tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65303220119801946242024-03-16T01:10:20.802+00:00Susie So SoJust Winging ItSuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.comBlogger656125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-32629205302544197822021-04-30T23:15:00.000+01:002021-04-30T23:15:06.308+01:00Friday Five : 30th April 2021<p> </p><p>Quick Friday Five. Got to keep my hand in. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (1 of 5) Oysho</u></i></b></p><p><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></p><p>I love a little browse round the Oysho website. They do lovely pyjamas (I have a navy pinstripe flannel pair which are lush in the cold months) and I seem to have racked up a few of their dresses too over time which I hadn't realised till now. I just had a nosey to see what was coming in for spring/summer and they are doing lovely stuff for energetic people who do things like yoga and running (not me) and pretty stuff for people who want to lounge looking all serene and stuff (me). Oh and there's a couple of nice dresses which caught my eye too. And guess what, Oysho are on to the fact that us ladies like our pockets in our dresses! Here's just a few of my favourite picks.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOrSk9jdz8o/YIxVMSmb5BI/AAAAAAAA25g/5v5RgsoshbowNLPSNeEDm8qa8dL3GeU7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1966/Screenshot%2B2021-04-30%2Bat%2B20.01.45.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="1966" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOrSk9jdz8o/YIxVMSmb5BI/AAAAAAAA25g/5v5RgsoshbowNLPSNeEDm8qa8dL3GeU7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h448/Screenshot%2B2021-04-30%2Bat%2B20.01.45.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/loungewear/kaftans-and-dresses/100%25-cotton-printed-dress-c1010442516p102723586.html?colorId=251&typeCategory=0"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>1. Cotton Printed Dress</b></span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/accessories/banded-shopper-c1010392597p102692225.html"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>2. Banded Shopper</b></span></a></p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/loungewear/tops/100%25-cotton-gingham-shirt-c1010442504p102742158.html?colorId=800&typeCategory=0"><span style="color: #990000;">3. Gingham Blouse</span></a> & <a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/new-in/100%25-cotton-gingham-culottes-c1469017p102728609.html?colorId=800"><span style="color: #990000;">Gingham Pants</span></a></b></span></p><p><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/loungewear/jackets-and-dressing-gowns/100%25-cotton-chiffon-kimono-jacket-c1010442514p102691091.html?colorId=506&typeCategory=0"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>4. Cotton Jacket</b></span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/loungewear/kaftans-and-dresses/100%25-cotton-gingham-dress-c1010442516p102728574.html?colorId=118&typeCategory=0"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>5. Gingham Dress</b></span></a></p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/sleep/mauve-100%25-cotton-shirt-c1010165535p102822783.html"><span style="color: #990000;">6. Mauve Top</span></a> & <a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/sleep/cotton/mauve-100%25-cotton-trousers-c1010166025p102822857.html?colorId=651"><span style="color: #990000;">Trousers</span></a></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/loungewear/footwear/split-leather-slider-sandals-c1010442518p102743731.html?colorId=085&typeCategory=0"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>7. Taupe Sandals</b></span></a></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3i591h1HZEE/YIxlRvMy3WI/AAAAAAAA25o/UKboudG6x3MurgonlDMh593CeA8LU4Z2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1961/Screenshot%2B2021-04-30%2Bat%2B21.10.22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1961" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3i591h1HZEE/YIxlRvMy3WI/AAAAAAAA25o/UKboudG6x3MurgonlDMh593CeA8LU4Z2ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h440/Screenshot%2B2021-04-30%2Bat%2B21.10.22.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/sleep/dressing-gowns/palm-tree-dressing-gown-c1010252516p102871879.html?colorId=746&typeCategory=0"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>8. Palm Dressing Gown</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/swimwear-and-beachwear/swimsuits-and-trikinis/ruffle-swimsuit-c1010209021p102723656.html?colorId=573&typeCategory=0"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>9. Green Swimsuit</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/swimwear-and-beachwear/bikinis/view-all/smock-bandeau-bikini-top-c1010277574p102765297.html?colorId=485&typeCategory=0"><span style="color: #990000;">10. Bandeau Bikini Top</span></a> & <a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/swimwear-and-beachwear/bikinis/bikini-bottoms/smock-classic-bikini-briefs-c1010209024p102765074.html?colorId=485"><span style="color: #990000;">Bottoms</span></a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/footwear/sandals/rope-rubber-sandals-c1010392503p102893504.html?colorId=111&typeCategory=0"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>11. Rope Sandals</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/sleep/nightdresses-and-jumpsuits/long-green-floral-100%25-cotton-nightdress-c1010166020p102900020.html?colorId=583&typeCategory=0"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>12. Green Floral Nightdress</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/loungewear/kaftans-and-dresses/satin-mandarin-collar-kaftan-c1010442516p102711583.html?colorId=567&typeCategory=0"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>13. Green Satin Kaftan</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.oysho.com/gb/sport/modal-plush-sweatshirt-c1010316003p102888501.html"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>14. Modal Sweatshirt</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Quite a few picks actually as I got a bit carried away! <div><br /></div><div>The (1) Cotton Printed Dress is beautiful - lots of fabric in it and the pockets are a joy. The Indian block print is just perfect too. I know, I have it. It sold out once but they've restocked since. It does come up a little long on me (5ft 1'ish) but I'm a dab hand at taking up a hem these days so perfect for taller ladies too. </div><div><br /></div><div>I like the (3) smaller gingham check on this blouse which makes it less twee - perfect with a pair of black culottes and jeans or wear as a co-ord with the matching pants. I'm a bit rubbish with co-ords but when done right, they can look amazing on some people.</div><div><br /></div><div>The (6) mauve co-ord set - imagine it with a golden tan when the sun finally plays ball!</div><div><br /></div><div>The (13) green satin kaftan is such a beautiful shade. I've noticed that Oysho love their green satin dresses and have brought one out for the last three years in different styles. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can't swim and when presented with a swimming pool, I literally just put my toes in so it doesn't warrant a new swimsuit and my bikini days are well and truly over (you do you and I'll do me) but isn't that (9) green swimsuit just da bomb? And that (10) bikini is just too cute. Oh to be young again.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I did order that pale blue sweatshirt (14) and it is the softest comfiest thing to put on but I didn't keep - it's just not quite the right shade of blue and kind of died on me but I did try hard to make it work but decided to be sensible and return. But if it's your blue - it's a good un.</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) Flip Flops</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>I have some little brown Havaiana flip flops. I've had them for years and decided that I wanted to wear them this summer so I got them out and tried them on and thought "They've shrunk!". Well actually, they were always just on the cusp as Havaianas do weird sizing. They do a size 35-36 which is a 3-4 UK size so I compared them to another pair of regular UK size 4 flip flops and the Havaianas definitely are much smaller. So I ordered the next size up 37-38 and they are way bigger. - too big if truth be told. Havaianas - why the weird sizing?</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Italian Sausage Ragu</u></i></b></p><p><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEnJP5PCyBU/YIyAAzaeAGI/AAAAAAAA28s/SM8fMY_G6RkDGz7_0a0IGmB0qrDeGHwNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1070/ragu.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="803" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEnJP5PCyBU/YIyAAzaeAGI/AAAAAAAA28s/SM8fMY_G6RkDGz7_0a0IGmB0qrDeGHwNwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/ragu.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="https://annasfamilykitchen.com/recipes/italian-sausage-ragu/"><span style="color: #990000;">Italian Sausage Ragu</span></a> </b></span>(Anna's pic, not mine)</div><p><br /></p><p>If you're in M&S Foodhall, pick up a couple of pack of their Italian Sausages because they are fab in this easy peasy AnnasFamilyKitchen <a href="https://annasfamilykitchen.com/recipes/italian-sausage-ragu/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>recipe</b></span></a>. It's easy peasy and I'm all about the easy peasy.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) Loves Me A Pretty Blouse</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_c595FBya4/YIxtYeV6JFI/AAAAAAAA28c/YTekpxJEEGsqGxwDoKqPYeWY13oBRt7RACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/prettyblouse.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_c595FBya4/YIxtYeV6JFI/AAAAAAAA28c/YTekpxJEEGsqGxwDoKqPYeWY13oBRt7RACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/prettyblouse.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/linen-blend-shirt-with-cutwork-embroidery-p03440041.html?v1=87655770"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Zara Blouse</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It's white'ish, it's pretty. It's got a bit of embroidery, it's light and airy and it's also very me. If you like what you like, you like what you like and I like a pretty white blouse for the summer months. I don't buy much from Zara to be honest but it's a hard habit to break so I still look and then I end up with another pretty blouse. Ho Hum.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) Upcycling</u></i></b></p><p><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R63hDP1KNIA/YIxsTwPtEYI/AAAAAAAA28Q/3B1Fiv11kRwwnncj24tEciClPGr-kcrPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/allstars.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R63hDP1KNIA/YIxsTwPtEYI/AAAAAAAA28Q/3B1Fiv11kRwwnncj24tEciClPGr-kcrPwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/allstars.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Upcycling!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The hubs took delivery of a load of Allstars Cricket kit for the local cricket club and was sorting it out when he asked did we have anything we could separate all the different types of balls in to. Why yes indeed - all my handbag bags! There's a reason why I keep everything for years and years! Eventually everything will have a use and purpose!</p></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-68987132036883273022021-04-27T20:31:00.001+01:002021-04-27T21:42:10.358+01:00Checks, Chops and Changes. <p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><i>[AD : Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links]</i></span></b></p><p><br /></p><p>So I bought this dress in January .....</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4zkwocRtS4/YIcb4tBuUyI/AAAAAAAA21I/5QN9XkXROSc9MNgQ4dN-XQB4DQSEyU17QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/checkdress.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4zkwocRtS4/YIcb4tBuUyI/AAAAAAAA21I/5QN9XkXROSc9MNgQ4dN-XQB4DQSEyU17QCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/checkdress.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/btYeU"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>H&M Modal Blend Dress</b></span></a></div><br /><p>... with the express intention of turning it into a skirt. There was no way I was wearing it with that cutout back! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A2hEbE9gNDw/YIcdIEzRXaI/AAAAAAAA21U/aawqS2E_QUo7MvDOiE-8Jume13MI1SDggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/hmdress.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A2hEbE9gNDw/YIcdIEzRXaI/AAAAAAAA21U/aawqS2E_QUo7MvDOiE-8Jume13MI1SDggCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/hmdress.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The idea was I was going to chop off the body of the dress and with the spare fabric, fashion myself some pockets and maybe make a few hair scrunchies with what was left. Go me!</p><p><br /></p><p>So I started making some changes to it in February, made some more changes not long after and took some pictures of the finished item in March with the express intention of blogging the process and guess what - it's now April. End of April even - I took my time doing this one didn't I? Time is not of the essence where I am concerned. </p><p><br /></p><p>So if we backtrack to February, I chopped off the top ....</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnxHtMc03Oo/YIcff9J6TkI/AAAAAAAA21c/P4OWwQVRsNA4cCTJqHBf3oZ92uZ1LprbACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/cutdress.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnxHtMc03Oo/YIcff9J6TkI/AAAAAAAA21c/P4OWwQVRsNA4cCTJqHBf3oZ92uZ1LprbACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/cutdress.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Then I unpicked the part of the waistband where I had cut - removed the excess fabric, reduced the width of the elastic as it was making the waistband pucker and sewed up the waistband again (below pic) by hand. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v6QujTrcOfE/YIcgbRz3q2I/AAAAAAAA21k/GU4w-OFJKWgimExx6PpxufjbUc3lWuOKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/waistband.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v6QujTrcOfE/YIcgbRz3q2I/AAAAAAAA21k/GU4w-OFJKWgimExx6PpxufjbUc3lWuOKQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/waistband.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Then I decided I couldn't live with the bad check alignment on the back seam so unpicked it all and realigned it and sewed it back up. I figured that I could make a slight adjustment to the hem to accommodate anything that was a bit out of sorts. Before and after pics below.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZO81t6NxtE/YIclKrBlw2I/AAAAAAAA21s/3bzu2phBR-ETnd3uDzT1QQlJPIFWvcDAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/seam1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZO81t6NxtE/YIclKrBlw2I/AAAAAAAA21s/3bzu2phBR-ETnd3uDzT1QQlJPIFWvcDAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/seam1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKHLijaHy9c/YIclRoOeTVI/AAAAAAAA21w/B-kt0x4l95Y7TTGZ6f8uBDyqO5IZEaSIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/seam2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKHLijaHy9c/YIclRoOeTVI/AAAAAAAA21w/B-kt0x4l95Y7TTGZ6f8uBDyqO5IZEaSIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/seam2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Then I turned my hand to the pockets. I made a pattern for the pockets and cut them out of the spare fabric I had. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVwwQQm0lnc/YIcn4NZxqMI/AAAAAAAA214/9-8oBfHBDO8iVFJL1nJF_Xch6iDfVGhNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/pockets.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVwwQQm0lnc/YIcn4NZxqMI/AAAAAAAA214/9-8oBfHBDO8iVFJL1nJF_Xch6iDfVGhNwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/pockets.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And sewed them in following this nice and easy Youtube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a515PnZCOa0"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>tutorial</b></span></a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And here we are!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLNTLH0TD8Q/YIcqD6DOZOI/AAAAAAAA22A/6A8cOAgj4G8z4MZFKJsms-MIpubBmIt1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/sue3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLNTLH0TD8Q/YIcqD6DOZOI/AAAAAAAA22A/6A8cOAgj4G8z4MZFKJsms-MIpubBmIt1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/sue3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everlane Square Cut Silk Shirt (Old but still available)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Belt (Ebay)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Zara Shoes (Old)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TaEkztVTzjE/YIcq5_E1TgI/AAAAAAAA22I/1-89KdXzLxAFtVQ7ZWpHJii4sdnymzcvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/sue2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TaEkztVTzjE/YIcq5_E1TgI/AAAAAAAA22I/1-89KdXzLxAFtVQ7ZWpHJii4sdnymzcvwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/sue2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aNla8FTkHdI/YIcrDSJwapI/AAAAAAAA22M/cAqsC-cznicO3rt7z2zt_5MtpR4K6fa1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/sue1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aNla8FTkHdI/YIcrDSJwapI/AAAAAAAA22M/cAqsC-cznicO3rt7z2zt_5MtpR4K6fa1QCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/sue1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Converse (Ebay)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I think it turned out alright and I like the Toast vibes of the fabric pattern. I also took a little check inspo from these lovely ladies <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carolinesstylehacks/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Caroline</b></span></a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/smalltownthreads/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Bean</b></span></a> with their simple monochromatic looks :</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9npaFW3leMw/YIfoyR8F2gI/AAAAAAAA22k/ipUIskf6_qESAMLjKWcEsxAoWLXFTHJoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1998/Screenshot%2B2021-04-27%2Bat%2B11.33.18.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1353" data-original-width="1998" height="434" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9npaFW3leMw/YIfoyR8F2gI/AAAAAAAA22k/ipUIskf6_qESAMLjKWcEsxAoWLXFTHJoQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h434/Screenshot%2B2021-04-27%2Bat%2B11.33.18.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.maisonbengal.co.uk/product/hand-woven-jute-bag-10/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Maison Bengal Jute Bag</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cashmere-round-neck-jumper/p/clp22491941?color=MEDIUMNAVY&prevPage=srp"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>M&S Navy Cashmere Jumper</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.toa.st/collections/womens-skirts/products/check-poplin-button-skirt-fawn-brown"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Toast Skirt</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/flat-leather-cage-sandals-p11615710.html?v1=103709743"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Zara Sandals</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">With the exception of the sandals which are the more on trend item but you do sometimes need that little fashion injection in your wardrobes to update existing pieces, the other items should see you from year to year without fail. I have the little basket bag but in a yellow colourway which has come out each summer for the last few years and you can never go wrong with a good simple navy cashmere jumper. I favour navy over grey in the summer as it just feels right when I want something classic and clean. I'll be keeping an eye out for the Toast skirt in the sales (fingers crossed) but to throw a wildcard in the mix .....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">..... I love this red check print from Hannoh Wessel! A little different from all the gingham around currently but so sharp. Big love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7j4Lf8moHP4/YIhgIBT9jCI/AAAAAAAA228/HsosRryR4uER68EXFCTOnZemwSH2PlBuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1903/Screenshot%2B2021-04-27%2Bat%2B20.01.02.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1903" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7j4Lf8moHP4/YIhgIBT9jCI/AAAAAAAA228/HsosRryR4uER68EXFCTOnZemwSH2PlBuQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h422/Screenshot%2B2021-04-27%2Bat%2B20.01.02.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.no3lenham.co.uk/products/hannoh-wessel-romilda-dress-in-red-check"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Long Sleeved Dress from No.3 Shop</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://neilson-online.co.uk/products/hannoh-wessel?_pos=4&_sid=6b5b8e858&_ss=r"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Sleeveless dress available from Neilson Etoile</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Skirt thankfully sold out not that I can afford it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Anyway, that's my little chop and change story for my skirt. Yes I could probably have bought myself a similar check skirt but consequently, I have now mastered putting pockets in my skirts and dresses so that's no bad thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-13016990259753889602021-04-20T21:17:00.001+01:002021-04-20T21:27:05.642+01:00Quick OOTD : 20/05/21 Too Late<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UESkfzVIcWI/YH80J_PjMFI/AAAAAAAA2nc/-Mv-W8TSAv8ROTU5UjB1Zn-WSBDSCTq9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/mj3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UESkfzVIcWI/YH80J_PjMFI/AAAAAAAA2nc/-Mv-W8TSAv8ROTU5UjB1Zn-WSBDSCTq9gCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/mj3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWEgn6IsoR4/YH80TsPN44I/AAAAAAAA2ng/udNqLkPPLJgyI7fraVBX-ekvC3SDKN5dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/mj2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWEgn6IsoR4/YH80TsPN44I/AAAAAAAA2ng/udNqLkPPLJgyI7fraVBX-ekvC3SDKN5dQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/mj2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xboe0I2YbDM/YH80aUxjsYI/AAAAAAAA2no/s_-930L8UCcdDlVeRO2zDNASDoDlLrzGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/mj1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xboe0I2YbDM/YH80aUxjsYI/AAAAAAAA2no/s_-930L8UCcdDlVeRO2zDNASDoDlLrzGQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/mj1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Primark Shirt (Old) Similar <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/oversized-striped-shirt-p08010763.html?v1=80824467&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9_mDBhCGARIsAN3PaFPjLxcJ4ApVvcGY_LJHAePZCf1v-sQmmTi-Bw7Dg0O3hzyN4Ln4PDYaAqrCEALw_wcB"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Here</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Levis 501</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Margaret Howell Tote (Old) Still Available <a href="https://www.margarethowell.co.uk/womens/shop/accessories/logo-bag-cotton-drill-navy"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Here</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Navy Mary Janes Available <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/China-Velvet-Shoes-Sizes-UK/dp/B00520S6PO/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=velvet%2Bmary%2Bjane&qid=1618949642&sr=8-8&th=1"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Here</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I missed the date for returning these little Mary Janes as I dithered so long whether to keep or not.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So it looks like I'm keeping and wearing then.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">------------------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Last Note :</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><ul><li>I bought the <a href="https://www.epitomeofedinburgh.com/item/6942/DrogheriaCrivellini/Mary-Jane-Navy-Velvet.html"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Drogheria Crivellini</b></span></a> ones as well to compare and they were beautiful and came in a lovely little box and everything but my feet didn't suit them as much as the ones I ended up keeping. On the plus side, I saved a few pounds.</li></ul></div><p><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-58990902403301039652021-03-13T22:07:00.003+00:002021-03-14T07:21:39.803+00:00Crafty Time : Hemming my Myza PJ Bottoms<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_fnLdzxriI/YE0x26gOp9I/AAAAAAAA1fI/KvxjEh6afq08Eza9bitkgS1FJ0tM1nmnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/pjs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_fnLdzxriI/YE0x26gOp9I/AAAAAAAA1fI/KvxjEh6afq08Eza9bitkgS1FJ0tM1nmnQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/pjs.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.myza.co/women-s-cotton-pyjama-trouser-set-blue-leopard"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Myza Pyjamas</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Some of us are blessed with height. I was not one of those. And not only was I not blessed with height, I was even blessed with shorter legs than I should have had - fully operational mind you, so I can't complain but yup, I was a little short changed on the leg length. So long of body, short of leg but they gave me extra in the butt area though. How very kind.</p><p><br /></p><p>Which leads me on to the fact that my lovely Myza pyjamas which I got last year were a little long for me. "Does it really matter seeing as how no one is going to see you in them?" asked the hubs. "Why yes it does!" because as I explained to him, the fact that you can't see my feet in the pants is not really the look I was going for. So I finally pulled my finger out and got the sewing machine out and set it up. It took two mins and three months. That's all.</p><p><br /></p><p>So what was putting me off? The fact that they had that fancy piped hem detailing, that's what. But in my own way, I like a bit of a challenge and I had already kind of worked out what needed doing. And in case any of you have nothing better to do with your time and you have any blouse cuffs and trouser hems which are similar, well here's what I did.</p><p><br /></p><p>Measure and mark out the length you want your trousers to be. I've used a pen but in this instance, no one will see that pen mark ever again so it doesn't matter too much. Normal people use tailors chalk.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4UnGf7G1kfM/YE0nq9ZtBvI/AAAAAAAA1do/mCPSNBko_a8upirNlcGOCUwTR-93h7HIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/myza1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4UnGf7G1kfM/YE0nq9ZtBvI/AAAAAAAA1do/mCPSNBko_a8upirNlcGOCUwTR-93h7HIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/myza1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Where I have drawn a line is the actual length I want them to be but it is also my cutting line. When you have cut the length, you will need to unpick the bottom trim as seen below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5L4-FB27P3k/YE0oD8W9t_I/AAAAAAAA1dw/NlLtcve0L14u5segcHQ-pcpgrqZQCxvEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/myza3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5L4-FB27P3k/YE0oD8W9t_I/AAAAAAAA1dw/NlLtcve0L14u5segcHQ-pcpgrqZQCxvEACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/myza3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Get rid of the spare material so you are left with just the neat cuff hem. I also put a pin at the front of the trouser and a pin on the front piece of the cuff hem so I know where to put things back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yxZ-gvMjCE8/YE0ph8nJYLI/AAAAAAAA1eA/Y1Cuf2WCyUYEoqAYtxPv7U9v69mgVYJ0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/myza4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yxZ-gvMjCE8/YE0ph8nJYLI/AAAAAAAA1eA/Y1Cuf2WCyUYEoqAYtxPv7U9v69mgVYJ0ACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/myza4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div>Turn the cuff hem inside out and pop inside the trouser leg as below. The bottom of the trouser needs to align with the middle crease of the cuff hem. Pin in to place ready to sew. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nb9cVM4wNs/YE0sSMR8B_I/AAAAAAAA1eI/nZk3ZumOj84knxv1XRl83WqOwB3dbZEAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/myza5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nb9cVM4wNs/YE0sSMR8B_I/AAAAAAAA1eI/nZk3ZumOj84knxv1XRl83WqOwB3dbZEAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/myza5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0JMFnvOpno/YE0tsuSLLcI/AAAAAAAA1eQ/Yya5w3KT0dUtdIizNctyzYq1lriz1bgEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/myza10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0JMFnvOpno/YE0tsuSLLcI/AAAAAAAA1eQ/Yya5w3KT0dUtdIizNctyzYq1lriz1bgEgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/myza10.