If ever an excuse was needed to wear (high street) cashmere....

Outfit: Cos jeans, Next shirt, Dune boots, H&M jumper

 

This was the fourth  attempt at what transpired to be terrible photos so please forgive me. I know, I should be sacked as a blogger! The first ones were taken inside and were so orange, as a result of the roaring fire that we didn't really need but which the pyromaniac 12 year old wanted to light, that I looked like I'd turned into Katie Price. The second lot were taken with the youngest indoors and me outdoors, so that she didn't get wet but they were so dark that everything that I was wearing looked black. The third lot had bags of rubbish in the background and the fourth lot (above) well I don't know what the six year old had been on but I wouldn't mind some. Hic!

The purpose of the outfit - so far as there is one - is to fill you in on the H&M cashmere jumper (£49.99) which I bought a few weeks ago. There's lots of high street cashmere around from H&M, to M&S, Boden, Jigsaw and Tesco. Last year I had a grey cashmere jumper from La Redoute and it was great, so it's not something that you need to spend a fortune on. Although having said that, all of my cashmere is high street so I don't really have a comparison to make and maybe others would disagree.

I really like the colour of this jumper and its slouchy fit and our youngest likes me to wear it when I give her a cuddle before bed because she finds it so soft. So that's a fantastic excuse for wearing cashmere if ever there was one! But seriously, for anyone who finds wool too scratchy or stiff, cashmere could be the answer. In fact Mr SG is wearing a cashmere jumper today and he never wears jumpers because he hates how scratchy there are and for someone who could not give one jot about clothes, that is praise indeed.

Last holiday outfit!

Yesterday we had to leave our accommodation at 9.30am and as our flight wasn't until 3pm, we had a little bit of time to spare so we spent it in the most productive way possible in Guernsey, which was by visiting several tea rooms. By 11am we had, between us, consumed bacon sandwiches, sausage sandwiches, chocolate brownie, lemon cake - and that was just at our first one. Two tea rooms later and we were fit for nothing but sitting on an aeroplane.

 

The clouds were stormy but the weather brightened up which I was pleased about because my sister and her family are still camping on the island. Oh and that was another of the "stories behind the Instagram pictures." They too were meant to arrive last Saturday but the ferry they were crossing on had a huge hole in its side as a result of being bashed on a rock when coming to the island a couple of weeks ago, so they couldn't make it until three days later - which meant less time for us to spend together. Boo.

 

For travelling home I opted for Next harem pants which, in the words of the great fashion guru Mr SG "Could be quite chavvy, especially if they had a stripe down the side." To which he had a two word response of "Croc wearer." Layering is also good for me, particularly when travelling (the air con wars in the car were about to re-commence on hitting the mainland) so I wore a bright Topshop T-shirt, layered underneath a GAP sweatshirt. I carried the GAP hat to avoid it getting squashed and my star clutch was with me just because we needed cash for said bacon sarnies/sausage sarnies/ cakes etc at the tearooms. I'm quite attached to my Jigsaw slip on trainers now so they too featured.

And here are a couple of typical Guernsey views - well that and the nudist beach but I think we'll leave those kind of shots off the blog for now. Cute little fishing boats.....

....and lots more cute little fishing boats. Lovely from a distance but that's where I'll keep them I think. I had enough fun going to haul lobster pots out of the water in a tiny, rocking, fishing boat when I was a kid, thanks. Maybe that's where my fear of being eaten by a shark comes from....

Holidaying in Cornwall - and a footwear (attempted) theft already!

So these next few posts were nearly the posts that weren't - if that makes sense! I thought that I had left my laptop charger at home which would have been a disaster for some and a relief for many. As it was the charger appeared this morning so I'm raring to go.....having said that, the photos are slow to load and there won't be any proof reading, so please forgive me. I'm just going to be hitting the button - and quite possibly regretting it!

Yesterday we left nice and early for our trip to Cornwall. We made great progress. In the first hour we had travelled 12 miles. Ho hum.

I was wearing comfortable jersey trousers and a lace top for the long journey and I was soothed by my lovely new sarong that I had with me (there are always temperature wars in the car between myself and Mr SG) which was a gift from Rachel at La Mandarine more of which I will tell you about in a day or so.

So far a lot of what we have been up to I have been posting on instagram (there's a button at the top left of the page if you would like to follow me there) but the blog is where you can read the story behind the pictures such as.....

