Friday Five (1 of 5) Good Basics.

Well not strictly a Black Friday purchase, but I did utilise the recent 20% off M&S Family & Friends discount. I decided to go with a new black cashmere jumper and wanted a slouchy boyfriend fit so I sized up in one of the women's classic cashmere crew necks to a size 14 (I'm normally a 10). I wanted absolutely no cling to the old belly. The other purchase I made was a new pair of black skinny jeans. When it's winter, I prefer my jeans a bit neater and also never jet black. They have to have a slight fade to them and the M&S ones were perfect. I already have a Matalan check coat similar to the one above but thought I'd feature the M&S one as people often comment on mine and this looks a good dupe.  And I was thinking how I'd like to inject a little colour in to the sartorial proceedings by a jazzy blingy hat and an eye popping pink scarf. Because sometimes, just sometimes, I do take a walk on the pink side.

Friday Five (2 of 5) Portuguese Tarts.

I've got a thing for Portuguese tarts at the moment. I've had one a day for the past week. Sometimes I get them from Lidl (49p) and some times from the Co-op (about 80p) and there's not much between them apart from 30p. Are they good compared to the real thing? I don't know but for the time being, they're good enough for me.

Friday Five (3 of 5) Sezane Dupe

Remember last year, I bought the above jumper from Sezane? Well Primark have bought out their dupe this year.


I did a double take when I saw it and if I didn't already have one, I would have been delighted to nab this one. But because I have one, I can tell you what gives. On the Primark jumper, the fluffy finish is somewhat uneven (have a look on at the shoulders on the pic) but you might be able to be sort this out with a wool comb and for some reason, I really struggled with the fit on the shoulders - it didn't sit well on me. That aside - they really tried to do a good job for the price so if you want one and have time and patience - take a few of the same size in to the changing room to try to see which is the best one.

Friday Five (4 of 5) Second Time Around


I keep getting messages saying they missed that blooming ASOS leopard skirt as it sold out again. Well if you can't get the skirt, you could always go for the dress!

Friday Five (5 of 5) Black Boot Saga

I think the Office Armour boots are the ones. After trying 3385918757556 pairs of black boots and returning just about all of them, I think the Office ones are the ones ... for me. Not overly clompy and a little more refined and finished than some styles, they were also the most flattering on my leg. I actually bought them full price but have just packed them back up to return as I re-ordered them with the Black Friday discount. You can't blame me. You'd do the same.

Have a good weekend folks!

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Last Note :

If you've followed me a long time, you've probably got a good idea of what is me and what floats my boat big time. And what I do like when I'm not going for simple minimal styled pieces, is French girl style. I used to be all over the Marant stuff (2012/13) which I couldn't afford but that didn't matter as you could often replicate the look for less if you did your homework and I was pretty good at my homework. Usually A*on a good day. Lookalike Dicker Boots courtesy of Office Shoes and the big oversized jacket courtesy of Mango - I was there. A few choice Isabel Marant Etoile pieces in the Matches sales, I was there. And I still like the look - but it's been adapted along the way. Fashions change, there's no doubting that and so along the way have I. The boots have been replaced with trainers and the oversized jackets are now faux fur coats. But the underlying thing is, it's fundamentally a little "French".

And in the last five years, I have added a few pieces from various French brands, the Kooples, Sezane, Soeur, MktStudio and dabbled with Leon and Harper albeit unsuccessfully (the jumper was beautiful but the arms came to my knees) but now I have a new French brand to look at - Balzac Paris which I mentioned in my last blog post when I showed you my George shirt. A French pret-a-porter brand which is relatively new on the block. who basically showcase a few new pieces on a monthly basis (not a huge drop but enough to peak your interest) and keep you coming back to see what's new. Nothing to your liking in October - hold on for November. And as there were some new drops for November which came online today, I spotted this beauty.

