Tag Archives: Shopping

The Daily Wear #5

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{White blouse from River Island (last year) ♥ 1969 Destructed Sexy Boyfriend shorts from Gap ♥ Regina sandals by Rieker ♥ Bracelet by Tiffany & Co}

Denim shorts with a light, flowing top are a summer classic and when you’re on the go all day a pair of comfortable shoes are also a must in my book. Hot weather and ill-fitting footwear is one of the worst combinations ever! They’re not exactly Louboutins but wearing these Rieker sandals is like walking on air. I bought my first pair last summer and have just invested in a second pair. Seriously, if you’re planning to do a lot of walking this summer (sightseeing, to and from the beach etc) be sure to check them out. Your feet will thank you!

And with that I wish you all a happy Monday! X

Currently Coveting #25: Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream

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Sometimes it pays to have friends in (literally) high places. I’m desperate to get my hands on the new Daisy Dream perfume from Marc Jacobs (worth getting for the bottle alone, I’m sure you would agree, but I have heard it is similar to the other Daisy fragrances which I love) but at the moment it is exclusive to World Duty Free. Sadly we have no travel plans until August so enter my friend who works for BA and has promised to try and get her hands on a bottle for me next week. Watch this space…

Interior Inspiration: Outdoor Living

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The sun is set to make a welcome reappearance this weekend and immediately my thoughts turn to sprucing up our rather neglected garden. This time last year I was tentatively stretching my non-green fingers by planting pots full of vibrant flowers and clearing the borders from weeds and other debris like broken toys and ice cream wrappers that the children casually toss aside despite my admonitions. But this year, in between working and trying my best to keep up with everything else going on (I seem to be getting at least two emails a day from each of my sons’ schools about more things that need to be crammed in before the end of term) I simply haven’t had the time. To be fair, my husband has been doing a good job of mowing the lawn regularly and cutting back the big plants and shrubs, but he tends to leave the prettifying to me. Looking at these pictures, maybe this will be the weekend when I add a few decorative touches like potted flowers, hanging baskets, lanterns and string up some pretty coloured lights.

Nordic House 1

{Striped hammock from Nordic House}

Nordic House 2

{Large aged flower pot from Nordic House}

Nordic House 3

{Garden candle torches from Nordic House}

Nordic House 4

{Decorative zinc lantern from Nordic House}

Graham & Green

{Striped rocking deckchair from Graham and Green}

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{Dean St table and armchairs from Graham and Green}

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{Solvinden solar-powered lighting chain from Ikea}

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{Picture from Ikea}

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{Picture from Ikea}

The Daily Wear #4

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The Daily Wear 4

{1969 Destructed Real Straight Jeans – Gap ♥ Bracelet – Dyrberg Kern ♥ Slingback Wedges – Topshop ♥ OPI nailpolish in No Room for the Blues ♥ Burnout Raglan Tee – Topshop}

While being short (5’2″ in my case) has some advantages – like being able to buy clothes from the children’s section in H&M and never ever having to worry about towering over your other half when wearing heels – there are also some major drawbacks. I have been desperate to get hold of some distressed jeans but all the ‘regular’ ones seems to have been made for all you peeps with lovely long legs. I tried a few on (from Zara, J Brand and Current Elliott) but they all looked really strange on me as rips that should have been on the knee ended up halfway down my calf.

Normally my go-to denim brand is Paige – their Skyline Ankle Peg style is just the right length and fit for shorties like me, but they didn’t have any distressed styles. Then I came across these Gap 1969 Destructed Real Straight Jeans, which are also available in an ‘ankle’ length. Only problem was, my size was out of stock both online and in every London store (I had my poor husband check all the Gap stores on Oxford Street and rang the others myself) until last week when they suddenly flashed up on the website and I managed a snag a pair before they sold out again. The fit is not quite as good as my Paige jeans but then again they’re only a third of the price and I can easily see them becoming my perfect summer staple.

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Stripes Galore!

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Stripes

Never let it be said that I don’t follow my own advice! Although I will freely admit that this time I may have gone slightly overboard. The problem is that once I decide I need a specific piece in my wardrobe – be it a pair of boyfriend jeans, a floral dress or pair of metallic pumps – and start searching for it, all of a sudden the said item seems to be everywhere. Being super indecisive, I then end up buying two or three very similar things. So, somehow I have now ended up with five striped tops (although one is more of a tunic/dress) to my name – three long sleeved ones from H&M and two short-sleeved from Topshop. Only one of them cost over £20 so at least my splurge on stripes didn’t break the bank. I am confident that I will get plenty of wear out of all of them but I also have a niggling feeling that two may have sufficed!

Does anyone else have the same problem? If so do you give in to the temptation to buy several very similar items or are you disciplined enough to limit yourself to only one?

Pink Breton

And one more! This one I bought from the kids’ section in H&M last summer (seriously, if you’re petite it’s a great place to pick up some fab pieces!). The bright pink stripes helped brighten up the dull, rainy day we’ve had today. Sunshine forecast this weekend though!

