Mum on the Run day 24 - Party party!

This evening saw me doing the first of three Style Parties that I have coming up.  I love doing the parties as people really seem to enjoy trying on things that they wouldn't necessarily choose for themselves.  However in one sense the Style Parties are the least glamourous of everything that I do because they require so much lifting bags of clothes, rails etc in and out of the car and up and down flights of stairs.  So, with that in mind I went for my practical Gap utility trousers but smartened the outfit up a little with my LK Bennett grey shoes, a new printed silk shirt from Warehouse, my Gap blazer and a silver belt from Boden. I like the juxtaposition of something fairly basic, like the trousers, with a much more glamorous silk shirt and patent shoes.  It worked for me!

Outfit: Trousers Gap, Shoes LK Bennett, Shirt Warehouse, Blazer GAP

Mum on the Run day 23 - LBD

Apologies about the photo - it has been a really busy day today and I am whacked!  I styled the most lovely lady today- she is Spanish and has come here to learn English, which she is doing incredibly well.   Unfortunately my only Spanish comes from Dora the Explorer.  She made a  much better job of communicating with me than I did with her but we had a fabulous day.  So as to remain true to the philosophy behing the "Mum on the Run" feature, I wore the above shoes all day, as a result of which my feet were killing me at the end of it. 

The styling day was followed by cooking several meals and herein lies the rub - an extraordinarily large gin, made by our daughter - hence the dodgy photo.  No amount of blusher and lipstick could rescue me!

Anyway, having told you about my day - let's get to the outfit:  Jigsaw black jersey dress, Coral French Connection top layered underneath, Black Gap jacket, Jigsaw pendant, Hobbs NW3 shoes, Miu Miu bag.  The outfit looks better than in the photo (or maybe that's just the gin!)

Mum on the Run day 22 - Colour pop!

Today was another shopping day - just finishing off for a style party that I am doing on Friday night.  The shops are a whole different ball game, even compared to last week.  There are lots of lovely things out there!

I wore my comfortable Oasis boots together with skinny navy blue trousers from Cos.  I also layered two long sleeved tops - a breton one from Jigsaw (which I think are better than the Petit Bateau ones despite what the fashionistas say!) and a cowl necked one over the top, from Cos.  I finished off with a fake fur coat, bright pink gloves and my favourite item - my pink spotty bag bought for me by my hubby.  Top marks Mr G!

I felt cosy all day, comfortable on my feet and the gloves added a nice splash of colour to an otherwise fairly plain outfit.

Outfit: Boots Oasis, Trousers Cos, Striped top Jigsaw, Navy top Cos, Coat H&M, Gloves M&S, Bag Ted Baker

Mum on the Run Day 21 - Pleats please

Today I was talking at the "Women Who" lunch for the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. I did a presentation on the15 essential items for the work capsule wardrobe.  Everyone was lovely, as were the cakes, yum!

It was nice for me to have a chance to dress up as pretty much every day since I started "Mum on the Run" I have either been off with the children or shopping on my own - neither of which require the same sort of outfit as when I am with clients or doing events.

Today I decided to go with a bit of a nod towards the ballet look (I thought that the full on look might be a tad ridiculous) which is so big at the moment, thanks to Black Swan, and went for a chiffon pleated skirt from TopShop.  I put it with  a black silk blouse, a fitted cardigan, a skinny leopard print belt and court shoes.  It was lovely to have a chance to dress up and to wear a pleated skirt - something that I haven't worn in years.  It felt quite elegant (for once)!  To stop the outfit from looking too twee, I added my chunky Storm digital watch. 

We also did a bit of a Marilyn Monroe look but we were laughing so much that I look a bit weird - I said there would be bad!

Outfit: Skirt and belt Top Shop, Blouse New Look, Cardigan Hobbs, Shoes LK Bennett

Mum on the Run day 20 - High Jinx

What a beautiful day it was today and for me that can only mean one thing - being outside.  Monday is my day off with our youngest, so we can usually be found swimming, at the park or at home baking.  We did the baking but today swimming was abandoned in favour of the Botanical Gardens and later the park.  This was followed by a trip to ballet and then walking to school to collect one of the other two.

There was a lot of pressure on today's outfit - I needed to be able to walk a long way comfortably; I needed  to be cool enough after pushing the pushchair up hills but warm enough to walk back from school at 5.00pm when the temperature had dropped.  I tell you, those stars in LA have it easy - constant temperature plus never walking anywhere!

So the footwear had to come first and I felt that it was time to dig out the faithful pink converse.  They have served their time but they are still a firm favourite.  Gap jeans together with two long sleeved tops layered on top of one another (one pink stripes, one plain grey) a navy v-neck jumper and my cream leather jacket did the job for me today.  I also added a spotted scarf (which double up as mittens for the youngest on the way home) and a cocktail ring -which is completely out of sight!  I got as far as taking off the jacket whilst walking but the rest stayed firmly on.  Nothing could persuade me to lose another layer - not even the people wearing shorts!