The brand does have a very youthful vibe if you look on the site but there is something quite classic about the blouses and the knitwear if you look beyond the model. Mind you, looking like the models is no bad thing (dream, dream, dream). There are the whimsical blouses with the frills which adorn many a French lady but I am a more practical specimen which is where the simple styles like the George shirt come in to their own for me and it's one of those pieces I throw on with jeans for gadding about. Like this.

So. .... what was I saying about faux furs and trainers? #if_it_aint_broke

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Last Note :

• Following on from the fact that the Eudes sweater is made of 90% alpaca wool - alpaca wool is similar to sheep wool but warmer and less itchy. It also does not contain lanolin which makes it hypoallergenic and allows it to be processed without the need for high temperatures or harsh chemicals. Following on from the Stacey Dooley documentary, I thought it would be useful to mention this as the brand are trying hard with their "always more responsible" approach to minimise the impact on the environment in the way they manufacture and transport their clothing. It's all a step in the right direction if you are thinking about the inpact of your fashion choices.

• Interesting thing about alpacas - they can be housetrained as they like to do their business in a specific spot. You can always count on me to enlighten you with a little gem to brighten up your day.

Hello. I miss doing the Friday Fives but there's been no time for blogging lately but I've snuck a Monday Musings in today instead. Same thing but with a more relaxed deadline.

Monday Musings (1 of 5) Mind the Thigh Gap

I wish! Thigh gap! In my dreams! The last half year has seen me eating a whole load of toast. If there's one thing guaranteed to make your thighs meet, it's toast. My thighs and my tummy don't like toast. I eat toast and my stomach goes WOOOMPH! I could stop eating toast which would be the logical thing but instead I have resorted to buying buffet dresses. Because, sometimes you just want to eat the toast.

Monday Musings (2 of 5) Boots

I have spent the last four/five years in trainers even through the coldest months. I just bought fancy socks and got on with it. I don't actually have very many boots -  a pair of Uggs for dry cold days and a pair of cheapo pewter coloured Acne style ankle boots for wet days. Somehow these two got me through last winter.  The rest of my meagre collection of boots are neither here or there but I have concluded that I am missing a pair of black ankle boots to wear with the buffet dresses this winter. I have ordered and returned gazillions. Asos hates me. But I will get there. Lord, loves a trier and I am trying these next.

Monday Musings (3 of 5) Ooh La La.

I want to be one of those little chic petite French girls but in reality I am one of those Asian short legged little Chinese pear shaped things. And born in Yorkshire to boot. But hey, you've got to work with what you have and what you don't have, you can pretend a little by wearing what the French girls wear and sitting all posey like in front of the mirror. This beautiful little top is the George shirt from Balzac Paris. Did I choose it because it was called George after my cheeky second born? Well that may have swayed me a little but if ever there was a cute little blouse which summed me up, this is it. A dark background, a subtle gold weave thread to lift it a little and a small ditsy print which doesn't drown me. Even the hubs and the first born said it was "Very Me". when I asked them what they thought. 

Monday Musings (4 of 5) Fluffy Wuffy


It's getting colder and I'm pretty nesh. Is it wrong to like that fluffy warm co-ord above? If it is, I don't want to be right.

Friday Five (5 of 5) Three Funerals and No Wedding.

Been a tough few months and I guess that title above explains my on and off approach on here lately. It's my spoof take on the infamous Four Weddings and a Funeral but without the joy or the weddings.

• The M&S Floral dress is actually sold as a maxi dress. It's definitely maxi on me - I'm not sure whether I might get it altered a fraction shorter yet. I'm in a size 6 instead of my usual size 10 - one thing for sure - it's a buffet dress!

• I did a happy dance when I got the Balzac blouse. So me! I'm wearing a size small and it's a comfy relaxed fit on me.

• Yes the Nike Air Max Ones are the same trainers in different colours. And they're a good way to do fugly dad trainers without being full on fugly dad.

• Bless you Mike. Without you, there would have been no Susie So So.

Just can't seem to get my act together on a Friday for a Friday Five. To be honest, I just can't seem to get my act together most days. So Monday Musings it is then. Again.

