So this month I was determined I wouldn't be buying much, I mean what's the point with the weather we're having - we're more likely to need to dig the old thermals out again at this rate (although granted the sun has put in an appearance the last couple of days - good to know it still knows how to work!). But hey a leopard can't change it's spots & all that & when I found myself sneaking a couple of hours off work this week with my Mum & we just 'happened' to find ourselves shopping - well what's a girl to do?!!!
Now I don't know if you're anything like me but clothes shopping with your hubby or even online & trying the clothes on is one thing but when you're clothes shopping with a female friend it's another concept all together. Firstly I love finding clothes for my shopping companion, with of course the odd item for myself naturally ;). So that by the end of navigating said shop floor we have generally got so many clothes piled into our arms we're either, or it has been known in some cases both, tripping over said items as they trail along the floor or becoming attached by means of the hooks on the hangers draped over our arms to clothes still on rails - I kid you not!!!
And by the time we hit the changing rooms & they want to count how many items, it's not a pretty sight & of course generally involves us having to leave a whole pile of clothes outside to swap as we've well & truly exceeded the clothing limit allowed!!! Which of course sends me into a major panic in case the changing room assistant swaps over mid trying on session & ends up sending our yet to be tried on haul, which is of course generally the only one left in my size back onto the shop floor, or someone inadvertently nabs it!!!!!
Then of course once safely in said changing room having been tore apart from the clothes left to be tried on we try & source changing rooms on our own & opposite each other so we can fling back the curtain to see what the other thinks without the need to step outside & more importantly of course to swap clothes back & forth as we try different combinations on!
There's really nothing like it, so much more fun than having to step outside & ask hubby's opinion who by the time you've changed is sooo engrossed in his iPhone that despite promising to keep a look out so you can pop out & pop back in as quick as the speed of light you end up having to stand there like a lemon calling his name while everyone else looks on & of course listens to the barage of questions - does it make my bum look big?, what about my thighs?, is it too small/too short?, am I too old? etc etc. Whereas with said shopping accomplish of the female variety you can have this conversation in private & egg each other on!
And this is the type of shopping experience I had with my Mum the other day - lots of fun, lots of laughter & causing the type of chaos I've described above & some serious damage to our credit cards too.
Now you won't be surprised to hear we hit Zara but we also found ourselves in H&M, which is one of those stores that I can go in & either see nothing or find lots of things I just simply have to try on & it's fair to say that this week it was the later.
So after lots of trying on, swapping of sizes & 'trying' *said loosely I know* to be sensible & asking myself 'do I really need this' counteracted by my Mum with 'it looks lovely on you' & 'you'll find it so useful' undoing any sensible thinking, here's what I brought.
I absolutely love this dress & for the price it's absolutely fantastic. It looks even nicer on & okay it will probably need a waist underskirt on from a point of avoiding indecency but hey I've already got one of those & with my gold Zara gladiator sandals & panama hat this will look stylish & elegant whilst on holiday in the heat & if we don't get any sun bearing heat here will also look great teamed with my New Look denim jacket.
I had also got into my head that I would love to get an orangey coloured top as I think this looks great with denim (white, blue, grey or black variety) & I really love it worn with navy so when I spied this vest top it simply had my name all over it & the fact that it has that little bit more detail with the sheer chiffon around the neckline and arms just adds that little something.
Next up is this snake print shirt. This is made in the most gorgeous comfy (oops if that doesn't sound middle aged I don't know what does!) material which looked great with my boyfriend jeans when I was trying it on in the changing room but will also go with all my coloured jeans, grey ones, black ones and of course white ones. I know this will be a shirt I will get a load of wear from as it will work for both summer and winter & hey whilst I may have a fair bit of leopard print in my wardrobe I'm failing short on the snake print so is something new to add to my collection.
Now the last purchase was something I never thought I'd be wearing in a million years but after seeing Elle Macpherson rocking hers & a very stylish lady whose style I just love on Avenue 57 wearing some stunning ones from H&M, when I saw them in store I just simply had to try them on. And now wrongly or rightly they are now hanging up in my wardrobe & were in fact worn by me on Friday (outfit two - I figured the sooner the better for fear of loosing my nerve!). I can't seem to find them online at H&M (mine were £14.99) but they do have these that are similar albeit at a higher price.
So what do you think? Have I taken leave of my senses & totally lost my marbles & perhaps these jeans can be chalked up as one of my midlife crisises or do you like them? As after all if Elle can rock them why can't we & they did look lovely with my white Zara draped t-shirt but seriously it was FAR too cold on Friday to even contemplate anything unless it was of the knitted variety & had sleeves! After all I've probably not got many years left when I can get away with it so am currently of the thinking of just going for it!
Finishing with a round up of what I've been wearing the last few days - see if you can spot the change in weather from the outfits lol!
Outfit One
Jacket - Zara
Pink Pearls - Handmade
Top - Zara
Jeans - Zara
Shoes - Brought in Majorca
Outfit Two
Jumper - GAP
Necklace - Mango
Vest Top - H&M
Jeans - H&M
Bracelets - Banana Republic & Banana Republic
Shoes - Brought in Majorca
Outfit Three
Jacket - Zara
Scarf - H&M
Necklace - Mango
Bracelet -
T-Shirt - Zara
Jeans - Zara
Shoes - Brought in Majorca
Outfit Four
Blazer - Zara
Necklace - Mango
Top - Zara
Bracelet - New Look
Trousers - Topshop
Sandals - Zara
So what do you think of my new purchases? Have I tempted you by the tie-dye jeans or is that something you're going to leave me to explore on my own?!!! I'd love to hear your thoughts not to mention if you've recently found some great buys in H&M.
Right off to make the most of the sunshine for fear it's only putting in a brief appearance, have a fab bank holiday - we really should have more three day weekends but seeing as we don't off to make the most of this one.....the one in August seems far too long to mention. x
The jeans are fabulous - I have a similar pair with more white in them from last year that I love - really fun. You look stunning as ever in all your outfits! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanna - as you say they're definitely a fun pair & make a nice change to plain denim :) x
DeleteFabulous purchases & I especially love the dress & coral top! Bargains too so no guilt needed! ;) Totally love outfit 4! Its perfect! Ax
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea, love your thinking that if they're bargains no guilt is needed, I may be using that in the coming months lol x
DeleteIm the same with H&M. I don't go in there often but when I do I either find tonnes or nothing at all. I love the orange vest top (I'm a big fan of orange) and the dress is lovely too. Lynne x
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynne, I think it must just be one of those stores & probably depends on stock levels etc. I can't wait to have more weather like yesterday in which to wear the dress & the top is a lovely shade of orange x
DeleteI love the topshop trousers very much. I may have to have a closer look online at those
ReplyDeleteFiona they're fab & go with a whole heap of colours x
DeleteHey, if your mum tells you that you should buy something, it's practically an order, no?!!! Great haul and I think you definitely have the figure and style to wear the tie dyed jeans with panache! Fab selection of outfits as always
ReplyDeleteHelen I'm liking your style & more importantly another reason/excuse :) x
DeleteIts ok to use old clothing from the box as long as it is still wearable. I am very cheap in clothing and I am happy with my old ones but when I am browsing through your blog I felt the need to buy new.
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