Monthly Archives: December 2014

Christmas outfits

I am currently reclining in my M&S cashmere onesie after stuffing myself silly at a Boxing Day lunch. We went to a local restaurant and had the best lunch ever – lobster bisque followed by steak. All I can say is thank goodness for M&S onesies – and today they are on sale!! I may have just ordered the leopard print version that Nicole Scherzinger is wearing here…yup I’m a sucker for cashmere even when it is in the 60s here! The one I bought last year is amazing and washes great – I pretty much live in it in the winter when I am home and have been known to walk down to the bus stop in it 🙂

Nicole in her onesie with Helena Bonham-Carter, backstage after her performance in Cats:

Available from M&S reduced from a whopping £225 to £157:

Or if leopard print isn’t your style there are plenty of the plain versions available that are reduced from £199 to £99, available in pewter, camel and cerise:

As for other sale purchases I am particularly pleased with my Splendid haul from Net-a-porter.com. Thinking ahead for the summer of course, I have ordered a couple of t-shirt dresses, tanks and jumpsuits that are super comfortable. I even wore one of the jumpsuits on Christmas day but neglected to get a photo as I imbibed too much prosecco too soon 🙂 This is the jumpsuit worn on Christmas day – so soft and comfortable, I have a medium and it is reduced from $225 to $90.

Also available in green – great with a tan in the summer!

The tanks are a great bargain in the sale. I’ve been wanting these all year but just couldn’t stomach $65 full price for a tee!

The maxi dresses are beautiful and are a really fabulous fabric that will be cool and yet drapes wonderfully. I love both styles.

This strapless version is reduced from $115 to $46!

I can’t wait to wear this on the beach in Cyprus – such a fun color! Even better when it is reduced from $130 to $52!

Finally my favorites from the AllSaints sale. These boots are to die for – so unique and dramatic. reduced from $415 to $290:

In my eyes you can’t beat a great AllSaints dress. Today for Boxing Day I wore this – a lovely loose knit with gold thread throughout. Perfect for the expanding waistline. I have a medium and it is reduced to $129 from $215.

And here it is on me today – thank goodness I opted for a loose dress! I was in a real rush too after spending 40 odd minutes setting up a new sewing machine for Poppy – talk about flashbacks to Home Economics classes! They are certainly paying dividends now for sure!

Boots – Rag and Bone Newbury boots (some in the sale here!) // Dress – AllSaints

On Christmas Eve for our annual visit to Church I again opted for warmth and comfort with my Zara knitted suit.

Sweater – Zara (now on sale) // Trousers – Zara (now on sale) // Shoes – Vince Claire oxblood

Before the Christmas festivities began my Husband took me out for cocktails on Tuesday so I opted for some sparkles – who knows when I will wear them again!

Shoes – Vince Claire // Leggings – H&M // Sweater – Everlane cashmere tunic // Jacket – Zara velvet blazer

As for presents, I must have been exceptionally good in 2014, – look what Santa bought me!

I hope you all got what you wished for and had an amazing Christmas! Now to plan those New Year’s outfits!

The J.Crew sweater sale

Sneakers – Golden Goose (similar here) // Trousers – J.Crew (take 30% off with HOLIDAYTIME) // Sweater – AllSaints (old – sale on in UK and US) // Fur – Zara (on sale)

Today it is time for another lazy day at home before the Husband and I head out tonight for some festive fun!

Boots – Newbury boots (similar here on sale) // Jeans – Zara // Sweater – J.Crew colorblock tunic // Gilet – AllSaints (sale last year)

So after setting up a PS 4 last night all I have left to do is wrap a few presents and head to the hairdressers tomorrow. I’m feeling quite accomplished – what can possibly go wrong?

The build up to the 25th

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It’s been a funny old week what with feeling ill, lots of Christmas services, the end of school and my Father in law arriving. I feel like I’m spinning a bit and it’s hard to reconcile it is Christmas Day next Thursday. Fortunately I have a very organized Husband so gifts are wrapped and food lists are written. We’re having a buffet on Christmas day. After Thanksgiving I never feel like roasting a turkey again so we’ll be feasting on ham in coca cola, smoked salmon and dates stuffed with goats cheese wrapped in prosciutto – yum! Also my fabulous FIL arrived bearing gifts of pickled onion monster munch and piccalilli so I’ll be tucking into those too!

