Tag Archives: Mango

A must have coat that is now 50% off!

I much prefer Mango these days to Zara. Zara still grab my attention with their shoes, but for coats, tops and dresses I always have far more luck with Mango. I find their sizing more generous.

This coat is now 50% off in their sale. It’s a beautiful cocoon shape and not too long. Yes, yes I know I have the M&S checked coat (which is now also in the sale with lots of sizes left!) that I also love (and wore here) but trust me this purchase is warranted as the two coats are very different! Take note of the coated jeggings too – cheap as chips (just $12.59 on deal now!) and wonderfully stretchy and comfortable from H&M – I highly recommend them! I’ll certainly be buying the gray while they’re on special offer – I’m comfortably in a US 10 and H&M tend to fit tiny in my experience.

Still at home with a poorly girl so hopefully will have time to blog more than an outfit soon! In the meantime today we are binge watching old Survivor series!

Mango coat

Back of coatCoat – Mango (now 50% off) // Jeggings – H&M (on deal now)// Boots – Toga Pulla // Blouse – Zara (old)

Get the glow in January!

I’m sitting here looking out of my office window and it is GREY! In fact almost dark. There is a Nor’easter heading towards us. Fortunately, I think, we are only going to get pummeled by rain as our temperatures are rising. In weather like this I always love wearing my darker greys and blacks, but when it comes to makeup I want my skin to glow with health! I am drinking a lot of water which helps – but you can’t beat some good moisturizer and makeup products at this time of year! I love treating myself to some little ‘feel good’ cosmetics to beat the January blues.

Here are my favorites which I am using constantly at the moment!

Hourglass have become one of my go to cosmetic brands. Not cheap, but their products last forever and do what they say on the tin. So many people have mentioned recently how good my skin looks and I attribute it to this palette. You can use the powder to highlight and apply it intensely on the cheek bones, or apply it more liberally to give an overall glow.

ambient lighting pallette

Buxom lip cream is a favorite of mine. It has an amazing tingly sensation when you apply it which apparently helps to plump your lips. I adore White Russian – it’s a lovely nude gloss that brightens your face.

Buxom lip polish

Recently I’ve gone what I consider to be ‘old skool’ with my skin care. I’ve tried more expensive options but believe me they ain’t worth it. The good old Body Shop comes out tops in my book time and time again. Especially with their Drops of Youth and Oils of Life skincare ranges. I apply this essence every morning after washing and before I put any serum or moisturizer on. It kind of prepares your skin to absorb the moisture.

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This serum is lush. I apply it in the morning and before bed. Super hydrating and it smells divine.

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I also love the gel cream from the same range. I love the texture – it’s not greasy at all and absorbs in an instant ready for you to apply foundation.

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The body shop Vitamin C range has always been a go to line for me – especially when traveling. Nothing gives you a better boost than applying some of this in flight (I often decant into smaller pots for travel). This one really does make me giggle because it is perfect for ‘grumpy skin’!

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I’ve just reordered this (if you join the Body Shop rewards program it gives you a 10% discount off each purchase.) I love this and use it each day, with or without makeup.

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I don’t wear a lot of foundation – sometimes I just apply a little concealer on after the above glow enhancer. When I do wear it Hourglass is my brand of choice – I love their Illusion skin tint – it is a little heavier in consistency than the name suggests and you only need a tiny amount for a flawless finish.

hourglass illusionjpg

Most important to me at this time of year is a fab, fab lip color! I am wearing Mac Pink Pigeon today, and my favorite nude color from them MAC at the moment is Kinda Sexy.

Mac matte lipstick

I doubt I will ever wear another blusher than this – NARS orgasm – it’s just the perfect hue for a glow winter or summer.

Nars blusher

A new discovery this season, for me at least, is the NARS multiple stick. I’ve always been a tad scared about application. I run Copacabana gently along my cheek bone and then Portofino in a line slightly below it, BEFORE applying my blush on the apples of my cheeks. I use a firm angled brush to gently blend the multiple and it leaves a gorgeous dewy sheen.

Nars multiplt

And that folks is how I get my glow on this winter! Along with buckets of water!

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What are your favorite products this winter? A great hand cream is always a necessity and I am still searching for the perfect hydrating, non greasy formula!

Finally here are a couple of outfits from the past couple of days. It’s been pretty chilly here!

