Tag Archives: Uniqlo

What to wear now the cold is here!

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I’m so excited! Atlanta is COLD! Yay!! At last I get to wear some of my winter clothes – of which I have far too many for our climate! I’ll be in flip flops by March again…but I won’t rub it in!

So what am I wearing now the cold is here? Well I have my eye on several of these beautiful faux fur stoles. Even though it is cold here, with our car culture, I can pretty much get away with a leather jacket and scarf. So why not dress up a great biker jacket with one of these beauties?

Sue first noticed this one in TopShop and I have it in my closet – it looks far more expensive than it’s price tag of $60.

colorblockThis green stole is beautiful – much more subtle, but again it looks more than it’s price tag of $52.

19R51IBRN_2_thumbI love mongolian furs – this takes me back 20 years when I had a black mongolian fur jacket that I bought on Portobello Road with my measly student funds.

ombreThis New Look stole is gorgeous – it keeps going in and out of stock on Asos – but be persistent their website updates real time. At just $36 it’s hardly surprising it’s selling out!

image1xxlThis is another option from New Look – super fun and perfect with a black leather jacket.

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Talking of leather jackets, I’m so, so excited to be able to wear my AllSaints jackets at last!

AllSaints leather jacket Earnest Sewn jeans Golden GooseSneakers – Golden Goose // Jeans – Earnest Sewn // Jacket – AllSaints // Tee – AllSaints

Then yesterday I wore this to head to the Georgia Dome to watch the Falcons!

AllSaints leather jacket Zara jeans Adidas Top Ten FlaconsSneakers – Adidas Top Tens // Jeans – Zara // Tee – Falcons // Jacket – AllSaints (similar here) // Scarf – ASOS

Falcons tee Falcons game

On Friday I popped into Target for one thing. I left having blown the budget on the kids’ clothes. They have some amazing items in right now – especially for tween girls, plus save 40% on girls’ sweaters online!

H&M Splendid Zara Nike Air Max Target Balenciaga City bagSneakers – Nike Air Max // Jeans – Zara // T-shirt – Splendid // Cardigan – H&M

On arriving back home laden with goodies for Poppy and Hugh, I was thrilled to find my Carine Roitfeld coat from Uniqlo had finally arrived. Their customer service has been atrocious – no one picking up in their call center, orders being cancelled with no explanation, and delivery taking an obscene length of time. Not good, not good at all for a global retailer. Thank goodness I love it!

carinne roitfeld for Uniqlo coat

Finally today has been blissful – just stunning weather for our first day on holiday and we headed to the local park deer spotting. Our boxers loved it!

everlane uniqlo Golden GooseSweater – Everlane // Sneakers – Golden Goose // Jeans – Zara (old) // Coat – Uniqlo

One last thing – we all know it’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday this week, and the offers have already started pouring in! One to take note of that has 18 hours left to run, is at TheOutnet.com – use Twenty15 at checkout to get an extra 20% off their already discounted stock – some amazing bargains to be had!!

Wedge espadrilles

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Espadrilles will always signify great summers for me. I still remember the pair of red, sun washed espadrilles that I cherished and wore to death in France on one of our first European holidays. They were proper espadrilles, bought for 10 Francs or so off a market – none of these fancy $100 pairs that are on the high street these days!

With the 70s in trend wedge espadrilles are back in vogue. A slightly dressier shoe than my French market version, but still a great summer shoe, that can be worn on vacation or in the office. Today I am wearing the Sam Edelman Harmony that I bought last year in the sale – they are available this year here at Anthropologie. I particularly love the suede front on them.

Sam Edelman Harmony

J.Crew Factory have a gorgeous version, without the buckle, at a great price too with an extra 30% off with code ADDITUP. They are available in flax, red, navy and black.

Jcrew factory flax espadrillejcrew factory red jcrew factory navy Jcrew factory blackThe J.Crew version is currently 30% off too with TIMETOSHOP and comes in bright blue, sandstone and black.

