Realising that my Bumper boots had never let me down, either in terms of comfort, keeping me upright or keeping me dry, I decided to check them out online to see whether they still even existed.

Not only did I discover that they are an Italian brand, leather lined and really well made but to my shock (and here's where the fickle bit comes in) I discovered that the boots I bought in the sale for £70 now retail at £249 - which probably, no definitely, makes them the most expensive pair of boots (or shoes) that I own. Not only that but according to something else I read, Kate Moss wears them too. What's not to love?!

So, if you want to take a closer look, you can do so here. Some things it's worth paying  a bit more and for me, it's these. I am the world's worst at walking on the ice  - which makes me wonder why I have chosen to taken up ice-skating - but some things are just beyond explanation.

(And no I'm not serious about loving them just because Kate Moss wears them, or because they are expensive - but I might think to appreciate them a bit more and stop storing them at the back of the wardrobe underneath my swimming kit.)

I'm loving this new trend of two tone trousers. It's time that something came along to give skinnies a a run for their money! They're not so far "out there" that you couldn't wear them out and about without feeling a numpty. OK, so maybe not in the snow but definitely when it warms up.


I'd had my eye on them for a while when they made an appearance in this week's Grazia...

...and then today when I was doing some research, I came across these Gap two tone trousers which are in the sale for £6.99. Will they be added to my shopping basket soon? For that price you bet they will! See above for ideas on how to style them - heels and a silk shirt - or a sweatshirt. See, now I have another reason to buy a sweatshirt!


Like I need another reason? Yeah right!

I fear that many will roll their eyes on reading this post and wonder what on earth I am going on about but I sometimes wonder that about myself too, so not to worry.

I last owned a sweatshirt when I was at University. It was grey and horrible and I wore it with equally horrible leggings. I have no idea why I bought it and I haven't bought one since.

However just before Christmas, sweatshirts came back on to my radar when I noticed them in New Look and slowly but surely since then they have been wheedling their way back into my consciousness.

The ones in New Look weren't quite right - a few too many studs and a few too many skulls - but I liked the idea. Unlike before, now it's all about the styling of them. No longer are they something to chuck on with only your jeans (or horrible leggings). Rather they are to be worn as you may once have worn a silk shirt - or how you may now wear a denim shirt - to dress quite a dressy outfit, down.

Think tweed pencil skirt and heels (see below) and you'll be on the right track. Sweatshirts need to be a relaxed fit but not too loose - which is good or else the striped one that my husband was wearing yesterday would have been pinched quick smart.

So I have hunted around to see what I could find and this is the best of the bunch so far...

There's this button back sweatshirt (£29) from Esprit which comes in a variety of colours. The buttons down the back add that extra style element to what is, let's face it, essentially a plain long sleeved top but only thicker.

Although I had heard from our local florist, who also owns a shop in Liverpool, of women being seen in the supermarket and on the school run in rollers, I hadn't actually witnessed it until I went up to Newcastle at New Year. I should say at this point that I would be the last person to be passing judgment on anyone wearing rollers in public. You should have seen what I had on my head when I went running yesterday. It wasn't pretty.

Wearing rollers in public is now a sort of status symbol and the ultimate accessory. As for the girl that I saw, her rollers were like a neon sign flashing above her head saying "I'm getting ready for a big night out tonight." This particular roller wearer was also sporting a beautifully made up face, manicured nails, a fake tan and a velour tracksuit. Again, no judgment being made on that front - it's just a fact. If I had the hair to pull it off maybe I would try but there again maybe I would just look like Hilda Ogden. I certainly sing like her.

Such a beautiful display and one of only many. I was intrigued by all the different sorts of chocolate on offer, particularly the "pudding" bars but continued on my journey through into cosmetics and stationery, via the hats with this lovely display by Christys and where there's a gorgeous straw trilby with a liberty print band around it which has my name on it.


...and these lovely displays of scarves. The colours were so beautiful and a gentle reminder that spring is somewhere on its way...soon.




I love Liberty for the building (I can almost convince myself that I have indulged in something historical and cultural when I have been in there, which is a bonus) the fact that it stocks brands that I don't get to see at home but also for the fact that it is done in a really un-pretentious way. Simplicity is key.





