81 days to go: Halfway Down The Stairs

"Halfway down the stairs
is a stair where I sit
There isn't any other stair
quite like it."

I was inspired by Kermit The Frog's song to wear some green today.
It is also the chance to show off my stairs.
When the children were very small the carpet was ruined by muddy feet traipsing up and down.
The solution was simple.
And cheap.
Get rid of the carpet and paint the stairs white.
We got some floor paint and when the children were in bed we painted over several nights one summer.
They have that distressed (need re-painting) look at the moment but I remember singing Kermit the Frog's song when I was going cross-eyed painting one step after another.

I wore:
Shoes - Clarks
Jeans - Gap
T-shirt (yes another refashioned T-shirt)
Cropped cardigan (New Look)

82 days to go: Later

It was a quick change.
I got in from work at 5.30pm and by 7pm I had to feed myself and four children and get changed for our monthly chick flick night.
Once a month my neighbour Sue and I take our daughters (aged 11 and 12) to see a film.
We always leave it up to the girls to choose.
This time it was 17 Again.
I enjoyed the film even though a very annoying "businessman" to my right was taking constant calls on his mobile phone.
I kept the same t-shirt but added boots and a skirt.

I wore..
Boots - Faith
Skirt - Marks and Spencer
Belt - Tescho
T-shirt - Gap

82 days to go:Remains Of The Day

I did it again.
After all your positive comments yesterday I rooted around in my throw-out pile and found this t-shirt.
I bought it in Gap in August 2005.
It was a lovely sunny afternoon.
I had spent the past week dressed in corporate suits working for a PR agency and hardly saw the daylight.
That afternoon I finished the project and celebrated with a mini shopping spree.
This is all that remains of the day.
I was going to throw it out because the neckline was too high.
Now (thanks to my scissors) it's not!
If anyone had any t-shirt refashioning ideas please email me your pictures and I will post a special feature next week.
workthatwardrobe@googlemail.com

















I wore

Sparkly Shoes - Clarks
Trousers - M & Co
T- shirt - Gap
Cardigan - Principles
Scarf - Next
Sunglasses - Tesco

83 days to go: Customised Copycat

I loved Jessica's look yesterday, it was so stylishly simple.
There were a few problems in recreating the look.
1. It wasn't as hot here so the cami and sandals weren't an option.
2. None of my cami tops or t-shirts fit me right.
The solution came in the most unexpected way.
My daughter had a tantrum last night which meant an early bed-time.
When she calmed down I went upstairs and sat with her.
She had been reading a book I had given her at Christmas about how to customise clothes.
She was looking at the section on t-shirts.
After I had tucked her in I went to my room and found some old t-shirts in the throw-out pile.
I love the colour of the red t-shirt it matches one of my skirts perfectly but it was a high neck and very long.
The solution lay in a pair of scissors.
OK so it's not perfect but I am pretty pleased with the results.




I wore...
customised t-shirt - Primark
Skirt - eBay
Boots - Dorothy Perkins
Brooch - charity shop
Scarf - free gift in a magazine
Sunglasses - Tesco

84 days to go: Clematis Chic

I planted this Clematis about eight years ago and love the pretty pink flowers which wake up to the spring sunshine.
I was working at my desk for most of the day and wanted to wear something that made me feel bright and cheerful on a wet and grey Monday morning.
The clematis inspired me to dig out the pink cardigan that has been hiding in my daughter's room and while I was there is found this t-shirt that had been missing.
The stripes inspired me to pair with a starry scarf.
It has worked whatever the weather I feel happy and bright today.

I wore...
Shoes - Clarks
Skirt - Marks and Spencer
t- shirt - Primark
Scarf - tesco
cardigan - dorthy perkins

85 days to go: Relaxing Sunday

I started the day just how I meant to go on - with a lovely cup of tea and the Sunday newspapers and magazines.
Then I had another cup of tea.
And another.
And another.

I wore...
Shoes - Clarks
Dress - Dorothy Perkins
Jeans - Tesco Kids

86 days to go: Football Farewell

My weekend, as regular workthatwardrobe readers will know, has for the past six months consisted of cheering for my sons on cold and windy touchlines.
With two boys playing twice a weekend and another son refereeing up to four matches a week that is a lot of football.
And a lot of dressing in unflattering layers.
But no more.
Or at least not until September.
The end of the Inter Club was marked with a mini cup final which my nine-year-old's team won 3-2.
It was an exciting match which stood at 2-2 when the game ended and as it was a final there was an extra time and a golden goal.
The team which scores the first goal in extra time would be the winners.
This picture shows my son's reaction after the golden goal was scored by his team.
Although there are still a few matches left in other leagues today marked the end of the Saturday morning games.
And a lie-in?
No chance but cricket and tennis are so much more sartorially satisfying!