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Turn the trousers inside out and you are now ready to sew the cuff hem in to place. Sew along the top of the edge - I followed the original stitch line here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLTbtmVyTUE/YE02d61N5sI/AAAAAAAA1fY/CPeKG7uAa-0I4XGVmcf_8o2Bf3juZE2AgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/pjsarrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLTbtmVyTUE/YE02d61N5sI/AAAAAAAA1fY/CPeKG7uAa-0I4XGVmcf_8o2Bf3juZE2AgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/pjsarrow.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT3DpQB2EF0/YE0uml5CpAI/AAAAAAAA1eY/cm2dwdV7n70nWQfF9IfOimdybsfSj-leACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/myza11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT3DpQB2EF0/YE0uml5CpAI/AAAAAAAA1eY/cm2dwdV7n70nWQfF9IfOimdybsfSj-leACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/myza11.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Turn the trousers back on to the correct side. You can now see the line of stitching you have just done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmkKgHE3CcU/YE0u_Wgf_LI/AAAAAAAA1eg/HbFI5SYMGIsi0GEZaU5sVqAr8cvtDAcowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/myza12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmkKgHE3CcU/YE0u_Wgf_LI/AAAAAAAA1eg/HbFI5SYMGIsi0GEZaU5sVqAr8cvtDAcowCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/myza12.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Fold up the bottom of the cuff hem. And you're ready to sew in to place. Sew as close to the piping as you can. And you're done!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qg1OKY8JFtE/YE0vrUqBylI/AAAAAAAA1eo/3UBr23q0VQ4dC69F9lbBdGn_KW_QzfUMACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/myza13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qg1OKY8JFtE/YE0vrUqBylI/AAAAAAAA1eo/3UBr23q0VQ4dC69F9lbBdGn_KW_QzfUMACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/myza13.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZTfykEIhfU/YE0wJNpvJdI/AAAAAAAA1ew/MIgJXH7SpVYfd9scQL-9-ekUVQD6w9GXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/myza14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZTfykEIhfU/YE0wJNpvJdI/AAAAAAAA1ew/MIgJXH7SpVYfd9scQL-9-ekUVQD6w9GXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/myza14.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZybI9_3XXYw/YE0w840O9jI/AAAAAAAA1fA/i5PPDkEzzgAkCpWe1P00mPhBxZw8VMRSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/myza15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZybI9_3XXYw/YE0w840O9jI/AAAAAAAA1fA/i5PPDkEzzgAkCpWe1P00mPhBxZw8VMRSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/myza15.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">--------------------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Hope that's helpful, I don't really sew in that I don't follow patterns and make dresses or anything, I just shorten things every now and then and make it up as I go along. Or find a Youtube video. 😁</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-on-3yLtWliU/YE01VnvcEmI/AAAAAAAA1fQ/_64QBdd_HawByUt-6ehRzeZf8Nr1aTVMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/thumbnail_2021-03-13-094128809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-on-3yLtWliU/YE01VnvcEmI/AAAAAAAA1fQ/_64QBdd_HawByUt-6ehRzeZf8Nr1aTVMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/thumbnail_2021-03-13-094128809.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They look alright don't they and I can see my feet!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-45925041982156765952021-03-05T22:40:00.001+00:002021-03-05T22:40:46.907+00:00Friday Five : 5th March 2021<p>Back in the room, back in the room. And we're back to a Friday Five. What's been happening around my parts then?</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (1 of 5) Baggu</u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXN55h2pTjc/YEKcHRBWdMI/AAAAAAAA1RI/ZJIGyBmKe0kcZfNm7vyF_lCBH3R17kE4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2019/Screenshot%2B2021-03-05%2Bat%2B20.59.58.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="2019" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXN55h2pTjc/YEKcHRBWdMI/AAAAAAAA1RI/ZJIGyBmKe0kcZfNm7vyF_lCBH3R17kE4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h438/Screenshot%2B2021-03-05%2Bat%2B20.59.58.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://plasticfreedom.co.uk/products/baggu-duck-bag-eucalyptus"><span style="color: #990000;">Green Baggu Duck Bag</span></a><br /><a href="https://plasticfreedom.co.uk/products/baggu-duck-bag-leopard"><span style="color: #990000;">Leopard Baggu Duck Bag</span></a><br /><a href="https://plasticfreedom.co.uk/products/baggu-giant-pocket-tote-bag-washed-mixed-berry"><span style="color: #990000;">Lilac Baggu Giant Tote Bag</span></a></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>I've always loved a tote bag and never more so than currently whilst we've been in lockdown. They're just brilliant for taking on a supermarket shop and you just stuff them with all the other bags you need for your actual shopping. Thing is, I've always used them as an accessory rather than something just useful - go through my Instagram feed and you will find many a tote bag dotted here and there. I have them in different colours to lend a little something to lift an outfit usually. And I have way too many but I can never say no them. I have a few of the regular Baggu shoppers but not had an actual Baggu duck bag as yet. I'm quite liking the green one up there - it feels quite fresh and statement and besides which I don't think I have a green tote bag. I'm also liking the Olsen Twin vibes for the summer - loose shirts and big bags - I think I'll be running with that look for this summer but with a Baggu bag.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) Over to the Dark Side</u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53SW6fjF930/YEKRm0Q3TVI/AAAAAAAA1Q4/K1o5SZKyfY8UUdgq94jpSR6w7HwZxuABwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/paint.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53SW6fjF930/YEKRm0Q3TVI/AAAAAAAA1Q4/K1o5SZKyfY8UUdgq94jpSR6w7HwZxuABwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/paint.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Going for it with Little Green Lamp Black! The dark paint on the right.</div><p><br /></p><p>We've had our garden table and chairs for probably about twelve years? And we started painting them about four years ago as they were in definite need of some TLC. I originally had some Valspar garden paint mixed up at B&Q in a shade called Mountain Ridge which was a greyish green. It's lovely and every time I'm on Instagram stories giving my table a bit of a touch up, you can guarantee there will be some enquiries about what colour it is. But four years on, I'm ready for a change and I've decided to go over to the dark side to compliment the garden sofa set we've got ourselves this year. Anyway to cut a long story short, after to-ing and fro-ing and trying lots of different colours, I worked out in order to get the colour you want - you need to go several shades darker than you originally intended as it always looks different outside in natural light. We have used Farrow & Ball's Moles Breath inside and that looks a lovely deep grey shade inside but outside - it becomes that pale grey on the left of the table. So I took a deep breath and said to the lady in the store, I'll take the Little Green Lamp Black which is a very deep grey almost black. Fingers crossed it doesn't look like an undercoat when I finish. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Little Spoils</u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qX2RYT3mEg8/YEKT9wVVk0I/AAAAAAAA1RA/eaAUnITbonEAAoso7N2Rz75usXFfb2ZFACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/YTC.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qX2RYT3mEg8/YEKT9wVVk0I/AAAAAAAA1RA/eaAUnITbonEAAoso7N2Rz75usXFfb2ZFACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/YTC.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Random goodies (to me)</div><p><br /></p><p>In Yorkshire, there are some stores called the <a href="https://www.yorkshiretrading.com/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Yorkshire Trading Company.</b></span></a> I love 'em. They have all sorts in them - you want clothes pegs, they have them, you want freezer bags, they have them, you want haberdashery stuff, they have it, you want a plug for your kitchen sink, they have it, ping pong balls - they have them! They have stuff you don't even know you want till you see it. That's my little haul up there. </p><p><br /></p><p>I have a few heavy garden pots so I snapped up the Move It Triangle Dolly when I saw it. Pop a full plant pot on it and roll it along to where you want it! And I treated myself to some new secateurs. How good they are, I don't know but they've got to be better than the really bad ones I've got to do my Laurel hedges with. And heel grips! I need those for a pair of suede espadrilles which are just a little loose around the back and I figured it was time to finally get those sorted out. And then I spotted the Artist paintbrushes! At £1.50 they're not that good but I'm not painting masterpieces, I'm using them to get into the tiny bits when I'm painting between the slats on the garden table I'm planning to paint. And last but not least, I couldn't leave those ironing board fasteners - very useful when you've got a slightly too big ironing board cover which needs tightening up. I don't know how I managed this long without any of that lot up there!</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) The Marlow Murder Club</u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1uZyjh2-Lt4/YEKiyrlBnDI/AAAAAAAA1RU/UK7ae1hkhXwzSKRldTD5f7qB9ds3uYpuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1468/Screenshot%2B2021-03-05%2Bat%2B21.29.01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="951" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1uZyjh2-Lt4/YEKiyrlBnDI/AAAAAAAA1RU/UK7ae1hkhXwzSKRldTD5f7qB9ds3uYpuwCLcBGAsYHQ/w414-h640/Screenshot%2B2021-03-05%2Bat%2B21.29.01.png" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Marlow-Murder-Club-gripping-Paradise/dp/000843591X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr="><span style="color: #990000;"><b>The Marlow Murder Club</b></span></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I thought I was going to love the <span style="color: #990000;"><b>The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman</b></span> but I found it a bit of a slog actually. I can't quite put my finger on it but on paper, it was everything I liked - a cosy murder story i.e. not too gory with a few little twists and turns. Took me over a month to read it. The hubs used to ask me how far I'd got with it on a daily basis and I was only ever two pages further and I always found something else to do. However ... The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood - I read that in two days. Started before I went to bed one night and finished it the early hours of the next. Loved it and love the characters in it especially Judith Potts - bonkers and brill. Can't wait for the new book coming out when it does! </p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) Blunnies</u></i></b></p><p><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHM4N4GyGdU/YEKmlyY9uPI/AAAAAAAA1Rg/YnLew-atpvMjFbxVwcCJJB7bmDbV546IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/blunnies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHM4N4GyGdU/YEKmlyY9uPI/AAAAAAAA1Rg/YnLew-atpvMjFbxVwcCJJB7bmDbV546IwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/blunnies.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.legendfootwear.co.uk/products/blundstone-1306-rustic-brown-womens-leather-boots-54691"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Blundstone 1306 Chisel Toe Dress Shoe</span></b></a></div><br /><p>It was my birthday on Wednesday and I finally got my Blundstones. Hubs had ordered them a few weeks ago and they've been sat in his office taunting me since they arrived as I've been itching to get them on and break them in on my dog walks with Mags. I went with the chisel toe 1306 style in rustic brown which is what I said I originally wanted, a few Friday Fives back. I went for my usual size and they come up a little roomy but not hugely which means I've been able to put some sheepskin inners in them for a little extra comfort and bounce. I wouldn't have gone down a size I know that. I think some ladies may also struggle a little with the narrowish ankle even though they are elasticated but I think they will give a little with wear over time. Having talked to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofloubee/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Lou</span></b></a> who had ordered two Blundstone styles to decide between, it turns out that the chisel toed are a little more feminine and longer on the foot but the tread on the sole on the regular round toed boot is more pronouced and maybe better if you're more of a trekker than me.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjMlYbgZD4c/YEKm6Bk1MgI/AAAAAAAA1Ro/6C0lfu8UQGwrFopLgO23EdvNUUHXkcK7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/blunnies2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjMlYbgZD4c/YEKm6Bk1MgI/AAAAAAAA1Ro/6C0lfu8UQGwrFopLgO23EdvNUUHXkcK7ACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/blunnies2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me testing out the boots. No problems to report.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My reason for choosing the rustic brown finish? You can't tell when someone has stamped on your feet.</div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">----------------------------</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Have a good weekend you all!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-90778363473304534012021-02-12T23:02:00.000+00:002021-02-12T23:02:16.086+00:00Friday Five : 12th February 2021<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>[AD : Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links]</i></span></b></p><p><br /></p><p>I blipped last week. No Friday Five. My bad. Forgive me?</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (1 of 5) Elegant Lounging</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>I've always loved the Desmond & Dempsey pyjamas but couldn't quite bring myself to splash out on a pair. I've put these <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brFFI"><b><span style="color: #990000;">ones</span></b></a> in my basket many a time but just never checked out. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEpsG53GTZ0/YCWkp9Y0NuI/AAAAAAAA0fQ/bH5XYI0Ndi48ed0duCFSco9JdRg5CSTAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2001/Screenshot%2B2021-02-11%2Bat%2B21.40.02.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="2001" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEpsG53GTZ0/YCWkp9Y0NuI/AAAAAAAA0fQ/bH5XYI0Ndi48ed0duCFSco9JdRg5CSTAgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h444/Screenshot%2B2021-02-11%2Bat%2B21.40.02.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.myza.co/shop/sleepwear-nightwear/women-pyjamas?brand=1194"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Cotton PJ Sets from Myza</b></span></a></p><p><br /></p><p>And then I came across the Myza website whilst idly browsing one evening last year. And now I am the proud owner of those aqua leopard ones on the bottom row. They're lovely and not dissimilar to the D&D ones I wanted but just in a totally different colourway. They're well made and a nice mid weight cotton and I'd totally buy another set but I've banned myself from buying any more pjs, I seem to have built up quite a collection recently. Whilst everyone has been building up their sweatshirt jogger co-ord combinations during lockdown, I've chosen to lounge in nice pj's instead. Makes me feel a little bit more put together even if I'm in dire need of a haircut.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) My Cooking Saviour</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>If you've followed for some time, you'll know I'm a bit of a reluctant cook. I like my recipes simple - preferably, pictures, ingredients and instructions all fitting on one page please! And lockdown seems to be an eternal cookfest - you've probably all been there. And I've been looking for some nice simple things to feed the family and but my absolute saviour has been <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasfamilykitchen/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Annasfamilykitchen</b></span></a> on Instagram. I like the straightforward instructions and the nice normal ingredients - nothing too out there like black onion seeds and mace blades required which you need a pinch of and you will not use for another three years. That's a proper mum cook there. I like her. A lot. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S99fWtbJotw/YCWW1A-v9aI/AAAAAAAA0fI/tC5BYrIn7yQ7diqgN5JmGE50Z7qNfZtDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1571/Screenshot%2B2021-02-11%2Bat%2B20.41.36.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1571" data-original-width="1300" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S99fWtbJotw/YCWW1A-v9aI/AAAAAAAA0fI/tC5BYrIn7yQ7diqgN5JmGE50Z7qNfZtDwCLcBGAsYHQ/w530-h640/Screenshot%2B2021-02-11%2Bat%2B20.41.36.png" width="530" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasfamilykitchen/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Annasfamilykitchen</span></b></a></div><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Mary Janes</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>Am I too old for Mary Janes. Am I? Asking for a friend. Honestly, every week, there is something on my Friday Five about my latest shoe fad. I've done the Vejas, Blundstones and the New Balance and now ... I'm all about the little velvet Mary Janes which my family would ROFL* at the very thought. Yep - we're talking about those little Kung Fu shoes which suddenly seem to have infiltrated my IG feed and consciousness. Now they're cheap as chips really if you were going to get a bog standard black cotton pair but the ones currently doing the rounds are the velvet ones. I'm a sucker for velvet. There's an olive green velvet pair which keeps popping up and peeking my interest. I did go and check them out and thankfully they're sold out so we can lay that to rest for now. The brown is quite nice though. And the teal. And the yellow ....</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yF_rSYPMSi0/YCb2TV3y2cI/AAAAAAAA0kw/iJKd2EDc3CQMOQ5ZGCh3g7kO6cywUuFOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1540/Screenshot%2B2021-02-12%2Bat%2B21.39.12.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="1540" height="524" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yF_rSYPMSi0/YCb2TV3y2cI/AAAAAAAA0kw/iJKd2EDc3CQMOQ5ZGCh3g7kO6cywUuFOACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h524/Screenshot%2B2021-02-12%2Bat%2B21.39.12.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inspo and images taken from <a href="https://aimelondon.com/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Aime</b></span></a> Online Store (beautiful clothes!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'd wear all that up there. I already have the jeans and jute bag. 😊</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brHV1"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>1. Hush Florence Striped Shirt</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brHWn"><span style="color: #990000;">2. Levis 501 Straight Jeans</span></a> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brHWu"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>3. Mango Leather Bag</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://aimelondon.com/collections/bags-shoes/products/mary-jane"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>4. Drogheria Crivellini Olive Velvet Mary Janes</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://tidystreetstore.com/collections/footwear/products/drogheria-crivellini-mary-janes-in-brown"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>5. Drogheria Crivellini Brown Velvet Mary Janes</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.maisonbengal.co.uk/product/hand-woven-jute-bag-14/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>6. Maison Bengal Jute Bag</b></span></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Just such a pretty but relaxed look. I've always liked a ballet pump but the Mary Jane style just rings the changes. Sometimes I wear the same look from year to year, I just change the accessories to bring things up to date.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) Mondays Mondays</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>I know most people hate Mondays but I don't mind them - I'm one of the lucky few. I've got a little routine going where I pack some eBay parcels on a Monday morning and me and Mags (doggo) take a walk to the village shop where the mobile post office turns up, we post the parcels and we pick up a loaf of bread for lunch and we mosey on home. Some days we pick up a cauliflower or a cabbage but what I didn't realise was that cauliflowers are quite a bit more than cabbages. Did you?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04s7C9OFjZE/YCb_z170JKI/AAAAAAAA0lM/iSQpujcaROY2K1YHOkGPg-JVZlWxCXWKACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/cabbage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04s7C9OFjZE/YCb_z170JKI/AAAAAAAA0lM/iSQpujcaROY2K1YHOkGPg-JVZlWxCXWKACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/cabbage.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cauliflower £1.55</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cabbage 90p</div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) Kung Hei Fat Choy</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>"Don't look on Amazon orders today will you?" the hubs said. "I've bought something I don't want you to see". </p><p>It arrived yesterday. This is what he bought.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MsjlsiNqsI/YCb-8WncMzI/AAAAAAAA0lE/zUAblfOFRssbxu0w6sbq3nSG9Jl_XXjhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s934/cny.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="934" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MsjlsiNqsI/YCb-8WncMzI/AAAAAAAA0lE/zUAblfOFRssbxu0w6sbq3nSG9Jl_XXjhwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/cny.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>A whacking big New Year Poster! </p><p>Kung Hei Fat Choy!</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">------------------------------</p><p><br /></p><p>Last Note :</p><p><br /></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Myza pyjamas are a little long in the leg for shorty me but nothing that I can't sort out, just incase anyone was wondering if they were suitable for people taller than 5ft 1 and a bit. They are.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Some of the Myza designs are not yet in stock - they take pre-orders and sometimes they have a discount code for early orders. Worth keeping an eye out if you're interested and like nice pyjamas.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>*ROFL Roll on floor laughing.</li></ul><div><br /></div><p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-41640545774304550242021-01-29T20:42:00.001+00:002021-01-29T21:00:00.825+00:00Friday Five : 29th January 2021<p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><i>[AD : Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links]</i></span></b></p><p><br /></p><p>It's been a bit of a slow week this week at SoSo Towers. Just taking life slow. It's precious.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (1 of 5) Blue Hues</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>Currently loving the blue hues on the Mango site. Have I told you how much I love blue? I love blue .... a lot.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UD4sxYPSz0/YBRBLPKXPkI/AAAAAAAA0GI/Sngi1fSTZBc6P0uRruxXAO5LkbI2YhyQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1922/Screenshot%2B2021-01-29%2Bat%2B17.05.44.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="1922" height="446" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UD4sxYPSz0/YBRBLPKXPkI/AAAAAAAA0GI/Sngi1fSTZBc6P0uRruxXAO5LkbI2YhyQACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h446/Screenshot%2B2021-01-29%2Bat%2B17.05.44.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brfA1"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Mango - A Step in to Indigo</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There's definitely a nod to Isabel Marant and that's no bad thing - that <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brfAS"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>blue jumper</b></span></a> up there is a lovely affordable version to this sold out <b><a href="https://www.isabelmarant.com/no/isabel-marant-etoile/long-sleeve-jumper_cod14001063ix.html"><span style="color: #990000;">one</span></a><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></b>and it's in cotton too which reminds me of the jumpers that were really popular in the eighties which I couldn't afford. It's not all available as yet and some of it is still coming in to stock at the time of posting this blog but I have that <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brfAO"><b><span style="color: #990000;">purpley blue quilted jacket</span></b></a> bookmarked. Just so you know.</div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) Woolly Balls</u></i></b></p><p><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></p><p>I bought some dryer balls last year for the tumble dryer and used them quite successfully on a down coat of mine. For some reason, I didn't like the idea of tumbling proper tennis balls around as I have visions of them exploding with the heat although I've never heard reports of such mishaps to date. Well, the dryer balls were okay (my coat came out okay) but they are quite hard and really noisy banging around in the drum and I thought they might be a little aggressive on some clothing and besides which they all seem to have gone AWOL. Anyway, going through Home Bargains this week (next to the Lidl so I couldn't resist a nosey in), I found these woolly balls which do the same job. How good they are, I don't know but they've got to be kinder than those plastic ones I used to have. Anyone used them? If they're rubbish, I know Maggie would love them.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hSaydesZWs/YBRktNpbPQI/AAAAAAAA0Go/f_Z9XFrQ08oftpnXCQLH6_EISribfkpAACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/mags1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hSaydesZWs/YBRktNpbPQI/AAAAAAAA0Go/f_Z9XFrQ08oftpnXCQLH6_EISribfkpAACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/mags1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fvf6x_jY1GE/YBRktMF1zHI/AAAAAAAA0Gk/iyxgMNqfW18LxXNXJVfNFKNCy88i90RKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/mags2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fvf6x_jY1GE/YBRktMF1zHI/AAAAAAAA0Gk/iyxgMNqfW18LxXNXJVfNFKNCy88i90RKQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/mags2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.homebargains.co.uk/products/9546-wooly-tumblers-dryer-balls.aspx"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Woolly Tumblers</b></span></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Easy Peasy Squeezy Squeezy</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>I had a bit of an accident this week with a rather full bottle of cooking oil. It was a new bottle and the plastic was a bit flimsy and so when I held it, I inadvertently squeezed the sides and I created my own little oil geyser. Cue silent cursing (boys were in the same room) and copious amounts of kitchen roll to mop up the oily mess. The next day whilst idly browsing instagram stories, I spotted someone's kitchen shelves which were organised to the hilt and she had a little tray of squeezy bottles for her sauces. Lightbulb moment and frantic googling for squeezy sauce bottles commenced.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhLd89hRshE/YBRmyc_SHNI/AAAAAAAA0G0/TJrBeXIiuu4q1GSSzGy67qQ9kvHs1FohwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/oil.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhLd89hRshE/YBRmyc_SHNI/AAAAAAAA0G0/TJrBeXIiuu4q1GSSzGy67qQ9kvHs1FohwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/oil.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Metaltex-252960-Squeezy-Saucens-Dispenser/dp/B001Y7Z7VA"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Metaltex Squeezy Bottles</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p>I did find some on that famous place that begins with A that no one wants to give their money too as the big boss man has already made too many billions to comprehend but as I'm not going out anywhere at the moment to look for squeezy sauce bottles, I ordered myself a little set. Please don't judge me, however ... you can get them cheaper from Ikea as and when it opens again and I'm sure there are a lot of other places which have them if you have the patience and tenacity to seek them out. You might not even want any but they are quite useful for squirting oil accurately where you want it and they make you feel a little "Mastercheffy".