Friday Blues

 

More layers and a scarf to brighten up the blue.

I am getting a bit bored of the casual attire for work.

Our students don't return until September 10th and I want to dress up a bit.

I think I will use next week to ease myself in.

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jeans - Zara

T-Shirt and Jumper - Primark

Scarf - Next

Going To The Max

I have been keeping this brown maxi skirt in my wardrobe ever since I picked it up in the Gap sale with 70% off.

I thought it would be perfect for the autumn and decided that as the weather is so awful autumn has come early.

My very unscientific poll from yesterday's blog reveals autumn or Fall (which I prefer to call it but would be considered a bit of a wally if I used it in the UK) comes out as tops.

When I consider it more carefully I suppose I do like autumn clothes best whilst not being too keen on the actual days.

I know we can get some lovely weather in autumn but it is the loss of light and the impending winter which crushes my spirits.

Although I have to say my spirits begin to rise again around December 21st when the nights and mornings get marginally lighter and Christmas is on the way.

By January I feel we are in the home stretch to spring and February is my wedding anniversary, birthday and Valentine's Day.

 

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Skirt - Gap

Top - George

Necklace - Wallis

Back To Boots

Boots and Leggings - it must be August.

I despair of this British weather.

Five years ago I didn't even get my boots out of the cupboard until the end of October.

Now I wear them all year round.
 

Here is my summer 2012 look - lots of layers.

 

I did eventually manage to take off the cardigan around mid-afternoon but it was back on by 3pm.

 

I used to love summer.

I waited patiently throughout autumn, winter and spring.

But now I feel like a child who has the key to an empty sweetie shop.

 

The only enjoyable aspect of this summer has been the lighter morning and evenings but they will be going soon.

I am going to have to learn to love the other three seasons.
 

What is your favourite season and why?

 

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Leggings - Tesco

Lacy Top - Local boutique

Scarf - Next

Caridgan - Matalan

Ski Jacket - TK Maxx

 

 

Bank Holiday Weekend Notes

 

Yet again we spent the August Bank Holiday in Swansea.

 

We stayed with family in Langland Bay, a beautiful bay at the start of the Gower peninsula.

Unlike last year when the sun shone, we had the typical four seasons in one weekend.

Saturday was a mix of sunshine and showers which was perfect for the England V Wales Cricket Match in which my 12-year-old son won the VIP (Very Important Player) trophy.

 

Ben practices cricket

Sunday was glorious, perfect for a cliff walk and a dip in the sea.

There was time to play football in the garden.

 

 

Time to enjoy breakfast by the beach.

Time to chill out with a good book (Jo Jo Moyes "Me Before You").

 

We even managed the only BBQ of the year!

 

Monday was wet and windy which didn't  make for great conditions for the World Roofball Championships.

Last year my husband won the Veteran's Shield but this year our family returned empty-handed.

 

I have been asked what roofball is and to be honest I am still working it out.The game was invented by my nephew's friend when as a child he started using his hand to 'bat' a tennis  ball onto a low roof at his home.

 

Gradually his friends joined in and now they are in their twenties and mostly living away from home the friends and their families meet on Bank Holiday Monday to play the game.

Unfortunately my nephew and his friends have included a rule which does not allow women to play.

But my very competitive sister in law, Jane, became "James" for the day and remarkably she was allowed to play.

 

 

The only girl allowed to play in the game's history.

 

The weather posed a challenge for my packing but I think I managed to pack the right mix of clothes to cover most events although I think I will be packing gloves just in case next year.

I packed:
Converse
Leopard Flats
Black Maxi Dress
Boden Gingham Shirt
White Zara Jumper
Denim Shirt
Striped Scarf
Zara Jeans

Enrolment Day

 

It was a busy day today as the college I work at enrolled around 800 students.

I needed to be smart but I was going to  be on my feet all day.

I decided to opt for me new Boden Loulou dress and favourite flats.

 

I picked up this M  and Co Mac from my local store the other day for £19.

It had been reduced from £59 and as a colourful mac was on my wishlist I couldn't resist.

I am off to Wales for the weekend to stay with family and watch my husband and sons play in the Roofball Championships.
 

Have you got any plans for the weekend?

 

 

Dress - Boden

Leggings - Lytesse

Shoes - Clarks

Mac - M & Co

On Your Bike

It was back to work yesterday and I started the new term as I mean to go on - cycling as much as possible.

It is 8.1 miles to work and takes me about 40 minutes.

I got my new bike on the Cycle To Work scheme last year but always had an excuse not to ride.

This picture was taken at 7.55am in the morning and I had arrived at my desk before 8.40am.

It was a lovely way to start the day as there is cycle track for half the way and the roads were fairly quiet.

I was battling the wind all the way home and it was uphill but I didn't mind as it meant I could  have a guilt-free glass of wine (or two) tonight.

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Trousers - M and Co

Mac - M and Co

Top - Oasis

Bag - Marks & Spencer

Bike - Ridgeback

To belt or not to belt - that is the question.

I loved this post which I found on Pinterest about wearing Maxis and am now desperate to find a navy one in the same style as this with a strpaless bandeau bust.

But I can't decide: to belt or not to belt?

What do you think?

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Dress- Miss Selfridge

Vest - Next

Necklace - Wallis

New Hair Day

This first picture was taken after my trip to the hairdressers, while the second was taken before.