How when I took this swimming costume out of the case, I noticed that the padding was missing. Having had three children and having spent approximately 4.5 years of my life breast feeding them, there was no way that I was appearing in this without a little "assistance". Luckily my running stuff (for some bizarre reason) had some extra padding in so one "boob padding" transplant later, and I was good to go.

Instagram also doesn't explain that whilst these goggles may be the best in the universe, they leave marks like no others, so that for the rest of the day I have to wear sunglasses.

Nor does it explain how I waited until 2 members of the family were sleeping and 2 were surfing until I ordered this. Yesterday it was attacked by everyone else. Not so much today!

Nor does it let on how I told Mr SG that this parcel, which arrived an hour after we arrived, was an early birthday present from the people at Boden. I so could have got that past him but I confessed that it was actually a skirt that wouldn't have reached me in time, had I ordered it to our home address.

But the funniest thing of all - and this will appeal to those who know Mr SG - someone tried to nick his crocs on the beach today. They are the flip flop style ones, at least 750,000 years old and he spotted their red (inner) soles on someone else's feet as he walked off in them. Mr SG gave chase, the bloke kicked them off and he was duly thanked for keeping them warm. Out of all the things to try to pinch eh? The crocs. Brilliant.

Having fun in the sun in flowery shorts and a sequinned vest

 

Another wardrobe must have for the hot weather is a huge scarf. I find that scarves can be used for a multitude of functions - both wardrobe, and non-wardrobe, related and I picked up this striped scarf from GAP (£19.95) a week or so before we came away. I knew that the colours of it would work with lots of things that I had already and it just had that slight "holiday" feel about it that I was after.

I am also wearing the sunkissed printed shorts from GAP (£24.95) in a UK 6. As you might expect with  GAP the sizing is generous, added to which they are 55% linen so they get even bigger with wear. Going down a size or two is not a bad idea. The fit is good though and they're not tight on the thighs, unlike some styles. I really rate GAP for lots of things but in particular their shorts. Their styles, colours and prints are pretty much unrivalled on the High Street and there are always offers on, so the prices are good. I'm also wearing a blue sequin front vest from Next (£16), which comes in a total of five colours. 

Here's a closer pic of the GAP shorts which come in a variety of different finishes. I'm not going to attempt a closer pic of the Next vest - the wifi is just too unreliable for that.

It's only been a few days and amazing as it is being away, we're missing home (and particularly all the episodes of Coronation Street that are on this week.) Oh dear, what an admission - how sad!

A smart/casual outfit for an hourglass figure from Phase Eight and Next

When I saw this outfit on a lady with a size 16 hourglass figure today, I really liked it on her - so I thought that I would share it with you. Even she said "Oooh, you can see that I have an hourglass figure now." Hourglass figures suit a more fitted shape, rather than loose slouchy pieces which just cover up the curves - but there's that balance between wearing clothes that are fitted but which aren't overly formal or too trussed up.

Whilst the Sabina top from Phase Eight (£23.20 instead of £39) looks as though it has a high neckline, in fact it has quite a scoop on it, so it flatters a fuller bust. The draping and the way that it nips in and ties at the waist makes it really flattering, particularly given that a lot of the tops at the moment are really square - and therefore completely the wrong shape for an hourglass figure.

Lots of curvier ladies steer away from more fitted trousers, especially if they are printed, thinking that they won't be flattering - but these Erica Trousers from Phase Eight (£55.20 instead of £69) look great on. Being from Phase Eight, they are cut well, with a slightly higher rise than lots of other brands. They also have 3% elastane in them, which makes them really comfortable and a little more forgiving.

These navy Next wedges £35 do a great job of adding height, whilst still being comfortable. The deep scoop at the front of the shoe draws the eye downwards, elongating the leg. They also come in a nude colour. These are quite a safe option colour wise, so the addition of coral, or pink, shoes would also be nice - but sometimes small steps are necessary and for anyone nervous of a printed trouser for the first time, navy or nude shoes may feel slightly safer.

 

I like the way that Phase Eight have styled the trousers here. It's a simple but stylish outfit for anyone who is looking for something just that little bit different - but not too way out, as the warmer weather approaches. Phase Eight currently has 20% off in Debenhams (as do Coast, starting from tomorrow) so this linen knit jumper from Phase Eight  is £47.20 instead of £59.

