Shelter from the Storm

I've got one of these...

And the day is like this...

With a bit of this thrown in for good measure...

I would really quite like to be in bed...

But there are things to be done so up and at 'em I must go.

The thing to get me through? Dreaming about knitwear. Here are some fantasy items. Hmmm, snuggly! I almost feel better already!

Comptoir des Cotonniers

Hobbs

Jaeger

Whistles

(Images via Comptoir des Cotonniers, Hobbs, Jaeger, Whistles, Landmark Vistas, Scientific American, Frankly Penn)

Red Sky at Night

I think a red dress is definitely going to have to make an appearance in my wardrobe.

I particularly love these two by Karen Millen. Seriously classy.

(Images via Comptoir des Cotonnier, Karen Millen, Whistles)

It's the Bomb!

(Image via Comptoir des Cotonniers)

For some time I have been appreciating from afar Isabel Marant bomber jackets but haven't thought they were quite my style. I have been converted by this tweed and leather number from Comptoir. It's love.

Under Cover

Comptoir des Cotonniers

I am a cardigan lover. I would say that I probably wear one most days. In fact I am sitting here typing in one right now.

I think they are so easy to wear. I like to wear a lot of dresses and a cardigan provides warmth without entirely masking what's underneath.

But I have started to feel that they aren't really smart enough. You know, for work. I bought a jacket last year, a stunning off white Comptoir delight. For the first few months I barely wore it, feeling as though it was too smart, but I think I have grown into it, and wanting to look smart and structured. Slinging on a jacket is such an easy way to pull together your look. So now I am obsessed with filling my wardrobe with great jackets.

For a first go I will take all of these. And, you know, a lottery win...

Hobbs

NW3

Whistles

(Images via Comptoir des Cotonniers, Hobbs, Whistles)

Calla, Calla, Calladise

                       

Oh my goodness, how adorable is the Comptoir collection designed by Canadian designer Calla Haynes? Summer is definitely here!

(Images via Comptoir des Cotonniers)

A Little Bit of What You Fancy

Call me a cynic, but I find that if I want something I very rarely come by it. So when I decided that I wanted to find a down jacket that covered my bum and didn't make me look the size of a house I was sure that it was a quest destined for failure.

(Images via Comptoir des Cottoniers, Ecco)

And when I subsequently decided that I wanted a pair of boots that were warm, comfortable, water proof with a nice bit of foot support (that weren't hideously ugly) I was pretty sure that the fashion gods would be sat up Mount Fabulous having a good old chuckle at my gall.

But in your face! Because I got both, on one day. Yay!

Obviously I won't be shopping again for months because a) I have spent rather too much money and b) I have a feeling that a serendipitous shopping adventure like that only comes around once in a blue moon.

But right now I'm as happy as a clam and as toasty as, erm, a ... freshly toasted piece of toast...?

Bag of Tricks

I have been hauling round a neon pink canvas Baggu all summer, but it is getting cold and it is getting wet and I think I need to revert to leather. Now of course I have a leather bag, well more than one, but where would be the fun in that when you could lust after something new.

Now, when it comes to bags I am very particular. Not that it has to be super expensive and I really don't care about it bags, but what I do hate is a bag that looks cheap. And nothing looks so cheap as a cheap black leather or pleather bag.

So I saw the Comptoir bag at the top and I fell hard. Cross body strap, good size and lovely soft textured leather. It looks and feels like something beautiful.

(Images via Comptoir des Cotonniers, Marks and Spencer)

But then I saw the Marks and Spencer hobo and I was torn. Yes, the hobo style is a bit played out, but considering that it is less than a hundred knicker I have to say I am really impressed. The leather is nice and it doesn't look cheap.

Sadly it is nearly Christmas and I am trying to be really good with money so I won't be having either, but it is definitely good to know that it is possible to get a bag that isn't breaking the bank but also isn't cheap and trashy.

Truly, there is one thing about getting older that isn't so great (for our wallets at least) - it gets harder and harder to put up with poor quality, don't you agree?

Sheep Dip

(Image via Comptoir des Cottoniers)

Is it wrong to be wishing for it to be cold enough to wear this little treat?

Cheap at Half the Price

Is there anything more depressing than a wet June? I didn't think so, but then the sales started and I proved myself wrong.

Bad enough already, right? Then I went to the Comptoir des Cottoniers sale and saw all of my lovely clothes discounted.

Ack! So even a new purchase wasn't about to make me feel better.

I just have to console myself with the fact that I have already got a lot of pleasure out of wearing these items this year.

(Images via Comptoir des Cottoniers)