Tuesday 30 April 2013

Another Good News Day

 
Today I heard from a long lost blogging friend, Kayleigh.
I had been following Kayleigh for a long time when she became ill and disappeared from the blogging world.
Every couple of months I had gone back to her blog to see if there was an update.
 
And today, the sun shined and Kayleigh reappeared.
You have been missed Kayleigh; it is so good to have you back.
 
Today I wore:
Shoes - Clarks
Jeans - Tesco
Top - Marks and Spencer
Scarf - Precis Petite

Monday 29 April 2013

Good News Day

 
I  have news.
Good news.
My eldest son, Sam, has been offered his first teaching job.
He delivered his lesson last Friday and was called back for interview today.
Sam doesn't know what class he will be given yet but he will be teaching a key stage two (ages 7-11) from September.
 
My son, a primary school teacher.
I am so proud.
 
Today I wore:
Shoe boots - Clarks
Trousers - John Lewis
Top - Warehouse
Jacket- Tesco
Necklace - Wallis

Friday 26 April 2013

Fab Friday


TGI Friday
Tonight we are off to our local Indian for a meal as it's also payday.
I have a run, a cycle ride, coffee with my daughter and interview practice for my son who has a job interview on Monday.
What are your weekend plans?
 
Shoes - Dorothy Perkins
Jeans - Tesco
Shirt - Boden


Thursday 25 April 2013

Thursday's Child



Thursday's child has far to go ................
and I hope this Thursday staple - the navy Ralph Lauren skirt from John Lewis will go far in my wardrobe.
 
Today was chilly again and I opted for a styling with boots and long sleeved shirt.
 
I am often asked for a close-up of this necklace which I have remembered to do (below).
I bought it in the closing down sale of my local Principles shop for about £5 several years ago.
As you can see it is a bit battered but I think the distressed look adds to its je ne sais quoi.
 
I promise you I have had no sponsorship from Tesco but the shirt is another sale bargain - £7 again.
I love the metal tips on the collar and pockets.
Supermarket has never been so much fun.
 
I wore:
Boots - Whistles
Skirt - Ralph Lauren
Shirt and belt - Tesco
Necklace - Principles



Wednesday 24 April 2013

Weary Wednesday

 
It is only Wednesday and already I am shattered.
I think last week has caught up with me so I am keeping it brief today.
Wednesday's bottoms will be these tan trousers - another Tesco sale item.
Paired with the blue t-shirt I finally got back from daughter.
Think it will have to be an early night tonight.
Happy Wednesday.
 
I wore:
Shoes Boots - Clarks
Trousers - Tesco
T-Shirt - Dorothy Perkins
Necklace - Marks and Spencer

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Pay It Forward

 
Her outfit had been inspired by another blogger, Mica from Australia.
I loved the look and knew I could recreate it.
These burgundy pants are from Tesco and cost less than £10 but I wore them a lot last autumn and there is still pplenty of wear left.
Anyone else wish to pay this look forward?
 
I wore:
Shoes - Clarks
Jeans - Tesco
Shirt - Marks and Spencer

Monday 22 April 2013

Green Trouser Day





 
 
For the next four working weeks I am planning to wear the same bottoms on the same day of the week with different styling on top.
Mondays will be Green Trouser Days.
Today my green John Lewis pants are paired with my thrifted Vero Moda top, lilac Boden cardigan and tan Clarks shoe boots.
 
 

Sunday 21 April 2013

What I Wore 2 Cambridge

After posting my Cambridge snapshots I thought I would share what I wore.
 
 
For the 5 hour journey I needed to be warm and comfortable and chose my flat Clarks ballet pumps, new stripey top and bargain £7 sale jacket from Tesco.
 
 
 
When I arrived I swapped the top for this Boden shirt as we had two hours of lectures before dinner.
 
 
The following day I chose my new £7 sale ankle grazers from Tesco with the new stripey top from John Lewis.
 
 
I toped it off with a second wear of the Tesco jacket.
 
 
On the second evening I swapped the top for a black lace vest top from Matalan and stuck witht he flats.
 
 
Finally, to travel home my new John Lewis green pants and light denim shirt, £7 from Tesco sale.
 
Although I had taken a dress and some heels they weren't needed as everything appeared to be ultra casual.
There was very little time between our last lectures and dinner so apart from a quick  make-up fix, it was straight out to dinner.
 
The packing list
1 pair of Black Clarks ballet shoes
Burgundy jeans - Tesco
Coral jeans - Tesco
Green trousers - John Lewis
Striped top - Warehouse
Black Jacket - Tesco
Gingham Shirt - Boden
Denim Shirt - Tesco
Black Lace Top - Matalan
Necklace of silver balls - Wallis
Silver Necklace - Jewel Hut
Mac - pictured in last post and  below - Gap
 
 
 
 

Friday 19 April 2013

Academic Chic


A few years ago I used to follow a blog called academic chic whereby three stylish academics took turns to post their thoughts on style.
I learnt a lot about the world of academia and their lives.
Sadly the blog ended but you can still find it online.


This week I have been at a Teachers' Conference in Cambridge and it has been an education on life, style and tradition.
I stayed at Magdalene College and we were entertained with a candelit dinner in the dining hall on the first night and on the second evening we enjoyed dinner at High Table and drinks in the Senior Combination Room served by the junior fellows .
Wow - how the other half live!


It was like a cross between Brideshead Revisited and Hogwarts.
This post has been made using my iPhone so it is a  bit rough but wanted to share some snaps with you.

 
Have a lovely weekend.

