On the Run - How to wear neon (in a nutshell, with everything else toned down)

Nice photo of the loo eh?  What do you think that feng-shui experts would say about that?  It was just too rainy today to expect anyone to stand outside whilst photographing me so the mirror had to do it for me instead.

I was talking to my sister on the phone the other day and she informed me that she was ripping up some A-level essays that she had found.  Having read them she didn't recognise them as being her work at all and she concluded that she had been clever - once. 

The same thing happened with me yesterday, but to a lesser extent, when I was looking back at some posts that I had written in April last year.  I don't remember writing them at all but I actually found them quite useful.  They covered such things as dresses with sleeves in them, shoes offering moderate coverage and shoe which didn't show your toes - for those who don't particularly like their toes.  I plan to repeat the posts this year when I have a little more time - so keep your eyes open.  I have started doing my research already.

If you are a reader of Red Magazine, you might be interested to read an article featuring Amanda Start, the Online Stylist I first got in touch with Amanda in August 2010 as a result of a feature in which she appeared in Woman & Home magazine.  It was as a result of that article I started my blog. We finally met in January at the Marie Claire blog and twitter awards where she received a Highly Commended in the twitter category.  It was lovely to meet her after all her help.  Amanda looks great in the feature about her local boutique, Stanwells and it definitely worth taking a look at their lovely website too.

So, as to today's outfit. I can't wear this skirt too often but when I do, people often say that they like it - I still believe that it comes down to people liking a bit of colour. I went into Cos today to see whether they had any left at the end of the sale but they didn't and do you know where they go - the charity shops! Cos couldn't tell me which ones but it's quite possible that you might find a bright yellow skirt in a charity shop near you.  As to the neon skirt, the bright colour lends itself to white and then either black or navy, just to bring all back into line. I wore it with my black loafers which are very old but very comfortable, which is great for when I am walking around town.

I worked with a lovely client today and she bought me some flowers which was so kind of her. She kept the shoes I was talking about yesterday and is happy for me to let me show them to you all so here they are....

They are fab - real Cinderella shoes. Totally full on bling but not too high and they also come in coral, yellow, lilac and black I think. Here's a link to them so that you can take a closer look http://www.kurtgeiger.com/brands/carvela-kurt-geiger/anna-1.html Enjoy!

On the Run - Quite a lot of Cos today

 
Just to set the scene - I am sat on the loo (lid down) typing this with my feet balanced on our daughter's Ikea stool so that the lap top doesn't fall on to the floor.  And why am I in the bathroom?  I am partaking of that irritating six weekly task of eradicating the grey from my hair. I don't really like to use the word eradicate actually - it reminds me of a case I worked on in my previous career where there was a plot by two people to "eradicate" a man.  This was successfully achieved by shooting him four times. Nice. Anyway the chemical cocktail should soon eradicate these little blighters and at least I am using my time wisely in multi-tasking.

We have this toaster made by Dualit which is totally rubbish (I was going to call it Dual(sh)it but I took legal advice and was advised not to so I haven't). It doesn't ever switch itself off but instead nukes the toast. I have filled the kitchen with dense black smoke more times than I care to remember. We also have a lovely stainless steel bin but the lid on the rim has broken so that doesn't work properly and nor does the computer.   The computer chair, which I also like, has a great big crack in it.  But can I break the green tea pot which I bought in 1995?  Can I flip.  Even breaking the lid would be a start as you can't really use a teapot successfully without a lid but will that break either?  Of course it won't.  We're not really a disposable kind of family - replacing things just for the sake of it, which is why we have a house full of things which don't quite work but which aren't quite broken enough to part with...and a bright green teapot.

I am not quite sure where all of this is leading but I think it's towards the point that...oh flip, I have just checked the clock and I had better rinse my hair so that I avoid doing an impression of Paul McCartney with his plum hues. OK, sorted now - so the point is that, when it comes to clothes, it's never the things that you don't like that get trashed but always the dry clean/most expensive/gift from a loved one type of item that cops it. Do you remember hearing about how VB took her new crocodile skin bag to the pub on Christmas day and how one of her boys blew a candle out, covering it in wax in the process - well it's that kind of thing. Whilst I don't agree with the concept of a crocodile skin bag, I can identify with the pain of a brand new item being trashed. Maybe the answer is never to have anything new and then it can't be an issue. Oh what twaddle.

