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Hello. Long time no blog. Well a month or thereabouts. But I'm feeling in the mood today because today I wanted to have a natter about some current fave items in my wardrobe. Now admittedly I'm not wearing the most colourful combination on the planet but then again I like what I like on me and personally, I love dark muted shades on me most of the time. Boring for some but I'm okay with that. #youbeyou. Anyway, I digress. All the items I'm wearing above have made it in to my wardrobe this year with the exception of the tote which I already had.

I'll start with the shirt which Michelle alerted me to after she bought one in a different shade. It's a  simple popover but it's all about the colour for me with this shirt. The dark khaki/brown shade is utilitarian perfect (they call it Orca on their website) and I love the slight cocoon shape which is courtesy of a couple of "darts" at the back of the shirt. You need to look on the website to see what I'm wittering about. Little deets which ring the changes. I'm wearing an XS and it's quite roomy.  It's also a crisp cotton poplin which makes it perfect for spring/summer. I spotted the crepe versions in the Leeds store when I popped in and I love how fluid and drapey those are - perfect for a slightly more dressed up vibe and I am totally crushing on the black version which would be my go to for an evening out dressed up with fancy shoes. 

The wide legged trousers were picked up in an M&S outlet for under a tenner. Perfect for me in every way bar two things - one they have no pockets (booooo) and secondly, they were three cm too long. Whereas I can do nothing about the pockets, I did hem up the trousers with some iron on hem stuff. Some times I do things properly with a needle and thread and sometimes I use iron on stuff.  Raw hems are good on jeans - not so much on trews. These are actually the first pair of black trousers I've bought in about fifteen years. Joggy botts don't count. And that's because I always have to get over the thought that I might look like a waitress in black trousers. It's a mindset but it's a mindset that I personally have to get over. 

And lastly the Novesta trainers. I bought a pair of pale grey/blue ones a couple of years back which I found myself wearing quite a lot last summer. I favoured them over Converse as they don't do that nippy little toe thing which Converse are famous for. The Novestas have a more cushioned sole which provides a little arch support and if you don't like the insoles, they are easy to remove so you can replace with something else if you prefer. I mentioned that I had heel pain a couple of years ago which was actually caused by me trying to walk more for exercise and since then, I'm always looking for shoes and sandals which are a little cushioned. I don't want a recurrence. Oh and thanks Michelle for finding me a discount code. What an enabler - they were duly ordered within the hour!

I just thought I'd include a little montage to show what a useful and easy way it is to dress up and down a black shirt and jeans combination. I like how all these items are interchangeable to create different looks. 

The M&S Jacket. I've not seen it in real life yet but isn't it a pretty colour? Just kind of refreshing from the usual khaki to give it a fresher modern take.

February's a funny month fashion wise isn't it? There's still some dregs from the sales (bargain cashmere jumpers anyone?) but I've really got my eye on the newbies coming in. Those new things which give your wardrobe a bit of a kick start. The eagle eyed will have already spotted some of my new additions on Instagram thanks to Very.co.uk who I'm working with. I like to think I've chosen a well rounded mix of high low items because that's how I shop anyway. A bargain here offset by a (cough cough) not so much bargain there. I thought I'd do a little round up and provide a little bit of rationale and reason behind my picks.

Now I've always wanted a camel coat. I have never found that elusive camel coat - well I tell a lie, I did find it but I went and bought it in another colour instead which I thought would be more useful and guess what - I've never regretted it. So that tells me something - I don't really need a camel coat or they are not for me. But this Mango wool mix one is along similar lines but a little darker in tone. Basically a lot more wearable for me. I still ummed and aahed over it though as I worried it might be overly boxy and made of some horrid sackcloth type fabric which would make you roll your eyes out loud but as you will have probably deduced - it came good.

Yes I already have some but now I have another pair and they have have helped me to scratch that pink itch I get each year when I feel some strange compulsion to factor pink in to my wardrobe. Generally I live in all the dark shades but come spring, I start coming over all girly. I can't help it, it just happens. Did I have doubts about these? Yes. I have doubts about everything I buy until I see them in the flesh and work out what gives and what doesn't. And the thing with Nike Air Max One is that they are the perfect fugly non fugly trainer which will still be around when the proper fugly bricks have all been laid to fashion heaven. How am I wearing these pink sneaks? With a long dress most likely. I like the juxtaposition of pretty versus clunky. I don't like doing full on pretty pretty - I am a mum of boys and somehow somewhere along the way, my girly side has been suppressed a little. I don't actually mind because I did always think that if I had had a little girl, I would have stuck her in a pair of jeans and a Nirvana tee shirt anyway. And Docs. 

So are Nike Air Max One comfy? Yes. Are they true to size? Yes. Are they cool? Who knows - I like them and you should wear what YOU like.

And you know how they always say the early bird snags the best summer fashion stuff? Well yes summer is a little way ahead and we have to get through spring first but didn't we just have #fakespring this last week of February? #fakesummer can't be far off so obviously I had to go for the perfect little black dress when I spotted it. 

* This is part of my paid collaboration with VeryUk

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Last Note :

1. LTC City 3 Star Trainers

2. LTC City 2 Black Star Trainers

3. LTC City 4 Trainers

4. LTC City Trainers Zebra

Friday/Saturday Five (1 of 5) Axel Arigato Trainers

My current trainer obsession. I love these. Look at that pink tongue! Look at those red lace tips! Look at that black heel trim! Not too fancy. But fancy enough. That's all.

Friday/Saturday Five (3 of 5) The Future's Bright, The Future's Orange.

I know everyone is touting yellow and coral but I quite like orange. I was browsing idly on the MiH site as I like to get the general vibe for what they're doing each season and I kind of got hit with the orange stick message they were delivering. So when I walked into H&M and I came face to face with a bright orange jumper, in fact that nice bright orange jumper up there, I had to try it on (by the way, it's true to size). It's a wool, alpaca mix and though I know everyone is tiring of jumpers and the suchlike, this doesn't actually feel too wintery. It's quite light and feels nice and cheery and to be honest, right now, we need nice and cheery.

• I never normally ask the hubs for an opinion on clothes but I just needed to be sure about the sweatshirts and he actually smiled when I tried on the French Toast one whereas he said the pink one was lost on me and a bit meh. And for once, I agree.

• Sorry I keep touting the Gap Girlfriend jeans in all my outfit combos at the moment, its just that I have a new found love for them currently. I now have three pairs.