Archive for October 2015

Home Archive for October 2015

The bargain of the year

So firstly a huge HUGE thank you to the few of you that commented on the coated trews thread the other day as I owe you big time. In fact, I think many of us are going to be in your debt because as a result of your feedback, I have found my holy grail coated skinnies.

The fact that there were a fair number of you who commented and emailed me saying that they were so great and I too find them fabulous, leads me to proclaim that they may be THE best coated skinnies out there. Well, they're certainly the bargain of the year that's for sure. I'm not going to lie - I do love the Boden ones but these are easily easily as good and dare I say, more leather like than the waxed ones Johnny does.

All hail New Look Coated Skinnies £22.99 - these are the Tall version. And they have 15% off everything (I'm assuming for today...) with the code FRIGHT15 or WITCH15.

But they also do do them in normal. And a petite.

In fact, just as good so I'm keeping both, are the High Waisted Black Coated Skinnies which are a whopping £2 more at £24.99. It would be frankly rude not as they are both completely and utterly superb.

I also tried the Parisian Leather look side zip jeans which frankly I would swerve. Not in the same league as the other two.

And as if you needed proof, here they are in a not particularly flattering pose but trying to show how well they fit. These aren't the high waisted ones but to be honest, they are only marginally higher than the normal ones. I've kept both pairs and intend to live in them.

Have worn them two days in a row so far.... Genuinely they are like wearing leggings. So so so comfy (and I think flattering...?!)

I also tried on the Warehouse ones, the Diesel ones and the River Island ones from this blog and the New Look ones are the best by a country mile. And the cheapest by 50% as well. Plus there's now an extra 15% off. (and if you order over £75 you get free next day delivery).

Side and derriere views for you.

Outfit from yesterday. I spent 90% of the day either in the supermarket (I ended up having to visit three to get everything for the party today) or unpacking shopping. And waiting for the 9yr old to come back from his first ever day out without us. Which was, in the end, fab for him. He had a really good time and has overcome such a massive hurdle (to be honest, he didn't realise it was a big deal at all but it certainly was for us - well, me...!)

Cream boyfriend cashmere jumper - hush

Boucle cardigan - Zara

Black coated skinnies - New Look

Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose

Black Mario bag - Jerome Dreyfuss

And today for earlier, up and at 'em with the lark for a quick trip to Bluewater with the 11yr old. More booty for her and a little bit more Christmas shopping done. Absolutely diddly squat for me. Not even a look in a shop.

Black sweater - Tommy Hilfiger

Black blazer - hush

Black coated skinnies - New Look

Black Mario bag - Jerome Dreyfuss

Phillips Leopard print ballet flats - Air & Grace

And a special mention to the ballet flats which were sent to me from Air & Grace. So so lovely to still be able to wear them still in this weather although I will definitely be getting full use out of them come the Spring. I love my ballet flats and have been hankering after a ponyskin leopard print pair for ages - am over the moon with them. I would say size up half a size as they are on the snug side. A lovely British Company with some stunning shoes and boots.

So I am now ready to rock and roll for Trick & Treating and then a Halloween party back at ours I'm definitely going to crack out the bat top and will fling on some heels to get me in the party mood (plus a truck load of prosecco of course...!) Hope everyone else has a happy Halloween too.

My favourite picks..

...from good old River Island. Just like with Whistles, you can rely on Grazia once a season to bring you a pretty decent River Island discount code and this Autumn is no exception.

25% off until next Tuesday. And so as I sit here on a very rainy Friday morning, armed with a cup of coffee I thought it would be rude not to have a quick look to see what I would recommend (and a round up of things I've already picked out earlier in the season - with 25% off they are just that little bit more attractive) Code is GRAZIAOCT15 (I appreciate it's Friday evening now, it does take me all day and then some to do these!)

One thing I will say about River Island is that instore is often quite disappointing. I'm not going to lie - there is a lot in there that doesn't really do it for me. Not sure I can ever quite forgive them for their Rihanna range, although someone clearly loved it as there are more than a couple of pieces (a lot more) that could happily sit under the Rihanna umbrella (*fist bump*) and don't perhaps work for someone of my "tender" years.

But that's not to say that there aren't some complete gems you can pick up which don't look they belong in a slightly more refined version of Ann Summers.

Starting with something I can't get enough of - ok so I only have one but I do keep trying others and they're not quite right... yes, capes (and no, the Mango ones wasn't "quite" right...)

