What Would Edna Say

Blog Holiday

2013-09-15T21:13:00.000+01:00

I keep meaning to at least explain that I'm having a blog holiday. Instead I've just left months of silence! Edna is in dire need of a redesign - the last thing any style/fashion blog needs it to look dated! I'm hoping to soon start work on an update to Edna and to launch a shiny, brand-new blog over the autumn.

So enjoy the rest of September and hopefully Edna will be back up and active in October.

xxKatie

Presents for little ones from the V&A

2013-06-19T22:05:00.002+01:00

The V&A is one of my favourite places in London. I used to be lucky enough to live close enough that I could hop on a bus, get there in 15 minutes and go for a wander around for an hour. Pre-Laney May, when I had a bit more of a social life, I used to go to the Friday Lates and have the joy of going to an exhibition, having a drink, listening to music, all in that stunning setting.

It's also a lovely place to buy gifts...for yourself as well as others! The jewellery collection is amazing - you can pick up some beautiful, really individual pieces for reasonable prices. And, at sales times, some absolute bargains too.

Luckily (if you don't live in London) it also has a great online shop. It's birthday season coming up soon for Laney May and her little friends, so I've been on the look-out for present ideas. The V&A has some gorgeous presents for little ones. These are some of my favourites...

Edward Bawden colouring book - £5.99

Giraffe height chart - £22

Dog puzzle - £15

Jungle cubes game - £14

Rope climbing monkey tin toy - £12

Black & white embroidered dress - £20

Kaleidoscope dress - £25

Handmade elephant slippers - £22

Wooden animal letters - they're all lovely - £2.50 each

'Grannie' play apron - £8.50

Mary Portas dresses...for any age!

2013-06-18T22:48:00.000+01:00

I’ve blogged in the past about the Mary Portas range at House of Fraser and how great I think it is. It's becoming my workwear uniform. But when I mention to friends and colleagues where my outfit is from, they all think (without fail) that the range is for older women and that if you’re under 50 it’s not for you.

We do tend to be a bit obsessed with age in our society. Lots of women would never set foot in Topshop/H&M/Warehouse etc because they’re ‘too young’ for them. Lots of other women wouldn’t set foot in M&S/Clarks/Hobbs etc because they’re “too old” for them.

I totally get that we do dress differently at different stages in our lives but for me it hasn’t been a drastic change – I’d hope that the main change is that I’m a bit more stylish than I was in my teens...and even my twenties. Seriously, I went through a phase at university when I seemed to embrace Melanie Griffiths in Working Girl as my fashion icon...in the mid-90s! What the hell was I thinking?!

Anyway, I think it’s really about finding your style and adapting it to how you feel at any stage in your life.

J Crew is opening a store in the UK later this year...just up the road from my office on Regent Street (eek...god help my bank balance!). I was recently reading a profile of J Crew’s creative director, Jenna Lyons and there was a real emphasis on the brand being somewhere where women of any age would shop. It was about style and quality, not targeting an age group.

So maybe I’d still shop at the Mary Portas range when I’m over 50. I’d certainly encourage my mum to shop there, as I think as women get older they can really get ignored and feel lost on the high street. But I’d also really encourage all my friends to take a look. There are such great pieces. And if you can’t afford full price Portas, then there are always sales.

I think where the range really excels are dresses. A lot of them may not have hanger-appeal but when you get them on you realise how flattering the cuts are.

These are my current favourites. Some are really simple, so it’s all about how you style them. That may vary depending how old you are, who you are, what you like...

Twist knot dress in navy - £49.50 (down from £99)

Tuck front dress in black - £49.50 (down from £99)

Printed no-brainer dress - £99
(though pretty much sold out)

Pleat neck dress in red - £67 (down from £135)

No brainer crepe dress in red (though looks
quite an orange-red, which I really like)
- £49.50 (down from £99)

Tree print dress - £80 (down from £160)

Fit & flare Linda dress - £49.50 (down from £99)

Cowl neck jersey dress in green - £49.50 (down from £99)

SUNO & Uniqlo - print heaven

2013-06-11T21:10:00.000+01:00

I bang on about designer collaborations on the high street all the time. They do seem to be ten-a-penny these days - so many, that it's much easier to be picky about what you're interested in. Take, for example, today's announcement about Isabel Marant doing a range for H&M. I know many of you will be hyper-ventilating with excitement but I'm not a huge fan, so don't feel too fussed about it (Marni for H&M was an entirely different matter!).

