Did I mention I went shopping?

Well, what self-respecting fashionista could miss the chance of shopping in London? Not me, that's for sure! My favourite haunt is Kensington High Street, in particular TK Maxx. Steve had taken himself off for a walk along the Embankment while I did some last minute rushing around to gather up some bargains. And this beauty of a jacket has to be the find of the day, if not the entire holiday!
The brand is DSQUARED2 (sorry if this logo isn't quite right) and as you'll see from the price tag below it was a mighty bargain. Apologies for being so crass as to mention these figures, but a saving like this surely has to be flagged up. My regular readers may be a bit surprised at my extravagence here, but my frugal shopping in charity shops 95% of the time leaves me free to splash out from time to time on something really special, and I only wish you could see how very special this little jacket is.


I have a friend who knows one of the buyers for TK Maxx and they had a very interesting chat about brands, designers and these kind of deals. The top and bottom is this - when you buy designer brands from an outlet village the products are made especially for these outlets and are consequently made to a lesser standard and quality ie cheaper fabrics, linings, even zips or soles on shoes. The pieces which turn up in TK are direct from the designer and are end of line, or odd sizes which the main retailer couldn't house and therefore were made available to the TK Maxx buyers. My husband used to try to tell me that the price tag was just inflated to make it look like a bargain, but this in fact is not the case.

Early morning photo shoot before I head off to work.

The camera is propped on my garden wall while I dodge across the road to do a bit of posing. Quite funny as the morning rush hour (well eight bikes and two buggies) was in full flow.

Trying to look nonchalant whilst a truck goes past.

OK, and smile!

The leather is butter soft, the fit is perfect - it would have been a sin not to buy this.

Yet another of Sasha's handbags. Although I did buy this one for her. Does that make it any better?


Featuring my new Italian shoes here too.

I obviously love this jacket, but will have to make sure I don't gain another pound as it won't fit if I do. It's not a bad idea for me to have a snug jacket on board as I've been a bit lax with things since we got back from our holidays. Sea swimming has been a bit lacking due to one thing or another, but hopefully once this weekend is over, my routine early morning swim can be reinstated. Regular exercise is a bit like that don't you think? Once you've dropped out off the routine, you can find a dozen reasons as to why you can't get back into the groove. In my defence I can say that health issues have gotten in the way rather than outright laziness. Normal service will be resumed soon I promise! Oh, and on that final point I must mention the latest news from the Government here in the UK trying to ban the use of exclamation marks. Old fashioned grammar is increasingly becoming outmoded with the latest victim being my favourite. How will I add a bit of indignation, surprise, delight, anger, joy or plain sock-it-to-you punch without my exclamation marks?!!! Oh, I know. By just carrying on the same as usual.

Jacket: Dsquared2. Trousers: TK Maxx. Polo neck: eBay. Shoes: Italy. Handbag: Accessorize. Watch: Michael Kors. Bangle: Kate Spade New York. Perspex ring: gift. Silver ring: charity shop.

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26 comments

  1. Anna, what an amazing jacket and it looks wonderful on you. I wanted it to stroke it through the screen. It goes well with your trousers and brogues, too. What do you call those trousers? I have a similar pair; not harem pants they're not wide enough, cuffed trousers, peg trousers? I wish I knew!

    Banning exclamation marks! They're joking, surely?

    I'm sorry I haven't been able to read your last two comments on my blog in their entirety - thanks to Google/Blogger the problems still persist.

    xxx

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. Great to hear from you Veronica, but I'm sorry you still have Gremlins in the works. I'll keep posting.
      The jacket is a dream, that's for sure. I class the trousers as harem pants as I can't think what else they would be. That whole low crotch seems to qualify as harem in my book. See you soon x
      Anna

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  2. The twins that are DSquared are from Toronto. Did you know that? : P A little bit of Canadian trivia for you.

    I love the jacket. I'm glad you mentioned it was leather because I couldn't make it out in the photos. I adore DSquared. They are edgy, very well made and super fitted.

    Banning exclamation marks! HA!!!! Ha ha I exclaim in defiance!!!

    Obviously there isn't enough real problems in the world for them to deal with that they have to make something up.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Thanks for the info Suzanne as I didn't know that. I'm bowled over at the quality of this jacket and the fit is superb. The nude colour is perfect for the spring/summer season ahead so I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot more of it! Ooops, was that a little exclamation mark slipped out there?
      Anna x

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    2. I knew this. (Bragging about my knowledge here.)
      Greetje

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  3. I LOVE a military inspired, fitted jacket...and buttery leather to boot! You ROCK it!!! (definance!!!)
    Here in the U.S. "cursive writing" is not longer being taught in the public schools. How sad. Another art form goes by the wayside along with letters written on beautiful paper with a PEN!!! Fortunately, a number of my friends and I intend to keep it alive.

