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Saturday 25 September 2010

Fabulous finds of the week

My husband is away this weekend and you know the first thing that I did when he left? Switched the heating on.  Bliss, the house is warm and toasty and the towels are dry.  I received his text that he had arrived at the airport safely and was eating an almond croissant, just as I returned from an 8 mile run in the rain.  OK, so my discomfort was totally self inflicted but I thought that it would set the tone for the weekend - me home alone with three children - painful!   Actually it has been quite fun -(nothing to do with the fact that one of them was at a sleepover last night and at a party today for a few hours!)  We are really having quite a peaceful end to what has been a really hectic week. 

I am currently shopping for, and styling models, who will be assisting me at a style evening that I am doing at Edgbaston High School for Girls on 7th October.  I have 7 models and we will be covering all sorts of trends and talking about how to style the different body shapes.  I quite fancy putting all of the models in a red dress and have them come out to "Lady in Red".  How cheesy would that be?  I think that I might have to do it, just because, if nothing else, it will make me laugh.  I have appointments with two more of the models next week and have a day to buy the things for my "skinted and minted" section plus buying pieces from new brands to show to the audience and pulling together a capsule wardrobe.  There are then the remaining models to style, the planning for the order in which I will show the trends, finalising accessories, sorting the music and deciding what I am going to wear.  I don't really ever like that bit - largely because I tend to put the models in the best pieces that I find, leaving me the "not so best" pieces to choose from.  It's a hard life. I have to say that the girls in the stores in Birmingham have been great to me - particularly the ones who are lending the clothes to me for the models.  I know that they will get free advertising from it but it's a great help to me.  I suppose the fact that I have known a lot of them since I used to shop with my eldest, over ten years ago, also helps.  At that time I didn't really know anyone else with a baby and so I would head into town for a weekly peruse of what was out there.  Since many of the girls are now Managers,that time was, as it transpires, wisely spent!

The event at Edgbaston High School on 7 October is to be followed by an event at Harvey Nichols in Birmingham in early November.  It is a fund raising event and, unfortunately for me HN have insisted that I am only allowed to style the models in clothes and accessories from Harvey Nichols.  Such a crying shame!  I must say - I can't wait for that one either. I think that I might just be a little bit like a kid in a sweet shop.  The bags, the shoes, the...well everything really.  I wonder whether they will lend me anything to wear - don't suppose that it would hurt to ask.

The Harvey Nichols event will then be followed by an event of my own on 26th November, also to be held in Edgbaston, where again I will be styling models in the trends for A/W '10 but with a greater emphasis on  seasonal outfits.  I loved the event like that which I did in the summer.  It was full of my friends and clients and even my Mum modelled for me - bless her.  I think the guests appreciate that I am not all about showing size 6, very tall models, but rather using ladies with curves - and not always necessarily where they would want them!  Showing people how to make the best of themselves, disguising a tummy, slimming down their hips and putting them in outfits that they never would have chosen for themselves, only to see their faces light up, is a massive reward. 

So, here are a few of the items that I have found out and about on my travels this week and which I really like....

This sequin long line vest from the M&S Autograph range comes in 5 different colours.  At £12 it is really good value and has enough stretch in it to be quite supportive and give a smooth line.  The sequins look great peeping through a sheer top, v-neck top or wrap dress. So that's my piece of underwear for the week...


This dress is from LK Bennett and costs £195.  The picture doesn't do it justice but it is a great copy of the Prada print that they have used and it is in a fabulous 1950's shape.  The shoes that I have chosen to go with it are...

these Also from LK Bennett and costing £150.  The chunky heel will look great with the dress, to which I have also added a skinny belt and cropped cardigan.

As for knitwear, my favourite piece this week is this asymetric poncho from Jigsaw.  It can be worn in lots of different ways, even as a dress believe it or not and it's one of those pieces that is really quirky and difficult to work out how to put on.  I always love those pieces because it shows that they are not boring.

 These are my favourite boots of the moment.  Also from Jigsaw and costing £79 (that's a lie - I'm not going to put the true price in case my husband reads it) but they are a fabulous colour and great for those of you who have more shapely calves and can't fit into a standard size boot width.  They are very soft and can be pushed down for more of a slouched effect.  The heel isn't too hight and yes, I think that I might find it difficult to hand them back - hence the lie above...And for my final piece, well it had to be really didn't it?...


 A camel coat from Hobbs, costing £279.  I remained resolute that I wasn't going to fall in love with a camel coat and fortunately, the colour of this coat doesn't suit me but I have to say, it is beautiful. It has cashmere in it and is the kind of coat that, when you put it on, you won't want to take it off.  They are selling fast so my top tip is, if you think that you might quite like one, order it now whilst there is still 20% off at Hobbs and then if you change your mind well, you've lost nothing.

One other thing that I have done whilst my husband is away is to carry on with our  Saturday night ritual of opening a bottle of fizz.  Being the pathetic drinker that I am, I only managed one glass before giving up. It just didn't feel right a) drinking it from my own glass rather than nicking his and b) drinking it whilst sitting on a child's chair trying to get number 3 to eat her dinner by reading her Peppa Pig stories.  So I put it away, bubbles still fizzing and then wondered whether it would, even with our swanky bottle tops, still be fizzy on Monday when he returned.  I decided probably not and wondered whether it could be re-fizzed in a soda stream.  What do you reckon?

Sunday 12 September 2010

New loves...

There's something about being pregnant which means that your wardrobe falls massively behind and that serious work is needed to get it to catch up.  Take my last pregnancy.  Our daughter was born in January 2008.  So my winter wardrobe 2008 suffered because I was pregnant and then I don't think that I really surfaced again until spring so a huge whole started appearing then.  Come winter 2009 I was still feeding her, so that ruled out lots of wardrobe options for me - and the things that I did buy were, shall we say, investment purchases (apart from the very expensive sequinned top from Reiss!), so not many of them could be made.  Well, boots and coats always do a good job of covering up whatever may lie underneath don't they - so I figured that they may as well be good ones. The things that I now look at from before I was pregnant just don't hold the same appeal any more - some are too big, some are dated and some I just don't like, which means that this year, there is one almighty crater in my winter wardrobe.  You will, however be pleased to know that I am working fairly hard to fill it.  So far so good.
So, how did I go about doing this?  Well, as I mentioned in my last post, I was shopping for a hen party this weekend and fortunatley some of the guests were the same size as me.  Result.  I didn't really buy the things with myself in mind, in fact I am quite good at switching off from what I would like when buying for others - or so I thought, but it seems as though quite a few of the purchases that I made in my size might find themselves re-directed to my wardrobe, rather than back to the shops.  However, given that I didn't buy them with myself in mind, its not really like going out on a shopping spree for myself now is it?  No, I thought not too - so therefore I don't need to feel guilty.