On Friday we headed out for a boozy lunch to welcome him and celebrate the start of the Holidays for us.

Leather culottes – eBay // Sweater – J.Crew Tippi (40% off with GIFTNOW) // Boots – Zara

Last night, before cooking steaks, we went for our annual drive around Buckhead admiring the Christmas lights. There are some corkers this year and we saw the biggest inflatable Santa ever!

Today will be a lovely lazy Sunday eating BBQ and watching football so I am dressed appropriately.

Trousers – Gap skinny chinos (old) // Sweater – J.Crew (still available in blue with 40% off using GIFTNOW) // Sneakers – Nike from J.Crew (similar here)

One final note to end my odd week – my baby brother who is only 31 on Tuesday had an operation yesterday. They discovered testicular cancer last week so he was very fortunate to be operated on so quickly. Please get all the men in your life to check themselves regularly – I was shocked to learn it is most common between the ages of 20 and 40 and yet is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. It’s hard being here when all this is going on at home so I am sending virtual hugs to my little brother xxx

A week of Christmas concerts

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Even though we have lived just up the road from the Governor’s Mansion for 15 years, we have never yet received an invite for dinner and drinks. This week we came close and we were invited for a Christmas tour accompanied by music – and bonus – Poppy’s school chorus had been selected to sing, in addition to that Poppy’s name was one of 50 drawn out of the hat to represent the chorus! Talk about another proud mom moment. I dragged myself off my sick bed and threw on my festive colors. I was even greeted by the First Lady of Georgia a the door, though I chose not to challenge her about the lack of previous invites 😉 It was a fabulous morning and I may have shed my first tear of the season.

OH took the photo – hence the sun in the eyes, the large amount of blue sky and lack of sparkly boots, but thank you nonetheless 🙂

Trouser – J.Crew (30% off with code JINGLE) // Sweater – Everlane sleeveless polo neck // Coat – Marks and Spencer (old) // Boots not seen – Zara

Yesterday I had Hugh’s 1st Grade concert to attend. Unfortunately there are no school nativities here due to separation of Church and State etc. so we were treated to a Holiday celebration of ‘patterns’. Quite good fun actually – they sung about patterns in music, numbers, nature etc. There was an absence of Holiday colors on my part but the kids made up for it I assure you!

Sneakers – J.Crew // Jeans – Zara // T-Shirt – ASOS // Scarf – Boden (old) // Cardigan – ASOS

Just this morning I was back at the school watching the chorus and orchestra perform. Such good fun – they really love it too and they were so animated. I can now say that Christmas has arrived. I was there early as you can see it was still pitch black when I took my photo! This is the closest you will get me to wearing a Christmas sweater 🙂

Sneakers – Golden Goose (similar here on sale) // Trousers – Zara // Sweater – J.Crew (30% off with code Jingle) // Jacket – Mango (similar here on sale) // Bag – Zara

Just as I am wiping my brow with relief that all the Christmas shopping is done, I am beginning to receive sale emails! The Mango sale started today so I’ll be enjoying a glass of white and perusing that later 🙂 Now I need to reapply my lipstick as my lovely Husband is taking me out for lunch before the kids break up for the Holidays tomorrow. My Father in Law arrives from the UK today too so the festivities are certainly underway here.

I’ll keep you posted with sale news so keep checking my Facebook page too!

Mango 40% off everything code!

Off to Birmingham

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Not the Midlands of the UK, but Birmingham, Alabama. It’s only a couple of hours drive away and Poppy has her first AllStar Cheer competition there tomorrow. We decided to drive there with friends tonight so we can rest well before the early start tomorrow morning. I am not sure who is more excited me or Poppy! Sequins, makeup, bows, music and tumbling – what’s not to love? Poppy is a flyer too so I am particularly proud of her as she is so brave with her stunts! I promise photos of all the chaos soon – keep an eye on my Instagram account for live updates. I assure you this is going to be a HUGE culture shock of me – think pageants combined with gymnastic recitals and you might be close to the scene we will encounter. I expect some Moms will be totally into it 🙂

Here’s a couple of quick outfit updates before I head out of the door.

