And this time it's thanks to Mint Velvet.  15% off their new season until the 27 September using the code GREY15.  With free delivery too.

Now I'm not going to lie, Mint Velvet isn't somewhere that I've shopped often.  And this blog now is no way prompted by any contact with them - it's merely a new catalogue that came through the post and was unrecognisable to as the Mint Velvet I'm familiar with.  There is a definite absence of lilac (I know some people love lilac... I love it teamed with leopard but as a rule, it's not up there with being my favourite colour) and lace edging (again - I appreciate that other people love but again, I've never been tempted). 

Fear not however if you have always been a Mint Velvet fan - on further exploration they do definitely still have lots that works on this level but they've also gone in a new direction which I think is pretty interesting. 

This is the cover that greets you.   All rather not what you'd expect from MV is it?  


I need to immediately wear my collar turned up and invest in suitwear to wear as dress down.  And for those of you who do work, well lucky lucky you as you can invest now to wear during the week and then have a field day with the same wardrobe at the weekend.

Above she is wearing:-

Navy Relaxed Coat £179 This is the perfect coat for work but with a tee or jumper and jeans at the weekend, it will end up costing you nothing per wear (not to mention with the 15% off).
The trousers alas are not in stock yet and are coming soon (everyone keep an eye out for them..) 
White Zoe Metallic Trainer £79  I've come to the conclusion you can never have too many white trainers.  It's a fact.

And great look two.



Black Formal Wide Leg Trouser £129
Charcoal Alice Plimsoll £89 which you can't see properly in the pic so here it is.



That plimsoll is pretty darn lovely and also comes in a rather lovely (read VERY lovely) monochrome pony skin. 


And look three.


Black Formal Duster Coat - £189
Ivory Hook Up Tunic - £89 (online only)
White sneakers as above
And trousers - again not available yet... 


Now for some mainline Mint Velvet which, as I say, does have some of the old favourites that they know people love but there are definitely some new additions which I think are more than worth a look at. 

Two of my favourite things are these skinny polo necks which come in three colours.  Not to mention the leather and suede mini skirt.  Love.


Black Marl Jersey Polo Neck £45  

Which they also do in two other shades which I defy not to be supremely useful this season.  Wear on their own now but ideal for layering under dresses and jumpers later into the Winter. 

In the Granite Marl £45


And my favourite which is the Silver Grey Marl £45.  Now I've seen somewhere, an amazing pic with this but do you think I can find it now?  

And this look I could really get on board with.   Perfect for a night out or with sneakers for during the day.  And all the separate elements are ridiculously versatile. 



Clean Leather BIker Jacket £349
Charcoal Star Tunic £89
Lincoln Black Skinny Zip Jean £69 
Black Tallulah Ankle Boot £159

And I know people haven't been able to get hold of the M&S leopard sneakers so these may be of interest to a few of you?



But possibly my favourite pic is this.  As I have a camel trench style coat but what I don't have and now realise I'm not sure I can live without, is a navy suede biker jacket.  And I can hear you all agreeing with me from where you are (not that I need one but that you all need one!).



Navy Suede biker jacket £259 (and this is where the 15% is really worth using).



And just in case you haven't got a camel coat, this one with epaulette detailing is that perfect mix of classic with a twist.

Camel Relaxed Longline Coat £199 (so again, the discount is not to be sniffed at).


So give me your thoughts.  Have you always been a Mint Velvet fan and this is an improvement for you, or do you prefer the more classical MV pieces.  Or is there something there that has given you food for thought when previously you've not shopped at MV? 

I was going to try and pop in today but got totally sidetracked with time.  A lovely day spent visiting possibly my favourite independent boutique, Quattro Rish in Reigate.  And obviously couldn't not bring something home with me.. all will be revealed tomorrow.  Will be back there next Friday for a styling event instore during the day.  If anyone is local and would like details, do holler.

It was ridiculously humid and drizzly today so my newly washed hair could actually be seen from space.  Not to mention my roots have gone from being acceptable to being GRIM.



