Party Time

Despite being a big old introvert who doesn't like parties, I made an exception for the work Christmas do. Well you have to, don't you? My colleagues are a lovely bunch, plus there was an open bar. Yoicks! I frocked up, whacked on some red lippy and went out.

If I were a proper organised sort of blogger, I'd no doubt have scheduled in a separate photoshoot outdoors, in daylight, in front of a colourful doorway to show off my outfit to optimum effect. Instead I completely forgot, got drunk and then flung my phone at someone at the very end of the night and shrieked "Don't take any pictures where I look fat!". Classy.

(Why, oh why, is red so hard to photograph? Admittedly we were in a fairly dark hotel lobby and both the photographer and subject had had a shandy or twelve but still, grrr.) This frock is the absolute perfect shade of red and I love it. You may have to see it in real life to appreciate what it actually looks like though.

London skyline tights FTW.

Dress - Dorothy Perkins
Heels - Shelly's, Spartoo
Bag - gift
Jacket - vintage, from Kinky Melon
Tights - can't remember! They're epic though.

Despite my antisocial tendencies, I had a lovely night. 

It's Black and White Really

I was anti-leggings for a long time. That was the side-effect of being born in the 80s: you grew up wearing wildly patterned leggings and oversized tshirts and it wasn't the best of looks. Definitely not something I wanted to reprise in later life, so when they came back into shops a few years ago, I wasn't a fan.

Then I became a total convert. Of plain black ones, anyway. I have loads of long jumpers and too-short dresses (dunno how, I'm only 5'2!) and they were perfect to chuck on underneath. But then I bought a house and did all the redecorating whilst wearing my comfiest clothes. Et voila, all my leggings ended up covered in paint and I had no money left to buy new clothes. Wah wahhhh.

Pertz came to my rescue recently and asked if I wanted to try out a new pair of leggings to review. Obviously I did! Can't exactly get away with paint-stained ones outside the confines of my own home, can I?  I dusted off a dress that is verging on far-too-short (in its defence, it is from the Petite range and I'm at the tall end of that) and gave them a whirl.

Now I must admit that initially I was a bit "oh god, they're shiny" when I got them out of the packet as I was expecting cotton ones for some reason. I wasn't expecting to love them but it took about two seconds for them to win me over. They're so comfy! Also I won't bore on too much about my weight issues at the moment but suffice to say I am not content with my size right now and my problem area is always, always my dreaded stomach. These leggings are cunningly designed and cut to suck all that in without killing you and the fabric smooths over any potential cellulitey areas too. Yoicks! I might have fat legs but they look considerably better when wearing these!

Dress - Dorothy Perkins
Leggings - Pertz
Cardi - Gap
Heels - Irregular Choice (a few years old but you can find similar here)

Gasp...I'm Wearing Something That's Nearly Pink

Oh hey, what's this? An outfit post, in the new house? Woohoo!

Now admittedly it's not the best photography in the world as I still have to get to grips with the lighting - the green chandelier I absolutely *had* to have in the library is amazing but doesn't cast the most consistent glow in the world! But hey, how much better are LOADS OF BOOKS than a boring plain white wall? Pshaw, stylish bloggers, books will always win!

Actual house blog posts will follow at some point in the future. I know I moved in last November but I am a) extremely untidy and b) a world champion procrastinator so there are still plenty of bits that need fixing and/or tidying before I can record them for posterity on t'blog.

I felt rather sassy today though, so wanted to snap some outfit pics, dodgy lighting and all. My wardrobe has been somewhat lacking in #wardrobezoo recently and a horse print top is always a very welcome addition to the clan. It's verging on being pink but I won't hold that against it!

Love a good long top!

Shirt - from Char
Cardi - Hawkshead
Skirt - H&M
Heels - Dorothy Perkins
Ring - MerCurios

A New Vintage Frock

I had a bit of a trying-on session of lots of my vintage clobber last weekend. Sad times. As I bought most of them just after The Great Weight-loss Campaign and have subsequently chubbed up a bit, lots of them don't quite fit any more. Actually, lots of them never really fitted - I was hoping I'd slim down a bit more and magically get into them and, well, that never happened.

On the bright side, the fabulous Vix was in my neck of the woods at the time. All her vintage stock is so incredibly tempting that it's not really surprising that I treated myself to some new bits and bobs, is it? Then I went back the next day and bestowed a large bag of vintage goodies on her. In the spirit of decluttering, I decided to get rid of all the aforementioned stuff that never fitted, along with a load of silk scarves I never wear. Might as well let them get passed onto someone that will appreciate them!

Being the all-round excellent person she is, Vix made me take a couple more delightful vintage frocks home with me in exchange. Think we can all agree that this 70s midi is a winner, right?



