Barratts Shoes

Barratts have redesigned their website. The shoes can now be viewed from 3 angles, and I am pleased to report that they are still carrying the Tall and Small range. Small means shoes in size 1 & 2, and Tall means size 10. This makes the site a little hard to negotiate for people like me, who wear a size 9. It’s not immediately obvious which styles come in a 9 as there is not a separate category, but using the search facility and entering ‘size 9’ brought up an extensive selection of styles in a 9. My favourite of which was these boots. They are grey faux suede and are £30 and I have birthday money burning a hole in my pocket! So let’s have a reader poll: shall I buy them?

Shall I buy these boots?
	Yes, they're fantastic!
	No, they're hideous!
	Meh, I don't mind one way or the other.
pollcode.com free polls

Nail Polish

As you can see from the picture below, I finally painted my nails last night. I have never been one to keep my nails painted constantly (not my finger nails anyway) but just the knowledge that I couldn’t paint them last week was enough to make me really want to do it.
I remember the first nail polish I ever owned. I was about 10 or 11 and had been given a Tinkerbell set that included a very pale pink lipstick and some pink nail polish. I also acquired the same kind of polish in a dark purple from somewhere, perhaps another birthday present. The nail polish was called ‘brush on, peel off’ which a) can’t have been great for your nails, and b) peeled off when it got knocked, rather than when you wanted it to. But it kept my mother happy. She has never been one for cosmetics so she didn’t have any nail varnish remover and with this type of polish, had no need to buy any. I recall liking the purple better of the two shades and the polish I am wearing today reminds me of that colour, in fact it’s what made me think of those Tinkerbell polishes after all this time.
The polish I’m wearing today is Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in Royal Romance. I put on one coat and it covered well, and dried quickly which to me is an important quality in a nail polish.

Outfit: Spring Colour!

Yes I know I’m in basic jeans and a white t, but it’s the accessories that count! Just got these shoes yesterday and I love them, even if they are a bit snug on my feet. The scarf is practically vintage. I think it was bought on my hometown market possibly in the early or mid 1990s. I don’t know why I’ve kept it so long really, I suppose I knew it would come in handy one day. It’s the only other yellow item I own to go with the shoes.

Long and Lean jeans – Gap
White long sleeve t – Tall Girls
Yellow shoes – New Look (eBay)
Yellow & green scarf – don’t know
Earrings & necklace – gifts from the young man

Can I Just Say?

The New Look website is rubbish! They clearly don’t want my money because every time I try to buy something, it crashes!

What I Have Learned in the Last Week About Make Up

1. Stage make up cake suits no one – you are guaranteed to look like you’ve been Tango’d!
2. I need a new blusher
3. I need a smaller blusher brush
4. Red lipstick is pretty fab if blotted correctly
5. Red lipstick will cling to the side of your cup if you do not blot it
6. Black eyeliner underneath my eyes does not suit me
7. In fact, black eyeliner in general does not suit me
8. If you apply foundation immediately below your eyebrows it will highlight all the re-grown hairs that need plucking
9. It is far easier to colour your neck and chest with powder than it is to use stage make up

Outfit: Sunny Tuesday

It’s a lovely day (so far) in my part of the world so I’m wearing a spring outfit. I know black is not so spring-like but the flat shoes with leggings rather than tights are, and the dress has short sleeves if I take off the shrug. There will be more colour tomorrow, I promise!

Black cotton dress – George at ASDA
Black shrug – New Look
Silver belt – Primark
Black leggings – Long Tall Sally
Silver flats – Faith
Silver bangle – 21st birthday present
Silver watch – gift from the young man

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing nail polish. Knowing I wasn’t allowed it on last week gave me a real urge to paint my nails so tomorrow night I shall give myself a manicure
…reading Love Rules by Freya North
…watching Out of the Blue, new Aussie soap on BBC1 – will it be the new Neighbours?
…listening to the radio
…eating healthily if I can
…shopping on eBay if I make some money from the shoes and boots I’m selling

Outfit: Black and Red Monday

I read in Glamour magazine that this girl got a promotion because she started wearing smart suits to work 3 day a week, for a month or so. Her boss thought she was going on job interviews. I’m not sure that will work for me, but it’s nice to dress up in the office sometimes, just as it’s nice to be able to wear jeans too.