Uniqlo has had some great designer collaborations. A few years back, I purchased an Alexander Wang for Uniqlo dress for something like £20. It is one of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe...and now Alexander Wang, then a relatively new designer, is heading up Balenciaga!

The Alexander Wang dress was part of Uniqlo's Designer Invitation Project, which is still going strong. A couple of weeks ago, much to my excitement, the New York designer SUNO launched a range for Uniqlo. I remember a few years back seeing the first collection from SUNO (not in the flesh, disappointly, in magazines!) and loved the clashing prints and textures. The vintage Kenyan fabrics were used in a way that wasn't too boho, with gorgeous little tailored jackets, clashing blouses over dresses and fitted trousers. It looked tailored but totally deconstructed too - all in vibrant prints. I loved it. But, alas, my bank balance doesn't stretch to a SUNO original...so hallelujah for Uniqlo!

The range is small with a couple of SUNO prints used across dresses, skirts, tops and trousers. I tried on these trousers and loved them but I think I needed a larger size than they had in stock. The fabric looked to be straining a little too much across my thighs! But they are lovely and a really nice length.

SUNO skinny trousers - £29.90

I also tried this dress and loved the clashing patterns and midi-length but again, they didn't have my size in stock. I think I tried medium and it was very, very roomy.

SUNO dress - £29.90

But in the end, I went for this skirt from the range.

SUNO flare skirt - £19.90

It has the gorgeous, clashing SUNO print and is fun and flirty. I had hoped I could wear it to work with a plain white shirt, but it's a bit too short. Even with flat shoes, I felt a bit exposed for the office. So I think it will be one for socialising...perfect for when the British summer does finally make an appearance!

New life into an old Gap dress

2013-05-22T20:56:00.002+01:00

Another day, another hand-me-down. This time a navy and black Gap dress from my lovely big sister. It's a perfect length for work and although it's sleeveless - and I know lots of women aren't fans of sleeveless dresses - a blouse and cardigan solves that issue!

A marginally warmer day meant the woollen coat was ditched in
favour of a Miss Selfridge mac, though I still couldn't risk
a scarfless day! (this one from the Barbara Hulanicki
range for Topshop)

A close-up!

The blouse is actually white with a black studded collar &
cuffs...bought for £8 in a charity shop that was selling new
but slightly faulty clothes from the gorgeous brand
Dahlia. The only fault I can spot is that some of the
studding isn't exactly the same distance apart...&
that's it! Full price the blouse was £58!

My trusty Topshop ballet pumps

A Whistles hand-me down

2013-05-21T22:04:00.000+01:00

There are many emotionally significant benefits to having a sister - love, support, advice, understanding, comfort...a whole plethora of wonderfulness. There are also fashion benefits, otherwise known as hand-me-downs.

Just this past weekend, my lovely sister bestowed on me two dresses from Monsoon and Gap and this gorgeous skirt from Whistles. All in perfect condition, hardly worn and now hanging happily in my wardrobe.

Floral Whistles skirt worn with a jumper from one of the
original Autograph ranges at M&S. It's so old, it pre-dates
my decade-long relationship with my husband!

As much as I'd love to be wearing the skirt with bare
legs & a t-shirt, at least the freezing weather allows me
to wear my gorgeous pink Exeter coat.

Pink & floral teamed with a bit of leopard print!

A close-up of the print...& a Lola Rose ring

The Clarks Yarra boots...which are always on my feet

Zara shoes - too many to resist!

2013-05-09T23:40:00.000+01:00

Today a colleague, rather cruelly, showed me a feature she'd spotted in a magazine on the amazing shoes in Zara for under £30. Cruel, because she knows I'm trying to restrain my urge to shop and that my will-power is teetering on the edge! I took a deep breath and looked on the Zara website...

Spring/Summer 2013 is a triumph in the Zara shoe department. Heels, platforms, wedges, flats, sandals, all a joy to behold. These are my top ten - alas, not all under £30 but still all reasonable prices.

