I always find this time a little strange. After weeks of planning, the day arrives and suddenly it's all over, done, finished. Today OH and I had the day to ourselves, so what did we decide to do? We dug over three vegetable beds - festive huh? The first gift I opened on Christmas morning as a packet of parsnip seeds... call me silly but I was delighted!

Now I'm catching up on some blog reading (snooping at your Christmas gifts) and relaxing in front of the fire. I know that I'll feel the digging in my limbs tomorrow, so later I'll have a long soak in a hot bath before settling down to watch Great Expectations. Tomorrow we have the first of two more days with family.

But for now I'd just like to share with you my favourite gift. It's from OH. We were in an antique shop some weeks ago and I happened to mention in passing that something like this would be a wonderful thing to own ( I wasn't dropping hints, honestly!)



I love it, it's such a beautiful thing.

What do you do with the time between Christmas and New Year?

Just a quick post to wish you all a very merry Christmas and joyous 2012.

I'll be back in the new year with a new wardrobe challenge, my 104 follower giveaway and my Christmas A-Z scavenger hunt pics (maybe I'll submit them on time, just this once) and lots of posts that I have had in 'draft' for an age. Seriously, where does the time go?

2011 has gone by in a flash. I moved house, worn everything in my wardrobe, got a tattoo,  wore it red for comic relief, I ran the race for life and made my peace with hosiery. Along the way I found some great blogs and blogger friends and discovered some fabulous beauty items and online shops whilst reading and enjoying your blogs.

I look forward to much more of the same in 2012.

So, here I was about to write of my joy at reaching the 100 follower milestone when I noticed I'd taken a small step backwards - 99 followers. Oh.

A small mention of this in a post and five lovely, shiny new followers appeared.

HUGE love to Sophie for her tweet *mwah*. And hello to new followers d_flexe, Shayla, Beth, Kezzie and Fernytha *waves*, I hope you enjoy my blog.

As a thank you I'll be doing a follower giveaway in the new year, for my current 104 followers - I just need to get the chaos of Christmas out of the way, I thought I'd been so organised this year but there is still so much to do!

I love daytime sequins but I haven't indulged in sequins since the summer months. I really wanted to make a collar and smother it in sequins to wear with my current wardrobe crush - a plain black fitted jumper from H&M - but time conspired against me and the day arrived before I had a chance to find my sewing box! Luckily, my trusty sequin t-shirt was to hand.

Normally, this is worn when the sun shines so teaming it with winter clothes is new to me. I avoided the temptation to pair it with my favourite jeans but I had no choice but to layer it with two cardigans and a thick scarf as the temperature plummets.




I pinned a board of sequins for inspiration. I love how these ladies have taken sequins and paired them with different fabrics and layered them up for daytime wear.


I have also developed a serious crush on sequin envelope bags, much like this one from Asos.


See all the other EBEW outfits here.

How do you wear your sequins?

I can't say I've heard of Levin Rambin but that doesn't stop me joining in with the Two Birds for Inspiration Monday.

Fearing the raging winds howling outside my window I decided to take this inside. I prefer outside outfit pics but I hate being buffered by the wind even more, so you'll have to make do with my door-less wardrobe instead. I'm rather hoping Father Christmas will pop a few doors in my stocking *crosses fingers*...

You can be sure that before venturing out I added a scarf, chunky knee length cardigan and gloves to this outfit. Layering is what I'm all about at the moment.

I'm a little disappointed, I was all set to do a 100 follower giveaway and then I lost a follower. I've had lost posters made up but, so far, no one has seen her...

Hope you're all keeping warm! Only 13 sleeps until Christmas...

Lauren has introduced me to a few different beauty items* over the past few months but the best one has to be to e.l.f's eyelid primer... and, subsequently, the entire e.l.f range.

I wanted to try an eyelid primer as I had practically given up on eyeshadow altogether, so when I read about e.l.f's eyelid primer I was keen to try it. I have to admit the £1.50 price tag was the deciding factor. I'm fed up of spending money on products that I use only once or twice, when they fail to give the promised result.


Once on the site I decided to go for the Eyelid Primer Collection. I love the champagne shade and use this most days but for a completely natural look or as a base I wear the nude shade. I wouldn't use the pearl shade on my eyelids but would happily use this as a highlighter on my brow bone.

In the meantime Lauren had purchased the same set but didn't like the pearl or champagne shades as she found them dry and chalky. Admittedly they are more chalky than the nude formula but I find the champagne shade gives a lovely, subtle shimmer, which drys quickly and stays put all day so I'm really pleased with it.

I don't think you can buy the collection anymore but you can buy the different shades separately for £1.50 each.

Since buying these I have returned and purchased two eyeshadow trios, two nail polishes, two matte lip colours, a lip stain, a lip primer and plumper and an eyeliner... well, they did have a 40% off offer. I'm hugely impressed with everything, but I'll save that for another post.

*Collection 2000 Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Balm, Alberto VO5 Miracle Concentrate, Superdrug hot cloth cleanser.

Have you been tried any of the e.l.f range?