Monday Musings (1 of 5) Black and Blue

I bought that blue William Morris H&M flouncy dress a couple of weeks back. I said that I would buy it and then decide - it's what I normally do. And then guess what? They brought out the same style of dress but in a black print. Black is really more my bag so I had to order it to compare. Now I can't decide. What's a girl to do? Black or blue, black or blue? Or neither?

Monday Musings (2 of 5) Chop Chop

Or rather cut cut. I used to strip off all the rosemary needles off the stalks and then try chopping them with a knife with varying degress of success. This week, I did something different. I didn't strip the leaves off but bunched them together a bit and cut them instead. Game changer! 

Monday Musings (3 of 5) Basics

Errrm. Hands up if you do fashion seven days of the week. I do fashion maybe three days at a push. The rest of the days when I am at home, my go to is an old burgundy fleecy scruffy sweatshirt with jeans or this navy blue chenille jumper which I picked up in Primark recently. I picked up this jumper because it fitted my criteria of a basic plain jumper, in a colour I like, which washes well, doesn't fade, doesn't pill, keeps me warm and doesn't make me look like a scabby cat on a bad day when I'm dressed for comfort. The burgundy fleecy one makes me look a scabby cat on a bad day.

Monday Musings (4 of 5) Old Skool

Eldest sent me a text to say I hadn't topped up his account at school so he could buy his lunch. Now I'm scared half to death that the next generation will be writing exam essays using text speak and failing! Not Gr8!

Monday Musings (5 of 5) Cold
It's jumper weather. Has anyone put the heating on yet?

• The H&M dresses keep selling out but I've left the link there as you can always save the item in your Favourites section on the H&M website to easily check if they are back in stock.

• Love that my son thinks I "roasted" him with my response. 

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It's quite easy to recreate this look if you have similar components in your wardrobe. The idea is just block colour but I like the light relief with the different colour trainers (my Novestas are pale grey). 

1. The M&S navy cashmere hoodie is a bit luxe - but there are plenty of cotton mix hoodies in the stores for all kinds of budgets. You might already have one in your wardrobe.

2. The M&S blush trainers. The white version of these with the blue trim sold out really quickly and understandably. They looked good and they had more than a nod to Veja with the navy side detail. But did you spot this blush suede version? Kind of subtle but with enough punch to make you look again. I had the ginger coloured Vans last year (still have them actually), and this is like the pink equivalent of when you want to do that "pop of colour" which people so like to say.

3. The navy skirt. This could have been a boring navy skirt but to give it a bit of oomph, it has the front zip detail. Too much for you? A simple navy pleated one is also a good option like this one. 

4. And the bum bag. Sorry, I mean, leather belt bag. This white one is rather chic don't you think?

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Last Note :

Normally I'm a dark polish girl. Dark navy, dark grey shades all summer long. But this year, I've actually found myself reaching for something a little lighter -  a Sally Hansen polish in the colour Greige 372 which just happens to sum it up beautifully. It's the perfect beige mixed with a hint of grey. And I like it because it's easy to put on and in my humble opinion - quite classy. With dark shades, you need to be precise or all the wonky edges show up. Something like this greige shade, needs a little less care but still makes you look perfectly polished. Pun intended.

I just literally opened up the ASOS site and spotted that cute pink leopard blouse. Pink with red leopard spots. I kind of like it a lot better than the traditional brown leopard shades. Doesn't feel so leopardy if you know what I mean?

Well I finally finished Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. It took me a while to get in to my stride with reading again and I stopped started it a few times but this last week, I finally got going. And I did that thing I haven't done for a long time, I read till the early hours of the morning to finish the book, just like in my teenage years. And now I've chosen my next book This is Going to Hurt. Oh yes - the mini white chocolate Toblerones. Aren't they cute??? Perfect accompaniment with a cuppa. Cutting to the chase - I found them in a big Tescos.

