Mum on the Run - breathe out - no one will be able to tell!

Oh crikey me.  At the dinner table tonight no 2 child asked whether Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister to which his clever sister responded "no, it's Gordon - Gordon Ramsey."  I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.  That came after we realised that having made some bread, she had added 1.5 tablespoons of salt, rather than 1.5 teaspoons.  And don't get me started on the fact that she wants to be the countdown person at NASA for the rocket launch. Heaven help them.

So, this has to be the most comfortable top in the Universe and was my sneaky purchase in H&M yesterday when our daugher was Gokking her brother. I would put a close up photo of the top (minus me) on it but I am too tired to sort it all out.  Anyway, it has bat wing sleeves and some gathering right in the centre, just under the bust, so it provides some shape.  It is great for those days when you feel like wearing something loose but not too tent like and it is definitely a top, rather than a T-shirt, so it gets my vote.  At £7.95 it was my bargain of the day!

Mum on the Run - escaping for an evening!

Last night I was working and I have to say, it was quite nice to escape for a while.  Not that things haven't been calm here for once - astonishingly they have. I keep finding the eldest two plotting by the computer, furtively flicking through magazines and generally doing something other than arguing.

Anyway, the fact that I was working meant that I was forced to do some ironing and generally sort myself out, so it wasn't a bad thing.  I opted for simple head to toe navy in modern shapes and accessorised with my new Hobbs necklace.

I then found out what was going on with the rioters.  Our eldest (12) had taken control of her brother's (9) wardrobe and she was giving him a make-over.  This resulted in a shopping trip today but I have to say she has done a great job.  No longer could she stand him looking "like a nerd" - and now that he is going into year 5 she thought that he ought to have something decent to wear on non-uniform day.

So, out have gone the too short cords, Clarks trainers and Ben 10 T-shirts and they have been replaced by straight jeans, converse, long sleeve grandad style tops, checked shirts, a padded gilet and a messenger bag  (For those of you who know him, don't fall over in shock!)  When we returned she showed him how to put the outfits together and photographed him so that he has a reference point for the future.  So funny! I have to say, it's almost worth me giving up my clothing allowance just to buy the peace.  Actually, there's no doubt about it - it is worth it.  I consider it a small price to pay for my sanity.  Looks like my wardrobe might suffer over the next few months!

Outfit - Cos top, navy M&S peg legs, Zara shoes, Mulberry bag, Hobbs necklace.

Mum on the Run - Button it Viv - it can be tartan if you like!

When I read in Grazia today that Vivenne Westwood had criticised Kate Middleton's style it did get me thinking.  Apparently, having criticised her eye-liner, she then went on to refer to her image as being that of an "ordinary woman" as opposed to that of an "extraordinary woman".  Really, I just thought that it made her sound a little pathetic and I felt a bit uneasy about the whole thing but I wasn't sure why.  I don't have particularly strong views on VW, and whilst I think that Kate is pretty I wouldn't say that I am obsessed with her in a kind of crying/screaming/where's my Kate scrapbook kind of way. 

However, I tried to think of some kind of analogy to see whether my response to VW's comments about Kate was unreasonable.  So I thought about the Grande Dames of the acting world, the equivalent of VW if you like, but in their own field.  Would Judi Dench or Helen Mirren criticise a young actor in the same way? I doubt it.  Surely they would nurture young actors, giving them encouragement and words of wisdom when they set out on their journey.  And anyway, Kate has never held herself out to be a style icon, a trend setter or anything along those lines.  She just married her chap, who happens to be the future King of England, which means that she is very visible. So if the girl wants to wear tan tights and nude shoes just let her.  If she likes her eyeliner and her long hair who is VW to say otherwise. If she likes to do a bit of fashion re-cyling and wear a fascinator good on her.  I am sure that she has her own views on VW's style.

My final conclusion was that men wouldn't behave like that towards other men and that's why I felt uneasy.  So much for sisterhood and all that - which is why, if I criticised VW, I wouldn't really be advancing my own argument very much.  So this is all that I will say about the matter - she should "button it".  It can be tartan if she likes, and she can sew it on herself , but if she can't say anything positive she should spend her time doing something constructive instead like (insert your own thoughts).  Alternatively, as my son says, Kate should just say " Off with her head." Right, I will now get off my soap box.
   

Mum on the Run - Green jeans

I was so proud of myself today - not because I was up and out with the children early but because of where we went - the local leisure centre, complete with wave machine, water slides, toddler pool, grit on the floor, overflowing nappy bins and general grime. 

As I looked up at the showers shaped as toadstools in the toddler pool I though to myself "blimey, give my Mum a day in here with some hot water, rubber gloves and a scrubbing brush and the place would look so different."  She is the Queen of cleaning.  The children knew that it was their once yearly trip and they made the most of it.  In fairness because we were there early, it wasn't too busy and I managed to wait a whole ten minutes before I even looked at the clock to see if it was time to get out yet.  As I say, I was very proud of myself. 

