Tag Archives: uk fashion

Fantasy shopping.

I know what you’re going to say. I just shop, shop, shop and most of the time I figure out a way to get what I am lusting after – whether it be through saving a few pennies or selling some fabulous items that just don’t get worn as much as they deserve to be. I do, however, have a threshold of what I consider to be an okay amount to pay for an item. It may seem a little warped that I will happily spend $500-$600 on a pair of boots and yet wince at the thought of paying $300 for a pair of jeans, or more than $200 for a jacket. It probably comes down to me accepting how fickle I can be. My style has evolved radically over the past 18 months and I expect it to continue to do so. It’s dangerous territory then to fork out mega bucks on items of clothes that I may shun to the back of the closet next year. My Rag & Bone, Marant and Acne boots still make me giggle with pleasure every time I lift the lid off the box. These will always be in my style ‘comfort zone’ – so I can splurge happily with no remorse.

I love to create a fantasy lists. If money were no object what would I buy? As I was browsing the other night I stumbled upon more than a few items that set my heart a flutter.

Of course the list had to include some leopard print. This Jérome Dreyfuss purse is stunning – but for now I’m happy to make do with my Boden Canonbury clutch (p.s. it’s the last day of the Boden 20% diminishing discount tomorrow!).

What greater indulgence is there than a ridiculous Louis Vuitton scarf that will be worn again and again – just the $800 then? I am in love with this print. This is something that eventually I may be persuaded by – one day.

I don’t wear pumps/courts nearly enough to justify these – but if money were no object – these YSL Janis Escarpin pumps would be mine.

Finally, for now, I have always wanted some perfect leather trousers. Of course they need to be Balmain. Just the $4,560 then.

I expect I’ll be creating more secret compilations like this now football season has started! What’s on your lust list? How would you fill your closet if you won the lottery?

It’s still hot, hot, hot here so yesterday I opted for shorts again. I had a lovely lunch with a handsome man.

Shoes – Vince Nina // Shorts – J.Crew Factory // Jacket – Zara (old) // T-shirt – Gap

Two of the things I miss most about the UK.

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Marks and Spencer and coats. Yes it’s true, and my Husband will never understand why I miss either of them.

For those of you unfamiliar with the great British institution – it’s quite hard to explain the affection I hold for Marks and Spencer. They have been around forever. Starting as a market stall in Leeds in 1884, M&S became the familiar cornerstone of every UK high street – even venturing into Paris at one point (I was once asked to do an M&S sandwich run for lunch on a business trip there – as you can tell I was very important). Growing up almost 90% of my wardrobe was probably M&S. As a student I loved their men’s department for their oversize cardigans and even pyjamas. When I started work all my suits were M&S, and it was always my first port of call for a new outfit when I lived there. Every Christmas you could guarantee there would be gifts from M&S under the tree – they always had something for everyone. Back then they were always known for quality – whether it be their clothes or their food hall. So I consider myself lucky that I have missed their recent demise. My affection has not been tarnished. M&S is still the store I head for first when I am back home, though recently it has been more for their wine, pork pies and meal deals, than for clothes.

M&S now ship free to the US, so I occasionally take a look at their new items, but I haven’t taken the plunge till now. Having read all the stories on their personnel changes and the lackluster performance I was amazed to see the press touting their pink duster coat as ‘the coat of the season’. It has already sold out online (though new stock is expected soon). I have to say it’s not really my style but I do see the appeal for others.

Apologies for the small photos – I was having real problems with their website!

Anyway it got me looking at the other coats in their Fall collection. I do love a good coat or jacket and at this time of year I start to pine for the colder weather so I can snuggle in wool and cashmere – again my Husband will never understand. Here are my picks – and the prices are so good I may have placed a sneaky order. All to be revealed!

Yes, yes – I know it’s Twiggy – but I love the simplicity of this black biker jacket.

I had to do a double take at the price of this mac. £45 – a real deal for a gorgeous looking mac. My favorite color – the charcoal – is sold out in smaller sizes – but I also love this pebble color. The black trim is striking.

Another biker jacket – the tweed contrast with the black is gorgeous. I really want this jacket.

This time a longer biker coat – they have quite a few this style with the asymmetrical zip. It reminds me of the Zara coat last year – though I would like to bet this M&S one is far better quality. It is also available in petite and plus sizes too.

Finally my two absolute favorites – not sure I can justify both. I adore this Autograph checked biker coat – so on trend and great neutral colors.

This military coat is a great price – especially considering the cashmere content too. I’m having a tough time choosing between the khaki and the grey. Again it comes in plus sizes too.

So there we are – for me a Marks and Spencer coat is like bacon and HP sauce, or chips and mushy peas – the perfect combination:) Have any of you found yourself tempted back in through the doors of M&S recently?

Finally today’s outfit – I would never have bought these harem style shorts had I not seen them on Eve at AllWornOutBlog.com – on the Zara site they looked pants (no pun intended). The top is Primark bought over the summer, and the shoes are Marks & Spencer (see!) Autograph peep toes, again from the summer.

