Tag Archives: Oliver Peoples

Fall favorites

Fall in Atlanta is stunning and it has begun in earnest this week with cooler morning temperatures, clear skies, and warm sunny afternoons. It’s bliss! Still warm enough to get the legs out and yet cool enough for a jacket – my perfect combination!

allsaintsDress – AllSaints currently on sale // Shoes – Everlane Street Shoes // Jacket – J.Crew linen Regent blazer (select colors on sale) // Bag – H&M // Sunglasses – Oliver Peoples via TheOutnet.com

I recently received this dress and absolutely love it. I had my eye on it all summer but I had bought the longer Riviera dress instead. This one has pockets and a lovely drape at the front – I’m wearing a medium.

The sunglasses were an absolute bargain off TheOutnet.com – I LOVE Oliver Peoples and my prescription glasses are Oliver Peoples too. I find it hard to resist when I see a pair discounted. These are clear acetate with metal arms and a super fun way to add some interest to an outfit.

The Everlane Street Shoes are a great combination of shoe and skate shoe/sneaker. A little dressier for day to night, being leather. I took my usual US 8.5 and they are perfect and I have wide feet – so I wouldn’t advise sizing up as the website suggests.

While I’m here I’m still getting great Fall sale emails –

ShopBop.com have 25% off with INTHEFAMILY25 (certain exclusions apply)

Shoescribe.com have 30% off with FRIENDS15 (certain brands are excluded – damn those Chloé Susannas!)

Madewell have 40% off all final sale styles with EXTRA40

Enjoy!!

The 2015 Swimsuit Issue

Yes it’s that time of year again! While I sit and watch the final round at Augusta and wait for Hillary to make her big announcement I thought I would catch you up with my week in Fort Morgan. It was perfect. The weather was the best we’ve ever had at this time of year, the house was perfect, and everybody managed to relax. The kids surfed while my Husband and I indulged in some great holiday reading.

If you’re looking for a couple of book recommendations here are mine! I actually let my Husband choose for me from his previous reads – dangerous given the number of historical, academic books he reads but he chose well – ‘Lionel Asbo’ by Martin Amis and ‘The Dinner’ By Herman Koch.

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Both are equally dark in their own way, but gripping, page turners too! ‘Lionel Asbo’ actually had me sniggering out loud at times with it’s insightful cultural references, and at other times the hairs on my neck stood on end, terrified about what might happen on the next page. ‘The Dinner’ left me with more unanswered questions than answered questions, and for me the ending was unsatisfying, but the journey there was intriguing! I’d love to hear your recommendations for my summer reads this year!

IMG_2155So while I read and relaxed my Husband was on boogie board duty. I say ‘duty’ – he actually loves it and there was really no hardship wandering down the steps to the ocean shore. All three of them here are in their Patagonia board shorts!

IMG_2171I’m afraid I have few outfit photos from the week – I took 3 pairs of denim shorts and wore one pair all week – the weather was so amazing I went from pjs to running gear to bikini back to pjs!

IMG_2283Bikini – Target (old)

IMG_2333Bikini – J.Crew (last year -similar here)

IMG_2336Jumpsuit – ASOS (similar here – I love these for throwing on over a bikini!)

IMG_2323T-shirt – J.Crew (25% off with SHOPNOW) // Shorts – J.Crew (25% off with SHOPNOW)

IMG_2164Shoes – Adidas Adilettes (utterly in love with these!)

I did however manage to get Poppy to take this as we jumped in the car to head down to the Gulf. This jumpsuit is the ideal travel attire!

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Jumpsuit – Splendid (old – similar here) // Sandals – Zara (old) // Bag – H&M

I will say that though I battle with my expanding waistline and I adapt to new bumps and scars, as I approach my 44th birthday this summer, I have never been happier or more content with my body in a bikini. Embrace it girls – if you do everyone else will! xx

 

Dressing for Spring

Yesterday we had a ‘teacher work day’, meaning that there was no school for the children. Instead we had the most wonderful day shopping and at the movies. The weather was incredible and the 3 of us had so much fun. They even enjoyed IKEA and we were in and out in record time having located storage boxes for my winter jumpers and new beach chairs for spring break. The highlight of the morning though was visiting their favorite H&M store!

Poppy was thrilled to find Sue’s top. It looks perfect with her new Zara shorts that she is wearing!

IMG_2061After H&M we headed to the movies to watch Cinderella – highly recommended – we loved it and I even shed a couple of tears!

IMG_2063For the casual day out and about I wore little makeup – a real treat in the spring sun – plenty of spf though of course!

springBoots – Rag & Bone Newbury boots // Jeans – H&M // Tunic – J.Crew (25% off with SaleLove)

Today it’s back to work with a bump – none of us were rallying to get out of bed this morning. After blogging about it the other day I decided to wear my Mango top for the first time – I love it – I am wearing a US 8.

IMG_0668 IMG_0657Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury (similar here on TheOutnet.com QUICK!) // Jeans – Zara // Top – Mango // Jacket – Mango (50% off on sale) // Bag – H&M // Sunglasses – Oliver Peoples Ria

At least the sun is still shining for us!

