Final Night With Crisis

It has been a long day and we only just got home from our final day volunteering with Crisis and I need my bed.

Outfit:
Jacket: Vintage from Canada
Dress: T.K.Maxx
Trousers: Cords from TopShop
Shoes: C&A

Merry Christmas

When we spend Christmas at home it has been our tradition for years to volunteer with Crisis at one of their homeless shelters. And this year is no different. After a turkey filled breakfast we are heading to North London for the fist of our shifts and the best way to spend Christmas. Every day can be filled with the most random of tasks, so I must be dressed and ready for anything.

Outfit:
Hat: Tie Rack,
Jacket: Charity Shop
Scarf: SouthBank Christmas Market,
Top: Dorothy Perkins
Skirt: Charity shop scarf
Trousers: Top Shop cords,
Shoes: C and A
Merry Christmas and have a fun filled day.

One Week To Go

With the final count down to Christmas under way there is no better way to continue celebrating the season than meeting friends for lunch. I have a feeling that there will be several mince pies eaten, so plenty of room for expansion is required.

Outfit:
Scarf: Charity shop
Jacket: Primark
T-Shirt: Hennes
Skirt: Angels Never Die from Charity shop
Tights: Matalan
Boots: Office

Singing In The Rain

Thanks to British Film Institute I have finally been able to see 'Singing in the Rain' on the big screen and it did not disappoint. Gene Kelly rocks.

Outfit
Hat: T.K. Maxx
Coat: Wallis
Handbag: Littlewoods
Skirt: Vintage

Christmas Baking

My day has been filled with baking goodies for Christmas parties coming up in the next few weeks. After so much sugar I have headed off to a friends who kindly offered to make me dinner and fill with me much needed carbs.

Outfit
Jacket: Primark
Scarf: Charty Shop
Skirt: Charty shop Cargo Pants turned into a skirt
Tights:T.K.Maxx
Boots:T.K.Maxx

Birthday Party Weekend

This weekend is going to be full of Birthday parties so I need to pace myself to make it through.

Outfit
Hat/Scarf: Primark,
Jacket: Black men's Haori from Japan
Dress: Connected Apparel dress from T.K.Maxx
Handbag: Bought in China
Tights: Pretty Polly
Shoes: Carvela shoes from Fenwicks

Burgundy Is The New Black

After our trip to India and seeing all the amazing colours they wear, I decided to add new colours into my wardrobe. The colour of choice this winter is going to be Burgundy, I am looking forward to making use of it as much as possible.

Outfit
Coat: Ringspun  from T K Maxx,
Long Sleve T-Shirt: Reitmans
Skirt: Marks and Spencer personalised with elastic drawn through the hem to turn it into a bubble skirt.
Tights: Primark
Boots: From a Train Station in Switzerland

Craft Club Sunday

Oh happy day, it has rolled around to another Craft Club and this month the theme is 'knit and bitch'. Always a great day full of food, fun, laughter where the creative spirit flows.

Outfit
Hat: T.K. Maxx
Jacket: Primark
Scarf Gudrun Sjoden
Skirt: T K Maxx
Boots:Oxford Street.

Late Night at British Museum

The every amazing  British Museum has put together another of their Friday 'Late Nights' . The evening was inspired by Grayson Perry's: The tomb of the Unknown Craftsman. In the Great Court students from the University of the Arts, London put together a Craft Fair where you were given the opportunity to - think, make and do.

Outfit
Long Sleeve T-shirt: Reitmans
Necklace: One of my latest creations made of felt, buttons and vintage brooches.
Skirt: Angels Never Die
Tights: Primark.
Shoes: Primark

Going Nude

There is talk about 'Nude' being one of the On Trend colours. My goal is to do my best to never be On Tend, but I spotted this shirt on ASOS and thought the nude colour would breath new life into a skirt I have had for a very long time. Here is my interpretation of the latest trend.

Outfit
T-Shirt: Hennes
Blouse: ASOS
Necklace: ASOS
Skirt: Can't remember where I got it from
Shoes: Pirmark

Cool Hand Luke

We have been given last minute tickets for the play Cool Hand Luke at the Aldwych theatre. It was an unexpected treat, so we need to get our skates on and head into London.


Outfit
Jacket: Primark jacket personalised with multiple buttons.
Skirt: Debbie Shuchat skirt from TKMaxx personalised by dying green (the previous colour seen in photo on the left).
Tights: Pretty Polly.
Boots: Spitalfields Market..

Crafty Friday

I cannot believe that we are already well into October and I don't have supplies for my usual Christmas card making frenzy. The cards need to be made and ready to go by early December so that they make it to their international destination in time for Christmas. Time to get out there and find more card stock.

