Mum on the Run - A Modern Military outfit

Military is a look which comes around every winter, so how it is ever billed as a new trend I am not quite sure - but there you go!

 

This is my take on "modern military". I'm not really a fan of a full on military look - like most looks worn head to toe, they just look too contrived - but a good old nod to a trend never goes a miss and the colour and style of this skirt do just that.

 

I bought this Jigsaw Trench Tie Skirt, now reduced to £45 (sizes 8 and 10 only) at the end of the summer and fortunately it's substantial enough to wear even though it is now a little chillier.

I put the skirt with this sparkly Warehouse jumper - I think that sparkles are a nice contrast to what is essentially quite a harsh trend - it just softens it a little.

I also added in black tights, black heeled loafers, my Oasis cream leather jacket and Marc Jacobs bag. The silver detailing on the loafers also nods quite nicely to the military trend but that is more by luck than design.

I hope that you all have a great weekend. I can't believe that we've reached half term already, I've only just got to grips with the new routine. When the children go back I will have fallen into fire fighting mode again, as opposed to controlled calm (which I think sounds like a good name for a new trend.)

Style Guile Smile - Beautiful digitally printed silk scarves by new brand Red Brick - there's definitely room in my wardobe for one of these beauties!

Sometimes I come across something which makes me sit up and take notice.  When I followed the link in an email sent to me by Karen (a graduate of the Royal College of Art) of Red Brick I was totally bowled over. The vibrant colours and designs of her scarves are amazing, as is her jewellery.  

 

I thought that it would be nice to share not only Karen's designs with you but also more about Karen herself and her design ideas and inspiration, so over to you Karen....

 

"I did my first degree in jewellery at Edinburgh College of Art, and then went to the Royal College of Art in London and studied a Masters in Jewellery Design. During my time there, I worked on jewellery designs for various fashion brands, ranging from River Island to Margaret Howell. I also worked as a design assistant to the accessories designer and prop stylist, Fred Butler. 

 

 

 

[Robbery in a sweet shop]

  

I decided to launch my own line on the premise that great design should be accessible to everyone. I used to get really frustrated that I couldn't afford the unusual and individual designer pieces that I really loved, but there didn't seem to be an alternative apart from high street copies. I try keep my prices as affordable as possible, whilst maintaining a high quality of product. I think people are very careful about what they buy at the moment, and I think my pieces cater to this. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Running design - included for those of you taking part in the Birmingham half this weekend. Good luck! x]

 

I absolutely love the sense of humour in high fashion brands like Moschino, Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs, but I try not to look too closely at other designer's work when generating ideas as I like to come up with something completely different. Instead, I look at printmaking and graphic design, and I love British artists like Peter Blake and David Hockney. I also love car boots sales for picking up old scraps of fabric or old interiors magazines!

 

 

 

[Coney Island Funfair] 

 

I use digital fabric printing on 100% pure silk to make my scarves. I make each colour separation by hand to try and retain some of the pencil marks and give the digital print a richer quality. I always give my friends samples of the prototypes to try out and listen to their feedback on their wearability, the colour choices, etc. It's really important to me that the pieces are comfortable and practical to wear."

[Boat design]

[Navajo celebration]

 

I can see these bright scarves really adding something to a simple weekend outfit of jeans and a jumper, or to a dark winter coat. Personally I think they offer something slightly different that is quirky, individual and made by someone with incredible talent.

 

Just so that you know, I haven't been paid to write this post - either in scarves or anything else!

Mum on the Run - a new shaped dress to try???

Occasionally a new style of dress comes along which slowly starts to gather pace and over time, becomes more and more popular.

This season the drop waist dress is creeping into our consciousness - bear with me on this one - I am going to give you a few different options!

This hot pink and black dress by Victoria Beckham was one of the first dresses that I can recall in this style (well, since the 1980's at least, when I definitely had one or two that I used to wear to our school disco!)

