A Little Retail Therapy…

Using the rest of the money I had from last week, I took full advantage of the 25% off at Dorothy Perkins and bought a couple of items.

This jacket was already reduced and because the discount works on everything, including all sale items, I got it for half the original price.



I took the opportunity to stock up on some basic long sleeve t shirts at a reduced price and got these two.

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing my new pencil skirt & new sweaters
…reading ‘Seeing Stars’ by Christina Jones
…watching season 4 of The Flying Doctors
…listening to the odd sneaky Christmas tune – it’s coming on Christmas
…eating ham sandwiches
…shopping for nothing

Outfit: New Skirt!

I didn’t get chance to snap a picture yesterday. We went to church in the torrential rain for Rememberance Sunday and I wore skinny jeans, a black sweater, a red scarf and red shoes. And my poppy. We did the Tesco shopping on the way home.

After dinner it had cleared up so we headed out for a walk in the general direction of a pub. We got as far as the young man’s parents’ house (less than a mile up the road) and went in for a cup of tea. We got chatting and ended up staying for tea (roast beef – like we were going to refuse that!). We didn’t leave until gone seven, by which time it was dark, so we decided to just go down to the village for a couple of drinks at our local.

This morning there was a frost so I quickly grabbed a polo neck sweater to put under my shirt for extra warmth. I’m not sure what made me think a tank top and shirt would be suitable for a November morning. It was sunny & frosty out, a proper winter’s morning. I’m wearing my new pencil skirt – something new always makes Monday better.

This evening I will be heading off to the gym in my new jogging bottoms and fleece hoodie, then going off to choir practice.

Purple tank – Long Tall Sally
Purple/black/white check shirt – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Black polo neck – New Look Tall
Grey pencil skirt – Long Tall Sally
Black tights – Marks & Spencer
Snakeskin shoes – Matalan
Lilac scarf – Diamonds & Pearls

Total Est. Cost £105

Saturday

This is what I wore most of the day. I did chores in the morning – changing the bedsheets, cleaning the bathroom. Then the young man suggested making a start on the Christmas shopping in Leeds so I changed the hoodie for a black cardi. I have a grey striped v neck t on underneath the hoodie. My hair is in need of washing so I added the hat to go out in and kept it on all day. I also wore my cowboy boots to go out. Not the best photo, but I was once given the Honest Blogger award so I’m posting it anyway.

When we got home it was chilly as the heating had been off all day so I put my cosy hoodie back on. We managed to get a few presents and I got some new jogging bottoms for the gym as out of the two pairs I have, one pair is faded beyond belief and the other pair is held up with a piece of string as the drawstring tie snapped years ago. The new pair were a bargainous £12 from the New Look Tall range.

Grey hoodie – Ascension Originals (gifted)
Stripe t – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Jeans – River Island
Pink furry boot slippers – Tesco
Black beret – Tesco
Whitby Jet cross – gifted

Total Est. Cost £60

Review: Ascension Originals Eco Fleece Zip Hoodie

On joining the Ascension Fashion Blog Partner scheme, I was invited to choose a product from the Ascension or Ascension Originals line to review. As I started going to the gym in the summer (ie. when it was warm) and was in need of a cosy hoodie for the chilly walk between my house and the gym, I chose the Ascension Originals Eco Fleece Zip Hoodie. I chose black but the actual colour is more of a charcoal grey (though this could be part of the vintage look of the fabric), which is fine. As the garment is unisex, it is actually designed to fit men although the women’s size equivalents are listed on the website. This is great for me as it means it is long in the body and the sleeves – perfect for a tall girl! It is super cosy – a cotton and polyester blend that is made from organic and recycled fibres. I put it on last night and may not take it off all winter it is so comfy and cosy.

The hoodie also comes in grey, pale blue and pale green and I would definitely recommend it. Ascension ship worldwide and delivery on orders over £50 is free (UK only).

Review: North Face NSE Tent Mule

When Fitness Footwear ask me to review these North Face Tent Mules, my contact there described them as being like ‘sleeping bags for your feet’. When you spend the winter being constantly cold as I do, that sounds like just the thing that could be missing from your life, so of course I was delighted to try them out.

