December Will Be Magic Again

I have struggled with the thought of Christmas this year.
It was always the most chaotic time in the calendar with carol services, nativities, drinks, parties and the large family meal.
Not to mention the dawn chorus of "Has he been yet?"
Last year was the first Christmas without my dad.
My mum went to stay with my brother and his family.
And we spent Christmas Day with my sister in law and mother in law at a local restaurant.
This year my mum is going away to my brother's again.
My mother in law who suffers from dementia is now in a home and my sister in law will be spending time with her new boyfriend.
After making Christmas Dinner for up to 14 people, this year there will be just six of us.
Our teenagers will probably stay in bed until lunchtime and be itching to get out with their friends by evening.
As my children are all in High School or university there will be no nativity plays, no Carol Services and no Christmas Meal with the mums who I never see at the school gates anymore.
I was feeling down about Christmas until I read eek's Post about a Christmas Journal.
I used to scrapbook a lot but ran out of time.
I realised that I would have more time this Christmas and that I could put it to good use by remembering Christmases Past in the Christmas Present.
After reading this I began to feel excited about Christmas again and I decided to set up a blog to chronicle the Journal.
My Christmas celebrations began with making some Christmas decorations from an old shirt of my fathers - this was one way I could include him in the Christmas festivities.
I also made a couple for my mother too and she was very touched.
I have no idea how this Christmas will pan out by I believe very strongly that December will be magic again.

Today I wore:
A red dress to celebrate Christmas.
Boots - Clarks
Dress & Shirt - Tesco

Creature Comforts

It is cold today.
Our office takes an age to warm up and I had lots of work to do.
I wanted to be warm and comfortable and snuggled up in my current favourite go-to outfit.
My cozy scarf.
My tan boots.
My black midi skirt..
My Zara Jacket.
It might not win any style awards but I know I will feel warm and comfortable today.

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt - Primark
Scarf - Liverpool Shop
Jacket - Zara

Up or Down?

As I am growing my hair again I keep experimenting with my hair up and down - which has to be the best part of longer hair - the choice!
Today I can't decide. Up or Down?

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt - Marks and Spencer
Top - Tesco
Cardigan _ Dorothy Perkins

Inspired by Kendi

I put this look together after leafing through Kendi's collobaration with Fossil here.
This really is a dress for all occasions.
I have worn it for a wedding, a christening and a funeral.
But never everyday.
When I saw Kendi's Fossil Lookbook I immediately thought of this dress and wore it to brighten up Monday Morning.
I also discovered that there is a Fossil Store in Liverpool too.
I am off Christmas Shopping on Saturday and wonder if I can resist walking through without buying anything.
Wish me luck.

Today I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Dress - Matalan
Cardigan - Boden

These Boots Were Made For Walking............

Another ebay-funded purchase - my new Clarks Boots.
I wanted flat, black and patent and bingo, these boots were just waiting for me on the Clarks website.
With a 20% discount code they were just about affordable.
I have worn them a couple of times and my colleague was convinced they were from Russell and Bromley.
But even better than that - they are so comfortable to walk in.
Last night my husband and I attended the Christmas Lights switch-on in our village followed by an Indian meal.
We walked to the village and back, a round trip of about three miles, and it felt like I was wearing slippers.

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt - M & S
Shirt - Tesco
Sweater - Top Shop

Open Day

It is Open Day at the sixth form college where I work.
This means a long, long day.
I will leave home at 7.45am and get home around 9.45pm.
I decided to opt for a smart red jacket - a vibrant colour always makes me feel brighter!

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Dress & Jacket - Marks & Spencer

Holiday 2012

I know it is a long way off but I have just booked our holiday for next summer.
Yet again we are going back to Spain and another campsite on the outskirts of Barcelona.
I just love the city and every time I go I discover something new.
Here is my favourite holiday snap of 2011 - the only photograph of the year which features us all.
As they grow older the annual holiday is the one thing that brings us all together.

