Outfit: Shades of Purple

I got this aubergine top in Dorothy Perkins yesterday and thought it would be fun to mix it with other shades of purple.

Lilac cardi with faux fur collar – Pilot outlet
Purple long sleeve t – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Black cord trousers – Topshop Tall
Purple faux suede booties – Priceless Shoes
Purple necklace – Scope

Total Est. Cost £58

Outfit: Carol Singing in the the Pub

Each December the local drama group goes to the pub near where we rehearse for a buffet supper and to sing Christmas carols. It’s kind of the second Christmas party, the first being the meal out last week. I had a great time laughing with everyone and singing the alto line against a tenor and soprano.

Black & silver cami – New Look Tall
Blue cardi – Ethel Austin
Jeans – River Island
Blue flats – Priceless Shoes
Black heart necklace – Scope
Earrings – Claire’s

Total Est. Cost £58

New Jeans

It is time to face the sad truth: my beloved Gap left weave long and lean jeans have finally had it. There is a hole on the inside of the right leg and although it is patched, it still looks unsightly for anything other than hanging around the house. This left me with a problem – I didn’t have any other flared jeans the right length for wearing with flats. And so began the great jean quest of December 2008.

Time was tight – I wanted to wear my new blue flats last night and needed jeans to go with them. Fortunately the local retail park has a few choices of womenswear shops. I went to Dorothy Perkins first – their jeans are fairly cheap and I had such great success with the last Tall pair I bought there. I figured I’d just get some in the longer length from the normal range and they would be fine. No. I don’t know what has happened to the sizing in DP lately, but I’m finding everything is coming up small. I tried 5 pairs of jeans and not one fit right.

So I went next door to Gap. I’ll just replace my Long & Lean jeans with another pair I thought. No. The cut has completely changed in there too, and I couldn’t get my usual size of Long and Lean on. I know it’s not me as the pairs I have, marked in the same size as those I tried on, fit me fine. The only style I could get on in my regular size was the Curvy ones, but even they were a bit low cut for my liking. There ended my love of Gap Long & Lean jeans.

The only option left was River Island. Now for some reason I had it in my head that River Island’s sizing was tiny and there was no way I would get anything in there, but I gave it a go anyway. I tried on every style of flared and bootcut jean they had in blue and in the longer length and two styles were great. I ended up with both. One style is the skinny flared (pictured above) and the other is the relaxed bootcut (which does not appear to be on the website). Yes the sizes differ from most high street stores (most places a UK 14 is a EUR 42 but in RI it is a EUR 40), but I bought a 40 and a 42 so the cut can’t be that skimpy. I’ve just checked the website and it says that the longer length is 33” but the pairs I’ve got are definitely more like 35”, which is perfect for me.

Anyway, I was really pleased because this will encourage me to go in RI again. The store near me only opened in the summer so it’s all shiny and new still which always makes shopping more pleasureable.

New Shoes

On Tuesday lunchtime I popped up to Priceless Shoes to look for some white Mary-Janes. Not my usual style I will admit, but we were told last week that we would need white shoes for the show this year and the society secretary said that Priceless had something suitable. There were no white shoes in my local store, but they did have the same style in green so I was able to try on and ascertain what size I would need and then order the white pair online. However, Priceless have a massive sale on at the moment and when I saw these blue satin flats for just £5, I had to have them. They will be perfect for the festive season if I don’t want to wear heels.

Apologies…

I’ve just realised that I’ve not been responding to comments recently. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. If you’ve asked a question in the comments since November 25th, it’s now been answered.

Outfit: Winter-ised

It’s easy to wear jersey dresses all year long – just winter-ise them in colder weather. Put a polo neck sweater underneath, a cardi on top if it’s really cold, add thick tights and boot, and Bob’s your uncle (well, he’s my father actually), one winter-ised dress!

