A Splendid Shirt, My Inner Pretty and A Bag Deficit

Sunday 3 February 2013


Last week was a very miserable week as it was the last week of January. The last week of January means that I am poor. But the first week of February is good because I get some pennies. Just like the first week of March and the first week of April and so on and so forth. This week being the first week of February, I'm happy again.

The reason why I was particularly poor in my last week of January was because I'd spent the rest of the month putting my summer wardrobe together from the dregs of the sales. Okay - not exactly the dregs of the sales because I wouldn't say anything I'd bought could be described as dregs but nothing I bought was full price. From my boyfriend jeans which were already discounted in the Gap outlet and was then discounted a further 30%. To my Splendid tee which was half price in the NAP sale. And my Paul Smith Shirt bargain which was also from the York outlet.  And my last purchase which is my Splendid floral shirt from the Outnet which would have been rude to refuse on the grounds that I was offered a £20 voucher off my first purchase. Told you - rude not to.

Despite the fact that we are only in the first week of February, I have high hopes for a lovely summer this year given the pitiful offering of sun we had last year. In the summer I get a bit girly. The sun goes to my head and makes me give in to my inner pretty. I go round singing "I feel pretty, I feel pretty, oh so pretty" whilst twirling daisies through my hair. Err ... scrap that last image. Okay, I get a bit girlier. It's okay - it's nothing to be ashamed of I tell myself but I still blush when people say you look nice and that's really pretty. I have a secret hankering to be edgy but I know that that isn't going to happen in my lifetime. 

So this Splendid shirt. I've not told you much about this. What can I say apart from it's pretty and girly and has flowers on it. The colours are summery, with a pale green background and purpley navy pinky flowers on it. My inner pretty says that this is how I will be channelling my Splendid shirt. You couldn't look butch in this if you tried. You could be a heffer moose but you would be a very girly heffer moose wearing this shirt. 



I already have 4 components of this outfit. I am missing the Mulberry bag but that isn't coming to my house any time soon unless the lottery comes in and that isn't going to happen if I don't play. But I'm sure I can find a bag in the bag cemetery under the bed which fits the bill. 

And if I'm feeling really really girly, I'm going to get my legs out and switch to something like this :

Splendid Shirt, Hobbs Annie Bag, H&M Denim Skirt, Mango Cable Cardigan, Carvela Krimble Sandals


Again, I have four components - just missing one. The bag! I appear to have a bag deficit! Heaven forbid! I must rectify this immediately ........ ;o)


So come on, who's sick of the winter wardrobe and been shopping ahead? I started on the 1st Jan :o)





33 comments

  1. I am sick of the winter wardrobe and have been hoarding spring and summer pieces...I am so ready! Love the Splendid top, but also the sandals. I just received some Rachel Comey's marked so far down I had to buy them....they look a bit like those above...currently hiding under my bed waiting for warmer weather!

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    1. Oh cool. Glad I'm not alone. For some reason, straight after Christmas spells the end of winter for me and I start looking at spring summer clothes probably because all the new collections start filtering gradually in after this point. And there's nothing like the lure of the new is there? Hope you do a post on your sandals.

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  2. Oh, love how you put those outfits together. Yep! I'm looking at Spring and Summer now also .. the daffodils are starting to peek out ... time to think about sunshine! Oh and love, love, love your hat!!!

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    1. The best thing is knowing that you can work your existing wardrobe around one new item and create different looks. I have a similar trilby but mine was cheap and cheerful from Primark (your favourite shop) but it works well on me. But if I didn't have that one, I would definitely be looking at that Flo and Joe one and wishing and hoping it would fit my big bonce! Yes - come on sunshine. We need some rays to help the daffs along.

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  3. If my outfits looked half as good as the ones you have come up with I would be very pleased. I have realised though that I really need some boyfriend jeans. They just look so good!

    It's funny all this talk of being over Winter from you and your readers. I can't wait for Summer to end and Winter to start! I love boots and tights and warm jackets... so over the sweating! Plus I have determined I'm happier with my Winter wardrobe than my Summer one.

    Re bags - have you heard of the Australian brand Mimco? Occasionally they have a nice design. Also the UK mimco site and House of Fraser seems to have better prices (when on sale) than what we get here in Australia - go figure!

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    1. When it's summer, I want to be snuggled up in my jumpers and when it's winter, I want to see sun and shed the grey layers. There is no pleasing some is there? I thought I was a winter person because I love coats and jumpers but I prefer the summer purely for the ease of walking out the door without having to be trussed up to the nines.

      The outfits look nice when placed like this - how they look on is another thing altogether! Fingers crossed they come right.

      Mimco - have heard of them but don't see much of them around. I will have a nosey online and see what their latest offerings are. You can get stuck in a rut looking at the same brands sometimes so it's good to have recommendations.

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  4. Really gorgeous items Sue. You have done really well with planning ahead and taking advantage of the sales. There is nothing better! That Splendid shirt is absolutely beautiful. I'm hoping you get a gorgeous summer this year. I'm sure you will. I'm shopping for winter already! Other side of the world and all :(

    xx Mandi

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    1. Thank you Mandi. I was quite surprised to see it when I was browsing the Outnet and just thought - well, why not? I liked their grey tee which I'd got from NAP so I thought it's got to be okay. I'm hoping for a lovely summer too - I remember when I first started following your blog and you were in your winter coats just as I was inching my feet in to my sandals. Life on the other side of the world and all that eh?

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  5. Oh, I have a bag deficit too.
    Also, how gorgeous are those silvery sandals. Love them.

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    1. I never used to have a bag deficit, infact I could safely say I had a surplus but I carry the same one all the time and I've fallen out of love with my old ones so maybe it's time to start afresh. Yes - the silvery glittery sandals - how could I resist the sparkle!