Jcrew blueIt also comes in this gorgeous silver canvas that has to be my favorite. It’s hard to see here but there is a very subtle silver thread running through them.

Jcrew silverI adore Mint Velvet and it’s one of the first concessions I head for when I am back in John Lewis. Their shoes are fabulous this season. Their espadrilles are gorgeous, at not too bad a price either. The awesome news for us on this side of the Atlantic is that they now ship to the US with free shipping and free returns!!! My bank balance is in trouble!

I love the rose gold Gigi – rose gold is my favorite metallic.

Mint velvet rose gigiIt is also available in black.

Mint Velvet Balck GigiThe Bryony is a slightly higher version.

Mint velvet ByronyThis isn’t a wedge but I couldn’t resist including it as I just love it!! The Brooklyn espadrille in grey snake print.

mint velvet BrooklynFinally I just love the wrap ankle ties on these Carina wedge espadrilles on Net-a-porter.com.

carina brown Carina blackHere I am in my Sam Edelmans today and it’s just dawned on me that I am wearing the same color combo as yesterday – I need to switch it up tomorrow!! This dress is on sale at just £14.90 – I just love it – this is a medium and it is super soft! I think I need the other colors. It’s the perfect spring dress for chilly mornings and warmer afternoons with it’s short sleeves.

edited 1 edited 2Shoes – Sam Edelman Harmony // Dress – Uniqlo cotton cashmere // Jacket – J.Crew (old but similar here and here)

 

 

 

Catching up

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I’m home and just recovering from my jetlag! Fortunately it is Hugh’s 7th birthday today so I have had lots to get on with to take my mind off my fatigue. This might be the most excited I’ve seen him yet for a birthday. We’re heading for burgers and milkshakes today to celebrate then he has a party tomorrow with his classmates. Oddly enough it has snowed today here in Atlanta – as it did 7 years ago when I left the hospital – a rare occurrence here in March but I remember it all so vividly!

So in between dashing around for lunch with Hugh, collecting cakes and balloons and dropping dogs at the vets I thought I’d take 5 mins to catch up on some outfits worn recently. The weather is not conducive to planning right now – when I landed on Wednesday it was 70 degrees Fahrenheit and today it is in the high 20s and snowing!

I’m making a special effort for the birthday boy and decided to wear a dress for lunch with him – he looked petrified this morning when I threatened to wear my onesie 🙂

Uniqlo 2 Uniqlo dressDress – Cashmere dress Uniqlo (in sale) // Boots – Stuart Weitzman Lowland in Currant

Yesterday I was incredibly jet lagged and fuzzy and needed the comfort of sneakers and dungarees.

dungareesSneakers – Nike Air Max // Dungarees – H&M // Tee – J.Crew (old similar here) // Cardigan – ASOS

Before leaving for the UK it was all about the flares. I wore these in London too and they felt fabulous!

FlaresSneakers – Nike Air Max // Flares – Northmore from ASOS (just $39 in the sale!) // Jumper – Boden Off Duty jumper (reduced in the sale now!)

Finally one from the camera – it seems so long since I wore it but I love the pink!

fur 2 fur 1Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury boots // Jeans – Zara // Jumper – Uniqlo cashmere crewneck // Fur – Zara (old)

Off to school now! I better be on my best behavior for the birthday boy 🙂

 

Catching up

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I really do love heading back to Bury for a few days. As much as I miss my Husband and children it is really lovely to be a sister, a daughter and an aunty, without worrying too much about being a wife and mommy as well! Last night I got the chance to be a friend too – and an old one at that. I met up with an old school friend who I last saw a couple of years ago. It’s really lovely to catch up and giggle together. Even with all the months and miles between seeing each other it’s still as easy as ever to reconnect.

