Although we have dreary January behind us now, the weather doesn't look like it is going ti improve any time soon.  Today it has absolutely chucked it down with rain here, the lane outside my house is muddy and dirty and I am fed up with it.  I'm not too keen on the cold either but I would much rather see blue skies and frosty mornings.

This photo was taken a week or so ago when I had my sister-in-law's Westies staying with us too, we had lots of walks!

I wore the above outfit for our company dinner last week - the leather skirt and red jumper are from Oasis and the black jacket is from Mint Velvet (previous season sale bargain).  My shoe boots are from Boden.  Necklace is Mint Velvet and the handbag was from Brand Alley.

On the left is my M&S 'statement sleeve' jumper and on the right another M&S jumper embracing the 'frills' trend and worn with my new 7 for all Mankind jeans - links for this items can be found by following the link here.

So it gets to that time of the season when you just feel your wardrobe needs a bit of an update.  A bit of an injection of some colour and newness!  I didn't love the sales this year, I got a few basics but nothing terribly exciting.  I am trying to practice 'less is more and quality over quantity' of course and earlier this week I posted about my new jeans purchases (here).

So I took a look at what Marks & Spencer is offering in the way of reasonably priced knits.  I fancied tapping into the new season trends - statement sleeves and a few frills but I din't want to go all out on this trend and spend loads without testing the water first.  I am not sure that statement sleeves are really very practical for my lifestyle!

I purchased three new jumpers online.  The total spend only came to £77 and I am very pleased with all of them.  Watch my Instagram page for outfit posts as I start to wear and style them.

First up is the Peplum Hem Fluted Sleeve Jumper in Pink at £29.50.  I wore this with grey jeans and loved it.  The good news is that the sleeves fold back and stay back so no mess to deal with!  I'm loving the injection of colour!

Next up is this Space Dye Fluted Sleeve Jumper in Red at £22.50, this is a thinner knit so not as warm as the one above and I've not tried rolling the sleeves back yet but I think this would make a nice evening outfit.  Really good price too!  It also comes in blue, styled below by M&S.
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And finally the Crop Frill Textured Jumper in Navy at £25.00, I bought this to go with my new 7 for all Mankind Jeans mainly and to tap into the frilly trend in s subtle way.  I like that it is slightly cropped but neat.  I do like to get out of the baggy, chunky knits and look forward to Spring!

I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised with all three of these jumpers and there are lots of other options online at Marks & Spencer too.  I tend to prefer online browsing rather than their stores.  I dug out some scarves that I had put away for a few months and I have some lovely new outfits to take me through the next few months until we start to see some warmer temperatures.

I for one am slightly fed up with the wet and mud or the extreme cold!  I need some sun on my body.

Love
Michelle xx
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Investment Purchase #1 - Jeans

For many years I couldn't afford good quality denim then I discovered 7 for all Mankind and I fell in love with designer denim. I had several pairs and I wore them over and over.  Cost per wear!?  Absolute bargains!  

Only problem was a few years ago I gained some weight and slowly my 7 jeans didn't fit anymore and having tried to lose the extra pounds and failed, I gave them away.  Why!? Now I have finally lost the extrra weight and I am on a mission to keep it off, those jeans I gave away to charity or ebay would fit again. Okay it's done, they are gone, and nothing I can do about it.  Lesson learnt.  

I have been wearing mostly Mint Velvet jeans over the last few years and they are great but I don't honestly think they last more than a season, I have a couple of black pairs this year and the colour is fading fast.  I like black jeans to stay black.  

So my first investment purchase this year was a pair of 7 for all Mankind jeans from House of Fraser at Westfield.  They are currently at the tailors being shortened.  I then looked online and I have black pair in the same style (but in the sale) winging their way to me.  If they fit that gives me one classic dark pair and one black pair. 

If you struggle finding the right jeans for your shape and feel you need some help then there are two denim specialist to check out.  

​There is Donna Ida where you can book an appointment at their in-store denim clinic (they have boutiques in Chelsea and Belgravia) and there is also the Denim Studio at Selfridges, Oxford Street.  They boast of stocking jeans for every budget from Primark to J Brand and from £11 to £11,000.  You can make an appointment for 'personal shopping' and if the jeans you choose need to be shortened this is done in the shop and you can go back later to collect.  I have never been to Donna Ida but I have been to the Denim Studio at Selfridges and purchased a lovely pair of Paige jeans (now too big for me) but the service was great and it certainly was an easy way to look at lots of different options.

I am  hoping that two really good pairs of denim jeans will elevate my wardrobe and become essential capsule pieces.  And rather than buying lots of jeans and never being quite happy with them, the plan is that I buy two perfect pairs and spend the same!?  I will let you know if that plan works.  It did before!!

Love
Michelle xx

7 for all Mankind mid-rise Roxanne the slim (b)air denim

I see a movie star, a passer-by, a friend, a celebrity photograph.  They are wearing the perfect dress, boots, coat and I have to know where they got said item!  Is that you?  I love to follow blogs especially Instagram as very often the details of the outfit are published. But of course this is costing me a fortune!

I thought I'd tell you a bit more about my latest crushes!

So last Sunday we went to see La La Land.  I loved it!  Not everyone does but for me on a rainy, cold, miserable afternoon it was the perfect boost.  I fell in love with Emma Stone's dresses.  I spent Sunday evening and Monday searching the internet to see if I could find similar, my favourite is the blue halterneck.  So far I have failed!  But I will be keeping my eyes out in the shops.

Then yesterday I spotted a lady in my local town wearing a very simple outfit.  Black jeans or leggings with black boots but they had just a tiny bit of sparkle, like a coated jean, the boots had a similar finish,  They were different and they looked so stylish, so 'Parisian', so chic.  I've had a quick search online but can't seem to find the right look  But I do think 'why do I never find anything like that when I go shopping?'

Then last night on Eastenders, both Sharon and the new Michelle were wearing black PJ's/robes and I thought ooh mine really does need updating!  Now on that search I was more successful and Figleaves came up trumps so I will see if it is what I am looking for when my delivery arrives.

Instagram is a great source for finding outfit inspiration though but as I said do be careful to watch your budget!  It can get a bit too tempting at times.

Love
Michelle xx
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