Navy Flats

People have been finding my blog recently by searching for navy flat shoes so I thought I’d show you a few of my favourites from my lovely sponsors, Sarenza. They have many styles of blue ballet pumps and varying price points and you can choose free UK delivery or pay for express shipping – it’s always nice to have the option if you ask me.

Refresh £25.50

Rocket Dog £33

Love the stripes on these!

Jonak £47

These are real leather.

Boxfresh £51

These are real suede.  And as well as being cute, the floral fabric insides mean they won't rub.

Long Tall Sally Autumn/Winter 2012 Picks

Having spent some time studying the new season Long Tall Sally Catalogue, and tried several pieces on whilst in Birmingham last weekend, here are my picks from the A/W collection for tall girls.

Leather jacket £200 

Ah, the ultimate dream: to own this jacket. I have heard many good reports about this but didn’t dare to try it on for fear of loving it and then spending many months mourning the fact that I can’t afford it. I will stick with my Topshop Tall faux leather moto jacket a while longer until I win the lottery.

Blue fleece £35

I bought this fleece as I have never, in my whole life, had a fleece jacket that fits me properly. They’ve always been too big or unisex in order for the sleeves to be long enough for me. Not only are the sleeves long enough on this one, but it had thumb holes (love those!) to keep my hands warm in the winter and it’s a lovely fitted shape in the body.

Faux fur collar coat £150

I could do with a new coat this winter and this one is lovely, but it’s also £150. A little out of my price range I feel.

Teal funnel neck coat £110

I just love the colour of this but again, it’s pricey. Back to searching eBay for me I think.

Tweed jacket £130

How fabulously Chanel is this? And properly proportioned for tall ladies. I’d love to pair this with a simple white t and jeans, or over my favourite black dress.

Richmond jeans £50

I love the idea of bright blue jeans and this pair are fabulously long, coming in a 36” leg.

Hoodie £45

I tried this on last weekend and absolutely loved it! The sleeves are long, the body is so long it covers my bum, and it’s lovely and thick and super cosy for commuting to the gym in the winter. Or snuggling up on the sofa. There are stretchy panels in the sides which make it really easy to put on and take off. This came home with me.

Stripe top £28

I tried this on last weekend and loved it too, but I have more than enough striped tops so I reluctantly put it back. But the burgundy and cream is a refreshing take on the Breton stripe and burgundy is an on trend colour for this season.

Spot blouse £50

It’s navy, it has polka dots, and the sleeves are lovely and long. What’s not to love?

Roll neck £40

You know how I love my roll necks in the winter and this red shade is one I didn’t previously own, so I had to add it to my collection.

Colour block dress £75

How flattering is this dress? Perfect for work or play, it would look awesome with a black roll neck under it or a jacket or cardi over it. And heels of course. Always heels.

Tunic dress £55

If I could figure out how tall the model is who is wearing this dress in the catalogue, I may be very tempted to consider it. I’m not sure whether it would be too short for me though, as it’s described as a tunic rather than a dress.

Shoegal Flashback!

This day last year. I think I went on a thrifting trip with my sister and a couple of friends.

And 2010. Looks like it was a casual work day.

 
Finally all the way back to 2009!

Outfit: Casual Friday

Hoorah for Friday! I didn’t really get a proper lie in last weekend so I am definitely looking forward to getting one this weekend. And then we’re off work next week (after the bank holiday) so I’m looking forward to having a rest.

Last night I did the Tesco shop then half watched Myth Busters and wrote some posts to schedule for next week whilst I’m not at work. I like to take the pressure off myself when I have a week off work so that if we’re out and about doing things I don’t feel bad for not posting as it’s all already sorted.

This top is from Long Tall Sally’s new collection and the sleeves are super long. LTS went through a time a few years back where their sleeve lengths weren’t as long as you would expect and I had a few tops I was disappointed with. But recently the lengths have improved and I’m loving wearing their items. I thought the ruching on the front added some interest to it too.

I was tempted to wear boots over my jeans today but it’s still reasonably warm and I just couldn’t bring myself to do it in August. Although when I saw the torrential rain outside when I got up I was seriously reconsidering. But shoes it was and at least this pair is faux leather so waterproof. And it will be September when I go back to work so it won’t be so much of a dilemma any more. We don’t have too much planned for the bank holiday weekend. The young man is re-papering the bathroom so I’ll see my sister and my niece and keep out of his way tomorrow. I must remember to wear my hair up tomorrow as my niece is now 3 months old and grabs at anything within reach. Especially my hair!

