Archive for January 2018

Home Archive for January 2018

Monday Must Have

It's amazing how much one small accessory can make such a big difference to an outfit.

Yes, it's earrings.

If you were a fan of "the" fringe earrings from last year (most of us got them from H&M, Topshop then did a version which were more expensive... and this season they've made them cheaper), then these will be right up your street.

Following on from my Fresh blog post yesterday, these are the ideal Spring injection your wardrobe needs.

If "those" fringe earrings from last season feel a bit.. over done, then may I present my Monday Must Have.

A gem from Mango.

So I have them in the blush (although they call them peach) and have already worn them with my lilac Day Birger dress and they will look fantastic with my Olivia Rubin dresses. Not to mention the whole host of other blush things I had last year for Spring that I will definitely be wearing this year as well. What better injection of something new than a pair of bargain earrings.

Tassels Pendant Earring £12.99

These will slot so easily into my wardrobe too - the ecru ones.

Not to mention the red ones again £12.99

Here I am in them yesterday...

The rest of the outfit - for a night away with the husband for a birthday treat.

Jacket - hush (gift ss17)
Dress - Day Birger et Mikelson from Anthropologie (sale aw17)
Boots - Isabel Marant (sale aw16)
Bag - Loewe from Matches (current)
Scarf - Louis Vuitton (10yrs old)

Huge thanks to Amberley Castle for inviting us as their guests for the evening, we really did have the most amazing time. Full review will be coming up once the new website is up and running with an area specially for Travel so it doesn't get in the way for those who are only interested in the clothes.

Navy Jumper - A Finer Thread (gift current)
Navy Trousers - M&S (current)
Leopard Coat - Helene Berman from Anthropologie (aw17)
Flutter Trainers - Air & Grace (gift aw17)

Last night was even more appreciated as we have a really tough week ahead with our special 11yr old - all crossed fingers and prayers would be gratefully received!

Next post is all about inspiration.. and where to find it.

Fresh

So that's a weird title for a post. But the point of this is just that. Fresh. How I want to look. Not younger but just fresher.

It's why I have botox, it's why I love finding amazing creams and serums that improve the texture of my face. it's why I've recently looked at finding new ways to wear makeup.

And it's why I like to see what's "in fashion" (is there another, non crud way to say that?) and take inspiration from the super trendy to inject something new and well.. fresh into my wardrobe.

It's not about reinventing the wheel but keeping the crux of your "style" and making the most of your existing wardrobe with an injection of the odd new look here and there... without looking like you've raided Topshop and are trying to emulate your 13yr old or recreating the unrecreatable (not a word) pages of Vogue.

It's finding that middle ground. It's improving and building on a style of your own - cherrypicking what works for you from all things new.

And for me - one of my favourite looks is... hmm I don't know even know how to say it without a teensy bit of sick in my mouth - sports luxe. I know, I know - barf to the ridiculous title but that's what it's called.

I've sucked it up - whisper it under my breath and have embraced it for the past couple of years. Yes the easiest way to hop on board is throwing trainers on with everything.

But now we're reinventing our trousers with go faster stripes. Again, these have been around for a couple of years now so if you did think they were slightly too leftfield, rest assured, these have become immediately accessible and wearable.

I'm diving straight in with ones of a tapered style. These look great with the reliable trainers, loafers and tight fitting sock boots.

Check Tapered Trousers from Topshop £35

Check again at Stradivarius £19.99

Navy at ASOS.

Y.A.S Side Stripe Trousers £50

Tapered burgundy at Oasis in the sale were £30 now £15

Black at Stradivarius at ASOS £19.99

Grey tapered side stripe trousers at Miss Selfridge £35

Then there are the wide legged. Which personally I am feeling all the love for. Along with adding something new and modern with the go faster stripe (not the fashiony term obviously), the shape gives a fresh look to last year's blazers, tees and blouses.

Frona striped satin trousers from Mother of Pearl was £350 now £150

More red...

Side Stripe Man Pant from Me+Em £169

Straight legs at ASOS from Esprit in blue £45

Me+Em really have these covered.

Triple Stripe Man Pant in black/khaki £149

However this outfit is my absolute favourite.

Navy Side Stripe Pinstripe Trousers were £169 now £84 from Me+Em with an extra 10% off sales prices with the code EXTRA10

Or in the green - again £84 in the sale pre extra 10% off.

And these which are now a complete bargain.

Flannel wide leg with belt were £169 now £50

But finishing with a shape that I think might actually be a lovely foray into something else new. They say relaxed but I would say they're more straight with an optional kick flare if you undo the zip.

Checked side striped slouch trousers from Topshop £49

So what do we think? Does anyone else have something they're favouring this season to add an injection of "fresh" into their wardrobe? Would love to hear it.

Here I am in a new favourite - planning on wearing it again today as I love it so much. Ordered it from Anthropologie, it never arrived (was more than slightly irritated that I had to call them, only to be told that "oh yes, we can see it was never delivered"... ), was then out of stock, then came back into stock and TA DA! The reason other people didn't like it was probably because it's essentially a sack. But a sack with pockets that goes into the washing machine.

