Outfit: Smart Casual

Ideally I would have worn my turquoise peep toes with this outfit, but as it is another wet and dreary morning there was no way I was going to do that. I was happy to subsitute for my favourite metallic blue pair though.

I like to wear jeans on a Thursday even though I’m not really supposed to, but I try to keep it smart and then go more casual on a Friday.

Black waistcoat – Next Tall

White shirt with black stripes – Next

Jeans – Dorothy Perkins Tall

Blue metallic shoes – Office

Turquoise scarf – eBay

Turquoise necklace – Dorothy Perkins

Bead bracelet – gifted

Total Est. Cost £71

Outfit: Wednesday Night Rehearsal

It was back to it last night with the drama group. The society is 60 years old this year so we are having a big celebration concert in the town hall in October. Last night was the first rehearsal for that. It was good to see everyone again after spending every night last week with them.

This is the result of the t shirt I cut off last week to make it shorter. I like it much better this way.

Grey cardi – New Look

Grey t – Next (charity shop)

Jeans – Topshop Tall

Pink shoes – Faith

Pink scarf – eBay

Grey flower – Primark

Sunglasses – Boots

Total Est. Cost £56

Outfit: Pink Wednesday

Buying this pink scarf for a penny was a smart move as it is encouraging me to wear my pink items a bit more often. I thought about this dress yesterday and when I looked through my archives I was surprised to see that I haven’t worn it as a dress since November. I wore it as a top back in January but not at all since then. The scarf goes with it perfectly and is keeping me cosy on this dull grey day. Jessica said yesterday that she likes to look back and see what she was wearing this time last year and I do that too. It’s great to be able to see how my style has (or hasn’t!) evolved over the past year or two.

Grey cardi – New Look Tall
Pink/white/grey/black print dress – eBay
Black leggings – New Look Tall

Grey tank - Cherokee at Tesco
Pink shoes – Faith
Bangles – gifted
Necklace – gifted
Pink scarf – eBay

Total Est. Cost £46

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Outfit: Tuesday

The weather has not improved much today. Leggings are better than tights when it’s wet – if they get splashed there’s less chance of it leaving a mucky mark on your leg.

Black cardi – New Look Tall
Black & blue dress – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Blue tank – Topshop
Black leggings – New Look Tall
Blue patent shoes – New Look
Necklaces – gifted
Blue & silver bangles – Oxfam

Total Est. Cost £65

Outfit: Monday Choir Practice

Last week was finally starting to catch up with me yesterday evening. I was so tired all I wanted to do was fall into bed. But what I had to do was drag myself off the sofa and out to choir practice. I was fine once I got there, and pleased to see we are singing a couple of pieces that were favourites of the choirmaster at school.
I wasn’t in the mood to dress up though, and I thought it might be cold if the heating had been turned off for the season, but it was OK in the end.

I need to play with my camera settings for indoor pictures in poor light.

Grey cardi – New Look Tall
Turquoise tank – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Grey jeans – Primark
Chestnut suede boots – EMU Australia (ON Shoes, gifted)
Turquoise belt (on jeans) – H&M
Turquoise necklace – Dorothy Perkins

Total Est. Cost £25

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing eye make up in a colour other than brown (it was brown for the stage every night last week)
…reading UK Elle magazine
…watching my Flying Doctors DVDs which finally arrived, as well as catching up with Gok & Ashes to Ashes online
…listening to Mel C
…eating chocolate coins – a gift from the stage manager as I lent him some stripey socks to wear all last week as part of his pirate costume
…shopping for nothing

Outfit: What I Was Wearing

I am still wearing most of this outfit. We were promised rain today but when I got up there was no sign of it so I eschewed the boots I’d laid out and opted for shoes instead. However, by the time I’d had my breakfast, it was indeed raining so on went the boots, along with my cream pashmina as it looked like it could be cold out. Updated pictures will follow later.

