On the Run - A little bit of Hobbs in a Saturday outfit and some wardrobe editing

Do you ever have those moments when your children come up to you, most likely first thing in the morning, telling you that they don't feel well and you scream in your head "But you can't be ill today, I have to do such and such"?

That happened to me this week - twice in fact. Everything turned out OK in the end, thanks to understanding clients and a very accommodating husband who went to work at 7.30am on Friday to collect some work so that he could work from home that morning.  However on the second occasion, it could have all gone so horribly wrong because on that day I was due to shop with a lady whose wardrobe I had edited, in a very significant way, earlier in the week. Without that shop on Friday, she would have been one chilly lady. So when number 2 appeared and said he didn't feel well, that's when the scream occurred.  

I was working this morning, having been contacted by a lovely lady after she had read about me in Woman & Home. The only problem was, shortly before I was due to set off, I decided for some unknown reason, to edit my own wardrobe.  So that left me with little time to decide what to wear. In situations like that, you just have to go safe I reckon so this is what I wore...

My spotty Hobbs Bryony dress, which has served me well three times now.  You can see how I have styled it previously here (when I didn't have to walk as far) and here (when I did). What really struck me, when looking back to find these posts, was that the second photo was taken on 16th March and it's not a jot warmer now than then - which can't be right.

                                                     

I wore this navy coat today, which I spotted (forgive the pun) in H&M yesterday.  I really like the fabric - thick but not too thick, the narrow double breast...

and the detail on the back - together with the price, of £24.99

I also opted for my Hobbs navy patent brogues as they are really comfortable and I walk a fair way when out and about, dashing around in the shops.

Finally, when looking in Topshop's window, I spotted these trousers which are the ones that I have in a different colour way, and which you can see here - I have to say, I am very tempted - although I am not sure about the ankle socks, I must confess.

Having decided that I should practice what I preach when it comes to editing wardrobes, over the next couple of days I will bring you photos of my efforts to de-clutter my own wardrobe - together with the end results.  No pressure there then.

Printed jeans - to wear or not to wear? That is the question

Having conducted a relatively quick survey amongst friends, it would appear that the current state of the weather has led to us all wearing a "uniform" of about five items, on a rotating basis.  It involves jeans, boots, a couple of jumpers and a mac. Sorted.

So today, I am bringing you some spring colours.  There's a whole debate raging about printed jeans - to wear or not? And if so, and one is over a certain age, how to style them? 

Having a thirteen year old daughter, I was slightly concerned when I was styled in printed jeans for the Woman & Home feature.  I felt a bit "young" in them - as if I were treading on her fashion toes - which in my view is never a good thing. A Mum needs to know where to draw the line!

Having said that (!) I quite liked the colours in these jeans which I spotted the other day in Primark. The background is khaki, with lilac and peach flowers. I just felt that the khaki background was a little different and the contrast less intense than a lot of the printed jeans which have a white background.

I also bought a lilac nailvarnish in Primark, which you can see above. The photo makes them look blue - which they aren't.

Having decided that it might be all right to tread on the tips of my daughter's fashion toes, I needed to think about how to go about styling said jeans. For me it had to be in a sophisticated way, rather than in a teenage kind of way.  So, here's the mint green silk shirt that I have shown previously and which is from H&M (£30).

As an alternative, this slouchy linen T-shirt from Zara (£15.99) would also be a good option, possibly with heels and a blazer....

...such as this cream Chanel inspired one from Zara - which has a whole selection of similar jackets this season.

So, here are the jeans and the silk shirt together...

and here are the jeans and the Zara jacket together...

Here's one outfit possibility...

and here's a second one.

I really like this colour combination. Granted, pastels aren't for everyone and neither are printed jeans but if you did fancy having a foray into either, or both, this may be a way of doing so. At £13, the jeans aren't too big a financial commitment so what do you reckon - are you likely to give them a go? (Says she, showing you these items but not actually wearing them, you note!)

