We are counting down the days here to a brief return to the UK.
The last time we were playing it cool on the streets of London
I can’t wait to spend time with family, catch up with old friends, wander some familiar streets, eat all my favourite foods, drink lots of tea and – ok lets just cut to the chase – do All The Shopping.
And by all the shopping what I mean is, obviously, shop online before we leave, have a huge delivery to my sister’s house – and then enjoy the pure luxury that is free shipping, free returns. (Hands in the air).
But it felt a bit rude to do all this shopping and not tell you about it!
So here we have part one of my pre-holiday shopping: which, as it happens, turns out to be things I am buying for… myself! Always the giver. Here we go:
jeans jeans jeans
I have mentioned before my unexpected love for a River Island skinny jean – black (obviously).
They are not just for the 5’2 amongst us either as I have had several people get in touch to proclaim their non-petite-adoration of these jeans.
They are also the only jeans to survive two years of wear around four small children with no holes in the knees; no saggy crotch (the worst); and no exposed skin when I am sat on a rug at a toddler music class.
In the name of sticking to a capsule collection I have ordered a new pair – also in the sale, so it seemed rude not to:
Amelie Super Skinny Jeans, now £30
And inspired by Kate at Wears My Money I have also branched out with these raw hem, ankle baring Casey jeans – in washed black and dark blue. I will report back.
River Island Casey jeans, £42
Actually, the black pair do have a hem.
Also River Island, also £42, comes in leg lengths – the dream.
Belt
Can I justify this classic belt to just Zhush up the jeans? Did I just google how to spell ‘Zhush’?
Gucci belt, Net-a-Porter £235
Or perhaps a little more frugal with this very sensible alternative:
River Island, £12
Even more frugal, this vegan option at Asos:
ASOS, £8
shoes shoes shoes
I do like to justify all sorts of purchasing (see above) but even I struggle to justify any shoe purchases that aren’t flats at the moment. I already have heels that I love but just never wear.
So the only shoes I am interested in right now are ones that I can wear and still keep up with Wilfred in (surprisingly/worryingly fast for an 18month old).
Anyway, I might live in North America but I still haven’t pulled off the everyday sports trainer look properly. Maybe this is a compromise?
Vagabond via Asos, £60
I am trying to curb my real desire for another pair of Hobes too:
I have, also, been trying to replace my much loved t-bar flats (RIP 2010) for the past eight years and I wonder whether these from Boden might do the trick?
Boden, in the sale £63 but not in my size (devastated)
Gratuitous flashback to T-bar flat nirvana. Where can I find another pair this good?
And finally
No UK shopping spree would be complete without a quick M&S lingerie stop off. These bralettes are my absolute favourites for lounging around at home and not feeling like a total scruff – even if you end up wearing your husband’s jumper and a pair of maternity joggers over top (not me!) (me).
Louisa bralet, £9.50
Anyway they are super inexpensive, unexpectedly flattering and really quite lovely. And also in some jazzy new prints and colourways.
Holiday pre-shopping. More to come, on childrenswear, homeware, maybe even a bit of a space NK stop too.
I will admit, also, to feeling a bit apprehensive about the journey back. Partly the long haul flight with four children; but also as the first trip back home after emigrating I wonder if I have the emotional resilience to just enjoy the trip rather than feeling sad about leaving again. Alternatively I will just chain myself to Waitrose and be done with it.
tMatM x