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!

Thank Goodness for Primark

Now there's a sentence I never thought I'd say...

But oh sweet Jesus and all the angels, Primark has come to my rescue this week. I spent the majority of the week visiting every shopping centre within a 50 mile radius to try and track down some cheapie  flip flops for around the pool, some summer shortie PJs and a couple of throw-over-a-bikini dresses for wearing down to the pool and to lunch. So far so simple. But oh the demoralisation of coming home each and every day with sweet sod all to speak of. Every day that passed was another day for the shops to clear out their summer stock to make way for their annoying and frankly not needed right now thank-you-very-much winter stock. Humph.

So you can imagine my delight when I came across a whole load of beachy/summer items in a Primark near my work place that I visited on Saturday. Thank feck for that. And they were in my size. (Have I imagined this? Primark have items I need, and in my size? I must be delirious).

So anyway. Items purchased, sweet joy, one step closer to holiday ready!

Slip-over-a-bikini dresses, half price, something like £3 and £5! 

And now for another little beauty I spied on Saturday while at Bluewater on a smash-a-grab holiday shop with the husband (aka men shopping- visit the 3 stores he likes, pick stuff up, and buy it). Anyway, I was returning something to Topshop when I spied a most fabulous little beauty glinting in the deep dark dregs on the final sale items rack (normally avoided like the plague). The print caught my eye so I had a quick look and almost did a double take when I saw it was a size 8. Faint. Tried it on in double quick time and hey presto, another little number for the holiday, all for the princely sum of £15 (reduced from £55).

Little Topshop number. 

And to end with a quick round up of what I wore yesterday. The husband and I had tickets to the BBC Proms which was most fabulous all round.

Gold sleeveless shirt - Zara
Tapered leg trousers - Zara
Bag - Mulberry
Sunglasses - Missoni
Bracelets - Pandora and Thomas Sabo

Haha stupid pic, but the shoes are visible here! Toe-post sandal from M & S.

And tomorrow, back to London to see the men's hockey! Loving the Olympics so far, more than a few tears shed during the opening ceremony... I'm blaming the weather... (yep, my broken record and most convenient excuse for just about everything!)

Dressing for the weather cock up part one

I'm not sure how this happened. Actually, scratch that, I more than know how this happened. So used to climbing out of bed in the morning, piling on layers of clothing and heading for the door, I failed to recognise the need for change when that blasted yellow thing in the sky decided to stick around for more than a day.

So. On went the jeans, the cardigan, the pumps. And so began my journey to London for a day at Westfield Shopping Centre. And boy did I swelter. My car with its primitive air conditioning did sweet F A to cool me down, and I was boiled to buggery by the time I arrived at the train station. Thankfully the journey on the high speed only took 31 minutes, and the train was relatively empty. Still, I was relieved to arrive at the beautifully air conditioned shopping centre in one (albeit slightly sweaty) piece.

Me pre-sweat (aka before I left the house):
Nude vest top with lace trim - H & M
Black linen cardigan - Cos
Black and white printed jeans - Primark
Sunglasses - Missoni
Brown pumps - M & S
Bag - Mulberry

Now for my second weather related cock up, and one of the reasons I went to Westfield in the first place. The husband and I have just booked our summer holiday to Barbados and I wanted to purchase a few bits and pieces for the trip. So far so simple. Upon arrival and quick scan of my favourite shops it soon became apparent that the summer stock had all but vanished, in favour of autumn/winter cosiness and warmth. Feck.

Now normally, this is not something I would moan about, and while the weather was so shite, I was happy to buy into this:  jeans, jumpers and boots, giddy, giddy, giddy. But do the shops not know I now need  want a few summery bits and pieces? A new dress here, a new kaftan there??! It seems not, but I will keep searching. If not, the airport will hopefully provide a lifeline (having explained this angst to hubby, he laughed relentlessly for a few minutes before reminding me that I spent an arm and a leg on summer clothing for our honeymoon last year, and could I not wear that?? Well yes, but I still want some new things dear husband. Bloody men, they just don't get it!)

Ho hum. I still managed to purchase a few little bits (shock horror). And all things that I am pretty pleased with.

Contrast detail T Shirt - £35 Cos

My love affair for printed jeans rumbles on. Not content with my 2 floral pairs and my black and white print worn above, I just had to purchase this leopard print pair from good old Primark. Only £13 and very similar to the Malene Birger pair currently on sale. 