Yesterday I wish I had worn something warmer!

Boots – Newbury Boots // Jeans – Zara // Polo neck – Uniqlo Merino // Gilet – AllSaints (old – more items added to end of season sale here)

Today I have learned my lesson and the puffa is out.

Sneakers – Stan Smith // Jeans – Zara // Jumper – TopShop (old) // Jacket – Zara (wow currently half price darn it!) // Scarf – Boden

Wish us luck!

A new hobby

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Throughout my life no one has ever considered me to be creative. I’ve always been pigeon holed as the left brained scientist. Not a bad thing at all, but I do remember feeling rather dejected after my attempts to draw and shade the light and shadow on an apple, and my rather pathetic depiction in clay of me sitting on a wall – it used to be on the sideboard at home but even my proud Mum has now relegated it to a shelf in the spare room 🙂

Having children can force you into all kinds of situations that you would never normally consider, such as crafting and painting. Before kids I would never have considered owning a glue gun or paint brushes. Well how things change. Poppy and Hugh have always loved making a mess with paint and recently I was inspired to have a go. It was after buying a couple of fabulous Donald Robertson designed J.Crew tees. I love them for their simplicity and repetitive images. I started following @Donalddrawbertson on Instagram – he really does seem quite a down to earth, talented guy. Having said that, I thought ‘this looks a piece of piss – I’m going to have a go’. So using his art as inspiration – the highest form of flattery – I grabbed my acrylics, a brush, and a bottle of white and started dabbling. Feel free to giggle but I am quite proud of them having not painted since I was 14! Give it a go yourself – you never know what might appear in front of you on paper!

This is my first ever painting on canvas – it is now hung in my sunroom – signed – just in case it is worth a fortune after I am gone…

Here is a frame I put up with my attempt at the top and Poppy’s brilliant interpretation below:

Now these were quite scary – both were attempts at self portraits – far too much wine by this stage 🙂

I then moved on to animals – it started out as a deer, then became a dog with Christmas antlers:)

A cairn terrier – not sure where this came from but I had one called Macks as a child.

This is probably the one that troubled my Husband the most when he saw my talent scattered on the kitchen table. I’m not sure about this one at all – the Devil, a Centaur or Mr. Tumnus?

And here I am wearing one of my favorite tees that inspired me to pick up the brush – head over to J.Crew where they are currently on sale with 30% off using code GIVETHIS – there are also some fabulous Crewcut versions for kids.

T-shirt – J.Crew // Jeans – Zara (old) // Boots – Charcoal suede Newbury boots (similar here) // Cardigan – AllSaints (old but similar here and the end of season sale is on in the US)

I forgot to include this photo the other day of me grabbing some Christmas bargains in J.Crew for Poppy.

Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker // Jeans – Diesel Fayza // Sweater – Boden Off Duty jumper (25% off everything right now) // Knitted coat – ASOS

Finally yesterday – it is getting a bit chilly for ankles but I am persevering!

Shoes – Zara // Trousers – Zara (old) // T-shirt – J.Crew (similar here on sale) // Jacket – Zara (old) // Scarf – H&M (old) // Bag – H&M

So when you are wondering what to do on a cold winter’s night get your paints out and see what happens!!

Christmas has arrived

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Yes our household is now the proud owner of a tree. Our school doesn’t have a tree sale so we support another local elementary PTA each year and get our 9 footer from them. I refused to let the kids decorate last night as the tree was wet and I didn’t want them electrocuted while we were out. That didn’t go down well with them at all, so this morning I was verbally assaulted from 7am onwards with “mommy get up! We want to do the tree”…I tried to hide under the duvet after a late night out but it didn’t work. My kids are relentless.

Another sign that Christmas has arrived is that our elf, Maximus, has also returned. Lying in bed the other night, about to fall asleep, my Husband sat up with a start – ‘f*ck’ he said.

What, what, what?! Have we left the gas on? Have we forgotten to pay a bill? Have we left the children somewhere?

