Hello folks
The blog has moved! Find the new, hopefully improved blog over at www.twentymumthing.com – there is a handy ‘follow me on bloglovin’ button on the right for those of you that follow me that way or you can sign up for email updates.
I hope you like it – look out for an exciting post tomorrow about how to wear one of this season’s hottest trends.
Thank you for your continued support
Amber x
This weekend I took the opportunity to escape into Topshop while Mr TMT was being press-ganged into coughing up a couple of quid for one of those extortionate, low octane rides in the shopping centre. I originally popped in to have a look at this striped dress but it wasn’t for me; lovely, but cream rather than white, which made me look like the drink had finally caught up worth my liver (surely going to happen one day).
All was not lost however, when I spotted this skirt:
When Mr TMT joined me in the queue to pay he remarked ‘if I could have picked the one item in this shop you’d buy, it’d be that’. He knows me so well. Anyway, I was waxing lyrical about how this skirt would solve ALL my wardrobe woes and how I’d wear it every day. Being the wise man he is, and privy over the years to many such episodes of fantastical nonsense, he merely raised an eyebrow, but it got me thinking; ‘could I really wear it every day?’ Not for the rest of my life, you understand. That would be skanky. Just a week. So for the next 7 days, I will be wearing my shiny new skirt and thinking of different ways to wear it. My week includes a press day, a night out, lunch with a friend and a date night with the old ball and chain. Can I make it work for all of those occasions? I will post my outfit everyday and you folks can be the judge. Today I had to take my first-born to hospital for his first blood test, which I felt a little apprehensive about. As it turned out, he was the bravest of the brave and didn’t even whimper, so all’s well that ends well. Even so, I wore a ‘happy outfit’ to lift my spirits.
Outfit:
Jumper – Boden
Skirt – Topshop
Boots – Jack Wills
Bag – Charlotte Simone
Little note about the bag: I recently bought this Charlotte Simone Bon Bon bag and I think it may honestly be the best thing I’ve ever bought. Completely frivolous and impractical, it has pride of place hanging on my wardrobe door, as it makes me smile every time I see it. Better than Valium, though sadly not available on the NHS.
My Isabel Marant ear cuffs arrived and I have to say I’m really thrilled with them – they’re just a bit of fun but add a touch of edge to my outfits. They’re also very comfortable so a winner all round.
They’re back in stock on Net-A-Porter and for £24, I think they’re an affordable update.
P.S. apologies for scary close up – I’m off to wax my face!
Bit late in posting this – as usual, the festive season chewed me up and spat me out a shadow of my former self. I’m secretly quite glad it’s now January and 11am drinking is frowned upon once more.
I was very lucky to receive some beautiful things for Christmas, the first of which being these J Crew shoes:
Collection lace-up caged pumps
They had their inaugural wear on NYE and while they weren’t like walking on air exactly, I was able to dance all night and walk home in them, which is more than can be said of most of my shoe collection. Yes, they are pricey, but I think really special occasion shoes are worth the investment. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable addition to your shoe collection, you may like the next pair Santa brought me, as they’re now in the sale:
Kurt Geiger Jamie Black High Heel Sandal
I haven’t worn these Kurt Geiger sandals yet but they’ve been very comfortable when parading about the house. I have a smart dinner to attend next weekend so I’ll probably wear these with either leather leggings or a LBD – I’ll report back on the comfort factor.
Alexander McQueen De Manta Printed Clutch
I’ve wanted a De Manta clutch for, ooh, forever, and this diamond print, monochrome version is perfect for me. It’s currently sold out as it went into the sale, but if you’re after one, keep checking back for returns as it’s a great price for a forever bag.
Elsa Peretti charcoal-colour Bone cuff
Last on my gift list (other than the usual DVD box sets) is this stunning Tiffany cuff. This is another item I have had on my wish list for years so I was just thrilled to add it to my jewellery box. My lovely husband did very well this year!
So, what have I got my eye on in the sales?
Jigsaw Pheobe Shearling Tote – Was £149 Now £74
This plush shearling tote is stunning in real life. I have lots of small cross body bags, but I am a bit lacking in the tote department. This would be handy for those days when I need to carry a little bit more!
Rosemunde Short Sleeve Lace T-Shirt – Was £77 Now £53
I already have this top in navy and I get loads of wear from it – I love this plum shade, it would look great with black skinnies in the evening, or teamed with a pencil skirt for the office.
Isabel Marant Silver-tone ear cuffs
I’ve just ordered these ear cuffs after having them pinned for a while as I noticed they were on sale. I always wanted more ear piercings, but wasn’t badass enough (and getting my navel pierced at a festival with the predictable consequences put me off a bit) so these are a good compromise!
So, what did you find in your stocking? Or have you snared any great bargains in the sale? I’d love to hear about them – comments in the usual ways!
