Santa Baby

You know that song, Santa Baby, by Eartha Kitt? When I was little, I grew up dreaming & hoping that one day, I too would be 'Santa, Baby-ed'. The idea of a grown man lavishing me with expensive, wonderful gifts was too exciting & so, every year I become slightly obsessed with Christmas, presents & that song. I mean, who wouldn't want a their Christmas tree trimmed with "decorations bought at Tiffany"? And whilst even I recognise that part of the song are ridiculous, (chances of me getting the deeds to a diamond mine-zero) some elements are just incredible & tantalising("slip a sable under the tree, for me."-Yes Please!)

I love Christmas. I've been planning it since before the last one! All the shopping for my children was finished by the end of September & all the gifts for family & friends have been planned & in most cases, ordered. All my menus have been planned & food ordered. My decorations are safely boxed ready for my huge annual clean on November 29th & my decoration day on November 30th so that when everyone wakes up on December 1st, they can open their advent calendars in a Christmassy wonderland!

So really, the only thing left to do is to make my Christmas List. I believe that Christmas is a time for luxury & a little indulgence, so with that in mind, this beautiful scarf is first on my list!

 

 

Louis Vuitton Monogram Shawl, in Dune £355

Ok, it's not cheap, but as I said, luxury & indulgence. I will get lots of use from it, as with all my Vuitton pieces, they will be loved, looked after & passed to my children. And whilst not quite a sable, it is still immeasurably beautiful & elegant.

 

I'll share some more items from my list in the coming weeks & days- yes, it will take that long!

 

So what's on your Christmas List? Have you been good all year? With the promise on heavenly treats like these in my stocking I've been an angel all year....

 

Love Kitty x

 

 

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The Perfect Mac for an Hourglass

Every spring & autumn I have the same dilemma; too warm for a coat, too rainy for a cardigan.

I need a mac. And so my quest has begun. Here are a few I'm considering;

 

Sara Mac by Hobbs £159.99

 

Rainy Day Mac by boden £119

 

Classic Trench by Gap, £60

 

 

I love the classic trench shape, but I am a short hourglass shape so it have to be mindful that something doesn't, a) hang below my knees -at 5ft3 I really don't need to look like I've shrunk. And b) make me look like I'm wearing a tent. As little extra fabric as humanly possible! After literally years of searching I have finally admitted to myself that with my height & shape, I'm never going to look like the Parisien chic walking elegance I so dearly want to emulate. Instead I've accepted that I should look in a slightly different direction, which has bought me to these;

 

Pure Cotton Cropped Mac, M&S £50

 

 

And then there is this fantastic little number! From 'The Collection', by Debenhams. It's actually the cheapest at only £30 in their sale but for me, it is almost perfect. A chic, neutral colour, fits just above the top of the thigh (even for me as it comes in petite!) no, too fancy detailing or pattern to date it. And even though it is double breasted, it is low cut so that should be sympathic to my cleaveage, not suffocating.

 

I love it. This really could be 'the one'. My years long quest could really be over. I'm going to buy it tomorrow & see!

 

I'll do a post so you can see what you think.

 

 

Love Kitty x

 

 

 

 

 

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Denim Free Challenge

Last week I had a 'Denim Disaster'.You can read about it here. I set myself a challenge, I would live for one whole week without wearing jeans!

So, how did I get on?

Well, honestly, not that bad. I did have to think a little more than I normally would, mainly about the suitability of the outfit for the occasion. I rather enjoyed it though, it felt sort of liberating, and I started to like planning my outfits the night before, I was forced to spend time thinking about me & I could not feel guilty about it.

 

 

 

Sunday was just spent in the house because of the rainy weather so it was just yoga pants & a cashmere tee. I am not showing anyone a photo of that!

