Christmas Charity & Susie Sparkle
Monday, 3 December 2012
So I was waiting for it to hit December before getting a little festive around the edges. I never used to make much of Christmas but once you have children, it becomes a whole different ball game. Christmas is a big thing for small people and who am I to disappoint? And now we're getting festive, this gives me license to post this picture :
This is how we decorate the outside of the house. We really let rip and go to town. It costs us an absolute fortune but it's worth it because the boys absolutely love it and we have lots of people who stop outside just to have a nosey. I know it's not to everyone's taste but it actually makes me really happy because it really is full of Christmas cheer.
I had you going for a minute there didn't I? I profess to making no effort outside our house except for the obligatory wreath on the front door and a few lights in the window. This is a picture I took last week when I passed by the Christmas house. The Christmas house is sited at the other end of the village and each year, it sets up this extravaganza for all to enjoy. Some may find it an eyesore and though I tend to like my decorations a little more monochromatic and subdued, I like to stop past this house and take in the spectacle. The people who do this put an honesty box outside so they can collect for the MacMillan Cancer Trust. Last year, when we went, the honesty box wasn't there. It had been emptied of the donations and there was a note to tell us of such. I have to admit, I was quite saddened to know that there were people out there who could carry out such a mean spirited act. The honesty box is back this year - I hope that there is no repeat incident.
Now that we are officially in December, I think it's time to think about the sequins and sparkles which many people will gladly be adorning for their Christmas parties or for Christmas day. I think this is the week when I turn in to Susie Sparkle and see what I have in my wardrobe. I confess to being a little frugal around the old evening dressing up mullarkey. I hate to buy a dress or an outfit for one off occasion and know that it is unlikely to see the light of day again after the event. If I splash out on a dress these days, it needs to have longevity.
Last year, I bought a dress for a friends 40th birthday do. I figured it was time for a new evening going out dress after a three year drought and I'd just gone to a party where I was in jeans and all the girls were in little sparkly dresses. Time to up the game. I settled on this one after trying on many, returning many and cursing many. It has sequins - I'm not normally drawn to sequin dresses but these were a little more unusual as they're rectangular and I liked the bronze tones. I can't actually remember how much the dress was but whatever it was, I thought it was worth it as it's a dress I can drag out from year to year for any number of occasions ... and it's comfortable.
This is the dress that masks all evils. It has sleeves to cover bingo wings and it also means you don't need to find a jacket or cardigan or shrug to stave off the cold. It's a respectable knee length for those who don't like to show too much leg. I confess that I would wear a belt masqerading as a skirt right now if I had the legs for it but I don't, so just above the knee works for me. It has a sequin thing going on which tells you this is a going out dress and it is a polyester chiffon which means it doesn't crease. Polyester chiffon doesn't sound great but it means you stay crease free .... all night. And did I mention it had a little drawstring waist tie which you can loosen as your girth spreads over the course of an evening, after you've had a feast? My friend loved it so much after she saw it on me, she went and tried it on in the shops and bought it too. She's curvier than me but of all the party dresses she had tried on, she found it so flattering, she couldn't not buy it. This is the dress for all shapes.
Hard call this one - bare legs or opaques? I would wear with opaques on the grounds that I hate cold legs but that's me - nesh. Digging around, there aren't many sleeved dresses which fit my criteria for a good dress. In fact I'm really glad I'm not looking for a dress this year - I'm really struggling with the offerings out there. The short sleeved ones hit at a point on the arms I don't like and leave me cold literally. Some are too figure hugging - I like to eat but I don't like peoples eyes to linger at the old bagel belly after a fair blow out and I don't like too much cleavage - hey I'm just an old prude and my below choice for an evening going out dress proves it. This one by Boutique by Jaegar looks like it might pass my checklist though there are no sparkles (which I don't mind one bit - I almost prefer actually) and if I had to buy a dress this year, this would be one I would be making a note to have a look at. I think I would like to wear this with a pair of smart lace up ankle boots to make it a little funkier. I see this one as a "less is more" dress.
Have you got your party dress sorted? Are you a Susie Sparkle or a Prudence Prude? I guess I'm a bit of a both looking at my dress. A Sue Prue.
