what to wear.....

.......to a bloggers meet-up! Yep....as you can imagine, it's pretty daunting knowing you are going to be in a room with a bunch of seriously stylish ladies! What to wear indeed! Apart from wanting to try and look the part, I also needed to factor in that it had to be warm, layers called for (it was a freezing cold day!) and also comfy as it's a couple of hours travelling both ways! I didn't invest in anything new....in fact the Mango blazer I wore was the same one I wore to my first meet up with this lovely group a couple of years back. I stuck to my comfort zone of jeans, a t-shirt and my trusty Converse.

Mango blazer, past season, similar here and here

Zara t-shirt, past season similar here

Zara jeans, past season similar here

Converse, here

Lulu Guinness bag, similar here

I've trawled the internet to try and find a more Balmain-looking blazer with either gold or silver buttons but couldn't find anything similar at all. However I did a DIY job on my own jacket as it came with silver buttons which for the first meet up that I went to (mentioned above) I sourced some lovely gold buttons from eBay and changed them from silver to gold. A few weeks back I decided to change back to silver to breath new life into the jacket once more! I wore my M&S leopard print coat over the top and a fur snood to keep the chill off and complete the look.

As usual, this wasn't an entirely original outfit on my part.....I *borrowed* the look here from one of my favourite sources of inspiration!

Source

So, how did our meet up go? We met up in the Mayfair Pizza company once again, it's so easy to get to as it's just a stone's throw from Bond Street tube station and a short stroll from Oxford Street. We had a great day....got through a few magnums of Prosecco, had a lovely lunch, the conversation flowed and we had lots of laughs! The time flies and every year I promise myself  I'm going to take lots of photos...it never happens, though I did snatch all of 3 here!

Kat did an excellent job of making sure our glasses were never empty! Cheers lovely!

As you can imagine there is always plenty to talk about!

Plenty of experiences to be shared.

Source 

Talking fashion is a very serious business don't you know! ;0)

Believe it or not I did have time to squeeze in a purchase (well there were actually 2!). Marlene was kind enough to show me around Dover Street market.....if you've never explored it you must take a look, it is awesome if you are really into fashion. After a quick gander around there I hot-footed it along to Oxford Circus to dive into Mango before it closed! Recognise this little blouse from a couple of posts back? I sized up to a medium as it's cropped.

Mango floral print top

A trip to London is never complete without a little jewellery purchase from & Other Stories

& Other Stories tiny hoop studs

Just a little taster of our gathering. I'd just like to say a huge thank you to the following ladies for such a great day! Looking forward to next year already!

Marlene - Chocolate, Cookies and Candies

Frances - School Run Mum

Joanna - Poppy's Style 

Flic - Love a Good Stripe

Helen - Fashion40ish

Becky - re-style

Iva - Falling in Style

Kat - Does My Bum Look 40 In This

Andrea - In Mama's Wardrobe

It was also lovely to meet Cathy from Alice Wonders, Joanne Walker, Sarah Richards and Christina, Iva's friend.

I shall leave you with my outfit from today.....funnily enough quite a subdued day after the amount of Prosecco consumed yesterday. I dressed up a bit today as I took my mum for an early Mother's day lunch as the hubby's been working away over the weekend.

Mango top, here

Topshop Jamie jeans, here

Urban Outfitters boots, sold out similar here

Lulu Guinness bag, similar here

Back to reality with a bump tomorrow! Wishing everyone a great week ahead!

Be back soon :0)

seeing stars.....

.......for mother's day! As always my daughter (with the help of hubby) needs a bit of a nudge when it comes to present buying.....I always happy to give them a helping hand if it means I will be receiving something  I will really love! I am obsessed with all things starry at them moment and have found some fab inspiration from a super brand that I've overlooked a bit lately. I stumbled across Esprit again recently and as it would happen they have so many lovely things that would make perfect Mother's day gifts! I'm going to jump right in with my picks! This would lie so very close to my heart......one star for me and one for Gracie, my DD. A gift that's pretty symbolic :0) What I adore about this about this necklace it is that it's so perfect for someone like me who still finds it hard to mix metals. As it’s gold and silver this would work brilliantly for me. 

