Outfit: Wednesday

Grey wool mix pin stripe trouser suit – Dorothy Perkins
Grey wool roll neck sweater – unknown, bought from a chain store seconds store
Pink suede and leather Mary Janes – Clarks

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing lighter weight things than recently – the frozen North has thawed somewhat and it’s mild again. Not at all Christmassy, how annoying!
…reading the December issue of Cosmopolitan
…watching Tripping Over, new Aussie drama on Channel Five. I love Aussie dramas as you can always play ‘spot the former Neighbours/Home and Away/Flying Doctors star’ (and when watching old Flying Doctors episodes you can play ‘spot the future Neighbours star’!). Tripping over features, amongst others, Emma from FD and Joel & Anne from Neighbours.
…eating healthy stuff, or trying to, it’s hard when people keep bringing mince pies and cake to work
…shopping for Christmas presents (and maybe a little something for myself if I spot a bargain)

Christmas Shopping!

So tomorrow is the day. I’m taking the afternoon off and heading to the Meadowhall centre (huge shopping mall) at Sheffield with my sister in an attempt to get it all done in one go and before the end of November. Wish me luck! I do this most years as there’s nothing worse than facing the city centre on a Saturday in December when it’s so, so crowded. One year I went to Meadowhall with my sister and we were there 12 hours!! I think that’s my most mammoth (and impressive) shopping spree ever! I’ve made my list and it’s in the geeky style of a spreadsheet with columns for each person and another column to tick off each item once it’s bought (can’t believe I’m admitting in public I’ve done this…!).

Outfit: Casual Friday

Pale blue Long and Lean Jeans – Gap (customised with blue flowers embroidered across the bottom of the legs)
White square neck t-shirt – Dorothy Perkins
Pale grey round neck cashmere cardi – Marks and Spencer (ebay)
Blue suede shoe-boots – New Look

Happy Thanksgiving!!

To all my US readers!

A Question

I am going out for a meal with a friend on Friday night and am planning to wear this dress and these boots. My question is: what colour tights should I put with it? The options are:
Brown
Cream
Bright Blue
Natural (flesh coloured)

Tell me what you think!!

Outfit: Wednesday

Navy cotton rib v neck sweater – Gap
White shirt – Topshop
Grey rib knit full length skirt – Mackays
Grey tights – We Love Colors
Navy patent leather shoes – Magrit

I have had this skirt for years, around 7 or 8 I would think. I had forgotten I had it until I rediscovered it in my old room at my parents’ house a few weeks back. It’s grey and knitted so fits in perfectly with the grey & sweater dress trends of this year.
The tights were a thank you gift from We Love Colors for giving their site a plug. Turns out? I can be bought!

Cheaper Boots!

Don’t you just love it when you spot something you already own, selling at a higher price than you paid? These boots are currently available at Dorothy Perkins for £35. I have a pair, practically identical (the toes are slightly more rounded on mine), that I bought about 3 months ago from Priceless Shoes for a mere £20. Those of you who know me will know I love my blue and so there was no way I was going to pass these up, even thought it was the hottest day in August. Just as well really, I snagged the last pair of 8s in the shop and am loving them still (even if the young man does say they look like slippers – he’s so rude at times!).

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing patent leather navy blue heels
…reading ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ which was THE book to read about 3 or 4 years ago but I just picked up a copy secondhand last weekend. The young man promptly hid it (why do boys do stuff like that?!) but when I remember to fish it out I’ll make a start.
…watching Bjorn Again! Went to see them last night in concert and if you love ABBA, you’ll love Bjorn Again!
…eating mince pies (yes, it’s nearly Christmas!)
…shopping for a birthday present for my father. And saving my money for a mammoth Christmas shopping spree with my sister next week.

Black Friday

As I have been reading more and more fashion blogs this year, I have come across a term I had not heard before: Black Friday. (Evidently my education of all things US through SATC and Friends has let me down!) I had gathered that it is the Friday after Thanksgiving, which is this week, but why is it black? So I thought I would investigate further on behalf of my non-US readers.

Good old Wikipedia to the rescue (I love that site!):

Origin
The first use of this term to describe the day after Thanksgiving is not exactly known. There are two popular theories as to its origin.

Accounting practice
One theory is that retailers traditionally operated at a financial loss for most of the year (January through November) and made their profit during the holiday season. When this would be recorded in the financial records, common accounting practices use red ink to show negative amounts and black ink would show positive amounts. Black Friday is the beginning of the period where they would no longer have losses (the red) and instead take in the year's profits (the black).