Jackets for sale!

The VMAs with more crass than class.

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Did you watch the VMAs last night? Lordy I am getting old.

First Lady Gaga – SO over her – in fact so over her I have nothing to say.

Okay so now Miley. Twitter lit up with her performance. All I can say is it was pathetic, disturbing and humiliating. Who the hell told her in rehearsal that ‘sure Miley – it’s great – just grab your crotch and stick your tongue out one more time‘? Someone needs to give her a good slap, and all those around her for encouraging that kind of tripe. When Robin Thicke joined her for Blurred Lines I was SO disappointed – he gave all the critics of the song all the ammunition they needed. Why grind your groin against Hannah Montana’s rear Robin? I was crying into my Earl Grey with disappointment.

Then Kanye. WTF? Great t.v. NOT. You couldn’t see him, nor could you hear the song for all the censorship bleeping over it.

Thank the Lord for Justin. A stellar performance from an artist that takes his craft seriously. Great singing, great dancing – what I call proper entertainment.

I don’t think there was one presenter I understood – lots of weird grunts and hand gestures – oh and inappropriate Amber Alert references, not something I think should be made light of. And then there was Katy’s grill, and Taylor and Selena trying to look hot and make Harry jealous. Just uuurgh – it’s giving me the creeps recounting it.

By then it was gone 10pm and I headed to bed. I recorded the show thinking Poppy would love to watch it – but I fear most of it will be fast forwarded to avoid corrupting her innocence. In hindsight I don’t think it has to do with my age – it’s more to do with the ‘entertainment’ industry’s poor judgement and inability to ‘entertain’. Whatever happened to good old singing and dancing – Justin needs to teach them all a lesson or two. What do you think?

As I step down from my soap box here’s what I’ve been wearing over the past couple of days…

Dress – Asos t-shirt dress // Sandals – Steve Madden (really old!) // Necklace – Target (old)

Jeans – Gap ankle skimmers (sale buys) // T-shirt – H&M (old) // Scarf – Boden (last season now just $14!) // Sandals – Zara (old) // Necklace – H&M (recent but not online)

Black and grey.

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It’s been a hectic week involving a fun night out with some moms from school – I love how diverse and fun our school is, we’re really lucky. Not quite sure how Friday has arrived so quickly this week.

I was up early this morning for carpooling duty so quite literally needed something to throw on. This Zara sweatshirt dress (old) was ideal, worn with my Golden Goose. I have a thing about cold shoulders in dresses and tops – I love them.

So regarding my wish list the other day – I may have slightly misled you. I actually ordered a couple of the Zara items – one because I’d seen it go in and out of stock so I was worried it may disappear if I delayed, and the other – well – just because I love it.

The first is the pink cardigan, ordered just because I wanted it, and I do love it. This is a medium so it is generous for Zara. I can’t wait to wear it with a simple white t-shirt, with boyfriend jeans or buttoned up with skinny jeans.

Next up is the knitted duffle. This keeps disappearing from stock so as soon as I saw the medium reappear I ordered it – justifying the early purchase by using the gift card that my father-in-law gave me for my birthday. He knows me so well. Thanks Mike – it’s a great birthday present – I love my knitted jacket:) Just be warned if you are buying for warmth this isn’t lined throughout. The sheepskin is just trim around the edges and in the hood – but perfectly snuggly for Atlanta fall weather.

Finally my ASOS dresses arrived. Now these are perfect and they were a great price – but the fabric of the black and grey is slightly different – I need to check the labels to see how composition differs. These are both a US 6 and the black is definitely shorter than the grey. I love the cut – great flirty t-shirt dresses, perfect with sneakers. They will be a staple to come through the mild Fall weather we have here. I think they’ll be great dressed up a bit with a scarf too, and the black could definitely be dressed up with heels and a great necklace for a night out. (Tip – always google for discount codes before buying on ASOS – there is normally one floating around!).

Have you checked anything off your ‘wish list’ yet?

Poppy's Style

My blog about fashion, family, friends and fun.

Tag Archives: uk fashion

Fantasy shopping.

Shoes – Vince Nina // Shorts – J.Crew Factory // Jacket – Zara (old) // T-shirt – Gap

Two of the things I miss most about the UK.

Jackets for sale!

The VMAs with more crass than class.

Dress – Asos t-shirt dress // Sandals – Steve Madden (really old!) // Necklace – Target (old)

Jeans – Gap ankle skimmers (sale buys) // T-shirt – H&M (old) // Scarf – Boden (last season now just $14!) // Sandals – Zara (old) // Necklace – H&M (recent but not online)

Black and grey.

Shoes – Vince Nina // Shorts – J.Crew Factory // Jacket – Zara (old) // T-shirt – Gap

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Dress – Asos t-shirt dress // Sandals – Steve Madden (really old!) // Necklace – Target (old)

Jeans – Gap ankle skimmers (sale buys) // T-shirt – H&M (old) // Scarf – Boden (last season now just $14!) // Sandals – Zara (old) // Necklace – H&M (recent but not online)

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