In at The Deep End.
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
I'm not really sure why I volunteered to help with the school trip to The Deep in Hull but I did. I do remember before volunteering thinking "you don't need to do this, your son will not thank you, walk away now". But the words came out before I knew it and then I found myself getting all worked up because I really wasn't sure what I was letting myself in for and why I was doing it. It's not that I don't like kids - I just couldn't eat a whole one.
So what do you wear on a day like this with 50 or so 6-7 year olds? You pick a pair of not too holey jeans - so not the ripped at the knee ones because I'm sure it's not the done thing to look scruffier than the kids and a stripy top and Converse or the equivalent. Just like two of the other volunteer mothers who were also wearing the same but in different colourways -this must be the school trip uniform of choice for mothers all over North Yorkshire. I did take my Gap trench with me but left it on the coach as I figured I would be warm enough running after small children. Oh and an old hands free messenger bag which came in handy for fitting in unfinished lunch bits which they wanted to take home with them, and which they promptly forgot about once they were safely ensconsed in my bag. I'm glad I am writing this post as this has reminded me to remove the half eaten slice of cake and slightly squished satsuma from my bag before they take on some kind of weird mutated form.
Anyway, I was entrusted 4 boys in my care and the bonus was I didn't manage to lose any (pat on back to myself) though I wouldn't have minded losing one small awkward one who was hungry when we arrived at The Deep and had a mawk on until he was fed. I managed to avoid the debate over which two fingers facing which way round was "swearing and rude". I was only hit by one small sweet on the coach. And I admire the sheer ignorance of the dad who turned up on the coach with a newspaper expecting to read it. What planet do dads come from? Actually, I mustn't be mean - at least he was a dad volunteering. Most dads run screaming from the very thought of helping with small children (a bit like me when I have my normal head screwed on).
Also, I have learnt from today's experience that if I ever volunteer to do something like this again - I will wear ear plugs and bring a carefully concealed taser gun to deal with any small person who dares to get a mawk on with me. Besides what am I thinking ... volunteering again? Must be like childbirth - time is a good healer I hear.
Last note. One of the entrusted children, a lovely boy called James was so well behaved, I sent his mother a text to say as much. She was absolutely delighted to hear this as I would be if it happened to me (chance would be a fine thing). Quite often we hear when someone or something is bad but how often do we compliment and actually acknowledge the good to someone? It's nice to make someone's day :o)
So what do you wear on a day like this with 50 or so 6-7 year olds? You pick a pair of not too holey jeans - so not the ripped at the knee ones because I'm sure it's not the done thing to look scruffier than the kids and a stripy top and Converse or the equivalent. Just like two of the other volunteer mothers who were also wearing the same but in different colourways -this must be the school trip uniform of choice for mothers all over North Yorkshire. I did take my Gap trench with me but left it on the coach as I figured I would be warm enough running after small children. Oh and an old hands free messenger bag which came in handy for fitting in unfinished lunch bits which they wanted to take home with them, and which they promptly forgot about once they were safely ensconsed in my bag. I'm glad I am writing this post as this has reminded me to remove the half eaten slice of cake and slightly squished satsuma from my bag before they take on some kind of weird mutated form.
Jack Wills Striped Spurrell Breton Top 2011
New Look Straight Leg Jeans
Grey Linen Mix B+AB Messenger Bag
Taupe Converse
I do like their labels!
I like the little touches which make garments interesting.
I can recommend the Jack Wills Breton tops if you're looking for a new place to buy yet another stripy top. The cotton is of a nice thick quality and they usually have nice contrast binding trim on their collars and hems. Mine has washed and kept its shape really well.
It has seen better days but I don't mind sticky mitts on this.
My old B+AB linen mix messenger bag is a trusted friend which I picked up in one of the Hong Kong malls on one of my family visits. It is very light and not too big (remember the palaver with the Plumo shadow bag?) and it washes well - it has had a big streak of bright green poster paint across it before when I wasn't paying attention and I brushed past the painting table at nursery.