The outfit consisted of my green River Island jeans, Next white T-shirt, Gap cardi, green converse and a Cath Kidston spotty bag.

I must confess that I haven't been brave enough to wear my green jeans with flats but I saw a friend of mine wear coloured jeans and flats so successfully at the weekend that I decided to give it a go.  OK so she is at least 2 inches taller than me so as long as I don't get too close to a mirror, or if I do squint when looking, I think that I can just about get away with them!

Mum on the Run - Making the most of your maxi!

As my friend said today "Maxis are great if you haven't had time to get your arse in gear" which is not why I was wearing my maxi but I have to agree that she has a point.

So anyway, the weather wasn't that great and that, plus needing another layer to keep me warm by the fridges in Waitrose, meant that the denim shirt went on.  I tucked it under and tied it at the front to make it the right length.  I couldn't make it sit quite right at the top - but I realised when I took it off in the evening that I hadn't done the poppers up properly.  An elementary error I think.

I also accessorised with a new necklace - a birthday present to myself .  I can see myself getting a lot of use out of it - either with a plain white T and jeans or a LBD.  That's my excuse for buying it anyway!

 Maxi - French Connection, Denim shirt Next, Necklace Hobbs

Would I like to blog for Look? Would I ever!

Generally I'm not really one for competitions.  I suppose it comes from the disappointment of never winning the primary school raffle - and being deprived of that wonderful pair of plastic high heeled shoes.  Such a tragedy. 

So when I saw the competition run by Look Magazine, the prize being to blog from the front row of their Show, I initially dismissed the idea - not because I wouldn't love to but rather because last year's winners looked so young!   So, I flicked idly on through the magazine and then realised that something, or rather someone, had caught my eye.  Erin O'Connor. She was pictured on the runway looking fantastic and I thought to myself "Blimey, if she's there actually participating, maybe my presence won't be so noticeable on the front row (providing that I don't smile too much.)" 

So, having read the terms and conditions, just to verify that there wasn't an upper age limit for entrants (which was lower than my own age) I decided to go ahead and enter the competition.  So here I am, writing a blog post as to why I should be blogging away from the front row at the Look Show - and this what I concluded.

Like all other entrants to the competition, fashion and styling are my passions in life (as well as my husband and three children of course - just in case they read this).  However, I see myself as championing the cause of women over 40 who want to be stylish, fashionable, edgy or whatever and who are not yet ready to be consigned to a twin set and pearls.   Being more mature (well, in some ways at least!) I can offer a slightly different perspective on the clothes being shown than some of the younger women out there - and there are a lot of them (young girls, not clothes that is - but in reality probably both)! 

I see my role as identifying which trends are to be embraced by the 40 plus market, which should just be given a nod to and which should be left alone entirely! Brothel creepers anyone - no, maybe not. 

The High Street doesn't really see fashion for the over 40's as being "sexy".  In some ways I can understand that - shopping for clothes which have enough length to cover knees which are no longer what they once were, or finding tops to disguise a "Mummy tummy" is hardly the thing of which multi-million pound ad campaigns are made.  However, there are lots of us over 40's out there and we hold a large proportion of the nation's wealth - not me personally you understand, unfortunately - but as a whole and I would like to represent us, in our entirety, including the extra bits that we have acquired with age.

On the day, I would have an eye to which brands suited which body shapes and which brands had clothes which were cut well and which looked as though they cost a lot more than they actually did.  Anything which looked as though it had been designed by Phoebe Philo would get my vote, as would anything which looked as though it was from Marni, DVF or Miu Miu.

The UK is known to have one the best High Streets in the world.  Blogging from the front row of a Show which showcased some of those brands would be incredible.  I must confess to knowing all of the brands well - some I would say even intimately - even Forever21, as I spent many hours styling a young girl in there recently.

Watching the Show first hand to see how the brands have evolved to capture new markets, to see how each one goes about meeting the needs of women, what they have done to create their own niche and to see how they  interpret the designer trends would be a fantastic experience. Stars, spots, 1960's, 1940's, colour blocking, the boyish look - the list goes on - I have no doubt, will all be there to be blogged about. 

As a final thought, I am sure that the other skills that I have acquired with age could also be put to good use.  If anyone needed guidance, a shoulder to cry on, a spare tissue or a friendly ear, I could be that person.  I may not be smiling (n.b. see the comment re lines above) but inside I would be over the moon to be present. 

P.S I would also relish the part of the prize which involved going to the cinema (without having to watch an animated film) going bowling (without having to use the special equipment for three year olds) and drinking cocktails with gay abandon!

Mum on the Run - A day at home

Just an easy day at home today, hence the jeans, converse and H&M cotton top - the colour of which isn't great on me but I would usually layer something else underneath.  For once though, it was warm enough not to. The only thing that I added was a leather cuff.  Temperature wise it was great, however the jeans reminded me that there's not too much spare room for more chocolate cake!