On I went, looking at Isabel Marant Etoile, Rag and Bone, Carven and other brands before going to the sale room (how I wish I had left more time to look there. They had some amazing savings) before heading back downstairs for a quick look at the bags, a hunt for something with "Liberty" written on it for our eldest who also loves the store, before leaving via the main entrance with the beautiful flowers.

Wandering around a store is obviously not everyone's idea of switching off, even one as beautiful as Liberty - in fact my own sister would find the idea positively ridiculous! However for me it was lovely to be able to step off the world for a little while and was I glad to have left Oxford Street to the masses? Oh yes indeed. At least I am putting one of my New Year's resolutions into play. The one about remembering to take plastic bags back to the supermarket to re-use? Not so good.

I thought that it might be helpful to show the accessories at close quarters so here they are: French Connection scarf bought in the sale.  You know the other day when I said that the All Saints shoe boots were the only thing that I bought in the sale? Well I was wrong. I usually am.  Cocinelle cuff and La La Rocks braclet - bottom left and right - and pirate lariat necklace (Topshop £12).

Had I known the necklace was called that I am not sure that I would have bought it but on closer inspection there's nothing remotely pirate like about it, which is good. I only bought the necklace on Wednesday and really like it because although it's long, due to the way that it is fixed quite high up, it's not a swinger (if you will excuse the phrase) so it doesn't get caught in the dishwasher.

I decided to go for the tarnished gold version, rather than the black. Obviously the flash on the camera makes them look much shinier than they are but I liked the tarnished look for a change. They will take on the colour of whatever it is that I am wearing, making them super versatile.




Unless I am mistaken, these have been my only sale purchase.  As I said at the start of the sales, I like to wait to the end as that's when the real bargains are to be found. I really hope that the end of the sales result in some great savings for you all too.

The Bella glazed floral print dress which costs £155, is available in both a longer length 96cm (back neck to hem) and a shorter length of 92cm.

For the past 5 summers or so I have bought a new pair of converse. Now having them in cow print, pink, coral, turquoise and pale blue I can't pretend to need any more. However I do love the comfort of flats and trainers are great for nipping up to school and back in and whizzing around the stores when not with clients. They look great with skinny jeans and ankle length trousers too and worn in the right way, they are a fantastic alternative to loafers, brogues and other flat styles.

I loved the collaboration between Nike and Liberty and featured a pair of their trainers here late last summer. They were too small for me and so were returned but not before someone left a comment asking me whether, if I had kept them, would they have featured in my outfits of shame for the year. Hardly! Boob tube, leather mini skirt and white chipped stilettos maybe but not trainers.


Anyway, I digress. What I like about the pink Clarks trainers is the sole and the slight addition of height that they give without being too chunky. I remember a friend at school having some red gola trainers that weren't dis-similar but they don't seem to make them any more. I have had Adidas Gazelles in the past but they are a little too flat. Anyway, they just make me wince. I was wearing mine once when I was using some shears in the garden and I chopped the lace off. Good job I wasn't barefoot.





I have worn Nike Air Max in the past for the gym/running but they are too "trainer like" for what I am after. I also have worn Campers in the past but no, it's time for a change.

So that's why these Clarks ones would be perfect. I could probably manage without the flashing lights and the velcro isn't really necessary for someone my age. A different colour would be good but other than that they are exactly what I am after. Having trawled the shops and the web, in the words of U2, "I still haven't found what I'm looking for." But I will - of that I am sure.

Today I was doing shopping of a different kind. Although I have recently had some amazing party invitations - in particular to one at which Mark Wright and Arg from TOWIE will be present (!) I was shopping for our now 5 year old's birthday party. It was really embarrassing and, as I was unpacking the contents of my trolley on to the converyor belt, I felt like saying to everyone that I don't normally buy ten tonnes of jammy dodgers, ice cream, party rings, chocolate fingers, hula hoops and fruit shoots (plus one bag of carrots) for our weekend's food consumption. Well, not every weekend anyway.

Sale buys that I am wearing!

Zara boots - summe sale, Hobbs jeans - just before Christmas, Reiss pea coat - 2 years ago, LK Bennett bag - Bicester a few years ago, Jaeger scarf - in store now!

The rest of the family don't believe that I like watching Home and Away and Wild at Heart for the sun but it's true. I would imagine that I am one of very few people to be sad that Wild at Heart has finished but it kept me going through the winter months.