It is the hairstyle I aspire to achieve but usually fail miserably at.

Why does my hairdresser make it look so easy?

I made sure I went straight to Tesco's afterwards to get my new passport shots taken - I may as well get some value for money out of my hairdo!

This skirt has been in my wardrobe for ages but it doesn't seem to have been the right weather to wear it.

I wanted a warm dull day when I wasn't running around cleaning and tidying.

Today was a catch up day and I loved the way the wind whipped up the skirt.

It is a wraparound skirt with a tie waistband.

I remember my mum wearing one she had made like than in the 1970s.

I wore:

Shoes - Boden

Skirt - People Tree

Vest - Gap

Necklace - Wallis

21

My son, Sam, has a lovely girlfriend called Sophie and yesterday  was her 21st birthday celebrations.

The whole family was invited for an afternoon tea party which went on until later afteroon.
This was the first of many celebrations (her actual  birthday is Wednesday) and ends at the weekend when they will be going to Creamfields.

Although Sophie is a school year older than Sam he is just a few weeks younger as he will be 21 in September.

I haven't got a photo of them together for my blog as Sophie has had a major jaw operation this year and is not very confident in photographs.

She will be having a brace removed in time for Sam'sbirthday so I hope to share a picture of them with you soon.

As it was a showery day I decided to go for an Up Do, my favourite Poppy dress and a just in case mac.
As this is my favourite dress I have decided to use this post to take part in Patti of Not Dead Yet Style's Visible Monday link for the first time

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Dress - Oasis

Mac - Marks & Spencer

Necklace - Dorothy Perkins

Olympic Gold

You may recognise this dress.

I have worn it once before, here.

However, those of you who watched unknown dancer Jasmine Breinburg steal the show at the Olympics Opening Ceremony may recognise the dress too.

Last night we met up with some old friends for a meal and a drink.

The dress was perfect for the late summer sunshine and what remains of my holiday tan.

I wore:

Shoes - TK Maxx

Belt - Top Shop

Dress - H & M

Necklace - Fossil

Bag - Gap

Browned Off

I am  browned off today.

It is a muggy Saturday.

Today was spent sorting out rooms and trips to the charity shop.

I decided to choose the charity shop where I get my best bargains.

It is not a national chain which means the prices are quite reasonable.

I chose the shop where I got a brand new Boden blouse for £4.95 and unworn Joe Brown's dress for £3.95.

How do you choose which charity shop you donate to?

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Skirt - Hobbs

Vest - Top Shop

Necklace - Fossil

Statement Scarf

Can't believe this is my last week off - the school holidays have flown by.

Although our students don't start until September 10th we go back to work next Wednesday.

I am determined to make the most of my time off.
Today I met with my two colleagues, Nina and Dawn, for a lovely, leisurely lunch.
It gave me the chance to show off my new statement scarf (£5 in the Next Sale).

For the past year I have shared an office with these wonderfully supportive ladies.

But sadly, I have to move offices this term as I will be looking after the Oxbridge entries.

I will miss them.
Thanks also to Claire who has given me a lovely award. Claire is new to blogging but off to a great start; if you get the chance check out her blog.
And by the way, Claire also won my People Tree giveaway.

Today I wore:

Dress - Miss Selfridge

Shoes - Boden

Scarf - Next

Necklace - Fossil

What I Wore On Holiday - Part Two

Evenings at campsite holidays are quite laid back.

The campsite we stayed at this year was Park Playa Montroig which has to boast the best bars and restaurants I have ever come across  in a campsite.

I was fortunate enough to stay in the five star ForteVillage resort in Sardinia on a freebie when I was working as a journalist and I have to say this campsite reminded me of there.

There was a Beach Bar which served cocktails and reminded me of the  bar in the film Just Go With It.

There was a chill out bar and restaurant which also had a club that stayed open until 6am as well as smaller bars and the main family square.

I apologise for the quality of the outfit pictures as some were taken in the mobile  home we hired  before we went out.

I have also added some snapshots of me and the family.

 The first night out and looking a little pasty.

Getting  browner.

My fail-safe denim skirt and a new blue top which will become a holiday staple, it was so cool to wear.

My five-year-old £5 Primark Dress which I wore twice.

Another wear of the denim skirt, this time with the silver top which I also wore with the white skirt.

My American Apparel Multi-Way Dress which I wore like this and again as a strapless dress.

What I Wore On Holiday - Part One

I am glad to report that I wore almost every single item I took on holiday.

There were only a couple of items I didn't wear - one bikini which didn't cover up my top half very well and the peach top which made me look square and the material was very scratchy.

I wore a couple of my favourite items twice but just swapped shoes and jewellery to make them different.

Here is a selection of my favourite outfits.

I will post the evening outfits tomorrow.

This was taken the first day we arrived. We went for a walk on the beach, had some lunch and then dived into the sea to cool off. This tankini was perfect.

The second day and a wander round the campsite. This loovely football pitch was perfect for the boys.

Not my favourite dress and it is a little loose but the belt managed to hold it together.

I wore this dress to death on holiday this year. It could be worn as a maxi skirt with a black vest too.

My Jasmine Guiness Swimsuit has a clever layered effect which means you can wear it as a top over the skirt.

Another day, another wear of my favourite red dress.