Easter Sale Bargains & Outfit Round-Up

So this post started out with wanting to share the Mint Velvet mid-season sale which caught my eye yesterday, and ended up with a major fall-out with the laptop as I struggled to do fancy photo collages. I should have spent the last 2 hours ironing but instead I made up these 3 images. You know who to call if you need some graphic design work done...

I've not looked at Mint Velvet for a season or two...it just went under my radar a bit...but I saw one of those annoying Facebook ads and I had 10 minutes to spare so I had a quick peek at the sale and quite a bit took my fancy, starting with a light blue biker jacket. This is a new wish list item after seeing Mariah Carey in James Corden's car for The Late Late Show in the US - the video's on the link if you've not seen it yet. She looks fab in hers. I'm also loving the sequin jumpsuit, though purely for choir purposes...I'm always on the look out for black sparkly stuff in sales to wear at concerts. The khaki jumpsuit is a SS15 essential if you read the fashion press. I think it's a great day-time item that would look fab with a denim jacket and flat sandals in warmer weather (as a storm blows outside here...it's understandably hard to imagine this)

1 - Blue Biker Jacket, 2 - Sequin Jumpsuit, 3 - Khaki Jumpsuit, 4 - Suede Boots (love the back of these!)

Looking at Mint Velvet got me thinking about other stores I've neglected in recent seasons. Gap is a case in point as I don't have a store that is easy to visit and I know there's an ongoing issue with their online vs in-store stock (and prices). But there are some amazing SS15 items in the online sale right now including these classic leather ballet pumps and some AMAZING handbags - how have I missed these? They're 50% off and the leather looks lovely in the photos. Has anyone seen them in RL? I'm going to order them for research (ha!) and will report back.

1 - Ballet Pumps, 2 - Tan Cross Body Tote, 3 - Striped Knit, 4 - Tan Wedge Sandals, 5 - Black Leather Cross Body

I've also neglected Boden in recent months thanks to the house move but this time of year is the best time to pick up their autumn/winter items for next year. The Ingrid coat always looks amazing on Nicki (check out her blog here) and bright statement wool coats will never go out of style. They look amazing with jeans and a breton on the school run but also work really well in a work wardrobe to brighten up a dark suit. I've picked out some going-out tops that are always going to be useful wardrobe additions - especially at these prices. Johnnie B is good for a punt in the sale and I'm aware that lots of mums have ordered the skinny jeans and the Honor top. Worth trying with a free returns label so I've ordered these too and will report back. Would love to order the coats but I'm afraid I'll keep them..and we all know I do not need more coats in my wardrobe.

1 - Claudia Coat, 2 - Embellished Floral Top, 3- Printed Vest, 4 - Honour Top (Johnnie B), 5 - Skinny Jeans (Johnnie B), 6 - Soho Boots, 7 - Perfect Party Top, 8 - Ingrid Coat

I would have done a 4th store if I'd not run out of steam...along with the iron...which stood unused the whole time :)

Finishing with outfits from the last few days...starting with a new scarf from the shop (which will open SOON I promise!)

Jeans -  ℅ Replay
Grey v-neck - Benetton (AW14)
Grey Ankle Boots - Clarks (AW12)
Green/Grey Jacquard Scarf - SGS Shop (available soon!)
Mac - Zara (via charity shop)
Jeans - Brooklyn Supply via TK Maxx (SS14)
Breton - Boden
Navy Suede Boots - Ash Jalouse (current season version on link)
Navy Scarf - Mango (AW14)

Grey V-Neck - as before
Burgundy Skinnies - New Look (AW14)
Scarf - Pull & Bear (AW13)
Patent Loafers - Van Dal ℅ Gray & Osbourn
Gunmetal Pendant  - SGS Shop new stock

Hope you are all coping with the school holidays - the days of rain forecast for the rest of this week are not filling me with joy....wishing you luck if you're stuck indoors with multiple kids.

Ax