Tag Archives: Mango

Vacation planning

2 Replies

In 3 weeks time we’ll be back in Istanbul! We have a week in the city before heading to the coast where we are staying in a house on the beach for 3 weeks. I am already panicking about what to pack!

I love to get ‘dressed up’ when we’re in Istanbul – we don’t go anywhere too ‘fancy’ but this year we have said we may visit SoHo House for roof top cocktails. When we get to the beach I live in swimwear and denim shorts – so that is pretty easy – though this year we are staying a bit more out of the way, so I need to be cognizant of cultural norms and not head out wearing my sheer, see through dress…no I don’t have one!

I have to say I am completely smitten with Gap this year. I have bought more from them than any other year – hopefully I’ll pull them through their tough times they are currently experiencing! Over the weekend I ordered the following to throw in my case. In the US there is currently 40% off with code MONDAY.

I absolutely love a romper for the beach – we are literally right on the beach this year so this will be ideal for heading up back to the house for a cocktail. I can throw it on over my bikini after a tough day on the sand.

scoop neck romper

This maxi dress is gorgeous for Istanbul – I can throw a scarf around my shoulders when I need to show a little respect in certain areas or when visiting a mosque, and then it’s perfect for roof top cocktails listening to the call to prayer.

maxi dress

These soft spun dresses are currently reduced and the 40% off can still be applied. I adore them. Perfect for sightseeing – beautifully cool when being dragged walking around ancient ruins in the blistering heat!

yellow racerback coral racerback

I love the colour of this linen dress – again perfect for day to night in Istanbul with a pair of espadrilles.

Gap linen dress

Now with denim shorts I love to wear a lovely lacy, pretty top. Mango is always my destination for blouses as they are more generous across the bust and go up to a US 10 in most cases.

This is so pretty  – I love a collar.

embroidered blouse

I have a similar embroidered blouse to this one that I love to wear with jeans under a jacket in the spring and fall so it is really versatile.

embroidered blouse 1

This in pink is gorgeous – I have bought this – it is such and unusual shade – normally tops are ecru or black and that’s it! It will look stunning with black or grey jeans at home too.

pink blouse

Ok I made a joke about sheer dresses but this sheer blouse is beautiful over a cami and has sleeves so provides a little more modesty.

sheer blouse

As always I will pack too much, wear 1/3 of it and get complaints from the rest of the family about the weight of my bag. I will never be a capsule packer! What about all those ‘just in case’ situations! 😉

As for the past week I feel I’ve been busier than ever with the kids out of school – the morning disappears when they are at camp and then I take them to the pool which requires an hour of preparation finding swimsuits, towels, lost goggles, spf and enough snacks to feed an army. On Friday I thought I’d cracked it then turned up at the pool without my own bikini bottoms – damn!

Screen Shot 2016-06-06 at 10.43.44 AMTop – Mango (last year but the same in black here this year) // Shorts – J.Crew // Shoes – Sam Edelman (old)

Screen Shot 2016-06-06 at 10.44.09 AMTop – Zara // Booties – Dolce Vita Haku (old) // Shorts – J.Crew

Screen Shot 2016-06-06 at 10.43.56 AMShoes – TopShop // Jeans – J.Brand Selina // T-shirt – Madewell (old) // Bag – Mansur Gavriel

Screen Shot 2016-06-06 at 10.44.38 AMDungarees – Gap // T-Shirt – J.Crew (old) // Shoes – fringe Converse

H&M shirt back H&MshirtShoes – TopShop // Jeans – Zara (old) // Shirt – H&M (can no longer see online but this is similar with wide cuffs) // Bag – Mansur Gavriel

Oh I also popped into Zara on Friday and bought this beautiful top. I love it – this is a large.

Screen Shot 2016-06-06 at 10.44.19 AM

And before I leave you – TopShop are on fire with their shoe game this season. Check out these new Gucci tributes – they are available in pink and gold and will sell out in a flash like the loafers!

Screen Shot 2016-06-06 at 10.44.53 AM

The new normal

8 Replies

My mum and dad left for home yesterday after a lovely visit. It was so nice to have them here and show them some of our regular haunts. We ate out nearly everyday, which got me thinking about my weight. I exercise almost daily, running at least 3 miles with some weights thrown in here and there. I also plank every day with Poppy! However, the scales never budge as I still indulge in my food and wine – maybe even justifying it after a long run.

