Another Style Crush

Actually this isn't a new crush at all - it's one I've had for years but with the recent airing of the new series, I've remember how much I love her style. 

The one and only Dr Nikki Alexander from Silent Witness (Emilia Fox who also is a complete babe in her day clothes as well).  In fact, from my googling of her (I prefer googling to stalking - sounds less deranged) she's very involved in the selection of clothes for Nikki - some are in fact her own, most of the jewellery definitely is. 

It's not a complete shock reveal really though - a large proportion of the time she is encased in skinny jeans and heeled ankle boots.  Sporting a scarf.  Which is very much my safe haven and something I can be found in very regularly.  Ditto her Alex Monroe jewellery she wears.  

However two things she does really well which I am aiming to steal steal steal are the blouse.  And the saddle bag. 

Firstly the blouse.  Dear god.  What a hideous word.  Conjures up images of 70's polyester from M&S (or St Michael as the labels used to say - why was that?  And why did they stop? Answers on a postcard please - I could google but I fear I may have used up my allowance on Dr Nikki).  But nay, that is the blouse of yesteryear.  A little taster of a blog I have up my sleeve for next week - the return of the blouse.  Ok for some people it never went away but in my experience it wasn't conducive to being blasted in a 40 degree fierce wash, followed by a roasting in the tumble drier along with 30 muslins, 20 babygros and a sleep sack with vomit on.  Yes, it may have been a while since that scenario took place chez moi but things happen slowly round here.  Heels were my first priority.  

It's also taken me till now to realise that I don't have to carry around a bag that I can fit a weekend's worth of crap in on a daily basis.  This revelation has been nothing short of a miracle - hopefully my first foray into the smaller bag brigade is winging it's way home to me tonight courtesy of M&S and The Husband.  (oh and the M&S bag is back in stock now - completely randomly!) 

Which moves me on neatly to my second steal from the good Dr - the saddle bag.  She has a Mulberry Bonnie which they no longer make (I am aware of this as a friend of mine spent I don't know how long last year or the year before trying to track one down to absolute diddly avail.) 

So why don't we cut the chat and start with the pics - so you can all proclaim me barking mad. 

And here is the Mulberry Bonnie that Nikki often carries - so often that I can't find a photo of course.  






As that is no longer in production, here is a selection of cross body tan (ish) saddle bags that might serve the same purpose. 

A classic - probably would look better a bit worn in.  They also have a great array of metallic, coloured and textured leather ones.

Zatchels Classic Chestnut Saddle bag £65



I cannot normally rate highly enough the products from Plumo.  Gorgeous quality and often stock which it's really hard to track down elsewhere.  This bag is no exception and is now a known down bargain price.  Lovely. (and yes I'm still hankering after the scarf as well)  

Twist Shoulder Bag from Plumo now £119 from £229







This is now only in stock in the brown which is a crying shame as I think I may well have ordered it in the worn metallic.  How gorgeous for the summer?  Actually I've eyed it up over the years a number of times and it's my own stupid fault for not buying it (what was I saying yesterday?  Moron)
Orelia Cross Body bag from Red Direct at £99






These are far more boho than I personally would go but are great value for leather. 
Kelly Leather Satchel from Vida Vida at Style-Passport - £65



Bazaar Leather Martha Saddle Bag from Style-Passport - £65



Now I haven't lost leave of my senses and just become obsessed with all things M&S (I don't think I have anyway...) but I will pre-empt this next pic by saying that I haven't seen this in the flesh.  And clearly it looks hanging here.  However I do have it on good authority that is a ton better in real life - and knowing the good old photographer at M&S online, I have absolutely no reason to believe otherwise. 

Limited Collection Single Handle Saddle Bag  




Leaving the best to last.  One of those bags that probably deserves an entire blog to itself.  A bag that I've had my eye on for a while now (it was a toss up between this and the Anya maxi zip satchel).  The purely divine Chloe Marcie Satchel at £705. 



Do I love it more than her big sister the Marcie shoulder bag?  Not sure to be honest.  Wouldn't sniff at either! 

So I'm saving my blouse thread (I'm pretty sure it's only me who rates that word up there with "moist".  Wrong words) for next week.  Let the research begin (ok and I may have done some sneaky ordering already..... The sales goddamnit.  They're practically giving stuff away - she says with her crazy sales head on again.)

Finishing with another (dull) snow outfit.  




WHOA - apologies - just cut and pasted from Flickr and it's the first time I've uploaded straight from my phone.  I appear to have added a filter of some description.  Oh well, outfit still looks the same. 

Black oversized jumper - Reiss
Black fringed poncho - Reiss
Leopard print jeans - Primark
Black crocheted beret - Primark
Brown Mardy boots - Caterpillar 
Chestnut cross body bag - Campomaggi from Plumo

Here's hoping there's an end to the snow soon.