Tag Archives: Converse

A new haircut and an ASOS code.

I hope you are all having as good a weekend as I am having!? It started with a great night out with a girlfriend I haven’t seen in ages. We talked and talked and drank and drank and needless to say I was very happy the sun shone on Saturday so I could spend it horizontal in the garden:) I’m getting too old to be coming home at 2am!

Friday night outfit:

Jeans – H&M boyfriend jeans // shoes – Nine West Austin leopard print // Jacket – Zara (old) // tank – H&M (old) // belt – Gucci

As you can see I had a haircut on Thursday too – I LOVE it. It’s REALLY short at the back and sides – it’s basically an undercut. It helps me channel my wild side. So much so in fact that I also opened up my second ear piercing again…

And here’s how I spent most of Friday and Saturday in the sun – bliss! Weird considering there was snow up the coast in NYC!

Saturday’s recovery outfit:

Shoes – converse // Trousers – Top Shop (old) // t-shirt – Forever 21

Somehow I’ve managed to get myself on the mailing list for Net-a-Porter.com‘s magazine – The Edit. I wish they would stop trying to give the game away to MM – he doesn’t need to know I make occasional purchases on NAP! I spotted this AMAZING suit from Roberto Cavalli – now I just need to find a spare $20k. Anyone??

As I don’t always blog at the weekend you keep up to date and find my photos by following on Instagram – @PoppysStyle – it’s my new social media obsession!

Finally, if you are in the US, it appears St. Patrick’s Day can be good for something in addition to drinking Guinness and wearing green. ASOS have a code good for 48 hrs – use GETLUCKY for 20% off – enjoy!

Running with music.

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It’s spring and it is time to get out and start pounding the pavements again. The idea is to alternate with Spin classes and that should hopefully keep me injury free. I always run with music – sometimes I get so in the zone I actually get chills and I can feel the rush of energy and endorphins that a great track gives me. Normally I run with an iPod shuffle – it’s tiny, neat and light so doesn’t hinder the – ah hem – athlete in me. However, when I was back in the UK I really wanted to take some photos of the amazing views I am privy too when running over t’moors. That meant either holding my camera while running – no thanks – or taking my iPhone. The latter option was obviously preferable.

Now I’ve always been put off by wearing a cumbersome arm band while running but I have to say this one I used was very light, sweat proof and easy to adjust. It’s the iPhone neoprene armband from MobileFun.com. It’s also a pretty decent price at just $12.99 especially when you compare with similar products on the market. If you are like me, and feel the need to document as you run, I can recommend this – perfect for keeping all your Instagram followers up to date. The other advantage of running with an iPhone of course is that you can actually keep track accurately of miles and pace using an app like MapMyRun. You can even bore people to tears on Facebook with how many miles you’ve run:)

What else have I been up to? Well yesterday I went to Target to stock up on some Spring clothes for Poppy – you have to be quick as they disappear fast. She thinks her Mommy is ‘totally the best’ for buying her her first denim jacket. I also sneaked in a pair of jeans for me. Target have some fabulous bright clothes in right now – lots of tie dye and dip dye items too – right up my alley. These jeans were just $25 and they come in green and purple too.

Finally here are my ootd for the past couple of days. I’ll be reporting back later with a new haircut – think I’m going back to the faux hawk/undercut – I feel the rebel in me rising again.

Sweater – J.Crew (from sale) // Jeans – velvet toothpick jeans J.Crew (from sale) // Converse – charcoal grey

Jacket – Zara (old) // Tee – Gap (old) // Jeans – Hudson Collin // Boots – Office Nighthawk (sale bargains)

Comfy sneakers.

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Yes I know sneakers are everywhere right now and every blogger, magazine and newspaper, it seems, has featured them – so it’s my turn with a pick of some of my favorites. I have been a sneaker/trainer advocate for some time and always used to make a point of buying them cheap from the US, when we first started traveling here. Friends laughed at me when I described my various pairs of trainers that were either for ‘fashion’ or ‘fitness’ – well you don’t want to wear smelly trainers that you worked out in down at the pub!

