Monthly Archives: April 2014

Tornado alley.

I’m sitting here watching the local news coverage that has been extended due to all the threats and warnings of tornadoes and severe weather. It looks like it’s heading straight for Atlanta. Here’s hoping everyone stays safe tonight – they do have a habit of over dramatizing the weather here, but it goes without saying that tornadoes are no trivial matter.

The kids are bathed and safely in bed so I thought I’d distract myself with a quick outfit post! On Friday I had a hot yoga session followed by a hot date with my Husband. Needless to say the hot date negated any of the benefits of the hot yoga!

Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury navy suede // Jeans – coated jeans Zara // T-shirt – AllSaints // Leather jacket – Boden (old)

Today I went for monochrome and leopard – two of my favorite picks when it comes to clothes!

Shoes – Marks and Spencer // Trousers – Zara (old) // Top – AllSaints Tiko t-shirt (similar here at ASOS) // Bag – Alexander Wang (old off TheOutnet.com)

Please stay safe if you’re in the path of these storms and hold your breath for blue skies on the other side xx

Graphic t-shirts.

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Isn’t it odd how something you once hated with a passion can become something you yearn for? For me those things include heart shaped jewelry – once I though this was tacky but make it an Elsa Peretti piece and all of a sudden things change.

Logo and graphic t-shirts also fall into this category for me. The thought of wearing my favorite tour t-shirt, or wearing a slogan emblazoned across my chest seemed so puerile and again tacky – maybe I just overdosed in the 80s?

Well all that has changed, as many of my style stereotypes have, with my love for Pinterest. Pinterest is fabulous for providing inspiration and tips on how to style items that may not even have crossed your mind before. These images made me think twice about the graphic t-shirt.

Pretty cool looks hey? I did wear my Bowie t-shirt quite a bit last year and I must recycle these outfits over the coming weeks.

Here is a selection of my favorites that I am collecting in various virtual carts!

We just got our new SMART tv – what a revelation Netflix streaming is! I’m already well into Season 2 of Breaking Bad and this t-shirt is a must for any fan.

I adore this one – it should be my motto.

This one by Wildfox made me giggle and will make you cringe – my Husband calls me ‘dreamy’:)

I think this Coke t-shirt is super cool – especially living in the home of Coca-Cola.

For something maybe a little more understated – this NY t-shirt is perfect for wearing with jeans or shorts.

Here’s another one of my favorites – I have this and wore it a lot over Spring Break with denim cut offs – it’s currently on sale too.

There have been a lot of Run DMC t-shirts out and about recently – maybe something to do with the Adidas revival? I’d love this – my favorite tune of all time is Run DMC and Jason Nevins ‘It’s like that’.

Finally one for all of you that want to give peace a chance.

And here I am today experimenting with the logo t-shirt, wearing one of my most favorite items in my summer closet from J.Crew – currently 30% off in the US with GOSHOP.

T-shirt – J.Crew // Jeans – Zara (old) // Shoes – Marks and Spencer

Scents and sensibility.

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I’m off clothes. I know I never thought I’d see the day either. Bored, bored, bored with everything I see in the stores or online. Maybe I have just over done it. For the first time in a LONG time I am perfectly happy with all my choices when I walk into my closet. I want nor need a thing. I am instead indulging in products – more specifically scents – perfumes and essential oils.

I wear perfume everyday, but I am a woman of few scents. Chanel Coco for date nights, and then either Pacifica Tuscan blood orange or YSL Paris for the daytime depending what mood I am in. I have worn Paris for YEARS – I first bought a bottle from duty free on the ferry to France when I was about 14!

Perfumes to me are a bit like underwear – as long as it works why spend money on it? I do like to splash out a little more on my night time perfume but not a ridiculous amount. However, I am contemplating purchasing the following:

The classic Shalimar by Guerlain:

Or Un Jardin Sur Le Toit by Hermés which is gorgeous for summer:

If any of you have worn these I’d love to know what you think.

While I was researching scents I stumbled across some old favorites – a couple of which I ordered.

Giorgio Beverly Hills:

and Lou Lou by Cacharel:

Both of these scents are incredibly nostalgic. I used to wear them in sixth form – again probably duty free purchases from day trips to France. As soon as I opened the boxes and smelled them it transported me back to nights out in Bury – the clothes, the people, the pubs! Not always what you are looking for in a perfume it has to be said:) Also they are much sweeter than I remember – my nose has definitely matured! I’ll wear them for now if only to remember the Hare and Hounds – but I probably won’t buy them again…the Hermés looks good value now.