Je Ne Regrette Rien jumper - Orwell + Austen
Khaki Industrial Pants - Current/Elliot at Quattro Rish
Flame Black Slip Ons - Seven Boot Lane
Leopard coat - Fenn Wright Manson
Hazlemere bag - Village England

Tomorrow - apparently it's going to be back up to 22 degrees.  Which is better than 30 degrees I guess... I shall be wearing my new dress I got today which is the PERFECT in between dress.  In fact, I have been inspired to get frocking again so later, once the kids are in bed maybe I shall have a look to see if there's anything new in stock anywhere.  However I have made the husband promise he will watch another episode of The Night Of.  I am completely hooked after episode one.  It could not be more up my street and less up his.  Oops.

One weekend, one festival, one massive dose of inspiration. 

Well, clearly if you are fortunate enough to sit 10 feet from Clare Waight Keller who is Creative Director of Chloe and Sarah Mower who is fashion royalty at US Vogue, you are going to come away wanting to ditch everything you own and buy everything Chloe.  

Just after you've won the lottery.  Or robbed a bank.  Neither of which are likely scenarios, so let's mull over other options. 

Firstly, it might not be necessary to ditch "everything".  So think long, think floaty, think floral, think chiffon, think stripes, think colour.  

And the best news of all is that in my experience, what's super strong on the catwalk often takes a year to filter down properly to the high street.  So whilst there have been snippets of midi maxi floaty frock love this season (all of which I've bought), ditto sport luxe (have gone light on this...which is code for, have avoided pretty much totally.  Darn.), next year these are going to be big news, which we can all wear now.  Result. 

Only teensy weensy slight issue is that I am having to chomp down on that humble pie again.  Going back to my having gone light on the sporty aspect, having said I wouldn't be doing the bomber jacket, am contemplating something which by any other name, could also be called a bomber jacket (and double darn).

Now I have realised over the last day of extensive research (this is for myself and my lovely friend T who I was with at the weekend and is also obsessed with finding a Chloe style jacket for 5p.  As you do...) that the description "bomber" jacket coves a plethora of very similar styles. 

There are what I would consider your more typical bomber jackets which have been around for a couple of seasons now.  These are, so I have found, slightly more oversized, which I've never found to be particularly flattering unless you're teensy tiny.  The very nature of them can easily add bulk which is one of the reasons I've always avoided them.  They seem to cut off below the waist which personally is a shape I find difficult to wear proportion wise. 

They often seem to be both embroidered - which I have absolutely nothing against at all - I am having a complete love in with in embroidery at the moment, but not necessarily on a satin fabric.  Which is what they all seem to be.  

Or the other sporty edge they seems to be growing in popularity is varsity style.  Which, in the 80s was my Go To jacket.  I had an electric blue felt one with white pleather sleeves and an embroidered mountain scene with Montana, plastered all over the back.  I could not have been more in love with that jacket if I had tried.  I appreciate it sounds ming but believe me when I say, I was da bomb in it (in my head looking back that is...).

Then we come to track jacket style.  Which, I am loathe to admit, is simply a bomber style jacket on the shrunken side in nylon.  Less varsity, more 70s style accessory.  Except made by Chloe.  All the similar I'm sure... 

We're going to complete ignore the fact it's a top and not a track jacket as I spent the best part of an hour at 1am looking for these and couldn't find them so gave up.  Besides - a jacket is way more functional.  




I'm going to start with my favourites.  Which also happen to be the cheapest.  This is one trend I am not going to spend money on as I fear it may be a total one trip pony.  Which therefore means I'll wear it till it falls apart with every outfit and will end up trying to hunt the Chloe one down for Christmas.  This always happens, no?  (faux leather culottes from River Island for £10 - I'm looking at you...)

SoulCal Track Sweat Top from USC was £40 now £28  This could go one of two ways.  Always a risk when you can't see it on the model.  But it looks fabulously close fitting.  And I am beyond in love with the colour....






So this one also seems to be on the longer side, but I reckon if you size down, this would be a much neater fit. 

Missguided Stripe Detail Bomber Jacket £15



Plainer now - I feel the need for a nod to the 70s with a stripe but maybe that's just my nostalgia. 