Outfit: Shoes: Office, Jeans Gap, Striped top Gap, Grey top Jigsaw, Navy jumper White Company, Jacket Oasis, Scarf Boden

Mum on the Run Day 19 - A Skater Skirt

Having worn this outfit for a couple of hours, before discarding it in favour of jeans, I decided that the image of the outfit in my head was better than in reality.  However, as I always say my clients, let's take the positives - there are usually some!

The length of the jumper (ie fairly short) worked well with the waistband on the skirt, as it didn't cover it too much - which meant that the silhouette was neat.  I also like wearing ankle boots with a skirt or dress as it makes it a little edgier.  I think that my problem lay in the volume of the skirt - there was just a bit too much fabric.  I have spotted another skirt in Zara which is slightly less full and I think it will do the trick.  You may be able to see that I have mixed navy and black and I was happy with that combination.

Outfit: Boots Oasis, tights M&S, Skirt Zara, Jumper Cos, Bag Zara

Day 18 - Jobs but fun stuff too!

I don't know about you but I have this notion in my head that Saturdays will somehow be different from every other day of the week - carefree, relaxed, harmonious with me wafting around in a lovely dress and heels.  The reality is so different.  Saturday has become the day to catch up on all the other jobs that I should have done in the week - so I am really a Mum on the Run in its most basic form.  Hence the outfit above! 

Because my husband is also at home, the front door is often open whilst he goes about sorting out the detritus left in the car by the children during the week (bless him!)  Or the windows are open, or the back doors and so it is just chillier than normal.  I figure that I have two options - whinge, or just put more clothes on.  This week I decided on the latter and wore my snowflake cardigan from Cos - I really love it, in a naff Wham (Last Christmas) kind of way! I think that it will soon have to be retired from my wardrobe until next winter, so it's good to get the use out of it whilst I can.  The photo is taken in a shoe shop, whilst shopping for school shoes for our son!


However, we also had friends coming over for an early dinner so I changed my outfit to something a little more exciting.  I kept the same jeans , but turned them up and swapped the shoes for some high ones with a flower on the ankle strap.  I also swapped my top for a sequinned one.

Outfit 1 : Gap jeans, Jigsaw jumper, Converse, Cos cardigan.

Outfit 2: Gap jeans, Reiss top, Jigsaw shoes.

Day 17 - A printed skirt

Today was a bit of a mish mash day - running first thing, haircut, food shopping, working at home, collecting leaves in the garden and ferrying various children to tennis/ballet etc. 

I felt like wearing a skirt but knew that I was likely to be cold whilst sitting at the computer so I went for the usual thermal tights.  I also layered two thermal vests underneath my navy sequinned jumper and then added my long Cos cardigan for extra warmth.  My skirt is tulip shaped and because it is fitted, I can get away with wearing a looser long line cardigan over the top without it bulking me out too much.  I don't think that it would work as well with a fuller A-line skirt as there would be too much fabric.

All in all the outfit worked well and later on I swapped the skirt for jeans and wellies when in the garden. If I had had more time I would have dug out some other shoes for a change but Mum on the Run was running so as not to be late - so the red ones made another appearance!

Outfit: Skirt Oasis, Jumper Warehouse, Cardigan Cos, Shoes Kurt Geiger

Mum on the Run day 16 - Paint splash

Today was another full day of shopping - hurray!  This time it was for the first of three Style Parties that I have coming up in the next few weeks.  I have scoured the shops - H&M, Topshop, Mango, Oasis, Warehouse, Gap, Zara, Coast, Karen Millen, Reiss, Whistles, Hobbs and the rest to find the best pieces that I can - and boy do my arms know it!

Again, comfort was fundamental to me today, which saw me reaching for my two tone heeled brogues.  Flat brogues wouldn't work on me - I would feel a bit too police womanish but the slight heel helps.  They also go really well with my "paint splash" dress from Marks and Spencer Limited Collection - which I love.  It is just the right shape for me and whilst it is fitted, it is not tight.  I also added a long pendant and, for when I went outside, a pale pink jersey scarf, a black blazer and my grey Mulberry bag.

Outfit: Shoes Dune, Dress M&S, Pendant Jigsaw, Bag Mulberry

Mum on the Run Day 15 - Sports Luxe

Today I was shopping for an event that I am doing for the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce next Tuesday lunchtime.  I knew that I would be shopping for a good few hours so needed to be sure that I could be both quick on my feet but also comfortable. 

I am not a big fan of sweatshirts or plain t-shirts - but I really liked this Ted Baker one - which is half way between the two.  I see it as more of a "nod " to the sports luxe trend than the full on works.  I have put it with my navy peg leg trousers and heeled ankle boots.  The addition of a pea coat and my bright red bag saw me sorted for the day.

Outfit: Trousers Topshop, Sweatshirt Ted Baker, Boots Oasis.

Mum on the Run day 14

Today was meant to be the day that I spent a good few hours in town shopping for some forthcoming events.  I had chosen my outfit with one thing only in mind - practicality.  As these events require me to buy lots of clothes the shopping can be hot, hard on the legs and heavy.  It was for that reason that I opted for sensible footwear.  Jeans soon followed in the practical stakes followed by a navy sequin jumper, biker jacket and a striped scarf.  As it was, I largely spent the day at home as our eldest was under the weather but not to worry, there's always tomorrow (or the next day) for shopping.  Can't wait to feast my eyes on all those lovely spring clothes!