Because I did a hero post yesteday you were spared my witterings - hence the double dose today!  Yesterday I spent a couple of very pleasant hours shopping for a client who has some events coming up.  Oh the joy of wandering around House of Fraser choosing things that I thought would work for her. I have some fab shoes but can't really show them to you yet.  She is coming round tomorrow for me to style her so I may be able to show them to you later on in the day.

...after this shot was taken I then went to the shoe department and acquired another large pink bag, with four pairs of shoes in it. I think I nearly got knocked off my feet about five times whilst walking back to the car but having said that I probably took out about 15 shoppers so the odds were in my favour.

Today I was helping a lady with a design for her wedding dress, as she has some concerns with it. I am confident that it will all turn out well for her and that she will look beautiful on her big day.

So tomorrow I am hoping to bring you a few styles of shoes which I have seen and like but for now I will leave you with this thought...


                                                           

 Today's outfit top - Cos skirt and jumper, Red patent KG shoes

Previous day's outfit - Benetton skirt, Jigsaw shoe boots, House of Fraser pink bags

Mum on the Run - Hobbs, another of my "hero" brands

A series of posts on "hero" brands wouldn't be complete without the mention of another of my favourite, fail safe, never let you down brands - Hobbs. Originally a shoe brand, Hobbs opened its first store in Hampstead in 1981 but after its huge success, the brand created a complementary clothing collection. The brand represents a British look but with a contemporary feel and is known for its quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail.  Under the Hobbs umbrella there are several brands, including Hobbs Unlimited, Hobbs London, Hobbs Invitation, the Hobbs 30th anniversary collection and NW3 by Hobbs.

I have been shopping in, or more often than not admiring, Hobbs for many years now. My first purchase from Hobbs was a pair of Marilyn Anselm shoes which I bought from the small (as it was then) Hobbs in Covent Garden when I qualified as a solicitor in 1995.  My first pair of leather soled shoes, I wore them for years and years before packing them away ten or so years later. I can't bring myself to part with them, even though I am unlikely to wear them again.

My second big purchase from Hobbs was a pair of knee high black leather boots which I bought when I moved up to Birmingham.  That was before the stand alone store had arrived but when Hobbs had a concession in Rackhams, as it then was.  I remember that they cost £160 - even then, 15 years ago.  It was a small fortune but I knew that they would be with me for years - and they have been. Each Winter I bring them out and give them a polish. I love those boots still, despite the fact that they would now be considered a little "retro" in their styling. 

The morning after my husband and I got married in 1999 I wore a Hobbs top to breakfast, with a grey skirt, Whistles cardi and the Hobbs boots.  My fondness for Hobbs clothes continued into workwear (from Bicester Village - such an advantage having in-laws who lived close by) knitwear, more shoes, pieces of statement jewellery and the occasional dress. 

The arrival of a stand alone store in Birmingham, next to Jigsaw, was heaven! Lunch hours were spent wandering in there with friends, plotting our escape from private practice where we worked as solcitors. 

The launch of NW3 brought a whole new meaning to Hobbs.  I loved the fact that this new, trendy and slightly quirky, sub-brand was named NW3 after the first branch of Hobbs ever opened, as that was also my "local" Hobbs when I first lived in London.  I love the NW3 shoes and have bought a couple of pairs......

I also love their jewellery too.  This is one of my favourite necklaces...

 and their scarves, which are so very English (or in this case, French!) 

Most of all I love their good solid foundation.  The introduction of NW3 brought an edgier element to their look but they have kept true to their roots with knitwear, work shoes, ballet flats and occasion wear.  And for those of you who don't already know - I really rate their jeans - I just wish that they would make them in a longer length!

I have just received this evening, these navy patent loafers, which I think will look great in the summer with capri trousers.  Flat but smart and still great for running after the scootering four year old! I had to order them on line as I take a five and a half and the stores don't tend to stock the half sizes - but it's good to know that they can be obtained on line.

I recently ordered this Bryony dress from Hobbs to wear to several events that I have coming up in the near future.  I love spots and that combined with it's three quarter length sleeves, knee length and neat silhouette means that I know it will work hard for me. I plan to style it variously with a cropped cashmere cardi, cream leather biker jacket or blazer, depending on how I feel and I also bought a pink patent belt to wear  with it, just to lighten it up a little.

And the great thing about Hobbs is that they have cracking sales - not just the odd 10% off but proper reductions. So for many items it is possible to identify what you like and then swoop when the sales start. I have seen work trousers reduced from £139 to £35 and less - now in my book that's a proper saving.

