Following on from my previous post, and just to prove that procrastinating can sometimes pay off – I present to you my sequin skirt that is now on its way to me! Not grey or blush – but a perfectly beautiful shade of indigo. I hope it is as gorgeous in the flesh – especially as it was already in the sale and is currently an extra 50% off with code EXTRA50.
Unlike a lot of people I know I have very little blue/navy in my closet but I have definitely noticed myself being more and more attracted to navy items. It’s such a classy color and many clothes look far more expensive, or even better quality, in navy than they do in black. Not to mention that it is now no longer a fashion faux pas to mix navy and black. Hence while browsing on Net-a-porter.com this morning I found myself uncontrollably besotted with these beauties. My Newbury boot fetish continues.
It’s been an odd week to say the least. An entire week off unexpectedly can certainly mess with your head – I feel slightly jet lagged and totally discombobulated! We’re off tomorrow too for President’s Day, then I have 3 days at work before I’m off to the UK wooo-hooo! Having the week off has been lovely as it has meant lots of time with the kids before I go and leave them. Hugh even fell asleep on me yesterday – it was lovely – I hope he still wants to snuggle like that when he is 18;)
Poppy and I braved the snow the other day – I needed to return some stuff to Zara.
Friday I enjoyed a day of pampering, though to be honest 2 hours in the salon followed by a 2 hour facial was probably a little too much in one day!
And here is the finished result – much lighter hair – still not convinced – but a nice change regardless.
And finally a new ASOS dress to share with you. It was in the sale and I’d been umming and ahhing about it all over the Christmas period. I love the lace sleeves – just enough for me – and it reminds me of the lace sleeves on my wedding dress.
Off to clean my mirror…! 🙂
As part of my preparations for my trip back to the UK I collect a few shopping requests from family and friends here. I think it is commonly perceived that most goods are much cheaper in the USA. It’s true that many are – but there are also several brands that are FAR cheaper in the UK.
I normally have a little list of places to go when I’m back in the UK on the hunt for a bargain.
1. Many European brands/high street stores simply multiply by 2 when converting £s to $s instead of using the exchange rate. Plus our sticker price here is not the final price as we add sales tax on at the register, which varies from county to county and state to state. This can make brands like Zara and H&M far cheaper to buy in the UK.
2. Classic UK brands such as Barbour, Hunter, Ted Baker and Paul Smith are usually far cheaper in the UK. My Husband has sized himself for a Barbour here which I can then collect in the UK at half the price.
3. There are many books and music titles that are not available in the US. I can’t find Take That’s Progress on iTunes – nor The Pete Tong Collection (I did manage to buy the latter on Amazon.com). Again my Husband orders several books from Amazon.co.uk and has them delivered to my Mum – why he thinks I’ll have room in my bags for books I’ve no idea! I am much more shallow, as ever, and make sure I get my hands on Grazia, Hello and the Sunday papers.
4. In the US we don’t have Primark – now it’s definitely at hit or miss store – but the bargains that can be found are amazing. I bought my favorite pair of boyfriend jeans there for £12 last year!
5. If only we had the same power and sockets in the US and UK I’d be sorted. My ghd hairdryer cost a fortune here compared to the UK. We also unfortunately don’t easy access to other European brands like Parlux.
6. Of course you’re not supposed to travel with some types of food and import it back to the US but I always return with custard creams, galaxy chocolate, pickled onion Monster Munch and Bisto gravy granules:) I eat as many pork pies and M&S sandwiches as I can while I’m there!
Now for things that you should definitely buy when making a trip the US:
1. Makeup is far cheaper here – from drugstore brands like Revlon and L’oréal to department store brands like MAC, Clinique and Chanel. OPI and Essie nail polishes are also only $8 a pop here – my Mum always stocks up:)
2. Sneakers/trainers are much cheaper here – though I think the choice is more varied in Europe. They normally just switch the £ for a $ making them dirt cheap compared to the UK.
3. My FIL always pops into the Apple store to upgrade his iPad when he’s here. The fact that Apple use universal power, meaning no transformer is required, makes it far cheaper to buy here – though it has to be said that prices are coming down in the UK. My Mum and Dad bought theirs at John Lewis – paying slightly more – but having the comfort of the John Lewis warranty made it worth it to them.
4. Housewares are cheaper. Want a good potato peeler (yes I’ve been asked to take TWO back to the UK), or a good apple slicer? Buy it here at Target.
5. Designer goods are generally much cheaper here. My Rag & Bone Newbury boots are cheaper, as are most designer bags. You will find however the focus on labels varies significantly. I NEVER see Mulberry here, yet I would never buy Coach or Tory Burch here as you see their logos EVERYWHERE. One thing to note is TheOutnet.com stocks widely differing brands here compared to the UK so if you are here long enough to receive a delivery it might be worth checking out. For example this Alexander Wang Rocco is 45% off here and yet it’s not even on the UK site.
6. US brands that have traveled across the Atlantic are far cheaper here – J.Crew being the most obvious, but Banana Republic and Gap are also much cheaper here.