Black & cream wrap dress – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Turquoise cami – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Tan boots – Faith
Turquoise necklace – Dorothy Perkins
Turquoise & silver bangles – Oxfam
Cream pashmina – gifted

Total Est. Cost £74

Outfit: Sunday

I slept in this morning as we stayed out late at the after show party last night. I went to Tesco this morning and the young man is going to do a BBQ for dinner. We’ll be enjoying the sunshine this afternoon.

Red cardi – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Turquoise tank – Topshop
Crop jeans – Next (charity shop)
Turquoise flats – New Look
Red beads – eBay
Sunglasses – Boots

Total Est. Cost £51

Shoe Shot!

The ladies chorus was told to have white shoes for the show, and that resulted in a trip to Priceless Shoes for most of us to purchase the same pair. We had to get a photo with us all wearing them.

Outfit: Saturday

Yesterday morning was spent catching up with housework, then it was off to the theatre for the matinee performance. We all went to the pub for a buffet tea and then it was back for the final show.

Blue cardi – Ethel Austin
White Mickey Mouse t – Topshop Tall (eBay)
Crop jeans – Next (charity shop)
Yellow flats – Cherokee at Tesco
Red beads – eBay
Red & cream bangles – gifted

Total Est. Cost £24

Outfit: Friday Evening

I had no time to post yesterday with the matinee and evening performances so here’s Friday evening’s outfit.

Grey cardi – New Look Tall
Pink top – Primark
Crop jeans – Next (charity shop)
Pink patent flats – Ethel Austin
Pink scarf – eBay

Total Est. Cost £21

Review: Dove Hair Minimising Deodrant

I have been trying out the new Dove deodorant over the past month or so. I bought the Nature Fresh one and the scent is divine and very long lasting. I get a whiff of it every time I move, practically. It smells lovely. As for its hair minimising qualities? Well, it claims to make regrowth finer and underarm skin softer. I’m not sure the regrowth is finern but it is definitely easier to shave as the product promises. I would definitely recommend it and will be buying it again.

Outfit: Colourful Friday

I loved the combination of red and turquoise last night and decided to repeat it today so I could add the accessories and make up that I wanted, rather than what was dictated by going on stage. I must have been asleep when I got dress though as I have forgotten to put on my rings and my hands feel naked without them.

Red cardi – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Turquoise cami – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Crop jeans – Next (charity shop)
Turquoise peep toe shoes – New Look (charity shop)
Blue beads – gifted
Turquoise bangles – Oxfam

Total Est. Cost £19.50

Outfit: Thursday Evening

My other pashmina scarf arrived from eBay so I planned an outfit around it.

Red cardi – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Turquoise cami – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Crop jeans – Next (charity shop)
Red patent flats – Dorothy Perkins
Turquoise pashmina – eBay

Total Est. Cost £18.50

Outfit: Pink Thursday

I built this outfit around my new scarf as I had to wear it again. I have quite a bit of pink in my wardrobe but it tends to get neglected in favour of blue.

Pink jacket – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
White long sleeve t – Long Tall Sally
Jeans – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Pink scarf – eBay
Pink shoes – Faith
Pink bangles – gifted
Pink necklace – gifted
Pink leather belt – H&M

Total Est. Cost £68

Outfit: New Scarf

This scarf cost just 1p on eBay. I know! And with P&P, it was a grand total of £3.50. I have a second one on the way.
Whilst I was in the shower I was planning what I would wear with it and I remembered I had this top. I’m not happy with the long length anymore so inspiration struck and I decided I will chop it off and make it more of a t shirt length. I didn’t have time to do that last night so I just wore it folder up, but the scissors will come out at the weekend.

Grey cardi – New Look Tall
Grey top – Next (charity shop)
Skinny jeans – Topshop Tall
Turquoise flats – New Look
Pink scarf – eBay

Total Est. Cost £42

Outfit: Wednesday

A dress and leggings has to be about the easiest thing to wear. Add a bold item of jewellery and you are good to go. After getting my toe trampled last night I am glad I had planned for flat shoes as it is still a bit sore. I don’t think pointed toe heels would be comfortable today.