Monday Musings (4 of 5 ) Mushroom

Remember I mentioned in a previous Friday Five that I couldn't decide between the black Village England Egton bag or the mushroom colour? I went for the mushroom. It's good to have a change and it's good to find that it goes so well with my old trainers. I opted for the mini version - as I thought it rather sweet. If you're quick, you can still make use of the 20% discount code BIRTHDAY20 till 31st Aug.

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• Have a good bank holiday y'all!

It's August so it means the autumn stock is filtering in. My first "autumnal" purchase is a leopard skirt from Primark which I am still deciding on i.e. whether I will wear it enough to keep. I had a Zara one which I sold on Ebay just recently because I thought it was just a fraction too short for me which meant I never wore it. And then I dallied with another Zara one in the sale but the stitching at the side was a little off kilter so I returned that and then I stumbled on this one in Primark. For £10, it's quite well made and has a nice amount of fabric and swish to it. I don't normally look at the pleated skirts in Primark as the pleats are not that well done and very noticeable on the plain colours but with a busy leopard print, you can get away with a lot more. That said - it's a really good skirt for the money. 

I need new trainer blood in the wardrobe. I saw this pic of Sienna Miller early on in the year and was on a mission for pure white trainers. I wanted them to look "box fresh" instead of my usual worn in ones. And then it got too cold and I went around in my Ugg boots instead and promptly forgot about them. Until now and I'm back on it. I actually picked up a cheap pair from Primark who do a good lookalike pair and after trying them on a few times with different outfits, I'm returning those and I've just ordered myself the Reebok Classics from ASOS as they have a 20% off code today GOFORIT. I also have a coat very similar to Sienna's so I can be a total copy cat. But why not, when someone looks so good?

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Last Note :

What's this? A Friday Five? :)

Friday Five (1 of 5) Saltwater Dupes

My go to sandals for this summer have suddenly become my tan Saltwater sandals which I bought last year. I didn't get much wear out of them then (heel pain and I couldn't wear very flat shoes) but this year, I find that they are  turning in to a bit of a pair of "reach for" sandals. Anyway, I know they are not the cheapest pair of sandals on the block but if you are wanting the look,  I think the New Look ones are worth a look.


They're actually from the teen girls range (go up to a size 6) not leather but they look pretty good and the tan ones are now down to £12 though limited in sizes and they even do rose gold ones though they are a little shiny for my taste. And me? I decided to give the Saltwater Slides a punt this year and ordered these white ones here in the sale.

Friday Five (2 of 5) Watermelon.

Costco do seedless watermelon. This is major. It means I no longer have to pick out all those pesky seeds before I can enjoy my watermelon. And if you can't get to a Costco, I have found that the ones in Aldi are not bad on the seeds front - few and far between and almost negligible. Also for those who don't like getting sticky chops chomping in to their big slices of watermelon, try cutting them in to little sticks like this. Makes it so much easier! #sharingiscaring

Friday Five (3 of 5) Kodak Moment


I'm having a Kodak moment and there is a reason behind it. My brother used to work for Kodak and I have fond memories of my first camera which he bought me in 1982. A Kodak Disc 6000. Heaven knows where that's gone now but I do still have a bright yellow and red Kodak beach towel lurking somewhere. Having spotted that tee on the H&M website, I might just have to purchase for the memories as this is one thing I feel I can legitimately wear! Oh yes, the Worishofer Sandals - don't mock. They look like nana sandals but they are cool. Look at Bean.

Friday Five (4 of 5) Neapolitan

Someone said my Sezane jumper from last year looked like a Neapolitan ice cream. I can see where they are coming from. And if you too want to look like an ice cream, you can pick up this rather pretty jumper now (forget the temperatures, it's time to look ahead, early bird, worm, you get the picture).



Friday Five (5 of 5) Blogging.


Well sometimes I wonder if people still read blogs but basically that's where I started and that's still where you will find me although there may be periods where I go AWOL. But I managed two posts this week, so I guess you don't get rid of me that easily.