Knitwear Edit

I love the fact that it's now October.  Despite September heralding the end of holidays and start of school, to me it's definitely still a summer month.  I got excited when it got cold for the first time a few weeks ago and excitedly put on my thickest tights, wooly kilt and my two most missed favorite cashmere layers.  Hours later the sun had decided to reappear and I was left in the middle of Oxford, sweltering in my winter get up. Now it's October I feel I can count on real, proper, crisp, cold days.  Time to bring out the thickest, polar arctic ready wardrobe.

Every day my emails are full of visionary new winter layers with my name all over them. The problem is that everything seems to cost a million pounds.  When did everything get so ridiculously expensive?

 I've done a bit editing to bring you my top favourites.

Madeleine Thompson 
cashmere split side jumper.

Me & Em 

chunky cashmere scarf.

Chinti and Parker 

Pink pocket vision.

Duffy 

Cashmere poncho from London-Boutiques.

Celine 

Zara handmade cape.

Madeleine Thompson 

Colour block cashmere.

Chinti and Parker

Neon elbow, navy cashmere cardigan. 

www.meandem.com

www.chintiandparker.com

www.asos.com

www.netaporter.com

www.london-boutiques.com

www.zara.com

Magic Coat

After several especially grey days and sleepless nights last week, I took myself off to Oxford for a time out.

I'd had a thought about doing some culture; maybe pop into the  Jenny Saville exhibition at the Ashmolean or even take a peek at the shrunken heads in Pitt Rivers.  

It unsurprising remained just a thought though and I ended up doing retail therapy instead. 

I ended up with a new winter coat.  It's from Zara. Although it really could be Celine.  I am completely mesmerised by it and keep getting it out of the cupboard to stare at it.

I now know why it's called retail therapy...

  

www.zara.com

Za Za for Zara

Everyone loves a handbag. Everyone really loves a gorgeous, bargain handbag. I have been seriously spoilt in the bag department in the past and if I do say so myself have a pretty impressive collection of designer beauties. Anyway since The Cub arrived it doesn't seem right to be spending a fortune on yet another bag. As much as I'm gagging for a new one - I cant believe I think like this now - a new Gucci number costs the same as a year supply of nappies. So I popped into Zara to get some of their very cool leopard print ballets shoes and ended up wondering round the shop clutching about five of the most gorgeous, well made, swanky looking handbags i'd seen in a long time. I was in a total frenzy of excitement. Obviously my new restrained self had to put them all back. Ok maybe I kept one, but they were seriously beautiful, 100% leather, Celine and Marni-esque bags. What was I meant to do? No one in a million years would be able to guess that they were from Zara. When I bumped into mega-stylist Martha Ward that night, swinging one of their red and gold studded pouches from her arm, no-one could believe that it wasn't a Marni creation. Most definitely worth a look. I promise.

Some of Zara's bags in stores at the moment

from £49

www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home/uk/en/zara-S2011