The leather bracelet cuff wristband thingy

Always last to arrive at anything.  A lament that my children have heard so many times is from me  asking them why we can't ever be X or Y by the allotted time. It's not like me to be late in picking up on a fashion trend though.  But I am late to the point of rudeness to this particular party.  Leather wristbands. Ping - the light goes on. Then it hit me that I need a leather bracelet cuff thingy.  Why this thought had not dawned before is anyone's guess as it is clear to me now that everyone else had picked up on the ability of a leather band with a bit of hardware attached to update an outfit. Understated and a bit rock and roll and definitely synonymous with all things youthful.  So now you understand the need.

These are the ones that I'm more than a little interested in.  Code for infatuated. 

Whistles leather knot bracelet £45

This one is less boho and more minimal which I think is the look I'm trying to achieve   Less beady and betasselled. I doubt that is even a word by the way so don't be tempted to use it at home.

This one would be ideal if it weren't for the hefty price tag. It's real gold apparently. Rolling eyes....It kind of defeats the object as no one expects it to be real, so why disappoint.

Astley Clark leather bracelet £175

This is another which has been reduced to £29.50. I like the tan leather. Less sold of the Swarovski crystals but then that's just me. It does look a little less edgy so it's an entry level leather bracelet as opposed to hard as nails Olympic standard Suzi Quattro leather cuff.

Finesse at John Lewis £29.50

As I'm off to the States soon (counting the sleeps now)I had to have a peek at some of my favourite American shopping outlets.

This Tory Burch one is practically perfect in every way. I spotted this one at Nordstrom and  I'm pretty sure it must be available in a UK store.


Tory Burch wrap bracelet 

It's $ 95 so with a bit of sales tax it'll be about sixty quid for a flash of designer wrist candy.



 For after dark I thought that this By Malene Birger version would make quite a statement. A bit tricky to wear maybe.

By Malene Birger at MyWardrobe 

Back to earth. Kurt Geiger always come up with leather goods for cool styling. Like I said this isn't meant to be about chic fine jewellery   Think of it more of an alternative festival wristband replacement for those of us who prefer Glasto ( oh and weren't Arcade Fire the biz on Friday) from the comfort of our sofa. £35 or only £19.50 if you like the deep blue colour way.

Kurt Geiger pin leather cuff

How utterly sleek is that?

Not exactly grunge. Not the badge of honour of a Metallica fan in sight more about a casual luxe way to update an outfit and show off a tanned wrist this summer. Plus plus plus. I have found that as these cuff thingies are generally on the chunky side, they make even the thickest wrist look like it's been on the cabbage soup diet for a couple of weeks. Ideal. 

Club Tropicana

I could not offer you this post until I had already heard the weather forecast. I already knew it's going to be rainy and wet this weekend as I'd just heard the BBC tell me so.  Don't shoot the messenger. 

Here's a round up of pineapple festooned items I've spotted on my travels - to the shopping centre; not The Bahamas. Apologies to any one who knows they don't grow pineapples in The Bahamas  - let's just say they do for today even if it's not true. 

The point is, I haven't jinxed the weather it was already going to be pants. Sorry

 

In my possession is a pineapple pendant, it's a couple of years old and I still get asked where I got it and I got thinking, as I hum the tune to the Lilt advert ( do they still make that drink) I need a cheerful little piña colada inspired something. 

There's one in Oasis that's very similar

 

this t shirt could join you to the beach bar with a pair of favourite faded denim shorts. The  t shirt is £12.99 from New Look. 

Then I saw this rather gorgeous sweatshirt in the flesh in Topshop. A great cover up for now or you are going somewhere where it's hot but the air con is vicious; the sort of place where you go furnace to fridge - like  in about 5 seconds flat. Pair with white jeans or shorts and flip flops / espadrilles (aka the new flip flop). 

Just for fun - these shorts from Topshop would look great pulled on to go to the beach and will give that extra bit of lower half coverage when you eventually feel brave enough to put on that bikini. 

They also have these that go one step further with added flamingos 

Topshop seem to have wholeheartedly embraced that Agadoo spirit with these jeans, which I saw on an SA in my local branch last week. They looked great but sadly now in unavailable unless you can find a pair lurking on the sale rack of your local branch. In which case. Don't hesitate - get them. 