Stunning and so festive.
I had you going for a minute there didn't I? I profess to making no effort outside our house except for the obligatory wreath on the front door and a few lights in the window. This is a picture I took last week when I passed by the Christmas house. The Christmas house is sited at the other end of the village and each year, it sets up this extravaganza for all to enjoy. Some may find it an eyesore and though I tend to like my decorations a little more monochromatic and subdued, I like to stop past this house and take in the spectacle. The people who do this put an honesty box outside so they can collect for the MacMillan Cancer Trust. Last year, when we went, the honesty box wasn't there. It had been emptied of the donations and there was a note to tell us of such. I have to admit, I was quite saddened to know that there were people out there who could carry out such a mean spirited act. The honesty box is back this year - I hope that there is no repeat incident.
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Now that we are officially in December, I think it's time to think about the sequins and sparkles which many people will gladly be adorning for their Christmas parties or for Christmas day. I think this is the week when I turn in to Susie Sparkle and see what I have in my wardrobe. I confess to being a little frugal around the old evening dressing up mullarkey. I hate to buy a dress or an outfit for one off occasion and know that it is unlikely to see the light of day again after the event. If I splash out on a dress these days, it needs to have longevity.
Last year, I bought a dress for a friends 40th birthday do. I figured it was time for a new evening going out dress after a three year drought and I'd just gone to a party where I was in jeans and all the girls were in little sparkly dresses. Time to up the game. I settled on this one after trying on many, returning many and cursing many. It has sequins - I'm not normally drawn to sequin dresses but these were a little more unusual as they're rectangular and I liked the bronze tones. I can't actually remember how much the dress was but whatever it was, I thought it was worth it as it's a dress I can drag out from year to year for any number of occasions ... and it's comfortable.
Monsoon Bronze Sequin Dress (old)
Sequins feel a bit funny when you sit down though.
Cold or warm? With or without?
Have you got your party dress sorted? Are you a Susie Sparkle or a Prudence Prude? I guess I'm a bit of a both looking at my dress. A Sue Prue.
An Altered Coat
Saturday, 1 December 2012
Note to self - not to do this on the school run again.
People look at you weird.
Even George is hiding with the embarrassment!
Really nice mens H&M Trend lightweight scarf (no links)
I quite often have a rifle through the mens accessories departments - I like the mens trilbys as I have a big head (serious). I have a big head and short legs. Life is cruel. When I try on the women's hats, they perch on my head not so much as in a jaunty fashionable way - they perch because they don't go any further. Such is life.
Fen commented on my grey coat on the Plaid, Check or Tartan post and Nomadic D (sorry, I don't know your first name) also mentioned that she would like to see this "altered" coat. Well, here it is ....
M&S Altered Coat
H&M Trend Mens Scarf
Navy Gap Jumper
Black Jack Wills Jeans
Before it looked like the above, it looked a lot like this ....
The altered coat was actually my old work coat bought more than ten years ago and was a godsend for those cold days when the wind whistled around your ankles as you clip clopped your way to work in your little skirt suit. This coat has survived all the culls even though I haven't worn it for the last seven years - it was just too good to let go and I knew there was life in the old coat yet. In the last year or so, I entertained the idea of getting it chopped down to turn it in to a car coat. This year, I put that plan in to action and it was the best £20 I could have spent on a coat because I am certainly getting my wear out of it now. It goes with everything. Well it is grey!
M&S Altered Coat
Zara Linen Stripe Top
Topshop Berry Scarf
Jack Wills Black Jeans
Whistles Pumps
The above is a picture I took but didn't post from early October when the temperatures were a little kinder - kind enough to wear pumps on your feet. I remember on the day I wore the above, I rode my 6 year old Ben's bike to school with my knees banging on the handlebars. On arrival, a fellow mum who had seen me peddling merrily along declared me a nutter but to be honest, it was easier than putting my back out pushing the bike to school. All I can say is - the things we do for our kids right?
So that's my little altered coat - a worthwhile £20 investment to give me a much bigger return.
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If you're looking for similar, this is a good coat which I've seen on my travels - it's described as 'peat" but it's a good mix between the grey coat above and my Next cocoon coat - now that's what I call a double whammy!
