Zip code, I think I love you

I went out today to return the awful (with apologies to anyone who actually liked them) 'Guess' sneakers. 

Job done, I wandered over to Russell and Bromley to see if they had recovered from their mysterious fire. Things were even more surreal today. Immaculately coiffed young men kept emerging from the basement wearing blue surgical style dust masks with their hands black from soot. I didn't ask.

Now I don't know about your experiences there, but the staff still doggedly persist in bringing out 'matching' bags every time you try on shoes. It's quite quaint and I normally humour them (while secretly being a bit irritated) by making appropriate noises. This time however, I actually had a proper look (in a fairly desultory way to pass the time) but wow I was glad I did: what a bag!

I give you my new crush: ZIP CODE.  Possibly the cutest and best and most ingenious cross body bag I've seen for many a year.

'Zip Code' Cross Body bag - Russell & Bromley £145

Reader, I bought it. I came away shoe-less sadly, as my size was out of stock.But I am so happy with this bag.

 

 

It is cleverly designed inside (a bit 'a-la-Hindmarch') with self contained card slots and pockets. These are in the centre of the bag between the 2 outer zipped compartments. You wouldn't need a wallet, just a coin purse.  There's another useful open pocket at the back of the bag.  The two halves of the bag snap together even when the top flap is left undone (I loved this bit - am easily impressed!) - as magnets are sewn into each side.

The size is perfect, the strap length is perfect. The leather (lovely textured grainy effect) is perfect. The colour is perfect. I could go on. I simply just fell in love with this bag. It has enough to contain all you need for a night out, or a shopping trip. It's about 20cm wide and 17cm high, so it's not a general everyday bag, it's not large enough, but it's well deigned for what it needs to do. 

I bought the navy, althogh it's available in several other colours and finishes (even glitter to match the sneakers I blogged about the other day! Bit OTT that would be maybe...)

The only snag is that it's a bit pricey at £145 but I was in need of a pick me up and today, this bag was the answer.  I will get so much use and enjoyment from it. :-)

 I bought this bag with my own money and have not been paid to review it. I genuinely love it and wanted to share.

 

Howl

Here are the sneakers from yesterday, which (unsurprisingly) didn't feature large on any theoretical wish list. They just happened to be "there" when I was in a fug of trainer mania. They will be returned.

(Sorry photos are upside down, they would not let me correct 'em - it's a sign, I'm convinced!)

And one of my January sale purchases: a grey loose fit sweater from The White Company.

Reduced to £30. At first I thought I'd blundered badly as the fluff came off and stuck to everything.... but I worked through the pain and the excess fluff eventually ran out. It's now a useful workhorse basic.

 

 Worn with Whistles tube skirt (longer version), Gap 'Pure Body' long sleeved top, Mulberry Antony messenger bag and Russell & Bromley Aquitalia ankle boots.

Indecision.

I'm in 'save or splurge' befuddlement.

What started it all off was 'the sneaker'.  A must have item, which, as  seen when browsing seamlessly through the 'all is beautiful' land of net-a-porter and so on, looks so alluring, so up to date and so easy to incorporate seamlessly into one's wardrobe.  Now browsing the likes of net-a-porter for inspiration is all very well, but I am lost in the mire. I am swamped by sneakers.  

My head is going 'ow ow ow' and I have a virtual shopping list as long as you like, which brings me back to the title of the post. (I had better prefix this post by saying I am always very late to the party with matters such as this - i.e. sneakers - and so apologise in advance for my insane ramblings about something which any and all readers probably have sussed long ago!)

Here's a quick round up of what 's been doing the rounds in my head. I shall divide and conquer my wish into 'flat' and 'high'. 

First flats.

Item:  Russell & Bromley 'Skater' in Glitter - £125

Dilemma: hmm how much longevity here?

Or maybe black would be better? 

Item: Russell & Bromley 'Skater' £125

Dilemma: But then again black is maybe a tad boring and by the way your perfectly good black Converse do not currently work with anything so why buy more black you daft woman?  (That's me talking to myself, you understand...)

