Musings on Life in the 1990s

A friend at work made me feel old yesterday. I told her we've been working our way through This Life on Love Film and she hadn't heard of This Life. So I explained tat it was about a group of lawyers in London who all live in a house together. Her immediate reaction to that was to ask if it was a reality show. And thinking about it later, I figured that by today's standards that does sound like a description of a reality show. But back in 1996 Big Brother only existed in a novel and we didn't have any kind of reality shows on TV here. (I think you may have had the Real World in the US then but there was nothing like that here.) The world was a very different place. In the show they don't have the Internet and everyone smokes, everywhere. In the shared house, in the pub, in the office. Can you imagine that now?  A huge misunderstanding was created due to someone being delayed at work and not having a mobile phone for the other person to contact them.  These days if that happened you'd just send a quick text and everyone would know where they stood.

I'm particularly enjoying the fashions.  Anna has a penchant for cropped sweaters which I love as I had a red cable knit one from the Sweater Shop (remember that?!) which I wore to death!  The gang held a party in a recent episode and Milly and Anna were both in vest tops with high waisted jeans, with the tops tucked in!  Remember 1996?  Bootcut jeans were just starting to make an appearance, I thought flares were a ridiculous relic of the 1970s (though I would be wearing them only a year or so later) and no one had heard of skinny, boyfriend or any other style that wasn't a tapered leg.

What do you remember about the late 1990s?

Outfit: Red and White Spots with Navy

It was quite warm out today so I’m making the most of wearing summer clothes whilst I can. I chose to give this skirt another airing because it is fabulous (my co-worker said this morning that it makes her happy just to look at it). I don’t think you can really go wrong with a red, white and blue combination so I added some navy to it and called it a day.

Last night I went to step class and then to aqua aerobics. When I got home I had some raspberries and a yoghurt whilst watching This Life. Weight Watchers have revamped their Dessert Recipe yoghurts and they now include a strawberry cheesecake one which is what I enjoyed last night.

Red and white polka dot skirt – New Look Tall
Navy top – H&M
Navy shrug – Long Tall Sally
Navy patent wedges – LK Bennett (c/o Sarenza)
Navy heart necklace – Scope
Silver cuff – M&S
Silver hoops – gifted

Outfit: Black and White Stripe Dress and a Blue Leather Jacket

OK, I’m lying a bit here. This jacket isn’t actually leather. But it’s a pretty good fake. Especially considering it’s from H&M. I love the colour of it and have done ever since I bought it a few years ago.

Last night I went to the gym for abs class, then made some prawn pasta for tea. It was a recipe from this month’s issue of the Weight Watchers magazine and it was delish. Then I took a shower and we watched a couple of episodes of This Life. I’m really enjoying the series. I didn’t watch it when it was first on so it’s like a burst of 90s nostalgia now.

Blue faux leather jacket – H&M
Black and white stripe dress – charity shop
Black shrug – Long Tall Sally
Blue patent shoes – New Look
Silver square hoops – Claire’s
Silver beads – Scope

Outfit: Navy, Jeans and New... Trainers?

I know, me voluntarily getting (and wearing) new trainers. Not something you thought was likely, huh? But new trainers I have so let me tell you about them. Last weekend we went cycling. And I wore trainers with laces that are too long and one of them came undone and got tangled in the bike pedal causing me to overbalance and fall off my bike. (I was fine. Dusty, and a little bruised, but fine.) So when this month’s Sarenza voucher arrived in my inbox, I went straight to look at the trainer offerings. I found this pair by Skechers which, with elastic rather than laces, seemed like the perfect solution to my cycling problem. I have a pair of Skechers Shape Ups so I knew the size 41 would fit me (I usually need a 42) and I added them to my basket. I also added a pair of heels (come on, you know me better than that) which I will show you later in the week.

Sarenza have a sale on right now so there are plenty of bargains to be had, with discounts of up to 50%!

Navy and white stripe jacket - Next Tall
Navy top - Long Tall Sally
Jeans - Long Tall Sally
Navy trainers - Skechers (c/o Sarenza)
Silver hoops - Claire's
Navy heart necklace - Scope

Outfit: Wedding Guest Attire

On Saturday evening the young man and I attended my friend’s wedding reception. The bride and groom live in Norway and had got married there earlier in the week (I watched the ceremony which was streamed live on their website – how very 2013!) in order for it to be legal (for it to be legal in the UK they would have had to have stayed here for 7 days before the ceremony to be classed as residents, even though they are both British Citizens – fun fact for your Monday there!). The party was at a small venue in North Yorkshire and it was great to see some of my friends from school there.