 Usually my work outfits are a bit repetitive so I don't think they are worth sharing  but I asked my eldest to take this photo as we were about to leave one morning.  Yes that is a skirt. 

Sandro jacket - old

Whistles split hem t shirt 

Freda a line leather skirt - old

Black patent wedges-old

Cos pendant 

Not entirely convinced those wedges go with that skirt. Just to prove skirts are a pain to get right. 

The Etre Cecile t shirt that I am so stupidly thrilled with, is a new sale purchase. Worn with my old leather cropped trousers and some new sliders (another sale purchase) to the local gastro pub for family meal out. 

T by Etre Cecile. New purchase 

Cropped leather trousers. Elizabeth and James - old

Sliders by Ancient Greek Sandals. New purchase 

 

I promised myself I wouldn't buy anymore sales items. It should be all about AW now ( Really? I do sometimes worry myself. How can I be thinking of October with all the lovely weather we've been getting?) but I know I'm going to get loads of wear out of this this t shirt - she says trying to practice  the justification speech.

Sales haul

If you have access to broadband and an email address you are fair game for the marketing department's myriad of emails that have been sent to you to let you know of pre sales, extra discount time limited sales, flash sales , birthday discount. To the point where you will not buy a damn thing unless there is a discount code to be applied in the promotions box at the checkout.

Being a meanie I don't think I have bought anything bar my Isabel Marant jacket this season without a bit of money off   Even then I checked to see if the Laure jacket was reduced - so I could give myself a kick and a severe talking to. Thankfully it was still at full price in which case I allowed myself a smug look,  sagely nodding at my iPad screen in the manner of some one who is, secretly in the know. Someone who already knew that this item would be so popular, so OTM that it would never attract anything so common as a discount. 

That's all rot of course I had absolutely no flaming idea whether it would be sale fodder or not. 

These days it seems that everything can attract a discount if you are prepared to gird your loins, demonstrate your very steeliness and all your will power to play the marketing manager at their own game. Hold back until they decide that the item in question should be discounted or that they want to offer a discount across their entire range. These are the best sort of discounts by the way. 

But these discounts - they work. 

In the last few days I have pulled the trigger on

1. River Island Bermuda shorts - Merci a Grazia for the discount. £21. These shorts capture the zeitgeist for Bermudas at a ridiculous price. Look so much more expensive.
River Island long smart shorts

2. MiH jeans gathered waist shirt dress which I managed to get in the sale with an extra 30 % off.reducing it to a very palatable £73   So classic and perfect for when I'm out in 35 degree heat. 

The MIH gathered shirt dress

Oh just so you know I won't be wearing mine with hideous courts  - I shall be wearing my Arizona birkies or flat tan sandals. A little lesson learned for MiH marketing dept. 

....no one wears short shirt dresses with heels do they?  So why style it this way on the website? Schoolboy error. Just sayin. 

3. Navy Supergas - £20 with a discount code from My Wardrobe. Can't go wrong. 

Navy classic 2750 Supergas

4.  A DVF Classic wrap dress. Still not cheap at £242 but so classic and beyond my usual budget at full price. Ditto above will always be a classic. 
DVF Jeanne two wrap dress in classic chain link pattern

I am thinking that if my favourite Etre Cecile t shirt is in the sale and therefore discount worthy I might not be responsible...Quite honestly I daren't look. 

So I am not doing anything other than browsing. I will be just looking not buying for the next few months.  

Oh and nothing pisses me off more than buying something in the sale only to find out it's got a further 20% the following week. That kind of marketing behaviour is reprehensible. Unless of course I've outplayed the marketing manager at his own game and snagged the item I would have eaten beans for a month to be able to purchase but at a 70% discount instead of the full price.  Then I am in love with the marketing manager whoever he or she is - they are truly beautiful people for putting the lust worthy item in question within my reach. 

In my head I'm in Bermuda (shorts)

Last week a few photos and articles I spotted as I grazed through a diet of blogs and newspapers made absolutely realise that I needed to look at getting myself a pair of Bermudas.  Well that's a statement that I didn't think I'd be making this side on the next millennium.

