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?
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).
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