7. Here in the US most states have fabulous outlet malls. One word of caution though stores like J.Crew and Coach often make items just for the outlets – so that bargain you think you are getting may not be so much of a bargain.
Now for my outfits from the past few days…I adore these new H&M trousers that Eve alerted me to. The fabric is lovely and stretchy but I still needed to size up to a US 10 – the waistband is tiny – no vanity sizing here!
I’ve been trying to wear some fur before it gets warmer.
It was cold but REALLY sunny yesterday!
My first port of call in the UK is normally Marks & Spencer – more for nostalgia – but I do love a bit of M&S! What stores or brands would you miss if you relocated to a different country? I’d love to know!
Some people (Sue I’m looking at you) like to keep new clothes, stash them away, then surprise us all with things they bought, quite literally, ages ago. I on the other hand want to wear my new things immediately. They need to earn their keep as soon as they come out of the box.
Okay my Husband asked me why I was wearing the bathroom mat – my sides were splitting – funny guy – but I LOVE my Verna gilet. The texture adds a great dimension to an otherwise basic outfit, plus it is so soft, warm and snuggly.
Yesterday I was lazy, only because I had the luxury of working from home. Minimal makeup and air dried hair resulted in this.
I haven’t a clue what to wear today and I’ve just driven the kids to school in pyjamas much to their horror. To be fair they do look more like sweatpants – but I wonder is that really any better? I may have scarred them for life.
I LOVE winter. At 7.30am this morning, even though I knew I wanted to go straight back to bed after getting the kids to school, I dressed in my warmest running gear and ran like a banshee in the freezing cold and glorious sunshine – it was exhilarating. The whole of the US (bar Florida of course) is shivering in Arctic conditions. I love it – I get to wear hats, big coats and boots.
with…wait for it…Loft! Wait! Wait!! Don’t run away scared! Let’s start at the beginning. Back in my corporate days I loved Loft. Cheaper than Ann Taylor, but great quality and did I mention CHEAP! They ALWAYS have some kind of offer going on – so once we are done here remember to sign up for their newsletters.
I popped in yesterday – why I have no idea as I had the kids with me…but I saw this in the window and it drew me in like a magnet. The skirt is a beautiful cream with a hint of pink in the tulle – but what I really love is the grey stretchy, jersey lining that makes it not only super comfy but also incredibly easy to dress down with a t-shirt for a super cool party look.
Here’s what I’ve ordered to wear with it. Two fabulous t-shirts – in my opinion as nice as J.Crew but CHEAPER! What’s not to love?
And of course I couldn’t check out without at least trying these – the sweatshirt for layering and the shoes for that finishing touch. They’d also both look perfect with jeans.
It’s funny how popping in those stores that you’d long ago dismissed can be quite the revelation! Take a peek – I dare you not to find something you love in Loft!
Oh and the best bit? Right now using code ENJOY you can get 40% off all your cart:)
(p.s. this is NOT a sponsored post – I genuinely adored what I saw!)
In previous years, when the children have been in daycare in the days running up to Thanksgiving, the Husband and I have taken advantage of the the child free time and headed out for some indulgent lunches. Now both of them are out of school for the whole Thanksgiving week so we go out for a few family meals instead – just as much fun – but a different type of fun;) Yesterday my Husband surprised me by planning a lovely posh lunch for him and I on the kids’ last day at school. I was SO excited! We were just about to head out of the door when the phone rang – I could see it was school. Dilemma – run for it and pretend you didn’t see or hear it – or pick it up in case it was a life or death emergency. As any parent would (though I did pause for a second) we picked up and Hugh was sick:( Dang! Lunch out postponed to collect a poor wee boy from school with an apparent ear infection. Of course once at home he proceeded to run wildly around the house with no apparent illness, ache or pain, though he is on antibiotics now:(
So today marks the first day of our Thanksgiving Holiday and we’re off to choose bikes for them both. Santa has sent Mum and Dad a letter telling us that we have to help Poppy and Hugh choose, as he is worried about space in his sleigh this year…:) I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when we tell them where we are going!
In the meantime here is what Mom has been wearing this week. Starting with yesterday – I was trying to channel Emmanuelle Alt by wearing a collar, and I originally had on a black tuxedo jacket for the lunch-that-didn’t-happen instead of this fabulous cardigan. I will just harp on for a moment about these Mango jeans – I’ve had lots of compliments which surprised me as they are not for everyone, and they are super comfortable – lots of stretch in the denim and pleather. In fact these blue denim ones fit a tad looser than the black denim ones I have. These are a US 6 and I would say fit true to size.
Thursday was spent snuggled in cashmere.
