About Time

Thursday 29 September 2016





I've said before that I don't wear things straight away. It's just the way I am. But today, I must have been in a good mood as the sun was was shining and it wasn't too cold. I felt I should brave a skirt whilst I could still get the bare legs out. And whilst I was flicking through the contents of the wardrobe, I pulled out a sweatshirt which had yet to see the light of day. For the record, I've only had the skirt (one month) and the sweatshirt (3 months). 





Now let me fess up about this sweatshirt. Way back in May when Whistles last had a promotion, I bought a dress. I bought the Lola dress seen here in this post. The dress was lovely but I never reached for it. As the time got nearer and nearer to the end of the returns date, I decided that it just wasn't the kind of thing I would wear as a SAHM. It was just a little too formal for me. So I took it back to store and exchanged it for this sweatshirt. And then hung it up in my wardrobe till now. Because I am like that.

Well with Whistles having another one of their 25% off promotions, it reminded me that I had this little sweatshirt and I really should give it some love. 

Today was it's day! :)


Whistles Hummingbird Sweatshirt (here and here)
Hobbs NW3 Bag (Old)
Converse
Zara Leopard Skirt (sold out but put yourself on the mailing list here)
Or this is a nice alternative.

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Last Note :

  • Grazia are running a promotion with 25% off currently. WH25AW16 is the code online.
  • Unfortunately, my sweatshirt is now sold out online on the Whistles site though there may be the odd one in store. Sorry, sorry, sorry!
  • If you are after birds on your chest, this one looks rather lovely.



Lovely Dress

Wednesday 28 September 2016





Not a lot else I can say about it. I think it's a lovely dress. If you were to look at it on the website, well I guess you wouldn't really look at it twice. I mean I've glanced at it briefly but it hasn't made me go "whoa there!".

But I was in store and it did catch my eye. It caught my eye because it was floral but it wasn't as frilly as the other infamous H&M dress currently making it's round the the IG stratosphere. It also wasn't as long and there was no high neck for me to contend with. What did I have to lose by trying it on? Errr £24.99.

So into the changing room I popped with it and surprisingly I just fell in love with it. It's flattering (come on, it's black) and it fitted where it needed to. The neck loop fastening at the back was easy enough to do. It fell in all the right places and it hid all the bad stuff I like to eat. It's a winner. Now let me say though, this dress is probably designed for the smaller vertically challenged people out there. Also this is actually a knee length dress but given my height, it hits me as a midi. One of it's plus points is that it falls from below the chest so there is nothing cutting me off at the waist. One of it's minus points is that it has an open back (either wear a fabulous bra or get daring and go without). And I think it's going to go rather well under that squeaky biker jacket of mine seen on the previous post!

It's the perfect dress up, dress down dress!






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Last Note :

  • I'm a size UK 10 (chubby 10) and the dress I have on is a 10. It's exactly that - no more, no less. 



Biker Girl

Tuesday 27 September 2016



Topshop Petite Faux Leather Biker (regular size version here)
Isabel Marant Etoile Shirt (old)
Forever21 Khakis (old) (nice alternative here)
Swedish Hasbeens (old)


That little biker up there? It's the most perfect fitting biker jacket I have ever tried on in my life. The sleeves are not too long nor are they too tight, the back is not too short and I can even fasten it up. It also doesn't pouff up near the chest area where some jackets are shaped to accommodate a bosom. And for a faux leather jacket, it's a rather good one I have to say. 

However. 

It squeaks. Yes it does. Squeak, squeak, squeak. I squeak like a mouse when I move. Hmmm.

I've read the reviews on the Topshop site (I wish all stores had a place where people could leave reviews as these are extremely helpful) and my jacket is not a one off. They do squeak apparently but the noise will disappear. So there is hope. 

But now I'm in a quandary. Do I keep and wear with the hope of the squeak disappearing? Or hold tight for the ultimate non squeaking perfect fit biker (preferably real leather)? I'm not sure one exists out there for little old me! :(



Quick OOTD : 26/09/16 Night Music

Monday 26 September 2016




Mango Jacket (old but alternative here)
Bella Freud Jumper (ss16 but current season here)
Adidas Stan Smith Luxe


A very kind lady contacted me in June to let me know the Bella Freud Night Music jumper was on sale in Selfridges after I'd left a comment on her Instagram in February saying how much I loved it. 