It's just an idea - hope that you like it!

Silver shoes and more silver shoes....a girl should never be without a pair.

I hadn't intended for today's post to be about silver shoes but when my friend rocked up in these at school prior to her day in the office, my plans for today's post went right out of the window.

From nights out with jeans and a nice top, to smarter wedding type events and also to work, silver shoes are a wardrobe staple - and I'm never without a pair or two. They are so versatile, and are really great for adding the final touches to an outfit, or just pepping it up a little.

As a result of taking these shots the pair of us were nearly run over in the car park but you know, it's all in a good cause and I reckon that the sooner that our six year old girls realise that glittery shoes are worth being traumatised over, the better.

I thought that a heel shot would be worth including, just to demonstrate that they are not too high. I have it on good authority from my friend that these shoes are really comfortable and I have now also seen her running in them, so I'm prepared to believer her.

The shoes featured are the dazzling heels from Boden, which are now only available in gold (£71.40) but they also do these party heels with the nearest style to the glitter ones being these which are a mixture of silver and gold. There are also leopard print and coral ones too.

THEN, and would you believe it, as another friend and I set off on our run, she told me that she had bought a pair of silver shoes from Matalan (£15) (whilst going to buy her daughters' white school socks - liking the subterfuge). She wasn't sure what, exactly, she needed them for but let's face it, we all need a pair of silver shoes in our wardrobes don't we? In real life they are much more sparkly.

And as another option, I've included this silver sandal from Next (£28). I have also included a link to all of the silver sandals at Next because they have such a good choice and at such reasonable prices.

OK so who's tempted - and who already owns a pair?!!!

Some lovely pieces from the High Street - sparkles, stripes, spots, sheer, denim and neon brights. Take your pick!

 

After my weekend working with the Touchwood Shopping Centre, I thought that I would bring you some photos of some of my favourite pieces, which I put together in (loose) themes in between presentations. Some of the clothes moved around in the breeze so I had to keep dashing to straighten them before running back to photograph them - so please excuse any wonkiness! I haven't linked to each piece but from left to right, I've listed the brands.

 

The QR code above was amazing. It was able to be scanned and went straight through to the Touchwood Look book. A really innovative piece of PR!

 

Pretty in (shades of ) pink

 

Next, French Connection (x2), Hobbs, Bravissimo, Office, River Island (bag)

 

Soft Citrus Sparkles

River Island, French Connection x3 and French Connection mules.

A type of monochrome

Next, Hobbs, French Connection x2, Bravissimo, French Connection mules

True Blue

French Connection, Hobbs, River Island, French Connection, Bravissimo, River Island (hat and bag) Office (cobalt shoes) Next (striped slippers)

Pale and interesting

GAP, French Connection, Hobbs, Next, River Island

Nineties throwback

All GAP other than jumper (French Connection) shoes and trainers (both Office)

Working Girl

Hobbs, French Connection, Phase Eight (dress and shoes underneath), Hobbs, Next, Office (blue and pink shoes), River Island (bag)

 Tropical prints

River Island, French Connection, River Island x2, Next, Office (pink, blue and green shoes) French Connection (mules)

Chic in White

Hobbs suit, River Island top and bag, Office shoes

I am hoping that there may be one or two pieces there to get you thinking about your spring/summer wardrobe, now that we finally have some sun. Ooh and there's a competition running at the moment, the prize being £250 to spend in Touchwood, which you can enter via their website. Don't let a small thing like distance put you off!

Dungarees and boilersuits - anyone fancy going there with me?

Unlike the chap who was convinced that he was going to win the lottery, I did not wake up this morning convinced that, by the end of the day, dungarees/boiler suits would have worked their way into my consciousness - but they have. Random!

It all started whilst waiting at the Children's Hospital this morning. It being Tuesday, I was flicking through my copy of Grazia when these Denim dungarees from Next (£35) caught my eye. I mentioned them to the eldest as we were leaving to see what she thought. Oddly the conversation turned to how she would quite like a short pair, which was probably for the best really, and I concluded that I wouldn't go there but then....

...whilst flicking through Marie Claire at gymnastics, this Tencel jumpsuit from Mango (£59.99) jumped out at me. Having tried the tencel chinos in Jigsaw recently, I'm a big fan of its softness and the way it drapes. This style is so much more versatile too - far less Andy Pandy!

