Archive for 2013

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Topping it off

But dressing it down. As I mentioned yesterday, I have descended to one step above sloth and have been living in the dress downs. I am at the age (and the level of gluttony) where over indulging for a couple of days, no longer means that jeans are slightly tight. It means they're cutting off the circulation to my knees.

I need stretch and comfort. And I've grown to love it. It's so easy to be able to dress down and have a little arsenal of jersey loveliness in your wardrobe that you can just throw on without thinking about it.

Of course there are oodles of new things about (must not look, must not look..... until next week anyway) but this being the season of all things sales, it would be rude not to attack what is actually the last of the last. Like I said yesterday, things really are selling out. Very limited sizing in so much - it's taken me ages to trawl through and find these bits but there definitely are some little gems still out there.

For weekends, for those days off and into the Summer, everyone needs a host of slouchy tops to wear.

This jacket is actually a little bit more than that - would work just as well in a smarter look but the ideal thing to fling over joggers to go to the supermarket and not get mistaken for Vicky Pollard.

American Vintage Zip Jacket in cotton Burn out now £47 instead of £105

What's not to love with a great grey sweat top. Goes with everything - wearable all year round.

Selected Carine Sweat top with leather zip pulls now £27 was £45

Now clearly Whistles have got it exactly right with their sweatshirts - there aren't many left at full price, let alone in the sale so if you're after a smarter version of a slob about, this is the one to get - an ultimately universally useful grey with black flecks.

Whistles Casey Dash Sweatshirt - now £45 was £75

Mint Velvet fly the flag for all things scrummy with another grey winner.

Mint Velvet Silver Grey Textured Blocked Sweatshirt now £39 for £59

Mint Velvet Kezia Print Sweatshirt £45 was £65

This is moving up the paygrade a bit but you would be able to wear it all year round - from dinner out to camping - seriously, these were my main stay of clothing when I was camping in France in the summer. Hence my justification of the million or ten I now own.

MSGM Floral Brocade Jumper now £111 from £185

I've thrown this in as I absolutely love it and it's sold out pretty much everywhere I've looked but I managed to find it on Atterley Road. Would be ideal to wear to the office - that sort of sweatshirt.

Whistles Diamond print silk sweatshirt now £85 from £125

This isn't exactly a sweatshirt, sweatshirt but it's a great top for dress down. Loving all things Breton as per usual.

Saint James Meridien oversized striped top £25 down from £55

Now stretching my boundaries slightly and hauling some knitwear into the equation. Great for throwing on as snugglies and wonderful to take you into the spring for those days when you don't need a coat - just add a huge scarf.

I have a Breton jumper that I got from Zara about 6 years ago and I absolutely love it. It was a complete impulse purchase, was about £24 and gets dragged out every year, all seasons. I love it and will cry when it dies. This is almost a good enough reason to have a substitute in the wings. This one would fit the bill perfectly.

Petit Bateau Carillion Jumper from Atterley Road now £39 from £79

And a couple of exceptionally useful numbers from Mint Velvet again.

Silver Grey Square Cashmere Blend knit £55 from £69

Champagne square knit £49 from £69

Now since we've moved onto knitwear, this is sliding in under the radar as a) it's knitted and b) it's super easy to wear as a casual throw on. c) it goes in the wash! I had one of these similarish in jersey a couple of years ago (ok about 7) from Monsoon and it only died last year. You won't know how useful it is until you have it and wondered how you lived without one.

Absolutely gorgeous and perfect for the Spring/Summer.

Ted Navy Knitted Jacket from Reiss £95 down from £145

Finishing with the one Sales bargain that I am over the moon with (this is, of course, ignoring the other pair of Reiss Brompton shoes that I ordered - this time in the Cobalt blue. Having spent the best part of a morning tracking down the off white ones, it suddenly occurred to me at an ungodly hour last night that actually the cobalt blue ones are probably a better buy. Which was handy as they were reduced further - now to £129 - and I managed to snaffle the last pair online this morning to pick up from store later in the week. I will return one of them. Honest guv.... We all know that now of course, they're both going to look utterly pants. Typical)

But my other bargain (well it's not really a bargain - it's from Zara - there are no such things as bargains in the Zara sale which is why I haven't documented any of them. The most rubbish reductions ever but reduced is reduced and I said if this was in my size then I would get it) is this check, totally marmite, coat. I LOVE it. Flouts every one of my Sales Rules which is why I've just slung it in at the end. Oh I guess it does go with a fair bit in my wardrobe so perhaps I am excused... ish.