Sports Rib Bomber by Nobody's Child at Topshop £28



We've definitely slid into more blouson bomber territory here but I reckon if again you size down... I'm thinking of shoehorning myself into a titchy size.  In my head that will work... (this never usually pans out well, I will just point out).
Contrast bomber jacket from Mango was £89.99 now £44.99



So this one does look shorter and ££ wise, we're on the money.  Although I'm still sizing down.  And for once am grateful that I'm a giant and everything is diddier proportion wise on me.

Blush Panel Bomber Jacket from Dorothy Perkins was £35 now £28





Pinker blush now at H&M although we're back to oversized... for the purposes of my blatant Chloe copying that is - I fear this will be jacket like and not track top-esque enough.  

Block-coloured jacket from H&M £29.99





However the two that I've ordered (and I will definitely be ordering the comedic one from USC above which I believe is also the same company as Sports Direct.  I almost want it to be epic so I can walk around in a Sports Direct jacket...) are from, always on the ball, Topshop.  You know you can rely on them.  Even though these again (yawn) look big.  I've ordered 10s as often Topshop tops come up teeny tiny (clearly these will be mammoth.  It's the law of sod of course.  Sports Direct - please don't let me down...). 

Just in case anyone was worried - I am not planning on buying the matching bottoms for these.   And that's the last we'll hear said of the matter (until next season I see someone doing them and am back to chowing down on pie with a side of humble).

Stripe Detail Track Top from Topshop £65



Stripe Detail track top from Topshop was £45 now £15.  Yes FIFTEEN POUNDS.  Rude not to.  The bottoms are only £10 but I managed to resist.




Now, back to basics and plain. 

Black Contrast Trim Bomber Jacket from Dorothy Perkins was £28 now £22.40




Variations on the theme now with a hint of sporty but less 70s trackie.  This is more reminiscent of the wallpaper my brother had in the 80s.  Although I think there may have been a red zig zag somewhere on it too.  I'm not sure we're missing it on the jacket though.  Like this one.

Wool zip up bomber jacket from Christine Phung for La Redoute was £199 now £59.70




Off piste now but this could so easily work with plain dresses - or I like the combo with a floral perhaps?  The tones would look amazing with a leopard print dress.  If you're going out there, you may as well go way out there...

Only Stripe Bomber Jacket £28




And then back in the room with some plainer versions.  Moving away from the sporty element but I have come round to thinking that the bomber shape may work.  Over the full skirt, it looked amazing.  I don't think it has to be a maxi skirt (seriously as gorgeous as that one is above - on a practical day to day level I would a) lose the dog in it and b) fall A over T, twenty seconds after having got dressed) - a midi dress or skirt would work just as well. 

My one proviso is that that they have to be nipped in at the waist - so you're not going to want to be wearing these over skinny jeans.  To be honest - for me - they solve that eternal dilemma of which jacket or coat to wear with a skirt or wide leg trousers.  This would make perfect proportional sense.  But it finish practically at the waist and not blouson down much below it.  The bigger the bomber, the bigger the bulk.  This isn't going to be for layering over a chunky knit jumper.  But for Summer and Autumn - this has legs for me.

On most of these pics, they do have it sitting below the waist, I would just pull it up a bit.

Loose Fit Quilted Texture Bomber Jacket £29.50



And in the grey again £29.50





Light Before Dark Knitted Jacket from Urban Outfitters £42  In a size down.... and again, with the hem positioned higher on the waist and not pulled down.






BDG Cosy Teddy Bomber Jacket in ivory £76



Or in the grey... again £76



However, I fear this has my name all over it.   I love it slightly too much.  My inner Huggy Bear can't stop thinking about it.  Maybe it's the 70s vibe it has that just reminds me of the vintage look of the original jacket above.  It's all about the inspiration.

Faux leather and faux fur bomber jacket in chocolate from La Redoute was £125 now £50



Or the rust... which I have to say has a slight whiff of King Louis from Jungle Book for me, so personally I'd go for the chocolate version was £125 now £62.50.   Although I say that.. as I'm proof reading it, this one is actually winning me over... Maybe I am the King of the Swingers (in purely Jungle Book mode can I please point out).




