Smash And Grab

Just a quickie while my son has nipped out for football practice.
I have his laptop for just a few minutes after I attend to all my other online business which means this is just a quick smash and grab.
Later this week I should be able to spend more time writing a round-up of The 2012 Capsule Wardrobe Challenge.
Thank You to everyone who took part.
Each time I take the challenge it gets a little bit easier.

Today I wanted a simple go-to outfit.
This brown cord skirt and cream Boden top is so easy to wear.
We just heard that OFSTED will be visiting out college in a few week's time so blogging may have to take a back seat for a while.
Hope you all have a great week.

Today I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt - M & Co
Top - Boden
Cardigan - Tesco

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge Day 5

The final day of the challenge and I feel as if there are still many more outfits to go.
It was read heart day today at college,a fun day to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation which was timely as I just found out that one of my students has a serious heart condition.
We all had to wear red and I chose my red polka dot blouse and my red heart necklace.
As the challenge ends please leave a message in the comments box so that I can write a round-up.

I wore:
Boots - Clarks (Wear 2)
Dress - Marks & Spencer (Wear 3)
Shirt - H & M (Wear 2)

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge Day 4

Calling all capsule wardrobe challengers - when you complete the challenge could you leave your name in the comments box so that I can create a CWC round-up featuring everyone who took part.
Today was time to brighten up the black skirt with the graphic print.
Red has become a staple of my winter wardrobe which will make tomorrow's Red Heart Day Charity event a doddle.
Just one more day to go.
How is everyone doing?

I wore:
Shoes - Clarks
Skirt - Gap
Blouse - M & Co

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge Day 3

My PC is still out of action so I have sneaked onto my son's laptop again.
I wanted to be more adventurous with a scarf today so decided to wear it belted to brighten up my dress.
It is the first day of Lent today and I have given up red wine.
Have you given anything up for Lent?

I wore:
Boots - Clarks (Wear 1)
Dress- Marks & Spencer (Wear 2)
Scarf - Covent Garden Market (Wear 1)

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge Day 2

I wore this black pencil skirt from Next for the first time today.
It took me a while to realise why I was struggling to walk - I had forgotten to snip the cotton holding the slit at the back together.
It was a busy day at college today and although I have only been at the college for 6 months there are whispers that our role may no longer exist next year.
Just when you thought it was safe to relax.......

Today I wore:
Shoes - Clarks (Wear 2)
Black Skirt - Next (Wear 1)
Blouse - H & M (Wear 1)
Cardigan - Dorothy Perkins (Wear 1)

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge Day 1

I apologise for the brief posting and lack of comments recently but our PC is in for repair and I can only grab a few minutes on my son's laptop.
Here is Day 1.
Shoes - Clarks (Wear 1)
Dress - Marks & Spencer (Wear 1)
Long sleeve t-shirt - H & M (Wear 1)
Scarf - Covent Garden Market (Wear 1)

2012 Capsule Wardrobe Challenge

Capsule
1. Black Dress - Marks & Spencer
2. Black Pencil Skirt - Next
3. Black & White Skirt - Gap
4. Red Blouse - M & Co
5. Red and White Polka Dot Blouse - H & M
6. Black Polo Neck - Next
7. Black long sleeved t-shirt - H & M
8. Black Cardigan - Dorothy Perkins
9. Black Boots - Clarks
10. Tan Boots - Clarks

Accessories
1. Black & Red Scarf
2. Green Scarf
3. Black and white belt
4. Tan Belt
5. Animal Print Belt

Selection of jewellery (unlimited for 2012)

It's A Wrap

This is a new addition to my wardrobe courtesy of Gap's sale.
It is such an easy dress to wear and as I got my wheels back after the car was repaired it was a busy day catching up on errands.
In the evening I went out for a few drinks with friends to celebrate my forthcoming birthday (Sunday).
On my birthday I plan on having a lazy morning - reading the papers with tea and toast.
Later,I will watch my 16-year-old son play football whil emy eldest son takes my youngest son to watch Liverpool FC play.
In the early eveningmy husband, daughter and mum will join me at the cinmea to watch Warhorse which will be followed by an Indian takeaway.
What would be your perfect birthday?

Thre Dreaded Lurgy

I knew it.
As soon as half-term arrived, so did a nasty cold/flu virus.
I have been fighting it for days but today I sprent the day on the sofa.
I couldn't even finish a game of Scrabble with my youngest son.
It just goes to show how much the camera can lie as I don't look that ill in the picture.

