Good Friday

I am not a chocolate person and don't really do eggs but I love Easter.
Religion aside (which I am not going to go into other than to say I became a Catholic on Easter Sunday 1992), I love the way blossom appears on the trees, the smell of spring in the air and the promise of six months of light mornings and evenings.
Today I am wearing my new vest top featuring "The Boss".
I had one of these t-shirts in 1988 and couldn't believe it when I saw it on sale in H & M last week.
I don't know if I will have the bottle to wear it to the Bruce Springsteen concert in June as I think it will look a bit naff.
Whatever you are doing this Easter, have fun and for the chocoholics amongst us. Enjoy!

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Jeans - Top Shop
Vest - H & M
Jacket - Zara

Farewell Spotty Shirt

I wore this outfit yesterday and when I took the shirt off I noticed a rip at the bottom - just above the peplum.
The fabric is silk and it can't be repaired.
I have had a love/hate relationship with this shirt.
Initially, I loved it.
I bought it in the summer of 2008 just before I started my year of not buying any clothes.
I wore it for the first time when I went to see Mamma Mia with my husband.
But then I fell out of love. I had gone off the frill and the fabric wasn't as fresh as it used to be.
I also thought it made me look fat.
One time I put it on eBay but as it didn't get more than £1.04 in bids I withdrew it from sale.
This year I was delighted to see the peplum was back in and retrieved this shirt from the back of the wardrobe.
I have worn it a couple of times already this year and was feeling the love again until the shirt took its final revenge and split on me.
I can't bear to throw it away.
Anyone got any ideas of what I can do with an unwearable shirt?

Waiting For A Sunny Day

The weather had already turned.
Normal service had resumed: sleet, wind and rain.
But I couldn't resist this ray of sunshone on the rails at H & M.
As soon as I saw this fabric I knew I had to have this dress.
In 2005 I bought a silver top (pictured) made out of the same fabric and which I have worn to death.
It is perfect for holidays.
It never creases and you can't go wrong with metallics.
Even better the price: an unbelievable £14.99 for a dress.
I wore the dress with my new "free" booties from Clarks.
Last winter I bought these black boots but the zip went on them.
I took them back and they gave me a full credit refund for the cost of the boots.
I chose these booties and these lovely summer sandals.
I was so impressed with the customer service.
A full refund and they did it with a smile on their face.
Five stars to Clarks.
I wore the dress for dinner at my friend Denise's home.
Denise is an excellent cook and despite having three carnivores, two vegetarians and a vegan she made an excellent meal.
Cauliflower and Cumin Soup with Bruschetta for starters; Basque Chicken/Quorn for mains and ice cream/vegan version for pudding.
There is nothing better than dinner with friends you haven't seen for a while.

I wore:
Dress: H & M
Booties: Clarks

Post Ofsted Celebrations

Ofsted is over.
I can't reveal the full rating yet but I am happy.
Very happy.
Yesterday the senior leadership team bought everyone a drink in the pub to say Thank You for all their hard work.
Today I am celebrating the sunshine.
I just love Spring.
Six months of wonderful light to look forward to.
I started today with a run to the beach and back with the dog.
Around 11am one of my best friends popped in unexpectedly for a cup of coffee which was nice.
Now I am just off to the village on my bike for a snoop around the charity shops.
Happy Days.

I wore:
Shoes - Clarks
Jeans - Top Shop
Top - JD SPorts
Jacket - Zara
Ray Bans - My daughter's

My Favourite Song Ever

The first time I heard this song was May 1978.
I was 12.
Thirty four years later it still remains my favourite song to this day.
Years after I first heard the song I met my husband to be.
I was 19 and in my first year at university.
He was a big Bruce Springsteen fan and had played Bruce singing it.
I know Bruce wrote it, but it is Patti's song and to me, it always will be.
The best compromise I can come to is the two of them singing it together.
This June we are off to see Bruce (yet again) in Manchester.
I have my fingers crossed that he will play the song.
If you had to choose only one song as your favourite, what would it be?

The 2012 Capsule Wardrobe Round-Up

At last, as promised here it is - a round-up of the 2012 Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge.
First off we had PleaseMay I who took part for the first time and put together a very elegant capsule.
I loved the boots and the blue.
Then there was Terri who procued a Pariseienne feel to her capsule.
MadamOwl put together a video explaining her choices and it was lovely to hear her views.
Franca, a veteran of the challenge who is always guaranteed to put together a colourful contribution to the challenge also produced a video explaining her choices.
The lovely Emma joined in with a lovely recap of her week explaining what she had learnt from the experience.
Kasmira who has completed the challenge since the first one in 2008 put together a spreadsheet detailing her choices. I wish I was that organised.
Another original challenger is Sheila. I just love her eclectic style.
Biba produced a beautiful capsule. She has such grace.
And finally, the lovely Lorena who gave all of us in the chilly northern hemisphere a taste of summer to come.
If I have missed anyone out please let me know.
Whenever I do the round-up I always think how much higher the bar has been raised by everyone.
Which was your favourite?

Time Marches On

It is already March 10th and I haven't managed to post once this month.
Work is frantic, preparing for OFSTED and all the usual demands of the job, it has been my son's 17th birthday and my PC is still out of action.
Just to show that I haven't disappeared into the blogether here is a collection of snapshots from the month so far.
As Spring peers through the clouds every now and then I am feel myself being drawn to pinks and yellows.
Which colours are calling to you?