Me? I was on it like a car bonnet!


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Last Note :

  • Incase you're wondering about the fit of the Bella Freud jumpers, I'm wearing a size small and I'm a size 10 and the jumpers are quite long in the body. Well they are if you're a shortie like me.
  • I've previously had a Bella Freud jumper in a medium but had to sell that on as it was a touch too big. There wasn't much in it though but you know yourself what feels right.


Accessorize Ronnie Camera Bag

Wednesday 21 September 2016






Ronnie's just joined my bag family. He's kind of a lovely deep red with a mock croc finish. Not too big, not too small. If you like, you can even buy extra funky bag straps for him and his family. Family? Oh yes, there are a whole bunch of Ronnies out there. There's a blue one, black one, tan one, leopard one and of course my lovely deep red one. A veritable little bag family all living here. And to add to their charm, you can even buy interchangeable funky bag straps (here) to jazz them up a little. 

Cool.


Zara Coat, Adidas Superstars, Uniqlo Breton, Accessorize Ronnie Camera bag




Starry Starry Jeans

Monday 19 September 2016



Kate in her Stella's.


That woman up there in the funky jeans? That's Kate from Wearsmymoney. That woman makes me want to go all rock chick and wear crazy ass star printed jeans. Her jeans are Stella McCartneys which are available here. Me, I can't afford Stella's but I can afford New Look. 

Question is. I can afford them. 

But have I got the guts to wear them? #notascoolasKate




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Last Note :

  • To get 20% off, the code MAGIC20 appears to be working on full priced items on the New Look site. 



Quick OOTD : 18/09/16 Mules

Sunday 18 September 2016




F&F Culottes (old but good alternative here)
Tula Bag (old)
Next Tan Mules (old but these are nice and I also have them as well)


Just thought I'd try again with my tan mules which I first posted here. They don't seem as wibbly wobbly as last year.

Strange that.



Merci Beaucoup!

Thursday 15 September 2016




H&M Shorts (old)


Bonjour!

Il fait trop chaud, aujourd'hui. Je pensais que je porterais mon nouveau tee-shirt de La Redoute.

C'est tout.

Merci Beaucoup!   :)

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Last Note :

  • Pardonnez the French. It was all Google Translate's doing.
  • The tee is a lovely soft organic cotton and is true to size. I loved it as soon as I tried it on. 
  • I'm a size 10 wearing a size 10/12 which is comfy and non-clingy.
  • There is also a stripy version available here and a sweatshirt available here.
  • The code 25DEL will give you 25% off and free delivery currently.




Move Along

Friday 9 September 2016



Isabel Marant Etoile Blouse (old but nice alternative here)
H&M Skirt (old but nice alternative here)
The Jacksons Bag (old but available here)
Hobbs NW3 Sandals (old but Saltwaters are a nice alternative)


Nothing new here. All old. Move Along.

But seriously if you have some good basics which don't really date, they can come in to their own year after year. Saves a bit of money too! :)

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Last Note :

  • If I didn't have mine, I'd probably have this one in my wardrobe!






New Basics.

Monday 5 September 2016



Uniqlo Gingham Shirt (old but I like this one too)
Primark Denim Jacket (instore currently but similar here)
Zara Bag (previous season but silver version here)
Adidas Stan Smith Luxe (green version here)

See that little bag up there. Love it. But it doesn't fit a lot in so it's not great for much more than a teeny weeny purse. So I ended up changing it after I took the pic for a big suede tote bag instead.

See that grey tube skirt up there? Love it. And it cost me £7.99 from H&M. I spotted it a little while ago, tried it on, didn't get it and then had to stalk it down in store as they sold out of my size online. I sized up in this to a medium. In a size small, I hobbled.

See those Adidas Stans up there? Those are the cork soled ones. I finally conceded that I was due another pair after wearing my old pair for just about two years solid and they were looking a little tired. I had to stalk them down too. Every night, I refreshed every trainer site I knew which had had them in stock. Every night for about six weeks. I got there though! Woohoo! #womanonamission

See that hint of a black denim jacket up there? My little Primark bargain for £12. I was going for this slightly oversized one in Topshop originally which is really nice but I knew I'd spotted a fitted one on my travels somewhere which I felt I should try on first. I tracked the fitted one back to Primark and it turned out perfect and .... cheaper.

