Studulike

Was I the only child on the planet who wasn't actually allowed to go to Spudulike? (and were we the only saddos to call it Spud-oo-lick-ay as well - god we thought we were funny. Not)  For no other reason than my mother thought it completely sacrilege to charge £2.50 for a baked potato and cheese that you could rustle up at home for about 30p.  And on reflection she did indeed have a point. 

However that, and not being allowed a Barbie castle, Benetton rugby top ("I am not paying for you to advertise someone's company") or a dog, are still things that clearly had some deep psychological effect on me growing up and a shrink would perhaps have a field day with.  Or, more likely, they would conclude that I should quit beefing on about it, my mother was right and I was damned lucky with all the other tat I did have that I conveniently neglect to recall. 

Be that as it may, I now present a homage to Spudulike. Of Studulike.  Because Studmelike.

I fear that the prolonged weeks spent 24/7 with the three rugrats (jaysus Greece seems like a lifetime ago) may just have affected my once sane mind.  It has certainly affected my ability to blog.  Primarily because I can't get near any internet enabled device in my house - two laptops and an ipad = the delayed breakout of WW3. Honestly you should thank me.  I am able to Tweet on my phone (@doesmybumlook40 for any other twitterers out there - am quickly becoming quite obsessed with it. It may be the only thing that's keeping me sane these hols) but am completely unable to post a blog. 

However I can peruse the internet and have been salivating at the selection of studded wonders that are about this A/W.  In all honesty, the chances of me actually purchasing any of them are severely limited.  That big 40 is looming bigger by the month and that small crusty sheep on my shoulder has started bleating BAAHHHH on a far more regular basis than ever before. 

So here, along with the Chloe Susannas from last week - which I will love from afar but will never grace my feet, is a quick selection of some of the beauties I have spotted. 

Firstly the Let it Be Rock Jacket from FCUK.  I think the key to most of the studded items that are around is to find one item that you love and stick with it.  Keep everything else to a bare minimum style, colour and patternwise.  There is only so bold most people can be.  And this jacket could stretch most to the limits.  Love it though.

Next some footwear not for the fainthearted.  I am trying desperately to think how these would fit into my wardrobe (so that I would get full use out of them) and failing ever so slightly.  Ok completely.  But they're still there at the back of my mind.  A completely marmite pair of boots.  The Cowboy Stud Boot from All Saints.



Stud boots are everywhere (this shan't be my last mention of boots this A/W fear not!) and a more user friendly version are the Amplify Studded Western Boot from Topshop.  


Now I think I've done quite well not to mention Zara so far seeing as they seem to have employed a design team this year, every single member of which has "Suzi Quatro" as their middle name.  They have gone stud crazy.  Jackets, shoes, boots and of course bags.  Which I'm just going to focus on today - this link will take you to their bag page.  Tis a page of stud porn. (which sounds wrong on every level)   But here are my personal favourites. 

Studded pony skin clutch. 





Studded city bag 




Plaited shopper with studs




Studded evening box bag 



Whilst we're on the subject of bags - my ultimate favourite stud bags have been for years (as I've nagged on before about - yawn) the Alexander Wang bags.  This time, let's all have a swoon over the Diego bag. 



But I have recently become obsessed with the US tv series Smash and therefore slightly obsessed with the bag that one of the main characters Karen (Katherine McPhee) has.  Two seconds on google resulted in my finding out it was the Romygold Drew Stud Hobo bag 


That pic doesn't remotely do it justice actually.  Here's one from the show, with her on the far left.  Oh helloooooo.




I honestly could go on and on and probably will end up doing so another day.  But for the moment, the jury's out which stud direction, if any I go in.  Will probably be hard not to.  Will you be doing studs this year?  Or are you firmly in the camp of if you're not a Hell's Angel, steer clear.  Steer very very clear?

Finishing as always with a run down of what I've been wearing the past week.  Two days in the middle were pyjama days - Sunday & Monday, as Saturday and Tuesday were long days in London.

Friday - day spent taking the kids swimming and for tea with friends.  Bliss.



Black bandeau harem playsuit - River Island
Gold filigree earrings - Etsy
Dull gold hav rip offs - Primark
Black sunglasses - H&M
Black Faridah hobo bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Saturday - day spent taking all three rugrats to London for the day for lunch and then Shrek The Musical.  The Husband was due to come but had to go on a stag do (the "only" weekend   they could do....which was handy as he would rather poke pins in his eyes as he hates musicals)   Well yah boo sucks to him, it was amazing.  The kids, my mum (who took his place) and I absolutely loved it.  Fantastic day was finished off with a fantastic evening at one of my best friend's house. Let's say a large glass of alcohol was needed at the end of bringing the kids back on the train on my own!


Tobacco maxi dress - Reiss
Gold necklace - Day Birger et Mikkelson
Gold Renegade bracelet - Stella & Dot
Tan leather stud cuff - Mulberry
Chestnut clog sandals - NW3 by Hobbs
Sunglasses - Tom Ford
Chestnut cross body battered bag - Campomaggi from Plumo

Sunday I was shattered, as were the kids, ditto Monday so we hung around at home, baking, cooking, doing lego, watching movies.  Much needed down time.

Tuesday off again - this time off to London for RR3's birthday (which was actually on Wed but the weather was due to be pap so we celebrated on the Tue instead)  A day of the London Eye, Mcdonalds, icecream, Trafalgar Square, bus ride, the Aquarium, wander down the South Bank, crisps & juice, wander over to The Husband's office, dinner at Busaba Eathai, mooch round Covent Garden and then home.  Shattered.  And that was just me. 



Bone drapey top - Phase Eight (I got this in the sale as it had a mark on it and a slight cut in it - I just trimmed the rest of the bottom where the cut was, which has a raw finish anyway - for £10. Chuffed - beyond chuffed) 
Tobacco Kristen high waisted skinnies - Topshop
Blush & gold enamel large earrings - Accessorize
Glasses - Accessorize
Tan Organza wedge sandals - Clarks
Chestnut cross body battered bag - Campomaggi by Plumo

Wednesday, trip to the cinema (to see Brave - how unbelievably fantastic - definitely worth seeing) and a birthday tea at a friend's house.  Obligatory Colin the Caterpillar cake from M&S.


White tee - Isabella Oliver 365
Khaki linen cargo pants - Topshop
Denim jacket - Red Herring from Debenhams
Wood and gold pebble necklace - Anthropolgie
Cheetah print ponyskin bag - Zara
Dull gold plaited belt - Zara
Leopard print ponyskin sandals - M&S
Gold renegade bracelet - Stella & Dot
Tan leather cuff - Mulberry
Sunglasses - Accessorize

And today for a day at home with friends visiting.


White vest - Primark
Silk patterned peasants blouse - Monsoon
Skinny paint splat jeans - Zara
Sunglasses - Accessorize
White bead and gold leaf earrings - Etsy
Chestnut clog sandals - NW3 by Hobbs 

I promise I shall try not to leave it so long next time - and I shall be replying to all comments tomorrow - thank you so so so much to those who do comment, I love reading them.  If you would prefer to email please do on doesmybumlook40@gmail.com

See you soon and hope those who are on summer holidays are surviving them!