Weekend Outfits & Shopping for Britmums!

After a lovely long weekend in Tipperary, I'm back in Belfast again. We had a great time travelling around the county and over to Waterford too, catching up with the family and just generally chilling out. Can't beat it with a big stick :)

I managed to work a very small selection for 4 days. I hate travelling with loads of clothes and prefer to challenge myself to stick to one main colour and work as many outfits around the minimum number of items.

I decided that grey was my palate and apart from the breton top, it featured heavily. Travelling down, I wore my new Matalan jersey skirt. Perfect for 4 hours in the car so I also wore it on the way home!

Our first full day was quite showery so I wore my Target Dry parka over a Boden breton top and Gap boy fit jeans:

and then on our second full day, we visited the beach while the sun was shining and nipped into Waterford when it started to rain! So I alternated between the parka and this Primark grey biker style jacket, worn over skinny jeans, a grey Dorothy Perkins top and a TK Maxx scarf.

Back home late Wednesday night and it was up early today for a trip to the post office with lots of scarves and then onwards to M&S as I'm in Britmums planning mode and wanted to think about what I might wear. 

Found some gorgeous items and I need you to brace yourself when I tell you that I tried on loads from the Per Una range and loved it all! There's been a real turn-around in the brand since legendary fashion expert Hilary Alexander become involved. 

Here are some random shots from around the shop today with links where I could find them. First up - loved the Per Una statement necklaces - especially this Tribal Warrior one:

The Per Una dress on the left is a really lovely flattering fit. Gorgeous colours and a loose silky detail on the back make it great for a summer wedding. On the right, I spotted these basic 'boxy fit' breton tops in navy or cerise pink stripe. Only £15!

Next up is a bit of a random choice but I'm a bit of snakeskin fan at the moment and I loved this Per Una fitted top with a zip up back. The trousers are fab too - ankle zip sheeny skinny trousers - great for going out. 

Loved this bag which M&S have had for a few seasons now in various colours. This Limited Collection cream/navy/blue one is perfect for summer:

This silk Per Una top is a great option if you like to cover your arms. there are opening in the arms and it's got a flattering bell sleeve. Also comes in white but I can't find it online.

And a couple of other bags that caught my eye - can you tell I'm on a real cross-body bag obsession at the moment? On the left, a Limited Collection cross body that comes in gold and black (and other colours online) and on the right, a lovely tan leather bag, perfect for day time.

and here starts the cream obsession...I cannot get enough of cream at the moment. First up, this soft fabric biker style jacket is a lovely weight and material for this time of year.

Next up - a contender for the Britmum Blog Awards night was this Per Una cotton sequin detail dress:

And yet another cream jacket that I totally fell in love with but frustratingly couldn't find online. It's Per Una Speciale and has gorgeous detail on the shoulders in a darker cream/beige. It's cotton and perfect for this time of year. And with 20% off this weekend...tempted!

My outfit throughout
Sandals - LK Bennett (outlet sale - similar)
Cropped Indigo Jeans - M&S (old - similar)
Cream Top - Zara
Necklace - Vintage
Bag - LK Bennett Anina

The exciting news is that I've actually finalised both my outfit for the awards ceremony and my outfit for the Britmums conference the next day. Keeping it under wraps until the weekend of the 21st June but I can reveal it does contain at least one item from the photos above! I know - don't you just hate when bloggers do that? Sorry...truth be told, I actually just didn't get photos of the final choice because the school run was looming and I had to work fast! 

Ok, off now to sort the hair & nails ahead of the big weekend - yes, the 40-Fest begins tomorrow (Friday) with school run mum-lunch, followed by Chinese with friends in the evening. Who knows what Saturday and Sunday (the actual birthday) might bring? I may not be in a fit state to blog but will do my best to take photos for sharing next week xx