 

Monday was swimming lessons then back home to do a little baking. I chose white Capri pants & a navy striped GAP tshirt. Taking a 3 year old swimming with a 20month old in tow means I need to keep my hands free! So I wore a trusty Cath Kidston mini saddle bag.(unfortunately this great style was discontinued a while back, similar here) Which just lightened the mood & gave me a more casual look.

Capri pants, Star by Julien McDonald for Debenhams

T-shirt, GAP similar

This, in retrospect was a silly choice. Trying to keep dry at swimming, then trying not to get ingredients all over me was a nightmare!

 

 

Tuesday I had to go grocery shopping. So I wore black cotton trousers with a white Breton and light grey cardigan. I carried my Louis Vuitton Damier Ebène Neverfull MM.

Trousers, Jaeger. Similar

Top, GAP, similar

Cardigan, Jasper Conran similar

 

 

Wednesday was a quick play date with a friend & her boys so I wore jade green capris (boy was I getting brave now!) with green vest top & green cardigan

 

 

Thursday I took my girls for a little shopping trip to stock up their autumn/winter wardrobes (but that's a-whole-nother post!) I went back to my white capris, but this time, pared with a caramel tshirt & my favourite cardigan & a Gucci shoulder bag.

 

White capris as before

Tshirt, ASOS. Similar

Cardigan , TK Maxx

 

 

Friday I spent with my lovely family & I chose my favorite outfit;

 

My maxi dress! I cannot begin to describe how much I love this dress. Firstly, it feels like you're wrapped in the lightest of silk, it moves beautifully & hangs just perfectly. It's sexy but sophisticated & great fun too. I love it & especially how I feel when I wear it. I got it from a tiny boutique in a town not far from where I live but unfortunately they aren't online & I can't find anything even remotely similar, but I do hope you find the maxi dress of your dreams too!

 

My long awaited jeans arrived on Friday & I do love them, but I am having trouble finding tops to go with them, I'll have a think & post some pics to show everyone.

I did enjoy my jean free week - it was very liberating, but I am glad I finally have some denim back in my wardrobe!

 

 

Love Kitty x

 

 

 

 

 

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Denim Disaster! And a Challenge...

Oh god.

 

Crap

 

My favourite jeans have completely worn away on the inner thigh seam, leaving a very unflattering hole.

 

I've been trying to order a new pair but they have been out of stock in my size for weeks.

 

And, they are still out of stock. Bollocks.

 

I've ordered a different pair, that I am a bit in love with, from Phase Eight, but they won't be here til next weekend.

 

So I've decided to set myself a challenge. As a mum of 3, living on a (non working) farm in rural Lincolnshire I probably wear jeans a little too much, ok, yes, every day. But I'm not a slouchy, scruffy denim girl, mine are all nicely fitted & rather on the dressier side. But I still live in my comfort zone of jeans, no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise. So, here goes;

 

I will go for one whole, entire week & not wear my blue jeans once. That is a promise. Well, I can't anyway because they are- sob, broken! And of course, I promise to be 'glamorously chic' whilst doing it!

 

Wish me luck! I will report back next Friday with a post just brimming with all my outfits!

 

 

Love Kitty x

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Autumn Boden Picks For Girls

A couple of days ago the Boden Autumn kids catalogue arrived. Oh dear. I want it all. I can just see my little darlings looking oh so chic & 'English humour' whilst poking things with sticks & having 'explores' like Pooh Bear. But of course my husband would actually die (or kill me, either way, not good) if I bought absolutely everything I want. So, here is my favourites, that will, most definitely be on my little ones this autumn/ winter;

 

Grace

 

Firstly, this beautiful, yet very practical 'Easy Jersey' dress;

From £20 it will be perfect for everything from long beach walks to shopping trips. She will have to have it in this deep 'cadburys' shade of purple too. If only so she can wear these genius tights!;

Quite seriously, how utterly incredible are these? They're fun, pretty, practical & childish. Exactly what clothes for little children should be. I will definitely be buying these for her, I have a real problem with people thinking she is older than her seven years. She is extremely tall & because of this has to wear 8-9, but frequently 9-10 & that is where the problems start. High street shops all seem to think ten year olds should, or want to dress like 19 year olds, so it is a constant battle to find things that fit & at the same time, let her be the little girl she is. So, yes! Definitely buying these!

