Bag Lady
Friday, 18 September 2015
Primark Leopard Print Bucket Bag (in store)
I popped the top pic on Instagram the other day and commented that I wasn't sure it was a keeper or not. The general comments were very favourable and you have to concede that at £9, it was a steal from gold old Primarni. Fact is, I didn't set off out to look for a bag like this, I just thought I'd have a nosey to see if they had any cute little bags which might work with an outfit I had in mind. But I just happened to come across this and it looked interesting. It reminded me of this one actually. But a whole lot cheaper.
Anyway, I popped the bag across me and looked in the store mirror and thought, not too bad. We'll hang on to that for the time being and slung it over my arm and carried on my way.
Around the corner, I came across this little beauty.
The little berry snakeskin number is a no brainer. They also have it in black which I may have to go back for.
And which Mango may have something rather similar to as well and which I prefer actually.
Now, did anyone pay attention to the Rebecca Minkoff autumn/winter 2015 collection? Did it pass you by as you were looking at the usual big name suspects instead? It passed me by but then again most of the collections do anyway - I just wait to be told what's coming in by my weekly Grazia and I'm good. And in one of the recent editions, I was led to a Rebecca Minkoff bag with a strap of wonder and serious tassel overkill.
I LOVE IT! (though you can only fit your keys and a bit of loose change and a packet of tissues in).
And then as I dug around to find out more about this wonderful bag, I happened on more fabulous pics from the Rebecca Minkoff show and the one thing I really paid attention to was the straps on the bag. They are FAB.
So you can imagine how excited I was when I spotted this tan number in Primark resplendent with fancy strap and tassels. Excited and happy to the point where I may have danced a little happy dance (but only in my head and not on the shop floor).
Primark Fancy Strap Bag (in store)
And do you know what doubled my excitement and happiness? Finding that they also do it in black.
I think this is what the Chinese dub as "double happiness"
The bags are obviously faux leather but at around £10 they are very well made and the finish is good. The size is erring on generous (for reference, it fits in a regular sized iPad) and it is light and has a magnetic fastening. With nothing in it, it's almost too light but then again the strap is not a heavy duty one so I would say try not to fit your whole life in the bag and it should do you just fine. My wobble with these two bags is that I love them for the strap but the strap is just a little bit flimsy - it's basically a pretty woven fat ribbon. Regardless, I popped them both over my arm and carried on my way round the bag section.
Gap Cashmere Jumper (similar here), Jack Wills Jeans (old)
Primark Snakekin Bag (in store)
This one is a real goody. It's well made for the price and well finished. It looks a lot more expensive than it's £7 price tag - just look at the raised ridge detail on the snakeskin flap which just takes it up a notch. It's not the biggest bag on the block but neither was the little white one I also picked up from Primark earlier this year but that one proved to be a useful little bag and added a nice little bit of interest to my mostly monochrome summer outfits. This berry coloured one is going to do the same but for the autumn winter. One thing to bear in mind - the strap is very long. And with no adjustment. What you can do is, from the left, take the strap under the flap and do the same with the strap on the right so they cross each other under the flap. This shortens it to a much better length or if you're tall - you're sorted :o)
Obviously, I popped this over my arm too and at this point, looking rather like a real life bag lady, I went and paid.
So ... what have I concluded, having had all the bags at home now to assess which ones are the real goodies. Well :
The little berry snakeskin number is a no brainer. They also have it in black which I may have to go back for.
Any take your fancy up there?
Transition
Monday, 14 September 2015
The old faithful Office Namesake boots are on.
Office Namesake Boots (old but similar here)
And it's official, I've transitioned. I've gone well and truly over to the dark side.
H&M Jumper, H&M Scarf, Jack Wills Jeans, Office Namesake Boots (all old)
A little whiff of mist in the morning, a couple of degrees drop in temperature and the black stuff comes out. It didn't take much.
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I've been asked about whether my Office boots are still available - alas no. Mine were bought in 2012 at the height of the Marant Mania when all bowed to her Dicker boot shrine. Mine are a tribute to those without looking too lookalikey. But this type of boot has gone the distance and each year, similar versions come out all the time.
I came across these New Look boots though which are very similar in detailing and colour and come with a heel which is slightly lower than mine which makes them even more wearable during the day.
I
These Next Boots are also a good dupe for mine with a similar shaped heel and height to my Office boots. Although my Office ones are not overly high, I really don't like to spend a whole day in them as the soles can be quite hard underneath. What I do to overcome this a little is put a fleecy insole in my pair which adds a bit of cushioning and also a bit of warmth in the winter months.
These ones from M&S are more of a stone grey and probably my favourite colour wise. They seem to be popular with everyone else as they seem to be selling out fast online. There's less detailing across the front but I do actually like the simplicity of these and the shape of the toe is not too blunt - a little more elegant. The colour is a lot more neutral and easy to work. Oh yes, they also have "stain away" protection so get jumping in those puddles #justjoking
And I seem to have developed a sudden fondness for my big black scarf. I don't feature scarves a lot on my blog which is quite surprising considering when I worked, I was known for always having something wrapped round my neck. I was a bit of a pashmina queen when pashminas were having their moment. We've moved on since and my black scarf is a cheapy I picked up from the H&M mens section a year or two back. Not expensive but very light and also very long and very big. And very plain.
This is also where I admit to my (now not so) secret Olsen twins scarf addiction hence the big wafty scarf.
To misquote old Will Shakespeare : "Though they be but little, they be fierce ... in the scarf stakes".
I want them all!
