Ok so it's the elephant in the room that we obviously can't ignore. 

So I was thinking about what to write about today and thought I may as well tackle it head on.  From the top.  Going big. 

If you're going to take advantage of the discounts, it makes sense to go big. 

And if we're talking big budget, I'm going to start by talking leather.  An expensive, investment purchase that it makes total sense to purchase on a weekend like this.  Be it a purchase that you've had on your wishlist for a while, a purchase that will be ideal for your capsule wardrobe or one for your Christmas present.  Your other half will thank you for the saving, that's for sure.

Starting with the daddy of all sites for leather jackets - my beloved Allsaints. 

Firstly you would assume I would begin with a biker jacket but this is the one I've got my eye on.  Love.  Love love love.

Carpen Leather Bomber Jacket £380 pre 30% discount with the code CYBER  Could I possibly love this outfit any more?



But of course, there is the classic Cargo jacket.  My absolute favourite Allsaints Biker Ever.

Cargo Jacket £318 pre 30% off.  I'm not sure you'll get a better reduction that that.



Having said that, the newer Bales is a very close contender for the leather crown. 

Bales Biker £318 pre discount 



It's the collar that does it for me.  Looks fabulous undone but is even more amazing (and functional) done up.



Moving onto skirts.  I've just written an article for another publication on my obsession with leather and as a result, have leather skirts on my mind.  Scroll down for last night's outfit for more evidence.  Mine is super old but there are some great mini options around.  Just add opaques. 

Adore the shape of this one.  So much more flattering than a straight version.  My go to shape is A-line but this would work just as well.

Haslam Leather Skirt from Allsaints £198 pre discount



Just to finish on Allsaints (and I'm not going to limit myself to the leather - check out the knitwear.  And the dresses.  You can thank me or hate me.  Let me know...) are their new bags.  They are amazing and with 30% off not to be sniffed at. 

Mori Lea Crossbody Leather Bag £198 in oyster grey - pre 30% discount



Or the Fleur de Lis Crossbody £128 in sand



Or in the black again £128 pre discount



But my choice would be the more unusual Zoku Large Clutch £228 - perfect size for day time too.



Going back to skirts now and speaking of A-line versions...more leather love at Whistles.  This skirt is sold out online but you can still get from John Lewis where they're matching the 25% off.  

Rita Leather Skirt in the black was £170 now £127.50


Or in the burgundy also now £127.50



hush haven't gone down the mass Black Friday reduction road but they do have some festive offers - 25% off 25 things.  But my favourite promotion is that they're giving 10% of all sales today, Saturday, to Crisis at Christmas.  That's the best reason to shop I've heard all weekend. 

And there is some leather to partake in too.  This is the perfect Christmas top.  Wear to parties with jeans or smarter trousers, looks amazing over a pencil or full skirt, be it mini or midi.  Layer with a thin polo underneath for every day dressing.  Perfection in green.

Steph Leather Top was £150 now £112.50






Staying with what I think is green, but I'm not sure it actually is.. it's definitely black leather but the fur on the front definitely looks green to me.  I think it's black though and it's just the light.  Either way, I LOVE this.  Really really adore it.  Am more tempted than I should be.  All the leather jackets on the Mango site are 20% off.  Be churlish not to have a sneaky look no?

Fur Panel Leather Jacket £199 from Mango with 20% off using the code



Something a little different...

Leather Trench from Mango £199.99




And then I can't not mention the accessories.  One of my favourite accessories sites, Black, has a great offer on.  Perfect for gifts (perfect for self gifting...). 




I love their cashmere (which is also discounted) but I have my eye on the leather gloves.  Adore these long arm ones.

Long Black Leather Gloves with diagonal Zip were £150 now £127.50



Long Black Leather Gloves from Black were £95 now £76 



Other amazing gloves of the more expensive leather variety which definitely fall into the "luxury ergo Black Friday is a go go" category, I've hunted down at Avenue 32. 

Burgundy Leather Zip Fur Mittens (ok not gloves) £155 by Aristide (30% off at till.  Thanking you kindly...)





Or how about these.  I love these.

Black Lightening Bolt Leather Gloves from Aristide £130 with an extra 30% off at checkout




So here I am in my leather skirt which is as old as the hills from Zara.   I was going to say that it doesn't get worn often but I think I might be wearing it more this season than I have for a while.  Definitely during the day too.  Just goes to show that leather definitely does last the test of time.

And outfit number two from my capsule Miele wardrobe. 


Lauren Silk Blouse and tie in black - Winser London
Leather mini skirt - Zara
Carmen velvet boots - Penelope Chilvers

With outfit number three from today.