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

Shopping Frenzy

I took my daughter to Liverpool for an orthodontist appointment today.
I had planned for lunch too and had taken some Tesco vouchers for Cafe Rouge.
We also made some money when I took back a school skirt and trousers I had ordered from John Lewis and found a cheaper skirt.
I knew I had to buy a present for my friend's daughter's 18th birthday but all was budgeted for.
So far so good.
What I hadn't accounted for was a Top Shop Sale, Kurt Geiger Sale, new underwear for me and daughter.
I am still reeling from the damage.
Thank Goodness the next dental appointment isn't until August.

I wore:
Dress - Gap
Shirt - Spanish shop
Boots - Clarks
Scarf - Boden

Almost timefor the Capsule Wardrobe Challenge

Next week marks the start of the annual Capsule Wardrobe Challenge.
One of my favourites from last year was Biba over at Angels and Blossoms. Check out her recap here.
There is still time to join.
The rules are simple:
Between Feb 20th and Feb 24th you need to choose 10 items from your wardrobe including skirts, dresses, tops, knitwear, shoes to mix and match.
You can add five accessories such as scarves but hosiery, jewellery and underwear is not included.
Outerwear is not included as it is still very cold.
Good Luck.

Today I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt - Boden
Shirt - Gap Kids (Age 7!)

Mandarin Monday

This top was described as Vermilion on the Gap website but it seems like a pale orange to me - mandarin, maybe?
Back to earth with a bump.
My mum had done a wonderful job taking care of the kids while we were away but it was back to mess and squabbles within hours.
Ah well, only 365 days to next year's anniversary. Damn that Leap year day.

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Top and Skirt - Gap

Anniversary Weekend London

Our anniversary weekend was wonderful.
We stayed in The Kinglsey Hotel - once the home of Water Babies authort Charlesy Kingsley.
It was a lovely hotel, recently refurbished,and we had a room with a lounge area, walk-in wardrobe, large en suite and luxury bedroom.
On the Saturday evening we went to see James Corden in "One Man Two Guv'nors" at The Adelphi Theatre followed by a meal in nearby bistro.
On Sunday we had a leisurely breakfast in bed before wandering around London via Covent Garden, The National Portrait Gallery and The Charles Dickens Museum. In the evening we ate in a pub near Victoria and enjoyed an open top bus tour of London By Night.
After another easy Monday morning we met my brother who works near St Paul's for coffee and had afternoon tea in Belgravia.
On the way back to the station we spent two hours in the V & A Museum.
Wonderful.

Normal Service Will Resume As Soon As Possible

The rest of this week's outfits are stored on our PC which has crashed.
Tomorrow we are off to London for our 23rd Wedding Anniversary so I will leave you with a repeat of my capsule wardrobe post from last weekend.

We are going to see James Corden in the sell-out One Man Two Guvnors, enjoy an evening tour of London and a partake of a champagne afternoon tea.
I was determined not to buy anything new as I am on an economy drive.
I have spent some time thinking about what I can wear.

I have whittled it down to:
1 black skirt - Gap
Red Cord Dress which can be worn as a skirt - H & M
Red patterned top - Primark
Black long sleeve top - H & M
Black Polo - Next
Selection of gold and silver jewellery
Red scarf - Marks & Spencer
Faux leopardskin scarf - Tesco
1 hat - Asos
1 pair of leather gloves - Primark
1 massive black velvet coat which I bought in 1995 - Four Seasons
1 pair of flat boots - Clarks
1 pair of black ankle boots- Clarks
1 pair of black tights
1 pair of black lacy tights
1 pair of red tights
Selection of underwear (not pictured)

I will probably travel down in the red dress and polo neck and flat boots and wear the black skirt and patterned top to the theatre.
All of the items will not be creased and can be washed and dried on a radiator if needed and won't need an iron.
I am hoping layers will keep out the cold and my big warm coat will do the rest.

This is all very good practice for The 2012 Capsule Wardrobe Challenge.
Don't forget to sign up in the comments box.
Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

Teenage Troubles

I spend all day helping troubled teenagers (and their parents) find solutions to their problems.
And then I come home to a house with two teenagers , an 11-year-old and a 20-year-old and it is like Groundhog Day.
I feel like I am swimming in a hormone-fuelled soup.
Just wait until I hit the menopause and then the fun will start!

