Tag Archives: Target

Some sale wants.

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I don’t remember Boden ever putting their Spring items in the clearance section before June in previous years?  Maybe I’m mistaken, but this year they seem to be dropping odd items in throughout the season.  I just happened to be browsing yesterday and found myself lusting after 3 fabulous spring coats.  This is when I so wish I was back in the UK and actually had use for spring coats.  It’s 80 degrees here this week so it appears summer has arrived for 2013.  MM did suggest that they would be great coats for Fall and even Winter here – surely that means he agrees with me and I should purchase immediately?

I will preface this with the fact that 2 of these coats got some poor reviews.  However, seeing as I am not the ‘typical’ Boden buyer I tend to take the reviews with a grain of salt.  For me the truth always lies in trying the clothes at home, and styling them how I would wear them.  I think all 3 of these coats would look fabulous dressed up or down.  I can see myself wearing them with boyfriend jeans, a white t-shirt and flats, keeping them simple and casual.

The first is the swishy coatigan.  The fabric (as the reviews confirm) looks nothing like a coatigan – I think this is definitely more of a lightweight coat.  I want it in parchment which is currently reduced by $60.

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The next is the Canonbury coat.  I’ve had my eye on this for a while.  I think it looks stunning in the iris.  Again it would look amazing with just jeans and a t-shirt to really sharpen up a casual outfit.  The iris is only reduced by $30 right now but the other two colorways are reduced further.  The reviews are pretty dire regarding fit, but I really want to try this and see – dare I say it – but it may just be too much of a departure for some stalwart Boden customers.

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Finally I absolutely adore this red version of the Spring trench.  It is SO me and would make such a statement.  This one I might just have to order for Fall.  The red version is currently reduced by $60.

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What do you think?  Have any of you tried them?  If so do the reviews do them justice?

Today it is back to normality.  The final days of the vacation were amazing.  The children and I did some dancing on the deck while Dad prepared the grill:)

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I love this photo of Poppy at dusk looking out to the rigs.  I know the thought of oil rigs to many of you may be far from romantic – but I assure you when you see them all twinkling at night it is an amazing sight to behold.  Now I sound like I’m about to break out into a Toby Keith song.

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My final vacation outfit was of course a bikini – but sparing you that photo – here is one of me in the Zara dress that I used as my beach cover up.  I love it – it is really comfortable and light weight.  As you can see the house we stayed in was very ‘retro’:)

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Yesterday we were all tired and fortunately had a birthday party to attend which got us up and out of the house.  It was very odd getting ‘dressed’ again and wearing make-up – I even wore a necklace (inspired by Fiona’s post).  Not sure about this get up though – I think this is a bit of a failure – maybe trying too hard?

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Jeans – Target // Top – Zara // Jacket – River Island // Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker // Necklace – JCrew bubble copy from local store

…And here I am today, bleary eyed but happy to be home.

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Jacket – Gap (old similar here) // Sweater – Express (old) // Trousers – J.Crew Café Capri jade (old) // Flats – Vince Camuto Fawna (old)

 

 

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Beach vacation.

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This place is amazing.  It’s one of those vacations where everything falls in to place, almost.

The kids have been jumping the surf at 8am each morning, and MM and I have managed to get a couple of beach runs in to burn off the calories from the excesses of each evening.  Yes, we’ve even managed to light the charcoal grill:)  Nothing better than burgers with Prosecco!

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My afternoon margaritas have been cunningly disguised in my coffee cup.

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The house, fortunately, is perfect – basic, but right on the beach.  It’s amazing how easy the day becomes when you don’t have to pack bags and food for a day at the beach.  Not to mention we can all chill out away from the sun when we feel like it.  The only thing we’re missing are the dogs – they don’t deal well with the heat – I hope they are behaving for the house sitter!

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I’ve been relishing living in bikinis, shorts and t-shirts.  I packed light, and living with a capsule wardrobe is fabulously freeing.  No decisions to make except choosing which shorts are clean.

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Shorts – JCrew selvedge shorts (old – similar here) // t-shirt – Target // hat – Target

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Shorts – JCrew Factory bermudas // t-shirt – Target (old) // hat – Target // Flip flops – Havaianas // sunglasses – Ray-Ban Wayfarers

Of course we can never go away without drama.  Poor Poppy managed to get half the deck in her foot on Sunday evening.  I tried removing the splinter but she was obviously in pain.  Monday morning we headed to Urgent Care.  The poor wee thing had to have a huge needle in her foot for anesthetic then the Dr. had to use a scalpel to remove it – it was embedded in her foot so deeply!  I held on to her for dear life – I never want to hear screams of pain like that again.  I was in tears and shaking – and I wasn’t even going through the pain!!  She was an absolute star and once it was all over all she was concerned about was the color of her bandage.  I think she is feeling quite the hero now.

