ThriftMyStyle January wishlist pieces from PrettyLittleThing.com

January is all about assessing what gaps you have in your wardrobe and creating a wishlist in order to have said items enhance what you already have and make styling an outfit that more effective.

I was very fortunate to be gifted some fabulous pieces from PrettyLittleThing.com and when I was asked what I would like I thought of my wishlist. I am into red this winter so jumped at the chance to have the Emilia red tassel satchel which satisfies the 'red' craving and also my current lust of cross body bags:

It's an ideal length and has enough compartments and space for an ideal everyday bag:

Another item that I was lacking in my wardrobe was a pair of tan ankle boots so I picked these heeled tan buckle boots which have studded detailing on the front-a perfect day to night ankle boot and a perfect colour for them to go with virtually any colour outfit. I have teamed the bag and boots with my all thrifted Pepe London camo jacket, H&M denim shirt and River Island black skinny jeans. 

I love how the red bag brings out the detailing on my jacket too:

The boots run true to size (I am a size 8) and I am wearing thermal socks with them and am most comfortable in them too!

A big thanks to Lucy at Wingfield PR and also to PrettyLittleThing.com -you have certainly fulfilled my winter style cravings!

Thriftmystyle........Electric blue bags for all budgets!!

Hi everyone!! How lovely has the weekend been-it's been milder and sunny and no more snow forecast, just milder weather to come this week-yay!!

Spring like weather really makes you think about what colours you want to be wearing this coming season and for me, cobalt or electric blue is definitely on my radar. Exclusively to My-Wardrobe.com is the infamous Acne Pistol boot in cobalt blue. They are utterly divine and if you've got that sort of cash, then they would be a must have for Spring and Summer!!

For me it's all about the bag and there is certainly some choices from designer to high street if you are looking for this particular colour. Here are my favourite picks of whats out there at the moment:

 Victoria Beckham The Victoria Tote, Net-A-Porter, £2300

 Saint Laurent The Muse, Net-A-Porter, £1075

 Proenza Schouler The PS11, Net-A-Porter, £1365



Zara suede messenger bag, £22.99

On Friday when I was doing my weekly food shop I spied this gorgeous electric blue clutch/ cross body bag by TU for Sainsburys. My pictures don't show the detachable long strap as I wanted to show you how many pockets the bag has:

The bag has a main compartment but folds over with a snap magnetic fastener to show the front which I think has gorgeous hardware. Then it has the outer smaller zip pocket and inside the main compartment there is another inner zip compartment, a mobile phone pocket and another pocket:

Then another zipped compartment on the back of the bag too! The bag was a bargainous £12 and I had a £2.50 discount due to my Nectar points so I got it for just £9.50!! I really love the colour and how it looks amazing as a cross body bag and as a clutch-for me, a really worthwhile and thrifty purchase and the perfect way to channel electric blue this coming season.

What colours are on your radar for the coming season, will you be channeling electric/cobalt blue in your wardrobe?

ThriftMyStyle..........Breton stripes for winter

Hi everyone! One item that is forever in style is the Breton top. Navy and white is always a classic combination and the easy way to channel this trend for winter is to invest in a long sleeve tee or jumper which will be a worthwhile style staple as it can be worn every winter as it will never date. Desginers and the high street have a variety of  different colour and patterns based on the traditional Breton style, here are my picks of what's available online at the moment:

Day Birger et Mikkelsen merino wool jumper, Net-A-Porter, £110

 Topshop Breton striped jumper, £36

J Crew tee, Net-A-Porter, £46

Last summer I thrifted this Topshop jumper at my local boot sale for a bargainous £1- its quite chunky and ideal for wearing with high rise dark skinny flares this winter: 

This Zara organic cotton tee was from the Sue Ryder charity shop earlier this week for just £2.75 and I'll wear it as a layering piece this winter, under a shirt, cardigan or gilet:

They also look great with a pop of red, maybe an accompanying necklace, belt or bag would complete the look with dark colour jeans or if you're feeling confident enough, some off white jeans would also look great! 

Are you wearing Breton tees from summer gone or do you think you'll be buying this style of top for the coming season? Wishing you all a very happy weekend!!

