Category Archives: family

Dressing up Mum with Bonmarche

11th February 2015

When I started my blog all the way back in 2009 (oh how old that makes me feel!) it was a mainly solo affair- it was months before I let on to my family and friends what I was doing, and longer still before anyone else knew. These days I have a more “all hands on deck” approach and rope in helpers wherever possible. I have Ben doing the design and maintenance side of things (plus the odd photoshoot) and then I have Mum doing almost every set of photos and helping me sort out photographing and organising other posts too.

It’s nice to be able to reward these people who give up their time to help me, so when Bonmarche got in touch asking if I’d like to pick out a piece from their new Citrus Bloom by David Emanuel collection for my Mum I jumped at the chance (casually mentioning to her a day or so later that she’d need to be photographed and appear on the internet!)

Dress c/o Bonmarche | Tights: Marks and Spencer | Boots: Wallis

I’ll admit that I had Bonmarche down as an older person’s shop before I worked with them on the blog a year or so ago and took a fresh look. Granted some of the pieces are still aimed at a more mature audience but there are some items that are just perfect for people like my Mum- who want to dress nicely without looking either too young or too frumpy. This dress is really lovely, it’s a great quality fabric that clings in a really flattering way. The print is gorgeous and it’s quickly become a staple for a day at work. At £30 it’s a brilliant buy as it’s clearly going to last for quite some time, and I am sure there will be the odd occasion when this makes it’s way in to my wardrobe for a quick work-wear solution.
I know Mum was more than a bit reluctant to appear on the blog but I think she looks great- it was really comical watching her pose for the camera though, she’s obviously spent too long photographing me as at times it was like looking in a mirror!
Do you have anyone else get involved in your blog or is it still a bit of a secret? What do you think of how Mum styled the dress?

end

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park life

24th January 2014
P2
Dress: Matalan (here) | Boots: Shoe Zone | Coat: Zara
The weather last Sunday was gorgeous, just gorgeous. Ben and I took the opportunity to take my camera for a walk around St George Park and practice my promise of getting more outdoors outfit shots. He’s pretty good behind the camera right? We need to have a proper play around with my camera and it’s focus settings- until I achieve my dream of being able to afford a decent DSLR we’re making do with my decent but not quite there bridge camera.
I really want to do this more often, it was nice not to be confined to where I can park my tripod or balance the camera and I actually felt pretty relaxed. We had a good walk too, I want more days like this so I can really stretch my legs. Walking is pretty much the only exercise I’ve been able to do since my back first went in October so I’m trying to get in as much as possible pre-op. Post op there will be no stopping me and I can’t wait to get on my bike again.
I really like these photos actually, which is quite rare for me to say about pictures of myself. For once I’m not sat analysing what my body looks like or how I could do with wearing more makeup or standing at a more flattering angle, I’m just enjoying the pictures as a whole and thinking back on the laugh we had taking them.
This dress is my favourite clothing purchase of the year so far. A mere £12 from Matalan and so swishy and fun. Obviously I’m attracted to any item of clothing with a Daisy on and once I’m off my shopping ban I expect a few more will join it. I’m also a swing dress convert, I thought they’d do nothing for me but actually I really enjoy the draped and twirly affect.
These boots are becoming worn out with the amount I have worn them recently. As much as I love them I can’t wait to be back in one of my many pairs of heeled ankle boots.
The coat was a Christmas present from my parents and is perhaps the warmest thing I own. Good old Zara.
I’m so ready for this weekend, the weeks in January always seem to drag on and on. It’s going to be a family orientated affair this weekend for the most part. It’s my beloved Grandad’s birthday today and I can’t wait to see his face when he sees the present Ben and I have got him when I meet him for coffee in my lunch break.
For those of you who don’t have a DSLR/SLR camera, how do you get the best from your outfit photos? Any hints and tips are welcome.

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Once a Cat Lady always a Cat Lady

21st January 2014

Cat Print Shirt: Monki at ASOS | Skirt: ASOS | Boots: New Look

Oh how I love this shirt, the cats make me smile every time and it’s a good alternative to dresses when worn with a skirt for work. I have a tote bag in the matching print which probably makes me bordering on obsessed but I don’t really care!