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The azaleas are out!

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Spring must be here!  The Masters begins next week and our azaleas are out in preparation!  It looks stunning around here with all the cherry blossom too – it’s my favorite time of year here in Atlanta – not too hot, yet good flip flop and t-shirt weather.

I nipped into Target again on the way home from work – still umming and ahhing over the Fedora I tried on the other day.  Today I tried on a pink floppy hat – I love the idea of it – but I think at the very least I need long flowing locks beneath it to really pull it off like Ali MacGraw:)

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Trousers – JCrew wool café capris (old) // Shirt – Zara (old) // Shoes – Zara // Bag – Alexander Wang Diego

So I ended up bringing the Fedora home and I love it!

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T-shirt – Target (on sale $10!) // Jeans – Levi 501s // Flip flops – Havaianas // Hat – Target // Nail polish – Essie Avenue Maintain

I’m off out tonight with the bus stop Moms.  We rarely get more than 10 minutes to chat while waiting for the school bus so tonight I’ve got them all to meet up over a bottle of wine!  I can’t wait! What to wear?:)

 

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A chance to layer again.

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I’d rather not be given that chance but hey ho.  Those of you in the UK will be relieved to know the Eastern US is also freezing their t*ts off with you!  Wrap up kids spring will be here soon – look at it as a chance to wear those winter clothes one last time:)

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Jacket – JohnnieB (old) // Dress – Target (in clearance at $21!) // Scarf – Zara // Boots – Newbury Charcoal Suede Rag & Bone // Jeans – Dorothy Perkins coated jeggings

 

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Running with music.

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It’s spring and it is time to get out and start pounding the pavements again.  The idea is to alternate with Spin classes and that should hopefully keep me injury free.  I always run with music – sometimes I get so in the zone I actually get chills and I can feel the rush of energy and endorphins that a great track gives me. Normally I run with an iPod shuffle – it’s tiny, neat and light so doesn’t hinder the – ah hem – athlete in me.  However, when I was back in the UK I really wanted to take some photos of the amazing views I am privy too when running over t’moors.  That meant either holding my camera while running – no thanks – or taking my iPhone.  The latter option was obviously preferable.

Now I’ve always been put off by wearing a cumbersome arm band while running but I have to say this one I used was very light, sweat proof and easy to adjust.  It’s the iPhone neoprene armband from MobileFun.com.  It’s also a pretty decent price at just $12.99 especially when you compare with similar products on the market.  If you are like me, and feel the need to document as you run, I can recommend this – perfect for keeping all your Instagram followers up to date.  The other advantage of running with an iPhone of course is that you can actually keep track accurately of miles and pace using an app like MapMyRun.  You can even bore people to tears on Facebook with how many miles you’ve run:)

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What else have I been up to?  Well yesterday I went to Target to stock up on some Spring clothes for Poppy – you have to be quick as they disappear fast.  She thinks her Mommy is ‘totally the best’ for buying her her first denim jacket.  I also sneaked in a pair of jeans for me.  Target have some fabulous bright clothes in right now – lots of tie dye and dip dye items too – right up my alley.  These jeans were just $25 and they come in green and purple too.

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Finally here are my ootd for the past couple of days.  I’ll be reporting back later with a new haircut –  think I’m going back to the faux hawk/undercut – I feel the rebel in me rising again.

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Sweater – J.Crew (from sale) // Jeans – velvet toothpick jeans J.Crew (from sale) // Converse – charcoal grey

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Jacket – Zara (old) // Tee – Gap (old) // Jeans – Hudson Collin // Boots – Office Nighthawk (sale bargains)

 

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A fun weekend!

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Wow, considering I packed so much in, I feel like it was actually a long, restful weekend.  Friday afternoon I headed to a friend’s house for a play date for the kids and a wine date for the Moms.  Lots of fun indeed.  It’s a wonderful feeling when the children are old enough to play amongst themselves and the Moms can catch up…we were supervising – promise – bundled up in our puffer coats watching them play in the yard!  I did feel a bit guilty as I made my friend aware of some websites that were new to her – I think she had ordered a shirt, shorts and pants within 10mins of clicking:)

Saturday night MM and I went out together.  It was lovely.  He is lovely.  I’ve been enjoying my recent ‘girls nights out’ but there really is nothing better than a night out with the Husband, enjoying some great food, wine and conversation.  As I’m off back to the UK in a couple of weeks we decided to plan a few ‘date nights’ before I abandon ship.  I over indulged with oysters, shrimp and grits and a fine Rioja – perfect:)

I did, however, get a couple of jibes about my attire.  MM has a very wry sense of humor:)  For those of you familiar with British culture you will be more than aware of Blackadder.  Anyway MM wanted to know where Lord Melchett was when he saw me – cheeky s*d:)

The dress is Converse for Target, the fabulous fur vest is Skaist Taylor for the Neiman Marcus/Target collaboration from Christmas (no longer available on the Target website), and the boots are the Rag & Bone Newburys.  Really a dreadful photo but I was in a hurry – the cab had arrived!

