Going a bit boho in Monsoon

Today I'm going a bit boho. Tomorrow I'm going a bit orange. Who knows what the next day will bring? Actually hopefully I won't be orange but rather a lovely nut brown. My phone assures me that this weekend we will have some sun and given that we're not going away until the end of August, I'm going to have to pretend instead. So if in my next post I'm a different shade, that's why.

I seem to have a bit of a thing with red at the moment too, which is pretty unusual for me. Red accessories (and coats) I can do...but I have a feeling that it's going to spill over into clothes this coming season. I've already tried to buy my first red piece of the season but it was out of stock. So that bodes well then. The bag is from GAP and the shoes were from Kew (anyone remember Kew?) a very long time ago now.

But anyway as to the jacket - I bought it a few weeks ago when it looked as if it was a very long way from the sale rail but when I went into Monsoon yesterday, there it was, bold as brass, half price at £27 give or take a few pennies. It's lightweight - more of a blouse than a jacket really. For me, to qualify as a jacket, it needs to have some warmth about it but call it what you will it's a smashing little number. The only thing that I would say is that it's not hugely long in the body, so that's worth bearing in mind. Honestly, if anyone can find this top/jacket on the Monsoon website they can have mine! I've searched jackets, cover ups, embroidery and sale but I can't find it anywhere.*

*Having just read Sue's post about this very jacket, it appears that it's no longer available online, which explains why I can't find it. Maybe I won't be handing mine over after all.

Denim and (not quite) Dancing Shoes...

I've been on the hunt for a denim pinafore dress for probably over a year now, trying them in Warehouse, Topshop and Zara but not finding one that worked until I came across the Karolina denim pinafore dress in Monsoon (reduced from £59 to £29.50). This one I knew would be different because it was less rigid than the others that I had tried, plus the skirt had slightly more room in it meaning that I could walk around properly without tottering and tripping over my feet. I'm wearing the size 8 but I've ordered the 10 too, just for comparison purposes.

And these shoes were in the Zara sale. They were £19.99 and I have to say that they are so comfortable. I love a bit of a chunky shoe and they're a modern take on a brogue. They also come in full on gold - but navy is a little more me.

I'm not sure that I'm quite a Dancing Queen in these shoes - they probably should have a higher heel and lots of glitter - but for now I'm happy to strut my stuff on the door step!

Tops of the bohemian, vintage, hippy, happy, peasant variety...

I started writing this post last night but then abandoned it when the photographs looked like they had been taken when the photographer was half cut (shame on you Monsoon - or me for being rubbish with technology). Also I couldn't find many examples of what I was after but the post was obviously meant to be because today, exactly the sort of thing I had in mind, kept coming at me out of nowhere.

I'm not a hippy chick at heart, nor a boho one but with my attention turning to packing for our summer holiday, I like the idea of wearing tops which give a nod to that particular vibe. I'm not a huge fan of t-shirts and only have two that I wear. Breton tops are lovely but samey, denim shirts I try and keep for the winter and strappy vests are just too chilly for me on all but the very warmest of days. 

Anything with the word neon in it is bound to attract my attention and the colours of this Monsoon neon tunic (£34.99) instantly appealed to me. With the detailing being placed where it is, all attention will be drawn up towards the face. The fit of this top will allow what's underneath it to have a little party all of its own without anyone else knowing. I currently have one of these to try in an XS so I will report back once I've tried it on.

The Accessorise lace insert tunic (£20) has a similar feel about it, although it's more toned down. "Subtle" might be the word that some would use!

I wasn't looking at Boden specifically for these style tops as, having looked under their "kaftan and tunic" section last night, I didn't think that they really had what I was after. However, it transpired that they did, albeit in a different section.

This Boden Cotswold top is a lovely shape, although sizes are sadly limited. Had it been available in my size, it would now be on its way to me! I love the coverage that these tops give, whilst at the same time being that little bit Ibiza rather than that little bit Ingoldmells*.

There's also this Boden Lola top (£29.50) which has quite a strong peasant/hippy theme going on. I'm not quite sure how it ended up in my basket but it did. I think that I was having a bit of a mad sale "in for a penny, in for a pound" moment. I'm thinking denim shorts, flip flops - anyway, we'll see.

The Boden Francesca top (priced variously £41.40 to £62.10) comes in several colour ways, as do most of the Boden tops. I like the neckline of all of these tops as they are unfussy and flattering. Classically style shirt collars can serve to shorten the neck, whereas this style top has the opposite effect.