Whilst we are talking of pretty, fun, appropriate clothes, there is this darling cardigan;

A tad pricey, it starts from £30, this I can justify as it will definitely be kept & handed down to her sister.

 

I fell completely in love with this 'Simple Cord Dress', from £24

Purely because of the colour. This is the perfect shade of teal to bring out her big blue eyes. Just lovely! And the cardigan above will look very cute with it!

And the last dress is this 'Pretty Printed Cord Dress' from £28

This continues the hedgehog/woodland creatures them I find myself indulging in every autumn! So cute!

 

Everyday, or at least that's what it feels like I have a constant battle with Grace about trousers (or jeans, or cords or anything at all that isn't a dress). I want her to wear them, she would rather pull her teeth out. I do normally win, but she has the last laugh by inflicting misery & strops on the whole family for the rest of the day. But! I am so in love with this entire look I will suffer the whining because, to quote Mother Gothel, "Mother knows best- take it from your mama!"

Jeans, from £22

Glittery Graphic Tee from £14

Glitter Belt, £12

Glitter ballet flats, from £28

 

Eve

 

Strangely, I hardly found any bits I really 'had to have' for Eve. Except this one outfit that she will have to have,

Applicque Cord Pinnie, from £24

Ribbed tights, 2 pack, from £12 I will put the teal ones with this Pinnie

This beautiful baby cardigan, from £18, will complete the look & also go with many of her other pieces.

 

So, these are my absolute 'must have's girls picks from A/W14 Boden, what are yours?

These are completely my own opinions.

 

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School Style

School holidays. Six long weeks of summer fun await us, so naturally the first thing I did was make my daughter try on school uniform ready for September! As any seasoned mother knows, start early! If you wait, even a week or two & all the best bits will be gone! September also sees my three year old son start nursery. He will be joining my daughters school & so uniform for him too!

 

There is so much choice now, unfortunately most of it is terrible quality, but you can still get amazingly priced, quality school uniform, you just have to know what's what & aren't you lucky that I've already done it for you!

 

I am a big fan of sainsburys clothes, always excellent value & super quality, not to mention stylish & age appropriate! Their uniform is no except.

 

This is Grace modelling her Sainsburys pleated skirt -only £5.50. They also do this in a beautiful empire line pinafore but they didn't have it in her size, so I've got to keep trying because it is absolutely beautiful! I think it was £7 or thereabouts. So absolute bargain!

Another thing I love about Sainsburys is their sportswear- very affordable & lots of Lycra so nothing loses it's shape! This year, I bought Grace their amazing 'skorts' so she can be girly but keep her dignity! They were an unbelievable £3.50!! I also got her these brilliant 'yoga pants' for outdoor PE £10 for two pairs!

Hugh did very well too. He is very slim & not very tall for his age so luckily Sainsburys uniform starts at age two! This is Hugh all dressed up for his first day (taster session) at 'school'

Shorts were £6 for two pairs, socks £4 for 5 pairs & polo shirts £3 for 3 all sainsburys. Shoes were an absolute bargain- £4 in Mothercare's massive clearance - real leather too! I did buy him two pairs for trousers from Sainsburys but I am returning them as I found the perfect pair! Marks & Spencer also start at 2 years and they do a 'slim fit'! They are considerably more expensive at £9 for one pair, but they just look so much better! Well worth the extra for me.

 

Whilst I was picking up Hugh's trousers, I grabbed a few more pieces for Grace ;

 

This jersey pinafore was on a sale rack so I'm assuming it was last years, or perhaps a discontinued style. But it was £3! I grabbed two!

