Monthly Archives: September 2013

Two of the things I miss most about the UK.

Marks and Spencer and coats. Yes it’s true, and my Husband will never understand why I miss either of them.

For those of you unfamiliar with the great British institution – it’s quite hard to explain the affection I hold for Marks and Spencer. They have been around forever. Starting as a market stall in Leeds in 1884, M&S became the familiar cornerstone of every UK high street – even venturing into Paris at one point (I was once asked to do an M&S sandwich run for lunch on a business trip there – as you can tell I was very important). Growing up almost 90% of my wardrobe was probably M&S. As a student I loved their men’s department for their oversize cardigans and even pyjamas. When I started work all my suits were M&S, and it was always my first port of call for a new outfit when I lived there. Every Christmas you could guarantee there would be gifts from M&S under the tree – they always had something for everyone. Back then they were always known for quality – whether it be their clothes or their food hall. So I consider myself lucky that I have missed their recent demise. My affection has not been tarnished. M&S is still the store I head for first when I am back home, though recently it has been more for their wine, pork pies and meal deals, than for clothes.

M&S now ship free to the US, so I occasionally take a look at their new items, but I haven’t taken the plunge till now. Having read all the stories on their personnel changes and the lackluster performance I was amazed to see the press touting their pink duster coat as ‘the coat of the season’. It has already sold out online (though new stock is expected soon). I have to say it’s not really my style but I do see the appeal for others.

Apologies for the small photos – I was having real problems with their website!

Anyway it got me looking at the other coats in their Fall collection. I do love a good coat or jacket and at this time of year I start to pine for the colder weather so I can snuggle in wool and cashmere – again my Husband will never understand. Here are my picks – and the prices are so good I may have placed a sneaky order. All to be revealed!

Yes, yes – I know it’s Twiggy – but I love the simplicity of this black biker jacket.

I had to do a double take at the price of this mac. £45 – a real deal for a gorgeous looking mac. My favorite color – the charcoal – is sold out in smaller sizes – but I also love this pebble color. The black trim is striking.

Another biker jacket – the tweed contrast with the black is gorgeous. I really want this jacket.

This time a longer biker coat – they have quite a few this style with the asymmetrical zip. It reminds me of the Zara coat last year – though I would like to bet this M&S one is far better quality. It is also available in petite and plus sizes too.

Finally my two absolute favorites – not sure I can justify both. I adore this Autograph checked biker coat – so on trend and great neutral colors.

This military coat is a great price – especially considering the cashmere content too. I’m having a tough time choosing between the khaki and the grey. Again it comes in plus sizes too.

So there we are – for me a Marks and Spencer coat is like bacon and HP sauce, or chips and mushy peas – the perfect combination:) Have any of you found yourself tempted back in through the doors of M&S recently?

Finally today’s outfit – I would never have bought these harem style shorts had I not seen them on Eve at AllWornOutBlog.com – on the Zara site they looked pants (no pun intended). The top is Primark bought over the summer, and the shoes are Marks & Spencer (see!) Autograph peep toes, again from the summer.

Jackets for sale!

Bra shopping.

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Having worn my Topshop camis a few times I came to realize that I was in desperate need of a new strapless bra. I hate bra shopping. Not that I mind being measured or anything – I just really dislike spending money on something that will never be seen by anyone except by me. Having said that the results of a badly fitting bra are plain for all to see, as you will see from my photos today!

I had already tried to order 2 strapless Wonderbras from Figleaves.com but it was one of the most painful experiences ever. Firstly as Figleaves are in the UK I was charged a bank fee for my transaction – a flipping hidden fee I knew nothing about until it appeared. Then the bras never arrived and I had to deal with Figleaves’ Customer Service. I have to say they were the rudest, most patronizing, most aggressive, most evasive CS representatives I have EVER dealt with. Most unpleasant. Thank goodness I eventually got a refund – I shan’t be ordering with them again.

So that meant I was stuck with my strapless bra that I last wore pre-kids – why it was even still in my lingerie drawer I’ve no idea. Today I braced myself and headed into Victoria’s Secret – not a pleasant experience for someone who has carried and breastfed two children. Perky my boobs are not. The service in the store was fabulous. They couldn’t do enough for me and I walked out with two multi-way bras and two bandeaux bras, very happy indeed.

I’ve been suffering from a miserable head cold all week and today I needed something vibrant to wear to cheer me up. Pink was obviously the color of the day, even the lighting in the VS changing rooms was VERY pink!

