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Shades of Grey

Wednesday 9 January 2013
helmut2
helmut1
Outfit: Isabel Marant Fred jacket (old but similar here), Helmut t-shirt, James Jeans Twiggy, Christys' Harriet fedora, Barbour tote and The Kooples sneakers.

I should really clarify that there are only 4 shades of grey here instead of 50, that is if you're counting my well worn used-to-be-black-now-grey skinny jeans. Anyone read 50 Shades of Grey? I even went as far as downloading all 3 books into my phone. I know. Sucker. I totally bought into the hype. I couldn't get past 3 pages without yawning and then skimmed through the next 200 pages just to read the ending. I promptly gave up in the end.

Now, I'll have you know that I'm a HUGE fan of trashy romance books (I can't handle tragic epic endings) but I'm the least romantic person the hubby and friends have ever known. My friends know never to ask me to help plan a wedding. I suck at romantic gestures. Yeah, I know, what an oxymoron but I'll still keep reading trashy romance albeit ones without whips and cuffs, hoping some will rub off on me.

Posing has never been my forte so forgive the evil eye/schoolmarm look in the first photo. The look comes naturally to me (unfortunately), thanks to teaching in an all boys school where these evil beings (including my own brothers) would terrorize young teachers. In fact, I attended a party last year where a few famous bloggers were in attendance. The roving photographers stalked and clamored all over the gorgeous beings and took a million photos. I, on the other hand, was in the way so was blurred out in every shot. That'll deflate anyone's ego in a nanosecond. I think it's time to learn how to pose more naturally and try not to be a wallflower. Or cringe whenever I see a camera pointing in my direction. Easier said than done.

The flu was the perfect antidote for post-Christmas sales.  Six days of high temperature was enough to take out the most enthusiastic shopaholic. I'd planned to meet my friend, Lena in London and spend the day eating and shopping. Alas, that never eventuated. The thing is, I never ever seem to buy anything when Boxing Day sale rolls around either. I'm one of those individuals who has to shop with a list. I'm totally lost without one. I end up wandering aimlessly from store to store and my mood deteriorates faster than the English weather.

I had only 3 things on my list this time - natural toothpaste with fluoride from Jason (the BEST natural toothpaste, thanks to Laura's recommendation), Helmut t-shirt (I couldn't make myself pay the full retail price) and Christys' Harriet fedora. I treat myself to a hat from Christys' every winter. They've been around since 1773 and are one of the largest and oldest hatmakers in the world. Their handmade hats are often re-branded and sold for eye-watering prices. I prefer to buy mine under their own brand name as they're far more affordable and just as exquisitely well made.

Seeing that I'm Miss Nosy Parker, I'd like to know what you'd bought during the sale?

24 comments:

  1. Great post and you look beautiful in these pics! Love the entire ensemble. Oh started reading 50 shades of Grey in September and haven't finished it. Even read some other books in between. Have you read 'salt on their skin' by Benoite Groult? Oh I loved it! I'm no sale shopper either, always shop by the list as well. It seems we have quite a few things in common, including the same jacket. ;)

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  2. I prefer your shading in grey ! Your jacket still bears the IM touch and is a classic in any wardrobe.
    The book industry made such a fuss about this book when the translated version reached France a few months ago ! I think Disney could consider making a filmed version of this soft and soporific story. Nothing to write home about ! Or "Pas de quoi fouetter un chat" as we say in French (literally "No reason to whip a cat about it" : no reason to go crazy about it)

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  3. You pulled of the hat/glasses combo so well, I wear glasses and always think i can't wear hats because I wear glasses and have a long dark mop, but you've done it and I love it.

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  4. Oh, how I adore your outfit! And maybe I can buy one of these Christie's hats when I come to visit you. They look exquisite! I feel like my closet is stuffed to excess so I proudly ignored the sales - except for some Lululemon yoga pant. I find that I'm more motivated to exercise if I have cute workout wear! :P

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  5. Great outfit and really love the hat. I'm laughing at your descriptions of having your photo taken. I'm exactly the same, HATE having my photo taken and went through the excruciating pain of having some taken this morning for my post on Friday. I definitely wasn't given the photogenic gene :(

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  6. LOL you and Sue were on the same wavelength today...good to see you back xx

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  7. Oh and I bought shoes and a pair of Hudsons in the sale...x

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  8. Great outfit!! You look fab!! The only thing I have purchased during the holiday sales is a great little prada wallet. Nothing else really caught my eye. Love your hat!!