</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) Suckered</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>Ding! 20% off at COS if you're signed up as a subscriber. Well I'm signed up as a subscriber and it is one of my favourite places to browse. I don't fit in a lot of their stuff admittedly (and thankfully) and a lot of their shapes are just a little too exaggerated on someone of my proportions but there is the odd nice little piece which I pick up from season to season. The blue top and the balloon joggers caught my eye. When I see stuff like that, I like to put them in a collage with stuff that I have similar in my wardrobe to see how it's all going to work together. Some people have a massive trying on fest, I knock up collages. It's like the 2021 version of paper dolls.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WW9mi3FmmLA/YBRoqfVmEeI/AAAAAAAA0G8/D4ubJaCGYMsWurL3hwpOUkb5FeYktCmKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1929/Screenshot%2B2021-01-29%2Bat%2B19.55.54.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1307" data-original-width="1929" height="434" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WW9mi3FmmLA/YBRoqfVmEeI/AAAAAAAA0G8/D4ubJaCGYMsWurL3hwpOUkb5FeYktCmKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h434/Screenshot%2B2021-01-29%2Bat%2B19.55.54.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brfzR"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>1. Cos Windbreaker Top</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brfAl"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>2. Levis 501 Straight Leg Jeans</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/accessories/headwear/caps/product.leather-baseball-cap-black.0901160001.html?utm_source=Lyst+UK/EU&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=66041&utm_content=15&utm_term=851548&ranMID=41994&ranEAID=gcdL/ATRVoE&ranSiteID=gcdL_ATRVoE-hSABm5NPHlctepVKpT.8_w"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>3. Other Stories Leather Baseball Cap</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/padded-mobile-phone-bag-p13941620.html?v1=95124803&v2=1720458"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>4. Zara Mobile Phone Bag</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brfzE"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>5. New Balance 327 in Moonlight</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/embossed-mini-crossbody-bag-p13600720.html?v1=78493017&v2=1720458"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>6. Zara Embossed Bag</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.reserved.com/gb/en/yr058-79x/yr058-79x-t01-kurtka-k-re"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>7. Reserved Green Padded Jacket</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brfz2"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>8. Vans Chequerboard Pumps</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brfzZ"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>9. Weekday Sweatshirt</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brfwd"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>10. Cos Barrel Joggers</b></span></a></div><br /><p>The CoS Windbreaker top, I just love the sporty shape of it and teamed with dark denim which I already have, I think it cuts quite a sharp silhouette.</p><p><br /></p><p>The little bags - I'm forever looking at either great big huge totes or teeny weeny small bum bags, the latter of which I love for housing gloves, phone and poo bags on my daily dog walks.</p><p><br /></p><p>And I'm liking the new shape 327 New Balance which is quite different from their previous styles. I missed out on the the 327 Staud collaboration with New Balance (I still search in vain) but that pair up there is a nice alternative - clean and crisp.</p><p><br /></p><p>I have to say, I've been pretty impressed with the padded coats from Reserved. I have the longer version of that cropped green one up there and when my friend saw me in it, she said "Where's that from?" so I take that as I chose a nice looking coat. The proportions of mine are good for a smaller person and it doesn't overwhelm but I'm pretty sure the cropped version would work similarly. I just like having my bum covered.</p><p><br /></p><p>And the balloon joggers. I have resisted joggers all through lockdown. But these could be the ones to turn me.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) Cuppa Tea Time</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzwucZm0P3g/YBRibcKQm7I/AAAAAAAA0Gc/eHDg3DuJWBE8gYnpRMmzFptJCKOy2u0AACLcBGAsYHQ/s1154/Screenshot%2B2021-01-29%2Bat%2B19.29.14.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="825" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzwucZm0P3g/YBRibcKQm7I/AAAAAAAA0Gc/eHDg3DuJWBE8gYnpRMmzFptJCKOy2u0AACLcBGAsYHQ/w458-h640/Screenshot%2B2021-01-29%2Bat%2B19.29.14.png" width="458" /><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/brfAw"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Hotel Magique x Anthropologie Mugs</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">We need some new mugs. The Chug Jug mug and the red Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch souvenir mug are not really cutting it and are making my cup shelf look bad. But soon they will be relegated elsewhere (to another cupboard as I hate throwing things out) and two new mugs will take their place. I've gone for the blue Magique Magique one and the one below with the pretty green leaves and Love on it. Which would you have gone for?</span></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">------------------------------</p><p><br /></p><p>Last Note :</p><p><br /></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I also find sellotaping a bit of kitchen roll round the sides of an oil bottle helps to catch drips and stops you having to handle a greasy oil bottle. It works though it's not pretty.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Weekly weigh in. This is like going to Slimming World but I don't have to pay for not having reached my target yet. Down a lb.</li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-30542170697376707322021-01-22T22:28:00.000+00:002021-01-22T22:28:58.250+00:00Friday Five : 22nd January 2021<p> Hello peeps. I'm still here and I'm as amazed as you. Shall we start?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (1 o</u></i></b><b><i><u>f 5) Londoners in London</u></i></b></p><p><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></p><p>I mentioned on Instagram Stories just before Christmas that my favourite account at the time was <a href="https://www.instagram.com/parisiensinparis/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">parisiensinparis</span></b></a> - it seems to be someone going around Paris taking candid shots of real life people wearing real clothes ... stylishly. Nothing posed or dressed up for IG. Well guess what? I've just found <a href="https://www.instagram.com/milanesiamilano/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">milanesiamilano</span></b></a> - someone going around Milan taking candid shots of real life people wearing real clothes .... stylishly. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGk69WXAnV0/YArxblVvG0I/AAAAAAAAzj8/pQMWvGfSwzQQK3fDYbMnw5H21_3ynOSHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1209/thumbnail_Screenshot_20210122-152907_Instagram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="899" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGk69WXAnV0/YArxblVvG0I/AAAAAAAAzj8/pQMWvGfSwzQQK3fDYbMnw5H21_3ynOSHACLcBGAsYHQ/w476-h640/thumbnail_Screenshot_20210122-152907_Instagram.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Someone in Milan looking cool.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>And just for the hell of it, I wondered if there was someone going around London taking candid shots of real life people wearing real clothes .... stylishly. Well look what I found - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/londonersinlondon_/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">londonersinlondon</span></b> </a> !</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CNYE0pFPSLM/YArxtSfjjzI/AAAAAAAAzkI/lyY7_c34HbUgheOeP0Ms9rkda4yDVSTvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1159/thumbnail_Screenshot_20210122-152453_Instagram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="870" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CNYE0pFPSLM/YArxtSfjjzI/AAAAAAAAzkI/lyY7_c34HbUgheOeP0Ms9rkda4yDVSTvgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/thumbnail_Screenshot_20210122-152453_Instagram.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Someone in London looking cool.</div><br /><p>Not going to lie - the London account needs a bit of work. The pic above is one of the better pics done well and discreetly. On some of the pics, they've scrubbed the faces out to be assure anonymity but it just looks a little unprofesh in my opinion but it's early days. There's room for improvement but at least someone had the gumption to run with it. #harshbutfair</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) Lockdown Pasttimes</u></i></b></p><p><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></p><p>So remember when adult colouring in books were a bit of thing? I don't mean colouring books of people in the nuddy. You know, where they had intricate patterns and you had to very carefully colour in your lovely picture without going over the lines with your new pack of colouring pens bought specially? They were meant to be therapeutic. Well, I never liked them. Give me a numerical dot to dot any day instead. Speaking of which, I picked one up in the Pound Shop once and didn't pay that much attention to it until I had to occupy my youngest and his mate one morning and gave them a page each to complete out of the book. I was quite tickled when they gave me their pages back. It turned out my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Extreme-Dot-Classic-Pin-Ups/dp/1780979487/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dot+to+dot+pin+ups&qid=1611345068&sr=8-1"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Extreme Dot to Dot Book was of Classic Pin Up Girls</b></span></a>. Anyway, new thing on the block that I spotted on my Costco trip this week .... stickers!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4pEod758uE/YAskYzMYh5I/AAAAAAAAzkU/n4SbS1mdsK0Li0dVHS0KX3ZTwfbr9gCOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1428/Screenshot%2B2021-01-22%2Bat%2B19.13.04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4pEod758uE/YAskYzMYh5I/AAAAAAAAzkU/n4SbS1mdsK0Li0dVHS0KX3ZTwfbr9gCOgCLcBGAsYHQ/w484-h640/Screenshot%2B2021-01-22%2Bat%2B19.13.04.png" width="484" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Geometrics-Striking-Geometric-Sticker-Challenge/dp/1780555865/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1HFIKF7LXUJGC&dchild=1&keywords=geometric+sticker+book&qid=1611342975&sprefix=geormetric+sticker%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-2"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Geometrics Sticker Book</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p> It's like doing a jigsaw without the pieces going everywhere! And you get a little masterpiece when you finish which you can frame as the pics look pretty cool. Suitable also for kids who have lots of tenacity and patience though if you're anything like me, you'll probably want to take over and do it yourself.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Scarfing Around</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>I've got a couple of Burberry cashmere scarves - this is not a humble brag or anything. I didn't buy any of them, I seem to have acquired them from other people over the years. But they've been due a clean for some time and I've been putting it off and as the dry cleaners weren't open, I took matters in to my own hands and bunged them in the washing machine on a cool wool wash at 20 degrees with a couple of jumpers and prayed. Well thankfully they didn't shrink or assume a boiled wool texture but they were a bit crumpled when they came out. I was worried that the creases would set in if I were to let them dry as they were and I wouldn't be able to get the scarves looking good again so what I did was lay them on the ironing boad whilst they were damp, smoothed them out and then lightly ran my iron over them, literally skimmimg the surface. There's no pressure applied here - it doesn't need it. All the proper Cashmere aficionados out there are now going 😱 but the idea was that the heat would relax the creases out. You could probably achieve with a steamer as well but I prefer to do it with an iron so I can lie it flat on the board as I "press". Then leave on a bannister to dry gently overnight.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMJXeytLfC4/YAsrTQ_y4-I/AAAAAAAAzkc/UGL8zXxjlw02krN3TonVVJp-ZMld9vwxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1421/Screenshot%2B2021-01-22%2Bat%2B19.42.26.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1421" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMJXeytLfC4/YAsrTQ_y4-I/AAAAAAAAzkc/UGL8zXxjlw02krN3TonVVJp-ZMld9vwxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w486-h640/Screenshot%2B2021-01-22%2Bat%2B19.42.26.png" width="486" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I would never pick this colour for a scarf - it's a bit meh.</div><br /><p>Anyway, they've turned out beautiful, they smell better and the wool even seems a little bouncier than before. Woohoo.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) Inspired</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>I saved that outfit below that I spotted on the Studio Nicholson IG account. I just loved the colours and the shape. So I took the inspo and ran with it to COS and came across lots of lovely stuff.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0TMecy5ArQ/YAtK8jQOsRI/AAAAAAAAzks/YYG961Q3CqswZJFg_8T43etQZKHIQzKFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1802/Screenshot%2B2021-01-22%2Bat%2B21.57.52.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1802" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0TMecy5ArQ/YAtK8jQOsRI/AAAAAAAAzks/YYG961Q3CqswZJFg_8T43etQZKHIQzKFQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h414/Screenshot%2B2021-01-22%2Bat%2B21.57.52.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/tops/product.knitted-lambswool-top-green.0967702001.html"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>1. Khaki Lambswool Jumper</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/skirts/product.asymmetric-a-line-skirt-black.0938285001.html"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>2. Black Asymmetric Skirt</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/accessories/hats-scarves-and-gloves/scarves/product.wool-mix-blanket-scarf-brown.0940935001.html"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>3. Wool Mix Blanket Scarf</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/accessories/bags/product.leather-padded-mini-shopper-bag-silver.0920216002.html"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>4. Silver Bag</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/accessories/shoes/boots/product.chunky-leather-chelsea-boots-black.0925803001.html"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>5. Black Chunky Boots</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/knitwear/jumpers/product.recycled-cashmere-wool-mix-cropped-jumper-grey.0911375001.html"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>6. Grey Cashmere Wool Mix Jumper</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/skirts/product.wool-cotton-a-line-skirt-yellow.0932507001.html"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>7. Wool Cotton Mix Skirt</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I love that sweet little khaki lambswool jumper which is so perfect for these a-line/full shaped skirts which I love. Strangely drawn to the silver bag too - I'm just a closet magpie but it's a fab neutral too don't you think? And the colour of that skirt on the right - yum!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) Not Proud</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>This home learning thing really brings it home how much you don't know these days or can't remember or just chose to forget. Anyway, when the youngest didn't understand something on his maths today, I offered to pay my eldest to tutor him. It was above the minimum wage so I think he did alright for half an hour's work.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">--------------------------------</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Last Note :</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li>Weekly weigh in. I'm down another lb. Do the pot stirring happy dance.</li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-19853765057228001052021-01-19T21:09:00.002+00:002021-01-22T08:58:39.231+00:00Quick OOTD : 19/01/21 Got Dressed<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eazJoL-mrBs/YAYHpaAbmmI/AAAAAAAAzis/_a5-m7QlGJQSM41EiSzSPJ4WwnBX8A2nACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/thumbnail_2021-01-18-083233528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eazJoL-mrBs/YAYHpaAbmmI/AAAAAAAAzis/_a5-m7QlGJQSM41EiSzSPJ4WwnBX8A2nACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/thumbnail_2021-01-18-083233528.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8xNo1zMI6Q/YAYHx95-LQI/AAAAAAAAziw/UxSimLBj8-QdBeKhl6Pgjfhopw22nXfogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/thumbnail_2021-01-18-083232038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8xNo1zMI6Q/YAYHx95-LQI/AAAAAAAAziw/UxSimLBj8-QdBeKhl6Pgjfhopw22nXfogCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/thumbnail_2021-01-18-083232038.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">COS Jumper (old)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">New Look Coat (old)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Uniqlo Scarf (n/a)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://www.zalando.co.uk/topshop-shouldler-across-body-bag-black-tp751h0ug-q11.html"><span style="color: #990000;">Topshop Bag</span></a> </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MiH Tomboy Jeans (old)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Golden Goose Mid Stars (old)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Seems to be all the rage these days - getting dressed to do the supermarket shop.<p></p><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">---------------------------</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nothing major about any of this but just wearing some good old basics which are serving me well. The only new additions in the last few months have been the scarf and the bag. The bag is the smaller version of the big tote I got the other year which I loved and when I saw the smaller one, I just waited and waited till I found it in the sale. I just find the shearling trim adds a bit of fun and interest. The scarf was a Uniqlo one, another little sale buy but has been one of my most used ones this winter - it's just the perfect, width, length and weight and provides that little hit of colour in a non in your face colour kind of way. You know what I mean.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another colour on my radar - green. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wI6u98ft2lA/YAdEUR85HpI/AAAAAAAAzi8/IW9RgDy3oV4-qRTzxkT3-wd_f9ozItycACLcBGAsYHQ/s1858/Screenshot%2B2021-01-19%2Bat%2B20.36.25.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="1858" height="434" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wI6u98ft2lA/YAdEUR85HpI/AAAAAAAAzi8/IW9RgDy3oV4-qRTzxkT3-wd_f9ozItycACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h434/Screenshot%2B2021-01-19%2Bat%2B20.36.25.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://mhulot.co.uk/products/loe-bum-bag-deep-green"><b><span style="color: #990000;">1. M.Hulot Loe Bum Bag</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.weekday.com/en_gbp/women/accessories/product.cheerio-mittens-black.0912539001.html?utm_campaign=&utm_content=&utm_source=Channable&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&gclid=CjwKCAiAgJWABhArEiwAmNVTB9yrpQ-aJLe39egK5B0qf7hf5EIynVHz5EnGv1dn4blAKOWlyRm_6hoCaZEQAvD_BwE"><b><span style="color: #990000;">2. Weekday Leather Mittens </span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.themercantilelondon.com/products/leon-harper-elliot-seaweed-check-scarf?_pos=24&_sid=21e5b6dd7&_ss=r"><b><span style="color: #990000;">3. Leon & Harper Scarf</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/5,22/1174310508"><b><span style="color: #990000;">4. Nike Blazer Mid Tops</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cashmere-round-neck-jumper/p/clp60264476?image=SD_01_T38_3552_T4_X_EC_90&color=GREYMIX&prevPage=srp#intid=prodColourId-60458942&gid=1&pid=2"><b><span style="color: #990000;">5. M&S Grey Crew Neck Cashmere Jumper</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0870822003.html"><b><span style="color: #990000;">6. H&M Slim Straight Jeans</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.themercantilelondon.com/collections/scarves/products/samsoe-nor-shady-glade-hat"><b><span style="color: #990000;">7. Samsoe Nor Shady Hat</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350189780.aspx#searchkeyword=herringbone%20coat&shoppingtool=search"><b><span style="color: #990000;">8. La Redoute Coat</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://shop.doverstreetmarket.com/comme-des-garcons/footwear/play-converse-chuck-taylor-all-star-70-low-white"><b><span style="color: #990000;">9. CDG Converse</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/Striped-Mohair-Blend-Scarf-R382050006.html?istCompanyId=53594fab-416e-42ab-b3ca-8816d2013fe8&istFeedId=6894997c-21a2-4de5-ad8c-4f4c2b36367d&istItemId=iqrxlqwxr&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAiAgJWABhArEiwAmNVTB7w66VlMLKbPjYrgaRX2D4F2XvzLtQT8Ym0VT2BmTRBJFMhfoZsDaRoCEoYQAvD_BwE#"><b><span style="color: #990000;">10. Loewe Stripe Scarf</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.the-dressingroom.com/item/Becksondergaard/Dina-Small-Dots-Socks-Black/DF2F#.YAdBgen7TGI"><b><span style="color: #990000;">11. Becksondergaard Spot Socks</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.zalando.co.uk/topshop-shouldler-across-body-bag-black-tp751h0ug-q11.html"><b><span style="color: #990000;">12. Topshop Vinyl Bag</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The M.Hulot Loe Bum bag was brought to my attention by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJbv9m6Fx17/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Bean</span></b></a>. She has the tan one and it looks beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Mittens - who wears mittens? I've always fancied a pair since I heard they keep your hands warmer than finger gloves. Is this true? Anyone know?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The green & brown, black Leon & Harper scarf - I just love a check scarf - I seem to have collected a few over the years. I do like this colourway as it's a little different with the brown tones but the black hauls it back on the contemporary side which you can pick out with other accessories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The La Redoute jacket/coat I included as it's a similar weave and pattern to mine. Mine is an old one from New Look and is a bit of a favourite as it's a nice lighter coat and it's neutral tone lends itself to a lot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And the other stripy Loewe scarf - I love! It's bright, it's cheery and it's modern. Just can't afford it. 😂</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Last but not least - thought it would be nice to include some items from some smaller businesses - it's tough times at the moment.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-18180805711749510422021-01-15T21:01:00.003+00:002021-01-16T17:13:24.657+00:00Friday Five : 15th January 2021<p> </p><p>Hi peeps! Yup, I'm here again. I couldn't really do a Friday Five last week and then disappear for another half year so I'm back with some more stuff and nonsense.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (1 of 5) Levis 501 Indigo Straight Jeans</u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiVQun-EuaE/YAHUFTaQjDI/AAAAAAAAzh4/HAnpVLmn2D85jNO2o-Bzps9Ex77m6_nYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1199/1E776F35-2D2F-46C7-8AC7-64A240D140D2_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="899" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiVQun-EuaE/YAHUFTaQjDI/AAAAAAAAzh4/HAnpVLmn2D85jNO2o-Bzps9Ex77m6_nYwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/1E776F35-2D2F-46C7-8AC7-64A240D140D2_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/jeans-446/501-indigo-jeans-by-levis-9983002"><b><span style="color: #660000;">Levis 501 Straight Indigo Jeans</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.workingclassheroes.co.uk/footwear/trainers/veja-womens-v-10-leather-shoes-extra-white-oxford-grey-orange-fluo__206944"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Veja V10s</span></b></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Well I did it. I bought myself a pair of Levis 501s with no stretch, no pre-fading or special washes. A raw denim for me to imprint my own life story. Dramatic or what? I know, I know, but it's something that I have to do. I need to get this out of my system once and for all. I first started investigating raw denim jeans in 2013 (see my post <a href="http://susiesoso.blogspot.com/2013/04/feeling-foxy-but-not-in-raw-denim-jeans.html"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a><b>) </b>but could never quite muster up the enthusiasm and dedication to commit to wearing one pair of jeans ... a lot. But I saw this pair of 501s online and they looked so perfect, I had to give it a go. One thing though as I pulled them on, the fact that they have no stretch certainly makes you wonder what you're letting yourself in for but they do say, they're meant to be tight and will gradually loosen as you wear them and they will mould to your body. A few sumo squats helps though to loosen them a smidge and I've been trying them on daily and I swear they are just getting a teeny bit easier to fasten. We might be cooking on gas here.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) Blundstone Boots</u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRxw8LQ0BvE/YAH0UEvrsJI/AAAAAAAAziA/2HeeW2ju3IUwgIAtW9VFIKLFpU-tjnizgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1292/Screenshot%2B2021-01-15%2Bat%2B19.00.38.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="945" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRxw8LQ0BvE/YAH0UEvrsJI/AAAAAAAAziA/2HeeW2ju3IUwgIAtW9VFIKLFpU-tjnizgCLcBGAsYHQ/w468-h640/Screenshot%2B2021-01-15%2Bat%2B19.00.38.png" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ahistoryofarchitecture/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Erica from A History of Architecture in her Blundstones</span></b></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">I love shoes, I love boots, I love trainers and there doesn't go a week or a Friday Five when I'm not wittering on about some kind of footwear or other. I've currently got it in my head that I want a pair of Blundstone boots. I did spot them on the Toast website last year but they didn't fully enter my consciousness - I think I was still all over the Grensons at that point. However, having sold my Grensons as I wasn't getting the wear out of them, I've decided that I would now like a nice pair of boots which are easy to put on and comfortable i.e. no laces which I can wear for walking the dog through the forest. I don't want to spend all my life in a pair of wellies for the foreseeable and I can't imagine they are good for my feet long term. The easier they are to put on, the more likely I am to wear them - I didn't wear the Grensons as I hated lacing them. And what has alerted me to the Blundstone boots all of a sudden? Erica from A History of Architecture, that's what. She wears them for about 80% of her IG feed - they go with everything and she has a dog which she walks in them. Sold to me as I have a dog which I need to walk - I can relate. So I've narrowed it down to the Blundstone Chisel Toe model 1306 in Rustic Brown ...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IyjQV5ROJII/YAH4eE9fgHI/AAAAAAAAziI/t4Qv0MkqJkYNjtZ0YU9BG9MreTxPDjSPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1655/Screenshot%2B2021-01-15%2Bat%2B20.16.50.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1655" height="332" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IyjQV5ROJII/YAH4eE9fgHI/AAAAAAAAziI/t4Qv0MkqJkYNjtZ0YU9BG9MreTxPDjSPgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h332/Screenshot%2B2021-01-15%2Bat%2B20.16.50.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://topbrandshoes.co.uk/products/blundstone-1306-rustic-brown-unisex-leather-chelsea-boots?variant=30930659934308&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm_campaign=gs-2019-04-18&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=CjwKCAiAl4WABhAJEiwATUnEF1QykvDR1HStr4JDUq_jfwhU6x3ZLWcT0NlEc60Mgx7w40x5n5Rv7BoCTMEQAvD_BwE"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Blundstone Dress Boot 1306</span></b></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">... and I've read the reviews and sent the links to the hubs as I've asked if I can have them for my birthday. He says "maybe". Which is not what I want to hear, I want a definite "yes or no" because if he's not getting them for me, do I need to get on the case myself? Drums fingers impatiently.