Item: Mint Velvet Plimsolls - £89

Dilemma: see above

Item: Ash Jungle Glitter slip on - My Wardrobe £89

Dilemma: see above - black again plus the super high sole is a bit clown like?  (Bargain though - Russell & Bromley do you read me?)

Item: Ugg studded sneakers from The Outnet - £60

Dilemma(s):  Lined partly with sheepskin these would no doubt be warm which is not necessarily a bad thing. But how would that cope with bare feet and is that such a good idea for s spring / summer item?  Also compounded by above 'more black' dilemma

Item: DKNY 'Blair' sneakers - The Outnet, £60.50

Dilemma: Not black, but would probably tire of raspberry, not being a big wearer of the shade. 

Oh and there was one non-sneaker which made it onto the wish (or whatever) list too. Which is probably the only sensible thing on there as it would bring new life to my boyfriend jeans with which I had another tussle at the weekend which amused and depressed me in equal measure. A good look was not obtained, let's just say. A topic for another day perhaps!)

Russell & Bromley 'Jeeves' brogues in rose gold.  £165

Now the 'highs' (technical term, you know what I mean hopefully!)

Item: Ash 'Bea' midnight. Er, from My Wardrobe I think. £179.  Losing the plot a bit at this stage. 

Quandry:  Love the midnight. Love the name Ash (geddit) plus 'Bea' - it's a personalised number plate in a shoe!  Not so love the white sole though.  

Then spotted these......

Item: Ash Bowie black.  £169 My Wardrobe

Quandry: Love the dark soles. Wish could buy navy version with navy - or black - soles. 

(Could I take a marker pen to the Beas above? )

Then oh glee of glee, I found some higher glittery ones on the Russell & Bromley website. These my magpie like brain really does like.  But the cost is WAY too much for what they are, I think. I mean, really - almost £300? Might as well go the whole hog & get  Saint Laurent or something.)

Item: Russell & Bromley Stuart Weitzman 'Boy Wonder' sneakers £265.

Dilemma:  just don't feel they are worth it.

Item: Back to Ash Bea - burgundy and gold from Atterley Road. £179.  Scratching the 'shiny' itch again.

Dilemma: have reached saturation point and can no longer form coherent opinion on any type of sneaker.

Item: Nike Lunar Elite Sky Hi - Net a Porter £115

Dilemma: as above

Finally a 'non sneaker' to finish off the high brigade:

Russell & Bromley Style name 'Manned' (Stuart Weitzman) - £245 (again - 'too much' I say...)

Well I guess (assuming you are still here) that after reading that lot you are probably as befuddled as me.  

Final thought: If you fail with shoes, look at handbags. 

The Outnet - Anya Hindmarch Valerie Glitter clutch in navy - £175

Anya Hindmarch Roslyn navy leather clutch £197 (The Outnet)

* * * * *

Any advice on sneakers gratefully received!

The answer, I'm sure, is not to go to TK Maxx and buy some bizarre 'Guess' brown canvass logo'd ones, which is of course what I did. I tried to upload a photo. iPhoto crashed. It has taste clearly. Probably no bad thing except that I have deprived you of a howl of laughter!

Oh - and having made Russell & Bromley today with a few minutes to spare (my usual style of shopping - so relaxing - NOT) I discovered they were closed due to a fire. Although the door was open, jeans clad assistants barred the way and men were inside hurling sand around the still immaculate pastel and coral loafer and tote displays. An odd kid of fire. But mine is not to reason why.

* * * * *

Well of course a random flowery dress was just what I needed!

So many people seem to be shopping sensibly at the moment. I appluad them, I really do.
I don't know what's wrong with me and shopping. I've tried sensible. I've tried 'buy everything'. Neither works for me.

The approach I am using at the moment is 'see, try on, replace, wait 24 hours and then buy'.  Or rather 'see, try on, replace, wait 24 hours and mad scramble with much iffy driving and cursing of learners and red lights - to make the shop after work with about 10 seconds to spare before it closes.
What for?  The soundest of reason: to buy a dress I didn't know I needed of course.

That is, I didn't know I needed it until it occured to me that the orange colour would be just right with my pumpkin Bayswater bag (very old factory shop bargain) which I don't wear as much as I should. And it looked quite nice on.

