Friday Five : 15th January 2021

Friday 15 January 2021

 

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.


Friday Five (1 of 5) Levis 501 Indigo Straight Jeans



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 here) 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.


Friday Five (2 of 5) Blundstone Boots


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 ...

Blundstone Dress Boot 1306



... 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.


Friday Five (3 of 5) Snow


Photographic evidence of my snow boots making contact with actual snow. 
They're Sorel Caribou in Elk if anyone is interested.


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.


Friday Five (4 of 5) E45 Spray


E45 Lotion Spray (most supermarkets)


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.


Friday Five (5 of 5) Greaseproof Paper


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.


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Last Note :


  • I think I've lost 1lb this week. 

14 comments

  1. I can’t wait to hear how it goes with your raw denim! Always been intrigued by Levi’s 501.

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    Replies
    1. I need to take them up still. I've ordered some thread especially after I googled to see what would be the closest match to the colour that Levis used. Got to do it properly!

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    2. These look lovely. Do you know what length they are as they don't say on website? Also as these are non stretch, would you suggest usual size or size up if between sizes? Thanks!!

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    3. I ordered a 28 which is a normal size UK10. The label actually says 28"x 30". I think if you go on the Levis website, there is an option to go for a 32" length as well but they cost more there. I read a lot of the reviews on the Levis site and it implies that this denim is a little lighter than the usual raw denim but consequently, it might be a little easier to wear in. It's probably better for me - it already feels like it's giving a little and isn't too uncomfortable.

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    4. Thank you! I could do with the lighter version too right now 😊

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  2. Ummm. Have you tried silicon baking sheets? Mind blown if you think parcement paper is a game changer! Looking forward to seeing the jeans and boots!

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    Replies
    1. Really? I've not tried those but now I need to get on the case with the silicone sheets. And the boots will depend on the hubs and my jeans will depend on when my cotton arrives so I can hem them first. But I'm sort of looking forward in a perverse way to breaking in those jeans.

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  3. Well done on the 1lb, small and steady is best! Off to investigate Blundstones x

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    1. I always fluctuate by about a 1lb. Come back next week and I bet you I'll have put a lb back on! 😂

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  4. Just seen your comment above about taking up. Levi stores offer a free alterations service even if you don't buy directly from Levi - might save you a job x

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    1. Really? I wonder when the stores will open up though? I'm not sure I can wait that long. I did wonder if I could be cheeky and ask instore if they could do it - would be happy to pay as I thought they would have the correct thread colour and everything.

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    2. Yes, I was really surprised they did this too. I don't have your sewing skills unfortunately 🙈

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  5. I’ve been eyeing Blundstones up for a while... long before insta sort of “while” but all too often distracted: isn’t that always the way?!
    Look forward to hearing more about your Levi’s- I ordered a couple of pairs based on description/reviews online last October but neither were right.

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    1. I kind of realised that I didn't always want to wear trainers when I wasn't in wellies and needed something which covered more of my foot and ankles when it was a bit cold. I have an old pair of Ugg biker boots which I've been reaching for a lot lately but quite fancied a pair of "Blunnies" as part of dog walking uniform. Part of my go to's. I'm still waiting for the thread to arrive at the moment before I can take them up - I really need to start wearing as soon as possible to break them in. But for now, I'll just take comfort from all the lycra I can get. x

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Susie So So