The Boden Sicily top is really pretty. With the detail placed towards the centre of the top, it will draw the eye inwards, letting our possibly slightly lumpy, bumpy, silhouette pale into insignificance. In fact it too can join the party of what's going on underneath the top in the tummy area, leaving us feeling serene and stylish.

Now black isn't really a colour that I wear much at any time of the year but I saw this Jigsaw cotton embroidery shirt (£20) online and tried it on in the store today. It was really quite different for me but in a kind of "ooh, I haven't tried one of these before" type ways, so it gave me a little thrill and I bought it. I love Sophie in the Jigsaw in Birmingham. She's been there since about 2006 and we often have a little chat. She found this particular top uncomfortable on the waist and a bit too stiff, which made it unflattering over the bust area so you know, it's not going to work for everyone but then things rarely do. And for those with a defined waist it will emphasise it nicely.

So this whole "in for a penny in for a pound" sale thing that I had going on today turned into a bit of shopping session. But as we all know, it doesn't count until you decide to keep it, so that's fine. No, really it is. It's not a problem. Not at all. (Wipes sweat from forehead whilst having palpitations.)

*I haven't actually been to Ingoldmells since about 1978 so please, anyone who lives there, don't take offence to my comment. I'm sure it's lovely.

On the Run - Life Begins at 40 (Part 1)

I read a really interesting article at the weekend about the former tennis player, Annabel Croft.  It was about how her daughter, Amber, took control of her Wardrobe, which was stuck in the 1990's.

This is what Annabel said about her clothing:

"For a good 10 years, after I had three kids, I got used to throwing on a uniform....I suppose I went into a bit of a tunnel and a lot my friends did too.  It wasn't until my children started growing up that I discovered I was completely out of the loop with fashion.  I'd forgotten that it could be fun, and I lost faith in my own judgment."

Having worked with so many women who find themselves in this situation, I found her last comment really inciteful. A lot of women have a really good innate sense of style but having not devoted any time to themselves, have just lost confidence. Once we re-ignite that dwindling flame, there's no stopping them!

She also went on to say: "Looking back, I can see that my look had got locked in the 1990s, before I 'd had children. I'd had the same shoes for seven or eight years and wasn't updating them. So, thank God Amber spoke up, or I'd still be wearing my Dynasty suits now."

Once her daughter took control, she taught her Mum how to layer things and to mix high street and designer pieces.  She styles designer pieces with something clever from Topshop or Zara and looks to brands such as Elizabeth and James (designed by the Olsen twins), Acne, LK Bennett, J Brand, Issa (a favourite of Kate Middleton) and All Saints. 

Having the figure of a former tennis player and probably a relatively healthy clothing budget makes it easier for her to look amazing but nonethelss, the point remains the same.

So, where to start if you have reached that stage where you finally have a little bit of brain space, and time, to devote to yourself?

Without wanting to do a "capsule wardrobe post" these are the items that I would look to add to a Wardrobe first to give it a new lease of life:

A good pair of jeans - and by good I mean well fitting, not necessarily pricey. I like these high waisted flared jeans (below) by Jaeger which at £35 in the sale are a great buy. I would also look to Not Your Daughter's Jeans, Hobbs, J Brand at Shopbop or Levi's,  curve ID as all are cut for women's figures.

• A good trench coat. Why? Because it covers a multitude of sins beneath and whilst also looking stylish.  I like this one from Aubin and Wills which is reduced in the sale from £325 to £150.  Made in the UK, it's of great quality and will last for years. It also comes in navy. It isn't too long so will look equally good with jeans and trousers as well as with a dress or skirt.

                             
Shirts or blouses. Why? Because they are so much more forgiving and flattering than T-shirts or clingy tops. Shirts with darts are particularly flattering and ladies with curvier busts will know to avoid breast pockets. Zara always has a great selection. I particularly like this Loas print blouse from Monsoon which is now £22.50 in the sale. It's a blue and turquoise delicate animal print.

I also like this pink Esther shirt also from Monsoon, together with...

this Suzy colour block sandy shirt also from Monsoon.

                                                           

             

Add in a blazer to add a bit of structure such as this NW3 boyfriend jacket reduced from £179 to £89 (and likely to be reduced further).

Zara always has an excellent selection of blazers and if you already own a plain one, then an embellished or tweed blazer is a great option.

                                                     

     

Some wedge shoes such as these Kara 2 strap espadrille reduced from £119 to £59, which also come in navy would be comfortable yet stylish.

  

                                                           
  or these LK Bennett Star Sandals (£45 instead of £125 or Embassy Sandals (£65 instead of £125) Even though they may not be available on line, I have seen plenty in the stores.