So, what might I be keeping?

This lace top from Zara is a pretty and not too "full on" take on the lace trend. I will wear it with jeans, as shown, and possibly with smarter trousers but dressed down with a boyfriend cardigan.  I am not sure that I will ever do black lace again - largely due to it sharing the same name as that dodgy band who did "Agadoo".  No, I just can't go there again.

I rather liked the navy M&S pea coat and at £55 I thought that it was really good value.  It is a great weight for this time of year - not too heavy but warm enough to fight off the chill in the mornings.  The white shirt is from Zara - I liked the fact that it didn't have a collar as I find them irritating, yet it is still fitted and has pretty detailing on it.

The TopShop trousers at £28, again in navy. are a good alternative to the usual boot leg or wide legged trouser and given their price, when the style eventually fades (if it does; it is holding its own so far) I won't feel hard done by.  I love the White Company poncho and if it hadn't already sold out in my size, I think that, with the help of a birthday voucher from some lovely relatives, it might have found itself in my wardrobe.  I haven't given up yet, you will be pleased to know.


Yes, I know that it is all a bit navy, white and cream but as a basis, that's where I want to be.  I will add interest with the Hobbs leopard print belt that I have my eye on plus various scarves, knitwear, leather gloves and jewellery that I already have.  The one other thing that I have bought and which I love are these (and please bear with me on them....)


Being both black and grey means that they are versatile.  They have a slight heel to avoid that "frumpy" feeling that flat shoes can bring without being the sky scraper heels of late.  The fact that they are laced up also gives that added "security" when wandering around for hours. I will wear them with the peg leg trousers, a cropped pair of black trousers and a wide pair of black trousers that I have from Jigsaw (although possibly not all at the same time), which are slightly too long for flats.  I will also wear them with black opaque tights, shorter dresses and a cape that I have - for those times when I want to be smart but not too smart.  I hadn't really given heeled brogues that much consideration before but I think that I might quite get to like them.  Alot. So, as you can see, I am making in roads into my winter wardrobe but I don't think that I am quite finished yet.  Oh no, not by a long shot!

Friday 10 September 2010

Something for the weekend

The best bit about my job is that, within reason, I get to buy all of the clothes that I love. The worst bit? Most of them go to other people, so I am left kicking around in my jeans and an ancient pair of sequinned trainers from M&S kids.

I decided that now that the children were back at school, it was time that I upped my game. I was also given the perfect opportunity this week as I am doing a style party on Saturday for 18 women, who range from 5 feet 1" to 6 feet in height and from shoe size 3 to 9 - oh, and one is also pregnant. So you see, I had my work cut out for me (hence the need for the sequinned trainers.) Armed with lists of the vital statistics of these ladies, together with their favourite brands, I headed off into Birmingham for a full day of shopping - only to return four hours later with a migraine. Ho hum! Not a great start.

Day two however was a whole different ball game. So, what did I feast my fashion eyes on and what did I think of the stores, a whole two months, yes, two months, later than my last shopping expedition?

I have to say that Zara was great, in particular, for a camel cape, camel skirt, chunky knits, a lace top, leopard print loafers and desert boots with a wedge heel.  In fact, as usual, Zara covered all of the trends and the store was well set out, the hard work being done for you, particularly if you didn't really know what to put with what.

The other stores worth a mention are GAP, for their maternity clothes which, whilst basic in colour were at least stylish and interesting and also for their new range of trousers, one style of which comes in three different leg lengths. Their ubiquitous biker boot is now in store and it is priced at a reasonable £65, coming in both black and brown. TopShop was also good for its maternity range and, in particular, its range for tall women.  There was a good selection of clothes and coats at good prices; although they could do with a wider selection of jeans because I am not convinced that all tall women want to wear skinny jeans all of the time.  New Look came up trumps for my lady with size 9 feet and I personally like the fact that the shoes are displayed and you can instantly see whether they have it in the size that you are after.  They also have a great selection of boots and I am loving my new desert wedge boot in cream (ish).  The crepe heel and sole mean that they are incredibly comfortable and they are definitely a change from the converse!  Finally, no shopping trip would be complete without a mention of M&S.  Whilst not quite what I had expected, they had a good choice of bags and shoes.  Oh, and before I forget, Accessorize had a great fake sheepskin satchel style bag in a nice colour, for £35.
I have decided that because it's a Friday, and because we are all tired (well, I am at least!) I will describe some of my purchases in pictures. This also means that if there is anything that you like, you can head off to the stores on Saturday to get it.

So, in addition to what I have mentioned above this is what I bought (and a lot more besides)! - The red dress below is from Oasis and cost £45, the purple dress is from Coast and cost £85.  The printed dress is also from Coast and also cost £85   .  All of these dresses are easy to wear in that they are a reasonable length and they are either a silky jersey fabric, or cotton. This means that they can be worn for lots of occasions and won't just be confined to your evening wardrobe.  I also wanted to avoid too much black so the colours just add a dash of something brighter.


The draped top was also a Coast purchase and cost £60 (the picture below doesn't do it justice; it isn't as shiny as it looks), the kimono top was from TopShop Tall and cost £50 and the necklace was from Jigsaw and cost £59




The items above, from left to right, are M&S £55, M&S £49 and TopShop £28

The above two items above are TopShop tall, £78 and New Look, £40

So, that is a brief rundown of the shopping that I have done this week.  Hopefully the guests at the hen party will be in a mood to whip off their clothes and try everything on, maybe even buying a few pieces for their evening out.  I can't wait to get going....I will let you know how I get on.

