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So it would be predictable to rabbit on about the weather at the moment and we know as soon we do wax lyrical about summer finally being here – it is gone in an instant. BUT, imagine it was here for a while and our improvised summer wardrobes actually needed a bit of investing in? Well, I have weeded through the whole of Marks & Spencer, in store and online, to bring you my top picks from their new Summer Collection.

Hold it now – there are some real gems! Hope this helps xx

Havana Pom Pom Hat £17.50 

I love the mix of Azteca and pom pom – good one M and S!

Woven Hoop Earrings £12.50 

I am a proud owner of these earrings! I bought them as I haven’t seen anything like this before on the high street and they are the right mix of boho and smart.

Cats Eye Glasses £15 

I am a massive tortoiseshell fan so these are right up my strata.  The pink lenses give them a bit of 2017 in case they remind you of your mother in the 80’s!

Lace Bralet £12

I love this and want one in all 4 colours. This is the PERFECT way to overcome those tricky skimpy summer top situations, as this showing under a slouchy off the shoulder top would look mega.

Spotted Collarless Jacket £29.50

This lightweight cropped jacket is great to throw on to smarten you up, without over heating.

Tiered Long Sleeve Midi Dress £49.50

Ok, so against all advice on my own colouring – I have actually bought this as I think I can pull it off with nude sandals and some red lips (and of course a bit of a tan!) Will put a photo on Instagram next week so you can judge for yourself!

Embroidered Long Sleeve Tunic Dress £45

Whether a boho fan or not (I always have been, I have just locked it away for the last 10 years and am delighted of its resurgence) this pretty number will disguise the mum tum after a rose and calamari lunch!

Orange Shirt Dress £59.50

If I worked in an office, had dark colouring and warm skin – I would buy this! If you fit all three of these requirements – this would be a stunning investment.

Triangle Slide Swimsuit with Performed Cup £45

Ok, ignoring that Rosie wood look good in my old mustard cord dungarees from when I was 10, lets break this costume down. I don’t know what ‘performed’ means, but it can only be good. The adjustable slides will protect your modesty if you don’t want to go too low, the back is nice and scooped and the dark navy colour is slimming. Tick.

Poplin Ruffle Sleeveless Blouse £25 

Also comes in navy.

Just so useful on it’s own or under a cardigan. Wear solo if you have Pippa Middleton’s arms! If not, see below!

Short Sleeve Bardot Blouse £27.50 

Hey presto. The bingo wing saviour.

Colour Block Woven Bracelets £15 

Again, thread and metal gets my vote every time and these are gorgeous beach colours.

Coin Detail Mini Skirt £45 

Forgive me if this more look it is for a ‘Christmas Edit’ but if you have the legs, whack on some flats as this would make a gorgeous glamorous summer evening look.

Cotton Rich Dipped Hem A Line Skirt £45

I like the slightly wide band waistband and think this shows enough leg without looking frumpy but also covers up the back of the knees. Sold!

Floral Print Slim Leg Trousers £27.50

I am a big fan of crazy trousers. My mother, mother in law, sister-in-law and now daughter all have a tendency to go bright on the bottom and these would fit the bill perfectly. Lets just hope we don’t all buy the same ones!

Side Snap Straight Leg Trousers £35 

Not strictly for updating your summer wardrobe but if you are looking for exceptionally cool relaxed loose trousers, these are for you. I love a side stripe and with the side snaps they take them onto the next level of brilliantness.

Pom Pom Sandals £35 

Frodo feet? Move on. If you have had the pedicure and you are happy for people to notice you from bottom up – these are really fun.

Wedge Heels £39.50 

Annoyingly these were out of my size in the bricks and mortar size but they have plenty online, also in navy. You can’t go wrong with these nondescript wedges.

Leather Animal Print Red Tassel Mules £35 

These have become distinctly Marks and Spencer’s trade mark summer shoes since the big fashion guns on Instagram started shouting about them. The combination of animal skin and tassels does make them a summer favourite.

Hand Embellished Beach Bag £39.50 

This bag is lovely and large and super versatile. I love the gold stitching!

