In The Pink

Yes, it's my flirty, twirly skirt again.

But this time I have brightened it up with my pink cardigan.

Now all I need is the day to brighten up.

Where has the sun gone.

I have my shades.

I am ready.

Sun - come out to play.

*An update on last week's post when I talked about my colleague, Jennie, reluctantly taking redundancy.
I heard yesterday that she has got a new job, teaching A-level Psychology at a girls' school in Liverpool where her mum once taught.
Sometimes things really do work out for the best!

Boots - Clarks

Skirt - Principles

Vest - Gap

Cardigan - Boden

Chilling

A chilly day for some chilling.

I am on half-term holiday with the children and we have just returned from a yummy and very filling lunch at our local Italian.

I will have to change that phrase soon as three of my four children are now over 16 and one is a full-time worker.

How did I get to be the mother of adults?

Yes, two of my children are now grown-ups.

I am feeling so old.

S.O. O.L.D.

But I guess as long as I am still paying the lunch bill I will still be needed.

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Trousers - Gap

Top - Zara

Blue For A Blue Day

Apologies for the haphazard posting but I have some Internet issues.

I am trying my best to keep up to date with you all.

This outfit is from last week when I said farewell to three of my colleagues who have taken redundancy. 

When I started in my present role three years ago there were ten of us. 

Now there are just three of us. 

I am feeling a little lost and lonely. 

I will miss Dawn, Laura and Jennie very much. 

I wore:

Shoes- Clarks

Trousers - Gap

Top - River Island

Jacket - Next

Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue

I went shopping at an outlet store called Cheshire Oaks with my children last weekend.

Was it worth it?

Well I got this blue jacket from Next for £16 which I am wearing with my daughter's necklace.

And that is all I got for me.

I got a shirt and polo shirt for my daughter and a polo shirt and cap for my son from Ralph Lauren for considerably cheaper than the usual stores.

But that was all.

I felt it was a huge disappointment.

The Gap store seemed to have gathered the unwanted items from every sale rail in the country and thrown them into the store.

But that wasn't as bad as the Kurt Geiger shop which looked as if it had swept up all the sale items from the storeroom and hurled them on the shelves. There were stained shoes with marked leather that should have been thrown in the bin.

A kitchen shop which claimed to be discounting had prices higher than my local hardware shop and the Lindt chocolate shop was pricier than any  of the supermarket bars.

The Elle Macpherson shop was tidy and had significant savings in lots of sizes but apart from that I was considerable underwhelmed.

But my son and daughter are happy.

What are your views on outlet stores?

I wore:

Old: Shoes - Clarks; Trousers - Gap

New (and Blue) : Jacket - Next 

Borrowed: Necklace - Zara

T-Shirt - Warehouse

Swirly Skirt

My hardy perennial was  back in bloom today.

Although it is May it is b***dy freezing in my office.

Last week I had a hot water bottle to keep warm.

This cozy light coloured jumper and my faithful tan  boots prevent me from being too winterised.

Although I heard on the radio today that warmer weather is coming back.

Fingers crossed.

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Skirt and Necklace  - Principles

Jumper - tesco

Preppy

I

There is something preppy about a striped t-shirt, loafers and chinos. 

I only need to add a navy blazer and I'm done. 

My husband has just returned from a week away to see a friend in Toronto where, apparently, the preppy look is very prevalent. 

It must have been for him to notice!

I wore:

Shoes -Clarks

Trousers - Gap

Top - Boden

Spring Greens

Weather, weather altogether, what's it going to do.

We don't have a clue, let's ask weatherman EMU.

Anyone remember the 1970s programme with Rod Hull?

Today's weather is mixed which is why I reverted to dark bottoms and optimistic spring top.

How's the weather with you?

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Trousers - John Lewis

Blouse - Zara

The Mighty Midi

I had no plans to buy a new skirt when I went shopping with my daughter.

Until I saw this skirt in New Look.

I love the way I can wear it with boots and look forward to wearing it with a vest and sandals in the summer.

The crinkles means it will be great to pack for holidays too.

I had a 20% voucher which made it a bargain.

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Skirt - New Look

Shirt - Boden

Belt - Tesco

Clean Lines

I love my Gap Skinny Minis.

I love the shade, the cut, the colour - but most of all I love the pockets.

There is something relaxing about being able to put your hands in your pockets and think.

And I think that I love the clean lines most of all about this outfit.

The shape of the trousers and the clean lines of the patterns in my top.

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Trousers - Gap

Top - Boden

Cardigan - New Look

A Titanic Feast

It's harvest time.

Formby Asparagus harvest time.
And to celebrate our local delicacy we invited six friends round to celebrate.

Formby asparagus is famous across the country for its exceptional flavour. 
In the nineteenth century cruise liners sailing out of Liverpool stocked up on it so first class passengers could feast on the tender stalks as they sailed to distant ports. 
It was even served on the Titanic.

 To accompany the asparagus (which I steamed for three minutes) my husband made a game casserole with local pheasant.

While I made a roasted vegetable cassoulet with tomatoes, onions, butternut squash, carrots and celeriac.

To finish off I made a Pavlova and drizzled it with dark chocolate.

It was a fabulous meal and we still have another few weeks to enjoy the green stuff.
To find out more about our local asparagus you can read it here.

I wore:

Sandals - New Look

Dress - Boden

End of an Era

If I am looking a little pensive it's because today marks the end of an era.

My husband and son have quit the football team they have been involved with for the past 7 years.

My son, Ben, as a player.

And my husband, Paul, as a manager.

Ben has decided he wants to follow his big brother, Sam and become a referee.

Last month he qualified as a referee and will spend the next football season officiating, rather than playing games.

My husband decided it would be a timely opportunity to leave too.

He has been managing junior football for more than 10 years as he managed my other son, Joe's team before Ben's.

Here's one final snapshot of the under 14's who have been together since they were 7.

The team will go on without Ben and Paul.

Although Ben's friend, Rob was unable to play since February due to a broken leg we managed to get him on the team photo.

Sadly, they lost 2-0 in their last match, a cup final yesterday.

Having said that, I think it would have been much harder for Ben to leave if they'd won!

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Trousers - Gap

Shirt - Tesco

Top - Boden

Pale Blue

My tan boots have been a saviour during these cooler spells.

Black boots seem a little heavy for May but the mercury is dipping yet again.

This pale blue knee length skirt is long enough to keep my legs covered and not have to wear tights.

Don't you just love transitional seasons? Not.

I wore:

Boots - Clarks

Skirt and Shirt - Tesc0