Tag: fashion blogger

‘Rescue Mission Series’: How I Transformed an Old Saree into a ‘Designer Saree’ for £15

The ‘Rescue Mission Series’ is one of my favourite series on the blog and one that is underpinned by a concept I firmly believe in and promote constantly; reimagine, restyle and reuse. This is a series where I update old Indian clothes in my wardrobe and give them a new lease on life, in keeping with current trends.

The inspiration for this ‘rescue mission’ started when I saw a Bollywood celebrity on the internet wearing a beautiful floral printed saree edged with matching feathers on the pallu. I liked the concept of the design and how the florals and feathers worked together in unison to create a chic style statement. When I dissected the makeup of the saree, I realized it was a simple combination of a pretty floral saree and a feather trimming on the pallu. Subsequently, I decided to try creating this with a floral saree already in my wardrobe.

This chiffon saree with a gorgeous blue floral pattern belongs to my mother and is at least 35 years old.  It was gifted to her by an aunt for the birth of her nephew (I love the Indian tradition of gifting clothes when a child is born – it cements a happy memory in your head forever). I decided that I would look for a feather trim in that virtual shop on the internet that probably sells everything one can ever dream of – Amazon.  As expected, the ‘shop of all things ever’ did not disappoint; I found this ostrich feather fringe trim (fake of course) for £7.69 per meter in a dazzling amount of shades. Not knowing which shade would work – I ordered two different shades of blue and decided I would combine them to get a better overall colour balance.  The total price for my trim was £15.38 (OK I fibbed a little – the total was a bit more than £15).

The one-meter trim was not enough to go end-to-end on the pallu so one side got a bit more of each blue and the middle has both colours combined – you can hardly tell.  I have to say that I loved the result and the vivid blues gave the saree an instant update and provided me with an ‘on-trend feather saree’ that was very close to the one I saw the celebrity wearing.  I took it on holiday recently to show my mother and I think she was really pleased with my ‘rescue mission’ on her lovely chiffon saree.  I even altered her blouse as I did not have one that would have work with the finished product.

The beautiful blue set I am wearing is by Heritage  Jewellery by Ridhi and it could not have matched the saree more perfectly.  The jewellery worked wonders in helping me achieve the sophisticated look I was after.

I hope you enjoyed my endeavour to create a ‘designer look’ with an old chiffon saree and some new fake feather fringe trimming. As always, thank you for reading my blog and supporting my creativity. If you enjoy my fashion and interior posts then please follow Isha’s Verdict on Instagram @ishasverdict.  Have a great week ahead!

Accessories:

Jewellery – Heritage Jewellery by Ridhi (tel:07734 806481), @heritagejewellerybyridhi 

Feather Border –  Amazon (Ostrich Feather Trimming fringe for Millinery in Midnight Blue and Peacock Blue, Sold by: Amaharryzon) 

Forever Sarees: Are We Becoming ‘One Trick Pony’ Sari Wearers?

Hello everyone!  This weekend I felt the first hint of a cold undertone in the weather and realized that our summer is slowly coming to an end.  I know we had a few very hot days in London but they were nowhere near enough for me to get my fix of wearing one of my favourite kind of sarees – summer sarees in beautifully light fabrics that are unique in their weaving and cultural significance.

I have always loved Indian summer sarees and I have a hard time passing on ethnic cotton sarees as the colours are so beautiful and the variety is literally endless.  I am really going to show my age here but sometimes I wonder if these beautiful cotton sarees are popular with the younger generation (especially outside India) or is their exposure to them so limited that they are not even in their line of vision?  Often, when we go somewhere, we see a lot of ladies wearing lovely ‘Bollywood inspired’ trendy sarees, which of course are lovely in their own right. However, sometimes it does strike me that everyone is wearing a copy of a similar theme and the sarees are beautiful versions of the same style statement.  When this happens, I do miss seeing a variety in the styles of sarees on display and it is always lovely to see someone wearing a traditional weave or an ultra-modern drape to brighten up the visual landscape of sarees.