Our two eldest are being home educated at the moment - they have to earn their TV time by reading some of Alan Sugar's autobiography.  I figured that they would learn a lot and as it transpires they have.  I heard them sniggering about the swear words that they had read - which includes "the f-word, two p-words (pi** and pric*) the b-word (b*******)" and more besides, and that was just the first chapter.  Excellent.  I think that they well and truly got one over on me.  

Mum on the Run - A lace skirt styled for a casual feel

Today we visited family and then spent the rest of the day at home, playing games, cooking, doing general jobs and finishing the chocolate cake that we made yesterday.  I must confess, we didn't find the last task too arduous.

I don't generally wear lots of skirts but this lace one from Mango is really comfortable.  It has a slight stretch to it and is pretty yet practical, with the lining finishing above the hem of the skirt, showing the lace off.   Given that it is lace, it can be dressed up or down, so I did a bit of both really - dressed it down with the Jigsaw striped top but added sparkly Dune sandals. It was quite nice to wear a skirt for a change.

I have seen that Mango has a similar skirt this season but in red.  As there's going to be huge amounts of red around for A/W '11 it might prove to be a good investment.

Mum on the Run - A bit of a frill

We have been away for a few days so today was one of those catching up kind of days.  I started by doing a bit of a Tracy Anderson work out, which my son witnessed and which caused utter hysterics - which is good really as it made up for the lack of a smile on her face.

By the time I got showered I had lost the will a bit so I really just grabbed what was comfortable and would be cool enough if it got warmer later on (failed there though - the jeans were boiling - obviously!)   I have to say that these are good jeans though - they are from Topshop and fit really well. The rise is fairly good, as is the colour and they come in different leg lengths. They are called Jessie.  The pink vest is from Boden - a pain to iron but nice to wear.  I layered another vest underneath for some additional coverage and resorted to the default footwear of converse.

Later in the day we made THIS -  yum yum!  Naturally I had to test the first piece! 

Mum on the Run - An asymetric dress

I love these photographs - nothing to do with me, just that they were taken by our little three year old munchkin and you can see from the angle how small she is.   In the absence of her older brother and sister, she was in charge of the camera and did really well, chubby finger over part of the lens aside!  She even gave me the 3-2-1 countdown that her brother does.

Anyway, to the dress - I threw this on hurridly when on the way out to ballet.  If I had had too long to think about it I may have taken it off, fearing that it was a bit too try hard for the day but actually it's really practical - plenty of room in the skirt so easy to walk in, a decent length and once on it stays well and truly put.  The last time I wore it was for a friend's 40th in May where I styled it with high gold shoes, so it was really nice to wear it as a daytime dress.  Ideally I would have had time to put a belt with it but that wasn't an option today.  The dress is from French Connection - and probably massively reduced in the sale now but I'm not going to check!

Mum on the Run - A dress for a sunny day

I'm using a little artistic licence today.  I actually wore this dress earlier in the week but to reveal what I am wearing today would be not only a crime against fashion but also one against humanity. I can describe it though - striped top, PJ shorts and Mini Boden sheepskin boots - totally stunning (not!) 

The style of this Oasis dress is good for any pear shaped ladies.  The neckline serves to broaden the shoulders whilst the movement in the skirt disguises heavier hips/legs - bringing your shape back into proportion.  I am also wearing Cath Kidston flip flops.

I am nursing what can only be described as an unusually strong adverse reaction to alcohol today, which is most unlike me.  I was unable to stand up for much of the day but having conquered that inability was so worn out by the effort that I had to lie down again.  Probably not the most productive use of a sunny day (especially given how much I complain when it is cold) but it really wasn't my fault. I'm not sure whose it was, or how it happened but there we go.

Mum on the Run - With her friends!

There are certain things in life that make us nostalgic and these things provide us with comfort.  It may be hearing a tune on the radio that reminded us of our school discos, the smell of a perfume that our Grandma used to wear, or visiting a familiar holiday destination from when we were young. 

For me, recounting stories to our children of what I got up to with my friends when I was at school is a great way of re-living my memories and remembering the fun times that I had with them - well, other than when the children ask me whether electricity had been invented when I was a child and then I am just indignant! 

There was the incident at school when the picture that I had drawn of a certain part of the male anatomy was held up by one of my friends to show to the class.  Drawing never was my strong point but at least the class found it funny.   Or the time that my friend and I were cycling to school and, as a result of laughing so much, she ended up nearly falling off her bike only saving herself by discarding the chocolate bar that she was eating over her shoulder, and in turn over a hedge, into someone's garden.  Why we were eating chocolate bars at 8.30 am escapes me now but we will always share that memory.  Those moments of closeness, laughing so much that your sides ache, must have positive health benefits of that I am sure. What I am not so sure though about the RSI I received as a result of writing lines because I was laughing with my friends, rather than concentrating. 