If I could walk in heels, these would be the heels
I'd be walking in all summer long - £59.99.

With these a close second. They're incredible.
Ankle-breaking but incredible! £69.99

More likely to be on my feet - £39.99

Patent sandals with ankle straps - £69.99

Perfect heel height and love the open-toes - £39.99

High heel court shoe with ankle strap...for £29.99!
I know, ludicrously cheap!

It's impossible for me to not include an animal print!
£59.99

I love this colour...though was considering this for my front door.
Not sure that's a good reason to buy a shoe?! £59.99

Neon sandal - £22.99

Sorry, more green! Sandals - £22.99

& Other Stories

2013-05-07T22:18:00.002+01:00

I’ve spotted a few things in magazines recently from a new brand called & Other Stories. Lovely little leather bags in bright colours. Tops in soft, draped fabrics. Dresses with interesting detailing. And then I walked past the new shop on Regent Street and knew I had to investigate!

I’ve not had time to go into the shop yet – I was power walking to the tube station on the nursery run – so had a look online instead.

& Other Stories is a new brand from H&M – it’s a bit more grown-up and design-led than H&M, but a bit more fashiony than the higher-end COS line (which I love!).

I read some of the background to the brand and I’m not sure I totally get it. I think the idea is that they’re telling fashion stories – selling total looks, so you can get the whole get-up in one place. I think most savvy high street stores do this already. I also don’t know many people who do buy complete looks in one place. Most of my friends like the individuality of not wearing an entire outfit from one shop. But then I guess perhaps the idea is just to offer inspiration and to show you how you can put looks together.

Anyway, regardless of the brand spiel, it does actually stock some lovely stuff. I’m not sure whether it’s like H&M and has only a fraction of its stock online...I'll have to go into the shop and report back. But these are some of the lovely bits and pieces that caught my eye online...

Silk top with raw edges - £39

Leather patch sweater - £55

Cape dress - £65

Gathered dress - £45

Leather & brass bangle - £25

D-frame sunglasses - £39

Mini leather bag - £65

Leather flats - £55

Leather sandals - £65

Exeter part 2 - the pink coat

2013-04-24T22:34:00.000+01:00

The pink coat. What can I say?! It's very special. I looked at it one day, tried to show some financial restraint and ended up going back to the shop the next day, trying it and buying it!

When a vintage coat fits perfectly, you know you have to walk out of the shop with it...especially when it costs a bargain £37! You'd struggle to get a run-of-the-mill Topshop number for anywhere near that price.

Just casually looking at the blossom on the tree...

It was bought from Relevant by Lady Lace in Exeter. If you love vintage and are ever in that part of the world, you have to visit the shop. It's a treasure-trove of beautifully selected vintage pieces.

This coat is my new favourite item of clothing. I may even be looking forward to the cold snap this weekend so I can wear it!

Quite a subtle pink and mustard colour combination...
for a grey day in Exeter!

I love the two little pockets, such a lovely detail.

And found in one of the pockets...

And in the other.

My vintage, mustard crocheted dress - which I was very pleased
I could finally fit into again...if I held my belly in!

Two Nights in Exeter

2013-04-22T13:17:00.000+01:00

Mr W and I celebrated our three year wedding anniversary last week...and the ten year anniversary of our first meeting. Neither of us tend to be 'Mr & Mrs Wine & Roses' but it was a special anniversary, so we arranged to celebrate it on our first weekend away together since Laney May was born. She happily toddled off to her grandparents for the weekend and I don't think even noticed our absence!

We headed to Exeter for two nights. Neither of us had been before and we wanted to do a city break, somewhere new, but not travel too far. I'm not going to be an Exeter tourist guide or ramble too much, other than to say it was delightful! We stayed in a gorgeous hotel called The Magdalen Chapter - I don't have a bad word to say about it. It wasn't cheap but I think it's great value for money.

And I discovered one of the best vintage shops EVER in Relevant by Lady Lace. An amazing selection, a really beautiful shop, 1940s music playing in the background, and really good pricing. It was divine. I bought a dress, a matching blouse and skirt (shown here) and a coat...and that was showing restraint!

