FM40 CURRENTLY COVETING | #5

I normally post my Weekly Loves on a Monday morning, but of late this post has become slightly stressful, I am often rushing to edit the post late Sunday evening, wondering what content will be exciting enough to include in it and recently struggling for any content at all.

You see I don't really live an exciting blogger lifestyle, no press days to report about (I do get the invitations, but the cost to get the train down to London for the day is an expense I can't really splash out on a weekly basis) and I don't have any champagne and macaroon afternoon teas to gush about either...... I just lead a normal SAHM lifestyle of; School run, supermarket shopping, cleaning, washing & ironing, ballet lessons and Sunday morning rugby practice and in-between all this, I blog about my obsession with fashion from my kitchen table.

My blog is my passion and something I started because I enjoy doing it, so going forward I am going to post what I enjoy and are secretly coveting each week on a Monday morning which I think will be a more exciting post than reading about boring old me!



Love a red tweed little jacket, I spotted this jacket In Selfridges last week. Maje is a brand I have neglected due to my mild obsession with Isabel Marant, but not any more they have some beautiful stuff. 

I have been coveting this since seeing it on WIT and when I popped into John Lewis last week I was looking everywhere for it, I was nearly giving up and there one was, all alone, the last one waiting for me. It will look perfect on the children's tree that I decorate for them with traditional knitted red decorations many of which I have purchased from The White Company over the years.

I like these, I can take ages to pick cards, but while looking around these are my favourites to send to my favourite people.

Now this is an advent calendar and a half, it would be a sheer joy to wake up and open this up for 25 days in December.

I adore red shoes (and they always look very festive) and these must have to be the ultimate red shoes to own, I think the secret of styling red shoes is with denim and play them down or with a plain LBD, so it is not too much. If you like the style of this shoe, then Dune do an amazing look-a-like here.

That was a pleasure to post and edit and totally stress free. 

Annmarie
xx


Comments

  1. Anonymous23 November 2015 at 09:00

    You are not boring , you are real. I love your blog as it is full of outfits I would/could actually wear. Also I love your independence, because you are not beholden to any brands I know if you like it , then I will like it ( I can't help but be a little questioning about a lot of my previously favourite bloggers recent recommendations) keep up the good work!

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 23 November 2015 at 21:18

      Ah thank you for your lovely comments. I just want to only feature things that I actually love .... I would hate for you to say Nooooo you would never buy that. x

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  2. Unknown23 November 2015 at 09:23

    This is one of my favourite blogs. I too agree with the previous comment about your independence as a blogger. Your passion shines through your blog and makes it a total joy to read :) x

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 23 November 2015 at 21:18

      Ah thank you again, I am really touched by all your lovely comments. ;)

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  3. Unknown23 November 2015 at 10:13

    I agree too! Love your blog, I've bought a few things you've recommended and love them all. Thanks for the inspiration! :-)

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 23 November 2015 at 21:32

      There is still going to be loads of fashion inspiration on the blog, in fact dropping the weekly loves series frees up a day for another outfit post or outfit styling. :)

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  4. Sue23 November 2015 at 12:00

    I'm in the same position as you Annmarie - beholden to the school run and the fact that I live in the North makes it unfeasible for me to attend a lot of the events which occur in London. Ah well ... I don't like travelling much anyway and it is mighty expensive. It's money I would rather spend on a new jumper :o)

    I also found it difficult to commit to a set pattern for the way I blog - I am random to say the least. And when I don't feel like it or I have nothing to say, I just keep schtum. I find that I'm good with that.

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 23 November 2015 at 21:23

      So unfeasible Sue, I have looked some days at train prices to London and have been totally shocked! Unless you have 3 months prior notice and can book the advance tickets its a no go for me and as you say I would rather buy something for myself. Saying that if Matches or NAP press day invite popped in my inbox then I may make an exception! Ha, I wish! x

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  5. mystyletreasures23 November 2015 at 12:59

    I agree with the other comments. Please don't stop posting the outfit ones, or I'll have no new ideas of what to wear ;) x

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 23 November 2015 at 21:25

      don't worry the outfit posts will still be on the blog, it is just the weekly loves I am sidelining. x

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  6. Kate23 November 2015 at 13:35

    I couldn't agree more with what Anonymous has posted regarding questioning some bloggers recommendations...I actually don't have a problem with bloggers earning money from their blogs or getting freebies at all, but I do find it a little insulting when a blogger is plugging a brand that is completely removed from their usual style, as it is so obvious that they wouldn't usually be seen dead in the item(s) that they are raving about. I never think that about your blog, or question your integrity, so perhaps the fact that you are unable to attend these press days etc works in your favour, as to me, you seem a lot more credible than some of your peers x

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 23 November 2015 at 21:31

      When I posted this about press days I didn't really think I was opening this can of freebies up again and I agree with you that if a gifted item fits the bloggers style and they would of actually parted with their own money for it then I think its OK to accept the item and review it. Blogging is for many a source of income and I get that, but from the outset I made a promise to myself that I would only put things on my blog that I truly loved myself. Thank you for your lovely comments, I am really blown away today! :)

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  7. Cookie23 November 2015 at 14:30

    All great. Love YOUR style, not some style foisted upon me by brands. That said, how typical that the invitations favour the South. As though us ladies in the north don't have style or anything to give to the overall style of the nation! Hands down favourite blogger. Love your outfits, and choices. Love your cheaper alternatives and honesty. Plus - the weather gets a bit less warm and dry as you get further North - perhaps that is why all your jackets are right up my street! x

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 23 November 2015 at 21:43

      Ah thank you Cookie, London unfortunately is our fashion capitol and all the head offices are there ..... HA, yes I do love coats and jackets ...... my mum always says another new coat???

