So here they are - the other two dresses of my 3 for 33 challenge. I'm wearing each dress really simply with just a watch and a pair of TOMs. I did get some strange looks yesterday though as it wasn't that warm and people aren't used to seeing my legs, but I have to maximise the number of ways I can wear each dress while I can, I doubt the sunshine will be around for too much longer.

The chambray dress is one I've had since October last year. This is the only pre-loved dress of the three, it was originally from Gap. I know that I can layer this up for when things turn cold with hosiery, long sleeve T's and a scarf.

I chose the royal blue dress because I have a wedding reception coming up and I know that I can add some heels and a few sparkly necklaces to dress it up enough for an evening, but it would also be appropriate for a work meeting too. I also love the big pockets. Today I'm just wearing it pottering around the house and it's really comfy and easy to wear.

I'm being a bit of a butterfly brain today. I can't focus on anything for more than 20 minutes but I'm just going with it - it's Sunday and it's OK to be a bit random on a Sunday.

I'm off for a run later, my sports bra and iPhone armband arrived and I'm keen to try them out and, erm, get some exercise.

Hope you've had a great weekend. What have you been up to?

Three years ago I published my first post and this one is the 353rd.

Last night I read my very first post for the first time in ages and it's clear that, from the beginning, I have been intrigued by wardrobe challenges and wear-a-thons. My favourite of all is The Little Brown Dress, where a lady called Alex Martin wore a dress she'd made every day for her 29th year. On her 30th birthday she removed the dress for the last time in a public commemorative performance. The website is now, sadly, a fashion blog, somewhat different to the ethos of Alex's original idea, but you can read out it here.

Anyway, I got me thinking again. It's been a while since my last wardrobe challenge and after pondering what to do for a while, inspiration struck. To mark my third bloggerversary I have decided to wear three dresses for 33 days. Starting today.

I seem to struggle more and more with the idea of fast fashion and having failed at finding any solid evidence that high street shops are doing all they can in ethical terms, I have been turning more and more to pre-loved clothes. But I still have a wardrobe full of clothes that rarely get worn and more and more this bothers me. Does this stop me buying clothes? Nope, I still succumb to instant gratification that a new (to me) purchase brings. But I'm hoping that one day the point of all these challenges will finally sink in and I'll see my wardrobe transformed into one that is hard working and well thought out.

In some ways my buying habits have changed and I attribute that to this blog. Writing it, and the challenges I've completed, mean that I'm far more aware of the clothes I have and the money I spend.

For example, I've stopped buying ridiculously high heels that I'll never get the opportunity to wear. I've stopped buying short skirts as I've learned that no matter how much I say I'll wear them, I don't. And one that has surprised me - bags. My bag purchases have plummeted. I have loads and used to change them regularly, sometimes on a daily basis. Since I've started working from home I've found that I just don't have the need for them. I've also switched to carrying much smaller bags which has been a revelation. Overall I find that I'm thinking 'I don't really need it' and 'I won't ever wear it' before putting something back on the rail. So you see some progress is being made.

Anyway, back to the challenge. As the sun was shining this morning, I decided that I should wear my latest dress purchase. It's so comfy to wear, although prone to static, so I pinned a safety pin into the hem and sprayed the fabric and lining fabric with hairspray and hey presto - no more clingy dress!

The rules are that I can wear the dresses with anything else from my wardrobe and the hope is that I don't repeat any outfit entirely. Although, on that I make no promise.

Do you ever look at your wardrobe feel similarly exasperated? Have you noticed any changes in your buying habits and what has sparked the change?

Last Friday I completed my 5th run with the 5K Runner app and I'm pleased to say that the running bits felt a teeny, tiny, eeny weeny bit easier. I've switched my route and now I'm running on smoother terrain which could have something to do with it but I'm choosing to see it as progress!

I feel a little silly going out and running/walking (mostly walking at this point) for 30 minutes when people are running half marathons all around me but considering I haven't moved at anything over a brisk walking pace in three years I think I'm doing OK. I was talking to my brother about it at the weekend (he runs 10K regularly, for fun) and he said that it didn't matter how long or how far I go - the important thing is that I'm doing it, getting outside in the fresh air and not sitting on my ass. Older brother wisdom is the best!

After my first run I promised myself that if I managed 5 runs I'd treat myself to a sports bra. Running in a normal bra just doesn't seem right, but I wasn't prepared for how expensive they are! I wanted a proper one, not just a cropped vest but one specifically designed for running. Whilst I don't fall into the big busted category - hell, I'm not even in the medium sized category (my sister-in-law refers to me as 'doll sized') - I wanted to be sure I was properly supported. This is where I found my biggest stumbling block, A cups aren't very well catered for.