On the Run - What's hot and what's not plus a little bit of Pinterest

Don't be put off by the text, the pictures are all here today but just on Pinterest (see link below.)  I spent the day shopping and working from home and there's only so many times I can post a picture of Cos grey skinnny jeans and Cos Chelsea boots before you all start to despair.

Anyway, it has finally happened! I have made it. I knew that it would happen one day, I just wasn't sure when. I am a true fashionista!  And how do I know that I am? Because, even though it is only May, and we have a whole season of summer clothes ahead of us, I am already planning what winter coat and winter boots I would like. OK, so the fact that this has been prompted by the foul weather and the need to be warm and comfortable (as opposed to a desire to be first in the queue with the latest trend) is besides the point.

It just so happened that today I was shopping for a client and that during that shopping trip, I had to take a sneaky peek in Jigsaw.

I have no idea what it is about that store but whenever I step over the threshold, a kind of calm descends over me (unless I am with the children and then it's more a case of sheer panic in case they damage anything.)

Of course in order to do a proper job, I had to sift through everything in the store. Such a shame.  I have to say that I wasn't disappointed with what I saw.  This season there are some brights and some pastels, in additon to their staple neutral colours. There is also some lovely detailing in terms of ruching, gathering and so on, making items more flattering for those with curves and more interesting for those without.

Having concluded that we don't have a spare few thousand pounds lying around with which to buy the pieces I had spotted, I decided to create a board on Pinterest instead. I thought that it might serve to exorcise the images from my mind (it hasn't). If you would like to take a look at the board, you can do so here (Mum, if you're not sure what to do, click on the word "here")

I also had a quick whizz around Kew, which is upstairs in Jigsaw although sadly not for much longer as the brand is soon to cease trading. There are some really good reductions on line, for both winter and summer clothes and I expect they will only get better, so it's well worth taking a look - here's the link http://www.kew159.com/fcp/categoryhome/sale/?resetFilters=true

As you may remember from yesterday, I was on the hunt for some wide legged trousers.  I came across these in White Stuff today and at the price of £49.95 instead of £159 as per the Jigsaw ones, they seemed relatively good value. OK so they don't have the whole sailor theme going on with the buttons on the side but I am sure that I could rustle up a quick dance of the sailor's hornpipe should I need to. Added to that they are machine washable - always a bonus in this house.



                                           
I can imagine wearing these with a silk shirt and gold wedges as easily as with a breton top and converse, or with a leather jacket or a blazer.  It will just be nice to have a bit of fabric around the bottom of my legs so that I can go a bit more fitted on the top half.   

I also like to buy a new pair of converse each season and have had my eye on these for a while. However I wasn't sure whether it might be time to deviate from converse for a while - hence the pink Topshop brogues and the Hobbs loafers - but having dug out a pair the other day I decided that it wasn't. So I plan on these making an appearance in my Wardrobe sometime soon.

So, that's a little round up of what's hot (Jigsaw) and what's not (the weather) which by fluke (in being so far ahead with my coat and boots considerations) has made me tres cool! Yeah right!

On the Run - An outfit for lunch out with my Mum (and some trousers which aren't skinny!)

I am sort of cheating today as this photo was taken a while ago now - but not as long ago as New Year's Eve which was when I previously wore this skirt. I wore this outfit when I went out with my Mum for lunch - snuggly tights, heavy weight bell shaped skirt, wool jumper and a chunky necklace to stop it from being too dark. Where we were headed had a propensity to be a bit chilly so I knew that I needed to layer up.

On another note, although there is a wide range of trousers available this summer - coloured jeans, printed jeans, chinos, 7/8ths, cigarette pants and palazzos, as well as the sporty inspired ones - I am feeling a little jaded by them all.

Other than the palazzos, all styles are fairly straight or skinny - so I am on the hunt for some wide legged trousers - proper 1940's wide legged babies. Skinnies have been around for so long now -possibly at the expense of everything else - and they really aren't for everyone, so I am a woman on a mission on the hunt for something different. This is what I have found so far....

I love these nautical inspired trousers from Jigsaw. They have buttons which fasten at the side, true nautical style and a turn up at the bottom.  They are also high waisted and very smart. The problem is the cost - at £159 they are expensive - but lovely. 

