I can't believe I've been blogging for a year now, at the beginning I thought it would be something that I'd tire of and forget about. But I love it and am more passionate about it than ever.

Looking back over my posts has been fun, so I thought I'd share my (random) observations about year one...

This nail varnish needs to be worn more (Nails Inc. Palace Garden Terrace)

as does this one (Ciate´Paint Pots Dangerous Affair)...

Tights are not the enemy.
I have well and truly conquered my fear of hosiery, with some encouraging words from Laura and Amanda (Thanks Ladies!), I now have quite a collection which has opened up my wardrobe options considerably. Bring on the cold weather!

These will definitely be added to my collection this year...

Discovered...
Through blogs I read regularly I have discovered Cherry & Joy, Stolen Thunder and Regal Rose. Three fantastic places to discover cute, sassy jewellery.

Through blogging and tweeting, I have happened upon, and now never want to be without, the following: 

Lee Stafford Treatment for Hair That Never Grows Past a Certain Length
I.Love.This. my review is here.

Benefit's They're Real Mascara
I.Love.This.Too. review here, but I have to add that the results I get with this improve the more I use it.

Avon MagiX Face Perfector
This is a fab product, which is why it made it into my giveaway. Smooth it over moisturiser and use it with or instead of foundation for a smooth, flawless finish.


I'm slowly defining my style...
My Three Little Words which, since posting, I have changed my mind about. Casual has become relaxed. Whilst they are similar there is a distinction, albeit a subtle one. I'll be looking at this in future posts.

Anything strapless should stay in the store...
I love the look but it's just wrong for me and my shoulders. I vow never to contemplate strapless again, I shall send strapless to reside with halter necks in the dungeon of thou-shall-not-be-worn. Long live the V neck!

No one is safe from a bad hair day...
This fringe should never have been allowed to leave the house (let alone be posted on the world wide web!).

I love a challenge...
In a year I have worn four tops different ways for four weeks, worn nothing but 12 pieces for 40 days and worn my entire wardrobe one piece at a time. I find that a challenge really makes me think about what I am wearing and as a result I have made my wardrobe work harder for me and have discovered outfits that would have otherwise never come to light. I'm already planning the next challenge.

So, that's year one. Which bits have you enjoyed the most? I'd love to know...
Love

I had 21 comments but I had to discount two as one was outside of the UK and the other was me.



The Winner of my Blog Birthday Give away is.... Lauren.
Now, Lauren introduced me to the VO5 Miracle Concentrate and Collection 2000 Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Balm so she has kindly suggested that I pick a second winner for those items.

Sarah was drawn...


Well done Ladies - I hope you like your bits and pieces.

Love

No. 45
My final piece of knitwear for the WIA challenge. This one was made with my own fair hands. I was fooled by the misty morning and spent the whole day uncomfortably hot! The bag is new from Zara and the boots, also seen here, are from Very. They go together beautifully, which was completely intentional (lie!).



No. 46
The first of my remaining dresses. I loved wearing this. I normally buy dresses imagining that I'll wear then with cute sandals or heels and light tan. Sadly this rarely happens (esp. the tan bit) so this challenge is forcing me to re-think not only how I wear dresses but how I buy them too.



No. 47
This on was a tricky customer. I bought this dress for a Christening but for work it was harder to wear. It has pleated cap sleeves and nipped in waist so it felt a little 'weddingish' for work. One long cardigan, simple shoes, a sleek ponytail and a chunky watch later I was satisfied that I had dressed it down just enough. I'm not sure this one will make the final cut...


No. 48
Whilst rummaging around in my wardrobe, trying to find something to wear with either my spotty or green dress, I found this - forgotten and not yet worn for my challenge - this is the 'perfect maxi dress for work' - so on it went with a sigh of relief that I am spared the hardest-dresses-to-wear-for-work-ever for one more day...

I'm not convinced the bag works with it but, in fact I KNOW it doesn't work. But I love the dress, my next task is to accessorise it for Autumn as this Indian summer is set to end soon.


Just two dresses to go...

Love






Don't forget to enter my Giveaway!

With renewed vigour I am tackling my Wearing it All challenge.

No. 43
Stripes never fail to make me smile. I tend to reach for this shirt if I have a meeting but it also looks fab with wide leg jeans. Today I'm sporting my latest purchase from Cherry & Joy - a stud bangle in sapphire. It is also available in dark coral (which may very well feature on World of Joy sometime soon...). 