Friday 3 September 2010

That September feeling

I realised today, as I felt a chill in the air in the early morning, that September really was here.  Well, I say early, it was actually 9.50am and we were late for my eldest daughter's hair appointment which was at 10am but as I chucked the pushchair in the back of the car I did think to myself "Oh flip, it's getting cold in the mornings."  I didn't think that particular thought in a romantic "Oh isn't it lovely that we can crunch through the leaves in the park soon,"or "Great, we can do the pumpkins for halloween and light the wood burning stove," kind of way.  I meant it in an "Oh flip it's getting cold in the mornings and I need to dig out my coats and boots" kind of way.  I then realised with sadness that I have to endure a whole autumn, winter and chilly spring before I can once again step outside and not notice the cold. That seems a long time to someone like me, who feels particularly cheated by a lack of proper summer this year. 

As for those who tell me (which I have also done) that September can be a lovely month, it does it in such annoying way that it takes the pleasure out of it.  Freezing in the morning so that I dress for winter, boiling in the afternoon.  Being a chilly soul I, better than most, know the art of layering but wearing an outfit to take me from 0 to 20 degrees in a matter of hours and without changing, really is a challenge. 

With all of that in mind, I decided that I needed to invest in lovely warm cosy camisoles and such like.  I remember seeing  a film, the name of which escapes me, but which featured Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Cameron Diaz and Jude Law.  Anyway, it was shallow (perfect for me) and all that I really remember was Cameron Diaz spending the winter in a lovely country cottage with snow on the ground. She wore a lovely array of marshmallow coloured cashmere casual wear.  Oh, and Kate Winslet getting it together with Jack Black which frankly, seemed unlikely to me, but there you go.  Anyway, I liked the thought of the marshmallow coloured cashmere separates but then I decided that her general Californian glow and blonde hair contributed to the success of the overall look, and that if I tried it I would look less marshmallow like and more maggot like - which steered me away from that idea.

Instead it will be a trip to M&S to stock up on the thermals, to GAP for the woolly socks and to wherever else promises me that I can wear light diaphanous fabrics in the winter, provided that I wear their undergarments.  So, the hunt is on - this year I will crack it - I have to. Well, either that or spend a fortune on the Burberry aviator jacket. 

Thursday 26 August 2010

Getting the basics right

Isn't it funny how the things that come naturally to us, like being able to draw, or cook, or sew, are the things that we take for granted.  Sometimes we don't really realise that we have a skill at all because it comes so easily.  Try asking someone who is good at art how they manage to draw and they just brush it off with a quick - " I don't know really, it just happens".  Not much of an explanation to someone who couldn't draw Bod, even if she tried.   However we are really aware of the things that we find difficult and a challenge.  Take me and technology - true, things are getting better and gradually the fog is lifting, but even getting this blog off the ground has been a challenge.  So, I just wanted to say "thank you" to all of those lovely people out there in "blog land" who have helped me when I have been close to tearing my hair out (and to my daugher's 11 year old friend who helped me too - what a star!) 

For those of you who find putting a wardrobe together the equivalent of my technological inadequacy, maybe I can help you to find your way.  What always amazes me is the lack of practical advice out there.  I see people write into magazines asking for help in locating, say, a dress - perhaps a full length dress for a beach wedding with budget of £150.  The answer can often bear no relation to the question asked. Quite often the suggestion is to "blow the budget" on a designer number.  What's all that about - if the person had a £300 budget they wouldn't be writing in for advice in  the first place now would they?  They would just have gone to Selfridges or Harvey Nichols and sorted it quick smart.  Also, have you notice how every answer comes back with the line "and don't forget the killer heels."  The final nail in the coffin if ever there was one, especially if you have children in tow.

It's the same with adverts for the designers.  Personally, I love the Chloe advert - all camel trousers, pale silk shirt and high heels.  Now how does that translate to every day life with a rug rat in tow?  Huh, tell me that!  I would love to see a model going down the catwalk with a toddler in tow, sticky fingers, runny nose and so on and let's face it, that's where a lot of us are.  We are also in and out of the car or walking to the bus, in and out of the rain (a brolly and a puschair are just impossible to negotiate), up and down the stairs, round and round the garden like a teddy bear, or so it feels.  Not for one minute am I saying that having children means that you should ignore your wardrobe and resign yourself to wearing nothing but old clobber but let's face it, there are limitations within which we have to work.

So, what is the answer when we want to look stylish but have a family to contend with?  Let's add into the mix that small children and accessories of the necklace/chunky ring/bangle/belt with buckle variety don't really mix and it seems as though we consigned to a life of baggy jeans, trainers and t-shirts.  Well, you know what, on a day to day basis we more or less probably are, but we can do it in a stylish way.  Before I start though, I should just say that no one has paid me anything to say nice things about their clothes and they are really only used to give ideas and guidance - but I would be more than happy to wear any of them!

Take the jeans - jeans aren't to be knocked.  If they are good enough for cowboys they are good enough for Mums.  OK, so cowboys get to spend most of their working life sitting down, whereas Mums would like to, but jeans are hardwearing, practical and reasonably priced. If everyone wore the right size and shape jeans in the right colour,  the world (and in particular soft play areas) would be a much more attractive place.  Everyone should ditch those pale, washed out too loose jeans that reveal too much when they bend down and replace them with a dark pair of bootcut jeans that fit.  It can take a little time to find the right pair but they are out there.  Try to get some that fit without a belt so that a belt can be worn as an accessory, maybe over a cardigan and at waist height, rather than as a means of holding one's jeans up.  The ones that I have found to be most successful for my clients, and the most reasonably priced, are from Gap. Hobbs also has a great pair of dark bootleg ones that somehow seem to fit everyone and for those who have a much smaller waist than hips, the high waisted ones from Next avoid that gaping issue at the back. As an alternative to jeans, look to the Zara basic range for navy or black cotton trousers in a variety of cuts.  The price is good, they are machine washable but do expect to go up a size. 

As for tops, there are nice tops out there that cater for a less than flat tummy, or arms that are a little heavier than we might like.  They don't have to look like oversized men's t-shirts though.  Try a stripe, print or colour
for variety and try a longer length top layered under a shorter cardigan for a different look.  These tops are  from Jigsaw and tick the boxes of being something other than black.  They also create a drape effect over a less than flat tummy.
















