You're not going to believe this but...

....the sales started last week and I HAVEN'T LOOKED YET.

Until today that is.  

I don't officially recognise myself, this is so so so not like me.  Normally I am hawking certain sites like a woman possessed and have a wishlist as long as you arm. 

I will say, in my defence, that I think they get earlier and earlier every year.  And this week I have been insanely and genuinely have not had a spare minute to even look at a clothes shop, let alone blog (yes this is me - I have not had a lobotomy although one may be forgiven for asking the question) 

So today - on the first afternoon I've had without a myriad of more important stuff to do, I've had a quick look at my picks of the first major sales that have started. 

Firstly - one of my favourite purchases and that's a bag.  Love a bag and love a bargain bag.  

Can I justify another clutch?  Am absolutely loving to offset my current obsession with all black.....

Flirty Leather Pouch DVF from Matches was £108 now £64

The 440 Martini Crossbody bag in black from DVF was £258 now £129  This would work really well during the day but also double up as an evening bag.  Smart enough to wear to the office - handy and cool enough to throw on with jeans for the school run.



Now this isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea but I love it.  I can't see my love of khaki going anywhere soon and into the A/W, I think this would get so much use.  Also would work with all shapes of taupe, camel and beige.  Dare I also say, navy and black?

Mini Milner envelope cross body bag from Sophie Hulme was £415 now £249


This season, I really have rediscovered my love of all things denim.  Actually that's not particularly true - what I've realised is how wearable and versatile it is and how it represents great value for money if you consider the cost per wear. 

Therefore, hunting out great denim reductions is a genius sales tactic. 

I am loving the idea of these - revisiting our denim with a twist.  I think they'd be your ideal every day jeans to throw on with a tee or jumper, ankle boots and coat.  Dress up with shirt, heels and a blazer.  

Turn up boyfriend jeans was £358 now £214 from Marques' Almeida


However my main obsession when it comes to the sales are dresses.  Clearly I have been hawking everything Self Portrait (boring myself now - have my eye on a couple of dresses...) but in the meantime, there are a host of others that would make the grade from sites that are already in sale. 

Seeing as the weather is due to warm up this week (seriously HOW cold today?), could this finally mean that Summer has arrived?

Edipo dress from Sportmax Code was £195 now £97  I appreciate this dress is random but I love it.



A fantastic plain navy option that would work for every occasion imaginable. 

Zebra Dress S Max Mara was £255 now £127 (alas I would have an issue with this being dry clean but that's because I'm a lazy slut and this would languish at the bottom of my washing basket along with all the other dresses that you can't machine wash.  Please tell me I'm not the only sloven who does this?)


Another classic black number for your Summer wardrobe - the perfect capsule black dress. 

Crepe Dress from Vanessa Bruno Athe was £185 now £129



Or a perfectly boho Isabel Marant piece of pure gold at 30% off.  Love this one. 

Scarla Embroidered Cotton Dress was £300 now £180




Ridiculously tempted by this Sportmax one that I have hankered after all season..... 

Kibbutz dress was £195 now £136



Love this from Helmut Lang which would also layer up for the A/W.  Perfect with knee high or over the knee boots (these are so going to be number one purchase for next season, I can feel an obsession starting....how many pairs is cause for counselling?) 

Wool-jersey sweater dress was £250 now £175 



Love this midi dress - perfect with flats but ideal for a dressier occasion with heels.  I am over midis after my newly found love of the length.

Eccelso dress from Max Mara was £328 now £196




More bright colour back at DVF with a chiffon (no not machine washable so keep for a special occasion.)  I'd also wear this in the cooler months with opaques or flesh coloured tights.  

Layla Dress by DVF was £398 now £278



Sale has also started at Karen Millen and I know I did a post on them recently but I didn't include shoes and they do deserve a special mention.  Especially their mid heel height (and I know these don't look mid to those who don't do heels but compared to the super high heels out there, they are!) peep toe shoe boots. 

Cut out shoe boot was £190 now £110 from Karen Millen





Leather Peep Toe Mid Heel boot was £190 now £110 also available in black from Karen Millen



Whistles has also gone into sale - quick pics from there...

Small Cracked Clutch in Silver was £45 now £22.50





Whistles Frayed Denim Skirt in White was £85 now £42.50



This is definitely one for me to think about as I absolutely love it and again, it's been on my radar since the beginning of the season.  It says dry clean but it's silk so I'd handwash it.

Whistles Bamboo Print Dress was £195 now £97.50



Get ahead of the game for next Autumn with a pair of knee high leather boots at half price. 

Olea Knee High Boots was £260 now £130




And on that juncture of tipping over into thinking about next season, I'm going to draw a line under my sales shopping so far.  I'm off to have a peruse and see if I can put together some ideas for next season's essentials - the best things to buy in the sale.

For me, the best places to start with the sales are the more expensive sites as it doesn't take a mathematical genius to work out that you're getting a much better bargain at 50% off something that started off at a higher price. 

On the more expensive side, we still have Net a Porter and Selfridges to go into sale but in the meantime, do go forth and have a gander at Matches and My Theresa and let me know if you find any bargains I mustn't resist.

One thing I will point out... (vom bags at the ready for some of you...)

Buckle leather sandals was £225 now £157



Is it meant to be.....??

So yet again, I need to apologise for not having been around.  I would love to say I've been languishing at lunch with the girls but alas, I haven't stopped with meetings (and not even exciting work fashiony ones - Autistic based one), getting the house sorted, buying last minute vital bits (like sofas and chairs), spending a whole day in various supermarkets, cooking for 60 for the big First Holy Communion shindig that was on Saturday - remembering only on Thursday that I sort of hadn't organised a cake... (with builders still in working on the patio on Saturday morning and putting tvs and pics up on walls - not stressful at all)

As well as having people staying and the poor 8yr old Aspie not having a great time at the moment, really struggling so having to look at more specific therapy for him (anyone any experience of ABA or CBT for young children with ASD plus ADHD, I'd be most grateful for any pointers or Kent/London based contacts).  To say it's been mildly stressful is a slight understatement but it's done, the house (if I say so myself) is looking so so SO nearly there and that's been a labour of love (loads of pics and more coming on Instagram - @doesmybumlook40)

So catching up on a weeks worth of outfits which has ranged from a wintery October sytle day to the hottest day of the year so far.





Beige knit top - Zadig & Voltaire 
Off white jeans - All Saints 
Nessa cardigan - Hush
Tan glad sandals - Aldo 
Cognac cross body bag - Campomaggi from Plumo