It was absolutely foul weather – no surprise there – so I opted to wear my cosy AllSaints Haff jumper, M&S flares and new M&S tan pointy toe pumps. I know the flares keep disappearing out of stock online (as of this post 8 and 10 regulars were available online) but both Bury and Bolton had plenty on the racks over the past couple of days. The pumps are gorgeous – I love the cognac with the flares – and they are super pointy with a great mid size heel so they very wearable. They are also available in black and a lovely pale blue.

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Today I was woken by my gorgeous 3 year old niece, Alice, who was here to take me shopping again – she’s a girl after my own heart 🙂 We headed to the Trafford Centre where it was guaranteed to be warm and dry!

The other day I purchased Poppy this stunning Next dress, that my Mum immediately said was ‘very Ted Baker’ and I agree. It is a beautiful print and I knew instantly that Poppy would adore wearing scene from the English seaside. Today it was my turn to spoil Alice and I snapped up the identical dress for her. Apparently it is a ‘princess dress’ and she hasn’t taken it off yet! I’ve a feeling these are going to sell out really fast.

Next dress v1 One very happy 3 year old:

Alice shopping

Alice

I’d forgotten how fabulous Next are for children’s clothes and I nabbed this dress for Poppy too while I was back in there. It’s lovely and floaty and less than £20! She’s definitely not a pink girl these days so this blue is a little more ‘grown up’ for her.

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Of course I had to head into M&S again – this time for restocking my knickers 🙂 Some of their lingerie is gorgeous and their fabulous Brazilians are currently 3 for 2.

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I also got a quick snoop around the clothing and fell in love with this camel coat in particular. Boy do I wish I had need of spring coats in Atlanta!

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M&S is FULL of colour and I fell for this coat – I was so tempted – but once again I have absolutely no need for it in Atlanta…I might have justified it somehow before I head to Manchester on Thursday!

M&S coat lime

I loved this display of bright summer macs too – again the yellow one is stunning.

M&S macs

Another pair of boots caught my eye too – I just can’t walk by the boot section and not look! It’s a problem…They are a gorgeous square toe boot with a buckle across the front. I think these are the perfect shoe boot to wear with flares this spring. They are also available in navy – its great to see more navy footwear available!

M&S boots

While Grandad was perusing the men’s section Alice and I got some selfie practice – she’s a little pro!

Joanna and Alice 2 Joanna and Alice

Selfie

outfit 1Boots – Dolce Vita Haku // Trousers – Zara // Jumper – AllSaints (old) // Jacket – Uniqlo biker puffer // Scarf – ASOS // Bag – Alexander McQueen (similar here)

Tonight we all feel like celebrating – my Dad has just handed his retirement in, and at almost 67 years old his working days are over…well my Mum has a list for him at home but she might take it easy on him for a while 🙂

A weekend of cheer!

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If you follow me on Instagram you will have seen that my entire weekend was taken up with AllStar Cheer! Poppy had a competition with her team, here in Atlanta, on Saturday and then they performed at half time for the Georgia Tech women’s basketball yesterday! It was so much fun but my little girl is rather tired today, and a little bruised after taking a face plant from a stunt in practice! A rite of passage – her first sports injury – all teeth intact thank goodness – just a bloody nose and a bust lip! Can I just say too that boy, Georgia Tech has some amazing facilities! St.Andrews had little more than a football pitch and a gym back in 1990. The facilities at Georgia Tech are incredible – walking into the basketball arena is like walking into a pro facility. College here certainly isn’t what I grew up with!