I wanted the Shock Absorber zip front bra that I saw on Rosie's blog but no matter where I searched, I couldn't find my size. I wanted one that had a fastening rather than an over-the-head job - I've always found these difficult to get on and off in the past, especially when hot and bothered after a workout.

In the end I settled for this Shock Absorber Run Bra, which has two fastenings at the back. I was tempted by the pink one but it cost over a tenner more than the white, which was £22.90 from Amazon (although compared to compared to £38 in Debenhams, it's a bit of a bargain). The most I've ever spent on a normal bra is about £15, so spending over £20 on a bra that I won't even be wearing all day felt a little bit like daylight robbery. Hey ho.


I also decided to buy an armband for my iPhone, as it's probably only a matter of time before I fall over and smash it or drop it in a puddle. Hopefully both will arrive before my next run.


I'm already eyeing up some new trainers (my reward for 20 runs) and it'll come as no surprise that all the ones I REALLY like happen to be in the upper price bracket! I used to work in a sports shop and had 'trainer training' regularly, so I understand that you're not just paying for the name but for the technology and processes that go into developing and making them. I am also aware that for regular runners (4-5 times a week), trainers should be replaced every three months - and at £80+ for the ones I REALLY, REALLY like, that makes me wince a little! Yes, there are cheaper ones out there that are just as good but they're not lovely colours and I have a feeling that lovely colours will make me run faster...

What are your favourite running buys?

I mentioned the #EABloggerParty in Monday's post. I'm so glad I went along, I wasn't sure about going when the day arrived but after some tweeting during the day with others, I decided that it would be fun to get out and do something a little different.

Of course the first thing to run through my mind was 'what the heck am I going to wear?!'. I resisted the temptation to run out and buy something new (which is definite progress!) and eventually settled on a dress I've had since April. I was hoping to go without hosiery but I am too much of a wimp to bare my legs in anything but glorious weather.

So, coloured tights were the order of the day. I popped on a few necklaces that haven't seen the light of day for eons and decided to break out the heels for the occasion too. I haven't worn heels in ages and by the end of the night my feet were SCREAMING but heck, they're pretty and it was worth it!


I do have to admit to finding this gorgeous little Ben Di Lisi evening bag in a charity shop the day before, but at £4.50 I can be forgiven such a purchase, right? I love clutch bags but I do find that I either drop them or leave them behind. I need my bag attached in some way - the grown up equivalent of mittens on elastic!


Armed with my hot-off-the-press mini cards from Moo, I set off feeling really rather excited. The evening was really enjoyable, the 11 Deadly Sins cocktail helped calm any nerves I had and the goodie bag gave us all something to talk about. Inside we found, amoung other things, Urban Fruit dried pineapple which I love and which made a great snack for my train journey home and some Paperself lashes. Mine are cobwebs and spiders, perfect for a Halloween blogger event... *she types in hope*


During the evening we were all encouraged to help ourselves to a pair of tights supplied by Tights Please. I toyed with the idea of black and pink ones (black on one side, pink on the other) but decided that I'd never get them on straight. Sophie bagged these instead and they look amazing - see!


Anyway, in the end I went for a pair by Jonathan Aston in Aubergine. They would have looked fab with my outfit for the evening but they're also perfect for a meeting, worn with a dress and jacket. They add an unexpected element that makes a nice change from black. I'm going to get a lot of wear out of these!

I have to say a huge thanks and very well done to Gemma, Jess and Ali for organising the event. The first of many I hope!

You can see all of the photos of the evening here courtesy of Andrew Tunley.

What a great weekend! It started Friday night with the EA Blogger Party in Bar 11, Norwich. After much consideration I wore the dress that had me umming and ahhing at the end of my Bag-athon video post. Teamed with a couple of statement necklaces, purple hosiery and metallic sandals I was good to go (full post inc. outfit coming soon).

Unsure of what to do when I arrived I did the one thing I felt comfortable with - I made a beeline for the bar. Waiting for my G&T I spotted Sophie in a fab silver sequin dress, so I wandered over to say "Hi". For someone who claims to be shy Sophie sure is a social butterfly! She spent the entire night wandering up to people and introducing herself and all without the help of alcohol! I was seriously impressed.