I'd buy it if I didn't already have my two!
Chavtastic
Thursday, 29 November 2012
So what's so chavtastic about this little cream cotton jumper? It looks kind of unassuming and pleasant enough but not chavvy. It's easy to wear, easy to wash, easy price (£12) and has a little touch of the Guernsey styling about it. It's 100% cotton, a workhorse type of jumper and it's also what I would deem a bit Margaret Howellesque. So what's so chavtastic about it?
Well nothing really. But it does go really well with this Burberry cashmere scarf. Now that's chavtastic.
Hear me out whilst you're shaking your heads and mentally thinking "nooooo - what fashion planet did you fall off Sue? I thought you had a little bit of fashion wisdom about you but here you are singing the praises of a chav scarf!" I'd like to say in my defence - I really like this scarf. I'm not sure how much of it is to do with the Burberry check - not that much I think but the colours are sharp and good and the cashmere is beyond soft. This is baby fluff bunny soft. Actually, that should be baby fluff goat soft. For this reason alone - it could have bright purple and yellow flowers on it and I would love it. Actually, I lie, if it had bright purple and yellow flowers, I would not love it at all but I can live with a Burberry chavtastic check.
I "procured" this scarf many years ago. It was offered to me by an ex boyfriend who wasn't particularly enamoured with it. I was cold and it was soft. I wrapped it around my neck, revelled in its softness and took it home. Though I left the boyfriend, I kept the scarf. You would have done the same right? I thought so :o)
I have to say, that this is not a particularly big scarf and doesn't lend itself well for doing that manic wrapping thing that most of us women are used to doing with our big oversized scarves. This one is a bit of a mean size which is surprising given that this is a men's scarf. Why are men's scarves smaller and shorter than womens? Incase they wee on the ends when they lean over to do their number ones? Anyway, the point I'm making is that I tend to pin this scarf due to its lack of length. Ooh err. Go back up and play spot the kilt pin.
Anyway, chavs are really a British thing - they only exist here. You don't get this look anywhere else in the world that I know of.
But Christopher Bailey worked his little socks off to bring the brand round with great success, don't you think?
Try not to think of Burberry in the mid 2000's - I like to think those were the wilderness years but if you think of Burberry post 2009 when CB took over as creative director, then you won't be so disgusted with me.
Last note :
Well nothing really. But it does go really well with this Burberry cashmere scarf. Now that's chavtastic.
Next Cocoon Coat (A/W 2011)
Hear me out whilst you're shaking your heads and mentally thinking "nooooo - what fashion planet did you fall off Sue? I thought you had a little bit of fashion wisdom about you but here you are singing the praises of a chav scarf!" I'd like to say in my defence - I really like this scarf. I'm not sure how much of it is to do with the Burberry check - not that much I think but the colours are sharp and good and the cashmere is beyond soft. This is baby fluff bunny soft. Actually, that should be baby fluff goat soft. For this reason alone - it could have bright purple and yellow flowers on it and I would love it. Actually, I lie, if it had bright purple and yellow flowers, I would not love it at all but I can live with a Burberry chavtastic check.
Go on, tell me - do I look chav in this?
I "procured" this scarf many years ago. It was offered to me by an ex boyfriend who wasn't particularly enamoured with it. I was cold and it was soft. I wrapped it around my neck, revelled in its softness and took it home. Though I left the boyfriend, I kept the scarf. You would have done the same right? I thought so :o)
I have to say, that this is not a particularly big scarf and doesn't lend itself well for doing that manic wrapping thing that most of us women are used to doing with our big oversized scarves. This one is a bit of a mean size which is surprising given that this is a men's scarf. Why are men's scarves smaller and shorter than womens? Incase they wee on the ends when they lean over to do their number ones? Anyway, the point I'm making is that I tend to pin this scarf due to its lack of length. Ooh err. Go back up and play spot the kilt pin.
Anyway, chavs are really a British thing - they only exist here. You don't get this look anywhere else in the world that I know of.
Photo Credit : DailyMail.com
The now famous picture of Daniella Westbrook in full Burberry regalia.
Be thankful.