Outfit
Scarf: Bought in China
Jacket: Made by my own fair hands
Skirt: Gudrun Sjoden
Boots: Oxford Street 

A Trip To Heathrow

It is a happy day, my husband is arriving home after travelling around Asia for a month. Flight is on time so I will be heading to Heathrow shortly.

Outfit
Scarf: Dubai Airport
Jacket: Primark
T-Shirt: Top Shop
Bag: Camden
Trousers: La Redoute
Boots: Oxford Street

Brighton Rocks

It is predicted to be a beautiful day, so I am heading off to Brighton to hang out with with friends. Being that it is a weekend and there is work on the rail network creating a challenging journey that took twice as long as it should have. But Brighton is worth it.  This photo was taken at a gate near the Brighton Dome.

Outfit
Sunglasses:T.K.Maxx
T-shirt: Hennes
Dress:New Look
Sandals: Matalan

Nancy And Simon's Wedding

After many hurdles to overcome, Nancy and Simon's day is finally here. It was a lovely service, small, intimate and perfectly suited to the bride and groom.  many Congratulations.

Outfit
Jacket:  Vintage Haori from Shitennoju Temple in Osaka, Japan. I am wearing it inside out to make use of the beautiful fabric that the Haori has been lined with.
Necklace: Vintage and my Mother's
T-Shirt: Hennes
Skirt: Vintage
Boots: Hush Puppies

My New Favourite Coat

This is the first outing for my new coat.  I initially hesitated over whether to buy it or not and even walked out of the store, before I came to my senses.  Now I can't believe that I ever doubted how fantastic it was.

Outfit
Coat:Ringspun
Scarf: Bought in India
Skirt: Whistles
Shoes: L.K. Bennett

Sunday Lunch With Friends

What a beautiful day, I am heading off to meet up with friends for lunch and to catch up on their honeymoon.

Outfit
Top: BooHoo
Necklace: Spitalfields Market
Skirt: My skirt started its life as a Dorothy Perkins dress that I transformed into a slimline bubble skirt
Handbag: Bought in China

Suited And booted

Having hit the ground running, I am suited and booted and ready for a action.

Outfit
Bolero: Made from a vintage dress my sister-in-law gave me
T-Shirt: Hennes
Trousers: La Redoute
Boots: Neosens 

Yves And Simon's Big Day

The day finally arrived for Yves and Simon to celebrate their Civil Partnership. OK it was yesterday, but as I was a 'best women' my day was filled with plenty of official duties. So only have had a chance to upload a photo today.

Pulling together my outfit turned out to be far easier than I was expecting and got off to a great start when I found this amazing 1960's vintage dress at a 'pop up' vintage fair a few months back. The colours for the day were pink and blue, these Pink Primark shoes and my mother's necklace fit the bill. A last minute purchase of a fascinator from Accessorize and a charity shop scarf were the final touches needed.

My New Hair Cut

After months of growing my hair, it is long enough to be cut into a Louise Brooks style. With a slight curl, I use plenty of products and a straightener to achieve the slick look. Tomorrow I am the 'Best Women' in a friends Civil Partnership,so there is much to do today, including writing a speech.

Outfit
Dress: Beyond Retro,
Necklace: River Island
Sandals: Dick Boons

It Is A Sign

The joy of learning a new language is that you need to practice, practice, practice. Today I am getting together with a deaf friend to do just that and push my sign language abilities to the limit.

Outfit
Blouse: Primark
Necklace: Dorothy Perkins
Skirt: Vintage

International Beach Volleyball

London is continually getting ready for the Olympics and with less than one year to go they have started to test various venues. Being that I am a big volleyball mad went to watch the semifinals at the FIVB Beach Volleyball International located at the Horse Guards Parade.

Outfit
Blouse: River Island
Necklace: Accessorize
Skirt: Primark 

Chilli Fiesta

It is time to stock up on new chilli plants, so we are heading off to West Dean for their yearly Chilli Fiesta.  There is no shortage of  spice and flavour and I am looking froward to getting my hand on a few bars of chilli chocolate.

Outfit:
Dress:Komodo
Kimono: Highly Confidential,  found at TKMaxx.
Handbag: Dorothy Perkins
Sandals: Office 

Vintage At Southbank

Today is the day for some serious vintage shopping at the Vintage at Southbank Centre event. They were promising about 250 sellers gathered in one place, so I am sure I will have success in finding a piece or two. Such a day is the perfect excuse to wear my favourite Rock N Roll dancing dress.

Outfit 
Hat: Top Shop
Shawl: Vintage
Dress: Vintage
Necklace: My mother's
Shoes: T.K. Maxx, 

A Morning Ride

Oh how I enjoy summer and being able to get out on my bike as much as possible. The morning started out well and I hit the road for a fun, long ride. Now it is time to hit the spare room and give my sewing machine a good workout.

Outfit
T-Shirt: Vintage
Skirt: Hennes
Leggings: Dorothy Perkins
Shoes: T K Maxx.