Green & lilac print dress – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Black leggings – New Look Tall
Silver flats – Faith
Silver necklace – New Look
Cream scarf – gifted

Total Est. Cost £42

Outfit: Tuesday Evening

The second performance went well. One of the girls with a principal part was off with a migraine but fortunately someone else knew the part and could fill in for her. My only mishap was that the lady in front of me stepped back onto my toe in her heeled shoes. Fortunately my shoes are too big and so she stood mostly on shoes and only a little on my toe. It could have been much worse.
We are not allowed to wear jewellery with our costumes and so it’s best not to take any to the theatre. That means finding other ways of accessorising what you are wearing to get there in and scarves are a good way of doing that. I always think a large scarf looks quite theatrical anyway.

Blue cardi – Ethel Austin
Blue top – Primark
Jeans – Topshop Tall
Leopard print flats – Priceless Shoes (eBay)
Brown & silver scarf – Mall market stall

Total Est. Cost £34

Show Costume

As promised, here I am in what I will be mostly wearing this week: my costume! I am really pleased with the dress as it fits me very well. The ringlet-ed hair is not my own, it is a hair piece courtesy of Claire’s Accessories. I like the idea of having hair that length, but I know the up keep of it would be a nightmare. It’s fun feeling glamourous in it this week though.
What you can’t see are the white bloomers underneath. We all have them and mine have no elastic in the top. They were falling down last night, so much so that they looked more like harem pants! I have securred them with a safety pin now.

Outfit: Tuesday

It promises to be warm and sunny again today and so another spring dress was a good choice I think. When I was planning this outfit in my head and running through shoe choices, I had totally forgotten about these shoes. I spied them on my shoe rack this morning and decided it would probably be warm enough for peep toes.
We are cat sitting the young man’s parents’ cat again and she clearly wanted in on the pictures this morning!

Black dress – George at Asda
Black leggings – New Look Tall
Brown shrug – Ann Taylor Loft (charity shop)
Brown peep toes – Primark (charity shop)

Brown belt - Dorothy Perkins (with a skirt)
Silver bangles – Scope
Leopard print scarf – Ethel Austin

Total Est. Cost £40

Outfit: Opening Night

I raced home after work to shower and change, have tea, and then head out to the theatre. The first night went really well and everyone enjoyed themselves. We even managed to bully the conductor into playing the National Anthem at the beginning which is something of a tradition for the society apparently.
It was really warm and I couldn’t decide on shoes or flip flops, but went with the shoes in the end.

White ‘leggy bird’ t – New Look Tall
Crop jeans – Next (charity shop)
Blue Fit Flops – Fitness Footwear (gifted)
Blue flats – Ethel Austin
Sunglasses – Boots
Blue bangles – Oxfam

Total Est. Cost £40

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing my show costume
…reading the Glamour magazine
…watching no tv as I’ll be on stage every night
…listening to country music
…eating tea quickly
…shopping for scarves on eBay

Outfit: Sunny Monday

The sun is shining and has put me in a good mood this morning. It is so much easier to get up when you can see that it is bright and sunny outside.
The day started well – I had to make an extra hole in my belt, about an inch further in than the previous one. This could be due to the fact that I’m not wearing a sweater under my dress for once, but it’s always confidence boosting when you can tighten your belt a notch.
It’s finally show week, and I’m pretty excited! The dress rehearsal went really well yesterday and I’m looking forward to the week’s performances. I’ll get a picture of my costume at some point – I feel very elegant and ladylike in it as it’s a full length dress complete with a small hat and white gloves.

Black & cream stripe dress – charity shop
Purple long sleeve t – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Purple scarf – Claire’s Accessories
Purple faux suede booties – Priceless Shoes
Bangles – gifted
Necklace – gifted

Total Est. Cost £27

Outfit: Sunday

I have been and done the Tesco shop this morning. This afternoon I have to be at the theatre and ready in costume and make up for the dress rehearsal to start at 3 o’clock.