Giddy Giddy Giddy #2. I wanted these Zara shoes when they were full price but could never track them down in my size. Well, not only did the Westfield branch have one size five, they were in the sale £29.99 instead of £39.99. Not a fantastic discount but I would have definitely bought them full price so still a good bargain. These bad boys are definitely coming on holiday, perfect for evening meals and (very short) strolls.

So back to today. Still boiling hot outside but I have most definitely learnt my lesson. So on went the maxi dress while I was out running errands, and then Hollister jersey shorts and a vest for bumming around at home. Bliss.

See you soon X

'Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter...'

'Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my paraaaade'... hell yeah!  Weather-wise, the sun is indeed a ball of butter aujourd'hui and generally speaking, life is candy! The summer holidays are finally here, I have had my new job all firmed up and confirmed for September (so excited) and I am looking forward to almost 7 weeks of hmmmm shopping, sunning and sleeping??! Parfait mes amis, let me tell you.

Enough of the teacher-related 6 weeks holiday smugness, let me just take this opportunity to point out once again that... the sun is shining. I am not delirious, or hungover, the sun is indeed out in full force, warming us with his zealous and spirited glow (OK now I sound slightly insane, I'm sure it's the shock of not having to wear 3 layers of clothing and winter boots).

I have been reliably informed that the next week at least it going to be warm too, meaning that the summer clothes are going to have to make a return. After I packed the lot away in a fit of pique after another crappy rainy weekend. Feck it. Thinking about it now though, the husband and I are off on holiday in the next few weeks so I will need the clothes for then anyway. And I knew that when I packed them away, I was just so peed off with the lack of warmth, and the mockery my new summer clothes were making of me. Who knew the weather would drive me to such lengths?!

I have almost forgiven the elements after the beautifully warm day we had today. Upon waking this morning and clocking the strange and mysterious yellow ball in the sky, I instantly grabbed the husband, purchased some picnic food and bundled us both into the car with instructions to him to drive to a suitably outdoorsy national trust property nearby.

White oversize jumper - Zara
Cream vest top (not seen) -  H & M
Tapered leg utlility trouser - Topshop
Tan sandals - Marks and Spencer
Bag - Mulberry
Sunglasses - Missoni

Well that was today, other than this weekend, I have mostly been finishing up at work, which included sports day on Friday. This coincided with the Olympic torch passing through Gravesend, so we ferried the entire student body outside the school gates, lined them up along the road and waited for the torch to pass. The atmosphere was fantastic, I am very glad I got to see it and experience it with my pupils.

I only had my iPhone but managed to snap the torch bearer as he passed!

My competitive and stubborn streak came out in full force  during the staff relay race... I was the final leg  and despite the fact that I run like a robot, I won the race for team Patrick! Amazing feeling to cross the line to hordes of cheering kids!

Hopefully the blogging will be a tad more frequent over the next few weeks as work is (did I mention??) somewhat on hold at the moment... sorry no more smugness, I promise! XX

Let's talk about the weather

Discussion of the weather in my household, on the phone to friends and families, in my school (and not just with colleagues but with the kids too, year 8s discussing our distinct lack of sunshine, I kid you not), even with till staff in Waitrose, has became as much a part of my day as cleaning my teeth. I feel like a broken record, playing the same sorry song, but somehow, if I talk about it enough, perhaps I'll be knocked sideways by a sudden and unexpected heatwave. Hmmm maybe not.

So I have pretty much accepted now that this Summer is not going to happen. Sob sob. I will walk around shopping centres with blinkers on, desperately ignoring the pretty summer dresses and sandals that are now half price, favouring instead jeans, boots and cardigans more appropriate for our cold climate. Nope, I will not succumb, ignoring the quite rational thoughts that tell me to buy now at half price and put away for next summer. Nope, I will be strong, and invest in the Autumn/Winter wardrobe instead (hubby will be so pleased, not!).

So, that's what I'm doing. Rejoice. I do like winter clothes so it doesn't feel too bad. And ever the organised bod that I am, I score major brownie points with my subconscious for looking ahead. A couple of new transitional pieces from Cos at Westfield a couple of weeks back begun me on my autumn-ready journey (more on that later), and today a little purchase from The White Company added to the forward planning.

