A Capital Frock

Clothes are funny old things.  Although I am in undoubted love with this frock, I do spend quite a lot of time feeling both wide and short in it.  I have frocks that are a similar length so it's not that it needs shortening.  Perhaps it's just the quantity of fabric in the skirt.  I'd rather whack on an extremely high pair of shoes for morale and height boosting purposes but that isn't always practical.  Sometimes I just have to accept my shortarseness and wear flats.

Let's look on the bright side though.  At least five people at work said "I LOVE your dress!" (including my boss, who is not normally the most observant man in the world when it comes to clothes).  The print is fanbloodytastic.  And it was only £15 in the sale! This, dear readers, is where it pays to be a bit cheeky.  I'd happily have paid the £20 asking price but one of the belt loops on it was ripped - the sort of tiny belt loop that would take two minutes and two stitches to repair (and as it turns out, is completely useless anyway as I prefer a different belt than the one that came with it).  But it's always worth asking, however minor the problem, as sometimes the sales assistants are happy to knock a fiver off.  Yoicks!

Apologies for the BOOBS photo but I keep getting told off for not showing off the bodice part of my frocks and, well, this is the only way to really do it.

Dress - River Island

Cardi - Matalan

Belt - Primark

Flats & pearls - Dorothy Perkins

Warning: Contains Ugly Shoes

ASOS is not a website that I stalk religiously.  In fact, I don't often go on it at all because I'll only end up spending money.  I only really venture over there when people send me tempting links (Twitter is bad for this, very bad) and during the sales, which are gooooooood.

So today I spent my morning tea break idly browsing the shoes and wondering if I actually need a pair of gingerbread men pattern shoes, or whether they're just so flipping cute I am in mad want of them.  I'm still pondering that one.  I got totally distracted by a little game I like to call Hideous Shoe Hunt.  Oh boy, ASOS know how to pick 'em!

Cos I'm a generous soul, I then spent my lunch break picking out the worst offenders to share with you.

Those of a nervous disposition may wish to scroll down to the bottom of the post now...

Cheaper (and probably more stylish) to just strap a box to the bottom of your shoes than buy these, no?

Sorry, don't care if these are Alexander McQueen.  You would have to pay me the £265 to wear them. I loathe and detest those tread soles.

So much wrong with these I don't really know where to start.

Does any shoe really need a high-rise with leather uppers and a Liberty floral print and cut-out inserts to the sides and a rolled cuff and an elastic lace closure to the reverse and an open heel design and peep toe styling and a slim sole and a high, plexy heel (which frankly, always remind me of stripper shoes)?

Make it stop. Please.

I think these might be the most awful things I've ever seen.

I may have to stop now before I'm sick.  The fringed monstrosity above has had a bad effect on me.

On a positive note, there are some lovely things on there too. Want to see the gingerbread shoes?  Course you do!

I still haven't made my mind up about them.  Am I being distracted by their cuteness?

These are also v. sweet.

And I'm seriously considering these, floral and daft as they may be.

Red, White and Ooooh

Do you ever think to yourself "Oh I've got loads of shoes/accessories/cardigans"?  I do it all the time, mostly when struggling to cram things into my annoyingly small wardrobe.  Yet when it comes down to it, it doesn't mean I actually vary my style choices that much.

Perhaps it's because of storage issues or because I'm terrible at doing the ironing but I often stick to the same cardi for several different outfits, or will wear one set of earrings or necklace for about two weeks in a row.  I don't even notice I'm doing it until I actually put two sets of outfit photos together like I have here.  Both outfits were worn over the Jubilee weekend (I know, I know, I am late at posting the pictures.  Don't all hit me with your discarded bunting) and are on the red, white and blue side of things,  so perhaps that's another reason why.  After all, even I don't need more than one pair of red Mary Janes.

What I do need is pretty much every sort of leg and foot related accessory that M&S Limited Collection are producing at the moment.  Check out the socks. 

I know they're not odd but I believe I've already mentioned at some point that knee high socks are the exception to the Odd Sock Law.

Shorts & tshirt - H&M

Cardi - Matalan

Socks - Marks & Spencer Limited Collection

Shoes and necklace (it's actually a headband) - Dorothy Perkins sale

Bangles & ring - Primark

And the tights!  Ooooh, aren't they just amazing?!

 

It's London.  On my legs!

Dress - via New Life

Cardi - Tu

Tights - Marks & Spencer Limited Collection

Shoes & headband (actually worn as a headband) - Dorothy Perkins sale


Too, too tempting.  Perhaps I can make room in my tights suitcase and sock drawer just for a few more... After all, I don't think I've ever said "Oh I've got too many tights."

Fond of a Bargain

Sometimes it's not until I get to the end of an outfit post and list where everything is from that I realise quite how much I shop in sales.  It's not because I actively like sales shopping - far from it.  You will not find me outside Next at 4am on Boxing Day (apologies to any readers who like to do this but I think you are MENTAL), nor will you find me elbowing other women out of the way in search of the perfect pair of cheap jeans.  I don't see shopping as a competitive sport.  I just wander round the shops every now and then and if I see something that's cheap, nice and wearable, I buy it.  I don't tend to buy things full price because I am a skinflint (notable exception = Irregular Choice shoes).

