Tag Archives: Westbourne sweater

Countdown to Thanksgiving

It’s really starting to feel festive here – not necessarily Christmassy – but the preparations for Thanksgiving are well underway.  Thanksgiving is probably my favorite Holiday.  It has all of the magic, food and family time associated with Christmas, but with none of the pressure of gift giving.  The children are off school all week so I’ll be off work too which is lovely.  We’re planning lots of lunches out, and trips to the park and movies.  On Thursday we have great friends coming over to eat and give thanks with us.  They are Bulgarian so have no family here either, and I’m really looking forward to drinking and eating way too much with some other ‘new Americans’.

In the meantime I’ve been far from thankful, a little resentful in fact that I didn’t get my hands on the H&M Isabel Marant fringe boots!!!  I’ve decided my life is not complete without them (see how I can go from deep to shallow SO quickly).  Tonight while nursing a cold in my onesie I am bidding on eBay in order to win myself a pair, at what I consider a reasonable price.  Wish me luck my friends!

Isabel Marant fringe boots

Today consisted of 2 outfits, okay 3 if you count my cashmere onesie that I am sitting here writing in (and the shame – I did go to the bus stop in it after promising it was only for indoors!).  I started the day in jade J.Crew café capris (bought in the sale back in January) but my ankles quickly turned blue.  I do love this coat though from Markses.

M&S checked coat

Coat – Marks and Spencer // Trousers – J.Crew Café capris (25% off with code WINTER) // Sweater – Boden Westbourne sweater // Shoes – VInce Nina

Here’s what I ended up in later with puffier eyes as I quickly deteriorated.

Zara floral top

Jeans – Black Gap skinnies // Tank (layered) – H&M // Top – Zara grunge top // Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker

Okay off to demolish a bucket load of clementines and chocolate orange – it’s all Vitamin C no?;)

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New pyjamas/pajamas.

One of the problems with blogging is it can be disastrous for your saving plans.  When you read a post by a blogging friend and see something you like you know you have to act quickly – you snooze you lose.  Being 5hrs behind of the UK can sometimes be a pro and other times a con – I can shop while the UK sleeps and while new stock is loaded on websites, but conversely something can be sold out by the time I wake up.  So yes I hold my hands up – I am guilty – I ordered Rosie’s cashmere trousers as soon as I read about them in Kat’s blog last night.  It’s great that my UK friends can keep me abreast of new lines in M&S, River Island and TopShop for example – but imagine how much I’d save if they didn’t!?  Oh well they’re winging their way to me as we speak.

Rosie cashmere trousers

Unfortunately being on the M&S site spells disaster for me.  ‘While I’m there’ I tend to nip to various other categories – just to see if there is anything new – you know – just in case…Darn it of course I migrate to one of the most expensive items on the site.  Don’t laugh but I bloody need these – perfect for curling up in front of the telly on a dark winter evening.  I’m flabbergasted at how quickly they are selling out – at £199 a pop too!  I am cruising the site every hour or so just in case the grey medium comes back – obsessed much – yes indeed.

M&S

Now there must be something in the air as I am also cruising the Zara site every couple of hours to see if this beauty has arrived.  Assured by Kat that it is not a onesie – it has a belt – I am convinced it can be glamorously styled for winter nights out.  Stand by – I know there are doubters out there – so let’s see what transpires…

Zara

Now my obsession with comfy knitwear led me to start thinking about sleepwear.  The Rosie trousers are really more loungewear than sleepwear, and in my mind it seems a bit ridiculous to lounge in cashmere only to change into a 5 year old nightie from M&S, slightly greyed from washing, shrunken and totally unflattering and definitely un-err-are-you-up-for-it-tonight-honey as I usually wear them with big knicks – TMI I know…but I try to keep decent around the house for my son’s sanity.

So this afternoon the hunt for sleepwear began.  Nordstrom as ever came up trumps.

These Steve Madden pjs are super fun and I love the pink trim.

SteveMadden nordstrom

I love a good night dress (is there a way of saying that without sounding 90?) and this is my favorite – again I love the pink and grey.

PJ Salvage

And here’s what I ended up ordering:

Almost a onesie, but not quite – this is from Splendid – I think it perfectly straddles (poor choice of word I realize) comfy yet sexy-ish (though I’m already slightly concerned about logistics with an all in one…).

Splendid Nordstrom

And these pjs from Eberjey look lovely – I hope they are.  What’s my fascination with grey marl though?

eberjay top

Eberjay trousers

So there we are – new loungewear and new sleepwear.  I can now throw out those greying cotton nightdresses and my velour sweats…my Husband will be thrilled – we’ll see how he adapts to the onesie (sorry Mum!).