                                           


An A-line day time skirt such as this one from Boden reduced from £45 to £33.80 (Cos has similar) would work wonders and is a flattering shape...

and a day time printed dress is always a useful addition to your wardrobe.  This dress, also from Boden will lend itself to being put with lots of different colours.

Everyone's needs and demands will be different, as will their budget and bodyshape. However, with the addition of a few other pieces, such as a couple of knits - I love this one from Orla Kiely reduced from £265 to £132.50 which also comes in navy.

 

a breton top such as this one from Boden...

some day time sparkles and perhaps a lace skirt you would be well on your way to kick starting your wardrobe.

Tomorrow I will look at those all important accessories which will complete your wardrobe, making sure that you are the glamourous 40 something you deserve to be.

On the Run - A lacy racy Saturday!

Oh what a day!  I saw the eldest two and their Dad off on a skiing trip today which always leaves me feeling a bit odd. No fighting, no teenage music, no rubbish on the TV - too much calm leaves me feeling uneasy! Mind you I need a week to get sorted given that I managed to turn each of their bedrooms upside down about ten minutes after they left.  It's always dangerous starting on a sorting out project.  The ramifications go on and on....

Before he left, our son was playing with the hosepipe with his sister.  Unsurprisingly she got wet, so disappeared into the house, only to emerge five minutes later complete with wellies, raincoat and an umbrella - which was hilarious because the reason we were in the garden in the first place was because it was so sunny.

As I say, it was really warm in Brum land today, hence the wedge shoes, painted toe nails and lace top. Great in Brum - not so great at my Mum's where it is 8 degrees cooler. 

As to the outfit - I bought the top last year from Fusion at Monsoon and I am pleased to say that they have done another one almost similar this year - although it is a pinky coral colour. It is called the minnie lace blouse and costs £42 - http://www.monsoon.co.uk/fusion-minnie-lace-blouse/invt/12310284/

The jeans are from Mango, the necklace from Jigsaw and shoes from Dune.  When driving along I did see women in sun tops, flip flops and shorts but I'm not quite there yet! (Which is fortunate for anyone reading this!)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mum on the Run - Wardrobe Staples

Today was a day of wardrobe staples - Gap cargo trousers, Dune gold wedges and my Monsoon lace top. All feature fairly frequently but that's the point about having some basic items that work with lots of other things.  I find all of them comfortable and given that I was at a networking event - which was held in a soft play area - I had to strike that balance between being able to whizz down the slide (which I did!) and being able to hold my own in a professional sense - which I think, and hope, I did!

Mum on the Run - A casual cream theme

My husband and I had a pass out this evening so we nipped  up to our local.  I decided to stick to a cream theme and put my cream leather jacket and cream lace top together with jeans and some silver sandals, which were comfortable enough to walk in.  Being the ravers that we are, we were home by 9.30pm having been via the local Sainsbury's on the way back to stock up on essentials for tomorrow.  Boy, do we know how to party!
Jeans Gap, Sandals Carvela, Top Monsoon Fusion, Jacket Oasis, Pendant Jigsaw

Mum on the Run - Jeans and flatforms

Yesterday weather wise it was a funny old day - chilly in the morning but warming up later on when it was time to take number 3 to her friend's birthday party.  I was walking there and needed something flat, so I wore what are being hailed as this season's wonder  - "flatforms" ie flat platforms.  You have to admire the fickleness of fashion.  I bought these a couple of years ago when needing something flat and practical.  Although they were from Jigsaw they were probably considered a bit spoddy at the time but now?  It's a different story completely.  I always loved the purple patent of them and having had a pedicure recently I found, by chance, that everything kind of worked.  The moral of the story - flat shoes are comfortable!! What a revelation.

Outfit: Jeans Gap, Top Monsoon fusion, Shoes Jigsaw

Mum on the Run day 34 - Utility trousers and a blazer

Another day in paradise - well, the Bull Ring in Birmingham, but for me it's pretty close.  I was shopping for a Style Party that I have tomorrow night - 6 lovely ladies with varying different requirements which is great as it keeps me on my styling toes. 

I knew that it would be a long day and that I needed to be comfortable so on went the Oasis ankle boots, followed by the Whistles utility trousers. I added a cream lace top and black blazer to make the top half it a little more feminine and a little smarter.  Hidden under the blazer for warmth was a pink cropped cashmere cardigan from Boden.  For the walk to school later in the day I just swapped the trousers and boots for jeans and pink converse. 

Outfit: Trousers Whistles, Boots Oasis, Blazer Gap, Lace top Monsoon Fusion