Tag Archives: H&M

My Mother’s Day lunch.

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We don’t really celebrate Mother’s Day in this house.  Partly because I always forget about it – once I have remembered the UK Mother’s Day earlier in the year, I forget all about the US Mother’s Day.  Plus it always falls around Poppy’s birthday – which as she will tell you is far more important.  So my title today is a bit misleading.  My lovely Husband is on his way back from the office to take me out for margaritas and tacos at our favorite Mexican, while the children are at school.  Once school finishes in 2 weeks we won’t have much opportunity to indulge in a long lazy lunch without them – so I’m turning it into my Mother’s Day lunch without children – heck I might even go crazy and have two margaritas.

Burgandy coated skinnes and wedges

Top – Zara // Jeans – H&M coated skinnies (old) // Shoes – wedge heels DSW (Old – similar here) // Bag – Boden leather fold over clutch (BEST bags ever!)

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Any changes of heart yet?

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It’s been a while since I last wore them and you’ve had the chance to consider…any changes of heart?  Anyone now tempted?  Oh well I’ll keep trying – I love them:)

We have the best weather of the year so far here in Atlanta – it’s ‘cracking the flags’ as my Nan used to say.

Accessories

Shoes – Nine West (on sale plus an extra 30% off at NineWest.com) // Bracelets – H&M (old) and Tiffany’s // Watch – Fossil (old – similar here) // Nail polish – Essie Marshmallow

Dungarees

 Dungarees – Asos (back in stock here) // T-shirt – The Gap

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The best leggings ever!

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I love leggings, and as you know I have the TopShop faux leather leggings that I bought from Nordstrom, which I last wore here – but I have found some even better ones!

Dear Ruby is a boutique located in Utah – a long way away from Atlanta – but I have known about them for a while.  I discovered them last year while looking for jewelry – of which they have a great collection of extremely pretty items, all at fantastic prices, especially their bib necklaces.  Anyway, I had ‘liked’ them on Facebook and the other day in my newsfeed I saw that they were giving away some faux leather leggings.  I took a peek and found these on their site for just $14!!  They also have them in oxblood, and all their prices are amazing.

Their styling online could be better, and requires a little imagination but trust me – I just love these leggings.  They add a little pizazz to a simple outfit and are great for day or night.  The absolute best thing about them is the waistband.  Instead of being a narrow piece of elastic, like most leggings, that can pinch in your waist and create a fabulous muffin top – these have a wider band around the waist that is smoothing and contours to your shape.  It reminds me a bit of the belly bands I wore when I was pregnant.  It’s not a high band – just very smooth and removes any risk of muffin top – so much so I wore mine here with a very tight long tank dress without any fear of lumps or bumps.  These leggings are great value for money, wash well and are super comfortable and flattering – what more could a girl want?

Faux leather leggings

 

Faux leather leggings – c/o Dear Ruby // Tank dress – H&M (old) // Cardigan – AllSaints plume cardigan (old) // Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury charcoal suede boots (old)

 

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Instagram weekend round up.

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Happy Easter all!  I am sitting here typing while the loin of pork roasts.  I always slip a few slithers of garlic in it so it smells amazing – hhhhmmmm!  I was contemplating roasting a leg of lamb – it seems more appropriate at Easter – but I always find the left over pork easier to use up in a Mexican dish later in the week.  I’d better get a few more spin sessions in before the bikinis come out for Spring break!:)

I thought rather than cracking open a bottle of red before dinner is ready, I’d update you with some weekend outfits instead.

My son was off from school on Friday for Easter so we headed out to Target for some fun shopping – well kind of – I basically needed to buy more Mini Eggs before they sell out till next year!

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I’m not much of a hat wearer, but I fell in love with these Mossimo straw Fedoras.  Still not convinced I would ever wear them so they didn’t make it home with me, but I might try them again – they’d be great on the beach!IMG_3520 IMG_3522

Jacket – JohnnieB (old) // T-shirt – Forever21 // Jeans – H&M boyfriend jeans // Sneakers – Converse

Later on Friday I was watching the children play while having a little playtime myself – nothing better than a margarita in the sun:)IMG_3531

This bracelet brings me so much joy.  It’s an original Susie Ho design and it reminds me of the fantastic time we all had in London on our blogger meet back in February.IMG_3534

MM giggled at me on Saturday morning for being ‘so dressed up’ with no where to go.  Well I did take Poppy to her Zumba class so surely that counts?  I love this M&S cardigan – it makes a casual outfit feel a little more ‘put together’.IMG_3536 IMG_3538

Trousers – Zara // Boots – Isabel Marant Dickers // T-shirt – Forever21 // Cardigan – Marks and Spencer

I also nipped into the Mall later in the day, so obviously I had to take a peek in Zara.  I’d fallen in love with this jacket online and, fortuitously, they had my size in store.  Would have been silly not to have brought it home, no?