Grey cardi – New Look Tall
Black Betty Boop T – Dorothy Perkins
Grey skinny jeans – Primark
Turquoise flats – New Look
Teal & silver bangles – Accessorize
Red beads – eBay
Sunglasses – Boots

Total Est. Cost £79

Outfit: Birthday Meal #3

My third and final birthday celebration meal. We went with my sister & brother-in-law and some friends to the local Mongolian restaurant. The food is always good there and last night was no exception.

Blue velvet dress – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Black tights – Silkies
Black patent shoes – Matalan
Silver necklace – New Look
Blue bead bracelet – gifted

Total Est. Cost £30

Outfit: Saturday

Just having a lazy day. I walked to the village to get my eyebrows waxed this morning, then came back and did my nails. I’ve just watched Gok’s Fashion Fix on 4OD online – there was only 1 advert in the full 48 minutes of it! We’re going out tonight with some friends to celebrate my birthday (again) so I’ll be having a shower and getting ready in a while. Think I’ll go and put the kettle on now though.

Blue cardi – Ethel Austin
Blue & red t – Topshop Tall (eBay)
Blue tank (under t for length) – Topshop
Jeans – River Island
Blue flats – Ethel Austin
Red beads – eBay
Red hair band – Tesco

Total Est. Cost £51

Outfit: Friday Evening

I am heading off to meet the young man at his parents’ house shortly, for tea. Then I will be racing off to the theatre for yet another rehearsal.

Grey cardi – New Look Tall
Pink top – Primark (charity shop)
Jeans – Topshop Tall
Pink patent shoes – Ethel Austin
Bangles – gifted
Pink necklace – gifted

Total Est. Cost £28

Outfit: Black & Cream Friday

I am loving this cream scarf I got for my birthday and thought I would pair it with black for a simple outfit today. I couldn’t resist wearing a funky tee though. And the shoes go perfectly.

Black cardi – New Look Tall
Betty Boop t – Dorothy Perkins
Jeans – Gap
Black & cream shoes – Next (charity shop)
Cream scarf – gifted

Total Est. Cost £52

Outfit: Cold Rehearsal

Well look what I got for my birthday. It’s a digital camera! I have just spent my dinner break figuring out how to install the software to upload pictures, and success! I need to master a few things – like holding the camera still, and level, but I don’t think I’ve done too badly for a first attempt.

There was another rehearsal in the theatre last night and as it was freezing in there Wednesday night, I layered up in a warmer cardi. Just as well – it was still freezing in there last night.

Grey cardi – New Look Tall
Purple long sleeve t – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Jeans – River Isand
Yellow flats – Cherokee at Tesco
Purple necklace – Scope

Total Est. Cost £69

Outfit: Lazy Thursday

I was tired last night and I knew I would be running home this afternoon and then straight out again to the hairdresser so I thought I’d go with jeans and flats to negate the need to change before walking into the village.

Black waistcoat – Next Tall
Black/white/purple check shirt – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Jeans – River Island
Yellow flats – Cherokee at Tesco
Purple necklace – Scope

Total Est. Cost £90

Outfit: Birthday Meal #2

So the second meal out in celebration of my birthday. There will be 3 in total. This one was just the usual birthday tea at the local Wetherspoons before the show rehearsal last night. Lots of people came out for tea and I was lucky enough to get some more presents.
Then we all trouped off to the theatre for the first rehearsal on stage. It was interesting to say the least – the stage (and theatre) is tiny and so all the dancing had to be condensed down to fit the space available. We were also given out costumes. My dress is very floral and frilly, but it fits very well so one out of two isn’t too bad!
I had no time to get ready last night – 45 minutes to jump in the shower, wash & dry my hair, get ready and go out again. So I’d left out the t from Tuesday evening and planned a simple outfit around that.

Black cardi – New Look Tall
Black & silver t – Tall Girls
Jeans – River Island
Silver flats – Faith

Total Est. Cost £104

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing t shirts and jeans
…reading the ABBA book my sister got me for my birthday
…watching very little tv – there’s a rehearsal every night this week
…listening to Cher
…eating my Easter Egg
…shopping goodies at Boots

Outfit: Back to Work

Sadly my 5 day weekend has come to an end and I am back to work today. However, it’s not all bad. I have brought in cake as it was my birthday yesterday, and there’s my party at Wetherspoons to look forward to before rehearsal tonight.
The cream pashmina was a birthday gift from my friend S who I shared a house with at university.