And then whilst sitting at ballet, (I do a lot of sitting and flicking on a Tuesday, not that I'm a tiger mother or anything. After all our children only learn 4 languages each and play 3 instruments each to grade 8 standard) this Utility boiler suit from Topshop (£62) leapt off the screen at me. I was being ambushed from all sides.

So, how to wear them? If you're thinking "let's not wear them at all" you may not want to read on. On the other hand, perhaps you will be inspired! As I've said before, as we get older, the options of what to wear do start to narrow down, which is why I try to remain open minded about anything that has potential, whether it's because (in the case of shoes) they are flat - for example skater trainers - or in the case of clothing because something is fairly modest, or because it is a classic style, albeit in a bright colour or print. The fit of these will be crucial though. Too loose and they will scream Andy from British Gas. Too tight and they could become all about the camel toe, which is never a good look.

Having been lucky enough to have hung around this planet for a while now, there will be styles that I have worn before but I think it's important to try and look at them through fresh eyes and to style them in a modern way. There are just some things that we won't be able to get our heads around but to avoid getting stuck in a rut, keep on giving things a go or else we will all find ourselves in the same few styles and colours season after season.  Of course if you have a toddler who has a pair of these, rocking the same look perhaps isn't where you want to be.

Despite what I've said above, I think for now I'll leave the Next denim dungarees to one side and instead work with the Mango and Topshop jumpsuit/boiler suit styles. Here's how I would style them:

• For a casual look, I'm thinking flat strappy gold or silver sandals, maybe skater trainers or converse, a selection of layered bracelets and that's about it. A coloured cami peeping through would also be a nice touch;
• For a slightly smarter look I would wear a block heeled shoe, maybe a wooden or cork soled one as I wrote about the other day, a statement necklace and a fairly short swing style jacket;
• For an evening look - which is where I really like the idea of these - I'd go for some high pointed courts and a printed jacket or printed courts and a leather biker jacket or a blazer, chunky jewellery and a clutch. At the moment I really like this one from Whistles (£55)

 

Hopefully tomorrow will not see me being ambushed by Ra-Ra skirts because despite trying to take my own advice, I think that they are something which (for good reason) I would not be able to get my head around.

What to wear when you want to feel as though you are wearing PJs all day but don't (quite) want to look like it!

 

 

Today dawned sunny and bright and I knew that with that came the possibility of tennis with our son, bouncing on the trampoline with the youngest (subject to the loan of some pelvic floor muscles from somewhere), a few random squats/lunges should the mood take me (it didn't), some ironing and faffing in the garden. So with all those possibilities in mind, jeans or restrictive trousers were out of the question.

Given that I didn't plan to come across many people that I knew, other than during a quick trip to Waitrose (to buy the most unhealthy basket of ingredients for posh bread and butter pudding, ice-cream and chocolate cake - thank heavens for the huge bag of crisps which hid everything) I figured that I could get away with my harem jogging bottoms from Next.

I stuck them with a denim shirt tied at the waist and a modal lace vest from Jigsaw (£24) to fill in the gap between the two. M&S are great for vests with their long ones being particularly good - and H&M vests are great too but if you need one with lace around the bottom, the Jigsaw ones are the best. With a pair of converse I was good to go and all that I needed to do all day was swap the converse for wellies when I went into the garden.

I really think that a pair of good joggers/track pants, call them what you will (as long as it's not a shell suit I really don't mind. Oooh, can you imagine those making a comeback?) are a good addition to your wardrobe. Easier to style than leggings, they are also a little more forgiving, (arguably) a little more stylish and can be worn for travelling or whenever else you just need to be uber comfortable.

With trainers being such a huge trend now they can be worn with those, skater shoes, converse or wedge trainers and somehow they have become acceptable as a fashion piece in their own right, rather than just something to slob around in at home behind closed doors or when nipping out to the chippy.

My trousers aren't cuffed at the bottom but I would be very happy to wear a pair that were. I think that the thing to remember about them is that some cheaper ones will work great on some people, whilst others will have to spend a bit more. It just depends so much on the individual. I bought some from H&M late last year and they were so wrong that it was hilarious - too low in the rise, too tight on the calf - not a life enhancing experience! Anyway, here's a quick round up of some that I have come across:

There's the Next harem track pants, which at £22 are a really good price.

