Tag Archives: ASOS

Inflated high street or discounted designer?

I headed into H&M for a browse on Friday after seeing their new Studio line arrive online. I have to say I don’t really get it. I often see items from H&M on other blogs that grab my attention, and then when I see them in real life they seem overpriced for the quality – especially over here in dollars. Paying $200 for a coat from H&M is just something I would never consider. It got me thinking about several high street retailers who now offer ‘higher end’ lines – like Zara and their Studio range, and J.Crew with the Collection range. Their prices are inflated – in fact often extortionate in the case of J.Crew Collection. Personally I would much rather spend $200 on a heavily discounted piece of Isabel Marant on TheOutnet.com than in a high street store. How about you?

I did grab a couple of mohair knits from H&M that I am extremely happy with – very little, clothing wise, makes me happier than an oversize grey jumper! Sorry I can’t see it online but this is a small – it fits HUGE!

grey jumperThis khaki cardigan made me feel like a young student again so it came home with me too! It’s described as ‘yellow marl’ online but it is definitely green!

kahkiThese are a couple of items that I liked from the Studio line but still wouldn’t part with my hard earned cash for them.

This weekend bag is well made and large but $349!

IMG_5115I love the colors on this coat, but again I think it’s expensive for H&M at $199. Plus to those of us in the know it is easily recognizable as H&M.

IMG_5116Fall has arrived in Atlanta and we are enjoying amazing clear skies and sun. I’ve even had to dig the cardigans out this week for a couple of cold mornings.

blazerJacket – Linen regent blazer J.Crew // Jeans – J.Crew (25% off with SHOPNOW) // T-Shirt – ASOS // Shoes – Vince Nina // Bag – McQ (similar here)

If you are partial to a pair of snakeskin shoes I spotted these in H&M which are fab! (Can only see this version online)

shoes

camel cardiganShoes – TopShop Kaiser // Jeans – J.Crew // Top – Mango (similar here) // Cardigan – ASOS // Bag – Rocco (similar here)

kiwi blazerDress – AllSaints Pia (old similar here) // Sneakers – Golden Goose // Jacket – Linen Regent blazer J.Crew // Bag – H&M

What I’ve been wearing

The short week here has meant I’ve been a very bad blogger this week. So here I am sharing what I wore over the long weekend!

We went to the stables north of Atlanta on Sunday for our annual photos of the children. It’s beautiful up there and a lovely drive to escape from the city for a morning.

Horse parkJeans – J.Crew (similar here on sale) // Sneakers – Nike Air Max // T-shirt – J.Crew // Scarf – J.Crew (on sale plus an extra 25% off with LOVEFALL)

We headed out for a lovely lunch later that day so I used it as an excuse to throw on a long frock.

Splendid dressBag – Mango (similar here) // Dress – Splendid (similar jumpsuit here) // Jacket – J.Crew // Sandals – Ancient Greeks (discounted here)

Monday was spent in sweats at home. I cooked an amazing roast loin of pork and we had Sunday on a Monday – bliss.

Back to work called for a couple of comfortable dresses.

Mango dressBoots – Dicker Isabel Marant // Dress – Mango // Scarf – J.Crew (on sale with an extra 25% off with LOVEFALL)

ASOS dressDress – ASOS t-shirt dress (on sale and straight out of the packaging hence the creases!) // Sneakers – New Balance by J.Crew // Scarf – Boden (old – similar here on sale) // Bag – H&M

Thanks to all of you who provided input on the hair too the other day! I decided to keep growing it – at least for now!

Labor Weekend codes!

It’s always worth taking advantage of some Labor weekend sales/promo codes and here is a round up of the ones I am aware of!