I love taking my clients to Hobbs, if there is something that I feel will work really well for them in there - such as their jeans, their bolero cardigans, work clothes or occasionwear. I have styled ladies in there from 25 to 65 and that is the beauty of having so many brands within a brand - there is something for everyone.

Above all, as with my other hero brands, you know where you are with Hobbs - what it stands for, the quality and the details. It is also a nice experience being in there -  a little naughty, but very nice!

Mum on the Run - Sunday Best

So there I was last night, putting clothes away and thinking to myself that winter was probably on its way out now so it might be time to start putting some of my heavier winter jumpers away. When the small person came in the bedroom this morning and told me it was snowing I thought that she was just utilising the gene she's inhereited from her Dad - that, "I'm going to wind you up, make you look out of the window and then tell you I was kidding" gene. Having established that she was talking about a really really small amount of snow I concluded that she was having me on and continued to get dressed with the curtains still shut.  But then our eldest came to see me and said "Mum, have you seen the snow?"  Oh flip, she wasn't lying either.  How bad did I feel?

As I mentioned yesterday, today saw us taking a trip to Ikea.  It was quite fun really - we used the self service scanner and faffed about buying lots of things that we didn't need but which looked nice.  On our return our son set up his "work station" and went about making his now famous hot chocolate complete with whipped cream, grated chocolate and hotel chocolat nibs...

Above, the hot chocolate being created and below, the end result. I thought that the napkins were Orla Kiely(ish) in appearance so naturally they found their way into the basket today.

As for today's Sunday Best - I am showing you an outfit which I in fact wore on boxing day but there didn't seem much point in taking more photos of the same.  Hopefully no one will mind. As we were going to visit family on this occasion, I wore a cropped cashmere cardigan with it but if I was wearing it for a night out it would lend itself to a black blazer or a leather jacket.

Sunday Best Outfit: Dune sparkly shoes, Zara trousers, Topshop blouse, Boden cashmere cardi, Topshop necklace

Mum on the Run - Featuring a printed dress and blazer, Marc Jacobs bag and Jigaw shoes (honestly hubby, they're not new and the blog can prove it!)

Oddly for a Saturday, I was working.  Secretly I was quite pleased to avoid the Saturday morning mayhem which ensues at home and which involves rounds of dropping off and picking up small people from various activities.  Instead, I enjoyed a couple of hours in the shops with a client - and most civilised it was too, in comparison.

I wasn't up to much this morning, having been up a lot with the youngest in the night.  When those times hit it's just best to go for a tried and tested outfit so today I wore my M&S Limited Collection dress with a white shirt underneath, to lift it.   I also wore a black blazer and my Marc Jacobs bag and Jigsaw shoe boots finished off the outfit.  As I walked downstairs my husband asked "Are those shoes new, they look it?"  Of course it's not like I have worn them virtually every day for the last month or so.  I have to say, having an unobservant husband is great - it's possible to sneak all manner of things in under the radar - not that he would mind anyway, to be honest.

I thought that I would also share with you another photo of the Marni pieces for H&M - this time the jewellery. I love the look of some of them but I am not sure how well they might translate into every day life - especially here in Birmingham.  I think that I might have to go and have a try on and see....

Quite a few of the pieces are featured in the new edition of Red Magazine - so you can take a look there to see what you think.  On page 118 of Red there is also a feature with Amanda Start, who runs the blog "the online stylist". I first contacted Amanda when I started blogging a couple of years ago and we finally got to meet at the Marie Claire blog awards where she was highly commended in the twitter category.  Anyway, do take a peek if you have time as she looks fabulous.

We had to go school shoe shopping today for our son who announced, four days after going back to school after half term, that his school shoes were too small. Argghh!  Anyway our youngest was desperate for new shoe too, citing all manner of reason as to why she should have some (they were muddy, scuffed etc). Unfortunately for her, her feet hadn't grown but I remember feeling the same way at her age when in the same position and when those big tears rolled down her cheeks it was very sad. However, on the positive side, I have persuaded her that her feet will grow, and grown more quickly, if she sleeps a lot and doesn't minx at bed time.  Seems to be working so far.

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who voted for me on the Easy Living facebook page. I am able to see who six or so of you are - but for some reason not the rest so thank you to you all. I fear that this may be a bit of a long process but I am not entirely sure...