Stress from large crowds
Another theory comes from the fact that shopping experience on this day can be extremely stressful. The term is used as a comparison to the extremely stressful and chaotic experience of Black Thursday or other black days. According to The Word Spy:

Earliest Citation:
Christmas decorations around Tampa Bay started going up in late October, and business has been brisk since then. And while Friday--known as Black Friday for the legendary hordes--will be the biggest shopping day for many area stores, others ring up the greatest sales the Saturday before Christmas.—Marilyn Marks, "Retailers expect good sales this Christmas," St. Petersburg Times, November 27, 1986

There exists an earlier reference, speaking to the Friday after Thanksgiving:
A BLACK FRIDAY.There have been many Black Fridays in recent history. Most of them have been days of financial panic. There has been none of blacker foreboding than last Friday. And the blackness is not loss or fear of loss in stocks and bonds.New York Times (1857-Current file).New York, N.Y.: Dec 3, 1922. pg. 38, 1 pgsISSN/ISBN 03624331

Employees of retail stores have for years referred to Black Friday in a satirical way, to note the extremely stressful and hectic nature of the day. Heavy traffic and customer demands added to the long hours make it a difficult day.

So now we know why this Friday will be black!!

Outfit: Wrap Dress

Black & Cream wrap dress - Dorothy Perkins

Black T-shirt - Dorothy Perkins

Black opaque tights - Silkies

Red shoes - Next

Men & Holes

What is it with men and clothes with holes in? The young man has a t-shirt that has 7 (small) holes in the back of it (I counted!). I asked why he didn’t throw it out; he insists there’s nothing wrong with it. He has underpants with more holes in than should be there too. And again, won’t throw them out. I did throw out a pair that were beyond help. This was 18 months ago and I still haven’t heard the end of it! A friend of mine dated a guy who still wore pants labelled age 12-13 years. He was 20. Turned out his mum had always bought his pants and when she stopped, he just kept wearing the ones he had. Are men allergic to shopping? Or just incapable of deciding when something is past it and throwing it away? And are all men like this or just the ones I know? Comments please!!

Outfit: Brown and Cream

Brown linen jacket – Next
Brown long skirt – New Look
Cream v neck fluffy wool/angora/nylon mix sweater – Oasis Brown tights – Next
Brown shoes – Roberto Vianni

These shoes were yet another sale bargain in Debenhams, they were £19.50 I think. And were purchased with the gift card I received from the Young Man’s parents last Christmas so not even real money!

I Think There’s Something Wrong With Me

I have buyer’s remorse. But before I buy! Not only did I put back those shoes on Tuesday but I just spent ages on the LTS website (they have an up to 75% off clearance sale on but the site is going VERY slow) and got to the checkout with a ‘thunder’ colour trouser suit and then didn’t buy it. This is not like me. I am worried.

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing shades of brown – very Autumnal
…reading December’s Happy magazine, and Christmas gift guides from all the stores (still not made a list of everything I want to buy people as gifts)
…watching Love Actually (it’s 5 weeks to Christmas now actually, which is when the film actually starts!)
…eating mini apple pies with custard baked inside them
…shopping for no more shoes! I actually put 2 pairs back on the shelf yesterday and walked away from them. So I do have willpower! Who knew?

The Most Expensive Belt in the World...Ever?

It's gold, it's from Selfridges and it costs £20,000!

Outfit: New Boots!

Beige/blue/black check skirt – Charlotte Halton
Black cotton rib polo neck sweater – Marks & Spencer
Black 100 denier tights – George at ASDA
Tan boots – Faith

I’ve had this skirt for about 10 years – does that count as vintage?! I think it as from River Island but the label just says Charlotte Halton Contemporary Designs.

Bargain Cashmere at George

Yes, the rumours you have heard are true! George at ASDA are now stocking 100% cashmere items. I went to my local store last night and it’s obviously proving popular as there were only 3 sweaters left! One of them was in my size though so I picked up a bright red v neck long sleeve sweater in 100% cashmere for just £22. Yes, £22!! For some reason the ¾ length sleeve sweaters are £28 but even that’s a bargain.

Size 9 Shoes at Topshop

Topshop recently redesigned their website and one of the improved features is that they are now stocking all their shoes and boots in a size 9 (42). Yes I know this is not a true 9 but it should help some of us ladies with larger sized feet by providing more choice when it comes to shoe shopping. My particular favourites are shown at the side.

Outfit: Pink and Brown

Brown linen skirt suit – Next
Pink acrylic v-neck sweater – Dorothy Perkins
White square neck t-shirt – Dorothy Perkins
Natural tights – Boots
Brown & pink slingbacks – Faith
Pink bracelets – Gift from friend
Pink hair flower accessory (worn as brooch on jacket lapel) – New Look

I have put a pair of the Insolia insoles in these shoes which has vastly improved the comfort of them. Also, my feet kept sliding forward in them, crushing my toes in the point and making the straps fall off my heels. All of this is solved with the insoles as they are rubbery therefore ‘non-slip’ and my weight is more over the heels now too.

The Shoes That Got Away

Two weeks ago I ordered these beauties from Office online.

At £20 for real suede, in a 9 and in my favourite blue, I thought that was a bargain too good to miss. But this morning an email arrived in my inbox telling me that these shoes would never be mine – they are out of stock and Office will not be getting anymore in (so Office why is your website telling me they are still available??).

But all is not lost. Last week I was informed that Faith have a sale on and these were reduced to almost half price.

