Last week saw me wear one of my news ASOS dresses. When the sun finally decided to get it's act together and I was ready and waiting! It's a fab little drop waisted dress - so simple and easy to wear. It's a dress that needs nothing more than summer sandals and a light scarf (and you know me and scarves).

I'm hoping the sun will stay a while so that I can wear more of my summer dresses. I just can't seem to get the hang of seasonal layering so my dresses fall by the wayside in the cooler weather.


I bagged a bargain in the H&M sale and purchased my first pair of patterned trousers. £7.00! Chuffed as nuts. However, I do wish retailers would realise that 2% elastine just isn't enough.


I've been knitting, I have made a start on what is now known in my household as the 'Lauren Scarf'. It's a pleasing knit as it grows very quickly, perfect to pick up and put down for a few minutes here and there. I've decided to shelve the crochet for a while but I fully intend to make 'Ann's Scarf' before the year is out (I made myself a little promise to finish all my unfinished projects before starting something new - it could take a while).

Other than that I've removed a door that kept slamming shut in the breeze and locking me out of the main part of the house thanks to a broken latch, climbing through my lounge window four times is quite enough, so I unscrewed the hinges and threw it on a bonfire. Take that stupid door.

I've been giving this here blog a lot of thought too. Life was different when I started it and I've changed in some ways as a result of it, so I've been pondering the direction I should take it in. I'd like to post more regularly and have a bit more of a focus, I have some ideas on what this could be, it's nothing revolutionary, sometimes it's just nice to shake things up a bit.

I've got some great charity finds to share and hopefully, soon, my new office too!

I kept a record, month by month, of my clothing and accessory purchases for 2012 (you can see all items here). Taking part in Frugal February made me wonder how much I spent and I was interested to see what I buy and what I wear and use. I'd say it was a typical year of spending although taking part in Frugal February and Only Once August stopped my spending temporarily.

M spending was as follows - Jan £181, Feb was frugal, March £272, April £50, May £86, June £180, July £293, August was Only Once, Sept £309, October £178, November £128, December £74.

Which is a total of ...



Wowzer! I purchased a total of 138 items of which 42% are pre loved, 9.4% no longer belong to me (mostly donated to charity) and 33.3% have been worn / used once or not at all (yet) but this does include a lot of recent purchases, and, just so you know, I'm not counting my ritual of 'wear around the house immediately after purchase' as 'being worn'.
Percentages courtesy of this neat little website, maths is not a strong point for me.

The most expensive one
Kurt Geiger shoes, half price at £105.00. Sadly these are in the 33.3% of 'unworns' but I will remedy this and be back to share the photos.



The most worn one
Simple above the knuckle ring from The Bohemian Collection (previously known as Wired Jewellery). This rarely leaves my finger, silly, simple little thing.



The one I wish I hadn't bought
Stupid, dumb, silly hat. It looks huge on my head, I'm never going to wear it!



The best of the pre loved
It's hard to pick just one item, but at the moment this bag is getting a lot of love. It's Monsoon but I won it in an eBay auction in September for £13.93



The one I was most surprised by
When the peplum trend first emerged it made me shudder. I couldn't think of anything worse than something that flared out over the hips. But I tried it and liked it, once again reminding myself to never say never.



The one I wish I still had
This H&M cardigan just seemed to work with everything. Why don't I have it anymore? It got kittened, thanks to Tinker and her penchant for digging in her tiny, pin sharp claws, I ended up with a big hole on the right shoulder. Shame.



Have you ever kept a tally of your purchases? I've really enjoyed keeping a record and looking back over what I have, what I love and what I no longer own.

What would you do with £1,700 if you couldn't buy clothes?

Love

I had every intention of going shopping this weekend but after just three days of feeling well again, I got another cold *sighs and snuggles down under blanket*.

Not to be deterred I sat in my PJs with a lemsip in one hand and the Next A/W catalogue in the other.

I have a lot of Next stuff in my wardrobe and around my home, I have jumpers, tops, tunics, sleepwear and accessories from them that I simply would not be without. Sadly though their trousers have space for hips that I just do not posess and I find their ballet pumps to uncomfortable to wear, which is such a shame as they always have a great selection.

This time though I was on the hunt for a winter coat and some going out tops.

I'm fickle when it comes to coats, as a general rule I dislike fur collars, hoods, belts, patterns and voluminous shapes. Recent though, I feel in love with and subsequently bought a coat with a leather belt - see how fickle I am?

As for going out tops I mean the kind you need for Christmas parties and festive events. The sort of thing that can be dressed up with trousers and killer heels or slung on with jeans and pretty shoes for something more casual but equally festive.