Tomorrow I hope to bring you another "Sunday Best"outfit but with a trip to Ikea planned that could all turn into more of a "Sunday Stressed" outfit.  Oh the thought of it. Quick, pass me the chocolate - or something stronger.

Today's outfit - M&S dress and tights, Jigsaw shoe boots, Gap jacket and shirt, Marc Jacobs bag

Mum on the Run - On the red carpet

Now, I've managed to get myself into a bit of a pickle and I should be really grateful if you could help me to get out of it.

For a while now, Easy Living Magazine has been running a feature entitled "schoolrunway". As well as running a feature in the magazine, they have been asking people to send in photos, via twitter, of what they wear on the school run every day. As I do that already for the blog, it was really easy for me to flick them over to Easy Living too. 

However, it has now been turned it into a competition and yesterday Easy Living suggested that I should enter.  So, what now happens is that the photos are posted on Facebook with a request for people to "Like" the entries. Whichever photo gets the most "Likes" wins the competition.

Now this is where it gets tricky for me.  Unlike twitter, where a) things move on so quickly they are soon superceded by something else, so that even if you look an idiot it doesn't last for long and b) I never get to know if anyone has looked at the photo or not - the whole facebook thing is so much more visible. So, if you felt able to go in and click the "Like" button on the facebook page next to my pic, by following this link  http://www.facebook.com/EasyLivingUK?ref=ts, I should be really grateful.  I don't expect to win but it would be nice to get a couple of votes - double figures would be nice - I'm not greedy!

Progressing on to last night's Style Event... 

Here's a picture of me last night before we kicked off. As you may have noticed, I am wearing the same skirt that I wore for the Marie Claire awards. I chose this skirt for two reasons: First, I knew that I wouldn't have to walk very far in it and so was therefore unlikely to encounter the same irritating hurdles that I encountered when I wore it to the awards in i.e. not being able to move in the flippin' thing and desperately wanting to get home so that I could take it off. Secondly, I thought that the new dress I had intended to wear would work well on one of the models, so I selflessly(!) gave it up for her.

Once I have the OK from the others that they are happy with the pics, I will post a few more.  For now however I am afraid that it is just my mug shots that I can show:

Me being wired for sound - a la Cliff Richard,

Starting my presentation and chatting to the audience before introducing the models and their outfits;

As our eldest said "Well that's as close to the big screen as you're ever going to get." Yes, thank you for that one sweetheart.

Everyone was lovely - the audience, the models and everyone who was there to help with the smooth running of the event.  Can't wait until the next one.

Today I headed back into town and during my trip I spotted these Marni pieces in the window of H&M. They are on display in preparation for the launch of the collaboration between H&M and Marni on 8th March. Predictably I liked the spotty items and some of the jewellery. I am still undecided though about the tribal prints.   

I would love to have been a teacher in our daughter's school yesterday.  Her class were doing a 7 hour sponsored silence for the charity "No child born to die", which is part of Save the Children. What a perfect day! Imagine the sound today though. OK, maybe not.

Mum on the Run - How to (or not to) wear Chelsea boots with a skirt

Having said that I wouldn't wear Chelsea boots with a skirt due to my "muffin top" in the ankle area, that's precisely what I did today.  I started off with pink pumps which were fine but not that comfortable.   It was such a beautiful morning and I knew that the scootering queen would be tearing along today, dressed as she was as a fairy for world book day and as such, I would need to keep up . I don't like my footwear limiting my capacity to run so I stuck the boots on anyway and the results weren't as bad as I thought - in the right light through a squinted eye.

As it was bright but chilly I also wore my pink puffa and animal print scarf, again with pink on it. 

The outfit has served me well so far. As it's warm outside the heating has gone off but I am cosy in my tights and boots combo with a jumper and long sleeved top underneath and it should still do the trick for the school run this afternoon.

Things appear under control for this evening's event. I have packed the clothes and taken them to the venue (the shoes are probably being tried on by a load of 5 year olds as we speak and I dread to think what's happening to the feather cape!)  The music is sorted, speech written and everything seems to be under control for now. Ha! Famous last words!

Mum on the Run - A sneaky peek at the clothes for tomorrow's event...

I didn't actually get dressed properly until 3pm today - how dreadful is that? I started off in running gear, which doesn't count. This was followed by my faithful but utterly hideous tracksuit bottoms and fleece with a hole in it which came about as a result of getting too close to an open fire which spat embers and me and melted a hole in it. I am one classy lady!

