Two weeks in a row!

It would've been so nice to get outside to take this outfit shot, it would've been even nicer to have been outside, needing sunglasses. But no, it's blowing a gale and I'm staying firming inside.

I love Rachel Bilson's style (got a bit of a girl crush going on) so I had to join in this week - got to be a quick post though... lots to get through today!


Pop over to see Megan and Nora, the Inspiration Monday hosts. Next week it's Gigi Hadid* in super skinny jeans.

*who?

It's been ages since I took part in an Inspiration Monday. Once I stopped I fell out of the habit but when I saw this week's inspiration picture, I knew it would be easy to recreate with items already in my wardrobe.

The inspiration this week is Kate Hudson in a casual outfit, although my take is slightly less glam in flat boots, no designer handbag.

This jacket first made an appearance in October 2012 when I first met Sophie and Caroline. It's been a staple in my wardrobe ever since. It's pretty lightweight but warm and has good sized pockets - big enough to hold my purse and phone and pop out bagless.



I'd made myself a promise at the beginning of 2015 that I wouldn't buy anymore scarves, but this is so soft and snuggly, not to mention only £9.00 in the sale, I couldn't resist. It's also more of a snood, so I'm letting myself off on a sneaky technicality.

Pop on over to Two Birds Boutique to see how others have styled this look. Next week's Inspiration Monday is Rachel Bilson, can I manage two weeks in a row?

Did you have a good weekend? Mine consisted of some patchwork, some reading and some actual work - I'm designing a logo that you'll be able to see online pretty soon!

You know that I love a challenge but BEDN (Blog Everyday in November) beat me, just like BEDM (May). I think that 21 posts in a month is pretty good going for someone that doesn't ordinarily post everyday, and it's an improvement on my efforts in May, so I'm chuffed. For me BEDN didn't end with a thoughtful, well written summary, it just fizzled out quietly - illustrated neatly by the fact that I'm posting this two days late. I enjoyed it none-the-less and I'll still be posting some of the topics from the month, albeit rather late! And keep an eye out for the new blogs coming soon to my blogroll, discovered thanks to BEDN.

Today I'm joining in with Megan and Nora's Monday Inspiration. I can't believe that I don't own a grey roll neck jumper - not that I need anymore winter woolies. But I might see if I can find a pattern to knit myself one. After talking about knitting for BEDN I've had a hankering to get my sticks out again and at the rate I knit it'll probably take me until next year to finish it.


I love this poncho, I've had it for about three years now and every winter it comes out to keep me warm. I find it really nice to wear over layers without adding yet another layer to my arms - I hate the bulky feeling that comes with one layer too many, but at the same time I don't do cold. Warmth always wins. I am one of those people who sees a girl wearing a short skirt (no tights!!) and no coat on a night out and starts mumbling about her 'catching her death'.

Do you like my shoes? They're from Next and are fast becoming my favourite pair, more interesting than a plain black pair and the sequins are subtle enough make them perfect for day or night. Super comfy too.

I also added a hat to the outfit, it's a new hat - I wanted to wear it - but more than that, after hurting my shoulder at the weekend I can't get my arms up high enough to wash my hair (not without quite a lot of pain anyway). I can't turn to my right or sit in one position for too long either. Fingers crossed I'll be more flexible tomorrow. If not, I'm going to have to get Andy to do it for me and I know that will end in an argument or one or both of us being drenched. Probably all of those things.

Hope you're having a good Monday.


Part of #BEDN hosted by Elizabeth and Inspiration Monday hosted by Two Birds.



Love

I'm linking up with Inspiration Monday for the first time in ages! This week the inspiration comes from Sienna Miller in a fabulous animal print dress and fluffy jacket. I had very little in my wardrobe that suited this so when I saw this 'dress' in a charity shop at the weekend I purchased it to wear today. Whilst it's not animal print it does have animals printed on it - deers and stags, very festive!

It was in the dress section but looking at the length I think it's a shirt. Just as well I'm home alone today, I don't think I could wear a 'dress' this length in public!


Next time I think I'll add jeans. Pop over to Megan and Nora's blog, Two Birds Boutique, to see how others interpreted the look.

Hope you're having a fun Monday.

Love

Time for Two Birds Inspiration Monday again. It's Allessandra Ambrosio this week - no idea who she is but what a fabulous name!

I went outside earlier today to take some outfit shots, a gust of (freezing cold) wind blew over my fixed-once-with-superglue tripod and snapped the top clean off. The camera took a beating too, luckily it was my compact digital camera and not my new Samsung. It still works - in a fashion - it's stuck on one setting now.

That's two cameras that have perished in the making of this blog!

So, with no tripod I had to make do with good old fashioned mirror shots, I don't think the result was too bad.


I knew I'd wear this as soon as I saw the inspiration picture, it's a Monsoon tunic from eBay, I believe I paid £5 for it. I really like it but probably wouldn't have worn it with a belt if it wasn't for this inspiration. It's another thing that was bought with the thought 'it'll look lovely with sandals in the summer' running through my mind. It's amazing how many items get purchased because of that thought, so many that you'd think we were blessed glorious hot summers. If only!

