Comfort Blanket

I have been seduced by the 70% off Karen Millen sale.

This comfort blanket cardigan was originally £110 but I got it for £30.

It is so warm and cosy I like to snuggle up in it in my office and make believe I am curled up in a cottage in front of a crackling fire.

I can't believe how quickly January has flown by, the summer holidays will be here before we know it.
 

 

Talking of taking a break,  I will be having a little rest from posting for February as I need to recharge my blogging batteries.

I will continue to keep up with everyone on my blog list.

 

But time to concentrate on a few more pressing matters.

 

See you in the Spring.

 

Jane x

 

I wore;

 

Boots - Clarks

Jeggings and top - Marks and Spencer

Cardigan - Karen Millen

Black And Tan

 

I will rarely wear the same outfit twice as I like to remix wherever possible.

However, I am so in love with this cardigan I almost wore the same outfit in the same month.

The only difference between this outfit and the one I wore a few weeks back is the boots.

But it is enough of a difference.

 

Boots - Clarks

Dress - Boden

Cardigan - Karen Millen

Red Leopard

I think this would have worked a little better if the top was a tad shorter.

I love the leopard print and red together.

Red always makes me feel alive and I am so glad it is going to be a popular colour next season.

Not that it would worry me if it wasn't - I would paint the town (and countryside) red anyway.

 

I wore:

Boots - Boden

Jeggings  and Shirt - Marks and Spencer

Jumper - New Look

Layering up

 

It started off with the dress and thermal layer.

 

 

 

Followed by a scarf.

 

 

 

And then finally the jacket.

 

Boots - Clarks

Dress - Boden

Scarf - Next

Thermal layer - Tesco

Necklace - Principles

Jacket - New Look

Be Prepared

 

I am still missing my black boots which I have sent back to Clarks so decided to throw caution to the sartorial winds and wear my wedge wellies to work again.

Did I say they are so comfortable?

And warm?

I wasn't taking any chances on being cold today with several layers underneath this cream top.

Weather, you can throw anything you want at me today.

I am prepared.

 

I wore:

Wellies - Tesco

Jeggings - Marks and Spencer

Thermal layers - Tesco

Cream Top - Next

Cardigan - Karen Millen

Go West

 

I love the cowgirl appeal of this shirt which I picked up from the sale section at Gap Kids a few years back.

It is a boy's shirt, aged 9-10 and much roomier than my size (UK) 10 shirts.

Although I am petite (5ft 1in) I am quite top heavy which means finding shirts particularly difficult.

 

If I size up then they are just too big on the shoulders.

If I wear my true size then the buttons strain and leave unsightly gaps.

I have some lovely tailored shirts but I have to wear a cami underneath which makes them look a little bulky.

 

 

Thanks to Gap Kids I don't have that problem today.

 

I wore:

Boots - Boden

Skirt - Noa Noa

Shirt - Gap Kids

Body - Marks and Spencer

Welly Wednesday

I never thought I would go to work wearing a pair of wellies but here I am.

The grounds around the college are quite hazardous with snow and ice and we have a number of buildings outside the main building where my office is located.

I "bought" these wedge wellies with my Tesco Clubcard vouchers just before Christmas.

They are so comfortble, it is not like I am wearing wellies at all.

 

The wedge gives a shorty like me a much needed lift in the heel department and the mock croc pattern gives the boots a style boost.

 

I wore:

 

Dress - Marks and Spencer

Shirt - H and M

Wellies - Tesco

Cardigan - Tesco

Winter White

 

I like to wear a lighter colour by my face as darker shades seem to drain me.

This pearl collar was perfect for the dress and matches the cuffs from my thermal layer.

This cream one is from Tesco and just as good as Marks and Spencer.

Better in fact because, at £8 it's £6 cheaper!

 

I think the snow is finally leaving us.

 

How is it down your way?

 

Boots - Clarks

Dress - Boden

Thermal t-shirt - Tesco

Collor - Asos

The Party's Over

 

The party's over and it is back to reality with a bump.

It snowed for most of the day today so I wanted comfort clothes.

This Karen Millen cardigan is fast becoming my comfort blanket.

Thank you so much for your kind comments about my mum's party - she had a fabulous time.

 

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Jeggings - Marks and Spencer

Shirt - Boden

Cardigan - Karen Millen

Grandma's Party

Despite the worst weather of the winter so far more than 30 family, friends and relatives travelled over to our house to celebrate my mum's 70th birthday.

 

Here's a snapshot of the snapshots we took!

 

 

 

 

Mum wearing her birthday outfit chosen by the John Lewis stylist.