I didn't head out until 3pm as I was busy catching up on emails from yesterday and preparing for tomorrow evening's style event.  There's a lot to organise in terms of the running order, making sure all of the outfits are complete, letting the models know where to be and when and so on and packing it all up.  

Anyway, I thought that I would let you have a sneaky peek at some of the clothes that will be worn tomorrow.....

together with some of the shoes...

.

We are going to have so much fun - particularly as we have a Kate Middleton look alike who will be wearing a very "Kate" outfit - pics to follow (no pressure on the look a like now!)

You know that some times you reach that point in the day when you think "Oh flip, what are we going to have for dinner?" That happened to me today and I realised that I needed to act fast - doing my usual trick of minimum effort for maximum effect. So, I got everything ready for our favourite Jamie stew, only to go to the fridge and realise that my husband had frozen the meat. 

At this point I was quite relieved that the only thing I hadn't done was open the bottle of wine or else I might have had to indulge.  On the positive side, when I did eventually start to make the stew, I felt a bit like Delia as everything was already cut up in preparation and stored in little bowls and I just had to chuck it all in with aplomb - which was very satisfying indeed I must say.

Rather than showing a full length shot today, I am showing you my new pink Mango jumper which I have put with my favourite Hobbs necklace and flouro shellac nails - to which I am quite partial.  The jumper is a looser shape, which I like for a change as lots of my jumpers are quite fitted.  It vaguely resembles a dish cloth but I am not swayed by that! This jumper was in exchange for one which I bought at the weekend but which I took back because both my daughter and I felt that it was just too similar to something her Grandma would wear.  Hmm, dishcloth vs Grandma jumper - I am not really selling either of them am I?

It's been a long day and I am off for a sticky toffee pudding!

Mum on the Run - Being a busy bee!

So it was back to earth with a bump after my amazing day out at the shoot for Woman & Home magazine today.  As I walked through the front door tonight the two eldest were fighting over cheese biscuits (I know, why would you?) and the youngest was refusing to go to bed. Oh how I missed them today.

The whole day was a great experience, from the all white studios, to getting my hair and make-up done professionally, to working with Liz McAulay who is an amazing photographer, to being looked after by Sharon Mears, the pictures editor and to being styled by Jillie Murphy.  I also met a lovely lady on the photo shoot who, oddly enough, used to live on the same street as us. Talk about small world! Pics weren't allowed during the day so I am afraid that today it is just me in a bee jumper.....

Which brings me on to my bee jumper - with the words "bee mine" on it.  I came across it yesterday whilst taking a quick whizz around the Fusion section at Monsoon - which I love. The prints and retro styling are very Miu Miu - minus the price tag! What I loved about the jumper, other than the fact that it reminded me of my sis (we have a whole bee/ladybird/gnome thing going on) was that it came with a packet of wildflower seeds, which would provide food, nectar and pollen for the little fellas.  Given what has happened to the bee population of late, this can only be a good thing.  It also comes with a free Burt's Bees honey lip balm which is an added bonus - or will be(e) when the shop actually stocks them. Grey next to my skin isn't really a winner so I layered a white shirt underneath but will probably also put it with stripes, although probably not black or yellow ones, or a bright coloured long sleeved top.

So anyway, I am a bit whacked now and plan to buzz (oh the tragedy of the bee jokes) off to bed, ready to start again tomorrow with plans for the event on Thursday which is getting ever closer... 

Mum on the Run - Day time sparkles (and lots of them)!

Isn't it lovely to have some warmer weather? It was a nice feeling, lightening it all up by swapping the boots for sparkly converse, adding a scarf in "this season's" colours and layering a new white shirt under my favourite sparkly jumper. The outfit was a bit full on sparkly but hey, the sun was out! I am happy to wear skinny trousers but if I have flat shoes on with them, I have to limit the "dumpy" factor by keeping the trousers as dark as possible!

On the subject of sparkles, and tops in particular, I received a comment the other day from a lady who wasn't sure that sequins would go down too well at her village school in the Lake District. I promised that I would post a photo of a top that might be a good "dipping your toe in the day time sequins look" kind of top. It's from H&M, is machine washable at 30 degrees and costs £24.99.