American Apparel // up to 50% off select styles

Ann Taylor // 50% off select full price and all sale styles

Code: HAPPY50

Date: 9/3-9/6

Anthropologie // 30% off sale

Code: EXTRA30

ASOS // 10% off entire purchase including sale items

US – TREATYOSELF

UK – 10% off sale only using YAY10

Banana Republic // 40% off your entire purchase

Code: BRFALL

Ends: 9/8

BaubleBar // 50-60% off select styles

Date: Ends 9/7

Bloomingdales // save 20-70% on select items

Date: Through 9/7

Bluefly // over 5,000 styles up to 90% off

Brooks Brothers // up to 60% off clearance

Date: now – 9/7

Club Monaco // 40% off sale and clearance

Code: NOTOVERYET

Date: Ends 9/7

Gap // 40% off everything

Intermix // enjoy an extra 50% off all sale items for a total savings of up to 75% off

J.Crew Factory // 50% off everything

Date: Ends 9/7

J.Crew // 30% off your order of $125+

Code: GETSHOPPING

Date: Ends 9/9

JCPenney // 20% off with a JCPenney credit card

Date: now – 9/7

Kate Spade // 25% off all sale items

Code: Delight

Date: Through 9/7

L.K. Bennett // extra 40% off all sale styles

Code: LD40

Date: Ends 9/7

LOFT // 30% off fall arrivals plus and extra 50% off summer styles

Madewell // take 30% off fall essentials and an extra 30% off all sale styles

Date: Ends 9/7

Nordstrom // save up to 40% on sale items

Date: until 9/13

Old Navy // up to 60% off everything

Pottery Barn // 10% off 100$ or more 15% off $250 or more 20% off $500 or more 25 off $1000 or more

Code: SAVEMORE

Date: Ends 9/7

Pottery Barn Kids // 10% off 100$ or more 15% off $250 or more 20% off $500 or more 25 off $1000 or more

Code: SAVEMORE

Date: Ends 9/7

Code: WFLBEACH1

River Island // 25% off everything

Code: LABOR2515

Saks Fifth Avenue // up to 75% off the summer sunset sale

Date: Ends 9/7

Too Faced // summer lovin’ sale up to 71% off on all sale items

Date: Ends 9/7

UGG // 30% off all fall fashion

Victoria’s Secret // $15 off $100 order, $25 off $150 order, $50 off  $250 order

Code: fall 2015

West Elm // 10% off 100$ or more 15% off $250 or more 20% off $500 or more

Code: SAVEMORE

Date: Ends 9/7

The White Company // 20% off and free shipping

Code: 272AA

Phew! That lot should keep you busy! Meanwhile here I am wearing my ASOS Thea jeans which are just $20 in the sale and now you can get the extra 10% off! They have a great high rise and on me just skim the ankles.

ASOS jeans 1 ASOS jeans 2Jeans – Asos Thea // Top – Mango (similar here) // Sneakers – New Balance J.Crew // Bag – H&M (sold out online but a I’ve found a great selection of shopping baskets here)

While I’m raving about ASOS check out Becky’s new dungarees here! The white version is on sale for just $32 here and  I LOVE the khaki version – especially now I’ve seen the Pinterest images!

white

khaki

 

And these are Becky’s.

black dungarees

 

khaki 5 khaki 4 khaki 3 khaki 2 khaki 1

So I’ll love you and leave you for now – it’s blazing here so I may be living in this skirt over the weekend!

JCREW skirtSkirt – J.Crew sale (just $20 with the code GETSHOPPING) // T-shirt – Splendid // Shoes – Ancient Greeks

Oh and one more thing – I must share with the US folks – we can now get Caroline Hirons‘ magical potion, Pixi Glow Tonic, here online at Target! It’s fab – stock up!

glow

 

Last of the summer purchases

It’s Labor Day weekend here and unofficially the end of summer. However, our climate means we will be wearing shorts well into October. This means I can take advantage of some of the current end of season sales and wear what I buy instead of stashing it away to be forgotten about till next summer.

Top on my list were some new dungarees. I love wearing them over a tank in the Fall and they are a great transition piece.

This wide leg pair are on sale at ASOS and reduced to $33. I am going to patch up the rip at the top with an iron on denim patch (these are fabulous!). Who thought that a rip there was a good idea?

wide leg dingareesI love the frayed ankles on these – it says they are full length but maybe on someone less than 5’4″. I love the tapered leg that will look great with hi-tops. Also on sale here.

