Monthly Archives: October 2015

My Halloween costume

So now my See by ChloƩ boots have arrived I have the choice of Puss in Boots or Captain Hook! These boots will be perfect with a frilly blouse and jacket and some fab makeup!

I am THRILLED with them. They are the softest leather and have a suede interior so they stay up really well – the suede ‘sticks’ or ‘clings’ to your skin or jeans. They have a lovely slouch to them and the foot of the boot is super comfy. I have my regular 38.5 and they are perfect – definitely true to size.

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bootsBoots – See by ChloĆ© Epona // Jeans – Zara // Cardigan – Banana Republic // Top – AllSaints (similar here) // Lipstick – NARS Audacious Audrey

I love the tan version too – they’d be gorgeous with all grey or winter white.

tan chloe

As always with great ‘it’ boots of the season there are some fabulous tributes around. The best I’ve seen are the Desert fringe boot from TopShop. You’d be hard pushed to tell the difference and they get great reviews.

black TopShop boot tan TopShop boot

Before I go I must share these fab finds from TheOutnet.com – it is killing me browsing on there at the moment – I must resist!

This beautiful Alexander Wang Diego in Beet/Merlot is 45% discounted.

alexander-wang--diego-bucket-bag-product-1-22007542-0-944920731-normal

And this cross body from Alexander Wang with stingray is 50% discounted!

stingray

Finally my outfit from yesterday – I got dressed only to go to the Doctors and be told I just had a bad cold. Yes I know that thanks – viral not bacterial so no antibiotics required!

GreyTrousers – J.Crew (old but similar here) // Top – Everlane // Shoes – Zara (old)

Christmas gifts for her

It seems premature but guess what it’s November this weekend!! I wanted to give some of my suggestions for Christmas gifts for the ladies in your life – friends, partners, daughters, moms, aunts – now before many of these sell out! I’ll be back with more gift guides over the coming weeks.

These gifts have been chosen because either 1) I already have it and LOVE it, or 2) It’s on my Christmas list!

Just flick through the pictures and click on the image to take you to the site! Simple as that!

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All Black

I adore dressing for cold weather. My British genes are strong and wrapping up on cold dark mornings is something I look forward to every year…then after a week or so I am over it! My favorite way to dress is all black, or with a little grey, with some bright berry lipstick – this is NARS Audacious in Janet – I love it!

blackBoots – Toga PullasĀ (Ignore NAPs advice – they are true to size)Ā // Jeans – Zara (similar here) // Sweater – H&M

Lyst.com – a new favorite website!

As you know most of my shopping is done online. I love shopping in NYC and London where I can walk the streets in the fresh air, and browseĀ windows and stores, collecting big carrier bags as I go along! Unfortunately most of Atlanta’s shopping is offered via indoor malls, which I cannot abide. Somehow it doesn’t feel like a treat, or a day out – there’s nothing to dress up for! We do have a new outdoor shopping area in Buckhead with luxury retailers, but it still feels very new and contrived.

Shopping online can be fun – clicking from one site to another but these days retailers have so much more stock on their sites it can be a tad overwhelming. Well I may have found a solution and an alternative to having 29 tabs open in Safari! Lyst.com.

I used the site recently when I was narrowing down my search for these season’s boots. It’s that time of year where I can justify adding a couple more pairs to my collection!

Lyst.comĀ is an aggregator and partners with designers and stores to bring you your favorites in one place. By indicating preferences and following your shopping habits Lyst.comĀ creates a personal shopping experience for each and every user.Ā I love that it allows you to follow your favorite brands and receive sale and stock alerts.

You may have seen that I’ve already made one heavy investment purchase this season – my new ChloĆ© Susanna boots! What I love about Lyst.com is that it also allows you to price shop easily and see where the cheapest source is for the itemĀ you are coveting! These boots haven’t been off my feet since I received them and the funny thing is I didn’t used to like them! I used to think they were way too ornate for my taste. I guess having seen them styled so many different ways, and in so many different color ways I have gradually changed my mind as I am now totally obsessed with them!

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These TopShop Bridleway boots have made it on to my wish list – they are SO Gucci but just $70! They would look amazing with black skinnies and a black pussy bow blouse.

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They are also available in a stunning burgundy.

topshop-burgundy-bridleway-trim-boots-purple-product-2-968221454-normal_large_flex

I love Splendid clothes but I have never worn their shoes. These are a gorgeous western boot with a bit of slouchiness – really cute with a dress. Compared with the price of Splendid’s clothes these seem quite reasonable at $168.

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The beige version is just beautiful.

