CHRISTMAS JUMPERS EDIT

Ah Christmas jumpers - that tricky knitted territory that rises up to greet us but once a year. You're drawn to the kitsch but would ideally like something you can wear more than once and might even have a life span that outlives the contents of the Quality Streets tin.

Here are four that have caught my eye for the upcoming festivities.

From top to bottom: 

1. The ultimate Christmas jumper for now and also for ever more - Bella Freud x Kate Moss. Be still my beating heart. Available from Matches. 
2. Scandi chic with a dose of sequins to ensure good cheer. I think this would be great in the run up to the big day and for cosy boxing day walks. A strong contender. Available from ASOS
3. Bella Freud on a budget courtesy of Topshop. Don't be put off by the 'petite' sizing - this is just the right fit for non-petite folk too. Cheap, cheerful and appropriately cheeky. 
4. I love a navy crew neck and this would be the perfect Christmas addition - give into the sequins! Another gem from Topshop. 

X

NEW IN: TOPSHOP FAUX SHEARLING CAR COAT

I had said that this year I didn't need a single new coat - I was supposedly all sorted from last Autumn Winter. A cape and a car coat later - and that brief moment of frugality went stupendously well don't you think? 

Apologies for the grainy photography - these are from an impromptu trying-on session when the coat had just arrived...

But what can I say - I love my new Topshop coat. It's so snuggly - the faux shearling (unlike so many other coats like this) runs throughout rather than just on the trim. It is such a cosy coat for the weekend. Just imagine it with a chunky cream aran knit or over a denim dress. 

A word of warning though - I wouldn't attempt to don it over a dark knit - girlfriend has a tendency to leave white fluff all over the darker fabrics! 

I took it for its first outing this Sunday (our first truly autumnal day in London) for falafel at the farmers' market.  It was perfection. 

Topshop Faux Shearling Car Coat - available here. 

Let's all just take a moment to bask in the beauty that is Valentino.....

Ok - phew. I could stare at them all day.  

I have been eBaying like a demon for quite some time in order to make these little studded beauties mine. 

I always had my heart set on the classic black flats with nude (either patent or matte) but when I went to visit them my heart wasn't set aflutter. Very bad sign. 

It was only after seeing these burgundy ones on the beautiful Laura Fantacci that I set my cap at the same style in this wonderfully autumnal hue. (I also had the best experience with FarFetch - my pair came courtesy of a boutique in Vienna in two days flat). 

I cannot WAIT to wear them. An utterly classic shoe that I'll treasure for years to come.

X

WHAT I WORE: RELAXED WEEKEND

An easy, breezy, casual outfit. I'm wearing: Whistles Alice slim boyfriend jeans, Topshop thin knit jumper (old), Russell & Bromley ballet flats, Zara necklace, Bijoux by Desi F gold necklace and Essie "Clambake" on my nails. 

THE SKIRT THAT NEARLY GOT AWAY

If you're familiar with my instagram, you may have noticed me considering this skirt in a Topshop changing room recently. Reduced to a mere £20, (£20!!) I was very tempted. But to me the skirt felt like a very festive purchase - exactly the kind of thing I hanker after during Christmas party season. With summer approaching (and my upcoming trip to Canada) I felt like spending even a pound on non-summery things was money poorly spent. 

But every single time I went into my local Topshop I went to see if 'my' skirt was still there waiting for me. I'd make sure all the sequins were sitting in the right direction, then be on my merry way - ready to check in with it in a few days. And then... one dark, dark day... it had gone. I felt an utter fool for my lack skills in spotting an out of season opportunity, packing it away and revelling in my brilliant foresight come winter. 

A couple of days later, I came across it hidden in the Buy It Now (or lose it forever) section. No doubt some crafty so and so and shoved it there in the hope no-one would notice its sale tag. I made it mine only moments later. 

So - in the wardrobe it goes. I'll pull it out later in the year and we can all marvel once again at my bargain hunting skillz. 

I'm wearing: Cos grey jumper (incidentally the best jumper I've ever found to wear with skirts/over dresses), Topshop sequin pencil skirt and Topshop black heels.

X

This weekend we headed to The New Forest for a night - going for a leisurely stroll during the day and picking up a new throw in Beaulieu before heading to The Pig in Brockenhurst where we watched Freaky Friday with a bottle of bubbles and then headed downstairs for cocktails and supper. 

We've been to The Pig once before and decided to return for our six year anniversary. The rooms are so beautiful and cosy and chic, the service is warm, relaxed and friendly and the hotel itself is perfection. 

Alas, the one downside was that the restaurant has sadly changed a bit since our last visit. We absolutely LOVED the food a couple of years ago. There was enormous attention to detail, the menu was exciting and the food was utterly delicious. Memorably so, desperate-to-back-so.

The atmosphere of the dining room was unchanged but to be brutally honest, we were disappointed with the food. It's gone more pub-grub (steak, ham hock, some incredibly unnecessary deep frying of supposedly "literally picked that day" greens) which is fine... if you know that's what you're getting. We had a table at 8pm but, after waiting to be served for quite a while (our waitress was very apologetic), my boyfriend's first and second menu choices had already sold out.
The Pig describes itself as 'a restaurant with rooms' and I think on our last visit, it really felt like it was. This time, it felt like the emphasis had shifted away from the food and the kitchen garden - even though the rest of the hotel remained just as perfect as we remembered.

Despite all this, we did still have such a brilliant stay and I'd absolutely go back in a heartbeat (but maybe have just the one course in the dining room and focus more on the cocktails). 

For our walk I wore: my boyfriend's Uniqlo down coat, Topshop Jamie Jeans and Hunter Wellington boots. 