As with anything midi on me, I need some extra height so I don't look too drowned by all the fabric. Enter a nice pair of sandals with enough of a heel to help out my poor stumpy legs.



My resting bitch face is strong today but I do love it, I promise! Also well done hair, you look epic here.








Dress - courtesy of Vix's amazing vintage shop
Summery wedges - Dolcis
Ring - Dorothy Perkins sale
Necklace - either Dorothy Perkins or H&M! All my jewellery comes from there...

Long time, no outfit post...

I'm just not entirely feeling it at the moment. Mainly cos urgh, life is severely getting in the way, but also because I am feeling mahoosive right now and outfit photos are not turning out the same way that my reflection does. Funny that.



My new skirt is undoubtedly very pretty though, so that's some solace. As is the cardi. You just have to be careful not to wear it on sunny days because hello awkward tan lines.



Also I've finally been able to dig out all my summer sandals. Yay! These trusty cork-soled wedges have been going strong for about 15 years now. Love 'em.




Skirt - George
Cardi - Dorothy Perkins
Stacking rings - H&M sale
Wedges - Dolcis

Big Sleeves...Big Hair

It's a good job I saved this dress for today. If I'd worn it earlier in the week there's a distinct chance I'd have taken off and been blown across the Irish Sea.

There is a lot of fabric in these sleeves. If a gust of wind had caught them in the wrong direction, I reckon I'd have been rapidly transformed into a well-dressed kite.




It's excellent fun to wear though. I feel very dramatic.

It barely needs any embellishments either. I've tried wearing a cardigan over it and well, that turned into a giant tangle of fabric. Luckily the dress fabric is a really nice thick jersey so it's lovely and warm just by itself. If I need extra warmth I can always tuck myself up in the sleeves!






Dress - Pearl Lowe @ Peacocks
Shoes - TK Maxx
Ring - Dorothy Perkins sale

Be A Bear

You might have seen this snazzy little saying doing the rounds recently.

I'm not on board with it. Unicorns are magic and all, that's got to be fun, but they're also super graceful and pure and seem to do little except hang round in woods with virgins. Hmmm. Not really my style that, I've got to be honest.  Also they're basically just horses with horns. I'd rather just be a horse.

Actually, I'd rather be a bear.



Bears are cool. They look all cute and fluffy but they're secretly ferocious.  No-one gives bears any shit.  And they get to hibernate! God, I'd love to go to sleep for six months.





Jumper - c/o Logon Style
Jeggings - Primark
Boots - Shoezone
Rings - Dorothy Perkins

In conclusion: bears are good. Be a bear. Roar.



*[]*

A New Purchase

Spot what's new and different about my outfit today:



Nope, haven't accidentally lost a foot, although this photo does suggest it...




Is it that my shirt has PINK in it?



Well, yes, but that's not really what I'm talking about.

I've got my first ever pair of jeggings on! I'm such an early adopter of fashion trends. 
*snorks quietly to self*



I dunno, I think I assumed they were the crappy version of skinny jeans and I don't get on with jeans at the best of times, so I'd never bothered trying any.  Then I had a horrendous jeans shopping trip, threw a tantrum and went "OH FUCK IT, I'LL BUY SOME FUCKING JEGGINGS THEN. I GIVE UP."

Yeah, in the middle of Primark.  Oh well, that place has seen a lot worse. No-one batted an eyelid at my little outburst.  And it turns out that jeggings are alright. Definitely less hideous than the jeans I was trying on and a hell of a lot cheaper. A smidgen too long for my midgety legs but hey ho.



Shirt & heels - Dorothy Perkins
Cardi - Hawkshead
Jeggings - Primark

Is It A Bird? No, It's A Plane

I like it when a plan comes together.

I also very much like it when an outfit comes together. I don't usually put that much effort into pairing things up - things either work within the context of my limited wardrobe and accessories or they don't. Time and money prevent me from dithering around finding the "perfect" thing to match it up with.

Also I have a raging hatred for blog posts about things like "10 ways to wear jeans". Here's a crazy notion: put them on your legs and get on with your day.

 Ahem. Am I a fashion blogger or a fraud?

So I totes bought this AMAZE top and I was all "OMG, whatever will I wear it with?"
*consults ASOS, asks on Twitter etc*



Yeah, I actually just looked in my wardrobe and went "That'll do", then ended up actually liking my reflection in the mirror for once. Score.

It is an amazing top though. Maps and planes!!

Top - Vero Moda (get it here)
Blazer - Warehouse via charity shop
Jeans - Gap
Heels - Shelly's via Spartoo
Stacking rings - Dorothy Perkins