Monthly Archives: July 2016

How early is too early to start the birthday celebrations!?

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It’s been an odd week readjusting to life back in Atlanta. I can’t lie, I am totally jealous of all you Europeans just starting your vacations, while we prepare for back to school on Wednesday! My Instagram feed is full of blue skies and oceans and I have to keep reminding myself that was me just a week ago!

To ease the pain I am focusing on my upcoming birthday! I’m 45 on the 10th and like to celebrate for as long as possible! Hence, Friday night, my Husband and I went out for tapas and cocktails. Maybe my Leo instincts are aroused, but I decided to go full on leopard print for the evening. This dress is just £19.99 from New Look and is available in the US here on ASOS (keep checking back for your size – they update regularly). I felt fantastic in it! The dress is pleated so not tight at all and it is the perfect midi length. I’m now on the look out for dresses in a similar style as it felt so great on. The shoes are Vince and an incredible eBay bargain -new they were $425 and I got them NWT for $65!

New look leopard print dress, Vince Aden shoes, Gucci purseDress – New Look // Shoes – Vince Aden off eBay // Bag – Gucci (similar here)

I made a couple of other purchases this week including the red Adidas Gazelles – I just love the Gazelles and they take me back to the 90s when I wore a green pair to death! They do fit big and I sized down to a US 8 instead of my usual 8.5.

Adidas Gazelles

I also just wore my new running tights from the H&M For Every Victory collection. They are amazingly comfortable – 2miles on the treadmill with no adjusting. I’m in a medium and they fit great.

H&M For Every Victory

As for the rest of last week here’s what I’ve been wearing. It’s lovely to have all my closet back!

Mango shoes, Mango top and FalabellaShoes – Mango // Jeans – Zara (old) // Top – Mango (sale reduced from &79.99 to $24.99!) // Bag – Stella McCartney

& Other Stories dress, Mulberry Bayswater, Castañer espadrillesDress – & Other Stories sale // Shoes – Castañer // Bag – Mulberry Bayswater

H&M dress, Golden Goose sneakers, FalabellaDress – H&M // Shoes – Golden Goose // Bag – Stella McCartney

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Back to reality

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Well we made it home safe and sound, if a little tired. 12 hours is a long time to be on a flight! I’m still not sure what time it is and I feel pretty fuzzy but the kids were up bright and early this morning excited to see their friends in their last week of camp before school starts!

I am back in the office trying to remember what I do for a living 😉

TopShop torusersTrousers – TopShop //   Sneakers – New Balance from J.Crew // Top – Mango sale // Bag – Mansur Gavriel

 

H&M are slaying it with their new arrivals!

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We’re packing up tonight for our return to Atlanta this weekend. I’m sorry to be leaving – it’s been another amazing vacation. Certainly eventful – a terrorist attack, an attempted coup and now searches in the area we’re staying for the coup leaders. It’s like Apocalypse Now with helicopters and fighter jets buzzing over and naval ships patrolling the waters! Never a dull moment.

In the meantime I’m relaxed enough to continue with some online shopping. Heading home has one advantage – I can wear all my closet again! Living in bikinis is fine for a month or so but there comes a time where I want to be cool enough to wear makeup and jeans!

H&M have just added a bunch of new arrivals to their site and they are absolutely killing it this season – so much to love! Here are my favorite picks today.

There’s definitely a few strong color themes – green and blue for example – but I am most enamored by some of the red items!

This off the shoulder blouse is just $24.99 and looks great with shorts or jeans.

H&M off shoulder top

The dress in a similar style is just $17.99 and also comes in blue – absolutely love these for making the most of my tan when I get home.

H&M dress H&M dress

Their pilot jackets are definitely a key item to own. I blogged about the Gucci tribute the other day and this one has now appeared – just adore it in red.

H&M pilot jacket

The jacket will be great worn with jeans as above or these trousers – very much like the 70’s tracky bottoms I used to wear! With a plain white tee or off the shoulder top these will look brilliant.

H&M wide leg trousers

They also come in black – you could wear these with heels even with an off the shoulder top like this below.

H&M black wide leg trousers

I have a few black dresses but if I were in the market for one this is perfect. Loose and unfitted but with beautiful trumpet sleeves and just $24.99.

H&M black dress

This next dress is very similar to one I nearly ordered from & Other Stories. This will be great with sneakers and a tan topped up with false tan when I get back! I’m not sure I am tall enough to wear it with loose trousers but I will definitely try it over skinny jeans too.

H&M off the shoulder dress

We’ll be no where near cardigan weather for a while but when we are I will be trying this ankle length cardigan. It also comes in grey and black and it looks so elegant for just $24.99.

H&M ankle length cardigan

Blush is another color I’ve seen an awful lot of for early next season and this pilot jacket is just $34.99! It also comes in black, dark red and khaki.