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The hot boot from last year, and a great, cheaper alternative to the ChloĆ©s, is the Toga Pulla. I absolutely love them – again a boot I was in two minds about last year. Obviously I need to see some things a few times before they click with me! I know bothĀ Eve and KatĀ love theirs.

toga-pulla-26black-tp22-aj006-black-product-2-532643229-normal_large_flex

I have to say these navy, crocodile effect pair are my top choice – I am smitten with them. I am loving navy boots with black jeans this season.

toga-pulla-navy-navy-embossed-leather-buckled-boots-blue-product-4-927212418-normal_large_flex

Finally, given my love of over the knee boots, I was contemplating another pair of Lowlands this year. In fact I ordered the nice blue pairĀ but returned them – I really didn’t need them in addition to the currant pair I have from last year.

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Instead I have been drawn to these fringe boots from See by ChloĆ©. I thought I’d had enough fringe in 2015 but I absolutely love these. Again visualize them with skinny black jeans and an oversize sweater. Scrummy!

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Which are your favorite boots this season? Have you clicked the ‘place order’ button yet?

Finally here are some photos from the most amazing night out! I took Poppy to see 1989 Taylor Swift tour. She was AMAZING. I cried all the way through Fifteen thinking about my gorgeous girl dealing with all those emotions in the years to come. Taylor is a great role model – her songs deliver great messages of strength and independence for young girls – and Moms in fact!

Poppy and I Poppy TS PJON ME Shoes – Golden Goose // Jeans – R13 // T-shirt – Splendid // Jacket – Mango

ON POPPY Jacket – Zara // Jeans – H&M // Boots – Sam Edelman (old)

This post is sponsored by Lyst.com. All opinions are 100% honest and all content is my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support my blog.

I don’t like to save…

Because I enjoy spending money far too much! My parents and husband will confirm it! Thank goodness I still work and earn my way…Ok so now I’ve set it up I will tell you about aĀ couple of things that happened this week…

First these arrived.

Chloes 1 ChloesBoots – ChloĆ© Susanna // Trousers – Zara // Top – AllSaints (use EXTRA20 for 20% extra off sale) // Jacket – Mango // Bag – McQ Alexander McQueen // Sunglasses – Chanel

I was nervous as hell waiting for them as all the reviews said to size down in the ChloĆ© Susannas, then more recent reviews said stay true to size. I knew I really wanted navy – different from black, yet still versatile. The blue on NAP have all sold out (though the merlot are lovely). Then I found one pair left at ShoeScribe.com (owned by NAP – or the other way around?). Only ShoeScribe.com only had whole sizes. I took a chance and ordered the last pair of 39s. Now sizing charts are different EVERYWHERE. It drives me bonkers. Plus there is the Fr 39 and the IT 39 which is apparently different too! I am normally a US 8.5 but I have a pair of Sam Edelman boots labelled US 8.5 and Eur 40!? So as you can imagine I was uncertain as to whether the 39s I ordered would be like boats, or if they would screw my toes up. Fortunately neither – they are perfect! I do have wide feet though so maybe that helps them fit more snuggly as the ankle is quite wide/loose on them and I’ve heard if you have a narrow foot the heel can slip. Anyway after a week of debate and umming and ahhing – even packing them back in the box to return them – I decided it was destiny – and they are here to stay! I’m pretty thrilled with them, if skint for a while!

Ok now these don’t seem nearly as extravagant in comparison as I got 25% off too with the Saks Friends and Family event last week. My new Prada sunglasses.

Pradas

I love them – I’ve coveted them for a while especially as these have plain arms as I am not a fan of the art deco swirly ones that seem to be ubiquitous here in Atlanta.

So I am a very happy girl. Now I just have to scrape some pennies together for my husband’s birthday next week šŸ˜‰ (Joking darling – it’s all taken care of…xx).

As for today I headed to our local craft store. I am NOT crafty at all but once again this year our school project is to create a book character using a pumpkin. My challenge is to create The Highway Rat, my son’s favorite picture book – I have a mask at least! Wish me luck!

Project

highway rat

As I had to drive by the mall on the way home I nipped in for a browse. There are lots of sales on right now! I haven’t ventured in a Banana Republic since my corporate days but our Lenox Mall one has recently had a refit so I popped in for a gander. I absolutely fell in love with this cardigan/cape!

BR cape

In store they are just $58 reduced from $98 but they are here online too. The khaki is lovely in real life. I opted for a M/L for an oversize fit.

black BR green BR

As always here are a couple ofĀ outfits from throughout the week…

AllSaintsSweatshirt – AllSaints (old) // Top – AllSaints (EXTRA20 for 20% off sale) // Jeans – J.CrewĀ (SALETREAT for 25% off full price and 40% off final sale prices) // Sneakers – Golden Goose

IM sneakersTop – AllSaints (EXTRA20 for 20% off final sale prices) // Sneakers – Isabel Marant (discounted at TheOutnet.com) // Jeans –Ā J.CrewĀ (SALETREAT for 25% off full price and 40% off final sale prices)Ā // Jacket – Mango

So here’s hoping the crafting goes well – I have a Taylor Swift concert with Poppy to enjoy tomorrow night too!!! Now then, what to wear…?