Moving on from perfumes I’ve recently been treating my olfactory system to some essential oils. I’ve been struggling to sleep well and thought I’d give Lavender a try so I am going to burn some before bed and then put a few drops on my pillow. I also LOVE citrus oils so I treated myself to some Tangerine and Sweet Orange – so now I can be calmed, cheered and brightened – according to the labels at least! I’ll let you know if my sleep improves. Again I’d love to know if any of you have dabbled in aromatherapy. I’ve just bought a book too, so it may become an new little hobby for me…namaste….

This week has seen me having to adapt to rain and now 80 degree sunshine.

Yesterday I headed to work in a jacket then changed into a jumper when I got home – to be honest most of the time I change into some kinds of sweatpants or workout gear.

Birkenstocks – Arizona Blue // Jeans – H&M Boyfriend jeans // T-shirt – Gap (old) // Jacket – Zara (old) // Jumper – Boden (old – similar here on sale)

Today I opted for comfort for a dentist appointment – I have sparkly clean teeth again!

Shoes – Converse // Skirt – James Perse (old – similar here) // Top – Zara (old)

So do tell – what are your favorite scents to tickle your nose? Do you have a signature scent?

Elastic waistbands.

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Back to work for us here in the US while all of you across the Atlantic enjoy an extra day of vacation! I hope you all had an amazing Easter. I’ve mentioned before how much I adore the Easter celebration. For me it signals the beginning of Spring – green shoots everywhere, great food, and the anticipation of great things to come over the summer.

We hosted friends on Saturday for our Easter dinner. I roasted a 5lb leg of lamb which was completely demolished. I love watching the kids enjoy a good roast!

Poppy and Hugh made a fabulous trifle too for dessert.

There was of course the drunk dancing (and photography)…we were grooving the best of Daft Punk at this point I think! (p.s. the dress is the ASOS t-shirt dress currently on sale – PERFECT for over indulging – no belt loosening required).

Always a bad sign when the Port arrives on the table…

Yesterday we started all over again with a fabulous party and egg hunt at our friends’ house across the street. Glorious sunshine accompanied by great conversation, a huge ham and cold prosecco. I LOVE Easter.

So the elasticated waists have been needed for the large indulgences all this weekend…but also this that happened Thursday…

The bruising has vanished now and as soon as it is heeled I’ll add a little more bling. 42 year old mom gets navel pierced – they will be coming to take me away soon:)

And here are the said elastic waisted wonders!

Trousers – Zara (old) // T-shirt – Ted Baker (old) // Sandals – Avarcas Pons in peach // Jacket – Zara (old)

Trousers – Mango (old) // Top – AllSaints Tiko t-shirt (currently on sale) // Jacket – Next (old) // Shoes – Avarcas pons ankle strap in brown

Oh and another piercing happened Saturday too – for my girl, who turns 8 next month.

Shorter and darker.

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Just 2 weeks ago I went short with my hair again. After a week at the beach I still felt it was too long and too ‘inbetweeny’. Not one to mess about I went back to my wonderful stylist, Chadd, yesterday and went even shorter, and then Gina gave me a lovely dark chocolate color. I feel super sassy – it is amazing how great the ‘right’ cut can make you feel. I love the darker color too and my hair looks lovely and healthy and shiny – what’s left of it:)

Pre-cut:

Jumper – Uniqlo cashmere crewneck (old) // Trousers – Mango Bambi Harems // Shoes – M&S Limited Collection

The Mango trousers are fabulous – these are a US Small (Eur Medium – they label for the larger US woman!) and they are perfect.

Post-cut:

I adore this sleeveless blazer – perfect for throwing on to dress up an outfit. It will be worn a lot over the Spring here. It’s an unusual color choice for me but I quite like it for a change – it’s a taupe/cream color. The fabric is lovely quality too – not shiny at all.

Jacket – M&S Limited Collection // Jumper – Zara (old) // Scarf – H&M (old) // Jeans – Diesel Fayza // Boots – Sam Edelman Petty (reduced here)

It’s freezing here today so the sweaters are out – totally random weather!

Oh and I am getting my navel pierced tomorrow ready for the summer months…the mid-life crisis continues!

The legs are out.

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We had an amazing week at the beach and I feel fabulously refreshed. All that sunshine and vitamin D really does work wonders! We did struggle a little this morning though, to get back into our routine. Even the hour difference between Georgia and Alabama can make a real impact on schedules!

Spring has well and truly sprung here in Atlanta while we have been gone. There is a dusting of green pollen everywhere and my garden currently looks like the 13th green at Augusta with all the azaleas in bloom.

