Outfit: A Few of My Favourite Things

Stripes, a blazer, red, blue. Just a few of my current favourite outfit elements, all rolled into one.

I have a bunch of errands to run this afternoon, hence the flat shoes. But I hope there is no more rain as the shoes are fabric.

I have ordered a swimming costume from Long Tall Sally in preparation for my gym trial (and joining up) this afternoon. If it doesn’t arrive by dinnertime I will be forced to wear my old (vintage?) black one piece from Marks and Spencer which I have had since the beginning of the fourth form in 1993. I know that’s when I got it because my high school had a regulation maroon one piece which was universally hated. However, once you got past the third form you were allowed to wear a non-regulation costume should your school one no longer fit. Needless to say, everyone managed to ‘grow out’ of their maroon monstrosities over the summer between third and fourth form and we all returned that September with something far more tasteful.

Grey jacket – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
White tank – Topshop
White and red stripe tank – River Island
Grey jeans – Primark
Navy and white stripe flats – New Look
Red beads – eBay
Blue bead bracelet – gifted
Blue bangle – Diamonds and Pearls

Total Est. Cost £70

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Outfit: Blazer Love

I have rediscovered my love of blazers this week. The nipped in waists, the instant smartening up of an outfit, even when you’re wearing jeans – what’s not to love? And why don’t I wear them all the time?

So the Insane Red Wedges are out again today, adding a fun pop of colour to an otherwise neutral outfit. I absolutely love them because despite the height, they do not rub at all (canvas/fabric lined shoes are the way to go people!). The real test will come this afternoon though: can I push a full trolley around Tesco without falling over? I’m thinking yes, but we shall see.

We are at the young man’s parents’ for tea tonight so at least I don’t have to rush to cook at the same time as unpacking the shopping.

And tomorrow I am going for a free trial at a local gym I am thinking of joining. I used to be a member of a gym before I moved across the city and used to swim all the time which was a great way of toning up and I hope to get back into it this year.

Black jacket – Long Tall Sally
Leopard print tank – River Island
Jeans – Next Tall (Clearance)
Red wedges – River Island
Red beads – eBay
Cream bead bracelets – Diamonds and Pearls
Red and cream bangles – gifted
Silver hoops – gifted
Silver bling ring – River Island
Wonder Woman belt - River Island

Total Est. Cost £122

Reebok to Launch TrainTone

Following on from the huge success of the EasyTone trainers, Reebok have announced that they will be launching the Reebok TrainTone this autumn. Basically, it is a reworking of the EasyTone shoe to make it more suitable for use in the gym. The instability pod technology (the thing that works your muscles harder) is still there, but there are two in the new shoe rather than three and they include a better grip than the EasyTones to make them ideal for gym and aerobic work.

The SmoothFit seamless design promises minimal rubbing and decreases irritation from stitching that can often occur with poorly designed sports shoes. A highly supportive MEVA midsole provides plenty of cushioning and ensure the feet stay perfectly aligned whilst the shoes are being worn. Reebok claim that the TrainTone technology improves muscle tone in the hamstrings, calves and glutes up to 28%, but they are so comfortable to wear that you will not notice the extra effort being put in to your training.

The Reebok TrainTone trainers will be available from Fitness Footwear in October and will be priced at £69.95.

Outfit: Jeans and Jacket

Yes, I might just spend the entire week in these jeans. That OK?

The lining of this jacket is dark purple although it’s hard to tell that from the pictures. I have an eBay package to post today and need to venture to find an alternative post office close to work. I’d go to the one I usually go to, but it has closed ‘temporary’ according to the sign on the door as there is no one to run it since the last postmistress left.

Grey jacket – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
White ‘Yes I’m very tall’ t – Café Press
Jeans – Gap
Snakeskin shoes – Matalan
Purple hearts necklace – gifted
Purple jewel necklace – gifted
Silver hoops – gifted
Purple glitter bangles – Diamonds & Pearls

Total Est. Cost £68

Outfit: Meal and Cocktails

We went out last night for a meal with my sister and her husband. The service was poor and I found a hair in my pizza – eeww – so I got it for free, but the cocktails were flowing and the football was on so a good time was had by all. I have taken a sudden renewed interest in the World Cup this week, despite England being knocked out in the second round. I have Uruguay and Germany in the office sweepstake so whatever happens now I am guaranteed at least third place. Yay!

See these waves in my hair? That’s what happens when you use the Remington Spin Curl dryer properly. I am really pleased with the results, especially as that was my first time using it as directed.