I wore...
Gap Jeans
Nike Trainers
Miss Selfridge Top
Gap Scarf

87 days to go: The Liver Bird

Bloggers of a certain age may remember the popular 1970's television programme, The Liver Birds.
As a little girl growing up in Manchester I used to watch the programme and dream about living in Liverpool in a flat with my best friend just like Beryl and Sandra - the Liver Birds.
I didn't understand the double meaning until I was much older.
The title of the programme is a pun on the slang name for a young woman and The Liver Bird is the name of a famous landmark in Liverpool where the drama was set.
Liverpool has one of the most famous waterfronts in the world and the three large buildings overlooking the River Mersey are called The Three Graces.
One of the Three Graces is The Royal Liver Building and at the top of the building are two mythical birds - The Liver Birds.
Legend has it that if they leave Liverpool the city is doomed.
Train 2000's offices, where I deliver a monthly PR workshop, has offices overlooking The Liver Building and the two birds.
Here I am standing by the window of the training room and the view from the window.
Whenever I am working for Train 2000, as I was today, I look out of the window at the two liver birds and am secretly thrilled that I am now a real (although slightly older) Liver Bird at last.

*Note: the liver is pronounced like the -iver in diver and not as in an internal organ!

88 days to go: Hunks In Trunks

Did I get you there?

Well keep looking and you won't be disappointed.

Last night I took my son to see Wrestlemania - the WWE tour which was appearing at Liverpool Echo Arena.
He had been waiting months for the evening and was so excited.
Originally my husband was due to take him but there was a fixture clash when my 14-year-old's football team were playing.
As we approached the Arena I was issued with strict instructions by my nine-year-old.
"Mum. There are two things you MUSTN'T say. You can't say 'I bet that hurt' or 'what's he called.'
I have to confess I broke both those rules in the first five minutes.
But even I recognised the masked Rey Mysterio and all-American hunk, John Cena.
Sadly, my son's favourite, Jeff Hardy, wasn't on the tour - but maybe next year?
I was working from home before starting a new counselling course this evening so it was a pared down look today.
I wore...
Shoes - Clarks
Jeans, t-shirt and scarf - Gap
Cardigan - Primark
wwe belt - my sons'

89 days to go: Capsule Wardrobes

Did anyone in the UK see Gok Wan's Channel 4 show last night.
If you missed it overseas then you can watch it again on Channel 4's catch-up player.
He has a new slot in the series looking at capsule wardrobes.
My life has been one, long desperate search for an effortless, streamlined wardrobe.
However, as you can see from these posts - I am still on the journey.
And I do not travel it alone. When I look back at my blog's keyword analysis it is always the phrase "Capsule Wardrobe" that outnumbers the rest of the words by 6 to 1.

But back to today - inspired by Kasmira - the queen of dailywear posting posing - I have been experimenting.
What do you think?














I wore:
Jeans - Joe Brown
Shoes - Clarks
Top and sunglasses - Tesco
Jacket - French Connection (over-dyed)

90 days to go:A Wardrobe For Three Seasons

I blogged about this very versatile dress and it got me thinking about my wardrobe in general and its flexibility in particular.
I wore this dress easily throughout summer, autumn and now its Spring I will be wearing it at least once a fortnight.
I did wear it in winter but it didn't feel right.
I realised that quite a lot of my wardrobe is a wardrobe for three seasons. Summer pieces can be warmed up for spring and autumn but usually the fabric means that winter won't look right.
The same for winter staples. While you can get away with spring and autumn the warmer fabric means that usually they will appear out of time in summer.
Obviously there are exceptions - jeans, these shoes and sunglasses to name but a few.
And while you are thinking about that one which way do you prefer the dress?

Self fabric belt
No Belt
Leather Belt

I wore:

Shoes - Clarks
Jeans - Levi
Dress- Ciel
Belt - Tesco
Tiara - Vintage ( my daughter's)

91 days to go: Matching Shoes And Bike

This outfit is the process of elimination.
It came together from the following reasons.
It is warm - about 18C.
I wanted to wear a skirt but I'm on my bike today so it has to be knee length.
It is too warm for tights.
But too cold for sandals.
Therefore:
I want to wear a spring skirt but it has to be long enough - this Gap one had to do.
I wanted a top to tone in with the blue, white and grey skirt. This H & M one is the only one.
I wanted a cardigan to blend in with the colours I had chosen. This Primark one is the only one.
My shoes needed to match something. How about the bike?
The belt is from Asda.
Voila!

92 days to go: Blue skies and blossom.

It was a beautiful Spring day today - the best.
The blossom is in full bloom and the mercury reached 18C.
I went for two runs.
Once with the dog to the beach and back and then my daughter asked to go for a run when I got back.
I was so tired that after a quick shower I spent the next hour lying on the trampoline gazing at the view - blue skies and blossom.
Perfect!
I wore..
Shoes - Clarks
Jeans - Joe Brown
Top - Next