My favorites were, and probably always will be, the Nike Air Max ’95s. I had a pair of grey with green and a pair of blue with orange, which I adored and wore both till they fell apart – unusual for me!

I am also a big lover of hi tops and again Nike tends to be my go to brand. I love these Dunk wedge sneakers that they have designed. As you see, like my trousers, I like my sneakers loud!

Going old school – I love these Vans – perfect with skinnies or boyfriend jeans with a simple sweatshirt for a great tomboy look.

These new Adidas ones have caught my eye too. I love Adidas and have a pair of navy Gazelles. I had a pair of green ones that I hunted high and low for back in the early 90’s when Ms. Moss made them a must have item. These hi-tops are a grey marl jersey fabric – they look super comfy and I can’t resist grey marl ever – even on sneakers.

Finally, of course, we can spend a little more should we so wish. Waiting in my closet to be worn are a pair of Marant Bobby sneakers. As soon as the rain disappears they will be on my feet – I adore them and they are the perfect color for summer with shorts.

After Kat reminded me about the Ash Virgins, I took a peek at their new Spring sneakers and I am currently yearning for a pair of Ash Virgin star cutouts in silver – they’d be awesome with boyfriend jeans and my Zara red leather jacket:)

Coincidentally my past few outfits have revolved around sneakers. On Saturday night we went out to our lovely neighbors for little get together. It was a fabulous night, late and indulgent and the kids had a blast too. I wore my new Matalan maxi skirt, old Gap striped t-shirt, Boden Union Jack scarf (old), Gap denim jacket (old) and white Converse.

Today I went for comfort, and rain is expected so the Bobby sneakers are still in their box! I bought these Nike sneakers over a year ago and love the girly pink trim on them:)

Jacket – Boden JohnnieB (old) // Sweatshirt – AllSaints Decay top (old) // Jeans – H&M boyfriend jeans // Sneakers – Nike Air Max (similar here)

So have you bought into the sneaker trend? Which are your must haves?

Larkin’ about.

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Slowly moving back to the land of the living today. Which is good as it is Hugh’s 5th birthday tomorrow and he is VERY excited. So excited that last night he was trying to convince me it was Wednesday today. Given my jet lag I almost believed him.

Today I took my inspiration from a couple of my favorite US bloggers – Tiffany Wendel Personal Styling and Sheree from It’s Not That Deep. Both are Moms, and REALLY cool Moms at that. I love browsing their sites, and though I’m not sure I can get away with all their looks, they certainly provide great inspiration. Both of them have worn a black fur gilet over a denim jacket recently:) I’m also trying to wear all my warm, furry things before it warms up and they get packed away to the downstairs closet!

I started having some fun on our big rock in the garden – a rock I only venture near in the winter as I am sure it provides shelter for snakes in the summer!

Fur gilet – Skaist-Taylor for NM and Target // Denim jacket – Gap (old) // Red jeans – Zara (old) // Top – The Limited collection, Marks & Spencer (old) // Sneakers – Converse

Complete change of subject now, but I was on my drive into work this morning listening to NPR as usual. They reviewed a book, Wave, written by Sonali Deraniyagala. She survived the horrific Tsunami on Boxing Day 2004, but lost all her family to it. It was heart wrenching to listen to her story – but I really now want to read this book – here’s the NPR link.

Harem trousers – I love ’em.

