Midlife Loves

"Timeless everyday style"

Midlife Loves

Start of the Summer Sale Frenzy!

Well it's that time of year again when your inbox will start being inundated with notifications of the 'summer' (said very loosely of course) sales.  And for any shopaholic worth their title it takes a strong willed lover of clothes to resist clicking on the link (that rules me out then lol!) & seeing what's gone into the sale.  I don't know if it's just me or perhaps I'm not the only one, but I seem to play Russian roulette with said sales thinking as I'm in the process of hitting the button that I'll just take a look & thinking I won't be tempted into hitting the 'buy me' button unless that certain item that I've been wanting to buy all season but thought too expensive is now in the sale & available in my size?!!  I mean seriously who am I trying to kid?!!

This year I am determined (legal disclaimer - I may or may not be crossing my fingers at this point!) not to buy something unless it's a- an item that is a classic key piece which will enhance my wardrobe & b- is something that I can wear all year round because let's face it with the weather we seem to be having it's pointless investing in too many sleeveless thin chiffon numbers if you're not going to be able to layer up or wear a thermal or two underneath as they're just going to end up sitting prettily in your wardrobe gathering dust & taunting you.

Of course this in not making any allowances for the 'had to buy' items that are either items I've been lusting over or simply so heavily reduced it would have been rude not to.  However I promise (said rather loosely) that I am starting out with the resolve that I am not buying anything unless it fits the criteria mentioned above no matter how good a discount.  That being said it is the start of the sale season so we'll have to see how I fair at the end of it all!

One of my biggest gripes about sale time is the tat that some store bring in, which really isn't even genuine seasonal items reduced to sell at a supposed discount.  So it is with this in mind that I really try to invest in some classic pieces for my wardrobe, which I know will work with pieces I already own  & which I feel are going to last if not a lifetime then a good few years to come.

One of the brands I love hitting at sale time is Massimo Dutti.  As you will know from previous posts I am a real lover of this brand, who make well made classic pieces, which I can vouch last forever.  I got a couple of great little jackets in their January sale so there was much excitement (well I have said that I don't get out much) when I clicked on the link when their sale email pinged into my inbox recently.

Now I will state for the record that this will probably not be the only time that I'll peruse their sale as to strike bargain hunter gold (£150 jacket reduced to £30 like in January *she says glowing with pride!*) you really do need to keep on the look out for that absolute steal, which you'll only get once the sale has been on for a few weeks & prices have been discounted by 70% but in the meantime & to wet your appetite, here's a round up of the items that are winging their way to me as I type.  Of course there's always the chance that when I see them in the flesh they may not be what I had visualised (& hubby is certainly hoping this is the case) but I'm sure there'll be at least of a couple of these babies finding a new home in my wardrobe ;)

First up are these lovely gold ballet pumps.  Now my Shopping Fairy must have been looking after me as I'd only mentioned in my last blog how I'd love a pair & these look to be the perfect shade of gold. Not too bling-a-ling-ding but that soft gold tone that I think looks stunning when worn with a tan & is really flattering on the skin.  My tan ballet pumps are from Massimo Dutti & I'm really pleased with them so fingers crossed these should be a keeper & having been reduced from their original price of £54.95 a good saving too :) 






Sticking with the shoe theme I may have also slipped a couple of other pairs into my basket - well I didn't want the ballet pumps to get lonely now did I!!!

So seeing as the leopard print theme is here to stay for Autumn/Winter & adding in my addiction to all things leopard print when I spied these slipper shoes in the sale (something I have half been tempted to try) I thought it was now or never and having been reduced from £79.95 what was a girl to do?!!!






Finally (well for the shoes at least!) this fawn pair of ankle boots.  Which ticked all my boxes as their colour (provided I liberally spray with some stain protector) will mean I can wear them for all seasons & due to their 'sensible' heel should mean even I could wear these when flying solo & without hubby's arm to keep me upright. Of course the sticking point may be the opening at the top & how these look with my many pairs of skinny jeans but having been reduced form £99.95 they have simply got to be tried.