Clearly this style dress isn't going to be for everyone - I get that - but if you can get over the mental image of wearing one whilst dancing to "Come on Eileen" or "Hey Mickey" then it might be worth trying one.

I think that it's nice when something fresh comes on the scene and given that wrap dresses, lovely as they are, plus prom style dresses, shift dresses and so on have been with us for so long, it's good to have a new kid on the block. So, here are some options:

Jaeger Boutique has several dresses in this style and they seem to have adopted it as a mainstay this season.

First of all there's this Emma Drop Waist dress (£120). It's simple, understated and doesn't scream "look at me". I would keep the outfit simple, maybe adding a necklace or chunky cuff and heels - perhaps shoe boots - and for me that would be that.

For someone with giraffe like legs, I would love to see this paired with some amazing open toe shoe boots which come slightly higher up the leg - not a look I could pull off.

For a more casual take on the look, also by Jaeger Boutique, there's this Jessie check wool blend dress (£120). This gives a nod towards the heritage trend. It would need to be styled with edgy and sophisticated shoes or boots and accessories or else there could be slight cowgirl connotations. I wouldn't attempt this dress, preferring the above one instead - but I have no doubt that others could pull it off.

The third dress by Jaeger Boutique is this Cindy Jacquard Spot Dress (£160). Clearly here it is styled in a really youthful way (which I must admit to finding slightly disturbing) but if the ankle socks and pink shoes were lost and again replaced by something altogether more edgy and sophisticated, it could take on a whole different look.

For a more grown up take on the trend, you could look to thisRockefeller dress merlot (£275) by the Fold, London. Slightly longer in length, and with the addition of sleeves, this may be a more appealing option to some.

Below is a picture of Victoria from Feathers and Frills wearing the above dress, which looks fantastic on her - really elegant and just a little different. What glossy locks too!

Finally, again from Jaeger Boutique, there's this Jersey swing hem dress (£180). It's not a drop waist dress but is of a similar silhouette to the above styles and could be styled in exactly the same way, enabling you to reference the look, without taking it on head on.

Are any of you tempted by a drop waist dress? I have one in a bag right by me waiting to be tried. I'm not going to promise to share the looks with you - but I will report back in due course.

Mum on the Run - In a skirt that I like but which I have no hope of walking in!

Sometimes you just have to laugh. To cut a long story short, I got into the back of the car with the youngest this morning to brush her hair. Forgetting that the childlock was on in the back, I had to find another way of getting into the front to open the door. There was only one option - and that was to climb.

 

Now this skirt is possibly the most ridiculous item of clothing ever designed because you can't actually move in it. Add heels into the equation and it was more a case of launching myself into the front. Somehow I managed to twist around at the same time, which left me sitting on the horn. Oh well, I suppose that laughing is a great way to start a day.

 

As to the outfit, I bought this navy velvet skirt from Topshop last year. Way ahead of its time, it has a (p)leather waist band. Long and straight, it is a nightmare to walk in but I like the line and feel of it. 

I put it with a white shirt and pink Mulberry, which I turned into an oversized clutch by putting the strap inside. I wore it with a warm Reiss biker style jacket when out and about together with heeled ankle boots from Clarks.

Note to self: Tomorrow I must wear something I can move in with ease - just in case I make the same mistake with the whole back of the car/childlock situation!

Easy Living Article - Six knits every woman needs

Today I am pointing you in the direction of the article that I have written this week for Easy Living online

Since having become involved with Easy Living, I have discovered what a great place Easy Living online is to visit for articles on Beauty, Fashion, Homes, Recipes and Culture. With their regular "We like her Style" feature, "Top 30 coats", "A-list hair" and "20 minute recipes" it's a nice place to escape to for the odd ten minutes here and there during a busy day. Anyway, I thought that I would share that with you just in case you haven't dropped by before now for a browse.

This week I have written about the six knits every woman needs together with how to wear them and style tips for each one.

If you are looking to work some knitwear in to your wardrobe this season, I hope that it provides some inspiration and ideas on what might work for you. Enjoy!