1970 Jumper - Bella Freud from Coggles (don't forget your 30% off this weekend)
Black kick flare Laboratory trousers - Jaeger (25% off this weekend)
Trench coat - Zara
Red Loafers - Gucci
Half Moon bag - APC

I will admit to having bought NOTHING yet.  Tomorrow I may go bonkers... Panic buying is a alas my middle name.  Someone talk me down from the edge.  I should probably not go and look at bags, should I?

Sorry - I've just realised that may have sounded slightly prophetic, but you should know me better than that.  Basically why would you wait?  Well - at Mango that is anyway.  Do you remember a couple of years ago (actually it may well have been only last year) they did a couple of weekends of 30 or 40% off everything? (obviously there were some massively irritating exceptions).

It's back.  And... dare I say this is ridiculously cheeky, but they've extended their returns policy until mid Jan so surely the sensible thing is to buy now and then return and rebuy if it's reduced further in the sale.  I'm not sure why there's any reason you can't do this?  I was going to say it's not exactly ethical but then hang on a min - why not?  (I'm not saying wear it and then return it but you could always return the new item on the old receipt... again, I'm sure morally there is some reason why you shouldn't do this and for a small company I'd say it's not exactly fair but a company the size of Mango?  I think I'm ok with it *cue 100 comments telling me how dishonest I am*).

So I have spent a rather lovely hour or so (when I should have been wrapping presents.  They're actually starting to haunt me.  So what have I done instead?  Oh, yes, order more.  MORE?  But... I think I've nearly done it all.  Whoop.  WHOOP!)  having a catch up on the X Factor final with a cup of coffee and a piece of cake (made by the 11yr old yesterday - gluten free lemon & almond cake.  Amazing) and scrolling through to see if there are any bargains to be had at Mango. 

Obviously new season isn't included but that doesn't mean there aren't some gems that we can wear now and also wear into Spring.  I don't actually know why I'm even thinking about Spring as we haven't really had a Winter yet.  Does anyone else feel like they haven't really got into their Winter Wardrobe properly yet?  As bonkers as that sounds, I feel like I've not had a chance to get into mine...maybe it's because my winter wardrobe is really suited to very cold crisp dry weather and we've had damp, windy yet randomly mild ugh for weather.  Hmm didn't think this one through, did I?!  Need to analyse this another day. 

But in the meantime, I am obviously thinking ahead and firstly, I do not need a new coat (info on my hugely successful coat purchasing antics at the bottom of the post).  If I did however, I am loving this one.  Absolutely loving it.  Especially with 40% off (it's 40% off your items if you buy two or more and 30% off if you just buy one.  Which makes that a bit of a no brainer).  Code is 6MANGO10.

Premium long wool coat £169.99



Oh how I love a bit of military.  And yes, I am going to continue to bang on about Spring.  You have been warned... This is a coat.  But it's a pea coat.  And I had intended on doing a whole schmog about these but I'm flinging this one in as a sneaky preview.  This works so well now over a polo neck, shirt and jumper or a sweartshirt.  Come the warmer weather (although to be fair, we haven't had any proper cold weather yet really, have we?), I'd wear with just a shirt, long sleeve tee or a beloved breton. 

Double breasted wool coat £119.99



Now there is something ever so slightly Captain Birdseye about this pic, I will admit but it doesn't stop me loving it. 



This strikes me as possibly being one of those ridiculously impractical things to wear but boy do I love this pic.  I'm completely torn between weather I'd wear it loads or whether it would be a bread machine.  (in our house, anything that in normal's people houses is termed a white elephant, in ours, is a bread machine.  Wedding present that I insisted on adding to the list, much to the incredulity of the husband which was then used about 10 times.  Over 10 years.  And I don't think we ever finished one loaf of bread.  Which each cost about £2.50 to make.  And could have felled a bird at 20 paces.  Lead bread.... not the best.  And yes I did try lots - some - different recipes.  We eventually sent it to breadmaker heaven).

Double breasted gilet £79.99  I love this look.  I'm just hoping that it's not proper coat fabric otherwise to wear, as a mere mortal, as a top, would look completely random.  In my head, it's more waistcoat fabric?  Which would work beautifully over a jumper with a shirt underneath.. or over a longsleeved (or dare I say short sleeved..) tee.  A match made in Breton heaven?  I may have to scratch the itch.  Loving it with these trousers.  Also think it would work super well with wide leg crops.  






This is a more subtle version.  Obviously, subtle isn't a part of my vocabulary so I'm all in for the full on number above.  But this one is probably much more practical.

Long Boyfriend Gilet £49.99




This is ideal for adding interest to an otherwise dull outfit.  Perfect for into the Spring, even into the Summer.  I'd wear this over a tee as a throw on.

Adjustable cord gilet £59.99



And this has turned into the Gilet thread... oh how I love the tufty shoulders.  Actually this is probably more useful than the "formal coat that looks like you couldn't afford sleeves" version above...

