of classic grey trousers that will work every day and out in the evening.  Wear now with the above sweatshirt and change for a tee (fear not, there's one of those in monochrome perfection to come - scroll down) as soon as the temperature nudges double figures.  I have to say, I am itching to get my black blazers out again.  This style of trouser, tee, blazer, sneakers - Spring uniform right there.

Riley Relaxed Trousers £120



Now if I didn't have a very similar one of these from Finery last year (or two years ago?) I would absolutely be buying this.  Layer now (SEE BELOW!!!) or keep for warmer times.  This is the ultimate dress me up, dress me down item to have in your wardrobe.  With a biker and sneakers for during the day, on 35 degree days when you still need to look smart, this was my saviour last year with a pair of black sandals and a red bag and for evenings out, I wore with sandals. 

There's nothing like bringing Spring into your wardrobe than the addition of a denim jacket . Love this new style.  For now, I would be layering, lots of thin knits and one of my finds of the Winter so far which you will find below (boring myself now).  Perfect with a layer, a dress, a jacket and a huge scarf.  Boots, hat and gloves - you're done.  

Carpenter Denim Jacket £70



And speaking of Spring, possibly my favourite pieces in the new transitional range are the tees.  I adore hush tees.   Last year I was all over the feather and the logo, this year - David Bowie has inspired (well - I don't know if he *actually* has but to my mind - go Bowie).

Lightning Bolt Tee in Olive and White £35


But dare I say, I'd be dull and would go for black.  Leather skirt, black blazer - oh hello perfect Summer outfit.


Speaking of lightning bolts - sweatshirt anyone?  Perfect for this weather with a little layer underneath (hold your horses, it is coming...) 

Lightning Bolt Sweat Top £50


So I was going to come straight home (actually I was going to have a quick wander around dream handbag land for some birthday inspiration) but happened to walk past the rather lovely Warehouse on Argyle Street (which is like no other Warehouse I know of - obviously they have the same product as everywhere else but it just has a very different feel about it) and caught sight of a skirt that I just had to *have a look at*. 

When they had a matching top.. well. 

Garden Posy Top from Warehouse £39



Garden Posy Pleated Skirt £49 from Warehouse 



And here I am in them. 



Will I ever wear the two separately?  To be honest, I doubt it.  Maybe the skirt with an oversized black jumper or polo neck.  But I bought them to wear as a dress.  

I also tried on another dress which I didn't buy, but I'm thinking I probably should have...

Stripe Tie Waist Dress from Warehouse £59



This is me in the dress - I sized up to a 12 as no one needs vacuum packed knitwear after three kids and I have to say I was more than surprised at how flattering it is.  It's also very different from everything I have in my wardrobe.  Which is something I can't say about many things. 

Oh and this is the Insa pic.  Insta v Reality.  This is how I mostly get changed in a changing room.  V lazily.  I had wanted to try another jumper with the skirt but put the dress on first and couldn't be bothered to take the skirt off to just have to put it on again.  So I just shoved the dress over the top.  This is the story of most of us in the changing rooms no?

Length wise - it's the same length as the skirt above.  Which is mid calf on me - actually longer than on the model (which is a total total first I think).


And now for the gem of the moment.  You will wonder how you lived without this.  The eagle eyed amongst you will notice that I have been wearing this (I did buy two - I'm not a minger) on repeat.  Cold?  Pah.  I have a magic weapon.  All the glamour of a thermal. 

But a thermal that will turn all of your crew necks into polo necks.  This will even work for those of you with boobs.  Ideal for under shirts, under dresses, under sweatshirts, jumpers - you name it, this will work with it. 

Heatgen Thermal Polo Neck from M&S £16  I am gutted that the navy is sold out in my size.  Oh and my size is a 14 by the way.  These come up very very small.  The 14 is virtually spray on on me!  In M&S usually I'm a 10 in tops.  But, bothered... it is amazing amazing amazing. 




So what did I wear in the end?  Well black and white obviously.  And yes, that did include my magic thermal top.  LOVE it.  Oh and my new jumper that I got yesterday (which was much admired and yes of course I couldn't resist telling everyone it was only £16 from Matalan... am I the only one who does this?  Gets a bargain and has to shout it from the roof top.  Something expensive, I'm almost ashamed as to admit where it's from.)



Thermal roll neck - M&S
Nope Jumper - Matalan (it is Nope and not Hope)
Faux leather joggers - ASOS
Copeland sneakers - Air & Grace
Black double faced coat - Jaeger
Red Soho Disco bag - Gucci

Thursday is another day, I have a blog to bring you I think you might like.  Food for thought for Spring.  Hope everyone has a good evening!