I love the structure of this pinafore too, I've ordered it for her. Reminds me of a St.Trinians meets Roedean girl!

I'm not a fan at all of skirts at school - come untucked too easily, but Grace begged so I relented (she is an exceptionally hardworking girl, so I give in now & then) this is what she got. Also M & S.

 

Finally, what pleased her the most was .....trousers. I hate girls in school trousers. Just too casual for me, but again, I relented because she does work hard & I am making her wear the St Trinians dress!

Actually, they aren't too bad..... And they do have this super cute detailing on the pocket ;

These were £9 again, from Marks & Spencer.

 

Generally, I find M &S to be the best all rounder. Priced slightly higher, I find their quality to be better, but that is not to knock Sainsburys. I wouldn't put my children in it if I didn't rate it. Which is exactly why I don't buy Tesco or Asda uniform. Honestly, it's not much cheaper than Sainsburys but the quality is, I find shockingly poor. Take my advice, stick to M & S and Sainsburys.

 

 

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The Anti Fashion Post

It has been a long time since I have felt anything but disillusionment at the entire fashion industry. The catwalk just doesn't speak to me anymore. My 20s fear of looking anything less than catwalk fresh has completely grown into a near obession with looking glamourously chic. I am thoroughly disheartened when I see the state of some (most, ok, almost all) women today. With clothing being so cheap as to be almost disposable, thanks to discount chains, the internet & supermarkets, it seems we have thrown away our sense of self too. The high streets are packed with girls, all clones in various patterns. Full mini skirts worn so high they are now empire line. 90's bodysuits, tights, cheap pointy flats & hair scrapped back into a bun so large a bird could nest in it. Winehouse wore it (badly) in 2009 & frankly I feel it's time to quit if you're basing your look on a dead heroine addict.

 

 

The trouble I've realised, or, finally accepted, is that what looks good on the catwalk, well, can only look good on the catwalk. High end designers design only for the model figure. Anyone, not matter how stunning, unless they are taller than 5"9, are no bigger than a size uk4, & have no breasts at all will never look remotely how the clothes were intended to look. This is a perfect example. Look at this piece from Louis Vuitton on the catwalk.

 

Now look at the same piece on the beautifully diminutive Dianna Agron, how lets face it is just beautiful with a stunning figure.

 

It just doesn't work. And that is exactly the problem. We all buy outfits thinking in our heads we will magically transform & look like the model, when in reality, if someone as gorgeous as Dianna Agron can't pull it off, what chance have we got without stylists/ make up artists/ hairdressers & personal trainers? We can't & I am so finally sick of the disappointment I refuse to accept it & support a morally corrupt industry.

 

 

I have actually begun to hate shopping. No, really. I spend many frustrated hours trudging around shops with an idea in my head of the sort of thing I want & instead find only items 1988 would like back. Have you tried buying a simple, plain, well fitting tshirt lately? Clearly not, as if you are reading this you didn't jam your head into a revolving door to end the agonising saga.

 

I want a shop where clothes don't have extra, fancy bits just to distinguish them from last years efforts. I don't ever want to see luminous anything. Ever. I would love to have a neckline that enhances my bust without inviting all eyes to meet my nipples, or conversely, be so high it gives me extra chins. I want clean, elegant lines that flatter my shape & create a silhouette to die for. I want clothes that will release my inner goddess, not my inner whore. I want to be stylish & chic, not boring & ill fitting. I want advice. I want clothes arranged into shopping areas for basic body shape ( column, hourglass, apple & pear should do it).

There is a huge gap in the market for wearable, elegant, flattering simple clothes, it's about time fashion realised it. Even a store you would think you could absolutely guarantee would fit the bill, like GAP, unfortunately has started to add unnecessary bits of lace/odd detailing/bizarrely unflattering cuts to what should be simple wardrobe basics.

