Tag Archives: H&M

A few weekend orders plus my Spring 2015 wishlist has been started!

It was a crazy weekend that included lots of birthday celebrations for Hugh! We started on Friday with a trip to Shake Shack, and then on Saturday he had a party with his school mates at Glow Galaxy. I swear this is the last birthday party we have! I am not a fan of sitting in an indoor play room for 2 hours. They all had fun of course – but I have already convinced Poppy that the money for her 9th birthday in May will be better spent on a Mommy and daughter trip to NYC! Works for me! 🙂

Sunday was glorious with Spring arriving on cue after our clocks changed this weekend. We headed out for BBQ and sat outside on a patio for the first time this year. So much fun! Once home Hugh decided to try out his new bow and arrow (don’t ask!) and I enjoyed the sun while compiling my Spring 2015 wish list and doing a little online shopping!

First off TheOutnet.com has some AMAZING stock right now. I occasionally head to the site just to see what is there and often nothing tickles my fancy. This weekend, however, my heart was set aflutter by all the fabulous items I loved.

First up they have lots of Rag & Bone heavily discounted. Of course I am obsessed with their boots and I ordered the Harper boot. There are several sizes left but they will sell out fast with the 40% discount.

Harper

My summer wardrobe is going to consist mainly of jeans and great t-shirts. I am staying clear of lots of patterns right now and gravitating towards classic jeans and jackets. Hence I ordered the MiH Phoebe jean at an amazing discount and this wash is perfect for summer. They are 65% discounted at just $87.50 – cheaper than some Zara jeans!

MIH phoebe

I’m tempted to go back for the Jane jean – I love the cut and the frayed hem. Again 65% off and many sizes left.

MIH jane

They have lots of great pairs of flares too which I was really surprised to see given the high demand they are currently experiencing. These are my pick from AG, discounted by 50%.

AG flare

Sunglasses are on my list of updates for this summer. I have several Ray-Ban aviators but wanted some new acetate frames. My regular prescription glasses are Oliver Peoples and they are so light and comfortable that I grabbed a pair of these when I saw them online. It’s very rare to see Oliver People’s discounted as they are so classic.

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This pair is also lovely in grey.

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On to J.Crew now who have 25% off in the US for the next 48 hours using code SpringStyle – there are some exclusions though so check before checking out.

Their new stock is arriving and there are so many pretty items for spring. I particularly love this embroidered lace top in navy and blush – it is currently reduced and you can apply the 25% code too.

lace top blush top

Other classic tops that I plan to order include these tunics. I much prefer a tunic to a shirt as it eliminates the danger of gaping buttons. Again the SpringStyle 25% code can be used with all of these.

tailored tunic stripe tunic

This muslin tunic will look fabulous with flares and clogs or wedge sandals!

muslin tunic

My goal is to wear this type of simple top with jeans under a linen blazer. Linen blazer? But where from? Well you know what, J.Crew’s new season includes one of my favorite jackets – the Regent blazer – in linen. There are some amazing colors and I can’t wait to see the kiwi in real life. Unfortunately these jackets are so popular that the code does not apply.

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So my uniform for the summer will include jackets, shirts and jeans – and J.Crew’s jeans are some of the best on the block – including their denim shorts. The 25% discount applies to all of these picks too!

I love the distressed denim on these shorts – I saw them in store the other day and the holes are patched so they are not indecent at all – the length is also good – no butt cheeks will show!

broken in denim short

My favorite J.Crew jean right now is the wide leg crop. I love a good crop to show off a fabulous shoe or boot and a little ankle on show is lovely in the spring. These are on my wishlist in both white and the odell wash – they get rave reviews!

white jeans odell wash

So it’s a pretty long list already and I haven’t even included the Gucci loafers I am currently saving for! I have these in black and they are the most comfortable, well made pair of shoes I own. Looking back up through this post the orange pair will be the perfect statement shoe for my summer wardrobe!