Rust Brown fine knitted cape £35

However for me, I prefer the beige version. This is a very "me" outfit... (apart from the chances of me wearing these shoes one second after the clocks have gone back are totally non existent. These are summer shoes. And there in lies the difference between me at 42 and the River Island target market. This outfit is nothing that good pair of heeled ankle boots couldn't fix, though)

I will admit I am very much happier it seems, with sleeves.

And this sort of cape that has built in sleeves, works for me. Leopard with a difference here - for me a two tone palette is a more subtle way of wearing the print. And again with a less scary hairy fur - a mere hint of a plush.

Brown leopard print cape jacket £70

Moving onto coat mode. The outfit does nothing for me but I adore the coat.

Cream textured wool-blend collarless coat £120

Or even sleeveless... this over a chunky jumper would be simply gorgeous.

Grey patchwork sleeveless waterfall cape £35

Clearly I'm not remotely done when it comes to jumpers yet and this is a sneak peak of a knitwear blog in the pipeline. Oh how I adore this.

Grey Knitted Luxe Intarsia Roll Neck jumper £30

And whilst we're on the subject of tops - may I present the best pussy bow blouse I have seen in years. That little detailing on the shoulders is pure perfection. Super flattering for a silhouette whilst being that bit different and belying the price tag - something I think can be said for lots of River Island products.

Black pussybow neck blouse £30

Speaking of "that little bit different", this top I know is going to be super popular. Ironically this shape doesn't really work for me as I'm pigeon chested and have a very bony breast bone as it is (with no breasts to make up for it) and so tend to look hideously skeletal in these.

But for the majority they are the most flattering tops known to man. Mostly I've seen this style in a silkier blouse style but the thin knit and the asymmetric hem just makes it that bit more unusual.

Perfect out out top for those black skinnies. Will cover a multitude of midriff sins (should you have any.. and if you don't have any, wear a cropped top and know that I hate you)

Dark Blue knitted wrap £30

Accessories - they also come into their own. I know a fair few people have admired my Jerome Dreyfuss bag that I use constantly - to be honest, I have surprised myself with how much I have used it. It just seems to add that modern edge to any outfit it goes with.

Ditto with my brown suede Coccinelle bag. Far more versatile than I ever thought it would be. This looks like a great option, covering the best of both worlds.

Dark Brown Leather Fringe Handbag £45

And a hint of a blog to come with these knee high suede boots in grey that I tried on a couple of weeks ago. Can I please just say that these look a TON better in the flesh... They are much more of an elephant grey as opposed to a charcoal.

Grey suede knee high boots £110

So there we have my pick of the crop from River Island. With 25% off, not to be sniffed at. I will probably go and have a further peruse later as I am home alone, having had an utterly horrific super early morning with the 9yr old Aspie (melt down city) before he went on an all day party to Kidzania. I will admit I was terrified about him going on his own but had total faith in my lovely friend who was taking him with her son and his friends (his birthday party). I was supposed to be going out tonight but they were delayed coming back and I have felt totally wretched with worry all day (it's the first time he's ever done anything like this without one of us) so had to cancel.

He's just got back though and it all went well so there is a large glass of wine now with my name on it, movie in bed (as The Husband has still gone out! He has much more faith in him than I do...plus he also hasn't done 4 days of half term solo.) and then an early night.

Busy week as well with Chessington on Tuesday with the three of them. But on the upside, I did get to wear my new M&S jumper. Which is now online... Cowl Neck Boxy Ribbed Jumper £45. And the eagle eyed amongst you will notice that I bought the mint as well (got it on Monday in London when I dived into an M&S)

I absolutely love them and can't recommend them highly enough. I have only sized up one size (and not even then really as I'm quite often a 12 in tops). They don't look anything like the model in real life but personally I will say I prefer them slightly large. If you don't, then I'd say, size down.

Navy jumper - M&S

Straight leg jeans with turn ups - Zara

Stan Smiths - adidas

Cognac satchel - Campomaggi

And on Wednesday for an afternoon out with friends.

Mint jumper - M&S
Suedette skinnies - Zara
Caitlyn biker boots - Seven Boot Lane
Black Mario bag - Jerome Dreyfuss

Up and at 'em early doors in the morning for a quick Bluey trip just with the 11yr old for brekkie which I am so looking forward to and then we're hosting a Halloween party tomorrow night. And no I am NOT dressing up. Surely my bat sweatshirt from Zoe Karssen constitutes a nod to the theme no?!

Is this the classic of all classics?