Anyway, I was entrusted 4 boys in my care and the bonus was I didn't manage to lose any (pat on back to myself) though I wouldn't have minded losing one small awkward one who was hungry when we arrived at The Deep and had a mawk on until he was fed. I managed to avoid the debate over which two fingers facing which way round was "swearing and rude". I was only hit by one small sweet on the coach. And I admire the sheer ignorance of the dad who turned up on the coach with a newspaper expecting to read it. What planet do dads come from? Actually, I mustn't be mean - at least he was a dad volunteering. Most dads run screaming from the very thought of helping with small children (a bit like me when I have my normal head screwed on).
Also, I have learnt from today's experience that if I ever volunteer to do something like this again - I will wear ear plugs and bring a carefully concealed taser gun to deal with any small person who dares to get a mawk on with me. Besides what am I thinking ... volunteering again? Must be like childbirth - time is a good healer I hear.
Gift Bag Goodies
Last note. One of the entrusted children, a lovely boy called James was so well behaved, I sent his mother a text to say as much. She was absolutely delighted to hear this as I would be if it happened to me (chance would be a fine thing). Quite often we hear when someone or something is bad but how often do we compliment and actually acknowledge the good to someone? It's nice to make someone's day :o)
Favourite Friday - Jack Wills Jacket
Friday, 13 July 2012
I thought I'd try to commit myself to doing a regular post and decided I would do a "Favourite Friday" where I can waffle about something I like, something I own or something which just rocks my boat for whatever reason. How well this goes remains to be seen. I might fall off the bandwagon by next week but hey we won't know that till next week.
Granny would approve!
How girly is this print?
It's probably a bit of a love it/hate it kind of jacket. A bit "marmite" is the popular expression. I kind of fell in love with it when I first saw it because it reminded me of a little quilted cotton jacket I had when I was a little girl. Mine was a mid blue with little red flowers and the Jack Wills comes as close as I think I am ever going to get to finding its replacement in navy with red pink flowers. I confess to having looked for adult versions in recent years as my childhood jacket has definitely lodged itself into my good memories bank.
It's a compact little jacket, adds a bit of a fun to a boring jeans and top combo and I found it very useful for my little holiday in Wales a couple of years back when the weather was neither here nor there as it proved to be quite a good layering piece - fitting comfortably under a rain jacket or just making a nice alternative to a cardigan. Here's a couple of ways in which I wore it in the last week.
With a white cotton top and skinny jeans.
And here is a quick round up of the versions going around which are out there at the current moment.
And last but not least :
So that's my first favourite Friday piece. Wonder what will turn up next week?!
With a white cotton top and skinny jeans.
Jack Wills Colebridge Quilted Jacket (2010)
Aubin Wills Annaside Top (Sold Out)
Falmer Heritage Skinny Boyfriend Jeans (Old)
Or with a stripy jumper and teal/jade skinny jeans.
H&M ivory & navy stripe jumper (in store but not on line)
Primark teal/jade skinny jeans (in store only).
And here is a quick round up of the versions going around which are out there at the current moment.
And last but not least :
Isabel Marant Haca Jacket
(find one if you can)
So that's my first favourite Friday piece. Wonder what will turn up next week?!
Holiday Wardrobe - Swimwear. Only because I have to.
Thursday, 12 July 2012
I am going on a holiday in August to sunnier climes where I will be needing swimwear. Aarrghhh. The old trusty brown & cream (previously white) spotty swimsuit has gone to the swimsuit graveyard in the bin as I discovered today it has a fuzzy bottom ... which means I have been going around with a fuzzy bottom since I don't know when.
So I'm on the hunt again for a swimsuit for the second time this year. The first time being when I said I was going to start taking George swimming regularly. That didn't happen so the swimsuit didn't happen. However, we've just sorted out a holiday abroad, first time since having George and now I desperately need swimwear as I can honestly say, hand on heart, "I have nothing to wear". So I finally went to order the Toast one and of course it was sold out in my size which served me right for not getting on with it. And so I have been hauling and squeezing myself into tiny bits of material looking for a new flattering swimsuit. It's a minefield out there. I feel the need to go slightly brighter and be a bit braver in my choices than I would normally as I will be abroad and I don't want to be a boring mama. However this is easier said than done. Buying a swimsuit for me is quite complex even though I have only 2 main criteria :
1. Ample bottom coverage - I don't like ones which are cut high and reveal far too much of it. Toned is not a word my bottom is familiar with. You don't get a bottom like mine by going to the gym.