Blue/black metallic top – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Jeans – Gap
Pewter jewelled sandals – New Look
White gold cross necklace – gifted
Silver hoops – gifted
Blue bangle – Diamonds and Pearls

Total Est. Cost £36

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Outfit: Ruby Shoesday

I’m not happy with my hair today. The elastic holding it in its overnight ponytail snapped during the night so it wasn’t as wavy as I’d hoped this morning. I hit a few pieces with the curling tongs but it still looks a bit uneven. Not to worry though, it will be getting washed when I get home this afternoon and styled properly as we are going out for meal this evening with my sister and her husband.

These wedges really are insanely high. Perhaps they can become my insane red wedges, like Emma Pilsbury has an insane yellow blouse (Sue Sylvester: “Ellen, that blouse is insane!”). I don’t find it difficult to walk in them though as the platform is so high that they don’t feel like that high a heel. I am just aware of being another five or so inches off the ground and when you’re my height anyway, that’s a long way.

I wasn’t sure what to wear with my jeans today, so opted for a little stripe mixing with red accessories.

Black and cream stripe cardi – Topshop Tall (eBay)
Blue and white stripe tank – River Island
Jeans – Gap
Red wedges – River Island
Red and cream bangles – gifted
Red beads – Ethel Austin

Total Est. Cost £64

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This Week I Will Be Mostly...

...wearing jeans
...reading the August issue of Cosmopolitan magazine
...watching Mary Queen of Shops and Gok’s Fashion Fix
...listening to Bucks Fizz
...eating sweet potatoes
...shopping for nothing

Outfit: Navy and White and Shoe Challenge #61

It is forecast to be a little cooler today than of late. I had a whole other outfit picked out with a dress and leggings, but then it occurred to me: why not take advantage of the slightly cooler weather and wear these jeans? I’ve not worn them yet this season as it’s been too hot for full length jeans recently. So I dragged them out of the wardrobe, found some navy accessories and added a leopard print belt because, well why not? Leopard print accessories are always fabulous.

Navy cardi – Next Tall
Navy tank – River Island
White jeans – River Island
Leopard print belt – Dorothy Perkins
Navy flats – New Look
Blue bead bracelet – gifted
Silver cross necklace – gifted
Silver hoops – gifted

Total Est. Cost £47

Shoeperwoman’s Shoe Challenge

Way back in January, Shoperwoman issued a challenge to the style blogging world. Wear every pair of shoes you own within a year or lose the ones you don’t wear. I don’t know how many pairs I have and I am far too lazy to go and count them all, but a quick glance at my Flickr photo sets puts the figures somewhere in the region of 54 pairs of shoes and 31 pairs of boots. I am not including flip flops in this as I don’t count them as shoes – more or leisure wear – and neither and I including trainers and walking boots as I don’t think they should be worn outside the gym or other sports/walking activities.

Now, as the challenge started back on January 26th, I am rather late to the party. In an attempt to play catch-up I have counted up how many pairs of shoes I have worn in the 159 days since that date. Here are the pairs that I have worn so far:

#1 January 26th: Blue flat boots, Priceless Shoes

#2 January 27th: Red flat boots, Shoe Express (eBay)

#3 January 28th: Brown knee high boots, New Look (eBay)

#4 January 29th: Red heels, NOW Discount Shoes

#5 January 30th: Pink patent flats, Ethel Austin

#6 February 1st: Purple shoe boots, Priceless Shoes

#7 February 2nd: Tan boots, Barratts

#8 February 3rd: Blue faux suede boots, Priceless Shoes

#9 February 5th: Brown cowboy boots, New Look

#10 February 10th: Grey OTK boots, Priceless Shoes

#11 February 13th: Black OTK boots, Priceless Shoes

#12 February 17th: Blue patent heels, New Look

#13 February 17th (evening): Snakeskin heels, Matalan

#14 February 18th: Red heels, Next

#15 February 19th: Green suede boots, River Island

#16 February 20th: Silver glitter heels, New Look

#17 February 23rd: Black patent boots, Barratts

#18 March 2nd: Purple faux suede boots, Next

#19 March 3rd: Pink faux suede flat boots, NOW Discount Shoes

#20 March 4th: Black and cream heels, Next (charity shop)

#21 March 8th: Yellow wedges, Priceless Shoes

#22 March 9th: Leopard print heels, Next

#23 March 15th: Turquoise flats, New Look

#24 March 16th: Black peep toe heels, New Look (charity shop)

#25 March 18th: Grey and white heels, Ks Shoes (charity shop)

