Rare Designer Must-Haves: November 2010

Did you know that Zara have opened up their online shop at last? Hooray - it's a godsend. Their up to the minute beautifully styled collection is finally available at the click of the fingertips. I popped into our local store the other day and picked up my new favourite trousers:

Trousers Zara - £25.99

Not only are they the bargain of the century at £25.99 but they also come with a beautiful skinny leather belt and are cut just perfectly for wearing with this seasons big stompy platform shoes. I bought them in two sizes larger than I normally wear, as I wanted to wear them loose and baggy. They also contain stretch and I don't want to take them off. I'm loving the camel colour but they are also available in beige and khaki - they look so perfectly on trend this season, you'll be sashaying around thinking you are Sarah-bleeding-Jessica Parker in these believe me!

My other bargain was this crossover scarf cardi or drape neck jumper as they are referring to it from Republic:

It's so warm, I'm a big fan of grey and not only is it super cute but it makes an outfit look so stylish and pulled together. It's a mega bargain at only £24.99 but I had to buy it last weekend, because they had a 25% discount sale on all their stock. I only went in there because my fourteen year old teen dragged me in, but I'm so glad she did.

I also bought a couple of dresses from Topshop that I'm really pleased with:

Topshop Peter Pan Collar Tunic £35

The above dress is really a tunic but as I am a shorty - it works very well as a dress. It's so cute and I feel all retro and arty in it. I've been teaming it with Spanx tights (very important for a mother of three) and my rather special new Chloe boots that my lovely husband got me for my birthday.

The other dress is this one:

Topshop Bodycon Camel dress £45

I haven't worn this dress yet, but it looks so beautiful like a work of art. I'm not sure that my pear shaped figure lends well to a bodycon dress, but I will be braving it none-the-less with at least two pairs of Spanx on and maybe some Dutch courage!

The family have all been kitted out in new outerwear. We got our fifteen month old baby this mega cute snowsuit from John Lewis:

It's so very warm and snuggly and costs between £26-£28 depending on the age of your baby. The feet and hands are detachable, so they are perfect for little walkers.

The teen put her pocket money towards buying her first designer coat - I can't believe she is so style savvy already, but she actually can tell the difference between items that look cheap and aren't well made from something more well produced. I was doing charity shop chic when I was her age and have only recently been able to afford the high street. But she is good with her money - works hard and saves up for the things she wants. So she got this coat:

Henry Holland at Debenhams parka - was £65 - now only £52. And for once I actually approved of the coat as it is much more practical than the teen's usual choices of chilly short thin and flimsy little jackets that don't even shield the wind!

Aspie Boy, the eleven year old has also been treated to a new coat. He likes bright primary colours, so I got him this little number from Next:

Boys Colour Block Jacket £28 Next

In contrast my husband finally saved up enough money to buy a Belstaff coat. He kept showing me pictures and talking to me about their superior quality and the fact that Will Smith wears one, but it went in one ear and out the other. I mean we weren't talking shoes for me were we? To be fair he does spend 80% of his time outdoors working on trees or walking the dog in the countryside, so I am happy that he has finally found a coat for life.

Belstaff Legend Coat

When he brought it home, I was pretty impressed. You can see the great workmanship that has gone into it. It's warm and waxy and he does look rather sexy in it, but then I would say that seeing as I'm married to the man. He was very lucky and managed to find a genuine practically new one with a huge discount on eBay.