Trousers – Topshop (now on sale here) // Sandals – Tory Burch Emmy (old) // Top – TopShop cami // Neckace – Macy’s (old) // Bangles – H&M // Bag – YSL Roady

I also may have popped back into Diesel to try on the Jogg Fayza jeans again. I love the Fayza’s I won on eBay – but the Jogg version, with the jersey lining, is still calling my name. I’ll just keep trying them on until I cave. If you do decide to buy be warned the come up HUGE – I tried these 25″ and they were perfect. These are the 807 wash which is a lot lighter than the 601 – I think I prefer the 601 myself.

I swear there aren’t that many creases in my cami – bad lighting again. See what I mean by the bra though? The nips were on full show for the poor guy helping me in Diesel.

Finally here’s an outfit from the other day. It got mixed reviews from the Husband. In all honesty I was going to wear a blouse with the skirt, but found a hole as I was putting it on, so quickly made the decision to try the double denim look. The husband thought the skirt was sexy but the top not so much. Oh well we all learn the hard way:)

Skirt – Zara (old) // Top – Zara (old) // Shoes – Lotta of Stockholm

My new favorite jeans.

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I love jeans. Any kind of jeans, you name it – skinny, cropped, boyfriend, flare, boot cut – I have them all in my closet. My first pair of ‘high-end’ jeans were bought after my first few pay checks back in 1997. They were Diesel and I got them on a fabulous, indulgent shopping trip in Harrods. For a while I was loyal to Diesel – I loved their unique cuts and soft denim. Then they started creeping up in price and when I started looking for skinny jeans I fell in love with the Hudson Collin jeans. Since then I’ve been a Hudson loyalist and I own their bell bottoms, boot cuts and skinnys. What I like about Hudson is the rear button flap pocket and the fact that they offer both low rise and mid rise jeans.

The other week, while on the hunt for a new pair of boyfriend jeans, I found myself back in the Diesel store in Atlanta. I wanted to try the Diesel Fayza jean. They are totally different from any other jean I have seen on the market – tapered, with a low crotch and a twisted seam – almost harems – but with a little more attitude. I made the mistake of trying on, and ultimately falling in love with the Jogg version of the Fayza. Diesel’s new Jogg jeans are incredible – in my eyes the ultimate in comfort and style. Jeans combined with sweats – genius. The jeans have a jersey lining – making them incredibly comfortable and easy to wear – but unfortunately also crazy expensive. The Fayza’s that I fell in love with were $330 – I just couldn’t do it – but I’ve dreamt about them every night since.

In an effort to convince myself that they are worth the price I tracked down a pair of Fayza’s on eBay – not the Jogg jeans mind you – just the regular denim. Nonetheless the cut is part of the reason I am obsessed with them, so I thought they were worth a punt. I love how unique they are – I haven’t seen anyone else wearing anything similar. I snapped them up on eBay for a steal – a brand new pair too. After wearing them once and acquiring complements from my lovely Husband, I’ve now added a pair of Jogg Fayza’s to my ‘must have’ list for AW 2013. I adore these jeans. You may think I’m crazy, I don’t care.

Unfortunately this rubbish photo hasn’t displayed them in all their low crotch glory – they’re a very dark wash and I should have used my Nikon – sorry!

Jacket – Zara (old) // Shoes – Isabel Marant Bobby sneakers (similar here) // Jeans – Diesel Fayza (bought on eBay) // T-shirt – Gap (old)

As for the rest of the week so far here’s what I have been wearing.

For a trip to Hip Hop class with Poppy yesterday – I keep hoping he’ll ask me to join the class…

Dress – Zara sporty dress (sold out online already) // Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker boots

And today…

Skort – Zara // T-shirt – Zara (old) // Scarf – H&M (old) // Bag – YSL Roady // Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker boots

Can you tell I’m ready for Fall? – My ankle boots are making a more frequent appearance again:)

After the boys of summer have gone.

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Labor weekend is traditionally the ‘end’ of summer – though we get at least another month of summer-like weather. Having said that we have woken up this morning to torrential rain – the garden is a mud pit – so much for our pool plans today. Hey ho, we’ve still had a fun packed weekend to say farewell to summer with a bang.

On Friday I caught up with a friend for lunch who I haven’t seen for probably eight years or so. We used to work together, then she moved to D.C. to study law. It was great fun to see where the years have taken us and we talked and talked as you can imagine! I can’t wait to make it a regular lunch date.