I really hope this was useful. Please let me know if there is anything you are looking for or wanting advice. I have my nose in a lot of shops/websites so might just be able to help.

Also, if there is a blog post idea you would like me to cover, please drop me an email hello@thelondonmummy.com

This post was written in collaboration with Marks and Spencer but all recommendations are chosen by me. This post contains affiliate links. 

Whether you need one for half term or not (although judging by today – you may be at the lido more than you thought over the break!) now is the time to buy your beach cover up.  Why?  When you do actually need one, all the best ones will be sold out! It’s the law of averages. The way of the world. Excuse the cliches but its true. “Buy when you see” is my motto (within reason of course!)So, here is a little heads up to what is out there – dresses to throw on when you are around the pool and you need to take the little one to to the loo and don’t fancy walking through the restaurant semi naked. Or perhaps an easy little number that you can leave on the sand and not worry that little Timmy is actually using it to wipe the suncream out of his eyes.

Anyway, you get the picture – here are my top picks…

Seraphina Bella Gold Palm Tree Dress £95 

This is beautiful and I love the feminine print and cool fabric.

Little Leggies Blue Cotton Beach Dress £30 

This just has I am on holiday allover it. Neon. Pom Poms. Versatile shoulders (if you re eating burnt you can pull them up over your shoulders, want to catch the last of the sun, pull it down!)

TLM Edit Black Crochet Cover Up £28 

This works for both the above scenarios – all without breaking the bank and looking like a minx at the same time!

Marks & Spencer Long Sleeve Tunic Dress £45 

Tunic dresses ain’t going anywhere and this one is understated whilst also giving a little hello to the boho vibe a la moment.

Naftul Embroidered Trim Mini Dress £150 

This is back on TLM Edit again as it has proved immensely popular. This would work in the evening too or around a really sophisticated day time scenario.

TLM Edit Pink Ruffle Beach Cover Up £28 

I mean, how fun is this!!! I cannot wait to do a little jog around the swimming pool in this and I Have no doubt it all draw a few (admiring) glances too!

Marie & Lola Coral & White Embroidered Dress £75 

From one of my favourite brands who does beachwear very well, this embroidered dress is winking at me – I am a sucker for neon.

Marks and Spencer Pom Pom Contrasting Shift Dress £19.50 

So simple and elegant and would allow you to get stuck into the calamari at lunch without worrying too much about your mum tum.

Hush Evangeline Dress £65

This is a pretty versatile dress for the summer as it can be dressed up or down, but it has definitely made my beach cover up cut.

Sister Design Passos Pink with Mint Trim £85 

This is my holiday treat to myself. Not one to actually suit pale pink, I do love the colour so thought if I can’t wear it when I have a bit of a tan when can I wear it. It is so pretty in itself, I don’t think anyone will be noticing what I look like in it!

Hush Rio Maxi Dress £75

Again, a tube top might feel a little 2008 but they are great for tanning!

Hush Macrame Beach Dress £65

You have to have a bit of yellow somewhere in your wardrobe and if you have the correct colouring for bright yellow (like super tanned and dark hair?) then this will work wonders.

Next Red Embroidered Dress £45

So the Next top caused an instastir and the dress version is also making waves. I would feel too shrouded by this dress but if you are tall it could work for you.

Selected Femme Summer Dress £49.95 

Simple. Pretty.

Pitusa Pom Pom Festival £79.99

I have had to include both the black and white versions of this pom pom dress as they are both lovely.

Pitusa Pom Pom Black £79.99

If you missed Holiday Style : 9 Flattering Summer Tops – head over now!

My next Holiday Style edit is on swimwear (foxy and flattering?)

If you need some head turning, zany, well priced and fun accessories for the summer, don’t forget to have a look at TLM Edit. I am adding new things each day!!

Have a great week and lets hope the sun stays shining xx

It’s definitely time for another Spring Style edit and today it is all about embroidered tops and jackets. Whether the boho look is for you or not, there is no hiding from it this season. Not only are they on trend, they are very pretty and cover a multitude of sins.  So I say, embrace it, find your inner traveller and give it a go. You never know, you may be converted!