Curved hem batwing top in pale blue marl £45. Lovely little layering piece, perfect with my new Mint Velvet scarf  (worn below)

Always in style: New Pandora charms from my lovely hubby.  This Monday  I passed my Advanced Skills Teacher assessment (something I have been working on for a year, and another reason I have been insanely busy recently!).  Hubby treated me to lunch, a little Zara splurge and my charms today to celebrate : )

New charms: Simon picked the study book charm to symbolise all the hard studying and work I have done over the past year, and a murano glass bead with lavender stars as he calls me his star!

And now for today's outfit, something weather appropriate of course, with a splash of summer in the form of my new Clarks sandals which I love and therefore have to wear!!  (Plus I was at Bluewater, hardly going to get rained on, even made hubby park indoors).

White vest top - Primark                                             

Beige/goldy jumper- Zara 

Tassel scarf - Mint Velvet

Black Jeans - Zara

Organza Shawl tan wedges - Clarks (now sold out)

Bag - Mulberry

Sunglasses -  Missoni

I may just be getting old but I have really liked the summer sandals from Clarks this summer. The organza shawl and organza wrap sold out so quickly so I was lucky to nab a size 5 in time. Love them, and so comfy with their padded insole (yep that's it, I am officially old, comfort over style all the way baby).

Until next time (when the weather will most likely have changed and I will be digging all the summer gear back out, harrumph). X

Return of the blog

OK I'll admit, I've not been the most committed blogger of late. I'd love to say its because I've been having so much frickin' fun that I've not had time to sit and write, but the truth is I have been working. Working, and working a bit more, owing to the fact it is the dreaded exam season, and I have 100 odd elves ready to take GCSEs and A Levels. So boo to blogging and hello to hours of revision sessions, marking mock papers and tutoring pupils needing extra help. Still, it will all be over next week (huge sighs of relief), and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't had a bit of fun of late. This week is half term, and I've just returned from the beautiful Budapest!

With this blog post comes a smidge of smugness, as I feel I finally managed to crack successful packing for short mini-break type city breaks. In the past, much to hubby's dismay, I've insisted in putting a gigantic suitcase in the hold, filled with enough shoes to kit out my own mobile shop, jewellery, multiple day and night outfits depending on weather, occasion, mood etc etc. Exhausting, and never needed. This time however, I planned. I (shamefully) wrote out my to-pack list during mass with year 8, squiralled away at the back, pen and notebook balanced on one knee, one eye on the pupils placed strategically around me. This list was re-written, as weather predictions were checked and re-checked. I packed light summer outfits, light layers and just enough accessories to provide a change of look when needed. The case closed with ease and I earnt an extra good wife point from hubby (enough to earn me a new Pandora charm at the airport, score). So now for some of these outfits for you perusal... ; )

Travelling to Budapest outfit
Nude vest top (unseen) H & M
White linen oversize jumper new season Zara
White beaded Pashmina Mint Velvet
Floral jeans Zara
Ballet pumps Marks and Spencer (old season)

First day in Budapest
Swapped the jumper for a light Mango tee
Beaded toe post sandals by Marks and Spencer

Dinner outfit
White linen oversize jumper new season Zara
Zebra pattern scarf Zara
Jacquard pattern trouser Zara
Cheapie Primark matt gold flip flops (aka lifesavers - new sandals had caused blisters, bugger).
Mulberry postman's lock hobo bag

Dinner outfit
Same items as above but with my amazing Primark floral jeans - so similar to the Citizens of Humanity floral jeans I had my eye on... at £13 the Primark ones seemed a money savvy option, particularly for an item that may prove a bit of a one season wonder. I love.

Beautiful sunny day
Sheer dress DKNY
Sunglasses by Missoni
Beaded toe post sandals by Marks and Spencer
Mulberry postman's lock hobo bag
Chunky necklace Forever 21

Outfit as above, closer up of necklace

Back bustle detail of DKNY dress

Well back to earth now, back to insane wind and rain and weather that more closely resembles bloody October than June! Hopefully the blog posts will be more frequent from now on, particularly as exams as so close to over... gulp... ; )

Outfit of the Night and Day

Hello mini babybels, I hope everyone is well and has had a delightful weekend. I have but I just cannot believe that half term is over already! I'm not sure why I'm shocked actually, life flies by so quickly these days! Still, I am looking forward to seeing my classes and getting ready for exam season. I have a feeling life will continue to fly by pretty quick as we steam roller closer and closer to the exams!!