I spent the evening chatting to Jenny, Kim and Tamsyn (and Sophie sporadically), drinking 2 for 1 cocktails and snapping up a pair of free tights, until the bar was infiltrated by local 'VIPs' and the music was turned up a notch or two. We decided to head out and find somewhere quieter, where we could sit down (ha! How old are we?). One door down, we found what we wanted and settled in for a good old natter. I had to make a swift exit, fearing my train would depart without me. Sorry Ladies, if I seemed rude in my haste to catch my train? It was really lovely to meet you.


Saturday morning I was up early to go on a coach trip to Camden Market with my Mum - 12 quid to get to London? No brainer. We spent the day mooching and I bought a green dress with the cutest little elephants on, a ring that reminds me of the moon, a shapely mug and a trinket bowl. We ate well, chatted over coffee and both fell asleep on the journey home. My Mum is ace.

My boyfriend greeted me with chocolate and a bottle of red. Perfect end to a lovely day.


I spent most of Sunday decorating. I am absolutely determined that I will finish my office by the end of the week. It's taken me so long to get this far, it's gone beyond silly and is now just embarrassing. I managed three coats of varnish on the floor. Decorating purists would tut and huff at the fact that I ripped up the carpet, vacuumed and started slapping on the varnish. No sanding or prepping. But it's an interim measure, I couldn't live with the carpet (hideous, threadbare, stained *shudders*) but a new one is way down on our list of priorities. I'm pretty chuffed with how it has turned out though and even if I wasn't I have a huge rug to go over it anyway.

Thanks to the grotty weather I had the pleasure of sharing the sofa with my boyfriend AND the cats for an entire evening. Now that's a pretty great weekend.

What did you get up to?

I've decided to finally tackle my over stuffed wardrobe and with the Great British Bag-athon running throughout September, the timing couldn't be better. The British Heart Foundation are hoping to collect a million bags of unwanted clothes and household items and turn them into life-saving research through their high street shops.

I do shop on the high street but I love nothing more than spending time rummaging in a charity shop. The thrill of finding something you love is far greater than picking something off the rails in a high street store. The savings to be had are an obvious bonus but one drawback can be that you end up buying things without trying them on, or really considering the suitability because something is only a few pounds. I've done this dozens of times which explains my over-stuffed wardrobe and the large number of items I have that rarely get worn.

On the flip side it means that I can regularly donate to charity shops and I feel that this is important, not only to support the charity but to keep these shops on our high streets. Use them or lose them!


Now that I've made some space and filled two bags, I'll be heading down to my local British Heart Foundation shop to drop them off. I don't think I'm going to be able to resist a quick perusal of the rails... rumour is they've had an influx of donations recently ;o)

Find out more about the British Heart Foundation here.

Are you taking part in the Bag-athon?

I woke up today with a strange urge. An urge to run. It's a very unfamiliar feeling for me, I've been thinking about running for ages but done nothing about it. Sophie's Running Commentary posts have played a part in the spurring me on and a number of posts for Day 5 (Fit and Healthy) of Elizabeth's #BEDM challenge further whet my appetite, including Janey L who introduced me to the 5K Runner app. I bought it the day I read her post but hadn't even looked at it until this morning.

I think 5K Runner is going to prove to be a excellent trainer. He didn't flinch when I told him to 'take a running jump' and he ignored me when I moaned about running in the sunny bits and walking in the shade. I've called him Brad.

The first run is a 25 minute session, 5 mins each end of walking and the middle 15 being 1.5 mins of walking and a 1 min run. I thought this sounded easy but three years of sitting on my arse has taken it's toll, it wasn't easy. I thought I'd be able to run for a minute without any problems but they just got harder and harder.

My final minute of running as so slow, my body felt too heavy for my legs, my feet didn't really want to leave the ground. I felt Brad silently judging me. In hindsight Ed Sheeran's The A Team probably wasn't the best tune to spur me on. Stupid shuffle.

My best running minute had to be to Run-DMC's Walk This Way, I added arms for some slightly wobbly run-dancing. I run in the middle of nowhere, through woodland, with not a soul for miles. This is done so no one can see me suffer and puff and sweat, I like it this way. But if I collapse I'll do so alone, in the middle of nowhere in the woods... *thinks for a moment* I'm sure Mr Joy will come looking for me when he gets hungry.

My final 5 minute walk was completed at a good pace, with a little walk-dancing thrown in - Maroon 5's Moves Like Jagger - I'm attributing this to the elation I felt knowing I didn't have to run anymore. I felt good when I got home, although the irritating label in the back of my trousers was removed almost immediately. And I'm kinda looking forward to my next walk/run. I wonder how long that will last...?

Just one question - how long will it be before my face returns to it's normal colour?