Try to make knitwear interesting.  Work in some colour for variety and look out for cheaper cashmere.  Contrary to popular belief it responds well to washing and is far softer and warmer than you might think.  Many of the Supermarkets sell reasonably priced cashmere.  Or try a wrap top cardigan, or put your cardigan on back to front - buttons down the back can look very stylish. Just experiment even within the realms of the simple basic jeans, top and jumper to see how many variations on a theme you can create.  All of the knitwear below comes from the Boden catalogue and comes in a wide range of sizes and colours.  Their customer service is always great too and with offers constantly running you won't ever have to pay full price for anything.



Boden breton tunic

In relation to footwear - look a little further afield than trainers.  Converse style trainers are practical and come in a good range of colours and prints.  The leather ones are also starting to come into the shops now and these are slightly more practical. These velvet ones from Boden are lovely and they also do leather ones too, in a variety of colours.



A brown biker boot can look great with jeans and dresses alike and will last years if kept well polished - they also tend to have a very slight heel and so can take away from that "dumpy" feeling that completely flat boots give.  The ones shown below are from Boden and also come in brown. M&S does a good range of smart riding/biker style boots in the winter and the fact that they also come in half sizes and a wider fitting is a real bonus.


When it comes to coats, it is too easy to go for the black or brown option, thinking that they will go with everything.  I have found that people always compliment a bright coat, especially in the dark winter months and a brighter coat is a great way to lift an otherwise fairly plain outfit.  This peony one from Crew below is no exception.  The pea coat style is a classic and will therefore never date.  Its length means that it can be worn with dresses, skirts or trousers and this colour will also go well with black and navy.  As an alternative for more challenging weather, the biker jacket/waxed jacket is both practical and stylish.  Being waterproof and warm it ticks the boxes for less than favourable weather conditions but because it is fitted and belted it still gives some shape.

Now we all know that capes are going to be big this winter.  For now I like this Laura Ashley version.  It is cotton and has a nod towards the trench coat.  For the colder weather, Warehouse has a reasonably priced black one and Cos has a camel  one.  Of course the other coat which will be "big" this season is the camel coat.  Whilst I do love camel and it can look incredibly chic, it can be draining against a fair complexion, especially in the winter, so just keep an eye out for that when trying one on.


If you haven't really embraced accessories before and don't know where to start, I have included a couple of suggestions below.  The ikat print scarf is from Boden and comes in a variety of colours.  If you aren't used to prints, this is a good place to start - it is subtle but on trend and being 100% wool offers warmth without being bulky.  Both of the belts are from Jigsaw.  The patent one is smart without feeling as if you are going to work and the detail on the plaited one is pretty.  Also because it is soft there is nothing for small children to catch themselves on and if you don't like the feeling of a belt around your waist, because this is so soft it may well solve that problem for you.







Now, whilst this post is all about the practical, there has to be a least a little space for the desirable (and not so practical).  I love these shoe boots from Jigsaw - the little frill is cute without being too girly and they would look great with an edgy dress.  As for the necklace?  I think that it is fair to say that the jewellery in Jigsaw has had its ups and downs but this season they seem to have nailed it and, sad as it may seem, my heart did skip a beat on seeing this one.  I hope that this post offers some guidance on how to dress stylishly but within the limits so many of us have to work - let me know how you get on.





Sunday 22 August 2010

The seasons that fashion forgot

Now, all industries have their foibles and this isn't meant to be a criticism of the fashion industry.  However, have you ever noticed how, as soon as the February edition of Vogue is out, all of those in "the know" in fashion start sporting summer attire, even though it's still minus three outside?  I see pictures of them in the magazines, bare legged, peep toed shoe boots and thin blazers thinking that they must be in the tropics at least, and then I look closer and notice the snow on the ground and wonder just, exactly, how they manage to do it.  How do they stop their teeth from chattering and how do they avoid that corned beef look on their legs?  Aren't they permanently miserable, being that cold?  None of them carry much extra weight so it can't be their high bmi keeping them warm.  As one who is permanently cold, I cannot imagine anything worse than stripping off when it's still that cold outside.  I wonder whether there is some mini competition going on in the fashion world, possibly a competition to see who can wear the least appropriate clothing for the weather whilst at the same time wearing the most impractical trend from the following season: maybe a low cut, low back, mini body con dress, minus a coat with high heels in the snow in February - you get my drift. You see not only can you freeze but you can fall flat on your bottom at the same time.  Genuis.   The thing is,  none of them would do it wearing a trend from the previous season.  Oh no, that would be positively frowned upon (darling) but to wear a trend from the following season, despite it being utterly inappropriate, well, that's just inspired. 

Then the September issue of Vogue arrives and we are warned how we need to buy our winter coats now as some of the stores sell out in September.  September?  How ridiculous.  September can be really beautiful - I recall it being particularly hot when I was at school and had wear a winter uniform when it was still 20 degrees - but to have to buy a winter coat now, before they sell out seems vaguely farcical to me.  Having said that, as one who errs on the chilly side, I can identify with stocking up on winter clothes well in advance-at least more so than buying summer clothes in February.

And so here we arrive at the point of today's discussion.  What about Spring and Autumn - the seasons that fashion forgot?  Oh of course, there is a reference to Spring and Autumn in the titles "S/S '10" and "A/W '10" but that is about the sum total of it apart from a further few oblique references in catalogues.  The only obvious reference to clothes for autumn is to the school uniform which is to be worn in September - the start of Autumn - but which goes on sale now in June - the height of the summer.  Bizarre. According to what we are told in the magazines, and to what we can buy in the shops, from February onwards we are either in one of two places: the height of summer or the middle of winter - summer holidays or Christmas.  You only have to take a look at the summer clothes in the shops from February or the Christmas decorations in the shops from September to know that this is true. So, in an effort to remind us all that autumn is a season in its own right, and to help you to make the transition from summer clothing to winter clothing without having to cast aside those summer dresses in September in favour of thermals and winter coats, here are some tips:
  • Layering is key: either under or over (or both) if particularly chilly.  Long sleeved white tops with a scoop neck are invaluable as the weather gets colder.  They can be layered under T-shirts, dresses and shirts to increase their life span well into the colder months;
  • Cardigans - boyfriend, cropped or whatever you can find that has some shape to it.  Cardigans work particuarly well over dresses.  Button for extra warmth or leave undone but add detail with a skinny belt around your waist to add definition.  Anything in leopard print is particularly on trend right now;
  • Vests - Don't laugh, they can increase the longevity of your favourite tops by a few weeks.  Top shop always has a good range of colours and because they have wide straps, the bra issue is kept simple;
  • A denim shirt - Not necessarily overly on trend for next season but if you have one from the spring, you might find it very handy again now.  Lighter than a jacket, warmer than a thin cotton shirt, again use it to layer over vests or silk tops and belt for definition;
  • Look to your maxi dresses to keep your legs from feeling the chill and layer up on the top half;
  • Take a peek at next season's maxi skirts for the same reason.  If you get one in the right fabric you will be able to wear it layered with tights underneath for the winter;
  • It may seem a little early but start investigating the options for all the tights that are going to be out there.  There is so much to choose from with colours and patterns but just be aware of those that can make the legs look heavy;
  • Have a gin - my favourite tip, particularly when the children are at home in the summer holidays.  Not only does it keep you warm but it blurs the edges. 
Have fun and keep warm. In the spring, just reverse the advice given above and add more ice to the gin to cool you down.