Hope you've had a lovely Easter weekend.

Love

When I saw this Two Birds inspiration photo (top right) I thought I didn't own anything with spots, however, on closer inspection of my wardrobe I actually had two dresses (of the wedding guest variety), a scarf and this top. I'd forgotten about all of them - isn't that awful?


I found this (Monsoon) top in a charity shop back in November. I hadn't worn it before and it seemed a shame to wear a pretty top for pottering around the house (mopping floors mostly) and doing a spot of gardening but the sun was out and I wanted to wear it. It's a very cheerful colour and matched the Primroses that I was planting out - how's that for co ordination?

Socks was enjoyed the sun, he sat near me and rolled over to indicate that I was to rub his tummy several times, before strolling back to the greenhouse, hopping up onto the bench and snoozing some more. I wish I was a cat.

Apologies for the arm across my face, the pesky breeze kept blowing my fringe into my eyes and eventually I decided to let it win.

I fixed my tripod btw, I glued it back on and managed not to stick myself to anything! Progress!



Love

Hello! I'll start with a huge 'thank you'' for the lovely, supportive comments on my last post. It certainly had been a very stressful time. Setting up as a Graphic Designer is going well, I have two clients and several projects on the go and all that work nonsense already seems like a long time ago.


I'm joining in with Inspiration Monday over at Two Birds today. I'm glad Dianna Agron is sporting a coat, we had snow over night, not much - certainly not enough to bring the country to a stand still - never-the-less a coat is most welcome and this doesn't get worn nearly much as it should!


I hope you have a lovely week, have you had snow?

Love

Happy Monday (I'm trying to beat my dislike of Monday mornings with a positive attitude and sunny disposition… so far, so good).

It's Inspiration Monday time again from Megan and Nora at Two Birds Boutique. I adore our this week's muse, Alexa Chung. I don't have a dress like the one she is wearing here so I had to go for a shirt that kinda looked a little bit like it teamed with a short skirt. I also tried a faux bob (it's not really working though is it).


May I draw your attention to my boots for a moment, they're a preloved eBay purchase from November last year. I think I like them. I like them teamed with a short skirt, they have a little bit of a heel, aren't too dressy but not too casual either. Do you think they look okay? You can say 'no', I won't mind as long as you say it nicely :)

Having reached the grand old age of 37 - an age at which short skirts are a 'should-I-shouldn't-I?' item - I have a strict set of rules for how I wear a short skirt.

The shorter the skirt the less flesh you can reveal. Cover chest, shoulders and arms. Keep tops semi fitted or loose.

Any skirt above mid thigh always necessitates tights - I'm talking triple digit denier here. No exceptions.

Steer clear of anything completely figure hugging, if in doubt, buy the skirt one size bigger than normal. If still in doubt, don't buy it.

If you're going bare legged, the skirt should sit no more than an inch above the knee - that's short enough.

Bare legs + short skirt = casual flat or low heel sandals, or converse type casual trainers (not the sort of shoe meant for sport of any kind), or flip flops. No crocs. No Uggs.

The higher the hemline the lower the heel should be, unless it's party wear, in which case wear a dress and heels. Same rules apply for length of dress and hosiery as above.

And to think all of these rules are followed subconsciously and simultaneously…

Hope you have a great Monday
Love

During my late teens and well into my time at college I wore black. A lot. Black and denim with a very occasional white t-shirt thrown in. These days I don't think I carry it off as well as I used to (if I ever did!) and so I couldn't bring myself to make like Blake and go all black, so I added my Custard Designs pink bag, just to break it up a little bit.

The boots I'm wearing here are nearing the end of their life. I bought them from New Look eons ago. I wasn't sure about them at first but with the assurance that they were 'lovely' from a trusted friend I kept them. I'm so glad I did, I've worn them so much - I love that they are heeled but are also really quite casual. I've been looking for a similar pair but so far have had no luck (I'm not keen on the wedge versions that are currently widely available). I probably should have stopped wearing these months ago, they are split on the sole and the heels are now worn away but I just can't bring myself to let go just yet…

Do you have anything in your wardrobe that you can't part with, even though you probably should?


Love

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a fabulous time seeing in the New Year. My boyfriend and I went to a friend's house, with a few others, for drinks and card games. We spent the first few minutes of 2013 with champagne in hand and fireworks on the TV.

I didn't feel very well for most of the day so wasn't really in the mood to get really dressed up but it did seem like the perfect opportunity to wear my new bronze ASOS sandals (especially because the evening would contain very little standing or walking). With slouchy jumper, skinny jeans and a necklace added, I was good to go.



See the other New Year Monday Inspirations over at Two Birds Boutique.

How did you celebrate the end of 2012?

Love

I've said this before, but I'll say it again, I love Inspiration Monday for making me mix items and wear outfits that I wouldn't normally think of putting together.

I'm a little rather late on posting this first inspiration. I find it so much harder to take outfit shots when it's dark in the mornings and when I return home from work. Shots taken inside just don't seem to work so well. So, when I do manage to take some shots, albeit not very good ones, I like to use them.


