Day to Night

Friday was such a busy day for me but I was determined to keep in with my 21 day colour theme. My birth mam was coming down to stay at our house for the first time ever. The children didn't think twice to invite her for a sleepover and helpfully told her we have a spare room that my best friend from Belfast stays in when she visits....

Trousers - Matalan (sale), Vest - Matalan

Saturday morning was the time she would arrive, and given the state of the house after our flooded cupboards and 6 weeks of children being off school there was quite a bit of tidying up to do! I'd been invited out for my sister in law's birthday on Friday night, my eldest had her friend around for the afternoon and the hoover was attached to my hand all day. Does anyone else have to spend 2 days cleaning before guests or are you all domestic goddesses? I really need to organise myself better.

So the first pictures are very rare and probably never again will you see me without makeup, unless I have my sunglasses on ;o)
Roll on to Friday night.

Dress - Thrifted (unknown brand), Double ring - Primark, Bangles - Warehouse, Leather cuff - Primark

Time to let my hair down. Well I would have if I had any to let down. I'd planned to rummage amongst my summer frocks to try and get some final wear out of them but with one look out of the window to the clouds that had produced a crazy amount of rain all day long, autumn fashion was the way forward. I was secretly pleased, I always feel more glam in autumnal clothes.

Dress - Thrifted, Tights - Dorothy Perkins (sale), Boots - Dorothy Perkins

Loads of people commented on my dress, asking where I had got it from, "oh I can't remember, its been at the back of my wardrobe for agggggggges". Well OK, between you bloggers and I it was purchased in a charity shop 2 weeks ago! There are some people you can proudly tell about your thrifted purchases, but the crowd I was with on Friday night were not that type...
Sometimes it pays off to be different and stand out from the crowd. As I sat among the group of over done perma-tans it was my paleness that they were all cooing over and wishing they had skin like mine. One particular lady said "I would kill to have skin like yours" then started prattling on about how she ONLY has 6 minutes on a sunbed each day... A smile and nod and say nothing moment from me.

Here's my new toy! I've been after a DSLR for ages and could never afford one but my best friend was upgrading her camera and sold me a bargain. So far its never left the auto switch, I have no idea what I'm doing with it, and I cant even find the timer switch so my eldest is currently taking all of my blog photos. Shes enjoying being paparazzi though as the button has continuous shooting so its like a fashion show when she has it in her hands!

DSLR - Cheaper than usual off best friend, Double ring - Primark, Bangles - Warehouse, Leather cuff - Primark

Back to school....?

Well not quite school, but back in a learning environment again. I'd signed up for a Reiki course a couple of weeks ago and finally came the time to start learning. So armed with my book I set off to my 'Sensei's' home to begin my new journey into the world of Reiki. I was given this book, a large manual, a CD of relaxing music, cleansing spray and a large Amethyst crystal to help me with the work.
I don't have much to say on this as I'm very aware people fall into two categories, the interested who understand or would like to know more about it and the people who have no interest and basically think its a load of tosh. Each to their own, I'm not one to preach my views and I respect the views of others. Whether Reiki works I personally have to wait and see for myself, but I'll continue the practise and attend the groups and if all else fails I've met some new friends and interesting people along the way, which is always a bonus.

Dress - Topshop 'by Laura' (thrifted), Waistcoat - New Look, Leggings - Primark, Shoes - Primark, Cat - Lula!

Deja Vu

Twiggy - 1966

Twiggy has appeared again! I'm feeling so inspired by her at the moment and yet again I have found myself grabbing a 60s Mary Quant style dress out of the wardrobe.

Last night was yet another meal out followed by drinks at the local pub. No doubt after my little 'rush' of social events, that will probably be it until Christmas now! I had the usual moment of "what will I wear?", but this time I refrained from pulling out the whole contents of my wardrobe. My hands fell straight to a shift dress that I made for my GCSE textiles exam 13 years ago. I can't believe I've never actually wore this dress before, and now I'm hoping my mam still has the pattern I used as I quite fancy making more in this style!