Maybe because I have worn Bermuda shorts several times as they have gone in and out of fashion in the last half century I hadn't paid much attention this SS14.  I was thinking that it was a designer's attempt to try and make us change for changes sake. After all we've all got used to wearing those cut off rolled up denim shorts and they look great with the lacy and ethnic boho tops that are everywhere this season but I was stopped in my cork wedged tracks last Friday when my fashion guru in The Telegraph,  Lisa Armstrong , published an article about monochrome,  including some Bermudas, a blazer and a sleek pair of sliders. 

....and immediately I'm catapulted into online searching and praying for Saturday so I can get into town and source some of the ideas that Lisa has planted in my head. The blogosphere delivered with a fabulous post by Net a Dresser. And I was pointed in the direction of these shorts from River Island. As per, could I see them in either of my local branches? No siree ( can only explain the Americanism on account of my dreaming ( intermittently with getting on with my work you understand) of getting on that plane to Miami next month).

River Island Bermuda Shorts £28

Determined not to stop there  I remembered and then dismissed the pair that I had spotted in whistles. They are silk, so maybe more dressy than I had in my mind. They come in coral but I would really like a Navy pair 

Whistles navy Bermuda shorts £125

Just to torture myself I had a peek at these. They are in Matches which means that they will be unjustifiably expensive unless they go in the sale and of course I am well behind the curve as per... Because they are in fact already sold out so the idea of them being available with some discount is more unlikely than the poo of a proverbial rocking horse.

Matches Freda navy pique Bermuda shorts £225

Zara is usually good for a Celine- esque kind of take at high street prices so I looked all around the store last Saturday and couldn't find anything remotely like the picture I had in my head so resorted to the website which offered me this possibility.
Zara studio Bermuda shorts

You have got to be careful with this trend. It's one of those. Get it right and you look so now, so ahead and so right. Get it wrong and you look like you ignored the current roll up hem denim short and boho top trend and kept on wearing the same shorts that you be had in the cupboard since the last time they were trendy. Let's say that was 2007 at a push. The game changer is footwear. Wear with sliders and you are starting to get it right. Wear with heels or wedges and you are looking last decade unless you are trying to make these shorts work instead of a skirt for a smart occasion/ work in which case heels are best. 

Looking at some other options

 Mango tailored shorts from Asos not quite long enough in the leg but close

They had some denim ones as well but I'm not sure that denim bermuda shorts are cheating so I'm not even going to post/ link them. 

I might be wrong or right but I'm going to give them a go

Totally random but did anyone else watch the news this week and watch the footage of Fiona
 Cunningham after her resignation from Theresa May's team. Who cares what she did or didn't do, I was just drooling over that amazing coat she was wearing. That woman has got some style even if she hasn't got a job

What Has Lisa Ever Done For Me?

Just like in the Life of Brian I'm asking the question. Not about the Romans of course. No my question is what has the venerable Lisa Armstrong ever did for me. She has advised and cajoled me over the years brilliantly. When I think of purchasing, Sado that I am, I will give some consideration as to whether Lisa might think it a good and worthwhile purchase.

Lisa pointed me in the direction of my Joseph man coat

Joseph man coat £550

 Mine is dark grey and I bought it about five years ago so it doesn't seem to have dated. Great shout Lisa.

She told me to buy a Whistles navy and black thin knit.

I don't for a minute think it's still available but here is something similar. Mine is navy and black which it turns out is a favourite colour combo for Lisa as well

Navy merino crew Whistles £95

I immediately bought my Joseph sailor trousers because she told me they were a great trans seasonal item

Joseph sailor trousers 

I think I can attribute my recently acquired faux pony skin skater shoes from Marks and Sparks because of her featuring them in her column.

Lisa has more than once pointed me in the direction of Sweaty Betty running gear. 

Nimble running tight from sweaty Betty

These fleecy running tights are what gets me up and running in the freezing cold and rain in the winter.  

I had a secret self hug when I found out that Lisa also likes a nice silk shirt from Equipment I have them in white, army green and a nude pink. I'd quite like a navy or  yellow one and I might indulge when I get to the states where they are a lot cheaper. 

