I sometimes pop in to the York Outlet and I've probably said before that my favourite shop in there is the Margaret Howell one. I rarely buy anything but I do still like to look - they have lovely things but I think I'm a foot short for a lot of the things. Okay, I don't think, I KNOW I'm a foot short for most of the things. Plus my purse is a lot short too.

There's a lovely lady who works in there (waves at lovely lady incase she's reading) who recognises me from the blog. Always impeccably turned out (all the people are, in the Margaret Howell outlet) and as I was chatting to her, I noted her rather lovely navy cotton shirt which I commented on. You know how these things haunt you? Well cue hankering for a navy cotton shirt.

Long story short, I didn't buy a Margaret Howell navy shirt. I bought a Mango one. The one below to be precise which also happens to be in the sale (woohoo!).

Loose fitting (we don't do skin tight in MH), slightly sheer light cotton and with a small nehru collar. I had high hopes which were not dashed at all. I am delighted.

Thank you for the inspro, nice Margaret Howell outlet lady! I'll have to pluck up the courage to ask you your name one day :)

• I've already got my F&F stripey trews seen here and they go well with the navy shirt but the Mango ones featured above are also nice and are currently in the sale. That waist detail adds some interest and if you're not adverse to a slim vest top or a white tee, these would look fab tucked in these trousers for a perfectly relaxed summer look.

• I'm pretty lazy when it comes to footwear so minimal faff and comfort speaks volumes to me. These tan suede espadrille slides look to be exactly all that and the slight platform gives it a 2016 vibe.

• I couldn't resist picking up this tote when I was in the outlet. I was going to treat myself at Christmas but all manner of things ended up being bought instead but I was delighted to spot it in the store. The hubs paid for it. He doesn't know that yet. He might do now.

• Denim culottes. I know they can be a bit of a love hate item but I've come to love them. I had to decide between the M&S ones I posted a little while back here in May and the Florence & Fred ones featured above. I eventually opted for the F&F ones because the waist was a fraction lower and they just felt a little lighter to wear. They've practically sold out online but they seem to be available in store still but if you can't get hold of a pair, these Warehouse ones as sported by Bean are lovely and are currently reduced too.

• Your wardrobe is not complete without a pair of white trainers. The Jigsaw trainers above are as simple and minimal as they come and the leather is soft and supple, however, I've just spotted their new slip on trainers which have come online here and they are pretty major! #hubbahubba

I'm late. I'm late. I'm late to this Loafer date. But I guess if you're a bit late, what usually ends up happening is a plethora of them end up on the high street and at lower prices than the first set of offerings.

Cue the ASOS Movement leather loafers which I've just spotted. £35. Not bad. Silver or black leather? Silver or black. 

Silver. I'm rubbish with black shoes.

• Just realised why I was so drawn to it! It has a whiff of Gucci about it! #ohyes

Monday Musings 1. M&S Beauty Box

I ended up in M&S today with the intention of checking out school uniforms for the boys as they currently have 20% off. I wanted to check the sizing before putting in an online order. And I wanted to see if I could add the school uniforms on to anything else I might want to order to make the value up to £40. You see, you spend £40 and you can purchase the beauty box worth up £120 for £10. Yes - £10!!!! I've never been tempted before but I had a quick nosey at the contents and I was interested in the UltraSun Face Protection cream which would have probably cost me a cool £24 alone so I thought it was worth a punt. But before I got to the uniforms, I saw the above sandals ....

.... and I tried them on and they were lovely and comfy and so it came to be I got my beauty box :)

Monday Musings 2. Stripy Trews




You find the darnedest things in Tesco that you're not looking for sometimes. Like these stripy linen blend trousers. I think these are going to be a joy to wear on hot summer days when you don't want anything clinging to you. I love them! I saw them in store and decided to check if they did a short length in my size. They did! They also do them in medium and long too. But be quick, I think they're starting to sell out quickly like all good things do! And brace yourself for the pyjama jokes. They're inevitable.


Monday Musings 3. Slugs & Snails.



I'm in gardening mode at the moment. The garden's been a little unloved for the last couple of years and we've just started to put a little effort into making it all come back to life. And we've been plagued by snails. Darned slimy critters. They started a while back having a Pansy fest and now they're currently munching on the Petunias but I could never find them during the day when I was looking through the plants whilst deadheading them (yes I am that suburban and normal). Yesterday, I planted some garden peas (at the boys' request) and climbing beans. And I popped a little pic on IG and I was warned about the snails and what to do. Don't you just love IG? I love the little comments and helpful hints and ideas that come around from everyone. Special shoutout to Becky who turns out to be a bit of a gardening guru! Anyway, Mission Slug Pellets has been deployed now and for anyone who wants to find them .... they like to come out in the evenings for their supper (7pm to 8pm is noshing time). But they don't like salt with their meals (cue evil cackle).


Monday Musings 4. Peonies.





Peony Season has commenced. I snaffled some from mum's garden.

But I've just noticed that they've just started coming in to store at Aldi! Just £3 for a bunch of 5 and lots of pink loveliness to come!


Monday Musings 5. Churros.




I was a Churros virgin till last Saturday. And the verdict? They're delicious!

• I'm wearing a medium in this dress and I'm a size 10. It's loose but it's meant to be.

• For people taller than me and interested in the dress, it's 96cm long approx. Measurement taken from the back of the collar to the hem.

• After a day's wear, I can report that it wears well and doesn't crease much. That picture was taken after 5 hours wear.

• I'm all over dresses at the moment - this one is nice too :