Big Cardi
Sunday, 13 September 2015
A : That's going to be MASSIVE on you!
Me : Nooo! it will be fine.
A : I tell you, it's going to be massive.
Me : Trust me, I think it will be alright.
Thirty seconds later.
Me : What do you think?
A : But it looked huge on the hanger! How come it doesn't look huge on you on! I like it! It's good! Buy it!
To be honest. It did look huge on the hanger so A had a point. I saw it earlier in the week and picked up the size small, tried it on and decided the pockets weren't particularly good on that one so I put it back. This time round, there was no size small and only one size medium. The pockets were straight and even, I tried it and it was good. Bought it.
It wasn't all luck you know. I knew that cardigan rang a bell with me - I'd spotted something similar before :
That's Mija Flatau in her Acne Raya cardigan.
I'm not daft. A cardi with shades of the Acne Raya cardigan about it at a fraction of the price. Done deal. And it's perfect for the school run with blue jeans ....
Primark Cardigan (instore), J Crew Linen Tee (old but similar here), New Look Jeans (old), Converse
or with black. Especially with a bit of Olsen big scarf inspiration.
Primark Cardigan, H&M Mens Scarf (old but similar here), H&M Distressed Jeans similar here, Next Skate Pumps (old but similar here)
My cardi is from Primark and cost me the princely sum of £14. And I'm pretty happy with it. Its quite warm and could double up as a light coat quite easily. I bought myself a chunky grey cardi from there last year and I'm still wearing it this year - it seems to have gone the distance and not ended up as cat bedding which I said it might. So I have high hopes for this.
So two scores from Primark this season ... a camel coat and a camel cardigan. I wonder what's next?
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I spotted these which also look good :
I thought a camel shade would make a nice change from grey. Go me (mime fist bump)!
Quick OOTD : 11/09/15 Summer Sun
Friday, 11 September 2015
I'm not actually saluting you, you know. It was just a little sunny out there this morning.
Ahhh ... that's better!
I guess that's what they invented shades for.
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Last Note :
The dress was hanging up and I was just about to reach for the jeans and I thought I may not actually get another chance this year to wear the dress bare legged so let's just go with it. And I definitely made the right choice. Comfy, comfy, comfy. #old
Back to School
Tuesday, 8 September 2015
Boy Treasure
Ahh it's been a long seven weeks but I've enjoyed the lazy mornings, the lounging in pj's and the no agenda days. But now it's back to school. And to show solidarity and empathy to my boys situation today, I donned my A.P.C. sweatshirt today as I felt it had an appropriately scholarly vibe.
Zara coat (old), APC sweatshirt (old), Zara jeans (old), Converse (old but still available here)
I will miss the precious time we had over the summer my lovely boys ....
I ....
... smell ....
... FREE ...
... DOM!
but frankly by the seventh week you were both doing my head in!
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Last Note :
A Dress For All Seasons ....
Monday, 7 September 2015
.... and it's a little black one at that. I spied this number in H&M about a month ago:
I tried it on, loved it, the queue was long, I was in a rush, the parking was running out and so I left it. Till I managed to squeeze in a quick 10 mins in H&M the other week when I bagged it pronto.
Do you know what I really like about it? This is a brilliantly versatile dress which works across all seasons and occasions really well.
It's summer, wear it as it is with some little flat sandals, all kind of casual like. Sling a straw basket or canvas tote over your shoulder and make like your a local in France shopping for your morning pastries.
Toast Basket (old), H&M Dress, Zara Sandals, Primark Trilby
If you're on your jollies, you can switch this up with some glam sandals, a lovely little clutch bag and some pretty jewellery.
It's autumn (interchangeable with spring though), wear this with a pair of skinny jeans with a pair of cool Mary Janes, ghillie lace ups or like I'm going to do with my Swedish Hasbeens and pretend you're an arty farty type in a boho corner cafe, sipping coffee (or Earl Grey in my case) watching the world go by. In reality, I'm going to clip clop in to the playground and then clip clop back out again #clogs
Topshop Baxter Jeans, H&M Dress, Swedish Hasbeens Shoes
Want to toughen it up a little - just change the shoes. It's all in the shoes I always think. Switch out the shoes for buckled up boots as the weather cools.
Oh it's turned winter and the party season has started - get the legs out, throw on some jewellery, bling it up and throw on a fur coat, some knickers (;o)), a slip (it's a little sheer) and a pair of rocking heels and dance the night away!
Matalan Fur Coat, H&M Dress, C Petula Sandals, Snakeskin Clutch
I have to say it would be rare for me to dress all girly like above. I would prefer to do cool girl below especially with those lovely Chie Mihara boots which I've fallen a little in love with!
What? Spring already? It's just about warm enough for bare legs, grab a big cardi and some ankle boots and go welcome in the new buds and leaves on the trees. This look is interchangeable with autumn (see entry for autumn above - ha ha).
Primark Cardigan, H&M Dress, Zara Belt, Office Boots
Not quite ready to expose the legs? You could try a pair of over the knee boots if you're brave enough - they seem to be having another season this year. Me? I'll just stick with the fur gilet (I already have one).
So a few variations there but I'll think you'll have to agree this is definitely "a dress for all seasons".
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Last Notes :
The Grumps smiled indulgently as I traipsed past him announcing I was off to do a photo shoot (;-p) I never normally do this at the weekend. I can't take the flack.
I was too lazy to find a bra with clear straps or a strapless bra (spot the nude straps).---
Great minds think alike - check out Michelle's take on her "Take Me Anywhere Dress" here. Some of you will be lucky enough to already have got it over the summer!
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