Nivea are marking their 100th birthday with a celebration of closeness in modern Britain, entitled "A Million Moments of Closeness".   Their aim is to literally capture "A Million Moments of Closeness".  You can join in NIVEA’s celebration by uploading photographs of you with a friend, sibling, partner, parent or child at facebook.com/niveauk, or you can look out for their road shows, throughout the UK, where you can jump into a photo booth and have your picture instantly uploaded. You can also pick up free goodies if you attend the roadshow events.

 

As part of their campaign, Nivea have enlisted the help of Professor Beattie, a psychologist, for expert advice on tips for making friends as adults. These tips include sharing a secret with someone, paying attention to what people are saying and never saying "Nice".  In context I think that "Nice" can be a good word to use.  I got chatting to one of my now closest friends by use of the word "Nice" as in "Nice bag!"  We then went on to discover that we had the same forenames, year of birth, number of children, occupations and we were both left handed.  OK, so that's not why we are friends, our love of cakes, running and her ability to crack me up help in that department but the word "Nice" definitely featured as an opening to our friendship.  

 

Whether you share your pictures on Facebook or at the roadshow, at the end of each day, Professor Beattie will choose his favourite picture and the winner will receive one of 100 prizes worth £100.

As for making new friends as an adult - is it harder?  I can't say that I have noticed that it is but everyone is different.  Some people have, and need to have, lots of friends.  Others have one or two close friends and that is all.  What I am sure of though is that we all derive huge benefits from our friendships and with families often fractured by distance, friends have, it is said, become "the new family."  However what I have noticed is that modern technology has changed how we conduct our friendships.  How did we ever manage at University to make an arrangement for the following week and not change it? No mobiles, no texts, no being late.  We had to stick to it. 

An old University friend and I have recently got back in touch after many years and we decided to do something that was special to our friendship as we knew it whilst at University.  So, the way that we stay in contact is by writing to one another - sending cards and letters when we can.  We are both busy and it doesn't happen as often as we would like but there's something lovely about opening the door after a long day at work and seeing her familiar handwriting on a card on the mat.  I wait until the children are in bed and then curl up and savour reading each and every word, then putting the card on the mantle piece for a few weeks before filing it away in a memory box.  Can a text or an email compete with that?  I don't think so.  Sure, texts and emails have their place in modern day life and for those with family and friends abroad, Skype is fantastic - but for those friends for whom you would drop everything in a crisis, hearing their voice in a telephone call, see their writing in a letter and even better, seeing them face to face, if only once a year, is something to be treasured above all else.   

  

Sponsored Post
Viral video by ebuzzing












Sponsored Post

Mum on the Run - Birthday suit!

Fortunately, that's not all that I am wearing but it is my birthday today and I share it with none other than Jennifer Lopez and Wonderwoman.  How fab is that?   For once the sun shone,  which is a rarity despite the fact that I have a July birthday.  We all had a great day, with a highlight being a trip to Selfridges to buy birthday cakes.  They were fab but we universally agreed that the chocolate biscuit cake made by my husband and our daughter was still the best.  Even better - I get to choose what we watch on TV tonight.  My husband just can't wait to start Eat, Pray Love....NOT! I'm letting him watch Top Gear first though - just so that he can brace himself.

I always tend to play it safe clothes wise at Christmas and birthdays as I don't want to worry about what I am wearing. Having said that, my new Ted Baker top made an outing but with tried and tested (with plenty of room for eating) straight jeans and ballet pumps.  My grey Mulberry is also a year old today so that had to come out too!

When we got home it was really hot so I changed into a white sun dress and flip flops then sat and read the paper before friends came round and we all had fizz (and more cake!)  Bliss!

Mum on the Run - An evening out with the girls

Last night I went out with a group of friends for dinner. I knew that it was going to be hot so that ruled trousers out - that and the fact that they tend to have a waistband which I really could have done without.  Also, being the wimp that I am, it's not often that it's warm enough for me to go out in a summer dress without the need for extra layers and so I took full advantage of the balmy summer evening. Having had such a great time last night I now feel fully rejuvenated in one sense but also a little bit worse for wear around the edges!

Dress - Reiss, shoes Pied a Terre

Mum on the Run - In a 500byGucci!

Do you remember how, in the early 1990's, everyone aspired towards owning a Gucci belt or a pair of Gucci loafers.  Remember the LBD that Posh Spice wore which everyone assumed was Gucci (in fact, it was Topshop)?  Well, now there's a new kid on the block.  To celebrate both the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and Gucci's 90th anniversary, Fiat and Gucci have collaborated to create the 500byGucci - a stylish, simple and sophisticated car, which is unsurprising really given that it was customised by Frida Giannini, the Creative Director of Gucci.