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Now we’ve discussed before how harem trousers are a love ’em or loathe ’em item but I really do love ’em. I’ve decided it all hails back to when I met MM in 1991. He was/is a non-conformist and when I met him he had long curly hair and more jewelry than me. He always wore loud shirts with harem trousers and his red Converse hi-tops, which incidentally, he has on his feet today – not the same pair mind you. MM was fortunate that all his harem trousers were hand made in Turkey. As a PhD student in Byzantine history he was lucky enough to have regular trips to Turkey where he could indulge in Efes pilsener, Roman ruins and fine tailoring. I must dig out the photo of the first University Ball he took me to – he wore black harem trousers, a tailcoat, black shirt with white polka dots, a white bow tie and the omnipresent red converse – he’s such a wall flower…

Anyhow I am now the flag bearer in the family when it comes to harem trousers. Today I have on the Zara grey trousers (they’re labeled as khaki on the site but they are definitely grey) which are super soft and comfortable. I try to wear them with a more fitted top so I don’t look too overwhelmed. Today I have my Boden blackberry Must Have jumper layered over a black Zara t-shirt. The scarf is H&M and the boots are the Isabel Marant Dickers. So thoughts please would you, do you do harem trousers?

Here’s my outfit from yesterday – black Gap skinny jeans, a black Gap t-shirt and the AllSaints Plume cardigan from the sale back in June, all finished off with the mocha Acne Pistols. We happened to be doing some work on the IKEA Pax last night, and without the cardi and boots MM said I bore a keen resemblance to the IKEA ninja in the instructions…he can mock when he can beat my time for drawer assembly…

I also got to try on my new Boden Fairisle jumper. I’m so glad I sized up in this – this is a US 10 but fits far better than the 8 – I can’t abide tight knitwear and this now falls really well. Not my usual style but I really like it for winter and it complements my Pistols perfectly! There aren’t many left in stock after all the promotions recently, but worth stalking.

2 dresses in 2 days.

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I’m trying to find my running mojo again. After a couple of months off, due to injury, getting back into the swing of things is tough. My motivation seems to have buggered off. After picking the Christmas tree out this morning I headed home with the intention of doing not much at all. On my way back though I saw several runners and walkers out and about enjoying the cool air. Suddenly I was attacked by a pang of guilt and no matter what I did I couldn’t shake it – I had to go out for a run. So I did. It was hard work but I did it and enjoyed it a bit. Now I need to climb that hill back to where I enjoy it a lot – fingers crossed the stamina returns quickly. Billy Joel helped me find my rhythm this morning – I really need to play him more.

Without a doubt connected to the lack of running, my choice of clothing has been driven more and more by comfort recently. Another reason to get the running shoes back on otherwise half my closet won’t fit anymore. I don’t wear dresses/tunics nearly as often in the winter as I do in the summer – not sure why as with a pair of tights and boots a knitted dress can actually be warmer than wearing trousers. Yesterday I wore the Boden smocked tunic dress with M&S cable knit tights (mailed by Mum last winter!) and my Frye Phillip studded harness boots. Now admittedly the tunic may not be the most flattering item of clothing I own, but I still like it a lot. It is incredibly soft and really easy to wear. Unfortunately most of the smaller sizes are currently sold out here – but definitely worth stalking – I’d suggest going down a size too if you are between sizes as it is generous. On another note Boden have 35% off party pieces until midnight on Sunday – worth a look if you have some fun festive parties approaching!

Now yesterday I made quite a commitment to Poppy – I promised her we would make our own salt dough ornaments. Yes my first foray into crafting – clearly I am losing my mind. Once again I am all talk and no action – we’ve baked 6 so far…not enough to decorate more than 2 branches on my 8ft tree. I’m trying to relax and not get too involved – but aaargh how difficult can it be to roll some dough out evenly…? Step away from the children and leave them to it!

Anyway in my eagerness to be well prepared and collect salt, flour, acrylic paints etc. etc. I headed off to Target. Fatal. It took me 45 minutes to get past the clothing section. Somehow this incredible beauty jumped into my cart – in both colorways too. Now forgive me if I am wrong but it is incredibly similar in style (if not a complete copy) to the AllSaints solstice dress that retailed at a fair bit more than this Converse number at $30! Rather happy with it it has to be said:)