There was no dress code which I think is quite challenging for something like a wedding, so I just wore what I would have worn had it been the whole shebang we were attending. I did tone down the dress by keeping on my black biker jacket when it turned out to be quite a casual affair, and because I was chilly (when am I not chilly?).

Blue dress – ASOS (charity shop)
Navy patent wedges – LK Bennett (c/o Sarenza)
Navy flower hair clip – Diamonds and Pearls?
Navy heart necklace - Scope
Silver hoops - gifted

New Arrivals at Long Tall Sally

Long Tall Sally keep taunting me with their newsletter. There are a whole bunch of things I would buy from the current collection if money were no object and this week another load of new arrivals was mailed around. If you’re tall and in the market for a new suit, may I suggest this one? How perfect is the zip detailing and the shape of the trousers? Ponte fabric is super comfortable and I know I would wear these pieces together and as separates for years. Anyone want to send me a LTS gift voucher?

PS. Not a fan of trousers? There’s a matching dress too!

Outfit: Long Tall Sally and Topshop: Jeans and Biker Jacket

This has to be one of my simpler casual ensembles. Head to toe in Long Tall Sally, topped by my Topshop Tall biker jacket and a scarf picked up in Camden Market when I was in London back in March.

The jeans are from Long Tall Sally’s Heritage Denim range and I love them. They are super soft denim and are super comfy, thanks to the stretch and the high(ish) waist. This is the straight leg style but they are slim enough to wear tucked into boots (I put my cowboy boots over them last night because it kept raining). I added my River Island Wonder Woman belt (I love a good belt buckle) to keep them in place.

The white t shirt is from Long Tall Sally too. It’s lovely and stretchy and the fit is spot on. The fabric is quite good quality – I find a lot of white t shirts and vests to be horribly thin and see-through. There’s a black shrug (also LTS) under my jacket as an extra layer just in case the air conditioning was in a vicious mood. The jacket is Topshop Tall and I’ve had it for a good few years now though I believe they are selling something fairly similar at present. I was seduced by the lovely long sleeves and the quality of the faux leather (a few people have looked surprised when I’ve said it isn’t real leather).

I added my teal scarf and because I will always be a matchy-matchy kind of girl teal wedges were a no-brainer, as was the teal jewellery.

Last night I walked to the village when I got home to post a parcel. After tea I did the supermarket shopping and then we watched a documentary on the secret life of cats. Much of my twitter feed seemed to be watching that too. It was quite interested to see where a cat would roam throughout the day.

Black faux-leather jacket – Topshop Tall
White t – Long Tall Sally
Jeans – Long Tall Sally
Teal wedges – Matalan
Silver hoops – gifted
Teal beads – Scope
Teal and black scarf – Camden Market
Belt - River Island

Review: Dr Marten Boots at Mastershoe-Myshu

When I was a teenager in the 1990s everyone had Dr Marten boots. You know, the lace up ones in black (a few rebels had them in Cherry), with the super comfy AirWair sole that is resistant to just about everything that you can throw at them, and the signature yellow stitching around them? Everyone that is, except me. Dr Marten boots were expensive and I was never allowed a pair (my sister had some – which I think she’s still got, so long-lasting are they – but she may have bought them herself from her Saturday job wages). So I’ve always felt that I missed out on that particular teenage rite of passage.

When the lovely people at Mastershoe-Myshu contacted me to review a pair of footwear from their website I jumped at the chance to finally own a pair of Docs. The lace up boots aren’t really my style (though they do come in quite an array of colours these days, including bright pink and various floral designs) but this pair of classic biker-style boots, the Rowena, will work with my wardrobe. They will toughen up girly dresses, look great over skinny or under flared leg jeans, and be super comfortable whilst doing it, thanks to that trademark sole. They are black leather and have a feel that is not quite suede but not polished leather either. I think they will age well and with a little breaking in should be super comfy too.

