Barrel of a Bag

Every now and then I have a craving for a bit of vintage Mulberry. There is something about the more substantial leathers and styles that were fashionable a few years ago, yet are still pleasing to the eye now. I also like that you can pick up some of the lesser known styles for relatively small money. And to op it all off, you don't feel like you have to baby them!

The Alana is Emmy's little sister. I believe, the Emmy is pretty much the same as the Alana, just that it has a pocket on either side. It's barrel-like shape earned it its nickname and even though it looks quite compact, you can fit a fair amount of stuff in. Let's see, shall we? ;)

Future Faves

It suddenly got colder again! Back to warm jumpers and I found a jacket I haven't worn for ages! I really liked that last one and I'll definitely come back to it!

Top: LaRedoute

Skirt: Topshop

Boots: something Italian

Jumper: Boden

Skirt: Zara

Boots: yep, Italian

Necklace: Stella and Dot

 

Top: H & M

Skirt: ALLSAINTS 

Jacket: Topshop

Necklace: Stella and Dot

Boots: yeah, yeah...

Flight Of Fancy

So whilst we are all totally up in arms - or pleasantly surprised - about what Mr. Coca has served up for Mulberry's AW16, I am still browsing their website, trying to convince myself that I don't need that tote. That tote being Mulberry's Kite Tote. 

Initially I had thought that the Small Kite Tote would have been just what I wanted: lush leather, compact size that would fit my essentials and a strap that could convert to a length that would facilitate cross body wearing.

I tried it on when I picked up that Small Bayswater Double Zip Tote for my mum and, as I was in a rush, didn't even try the regular and large size. Big mistake. Or not. Whilst I did find the small one a bit gimmicky in the end, I think the regular would be perfect as a smart throw it all in tote. And now I seriously want one. Only I can't decide which leather I want it in. 

Ordinarily I would have defaulted to the printed leather but I am actually really tempted by the nude or (the slightly more sensible, but equally lush) khaki. Obviously I need to see them in real live. A obviously I need to have a good play first. I think a visit to Mulberry Manchester is on the cards.

Which one is your favourite?

My Opinionation*

Every now and then a new type of "bag-need" manifests itself. My current craving is for an easy to use, open tote that will work as a chuck-it-all-in bag for weekends as well as workdays. I was pretty set on the rustic tote look but I am also a sucker for green and, on a bit of an impulse, acquired this lovely Mulberry Blossom Tote.

 

*Ok, so this is a pretty tedious link, but I just couldn't resist.

Necklace Overload

I'm not hugely into lots of different types of jewellery: I don't do rings. Bangles annoy me. I usually can't be bothered with earrings or when I do try, my ears get irritated. However, I do like a nice necklace and usually that means big, bold, statement. (Who came up with that name, by the way? Works very well but I'm sure it's a fairly recent term.)

Anyway, by pure coincidence I received two Stella & Dot orders last week - and couldn't wait to wear the items I received! The necklace in pic 1 and 2 is actually the same one: it's called Utopia Statement Necklace and it's so versatile as you can combine the different elements to achieve completely different looks. By the way: I would like to point out that I did buy all of these myself and am not being paid for this post. Free advertising for Stella & Dot - just because I love those necklaces so much!

Dress: Jesire

Top worn underneath: H&M

Boots: Something Italian

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Dress: Jesire

Boots: Something Italian

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Top: Zara

Skirt: All Saints

Jacket: H&M

Boots: Yes... something Italian...

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Head vs. Heart

Ok, so maybe I am over-dramatising a bit. (Me? Never!) But seriously: after I figured out only recently that the oh-so-coveted Strathberry Tote had a serious design flaw, which made it impossible for me to use as a work bag, I thought I'd step back for a bit and re-consider. 

Though said issue won't be as deal-breaking in the smaller-sized Midi Tote, I hadn't planned on jumping straight onto the next want-this-Strathberry story. And then they send me an email, which goes all "AW 2016 Preview" (*insert mocking voice*) and shows me this. 

 Strathberry Midi Tote Charcoal Tri Colour, £450 

This has to be my favourite: such a classy grey, inject a bit of pretty, whimsy and fun with a pastel shade in lilac but prevent it from going 00's 2-tone by adding navy. I'm already building an outfit around it. And I don't do that.

 

 Strathberry Midi Tote Metallic Dusty Pink, £475

Dusty Pink - whatever. That looks rose gold to me and rose-gold anything is a "yes, yes, yes!" in my book. Oh, and to top it off it's saffiano, which doesn't only add some weighty texture to prevent it looking all shiny and twee but also makes it more resistant to scrapes and smudges. My inner German loves it.

 

Strathberry Midi Tote Black Haircalf, £495 

Never been a big fan of haircalf when Mulberry did it. Usually that was done on slouchy bags, such as the Alexa and I just always thought it looks a bit like a cuddly toy you're carrying around but also that it's so unpractical as it will, eventually, go bald. No danger in thinking anything cuddly with this structured bag. It just is so perfect juxtaposed against the clear lines. And I don't care about the bald. I'll tell the inner German to shut up.

I mean, what am I even supposed to do?!

Don't answer that.

Cheshire Oaks Stockcheck

Ok, this won't be my most creative or witty post ever. It's more of a service, really...