Today's post is an OOTN and OOTD for your perusal ; )

Friday night hubby and I attended the 30th birthday party of a friend. I wore a new H & M dress with  a dark brown pair of courts from Mango. I bought the shoes a  couple of years ago but they have barely been worn, so it was nice to pull them out and find they matched so nicely! I kept accessories simple with some gold dangly leaf earrings from Aldo and my Mulberry East West bag.

Today hubby and I drove to a nice outdoor shopping centre around 40 minutes from our house, for a little shop and some lunch. I wore a new Zara cardigan style jumper with my River Island Jeans. I also wore my newly purchased Marks and Spencers boat style shoes and my new Mulberry bag. When I bought these shoes, hubby told me his nan has the same pair which I thought was hilarious! I love them though as they are a bit geek-chic, and if the boat shoe is good enough for Blake Lively, its good enough for me! I am actually thinking of buying them in some other colours too, as they are so comfy (gotta love footglove!) as much as they are becoming.. : )

Well that's about all for now, I need to pack my work bag, check tomorrows lessons and try to get a bit of relaxation in before a night of tossing and turning! Mwah XOXO

Mulberry part deux

Happy Easter weekend Cadbury's mini eggs! I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend, resting and eating lots of chocolate!!

I am having a great weekend, particularly as today is my first wedding Anniversary! We are taking it easy today in readiness for our trip to London tomorrow for afternoon tea and Jersey Boys! So excited!

I need to backtrack though as today's post is about a very exciting purchase hubby made for me yesterday... you may remember that I blogged recently about my Anniversary present from hubby, and how I was trying to decide what I wanted. Well, I eventually decided that I wanted another Mulberry as I love my first one so much, and felt a great need to add to my collection!

So yesterday, hubby drove me to Bicester outlet village where my first Mulberry came from (which was quite a journey with a few detours as we had a blown tyre, traffic avoidance etc etc!). We eventually arrived and went straight to Mulberry! I rapidly dashed round the shop grabbing up any bags that I liked the look of, which hubby then lined up on one arm for me to try on! I had quite a good idea of the type of bag I wanted this time - another classic colour, larger and slouchier than my first Mulberry for a more casual type occasion. I was greatly relieved to find a classic postman's lock hobo bag that I had previously spotted on the Selfridges' website, reduced from £795 to £556 (on account of a tiny 1cm scratch on the base of the bag!). So I decided quite quickly that this was the one, and hubby liked it too, so the deal was done! Best Anniversary pressie ever, v. happy indeed! : )

Ding Dong indeed! The bag alone was hu-uge!

My beautiful new bag! Postman's lock hobo in glossy buffalo deer brown. I love the classic satchel style and understated glamour synonymous with Mulberry!

One of my favourite features of the bag is the gold postman's lock that hangs down so beautifully!

Classic Mulberry front fastening

Inside lining

Mulberry siblings! 

What do you think of it dolls? I simply adore it, the smell of the leather alone is divine! So happy to have another Mulberry to keep the East West company! I need to think now about hubby's gift, he is still making up his mind, more indecisive than I am! : )Well that's about everything for now, more soon angels XOXO

Shiny Happy Sunday

Hello chocolate crispy cakes, I hope everyone is well and has enjoyed the weekend! How amazing was the weather today! I love being able to walk around with no coat, Spring is awesome!

Another thing that is awesome is the fact that the Easter holidays have arrived! I could not be any more thrilled to have a whole 2 weeks off work! Hubby has a week off too which is great, and we have some amazing things coming up! Firstly, it is our first Wedding anniversary (have no idea where the last year went, it flew by!). We are travelling to London the day after our anniversary for afternoon Pret-a-Portea at the Berkeley in London, then onwards to see the show The Jersey Boys, and then a night in a hotel, and who know what the next day! I am so excited, I have a new dress to wear, and hubby is treating me to a designer gift (still undecided right now, although erring towards another Mulberry!). So that will be fab, plus I am looking forward to a lot of chilling in the hols, some baking and maybe a little home project or too!

Anyways, back to today. Hubby and I took a trip to Lakeside for a browse and lunch. We are looking for a coffee table but still cannot find one we like. Nonetheless, we purchased two new sets of plates and bowls from Next which I found quite exciting... think I am seriously getting old! I also bought a couple of dresses which hopefully I will have opportunity to wear and photograph soon!

Just a little OOTD for you all...

