Tag Archives: Animal print

My high street crush.

After my success with the River Island jumpsuits I was lured into searching all things River Island on ASOS.com. Each time I’ve been back to the UK I’ve been more than pleasantly surprised by some of their offerings. Yes you have to do the mutton check on most of it – but I have a couple of jackets of theirs, and now the jumpsuits, which I love. So what else can they help me out with this summer? Well how about some fabulous, bright, summery dresses – all in great comfortable, stretchy fabric! So easy to throw on with a pair of sandals.

Here are my picks – several of which you’ll see me in over the coming weeks. I’ve provided ASOS links to make them easily accessible here in the US.

This is the dress that caught my eye first – I love the print – loud and yellow. I was concerned about sizing but the UK 12 is perfect – the fabric has plenty of stretch in it. Such a statement dress that is so easy to wear.

My love for the yellow dress led me to these two – the same style but a snake print – in both yellow and coral. Again a dressier version of a t-shirt dress that will take you from day to evening in the summer.

For those of you who are averse to print – this gorgeous pink dress delivers the same impact.

The following are jersey stretch swing dresses. Again I tried the UK 12 in both and they are perfect – even around the bust. These dresses will be great for transitional weather too, and I can see myself wearing them in the Fall with over the knee boots.

This marble print is on sale at just $33!

The blue leopard print is stunning in real life – the background is more cream than white.

This dress has to be my favorite. It’s a swing dress – slightly more fitted around the bust with less stretch so it might be worth sizing up if you are of ample bosom. I just LOVE the print on this.

Next a maxi dress. I’ve been on the look out for a tie dye max for a while and this fits the bill perfectly. I really like a racer back and the side split makes it less restrictive.

Finally this is a print that caught my eye back in February. I sized up in this to a UK 14 as it isn’t quite as stretchy and it is body hugging. Again this is currently on sale at $35.

Now just for good measure – this one is ASOS, not River Island, but I had so many compliments about my red checked dress that I wanted to share this one with you. It’s the same style so size down. Lovely and girly – but it will look great toughened up with a pair of sneakers. Also on sale at $60.

So get the legs out and get a dress on – you’ve no excuse now!

Finishing off with a couple of outfits from this week. I’m in workout gear right now, about to take the dog for a run while it is cooler!

Sneakers – Adidas Samoas with floral trim // Dress – Marks & Spencer Limited Edition (old)

Trousers – Zara (old) // Shoes – Marks & Spencer Limited Edition (old) // T-shirt – J.Crew // Cardigan – J.Crew (on sale plus an EXTRA 50% off with code SHOPNOW)

My obsession with jumpsuits.

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Obsession? Addiction? Call it what you will – I LOVE a jumpsuit. I love the fact that they are quirky, retro and not to everyone’s taste. I’m a little sad that they are becoming more mainstream.

I’ve acquired a few new ones over the past month – I must stop now as I am not sure I will have time to wear them all over the summer! At least three of these will be coming on vacation with me so let’s start with those.

First of all this River Island gem. It was in and out of my ASOS basket for weeks before I finally hit order after seeing Trea model it. Thank goodness I did – it is amazing. It is so comfortable (though I did size up to a UK 14 as River Island can be quite small) and it has adjustable spaghetti straps with a popper at the front to maintain your modesty. I am wearing it here with a body underneath so it doesn’t appear to be too restrictive as far as what underwear you can wear with it – always a concern for me with thin straps as I need to wear a bra.

So….as I loved this so much I tried this one…and loved it too! Again River Island from ASOS – I’ve just switched out the cheapo belt it came with for a wider one of my own.

Now this Zara jumpsuit is all I ask for – leopard print, comfort and a little cleavage for a night out:) It only comes in small and medium and this is a medium so it is definitely generous sizing for Zara.

I’ve been eyeing this khaki one online for a while and Cali persuaded me to buy it while we were in NYC last week. I’m glad she did – I really love it.

Finally good old M&S! This photo does not do it justice. The fabric is so drapey and soft, and it comes in black or navy but the black is sold out online. It feels so elegant on and it is a fabulous evening piece instead of a dress. This is a UK 12 but I know many of you taller ladies will be disappointed that it doesn’t come in a longer length too – it may come up too short for you.

So are you wearing jumpsuits this summer? Do you say yay or nay?

I’ll leave you today with my outfit from Thursday – one of my favorite t-shirt dresses from ASOS. Off now to finish assembling IKEA flat packs – 2 loft beds are done so now for the easy pieces!