Trousers – Zara harems (old) // Shoes – Zara // T-shirt – Gap (old) // Scarf – J.Crew (old) // Bag – Boden clutch

Saturday started early. Every year on Labor weekend the weirdest people flock to Atlanta. I have a strange affinity for these weird folk. They are the Dragoncon delegates. Downtown Atlanta becomes populated by Klingons, wookiees and stormtroopers for the weekend. Fantastic fun.

Hugh wasn’t that impressed by the early start:

Darth Vader must have heard about the Death Star – he looked a little dejected.

I didn’t get a full outfit image that day – I assure you I didn’t dress up – though I’m tempted for next year:) I wore the same as here though – the grey Asos t-shirt dress – with my Golden Goose sneakers (similar here).

On Saturday evening we went out for a wonderful dinner with friends. It was a long, lovely, indulgent evening with lots of great conversation. To commemorate Labor weekend I wore all white.

Boots – Canvas Rag & Bone Newbury boots // Shorts – Zara skort // T-shirt – AllSaints vest (old) // Jacket – Zara (old)

These days Poppy and Hugh can’t resist getting involved in the photo taking – budding bloggers I tell you – though Hugh ain’t that impressed by his sister trying to steal the limelight:)

Last night we headed to the Braves game. It’s such a fun thing to do with the children now they can sit through nine innings. The music, the games, the food all take precedent over the actual baseball game – a good thing really as we lost. Poppy is now an expert at gaining enough attention to get us on the big screen with the FanCam – twice last night! I really need to make more of an effort for Braves games with the amount of exposure she is getting us! We were even lucky enough to have a free post game concert with Big & Rich. Baseball really is the best value when it comes to family entertainment – fours hours of relaxation and fun for $10 each!

Top – Boden Breton // Shorts – J.Crew (old) // Sneakers – Converse (old)

So today we may have to change plans – the rain is still falling. I fancy a good movie day curled up with my gorgeous family – sounds good to me.

Poppy's Style

My blog about fashion, family, friends and fun.

Monthly Archives: September 2013

Two of the things I miss most about the UK.

Jackets for sale!

Bra shopping.

Trousers – Topshop (now on sale here) // Sandals – Tory Burch Emmy (old) // Top – TopShop cami // Neckace – Macy’s (old) // Bangles – H&M // Bag – YSL Roady

Skirt – Zara (old) // Top – Zara (old) // Shoes – Lotta of Stockholm

My new favorite jeans.

Jacket – Zara (old) // Shoes – Isabel Marant Bobby sneakers (similar here) // Jeans – Diesel Fayza (bought on eBay) // T-shirt – Gap (old)

Dress – Zara sporty dress (sold out online already) // Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker boots

Skort – Zara // T-shirt – Zara (old) // Scarf – H&M (old) // Bag – YSL Roady // Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker boots

After the boys of summer have gone.

Trousers – Zara harems (old) // Shoes – Zara // T-shirt – Gap (old) // Scarf – J.Crew (old) // Bag – Boden clutch

Hugh wasn’t that impressed by the early start:

Darth Vader must have heard about the Death Star – he looked a little dejected.

Boots – Canvas Rag & Bone Newbury boots // Shorts – Zara skort // T-shirt – AllSaints vest (old) // Jacket – Zara (old)

Top – Boden Breton // Shorts – J.Crew (old) // Sneakers – Converse (old)

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Trousers – Topshop (now on sale here) // Sandals – Tory Burch Emmy (old) // Top – TopShop cami // Neckace – Macy’s (old) // Bangles – H&M // Bag – YSL Roady

Skirt – Zara (old) // Top – Zara (old) // Shoes – Lotta of Stockholm

Related articles

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Jacket – Zara (old) // Shoes – Isabel Marant Bobby sneakers (similar here) // Jeans – Diesel Fayza (bought on eBay) // T-shirt – Gap (old)

Dress – Zara sporty dress (sold out online already) // Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker boots

Skort – Zara // T-shirt – Zara (old) // Scarf – H&M (old) // Bag – YSL Roady // Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker boots

Related articles

Share this:

Trousers – Zara harems (old) // Shoes – Zara // T-shirt – Gap (old) // Scarf – J.Crew (old) // Bag – Boden clutch

Hugh wasn’t that impressed by the early start:

Darth Vader must have heard about the Death Star – he looked a little dejected.

Boots – Canvas Rag & Bone Newbury boots // Shorts – Zara skort // T-shirt – AllSaints vest (old) // Jacket – Zara (old)

Top – Boden Breton // Shorts – J.Crew (old) // Sneakers – Converse (old)

Related articles

Share this: