Back to Basics - Stripes (Saint James Meridien Top to be Precise).
Friday, 12 April 2013
I have dressed like the proverbial dog's dinner this week. No let me correct that - the dog's dinner has looked better. The daily offerings have been so bad that I have spared you the madness and badness.
But today, I woke up in a better frame of mind, hair freshly done and applied a little bit of makeup (just a smidgeon) to perk up the weary face (George stop getting up in the middle of the night, you little tinker - your mum's face will thank you for it). I even put on a little lip gloss to really push the boat out. Aaah - I feel better. Makeup does actually make you feel better - I'm just too lazy to practice what I preach most days and besides the French do that no make up look really well so I'm in good company really (keep selling it to thyself by way of an excuse).
I was stuck in the house yesterday. I wanted to get out but I couldn't as I was helping a friend with looking after her little one. Two whole weeks and not a whiff of a 3D shop can really get a girl down you know. But there's always that little chink of light to be found in online shopping :o) I can't recommend it enough.
I've been going through the wardrobe and I've actually done a bit of culling. Pat on back for me. I am offloading two bags of clothes to one sister and another bag of clothes to the god daughter. They don't know it yet. One woman's rubbish is another's treasure - right? But I am pleased - a few less clothes to think about not thinking about (think about it)!
So whilst going through the wardrobe and looking through my stripes, I came to the conclusion that I was still missing a red breton. I was missing one last year too when I did a post on stripes so I think that's an argument for my case for a red breton to update my wardrobe. It doesn't have to be a strict red but anywhere between pantone hellboy and pantone ironman is good :o)
I'm thinking red/raspberry will be quite fresh. A nice change from the classic blues and a little bit more funky than a black. I'm taking inspiration from the following :
Worn a little like this - I already have the hand in jeans pocket look perfected. I need to get a new pose - it's getting all a bit Blue Steel (Zoolander anyone? I love that film! Thought provoking it is not, entertaining it is).
Photo Credit : Atterley Road.com
So yeah - that's hopefully the red breton hole filled. I'll keep you posted whether it's a yay or nay when it arrives - I already know the sleeves are way long but hey - what's new?
I Declare Spring Officially Open for Business!
Monday, 8 April 2013
It's a very English trait to talk about the weather. It becomes ingrained into your subconscious and you find yourself muttering to total strangers "ooh, turned out nice again!" or "oh, it's just dreadful all this rain we're having but it's good for the garden isn't it?". Anyway, this weekend, the weather has been good. We have had sunshine, there has been no rain and miracles of miracles, no snow either. Based on these very factors, I declare spring officially open for business! I'm ignoring the fact that we are still in single figure temperatures. Crack open the ballet pumps!
I sort of made an effort yesterday in that I wore a silk top as I was going out for lunch. This one is quite girly - check out the frilly details. Next thing you know, I'll be wearing fluffy pink jumpers (yes really).
H&M Jacket, Jack Wills Cheriton Blouse, H&M Jeans
Hobbs NW3 Hazel Bag, New Look Ballet Pumps
Teamed with the little WOC and a pair of nude ballet pumps, I felt positively spring like and ignored my cold feet and frozen to the core limbs. The fact that I had to borrow a coat later was not lost on me but hey ho, at least I tried.
So what's the weather like where you are? Spring sprung? Ballet pumps on? Dusting down the shorts? Or am I just getting ahead of myself here? Don't tell me - I know, I know! I'm getting ahead of myself!
Birthdays, WOC's, Horrid Food and Krispy Kremes (the title says it all).
Saturday, 6 April 2013
It was Ben's birthday yesterday. My boy is now 7. He comes up to my shoulders but that's not hard when you're a shortbum like me. We were taking him out for something to eat in one of those out of town places where the parking is free and the food is horrid.
I started like this with white sneakers and turn ups and a WOC.
Mango coat, Zara shirt, Jack Wills jeans, Primark sneakers.
Hobbs NW3 Hazel bag.
A WOC is a Wallet ON Chain. I'd never heard of this expression till a few weeks ago when Marlene (Bag Guru Extraordinaire) was talking about them and the initials fell in to place. Anyway, this is my little WOC - the Hobbs NW3 Hazel bag (A/W 2012). It's a little cutie and it's also a mare. It's a little cutie in that it is a lovely shade of plum and it is a mare because the zip is designed so badly (way too long) and you have to "tuck it away" using a little press stud they ingeniously thought of. However, I have to say it would have been more ingenious to have put on a shorter zip. This little bag was an Ebay score so I didn't pay huge pennies for it and for that reason I can live with this little aberation. That aside, I like it as the little plum bag looks quite fresh and almost dainty compared to the usual monster bags that I heave around daily.
