It's confession time.
I sunk to the depths of a shopaholics low this week. The all consuming obsession for the perfect summer going out outfit took over all sane bodily functions. Note - I am now saying "going out outfit" as opposed to "First Holy Communion outfit". Nothing like a bit of personal PR to justify the most bonkers week.
So. This week I went to Bicester. I love Bicester Village (the shopping outlet bit - not the actual village of Bicester - nothing against it but I've never been. I never "quite" make it)
On the shopping list was shoes. In the eternal quest (seriously they spent less time in the search for Camelot) for the First Holy Communion outfit, I discovered in my wardrobe a long forgotten about brown silk, slightly dropped waist, cowl neck, sleeveless dress which hits just below the knee and is perfect! I had also bought a navy organza one from Cos which I thought was great and worked with tan, snakeskin or black accessories.
So shoes were on the cards. I didn't need a bag - I was going to make do with the clutch bags I have, namely the tan McQueen one, the snakeskin Michael Kors one and the black Tory Burch. There was a plan.
Which started off really well. I had been given a pair of snakeskin sandals the night before by one of my best friends, some gorgeous LK Bennett ones which unfortunately didn't go with the snakeskin clutch, but looked great with the tan bag. However I was foolish enough to go into LK Bennett and absolutely fell in love with these tan shoots. Which are the perfect match for the McQueen bag (I had taken it with me obviously)
With hindsight, I don't actually *need* these at all. But I love them......And I'm sure I'll be able to make great use out of them. And they were a bargain....(sort of. After a large glass of wine they seemed like a bargain)
On to a far more practical purchase and this one really did make me skip.
There is now a Rag & Bone at Bicester. Be still my beating heart. I think I may actually have broken into a run to see if they had any Newbury boots. And they did, in both my size (my proper size with a half and everything) and in a gorgeous rich navy colour with a lighter heel - perfect for both now (in this tropical Summer weather we're having) and for the Autumn. Navy boots are so so hard to get hold of so it was a complete no brainer to snap these up.
And now on to Reiss. To be honest, it was full of S/S12 stock. Which is fine, except that it really wasn't any cheaper than the stock was in the sale last year. Which strikes me as being odd. Maybe I'm just a cheapo but if wanted to buy it last year, I would have bought it last year - now a whole year on, I want it at a much lower price!
However I did find a couple of bargains on the super sale rail.
Firstly an oversized navy (with a very slight metallic thread running through) top. This looks great for the day worn the right way round, but also would work really well for the evening back to front, with the v at the back.
Finishing with a great racer back vest top - longline with built in support. Perfect for those of fried egg boobage like myself. I really wish they'd had this in other colours as I would have bought them all. They're great. I've looked to see if they do them this year but can't find them at all. They do have some other lovely looking racer back vests but they appear to be "tops" rather than a layering item with no need for a bra!
It was all going so well.
Until.
I went into Burberry. Found the most stunning dress. Well, it was a bargain of a dress - £99 down from nearly £600. But it was very much out of my comfort zone. Slightly on the more formal side of what I would normally wear. I had been looking for something that you could wear for a smart occasion but something then I could then get use out of on a night out.
This dress wasn't quite working but I thought if I teamed it with some edgier heels, it may perhaps work - I had my black cage croc gladiator heels in mind. I grabbed a pair of Burberry's from the shelf just to see what they looked like.
Mistake. Big big mistake. As they were gorgeous. We were drooling over them, the shop assistants were drooling over them. They weren't cheap. So I ummed and ahhed about the dress - went for lunch, went for coffee - did I need it? Would I wear it? Well I'd just bought the LK Bennett tan shoots and I had the navy and brown dresses. I was sorted. I wasn't positive that the shoes that I had would be quite funky enough for it and so decided that I was only buying it as it was a bargain and Walked. Away.
Got home, Rugrat 1 was sick as a dog bless her, threw up about 5 times in the space of an hour so whilst she lay dozing, I tried on my outfits. That in my head had worked. And were much much nicer than the black bargain Burberry dress.
Except they weren't. Obviously. To say I was pissed off was a little bit of an understatement. But I consoled myself with the fact that I didn't think the shoes I had would be really right.