Long term readers will know that I lost about 40lbs probably about 5-6 years ago now using Jenny Craig. As successful as Jenny was I am loathed to use them again as I really don’t like the idea of frozen, processed food 3 times a day. So after hearing about the success that friends in the UK have had with Slimming World – I have signed up to give this a try! It makes sense counting syns and optimizing your food with ‘good’ food, so we’ll see how it goes! Today is my first day. If any of you have tried Slimming World before I’d love to know your thoughts!

After Memorial Day we now have a new normal routine – the kids are at camp in the morning while I work, we then head to the pool and then I work out in the evening! It seems I have more to fit in a day than when they are at school! Plus we only have 4 weeks till Turkey wooo hooo!

Here’s today’s comfy outfit for the heat and the first day back in the office for a while!

culottesShoes – Mango (reduced from $89.99 to $49.99) // Top – Mango // Culottes – ASOS (similar here)

 

Mango, ASOS & Sam Edelman codes for Memorial Day!

1 Reply

stars and stripes

In the US Mango have 30% off everything here using code 6SHOPPINGUS.

I picked up these cute bags for my vacation.

cactus clutch cactus bag

ASOS have 20% off everything here with code HISUMMER.

I have this dress in my cart – I think the ruffle will be too much for my boobs but I just love it!

Screen Shot 2016-05-30 at 9.56.07 AM

This top is so pretty – similar to the Mango tops from last year and now ASOS have it in a lovely pale blue.

Screen Shot 2016-05-30 at 9.59.05 AM

Whatever you choose – remember the ASOS codes can only be used one time only – drives me mad!!

I also just received an email for 30% off site wide at SamEdelman.com with code VIPSUMMER here.

Happy Holiday!

 

 

Outfit update!

2 Replies

I hope all you US based mamas had a fabulous Mother’s Day yesterday! I was greeted with lots of beautiful homemade banners and cards, a lot of thought had gone into them…well they both certainly know how to get on my good side!

mothers day Collage

It was a beautiful weekend here and we spent it 50:50 chores:fun! My Mum and Dad are visiting for a couple of weeks and arrive next Tuesday so I’m trying to get the house ship shape – which is challenging with 2 dogs and 2 kids…though Hugh has now realized that chores may be rewarded with dollars, so he is volunteering to do everything until he has enough money for a hover board! Later yesterday, once we had thoroughly exhausted all our desire to clean, I was treated to a lovely lunch at my favorite Mexican, with of course the obligatory margarita to wash it down with.

The summer clothes are now pretty much here to stay, and here are the outfits I wore over the weekend.

dungareesDungarees – H&M // Espadrilles – & Other Stories (love these – they are leather too) // T-shirt – Mango (old) // Leather jacket – AllSaints // Bag – Proenza Schouler

mangoShoes – Mango (on sale 44% off – I have the black too!) // Jeans – MiH Phoebe // Top – Mango // Bag – Hill & Friends

mango dressDress – Mango (sale last year – similar here) // Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury (similar here) // Bag – Mansur Gavriel tote

 

25 years!

1 Reply

If you follow me on Instagram you may have noticed that my Husband and I celebrated a significant milestone on Monday – it was 25 years since we first hooked up, or started dating, however you want to call it! We were students in St. Andrews at the time and a few years ago I documented the evening here. Normally we celebrate this anniversary in a very low key fashion, leaving the extravagance to our wedding anniversary in September. Well my incredibly romantic husband ignored those rules this year and went above and beyond what was required or expected! We had a fabulous evening eating tacos and drinking margaritas – one I’ll remember for some time. Here’s to another 25 years and more!

At my graduation ball in 1992 in St.Andrews:

Screen Shot 2016-05-04 at 12.02.40 PM

At my PhD graduation in 1996 at Royal Holloway College:

Screen Shot 2016-05-04 at 12.03.00 PM

He made me a card with all the places where we have lived in our 25 years, with a tribute to Bowie too as he knew how much I loved him!

Screen Shot 2016-05-04 at 12.03.43 PM

For our night out I wanted to stay pretty casual and comfortable. I adore my Isabel Marant Otway boots that I found on eBay!

Allsaints topBoots – Isabel Marant (more on eBay here) // Jeans – Zara (old) // Top – AllSaints (old)

It’s that time of year in Atlanta where you have to dress to be prepared for all types of weather. On Saturday we had what appears to be a small tornado rip through the neighborhood – trees and telegraph poles down, with loss of power for many. Today it’s getting hot again with horrid humidity from all the rain. Thank goodness for AC!

mango 3Jeans – Zara (old) // Top – Mango (similar here) // Boots – Rag & Bone (similar here) // Bag – Proenza Schouler

H&M jacket 2Jacket – H&M // Jumpsuit – Gap (30% off with code SHINE) // Espadrilles – Soludos // Bag – Proenza Schouler

I’m having some technical difficulties this week – my phone died after getting soaked in the rain and now my laptop is on the blink – you realize how much we rely on these gadgets when they don’t work! So hopefully I’ll be back up and running soon but in the meantime check out Shopbop’s surprise sale – up to 40% off!

