Black Tunic Top • H&M+ | White T-shirt • H&M+ | Blue Cotton Blouse • Violeta by Mango | Striped Linen Shirt • Violeta by Mango | Blue Peasant Blouse • Simply Be | Grey Pullover • Violeta by Mango | Black Cardigan • Violeta by Mango | Trench Coat • Marks and Spencer | Casual Denim • H&M+ | Dark Denim • H&M+ | Black Trousers • H&M+ | Striped Cropped Trousers • Violeta by Mango | Yellow Wrap Dress • Violeta by Mango | Black Dress • Violeta by Mango | Blue Scarf • BCBGMAXAZRIA | Yellow Scarf • J.Crew | Hat • Off 5th | Sunglasses • Boohoo | Sneakers • Adidas via Asos | Slides • & Other Stories | Red Shoes • Toms via & Other Stories | Black Purse • Nordstrom Rack | Blue Crossbody • Asos |
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You know when you are eating something sweet and it’s so rich that you are almost gagging but it’s still so good you don’t want to stop eating? That just happened with some chocolate truffles. It actually happens all the time but I try to finish it otherwise someone else will eat it on me. Unattended or abandoned food is not safe here 😉
Also that cold that I had? The one I thought was going away decided that it wasn’t ready to vacate quite yet. Several symptoms just won’t let go, and I’m going on week four of a stuffy nose and slight cough. I would have been concerned but those are the two symptoms that have stuck around for Roo too, and she got sick at the same time as me. I guess this is just a hanger on’er.
I fell victim to the Zara sale. Remember that pink tweed jacket that I got a while back? While I love it, it was actually my second choice. My first choice had more of a blue fleck than pink, 3/4 length sleeves, a collar, and buttoned up the front in more of a blazer than jacket style, but it kept selling out in my size. I’d get an email when it came back in stock and then when I added it to my cart it would be out of stock again. Very frustrating in the grand scheme of First World Problems, so when the Zara summer sale started and I saw they restocked it and it was $60 cheaper I was excited. Then it sold out again with seconds (I swear it was seconds) so I gave up. On Mandat afternoon Merle and I went to pick up some groceries and we have to walk by the big Zara to get there. As I was walking by I made eye contact with my jacket. There were 4 in a messy little row. Side note: Have you ever seen how chaotic and messy Zara gets especially during sales? It must really suck for the workers to maintain that. When I worked retail I would have to hold my breathe and walk away when someone rifled through my neatly folded tees. I can’t imagine the amount of work it takes to get it cleaned up after closing. Long story short, I pretty much dived at the rack to check and they had it in my size so I carried it to the cash in a death grip (you know. In case someone tried to snatch it like they do in movies) I kid only slightly.
This brought me to the realization that I have a thing for jackets. I never really realized that until yesterday but I get really upset when the weather gets too hot for me to layer a fun/cool jacket over whatever I am wearing. Some people have a thing for shoes I apparently like jackets. Now on to the real meaning of this post.
I will be short and brief after a long-winded story. These 24 outfits (12 above and 12 below) are the outfit options that I put together for the What to Pack for the UK packing list from last post. The details from the trip are in the original post but I wanted to point out to those that may have not seen it that this list is plus size and meant for a 3 week trip to the UK for the end of June to middle of July, so technically early summer. The trip it is requested for is mostly casual with a few dressy nights. The colour palette was mostly blues with a few colours added, while staying away from browns/beiges. Whenever I make a packing list I tend to include mostly solid colour neutral pieces, while adding a piece or two in a bright colour or pattern. I also like to add some colour variation using scarves and sometimes a shoe. A fun colour or print shoe can add so much to an outfit, everyone should have at least one “fun” coloured shoe.
While the temperatures at this time of year can lean towards hot, it can also get cold and damp in a blink so clothes that are loose, and breathable will work for the heat while adding a sweater over top will transition you through cooler days easily. *The UK is currently having a heat wave, so pay attention to the weather.* Remember that your travel outfit comes from the pieces in the list as well, and is not in addition to. It’s always a good idea to wear your heavier, more layerable items on the plane (planes can be cold) so that you can pack less.
Have you found any good sale deals lately?
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Black Tunic Top • H&M+ | White T-shirt • H&M+ | Blue Cotton Blouse • Violeta by Mango | Striped Linen Shirt • Violeta by Mango | Blue Peasant Blouse • Simply Be | Grey Pullover • Violeta by Mango | Black Cardigan • Violeta by Mango | Trench Coat • Marks and Spencer | Casual Denim • H&M+ | Dark Denim • H&M+ | Black Trousers • H&M+ | Striped Cropped Trousers • Violeta by Mango | Yellow Wrap Dress • Violeta by Mango | Black Dress • Violeta by Mango | Blue Scarf • BCBGMAXAZRIA | Yellow Scarf • J.Crew | Hat • Off 5th | Sunglasses • Boohoo | Sneakers • Adidas via Asos | Slides • & Other Stories | Red Shoes • Toms via & Other Stories | Black Purse • Nordstrom Rack | Blue Crossbody • Asos |
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It’s okay, heatwave over, back to winter clothes! In all seriousness, I find when it’s hot in the UK it’s not so much the temperature, but a lack of cloud cover, so you’re basically cooking in the direct sunlight.
I went to Zara, River Island and Topshop today and found nothing. It was just crowded and messy. I need a halfway decent pair of blue jeans that don’t have rips in them for Casual Fridays when I go back to work, but nope. Apparently that’s too much to ask for. I’m trying to find a good deal on an American Girl doll for my daughter on ebay, but have to see if I can get it shipped to my parents in the US so I don’t have to pay 30 quid on shipping. No real rush, she won’t be able to play with it for a few years, but all but one of the characters I’d get for her have been discontinued and are just gonna get more expensive each year that goes by. Also need to figure out which one – I’ve managed to narrow it down to four, but that’s an obscene amount of expensive dolls!
I get that. When a heat wave hits here it’s the humidity that kills you. It feels so much grosser than a dry heat, like your suffocating.
I had better luck thrifting today than I have had in stores lately which is weird. I did order some shoes and pants from Zara that should be here tomorrow or Tuesday. They weren’t from the sale though. I think I am already buying for fall based on my latest purchases. As for non distressed jeans, one of my favourites that I have are from H&M. They are the shaping denim so they are a mid rise and suck in everything in a good way. They fit small which can be disheartening when you are trying them on but they are one of my faves (actually two of my faves because I have a grey pair and blue). So it may be worth a look and see.
As for American Girl Dolls I managed to escape that 😉 Neither of my girls were partial to dolls but they weren’t really available in Canada until a few years back anyway so the thought never crossed my mind. I find that Ebay shipping is insane now. I miss the old ebay, but since you are starting early you can probably find one for a halfway decent price before they start to screw people over for Christmas. See, it pays to over plan 😉 Good luck!
Sara