Never let it be said I'm not punctual.

As I'm not.  Therefore I present you with the Valentine's Day blog a day late. 

I could try and come up with a myriad of excuses but actually they're "reasons".  Three of them.  Aged 8, 10 and 12.  Who are on holiday.  Half term.  The joy of children, the scourge of all working parents.  I am incredibly lucky as I can juggle the balls and because I work for myself, can jiggle what I do and when.  Badly as it turns out....   But at least I can work at 6am in bed in my jamas (this morning, yesterday morning and tomorrow morning) as unfortunately deadlines are deadlines. 

It does mean though that yesterday, the blog went by the wayside.  However, I had a lovely day with my boys - had dropped the 12yr old at a sleepover party so just had two to occupy.  Anyone who has three (and I'm sure the same theory works with multiple siblings, just as it would when you take one away from two) will know that when you remove one, holy maloney, it's like Christmas.  I actually turn into Mary Poppins.  There's no spoonful of sugar needed, just take away a sibling and suddenly "it becomes a piece of cake". 

After a trip to Subway (I kid you not - "Boys you can go anywhere you'd like for dinner..."  So the obvious choice is Subway...) we went to Bluewater as I promised them a trip to HMV (holy grail of shops for small boys and I don't have to sell a kidney like I do if we go to the Lego shop) for a DVD (and one for the husband for the big V) and we snuck into H&M as well so I could pick up the black tiger dresses from the last blog (and not the purple ones that they only have instore).

Also had to nip to M&S to finish off some research I'm doing for them and picked up THE most amazing thing that I want to actually never take off, but you have to wait until Friday for that.  

However I am now inspired in all things pink.  And red.  Which was appropriate yesterday as it was Valentine's.  Today err, that'll be not so much.  But I started this last night, with all things Valentine's in mind and something to go with my newest purchase.

So come Friday you will thank me for looking into these.  Tops of the red and pink variety.  Which randomly do appear to be the colour combo of the Spring season.  But also look great with greys and black.  And my current favourite pairing - khaki.  Pink and khaki, red and khaki - all Spring perfection.  Breathing new life into your winter basics (that please tell me you're as bored of wearing as I am) and your old favourites from last year. 

I am even looking at more jumpers.  Lightweight - perfect for Spring and Summer knitwear.  Wear on their own or layer with a shirt. 

Speaking of layering....and with 20% off at Me+Em until the end of Feb with the code FEB20.

The Perfect Button Cuff Crew from Me+Em £75

Or in the red... again £75 pre discount.  Love the red with the burgundy.  Perfectly Valentinal.  Not a word.



Crew necks at Boden in cashmere with 20% off with the code K9E8 plus free delivery and free returns.  

Cashmere Crew Neck Jumper in Red £98



And in the pink



Pink Merino at & Other Stories £39



Round neck with sleeves that need no intro. 

Bloomfield Volume Sleeve Jumper in Red from Finery London £79



Sleeves on speed in pink at Mango. 

Puffed Sleeves Sweater from Mango £39.99



Or a pleated sleeve version  - £39.99 at Mango.



V neck now.  To prove this colour works as well with black as it does with lighter shades.  AND there's 10% off all hush stock with the code S17PREVIEW.  Already put my order in for their new biker jacket.  How amazing would that look with leopard print?

Summer (although no reason why you couldn't wear all year round) Cashmere Jumper in blush £125 from hush



If you're braver with your shades of pink, go neon again £125.



V neck again in another bright pink shade, this time in linen (make sure you handwash these.  A special note to a friend of mine who keeps throwing these in the washing machine with the school uniform and then wonders why it comes out Barbie size).

Linen V Jumper from hush £50



Extra fine merino in pink v neck at Uniqlo £24.50




Now moving onto shirts... 

No your eyes are not deceiving you, this is black (no flies on me today). 



But they do it in a pale pink as well.  Not everyone likes a boat neck, for sure, but personally I'm definitely a fan.  A smarter variation on a tee. (by the way, they also do these in navy, black - duh, olive and white).

Woman Silk Touch Boat Neck Tee from Uniqlo £24.90 This is obviously from the back.  Hence I included the black pic so you can see what it looks like from the front. 




And finishing (almost) with a ringer... striped!  Red and pink together. 

Crochet Cotton Sweater from & Other Stories £79



But the last word has to go to my beloved logo jumpers.  *wonders aloud if this is the right shade of pink*.

Star Man Jumper from Bella Freud £280 at Matches



Or the other option (and an EXCELLENT option at that), would be grey with pink writing... 

Mon Coeur Cashmere Sweater from Orwell + Austen at Wolf Badger £210



So bear with me until Friday when I will bring you the complete GEM that has inspired this blog.  And apologies for being a day late with the loving colours. 

Yesterday, I did pay homage to all things love with my Love jumper (although the husband thought it said Lenie.  So that was good) and my red bag. 




Love Jumper - hush (with 10% off now)
Mayfair coated jeans - Boden
Leopard coat - M&S
Superstar sneakers - M&S
Red Soho Disco Bag - Gucci

And today for what was frankly the day from hell.  "Let's go to London and go to a museum.  It will be fabulous".  Or maybe not.  

Firstly, my fault entirely as what cretinous mother forgets the medication for her son with ADHD/Aspergers?  Me of course.  It also appears that the entire planet thought they'd also go to London.  Which improved the situation no end.  And did I mention it was also pouring with rain?  Couldn't have been more of a disaster.

Trying to think of some positives and we did have a lovely lunch and then they had a lovely hour in Lush which they adore (and I am significantly poorer because of it but it's worth it).  The Lush on Oxford Street is definitely worth a visit.  Loved by all children of all ages.  It's a shame they don't have sofas, coffee and wifi.

Here I am, clearly looking hopefully into the future that contains wine.  It was either that or weep.



Black and white polo neck - Second Female at Collen & Clare 
Black wide leg crops - Whistles
Coated trench - M&S
Tools Bag - Balenciaga
Superstar Sneakers - Golden Goose 

And contains wine it does.  Tomorrow is another day, I have a shed load of work to do so plan to take the children out first thing for some fresh air and then they can fill their boots with technology.  Followed by an en early evening trip to the trampoline park with friends.  Hope everyone else had a more successful day than I did.  And aren't wracked with guilt at making such a cock up of a day.  I wonder if new shoes would make me feel better..