No – worse than that – he explained – “I haven’t moved the f*cking elf”

Shoes – Gucci fringe loafers // Trousers – J.Crew // Tee – Zara (old) // Jacket – Mango // Bag – H&M

On Thursday I had my monthly trip to the salon. I wanted less length on top and went for a more textured look, along with a lighter color to highlight my faux hawk. I am pretty darn happy with how it turned out. I got to wear my new Boden Off Duty sweater. I absolutely love this year’s version – the knit is looser and it drapes nicely, the sleeves are also longer. It’s the perfect winter jumper.

Shoes – Golden Goose (similar here on sale!) // Jeans – Zara // Sweater – Boden Off Duty jumper // Fur – Zara // Bag – H&M

Last night we went out for dinner – maybe our last night out together before Christmas what with parties, cheer competitions and the arrival of relatives. We had a fabulous evening as always. Stella joined me for the photo session but quickly lost interest.

Dress – AllSaints // Boots – Stuart Weitzman Highland

I was very excited before we left as the tree had arrived!

Today my elves have been dressing the tree while I hold the sofa down exploring our new Hulu service – I am obsessed with all the British shows we can now watch!

Before I head back to the sofa make sure you check out AllSaints this weekend – their sale has started in the US and in the UK there is 20% off coats and leather jackets till tonight with code WINTER. Enjoy!

An ode to Emmanuelle – again…

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I have spent many evenings on Pinterest searching, pinning and ogling at her image…yes I think I could almost be classified as obsessed with her – ‘her’ being Emmanuelle Alt, the Editor of Vogue Paris. No matter how many times I see her image I just melt and think how easy she makes looking fabulous. She definitely has a formula but the pieces she wears are always simple and understated.

A jacket is a must – whether it be a fur, military style or simple blazer. Rarely seen in skirts she relies on ankle length jeans, harems and occasionally flares. Her shoes are always fabulous – simple courts, flat booties, over the knee boots or (currently what I am most obsessed by) lace or mesh booties – often peep toes. All paired with a simple tee or white shirt and a classic belt. Now why can’t I get it right?

Personally I think my love of clothes i.e. having too many clothes…means that I overcomplicate outfits, either to a) wear items that have been neglected or b) just by over-thinking an outfit. I have a substitute for everything she wears (no surprise), so my challenge over the next few weeks is to just take it easy, breathe, and relax, and then transform myself into an elegant, effortlessly stylish Parisian 😉

Oh and if anyone spots some wicked lace booties holler! These are the closest I’ve found…I love them, but they look super high for tottering across the Place de la Concorde.

Meanwhile back to reality here is what I have been wearing over the past couple of days. It’s blazing hot in Atlanta – how can it be 70 degrees on December 2nd? I’m not happy – a girl has furs and big coats to wear!

Shoes – Office (sent by Eve!) // Jeans – Zara // T-shirt – J.Crew // Jacket – Mango // Scarf – H&M (old) // Bag – Zara

Boots – Minnetonka // Trousers – Zara (old) // Sleeveless jumper – Everlane // Jacket – Gap (old – similar here)

So go on who is your style icon? I have more Pinterest boards to create!

Poppy's Style

My blog about fashion, family, friends and fun.

Monthly Archives: December 2014

Christmas outfits

Sweater – Zara (now on sale) // Trousers – Zara (now on sale) // Shoes – Vince Claire oxblood

Shoes – Vince Claire // Leggings – H&M // Sweater – Everlane cashmere tunic // Jacket – Zara velvet blazer

The J.Crew sweater sale

Sneakers – Golden Goose (similar here) // Trousers – J.Crew (take 30% off with HOLIDAYTIME) // Sweater – AllSaints (old – sale on in UK and US) // Fur – Zara (on sale)

Boots – Newbury boots (similar here on sale) // Jeans – Zara // Sweater – J.Crew colorblock tunic // Gilet – AllSaints (sale last year)

The build up to the 25th

Leather culottes – eBay // Sweater – J.Crew Tippi (40% off with GIFTNOW) // Boots – Zara

Trousers – Gap skinny chinos (old) // Sweater – J.Crew (still available in blue with 40% off using GIFTNOW) // Sneakers – Nike from J.Crew (similar here)

A week of Christmas concerts

Trouser – J.Crew (30% off with code JINGLE) // Sweater – Everlane sleeveless polo neck // Coat – Marks and Spencer (old) // Boots not seen – Zara

Sneakers – J.Crew // Jeans – Zara // T-Shirt – ASOS // Scarf – Boden (old) // Cardigan – ASOS

Mango 40% off everything code!