ASOS coatCoat – ASOS on sale // Jumper – H&M on sale // Jeans – Zara (old) // Boots – Isabel Marant by H&M (old) // Bag – Mulberry Bayswater

Leopard print coatCoat – Mango on sale // Boots – Stuart Weitzman 5050s // Jeans – Zara (old) // Jumper – Everlane // Scarf – Asos (similar here) // Bag – Mulberry Bayswater

New Year, New Plans, New Books

2016 is going to be the beginning of a decade of travel for our family. We’ve been gradually building to it with longer summer vacations, further afield, and now the kids are turning 10 and 8, we reckon we can resume the some of the adventures we planned pre-kids!

We already have Turkey booked for the summer – lots of travel and Byzantine sites (I have my own personal tour guide in my Husband PhD Ancient History!) and I cannot wait! After this Christmas, we have also planned to travel at this time of year next year. I was so disillusioned with the anti-climax of Christmas Day this year. Probably because we have no family here, but also we consume, relax and gift most of the year these days! We are no longer in a post-War climate where Christmas was once a welcome day of rest, a chance to eat chocolate and forget rations, and enjoy the delights of family! My most favorite day was Christmas Eve when we had our annual visit to Church. Even my agnostic husband is enjoying this trip more and more and values the spirituality, regardless of religion, at this time of year. Next year we plan to be backpacking in Thailand via Hong Kong – well that’s the plan so far…

Oh and last night we went to see Lloyd Cole, which came a close second to my chat with the Father this year. He was epic. I was literally a meter away from him and yes I did yell across a very quiet, singer/songwriter type audience, ‘I LOVE YOU LLOYD!’. He thanked me graciously.

Yes you can hear me singing along…sorry…

Very unflattering photo of myself but we were SUPER excited! I wore the H&M sparkly jumpsuit with my Golden Goose and leather jacket. Lloyd wore a denim suit:)

D and me LLoyd Cole

I have a keepsake too – a guitar pick used by the man himself:)

Finally a few outfits from the holiday – I’ve been rubbish at taking them and to be honest – it’s been quite nice not needing the tripod xx

zaraJeans – Zara // Shoes – Ash // Sweater – H&M (cashmere and now 50% off!) // Jacket – Zara // Bag – PS1

Then later in the day I just switched out the bag and shoes for my Stella McCartney (now 40% off) and my Lowlands.

Lowlands

Sequin trousersTrousers – J.Crew // Shoes – Vince (on sale PLUS an EXTRA 60% off here!) // Bag – Gucci // Top – Mango (on sale here)

Now I’m going to get stuck into this lot.

New books

40% off at Mango with code!

At last this beauty is mine – I’ve been debating it for some time as it is still 70 degrees here in Atlanta and there is no great need for another coat!! Here’s hoping for an Arctic freeze come January!

Use 6Mango10 in the UK for 40% OFF (30% OFF one item)

Use 6Mango12 in the US for 40% OFF (30% OFF one item)

MANGO

Cashmere for Christmas

I think my appreciation for the finer things in life has definitely developed over the past 5 years or so. At one point I would have considered cashmere an unnecessary indulgence. These days I can’t live without it at this time of year (well of course I could live without it, but I’d prefer not to have to!!).

My most favorite pieces of cashmere are my Marks & Spencer Rosie for Autograph cashmere lounge pants/pajama bottoms. I call them lounge pants because I never sleep in them – they are purely a winter alternative to sweatpants. I currently have 2 pairs that I have had a couple of years and last night was their first wear of the year. Absolutely blissfully soft they are just gorgeous for slobbing out in, watching the Sunday night football, with a cup of peppermint tea, admiring the Christmas tree!

This year I have treated myself to these additional pieces.

This wrap is beautiful and perfect for throwing over my pjs in the morning – I always have the heating off at night so it can be chilly when we get up!

wrap dressing gown

These are similar to the pairs I already own but have the cuffed hem instead of the straight leg. Just throw a t-shirt on and your done – perfect for after dinner when your waistline needs some sympathy:)

cuffed hem Rosie pajama pants

Finally – these are similar to those that I already have in light grey and black. These days I much prefer grey for around the house – white boxer hair is no friend of black knitwear!

straight leg rosie pajama pants

If you deserve a treat or know someone who does I can’t think of anything more perfect to find under the tree this year!

