Mum on the Run - 3 hot days, 3 not quite so hot outfits!!!

I was meant to post this last night but ran out of time - hopefully it will all make sense!

We're going camping tomorrow morning so I won't be writing again until Sunday. We're also going to a wedding reception tonight and I'm just starting to wonder whether I need to pack anything more for our camping trip than bunting, jam jars to put flowers in and insect repellent. Hmm, that could be an interesting blog post - strategically placed triangles of bunting. Then again, perhaps not.

So with that in mind, I'm bringing you a triple whammy of outfits - to include some disasters in the blue leg and frosted lipstick department.

This printed silk dress was from Jigsaw about three years ago now. These Mango block heeled nude sandals that I bought at the start of the summer have done a great job of freshening up lots of older (not even vintage, just older) pieces, making them look more modern. It's been the same with the red Topshop sandals that I bought and which I am wearing below - and by that I mean that for the cost of two pairs of shoes my wardrobe looks more up to date than it did - not that I am smug or clever!

As our eldest took these photos yesterday morning she said "You can't show those, you've got blue legs. It looks like you're lacking in oxygen." How right she is! The morning light is always slightly blue but knowing that I wouldn't have time or the opportunity later on the day, they had to do. The blog was never meant to be about perfection, which is lucky. This is the liberty print Eliza sundress from Allium B, which has been fantastic in this warm weather.

This H&M skirt is of a similar age and a great piece for its £7.99 price tag as it is fully lined.  I bought the coral neon T-shirt that I am wearing with it this summer, also from H&M and also £7.99.  The gold wedges were from Dune a few years ago now too and look, I've changed colour from the shots above - no more blue legs for me.  I'm so fair that at times it's painful! Sadly for me spray tans don't last that long either so I have to have two coats before I look anything more than remotely off white. For the first day it's a bit dark but it doesn't take long to calm down.

On the way out of the front door I shoved on some lipgloss that I found lurking at the bottom of my bag and look - it's a frosted number which takes me right back to the late 80's. Very bananarama! Ah, you've got to laugh.

Hope that you are all enjoying the sun and I will see you on Sunday.

Mum on the Run - Wearing flared jeans and taking style inspiration from Rod Stewart and Bruce Springsteen

Yesterday evening my husband and I went to see Rod Stewart. Whilst I didn't wear this outfit, Rod was sporting a mighty fine white jacket just like mine - although I don't suppose that his cost £30 from Zara a couple of years ago.

 

Apparently the reviews described it as brilliant but camp and slightly cheesy (his performance that is, not the jacket), which is absolutely true and that's what made it fantastic. The best bit was when Rod, without realising it, was caught on a huge screen eyeing up one of his female musicians - of which, unsurprisingly, there were many. Classic!

 

 

I'm sure that some who have followed Style Guile for a while now will remember this outfit from last summer and possibly the one before. Really long, kick flared jeans with a wedge heel are great for giving the illusion of longer legs and additional height and fortunately a solid wedge heel makes it a fairly practical option. These jeans are also a nice change from skinny ones and there's no doubt that a flare on a jean does have the hip slimming effect that it claims. The jeans that I am wearing are from Mango and they come in a 34" leg as standard.

For a similar pair, Mango currently has these jeans for £16.99

To keep everything the right side of smart, I also wore a blue printed silk shirt from Gerard Darel at Bicester, Zara white jacket, Dune wedges and Orla Kiely bag.

As to his outfits, Rod had some great Kermit coloured green trousers, which I guess were a reference to his passion for Celtic. What with several changes of outfit comprising a white jacket, some leopard print, skinny black trousers and a yellow shirt, I think that he may become my new style inspiration. It's a good job that I'm not going to see Bruce Springsteen in concert tonight or it could be double denim and bandanas all the way. Wow, imagine that. On second thought, perhaps it's better not to.

Mum on the Run - A capsule wardrobe or a good excuse to go shopping?!

