When all the best plans go awry,..

…. aka this blog post. 

So for this month's edit of all that I am loving at M&S, I had planned to focus on party shoes.  A couple of weeks ago, I did a shoot for M&S for an online Christmas campaign.  Which was awesome but that's not the point here... 

You may have noticed over the years that I am not a CHRISTMAS PARTY sort of girl.  The thought of buying a party dress that I will wear for one occasion has never ever been something I've signed up to.  I would love to say I was a conscious fashion shopper way before my time but no - just tight.  I have never been able to stand seeing something in my wardrobe that I have worn once - and invariably is never the cheapest thing hanging there either. 

So I've always tried to find something that gives a nod to the festive theme, whilst at the same time means I can wear it all year round.  Which is why, you'll see in a month or so that the outfits I picked, are all items that I coincidentally own from M&S.  Leather trousers, silk shirts, wool cropped trousers and a tux jacket. 

But my one concession to a bit of sparkle is definitely shoe related.  And they have some amazing shoes this season.  Which I'm not going to show you today.  SEE??  Best plans and all that. 

As I got very VERY sidetracked whilst making my selection. 

I'm blaming the weather.  And the fact that we still have Halloween and Bonfire Night to come and so nope - no fancy shoes today (ok maybe a couple...)

These got in the way. 

First up - this is the year I said I would get my legs out.  And I have been sporting a leather skirt in the Indian Summer we've been having but since that feels like a lifetime ago, it's all about the tights today.  To be fair, it's a lot easier to get your legs out when they're encased in the thickest of opaques.

A line Mini Skirt from M&S £35

To wear with this.... 

Wool Blend Colour Block Jumper from Autograph £59




Or this... my absolutely Autumn/Winter must have.  I cannot recommend this highly enough. 

Cashmere Polo Neck £89




With this draped over the shoulders maybe?  Or just worn as an amazing coat.  This is an investment coat, of that there is no doubt.  But the feel of it - oh my LORD - you will have this forever.

Wool Rich Wrap Coat from Autograph £199



I also tried this on yesterday.,.. (see over on Insta stories and see what I mean about getting side tracked) - it's amazing for £12.50.  But definitely take your usual size or even size down.  It does come up very big.  I would say the 12 was easily a size 14 (however having said that, I do have NOTHING in the bust area so maybe if you are more well endowed, it will fit you a lot better in your usual size!).

V Neck Short Sleeve T-shirt £12.50



I've also got my eye on these... I did order them but sized down like I normally do and they're SMALL!  So take your usual *size* - even though the M&S version does come up bigger.. so I would normally take a 6 at M&S but I would need the 7 in these.

Lace up ankle boots £49.50 



But then before they sell out, I thought I would do a quick round up of the awesome shoes.

These.  THESE. 

Stiletto Heel Embellished Court Shoes £39.50




Kitten Heel Slingback court shoes £19.50




Or total flats. 

Velvet & Satin Flat Mules £19.50




Jewel Block Heel Slingback £19.50




Stiletto Heel High Cut Court Shoe £25




Or how about full on glitter. 

Block Heel Jewel Slingback Shoe £35




However I'm finishing with THE best dress from M&S in forever.  The pictures do not at all do this justice.

Animal Print Long Sleeve Skater Dress £69 - definitely take your usual size... it comes up on the large side.