Maxi Friday

Off for a pedicure this morning so need to make sure my legs are fully accessible for that long soak and lower leg massage.

As a runner I find that pedicures are not just a luxury but a necessity - well that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!

After lunch I will take mum to our local garden centre for a look around and no doubt a stop off at the cafe.

Tonight I am off out on a date night with my husband.

It is the last day of my half term break and I want to make sure I am fully refreshed for the week ahead.

 

I wish you all a lovely weekend.

 

Jane X

 

I wore:

Sandals - Boden

Skirt - Primark

Shirt - Barcelona Shop

Necklace - Principles.

Sunshine Scarf

 

 

Here's one of April's scarves.

Coral is my colour of summer 2013 and this scarf co-ordinates beautifully with my denim shirt.

The sun has started to come out again and I am going to make the most of my last few days off work.

I have used the rainy days for cleaning and sorting and I really feel as if I deserve some warm, lazy garden days reading my book in the sun.

Although I have to confess I spent yesterday afternoon in the cinema watching The Great Gatsby.

Despite some critical reviews I decided to go anyway and I am glad I did as I thoroughly enjoyed the film as did my mum, 15-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son who were with me.

And with Orange Wednesday (2 for 1) our family trip cost less than £20 even with popcorn and chocolate!

 

I wore:

Shoes not seen (Clarks)

Jeans - Tesco

Shirt - Barcelona Shop

Scarf - School Gate Style

 

Purple

Purple jeans again with the striped top.

While I am not enjoying this cooler weather, it is easier to dress for with what has become my go-to outfit: coloured jeans, ballet shoes, striped top and statement necklace.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Tesco

T- shirt - Warehouse

Jacket - Tesco

Red Trousers

I haven't worn my red trousers for a while for the simple reason: I couldn't fit in them.

Happily, I can finally do up the button and not feel like I am being sliced in half.

I haven't worn the scarf or jacket for a while either but they all seem to go together.

Good news on the satin shirt front - I found one at La Redoute and I am waiting for it to arrive.

I will keep you posted.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans and Scarf - New Look

Jacket - Miss Selfridge

Cricket

 

 I know fashionistas will maintain there is only one Cricket but I beg to differ.

In my family Cricket only has one meaning.

My late father was a Cricket fanatic.

As a child he would take me to watch Lancashire at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester (yes, there is only one real Old Trafford and it is not the football ground).

 

 

My youngest son has inherited his love of the game and his ambition is to live in India and play in the IPL league.

He is a wicket keeper (far right in the picture|) and this weekend played his first match in an adults game which he had to wait until he was 13 to do.

 

 

Although he did score 13 runs, he was caught out and was not happy.

I was glad I was wearing layers to keep warm as there was a cold wind blowing.

In the days of my childhood the sun always shone at a cricket match.

 

Cold weather - well it's just not cricket!

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Tesco

T-shirt - Warehouse

Denim Shirt - Barcelona shop

 

Girls' Night Out

 

I am a bike widow this weekend as my husband and his pals are off on their annual Coast To Coast Cycle Ride.

This year it is the North Wales Coast to the South Wales Coast, (Caernarvon to Tenby).

 

Last night two of my fellow bike widows and I went for a drink and a bite to eat in our local village.

 

I even got chatted up.

 

Today I am off to watch my youngest play cricket and the sun is shining for once.

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Dress - Boden

Bag - Gap

Necklace - Local Shop

A cold wind blows

 

So it's back to the woolly jumper.

I have three layers on here and still I filled up my hot water bottle to work at my desk.

I think I may be coming down with something.

 

And probably will as we break up from college for a week today.

 

No more work until Jun 3rd now.

At least no paid work.

As the house is being redecorated I will be spending the next three days getting ready.

 

Hope you have more exciting plans for the weekend.

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Tesco

Shirt - Spanish shop

Jumper - Boden

Necklace - Next

White Linen

 

This white linen shirt reminds me of White Linen perfume.

I used to think Estee Lauder was the height of sophistication, especially the fragrance ads in glossy magazines.

I wanted to live the life of the Cinnabar woman which looked full of glamour and a hint of danger.

I loved the heady scent which wasn't quite as overpowering as Opium - the other 1980s teenage scent of choice.

Then along came White Linen, its crisp and clean notes seduced me.