Anyway, I think that's about it. I just thought I'd share. :)

Hooray Hooray, It's a Holi ... Holi ... Day!

Sunday 4 September 2016





Well, you know how people do these lovely packing posts with pics of their holiday wardrobes all nicely laid out? An itsy bitsy bikini here, a pair of rinky dink shorts there? Mine was nothing like that. I did a staycation. I went to Wales a couple of weeks ago for a staycation which is no bad thing but one thing is obvious. No itsy bitsy bikinis and rinky dink shorts required.

Let's just say, I may not have looked that exciting fashion wise but I am what I am and at least I was comfortable and prepared. I took wellies and a walking jacket. I took trainers and I took jumpers and cardigans. I took things for layering but I also took things which I didn't get to wear. And I shared my suitcase with the hubs. #aarghghgh

So what did I wear?


Day 1. Forecast - Wet.

It bucketed down. In fact it major bucketed it down. Anyway, that's me at the Menai Bridge seafood festival. Oh boy was I glad I packed my wellies and my walking jacket. I've had over 10 years of service from that walking jacket and it accompanies me on nearly every little trip I make in the UK. Underneath, I had a Zoe Karssen sweatshirt which I picked up a few weeks back. 


Sprayway Walking Jacket (old)
Jack Wills Jeans (old)
Puma Rucksack (George's)
Zoe Karssen Sweatshirt (seen below. Grey version available here)


I popped my head in to A Space Like This and met Mandy the owner who gave me the loveliest greeting as she recognised me from the blog and IG. She was so lovely, she even took her shoes off to have her photo taken with me so she wouldn't tower over me and hugged me though I was wet through. Did I say she was lovely? I did. But I'll say it again. She's lovely! :)


The loveliest friendliest Welsh lady I have ever met :)


Lovely things.


Mandy is currently doing up her home and you can follow her via her IG here to see what she's getting up to if you like a bit of interiors inspo. And can I say, this lady likes her fashion too!


Day 2. Forecast. Dry in the Morning. Rain in the Afternoon


I chanced it with my favourite Topshop cotton parka today and we got lucky with the weather in that it didn't rain when we popped to Port Meirion. I'm wearing old favourites here because sometimes you've just got to be comfortable.



Topshop Parka (old but similar here)
Zara Blouse (old but similar here)
Uniqlo Grey Cashmere Cardigan (old but similar here)
Jack Wills Jeans (old)


It did rain later however when we had to do the half hour walk back to the car from the pub. #shouldhaveknownitwouldntlast



Gotta laugh!
Or else you'll cry!


Day 3. Forecast. Rain in the Morning. Possible Sun in the Afternoon


Can I just say, the pic below was taken in the afternoon and not in the morning when I was walking around in torrential rain on Llandudno pier. You'd never have guessed though would you? It was so bad, I even went to buy plastic ponchos for my boys. Yes really.




That's me nursing a big cup of Earl Grey to get me through the trauma of all the rain. Because a cuppa makes everything better right? And yes I feel the cold more than most and yes I'm wearing cashmere in August but sometimes the mornings are a little chillier and even when I've been abroad before to warmer climes, I always take a piece of cashmere with me. The Wrap London cashmere jumper is a new addition to the wardrobe and a perfect throw on piece. Styled like a sweatshirt in my favourite grey, it's a winner and slots beautifully in to my ever so casual wardrobe. You will probably see me in this lots.



Sprayway Jacket (old)
Zara Jeans (old)
Billy the Dog (not available for purchase)



Day 4. Sunshine!


Guess what? There was da da dah! Sunshine! All day! This was the day my boys trekked up Snowdon with their dad and friends and I stayed down below. Yes I am a total wuss when it comes to walking up hills. I can pound pavements (with a few clothes shops thrown in) till the cows come home but give me a hill - no can do! But I did start with the intention of walking up Snowdon hence the fact I had to borrow some trainer socks from my boys. 