 

Big shoes!

Leave a reply

By big shoes I mean chunky, platforms, flatforms, wedges and so on, not shoes that are too big for you! I love shoes – shoes and bags being my main indulgences. You can change an outfit in an instant with different shoes or a different bag. I’m no wall flower when it comes to shoes. I like big, brash, loud, outlandish shoes as much as I love a fabulous simple flat or elegant pump.

Yesterday I wore my Isabel Marant wedges. When I was back in London I was really surprised how many people were wearing them – I saw several on the street and Selfridges still sell them. I was fortunate enough to grab these on TheOutnet.com last year.

Marant 2Shoes – Isabel Marant // Jeans – Zara // Top – J.Crew // Blazer – J.Crew (30% off with TIMETOSHOP) // Bag – Mansur Gavriel (back in stock here)

Today I am in my Zara flatforms. They aren’t leather but they are really comfortable and a fabulous Prada tribute!

red 1Shoes – Zara (sold out) // Trousers – Gap (on sale plus an extra 30% off with code EXTRA) // Top – Mango (old but similar here) // Bag – Mulberry Bayswater

I’ve found similar flatforms for you here at Mango –

contrast platform contrast lace up

I love this espadrille flatform for the summer!

Mango espadrille

I adore Kurt Geiger shoes and they ship to the US. This pair is divine and Alex at The-Frugality.com owns them, there aren’t many sizes left though.

KG bow

I am obsessing over these – the perfect white flatform for summer. Great with shorts or boyfriend jeans.

latch

The Logan in khaki is in my bag – just debating the navy too – really don’t need more navy flatforms but the fabric is beautiful

logan khaki logan navy

I have this pair – called the Lizard – in black and snakeskin, last worn here. They are incredibly comfortable!

Lizard

 

I also have this pair for summer that are in the sale, but be quick there’s only a couple of sizes left.

lizard 2

Flatforms are now so popular in fact, Kurt Geiger has a whole section on their site dedicated to them!

These have to be the most perfect, contemporary, beetle creepers that I have seen in a long time. Obsessed with them!

laoded

So lots to consider – now you just have to be willing to draw a little attention to your feet – and I warn you, not everyone loves them like me! 😉

 

 

The maxi dress

2 Replies

I admit I have struggled with the maxi dress. I have a couple of lovely jersey Splendid dresses that I wear on vacation, but I tend to feel too ‘dressed up’ in them for everyday wear. That is until I tried this H&M dress. I was actually really surprised how much I like it. Maybe it’s the sheer lower half that helps – I don’t feel too covered up if that makes sense!? I also love the colors and the pattern. It’s got a little stretch in it so it is really comfortable to wear. Dressed down with sneakers it is a great day dress. It’s now on sale at $29.99, reduced from $59.99.

maxi dressDress – H&M // Sneakers – Golden Goose // Bag – Mansur Gavriel

Here are some other maxi dresses I am now tempted to try! I may be hooked!

This dress is also H&M and beautiful – very Grecian!

chiffon maxi dress

This Mango dress is stunning – I love the colors and it’s sheerness.

Mango printed dress

This is also Mango and stunning – I love the back detail. As a side note – I have the sandals in this image and they are gorgeous, I love the thong toe.

Mango off white dress

Mango again – the embroidery on this is lovely. I also really like the length. I love how they have styled it with the black sandals – perfect.

mango embroidered

Back to H&M – unfortunately this is sold out online here in the US but I will be trying to track it down in store and checking for returns online – it is so elegant and just $24.99.

jersey dress

This dress is so Marrakech – I think I can also convince myself it’s perfect for Istanbul this year with the covered arms.

embroidered dress

So do you do maxis or not? I’d love to hear where you them down!

Back to work

Leave a reply

And just like that spring break is over with. We had an incredible week with the best weather ever, topped off with the Masters this weekend and what turned out to be a fabulous last round resulting in an English winner!!

Re-entry really hasn’t been that bad today – the kids were happy to be back at school, and even happier to know that they only have just over 6 weeks left before school is out for summer!