This pair from Oasis are very similar in design and at £48 they are a fraction of the price. However,  the fabric is not quite as nice. More of a polyester mix.

                                                          
This pair of Ilona linen trousers from Coast cost £80. I don't find the design as attractive as the Jigsaw ones - but I think that we all know that I have fallen a little bit in love with the Jigsaw ones.


                                                        
         

Finally these are the lovely Marit trouser from Hobbs which have been reduced to £79.20 from £99. They are made of linen and with a lovely wide leg are just a little different. I know that there is the whole creasing issue with linen so I am going to go into Hobbs tomorrow, give them a sneaky scrunch and report back!


                                    

On another note, the car keys turned up....(in my handbag) Ooops.

Outfit: Boden jumper, Kew skirt, Jigsaw shoe boots, Topshop necklace

On the Run - Tips for styling a pear shape

The weather is so bad that some bloggers have taken a blogging sabbatical, on the basis that they don't have anything inspiring to offer during the wet weather. I am not convinced that I have anything inspiring to offer rainy or otherwise, so I am carrying on nonetheless.

However, I don't think it fair to ask the children to get soaked just so that they can take photos of me. Also, my friend who often takes photos wasn't at school today and I didn't feel it fair to accost her husband in the playground and ask him to do the honours - hence the DIY photos.

I am blogging early today as I have promised to help our eldest revise for a test tomorrow.  This involves learning the capital city of 45 different countries together with whether they are in the Eurozone and the EU.  Oh and she has to be able to mark them on a map. Think of me later!

I was doing a Wardrobe Consultation this morning so couldn't resort to a jeans and jumper combo (which is what I am wearing right now) so chose something simple, smart (ish) and rain proof (ish).

On reflection, this outfit would suit someone who is a pear shape - and this is why...

It is lighter on the top half, with a darker bottom half. This combination highlights the neater top half and creates a slimming effect on the bottom half, where it is required most. The A-line skirt skims without clinging and the wide hem has the effect of making the legs appear slimmer - it's true, trust me!

Matching your tights to your skirt will also create a leaner line as there isn't a "break" half way down your body. Matching your tights to your shoes also will do an even better job - so that is where the outfit fails slightly - but I like bright shoes.

The combination of the high waisted skirt and cropped jacket (and also cardigan) gives the impression of longer legs. The inverted pleat also draws the eye downwards.  Both of these re-dress the imbalance in a pear shape who, proportionately, has a longer body than legs.

The zips on the skirt also draw the eye in to the pear's waist - which is often one of the slimmest parts of a pear's figure.

As referred to above, the shoes let the outfit down as in theory they should be the same colour as the skirt and tights.  However, I like bright shoes and again, they draw the eye down the body which has the effect of lengthening it.  Whilst not always practical, a heel will add height and although the heel on these shoes isn't visible, it is quite chunky, which again is great for slimming legs.

Hopefully all of that will help to give a clearer idea on how to style yourself if you are a pear shape. My next task is to go and find the car keys. They are in the house somewhere and not in the obvious places, which means I will, at some point, find them in a random place like the fridge, the bin, the washing bin or the washing machine - but please don't tell my husband!

On the Run - Wedding Dresses

As well as blowing bubbles with bubblegum on our way home from Wales yesterday, I decided to take a look at the J. Crew website.

As you may well know, J. Crew is an American brand which has been in existence for many years but thanks to the skill of Jenna Lyons, its President and Creative Director, its fortunes have been turned around and it is now favoured by the likes of Michelle Obama.  Its prices are on a par with top end high street brands, such as Whistles and Reiss and its style of clothing is a combination of Gap and Banana Republic but with a stronger trend element.

Anyway, what really grabbed my attention was J.Crew's range of Wedding Dresses. For some brides, their dress is the most important thing in/at/about their wedding day and they spend hours, many tears and a not inconsiderable fortune in sourcing the right dress. 