I am definitely a ‘vacation shopper’ and I can’t imagine coming back from holiday without some clothing or interiors purchase that is special to the land or country I am visiting.  I guess this is just another form of a shopping addiction and one I admit to wholeheartedly. I bought this beautiful Kasavu saree on a holiday in Kochi a few years ago.  It was excruciating making a decision on the border colour but any combination with cream and black just makes me weak in the knees. I bought my mother a cream with gold/peach border one and I am hoping to ‘borrow’ it in the near future.

I have paired it with one of my favourite black sari blouses (that I have worn with many a saree) and this stunning jewellery set from Heritage Jewellery by Ridhi.  I love the idea of this magnificent jewellery with a traditional cotton handloom saree.  This is a statement necklace that packs a punch and I thoroughly enjoyed wearing the two together for this lookbook.

I hope to fit in a few more summer sarees in the coming month before it is time to pack them away for next year.  I hope you enjoyed this post and as always, thank you for reading Isha’s Verdict. I would love to see pictures of your favourite summer sarees as well! Have a great week ahead.

Please follow me on Instagram @ishasverdict

Clothes and Accessories:

All jewellery – Heritage Jewellery by Ridhi (tel:07734 806481), @heritagejewellerybyridhi 

Seriously Boho Summer Ahead: Cotton Dresses, Silver Jewellery and Trainers

The weather has been teasing us; giving us glimpses of cotton candy clouds nestled against a blue sky and then back to rain-soaked gloomy days that try your patience in the worst possible way. Its a losing battle for the weather and soon it will have to give in to the impending summer that is fast approaching – or so I fervently hope!

On the few sunny days we have had so far, I am finding myself increasingly drawn to relax fit cotton dresses, my stash of ethnic Indian silver jewellery and my collection of converse trainers.  Relaxed fit clothing is not everybody’s cup of tea; I, however, am a sucker for a relaxed outfit that’s easy to wear all day long.

I normally refrain from commenting on movie stars in my blog but I am going to make an exception today.  Let’s talk Sonam Kapoor; I know many consider Sonam Kapoor a bona fide fashionista and others vehemently disagree.  Overall, I am a fan of her personal fashion statement and styling choices.  Sure she gets it wrong sometimes, but honestly who doesn’t! One of the reasons I am a fan is because way back in the day, I found her to be one of the few mainstream actresses who was happy to step out and make a statement in fashionable relaxed clothing (and champion other styles I love like brogues) and didn’t always feel the need to be seen in figure-hugging clothes at all times like many others.  I appreciated her diverse approach to clothing (it was a breath of fresh air)  and how she was able to oscillate between a variety of styles and have some fun with fashion.  For this versatility alone – I am in the fan club camp and always look forward to seeing her fashion choices.

I have already seen quite a few relaxed summer dresses that I have my eye on and I think the battle this summer may be to refrain from buying any more.  Ironically, perhaps, some more shapely dresses need to make it into my wardrobe this summer.  Below I am wearing two relaxed fit dresses that I have purchased recently.  The first dress is a relaxed Midi dress from Zara with a linen scarf and silver converse sneakers. The second dress is a striped cotton dress from Uniqlo – they always do great fuss-free summer cotton dresses and I buy one at least one every year. I have paired it with my beloved yellow converse sneakers for a pop of colour.

These relaxed fit dresses will be a summer staple as soon as summer actually arrives! How do you feel about relaxed fit wear – do you loathe it, like it or love it like me? Have a great weekend and hopefully the sun will be out soon.  Thank you so much for reading Isha’s Verdict.

Clothes and Accessories:

Dress 2 – Uniqlo 

Dress 1 – Zara

Blue Handbag – All Saints 

Glasses – Tory Burch 

Trainers – Converse 

Scarf – Massimo Dutti 

Personal Perspective: Where to Start When the Style Spark is Gone

We have all been there.  Now you may think it presumptuous on my part to assume a collective assessment but I really think when it comes to this issue, we have all been there.

