A few pretty things…

Boot cuts

I have a vision in my mind of what I want to look like. A memory even.

A floaty creamy white top perhaps with some embroidery, a clog style wedge, a long necklace and boot cut jeans. The jeans would be tight on the thighs, not too tight on the tummy and have a noticeable flare at the ankle.

I once had this outfit but children and eBay have parted us (no, I’m no longer a size 6)

I have the shoes. I won’t know which ones are perfect until I can try them both (one pair of them are currently MIA) but either my Swedish Hasbeens or higher Sam Edelman Warners will be right I’m sure.
I bought this top in Zara a few weeks ago and have been waiting for the jeans to wear it again. I also tried a white shirt on in New Look yesterday which might work. It’s so rare that I find a shirt that does up I was quite excited and for £12 I couldn’t resist. (I am still looking for something creamy and more smock like though)

So, the jeans. Beths and Evas. Special names.
Hudson Beths
Oasis Evas

The Beths are far softer than the Evas. I made a mistake again – Hudson sizing is crazy! I wear a 27 in them when in real life I’m a 12 / Zara L. I forgot and ordered a 29 which were gaping at the back already. They are a more relaxed fit than the Evas and would be forgiving on larger thighs I’d think. They’re also longer. More of a relaxed flip flop jean perhaps.

The Oasis Evas are over half the price of the Beths (even though I got the Beths with 50% off from House of Fraser) They are more structured, a higher rise though still not high rise but more mid rise which is flattering but comfortable on a big belly like mine. They don’t have the back pocket details like the Beths (which is a good thing for me) and have a crease down the front which I love.

I’ve taken crap photos. There is no proper natural light (it’s so grey today), I have a cold and four new cold sores to add to my extensive collection. I am not in the mood for trying on clothes. I promise to take better photos in days to come.
Me in the Oasis Evas, Sam Edelman Warners and Zara top

A very unflattering photo of me in the Hudson Beths and a vest.

These photos really are dire, I’m sorry. If you’re considering either and have any questions please do ask.

Gearing up for the sales

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In just a couple of weeks the sales will be on – yeay! Which means its now time to put together my wishlist of carefully considered buys that will enhance my wardrobe and resist bargains that will be consigned to the ebay pile. Sounds so easy doesn’t it?

So, I am trying hard to think about what I really need or want. The continuing dull weather has shown that what I really need are lots of cross- seasons clothes. For me, this means long sleeved tops, thin jumpers and ankle boots. I have enough jeans, well I will once I get these Zara coated jeans

So top of my list are these Rag & Bone boots although I have a feeling they won’t be reduced much if at all

They’d replace the Pistols I’ve worn for the last two winters but I’d ideally like them for less than £200.

I’ve also been hankering after a silk camisole for a while. I already have a couple but they’re very thin and I really want a heavier silk one from J Crew or Tibi. The carrie camisole from J Crew in navy is my current favourite

Although I also love this Tibi one

How great would that look with those Zara white jeans?

Now if I was 20 years younger, I would so be buying this one from ASOS

However being 40 and gravity having taken its toll means its a no for me. But I will be showing it to my 21 year old niece.

And just in case the weather does warm up sufficiently, one of my favourite going out looks on warm evenings is jeans with a camisole. I do realise its a bit Vicki B in the Baden years but still, its a look I love. Minus the hair extensions and implants though.

Strange weather today but as it was at least above freezing I braved no coat.

The shirt is J Crew in the sale, River Island navy vest and old Topshop Baxters.

I’ve loved you so long

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I think it was Sarah WornOut who first brought the Sam Edelman Adenas to my attention, when the littlest blossoms were young babies. So, I think just over 2 years ago. Well, I fell in love with them, but I couldn’t see me having spiky slippers and crawling babies / toppling toddlers (impaling concerns). Well, Reader, the girls are all fairly sure on their feet and my-wardrobe have 30% off their Sam Edelman range, with another 15% cashback via quidco. So, after loving them for so long, the Adena studded smoking slippers are finally on their way to me!!

Adenas: as fierce as they are comfortable (ie super)

Today’s outfit: Gap black merino roll neck jumper, Zara cream/beige leather cross body bag, Diesel Ronhar bootcuts and Massimo dutti snakeskin/nude pointed flats.

Boyfriend jeans & neon

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Finally the sun has been out again in London. Not all day but long enough to sit outside for a while.

I planned a much needed easy day today and have allowed myself back into ripped jeans.

Zara distressed jeans, (rather large!) Gap neon long sleeve tee, old Zara snakeskin belt, Gap sunburst lavender and neon scarf.
I took a stroll while La Bambina napped and made a few purchases in H&M.
The black panels make this really flattering on. Not bad for £7.99

I’ve been looking for a top to wear with some of my khaki trousers and this is lovely for less than a tenner.

Lovely lace detailing on this citrus yellow top. I hope it washes well as La Bambina has just rubbed a rice cake into it.

I tried seven pairs of boot cut jeans from Next, Warehouse, Topshop, H&M and New Look and none fitted like I want them to. I have given in and ordered some Hudson Beths which I found with 50% off in House of Fraser. I ordered the Oasis Evas too and will report back.

Celebrate good times

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I usually love May.

This year the month has given us the best and worst of times.

We have been celebrating La Bambina’s first steps, one of my marvellous sisters, and my sunshine Little Legs. Lots of cakes, some karaoke, a crazy loud brilliant party, wonderful presents and happy times.

We’ve also been learning more about the treatment my mamma will be having for her recently diagnosed cancer. It’s treatable; that’s what matters. It’s also exhausting, scary, upsetting.