I'll do another post soon on the coat. It's a good 'un!

But this is our first full day in the Exeter sunshine...I'm wearing what Mr W calls my 'clown coat'. He's not a fan.

My 'clown coat' is from Sara Berman, bought once for a
massive discount at London Fashion Weekend.

Holding my new coat from Relevant by Lady Lace...wrapped in brown
paper & string. I spent the day in my amazingly comfortable
Yarra boots from Clarks Originals.

The turquoise skirt is a recent purchase from Vintage Hart
(in Crystal Palace). It's vintage St Michael from M&S...
which I love! The black & white polka dot blouse is from Zara.

Hand-knitted pouffes & Mini Boden

2013-04-12T13:21:00.002+01:00

A slightly different blog on Edna today - interiors and girl's clothing. I had to write about the gorgeous new addition to my lounge...this teal, hand-knitted pouffe.

I've wanted one of these for ages. We wanted something we could use for extra seating when we have friends over but didn't have room for another chair. But, whenever I find these knitted pouffes online they're pretty expensive. I spotted one in Next recently and even that was £120.

So imagine my delight when I spotted this - handmade and only £50!

It was being sold at my area's wonderful monthly market, the West Norwood Feast. They have a retro market, food, gardening and arts and crafts, which is where I found my treasure.

Unfortunately, they're not available online but if you're in South London and fancy one of these yourself, they'll be sold at a new cafe opening in Streatham (on 15th April) called Serendipity. The sister of the woman who made this is opening the cafe and will be stocking her handmade items. You can find out more on twitter @serendipitysw16

Needless to say, anything new entering our house is commandeered by the smallest member of our household! I love the dress she's wearing in this photo, a present from her lovely Aunty Cathie from Mini Boden. I love clashing florals with stripes, as she's wearing here.

Clothes from Mini Boden are always a bit of a treat but they do have good sales, so that you can pick up a great quality item for a reasonable price. These are some of my current favourites.

Apron pinnie - £20-22

House & bird print jersey dress - £14-16

Applique jersey dress - £18-20

Jersey dungarees - £18

Mustard printed dress - £17.60-£24

Parrot print skirt - £22-24
Probably more than I'd spend on a skirt for a little one
but I do love this print...for myself too! The skirt
is available in lots of other prints starting at £14.30.

Pierre Hardy for Gap wooden sandals - on Ebay

2013-04-09T21:44:00.000+01:00

I've entered a brave new world...the world of internet auctions. I'm officially selling my first ever item on Ebay this week. It took me nigh on an hour to list it, so I'm hoping that it will actually sell! Believe it or not, I've never even bought anything on Ebay either. Mr W has done all our household Ebaying. It has been one of his jobs. But once I started sorting out my wardrobe and putting together a healthy pile of stuff to flog, he put his foot down. No more the Ebay slave.

So here it is...my first ever Ebay item.

Pierre Hardy for Gap wooden platforms - on Ebay
with bids starting at a bargainiferous price of £20!

These lovely wooden, brown leather platforms are from the 2009 Pierre Hardy collection for Gap. I loved them when I bought them but have hardly worn them. As comfortable as they are because of the platform, they're still pretty high and life these days limits when I get to wear heels.

Toddler + walking everywhere in London + swelling on nerves in my feet = flat shoes as much as possible!

My podiatrist was trying to encourage me to buy running shoes...for day-to-day wear. Everyone has their limits. This was mine.

Anyway, it does mean saying goodbye to some much loved shoes which I hardly ever wear. So there'll be more Ebaying for me - I'll keep you posted.

These are on sale until Sunday, with bids starting at £20. And they come with the original 'Design Editions' dust bag. (I think I bought them originally for about £45).

If you see me wearing them in a blog post in a few weeks time, you'll know my foray into Ebaying has gone wrong!

Star print jeans - to buy or not to buy?

2013-03-25T13:35:00.001+00:00

I spotted these the other day and had one of those reactions when you think you love something but it's tinged with this unsettling feeling that they may actually be revolting...

Only star print skinny jeans

I made the mistake of consulting Mr W on them and he made a few disinterested comments, one of which sounded - alarmingly - like questioning whether patterned jeans would suit my thighs! The conversation was cut very short after this!