So I did mention the other day on one of the comments someone left me - wouldn't it be nice to wear out out a colour that wasn't black? So many people wear black (bar one of my best friends who wouldn't be seen dead in it, she is a head to toe navy girl. Her stock line is "oh I love that, do they do in navy?"!)

And I am probably most guilty of having a wardrobe that is predominantly void of colour. If you held a gun at my head, for me it's black. It's always black. When I am asked about what are the most important things in a basic wardrobe, I have to admit the first thing that always comes to mind when you're putting together a capsule collection to wear, is something black.

Black coated or leather skinnies, black blazer, black fine knit jumper, black oversized jumper, black fitted polo neck, black boots, black bag....and a white shirt. (there is more too...) I'd hate for anyone to think that all I wore was black.

But the ultimate black item that I truly think is a must have for the majority of us (there are always exceptions to the rules... you know who you are navy lovers) is the LBD.

Maybe it's so important to me because when I was younger (a lot younger) it always seemed to be the epitome of style. You were properly grown up, elegant and went out out, if you had an "LBD" in your wardrobe. Along with red lippie (although I'm not going to lie, it has taken me 42 years to find one that works and I stumbled across that by total accident the other day when the 11yr old and I were having a make up trying on session in M&S. It's not even supposed to be red - it looks wine coloured, it's called Oxblood, but on me, it's the perfect shade of red. Clearly that's where I've been going wrong. Trying on red shades to get a red lipstick - you can sort of see why I would - when all along I should have been trying burgundy ones out. As they turn red on me. Hopefully that will help someone else)

Clearly we won't be wearing our hair scraped back, therefore avoiding all Robert Palmer references and my days of second skin black dresses are long gone (although I do have a ruched Patrizia Pepe one I really should see if I can pour myself back into, after I've surgically attached the Spanx to myself)

Now is the best time to buy as the offers are in abundance. Seriously, I can't keep up with the discount codes that are flooding my inbox.

Starting with a whopping 25% off Atterley Road with the code NEW25.

With a different sort of dress.... this could easily be worn during the day - I like the idea of a thin jersey polo neck under it for a layering look. Or simply perfect for a night out.

Atterley Road Black leather V neck dress £175 pre discount

Another bargain at hush with their dress me up dress me down Sienna Dress. This is gorgeous - can be worn with opaques or nude tights or with leggings as seen here.

Sienna Dress was £55 now £45 with their Halloween offer.

Another super versatile number from hush - this isn't included in the offer but you can use PUMPKIN15 for 10% off.

Winter Newport Dress £49 pre discount

More jersey that would work for all occasions at Jaeger. Again they have 20% off this week till Sunday, code OCTOBER20.

Jersey Seamed Detail Dress £99

A more fitted jersey number at Me+Em and a fantastic 20% off everything with the code FNJC1.

Twist Knot Dress in black £98 Great flattering ruching at the waist.

It's not often that you find boho style dresses in the Winter so if you want something a bit more laid back but still with a dressy edge, then this is perfect from Mint Velvet.

Black Pintuck Swing Dress in Black £99

Yet another discount offer at Warehouse - 20% off with the code STYLIST20. All prices pre discount.

And this black dress is perfect for those who prefer something less fitted.

Black Cornelli Trim Dress £55

But my personal choice from Warehouse would be the fabulous combo of the slightly casual style knit fabric with full on glamour beading. This one to me is the ideal party dress.

Black Embellished Neck and Cuff Dress £50

Upping the glam stakes now with a couple of dressier options. Best thing about most of these is that you could wear them into the Spring as well.

Starting with one from Warehouse again - now I love this, I really really do but the level of Spanx needed for me (or I would perhaps go so far as to say any mere mortal who has a penchant for wine and crisps and a loathing for exercise) gives me stomach cramps at the thought.

But it's such a stunning dress, love the variation on a black dress with the texture and the silhouette is stunning.

Black Bardot Lace Dress £55 - pre discount

Very similar to the Triangle dress they had in the Summer which I LOVED. Super super versatile. You probably wouldn't be dressing this one down in the Winter (assuming you live in Blighty, East coast USA or Europe)

hush Anastasia Dress £65 (don't forget PUMPKIN15 for 10% off this price)

A far dressier number now but stunning for a party.

Atterley Road Black V Neck Audrey Satin Dress £115 You can see why it's called the Audrey, can't you (don't forget your 25% off)

Lace now which definitely doesn't come under the heading of versatile but it's a classic black dress that will work on every single dressy occasion there is - plus the perfect Christmas day dress.