The skirt was a purchase in the ASOS sale, I wasn’t sure about it as I have a love/hate relationship with pencil skirts but when it arrived and I tried it on I realised it wasn’t bodycon tight, just tailored to skim. I love the green and black tweed style material and the asymmetry of the skirt.

I wore this last Thursday after a mad morning clinic followed by some time in the office followed by a girly lunch with Mum- I eat out so much these days, admittedly it’s mainly wetherspoons but hey, they do food well (and cheap!)
We spent the afternoon catching up with my cousin Soph, her partner Chris and their gorgeous son Noah who’s a real cutie. I last saw him when he was only 12 or so weeks old. He’s 9 months now and just adorable. I’m in no way ready for kids myself but I do love spoiling other people’s!
Well,
that’s it from me today. My mind is drawing blanks and I need to be thinking about breakfast and getting ready for work…

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The Christmas Day Dress

27th December 2013

Dress c/o Goddiva
Boots: New Look (ancient)
It was only recently I featured a Goddiva dress on the blog, and when they then offered to send this little beauty I just couldn’t refuse. The second it arrived I knew I wanted to wear it for Christmas Day- never mind there was only going to be three of us for most of it…if you can overdress for Christmas when CAN you overdress?
As before, I sized up as I find the brand does come up a little small, although looking back I could have gone for my usual size in this one. I’ve gone from avoiding bodycon like the plague to kind of embracing it a bit. I’m enjoying having a healthier looking body and with half a stone to go I can’t wait for the final weigh in and getting on with getting back to exercise, letting go of numbers and living life as it’s meant to be lived.
It was a quiet Christmas for us, the majority of the day was just Mum, Dad and Myself. We did our usual present opening whilst drinking tea and watching TV; this was after I battled my way through my Mum’s wrapping skills and my Christmas stocking. I was spoilt rotten with a new coat and perfume from my parents as well as jewellery, stationary and gorgeous trinkets galore from people I know and love. Ben bought my a tripod for my camera so I can embark on my 2014 mission to improve this blog and my photography as well as a hair curling wand to tame and enhance my locks.
We had the company of my Grandad and Uncle for the afternoon and my best friend, Trudi as no Christmas Day is complete without a visit from her. Time was spent talking, face-timing my brother and playing scrabble on my iPad before yet another round of food and an early night.
Boxing day is always a chilled one here, no sales shopping or rushing to do anything. A game of Catopoly at my Grandad’s was about all we could manage. Spending so much time with those I love is one of the best things about this time of year. My brother and his girlfriend were missed, as was my Ben but thanks to technology we caught up with them and my cousins celebrating baby Noah’s first Christmas.
And today it is back to work, no long and lazy break for Mum and I myself and I can’t say I mind too much. It’ll be calmer than the weeks leading up to the big day and there are plenty of chocolates and biscuits to feast on thanks to overly generous patients. I quite like the routine of going back to work, more so this year after so long off…
and of course, being Friday I have two luxuriously lazy days ahead. Bring on the Turkey leftovers.
How was your Christmas?
Tell me all about it below.
xxx
xxx

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summer days

01st July 2013

Shoes: Ted Baker c/o Sarenza
Dress: New Look (last year)
We’ve had a few good days over the last week and I’ve embraced each one by wearing something summery. I bought this dress a year ago and have only really worn it once or twice, I really like how floaty and girly it is so I think I’ll make it a fairly regular outfit choice.
These shoes are a pair I featured on one of my shoe wishlists (frequent as they are) and when I saw they had gone in to the sale at Sarenza I knew I needed them.
Well, it’s Monday again and back to the working week…the time is flying these days and the weekends roll round faster and faster.
This weekend was spent relaxing at the boy’s new place- Saturday was utterly divine weather wise and we spent a couple of hours lazing in the sun in a nearby (like, just over the road) park. You wouldn’t know you’re near the city center when you’re there…bliss.
Sunday would have been (still is) my Nan’s birthday and myself and my family made a trip down to Sidmouth where we scattered her ashes last year. It’s bittersweet going there, but comforting to be close to her. I know she’d be proud of all that has happened in the past twelve months for all of my family and although I’m not a great believer is this kind of thing, it’s hard not to believe that she’s acting as a guardian angel.
How was your weekend? 
xxx

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