A few of my favourite things (and not a raindrop or kitten in sight!)

Happy weekend everyone! I’m looking forward to two days in the company of my family, and a nice meal out with Mr TMT later.

First though, I’m out running some tedious errands – in fact, I’m coming to you live from Wimbledon sorting office. The. Glamour.

Today I’m debuting the Next jersey biker I blogged about here. I really, really love it! Very cosy and a great shape. If you’re fancy it do size down though – I got the 8, and I can never shoehorn my ample bosom into a size 8 jacket so this is definitely a generous fit!

I also dug out an old pair of skinny flares from c.2008 and I’m actually liking the look (though I can’t quite believe how low the rise is!) They work well with my wedge trainers and make a nice change from skinnies.

So, something old, something new, how about something new and blue? Well the beanie is a gorgeously soft chunky Scottish cashmere knit bought from eBay, which arrived today. I’m really pleased with it!

Outfit:
Jacket – Next
T-shirt – Cos
Jeans – Miss Selfridge
Wedge Trainers – Ash
Hat – Ebay
Necklace – Etsy
Bag – Alexander Wang Rocco

My fabulous new Saint Laurent Arty ring. I’ve wanted one of these for absolutely ages and I love it!

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Stripes and spots

Well, my smash and grab Outnet order arrived and was 80% successful so you can expect to see the fruits of that over the next few weeks, starting today! This was the jumper I linked to in this post. I’m really pleased with it; a lovely fine knit, high crew neck and supersoft. And for just over £20? Don’t mind if I do! I’ve paired it with Topshop Jamies (more on these excellent jeans here) and leopard loafers. I think leopard print is the natural accompaniment to stripes – possibly the most accessible pattern clash!

Outfit:
Jumper – Iris & Ink at the Outnet
Jeans – Topshop Jamies
Shoes – Topshop

Monday Morning Lust List – Next

Well, here’s a lust list I never thought I’d be doing, but it has recently come to my attention that Next may not just be the place I buy the kids’ nursery clothes anymore. It started with one lovely jacket jacket (which I’m going to order), and then on closer inspection of the site, it turned out that the jacket wasn’t a one off, and they really do have quite a few nice things!

For example, how cute is this jacket? I had a lot of positive feedback about my el cheapo H&M jacket featured here and this would be a good option if you wanted to recreate the look:

I love the metallic thread shot through the fabric, which makes it a little dressier, so you could also try it over a silk blouse and jeans for a night out.

I don’t yet own a pair of printed trousers, but I really like this pair:

I think the monochrome, small scale pattern will make them very versatile and easy to wear. I’d probably wear them with clashing printed slippers, a fitted t-shirt and a statement necklace.

If there is one thing I think Next does well, it is the slubby top. They usually have a variation on these every year, and I really like them:

At £12 and in a variety of colours, you can’t go too far wrong!

Continuing on the casual summer clothing theme, I also really like this maxi dress:

Also available in navy marl, this dress is so easy to wear, and would be great thrown over a bikini on holiday. I would wear it with last year’s neon Topshop flat sandals. I might also add in this tote:

I’m a sucker for a bit of animal print, and I love this simple ponyskin tote. Perfect for slinging all my toddler crap into on a day out, the shape is quite reminiscent of the tan Zara tote everyone went nuts over a few seasons ago (and which I always thought was rather dull!)

And on the subject of Zara, ahem, homages, these shoes are a lot like a pair Zara did last season and I missed out on, so I think I might add them to my order! And look, they do them in my favourite colour!

I love the ankle strap detail. I think they’d look very sexy with cropped trousers – maybe the printed pair above!

How fab is this neon friendship bracelet?:

I think it has a look of Shourouk about it, for about a millionth of the price. This would look fab peeping out from the cuff of a denim shirt.

Now I know you’ve all been waiting with baited breath to see the jacket that started it all… Well, here it is:

A slightly edgier alternative to the jersey blazer and a more summer appropriate version of the leather biker, this jacket looks set to be a winner for me. I’m not a great wearer of cardigans (can anyone busty manage it without looking like a member of the WI? If so, how?) so this is going to be the perfect cover up on slightly chillier days.

So there you have it, my round up of the best of Next, and there were quite a few other things I liked but didn’t have the time to include.

What do you think? Have I been missing a veritable treasure trove all this time, or have they upped their game recently?

Go out in a blazer glory

I genuinely believe a jersey blazer is a staple everyone’s wardrobe can benefit from. As comfortable as a cardigan but a bit sharper (and is it only me who looks like anyone’s grandmother in a crew neck cardigan?), they are great for Spring. And it’s March now, so I’m ignoring the single degree temperatures and declaring it Spring. I have a few of these handy articles, but this is my favourite. Bought from the Outnet, it was good value, and unlike many of its kind, is 100% cotton. The sleeves are a little long, but I will get them altered eventually.