This one is from Next and also comes in blue…

New Look Embroidered Top £22

Ulla Johnson Minou Blouse £385

Rebecca Taylor Esme Blouse £300

Zara Stripe Blouse £25 

Zara Ecru Embroidered Top £29.99

Scotch & Soda Aqua Top £149 

Marks and Spencer Embroidered Peasant Blouse £35

Topshop Poplin Top £32

Somerset by Alice Temperley £99 

Somerset by Alice Temperley £69

Marks and Spencer Embroidered Notch Jacket £39 

Marks and Spencer Pom Pom Embroidered Jacket £39 

Tory Burch Cotton Top £290

Taltha Anya Top £285

Have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend and see you next week! xx

As part of my current partnership with Marks and Spencer, I am doing couple of posts per month on them.  The last one was children’s summer clothes and this time I feel compelled to do a post on what to wear to a wedding this summer as they have lots of gorgeous dresses, jackets and accessories that will suit all ages and style, without breaking the bank. Their footwear collection this season is on the money, with peep toes, block heels and the famous V fronted heels (which I can’t get my head around so haven’t included them!)

The Country ‘I have been on holiday so can wear blush’ Wedding 

Shell Fascinator £29.50 

Lace Shift Dress £79 

Block Heel £35

The Fashionista ‘if I wear cool shoes, I will fit right in’ Wedding 

Tear Drop Fascinator £45 

3/4 Sleeve Ruffle Bodycon Dress £59

Vamp Sandals £45 

The Beach ‘where I can really wear something daring that I wouldn’t usually wear’ Wedding 

Flower Fascinator £29.50

Colour Block Maxi Dress £79

Platform Sandals £35

The International ‘where I need to look well groomed for the whole day and night’ Wedding

Mono Feather Fascinator £45

Frill Sleeve Tunic Dress £35 

Sling Back Court Shoes £25

The Good Friends ‘I want to eat alot and dance till the early hours’ Wedding

Spot Mesh Fascinator £45

Double Layer Tie Back Shift Dress £29.50 

Silver Sandals £55

I hope this helped and has given you a few ideas for what to wear to any upcoming weddings. They also have some cute little blazers that you can throw on if you want to smarten yourself upper the service. These 2 would work well (dark on dark light on light in my humble opinion…)

Cream Blazer £69 

I love the ruffled arms.

Turn Back Cuff Jacket in Navy & Black (black shown below) £35 

Awesome turn back sleeves.

marksandspencer.com

At a kids party yesterday, a mum was wearing a gorgeous bright yellow jumper from Zara and it looked fantastic.  Bored with my dark hues now the weather is on the up, I thought it was time to hit the high street and get a few jumpers that will give you a Spring look whilst keeping the breezy air at bay.   Let’s not get ahead of ourselves thinking the off the shoulder, ruffled, backless, cropped cotton top is the right thing for now… (don’t worry, I am onto it – but not in March and not all these details at the same time!)

Today, I am talking jumpers that make a Spring statement that will also cover you up and keep you snug when the sun is hiding. There isn’t a midriff in sight!

YELLOWS 

Zara Yellow Jumper £19.90

Banana Republic Yellow £54.99

REDS

Marks and Spencer V Neck Frill Red Jumper £29.99

Zara Red Maxi Sweater With Bows £29.99

PINKS

Zara Hot Pink Sweater With Side Slits £15.99

ASOS Pink Ruffle Jumper £30

Benetton Dark Fuchsia Jumper £29.99

More & More Powder Rose Jumper £41.99

BLUES

ASOS Blue Jumper With Raglan Detail £28 

Jonathan Simkhai Slash Sleeve Indigo Jumper £330 

French Connection Popcorn Round Neck Jumper £60 

Dorothy Perkins Blue Jumper £24.99

New Nikola Sweatshirt £39.99

GREENS

COS Bottle Green Pleated Sleeve Jumper £59 

Hush Summer Cashmere Jumper £125 

ORANGE 

Boss Orange Jumper £149

Although this post is on block colours, I have to give a special mention to Little Leggies and the jumper I have recently acquired. It is heaven to wear and like walking down the street with a little puppy, I can’t get far before someone stops me in the street!

Head over to Instagram to see it in action on me!

Have a great day xxx