Je T'aime

Monday 24 March 2014


Another garment with writing on it which you can't make out unless I flip the photo for you.



That's the problem with taking your own photos in the mirror but it's still better than a small person taking blurry headless shots shouting "how many more times mummeeeeee?" and me shouting back "Till you get it right son, till you get it right!" Anyway, I need to get that tripod out again and get to grips with the timer function on the camera. You get a 10 second delay during which you have to run to your designated spot, decrumple yourself and strike a pose. Thinking about it - from what I can remember, it was hard work and the success rate was verging on 0.5%. Let's stick with the mirror or I will never blog again.

I actually bought this Ganni sweatshirt a little while back and squirrelled it away. And dragged it out recently as the weather got progressively warmer. I don't know about you but even with a heattech underneath, cotton sweatshirts are not that warm and I am super nesh. A super nesh squirrel. That's me.

I wore it down to London for the bloggy meet and teamed it with black jeans and the Office Namesake boots. When in doubt, go black.

And I dragged it out again this week to see what else other than boyfriend jeans I might want to wear it with when the weather warms up a fraction. I settled on the old Maison Scotch chinos. I love Maison Scotch for their quirky detailing like dandelion buttons and embroidered stars on this pair that I have. I've not bought much of theirs in the last year or so but I do rate their chinos and their finishes. This pair is on that slightly darker side of beige which makes them more wearable than some of the lighter finishes around. 



Ganni Sweatshirt, Maison Scotch Chinos, M&S Shoes


They seem to go well with the leopard heels which I wore last week. I love how fun they are as they make me come over all girly which you just have to do every now and then. 

Then I tried the Topshop Newark sandals .....




These sandals can be a killer on the old legs when worn with a skirt or a dress - I am no Kate Bosworth who has a pair of these (seen here) but she also has killer pins. But with chinos like this, they look a whole lot better. This is one of those pairs of sandals where I love them and hate them in equal measure but I won't get rid of them. They edge up the look a little by about 1% in my eyes.

And then we have slobsville look. I had to put the Birkies in didn't I?



And that's what I'm probably going to end up doing the school run in when the weather warms up. Because real life dictates comfort and the ability to keep up with two sprintathon boys. And we can't do that in clippy cloppy leopard shoes with gold heels can we now?

Which just goes to prove the power behind a pair of shoes and what a difference they can make to your whole outfit, your whole experience and your whole day. 

I guess that explains my love for shoes then ..... and gives me licence to buy more :o)





47 comments

  1. You look great in every outfit and they each have their place, right? :-) I think I much prefer these chinos to the Gap ones. Anyway about the Birks ... I really, really wish I could wear the whites but honestly they would make my feet look twice as wide :-( They look wonderful on you though! So for once if I were ever to consider some, they would HAVE to be black and I really don't like black shoes either. Oh yes, it's all about the shoes over here too...

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    1. You're very right - each pair of shoes is suited to a different situation and mood. But all work in their own way.

      And are you sure about the Birks making your feet look wider? I have wide feet but I don't think they necessarily make my feet look any bigger. But you might like a pair of more elegant slides - I think they would be more in keeping with your wardrobe which is smarter than mine.

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  2. I am with you Sue. I love pointy heels but they hate me with a passion. If only I worked in a cushy office, all day, and just floated about looking gawjus. I have to go practical every time. I adore that Ganni sweatshirt and its instant coolness and I have to admit that my favourite look is with the Newark sandals but all are good. H x

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    1. The fact is, pointy high heeled shoes take an ordinary outfit and ramp it up ten notches in a way that flats don't really do. However ... they hurt or rather I'm a wuss these days and don't like to put my feet through the torture. There are days when I feel like putting something with a heel on but I feel like I'm playing at dress up these days.

      And it's really interesting going through the comments to see which people have a preference for which shoes.

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  3. I LOVE this sweatshirt on you Sue just stunning & it looks fab with all your shoes, especially the leopard print ones....but then there's no surprise there!!!! Chinos are super cute too & the detailing just makes them that little bit more different to the rest.
    Jane xx
    My Midlife Fashion

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    1. Ah - I could have bet good money that you'd go for the leopard heels and I would have made a ton of money!

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  4. Nesh haha, my boyfriend calls me that. I'd never heard of it until I met him.

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    1. I'd never heard of it until I met my hubs either!

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  5. Love the sweater, it is cool with slouchy trews/ jeans. I too have dreams of wearing sophisticated shoes with my outfits only to disregard them at the last minute and wear my trainers. You look fab in your Birkenstocks x

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    1. I love all the heels and how they add instant kudos to an outfit but I'm just not that good in heels anymore yet I used to wear them every day for work! Sometimes, I think I should just drag them out and wear them on the school run regardless - when I'm going by car of course though!

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  6. Oh I love this Ganni top ( sold out ) in most sizes now on my wardrobe...... You did well buying and stashing it away. Love this whole out fit with the leopard heels and sandals...... Loving the detailing on the chinos - I like their stuff there is a very nice jacket of theirs on Asos that's caught my eye. Xx

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    1. They still have some on the Ganni website. I looked on ASOS and My Wardrobe and there isn't much stock left. And I'm quite pleased that I got this when I did - sometimes you just have to go for something quickly rather than waiting for the sales ... sometimes.

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  7. Fabulous! I didn't have you down as a Birk wearer though

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    1. Fiona, I didn't have me down as a Birks wearer either but hey fashion is a weird thing and like I said, throw enough pictures of cool looking people wearing them and it's a given that I'll get sucked in.

