Farewell Winter 2012-13

It has been a long, cold winter.

I have struggled with finding a look I feel comfortable with this season as very often I went for warmth rather than style.

Today I looked back and chose a few of my favourite outfits which I hope to use as a base for next winter.

 

I can see now the outfits I favour tend to be knee length, fitted with a black base and lots of red, blue and purple.

In many ways it should help me to plan to work with what I have in the future.

Now to the exciting bit - planning Spring 2013.

Baby Ben Becomes A Teenager

My baby, Ben is 13 today.

Here he is at a day old.

He was supposed to be a home birth like his sister but I got flu just days before he was born and had to go into hospital.

 

Here he is in his lovely Boden pants celebrating his first birthday.

 

He loved to dress up and I still have a collection of costumes under his bed.

 

He loved this swimsuit and wore it every day for 14 days when we went to La Manga in 2003.

 

With grandma and grandad at his first Holy Communion.

And here we are in 2013.

 

 

Happy Birthday Ben.

Great Friday

 

It's Friday.

I'm on holiday for two weeks and one day.

It's not just a Good Friday, it's a Great Friday.

This morning I took my daughter into the village to get her hair done and I had a mooch around and a coffee.

It was bliss just sat there on a lovely comfy sofa reading my latest book.

This afternoon we will take the dog for a walk and tonight we will have a relaxing evening.

No more work for a while which is just as well as yesterday was not the best day.

I got the feedback from my observation and it wasn't great.

It was "Satisfactory."

But hey ho, it could have been worse.

And I have lots of fabulous plans for the next two weeks.

Hope you have a Great Good Friday.

 

I wore:

Shoes - Converse

Jeans - Top Shop

Top - Tesco

Jacket - Miss Selfridge

Scarf - Kurt Geiger

Poppies

 

I am a big fan of Poppies and just had to have this scarf when I found it on the  Precis website.

I have been thinking about building up my scarf collection ever since I came across Mai Tai's blog.

I can't tell you the difference it makes investing in a good quality scarf.

It may have cost over £30 but this scarf ties and falls so much better than my cheaper ones.

 

Just look at this print.

If that doesn't remind you of summer than I don't know what does.

I love the thrill of seeing beautiful poppies spring up in the most surprising of places while I am running or walking the dog.

I am always amazed at how the seemingly fragile paper thin petals defy the elements.

 

Precis have also used this print for a Bardot style top so I am saving my pennies for an Easter treat.

 

I wore:

Boots - Boden

Dress - Boden

Cardigan - Tesco

Scarf - Precis

Roadshow

We took 11 students to the Oxbridge Roadshow at Haydock Racecourse today.

It was, shall we say, an enlightening experience.

I had plenty of time to daydream during the lectures and I remembered the days when I was the same age as these students and the only roadshows I was aware of were the Radio 1 Roadshows.

 

Southport was the nearest location for the annual seaside frolics where a motley crew of Radio I DJs would strut their stuff and address the crowds in their faux mid-Atlantic accents.

A smattering of celebrities would be plugging their latest singles - yes it was the pre-CD days.

Years later as a reporter at The Liverpool Echo, Southport became my patch and I would be invited to meet the Radio 1 team the night before the show and get a backstage pass to interview the "stars."

I remember sharing a drink with Gary Davies and interviewing Lloyd Cole, Lisa B and Kim Wilde.

I recall Lloyd telling me about his experiences as a new dad.

Do you remember the days of the Radio 1 roadshows?

 

Today I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Trousers - Marks and Spencer

Top - Charity Shop (Vero Moda)

Cardigan - Boden

Under Observation

It was my annual teaching observation today.

My class was wonderful but 45 minutes under close scrutiny by two members of the senior leadership team had the inevitable consequences.

I stumbled over my words, I forgot names and I rushed.

Things I NEVER normally do.

Still feeling fragile.

I wore:

Boots - Whistles

Skirt - Noa Noa

Top - Next

Scarf - Gift

"You Are Looking Very Nice Today"

Amazing.

I was just about to add this dress to the charity pile when on a whim I threw it on.

It may have something to do with the backlog of ironing but for whatever reason I decided to wear this dress, it had very little to do with getting compliments.

I have worn this dress dozens of times and never once had a compliment - apart from kind comments from my blogging friends.

I can't quite work out why this worked today.

Maybe it had something to do with the fact that it was a change from my usual attire (layers, black and red) but it worked.

I still haven't figured out what is so great about this dress but I have figured that it isn't ready for the recycling pile just yet.

Dress - H and M

Boots -Clarks

Golden Moments

Today would have been my mum and dad's Golden Wedding.

Sadly, dad passed away in October 2010 but here is my way of celebrating their very happy marriage.

Happy Anniversary mum and Happy Anniversary dad, wherever you are.

Pencil It In

 

Apparently it is a total myth that the Inuit people have 50 words for snow.

It is not a myth that I have 500 words for snow at present and none of them are particularly pleasant.

Don't get me wrong - I love snow in December, January and even February but come on - the end of March?