Gucci

As for my weekend outfits here we go starting with Saturday – and yes the jacket and jeans uniform.

Jacket 2Shoes – Vince Nina // Jeans – Zara (old) // Shirt – Zara (old) // Jacket – Mango (on sale here) // Bag – H&M

Yesterday it was jeans again but no jacket was required in the sun!

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Boots – Burgundy Rag & Bone Newbury boots // Top – AllSaints (old) // Jeans – J.Crew // Bag – H&M

Today I’m back to black and grey.

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Boots – Charcoal Rag & Bone Newbury boots (similar here) // Trousers – J.Crew (on SALE PLUS 25% off with SpringStyle) // Top – Zara (old) // Jacket – Zara (old)

I’d love to hear what’s on your wish list for this Spring!

Winter is well and truly here

It’s been so mild till now that I’ve been a little frustrated that I haven’t been able to get well and truly wrapped up. Well all that has changed today as it won’t get above freezing till Friday – brrrr! Is it wrong to be already wishing for Spring Break?

My outfits for the past 3 days have really been all about comfort what with sitting in a cinema then heading back to work. Nothing too challenging this week, at least till I adapt to that 6 o’clock alarm again.

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Jacket – Mango (similar here in sale) // Jumper – TopShop // Trousers – Zara (now on sale) // Sneakers – Nike from JCrew

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Cardigan – ASOS (now on sale) // Jumper – Uniqlo cashmere tunic (on sale) // Jeans – Zara // Sneakers – Nike from J.Crew (similar here)

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Boots – Isabel Marant for H&M // Trousers – J.Crew drapey wool joggers // Jumper – J.Crew (on sale plus extra 40% off with STYLE15) // Hat – cashmere beany on sale // Scarf – Uniqlo cashmere scarf (similar here on sale)

Into week 2 with no alcohol – my body doesn’t know what is going on – but my waistline is benefitting!

 

 

Christmas outfits

I am currently reclining in my M&S cashmere onesie after stuffing myself silly at a Boxing Day lunch. We went to a local restaurant and had the best lunch ever – lobster bisque followed by steak. All I can say is thank goodness for M&S onesies – and today they are on sale!! I may have just ordered the leopard print version that Nicole Scherzinger is wearing here…yup I’m a sucker for cashmere even when it is in the 60s here! The one I bought last year is amazing and washes great – I pretty much live in it in the winter when I am home and have been known to walk down to the bus stop in it 🙂

Nicole in her onesie with Helena Bonham-Carter, backstage after her performance in Cats:

scherzyAvailable from M&S reduced from a whopping £225 to £157:

M&S onesieOr if leopard print isn’t your style there are plenty of the plain versions available that are reduced from £199 to £99, available in pewter, camel and cerise:

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As for other sale purchases I am particularly pleased with my Splendid haul from Net-a-porter.com. Thinking ahead for the summer of course, I have ordered a couple of t-shirt dresses, tanks and jumpsuits that are super comfortable. I even wore one of the jumpsuits on Christmas day but neglected to get a photo as I imbibed too much prosecco too soon 🙂 This is the jumpsuit worn on Christmas day – so soft and comfortable, I have a medium and it is reduced from $225 to $90.

splendid jumpsuitAlso available in green – great with a tan in the summer!

jumpsuit greenThe tanks are a great bargain in the sale. I’ve been wanting these all year but just couldn’t stomach $65 full price for a tee!

tank tank marlThe maxi dresses are beautiful and are a really fabulous fabric that will be cool and yet drapes wonderfully. I love both styles.

maxi dressThis strapless version is reduced from $115 to $46!

maxi dress straplessI can’t wait to wear this on the beach in Cyprus – such a fun color! Even better when it is reduced from $130 to $52!

tee-dressFinally my favorites from the AllSaints sale. These boots are to die for – so unique and dramatic. reduced from $415 to $290:

