LIFE: MOODY BEACH DAY

 

A few photos from a visit to the Saunton beach in Devon at the weekend. I've always been very in favour of going out for a brisk walk regardless of the weather. If you've got a good coat and can bundle up warm, then off we go! The weather on the coast was rather extreme this weekend, but it calmed down enough during the day on Sunday to go for a walk - there were even a few surfers and kite surfers surprisingly!

I borrowed my boyfriend's North Face puffer jacket which is the ultimate warm outdoors jacket (I just can't bring myself to buy myself one when there are much prettier things I could spend my dollar on). The Hunters are mine though, as is the Warehouse grey knit hat with fur bobble. 

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PLAY IT AGAIN SAM

Apologies to sound like a stuck record, but I am fast becoming obsessed with Topshop's new season offerings. The latest recipient of my love and devotion? Another coat. 

Well, a coatigan to be precise. A coatigan of mushroom-boucle-wondrousness. It's so effortlessly cool that Topshop have even named this a 'throw-on' coatigan. You're that freakin' laid back and pleased with your personal style that you just 'throw it on' before leaving the house. Fussing is not for you, heavens no.

God I'm boring aren't I. But I never seem to find coats that work well for me, and end up wearing just one that I'm not 100% happy with all Autumn and Winter and hating my lack of style and finesse. So this year I'm overjoyed at the prospect that this might just be the season where everything changes. Where people say, "here comes Olivia, in another stupendous coat. Pfff." (It's our dreams that sustain us, people.)

But in all seriousness, this is a LOVELY coat and I thoroughly recommend you getting your mitts on it too if you can. Perfect weekend attire, evening stroll attire, polished, effortless everyday attire. You get my drift. 

P.S. yes I did turn the cuffs up when I tried it on. I seem to do this on everything. My boyfriend knows when I have stolen his jumpers/coats/everything because this is the evidence trail I leave in my wake.

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WHEN AUTUMN LEAVE START TO FALL

Ok ok, so it is not quite that time just yet, but a gal can dream. 

As you might know by now, I am a winter gal through and through. I try to be a summer dresser but it doesn't come naturally to me. Crisp Autumns and icy Winters - seasons such as these are more my bag. 

With this in mind, I have started thinking about what I'd like to be bundled up in this winter, and it looks a little something like this, so far:

Knitwear: Acne, Etoile Isabel Marant, Theory, Topshop, Ballet Pumps: Repetto, Ankle Boots: Sam Edelman and Ugg, Topshop Leather Skinnies, Citizens of Humanity Jeans, APC Wallet, Balenciaga black City

I am becoming nigh on obsessed with chunky knits - precisely the type made for the aforementioned bundling. Topshop are doing some lovely ones which are in-store now. On the pricier scale Acne's navy angora sweater ticks all the boxes  (in her style bible ((can we call it that?)) Ines de la Fressange nods encouragingly towards the longevity of navy knits - which is so much more than good enough for me). Theory's Aran knit is be-a-u-tiful, but with a price tag that is sadly making my eyes water more than I'd like. 

The leather skinnies and classic wash jeans explain themselves, as do the black and nude Repettos (such items have time and time again worked hard all winter), but I fear my inclusion of those fur lined little devils at the bottom of the shoe row might have you nudging your mouse towards the 'un-follow' button on bloglovin. Bear with me, I have not lost my marbles. 

I remember the unadulterated joy I felt when I had my first and only pair of chestnut short Uggs. Oh I was suddenly Sienna Miller, and all was right with the world. My feet were, of course, utterly toasty and when the snow came the grip on the thick sole saw me chuckling at the other girls slipping and sliding on icy pavements whilst I strode confidently on. 
Yes, when I pulled them on last winter the smug feeling was still there, but there was a little bit of shame to boot. I didn't want people to think I thought I was chic wearing them - I was simply being practical. They are very good boots and they deserve their place in a winter wardrobe. My loyalty to them has not waned, despite their fall from stylish grace. But do you know what? As I get older I would rather be the wise owl in the boots than the painfully cool 'fashionista' with a broken hip. 
This winter though, I will be choosing the mini boot - the shortest incarnation of the classic Ugg - which I think can slip away unnoticed, and do the job it does so well, but quietly. I'd be interested to see what you think of this confession! Have you found a good alternative to Ugg-type boots?


Sam Edelman's Petty boots are a lovely shape, with a heel height that is just right. I found myself wearing black ankle boots day in and out last Autumn & Winter and did so in some very uncomfortable and somewhat ugly ones from Zara. I shall not be making the same mistake again. I'm getting much better now at identifying the items that I wear over and over during a season, that provide the building blocks in a wardrobe, and investing accordingly where it is wise to.

You may have noticed a coat is missing at this point - not an oversight on my part, but just a 'to be continued' if you will. Try as I might I cannot get an image of the black bouclé coat from IRO that I pledged my loyalty to back in the Spring. As soon as I can, it will of course be duly added in to my wardrobe planning for the coming big chill. 

Wind and Rain Can Be Such A Pain

The weather outside remains, at best, a hideous joke. Rain pelted down in London today and it didn't seem to stop for a second. (Yes, yes at least it's not snowing).

The wind and rain is playing havoc with my oh so delicate skin (it isn't really, I'm just being precious and wanted desperately to test out a product I've been very keen on trying)

Step forward Mac's Care Blends Essential Oil - Sweet Orange + Lavender.

It already sounds like it fits the bill, falling under Mac's 'Warm & Cosy' section. The heating in the flat takes hours to crank up - but who cares when such a product promises this and more?

I couldn't wait to get home, wash my face and add a few drops to my moisturiser and quench my thirsty skin (I'm sure it's thirsty.. isn't it?).

It smells so delicious - like the best whiff of a Terry's Chocolate Orange. The oil can be used like this added to facial and body moisturisers to amp up their effects, used alone after cleansing for a mini facial (as recommended over on the Vogue blog) or to add a lovely dewiness under everyday make up, which I plan to try on the morrow!

(Image from maccosmetics.co.uk)