ThriftMyStyle.......Shopping my wardrobe for the perfect LBB

For Christmas a couple of years ago I treated myself to a vintage black leather Gucci handbag from a vintage fashion fair and it has proved not only a real style investment but a very versatile and timeless accessory. It was a fantastic bargain, less than 3 figures and for 4 figures, Gucci currently have a similar vintage inspired style online now:

Gucci 1973 black handbag, £1520

It goes to show that inspiration from decades gone is still evident in today's handbag designs- detailing such as a classic flap, plated logo fasteners and several compartments are signs that this detailing is very much a style staple and do not date for any fashion house designer.

My vintage find is very comparable to what's on offer right now and what makes me love it more is it's versatility- I can use it as an everyday handbag and for an instant in trend look I can change it to a smart clutch bag in seconds, as the handle is removable:

The humble classic black handbag is an item we all have in our wardrobe which is all so easily overlooked in our search for the new 'it' bag. It certainly transcends seasons and can be adapted for day, evening, smart or casual use.

Will you be pulling your black handbag out from the wardrobe-have you found the perfect one yet?

Thrift Inspiration...............Parkas for all budgets!

Hi everyone! Wishing you all a Happy Monday and I hope you are bearing up with all the snow we are having! This month I have been trying to just thrift items that I know I will definitely wear and really like, as opposed to items that I will put in the wardrobe for an 'in case occasion'. I already have so many items that don't get worn regularly so I am trying to fill in the basics and then shop my wardrobe as much as possible.

One item that has been on my style radar for a long while is a khaki green parka. Regarding rainwear, I am very much in the 'parka' camp as opposed to the 'trenchcoat'. As much as I really like them I don't feel 'me' in them and just prefer to admire them on other people!

Here is my pick of parkas available now, both designer and on the high street:

Lot78 Hooded parka coat, £585

J Crew Hooded parka £190

Zara with detachable hood £69.99

I thrifted this Parka raincoat a couple of weeks ago from the Salvation Army charity shop for just £3.99 and its by Marks and Spencer. It is a lightweight one and ideal for those Spring showers which will be inevitable for us in the UK!! What drew me to it was the length too, as it comes to just touching the knee so will keep me well protected from wind and rain. It also has enough room to fit a tailored jacket, chunky cardigan or jumper underneath to keep my dry and cosy:

I like the minimal detailing and the coat will be easy to style with any given outfit, particularly with skinny jeans and boots. I think dark khaki is a very versatile and easy neutral colour to work with in the wardrobe for Spring and makes a fresh change from black and beige.

What is your style choice for rainy weather, do you wear parkas or raincoats and will you be investing in either for Spring?

Thrift Inspiration.........Doing it McQueen style with the humble grey sweatshirt

Hi everyone! The weather is absolutely freezing outside and I would say at the moment its all about layers and keeping warm. This brings me to a wardrobe staple that most us may already have, which is the humble grey sweatshirt. I thrifted a Uniqlo sweatshirt earlier this week for just under £4 and whilst browsing the internet I was inspired by what it can be worn with:

This look featured at the MCQ pre fall collection presentation for 2013 and I love how this sweat top has been layered over a black chiffon dress and paired with black ankle boots to fierce the look up. 

You could adapt this look with a black chiffon pleated skirt or layer it over a black floaty dress, check out what's already in your wardrobe.

This grey sweat top from Topshop has been paired with it's tall crystal stud tube skirt, £40

It's a really inspiring look to wear a statement 'dressy' skirt with a grey sweat top for a more wearable, every day look and it ensures you get extra mileage out of that 'best' skirt.

As a fan of Uniqlo here is a link to their men's grey sweat which is just £19.90- go for a smaller size for a fitted look or a couple sizes up if you like it slouchy. Either look will be great with a black belt over the top, McQueen style.

Uniqlo grey sweatshirt, £19.90

Will you be pairing up a grey sweat with a statement skirt? It really is something that can be worn right now, a great way to wear those thermal tights and tees without feeling like you haven't tried with your outfit choice!!

A Pop of Red for Winter and My Primark Studded Tote Bag For Shopping In Town

Hi everyone! I went into town yesterday purely to get some thermal t-shirts for younger son, but knowing my destination was Primark I had a sneaky suspicion I would be having a browse around the store and possibly even purchasing something for myself too! 