No. 44
I woke up this morning and my view had been stolen by mist. I was able to wear two of my remaining items, a cardigan and a floral shirt. I'm told that the day will warm up, but until it does the cardigan stays on. It was freezing taking the second pic, but then I guess I'll just have to get used to that!




Here is a peak at what remains in my wardrobe challenge...


There is also a black shirt dress remaining. I need a slip to wear underneath it, which should be delivered next week, this piece will be a doddle to wear but the other dresses are going to pose more of a problem in that they are all summery. I should have worn them at the beginning of the challenge but I'm not organised enough to plan so far ahead. I'll have to view it as a good excercise in transitional dressing.

How do you tackle the change from Summer to Autumn?

Don't forget to enter my Birthday Giveaway, there are some really lovely bits and bobs up for grabs.
Love

For me September 27th seems to be a day when good things happen. On this day in 1986 I was a bridesmaid, for the first time, for my favouritest Aunt in the world EVER. 1998 was the year I left home. My cats, Socks and Tink, where born in 2007 and last year I published my very first post on this blog. Happy Birthday to me!

To celebrate the first year of World of Joy I'm having a Giveaway!

• 1 Nivea Hand Balm SOS for dry and chapped hands (50ml). Perfect for the colder months.
• 1 A7 notebook. A handbag essential.
• 1 pack of 12 snag ease, metal free, hairbands
• 1 Avon MagiX Face Perfector. This is my 'soft focus', I wouldn't be without this now.
• 1 Nivea Creme tin (12ml)
• 1 Green & Blacks Organic Dark chocolate 100g - another essential that no woman should be without!
• 1 Avon Super Magnify Mascara. I've mentioned this a few times, the slim applicator is perfect for lower lashes or a groomed barely there look.
• 1 Nails Inc nail polish in Saville Row, a lovely glossy plum colour - perfect for the coming season.
• 1 Avon Matte Nail enamel in Black as Night because sometimes only black will do.
• 1 Alberto VO5 Miracle Concentrate, intensive leave-in hair treatment. I tried this after a review by Lauren. Wowee indeed!!
• 1 Collection 2000 Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Balm in Fairy Cake (it certainly smells good enough to eat!), this is another purchase inspired by Lauren.
• 1 Accessorize studded cuff. An absolutely bargain and super stylish, I love mine - it is always invited to the arm party.
• 1 Stolen Thunder Red Love wish string. Gotta spread the love ♥

All items are chosen and paid for by me.

The rules...

For one entry
Become (if you aren't already) a follower of my blog through GFC and leave a comment saying that you would like to enter.

For a second entry
Follow me on Twitter (@very_hazel) and tweet 
‘I have entered the @very_hazel birthday giveaway at World of Joy'. Please add a link to the post and leave a separate comment saying you have tweeted.

The giveaway closes at 23:59 BST on 10th October 2011.

The giveaway is open to the UK only.

I will pick the winner via random.org on 11th October 2011.

Good Luck!

Last night I took some time to try and get Wearing It All back on track and discovered that I am actually only a few outfits away from completion. Time to get it done.

No. 39
I wore this shirt last week with wide leg jeans and gorgeous platform boots from Stylist Pick and a fav pendant from Cherry and Joy. I like it. It stays.


No. 40 - Sequin Wednesday
After some umming and ahhing I decided that I liked this t-shirt only to discover three irreparable  hole sin the back *rolls eyes and adds to the 'no' pile*. The cardigan is going too, it leaves fluff on everything and drives me crackers. Shame.


No. 41 - Yesterday (left)
You've seen everything here but the jumper which is relatively new, however it has shrunk a little so its days maybe numbered...

No. 42 - Today (right)
This dress is more of a beach cover up really. I'm not sure I'm feeling this look but hey...


#yesterdaywasagoodday
I had two parcels delivered. One from Very.co.uk, the other from Zara - hey, I never said that I wouldn't be shopping during my challenge!

I left a built-in wardrobe with three huge mirrored doors at my old house (as you can see, I don't even have doors!) so I have no full length mirror. Recently my camera has become into my looking glass (seriously) so I can share my purchases. What do you think?


Jeans and skirt and bag (not pictured) from Zara, boots Very. The jeans are long - really long - so I'll have to wear platform heels with them... I'm sure I can manage that. I may need to add a pair or two to my collection... I'm sure I can manage that too! The skirt would look much better with a fitted top so expect a post soon!

Remaining in the WIA challenge...
3 tops, 1 cardigan, 1 sweater, 4 dresses. Watch this space.

Love