Tag Archives: & Other Stories

A birthday, Willie Nelson and President Carter!

What a busy week! My mum and dad arrived on Tuesday just in time for Poppy’s 10th birthday on the 18th. It was quite cute at the airport – I collected Hugh and Poppy from school early as they had prepared welcome posters for Nana and Grandad!

airport

On Wednesday, while the kids were at school, we went for some gentle shopping to DSW while the jet lag dissipated. Mum also loves to head to Ulta where she stocks up on OPI nail polish – one of the few things that is still cheaper here!

dsw2Shoes – Isabel Marant // Jeans – Zara // Top – AllSaints // Bag – Balenciaga

dsw

We came out of DSW empty handed but I did grab a couple of tops in the sale at Old Navy – somewhere I haven’t shopped for years. It made me curious so I checked out their website later and look at these amazing swimsuits – 40% off and a GREAT tribute to the incredibly expensive Marysia swimsuits. The one piece is currently sold out online but check stores, and I was told there would be more stock online soon.

Old navy swimsuit

bikini bikini bottoms

I also saw similar on J.Crew’s website here, currently 25% off with code SUMMER.

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On Wednesday evening we all went out to dinner for my gorgeous girl’s 10th birthday – how did this wee thing…

ph

….end up this big?

old navy CollageShorts and tee – Old Navy here and here // Sandals – Avarcas Pons

dinner CollageShoes – Sam Edelman (old) // Jeans – Zara (old) // Top – Gap // Bag – Balenciaga

Thursday meant a trip to Target. I was absolutely surprised how many things I loved! Check out what ended up in my cart!

This denim jacket is fabulous – so soft and I love the sweatshirt sleeves and hoody.

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I’ve ummed and ahhed over a denim waistcoat/vest forever and now have this one at just $29.99.

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I love this top that I picked up too – can’t have too many pretty white tops in the summer!

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Finally – how cute is this dress for nights out in Istanbul!? I love it!

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Mum left Target with more nail polishes! How come she goes shopping and I spend more??? 🙂

targetShoes – TopShop // Jeans – Zara (old) // Top – AllSaints (old)

On Friday we went to the mall and stopped off at a few stores including J.Crew. Not great going in  J.Crew dressed in J.Crew!

JcrewShoes – Golden Goose // Jeans – Zara (old) // T-Shirt – J.Crew (old) // Jacket – J.Crew // Bag – Mansur Gavriel

On Friday evening we were lucky enough to have tickets for Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. My Husband and I have seen Willie before and knew it would be a great treat for Mum and Dad. Unfortunately it was an outdoor venue and the rain was pretty constant – but with cheese and wine the audience loved it. As a massive bonus President Carter, a big Willie fan, was in the audience and he and Rosalynn joined Willie to sing Amazing Grace. Moving stuff. My favorite moment of the night though has to be the legend, Kris Kristofferson, singing one of his most famous songs – ‘Me and Bobby McGee’.

kris kristofferson President Carter

mum and dad collage

Of course you can always use your M&S bag to stay dry 🙂
rain

Mum and Dad are now in Fort Myers for a few days so normality has resumed here – at least till Wednesday when they return and school finishes for the summer!!!!

Sunday CollageTop – Gap // Sunglasses – Mango (old) // Jeans – J.Crew // Shoes – & Other Stories

 

Outfit update!

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

 

That dress!

How serendipitous! Remember those dresses I blogged about the other day from & Other Stories? Well they are currently running a promotion with 20% off all dresses! Take advantage of it – my dress arrived yesterday and I adore it. Not to mention the new shoes! I put them both straight on today so ignore the packing creases – the humidity here today will sort them out!

other stories dressDress – & Other Stories (20% off here) // Shoes – & Other Stories // Bag – Proenza Schouler

I needed to do a quick tan top up on the legs but it is now easy as pie as I have discovered the best mitt and tanner that I have ever used, and I’ve used a lot so thank goodness the research has paid off at last! All the other mitts I have used have fallen apart after a few uses and washes. This one is a beautiful soft fabric with a waterproof liner so it can be washed and washed, and you won’t stain your hands.