Now, I am married to someone who is utterly and completely obsessed by cars.  I have spent many an hour having "Car Chats" and my knowledge of cars is really far greater than it should be.  So, here's the technical info.  The Italian car comes with two engines, a 1.2 litre and the award winning 0.9 litre Twin Air.  They are priced at £14,565 and £15,765 respectively.  Best of all, you can even order the car online.  All you have to do is pay a deposit, order it from the factory, track the car's progress and make a final payment.  The car can even be delivered especially to your home.  It's as simple as ordering a pair of shoes - Gucci, naturally. 

So, now to the aesthetics.  The 500byGucci comes in both black and white, each benefiting from glossy pearl glass paint.  The black version comes with chrome detailing, whilst the interior contrasts sharp black and white for a contemporary feel.  The white version comes with satin chrome detailing, whilst the interior is ivory black giving it a softer, sophisticated look.  Both showcase Gucci's distinctive colours and iconic branding.

 

I think that it is fair to say that some pairings in life work - Fish & Chips, Wills & Kate, James Bond and Moneypenny - others however aren't so successful - the Montagues and Capulets, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, Cheryl Cole and American X-Factor. 

The collaboration between Fiat and Gucci however has success written all over it.  There are lots of families who run two cars, one large one and one smaller one as a run around.  The 500byGucci definitely appeals to me in that regard.  OK so the children won't be able to play a double base or a tuba but that really doesn't create a problem in my mind.  Not even a small one.  In the words of Elena Bernadellli, marketing director for Fiat Group UK "it will also appeal to those fashionista customers who want to have a unique car to distinguish themselves."  To me it's fun, fresh and exciting, which is exactly what a car should be. 

The 500byGucci is available in the UK from this summer and you can find out more by registering at www.fiat.co.uk/500bygucci


Sponsored Post
Viral video by ebuzzing

Mum on the Run - A stripy jumper dress

The day started out a lot smarter than it ended up. I had a meeting with a hotel in the City Centre and so I started off with black trousers, silk shirt, black blazer and heels.  Knowing that I didn't want to be too dressed up when I collected the children later on, I took some spare clothes with me to change into. Apologies at this stage to anyone who saw me getting changed in my car whilst parked in the Waitrose car park. Anyway, off came the silk shirt, black blazer and high heels and on went the stripy jumper dress and flats.  Ah, that was more like it! I love my new jumper dress - I know that it is too big but it is so comfortable and I can wear it as a dress with wedges, with flats, with trousers and flats, with a leopard print belt, with a sparkly scarf -it's just so versatile and at £14.99 it just had to be.

Anyway, now that all three are at home having finished school, what are they doing?  Well, having come home to a lunch seriously lacking in nutrition - actually one hasn't even eaten yet so he really is lacking in nutrition - they are now watching dvds of course - a whole afternoon's worth. How bad is that on the first day of their holidays? 

I used to do exciting things like take them to the cinema, or bowling, or out for lunch (together with the rest of the school) but I have given up.  All those bags, woodwork objects and waiting to be served - it all got a bit much. Plus they are all whacked so Blockbuster it was this morning and I can highly recommend it.  The youngest chose Tangled, or Rapunzel or, as she calls it "Buckpunzel" - and yes, you do have to be careful how you pronounce that one - especially in public. Her swearing vocabulary is already much larger than it should be for a three year old and I don't think that we really need to add to it.

So, that's us sorted for the afternoon - well until they appear for some highly questionable snack, which I will grant, just for today. They think that they have got off lightly. What they don't realise is that I am spending the afternoon typing up lists of jobs for them to do whilst on holiday - there will be daily jobs and weekly jobs, some they may earn pocket money for but most they won't. They think that the witch on Buckpunzel is bad?  They ain't seen nothing yet!

Outfit: Trousers Ted Baker, Jumper dress H&M, Shoes Dune  

Mum on the Run - more like Mum on the Sprint!

Crikey, what a day.  It's warm, which is great and I was working with a lovely lady today.  Then it was home and time for ballet, school run etc. I was really hot when I came home and had five minutes to change before going out so I went for the safe summer formula of white (dress), tan (belt) and gold (shoes). 

Unfortunately the dress was more see through than I realised when I bought it, so on my way out I grabbed a long vest to stop me from being indecent.  Unfortunately it spoiled the neck line of the dress a bit but that's what Mum on the Run is all about - not always having the time to get it exactly right but doing the best we can with the time available.  By the time this photo was taken the stack of bangles had come off and a couple of other accessories were lost somewhere along the way.  Mind you by that stage I was past caring - a cup of milk had been chucked across the kitchen (accidentally) and our son had looked at the dinner that I had cooked and said "why on earth did you think that I would like that?"  And the summer holidays haven't even started yet! 

Dress - French Connection, Shoes Dune.

