Ugly

My new ugly shoes.

It is the first pair of new Birkenstocks I have bought in five years.

I know they aren't the most attractive pair of shoes but they are comfy.

And for some inexplicable reason - trendy.

I have already had to rescue them from my daughter's wardrobe.

Go ugly!

I wore:

Sandals - Birkenstock

Trousers - Gap

Top - Ghost

Presentation

Here's my serious face.

I need to look like I know what I am talking about.

We have parents coming in for a meeting about UCAS (the university application process).

I have to speak in front of 60 parents.

Me nervous?

What do you think?

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Skirt - Ralph Lauren

Top - Ghost

Orange

My orange vest from Gap has been a well worn item in my wardrobe.

It is perfect for these warmer days and as it is quite thick it covers up the fact that this 'skirt' is really a dress.

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks (hidden)

Dress/Skirt - TK Maxx

Top - Gap

Upside Down

A quiet day at work today which means I can book the dance studio at lunchtime for a yoga practice.

Wearing leggings means I can warm up with a handstand wherever I am.

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Leggings - Top Shop

Top - Tesco

Happy Mondays

Thanks for all your good wishes. 

My first practical yoga teaching sessions were terrific and terrifying in equal measure.

And today I am tired. 

But happy.

It was a wonderful weekend and I met some fabulous people - I can't wait to see them all again next week.

But back to today, a beautiful sunny summer morning again.

We are winding down for summer at the college where I work and the dress code gets more relaxed by the day.

Fingers crossed that this gorgeous weather remains. 

Got to go now and do my homework.

Happy Monday!

I wore:

Shoes- Clarks

Skirt- Principles

Too - Gap

A Long Held Dream

Today I begin the first day of a long held dream to become a yoga teacher. 

I started doing yoga 24 years ago when I was 24 and pregnant with my first child. 

Over the years I have struggled to get to and find classes. 

But over the past year I have practised nearly every day and managed to find classes to go to. 

I have tried Ashtanga, Iyengar, Sivananda and Yin Yoga but I will go back to the root of all these styles with a teaching qualification in plain old Hatha Yoga which is where I started.

I remember reading a book and practising the pose in the days before DVDs and yoga studios. 

Today will be the first step in a lifelong journey. 

Wish me luck. 

Namaste.

Father's Day

It's Father's Day in the UK today and we celebrated with a barbecue. 

Here's my husband Paul with our four children: Sam, Joe, Ben and Briony.

Sadly, it is my fourth Father's Day without my dad but I raised a glass of red to him.

Hope you all had a lovely day. 

A Belated Happy Birthday To My Brown-Eyed Girl

   

My daughter Briony and brother, John, celebrate their birthdays on June 12.

Here they are together in 2002 when John got married.

Twice since Briony was born in 1997 and during World Cup years, England have played their opening match on their birthdays. 

Sadly, Briony will not be joining us for England's opening match tonight as she is out partying but we did manage a birthday lunch on Thursday at San Carlo's in Liverpool. 

Hope you had a Happy Birthday Briony (and John) and enjoy your night out. 

Hot Top

"I've borrowed your new blue bag from Zara so you can pick anything you want out of my wardrobe. See you tomorrow."

I suppose that is what you call a sartorial fait accompli.

But when my daughter is a couple of sizes smaller it doesn't leave me much choice in her wardrobe.

In fact the only thing that I could find to fit me was this top which she last wore on holiday.

I was feeling quite proud that I could fit into it, until I looked at the label and found it was a size 14 - well it was from Top Shop!!!

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.
I wore:
Shoes - Clarks
Jeans - Gap
Top - Top Shop

Another D-Day

My dad was always proud to share his birthday with the historic D-Day landings.

For me the D always stood for 'Dad'.

As I drove to work today and listened on the radio to the stories of the brave men who paid tribute to their fallen comrades, many of whom were young men in their early teens and twenties, it makes me feel grateful that I had him as a dad for 44 years.

But that doesn't mean I don't miss him every day. 

Happy Birthday dad, wherever you are. 

One Day In May

I

Two years ago I decided to take a snapshot(s) of my life during one day in May.

Today I decided to do the same.

Here is what I did on the last day of May 2014.

It began with a run to collect the car after a boozy Wine Quiz the previous evening at the local cricket club.

It was my first run in five months after a nasty achilles injury and I was pleased that I managed the 1.5 miles without stopping.

On the way home I stopped off at our local supermarket for some supplies.

My favourite weekend breakfast of boiled egg and soldiers while reading the papers.

By lunchtime we were in the car and on the way to drop my son off to play cricket.

Next to the cricket club was a family fun day and my husband made a much needed pit stop with a cup of tea and a burger.

While I enjoyed a cup of tea.

As the cricket match usually takes around six to eight hours Paul and I decided to drive into Liverpool for some shopping.

We returned just in time for Ben's innings - a very respectable 41 runs.
His highest score in an adults' match.

Waiting until the bitter end to discover the match was a draw!

We arrived home at 9pm and enjoyed a takeaway before an early night for an early yoga class on Sunday.