Lazy Sunday

Day 3 - Jeggings Challenge

So far so good, at just under half way into the challenge I've not had the shakes yet.

Again this morning was a classic example of when jeggings would have been the natural choice. I was going to a Boot Sale and the weather was wet. Instead I wore a pair of skinny jeans, lots of layers and welly to complete the "look" I threw on a big khaki parker coat with fluffy hood.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be - I couldn't find the damn thing! Never mind I am determined to track down the elusive Boot Sale next Sunday!

I got home and changed into something marginally more blogworthy. I wore my red primark long sleeved T-shirt and navy leggings with slouchy grey boots and a navy and grey striped cardi again from Primark. I added the knotted necklace I made yesterday and some pearls. Not very exciting but I was feeling fed up and lazy.

To cheer myself up I headed to Tesco home to have a rummage through the final sale. I was pleasantly surprised and I came away with this satiny navy dress with beautiful fluted sleeves £4, the snakeskin look belt (£1.50) and a cerise pink nightie with lace trim (£1.50) which I'll use under dresses.

I'm not entirely sure about the leggings and boots I'm wearing it with here. I was thinking grey tights and cream or bronze shoes but since I don't have any of those items (yet) this will have to do for now.

What would you wear with it?

Feeling Really Tealy

Day 2 - Jeggings Challenge

It was a tricky one today. I could have so easily pulled on my jeggings, they would have been so practical for the day I had planned.

Instead I opted for this dress from ebay, I will forgive you for thinking I've blogged it before, this is a navy version and is not a Darimeya, so some detailing like the lace is different, but what the hell, I like it and at 99p I was more than happy!

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I've picked out the teal leaves with the top underneath (£2.50 - Primark) and the tights.

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As the dress is sheer I've added a navy slip underneath. This is actually a cheap sexy nightie from Asda £1.50 in the sale, it's never going to make it into the bedroom, but is perfect for under dresses.

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The orangy brown in the print matched nicely with both my long boots and my new wedges (£7.50 in Debenhams sale)...it is a gorgeous day and the sun was out but I'm glad I chose the former as there was a bit of a chill in the air.

I was thrilled with the goodies I found on the haberdashery stall at the market, This little lot cost me £1.90 and I should be able to make some cute little accessories to enhance my wardrobe.

I've already made this necklace based on one I spotted in Asda last week. I almost bought it but it was quite thick and I like the smaller subtle version I made. The bottom is tied in a Reef Knot and ends are secured with a tiny bit of sticky tape. Total cost 90p.

Now what to do with the ribbon? - Any ideas welcome!

The Art of Distraction

Day 1 - Jilt the Jeggings

So I have been challenged! My trusty jeggings have been banished to the back of my wardrobe for a whole week.

How will I cope? Do I own enough dresses and tights to muddle through without my staple item? Um...there's only one way to find out!

As for the distraction?

I have the Mother of all Cold Sores residing on my bottom lip (which has also maybe trebbled in size). My first reaction was to not leave the house until I return to my usual lovely lipped self, but after one day indoors I was starting to get cabin fever.

OK so being house bound is not an option, if I'm going out I'll blend in. I had planned to wear something simple, plain and quite frankly boring...but then I spoke to the lovely Laura from "A Daisy Chain Dream" who suggested I divert everyone's eyes from the offending area and play up my eye make up. Ohhh I thought, there's an idea!

Inspired by this flash of genius, I used the concept of distraction and pulled on a pair of bright pink tights that I had been saving for a day I felt confident enough to wear them. This cute mushroom and cat print jumper dress (Tsega via ebay) was disappointingly too small when I bought it last year, but now I've slimmed down a little I can just about carry it off (as long as I'm careful about my posture) I threw on my Primark cardi which tied in the red and pink perfectly and my slouchy grey boots and dashed out the door, just in time to be fashionably late!

P.S. And I felt fabulous!


How do you cope when you're facing a beauty crisis?

Little Miss Nautical

Ahoy there shipmates!

I'm so in love with anything nautical at the moment, and today I was in the mood for this stripey batwing jumper from Tesco. I also wore a short red mac when I went out this morning which really set the outfit off.

I have been resisting temptation to indulge in any more Asda jewellery, I'm wearing the swallow earrings *again* and the bow necklace from Valentine's Day, but I think I may have to pay the haberdashery stall in town a visit to pick up some buttons and ribbon for a spot of customising.