The North Face mules come in various colourways, and I got them in the brown/pink combination shown here. They are super snug and very comfy. I am intending to use them as slippers, but they are water resistant according to the website and perfect for wearing around a campfire, should you be the outdoorsy type. The ladies’ styles go from a UK4.5 right up to a size UK10 so they will fit most people. They cost £28.95 (10% less than the RRP) and as always at Fitness Footwear, UK shipping is free.

Outfit: Cold Friday

Last night was a bit of a wash out weather wise – it started raining at around 2.30pm and didn’t stop – so we decided not to bother going out for fireworks. There’s another bonfire at a different pub on Saturday so if the weather is better we may venture to that one instead. This morning couldn’t have been more different however. The sun was coming up (and visible for about the first time in a week) when I left the house and the air was crisp and cold. Mist hung in the valleys mixed with smoke, still lingering from the many bonfires and fireworks last night. If this weather holds out for the weekend it will be lovely.

I’m wearing my other new sweater today. The colour on the label is ‘Atlantic’ and it’s a sort of teal-y blue colour. There is no Lycra in this one so the fit is not quite as good, and the sleeves are less long than I would have liked, but it’s a lovely colour and will go with plenty I already have. It is ribbed so a little more casual than the purple one, but it will still work well with ordinary work clothes. But today I’ve paired it with jeans and my cowboy boots. I’ve not worn these boots in about a fortnight which has to be some kind of record for me – usually they’re not off my feet more than about 2 days at a time.

This evening a group of us from work are going bowling for someone leaving do (he’s Muslim so the usual drinks were not an option). I think I’ll stay dressed as I am for ease.

Teal sweater – Long Tall Sally
Jeans – River Island
Brown cowboy boots – New Look
Leopard print scarf – Diamonds & Pearls
Brown wood earrings – Dorothy Perkins

Total Est. Cost £110

25% Off at Dorothy Perkins Online

Get 25% off everything at Dorothy Perkins (online only) by entering DPVIPD at the checkout – the code even works for items that are already reduced! Offer valid from today until Sunday 15th November.

10% Off at Fitness Footwear!

For 10% off famous brand footwear, enter WINWARM10 at the checkout.

A wide range of EMU boots, Caterpillar, Fit Flops Gogh shoes and Sketchers Shape Ups are in stock, not to mention Ladies' Snow Boots for when the weather gets really cold.

Offer valid until 9th November.

Vintage Military Costume Sale

Angels Fancy Dress is holding a military sale of costumes that they have supplied to various films including Saving Private Ryan, The Great Escape, Dad’s Army and Band of Brothers.

It is on Saturday 28th November 2009 at

Angels Warehouse
3 Boundary Road
Wembley
HA9 7ND
(Nearest tube: North Wembley)

Doors open 8.30am

Admission is £5 and there is a simple pricing structure as follows:

• £20 each for coats/jackets
• £20 each for helmets
• £10 each for trousers/breeches
• £10 each for caps
• £5 each for equipment (sml)
• £10 each for equipment (med)
• £20 for equipment (combined set)

Click here for further details.

Outfit: New Sweater

I had an outfit all planned out for today (stolen from what Kimberley was wearing the other day) but then my new sweaters arrived yesterday so I’ll save my copycat ways for next week.

I can see this purple sweater becoming a favourite this winter. It has lovely button detailing on the shoulder and roll neck which I have tried (possibly unsuccessfully) to photograph. I can’t wait to pair it with all sorts of other things but today I’m loving the look of the lilac scarf over the darker purple.

It was just 3˚C as I was driving to work this morning so I am glad I put on my over the knee boots to keep my legs (and knees!) toasty warm.

Purple polo neck sweater – Long Tall Sally
Grey wool skirt – Gap
Grey wool tights – Levante(?) @ MyTights.com
Grey boots – Priceless Shoes
Lilac scarf – Diamonds & Pearls

Total Est. Cost £102

Long Tall Sally Shopping

I came into some extra money unexpectedly last week, so I decided to treat myself to a few items from Long Tall Sally. I’d been on the lookout for another pencil skirt, in a colour other than black, and spotted this grey one. I haven’t received it yet (there was a 1 week wait on it when I ordered) but the website has been updated today to say that it has been dispatched (or ‘despatched’ as LTS prefer to spell it). As they are now using a courier service rather than the Royal Mail (like most online shopping sites it seems), I am hopeful that it will arrive tomorrow. Oh, and there was an offer for 20% off all suiting last week so I got a discount on it too!