I bloody love TheOutnet.com

I’ve recently purged a tonne of stuff from my closet – selling some and giving other stuff to charity. It’s been fun – my closet is clearer and my purse is fuller. I’ve come to realize that, maybe with age, my tastes are changing. I am no longer tempted by a ‘quick fix’ on the Zara website. Instead I am happier buying less, less often, but maybe at a slightly higher price point. Instead of writing a specific list of items on my wish list, I have created more generic themes, such asĀ a long winter coat, dressy-going-out boots etc. I am then browsing TheOutnet.com periodically hoping to find the bargains of a lifetime, and do you know what? – It’s paying off!

Now a word of warning you do need to be picky and quite narrow in your searches. There is a lot of random stuff on TheOutnet.com. However, if you know which brands you love that makes it far easier to target a potential bargain.

In the past month I have struck gold twice! Recently I found one Helmut Lang coat just waiting for me at 60% off. This is a real classic coat with leather trims, and I am thrilled with it – far more so than I’d be with a couple of Zara coats!

Helmut Lang

As for the boots – again just one pair were left at 60% off – but how about these brown/khaki Isabel Marant Andrew boots. It had to be – one pair of FR 39 left with my name on them!

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They are not on TheOutnet.com anymore but you can also find some sizes left on sale here.

Of course you will remember I always find fabulous sunglasses on sale too on TheOutnet.com, and this calf hairĀ Alexander Wang RockieĀ is beautiful with 55% off!

Rockie 2

So there we are – my new approach to shopping. I’m finding it thoroughly rewarding. Nothing like a bargain – if you stick to a budget of course! Now if I can just find the ChloĆ© Susannas discounted šŸ˜‰

As for recent outfits I’ve omitted a few rushing here and there, but here are a few recent ones I’ve enjoyed wearing!

allblackShoes – Adidas Superstar slip-on // Jeans – ASOS Thea (on sale) // Sweater – Everlane cashmere

camel_edited-1Shoes – Golden Goose // Trousers – Zara // Sweater – ASOS

R13Shoes – Golden Goose // Jeans – R13 (25% off at ShopBop.com) // Top – AllSaints (previous season sale) // Jacket – Regent Linen blazer J.CrewĀ (now on sale)

 

Fall favorites

Fall in Atlanta is stunning and it has begun in earnest this week with cooler morning temperatures, clear skies, and warm sunny afternoons. It’s bliss! Still warm enough to get the legs out and yet cool enough for a jacket – my perfect combination!

allsaintsDress – AllSaints currently on sale // Shoes – Everlane Street Shoes // Jacket – J.Crew linen Regent blazer (select colors on sale) // Bag – H&M // Sunglasses – Oliver Peoples via TheOutnet.com

I recently received this dress and absolutely love it. I had my eye on it all summer but I had bought the longer Riviera dress instead. This one has pockets and a lovely drape at the front – I’m wearing a medium.

The sunglasses were an absolute bargain off TheOutnet.com – I LOVE Oliver Peoples and my prescription glasses are Oliver Peoples too. I find it hard to resist when I see a pair discounted. These are clear acetate with metal arms and a super fun way to add some interest to an outfit.

The Everlane Street Shoes are a great combination of shoe and skate shoe/sneaker. A little dressier for day to night, being leather. I took my usual US 8.5 and they are perfect and I have wide feet – so I wouldn’t advise sizing up as the website suggests.

While I’m here I’m still getting great Fall sale emails –

ShopBop.com have 25% off with INTHEFAMILY25 (certain exclusions apply)

Shoescribe.com have 30% off with FRIENDS15 (certain brands are excluded – damn those ChloĆ© Susannas!)

Madewell have 40% off all final sale styles with EXTRA40

Enjoy!!

Fall break catch up!

I’m exhausted. Aren’t breaks supposed to be for relaxing and recharging? It was certainly a fun long weekend though. My FIL arrived from the UK on Thursday so it’s fun to have a house guest and the kids love having Grandpa here – especially when he arrives bearing gifts and pickled onion Monster Munch for me!

On Friday we took him out for lunch and I wore my new Zara pleather trousers for the first time. The Everlane Street Shoes rock and really helped me feel casual and comfy and not overdressed for a relaxed lunch.

zara leather leggingsShoes – Everlane leather street shoes // Trousers – Zara // Shirt – AllSaints (last season) // Jacket – J.Crew Regent linen blazer

On Saturday I had an opportunity to wear my new Madewell t-shirt.