AlbaIn my eyes you can’t beat a great AllSaints dress. Today for Boxing Day I wore this – a lovely loose knit with gold thread throughout. Perfect for the expanding waistline. I have a medium and it is reduced to $129 from $215.

agnesAnd here it is on me today – thank goodness I opted for a loose dress! I was in a real rush too after spending 40 odd minutes setting up a new sewing machine for Poppy – talk about flashbacks to Home Economics classes! They are certainly paying dividends now for sure!

agnes dressBoots – Rag and Bone Newbury boots (some in the sale here!) // Dress – AllSaints

On Christmas Eve for our annual visit to Church I again opted for warmth and comfort with my Zara knitted suit.

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Sweater – Zara (now on sale) // Trousers – Zara (now on sale) // Shoes – Vince Claire oxblood

Before the Christmas festivities began my Husband took me out for cocktails on Tuesday so I opted for some sparkles – who knows when I will wear them again!

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Shoes – Vince Claire // Leggings – H&M // Sweater – Everlane cashmere tunic // Jacket – Zara velvet blazer

As for presents, I must have been exceptionally good in 2014, – look what Santa bought me!

leopard newburyI hope you all got what you wished for and had an amazing Christmas! Now to plan those New Year’s outfits!

 

A new hobby

Throughout my life no one has ever considered me to be creative. I’ve always been pigeon holed as the left brained scientist. Not a bad thing at all, but I do remember feeling rather dejected after my attempts to draw and shade the light and shadow on an apple, and my rather pathetic depiction in clay of me sitting on a wall – it used to be on the sideboard at home but even my proud Mum has now relegated it to a shelf in the spare room 🙂

Having children can force you into all kinds of situations that you would never normally consider, such as crafting and painting. Before kids I would never have considered owning a glue gun or paint brushes. Well how things change. Poppy and Hugh have always loved making a mess with paint and recently I was inspired to have a go. It was after buying a couple of fabulous Donald Robertson designed J.Crew tees. I love them for their simplicity and repetitive images. I started following @Donalddrawbertson on Instagram – he really does seem quite a down to earth, talented guy. Having said that, I thought ‘this looks a piece of piss – I’m going to have a go’. So using his art as inspiration – the highest form of flattery – I grabbed my acrylics, a brush, and a bottle of white and started dabbling. Feel free to giggle but I am quite proud of them having not painted since I was 14! Give it a go yourself – you never know what might appear in front of you on paper!

dancing ladies

This is my first ever painting on canvas – it is now hung in my sunroom – signed – just in case it is worth a fortune after I am gone…

first canvas Frenemies

Here is a frame I put up with my attempt at the top and Poppy’s brilliant interpretation below:

Poppy and I

Now these were quite scary – both were attempts at self portraits – far too much wine by this stage 🙂

self portraits

I then moved on to animals – it started out as a deer, then became a dog with Christmas antlers:)

dog with antlers

A cairn terrier – not sure where this came from but I had one called Macks as a child.

cairn terrier

This is probably the one that troubled my Husband the most when he saw my talent scattered on the kitchen table. I’m not sure about this one at all – the Devil, a Centaur or Mr. Tumnus?

devilAnd here I am wearing one of my favorite tees that inspired me to pick up the brush – head over to J.Crew where they are currently on sale with 30% off using code GIVETHIS – there are also some fabulous Crewcut versions for kids.

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T-shirt – J.Crew // Jeans – Zara (old) // Boots – Charcoal suede Newbury boots (similar here) // Cardigan – AllSaints (old but similar here and the end of season sale is on in the US)

I forgot to include this photo the other day of me grabbing some Christmas bargains in J.Crew for Poppy.

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Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker // Jeans – Diesel Fayza // Sweater – Boden Off Duty jumper (25% off everything right now) // Knitted coat – ASOS

Finally yesterday – it is getting a bit chilly for ankles but I am persevering!