Jardin dress - Day Birger et Mikkelson from Anthropologie (sale aw17)
Boots - Mango (aw17)

Fabulous dinner party last night, thank to my amazing husband (he's a good 'un...) who did absolutely everything and my lovely friends for making it such a great evening.

I am off to pack for my night away with the husband. WHOOP!

Loads coming up this week, including other ways to add an instant shot of Spring.

They're like buses...

...which I am 99% sure is a post title I use about this time every year.

Bring on the discount codes. Bring on new season, bring on sunshine, bring on Spring, bring on hope and promise...ok so got slightly carried away with that last one but there is something about this time of year that is curiously positive. Except that it's not even February and we have a long time until we're cracking out the daffodils and hot cross buns, not to mention sandals.

However, for me - there is nothing more uplifting than the addition of something into your wardrobe to breathe Spring life into your old favourites and 20% off definitely makes it a lot more appetising.

And today - the discount is at Warehouse. This was just a code (it's not even a code - the discount is automatically applied online) I was sent via a marketing email that everyone else who signs up to their newsletter would have received, it's not any part of a paid relationship.

Warehouse are one of those stores - I think a bit like River Island from last week, that when I go in, I struggle to find anything.

On the other hand, online, it's a veritable treasure trove. Especially when it comes to clothes with versatility. Which is one of the things I'm planning on focusing on this season. New additions to your wardrobe that you can wear to work, that you can wear for play (by this, I mean nights out as opposed to making shapes at the trampoline park or climbing wall centre....) and you can dress down and wear for the weekend.

What better place to start than what looks like a suit and smells like a suit and can, of course, be worn as a suit. But separately, the two pieces offer a myriad of opportunity worn with different sorts of outfits.

Starting with the trousers. Suit for work - obvious choice. But pair with a loose knit and an oversized coat and voila, you have a chic dress down outfit. A tee and a biker for super relaxed. With a silk pussy bow blouse and heels for dinner in the evening.

I am just going to throw it in here, that these are machine washable.

Heritage Peg Trouser was £42 now £33.60

And the blazer..

Heritage Check Blazer was £56 now £44.80

A sneak peak at something I'm going to get my teeth stuck into and that's a co-ord.

These are going to be my investment buys of the season - watch this space, I will be back. In the meantime, here is a perfect example of how useful they with a gem of a set.

Spot Print Skirt was £49 now £39.20 Wear as a dress but also wear the skirt as a separate.

With the matching shirt which would look just as good with boyfriend jeans and a loose blazer as styled above.

Spot Print Shirt was £39 now £31.20

Speaking of spots and my next pick of the Warehouse crop are shirt dresses. Absolutely perfect for work, you can even dress up for weddings, throw on a denim jacket and trainers for the weekend.

Stripe and spot shirt dress was £39 now £31.20

Cotton Midi Shirt Dress was £42 was £33.60

Stripe Shirt Dress was £42 now £33.60

Can't not mention the knitwear - compulsory for this time of year. Wear with the trousers or skirts above or over the shirt dresses.

Cosy Crew Jumper in Pink was £32 now £25.60

In the grey...

But for me, it's the yellow that gets my vote... you know all that navy I've been trying to persuade you to buy? Well this and navy together - Spring right there in an outfit.

I personally prefer with navy as opposed to black. Although they are the colours of our rugby club (nuff said), at least it does avoid any wasp/bee comparisons.

The other obvious choice to inject instant new life into your wardrobe is with a new accessory or two and whilst we're on the subject of yellow being pure Spring...

Double Compartment Cross Body Bag was £26 now £20.80

This is the bargain of the day for me though - I cannot believe this is leather for this price. It looks so so SO much more expensive.

Monogram leather top zip bag was £31 now £24.80

Or in the berry....

And finally, my first sunglasses choice of the year.

Aviator Sunglasses was £16 now £12.80

This offer ends at midnight on Jan 31st. Just in time to get all geared up for February. There's a reason it's the shortest month of the year - none of us can hack too much of it.

And here I am in the past couple of days, celebrating my birthday. The big 45. As my daughter so delicately put it, "you're half way to 90 now mum". Thanks. Thanks a bunch. On the upside, she obviously expects me to get there which is a bonus, I guess.

Thursday, had meetings in the morning and then a lovely, very long lunch with some of my closest girl friends. Scott's in Mayfair - a truly treat birthday affair.

Dress - Borgo de Nor from Fenwicks Bond Street (sale aw17)
Jacket - Jigsaw (gift aw17)
Bag - Loewe from Matches (current)
Earrings - Zara (aw17)
Trainers - Golden Goose from Farfetch (sale aw17)

Slightly different story yesterday which was my actual birthday and a run took up the morning (it does take me a long time to recover at the moment - week three and she's upped the homework ante to 35 mins - I had no idea how much of a difference just that 5 minutes would make...), a lovely friend had some of us over for lunch, out for pizza for tea with the kids and then a school quiz night. Yes, all the rock and roll but I LOVE a quiz! We came third... my not entirely useful contribution was in the song lyrics category (dredged up some Kinks and Kate Bush gems from goodness knows where)

During the day

Jumper - Zara (aw16)

Leather joggers - Rue de Femme (sample sale ss17)
Blazer - M&S (part of paid partnership aw17)
Trainers - Air & Grace (gift 2yrs ago)
Bag - Loewe from Matches (current)

And then out last night.