I tend to go on a bit of a spending spree at the start of a new season, this one has been no exception. Here is what I found flicking through the catalogue - angora mix sweater (£35). Okay, so it's not exactly party wear but would be fab for visiting relatives over Christmas, (it's October, I'm allowed to say the C word now right?). Stud blouse (£38), I thought black skinny jeans, a simple black heel and a clutch for work's Christmas drinks?

PU trim crombie coat (£60), smart and sleek, not a hood in sight. Love the PU trims.

Black collar trench coat £68), I loved the contrast sleeves, but the belt concerned me. I decided to order this despite the belt, thinking that I could always tie the belt at the back, but sadly it was out of stock in my size. Navy textured military coat (£75). I liked the texture mixed with the military style, nice shape to the hem and deep pockets - excellent for mooching about with your hands in.


Going off topic a little these two berry dresses, cowl back sequin dress (£40) and bead trim dress (£50), are top of my shopping list should the perfect occasion arise. New Years Eve maybe?


Embellished vest (£32). Christmas eve in the pub with my friends. Super cute, not too girly, perfect with a statement necklace, nice with a maxi skirt for a meal out. Sheer black sweater (£25). Cute. Could be a Christmas Day contender...


Wax jacket (£60) I couldn't possibly justify a second wax jacket but if I could this would be heading for my shopping basket. I liked this a lot. Fabric mix parker (£60). It's a parker, it's got contrast sleeves, could it be anymore on trend? I had a sneaky suspicion that this would be out of stock. It wasn't, hurrah! But I do have to wait two weeks for delivery.

All images from Next

What are you buying in readiness for the new season?

Love

Do you ever come across a blog post that crystallises something that you'd been pondering?

This happened when I read Alex's recent post.

I had intended to enter Ceri's ethical fashion competition (I broke my camera and missed the deadline) and had been trying to define what ethical fashion means to me. Reading Alex's post made me think 'Yes! Exactly!'. From there the whole thing started to drop into place.

For me, ethical fashion is about more than just buying ethical brands, it's about buying less and choosing well, altering or making clothes and buying second hand where possible, but most importantly making the most of what I already have.

Now, I have to hold my hands up to buying things in the past that I've only worn a few times - cheap, fashion items that fulfilled a momentary need and poorly considered items that just didn't 'fit' my wardrobe. But, with my wardrobe challenges, I'm trying to address this. I want to make the most of every piece of clothing that hangs in my wardrobe, I want to know how to style each piece in numerous ways and make it, as Alex says, 'earn it's keep'.

For me early 2011 was about deciding what stayed in my wardrobe and what didn't (Wearing It All). Later on in the year I went shopping to fill a few gaps and put each piece through its paces with the Shopping My Wardrobe challenge.

So far, 2012 has been about buying less and choosing well. I have to admit that (and this will sound contradictory) I purchased numerous items in March but this is part of a larger plan - I have a list of what I think I need to complete my wardrobe and a few pieces to update it, to see me through to Autumn. So, I expect my clothing purchases to significantly diminish over the coming months.

I have yet to find my thrifting mojo so I have turned to eBay and ASOS Marketplace instead but I have relied on the high street for most purchases. What I find frustrating about the high street is not being able to find an independent report on who does well, who exceeds expectations and who fails miserably in regards to ethical matters. I guess I'm being lazy, I want a quick reference guide handed to me on a plate. If anyone knows of one...

I have to be honest and say that ethical fashion brands have yet to grab me, a lot of what I have seen is either 'not me' or out of my price range, if you'd like to introduce me to some ethical fashion brands then please do. I'll happily have my opinion changed on this particular subject.

As I said the first time I entered Ceri's ethical fashion competition - 'my ethical fashion credentials are a work in progress'.

What does ethical fashion mean to you?

Frugal February has got me a wonderin'... just how much do I spend a year on Clothes, shoes and accessories? £300, £500, £1,000, more? I Googled it but the results varied between £250 to over £1,000.

In January alone I purchased four jumpers, a cardigan, a dress, a shirt, a pair of ballet pumps, a pair of gloves, two bags and a scarf. This seems a lot when written down, I haven't ever kept a tally but I think I should.

I'll be adding a page so that I can keep track over the course of 2012 (I'll be keeping the total spent to myself until the end of the year). Will this figure scare me? I fully expect that it will.

How much do you think you spend on clothes each month? Do you have a budget or no clue at all?

I'm intrigued to know.

