Warm in Black and Blue. And a Bit of Grey.

Friday 8 February 2013


George and I were pootling together today. We pootled in the morning and we pootled a bit more in the afternoon until cabin fever got the better of us (me) and we (I) decided to pootle off to the York Outlet. I layered up. There's a reason for this. If you are going to the York Outlet with children, there is always the inevitable stint of standing around in the outdoor play area whilst they run their little hearts out whilst you stand there freezing. I've learnt to make it more bearable by (1) purchasing a Costa coffee which I can sip whilst watching the little darlings play and (2) layering up well so you don't freeze your extremities off.

So I started off with a black thermo layer long sleeved vest thing from Primark (not seen) which is not dissimilar to the Uniqlo heattech range which everyone seems to swear by except for me. The except for me is purely because I haven't got round to buying one yet and seeing as how warmer days are imminent, the purchase will probably be delayed till next winter. Also, the Primark one was just hanging there in my line of vision in the store when I heard there was cold weather afoot so I conveniently prepped myself with Primark's finest. This will tide me over till I end up with the inevitable heattech vest - I need to feel the hype for myself.

This was topped by a navy Gap waffle knit jumper which I am sure is getting bigger every time I wear it. And this was further topped off with the old Oasis faux fur gilet. I wore this a few weeks back under the Mango jacket for extra warmth and I have to say it really is very effective hence the fact that I wore it again today under my altered grey coat. The faux fur gilet is reversible so on one side I have this sueded effect body with a furry collar and when you turn it inside out, I then have a furry body with a shorn collar (which I have never worn like this for fear I might look like a little baby black bear or at worst a Tasmanian devil.

  
Oasis Black Faux Fur Gilet, Gap Outlet Navy Jumper


I have to say the black Topshop Jamie jeans are the best belly warmers around and I was hoping that they would have a sucky in effect but they don't. They are so stretchy that they just mould themselves around your belly. It's not pretty and I'm not showing. And a pair of old black Belstaff biker boots. Old and a bit worn around the edges but very soft and comfy.

Topshop Black Jamie Jeans, Belstaff Black Biker Boots


The grey altered coat was donned ..... 

Marks & Spencer Grey Altered Coat

..... and a small child added for the finishing touch.

 Small Red Power Ranger ready to defend against the evil Orgs!!!


Just have to say, whilst I was at the outlet today ... I was recognised. Well actually George was recognised from my blog and consequently I was recognised. 

Great! My child is more famous than me ;o)

------------------------------

Last thing.

  • Hi to the lady in the green coat with the nice starry scarf if you're reading. I was going to ask to take your picture but I was too shy ... maybe next time? 
  • To all those who have a Uniqlo heattech vest - Are they really that good?




34 comments

  1. I love the faux fur gilet, I have been looking for one for a while but no luck yet. I sold my Jamie jeans on ebay because they just stretched so much, they really annoyed me, had to keep hoiking them up! I am tempted to get the Primark heat teach top now, I feel the cold so something like that would be perfect!! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got this gilet when I was pregnant with Ben to keep my bump warm. It's still going strong and gets worn every year - I think I just wanted a bit of glamour whilst I was pregnant - I was trying not to succumb to frumpdom. I think I was also lucky to find the thermo top - it's good because it's thinner than a thermal and doesn't bobble in the way a thermal top does. Fab for layering and really soft - if you find some - buy a few. You've got to make that trip across the Dartford tunnel worth it.

      Delete
  2. Love all the layers Sue,you certainly look nice and cosy! Little man is so cute in his power ranger outfit. Hope you have a good weekend:)
    ~Anne!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was nice and cosy for my stint outside. The picture you didn't see was the one with me in the power ranger mask - now that's just weird.

      Delete
  3. I don't have a Heattech vest, but I do have a Primark thermal one!! Yes me! And it is good ( enough) for me. I do the same - take the kids to the local farm stores ( which actually have clothes and kitchen bits and bobs and high end goods and is fabulous for a browse) and we run them for 1/2 am hour outside to earn a mooch inside!. Our eldest have reached the stage now where we can leave them outside on their own too !! Fantastic! X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a trade off with the kids but we get nagged all the way round. And Ben is now at the stage where shopping is the most "BORING" thing ever so dragging him round is like pulling teeth.

      I have the thermal ones and the thermo layer. I like both but I think the thermo one is winning. If I see them in store next time I'm passing through, I'm grabbing a couple so I can keep them in constant rotation.

      Delete
  4. I was so sure I had a pair of Jamies in my close, but they all turned out to be Kirstens and Leighs. I quite like those, so I will remember to steer clear of the Jamies! You look really nice, and I love your altered coat :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Maja, this is the first time I've tried a pair of Topshop skinny jeans which didn't make me look totally awful and were high waisted which I thought would overcome the problem of them working their way down but nop they still do that. However the Kirstens and Leighs look really bad on me. I guess there's a fit for all of us out there - it's just finding them. And I'm really getting my money's worth out of my altered coat - it's the best thing I could have done with it getting it chopped down.

      Delete
  5. It was lovely to meet you today! I have stood many times freezing my bits off too at the York outlet play area, I wear odolo base layers under my clothes, a bit more expensive that the uniqlo ones but have a brushed feel to the inside and they're lovely!! - sorry if I embarrassed you - green coat lady (Sue xxx)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sue - lovely to meet you as well. Sorry I was such a gibbering wreck - I was a little shocked to be recognised that's all. I've just had a look at the Odlo underwear and they're a bit more expensive than Uniqlo but I would expect them to be as they're a technical garment so yes, I can imagine you are warm and toasty in yours. I like the sound of the brushed feel - that's just what you need on a cold winters day. I was wandering round Ellis Brighams the other week looking at their vests and hastily put them back when I realised they were £60 a vest. But if you're camping in extreme temperatures - I guess that's when they come in to their own and what you pay for.