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Snow</u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D0xkRyBQj6M/YAH7vIM--aI/AAAAAAAAziQ/5uKhq_ogaYwwaGsWNjdo7Fxtbb-ShxvXACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/thumbnail_2021-01-15-082736090.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="973" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D0xkRyBQj6M/YAH7vIM--aI/AAAAAAAAziQ/5uKhq_ogaYwwaGsWNjdo7Fxtbb-ShxvXACLcBGAsYHQ/w486-h640/thumbnail_2021-01-15-082736090.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photographic evidence of my snow boots making contact with actual snow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They're Sorel Caribou in Elk if anyone is interested.</div><p><br /></p><p>Well it's been a few years since we've properly had snow i.e. enough to make a snowman. And it was lovely the first day when it was nice and crisp and even (yes I borrowed from Good King Wenceslas) and horrid the next when some of it was slush and the rest was ice. Hope it melts soon. Over it.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) E45 Spray</u></i></b></p><p><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></p><p><b><i></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gR04gp_SX-k/YAH-Uum9HhI/AAAAAAAAziY/w-MBQW50DQoToTc5Q9eDXcOqLMW5AGC6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/thumbnail_2021-01-15-084125976.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gR04gp_SX-k/YAH-Uum9HhI/AAAAAAAAziY/w-MBQW50DQoToTc5Q9eDXcOqLMW5AGC6ACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/thumbnail_2021-01-15-084125976.jpg" width="480" /></a></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>E45 Lotion Spray (most supermarkets)</i></b></div><b><i><br /></i></b><p></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p>I first came across the E45 spray in Costco and thought it looked interesting. It appealed to the inherently lazy part of me - a quick spritz of body moisturiser, quick rub, absorb and you're good to go. I'm not one of those who like a fancy looking pot and have to stick my fingers in, gauging out a dollop of cream and then spend ten minutes slathering it around. Infact I only do the spray moisturiser if I'm looking particularly grey and scary but if you're as lazy as me on the old beauty front - this is a quick win.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) Greaseproof Paper</u></i></b></p><p><br /></p><p>I am so late to the party with this. I've had a roll of greaseproof/baking paper sat in my kitchen drawer for a good ten years. I've never had to replenish on the grounds that I never really used it and I didn't bake if I could help it. However, I ran out of foil one day and lined a tray with it and popped some panko breadcrumbed chicken pieces on and lo and behold, when I lifted them off, they weren't stuck to the foil like they sometimes are and I didn't have to pick off any silvery bits. I was astounded. So now I use baking paper instead of foil - where appropriate. It's brilliant. I am a convert.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">---------------------------</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Last Note :</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li>I think I've lost 1lb this week. </li></ul><div><br /></div><p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-26965753578594005842021-01-11T20:02:00.000+00:002021-01-11T20:02:13.442+00:00Veja Good.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B2VpziFd10o/X_thJoCLFJI/AAAAAAAAzWU/gakjwTA4ux0HjPxc40xGZ8flzSeou-V2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/veja1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B2VpziFd10o/X_thJoCLFJI/AAAAAAAAzWU/gakjwTA4ux0HjPxc40xGZ8flzSeou-V2wCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/veja1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Veja V10 vs Veja V12</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I said in my Friday Five last week that I would do a little post about the Vejas I chose. I went for the Veja V10, in Extra White, Oxford grey and Orange Fluo just incase you were interested. And how did I arrive at these? Well I deliberated, cogitated, digested lots of reviews, did loads of comparisons, changed my mind several times before I reached my conclusion. Yep, that's what I did.</span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'm not short of a pair of trainers and I have trainers I love and wear to death and some I look at and pass over. I know I favour a white trainer (first pair of white Adidas Stan Smiths were worn to death and lasted five years and got me through a three day city break in Amsterdam walking 12 hours a day) and I don't get on with black trainers (Nike Roshe One - still have them - worn about five times - couldn't even pass them on to the youngest) besides which I always feel like they look like full stops at the end of my legs. I also like a classic tennis style trainer more than a running style. And I love a pair of Golden Goose though they are ruinously expensive. I like my Nike Air Max Ones - they just feel a little more urban and make an outfit a little cooler. And I like my Novestas though they be more plimsoll than trainer and they are the perfect summer shoe and go with everything. Somehow, I put those on and everything falls in to place and they are a darned sight more comfy and supportive than Converse. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I digress. I decided I would look at the Vejas again after missing out on the <a href="https://www.themercantilelondon.com/collections/women-footwear/products/autry-low-white-blue-trainers"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Autry</b></span></a> (American retro brand) trainers stocked at <a href="https://www.themercantilelondon.com/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Mercantile Clothing</b></span></a>. I didn't pull my finger out when Debra (owner) had the most delicious pair of white ones with an aubergine coloured soled and trim and they sold out promptly and no more were to be had. Autry in women sizes in the UK seem to be like gold dust. Live and learn. Live and learn. See them, buy them, decide later. Or not in my case and be forever doomed to wonder what might have been. I'm being a bit melodramatic here. I digressed again. I stopped blogging for half a year and now you can't shut me up. Go figure.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, after reading various reviews about the overlong tongues on the Vejas which dig in and hurt and had people up in arms and crying (I may have made up the bit up about the crying), I was a bit put off. But I had a chat with my mate Michelle who did have a pair of Vejas and she said they didn't really come up that much higher than the Adidas Stans. So I bit the bullet and I ordered the Veja V12's in white with neutral detailing to go with everything. They arrived - they were lovely looking trainers but they were just "nice". If you're going to pay a bit for a pair of trainers, they need to be more than just "nice" don't they? Where did I go wrong? I basically had played it too safe. I needed them to have a little something to bring them to life for me. So I ended up ordering the V10s with the fluro orange heel trim and I also thought it would make sense to see the V10s and V12's actually next to each other before I sent the V12's back and regretted it if I didn't like the V10s. You know how some things grow on you over time - the V12's might have been slow burners. One thing of note - I smiled when I opened the box with the V10s in and caught a little flash of the coloured trims. I put those on and they felt like me. Just remember this is all personal and relative - fluro orange trims are not for everyone however they just work for me. You be you and I'll be the one with the fluro orange trims.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjErNWAbEFc/X_tl7Tz-m_I/AAAAAAAAzWc/D0cvK3oiTHkcD3RMhY8vK2yeXJmZ6NkBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/EB99EC11-9024-44F0-9462-8E3F3CA77716_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1538" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjErNWAbEFc/X_tl7Tz-m_I/AAAAAAAAzWc/D0cvK3oiTHkcD3RMhY8vK2yeXJmZ6NkBwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/EB99EC11-9024-44F0-9462-8E3F3CA77716_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.the-dressingroom.com/item/VEJA/V-12-Leather-Trainers-Extra-White-and-Sable/FD0A#.X_tme-n7SfU"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Veja V12 in Extra White & Sable</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.workingclassheroes.co.uk/footwear/trainers/veja-womens-v-10-leather-shoes-extra-white-oxford-grey-orange-fluo__206944"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Veja V10 in Extra White, Oxford Grey and Fluo Orange</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">So I guess you'll want to know what I think about the Vejas in general? Well I've not actually had them that long nor places to go to try them out properly (Lockdown 3 at time of writing) but this is what I have surmised from first impressions. I also keep focusing on the tongue of the Vejas as this is the area which causes the most complaints.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">The V12's feel a little stiffer on compared to the V10s. I'm not sure if it's because the pair I chose had suede parts on the V10s which just make that model a little comfier but they just felt better on first try. But both are not as immediately comfy as say a pair of Adidas Stan Smiths.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">The tongues on both the Vejas do come up high on the foot but only just fractionally more than Stans. For comparison I noted that the tongue on a pair of Adidas Stans is also high but considerably more padded (see below) and curves gently in the middle so it lies better against your foot without jabbing in. </li></ul><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWbqnDkgP9w/X_tnP-pBn5I/AAAAAAAAzWs/aZ4JS1eDg-Avq4LPupc0pkbHjfUtL_AJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/25CB842A-9E08-4CCC-86B7-BDA6E8A2F280_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1538" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWbqnDkgP9w/X_tnP-pBn5I/AAAAAAAAzWs/aZ4JS1eDg-Avq4LPupc0pkbHjfUtL_AJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/25CB842A-9E08-4CCC-86B7-BDA6E8A2F280_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKVSUKrAPww/X_trhe5nbyI/AAAAAAAAzXQ/O9WWRWu5ZjwHs5u04yf2iugYez7vx12vwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/878A27CC-AC73-467C-BDDB-3113CD558DD6_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKVSUKrAPww/X_trhe5nbyI/AAAAAAAAzXQ/O9WWRWu5ZjwHs5u04yf2iugYez7vx12vwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/878A27CC-AC73-467C-BDDB-3113CD558DD6_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">The tongue on the V10 is not padded whereas the V12 is lightly padded/lined which adds a little stiffness to the leather tongue and why I think it feels a little "sharper" and may dig in to the top part of your foot a little bit more than the V10.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWPwKBNDMLY/X_trGBLEofI/AAAAAAAAzXI/SLGqQPiJL88iE8shT3UFw_l8cL9lkhqgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/89CAD6E0-825A-4B77-91B2-AE688537C51B_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1538" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWPwKBNDMLY/X_trGBLEofI/AAAAAAAAzXI/SLGqQPiJL88iE8shT3UFw_l8cL9lkhqgwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/89CAD6E0-825A-4B77-91B2-AE688537C51B_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLPE8s3elCY/X_trGDBEYFI/AAAAAAAAzXE/4kAKHGmjWm48AtRiOOtGRUd7CU96z-H4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B993F481-3461-4D07-81BC-E50AB309D2BF_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLPE8s3elCY/X_trGDBEYFI/AAAAAAAAzXE/4kAKHGmjWm48AtRiOOtGRUd7CU96z-H4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/B993F481-3461-4D07-81BC-E50AB309D2BF_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">I'm not sure how much the tongue on the V12 will soften over time but from googling, people tend to slide the tongue to the side to minimise this problem. This is okay if you don't mind a lopsided tongue but I know this drives me mad on the Adidas Stans as I'm forever trying to straighten them back up. But sliding the tongue to the side on the Vejas to make them more comfortable is apparently a thing and a recognised Veja hack.</li></ul><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"></ul><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">The V12's feel a little dressier and smarter than the V10's which have a slightly more casual and sporty vibe to them with the perforated detailing. </li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVWPeLFYlto/X_t4SQzDkII/AAAAAAAAzXo/bp20SOeli9IKhRJYltO3jZevBS0FZoKUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F32890E0-FFEB-4D1E-9970-B34F175C7D06_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1538" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVWPeLFYlto/X_t4SQzDkII/AAAAAAAAzXo/bp20SOeli9IKhRJYltO3jZevBS0FZoKUgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/F32890E0-FFEB-4D1E-9970-B34F175C7D06_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3lqiGkPiD0/X_t5YS5RpaI/AAAAAAAAzX4/rG9C-pEcZQ0SXqkQLV90VsMsR_EDVoldwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6106D8C9-9917-4C5A-A453-29DB6F6DB442_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3lqiGkPiD0/X_t5YS5RpaI/AAAAAAAAzX4/rG9C-pEcZQ0SXqkQLV90VsMsR_EDVoldwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/6106D8C9-9917-4C5A-A453-29DB6F6DB442_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Casual or Smart? Which one are you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Both the V10s and V12s appear to be true to size for me and the fit on both is quite similar with no toe pinching going on. I know some people say they come up big but I guess that depends on whether you have a slimmer or wider foot. I can wear a thin sock with both styles comfortably but not a thicker sock. I might mention at this point that Clarks Shoes had my feet down as being wide fit when I was a child and nearly made me cry when they said they only had <a href="https://www.clarks.co.uk/c/Funny-Dream/p/20306639?cm_mmc=PPC_SHOP_GENERIC_GOOGLE-_-G_UK_PS_dA_G_SHOP_Womens_Shoes_FullPrice-_-G_UK_PS_dA_G_SHOP_Womens_Shoes_FullPrice_Bestseller-_-PLA&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6Or_BRC_ARIsAPzuer94y4GMAkruih_bMzgjjqTNsQtgxyB-74Ry41vGbCe6jDYOCicseRoaAjYGEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>these</b></span></a> Clarks Polyvelts which fitted me. I refused them outright as I considered them crimes against fashion - I can't believe they are still being sold forty years on!</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Both pairs seem fairly supportive and the sole is cushioned adequately. In fact I don't think there will be much breaking in with my V10s.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Last but not least, the back of the V10s come up a fraction higher than the V12's - not a problem unless there is a chance that they might rub your ankles if you have problems in that area.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-532PHg9WpNk/X_t4lafP53I/AAAAAAAAzXw/UV6U6DTvVtsrZpkWCq19I1MMU56dPdUnACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DE012F3D-56DA-4963-975D-A5D4A82A7E1A_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-532PHg9WpNk/X_t4lafP53I/AAAAAAAAzXw/UV6U6DTvVtsrZpkWCq19I1MMU56dPdUnACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/DE012F3D-56DA-4963-975D-A5D4A82A7E1A_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">So I hope that helps you understand my thought process a little. I like the Vejas (both styles) and I haven't come across any real discomfort wearing the V10s around the house so far and a couple of 2km walks around the village. If the tongue starts to dig in which it hasn't so far I'll just put a padded plaster at the top of my foot and try again. And failing that - my contingency plan when lockdown is over is to take them to the cobblers to get them to cut about 1.5cm off the length of the tongue half way down and then restitch it back on so it sits lower down on my leg. The stitched join would be hidden by the laces. Now that's a plan eh?</p><p style="text-align: center;">-----------------------------</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Last Note :</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li>Generally, the lower the tongue on the trainer, the more flattering it is on the leg. My Golden Goose trainers have tongues which sit much lower and are more flattering on the leg as they show off more ankle.</li></ul><ul><li>This post is really more an observation than a review but it might help if you have been considering the Vejas. I favoured the V10's and V12's as I preferred the profile of these compared to the <a href="https://www.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/5,20/3278613447"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Esplar</b></span></a> and <a href="https://www.workingclassheroes.co.uk/footwear/trainers/veja-womens-campo-chromefree-shoes-extra-white-emeraude-black__206948"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Campo</span></b></a> which are a little simpler in design. The soles on the Esplar and the Campo are slimmer/flatter which I didn't really want - I like bouncing down the road. #boing</li></ul><ul><li>Whilst breaking in the V10s around the village, I was wearing socks to prevent any potential rubbing - I know some people think I'm a bit daft but I'm certainly not a masochist.</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-14028675890289525882021-01-08T19:40:00.005+00:002021-01-09T14:37:36.032+00:00Friday Five : 8th January 2021<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3705443/?claim=7vyh3wa9zve">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a> <div><br /></div><div>Happy New Year everyone!<div><br /></div><div>I disappeared for the best part of half a year but thought I'd pop back on for old time's sake. Shall I just carry on like I've never been away? Well here goes for anyone who misses and likes a Friday Five ...<br />
<br /><b><i><u>Friday Five : (1 of 5) New Sneaks</u></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HdVOfHOGUeA/X_iQhVwcw0I/AAAAAAAAzS8/zzFi_JmrVMw2-jCebhsBpPh7K5ueGfs5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/thumbnail_2021-01-08-045851746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HdVOfHOGUeA/X_iQhVwcw0I/AAAAAAAAzS8/zzFi_JmrVMw2-jCebhsBpPh7K5ueGfs5wCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/thumbnail_2021-01-08-045851746.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrHHw2YebOs/X_iUM_FQkMI/AAAAAAAAzTQ/oWzgsihQ73IiZpB5zTjTe-UcWl55iWuWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/thumbnail_2021-01-08-045856422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrHHw2YebOs/X_iUM_FQkMI/AAAAAAAAzTQ/oWzgsihQ73IiZpB5zTjTe-UcWl55iWuWQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/thumbnail_2021-01-08-045856422.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Other Stories Jumper (Old)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Levis 501 Skinny (Old)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.workingclassheroes.co.uk/footwear/trainers/veja-womens-v-10-leather-shoes-extra-white-oxford-grey-orange-fluo__206944"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Veja V10 Extra White Oxford Grey Orange Fluo</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(that's the colour description on the website)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I finally jumped on the Veja bandwagon. Well to be fair, I was on the Veja bandwagon a few years ago with my Veja Watu but as I didn't really get on with them, I resisted the more recent leather offerings which everyone is much more familiar with. There was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing with which style and colours but I'll save that for another post so you can see what strange warped logical and illogical arguments I used to arrive at the pair you see above. But for now, that smokey grey blue suede and fluro orange is giving me all the good feels. And we're in serious need of all the good feels aren't we?</span></div><div><br /><b><i><u>
Friday Five : (2 of 5) Snoods</u></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVrh_J78Jn4/X_iSOHLi_7I/AAAAAAAAzTI/cB6Ldhxb10M5r6AvLz8o4_06huII-bRwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/thumbnail_2021-01-08-045757519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVrh_J78Jn4/X_iSOHLi_7I/AAAAAAAAzTI/cB6Ldhxb10M5r6AvLz8o4_06huII-bRwQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/thumbnail_2021-01-08-045757519.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cos Donegal Wool Jumper (old)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Levis (old)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Primark Snood (in store when they open again)</div><br /><div>Can I fess up now? I don't actually like snoods. Or infinity scarves or whatever they are called. I never have - it's just one of those things. Please don't be offended if you love and live in them - it's a personal thing. But yes a snood has somehow made it on to my list of Friday Fives this week - tis strange times we're living in right now and anything and everything goes. Just before the latest lockdown I picked this grey one up from Primark and it's not been off my neck since. What has caused this great turnaround? Well, all my current scarves are just a little bit too long or cumbersome to wrap round and wear comfortably during the day when I'm pottering around the house - yes I am a proper nana now. If it's a long scarf, you wrap it round and round and you end up mummified. Also when it comes undone, it lands in the kitchen sink at an untimely moment and you have wet bits. But a snood - that doesn't come undone and it doesn't get trapped in dishwasher doors and it's really very practical. And now that I'm in my fifth decade, I'm really all about the practical things. And for the record, this does not make it okay to buy me a snood! I'm not that much of a convert - one is enough for me unless you want to buy me this lovely <a href="https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/toteme/cashmere-snood/1292831"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Toteme</span></b></a> cashmere one - then I think I can make room for one more. </div><div><br />
<b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Picture Mounts</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2MRHj7j6sM/XqNjT5IzhMI/AAAAAAAAvTI/NQZtgxgf_L4o0Ek5Ni3Xpsqpy_RIJOAvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-04-11%2B02.01.40%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2MRHj7j6sM/XqNjT5IzhMI/AAAAAAAAvTI/NQZtgxgf_L4o0Ek5Ni3Xpsqpy_RIJOAvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-04-11%2B02.01.40%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I get my rollers from the Pound Shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I like a good Harris brush.</div>
<br />New year - got the spring cleaning itch? I've got a hallway which needs a fresh coat of paint and I probably need to put a few new prints up. I've got some old Ikea Ribba frames but the mounts have discoloured and yellowed over the years. It's not a problem though as it's easy to refresh these in a slightly off white shade - I don't like too bright a white. I tend to use a little mini roller as this gets the nicest finish on something like this but a brush is just fine too. Make sure you cover the inner rim of the mount too - Last time I did this I spotted some bits I missed after I finished and had to touch up. </div><div>
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Friday Five (4 of 5) Reading</u></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cpZ8h2Epx2U/X_itm9z0MYI/AAAAAAAAzTY/MqeqQ0acD6MqsT6v5vW5gJ0JUkJiP79pACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/thumbnail_2021-01-08-045929015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cpZ8h2Epx2U/X_itm9z0MYI/AAAAAAAAzTY/MqeqQ0acD6MqsT6v5vW5gJ0JUkJiP79pACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/thumbnail_2021-01-08-045929015.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4skUFBcBg4c/X_ittFlaXgI/AAAAAAAAzTc/yNL34dsteWgC4aM1xpDaocn6gIWrRjWgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/thumbnail_2021-01-08-045933132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4skUFBcBg4c/X_ittFlaXgI/AAAAAAAAzTc/yNL34dsteWgC4aM1xpDaocn6gIWrRjWgQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/thumbnail_2021-01-08-045933132.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The hubs was watching and listening to something on his iPad loudly. I think he's a bit deaf. Pardon. Anyway, it was a guy talking about how he set himself a goal of reading a book within a certain time frame and it was to help him with his studies. He would take the book and if he wanted to finish it within seven days, he would divide the book in to seven even sections and each day he would need to reach the next section to keep on target. Although it seemed a bit of a bind initially, the guy stuck to it and eventually it became more of a habit and he even started to look forward to sitting down to read and basically it opened up the world to him as he read not just course books but all manner of books about everything. The hubs decided to try it and took his Troy by Stephen Fry book on Saturday and finished it by Wednesday, ahead of schedule. So I took it upon myself to download a book to my kindle and read it within 2 nights and blatantly ignored the experiment. But if you want to commit to reading a little more - set yourself little goals of x number of chapters by a certain day and you might find yourself rising to your own challenge and reading all those books you've stockpiled next to your bed.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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Friday Five (5 of 5) Seven Pounds</u></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Seven Pounds. Or shall we say half a stone. To-mae-toe. To-mar-toe. Same difference. Any way, three years ago I was seven pounds heavier than what I was used to so I did something about it. I'm at that point again now because basically I went nuts on Yorkshire Puddings and Madagascan Vanilla custard (not together) over the festive period and some of it might be to do with last year's Lockdown snacking but my jeans are wagging their fingers again at me and telling me they don't like being so severely stretched. I like the jeans I have and I want to wear them comfortably again so I'm putting it here for the record - seven pounds to shed. It will probably still be seven pounds next week too because I am weak.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">----------------------------</div><div><br />Last Note :</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I bought my Vejas from <a href="https://www.workingclassheroes.co.uk/veja/female"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Working Class Heroes</span></b></a> who actually have a promotion on their Vejas currently - it's rare to find them discounted or most places usually remove them from promotions - I know as I've been looking for the last few months. </li></ul></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My Primark snood is probably made of the finest acrylic known to man and likely to go poof near a naked flame but do you know what - it's damned warm and soft, not too cray cray and it does the perfect loop round the neck twice without strangling me so I'm okay with that. </li></ul></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>And how the devil are you all? Is anybody out there and still reading? Hello! Hello!</li></ul></div><div>
<br /></div></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-89145965460492442212020-04-24T21:42:00.001+01:002020-04-24T21:42:43.979+01:00Friday Five : April 24th 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">Hi. I thought I'd bang out a Friday Five. Nothing fashion related - just things and tings off the top off my head. I've not done one since we started lockdown and I've not even been sure what to talk about but I just felt that now we're a month in, I can do my thing again. So not many pretty photos apart from one of some tulips and my usual lot of gibberish.</span></div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (1 of 5) Tulips</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQaqfKxvslY/XqNDUeEfS_I/AAAAAAAAvS4/jtp6oeBjCpofGNZb2IRyBxvpZcpGm6XHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200415_161135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQaqfKxvslY/XqNDUeEfS_I/AAAAAAAAvS4/jtp6oeBjCpofGNZb2IRyBxvpZcpGm6XHACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200415_161135.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Pretty ... but I prefer white ones.</div>