In keeping with yesterday’s basketball theme I dressed the part and wore my Nike Af 1s for the day 🙂 Unfortunately as my Husband and I were driving off we realized much to our amusement that we were both in black harems and grey sweatshirts, his and hers outfits coordinating nicely!

jacket 1Sneakers – Nike Af 1s // Trousers – Zara // Sweatshirt – AllSaints decay top (old) // Jacket – AllSaints leather jacket (sale last year) // Scarf – ASOS

On Thursday night I was supposed to be heading out for a girls night. Unfortunately due to various situations it got cancelled at the last minute. Talk about all dressed up with no where to go. I ended up back in my onesie with a bottle of wine at home!

tux collageShoes – J.Crew // Trousers – J.Crew // Top – AllSaints Tiko t-shirt (old) // Jacket – Mango tux jacket (similar here)

After killing myself at spin on Friday I had little planned so I nipped out for lunch and then had a fun evening at home with a couple of girlfriends and their children.

scarf collageSneakers – Golden Goose (similar here) // Jeans – Zara // Jumper – Uniqlo cashmere tunic // Scarf – ASOS

Today there are plenty of people nursing hangovers. I, of course was very sensible and feel wonderful – and I am not being sarcastic! Crushed though I am for the loosing Seahawks, I am still replaying Missy Elliott on YouTube – she absolutely killed it at the halftime show!

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

So finally here is my comfy attire for today – plenty of knits required here!

boots CollageBoots – Rag & Bone Newbury boots // Jeans – Zara // Jumper – Uniqlo merino polo neck // Cardigan – ASOS (in sale) // Scarf – ASOS

That’s Superbowl weekend done and dusted for another year and I managed to stay away from the beer, nachos and wings – result!

 

Get the big coat out

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I don’t think Atlanta is going to get the snow that the North East is expecting but it certainly feels like deepest, darkest winter out there today! After a weekend of glorious sunshine I woke up this morning feeling like we should all just stay in bed. Unfortunately not an option for any of us, so I steeled myself and headed off to the gym after the school run. I feel quite virtuous now 🙂

This weekend I did a little online shopping, before we headed out for a family lunch followed by fun at our neighbor’s house. I’d been cruising the Uniqlo site for a few days checking this beauty out. I finally convinced myself that I need it for my trip back to the UK.

camo trenchI don’t have a trench and I have always wanted a shorter version. I was torn though between the classic neutral or navy and this camo version. In the end I went for the camo version as it is so unusual and I think it will look great paired with all black – which let’s face it – I have an abundance of in my closet. I am sure I can track down a more classic version at a later date if it becomes a wardrobe staple for me!

As for what I wore this weekend – here is my Saturday ensemble – I switched the boots for Converse when we headed to our neighbor’s for beer and football. Not a great idea after the strongest margarita ever and an enormous chimichanga!

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Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury in burgundy (in sale here) // Jeans – Zara (old) // Jumper – Uniqlo merino polo neck (similar here) // Jacket – J.Crew denim // Cape – ASOS

Today I’m off to my Ob/Gyn annual so opted for a dress for easy on and off! I instantly regretted this as the wind whipped round my legs while I took my photos!

Teddy 2 teddy coat

Boots – Stuart Weitzman 5050s tan (on sale here)// Dress – Uniqlo Urban Sweats collection // Coat – Warehouse // Scarf – Mango

If you’re in the North East stay warm and indoors!

 

 

A quiet week at home

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Sorry for being AWOL this week – MLK day, 2 days at home with a sick child and Drs appointments have meant that I’ve worn little else but my cashmere onesie and workout gear.

January is when I like to get all those pesky annual check ups out of the way, so make sure you remember to do the same! Yesterday was my annual skin check, today is mammogram day and Monday is my ob/gyn annual. None of them are pleasant appointments but boy it feels good to get them out of the way!

The one day this week I did get dressed properly was on MLK day when we went to watch Paddington at the movies – best family movie I have seen in a long time, by far!

I’ve had a haircut since thank goodness – it was starting to look a little unkempt!