My other two items arrived yesterday and I am really pleased with them. As I tend to live in polo necks all winter I thought I’d get a couple in brighter colours than the ones I already have. The purple one is super stretchy and has lovely long sleeves.

The blue one has less long sleeves but will still look fab I think. I can’t wait to wear it.

Outfit: Wednesday

I just typed Thursday for the title of this post. That’s wishful thinking for you. I’m having a busy week so far. Last night I had tea at my sister’s and then we went to a friend’s flat for an evening of playing Singstar. It was great fun, especially when another friend & I tried to rap Ice Ice Baby!

Tonight I have a choir committee meeting so I’m missing the drama group rehearsal. Tomorrow is either church choir or a firework display, depending on what we decide to do bonfire-wise. And Friday night I am going bowling with some people from work for a leaving do.

I am a walking advert for Long Tall Sally today. I have another pencil skirt on order from them so if you’re getting sick of seeing this one, hopefully I will have another one to wear soon.

Grey polo neck sweater – Long Tall Sally
Black pencil skirt – Long Tall Sally
Red belt – Next
Black rib tights – Tesco
Red shoes – Next
Scarf – charity shop

Total Est. Cost £87

Outfits: Argyle Tuesday

I love that I am wearing purple tights today but they can only be seen from behind and when I walk. I am super cosy in a wool skirt and over the knee boots today – just as well since it’s cold and wet outside.

Tonight is girls’ night at my friend’s flat so I’m off to my sister’s for tea as she lives near the friend whose flat we are going to. I’ve brought my PS2 and the Singstar games so it should be a fun night.

Black Argyle sweater – Next Tall
White shirt – Topshop Tall (eBay)
Grey wool skirt – Gap
Purple tights – Accessorize
Black boots – Priceless Shoes
Purple necklace – Scope
Lilac scarf – Diamonds & Pearls

Total Est. Cost £96

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing my pencil skirt
…reading ‘Prep’ by Curtis Sittenfield
…watching season 4 of The Flying Doctors
…listening to ‘Bad Influence’ by Pink and a dance mix of ‘I am the One and Only’
…eating Ambrosia Crumble pots
…shopping for nothing

Outfit: Lucky Monday

This outfit was inspired by a picture in November’s Lucky magazine. It’s a great way of wearing a shirt as the top layer, but still staying cosy on a cold autumn day. I will definitely try this again.

I still can’t believe it’s November already. It’s Bonfire Night in the UK on Thursday and I’ve been looking up local bonfires and firework displays for us to go to. I love getting all bundled up in a hat and scarf to go watch a firework display.

Black & white stripe shirt – Next
Black pencil skirt – Long Tall Sally
Black tights – M&Co
Tweed shoes – Matalan
Black patent belt – New Look Tall (free with a shirt)
Turquoise scarf - eBay

Total Est. Cost £50

Outfit: Sunday School Teacher

I was on teaching duties this morning so I had to drag myself out into the wind and rain and go to church. We learned about Halloween and All Saints Day (which is today) and made stained glass windows. I did the Tesco shopping on the way home and am now enjoying a leisurely afternoon. I might watch some Flying Doctors later if the young man goes out with his friend.

Black cashmere cardi – Florence + Fred at Tesco
Black polo neck sweater – New Look Tall
Denim skirt – Matalan
Black leggings – New Look Tall
Black boots – Matalan
Leopard print scarf – Diamonds & Pearls
Brown wood earrings - Dorothy Perkins

Total Est. Cost £72

Outfit: Saturday & Another Coat

My houndstooth coat made its debut for the winter on Saturday. It is a Dorothy Perkins Tall one, and it cost me just £7 on eBay last year.

I headed over to Harrogate to meet my sister and parents to have lunch out to celebrate my mum’s birthday. Afterwards we headed back to our hometown to take my mum shopping for her birthday present. We got her two sweaters that she had seen and liked.

My sister & I hung out at our parents’ house for a while, then went back to my sister’s and ordered takeout and watched Hocus Pocus, I movie I always watch on Halloween. My sister had somehow got to 29 and never seen it.

Grey sweater – Long Tall Sally
Jeans – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Red boots – Nine West (Century 21)
Scarf – charity shop

Total Est. Cost £98