Another windy day, another windswept outfit pic. I have to admit that I would have loved to mimic her daughter's outfit! How cute is that?!


Join in over at Two Birds Boutique

Love

Here is my, rather windswept, entry into the Style Eyes Ethical Fashion Blog Outfit Competition. The prizes are awesome!

The rules are simple…
 'All you have to do is create an outfit which contains at least ethical piece, that could be something from your favourite ethical fashion brand, vintage or charity shop. It could also be something that you have upcycled yourself… Before the end of 28th November'. And then you have to tweet about your entry.

Why do I always leave everything until the last minute?!

Ordinarily I don't have much luck in charity shops. This summer I found the most amazing River Island dress in Age Concern. I excitedly snapped it up, only to discover that it didn't fit… so back to the charity shop it went! I do buy clothes new from the high street but I am making an effort to buy less and make smarter decisions. I guess you can say my ethical fashion credentials are a work in progress.




The addition of this skirt to my wardrobe was a direct result of my burgeoning eBay obsession.   I paid £5.50 (which included postage) for this second hand tulip skirt, originally from Topshop. I always knew I'd dress it down so my go-to looks-fab-with-everthing jumper was selected and teamed with a long sleeve t shirt for a bit of colour at the cuffs. Navy nails completed it.



As you can see I had company - a friendly black cat who turned up on our doorstep in mid October and has refused to leave. No owners have come forward and there is no room for her at our local Cat Protection so we're taking care of her.

After shopping comes the fun part (not that shopping isn't fun), what happens next, for me, is to get my new purchases on my body as soon as I walk through my door, then I wear them for a while… seriously. I've always done it - no idea why.

But this isn't the REALLY fun part. No, the REALLY fun part is discovering how to make new purchases fit my wardrobe.

I have, in the past, made many purchases that simply had no place in my wardrobe, this resulted in more shopping to make them 'fit'. But I wanted to start making smarter choices, to reduce my spending and limit the amount of rarely worn items in my wardrobe. I have recently sent 50 items to a charity shop as a result of a massive wardrobe cull, most items hadn't seen the light of day in years, others had simply never been worn.

After a recent haul I promised to style each new piece in three different ways, which is one of 'The Rules', and here is the first item - a grey sweater dress from H&M.

 
It is ridiculously easy to wear and it has pockets (I find this very exciting - I have a thing for pockets). I was worried that it would be a tad to long to wear with jeans but I think it works, don't you?

Next up, a black sweater, also from H&M.


I love this, it's so versatile - a real wardrobe staple. I've worn this so may times since buying it, it's perfect for simple, classic outfits.

More to follow soon...

Do you upcycle? recycle? go vintage? buy secondhand? or make your own clothes?

Love

I know that it isn't even December yet but I'm feeling festive already! This will be the first Christmas in our new home. OH loves the festive season, so-much-so that after just two Christmases together he has managed to break my Bah! Humbug! opinion of the festivities.

He has suggested that we entertain at home on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The idea of not leaving the house is very appealing but what have I let myself in for?! Never before have I had to brave the madness that is Christmas grocery shopping or experience the sheer terror of cooking the perfect Christmas Day lunch.  I have already told OH that if we can cheat, we will (Aunt Bessie's yorkshire puddings are already in the freezer).

Now that we are in a bigger space my meager collection of decorations will not be sufficient to adorn the house in the way I'd like. I've already made a few purchases from H&M home, but to 'do' Christmas OH style is going to take some serious effort... and shopping!




We will be having a real Christmas tree and if OH has his way it will touch the ceiling. Last year, on a trip to London, we bought a London bus to hang on our tree and a red pig (to be known forevermore as 'Christmas Pig') on a lazy Sunday afternoon spent wandering around Woodbridge. I notion of adding to this collection, year after year, gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling…

This year is the most exciting yet.

What will you be getting up to this year? Any brilliant Christmas buys you can share with me?
Love

You may well have come across Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design if you have thought about commissioning a bespoke engagement ring, which is what they are best known for, but I first came across them whilst researching bespoke jewellery designers. Sadly this had nothing to do with a hopelessly romantic proposal but research for a new bespoke jewellery website I was designing at the time. I was more than a little distracted by the gallery of bespoke pieces on the site - seriously I lost hours!
This is giveaway is open for the month of November. I will select five winners on December 1st 2011

Open to residents of the UK only.

Good luck!

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!

SJP and I, we're like two peas in a pod... (she says living in a world entirely of her own - the world of joy you could say?)

This outfit was perfect for the lazy day I had on Monday and if it's good enough for SJP, it's good enough for me.



Join in over at  Two Birds

Love 

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

I had a jolly good moan. I did, don't you remember? More than once.

Well, in the interests of fairness I thought that I should share with you what happened when I ordered from the H&M website for the second time.

I placed my order on a Monday and it arrived the following Saturday. No fuss, no bother. A huge improvement and hopefully the sign of things to come rather than the exception to the rule.

Here is my (rather monochrome) haul...



Outfit posts to follow... hopefully with a little more colour!

Love

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!