Oh well, I am sure that there is something out there on the High Street that I can look at to remind me of the sun instead. Every cloud and all that...

Earlier on I asked the children to come up wtih an analogy for something that is under-rated. Something that is, if you like, a poor second cousin until you try it - because that's how I feel about yellow.

At first I thought about the Quality Street that are left behind in the tin but then I realised that there's a reason that they are there and it's not because they are under-rated but rather because they're not very nice. Our eldest thought that something that was under-rated until you tried it was divorce - but I decided not to pursue that train of thought any further. Anyway, I think that you get my drift.

Whilst white is without a doubt "the" colour for s/s '13, yellow is a great way of freshening up your wardrobe for the spring. It goes well with navy, white and black and for those who like mixing brighter colours, purple too. Yellow isn't really a colour worn in the winter but, as with the daffodils, the arrival of yellow in the shops heralds the arrival of spring. As the sales end and more new season stock arrives in store I am sure that there will be a wider selection of pieces but here's what's available for now.

So, in no particular order, there's this lovely Karen Millen bowling bag (£225) which I would be very happy to carry around, should it come my way...


Or there's this Boden peplum jacket (£63.30 down from £79). Peplums are something about which I have been very sceptical but this jacket is a mere nod to a peplum, so that's OK. I like the idea of this jacket with some skinny, or slightly scruffy jeans and a white shirt or breton top - rather than as part of a smarter outfit.



This button back jumper £59 from Boden would work well with a denim shirt layered underneath it, or worn simply with a smarter pair of trousers or a skirt - pencil, A-line, flippy or bell shaped, take your pick! The buttons up the back of the jumper make it just that little bit more interesting and it may even work as a cardi too.


This Jinny top from Reiss (£60 down from £120) is more of a trend led piece and great for those who would rather wear yellow on their top half but not next to their skin. This would be really versatile - great for pepping up your jeans with heels for an evening out, or worn with some silky sports-luxe trousers. Whistles has had some great grey ones in the sale. I have it on good authority that there will be 70% off in the Reiss sale as from tomorrow, so it could be worth checking out.



For those wanting just a hint of yellow to their outfit, this Whistles neon lightweight scarf (£45) could be perfect. Jewellery is the obvious other way of incorporating yellow but in a very minor way -  any more minor than that and you would be looking at your undies!


Tomorrow I am shopping in preparation for an event that I will be at on Saturday. Any finds that come my way I will be sure to share with you here!

As we all know, the February issues of the magazines are the ones which reveal to us what the trends will be for the forthcoming season and what we "will" (or in this case "won't") be wearing.

Amongst all of the lovely trends - more of which I will share at a later date as yes, my list has been started - there's a worrying trend for flat shoes. Not just any flat shoes but really ugly flat shoes. And boy if they look ugly on the models who are young and who actually have ankles, what hope is there for the rest of the us - the cankle sporting majority?

Now I love flat shoes and will happily wear brogues, loafers, converse, trainers and smoking slippers. I will also be the first to admit that there are some pieces which, after taking an initial dislike to, will grow on me over time. Smoking slippers and, dare I say it, wedge trainers are such examples. I know, I never thought that the day would come when I would take a look at a wedge trainer and quite like it but the new prune and black ones from Ash are quite appealing. Well, apart from the word "prune" in their description, which just conjures up images of school lunches. No brand should ever use the word "prune" to describe anything. It's nearly as bad as "avocado" which just conjures up images of dodgy 1970's  and 80's bathrooms.

Speaking of dodgy pieces from the 1980's, what do you make of these rubber sandals from Nike which have been used in one of the glossies this month?


I know for a fact that my Dad had a pair of these in the '80's. He bought them at the same time that he bought some rather brief Speedos, so that image is firmly imprinted on my mind - unfortunately. I didn't like them then and I don't like them now so I don't think that's likely to change. Good for stopping the spread of verrucas - I'll grant you that but not much else - and I'm not quite sure that they work with an outfit from Paul Smith which cost over £1000.

Or there's these little beauties from Prada. I definitely remember our son having some beach shoes in exactly the same shape as these when he was tiny. These Prada ones which are leather, will set you back £420. Perhaps? Perhaps not!


Or these from Celine. Furry Birkenstock style shoes. I'm afraid I'm having a little difficulty in getting my head around them, from a style perspective at least. On the plus side however they do look very comfortable and I am all in favour of that.