Teal dress (shortened) – Florence + Fred at Tesco (charity shop)
Burgundy cami – Topshop
Black leggings – New Look Tall
Silver flats – Faith
Cream pashmina – gifted

Total Est. Cost £33

Outfit: Birthday Cocktails

Yesterday evening the young man and I headed out for cocktails with one of our friends. We had to walk up to the bar and my feet were suffering a little from Monday’s walk and from shopping all day yesterday, so comfy boots were definitely in order.

Black cardi – New Look Tall
Black & silver ‘High Maintenance’ t – Tall Girls
Denim skirt – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Black leggings – New Look Tall
Grey boots – Priceless Shoes (gifted)

Total Est. Cost £63

Outfit: 30th Birthday!

It was my birthday yesterday and I headed over to Harrogate to meet my sister. We did a bit of shopping and she treated me to lunch at Bettys Tea Rooms which is super posh, and the food is delicious. It often snows on my birthday, but although yesterday started off chilly, the sun put in an appearance in the afternoon and it warmed up quite nicely.

Blue cardi – Ethel Austin
Blue/green/white check shirt – Primark
White tank – Topshop
Jeans – River Island
Brown cowboy boots – New Look

Total Est. Cost £84

Outfit: Easter Monday

We headed into the Yorkshire Dales today to walk around the Hole of Horcum. It started out sunny but clouded over once we got there. The rain held off though and we did an 8 mile walk with a lovely pub lunch halfway round.

Black cardi – New Look Tall
White ‘Yes I’m very tall’ t – Café Press
Jeans – Topshop Tall
Leopard print flats – Priceless Shoes (eBay)
Walking boots – Merrell (Fitness Footwear, gifted)
Sunglasses – Boots

Total Est. Cost £87

Happy Easter

A very happy Easter to all my readers!

Outfit: Easter Sunday

Apologies for the blurry picture – looks like I couldn’t keep my hand still this morning!
There was an Easter breakfast at church this morning at the very civilised hour of 9.30am. (At my old church there was a service on a local hillside at 7am, followed by communion at 8.45am, then breakfast after that.) The choir was then singing an introit in the service and we had all agreed to wear something brightly coloured as it was a jolly, gospel-type number, hence the blue and red. I always get complimented on these jeans even though they only cost £15. Good old Dotty P’s!

Blue cardi – Ethel Austin
White long sleeve t – Tall Girls
Jeans – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Red shoes – Next
Red beads – eBay

Total Est. Cost £49

Outfit: Easter Saturday

I was born on Easter Saturday 1979 so it is always a special day for me, whether it falls anywhere near my birthday or not.
Just another quiet day at home today – I’ve done the Tesco shopping and taken a whole load of stuff to the charity shop.
The young man decided that yesterday would be a good time to re-grout the tiles in the bathroom (note: there is NEVER a good time to do this, it involves the bath and shower being out of use for several days), so this morning I had the dubious task of washing my hair in the kitchen sink. Which was nice. Other than making a lot of mess on the floor with water, it was fairly successful – I think I have it in my head that my hair is still far longer than it actually is.

Teal long sleeve t – H&M
Jeans – River Island
Brown & silver scarf – mall market stall
Leopard print flats – Priceless Shoes (eBay)

Total Est. Cost £69

Outfit: Good Friday

It’s a bit grey and miserable here today. We’re not really doing much, just pottering about the house doing a few chores. I’ve got a service this evening that the church choir are singing at, then my cousin is popping over to visit. I will probably change my top before church – I don’t think this t is particularly appropriate for a Good Friday service.