This morning went to my favourite local restaurant The Vine to have breakfast with very good friends of our - 8 adults and 11 kids between us to celebrate a friend's birthday. Champagne at 10.30 on New Year's Day is a cracking way to start the celebrations in my book.

Cream sculptured top - Whistles

Navy coated zip skinnies - Zara

Check coat - Zara

Tan Cypress boots - Acne

Sierra necklace - Stella & Dot

Whiskey Medium Marcie Satchel - Chloe

So tonight we are off out with the same friends to a dinner party, handily round the corner. I love NYE - off to straighten the hair again (am going for a change is as good as a rest at the moment and totally loving the GHD Eclipses which were a small Christmas pressie to myself.)

I hope everyone has a fantastic night and look forward to catching up tomorrow when I shall be back with some drastic New Year's Resolutions.

I would also like to say a huge Thank You to everyone who has read the blog and commented on the blog during the year. You all make it worthwhile, I hope you have enjoyed it and here's to bigger and better next year.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Much love, Kat xxx

It's all going so quickly

So it seems the recession is well and truly on its way out as people flock to buy sales stock. Clearly they're all following my rules (yeah right) which is why so much of the good stuff I keep finding is sold out by the time I a) try to buy it or b) try to blog about it.

I haven't personally been brave enough to step foot into a store yet. I had planned on going today but The Husband, because he couldn't get to work on Christmas Eve has escaped, sorry, dragged himself to work. On his own...... However fear not, I got my own back when I rang him at lunchtime and asked him ever so nicely (as he could hear carnage in the background here) to just pop along to Reiss in the city and see if they had my beloved Brompton shoes in store. I had already checked and they were in stock there so all he had to was pick them up. It would be empty I thought.

Ha ha ha. And that'll be a no. The Sales Assistant actually told him that it would be a ten minute wait before she could serve him. I wouldn't have believed this, had I not been on the phone to him at the time and heard her say it. Apparently rammed wasn't the word. So thank goodness for those fantastic people at Selfridges in the Reiss department who took my order over the phone and are sending them out to me. You absolute stars.

These are the things of beauty that have made it through the gambit of the Sales Rules. The one slight, very very slight, fly in the ointment is that I haven't tried them on. Slight I said..... It might mean a quick trip back to Selfridges to return them but worse things have happened I guess. I can think of so many things these will go with in the summer - very excited to have them.

Brompton Off white two tone sandals now £95 from £210. That's what you call a reduction. Zara, take note.

So whilst I've managed to bag (another) bargain for my feet, the one thing that I always always find hard to buy is tops. Too clingy, too voluminous, too warm, too cold. Or I manage to get curry down them and they've never quite the same again (just me?) There are actually loads of tops around in the sale that would be great for wearing now, but to be honest, are more suited to slightly warmer climes. And of course (its me, why would you expect anything less) can go from supermarket to dinner (out - not one that you've cooked. Unless you've cooked for lots of people in which case yes)

I've featured this top a number of times I think but that's because I love it. Most of these tops are perfect for pretty much anything on your bottom half, hell, even shorts (which is incentive to get my arse to the gym if ever there was one). Leather pencil skirt, A-line skirts, boyfriend jeans, skinny jeans, capri pants. The bottoms are your oyster.

Montpellier top from Boden £19.60 from £49 Classic cream

In navy dot only £14.70 This is slightly on the chintzy side but I think on the right person it would look fab. I'd probably team with super faded or distressed jeans to unprettify it personally.

In sulphur only £19.60 I love this colour. If I didn't have the Whistles one I would get this in a heartbeat.

Staying with full on colour this is gorgeously bright - would look great with navy for now or with whites and faded denim in the summer.

Daisy Jacquard Top now £17.70 from £59

This is a perfect blouse for all year round. Gorgeous subtle colours if the above brights don't float your boat. A fabulous neutral.

Paris Blouse (see see see - neutral!) only £17.70 from £59

Staying with blouses, this one is just gorgeous. Pretty but practical and with a great reduction. Smart enough to wear to a wedding but cheap enough to wear with jeans for the school run.

Twist & Shout beaded collar blouse £30 from £60 from Great Plains

Regent Crepe Panelled Top now £25 from £50 again from Great Plains. Absolutely adore this and yes, I've featured it before but it's such a classic classic blouse that would actually suit pretty much all shapes.

This is another perfect neutral shirt for dressing up and down - love the fact it's not a shirt shirt but a more casual smart top (that makes sense to me....). This is the sort of top I love wearing with skinnies and a fitted blazer.

