People Tree Giveaway Winner

And the winner of the People Tree giveaway is...............

Appleby Pie from Another New Day.

Congratulations!

And a big thank you to everyone who entered.

31 for 31 Capsule Challenge

So here it is.

My 31 for 31 Capsule Collage.

It may come as no surprise to discover my "wild card " Leopard Flats were the most worn item - 13 times.

My white vest was the most worn top (6); Zara Jeans, the most worn bottoms (6); the checked dress//skirt the most worn dress (4) and the denim shirt was the most worn jacket (7).

I did amend the list as I went on and swapped a few items from the original list but there were still 31 items.

In hindsight I wish I'd sat down and worked out exactly what my wardrobe had to do over the month including how many working days I had, how many evenings out and how many informal attire days I had.

I would have chosen my shoes more wisely and made sure all my tops went with all my bottoms and all my jackets went with every item.

I plan to do this all again in September with the lessons I have learned this time because it did make life a lot easier yet creative at the same time.

I will also be adding in an extra challenge by throwing in a "Back To School Capsule Wardrobe Challenge" in September.

And finally, the winner of the People Tree giveaway will be..................

 anounced tomorrow.

My Capsule's Final Curtain Call

And finally, the final day of my 31 for 31 July Capsule Challenge.

Today I am off shopping for some last minute holiday bargains with my daughter.

I needed flat shoes to keep pace with my professional shopping companion.

My next post will include a round-up of my capsule.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Dress - TK Maxx

Camisole - Primark

Denim Shirt - Barcelona shop

Blue Coral

I love blue and coral and today I was off for drinks with my friend Steph.

I love the way my smart skirt can turn this basic vest into a going out outfit.

I wore:

Shoes - Marks & Spencer

Skirt - Gap

Camisole - Primark

Scarf - Dorothy Perkins

Incy Wincy Spider

I had just set up for my photo when down came all the rain.

Now I know how Incy Wincy Spider must have felt.

It was like someone had dug a big hole in the sky and poured all the world's rain through it.

I spent the next few hours in my gym kit while I waited for my clothes to dry.

One thing's for sure,  this weather certainly keeps me on my toes.

I wore:

Shoes - Converse

Jeans - Zara

Toop - H & M

Hi Ho Silver Lining

It's my silver lifesaver today.

Just like my Leopard Pumps this top goes with nearly every bottom in my wardrobe.

Today was another meal out with my husband's sister and her boyfriend.

We tried the new Gastro Pub in our area which opened last weekend.

I am hoping that the service will settle down as we had to wait nearly two hours for our food.

The staff were very apologetic and we got a £25 off our next meal voucher.

What I loved best about this pub is that it has an area inside where you can bring in your dog.

It is an olde worlde pub, just down the road from our favourite beach/pinewood walk which should be perfect in winter.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Marks & Spencer

Jeans - Zara

Top - H and M

Jacket - Gap

Double Leopard

Forgive me for going a bit Bet Lynch.

But I am enjoying a love affair with the leopard print.

My trusty shoes have seen me through this 31 for 31 challenge by going with absolutely everything in my capsule.

When I saw this scarf in Dorothy Perkins I had to have it.

And I had to wear it.

Apologies for the sulky face but the sun was shining in my eyes and I had lost my sunglasses.

While I am loving the leopard I am not enjoying this skirt which I thought would be a positive addition to my summer wardrobe.

Maybe I just need to style it differently.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Skirt - Banana Republic

Vest - Gap

Scarf - Dorothy Perkins

What A Difference a Scarf Makes

This is just a jeans and top outfit which has been totally transformed by the scarf.

One of the good things about this 31 for 31 challenge is the opportunity it has given me to delve into my scarf collection.

I spent part of today trying on my holiday clothes and sorting out my capsule for our annual holiday to Barcelona.

We are trying a different campsite this year and I am looking forward to trying out somwhere new.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks (31)

Jeans - Zara (15)

Top - H and M (1)

Scarf - Dorothy Perkins

Silver and Stripes

I went out for a meal today with the women who helped organise our street party.

It was a good chance to wear my jacket with my favourite silver top.