Dress – ASOS (on sale) // Sandals – Ancient Greek

Some H&M treasures.

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It’s been a crazy week. Mostly spent cleaning and preparing to host all of the kindergarten parents, then cleaning and recovering! The party was fun though and I was relieved to find that many of the parents are as odd as we are:)

This morning I had my annual physical so after being prodded, pricked and poked (oo-er misses) I was in desperate need of some retail therapy. I headed down to Atlantic Station to our big H&M store, convincing myself that it would be a great place to find a present for a party that Poppy is heading to today. Of course I had to take a peek at the women’s section which conveniently you have to walk through to get to the kids’ section! It’s actually a bit of a minefield choosing clothes for someone else’s eight year old, especially as I am basing my choices on Poppy’s current obsessions. She loves anything with animals or leopard print (I wonder who she takes after?) and H&M have animals in abundance!

So before heading up to the children’s section here’s what I found myself with – nothing I wore goes with what I bought – forgive me – not how I plan to style them!

This great shaggy gilet may not be everyone’s cup of tea – but I love the fact it is longer and shaggy – though we’ll see how much dust and dirt gets trapped in it! I used to have a coat just like it bought on Portobello Market years ago that my Husband loved! I can’t see it online right now but it was $69 and there are similar here. Oh it’s big too – this is a small.

This is also a small – again $69 – a great coatigan with a cocoon shape. I think this will look great with skinny black jeans and ankle boots.

Finally I loved this sweater with a silky print front. I love the greenish color of the snake print – it coordinates with my petrol newbury boots perfectly! This is a medium – I think H&M sizing is definitely on the large side! Again sorry I can’t see it online.

And here is what I wore today! Probably still too warm for a jacket but I wanted to wear it!:)

Trousers – Mango (old) // Top – TopShop camisole ($10 from Nordstrom!) // Jacket – Zara (old) // Shoes – Lotta from Stockholm clogs

Flash of neon

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I’m actually enjoying the rain this weekend. It means I get to get dressed on Saturday and Sunday instead of just throwing on a bikini and shorts for the pool. I ran some errands this morning and wore my harems that I actually didn’t think would get worn again till the Fall, but they are surprisingly light and airy for the summer – or unsurprisingly so, given that the Turks have worn şalvar for years in the heat.

The driveway turned into a river as I was trying to take a photo – the things I do for you:)

Harems – Zara (old) // Tank – Target (old) // Scarf – J.Crew linen scarf (old) // Sandals – Tory Burch Emmy (old – love this year’s silver though!)

Before I leave you, if you are hunting for the perfect summer bootie here in the US – I noticed that some of my favorites – the Sam Edelman Petty in smokey praline, are in the sale on Zappos.com!

As are the leopard print ones that I love with shorts – like here.

Okay – now off to take Poppy to a party for a couple of hours – hmm what to do in the rain with all that time on my hands?

Back to normal.

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So with school going back on Monday I was a bit worried about short tempers and bad moods in our household this week – but all in all I’m pleased to report we’ve all eased back into a routine relatively easily. So far no homework grumbles or getting out of bed complaints (I just huff and puff a bit – hate it!). I’ve started trying to plan my clothes the night before again, as at 6am I am totally lacking inspiration. The only problem is our weather is so wacky right now. It looked freezing this morning so I was planning to wear my Boden Off Duty jumper in grey that finally arrived, but on my way back from the gym I realized it was in the 50s and the forecast is now for the 60s this afternoon, climbing up to the 70s next week! It’s still January!? So back in the closet went the polo neck and out came a t-shirt and jacket.

The t-shirt and jeans are both really old, but really comfortable Gap items that have worn and washed incredibly well. It’s odd – some of my longest lasting items are from The Gap yet I never shop there these days – it just all looks a bit bland to me. The jacket is the oriental print bomber jacket from Zara (no longer online). I love this print and actually own the scarf (reduced to $20) and the trousers (reduced to $40) in it – never to be worn all together mind you! I think it’s the pink, grey and black combo that I love. The belt is Gucci – a present from MM a couple of Christmases ago – the fab news is it fits again! That spare tire is deflating! The boots are of course my Newburys that I keep harping on about…

I started the week in Zara too. Both the cardigan (reduced to $50) and the trousers (reduced to $40) are Zara, t-shirt is the same Gap one as above (washed I promise) and the boots are the Isabel Marant Dickers.