The White Company

Thursday 19 August 2010

A tale of two wardrobes

I suppose that really it should be called a tale of three wardrobes, given that my clothes have also found their way not only into my own wardrobe but also that of  my husband's and our daughter's - but that just sounds wrong.  So here's the thing.... About five years ago now, we decided to knock two bedrooms into one and create a dressing room for ourselves.  Along with that came the fitted wardrobes, individually designed by yours truly.  The only problem was that once they were completed, I realised that I had, in fact, designed a much better wardrobe for my husband than I had for myself.  I asked if we could swap but he refused. Fair play I guess.  So, I went about filling my wardrobe. 

Unfortunately my less than perfect design meant that I didn't have enough room for the many dresses that I had started to acquire and so some of them found their way into our daughter's wardrobe.  Now, given that I had bought that wardrobe myself for my first house, and given that I had constructed the flippin' thing on my own, using only a swiss army knife (until two in the morning no less), I felt that I still had some proprietorial rights over it - and anyway, it was only the odd dress or two.  However, the odd dress or two became three, or four and then the things that I wasn't sure that I wanted to keep anymore found their way in there and then the odd coat or two until 50% of her wardrobe was taken up with my clothes.  On telling her for the four thousandth time that her room was a mess and needed tidying, the obvious answer of "but your clothes are taking up my wardobe space" came back.  Again, fair cop.  At least I know when I am beaten.  But now she has been away for a few days and I have had a chance to sort out my own wardrobe, as I contemplated earlier in the week.  It also occurred to me that you can't really let your eleven year old get one up on you now can you? So, this is what I did:  I emptied out all but a few of my clothes from her wardrobe.  Then I sorted out the rest of my clothes. I carefully selected some clothes that will almost fit her, but not quite and which she would like to own. In an act of selfless motherly kindness I have put them into her wardrobe for when she is older.  The fact that I may still want to wear these clothes occasionally is neither here nor there. 

So, the end result is that 50% of her wardrobe space is still taken up with my clothes, the difference being that she will like these clothes and they could be considered as being nearly, but not quite, hers.  Hopefully this means that their presence will be permitted.  I further hope that they will not be used as an excuse for not tidying the clothes in her room.  Except when she reads this, my plan will be foiled and I will be sussed.  Right, time to turn left out of her room and head into her brother's room where there is a nice big wardrobe. I'm sure that I can find another home for all those boxes of Scalextrix....

Tuesday 17 August 2010

It doesn't count until you decide to keep it.

No, seriously, it's official.  Incidentally, who first coined that phrase and what does it really mean?  Who decides what is "official" and what isn't?  Bizarre.  Anyway, enough of that. I have decided that it's official that, until you decide to keep something, it doesn't really count (in the bank department).  Unlike food, which can't be returned and which therefore does count the minute that you've paid for it, it is possible to buy clothes with wild abandon and until you decide that they are yours, you haven't really spent the money.  That's my philosophy anyway.

Take today as an example. Today I was good to my children and took them to a soft play area and it really wasn't that bad. No, honestly it wasn't. We made sure that we left the house on time so that we were second in the car park - even though we had to go via the local newsagents so that the eldest of the two who were with me could nip in and buy the latest copy of Grazia for me. Poor boy, imagine being 8 and having to go into the newsagents to ask for the latest copy of the magazine his Mum wanted.  I had to stress the importance of it being the latest copy as sometimes they are a week behind - tut tut.

Anyway, the soft play area was civilised.  I even managed to read the said magazine, with half an eye on the children and at the end of it, I decided to try and work out how some of the functions worked on my phone - particularly the "notes" section.  When I tapped the icon I realised that I had already been beaten to it by a child who was 10 at the time of the entry and which read "Buy Flo iPhone for Christmas".  Yeah right.  Not only had she beaten me to it but she had beaten me to it by nearly 8 months.  So, I worked out how to enter the heading that I was after and unsurprisingly it read as follows: "Shopping List A/W 2010".  Beneath it I made 8 entries.  Now, lists are made for one purpose and one purpose only, and that is for acting upon (unless they relate to jobs you have to do.  Then the purpose of them is to add to the bottom of the list things that you have already done, just so that you can cross them off and feel as though you have achieved something, even when you haven't).   Finding myself with ten minutes or so to spare - oh yes, ten minutes - even after hanging out the washing and doing the lunch, I decided that I really did need to act upon the list or what was the purpose in making it.  And herein lies the crux of the matter.  Those Whistles trousers that I ordered, those items from Next (more about those in another post!) and those several Boden items, some in two colours and two sizes - none of them count.  I haven't spent a bean.  Not only have they not been delievered yet (although apparently the Boden ones are on their way - yippee) but even when they arrive, I still won't have spent a penny and nor will I until I make that fateful decision that they are to be mine.  When they enter my wardrobe, that's when I have to hold my hands up.  Until such time I had a very pleasant, guilt free, half hour (I know, I said ten minutes but that was a little exaggeration) shopping without the crowds, the travelling, the parking or the children fighting and I didn't even spend a penny. Result.