Black Lace Scallop Dress £169 from Mint Velvet

This is so super gorgeous - probably better on someone who isn't 5ft10 and 42... But I have to say I think it's simply stunning. One for my inner Tinkerbell.

And - and and and I've literally just had an email from Matches with 10% off this weekend - EXTRA10. Go forth and buy those dresses that never make it to the sale ie anything from Self Portait (which wash in the machine like a dream by the way).

Evie wave lace mini dress from Self Portrait £200 at Matches

A classic from Self Portrait - if ever there was an all year round number then this is it.

Azalea floral lace midi dress from Self Portrait £240 at Matches

My personal favourite though would be this from Vivienne Westwood. Perfection in a black dress. Super flattering through the body with the ruching - my only issue would be the blasted fake tan but even I could get over that teensy issue for this beauty. You would have this in your wardrobe for years and years.

Heritage draped crepe dress from Vivienne Westwood Anglomania £260 at Matches. Can I just interject that the shoes are not my bag. The bag isn't really my bag for that matter either, but the dress....

And a slight ringer at the end. This sneaks under the umbrella of LBD as it's black. Admittedly with some white detailing... An aura of boho about it but a super flattering shape. Believe me.

Dabsi embroidered crepe dress from Vanessa Bruno Athe £340 from Matches

So there we have my selection and now I'm trying to work out if I can justify the Vanessa Bruno dress.... Hmmm. I think it will depend on the propensity for muff flashing in it (can I please point out that this is not a quality I look for in a dress At All. Conserving ones dignity is the aim of the game).

Are you an LBD girl or do you prefer a different shade? Red, navy, green, print? I will have other ideas coming up shortly if black is not your thing, fear not.

In other news - huge apologies for having not been around but it's been half term. Trying to juggle all the balls is not my forte so the blog has suffered, but on the upside I've had a wonderful time with the kids (ok so the truth is that they've had a wonderful time and I've come home and drunk wine through a straw). In all seriousness though, it's been great spending time with them and we've had a busy start to the week.

Super exciting on Monday as the whole family and I were invited by Pearson to a lunch for The Maths Factor graduates. Since I discovered it and mentioned it on here a couple of times, so so many of you have also gone on to sign up, they wanted to say thank you (no I wasn't a graduate and neither were my kids as they haven't been doing it for long enough)

And I got to meet Carol Vorderman. Oh my lord, she looks so amazing for 54 I cannot tell you and I have complete rear envy. She is absolutely lovely and a complete inspiration.

In fact, all the children there who are Maths Factor afficionados and have graduated were completely awe inspiring, so much so that my youngest two have come home and are determined to make it to the award ceremony next year (for the younger Maths fiends they have Progress awards). I honestly cannot recommend the programme highly enough and again this half term they have a £1 for your first month trial offer. I can guarantee you won't be disappointed (as so so many of you have emailed me to testify). The youngest had informed me that the highest number of sums completed was 46 000 which is what he's trying to beat. Knock yourself out little one.

And here's what I wore

Black leather leggings - hush

White layer shirt - Me+Em

Black blazer - hush

Black Mario bag - Jerome Dreyfuss

Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose

And here I am with Carol herself.

Spent the rest of the day in London with the children (got to love a trip on a bus. Clearly not me but they do and it's free... what's not to love?)

We've also been caning it through the Harry Potter movies and another one is on the agenda tonight. As I sit and trawl my way through my inbox and magazines finding more discount codes. Also the coated trousers that I ordered in abundance have all arrived. I will be reporting back v shortly with some interesting findings.

We're going out out.

And sod's law, when I was looking for a top to go for lunch in a month or so ago, could I find one? Could I heck as like. So a little look on Topshop turned into a mammoth peruse as there were simply so many I could wear. (I swear there were none last time I looked)

These are the perfect night out tops. Out out. I don't mean to a club (dear lord, I can't remember the last time I went to a club - actually I can. It was a woefully embarrassing middle aged disaster trip to Mahiki after a girl's lunch earlier this year when we turned up at..... 8.30pm. Kicking as you can imagine. All the shame and then some.)

So no, when I say Out out, I mean basically leaving the house with make up on when you have a babysitter. When you drink the equivalent of a week's alcohol in four hours because you haven't got your children with you. Those nights.