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.

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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.

lime jacket

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.

Leather jacket

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!

What I’ve been wearing.

May is the busiest month on our calendar every year.  What with anniversaries, birthdays, the end of the school year, school recitals, school field trips, visitors from abroad etc…it is non stop here.  I’m just coming up for air after an amazing weekend of catching up, eating and drinking with Simon – our friend from University, who now lives in Stockholm.

We  had a very late night on Thursday talking and drinking good wine, and then we were off out for dinner on Friday.  The kids and I hung out in front of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday afternoon, streaming it live via SVT.se, the Swedish tv channel.  This made it even more fun and Eurocentric listening to the Swedish translation:)  I found it all as surreal as ever, but I loved the drama – and in the end the right diva won!  For all you American readers who have no idea what I am talking about the Eurovision Song Contest is the annual competition that rocketed ABBA to fame in 1974.  Here’s Conchita, this year’s winner from Austria, a drag queen with more diva in her than Celine Dion.

Before Simon arrived I had another hair cut and went even shorter – thanks to Chadd I am now sporting a magnificent undercut.  I LOVE it.

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Magno top.jpgJeans – Zara TRF (old) // Shoes – Avarcas Pons // Top – Mango

On Friday morning we headed out shopping and I treated myself to a couple of NARS lip pencils – Yu and Cruella.

YUcruella

The color of both is so intense and bold and I feel really feminine wearing them with such short hair.

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Dress – ASOS (currently on sale) // Sneakers – Adidas Samoas // Glasses – Oliver Peoples Wacks // Handbag – Marks and Spencer (on sale)

Then Friday night it was off to Abattoir again where Simon proposed to Karin a couple of years ago now!

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Dress – Marks and Spencer (old – similar here) // Shoes – Nine West

Yesterday was Mother’s Day here in the US and my fabulous kids presented me with great handmade cards.  This one from Poppy made me grin especially – there is no greater compliment she could have paid me than describing me as ‘odd’ and ‘risky’…

IMG_5865Today I’m off to watch her recital so decided to wear a dress again.  I started off with the canvas Newburys.

River Island dress.jpgHowever, with the jacket I decided the grey nubuck pair coordinated better – not much in it to be fair…

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Dress – River Island // Boots – Rag and Bone Newbury boots // Jacket – Marks and Spencer

Finally – shhh it’s a secret – but we’re having a surprise disco for Poppy this weekend for her 8th birthday!!  Here’s an idea I stole from Pinterest – all her friends will be VIPS!

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2013 family vacation is underway.

We made it!  I have to admit I was exhausted before I even got on the plane.  Hugh and Poppy were so excited that the first thing they asked at 7am was ‘are we going yet’.  Only another 12 hours of waiting, and answering that question then!  Finally we were on our way, bags packed with what I know to be way too many clothes – I even managed to sneak some extra shoes in their bags;)  For the first time we actually departed from the new Atlanta International terminal.  In the past we have checked in there and then had to get the airport train all the way back to the old terminals which just seemed like a complete waste of time.  This time we got to explore the sparkly new terminal, with a food court to rival those of the best airports in the World.  I could quite happily have spent an hour or so in Ecco drinking wine and eating flatbread.  Instead we had homemade ham and cheese butties which I think Poppy and Hugh appreciated far more.

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My travel attire: Trousers – James Perse cargo trousers (similar here) // T-shirt – Gap // Sneakers – Golden Goose (I ended up wearing my hi-tops though – a story for another time!)

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After an hour delay due to bad weather we were on our way, finally!

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We arrived yesterday to glorious weather in Bury.  So sunny in fact I managed to recover from my jet lag lying in the garden.  Just perfect!  I also got to try out my early birthday present from my Husband.  Looks like he picked up on my not-so-subtle hints.  My fabulous man presented me with a new Nikon D3200 before I left.  I am SO excited to have a great camera.  It’s the perfect entry level DSLR – even though it has all the bells and whistles, it has an ‘Auto’ setting for when I’m feeling lazy:)  I have, however, read the instructions and have tried out some of the various settings.

Nana and Grandad have converted their serene garden into Alton Towers.

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I found the perfect objects for some still lifes:

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Unsurprisingly the weather here is ‘changeable’.  I started the morning with a run in the sun.  I’m not sure Bury rush hour traffic was ready for bright pink hot pants though.  I suddenly felt rather self conscious.

My bare arms have since been covered with a grey cashmere cardigan, and I’m adding layers as the morning progresses.

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T-shirt – Gap // Scarf – Marks and Spencer’s (from my last visit – has a bike printed on it – I love it! // Jeans – Gap // Ballet pumps – navy Tory Burch Eddie flats

We’re looking after cousin Alice today.  I’ve a feeling Nana and I will be on the wine soon.

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Tweed with spots.

I was out and about yesterday volunteering at the school.  I got to read to the class – it’s quite intense – a group of 6 and 7 year olds is really a tough audience to please!  Then I spent 2 hours stapling – yes I feel like I have a repetitive strain injury.  It was fun though and interesting to have a peek into their world for a couple of hours, though schools still make the hairs on my neck stand up – I equate them with hospitals for fear factor.  Odd considering how long I spent in academic institutions!