Here is a better shot of my t-shirt:

I loved this top so much I bought both the camel and black/white colour ways, and though they were quite expensive, they have served me well.

Outfit:
Blazer – T by Alexander Wang (Taupe here)
T-shirt – Maje
Jeans – Goldisign Virtual high-rise
Boots – Aldo
Watch – Michael Kors

T-Shirts are like buses…

…you spend ages searching for the perfect one and two come along at once!

I ordered the Helmut t-shirt I was musing on here, and it dropped through the letterbox just as I was flapping about having nothing to wear for a night out, saving the day. It was perfectly slouchy and looked fab with my black leather skinnies and a black blazer.

Then today, on my weekly trawl though TK Maxx I came across this little beauty:

James Perse sanded relaxed jersey pocket tee

Priced at £19.99, I couldn’t say no. They had lots of James Perse (and Vince) in my local branch (Wimbledon, for any SW Londoners), along with J Brand and MiH jeans. I can’t rate TK Maxx highly enough, I rarely come out without a bargain, but it does take patience! They also had the white version of this t-shirt, which I resisted, lest I need to add my collection to the home insurance, but it’s already a decision I’m regretting, so I think I’ll nip back tomorrow!

So, what did you buy this weekend?

My Basics – part 3

As you’ve probably gathered by now, my off-duty look is very casual. I have to be smart and tailored at work, which isn’t really my natural state of being, so I like to embrace my true style on my days out of the office. If there is one category in my wardrobe I really couldn’t live without, it’s the sweatshirt

Be they graphic, embellished or plain old grey marl, I just cannot get enough. And as luck would have it, for me anyway, my old faithfuls are enjoying a bit of a renaissance at present.

So, without further ado, let me present a rundown of my top 10. It’s like Top of the Pops, only with less Jayne Middlemiss…

In at 10 we have this Vero Moda Letter A Sweat, £22. I must admit to buying this one, but hey – leopard print, grey marl and my initial? Would have been rude not to… 

At 9 we have a bit of 80s nostalgia in the shape of this BOY London Eagle Sweatshirt, £55. I’ve had my eye on one of these for a while, but am wondering if I’m cool enough to pull it off. The old adage about remembering it the first time around springs to mind…

At number 8, this Zara Baroque print sweater, £25.99. The elaborate silver design looks so opulent, and I love the simplicity of the styling. A sweatshirt like this doesn’t need anything more than a pair of white jeans.

In at 7 we have this Topshop clean neoprene sweatshirt, £32. Now this to me has Celine written all over it. Minimal and futuristic, perfect for S/S 2013. I’m seeing it with a black jersey pencil skirt and flat silver sandals.

 

I’ve always said I wanted to cater for a range of budgets, so at number 6 we have a fantastic value offering from H&M. Can you believe this one is just £3.99? I think I might buy one, get handy with a few rhinestones and add an embellished neckline!   

Number 5 brings us this gorgeous Tibi Star Print Sweatshirt, £134. An alternative to my lobster version the starfish design adds a bit of interest to a plain grey sweat.

Another recent purchase of mine at number 4, the Whistles Taylor Animal Print Sweatshirt, £65. I like the abstract print and the combination of black and navy. I’ll be wearing it with cropped jeans and neon orange sandals.

 

Number 3 has my name written all over it. I have been smitten with Tiger sweatshirts even since last season’s Kenzo. I made it onto the waitlist for this years version, but sadly it sold out before reaching me. This Topshop Embroidered Tiger Sweat, £45, could be a really good substitute though!

 Oh number two, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways… This snake print jumper is so great it had me emailing customer services the second I saw the lookbook. It has finally popped up on the website, and the only question for me now is how many animal print sweatshirt is too many?

And finally, at the top of the chart is this fabulous Zoe Karssen sweatshirt. I love their clothing, it is edgy, well made and a joy to wear. I can’t wait to style this one with leather leggings and wedge trainers.

So, what do you think of the sweatshirt trend? Lazy loungewear or casual cool? Do let me know…

Moody Sunday

A full length shot, hurray. I promise a decent camera (and ideally someone to snap me with it) is on my shopping list.

Apologies for the full on VB miserable face, but I just look like a goon when I smile (maybe that’s why she does it…)

Outfit:
Tiger jumper – Sandro (last season)
Jeans – Goldsign high rise Virtual (I do own other jeans, honest!)
Boots – New Look (but in the right light they pass for Marant Dickers)
Bracelet – Chan Luu