Tag Archives: Marks and Spencer

The LBD

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Not Little Black Dress, but the Long Black Dress. The dress from the William Morris x H&M collaboration has reminded me how useful a dress can be. Wear it during the day with a chunky sweater and sneakers, or in the evening with ankle or knee length boots and a leather jacket. So versatile and I get to play out my inner Kate Bush.

Given we’re galloping at high speed towards party season I am considering two long black dresses that will allow me to sing Wuthering Heights at the top of my voice, while wearing a deep berry lipstick. Both are from Marks and Spencer.

The first is a Limited Edition dress that is similar in style, though far dressier to the instafamous go-faster stripe dress.

The second dress is also available in a beautiful purple print. I just love this and the v-neck is super flattering for a busty lass like me. Eve has it and looks lovely in it here.

I’ll report back once I’ve tried them with these sock boots which will give a really neat, flattering line at the ankle to contrast with the drapey fabric of the dresses.

My picks of the J.Crew sale

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I love J.Crew but never pay full price…right now you can their sale is on and there are some gems if you are quick.

I’ve just ordered these knitted tops – knit may not seem the coolest in the summer but it actually is breathable and hangs beautifully without clinging. Get an extra 40% off all sale prices with HELLOSALE at checkout.

 

These are really cute -wear them with denim shorts or jeans.

These signet bags are the perfect size and already reduced – with the 40% off that makes them a steal for real leather classics. The pewter and pink are on sale.

Finally this seersucker jumpsuit is gorgeous – great beach to bar attire.

I wore J.Crew the other night to watch Mamma Mia with Poppy – I felt suitably boho in it and got compliments from the ushers! The show was fabulous by the way, and yes I did dance my socks off!

Dress – J.Crew // Sandals – Marks and Spencer

Top – Zara // Sunglasses – Stella McCartney (reduced here) // Shorts – Madewell // Sneakers – Vans // Earrings – J.Crew Factory

Skirt – ASOS // Shoes – Golden Goose // T-shirt – Mango

 

What I’ve bought back in the UK…

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The exchange rate is good for traveling to the UK and with tax free shopping easier than ever I’ve enjoyed a bit of shopping this side of the pond.

From Mango I purchased this linen jacket that I’ve had my eye on for a while – very Miami Vice.

Mango linen jacket

Then this set has been on my radar for a while too – I was worried the top would be too cropped but the adjustable ties make it perfect. The trousers have an elastic waist – just perfect!

Of course knickers and bras are a must from good old M&S. If you are in the US you can order via their website here and use Welcome20 for 20% off.

I have bought THE most comfortable bras and in such pretty colors – these packs of 2 are such brilliant value.

I also purchased a couple of multi way bras which are so supportive – I’m thrilled with them.

These ballet flats were hard to resist – I did try but I went back for them – the leopard and zebra are now in my bag. I think they are very J.Crew. By the way try code MY6F238 in the UK – it might give you 20% off.

I had a beautiful dress ordered from & Other Stories – unfortunately it just didn’t work on my boobs. I exchanged it for these trousers – so fluid and drapey – I have a Eur 38 so they are pretty generous and they have an elastic waist.

Finally I am thrilled with these final purchases – my Primark Manchester t-shirt – I can’t find it online but it’s lovely – I will wear it with pride.

These are very polarizing – and I LOVE them – I promised myself I would buy them here in the UK as they are cheaper in £ and Selfridges have a VAT lounge where I got my VAT refunded on the spot. I sized down half a size to 38.5. They remind me of my Patrick Cox Wannabe loafers from the early 90s.

So quite a good shopping haul – but more fun than that has been catching up with my lovely friends (pictured below @SusieSoSo @Iwontwearsludgebrown @Restyle-Becs @DizzyV) and family. Now back to the arms of my lovely husband and to start preparations for a month in Turkey!

Boots – Chloé // Jeans – J.Brand // Jacket – AllSaints // Top – AllSaints // Scarf – Zara (old)

 

 

 

 

All I need now is cooler weather!