Outfit: Jeans: Gap long and lean, Biker boots Hobbs, JumperWarehouse, Scarf Zara, Jacket Oasis.

Mum on the Run day 13 - Time for Tea!

Today I am wearing a tea dress - appropriate really as my "afternoon tea" started at 8.45am with Cadbury's chocolate animals, soon to be followed by home made lemon cake and flapjack.  Not a particularly healthy start to the week - but that's the great thing about dressses; no waistbands!

I love dresses as they are such an easy outfit -and no wardrobe should be without a good day dress.  I layered a long sleeved top underneath for - yes, you guessed it - warmth and also a boyfriend cardigan over it, to keep it casual.  I love boyfriend cardigans but some can be hard to wear as they finish out your widest point.  Wearing one the same colour as the dress meant that the divide was less obvious than it had been with a pink one that I had had on previously.  I sometimes wear a shorter fitted cardi with this dress and put a skinny belt over the top, just to dress it up a bit.  The red shoes added a bit of height and colour but later on in the day I swapped them for my biker boots - which I was glad about as I had to run down the High Street to make it to ballet on time.

Outfit: Dress Topshop, Long sleeved top Topshop, Cardigan Oasis, Tights M&S, Shoes Kurt Geiger

Mum on the Run day 12 - A dress at last!

The day has finally arrived - I am out of my jeans and into a dress - one which I had actually forgotten that I owned and which I discovered this morning.  A definite bonus for a Sunday morning.

I had previously only worn this knitted purple dress over a pair of jeans - largely because it is a fine knit and therefore a little too see through for my liking - but a black slip taken from another dress soon solved that problem.  A stripey Gap top which I layered underneath the dress, plus thick tights, biker boots and a long pendant completed the look for me for today. 

I was warm and snuggly all day long and the addition of an apron when I was cooking kept the necklace under control and stopped the dress from being ruined.

Outfit: Sweater dress Gap, Striped top Gap, Necklace Jigsaw, Biker boots Hobbs.

Mum on the Run day 11 - Jeans and a dress

I really should stop wearing jeans now but...it is the weekend and as I can't wear jeans whilst with clients, I am enjoying wearing them whilst it's the school holidays - that's my excuse anyway!

In any event this outfit is a dress - with jeans underneath it, so the jeans only count as an accessory (sort of).  I like this way of wearing jeans but you just have to ensure that any dress that you are wearing is above the knee and that the shape of the dress and the shape of the jeans work together.

After the photo shoot this morning I had a quiet day at home just pottering so the demands on my outfit weren't huge but still, I wanted to feel as though I could nip out should the need arise without changing my outfit and still look OK.

Outfit: Jeans Gap, Jersey dress Jigsaw, Scarf, Leather Jacket and Boots all Oasis, Bag Miu Miu

Mum on the Run day 10 - spots and stripes

Today was the day that I was let off from wearing jeans so what did I do?  Wear jeans.  It was an early start as I was taking my Mum down to London to see her sister for the day.  I have a cold and couldn't face the whole dress/skirt/tights debacle so kept it simple with jeans, a long sleeved top, jumper and scarf.  The spots on the jumper and stripes in the scarf and top served to keep the look jolly - despite my thick head!

Wearing stripes as an accessory, or just peeking through as I have done above is a nice way to wear them - particularly if you feel that you are someone who can't wear stripes, despite liking them.

Outfit - Jeans Mango, Top Jigsaw, Jumper Cos, Scarf Zara, Desert boots New Look.

Mum on the Run day 9 - A little bit of everything

So here we are, day 7 and today I have entitled the post "a little bit of everything" because, apart from the bag, you have seen it all before.

My thinking went like this: the forecast was warm and so I wanted to avoid wearing a jacket for my first outing of the day, which was a quick trip to the Bullring to buy something for a photo shoot that I am doing on Saturday - hence the layers.  I needed to be "hands free" though as I had the little one in tow and I didn't want to put her in the pushchair,so that meant the cross body bag - added to which the colours in it pulled the outfit together.

Later on in the day we did Waitrose followed by a trip to feed the ducks and then on to the Botanical Gardens near to us.  I swapped my red shoes when I did the ducks and the Botanical Gardens trips as I wanted to be able to run properly, should the need arise.  So on went the sequin converse.  It was also getting chilly by then so on went the navy blue parka too.

I decided to roll the jeans up really just to give a different look to them.  For me, the outfit did the job -warm, practical and easy to adapt later on in the day.  OK so the shoe adaptation wasn't perfect but as a Mum on the Run, sometimes I have to make compromises - or spend the entire day changing outfits!

Outfit: Jeans Gap real straight, Long sleeved coral top French Connection, Denim shirt Gap, V neck jumper White Company, Bag Cath Kidston, Shoes Kurt Geiger.

Mum on the Run day 8 - Leopard and Lace

So, to day 6 of jeans only.  So far I have worn skinny jeans, straight jeans and bootcut jeans.  Today is the turn of a more flared style of jean.  On my top half I have gone for a fitted look as a contrast to the wider leg jeans.  I am wearing a cream lace top, a boyfriend cardigan and leopard print belt. The lace top and leopard print belt are subtle but make the outfit more interesting than it would otherwise be.