After a recent Everybody, Everywear sequins and sparkles challenge I decide I wanted a bit more sparkle in my wardrobe. I picked up this top in the New Look sale before Christmas for only £7.00. So when the Bloggers Do It Better challenge turned out to be sequins, I knew exactly what I would be wearing.

I also found a skirt on eBay, which is a stunning colour but also A-line and mid calf - not flattering, so I plan to alter it but more on that in another post.

I love layering at the moment and think this top works really well worn with a jumper over the top, the sequins just poking out beneath. It's an easy way to wear sequins during the day.

I've been shopping and when I was done, I shopped a little more.

So, as a mini challenge I'm going to see if I can shop my wardrobe for the next few months and allow my bank balance to recover in time for the festive season.

Here's my splurge...



Following one of my rules I'm going to style each piece in three different ways to prove that each item deserves a place in my wardrobe (and ease my post shopping guilt in the process!).

Watch this space...

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Counting down…

3
By adding a simple black sweater over this green dress I was able to wear it for work and tip a nod to the midi trend at the same time. It's probably not an outfit I'd wear again as this dress is made for the evening - it deserves fab shoes and delicate, timeless jewellery.



2
As with every other dress I buy I imagined that I would wear this with killer heels, on a balmy summer evening, for a night out with OH. In reality, I thanked the cold weather for allowing me to raid my hosiery and scarf collection. You'll be seeing a lot more of both over the coming months.



1
Saved from the charity bag at the beginning of this challenge, this dress was worn for a night out with OH, not a balmy summer one but a belated birthday supper in my favourite local bistro.



So, that's it, I've worn everything.

Well… almost. I haven't worn my spotty dress but I'm keeping it anyway. I wore this to my friends wedding in Sicily in 2006 and I love it. When I wear it again I'll let you know, I just need another wedding in sunnier climes!



Love

Hello! I have to confess that I've missed a few days in my challenge, I've grabbed the first thing to hand in the morning - a hectic workload is the culprit. Note to self - must give up work.


Day 29
I had to grab a pair of trousers from the mend pile. I have been so unorganised with washing, ironing and any sort of outfit planning (which is now required due to my clothing options getting smaller by the day). Anyway no one appeared to notice the split in the seam by my ankle. I'm not sure I'll keep these, they're just a bit... awkward.

Day 30
Love this skirt and the t-shirt is a wardrobe staple so both are staying.



Day 31 - Lunch with Mother
The maxi dress was dragged from the mend pile too but the cardigan covered the hole! I often dismiss this cardigan but I'll be keeping it with a promise to wear it more.

Day 32 - What was I thinking?
I hate this outfit. The dress is about four inches shorter than when I first bought it. It has shrunk even though I followed the washing instructions. I've only worn it a few times #fail. The cardigan has magical shrinking sleeves that get shorter throughout the day and it bobbles like you would not believe. Bin and bin.



Day 33 - A surprising combo
Given the choice I wouldn't normally put these two items together but I think it works. I love this skirt, it's a great length and has plenty of room without being billowy. I especially like the studs on the waistband and the pockets. Keep x 2.

Day 34 - A dramatic change in the weather...
In stark contrast to yesterday I am wearing a long sleeve t-shirt, long cardigan and a scarf. Typical August weather! I like this outfit - it's very 'me'. You may notice that I am wearing jeans? I have worn all of my jeans, trousers, skirts and shorts so I can now 're-wear' them for my challenge - I mean I can't wander around in my pants!

So we're up to date, almost... if only work didn't take up so much time *sigh*.

What are you up to this weekend? Any exciting plans? I think I will turn my hand to tiling...

Love

Hello!

Day 22 and I'm running out of 'long bottoms'.

To be exact I have 8 bottoms (skirts and shorts - nothing long!), 25 tops and 14 dresses remaining in my WIA challenge. It looks like I'm going to have to brave the weather, crack out the fake tan and bare my little ole leggies.

I love this DP maxi skirt (a keeper, without question) but, would you believe, I have little to team it with? A plain black t-shirt had to do. I decided to forgo my current penchant for an arm party and decided to layer on the necklaces instead (a neck party?). The key is from None Such Things - a blog/shop that I love, the teardrop pendant is H&M and the silver charm necklace from Accessorize (with a few items added by me).


Day 23. My last pair of jeans - eek!

A quick swing first thing in the morning puts you in a jolly mood. This may have to be added to my morning routine.