Black trouser suit – Long Tall Sally
Red cami – New Look
Red faux wrap top (under jacket) – George at ASDA (charity shop)
Red shoes – Next

Weekend

Saturday was spent at the theatre – there was a matinee performance in the afternoon and then the final performance in the evening. The cast managed to find time to have tea in the pub in between though. After the evening show there was a party in the theatre bar. I wore this top with jeans and my red shoes.

I had a fantastic time all week and especially on Saturday, and I can’t wait to do it all again next year.

Yesterday it was the young man’s mum’s birthday so we went out for a family lunch. I wore the same top again but with turquoise accessories and turquoise boots as it was raining.

I missed not going and doing the show last night, it was strange not seeing everyone like I had every day for the last week and a half. So to cheer myself up, and to give you all a laugh for a Monday morning, here is a picture of me in my delightful costume!


Black & cream top – New Look (eBay)
Red shoes – Next
Turquoise boots – Splash! (eBay)
Costume & hat – Ian Stead

I Got Blogged!

The DC Goodwill Fashionista has blogged me in her Blog The Blogger spot! You can read it here.

New Look Tall Range Now Online!

At last, New Look have seen the light and put their Tall range online! This is very exciting news for me as none of my local stores stock the Tall options. I would have to travel all the way to York to buy from it. So I will be having a good look round the site over the weekend and if I purchase anything, you readers will be the first to know!

Outfit: Brown Accessories

I’m wearing the shoes I had intended for yesterday. I’m not convinced it’s going to stay dry but I don’t have to go very far outside so I’m willing to chance it.

White t – Tall Girls
Long and lean jeans – Gap (embroidered by me)
Brown platform peeptoe shoes – Primark (charity shop)
Brown scarf – charity shop
Brown pendant – Scope
Brown & silver bangles – Dorothy Perkins

My Readers: An International Bunch

Every so often I like to look at my blog stats and tally up where the last 100 readers are from. And invite you to say hello in the comments if one of these people is you!

34 British
38 Americans
3 Australians
2 Japanese
4 Canadians
2 Indians
1 Swede
1 Swiss
1 Belgian
1 Estonian
1 Irish
2 Germans
1 Malaysian
1 Azerbaijani
1 Israeli
1 Pole
1 Finn
1 Italian
1 Hungarian
1 Unknown

Outfit: Rainy Thursday

I was going to wear different jeans and my brown platform peeptoe shoes today, but by the time I was ready to leave the house it was pouring with rain so I switched to boots and jeans that would tuck into them in order to stay dry. And then I almost fell down the stairs in the office as the soles of these boots are a bit slippy. It’s just going to be one of those days today, I can tell!

Blue top – Primark
Blue jeans – Next (charity shop)
Brown shrug – Ann Taylor Loft (charity shop)
Brown boots – New Look (eBay)
Blue silk scarf – Florence + Fred at Tesco
Blue & silver bangles – Oxfam

Outfit: Turquoise

It’s colder out than I thought it would be so perhaps these shoes were not the wisest choice, but it’s toasty by the radiator in the office so no biggy. I think it’s raining out (hard to tell through the fog!) so let’s hope it stops by lunchtime when I have to go to the shop or my toes will get wet! I have to buy chocolate chips to make my (famous) brownies ready for the faith supper after the show on Saturday night.

Dark long & lean jeans – Gap
White v neck t – Tall Girls
Turquoise peep toe shoes – New Look (charity shop)
Turquoise beads – gift from a friend (Accessorize)
Turquoise & silver bangles – Oxfam

Outfit: Leopard Shoes

I am loving this coming-to-work-in-your-jeans-every-day lark! And I am loving spending the week in the second office as it is nearer to my home and I don’t have to get up so early. The first night of the show went really well last night. I was not nervous at all and had a really good time. Just 6 more performances to go!
Perhaps I should have entitled today’s post ‘eBay purchases’ as 3 of my items are from there.

Black top – Tall Girls (eBay)
Long & lean jeans – Gap
Leopard shoes – New Look (eBay)
Red beads – eBay

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing my show costume – a floral dress with an apron and a straw bonnet that needs fixing to my head with all manner of pins to stop it from falling off. If I get a photo I will post it!
…reading Switchcraft by Lowri Turner – still. Not much time for reading right now
…watching no television – I am at the theatre for the show every night until Saturday
…listening to the tunes from the show in my head. I swear, I can even hear them when I am asleep now!
…eating small pieces of cake in the banquet scene
…not shopping at all as I won’t have time

Outfit: Casual Monday

Well it’s show week and the outfits are likely to go downhill as the week progresses and I become more exhausted in the evenings, and even more reluctant than usual to get out of bed in the mornings. So apologies in advance for that!