#26 March 21st (am): Blue metallic heels, Office

#27 March 21st (pm): Leopard print flats, Priceless Shoes (eBay)

#28 March 22nd: Red flats, Matalan

#29 March 23rd: Silver flats, Priceless Shoes

#30 March 24th: Blue suede shoe boots, New Look

#31 March 25th: Black patent lace ups, Matalan

#32 March 26th: Brown heels, New Look (eBay)

#33 March 31st: Leopard print heels, Betsey Johnson (Fashion Stage)

#34 April 2nd: Black platform heels, Ethel Austin

#35 April 6th: Navy patent heel, Magrit (outlet mall)

#36 April 8th: Grey faux suede heels, New Look (charity shop)

#37 April 9th: Turquoise peep top heels, New Look (charity shop)

#38 April 10th: Pewter sandals, Dorothy Perkins

#39 April 12th: Tweed heels, Matalan

#40 April 26th: White Mary-Janes, Priceless Shoes

#41 April 28th: Teal faux suede wedges, Matalan

#42 May 7th: Black flats, Priceless Shoes

#43 May 11th: Red boots, Nine West (Century 21)

#44 May 12th: Grey faux suede flat boots, Priceless Shoes

#45 May 17th: Brown ankle strap heels, Roberto Vianni (Debenhams)

#46 May 18th: Red strappy wedges, New Look (charity shop)

#47 May 21st: Silver gladiator sandals, eBay

#48 May 24th: Pewter jewelled sandals, New Look

#49 May 27th: Zebra print flats, George at Asda (eBay)

#50 June 2nd: Navy and white stripe flats, New Look

#51 June 8th (pm): Red boots, Goszip (charity shop)

#52 June 14th: Black and cream Mary-Janes, Matalan

#53 June 16th: Blue suede ruffle t bars, Love Label (Very.co.uk)

#54 June 24th: Pink ankle straps, Nine West (Debenhams)

#55 June 25th: Purple fabric flats, Dunnes Stores

#56 June 28th: Purple heels, Buffalo London (Sarenza)

#57 June 29th: Red wedges, Orchard (Brantano)

#58 June 30th: Purple Lady Dragon Hearts, Vivienne Westwood for Melissa (Shudoo)

#59 July 2nd: White flats, Priceless Shoes

#60 July 4th: Red wedges, River Island

I would have posted pictures but I think that would be excessive! I didn’t think I would have worn so many to be honest.  Every pair listed is featured in a photograph on or around the date they were worn, so check out the blog archives for pictures.

Well, 60 pairs in 159 days isn’t bad going really. That leaves, what? 24 more pairs (many of which are boots) to wear in the next 6 months or so. Sounds doable to me! My only problem will be figuring out which ones I have yet to wear!

Outfit: Windy Sunday

Happy 4th of July weekend to all my American readers!

Having more than made the cost of these wedges back on eBay in the last couple of days I have decided I am definitely keeping them so they got their first outing this morning. Yes I am about 8 foot tall in them but I think that’s part of why I love them – the ridiculous height of them.

These are the jeans I got at the Next outlet last weekend. They were just £7.

I was teaching Sunday school this morning so I went to church. We are now having a lazy afternoon around the house.

Grey tank – Next (charity shop)
Jeans – Next Tall (clearance store)
Red wedges – River Island
Snakeskin belt – The Shoe Room
Whitby Jet cross – gifted
Silver earrings – gifted

Total Est. Cost £60

Outfit: Concert

The drama group gave a concert last night and our dress code is black with sparkles. As it was still very warm I couldn’t face trousers and shoes so opted for my full length skirt (which has a large slit up the left hand side. The concert went well and I ended up shedding my shrug as the hall was quite hot inside.

Black shrug – New Look
Black and silver cami – New Look Tall
Black skirt – Topshop Tall
Pewter jewelled sandals – New Look
Whitby Jet cross – gifted
Silver and black earrings – Claire’s

Total Est. Cost £48

Outfit: Saturday in the City

My sister and I headed into the city yesterday for a wander around and some lunch. It was lovely and sunny again so I braved wearing shorts out in public for the first time in about 15 years.

I am pleased to report that the red wedges I wore on Friday were infinitely more comfortable second time around with virtually no rubbing. Even after walking around for an hour or so at lunchtime I had no problem with them so I have high hopes for them becoming a walkable pair of shoes.

White tank – River Island
Black shorts – Long Tall Sally
Pewter jewelled sandals – New Look
Red belt – Next
Red beads – eBay
Silver bling ring – River Island

Total Est. Cost £73