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  6. LOVE the shirt - what size did you go for? I'm seriously eying it up! And the panama too. Bring on spring I say, I've had enough of this dreary winter weather. Zella

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    1. I went for a size small and I'm roughly a size 10 up top. I half thought it would be like a soft jersey given that Splendid seem to specialise in jersey separates but this is like a soft viscosey fabric even though it's made of rayon. It's really pretty and very flattering. If you have big boobs - size up though and I still don't think it would drown you but would give quite a flattering drape. Let me know if you get one and if you get on.

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    2. Thanks for the info! I'm between a 10 & 12 and prefer things on the baggy side so have ordered a Med - will let you know how I get on.

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  7. I'm looking forward to Spring too but can 'enjoy' the Winter for what it is - I'm mellowing with age :-) Can't be as optimistic as you re the Summer but at least I know I'm guaranteed super hot weather when we go on holiday in August so have been working on the packing list too.
    I'm dying to know what bag you'll end up getting! For me, bucket style bags never worked - they're just too round and tend to bounce too much against my hip which annoys me.
    Good luck with your search - your Spring looks really lovely and pretty!

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    1. You have a point about the bucket type bags - I've had them previously and not always been successful - thanks for the reminder. Ideally if I had oodles of money, that Mulberry would be a lovely summer staple. Perfect shade, perfect size and can be worn messenger style. However, pale suede and grubby fingers courtesy of the boys don't mix and then I would be worried about colour transfer from my jeans and so on and so forth and £800 worth of bag is £800 worth of bag which I would ideally like to keep perfect and not dye stained.

      Yes roll on Spring - I'm actually getting tired of the grey.

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    2. They're called saddle bags and I'd love you to find a gorgeous vintage model with a lovely patina on the leather that looks better with use but they tend to be about 10" across (like my vintage Celine) and since you prefer big bags the 12" or 14" would be best. Definitely worth looking though I'd say because it's such a classic style.

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  8. Love the Splendid top!
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Regine and thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

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  9. Hi my dear! Lovely blouse from Splendid and this will prove to be a stylish and invaluable item in your wardrobe for Summer, well done! Am also bored, bored and bored with winter layering, I had a wardrobe revamp this weekend and gave a few things away that no longer fit/suit-making way for some more summer blouses hopefully! have a great week xxx

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    1. Yup - just like you I'm bored, bored, bored with all the layering. I'm tired of being cold and not being able to move for all the layers. So my way of dealing with it is to look at lots of lovely summery clothing. Did you do a post on your wardrobe revamp? I love posts on wardrobe revamps. I'm weird like that ;o)

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  10. The blouse is gorgeous and I can't wait to see you wear it - I like both ways you styled it. Perhaps you need to start up a bag fund?

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    1. Starting up a bag fund is quite laughable. I've just spent what I made on Ebay last week. It went "poufff" just like that!

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  11. Oh Sue I love it all! I'm so tempted by the gorgeous top ( I need more print in my wardrobe!) but not by the returns policy/cost. Bought 2 swimming costumes today! I'm thinking summer in a big way!!!!!!!

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  12. Ps oh my God ...the Outnet! This could be dangerous!!!!!!!

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    1. Don't worry, I can't be led astray on there - I have nothing to be led astray with so all's good. And swimming costumes in January? Not that really is thinking of summer.

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  13. I was starting to look forward to the Sun as we've seen it recently down South (!) and was thinking it may be warm enough do get the trench coat out - then a kind mum on the school run told me today it's set to get worse again with temperatures of -4, so that well and truly pee'd on my fire! Thank you for this post and bringing a little more sunshine into our lives! Oh and I live near a Mulberry outlet so will keep a look out for you! x

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    1. I have a Mulberry outlet in York near me so no worries. I don't think the Delilah is turning up in one anytime soon as I think it's a relatively new style but so perfect for the summer. Yup, I think my fire went out this morning as it sleeted down and I was thinking that I may have been a little premature in my wishful thinking for sunnier days. It will come ... eventually.

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  14. Jeez you are organised Sue! I love summer purchases but when I buy something I want to wear it straight away so at the mo I'm sticking with warm things. The recent shoes from Zara is about as much as I'll buy until things are starting to look a bit brighter.

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    1. Awww you're no fun! Just joking. I think I'd just had enough of the same old grey stuff and needed something a little more cheery and what could be better after a long dull winter than a sunny floral blouse? Have to say, you did go a little shoe mad didn't you? Good girl.

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  15. Wow, Sue, you did amazingly well with Polyvore. Spring/Summer is all I can think about at the moment. Much as I love coats and jackets, I'm just as happy to dispense most of them right back into my wardrobe for another 12 months!

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    1. I went nowhere near Polyvore! That's me and Paint Fx which the hubs downloaded for me after I bemoaned my plight. Polyvore was too weird - I kept getting notifications saying people were following me and when I checked on Polyvore, it said I was following people - I was not. So I defollowed everyone I could (anti-social me? hell yes) and have left it well alone. It's not for the likes of me!

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  16. I never shop for summer in winter... well I stopped because I used to but after several sucky summers of barely wearing what I got months ahead, it finally sunk in that there was no point in adding stuff I just can't wear right now.
    That said I'm so bored of wearing over and over again my dark winter clothes, I might be tempted by some stupid thing like a sweater or shoes... anything to just light up till spring officially sets in!

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    1. I just can't help myself - I just love looking at all the new things and for once I do follow the fashion mags advice - I buy when I see it incase it's gone by the time I want and need it. Usually, I choose things which work well from year to year so if we have a bad summer this year - there is always the next. And as I'm typing ... it's bucketing down outside but I've still got my optimistic head on.

      Cheer yourself up - just get a cheery scarf - it will make you feel so much better.

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Susie So So