Exciting news from Clarks

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 This is such an out-of-date image...and look what you're missing.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

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

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

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

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

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.