Hope you’ve had a good Wednesday. X

Five on Friday

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Rush, rush, rush – that is how I would sum up this week. In between working, trying to sort out childcare, cooking, cleaning and making at least a half-hearted attempt at spending some quality time together, it’s been a struggle keeping up with the blog. Most of my time seems to have been spent refereeing various arguments that have erupted between the children. Half term + rain is definitely not a good combination, resulting in bored kids mooching around the house moaning that there is nothing to do whenever you switch the Xbox/iPads off. Throw in a few late nights – the boys are addicted to Britain’s Got Talent at the moment and have been staying up later than usual to watch the semi finals every night this week – and it’s hardly surprising that tempers have been fraying left right and centre the past few days. But we have had some good times too, catching up with friends, watching movies and playing board games at home. Yesterday and today I had to work so the boys went to football camp while my parents looked after Clemmie. It certainly did the trick as far as bedtime was concerned – Casper was so tired he asked to go to bed at 6.30pm yesterday!

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{We went on our annual family trip to Ikea last weekend. It was relatively painless as we got there half an hour after the store opened so managed to beat most of the crowds. As you may recall it is not everyone’s favourite destination…}

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{It seems ages ago now but last Monday was a Bank Holiday here in the UK. It was grey and drizzly so we went to nearby Hampton Court Palace where the kids took part in a digital fact finding mission around the palace. The boys were really happy as they got to use an iPad but hopefully they learned a few things!}

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{The burger chain Five Guys opened a restaurant near us a few months ago and the boys have been desperate to go so this week we finally relented. It was more expensive than McDonalds but the food was miles better. Clean plates all around}

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{I made another batch of my vanilla granola this week. Really enjoying it with fresh berries and Greek yoghurt at the moment.}

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{I also bought a couple of books, both on recommendations from other bloggers. I was going to save them for the summer holidays but I don’t know if I can wait that long.}

Happy Friday to you all! What are you up to this weekend? We have friends coming for dinner tomorrow night so I have an apple pie baking in the oven, which we will have for pudding. Apart from that, we are just hoping for some sunny weather so we can get outside in the garden.  X

Currently Coveting #24: The Perfect Wedding (Guest) Dress

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After a couple of wedding free years, we’re attending the nuptials of my husband’s second cousin this July. I love a good wedding and as the ceremony and reception are being held at Trinity College in Cambridge, it promises to be a fabulous day in a stunning setting. Now that we’ve accepted the invite and booked the hotel, the most pressing question on my mind is of course what to wear? I have a couple of dresses that would fit the bill, but the temptation to buy something new had me surfing the internet late last night looking for a suitable outfit. This dress from Carven (available from Harvey Nichols) would be perfect but unfortunately I can’t find it in XS at the moment and the advice is to size down as it comes up big. So now I have decide whether to chance it with a size Small or carry on searching…

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The Daily Wear #1

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Crushing on Coral

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{Topshop Vibrant Patent Ballerinas | American Vintage Jacksonville Long Sleeved Tee  | Stella & Dot  Tribute and Renegade Cluster Bracelets in Rose Gold | Paige Skyline Ankle Peg Jeans | Becksondergaard Summer Star Scarf in Electric Coral |

 

Five on (almost) Friday

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I’m a day late with my Five on Friday post but it’s been a busy week. Last night was spent pricing up the last few items for the aforementioned NCT sale and this morning we dropped off two carloads of stuff at the local Sixth Form college where the sale is held. Fingers crossed it all goes! I’m not too bothered about the money but any unsold items have to be collected this evening and I really don’t want any of it back.

We also took six large bags of children’s clothes to the charity shop so at least I can see the floor in my bedroom again. But a temple of minimalism it ain’t (yet..) – six zip-up bags stuffed full of winter gear are going back up to the loft for the next sale in October. One step at a time…

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{It has been rainy this week and there is still a chill in the air but spring has officially arrived, which means switching from dark polishes to pastels and neon. I love this Chanel ‘Riviera’ polish – sadly it was a limited edition four years ago and is no longer available.}

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{We have also officially entered the Princess Stage and this week both Rapunzel and Cinderella accompanied me on the school run. Princess dresses are fine for sitting in the buggy but no so practical when the little lady wants to get out and run around the playground or jump in puddles.}

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{I finally booked tickets to go and see The Glamour of Italian Fashion at the V&A later this month. It promises to be a great exhibition with high octane outfits by the likes of Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. Can’t wait!}

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{How cute are these pink Converse that I bought for Clemmie? I need a new pair too, but maybe not in pink…}

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{I met up with a good friend yesterday for a quick catch up over coffee and a to-die-for slice of almond cake. The perfect way to start the weekend. And it’s a three-day one which makes it even better!}

Happy Saturday to you all! X

 

 

 

Linked In

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1. Best Workout Tips – 30 Fitness Commandments to Live by: Elle.com

2. I would love one of these in my house. Maybe I need to drop some hints before our next anniversary! Personalised First Dance Song Lyrics Print: Not on the High Street

3. I just booked my tickets for May 2015! Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty is coming to London next year: Victoria and Albert Museum

4. I’m seriously thinking about cutting my hair shorter for the summer. Here are the key questions to ask before going for the chop: Byrdie.com

5. How to Stay Motivated Around the House – Six Steps to Accomplishing Your Goals: Apartment Therapy