 

 

 

 

Mum with my sons, Sam and Ben and niece, Georgia.

 

 

 

Mum, me and Georgia.

 

 

 

Joe holding the birthday cake he baked for mum together with mum, Sam and Georgia.

 

 

Joe with my nephew, Seth and Georgia.

 

 

Mum with Georgia and my daughter, Briony.

 

 

 

Joe and my nephew, Sidney.

 

 

 

Happy 70th Birthday Mum

 

I will be gone for a few days as we celebrate my wonderful mum's 70th birthday.

Have a good weekend.

 

Jane X

9 to 5

 

Or should that  be 8.30am to 4.30pm?

 

Either way when I came in from work last night I fed the kids and then made a mad dash to collect my mum and get into Liverpool for 7.30pm where we had tickets for Dolly Parton's musical, 9 to 5.

 

I had seen the film many moons ago and was looking forward to a song and dance extravaganza.

I wasn't disappointed.

It was such a strong cast with Bonnie Langford's song and dance number stealing the show.

How can a 48-year-old look so amazing in basque and stockings.

And do the splits?

Incredible.

If you  get the chance to see it then take it.

 

It was worth the mad dash.

 

I wore:

 

Boots and Dress - Boden

Leggings - Tesco

Spanish Senorita

 

 

"You look like a Spanish Senorita today," said one of my colleagues.

"Is that the look you were going for?"

I have to admit I was surprised.

Firstly, because I had picked the skirt out of my wardrobe in a rush with only the vague aim of finding something red, and secondly, because the observation was made by a male colleague.

Not only had he noticed the attire of a colleague but he had the creativity to observe a "genre" so to speak.

I told him that I hadn't gone for that look but admitted that I do like to dress up for work.

It makes facing the dark icy cold  mornings with a purpose in mind easier to bear.

I usually think abut what I will wear on the day while I am walking the dog at 6am.

 

How do you decide what you are going to wear?

 

Boots - Clarks

Skirt - Karen Millen

Top - Marks and Spencer

Camera Shy

 

A bit camera shy today I am afraid.

Must be the Monday morning after the weekend before!

Here are some of my winter sales purchases.

The boots (reduced from £139 to £69) will replace the black biker boots from Clarks which have suffered from a zip malfunction.

I don't expect Clarks to be able to replace them as they are now sold out.

I am hanging out for a refund so I can put the money towards next winter's boots.

The cardigan was reduced from £99 to £24 in the Karen Millen sale.

I think it will get lots of wear with jeans, dresses, skirts and trousers.

 

Still no snow!

 

Boots - Boden

Dress - Boden

Cardigan - Karen Millen

 

Dress Swap

 

After trying the navy and charcoal Loulou Dress I decided that it was not a keeper.

I had ordered a size too big in a regular size because my normal size was sold out and it was a tad too big.

I thought this red and navy dress which was reduced to almost half price in the sale would be a better investment as I could wear it all year round too.

Boden have started to do it in red for Spring/Summer so I am holding out for a great offer and may invest in another with some of my birthday money.

 

Still waiting for the snow.

Has it snowed where you are yet?

 

Boots - Clarks

Dress - Boden

Thermal layer - Marks and Spencer

 

3 Into1

1

2

3

I picked up this t-shirt in the Marks and Spencer sale.

It has lovely faux leather detail on the shoulders and pocket.

But I just couldn't decide which way to wear it.

T-shirt - Marks and Spencer

Skirt - Next

Boots- Clarks  

Full Of The Joys Of Spring

Thanks for all your kind words about my job.

Fingers crossed I will be OK, but who knows?

Enough of that, I have to say I am feeling full of the joys of Spring even though the weather has taken a turn for the cooler.

I find I am opting for spring shades of blue and green  rather than the blacks and reds of December.

I am also feeling better too as I have been following the 5.2 fast/feast system of eating which I am documenting in my new blog here.

Already I have lost 4 pounds in one week and feel full of energy.

Just 12 pounds to go and hopefully I will manage to reach my goal by the end of March.

Today I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Skirt - Boden

Green top- Tesco

Thermal layer - Marks and Spencer

Life Is A Rollercoaster

After the highs of returning to work yesterday, now it's time for the lows. 

At a full staff meeting today we were told that our college needs to make more cuts.

Around 20 teaching roles will go as the college downsizes and adjusts to education hacks cuts.

Although I have a non-teaching role it doesn't mean I am safe.

I will be strapping up for a rocky ride over the next few months.

Never a dull moment eh?