For several years I wore White Linen and it is probably the start of the journey which led me to my signature fragrance which is Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir - a mix of the strong fragrance of Cinnabar and the clean lines of White Linen.

 

What's your fragrance story?

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Trousers - H & M

Shirt - Boden

Purple Passion

 

When I was 10 years old I finally got a room of my own.

My dad divided the big bedroom in our two up two down terrace so my brother and I could have our own rooms.

I was allowed to choose any colour I wanted to decorate the room and chose purple.

It was long before my crush on Prince although I am sure his penchant for purple helped.

Thirty seven years on and I am still partial to purple.
Amethyst is my birthstone.
Vimto is my favourite non alcoholic tipple.
I think Jenny Joseph has got it wrong - saving purple for old age is such a terrible waste!

 

 

I wore:

Shoes - Converse

Jeans - Tesco

Thermal layer - Marks and Spencer

Top - Tesco

Scarf - Dorothy Perkins

Spotted

I am sure I would get spotted in this outfit.

Still too cold to bare arms again.

 

Summer, I'm waiting.

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Zara

Shirt - So old I've forgotten

Thermal layer - Marks and Spencer

Date Night

 It has taken me nearly 24 years but I think we have got the hang of this Date Night thing.
Not every week but every other Friday my husband and I try to go out together in the evening.

For last week's Date Night I chose this dress.
I last wore this dress for my son's 18th birthday party in 2009.
I love the dress but the main reason I haven't worn it is that I was too big.
Thanks to the 5:2 diet I have managed to shed some very unwelcome pounds and while I am a good way off my perfect weight of 8 stone 4 pounds, I am much happier than I was in my clothes.
 

 

I wore:

Shoes and Dress: Karen Millen

Jacket: Miss Selfridge

Here Comes The Sun (Again)

 

Well it is a sunny Sunday and I am enjoyng wearing a T-shirt without the need for a jacket/cardigan/jumper.

This morning I went for a lovely three mile run to the beach and back with the dog followed by a Cher's New Attitude legs workout.

I first tried that in the 1980s and it is still the best - by a mile.

Now I must really get some cleaning done.

 

Or on second thoughts I may make hay relax while the sun shines!

 

I hope this sun is shining where you are.

Here's a close-up of my new necklace.

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Tesco

Top - Warehouse

Necklace - Next

Eight Ways To Wear A £10 Dress.

Long-time readers of my blog will remember that I love a multiway dress.

This American Apparel dress has been worth its £28 price tag as it has accompanied me on at least four holidays.

However, I have found a new multi-way dress from Primark at the unbelievable price of £10.

 

It doesn't look much on the hanger but I couldn't wait to try it out when I got home.

 

 

1. First off, the maxi skirt, tied at the side and worn with a vest top.

 

 

 

2. A strapless dress tied at the side.

 

3. Strapless again, tied in a  bow at the back.

 

4. The ties tucked down the back to create straps.

 

 

5. Strapless and tied at the front.

 

6. Cap sleeves.

 

 

7. Twisted at the front and secured with a brooch.

 

 

8. One shoulder.

 

I am sure there are more ways to wear this but it will defintely be in my hooiday suitcase this year.

 

 

Workin' It

 

 

Did I mention I had a daughter taking GCSEs, a son taking A-levels and a son taking his Finals this summer?

I may not be as good at Maths as my cleverclogs son but I do know that my equation equals chaos.

 

Yesterday I had no time to post and today is a picture hastily uploaded on my iphone and snapped during a visit to the staff toilets where there is a full length mirror.

 

Phew - thank goodness no-one came in while I was snapping.

 

I am taking some time to relax with my husband this evening.

Hope your weekend is a good one.

 

I wore:

 

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Tesco

Jumper - Warehouse

Cozy Coral

 

Coral is such a warming colour.

It reminds me of a mixture of red and orange.

Of fires and sunshine.

In weather like this I need to feel warm.

And bright.

 

Coral seems to be the answer.

 

 

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Tesco

Shirt - Barcelona Boutique

Sweater - Boden

Necklace - Next

The Best Of A Bad Bunch

 

I couldn't get one decent photo today so I am afraid it is the downcast look.

And as you can see I am back in my thermal top.

May and still thermal weather.

At least I only filled up my hot water bottle once at work today.

The rest of the time I was invigilating a Geography AS exam.

 

While I was walking around the sport's hall I had a chuckle to myself remembering Neil's exam in The Young Ones.