Now it’s back to work and school for us this week. We don’t get Easter off here – separation of Church and State and all that…but that doesn’t stop me going all out with an Easter roast with friends this weekend. All I have to worry about for now is choosing lamb or pork?

While I was gone my gorgeous playsuit from M&S arrived. I cannot tell you how much I love it. This is a UK 12 and it is perfect. The ties at the shoulders mean you can adjust it for your boobs as necessary and the shorts are the perfect length – not indecent by any means. I’m certain this is going to be my go to evening outfit in Spain this summer worn with sandals.

Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury canvas // Playsuit – Marks and Spencer

My Essie Resort Fling nail polish even matches the print perfectly – completely unintentionally:)

Today I’m flaunting my tanned legs in my AllSaints dress that I bought back at Christmas in the sale. It’s the perfect weight for spring here.

Dress – AllSaints (old but mid season sale currently on here) // Sneakers – Golden Goose Francy (old – similar here)

Spring Break…at last…

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I’ve been looking forward to this break since Spring Break last year. We had such an amazing time here in Fort Morgan back then that we hit the ‘Easy’ button and booked the same house this year. As much as we like adventure in the summer, for this week in April there is something lovely and comforting about returning to the same spot. Less organization is needed and we know exactly what we are going to get. We leave the nerves, uncertainty and anticipation for the summer travels!

The weather hasn’t cooperated since we arrived on Saturday but my Husband and I have managed a beach run each day, and we took the kids bowling yesterday at the the peak of the storm. To be fair they haven’t seemed to notice the rain and they’ve been hanging out with the neighbors on the beach most of the time – they were even in the sea at 7am yesterday! Brrrrr!

Today the sun is shining and the bikini will be on!

As for getting here – here’s what I chose to wear for our 6hr drive – comfort was key.

Birkenstocks – Arizona in blue Birkoflor // Shorts – J.Crew // Sweatshirt – Target // Scarf – Gap (old)

And my outfit from my last day at work last week – I LOVED wearing this dress that I got in the sale – so comfortable, and the M&S blazer is awesome. If you haven’t looked at Mango for a while you should – their new styling is gorgeous as is their new summer collection.

Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker // Dress – Mango (similar here) // Jacket – Marks and Spencer // Bag – YSL Roady

Next Bomber Jacket – 6 Ways – 6 Bloggers

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I love doing collaborations with my friends especially when we all have such different styles. 5 of my blogging bffs and I recently worked together to showcase this fabulous bomber jacket from Next. It comes in red and grey and I picked the red – mainly because I have the grey Next biker jacket from last year. I didn’t really know what to expect so I was thrilled when I opened the package to find a lovely soft, lightweight, vivid red jacket. It’s as light as a sweatshirt so the perfect weight for a throw on here in Spring. Yes it was gifted – thank you Next – but that has not skewed my opinion – I really love it and would have paid money for it. Look how great all the other girls look too! Lizzy, Fiona, Frances, Avril, me and Michelle!

Many people steer clear of red thinking it is too bright or won’t go with much in their closet. I had fun prancing around the other day with different combinations to try and demonstrate how versatile red can be. My outfits are fairly neutral but red is also a great statement color to clash/colorblock with oranges, pinks and blues.

Dress – Marks & Spencer // Boots – Isabel Marant // Jacket – Next

Shoes – Nine West // Trousers – eBay // T-shirt – Express (old) // jacket – Next

Trousers – Express (old – similar here) // Shoes – BCBGeneration // T-shirt – J.Crew // Jacket – Next

Sneakers – Golden Goose (old – similar here) // Shorts – J.Crew // Top – Phinius AllSaints (old) // Jacket – Next // Sunglasses – RayBan Wayfarer

Shoes – Marks & Spencer Limited Edition // Jumpsuit – Splendid // Jacket – Next

Make sure you pop over the the girls’ sites to see what they think and get details on how they styled their Next jackets!

Lizzy, Fiona, Frances, Avril, me and Michelle!

Arm Candy

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I’ve mentioned my jewelry wearing habits several times before – I’m not a fan of necklaces but I love to adorn my wrists with jewels, beads and precious metals. My Husband also wears bracelets – he has one for the summer months and one for the winter months…both of which I bought him. I wish I didn’t feel the pressure to be more novel with gifts otherwise I’d just buy him a different color each birthday. I should also mention that he has his ear pierced – so that gives me some options too. When we first met in 1991, he not only had longer hair than me, but also wore jewelry.

Here’s the summer one that he’ll start wearing next week on Spring Break (he’s very precise when it comes to changing over :))…it’s a gorgeous turquoise.

And here’s the black that he is currently wearing – it has a bead of pavé black diamonds on it – just stunning yet still masculine.