I took little M to Blue Planet in Ellesmere Port today and thought I'd pop over to Mulberry at Cheshire Oaks. I asked the members of Mulberry Buy and Sell, whether they wanted any info and, of course, they all wanted pics and prices. So here you go. My highlights first, then pics, all prices at the bottom.

Tempted by: Small Cara in Quilted Oatmeal £696
Surprised (and also tempted) by: Dorothy in Black NVT £625
Wanted to buy but they didn't have it: Small Zip Pouch 
Disappointined by: SDR and Regular del Rey in Pebbled Oak - what happened to NVT?!
Why didn't I buy?! (and bit of a bargain): Regular Lily in Oxblood £455
I can only dream: Willow Emerald Aligator £4950

Lily
Mini Jungle Green £245
Mini Ostrich Pink & Blue £445
Mini Metallic Mirror Green £245
 
Regular Taupe (microfibre lining) £525

Regular Oxblood (sub) £455

Regular White (sub) £525

Regular Blue (special purchase) £525

Regular Indigo Lamb Nappa £395

Reg Soft Croc Print (microfibre lining) £525

Regular Ostrich Green £1250

Regular Ostrich Black £1750

Medium Oxblood £595

Medium Indigo Lamb Nappa £495

Cara 

Quilted Oatmeal: Mini £696, Regular £840

Quilted Green: Mini £595, Large £795

Green Camo: Mini £696.50, Large £950

B/W Haircalf: Mini £895, Regular £1250

 

Willow

Small Black £945

Small Taupe £810

Small Blue (w Ostrich) £975

Regular Taupe £960 

Regular Emerald Alligator £4950 

 

Mitzy

Messenger Oak & Black £325

East West Oak & Black £350

Tote Black £378

Blossom 

Tote (Red & Green) £295

Pochette Green£175

Bayswater

Printed NVT Oak & Black £625

Jungle Green £695

Putty (Special Purchase) £625

 

Bayswater Buckle 

Regular Oxblood Mix (suede & patent) £840 

Regular Cream & Taupe Mix £895

 

Piccadilly

Orange £1050

Pembridge 

White £495

Del Rey

Small White £770

Small Evergreen (sub) £695

Small Oak Pebbled (Special purchase) £695

Regular Pebbled (Special purchase) £750

Tessie 

Small Satchel Orange £345

Regular Satchel White & Blue £416

Suffolk Shrunken Calf Blue £945

Dorothy NVT Black £625

Effie  Satchel Oak & Black £455 

Daria Clutch Taupe Spongy Pebbled £385

 

Bayswater Clutch Wallet Taupe & Oxblood Suede £345 

 

French Purses £185

Various Keyrings from £49

Bracelets from £85

Signature Star Scarves £200

Splash Scarves £140

Birthday Bag

There is a bit of a story behind this bag.

I had been going back and forth over what to get for my Mulberry voucher: There was the flirtation with Roxette. Then the infatuation with Cara. And the back and forth around her. I now started to look at the Kite - but for all of them I found one or more reasons not to take the plunge. 

And then my mum asked me for some "bag advice". Literally 2 minutes before little M and I were about to go through to our gate. We had spent 2 weeks at my parents' and not once had my mum asked. No, she remembered to ask just as we were about to wave goodbye. Anyway, I rolled my eyes and said, that this was really something to have a longer chat about, for example whether she wanted something structured or slouchy. "Oh, like that grey bag I have. Just another colour. And something a bit more... special..." We said our goodbyes and just before boarding I sent her an email with a few suggestions, namely these:

the Small Bayswater Satchel in Regal Blue

The Strathberry Tote in Burgundy

And the Strathberry Midi Tote in Navy

Her reply was something along the lines of "Oh, that Mulberry is lovely but £840 [it was in the sale] is rather a lot" and I decided I'd finish all my dithering and we'd all give her the bag for her upcoming birthday.

Luckily Mulberry Manchester had one in store and a quick visit on Saturday (where I restrained myself immensely and didn't look at anything else, as little M and Mr. G were with me) resulted in me going home with this lovely bag.

So just before I bubblewrapped it, I squeezed in a review... and thought that this one might be for myself as well... here we go again. *sigh*

Outfit Catchup: Bumper Issue

As I was between jobs and off for almost a month, I completely fell out of my outfit posting routine. Partially because I simply didn't really wear anything particularly interesting but also because I generally slacked in re. to keeping my blog up to date during this time. One the upside, I sorted through all of little M's clothes, some of my stuff and managed to get a fair bit of tidying done.

Anyway, I started my new job and have not caught up yet, so this is what I've snapped so far this year. 

Jumper: Topshop

Jeans: Next

Boots: Kurt Geiger

 

Jumper & Skirt: Boden

Boots: Zara

Jumper: Boden

Jeans: H&M

Boots: Hallhuber

Scarf: C&A

Dress: Boden

Cardigan: H&M

Boots: Hallhuber

Necklace: local woodworking club

Jumper: Boden

Skirt: Warehouse

Boots: Zara

Bag: Mulberry

Jumper: La Redoute

Skirt: All Saints

Necklace: Accessorize

Boots: Something Italian

Top: La Redoute

Skirt: Boden

Boots: Something Italian

Necklace: Primark

Shirt: La Redoute

Skirt: Boden

Boots & Necklace: Zara

Jumper: Primark

Stripy Top: Boden

Jeans: H&M

Boots: Kurt Geiger