 My main buys in Primark tend to be their scarves-for around £3 to £5 you can get an on trend accessory that can be worn straight away without breaking the bank. But before I reached the vests (menswear is on the top floor!) I passed the shoe section that had some nude patent slipper pumps on sale for £3, so they were held on to. Then I went to the scarves and couldn't resist a navy and white scull scarf for £4-ideal for Spring and Summer. I have had on my radar the 'want' (I won't say need!) of a red tote bag which will bag my buys when I am in town and save me having to carry 2 or 3 random carrier bags.  So I was really pleased when I spied this studded red large tote for just £12. It also comes in black but I wanted red for a pop of colour for winter. It is very roomy and generous in size, with a couple of inner pockets for your phone and keys:

The red of the tote is more of a true red in reality, the picture seems to show it to be more orangey-red.

Here are my favourite picks of other red bags available and which are on sale:

Red Zara mini shopper, now half price £19.99

Stella McCartney faux leather red stud bag, The Outnet, now £247.50

 Michael Kors tote, The Outnet, now £52

Will you be sporting a red bag this season?

Dress MyStyle-Layer up this winter with Uniqlo Heattech

Hi everyone! Well it's definitely winter weather now and our first snow here where I live hit this morning and settled slightly. So style wise it's all about layers and over Christmas I stocked up and bought three of my favourite layering pieces from Uniqlo in Oxford Street, their Heattech scoop neck long sleeve tees:

Brown (more like greige) Uniqlo Heattech tee, £12.90

I bought them in the brown, light grey and off white and they are simply perfect for wearing under short sleeved tees, chunky jumpers and shirts to keep in the warmth. I originally bought Uniqlo's Heattech tops a few years ago and cannot recommend them highly enough, they are comfortable and come in a great range of  different styles and colours as well as accessories. They are available in store and online too.

I am wearing my light grey one with my thrifted H! for Henry Holland for Debenhams tee and thrifted 7 For All Mankind jeans (I have done a review of these on my denim style blog Live To Love Denim):

This is not a sponsered post, just a very satisfied customer who loves Uniqlos range of clothing. What will you be wearing to keep snug this winter and who do you recommend to keep you warm-stylewise, that is-not hubby or the hot water bottle!!

Have a great week ahead and thanks for visiting!

My favourite scarves of 2012

Hi everyone!! I thought I would do a 'show and tell' of my favourite scarves that were either bought, thrifted or given as gifts to me in 2012. As you may already know I am a denim addict-more of that is on my dedicated style blog Live To Love Denim but my other current style addiction is scarves. I love them in all colours, designs and materials and no matter if they are high street or designer they all add that something extra to outfits and stand the test of sizing issues and trends.

This first scarf was a pre Christmas buy by myself from H&M instore. It had been reduced to £4 and I love how it can be worn not only as a scarf but as a shawl/cape too. It is currently still on sale online here for £5:

My second scarf was from early 2012 and is a striped grey, baby pink and brown one by Hobbs, which I thrifted from my local Sue Ryder charity shop for just under £4. I wore it earlier with my brown Per Una down puffa coat and brown Pavers boots and it is the perfect neckwear of choice now the weather has dipped:

My next scarf was a Christmas present from my lovely mum when we spied it in the men's section of Marks & Spencer just before Christmas. It is available in a different colourway on line and what I love about it is that it is red tartan check, pure lambswool and was made in Great Britain. I wore it solidly over Christmas and New Year but am now giving it a little rest! The men's style to me worked out better quality than the ladies alternative-there was an orange and pink check scarf which was also lambswool, made in Great Britain but was actually smaller in length and width and was £25, so dearer than this one which was £19.50.

My next one is a blue leopardprint and star print scarf by Guess and was a present from my lovely son which he received in a goody bag from Guess at their Spring/Summer 2013 press day. I love the mix of the 2 prints  and is a great year round scarf:

This scarf was a present mid 2012 from a lovely friend and is actually by Burberry. It is a wool mix and has a gold thread running through it-it is very long and again is perfect as a year round scarf, definitely one of my firm favourites:

Of course my other favourite scarves from last year are my Mulberry scarf from Liberty's and my Liberty wool wrap scarf that I got in October.