 

Nevertheless, I won't let the snow put me off my planned outfit today, another go with a pencil skirt.

I struggle to find a pencil skirt to fit me as I have big hips and a smallish waist.

This Next skirt is the closest I have come to finding one that fits me.

 

I am not sure what it will look like with my wellies as I trudge to work but this is what it should look like.

 

Shoes - Clarks

Skirt - Next

Top - Dorothy Perkins

Green Day

 

At least I didn't have to hack off ice from my car windscreen this morning which means that spring just may be on its way.

In celebration yesterday's vernal equinox I have opted for green which always reminds me of spring.

It is lovely to see those green shoots appearing out of the ground when I walk the dog.

And if I am not mistaken there is something resemebling buds sprouting on my blossom tree.

Are there any signs of spring where you are?

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Skirt and Top - Marks and Spencer

Cardigan - Zara

Little Red Dress

It's my little red dress again.

This time topped with my denim shirt.

I am lucky that I work in an environment where I can get away with wearing pretty much what I would wear off duty.

The only exception really is jeans and when the students are not in college we can wear them anyway.

I think a denm shirt/skirt is probably a grey area but so far I have got away with it.

What is your dress code at work?

 

I wore:

Boots - Boden

Dress  H and M

Shirt - Barcelona shop

Favourites

This has to be my current favourite top.

I know I have blogged about it before but I just love the shape, the size, the print and the fact that it was a charity shop find.

I paired it with my favourite straight leg trousers from Primark and favourite black ankle boots.

But I am fickle.

I am sure there will be another favourite in the not too distant future.

 

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Trousers - Primark

Top - Vero Moda (thrifted)

Gingham Style

 

Every time I hear the Gangnam Style song I always think gingham.

I love gingham.

I acquired this shirt from Boden last summer and think it will be a lifetime shirt.

It is such great quality and washes and irons like brand new.

There is something so fresh about gingham which always reminds me of spring and summer.

Linking to Patti's Visible Monday.

 

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Skirt - Marks and Spencer

Belt - Top Shop

Shirt - Boden

I did it!

 

This was taken at 6.30am just before I left to run The Liverpool Half Marathon.

And an hour after my sons came in from their partying. In Liverpool.

I had cleared the house after the 40 or so 18-year-olds had left our home and got to bed about 1am.

 

Unfortunately, my number had got lost in the post so I had to go in early to collect it for the 9am race which started and finished at the famous Royal Liver Building.

The first nine miles were fine and I managed to run ahead of my time but the last four miles were so hard.

I dropped from running a mile in 9 minutes 20 seconds to 11 minutes which made my finish time 2 hours 17 minutes.

I was a little disappointed as the last two times I have run the race I did it in under two hours, but I was running it for dad

 

 

Coincidentally, my dad used to  be an insurance agent and once worked for The Royal Liver.

I managed to raise £385 for The Lymphoma Association with another £100 or so to come in.

Although the last four miles were the hardest they were the most beautiful, running along the Liverpool waterfront.

I know I said I wouldn't do it again but maybe, just maybe!

Smile

 

I have found that the only way to cope with an uncertain world is to smile.

There is lots going on at home and lots going on at work.

I feel I have little control over either sphere and the only way to maintain a positive attitude is to keep smiling.

This skirt always makes me want to smile.

 

Here's a weekly round-up

 

 

Today I wore:

Boots - Boden

Skirt - Karen Millen

Top - Marks and Spencer

Something Old, Something Blue

 

I haven't worn this Joe Brown wrap cardigan for a while.

I first wore it back in 2009 here.

It is fairly light in texture and the three quarter sleeves means it is usually reserved for warmer days.

 But this cream thermal layer managed to bridge the gap between the wintry weather and spring.

 

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Dress - Gap

Thermal layer - Marks and Spencer

Wrap Cardigan - Joe Brown

13

 

It's the 13th today and it has got me thinking about my 13.1 mile run on Sunday.

I plan to run the Liverpool Half Marathon in memory of my dad who passed away in 2010.

I love to run but am getting increasingly anxious about the race as I hate big events.

I ran 11 miles a couple of weeks ago so know I can cover the distance but I hate waiting around beforehand and get very nervous.

This dread of the race is killing my love of running.

 

After Sunday I will never enter a race again.

 

Although I have run several half marathons and all under two hours I will be happy to get round this one without stopping.

I just hope 13 will be my lucky number on Sunday.

 

By the way did I tell you that we will be hosting my son's 18th birthday party for 50 of his friends the evening before.

Maybe that's the real reason I am so anxious.

 

I wore:

 

Boots - Clarks

Skirt - Noa Noa

Top  - and M

 

 

 

It's A Wrap

 

Brrrr!

This cold weather has had me burrowing in the wardrobe for the winter woolies I packed away.

This toasty Karen Millen cardigan can always guarantee I will feel nice and warm.

 

I am not too sure about the skirt though as I think it is a little too short.

I have to confess I am weeding out my shorter skirts and dresses now and feel far more confortable when they are just on the knee.

 

Hurry up spring.

