Monthly Archives: January 2014

Re-Fit

15th January 2014

Jumper: TK Maxx | Skirt: c/o Phase Eight | Boots and Tights: New Look

I have worn this outfit before, sometime at the beginning of last year when I thought that everything fitted nicely. I’d not worn this skirt since then and I was a bit apprehensive as I had convinced myself that it’d no longer do up (I should note that the day I wore this/wrote the post I was having a huge crisis of confidence about myself. Recovery ups and downs eh?)
I was pleased to discover that not only did the skirt still do up, it actually fitted me as this style of skirt should. Same with the jumper which I still regret not buying in navy too.
I got so many compliments on this outfit from people at work, both colleagues and patients that it made me realise just how screwed perceptions can be sometimes. I probably thought I looked better last year than I do now (and part of me probably always will) but other people clearly thought otherwise. I am struggling a lot at the moment as my goal weight nears ever closer, and I’m sorry to make this a post all about me- as people seem to think I do this far too often, but recovery isn’t all yummy food and living life…there are still days where I want to hide from everything or shrink my world back down, the difference being that I actually know my life is better as it is today, and that these thoughts and feelings are irrational. It doesn’t make them any less difficult to deal with at the time though.
On another note. I love these tights. I had forgotten all about them actually. The downside is you get a funky pattern on your legs at the end of the day…but it doesn’t hurt and is cheaper/less permenant than a tattoo.
This outfit combines all of favourite colours right now. Apart from black. Which isn’t a colour, is it? I seriously need more navy in my life.
Well, it’s off to work for the morning soon. After my coffee drinking, porridge and toast eating, mad panic about what to wear next hour.
Have a good one folks
What do you regret not buying?

Posted in life stuff, outfits

Permalink 14 Comments

Be My (early) Valentine with AskHerFriends

14th January 2014
Every month I have the not too difficult task of picking 5 gifts from the AskHerFriends website to enter in to their monthly Blogger Panel.
This month the theme was Valentines, early I suppose, but in good time to get those hints in, eh?
My choices are those seen above and linked to below
If you haven’t visited AskHerFriends for a while you’ll see it’s now turned in to a wonderful market place championing independent sellers. It makes compiling the wish list even more of a joy really…picking unique and hand crafted pieces that one day I may own.
If you like what you see you can vote for my selection on the AskHerFriends Blogger Panel Page
which will also enter you in a draw to win a £50 voucher!
What are you waiting for? Vote for Laura of adaisychaindream (or not, the other ladies have picked some stunners too!)

Posted in askherfriends

Permalink 7 Comments

Wild and Free

13th January 2014

Dress: Pop Boutique at ASOS | Boots: New Look | Bag: c/o Flights of Nancy

Apart from looking like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards and therefore feeling a little less than satisfied with these photos it was really good fun to start taking some in a place other than my home or garden and I was glad I’d packed my camera when I went for some retail therapy with Trudi after work last Tuesday.

I’d coveted this dress for so long, so as soon as I saw it down to around £15 in the ASOS sale I knew I wanted it. It’s more fitted around the waist than I usually go for (trying to ditch the habit of always sizing up) but apart from the fact it’s super creased from a frantic morning at work I really love it. There’s something very Wednesday Addams about it.
To brighten up the otherwise all black outfit I added in my beloved Flights of Nancy satchel which was a generous gift from the girl herself the Christmas before last. I will never not love what she sells, my overnight bag comes with me on every weekend trip to Ben’s as well as on any other travels.
As you can see my hair has developed a mind of it’s own at the moment and just won’t settle down and behave. I’m kind of loving the colour right now, where my ends were bleached before there is now a pink tinge from the new colour fading out….but as ever, I’m wondering what to do next. Part of me wants to bleach it all out and go pastel, or stay red but chop it all off.
Will I ever be brave enough?
I really want to start taking more photos outside of the home but I think I’ll try and make sure I’m not pulling odd faces or have hair that looks like there is a ten force gale blowing next time!
Where are your favourite places to get photos?
P.S. I finally have my appointment with the neurosurgeon today, wish me luck! I really need to get my back sorted, it’s dragging me down.

Posted in hair, life stuff, outfits

Permalink 16 Comments

Get to Know your Body Shape; a guest post.

12th January 2014
There are many rules in fashion, and trying to keep up with all the dos and don’ts and latest trends can get a bit much. If you want to look great without having to ingest six different fashion magazines each week then the main thing is to simply dress for the body you have, rather than the body you wish you had. Women come in all shapes and sizes, and in reality the key to looking fabulous is to love the figure you’ve been given and really get to know it so you can dress it in beautiful flattering clothes. 

Identify your shape
The first step to dressing for your body type is to identify what this means for you. Popular opinion would dictate that there are only a few different categories for shape, but real women cannot be put into boxes quite so simply, and every single woman has a different shape. Think about whether you are loosely a pear, apple, hourglass or athletic shape, but don’t expect to conform entirely to this categorisation. There are plenty of women that are a combination of two or more of these, and there are likely some parts of your body that don’t follow the rules of your shape. Once you have worked this out you can experiment with outfits that are designed to flatter your outline, and decide which work for you.

Find your best bits
It’s very easy to stand in front of a mirror and criticise the parts of your body that you don’t like. In fact, this is something that most women are guilty of, and it can give you a very negative body image and perception of what you look like. Once a day try and give yourself a compliment. Instead of finding fault, identify a part of your body that you like and don’t mind showing off. When you are shopping try and find outfits that will really flatter the bits of yourself that you love, then you can ensure attention is on these and not on the parts you feel more self conscious about.

Things everyone can do
You can easily find information about what styles are likely to suit you based on your proportions. Experiment with different cuts and combinations to find what looks best on you. There are however some more generic things you can do to ensure you look your best in whatever you wear. These include getting a well cut items of clothing and nice fabrics that hang well. You don’t need to go designer to get this level of quality and there are some quality dresses from George that really take into account women’s figures. Where possible too you should try to elongate your legs. It doesn’t matter whether you’re 4ft or 6ft tall, this simple trick will make you look slimmer and more elegant.

Getting to know your body really well will help you to know which clothes and outfits will look best on you and help you to feel confident at all times. Don’t be afraid to experiment and work out what you like and what looks best. Follow some of the guidelines about body shape but remember this will vary from person to person so you will need to test the theories for yourself. 
xxx

Posted in Uncategorized

Permalink 6 Comments

Sarenza Sunday- the resolution

12th January 2014
Hands up who’s made a resolution to get fit now January has rolled around.
Hands up who feels they need some snazzy new sports shoes to help them along the way.
Hands up who’s already broken their resolution (that’s me then).
I love keeping fit and now, back aside my health allows I can’t wait to pull of my snazzy running shoes and go for some gentle jogs around the park. My days of distance runs and pavement pounding are over but I can still look cool during my more laid back approach.
Buying new trainers is one of my favourite parts of starting a new exercise regime and for those of you who’re looking then Sarenza have a really fantastic selection (and a lot are in the sale right now too, bonus!)
I’ve got my eye on the Gel-Phoenix 5 by Asics. They look stunning with their pink and silver design and Asics are a name you can trust when it comes to sports shoes, too, which is really important when exercising to make sure your bones, muscles and joints are protected.
Pink and Silver not your thing? Worry not. There’s a whole host of Sports Shoes available.
See you at the finish line.

Posted in sarenza, shoes

Permalink 7 Comments