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I normally buy white tulips but they didn't have any white ones in Aldi when I did my weekly shop so I decided to opt for a super cheery coloured bunch as there was a little something in me that said "we need a little happy colour". I stared at them for a few days till they did my head in and moved them somewhere out of sight.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) Fruit Flies</u></i></b><br />
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I spotted an online discussion about fruit flies and how there seems to be an increase in them of late and more importantly - how to deal with them. Have you noticed how apart from fruit, they seem to land in your red wine if you drink red wine that is? They seem to be drawn to the vinegary note. So put a little dish out with some red wine vinegar (if you want to hang on to your precious wine) and cover it with some cling film. Pop a few holes big enough for the flies to get in. They get drawn in by the smell, pop in through the holes and then get addled and can't find their way out. I caught about 20 today! #SuetheFruitFlySlayer<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Rich Tea Biscuits</u></i></b><br />
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That's my biscuit of choice currently. Oreos are George's choice. Custard Creams are Ben's. And Ginger Parkin biscuits are the hubby's. What's your biscuit of choice?<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) Spaghetti </u></i></b><br />
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That hole in the spoon actually has a purpose.</div>
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Do you have one of those spaghetti spoon things? One of those funny shaped utensils which help with ladling out spaghetti? Well have you noticed they have a hole in the middle of the spoon? Did you know the size of that hole is exactly one portion of spaghetti?<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) Banoffee Pie</u></i></b><br />
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I'm bored of banana loaf so I thought I'd make banoffee pie. I'm not sure why as I don't even like bananas that much. So I bought a tin of Caramel Condensed Milk - this is the shortcut if you don't want to boil a tin of condensed milk for hours to make it caramelise. Shortcuts all the way for me! However, you need a loose bottom flan tin to make it easy to lift out your "pie". I don't have one of those. Back to banana loaf then.<br />
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Last Note :</div>
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<ul>
<li>It goes without saying. Thank you to all the people out there still working and trying to keep this world of ours ticking over during Covid 19. I'm not great with words but just "Thank you".</li>
</ul>
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-79655111568884673832020-04-16T10:46:00.000+01:002020-04-16T10:46:20.835+01:00Get Crafty : Bandana Sandals<br />
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Ignore the title - there's not a bandana in sight but the original bandana sandals from Arizona Love were what my fabric wrapped sandals were based on and "Fabric wrapped trekking sandals" doesn't have quite the same ring to it does it? Anyway, it's been a while since I've done a crafty post but I had a couple of queries asking how I made my little fabric wrapped trekking sandals on Instagram when I posted them on there so I thought for those of you up for the challenge, I'd give you some tips on how to make your own. This is not an out and out tutorial - it's just the basics and some of it you will have to fiddle with and work out - like how you like to tie the bows at the joining points.<br />
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What you will need.<br />
<ul>
<li>Pair of black Teva like walking sandals / Teva Sandals</li>
<li>0.25 to 0.5m of cotton fabric of your choice.</li>
<li>Needle and matching thread.</li>
</ul>
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First of all, credit where it's due - I actually stumbled across <a href="https://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-fabric-wrapped-teva-sandals/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>this blog post</b></span> </a>at the beginning of the year when I decided I wanted a pair of Arizona Love sandals and then realised it was someone doing a tutorial on how to make their own version of them. I took the tips that I wanted from it and changed them to suit how I wanted my sandals to look and work.<br />
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The most fun bit is creating the fabric strips which you will be using to wrap around the straps of your sandals. These look best with the edges a little roughed up and to do this you need to tear the strips which is roughly the width of the sandal bands. I find the finished edge of the fabric and make a small cut.<br />
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The cardboard strip is the width of the sandal straps.</div>
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Then I hold the fabric either side of the cut and rip. You know like when you go to the fabric counter and you tell the lady how much you want and she measures out and then does a snip with the scissors and then she tears the fabric along the rip and your heart stops for a moment and you hold your breath? That's basically what you do. It is so so satisfying. If the strips are a little rumpled, just give them a little iron to make them a little easier to work with.<br />
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Don't be scared. Let rip(!)</div>
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Next adjust your bottom sandal strap near your toes to make sure they fit comfortably and velcro in to place. I've chosen to make this a fixed strap on my sandals rather than an adjustable one - you can keep it an adjustable strap - just see the instructions for how I sew the upper sandal strap.<br />
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I start wrapping from the big toe side working towards the triangle fastening. At the start, I like to secure the material with a few stitches.<br />
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Wrap the ribbon strips around the band but to avoid the strips moving with friction as you wear them, I add a few extra stitches under neath to secure the ribbon to the sandal strap. This is the simple way.<br />
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Or alternatively, you can sew the ribbon to the strap carefully disguising your stitching as you go along if you have time and patience. I've made a few pairs and have tried both methods and both work.<br />
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Leave a good amount of fabric when you get to the triangles as you will be using this to create the knotted ties. You basically need to repeat similar for the other strap bands on the sandals apart from the top velcro fastening one. Where the long pieces meet at the triangles, these are where you will be tying to create the "bows". Trim to required length after tying securely and make sure you wrap around the triangle fastenings for extra security.<br />
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Now the top band - you need to be able to use the velcro fastening but you want to keep the "wrapped fabric" appearance. To do this, create yourself a length of cardboard the length and width of the top strap. Wrap the fabric round on a slant as such.<br />
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Iron the wrapped fabric on the cardboard strip and then unravel from the cardboard.<br />
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And then reassemble it again (I used a running stitch along the length just to hold it in place) and you will lay this across the top strap. Pin to the strap to help you as stitch.<br />
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Now if you're a dab hand with the sewing machine, you can sew it to the strap but I didn't fancy my chances so I just handstitched it in to place, again hiding my stitches in amongst the pattern. I used black thread and my stitches hit where there was a black bit of pattern so they were camouflaged. Finish off neatly and make sure that everything is secured in to place.<br />
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If you look close up, you can see where the tiny stitches are.</div>
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I've finetuned this since I first did this.</div>
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That's essentially it. I also stared at a lot of Arizona Love images of their sandals to work out where they tied everything to recreate as close to their design as possible. In this case, I took the old saying of "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" to it's limit.<br />
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Additional Notes.<br />
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<li>I used a Rose and Hubble print cotton for the leopard ones - this is the most easy to find online if you google Rose Hubble Leopard Fabric. I found mine on Ebay.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The floral fabrics I used for my sandals was a Liberty London remnant and I also used some recycled pink silk sari ribbon from eBay but changed my mind about using that (too girly for me) - hence why the sandals in the very first few pics are slightly different to the ones pictured going through the post.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Teva style sandals were bought from Amazon. The ones I used were <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Riemot-Walking-Sandals-Outdoor-Trekking/dp/B07MV13XBT"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Riemot</span></b></a>. There is another brand called <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/FITORY-Women-Sandals-Outdoor-Comfort/dp/B07LGX3J75/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=fitory%2Bladies%2Bsandals&qid=1587030228&s=shoes&sr=1-3&th=1"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Fitory</b></span></a> who do very similar ones but the sizing on theirs was a bit hit and miss - I could have just been unlucky but I think they come up small.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Just work it out as you go - that's all I did. It took a few times and stitching and resewing till I was really happy with the finished result but then again ... I'm a perfectionist. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Apologies for the quality of the photos, they were done on the fly on a dull February afternoon where I was racing against the light going.</li>
</ul>
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<li>Have fun!</li>
</ul>
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-79688111693269468362020-02-28T22:05:00.001+00:002020-02-28T22:05:28.591+00:00Friday Five : 28th February 2020<br />
Sorry, I haven't put out a Friday Five for the last couple of weeks or anything at that. I guess I wasn't in blog mode. It happens but hey, I'm here again so let's go.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (1 of 5) The long and Winding Road to Fashion Consciousness and Sustainability.</u></i></b><br />
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Kate in one of her own creations. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/art__fashion__life/"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>@art_fashion_life</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">"I talk frequently about the impact fast fashion has on the environment & the people involved with it's production. I tried for a long time to only buy ethically but the truth is that tracing supply chains for any brand can be problematic. We think about the garment construction workers, but what about the weavers, dyers, cotton pickers, cotton & flax farmers? The transportation workers? So the approach I finally settled on was to significantly reduce my consumption, no more mindless or panicked last-minute shopping, to buy handmade, vintage & secondhand where possible & to only buy & keep items that I really & truly loved ... not just "wanted". It isn't a perfect model by any stretch but it's a start. ........ Every journey begins with a single step: what steps are you taking to a more earth-friendly wardrobe? 😊 .. "</span><br />
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I read Kate's IG post a little while back and thought, she's said what I want to say but couldn't quite voice. It's more the path I can tread rather than the one I should follow. I can't find everything secondhand and fit and quality is still paramount to me because of my size and how I want to present myself. And ultimately, I do love fashion and shopping. So all I can do is hopefully concentrate my purchases more around things I really like and I want to wear and keep and enjoy for longer than an Instagram post. I'm not stopping buying, but I hope to buy a little less and buy a little wiser. That's my step.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) Wellness</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-veT4Zg5E9Jw/Xll3KUmVl6I/AAAAAAAAuhE/TfUiA2BhYTYUbmYU8O5FdeH9QabYhn8IQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-28%2B08.00.17%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-veT4Zg5E9Jw/Xll3KUmVl6I/AAAAAAAAuhE/TfUiA2BhYTYUbmYU8O5FdeH9QabYhn8IQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-02-28%2B08.00.17%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Pyjamas in store.</div>
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Following on .... have you seen the Wellness collection in Primark? I spotted it this week when I went in. You can't miss it because it looks totally different from the rest of the displays in the store.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRI8SjhoeqY/XlmIUHHknSI/AAAAAAAAuiU/WvEo7SIRYIIITLjJLuIaPZVickcpYLWOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-28%2B08.52.24%2B1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRI8SjhoeqY/XlmIUHHknSI/AAAAAAAAuiU/WvEo7SIRYIIITLjJLuIaPZVickcpYLWOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-02-28%2B08.52.24%2B1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQ1g9RM_PX8/XlmInlw3PKI/AAAAAAAAuic/PHNWMrV87YU89beOOlWSlrDTRVm1nSaUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-28%2B11.28.35%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQ1g9RM_PX8/XlmInlw3PKI/AAAAAAAAuic/PHNWMrV87YU89beOOlWSlrDTRVm1nSaUACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-02-28%2B11.28.35%2B1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnsLY1c008A/XlmG_-H8VCI/AAAAAAAAuiA/Gs099mSuEeAIhqwUEakbnbAI9GJGUMOFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-28%2B09.08.48%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnsLY1c008A/XlmG_-H8VCI/AAAAAAAAuiA/Gs099mSuEeAIhqwUEakbnbAI9GJGUMOFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-02-28%2B09.08.48%2B1.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mS22LOgz0TM/XlmG_m7XMrI/AAAAAAAAuh4/30SnDGfgLAg3HhLVJRJ4ZsqW04FxW7hqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-28%2B11.24.18%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mS22LOgz0TM/XlmG_m7XMrI/AAAAAAAAuh4/30SnDGfgLAg3HhLVJRJ4ZsqW04FxW7hqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-02-28%2B11.24.18%2B1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjQbQS8fcuQ/XlmGwTzaV1I/AAAAAAAAuhw/bjKHOzvIB2glQZwn9BoE26pf66s792xCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-28%2B11.24.59%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjQbQS8fcuQ/XlmGwTzaV1I/AAAAAAAAuhw/bjKHOzvIB2glQZwn9BoE26pf66s792xCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-02-28%2B11.24.59%2B1.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aknf15OpF-4/XlmGhI9vqOI/AAAAAAAAuhs/JbYMf166MJspQo8yW3PWJt3Tl-yD_TFGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200228_210454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aknf15OpF-4/XlmGhI9vqOI/AAAAAAAAuhs/JbYMf166MJspQo8yW3PWJt3Tl-yD_TFGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200228_210454.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Worth a look.</div>
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To quote Primark, "Created using organic cotton, recycled and sustainable materials, the Primark Wellness range has been designed with an environmentally friendly focus as part of our commitment as a responsible retailer." The most interesting thing was they did take on the issue of reducing plastic goods by utilising cardboard hangers - so I applaud them for this one step. You can dis them for everything else but one step is still one step and also helps to assuage my guilt for shopping there. Anyway, they did do those lovely seersucker pyjamas which I brought home with me but sadly I'm not keeping as they are designed for tall people. I settled on one of their plain cream organic cotton sweatshirts instead (first pic).<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Keeping Warm</u></i></b><br />
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To misquote Adam Ant "I don't drink, I don't smoke, what do I do?" I do "fashion" that's what I do and it's the main focus of this blog at the end of the day. Without the fashion, I don't think I have that much to wax silly about. However, I don't do fashion in hey there "look at me in the latest and fanciest", I like to think I do fashion in I like something nice and put together and works for my lifestyle. And with that introduction, I lead you on to my latest consideration. A fleece. Yep, I did say "fleece". "Fleece, fleece, fleece". There I said it three times so you know I'm serious. Basically, when I get home, I change out of the socially acceptable clothes and don a fleece. Not a good looking fleece even, just a fleece which I'm comfortable in and keeps me warm. And now I want to take that fleece thing outside of the home and into the big outdoors. It will be cricket season soon and I always like to have something warm on stand by when it gets a bit nippy after a couple of hours outside standing or sitting around. And this year, I'm thinking a nice cosy fleece which I can throw over a dress or my usual uniform of jeans and jumper.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFIpR_aV5Ng/Xka99UiC7HI/AAAAAAAAuAg/PWmkU-ulGM4KaqH_I-FvB175useZZ6wvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-14%2Bat%2B15.18.01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="832" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFIpR_aV5Ng/Xka99UiC7HI/AAAAAAAAuAg/PWmkU-ulGM4KaqH_I-FvB175useZZ6wvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-14%2Bat%2B15.18.01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bedxK"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>1. H&M Dark Grey Pile Jacket</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bedxY"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>2. Kin Green Bag</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bedyb"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>3. Adidas Tempur Run Trainers</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bedyk"><span style="color: #660000;">4. Topshop Pink Bag</span></a> (it's tiny but cute)</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bedys"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>5. H&M Vintage Straight Jeans</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bedyx"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>6. H&M Fleece</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bedyE"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>7. Whistles Leopard Bag</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bedyQ"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>8. Golden Goose Ball Star Trainers</b></span></a></div>
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I tried the H&M dark grey fleece on in store in the XS and you can go a size down or take your normal size depending on the look you want. It's definitely more a jacket weight rather than a lighter throw on one which the camel coloured one is. Both have their merits and the camel coloured one does have that nice dipped back detail which makes it feel like it's more fashion rather than ready to tackle the Dales. The green nylon bag and the pink one - I just like these little bags to throw on cross body - I find they can really lift an outfit and look, don't they go well with those Adidas Tempur Run trainers? The colours on those are just fabulous and I love how it feels a little "dragon" with the side decal details. It's probably just my imagination but I see what I see and I see dragon. For a slightly less sporty vibe, try something like the Whistles leopard bag (seen on Insta friends Kathy and Melissa) with your trainers of choice. I've included Golden Goose here because they are my weakness and the one thing I can say is they are the one expensive item I have absolutely no regrets over as I have worn mine so much - I've had one pair re-heeled before they wore down to make sure they last. They're definitely my go to trainer and the Ball Star style is my favourite style out of them all. Last but not least - the H&M Vintage straight jeans - these are a new love affair item. I rarely see the interesting denim styles in H&M stores but for once they actually had the vintage straight ones so I had to try. And I'm so glad I did. I think they are true to size with proper hold you in properties but I do think they have just enough give so they will relax a little but still retain enough shape. I would have preferred them in a mid-rise being short but I can forgive the high rise as the leg shape is flattering and you're more likely to look at those than my tum which I will be hiding away anyway. They're also a conscious cotton but feel good and firm - not overly stretchy and are a thicker denim than some of the thin overly lycra'ed stretchy denim out there. If you haven't worked it out yet, I really like them. They give a nice skimming fit over the calves rather than the wider straight fits - very French. 😉<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) All White.</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxB68YKutko/XlmDH3CiubI/AAAAAAAAuhk/gbzkQrU3HnsfkyhvsNXmhSawB_DBNIUfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-28%2B08.02.07%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxB68YKutko/XlmDH3CiubI/AAAAAAAAuhk/gbzkQrU3HnsfkyhvsNXmhSawB_DBNIUfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-02-28%2B08.02.07%2B2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OeixkRylXZI/XlmCYC2i2PI/AAAAAAAAuhc/pvrYv5Qg_TgxGPLgsEEQWUfgTYTV5EihQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-28%2B07.58.46%2B1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OeixkRylXZI/XlmCYC2i2PI/AAAAAAAAuhc/pvrYv5Qg_TgxGPLgsEEQWUfgTYTV5EihQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-02-28%2B07.58.46%2B1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Navy spot shirt old but similar <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bedvu"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>here from M&S</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bedvO"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>ASOS White Loafers</b></span></a></div>
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I'm all white. You all white? My loafers are all white. I tried some gold ones a while back, lusted after the Jonak ones and I finally settled on these white Grenson Clara dupes from ASOS. I liked the not overly chunky platform sole - I need to balance those legs of mine with slightly chunky shoes with a flash of ankle which somehow makes me feel a little more feminine and dainty. I've tried them on with jeans and even a couple of skirts and I'm liking the freshness they give to my outfits. They're just a nice alternative to my usual white trainer look. And the outfit is mainly old. I follow Martha Ward on IG and on one of her stories, she was at the airport in a simple navy and white spot shirt and jeans. She looked fabulous and put together and not in your face. I have that very combo in my wardrobe and it was lovely to pull it out and try it on again with the loafers which freshened up the look no end. You can still find the Grenson's <a href="https://psyche.co.uk/women-c4/footwear-c38/grenson-chunky-sole-loafers-p44217/s557104?cid=GBP&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkePyBRCEARIsAMy5Scsy2Gg9g8YQZLcD1wRPZ3iuPMS4AA7zRBB9zVLKp-f52Khz8INs2mYaAqe9EALw_wcB"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>here</b></span></a> but I'm very impressed with the ASOS leather ones.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) Weirdo</u></i></b><br />
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George (10) came home from school and I noticed that he only had one sock on.<br />
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"George - where's your other sock - you've only been home one minute and you've taken one sock off!"<br />
"There wasn't another sock in the sock ball when I undid it this morning".<br />
"So are you saying you went to school with only one sock?"<br />
"Yes".<br />
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Couldn't make it up if you tried.<br />
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Last Note :<br />
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<ul>
<li>I read and finished Lauren Bravo's book "How to break up with Fast Fashion" and I have to say she pitched it at exactly the right level for someone who doesn't like the hard facts in your face. It's not patronising, it's relatable and I found myself nodding many a time and finding sensible reasoning on lots of different issues. One of the things I remember is her mentioning that some of the more expensive elitist brands are less accountable than the big ones which have the media spotlight on them a whole lot more on sustainability issues and consequently are doing more of the right things. Food for thought. Food for thought.</li>
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-12931534177888145452020-02-07T23:18:00.001+00:002020-02-07T23:18:44.058+00:00Friday Five : 7th February 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="color: #660000;">[AD : Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links]</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (1 of 5) Frugal February</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqbV-l-6Xgg/Xj3kYERCHAI/AAAAAAAAt-A/-k8UZ3TVqn0WjpbM8saOgVwXBUPG8C0gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-07%2B09.26.58%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqbV-l-6Xgg/Xj3kYERCHAI/AAAAAAAAt-A/-k8UZ3TVqn0WjpbM8saOgVwXBUPG8C0gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-02-07%2B09.26.58%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdvlI"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Topshop Chuck On Dress</b></span></a></div>
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Last week, I ended my Friday Five wondering whether I could manage a Frugal February. Err that will be a no and we're only in the first week of February. I didn't mean to fail so soon and to be honest I was going poo, poo pah at everything on line and feeling mighty pleased with myself and then the dresses came flying in. Bam, bam, KAPOW!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qo_oOialns/Xj3lnTJq3eI/AAAAAAAAt-I/wqvJvmLMHtAFjxZc_WzVreQdU_62oK1lgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-07%2Bat%2B22.22.41.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="911" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qo_oOialns/Xj3lnTJq3eI/AAAAAAAAt-I/wqvJvmLMHtAFjxZc_WzVreQdU_62oK1lgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-07%2Bat%2B22.22.41.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdvlI"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>1. Topshop Chuck On Dress</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdvlo"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>2. H&M Floral Dress</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdvlb"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>3. Topshop Chuck On Dress</b></span></a></div>
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I was browsing Topshop online which I know I shouldn't do and somehow ended up ordering two dresses. The smaller ditsy brown print which I preferred was available in a 10 which is my usual size and the second in a the black print was available in an 8. In general, dresses of this style, I tend to look better in when I size down - as long as the shoulders fit, the rest generally falls in to place. And I was right, the 8 was good and the 10 made me look like a quarterback (you might not be able to tell from the pics but the Topshop dresses have gathered detailing on the top of the shoulders). Possibly I'm swaying to the black print because it looks better on because of the sizing but it does feel like a much sharper print and has a touch of William Morris about it from a distance - work that justification girl! However, at time of writing this - the brown has come back in the 8 and now I need to do a contrast and compare to decide properly. You know how it is.<br />
