In the Pink

(Image via Daily Telegraph)

So, I guess we all know that the pink coat is the item of the coming season. And I love this one by Marks & Spencer and others I have seen. But I will very definitely be avoiding the trend because it just feels as though it might end up being everywhere. I am generally not keen about following a trend, but particularly not one that will be as visible as a pink coat. It will be interesting to see how popular it actually ends up being. It could be touted as a big trend by magazines but not be taken up by Joe Public. Time will tell. What about you? Tempted by the trend or not even slightly?

Cheap Date

I should be forced to wear this t-shirt. Broke but still shopping - that's me. My one saving grace is that I haven't actually been buying anything, just looking. But my unemployed status means that I am really only looking at the cheaper end of the high street.

Gone, for now, are my Comptoir, NW3, Jigsaw, Reiss, Toast days and instead I will be moving back into a thriftier age.

I'm not wildly unhappy though because I have found some lovely things in Dorothy Perkins and Marks & Spencer, which makes me happy.

(Images via River Island, Dorothy Perkins, Marks & Spencer)

Cheap Date

I am currently unemployed. So generally speaking my shopping days are on hiatus. And very definitely any shopping in any but the most reasonably priced shops.

Thank goodness for Marks & Spencer flats which are super cute.

 They will keep my happy in hopefully the short interim before I am back in gainful employment.

(Images via Marks & Spencer)

Top Marks

I am trying to save my pennies at the moment, but of course I still want to shop. So what's the solution?

The cheaper shops that I used to patronise just seem way to young and trendy for me, old trollop that I am.

But what's this? Marks and Spencer you say? A Peter Pilotto-a-like geometric patterned dress and adorable patterned and bow-bedecked pumps?

Fabulous, no? I might just have found the answer.

(Images via Marks & Spencer)

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?

Way to Go

(Image via Marks & Spencer)

I am quite in love with these floral wayfarer sunglasses. Aren't they the most?

The Green, Green Grass of Home

I urgently need to get some colour into my wardrobe. I realise that I am following a similar path to the one I did a few years ago and I need to make it stop. For my own well being. It went something like this:

- Wasn't feeling great about myself

- Started putting on weight

- Started wearing lots of black and dark clothes

- Started wearing shapeless clothes

- Felt worse about myself

- Ate some more...

You see where this is going. Well at that point I picked myself up, dusted myself off and booked myself a trip to the mountains, did lots of training, felt loads better about myself, got a bit thinner, felt loads better about myself, started wearing lots of colour and fitted clothes, felt on top of the world.

So I've done all the negative things on that list again and it is time to put a stop to that and put a more positive spin on things. And I think a lovely easy way to do that is with colour. So what about this Topshop number? Yes, I know it is shapeless but baby steps, you know?

The colour is heaven. I really love it. Less sure about the fussiness of the straps at the back, but chances are it will be covered by a cardigan to start with, so maybe that doesn't matter.

(Image via Topshop, Marks & Spencer)

And talking about the cardigan, I've had my eyes on this one from M&S. It is bright and jolly but are the colours too similar? They definitely look so here, but in real life I remember the cardigan being a slightly bolder shade. Those two could work together without me looking as though I was turning into the hulk, couldn't they?

The Best is Paillette to Come

Marc Jacobs and Prada brought us paillettes for autumn/winter. And they look fabulous. But I wasn't convinced they had a practical real life application.

Until I found this puppy. Isn't it heaven? Statementy with the paillettes (which make the most delightful rustling sound) but neutral coloured. With a pair of cropped cigarette trousers and a lady like heel, I think we are on to a winner for a night on the town outfit.

(Images via Style.com and Marks and Spencer)

And where did I procure this beauty? Good old M&S. Would you Adam and Eve it?! Dead chuffed I was when I found it. Just need to make some friends here so I can be invited out somewhere I can wear it.

Brown Girl in the Ring

So the new M&S celebathon advertising has just started being shown. Its fun and peppy and summery and inoffensive.



Except what the hell is VV Brown doing there? I know you aren't a fan, but really? M&S and VV Brown? Who thinks that makes sense?