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I love winter weather – it’s in my genes. Unfortunately I am still waiting for it to arrive with gusto here – yesterday we were baking in 80 degree weather while trick or treating! Not to worry I am still preparing for a long winter with a couple of new purchases.

coat-collage

The Alexa collection for Marks & Spencer is now love and I couldn’t resist the Briggate trench. I think it will look super cool with skinnies and ankle boots with a graphic t-shirt. It’s now available here and I BET it sells out before the end of the week!

The Carine Roitfeld collection for Uniqlo is released in the UK on November 3rd at 10am. If you want anything I’d advise you to be quick with that too! Anything leopard print sold out here day 1 – including the bomber jacket and the above coat. I’ve stalked the coat here and it just came back in stock in a Small and Large – thank you!

I’m going to try and hold off now till the end of the year…ah hem…I know, I know…but we are off to Costa Rica for Christmas so not sure trenches and fur coats will be required then!

We had an amazing weekend celebrating Dave’s 50th – we had a lovely family dinner out on Saturday. It’s so nice now that the children are old enough to come with us. Poppy is just like me and loves getting dressed up for dinner out! I wore this fabulous dress that was 50% off in the & Other Stories sale – it’s one of those every occasion dresses that will be perfect for beach vacations too.

other-stories-imageDress – & Other Stories // Shoes – Vince (similar here) // Bag – Mango (old)

Isn't she fabulous ❤️

Boots – Marks & Spencer  // Dress – H&M (similar here)

Yesterday was a rather tumultuous day. After campaigning for Hillary on Friday and receiving my yard sign I was very proud to display it. Someone stole it on Sunday – not only is it illegal but I felt violated that my property had been taken and that somebody had actually been to the trouble to walk into my yard and take it. After venting my frustration on our neighborhood website, in what I considered and non-partisan manner, I was then mocked, attacked and abused by online comments all day. I love democracy and would never attack another for their opposing views – this election is making me VERY sad though and the hate that it is proliferating is nothing but terrifying. Onwards and upwards. Wearing new boots helped.

topshop-bootsBoots – TopShop // Jeans – Zara (old) // Top – AllSaints (old) // Jacket – J.Crew (old) // Bag – Givenchy Pandora

Off for a birthday brunch! #thisis45 #pixiecut #nothingbutpixies #shorthair #liketkit #fbloggers #fbloggersuk #fblogger #ootd #wiwt #outfitpost #outfitinspo #instafashion #instastyle #40plusstyle #everydaystyle #over40fashion #mumontherun #dresslikeamum #ltkunder50 #ltkunder100 #ltkshoecrush

Boots – AllSaints // Jeans – Zara (old) // T-shirt – AllSaints (old)

Labor Weekend Mango code!

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I LOVE Mango – I probably shop there more than Zara these days – their sizing seems more generous for my boobs! This weekend you can get 30% off when you spend more than $150 and 20% off orders over $100 (why you wouldn’t add the extra $50 and return if needed I’ve no idea!) – just use code 6OULABORDAY at checkout.

I’ve actually worn Mango for the past 3 days!

Mango dressDress – Mango Outlet // Shoes – H&M // Bag – Hill & Friends

mango pink dressDress – Mango // Bag – Gucci // Shoes – Marks and Spencer (old)

Mango shoesShoes – Mango // Jeans – Zara (old) // Top – Mango // Bag – Stella McCartney

Of course I made use of the code too and I’ve ordered these beauties

Checked sweater –

check sweater

Oversize sweater –

oversize sweater

Slip dress –

lace slip dress

I thought the blue sweater will look great with these boots I mentioned the other day – I ended up buying these as they are selling out everywhere – they still have several sizes here on Net-a-porter.com though.Cambell boot

Moving on – after seeing these shoes on Frances on Instagram I’ve ordered the berry and the leopard print. If you are shopping on the US site use WELCOME20 for 20% off!

leopard print shoes berry shoes

They have black in store too in the UK, but I cannot see them online yet.

Finally I’ve been stalking the H&M site for this top since seeing it on Ashley – it’s finally arrived in the US!

sequin top

 

A warm December is GREAT for us coat lovers!

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So this ridiculously warm weather is driving me crazy. It is forecasted to be 75 degrees Fahrenheit here for Wednesday, Thursday and Christmas Day. NUTS.