The Next luxe joggers (£30) are made from modal so are slightly more elegant than jersey ones and could also be styled for an evening out.

The Whistles Lola track pant (£65) are lovely and soft and hang really well.

The Whistles Dalia jogging pant (£65) have a good rise on them, for anyone preferring something not too low slung.

These slim leg joggers from Hush (£39.50) are some of my favourites - but then I'm a bit of a sucker for Hush!

And these cotton cashmere trousers from Cos (£49) have had my fingers run over them many times, although I haven't ever tried them. I'm very tempted to do so though as the combination of cotton and cashmere makes them a) much less spendy than their cashmere counterparts and b) means that because of that, I would actually be more likely to wear them than rather just look at them and wish I were brave enough to do so!

 

As an aside, whilst Freddie was taking my photos, he was fiddling with the camera. I asked him what he was doing and he said that he was making me look "vintage" to which I responded that I was quite capable (sadly) of doing that all by myself. Oh well, it's good to be good at something.  

 

Another new love - the block heeled ankle strap shoe - and do you recognise the dress?!

 

It just keeps happening. I keep falling hopelessly in love with some new style of shoes or clothing which I know will drastically revolutionise my way of living - but these really are it: the block heeled ankle strap shoe. And if you just bear with me for one minute I will tell you why...

During a normal working day I don't like to be restricted, or slowed down, by what I am wearing on my feet. Nor do I like to be uncomfortable. That's why trainers, boots, converse and anything which I'm strapped into is pretty good for me (although having said that, I'm not a fan of Mary Janes or T-bars which just really leaves trainers, boots and converse). Whilst I love courts and high heels, they irritate me after a while and I just want to take them off and get on with things. And ballet flats and smoking slippers make me feel dumpy.

However my need for speed can make it a bit difficult when wearing skirts or dresses. I've kind of had enough of ankle boots with dresses and skirts (until the next time I wear them that is) because there's no getting away from it, they do chop one's legs off. I've never been a fan of knee high boots myself as they always stop at that point just where things start to go downhill.

However when I saw these in M&S today I did think to myself "Hmmm, these could be a winner." That was after I had spied, and tried, some very pointed pale blue buckled boots, which most definitely were not - but at least I was taking my own advice from yesterday's post.

So now I'll get to the crux of the matter. This is why they work: First, they have a slight heel and I must admit that I prefer having my butt raised as far from the ground as is practical. Secondly, the ankle strap does a really good job of keeping the shoes in place, so I don't have to make any effort in that regard. Thirdly, as the strap is quite thin and black, it blends in with black tights, so the whole "cutting off the leg at the ankle" thing becomes less of an issue. Because of all of the above, I can now see myself wearing skirts and dresses that up until now I have steered clear of, unless I'm in a situation when I can wear proper heels. Come the warmer weather, when socks etc are no longer required, they will also do a pretty fine job of working with boyfriend jeans (a post on those to follow sometime soon - I have identified the ones I will be scrutinising) and possibly skinnies too. And for those who like the idea but not the look of the ankle strap, when worn with trousers the ankle strap may well be invisible - giving the benefits without the negatives.

M&S seems to have a great selection right now - as I am sure will many other brands but for now, I'm sticking with Marks - who also have some nice block heeled pumps minus ankle straps.

These silver leather block heel shoes M&S (£39.50) are next on my hit list for the spring. With jeans or a shift (provided it's not to short and the legs aren't too white/blue) these would work brilliantly.

These are the ones I am wearing above: pony skin block heels shoes M&S (£59). I haven't quite sussed the pricing of these shoes out yet. Some are Autograph and some not but there doesn't seem to be much uniformity, even from ones within the same "brand".

I'm loving these for a bit of colour: Royal blue block heel shoe M&S (£55)

The darker ones are easier to wear if tights are necessary, which is why I like the navy ankle strap block heel shoe M&S (£39.50). Speaking of tights being necessary, how is it that despite the fact that Victoria Beckham lives in the UK, she is frequently shown without tights? I don't think I've ever seen her in a pair of opaques.  Is it not cold in her little enclave of London, or does she not feel the cold? Hmm, interesting.

I'm actually really happy that I have found something else that I really like apart from the NL jeans or I fear that I would be wearing them every day. By the way, do you recognise the dress?!