Lunch With Friends

After a rainy week the sun is out in full force and I am off to meet friends for lunch. Before all that I topped up my hair with a bright new Fiery Red colour using Nutrisse Ultra Color by Garnier.  A great vibrant colour.

Outfit
Shirt: Monsoon 
T-Shirt: Tesco, personalised with lace and buttons
Skirt: Debbie Shuchat, dyed green
Sandals: Office

Yohji Yamamoto Exhibition

Time is running out on my chances to go and see the Yohji Yamamoto exhibition at the V&A, so before it closes on the 10th I decided to head into town and take a look. I am so pleased that I did. Every outfit was inspiring, so much so that I bought the book Pattern Magic by Tomoko Nakamichi. In the hope that I could replicate the feel of his style, only in a slightly subtly was more suited to my life.

Outfit
T-Shirt: Zara, personalised with buttons
Necklace: East
Skirt: BooHoo dress, worn as a skirt
Boots: Models own  

Off To The Vet

We have been looking after a neighbours cat and this morning there was a strange bump on his head so I am off to the vet to make sure he is OK. Through the process of creating this blog I have been playing with photo editing. It is quite obvious that I still have plenty to learn but somehow with this photo the background is washed out but my outfit it true to colour. No idea how that happened.

Outfit
T-Shirt: H&M
Cardigan: Target
Skirt: It is a mystery
Sandals: Camden Market

A Day At Graduate Fashion Week

Today I headed to Earls Court to check out what was new and exciting this year at Graduate Fashion Week. For such a fashionable event I thought I would pull out all the stops and wear an vintage outfit pulled together from my favourite on-line shop Oxfam. The finishing touches are a Primark necklace, Warehouse handbag and clogs from Pied A Terre. Actually the clogs did not make it into London because shortly after this photo was taken the rain started and I changed into cowboy boots to stay dry.

It was an inspiring fashion show with so many interesting ideas. Christina Economu collection was my favourite, even though it is a terrible photo I had to include it.


Well what can I say about this guy. He definitely was the highlight on the model front and is wearing an outfit from Carl James Illingworth.



As each piece of Rachel Cogley's collection came on the runway it became hairier and hairier. The colours and the big shoulders were great, but the hair defiantly leaned towards the gross side and a idea that has been around for some time. Not a hit for me, still the idea worked because I am talking about it.



This was a very chic look from Laura Fairfax. The black and white was sharp with a great take on the Palazzo Pants


Another lovely collection. Lyudimla Lane used folds, pleats and a striking grey orange combination.



Being that I am huge fan of coloured tights, the moment Meg Cornwall's collection hit the runway it caught my attention. Her take on Harem Trousers were quality.

BRING ON THE WEEKEND

It has been a heck of a week, my presentation went well yesterday which shouldn't come as a surprise considering how much work I put into it. Today I am celebrating by being creative in a different way and personalising one of my t-shirts with lace and buttons. Before that I needed to head into a haberdashery to find a new Twin-Needle for my machine as the last one very strangely broke when I ran over a pin.

Outfit
T-Shirt: TopShop
Skirt: Primark
Scarf: Coast

Kimono Day

Today has been a good day spending time with Japanese friends and having the opportunity to be dressed fully in a with an Obi (sash) wrapped correctly and all. This is one of the 4 Vintage Kimonos they brought me from a market at Shitennoju Temple, Osaka.

Getting into this outfit is definitely a 2 person job as I held my breath while my friend tied, wrapped and knotted me together. There was even a piece of cardboard used to stiffen the front of the Obi. They do look beautiful, but not the most comfortable of outfits and not the ideal choice for eating at a buffet.

Back In Blighty

I am back in the UK, over jet lag and can't believe how long my hair has become especially as it stays straight throughout the day unlike the curling reaction it had to the Indian humidity. Another day full of a million tasks to catch up on everything I missed the last few weeks.

Outfit
Jacket: From Thailand
Dress: Warehouse
Trousers: One of my own creations
Handbag: Tesco

A Day Of Rain

Of course there had to be one day of rain, buy why when we are heading off to an Elephant Sanctuary. Fortunately the rain stopped by the time we made it to our destination, just in time to watch this Elephant have a bath.

Outfit
Dress: Christelle dress found at T.K.Maxx
Handbag: T.K.Maxx
Crop Trousers: H&M
Runners: Super Dry

A Costal Tour

It is another day touring various fishing village along the Kerala cost line with Sabu our Tuk Tuk driver. The photo looks a bit fuzzy, not to sure what is going on there, but the sights were beautiful. I am wearing a couple of my Indian purchases........a turquoise necklace and the skirt (sari slip) which is having another outing. Finishing off the outfit is a H&M shirt, Miss Selfridge cardigan, bag from TKMaxx and super comfy shoes I found in a shop on Oxford Street.