Asos vintageI’ve admired this maxi dress all season. It will work well with sandals and ankle boots as we move into cooler weather. Add a denim jacket on top for a full on Fall boho vibe. It’s now half price and available here on the Mango site or here on ASOS. Amazon also sell Mango (I think they must distribute for them in the US) so check out the stock here too.

Mango dressSo along with this skirt from J.Crew, which is still 50% off the sale price using code SHOPNOW that is all my summer purchases made. Roll on Fall – I have my eye on lots of sheer tops and jackets!

skirtYesterday I threw on a dress. When I think about being comfortable I often think about picking jeans, but I swear a good dress is the key to easy dressing!

dressDress – ASOS (old similar here) // Sneakers – Adidas Superstars // Bag – Alexander Wang Rocco (similar here)

 

What’s in my online shopping carts?

I love watching the new season arrive online. Sites like Zara, Mango, H&M and ASOS are always getting new stock in and I keep adding and removing items from my virtual shopping bags as priorities change. I can’t have it all unfortunately. The only items I’ve ordered so far are either a) the dregs of the summer sales and massively reduced or b) items I will shoot myself over if I miss out on them. The rest I will sit and procrastinate over until they sell out…and then I will regret not buying them now too!

This post is a mix of both so isn’t very cohesive – but I’m sharing in case you want to avoid kicking yourself too come November!

First up the last of the sales. J.Crew, Madewell and ASOS are my success stories here.

I have similar shorts and love the tassels – and after seeing Beth in her tunic I decided to buy the skirt and the tunic. They are an EXTRA 40% off in the sale right now using SALETREAT which makes the skirt less than $20!

beach tunic grey skirt skirtI also love this scarf with tassels – again 40% off the sale price with SALETREAT

yassel scarf

The Madewell dress that Laura from WIT has is now reduced from $168 to $59.99. I ordered it for a friend and I loved it so much in real life that I have ordered it too.

tassel scarf dress Finally onto ASOS – always worth a look as they have some brilliant reductions. The Thea jeans that Eve has and loves are now just $20!

Thea black Thea blueThe dress I am wearing below is one of my absolute favorite summer styles – oversized (I wear a US 6) and drapey. I have it in navy, grey, black, khaki and burgundy. Now I have it in red for just $26. Keep checking back for sizes as I am pretty sure ASOS update their site real time and stock is always coming back from returns. Stalking always pays off.

red asos dressSo now for the new stuff – and let’s stay with ASOS while I am there! I posted this tunic dress on Instagram the  other day and I adore it! It comes in black too – I’m stalking it for my size!

camelThese jumpsuits are probably a love or hate it item. I have the first one and love it so much that I have ordered the zipper one to try. I’m hoping it will look great with sneakers.

aleevelss min

khaki black minNow for Mango. Here are some pieces on my wishlist in addition to the military jacket I posted the other day. Because it is so beautiful let’s just take another look…

military jacketI just LOVE this cardigan – even my husband said it was ‘very me’.

mango stripeHad enough of the military jackets? How about a cardigan with military detailing?

military cardiganThis is beautiful with the fringing.

navy fringe cardiganThis may actually replace all my winter coats that I just sold!ponchoNow for Zara. As much as I love their new season I still have to pick and choose. I am neither the width nor height of any of the models. All their clothes look amazing online but on a 44 year old with a large bust and waist maybe not. These, however, I think I can get away with.

zara black green topNot sure if I can get away with this but I will give it a darn good try – totally love it!

embroiderd zara cardigan

Finally H&M – I always feel I am disappointed with their quality when I see items in store versus online. I am contemplating ordering these though as they are so unique.

I have this blouse in white and love it then I saw Lucy Williams wear this version and now love this too!

star off the shoulderI love this chunky knit for winter worn simply with jeans and sneakers.

orange rib knitThis balloon sleeve jumper is gorgeous – how unique is the shape for a sweater?

balloon sleeve sweater

So a bit random hey? All perfectly wearable – I just need to edit it down a little! What are your top picks?