It’s that time of year, one of my favourite stores, The Dressing Room, is about to start their sale and I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview of some of the fabulous pieces to be reduced. I’ve done a few of these sale preview posts in the past but I can honestly say this was the most fun. The girls at the DR always send lovely items but the ones I received to style this time were just sublime. Honestly, any one of them would fit perfectly into my wardrobe. I’ve styled them with a party theme in mind as NYE is just around the corner and if you’re looking for a new outfit, now is the time to bag a bargain! The first item is this beautiful Day Birger Et Mikkelsen silk tee with lace insert detail. I cannot overstate just how lovely this top is in the flesh. It’s hard to see the detail on a black top but believe me, this is special. The perfect top for when you need something to wear with skinnies and heels while looking polished and chic.
Day Lazy Top – Was £145 Now £95
And here I am in it. I paired it with sequinned leggings and black patent pumps for a rock chic feel. 
The next item is this stunning jumper from Cocoa Cashmere. This beautiful lace print knit is so thick and soft, I didn’t want to take it off. I wear a lot of cashmere in the winter but always plain block colours so this felt really different and just a little bit special.
Lace Print Jumper – Alabaster Black – Was £189.00 Now £99
Here I’ve paired it with a tulle midi skirt and bright suede pumps. This is the kind of outfit I’d wear if I were hosting drinks at home, comfy and relaxed but still glamourous. I love the mix of textures in this outfit. 
The last item I was sent is this stunning top from American Vintage. Made in a lovely heavy crepe fabric it just drapes so beautifully and the distinctive, go-with-anything print makes it a no brainer when getting dressed in a hurry. I was very kindly offered my favourite item to keep and this is the one I decided on. I can see myself getting so much wear out of it!
Tulsa Sleeveless Top in Pepper Grid – Was £74 Now £50
I’ve put it with leather leggings and bright pointy pumps for a simple, edgy look that could take you just about anywhere. This is a very strong contender for the illustrious title of Xmas Day outfit! 
The sale starts online on Christmas Day and online shoppers should sign up to the newsletter now to receive an exclusive, limited time discount tomorrow morning, so make sure you check your inbox bright and early! If you happen to be in the St Albans vicinity, the sale starts in store on Saturday 27 December and the first 20 customers through the door will receive a bonus 10% discount on all sale items! Hope you’re all feeling suitably festive – I’ll be back tomorrow to reveal what Santa brought me. I’ve been a very, very good girl this year!
Well, I’m officially 30. How did that happen?
I haven’t decided whether or not to change the name of the blog – I don’t have to decide right now, do I?
Anyway, it’s been a wonderful week of catching up with friends and family, spending time with my kids and a lovely night away with Mr TMT. I couldn’t have asked for more! My very lovely husband also spoiled me rotten and I am now the very proud owner of…
Valentino Rockstud Cross-body bag
Although one of the studs has already fallen off, grr, so back it goes for a replacement!
Jimmy Choo Agnes suede pumps
And
Helmut Lang stretch leather leggings
I know, I’m very lucky. You can expect to see a lot of these new additions over the new few months, especially the leggings – I haven’t taken them off!
It’s always nice to be ahead of a trend. The one I can safely say I’ve been doing for years which has finally come home to roost is faux fur. You’ll see in my post below I am wearing a leopard faux fur coat. This was an awesome bargain – I snapped it up for £20 in the ASOS sale last year. In addition I have a short leopard print jacket, bought for me for my 24th (wait, is that right?) birthday by my then-boyfriend, now-husband and a short black version which I bought from Gap, of all places, 8 years ago. They all get wheeled out year on year so, to me, faux fur is quite a good investment. Not least because it’s not an everyday thing so it doesn’t take the battering a more quotidien coat might. And let’s face it, nothing says glam like a nice fur…
This season the fashion world has gone nuts for faux fur, in all styles and hues. It all started with Shrimps:
Shrimps – £595
Hannah Weiland’s fledgling label became a fashion editor-endorsed sensation and suddenly everyone was talking about her playful faux-fur coats and accessories. This beautiful navy version is on my wish list. The high street soon caught on and the shops are now awash with faux. Here are my favourites:
Warehouse – £85
I must confess this Warehouse coat is on it’s way to me as we speak. I think the gorgeous deep grey makes it more versatile than some of the brighter numbers, and there is still 25% off with the code 25grazia until midnight.
Mango – £79.99
This Mango leopard offering is not dissimilar to my ASOS number. I love the way they have styled it – can’t you just imagine Kate Moss, rock chic extraordinaire, wearing this outfit? A classic leopard faux fur never goes out of style.
Topshop – £55.00
A friend has this cream teddy coat from Topshop and it looks fantastic. Perfect for channeling the 70s trend that is everywhere this season. It’s currently on sale too – what more could you ask?
H&M – £29.99
H&M have gone in for fur in a big way this season – I love this two tone bomber.
If a jacket is too much for you, how about a gilet? This H&M grey number is really versatile.
H&M – £29.99
Now, I love all the crazy colour and pattern combinations out there at the moment, but unlike the more classic coats above, these probably are a one-season wonder. However, accessories are an affordable way to tap into the trend for a bit of festive fun.
New Look – £17.99
I love this bright pink clutch from New Look – perfect for brightening up winter darks and channeling your inner fraggle!
Monki – £25
Or how about this cute cross body bag by Monki? Camo and fur, two trends in one AND a versatile colour-palette!