Tuesday 16 April 2013

Normal Service Will Be Resumed Soon

My PC has crashed.
I will be back with you soon.
I will leave you with this guest picture of my daughter.
She borrowed the dress from my eldest son's girlfriend as they are the same size
Where did the last 16 years go?

Friday 12 April 2013

The John Lewis Shopping Experience & Other Retail Adventures


Way back in February when I got some John Lewis vouchers as a birthday present I decided to book a Personal Adviser appointment for the Easter holidays.
I was hoping that by April I would be feeling full of the joys of Spring and desperate to break out of my black and red winter rut.
The appointment is free and ahead of the appointment I had informed my adviser that I would be looking for a pair of trousers and a skirt that I could dress up or down along with some tops.
I was asked for my size and after arriving on time I was disappointed not to be greeted by a member of staff in the styling suite.
Instead I had to hunt around the store for an assistant and wait until she had located the member of staff.
I was shown into the pleasant room (pictured above) which had a selection of spring shades on display and a couple of magazines.
After a short wait my adviser arrived and then spent around 15 minutes chatting about my lifestyle and what I was looking for.
After the consultation she asked me to wait while she went round the store and offered me a bottle of water.
I had gone through the magazines while I had waited and was left twiddling my thumbs for a further 15 minutes until she eventually arrived with a rail of clothes.

I was slightly taken aback as I thought the selection was a little more casual than I had expected but nevertheless I started on the trousers. 
I have to admit I would never have chosen the dark green cigarette pants that I tried on and which were a perfect fit.
They were John Lewis' own brand and at £49 felt excellent quality.

 
I loved the high waist and although they were meant to be ankle grazers they were a perfect full length on me.
I was amazed at how much longer my legs looked and even more impressed when I tried them on with both flats and heels.



My adviser had brought a selection of tops and while I thought I had enough striped tops in my wardrobe have to admit the quality and cut of the tops she had chosen were much  better than the ones I had.


Having chosen the trousers I wanted a skirt that would also multi-task.
It had to be capable of providing a casual/smart-casual and dressed-up look.


Again I have to admit I would have walked past this Ralph Lauren pencil skirt but it was perfect and reduced from £89 to £61.


Throughout the session I was mentally walking through my wardrobe and planning future outfits.
The gaps would be plugged with the three tops I bought.
This striped one from Warehouse had a lovely curve at the hem and was a soft cotton.


I fell in love with this cream sweater from Warehouse which offered lots of layering opportunities.


And finally, this lovely pink striped top from Fat Face which I thought was a real bargain at £20.
It is such a soft cotton and the button detailing at the cuffs adds something extra to the top.


Before I left I booked in for a free Bobbi Brown make-up lesson and while I wasn't impressed with the foundation I did love the blusher, lipgloss and mascara.

A final verdict on the Personal Adviser session

Firstly, the best bits. It was refreshing to have a new view on my shape and style and to benefit from some suggestions. I would never have chosen dark green as a neutral and I was amazed at the versatility of the colour with the rest of my wardrobe. Neither would I have chosen cigarette pants but I love what they do for my legs.
The adviser brought some new brands and ideas to try out and it has certainly made me realise the benefits of trying before buying.
Now to some suggestions for John Lewis.
1. Don't leave a customer who has booked an appointment waiting. I had to plan this day for weeks and make sure there was someone at home for my younger kids. I had gone to a lot of trouble but I didn't feel that you had.
2. Send a questionnaire to complete in advance of the appointment. I felt there was a lot of wasted time chatting about things I had already mentioned over the phone.
3. When it is clear that I am 5 ft 1 in tall please don't bring me £99 trousers and then say I could get them shortened and that it is just one of those things.
4. A warm drink would have been more welcome than a freezing bottle of water on a cold day.
5. A larger selection of magazines would have been welcome.
6. When I ask if you have the trousers in another colour please take the trouble to find out you do, in navy and order them for me so that I don't have to do it when I get home.

Future News

The adviser tells me that the service will soon be upgraded to include choosing colours and their titles will be changed to "Personal Stylists" but there will be an additional charge.

Final Words

I also had a voucher for Clarks and used it to buy these court shoes which I will wear to work and going out.
I already have them in black and they are so comfortable.


Now that is it, I promise.
No more buying until the next school holidays.

Thursday 11 April 2013

Personal Shopping




This is what I wore for my personal shopping appointment at John Lewis in Liverpool.
I had the proceeds of my ebay sales and some birthday vouchers to spend.
My plan was to breathe some life into my Spring wardrobe and hopefully be surprised  by a fresh eye.
I have a full update to come in the next post.

I wore:
Shoes - Clarks
Jeans - Tesco
Shirt - Boden

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Ebay Clearout


Yes, it's that time of year for a clearout.
Spring Cleaning.
I have been ruthless this time.
Anything that I don't love or which doesn't love me is out.
I have also been clearing my sons rooms and threw a few things out there too.
So far I have filled three bin bags for the charity shops and there will be more to come too.
If you fancy taking a look then click onto the Toast coat which should link to my other items.

As it's the Easter holidays and I have four children and a poorly husband to look after I will be having a  break from posting.
See you on the 15th.

Monday 1 April 2013

Turnng My Back on Black

 
A chilling sort of a day today.
Spent most of the day sorting out wardrobes - mine and the kids - as we are planning some bedroom decorations over the next few months.
As Spring beckons I am trying my very best to avoid black even though I am still feeling cold and wanting to hibernate.
 
Hope you al had a good Easter.
 
I wore:
Boots - Clarks
Skirt, Blouse, Caridgan - Boden

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