ASOS t-shirt dressDress – ASOS t-shirt dress // Sneakers – Golden Goose // Bag – H&M

Blue

Blue isn’t a color I have worn in abundance, till now. I seem to be gravitating to all things navy. It feels a little more summery than black, and once again I am really enjoying using my navy Rocco. I went off it for a while, and even thought about selling it, but it makes me smile when I see it next to me in the car.

The skies here aren’t blue at all. In fact they are dark and threatening. We’ve had some fabulous storms here this week. I love stormy weather…as long as the power stays on!

ASOS blue dressShoes – silver Supergas // Dress – ASOS t-shirt dress (on sale – a few sizes left) // Bag – Rocco // Scarf – H&M (old)

denim shirtSneakers – Nike Internationalists (extra 20% off clearance with BACK2SPORT) // Jeans – TopShop // Shirt – Mango (50% off in sale here)

Back to reality

Where am I? What time is it? Who am I? After a 20 hour journey on Saturday and a 7 hour time difference I am feeling just a tad fuzzy. The kids are waking up at 4am still so hopefully sending them off to camp today will get them back on schedule by the end of the week. Then it’s back to school next week! Roll on 2nd and 4th grade!

I went for something easy and comfy today – it’s so lovely having a different choice of clothes to wear!

ASOS dressBag – Alexander McQueen McQ (similar here) // Shoes – TopShop // Dress – ASOS // Scarf – H&M (old)

Screen Shot 2015-07-27 at 9.17.55 AMSunglasses – Mango

The end is nigh…

Yes tomorrow we will be leaving Northern Cyprus to begin our mammoth journey back to Atlanta, via Istanbul and Paris. It’s been an amazing four weeks but even though I am sad it is over there are many things I am looking forward to when I get home –

1. Seeing my dogs!

2. Having ALL my closet to wear

3. Having ALL my beauty products and makeup to play around with

4. Blowdrying my hair without sweating balls

5. Not sweating balls

6. Whole Foods shopping

7. The gym – yes really!

8. Netflix…

9. Catching up on all my missed Real Housewives episodes

10. My own coffee machine!

11. Opening all my sales goodies (Shhhhhh….)

On Monday we headed back to Salamis to have one last play among the ruins followed by a day on the beach.

Salamis collage

These beach jumpsuits from ASOS are perfect for leaving the beach for the restaurant or running around ancient Greek cities!

Last night we went out for doners again – I might go veggie for a bit once I get home!

allsaints dressDress – AllSaints // Sandals – Handmade Cypriot sandals Etsy store here

See you once I’m back in the USA – all be it with horrific jet lag!

p.s. I am beginning a HUGE closet purge on eBay – I can ship globally too so there may be some bargains for those of you shopping in pounds or euros. Check my page out here! There’ll be lots more added once I’m home.

 

 

 

Kantara Castle and The Karpaz

If you follow me on Instagram forgive me as many of these photos have already been shared! We’ve had another busy few days and a couple with no wi-fi so I’m catching up!

The other day we headed to Kantara Castle. The second of the three castles that sit along the ridge of mountains in Northern Cyprus. My husband and I have fond memories of sitting at the top on our honeymoon in 1998.

DSC_0020 DSC_0065Shorts – J.Crew (currently 30% off with GOSHOPPING) // Top – ASOS // Shoes – Birkenstocks

DSC_0051

On Saturday morning we headed into Nicosia/Lefkosa – my first visit to the capital. It is a fascinating place with a walled old town. It is the only city in the world with an international border running through it. These days crossing that border is much easier and we saw many tourists crossing from the Greek side to the Turkish side. We didn’t have our passports with us that day but plan to return to see the Greek side. From what I hear they are suffering with the rest of Greece which explains the number of tourists popping over to the Turkish side for lunch and their counterfeit goods!

DSC_0120 DSC_0164 DSC_0161 DSC_0132Dress – Mango (now on sale) // Shoes – Avarcas Pons // Bag – Target (I have found this to be THE perfect vacation bag – so light and yet roomy)

DSC_0213

You’re not supposed to photograph the border patrol – so here is a sneaky one of my husband with the border in the background. Years ago this street became notorious and was referred to as ‘Murder Mile’ where more than a dozen British soldiers and civilians had been shot dead by the terrorists.