Mum on the Run - Am I wrong to love this?

 

Please excuse the poor quality shot of this bomber jacket from Whistles but I can't find it online.

 

Anyway, the point about it is that this little number has somehow crept its way into my consciousness and I really like it. I am not sure how it has happened. It's a bit like having a male friend for years - they are always around and about - and then waking up one day and realising that you like them a bit more than a friend. (Just to make it clear, I should qualify this by saying that this hasn't happened since Mr SG and I met in 1997).

 

I have never owned such a jacket, never desired to own such a jacket and have therefore never even thought about buying such a jacket but there's something about it that I like.

Maybe its appeal lies in the fact that it is similar to the sorts of jacket that I like (ie short/navy) but also slightly different, without being too radical.

Maybe it's the addition of the leather sleeves which I now really like, having not been too sure about them when they first came on the scene.

Maybe it's because it's from Whistles - but I don't think so because I'm not (quite) that shallow.

Or maybe I have just developed a thing for American High School inspired clothing (or Mark Fowler from East Enders). Whatever next: Cheerleading outfits and pom poms? For everyone's sake, including mine, I hope not.

Mum on the Run - 5 pairs of lovely shoes!

You may remember me showing you these fabulous shoes by Stuart Weitzman for Russell & Bromley. I thought that they were amazing when I saw them in Grazia and even more so when I tried them on in the store on a recent trip to London - but alas the £395 price tag prevents them from being mine.

 

 

It's the shape of these shoes at the front that I like as much as anything. For me they are a more modern take on a court shoe and would look great with slim leg black trousers, a black fitted jumper and a pea coat.  With the seed having been sewn, the hunt for a similar, but more reasonably priced, pair began.

  

Failing miserably to start of with, I came across these amazing shoes from Dries Van Noten (£420) at Browns. Again they have the same shape at the front and a good sturdy heel! I like the two tone combination of black and brown and the tortoiseshell (or horn as it is described) is really stylish. They also have a padded inner sole - even better. Alas the price is not.

 

Moving swiftly on, this Hobbs Iris Court (£199) is also a very stylish shoe. The combination of suede and leather/patent is very chic. They also come in a burgundy colour (as well as fern, below) and with a concealed platform, aren't as high as they first look. These would be great with high waisted wide leg trousers, for that boy meets girl look.

 

 

 

Possibly one of my favourites, due to their price, detailing and colour combination, are these Court shoes with suede vamp from Massimo dutti  (£89.95).  Zara's grown up sister, Massimo Dutti is a treasure chest of hidden gems and well worth investigating if you haven't done so previously. These shoes are probably slightly more work orientated than some of the other styles but are a modern alternative to a classic style court shoe.

 

Finally, the Blue heel moccasin, also £89.95 and from Massimo Dutti, make a nice change from black. Great with berry colours, grey and navy, they are no less versatile than black. Fabulous both at work and for the weekend with wide or skinny trousers or an A-line knee length skirt in a heavy fabric, they could be a really hard working piece. Chunky heels also slim down thicker ankles and shapely calves - as well as being easier to walk in. Always a bonus with smalls in tow!

 

Style Guile - Where I get my Style Inspiration

Apologies to the 12 of you who saw this post earlier when it was in its draft form and when, for some reason, it decided to publish itself.

Anyway, I don't know whether this the post will be helpful or not - I hope so. If not, please feel free to move on!

People often ask me where I get my style inspiration from, so I thought that I would show you a photo to illustrate how I go about creating new outfits. I am sure that this is nothing mind blowing to many of you, or indeed any of you - but it may just help some.

I saw this picture in Grazia this week. I can't make it any bigger but the issue is still current and you can see it on page 63. The photo is of the American DJ and model Leigh Lezark at Paris Fashion week.

This outfit is simple but really effective. All black with pink highlights - in the lipstick and shoes. It would be easy to re-create to suit different situations and tweaked to suit different body shapes and personal preferences.