Off to Birmingham

Boots – Newbury Boots // Jeans – Zara // Polo neck – Uniqlo Merino // Gilet – AllSaints (old – more items added to end of season sale here)

Sneakers – Stan Smith // Jeans – Zara // Jumper – TopShop (old) // Jacket – Zara (wow currently half price darn it!) // Scarf – Boden

A new hobby

T-shirt – J.Crew // Jeans – Zara (old) // Boots – Charcoal suede Newbury boots (similar here) // Cardigan – AllSaints (old but similar here and the end of season sale is on in the US)

Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker // Jeans – Diesel Fayza // Sweater – Boden Off Duty jumper (25% off everything right now) // Knitted coat – ASOS

Christmas has arrived

Shoes – Golden Goose (similar here on sale!) // Jeans – Zara // Sweater – Boden Off Duty jumper // Fur – Zara // Bag – H&M

Dress – AllSaints // Boots – Stuart Weitzman Highland

An ode to Emmanuelle – again…

Shoes – Office (sent by Eve!) // Jeans – Zara // T-shirt – J.Crew // Jacket – Mango // Scarf – H&M (old) // Bag – Zara

Boots – Minnetonka // Trousers – Zara (old) // Sleeveless jumper – Everlane // Jacket – Gap (old – similar here)

Sweater – Zara (now on sale) // Trousers – Zara (now on sale) // Shoes – Vince Claire oxblood

Shoes – Vince Claire // Leggings – H&M // Sweater – Everlane cashmere tunic // Jacket – Zara velvet blazer

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Sneakers – Golden Goose (similar here) // Trousers – J.Crew (take 30% off with HOLIDAYTIME) // Sweater – AllSaints (old – sale on in UK and US) // Fur – Zara (on sale)

Boots – Newbury boots (similar here on sale) // Jeans – Zara // Sweater – J.Crew colorblock tunic // Gilet – AllSaints (sale last year)

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Leather culottes – eBay // Sweater – J.Crew Tippi (40% off with GIFTNOW) // Boots – Zara

Trousers – Gap skinny chinos (old) // Sweater – J.Crew (still available in blue with 40% off using GIFTNOW) // Sneakers – Nike from J.Crew (similar here)

Related articles

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Trouser – J.Crew (30% off with code JINGLE) // Sweater – Everlane sleeveless polo neck // Coat – Marks and Spencer (old) // Boots not seen – Zara

Sneakers – J.Crew // Jeans – Zara // T-Shirt – ASOS // Scarf – Boden (old) // Cardigan – ASOS

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Boots – Newbury Boots // Jeans – Zara // Polo neck – Uniqlo Merino // Gilet – AllSaints (old – more items added to end of season sale here)

Sneakers – Stan Smith // Jeans – Zara // Jumper – TopShop (old) // Jacket – Zara (wow currently half price darn it!) // Scarf – Boden

Related articles

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Like this:

T-shirt – J.Crew // Jeans – Zara (old) // Boots – Charcoal suede Newbury boots (similar here) // Cardigan – AllSaints (old but similar here and the end of season sale is on in the US)

Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker // Jeans – Diesel Fayza // Sweater – Boden Off Duty jumper (25% off everything right now) // Knitted coat – ASOS

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Shoes – Golden Goose (similar here on sale!) // Jeans – Zara // Sweater – Boden Off Duty jumper // Fur – Zara // Bag – H&M

Dress – AllSaints // Boots – Stuart Weitzman Highland

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Shoes – Office (sent by Eve!) // Jeans – Zara // T-shirt – J.Crew // Jacket – Mango // Scarf – H&M (old) // Bag – Zara

Boots – Minnetonka // Trousers – Zara (old) // Sleeveless jumper – Everlane // Jacket – Gap (old – similar here)

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