I know, I'm sorry, I've been a lazy blogger this week. It's not as though I've been sitting watching daytime TV all day and eating Doritos - although that doesn't sound like being lazy but more like having fun - it's just that somehow it hasn't quite come together.

 

I'm not sure when you will receive this but to set the scene, it's 7.05am, I'm up with the youngest of five children, in Wales and it's SUNNY! I can't believe it. Time to head off for the beach soon I think. We've realised that with Welsh weather you make the most of it whenever it may be. Which is why at 11pm we were outside around a campfire grilling halloumi and flat breads and which is why I now feel slightly nauseous as a result of too much food, too late and my cardi stinking of smoke (as does a new top that I was wearing to come over in and which I kept on all evening. Duh!)

 

So, just a couple of outfits as obviously due to my TV watching and Dorito eating I only got dressed twice this week and once it was in pretty much the same as I wore last time I posted (that's the beauty of bedroom chairs).

 

On the first hot and sunny day of the week I wore a white Mango dress and red Topshop shoes. It would seem that I only own one pair of shoes this summer! Sorry for the pretty dodgy photos - the 5 year old was in charge but at least I have a head on this one. Or perhaps that's not a good thing.

 

Here I have the blue GAP trousers which I showed not too long ago, Hobbs top, H&M necklace and Hobbs jacket, plus Topshop shoes. See, told you I had only one pair of shoes - and one jacket too. Some call it a capsule wardrobe - I call it a very good reason to go shopping.

Today it will be the turn of something different. A lovely new dress sent to me by Allium B which in some ways is far too nice to wear for crabbing and a day on the beach but on a day like today, you just have to go for it and live life dangerously. You never know, I might even go for a paddle.

Mum on the Run - When is a cardi not a cardi?

Sometimes only a cardi will do. Something which is open fronted so as to show a flash of the top being worn underneath - but sometimes a traditional cardi just doesn't feel right. Slightly dated, too work like, something like my grandma once wore, something I have owned for ages. Time for a change I think....

Don't get me wrong, over the years I have had many cardis in my wardrobe. For a while I loved the silk ones that Jigsaw did and I had them in a whole host of colours. Then boyfriend cardis became the rage, and Zara did/does brilliant ones for about £20. Boden is fantastic for cropped cardis, either cashmere or otherwise and also for crew neck and V-neck ones in a whole host of colours.  I also had a couple of ballet wrap ones from Fat Face and although I hadn't seen any for a while, Jigsaw has a cashmere ballet wrap in three colours.  Hobbs and Monsoon are great for boleros and Pure is one of the best for cashmere but sometimes these types of cardis just won't cut the mustard.

So, what are the alternatives and when is a cardi not a cardi? (Yes, I know I'm winging it on some of them so is it OK if we just focus on the "alternative" part of the question posed above, as opposed to the "when is a cardi not a cardi" part?)

...When it comes in the shape of a biker jacket. Open or done up, this one from Mint Velvet (£89) is a slightly more edgy alternative to a crew neck, button up to the neck, pastel option.

....When it's a swing cardigan. This Mint Velvet lace cardigan (£59) has a slightly boxy style and it would look lovely with just the top fastening done up. Worn over wider jeans and wedges, it would give a real 1970's feel.

 

....When it comes in a soft blazer style, such as this woven slouchy front jacket from Jigsaw (£69).

....When it's a Chanel inspired tweed knit, such as this one from Jigsaw (£198)

...When it's floral. OK, so this one is pushing the boundaries as it clearly is a cardigan but it's a very pretty one at that and would make a nice change from a plain one. Warehouse printed cardigan (£38)

...When it's made of a "non-cardi" style fabric, such as this lurex linen cardigan from Mango (£29.99), which also comes in a neutral colour and has elbow patches on it. There's also a lurex one at Reiss (£89) and a sparkly one at Jigsaw (£89)

....When it's less formal than a cardi type cardi, such as this All Saints sago pirate cardigan (£98) which is a fixed wrap style with a draped collar in a typical All Saints colour palette ie neutral.