Jumper - Me+Em (gift current)
Trousers - Me+Em (gift sale aw17)
Blazer - Me+Em (3yrs old)

Tonight I have friends over for a birthday dinner party - the husband is being Chef which is a dream come true and then tomorrow evening we've been invited to spend the nights as guests of Amberley Castle which I am so so so looking forward to.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend,

Only because you've asked..

..I'm throwing in an extra skirt blog. Yes, you love a maxi and midi dress, yes you love a print blouse but I have had so many messages about new season skirts and how to wear them, that I'm throwing in another one as a special treat.

Right now, I am wearing mine with roll necks. Both tight fitting and the more voluminous roll neck varieties, which I'm appreciating is of absolutely zero use to you if you're not a roll neck lover. A v neck jumper works just as well - any jumper of your choice to be fair. I have two very different styles shown at the bottom with the same skirt which, I hope, gives an indication of how they could be worn. Ok so when I say "very different".. meh - very as in not very, but as varied as the same skirt can look.

Yes I know I did one of these back in January but seeing as it's something I wear a lot and I think is perfect for this time of the year, not to mention being super useful going into Spring and Summer with a tee-shirt, denim jacket or blazer or biker, with trainers or sandals, I thought I'd do a quick round up of the new ones that have come in since (and some sales dregs which are definitely worth looking at).

I also managed to get an amazing bargain in the sale at Fenwicks last week - a Markus Lupfer skirt that was £80 reduced from almost £400. And yes IT HAS POCKETS. I'm obviously going to mention if they have pockets as that's what we all really want..

But started without that tiny detail - however for the money.. this is a gem.

Boohoo Striped Belted Midi Skirt £20

Stripes again at DVF - asymmetric stretch midi skirt was £306 now £183

DVF with all the stripes in the sale at Matches and this one has an extra 20% off the final price. Enter EXTRA20 at the check out.

Saxon striped asymmetric skirt from DVF was £332 now £199 pre extra discount

I think you would be forgiven for thinking this was also DVF. Why no - it's a bit of a Mango bargain.

Printed Pleated Skirt from Mango £49.99

This definitely has a hint of Jonathan Saunders at DVF about it too...

Striped asymmetric skirt from Mango £39.99

Moving onto print now and back to the sales with this one which I LOVE.

Elsden print silk crepe maxi skirt from DVF at Matches with an extra 20% off final sales price was £332 now £199

Stevie paisley-print silk skirt from Dodo Bar Or was £508 now £152 at Matches with an extra 20% off that price...

Print and surely the best print ever - that of the leopard variety, from YAS at ASOS £48

Floral midi at Monki £25 (with pockets...)

Poppy print at & Other Stories £45

Monochrome masks (as you do) again at Monki £25 (and yes, this one has pockets too).

Or how about monochrome dots at & Other Stories £59

I cannot wait to check this one out.

Asymmetric Checked Wrap Midi Skirt from M&S £39.50

And finishing with two plain ones - just in case you've had a print overload.

Faux wrap in navy at M&S new in.

Deconstructed Stripe Wrap Midi Skirt £39.50

ASOS Jersey Maxi Skirt £22

And here I am in mine with two, perhaps not so different, outfits.

Jumper - Jigsaw (4 or 5 yrs ago)
Skirt - Markus Lupfer from Fenwicks (sale aw17)
Biker - Jigsaw (gift aw17)
Boots - Grenson from Collen & Clare (aw17)
Bag - Loewe from Matches (current)

And today. Dodging the rain. With little success.

Jumper - Me+Em (gift current)
Trench - Zara (aw16)
Skirt - Markus Lupfer from Fenwicks (sale aw17)
Boots - Jigsaw (given to my by a lovely friend about 7 yrs ago)
Bag - Loewe from Matches (current)

I should point (smugly as this is a total out of character chain of events for me) that I did Pilates this morning and then did a 35 min run in the howling wind and rain. Week three of my running course and I'm not going to lie - I did struggle today as the weather (the wind mostly) was so horrific, I couldn't find a cap so I had to use one of the children's school caps which was about as much use as a chocolate teapot and the interval app on my phone really didn't work well with the rain, so we were all distracted. Looking forward to week 4 on Saturday and, to be fair, if you'd told me that in only three weeks I would be able to run for 35 mins (2.5 mins running and 1 min walking) I would never have believed you.

BUT I digress (although can you tell I'm rather proud of myself and if I can do it, genuinely anyone can do it...) - I have also taken my boys to the trampoline park after school (Jump In - can highly recommend, only £5 for an hour's jumper on a school night), just in case I had fooled anyone in to thinking my life was all about the glamour! (but yes I did get to go to the NTA Awards last night as a guest of MaxFactor which was fantastic).

Oh and tonight, I shall be catching up on Scandal which I have started watching and am OBSESSED! Alas the husband thinks it is a massive pile of turds so I have to watch it on my own. Pah....

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They're like buses...

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