Childminding My Way And A Simple Topshop Parka

Saturday 18 May 2013


I have two parkas. A winterweight one - with a fur trimmed hood and all that gumph. And a summer one which is my Topshop Simple Parka. That's the description that it was sold under and I have to say, I couldn't have named it better myself. 




Topshop parka, Splendid shirt, H&M jeans, Primark sandals, Susie Ho bracelet (all old)


I bought it last year. It sold out early in the season and I cursed myself for missing the boat. Anyway as  I walked through Topshop one day and past the "Last chance to buy" section, I spied it out of the corner of my eye. I held my breath and guess what - it was my size. Let's be having ya!

I like it for it's plain Jane looks and it's little nod to simple APC styling. All good with me and a better price point.

Topshop Simple Parka 2012



To me, this is a perfect little spring/summer coat. It's made in a nice soft washed cotton and finished really well. It's also unlined, so not too warm but just gives you a little bit of protection for those nippy mornings when doing the school run. Oh yes, it also has really big pockets too for all manner of things. Snot rags, keys and phones spring to mind. I could fit a Nintendo DS in them as well .... if I really had to.

Anyway, I wore it the day I offered to look after George's friend in return for a lift in to Leeds whilst N had to nip somewhere for an hour. She advised me of child friendly museums and places I could take small people to occupy them and I said "don't worry - I'll think of something!".

So I took them through the Victoria Quarter like sane people do with small people. I thought I'd make it educational starting off with drama lessons (facial expressions were the order of the day).

One ....

Two ....



Three! GURN!


My turn to have photo taken. Grin and bear it.

Picture taken by George's friend. Might have to appoint him as my new photographer!


I then decided I could give them a bit of a nature lesson about fish and coral reefs by taking them to the Creme de la Mer counter in Harvey Nicks. Just thought I'd let you know there is a fish in there called Stan (the man). A whopper of a fish. Well Stan the man has gone AWOL. How a fish disappears from an tank in the middle of Harvey Nicks is beyond me. But he's gone. And no one knows where. If anyone has any information, drop me a line. There is no reward.


Where's Stan the Man?


Then I thought we'd carry on the nature lesson but focussing this time on insects on the mens' fashion floor.

Wow - big metal bugs!


Then we had a lesson on cloud formations in ladies wear. I think this is what we could describe as "cumulous" if I remember correctly from my 5th year geography lessons.

Head in the clouds - literally!

After that, we went outside for a music lesson.

Rapt audience for Wheels on the Bus. Just joking.


See how educational all that was? And did you notice how subtly I incorporated and merged my interests with the young people's interests? 

Anyway, that's childminding, the Sue way. Eye opening, imaginative and educational :o)


Oh yes ... and Topshop are doing an almost identical parka this year but with an extra pocket ....

Which brings me back to - what's your current go to coat in this wonderful transtional seasonal flux? Because it's really not that warm is it now? I've had to go and put the heating back on!

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Last note :

You know how you get "view from the loo" where people take snaps of themselves in the loo?

I prefer "feet on the street".

Feet on the Street. Catchy eh? Or has that already been done?





51 comments

  1. I have to say that I love your approach to education. If I ever have offspring, I'll be definitely taking the leaf out of your book. :)

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    1. With your first child - you do everything for them and it's all their interests to the fore. By the second child - you'll be so sick of child play centres and ball pools, you'll learn to do things your way. I think I've got a happy medium going here :o)

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  2. I featured that parka on one of my blogs posts and I'm sorry I didn't buy it...my light silky navy style one I have from last year isn't near warm enough for our current weather:( Lovely photos of your outing:)
    ~Anne

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    1. I don't know what's going on with the weather at all but the parka certainly helps with those cool days. I remember seeing it on your blog post and thinking that's the updated version of mine. It's not too "street" or "urban" and looks okay with a dress too - I saw a mum featured on the school run in Easy Living magazine wearing it that way, so that's some food for thought.

      The outing was good ... I finished it with a lovely Fiorentina pizza for lunch :o)

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  3. Looks like you all had a great day! I love that parka, totally something I would wear. Its lush!

    My go to coat is a bright red swing jacket from primarni. Its the same shade as my umbrella and has 3/4 sleeves. Goes with almost everything.

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    1. Red ... I don't have much in red. It's a colour which totally scares me. Having said that, there is a lovely looking red linen parka in Zara which catches my eye whenever I go past it ... but it's red. I'm not ready to go there yet.

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  4. I love your summer parka! I have one of those as well, and I think it is terrific. I really should do an outfit photo of it one day, because it really is one of my biggest spring/summer staples. Here's an old photo that I took right after I bought it http://majahuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Paris-Shopping4.jpg :)

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    1. Maja, that's a lovely parka and a hilarious pic! Love it. Were you a little more shy in the old days? And you should totally do an outfit pic in it.

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    2. Nah, I probably just had a bad hair day or something ;)

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  5. You cant beat a parka!! Love that one, dont remember it in Topshop at all or I wouldve snapped one up! Lovin' the outfit as always :) x

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    1. It came and went pretty fast - I don't remember seeing it in the shops and it was only online. They sold out the first time, I managed to pick mine up not long after and then they got another batch in again ... and that was gone pretty quick too.

      I can see you in this one actually - would totally suit you.

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  6. Oooh that park is just what I have been looking for. My current coat is a similar very old parka from H&M in desperate need of updating. Will try this one on ASAP!

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    1. Lovely to see you've got your shopping mojo again Lucy! Get going quickly - they're selling out quick again.