Long Pintuck Shirt in Natural White now £40.80 from £68

Or in grey marl

For nights out coming up in the Spring this covers a multitude of opportunities. Also really lovely to wear out for lunch with skinny jeans and black ankle boots. (or ssshhh keep for next Christmas - so useful for the wardrobe)

Foiled Again Print Sleeve Top £24.50 from £35 from Great Plains

I perhaps shouldn't like this as much as I do - I'm not even a lover of cats for pity's sake but this is really quite cute. Lovely subtle classic colours seem to dull down the potential randomness of it. I think it's rather Anthropologie. Alternatively, it could be just odd.

Cats Mansion tee £13.50 from £45.00 from Great Plains.

This, from Jigsaw is an absolutely gorgeous top. It looks like nothing in the pic but honestly it's just fabulous. Ideal for all year round - perfect to wear to work, dress up with a leather skirt or coated skinnies or for during the day with just faded denims. Would work as well with heels as it would with sneakers (can you tell I have a sneaky sneakers thing going on...... Watch this space - I may yet convince you all that I've lost my tiny mind)

Jigsaw Silk back tweed t-shirt in navy £68 from £98

In Blueberry Tweed with a purple back - again now just £68

Linton Tweed Panel t-shirt (love the peach) again just £68

This is lovely for the Spring in pale green and yellow shades Still £68 from Jigsaw

A top I can guarantee you'll get loads of wear out of, is the black sculptured top from Whistles. I love mine so so much, very tempted to get it in the black as well.

Whistles Sculptured top £60 down from £85

Or in blue - but very very few left so hurry!

Whistles Sculptured top now only £45

Staying with plain and interesting (and very useful like the one above) is this cobalt blue silk frill time blouse from Reiss. I would defy anyone not to be able to think of about 3 occasions when they could wear this. Dinner, work, smart party with black capri pants. A real wardrobe staple.

Whitely Indigo Frill Sleeve Top now £55

Ok so I appreciate that I may be stretching my admiration of all things French with plain old French Writing on a top but I have to say, on reflection, I have two and do love both of them. Both are t-shirts and both I think work really well under a blazer with some faded jeans. This is definitely skipping around the boundary of Parisian chic but it will do for me. (and one of mine is Maison Scotch too)

Maison Scotch tee - now £31 was £52

Speaking of French, I was going to do a whole shebang on Breton tops as I have an unhealthy addiction to them which I can foresee getting out of control this Spring. But, on the upside, I do wear them. I wear them all a lot - I wear my wine one from Massimo Dutti much more than I thought I ever would. Following my French rules (my life now seems to be full of rules which is great as they are only made to be broken), I need one in black.

So it would therefore be rude not to give this serious consideration.

Jigsaw Amelie Striped Breton T-shirt in Camel now £25 from £36

If you simply can't stand to think about all things short sleeved now and to be fair, if you have the same gale blowing outside as we do here, it is perhaps the last thing on your mind. I therefore acquiesce slightly and give you one layering top which is a complete bargain.

Layering tops Ganni were £65 now £28

And with that in mind, I think that it would be rude not to a sweatshirt round up. It may be NYE tomorrow night but it's also New Year's Day the day after which is a day of hunkering down with popcorn and a good movie. Which equals snuggly clothes. I have literally alternated between very dressy and complete comfort dress down this holiday and couldn't have done without the new cosy additions to my wardrobe. We should all have some and there have to be some bargains out there.

Finishing with my outfit from today which, as I've just mentioned, as dress down as they come. Pure and utter comfort for a day at home with the kids. The sun did shine for about 10 minutes in between the squally showers and howling wind. About to get the popcorn on and watch Life of Pi. No make up and verging on pyjamas.

White vest - Reiss

Black Lola harems - Whistles

Marine Dolman Sweatshirt - Hush

Denim blue and beige tie dye scarf - Cos

Tall Chestnut Uggs

So definitely have a snuggly top thread up my sleeve and surely it would be rude not to check out the dresses in the sale, no?? How is everyone else doing? Anything specific that you're chuffed to pieces with? Any rubbish sales we should name and shame?

It's called Investment sales shopping...

Buying things for your wardrobe that you can both wear now but can also wear into the Spring. This is clever sales shopping, getting ahead of the curve with pieces that the shops will be full on in a couple of weeks but you can grab a bargain now by sorting the wheat from the chaff in the sales and buying very similar items.

And hey presto, the jacket. They are around in A/W - mostly either from the Autumn end of the season or with a more night out look in mind. Some are also ok for layering either under or over. But who cares - there are bargains to be had. And and and we are being super good at sticking to a Sales Rule. Justification ladies = free reign to shop to your hearts content as you are a) being sensible and b) saving money. This is the sort of tripe that my head is full of. Imagine my poor family and friends.

