... as they're for yourself.   Hands up who thinks they deserve a treat for getting through the holidays?  ME ME ME (apart from going to Cliveden for the night... !!)

And taking some inspiration from the kids - today I am all about the backpacks.  I have toyed with this idea some time last year but didn't cave.   However, they are even more popular this year - seriously they're everywhere.  

So what do we think?  Yes they are super useful but is there a whiff of foreign student about them?

Well I am determined that the answer to that shall be no.  Especially as lots now double up as normal handbags as well, as opposed to the "raided Millets, I'm all set for Kilimanjaro" look.

We're talking leather, we're talking stylish but we're still talking practical.  As in, they leave you hands free, they're perfect for swift walking around town (this is me pounding the streets, just to get my steps up on my Apple Watch.  And I KNOW I'm not the only one who does this... come on... fess up...) and for carrying lots of shopping bags.  Whilst doubling up also as a great looking handbag.

First up is one that fits the bill perfectly.  Except for perhaps the price tag but... well, it is absolutely gorgeous.  Completely unusual - never seen anything like it, am all over it.  This has been on my wishlist forever.

Eve in black tea from Complet $725






Another style that works as a bag to carry as well as a backpack is the Stevie from Jigsaw.  Which comes in a plethora of colours.

Stevie Zip Top Backpack from Jigsaw in wine £199




In Rose also £199



In navy, as a backpack. 



A hobo bag that doubles as a backpack from & Other Stories

Leather Hobo Backpack £145



My other favourite that I've toyed with for years and think this is the year I may cave, is the Verity Backpack from Whistles. 

Whistles Verity Backpack £280




And this year they've bought out a croc version.. £295



Black again at Modalu also with a carry handle so you can use it as a handheld bag too.

Olivia Leather Backpack from Modalu was £199 now £139.30



Leather again and slightly more boho at See by Chloe.  I honestly didn't even realise this was See by Chloe and thought it was actual Chloe.

Olga grained leather backpack from See by Chloe £370





Studded chic in grey from AND/OR in the sale at John Lewis.

Clea Leather Backpack in grey was £109 now £54.50





New season black studded at Kin by John Lewis £120




Classic backpack shape from Coach.

Billie Textured Leather Backpack was £450 now £247.50




Or in the midnight blue - again £247.50



Pared back now at & Other Stories in leather £89



Or the grey option...



Black again at Kin by John Lewis - Helen Leather Backpack £100



Navy and black combo from M&S

Leather rucksack from Autograph at M&S £109



And a rather fabulous non leather versions.  Even ones that look like tributes of much more expensive bags...(JW cough Anderson anyone?)

Pebbled Ring Rucksack £39.99 



And finally, if you haven't got round to getting your back to school bags for your children, I have a small gift for you.  I would say, this is probably for those at secondary school as they're practical as well as being stylish and you wouldn't spend that much on a small child.  That sentence is verbatim from the 12yr old.  Who has been desperate for one of these for months.  And also determined that her two younger brothers won't also get one.  The Fjallraven Kanken Classic Backpacks.

These aren't cheap BUT they are supremely good quality and I have a 15% discount code - KAT15 with free delivery off all full price bags at My Kanken Bag.

This is the one the 12yr old has opted for - she chose yellow as apparently everyone else has blue or green.  That's my girl....

Fjallraven Kanken Classic Backpack £75 - before discount.




Here I am today getting my outfit all sorts of wrong really, as it was peeing with rain when I left the house at the crack of dawn and it then turned into a glorious day.  I was therefore on the warm side (code for BOILING!) in my choice of get up.  On the other side, I like it a lot... And I think a backpack would definitely work with this sort of outfit.  Perfect for London meetings.  This was actually lunch with the husband that we managed to grab at the Roof Top Garden at John Lewis Oxford Street.

Skirt - Zara
Green lips tee - Coster Copenhagen
Onyx Jacket in black - hush (don't forget 10% off using the code A17PREVIEW)
Red Superstar trainers - Golden Goose
Tools Bag - Balenciaga

Tomorrow a day with the children and then hanging out in the afternoon with the best friend (plus children...) which, as it's Friday, will involve a small snifter of wine.  I will be back hopefully with an idea I have for Autumn.  It's come from nowhere, which always means it's a ringer.  It may work, it may not.... anyone fancy a guess as to what it is?  It's an item of clothing... is it outwear, is it daywear, it is loungewear or even nightwear?  Answers on a postcard (or just write in the comments below...!)

