Item number 3 for April

And hold on to your horses ladies, as I've gone off piste..... 

....I'm embracing the pastel. 

Yes, you read that right, I have been exploring all things sugary and sweet.  And it's not so saccharine, I have truly been surprised. 

The colour that I have chosen to go for is lilac.  I loathed lilac.  Properly hated it.  I remember looking at a gorgeous house years ago that we considered buying and when we went for the second viewing the current sellers told us, very excitedly, they'd repainted their bedroom that week.  It was lilac.  I cried.  (I was 8 months pregnant at the time to be fair, nothing was making a lot of sense).   Needless to say we didn't buy it. 

And since then, nearly 8 years ago, my feelings towards lilac haven't changed.  Poor, inoffensive, never done anything to hurt me, lilac. 

Until now.  The lovely Frances over at School Run Style has THE most stunning lilac TopShop jumper (which I know that Joanna at Poppy's Style also had but hers shrunk.  Oops) and when we met for drinks a while ago she had it with a navy shirt.  Oh it looks lovely on her I thought.  But I wouldn't wear that.

Well..... I'm not even going to bother to make excuses.  I am now the proud owner of a lilac jumper. (not the same one!)  Which I love.  Which was my (very considered) final purchase of the month. 

Firstly I tried this on in Zara and I did like it but I wasn't sure about the cable detail and surprise, surprise, the stitching was already coming undone at the vents of the side.  I know it's not expensive but it's not supposed to be disposable.  Zara PLEASE sort it out. 

Zara detail knit Sweater £17.99

Ok - admittedly I do think in this pic it does look better than the one I bought - that I will give.  BUT it doesn't in the flesh, it's just a good photo and the ones from today with jumper that I have bought are bad photos... Also this is a much thicker jumper and I really did want a thin one I could wear under a blazer.  Oh and plain - wanted to be able to wear it with my print trousers (it looks so so lovely, the one I bought, with the Zara print trousers)  And it was falling apart (and acrylic - now I'm not a fabric nazi at all but if I had the choice I would prefer a cotton knit, for sure)

Decision made (although I am now of course tempted to go back and get it another colour for the A/W... will hawk it in the sale and get it for thruppence) 




I then ordered this from M&S which is a different sort of lilac - more purple than I wanted (I am now an expert on shades of lilac - who would have ever thought).  It is a lovely cotton but quite a thick cotton.  I wanted it super thin - John Smedley merino style thin but in cotton.   For the record, these Blue Harbour jumpers are amazing amazing quality in both the crew neck and the round neck.  My usual clothes snob of a Husband buys at least one of these every year and will grudgingly admit they are *perhaps* his favourite.  I've just treated him to a pink v neck one.  Honestly they are fab for a bargain price. 

Lavender Blue Harbour Jumper £17.50




And I happened to stumble across this one.  It actually had some money off it the other day so I think I paid about £14 for it.  Totally totally love it.  Perfect colour - looks utterly gorgeous with navy, tan - love it with leopard print and looks fantastic with all shades of denim. 

ASOS Crew neck jumper in Lilac £18




And here we have it in all its glory on me.  This is a size Small.  The XS was just too tiny and fitted but I do have a broad back and wanted it looser.   I love love love this outfit.  I am so sold on lilac I can't believe.  However the one jumper is enough for me for sure - just don't be surprised if it features quite heavily in my wardrobe from now on! 



Lilac Jumper - ASOS 
Faded vintage skinny jeans - Zara
White collar - Cos
Navy duster coat - H&M
Ponyskin cheetah print skater shoes - Next
Stone Maxi Zip Satchel - Anya Hindmarch

They also do it in other colours as well - I love this jumper for 100% cotton and less than £20 it's amazing.  

(very tempted b y the black and grey pack for only £27.....)

Ice Blue Crew Neck in Cotton £18




And in a pale salmon pink now £13.50




Now not exactly pastel but I do think this is a lovely neutral shade that would work well all year round as well as looking fab teamed with pastels. 

Oatmeal jumper now only £13.50



I also did try on a lovely pale lemon (sorry - Amarillo Candy - obviously) in Mango.  This was gorgeous, I loved the colour and think this shade would work really well in my wardrobe actually.  Love this with black and grey - also looks great with navy.  An ideal backdrop for leopard print and breton stripes as well.  What's not to love?

I was looking for something not as loose and not as fine a knit but I loved this a casual throw on jumper.  Other colours are available. 

Linen Sweater Mango £29.99  These jeans are haunting me.... (would also look amazing with the lilac.....!) 









Black silky tunic top - Zara
Straight leg jeans turned up - Rock & Republic
Black ponyskin skater shoes - Next
Leopard print coat - Fenn Wright Manson
Sierra Necklace - Stella & Dot
Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang

So I've hope we've all been enjoying the sunshine.  Which is a good thing as from tomorrow it looks like, down South at least, we are in for a deluge of rain.   Fear not.  I have a cunning plan...