WIBTW (What I Bought This Week): I heart COS

This is not a sponsored post.

It bloomin' should be though.

I thought I'd do regular WIBTW posts as and when I go shopping but I'm seeing a pattern emerging. It seems I have a favourite shop and these posts are soon going to a read like a "What's New In Store" at, yup, you guessed it, COS.

I'm a bit addicted to it's luxe classics that cleverly go with ANYTHING, yet also cannily make you want to buy EVERYTHING (from COS, of course) to go with it. Mental.

And it's not just me. All my friends and colleagues love it too.

If I wear something from COS I can guarantee I will hear either "I've got that!" or "Oooh, where's that from?!"

So here are this week's payday purchases. Notice a few trends emerging...

My favourite? The cute heavy knit 60s style dress. Goes with my newly-chopped hair.

Dress, £69

Cardigan, £79

Jumper, £45

Top, £35

Scarf £35

All pictures © COS

WIBTW (What I Bought This Week): Too old for Topshop?

I need to face facts. I'm over 30 and the shame of dancing next to a 16 year old girl in the same H&M floral dress as me at V Festival last Summer made me think perhaps it's time to grow up a little.

Part of me wants to shop on ASOS all day and buy bombers and beanies and crop tops... but I think it's time to leave that to the teens.

Plus anyway, I am now loving the labels I never really bought (or could afford) in my teens and twenties; COS, Reiss, Jigsaw, Whistles etc. And also picking up on alternatives to cheaper High Street brands. For example the uber-quirky Monki, which has a shop in Carnaby Street and is also stocked in Selfridges. The reasonable prices always surprise me and still not everyone knows about it. I love their take on fashion - check out the description online of the top I bought as pictured below: "It's all about the back with Ann - the chunky silver zip, and the elegantly shaped opening that allows curious admirers (and dogs with cold noses, bent on surprising someone) access to a bit of the small of your back."

So I am really trying nowadays to buy pieces with a little more longevity (obviously previous post on a Brian Lichtenberg sweat was just a blip in the new-found way of thinking...)

Here are this week's purchases, and not a neon beanie in sight...

COS top, £45

COS silk & knit cardigan, £55,  a great alternative to this season's bomber

Zara leopard coat, £89

Zara sheer check shirt, £25

Zara sweat with handy underlay, £25

Monki pink shell top, £25

Check out the nose hole for a dog!

ASOS burgundy chelsea boots, £50