A few days ago I was asked how I was finding the Wearing It All challenge. So far it has been rather fun. I think I should have been a little more organised and planned my daily outfits, instead of deciding every morning, as I think I'm going to end up with some really odd combinations towards the end…

Most of the things added to my 'no' pile weren't even worn, I just knew they weren't going to make it. I'm very glad I decided to keep the check shirt, I wore it on Monday for Two Birds Inspiration Monday and have received some very complimentary, erm, compliments.

Do you have an item that will never leave your wardrobe no. matter. what?

Love

Day 17 and Tink makes her first WIA appearance (Socks is just out of shot and looking disgruntled).

I'm keeping this dress with a promise to wear it more often. I'm amazed that I have so many dresses (approx 20) when I so rarely wear them.


Just to go off topic for a moment... this carpet is a particular favourite of mine, the house is full of 'interesting' floor coverings but this one is special. It covers the hall, stairs and landing and looks, erm, 'interesting' with the lilac walls, jade curtains (downstairs) and pale pink curtains (upstairs). The joys of moving house! I've taken hundreds of photographs around the house so that when we're finished we can look back a see how much we have achieved.

Day 18 (and I'm starting to feel like the Big Brother voice-over guy).  A simple maxi dress today (also a keeper) with nothing but ballet pumps and a small arm party... (underwear is a given - right?). How many times can you get away with using brackets in one paragraph (is every sentence too much)?


I know I shouldn't really be browsing until my challenge has finished but... I'm currently lusting after this top from Wallis. Gorgeous.
What's currently on your lust-list?

Hope you had a fabulous weekend!
Love

Wearing It All Day 16
Mixing prints for Everybody, Everywear? That's a no-brainer for me -  stripes and florals.
With the exception of one dress florals, for me, come in the form of scarves. Stripey tops are plentiful.

Today I'm wearing my favourite jeans, yes - the ones that I stuck to my leg with super glue. This may be the last time I can wear them as the glue cracked in the washing machine and snapped the denim. I love distressed jeans but rips? They're not for me.

Day 15
Maxi skirt, vest top (both are going in the no pile - they never get worn) and grey cardigan (keep).
Later I changed into a black dress and popped this cardigan over the top. I went to a funeral. It didn't seem right to take a photograph.

Day 14
An outfit perfectly suited to pulling up floor tiles don't you think?
Stripe t-shirt (keep - stripes stay until the literally fall apart) and cargo pants. I'm not sure about these, they don't get worn a lot but are handy for 'stuff'. That said if the traces of floor glue don't come out in the wash they'll be going into the charity bag.

Day 13
The cardigan and vest top will both be going. The vest top is too low (the scarf saved my blushes on a number of occasions today). I don't like layering t-shirts that aren't fitted as I find they cling to each other and I bought this top for the fluidity of the fabric. I did try wearing a boob tube underneath but it was useless and just kept slipping but at least I had a nice warm tummy.


Later in the evening I had friends over for dinner so I changed into this red maxi dress. I've had it for over a year and this is the first time I have worn it. It's about four inches too long but I love it (and enjoyed wearing it) so it is staying, even if it doesn't get worn for another year.

What did you get up to this weekend? 
❤

Have you ever had one of those days that starts bad and just doesn't improve? That was my day yesterday. It started with my girl cat, Tink, getting stuck behind the washing machine, I couldn't free her and got myself into a complete state of panic and frustration. OH had to come to the rescue (my hero) but from that point the day just didn't get any better.

I had the attention span of a four year old, I started so many chores and things on my to-do list but didn't finish one single thing, I went to bed feeling like I had achieved exactly nothing. I didn't even manage my daily Wearing It All post #fail!

So, a day late, here it is...
Despite the rain, I wore a white maxi skirt (Dorothy Perkins), a plain navy t-shirt (Warehouse) and the H&M necklace that I waited so long for. I have removed a few of the beads near the top and much prefer it that way (it also jangles a lot less) but I'm still not sure about it. I love the colour and the design but I don't like the gold chain and findings. I think I'll change the chain for a length of turquoise ribbon and I'd consider rebuilding it with different colour findings if I knew where to buy them. It's the bits that hold the large flat beads that I don't know where to find. If you know, let me know :-)

Today is a better day, it's Friday for on thing and there are no cats stuck anywhere, it's not raining and I have a nice weekend planned. Friends over for supper on Saturday and family over on Sunday with a little bit of shopping sprinkled in.
It seems I'm working on a theme this week… blue and white. The trousers (New Look) are really long so I'm wearing huge wedges (very.co.uk). They are superbly comfortable but I really dislike the current trend of having little zips up the back of shoes. Is it just me or do you dislike them too?

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.