Sunday 15 August 2010

Best Dressed

For some, me included, clothes have the ability to make you feel either on top of the world or completely down in the dumps.  They can affect your mood, your temper and many other things besides.  Take the second hand blouse bought for me from the local village church jumble sale. Now, I chose the blouse. It had a cream background with a print on it - brown and orange - very 1970's but then, it was the 70's, 1978 to be precise and I was 8 years old. The first time that I wore the blouse I got into trouble at school and had to miss my break time, writing out spellings 50 times instead (what a useless waste of time that was).  Anyway, I digress, the point is that I have never, to this day, liked wearing secondhand clothes.  I blamed the blouse for the events of that dreadful day and it served no further place in wardrobe.  Shortly afterwards, I wore a dress of my sister's (now you can guess the rest, it being secondhand after all).  I could not wait to get home from school and to get out of that awful dress.  I am not quite sure what made it awful to me - it was perfectly decent blue polyester after all and it was fine on my sister but on me?  I hated it.  Anyway, on rushing through the door I was greeted by my Dad who had come to take us away for the weekend and I was told that there was absolutely no way that I had time to get changed as we had to leave instantly.  The horror, the quiet distress that I felt having to stay in THAT DRESS for several more hours.  Anyway, needless to say that dress too served no further place in my wardrobe.

There were then the items that weren't secondhand but that I disliked anyway and they made me feel miserable.  The too tight grey cord pedal pushers (mind you, the description is enough to make you feel miserable, despite anything else.)  The waistband was too tight but if I undid them they fell down.  The shoes that I insisted on buying knowing that they were too small and caused me pain just by looking at them (come on, own up, we've all been there haven't we?) and short skirts worn by others which I wore despite the fact that I felt uncomfortable because I was a)cold and b) told by a relative that I had knobbly knees just like my Dad. 

This summer was a case in point for clothes (or in my view the lack of them in my wardrobe) causing a case of the blues - the first hot, hot day that we had threw up many style conundrums.  We had been invited to a friend's bbq and we were walking.  Not only was it excruciatingly hot but my legs were tinged with blue, which ruled out dresses and skirts, jeans were too hot and there was a whole bra issue thing going on with the tops and as for the shoes? Let's not go there.  The day was saved by an ancient pair of white wide legged trousers and a 1950's style fitted top - but only just.

But then there have been the successes: the M&S pale green sun dress and the pale pink two piece that, at the age of 7 made me feel so grown up, my wedding dress and more recently two dresses that I saw and just knew that they were exactly what I had been looking for but didn't think that I would ever find. 

As for others?  My husband's psychological well-being is not, in any way, linked to what he is wearing.  To him clothes are functional - they keep him warm, dry and decent. That makes him sound like a caveman, which he is not - well, perhaps slightly when it comes to clothes.  If I want him to wear something I put it on the top of the pile.  If I don't , I put it on the bottom - job done.  How is it that some are like that and others aren't.  The more people that I style, the more I realise that we are creatures of habit.  We all have our habits, our foibles our likes and our dislikes and for me, clothes are not only important but fundamental to my well-being.  Just another reason to dig out that shopping list for A/W 2010!

Saturday 14 August 2010

Life through an (M&S) lens

My first recollection of M&S having an impact on my life is via a photograph taken of me when I was about three.  I am sitting on the front door step of our house wearing the most amazing navy and red trouser suit.  The jacket had red and white stripes and the navy flared trousers had a vent in with the same striped material.  Oh, how I loved that trouser suit - I thought that I looked the bees knees.  A Saturday night treat was to eat crumpets, angel cake and chocolate crispie cake whilst watching the Generation Game on TV.

I think that my desire to personally style people first revealed itself in M&S.  The joy that I took in rifling through the boxes of bras and matching my Mum up with the bra size that she was after.  What a sense of achievement! 

As a teenager it was a  Saturday treat to eat a prawn roll on the bench outside M&S and to have a whole bag of cheesy balls to myself was heaven.  To take home a bag of their butter popcorn was beyond dreamy.  I came home from a holiday once to find that my bedroom had been totally re-decorated courtesy of, yes, you guessed it - M&S.  The range was called "Chelsea" and  included matching bedding, lampshade and bin, no less.  So 1980's!  My first "beauty" range was from M&S - Wild Iris matching soap, bubble bath and talc - I can still smell it now.

As a sixteen year old, in need of a job, I refused to work anywhere else apart from M&S.  I badgered them until they relented and gave me a job.  At £1.94 an hour as opposed to the £1.50 that WH Smiths were offering I was positively rich (and the bonus was that the prawn sarnies in the canteen were only 10p!)  The nylon uniform left a lot to be desired.  It was distinctly uncomfortable and unflattering on the puppy fat. It was, however, fun to watch the men come in on a Friday morning though, buying a "little something" for the weekend.  I often wanted to ask them whether it was intended for their wife - but never did. 

On into the student days and as a treat on a Saturday, my housemates and I would share a box of profiteroles.  So much more delicious than whatever else we lived on for the rest of the week. 

When travelling around the world, the delight that my friend and I experienced on discovering M&S in Singapore was incredible.  M&S on the other side of the world!  It probably only served to make us more homesick than we already were. 

My first work suits came from M&S plus shoes and of course the endless supply of tights that were required.  And so on into adulthood proper - our eldest child's first babygros, presents from friends, presents to friends (even as recently as yesterday!) and here we are now.  I was told that it wasn't possible to style anyone out of M&S - they were wrong.  It is, and I have, with great success.  M&S feels safe, people have grown up with it, they understand it and what it stands for.  I think maybe that the older generation have been (slightly) left along the way - that's what my Mums says anyway. However there are great pieces to be found in Limited Collection, Autograph and in their suiting range.  Since the demise of many high street shoe shops, M&S has upped its game and it is possible to find directional footwear at a really good price.  Great if you don't want to invest too much in a look that might only last a season or so.  My clients are often amazed when I tell them that pieces that I have are from M&S and I think that many have returned to shop there with avengeance.

What always amazes me is that whichever client's wardrobe I may be doing, they all, without exception, have an M&S hanger in there somewhere.  I can tell from the distinctive style that they are from around the mid 1980's, probably when most of my clients were still living at home, which means that they have probably travelled with them through many house moves and still they have hung on.

So thank you M&S - you have played, and still play, a big part in my life and I for one still love your prawn sarnies and am even happier now that you have started to stock diet coke too.