Lisa helped me see the light when I nearly bought a pair of culottes.  What a mistake that would have been for my body shape and Lisa gently, but firmly pointed this out to me. 

These are the ones that she raved about - for others to wear if they think that they can get away with it. 

John Lewis culottes £69

She also told me that waist gathered skirts were very much the new way to go for this summer and how fabulous they look with a nice point toe and mid heel shoe with an ankle strap and then promptly told me why I should, given my years and thick set calves stay clear of such a lovely item of clothing. The fact that Lisa also told thousands of others the same thing is immaterial. She is,  I am convinced only speaking to me as my personal stylist. This of course can't be right but her comments and style have resonated with me for a decade or more. 

I have to check out what Lisa is covering each week. Her article is on Fridays in theTelegraph and I'll be checking out what she has to say this week as always. Last week she even told me that I could look dewy, younger and not over made up if I followed her lead to the Armani make up counter and I'll be doing just that in Saks when on my hols this year. 

It wasn't plumbing, straight roads or heating systems. ( year 8 history now being recalled) it's been much better than that. Lisa has done stacks for me actually , since you ask. 

Do you have a favourite media stylist. One who speaks to you  ?  

Sun dresses.

 I have a wardrobe gap that a sun dress could fill. I say think because we have had one day so far this year on which I might have worn a sundress so unless the weather improves I would never require such an item

The point of a sundress for me is that it has to be ultra easy, throw on, it can't be expensive as that would defeat the object. Something pricey would take it out of everyday use because I can't get over the notion of wearing / saving expensive items for "best". 

 I've been checking out a few potentials that could fit the bill but first the checklist

1. Throw on. Not clingy or with zips and fasteners 

2. Washable - although I don't mind hand wash  ( I have a summer lace dress that I once chucked a whole Starbucks over on the first outing - by accident you understand, and as it was washable you cannot tell that I nearly wrote it off within five minutes of wearing it) 

3. Above the knee and not a maxi - if it's sunny enough to get my legs out I will subject everyone to the sight of my knees. Apologies in advance. 

4. Strappy shoulders or a least sleeveless  - ditto apologies as above re sight of upper arms.

I have been out trying a few samples.

I gave Pull and Bear a whirl and rather liked this little number

It was £25.99 so not a bad price.

I was also tempted to buy this from a brand that my daughter introduced me to. It's an American brand.  They have a shop on Carnaby Street. It's a little short and I think it would suit someone with a small chest like me. I can see it worn on holiday / to the beach hut when it's sunny with a pair of flats and a cross body bag. And it was £28. I liked the navy version best.

Navy swing Alena Dress Brandy Melville £28

I was taken with this little number in H and  M. I was also taken with the £7.99 price tag. I think  it would go really well with my new black birkies or those Thais cross over Ancient Greek Sandals that I've been stalking.  It's a medium and a usually size up in H and M but I think it comes up big. 

I have hovered over the purchase now button so many times on the next three dresses. But I haven't entered the last crucial three security digits. These three dresses are all lovely but they are all failing at the price point  that I set myself. But just to make myself feel better I am going to share them


I'm having a love affair with anything by Isabel Marant or Vanessa Bruno. So this dress would be ideal. I'm not sure it's washable though. And if I am completely honest whilst it's sweet it might be a touch too saccharin.

Vanessa Bruno Athe lace trim dress £192 in the sale 

This one on the other hand has a bit more edge. The only issue within this one is that I'm not sure about the material it's made from. Is that polyester? It could be good i.e. hangs and swings well or bad, itchy unforgiving material in hotter climes.

BA& SH trapezium dress in cream £115 in the sale 

I think that this brand, which is American so I get a little bit cross that their clothes are nearly half price for the same thing in the states, is super and I like this one - a lot. If it gets any cheaper in the sale then it'll be mine.

Graham and Spencer Merna Dress £150

I also love this one. It might have too much of the milkmaid look about it but I saw it close up in Fenwick  the other day and this is the same dress online. It is gorgeous but I might need to start using Timotei shampoo for a very long time before I can come close to being qualified to wear this.