Finally I’m jumping for joy as the cold has arrived here in Atlanta! Time to get the coats out!

Thank you to Sylvia for featuring me this week in her 40 Plus Style round up!

camelBoots – Sam Edelman on sale here (discounted by $90!!) // Jeans – Zara // Coat – &  Other Stories // Scarf – New Look

militaryBoots – See by Chloé on sale here // Jeans – Zara // Jacket – Mango (similar here) // Jumper – Uniqlo // Bag – Stella McCartney (similar on sale here) // Sunglasses – Tom Ford (on sale here)

Reproducing a $700 sweater for less than $100!

I absolutely fell in love with this No.21 sweater after seeing Alex wear it for her Red Magazine photoshoot! Unfortunately it has a MAJOR price tag – $695 here at Nordstrom and $462 at MatchesFashion.com (thank goodness for UK delivery to the US!).Alex Nordstrom N0 21

I was really debating ordering it from Matches as I couldn’t shake it from my mind – you know how it is. Then I got chatting with Sue. We all know how ‘crafty’ Sue is with her jean patching and hemming etc. Well she reminded me that I have a sewing machine. At least I remember buying one – I’m pretty sure it is collecting dust in my basement! She suggested that I get crafty too – so here is her thrifty solution to the conundrum of throwing money away vs. achieving the same effect for less than $100!

Meet the striped Mango sweater for $69.99

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…and here is the ostrich feather trim for $20 from Ebay.com!

festher trim

There’s actually tonnes of different trims to choose from – some are like the above, others are more like boas, and some have fluffier turkey feathers added too – so you can trim it as you please. Maybe black feathers are more up your street?

I’ll let you know how I get on once I’ve re-learned how to thread my machine:) Thank goodness for those home economics classes!…and thank goodness for thrifty friends like Sue!

 

 

 

20% off AllSaints with code!

I love getting these emails in my inbox – especially when they arrive from AllSaints! Use NOVEMBER at checkout and there is 20% off all items except handbags. So this even includes their amazing leather jackets.

I bought this little number a week ago – far cheaper than the Acne Velocite – and even better today when they credited me the 20% discount over the phone this morning! Always worth asking if you have just bought something and then a code arrives – far better than kicking yourself!

Beck

I adore this leather jacket – so rare to see a navy/ink biker jacket and for AllSaints it is a great price with the 20% discount. Their leather jackets are just out of this world (Flic loves hers too!).

Bleeker

Their knits are always lovely and unusual. I adore the cold shoulders on these – cosy jumpers, but sexy enough for a night out too. I’m never afraid to show a little flesh:) This Cecily roll neck is perfection.

cecily

The Elion jumper in ink – again totally love the navy color of this!

Elion

I have the Amei top from years ago with long sleeves in a petrol color (seen here). It is beautiful to wear and extremely comfortable – this sleeveless version is a gorgeous party top with skinny jeans and heels!

amei

My final pick is my favorite top ever – I have 4 in fact! The Wave top – a great comfortable long sleeve tee – but again it has that something special with the split at the back of the arms.

wave

So go forth and enjoy your AllSaints. If you ever need to speak with CS there ask for Chantalie – she was lovely this morning, so helpful and cheery!

Here are a couple of outfits from the start of the week. I’m off for a nap now after ending up in some ridiculous drinking game last night watching the Republican debate! xx

bardot jumperSneakers – Golden Goose // Jeans – J.Crew // Sweater – Marks & Spencer (sale now on here) // Lipstick – NARS Audacious Charlotte

hm jumperBag – Alexander Wang Rocco (similar here discounted) // Jeans – Coated skinnies Zara (old) // Sweater – H&M // Jacket – Mango (old) // Boots – Rag & Bone

Lyst.com – a new favorite website!

As you know most of my shopping is done online. I love shopping in NYC and London where I can walk the streets in the fresh air, and browse windows and stores, collecting big carrier bags as I go along! Unfortunately most of Atlanta’s shopping is offered via indoor malls, which I cannot abide. Somehow it doesn’t feel like a treat, or a day out – there’s nothing to dress up for! We do have a new outdoor shopping area in Buckhead with luxury retailers, but it still feels very new and contrived.