Bon vivantBoots – Isabel Marant H&M // Jeans – Zara (old) // T-shirt – MadewellĀ (on sale)Ā // Jacket – J.Crew Regent linen blazer

Yesterday we headed to our friends’ house to celebrate their boys birthdays – October is a busy month for birthdays around here! It was great to get the OTK boots out for the the first time this year!

OTKBoots – Stuart Weitzman 5050s // Jeans – J.Crew // Tee – AllSaints Drake Dee top in current sale // Cardigan – Zara

Finally there have been a lot of sales over the Columbus weekend and I am still getting emails today. The one that caught my eye is the ShopBop.com 25% friends and family discount – use INTHEFAM25 – I am considering the R13 coated cross over jeans that Marlene wears so fabulously!Ā The great thing about Shopbop.com is that you can use your Amazon Prime account for next day delivery!

 

Boot Porn

I love a good boot and I consider myself an early adopter when it comes to over-the-knee boots. Some are still skeptical about their ‘Pretty Woman’ association, or in the UK the ‘pantomime’ connotation. I gloss over this and simply enjoy wearing a long, thigh high boot with skinnies or a shorter dress, flashing a bit of flesh.

So to ‘fess up – here areĀ those that I currently own:

2 pairs of the Stuart Weitzman 5050s – not too tall – basically just over the knee. These were the cult classic boot before the introduction of the Lowland. They have an elastic back and leather front – hence the 50/50…I have both the black suede and tan nubuck (no longer available unfortunately). Both are incredibly comfortable and I consider them my ‘practical’ OTK boots!

5050_BLASUE_12

black 5050

me tan 5050I’m also lucky enough to own 2 pairs of Stuart Weitzman Highland boots. The black were bought about 3 years ago and the grey were an addition last Fall. I adore these boots. Super leg lengthening, the perfect heel height and great with a dress. These go pretty high up the leg but are easy to put on. The suede is stretchy so I roll it down and pull up like a sock once my foot is in the shoe.

me black highland

me grey highland 2Then there is the Lowland in currantĀ that I bought last year. A much louder color but great with jeans and big jumpers. The Lowland are the flat, more practical version of the Highland.

me currant lowland

Finally the other knee high boots that I own and adore were cheap as chips from Zara last year. They are knee high and have a great 70s vibe to them.

Zara boot

So what’s it to be this year? Yes I know – I don’t really need a pair but who ever said I bought something only on a ‘need’ basis?! There are several pairs that have caught my eye so far and I’m pretty sure I know which will be in my closet before Christmas.

The first pair is the Sam Edelman Josephine. These are knee high – but quite high like my Zara ones above. They are flat and have gorgeous fringe detailing. They are available in tan suede or black suede.Ā Sam Edelman are now available on Net-a-porter.com too so tax free in the US!

Josephine tanThe next pair I absolutely LOVE! They are a higher version of the Josephine and have a block heel – the Sam Edelman Taylan. The tan is available on NAP here but I also love the modern ivoryĀ available here and here. They are so lovely and slouchy – I just LOVE them.

Taylan NAP

taylan tan

EC0217970_0_MultiAngleViewImage2_250x250And in steel grey here and here.

EC0217969_0_MultiAngleViewImage2_250x250The Sam Edelman campaign shows them worn super slouchy – just fabulous!

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Finally – my absolute lust after boot for Fall 2015. This is actually a ‘summer’ boot from Stuart Weitzman – the Rockerchic. It has the height of an OTK boot, but the slouchiness of the Taylan – a little more louche than the Lowland boot. Not to mention I LOVE the color fossil – not practical for snow I agree but hey how much snow do we get in Atlanta?

rockerch_fossue_12 rockerchicZappos.com also stock them in a saddle/tan color if you’re looking for that nod to the 70s.

rockerchic saddle

Neimans stock them in a cashew very similar to my 5050 nubuck boots, and black, so there is plenty of choice around!

cashew

Finally some outfit updates – an odd mix recently given the odd mix of weather we’ve had!

My lovely husband kindly suggested I was channeling Blackadder in my H&M blouse the other day! BTW H&M have 20% off and free shipping on all orders over $60 at the moment – use code 3204 at checkout.

Blackadder dayShoes – Marks and Spencer // Jeans – J.Crew // Blouse – H&M

leather skirt 2Ankle Boots – Rag & Bone canvas Newbury // Skirt – Mango (last year similar here) // Jumper – AllSaints Portland jumper (old) // Scarf – Zara (old)

ToutafaitSneakers – Stan Smith mid tops // Jeans – J.Crew broken in Boyfriend // T-shirt – Madewell final sale // Cardigan – ASOS last year (similar here)