Even in hard times you still have to wear clothes. I did laugh when my mamma asked if I’d prepared a “what to wear for a hospital visit” blog as we waited to see the MacMillan nurse the other day.

Yesterday was a happy day and I wore Zara zebra studded trainers, Gap grey tee, N.Peal grey cashmere jumper, H&M neon star scarf, Next “harems” on a trip to find the pinkest bike we could
Then for dinner, Zara leopard pyjama trousers, black H&M tee with chiffon panel and exposed gold zip at the back, “Mumsnet” leopard scarf, Zara leather lapel jacket. In the photo I’m wearing black sequin Toms but I quickly changed into studded Sam Edelman Frankies.
I thought long and hard about whether to share what we are going through at the moment. If you take one thing away from this blog post please let it be this. My mamma has options because she went for her scheduled mammogram and they caught the cancer early. That is all.

Oh, and remember to celebrate good times.

Cougartown

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As you’ve probably realised my television tastes can be terribly low-brow. But something has to get me through the ironing and my current favourite programme is Cougartown. Now the plot is pretty dreadful but oh, Courtney Cox’s wardrobe is fabulous.

I haven’t done too much research but it looks to me like a lot of Splendid/DVF/Tory Burch which is just my cup of tea. But it was her jewellery which really got me googling.

Now you’re probably all aware of Jennifer Meyer but I’d never heard of her or her jewellery. But that has now changed and I love her range which is stocked on Netaporter.

This turtle pendant is so sweet but I think sells for over £1,500 so not umm cheap.

This leaf pendant seems to have been worn by half of Hollywood and no wonder, it is so pretty but you know laden with diamonds in case anyone forgets you’re loaded.

And I love how these pendants are worn layered with the long necklace below

So as I’m sadly not BFF with Jen or Courtney I aimed to recreate the look with my Alex Monroe baby bee and a Stella and Dot necklace.

Not that you can really see as the lighting in the Zara changing room wasn’t that great, but you get the drift. With said necklaces, I’m wearing M&S leopard heels, J Brand skinnies, a J Crew camisole, J Crew navy Tippi jumper and last year’s Zara coat. And yes I froze. I seriously nearly put my Barbour on when I got home but resisted.

Anyway, I was in Bristol to get eyebrows threaded (hope Jasmine doesn’t read that I’m still paying silly Harvey Nichols prices for this). And so had a very quick whizz round Zara which was very disappointing. I tried on more ripped jeans. I still don’t suit them.

I then had a look round the small selection of women’s clothes in Harvey Nichols. I tried on some more ripped jeans. I still didn’t suit them. Not even at £200 a pair. Thank God!

But I did make one purchase of some sandals in Mango. I first saw these on StyleGuile’s blog but they were out of stock online, however, there were quite a few pairs in the Bristol store.

And oh my, they are lovely. But even more importantly than how they look, they have a cushioned pad under the ball of your foot. Its like wearing footgloves from M&S, well I imagine so as obviously I’ve never tried them on but I’ve heard Gina used to be a major fan.

Biscuits that smile back at you!

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It doesn’ get much better than that does it?

Made using these brilliant cookie cutters from Lakeland, they’re special birthday biscuits for Eve WornOut’s Big Girl. One day I’ll get my act together and find a way for them to travel the 400+ miles to you. In the meantime, I hope they make you all smile. Happy birthday beautiful girl x

Ne’er cast a clout till May is out

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There’s some doubt about the exact meaning (month of May or May blossom?) but I simply take it to mean ‘don’t take your warm winter clothing off until the end of May’. END OF MAY!!!! Yes, very disturbing, but possibly a true proverb here in Scotland. 8C this morning and here I am in my usual minimum of three layers;

Jumper – Gap, Heattech top with vest underneath that (not seen), necklace – Primark, Jeans – J Brand.

The jumper was inspired by the Isabel Marant yellow Philo I saw last season -totally over budget and too fine a knit for my needs (thank goodness). I actually prefer the colour of the Gap one which is even more acid yellow in the flesh (and a hell of a lot cheaper!)

Isabel Marant Philo sweater

Navy and mint

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I wear a lot of navy, an awful lot. I used to wear a lot of black but unless its for going out, I just don’t think it does me any favours in daylight. And with navy I love mint green. I have a yen for these Paige Kylie jeans

But I don’t know, past experience has shown that pale jeans do my thighs no favours. I find them more unflattering than white jeans, am I alone in this I wonder? But those jeans would look so nice with the Dune wedge giraffe sandals that I am still obsessing over, and my navy Tippi J Crew jumper. See how I’m thinking jumpers because its still rather chilly out.

When I was looking at sandals in TopShop I saw a lovely lemon jumper but the fabric was very synthetic and I suspect would not have washed well. Yes, I have turned into my mother. But I do rather fancy something in primrose as again it looks lovely with navy and also white. A quick search produced this pretty jumper from Pure Collection which I have pinned in anticipation of the sales

I also saw WIT posted a photo on twitter of her wearing this top

I’d wish listed this a while back and of course now its out of stock in my size, I really, really want it. Honestly I am a marketer’s dream – show it to me and then dangle out of my reach and oh how I desire it.

And my final wish list item is this bracelet I saw on the Pink Peonies blog

The price is fairly reasonable I think but I do wish Stella & Dot did the occasional code.

And finally, today I am wearing

Many, many layers. River Island Amelie, Beige Pistols (bargain from Outnet last year), Gap jumper, Farhi linen biker and Lily & Lionel bloom scarf.