This bag is a recent charity shop purchase. It's leather and soft as butter, originally from White Stuff and cost me the grand sum of £4. It does have a few marks on the bottom so I decided to contact a leather cleaning company that I've seen in the back of magazines, they offer a handbag repair and restore service. They quoted me £200. Yikes! Needless to say that I declined, the marks won't stop me using the bag, and hey, I could always try and remove the marks myself. Any tips?



Last week's inspiration was a cinch for me, I knew as soon as I saw it that I could replicate it pretty well (I'm so glad I didn't throw away this top, despite it's twisted seams).

I am wearing an outfit inspired by this week's celeb, Leona Lewis, today but I'm not going to get a chance to take any shots today... shame. I'm wearing my latest pre loved eBay purchase, I'm chuffed to bits with it. Photos to come soon hopefully!


And to finish, an apology to Megan and Nora for not putting a link into my headless Inspiration Monday post. Bad blogger. Bad. Sorry x

Love

Hello, hello!

Failed at Friday's Letters last week... again.

Dear Monday, We're never going to be great friends but just occasionally we seem to call a truce - like today.

Dear X Factor, Chris Maloney. Seriously?

Dear Boiler, Thank you for not having a terminal or expensive fault. If you could see your way to lasting just a few more years I'd really, really appreciate it.

Dear Boyfriend, Thank you for getting the boiler fixed and my apologies for being a grumpy cow, you know how I hate to be cold.

Dear Pampered Chef Party Demonstration Lady, You're good. You're really good. I came along with a steely resolve to spend no more than £30. I restrained myself for approximately 15 minutes before I crumbled and spent a small fortune.

Dear Show and Stay, Thank you for making the experience of booking a show, hotel and train tickets to London an absolute breeze.

Dear Workmen, Thanks for cancelling two days before you were due to insulate my loft and fill my cavity walls. If you could pull your finger out that would be awesome!

Dear Self, Stop moaning and look on the bright side - you're warm (hurrah!), you have a trip to London to look forward to (ditto), your boyfriend has finally got through a stupidly busy time at work so you'll be seeing more of him (huge hurrah!) and the acupuncture you're having for your sinusitis is beginning to take effect. Life is good.

And so to Inspiration Monday. I joined in last week but didn't find a minute to take any outfit shots. I honestly didn't know if I was coming or going for most of last week and it's set to get busier!


This shot was taken surreptitiously, which explains a lot! I have a nightshirt that would have suited this inspiration so much better but work draw the line at PJ's, more's the pity!

Hope you have a fab week.

Lots of love

I missed Friday Letters in a blur of activity, so here are some Monday Letters instead.

Dear Monday, You suck. The only time I like you is when you have 'bank holiday' written in front of you. You always come around too quickly and you spoil Sunday evenings.

Dear Clothes Swappers, You guys rock! You turned out on a rainy Saturday morning, full of gusto and laden with bags of clothes. I did however fear for my friends safety as she carried five ball gowns towards the rails and you mobbed her. Play nicely now.

Dear Christmas, I know that people aren't talking about you yet, but I haven't forgotten that you're coming. I'm stocking up my pantry in preparation (I can't be the only person to have purchased a Christmas pudding in early November). This year will be less frantic. I promise.


Dear NoneSuch Things, I love your site. The tapes I ordered arrived and are already adorning the front of my Christmas cards, with lots more projects planned.




Hope you all have a fab Monday (do the best you can with it, the week will improve). See you tomorrow for Everybody : Everywear, this month the theme is 'boots'. Guess which ones I'll be wearing?

Love

Monday Inspiration was Lauren Conrad wearing a fabulous slouchy jumper and boots. Perfect transitional dressing! I had no excuse to go shopping for this week's inspiration as it was the perfect opportunity to wear the oversized M&S sweater I found on my recent blogger meet up!

Accesorised with my poppy and a huge scarf. See the other inspirations here.

The Two Birds, Megan and Nora, have done it again, they've made me go out online and spend money for this weeks Monday Inspiration, Ashley Madekwe. I had to google her and it turns out I know who she is! She play's Ashley Davenport in Revenge. She looks so different with her hair up.


I wasn't sure about the peplum trend but now I've tried it, I rather like it. I ordered this top from Very and whilst there decided to treat myself to some new party shoes too (as you do - after all postage is the same no matter how much you order). I already have a couple of pairs of Love Label shoes and I've loved them all. And for an added bonus - these ones sparkle!


It's not often that I get an excuse to use this little union jack box clutch (ASOS I think, ages ago) but this inspiration couldn't have been more perfect. This is one of my favourite's so far... I think this could be the outfit for my work Christmas meal. Good work Two Birds!


See the other inspirations here.

Friday already? It's been another busy week.

I had an idea that it might be fun to look back and see what I was doing around this time last year. October 26th 2011 I posted an Inspiration Monday outfit (a few days late). Look at the weather, I'm wearing sunnies and no socks!


I thought that it would be fun to recreate the outfit. I don't have that particular cardigan anymore, it died at the claws of my cats - cats and delicate knitwear do not make good bed fellows. But I do have the jeans, belt and bag. I also have the ballet flats but the weather does not encourage me to go sockless (warmth wins over style, every time).



My Friday Letters