My Guilty Pleasure

Thank You for responding to the guilty pleasures of the shopping cart.
I have to admit I was at it again yesterday.
It was Pay Day and I had £20.00 to spend on a Christmas Dress.
I couldn't resist - reduced from £140.00 to £20.00.
How can they do it?
What am I talking about?
Take a sneaky peek at this dress here.


Now that is definitely it this year.
I promise - a frugal New Year.
Unless Santa would like to surprise me.

Today I wore:
Boots: Clarks
Top: H & M
Skirt: Boden

Supermarket Sweep

In winter I love denim and a skinny black polo neck.
Today I wanted some colour and warmth as my office can be very cold.
Again, I bought this scarf when I was shopping in my local supermarket.
That's two items in two days that found their way into my shopping trolley.
What is your best supermarket clothes buy?

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt - Marks and Spencer
Top - Next
Scarf - Tesco

A Dull November Monday Morning

I am determined to keep up a full working week's worth of clothes.
After a year off to study for my postgraduate teaching certificate and several months sporadic posting due to the start of my new job I finally feel ready to commit to daily blogging again.
I have tried to pop up and leave comments on my favourite blogs but even that got too much with my heavy workload.
I apologise and now I feel more settled I will endeavour to return to the halcyon days of daily blogging and regular communication with my fellow bloggers.
I have missed you all.
I am starting today with a rust polka dot dress I bought while shopping at my local supermarket.
It s a tad too long but it is ideal for work as the material never creases and the colour is always ready to brighten up a dull November Monday morning.
I wore:
Dress - Tesco
Boots - Clarks

Animal Skirt

I wear this skirt when I want to feel a bit of luxury.
The fabric is incredible - a very thick cotton and the skirt is lined.
Although it is a little on the short side the winter means I can dig out the black tights and boots.

I wore:
Skirt - Zara
Top - Next
Boots - Clarks

Nina' s Blouse

I share an office with Nina and we also share this rust blouse.
When I say share - I mean I have my own and Nina has hers.
Before I set out in the morning I text Nina to make sure she isn't wearing the blouse.
As Nina is a foot taller and a stone lighter the blouse looks very different on both of us.
I wore:
Skirt - Marks & Spencer
Blouse - Tesco
Boots - Clarks

French Night

It was time to meet up with some old friends.
And time to get back into the kitchen and start cooking from scratch again.
As three of us were vegetarians the meal was French-inspired: French Onion Soup followed by Vegan Cassoulet and Tarte Tatin.
AS it was a bit on the chilly side I dug out my red cord strapless dress.
It is an odd combination but on the right day the dress is perfect.

I wore:
Dress: H & M
Boots - Clarks

Animal Dress

This easy to wear dress from H & M is not as flattering as I thought.
I love wearing this dress but not so sure about the photo.
The high waist seems to cut me in half.
However, have been impressed by H & M's new website that lets you play around with different looks.
Has anyone else tried it?

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Dress - H & M
Poppy - British Legion

And the skirt winner is......

eek
Please inbox me your details and I will mail the skirt out.
workthatwardrobe@gmail.com
Today is one of my favourite go-to outfits for autumn.
Plain black and a colourful scarf.
The temperature is dropping here and I need to be warm and cozy.

I wore:
Dress = Marks and Spencer
Jacket - Zara
Scarf - Albert Dock, Liverpool
Boots - Clarks

Golden Brown

There is something about the turning leaves in November that makes me want to reach out for brown.
I love every shade but golden brown is my favourite.
I just love my new Clarks Boots - they are so comfortable and I managed to raise every single penny for them from eBay sales.
I feel so virtuous.
There are a handful of offers for the free skirt giveaway.
If you would like to have the skirt in yesterday's post please leave your name in the comments section.
Offers close at midnight on Sunday November 6th.
I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt - Matalan
Shirt - Zara

The Skirt Giveaway

Thank You for the suggestions.
I appreciate the time and trouble you have taken but I just don't think this skirt likes me.
In fact I am willing to give it away in a random giveaway.
If you would like this skirt just leave a comment and I will draw a winner at random.
It is lined and a UK size 10 - US size 6.