Without the cardigan and the belt I would definitely be headed towards a 1970's silhouette as the top is slightly A line, but I will have to wait for the warmer weather before I lose the cardigan.  The jeans are fairly long so I have had to go for a medium height heel - which was fine for my trip around the Sealife Centre! I have chosen my red patent shoes to add colour but also because they are comfortable.

Remember the brief trip to Bicester that I mentioned?  Well, the result of that trip is clasped in my left hand.  Can you believe that people were in the Mulberry shop buying three at a time?  I am planning a return visit soon  - not for me I hasten to add - but if you would like me to pick up a bag for you, please let me know.

Outfit: Jeans Mango, Lace top Monsoon Fusion, Cardigan Zara, Belt TopShop, Shoes Kurt Geiger, Bag Mulberry.

Mum on the Run day 7 - Scarves and Stripes

So, to day 5 of jeans only.  Today I teamed an animal print scarf with a striped top - maybe not an obvious combination but because the colours in the scarf and top tone together, it worked.  Mixing different prints, or different fabrics, is a good way of introducing interest into an outfit without the need to accessorise too much - which is what I am aiming to achieve this week - simple practical dressing that works with children.

Having considered my wardrobe recently, and having decided the one thing that I really didn't need was a navy jumper, I promptly went out and bought this one from the White Company.  It's fairly loose for me but I liked the v-neck, batwing sleeve and the fact that I could layer lots of different style tops and shirts underneath it. Again it is a casual look but I have kept the bottom half of the outfit more streamlined, which works better for me.

If straight or skinny jeans don't work for your body shape, this combination would work equally well with a boot cut or flared jean but you may want to swap the bat wing top for one which is slightly more fitted.

The outfit worked for the day in that it was comfortable and I liked the colour combinations.  Next time I will probably layer a thermal top underneath - but that's just me!

Outfit: Gap straight jeans, White Company jumper, Gap striped top, M&S scarf, Oasis boots.

Mum on the Run day 6 - Colour and Cashmere

Today was the day when I knew that there would be no holds barred running around - and I was right.  Talk about Mum on the Run! 

Not being a fan of jeans with running trainers, I went for the next best thing - converse style pumps. I read in a magazine that it was not the done thing to wear converse in January as it was too cold.  However I figured that February was fine and that it was more important that little one didn't get squashed whilst we were out walking.  In any event running after her kept my feet warm.

Given that it was also a cold grey day I wanted to brighten things up, which I did with a cashmere jumper with a long sleeved top in the same colour layered underneath.  I also added a statement necklace to lift the outfit, which was short enough not to hit the little one in the face when I bent down to her.  I am pleased to say that it all did what it was meant to for the day - unlike others I could mention.

Outfit - Gap jeans long and lean, French Connection long sleeved top, Jigsaw cashmere jumper, Jigsaw necklace, Marks and Spencer sequin pumps (children's).

Mum on the Run day 5 - Chunky Knits

So, day 3 of wearing just jeans.  As you know, I have been on a trip so I am doing a bit of catching up with the posts. 

This is my jeans with a chunky jumper look.  It was chilly where I was so I snuggled up in this oversized jumper, which I love.  The white on the print isn't quite as dominant in real life and the jumper also has sequins on it.  Blingtastic! Because the jumper is oversized, I needed to keep the jeans fitted and I added my comfortable, but high, boots to keep the look from being too casual.  I have worn the denim shirt underneath that I also wore on day 1 but this time, rather than being a main feature of the outfit, it served a functional layering purpose.  You might not be able to see too clearly but I am also wearing flouro pink nail varnish for a splash of colour - flamingo pink by Barry M. 

Later on in the day we went for a hideously muddy walk so the high boots were swapped for walking boots, a navy parka, animal print scarf and huge (and hugely warm) gloves.  You can see the pic below!

Outfit 1: Gap denim shirt, Gap straight jeans, Jesire jumper, Oasis boots

Outfit 2: Gap straight jeans, Oasis navy parka, Oasis animal print scarf, Miss Selfridge gloves

Mum on the Run day 4

Day 2 of wearing only jeans - OK well not literally, but you know what I mean!  Tomorrow (Sunday) I will be visiting my sister so I am doing the post a day in advance.  Today it was the turn of bootcut jeans and tomorrow it will be the turn of skinny jeans.

Anyway, I have gone for a kind of alternative rock chick look here - instead of wearing all black, I have gone for a cream/brown/navy combination, which I find a little softer.

A slight story here - the jumper, which I love, shrank in the wash.  The shop was unable to replace it for me as they had sold out so whenever I wear it, I layer a couple of longer tops underneath so I don't get that embarrassing flash of flesh and nor do I keep wriggling and trying to pull it down (well, only because I know that it doesn't work)!

The items are: jeans: Primark, long top: Jigsaw, jumper: Cos, jacket: Oasis, brown biker boots: Hobbs, navy bag: Zara

Mum on the Run day 3

So, my first of seven days of wearing jeans!  Today (Saturday) we were off to see family and we had a fairly early start of 8.30am, so not much time for faffing!   Our trip to see family was followed by a quick trip to Bicester Village.  It is amazing what you can accomplish in 20 minutes - but more about that another time!