To break it up a little, I would layer a white shirt underneath (why do I keep typing shite shirt?) or to actually hide it a little, a longer knit could be layered over the top and maybe even a scarf, so that all that would be visible would be a strip of sequins down the middle. It could still be worn with jeans and winter boots/wellies and a practical coat, keeping the look casual but a little bit fun and sparkly too - even in the day time.

Yesterday it dawned on me that I needed to up my game in preparation for my trip to London tomorrow for the photo shoot Woman & Home Magazine. By up my game I meant - do something with my monobrow, do something with my broken nails and sort out my skin. In order to deal with the latter, I lined up all of the free samples of face cream that I had and decided which one looked as though it would deliver maximum benefits in minimum time - a sort of protein shake but for the face. The Clarins serum won and I have been layering it on in the hope that it does something. I'm not sure what but something, anything, would be good. I don't know if it will work and in any event it could all be academic - I've heard that photoshop is very good - thank goodness.

I am not sure that I will be home in time to do a post tomorrow but I may tweet a few pics throughout the day instead and I will be back on Wednesday to fill you in on how it all went.

Today's outfit is: Trousers Cos, Gap (shite) shirt, Warehouse jumper, M&S pumps, Mango scarf, Mulberry bag.

Mum on the Run - A Sunday Best outfit of Reiss and Stella & Dot

Carrying on with my "Sunday Best" theme, today I am all in Reiss. I bought the dress in the sale a few years ago for something like £37.  I call it my "Fifi" dress as it reminds me of Fifi and the flower tots! The detail at the top broadens my shoulders which in turn slims my bottom half - which works really well for all pear shaped ladies.  A similar effect can be achieved, although to a lesser extent, with horizontal stripes, embellishment, shoulder pads and narrow lapels - all of which will broaden the upper body. 

Working down the outfit, the belt was also a Reiss sale purchase, which I am wearing back to front.  It's a grey patent crocodile print. The shoes I bought for my husband's 40th birthday party - and I have to say that they were agony until I wore them in.  The straps on them are also grey crocodile print. I have included another photograph to give a better view of the wedge heels.

I also changed my ear-rings for this art deco inspired pair from Stella & Dot. There's a whole Great Gatsby thing going on at the moment so these are my token gesture towards that particular trend.

Hope that you have had a lovely day in the sunshine. We opened the gate at the bottom of our garden and wandered into the allotments and the picnic area for a game of catch and a packet of chocolate buttons. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, especially in February!  Oh and then we came back to these for afternoon tea - as made by our son and my hubby when I was out running this morning. Such a treat to come home to and naturally I felt fully justified in having some...or a little bit more than some.

Mum on the Run - With nothing on at all!

This is not a picture of me, not standing outside of our front door and not wearing anything at all! I decided to give myself a little sabbatical today as I have blogged a picture of what I am wearing every day for a long time now.  As the sun was out I decided to re-vamp the pots by the front door and treat us to a new door mat - so I am showing you a picture of that instead.

I thought that I would also share with you another spring purchase for the house - our new rug. I have been after a rug with pink in it for years - literally years. The one I loved the most was from the Rug Company in London and was by Marni. The Rug Company very kindly let you "borrow" them free of charge but I knew that such a move would be dangerous.  I also knew that there was no way we could afford the £5 000 price tag attached to the rug so I kept on searching until I came across this one from Marks and Spencer.

It arrived on Monday but I hadn't had an opportunity until now to open it so tonight was the night!  I love it, especially the pink.

So, back to the clothes.... for some unknown reason I have decided that what my Wardrobe is lacking is a pair of pale blue trousers - I know, don't ask me why! These are the pairs I have come across so far:

Audrey skinny trousers from Whistles. They are £75 which is a bit on the steep side and from the other pictures available it looks as though they don't have back pockets - which can be a bit limiting, should I want to wear a shorter top.

Harris cropped trousers from Reiss which, at £95, are more than I would like to spend on something which I would want to wear on a daily basis especially as I am likely to get something down them pretty much immediately. They also do another pair which aren't online but which are at least machine washable - so perhaps more of a possibility.

 

French Connection has a lovely pair which don't appear to be online.  However, at £75 they too are pricey and are essentially just a pair of cotton chinos.  The ones in GAP are a brighter blue than I would like but these ones from Topshop may do the trick - depending on the cut around the thigh area! At £28 they are much more of what I had in mind - especially as I am just dipping my toe into this look to see if I like it or not.