...When it's just too cool to be a cardi, despite being called one! French Connection palm knitted cardigan (£75). I love this shade of blue and the seam details and different lengths make it that little bit special.

As I mentioned yesterday when blogging in the blazing heat, today we came to Wales where it is very un-hot (I know that's not a word but it describes the situation well) and where it is very un-dry (ditto). The journey was good, with everyone going in the opposite direction to us because clearly they knew something which we did not - namely that it was un-hot and un-dry. But anyway, as I sit here blogging with the fire lit, all is well with the world and tomorrow should be better. I think....

I think that these shoes remained on for all of 30 seconds after arriving, before being replaced by boots. I'm also wearing Cos grey skinny jeans (love the fact that they come in in-between sizes) and a cowl neck jumper from All Saints with a neon t-shirt underneath. I'm confident that tomorrow will see me out in my bikini!!!!

Mum on the Run - If the weather was warmer part 2!

Being such a total wimp, I've realised that the cold weather really doesn't have much of an impact on me at all. The reason for this is that unless it's 20 degrees outside, I still wear four layers of clothing so whether it's 4 degrees, 8 degrees, or 12 degrees, I'm still frozen.... I wonder, do you think that a bit of reverse psychology works as well on the weather as it does on (young) children? No, I suspect not either.

 

However, if the weather was a little (or a lot) warmer, I would be tempted to wear this outfit, which again I photographed having failed to negotiate the youngest away from her Barbie film. Well, if you've bothered to do your hair and make-up you've got to take advantage of it before it all goes flat/slides down your face.

 

The trousers are the Next ones I have written/tweeted about before. They are £18 and described as Harem Pants but I can assure you, there's not a drop crotch in sight. There may be a bit of bottom drooping but that's an entirely different matter and I can categorically assure you everything is where it should be in the crotch department.

 

The trousers are quite a lightweight fabric so it would need to be warmer to wear them.  Here I am wearing the navy ones but they also come in grey and black. At £18 I think that they are a great price for anyone tempted to venture into the non-harem, harem style of trouser.

 

This is a great jacket from Mango. It has a really good weight to it, so in theory it could be worn anytime soon. There are a whole host of jackets around in this tapestry/aztec print and also in this style. Zara had a good selection last year and for me they are a great way of tarting up (excuse the expression) one's jeans a little, or putting over a simple dress to take it up a notch. Jackets like this are multi-functional, sometimes a life saver and a kind of "one size fits all" piece to have in your wardrobe.

The trouble is that the image of this Topshop boucle coat (£79) which I wrote about several months ago now just won't leave me and I feel that I really need to bottom it out before too long. I know some of you will shout "yuck, granny coat" or think that it looks like something that the Queen would wear but I love the colours and the fact that the yellow on it looks as though it's there because a kiddie has gone up to it and crayoned on it. Why that should appeal I have no idea but there we are.

 

Once again, for the sake of research, I am prepared to go and try it and report back. My generosity knows no bounds!!!

Mum on the Run - If we had some warm weather, I think that I would wear this....

If the warmer weather won't come to me, I'm just going to have to pretend it's here, even if it is only for ten minutes or so whilst my photos are being taken. I tried to negotiate with the youngest in an attempt to persuade her to take these shots but I was given the choice of waiting for 20 minutes until Barbie had finished or doing them myself. I didn't have the heart to drag her away from Barbie, hence the mirror shots - which I don't like doing but there we go.  

 

I thought that something bright was called for after all the dull weather we have been having, so coral colour block it is! This is the Boden cashmere jumper which I unpacked the other day, worn with GAP legging jeans, which I bought in the sale for about £23. It's definitely a bright outfit but I don't mind colour -  in fact I am so fair that colours work better on me than neutrals.

