Summer delights from Clarks

If you’ve read Edna for a while, you’ll know I’m partial to the occasional piece of Clarks footwear...

Back to work
Clarks Originals wedges
Lust item of the week – 1940s shoes
 

And Clarks is on fire at the moment.
 

They’ve got a range in store which features a 1960s Liberty print fabric, which has been updated by Zandra Rhodes. Just gorgeous. My favourite style in the range is the purple flats with the pretty fabric on the inside...

Cavier gold - £44.99

But I also love these styles too…

 

Scent bottle - £54.99

 

Cavier gold – floral - £54.99

The current Mary Portas range for Clarks is glorious too...though a little more expensive. These are my favourites.

La Peep lime leather shoes - £89.99

 

La Minx black suede boots - £110

 

La Gigi natural snake sandals - £79.99

And if this isn’t enough, apparently they're launching a range with Harris Tweed next month. Amazing.

DVF for Gap...on sale!

A little while ago Gap launched a range for babies and children designed by Diane von Furstenberg. More renowned for her womenswear  - and especially the wrap dress – I’ve got to confess to feeling a little jealous that she chose to do a range for children rather than women!

The range is brightly coloured, full of fun patterns and, unfortunately, a little too expensive. £24.95 for a sun dress that’s only going to last a baby a couple of months is just a bit on the steep side for me. I have a feeling many others agreed because a stack of the DVF range for BabyGap is in the sale right now.

I bought Laney May a gorgeous little sun dress, down from £24.95 to £9.99 (though it’s still £12.99 online).

These are some of my other favourites. If you’re near a Gap store, it’s definitely worth visiting rather than ordering online as it’s all cheaper in store.

Wrap romper - £12.99 (down from £24.95)

Bodysuit - £8.99 (down from £17.95)

Bumblebee t-shirt - £7.99 (down from £14.95)

Printed tank - £4.99 (down from £9.95)

Diverting pencil skirts

I’m in my last week of maternity leave. I can no longer hide from the fact that this time next week I’ll once again join the throngs of commuters and be back in an office.

Aside from having an emotional meltdown about leaving my baby girl in a nursery and feeling so stressed I can barely breathe, I’m still trying to divert myself by thinking about my work wardrobe. I’m not sure it’s actually working but it’s at least helped for the past hour as I’ve been looking at my favourite patterned pencil skirts!

I think the key with any pencil skirt is fit – it’s just not flattering to have the straining creases across the front of the skirt that goes with one a little on the tight side. And if you’re a classic pear shape, then it can be difficult to get the waist and hips to both fit. I’ve found this style of skirt often works better for me if the waistband sits a little lower down nearer to hip level, so that it tends to fit my hips without gaping at the waistband.

I love the idea of updating a classic pencil skirt by wearing it with a bold print. They’d work well with something simple on the top – a white shirt, loose, draped t-shirt or a silk tank top, all tucked in.

I was going to say my favourites are the two from Cos but the insect print one from Asos is up there too.

Cos printed pencil skirt - £59

I saw this Cos skirt in store in a mint green with black mesh overlay, which I loved...but it only seems to be available in grey on the website. Cos straight mesh skirt - £49

Principles by Ben de Lisi dark peach tile skirt - £35

M&S Limited Collection palm leaf print skirt, which is now down to £15 but only available in sizes 6 and 8

Warehouse tejal scarf print skirt - £45

Dorothy Perkins blue bird print skirt - £26

And a bit out of my price range but I love this print skirt from Anthropologie - £98

Asos Beta Fashion tailored skirt by Samantha Edwards - £85