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Go on take a quick gander – with all the publicity H&M are getting right now they’ll be gone in a heartbeat online! Oh and check out their new sportswear – it is gorgeous!

See you back in Atlanta! xx

Save vs. Splurge Bomber Jacket

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You had better be quick with this one – many sizes are sold out here but I expect they will return. Knowing H&M sizing to be so erratic I feel comfortable ordering a US 12, which their size guide suggests is a Medium. Or you could of course order the Gucci jacket of which, even at $3,990, many sizes are sold out!

Bomber jacket Collage

I may also have dropped these two dresses in my basket – the first here, I fell in love with after seeing it on A Mother’s Edit.

H&M knit dress

This one is beautiful – really hope it works out size wise. I have ordered a US 10 and it will work great with the bomber jacket or a leather jacket with sneakers.

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Both will hopefully allow me to appreciate my tan for a few weeks on return, and yes Dr. Dermatologist it was all done using SPF 60! I am so careful these days but still love frolicking on a beach!

Last night we went out for dinner with our friends from Sweden. I love these Old Navy tops that I bought in the clearance – perfect holiday attire when you’re in dusty climes and aren’t sure about the washing machine performance! I would hate to ruin some more delicate tops I have!

Screen Shot 2016-07-15 at 11.15.18 AM Screen Shot 2016-07-15 at 11.15.38 AMTop – Old Navy // Shorts – Madewell (similar here)// Shoes – Castañer (extra 20% off sale prices with code xJuly16)

 

New in at Mango

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Following on from my last post regarding pink/blush (not nude – more on that later) shoes I’ve also discovered this jacket that is fabulous. It’s new in at Mango. It’s not real leather but the color is gorgeous – especially for wearing with blue denim. I know many of you are suffering with rubbish weather in the UK so maybe this will cheer you up – a new ‘summer’ jacket.

Mango jacket pink

It seems using the term ‘nude’ to describe a color can be interpreted as being racist. Apologies if any one else other than the commentator was offended! I shall refrain from using the term ‘nude’ – though I doubt my skin color ever reflects the pink often described as ‘nude’! I wonder if Louboutin is referring to his new range of flesh colored shoes for all as ‘nude’?

Still not wearing much more than the bikini but we’re off out tonight so may have another outfit post to share later!

I’m loving my Gap dresses this vacation! These fit larger than normal and I am in a medium – just so light and airy to wear!

Gap and Castaner shoesDress – Gap (extra 35% off sale price in US with code EXTRA) // Shoes – Castañer

New nude shoes

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You may have seen these beautiful Miu Miu ballet flats on Pinterest or Instagram. I think they are beautiful. The perfect girly show with a little edginess.

miu miu flats miu miu 2

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At around $600 they are steep for a shoe that is very much a ‘trend’ and may have limited longevity, though the leather does look perfect. Thankfully trusty Zara has come up with a fabulous tribute in leather, and a much more palatable $59.99.

zara tribute

Mango have released a variation on the theme. A cross between the gorgeous block heeled ballet shoes and a lace up. These are just beautiful and I have ordered them as I am pretty sure with the attention they are getting they will sell out fast. With black step hem (like these here) or fringed jeans they will add great balance – you don’t want to look to lady like in them!

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Finally a nude pink sneaker. I LOVE shoes, I love sneakers, I love Adidas and I love Gazelles – how about these beauties in pink. I can’t wait to wear them with a dress and tanned legs!

gazelles

In fact that is the beauty of pink/nude shoes – regardless of the style they have a leg lengthening effect – there’s no hard stop at the bottom of your leg!

So you may notice that I’m still able to keep up with the new AW releases while here! Thankfully we have wifi though the kids are hogging it…I’m about to head down the garden path to the beach again with a pot of tea! Yesterday we went to Datça market again where the fruit and veg is amazing – I keep telling my Husband that it reminds me of Bury Market as you can buy everything there – even the Turkish version of a pasty 😉 I came home with more harems – tie dye and dropped crotch whats not to love!

Screen Shot 2016-07-10 at 3.26.01 AM

The other evening we went out for dinner and listened to France make it through to the Euro Final. I had a wee bit too much wine but much fun was had by all!

Screen Shot 2016-07-10 at 3.26.12 AMDress (on sale here with extra 40% off using EXTRA) and leather flip flops – Gap

 

 

 

The extra 20% code has arrived at AllSaints!

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It’s that time where we get even further discounts in the sales. My favorite code is always the extra 20% off at AllSaints.

I’ve just ordered the Randall leather jacket in brick brown – I have a couple of black jackets already and I think this will look sensational over all black with leopard print boots.WL001J-4256-2

Use code Extra20 now for a further 20% off all sale items here!