Friday 13 August 2010

The grass is always green(er) - this season's shade, naturally

Firstly, I am very sorry to report the demise of Merlin, the fish.  He is currently on the kitchen worksurface wrapped in greaseproof paper awaiting his burial in the morning.  Poor Merlin - we didn't even have him a week. 

It was whilst I was sitting here, checking my blog and noticing that I now have four, yes four, followers that I felt slightly chilly and donned my dressing gown over my clothes and put on a pair of socks too - not a good look it has to be said.  It was as I was coming down the stairs in the said attire that I realised how is it that the grass is always greener?  When it is the summer, I long for winter clothes.  The lovely palette of rich colours, the silks, velvets, cashmere and beautiful tailoring.  I have ideas that this winter I will, finally, crack the warmth issue and be draped in layers of sensual but warm underwear with lace peeping out, never to feel the chill again.  My winter boots will shine to perfection and offer comfort and warmth.  Yet when the winter is here, I long for summer clothes - lighter colours, floaty silk dresses with just a cardigan thrown over for a stylish look or perhaps this season's trousers, the perfect white T and a blazer for the final touch.  Trendy sandals, sunglasses and beautiful accessories.  

What a load of old tosh that is: on both fronts.  For me, the winter is characterised by enough layers to make me look like the michelin man. The only thing that keeps me warm is a bright pink puffa jacket that I picked up in the sale at Selfridges at least five years ago which was vastly reduced, clearly because no one (other than me) wanted it.  It only has one popper left on it now as well so it's not actually that effective.  I try not to wear it out in case I see any clients of mine and they wonder whether I have taken leave of my senses.  The silks leave me freezing and certainly every wardrobe that I have been into recently (and that's a lot) have had moths nibbling away at the cashmere.  My warm underwear is a mottly selection of GAP vests, (none of which can be described as sensual) and my boots always seem to have a white line left by the water, just to demonstrate how I used them for  paddling. 

As for the summer wardrobe - wow, the up keep of the hair free legs, tanning products, painted toe nails - that's enough to make me wish for the cold weather to return.  The dresses are never quite right - slightly too short, slightly too long, the perfect fit but too nice for every day or even better, the ones that highlight the "blueness" of one's legs.  And as for the shoes:  feet are not that attractive, ankle straps stunt one's legs, high heels are great but impractical and ballet pumps make me feel short and frumpy.  I could give up but that's not in my nature, so I guess I will have to carry on my pursuit of the perfect wardrobe.  It's a hard job but someone has to do it - I will share the contents with you as I go on my travels.....  

Thursday 12 August 2010

A job well done

To my mind, the shops are still at that half way house kind of stage - new autumn stock is arriving but there are still a few sale rails of printed maxi dresses hanging around with some damaged goods that no-one will ever want to buy there too, just for good measure.

For me, deciding what to buy for the next season should be a pleasurable experience, so shopping in a store where there are bits and bobs from last season hanging around and things on the floor just really doesn't do it - it's a bit like sitting down for a nice meal and drinking out of a chipped glass or wearing something that is just a bit too tight, or itchy- it just doesn't feel right.

So, with that in mind - and the fact that it is the school holidays and I couldn't shop even if I wanted to (which is more to the point, let's be honest) I have decided to practise what I preach to my clients and to do my own Wardrobe Consultation - just to see where I am at. 

The first things that need to be sorted are the things for the dry cleaners - I am not quite sure how you politely respond to the question of whether you know the origin of the stain on your dress when you know full well that the white crusty substance originated from the nose of one of your children. I suppose that there must be a way but I don't know it.  There is then the dilemma of whether the cost of dry cleaning your clothes is worth the time and effort involved in making the trip and whether the chemicals that you subsequently breathe in will result in a lung condition.  There is also the dilemma of whether it will be effective, or whether it is better tackle the stain with a baby wipe or stick it in the dryer with one of those dry cleaning sheets.  I can't decide.  So I guess that I will leave that job for now.

The second things to be done is to sew all of those buttons back on to coats etc ready for the winter.  But I can't find them and I hate doing it any way.  So I guess that I will also leave that job for now.

The third thing is to see if there is a way that I can make things that I thought didn't work any more, now work for me, possibly by having the length alterered or having them taken in.  I know that I have a lovely velvet Jigsaw dress which could be great if it was shorter, so that's an option - and velvet will be huge this winter; no suprises there then, velvet is huge every winter, whether we are told that it is or not.  There's another Jigsaw black dress which has always been a "difficult" length but that too might be fine once a few inches have been removed, particularly now that I have found a good tailor.  Then there's the other printed Jigsaw dress which I know will definitely work once it has been shortened - yes, that's what I will do.  Except....the velvet dress always was a bit tight around the rib cage and the black dress always seemed to make me sweat a bit.  And there's not much point in making a special trip for just one dress.  So, that's sorted then.  I will just take all of the items out of the wardrobe and clear the space - excellent, one de-cluttered wardrobe with plenty of space for new winter additions.  Phew, what a relief to know that that's a job well done. Now where's my list of top buys for A/W 2010?

Wednesday 11 August 2010

Boys know best (sometimes)!

No, really, it's true.  This is particularly so when it comes to the whole style vs fashion debacle.  In the words of Tom Ford: "Style is very different from fashion. Once you find something that works, keep it."  Fashion and style can, and do, often come together.  For example, the return of the Trench Coat this summer was huge and no one could argue that a good Trench Coat isn't both stylish and fashionable.  However style and fashion can also run in opposite directions...fast....very fast.  Take as an example harem pants. Now, I don't care how often the glossies told me that they were the fashionable trouser of the season (now soooooo last season) and that they would make everyone's bottom look small, because they just weren't stylish.  The trade off of looking as though you were wearing a nappy and had legs the length of a toddler just wasn't worth it.  Far better to get the right shape trouser for that derriere and to have legs that looked as though they actually went somewhere.  And this is where the "boys know best (sometimes)" argument comes into its own. I would bet good money that it would be hard to find a man who thought that harems were stylish.  Boys say it how it is - with objectivity and without being influenced by what is "in".  You just need to take a look at the men's comments in the "You The Fashion Jury" feature in Grazia each week to know that's true.  I often read the men's comments before the women - not only are they amusing but they are often right.  Take, for example, the comments this week on an outfit that Jessica Biel was wearing: "I fear it's all gone a bit Judith Chalmers for Jessica.  Banana yellow trouser suit is v ageing unelss you're Bowie doing Golden Years or deployed with full power dressing killer heels and oversized clutch.  Could have worked, but she blew it." So, before you dismiss your husband's/boyfriend's opinion as being rubbish, take a second to think about it.  Tact in delivering their opinion is, of course, a different matter....[NB: This does not apply to my husband who is the master of tact at all times.]