Graham and a spencer Carol broderie Anglaise dress £200

I can see now that these are all a bit random. No one said I had to stick to the list. I like them all but naturally the most expensive and covetable ones are the ones that I'll continue to drool over and you never know there might be a decent spell of hot weather to justify a purchase. Ever heard the phrase "living in hope".

Working today ,  so I'm guessing you are not interested in my usual uniform of a trouser and blazer combo enough to want to see a photo - so I'll spare you that. 

If you can't beat them - join them

Every weekend my eldest will ask to meet up with a friend in town for a couple of hours. They mooch around but always, always, always you will find them in Topshop.

 Then it's time to meet up at , you've guessed it, Topshop, which gives me a little browsing time on my own which I quite enjoy doing, whilst something she wanted to "show" me is tried on for my inspection / approval. 

I can walk around the shop and admire things that I would never wear. Mom jeans for example, not to be tried if you actually are a mum, in my personal,  cropped tees and short skater dresses are other items that I can leave on the rail. 

The prices aren't bad and inevitably I see things that I think could work.  Faints in complete shock. 

If you've been reading my blog for the last few weeks you will have seen me in my navy cropped trousers - £22. They fit and wash like a dream for work. Yes, they came from Topshop.

You might also have spotted me in a nude collarless blazer. A snip at £48. Such a great structured shape that definitely looks more expensive than it is and has a heavy twill cotton but stretchy feel so it can be worn really fitted.  

Last Friday I had the pleasure (!) of visiting the most intimidating store I have ever set foot in. The HolyGrail  of teenage high street consumerism. AKA Topshop Oxford CIrcus.

But looking past the racks of jelly shoes and neon logo t shirts and I spotted a couple of items that I seemingly now can't do without. 

First, let me introduce you to the pink bonded trench coat.


Dusty pink bonded trench £110

Love at first sight for me - but I didn't buy on the day. Why? Because I have my eye on a Burberry trench or at least something more classic. But this coat had that effortless minimalist thing going on that I can't resist and the thought of it has been nagging at me ever since.  Then, I opened the Sunday TImes Style mag this morning and there was my trench coat being proclaimed to the world as the next best thing to sliced bread.  And being compared to Celine in a very good way. Damn. Now I was going to have to buy it online. But I was not quick enought to get one in my size because someone I.e. HimIndoors, decided to reboot the broadband  just as I was, very crucially,  going to " checkout". By the time I got 2 minutes to myself, only the larger sizes were left. You will  have to judge whether A. It is a worthy purchase and B, whether it is too massive to look  " oversized" (meaning borrowed from a six foot behemoth). 

Next up I found this pinafore dress.

Pinafore dress £50

No, not gone completely crackers. Pinafore. You heard right. But not like a dress for an eight year old. This one is more sun dress in style and the length hits just above the knee, it's stretchy and it's got pockets.  With a pair of wedges or flats in tan, white or in fact any colour I think this dress is going to really work. I can take it on holiday and look cool ( well in my head anyway) in both senses of the
word when out and about in the malls and outlets or, new made up dress code alert - polished casual - for when we pop out for family meal. 

I also was very keen on this Boilersuit - just nice and plain And I can vouch for it's very soft fabric. But I already have succumbed to this trend so I think we can safely say that I've got this one covered. But it looks so effortless and edgy at the same time with a pair of chunky sandals or pin thin courts. Sleeves and hems rolled up. 

Casual boiler suit £55

I've got some great scalloped edge vest tops and in the past I've bought a fab utility khaki jacket that I wore a lot until every other teenager on the block had got one and so I donated it to my teenager. Some swingy camisole tops and  I also have a wet look blush coloured mac which my children threatened to disown me if I ever dared to wear again and I am still scarred from the experience.

As I say. If you can't beat them... So do you like a shop that you know that by rights you should give it a wide berth? 

Here is what I wore to have a sneaky trip to the shops whilst collecting my eldest 

 

Lace insert top - New Look

Phoebe jeans - MiH

Laure jacket - Isabel Marant

Black heart sandals - Swedish Hasbeens   

Today we had a rare few hours without the girls, so we drove to our favourite pub and the Phoebe's came out again. 

Phoebe jeans - MiH 

Lace top - Vanessa Bruno Athe

Black heart sandals - Swedish Hasbeens

Pineapple pendant - Whistles