Bank Holiday binge

The wanderer returns.  From the rugby tour.

Alive, in one piece (although my skin says something different after not taking my beloved Emma Hardie cleanser with me which was foolish.  Nothing to do with the constant drip feed of booze, crisps and other packet crap over the weekend.  No.  Not at all), after having much more fun than I'd anticipated, some shopping, some geography education (trip to Cheddar Gorge) and not as much as sleep as required for someone as old and knackered as me.  Oh and some rugby... (in the rain, natch).

What I didn't have was a single spare minute and, whilst I had taken my laptop with me in the hopes of a couple of free hours to write, that was immensely ambitious and didn't happen. 

But fear not, I have a swifty one for you today and then lots more this week as... wait for it... I think it's going to get warm.  Properly warm...well - properly warm for our rainy little island and what will be a random couple of hot days which will constitute "Summer". 

And in anticipation of that, I'm going to bring you some Bank Holiday offers that are worth looking at, as who doesn't love 20% off. 

Starting with Warehouse.  What seems like a lifetime ago (ie last week), I went in to check out the white lace shirts and ended up finding a couple of gems.  And they have 20% off - finishing at midnight today on the Bank Holiday - code is TREAT20.

A new white lace blouse for a start.  I see you Self Portrait and I raise you a MUCH better option for a fraction of the cost.  Admittedly it's quite expensive for Warehouse but it is genuinely worth it.

I would also say it comes up big.  This is an 8 and I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, an 8 (ie at the moment, my size 12 Self Portrait dresses are criminally tight on me... spanx a must).

It also looks so much better in real life than it does in these pics.  I am a huge fan of Warehouse styling on their website generally (even though I find it horrifically slow and clunky to navigate.. anyone else?) but they've not been able to quite do this top justice, as it's epic.  The quality, the style - it is gorgeous. 

Panelled Lace Top £69 pre discount (so you can see the 20% off is worth it).

Off Shoulder Top £45  Reason I love this is because it's washable viscose so has a fluidity to it, unlike lots which are a stiff cotton (which = creasing and ironing in my book which = ain't ever gonna happen).

And slightly off piste but the linen mix jumpsuit.  Now I really wish I'd tried this on as it did look a lot looser in the flesh than it is in this pic.. maybe I'd size up? 

Linen mix strappy jumpsuit £75

And then we have All Saints.  I love All Saints and have done for years.   Lots of people, I know, say they're quite hard to wear and are aimed at a younger market, but I have to say I disagree.  I absolutely see why that impression is in abundance but once you've tried some on and see it last the test of time, you will be hooked.  

No better time to try than with 20% off - code SPRING20 (and again, until midnight today Monday).  Other thing I love about them is that, whilst they are a high street stalwart, I never seem to bump into anyone else ever wearing it.  Demographic thingy?  Maybe.  What it does mean is that unlike others - ahem Whistles etc - you're unlikely to pitch up in an outfit that someone else is wearing.

I have had most success with All Saints dresses.   And have never ever seen anyone else in them.  If ever I have a black tie event, it's an All Saints number that I wear.   They also do amazing day wear dresses and seeing as we're coming up to warmer weather - it *may* be time to get those legs out.

If you're happy to go short, then this is my favourite.  I love this dress so so much.  Joseph inspired knot front which will hide a multitude of sins - especially for those of you, like me, who carry your excess round your middle.  I just wonder how short this will be on someone as tall as me... 

Chan Stripe Dress £88 

Or the Biella Fraise Dress £228 which could be easily dressed up or down.

This is an unusual one for me but I have been perusing the site for a couple of days and this has totally grown on me.  I think, with a biker jacket and black ankle boots, this is the perfect Spring/Summer day outfit - so long as it's not too hot... And if warmer - the ideal dress to fling on with sandals.  Or if you want a smarter look - how about loafers or ballet flats and a little black blazer?  On thinking about it - the perfect holiday dress as it would take you happily from day to evening, without being clingy or creasy. 

Comma Check Dress £98

Another version in the same check which is also growing on me more by the minute. 

The Heny Dress in black check £108.  Would work in all the guises mentioned above... now which do I prefer?  

And they also have it in a red version £108

But my favourite (albeit much more expensive) is the long Tate Brocade Dress £248 (which makes your 20% off go a long way).

And they do the same amazing print in a short version too. 

Vista Brocade Dress £198

So are you an All Saints fan or do you prefer Warehouse.  Or are they just two of the high street shops you never venture into?  Would love to know what are your favourites on the high street..... 

Now one from the weekend... the chicken from Pontins who was just the loveliest chap ever.  This is me in "Superhero" mode (after a couple of wines.  It wasn't exactly a tea total weekend)... a nod to the theme with my very old bat sweatshirt.  I knew it would come in handy one day.  Thank you Zoe Karssen.  And yes, that is an orange beanie in my hand....

And reworking the outfit (ie wearing again...) for the trip home yesterday.  Minus the beanie.  Which was worn all day at the rugby though... 

Black bat sweatshirt - Zoe Karssen

Black zip ankle skimmer jeans - Boden

Onyx biker jacket - hush

Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose

Black Haworth bag - Village England

Leopard print scarf - Louis Vuitton

Off to start work on blogs for the week.  After tackling the mountain of washing from the weekend... Not to mention trying to locate the school uniforms that were flung somewhere in a bag as the kids got changed in the car on the journey down there on Friday...