I need to now enjoy wearing all of these and put them on a strict rotation! Have you got any favourite scarves that you purchased or was given as a present? Are scarves a passion for you?

Wishing you all a lovely weekend, apparently we have snow on the way but at least I am ready for it!!

Favourite Jewellery from 2012-WendyB Hashtag Ring

Hi everyone! Looking back at the last 12 months I was trying to see what my favourite purchases were and jewellery wise I invested really well. After seeing my lovely friend at our blogger meet last year and indulging in my annual ritual of wearing a chosen piece for the duration, I was suitably inspired in July to add my second WendyB piece to my jewellery box. I decided on her fabulous Hashtag ring which has been a regular on my finger and a real joy to wear. Not only is it utterly stylish it has an adjustable band for comfort too:

 

My only dilemma for this year is what to add to my collection next? Now that is the Question or the Exclamation, which may give you a clue as to my next purchases which you can see here and here.

Mind you, as I am trying to be a #goodblogger now, I could well be adding this too.

 

Well whatever I do decide to choose from the WendyB by Wendy Brandes collection I know for sure I will adore it and wear it with sassyness and pride, the only way to wear her gorgeous pieces, no?

Sharonrosepixie.blogspot.co.uk NOW Thriftmystyle.com and debut of the Mulberry scarf

As you may already see, my blog has been edited to add it's new name of Thriftmystyle.com as well as the URL of sharonrosepixie.blogspot.co.uk so any existing and new readers can access my blog from either one, no changes are required as it should automatically redirect you to thriftmystyle! Please do let me know if you have problems with reaching my site!

Onto a more stylish note, I debut my new Mulberry scarf yesterday that I purchased in the Liberty sales in London last week. It is gloriously long, wide and warm-being a mix of 80% wool and 20% cashmere ensures it is stylish as well as cosy. Here it is in the 'Sycamore' colourway on sale at Mulberry.com:

Mulberry Sycamore Leopard and Tiger print wrap, was £295, now £177

Liberty's discount was a further £30 on top so I got my one for half price, but only in store.

I am wearing my blue version of the scarf with my thrifted black leather Primark biker jacket and my Marks and Spencer black faux fur bolero on top of it; thrifted black skinny jeans by River Island; black Chanel handbag; black thrifted Versace boots and grey baker boy style hat:

I am also wearing a thrift find from last week-the grey tee you can just see, it's by H! by Henry Holland for Debenhams and was from the Sense charity shop for £3. The jeans were also from the charity shop a couple of weeks ago for just £2.69. 

I have become rather a scarf addict this winter and will be doing a post soon of my other scarves that I purchased and were gifts last month. As well as bags and shoes, scarves are a wonderful accessory investment-not only do they last for years, but they don't succumb to 'size' issues and can really add that bit extra to an outfit- as well as keeping you cosy of course!!

Scarves are definitely one of my guilty repeat buys-I can't seem to get enough of them, regardless of style, fabric or make-it can be Primark or Missoni, if it suits my chosen outfit then I'm hooked!!

Are you guilty of repeat buying of certain items-are you getting the most out of them?

Cost per wear best buy of 2012-Stella McCartney tote bag

Hi everyone! Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year and I hope you are enjoying your lovely Christmas presents and your post Christmas sales bargains-from reading your blogs, a lot of you have really scored with your stylish sale finds that really seem to be worthwhile fashion investment pieces.

As happy as I am with my Christmas and sales goodies, I thought I would show my best thrift buy of 2012-based purely on a cost per wear basis. 

This tote bag was a find in early September at my local boot sale and was an amazing price of just 30p!! It has proved an invaluable buy as I can chuck anything in it and it doesn't weigh anything, plus if I know I may buy a few things I keep it folded in my chosen handbag until it's needed. A perfect bag for my trips to the bootys and charity shops:

In the last three months I have been using it solidly- at least 60 days!! So on a cost per wear basis it works out to less than 0.5p a day!! Pricewise I don't think any of my purchases last year come close to that and for an item that is not only stylish but functional and sturdy it has to be voted my 'best buy' of  2012.

Looking back to last year what has been your best buy- either on a 'cost per wear' basis or based on discount, value and style?