Talking of M&S again I wore their new checked biker coat yesterday.  Their shipping service to the US is great and it’s free – this arrived really quickly – about 5 business days I think.  It’s gorgeous – very English looking according to my friends and really soft and warm.

I’m totally in love with my pink Boden boots – perfect for cheering up a grey day.  I am normally a US 8 and these are a Eur 39 – if anything they fit slightly on the small size so size up if in doubt. Don’t forget their 22% discount finishes Thursday night.

Pink Boden Boots M&S coat

Boots – Boden // Coat – Marks and Spencer // Jeans – Hudson Collin // Tank – H&M // Sweater – Boden Westbourne jumper // Scarf – Marks and Spencer (old)

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Jeans and Jumpers.

I was a poorly girl last week and felt rubbish with a really bad head cold.  So rubbish in fact my poor Husband got a Chinese takeaway for his birthday dinner instead of going out.  That’s how you can tell I’m sick – when I can’t even face getting dolled up and having a few cocktails – proper poorly:)  It’s taking me a while to get out of this funk and make the effort to get dressed again.  A week at home in sweatpants was heavenly.  Fortunately for those that work with me in the office I have graduated to jeans and jumpers.  There is something so reassuringly comfortable about skinny jeans, a snuggly jumper and a pair of boots.

There are some great knits available as ever and here are some of my favorites.  I have to say in my eyes Boden still do some of the best quality jumpers.

I promise myself a cashmere hoody every year and have still to invest.  Maybe Santa will oblige?

Cashmere hoody

This handknitted cable sweater is relatively new on the site – and I love this color way – it’s a great update on an Aran jumper.

Handknit cable sweater

The Off Duty jumper maybe my all time favorite jumper.  I love the boxy cut and the merino is super soft.  They do fit large though – I ordered a Small this year and it is perfect.

Off duty jumper

The St. Ives jumper in this colorway sold out really quickly but I noticed today there are some odd sizes available so keep checking for returns.  I sized up to a US10 in this for a looser fit.

St, Ives

The Westbourne jumper is another favorite of mine this year.  Really soft with contrast stitching on the front and back.  Again it’s a lovely boxy fit yet not too overwhelming.  I went for a size 8 in this and it is a great fit.  They also wash really well.

Westbourne sweater

My Nanna used to knit me Aran jumpers – this saves me having to get the knitting needles out – not that I could ever knit a sweater!

TopShop cable knit

This is also TopShop and I love the color, contrast sleeves and dropped shoulders.

TopShop mixed media

So how are you dressing now the colder weather has arrived – are you searching for inspiration too?

Yesterday I at least tried to wear some fun trousers.

St. Ives jumper

Boots – Isabel Marant Dicker // Trousers – Mango // Jumper – Boden St. Ives

Mango coat

 Coat – Mango

Today I’ve done the same – these Boden skinny jeans fit perfectly – the rise is great – not too high or too low.

WEstbourne 2

Boots – Grey Nubuck Newbury boots // Jeans – Boden // Jumper – Westbourne sweater Boden // Scarf – H&M

I must learn how to use my camera on the tripod – either that or train the kids to use it:)

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My first attempt at HACing!

So following on from my post yesterday where I rashly promised photos of my attempts to Highlight and Contour, here’s my first attempt documented with the good, the bad and the down right ugly!

1. The tools of the trade

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2. Straight out of the shower – pimples and dark circles included!

DSC_0863

 

3. Moisturised and then applied L’Oreal BB cream, eyes done using L’Oreal Infallible liner with a smudging brush, MAC Brun powder used for brows, and L’Oreal Volumising mascara.

DSC_0867

 

4. Blush applied on my cheek ‘apples’ using my finger tips and some contouring done with the bronzer – but NOT blended yet – you can see my right cheek looks a little orangey still.

DSC_0875

 

5. Blended bronzing powder and then Maybelline highlighter applied around the eyes and down the nose using a concealer brush.  Revlon super lustrous lip gloss in Pinkissimo applied.

DSC_0887

 

6. Hair dried with a round brush and the ghd dryer and voila!

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The verdict – well I certainly need some practice – especially in the application and blending of the contour/bronzer powder – but I love how it has shaded around my nose and eye sockets.  It feels lighter than using foundation, but takes a little more time and patience.  Have you tried it yet?  Let me know how you get on!

And now…with full face of makeup applied we’re off to another swim meet!  Happy days:)

Boden Westbourne jumper

 

Sneakers – Golden Goose // Jeans – H&M boyfriend jeans // Jumper – Boden Westbourne sweater // Scarf – H&M (old)

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