If you lived through the eighties, you are quite naturally wary of patterned jeans. We've seen the best and worst of times. I hope my sister won't mind me sharing her worst of times...a pair of jeans with the Flintstones printed on them. And I actually coveted them.

I know I wouldn't wear jeans with a pair of heeled court shoes, as these have been styled on the Asos website. But I did start to think how would I style them and this is what I think I'd wear...

Cos silk back cotton top - £59

Nike dunk sky high trainers in teal - £85

Made Enzara pendant - £35

Biba Gretal leather shoulder bag - £95.40 (down from £159)

So I think they're definitely now on the 'watch and have a think' list. What do you think? Have you braved patterned jeans yet?

In honour of Bowie

2013-03-21T23:39:00.002+00:00

In a staggering feat of self-control, I avoided Celia Birtwell at Uniqlo and didn't buy a thing. Nowt. God knows how I managed that. I'd got a list last night. This morning I gave myself a stern, bank manager style talking to and decided I didn't need/couldn't really afford any of it. And so here we are this evening, bereft of Birtwell but feeling ok.

I haven't done one for a while but how's this little beauty for a lust item of the month.

Ginger dog t-shirt - £45
Black Score by Simeon Farrar exclusive to Asos

In honour of the Bowie exhibition which has opened at the V&A this week and which I will not feel ok if I miss!

Skinny jeans, a blazer and cute, quirky t-shirt. Come on spring, I'm ready for you.

Celia Birtwell for Uniqlo

2013-03-20T22:03:00.002+00:00

I know I harp on rather a lot about designer collaborations on the high street. But even in the depths of a painful, unattractive, miserable sinus infection, I can feel the fluttering of excitement at the prospect of tomorrow's launch of the Celia Birtwell range at Uniqlo.

It's not the first time she's produced a range for a high street brand - a few years back it was Topshop, then John Lewis and she's done various accessories for other brands, such as Boots. But I think if you love Celia Birtwell - and I do - it doesn't matter that there have been other ranges, it's still exciting and a great opportunity to get your hands on some of her iconic prints...at amazing prices.

I have my eye on some of the dresses and blouses, including these two lovelies...

Blouse - £19.90

Dress - £29.90

Vogue has a gallery on its website showing the range...though I didn't spot the grey polka dot outfit anywhere, which I'm a bit partial to (even though I know that those trousers are likely to make anyone under 5"7 look rather squat!).

The range goes on sale online at 9am tomorrow and 10am in store.

A treat from Kat&Bee

2013-03-04T22:35:00.000+00:00

It was my birthday yesterday...I've tipped into an age when I'm now nearer to 40 than 30. I seem to be coping with the transition, other than a permanent state of heartburn! This could just be a coincidence.

Birthdays also mean presents. I was very spoilt and got lots of lovely pressies...including being given birthday money to spend at London Fashion Weekend. And this is one of the birthday treats I bought from there...

A skull ring from the jewellery designer Kat&Bee. I blogged a few years ago about this designer and the gorgeous handmade pieces. No two items are the same - they're all individually made, so all slightly different.

Skull jewellery can look a little passe these days - every high street store was filled with the stuff over the past few years. But I think if it's something you really love and it fits your style - I love the contrast of skull jewellery with something much prettier - then I don't think it matters that it was so in fashion and has fallen out a bit. It's all about knowing your style.

I've coveted one of these rings for some time, so seeing them on offer at London Fashion Weekend for £65 down from £165 was amazing. I spent an age trying them on before finally going for this one. I loved the mixture of gold, with the silver skull and cobalt blue flower. And although there were rings with a subtler use of skulls, I figured if I was going to make a purchase I should make sure I went for a full-on statement piece.

I've looked on the Kat&Bee site and think this is the ring I bought...so I did get a massive bargain.

And, on top of all this, I chatted to the designer Kat Barry and she's absolutely lovely too!

Happy birthday me!