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  8. Anonymous23 November 2015 at 16:20

    I love your blog and get some great outfit ideas from you. Have you recently given up work?

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 23 November 2015 at 21:39

      I did in the Summer, working in the Airline industry getting time off in School holidays especially the summer and Christmas was very hard, the lack of summer leave this year gave me the push I needed to leave I job I no longer enjoyed.

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  9. Unknown23 November 2015 at 16:26

    I don't always comment, but I always read and enjoy your posts. I agree with anonymous above, you are not boring, a real woman with great style, don't stop what you are doing!!
    Sue x

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 23 November 2015 at 21:41

      Thanks Sue for taking the time to comment, it is just the weekly love series I am dropping, I found it quite stressful finding content and sticking to a regular post, I would just rather go with the flow and when inspiration takes me.

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  10. Anonymous23 November 2015 at 18:32

    I love your blog too! Really comes across that you love the items you feature. Bought the red river island shoes you featured last week, can't wait to try them! Lisaxx

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 23 November 2015 at 21:46

      Thank you. x

      Oh those red river Island shoes are divine and so like the Aquazzura ones ..... In fact Deborah Brett from Wardrobe Icons is wearing them (the Aquazzura ones) to the British Fashion awards tonight, just done my Instagram check this hour ...... couldn't really see much difference when I saw both last week in Manchester. Enjoy them :)

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  11. Smita23 November 2015 at 18:45

    I'm a fan too! I like that you really like the items that you buy, you've given these purchases thought and you're true to your style. You spend what you think makes sense and you're open about it. You look fab and come across as very real. Don't go changing!!;-)

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 23 November 2015 at 21:47

      I won't and you can tell me off if I ever do!!! thanks xx

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  12. Anonymous24 November 2015 at 08:34

    Your blog is also one of my favourites and you frequently features items I would and do buy and you cover the full spectrum of price point and sometimes aspiration can provide inspiration. I love all the posts you do and the regularity of them and I know that's not easy with young children.

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 24 November 2015 at 21:09

      Thank you Honey, I try to cover all price points and I think fro the feedback, thats what people like the mixture of high and low. x

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  13. Unknown24 November 2015 at 12:11

    Hi, I totally agree with the comments above - I love your blog and have very similar taste (and am a similar height and shape, live in the chilly North, and have kids and a dog to walk!) so it's all very relevant to me. Like a lot of other commentators I prefer blogs like yours which aren't commercial but are more about what you actually wear day to day while looking stylish. I am also trying (though not hard enough!) to emulate your policy of buying less but better too. Keep up the great work!

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 24 November 2015 at 21:12

      Its hard the buying less but better, seeing cheap thrills can be hard to resist some times, but saving for that item you want and will have for a few seasons will be worth it ...... she says:)

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  14. Anonymous24 November 2015 at 16:57

    Hi Annmarie, I love your blog and you're absolutely right: you have to do it because you love it and thus should write about what you love. People come back because of you and your excellent taste! Love from, Natasha (from Wear & Where/one of those Down South girls) xx

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 24 November 2015 at 21:18

      Ah I am blown away with all these lovely comments, I was only explaining why I was dropping a regular series of weekly loves which was becoming a bit of a stress, that I mentioned I didn't lead a glamorous London blogging lifestyle to write about and didn't expect to get all this love and encouragement. I would love to attend the press days and one of my favourite cities is London (I cant wait to visit again at New Year) so my love you all down south and thank you for your lovely comments about my blog it means a lot especially from you, as one of my favourite blogs. x

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  15. highstreetedited 24 November 2015 at 19:29

    Love your Blog Annemarie!! I'm a Manchester girl so understand the difficulties in getting to London cheaply and at the drop of a hat. Keep inspiring us ;) Sue xx

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    1. Virtuallystyledbyannmarie 24 November 2015 at 21:20

      If I had loads of notice it would be ok and affordable, but they are normally only at a weeks notice so the train tickets are not so cheap. x

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  16. cocorose24 November 2015 at 20:12

    Annmarie I do live in London - albeit with a less glam life than most bloggers - involving a bit of school run, a bit of smart work life, and a little dress-up time. I absolutely love your blog! And find it much more relevant to my varied lifestyle than most others. For example I would never spend £400+ on red suede stilettos to wear to the occasional party, but yes I work hard and I might be able to justify a Bella Freud sweater on Black Friday! So keep it coming Annmarie! I think you might actually now be my favourite blogger and my London sofa bed is yours if you can stomach the train fare!!! xx

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