12_9Shoes – Zara // Trousers – Zara (old) // T-shirt – J.Crew (similar here on sale) // Jacket – Zara (old) // Scarf – H&M (old) // Bag – H&M

So when you are wondering what to do on a cold winter’s night get your paints out and see what happens!!

 

An ode to Emmanuelle – again…

I have spent many evenings on Pinterest searching, pinning and ogling at her image…yes I think I could almost be classified as obsessed with her – ‘her’ being Emmanuelle Alt, the Editor of Vogue Paris. No matter how many times I see her image I just melt and think how easy she makes looking fabulous. She definitely has a formula but the pieces she wears are always simple and understated.

A jacket is a must – whether it be a fur, military style or simple blazer. Rarely seen in skirts she relies on ankle length jeans, harems and occasionally flares. Her shoes are always fabulous – simple courts, flat booties, over the knee boots or (currently what I am most obsessed by) lace or mesh booties – often peep toes. All paired with a simple tee or white shirt and a classic belt. Now why can’t I get it right?

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Personally I think my love of clothes i.e. having too many clothes…means that I overcomplicate outfits, either to a) wear items that have been neglected or b) just by over-thinking an outfit. I have a substitute for everything she wears (no surprise), so my challenge over the next few weeks is to just take it easy, breathe, and relax, and then transform myself into an elegant, effortlessly stylish Parisian 😉

Oh and if anyone spots some wicked lace booties holler! These are the closest I’ve found…I love them, but they look super high for tottering across the Place de la Concorde.

 

zara bootie

 

Meanwhile back to reality here is what I have been wearing over the past couple of days. It’s blazing hot in Atlanta – how can it be 70 degrees on December 2nd? I’m not happy – a girl has furs and big coats to wear!

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Shoes – Office (sent by Eve!) // Jeans – Zara // T-shirt – J.Crew // Jacket – Mango // Scarf – H&M (old) // Bag – Zara

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Boots – Minnetonka // Trousers – Zara (old) // Sleeveless jumper – Everlane // Jacket – Gap (old – similar here)

So go on who is your style icon? I have more Pinterest boards to create!

 

Thanksgiving

I had a lovely week with family and friends and I have overindulged. Our friends joined us for dinner on Thursday and I have to say I was pretty chuffed with how the turkey came out after brining overnight. Needless to say on Friday morning I felt like I had been soaked in a bath of salt and wine too, hence I didn’t get too involved or carried away with Black Friday 🙂 In fact I had several items in and out of my Zara cart all day and didn’t buy any of them. I did succumb and buy the Off Duty jumper in charcoal and navy from Boden. I have a couple from previous years and love them so with 30% off I bit the bullet. I can never have too many jumpers!

Some of my favorite stores do still have great discounts this weekend carrying into Cyber Monday:

J.Crew – use HOLIDAY for 30% off and 40% off sale items till 11/30

Mango – use 5BLACK2 in the US and 5BLACK4 in the UK till 11/30

GAP are still offering 40% off everything in the US using code GIFT

Boden have 30% off using code 3K3G at checkout in the US and N9H6 in the UK

AllSaints – 20% off till Monday with promo code CYBER

ASOS have 30% off everything using TGIBF

Back on Tuesday we went to the movies to watch Hero 6 which was really good fun – popcorn and an empty theater – fabulous. I wore my fur as it was pretty chilly here in Atlanta.

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Sneakers – Golden Goose (on sale here) // Trousers – J.Crew slouchy wool jogger // Sweatshirt – Target (old) // Fur – Zara (currently in the Cyber discounted section!) // Bag – H&M (old)

Poppy and Hugh were very excited to get out of the house! Poppy is all in H&M except her fabulous red boots which are Boden – she hasn’t taken them off since they arrived!

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On Wednesday, once we had bought the 15lb turkey, we headed out for Mexican so we could prepare stuffing and cranberry sauce without feeling hungry!

