WIT mama Friday: the mum-on-the-run friendly boot

Topshop jeans, Joseph gilet, Bally bag, Isabel Marant Etoile boots

I know I've been going on about sheepskin boots for a while now, (including in last week's issue of The ICONS Update), but the thing is every time I buy something that I get lots of wear out pf I feel like I really really need to let you know.

The thing is I've been looking for an acceptable form of Ugg boot for years now, but nothing ever meets the warm and comfort that that shoe can give me. Despite this, I would never want to be seen wearing them, they are sort of clunky and and make my fee look huge, plus let's face it they are not very chic.

The solution to all my winter boots problems have been these Isabel Marant Etoile boots that I got in Florence from Luisa Via Roma before Christmas - they have become my WIT mama Friday official shoes, and in this freezing climate my weekend shoe too.

They come in black suede with a little wrap-around leather detail, rubber soles and sheepskin lining and the great thing is, they are on sale too (40% off!)  - I would suggest getting a size up from your regular size as they lining makes them a might tight. Finally a shoe that keeps me warm in the winter, is park-proof and looks stylish all at the same time.

Isabel Marant Etoile shearling boots £225 from Luisa Via Roma

WIT mama Friday: 5 things every Mum needs at the weekend

I recently realised that when I'm getting dresses at the weekend  (whether it's for a walk in the park, a brunch with friends or a trip to the Zoo), I reach out for the same things over and over again, and that whenever I throw them on or however quickly I'm getting dressed, they always make me feel chic and put together. My five key essentials are:

1. A good pair of jeans;
2. A good quality grey jumper ;
3. A well cut, go-with-anything jacket;
4. A pair of flat, black ankle boots;
5. A hands-free cross body bag.

A good pair of jeans are essential - they need to be super flattering but also really comfy because at the weekend, that is what I long for the most. At the moment I am loving my Mother Denim jeans to which I've cut the hem with scissors to make them the perfect length to be worn with flats.

A versatile grey jumper is another must-have and my Isabel Marant jumper (bought last season with enormous price guilt... Isabel Marant sweater £435) has proven to be one of the best buys in my wardrobe. The key is to find something you love but that you are not going to be precious about, don't save it for special occasions: make the weekend a special occasion.

A good jacket is another must - choose something season appropriate, in Fall I love an oversize blazer and my tweed New Look one has been a firm favourite for years now (Isabel Marant does a similar style this season for £355).

When comfort is key I always reach out for flat shoes, and in Fall they have to be closed-toe/rain or shine shoes like my Karen Millen ankle boots (bought this season and still available online).

To finish off the look I love a small, cross body bag to keep my essentials and at the moment I am a little bit in love with my super chic, black monogrammed Bally square bag, which leaves me hands free to chase Greta anywhere she goes!

Sorry for plugging my own venture but I have to add that if you are looking for more amazing, versatile, forever buys you probably want to have a look at my new webiste:

 www.wardrobeicons.com

What I wore at the week end...

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Stella McCartney dress, Boden flats, M&S sunglasses

What to wear at weddings is a source of endless debate – I recently wrote my Get The Gloss Fashion High Five article all about this subject and came to the conclusion that dressing for the brides occasion is the way forward, yet for me a dress (long or short), is the easiest options. Now I know there are chic, modern alternatives to a dress but ultimately I don’t get to wear them that much so it’s always a great excuse to go a little glam.

Picnicking Italian wedding style

My cousin was getting married in Tuscany this weekend and I saved a Stella McCartney sample sale buy for the occasion – it’s a strapless cream dress with red floral embroidery and a little sheer crop top over it, I remember seeing it on the catwalk and was chuffed when I found it at a sale price. Here are some similar, macrame or embroidered styles that will make you the perfect stylish guest. 

1)Notte by Marchesa Embroidered tulle mini dress Was £770 Now £539

2) ALICE by Temperley Clover embroidered cotton-tulle maxi dress Was £495 Now £346.50

3) Top Shop Wheel Tomato Lace Bandeau Dress £46.00
4) Diane von FurstenbergWalker cotton-blend lace mini dress £180 Original price £360

5) Coast MALLARY LACE DRESS  £95.00 was £150.00

What I wore at the week end

J.Crew Victorian Abbey embroidered cotton dress £400

Week ends are my time off and with the exception of a few Instagrams I realise that not many of my outfits make it onto the blog. This is probably a good thing too, as my weekly outfits are so much more fun than my week end ones. This week end though I went away with my husband and packed some of my favourite clothes for dinners al fresco and drinks just the two of us. This was my favourite outfit and such an easy look to achieve: little white dress (some fabulous ones from Mango at the moment - my favourite store!) + denim jacket + fun clutch (see this week's Style Tip) and fabulous heels. Remember this formula on your next romantic getaway..