Moving on to faux leather.

Side pocket bomber jacket from Mango £35.99



Leather of the faux variety again at La Redoute.  New season now but a bargain price.  I'm loving the fact that these seem super shrunken which is what I'm looking for. 

Bomber Jacket R Edition £49 in the brown.



But I have to say, my choice would most definitely be the green.  To go with the plethora of black I seem to collectm, this would be simply gorgeous.  Or with navy.  With khaki as well.  It will either work or I'll look like an extra from A Midsummer Night's Dream in too many shades of green.  Close call.

Bomber Jacket R Edition from La Redoute in the dark green £49



70s vibe again in suede.
Urban Outfitters Zip Front Khaki Suede Jacket was £110 now £65



But as usual, I've saved the best for last.  Sequins. Oh yes, you heard me correctly.  Sequins, of the gold variety... 

Sequinned bomber jacket from Mango £69.99






So what will it be.  I've been inspired by 70s style nylon and moved onto faux leather, faux fur, suede and sequins.  I'm completely sold and looking forward to a trying on session. 

I think one of these is definitely a must have for Ireland next week.... What on earth will they make of me in Cappagh White?

Well, I was going to do my outfits from the festival but it's ridiculously late now and I have to finish this and hit the sack.  Three hours today at the hospital for our annual session of check ups for the 11yr old with her Gastro Consultant, Dietician and Blood ladies (they happened to be ladies today).  Boys were amazing and so I then thought I'd push my luck and take them all school shoe shopping (seriously, why would I do that?).  Only one pair of school shoes (two of them hated them all and I couldn't be bothered to argue) and a complete fleecing for new Nike trainers and a random Barcelona football kit later - not to mention a smash and grab in Abercrombie for the 11yr old - we got home at 9pm.  And I didn't even have a glass of wine. I am polishing my halo as we speak and mentally stacking them up for tomorrow.

Outfit today for dog walk first thing and then my overly ambitious afternoon. 




White jersey smock top - Me+Em
Dre jeans - Rag & Bone from Cocaranti
Gladiator sandals - Aldo Shoes
Straw hat - Zara Mens
Whiskey Medium Marcie Satchel - Chloe

Tomorrow morning, off to take the dog to the groomers (so she can see again) and then off to the best friend's in the afternoon.  And a girl's night out tomorrow.... no I can't wait.  I do promise I'll be back though with my festival run down.

Suede boots. 

I know we're in the throws of Summer but we've had a week of good weather, I've worn my Summer dresses and am frankly over it now.  Fickle, moi?  Mais oui.

I have developed a rather disturbing obsession with suede boots.  This is second to my addiction to dresses which is on the verge of becoming out of control (but they're soooooo useful) and I may have succumbed to only one pair so far (the terror of them being sold out before it gets to Autumn is real, my friends). 

What has led me to think these are going to be my number one footwear for the Autumn?  Well - firstly they are the perfect addition to my new found dress obsession - bare legs for Summer (I shall be wearing mine shortly seeing as it's not 30 degrees any more) and either tan tights or opaques going into the cooler months. 

Rain = a suede protector spray.  That's all I'm saying on that topic.  Although I will attempt to reassure you that they're not nearly as fragile as one would perhaps think.  I reserve the right to exclude, from this theory, a pale suede.. but even then, I have old Ash Jalouses which I've sprayed and wear (albeit not in a downpour or in the depths of Winter) and have aged really quite well. 

They also look amazing with culottes, with wide leg crops, with skirts (the skirt is racing up the obsession stakes and currently charting at number 3) and with cropped jeans.

So we're starting with a pair that are both sublime and ridiculous.  But they would be so unbelievably useful and would go with genuinely everything that cost per wear (and I would start wearing mine now) these will probably work out at being your cheapest pair of boots (probably.. I appreciate it's a hard one to sell).