Red cardi – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Blue ‘Girls just wanna have fun’ t – Topshop Tall (eBay)
Jeans – River Island
Blue flats – Ethel Austin
Red beads – eBay

Total Est. Cost £52

Outfit: Birthday Tea

We are headed to my parents’ this evening for a pre-birthday tea. They appreciate seeing us and I appreciate not having to cook. It’s a win-win situation! I was going to just wear what I wore last night again, but then I thought why not change it up a bit. Plus, it’s pretty grey outside (although surprisingly warm I just discovered when I went to put the recycling out) so I don’t really need the sunglasses today.

Grey cardi – New Look Tall
Black Betty Boop t – Dorothy Perkins
Grey jeans – Primark
Grey boots – Priceless Shoes (gifted)
Red beads – eBay

Total Est. Cost £38

Thoughts On Turning 30

My 30th birthday is fast approaching and the closer it gets, the more excited about it I am. Yes, it’s a birthday and that means presents (hopefully, if I’m lucky) and being the centre of attention for the day (or week, if I can manage my usual stringing-it-out trick). But 30 is something of a milestone. Last year when I turned 29 I was all ‘gah, 30 next year, that’s so depressing’, but now that the time has actually come, I not at all bothered about it. As my friend said the other day, a birthday is just the passage of time, and she is now 37 and not worried about it at all.

However, it has got me looking at my life and I can honestly say that I am pretty happy with where I’m at right now. I have a job (not something we can all say in the present economy) and my blog is providing me with some sideline writing opportunities which I hope will continue to grow. I have an amazing boyfriend, fab friends (both offline and on), and for once in my life I am happy with the way I look. My style may be in transition from day to day, but I know what I like, what suits me and that is mostly thanks to this blog. Several times I have got rid of items after seeing them on a photograph and deciding they didn’t do much for me after all. I have made a conscious effort in the last year or so to only buy items designed for tall ladies, or that had plenty of length in them if they weren’t specifically tall. Consequently I now have a closet full of clothes (too full the young man would say) that I know fit me and I enjoy wearing.

Two years ago I moved from one side of the city to the other to live with the young man, and left behind much of my life – my church, my youth work, my choir. The only people I knew in the area were related to the young man or had grown up with him. Two years on I have built a new life for myself – found a new church, new choir and drama group, and have made some good friends along the way. I think my confidence has increased with age and although I went away to university at 18, that was different in a way as everyone else there was new too. To start over in a new place on your own is very different and something I don’t think I would have been confident to do at twenty. I am glad that I have been able to make the move and am very happy living where I do now.

The birthday celebrations start this evening with tea at my parents’ house. The big day is not until Tuesday so I’m thinking I can easily stretch it out over a week, or even a week and a half if I really try.

Outfit: Faux Friday (Maundy Thursday)

Today is Maundy Thursday which means it’s the last day of work before the Easter break. We are having our usual Friday morning hot sandwiches this morning so we don’t miss out.

Black cardi – New Look Tall
White ‘Tall?’ cami – Café Press
Jeans – Gap
Black patent lace ups – Matalan

Total Est. Cost £55

Outfit: Drama Rehearsal

It was the last rehearsal in the church hall last night – next Wednesday we are in the theatre!

Black cardi – New Look Tall
Black Betty Boop t – Dorothy Perkins
Jeans – River Island
Silver flats – Faith
Sunglasses – Boots

Total Est. Cost £117

New Dress

I may have accidentally bought a dress on eBay. It is from Long Tall Sally and cost me all of £4.99 and is a beautiful midnight blue velvet. It arrived yesterday afternoon and I quickly tried it on and styled it with the black tights I was already wearing and some black shoes. I am thinking I might wear the dress when I go out for a birthday meal, a week on Saturday so I would like your suggestions as to which of my shoes to put with it, what tights, etc. (Bear in mind that it is likely to be raining and not overly warm – this is still the Frozen North, despite the recent sunshine!)