What I wore at the week end..

Since I'm at home and not very well today, I thought I would post a pic of what I wore at the week end. I went to a fabulous wedding of two great friends of mine and wore a Capucci dress from the 1970's. I found it in my mother's wardrobe before the summer and had it altered so it would fit me. I put my hair up in a simple chignon with a diamante feather in the hair. 

I will post better pics later on, but anything is better than what Im wearing today...

Early week end

 

I know it's only friday, but I've had a long busy week and I'm sooo ready for a dress down day. My week end uniform consists of skinny cropped jeans, cashmere jumpers, leather  trainers or biker boots if it's rainy and a classic pea coat or parka. To finish off, I love a small, hands-free bag to wear across the body and to carry as little as possible.

Joseph jacket, Lofli jeans, Ash trainers

Farhi by Nicole Farhi pea coat £220 my-wardrobe.com

Theory stripey jumper £260 my-wardrobe.com

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania by Lee jeans £88  my-wardrobe.com

Mulberry Lily bag £450 my-wardrobe.com

Ash leather trainers £109my-wardrobe.com

WIT-ty summer holiday packing

I'm off for a week's holiday at the beach in Italy. I hate packing but I've become very strategic about it so thought I would share some of my packing tips as well as showing what's in my suitcase. 

This is how I do it:

LOCATION: Maremma, Italy

HOLIDAY: Beach 

DAYS: 7 

EVENTS: none 

STYLE: totally relaxed 

Packing tips:

KEEP IT TONAL- I've chosen a palette of navy, corals, neutrals and denim- this way everything goes with anything, I can improvise and mix and match.

THINK FOR THE WORSE- I always pack a "in case it's cold" trousers, a hoodie (great against air-con on planes), one pair of socks and at least one pair of closed toe shoes.

SHOE REALISTIC- With the exception of a chic tan wedge, I rarely wear heels on a beach holiday and tend to prefer flats. My rule is ONE dressy, ONE casual, ONE close-toed.

DRESS-ME-UP/DPWN DRESS- I have to have it, possibly in a coral or emerald green to go with my tan. It has t be simple so to be worn with casual shoes or dressed up for the evening.

STYLISH LUGGAGE- I've said this before.. no point in doing all this work and then wheeling an Argos trolley. Luggage is a life tile investment and has to be as stylish as my outfits.

What's in my 7 days&night suitcase:

1- SWIMWEAR one swimsuit, two bikinis (same style different colours cause over seven days I don't want to worry about tan marks)

2- T-SHIRTS (two stripy, two block colours)

3- SUN HAT (I love this gold trilby from M&S)

4- COVER-UP (I opted for a cool&casual denim jacket)

5- SKIRT (the go-with-anything denim)

6- SUMMER CARDIGAN (for chilly nights- mine is balck and goes with anything)

7- SARONG (a thick cotton style is so chic)

8- BEACH COVER UP (I opted for an oversize crisp white shirt to leave opened over a bikini or belt up)

9- SIGHTSEEING BAG ( I love this hands free from Anya Hindmarch)

10- MAXI DRESS (a MUST- I'm packing two jersey numbers from ASOS, great for day or night)

11- CHINO'S (my "in case it's cold" trouser)

12- SHOES (one pair of tan wedges and three flats: one dressy, one casual one closed toe)

13- THE DRESS ME UP/DOWN DRESS (kind of says it all)

14- EVENING BAG (my summer Chanel 2.55)

15- DAY DRESS (a loose fit stripy number)

16- BEACH BAG (this is actually the cotton dust bag from one of my Anya bags but it's lovely and takes no space)

17- BELTS (one tan leather and one black fabric)

18- STATEMENT DRESS (this is my Chanel navy silk maxi shirt dress and I actually have feelings for it)

19- DRESSY PANTS (I love these coral cropped style- perfect dressed up with my wedges)

20- SUMMER SCARF (great on the beach or on the plane if air-con gets chilly)

21- JEANS (boyfriend style for a relaxed fit)

22- HOODIE (great for traveling)

PS. I'll be "mobile-blogging" for the first time from tomorrow... 

3 day WardrobeChallenge number THREE: Trilby

I love them, collect them, use them in shoots and suggest them all the time but I never wear them. It's time for me to follow my own advice and give the trilby a go. My verdict is: not  a city look, but great on the beach or a week end in the country.

Gap t-shirt, Radcliffe jeans, R&B ballerinas, Chanel bag, Accessorize trilby


From the left: Evans, Top Shop

(More trilby's at affordable prices: Banana Republic, Accessorize, M&S  Zadig & Voltaire)