Back from Italy & the last of the sales bargains

Firstly a huge apology for taking so long to get around to reporting back from Italy after all the kind kind comments I had with regards to the final outfits.  Not forgetting all the advice with regards to the previous outfits - you definitely learn something new every day and they were indeed food for thought.  So thanking you all kindly. 

Well it was indeed the most amazing break.  Fantastic hotel - if anyone is thinking about a romantic couple of days (or longer) then I can't recommend the location - Gardone Riviera on Lake Garda, or the hotel, the Bella Riva - highly enough.  Beautiful hotel, wonderful staff, made even better by the wonderful company (The Husband obviously.....). 

Now we had a complete disaster with outfit photos (in short there aren't any) bar one outfit, but we do have some photos of the hotel - which you get to see instead.  Hmmmmm.  Mostly interiors porn.  I have some great ideas for the house.  Which The Husband is Delighted about.  Definitely with a capital D.

The most exquisite pool. (no I wasn't eyeing this up for home - I do know my limits)  Holidaying like we did pre kids.  Can you imagine a noodle, rubber ring and a lilo in here?  I think not. 

Absolutely love this table. (two tables actually)  Had always thought I'd wanted a more traditional dining table but adore the rugged wood in the modern style. And just love the juxtaposition of the dark against the very light. 


My favourite thing in the entire hotel was this rug. I normally loathe a more traditional style rug.  But this I honestly would have put in my handbag if a) it would have fitted and b) if it weren't theft.  The red and navy - such vivid colours yet at the same time with a faded, aged feel to them.  If anyone at all knows where to get a rug like this (I've been googling till my eyes bleed) then please please do let me know.  Obviously I have an email out to the hotel!



Stairway - which on reflection is a really bad photo.  But white stone stairs - to die for.  There's no stair runner there - it's just the way the stone tiles are laid.  Completely beautiful. 


And now for the outfits from the day.  Actually make that outfit.  I am so gutted that we don't have a photo from the evening as I was so over the moon with the black lace & feather dress. (although maybe not as I managed to forget all my make up and was errrrrr rather warm so was pretty much bare faced by the evening. Which isn't my finest look....)

But here we go - hair was up, down, up, down, but mostly up during the day as it was warm.  Very very warm.  Hottest day of the year so far apparently.  With not a lot, make that no, breeze at all. However beats rain, hands down. 
So a quick selection but hopefully you get the idea.  Have to say, was v v pleased with my last minute day time option. 




Blush chiffon pleat dress - Cos
Earrings - borrowed from a friend (thank you so so much MC - how fab do they look?) 
Stone and gold cuff - Massimo Dutti (going back as it's broken - it fell off about 10 times so I ended up lobbing it my handbag) 
Gold Renegade braclet - Stella & Dot
Nude strappy sandals - Zara
Sunglasses - Tom Ford
Snakeskin clutch bag  - Michael Kors

Just in case anyone was worried about how I was going to pack all my stuff in a bag the size of a matchbox - prepared to be impressed.  I forced The Husband to put his laptop in my bag (and admittedly my toiletry bag is in his suit carrier - wrapped in two plastic bags to quell his paranoia at something leaking in it.  Obviously.)  But everything else is in the tiny box dwarfed by my handbag.  All hail my new title as Queen of Light Travelling. 


Now before I went away I have two great purchases to fess up to.  I am not yet venturing into A/W territory - still v much on research ground.  More to report on that in the next couple of days. (hopefully........ My mother in law has assured me she has wifi.......)

This has to be the last of the sales purchases.  But boy it is a good one.  It will, of course, come as no surprise to anyone that is a, yawn, blazer from, yawn, Zara.  I've had my eye on it for the last season but certainly couldn't justify yet another jacket for £90.  However at £19.99. Well that is rude not to, surely?!  As everyone knows I will get oodles of wear out of it and yet another thing to go with my raspberry jeans which really haven't proven themselves in the warmer weather but am definitely going to be getting them out come September.

CONFESSION to make.  I bought these the day before I went on holiday and there was that much faffing around with the kids, getting the dress shortened (plus mani, pedi, spray tan - priorities and all that) that I may have just abandoned them in the bag.  Hence they look like they've been slept in.  The shame.


And I have great great breton news!  Just lobbing it in here as I shall be taking it with me to Ireland to wear, I am completely over the moon with this.  From H&M.  A pretty fantastic £12.99.  Whether it makes more than one wash remains to be seen, but it is lovely thick jersey.  3/4 length sleeves, slash neck, boxy shape with the addition of a cute zip at the back, I just wish I'd seen it in more colours.  Haven't had time to check it out online but if they do (and they wash ok) I shall be snapping them up.  Every now and again H&M have some fantastic tops (my blush oversized jumper is one of them which I wish I'd got in more colours).  This is one such item.  Buy immediately. 



Now a round up of what I have been wearing the last two days. 





Blush & black tie dye loose top - All Saints
Washed black brush leather jacket - All Saints
Paint splash skinny jeans - Zara
White gold and diamond key necklace - Theo Fennell 
Black sunglasses - Christian Dior
Leopard print ponyskin and black patent sandals - M&S
Chestnut Lily bag - D&G

Tomorrow I am off to Ireland with the 3 kids to see Nanny.  On my own.  Flying Ryanair.  Which seemed like an exceptionally good idea at the time.  In for a penny, in for a pound.  On the upside, there's always Dunnes.  (& obviously Brown Thomas........)  Am hoping to report from there.