Today I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Dress - Marks & Spencer
Cardigan and Belt - Next

Tuesday: Browned Off

Browned Off!
Not me - my outfit.
I am feeling much better today - helped in no small part by your very kind comments.
Thank You.
Although I do love red I want to save it for the weekend.
Tomorrow I will be in the pink as I bought away my black mood with some lunchtime retail therapy.
I managed to fit in a dash to Next in between buying grapes, clear cups and a tin of custard for my trainee teacher son who will be teaching some Liverpool schoolchildren all about density tomorrow.
Yes, I know - retail therapy is so wrong, on so many levels in these times of austerity but sometimes nothing like the thrill of a new purchase can take away those winter blues.




Today I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt - Matalan
Top - M & Co

Monday: Who's That Girl?

When I look in the mirror or look back at photographs I have taken of myself, I no longer recognise the face that is staring back.
If I had a (much) older sister then that is who I think stares back at me from the mirror.
The tired eyes, the inability to smile, the jowlier face.
It is not the person I imagine myself to be.
Sorry for the morose post.
I didn't intend it to be that way today.

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt & Blouse - M & Co
Cardigan - Gap

Winter City Break Capsule

Next Saturday is our 23rd Wedding Anniversary and my husband and I are off to London for two nights.
We are going to see James Corden in the sell-out One Man Two Guvnors, enjoy an evening tour of London and a partake of a champagne afternoon tea.
I was determined not to buy anything new as I am on an economy drive.
I have spent some time thinking about what I can wear.

I have whittled it down to:
1 black skirt - Gap
Red Cord Dress which can be worn as a skirt - H & M
Red patterned top - Primark
Black long sleeve top - H & M
Black Polo - Next
Selection of gold and silver jewellery
Red scarf - Marks & Spencer
Faux leopardskin scarf - Tesco
1 hat - Asos
1 pair of leather gloves - Primark
1 massive black velvet coat which I bought in 1995 - Four Seasons
1 pair of flat boots - Clarks
1 pair of black ankle boots- Clarks
1 pair of black tights
1 pair of black lacy tights
1 pair of red tights
Selection of underwear (not pictured)

I will probably travel down in the red dress and polo neck and flat boots and wear the black skirt and patterned top to the theatre.
All of the items will not be creased and can be washed and dried on a radiator if needed and won't need an iron.
I am hoping layers will keep out the cold and my big warm coat will do the rest.

This is all very good practice for The 2012 Capsule Wardrobe Challenge.
Don't forget to sign up in the comments box.

2012: Week 5

Week 5: Thrifty Friday

Daughter: You are NOT going out wearing THAT skirt?.
Me: Why?
Daughter: It is disgusting:
Me: It cost 99p at Oxfam.
Daughter: You can tell. I wouldn't be seen dead going out with you wearing that.
Me:I love it - it's by Vila.
Daughter: What's Vila
Me: A pretty good brand
Daughter: Brand of what? Rubbish?
Me: I am off now.
Daughter: Can you pick me up after school to go shopping?
Me: MMm! I thought you wouldn't be seen dead going out with me wearing this?

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt - Vila (thrifted)
Top - Top Shop

Winter White Thursday

I thrifted this skirt a few years ago.
There is nothing like a bit of winter white and with snow forecast for most of the UK I am well prepared!

I wore:
Skirt & Blouse - H & M
Boot - Clarks

Wednesday: A Work In Progress AKA The Liverpool Look

If you ever come to Liverpool do not be surprised by seeing ladies getting ready for a big night out early in the day.
It is not unusual to see scores of young (and not so young) ladies walking around the city's streets sporting their rollers.
It is a kind of work in progress.
Almost a badge of honour.
Thankfully it has updated the last Liverpool trend of supermarket shopping in jim jams.
So far I haven't seen anyone combining both trends yet but there's always a first time for everything.

I wore:
Boots - Dorothy Perkins
Skirt - TK Maxx
Sweater - Next

Week 5: A lesser spotted Tuesday

I wanted to wear my new Boden cardigan.
Nothing like red and spots to cheer me up on a wintry morning.
It obviously cheered up other people too as I got several comments about my cardi today.

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt - Marks & Spencer
Top - H & M

Week 5: Monochrome Monday

As I enjoyed wearing black and white last Monday I have decided to rename Monday - Monochrome Monday.
Hopefully, it will make dressing for the start of the week a lot easier to think about.
Or not to think about.

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