The fuller skirt and fitted top are perfect for pear shaped ladies, as is the belt, but someone with a curvier bust may opt for a v neck top, and someone with slender hips may opt for more of a pencil style skirt.

Adding in a pink lipstick (with pink shoes) would be easy enough - or a red lipstick (with red shoes) if that's what you prefer. They need not be expensive.  If I was going to them wear for an evening out, or somewhere that I wasn't walking too far, I would probably look to New Look/Primark/H&M first.

Obviously these shoes are very OTT but you get the idea. This look could also work with black ankle length trousers instead of a skirt, or for someone who doesn't like bright shoes, a bright belt or bag could be substituted for them instead. For those who shy away from bright lips, opt for bright pink nails (I like Rimmel 60 seconds drying nailvarnish). It's the formula of outfits that often makes them work - it's just a case of working out how to adapt them to suit your shape, your budget and your lifestyle.

A lot of what is in magazines is just too much for everyday life - most often due to expense, but that can normally be worked around, or impracticality or just general outrageousness. Outfits that work for Paris Fashion Week, or on London fashionistas, would look ridiculous in another City, in a supermarket or on the school run. So, it's a case of taking the images that you like and re-working them - tweaking the length of the skirt, toning down the shimmer, finding more subtle prints, adding in tights, lowering the height of the heels and so on until it works for you.

Have a great Friday night!

Mum on the Run - A couple of coats to try (along with some alternatives)

I took a couple of coats along to last week's style event so thought that I would show them to you, together with a couple of alternatives.

 

I am a big fan of a Crombie coat. Simple, single breasted and with clean lines, they don't date, are incredibly chic and suit most shapes.  They can be worn with both smart dresses and heels for work and skinny jeans and boots at the weekend. 

 

This Next Coat (£60) is a fantastic price and actually feels OK.  Tapping into this season's trend for leather - or in this case pleather - (arguably that part of it may date slightly) it's a really great piece.

 

 

This is what the coat looks like on a body!

As an alternative, this Boden velvet trim coat £199 is beautiful. It also comes in camel and is quite generous in size, so it may be worth sizing down.

For a more casual coat, you can't beat a parka. They are everywhere at the moment. Some are more fashion orientated - great for those of us city dwellers - and come  with detatchable linings and hoods. On the other hand, brands who make clothes for the "proper" outdoors, such as Berghaus and Merrell, design parkas possibly more suited to those who live in very wet/windy/cold climates, where more demands are placed on the coats.

This is the NW3 Birch Parka £179, which has a lovely fleece inside and a hood with a fur trim - which isn't at all mangy!

 Again, this is what it looks like on a real body. With a draw string waist to add shape, plenty of useful pockets and snug cuffs, it's pretty near perfect.

Next comes the Next Luxury Navy Parka £85 - I must admit that I haven't seen this one in the flesh but again it has good sized pockets, a hood and it looks as if it draws in at the waist.

I really like the finish on this Oasis Wax quilted lined parka (£86). It's not quite as shiny as in the picture but, given that it is waxed, it does have a sheen about it. Having tried it on, I can tell you that it's definitely worth investigating.

For anyone who would like their parka to add a pop of colour to their wardrobe, this
GAP fur twill parka (£99.95) is a great option. It also comes in a pinky/coral colour, as well as the more sedate navy and khaki colours. In previous years the GAP parkas have sold out nationwide and a few weeks ago they were alarmed. What is the world coming to?!

Two basic styles of coats but with a few options for each. Oh, and one final one that I couldn't miss out - this very on trend number from Warehouse....the Warehouse colour block parka (£95)

I was given the heads up today that the Pavilions campaign in which I featured is on the front page of the new Shopping in Birmingham website - which has just replaced the Style Birmingham site. That aside, for anyone planning a day out shopping in Birmingham, it's a great place to look for information.

Mum on the Run - Flying High - from London to in flight magazines!

