No Spend February and Shopping my Wardrobe

So I've been watching and following with interest lots of Instagrammers and Bloggers having 'no spend' periods (a month or longer).  I have dabbled in the past and cut down on spending but hey I love fashion and I love a new outfit (or two) so I have never made it 'official' which means if I don't manage it no one will know.  This time it's official!

I wasn't keen on trying it in January although it is a popular month for others but what with the January sales and life generally feeling a bit gloomy after Christmas I didn't feel it was the right time for me.  But February?  Well it is a shorter month (result), the January sales are mostly done, the weather won't be getting any warmer and so I won't 'need' any new season items yet and well it just seemed like a good month to try it.  Plus I've spent a bit much recently!!  

I did dabble in January with a few new season bits, did you see my post here about Hush and Marks & Spencer.  I kept quite a few things I ordered.  I love my Aurora cross body bag - see further down.

It would be great if at the end of February I have saved lots of money and can put it towards a bigger investment item.  We are also away in February for skiing but I think I am pretty stocked up on ski gear and apres ski outfits so I shouldn't need to give in.

Here are a few recent outfits to share with you:

First up the outfit I wore for dinner when I went to Hoar Cross Hall Hotel and Spa to celebrate a friends 40th birthday.  We had a really fun evening, despite me starting a very heavy cold!  My silk blouse is old from Whistles, my wide leg jersey trousers were an excellent find from Part Two at My Boudoir in Marlow.  They are very comfortable and very flattering.  My shoes were in the sale and are by John Lewis (I can't find them online) they are a simple black suede court shoe but the addition of the ankle strap makes them very comfortable to wear.  I use my animal print clutch from Boden a lot, it just adds a splash of interest to a simple outfit.

So this is my new Aurora London Gigi cross body bag, I'm in love!  Cross body bags can often be too big or too small, this one is perfect and very similar to the Gucci Disco Bag but at just short of £100 an absolute bargain, beautiful leather and available in lots of gorgeous colours.  Check out their new customer discount too - I think it is 10%.

Worn with animal print boots from Next, coated jeans from Next and the Audrey merino wool jumper from Winser London.

This was a wet and chilly day!  It didn't stop raining all day, we had lunch in the pub then braved the weather for a walk at Waddesdon Manor.  I wore my new long black very warm, very cosy down coat from Skogstad, I did quite a lot of research and had been hoping to find one in the sale but to get what I wanted - warm, slightly fitted, black and with some fur I ended up paying full price but it does tick all the boxes, replaces my old North Face one and I think will last for years to come.  My lovely big scarf is from Sweet-Bea.

On Saturday night we were invited to a wedding party, a celebration following their wedding in Antigua.  I decided to dig out my black jumpsuit from Phase Eight.  I've not worn it for ages but it is a classic.  It can be a bit of a nuisance as there are two buttons and a zip at the back so going to the toilet in a hurry isn't a good idea.  I then threw on my Mint Velvet leather biker, added heels and my trusted Boden animal print clutch and I felt great.

Phase Eight do their jumpsuits on repeat most seasons.  This is the Tia Jumpsuit in Black but it also comes in navy and red and is £99.

That's all for now!  No Spend February and Shopping my Wardrobe will commence on Thursday - I wonder what I can fit in before then!!??

Love 
Michelle xx
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