Unlike the last couple of years, stuff does really seem to be shifting so it's all hand to the decks and get shopping.

I love a jacket (as I may or may not have mentioned a gazillion times) But I have definitely neglected them this year in favour of my new coat obsession. However the seasons are a changing and it's jacket weather that is (hopefully) on the horizon. A short fitted jacket teamed with my new love of looser style jean - perfect. Not neglecting my skinnies of course - I like the look of a slightly looser shirt/blouse with a fitted little jacket over. Everyone's a winner.

There are some really great bargains out there to be had.

This is just gorgeous in real life.

River Island Orange Boucle Embellished jacket now £40 was £90

Staying with embellishment and following on from my favourite Mathilde jacket yesterday at Monsoon, this vies with first place. I absolutely adore this jacket - complete Balmain to me.

Glasto Pom pom jacket now £82.50 from £119 I love the fact this can be dressed up for a smarter night out as styled below, (I use dressed up in the loosest sense - again, Monsoon have tried their best but really?) but would look just as fabulous with faded cropped jeans and a plain white tee.

Another pom pom success can be found at Monsoon, the Ike Pom pom jacket. A fabulous subtle ikat print in lovely muted colours which will be ideal for the cooler Spring days.

Ike Pom Pom jacket now £44.50 from £89

Rita Print Jacket from White Stuff now £39 from £59.95 Sticking with the boho theme, this is a great dress up dress down option from White Stuff.

Lana Jacquard Biker Jacket now £49 from £99 BIker jackets haven't had their day yet - very easy to wear - open if you are larger of bust but can easily be done up if you were not blessed.

Now I have sunk to new depths but this is something that I've always had quite a lot of success from, let's say slightly more random brands. To be fair, having said that, I remember when I was young, (much much younger..) at some point I do recall Betty Barclay was the epitome of older elegant chic to me (no I didn't get out much). I will say though that I haven't ever purchased an item from there but this jacket really is quite special.

Betty Barclay Cream tweed jacket £80 from £160

Another classic coloured black and white jacket which I did have my eye on earlier in the season is now a complete bargain at Great Plains

Binky Boucle Boxy Jacket now £55 from £110

Another bargain in navy also from Great Plains is the Silver Bells Summer jacket now £31 from £79

Tweed BIker Jacket from Sandwich £60 from £120 Staying with navy I love this jacket. I think the quality of it looks amazing and belies it's now £60 price tag. Gorgeous - a twist on a classic navy tweed blazer.

Jigsaw Tweed Lambswool Knitted Jacket £64 from £129 This is one that you could definitely wear now with a coat over but have as a jacket on its own in the Spring.

Now this is a complete ringer but I absolutely love it. Don't know why, certainly shouldn't but I am totally drawn to it. And not even because it's now just £20.

Khaki Two-tone denim military jacket £20

And finally finishing with some fabulous neutral jacket on sale at Mint Velvet (couldn't forget my new French resolution) - love the subtle on these, the off centre zip, the ever so slight flattering peplum, zip detailing on the wrists, just all gorgeous.

Black Jacquard Jacket - now £70 from £110

And in shell - perfect for the warmer weather

Black Multi Zip Jacket now £59 from £119 (great reduction)

Storm Multi Zip Jacket now £59 was £110

I could pretty much wear all of those - all would fit seamlessly into my wardrobe and are perfect for a dinner, a trip out to the pub or general every day wear. Definitely worth investing in.

Now may I finally introduce to my Christmas present from The Husband and didn't he do well! The New Marcie Satchel from Chloe in Whiskey. There is a new love in my life and yes, it's my new bag. I absolutely adore it. Perfect size, can be worn as a carry bag or has a strap inside which you can then wear over the shoulder or cross body. Love the colour - it's not as orange as this in real life but it's definitely a more pumpkin shade of tan (that'll be whiskey then - a gorgeous rich tan)

Expect to see a lot of it. Had a fab day out yesterday with the family and some of our best friends. Went out for an early dinner and then to see The BFG at the theatre. Absolutely amazing and we all loved it. Highly recommended if it ever comes to your area.

Off white sculptured top - Whistles

Real straight jeans - Gap

Camel coat - Zara

Tan belt - Primark

Cuff - Hultquist

Navy Newbury boots - Rag & Bone

Indira necklace - Stella & Dot

Whiskey Marcie satchel - Chloe

It's a gorgeous day here today as we may well, hold your horses, go for another walk. However this time I think we might end up in the pub.... It's nippy out there so wrap up well folks.

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Topping it off

It's all going so quickly

It's called Investment sales shopping...