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Here’s a close up of the vest – the shoulders are fab-u-lous:

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Sunday was of course Superbowl and I am thrilled the Ravens won – I’m completely crushing on Ray Lewis – he is so psyched before a game – and I will miss his pre-game dances next season.  Beyoncé killed it with her half time performance – totally amazing – she certainly silenced her critics.   How awesome to see Destiny’s Child back together too!

As for the ads – hmm – hated the Audi Prom ad – I thought it was totally irresponsible:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANhmS6QLd5Q&csref=92225226266327849

Loved the Dodge Ram Farmer ad though I’ll never buy a Dodge Ram:

http://youtu.be/AMpZ0TGjbWE

I wanted to dislike the Budweiser ad as it was so sappy, but I saw it again this morning and it actually made me tear up – I think it has more to do with Stevie Nicks than the Clydesdale though.

http://youtu.be/eUXdV7ODJLY

The Doritos ads were hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThJbPJHAD70

Which was your favorite ad?  Any that irked you or moved you?

 

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Preppy in pink.

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First there is very exciting news from Boden – this week they are offering a Catch of the Day!  Each day, this week, a new category of clothing will be on offer at 25% off!  Today the deal is on women’s dresses, and boy’s and men’s shorts – grab them while you can!  The drop waist dress that I love is included so it may end up in my shopping cart today:)

Other emails that appeared in my inbox this morning included one from Net-a-porter.com.  It can be quite a dangerous thing being on email lists.  Sometimes I just try not to look – this morning I looked.  Fatal.  Rag & Bone have some beautiful new grey nubuck Newbury boots that I am lusting after.  I love how they have styled them on Net-a-porter.com with a dress.

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I also adore these Rag & Bone brogues in white.  Very cool looking for Spring.

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At $495 though, for the Rag & Bone brogues, this Boden option maybe better value – plus with the 15% off using my banner ads they are just $142.80.  Tempted, very tempted.

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Today I’m switching gears with my look.  After the 80s look from Friday I’m shifting today to a more refined, preppy look.  It’s nice to change it up a bit occasionally:)  The trousers are J.Crew café capris that I got for $30 in the sale, and the blouse is Target and absolutely fabulous for $20!  The belt is also Target and the shoes are Nine West from Zappos.com – currently on sale at $56, reduced from $69.

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So what do you think of the more refined look?

 

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Inspiration from an icon.

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There are several style icons around the globe who inspire me, but the woman who makes me weak at the knees with her effortless chic and je ne sais quoi is Emmanuelle Alt.  Wikipedia says she was born May 18th 1967 which is interesting not only because my daughter’s birthday is May 18th but also because she’s heading for her 46th birthday this year!  She looks phenomenal at 46!

Her uniform is pretty standard fare – if you ignore the fact that it is compiled of designer pieces – you’ll recognize plenty of Isabel Marant when you look at photos.  You’ll often see her in a blazer, t-shirt, skinnies or harem trousers with pointy pumps or ankle boots.  Regardless of what she wears – it somehow always looks amazing and also looks like she hasn’t given her wardrobe that day a second thought.  She has a formula and she sticks by it.  If you saw a headless shot of her you’d be able to tell who it is instantly.

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I think blogging is starting to make me over think what I wear, leading to some dubious decisions and combinations.  It’s time to pare back and simplify.  So here is my attempt at jeans, t-shirt and a blazer.  I actually feel really comfortable like this and it’s one of MM’s favorite looks on me.  InStyle magazine also dedicate a page this month to the blazer and jeans look – so I must be on to something.

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The blazer is Zara from last summer – it’s hard to see the detail but it doesn’t have lapels – I love it – it has great strong shoulders!  The t-shirt was a tenner from Target and is probably suitable for Valentine’s Day and the earrings were cheap as chips from Forever 21🙂  The jeans are Gap grey jeggings and the Carlsen boots were $40 from Steve Madden about three years ago, and I think look very Marant.  Oh the irony, given I didn’t choose the only Isabel Marant I own – my Dicker boots.