BUT even though El Niño brings with it warmer weather it DOES mean we are in for some crazy, frigid spring weather – severe weather PSA!

Retailers hate this weather – everyone is already offering sales on winter clothing that has not been needed. Good news for me – an avid coat lover – who will wear one as soon as it dips below 60!

Good old Marks and Spencers have some beauties with 30% off. Reading the reviews I advise sizing down in these, but my goodness they are gorgeous!

First pick is this gorgeous statement collared neck stripe coat.

Marks and Spencer striped coat

Next this checked peacoat is beautiful – I think it will look great oversized but still would size down based on reviews.

oversized peacoat

Also from the Limited Edition this oversized coatigan is beautiful – not many left in stock in a medium! Such gorgeous colors so I’m not surprised.

Marks and Spencer blanket coat

Finally this is a beauty – such a great shape.

Limited cocoon coat

It’s easy to think we’ll get by without coats and knits this winter but I promise you, when they start throwing Spring collections at us in February, we will be freezing our knickers off!

 

 

Cashmere for Christmas

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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)

My cheaper (way cheaper) alternative to the Acne Velocite jacket

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I have coveted the Acne Velocite shearling jacket forever. I absolutely love the oversize shearling style. At $2800 it is crazy expensive and would be hard to justify in the snowy climate of a wintry New England, never mind a balmy Atlanta winter.

velocite jacket

Well fear not my friends. I have found a fabulous alternative at just £99! Look at this beauty from Marks & Spencer. I am afraid I had no idea who Lulu Kennedy was – now I do! I have to say I think I actually prefer the grey color to black.

Screen Shot 2015-11-02 at 4.41.03 PM

Screen Shot 2015-11-02 at 4.50.26 PM

Enjoy!

Our wedding anniversary!

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Last week was quite an emotionally charged week. Sometimes I go through a roller coaster of emotions – normally initiated by a massive bout of homesickness. I miss lots about England from basic cultural stuff like food, television and the humor – to more intense things like friends and family. Sometimes that sense of longing for the UK is far deeper than at other times. I’m more susceptible to it at this time of year when the kids are back at school, summer and vacations are over and the days are getting shorter. Having said all that, if I was ever given the option to return to England I doubt I would. After 15 years here there are as many things I would miss about the US as I now miss about the UK! Basically I want my cake and eat it – if I could hit a button to swiftly move from one location to the other at will I’d be thrilled!

Fortunately the week ended on a massive high note – my husband and I celebrated 17 years of marriage on Saturday and I was treated to a slap up 5 course meal and some fabulous gifts. I was spoiled indeed! I dug out some wedding photos to share with the children – we had quite a giggle! Forgive the quality as I took photos of hard copies using my phone!

pre wedding dancing first dance

For our dinner out I chose to wear an AllSaints dress that I snapped up in the sale at Christmas. If you are partial to a bit of AllSaints there is 20% off currently using code ENJOY – valid in the UK and US!

Dinner dateDress – AllSaints // Boots – Zara // Clutch – YSL

These boots are lovely but come up quite high – if you’re looking for something similar I just discovered these gorgeous boots at Marks and Spencer – the 20% off code is still valid today too SEP15EM.

SD_01_T02_2752A_Y0_X_EC_0The past week has seen me start moving to boots and jeans again – I’m enjoying the Fall weather!

Zara coordsTrousers and top coordinates – Zara // Sneakers – Adidas superstars // Bag – Alexander Wang Rocco

AllSaints teeT-shirt – AllSaints (20% off everything with code ENJOY) // Boots – Rag and Bone Newbury boot // Jeans – Zara (old) // Bag – Alexander Wang Rocco

And here is one of the many reasons I love my husband so much – he finds the perfect cards, even if they require a little editing…

card

 

Marks & Spencer, an alternative to Zara?

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I’m at home taking care of a ‘sick’ daughter. Not sure how sick she is as she has just demolished scrambled eggs and toast. I’ve packed her off to her room to get on with her homework. She might find struggling through a day at school is easier than hanging out at home with Mom!