Brown cardi – Luxuriously Tall
Brown long sleeve t – Tall Girls
Long and Lean jeans – Gap (embroidered by me)
Brown shoes – New Look (eBay)

Weekend

On Saturday we went to a wedding. It was a cold day so I wore this outfit again, with my black frock coat over it and a black fascinator on my head. I added my blue metallic shoes for a different twist. Yesterday I slept late then went to Tesco and then to the dress rehearsal. I wore a repeat of Friday’s outfit minus the belt, adding a black cardi. I will be wearing this all week in the evenings as the cardi has makeup on it already and it seems silly to get make up on anything else. I have to put make up all down my neck and chest as my costume dress is so low cut!

Outfit: Red & Grey

I got in late last night as we went to the pub after the rehearsal, then I went to join the young man in another pub as he was there with some friends. Luckily this top had arrived in the mail yesterday and was crying out to be worn so it was a fairly easy outfit decision for today.

Grey top – Topshop (eBay)
Long and lean jeans – Gap
Red belt – Next
Grey faux suede shoes – New Look (charity shop)
Red beads – eBay

Red & cream bangles - birthday present

Outfit: Uninspired Thursday

I have a feeling that many of the days in the next week will be uninspired so I apologise in advance. It is still so cold here in the UK and rains all the time too. Last night I was berating myself for not putting boots on before I went out as I got caught in heavy rain and got wet feet. That’s not going to happen to me today! Anyway, the reason for my lack of inspiration – the show with the drama group begins on Monday for a week, so there is a rehearsal each day between now and then. With the exception of Saturday when I am going to a wedding. So it’s going to be a pretty busy week with not much time to plan outfits. On the plus side, I’ll be working in the second office all week and so it will be jeans all the way, making things a bit easier.

Black polo neck – Long Tall Sally
Black cord trousers – Topshop
Red boots – Nine West (Century 21)
Red hair band – Tesco

Outfit: Dull Wednesday

I am working in the second, more casual office today and then eating out at the pub with the theatre group before the rehearsal this evening. If I get changed for going out it will probably only be my shoes.

Black top – Tall Girls (eBay)
Long & lean jeans – Gap
Red shoes – Next
Red beads – eBay

Outfit: Sunny Tuesday

Today is going to be expensive, I feel sure. My car is in for servicing and it’s never cheap.

Black polo neck – Long Tall Sally
Black & cream dress – charity shop
Red belt – Market stall
Red tights – Primark
Black boots – Tall Girls

Birthday Meal Update

I am happy to report that the young man was in fact fibbing when he said we were going to McDonald’s for my birthday. He had made reservations at my favourite Italian restaurant and we had a lovely meal there. I kept my outfit pretty much as it was above but switched to darker, smarter jeans and a ¾ sleeve black shrug as the one above is a bit scruffy.

Outfit: Birthday Meal Out

Well I had to wear my new top!

Black & white top – New Look (eBay)
Long & Lean jeans – Gap
Black shrug – unknown
Black & cream shoes – Next (charity shop)

An eBay Bargain!

I won this top for 55p on eBay last week. It arrived today so it was like a little birthday present to myself. I love it!

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing something a bit more spring-like
…reading Switchcraft by Lowri Turner
…watching not very much television – rehearsals for the show are taking up much of my free time this week
…listening to Joseph & the Technicolour Dreamcoat starring Jason Donovan
…eating Celebrations chocolates
…shopping with any money or vouchers I get for my birthday

Outfit: Birthday Girl!

It’s my birthday today! And I’m at work. But never mind, the young man says he’s taking me to McDonalds for my tea tonight! Aren’t I a lucky girl? I went out for a proper meal last night with my sister and her husband and it was (almost) warm enough for the peep toe shoes I was wearing. The sun is even shining today.

Blue sweater – Florence + Fred at Tesco
Black shirt – Lee (Luxuriously Tall)
Black pencil skirt – Long Tall Sally
Black tights – Silkies
Black patent shoes – Matalan

Outfit: Pretending It’s Spring

When it’s still about minus 12 outside in the morning and heavy rain is forecast for the next 3 days, a girl has to make the most of what little sunshine there is and pretend that it’s spring. Hence the turquoise cardi and accompanying accessories. The boots are for when the rain arrives.