There are times in our lives where our precious 24 hours a day are choked full and circumstances are such that we cannot deviate from an exhausting pre-set routine. These times are often coupled with key life situations such as rearing young children, caring for loved ones or intense work pressures.  Add to this mix a general displeasure with our weight or appearance and it is easy to fall into a fashionless or ‘severely style limited zone’ of everyday dressing.

I distinctly remember my routine when my older son was in nursery, the younger son was still at home full day and I was not working. The day started early with breakfast feedings and nursery dropoffs; continued with grocery runs, cooking, cleaning, baby groups, nap time; followed by nursery pickup, playtime, bathtime, dinnertime and ended with two exhausted parents sleep time.  Now while it was a glorious time in my family’s development, it was also a time where I couldn’t fit into half my wardrobe, was constantly sleep deprived and in a pre-set routine that didn’t leave much time for fashion.  More importantly, having reached the stage of wearing pyjamas and sweatpants in a comfortable circular loop, it had become tedious to even think about stepping out of this rut and reclaiming some style ground in my daily life.

I do want to make the point that this is perfectly fine and a loop I still fall into now and then. We don’t owe anyone a better appearance – I leave the house with my hair in a ponytail, no makeup and uninspired clothing all the time because I never want to ever feel imprisoned in any way by an expectation of appearance or lose the mental liberty to walk around as I please.

However, when you are ready, what’s the best way to get back into a better dressed daily self when you feel that the style spark is gone?  As with any rut, it can be hard to find a good starting point to climb out of it and reclaim some fashion ground.  So here is what works for me; I start with trying to upstyle my jeans look, one baby step at a time. I find that even when our daily style has hit rock bottom, we all have jeans and tend to reach for them on a regular basis. So I start by trying to better my jeans styling; by putting on a better top, trying a different pair of shoes from my wardrobe (that I am saving for no reason) and maybe adding a scarf or pulling out a different coat from my wardrobe. This ‘jeans baby step method’ of slowly improving your daily look is size and shape independent and that is why it works well for me as a stepping stone in the right direction.

I love the colour yellow so I have decided to wear this yellow tunic more often that has been sitting in my wardrobe for a while now. Yellow and blue is one of my favourite combinations, so I hope you enjoy this look and have a fabulous Easter weekend.  As always, thank you for reading Isha’s Verdict.

Clothes and Accessories:

Top – Massimo Dutti

Jeans – Uniqlo

Coat – Massimo Dutti

Scarf – H&M

Shoes – Massimo Dutti

Handbag – Dooney and Bourke

 

Ombre Kaftan Dress: from my ‘All-Time Top Ten Favourite Dresses Everyone Should Own’

Hello everyone.  We all own clothes that we commend ourselves for purchasing; they represent a shining symbol of our style prowess and we love them for it. They become even more enduring if we managed to buy them on sale. This kaftan dress fits both these criteria and therefore, is a solid member of my ‘All-time top ten favourite dresses’.

The main reason I have chosen to lookbook this dress today is that I believe it would be a great dress for a destination wedding. I have been running a series on destination weddings (not a great response to it as my numbers indicate so a cheeky promotion is in order) and in my last post Destination Wedding Guide Part 2: What to Wear and Why? I mentioned that I would lookbook a dress that works fabulously for a cocktail evening or an Indo-fusion look with Indian jewellery.

I adore the ombre lilac colour shades which add a marked regalness to the dress.  The fitted inner with the loose drape on top gives this dress a lovely sweep and swing as you walk.  It is a versatile blank canvas piece (which I always love) and can be accessorized with a variety of pieces.  Here, I have accessorized it with these beautiful earrings from Toraan – I love the flower drops and how they add a pop of colour to the ensemble.