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The tanner I have started using is Vita Liberata. It’s pricy but it lasts for ages before you need to top up – 2-3 weeks, depending on how often you shower and exfoliate. It gives a great natural tan – in fact my dermatologist thought I had been in the sun and scalded me before I told here it was self tanner! It’s also 80% organic and has no nasty smell.

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OK it’s Thursday and I’m off to start my weekend! Enjoy!

 

 

Even shorter!

How can a great haircut make a girl so happy!? I absolutely love my new shorter do. I knew when I first went short again the other month that I would be going even shorter soon and here I am back to my old self! I feel me again! If you are in Atlanta I urge you to pay O’Neil at Van Michael a visit – best cut ever, and you won’t stop chatting!

black trousersTrousers – J.Crew (30% off here with SCORE)// Shirt – Zara (old) // Shoes – TopShop // Bag – Proenza Schouler

hair

Yesterday the husband didn’t disappoint with his quick witted ‘are you still painting?’ jibe – I should have put money on it. I don’t care however, I love these dungarees, best fit ever – lovely and slouchy – I sized up to a large, with a lovely shaped leg. The bib on these seems to sit really well on my boobs – it can be dangerous for us with boobs as that bib can get lost or stuck! 😉 These and the indigo version are 40% off in the US with code HAPPY.

dungarees CollageShoes – Zara (last season similar here) // Dungarees – Gap (40% off with HAPPY) // T-shirt – J.Crew (old) // Bag – Mulberry Bayswater

In other news these fabulous espadrilles have now arrived on the US & Other Stories site – they are here on the UK site.

blush espadrille espadrillenavy espadrille

Enjoy!

We’re off to watch the Hawks basketball tonight – it’s going to be a late one and some cranky kids will be around tomorrow morning – think of me as I am trying to herd them out of the house for school at 7.15am!

My current favorite store

I haven’t shopped at Zara for months, I dip in and out of Mango, and I’ve been cruising H&M more and more. That’s when I remembered that H&M also has sister brands – & Other Stories and COS. I’m thrilled that we now have a COS in Buckhead here in Atlanta – I’ve yet to visit but will report back soon. On their ‘About’ page this is how COS describe themselves:

COS is a fashion brand for women and men who want modern, functional, considered design.

Offering reinvented classics and wardrobe essentials, we create pieces that are made to last beyond the season. Traditional methods and new techniques merge to form timeless, understated collections.

Since launching in 2007, we have opened stores worldwide in carefully considered locations, applying an architectural design concept that preserves buildings’ original features whilst creating a modern, welcoming space.

For now let’s focus on my new favorite online store – & Other Stories. Online as it currently only has two NYC stores in the US. Please come to Atlanta soon! Here is how they describe themselves:

& Other Stories is a fashion brand offering women a wide range of shoes, bags, accessories, beauty and ready-to-wear to create their personal style, or story. Our creative ateliers in Paris and Stockholm design diversified fashion collections with great attention to detail and quality at an affordable price.

Today, a woman with a love for fashion creates her own style.

She wears things that feel right to her and reflect her personality. & Other Stories is about bringing everything she can wear into one place, focusing on the whole look. We believe shoes, bags, jewellery, lingerie and beauty are key for styling and just as important as clothing.

Our collections are built around inspiring fashion stories. All our lines are diverse, ranging from masculine tailoring to feminine chic and designed to provide endless styling choices.

Their collection really is diverse. I also love how their site is designed with a ‘Ready-to-wear’ section – it really elevates the brand.

I’ve just made an order and I’ll let you know what’s on it’s way shortly. First I want to share some of my favorite items and help some of you who are new to & Other Stories get familiar with it. I am still navigating my way through it. The price points are great for the style and aesthetic of the clothes, more than H&M, but you’re getting better quality and a more classic piece for your closet. If you are in the US be warned – stock sells out FAST! New stock also shows up slower than in the UK. Looking between the US and the UK sites there are far more sizes still available in the UK.