However at 3am I woke up having had a brainwave. I should just buy the shoes AND the dress. As an outfit it wasn't beyond the realms of affordable and the shoes were just the most gorgeous shoes on the planet.
So. Thursday morning. Other kids are off to school. Rugrat 1 stopped throwing up the night before, was right as rain but wasn't allowed to go to school so we went on a road trip. To Bicester. 90 miles there and 90 miles back. It should only take an hour and a half so the three hours it took getting there was a bit of a bummer, (darn M25 - though always grateful it's not us in the accident). I'd rung on the way and asked them to keep the dress but they couldn't find the shoes. Oops.
It could so easily have been a recipe for disaster, but the Fashion Gods were smiling down on me and I found them - the last pair on the back of a shelf. Result. RR1 was beside herself with a day out shopping - thought that Burberry was "very fancy" but was much more at home with a swift visit to Cath Kidston where she was in her element. One Ipod case later and we were on our way home with coffees and rice cakes from Pret for the journey.
Bonkers. Truly bonkers. BUT, I am so SO pleased with the outfit. I will be doing a full dress update including pics in the next couple of days (I have some corkers from my trying on sessions instores). Here's a sneak peak of the Burberry babe.
On the hangar - justice isn't done. Of course.
And the shoes which maketh the outfit.
The irony of it all is that I'm not sure I can even wear it to the First Holy Communion! (hence my sudden need for a night out outfit...) RR1 is obsessed with it now, having been part of the whole charade and is insistent that I do wear it. Maybe with a huge chunky pearl necklace and a cream/gold cropped jacket that I have for the Church, it may work.
But I have a host of other occasions to wear it and seeing how much effort has gone into securing it, wear it I will. A lot.
Finishing with what I've been wearing at the end of the week.
For second trip to Bicester when I was actually supposed to go to a friend's birthday lunch, but sick child put pay to that.
Print Silk tunic - Zara
Paint splattered skinnies - Zara
Navy blazer - Zara
Grey Cherelle Cross body bag - Whistles
Navy Newbury boots - Rag & Bone
And here I am with NEW HAIR! Well, semi new hair. I haven't done any close ups as I am in dire need of a colour on it. My hair had crawled to the place that crap hair goes to die and had taken taken up residence.
But we have a new hairdresser locally, the lovely Daniel Jordan who looked after me on Friday and gave me a fantastic new cut. I'm going back in on Thursday for a colour so I will report back in more detail. My hair is really difficult to cut with ridiculous kinks and being very fine but with lots of it. However Daniel has done an amazing job and suffice to say I am OVER the moon with it so far. Local ladies, I can't recommend him highly enough. The most beautiful, spacious salon, massaging chairs whilst you have your hair washed and a super experienced, understanding hairdresser.
Looking forward to being able to give you a full report on my colour after Thursday.
I was due to have a girl's night in on Friday night and sod's law, I was ill. Clearly picked up the bug that RR1 had had, not as ill had her, but I felt awful - the thought of a glass of fizz was not happening, which is very very unlike me. New hair and nowhere to go. With a whole weekend on my own with the kids as The Husband is away on a cruise in Barcelona. With work. As you do.
Making plans for this Thursday night though so I can show off my new hair in all its glory. There will be loads of pics.
Breton top - H&M
Faded straight legs rolled up - Earl
Boucle cream jacket - Massimo Dutti
Horn necklace - Mango
Vanilla Roxanne - Mulberry
Leather cuff with chain detail - Hultquist
Gold chain bracelet - Made from Whistles
Navy Newbury boots - Rag & Bone
So there we have it for this week. The kids are on beans, probably till December. But I am so chuffed with all my purchases. So do you love an outlet village? Or can you never find anything that you like?
Oh my! I have serious clothes envy. All of it, I want all of it!
ReplyDeleteThose Rag & Bone boots...that dress...THOSE Burberry shoes! It is giving me palpitations just thinking about them. You look stunning in those pics, hope you'll post us one of you in your dress!
Sam
P.S I LOVE that you drove all the way back to Bicester. It made me laugh out loud! Totally something I'd have done. I lose sleep over clothes all the time.