Dress - Hand made by me, Boots - Faith, Ring - New Look, Pearls - Gift

Woke up this morning feeling rough! Wish it was alcohol inflicted but unfortunately it's just time for that summer cold.

Twiggy



How much is too much?

I often ask myself this when I'm buying an item of clothing or a pair of shoes. Whilst scouring the sales I never head for a rail that says anything other than "£10 or under" and even then I find myself thinking similar or even better items will be cheaper on EBay or in a charity shop. Apart from spending birthday money on a good pair of boots every couple of years or a handbag every few years (yes that rare for quality items) I haven't often splurged on a single item, unless it was for a very special occasion.

Dress - Topshop (via EBay!), Waistcoat - Miss Selfridge, Leggings - Primark

Last year as I stood staring at the sale rails I dared to venture over to the 'more than £10' rail though funny enough they never advertise that fact.... It was more out of morbid curiosity than any intention of buying anything. That was until my hands fell upon cold metal studs.... My eyes lit up as I stared at this, what I could only describe then as punky, waistcoat. Lifting it down from the rail the waistcoat almost fell out of my hands, the weight of that bloody thing is unbelievable! The price tag screamed at me, £50 reduced to £30. For a studded, punky waistcoat that I would only ever wear once. I thought and thought about it as I strolled around the shop and kept going back for another look. Sod it, for once I was going to treat myself to a quality piece and something I most certainly would never find in Primark. So that punky waistcoat is now a wardrobe staple for me. Ive worn it with a full on black goth style outfit, Ive dressed it down casual, its highlighted pretty floral dresses. Never in a million years did I think I'd wear it as much as I have done.

Having stumbled across a cost per wear calculator I've tested the theory for another major splurge of mine. Eight years ago I walked into Oasis and bought a faux fur coat for £100. I remember my mam and I both thinking that is a LOT of money! Now every winter since then, for approximately 3 months I have worn that coat every day. Its the most snug and cosy thing I have ever worn (and I doubt I will get another year out of it due to my love of shoulder bags). The calculator theory has worked out for me that my very expensive coat has actually worked out at approximately 14 pence per wear! Though that's assuming I take it off in spring... as we all know how dodgy the British weather is no doubt I have worn it even more than this.

It makes me think about the one off 'bargain' items from cheap high street stores that sit and hang in my wardrobe with the tags still attached months later. Is it worth paying a lot for something you will wear until it literally falls off your back? Better still if you find a bargain in a charity shop still full of life of course! If you'd like to try out the cost per wear calculator this is the one Ive just tried quickly: https://www.theskinnycow.com.au/cowculator/

I'm aware of the trend with bloggers for 'Frock on a Friday' and I absolutely love the idea. However Fridays for me are 'practical' days for me. I run a parent and toddler group in the mornings and every couple of weeks my Avon delivery arrives and I have to stand and sort through boxes and boxes of products. So basically its a day full of playing, carrying heavy play equipment, dodging sticky fingers/snotty noses, then lifting, bending and sorting! Hardly pretty frock weather. I did however manage to wear a dress (EBay bargain!) by teaming it with comfy leggings and black pumps! My youngest daughter decided yesterday she wanted to wear her party dress and I almost said no until I thought to myself shes not going to any more parties in the very near future, shes growing fast, shes independent, "yes" I surprised her with my answer. Her little face lit up! So today I yet again let The Terror again choose her own outfit (make the most of it before September comes!) and she pulled out our most recent bargain, a £3 Dappa Dot (oooh how much do I love the name of that brand!) hareem style jumpsuit from TK Maxx. She managed to climb, jump, run, ride bikes in total comfort and style. So whilst I set the tripod up to take my blog photos for today's post she asked me to take a photograph of her funky outfit. Bless her cotton socks (well, they save her sandals hurting her toes!)

Jumpsuit - TK Maxx, Sandals - TK Maxx