I bought this dress many years ago, so I am not sure it is still available. If you like it, get it touch and I can refer you to someone who may be able to make you a replica.  Also, I get many enquiries for my photographer so if you are considering getting some blog like photos done, get in touch and I can put you in touch as well.

I hope you enjoy this look and thank you so much for visiting my blog.  Have a great rest of the week ahead!

Clothes and Accessories:

Dress – Halston heritage

Earrings – Toraan design 

 

Destination Wedding Guide Part 2: What to Wear and Why?

Continuing my focus on destination weddings, we arrive at the big question.  What do I wear for what event at the wedding?  Now, is a good time to note that we all live in a multicultural society and may attend a variety of weddings through the course of the year.  For the sake of this post, I will concentrate on clothes that one may consider wearing to a culturally Indian wedding.

The Saree: The six-yard drape is a natural winner when it comes to wedding attendance attire. Sarees look beautiful and the choice of style and fabric is endless.  However, there can be a small problem with taking one to a destination wedding. The tying of a normal saree involves pleating the front and this is not everyone’s cup of tea. Many people are discouraged from considering a sari because they have no idea who is going to pleat it away from home. This is a genuine problem and I have seen many a tear shed and time wasted trying to tie a saree that won’t work at the opportune time. My mother has a tried and tested solution for this problem that truly works. I will be posting a live video of her method in my next post.

The other relatively new solution is the ready-made or ready-pleated saree. These modern sarees have pleats that are already in place like a stitched skirt. All you have to do is slip them on, zipper up the side, put the palla across your body and you are ready to go. Once on, you can move around freely as there is no danger of pulling out the pleats by mistake as the saree is made to size and securely in place. This avatar of the saree is truly well suited to destination weddings; the wearing time is minimal and the output is maximum. If you are particularly apprehensive about wearing a saree – this is a great option for you.

Sharara: A sharara is basically a flared wide-legged trouser (in various styles) that can be worn with a short or long top and an optional dupatta.  It is a truly comfortable garment and one that I think would be truly flattering on all sizes and shapes. This versatile garment works for a multitude of functions – right from the wedding to the reception.  I highly recommend you incorporate a sharara in your destination wardrobe for a comfortable ensemble that packs a mighty fashion punch.

Suit: It is hard to go wrong with a salwar kameez, anarkali or churidar suit.  They work well and are uber comfortable.  Furthermore, they will keep you warm as they allow for a variety of warm undergarments to be worn with ease.

Lehenga: A lehenga with a short or long top is a tried and tested outfit that will work at most times. It is also an ideal piece to mix and match with other tops and dupattas in your wardrobe.

Fusion wear: Modern Indian destination weddings present a unique opportunity to wear clothes that may not work in traditional Indian weddings.  For example, if you are attending a wedding at a beach resort, a beautiful kaftan with statement jewellery would be a unique choice that would offer both comfort and style. These outfits are a great opportunity to make an individual style statement and I will be lookbooking a favourite kaftan dress in a later post.

Shoes: I do believe that shoes make the outfit or are at least as important as the rest of the outfit. When you are destination wedding bound – shoes take on even more importance due to their possibly bulky nature. In this case, it becomes imperative to pack shoes that you know you will wear with an outfit (hopefully more) and not ones that may possibly work.  My sincere advice; pack shoes that are comfortable. The whole idea is to go and have fun – it’s not worth letting foot pain ruin your enjoyment.  Equally importantly, please pack shoes that compliment your outfit – it is truly impossible to put forth your best style statement if it is apparent that your shoes were an afterthought.

Jewellery:  Destination weddings are a great opportunity to wear some of your statement jewellery. Do carry your jewellery that compliments your outfits. If you are travelling to a foreign country and want to take real jewellery; do look into local laws of taking gold etc. into the country.  Many countries may let you take it in but will question you if they discover you are travelling out of the country with precious metals and stones.  Also, keep in mind that if you travel with real jewellery, the oweness of keeping it safe falls on your shoulders. Make sure you have a secure provision to store it.