 

 

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Tesco

Lace top and jacket - Matalan

Thermal layer - Marks and Spencer

Necklace - The Jewel Hut

Cool Summer

It looks like it will be a cool summer this year - and not in a good way.
I was nearly blown off my feet when I took the dog for a walk this morning and the forecast is not much better for the rest of the week.
Thank goodness I have 11 nights in Barcelona to look forward to in July.
Knowing my luck that will be when the British summer arrives.

Today I wore:
Shoes - Clarks
Jeans - Tesco
Shirt - Tesco
Scarf - Bought from a shop in Mumbles, Swansea

Bare Naked Lady

 

Bet that got you!

But yes, today fellow bloggers I took the plunge and went bare.

Legs that is.

These legs have been covered by tights, trousers, leggings or boots for what seems like forever.

I am not a  big fan of my legs so this knee length skirt eased the way.

It cost a tenner from Tesco and I think I will get my money's worth this summer.

I plan to try it dressed up with a shirt for work and take it easy with a vest and flip flops in the summer.

Yes, I am still  hoping that there will be a summer.

 

I wore:

Shoes - Converse

Cami/Vest - Marks and Spencer

Shirt - Matalan

Skirt - Tesco

Floral Blue

It's turned out chilly again so it's back to boots.
This is the third Thursday that I have worn this skirt and there are still endless possibilities within my wardrobe.
Today I wanted long sleeves for extra warmth.
The only thing this skirt lacks is pockets.
I love pockets and I find they are useful for stopping low rise skirts rise up!

One more day until the weekend and despite the Bank Holiday I am flagging.

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt - Ralph Lauren
Blouse - Zara
Necklace - Marks & Spencer

Back To Black (Again)

 

The weather has taken a turn for the worst.

When I took the dog for our morning run today it was raining.

Ah well, summer was lovely while it lasted.

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans & Jacket - Tesco

Top - Matalan

Necklace - Marks & Spencer

Wild

 

While we did manage to get most of the garden tidied there is this wild patch at the bottom of the garden.

The fence is rotting and I am stood on a slab where the children's playhouse used to be.

Not the most photogenic part of the garden  but there is this beautiful blossom I couldn't resist.

Back to work today and it looks as if it will be a lovely day again.

Who knows the mercury may reach 20C.

If we blink our summer will have been and gone.

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Tesco

Top - Top Shop

Jacket - Tesco

Bag - Clarks

Nikhedonia

 

I love discovering new words.

My latest favourite is nikhedonia : The pleasure of anticipating victory or success. Etymologically from Nike, the Greek goddess of victory; plus hedone, pleasure.

This is how I am feeling today as I prepare to spend the day gardening and transform the overgrown lawns, weeds and moss into something lovely to look at.

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Tesco

Top - Boden

 

 

Blossom

The blossom is late this year but it has been worth waiting for.

Last night we had friends for dinner and I am sure the blossom in my garden influenced my choice of outfit.

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans- Tesco

Top - H and M

 

Coral Friday

 

Today will be a good day.

After work Sam is taking us for a meal to celebrate his new job.

It is also the last day of the working week and the start of a 3 day weekend.

What's not to like?

 

We have friends round for dinner on Saturday, my youngest son's cup final on Sunday and (hopefully) gardening on Monday.

What are your plans for the weekend?

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Tesco

Shirt - Zara

Necklace - Marks and Spencer

Camis - Marks and Spencer

Breton Boden

I love my new Boden top .

I have had another wardrobe clear out and eBay sale.

I am planning to use the proceeds to replace some of my tired staples with better quality clothing.

This top cost £25 and has a lovely sheen and weight to it .

It also has a great curved shape at the bottom which means it looks lovely tucked in or left loose.

And because of the quality it looks perfect at work and will be a useful weekend addition to my wardrobe.

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Skirt - Ralph Lauren

Top - Boden

Spring Jumper

 

 

I love a Spring Jumper.

I am so nesh (translation: wimpy about the cold).

I am still putting my electric blanket on before I go to bed.

I like to be warm.

This jumper is light in colour but with a thermal tank makes it lovely and warm for this transitional season.

 

Here's a bit more detail of the sweater that was chosen  by the John Lewis stylist. 

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Tesco

Jumper - Warehouse

Necklace - Marks and Spencer