This week I’m trying to wear my winter coats and jackets as often as I can as this cold snap won’t last forever.  Today it’s the turn of the Boden tweed jacket from AW 2011.  I love the pink and green combo of this jacket and the quality is outstanding.  It was a fabulous sale bargain – one of the rare times that I held out for the sales!  The shirt and scarf are also Boden from 2011 – the Limited Edition sassy stitch blouse is one that rarely gets worn as it is silk and I hate paying for dry cleaning!  I’ve decided it’s tragic to keep it hanging in the closet unworn.  The jeans are the Hudsons and of course the boots are the Pistols in mocha.  I just took a look and it appears net-a-porter.com has a bunch of new stock as most sizes are now available.  Taking a day off from the gym today – I can barely raise my arms to get dressed – so the glasses are on, the Oliver Peoples Wacks in blue havana matte.

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Thanks for all your book recommendations – much appreciated!

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A compelling read.

I love it when I pick up a new read and can’t tear myself away from it.  There is no better way to spend some down time than with a fabulous book.  American Psycho is just that – I truly can’t put it down.  Yes it is a controversial book, containing scenes of graphic violence and sex, but the narrative is breathtaking.  It was published in 1991 and is set in a narcissistic, greedy world of New York investment bankers (think Wall Street) and their ‘hardbody’ girlfriends.  Brett Easton Ellis’ talent lies in his ability to set the scene and and make it tangible through paragraphs filled with adjectives and detailed descriptions.  For a brand lover like myself it is heaven to be able to visualize every item a character is wearing, down to their Oliver Peoples.  It’s a book I’ll be sad to finish and I highly recommend it if you can stomach a few grisly scenes!

The Arctic blast has reached us here in Atlanta so time for some cashmere and fur (though fake!). I was hoping to change it up a bit and take the tripod outside this morning, but bbrrrrrr you’ll have to wait for that!  The jeans are my old faithful Gap black Always Skinny jeans – unfortunately my ability to describe the comfort of these jeans is not on par with the descriptive talents of Ellis – but believe me they are probably the most comfortable fitting jeans I own.  The jumper is a Boden cashmere roll neck from a couple of years ago but they still have plenty of options in their current clearance section.  The Dickers are out again and Net-a-porter.com has just received all their new stock so be quick!!  The belt is Gucci, which now fits perfectly hooray!

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Before heading out I threw on the relatively new Forever21 jacket – I think these fit to size and this is a Medium.  It’s really pretty good quality for Forever21 and even has a suede trim with pink lining – very cute.  Unfortunately I can no longer see it online to link to.

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And here’s the inspiration for the outfit, the splendid Ms. Moss:

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Let me know if you pick up American Psycho and tell me the best books you have read recently – I have a couple of transatlantic flights approaching soon!

 

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Supper club.

Close game for the Falcons today but exciting and perfect watching on a grey day.  The photo session was postponed due to threat of rain so we walked by the river with the dog and the kids raced their bikes.  I then did my Trader Joe’s shop so I have a kitchen full of yummy treats – including a massive NYC cheesecake that I will try not to devour in one go tonight while watching Homeland and Dexter!

Last night MM and I started our Fall supper club.  We are the only members.  Each week, once the children are in bed, we take it in turns to wine and dine each other at home.  It’s lovely – it’s an evening each week where we turn off all screens, put on some good music and converse while cooking and eating – it’s like dating again and I love it.  Last night I cooked carbonara – who can resist the smell of bacon and garlic?  The food was even better after a couple of glasses of a fabulous Malbec.  I’m looking forward to his choice of menu next week – he’s a far better cook than I am!

Today is a day for comfort – Gap boyfriend jeans, a Gap brown tank, H&M linen top and Sam Edelman Alvin loafers.  The necklace is an old one from Target but it’s fun and works well with the casual outfit.  The new glasses are still making me feel fabulous!

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Rainy Saturdays.

Rainy Saturdays in Georgia are designed for watching College Football.  After a workout at the Y and collecting my new glasses I am now going to sit safely ensconced on the sofa and watch some soccer followed by football – bliss.  The children are playing happily indoors so all is calm for now.

I am feeling great after a fabulous haircut yesterday – I’ve gone really short at the back and sides and love it!  We were trying to go with Ginnifer Goodwin’s gorgeous cut and I think we almost got there, though her hairline at the back is almost shaved.

Ginnifer Goodwin:

Me! (not that I’d ever be confused for Ginnifer!):

Now I just need my greys covered next week – I can’t bare color and cut together it feels like I’m in the salon for an eternity!

I’m wearing my Zara emerald green skinny jeans, a Zara top from the sale and my Tory Burch Eddies in musk.  I love these jewel toned jeans and they are the same cut as the red ones I wore the other day – absolute bargains for $35!  I think they’re quite a bit ‘greener’ than shown here in the photo:

So the new glasses are here – these are the smaller version of Oliver Peoples Wacks and black/tortoiseshell and I LOVE them – they fit fabulously and are the perfect combination of style and comfort.

Happy Saturday everyone!

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