This whole outfit cost under £30.  If I'd bought all the elements of it at full price, well I can't actually tell you how much it would have cost, but easily double that.  Possibly triple.  I don't tend to remember the label price, just the price I actually paid.  I am a great one for going "Ha! Only £7 in the sale!" when people compliment me on things.  Should probably try and stop doing that actually...

The frock is tres cute but a wee bit clingy, so doesn't always look great when photographed.  Here I am breathing in quite a lot:

And here, pulling quite the odd face.  Best of a bad bunch I'm afraid.

Dress - River Island sale

Shoes - Dorothy Perkins sale

Jacket - H&M sale

Scarf - People Tree, birthday present

Bracelet - Shared Earth sale

A New Pretty Frock

I've been slightly out of love with Dorothy Perkins recently. It was always my go-to shop in the fat days because of the range of sizes they did but it seems that my losing weight and getting stingier with my cash coincided with them hiking prices up and skimping a bit on the quality of their clothes. And let's face it, I am definitely turning into a grumpy old woman who tuts loudly over price labels and thin material.

I'm sure I'll fall properly back in love with it when I have more disposable cash but in the meantime I'll restrict myself to sale shopping because that never fails to turn up winners. I head to the jewellery and accessories first, have a quick look at the shoes and then rummage through the concession rails. On Monday I scored two gorgeous clutches which are going to be Christmas presents for people - Twitter opinion seemed split as to whether I was being organised or mental with this. (Didn't dare admit I'd started buying Christmas presents in the January sales...) I also bagged myself a nice new ring and an addition to my pretty frock collection.

Good old Uttam London. I liked this dress when it was £32 but I'm just not paying that much for dresses anymore. However, when it's reduced to 7 English pounds then you just know I'm going to snap it up. Pretty, summery and it has pockets. Love it. If you like it as much as I do then give me a shout - they had 3 or 4 Large ones left in store and I'm happy to go and look.

I know I've chopped the top of my head off in this pic but my hair is looking nice...

Frock - Uttam London @ Dorothy Perkins sale
Shoes - Primark
Rings - Dorothy Perkins sale (white) & Next sale (orange)
Cardi - Tesco sale
Bow - silk scarf from 69a in Liverpool. I'm going back for more, it was only £1.20!

Hitting The Sales

A moderate amount of sales shopping took place over the holidays. Frankly I couldn't be bothered fighting my way through the crowds in the shops or trawling through endless crap on the websites, so I've probably missed a lot of good stuff. I'm not particularly bothered by this though as I didn't have much to spend and I was mainly trying to be sensible. I went into it aimed with a list of things I actually needed, and determined not to buy stuff just because it was reduced. So what did I end up with?

First of all, from my trusty Dorothy Perkins:

See, look at me being sensible with a pair of khaki skinny cords. I have no trousers anymore, only jeans, and I can't get away with those forever. So I've indulged my fondness for cord trousers and bought these.

Erm, I suppose I technically didn't need this but I love jumpers, I really do. And this has pockets!! Plus I put it on and immediately boinged round in it and I think that any piece of clothing that can provide that level of instant joy is an immediate keeper.

I also bought some other random bits (belts etc) but didn't like them when they turned up. I think I'm coming to the conclusion that belts should never be bought online as the pictures never reflect what they actually look like. So I took them back to the store yesterday and exchanged them for a pair of tights (oh how I love DP tights) and this scarf, but in red rather than brown.

Then from River Island:

I am so pleased with these shoes. Eagle eyed readers may have noticed that I was wearing them back in this post. I first bought them in early December in a moment of madness when I was desperate for some nice grey shoes or boots and couldn't find a pair anywhere. At £75 they were a tad (well, a lot) expensive and being suede, not the most practical choice of footwear. But I love them so that makes it ok. As luck would have it, the weather promptly turned evil and they hadn't been worn out of the house when I discovered that they were down to £35 in the sale. Hurrah! First pair promptly returned for a full refund and a new pair bought in the online sale.



This also fell into my basket when repurchasing the shoes. I am entirely blaming Margaret for this. If I hadn't seen it on her blog and fallen in love with it then I doubt I would have gone hunting through the website for it. It feels so lovely and I adore a dress with sleeves. However I'm still not entirely convinced that I suit high necklines and so am currently deciding whether it would be wiser to just return it for a refund. I might take a quick snap of it and post it on here for opinions when I can be bothered getting dressed.


Then when I was down in London I treated myself to this lovely green bag from H&M. It's probably fair to say that it's more than a little influenced by the Mulberry Alexa but I don't give a toss about designer bags so I really don't care. I like it. It's green. It was under £15. Why buy one that cost £750 instead?

I went to Gap for nice basics too. Their website is RUBBISH so I can't get you any photos of my purchases but I bought some gorgeous grey wool checked shorts which I'd been admiring muchly when they were full price, and a lovely forest green cardi, both of which I plan on wearing a lot. I'm sure you'll see them on here sooner rather than later.

Oh and before I go, thank you all for your lovely comments on the last post. I don't like to bang on about the weightloss too much so have always rather shied away from writing about it but some of you have asked for more info so I'll put something up soon. As for the books, yes I read very fast. I always feel that I'm a bit crap at writing reviews of things so don't tend to talk about books much on here but again, I'll give it a go if you want to read about it!