DSC_0198 DSC_0164

I fell in love with Lefkosa and I loved the architecture, the people and the ambience. We sat in the courtyard above and drank kahve with the locals. I could do that every weekend.

On Monday we headed to my favorite place in the world – to date anyway – and drove down the Karpaz, which is the pan handle of Cyprus. As soon as you reach the Karpaz you feel as if you are transported to a different time. It is very rural and beautiful, and there are many reminders of the troubles that Cyprus has endured. Beautiful Greek churches remain unused – though it did appear to me that some are being restored. Dipkarpaz is a town towards the end of the Karpaz, and it is still home to Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, with signs in both languages clearly displayed. We had lunch on the way to the beach at a place called Nikos – highly recommended if you are ever here! I fell in love with it – and the story of the owners provided hope for the future. One partner is a Turkish Cypriot and the other a Greek Cypriot – ironically they are both from the opposite ends of the island – with the Turkish Cypriot being from Paphos. Now they run Nikos together serving the BEST fish and calamari we have ever eaten.

DSC_0239 DSC_0248 DSC_0246

The Karpaz is home to herds of goats and wild donkeys – so much fun to see them roam the fields and cross the road in front of you! The donkeys are very tame and love to be fed carrots from the car window.

DSC_0267 DSC_0272 DSC_0282 DSC_0292 DSC_0336

I managed to persuade everyone to stay the night in a hut on the beach – I think it’s the closest I’ll ever get them to camping! I LOVED it!

DSC_0370

IMG_3634 IMG_3644 IMG_3656Shorts – Madewell (in sale here) // Top – Mango (old) // Sunglasses – Warby Parker // Bikini (under top) – J.Crew

IMG_3672 IMG_3677 IMG_3687 IMG_3726Shorts – J.Crew (on sale here plus an extra 30% off with GOSHOPPING) // Tank – Everlane

After a fun drive back, we went out for dinner last night – it felt fabulous to wash away the sand and wash my hair for the first time in a couple of days!

Fun with the kids IMG_3858Dress – Splendid (similar here and here) // Shoes – Ancient Greek Sandals (discounted here)

Preparing for our vacation!

Yes it’s that time of year again! It sure rolls around quickly once the children have finished school! Next week I take them back to England to see my family – always fun for the children to catch up with their cousins. I just hope the weather cooperates so they can play outside. It will also help with the challenge of packing for 2 climates, as after England, we are off to Istanbul and N.Cyprus – not known for their unpredictable weather – it will be predictably scorcchio.

Right now Poppy has a pile of clothes the same size as my pile – not bad going for a 9 year old. I think we may have to adapt from ‘what I want to take’ to ‘what I need to take’ – especially as I will be lugging luggage around by myself until my husband joins us!

Before I share my recent outfits I wanted to let you know that the Vince Nina shoes at Saks have been further reduced to $151 – a steal for a fabulous pair of flats! My indigo pair arrives tomorrow and I called them this morning to apply the new price instead of returning and reordering – always worth checking first as most stores will price match within 10 days of an order being placed.

Vince Nina indigo

 

So here’s what I’ve been wearing this week before a quick change into pool gear in the afternoons!

J.Crew jeansJeans – J.Crew // Shoes – Nine West (old) // Shirt – J.Crew (on sale plus an extra 30% off with SHOPSALE) // Bag – Alexander Wang Rocco (similar here discounted on TheOutnet.com and here in the UK)

J.Crew jeans, Zara denim top, Alexander Wang RoccoShoes – Nine West (old) // Jeans – J.Crew (in sale PLUS an extra 60% off with SHOPSALE code) // Top – Zara // Bag – Alexander Wang Rocco (similar here on sale)

Warby Parker BanksShorts – J.Crew // T-shirt – ASOS // Sneakers – Adidas (old) // Sunglasses – Warby Parker