What do you wear with them? Pretty much anything goes bar trackie bums (and to be fair, I'd wear them if they were pleather.) So let me amend that to anything you wouldn't actually sleep in. And that you would wear heels in. Heels are like magic dust to me. A wand that can make so many normal outfits Out out ones.

And throw on one of these tops and you're laughing for sure. I would go so far as to say I'd even wear with jeans.

Starting with a plethora from Topshop as once I started I couldn't stop. Yes I did consider going in today to try some of these one - for all of about 5 seconds seeing as I had the three children with me. Topshop Oxford Circus. Can you imagine?

Now I know I said no bare arms as that would mean fake tan but since I've done my kettlercise DVD (four times in the last two weeks - check me out.) I may consider this (and no you can't see any difference in my arms but in my head, by November I will have triceps like Cindy Crawford. Bien sur.)

Sleeveless Drape top £32 fromTopshop

And the long sleeved version £36

Which they also do in a white £36 (still think the black pips this)

This again would hide a multitude of sins. The perfect eating and drinking top - like the ones above. Christmas Day with a pair of leather or pleather trousers?

Tuck Drape Front Blouse £34

They also do this in a red... (just add a Christmas hat? Tis the season to be jolly)

And a navy.... oh hello with denim. Boyfriend jeans and my navy satin shoe boots from last year.. or even black pleathers or leathers and the navy shoots.

Oversized silk blouse by Boutique £80 and DAMN this is sold out in my size. This is the perfect mince pie munching top that I Need. I would genuinely live in this. The buttons are undoable - personally it's ever so slightly too straight jacket for me done right up to the top but I guess for a certain minimalist look it could definitely work.

And the complete opposite - for me this is a "nil by mouth top". I love the idea of this with a full or A Line skirt. Culottes?

Flare Sleeve Funnel Neck Top from Topshop £20

Surely this is the perfect compromise? Bling for the festive season but an easy to wear blouse that you could feasibly wear with jeans and ballet flat for Boxing Day.

'70s Embellished Blouse £48

But I did manage to look elsewhere and hey presto - it seems that a looser version of the pussy bow blouse is de rigueur this season.

Tie-neck blouse from Mango in offwhite £24.99 (and also available in black) But I have to say, I quite like this version in the off white - gorgeous with denim. This is an amazing price and handwash viscose, not even polyester.

(note - leather shorts have not made any wishlist of mine this year)

Another cream (well, ecru) blouse top thingy now and love the simplicity of this. I have some great navy cigarette trousers which would look fab with this with killer heels and huge earrings. Also would be great over pleather joggers...

Blucked (their word not mine..) flowy blouse from Mango £34.99

Speaking of things to team with peg leg trousers and whilst we're there, skirts too... (I have a new purchase to reveal, that's for later in the week. The Husband went on a mission for me. Genius shopping plan) this is another sort of top that would be perfect for them. For the record, I would not be wearing this over any sort of skinny bottom. Wannabe catsuit is not the look I've gone for in the past twenty years.

Eldred Slash Neck Slinky Knitted Tee £39 from Finery. And another 20% off discount code - PAYPAL20. Don't say I never give you anything..

This is a very similar version but called the Bedford with short sleeves £35 - also from Finery (price pre discount)

Now I have come across an abundance of really gorgeous silky shirts in a variety of shapes, colours, styles and budgets which would be absolutely ideal for those tricky work to night out scenarios that I remember well. So I've decided to keep those for a separate blog as I'm always being asked for work ideas - these will also double up for casual wear and nights out so definitely deserve their own space.

Finishing with outfit from yesterday in fact. Was a morning of rugby followed by a super long walk in our local park with the eldest and the youngest whilst the middle one and The Husband were at a rugby festival (and then a trip to M&S to pick up my massive order with 20% off that I had done - lots and lots of presents which I AM going to start wrapping later and a couple of gems for me that I haven't even had time to open yet. Last night tonight of the offer - OCT15EM. )

Champagne Off Duty Jumper - Boden

Porridge waxed high waisted skinnies - Boden

Fairisle ring scarf - Aubin & Wills

Fleece socks and boots - Ilse Jacobsen

Pom pom hat - Amelia Jane

So today - a wonderful day in London with the three children. We survived the first day of the hols... Will report back tomorrow. Clearly I am rewarding myself with a glass of wine and the Harry Potter 2nd movie (which was a much bigger success than the X Factor - probably due to the fact that I'd fallen asleep before he even got to Hogwarts)

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The bargain of the year

My favourite picks..

Is this the classic of all classics?

We're going out out.