Marmont Fringed Suede Boots from Gucci £645







Whilst we're in fantasy land and blowing the budget, I am rather in love with the Harper boots from Chloe.  Embracing the Victoriana.  In a boot.  Be steal my beating inner Helena Bonham Carter.

Harper lace up suede ankle boots from Chloe £795



I'm not even going to mention the blouse and skirt here but *sharp intake of breath*....


Or in the navy... 



However I have found a pair that aren't a direct copy but are the most superb variation on the theme.  And I'm going to so far as to say that I prefer both the colour and the heel.  I definitely prefer them being less than a tenth of the cost.

I was also thinking of adding a velvet khaki ribbon to the lace up...

Suede boots from H&M £59.99


Lace up also at Mango.  Slightly different but the nod to Victoriana is there.  It also means that these should hug the ankle well.  Saggy ankle issue be gone.

Lace up leather boots from Mango £79.99


And a black pair with a skinny heel. 

Lace up boots from Mango £49.99


However when it comes to lace ups, for me, these are a close second to the H&M ones.  They remind me vaguely (as in they're not remotely similar...) to the ancient leather peep toe lace up Kurt Geiger heels I've had for 6 years.  And still love and regularly wear. 

River Island lace up boots were £85 now £51


And the black ones, which I don't think are as nice as the tan ones but are cheaper... now £42.50


Khaki again at River Island.  The sock boot has landed.  I predict these being even more prevalent this season than last.  They are so easy to wear under those awkward length trousers, skirts and culottes.  Not to mention, they're ideal with dungarees and jumpsuits which have always been notoriously difficult to team boots with. 

Khaki heeled sock ankle boots from River Island £50


And in the black again £50 


More black suede, close to the leg loveliness from Boden.  Yes, these are from Boden.  And there's also 20% off with the code A3G8.

Suede Stretch Ankle Boots in Black £129 pre discount





But I have to say, for me, it would be the burgundy...


A blog on boots or shoes these days, wouldn't be complete without a contribution from Topshop.  This season looks like being as good, if not better than the storming Summer they've had.  Lock up your credit cards.  That is all. 

Anabel Ankle Tie Boots in Black suede £69


And in one of the must have colours of next season - the burgundy - well, they say rust but they look like a wine colour to me (I'm all over this, khaki and camel.  Yum.  Scrum).

Anabel Tie Detail Boots £69



Get out your sunnies for these.  How perfect though for the Autumn?  And for now.  I am seriously screwed with so many lovely boots out there... 

Mustard Western Boot in Red Suede from Topshop £75



And finishing with a pair that, I know I said suede but these are velvet.  However they are so unbelievably amazing, I'm putting them in here.  And sitting on my hands not to buy them....

Brown Leopard Print Sock Boots from River Island £50



So please don't tell me I'm the only one who has started thinking about boot purchases for the Autumn.  Or now.  First sign of a coldish snap and I shall be whipping these babies out.  

Which ones get your vote or are you more of a leather boot person?  Lace ups floating anyone else's boat?  

So today, the sun was still definitely shining, my fake tan was still standing from Saturday so it was another day another dress.  Another best buy in the sales from last year with the 7yr old gladiator sandals.  I'm also amazed by how much I've been using this bag.  Three years old now.  




Shirt dress - & Other Stories
Gladiator sandals - Aldo
Hat - Zara Men
Whiskey medium marcie satchel - Chloe 

We started the first day of the holiday with a list of rules.  According to some on Instagram (the list is on there if you would like to check it out - @doesmybumlook40) they are slightly draconian.  I however, figure if you don't start hard, you have nothing to negotiate with.  And actually they're nothing that I didn't have to do as a matter of due course as a child.  In fact, I had to wash up instead of emptying the dishwasher.   And playing outside for 30 mins was a treat not a chore.  Darn iPads.   We have had a WHOLE day without them.  Even though they are allowed them after they've played properly inside and out, done something vaguely intellectual and done some (hardly workhouse) chores.  Just limited time.  Otherwise they would veg about on them all day.  

Day one.  Me - 1. IPads - 0.

I have promised myself that if I keep this up all holiday, those Gucci boots will be mine.  Now that's a proper incentive...