2. Armpit muffin coverage - I don't know what the correct term is but I don't like the bits which sometimes get squished out at the top. It's the spare bits between boob and armpit. You know what I'm talking about.
I've tried on everything and even pushed myself out of my comfort zone... because you hear it all the time ... you don't know till you try and oh boy did I try! From the ones with the bits cut out at the sides ... I think they're called monokinis (so bad I was nearly in tears) to the "firm support" miracle suits - the ones with fantastic tummy sucking in abilities (so firm, I nearly fainted). They are named miracle swimsuits because it's a miracle if you can wrestle yourself into one. The even bigger miracle is if you can wrestle your way out of one. Houdini had it easier believe me. I can only describe it as putting on an item of clothing 4 sizes smaller than your usual size. I pity the poor soul who has one of these on when the call of nature comes a calling. Also, you can't breathe in them. Or maybe I'm just used to letting it all hang out metaphorically speaking. But I did find a swimsuit eventually in Monsoon. I also had George in tow - I know, the mind boggles as to why I would go swimwear shopping with George (desperate springs to mind), George who thinks its fun to whisk the changing room curtains open when you don't have much on and shout "Peekaboo!".
And not content with having found a swimsuit, I continued looking because you never know if there is going to be something better out there so I also tried on a bikini from Whistles. It wasn't bad and I did some star jumps to see if anything would fall out - amazing - nothing did. Everyone tells me it's going to be 30 degrees plus in Greece and I need a bikini - I'm just trying to get over the wobbly tummy mindset and just look at mine as being one more in a sea of many wobbly tummys. I had another snoop at the Toast website again and my swimsuit came back in stock. I was faster than Flash Gordon at ordering it but alas when it arrived, it was not to be. It fitted and it covered all the bits it needed but you know what ... I felt a bit frumpy. So that's going back too. And after all that wishful thinking and cooing over a bit of red spotty material as well!
And finally we get to the bikini. Yes - I bit the bullet and bought a bikini. I perused innumerable sites to find one which I thought would do the job and eventually whilst buying some pj's for the boys in Matalan (yes - Matalan) I found a little bikini set. Voila.
It cost a grand total of £11. If I decide I'm not that brave even when abroad, I haven't lost masses on these little bits of material. I just don't understand how people can charge £100+ for two tiny bits of clothing. Which barely cover you.
So that's swimwear done then. Oh yes and I have a 10 year old M&S sarong to add.
So I'm on the hunt again for a swimsuit for the second time this year. The first time being when I said I was going to start taking George swimming regularly. That didn't happen so the swimsuit didn't happen. However, we've just sorted out a holiday abroad, first time since having George and now I desperately need swimwear as I can honestly say, hand on heart, "I have nothing to wear". So I finally went to order the Toast one and of course it was sold out in my size which served me right for not getting on with it. And so I have been hauling and squeezing myself into tiny bits of material looking for a new flattering swimsuit. It's a minefield out there. I feel the need to go slightly brighter and be a bit braver in my choices than I would normally as I will be abroad and I don't want to be a boring mama. However this is easier said than done. Buying a swimsuit for me is quite complex even though I have only 2 main criteria :
1. Ample bottom coverage - I don't like ones which are cut high and reveal far too much of it. Toned is not a word my bottom is familiar with. You don't get a bottom like mine by going to the gym.
2. Armpit muffin coverage - I don't know what the correct term is but I don't like the bits which sometimes get squished out at the top. It's the spare bits between boob and armpit. You know what I'm talking about.
