Midlife Loves

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Midlife Loves

I Have A Plan!!!

Oh yes indeedy I have a plan, which I think is slightly cunning & has a guaranteed 100% success rate!!! So whilst we are all being tempted by the gorgeous new spring collections that are making their way into stores & online I am trying (ok I can't say totally succeeding but I am trying!!) to keep focused on the main event.  Yup not the gorgeous new pastel & spring colours that are tempting me but by the fact that our 'winter' as we know it has yet to arrive.  

Yes that's right you've heard it here first snow is on it's way, as I've been told by an extremely reliable source (well more reliable than the weather forecasters that's for sure!!) a local farmer, who has told a friend of my sister's, who has told my sister, who has told me that we are due a serious shed load of snow come the end of the month.....whoop whoop I'm already 'panic' buying as I type & essentials.....chocolate & alcohol supplies have now been fully replenished ;-)

The last few years have seen our winter's become almost unbearably cold with last year snow still being on the ground at the end of March & I seem to remember tonnes of the stuff from the New Year to then....in fact as someone who gets as excited about a snow day as a birthday even for me the excitement was beginning to wear off during last year.

However, I digress....back to my plan.....not to see how much alcohol & chocolate can be fitted into the house at any one time but to be prepared for the bad weather in another sense....yup I'm talking fashion of course.  As for the past few winters whenever we've had serious amounts of the white stuff I've never felt properly dressed when going out to play!  Of course this could be due to the fact that I've yet to find a waterproof & warm blazer that's going to stand up to the test of freezing temperatures, snowball fights & sledging :-) But this year I am determined to look more stylish when braving the elements so no more waterproofs or short quilted jackets but something warmer, longer, stylish & that has a hood!  No I've not lost the plot....I'm talking parkas, something I decided to invest in with part of my birthday money.

Now before I take a look at the best parkas to catch my eye, you might be thinking where does the 100% foolproof plan come in.  Well here it is.....if we are lucky (& I use the term loosely) enough to avoid said snow then of course said parka will also come in pretty handy for walking the dog, braving the rain....of which we seem to have had a year's rainfall already, I'm even seriously thinking of investing in an ark if it continues!!  Plus of course for those of you departing on ski holidays a parka would make a great coat to travel in & step out in when not wearing your ski suit & finally here's the clever bit.....if we don't have any snow then you can thank me, because lets face it sods law after investing in said parka in preparation for the snow you can bet your bottom dollar it's not going to be putting in an appearance any time soon!

So let's get onto the the parkas that have got me crossing the other side from blazer to warm coat!!!  Of course the one I've brought has gone into the sales & now sold out so I can't show you that one but the ones I'm about to show you all made it onto my maybe list & better still are all still available :-)

So first up instead of the tradition khaki colour that everyone thinks of when you hear the word parka I'm loving this navy fur trimmed one from Only which immediately stands out for not being the normal colour you would expect.






ASOS also have some great parkas & I love this cocoon one, with the dropped hem & stunning thick fur trim.  Plus it's available in three gorgeous colours.






Also Available in Black




And Stone




If however, those don't float your boat then how about this one from Next, which is available in a faded khaki colour & looks fab teamed with some boyfriends & pumps come the warmer months when there's still a chill in the air, not to mention the impending April showers!!!






This next parka from Oasis also caught my eye as I love the fact that it has a faux fur lining, I mean SERIOUSLY how snuggly would that be & whilst it's available in three colours I'm absolutely loving the natural shade teamed with navy & tan.














If however, you're not feeling the love for a full on hooded parka as it seems a bit too school coatish for your liking then there are some great non-hooded versions too.  Like this quilted parka from ASOS, which looks stunning with the faux leather trousers they've teamed it with but would look just as great dressed down with some boyfriend jeans for a more relaxed vibe too.






Next also do this great biker style jacket, which is available in two colours & would make a great alternative to a mac for those of you that fancy a rain coat but want something a little more dressed down that can be slung on at a moments notice.










And of a similar design is this lovely zip detailed parka from Mint Velvet but be warned you might have serious trouble deciding on which colour to pick because quite frankly I could easily go for all four!


















Or how about this one from Mango?  I love the stand up collar & detailing on the shoulders.






And finally what about this faux leather sleeved one from Zara, which seems to incorporate everything...khaki, faux fur, leather & a hood!!.






So what do you think?  Are you feeling the parka love & couldn't live without your parka come the freezing temperatures or have you yet to invest in one?  

Finishing with a quick round up of my outfits from the last few days.