My first outfit comprised Gap jeans plus a new striped top from H&M (which was a bargain at £9.99) - with a camisole layered underneath for warmth.  I love stripes and this top not only has stripes but broderie anglaise too - which I also love as it is so pretty.   I used my big blue canvas bag as I can chuck everything in it - handy with all three monsters in tow - and my red patent shoes for colour, comfort and a bit of leg lengthening!

For me it totally served the purpose for the day - warm, comfortable, practical with a bit of detail in the stripes and colour in the shoes.  The heels were high enough to make me feel smart but not so high that I couldn't run around (the shops) in them.

The items are: Gap jeans (long and lean), H&M top, Zara bag, Kurt Geiger shoes

Mum on the Run - Jean Genie

As it is half term next week I will be at home with our youngest, whilst our eldest two are off skiing.  Our youngest is still only three - and whilst naturally she is "a big girl" there is still a certain amount of nose wiping, sticky fingers, lifting in and out of car seats, sticking, painting, crawling on the floor and tripping over toys involved.

For the next 7 days I will wear nothing but jeans.  Each day I will show you how to style your jeans in a different way - and they will all be daytime looks.  Although you may not all be in the same position as me next week, I have no doubt that the majority of you will wear jeans at the weekends and so these looks may keep you going for a while.  Wearing jeans for 7 days will be a challenge for someone who likes her skirts and dresses but I am looking forward to it.

It has always been the intention that Mum on the Run posts should be honest and represent what I am actually wearing for the entire day - shoe swaps aside.  So forgive the possible lack of cocktail rings, necklaces and other accessories that I would normally wear when I am styling people.  In my experience long necklaces and three year olds can result in a black eye for the three year old and strangulation for me.  My philosophy is to style women according to their figure, their lifestyle and their budget.  For me, for next week at least, lifestyle will definitely be the dominant factor!

Oh, and a quick word about jeans.  I have found that most women don't need to spend a huge amount on jeans to achieve the perfect fit.  A combination of Gap, Hobbs, Oasis, TopShop and Karen Millen usually does the job.  Any queries, please just ask.

Mum on the Run Day 2

This outfit is designed to show you how to wear utility trousers in a more "dressed up" kind of way, rather than just with boots and a T.   I have put them with a white shirt, fine v neck jumper, necklace and heels.  Later on in the day the heels can be replaced with boots.  Utility trousers are a good alternative to jeans and there are many copies of the original J Brand Houlihans out there. 

The day that I wore this outfit I had a business meeting first thing, followed by a trip to Pizza Express for lunch with some friends.  The afternoon was spent doing the usual school and tennis run and it all worked fine.

The trousers are from the Gap, shirt from a boutique, jumper Hobbs NW3 sale, shoes Hobbs NW3 sale, necklace from Jigsaw.

Mum on the Run day 1

The day that this photograph was taken I went from a business meeting, to the shops for work, collected the children from school and then took them to tennis. 

The look that I have gone for is daytime sequins with an injection of colour in the shoes and the handbag.  I bought the skirt at Christmas time but hadn't made use of it so decided that it needed an outing. I have dressed the skirt down by putting it with a denim shirt - this idea works with most luxurious fabrics such as lace, tweed, leather - and I have layered a vest underneath the shirt for warmth.  I am also wearing thermal navy blue tights.   After leaving my meeting I swapped my high shoes for Hobbs biker boots, which I had in my car.

The shirt is from Gap, the skirt from Coast, the shoes Hobbs NW3 and the red Miu Miu bag was a bargain in the Harvey Nichols sale about 8 years ago. The tights are from M&S.

Mum On the Run

Mum on the Run is a new daily feature on my blog. Each day -well, that is the plan - I will post a picture of what I am wearing. 

As a "Mum on the Run" I face many of the challenges that lots of you face on a daily basis - too much to do, too little time.  Like you, in any one day I may go from a business meeting, to meeting a client in the shops or at home, to doing the school run, dashing home and doing dinner and homework before getting on with the evening chores.

I am lucky in that styling people is my job - so I ought to be able to do it for myself - but there are always hiccups along the way - right coloured tights, wrong place (the wash maybe), right heel height, wrong shoe.  Black outfit but only a blue coat to go with it, the various lengths of clothes not quite working.  Does it matter?  Together we can find out. 

There are lots of blogs - many of them fascinating - where women have done something not dis-similar.  At the Uniform Project, Sheen Matheiken wore the same dress for a year.  Others create as many different outfits with as few a pieces as possible.  I am not trying to do either  - first,  because they have already been done so well but secondly because I wanted this to be a little different.

There will be successes and failures but what I hope to be able to do is to give you some ideas on how to dress stylishly without breaking the bank, using pieces that you already have in your wardrobe.  Sometimes you may like the colour combinations, sometimes not.  Sometimes you may like the principles of the outfit but not the outfit itself.  My advice is to take on board the positives and leave the rest. If nothing else, I hope that it gives you a giggle.  Fashion is meant to be fun!