Today I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Skirt - Gap

Shirt - M & Co

The Write Start

As a child I always loved the first day of a new term.

As a teacher I still get excited.

I look forward to a new start, catching up with my colleagues' news and feel a burst of creative energy.

Yesterday was no different.

It was a busy day full of challenges with a perfect ending.

It was the first day of our new writing group.

Last year we had a small group of 3, or if we were lucky, 4.

This time we had 10 student along with the college principal.

The principal and I have enjoyed many chats about writing in the past 12 months and I knew she wanted to come but never expected to see her.

I introduced the concept of Free Writing based on Natalie Goldberg's writing practice principles and we all had a go.

It was so uplifting to meet such a wonderful group of like-minded people.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Dress-Boden

Life Lessons

 

I woke up on Saturday morning to a Facebook posting from a wonderful acquaintance of mine, Kiki.

The post was about Regina Brett who wrote an article about the 45 lessons life had taught her.

She has been wrongly reported as being in her 90s and is now in her late 50s.

You can find out more here.

I found this list intriguing especially as I am fast approaching my half century (47 in February).
It has made me think about the lessons I would choose.
 

 

As for today's outfit.

Yes, the Loulou dress again.

Unfortunately, after this photo was taken the zip on my boots broke.

I have phoned Clarks who have asked me to send them back.

I will let you know how I get on.

What life lessons would you choose?

 

Boots - Clarks

Dress - Boden
Thermal layer - Marks and Spencer

Code Red

Last day of the school holidays and it is a chilled out day.

It's time to pack up the Christmas decorations for another year.

This red jumper is perfect for rockin' around the Christmas Tree for a few more hours.

Talking of wearing red, check out Avril's latest competition here and you could win a Radley bag and help save lives too.

I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Jeggings - Marks and Spencer
Jumper - New Look

Green Leopard

And one final picture in front of our other Christmas tree.

We always have a fake tree and a real one.

The fake tree satisfies my chaotic sentimental urges with decorations made by the children from years back along with the cheapy baubles my husband and I first bought back in the mid-80s.
Together with a collection of posh baubles we have been given as gifts over the years.
The blue fabric heart shaped decoration with a red heart in the centre was made out of one of my dad's old shirts the first Christmas after he died.

 

The real one has a more sophisticated colour theme.

Taking a cue from the tree, I have been looking for a shade of green that suits my colouring and think I have finally found it.

 

Pistachio?

 

Not sure.

Whatever the shade is named I love it even more layered over this animal print thermal body from Marks and Spencer.

I think I am starting to finally embrace winter.

 

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Top - Tesco

Body - Marks and Spencer

Hooked On Classics

 

Making the most of my last few days in front of the Christmas tree.

I love the classic denim shirt especially when paired with a bright red top.

To me they are classic laid back shades.

To brighten the outfit up I added a sparkly necklace.

Have you still got your Christmas decorations up?

 

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Leggings and red layer top - Marks and Spencer

Shirt - Spanish shop

New Loulou

 

Here is what I found lurking in the Boden sale.

My favourite Loulou dress in my favourite pattern - stripes.

I have to say I am not that impressed with my photography skills in this picture as it looks much better in the mirror.

And if I hadn't been in such a rush I would have swapped the belt for a thinner one and belted it a  notch tighter.

The colours are charcoal and caramel which blend well with a lot of my winter shoes and boots.

As our British weather is pretty foul I expect I shall get at least 9 months a year wear from this dress.

As I ordered this in December it won't come out of my 2013 clothing budget.

 

Today I am off to John Lewis in Liverpool as I have booked an appointment with the stylist for my mum who will turn 70 on January 18th.

I gave her vouchers for Christmas and my daughter and I are hoping to find the perfect outfit for her party.

 

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Dress - Boden

In The Pink

This sloppy Joe is so easy to wear as the waistbands tighten and the Christmas Cake shaped lumps and bumps become more prominent.

As ever, my new healthy eating regime will not begin until I go back to work (January 7th)  and I have "cleaned" up all the Christmas fayre in the house.

I love the way Christmas shakes up the regimented days of work for a while but I always look forward to the discpline of a new regime and with a half marathon lined up for March I have just the incentive I need to get back on track.

Until then I will be enjoying the indulgences of the festive season for a few more days.

How about you?

 

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Leggings - Tesco

Jumper - River Island

Shirt - Boden

New Year's Day

 

All is quiet on New year's Day

 

Turning my back on 2012.

Saying hello to 2013.

 

Hope yours is a good one.

 

Shoes - Clarks

Dress - Karen Millen

Belt - Asos