Anyway, my feet were cold and I was cold so I changed to boots .....
Office Namesake Boots
... which were a little bit warmer but then I went off and sneaked a bit of George's chocolate Easter bunny and a piece dropped on my shirt and melted down the front which I didn't notice till 5 mins before I was heading out of the door. That will teach me for being a greedy guts!
One shirt soaking in the sink and a change for something even warmer ...
Uniqlo Cashmere jumper, Oasis Faux Fur Gilet, M&S Altered Coat
.... and I was finally out of the door.
The horrid meal from the dreadful fake Italian/American eating place was compensated by the fact that the Krispy Kreme shop was just around the corner.
PUDDING!
Hands off the original glazed. They're mine!
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Hope you're all having a lovely Easter so far.
Denim Dresses
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
I saw a little denim tunic dress on the Topshop site a little while back. The next day it disappeared. I thought it was a figment of my imagination but then it turned up again. Phew! I thought I was going mad. Anyway, to cut a longish story short, I got it. It was in a dark blue rinse and I loved it until I saw the lighter version of it coming out three weeks later. I loved the lighter one more. Phew! Thank goodness for 28 day return policies.
So here it is as dressed up a little .....
Krimble sandals and Topshop Necklace
... with a necklace and not a little necklace at that but a full blown you can't miss me kind of necklace. This is one I got from Topshop in 2005(?) when I was pregnant with Ben. I was probably thinking that if everyone looked at the necklace, they wouldn't be looking at my big tum. The necklace is definitely a statement piece and quite heavy as the stones are real and not plastic which is a big selling point for me. But the thing I love most about it - the girly flower disc. Looking at this whole ensemble, it wouldn't look out of place in a Plumo lookbook would it?
And whilst researching denim dresses, I came across Alexa Chung in her Stella McCartney version and the similarities were not lost on me so of course, I had to have a play didn't I? Would you be able to resist?
Picture Credit : GlamourMagazine.co.uk
Now I'm not saying that mine is identical - it's not. Alexa's version is from Stella McCartney. Mine is from Topshop. Alexa's cost oodles of money. Mine didn't. Alexa's doesn't have pockets. Mine does which is great because I am a pocket jammer. I'm not sure there is an official term for people who like to put their hands in their pockets but if there's not - pocket jammer will do.
Still sticking pictures of myself near skinny celebs (will I ever learn?).
Topshop Necklace, Nine West Heels, Obscure Basket I had lying around (all old).
Anyway, I have to say that though I love the colour, cut and shape of this dress - I just wish it was 1.5 inches longer. It's at that critical length. The critical length between flattering and fattering. And because it is just that little bit shorter than I am comfortable with, I may have to return it and fall back on this one ...
Dorothy Perkins Denim Dress, APC Bag, Krimble Sandals
I fell out of love with this Dotty P dress because I was trying to wear it in the winter with tights and boots and a scarf and I hated the combo together. But I'd never tried it on with just a pair of sandals which just works so much better. This is because I bought the dress in the winter time and so in my mind, it is a winter dress though the denim is quite lightweight. I popped this on just to find out what I disliked about it so much but as soon as I had it on, I felt so much better and more comfortable in this one than the Topshop one. Can you tell from my more relaxed body language? This one is at the right length though admittedly it has been shortened and the denim is so much softer - the Topshop one is stiffer though it has a lot of stretch. There is no tweaking in to place or tugging at the hem like on the Topshop one. Everything just feels right.
So I'm delighted that I have rekindled an unexpected love for my little denim dress. It has shades of an APC Madras one which I've spotted on my travels and which is probably why I was so drawn to it in the first place. And after all that love I've just spouted for the Dotty P dress, I think I've definitely talked myself out of the Topshop one. How did I do that? It doesn't matter - I'm just glad I did as it means I've saved some money and it also means I don't have a redundant dress in my wardrobe.
Anyway, here's a round up of a few nice denim dresses to see you in to Spring (we seem to be getting there finally albeit slowly).
So tell me, any float your boat or do you have a little denim dress stashed away already?
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Last Note :
- The Topshop one would be great on slightly taller ladies who might want to wear it in that wonderfully artistic boho Toast way with leggings or trousers.
- It's Easter and there are children to be entertained and birthday parties to be planned so I hope you don't mind if I take a bit of time out. I'm still around but just chilling and visiting blogs. I'll be back before you know it :o)
Dior Nail Glow
Friday, 29 March 2013
I have a new nail polish. So what? I have lots of nail polishes as I have shown in a previous post. But this is the only nail polish that I (and the Grumps) deem good enough to sit on the old finger nails (I never do polish on my hands normally). Polish is wasted on my hands - they are ravaged by too much hand washing (not of an OCD but of a compulsory nature) and I can't do a decent paint job with the left hand anyway.