Mum on the Run - A Sunday at home

Today we were up to the usual family chores - ironing, tidying, chopping the tangles out of the hair of our three year old (she now has a bit of a combover at the back but it works fine) and cooking lunch from Jamie's 30 minutes cookbook. OK, so the meals may take 30 minutes to cook but it takes about three and  half hours to tidy up afterwards.  I think that I may soon be reverting to my one pot cookbook - it's stew or soups for us now until the end of the year.

As for the outfit, this black linen dress is great for days around the house.  It's fairly childproof and has a decent length on it so I can go on the trampoline without giving the neighbours a shock.  I had to go out in the afternon to pick our son up from a party so put my gold wedges on for that but I also wore it with flip flops when I was at home.  Well, more accurately our daughter's flip flops.  I mugged her when she returned from her camping trip and pinched them off her as her Cath Kidston ones are much nicer than any that I own.  Surely that can't be right.

Outfit - Dress French Connection, Shoes Dune, Bag Orla Kiely

Mum on the Run - A Sunday at home

Today we were up to the usual family chores - ironing, tidying, chopping the tangles out of the hair of our three year old (she now has a bit of a combover at the back but it works fine) and cooking lunch from Jamie's 30 minutes cookbook. OK, so the meals may take 30 minutes to cook but it takes about three and  half hours to tidy up afterwards.  I think that I may soon be reverting to my one pot cookbook - it's stew or soups for us now until the end of the year.

As for the outfit, this black linen dress is great for days around the house.  It's fairly childproof and has a decent length on it so I can go on the trampoline without giving the neighbours a shock.  I had to go out in the afternon to pick our son up from a party so put my gold wedges on for that but I also wore it with flip flops when I was at home.  Well, more accurately our daughter's flip flops.  I mugged her when she returned from her camping trip and pinched them off her as her Cath Kidston ones are much nicer than any that I own.  Surely that can't be right.

Outfit - Dress French Connection, Shoes Dune, Bag Orla Kiely

Mum on the Run - A sunny Saturday

I love Saturdays. When I wake up there's an expectation that the sun will be shining, that (somehow) peace and serenity will settle on the house and that we will live a day of harmony - oh, and that a perfect tapas style lunch will appear which we will all sit down and eat together. 

I have a feeling that we may get part of the way there today.  Our eldest is away and as much as we love her (and her highly amusing school report), she does have an amazing capacity to wind her brother up.  We have now reached the stage that the fighting between those two is so legendary that our youngest, who is starting school in September, has asked me "When I get home from school, do I have to have a fight?"

The only thing that makes me wonder whether I am aiming a little too high is the theory that my husband put to the test last night, which went like this:

• Juice based cocktails don't make you drunk, because they have juice in them;
• Juice based cocktails are good for colds - because they have juice in them;

Yep, you can guess what he was drinking last night.  Given that he didn't get up until mid-day today, I wonder whether he was wrong.  I couldn't possibly comment whether it was a cold or a hangover which kept him in bed for so long but my loyalty to him would have to say that it was a cold (together with the fact that he might read this at some stage and get grumpy if I insinuated that he had a hangover).

So, the outfit was simple, a Ted Baker cream top and navy trousers together with the sparkly flats.  It got a bit hot later on when I was playing table tennis so I swapped it all for a dress but that's another story.

Mum on the Run - Boyfriend jeans and a pretty top

I started out the day in running gear but when I realised at 11.30am that I still hadn't been and was unlikely to, I decided to get changed.  I am not sure why but I dug out my boyfriend jeans, something that I haven't worn for ages.  Being a bit grungy on my bottom half, I needed something a little prettier to wear on top so picked my favourite lace top from Monsoon.  Given that I was doing lots of ferrying around of children today, crawling through play tunnels (that was a decidedly bad move given that I got stuck) washing and general jobs, this worked fine for me.

Jeans Topshop, Lace top Monsoon, Converse Jones

Mum on the Run - An outfit for lots of occasions

It's been a while since I last posted a picture and so I decided that today would be the day to start again - after all, how hard could it be?  I had a lot of different things on today and little time to change so I chose an outfit that would do for styling a client this morning, going to a tea party in preparation for our youngest starting school this afternoon and then onto the eldest's school fete. 

I chose straight jeans, a silk LK Bennett shirt, sparkly flat sandals and my Orla Kiely bag.  It worked fine although the shirt is now a little worse for wear having had tears on it (not mine) and also a runny nose. It has just dodged a nose bleed from the youngest so has actually done quite well, considering how it all could have turned out!

Mum on the Run - A printed Reiss dress

 Today started off as one of those days that I dream of all year - a throw on a dress no need for a piece of knitwear kind of day.  As we headed out for our day at a National Trust property the sun was shining and all was well.  I should have realised that ridiculously high wedges and the uneven paths outside old properties really weren't a match made in heaven and I nearly came a cropper.  However my dignity and my ankle were saved by the child's scooter that I was carrying.  When I returned home, the wedges were hastily replaced by converse for the dash up to ballet and the school run.  I much preferred the wedges with the dress and a different colour converse would have been better but there was no time for such a debate.