There is also a crater like void of style representation in media too. I cancelled my subscription to Vogue when I realised every issue was filled with the same unwearable and completely awful clothes. Even the whimsically brilliant couture pieces were beginning to bore. How many Cinderella meets the mad hatter/the Queen of Hearts/Edward scissorhands vast billowing ballroom gowns can the world need? I have trawled & searched all over the internet & newsstands for a site or magazine that speaks to me, that is filled with fabulous, wearable style edits. Something that inspires me, not horrifies me. Something that celebrates my body, doesn't tell me I need to loose a few pounds incase, god forbid, I can't get strangers to stare enviously after my body on a beach.

Perhaps I need to be the one to start it. Perhaps that is what I should do with my blog, at least part of it. Build the site I am so desperately searching for, what's the saying? Build it & they will come? Perhaps I might.

 

 

Lets start with, for me, the epitome of glamorous chic.

 

The simply stunning Sofia Vergara perfectly embodies casual glamorous chic. GOLDSIGN skinny jeans, plain, light top, nude heels, delicate jewellery, splash of pattern with a beautiful scarf, large Tom Ford sunglasses classic bag, super glossy hair. The thing I love about this whole outfit is her smile. Nothing, nothing says glamorous chic like a beautiful, genuine smile. Love it. Love her.

 

 

And best of all, she is 42.

 

 

 

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What They Are Wearing

 

Grace, Hugh & Eve- my beautiful babies

This week has seen a number of lovely outfits & I also made a rather fabulous discovery too!

This is what happens when you ask to take a picture of Grace, as opposed to just taking the shot! You get ridiculous poses & silly faces! But it is still a great dress. This is 'J by Jasper Conran for Debenhams, it was in their sale at £8. It's got a lovely cross over detail on the back & because of that will look perfect over a contrasting tshirt on cooler days. The black beaded bag was a dressing up bag from Nanny.

 

Here Grace wears Boden. This is a terrible shot & makes the dress look rather unflattering & Grace look really big. She is not, & the dress is much, much nicer than here, apologies for my rubbish photography!

I find boys clothes generally unappealing & frankly dull so I tend to unconsciously not take many pictures of my sons outfit, they always seem to be head or face shots. But this week he got a couple of new tshirts which I rather love, though not quite as much as he does! Like so many little boys, Hugh has discovered 'superheroes'. He proclaims he wants to be, variously, Batman, IronMan, Wolverine etc. when he grows up. But his biggest love, currently, are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. And so we got him a snazzie little top;

Not impressed? You will be;

 

 

Awesome! Cowabunga Dude! Yup I love it! It was from Sainsburys.

 

 

 

I made a fabulous discovery this week too. I have never been into 'Mountian Warehouse' before, not being a camper, but I was amazed to find some absolute bargains in their sale!

Here Hugh is wearing a funky striped tshirt with appliqué detailing that was reduced to £3.99!! His shorts I picked up in a Tesco uber sale a few months ago.

The detailing is excellent - just like something out of Boden! I also picked up a bargain coverup/fleece for Grace. Which will be perfect to leave in the car, or under the pram incase of a cool day.

Eve has been in lots of pretty summery things, including this super pretty drop waited dress by Uttam Boutique which I picked up in TK Maxx. It is very thin so perfect for hot sunny days.

 

With 'Bunny'

Here her shorts are from Tesco. The lovely 'Hawaiian' print top is by Sugar Pink -the colour really brings out her eyes. Sun hat I got from 'Oldrid & Downton'. The wellies were a present from Nanny.

And finally this beautiful dress from J by Jasper Conran for Debenhams. Again, in their sale for £8.

 

This week has had a few ups & downs & unfortunately not much sun! But we have still managed to smile & laugh a lot & wear some pretty clothes!

 

 

I am posting this & joining in with the fabulous MummysGotStyle brilliant Fashion Friday feature!do have a look at all the other posts, they are gorgeous!

 

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