I'm also wearing the Mango shoes I have written about a couple of times now. They come in black or pink (they are less pink and more nude really) and go with everything. I like that the ankle strap does up with a stud (see below) rather than a buckle. They are minimalist in their design, a good price and comfortable - particularly now that I have decided to keep them, as a result of which I can take the scratchy label out. Also, because they are nude, the ankle strap doesn't act as a leg shortener in quite the same way that ankle straps in other colours can.

So, if we had some warm weather, what would you be wearing?

Mum on the Run - A few High Street Heros - including a sharp trouser suit

Trouser suits have been hailed as one of "the" new looks of the season yet on the High Street they are actually few and far between.

Most of the trouser suits featured in the magazines easily come in at £350 plus and that's not a small amount to pay. So I was excited to see this trouser suit when I was in Mango today.  It's made in a lovely fabric and is very different to the traditional suiting prints/fabrics that are out there. Not a pin stripe, fleck or check in sight!

This is the Mango Blazer which at £59.99 is a fantastic price. It could easily have walked off the rails at Whistles. I love the panelling which makes it striking but still smart enough for work.

These are the Tapered suit trousers (£49.99) which go with the jacket. They are a great shape - really modern and as the name suggests, they taper in to the ankle, finishing at a flattering length. They make such a great change from either bootcut or wide trousers, which are the shapes of most trouser suit trousers.

With these Leather ankle strap sandals (£59.99) - I know that I featured them earlier in the week but they really are great - this is a really sharp and smart outfit for work.

Whilst in Mango I saw this Ethnic fabric jacket (£79.99) which again looks great with the above sandals. What I really l liked about this jacket, aside from its print and colour, is the fact that it has a really great weight to it, such that it could be worn as a coat in its own right some time soon.

Finally I wanted to show you this Pleat back shirt dress (£55) from Warehouse (apols for the grainy picture, Warehouse ones are never great). It's a lovely style because unlike shift dresses which are fairly square, straight up and down and a little work like and prom style dresses, which have lots of pleating around the tummy area, this one has a slight fullness to the skirt but is nipped in at the waist with a belt, giving it a lovely shape.  I find this style of collar works with lots of different bust sizes and the top few buttons can be undone to create the illusion of a v-shape neckline, which is more flattering on a curvier bust. The sheer fabric at the top of the dress also helps to break up the chest area.  The dress skims without clinging and is slightly longer at the back than at the front, giving it a modern shape. The pleating down the back is really pretty too.

I would probably change the belt to a slim tan leather one or a bright skinny one and wear it with block or wedge heels, or classic courts for work.  Anyway, it's just an idea for anyone who is looking for a dress which can be styled up or down and which needs to work very hard for them.

Mum on the Run - one pair of jeans, one pair of shoes, four tops - your spring wardrobe sorted!

Take one pair of Gap sexy boyfriend jeans (£49.95) - if you don't like the finish there are other options...

add in one pair of Mango leather strap ankle sandals (£59.99) (Mum you can wear your new Hotters)...

...if these are too high or you don't like the ankle strap look my earlier post on Clarks shoes for alternative non ankle strap/lower block heel options, which as we all know is where it's at right now.

Work in one of the tops below for an outfit which you should be able to wear on a day coming to you, sometime soon!!! Not jumpers, not skimpy vest like tops, these are tops that you could wear with the above two pieces to take you from day to night, into the weekend and beyond (I wrote the "beyond" bit because I wasn't sure how to describe where you would wear the spotty shirt! Cheat.)

Option 1 - the lace blouse

This is a little Zara number. With very pretty detailing around the neckline, it's not too figure hugging and is more skimming than clinging. Although it has a fairly high neck, which in general doesn't flatter curvier busts, the fact that it is sheer towards the top makes it more flattering than it might first appear. Zara has a great selection of lace tops so if this one isn't for you, there may be others that are. Lace and denim, especially beaten up denim, offers that nice contrast in the same way that leather and lace, or sequins and denim, do.