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 Sneakers – Nike from J.Crew // Jeans – H&M (some washes just $14.95) // Jumper – J.Crew colorblock tunic // Coat – Mango

Today was spent walking and running with the dogs – time to detox before Christmas so hopefully I can still fit in some of my party wear! I am insisting however that we don’t even discuss Christmas in our house till next week when we get the tree. I need a week between celebrations to reset!

Christmas shopping

I LOVE Christmas shopping – even more so since I can be so productive online. I really do try and put some careful thought into gifting at Christmas – especially as I forget so many birthdays throughout the year! Here are some of my top picks for the special people in my life – some purchased and some not and I’m not saying which as they are hopefully reading my posts!

I find it especially difficult to select presents for the men in my life. This year booze is top of the list. As my family are in the UK M&S are always the best bet as I can pay here and designate a UK shipping address, plus they have a great selection of beers and wines.

A case of Aglianico is superb value at less than £39. There’s also 25% off now if you buy 2 cases – one for you and one for a gift!

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Another very special person loves his beer. This gift will go down a treat. A mixed case of IPAs and ales.

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My nephews are still really little but M&S have some great gifts for kids. I love this Gruffalo t-shirt and I know someone who loves the animated movie.

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My sister is going to hate me for this one – but at least it’s not a huge jar of beads like we received last year!

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My niece is only 3 but she loves clothes and princesses – well what girl doesn’t. Here are my choices for her this year.

A beautiful skirt from M&S which is actually very similar to Boden’s applique skirts:

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Or I also love the idea of this craft set to build your own princess!

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For the Mom’s and sister’s in our lives how about some sleepwear. Sometimes it might feel too intimate to buy sleepwear but when it is ‘lounge wear’ I think it is fine – especially when it is cashmere. I have these from last year and wear them all the time in the winter in front of the t.v.!

Rosie pure cashmere trousers:

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If pure cashmere is a bit too much for your budget then these cashmere blend pants are also gorgeous and they have all sizes available – last year I had to trawl daily to grab a pair as they sold out so quickly.

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J.Crew are fabulous for sleepwear and many of their items have 30% off here in the US with code SHOPNOW.

I love their whisper jersey collection like these sleep pants:

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and this nightshirt:

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For some proper Christmas pyjamas that can actually then be worn all year round I just love these buffalo checked shorts.

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Knitwear is always welcome in my house and this colorblock tunic is new in at J.Crew – I especially love the poppy color but I couldn’t manage to grab an image of that so click through here to see it! This is the burgundy and navy – classic for this season.

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I’ve been having conversations with a friend about this side zip cable sweater. It is gorgeous and again is 30% off right now with code SHOPNOW.

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I love this rib stitch turtle neck in electric red – totally festive but not a Christmas jumper!

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This t-shirt is a great gift for a good friend – full of color and really unique. The Donald Robertson Dancing Ladies tee.

 

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Now for some extra goodies that I just love and will make great gifts – I would certainly welcome them!

For the traveler I love this passport cover:

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I know several people close to me who would love to carry their jewelry in this.

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I just love this cup – it is basically all I can manage to say before my morning cup of joe.

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This bowl is so unique and they also do dinner plates. Absolutely striking.

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For jewelry and accessories I adore a great fur scarf.

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Anthropologie always have great jewelry that I know many of my girlfriends would be thrilled to receive.

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With 3 dogs I have recently become somewhat of an expert in scented candles. I have several on my wish list for Santa. I think these from Anthropologie are gorgeous stocking stuffers.

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A long list but by no means exhaustive! What are you shopping for this year?

I’m off to chill out after a brisk walk with the dogs. We have a week off for Thanksgiving and the whole family is excited. It’s our favorite holiday of the year – yup we’re totally American.