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And last week I ordered <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdvmw" style="color: #660000; font-weight: bold;">this</a><span style="color: #660000; font-weight: bold;"> </span>H&M dress as my last purchase before Frugal February started but then it popped up this week in the floral print so I had to order it to see which one I would prefer. I think I already know which one is the winner - the green blue black combination are just really easy colours to work in to my existing wardrobe and shoedrobe. Both the Topshop and the H&M dresses are similar shapes to a couple of my M&S dresses which I bought a couple of years ago and which I'm looking forward to wearing again when it warms up. So why don't I just keep on wearing those ones? Because I still like variety. And I do like a good chuck on dress. If I look back to last summer, I lived in good chuck on dresses. They were just much nicer to me than my ridiculously truthful jeans.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) Cheeky Girl</u></i></b><br />
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A jumper I bought a while back in H&M went in the sale online but it was sold out in my size. I was going to return my unworn one and buy it again at the sale price so I went off in search off it in store and found it but at full price. So at the till, I asked the girl if she knew when it was going in the sale as it was half price online and she mentioned something about the online business being a whole separate entity but would honour the online price and let me have my jumper at the sale price. Fabulous. Sometimes, it's worth being a little cheeky and asking even if you <b><u>already</u></b> know the online business and stores operate separately to each other. You might get your jumper at half price.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Next in Fashion.</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qiVimA1iww/Xj3JjA7jYgI/AAAAAAAAt9g/VTgZ1n3nKcYOGiUj-bUoAe8EEHpCNbDMACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/next-in-fashion-2563r2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9qiVimA1iww/Xj3JjA7jYgI/AAAAAAAAt9g/VTgZ1n3nKcYOGiUj-bUoAe8EEHpCNbDMACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/next-in-fashion-2563r2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81026300"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Next in Fashion</b></span></a></div>
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I'm currently binge watching Next in Fashion on Netflix. I got through a lot of ironing this week in three episodes. It's a bit like Project Catwalk but with Tan France (Queer Eye) and Alexa Chung so it's worth watching just to see what Alexa's wearing. I haven't watched them all yet but I know who's won (dead cert anyway) and if you subscribe to Net-a-Porter emails, you can already see the winning designer's collection - the print and colours are lovely. And there's even a bonus romance from the show. Awwww.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) Ebay</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gn1vdljfd54/Xj3LJDHS9OI/AAAAAAAAt9o/THHSvHD9CF8-USIzqGOV_JiynKNu3CVBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gn1vdljfd54/Xj3LJDHS9OI/AAAAAAAAt9o/THHSvHD9CF8-USIzqGOV_JiynKNu3CVBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2854.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Sezane Leopold Jumper up for grabs <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/princessting/m.html?item=202896131824&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>here</b></span></a>.</div>
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About seven years ago, I started decluttering and sorting out my clothes. I would go through what (1) I wanted to keep, (2) what I wanted to give to charity and (3) what I wanted to sell on eBay. So I'd put away what I wanted to keep, I'd bag up what I wanted to give up to charity and leave it outside when the collection vans were coming round and so far so good, job's a good un but then you get to (3) those bits that you were going to eBay? Seven years on, it would appear I have amassed quite a lot to eBay as I didn't seem to get on with doing that bit. But not this year. This year, I am aiming to eBay ten items a month minimum. If you break it down in to 2-3 items per week, it's not a lot and totally doable. So I'm not aiming high, just ten things a month. I've missed January (Queen of Procrastinators here so I have to do double in February) and I started this week. If you're interested to see what's leaving my wardrobe - you can find me <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/princessting/m.html?item=202896131824&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>here</b></span></a> or look for me on eBay under Princessting.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) New Life</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYgysymed_Y/Xj3IjbjCcyI/AAAAAAAAt9Y/0bXPiJpCfJYzo7Pd-T8Z_DrbFsb7Aa-twCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-02-07%2B08.23.28%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYgysymed_Y/Xj3IjbjCcyI/AAAAAAAAt9Y/0bXPiJpCfJYzo7Pd-T8Z_DrbFsb7Aa-twCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-02-07%2B08.23.28%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Oh, that's my son's Marigold which he grew from seed in autumn half term when he went to a little workshop stall in Anglesey. Me and the hubs think it looks like a weed. Admit it, it does, doesn't it? 😂<br />
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Last Note :</div>
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<ul>
<li>The lighter days. Feels lovely doesn't it? </li>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-13735683882134621522020-01-31T22:32:00.001+00:002020-01-31T22:32:34.970+00:00Friday Five : 31st January 2020<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="color: #660000;">[AD : Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links]</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (1 of 5) How Green is My Inspo?</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hszMUrF8Rqk/XjQWktYkoTI/AAAAAAAAt4w/kkBABsuB-E4RXE3FZPZ-BWG9AQP1VoGngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/greeninspo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="474" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hszMUrF8Rqk/XjQWktYkoTI/AAAAAAAAt4w/kkBABsuB-E4RXE3FZPZ-BWG9AQP1VoGngCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/greeninspo.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/443252788328934042/"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Source : Pinterest</b></span></a></div>
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A little bit green or is it aqua? Or both? I really loved that pic that dropped in to my Pinterest browsing area this week. The colours just felt really fresh. And the important thing is you don't have to embrace that look whole heartedly - just take something from the pics (like the colour) and see what you have already. I've taken the idea up there and chosen to make it more wearable for everyday and half the things in the pic below, I have or something similar.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R-V8xT56CzE/XjQYIJ7pSnI/AAAAAAAAt44/KE2YlldLbSwRgDWQOJ2h_PBXKWfaMtbbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-31%2Bat%2B12.03.52.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="928" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R-V8xT56CzE/XjQYIJ7pSnI/AAAAAAAAt44/KE2YlldLbSwRgDWQOJ2h_PBXKWfaMtbbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-31%2Bat%2B12.03.52.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdgwc"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>1. M&S Aqua Jumper</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdgvl"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>2. Topshop Woven Bag</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdgxH"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>3. Vans Chequerboard Pumps</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdgwT"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>4. Topshop Editor Jeans</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/tweed-midi-skirt-p09479058.html?v1=38569852&v2=1445719"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>5. Zara Tweed Skirt</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdgxM"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>6. Office Arise Boots</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdgwW"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>7. Allsaints Siddons Jumper</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdgwY"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>8. Topshop Fleur Bag</b></span></a></div>
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For people who can't wear wool fibres next to their skin, the M&S Cashmillion jumpers are probably a bit of a godsend. They come in a rainbow of colours and they do seem to have the perfect soft aqua shade in their collection this spring. I've started sizing up on some of my basic jumpers for a nice relaxed fit or should I say ... a forgiving fit. If you can afford a little more and suit a stronger shade, Woolovers have a cashmere and merino mix crew neck in the shade Mojito <a href="https://www.woolovers.com/womens/jumpers/womens-cashmere-and-merino-crew-neck-knitted-jumper-14887"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>here</b></span></a>. I've also stuck with a simple crew neck style (no fancy details) as this such an easy addition to wear if you need that little spring injection - this is the style of jumper I wear the most and am most comfortable with. And just looking at that jean outfit combo - anyone who has one of those black oversized avaiator jackets - that would look fab over with a hint of that aqua popping through.</div>
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The Allsaints Siddons jumper I can vouch for and is in the current sale. This is a classic style and has some cute detailing in the actual knit which lifts it above the average black and white stripe jumper. It's quite a dense knit and does feel a bit luxe. Things you won't spot from the pic is that it has a little holey knit pattern between the stripes. I wear a Uniqlo cream coloured heattech underneath so you can see the pattern more. It is the perfect cool but warm jumper - you know what I mean.</div>
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And I couldn't resist popping in the chequerboard Vans and the vinyl bag (both of which I have from last year) as they really lift a basic outfit and give a little interest. I'm hoping the vinyl bag says you're still down with the Topshop girlies rather than an aging raging dominatrix.<br />
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And lastly, lastly, lastly. The Zara green tweed skirt - that just looks "fashun" doesn't it? So I stuck it in. And someone somewhere will buy it and be all "fashun". Wish it was me but I'm not tall enough to carry it off, I don't have the lifestyle and I don't wear that many skirts but I know some of you do.</div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) Scented Italian Broom</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIyYlgZYmQI/XjSNF0CVl_I/AAAAAAAAt5A/YNxY4bLdm8s9nr5BHBoNcI4rwFL1SsOugCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-30%2B08.16.19%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIyYlgZYmQI/XjSNF0CVl_I/AAAAAAAAt5A/YNxY4bLdm8s9nr5BHBoNcI4rwFL1SsOugCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-30%2B08.16.19%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is my new favourite scented floral thing.</div>
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I was browsing the flower stall at the start of the Shambles Market in York and was oohing and aahing over the lovely roses, proud tulips and the uptight hyacinths and then I found this mass of stuff with tiny flowers on and leant in further to read the label. Scented Italian Broom. This is the stuff that was on the Italian Hills where the hubs and I honeymooned and I cried at the top of one of the hills saying "I don't want to do any more walking and I understand if you might want to divorce me now". He didn't divorce me but he did suggest that we don't try and do any more walking holidays. I agreed wholeheartedly. And the Scented Italian Broom - I bought a bunch of it and popped it in a vase and it has filled my living room with the most delightful fragrance like the most gorgeous jasmine tea. I can also look fondly back on that memory now up on that hill but at the time I was praying for Mountain Rescue.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Socks</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aE_3VB25IYo/XjSQR9qFHKI/AAAAAAAAt5M/UAFdygaaROkXbKi0svjZzD_DjTsKMgiFgCEwYBhgL/s1600/2020-01-31%2B08.34.23%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aE_3VB25IYo/XjSQR9qFHKI/AAAAAAAAt5M/UAFdygaaROkXbKi0svjZzD_DjTsKMgiFgCEwYBhgL/s640/2020-01-31%2B08.34.23%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdgyN"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Cos Patterned Socks</b></span></a></div>
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I'm quite enjoying dressing really simply. Black jumper or grey? Black jeans or blue? And then a coat different from the day before and repeat daily. I am finding that socks are still needed though and the regular black ankle socks are not cutting it especially if I'm wearing cropped slightly wider leg style jeans. Sometimes the socks slide down a little and then there's a little bit of skin showing which I don't like as it looks like my jeans are too short so I've bought myself some <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bdgx2"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>argyle knee high socks</b></span></a> from H&M this week - the subtle argyle pattern on these make them just funky enough. However for my longer length jeans, my current favourite ones are those above from COS. I like that little peak of yellow.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) Gold Spotted Skate Pumps</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MTj_wIBvaU/XjSc0S-0m4I/AAAAAAAAt5Y/Zr9QtisI9rQysgJmMGaYxyy2agtz0LKigCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-31%2Bat%2B21.31.09.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="864" height="222" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MTj_wIBvaU/XjSc0S-0m4I/AAAAAAAAt5Y/Zr9QtisI9rQysgJmMGaYxyy2agtz0LKigCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-31%2Bat%2B21.31.09.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.next.co.uk/g69136s10#138190"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Next Signature Skate Pumps</b></span></a></div>
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Catchy title eh. But that's what they are and that's what I'm loving this week. They're white ponyhair and gold spotted skate pumps1! Squee! Are they a big blingy? They would look fab with a gold Jerome Dreyfuss Bobi bag which I will never own. But a girl can dream and play the lottery!<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) Fatface</u></i></b><br />
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We had a powercut the other week and after about forty minutes of sitting in the dark I decided I'd treat the boys and take them out for something to eat. We headed out to one of those out of town places and pulled up in the car park.<br />
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"Is that where we're eating?" asked Ben pointing at the <a href="https://www.fatface.com/"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Fatface</b></span></a> store. "It sounds like somewhere you would eat and come out with a fat face".<br />
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He has a point.<br />
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Last Note :</div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>I'm giving myself a pat on the back for myself for not missing a Friday Five yet this year. Pat pat.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>February tomorrow. I'm just wondering if I can make it a Frugal February?</li>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-24269560371150064512020-01-25T14:45:00.001+00:002020-01-25T14:45:22.326+00:00Friday Five 24th January 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="color: #660000;">[AD : Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links]</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<b><i><u>Friday Five (1 of 5) Loafers and Scarves</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m07ERsUZ8ng/XitERObj3wI/AAAAAAAAt20/JFBSt84r1goUarMmtyCGOrJVFBwq1xjrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-24%2B07.16.27%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m07ERsUZ8ng/XitERObj3wI/AAAAAAAAt20/JFBSt84r1goUarMmtyCGOrJVFBwq1xjrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-24%2B07.16.27%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Loafers (old)</div>
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H&M Scarf (spotted still in store)</div>
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Grazia popped through my letterbox and it mentioned all the fashion game changers like coloured leather, power puff sleeves, animal print etc and I went nope, nope, nope, nope.Then I went yes. I'd got to the page about scarves and loafers - a nice easy trend. I must have a sixth sense as I was already on the loafer train having tried the gold ASOS ones a couple of weeks back. I didn't re-order them by the way and that's because my first loafer crush belongs to the Jonak Fripouille loafers which I first spotted on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6WAkkWHfYo/"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Francesca Saffari</b></span></a>. I do love a good nanna loafer with a block heel and these have a cool sixties vibe to them which I can imagine with lots of cute little outfits with straight crop jeans. A little bit <span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://www.apc.fr/wwuk/women.html"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>A.P.C</b></span></a>.</span> crossed with a touch of <a href="https://www.rouje.com/"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Rouje</b></span></a> to give them a bit of va va voom. I have stalked them coming down 30%, 40% and they're now at 50%. Sit on those hands girl!<br />
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But whilst I was browsing for something else this week, I also spotted some Vans Style 53 leopard shoes. These are a cool reissue style from way back and are also the easiest way to get on board the loafer trend if you're actually a trainer girl! They did them in a plain nude suede at one point which I would have snapped up if I had known about them at the time and which were very similar to a Loewe espadrille pair I couldn't afford a few years back. I still can't afford them but that's not the point. Lordy, I love shoes.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3Ld-7o4Z1E/XitpW-6w4MI/AAAAAAAAt3A/_0kMZrQVYoQHaiFHERE1ZedWXSWbvncrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-24%2Bat%2B22.00.55.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="786" height="466" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3Ld-7o4Z1E/XitpW-6w4MI/AAAAAAAAt3A/_0kMZrQVYoQHaiFHERE1ZedWXSWbvncrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-24%2Bat%2B22.00.55.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bc2EN"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>1. M&S Black Silk Shirt</b></span></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bc2EQ"><span style="color: #660000;">2. H&M Braided Shoulder bag</span></a></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.vans.co.uk/shop/en-gb/vans-gb/anaheim/anaheim-factory-style-53-dx-shoes-vn0a4p3mvl0"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>3. Vans Style 53 Plimsolls</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bc2Fu"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>4. Topshop Editor Jeans</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bc2Es"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>5. Love Stories Shirt</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/mini-equestrian-crossbody-bag-p16332004.html?v1=34135238&v2=1445798"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>6. Zara Bag</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.jonak-paris.com/sales/shoes/oxfords-loafers/mocassins-fripouille/6375/n10/d0/p/c/o.html"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>7. Jonak Fripouille Loafers</b></span></a><br />
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Yes the Love Stories shirt is a pyjama top but if people can sell you shirts pyjama style, you might as well just buy a really nice pyjama top. And I've always liked a rever collar anyway - shows off your clavicles nicely.</div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) Lazyitis</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ouOEGM5l-Iw/Xitut5S3NSI/AAAAAAAAt3I/ZKkqvPbgm1Efnfs5-hg3ns0Qu2W__abdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-24%2B10.22.36%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ouOEGM5l-Iw/Xitut5S3NSI/AAAAAAAAt3I/ZKkqvPbgm1Efnfs5-hg3ns0Qu2W__abdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-24%2B10.22.36%2B1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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I have a choice of two trains in the morning. One at 09.48am which gets me in at 10.01am and one at 09.49am which gets me in 09.59am. I get the earlier train even though it gets in later. Why? Because I'm lazy and it stops on platform 1 which is nearer the train station exit than the later train which arrives on platform 7 and I have to navigate additional stairs and the concourse.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) James Brown</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmLy929eMUc/Xiv05bXJCxI/AAAAAAAAt3Q/14zAWoNREQon-CdIQD4mnRbVopaw9-N1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-24%2B10.28.47%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmLy929eMUc/Xiv05bXJCxI/AAAAAAAAt3Q/14zAWoNREQon-CdIQD4mnRbVopaw9-N1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-24%2B10.28.47%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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They have the print in the book! Whoop whoop!</div>
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Not the Sex Machine one. I'm talking about the illustrator/artist who has his work stocked by the <a href="https://www.thecalmgallery.com/artists/james-brown?trackterm=james+brown"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Keep Calm Gallery</b></span></a> or that's where I used to find his prints. I popped in to Costco and had a nosey in the books section and found these beautiful books which he collaborated with Richard Platt in 2016. I picked up the World of Information one and was delighted to see a lot of his previous prints/illustrations were in the book including the The Phases of the Moon print which I have in my family/kitchen room. They are full of interesting facts but the best thing is you could tear out the illustrations and frame them. I don't usually advocate ripping pages out of books but I'll make an exception in this case. There seems to be a whole series of these and if you're in to beautiful books - they make a wonderful birthday present for children (which their parents can steal for their own selfish purposes - I'm sure they won't miss a page or two).<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4_7RxAjA4U/XiwCPONmiYI/AAAAAAAAt3Y/fxRvsOBLKSgDViSeifMLBCY7xlzeRfraQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-25%2Bat%2B08.53.04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="932" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4_7RxAjA4U/XiwCPONmiYI/AAAAAAAAt3Y/fxRvsOBLKSgDViSeifMLBCY7xlzeRfraQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-25%2Bat%2B08.53.04.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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A selection from Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/World-Information-Richard-Platt/dp/1406370843"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>here</b></span></a>.</div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) Take the Inspo and Run</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37fZBy1BgUI/Xiw0UWf3mwI/AAAAAAAAt3o/1wbegsly71EfvVIdGHo-krVYYK0K6WZKACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019-05-16%2B04.05.02%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37fZBy1BgUI/Xiw0UWf3mwI/AAAAAAAAt3o/1wbegsly71EfvVIdGHo-krVYYK0K6WZKACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019-05-16%2B04.05.02%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Last year's Sezane Wanda blouse.</div>
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Right, you know how I like a little bit of Sezane every now and then? Well I think I fall in love with the imagery more than anything. And if you strip it all back, it's full of prim little knits worn with an extra button or two undone and a whole host of prim and proper blouses worn with a twinkle in a French girl's eye. Anyway, have a nosey through what you have - it's usually a frame of mind and an attitude which makes things extra but if you don't think you have anything suitable, I spotted the following from the La Redoute sale - I think they took the inspo and ran with it. They're definitely worth a look.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1Z0SV-diDI/Xiw8NyIYarI/AAAAAAAAt3w/rqxiyEo-0gkakpwz4kyDPGF36JqT0zKfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-25%2Bat%2B12.17.39.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="920" height="446" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1Z0SV-diDI/Xiw8NyIYarI/AAAAAAAAt3w/rqxiyEo-0gkakpwz4kyDPGF36JqT0zKfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-25%2Bat%2B12.17.39.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bc2Eb"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>1. Puff sleeve braided cotton blouse</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bc2Ei"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>2. Scarf Print blouse</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bc2En"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>3. Round Neck blouse</b></span></a></div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) Happy Chinese New Year</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdPlg40lMjc/XiwDqDkr4KI/AAAAAAAAt3g/CAFYYETxcjYldSjGZ87hPWQKC6Zr9_y3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-25%2B08.55.13%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdPlg40lMjc/XiwDqDkr4KI/AAAAAAAAt3g/CAFYYETxcjYldSjGZ87hPWQKC6Zr9_y3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-25%2B08.55.13%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Well it's kind of Chinese isn't it?</div>
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Wishing you all health, wealth and happiness. Do what floats your boat and if it doesn't, don't do it. </div>
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Last Note :</div>
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<ul>
<li>Yes I know my Friday Five is late and it's Saturday - I'm rubbish.</li>
</ul>
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-85052731555912139852020-01-21T18:36:00.000+00:002020-01-21T18:36:11.217+00:00Rucksack : Sandqvist Tony<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="color: #660000;">[AD : Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links]</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NpjIJlz7pJQ/XiYdDZNhKaI/AAAAAAAAt1w/DEbAyFkBdIcPMgvGsOqy99dFRnPZD8y3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-20%2B08.52.38%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NpjIJlz7pJQ/XiYdDZNhKaI/AAAAAAAAt1w/DEbAyFkBdIcPMgvGsOqy99dFRnPZD8y3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-20%2B08.52.38%2B1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcSix"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Sandqvist Tony Rucksack</b></span></a></div>
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(honest - it's a rucksack)</div>
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<b style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
I've been a bit obsessed with rucksacks lately. Yes I know I was gifted a lovely Gaston Luga one recently but the one I chose turned out too small for my daily commute as I decided that I wanted to fit in a drinks flask, a food flask, a 13" laptop, laptop charger, a phone charger and a kitchen sink. I didn't see that coming. I thought I was just going to take a flask and a Kindle to work at the most and that was it. So I ended up dragging out the old faithful Lowe Alpine rucksack that I've had for as long as the Grumps which is quite some time now and started carting that on the daily commute and looking like I was going to tackle Everest. Even the neighbour asked if I was going on a trek when he saw me. So I felt I needed something a little less "outdoorsy" and a little bit lighter. The Lowe Alpine is a great rucksack (it's our holiday rucksack) but it's weighty even without everything I need to put in it which is why the hubs normally carries it. I narrowed the list down to Sandqvist, Fjallraven, Kipling and Eastpak. I considered an Eastpak as my friend Marlene has one which she takes everywhere and if it's good enough for Marlene, it's definitely good enough for me. I did order one before I decided I needed to fit my world in and though nice, it turned out to be smaller and cuter in real life than I wanted. I don't do cute. Kipling got a look in as a gazillion Chinese people can't be wrong as they seem to love this brand with the gorilla keyring - my son was quite enamoured with the little gorilla - me not so much and like I said - I don't do cute. Fjallraven is a classic but I felt it also wasn't me unless it was going to be the expensive black one with the black leather handles and that felt a bit ouch for something I wasn't heart and soul in to. But Sandqvist - I loved their designs and that was cemented by the fact that I tried to keep up with a guy through York the other day to see if I could see the brand on the rather lovely rucksack he had on his back. It was a Sandqvist. Sold!<br />