Our Jubilee Street Party seems a long time ago. I just hope we don't have to wait another 10 years to get together in the street.

Hopefully we won't as we made plans to organise some more neighbourhood events in the future.

I wore:

Shoes - Marks & Spencer (25)

Jeans - Top Shop (13)

Top - H and M (1)

Lessons In Capsule Planning

I have said it before and I will say it again; I didn't plan this 31 for 31 challenge very well.

I had far too much formal wear for a couple of days in work in July.

Although I spent today doing chores and shopping with my daughter I did feel a little overdressed.

I can't believe there is just a week to go.

I have mapped out more than 7 outfits for the rest of the month.

Hopefully, the lessons I learn will be put to good use when I come to create my holiday capsule.

Just 7 days to go until my People Tree giveaway ends.
If you'd like to take part just click here.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks (31)

Skirt - Gap (16)

Shirt - Boden (4)

Necklace - Principles

Floral Glory

We had a lovely  barbecue at my husband's aunt's house at the weekend.

They live in an enormous Victorian semi in Blundellsands with a lovely big mature garden.

This time of year the borders are bursting with colour and I very much enjoy sitting out and basking in the floral glory.

This time my youngest son took his guitar and we had music while we ate.

My own garden is much more modest but here are a few of the pots I have added.

One day when I have more time I dream about creating a colourful scented garden with fruit trees and bushes.

Until then I will have to  be content with visits to Aunty Eileen's.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks (31)

Denim Shirt (21)

Dress - TK Maxx (20)

Stylish Comfort

As the weather has got warmer it's time to revisit my sandals, or rather my Birkenstocks.

Thanks to running I have funny feet and delicate ankles.

There are few heels I can wear comfortably and the flats I wear have to be well made if I am going to wear them all day.

I have had this pair of Birkenstocks since 2008 and first wore them on my blog here.

They still look good.

Even better my tootsies feel as if they are walking in air.

Do you have a favourite pair of sandals?

Today I wore:

Shoes - Birkenstocks

Jeans - Top Shop

Camisole - Primark

Scarf - a gift.

Planning Ahead

I wouldn't normally wear leggings with a t-shirt but this peplum top manages to cover my bum. Just.

Planning ahead, I am on the hunt for the perfect winter leggings.

They need to be thick so you can't see any underwear, not bobble and see me through the winter.

Have you got any recommendations?

Don't forget there is still a chance to enter my People Tree giveaway which ends on July 31st.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks (31)

Leggings - Tesco (10)

Top - Matalan (3)

Necklace - Wallis

Scarf Experiments

Not long to go to my holidays and I am having fun trying to create a minimalist capsule.

We are away for 11 nights and I plan to take a carry-on case only.

I want to keep my clothing as simple as possible.

Today I experimented with the H and M scarf I wore on July 18th.

I wore it under a denim shirt but I think it would look great with my denim skirt and flip flops in the evening.

I got the idea from Terri who is doing amazing things with her 6 item wardrobe.

If you are feeling brave with a scarf you could have a go at turning it into a skirt.

Have you got any tips for using scarves in imaginative ways?


I wore:
Black Leggings -Primark (6)

Top - Scarf

Denim Shirt - Barcelona boutique (21)

Shoes - Clarks (31)

Necklace - Wallis

Back To Front

I was looking for a belt to wear with this skirt and none of them seemed right.

The skirt is a little too big and needs a belt to keep it in place.

I was beginning to despair when I noticed my red silk scarf.

I am not too sure whether it works or not but it is better than the belts that fit into the loops of this skirt.

You may notice the sunglasses.

Yes, we have sun.

Let's just hope it is here to stay.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks (31)

Skirt - Banana Republic (17)

Shirt - Gap (9)

Necklace - Top Shop

Simply Blue

The children break up from school tomorrow so I am making the most of the time trying to get the house in order before chaos descends for another year.

I spent yesterday starting my closet clearout and listing some items on ebay which are here if you care to look.

I wish I was one of those organised homebodies but I have so many other interests in my life that I am always catching my tail when it comes to housework.