Blue cardi – Ethel Austin
Blue & black dress – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Black polo neck sweater – Long Tall Sally
Black tights – George at ASDA
Blue boots – Priceless Shoes

Blue beads - Scope

Total Est. Cost £79

Outfit: Brown Tuesday

I’m wondering whether this dress is vintage. I bought it on eBay and there is no store label in it. The label detailing the fabric composition and washing instructions says ‘Made in UK’. The dress is 95% polyester and 5% elastane. It is marked size L/XL but is definitely no bigger than a UK 12/14. It is unusual for garments like this to be made in the UK these days which is what is making me wonder. But in the absence of a store label I suppose I shall never know.
I didn’t want to inflict further pain on myself today, hence the flat boots.

Brown zig zag dress – eBay
Brown polo neck sweater – Long Tall Sally
Brown tights – New Look
Brown cowboy boots – New Look

Total Est. Cost £68

Outfit: Sore Feet and Choir Practice

I ended up walking further than I intended yesterday and consequently my feet were sore by the time I got home. The only remedy for that was going out in my EMU boots. They are great for choir practice as they keep my feet toasty in a chilly church.

Black polo neck sweater – Long Tall Sally
Black cashmere sweater (underneath) – Florence + Fred @ Tesco
Jeans – Next (charity shop)
Black belt (on jeans) – local boutique
Chestnut boots – EMU Australia (On Shoes)

Total Est. Cost £76

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing boots, it’s still freezing!
…reading the December issue of US Vogue
…watching X-Files on DVD – got the whole lot in a boxset secondhand on Amazon
…listening to Christmas tunes
…eating mince pies
…shopping for nothing

Outfit: Red Monday

When you have a piece as distinctive as this dress, it can be difficult to do something different with it each time you wear it. I paired it with tan accessories last time, today it’s grey and silver.

Red knit dress – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Silver scarf – gift
Grey tights – Ethel Austin
Grey boots – ASOS

Total Est. Cost £48

Outfit: Jason Donovan Concert!

Last night my sister and I went to see Jason Donovan in concert. It was a good show but not as good as when we saw him last year.

Black shrug – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Green t – Dorothy Perkins
Skinny jeans – Topshop Tall
Silver shoes – New Look (eBay)
Black heat necklace – Scope

Total Est. Cost £35

Outfit: Festival Service

It was the Festival Service at church this morning. Being fairly new to the church I did not attend this service last year so was not really sure what to expect. I am in the choir and I knew it was participating but other than that, no idea. It was basically a nativity play within another play and incorporated songs from the children and some of the adults, and a very funny scene where the children go to bed and dream about their grandparents taking part in a school nativity – this was acted out by older members of the congregation dressed as and acting like school children, complete with short trousers and caps, and was very funny. I spent the morning wearing a Santa hat as the choir all had hats and scarves to be carol singers. I am so happy I found this church after I moved and I am thinking about moving my membership across from my old church.

Red polo neck sweater – Luxuriously Tall
Jeans – Tall Girls
Black boots – Priceless Shoes

Total Est. Cost £65

Outfit: Scarf Repeat

We went down to visit some friends of the young man today. He is Godfather to their daughter. It was wet and rainy all day so we stayed in chatting by the fire and playing with the children – the Goddaughter aged 4 and her little brother aged 19 months.

Blue sweater – Long Tall Sally
Jeans – Gap
Brown cowboy boots – New Look
Blue silk scarf – Accessorize

Total Est. Cost £96

Outfit: Chi Chi Scarf

Once again I’m pinching Kasmira’s Chi Chi style of wearing a scarf. It’s freezing out and was trying to snow when I left home. The building thermometer I pass on the way to work said -0˚C so it’s definitely cold. I bought this scarf in 2004 to wear as a wrap for a wedding and it’s been so useful ever since. It’s warm as it’s made of silk and was a total bargain – just £6 in the Accessorize sale.