I wore my new Vero Moda sleeveless shirt and Zara sandals from my Westfield trip last Sunday, my River Island jeans and a brown River Island belt.

Well that's everything for now, I am off to make a pizza (slightly addicted to making Pizzas now and trying new ingredients, I bought some Pepperdew peppers in Waitrose today to try!) More soon XOXO

Valentines in London

Happy belated Valentines day one and all! I know Valentines has come and passed, but its such a special day and deserves due care and attention in my opinion!

Valentines day is never a sedate occasion in the Bradley household, every year we go to town and use the day to show each other how much in love we still are, 8 years on... cheesy but true! Cards are purchased or sometimes made, meals are planned, gifts are prepared and wrapped, and a day or evening out pencilled into our calendar.

This year, we decided to book tickets to the new west end production of Singin' in the rain. A classic film that we both love, we were extremely excited about the stage version. So, tickets were booked for 15th February, hubby booked the day off work, and I set about planning a fantastic day in London!

For those of you who read my blog regularly, you will know how organised I am, and how I like to plan occasions to the smallest detail. So, a few days before the show, I dug out our London map, propped the iPad on my knee and set about planning a special day for the two of us. I decided that we would have a little wander around Covent garden (little being the operative word, hubby is not such a fan of shopping as I!), a short walk into Soho to lunch at Banana Tree, an Indochinese restaurant that we previously visited in another area of London and loved, and then a short walk back to the National Gallery for an afternoon of culture. Lastly, a pitstop at a coffee shop for tea and cakes before making our way to the Palace theatre on Shaftsbury Avenue for the show.

Covent garden + giant creme egg = heaven! For our trip to London I wore my new Topshop chain print skirt, a grey Primark vest top, my new navy blue H & M cardi (tucked into the skirt) with a tan brown belt from Forever 21, my black Armani exchange coat and my Mullbery.

We saw the show on the 15th February which was the official opening and press night! Barbara Windsor, Christopher Biggins and Lenny Henry (amongst other famous sorts) attended too.

Hubby and I also had a wander around the National Gallery. 

Love my hubby : )

Although we didn't do very much shopping, I did of course visit Laduree in Covent garden, as well as H & M to pick up a grey cardigan. Hubby purchased my Valentines present in Pandora too : )

For anyone who has never tried Macaroons from Laduree I urge you to do so! I first tried them in Paris and have been hooked ever since! This time I purchased 8 (6 shown, 2 already eaten!) for £10.90. My favourite flavours include chocolate, vanilla and raspberry. Yum : )

Hubby purchased me the heart charm at the very front of the bracelet. Gorgeous, and very fitting for Valentines!

Grey H & M cardi £9.99. I love the navy cardi I bought the other day so thought a grey one would be useful to have!

Hope everyone else had a fab day, more soon elves XOXO

Saturday bake day

Happy Saturday strawberry bon bons! Hope you are all well and happy : ) I am uber happy, even more so than usual, as it is half term! I have made some great plans for next week, all will be revealed soon!

Today has been more laid back than usual for me as hubby is ill with flu so I have been in full on wife mode! I stopped off at Waitrose for some get well soon bits for hubby and then spent the afternoon making home made vegetable soup and chocolate brownies! Today's post shows the delicious results! ; )

My favourite cook books! Today I used the book second from the left with the flowery spine, a  birthday gift from hubby's Grandma.

1) Break 225g of good quality plain chocolate (at least 60% cocoa solids) into pieces and place in a heat proof bowl. Add 175g of butter to the chocolate. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering hot water but make sure they do not come into contact at all. Set the timer for 10 minutes and allow the chocolate and butter to melt slowly.

2) In the meantime, whisk together 100g caster sugar with 3 large eggs.

3) In a large bowl, add all the ingredients together; the melted butter and chocolate, the sugar and eggs, and 175g of self raising flour. Mix together until all the ingredients are combined.

4) Add 100g white chocolate chips and 50g of milk chocolate chips to the mixture and stir in fully.

5) Pour the brownie mixture in a 25cm non-stick baking tin and smooth over.

6) Ta-da! 30 minutes at 180 degrees and the brownie should be cooked. Leave to cool before removing from the tin and cutting into squares.

7) The brownies cut into squares and stacked onto a cake stand.

I served the brownie with Haagen-Daz's chocolate, praline and caramel ice cream for hubby, perfect get well soon dessert! : )

More soon dear readers, enjoy the rest of the weekend : ) XOXO