Reader Mail

Hello Shoegal!
I often read your posts and i like your blog a lot! Keep on going!!! ;)
I'm writing this email to ask you for advice.
I'm fond of summer boots to wear with dresses or tight jeans. I just bought high sand colour suede boots to wear this season. However, I don't know what kind of purse to match. What colour should I pick?
Must the purse be in creme suede, as well as the boots?
Please help me on it.
Thanks
Ana



Hi Ana
Thanks for reading the blog and thanks for your mail.
Your boots sound fabulous! I am fond of matching my bag to my shoes, but sometimes it is better to stay in the same colour family rather than go for an exact match. You could try a darker sand colour, or even brown for a bag. Alternatively, pick a purse that picks up a colour from your dress, or blends with other accessories in the outfit – such as your jewellery or belt. Summer is a great time for experimenting with colour, and this year there are plenty of 80s brights around so have fun with it!
You don’t say what style your boots are, but I would go for a slouchy, casual style bag if the boots are a slouchy kind of suede, and a more structured shape if the boots are a smarter style.
I’ve included some ideas so you can see the kind of thing I’m thinking of – all images from ASOS.com.
I hope this helps.
Shoegal
x

Outfit: £5 Wednesday

I was going to wear nude tights again today, but I woke up to the sound of rain lashing the windows, and a howling gale, so black tights it was. Looks like we’re back to winter for a bit.
Each item I have on today cost £5 – bargain!

Blue cardi – Ethel Austin
Black & white stripe dress – charity shop
Black tights – Silkies
Blue patent shoes – New Look
Blue & silber bangles – Oxfam

Total Est. Cost £25

Outfit: Tuesday

I usually don’t like Tuesdays very much – they are notoriously slow and a long way from the weekend. However, by the end of today we will be halfway through the week and only 2 days away from the Easter break.
I usually layer this dress over a polo neck but wanted to transition it into spring so I put a cardi over it instead. Legging rather than tights add to the spring feeling although I could definitely do with some fake tan/tinted moisturiser on my feet!

Grey cardi – New Look Tall
Green & lilac dress – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Black leggings – New Look Tall
Grey faux suede shoes – New Look (charity shop)
Teal earrings – Primark

Total Est. Cost £30

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing spring dresses
…reading the April issue of UK Cosmopolitan magazine
…watching The Flying Doctors on DVD if it arrives from Play.com – I would have thought it would have been here by now
…listening to The Passion by Adrian Snell – it’s an Easter tradition for me
…eating chocolate
…shopping for an Easter Egg for the young man

Outfit: Red & Black Monday

(Apologies for the lack of pictures earlier - Blogger was misbehaving and not letting me post properly.)

I feel like my hair is getting too long at the front again. I think I am booked in for it cutting next week though so that’s good. In the meantime I’ll have to just pin the front part back or something.

I’d not yet worn this dress this year. Although it is black, it is cotton and so feels more of a summer dress, especially with the short sleeves. Now that the weather is improving a little the time has come to wear it again. I am not yet brave enough to go bare legged and am cheating with nude tights today.

Red cardi – Long Tall Sally
Black dress – George at ASDA
Red cami (under dress) – New Look
Red shoes – Next
Black patent belt - Primark

Total Est. Cost £47

Review: Boots No7 Dual Protection Tinted Moisturiser

Like most men, the young man can’t stand the smell of fake tan. Even the moisturisers with a hint of fake tan can be detected by his nose and he complains about the biscuity smell. Consequently I have been searching for an alternative and decided to try a tinted moisturuser. As I had a £5 off No7 voucher I bought a tube of the Dual Protection Tinted Moisturiser in medium. I’ve used it on my arms today and the effect is subtle but takes away the bright whiteness my skin would otherwise have. As it is a moisturiser it blends in really well and is totally streak free. The only smell is that of a moisturiser and it even contains SPF15 – what more could a girl ask for? Whilst I wouldn’t recommend wearing a white vest whilst you apply it (like I did), it will wash off your clothes, unlike fake tan. I applied it, left it to dry for a while (I dried my hair and put in my contact lenses), then ran a white towel over my arm and there was just a little colour transfer – but like I say, a little Vanish pretreatment stain remover and it will wash right out.

Outfit: Sunny Sunday Show Rehearsal

It’s another lovely sunny day so I’ve spent the morning doing washing and it’s now drying on the line. The young man has just headed out to play on his trials bike, and I have a show rehearsal in a couple of hours. Until then I’m just chilling out.
I want ed to wear my new t shirt today, and this blue cardi goes perfectly with it. Besides, bright blue is my trademark colour!