A word of warning - I fully expect some of the photographs to be less than perfect but that's fine by me. Whoever happens to me near me on a particular day may get the job of photographing me - so watch out - no mean feat because I hate having my photograph taken!

Why have I called the feature "Mum on the Run"?  Because it has many meanings.  In a literal sense you may be running around - from home, to school, to work, out to lunch, back to the office, back to school - the list goes on.  Or, you may be running from someone - yourself perhaps - or something - or to someone - or something.  Perhaps you are running on empty and need inspiration.  Whatever it may be, I hope that Mum on the Run becomes a pleasurable part of your day.

So, tomorrow is the day to get started.  Let's see how we get on...Gulp!

Pink Mulberry Bag

I am convinced that one day our nine year old son will make a fabulous husband.  The reason?  He is used to dealing with irrational women and doesn't even bat an eyelid.  No, not me. Well OK, may be occasionally - but more often than not his three year old sister.  Take this evening. The poor boy didn't even get in until 6.15pm, having been at school followed by tennis.  He had just sat down to his dinner when said three year old appeared with her Dora stool, pulled it up to the kitchen worksurface and swiped the last piece of flapjack. 

Given that she had already had some as part of her dinner- well actually if I'm being honest it WAS her dinner as she rejected her M&S kiddies' pizza  - (having said that I would have too.  I am not sure whether it was its lack of salt and sugar or the fact that it was a day past its sell by date - don't tell her - and perhaps had something green and furry growing on the bottom - but it wasn't terribly pleasant to eat) - and I really didn't want her to have any more. 

This resulted in me chasing her round the kitchen island trying to retrieve the bowl that she had in her mitts with the flapjack in it.  Having successfully retrieved it, she broke down in sobs and which point, our son said to her "Come on you, time for one of our chats" (they happen fairly often) - and off he carried her.  More about that later.....

So, the fashions for the coming season. What do we think?  I am quite liking the colour blocking, the pure white look, the pleats, the maxi dresses and the florals.  A nod to the 70's in the form of jeans and wedges I am also happy to embrace.  I am not so sure about the fringing and tassels, unless they are particularly tasteful but yes, the colour thing is definitely ticking lots of boxes during these grey days. 

As I walked through House of Fraser yesterday I spotted this lovely number by Mulberry which definitely taps into the bright colour trend.  Had I been on my own I would have stood and drooled but I was styling a client and I really didn't think that the drooling look would have gone down too well.

I can't even bring myself to tell you the price of it as it might spoil the enjoyment of looking at it but how gorgeous is it?  It would be ever so practical too - not only would it go with everything but it is spacious and most importantly - assuming that you loved it - it would make you smile and you can't put a price on that. (Yes, I like that line too - guilt free shopping at its best.)

Sometimes owning one beautiful accessory can really lift the rest of your wardrobe - and that is going to be my stance for this season.  OK, so you might not be able to afford any new clothes but I am sure that we all have a few white items in our wardrobes that, with a bit of glo-white will almost be as  good as new.  Failing that, just adopt the Victoria Beckham style of designing - wrap a bit of fabric (a white sheet will do) around you, secure in place and Bob's your uncle - a new dress is made.  Florals and wedges have been around for years and there are bound to be some lurking at the back of your wardrobe.  As for 70's jeans - I am sure that your Mum will have an old pair somewhere and the bold, bright, colours thing - Dylon is the answer.  Layering is all about finding as many clothes you can in a fairly neutral palette and putting them all on together - upside down, back to front, it doesn't matter as long as you are decent.  No doubt you have a maxi dress from last year  and as for all those camel and nude items which you bought in the winter but which drained you - dig them out and wear them in spring instead. Inspirational - a whole new wardrobe and not a penny spent.

So, to conclude the tale of the flapjack and the chat with the three year old.  A settlement appeared to have been reached and all was well.  The tears stopped, I stopped running around the kitchen island and son looked happy and went back to his dinner. 

Some time later I asked son how the chat had gone and what he had said to calm the little one down.  "Nothing" he said, with a shrug of his shoulders.  "She shouted at me and told me to go away."  And the thing is, he didn't even comment on it or complain.  A good future husband?  I rest my case.  Wonder if he will be able to calm me down as I run round the kitchen island crying because not only is there no flapjack left but because I can't have the pink bag either. Probably.  He has had plenty of training.

Why it's OK to shop on Boxing Day

Up until recently, very recently in fact, I thought that shopping on Boxing Day was bad.  I wondered why the people who were shopping didn't have anything better to do - an odd view, I know, from one who basically shops at every opportunity.  Although I could see the logic in waiting until Boxing Day to buy your loved one that perfect gift at a reduced price, it all seemed a bit, well, mean I suppose and what about Granny sitting at home alone?  No, I thought that it was very bad form.  Until now that is....

You see, I have come up with some very good reasons as to why we should go shopping on Boxing Day and here they are;

Laughing is good for us:  Now, we all know that laughing is good for us and laughing at other people fighting over their perfect purchase is funny.  I doubt that you will see two quite so famous (or handsome) people fighting in your local shopping centre - and they are probably more likely to be female - but you get my drift;

Men unite - Boxing Day shopping is a time when men can unite over the unfairness of it all.  Frankly I can see their point - being ripped from the heart of their home to go and watch their better half try on many an outfit must be soul destroying, which is why they can end up looking like a boxer dog on Boxing Day and that too is funny -  well, for us at least (see point above re laughing being good for you).

