Winter Wool

I'm sure there are many varied and hilarious lists out there entitled "You Know You're A Fashion Blogger When..."

Well, I'd like to start off a new list entitled "You Know You're A Crazy Fashion Blogger When..." and start it with:

• You voluntarily take outfit photos outside when it's minus 4.  And you take off your coat. And your gloves.

Because I was (relatively) snuggly warm when I was dressed like this:

But then I stripped off the layers and it was COLD. 

Like I said, crazy fashion blogger.  Mind you, had I not been wearing this jumper then I would have been chillier still.  I do enjoy wearing plus size tops in winter, especially when they're as snuggly as this one.  You can chuck all sorts of layers on underneath (you can't see the long sleeved top and a band tshirt under this) and if it's a good jumper you manage to get away with looking like you've deliberately worn it that way, rather than bearing a striking resemblence to someone in their dad's clothes.

The boots might not look it, but they're actually quite a sensible choice. My feet are further away from the cold ground and they're lovely and easy to walk in! Plus there's room for some festive odd sock action underneath.

Coat - Kookai, via car boot sale

Jumper - Primark

Shorts - Gap

Boots - Aldo, via ASOS

Scarf - unknown

Mittens & hat - Dorothy Perkins

Turning August Into Autumn

In the autumn, a fashion blogger's fancy turns to thoughts of layers*.  And tights.  And knits.  And scarves, hats, boots and all the other deliciously cosy things that have been neatly packed away in vintage suitcases since April.

We class autumn as September-November, don't we?  It may technically still be summer now but I've already given up on it.  It's been warm enough for bare legs about three times all year and I'm officially pronouncing it time to start donning tights and jackets again.  I don't care if it still says August on the calendar.

Now I'm not one of those people who dives headlong into look books at this time of year and starts fantasising about the squillions of pounds they're going to spend on new knitwear.  Mainly because I don't have squillions of pounds.  Partly because I don't have that big a wardrobe/house either.  I mostly have to make do with what I've already got, with the addition of a few nice new bits and bobs.

I've been saying this for months now, I know, but I really am trying to buy better.  That means tracking down things I actually need and filling gaps in my wardrobe rather than adding to my enormous collection of grey jumpers.  Instead of indulging my love for Irregular Choice and buying these, I was practical and bought these .  Actual sensible, waterproof footwear.  Go me.

The one obvious gap in my wardrobe was leather jacket shaped, so when French Connection emailed me and asked if I'd like to review something from their A/W range I knew exactly what to go for. 

I absolutely love it.  Why have I never owned one before?  I did this with shorts: was absolutely convinced they were not for me, tried them, loved them.  Perhaps I need to expand my clothing horizons a bit more.  Anyway, back to the jacket.  I trust you know I wouldn't be saying this if I didn't truly think it (my opinion is not for sale) but it's beautiful.  Feels fantastic, looks wonderful, makes me feel considerably cooler than usual.  What's not to love?

Jacket - c/o French Connection

Dress - People Tree sale

Boots -  Aldo via ASOS sale

Ring - Primark

Necklace - belonged to my Grandma

*apologies for mangling Tennyson

Day Three

So it's Day Three and I'm rocking the oh-so-stylish wifebeater and open shirt combo today.  Yup, I am no more organised than I was yesterday.  Did you expect anything different?  Have you met me?  I am a complete last-minute lucy. 

I actually rather like it though.  The shirt is ever such a pretty colour and I think it counteracts any potential slob factor.

But what's new about this outfit, I hear you cry.  You have seen the jeans and the boots many times.  Although the shirt is newish, I'm pretty sure I've blogged it before.  Well, the new thing is THIS:

Meet my new bag and the guardian of the #wardrobezoo.  I am not usually much of a handbag sort of girl but you have to agree that she is fairly amazing. Plus she totally reminds me of Owlma from Greenclaws (my favourite kids tv show of all time).

"Twit twoo, twoo, twit twit twoo?"

I'm going to see The Importance of Being Earnest tonight so frankly there is no better occasion on which to debut a new handbag.  Even Lady Bracknell couldn't disapprove of this one.

Shirt - Matalan, gift

Jeans & vest top - Dorothy Perkins

Boots - Aldo, via ASOS sale

Bag - Irregular Choice, via Debenhams

Getting Dressed

Goodness me, I feel as if I've forgotten how to get dressed recently, let alone do an outfit post.  I am fighting a joint battle against the last, lingering effects of the plague (I have been blowing my nose for 10 days now - it is SORE) and trying to reduce the overwhelming amounts of stuff that I own. More on the decluttering saga at a later date, but in brief - so much stuff.  No room.  Am living surrounded by towering heaps of crap that I don't know what to do with.  Help.

Despite the fact that I've actually done some ironing for once (I know, right? I'm as surprised by this as you are), it doesn't mean clothes are actually accessible at the moment.  I just cast my eye over the easily reachable things and went: t-shirt, yup, shorts, yup, still not warm enough to go bare legged so tights, yup, boots, yup.  This pair were so desperate to be worn that they fell out of the wardrobe and threw themselves across the room.

Note to self.  Don't take outfit photos at 5pm.  You look crumpled.

Tshirt - Hero and Cape
Shorts - H by Henry Holland, Debenhams sale
Boots - Aldo, Asos sale
Rings - Landbaby (owl) and Dorothy Perkins sale (white)

Green Spots

Ever put on an outfit that just makes you smile?

This one had me in a good mood all day yesterday.  I just had to look down at my legs and I was happy.  Great big polka dots = fun times.  Also these tights are clearly magic because check out the back of my thigh in the picture below.  Where has it gone?? 

Magic I tell thee.

But anyway, happiness inducing outfit all round.  The jacket and dress both have an extra little coating of satisfaction because they were sale and charity shop purchases respectively.  And we all know that saving money makes things better, yes? 

And this is why I rarely smile in photos. I was feeling happy, honest I was, yet still I look mardy.

They are honestly one of the comfiest pairs of shoes I own.  As long as you remember the zips go on the outside and don't put them on the wrong feet...

Dress - Billie & Blossom @ Dorothy Perkins, sale

Blazer - Warehouse, via Oxfam

Tights - wish I could remember! Possibly a stall in the Rag Market in Birmingham

Boots - Aldo sale

Clutch - Dorothy Perkins, present from Char

Bracelets - presents from Zoe and Chloe

And that, my lovelies, is that. At least for this week. I don't really have anything else to say about the outfit other than I love it, but I think you may have already gathered that.


Before I go though - to anyone that expressed an interest in the Good Reads thing I mentioned in this here post, I shall be in touch very soon. If you didn't see that post, go and have a read and please do leave me a comment if you're interested. The more the merrier!

Fighting the Elements

Summer seems like a long, long time ago doesn't it? Well maybe not if you're lucky enough to live in Spain or somewhere equally warm and sunny, but I live in Liverpool. Today it was 2 degrees and when it wasn't hailing, it was pissing down with rain. By all rights I should have been in galoshes and oilskins but I refuse to give into such things. Instead I whacked on the red lippie and the red shorts (Shorts: Not Just For Summer) and debuted a new pair of boots. They aren't exactly galoshes but they are waterproof.

Now don't fall over in shock, for I know I am not renowned for practical shoes. It took work to track down black wedge boots that weren't a) suede or b) hideous. I like them lots, even if I did get confused by the zip placement and put them on the wrong feet when I first tried them on...

Jumper - Gap sale
Shorts - H&M
Boots - Aldo, via ASOS
Necklace - market stall in Dubrovnik