Fashion weekend fashion excitement

2013-02-26T23:05:00.001+00:00

Last Friday my sister and I hit London Fashion Weekend amid much excitement...and fashion challenges posed by freezing weather conditions. It's been two and a half years since we last went. A lot has happened in that time - not least the creation of two new human beings (in the form of our little ones!). So I think we had even more of a skip in our step as we entered the Somerset House courtyard. Fashion, shopping, bubbly...and our other halves on toddler duty...whoo hoo.

If you haven't been before and you enjoy shopping, this is the event for you. There are lots of great discounts, lots of interesting designers and all in a lovely setting. We also saw the season's trends catwalk show for SS/13, which is great fun. It was styled by ex-fashion editor of the Telegraph and fashion icon Hilary Alexander (who we stood next to in the toilets afterwards, washing our hands together. I wanted to say how much I loved her but it didn't quite seem the setting for it!).

Anyway, I'll blog again about my purchases. I had birthday money to spend, so treated myself to a few bits and pieces...including jeans, hurrah.

But I wanted to blog two outfit shots of what we finally decided to wear. My sister had, at one stage, considered just wearing a chiffon top and coat...until the zero degree temperatures slapped some sense into her!

She worked the monochrome trend, with this top from M&S Limited Collection (and Uniqlo heattech underneath!). Her bracelet is a Katie bracelet from Marc by Marc Jacobs and necklace is from Lulu Guinness.

I eventually plumped for this outfit after a lot of trying on...including inadvertently coming full circle and trying on the same outfit I'd worn two and half years ago. Only checking this blog saved me from a new fashion low.

The dress is from the Mary Portas range at House of Fraser, the belt is from a charity shop, I'm also wearing a Lulu Guinness necklace and carrying my fabulous Vivienne Westwood Bambi bag. She deserved a day out!

We both accessorised with some bubbly!

Casual crisis

2013-02-18T23:28:00.000+00:00

I’ve been in a bit of a style quandary of late. I have my work wardrobe pretty sorted. I can rustle up a fairly good outfit on my rare night’s out. But casual? Cue endless staring at my wardrobe and wondering ‘Whaaaaaaat?!’

I’ve mentioned before my stack of ‘at home’ clothes. These tend to get thrown on as soon as I get through the front door – clothes that I don’t give a toss about and are toddler-proof. She can do her worst.

But what to wear on days when I’m armed with a toddler but will be in the company of adults? I just don’t have a stock of clothes that work for me – I frequently end up trying to cobble together a ‘casual’ outfit out of my work clothes or – on particularly clueless days – my eveningwear!

Part of the problem has been my jeans still don’t fit properly. Nineteen months after giving birth they still won’t sodding button up! I’m squeezed into a pair now – it’s 10.30pm and I’ve been wearing them for 13 hours. I’m not sure I’ll even be able to get them back off; they’re welded to me!

I’m off to London Fashion Weekend with my sister on Friday (squuuuueeeeeeaaaaaaal!) and Levi’s Curve will be there. I’m hoping I’ll find a pair of jeans that will be comfortable, flattering and hold my belly in. I’d love to hear if any of you have tried this range and whether you were happy with them.

Once I have jeans sorted, I need a few more knits. I have a paltry selection of knitwear – god knows why, we have enough months freezing our arses off in this country!

These are some of the jumpers that I’m hoping will revolutionise my casual days...no more not knowing what the hell to wear. Jeans and a jumper - job’s a good ‘un! (and the patterned ones will hide grubby toddler hand prints!)

M&S crew neck heart knitted top - £35
(possibly not the most practical with a toddler in tow!)

Asos heart elbow patch striped jumper - £22

NW3 by Hobbs basketweave sweater - £55

A Wear heart fairisle jumper - £35

Oasis animal collar crew top in red - £38

River Island cream textured stripe boyfriend jumper - £35

Cooperative pattern block jumper - £42

Dorothy Perkins black cross jumper - £17.99

I almost included this one from Asos before realising that there was a definite risk of looking like you’d got a lobster hanging off your nipples!

More Mary Portas

2013-02-11T22:47:00.001+00:00

When I blogged about my growing addiction to the Mary Portas range at House of Fraser a few weeks ago, I forgot something in the list of what I've got hanging in my wardrobe. It was this gorgeous leopard print blouse from the collection, which I got for Christmas.