[This Corrina gown is £403.47 - very simple and straight up and down but very elegant]

It is fair to say, however, for those who don't have a huge budget to spend, or who leave it until the last minute to choose their dress, or who just decide to get married at short notice, the choice is very limited.  Short of a quick whizz around Monsoon or getting a sample, there is not much choice at all.... and that is where J. Crew may just come to the rescue.

[Feather dress £729.50 - for those who fancy something a little bit quirky].

Although there isn't a store in the UK, the dresses can be ordered on-line and for today at least, post, packaging and returns are free.  The prices range from about £400 up to £2000 but there is definitely a good selection within that £400-£500 price bracket. (The prices quoted look slightly odd because of the conversion rates.)

[A wedding dress with a v-neck - a rarity! This Mirabelle gown costs £509.43]

[A wedding dress with sleeves - something even more rare! This Sophie gown is £2119.22]

This medallion jewelled sash (£203.77) is one of a number of accessories on the site so it may be worth dropping by to have a look if you are after something a little different http://www.jcrew.com/wedding/Wedding_Bride.jsp?iNextCategory=-1

I know that many of us are past that wedding phase but for those who aren't, I hope that you enjoy the post - and your day.

On the Run - An outfit for a Rib Ride

There's nothing I hate more than feeling in completely the "wrong" oufit. It even makes me feel uncomfortable when I see others in something which just looks wrong for the occasion - not in a judgmental way - but when I see VB wearing a fitted shift and 5" heels to carry Harper, I just think that she would be so much happier in jeans and flats - all that effort involved in staying upright must be such hard work.

So that accounts for the above oufit yesterday. As part of my hubby's birthday present, I had arranged for us all to go on a Rib Ride along the Menai Straits. All that I knew was that it would be cold, very cold, windy and potentially wet. So reinforcements were required in the ever faithful parka, jeans, wellies, a multitude of scarves and woolly layers etc. The wellies were an emergency purchase from Tesco a while ago when I realised that mine had perished - and although not sporting any kind of trendy label, I find them really comfortable. I was pleased to have grabbed both my scarf and my snood on the way out because, as in typical fashion, I had remembered to pack hats for everyone except myself, so a little improvisation was necessary....

The sunglasses weren't even mine either - blimey, if I couldn't remember a hat there was no way I would remember sunnies.  I pinched these from my hubby momentarily before he whipped them back for the ride.  I could have done with some sunglasses and could, infact, have worn the cinema 3D specs which we keep in they car, as the eldest two did - but you have to draw the line somewhere! And anyway, I was more concerned with holding on to the youngest to stop her from catapaulting out of the boat as we were travelling the equivalent of more than 110mph. Scary!

Later on we headed into our local town where my hubby treated me to this £2.50 printed leather cuff from Fat Face (apparently he will be deducting the cost from my b'day present allowance. He thinks he's so funny.)  I am a sucker for anything which remotely resembles a Liberty/Cath Kidston print and the soft leather means that it is great for weekends as it won't catch on our youngest when she dives in for her cuddles. They also come in a couple of other prints and I think that a few of them together would look great.

I think by that stage I was wearing green wellies - having left mine at home. That's the great thing about having a daughter whose feet are the same size as mine and a husband with feet only half a size bigger - there's always an emergency pair of wellies handy (or his cashmere jumpers but we don't tell him that!)

I also spotted this lovely striped maxi dress in Fat Face. Because I have enlarged the photo, the image is not as clear as I would like but I have attached the link below if you would like to take a closer look.  So many maxi dresses are strappy and/or are very voluminous that not only does it make the bra issue tricky but they also add bulk, drowning a smaller frame. This one has a nice neat silhouette so it will suit those on the more petite side.

http://www.fatface.com/skirts-and-dresses/lizzy-maxi-dress/invt/34583/?colour=Navy

There's also an old fashioned sweet shop in our local town in Wales which the children love to visit. We found some of the bubble gum that I used to chew as a kid. Blowing bubbles on the way home was a great way to pass the time - although the children did accuse me of looking like a chav. Excellent - embarrassing them is such sweet revenge for all the times they have done it to me.

