Leather and Lace

It's nearly the end of my holiday so I didn't want to waste my last few precious days off work lazing around ... as I have done for nearly 2 weeks now!!  It was time to leave the couch and the dvd's behind and meet some friends for lunch and drinks.

Sweater Top with lace detail: Topshop
Faux leather skirt: H&M
Footless tights: Boots
Platform Boots: New Look

An action shot ... !

Everyone and their mother now owns this skirt but that's because it's such a brilliant find.  It has an exposed zipper detail at the back and is so easy to dress up or down.  If you are thinking about buying I would size up in it.  H&M are always hit and miss with their clothing and this is one of those rubbish items you need to go a size bigger in :( 

I actually bought the top because I loved the lace shoulder detail.  I love any detailing on shoulders ... I seem to be drawn to anything like this.  I picked it up in the Topshop sale and was paying for it before I realised it was from their Maternity range! Yikes, that's not an announcement by the way!! It actually makes the sweater really comfy as there is a bit more give in it without it looking baggy and mis-shaped.

As you can see I am still really struggling with posing! Try as hard as I can to lark about in front of the camera, I still look like a bit of a dork and can't really pull off the 'fashionista' look but hey, I'm only here to share my ideas and inspiration.  I now have another issue besides posing and that's how to re-size my photos and present them better.  One step at a time though.  

Gold & silver link chain: Topshop
Silver diamante link chain: Primark
Watch: Vintage seiko
friendship bracelets: Topshop

I also stole my husbands vintage Seiko watch for the day.  I have decided it suits me better ... wonder if he will let me keep it ;)

I go back to work tomorrow and the thought literally fills me with dread.  Back to the grind so they say ... it's going to be a long 3 days until Friday!!

Who else is struggling with being back at work?

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What about Lunch?

Wooaah I am on a roll here!

This is what I wore on a rather hungover day to go for lunch with some old friends. Bad quality photos but I am hoping to have a new camera soon ... then I can up the ante.

I tweeted about this particular tee-shirt, if you can call it that and had a few of my twitter pals show some interest in what it looked like.

It's faux leather from H&M and a sale bargain at £7! It's a great twist on a casual look. I wore it with a grey H&M vest underneath, dark wash Primark jeans (yes, primark - i really do love their jeans), Warehouse leopard print scarf and Black suedette boots from Matalan - another bargain buy!

I teamed with my gorgeously cosy Gharani Strok fur jacket that I picked up in TK Maxx a couple of months ago. Anyone else remember Gharani Strok? I also wore my wonderful vintage Gucci bag that my husband picked up in LA ... which I blogged about here. I still haven't had the zip fixed yet so will need to do that soon.
Accessories wise I went for my gorgeous Mulberry bracelet that unfortunately scratched to bits after I had a bit of a fall while wearing it :( my gold Swatch watch which always gets a compliment and no one can ever believe it's swatch ... and my pink Mango ring which I really should wear more often.A fabulous lunch was had by all but seriously this time of year really takes it out you. 2011 has seen me bedridden with flu which seems to have morphed into tonsilitis :( - must get better and back on track with a decent healthy diet and a strict exercise regime.

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My Vintage Wardrobe ...

It's been a while since I delved into the realms of my wardrobe and pulled out some of my most treasured items.

The most treasured items I own are mostly those that are designer - I have worked damn hard to afford them, or vintage finds that stand the test of time and add a bit of retro magic to any outfit.

Today's show and tell is a bit of both but it is also a fairly new addition to my closet.

I didn't even buy it myself, my gem of a Husband stumbled across it while on business in LA (where he was also smart enough to pick up some Mulberry for Target bags).

When I got this bag I was initially a little bit excited despite it being quite a tired looking bad. In a good way, of course, it looks like it has a story to tell and it certainly lights up any outfit being of a classic Gucci monogram design and shape. However, I then started to worry that it might be fake.

After all, my other half doesn't know the signs and markings to look for in a bag. He spotted it, he liked it, he bought it ... assuming it was genuine. So I decided to have it authenticated and through the knowledgeable ladies on twitter, I was directed to the purse blog forum.

I posted pics of the bag along with all its marking and branding and much to my joy, the experts of the forum came back to confirm it was indeed an authentic Gucci bag. I also found out it was more than likely to be from the 70's (love!) with someone advising it could even be from as far back as the 60's. A true vintage.

To be honest, this bag does have such a chic and stylish presence I probably would have been happy enough to wear it even if it was fake but now I can walk confidently with my vintage Gucci on my arm :)

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