Mindful Monday

 

I spent today editing the 30 videos I made last week for the Mindful Classrooms programme that I have been working on.

At the time of going to press I teach yoga and mindfulness in four local primary schools, working with around 400 children a week, but I keep being asked for more. 

My new programme is a six week scheme of work where the children practise some form of mindfulness for five minutes or less every day.

After five changes of clothes to add variety to the videos I settled on my new favourite jumper from Cos.

I love that shade of blue - it reminds me of Greece, a place I have never been but hope to visit next year.

I wore it with my pre-loved Alexander McQueens from Luxe Collective.

I am back in two schools tomorrow and looking forward to seeing my students - I have really missed them over the half-term. But for how long will schools stay open?

I will take my own advice and enjoy the moments.

See you next time.

I wore:

Shoes: Alexander McQueen

Leggings: Dorothy Perkins

Jumper: Cos

21

My son, Sam, has a lovely girlfriend called Sophie and yesterday  was her 21st birthday celebrations.

The whole family was invited for an afternoon tea party which went on until later afteroon.
This was the first of many celebrations (her actual  birthday is Wednesday) and ends at the weekend when they will be going to Creamfields.

Although Sophie is a school year older than Sam he is just a few weeks younger as he will be 21 in September.

I haven't got a photo of them together for my blog as Sophie has had a major jaw operation this year and is not very confident in photographs.

She will be having a brace removed in time for Sam'sbirthday so I hope to share a picture of them with you soon.

As it was a showery day I decided to go for an Up Do, my favourite Poppy dress and a just in case mac.
As this is my favourite dress I have decided to use this post to take part in Patti of Not Dead Yet Style's Visible Monday link for the first time

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Dress - Oasis

Mac - Marks & Spencer

Necklace - Dorothy Perkins

Blue Coral

I love blue and coral and today I was off for drinks with my friend Steph.

I love the way my smart skirt can turn this basic vest into a going out outfit.

I wore:

Shoes - Marks & Spencer

Skirt - Gap

Camisole - Primark

Scarf - Dorothy Perkins

Double Leopard

Forgive me for going a bit Bet Lynch.

But I am enjoying a love affair with the leopard print.

My trusty shoes have seen me through this 31 for 31 challenge by going with absolutely everything in my capsule.

When I saw this scarf in Dorothy Perkins I had to have it.

And I had to wear it.

Apologies for the sulky face but the sun was shining in my eyes and I had lost my sunglasses.

While I am loving the leopard I am not enjoying this skirt which I thought would be a positive addition to my summer wardrobe.

Maybe I just need to style it differently.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks

Skirt - Banana Republic

Vest - Gap

Scarf - Dorothy Perkins

What A Difference a Scarf Makes

This is just a jeans and top outfit which has been totally transformed by the scarf.

One of the good things about this 31 for 31 challenge is the opportunity it has given me to delve into my scarf collection.

I spent part of today trying on my holiday clothes and sorting out my capsule for our annual holiday to Barcelona.

We are trying a different campsite this year and I am looking forward to trying out somwhere new.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks (31)

Jeans - Zara (15)

Top - H and M (1)

Scarf - Dorothy Perkins

Easy Saturday

Almost at the end of term and I am flagging.

Today I plan to take it nice and easy as I will be getting up at 1am tomorrow morning to travel down to Wimbledon.

We are going on a coach and will get tickets for Number One Court.

I have no idea who will be playing but last year I promised my youngest son I would take him to Wimbledon.

It doesn't really matter which games we get to see, it will be enough for him to experience the atmosphere.

Tomorrow's post will be delayed as we will be staying overnight and travelling back on Monday.

I will let you know how we get on.

Today I wore:

Shoes - Clarks (31)

Leggings - Marks and Spencer (10)

Vest - Gap (5)

Denim Shirt - Barcelona Shop (21)

Scarf - Dorothy Perkins

Sunshine Sunday

We woke to rain.

Cricket was cancelled.

I went to the gym.

And I came out to find........................ sunshine.

Yes, some lovely sunshine.

Windy sunshine.

But sunshine.

I grabbed a quick shower and got dressed.

I am not taking an chances though - lots of layers - just in case.

I wore:

Shoes - Marks and Spencer

Jeans - Top Shop

Vest - Dorothy Perkins

Lacy Top - Local boutique

Cardigan - Tesco

Necklace - Fossil

Pinterest

Have you tried Pinterest yet? 

I love spending a few idle minutes browsing the pins on the Food and Women's Apparel boards. 

When I am struggling for ideas my boards give me some inspiration. You can check out my boards here but you will need to be a member. 