IMG_0307Boots – Navy Newbury boots // Trousers – coated chinos from Zara (old) // Jumper – Uniqlo cotton cashmere navy tunic – LOVE these and they are now on the UK site! // Jacket – AllSaints Monument jacket (old – similar here) // Bag – Alexander McQueen (sale)

While downloading photos I found this one from weeks ago that I hadn’t posted – not wanting it to go to waste here it is 🙂

IMG_0299Shoes – Zara // Trousers – Zara // Jumper – J.Crew (similar here) // Jacket – Mango (on sale) // Bag – Zara (on sale)

We’re now so close to February I am starting to get very excited about my annual trip home to see my family and friends. I need to start a packing list! Woo hooo!

 

Winter is well and truly here

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It’s been so mild till now that I’ve been a little frustrated that I haven’t been able to get well and truly wrapped up. Well all that has changed today as it won’t get above freezing till Friday – brrrr! Is it wrong to be already wishing for Spring Break?

My outfits for the past 3 days have really been all about comfort what with sitting in a cinema then heading back to work. Nothing too challenging this week, at least till I adapt to that 6 o’clock alarm again.

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Jacket – Mango (similar here in sale) // Jumper – TopShop // Trousers – Zara (now on sale) // Sneakers – Nike from JCrew

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Cardigan – ASOS (now on sale) // Jumper – Uniqlo cashmere tunic (on sale) // Jeans – Zara // Sneakers – Nike from J.Crew (similar here)

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Boots – Isabel Marant for H&M // Trousers – J.Crew drapey wool joggers // Jumper – J.Crew (on sale plus extra 40% off with STYLE15) // Hat – cashmere beany on sale // Scarf – Uniqlo cashmere scarf (similar here on sale)

Into week 2 with no alcohol – my body doesn’t know what is going on – but my waistline is benefitting!

 

 

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We made it to 2015!

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Happy New Year to you all!!! I expect many of you are nursing hangovers today! Well I nursed mine yesterday after a fabulous night out on Tuesday. We decided to avoid ‘amateur night’ aka NYE, and headed out to celebrate on the 30th instead. That meant we had a lovely, lazy NYE spent at the movies watching A Night at the Museum 3 with the kids, then later watching the freezing cold revelers in Times Square while I enjoyed my traditional Chinese takeaway and several cups of camomile tea! Guess who is feeling virtuous today?

This month I am heading into my 4th year of blogging! Can you believe it? I find it astounding when I look back at previous posts – some successes and some not so great outfits. I’m still not where I want to be with my ‘style’ but I’m going to have another fun year experimenting! Thank you so much for all your support over the past three years and I am looking forward to trying to entertain you all again this year! Here’s to 2015!

Here’s my outfit from Tuesday – super comfy, and yet I love the exposed shoulders.

Allsaints dressBoots – Stuart Weitzman Highland // Dress – Haff dress AllSaints

And a couple of outfits from the week – my Husband calls this my Han Solo jacket – he reckons I need to be piloting the Millennium Falcon when wearing it! My harems are falling slightly oddly in this photos but hopefully you get the gist.

haremsShoes – Converse // Trousers – Mango harems // T-shirt – Mango // Jacket – Next (all old)

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Finally I got to wear a new pair of boots the other day. These Zara boots are amazing leather for the price and you can’t go wrong with a bit of fringe. I have cleaned my mirror since – in fact I haven’t stopped cleaning since we took the tree down and I am still finding needles!

zara boots zara boots 2Boots – Zara // Jeans – Zara // Top – AllSaints (old) // Cardigan – ASOS (on sale!)

 

A quick update on some sale purchases too. Uniqlo have a brilliant sale on right now and I managed to get my hands on this gorgeous cashmere tunic for $59.99 reduced from $129.99!

Uniqlo tunic

Not in the sale but definitely worth checking out are their new cotton and cashmere mix sweaters. I ordered a couple – they are a great casual jumper yet the added cashmere makes them feel super indulgent.

cotton cashmere mix

They also do a short sleeved version that is perfect for that transition into Spring we can all start thinking about now!

short sleeved

 

My gorgeous Stuart Weitzman Leman lace ups are now in the sale too here.

