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

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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!



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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!

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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...
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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...

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Don't forget to enter my Giveaway!