An idea for a Christmas outfit and a very old (and very pink) coat!

 

Benetton coat, GAP high waisted jeans, Topshop belt, Cos jumper, Zara boots (breaking all the rules of taking decent photos by wearing a coat the same colour as the background. Ho hum.)

 

It has taken me many years but the penny has finally dropped that when Mr SG says that he gets stressed about choosing Christmas presents for me, he really means it. It's not that he's just mildly concerned, or unsure, he's genuinely worried. Given that it's one problem in life that I am able to resolve, today I assisted him with it and he has now bought me a lovely ring from Links and some Bobbi Brown make-up. When I rang him at work to tell him what a productive morning he'd had, he was most impressed AND he was chuffed with himself for saving 20% in Links. Just a few more bits to get and then he's done. How easy was that?

 

Today I finished shopping for the event that I'll be at on Thursday. For once I will aim to take photos of the outfits before heading out with them all. Otherwise I pack them up after the event and take them back to the shops before getting a chance to share them. Hopefully they may give some ideas for outfits in the run up to Christmas. This year I will, once again, be doing my 12 outfits of Christmas so if anyone fancies joining me by letting me have photos of their outfits, or posting them on facebook, please feel free to do so. I hope to kick off on 13 December, or thereabouts.

 

So, just one idea for a slightly different style jacket in the run up to Christmas - the kimono jacket. They've been around for a while but it seems that they're here to stay and with a pair of straight or skinny jeans and some heels, they make a nice alternative to a leggings/tunic outfit which can all too often be a default position.  They aren't too fitted, or too tailored, so they have that nice relaxed feel about them.  They work well with a looser vest style top underneath which again avoids the overly clingy/tailored look which isn't always appealing from a comfort, point of view.  They also come in lots of prints, colours and textures so there should be something for everyone. Anyway, I'll leave that one with you to ponder. The ones below are from Oasis but they are everywhere and M&S, in particular, has a good selection.

 

Cherry blossom kimono jacket Oasis (£42)

 

 

Sequin kimono Oasis (£45)

Lace Kimono jacket Oasis (£50)

Mum on the Run - Anchors Away!

Firstly I would like to thank anyone who has dropped by Style Guile as a result of reading the article in Woman & Home Magazine. Thank you for taking the time to come and say "hello". I hope that you like what you find.

Today I am tapping into the whole printed jeans trend which is so big this season.  If bright flowers perhaps aren't for you, these more subtle jeans may do the trick of being something slightly different but not too different. From Oasis, I bought them on a whim not sure how the anchors would translate onto a leg - would they become stretched, distorted - who knew.  In actual fact they were fine.  Phew!

I put them with navy patent Carvela slingbacks which I find are a good height and comfortable.  I also wore a Topshop knit which I bought in a sale just after Christmas and a Boden blazer, which was also a sale purchase.

I love the spotty lining on the blazer, which you can also see on the cuffs below.  I felt quite patriotic in my red blue and white outfit - just like I did in 1977 for the Queen's silver jubilee.

As well as the practical, there's also a little room on Style Guile for dreaming and this is top of my wish list at the moment - the Lily bag from Mulberry which is part of the "cookie cutter" collection, so called because the items in the range look as if they have been cut out with a cookie cutter. 

I have no doubt that the Lily bag will remain a wish, rather than become a reality but that's fine with me.  Part of the fun in life is dreaming about the things that I would like to own!  Instead I spotted these shoes in New Look.  The same colour with the same pretty detail, they would fill that gap in my wardrobe for a nude accessory with a pretty edge. OK, so they are a pair of shoes and not a bag but that too is fine.

I tried them on and actually despite the heel height, they are really quite comfortable - and at £24.99 easier on the purse too!

Today I am wearing: Oasis jeans, Topshop jumper, Carvela shoes, Mango scarf, Boden blazer

Mum on the Run day 30 - Pinky but not so perky

I knew that today had the potential to be tricky.  After too many late nights I am tired (and it shows!) I had a meeting first thing and although I didn't need to be overly smart as it was a work meeting I wanted to make an effort.

I hadn't planned what I was going to wear but as I fell asleep last night I had the words in my head "keep it simple".  So I did - navy trousers, navy long sleeved top layered under my navy v neck bat wing jumper.  Can't get much simpler than that! Then I stuck on a long necklace, a bright coat and added my heeled ankle boots and Marc Jacobs bag - which I ought to swap but I love it and anyway I didn't have time!

Now that I am home for the afternoon with our youngest I have swapped the trousers and boots for jeans and converse and the necklace has long gone.

Outfit: Trouser and long sleeved top Cos, Jumper White Stuff, Boots Oasis, Necklace Jigsaw, Coat Benetton, Bag Marc Jacobs