This dress is beautiful – very D&G – and it also comes in white. So feminine and pretty but could easily be toughened up with a denim or leather jacket.

black lace dresslace midi dress

I’m in love with the shape of this shirt dress. It’s so flattering, wonderfully cool for summer and really easy to wear dressed up or down. I particularly love the herbarium print in white. It’s just $55 too! If you sign up as a new site user you will receive a FRIENDS code for 10% off your first order.

cotton shirt dressScreen Shot 2016-04-24 at 8.03.29 AM

This dress is the herbarium print too – so fun and funky. Beautifully abstract. The asymmetrical hem here is perfect. I love this for a spring or summer wedding then it can easily be worn as a day dress.

herbarium dress

I’m in love with the styling here. I’d like to look like this every day please. This layering shirt dress is such a basic but looks so cool over leather pants or jeans.

shirt dress

Here’s the dress I’ve ordered – I’m afraid it’s sold out on the US site but there may be returns. It’s the print I love and the shape is perfect for my shape – I get to show my legs and hide my tummy! It’s just £45 in the UK, and $65 in the US – I LOVE the fact they don’t just double the numbers for the US as many European stores do.

herbarium dress 1

Now to my other & Other Stories obsession – their shoes. SO cool, great unique designs and great prices.

These are in my order –

I just love the color of the beige mule and the shape of the toe. At $135 they are even cheaper than the Everlane version. They are also available in black in the UK.

biege mule black mule

I’ve had the ATP Atelier version of these sandals in and out of my basket on NAP forever! Now I have these on their way for half the price!

black sandal snakeprint sandal

These espadrilles haven’t arrived online in the US yet – watch out for them – they will fly out of stock. I am particularly enamored by the blush pair available here in the UK. The black and white are a great Chanel tribute.

blush espadrille espadrille

Finally these are so cool – a mule skate shoe or a skate shoe mule? Perfect for slipping on for vacation travel.

slip on sneaker

Do let me know if you have shopped with & Other Stories for a while – I’d love to know your thoughts, equally if you are new to the brand – what do you think?!

 

Belted jackets

Belted jackets have become a new staple in my closet. They cinch my waist to give me shape where I need it and they look great with jeans. It’s a signature look of my style heroine, Emmanuelle Alt. She belts all her coats – even puffa jackets in the winter.

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There are many choices on the high street starting with H&M who are on fire at the moment.

This grey jacket is so versatile and I love the bracelet length sleeves.

H&M jacket

This is one of my favorites – great colors – especially love the cream in it to wear with off white jeans.

H&M jacquard

This one is described as a cardigan – great for spring and cooler summer evenings – I love the rope belt and it has cashmere in it. The more I look at it the more I want it in my closet.

H&M cardigan

This pile coat is fabulous and now on sale at $24.99. Buy it and keep it for Fall!

pile jacket

This is the grey that I am wearing in the image below. It also comes in a black and grey pattern – both bargains at $39.99.

patterned coat

Finally a coat in the sale – just lovely – again a great color too. Reduced from $69.99 to just $19.99 with most sizes available.

boucle coat

Now another of my favorite stores, Mango. I have these first two coats as I thought they were so ‘Emmanuelle’ as soon as I saw them. The first colorway is currently reduced.

mango 2 mango 1

This coat is very reminiscent of ‘safari jackets’ – it’s beautiful for the summer. It’s lyocell so will be soft to wear.

mango 5

I’m head over heels with this cotton wool mix coat – just beautiful colors and currently reduced by 30%.

mango 3

This navy blue jacket from River Island will look brilliant with white jeans and tan sandals. It also comes in pink, black and a black and white pattern.

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Dressier now – this TopShop Unique jacket is a beauty. It’s a longer, smoking jacket style and would look incredible with black wide leg trousers.

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Last but not least – this is fabulous, quirky and fun from & Other Stories – the tigress quilted jacket.

& other stories

Now while we’re talking about belted jackets, when I was back in the UK I wanted a belt that I could wear over any coat. This is perfect – mainly because it has elastic at the back of the belt so it gives to fit around any coat, even with a sweater underneath.

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So what are your thoughts on the belted jacket? I do think they give a fabulous shape. I’ve worn one on each of the previous two days.

Topshop shoes 1Jacket – H&M (on sale) // Jeans – Zara (old) // Shoes – TopShop // Shirt – oversized cuff shirt H&M // bag – Stella McCartney Falabella

H&M jacket and gucci shoesJacket – H&M (sold out online) // Jeans – H&M // Shoes – Gucci (old) // Bag – Stella McCartney Falabella

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)