Turquoise wool cardi – eBay
White long sleeve t – Tall Girls
Turquoise leather belt (holding my jeans up!) – H&M
Blue jeans – Next (charity shop)
Brown boots – New Look (eBay)
Turquoise & silver bangles – Oxfam
Turquoise bead necklace – Accessorize
Turquoise earrings – Accessorize

15% Off At Barratts and Shelleys!

Dolcis shoes closed down in January and has apparently been taken over by Stylo, the brand that owns Barratts & Shelleys. So they're offering 15% off at those 2 sites:

Barratts - DOLBA15

Shelleys - DOLSE15

This is good until 31st May on your 1st order only. (You can order multiple pairs in one order and get the discount on all of them though.)

Outfit: Casual Thursday

I did not want to get out of bed this morning. It was a fairly late night last night as I went to the pub after the rehearsal. So I didn’t have much energy to think about an outfit last night. I have a notebook with ideas written in for days like that and so I chose one that included jeans but nothing black. This outfit is adapted from one I saw in the April issue of Lucky magazine where a sweater had been used to tone down a brightly patterned tunic top. I liked the shape of the outfit so noted down how I could adapt it for myself. I can’t find a picture of the original online unfortunately.

Grey wool sweater – Gap
Blue tunic top – Primark
Pale Long & Lean Jeans – Gap (blue flowers embroidered by me)
Blue patent shoes – New Look
Blue & silver bangles – Oxfam

Outfit: Wednesday Night Drama Rehearsal

Bonus picture for yesterday! It’s always hard to decide what to wear for rehearsals. The show involves singing and dancing so your top can’t be too low cut at the front – not appropriate for bending down. It has to be long enough not to flash your stomach when you lift your arms up, preferably short sleeved as the hall gets very hot, but you need a cardi or something on to start with as it can be a bit chilly until you get moving.

Black cardi – Long Tall Sally
Houndstooth ¾ sleeve top – Dorothy Perkins
Red ribbon belt – haberdashery
Dark skinny jeans – Gap
Red patent flats – Dorothy Perkins
Red heart pendant – Claire’s

Outfit: Brights

Time for a bit of colour to banish those winter blues!

Blue dress – Wallis (charity shop)
Red belt – Market stall at the mall
Red cami – New Look
Red shoes – Barratts
Red glitter bangles – Primark
Red heart pendant – Claire’s

Outfit: Green Shoes-day Tuesday

It’s always fun to wear your new shoes for the first time and it’s fun picking out an outfit to go with them. I don’t have much green in my wardrobe; the shoes were more of a statement piece to wear with neutrals. However I can’t help myself when it comes to co-ordination and so I had to add a flash of green somewhere else in the ensemble. The quiz I recently took on Facebook to see ‘Which Sex & The City Character Are You?’ said that I am Charlotte and I think this is a very Charlotte-worthy outfit.

Black cashmere cardi – Florence + Fred at Tesco
White shirt – Next
Black pencil skirt – Long Tall Sally
Black tights – Silkies
Green shoes – New Look (eBay)
Pearl necklace – charity shop
Pearl cufflinks – from another shirt from Gap
Green ribbon belt – haberdashery

Outfit Inspirations

One of the great things about reading other people’s blogs is getting a peek at their daily outfits. I have recently bought some leopard print shoes and I’m sure that was due in part to seeing Londyn and Allie rocking theirs on a regular basis. So last night I turned to their archives for inspiration and I now have quite a few ideas as to what to pair mine with. There should be a pair of yellow shoes winging its way to me in the mail as I type, again I think I was partly influenced by Kasmira looking so fab in her yellow shoes. Yellow is not a colour I wear, ever, so again I will be turning to the blogs for outfit inspiration.

Outfit: Cold Monday

I’m sure this outfit will look better without the cardi and should it warm up enough later I will definitely lose it. But right now there’s flurries of snow in the air and it’s freezing so I need the cosiness the cardi provides. I bought the skirt in Dublin when I was on a trip there with my friend in 2004. It’s been sitting in my wardrobe and although I love it, I never seem to find the right occasion to wear it. So I decided to put it on for work and be done with it. It’s pointless having nice clothes if no one ever gets to see them.

New boots today, worn with the top flap turned up to give more length on my legs. I’ll have to get another picture of them. I was a bit wary about how they would fit as the toe is pointed, but they are perfect and I have high hopes for them being very comfortable as the heel is not too high.

Brown cardi – Luxuriously Tall
Brown long sleeve t – Tall Girls
Blue suede skirt – Oasis
Brown tights – Dorothy Perkins
Brown boots – New Look (eBay)