Teal top – Long Tall Sally
Grey tank – River Island
Jeans – River Island
Snakeskin heels – Matalan
Teal heart necklace – Scope
Silver hoops – gifted
Turquoise scarf – H&M

Total Est. Cost £90

Outfit: Clash of the Reds

Red and burgundy together? Why not! Sure they clash a little, but in a world where red and pink together has become acceptable anything goes. Besides, burgundy is just one small step away from purple and that works with red rather well if you ask me. So these pants need heels and they have a red stripe in them so it was a no brainer to go for a red top and my favourite pair of red (burgundy) shoes.

Last night I chilled out on the sofa taking care of a few online errands, catching up with my You Tube viewing and then watching part of Rain Man on TV. Dustin Hoffman is an awesome actor! 

Grey cashmere cardi – M&S (eBay)
Red top – Long Tall Sally
Grey trousers – Topshop Tall (eBay)
Burgundy shoes – LK Bennett (c/o Sarenza)
Silver hoops – gifted
Silver and diamante necklace – gifted

Total Est. Cost £61

Outfit: Shoeper Challenge 2012 #56 and a New Dress

So it happened. Boots and tights in August. There were torrential downpours yesterday and more rain forecast for today, so out came the boots this morning. I had planned to wear them with knee high socks, but then decided this dress was a bit short for bare legs so tights it was. The dress was a weekend sale bargain – reduced from £40 to just £11.70 in Debenhams. It’s a size larger than I usually wear but that means it doesn’t gape in the skirt (something I’m always wary of with button front skirts) and there is enough room in the top to layer a sweater under it when it turns colder.

Last night was step class and our regular instructor was back, so it was bit less complicated than last week’s moves. I got home and curled up on the sofa in my cosy hoodie (it turned cooler when it rained yesterday) and we watched Myth Busters then Secret Eaters on More 4.

These boots are my latest pick from Sarenza, using my voucher for this month. I had a pair of tan boots that I loved and wore constantly the past two or three winters (springs, summers and autumns) but they recently started leaking and had to be consigned to the bin. I knew I needed a replacement as they are such a wardrobe staple (tan boots go with everything) so was pleased to spot this pair by Georgia Rose in a size 42. I have a couple of pairs of Georgia Rose shoes and boots already so I knew they would be good quality and would be a good fit. I was right on both counts. The boots are leather inside and out, and I gave them a good spritz of waterproofing spray this morning. They will definitely be getting plenty of wear in the coming months – you’ll be sick of the sight of them before long!

Denim dress – Maine at Debenhams
Brown tights – c/o Tightsplease
Brown belt – free with a skirt
Brown wood heart necklace – Scope
Silver hoops – gifted
Brown shell bracelet – gifted
Tan leather boots – Georgia Rose (c/o Sarenza)

Total Est. Cost £13

Outfit: Tuesday

Having spent most of yesterday feeling cold (someone likes to open the window at the top of the stairs meaning I get a cold draught blowing straight down on to me as my desk is at the bottom of the stairs) I was taking no chances today and wore a heavy jersey dress, tights, closed toe shoes and added a black shrug and my turquoise pashmina when I left the house. The result: I feel much warmer. Hoorah!

Last night I went to HARDcore and Zumba at the gym, then as I was pulling into the drive back home the young man’s mum arrived. We had a cup of tea with her and sat in the conservatory for a bit. Then I did the ironing and went for a shower so that I could get an early night. I think my busy weekend finally caught up with me!

Tonight is Step Class at the gym and I don’t think I have anything else planned.

Black dress – H&M
Turquoise leather belt – H&M
Black fishnet tights – Primark
Coral/orange wedges – LK Bennett (c/o Sarenza)
Turquoise necklace – gifted
Silver hoops – gifted
Turquoise bangles – Oxfam
Turquoise pashmina – eBay

Total Est. Cost £35

Outfit: Rainy Monday

The forecast today was for 22 degrees and sunshine so I put my suede peep toe shoes on. It started raining on my way to work, and continued to do so for much of the morning. I’ll remember to wear a sweater tomorrow and not to trust the BBC! Fortunately I had picked up a shrug to wear in the office so I wasn’t too frozen.

Monday is gym night and I had to do two loads of washing last night when I got home to ensure my kit was clean. Yay for tumble driers! Tonight I have the ironing to tackle.

Navy top – Betty Jackson Black (Debenhams)
Navy and ecru striped skirt – River Island
Leopard print shoes – LK Bennett (eBay)
Blue beads – gifted
Silver cuff – M&S (free on 3 for 2 offer)
Silver hoops – gifted
Blue flower clip – H&M

Total Est. Cost £63