So if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen over the weekend that I managed a trip with the best friend and the children (not the rugby playing ones but the others) to Kilver Court.  Also known as the Mulberry Outlet..... Well, there is a lot more there now than just Mulberry - Joseph, Jack Wills (small girls were thrilled.  Although the 7yr old was rather gutted there was nowhere to buy an Arsenal away kit...?!), LK Bennett, Margaret Howell, Toast and MiH jeans.  I managed to bag a couple of bargains (and yes, they are bargains which I will report back on in the next couple of days) but didn't cave on anything in Mulberry (there may have been a Mulberry bag on one of the pics on Insta but that was my friend's pink suede coat... yes a pink suede coat.  It is amazing.  And was reduced by 90%.  You couldn't leave it there for that, could you?). 

But there was a bag that caught me eye, which has been on my mind for a while - not this particular bag but had this one not been £800odd, I would have snapped it up in a heartbeat as it's exactly what I've been thinking I need (that's need with a very small "n" can I please point out).

Here is the rather fabulous bag in question.  So so clever.  It's called the Cara.  Which - I'm not going to lie to you, was absolutely no selling point to me whatsoever.  In fact, the opposite.  I'm 43 year old - do I aspire to own a bag because it is designed (I'm assuming she had a modicum of input and wasn't give free reign but then again, we all know what assume makes, don't we?!) by Cara Delevigne.  That'll be no.  A big fat no.



But there's no taking away from the fact that it's a superb backpack.  The versatility of it is ridiculously clever - two different ways to carry it as a backpack - one which makes it lie flat, one which err doesn't (but is still quite cool believe me - inspite of the name I couldn't find fault with this bag), cross body, shoulder bag or handheld.  LOVE it.  Don't love the price. 

The one above is much bigger than the ones they have for sale at the mo.  Very useful mind you.

This is the mini quilted Cara available now at £995 


Or the plain black which is what I was looking at (the oversized version) and I think what I'd go for (in another lifetime...).

Mini Cara Backpack from Mulberry £845




I know exactly what I'm after - plain, minimalist and black.   All sounds rather exciting doesn't it?  Not.  

I am however open to ideas... in fact I have looked at these before and never got round to getting one but the seed has grown... 

And I found this one at Net A Porter (thought I may as well get some inspiration whilst I was hanging out with the Caras there). 

Oh the irony - another Kara.  A brand which I've never heard of - Kara. 

Small Leather Backpack by Kara from Net A Porter £335  Which is quite a lot for a brand I've never heard of (apologies Kara).










Also on the wishlist would be the Spitalfields Medium Flapover Backpack from Radley at £190



Or.. there is the rather divine Soho Backpack also from Radley £199




But then there is the supremely lustworthy rucksack from Loxley which I discovered on Instagram.  Not cheap but oh so absolutely gorgeous. 

Mini (it's not so mini at all) Gloucester Rucksack in Glossy Black from Loxley England £395



Or there is the black Verity backpack from Whistles which is simply gorgeous (as are they are, by all accounts...) £280



Love this one which is half price at ASOS and unearthed from the men's section.  

Smith And Canova Leather Backpack was £195 now £125



Now moving onto some more reasonable options although I have to say, I think this is quite a lot still for faux leather (but then I guess compared with what Stella charges, tis peanuts). 

Very much reminds me of the Givenchy one which is ten times as much.

Matt & Nat Brave Backpack £85



A much better price for faux leather (although only as it's half price) from Liquorish. 

Liquorish Backpack was £70 now £38



I have to say, this is probably my favourite of the faux leather ones. 

Urban Originals was £70 for £38



Moving slightly off piste (from my very specific brief - still very much in black backpack territory), we have tassels at Next. 

Black Tassel Rucksack from Next £36




One of my bargains of the day has to be the curved style smooth one from ASOS. 

ASOS Clean Curved Rucksack £28



But I think the winner goes to Topshop.. 

Fold Over Backpack from Topshop £28 Is there nothing they can't pull out of the bag at the moment?  (bar jeans - I'm not loving their jeans...)







So the more the look, the more I think I need one... Perfect surely for Disney in October? (clutches at straws....).  Have you joined the backpack bus yet? (not really selling it by calling it that, am I?!)

From a handy backpack to the most ludicrous not so user friendly bag today (ie my purse can't fit in it so I have to take my cards and cash out which is irritating much).  However I do adore it and despite it's limitations, think I should use it on a daily basis much more regularly. 

And what's the obvious choice for the hottest day of the year so far?  Well that will be black from head to almost toe obviously.  Jollying my Grim Reaper costume up with red shoes.  Trip to London for some meetings and then 90 minutes on the train home on what should have been a 25 min journey.  Yawn.




Black crepe tunic top - Zara
Black ankle skimmer zip jeans - Boden
Black military jacket - Zara
Red loafers - Gucci
Leopard bag - Tory Burch

The bag was from Bicester a couple of years ago and speaking of bags.. guess where I'm off tomorrow?  Yes a swifty trip to Bicester.  Haven't been for ages and the last time I went (on my birthday) I bought the sum total of absolutely nothing.  Didn't intend to buy anything at the weekend although came home with a couple of things.  This perhaps doesn't bode well....