This ‘blip’ in my day has meant I am still unshowered, sitting in my gym attire – so no photo from me today. However, it has provided me time to have a thorough gander at Marks and Spencer’s new season offerings. And wow am I impressed! Obviously the caveat is that I have only seen the majority if it on their website so that requires a whole lot of creative imagination to avoid being thoroughly put off my their atrocious styling. Oh my eyes…

First up shoes. Yes, yes, yes we all know I love shoes. Kat asked me share how many shoes I’d bought over the summer. I got to about 12 I think and stopped as I was starting to cringe. I may have just ordered 4 more pairs last night from M&S as I KNOW these will sell out. Plus I had my 25% birthday code from them that I HAD to use before the end of the month! Sign up with them to receive yours – it’s valid your entire birthday month. I was going to buy new bras and knickers but how boring is that!?

That Belfast Girl first got me drooling over these on her IG feed last night. Just £35 and a GREAT lower heeled version of my J.Crew shoes that WIT also has.

black lace up

So I’ve also ordered the snakeskin version too. I’ve ordered a 6 as they apparently come up narrow. Though I have these in a 5 1/2 and they fit great so we’ll see! Fingers crossed!

snakeprint lace up

Then Frances shared these on her IG feed (note to self stay clear of IG if you want to save money!). I just adore them. The perfect pointed flat to wear with cropped jeans or black cigarette trousers. They have a definite Louis Vuitton feel to them.

LE pointed flat

So I ordered them in the gray too – knowing for sure they will disappear fast. Unfortunately these only come in whole sizes but for £35 they are worth a punt!

gem grey loaferIf you like the embellishment but prefer a ballet flat how about these?

gem pumpSo what else did I see while filling my cart. Well they have some fabulous looking boots!

These are Autograph with stain away and will be great with jeans or skirts. The ‘foot’ of the shoe looks beautiful with a lovely practical heel

Autograph bootThese are just divine – so on trend and will be perfect with culottes or a denim A-line skirt. They come in black, tan or burgundy – the burgundy is beautiful.

block heeled bootAs for ankle boots you are really spoiled for choice. This Indigo pair is the perfect little western bootie. They come in black too.

suede ankle bootThere’s a beautiful ankle version of the tall boot above. Just gorgeous in berry.

square toe bootOr if you prefer a narrower heel how about these? I am considering the green version after reading Sue’s post the other day. They are LUSH! They also come in navy.

burgundy ankle bootAlways a fan of a shoe boot – these are lovely and ideal for wearing with opaques and dresses. I think I will order these in navy.

shoe bootLastly another couple of flats – the ubiquitous ghillie lace up. A steal at £29.50.

flat gjillieAnd a beautiful elegant pump similar to those that my friend Max was touting on IG. Lovely with cigarette pants for Fall. The navy patent version is gorgeous.

court shoeNow for the new clothes that caught my attention – and this is really where I think the Limited Edition line comes into it’s own. Competing directly with Zara but appealing to those of us who grew up with M&S – and also maybe making moms of teenage girls happier – assuming M&S still delivers on quality and customer service.

This jacket is in my cart. So cool.

bomber jacketThese culottes are so similar to the ones J.Crew have been selling this season, but these are a smidge of the price!

culottesThis dress is lovely and will be perfect paired with the tan knee high boots above! Yay for pockets too!!

denim dressYou’d never know this was M&S – Zara or TopShop maybe. What a gorgeous color – described as peach mix online.

fur giletThis is identical to a blouse that Zara were selling – I think Frances has the Zara version. It’s less than £30!

high neck blouseI just LOVE this cape. It comes in burgundy too – although M&S insist it is ‘dusty pink’!

hooded wrapI always laugh with Frances as I find so many items that would be perfect for her – she doesn’t need style advice but I can show her where to spend her money!

lace dressI’d wear this with a khaki military jacket similar to this.

Screen Shot 2015-08-26 at 11.11.51 AMI want this dress. It will sell out fast like the spotty number from last year.

moon print dressFinally how lovely is this mac? – Lightweight and super stylish.

trenchNow if only M&S could open a store here in Atlanta I’d be a happy girl. In the meantime they do offer free shipping to the US so it seems I may be seeing a lot of my postie this Fall!