X

HOLIDAY: MOROCCO PACKING

Tomorrow morning we are jetting off to Morocco! We're staying by the sea in bohemian Essaouira, rather than in amongst it in Marrakech, but will be taking at least one day trip to experience all the hustle and bustle and hunt down beautiful bowls and kaftans to take home.

When I was starting to put my packing list together, my aim was to add a few fun pieces to my usual holiday wardrobe just to 'Moroccan it up' a bit, as well as ensuring I had clothes which would cover my shoulders and fall below the knee for day trips. In amongst a lace midi dress from ASOS, Topshop tile print leigh jeans and converse (for the camel ride of course!), I've added these beautifully light and colourful print trousers from Topshop and statement, layered jewellery from Topshop and Zara. These will dress up my simple wardrobe pieces, like this structured white Cos dress. The Mango dress I mentioned in my last post will feature on the journey to and from the pool and for lazy breakfasts (it's too short for normal day-time wear in Morocco outside the hotel).

I fell in love with this sequin jacket from Sandro and gold woven Anya Hindmarch clutch on a recent trip to Bicester Village and they'll be delicious for evening drinks. For if and when I need a heel, I've packed these simple chunky sandals from Topshop.

I'll be attempting to take lots of photos so check back soon!

X

50/50 BOOTS IN ACTION

This was a rather spontaneous outfit post - hence the messy, messy background (seriously could not have put together a more hotchpotch background if I'd tried - there's even a bike rack in evidence) and poor lighting!

I'm wearing: Topshop blazer, Whistles sculptured top, Topshop Jamie Jeans, Russell & Bromley Stuart Weitzman 50/50 boots and Bijoux by Desi F necklace.

X

NEW IN: STUART WEITZMAN 50/50 BOOTS

 I've admired the 50/50 boots from afar for... well, years. They are just such a classic style that endures year on year. I visited these boots repeatedly before taking the plunge, but they've absolutely been worth it. 

I've often struggled to find boots that go with skirts and dresses as well as jeans, but these boots fit the bill for nigh on every outfit, are incredibly flattering and give such a polished edge. I went for the suede rather than leather because the suede is somehow less in your face. It's more subtle than leather when venturing into over the knee territory. Yes, suede requires a bit more TLC but that's fine with me. 

(Top tip if you're considering the 50/50s: I'm normally a size 3 but ended up getting the boots in a 2.5. I was terrified I'd made a dreadful mistake, but I was right to trust the Russell & Bromley salesperson's advice. These boots do stretch!)

Outfit posts to follow! 

X

NEW IN: PETER PILOTTO FOR TARGET DRESS

So, joyfully, this happened today. My beautiful new Peter Pilotto for Target dress arrived from NET-A-PORTER. I wasted no time in trying it on and prancing around. I'm really pleased with the quality, it is fully lined and there is great movement in the skirt. I'm happily adding it to my other pieces that I'm storing up for the summer - I'm amassing quite the collection!

(Incidentally - yes that is a chicken doorstop in the background. We call him Colin and I think you'll agree he's rather photogenic.) 

If anyone else managed to secure their own little piece of Pilotto I'd love to see it in action! 

X

PETER PILOTTO FOR TARGET

Peter Pilotto for Target hit NET-A-PORTER.com this morning, and I pounced. I was a little late to bag another dress I had my eye on - the printed crepe dress - but was delirious to secure this pretty flippy dress. I'm hoping it suits me because it would be the perfect special addition to my summer wardrobe. It's winging its way to me as we speak, but in the meantime, get yourself over to the collection now and add some affordable Peter Pilotto to your wardrobe! 

Printed Crepe Dress, Peter Pilotto for Target at NET-A-PORTER.com, £40. 

X

BICESTER VILLAGE WONDERFULNESS

On the way back from our amaaaazing weekend away in the Cotswolds, I was allowed a slight detour to Bicester Village. I say allowed, because I tried to wangle a visit on the way to the Cotswolds but was negotiated down to a visit on the way back (due in no small part I'm sure to the steely silence I inflicted on my boyfriend until he gave in). Truth be told, it was the right decision to go on a Monday rather than a Saturday - I'm sure it would have been heaving! 

I knew before I set to work that I was strictly after things I could squirrel away ready for spring/summer: ideally a clutch, swimwear/printed cover ups and a beautiful dress for holiday evenings. I failed on the swimwear and dress front, but did find a beautiful gold Anya Hindmarch woven clutch for £97 - perfect for summer evenings (and summer days too come to think of it!). Before making my purchase I visited the clutch a total of 3 times (I rarely make rash purchases these days) and nearly had a heart attack when the friendly sales person told me someone else had almost bought it (needless to say I snapped it up immediately).The reductions at Anya Hindmarch were the best I came across in the Village - bags which were originally over £1,000 were reduced to just over £200. Those perennially perfect glitter Valorie clutches were reduced to just £70.

After Anya Hindmarch, Sandro was my favourite store. This was so in spite of the heinous fact that the dressing rooms are mirror-less. Meaning you have to come out of your cubicle, not knowing what on earth you look like, and examine yourself alongside everyone else in a communal mirror. Very french apparently. Hideous. Nevertheless, I came away with the most BEAUTIFUL gold sequin jacket for £87. I've been on the lookout for the right embellished jacket for ages. They're the perfect thing to be worn with jeans or leather leggings when you're not sure how dressy an evening will be. Having a jacket like this in your wardrobe ensures you're never over or under dressed in such a situation. I'm going to keep it wrapped up until spring/summer, when it'll come out for evenings in Morocco and Canada. I can't wait! 

Last but not least - after trying on a few printed dresses in DVF (and not quite finding what I was after) I settled for a little piece of DVF print via a new iPhone cover, to replace my long-suffering one. A snip at £10. 

X