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What was my criteria? I didn't want to look like I worked in the I.T. department with one of those big black industrial beasts - you know the ones that half the male working nation cart on their backs. I needed something more casual looking and I didn't want black though that was the most neutral colour to go with. I needed a pocket somewhere on the outside so i could pop my keys and phone in for easy access. I also didn't want fiddly buckles or magnetic catch straps and I didn't want a drawstring top inside as the drawstrings always get in the way and look messy. I wanted it to be super easy to open and not have a hidden zip which was recessed. I also wanted it to look good as a bag in general and not like a rucksack. And I needed to be able to carry it by it's handles without the straps or the bag dragging on the floor. That's all. But all this did come about as a result of quite a bit of research and a few trips in to Mountain Warehouse, Sports Direct and The Hip Store to weigh up all their different rucksacks. I'm nothing if not thorough.<br />
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And I ended up with the .... <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcSix"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Sandqvist Tony</b></span></a>.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ViqCGIrTHk/XiYbv94MpmI/AAAAAAAAt1Y/x3v9fyeyIccXbDQAQnVTuYGf8uNgMsvygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-20%2B08.46.53%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ViqCGIrTHk/XiYbv94MpmI/AAAAAAAAt1Y/x3v9fyeyIccXbDQAQnVTuYGf8uNgMsvygCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-20%2B08.46.53%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Told you it was a rucksack.</div>
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Don't go - eugh. I like it. I like that it's slightly utilitarian, simple, has a zip top straight across so I'm not fiddling with any hidden zips around funny bends and I can see straight in like a regular tote and you know how much I love my tote bags. Basically, the Sandqvist Tony IS a big strong tote bag with some straps on the back. Anyway, I'm happy and I know it's got that casual vibe about it so that when it comes to summer, it will look just as good being mugged round wearing a blue shirt and jeans and sandals as it does with a winter coat and boots.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFlAQ3QnEbI/XiYcB_8o1sI/AAAAAAAAt1k/tmkm2cF9gZYBDIyKl7OTiL2cyXF-yOj_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-20%2B08.42.58%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFlAQ3QnEbI/XiYcB_8o1sI/AAAAAAAAt1k/tmkm2cF9gZYBDIyKl7OTiL2cyXF-yOj_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-20%2B08.42.58%2B1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Me and Basil's backside.</div>
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And before anyone has a pop at me for dissing the people who work in the I.T department - I actually have nothing against looking like I work in the I.T. department because .....<br />
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....... I used to work in the I.T. department.. 😄<br />
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Last Note :</div>
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<ul>
<li>For the eagle eyed - you may have spotted this rucksack in my last blogpost. </li>
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<ul>
<li>The Sandqvist rucksack is made from 65% organic cotton and 35% recycled polyester. The canvas is unwashed and will fade and hopefully take on a lovely weathered appearance - that's different from dirty 😉. From their website, their sustainability and production methods seem commendable.</li>
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<ul>
<li>For anyone interested, the New Look coat was something I bought last year with a good discount but have only just got round to taking up the sleeves on it. I liked it as it reminded me of my old Mango jacket circa 2013 which finally went in to a charity bag after many years of service and the last time I tried it on, I actually thought - I don't look good in this at all - what was I thinking back then? It also reminds me of the current <a href="https://www.sezane.com/en/product/1201-collection-all-denim/monroe-coat" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Sezane Monroe</b></span></a><span style="text-align: justify;"> coat in terms of shape and style. But thankfully, not the price.</span></li>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-62528286974578835562020-01-18T13:52:00.000+00:002020-01-18T13:52:53.850+00:00Friday Five : 17th January 2020<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="color: #660000;">[AD : Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links]</span></i></b></div>
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I know it's Saturday and not Friday so it's not really a Friday Five but it would have been if my wifi had been playing ball yesterday. Round about 8pm each evening this week, it goes kaput so I can't do anything online. Which is good as it means you're not on your phone and bad as you can't get online to get your Friday Five done on time and for once, I could have got it out on time. So I'm putting it out now on a Saturday as a two fingered salute at BT. #wherestheupyoursemoji<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five : (1 of 5) Greggs</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yl_j3N_1ZlI/XiKbkItZd1I/AAAAAAAAtz0/fU1tJ8BOO1kpGXiPnhi0gjin6X9PzTr3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-17%2B11.05.52%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yl_j3N_1ZlI/XiKbkItZd1I/AAAAAAAAtz0/fU1tJ8BOO1kpGXiPnhi0gjin6X9PzTr3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-17%2B11.05.52%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Prettier than a <a href="https://www.greggs.co.uk/bakes/steak-bake"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Greggs Steak Bake</b></span></a>.</div>
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Though not as tasty.</div>
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<a href="https://www.greggs.co.uk/"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Greggs</b></span></a> are doing alright aren't they? Got to love a steak bake (me) or a sausage roll which has kept many a small child quiet for a while going around town - I tried but my boys don't like sausage rolls. Things I do know - a steak bake has 20<span style="color: #660000;"><b> <a href="https://fatgirlskinny.net/slimming-world-syns-calculator/"><span style="color: #660000;">syns</span></a></b></span> on Slimming World which stopped me for a bit whenever I had a moment of weakness charging around Leeds needing nourishment - that's your whole day's syn allowance used up in one pasty and some. And my sis-in-law made the observation a year ago as we drove past a Greggs, that they were bucking the trend and business was up since they started these sit down cafes. But do you know what is annoying? You can't really get a normal triangle packet sarnie in them. I did manage to find one high up on the fridge shelf but there were only about three to choose from and the rest were all done in crusty bap things and rolls. Me - I just want a sarnie in two slices of bread with the filling clamped in because it's a nice tidy way to eat. I don't want a messy roll where everything looks like it's going to fall out of the bottom when I pick it up. It's not that much to ask is it? Except it is apparently. But I am really pleased to hear on the morning news that because they were doing well ,the staff all got a little bonus recently.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) H&M Cream Cardi</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KXQVoCXQaRs/XiKmbnlqkoI/AAAAAAAAt0E/WU0Z5nUO3Z8mBLdwjlJi_Vjq2FGszfgWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/hmcardi.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="497" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KXQVoCXQaRs/XiKmbnlqkoI/AAAAAAAAt0E/WU0Z5nUO3Z8mBLdwjlJi_Vjq2FGszfgWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/hmcardi.jpeg" width="476" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNqC"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>H&M Wool Cardigan</b></span></a></div>
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That one above looks quite nice doesn't it? A bit like the Arket ones which are a fraction more expensive. The H&M one is actually 100% wool though and it looks like one you can de-pill or shave when it needs a bit of user maintenance.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bo00bs-0-IM/XiMBsF-k1WI/AAAAAAAAt0c/_JR5W1Z61o0JljdbDzNtRgtHkXctdCoeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-18%2Bat%2B13.00.58.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="982" height="388" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bo00bs-0-IM/XiMBsF-k1WI/AAAAAAAAt0c/_JR5W1Z61o0JljdbDzNtRgtHkXctdCoeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-18%2Bat%2B13.00.58.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNfZ"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>1. M&S Lily Jeans</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNrP"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>2. Whistles Kew Trainers</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNqK"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>3. M&S Padded Jacket</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>4. <a href="https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/cashmere-stole-418363COL71SIZ999000.html"><span style="color: #660000;">Uniqlo Cashmere Stole</span></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>5. <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNqQ"><span style="color: #660000;">& Other Stories Scarf</span></a></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNqC"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>6. H&M Wool Cardigan</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.toa.st/uk/product/womens+tops/c6nbh/heavy+cotton+rolled+edge+top.htm"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>7. Toast Heavy Jersey Top</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>8. <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNr0"><span style="color: #660000;">Sandqvist Tote Rucksack</span></a></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNr2"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>9. M&S Crop Jeans</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>10. <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNr4"><span style="color: #660000;">Converse Trainers</span></a></b></span></div>
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I have to say when I make these little collages, they are based around what I would like to wear and what I already have so quite often you won't see major current trends here and there's always a pair of jeans in there as I spend 99% of my life in them till May.</div>
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1. <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNmv"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>The M&S Lily jeans</b></span></a> - these are a great non skinny jean and not too tight on the calves. These are my winter go to and I have these as my full length jeans for winter.</div>
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2. <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNrP"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>The Whistles Kew Trainers</b></span></a>. Simply, because I like a good neutral trainer. The nicest thing about this pair - I like the cushy looking sole - there's good bouncing to be done in those.</div>
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3. <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNqK"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>The M&S Padded Coat</b></span></a> - what a lush colour! Eye catching for all the right reasons. I have a green padded coat from Primark which I picked up a few months ago (may still be in store) and I bought that partly for the colour and also because it was the perfect coat for sticking a big jumper under. The M&S one would be a fab alternative for those who don't go in Primark like my hubs.</div>
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4. <a href="https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/cashmere-stole-418363COL71SIZ999000.html"><b><span style="color: #660000;">Uniqlo Cashmere Stole</span></b>.</a> This is not a heavy scarf. This is the thin lightweight kind which are a joy to wrap round your neck. Sometimes the heavier wool varieties can be a bit of a mare to tie them just how you like. These stoles have just started to come down in price so I might need to nab that pale grey one before it sells out. Or I could play pale grey cashmere stole chicken and wait it out.</div>
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5. <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNqQ"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>& Other Stories Neck Scarf</b></span></a> - I have this thing with neck scarves at the moment. I featured one in my last post and here's another in a perfect neutral non fussy pattern. To go with my perfect neutral non fussy wardrobe - who am I kidding?</div>
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6. <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNqC"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>That H&M Cardi</b></span></a>. Looks good from here but I've not seen it in real life but it is 100% wool at least. And de-bobble-ble.</div>
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7. <span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://www.toa.st/uk/product/womens+tops/c6nbh/heavy+cotton+rolled+edge+top.htm"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Toast Heavy Jersey Top</b></span>.</a></span> I saw, I tried, I fell in love. I bought. The End. True story.</div>
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8. <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNr0"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Sandqvist Backpack Tote</b></span></a>. A rucksack for people who don't want their rucksack to look too worky.</div>
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9. <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNr2"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>M&S Crop Jeans</b></span></a>. I have a similar wide legged pair and they're just great when you're transitioning between seasons (with socks or without).</div>
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10. <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcNr4"><b><span style="color: #660000;">Converse</span></b></a>. Come on - look at that colour! And the renew canvas they're made from is 100% recycled polyester so you can feel good about your new kicks.</div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Princess Ting Ting</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSb4OeqMuRM/XiMGt3Kx2LI/AAAAAAAAt0k/dBbmW-5Sw1Ed232kwj2fNVjM4sS8EgYFACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-18%2B10.15.06%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSb4OeqMuRM/XiMGt3Kx2LI/AAAAAAAAt0k/dBbmW-5Sw1Ed232kwj2fNVjM4sS8EgYFACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-18%2B10.15.06%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Mutters to herself. "I must not go in, I must not go in, I must not go in ..."</div>
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Princesstingting1@hotmail.com - yup you read right! My email usually elicits a little chuckle when I mumble it to the shop assistants when they ask if they can send me an email receipt. It is quite memorable and I've had it so long, I can't change it now. Even George's old cricket coach used to say "Ahh Princess TingTing! How are you?" and smile indulgently at me. And now the ladies in the York Toast store are getting acquainted with me and my email address since I've been in a few times recently to do a couple of returns (and purchases). And our relationship is only one month old. #embarrassing<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) Alexa</u></i></b><br />
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Alexa in my bedroom is on the blink which means I have no Lewis Capaldi seranading me as I iron currently. Hard times.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) How to break up with Fast Fashion</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1LbNV0Lwy8/XiLaMXttPPI/AAAAAAAAt0M/UbX8Dlzf-5A0jLkMpw4Cm50LNhnS24aEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-18%2B10.04.31%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1LbNV0Lwy8/XiLaMXttPPI/AAAAAAAAt0M/UbX8Dlzf-5A0jLkMpw4Cm50LNhnS24aEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-18%2B10.04.31%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Breaking Up with Fast Fashion by Lauren Bravo</div>
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* Be more Chloe. She's happy wearing the same thing every day.</div>
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I've just started reading this. I ordered it after having a bit of sales splurge this year. I'm normally quite good but this year, I went a little cray cray but consequently, I do now have a few useful bits for spring/summer 2020 to work in with my existing wardrobe. With all the talk about sustainability and how we should be buying less clothes and wearing more of what we have, I ordered the book to see if it could stop me in my tracks. Well slow me down a little.<br />
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Last Note : </div>
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<ul>
<li>For anyone who is not familiar with my Friday Fives - it's just a load of gumph which comes off the top of my head or things which have caught my attention this week. Deep it is not. Shallow and random it is.</li>
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<ul>
<li>I tried Slimming World two years ago and lost half a stone which is all I wanted to do. I've put it all back on since and I had a jam doughnut for breakfast this morning. I enjoyed it very much - thank you.</li>
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<li>Anyway, drop me a line any time you want on that fab email address of mine.</li>
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-76313002928371214812020-01-13T21:21:00.000+00:002020-01-13T21:21:45.491+00:00Monday Musings : 13th January 2020<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #660000; font-family: times;"><i>[AD : Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links]</i></b><br />
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Hello there! Friday Five time. No, no, sorry, it's Monday - that makes it a Monday Musings. I do like my little Monday Musings get out clause. I actually got home on Friday and could only muster up a Friday Four and Friday Four just doesn't sound right does it? So I've left it to Monday - that's how I roll.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (1 of 5) MiH</u></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aU5Hi1He5d8/Xhxm3CDYYbI/AAAAAAAAtzQ/31z3vHGNwog5WpGcFDlsJ6QJvTGtHGtjACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-13%2Bat%2B12.39.25.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="941" height="326" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aU5Hi1He5d8/Xhxm3CDYYbI/AAAAAAAAtzQ/31z3vHGNwog5WpGcFDlsJ6QJvTGtHGtjACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-13%2Bat%2B12.39.25.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.mih-jeans.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=beauford"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>MiH Cream Beauford Sweater</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.mih-jeans.com/knits/celia-sweater-skittle-pink.html"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>MiH Celia Sweater</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.mih-jeans.com/knits/jackson-sweater-tangerine.html"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Mih Jackson Sweater</b></span></a></div>
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I have a soft spot for MiH. I think my MiH Paris jeans were my first foray in to designer denim - I'm ignoring the pair of black Versace jeans I was persuaded to buy by my sisters in the early nineties. So along the way, I've built up a little collection of MiH's as I kind of feel safe with the sizing for this brand. And so I always like to have a look at their site when it comes to sale time. I've had my eye on the orange (they call it tangerine on the website) Jackson jumper since last Feb and I thought I'd nosey along to see how it was doing i.e. had it finally gone in to the sale? And lo and behold, it had and for a good price too along with a couple of others which caught my eye. That Cream Beauford sweater has shades of Sezane about it with the puff sleeve detail and edging around the neckline and the Celia sweater is the most delightful shade of pink. It's called skittle pink! Gosh I'm a marketer's dream! Anyway, I didn't buy the orange Jackson sweater based on the fact that I have a lovely Wyse orange and blue striped number. But if you're looking for some reasonably well priced knitwear (better than M&S and H&M Premium prices) with a good percentage of natural fibres you could do worse than look at these and MiH have a good sustainability manifesto. Sometimes you can afford a little better.</div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) Nice & Clean</u></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slFbpVYZtlg/XhjlgZvHGHI/AAAAAAAAtxI/goUXyUTYOoYUH_wEHsLhN_M_MtREnQRbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-10%2B08.38.22%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slFbpVYZtlg/XhjlgZvHGHI/AAAAAAAAtxI/goUXyUTYOoYUH_wEHsLhN_M_MtREnQRbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-10%2B08.38.22%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Now that's a clean burn!</div>
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I chased a man and woman down the street last week. I forgot to give them a candle care card after they'd purchased a candle. This might seem a bit extreme but I had a reason. Basically for once in my life, I read the instructions on my own new Midwinter candle box and it said, you need to give the first burn a good few hours. That sounds a bit extreme but the reason for this, is so that the candle wax can melt evenly across the surface. What I used to do was light a candle and blow it out after half an hour after I'd got rid of what ever cooking smells were plaguing me that day. That's not the way to do it. If you do that, you only melt so much wax and create a tunnel effect going down and you get an uneven burn. Keep repeating that process and you burn straight down the candle. So I've been letting my candle at home burn for a goodly amount of time and it's burning lovely and clean. Which is why I ran after the couple to give them a care card and to tell them that that's what they need to do. #nutter</div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) How Much?</u></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dLrTfP8Yj8M/XhzcIKVD8vI/AAAAAAAAtzo/GRwl8io1vdsKrItcvDPupTXVPw4DVbOHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-13%2Bat%2B21.07.01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="408" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dLrTfP8Yj8M/XhzcIKVD8vI/AAAAAAAAtzo/GRwl8io1vdsKrItcvDPupTXVPw4DVbOHACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-13%2Bat%2B21.07.01.png" width="484" /></a></div>
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Untitled, 1967 by Mark Rothko</div>
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I was watching the BBC news last Friday morning as I do every morning and they were talking about the growth of the ath leisure industry and how the demand for fashion trainers has grown about 20% since 2014. That's round about the time I started getting in to trainers too. Anyway, they interviewed members of the public and asked them what was the most they had ever spent on a pair of trainers. What are the chances that you pick the guy who answers £8000? £8000 people!!!! I heard <span style="color: #660000;"><b>Naga Munchetty</b></span> mutter something about them being alligator skin or something so guess what? I googled them and I think they're these <a href="https://www.berluti.com/en-us/fast-track-torino-alligator-leather-sneaker/171601.html"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Berluti Trainers</b></span>.</a> I didn't like them so I didn't put a picture of them on here. 😂 I like that Mark Rothko print though so I thought I'd put that on here instead - I've been trying to track it down for years.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five ( 4 of 5) Nice Cuppa Tea</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnjZtmhuhQI/XhzbZ3rx3qI/AAAAAAAAtzY/DeAFod_Mzg0Cbxp_tuUwWppSVFG4IaHcACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-10%2B04.20.39%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnjZtmhuhQI/XhzbZ3rx3qI/AAAAAAAAtzY/DeAFod_Mzg0Cbxp_tuUwWppSVFG4IaHcACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-10%2B04.20.39%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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My Baz.</div>
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I haven't used my proper camera to take any photos since last year. I haven't charged the battery up or got the tripod out to take any outfits of the day. It's been quite liberating not thinking about what I'm wearing and whether I can factor a photo in of it that day. It's kind of nice just to go with the flow but the problem is, the longer you don't do it, the harder it is to take up the mantle again. I just need a little bit more daylight and a little more motivation because when I get in each day, I just want a sit down and a cuppa rather than whipping a tripod out and starting up a photo shoot. I'll get there but this was the best I could do last week with Basil.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) Gold </u></i></b></div>
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(Gold)<br />
Always believe in your soul<br />
You've got the power to know<br />
You're indestructible, always believe in, 'cos you are Gold!<br />
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In year 3 of Primary, George's class used to sing that Spandau Ballet number whenever someone got a gold star that day. I just thought I'd share that. And it also provides me with a gratuitous link to mention gold loafers. Last year, I was all over a pair of gold Primark sandals which were dupes for an expensive Rouje pair and this year, I'm all over a pair of gold loafers which are not dupes for anything remotely expensive. I just like them. I had them in my saved area of ASOS for ages and then I spotted they were in the sale so I finally ordered them. And I totally loved the look of them except they were a bit snug and for some reason, the right shoe kept squeaking when I walked. I took it on the chin and declared them not to be. But if they had been, I had high hopes of styling them as per the collage below which is based on loosely on similar things I already have in my wardrobe.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkFchCwmPPg/XhuctYrNecI/AAAAAAAAtyo/VutrzbPsSQk9HVgzRmwRxpUFpZmXUzFrACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-12%2Bat%2B22.23.53.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="943" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkFchCwmPPg/XhuctYrNecI/AAAAAAAAtyo/VutrzbPsSQk9HVgzRmwRxpUFpZmXUzFrACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-12%2Bat%2B22.23.53.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcB66"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>1. H&M Grey Jumper</b></span></a><br />
<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcB68"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>2. Kin Orange Bag</b></span></a><br />
<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcB6u"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>3. ASOS Gold Loafers</b></span></a><br />
<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcB7h"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>4. H&M Neck Scarf</b></span></a><br />
<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcB7k"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>5. H&M Jeans</b></span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/linen-shirt-with-pockets-p02187311.html?v1=21671650&v2=1430774"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>6. Zara Blue Linen Shirt</b></span></a><br />