This pair of skinny jeans from River Island could, as my Grandad would have said, be "just the ticket."  They are reduced to £20 from £30 but they only have my size in a long - so I could either borrow my friend, Vicky's, legs or get them shortened. I'm not too fussy whether I have a chino style or a skinny jean.  I'll probaly try a few, go round in a circle or two and then get something completely different altogether - but I like having a plan!



To go with them I quite like these blue lace ups from Clarks, at £49.99, because they will be great for dashing around in when the warmer weather arrives but when it is still too chilly for sandals. They will also give me a nice change from converse which are what I tend to wear in the spring/summer with trousers. These gold ones, also from Clarks, may have potential but I would need to see them in the flesh.  As I used to ask the oldest children when they were small "Yummy or yuck?"  I fear that they could be "yuck" but who knows?  It's good to keep an open mind on these things.

 

Should you like the idea of some brogues for the spring you can also find them in Marks and Spencer - online only and in four (neutral) colours, sparkly ones in Dune, pink and cream/green and cream in New Look, patent ones in the sale in Hobbs online, Topshop, Office - the choice is endless!

I don't know about you but the warmer weather (in February? I know, ridiculous) has made me start to think about what I might need to add in for the summer. That transitional stage of "not being cold enough for thick tights but not being warm enough for bare legs" can be tricky - hence my looking to coloured trousers and brogues in lighter colours to keep things interesting, whilst still remaining practical, until it warms up properly. The other thing to do of course is to swap your winter scarf for a lighter one, together with your coat and bag and you will be well on your way outwitting the British weather (yeah, who am I kidding?!) Tomorrow I will show you the Reiss bag I have my eye on to go  with the pale blue trousers. It's a dangerous world out there!

Mum on the Run - Time to give the trench an airing!

After yesterday's heatwave I thought that it was time to give the trench coat its first outing.  I had about five minutes to get showered and changed having been for a quick run.  I swapped the trench belt for a studded one from Topshop - which was very similar to one which I had seen in Jigsaw but which was too expensive. I also worked in my favourite Hobbs necklace and my pink Mulberry for some colour.  For me it worked fine - not too hot, not too cold, casual enough for the styling I was doing today and smart enough for the meeting that I had afterwards. 

We had a great time selecting more clothes for the event next Thursday.  Just some final bits to get and then I should be pretty much there. I keep going over in my mind whether I have covered all of the different trends/brands/bodyshapes/heel heights/colours/types of accessories/price brackets and so on.  I would like to try and please everyone but experience has taught me that it's not always possible.  Hopefully everyone will have a good time though and take away something positive from the evening.

I was hoping for a rest from shopping tomorrow - yes, even I need one occasionally!  However our eldest has other plans so back to the Bullring it is. I should just pitch a tent there and be done with it.

Hope that you all have a good weekend. Personally, I am looking forward to baking cakes with the children, going swimming and having a rest!

Mum on the Run - A dress and a slouchy knit

First of all I would like to say a big "thank you" to all of you who have nominated in the Style category for a BritMums blogging award.  I am genuinely touched, so thank you.

I am pleased to report that our four year old has seen the error of her ways and is going to turn over a new leaf. She announced yesterday that she was no longer going to call anyone "a silly old bugger" or tell them to "bugger off".  I know I shouldn't have laughed to myself but actually I did.  Had she been number 1, then maybe not but now that number 1 has turned out OK, I am am willing to let a little more go.  A fine bit if parenting if ever there was one (not) - just wait for that to come back and bite me on the bum!

It's been a bit of an exhausing week - although not that I am complaining as I love shopping and compared to my friends who have to do serious things like save lives, it's a doddle.  It just means that I can't go in and look at all the lovely blogs that I like and leave comments so apologies for that.

Model number three was styled today and it's the turn of model number four tomorrow. Here's a sneaky peek at another pair of shoes that we bought today. I love these - a nod to this season's sports trend, with a slight heel but still flat enough to walk in. The black/grey/pink colour combination makes them really versatile and in my book there's always room for a bit of flouro in a girl's wardrobe. They aren't necessarily the perfect shoe if your ankles aren't the slimmest (like mine!) but there are plenty of ladies out there who do have slim ankles, so to them I say show them off - you have to play to your strengths!

As for my outfit, I used a black dress that I have had for ages, and the top of which I don't like very much any more and layered a long sleeve T underneath and a slouchy sequin jumper over the top, together with a long pendant.  I quite liked a bit of "slouch" for a change!