And here was a major fail on Wednesday – not really sure what look I was trying to create – but I really did end up looking like a baby in a babygrow – I think the pink fluffy cardigan took it a step too far:) Individually I love all the items but together they certainly did not create the fashion forward look I had envisioned in my head. Ah well – we can laugh and try again:)
It’s a grey, damp day here today so it maybe a day for the cashmere onesie again🙂
It’s really starting to feel festive here – not necessarily Christmassy – but the preparations for Thanksgiving are well underway. Thanksgiving is probably my favorite Holiday. It has all of the magic, food and family time associated with Christmas, but with none of the pressure of gift giving. The children are off school all week so I’ll be off work too which is lovely. We’re planning lots of lunches out, and trips to the park and movies. On Thursday we have great friends coming over to eat and give thanks with us. They are Bulgarian so have no family here either, and I’m really looking forward to drinking and eating way too much with some other ‘new Americans’.
In the meantime I’ve been far from thankful, a little resentful in fact that I didn’t get my hands on the H&M Isabel Marant fringe boots!!! I’ve decided my life is not complete without them (see how I can go from deep to shallow SO quickly). Tonight while nursing a cold in my onesie I am bidding on eBay in order to win myself a pair, at what I consider a reasonable price. Wish me luck my friends!
Today consisted of 2 outfits, okay 3 if you count my cashmere onesie that I am sitting here writing in (and the shame – I did go to the bus stop in it after promising it was only for indoors!). I started the day in jade J.Crew café capris (bought in the sale back in January) but my ankles quickly turned blue. I do love this coat though from Markses.
Here’s what I ended up in later with puffier eyes as I quickly deteriorated.
Okay off to demolish a bucket load of clementines and chocolate orange – it’s all Vitamin C no?;)
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Well it was quite an eventful day yesterday. I have to say I wasn’t nervous, more excited than anything. I pierced my own nose years ago at University. Crazy, and after yesterday I’ve no idea how I did it myself – I must have been determined and drunk, and the bag of frozen peas must have helped.
I made my decision on Monday that I was finally going to do some piercings, and I made my appointment with Piercing Experience in Atlanta. I know piercings aren’t to everyone’s taste, just like tattoos, and oddly much as I love piercings, I’ve never wanted a tattoo mainly as I don’t know what I’d have tattooed – there’s nothing of significance that I want to preserve in ink. At first I wasn’t going to have my nose re-pierced, then I thought ‘what the hell, while I’m there why not?’. I also had wee diamond tragus and helix piercings.
The photo that inspired me to begin with – I think this looks so pretty:
Christina was amazing – she explained everything, and was incredibly professional. It was not intimidating at all, some pain of course – but far less than I’d prepared myself for. Piercing Experience don’t use clamps or guns so it’s all completely sterile and as gentle as piercing through a tough piece of cartilage can be! I was also really impressed with their choice of jewelry – from fine jewelry like I chose, to tribal and glass jewelry – it’s also all surgical implant grade. I’m thrilled – I can’t wait to scare the PTA:)
Now I just have deal with my Husband’s silly little jokes about avoiding magnets and the like – he’ll tire of it soon I hope!
It’s freezing here in Atlanta this week so I wrapped up well yesterday.
Today is very much a dress down Friday after a few glasses of wine last night to calm the nerves:) Also – very manky – but I wanted to keep my piercings dry for another day to help with healing so I didn’t wash my hair – that definitely made it a hat day! The jumper has to be the BEST cashmere sweater ever. It is a men’s Uniqlo crewneck size Medium. Perfectly soft and slouchy. I want one of these in every color – this is the dark grey.
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First of all my Golden Goose arrived!! Yay!!! SO fast!! But boo!! Bugger they are too big!! I ordered 39s – both my other pairs are 39s – but these leopard print ones are ENORMOUS! So off they go back, with the 38s on their way to me. Why must a brand be so inconsistent with sizing? The good thing is they are lovely – quite muted and not too loud at all – if you can say that for leopard print:)
It’s definitely Fall here now – the jeans and boots are out in full force, along with scarves – it’s very exciting! This weekend we have Fall break from school too so it should be fun packed with play dates for Poppy and Hugh, and Mom and Dad:)
Today I am wearing – shock, gasp, horror – lots of ‘old’ stuff. My Boden drop shoulder jumper (from the clearance), Gap camo jeans, Zara scarf and grey Newbury boots. Look at that turf behind me! We have a whole new yard to enjoy – no more rotting swing set causing a hazard to anyone!
Monday saw me in my new H&M ‘coatigan’, Fayza jeans, Vince Ninas and an old Zara black tee. The sunglasses are Chanel from last year (similar here).
Tuesday I wore my fabulous leopard print hat, old AllSaints tee, old J.Crew jacket (similar here), camo jeans from Gap and my canvas Newbury boots. Yes, yes, yes – quite a few ‘older’ loved items coming back out for Fall!
Yesterday I eventually changed into my Boden St. Ives jumper, Fayza jeans, Havaianas and J.Crew wool cap – I was very lazy and worked from home while some burley men worked in the yard laying the turf:) Sorry for the fuzzy photo – I think I was still shaking after a tabata session in spin class – I thought I might actually hurl it was such hard work!
Unfortunately we underestimated the amount of turf we needed so they’ll be back next week to finish the job…
My weekend starts tonight with a girls’ night out – margaritas and tacos – I can’t wait!
Poppy's Style 