Dress Reiss, shoes converse (well that was easy!)

Mum on the Run - A soggy sports day

I've been a bit negligent in posting of late - for some reason I don't seem to have had the time.  I could pretend that it was because I was doing something amazingly interesting but then that would be a lie. I can't even pretend that I have been practising the lyrics to Take That - although I must confess that I would have been, had it not transpired that our Take That tickets were sold to us by a website that didn't actually own them in the first place.  Not that I am annoyed or anything about not seeing Gaz and the boys strut their stuff.

Anyway, this photo was taken a few days ago now.  It was our son's sports day and I mean "day".  It goes on from 9.30 am until 4.00pm.  If the organisers of the Olympics need any tips - they know where to go for help.  We even get coffee served in proper paper cups - with a lid no less. 

Anyway, the weather was cold, wet and windy -but nonetheless we (by that I mean the parents) soldiered on regardless, embarrassing our children with our cheers.  Well I did anyway, with great satisfaction I hasten to add.  It's good that they learn what it feels like to be embarrassed given that they do it to us all the time.

So, whilst I may have looked like the Michelin man with my layers of vest, stripey top, denim shirt, cream cardi and spotty mac I was, at least warm and dry. 

(An aching) Mum on the Run - Jigsaw skirt and a leather jacket

As our youngest was having her bath tonight, she reminded me of the incident with her friend Henry - who took it upon himself to see if she could fly like a bat.  Having catapulted her from a toy at playgroup, and instructing her to flap her arms, they both realised that she could not, in fact, fly like a bat.  She informed me that had he requested her to fly like a fairy she would have succeeded - it was the bat bit that was at fault, not the fact that she couldn't fly per se.  So that was today's thought for the day.

Now, turning to the outfit - having been caught out yesterday with the heat, I duly did what needed to be done on the beauty front and wore a skirt.  Only for it to rain.  Nevermind - it was lined so I was warm enough and the leather jacket just put the skirt just on the right side of twee.

Now to Tracy Anderson.  She claims to gently wake up our accessory muscles.  Mine feel more like they have been ripped from their slumber and forced to march a thousand miles.  So at the moment I am finding it hard to move.  I may be writing from my bed tomorrow.

Skirt Jigsaw, Sequin top Topshop, Jacket Oasis, Bag Mulberry, Shoes Zara

Mum on the Run - Tracy Anderson here I come!

Today I found my perfect outfit and it is priceless - literally priceless as it has virtually no value whatsoever.  In fact it really should belong in a charity shop but there's no way that I am parting with it now...but more about that one later.

I was slightly caught out by the heat today, hence the maxi dress which covered up a multitude of sins - the details of which I won't go in to.  It's a silky jersey maxi dress from French Connection - virtually see through which is why it has long vest layered underneath.  I put it with flat sandals which were great for the school run.

Now, back to the pefect outfit.  As I was walking along the landing, I bumped into our eldest daughter who was coming out of the bathroom.  She looked at me and said "Oh, you look really young."  Oh the joy in that comment - and what I was wearing?  The oldest pale blue terry towelling shorts you could imagine, courtesy of the white company and the coral vest from New Look that I am wearing in the above photo.  Why was I wearing this outfit?  Because I was about to embark on my new Tracy Anderson DVD - but there goes another story.

Mum on the Run - at the school fete

The morning started with our three year old being taught how to use a Nerf gun by her brother (including re-loading it) and taking great delight in shooting me with about 20 foam bullets.  Her skills know no bounds.  She is also in the process of conning the tooth fairy by putting her older sister's teeth under her pillow.  I think that she must have been watching the Apprentice on the quiet. 

For those of you who saw my twitter message this morning, you will know that today was the day of the school fete and that my significant contribution was to serve on the Chinese food stall.  As I felt a little under attack (what with that, being in charge of our own children plus their cousins - and because rain was forecast) I was planning on wearing combats - which I thought seemed appropriate.  However my plans changed and I decided to go for the green jeans, stripey top and Cos swing cardi.  Fortunately I also took a denim shirt with me, which I put on when the temperature dropped below 10 degrees. 

Amazingly all went well at the school fete - our youngest wasn't thrown from Suzie the donkey, the kids didn't trash the inside of the fire engine, I probably haven't guessed correctly the weight of the chocolate cake (but then I am not sure that I want it anyway given that half the school has handled - and probably sneezed over - it.)  We are now settling down to the mean cocktails which my South American sister in law has made.  Bliss!

Mum on the Run - Liz Hurley eat your heart out!

When I wear white jeans I always feel that I am doing a bit of a "Liz" (Hurley) - she who wears white jeans come rain or shine, winter or summer, whether they are the height of fashion or not.  They are part of her uniform, together with huge sunglasses and her son who has the most incredible haircut I have ever seen.  Anyway, for some reason it amuses me (the constant wearing of white jeans - and the haircut if I am honest - not that I like to criticise another mother) but there we go - lots of little things do. 

