Hi ho, hi ho...

...a shopping we shall go.  Apart from the fact I didn't buy anything.  Oh and I'm not a dwarf.  Far from it in fact - one could go so far to say as the polar opposite.  

I went, I saw but I didn't quite conquer anything purchase wise - I bought zero, nada, zilch.  Ok I won't say I have been totally abstemious this month as I did order (from the shop as they'd sold out online) the layering shirt from Me+Em which I absolutely love and am now gutted that I couldn't get the blue one in my size.  Am trying desperately not to eye up the full price black ones - full blog on it coming up and other ideas that aren't quite as expensive hopefully.  And, as I mentioned, I did order the navy and white Pull & Bear jumper from ASOS which was a fiver.

But I still haven't bought anything significant.  (ok so to be fair, abstemious September isn't exactly living up to its name) 

However I did *try*.  I thought I'd go and explore what there is new instore and whether there was anything that caught my eye. 

Turns out, tops were the name of the game.  Probably because I was in one of those moods when I simply couldn't be fagged to attempt to try on trousers or jeans (that does take a lot of effort doesn't it? - desperately trying not to sound every one of my 41 years) 

Plus we're at the stage of the season where there is SO much new, it's sometimes hard to see the wood for the trees.  There are so many colours - which one is going to be right for you - which palette are you going to stick with?  Sometimes it's just easier to revert to something tried and tested.  Something you know will go with things you already have. 

And whilst we're still looking at different trousers and skirts for A/W (I am and I'm dragging you all along with me... Some you may even be able to drag out of the back of the wardrobe if you're not a regular clear out queen..... Oh you may regret it if you are.), tops somehow are those wonderful things that can go with everything. 

Et voila - here is a little selection I found that caught my eye.  Diddly squat in Zara if I'm honest (apart from The Coat and The Sneakers which I can't get out of my head), couldn't see much in Warehouse, Whistles had nothing new or exciting, ditto Next. 

However there were more than a couple I spied in Mango.  These are great if you're looking for just a small treat to liven up last year's (or older, god I have jeans as old as my nearly 10 yr old - the Rock & Republic ones I have on in the pic below and my Marc Jacobs bag is as old as my nearly 8year old) gems.

I am still loving a sweatshirt.  In fact I can foresee my uniform again this Autumn as per the Spring being jeans, oversized or smartish coat, shirt or collar and a sweatshirt.  Or a jumper - I am in BIG need of new plain jumpers.  

Cowl Neck Sweatshirt £29.99  I love the idea of this with a smart coat - classic grey and navy, I adore these colours together.  They sort of look smart.  Even though it's only a sweatshirt.  That made sense in my head.

However top marks from me has to go to this one with the large M on it.  Much thicker than the above top (for those chilly souls amongst you) and I have to say I just prefer it full stop.  In fact I love it.  Yes, the letter M has a significance for me (I just have to find a way to persuade the other two children it's not all about the one of them... oops) so it doesn't necessarily stand for Mango in my book.  Regardless of that, I love the raised boucle style of the M - the slouch of the sweat fabric and the whole shape of it.  A great buy for less than £25 compared to many of the sweatshirts I've seen around and own (Whistles and JCrew I'm not looking at you.  At all.....) 

M Sweatshirt £24.99 

I'm in a European Large - US Med.

I know I did vaguely mention Rugby and my new potential obsession with it (this is obsession with a little o....) but this colourway happens to be the club colours.  In that case it might be rude not to.......

M Sweatshirt £24.99

If I didn't already have a white one.. I may be getting carried away with these but I just love the boucle M (I may also need to put the wine down.... Really?  a boucle M?) 

In the white

Speaking of getting carried away, I did maybe let the sunshine of the last couple of days go to my head and hello Indian Summer.... Still loving a bit of Boho.  This is a lovely thick cheesecloth - I'm trying it in the European Large - US M.

Tassel Embroidered Blouse £34.99

Another jumper which I had spied online and tried on the other week but have had no opportunity to throw it on a blog was this simple but rather perfect jumper also from Mango.  I'm in a European L here. (US M)

Openwork detail sweater £24.99

Also love this in the black 

Another jumper which in fact a friend of mine had seen in a magazine and said she loved but we couldn't see the other week was this one, which I tried on for her in the interests of research.  And I have to say I was a little more than impressed....

Embossed Polka-dot Sweater from Mango £34.99  They also do this in black and a white but my favourite was definitely the grey.  This is again a European Large. US Small.

And on me - this is a large and so on normal people it would be much slouchier as above. (I also do have my shirt on underneath.. lazy? moi?)

The last thing I saw that I thought hmmm yes, I quite like that, was from H&M.  I'll be totally honest with you, there was zero else in there I even vaguely contemplated.  But I did go on a busy day into an exceptionally busy store where alas, after a couple of hours things do start to look slightly dishevelled.  And I was hungry and tired by then (oh I know, diddums)

This picture however doesn't remotely do this top justice - simply gorgeous and it honestly wouldn't be out of place in JCrew for five times the price.  You can't see the raised detailing but it is quite exquisite.  Actually now I'm kicking myself for not buying it. GAH.  This would look fab with my leather midi skirt.. I am a tool. 

H&M beaded sweatshirt £29.99

So how are you doing on the tops front?  It's an easy fix for a slightly tired wardrobe, it really is.  And you needn't break the bank doing it.  (save that for boots and bags.... oh do I have some gems up my sleeve.) 

Here I am from Sunday actually - at the aforementioned Rugby. 

Leopard print Lucky Maya dress - Whistles

Black Tuxedo crepe blazer - Topshop

White sliders - River Island 

Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang

Hair courtesy of the 9yr old again

Tomorrow is my wedding anniversary - The Husband is working from home so hopefully we'll get to go out for lunch.  Big day out planned for shortly - didn't quite work tomorrow (first day back at swimming and tennis.  Oh the joy)  However, lunch will be very welcome, fingers crossed it's warm enough to don a skirt!