<a href="https://thefuturekept.com/collections/bags/products/hand-woven-jute-tote-bag-grey"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>7. The Future Kept Jute Bag</b></span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/pleated-skirt-p08372237.html?v1=39137271&v2=1445719"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>8. Zara Pleated Skirt</b></span></a><br />
<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bcB6u"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>9. ASOS Gold Loafers</b></span></a></div>
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For early spring when it's ankle baring time again - I love the look of the gold loafers with a pair of ankle length jeans. I've already got the grey jumper, a little orange H&M bag but I've linked a similar one to what I have which is in the sale currently at John Lewis and a similar little neck scarf. If I'm wearing a high necked jumper, I'm more likely to tie the little scarf to the bag for a little embellishment to jazz up an outfit a little but if you're wearing a crew neck, wear it round your neck air hostess style. Err sorry, I mean like the little French mademoiselles. And <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/contemporary-designer-margaret-howells-favourite-modern-british-artworks"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Margaret Howell</b></span></a>.<br />
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Moving on to the summer months, time for my beloved blues! I put that Zara teal pleated skirt up there as the dress equivalent I bought is now sold out in the sale but the colour and effect is pretty much the same and shows how I intend to wear the dress - looking like separates. The blue linen shirt I nabbed in the current sale but it keeps disappearing on and off the site. I managed to nab the link when I last saw it in stock so it's there if you're interested - I always think you can't go wrong with a classic shirt like this and I for one love my blue shirts so it is a totally justifiable purchase for me. It is a bargain now if you can get it and it is the most beautiful summer blue (I sized up to a L for a relaxed fit). And I have the same basket bag from <a href="https://thefuturekept.com/collections/bags"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>The Future Kept</b></span></a> which I bought a couple of years back except mine has a yellow band around the top instead of the brown/grey. I would say - there is nothing too trend led with any of these items - they're pretty much items which go from year to year quietly and efficiently. Strange word to use that "efficiently" but they are what I would deem work horse items which just keep going year in year out. And that's exactly what our wardrobes need these days.</div>
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Last Note :</div>
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<li>Bog it. I might just order another pair of size 4 gold loafers to get them out of my system once and for all. The next pair might not squeak. #fingerscrossed</li>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-74237340955221668072020-01-08T19:22:00.000+00:002020-01-08T19:22:24.551+00:00Just Start ....<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdSxC_clWu8/XhYqv8nVEtI/AAAAAAAAtuM/1Rm1risF-bQaq8WBDuvdrZSc5sKeuCW4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-01-08%2B04.40.35%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdSxC_clWu8/XhYqv8nVEtI/AAAAAAAAtuM/1Rm1risF-bQaq8WBDuvdrZSc5sKeuCW4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-01-08%2B04.40.35%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=unfuk+your+habitat&crid=1OSCE8LXDXQY3&sprefix=unf%2Caps%2C269&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_5_3"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Unf*ck Your Habitat by Rachel Hoffman</b></span></a></div>
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I'm a procrastinator. I'm a really good procrastinator. I'm procrastinating now - I'm tapping on here instead of doing something. Told you I was good at it.<br />
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But I am getting better at not putting off things. I bought a book. I'm not sure if it was the title which grabbed me and I had a bit of time on my hands but I downloaded a sample of it and it kind of got me. It's called <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=unfuk+your+habitat&crid=1OSCE8LXDXQY3&sprefix=unf%2Caps%2C269&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_5_3"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Unf*ck Your Habitat</b></span>.</a> Catchy title eh?<br />
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Basically I need to do a bit of decluttering. I need to do this to make everyday more manageable. I need less in the cupboards and I need less in my wardrobes. I hang on to too many things and it all piles up and I keep saying I will get rid of it all but I don't. And then I tackle things which don't really need doing and leave other stuff which does.<br />
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Anyway, there's a lot of decluttering books out there but this one seemed to strike a chord. And possibly the sample that I downloaded probably told me what I needed to do but I bought it and read it. And I took one main thing from it. Just do it. No matter how small. Just do it. See it, do it. Simples.<br />
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Those three bags of laundry that you've washed and dried. Take one. Sort that one bag out. Don't set out to tackle all three. Three bags is tough. One bag is manageable. Do the one bag and feel good that you did something. It's all baby steps and if you're happy with baby steps, stick with your baby steps. And things WILL gradually start to look better. Those cups on the side table, take them in the kitchen. It's one step closer to where they're supposed to be at least. Take the win.<br />
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And don't expect miracles - they don't exist. You won't change overnight and you won't declutter your world over night. I know that but clearing out the kitchen drawer the other day made me feel tons better. Tackling the understairs cupboard didn't take long but it made me feel better. And then I sat back and had a cuppa. Not too over faced. And that's the important thing - don't cut off more than you can chew.<br />
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Anyway, what was I saying, yep, see it, do it. Next time you see it, there will be less. Feels good eh?Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-27229158571781950982020-01-03T21:41:00.001+00:002020-01-08T11:11:16.375+00:00Friday Five : 3rd January 2020<br />
What's this? A Friday Five? First one of 2020 and hopefully not the last. We're only in January.<br />
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (1 of 5) Posh Caramac</u></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsgNXK5MWhU/Xg3KmoNGGwI/AAAAAAAAtmg/uGFYr-8weVgaOPIRdegnBZHBK0m0a8fsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019-10-27%2B07.42.54%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsgNXK5MWhU/Xg3KmoNGGwI/AAAAAAAAtmg/uGFYr-8weVgaOPIRdegnBZHBK0m0a8fsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019-10-27%2B07.42.54%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Yes, I like this. A lot.</div>
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Hands up who got a load of chocolate in the house this Christmas? Hands up those who got a load of "nice" chocolate in the house? By that I mean <a href="https://www.hotelchocolat.com/uk"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Hotel Chocolat</b></span></a> standard as opposed to a box of Roses or Quality Street. Hands up those who shunned said posh'ish chocolate for a packet of Aldi's finest Caramel Dore chocolate with Mexican & American Pecans & Himalayan Pink Salt? Me, me me! Basically, I'm addicted to this stuff - yes, it's another one of my fads and this one has been going since last summer when I first discovered it and shared it with everyone watching U11 cricket with me on the sidelines. It basically tastes like posh <a href="https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/caramac-caramel-bar-30g-7367665-p?istCompanyId=1e096408-041f-4238-994e-a7cf46bf9413&istFeedId=689af7a8-5842-4d88-be59-1ee5688a81b5&istItemId=wxwqltxrp&istBid=t&PPC=*&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxrbwBRCoARIsABEc9siXGlJ4vIeakuWFNC8m_81KjBLcBcH7rP9OUnu6eAMYMbO55KelCuMaAhJhEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Caramac</b></span></a> and I did like Caramac as a child. Anyway, they stocked it for about two weeks and then disaster ... it disappeared off the shelves. My chocolate world crumbled around me and I had to temporarily move on to <a href="https://www.flipz.com/products/white-chocolate/"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>White fudge flavoured Flipz pretzels</b></span></a>. I combed the chocolate aisle week in week out hoping that they would bring it back out and then one day, there it was again. I nabbed five packs as a starter but they now seem to stock it as part of their core range. Anyway, it's yum and it also the reason why my jeans with no lycra don't fit.</div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (2 of 5) You Have To Suffer To Look Good.</u></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSay2D0gklo/Xg2s3GTlExI/AAAAAAAAtmY/yIb-DPQKWgYVY1fB1TzEZaedulS64SEWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/alexacamille.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="426" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSay2D0gklo/Xg2s3GTlExI/AAAAAAAAtmY/yIb-DPQKWgYVY1fB1TzEZaedulS64SEWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/alexacamille.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Youtube Video <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRjKX1-ilwo"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Here</b></span></a></div>
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Which leads me on to the following. I watched this Youtube video in October of Alexa Chung interviewing Camille Charriere, French blogger/instagrammer with long legs and slimmer thighs than me. Camille obviously doesn't buy five packs of Caramel Dore chocolate with Mexican & American Pecans & Himalayan Pink Salt at a time and scoff them with a cuppa. Anyway, they were talking about jeans and were saying how the best ones were the ones which were rigid denim with no stretch. They hurt to wear but they make your butt look real good. I remember going upstairs and dragging out my most rigid jeans (by that I mean, the least stretchy and with the least lycra) which I couldn't bring myself to wear all summer because they cut my circulation off. I put them on and huffed and puffed my way though the day. By the end of it, I declared that I really wasn't made of very strong fashion stuff and I really wasn't cut out for rigid denim. Basically - pass me the chocolate and give me all the lycra.</div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (3 of 5) Colours 2020</u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9AkCE8JLKn4/Xgp8gtxjcuI/AAAAAAAAtiE/xkYbGE8O6P8Hi5_At6TYe8IHuGs5FU-ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-30%2Bat%2B22.18.58.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="596" height="321" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9AkCE8JLKn4/Xgp8gtxjcuI/AAAAAAAAtiE/xkYbGE8O6P8Hi5_At6TYe8IHuGs5FU-ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-30%2Bat%2B22.18.58.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Picture Source : <a href="https://graphicwork.promedyanet.com/logo-%E2%80%A2-website-%E2%80%A2-design-color-palette-color-palette-design-co/"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Pinterest</b></span></a></div>
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This is not official by the way and has not been endorsed by Dulux, Pantone or any of the other colour bigwigs but I was browsing my Pinterest feed and was stopped dead by the above image. <span style="text-align: justify;">Oh my lordy, it's like someone ran the Year of Colour app on my Christmas presents and my most recent purchases. Spooky!</span><br />
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Those are like the shades I am currently most drawn to - I've always liked fairly muted but strong colours. Do you know what I mean by that? I like a strong yellow but I also like it a muted mustard rather than sunny side up yellow. I like green but veer towards a deeper shade rather than a vibrant leaf green (ignore the fact that I have a bright green COS cardigan squirreled away somewhere). I like burnt orange/rust shades rather than jaffa. You get the gist. Basically I do like colour but not colour which screams look at me. I like colours which wouldn't look out of place in a <a href="https://www.toa.st/uk/"><b><span style="color: #660000;">Toast</span></b></a> shop basically. Not stuff that looks like it came out of the CBeebies dressing room.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJH5AA7RrV4/Xg2iekizFvI/AAAAAAAAtmI/On4ZGCCy9VcOtTLqRtQIp4vBfPjIW2t_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-02%2Bat%2B07.56.39.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="810" height="470" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJH5AA7RrV4/Xg2iekizFvI/AAAAAAAAtmI/On4ZGCCy9VcOtTLqRtQIp4vBfPjIW2t_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-02%2Bat%2B07.56.39.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/flowing-dress-p02715200.html?v1=26051300&v2=1430791"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Zara Yellow Flowing Dress</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/pleated-camisole-dress-p09878158.html?v1=19061200&v2=1430791"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Zara Pleated Camisole Dress</b></span></a></div>
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In the interests of disclosure. I may have purchased both of the above dresses in the Zara sale and both break my usual rule of no sleeveless dresses but I have every intention of wearing both of these layered with something over. Not under. Over. And both look fabulous with black and grey. Sorted.</div>
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<b><i><u>Friday Five (4 of 5) Slippy Straps</u></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ENSVB8ozXk/Xg2rdYPLWkI/AAAAAAAAtmQ/JW01FuLIphASgfA3sBkKDm2fXIhaAv1oQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019-10-21%2B03.59.40%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ENSVB8ozXk/Xg2rdYPLWkI/AAAAAAAAtmQ/JW01FuLIphASgfA3sBkKDm2fXIhaAv1oQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019-10-21%2B03.59.40%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vzUADi_EBIU/Xg-uSuZzh-I/AAAAAAAAtqc/YtzqTPM65GUxE60q8GG-LUaIySeDAGw9gCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191025102546_IMG_2145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vzUADi_EBIU/Xg-uSuZzh-I/AAAAAAAAtqc/YtzqTPM65GUxE60q8GG-LUaIySeDAGw9gCEwYBhgL/s640/20191025102546_IMG_2145.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prym-Non-Slip-Tape-Black/dp/B000W9X60A/ref=sr_1_29?keywords=prym+tape&qid=1571685577&sr=8-29" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Prym Non Slip Tape</b></span></a></div>
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I got myself a black vinyl bag last year. Do you think it looks a bit kinky? In a bit of a sheep wearing vinyl dominatrix kind of way. Or am I just being super weird? <span style="text-align: justify;">I had a little debate with myself at the time on whether to keep the bag or not as the strap was a little slippy and prone to slipping off my shoulders but I played with it every day and didn't pack it up to send back so that obviously meant I liked it. So I did what all sensible people do these days - I googled how to stop bag straps slipping and found this </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prym-Non-Slip-Tape-Black/dp/B000W9X60A/ref=sr_1_29?keywords=prym+tape&qid=1571685577&sr=8-29" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Prym Non Slip Tape</b></span></a><span style="text-align: justify;"> which you stick to the underneath of your strap. </span>And do you know what? It works!<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><u>Friday Five (5 of 5) Graham St</u></i></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Zplajw6LdQ/Xg-vvIWzQjI/AAAAAAAAtqg/3W3wOEfXMvAaYuDBL-abUaAemiFfvvs6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Toast-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1500" height="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Zplajw6LdQ/Xg-vvIWzQjI/AAAAAAAAtqg/3W3wOEfXMvAaYuDBL-abUaAemiFfvvs6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Toast-2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://grahamst.co.uk/"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Graham St Blog</b></span></a></div>
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This has been my favourite blog for the past few months. Beautiful photography. Lovely styling. Hannah Macleod (30s) and her mum (60s) showing us how to look fashionable whatever our age and also how to translate a trend to suit. I want their wardrobes! </div>
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Last Note :</div>
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<li>Hope the new year is treating you kind so far.</li>
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-82188018321673050822019-12-31T12:42:00.001+00:002019-12-31T12:45:17.589+00:00Jumper & Jeans Uniform<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #660000; font-family: times;"><i>[AD : Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links]</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9ccP6Ug6Cg/Xgs-t3wRQvI/AAAAAAAAtig/P4dsShrSxFYOnARK98ynZBuk7LschcMNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019-12-30%2B08.32.16%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9ccP6Ug6Cg/Xgs-t3wRQvI/AAAAAAAAtig/P4dsShrSxFYOnARK98ynZBuk7LschcMNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019-12-30%2B08.32.16%2B2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Oh hi there!</div>
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<span class="s1" style="text-align: start;">I've said it before, I love a good grey jumper. Or a black one at that. This is good because I now have a loose dress code for work which comprises of black, white and grey upper half and similar coloured bottoms including blue or black jeans. Hallelujah! And a fancy apron from <a href="https://thestitchsociety.com/"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>The Stitch Society</b></span></a> which has lovely nubuck leather straps (I'm all about the details). </span><span style="text-align: start;">I pretty much landed on my feet uniform wise as I'm literally wearing what I normally wear anyway. </span>I'm also a creature of comfort and ease. I don't do tugging up and tugging down and readjusting continuously just to make sure things are just so. No, I like the ease and comfort of a good neutral coloured jumper worn slightly slouchy over a pair of jeans and somehow, this always makes me feel put together. It's not like I don't like colour, I do but I like it in short sharp doses. Once a fortnight I might get the urge to go<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>all colourful and then for the next thirteen days, I want to don my dark materials yet again. That's me.</div>
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<span class="s1">My two absolute favourites are just plain grey wool crew neck jumpers. One is a Gap grey cashmere jumper which is worn all year round and is probably on it's fifth year or thereabouts. I sized up to a medium when I bought it and I'm glad I did because I do throw it in the washing machine when it needs a spruce up and I think it has shrunk a touch over the years. Or I've got bigger. Or more likely - a combination of both. The other grey jumper is from COS and joined the wardrobe about two years back. It's a rough wool - almost like a donegal but I found the cut extremely flattering and I like the flecks running through it. Both are the perfect size and shape for fitting under coats and jackets without too much fuss. I constantly browse eBay to see if any of these turn up as I'd like backups for both as they are getting more than their fair share of wear in the jumper stakes now that I've incorporated them in to my uniform.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDmZXlyXxaw/XgoOpxAI9pI/AAAAAAAAth4/1MRLoc2auVs7UBsT2JXmFOebZQ2Ohd9DACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20191213_170640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDmZXlyXxaw/XgoOpxAI9pI/AAAAAAAAth4/1MRLoc2auVs7UBsT2JXmFOebZQ2Ohd9DACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20191213_170640.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Me most days.</div>
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Grey Topshop Jumper (old)</div>
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Gap Girlfriend Jeans (old)</div>
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Primark Coat (maybe still in store)</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b><a href="https://www.flannels.com/grenson-nanette-boots-232040?gclid=Cj0KCQiAl5zwBRCTARIsAIrukdMQRL9uXUvG0MXIU_rCKRT0n7x9pnT39ASlfRr6HfdWbdSuBIX7LCMaAiazEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#colcode=23204005">Grenson Nanette Boots</a></b></span></div>
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I also have a black cashmere crew neck from M&S. I bought this with one of their twenty percent off family and friends discount codes the other year and I sized up not one but two sizes for the perfect slouchy comfort fit.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> I do really like a black jumper but I'm so picky about fluff that I have to lint roller them every time before I wear it which is why I favour grey more because you don't see the fluff. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Anyway the below two jumpers are the most recent additions to my monochrome grey and black jumper brigade. Both are oversized knits from H&M. The pale grey one I've had for a while and have already worn quite a lot but the darker one is fairly new in to store and to me. My main requirement when I buy any jumper is that it looks like I can de-pill it or shave it to bring it back to new. I get that all knits be it pure wool or acrylic will pill to some degree but some are easier to maintain than others. In my experience, a flat stocking stitch are the best candidates for a round with a razor or my electric clothes shaver. And did you spot that the "black" jumper is actually a black marl? See how I got round the fluff situation? Clever eh?</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZI1xaNR6iE/XghStIrLePI/AAAAAAAAthM/wU0F1G15LJYRwNACvKjZpeBB3H2qYiWmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-29%2Bat%2B07.14.18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="939" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZI1xaNR6iE/XghStIrLePI/AAAAAAAAthM/wU0F1G15LJYRwNACvKjZpeBB3H2qYiWmACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-29%2Bat%2B07.14.18.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bb9WM"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>1. H&M Pale Grey Jumper</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.toa.st/uk/product/womens+sale+accessories/f2mca/mohair+check+scarf.htm?clr=F2MCA_OchreBlack_sw"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>2. Toast Mohair Scarf</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bb9WQ"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>3. M&S Lily Jeans</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bb9Xu"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>4. Puma Aeon Heritage Trainers</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bb9Xw"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>5. Topshop Straight Leg Jeans</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flannels.com/grenson-nanette-boots-232040?gclid=Cj0KCQiAl5zwBRCTARIsAIrukdMQRL9uXUvG0MXIU_rCKRT0n7x9pnT39ASlfRr6HfdWbdSuBIX7LCMaAiazEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#colcode=23204005"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>6. Grenson Nanette Boots</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bb9W0"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>7. H&M Black Marl Jumper</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bb9W1"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>8. M&S Leather Backpack</b></span></a></div>
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Last Note :</div>
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<li>On my online travels, I spotted that the latest Grenson Nanettes in the leopard print hair hide have 20% off <a href="https://www.countryattire.com/grenson-nanette-womens-boots/ca50119075.html?colour=Leopard+Print+Hair+On+Hide"><span style="color: #660000;">here</span></a>.</li>
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<li>Can I also take this opportunity to thank everyone who has stuck with me and my blog all these years. Thank you for reading - it means a lot.</li>
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<li>And a Happy 2020 to you all - I'm hoping it will be a good one! </li>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530322011980194624.post-16151092946864267822019-12-28T21:56:00.000+00:002019-12-28T21:56:25.397+00:00Hello<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #660000; font-family: times;"><i>[AD : Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links]</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bb4AN"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Grenson Nanettes</b></span></a></div>
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New year, new resolutions, new blog. Ta dah!</div>
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No, sack that. Well new year isn't till next week and I don't do resolutions and every time I say I will be back here on the blog writing more, it never happens and that's frankly quite annoying don't you think? So we'll work on it being a New Year and we'll take it as it comes. Blog looks a little more spruced up though don't you think?</div>
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Anything new happen out there since I last tapped keyboard with you guys? Well I started that little job that I mentioned previously. It's been interesting as I've entered commuting life and that's weird. I used to commute but always by car and now it's by train and I'm learning the joys of trains not arriving on time or cancelling all together. Luckily there are warm waiting rooms and I take a Kindle with me everyday so I do actually have something to do. You'd think that after all these years, I would be tired of Solitaire but no, I'm still there for the daily challenge. Go me.</div>
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So I was thinking if there was any point in still writing a blog and the thing is when I started, it was fun and people joined in the banter just like they do on IG but you never felt quite as "judged". You never felt that you had a really rubbish outfit on because there really wasn't a like button on the blog for that kind of thing. You could tap away in blind oblivion and there really is something in that saying that "ignorance is bliss". Now whether people care to admit it or not, if you post on Instagram and your post doesn't get many likes, you feel a bit pants. That's no way to live. So I think for my own mental health and sanity, I should just come back full circle to the blog and tap away happily like a pig in muck about random gumph. It's how I started and I think that's what I should end up going back to. </div>
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Even tapping this little post this morning feels quite cathartic. I'll keep things brief and reasonably shallow - I'm not one of those persons who like to divulge heart, soul, personal stuff and bedroom decor on here. I always think, I've seen your bedroom, that's where you have rumpy pumpy. 😉</div>
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Last Note :</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">I nabbed my Grenson Nanettes in the Black Friday sale at Shopatanna but they're back at full price again now. I ummed and ahhed over them for a long time as I couldn't decide between the tan and black and then decided that I could live without them until I saw <a href="https://www.instagram.com/noodle33/"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Nicky</b></span></a> in a black pair and fell for them big time. And then with starting work, I thought they may be the perfect stomping boots to get me through the winter commute. I ordered them from Selfridges on the Black Friday weekend in the black to have the order cancelled on me the following day. The very same day, the tan version went in to the Black Friday offers for Shop at Anna. I took it as a sign.</li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">I also bought that big bunch of foliage of Eucalyptus, Hypericum and Gypsophila as my Christmas flower bouquet thinking they wouldn't smell much and be nice and neutral and wouldn't conflict with my new Midwinter candle which I treated myself to. I didn't know that Hypericum leaves smelt like curry. 😱</li>
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<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13656222741423910557noreply@blogger.com12