Well I have been eyeing these bracelets for myself. I particularly love turquoise for the summer, and I love the idea of stacking different colors. Only 3 or 4 David Yurman bracelets is something I’d rather my Husband paid for than my clothing budget! So I started to search for some good replicas.

Etsy.com saved the day…and the budget! I’ve used Etsy quite a bit recently for nose rings to cushion covers. I love the idea of supporting small businesses and getting something unique and handmade.

After a few searches I came across Magnolia Blossom Jewelry. Kimberly offers a great selection of jewelry – with bracelets just like I was looking for at a fabulous price too. I ordered 4 and received them yesterday – super fast shipping, gorgeous packaging and a great product. I love my new bracelets!

Turquoise with rose gold pavé bead:

Turquoise with mother of pearl pavé bead:

Coral and crystal pavé bead:

Pink jade with pavé bead:

Not one to go half measures I decided to stack them all today!

And here they are looking great against my all black ensemble today.

Shoes – Marks and Spencer // Pants – J.Crew chino capris // Top – AllSaints Tiko t-shirt (25% off with code SURPRISE)

After contacting Kimberly I negotiated a discount which she has kindly offered to pass on to you all. Please use code SAVE10 for a 10% discount at checkout – I am sure you will love what she has to offer!

P.s. I have just listed some wool J.Crew capris in my shop that I have reluctantly realized do not work for this climate!

Playsuits.

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It’s hot and sunny here, and Spring Break next week, so my thoughts have turned to all things short. Quite literally. I have been obsessing over playsuits. Yes the name conjures all sorts of images from babies in onesies to some very questionable attire indeed. I, as you know, rightly or wrongly, tend not to follow any fashion code or rules based on age (as an aside Frank Skinner blew my mind yesterday on BBC Radio 2 saying ‘denim should only be seen next to young skin’). I wear what I feel comfortable, confident or even sexy in…and I will continue to do so till my time is up. As I love my legs (yes go on you can be proud of your body instead of criticizing it all the time!) I love to wear shorts. Combine my love of shorts with my love of jumpsuits and hey presto – the playsuit!

Marks and Spencer are just rocking my world right now. I have ordered the white draped playsuit seen on Rita Ora here. It’ll will look fabulous with my canvas Newburys or Ancient Greek Sandals.

These other playsuits from M&S are perfect beach attire for vacation. This tribal print is my favorite.

These simple playsuits are great for beach to bar and are great prices – the black at £22.50 and the floral at £25.

For something a little dressier this Lavish Alice playsuit is stunning.

So my only caveat is make sure a playsuit fits properly – it can’t be too tight or too short – and I prefer not to wear them with court shoes – I do think a flat or a boot balances out the flesh on show.

As for my outfits recently here’s one from last week pre-haircut and pre-soaring temperatures.

Poncho – Oak // Long sleeved tee – AllSaints (old) // Jeans – Boden // Boots – Black leather Rag & Bone Newbury boots

I love this OAK poncho – especially as I can wear it for Jedi training…

Then for this week as the sun has made an appearance so have some sandals along with my legs…

Jeans – Zara TRF // Sandals – Pons Avarcas in Berry // T-Shirt – J. Crew (25% off with SHOPNOW) // Jacket – Gap (old)

Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury (old – bought off TheOutnet.com last year) // Dress – Pia dress AllSaints

My Husband says my smile is broader and happier with my new hair:)

Poppy's Style

My blog about fashion, family, friends and fun.

Monthly Archives: April 2014

Tornado alley.

Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury navy suede // Jeans – coated jeans Zara // T-shirt – AllSaints // Leather jacket – Boden (old)

Shoes – Marks and Spencer // Trousers – Zara (old) // Top – AllSaints Tiko t-shirt (similar here at ASOS) // Bag – Alexander Wang (old off TheOutnet.com)

Graphic t-shirts.

T-shirt – J.Crew // Jeans – Zara (old) // Shoes – Marks and Spencer

Scents and sensibility.

Birkenstocks – Arizona Blue // Jeans – H&M Boyfriend jeans // T-shirt – Gap (old) // Jacket – Zara (old) // Jumper – Boden (old – similar here on sale)

Shoes – Converse // Skirt – James Perse (old – similar here) // Top – Zara (old)

Elastic waistbands.

Trousers – Zara (old) // T-shirt – Ted Baker (old) // Sandals – Avarcas Pons in peach // Jacket – Zara (old)

Shorter and darker.