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    1. Thank you Susan. I'm shocked to learn that longhand is no longer being taught in your schools. What about the days when the computers crash? Writing on paper with a pen is such a basic, and a pleasure, why would it no longer be deemed as important? Sheesh, the world is surely going mad!!
      Anna x

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    2. Not only the ability to WRITE longhand will be lost, but to READ it as well. All those beautiful letters written by grandparents and beyond, documents, etc. It's a staggering thought. I only hope the pendulum swings back!

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  4. How could you ban exclamation marks---that seems crazy??
    As for that splendid jacket---talk about beautiful and a statement to boot! I bet you wear it tons since it looks so perfect on you! jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Jodie this jacket was such a joyful find. My only worry is that it may be a victim of overkill in due course!
      I did actually go back to re-read the article in the newspaper as I thought it might be a joke. Yes, how exactly can they implement such a ban? Is it the first of April by any chance?
      Anna x

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  5. Oh, I'd be arrested if exclamation points were outlawed!

    That jacket...wooo...I am in lurve! I too splash out on a quality piece once in a while, especially when it's really special - I thrift so much, giving back to my community, and I give away most of my clothes. So when I find something spectacular (like this jacket which you must send...to...me...) I don't hesitate. Well done, Anna!

    Arg, my exercise routine is awful right now. I need to do something.

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    1. Sheila, I'm so pleased that you love this too. Isn't it a gem? I did feel I had to justify this unusual expense, but we are clearly very similar in our shopping habits. One day, if our paths ever cross, I promise I'll be wearing this just so that you can try it on!
      Anna x

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  6. Yes, I'd join you in jail, Sheila! Hahaha!!
    I adore that jacket - everything about it. What a good deal, and I was interested to find out how the outlet system works. It's great that you can treat yourself. I had to laugh at your horrible traffic situation there. Heh. Be careful!! Hahaha! You look mmmarvelous.

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    1. I'm sure we'll be able to spot the exclamation police by their the hats which will obviously have a large exclamation mark atop them. Scarper mate, they're on yer tail!
      Glad you can appreciate my stressful morning commute. I forgot to mention the two cats (cats, not dudes) on the road as well x
      Anna

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  7. I adore the humble exclamation mark, I even wrote a poem about them!!! Hmmm, blog rant coming up methinks!!
    Your jacket is gorgeous and I'm not surprised about the saving, I've bought numerous things over the years that are genuine savings! You look beautiful! I'm definitely going to visit my new local pool over the weekend, so excited to have one!!!x

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    1. Where can I read your ode to the exclamation mark? I'd love to read it. So glad you have a pool to visit. Are you settling in to your new home now? How many weeks til you come to the islands? Thanks for your positive thoughts as ever x
      Anna

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  8. That jacket fits like a dream and makes you look quite chic and efficient. I follow your philosophy. Thrift thrift thrift thrift tiny splurge thrift thrift thrift. Another winning look from Anna?

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    1. Glad you agree with my spending mentality. I sometimes forget to do enough saving in between times though! Thanks for the compliments. Lovely to hear from you x
      Anna

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  9. Brilliant find Anna!
    It is a beauty and a (relative) bargain.
    It looks great with your brogues.
    I think it will look great with anything!
    I would love to see how it looks with an enormous skirt...a huge puffy girly one..especially with your teeny waist.
    Money well spent I would say.
    XXX

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    1. Thanks for the feedback Samantha. Am glad you agree that it's a bargain. I can really see it going with most things in my wardrobe too. You've sown a seed with the skirt idea. I do have something in mind now. Watch this space...
      Anna x

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  10. It is indeed an incredible buy. Yes it would have been a sin to not buy it. It fits you, it looks good on you and it satiesfies your edgy needs. You must be the best dressed woman on the island. I wonder how this outfit would look with just a simple black top underneath it. You know I am more of a less is more woman (well compared to you and Suzanne) and I would let the jacket shine without distraction. The shoes are divine too.
    Greetje

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    1. Thanks Greetje. You and Samantha have both put your orders in for the next styling of this and I'll definitely have a go. It is indeed an edgy piece which is what attracted me, and oh how I'm looking forward to wearing it as often as I can. It's got a whole of outings to have to drive down the cost-per-wear!
      Anna x

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    2. I bet Samantha went in the opposite direction from me, suggesting to add some more colour and patterns? Oh.. I just looked up her comment.. a huge puffy skirt he? No idea what that would look like. I don't have the imagination for that.
      Greetje

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    3. I do like it when an outfit creates this kind of feedback. It's great to have ideas from others which I wouldn't necessarily come up with myself. I'm on the case for both of your suggestions...
      Anna x

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  11. That is an awesome fit on you Anna. And what a bargain. And I like the background info about TKMaxx, as you know that I also hunt in their too! Plus I know the High St Ken branch!!!

    Note use of exclamation marks!!!!!

    http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. The fit is what clinched the deal you know. There were only two of these and in different sizes. After half and hour of delaying tactics, I finally crumbled and tried on what I thought would be the too small one and was delighted to find it fitted. Talk about a Cinderella moment. Am so happy to have given in asI know I'll get a whole lot of wear out of this.
      Anna x

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