Yesterday I got the Vince Camuto boots out – I’d better wear them often before these temperatures rise! The jeans are Hudson Collin skinnies and the tunic is H&M – a bargain when I got it – I think they were on sale buy one get one free, and I got a black one too. The scarf is a REALLY old Accessorize one that I used to wear for work in The City – see I’ve always loved leopard print! The jacket is Boden‘s leather jacket from Spring 2011.

I’ve been struggling with a cold this week and there are lots of warnings on the news regarding the flu outbreak here – so better late than never I’m off to take the kids for flu shots later – dreading it…send me some good vibes!

Grrrrr.

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A couple of my Boden orders arrived! The first – the slouchy merino jumper is gorgeous. I normally order the larger of my two sizes in knitwear and did so with this, ordering the US8. It is perfect. Lovely and oversized with drapey dolman sleeves, but lovely and snug around the bottom and the cuffs. It is long too and sits on my bum perfectly. I think it can be worn with long skirts or skinny jeans equally well – as long as your lower half is fitted this jumper will be flattering. I ordered the silver melange and love it so much that with the 25% off (code Q753), and some account credit begging to be used, I have just ordered it in sunset too. Grab one now while there are plenty of colors and sizes left.

The second order is the washed red Fairisle jumper. Hmmm – I do like it – but MM’s look was one of complete surprise – ‘that is so not you’ – was his comment – which I have to say is why I like it. I have returned it though as I think the red was too Christmassy (yes ignore what I said the other day), and also the US8 was fitted. If there is one thing I don’t like it is fitted knitwear. So I have returned and I’m exchanging it for a US10 in the Fudge melange. The jury is still out but again with 25% off it is worth a try. I think I like it as it makes me think of cold, winter walks that end up in front of a roaring fire in a country pub eating steak and kidney pudding. Not many of those here in Atlanta.

I do like a bit of animal print. Today I am going for it in a big way. The outfit initially started as red and taupe but quickly became overwhelmed by leopard print. The taupe top is from Zara in the sale and the cardigan is the radish effortless cardigan from Boden SS 2012 and it still pops back into stock occasionally. I love this cardigan – the color just makes me happy. Serendipitously I discovered my H&M leopard print scarf coordinates perfectly with both. Yes there is a lot going on here so I attempted to tame it with my Hudson Collin jeans and Sam Edelman tan (really taupe) suede Louie boots.

Then I went and over did it completely and threw on my best purchase ever from Marks & Spencer – last year’s leopard print coat. Words cannot express how much love I have for this coat. Oh how I wish you shipped to the States.

Odd experiment here too – always far happier with photos taken of myself in the mirror rather than with the tripod – must be because that is how I always see myself rather than how others see me?

Stay warm and let me know if you order anything from Boden with this fab deal!

Wet, wet, wet.

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Yep the rain has arrived – it has rained since yesterday afternoon here and it shows no sign of clearing up soon. Sitting here on the 9th floor it feels like I’m in the middle of the rain cloud. At least I can at last get wrapped up and truly enjoy my knitwear:)

These jeans were cheap – just $22 from Target and they are currently reduced to just $18 – they are a great fit – though it is a bit weird buying junior sizes – I never know what size I am as juniors always fit tiny. These jeans however have so much stretch in them I ended up in a 5! I love them – the background of the snow leopard print is a soft blush pink with grey spots. They look very similar to the H&M ones I was lusting after and never found over here. The pink top is a Zara sale purchase and I’m wearing my favorite AllSaints Cerulean cardigan. Accessorized with Sam Edelman Louie boots in taupe rose and my necklace from Macy’s that I wore on our anniversary night out – the grey color is really versatile and works well with many items in my closet.

What did you all think of Dexter last night? To be honest I’m a bit sad that Debra now knows – surely he can’t carry on – unless Debra ends up on his table?

Homeland is DVRd for tonight:)

Amazing Georgia.

City Hall Bureaucrats…

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…make me scream with frustration! Three weeks into the school year and Atlanta Public Schools Transportation System finally agreed to meet with parents to hear our concerns and recommendations. We have been frustrated since the start of the school year due to safety issues, timing, and route changes for the school buses, created by cost cutting. We all know that change is needed at times, and we are all prepared to accept changes, but when common sense doesn’t prevail it is just SO frustrating. After waiting this morning for 45mins for the APS representative to arrive and hold the meeting to reassure us that we were being heard – she sat down and muttered something about ‘I have no more information’ – what do these people get paid for??? It was then left to the parents and bus drivers to try and resolve the issues on each route – thus effectively doing the job of APS Transportation…pah. Not happy to say the least.