On my wrist I decided to add a bit of embellishment to my standard Elsa Peretti open heart bracelet.

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So go on then – who is your style icon?

 

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A New Year and a new closet!

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First let me tell you – if you did as I did and ordered in J.Crew‘s sale at the weekend, call them and ask them to apply the new 30% off sale prices STYLE2013 code to your order – they just did for me and have credited me $50 – brilliant customer service I have to say.

Another couple of sale purchases were made last night (trying to get it done before the New Year’s resolution etc…).  As MM was watching football I was surfing Nordstrom’s shoe sale.  It started with a want/need/itch – call it what you want – for some black and white ballet flats for the Spring to wear with my new J.Crew cafe capris.  Not willing to pay Chanel type prices but wanting a Chanel type shoe I thought Nordstrom would be the place to start.  Low and behold I found these beauties – the Vince Camuto Fawna.  Unfortunately, at 50% off I also thought I’d save more i.e. spend more, and I ordered the pink and caramel versions too!  They’re also available in the sale on the Vince Camuto site if you are in the US.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vince-camuto-fawna-flat/3341747?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=0

So the Christmas tree is down today and the house is looking relatively normal again.  I have to say the Christmas present I am loving more and more each day is our new closet.  I am so thrilled we got it finished before the Holidays.  Each time I walk in there I feel giddy.  Everything is put away neatly, all within reach, and the best bit is we built it all ourselves – such a sense of accomplishment!  So as promised here are some photos of our new IKEA Pax closet – the steps are necessary for me to reach to top – we are using every inch of the room – and don’t worry MM has some space at the other end of the closet!

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Not much going on today – I nipped out to Trader Joe’s for some more Cava and Prosecco for tonight.  MM and I aren’t huge fans of New Year’s Eve – we always used to call it amateur night.  We’re much happier sitting in with a Chinese takeaway, some fizzy wine and Carson and Ryan on the t.v. – I am so ready for 2013 to start.  2012 has been an amazing year – and I am expecting great things from 2013.  We’re planning a year of travel and trips – no money on the house this year!  I hope 2013 brings you all health, wealth and happiness – and THANK YOU for being here – for reading, being interested and leaving comments and sending emails – it means more than you can possibly imagine.

So here’s the last outfit of 2012 – some sparkles and fur.  MM wanted to know where I was going clubbing when I nipped out to the shops:)  It’s time for the Target fur (reduced to $35 online), worn over a Zara t-shirt layered with an old, but favorite Diesel sequin t-shirt.  The jeans are Hudson Collins and the boots are the Isabel Marant Dickers.  HAPPY NEW YEAR! xx

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Off to join the circus.

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We had the most amazing day yesterday.  To start the Thanksgiving Holiday I got tickets for us to see Totem by Cirque du Soleil.  Each year they put up a Big Top down in Atlantic Station, and I’ve always wanted to go, but in previous years I’ve been aware that the children were just too young to sit though it.  This year though at 4 and 6 – I thought it was worth taking a chance.

I got the cheap seats – which as it turned out were not bad seats at all.  As it is in a Big Top it is really intimate and wherever you sit you have a great view as everything takes place in the ring below and in the air above.  It was a thrilling show.  Years ago my Mum and Dad used to take me to Blackpool Circus, and it took me back to the good old days of acrobats and clowns, like Charlie Cairoli.  In fact I was reminded of the year we went for my birthday and I was invited down to the ring to meet Charlie – fantastic until panic set in when I had to find my seat again – I had no idea where my Mum and Dad were sat when I looked up at what seemed like a million spectators!  A couple of years ago I took Poppy and Hugh to see Ringling Bros. circus – I have to say I HATED it.  The use of animals and the look of sheer misery on their faces turned me completely off it.  I swore I’d never go to another circus with animals again.

I left Totem wondering why we had left it so long, the four of us watched the whole show spell bound.  At some points in the show I was so in awe of their performances I was moved to tears – yeah I’ve said before I cry easily.  The whole performance including the music was incredible.  When they gave their encore at the end, all dancing together and grinning ear to ear, it took all my will power to stop me jumping up and running down there to join them.  Surely there’s a job for me with them doing something?

It turned out to be a stunning day here too – and MM giggled asking me whether I was off to the circus or the opera when he saw me wearing my new faux fur from Target🙂  I love it and wore it over my Boden slouchy merino jumper and Gap black jeggings (of which they now have some gorgeous colored jegging cords).  The boots are my favorite Fryes – the Jane Tall Cuff – which I never wear cuffed and the scarf is from Zara.

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