 

The 2016 bikini issue

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Yup it’s that time of year again when I encourage you all to take pride in your bodies, whatever shape, size or age. Get your bikinis on this summer and embrace your scars, curves, lumps and bumps. Let’s unite to teach our sons and daughters self esteem and body confidence, not self criticism or shame.

JCrew bikiniBikini – J.Crew

I’m living in my bikinis at the moment due to our location. We have once again completely lucked out with out villa. It is nestled on its own in a cove right on the beach. We even have our own little island. The water is crystal clear and perfect for swimming. This is the view from our roof terrace (where I find it’s lovely and breezy for an afternoon nap!)

Datca Turkey

Last night we headed out for a wander around Datça which was incredibly busy due to the national holiday here for the end of Ramadan. We ended up at a fabulous little restaurant where the owner introduced himself to us as a Communist Bulgarian. We always meet the most fascinating folk 🙂

JCrew bikiniShoes – Castañer // Shorts – Madewell // Top – Old Navy in the clearance // Bag – Mango (similar here)

Things I couldn’t travel without…

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Traveling abroad is always a packing challenge for me. Every year I try capsule packing. This year I feel I may have cracked it clothes wise, but there are some new beauty items that I have trialled this year and now feel I couldn’t travel without.

  1. Clinique moisture surge

Clinique moisture surge

A good moisturizer is essential when flying, yet I knew Istanbul would be really humid – in fact it was steamy after a couple of downpours, so I didn’t want anything greasy. Clinique’s Moisture Surge is fabulous – my skin absorbs it really quickly without any greasiness or residue. It’s now a firm favorite of mine.

2. Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm

Clinique Take the day off balm

I still like to wear eye makeup on vacation when we’re out in the evening. I don’t however like carrying bottles of oily makeup remover in my bags. This Take The Day Off balm is fabulous for travel. It’s a solid cream so no danger of spillage and it is luxurious to massage on your face before washing. It removes all my makeup easily and gently.

3. Dior Rosy Glow Awakening Blush

Dior blush

This blush is perfection! For a slight healthy glow just brush lightly across your cheekbones. It leaves a wonderfully natural glow with the tiniest amount – so yes it may be pricey but it will last forever!

4. Hill & Friends mini happy bag

Hill & Friends

Ok so not a beauty item but this is now a firm essential. I’ll be honest I probably would never have purchased this bag myself. Although I love leopard print the whole smiley, emoji fastener seemed a bit twee for me. Sue won one each for us in a Hill & Friends instagram competition at Christmas and I hadn’t used it, so I even tried to sell it. THANK. GOODNESS. I. DIDN’T! It is the PERFECT size for travel – city travel especially. I can easily fit my glasses, sunglasses, wallet, some makeup and a phone in here, yet it is small enough to use as an evening bag, or a cross body bag for wandering around a city. I now wouldn’t part with it for love nor money! In fact I’m even contemplating this one in clearance at 50% off!

Hill & Friends

 

 

Istanbul

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It’s July 1st and today we leave Istanbul for the coast. We’ve had the most amazing time in the city – even after the events of Tuesday evening. Once we had reassured everyone that we were miles away from the airport, the scale of the atrocity began to sink in. The people of Istanbul, and Turkey as a whole, are already suffering from hugely decreased tourism this year, and now it seems the industry may grind to a halt. Our hotel was practically empty, and we were treated like royalty wherever we went. The Grand Bazaar was empty yesterday morning. I truly feel so sad for these wonderful people who are being hit hardest – the terrorists are unfortunately achieving one of their goals.

As I write this I am sitting in the domestic terminal in awe at how ‘normal’ it all feels. I’ve had 2 pat downs, which is reassuring, and for some reason my mentality has firmly remained ‘sod the bastards, I’m not bending’, rather than giving into fear. We’ve also managed to keep the kids blissfully unaware of specific events and their main concern remains when they will get their next cheese pide!

So the world still turns and we will still travel – the greatest education for all is to accept and embrace the other cultures of the world. With deeper acceptance and awareness, we may all still hope for peace.

Istanbul 1Top – Mango (old) // Jeans – Zara (on sale here) // Shoes – Castañer // Bag – Hill & Friends

istanbul 2 Istanbul 3 Istanbul 4 Istanbul 5 Istanbul 6 Istanbul 7 Istanbul 8Top – Madewell (old) // Jeans – Zara (on sale here) // Shoes – Madewell (on sale here with an extra 20% off with code META20) // Bag – Hill & Friends

Istanbul 9 Istanbul 11Dress – & Other Stories (in sale) // Bag – Hill & Friends // Shoes – Soludos

Istanbul 12 Istnabul 10Dress – Madewell

Follow me on Instagram @PoppysStyle to see where we are now!