It’s a bit chillier here in Atlanta this week so the cardigans are back out, but I’m thrilled to say, after another 3 miles on the treadmill this morning I am back in my Zara US 6 coated trousers! Yes they have a bit of stretch but I don’t care, I feel fit, healthy and strong! I’m alternating between watching Sons of Anarchy and Happy Valley on Netflix on the treadmill – I don’t even notice the miles when I get sucked into a series!

booties CollageTrousers – Zara (old) // Boots – Steve Madden (REALLY old) // Top – AllSaints // Cardigan – Zara (last season) // Bag – Givenchy Pandora

I had a couple of parcels waiting on me when I got home. One contained these fab Mango trousers. They are quite Indochina – cropped, khaki and yet have a pattern embossed in them. Size down – they fit big – these are a US 8 and I bet I could have got in a US 6 as they give a bit on wearing too.

Mango trousersTrousers – Mango // Top – Zara (old) // Leather flip-flops – Gap

I’ll reveal the other items as the week goes on, with one very exciting item!

Spring Break 2016 – Fort Morgan

1 Reply

I’m afraid the blogging isn’t going to be very prolific this week. I am currently sitting on a deck with a coffee looking out to the Gulf of Mexico. Once again we are spending Spring Break in Fort Morgan – a beautiful, quiet strip of beach just to the west of Gulf Shores. This year we have a frat house next door to us – Poppy is fascinated and has suddenly expressed a real desire to go to college!

Before I left I decided to get my hair chopped again. The reaction has been mainly ‘at last!’, ‘thank goodness for that’, ‘it’s taken years off you’, ‘Joanna is BACK!’…why on earth don’t people want to tell you these things while you struggle to grow your hair long!? The Husband is thrilled it is short again!

hair Collage

I must admit I think it’s a state of mind too. When I had my septum pierced I really thought I needed to soften my look as the piercing is quite aggressive looking to some. However, now I am so used to it myself I feel more confident about the short hair paired with it. Plus I am running a lot again and that does wonders for my outlook, and don’t give a f*ck attitude 🙂

Before I had my hair cut I spent a few days debating – going backwards and forwards – but I am thrilled with it now and looking at my photos before and after I love it. If I ever say I’m growing it again – shoot me!

gap top CollageTop – The Gap (adore these and have all 3 colors – get 40% off in the US with code SPRINGFUN) // Trousers – Mango (old) // Bag – Givenchy Pandora // Shoes – Vince

Zara topTop – Zara // Trousers – The Gap (again adore these and have all 3 colors! 40% off with code SPRINGFUN in the US) // Shoes – Soludos (most comfortable espadrilles ever – UK here, US here) // Bag – Givenchy Pandora

Otway boots collageBoots – Isabel Marant Otway (found them on eBay at the right price and right size at last!! All the way from Romania!) // Jeans – Zara (old) // Top – Mango // Jacket – J.Crew // Bag – Givenchy Pandora

For now it’s farewell from the sun and surf…

Screen Shot 2016-04-04 at 8.25.48 AMRunning top – Lululemon // Shorts – Lululemon // Sneakers – New Balance (I will never run in another brand again these are so perfect)

Screen Shot 2016-04-04 at 8.26.13 AM

 

Outfit round up

3 Replies

I hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend, and if you are in the UK that you are still enjoying your long weekend! We have had a lovely relaxing time – lots of family fun and good food!

On Thursday I headed out with some girlfriends for lunch.

Tippi CollageJeans – Zara (old) // Espadrilles – TopShop (old but similar here) // Jumper – J.Crew Tippi (several colors on sale here) // Bag – Stella McCartney Falabella

We don’t get Good Friday off here but it was still a treat to spend lunch with my husband before the kids got home from school. We only have a week left now before spring break and the beach beckons!

pinstripe CollageJacket – Mango // Boots – Chloé // Jeans – J.Crew // Bag – Proenza Schouler PS1 // Top – Mango (old but similar here)

On Saturday we hung out at home and then went to our favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch. I realized as I looked in the mirror that I was harking back to my days in Notting Hill and channeling the 90s – combat pants, camo and Air Max 95s!

camo CollageTrousers – The Gap (40% off with code PEEP) // Sneakers – Nike AirMax 95s // T-shirt – J.Crew (old) // Bomber jacket – TopShop

Today it’s back in the office, but as I mentioned just 5 days to go before we head to the Gulf Coast! We’re renting a house right on the beach again and the kids can’t wait to pack! We normally take a grill and cook on the beach all week – so much fun – so let’s pray that it stays dry and sunny!

jumpsuit CollageJumpsuit – The Gap (40% off with code PEEP) // Sneakers – Isabel Marant (some colors on sale here) // Bag – Proenza Schouler PS1 // Jacket – Mango (old – similar here)