I was down in London today at a shoot with the Daily Mail. Their offices are something again! It's like walking into a whole new world - a little like walking into Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, with everyone hard at work. I got lost on my way back from the loo and wandered through all sorts of exciting areas trying to find my way back - which I failed to do until someone took pity on me and took me back to the photo studio. It was a bit like the first day at secondary school!

Here's Oonagh trying her hardest to make me look my best. We needed a lot of bronzing powder!

Now this is what you call a make up collection!

I loved this wallpaper that was used in the make-up and styling area. So appropriate for the offices of a newspaper!

As one who, until fairly recently, didn't have a clue about what a photographic studio looked like, these things still fascinate me...

...there's just so much kit, technology and skill involved in one tiny shot!

I'm not sure when the article is due out - but it's going to be a "fun" one. "Fun" as in - there's the potential for me to look utterly and completely ridiculous - but it will probably make everyone laugh, so that's good at least!

On another note, at the end of the summer, an opportunity arose for me to write an article for the Ryan Air in flight magazine. The brief was to write a light hearted article, aimed at both men and women, providing hints and quick tips on how to re-invent yourself. As well as being printed in the magazine, the article can also be found online here http://www.letsgo-mag.com/story/7-reinvent-your-look/1193/1/ 

As an edited version of the article was published I decided to post the full version here but please don't feel obliged to read it! To anyone who has found Style Guile via the Ryan Air Magazine - "hello!" So, here goes:

First things first, are you going for a dramatic re-invention or subtle improvements?  Kylie and Madonna are the mistresses of re-invention but they have the lifestyle and the budget to go with it – plus resources at their disposal to call upon if it all goes wrong! Re-modelling yourself along the lines of Lady Ga Ga, or Russell Brand may seem a great idea when you are with your friends at the start of a two week holiday in the sun, but would it still seem such a good idea at the end of your holiday, with the prospect of work looming?! A new look can be achieved very easily, even on a small budget. Here are my suggestions for quick and easy changes that you can make to your appearance, together with more long term (surgery free) solutions:

Eyebrows: They are often neglected but what a difference well shaped, groomed eyebrows can make.  They can take years off you and can make you look bright eyed and bushy tailed in an instant – and yes, that applies to men too. My advice is to get your eyebrows shaped professionally (it doesn’t cost much), as it is easy to get carried away at home and over-pluck!

Make-up: For women, a quick session at a beauty counter (what better way to spend your time in the departure lounge?) can bring about dramatic results.  Updating our make-up can have maximum impact for minimum effort. You can achieve so many different looks with make-up – sultry Angelina Jolie, natural Kate Middleton or fun Katy Perry.  Remember, however, that less is more when it comes to make-up – so keep your foundation as light as possible for an every-day look, only applying it to those areas that need it.  If you are opting for smoky eyes, keep the lips nude. Conversely,  if you are choosing a strong lip colour, make them the dominant feature, leaving your eye make-up more natural looking.  There are many multi-functional products on the market so seek them out, especially if you are travelling.

Changing your hairstyle: Changing your hairstyle, and colour, can have a dramatic impact on your appearance. Magazines are a great source of inspiration for new hairstyles. Do be realistic though, and think about the texture and thickness of your hair. A great hair style is one into which your hair falls naturally, with little maintenance – whether a gamine crop, a sleek bob or a long layered look, work with you hair rather than against it – especially if time is of the essence. Remember to take along images with you to the hairdresser of styles that you like, as verbal descriptions can easily get lost in translation!

If you are slightly nervous of changing your hair colour, opt for a semi-permanent colour.  However if you are feeling brave, why not try a splash of bright colour? Whether it’s blue, red or pink – nothing has to be forever,  it may lead to a whole new you or it could just allow you to have a bit of fun whilst on holiday.