Given the above, the following are some tips that I think are important when it comes to considering what you may want to wear to a destination wedding:

  1. Decide on outfits that complement the particular function that you have chosen them for.  You may be desperate to wear a new outfit but wearing a slinky cocktail saree to the actual wedding ceremony may look out-of-place and leave you feeling self-conscious.
  2. Do not shy away from ethnic weaves and other traditional Indian outfits.  Modern sarees and gowns look great but so does a South Indian saree with flowers in your hair.  Mixing up your sartorial choices is a great way to put forth your fashion acumen and versatility.
  3. If you have no idea what others may be wearing – try to find out.  Individuality is great, but dressing in a style that is totally out of whack with what others are wearing may leave you feeling awkward or embarrassed.
  4. Do your research on certain controversial colours before you pack.  For eg., certain families may not appreciate you wearing black to the main wedding function.
  5. If the evenings are going to get considerably colder (such as in southern California where temperatures can fall significantly once the sun sets) go prepared with a shawl or other warm garments that match or coordinate with your outfit.  It’s no point ruining your look with a puffer jacket on top of your saree to evade the cold.

Last but not least, I suggest that when you are deciding what to wear (and before you go shopping), go shopping in your closet and in the closets of those close to you such as your mother, aunts and friends. We all own beautiful clothes that have often not been worn more than a few times.  These clothes deserve another outing and choosing them will prevent you from spending more on new clothes.  As importantly, this exercise will spurn you on to mix and match in your closet and in turn create new outfits out of old ones.  I am a firm believer in this practice and I will show you my recent haul of sarees from my mother’s closet in a future post.

I hope you have found this post useful in some way. In my next post, I will share a video of my mother’s pre-pleating saree’ hack as well as my packing list for a destination wedding. Have a great weekend and thank you for reading Isha’s Verdict.

I want to thank Kumkum for collaborating on this post and providing this sharara that could work perfectly as a destination wedding outfit.

Contact details:
+44 7983 863852
+44 7448030545
Facebook Page: Kumkum (click here)

 

Destination Wedding Guide Part 1: The Preliminary Steps to Being a Best Dressed Guest

Destination weddings are really having their moment in the sun and it’s very likely that you will be attending one in the near future. Wanting to look your very best is an integral part of attending weddings and attaining this is easier than you may think.

The key factor to recognise is what you have packed in your suitcase is what you will have available to make an effective style statement throughout the wedding.  What does this mean?  In one simple word – organization.

Being a best-dressed guest at a destination wedding requires top class organization.  Nothing should be left to chance because you are there to enjoy the celebratory atmosphere, the company of other guests, and perhaps lend a helping hand if required.  No part of your planning should include, “I need to pop to the shops to buy a pair of gold heels for tonight”, once you are there.

As I discussed in the video, your best-dressed self for a destination wedding starts when you leave the house for the airport.  So what should you wear to travel in?

Now, of course, the choices are endless and dependent on many factors such as your travel companions (kids or elderly parents) and the total length of your travel.  My general advice is that unless you are very comfortable in heels, wear flat comfortable shoes that look good and can be worn on your return journey. If you live in a relatively cold country, travel with a light coat that may be necessary on both your way there as well as on your return journey home.  Carry a handbag that can hold your essentials and is smart enough to carry in case you have a leisurely day out with other guests at the wedding.

Below, I have lookbooked an outfit that may work if you are travelling a rather short distance (say to Spain or Italy from England) for a destination wedding. I personally would not wear a dress on a long flight but a short flight presents a unique dress wearing opportunity.  I love the idea of showing up to a wedding wearing a fun dress with a lip print to echo the celebration of love and affection of the nuptials that you will be attending. I have teamed it with my trusted broken in black and white pumps that are uber comfortable and work with a myriad of outfits.  I have topped it off with a water-resistant beige trench coat (trendy yet classic) and a black tote that can be used for a day out and will hold your essentials for the plane. Make sure it has a zipped pocket for important documents (Pictures at the bottom of the post).