Mastershoe-Myshu stock boots and shoes for women, men and children from many well known brands including Iron Fist, Hunter Wellies and Buffalo. They have lots of styles in sizes 8 and 9 so if you have big feet (as I do) it would definitely be worth a look. Standard UK delivery is free and there is also a next day shipping option if that’s a service you require. My boots were delivered quickly and I would definitely recommend the service from the site.

Outfit: Navy Blazer, Purple Jeans and Stripes

I think I’m in love with these purple jeans. I feel like they will be in as heavy rotation as the red pair. I put them with navy today, despite my initial reaction being to pair them with a black jacket. I think navy is more summery and less obvious with brights than black is. Stripes go with everything so that one was a no brainer. And I loved how the turquoise shoes just popped next to the purple.

Last night I had a quiet night in. I managed to make it rain not once but twice by hanging my washing on the line (I gave up after the second time and put it on the airer. Of course the sun then came out). I drank some tea. I watched some videos on You Tube. We watched two episodes of This Life on Love Film. And that was pretty much Wednesday.

Navy blazer – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Navy and white stripe top – H&M
Purple jeans – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Turquoise patent wedges – LK Bennett (c/o Sarenza)
Silver square hoops – Claire’s

Review: Fiorell Dollie Medium Flapover Cross Body Bag at Bagable

When the lovely people at Bagable contacted me to review one of their items, I jumped at the chance. Every girl needs a new handbag now and again, right? It didn’t take me long to pick out this lovely tan bag by Fiorelli. I find that tan goes with everything and looks great in the summer, and a cross body bag is so useful as it lets you go hands free. I don’t own anything else by Fiorelli so the brand was a new one to me. The bag is well made and although it isn’t leather, I find that to be an advantage with light coloured bags as leather can become stained by dark coloured denim.

This little bag is kind of Tardis-like. It has plenty of room in the main section for all your essentials, plus pockets galore to make it easy to find things. The external zipped section even has spaces for your cards and money in case you don’t want to squish your purse into the bag (if your purse is anything like mine it’s huge and stuffed full of cards and receipts, not to mention spare hair pins!). A second external pocket would be ideal for easy access to your keys or phone.

The service from Bagable was impeccable. The bag was dispatched and arrived the day after. UK delivery is free, and orders are shipped first class with Royal Mail so should arrive within 1-2 days. Bagable stock a wide range of bags, including purses, luggage and handbags, along with a range of accessories such as umbrellas, scarves and pencil cases. They stock many well known brands including Kipling, Fossil and Antler. Whatever kind of bag you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it at Bagable.

Outfit: Teal with a Grey Bouclé Biker

I’m not wearing anything specifically Tall today, which is a rarity for me given that about 40% of my closet is Long Tall Sally and probably another 35% is Topshop, New Look, Next or DP Tall. Today I am sporting H&M and Warehouse.

H&M are known (and rightly so) for their erratic sizing (case in point: I have items in S, M & L from there that all fit; today’s skirt is a 14 and is too big, a few weeks back I couldn’t get into a pair of their pants marked 14) but sometimes they produce some gems in the long sleeve department. This top has super long sleeves and a long body so is perfect for me. Skirts I find I can buy from pretty much anywhere as long as they aren’t stupidly short.

Warehouse I like because they give the height of their models on their website, at least one of whom is 5’10”. So if an item looks OK on her, I know it will be OK on me (she must have very short legs though as their jeans are all the right length on her but claim to only be a 31” inside leg). This jacket has longer than average-for-the –high-street sleeves.

Last night I went to my usual step class and then was very good and stayed for the aqua aerobics straight after it. The instructor is a bit bonkers and had us doing Gangnam Style in the pool. Later on I watched a documentary about Agnetha Faltskog (the blonde one from Abba). She has a new album out and looks amazing for her 63 years. The documentary charted her life from her rise to fame in Sweden aged 15, right through to the present day. I am a massive fan of Abba so there wasn’t much in it I didn’t already know, but it’s always nice to hear Abba songs and for so many years Agnetha didn’t give interviews that it was good to hear her version of events.

Grey biker jacket – Warehouse
Teal top – H&M
Teal skirt – H&M
Orange/coral wedges – LK Bennett (c/o Sarenza)
Teal necklaces – Scope
Silver square hoop earrings – Claire’s