Shopping online can be fun – clicking from one site to another but these days retailers have so much more stock on their sites it can be a tad overwhelming. Well I may have found a solution and an alternative to having 29 tabs open in Safari! Lyst.com.

I used the site recently when I was narrowing down my search for these season’s boots. It’s that time of year where I can justify adding a couple more pairs to my collection!

Lyst.com is an aggregator and partners with designers and stores to bring you your favorites in one place. By indicating preferences and following your shopping habits Lyst.com creates a personal shopping experience for each and every user. I love that it allows you to follow your favorite brands and receive sale and stock alerts.

You may have seen that I’ve already made one heavy investment purchase this season – my new Chloé Susanna boots! What I love about Lyst.com is that it also allows you to price shop easily and see where the cheapest source is for the item you are coveting! These boots haven’t been off my feet since I received them and the funny thing is I didn’t used to like them! I used to think they were way too ornate for my taste. I guess having seen them styled so many different ways, and in so many different color ways I have gradually changed my mind as I am now totally obsessed with them!

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These TopShop Bridleway boots have made it on to my wish list – they are SO Gucci but just $70! They would look amazing with black skinnies and a black pussy bow blouse.

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They are also available in a stunning burgundy.

topshop-burgundy-bridleway-trim-boots-purple-product-2-968221454-normal_large_flex

I love Splendid clothes but I have never worn their shoes. These are a gorgeous western boot with a bit of slouchiness – really cute with a dress. Compared with the price of Splendid’s clothes these seem quite reasonable at $168.

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The beige version is just beautiful.

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The hot boot from last year, and a great, cheaper alternative to the Chloés, is the Toga Pulla. I absolutely love them – again a boot I was in two minds about last year. Obviously I need to see some things a few times before they click with me! I know both Eve and Kat love theirs.

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I have to say these navy, crocodile effect pair are my top choice – I am smitten with them. I am loving navy boots with black jeans this season.

toga-pulla-navy-navy-embossed-leather-buckled-boots-blue-product-4-927212418-normal_large_flex

Finally, given my love of over the knee boots, I was contemplating another pair of Lowlands this year. In fact I ordered the nice blue pair but returned them – I really didn’t need them in addition to the currant pair I have from last year.

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Instead I have been drawn to these fringe boots from See by Chloé. I thought I’d had enough fringe in 2015 but I absolutely love these. Again visualize them with skinny black jeans and an oversize sweater. Scrummy!

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Which are your favorite boots this season? Have you clicked the ‘place order’ button yet?

Finally here are some photos from the most amazing night out! I took Poppy to see 1989 Taylor Swift tour. She was AMAZING. I cried all the way through Fifteen thinking about my gorgeous girl dealing with all those emotions in the years to come. Taylor is a great role model – her songs deliver great messages of strength and independence for young girls – and Moms in fact!

Poppy and I Poppy TS PJON ME Shoes – Golden Goose // Jeans – R13 // T-shirt – Splendid // Jacket – Mango

ON POPPY Jacket – Zara // Jeans – H&M // Boots – Sam Edelman (old)

This post is sponsored by Lyst.com. All opinions are 100% honest and all content is my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support my blog.

I don’t like to save…

Because I enjoy spending money far too much! My parents and husband will confirm it! Thank goodness I still work and earn my way…Ok so now I’ve set it up I will tell you about a couple of things that happened this week…

First these arrived.

Chloes 1 ChloesBoots – Chloé Susanna // Trousers – Zara // Top – AllSaints (use EXTRA20 for 20% extra off sale) // Jacket – Mango // Bag – McQ Alexander McQueen // Sunglasses – Chanel

I was nervous as hell waiting for them as all the reviews said to size down in the Chloé Susannas, then more recent reviews said stay true to size. I knew I really wanted navy – different from black, yet still versatile. The blue on NAP have all sold out (though the merlot are lovely). Then I found one pair left at ShoeScribe.com (owned by NAP – or the other way around?). Only ShoeScribe.com only had whole sizes. I took a chance and ordered the last pair of 39s. Now sizing charts are different EVERYWHERE. It drives me bonkers. Plus there is the Fr 39 and the IT 39 which is apparently different too! I am normally a US 8.5 but I have a pair of Sam Edelman boots labelled US 8.5 and Eur 40!? So as you can imagine I was uncertain as to whether the 39s I ordered would be like boats, or if they would screw my toes up. Fortunately neither – they are perfect! I do have wide feet though so maybe that helps them fit more snuggly as the ankle is quite wide/loose on them and I’ve heard if you have a narrow foot the heel can slip. Anyway after a week of debate and umming and ahhing – even packing them back in the box to return them – I decided it was destiny – and they are here to stay! I’m pretty thrilled with them, if skint for a while!