Ah well, onwards and upwards.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Converse (28)

Zara Jeans ( 15)

Denim Shirt - Barcleona boutique (21)

Scarf - H and M

Postcards From The Edge

I may be smiling on the picture but in the next room three of my children were doing their best to annoy a sibling.

And that was before they had left for school.

The summer holidays haven't even started for them yet and already I feel like I am teetering on the edge.

The three youngest are 12, 15 and 17.

It was so much easier when they were 2, 5 and 7.

I rarely see the eldest now as he is either working to fund his Ibiza holiday or camping out at his girlfriend's home.

Still I can calm myself with some meditation and think about the calm and peaceful lunch I had last week with Jenn.

Today she should have got her Thank You postcard.

I was going to send her a card when notsupermum told me I had won her giveaway from Cards In The Post, to create and send 6 postcards to anywhere in the world.

I still have 5 to go and would love to spread some peace across the world to my fellow bloggers.

You can load your own pictures and I plan to take some photographs of my local town to share.

If you would like me to send you a postcard please email me (thesmallfabric@gmail.com) before the end of the week and I will send them on a first come, first served basis.

If you want to send your own just add the voucher code EA9021 at the checkout to get 20% off.

PostScript: I was saddened today to hear the news about Stephen Covey's passing. When life has got on top of me, his book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families" reminded me of the importance of "putting first things first" and investing in family first.
As the summer holidays approach I will be diggiing out that book to remind me.
Sad to hear about his death but uplifted to hear that he died surrounded by his family after leaving behind a legacy of love and hope.

His books have been a great help to me.

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks (31)

Jeans - Zara (15)

Peplum Top- Matalan (3)

Crossover Clothes

I am learning a lot from the 31 for 31 challenge.

One of the things I have learnt is to plan better.

I hadn't worked out that I only had a handful of work days in July and can't see myself wearing the heels, smart skirts and jackets for the rest of the month as I spend the time trying to get the house in order.

The lesson I can take from this is to assess my wardrobe and see how it fits into my lifestyle.

There is a theme going on here.

My wardrobe is crammed with clothes that I wear once every couple of years, when what I really should be investing in is good quality casual clothes and shoes.

Today this skirt did cross over from smart to casual and as I had some banking and errands to run I decided to wear the heels for a change.

I think my Leopard Flats could do with a little rest!

If you didn't catch my People Tree giveaway over the weekend then take a look here.

You have until July 31st to enter.

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks (29)

Skirt and T-Shirt - Gap (16 and 8)

Silent Sunday

I know some bloggers have used Silent Sunday as a way of reflecting on the week.

I would like to dedicate my Silent Sunday posting to last night's Bruce Springsteen concert in Hyde Park.

While I am disappointed on behalf of the thousands of Bruce fans whose enjoyment was limited by the silence curfew, I have to say the fact that Paul McCartney's caterwauling was curtailed can only be a good thing.

While I may live in Liverpool and it may be sacrilige to say - I am not a big fan of The Beatles.

Yes, they wrote a few good songs and yes their legacy to the local economy has been a boon that is where my appreciation ends.

The Jubilee Concert was a performance too far for Macca.

He proved what I have been saying for years - when it comes to singing he is way past it. On the plus side he is in pretty good nick for a man pushing 70.

He appears to (finally) have a happy homelife and he has a pretty cushy back catalogue to feather his nest way into old age.

I think the power of brilliance is to know when to exit stage left and leave the crowd wanting more.

That's all I wanted to say on the subject.

Now back to Silent Sunday.

Hope you enjoy it.

I wore: Shoes - Clarks (31)

Jeans - Top Shop (13)

T-Shirt - H & M (2)

Summer Chills

I am feeling cold today but still want to wear my summery clothes.

I am so grateful for this lovely long scarf which I can wrap around me to keep out the chills.

As I am approaching midway through my 31 for 31 challenge I will soon be announcing a People Tree giveaway.

Stop by to check it out if you can spare a minute.

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

I wore:

Jeans - Tesco (12)

Top - H & M (1)

Shoes - Clarks (31)

Scarf - River Island