Outfit One




Shirt - Massimo Dutti
Pearls - Brought in Majorca
Jumper - Gap
Leather Cuff - Banana Republic
Wax Effect Jeans - Zara
Boots - Boden


Outfit Two




Shirt - Massimo Dutti
Necklace - Zara
Jumper - H&M
Bracelets - Massimo Dutti & Banana Republic
Jeans - Zara
Boots - Oasis


Outfit Three




Coat - Zara
Draped Top - Gemini-Woman
Leather Cuff - Banana Republic
Jeans - Massimo Dutti
Shoe Boots - Next


So do you think I'm tempting fate & by investing & getting my snow look sorted we're not going to be seeing any of the white (or yellow come to think of it!!) stuff this year?  Plus how do you like to wear yours?  I'd love to hear your thoughts on the perfect snow outfit.

Have a great few days, I don't think any snow is predicted to fall before my next blog but who knows!!! See you at the weekend when I'll be looking at the next essential item of my snow suit....any guesses?!! :-)

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18 comments

  1. Oh yes - get a parka! They are fab and I wear mine lots. One thing I will say is that nothing beats a down filled coat in the snow. My parka wouldn't be up to it as it's cotton (albeit with a fur lining) but if you could find a down filled parka with one of those lovely big furry hoods - it would be perfect x

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    1. Avril I brought one towards the end of December with part of my birthday money & it's a nice thick one which should keep me nice & toasty. I can't wait to wear it & we have snowflakes falling as I type so it might get it's first outing soon!!! Jane xx

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  2. Oh Jane I have toyed with the idea of getting a Parka all winter, my fav was in Whistles and I didn't get even though it went into the sale... have a made a mistake I wonder. I like the Zara ones you have picked. x

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    1. I've sat on the fence for the last couple of years Annmarie but decided to finally bite the bullet. I'm loving the idea of the large hood to pull up to hide behind! Jane xx

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  3. Perfectly timed post Jane as I've just had to send back my H&M parka as I had a problem with the zip :0(
    I'm in the market for a replacement and there are some fab choices here!! Which one to go for though?! xx

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    1. Oh no Michelle are you going to replace yours? Can't wait to see what you decide on Jane xx

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  4. I love a parka. I have a waterproof but thin one (Target Dry Emily) and a cotton Dorothy Perkins one but I'd agree with Avril, neither is warm enough when it's really chilly. I really fancy the Oasis Ellie one in khaki though, just can't justify it this winter! I'll stick to my down filled coat in the snow (if it ever comes - I love it too!). Lynne x

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    1. Hi Lynne my parka seems quite heavy & thick so I'm hoping it's going to keep me toasty plus of course the addition of layers & thermals - oh the glamour ;-) Thought it might get it's first outing later today but the snow has now stopped :-( Jane xx

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  5. Get thee bum to French Connection, I love their parkas but don't think the sale has any sizes left online. I bought one in the sale 2012 but they didn't have my size and I never slimmed into it so had to sell it. I nearly cried it was so lovely x

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    1. Will have to bear them in mind Sharron. Hope you got a good price for yours, I hate having to sell something I love especially if you know you're literally giving it away. Jane xx

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  6. I bought a lovely one from M & S back in November and its fantastic and snuggly warm. Bring it on snow, we will all be ready for you!!!

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    1. Oooh yes I am soooo ready I can't tell you & the fact we had some today even though it didn't settle has got me even more excited!!!! Jane xx

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  7. Oh you know me - I've found my holy grail parka and it came from Zara which I wasn't expecting at all. I really thought it would be from something Ellis Brigham and I was going to go and get a technical garment as I really can't stand being cold. I do have a cotton thin parka for the summer, a cotton lined parka for autumn/spring and now the fully fledged cold weather parka so I think we can safely assume that I like a parka or two.

    My favourite here is the Asos premium one - like the edginess of that one. It would drown me but on the right person - fab!

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    1. Sue you have to be the Queen of parkas lol! Isn't the ASOS premium parka fab, something just that little bit different, perhaps I should take a leaf out of your book & invest in several parkas for the different seasons ;-) Jane xx

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  8. Oh my! Now I need to panic buy.....a parka!! I've wanted one forever & just haven't found the right one but I need to get my act together! Did you say snow?!! ;) Ax

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    1. Andrea I think now I've got my snow outfit sorted we're almost guaranteed not to get any snow this year lol! Although the parka isl just as useful with the amount of rain we're getting so no complaints :-) Jane xx

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