Outfit - Jigsaw parka, Lola Rose Scarf, H&M snood, Tesco Wellies, Longchamps bag

On the Run - The one that got away!

Some times you've just got to laugh. I had high hopes (in my head) for this outfit but it just didn't tranlsate into reality. I thought that the combination of the green trousers, white top and sparkly scarf would be a nice look. This photo shows them in their best light - look to the one at the bottom of the page for a bad one!

I really liked these Zara trousers when I saw them.  The green was a nice shade of green and I could see how the trousers would offer a practical alternative to jeans/leggings/wide leg linen trousers for the summer.

When I saw the cuff around the bottom I wasn't sure but went with them anyway on the basis that  they could be versatile, being dressed up with heels for the evening or down with flats for the day.

I still think all of that is true, if only they weren't such a funny shape! I swear that I could have got me and my Mum in them around the waist, yet the legs were fine. Whilst wearing a belt meant that they didn't fall down around my ankles, the material bunched up above the belt and there was enough to make a parachute.  I went back to Zara to try a smaller size but I couldn't get them up past my calves. 

On this photo you can get more of an idea of the amount of loose fabric around my hips/waist. I look like a right baggy Bertha!

Anyway, I may keep my eyes out for an alternative because I still reckon that the outfit might work, if the trousers looked like they belonged to me and not someone else.

Mr SG and I had a great night away for his birthday, with the celebrations continuing on into the weekend. I realised, half way through scoffing our cream tea that, in true blog style I should have taken a photo of it in all it's glory to post today. However, by that stage it wasn't looking too pretty so you will be pleased to know that I refrained. The scones were delicious but crumbly and we made a hasty retreat like a couple of school kids when we realised it looked as though a couple of chimps had been attacking the tea, rather than two, supposedly competent, adults.

I can't get a signal where will be over the weekend, even with my dongle(!) so I will be back on Sunday. Have a lovely weekend.

Mum on the Run - On a day off!

Mr SG is a big one for celebraing his birthday. Not only do we have birthday "day", we have birthday "eve", birthday "week" and birthday "month". Given that it is his birthday today, the 26th of the month, this can all be quite painful at times.

Anyway, in the true spirit of being a good wife, I won't be blogging today as I think that he deserves all of my attention. Hopefully we will be engaged in eating a lovely meal somewhere and generally having a little bit time off from life.

So, please forgive me. I plan to return tomorrow full of vigour!

Whilst I'm off though, I wonder if I might ask a favour? I have been fortunate enough to have been short listed for a blog award by Britmums, in the style category. If you felt able to vote for me clicking here I should be really grateful.

Thank you in advance. Voting closes on 30th April so I don't have much time left to ask for help. Thank you in advance - as I say, I am very grateful!

On the Run -More outfits from last week's Style Event

Yesterday I promised to bring you some more outfits from the style event that I was running last week. The clothes weren't in my size, which is why they are being modelled on "Grace."

Before I start though, a few ladies have left messages for me highlighting the difficulties they have finding fashionable clothes on the High Street, given that they are so tall. With that in mind, I left a message on the Boden fb page asking them if they were likely to do a "tall" range. I selected Boden as their customer service is brilliant and they are good at catering to a wide market.   Their clothes go from a 6 to a 22, they do a maternity range, a petite range and a longer length in clothes - although the trouser leg length, at least, is not long enough for the ladies who left me messages. 

Boden's response was that if there was sufficient demand, they would certainly look into it. So I would like to urge all ladies out there, tall or otherwise, to leave a message on the Boden fb page asking that they look into this further.  Having worked with lots of tall ladies, I have concluded that they are probably the least well catered for on the High Street out of everybody.  I realise that if Boden did develop a tall range, it would still only be available by mail order but it would be a start.  Anyway, here's the link to the page where you can leave your comment, if you felt so inclined.  http://www.facebook.com/JohnnieBoden?ref=ts 

Things won't change unless the brands are aware that they need to make changes so if you feel strongly about something, let them know. Facebook is a great forum for this because it's so public and the brands have to be seen to be responding. [Lecture over.]