Blue cardi – Ethel Austin
White ‘Leggy Bird’ t – New Look Tall
Jeans – River Island
Blue patent shoes – New Look
Blue & silver bangles – Oxfam
Sunglasses – Boots

Total Est. Cost £77

Outfit: Concert Rehearsal

I have a concert with my choir this evening and there’s a rehearsal this afternoon. I’m having a lazyish morning making soup for dinner, then I’ll be off for a sing. The rehearsal is only supposed to last an hour so hopefully I’ll be home in time to watch the Grand National. I watch it every year even though I’m not really into horse racing and I’ve only ever had a proper bet on it once, and that was 2 years ago because it was run on my birthday. They used to run a sweepstake in my office though which I would often be part of. It’s just something everyone watches.

I started out in flats to walk to the shop for cream to go in the soup.

Red cardi – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
White ‘Yes I’m very tall’ t – Café Press
Jeans – River Island
Red shoes – Next
Red belt (on jeans) – Next
Red beads – eBay
Leopard print flats – Priceless Shoes

Total Est. Cost £80

Outfit: Home Working Friday

I am working from home today so had a nice lie in this morning and was still up in time to start at 8am. My car is in for its MOT and service today which is not going to be cheap I feel sure. As I am at home I didn’t get my hair and make up done until mid morning. And I have spent the morning with a long black cardi over the top of my clothes to keep warm. The sun finally put in an appearance at midday so I have moved into the conservatory for the afternoon as it’s nice and warm in here now.

Red cardi – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Turquoise tank – Topshop
Jeans – River Island
Turquoise shoes – New Look
Sunglasses – Boots
Red beads – eBay

Total Est. Cost £88

Outfit: Casual Thursday

Ever the optomist with the sunglasses! Actually, the radio this morning said there would be sunny spells and that it would get reasonably warm today. Let’s hope so!
Still rocking the scarf I got last week, and it will be nice when it’s warm enough to forgo a cardi altogether and just wear a long sleeve t. But this one adds a bit of colour to today’s outfit. Also, I’ve not worn these shoes in ages. They were the first pair I ever bought at Faith and they are pretty comfy for the height and spindlyness (yes I’m neologising) of the heels. The only thing about them is that the heel has a metal tip – great for it not wearing down but not so great for it making the shoe heavy and them fall off my feet occasionally going up stairs.

Blue ¾ sleeve cardi – Ethel Austin
White long sleeve t – Tall Girls
Jeans – Gap
Beige shoes – Faith
Brown & silver scarf – mall market stall
Sunglasses – Boots

Total Est. Cost £65

Outfit: Pub Tea and Rehearsal

It was a member of the group’s birthday this week so some of us met at the local Wetherspoon’s pub for tea before the rehearsal last night. Then we went up to the church where we rehearse for a bit of singing practice and plenty of dancing. I tried out my flat white shoes and found that they are very comfortable.

Red cardi – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Black Betty Boop t – Dorothy Perkins
Skinny jeans – Topshop Tall
Leopard print flats – Priceless Shoes (eBay)
Red beads – eBay
Sunglasses – Boots

Total Est. Cost £63

White flats – Priceless Shoes £8

Outfit: April

I don’t know what happened to March but it seems like it flew past in no time. It’s April Fool’s Day here in the UK so I will be on my guard all morning to ensure no one fools me with any pranks. At my old job we put a cut out of a leek in the ladies’ toilet and told the only two men who worked there that there was a leak in the toilet. One of them came rushing down the stairs with his pliers and oh how we laughed!
It is definitely spring now that the calendar says April so I am trying to wear more colour than neutrals. We’ll see how that goes.

Purple tank – Long Tall Sally
Teal & black crinkle shirt – Next
Teal skirt – H&M
Purple tights – New Look
Grey tweed shoes – Matalan
Teal bangles – Accessorize
Heart necklace – Scope

Total Est. Cost £65