Uniqlo Grey Cashmere Cardigan (old but similar here)
H&M Blue shirt (old but similar here)
Primark Jeans (in store)
H&M Sunglasses (old)


And I want to give a shout out to my eldest boy for getting to the top of Snowdon with his dad. And that's no easy feat because I know the hubs will have set off at a cracking pace and Ben will have had to keep up (infact I've cried before up mountains and enquired about Mountain Rescue when I've been walking with the hubs which is probably why I no longer do it).


He was so chuffed! And he's got the hat to prove it.


And my other little man got halfway. Which is halfway more than his mum. That's him down below at Pete's Eats which is a must after a stonking walk.


Scissors, paper, rock. 
And to spice it up a bit, we're going to start adding dynamite in too.


Day 5. Sunshine Glorious Sunshine


Today was like "the future's so bright, you gotta wear shades". So I did. And the Cecilie Copenhagen top is perfect for a day like this - just enough coverage if you're anything like me and you don't actually want to tan as I go a mucky colour. Not golden. Just mucky.



Primark Jeans (instore)
Adidas Stan Smith
H&M Sunglasses


And it blazed it down to the point I even managed to get tan marks on my feet after going crabbing with the boys. Two hours on Beau Maris pier and I've got the Arizona Birkenstock tan lines to prove it!


Tan Lines. Big sigh.


Day 6. Cloudy but Warm.


Good day for a little mini hike. I didn't realise that there was a little bit of hiking/effort required so my grey cashmere cardigan was on and off today depending on how much effort I put in. I seemed to do a lot of sitting on things today.

Found a rock. Sat on it.


Found a bench. Sat on it.

Uniqlo Grey Cashmere Cardigan (old but similar here)
Primark Star Print Camisole (instore)
Zara Jeans (old)


And I've bought a few of these little £4 camisoles from Primark this summer. I'm not a great one for anything which hugs the spare tyre these days so these are perfect as they are light and skim the body, easy to pack and don't really crease. So you can take a gazillion of these on holiday with you with them hardly taking up any room. The ones I've picked out have also been pretty well made and give any of the more expensive ones a run for their money. All for £4.

Can I just say, Aber Falls is a lovely place for a mini walk with the kids. The gradient is also manageable rather than torturous. Can you tell I am such a wussy walker?


Day 7. Overcast but warmish.


And on the last day, there was no rain, a bit of sunshine but generally a little overcast. Someone get me a job as a weather girl.

Anyway, found a wall and leant against it.



Found another rock and sat on that.


Uniqlo Grey Tee
Zara Jeans
Monsoon Jacket (not available)

That cute little Monsoon jacket was something I picked up by chance. I was rather inspired by Gemma on the MotherShoppers blog with her little Zara jacket and was delighted to find the Monsoon one just in passing. It's proving to be a useful little throw on number now that I'm back home.

So that was that - my holiday wardrobe day by day. Not wildly exciting but hey that's me and I am comfort led more than anything. Maybe in my youth I might have tried a little harder but these days, I just want a good pair of trainers which take me from A to B and don't hurt me. 

Amen.


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Summary


So what can I can say about my holiday wardrobe after all that.
  • I lived in wellies, Stans and Birks. These three pairs saw me through everything for the kind of holiday I was having.
  • The rain coat is king.
  • Light layers are always good. I packed light tops, camisoles and a grey tee which were interchangeable.
  • For warmth, I relied on a cashmere cardigan and cashmere jumper. Both grey.
  • I took my cross body Village England Cranleigh bag as this was a good size and seemed to work with most of the wardrobe. I also packed some of my clothes in a few canvas tote bags so I could use these if I wanted a bigger bag or fancied a change.
  • I didn't wear my espadrilles and lighter sandals which I packed - I was out all day and there was too much walking and I needed more support on cobbly sandy gravelly surfaces.
  • I didn't wear the denim dress I took with me. Jeans were just easier for me.
  • Talking of jeans. I lived in the Primark black jeans and the Zara blue jeans as they were stretchy and I ate a lot. 
  • I took one dressier top which I was too lazy to change in to - sometimes that's just how I roll. 
  • Hubs said I overpacked. I say I pitched it just right with options :P

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Last Note :

  • Special shout out to George's Godmother who was on holiday with us who helped me with a lot of my pics. Thank you Aggie! Where's our next holiday?



* Maya Cashmere Jumper c/o Wrap London



Susie So So