Photo Credit : DailyMail.com
Emma's coat needs an iron? Yes?
Try not to think of Burberry in the mid 2000's - I like to think those were the wilderness years but if you think of Burberry post 2009 when CB took over as creative director, then you won't be so disgusted with me.
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Last note :
- Christopher Bailey was born in Yorkshire. Yay! That's it. And he's good at his job.
- For anybody unfamiliar with the term Chav, this is the Oxford English definition :
Noun. British, informal, derogatory.
A young lower-class person typified by brash and loutish behaviour and the wearing of (real or
imitation) designer clothes.
- No offence intended to anyone who likes Burberry or chav style. I have a scarf - what more can I say?
Plaid, Check or Tartan?
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Jack Wills Mens Lambswool Check/Plaid/Tartan Scarf (old)
Worn with "altered" M&S Grey Coat (ancient)
When will I learn not to put myself in the same picture as a model?
This was originally a Crimbo pressie for the Grumps but there was a bit of the raised eyebrow about the bright pink bits in the scarf, so I decided it was best if I kept it for myself. And I'm pretty pleased that I did because apart from being big, warm and funky - it means I've got the 2012 check/plaid/tartan scarf trend ticked!
And I didn't even have to spend a penny (this year).
Roses
Sunday, 25 November 2012
I was looking for something colourful - I felt that I'd been doing a bit too much of the grey, black and blue thing just recently so I dug deep in the clothes boxes and unearthed this extremely ancient jumper. It's a very old River Island one circa 1980-90's I think. My sister gave it to me last year declaring that it was mine and that I could have it back. Mine? I don't remember this being mine but the more I looked at it, the more it looked like it was something I might have worn way back then. Yes - I used to wear things with print and colour and not just grey.
Very very old skool and 100% cotton.
I tried to make it a bit interesting by pairing with a denim skirt and some ankle boots. I was trying to avoid wearing the beloved boyfriend jeans but somehow in the skirt, I just looked bad ... not quirky or cool - just bad. So I'm afraid, I went back to the jeans. I do actually have more things to wear than boyfriend jeans but I can't seem to break the habit and besides, every magazine at the moment is extolling the virtues of the boyfriend jean and how they are the 'IN' thing. So that's my excuse anyway.
Sleeves rolled up and ready for action.
I somehow managed to persuade the Grumps to go outside with me to take a few shots with a more interesting background than my usual landing. But not before I donned a big parka - don't you know - it's officially freezing out there!
Eskimo Sue
River Island Rose Jumper (very old)
Primark Parka (very old)
Falmer Heritage Boyfriend Jeans (old)
H&M Trend Yellow Mohair Scarf (A/W 2012)
Gap Boots (A/W2012) below
That's the gently disguised "I am not amused" look.
So no "oooh la la" today. Just a bit of "brrrrrrr - man it's cold".
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Last Note :
I saw this on my travels - I'm quite taken with this as a 2012 updated version of my old jumper. And it's black!
I like!
Photo Credit : AOL.com
See - I said it was a bit D&G!
French Dressing Up - Part 2.
Friday, 23 November 2012
Playtime again - what's in the dressing up box today? Sorry, cough, cough, clear throat, adopt serious voice. I mean, here we are again for the rest of the rules.
French Chic - The Rules Part 2
- Avoid Clashing Prints
- Experimenting with keeping it tonal
- Wear a silk blouse like a T shirt
- Go easy on the heels
- Draw attention to the decolletage
- Show some flesh
- Never be too perfect.
* Go Easy on the Heels.
Okay, this doesn't mean stop wearing the heels but let's wear elegant heels. None of these poledancer platforms, porn shoes and chunky clunkies. In Grazia, they are showing these beauties which look divine and are a stunning colour but they also happen to be crippingly high and look like they are one step away from an injury.
Once upon a time, I would have looked at those shoes and just cooed over them. Now I look at them and wince. Age makes you soft.
* Show Some Flesh.
So VB is saying it's sexy to go bare-legged ... even in the cold months. American tan tights are a no go. They had a lovely picture of the journalist in a pair of shorts and a pair of over the knee boots to balance the leg exposure ratio and in my thoughts - probably to minimise the cold.