Today's outfit is: Dress Marks and Spencer, Long sleeved T H and M, Warehouse Jumper, Jigsaw pendant, Jigsaw shoe boots, Marc Jacobs bag.

Mum on the Run - Some yellow accessories as, in the words of the Beatles, here comes the sun!

I was off styling again today - my second model in two days, for the event next week.  I have four models in total and today I was working with an 18 year old girl who was lovely and brilliant to work with. We had a fab time in the shops and the great thing is that I can style her in all the trends that I wouldn't necessarily put the other models in - or wear myself.  As we walked into Topshop I turned to her and said "bet this is better than a normal Wednesday in sixth form." She just grinned.

I have decided to let you have a peep at a couple of the things that I bought yesterday as I just really love them! They are the accessories to go with an outfit from Preen at Debenhams - which was a really great range for the lady I was working with yesterday.  Anyway, as yellow is THE colour of the season, I thought that I would introduce these to the outfit...Apparently the shoes are really comfortable, despite their height. 

I pity anyone who comes to the door over the next few days.  I feel that it is my duty to give some of the clothes a whirl, just to see how they fit/fall/feel etc so there is a danger that at any given time I could be wearing palazzos, shorts, a dress, skirt, pink jeans, shirts, knitwear, blazers and any number of shoes and bags. Poor postman.

For myself, I thought that it would be nice to have an outfit of no black, either shoes or accessories, so I went for tan and navy instead. Given that I knew that I would be dashing around in the stores, I also went for comfortable footwear again.

What I am wearing: Tan Jones boots, Gap long and lean jeans (which need replacing but I haven't got round to it yet), Boden blazer and jumper, H&M snood, Stella & Dot necklace, Cath Kidston bag.

Off to town again tomorrow to style model number three...

Mum on the Run - Mango Lace Skirt, Red Patent KG shoes

I am not sure that anyone else will be particularly interested but I was pleased to find out that it was, in fact, our youngest who had put the hairbrush in the fridge yesterday so on this occasion at least, it wasn't me suffering from a severe case of memory lapse.

Today saw me running to school again and then running back home, for a telephone interview with one of the glossies - which was something different for a Tuesday morning.  Next Tuesday I am off to London for a photo shoot.  I might squeeze in a quick cuppa with my sis too, which would be super fab.  Tuesdays seem to be my day for fun things happening.

After my interview I went into town to meet and style my first model for the Style Event that I am holding next week in Birmingham.  We had a great time. It's such fun styling people and just buying whatever we fancy (within reason).  There are lots of lovely colours and prints out there and it's just so nice to see come colour. I would love to put the photos up of my favourite things but I guess that would kind of spoil it for next week.  I am meeting another of my models tomorrow and then two more the following days....so it's a busy but fun week. There's only one thing to turn to in when there are lots of balls to juggle...Toblerone!

Today's Outfit Is: Mango Lace Skirt - great because although it's lace, it is made from cotton (if that makes sense!) and has some stretch in it, Warehouse sparkly jumper, KG red patent shoes.

Mum on the Run - An outfit for sprinting on the school run!

I'm slightly worried because when I went to the fridge for a mid-morning scoobie snack I found a hairbrush in it. Anything that can act as storage in our house is always welcome but the fridge?  I'm not so sure.  Either I put the hairbrush there in error - quite possible but slightly worrying - or our youngest thought it amusing to put it there - quite possible and less worrying - and also better, I suppose, than her previous penchant for sitting in the fridge.

It was the first day back at school after half term and I knew that we would be making the journey on foot (and/or scooter) which can only mean on thing - footwear that I can run in, and run fast in, if necessary.  So today I had to plan my outfit from the ground up - which is actually quite often the case. 

My Cos Chelsea Boots are the best for running in. Having opted for those, it had to be skinny jeans really.  Some gazelle like girls can do a skirt/dress and Chelsea Boots but not me. I have a little roll of chub that comes out of the top of the boots - not a good look really.  Sort of a peplum look really which is very "on-trend" for this season but not if it's made out of chubbiness!

After that it was a case of a top which was long enough to be decent. I'm not a fan of skinny jeans and short tops - I feel happier with a bit of length to cover me up. Then I opted for the pink Benetton coat, Zara printed scarf and M and S gloves.

After the drop at our school I headed to another local school to do a bit of PR for my upcoming Style Event on 1 March in Birmingham (OK, handing out flyers).  You can find further details of the event on the "Events" page at the top - if you would like to!