Option 2

Spots tend to be a love or hate thing. Personally, as with stripes, I love them. They signify to me all things spring like. This pink spotted Gap shirt would look great layered under either a fitted crew or v- neck jumper for a preppy look, or under a looser slouchier style knit for a more relaxed look. I think that I will try it with both. It could also be tied at the waist as another option. This shirt currently has 20% off in the GAP sale.

The non-cardi, cardi

I was shopping with a lady on Friday who was banned by her husband from buying cardigans. Whether this cardi/jacket from Mint Velvet would have passed his non-cardi test I don't know but what really appealed to me was its shape.

Bomber jackets are a big look this season but many of them are to OTT - too silk, too printed, too much. I like that this references the bomber jacket shape but that it isn't a bomber jacket at all. Right. Because that really makes sense doesn't it? No, really it does. It doesn't mean that everyone will like it and in fact some will hate it but to me it was exciting because it's a little bit different - slightly trendier (for want of a better word) than the spotty shirt option but less "going out" like than the lace top. With a cami underneath it would be great for those outings that require more than a cardi in terms of style but not the full on silk bomber jacket treatment.  

And finally, the top of the season - the sweatshirt! Worn here with a neon bird print scarf from GAP, this too would look great with the jeans/block heels combination.

One pair of jeans, one pair of shoes and several tops should hopefully kick start your spring wardrobe nicely. Obviously a striped top should be worked into the above and I have one in a box which is sitting very close to me. A Boden box in fact. But that's tomorrow's treat....

Mum on the Run - Spring is definitely on its way - in my wardrobe at least

There's nothing like sorting out other people's wardrobes to get you thinking about your own.  Having done three Wardrobe Consultations this week, it was inevitable that mine was going to be well and truly in for it.

 

More than anything I have had enough of the weather dictating that the same jeans and jumpers are the best things to be wearing when not working, so I have taken matters into my own hands and had a little swap around.

 

In addition to my wardrobe(s) - if you include my husband's and daughter's into which my clothes creep (no idea how that happens) - I find it useful to have a separate rail on which I hang things. I put them there either because I've neglected them, or because they're on last chance saloon before being culled or because they're new and I like looking at them - which is slightly sad I know but it's cheaper than buying new artwork.  

 

 

The aim of the rail at the moment is solely to bring some colour into my life - and also because knowing the UK weather, we will suddenly wake up to temperatures of 20 degrees and I will be totally ill-prepared for the warmth (which could of course be the only warm day of the year.) I have to say, it also makes the room look a hec of a lot better too.

 

In addition to a little re-arranging, I've also got a few parcels on their way to me - all of course in the name of research, naturally. I figured that it was about time to kick start the spring wardrobe and it's quite nice to have the expectation of something lovely waiting at home after a long day, even if it doesn't ever actually become mine.

 

As and when they arrive, I will share the pieces with you because you never know, they could be just right for someone else too. (I think I'm doing a good job of convincing myself that this exercise is for the greater good. What do you think?)

 

There's a top from Whistles which I bought with a 25% off voucher. There are a few bits from Boden on their way, some trousers from Cos, some Ash wedge trainers (I know, I'm so shallow) a pair of the Next trousers I wrote about on Friday and of course there's a list in my head with one or two pieces on it, including a Topshop coat, some Mango shoes and some cobalt blue jeans. As I always remind myself, and others, it doesn't count until you decide to keep it so with the sun on its way (surely?) now is the time to shop with gay abandon and without any guilt. I'm such a generous soul aren't I?!!!

Mum on the Run - Navy, sparkles and cobalt blue for a sunny spring day

After reading Trea's post on her Treasures n Pleasures blog on Friday, I was inspired to wear my Mango lace pencil skirt. I used to wear it a lot but haven't done so for a while, so it was time that it got an outing.

 

 

I stuck to an all navy scheme, the reason for which I can't really remember now but I suspect that it was something to do with it being easy. And warm. And comfortable. Sooooo predictable but then again I'm not a fan of being cold and uncomfortable - so I guess it works on some levels at least.