We've been saving hard and deserve a treat  -  With the amount of snow that we have had, we have largely been confined to barracks, which has meant no trips to the cinema, no bowling, no visits to stinky soft play areas (thank the Lord) no fun at all frankly.  The up side of this is that we have inadvertently been saving up and we all know that any extra that we have saved shouldn't be put towards life's essentials but rather it should be spent on treats!  So, here's my idea of a perfect treat:

This is one of Victoria Beckham's new bags - a snip at £1 700 and amazingly, still in stock at Net A Porter, unlike her crocodile skin bag for £8 000 which sold out in hours! I am not quite sure that the money saved on cinema trips etc this week quite amounts to £1 700 but I am sure that Primark will do a nice copy soon enough.

Exercise is good for us: After Christmas we could all do with putting a little less into our bodies and moving around a little more and so gentle exercise in the form of wandering around shops is perfect to get ourselves mobilised again after all that armchair sitting - and obviously a gentle stroll around the shops for a few hours will ensure that we will all end up looking like this -

Our immune systems benefit: All that staying indoors, cleaning our houses with anti-bac, cancelling plans with friends and family because of bad weather plays havoc with our immune systems.  We will be turning into a nation of wimps.  Time to mix with the general public, to expose ourselves to lots of bacteria and strenghten our immune systems.  Well, it's either than or go and work on a farm for a while - also good for the immune system - and I know which I prefer!

And finally, the most important reason of all!

I NEED TO GET OUT: I should say firstly that I know that I am lucky.  I am warm, dry and have plenty to eat.  However, I have made carrot cakes, lemon cakes and soup, I have done painting with the children and read endless Topsy and Tim stories, I have even had a couple of lie ins (bonus), done all the washing (even the stuff that I normally ignore for as long as possible) and tidied tidied tidied (although the place still looks a mess).  I have been lucky enough to drink plenty of mulled wine and fizz, I have eaten mince pies, watched Christmas films and eaten too many Quality Street.  Apart from opening presents I have done Christmas and now I JUST WANT TO GO SHOPPING.  Please someone, let me out, just for a while.

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year. x

The trials of finding the perfect outfit for Christmas Day

Let's say that I was being an outfit for the day - and then let's say that I had to choose a day when I would rather NOT be an outfit.  Which day would that day be?  Christmas Day. Without a shadow of a doubt, Christmas Day.  The demands placed on an outfit on Christmas Day far outweigh those demands placed on any other outfit - even an outfit for your wedding day.  With any luck, a wedding day is a one off - and a great day at that - so you can ignore the slightly too tight shoes, the slightly uncomfortable dress and the flippy flappy annoying thing that you have chosen to wear in your hair that day.

Christmas Day however - oh boy!  Does anyone ever feel that they have got it right?  Let's just think about what unreasonable demands we place on our outfit for that day.  We all wake up hoping that the Christmas fairy will have deposited in our wardrobes some amazing outfit that fits well, looks great, is warm and comfortable whilst being glamarous at the same time.  The reality?  The Christmas fairy hasn't been so we start the day feeling a bit miffed - never a good place to be when choosing an outfit.  The Christmas Day outfit has to be stylish yet practical, functional yet  beautiful, warm yet lacking in bulk, short enough and/or fitted enough to be the right side of Liz McDonald yet long enough and loose enough to play Twister.  It has to accommodate an expanding waist band, a change in body temperature as one warms up with alcohol and not crease when we finally collapse in a heap to watch TV.  So what's a girl to do?  My advice is go all out on the red lips and nails and as for the rest?  Comfort reigns supreme and PJ's are definitely where it is at this year.  If you are lucky the Christmas fairy will have come up trumps with some nice new ones, possibly with a bit of a cashmere number thrown in somewhere along the way but if not, well, just keep it in the family - no-one need know. Sssshhh!

Reindeer jumpers (again)!

On Tuesday 10th August this year, I wrote a post dedicated to knitwear with reindeers on it.  In particular, I said that I wasn't convinced that such a piece of clothing was for me.  Ha, if only you could imagine the amount of hours that I have spent searching, searching, searching for knitwear with reindeers on it - and all for our 11 year old daughter who has decided that Christmas won't be Christmas this year unless she has reindeers running across herself - not in a stamp your feet kind of way, I have to say.  She has just got this idea that a reindeer jumper would make Christmas complete -  and who am I to stand in the way of such a sweet, innocent wish?  OK so when I was 11 it was a selection box that made my Christmas complete - although I always hated the Bounty and the Opal Fruits really didn't earn their place in at all as far as I was concerned but there again, times change (don't even get me started on the change of name of Opal Fruits to Starburst).

I swear that I spent fewer hours styling a client of mine who got married today than I did looking for this jumper.  For a start, Birmingham came up trumps for the wedding outfit - but I had to go to Birmingham, Leamington, London and back to Birmingham again to find said reindeer jumper. 