Cold but cute
* Draw Attention to the Decolletage.
Make a bit of a feature around your neckline. Wear something which draws the eye ... but I don't think she means get your stack out. Yes, that would draw the eyes. Hello boys! They mean like Audrey Tautou below. So pretty. If you're going to make people look at your top half - look for the right reasons at least.
Photo Credit : Newsgab.com
I'm going to cheat again. I'm going to cover all three rules in one outfit and this is an outfit I'd been planning to wear for a friend's birthday meal until it had to be cancelled but hey, I can use it for this post instead .... and I am re-using some of the clothes seen in the previous post. Excuse me for not showing you some new exciting, different clothes but I'm enjoying some of the things I have so I'm just going to get them out again and get my moneys' worth.
My interpretation of showing some flesh is to get the bare legs out and wear a dress. Come on - did you really think I was going to parade round in a pair of dinky shorts with over the knee boots? You did? You really did? I have a cut off point for skirts and dresses which is just above the knee. Anything south of the knees goes a bit to pot in my eyes so I like to stop where I think it's okay. I know shorter is funkier but shorter makes my legs look chunkier. Fact. So I'm wearing my black lace shift dress. Quite simple, with sleeves (I don't like my arms) and no waistband (I like my food).
Just a LBLD (Little black lace dress)
I bought this little black lace dress from Matalan for about £20 last year. I'm not usually a big fan of black lace dresses but I have to say I just wanted something to wear which wasn't the same top that I'd worn for the previous two Christmas do's. I saw this little dress, I tried it on and it fitted... so I bought it. I figured it could also be worn in the day time with just a regular grey cardi for a more dressed down look. Admittedly, I have yet to try this day time look. Admittedly, I live in jeans. Admittedly, everything is good in theory .... admittedly, admittedly.
Footwear. We're looking for a more refined heel. I don't have much call for heels these days but I do have a couple of pairs and these are about 4" high. That's my threshold. Just because the above Sergio Rossi's are sky scrapers, doesn't mean I have to wear sky scrapers. Sky scrapers are the epitome of non elegance when the woman is hobbling down the street in agony. However, a slim heel and a pointy toe might be all that's needed. I'm wearing the same pair of heels as in the previous post. They're not very high but high enough to know I am wearing a heel. Pointy but not injury inflicting pointy.
Fact - I've never had to shave my legs
Fact - my legs look anaemic (it's the lighting - honest, guv!)
I was going to wear this along with the Mango jacket featured previously to pull the look together a bit and dress down the dress.
Tweed and lace.
And throw on a small bag for me to house the keys and phone. No Chanel this time - just a little black Chanel'esque style bag which my sister bought me over 20 years ago when she went on holiday in Spain and which I've still hung on to. I am actually quite attached to it due partly to it being made of impeccably soft leather and it's one of the few gifts I actually liked from my sis.
Old but loved.
And all together, it looks like this.
Ta dah! Or should that be "Ooh la la!"
That's me doing the coy pose
And that's it. What? Finished already? What happened to the last rule of drawing attention to the decolletage? Well I thought I would add a necklace but decided against it at the last minute as it wasn't sitting quite right on the neckline ... and then it dawned on me to take the advice of one Ms Ines de la Fressange which is to remove one thing before you leave the house and so I did - I chose to remove the necklace. Afterall, Ms de la Fressange is as perenially chic and French as they come and if it's a good enough for her, it's good enough for me and it also gives me the perfect cop out.
Well - that's the end of the French play-dressing - it was fun. What have I learnt?
- I like French style ... whatever it is - (Ms Alt and Ms Moss dress identically sometimes). Go figure.
- I don't like having bare legs in November.
- Goose pimples are not sexy on bare legs.
- I don't like wearing silk shirts in the daytime near children
- I like dressing up for fun.
- I like dressing up for fun. Yes I did mean to repeat that.
- Carrying small black quilted leather handbags looks instantly French.
- That Mango jacket goes with everything.
- I like dressing up for fun :o)
Back to the joggy bots - it's time for UK cleaning style! And no, I'm not going to do a post on that.
Have a good weekend everyone.
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