It's not for the faint-hearted as the print and colours are quite a statement...but a good one I think! I wore it for work but toned it down with black trousers and a heritage-inspired grey blazer.

You can't see them very well but the shoes are another
Clarks sales purchase which are again as comfortable as slippers
(& hopefully a bit more stylish!)

Lola Rose ring and bracelet which is wonderful but I don't
know where it's from as it was a gift

Kenneth Jay Lane monkey necklace - a first mother's day
present to me from my little monkey!

Lulu Guinness for Red Nose Day

2013-02-05T22:00:00.000+00:00

You know I'm a frustrated Lulu Guinness fan. Frustrated in the sense that I cannot afford to drop £400 for a handbag...or even £197.50 in the sale. Though I confess I did treat myself to a lipstick necklace to commiserate for the bag that got away.

So given this frustration, imagine my pleasure at seeing these beauties...

Lulu Guinness...for a fiver!

Special Red Nose day shoppers, which will go on sale in Sainburys on 13 February. They cost £5 and £1.50 of this goes to Comic Relief. Aren't they adorable?! And for charity. A shopping win!

Exciting news from Clarks

2013-01-31T21:41:00.000+00:00

Another day, another blog about Clarks. I'm getting to a point where I think my blog could just be renamed 'what can I buy in Clarks?'!

No one I ever speak to seems to bother shopping in Clarks (other than my sister - we share a Clarks habit) because it just has a reputation of sensible, slightly frumpy shoes. This is such an out-of-date image...and look what you're missing.

Scent Eley in blue textile - £79.99

Eley Kishimoto for Clarks! I shit you not. Can you believe it?! My sister texted me today and I could actually sense the borderline hysteria in her message. We are excited.

It doesn't go on sale until 1 March, so set yourself a reminder. I also think they're doing waiting lists...but that's a step too far for me!

Ancient Eley in orange - £69.99

Desert boot in orange geometric print - £89.00

Scent Eley in white combi - £79.99

Workwear uniform courtesy of Mary Portas

2013-01-30T22:49:00.001+00:00

Finally I've managed to rope Mr W into taking a few outfit photos. It seems to be a logistical feat to get us in the same building together, at a reasonable hour, with me in something other than my scuzzy 'indoor' clothes (i.e. anything worn out, ill-fitting and generally quite knackered which I seem to have taken to wearing in the house!). Either that or I'm in my pyjamas.

It only takes about ten minutes of being at home before I've had something spilled on me by my 18 month old, so I've resigned myself to letting style standards nosedive a little at home. Mr W is thrilled, as you can imagine!

Anyway, with that rambling preamble, here are the outfit shots...

Taken yesterday, I wore one of my Mary Portas for House of Fraser dresses, which I love. I cannot recommend her range enough. I've bought four dresses, two pairs of trousers, a skirt and a top...oh, and a pair of shoes too. All of it has been bought in sales seasons and has been massively reduced. In the January sales, I bought two dresses (which will feature on Edna one day) both of which were reduced from £115 to £34.50. Bargain. Mary Portas dresses are slowly starting to become a work uniform for me.

If you do get a chance, I'd really recommend visiting a Mary Portas department at a House of Fraser. The customer service is joyful - and anywhere where they give you a cup of coffee while you try clothes on is a win with me!

Primark hat, a present from my lovely sister and not off
my head all winter. Mini snood made by my very talented mum.
And Kenneth Cole handbag.

Nicola de Main jacket bought a few years back on a particularly
spontaneous Friday night shopping trip at pop-up Swanfield on
tour boutique. I even had to leave the store, find a cash-point
and go back & pay for the jacket as they didn't take cards.
Clearly it was love at first sight!

Orange lipstick, nail polish, ring and hair may have been overkill?!

My Clarks Yarra desert boots (now £39 in the sale)...
as comfortable as a pair of slippers

Peter Jensen cat print & soldiers

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We’ve now into the dregs of the sales season. Even I’m getting a bit fed-up of the red signs and slightly tattered wears.

So onto all things new!