I've tried on everything and even pushed myself out of my comfort zone... because you hear it all the time ... you don't know till you try and oh boy did I try! From the ones with the bits cut out at the sides ... I think they're called monokinis (so bad I was nearly in tears) to the "firm support" miracle suits - the ones with fantastic tummy sucking in abilities (so firm, I nearly fainted). They are named miracle swimsuits because it's a miracle if you can wrestle yourself into one. The even bigger miracle is if you can wrestle your way out of one. Houdini had it easier believe me. I can only describe it as putting on an item of clothing 4 sizes smaller than your usual size. I pity the poor soul who has one of these on when the call of nature comes a calling. Also, you can't breathe in them. Or maybe I'm just used to letting it all hang out metaphorically speaking. But I did find a swimsuit eventually in Monsoon. I also had George in tow - I know, the mind boggles as to why I would go swimwear shopping with George (desperate springs to mind), George who thinks its fun to whisk the changing room curtains open when you don't have much on and shout "Peekaboo!".
Olivia Swimsuit - Sold Out Online
Fuschia & Orange Stitch Detailing
And not content with having found a swimsuit, I continued looking because you never know if there is going to be something better out there so I also tried on a bikini from Whistles. It wasn't bad and I did some star jumps to see if anything would fall out - amazing - nothing did. Everyone tells me it's going to be 30 degrees plus in Greece and I need a bikini - I'm just trying to get over the wobbly tummy mindset and just look at mine as being one more in a sea of many wobbly tummys. I had another snoop at the Toast website again and my swimsuit came back in stock. I was faster than Flash Gordon at ordering it but alas when it arrived, it was not to be. It fitted and it covered all the bits it needed but you know what ... I felt a bit frumpy. So that's going back too. And after all that wishful thinking and cooing over a bit of red spotty material as well!
And finally we get to the bikini. Yes - I bit the bullet and bought a bikini. I perused innumerable sites to find one which I thought would do the job and eventually whilst buying some pj's for the boys in Matalan (yes - Matalan) I found a little bikini set. Voila.
It's not black!!
So that's swimwear done then. Oh yes and I have a 10 year old M&S sarong to add.
An oldie but a goodie.
Now I've just got to stop eating the boys leftovers or I will get locked up for scaring the locals in that bikini!
Wishing & Hoping. Quick Update.
Monday, 9 July 2012
Okay, this is how it stands.
...... and I have a new wishlist that I've just started. I think I will carry the Jigsaw boots on to that list instead. Along with these .......
I know, I know ... I feel another caveat coming on to my shopping mantra of nothing over £200!
- Wilpshire Red Cardigan from Aubin & Wills. Officially sold out again. It came back into stock, I had it in my basket .... but I did not click the pay button because I do not wear red cardigans. How sensible was I? Gone!
- Plumo Shadow Bag. It came. I loved it. But it was too big. I sent it back. Gone.
- MHL Jumper from Net a Porter. I confess to ordering it. I disliked it on sight. The colour was yack. The hem was horrid. Gone.
- Sam Edelman Trina Sandals. I can't find them in my size. It was not meant to be. I've moved on. Gone.
- Jigsaw Poppy Boots. Still hanging on. Still wishing and hoping ......
...... and I have a new wishlist that I've just started. I think I will carry the Jigsaw boots on to that list instead. Along with these .......
I know, I know ... I feel another caveat coming on to my shopping mantra of nothing over £200!
The Lure of the New
Friday, 6 July 2012
Sales have never really done that much for me. I certainly don't ever plan a day at the sales - if I'm there I'm there, if I'm not, no skin off my nose as I'm usually more interested in the new anyway. After months of looking at the same old, same old, I'm ready for some new clothing morsels to whet my appetite. I also like to see clothes laid out nicely so I can see clearly what they look like, in their best light and looking their most desirable. Not piled up in clothes mountains and trailing on the floor. Funny that I can handle Primark though ... but only on a Tuesday morning first thing when it's quiet and it looks like there has been a restock and everything is nice and tidy. It all goes to pot by about 10.30am though but it's funny, even when it gets a little messy in there, I can handle it ... infact I just expect it. However, I couldn't face the Zara sale when it started the other Thursday even though I was in the vicinity. I went everywhere else instead looking at new stuff and tried on innumerable items of clothing which were not in the sale. The thrill and the lure of the new.