Thank you and phew. So pleased it's not just me x
DeleteYou look fab! Hair is gorgeous. Those burberry shoes are amazing and the navy boots really finish off that outfit. Kat I want to be you! I thought you had lost your way with the boyfriend jean/gold boot obsession but you are back and better than ever!! Keep up the blogging - I love it xx
ReplyDeleteoh thank goodness!!! xxx
DeleteAbsolutely love the Rag & Bone boots - still after the elusive navy boots myself - Bicester too far so will have to resort to ebay...Gorgeous Burberry dress and shoes too - definitely worth the round trip - I'd have had to bribe my kids to keep it a secret!! SallyC
ReplyDeleteNavy is so so hard to locate, isn't it? The Husband was away from Thursday am till Sunday pm so I felt I had one in the bag!
DeleteWhat a haul! Your hair is amazing, you are so lucky to have so much of it! I live 5 miles from Bicester V and sometimes just go for a latte as it is the nearest place with a decent coffee bar. If it happens again, just email me and I can post!!
ReplyDeleteoh my god don't tell me that - I'll be on your case permanently. Not so good though to discover I can get there and back for school pick up....
DeleteKat, you're a mentalist!
ReplyDeleteSomething you didn't know?!
DeleteGorgeous! Love what you bought and your hair is lovely. I have been to Bicester a couple of times when we have been on holiday but it's too far from the North West otherwise. We have Cheshire Oaks outlet village but I do love Bicester :) Marie S
ReplyDeleteThank you! And yes, Bicester really is a cut above all the rest in my opinion. !
DeleteLove the hair... and the dress and shoes...BUT, sorry about this,,, i don;t think either are appropriate for the church! SOrry!!
ReplyDeleteOh don't be sorry - that was my first thought too. I need to try it all on - it may work, it may not, but I do have a back up! xx
DeleteJaw dropped a few times reading this mainly at the tan lkbennets which I would kill for and the loopiness of the whole drive for 3 hours malarkey hysterical and LOVE that your daughter was partner in crime will she grass you up when He returns! Loving your look and now find myself saying to myself whilst shopping but would Kat wear it? This is good believe me as I have tendency to veer on side of mutton if not careful since reading your blog am investing more in classic blazers and boots and feeling a lot more put together. Thank you (but you are completely nuts!!) love new hair so swishy!
ReplyDeleteLove all the shoes,but agree not sure about the outfit's suitability,having been first Comunicant's mother myself!
ReplyDeleteSue
Haha so glad am not only person who loses sleep over shopping and does daft trips like that! Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about Communions or the like but I do know I love the Burberry shoes - stunning. And yes, I would drive the 90 miles if I had to for something like that.
ReplyDeleteHahaha I laughed so much at the repeat visit to Bicester - exactly what I would've done. Gorgeous gorgeous things, paricularly love the R&B boots...just err out of interest did they have any other pairs?? x
ReplyDeleteKat, I am loving everything in the post, good work girl!! I think the dress would be perfectly acceptable for a communion especially if you wear a little jacket over it and I'm sure you have a few of them! So jealous that you have gorgeous navy boots, been on the hunt for navy boots since I was born I think! X
ReplyDeleteAfter this blog you truly are the best blogger out there! Funny, honest and you show that you an eye for putting outfits together. Your looks show your love of clothes and you ave great style since not just buying the lattestb10 minute fashion wonder. Adore the boots, love the shoes and the dress, and think would look great with a jacket for communion, this is 2013, no longer do we need to be covered from next to feet in a church. As for the drive to biscester, I would have done exactly the same, true shoppers let noting get in their way! Love it! Thanks for the blog, keep em coming!
ReplyDeleteHilarious :) I love the navy boots best of all and am sure the black dress will be gorgeous on. I am not an outlet shopper at all, I probably should be but I do lack the patience.
ReplyDeleteAmazing shoes from Burberry - and you know what I think about the Newburys already:) Hilarious back story - I have been known to travel for a certain item too and I have palpitations until I get there! xx
ReplyDeleteI love those navy Rag and Bone boots they look really well made, very envious! April
ReplyDeleteWhy can I never find such gems at Bicester Village? The footwear you purchased (on trips 1 & 2!) are to die for. Well done you x
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!! So love it all but especially the new navy boots! Hair looks lush too! Andrea x
ReplyDeleteHair envy, shoe envy, dress envy
ReplyDeleteThose navy boots are to die for.
ReplyDelete