I have created several boards including "My Style"; "Summer 2012" and Autumn 2012.

 If you haven't given it a go yet, try it - you may be surprised. 

But beware - it is addictive!

If you use Pinterest, how do you use it?

 I wore: 

Shoes - Dorothy Perkins 

Trousers - Primark 

Top - Oasis

 Cardigan -Tesco 

Necklace - Walis

Thursday

Boots - Clarks
Dress - Tesco
Scarf - Dorothy Perkins

Max Factor

They say if you keep something long enough it will come back into fashion - and here's proof.
I bought this skirt in 2004 from Dorothy Perkins.
Today I went into Dorothy Perkins and saw an almost identical version - take a look here.
I have around three of these long tiered skirts - one in pink and another in black.
And as you can see I have worn them when they weren't bang on trend.
I feel like one of those sad runners who gets lapped in a race.
Depending on how you look at it they are so far behind they're ahead!

Today I wore:
Shoe s- Clarks
Skirt - Dorothy Perkins
Vest - Gap
Scarf - Betty Jackson

Dress A Blogger - Part One

When I was a child my favourite Christmas Stocking filler was one of those books which contained a cardboard cut-out of a girl and different paper clothes with tabs that you could fold over around the model to create different looks.
This week I felt a bit like one of those cardboard models after Kate at Make Do Style designed this seasonal outfit for me.
Sadly I couldn't cu tout the outfit and attach it to myself but I wanted to do my best to recreate it.
I already had navy tights, a cream Monsoon shrug and a heart necklace so I thought I'd order the dress and shoes to see how they looked.
Unfortunately the only time I had spare this week to try this all on was at the end of a very busy day when the light was bad so I apologise for the quality of the picture.
I was presently surprised with the way the dress looked on me.
I would never have chosen it and I had fun trying different belts.
Sadly, (although I am a great fan of Clarks) the shoes didn't fit my feet well and felt strange when I walked.
I have taken the dress and shoes back but I did like the challenge of dressing up in clothes I would not have chosen.
Thanks Kate.

Pounds Per Wear

I love the belt over cardigan look for winter.
And doesn't this blogger do it well?
I found this belt in Primark for £1 and I have already worn it four times in the past week making it 25p a wear.
The Pounds Per Wear Formula was something I heard about many years ago and it may be the answer to Kate's question "Quality V Quantity?"
If you buy a coat for £400 and you wear it 25 times over 20 years that makes it £1 per wear.
And a good, classic, well-made coat should give you that kind of service.
I have had this one for 14 years.
However, a cheap £8 jacket from Primark worn only once works out much more expensive.
I also have one of these hanging in the garage.
So quality or quantity doesn't really come into it.
This skirt from Matalan cost £10 yet it is lined, made out of a thick cotton and always washes and irons beautifully.
I have worn the skirt about 15 times since I bought it and it is still as good as new.
Of course the pound per wear formula is equally transferable to any currency.
Does anyone else use this formula?

I wore:
Jeans - Gap
Boots - Dorothy Perkins
Cardigan - Tesco
Shirt - Boden (eBay)
Belt - Primark

A Dress A Day Keeps Boredom At Bay

I hope you like the final dress for my designated International Wear A Dress A Day Challenge.
I am in the prison today and it is sooooo cold so lots of layers.
Long-sleeved t-shirt, dress, jeans. You name it - I've thrown it on today.
You can't even see the coat and scarf I will wear for a couple of hours until I warm up.
We are doing some work on Proverbs today so I thought I'd invent my own - a dress a day keeps boredom at bay.
Look out for tonight's round-up of the Capusle Wardrobe Challenge when I will name the winner.

I wore:
Dress and Top - Dorothy Perkins
Jeans - Gap
Shoes - Clarks
Wooly Socks - Pringle

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge - Day Four

Today is a very good news day.
After battling for seven years my husband took his employers (a large public body) to an Employment Tribunal.
During that time my husband has suffered from severe bouts of depression, ill health and it has affected seven years of my children's family life.
His depression was so bad that on at least two occasions our marriage almost ended.
A three-day hearing took place in July.
And today he heard he had won.
I cannot express what relief I feel.
But as many of you have folllowed me during the darker days and left messages of support (even though I couldn't say what was happening) I wanted to share my joy with you.
And if anyone is fighting an uphill struggle against unjust employers then keep the faith.
Miracles can, and do happen.

Today I wore:
Tan boots - Dorothy Perkins
Stone skirt - Gap
Stone Bag - Wallis
T-shirt - Gap
Cardigan - Zara