Now I have resisted adding to my jacket collection - so far anyway (I'm holding out for another sale steal) & instead have been lured into clicking the button on this striped dress (originally £89.95).  This could be a real classic investment, I'm thinking it would look great teamed with a denim jacket for a casual look or a tailored navy or cream jacket for a more dressy look.  It could perhaps even be worn as a tunic over some capri trousers too so could be quite a 'useful' & many faceted addition to the wardrobe ;)






Now in my book you can never have enough breton tops & when I spied this one (originally £29.95) in a camel colour I simply had to give it a whirl.  Perfect for layering over a simple white t-shirt & thermal in the winter & for those of you that fancy a different play on the navy & white stripe it's also available in black & white.






And of course this navy & white one was never going to escape my basket having been reduced from it's original price of £22.95.  In fact seeing as it also comes in a camel & white stripe & a mint green & white stripe having ordered just the one colour I feel I've been quite restrained!






And seeing as I seem to be incorporating brighter colours into my wardrobe I also love the look of this t-shirt (originally £22.95) which would be great for brighten outfits & layering up during our colder months.






One item which happened to sneak in when I wasn't looking (that darn Shopping Fairy ;) ) is this navy chain leather cuff (also available in a light brown), which despite not being in the sale I simply had to try.







So there you have it my (first) pick of the Massimo Dutti sale (excluding hubby's pieces of course).

Moving onto another company that has some great & genuine sales is Gemini.  Now if you haven't heard of this store you simply have to check them out.  I was lucky enough to pop into their Stratford-Upon-Avon store at the weekend & meet the amazing team & I can officially confirm they have some of the most beautiful pieces.  And because they sell everything from shoes, bags, accessories to jewellery not to mention clothes a girl really could go wild in the aisles.  Now if you don't live anywhere near Stratford-upon-Avon fear not because their website is just as amazing.  Brands stocked in store & online include Inwear, Sandwich, Masai, Great Plains & French Connection to name but a few & they even have their own brand to tempt you further!  Their sale started yesterday so take my advice & head over quickly to grab yourself a bargain.  Oh & if you spend over £50 before the 22nd of June you can use the code 'SALEX10' & receive a further £10 discount - so pour yourself a glass of something chilled & bubbly & hit their website quickly before I cause further damage to the credit card :)

And just to tempt you further have a look at the gorgeous scarf from Gemini that I'm wearing in outfit one that I have fallen head over heels in love with.


Outfit One




Scarf - Gemini
Bangle - Banana Republic
Linen Tunic - Zara
Boyfriend Jeans - Zara
Ballet Pumps - Massimo Dutti


Outfit Two




Jacket - Massimo Dutti
Top - Zara
Bracelet - J Crew
Jeans - Zara
Shoes - Next


Outfit Three




Draped Top - Zara
Bracelet - J Crew
Trousers - Topshop
Studded Sandals - Zara


So there you have it sale numero uno with some great key classic pieces that will go with & enhance my existing wardrobe of clothes.  So have you hit the sales yet or are you sitting on your hands & totally resisting the urge?!! I'd love to hear about your bargains or sales tactics, let alone what you're hoping to bag in the coming weeks so please let me know x


6 comments

  1. I've never bought from Massimo Dutti but I'll certainly be checking the sale out! I LOVE the boots and the tan Breton. I think the stripe dress would look amazing on you too! Some great finds. Lynne x

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    1. Thanks Lynne & you MUST definitely check out Massimo Dutti, one of my favourite stores! x

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  2. I love the boots too! You got some amazing bits! Your new scarf is so lovely! I'm going to check Gemini out! Ax

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    1. Thanks Andrea, you've got to check out Gemini they stock some really great brands, the hard part is limiting yourself to just a few pieces! Plus they have great customer service too :) x

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