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  7. Love your parka, they are a great throw on item. The pics of the boys are super cute, especially love the 'music lesson' one!

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    1. They were so shy and nervous of the nice music man but really enjoyed putting in some spare change for him. They were actually as good as gold the two of them. They even sat nicely on a bench whilst I waited in a queue for a free coffee - I needed the "energy boost".

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  8. The Parka is great Sue - and I love the fact that it has room for 'snotrags' - always good! I bought a navy lightweight type thing from New Look recently (not a good description I know!). The boys are very good at having their photo taken aren't they? You're right though it's not warm at the moment (how on earth have you braved open toes?) our heating has been back on too! :)

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    1. George's little friend is so good at having his photo taken. I point a camera his way and he automatically gives a big grin for me whereas mine just pulls weird faces (or pulls Power Rangers moves). I took these pics a couple of weeks ago when we had a good weather day. I've been back in the Converse since. Itching to get in my new sandals as well but will just have to wait for the weather to perk up again.

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  9. Sue you area quite bonkers! Fantastic post, fab clothes.

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  10. That's a really good parka. I like them but can never find one that seems 'me'. But that's a good'un. Well found!

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    1. It's a little less utilitarian than a lot of what is on offer at the moment. For me, the less is more definitely applies in this instance.

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  11. Your so funny Sue, love the feet on the street! Loving that parka too (although heating back on now!) x

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    1. Yup - I put it on for a sneaky hour the other day when the hubs was out at work. It was .... freezing!

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  12. I prefer the feet on the street too haha. Loving the parka - I'm still yet to find one I like, but do love how this is APC inspired. It looks gorgeous with your printed blouse.

    Ah and the boys are sooo cute!

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    1. It's just that little bit more "hygienic" isn't it? It always feels a bit weird when people do the view from the loo but it kind of tickles me as well.

      Yes for once - Topshop got it spot on. Even on the quality.

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  13. "With your first child - you do everything for them and it's all their interests to the fore. By the second child - you'll be so sick of child play centres and ball pools, you'll learn to do things your way

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  14. Meant to say how SPOT ON that comment was how it is for your 2nd child! I read fashion mags w my girls, now. They love the pictures and expressions and its a welcome change from The Gruffalo and Olivia the Pig (even though they are great books).

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    1. It sounds horrible and you think "oh poor second child" but believe me, George doesn't allow himself to get short changed so I don't feel too bad dragging him out with me. As long as he thinks it's fun, that's okay with me. And the best thing - he doesn't need you to put any money in any of those pay on rides in shopping centres. They freak him out when they move. Bonus!

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  15. the boys are soooo super cuteeeeeeee! can i pinch their cheeks?! :)) and on that note, here's a very belated mother's day wish from me. i hope you had a lovely one! that parka is a great buy, and personally prefer it to the current version without the extra zip on steroids..

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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    1. It looks a little cheaper this year with the metal press stud fastenings on the pockets. Or it does on the website picture, I haven't seen it in store in real life. But I like the description about the zip on steroids. Spot on.

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  16. Lol! I tried a similar tactic with my kids but they're too old now. I've been wearing my parkas and trench coats but if it's gets any colder will have to dig out the winter coats again!

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    1. Definitely not getting the winter coats out again. I refuse ... even if I freeze a little.

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  17. Look at your cuties - and loving that photo of you - your photographer deserves two thumbs up and an ice cream! Your parka is fabulous and as usual the more expensive one has a little something more (or do I always just imagine that?)

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    1. Not bad for a three year old photographer is he? Whereas I tried to make my seven year old take a photo of me yesterday and it was a huge FAIL. I guess, it's just going to be me and my mirror for ever and ever.

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  18. I love the way you get the kids involved with your interests too......reckon you will have little fashionista's in the making! xx

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    1. George does have a thing for shoes now that you've mentioned it. Should I be worried?

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    2. If he makes as much as George Davies has, then no not at all!! xx

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  19. That's a great coat for our ever changing weather. I love being able to go out without a coat but keep getting caught out! I never seem to learn that sunshine in the morning does not mean warm all day. Cute photos of your day out

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    1. We've had sunshine ... just not the temperatures to go with it. So my coat is always at the ready.

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  20. WOW I love that parka but can I just say - the 2 boys are so super cute that they are the winners of this post!

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    1. I agree - they do beat me in this instance.

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  21. very creative approach! And I'm loving the parker! Thanks for the comment... I'm not totally convinced that it couldn't do with taking up a couple inches but I'll hang fire making any drastic decisions!!

    Hannah xx

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    1. Hi Hannah. Take your time with the dress - but you know what works for you best.

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  22. Simple parkas ftw! You look super cute girl :) x

    http://girlinthelens.com/

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    1. Thank you. I have a question - what does ftw stand for? (Showing my age now).

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  23. mwahahahha.....you always make me laugh. Your childminding method gets a HUGE nod from me. I really really like that parka of yours. I must be doing something wrong because you and a few others managed to find fabulous pieces from Topshop and H&M but I never do.

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    1. You got a great khaki shirt from Topshop last year! I think I just hit lucky sometimes. With H&M, I tend to look at their Trend section rather than mainstream. But Topshop is definitely hit and miss for me. I go for the plainer pieces.

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  24. Just brilliant! When can I drop my 2 off for a 'world' lesson with Aunty Sue so I can hunt for Stan in Harvey Nicks alone?! ;) Andrea x

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  25. Feet on the Street - love it! And love those sandals too. And the parka. And your approach to childcare. You rock!

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  26. I like the educational tour...too interesting ;p

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Susie So So