The New Look ones had sold out.  The Primark ones looked as though they had been bought, shrunk in the wash and returned, there was such little stretch in them. There was a great one in Jesire reduced from £129 to £29 - which I was thrilled to find, until our daughter realised that she wouldn't be able to lift her arms any higher than her head without ripping the sleeves.  The funny bat wing thing going on really didn't cut it in the slightest.  The Fat Face ones were £70 and their sale doesn't start until boxing day and as for the the Johnnie B one, the one which started all this nonsense in the first place - that has sold out too.  Ironically, if she were a grown man, the choice would have been much greater.  Bizarre.  Or indeed if we wanted to stretch to £400 and buy a D&G one, that too would have been fine.

The elusive, headache inducing, "I will not give up until I find it" jumper was finally located in a shop called Internacionale in Birmingham (if you too wanted a reindeer jumper) and cost the bargain price of £10.  I am not convinced as to the quality but you know, I just don't care.  I sort of love it and loathe it in equal measure and I think that there might, there just might, be a tussle on Christmas Day as to who gets to wear it.  Equally however I think that there's a possibility that if I were parked in the corner with a selection box (minus the Bounty) I might just cave on that one.  It will be Christmas after all.

Simply Red

Golly, can you believe it?  December the 1st already; snow on the ground, advent calendars up and the re-appearance in our house of a little china baby in a crib who is most adamantly referred to by our two year old as "Baby Cheesus."  Mind you, I am not surprised that she thinks that she is right about "Baby Cheesus" and that I am wrong.  She must think that she is surrounded by idiots.  Having been allowed by her older siblings to have the chocolate from her advent calendar this morning, she then asked if she could have a KitKat for breakfast.  When I explained that no, that wasn't an option and that we didn't eat chocolate for breakfast, she gave me a look as if to say "What are you talking about you numbskull, what do you think I've just been eating?"

So, as to the title of this blog post, Simply Red.  I have discovered a new colour and yes, it's red! I have never really been a fan of red before.  I once had a red suit from Jigsaw which I loved, and some flat red patent shoes, but that's about it.  I bought the suit when I was training as a solicitor in London.  It was a sale purchase - too big to start with, then I shrank a bit and the skirt fell down around my ankles.  Not a good look, especially if you don't want to show your undies in public.  The other thing that I remember about that time in my life was sitting for weeks on end at the Land's Tribunal working on the most dull case in the history of mankind.  The hour after lunch was the worst and I used to have such trouble keeping my eyes open that it was torture.  One of the things that I used to do was to count how many Jigsaws I knew in London - surely a sign even at that stage that I was pursuing the wrong career path!

So far, I have made one red purchase and it is these patent Kurt Geiger shoes.  At £130 I thought that they were a little steep but with a 25% off voucher from Glamour Magazine and with a gift card of £59 to put towards them, I ended up paying just under £40 for them.  What I love is that the heel isn't too high so they should be comfortable whilst I am on my feet.  They are also really versatile as they can be teamed with skirts, dresses, trousers (wide or narrow) and jeans (skinny or flared).  The other thing that I really like is that they are cheerful.  I also like the fact that I have now totally convinced myself that they were a top purchase!

I am planning on wearing them with these grey tapered leg trousers from French Connection which I bought yesterday.  At £75 again, they were on the pricey side but I have discovered that there is 25% off at French Connection with Grazia tomorrow, so I will be returning them and re-buying them for a much more reasonable price.  I will probably opt for a black top with some detail on it and a snuggly fur gilet in black to keep out the cold.

I also have a pair of narrow cropped Boden wool trousers in navy (excuse the small picture) which I bought last winter in the sale.  They will work with the shoes, together with this sequin jumper from Warehouse, which is selling out quick! The jumper also comes in navy and cream. At full price it is £40 but I have bought several recently for style events and for clients and I don't think that I have ever paid more than £32 for it as there have been lots of 20% off days recently in places like Debenhams, House of Fraser and Warehouse itself.

One of the other things that I will wear the shoes with is this sparkly skirt from Coast - which is a current favourite of mine.  A sparkly skirt it is a really good alternative to a sparkly dress as it is so much more versatile. It can be dressed up for the evening or down for the day time, with a polo neck and flat boots.  When I wear the red shoes with this skirt, I will keep the rest of my outfit really plain as otherwise I am in danger of looking like something that ought to be hanging on the Christmas tree.  Again, this skirt is in the sale, down from £85 to £55 with another 20% off in most stores.

 So, my final item is a red coat.  My two favourite ones are in Zara (on the left) and Oasis.  Whilst I don't really go for the matchy matchy approach, the red shoes and red coat will work well.  The other trend this season is to "colour block" that is, wearing the same colour head to toe.  I am not sure that it would work with some brighter colours but it might just be possible to pull it off with red. 

 If you felt like being brave and opting for a red jean, New Look has a great pair - and here they are.  I am not sure that this picture does them justice but as a concept, it might be nice to wear them with a long jumper and tucked into boots - just showing a glimpse if you weren't feeling too brave.

 So ladies, there's plenty of red out there.  Don't forget a jumper or a red silk shirt as an alternative to any of the above, or just add a red lipstick to your make-up bag.  Just don't add white fluffy trimmings or you might end up looking like Mrs Santa Claus. Enjoy the snow!