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Last night MM and I went out for dinner and drinks to our favorite bar.  I normally choose my ‘going out’ attire by selecting the one item I really want to wear and building the outfit around it.  Last night I really wanted to wear these Zara trousers.  I’ve had them a while and took them all the way to the UK and back without them being worn.  It turned into a perfect opportunity to pair them with my white pumps.  I LOVE these shoes.  Whether you like the outfit or not, it was one of those times where once I was ready I felt great:)  I’m convinced the Saturday 8am spin class helps psychologically too!

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Shoes – BCBG Generation (currently reduced) // Trousers – Zara // Tank – Express (old) // Jacket – Zara

So Happy Easter all – I’m now off to crack open that bottle of red:)

 

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Loud trousers.

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I think I just needed to wear something with a little pizazz today – I’m giving the 2 fingered salute to the weather.  I was already pretty fed up putting the kids in the car as it was SO cold – then as I was getting ready for work started with snow flurries – can you believe it?  Hard to imagine that I am supposed to be sitting on a beach in 2 weeks time.  It better be bloody bikini weather by then that’s all I can say!

This weather also doesn’t help my spring closet.  I have it in my head that I NEED some white, distressed boyfriend jeans – but in reality I can’t even consider wearing white jeans until it is at least in the 60s Farenheit…For research purposes though, I’m off to try a pair of these Old Navy ones at lunchtime.  The reviews say they fit big and I can believe that as my Gap boyfriend jeans are labeled a US 2 – errrr no way am I a US 2.  I hope these Old Navy jeans work out especially at $35!  The photo is dreadful, but they look like the cut and amount of distressing may be just right – as long as they are not too short.  They need to sit just above the ankle bone when rolled a couple of times.  I’ll report back tomorrow.

Old Navy white jeans

 

And here are the loud trousers for today:)  Keep warm folks!

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Trousers – H&M (old) // Shirt – J.Crew popover // Boots – Steve Madden (old) // Jacket – Zara old (similar here)

 

 

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Leather and pleather.

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Back to the grind stone today – and not just in the office  – as I also had a request from Poppy for a French pleat in her hair for school picture day.  Not what I needed at 6.30am this morning.  A handful of grips and a can of hairspray later we had something that she was happy with – I bet it was down by the time she got to school!

I’m in my leathers again today – I really need some new leather leggings.  These are fine but having no butt means that they are less than tight around the arse.  I really want some leather leggings – just above the ankle bone, tight with some stretch in them, and a front button and fly.  Any recommendations that won’t cost an arm and a leg?

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Trousers – AllSaints leather Delors pipe jeans // Shoes – Zara court // T-shirt – Zara // Linen top – H&M long sleeved // Jacket – River Island (not online)

Darn it – I’ll never save money – this always happens – looking for links, just now for my outfit, I discovered a new gem – look at this jacket and tell me this isn’t an Isabel Marant knock off – I LOVE it!!

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More ‘me’ again.

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As much as I enjoy experimenting with clothes and shoes, my slightly different look yesterday just didn’t feel right and I didn’t feel ‘me’ all day until I got changed for the gym.  It’s quite amazing how an outfit can impact your daily disposition!

Today I am home with a poorly boy, but he’s on the mend and the sun is shining so not a bad Tuesday really.  Some online shopping and a bit of work to do but maybe a glass of wine later in the garden?

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Shoes – Vince Camuto Fawna // Jeans – Target (old) // Jumper – H&M (old) // Long tank – H&M (old)

Oh and another code arrived in my mailbox – if you’re in the US and need some Spring basics like shorts – I love J.Crew Factory – use STYLESCORE for a whopping 30% off everything!  Just be warned their fit is a little more snug than J.Crew which I find quite generous these days.

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A new haircut and an ASOS code.

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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:

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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…

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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!

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Saturday’s recovery outfit:

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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??

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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!

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Oil pulling.

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I am turning granola.  Well I’m at least becoming more ‘green’ friendly and more aware of pollutants entering the temple that is my body.  I suddenly realized this just the other day when Avril was telling me to stop using Bio Oil as it is a mineral oil full of rubbish stuff that will actually dry my skin out.  Rosehip Oil apparently is the way to go – so I have just ordered some from Amazon to give it a whirl as a night treatment.