Even before we discuss the preliminary aspects of packing for the wedding, remember the following:

  1. Grooming: Plan to get your waxing, threading, manicures, pedicures, hair colouring and hair cuts done well ahead of the day you leave for the wedding.  Tempting as it is – I strongly advise not leaving these grooming aspects for your destination. Once you get there, it could be more hassle than its worth.  You may not like the haircut, the wax may burn your skin – the possibilities for minor disasters are endless (I know because I have been there so many times). Even, if you are going to your home town, try to go a day early and get it all done so that you are ready well before the wedding celebrations start.
  2. Luggage: Packing for a destination wedding is a masterclass in packing smart; every item you pack must serve a purpose and clothes and accessories must double up to be of service in multiple outfits/looks. It is hard to pack light for an entire wedding so plan to take your luggage allowance of at least a suitcase. Take a suitcase in good condition and preferably water-resistant in case it stands around on the tarmac in the rain with your glad rags in it.

Next time on the blog, I will discuss the key factors to consider in terms of outfit selection, accessories, jewellery and shoes. I will also share my handy packing list and other tips to help ensure your attendance is fuss-free, and you are your stylish self at the celebrations.

I hope you enjoyed this post and I would welcome any feedback.  Thank you so much for taking the time to read Isha’s Verdict.

Clothes and Accessories:

Dress – Jolie Moi

Shoes – Karen Millen

Handbag – Longchamp

Personalised Wallet – Aspinal of London

Mac – Marks and Spencer

 

Suited and Booted: My Top Three Reasons for Purchasing a Suit (and my first video clip)

Hello, everyone.  It has been a long time coming and I have finally succumbed.  Please see below my first video clip on this blog where I talk about the top three reasons why next time you go shopping for work clothes; consider buying a suit.  Now I confess that I was nervous, but I was equally determined to try this week.  So without further ado –  here I am.

I am currently loving the monochrome suits (see Zara) I have seen on the high street.  Single colour suits, in bright colours, would make a perfect blank canvas outfit to accessorize, or not, as you wish.  A great feature of suits is that you can buy the blazer and the bottom separately; perfect for people who are not proportional and need a different size for the top and bottom such as me.

I love the classic check on this suit and I am ecstatic that I bought it for £65 total in the sale. I have lookbooked it with a variety of tops, shoes and handbags to demonstrate its versatility.  I hope you enjoy the video – I know the content may be simplistic but I am hoping to build on this start with better content in future attempts.

Have a fabulous rest of the week and thank you so much for visiting my blog.

Clothes and Accessories:

Striped Jumper – ARKET

Trousers – Massimo Dutti

Jacket – Massimo Dutti

Red Handbag – Prada

Black handbag – Longchamp

 

A Fabulous Winter/Summer Dress: And My Current Favourite Bakeries

Greetings everyone.  A few weeks ago, my husband and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary.  As my brother-in-law said, “You get less for murder”.To celebrate the best decision we ever made, we decided to go out and do what we do best; eat and drink.

As we decided to approach our ultimate destination on foot, the starting point for an outfit decision were comfortable flat shoes. I accompanied my flat boots with an easy-breezy dress by All Saints.  This really is a fabulously versatile winter/summer dress, as I have currently paired it with a sparkly polo top for warmth, and in the summer I can dispose of the undershirt and replace the boots with nice sandals.  This dress is flowly in all the right places, and the front tie can be tied or left open. I finished off the look with a crossbody bag for ease of movement and my trusty leather jacket (and a black coat on top for extra warmth).