      By the way, loved your scarf!

      Delete
  6. Aw your wee man is so cute Sue, I can't believe someone recognised him from your blog - that's mad! Love that gilet a fur one is great for an extra layer of warmth. I'm so over dressing in layers, just want to throw on a top and be done with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm really looking forward to losing the layers too Trea. It's such a hassle trying to get out of the door with hats, scarves, boots, coats and the whole shebang. Roll on summer!

      Delete
  7. Hi there! Lovely layering going on and the gilet looks great under your grey coat! A big yes to uniqlo heattech tops, I invested in 3 this winter and still want another in black-mine are scoop neck long sleeved and are £12.90, still available online. have a good weekend xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've just spotted that they're on offer at the moment but do they have any in the colour that I want and in my size - no! I'm sure they'll come back in at some point - it's one of their staples. I just need to feel the hype.

      Delete
  8. Well, I'm glad you get a kick out of it when I make these comments because here goes: Pootling?! Really?! You're doing this on purpose now, Sue. You're specifically writing posts so that I won't have a clue what you're talking about, right? Very impressive. That said, you look great all bundled up like that! Hard to look chic when you're wearing 5,000 layers but you've done it so well. Love that Gap sweater by the way. Stay warm!

    www.nomadicd.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honestly, I'm not doing this on purpose - I'm known for pootling by my friends. The definition is to not rush things, to do things in a leisurely relaxed manner. That's me to a tee. I used to think it was because my friends named me after a Flump called Pootle who was always a little confused and the fact that I was so laid back.

      http://www.thechestnut.com/flumps.htm

      Delete
    2. Oh my god, the flumps! You are killing me with the vast wealth of cultural insight! Ha!

      Delete
  9. You look fab honey! I find the only probably is with layering up to go shopping is that once you are inside the shops, which are so darn hot, you want to start taking all the layers off for fear of fainting! Or is that just me and my tropical moments?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aah - no shopping for me today - we were just killing time. I was having a quick mooch looking for a new purse so there was no worry of me stripping off innumerable layers. And you just don't do trying on with George around. He just runs in and out of the changing rooms which is so not good. If I'm trying on - it's single layers for me. One top/jumper and a coat. That's it - let's not make things difficult for ourselves eh?

      Delete
  10. Loving that layered look - I just love a bit of fur too so for me, one of my favourite looks on you. And as for your wee man - SO cute! My son got that red power ranger outfit and mask when I had the twins so it brings back memories of him jumping on the bed in the hospital all those years ago! Have a great weekend Sue, Avril xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can I just say - never put on a mask after George has just tried it on. It is eugh as I found out but you have to do these things sometimes to please the small people.

      I do like this gilet though - it's a double whammy in that you get a bit of luxe AND you get to stay warm too. Bonus! Hope you're having a great weekend too Avril.

      Delete
  11. I love a bit of fur too....I especially love the power ranger I think he stole the show
    J
    http://lifelovesand.blogspot.ie/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think he did really didn't he? However, you didn't see me modelling the mask - it would have been a tough call then.

      Delete
  12. For a moment I though I'd gone to Mc Glen without knowing it.........have green coat, live nearby......but no!!!!!
    I can vouch for Uniqlo vests....oh the glamour!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Claire, I'll have to catch up with you for a coffee one day at McArthur Glen!

      Delete
    2. Always free for a coffee especially combined with clothes shops!!!!

      Delete
  13. You do layering very well indeed! That entire outfit looked smart, cosy and comfortable which is a hard combination to achieve. I too am interested in the heat tech tops in Uniqlo. Plan to investigate when I'm in London later this month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same plan as me then when I visit London. I bet that's all I end up with. Last time I went to London, all I bought was a spy pen for Ben. Pff.

      Delete
  14. The faux on that fur looks incredibly real and luxurious! You're not only stylish but you have your own org warding bodyguard too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has to be said - I wouldn't want to mess with the George Red Ranger with his gangnam moves. He does fantastic roly polys too.

      Delete
  15. You're famous, Sue!! I've also been wondering about the heatech range. I've bought thermal wear from Icebreakers (loyal to Kiwi brands) and they work fantastically well. Far more expensive than Heatech so unless the family members back home are feeling particularly generous and keep sending them to me, I may have to resort to Uniqlo's. It's been so cold that I've been thinking of getting those fur lined coats too. BTW, I received the Uniqlo silk shirt. So so happy with it. Thank you so much for pointing them out because they fit even better than Equipment shirts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I can't believe it! Famous! Well more like George is. Now strangely enough, I thought you would have some of the heattech range - I almost can't believe you haven't given your love of Uniqlo. And I'm really pleased about the Uniqlo silk shirt - is it a good weight? Not too tissue thin or anything? One thing's for sure - better prices. Might have to take a look myself - I'm rather liking the polka dot one ;o)

      Delete
  16. Teehee..famous blogger now. ;)

    I can't help but give off a laugh at the power ranger pic....only because I can totally identify with it. My two kiddos are PR fans as well. I'm even labelled a pink ranger by them. LOL :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Power Rangers to the rescue! Yes George is a teeny obsessed. It was Power Rangers Dino Thunder, then SPD, then Mystic Force and now we're on Jungle Fury. Where will it all end?

      Delete

Susie So So