Black sweater – Long Tall Sally
Dark jeans – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Black faux suede boots – Priceless Shoes
Blue silk scarf – Accessorize

Total Est. Cost £59

Outfit: Blue Thursday

I love this dress, but as I think I have mentioned before, it has shrunk in the wash and is now not long enough to wear without jeans underneath. Do not be fooled by the length at the front: there is a split in the back and that renders it indecent as a dress. However, it’s cosy and warm and looks fine over jeans so that’s the way I’ll wear it now.

Blue knit dress – H&M
Black polo neck sweater – Long Tall Sally
Skinny jeans – Gap
Blue boots – Priceless Shoes
Black patent belt – Primark

Total Est. Cost £93

Outfit: Furry Collar

This cardi always makes me feel like it’s winter. The faux fur collar is so cosy. I would usually have put a white t with this outfit but the teal one was out when I picked out the cardi and trousers so I decided to try something different.

I’m sure these trousers have shrunk at the dry cleaners. They were definitely longer when I bought them. Now I have to wear flats with them.

Lilac faux fur trim cardi – Pilot Outlet
Teal long sleeve t – H&M
Grey wool mix pinstripe trousers – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Grey over the knee socks – New Look
Black flats – Priceless Shoes
Purple necklace – Scope

Total Est. Cost £60

Outfit: Christmas Meal

It was the local drama group’s Christmas meal last night. We went to a carvery pub for a 3 course meal. It was delicious but I could only manage ice cream for dessert. The trouble with carveries is that there is so much choice of veg etc, you end up with a big plateful of main course and then have no room left for dessert.

Black shrug – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Black & blue metallic top – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Skinny jeans – Topshop Tall
Blue metallic shoes – Office
Blue heart necklace – Scope
Silver & black earrings – Claire’s
Blue & silver bangles – Oxfam

Total Est. Cost £56

Outfit: Brown & Blue & Chilly

Another lovely winter’s day in the Frozen North. I cannot remember the last time we had frost and ice for this length of time. It’s turning out to be a proper winter for once.

Brown knit dress – Long Tall Sally
Blue Obi belt – ASOS
Blue tights – H&M
Brown boots – Nine West (Allders)

Total Est. Cost £88.50

Outfit: Choir Practice

Monday nights are always a bit of a rush. I finish work, go and do the Tesco shopping, get home and unpack it all, make tea and then it’s off to choir.

Blue sweater – Florence + Fred at Tesco
Plaid shirt – Primark
Skinny jeans – Gap
Blue boots – Priceless Shoes

Total Est. Cost £40

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing something other than my EMU boots, I hope!
…reading the December issue of US In Style magazine
…watching ‘The Snowman’
…listening to Christmas tunes
…eating chocolate from my Advent calendar
…shopping for cheap X-Files boxsets

Outfit: Blue Monday

I was not feeling terribly inspired last night when I picked this out. The shirt and sweater are OK but I think I could have put something else with them, I’m just not sure what. I’ll try to do better tomorrow.

Blue sweater – Florence + Fred at Tesco
Plaid shirt – Primark
Black skirt – Dunnes
Blue tights – Accessorize
Black boots – New Look (eBay)

Total Est. Cost £32

Weekend Recap

On Saturday I went Christmas shopping with my sister. I managed to get all my gifts bought. We had dinner at Starbucks then returned home to do some wrapping. I got all my gifts wrapped and made some leek and potato soup in preparation for today. In the evening we got take out pizza and watched ‘Love Actually’.
Yesterday my whole family had been summoned for a pre-Christmas meal at my parents’ house. It was a good opportunity to see everyone and to exchange gifts. I headed over to my hometown early in the morning to drop off the soup I made and to get to my old church in time for the morning service.

No outfit pictures because Saturday was a repeat of last Friday’s outfit and yesterday was a repeat of last Thursday’s outfit.

Outfit: Still Snowy!