So I bought them to replace a horrid synthetic pair I’ve had since my student days and gave to the Oxfam shop today (one woman’s trash, right?), and once they arrive I may get over my loss!

All The Tights You Could Ever Wish For!

If you love tights, check out http://www.welovecolors.com/ for a huge range of tights, socks, fishnets, dancewear, you name it! They even have a few fancy dress costumes. There are a range of 45 colours to choose from so you’re bound to find something to match your new shoes or outfit. Heck, there’s even a blog. What more could a girl ask for!

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing a hat, scarf and gloves. Winter is here in the frozen North!
…reading December’s Company magazine, and Christmas gift guides from all the stores
…watching the American Pie trilogy as the Young Man bought a box set at the weekend (and I was going to get it to in his Christmas stocking…grrr!)
…eating jam roly poly and custard
…shopping at Faith online, check out the 20% discount!

Talking Walk In Wardrobes

Like many women, I dream of one day having a walk in wardrobe. But I look at designs like this one and I wonder ‘where do the shoes go?’




Step forward Crowne Closets of Las Vegas. Now you’re talking!

Shame it costs $18,000 eh?!!

Outfit: Grey & Blue

Grey wool skirt – Gap
Grey wool pinstripe jacket – Dorothy Perkins
Grey wool rib polo neck sweater – Chain store seconds shop
Blue velvet waistcoat – Primark
Grey long rib socks – Sock Dreams
Blue suede shoe-boots – New Look

My Shoes Are Creaking!

They are! I don’t know why. They are from Faith and I got them in the sale last winter. Another example of a Faith 8 fitting me when some of their 9s don’t! Anyway, I haven’t worn these for a while even though I do like them very much. And now they’re creaking!

Further Musings on Fall Fashion 2006

Earlier this week I posted on the influence the final season of ‘Sex and the City’ had on the trends for Fall Fashion 2006. Well I would just like to further that by adding this picture, the final shot of all 4 women together and look what they’re wearing: plaid, houndstooth, a belted mac and, why, Ms Bradshaw, is that a sweater dress? (OK, not sure it’s a sweater dress the other three are bang on for this season!)

Outfit: Furry Boots!

Now that the weather has turned officially cold, it’s time to bring out the faux-fur trimmed boots! These beauties are by Roberto Vianni and are dark brown suede. They cost me just £20 in the Debenhams sale this summer, marked down from £110 (it pays to shop for winter things when it’s hot people!). With them I am wearing:
Beige/brown check wool skirt – Next
Beige cotton rib polo neck – Gap
Beige cashmere v neck sweater – United Colours of Benetton
Beige cuffable scrunchable thigh high socks – Sock Dreams

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing something warm, it’s gone freezing out all of a sudden and we had the first frost this morning
…reading November’s Elle magazine (still, it’s big and I didn’t finish it the other week)
…watching Hocus Pocus, top non-scary Halloween film!
…eating Morrison's Break bars (supermarket own version of Kit Kats), I'm addicted!!
…shopping at Office online, it’s fast becoming my new favourite shoe store!

Office ‘Betsey’ Swivel Strap Shoe

Remember those shoes you got when you were a kid that had a strap that turned round the back of the shoe so you could pretend you were wearing slip-ons? Just me that did that then? I had a pair in black patent leather and thought they were fantastic! Having promised my parents I wouldn’t wear them as slip-ons, m me & everyone else in my class at school would all turn the straps round for the day once we were safely at school. I credit these shoes (and Clark’s Magic Key shoes) as the start of my shoe obsession! Anyway, this is all a very roundabout way of telling you that you can once more own the swivel strap style of shoe! They’re £49.99 from Office in what the website lists as ‘tomato’ and they also come in black. (This picture makes them look patent but they're not, it's just Paint doing strange things to the photo.)

New Site For Big Shoes

I just spotted an ad for Adiva Shoes http://www.adivashoe.com/ in Glamour magazine. Seeing that they stock only sizes 9-11 I got very excited and rushed on over there and found…a total of 12 pairs of shoes, none of which I would wear. But the prices are reasonable so if you’re in to flats and tiny heels in slightly bizarre patterns, check it out. It does say that boots and international shipping are coming soon (UK only at present) so it will definitely be worth another look in a few weeks’ time.

Faith ‘Celina’ Patent Red Brogues

Looking for an Autumn trend shoe in a bright colour? Look no further than these red brogues from Faith. Not only do they pick up on the brogue trend, but also the patent leather trend and they are in red which is still a very popular colour at the moment. I see them under a pinstripe trouser suit at work for the ‘wow, look at your shoes!’ factor, or with jeans at the weekend. They come in a 9 too so that’s great for girls like me who can struggle to find shoes that fit. And at £55 for three trends in one, that’s what I call a bargain!

Outfit: New Shoes!

I got these shoes a couple of weeks ago on Faith’s Pink Day (20% discount!). With them I am wearing a pale grey wool pinstripe wide leg trousers and matching waist length jacket from Dorothy Perkins and a darker grey wool polo neck sweater from a seconds store. It’s getting cold out now!