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  9. Love Fedora's, my daughter recently bought one and can easily pull it off. I bought 3 handbags from Harrods, some Jimmy Choo's and then a couple of jackets from wait for it - Next! It was a high street shopping disaster unlike my online one! Glad you are feeling better x

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  10. I think this is the best ensemble yet :) the proportions are perfect, very elongating. Textural too. As for post X'mas sales, alas, I caved and in the shoe department. I think I hauled in about 45 new pairs. The family is officially divorcing me xoxo

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  11. I love your writing! So funny!
    Adore your outfit from head to toe! So chic!

    As for posing....I've learned not to look at the camera as much, and sunglasses help! haha

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  12. I love your IM jacket and your fedora. Nice casual chic outfit you have there. As for 50 shades of gray, I didn't bother getting it since I heard it was very poorly written. I'm glad I didn't since you seem to confess that you yawned and skimped through the trilogy. ;)

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  13. love the shades of gray! totally diggin' the hat!

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  14. Nice to see you again properly and despite being ill, you look fab in these pics - so slim! Love the whole outfit - you carry off these biker style jackets so well and you seem to find the most perfect ones. I didn't do fifty shades of grey but I finally downloaded a book on to my Kindle which I will read and have managed 4 chapters and am proud of myself. I normally do chick lit - something that doesn't fry the brain but I can't do slush. If I think I'm going to cry at the end of the film, I always walk out of the room - I'm emotionally repressed.

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  15. Love the darker palette of your entire ensemble and how each piece meshes so well together. That beautiful fedora is the perfect touch and you look beautiful Marlene. Still so happy that you post personal outfit pics now. As for the sales, I was out of the country for a month so didn't really get anything. :)

    xxTheresa

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  16. cant go wrong with an all grey outfit. love all of your picks.
    your newest follower :)
    xx
    Staci

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  17. Love the shades of grey you are wearing. You look beautiful Marlene! Grey is one of my favorite colors and all of your pieces work so well together.

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  18. Oh Marlene, I've been meaning to stop by for the longest time. With all the craziness of my last few weeks in Australia and then moving back stateside and the consequential jetlag, I'm amazed that I've been able to blog at all. So sorry to hear that you've been struck with the flu, three weeks is an awfully long time. Sounds more like you've encountered some sort of biological warfare than your common household flu. But look at you now, you're looking well and radiant in these photos. Plus I love your stern look. So boys school ey? Any tips for disciplining wild toddlers?

    xx Jenee C.
    {camo meets couture}

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  19. Oh, I'm in love with that jacket, the salt&pepper texture of the fabric is beautiful! The Helmut tee is just gorgeous too, I really must start investing in some designer tees, such a lovely drape to it. And don't worry about the pose, you look amazing here, stern look & all! :)
    I'm so with you on 50 shades too, I downloaded the first book to see what the hype was, read the first few pages & then just couldn't go on reading such crap anymore! Haha!

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  20. I love the fred jacket on you! Actually love the fitted ones on you, as much as the cocoon shaped ones (Bator). I am envious.. while I love both shapes, the latter would look ridiculous in where I live.

    What I got? my first pair of ankle boots from Mango, a IM linen jacket (from 2009 Collection), a denim shirt dress from Muji and I am waiting for the IM Sandrine to arrive!! Hope it works out for my (big) butt!

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    Replies
    1. Rubbish, your butt's NOT big at all. If anything, you're even more slender than me. Is the linen jacket similar to the Etien?

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    2. Hello M, its this one:

      http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2009/spring/main/europe/womenrunway/isabelmarant/#slide21&ss1

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  21. It's so unfair, you wear jackets so well, and they look so good on you!

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  22. Love this grey outfit, Marlene.
    Your fedora is beautiful. I saw the other day that Liberty stocks this brand (Christy's) and I'll definitely try a couple of hats on next time I'm there.

    In the meantime, I'll be beating myself up for not having bought that Helmut tshirt during the sales. I always love the way it looks on you and I've just seen it was available at matchesfashion for gbp 45. Cant believe I missed the chance!

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