There is still plenty of snow on the ground at work today. I can’t remember the last time snow hung around so long, usually it’s all gone by lunchtime. Consequently, I put the green boots in my bag and wore my EMU boots to work. And I have to confess that I still have the EMUs on now. My feet are just so comfy & cosy in them that I don’t want to take them off. I might change later.

Grey ¾ sleeve sweater – Ethel Austin
Grey polo neck sweater – Long Tall Sally
Grey jeans – Primark
Green suede boots – River Island
Green necklace – Primark

Total Est. Cost £58

Snow Day #2

There was real, proper snow today. So proper that it’s now 2.30pm and it’s still here. That never happens anymore. So I set out to work at my usual time. 3 hours later I arrived. However, that’s not put me off the snow and I’m hoping for more as the winter progresses. Today’s outfit was for warmth and practicality given the weather conditions.

Brown cardi – Luxuriously Tall
Brown polo neck sweater – Long Tall Sally
Skinny jeans – Gap
Chestnut boots – EMU Australia (On Shoes)

Total Est. Cost £55

Outfit: Cold Wednesday

There’s still some snow about so I was right to wear my EMU boots to get to work. The car park was covered in snow when I arrived and would have been treacherous in 4 inch heels.
My dress arrived from eBay and I am very pleased with it.

Green/purple tunic dress – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Grey polo neck sweater – Long Tall Sally
Grey wool tights – Levante at MyTights.com
Grey over the knee boots – Priceless Shoes

Total Est. Cost £62.50

Discounts!

A couple of discounts to share with you:

House of Fraser: 20% off selected fashion, accessories and homewares and up to 10% off selected beauty, fragrance, electrical items, furniture and food with code FF08. Offer valid Thursday 4th December to Sunday 7th December.

Dorothy Perkins: 20% off everything from now until Friday 5th December.

Outfit: Snow Day

It was white over when we woke up this morning. Around 2pm it was snowing heavens high but by mid afternoon all the snow was gone. It’s still cold out though so it might snow again overnight.

Blue sweater – Long Tall Sally
Skinny jeans – Gap
Chestnut suede boots – EMU Australia (On Shoes)
Beige scarf – Matalan

Total Est. Cost £28

eBay Bargain: Long Tall Sally Tunic

To add to my growing collection of last year’s LTS winter dresses at knockdown prices, I won this for £2.50 on eBay last week. I can’t wait for it to arrive! I remember it being modelled as a dress in the catalogue last year but I’m not sure it will actually be long enough to wear with just tights.

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing my new LTS dress
…reading ‘West End Girls’ by Jenny Colgan
…watching Miracle on 34th Street – it’s December now, time to break out all the Christmas TV and movies!
…listening to Christmas tunes
…eating chocolate from my Advent calendar
…shopping on eBay

Outfit: Monday Morning

I really had to force myself to get up this morning. It is still freezing cold – it was minus 2 when I passed the outdoor thermometer on my way to work this morning. I am also suffering with an annoying cough which was stopping me from sleeping last night. It seemed so unfair that just when I had stopped coughing and was able to sleep it was time to get up!
I was going to wear a different sweater today but as it was so cold when I got up I decided cashmere was the only way to go.

Black cashmere sweater – Florence + Fred at Tesco
Black/purple/white/grey check shirt – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Black cord trousers – Topshop Tall
Purple faux suede booties – Priceless Shoes
Purple necklace – Scope

Total Est. Cost £88

Weekend Recap

My friend from university and her finacé came to visit for the weekend. Saturday we headed into the city for a wander around and had lunch in a Thai restaurant (the same one the young man and I went to last Friday – still delicious). I was very good and only bought the Clinique makeup refills I’d set out to buy so I could get the Bonus Time goodie bag. Saturday night we went to Pizza Hut then home to play on the Wii. Yesterday we got up late and cooked a full English brunch before going for a walk up to the local retail park. It was freezing cold all weekend but dry and sunny, perfect winter weather. My friend is a very bad influence on me when it comes to shopping and in Dorothy Perkins I succumbed to two t shirts and a shirt.