Anyway, on to the outfits.

This first outfit comprises a broderie anglaise navy jacket from M&S, a yellow knit from Limited Collection at M&S and some palazzo pants from Per Una - I know, Per Una! Actually they are great.

You can see from the picture below that they are flat over the tummy but supportive too. They have small pleats which start a little lower down and they are really flattering for any ladies who carry more weight on their hips/thighs.

Said outfit minus the jacket but with the H&M yellow bag (I have now seen another yellow bag in Zara which has replaced this one as my favourite yellow bag of the season.)

Here's a closer picture of the navy broderie anglaise jacket from M&S. A lovely alternative to a corporate style jacket in a flattering style. It could be worn equally well with jeans and a breton top as to the office over a plain shift dress.

Yellow knit from Limited Collection at M&S which has little buttons down the back. It's quite a creamy yellow so not too difficult to wear.

The Per Una Palazzo pants - very flattering!

This too is from Per Una. I came across it the other day when I was doing some work with M&S and had to review their Per Una range. I love the print on it as it reminds me of Orla Kiely or the Scandinavian fabric brand, Marimekko.

This dress has a real 1950's feel about it and again, is good for anyone with heavier hips and legs. A fitted bolero would work well over it, keeping the silhouette neat.

Do any of you remember the furore caused by the "Carrie" skirt at Whistles last summer? It sold out nationwide, although Birmingham has since confessed to me that they told everyone who enquired over the phone that they didn't have it when they did! This pleated skirt, which is very similar (largely because it too is a pleated skirt) is from GAP and comes in this lovely vibrant red and also navy. The sizing is a little out though - you may well need to go down a size or two in it.

I put it with this cute cardi from Oasis which obviously has a nautical theme about it. It would also look great with jeans, chinos, cigarette pants and over dresses. I like the addition of the turquoise to it - rather than it being just red, white and navy.

This pink skirt is from GAP.  Casual skirts can be tricky. They can either feel quite dressy, as the pleated one above, a bit too work like - as in a pencil skirt, or too denim, short, and teenagerish (if there is such a word!)

I liked this one because of its softness, the vertical row of buttons down the front which is flattering, the bright colour and the fact that it isn't too short. I have styled it with a white shirt and the navy blazer with the sleeves rolled up, a Topshop belt plus some gold wedges. It would look equally good though with ballet flats or converse. (I haven't put a scarf with it - that's just the model.)

Tailored shirts are great for ladies with a curvier bust as the neckline is flattering and the darts mean that you still get a neat silhouette. Pepperberry is a good brand to try as they do shirts and tops in three bust fittings - meaning that it's not necessary to go up a size just to get a top to fit your bust.

Here I have put some coloured jeans (Gap jeggings) with a M&S Limited Collection bird print top.  The jeans are really comfortable and a lovely colour.

The top is likely to suit ladies with a small to medium sized bust but hey - there are plenty of us around!

Lastly, another M&S Limited Collection top, this time with seagulls on it. It is a pretty 1950's style top with a pink trim on the collar.

This is just a small selection of the pieces that I chose for the event and I hope that you like them.

Mum on the Run - On a day off!

Mr SG is a big one for celebraing his birthday. Not only do we have birthday "day", we have birthday "eve", birthday "week" and birthday "month". Given that it is his birthday today, the 26th of the month, this can all be quite painful at times.

Anyway, in the true spirit of being a good wife, I won't be blogging today as I think that he deserves all of my attention. Hopefully we will be engaged in eating a lovely meal somewhere and generally having a little bit time off from life.

So, please forgive me. I plan to return tomorrow full of vigour!

Whilst I'm off though, I wonder if I might ask a favour? I have been fortunate enough to have been short listed for blog award by Britmums, in the style category. If you felt able to vote for me by followint this link, I should be really grateful - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7QFQ6HY

Thank you in advance. Voting closes on 30th April so I don't have much time left to ask for help. Thank you in advance - I am very grateful!