This week, I finally faced up to Zara as I expected the sales excitement would have abated after the weekend and waltzed through to look at .... the non sales new goodies. Why oh why do I do that? Because it's easy and all hung up nicely and presented for me to peruse at a glance. Grumps used to be amused at the fact that I could stop in a shop doorway, scan the shop floor like a laser beam in a mere second and make a decision there and then if I wanted to go in and browse. Time is precious in shopping land, didn't you know? Anyway, a grey top caught my eye previously and it did again this time so I thought it was time to try. I'm glad I did - it's one of those pieces which you can dress up or down. Would look good with a pair of cut off shorts in a festival kind of way, if you're young or if you have great legs or just some skinnies on a night out if you're my age and your legs are average.
It's a little out of my normal territory of plain tops but it's grey so even though it's embellished, I feel safe in this. It's going to be useful over the summer and for my jollies. I saw a nice jumper as well but reigned myself in as I was telling myself that it's supposed to be summer and I also had more pressing purchases to make such as a swimsuit. Oh yes, did I not mention, I was shopping for swimsuits again? Which was the reason why I was shopping in the first place.
Well that's another story. For another day. Have a good weekend everyone!
This week, I finally faced up to Zara as I expected the sales excitement would have abated after the weekend and waltzed through to look at .... the non sales new goodies. Why oh why do I do that? Because it's easy and all hung up nicely and presented for me to peruse at a glance. Grumps used to be amused at the fact that I could stop in a shop doorway, scan the shop floor like a laser beam in a mere second and make a decision there and then if I wanted to go in and browse. Time is precious in shopping land, didn't you know? Anyway, a grey top caught my eye previously and it did again this time so I thought it was time to try. I'm glad I did - it's one of those pieces which you can dress up or down. Would look good with a pair of cut off shorts in a festival kind of way, if you're young or if you have great legs or just some skinnies on a night out if you're my age and your legs are average.
I so want to be a rock chick!
It's a little out of my normal territory of plain tops but it's grey so even though it's embellished, I feel safe in this. It's going to be useful over the summer and for my jollies. I saw a nice jumper as well but reigned myself in as I was telling myself that it's supposed to be summer and I also had more pressing purchases to make such as a swimsuit. Oh yes, did I not mention, I was shopping for swimsuits again? Which was the reason why I was shopping in the first place.
Well that's another story. For another day. Have a good weekend everyone!
Wishing & Hoping Update. Plumo Shadow Bag.
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
Yes, I did something about the wishing and hoping and did some ordering and now the first purchase is here. The Plumo shadow bag.
However this bag which I have wanted since I first clapped eyes on it is possibly too big for me. It has great bum hiding potential but I have to admit I am having my doubts about the size and whether it is drowning me a little (or lot in this case).
I still love the shadow cloud pattern on the bag, I still love the colour too but there is no denying that I think a person a foot taller might look better carrying this one around. Strange, I remember vaguely looking at the measurements of the bag on the website when I ordered it ... but I guess I must have just chosen to blatantly ignore them.
Like the Zara tote I had previously considered, this has proven to be another "big as your torso" bag. See. I'm almost a bag with limbs.
I still really like it though. My friend saw it today and said it was lovely - that's put the mockers on sending it straight back then. I will need to think carefully about this - it's getting a reprieve for another week when I have to decide whether this is a keeper or it's a visit to the post office to do a returns on the way home from the school run.
Decisions, decisions again. Oh bog. Or should that be "Oh bag!"
Lovely leather detailing
Good bum coverage
Look the handles match the sandals!
Is it too big?
I still really like it though. My friend saw it today and said it was lovely - that's put the mockers on sending it straight back then. I will need to think carefully about this - it's getting a reprieve for another week when I have to decide whether this is a keeper or it's a visit to the post office to do a returns on the way home from the school run.
Decisions, decisions again. Oh bog. Or should that be "Oh bag!"
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