ASOS – £30
I love this bold striped stole from ASOS. I have a gorgeous burgundy Helen Moore stole that my lovely husband bought me for my birthday last year which I will be digging out soon – it’s a great way to breathe new life into coats of old (not to mention cover up the fact you haven’t been arsed to get to the dry cleaner!)
ASOS – £9
I recently invested in a faux-fur headband. I suffer from terrible earache in the winter and can usually be found with a beanie tugged firmly down over my ears. However, this can look less than elegant in the evening so this was the perfect compromise. Who says I can’t do practical?
If you really can’t face full fur, the humble pom pom is your friend. You could get a keychain to hang on your handbag…
River Island – £6
Or how about a pair on your shoes…?
Topshop – £28
So, have you been bitten by the faux fur bug yet? If so, what did you buy? Let me know in the usual way. I may have bought, ahem, one or two things in the course of putting together this post…. 10 points if you guess correctly!
Well they say a change is as good as a rest…
I’ve been looking for a tartan skirt for AGES. As in years. This A/W they happen to be en vogue, so I thought this might be my year. Originally, I thought this one from Uniqlo showed promise, and it is lovely (and a great buy now on sale), but it was just a little longer than I wanted.
Wool Blended Check Skirt – Now £19.90
I really wanted a skirt with at least some wool in it, and while there was no shortage of lovely static-raddled acrylic versions on the high street, I was really struggling to find what I was looking for.
Until I went into Jack Wills. Now this is a rare event – it’s one of those shops I had dismissed as unsuitable for anyone of legal voting age, but I loved the window display so I popped in. And, lo…
Eberton Wool Skirt – £59.50
Now admittedly, it is 60% polyester, but it is warm, comfy and pretty much exactly what I was looking for, so I’m happy as a pig in the proverbial.
I also picked up this jumper. I love the colour and sheer shoulder detail. Ideal for when you want something slightly dressier than a plain crew neck.
Isleworth Crew – £49.50
Here are a few other items which caught my eye:
Holecroft Brush Shirt – £49.50
I really like the colours and the soft brushed fabric of this shirt. Plaid shirts are one of my A/W staples – warm and easy to wear with skinnies and ankle boots. What more could you want?
Kentmere Cashmere Cable Crew – £129
The colour of this sweater is just stunning. I’ve never tried a cable knit before, fearing it could make me look a bit bulky, but I’ve lost quite a bit of weight (mostly from my boobs, sigh) since last winter so maybe I could pull it off with black skinnies and Pistols?
The following two dresses would have come home with me, had they had an 8 in either when I visited the store. So simple and easy to wear.
Delancy Dress – £49.50
Carrie Dress – £49.50
I am so, so tempted by these boots – I may have to order them to try. The berry shade is so gorgeous, although I love the navy and the charcoal colour ways too!
Ancroft Chelsea Boot – £69.50
So, if you look past the hoodies and logo-bottomed track pants, there are some real gems in Jack Wills. One caveat: if you are over about 5’6 and buying a skirt or a dress, you’d better have really good legs or very little modesty!
I’ve recently made a promise to myself that I will only buy things that make my heart sing this A/W. I have enough cashmere jumpers to clothe the population of China and I’m pretty set for basics like jeans, so this is to be the season of the special buys. Now, special doesn’t have to mean expensive (though unfortunately, it usually does), it just has to mean something that really gets me into a frenzy of ‘I need that, NOW’. The Rockstuds were one such purchase (though technically a gift *snogs husband*).
So, in the words of those notorious wordsmiths, the Spice Girls, I’ll tell you what I want (what I really, really want)…
Helmut Lang ruched jersey dress – £180
I tried this dress on the other day. My life, was it flattering. I was wearing red lippy at the time and I looked a bit (if you squinted) like one of those girls out of the Addicted to Love video (if you’re too young to know what I’m talking about you have no business reading this blog). I do have a lovely little James Perse LBD, but this is more appropriate for the cooler months. Must. Have.
Stuart Weitzman 50-50 – £455
I’m currently Ebaying all my non-vital organs for these. I’ve been after a pair of 50-50s for yonks and this burgundy pair has well and truly won my heart. I will love them with a reverence that borders on obscenity.
Helen Moore Multi Vixen Scarf – £120
I already have a plain burgundy version of this scarf but I just LOVE the colour combination here. Not for everyone, I know but I love the idea of dressing up some of my black outerwear with this crazy little number.
Nike Bronze Air Max – £105
I can cheerfully say I have never been so in love with such a practical item of footwear. I can just see these going with EVERYTHING. Plus I did Air Max back in the 90s so this is a nostalgia buy for me.
Liv Leather Leggings in Black – £339
Further affirming my desire to live in the Baukjen lookbook are these leather leggings. They look (and doubtless feel) delicious. I think they will be the answer to all my wardrobe prayers.
Givenchy Antigona Rottweiler large clutch -£290
I’ve had my eye on this clutch for about a year now. While I really have no requirement for a new evening bag, something about this one keeps me in its thrall. An itch I have to scratch, I think.
So, there we are. My A/W wish list. Anyone want to lend me a couple of grand? Anyone?
Twentymumthing 