Even I am getting fed up of black and red.

 

I wore:

Boots and Skirt - Boden

Top - Marks and Spencer

Cardigan - Karen Millen

Spring Florals

 

I found this blouse in the sale rail at Zara when we visited Manchester recently.

The whole basement floor was a sale rail and I was spolied for choice.

The only problem I have with Zara is the sizing; they are not designed for my shape and sadly none of the dresses I tried on fitted me.

Still, this blouse more than made up for it.

 

It has been a very busy weekend and I am looking forward to going back to work for a rest.

Hope your working week is a good one.

 

Linking to visible Monday.

 

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Skirt - Marks and Spencer

Blouse - Zara

Happy Mother's Day

 

It has taken nearly 18 months to do this but I have finally managed to get a photo with all of my children.

 

 

And here's one with my mum.

 

Hope you had a lovely Mother's Day.

 

Joe's 18th Birthday Meal

 

We had a lovely meal to celebrte Joe's 18th birthday.

I wore my new Next Jumpsuit.

 

 

I first wore a jumpsuit in the 1980s and never thought I'd be wearing one again but I absolutely love it - until I need to go to the toilet!

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Jumpsuit - Next

Necklace - Wallis

Scarf - Precis Petite

Baby Joe is 18

Joseph Michael burst into my world on March 8th 1995 after a 50 minute labour.

 

A much wanted second baby and little brother for Samuel James.

He was such a good baby and didn't even cry during his baptism.

 

 

He has a rare talent for falling asleep

ANYWHERE.

 

His first day at school.

 

 

Happy Birthday Joe.

Red Letter Day

 

It is exam results day today.

The AS results are out and today many dreams will be made or broken.

With over 100 of my students finding out how they performed in the January exams I have my

tissues at the ready.

It is such a stressful time for them.

I am so glad my exams are out of the way.

 

But I still  get that dream, the one where I have to sit an exam and I have done no revision at all.

 

 

I wore:

Boots and Dress - Boden

 

Back To Black

 

It's turned out cold again which means back to black.

Spring is on hold although I am holding onto it with my scarf.

And while it may be cold there are signs of new life everywhere.

The buds on the trees outside my office are starting to burst through and I stopped to look at some tiny snowdrops while walking the dog this morning.

It is just a case of wrap up and carry on as Spring is just around the corner.

 

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Dress - Boden

Jacket - New Look

Scarf - Next

Purple Paint

 

 I love this top I found in a charity shop just before Christmas.

By pure fluke I parked my car outside a charity shop I never go into during a lunchtime dash to the shops.

I love the print which looks like a pot of purple paint has been splattered over the top.

It is a tight fit but just right.

It looks great with many of my black bottoms - skirts, jeggings and trousers.

I wish I could find a top exactly like this in lots of different colours.

I wore:

Boots - Boden

Jeggings - Marks and Spencer

Top - Thrifted, (Vero Moda)

Red Monday

 

Nothing like a splash of red to spice up Monday.

Monday is one of my favourite days of the week.

It is my day of lists when I  plan the rest of my working week and it is the day we run the writing group.

I have to confess I love lists.

Last week I ran a writing workshop on lists and one student produced a wonderful poem about her late father.

And yesterday I read about this moving list.

So sad.

 

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Dress - H and M

Top - Marks and Spencer

Bumper Birthday Month Starts Here

 

March is a bumper birthday month for me.

Today one of my best friends, Denise, will be 50.

She is one of the most fabulous fiftysomethings I have ever met and such a kind and caring friend too.

Coincidentally, another good friend, Joy, who celebrated her 50th a few years ago also has a birthday today.

Tonight we will be off to celebrate but today will be spent running round.

Literally.

After a 10 mile run I have a zillion things to do before tonight.

Next Friday my son Joe turns 18 and at the end of the month my youngest, Ben will become a teenager.
 

Whatever you are doing this weekend I hope you have fun.

 

I wore:

Boots - Boden

Jeggings - Marks and Spencer

Top - Warehouse

Spring Is In The Air

 

I am wearing my weather with me today.

I may have woke to drizzle and cold but as I walked the dog I could see the buds on the trees and every morning at 6am it is getting lighter and lighter.

I am glad to be back but equally glad of the rest.

 

February was a busy month.

It was the month of my 24th wedding anniversary, Valentine's Day and my 47th birthday.

It was the month of half-term which meant my family enjoyed a relaxing week off together.

It was also a month that reminded me of just how precious my family is when I was asked to write an article for my old newspaper, The Liverpool Echo, about the James Bulger Murder Trial.

As a reporter and mother of a toddler I was asked to cover the murder trial of a toddler.

It was the toughest test of my 20 years as a journalist.

You can read the article here.

 

As I said before, I am wearing the weather today.

This lovely new spring coloured scarf was a birthday gift from my colleagues together with some chocolates and a beautiful notebook.

 

I have missed you all and look forward to catching up this weekend.

Have a good one.

 

I wore:

Boots: Boden

Jeggings, Top  and Cardigan: Marks and Spencer