Anyway, this was the second outfit of the day as the first had been abandoned for something more comfortable, after the meeting I went to this morning.  It's very straightforward really, white jeans (GAP) and pale pink long sleeved top plus pale pink short sleeve cotton jumper over the top (both H&M) with a long pendant.  I was happy and comfortable enough.

Mum on the Run - Life returns to normal

We are all now safely returned from our holiday.  I was delighted to hear our eldest explaining to our youngest before we took off that, should we crash into the sea, she (the youngest) should make sure that she left her false teeth, cigarettes and high heels behind as per the safety card.  Jolly good.  Since we have been back there has been some illness (mine) a funeral (not mine) and slowly life is returning to normal.  Well, as normal as it ever gets around here.

Today I met two new lovely ladies.  It wasn't exactly warm and it was forecast to rain so I went for the classics - navy cropped trousers (no chance of soggy hems) platforms (so I was raised from the rain) and a mac for good measure, teamed with a pretty blouse from Hobbs. 

Mum on the Run - another couple of days on holiday!

This is yesterday's outfit, which I didn't get around to posting until today because last night we were all at my Dad's eating, you guessed it....crab!  The children had been up there preparing them for us.  Apparently all had gone well until our son had taken to wielding the knife and hammer in a rather unruly fashion.  I am sure that if we were in England social services would have been informed by now but all sorts of odd things go on down here that wouldn't go on at home.  Driving on the pavement is a given.  Child seats aren't required (not that we went without).  There's no health and safety or employment legislation and the drink driving laws are a bit lax - but wee up the harbour wall and you had better watch out.  The Magistrate will have your guts for garters.

As to the outfit - this is a bit of a nod towards vintage - lace top, cashmere cardi, Cath Kidston pumps and rolled up jeans. It was all good for walking along the beach, rock pooling and having fun with the children.

Today's outfit required some planning because there was a very distinct danger that I was going to be up past my knees in rock pools - and shorts and I really don't get on. So I decided that I would wear a dress over linen trousers on the basis that I could remove the trousers and hitch my dress up.  Half an hour of my dress hitched up is far preferable to me (and the rest of the world) than me wearing shorts for a day.

It all got a bit chilly when I went paddling and the trousers got wet but I just rolled them up and lived with the damp.

Our final day was great - a morning on the beach, crab sarnies for lunch, a swim in the pool and then sushi for dinner.  Time to pack and return to reality - until this time next year....

I am pleased to report that the capsule (in the loosest sense of the word) wardrobe worked really well.  At no point did I feel that I had run out of clothes or that I didn't have the right thing for the right occasion.  This may largely have been due to the fact that we spent a lot of time on the beach rock pooling, in cafes or in the sea (in which case I was in a wetsuit) but it worked well and the thing that makes me happiest of all - I have had a chance to get lots of washing done and we are going home with a suitcase full of clean clothing.  I think that I need to get out more!

Mum on the Run- holiday day 5

It has been such a funny day, I don't even know where to start.  We have just come back from having a BBQ on the beach.  The BBQs didn't quite get up to the heat that they should have done - great if you like bacon, stuffed peppers and halloumi (me) not so great for those of the steak persuasion.  So, we have returned to our friend's apartment for steak, dodging our apartment on the way, just in case the children should spot us.

We were listening to Island FM this morning. If ever you are in need of a lift, that is the radio station to listen to.  They have this slot where they talk about missing animals. Apparently a three and a half foot lizard has escaped from somewhere in Guernsey and a cat is missing too.  So funny.  There is a local arsonist on the island at the moment who keeps setting fire to cars.  The police have advised people that they really should keep their car doors looked at all times.  Lock their cars at all times - not sure that the police in England really need to spell that one out to people.

Still on the leaving unlocked car note, our eldest was apparently sitting in the boot of someone else's car today for about five minutes before realising that ours was the car next door.  How she failed to notice the double buggy and 2 car seats in the car is beyond me but there you go.  The youngest's latest habit (in addition to farting, swearing and making her knickers look like  a g-string) is to blow down her nose as hard as she can then find a tissue, stick it to her face with the contents of her nose and walk around.  She thinks it's funny.  

So, as to the outfit.  I am sporting my new sunglasses which I bought from the local stores.  Oh what a shop - there is all manner of rubbish in there that you wouldn't even know you needed.  My husband and I both bought sunglasses, he bought a cap and we got pressies for the children, all for about £18.

I have gone for the triple stripes look today - 2 tops and a scarf.  Well, I said that there were lots of stripes in my wardrobe this week.  Hopefully it will be warmer tomorrow so maybe something other than stripes will make an appearance - or maybe it will be the wetsuit after the 7am swim which is planned!

Outfit - Trousers Kew, Tops H&M and French Connection, Scarf Zara, Converse Jones.