Taking inspiration from rope knots I added this fun braid to my hair. It's a simple three strand plait, but I held one strand and slid the other two up to bunch it up a little, then secured it under the rest of my hair with a couple of grips.

I couldn't let pancake day go by without posting a few shots of Dylan in the kitchen, so here he is demostrating how to make Chocolate, Blueberry and Yoghurt pancakes. Yummy!

What did you have on yours?

A Slight Whiff of Cheese

(Balloon still going from last Saturday's Babylove event!)

xxx Happy Valentines Day xxx

I hope you are all having a day full of love and kisses. I know it's generally considered a bit naff, but sometimes you just need that date in the diary where you drop everything, stop what you were doing and take some time to celebrate your loved ones. My darling hubby isn't the most romantic of souls so it's good to have one day where it's OK to be slushy!

My outfit today mirrored my romantic mood and features pretty pinks and a flirty floral print. I put a navy slip underneath to make this tunic dress hang better. I'm wearing this gorgeous bow necklace and charm bracelet (full of wonderful memories) that my lovely Mr. gave me.

We had this beautiful heart shaped pasta for lunch and to go with it, I rustled up a creamy cheese and spinach sauce flavoured with lots of nutmeg and pepper.

Dylan got creative this afternoon but as his prefered style of pointillism didn't really resemble much. I cut out some splodges and assembled them to resemble the petals of a rose. A few green ones and I had enough flowers to make a pretty card for his little sweetheart a few doors down the road. I could have cried with pride when he walked up to her, gave her the card and wished her a Happy Valentine's Day.

Dinner this evening is a joint effort. I'm in charge of the starter and dessert and hubby is taking care of the main course.

I've wrapped the asparagus in parma ham, drizzled with some rosemary flavoured olive oil and grilled and accompanied with some olives and crusty bread. I've put some Hollandaise sauce in the centre to dip into.

Simply divine!

I admit to cheating and bought the dessert which is Hot Chocolate Soufflé. Oooh I can't wait...

So my cooperative son is in bed, my Valentine is in the kitchen, I'm about to wrap this up and crack open a bottle of chilled bubbly.

How did you spend your Valentine's Day?

Mwah!

xxx

When I was Slummy

I thought to add some balance and to properly document my journey, I would share some of the "slummy" photos. These photos were taken in Summer 2008 and Summer 2009. I lived in hoodies, baggy jeans and unflattering T-shirts but didn't have the confidence to try anything different.

It was totally nervewracking stepping out in my new clothes and the complements I got embarressed me. I still find it hard to accept them but it's getting easier as I have more confidence in my outfits and style.

I have been tagged and I think I should give some facts about myself so here goes:

1. I am addicted to pickled chillis, I will eat a jar of jalepenos in one sitting given half the chance.

2. We have been in the same house for 3 years, but it is the 5th one that I have owned.

3. I'm a qualified SCUBA diver and hold a PADI advanced certification.

4. I had major cosmetic surgery at 16 to correct a severe underbite.

5. I had my nipple pierced (twice) but took it out when I got pregnant.

I hope that is enough to be going on with!

I'll leave you with the outfit that I wore this evening to go out for a curry:

The dress is by Darimeya and from ebay, Primark long sleeved top, Sainsburys jeggings and Primark studded boots. I'm wearing two necklaces, one is purple, the other pearl and bronze beads. Lots and lots of brightly coloured bracelets and I was ready to eat!

Excuse the washing on the stairs, I WILL sort that out tomorrow (maybe).

Ruby Tuesday

...Well red anyway. Today I really wanted that amazing pick me up that red gives me.

The red top is Tesco, the pockets are drapy and there is a zip at the back at only £5 I was sold! This was a purchase made on my first "Yummy" shopping trip; A pre-meditated attempt at becoming stylish. I was armed with some clubcard vouchers to "double up" and I purchased some daring new items for my wardrobe.

I'm wearing a Primark cardi which I don't wear often simply because my cats moult too much and black shows up the hairs horribly - I promise I gave it a good going over with the de-fluffer first. I'm keeping things simple with grey leggings and my trusty Primark boots.


This brooch was part of a Boujours gift set bought in the Superdrug sale last January and this is the first wear.
I'm trying out some different poses today, and you'll be pleased to know my Hubby worked out the timer on the camera for me so I should be able to have proper pictures soon!

I've had such a busy day today but I will put more thought into the next blog entry.

Vicki x