I spotted these in a magazine a few weeks ago. Danish designer Peter Jensen has produced a teeny tiny range for the ethical clothing brand People Tree. It features two designs - the cat print, which I love, and the soldier print, which I’m not so sure about. I think there’s a risk that it could look like you’ve bought your frock from the gift shop at Buckingham Palace. The t-shirt could be ok – but you’d have to think very carefully about styling...‘London tourist’ isn’t a great look!

Peter Jensen soldier print tee - £45

My favourite is this dress – I love the fusion of the quirky print with the really simply, flattering cut.

Peter Jensen cat dress - £68

But I'd also be tempted to buy these…

Peter Jensen cat print tee – £45

Peter Jensen cat print fleece sweatshirt - £65

End of sales round-up

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I admit I've become a little obsessed with sales shopping. I think it's perhaps the drought of the last few months - once I gave myself permission to actually buy something, the floodgates opened and I felt on a shopping high! Most of the time, this has taken the form of just endless rooting around websites. Not much actual buying - just researching and planning and trying to justify opening my purse.

I was coveting this handbag from Lulu Guinness but it never quite reduced by enough and then it sold out. So in the end, some money I'd been saving towards it was used to buy shelving for our lounge instead. Reality has a habit of invading my shopping fantasies!

Anyway, I did buy the boots from Clarks shown below. They're amazing. They look great with dresses and, as someone with a few issues with my feet (swelling on nerves!), these are incredibly comfortable. I thoroughly recommend them.

So these are my end of the sales season picks. My purse is closed (I think), so I'm simply sharing them with you, rather than planning to buy...

Have you had any major sales bargains??

Mary Portas gold tweed coat with removable knit sleeves - £85.50 (down from £285)

Mary Portas cabbage rose shift dress - £39 (down from £160)

Clarks grey suede yarra desert boots - £39 (down from £99)

Lulu Guinness pink pave lips/lipstick necklace - £25.50 (down from £85)

Jaeger Boutique Rosemund spot jacket - £49 (down from £180)

Owl face jumper by Emma Cook for Topshop - £25 (down from £40)

Reiss navy zip through dress - £47 (down from £159)

Dahlia khaki embellished collar blouse - £25 (down from £58)

And, in my shopping dreams, Orla Kiely sparkle boat neck dress - £167.50 (down from £335)

2013 style crush...Laura Bailey

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A bit of a late happy new year to you all (though given how infrequently I seem to be blogging these days, that happy new year could well be echoing around an empty room!).

One of my new year's resolutions has been to try and spend some more time on my blog. It's been a bit neglected over 2012 (I've found myself prioritising my daughter and day job!!). But, I'm going to try and make time each week to give Edna some much needed love and attention.

I seem to start most years with a new style crush...though probably not new, just someone who's been elevated to the top of the style pile. Last year was Solange Knowles, this year it's Laura Bailey.

Photo taken from Vogue's 'Today I'm Wearing' blog

Every time I see her in magazines or online, I find myself trying to imagine how I can combine some of my clothes to create similar outfits.

Her style can be quite classic - monochrome at times, a classic trench coat with lots of her outfits, simple, understated handbags...and a love affair with Chanel, the height of chic.

Photo: Getty Images

Photo taken from Vogue's 'Today I'm Wearing' blog

But then she adds in quirky detailing, so that it doesn't look dull. She clashes prints and colours, she wears ankle socks, towering wedges, statement sunglasses, a headscarf...often with bright lips.

Photo taken from Vogue's 'Today I'm Wearing' blog

Sometimes the styling can be so simple, such as with her campaign for the range of handbags she designed for Radley, that I think I'd need a bit extra to make it work (a gorgeous face and lovely blonde hair can make most things look great!).

Photos from Radley campaign

But I still love the simplicity - a grey sweater with a classic leather clutch, which I'd probably pair with a really bright lipstick. A simple tan satchel which would look great with animal print platforms.

Photo taken from Vogue's 'Today I'm Wearing' blog

She combines simplicity with eccentricity - a brilliant mix. Quality accessories and classic pieces that will last forever, with fun detailing. And I love this style. I think it's a mix that works really well the older we get - you don't want to start the slow march to M&S Classics, but at the same time looking like you've just gone insane in Topshop isn't a good look either.

So in 2013 I'm going to attempt to channel a bit of Laura Bailey in my outfits choices.