Tuesday 10 August 2010

Style Steal

I have to say that I am not entirely convinced, despite what the D&G boys are telling me, that a cardi with Reindeers on circa the 1984 Wham video "Last Christmas" is the way forward for me.  However, maybe it is one of those things like skinny jeans and shoe boots, that gradually grow on you - even if it is a season later -and before you know it, hey presto, you just HAVE to own one. 

So, here's a tip - if like me you're not convinced and if you don't feel like splashing out £400 on the real thing (see the inside cover Grazia this week) then look no further than Johnnie B - the teenage range for Boden.  On page 34 you will find the chunky hooded cardigan, navy blue with white reindeers on, at the somewhat less eye wateringly expensive price of £50.  The large size will fit a 34/36 in chest, so it's probably worth trying if you are no bigger than a size 12.  If you are not sure that you want to embrace the reindeer across your chest look, you could always opt for the grey cable knit cardigan instead.  If you do give either of them a try, let me know how you get on.

Monday 9 August 2010

I blame Harvey Nichols

...not for the fact that I spent too much in there, but for the fact that we are now the proud owners of three goldfish - Bob, Dora and Merlin.  This is how it all began....Having just reached 40 I felt that it was my duty to consider spending some of my birthday money on an "investment" - (OK, a Mulberry handbag) and so with two of our three children in tow, we merrily headed off to Harvey Nichols, (via the local Tesco for material with which to bribe said off-spring).  On walking through the door, we spotted the Creme de la Mer counter with....the tank of fish, which of course the 2 year old loved.  Having plotted together (the persuasive power of a 2 year old is amazing) the off-spring decided that they required three fish - one for each of them and one for their brother (who was otherwise wisely engaged at tennis camp).  In my effort to say "yes" more times that I say "no" each day, I agreed.  And so here we are, three fish and one rather dis-gruntled husband later.

Anyway, the Mulberry bag. Needless to say that my favoured style was also favoured by many other women in the UK and is no longer available.  Oh well, I am sure that an equally divine style will make an appearance in the not too distant future.  As for the clothes....so wearable this year: the beautiful DVF dresses, the uniquely clever and outrageour Vivienne Westwood collection, the new Project D range by Danni Minogue (I am sooo addicted to her new series) and it's great to Amanda Wakeley's new collection in the store, after all her trials and tribulations. 

So, there we go, no bag, no clothes, plenty of lusting and three gold fish.  Not bad for a day's work.

Saturday 7 August 2010

Top accessory buys from the Boden Catalogue

I was hoping to have time to do a more detailed review of my top buys from the Boden Catalogue but "the mouse" as our two year old is known has decided to go for her lunchtime nap only 25 minutes before she is due to get up..so it will be brief, leaving me just a few minutes to flick through the new Marie Claire before I wake her up.

For now I will stick to accessories as they can be worn by all - I will address the more challenging pieces, that perhaps require a certain body shape, at a later date but for now, here goes:

Sequinned jersey scarf: £29 (page 58) : this will be a lovely addition to your autumn wardrobe; soft and due to its length, versatile.  I would advise on petrol, aubergine or magenta.  Wear from anytime now with a trench coat, denim jacket or soft leather jacket and then on through to the winter with a heavier weight coat or cape;

Messenger bag £79 or £69 (page 10): The pewter metallic is my favourite as it will go with any base dark colour.  Whilst not of the structured 1950's variety as many bags are this season, it is a stylish but practical piece for throwing across you whilst rushing out of the door - which let's face it, many of us do first thing in the morning (much as we would like to think that we leave the house in a serene, 1950's type fashion!)

Velvet plimsolls £39 (page 38): An attractive and slightly more winter feel about them than the iconic converse but just be careful where you wear them.  Maybe not one to throw on when you rush out of the door (see above) but rather to think about, having considered the weather forecast.  Or you could just keep them as a much funkier alternative to slippers (and for my money much more stylish than the velvet slippers on page 44!);

Funky leopard pump £89 (page 82): Leopard print is going to be HUGE this season and these will act as a nod towards the trend without embracing it head to toe - (which I hope none of you will be doing or else you will find yourself serving behind the bar at the Rovers Return).  These will be great with a cropped trouser, fitted blazer and striped top - very left bank, another look this season which is both wearable and elegantly chic;

Patent croc moccasins £79 (page 83) - Remember the Patrick Cox loafers of the 1990's?  Well here we go again ladies!  My advice would be to steer clear of the green ones and to head for the Rich Red or possibly the brown ones instead.  They could be a winner...or not... perhaps one to see in the flesh before making a final decision;

Ikat print scarf £29 (page 112) - a funky alternative to the ubiquitous stripes or spots and less scary (or objectionable) to some than animal print. If you want to go for the green or the yellow, be sure that it suits your skin tone as these are harder colours to wear.  Failing that, all of the other colours are lovely and also versatile. 

Skinny belt £35 or £29 (page 180) - although an accessory, belts can be hard to wear so please ask me for advice if you are not sure whether a belt will work for you or not.  If you are in the mood to embrace a belt though, skinny belts are the way forward this season.  Again, the animal print is a nod towards the trend in a subtle way.  The berry colour is nice for a contrast but if you don't want to break up the line of your outfit too much, opt for a shade that tones in with most of your wardrobe;

Stretch boots £99 (page 222) - I have included these more because they solve a fashion dilemma for those with particularly slim lower legs, rather than because they are particularly on trend for the season.  The black wedge ones are my preferred option as they will work well with both dresses and trousers;

Chic peep toe £99/£120 (page 228) - If there is one style of evening shoe that will go with everything, this is it.  It's a classic so it won't date, it's stylish, always on trend, comfortable and yes, it is OK to wear tights/hold ups with these peep toe shoes.  Black and grape are safer options by why not throw caution to the wind and go with the giraffe print instead?

Well I have strayed way past my alloted time so I will sign off now, with further updates to follow.