I came across this polish when I was reading Emily-Jane's Monday's Child's blog just last week and it sounded totally up my street. I like Emily Jane's blog - she does short but sweet posts and she has a pair of the Kooples boots which I wanted so badly. That's how I found her - via the boots. That's how I found Clare at A Life Less Ordinary - via her sandals. I'm weird like that and I really shouldn't be confessing to these weird stalkerish quirks. I just like to see how other people wear things I have or want.
Anyway, it's a varnish which gives a sheer sweep of colour in the most natural way. Lovely.
I hunted it down at the Dior counter. Tried it on a couple of fingers and went home. I needed to see if it would pass the Grumps test. And what is the Grumps test ? The Grumps test is that he doesn't hate it on sight and he doesn't do the childish retching face. It passed the test and so I bought it whilst there was a 10% off offer on cosmetics at Debenhams. A saving of £1.80. You do the maths.
And for your delectation - here's what it looks like on three nails starting from the left. The nail on the right has been left unpainted so you can see the difference.
See - there is a difference!
You could argue that I could have saved myself some money and just put a clear polish on and achieved a similar effect but honestly, it does have a little something about it - it just glows! Hence it's name! It has the slightest pinkish tint and it makes my hands look that little bit nicer and my nails that little bit more finished. They look healthy! See!
Pretty in Pink!
So it's not often that I actually talk about anything remotely beauty like but I like this Dior polish a lot. I'm not saying it's everyone's cup of tea - a bit too pale and uninteresting for a lot of people but for a girl who doesn't wear polish, this is a nice gentle way to ease in to it. And if it starts to chip or anything, no one will really notice. And if I paint it on badly - you won't really be able to tell either. Brilliant.
But now I really must stop admiring my lovely pale rose hued nails and get a life.
Happy Easter everyone.
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Last Note :
- If you google Dior Nail Glow - you will find loads of pictures from people who have done a better job of painting their nails with this polish than me and you will get a better idea of the pink glow. I noticed it also has a touch of the lilac about it when outside in natural daylight. Cool.
- The Grumps conceded that my nails looked better with the Dior Nail Glow on than without. Yuuusss! Get in there!
Zara Jacket Three - The White Jacquard Cardi one.
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
Okay - ding ding - round three. The last Zara jacket in the series is this one :
Not quite what you were expecting was it? I bought this jacket the day after it hit the website. Probably about two to three weeks ago. I just knew I liked this jacket. Just like I knew I liked all the other jackets but this one is a definite keeper .... I think.
Zara Scarf, Aubin & Wills Jumper, Jack Wills Jeans, H&M Shoes
So no great shakes here and you must have the measure of me by now and what I like to wear. I'm just going to wear it with a tee and jeans. Because that's the look I like and that's the look I'm comfortable with.
River Island Necklace, Splendid Tee, Dorothy Perkins Belt, Jack Wills Jeans, Zara Sandals
Mixed all my metals here but I don't mind. Hope you don't.
As you can tell, this is not a school run jacket. No no no! This is not a daytime jacket with the kids. No no no! This is a grown up going out in the evening jacket when there are no small people near to touch the divine whiteness.
I've wanted a white/ivory jacket for a while now but this is the first one that fits how I like and is relaxed and comfortable enough for me not to feel too stuffy in it. Oh yes and the sleeves are not tight like the previous two jackets ... and I had to size down. Bonus.
And white goes with everything doesn't it? Just like black goes with everything but a white jacket does feel kind of fresher and more appropriate for the lighter days.
James Perse Tee, New Look Jeans, Krimble Sandals
Why wear 1 bracelet when you can wear 4? All my own designs.
If I had a pound for every time I wore a pair of ripped jeans and the Krimble sandals, I would have myself a nice new Longchamp bag by now!
And just to throw a curveball - how about a dress with the jacket?
H&M Jersey dress, Monsoon Belt, Susie Ho bracelet
I'm just off to a meeting to discuss the latest edition of Vogue!
Sorry that the photos were a little hazy at this point - this was late in the afternoon when the sun (yes sun) was slowly ebbing away as I was frantically trying to get a few last shots for the post. But I'm kind of glad because you won't be able to see too clearly my cheap and cheerful £7 black jersey H&M (not Lang or Wang) dress used soley for the purpose of saying - look you can wear this jacket with a dress! I spent a lot of last summer in this dress. If you lose the jacket and shoes, keep the belt and stick on some flip flops - you are holiday ready.
So I think I'm finally done with Zara jackets for this season and you're probably tired of seeing them too. We had the red floral biker, the blue Marant'ish one and now this white number.
Do you have a favourite out of the three? Mine is the white one. As if you hadn't guessed.
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