Wanting to feel a little ‘fierce’ for my morning meeting I opted for the Zara leopard print capris – what is it about animal print that I love so much? I’m trying to convince Avril at SchoolGateStyle.com to try the Primark jeans that my Mum sent to me – she appears to be contemplating them🙂

I paired these Zara pants with the same t-shirt and shoes that I wore with the Primark jeans – with black oversize Zara t-shirt and black patent Tory Burch Eddies. I need to try some other solid colors with my leopard print though I’m pretty sure black is the way ahead. Haven’t been brave enough to mix my prints yet.

I’m hoping to hit the pool later this afternoon with the children – it’s beautiful here and I want to make the most of the water before pools start closing after Labor Day. While sitting by the pool I’ll be working feverishly with MM to get our new website up and running – the new magazine – MMA Fitness – hits newsstands soon so in order to do my part of the job we need our online presence ready and we’re cutting it fine yikes! Yes mixed martial arts is quite a change from the pre and post natal market but definitely an interesting challenge!

Hair cut time tomorrow – time to get rid of the bouffant look! Very excited – thinking of something slightly different so watch out for photos:)

Birthday jeans!

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I know, I know it’s not my birthday till Friday but my fabulous Mum sent me my present early and I’ve been looking at them on the shelf dying to wear them – so I have – 3 days early:) Knowing how much I loved my floral jeans that I bought when I was back in England, Mum very kindly sent me the Primark leopard print jeans! They are lovely! I can’t get over the quality and fit of these jeans for 12 GBP!! They have a lovely nude background and the spots are almost like brush strokes so not really sure if it’s leopard or cheetah. Regardless, paired with black they look fabulous. Total winners and will be worn throughout the Fall into Winter with black boots.

I paired them with my Zara black oversize t-shirt from the sale and my black patent Tory Burch Eddies:

Much as I have fallen in love with Zara over the past few months I am completely bummed with their customer service. A package went missing the other day with my new trousers – FedEx claim they delivered them – I know they didn’t as I was perched by the door waiting on tenterhooks for the package to arrive! I’ve even walked around the house a hundred times like a mad woman wondering if they could possibly have been moved by a squirrel with a cruel sense of humor. Unlike Boden, who always give their customer the benefit of the doubt and refund or resend immediately, on the rare occasion something goes missing, Zara are completely d*cking me around and won’t refund or resend until they have filed a claim with FedEx – aaaarrgggh!! You wouldn’t believe the time I have spent on the phone trying to talk sense to them. So two multinational companies who make gazillions every year are holding my $130 until they decide whether they believe me or not!? SO frustrating – not to mention I don’t have the camouflage or the oriental trousers in my possession…and sadly I still want them no matter how mad I am with Zara.

Look out for tomorrow’s post – a fun collaboration is in store for you all!

Poppy's Style

My blog about fashion, family, friends and fun.

Tag Archives: Animal print

My high street crush.

Sneakers – Adidas Samoas with floral trim // Dress – Marks & Spencer Limited Edition (old)

Trousers – Zara (old) // Shoes – Marks & Spencer Limited Edition (old) // T-shirt – J.Crew // Cardigan – J.Crew (on sale plus an EXTRA 50% off with code SHOPNOW)

My obsession with jumpsuits.

Dress – ASOS (on sale) // Sandals – Ancient Greek

Some H&M treasures.

Trousers – Mango (old) // Top – TopShop camisole ($10 from Nordstrom!) // Jacket – Zara (old) // Shoes – Lotta from Stockholm clogs

Flash of neon

Harems – Zara (old) // Tank – Target (old) // Scarf – J.Crew linen scarf (old) // Sandals – Tory Burch Emmy (old – love this year’s silver though!)

Back to normal.

Grrrrr.

Wet, wet, wet.

Amazing Georgia.

City Hall Bureaucrats…

Birthday jeans!

Sneakers – Adidas Samoas with floral trim // Dress – Marks & Spencer Limited Edition (old)

Trousers – Zara (old) // Shoes – Marks & Spencer Limited Edition (old) // T-shirt – J.Crew // Cardigan – J.Crew (on sale plus an EXTRA 50% off with code SHOPNOW)

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Dress – ASOS (on sale) // Sandals – Ancient Greek

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Trousers – Mango (old) // Top – TopShop camisole ($10 from Nordstrom!) // Jacket – Zara (old) // Shoes – Lotta from Stockholm clogs

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Harems – Zara (old) // Tank – Target (old) // Scarf – J.Crew linen scarf (old) // Sandals – Tory Burch Emmy (old – love this year’s silver though!)

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