Jumper – Uniqlo cashmere crewneck (old) // Trousers – Mango Bambi Harems // Shoes – M&S Limited Collection

Jacket – M&S Limited Collection // Jumper – Zara (old) // Scarf – H&M (old) // Jeans – Diesel Fayza // Boots – Sam Edelman Petty (reduced here)

The legs are out.

Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury canvas // Playsuit – Marks and Spencer

Dress – AllSaints (old but mid season sale currently on here) // Sneakers – Golden Goose Francy (old – similar here)

Spring Break…at last…

Birkenstocks – Arizona in blue Birkoflor // Shorts – J.Crew // Sweatshirt – Target // Scarf – Gap (old)

Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker // Dress – Mango (similar here) // Jacket – Marks and Spencer // Bag – YSL Roady

Next Bomber Jacket – 6 Ways – 6 Bloggers

Dress – Marks & Spencer // Boots – Isabel Marant // Jacket – Next

Shoes – Nine West // Trousers – eBay // T-shirt – Express (old) // jacket – Next

Trousers – Express (old – similar here) // Shoes – BCBGeneration // T-shirt – J.Crew // Jacket – Next

Sneakers – Golden Goose (old – similar here) // Shorts – J.Crew // Top – Phinius AllSaints (old) // Jacket – Next // Sunglasses – RayBan Wayfarer

Shoes – Marks & Spencer Limited Edition // Jumpsuit – Splendid // Jacket – Next

Arm Candy

Shoes – Marks and Spencer // Pants – J.Crew chino capris // Top – AllSaints Tiko t-shirt (25% off with code SURPRISE)

Playsuits.

Poncho – Oak // Long sleeved tee – AllSaints (old) // Jeans – Boden // Boots – Black leather Rag & Bone Newbury boots

Jeans – Zara TRF // Sandals – Pons Avarcas in Berry // T-Shirt – J. Crew (25% off with SHOPNOW) // Jacket – Gap (old)

Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury (old – bought off TheOutnet.com last year) // Dress – Pia dress AllSaints

Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury navy suede // Jeans – coated jeans Zara // T-shirt – AllSaints // Leather jacket – Boden (old)

Shoes – Marks and Spencer // Trousers – Zara (old) // Top – AllSaints Tiko t-shirt (similar here at ASOS) // Bag – Alexander Wang (old off TheOutnet.com)

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T-shirt – J.Crew // Jeans – Zara (old) // Shoes – Marks and Spencer

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Birkenstocks – Arizona Blue // Jeans – H&M Boyfriend jeans // T-shirt – Gap (old) // Jacket – Zara (old) // Jumper – Boden (old – similar here on sale)

Shoes – Converse // Skirt – James Perse (old – similar here) // Top – Zara (old)

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Trousers – Zara (old) // T-shirt – Ted Baker (old) // Sandals – Avarcas Pons in peach // Jacket – Zara (old)

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Jumper – Uniqlo cashmere crewneck (old) // Trousers – Mango Bambi Harems // Shoes – M&S Limited Collection

Jacket – M&S Limited Collection // Jumper – Zara (old) // Scarf – H&M (old) // Jeans – Diesel Fayza // Boots – Sam Edelman Petty (reduced here)

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Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury canvas // Playsuit – Marks and Spencer

Dress – AllSaints (old but mid season sale currently on here) // Sneakers – Golden Goose Francy (old – similar here)

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Birkenstocks – Arizona in blue Birkoflor // Shorts – J.Crew // Sweatshirt – Target // Scarf – Gap (old)

Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker // Dress – Mango (similar here) // Jacket – Marks and Spencer // Bag – YSL Roady

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Dress – Marks & Spencer // Boots – Isabel Marant // Jacket – Next

Shoes – Nine West // Trousers – eBay // T-shirt – Express (old) // jacket – Next

Trousers – Express (old – similar here) // Shoes – BCBGeneration // T-shirt – J.Crew // Jacket – Next

Sneakers – Golden Goose (old – similar here) // Shorts – J.Crew // Top – Phinius AllSaints (old) // Jacket – Next // Sunglasses – RayBan Wayfarer

Shoes – Marks & Spencer Limited Edition // Jumpsuit – Splendid // Jacket – Next

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Shoes – Marks and Spencer // Pants – J.Crew chino capris // Top – AllSaints Tiko t-shirt (25% off with code SURPRISE)

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Poncho – Oak // Long sleeved tee – AllSaints (old) // Jeans – Boden // Boots – Black leather Rag & Bone Newbury boots

Jeans – Zara TRF // Sandals – Pons Avarcas in Berry // T-Shirt – J. Crew (25% off with SHOPNOW) // Jacket – Gap (old)

Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury (old – bought off TheOutnet.com last year) // Dress – Pia dress AllSaints

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