Esprit two part necklace with star charms

I really love a cuff style bracelet so I would be thrilled to receive this!

Esprit 5 strand star bracelet 

How about this little treat if you only have a pocket money budget? This keyring is such a fab gift for just £10! 

Esprit keyring with 2 stars

Another gift to use everyday....gorgeous isn't it? I didn't even realise Esprit did homeware....super range by the way!

Esprit porcelain mug with stars

Now I'm hoping the DD is really going to push the boat out (with the help of daddy, fingers crossed they are reading this!) and are going to invest in some of mummy’s favourite things….i.e clothing! Where to start in this category?! I may just have to buy this fabulous blouse anyway! 

Esprit star print blouse

I think you are all quite familiar with how much I am loving my sweatshirts right now! How fab is this?! I am in heaven as it's not only star print but it's grey as well! :-O 

Esprit star print sweatshirt

Oh my! There is a fantastic grey t-shirt too!  

Esprit star print t-shirt

I'd have a job to chose between this one and the grey above.....would it be too cheeky to ask for both?! ;0)

Esprit star print t-shirt

This lovely scarf would inject a much needed pop of colour into my wardrobe, quite a traditional Mother's day gift don't you think?

Esprit star printed scarf

I thought it best to reign in my search of all lovely things star related at this point.....after all the DD's pocket money and Dad's budget will only stretch so far. I think this search is seriously going to cost me too! Hopefully I have given some helpful ideas, for however much you might want to spend! Have you got any ideas of what you would like for Mother's day.....have I tempted you with any of my picks? What are you buying your mum for Mother's day. I would love to hear!

Just a couple of outfits from the past couple of days.

Zara coat, past season, similar here

H&M Breton top, here

Topshop Cain jeans, here

Topshop boots, via eBay. Love these here

I am all about mixing up my patterns at the moment, stripes and leopard print yesterday.....checks and leopard print today.....hopefully it will be checks or stripes with a bit of star print soon! ;0)

Marks and Spencer coat, past season. Bargain similar one here

Mango top, here or white version here

Topshop Jamie jeans, here

Converse, here

Lulu Guinness bag, via eBay

Do you have any special plans for Mother's day this year?

I'll be back soon!

p.s I have just noticed that delivery at Esprit is free over £15........not that I was purchasing or anything! ;0)

last minute sales scores

Just when I thought I was totally over the sales I found a couple of brilliant bits to bolster my spring capsule pieces on those last chance rails. You might remember that I mentioned a couple of posts back that I fancied a denim shift dress. One I could wear now with boots or loafers but that would look equally as good in a couple of months with Converse or Supergas. This is the kind of dress that would also be perfect in summer with some strappy, flat tan sandals! By chance I stumbled across this gorgeous little number from Warehouse! I didn't hesitate to bag it. I got a size 10 and I'd say the sizing is spot on.

Warehouse frayed hem shift dress

Here's me wearing mine at the weekend with another terrific sale bargain that I snapped up.

I found some fab Gucci-dupe loafers from Urban Outfitters (thanks to this lovely lady Natalie!) These were an in-store purchase and they were down to just 10 GBP! There aren't any left online but I have noticed there are few brand new pairs on eBay here and here. They are more expensive but you could always put in a cheeky offer! 

Deena and Ozzy loafers

As there aren't a great deal of sizes left in the Warehouse dress I have checked out a couple of alternatives. First up is this Influence one from ASOS. All sizes still available.

ASOS Influence raw edge detail shift dress

I've also been eyeing up this black Label Lab one as it's such a bargain!

Label Lab denim shift dress

Last but not least....I just couldn't leave this one out because I adore the detail! Mango have so many tempting pieces this season, not sure I'll be able to resist this one! 

Mango embroidered denim dress

Will you be adding a little denim shift to your wardrobe for spring? 

The standard outfit round-up from the past few days! I got a bit crafty with an old pair of Gap real straight jeans here after seeing some cropped on the lovely School Run Style blog here.

H&M sweater, similar here

Gap real straight jeans, ancient (I would try and seek out a pair instore on the sale rail!)

New Look shoes, ancient

Banana Republic sweater, back in stock here

Gap Breton, ancient This one here is gorgeous!

Gap original fit jeans, ancient

Adidas Originals Stan Smiths, here

Zara coat, past season similar here

Topshop sweater, similar here

Topshop Jamie jeans, here

Urban Outfitters Percy boots, sold out similar here

Hallhuber bag, sold out online

Is it just me or does it feel like today we have turned a corner? There was definitely a whiff of spring in the air! I am starting to get motivated about what I'd like to add to my spring capsule wardrobe but that's a story for another day. Are you getting in the mood for any spring buys yet? I'd love to hear what purchases you've made!

Until next time!

that biggest clothing horror story ever......

sold out!!
Yep....hot off the press outfit here and this Topshop Unique Hortensia blouse has gone already!

Source

The lovely Louise only wore this to the Alexa Chung/Marks & Spencer party last night and it's almost gone! :-0 Fear not though I've found a cunning alternative for Louise's whole ensemble! 

Mango floral print top

Mango zip leather jacket

Mango zip cotton trousers

Mango triple compartment bag

Mango pointed toe pumps

I WANT this top! I love it! The rest of the outfit just happens to be things I can pull from my own wardrobe....but it never hurts to look for alternatives right?! 

Anyway......after a bit of research on the Mango website I have discovered they have some really gorgeous tops in at the moment...just a few here I have added to my wishlist! 

First up......this is the season for ruffles, so I'm told!

Mango ruffle top

I find it very hard to pass up a cream embroidered top too!

Mango trim embroidery top

I adore the peplum style that my favourite French IGers are wearing so I need to add one of these to my wardrobe for spring!

Mango check cotton blouse

So many gorgeous things I want from Mango now! What do you think of my style steal?! I'm kinda glad the Toppers one is sold out....I could justify all of the Mango ones for the same price as the TS Unique! Woo hoo! I finally feel I am on a spring....roll, pardon the pun but up until now I just have not been feeling it! Let's just hope there are some better temperatures around the corner!

I reckon my past couple of days away in Devon have got me in the mood to liven up my wardrobe a bit......though looking at these outfits you could tell I was not quite there yet! 

Travelling outfit! Obligatory balcony #selfie!

Bella Freud sweatshirt, sold out but I love this grey sweatshirt here

H&M trousers, similar here

Converse, here

Hotel loo #selfie ......I've managed to edit most of the bin out here! ;0)

COS sweater, here

Zara faux leather skirt, similar here

Urban Outfitters boots, similar here

Squeezed in the corner hotel bathroom #selfie! Packing faux pas meant I had to improvise and wear my Zara skirt 2 nights in a row! That'll teach to get distracted whilst outfit planning for holidays in the furture! 

H&M Breton, here

Zara faux leather skirt

Urban Outfitters boots, similar here

Are you ready for Spring yet? Who is inspiring purchases? I would love to hear!

Until next time!

so.....ap inspired!

Sometimes inspiration comes from the strangest of places.....who'd have thought I'd be won over by the style of a Corrie actress! To be fair, Fabulous magazine have done an amazing job of styling Catherine Tyldesley, I can honestly say that I haven't noticed how she dresses in real life but her characters taste in the soap leaves quite a lot to be desired! I absolutely adore her in this ASOS White jumpsuit though......doesn't she look fantastic?! 

Source

This is a serious contender for my spring wardrobe, how easy for the school run to pull on a one-piece, chuck a denim jacket over the top and slip some trainers on. Sold! 

ASOS WHITE jumpsuit

Gap denim jacket

Superga 

It could also be perfect for evening look too!

ASOS WHITE jumpsuit

Mango biker jacket

New Look bag

ASOS shoes

This would be a fab addition to my current wardrobe.......I have versions of all of the above that I can style with the jumpsuit (although the silver Superga's and the Gap denim jacket are a couple of updates that are on my spring wishlist). The one jumpsuit I currently own is very dressy and is eveningwear only so I wouldn't be repeating anything. I really loved the Warehouse culottes that I picked up in the summer sale last year so something tells me this all-in-one could be an absolute winner! 

Half term is now upon so it's been a casual couple of days spent at home, outfits here from the past 2 days!

Topshop coat, similar here

Banana Republic sweater, only red left here

Topshop Jamie jeans, here

Converse, sold out online

Furla bag, ancient, some lovely metallic bags here though from Clarks

Topshop coat, similar here

Pull & Bear sweater, similar here

Zara jeans, similar here

Converse, sold out online

Pull & Bear scarf, past season

M&S man bag, similar here

Ladies, I would love to hear your thoughts on the jumpsuit.....also what's currently on your wish list!

Shopping my wardrobe for Spring

This Spring I want to have a plan that I can stick to instead of buying a whole lot of stuff randomly. So I thought the best way to start would be to looks at the classic, basic pieces that are already in my wardrobe. In my head this means that anything I buy for spring this year will perfectly slot in with what I've got.....although now I've put that down in black and white this could go horribly wrong!  I've put together 3 looks that are all pretty interchangeable with one another, I love a bit of mix'n'match! ;0) These are all things that I either have or that I've have found a good alternative for that can be purchased currently.

Topshop authentic washed shackett

Urban Outfitters 70's baseball top

Topshop Jamie jeans

H by Hudson Kiver boots

Mango biker jacket

Uniqlo Breton top

Topshop Cain jeans

Converse

Gap denim jacket

ASOS sweatshirt

Gap Utility Chinos

Adidas Originals Stan Smiths

Mango jacket

Topshop shirt

Topshop Mom jeans

Converse

So these are the basics I'm looking to build on this season. This has the potential to be a great start to the capsule wardrobe I am trying to work towards. I would be really interested to hear what you would add to these basics? I'm toying with the idea of loafer or quirky ballet flat as an alternative to my trainers. I'd also like to throw a good denim shift into mix things up a bit. I've popped a Mom jean in here, although I have boyfriends but my mission is to try the Mom style in Topshop this week.

I am getting to the stage where I am totally bored of my winter clothes, even though I have invested in a few transitional bits I'm still finding a chore to try and out looks together at the moment. Here's the evidence.......

Zara coat, past season similar here

Uniqlo Merino charcoal v-neck sweater, here

Topshop shirt, similar here

H&M Jeans, past season similar here

Converse hi-tops, here

Topshop bag, similar here

H&M hat, here

M&S coat, past season similar here

H&M Breton, here

Topshop Jamie jeans, here

Converse hi-tops, here

Topshop jacket, past season similar here

Brave Soul shirt, past season similar here

Zara t-shirt, similar here

Zara jeans, past season similar here

Nike blazers, here

M&S Manbag, similar here

Primark bomber faux leather sleeve jacket, past season similar here

Donna Ida sweater, similar here

Topshop Jamie jeans, here

Nike Blazers, here

Urban Outfitters BDG parka, sold out similar here

Topshop sweater, via eBay similar here

Zara jeans, past season similar here

Nike Blazers, here

Topshop bag, similar here

Topshop coat, past season similar here

Topshop sweater, via eBay similar here

Topshop Cain jeans, here

Topshop boots, via eBay, similar here

Have you started to plan your spring wardrobe yet? Have you got a plan and a wish list on the go? Any trends you are going to invest in this season? I would love to know!

Half term is finally here for us! Yipee! We are going to be grabbing a couple of days away down in Devon, hoping this will blow away the cobwebs and that I will have an idea of what I need to add to my capsule for Spring!

Be back soon!