We have a lovely evening and it was a great reminder that the best things in life are the people that surround us. Speaking of lovely things – let’s talk about my current sugar crushes.  I am a legendary consumer of baked goods and I am constantly exploring the fares of various bakeries around town. An oldie but goody that I have recently rediscovered is Gail’s.  Their cherry and dark chocolate scones and petite honey cakes are amazing. The olive bread with big chunky olives and their garlic bread with big chunky pieces of garlic are must eats and last but not least I can’t seem to get enough of their toasted turkey and cheese sandwich with spicy mayo.

The other bakery that is a current favourite is Ottolenghi.  Their lemon and blueberry cake is amazing in that both flavours come through distinctly and create a magnificent symphony in your mouth.  The flourless chocolate and coconut cakes are equally amazing in their own right.

I hope you have a sweet rest of the week.  Thank you so much for visiting isha’s Verdict.

Clothes and Accessories:

Dress – All Saints and All Saints  

Sparkle Polo Neck Top: Warehouse

Cross Body Bag: Yves Saint Laurent

Boots: Massimo Dutti

Leather Jacket: Massimo Dutti

 

January Sales: Some of My Sale Purchases and What to Buy Now in the Sales

Happy start of the week everyone. The sales have been on since last year, but I believe now is when the seasonal sales get really interesting.  The stores have now further discounted sale items and this is the right time to strike!  In my opinion, this week is a great time to get some genuine bargains, especially if you are looking for a relatively expensive item such as a new leather jacket or a fancy new coat. The downside is that your size may have sold out, however, it is worth checking other stores that may carry the brand or even the original brand website several times as sizes do come back on.

Substantial buys such as leather jackets are staples and less susceptible to change in the swift winds of fashion. A leather jacket you may buy in the sale today is likely to be severely discounted but will still be bang on trend for the rest of the year and beyond. The store may release it again with silver buttons instead of gold in the new year, but when you see it next month for full price you are going to mighty pleased with your gold-buttoned jacket!

In this lookbook, I have showcased two of my recent favourite sale purchases from COS. My love for sweater dresses is eternal and I am happy to add this pale grey A-lined number to my collection.  The band across the back is my favourite part of the dress and its neutral front makes it perfect for accessorizing with a variety of pieces.  I have teamed it with a pretty scarf my mother got me from India (bless our lovely mothers who always come back with presents), my high heel navy boots and my favourite tan coat. This dress can literally be worn with anything and its generous shape is a Godsend in terms of comfort and wearability.

The second sale purchase is a cream longline sweater vest that I have been looking at for a long time in the store. I don’t know if you do this as well, but I often find myself eying something up in a shop – knowing I love it and will wear it often – but then not buying it  – but still looking at it every time I go into that shop or look online.  It’s like a buyers paralysis in terms of executing the purchase but a stalkers determination in viewing it regardless! Back to my vest; I have teamed it with jeans, brown boots and my teddy coat for a cosy and warm outfit I have already worn a couple of times over.

Of course, I have been checking out my favourite websites for sale items (my friend calls me the ‘What’s on sale Guru’) but unfortunately, as the saying goes, ‘Even a bargain costs money’ and I can’t have it all. I can, however, point you in the direction of some of my top items on sale in case you in the market for something similar.  Below are five of my high street favourites on sale:

Ted Baker Shearling Biker Jacket – stunning jacket that will be a staple
Karen Millen – A great work coat that will go with everything – extra 20% on top of the sale price
Reiss – gorgeous wear-anywhere dress
Zara – Lovely going out dress in the summer, and in the winter with a polo neck underneath
Karen Millen – A party staple that will serve you well! There is an extra 20% on the sale price

 

 

 

 

 

Monki coat – it’s fun and has a detachable collar in a funky faux fur
Reiss – A short coat in the supposed colour of the upcoming season

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clothes and accessories:

Dress – COS (this colour is sold out online but you may find in the store)

Coat – Massimo Dutti

Boots –

Bag – All Saints

Sweater Vest – COS 

Boots – Frye

Teddy Coat – Warehouse

Jersey Long sleeve Animal Print Top – H&M