The other ‘treatment’ I started doing regularly just a few weeks ago may make you feel queasy – but I assure you it is fabulous and you will notice a difference too.  Oral health is really important – not just to prevent tooth decay and bad breath – but gum disease has also been shown to raise the incidence of heart disease and premature birth/miscarriage.  I am REALLY OCD about my teeth, especially after orthodontic treatments as a child and adult.  I want to keep my teeth around forever thank you.  In the past I have used a mouth wash for whitening, freshening and rinsing after brushing.  Mouthwash can be really harsh and has brought tears to my eyes in the past – plus read the label – I dare you – so many chemicals!  Anyway I was reading about juicing (see I am turning granola…) and stumbled across an article about oil pulling.  Bear with me.  Using an organic oil – I prefer coconut oil – you just swill it in your mouth, like with mouthwash, only for a bit longer, about 15mins.  Coconut oil can be a bit intimidating as it is solid at room temperature – but trust me – take a tablespoon in your mouth and it will turn liquid at body temperature.  It tastes fabulous – just like coconut – no surprise there really.  Ok so what does swilling oil do?  Well to a scientist, ah hem, like myself, it makes perfect sense.  The oil ‘pulls’ toxins and bacteria from the teeth and gums.  Remember hydrophilic and hydrophobic at school?  Well all the rubbish stuff in your mouth is actually quite oil friendly (feel free to switch off here, but I used to use oil in my research to separate certain proteins – some liked oil and some didn’t).  So the theory is that oil pulling every morning or every other day will remove all the rubbish from your mouth.  Avoid swallowing it as it is now full of toxins, and spit it in the bin or down the loo as it will block your sink drains!  I swear it has been beneficial – and much more pleasant than mouth wash.  Others say it not only freshens breath, whitens teeth and helps oral hygiene but can also aid a more restful sleep and diminish arthritic pain – true detoxification.  Give it a go and let me know what you think.  It’s now part of my morning routine – and I actually ‘swill’ while showering every morning.

It’s Hugh’s birthday today so we’re both hanging out together.  It’s the last time I’ll be able to take him out of school on his birthday.  The new drum kit seems to have been a hit (groan – no pun intended) – at least with me and Poppy – one of us WILL tour with Jack White.

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I had to nip into Zara to take a couple of things back – poor Hugh got dragged along too but he gave me 10 mins to try a couple of t-shirts that didn’t come home with me.

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Boots – Rag & Bone charcoal suede Newburys // Trousers – Dorothy Perkins coated jeggings // Knitted tunic – H&M (old) // Coat – Boden Iona coat (only $97 in clearance!) // Scarf – Marks & Spencer bicycle scarf

 

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Matalan and Primark finds.

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To all of you in the US I can only best describe Matalan and Primark as stores similar to Target or Old Navy – cheap, on trend clothing – disposable fashion.  I remember Primark as a child and recently it has had somewhat of a revival.  Just as we in the States refer to Target as Targét (well at least in my neck of the woods) – Primark is often referred to as Primarni.

It takes some energy to sift the wheat from the chaff but all in all it is worth it.  Yesterday I scored 2 pairs of jeans.  I know their jeans are fab as I have a couple of their printed ones – the floral ones from last summer being the most worn.  Yesterday I got some gorgeous smoky blue/grey striped ankle skimmers (though they actually feel full length on me!), and a pair of cheapo boyfriend jeans – mainly because I couldn’t justify leaving them in the store at just 13 GBP each.  Their sizing is definitely a bit hit or miss as the skinnies are a UK 10 and I had to go to a 12 in the boyfriend jeans.  There’s a bit more distressing on the boyfriend jeans than I’d possibly like, but then if I use my very vivid imagination and pretend I’m not in freezing Bury, sun kissed knees peeking through the denim, in the Atlanta sun, might work well with them…

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I had to head across the street to Matalan – they are normally located in retail parks – as is the one in Bury.  I was skeptical as I wandered in but that quickly dissipated and I was overwhelmed with sheer joy!  Again sifting the wheat from the chaff was required – but more on a style basis than quality as everything seemed to be really well made considering the really low prices.  I ended up picking up a couple of jersey maxi skirts (couldn’t decide between the grey and the black), a pair of pewter silky trousers and some fabulous polo shirts with silky trim.  I sized up to a UK 14 on the shirts worried they may be too snug especially after a wash – plus the placement of the pockets made me a bit nervous – but the UK 14s are perfect – loose enough but not huge.  I am now smitten with Matalan.

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Heading back to the bus station I had a quick nosey in H&M.  Low and behold they had some fabulous looking boyfriend jeans – that were the right amount of faded, distress and are also described as ‘tapered leg’.  So off I went to try them on.  I took a 27″ and 28″ into the changing room – I always try the smallest size first so I can be a) elated when they fit or b) optimistic the larger size will work.  The 27s were perfect – and still oversize.  They really do fit like a men’s jean and even have a slightly lower crotch that some will love or some will hate – personally I love the fit.  I think these will be worn often this Spring.

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Don’t ask me how I am going to get all this home – I don’t know yet.

For my little shopping jaunt I wore a pair of my new shoes.  The Office Nighthawk boots in red – a cheap imitation of the Chloe Susanna boots.  I got them for 30 GBP in the sale and I love them.  They are great quality, lovely leather and incredibly comfortable – plus my gamble of buying a UK 6 paid off and they fit perfectly.  I wore them with Zara camo trousers and an H&M jumper layered over an H&M tank.  The scarf is an old Boden jersey scarf that I love.

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Now off to the Trafford Center – Mum and Dad are in the market for an iPad.

 

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