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  8. I Love the jumper & your chinos are just fab, the detailing makes them really different (in a good way!). I love Birki's & I have a few pairs in different styles, I discovered them when I was pregnant with my first & I haven't looked back! Sian x

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    1. Sian, I've revisited the Birks several times but never really got to grips with them. I had a pair from Faith in a light tan which I liked but again I found those uncomfortable too and ended up putting them in a charity bag. So here's hoping that this time they really will work for me. So far, I'm still loving them though I've not had any chance to wear them out - it's still too chilly but no way am I doing the socks and Birks thing! I can only go so far in the name of fashion!

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  9. Yes, the shoes do make a difference. It's only when you see them alongside each other that you realise by how much. I love the M&S leopards xxx Love Liz xxx

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    1. It's funny how you can take the same basic outfit and the shoes make such a dramatic change to how it all looks. Never underestimate the power of a pair of shoes!

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  10. "If in doubt wear black.." Hear Hear!! I love those chinos and the Birkenstocks are anything but slobsville. xx

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    1. You don't think they're slobsville then? I thought the Birkenstocks made the outfit look very casual but good to know that I don't look like I haven't tried at all. It's a fine line, it's a fine line!

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  11. Absolutely adore the sweatshirt Sue! I now I know why you suggested looking at the Maison Scotch chinos.....they are gorgeous, loving the quirky little details! The outfit looks great with all 3 pairs of shoes, but for me the Birkie's look the best! xx

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    1. Yes - the Maison Scotch chinos are usually finished really well and there is a lot of attention to detail (though I agree about leaving the pair of jeans you found with the pirate turn ups). They're usually slim cut as well which is so much more flattering. I remember when I first tried them on and I realised that these were so different to all the other chinos I'd tried on in the past - it was a bit of a revelation actually.

      And I think I kind of knew you'd go for the Birkies. When are you doing a show and tell with yours?

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  12. Sue you had me in fits of laughter with the commentary on your conversation with your son. Maybe you can send him to Marlene's Little L for some training. How brilliant is she with the camera! I'm thinking I need to hire Little L as well.

    I have to say, you always look brilliant in your shots. Those chinos are devine with the little embroidery. So unique. I'm a huge fan of your white Birks. I actually like them to look at but they get more points in my book for being practical and comfortable.

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    1. I really could do with Lil L - she's been trained well by Marlene hasn't she? She's ten times better than me when I've tried to use Marlene's camera but I think I was just scared of her barking instructions at me ;o)

      The Birks are cool - I'm sure you must be looking at a pair of ugly sandals by now or are you going for the Marant slides?

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  13. I love the stars and the dandelion on the chinos - They look really nice. Lovely top as well.
    :0)
    Paul

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    1. Thank you Paul. Normally I tend to go for the plainer the better but I gave in to the stars and dandelions on this occasion. They liven up the old pants a bit don't they?

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  14. one morw vote for the chinos and leopard combo!

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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    1. Noted Steph! I think the leopard heels and the Birks are tying for first place currently.

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  15. I love the slogan tops......as long as they are not too rude, I have seen a few which are a bit OTT!! xx

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    1. No I'm not keen on any OTT slogans but a bit of love and a bit of Je t'aime will do me fine.

      I have decided that I can't do rock band t-shirts as well ... I'm well and truly past it on that one.

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  16. I love every look, seriously. That sweater is so good you make me want to buy it (although trying to save up for a new lens...).

    You should buy a remote for your camera, I got one from eBay very cheaply so might be worth checking out as then you point and click, it's so much better than the timer!

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    1. I've had a look before and all the remotes seem to be for the DSLR ones. Or I would definitely be in the market for a wireless remote.

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  17. I think I honestly prefer the outfit with the Birkenstocks, great look x

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  18. Amazing shoes!
    www.agoprime.it

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  19. Oh I love the look with the Birkies!!! Not slobsville at all!! I just ordered the new je t'aime t-shirt from JCrew - your sweatshirt looks great!!! I still haven't seen the APC one yet??!

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    1. Je t'aime twins! And the APC one? It will probably come out in September. You know me - easy does it!

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  20. I do like those Top Shop sandals but would plump for the Birkenstocks - they look super comfy, that's the main thing for the school run! I agree with your statement about shoes making a difference - problem is where to store them all! :)

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    1. If I'm in the car - leopard gold heels are fine. If I'm wanting exercise and a little walk, the Birks will win in a flash.

      And even though I did a shoe cull last year, I still don't seem to have enough room for them all. Time for another cull methinks.

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  21. Oh, I love that sweatshirt. Very chic.
    BTW, I'm really not the one to blow my own trumpet, but since you're in that neck of the woods I thought you might be interested in my York blog. I'm doing it in few parts and it's very tongue in cheek so pls don't take it too seriously. :D
    http://kikisparlour.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/postcards-from-york-i.html

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    1. Very rare to use the words sweatshirt and chic in the same sentence isn't it?

      And love the first part of your York blog - more, more, more please. It's hilarious.

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    2. It's the French wording on it that makes it chic. If it was in English...well, it would be a different matter.
      :D

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  22. There's always something about French phrases on sweatshirts which are so much more chic than plain old English and I also agree about the power of shoes. It's always surprising how they can so quickly transform an outfit and that's my excuse when I constantly buy yet another pair. Your M&S ones are gorgeous - I think I may need to pop in there and take a closer look!

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    1. Don't look too hard - the shoes were last season though they do have some similar styled ankle strap ones currently.

      And yes - the wording is never quite the same in plain old English is it. I wonder if the French think the same of clothing in English?

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  23. Love the sweatshirt AND the Birkenstocks - maybe I need a white pair....?

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    1. I'm sure you can stretch to a white pair - wouldn't want to wear the black ones out would we?

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Susie So So