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So all the best for 2015! Best thing for a hangover is a bacon butty with HP sauce – take it from me! We’re having a New Years roast today so I’ll be getting the pork and potatoes in the oven soon!

 

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Christmas shopping

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I LOVE Christmas shopping – even more so since I can be so productive online. I really do try and put some careful thought into gifting at Christmas – especially as I forget so many birthdays throughout the year! Here are some of my top picks for the special people in my life – some purchased and some not and I’m not saying which as they are hopefully reading my posts!

I find it especially difficult to select presents for the men in my life. This year booze is top of the list. As my family are in the UK M&S are always the best bet as I can pay here and designate a UK shipping address, plus they have a great selection of beers and wines.

A case of Aglianico is superb value at less than £39. There’s also 25% off now if you buy 2 cases – one for you and one for a gift!

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Another very special person loves his beer. This gift will go down a treat. A mixed case of IPAs and ales.

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My nephews are still really little but M&S have some great gifts for kids. I love this Gruffalo t-shirt and I know someone who loves the animated movie.

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My sister is going to hate me for this one – but at least it’s not a huge jar of beads like we received last year!

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My niece is only 3 but she loves clothes and princesses – well what girl doesn’t. Here are my choices for her this year.

A beautiful skirt from M&S which is actually very similar to Boden’s applique skirts:

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Or I also love the idea of this craft set to build your own princess!

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For the Mom’s and sister’s in our lives how about some sleepwear. Sometimes it might feel too intimate to buy sleepwear but when it is ‘lounge wear’ I think it is fine – especially when it is cashmere. I have these from last year and wear them all the time in the winter in front of the t.v.!

Rosie pure cashmere trousers:

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If pure cashmere is a bit too much for your budget then these cashmere blend pants are also gorgeous and they have all sizes available – last year I had to trawl daily to grab a pair as they sold out so quickly.

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J.Crew are fabulous for sleepwear and many of their items have 30% off here in the US with code SHOPNOW.

I love their whisper jersey collection like these sleep pants:

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and this nightshirt:

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For some proper Christmas pyjamas that can actually then be worn all year round I just love these buffalo checked shorts.

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Knitwear is always welcome in my house and this colorblock tunic is new in at J.Crew – I especially love the poppy color but I couldn’t manage to grab an image of that so click through here to see it! This is the burgundy and navy – classic for this season.

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I’ve been having conversations with a friend about this side zip cable sweater. It is gorgeous and again is 30% off right now with code SHOPNOW.

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I love this rib stitch turtle neck in electric red – totally festive but not a Christmas jumper!

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This t-shirt is a great gift for a good friend – full of color and really unique. The Donald Robertson Dancing Ladies tee.

 

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Now for some extra goodies that I just love and will make great gifts – I would certainly welcome them!

For the traveler I love this passport cover:

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I know several people close to me who would love to carry their jewelry in this.

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I just love this cup – it is basically all I can manage to say before my morning cup of joe.

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This bowl is so unique and they also do dinner plates. Absolutely striking.

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For jewelry and accessories I adore a great fur scarf.

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Anthropologie always have great jewelry that I know many of my girlfriends would be thrilled to receive.

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With 3 dogs I have recently become somewhat of an expert in scented candles. I have several on my wish list for Santa. I think these from Anthropologie are gorgeous stocking stuffers.

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A long list but by no means exhaustive! What are you shopping for this year?

I’m off to chill out after a brisk walk with the dogs. We have a week off for Thanksgiving and the whole family is excited. It’s our favorite holiday of the year – yup we’re totally American.

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Trousers – J.Crew drapey wool sweatpants // Jumper – Uniqlo mohair blend // Sneakers – Nike from J.Crew (similar here) // Gilet – Zara // Bag – H&M

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Jumper – J.Crew (on sale plus 30% off with SHOPNOW) // Jeans – Diesel Fayza (on sale here!) // Sneakers – Nike from J.Crew (similar here)

 

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