The most obvious choice of shopping venue on a Saturday

Is of course Westfield Stratford City. Under normal circumstances, I would rather stick pins in my eyes than venture to such a shopping centre on a Saturday, in the lead up to Christmas. Bluewater I can cope with, just. Westfield? A whole different ball game. But. The husband had a late hockey game and I really wanted to go. Justification indeed. I was also desperate for a perusal in Cos, and to further my already bulging birthday/Christmas list. And there is no Cos at Bluewater so the deal was done.

And actually, it wasn't too bad. As in, there were more people there than I think I have seen in one space at one time, but, by myself, I could whizz in an out, pushing people out the way as necessary. Serial shopping should be an Olympic sport if you ask me.

Anyway. I mentally added presents to my own wish list, and the list for family and friends. And I purchased a whole load of new winter clothes for the husband (if I did not do this he would literally have nothing to wear, we are complete opposites when it comes to clothes shopping funnily enough). I was also able to purchase some items from the new 'Grey Concept' collection at H & M. Having spotted said collection online and checking the Bluewater store after work on Friday, I was distraught disappointed to see that they did not have it in stock. Harumphh. According to one shop assistant, it is only going into a few stores. (Another good reason for me to visit Westfield on Saturday, did I mention my justification skills are legendary?!).

So, success all round, topped off today with another trip back to Bluewater for the husband to pick his new laptop, and me to pick up a new hallway rug that I had spotted in Zara home. I had a quick gander at the cameras in John Lewis but they all looked the same to me. A shop assistant was kind enough to aid me and I had the grace to nod intelligently in the right places, but honestly, he could have been speaking Japanese. I am so not techno. Never mind though, I am sure this is another reason for having a husband. Just kidding S ; P

Lastly, a round up of some of this week's outfits, work and weekend:

Wednesday (work)
Black jersey dress: Zara
Grey cardigan: H & M
Monochrome snake print scarf: Marks and Spencer (newly purchased on Tuesday, beyond chuffed with this, a perfect picnic-blanket size scarf).
Black tights: Marks and Spencer
Biker boots: Dune

Friday (work)
Blue and white print dress: Vero Moda
Grey cardigan: H & M
Black tights: Marks and Spencer
Biker boots: Dune

Saturday (Westfield scrummage)
Long line nude vest: Primark
Linen cream top: H & M
Jersey scarf: Cos
Printed jeans: Primark
Leather cuff: Mulberry
Biker boots: Dune

Saturday:
Black leather jacket: Zara
Grey wrist warmers: H & M
Bag: Mulberry postman's lock hobo

Sunday (Bluewater)
Beige long line vest: Primark
Cream long sleeve thin top: Cos
Grey thin knit cardigan: Grey concept at H & M
Dark denim jeans: Grey concept at H & M
Monochrome snake print scarf: Marks and Spencer
Biker boots: Dune
Bag: Mulberry postman's lock hobo

I may have also ordered the black coat from the Grey Concept collection (one of the few pieces left in stock online)... will reveal all when it arrives (which will be probably be in 2013, H & M online are not particularly speedy with their delivery).

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, I am having to replace Downton with I'm a Celebrity tonight.. booo, I am sad already!

The best use of time on a Sunday

..Is to spend it queuing through the Dartford tolls, just to reach Lakeside, so some new vest tops can be purchased from Primark.

Poor husband. In fairness to myself, he wanted to use the opportunity to peruse the latest laptops on offer for his pre-Christmas splurge. (Let's skate over the fact that we could have done that much closer to home, ahem). Upon witnessing the horrendous queue resulting from the closure of the second tunnel, the husband suggested we head to Bluewater instead. Unfortunately for him, I was behind the wheel and too stubborn to give in. One hour of colourful language later and we were through. Bloody Lakeside, bloody shopaholic tendencies of mine and stubborn old goat personality.

I intended to purchase a good handful of the longer length vest tops that I love so much for layering beneath jumpers and sheer tops. Of course, after the 'trying' journey we had endured, the colours I wanted (black and white) were nowhere to be seen in my size. Why would they be? This is Primark after all. Grrrr. I did manage to purchase a navy and nude shade that fit seamlessly into the winter wardrobe so all was not lost. As this only brought me to the grand total of £4 I decided to add to my wares and snapped up some thermal socks and a blue and white print dress for work. Beyond chuffed until I arrived home, hung it up and noticed a hole underneath one of the armpits. Not. My. Day.

But, oh well, I have an excuse to return and rummage in more depth now (always difficult when the husband is tagging along, bless him, he is really very good and quite easily appeased with sweets and his kindle, but still).

Now for weekend outfits, last night I had a catch -up with friends over dinner. First opportunity to wear my TK Maxx Antoni and Alison bargain:

Nude long line vest: Primark
Cream linen mix top: H & M
Grey jacket: Antoni and Alison
Zebra scarf: Zara
Oxblood coated skinnies: H & M
Black wedge heels: Faith
Bag: Mulberry East West Bayswater
Leather cuff: Mulberry

And again today:

Beige long line vest: Primark
Burgundy boxy jumper: H & M
Horse print scarf: Dorothy Perkins
Leather cuff: Mulberry
Light blue jeans: River Island
Shearling cuff boot: Red or Dead at Schuh

Grey jacket: Antoni and Alison
Grey wrist warmers: H & M
Bag: Mulberry postman's lock hobo

Now obviously I am a completely pap photographer, although in my defence, taking pictures on an iPhone in a dimly lit room at night is quite a challenge. The day pictures are slightly better but still leave a lot to be desired. May have to purchase the new camera before Christmas, have mentioned to the husband but he is knee deep in laptop research right now so it may be a few more weeks... could just purchase one myself but ultimately that is a recipe for disaster, I will probably end up picking on on how shiny it is. Hmmm, will have a think.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, Downton soon. I am not moving from the sofa!