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Trousers – J.Crew drapey wool sweatpants // Jumper – Uniqlo mohair blend // Sneakers – Nike from J.Crew (similar here) // Gilet – Zara // Bag – H&M

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Jumper – J.Crew (on sale plus 30% off with SHOPNOW) // Jeans – Diesel Fayza (on sale here!) // Sneakers – Nike from J.Crew (similar here)

 

A couple of great buys

Yesterday I talked about Eve and I pointing out great buys to each other – in fact she did it again last night darn her – she was off to bed and I was on my first glass of wine – a dangerous scenario. Eve unfortunately isn’t the only bad influence who leads me astray. Today I’m wearing a sweater that I first saw on gorgeous Hollie on Instagram, and my fabulous coat is one Kat raved about.

The sweater is TopShop, I bought it here through Nordstrom. I absolutely love Nordstrom for their no quibble return policy – I have never once been asked why I am returning an item – they just take the item and refund the money, no questions asked. Great customer service.

The coat is Warehouse who currently offer free shipping and returns to the US. Just be prepared to wait – my coat took almost 2 weeks to arrive. It was undoubtedly worth the wait – I love it. Most sizes are available in low stock so be quick! Fortunately mine arrived at the same time as our mid-30 degree Fahrenheit temperatures!

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Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury Charcoal Suede // Jeans – H&M // Sweater – TopShop or Nordstrom // Coat – Warehouse

I’m off to Charlotte tomorrow for a wonderful friend’s wedding so keep an eye on Instagram for wedding outfits!

 

Leather and loafers

I’ve always had a thing for real leather jackets. I got my first on a day trip with my Mum and Dad in Chester. It was a gorgeous cream blouson jacket from Lakeside Leather and I was thrilled with it. I couldn’t wait to wear it and went out on my bike in it, promptly falling off – no damage to the jacket thankfully – only my pride! A few years later I got a bat wing black leather jacket (it was the 80s) from Whittaker’s department store in Bolton. It cost a fortune (well for then) and it was a birthday present. After several warnings from Mum and Dad about not leaving it anywhere I wore it to a party and threw it on the bed with everyone else’s coats. Needless to say at the end of the evening it wasn’t there, my Dad picked me up and we had to report it stolen a the local Police station. It still bothers me that someone I knew nicked it from that party!

So not a great history with my leather jackets of old – and maybe to make up for that disappointment I now own several – a couple of AllSaints biker jackets that I was fortunate to get in the sales, a couple of Mango leather bomber jackets, a Zara leather jacket cut similar to a denim jacket from this season, and my red Zara leather jacket from a couple of years ago. AllSaints’ sales are definitely worth waiting for – their leather is incredible, heavy and soft and will last years. Mango have the best high street leather that I have found – really soft and not thin.

Here are two of my current favorites that I have worn over the past couple of days.

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Jacket – AllSaints Walker jacket (similar here) // Jeans – Zara TRF wide legged jeans // T-shirt – ASOS // Bag – H&M // Sneakers – Stan Smiths

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Jeans – H&M boyfriend // Shoes – Gucci // Sweatshirt – Zara // Jacket – Mango (similar here)

Before I go I must share that there are some great Rag & Bone pieces here on sale – you can even get a pair of Newbury boots half price – and even though it is on the UK site they ship to the US! Don’t delay!

 

Find similar here! 
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Sweater dress

Oooh how I love digging through my closet for knitwear and jumpers! I love Fall/Winter dressing far more than sundresses and shorts! I think there is more thought and planning that goes into an outfit that includes scarves, hats and boots – and I enjoy that process! These boots are now permanently fixed to my feet – they are so comfortable! The dress is an absolute bargain off ASOS. It fits on the bigger side – I am in a US 6 and it will also look great dressed casually with sneakers. I think it’s actually quite AllSaints – but then I think that of most knitwear in gray – my weakness!

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Dress – ASOS // Boots – Stuart Weitzman 5050s // Jacket – Boden (old) // Scarf – H&M (old)