Ok now these don’t seem nearly as extravagant in comparison as I got 25% off too with the Saks Friends and Family event last week. My new Prada sunglasses.

Pradas

I love them – I’ve coveted them for a while especially as these have plain arms as I am not a fan of the art deco swirly ones that seem to be ubiquitous here in Atlanta.

So I am a very happy girl. Now I just have to scrape some pennies together for my husband’s birthday next week 😉 (Joking darling – it’s all taken care of…xx).

As for today I headed to our local craft store. I am NOT crafty at all but once again this year our school project is to create a book character using a pumpkin. My challenge is to create The Highway Rat, my son’s favorite picture book – I have a mask at least! Wish me luck!

Project

highway rat

As I had to drive by the mall on the way home I nipped in for a browse. There are lots of sales on right now! I haven’t ventured in a Banana Republic since my corporate days but our Lenox Mall one has recently had a refit so I popped in for a gander. I absolutely fell in love with this cardigan/cape!

BR cape

In store they are just $58 reduced from $98 but they are here online too. The khaki is lovely in real life. I opted for a M/L for an oversize fit.

black BR green BR

As always here are a couple of outfits from throughout the week…

AllSaintsSweatshirt – AllSaints (old) // Top – AllSaints (EXTRA20 for 20% off sale) // Jeans – J.Crew (SALETREAT for 25% off full price and 40% off final sale prices) // Sneakers – Golden Goose

IM sneakersTop – AllSaints (EXTRA20 for 20% off final sale prices) // Sneakers – Isabel Marant (discounted at TheOutnet.com) // Jeans – J.Crew (SALETREAT for 25% off full price and 40% off final sale prices) // Jacket – Mango

So here’s hoping the crafting goes well – I have a Taylor Swift concert with Poppy to enjoy tomorrow night too!!! Now then, what to wear…?

Inflated high street or discounted designer?

I headed into H&M for a browse on Friday after seeing their new Studio line arrive online. I have to say I don’t really get it. I often see items from H&M on other blogs that grab my attention, and then when I see them in real life they seem overpriced for the quality – especially over here in dollars. Paying $200 for a coat from H&M is just something I would never consider. It got me thinking about several high street retailers who now offer ‘higher end’ lines – like Zara and their Studio range, and J.Crew with the Collection range. Their prices are inflated – in fact often extortionate in the case of J.Crew Collection. Personally I would much rather spend $200 on a heavily discounted piece of Isabel Marant on TheOutnet.com than in a high street store. How about you?

I did grab a couple of mohair knits from H&M that I am extremely happy with – very little, clothing wise, makes me happier than an oversize grey jumper! Sorry I can’t see it online but this is a small – it fits HUGE!

grey jumperThis khaki cardigan made me feel like a young student again so it came home with me too! It’s described as ‘yellow marl’ online but it is definitely green!

kahkiThese are a couple of items that I liked from the Studio line but still wouldn’t part with my hard earned cash for them.

This weekend bag is well made and large but $349!

IMG_5115I love the colors on this coat, but again I think it’s expensive for H&M at $199. Plus to those of us in the know it is easily recognizable as H&M.

IMG_5116Fall has arrived in Atlanta and we are enjoying amazing clear skies and sun. I’ve even had to dig the cardigans out this week for a couple of cold mornings.

blazerJacket – Linen regent blazer J.Crew // Jeans – J.Crew (25% off with SHOPNOW) // T-Shirt – ASOS // Shoes – Vince Nina // Bag – McQ (similar here)

If you are partial to a pair of snakeskin shoes I spotted these in H&M which are fab! (Can only see this version online)

shoes

camel cardiganShoes – TopShop Kaiser // Jeans – J.Crew // Top – Mango (similar here) // Cardigan – ASOS // Bag – Rocco (similar here)

kiwi blazerDress – AllSaints Pia (old similar here) // Sneakers – Golden Goose // Jacket – Linen Regent blazer J.Crew // Bag – H&M