Monsoon Rowena Rose 'wrap' dress (mock wrap) - £28 in sale

I am puzzled on reflection as to why it is only reduced to £28 (from £55) when the sign said 70% off - even with my dubious mathematical skills that doesn't quite add up - but such was my dizzy excitement at having beat the clock I didn't register this until later.

Other random purchases have been made this month - to follow in tomorrow's post. A White Company sweater and a jacket I didn't want but 6 year old begged me to keep. Bet you all can't wait!

Now, where was I?

I've been meaning to get my blog together again and the first day (well night, now) of 2014 seems as good and tidy a time as any.

I have no real resolutions other than to keep running! Back in September I started running. I am now totally in love with it. I now run 4k most days. And I've started using the gym, but I much prefer running outdoors.  You know all that codswallop you get told about exercise - endorphins, mood lifting etc etc...?  It's actually true. I am so cynical I never usually believe advice, or that something so simple can be so powerful. But it's done me no end of good - it lifts my mood and (oddly?) my skin has improved.

As to other resolutions, I debated whether to stop buying stuff. But that was never likely to go well. (Although it has reigned me in somewhat and stopped at least 2 tat-fests in the last few days.)

So far since Christmas I've bought 2 children's bed sets in Next;  a discounted cushion and this dress from Monsoon - which is 50% off - now £29.50.

Next and Monsoon - I haven't been shopping anywhere uber-exciting, clearly. Just having to make do with the provincial offerings for the moment. I've been out of love with Monsoon for a while but tried this on after it - and the price - caught my eye, and decided it would go nicely with my new bag...see below.

Monsoon Karina Dress - now £29.50

My new bag was a Christmas gift (in which I had some input....) I don't normally go for burgundy, but the black just looked so dull. Hopefully I won't regret the colour choice.  (Clearly not so far - as it's providing inspiration to buy more rose hued stuff!)

Mulberry Dorset Tote

Happy New Year everyone :-)

Perfect red lipstick and a Whistles saving

I've long tried to perfect the classic red lip look. Frustratingly, without much success. The simple things are often so hard to get right, but wow -  when you do get them right how good it feels!

In the past my red lips have been either too orange, too purple, too pink... you know the story.

However, on impulse today I bought this and am so glad I did. It just brightens up my face and does not have the dreaded 'tooth yellowing' effect that some reads do on me.

It's from Rimmel by Kate Moss - shade 111 - 'Kiss of Life' (what a lovely name incidentally!)  And only £5.49.

If you are striving to perfect the perfect red lip and have similar colouring to me, give this a go. Boots have a 'buy one, get 2nd half price offer' on as well at the moment (on all cosmetics).

Wardrobe wise, not much to report alas. I find it an awkward time of year still - not always cool enough to crack open the autumn / winter wear in earnest. You start off comfortably cocooned in the morning mist and by mid-day are red faced and sweltering in a fug of cashmere - not quite the look I'm aiming for.

The tube skirt is still doing double duty and -  thanks to a Whistles 25% code - is shortly to be joined by its sister the longer version - see here.  Fulfilling my mantra of if it  works get 2 (sort of).

Code is WH25AW13 if anyone else is pondering a purchase from Whistles (free delivery too) - expires 7 October so be quick :-)

The tube skirt rides again

A brief post today - just of the 'what I wore' variety.

My Whistles black jersey tube skirt is proving to be a good buy. I have adapted my summer '10 item wardrobe' slightly (have neither the time nor the energy to do a full conversion for autumn at the moment!) simply by adding opaque tights and different shoes/ boots.

I was unsure whether the white jacket would work on a dull day - but think it did.

Today's outfit:

Jacket - Tesco

Skirt - Whistles Jersey tube skirt - £45

Shoes - Black patent Chester loafers - Russell & Bromley (had these for a couple of years and still going strong - have really been worth the investment)

Tights - M&S Autograph velvet touch opaque (great alternative to Wolford and Falke and the pricier brands)

Top - H&M short sleeved breton

Scarf - White Company (last year) - similar here