But then I wore Zara sparkly pumps and the lovely cobalt blue Kausar bag that I was given - just to stop it from being too flat.

I also wore a Reiss pea coat and Cos roll neck jumper. Really I just want it to be warm though so that I can wear all the summer clothes that I have in my mind to buy. It's a long list - a very long list - and in total a very expensive list, so perhaps it's better if the weather stays just as it is for a while longer. Or indeed forever, or else I think that I might have to start selling things - either bits of myself, or things on ebay. Who knows, perhaps other, even more, drastic steps are required. Drat that new Atterley Road brochure.

On the Run - Life Begins at 40 (Part 2)

Following on from yesterday's post, in which I looked at some of the items you could include to kick start your wardrobe, today it's the turn of accessories.

For lots of women, accessorising can be tricky.  I think it's really important to love your accessories and for them to make you feel special - because really they are the icing on the cake which is your outfit. It may take a few years to build up a collection of accessories that you like. Some may be inhereited, some coveted and bought in sales, some collected abroad, at vintage shops or immediately that you see them because you just fall in love with them and can't walk away without buying them.

We all have our views on what we can wear and what we like. Some ladies don't like the feel of necklaces and some don't like the feel of chunky bangles.  Others don't feel that they can wear belts and one client told me that the best thing about becoming dis-engaged was taking her ring off because she hated wearing it!

So, here are some items which I think do a great job of pulling your wardrobe, and an outfit, together:

A silk scarf, tied like the one above which is from Jaeger (reduced from £99 to £35) has a modern animal print.  Essentially neutral, it has coral and turquoise in it and will work well with lots of basic colours.  Larger light wool or linen scarves are also a good way of adding interest in to your wardrobe in terms of colour and print but without committing lots of money to them. My favourite shops for scarves are Mango, Zara, Oasis (they usually do a great silk one each season which goes into the sale) Lola Rose and John Lewis.

Sunglasses - the Queen of the sunnies has to be Victoria Beckham. Not only functional, they can give an outfit a whole new look - and also attitude! I can't bring myself to wear them other than on very hot days because I just don't feel right (see above)! Some can carry them off all year round and have that cool sophisticated look to go with them - I just feel as if I am playing dress up!

A statement necklace can bring the most simple outfits together.  What works for you as an individual will depend on lots of things, including bust size, length of neck, width of neck and so on. Some ladies don't like swapping their "proper" jewellery for costume jewellery so it could be a case of finding something which works with a necklace that you wear every day or finding a brand which does jewellery which isn't too "costumey." Stella and Dot, Coast, Hobbs, Jigsaw and Red Online are all good for jewellery - but there are hundreds of brands out there.

Statement cuffs are another way of adding sophistication to a simple outfit. Leather ones are great if they are likely to bash on a desk or if you have young children (Reiss has some nice ones).  Otherwise the bigger the better - if you like that kind of thing. The above one is from Jaeger again.

Bags are another great way of adding some style and colour to your outfit.  The shopper on the left is from Zara and costs £15.99.  The middle one, which is a bowling bag style and which will be a huge style next season, is from Orla Kiely and has been reduced from £380 to £247.  It also comes in several different colours.  The green tote is from Zara reduced from £59.99 to £49.99 it also comes in pink. Bicester is a fantastic place to get a designer bag at a good price. If it is something that you plan on keeping for years, the fact that it may already be a season out of date is neither here nor there.

As an alternative to the Orla Kiely bowling bag, Topshop has this cut out holdall bag for £42.

A final word - when it comes to belts, just keep an eye on their proportions. Wide ones can be hard to wear if you are short bodied or have a very curvy bust. Skinny ones tricky if you are very curvy. If your trousers fit well, a belt can be used as a lovely accessory, rather than as a necessity to keep your trousers up! 

On the Run - With 10 minutes to shower, wash hair, dress and do make-up before dashing out of the door again!

I got myself into one of those slightly sticky situations this morning. As our youngest had been up since 7.15am watching TV, and would have stayed there quite happily for the entire day, I decided that we needed to do an activity.