Updating your wardrobe and changing your style: If you are ready to update or change your image, style blogs are a great source of inspiration. With many bloggers posting pictures of what they are wearing on a daily basis, you can quickly adopt the look and start to build a wardrobe that works for you. Magazines are also a great source of inspiration, with the September and February issues containing all of the key looks for the season. It’s a great idea to collect images that you like, either in a file or on a mood board, and create something visual, which you can add to and update as the season progresses. Most designer looks can now be achieved through shopping on the high street, and at a fraction of the cost.

If there’s a look or celebrity style you would like to have yourself, start to study them to see how they put their outfits together, adopting those elements which you think will translate well into your lifestyle.  Try using inexpensive high street brands initially, so that your financial commitment isn’t too great. You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe and once you have the basics in place, just a few tweaks can make a big difference. Such as rolling sleeves up on your shirts, layering, adding coloured or animal print belts, wearing sequins in the day time, trying a different style of shoe, updating your accessories or treating yourself to a new pair of stylish jeans. Just make subtle and inexpensive changes at first and ask your friends for advice as your confidence grows. If you feel great, then keep building on that look. If you feel uncomfortable, tweak it until you feel right. A new look is all about making you happy and confident, and not about trying to be someone else.

Don’t forget that a lot of changes also need to come from the inside out, so whether it’s changing your diet, drinking more water, taking more exercise or getting more sleep, they will all have a profound and dramatic effect on not only about how you feel but also on how you look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mum on the Run (With a very numb bum) in Primark, Zara, Gap and Mulberry

 

With 7% battery left on my computer, I am up against the clock to get this post live before my computer shuts down for the night - which is something I would quite like to do but I can't as I find myself at my daughter's two hour cheer leading class, sitting in a freezing cold gym on an old fashioned school bench with a numb bottom!

 

This is my Primark yellow jumper which I posted about a few weeks ago. I wore it with Cos grey skinny jeans, Zara boots, a white shirt and my grey Mulberry bag.

Does anyone remember that advert for "Zest" soap years ago now? There was an aerosol button on the top of a bar of yellow Zest soap. Well that's what I feel like when I wear this jumper - a bar of Zest soap - it's all about the colour....but I still really like it!

Mum on the Run - How to wear prints - shirts, skirts, blouses and trousers (plus boots)

Please forgive me - I'm doing a bit of a cheat's post tonight - but there is still something for you all to read.

I have been asked by Alaina, the Senior Editor at easyliving.co.uk, to write a weekly article for Easy Living Magazine online and so, once a week, (if it's all right with you all) I will provide a link to the article instead of writing a post.

My first article is about how to wear prints. For this article I used images which you may have seen before - but the text is new.  If you would like to take a look you can do so here http://www.easyliving.co.uk/fashion/trends/how-to-wear-prints

 

I really hope that you find it enjoyable and useful too.

Mum on the Run - It's the same jumper as yesterday styled simply with jeans, leather jacket and KG boots. Job done!

Today the girls and I went to see my Mum in her new bungalow. Since moving in, Mum has had a new bathroom put in (that happened precisely one day after she arrived) and a new conservatory - and she's only been there 2 months. Sarah Beeny and Kirstie Allsopp - pah. If you want something doing get my Mum on the case! 

 

For today's outing, which included a trip to the park, I wore the Cos jumper that I wore yesterday, together with my Oasis leather jacket and Gap high waisted skinny jeans.

 

As you can see, there's very little going on by way of accessories - other than my blue Orla Kiely bag. Sometimes less can be more and I really like these pieces individually so I didn't feel that they needed much else (others of course may disagree)!

I know, it's the second pair of new boots in two days (which I do feel a bit bad about) but I bought these in the sale in the summer with some birthday money and haven't worn them until now.

They are the KG London sweep boots, which quite clearly are a copy of the Acne Pistol Boot. I have to say, I really like the shape of them and the colour below is currently in the sale, again reduced from £195 to £99 (although they only appear to be in a size 36 online but there should be more in the stores which stock KG London - which not all do.)

 

You can't get much simpler than that - jeans, boots, jumper, jacket - possibly not very inspiring - but for me, job done!