Jacquard cotton gilet £69.99




What better to wear under a gilet or just the perfect top for the holiday season - my beloved chunky knit.  Love this colour - over coated skinnies with some heeled ankle boots or ballet flats (I'm starting a flat obsession, you have again been warned) this is perfect for looking dressed up whilst being super comfy. 

Side cords sweater £39.99



Or a thinner knit which could be easily dressed up for a smarter occasion.  Fine enough to wear under a blazer into the Spring as well - not to mention a gilet... (or a long cardigan - see below.)  Now apparently this is blue but personally it looks like grey to me.  I would go so far to say that on no analysis is this blue (don't order it wanting grey though because we all know it will turn up bluer than a blue thing).

Metallic finish sweater £34.99




Now this isn't going to be for everyone but I am so in love with my long grey cardigan that I got from Zara earlier in the season.  Having said that, I may actually prefer this one. 

Pocket Long Cardigan £49.99



Or a sand version (although apparently this one is a coat.  Which is listed under cardigans.  That'll because it's a cardigan).

Flecked cotton-blend coat £59.99 (it's so a cardigan).



On to bags now and Mango have had some lovely bags this season.  I'm going to look at reasonably (and not reasonably) priced black bags shortly but in the meantime, how about a new bag for Spring.  Something to wear with all your greys, navys and blacks to just give a hint of sunshine to Winter's outfits. 

Suede cross body bag £69.99 in ochre.  I think this looks so much expensive.  Love the ring detail on the handle.  Do not wear against dark denim jeans though as I think the colour will probably (definitely) run onto the suede. 



Not leather now but much cheaper especially with the 40% off. 

Studded bucket bag £34.99



However this one.. oh this one..  Don't forget the leopard print coats from the other day from Mango which also now may have 40% off) 

Leopard Leather Bucket Bag £89.99



And finishing with something that I rarely look at but I think I've found some that might work.  Gloves.  Proper leather gloves.  I have hands like Skeletor at the end of an orang-utan's arms.  Stupidly long fingers and arms that Mr Tickle would be envious of.  Therefore gloves are normally useless.  They barely cover my great big paws.  And if I look at men's gloves, they make me look like I'm sporting catcher's mitts.  Just all wrong diddly. 

Whereas these may just fit the bill.  Extra long so they'll cover my arms (yay) and in two sizes - large should be fine.  And a great price.  I wouldn't pay too much for leather gloves as although I know it's probably worth it, the chances of me losing them are high.  Very high in fact, as I wouldn't be able to drive in them and I know I'd put them on my lap.  And then get out of the car, forgetting they were there and into the gutter they'd go.  Doesn't happen with wrist warmers as I can drive in them.  

Leather long gloves £34.99 



And it seems it doesn't rain but it pours.  Lo and behold the Matches Sale has also started today.  And Whistles starts tomorrow... is there any point at all in waiting for Boxing Day any more? 

I will be back with my pick of Matches as it is the one site I love love love perusing and the husband is out most nights this week.  I'm out tomorrow night too.  Seeing Santa and Ice Skating.  Get in there. 

But in the meantime, seeing as I have my new (bagged in the Black Friday sale.  WHOOP) Golden Goose on, I'll just give you a sneak preview of my Matches picks.  If you are after a pair of these, do not hang around as they will not be around long at all.  The addiction is catching on everywhere.

Superstar Uma Low top trainers were £315 now £189 - with ponyskin panels.  Swoon. Just swoon.


Finishing with outfit from today and I have done nothing exciting at all but the school run and get to grips with some more Christmas shopping.  From the comfort of my sofa.  But I put on one of my favourite outfits.  And feel so so much better.


Black polo neck - Cocoa Cashmere
Black peg leg pleather trousers - Zara
Red Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose
Grey long cardigan - Zara
Black Harker hands free bag - Anya Hindmarch

In sightly less exciting news, my Maje coat arrived (well two of them arrived as I ordered two sizes as usually French clothes are tiny.  Which they are.  I always have to size up in them.  Thanks for that).  And it looks gorgeous.  It also looks exactly like a dressing gown. 

Which alas, was confirmed to me when the 11yr old said, as I took it out of the box, "Oh wow mum, your new dressing gown is epic".  As epic as it may be, it does genuinely look like a dressing gown on me.  Straight back in the box. 

And French women must have have really really skinny arms as my appendages looked like they'd been vacuum packed into the sleeves.  Not entirely the look I was going for.  Am going to order the ASOS one tonight.  Which I have high hopes for.  Foolishly clearly...

Coming up shortly, I have gone into obsessive mode about two items of footwear (there is method in my madness and you'll be pleased to hear that a) it's not sneaker based in the slightest and b) it's practical.. ish).  As well as feeling all the trouser love.  Lots to think about.  Not to mention sales lists... (which clearly I need to start making really really quickly.  Help me out here, what have you got on yours?!)