The problem was that I also wanted to squidge in a run before we went. Given that the run took longer than I thought, which was not as a result of going further than I thought but rather being a bit of a lazy whatsit because I didn't have my friends to keep me amused, I had precisely 10 minutes on returning home to shower, get dressed and do my hair and make-up. 

 

I can say with certainty when I left the house that I was clean but the hair and make-up didn't feature at all. It was not until I got to the gym class that I dealt with the make-up, where I sat in the gallery and applied it. I probably looked a bit chavtastic in the process but it was better than not wearing any at all.

It was then on to the school fete where I was serving on the Pimms stall. Result!

Clearly the outfit was incredibly hurried and would have benefited from a bit of ruching of the jumper, but frankly I was just pleased to have pulled something even half decent together.  It would also have been better if the school hall didn't have a teracotta floor as it clashed a bit - but there we go.

As a result of speed and having not having been able to wear jeans for a while due to working, I opted for Cos grey jeans, a Jigsaw coral jumper, Mango scarf, Oasis leather jacket and Carvela wedges.

As I say, a bit of ruching of the jumper would have been good but given that I hadn't taken a look at any of it in the mirror, I was happy enough.

I hope that you are enjoying your weekend and no, I didn't have any of the Pimms.  The 11.30am to 1pm slot was a bit early for me but you will be pleased to know that I have made up for it this evening with my husband's fab cocktails. Hic.

On the Run - A tale of two (or three) fishes with some Hobbs for good measure

A few weeks ago I told you how my husband had been out and bought some fish for the children. The three goldfish, Fudge, Cola Cube and Chubbie, cost less than £5 in total.  Last night we worked out that said fish, however, have cost us over £50 - not what Sir Alan would consider a good return on his investment. In fact, it's not a return at all.  

Not one to do things by halves (which is lovely trait of my husband's) he has ensured that these fish are living in 5 star accommodation.  They have already had three different filters, two new buckets for the water changing procedure, coloured gravel, some bizarre plant, things for them to swim through and get this, this weekend he is planning on going to buy them a lighthouse. Our evenings are spent fighting over the iPad - with us both wanting to look at various "nets" my choice being net-a-porter, his choice being fish-net.com. With all the pumps and bizarre looking equipment everywhere, the kitchen looks as though Heston Blumenthal is about to come and conduct some weird experiment.

What any of this has to do with clothes I have no idea - other than the fact that I am sure that I could find an equally meaningful way of spending £50!

I wore this outfit yesterday as I was styling a lady at home with the result that I didn't have to walk too far, so could wear heels.

I like the shape of this look - (not just here but in general, if it suits the body shape). It's quite long and lean and also forgiving, with the wider jeans balancing out hips and the swing cardi disguising a less than lean upper body.

The combination on top isn't that clear but I am wearing a cream sequinned top from Topshop with a Hobbs swing cardi over the top.

As part of my steadfast refusal to wear boots or socks, I am wearing the closed in Hobbs slingbacks which I bought from Bicester a few months ago, which are great for when the weather isn't too warm (such as when I bought them in APRIL!) 

I also decided to use my pink Mulberry, which too was from Bicester. I quite like a bit of a pink and purple mix as long as there isn't too much and there are enough neutrals to break it up.

And now on to the winner of the scarf envy Union Jack scarf - the winner, Pat, caught my eye with this entry:

I deserve to win the scarf as I'm
 

Just   Utterly   British,    Incredibly  Loyal,   Extraordinarily  Eccentric

PS I love your blog, which I discovered through W & H.  In my 60s, I'm hopeless with fashion & style, it's a real help!

Apparently the acronym came to Pat after attending a Jubilee concert at the Albert Hall - so it was all very apt.

I loved Pat's breezy, fun and carefree attitude. Whilst the compliment was lovely, I chose Pat as the winner because I can imagine that she will really enjoy wearing the scarf and that it will make her smile.