OUTFIT PANICS

This outfit was basically a lie in bed at night awake trying to work out how to tone an old lady style wool coat I bought from Zara and make it, well, less old lady. 

My Mum and I would term this coat a 'Judi Dench' and that is not a bad thing at all. It's just at at least half her age I'd prefer people to not walk down the street and think 'Judi Dench' just yet. At first I was thinking perhaps a belt would work, but either the coat was too bulky or I am. 

So in the end I went for trainers, turn ups and a hat I was given by my Ma at the age of oooh...17? Still, I kind of liked it. 

Hat - ???

Coat - Zara

Top - American Apparel 

Jeans - Uniqlo 

Socks - Topshop 

Trainers - Nike Air Max

Bag - Zara

INHERITED DRESSING

My Dad always complains that my Mum's default dressing setting is a striped top. It seems to run in the family. 

1 & 2 

Jumper - Zara Man

Jeans - Topshop 

Boots - Marc by Marc Jacobs

3 & 4

Top - American Apparel 

Trousers - J Brand 

Shoes - Chanel 

CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA KITTY FLATS

Cat shoes? Black velvet cat shoes that are flat so I can actually walk in them? Yes, thank you Charlotte Dellal of Charlotte Olympia, I think I will. 

Top - American Apparel 

Jeans - Current/Elliott

Necklace & bangle - Cos 

Shoes - Charlotte Olympia

PALE AND INTERESTING

Making the most of the warm days to wear a light colour palette. Isn't it funny how the weather totally changes what hues feel appropriate?

Lace top - American Apparel 

Trousers - Zara

Shoes - Bloch 

LATE SUMMER

Cardigan - Urban Outfitters 

T Shirt - Stolen Girlfriends Club

Skirt - American Apparel 

Sandals - See by Chloe

SUPER SIMPLE

Top - American Apparel 

Jeans - Topshop

Slippers - Topshop

BEFORE AND AFTER

I was in a mega rush the other day. A personal training session running up and down Primrose Hill at 7am in the morning had meant that my morning routine was curtailed to about 18 minutes from getting back from my session to leaving for work. Phew.

No makeup, wet hair tied back. The bare minimum of acceptability. 

So I was rather nervous about going to my first beauty type event for bloggers at Earth Hairdressing, a Central London salon just off of Oxford Street. It's a stand alone salon in this country but in Japan it's one of the biggest chains. The salon is deceptively big - from the outside it looks small, but the rooms go up and up - all sparkly, well equipped (and with a very nice VIP room to boot). 

We were treated to a pampering session, something that is not my usual territory but to my surprise, with the shoddy foundations I gave the hairdresser and makeup artist to work with, they managed a quick turnaround. Big bouncy curls and smoky eyes! Very exciting. We were then treated to a photo shoot with a photographer. I was probably the world's worst model as I can't smile on camera without feeling like a prat. I'll have to wait and see what the outcome is...

T shirt - Christopher Kane 

Jeans - Topshop

Shoes - Poste Mistress

Jacket - Luella x New Look 

Scarves - American Apparel 

SPOTS, STRIPES, SQUIGGLES & SKULLS

Jacket - ASOS

Top - American Apparel 

Necklace - Pamela Love 

Chunky ring - YSL 

Bangles - Topshop & Kenneth Jay Lane

Jeans - Topshop 

Boots - Vivienne Westwood

SPARKLE

A little bit of 80s sparkle goes a long way...I love the boxy shape of this jacket. And it only cost about £6. God bless the charity shops of Somerset. 

Jacket - Frank Usher from Charity Shop 

Top - American Apparel 

Jeans - J Brand 

Belt - Charity Shop 

Shoes - Chanel 

Bangles - Forever 21

CRITICAL MASS

My outfits have all been pretty basic recently. I've definitely lost the art of dressing up. I think it's partly I've been so busy and also...whisper it...I'm getting fat. I've not been looking after myself (virtually no running or gym and living on takeouts and peanut M&Ms) and it's got to the point where I feel decidedly uncomfortable in my own skin. It's not Channel 4 documentary stuff yet but all my clothes feel slightly ill fitting and my favourite dresses are pulling more across the bust. If I know you in real life and turn down the chance for many drinks or dinner at Bodeans for about the next month you know why - hopefully I won't end up as bad as my Marathon hermit life earlier this year. 

Top - Cos 

Jeans - Topshop 

Socks - Topshop 

Shoes - H by Hudson from Liberty 

Shirt - Equipment 

Vest - Topshop 

Trousers - J Brand 

Bag - Chanel 

Necklace - Grainger Market, Newcastle 

Top - American Apparel 

Belt - Charity Shop 

Shorts - Uniqlo 

Tights - M&S

Shoes - Chanel 

BACK TO SCHOOL

Last night I drank too much wine and ate too much cheese. It's a wonder I can still do up my skinny jeans (but it does explain the need for baggy tops). All I need is a routine I can stick to, namely home cooked meals, a few early nights and some days off of the sauce. Easier said than done. Oh, and I should probably read a novel, that has fallen by the wayside too. How to re-learn a healthy life? 

Shirt - American Apparel 

Jeans - Topshop 

Boots - H! Henry Holland x Debenhams 

Bag - Chanel from eBay 

WEEKEND DRESSING

Recently when I've been slobbing around at the weekend I've realised a *gasp* shortage in my wardrobe. I had no jeans that aren't skin tight, which is okay most of the time, but the occasion does arise when you want something a little more relaxed. I've been keeping my eyes peeled in charity shops for a while, but nothing surfaced. However a quick nip into H&M yesterday came up trumps - boyfriend jeans for £7. I don't think I'd ever wear then 'out' out, but for the M&S food run and buying the Sunday papers they'll do nicely. 

Top - American Apparel 

Jeans - H&M

Shoes - Christian Louboutin