51 days to go: Plain Jane

After a very busy Saturday I wanted to keep it nice and simple - both in activity and attire.
I think I managed it.
I didn't even bother with any make-up for the whole day.
My husband took my youngest son to Sefton Park in Liverpool for a cricket match while I watched the others.
In the evening we had a bbq in the garden with my parents.
Three of my four children are back at school today but the youngest is off for another week so it's another five days of trying to cram in some work and take care of my son.
We have an agreement - I work until 12pm every day (except Wednesday and Friday when I'm in the prison) and the afternoons are free for fun.

Sole Mate has asked to see a picture of my closet.
I promise to post the pictures later this week.

I wore......
Dress and Shoes - Primark
Sunglasses - Tesco

52 days to go: One Day, Three Outfits

It was a really busy Saturday.
I got up early and ran to the beach and back with the dog before moving my weights routine outside to take advantage of the warmer weather.
Later, I cycled to the park for a game of tennis with my youngest son before returning home and tidying up.
In the evening we went out for a meal with some friends which was fabulous.
And in true Cinderella style I returned home just before midnight as we have a cricket match and an early start in the morning.
The first outfit was my workout gear, second after the game of tennis was my old faithful Gap dress.
I bought this dress in 2005 from the sale rail. I think I paid £9.99 but I wear it at least 10 times a summer.
I love the tie-dye effect of the print.
The peach Catherine Malandrino dress was bought in 2005 too but I have only worn it a handful of times.
It is a lovely dress- fully lined with an amazing cut out detail in the hem.
However, I was put off the dress for a while after I saw Britney Spears wearing the same dress on the front cover of Hello magazine just after I'd bought it!












I wore...
Workout gear - Nike
Dress- Gap
Sandals- Birkenstocks
Catherine Malandrino Dress
Turquoise Shoes - River Island
Bag - a present for my 40th birthday
Necklace - Matalan

53 days to go: Warmer Weather

The temperature's hotting up here in Blighty.
Today I was working in the prison which is too hot in summer and too cold in winter.
I wanted to keep cool and look good but in a modest way.
I dug out this dress from the "throw out pile" and realised I liked it after all especially when I paired it with a cropped jacket.
I would have loved to wear sandals but I stick to a closed toe shoe policy in the prison.
Today didn't go great but I had a lovely lunch with Jenn.
We sat in the picnic area and ate our sandwiches before taking a stroll around the perimeter fence.
Ah well, tomorrow's another day.

I wore:
Shoes - Clarks
Dress - Gap
Jacket - Matalan

54 days to go: Inspirational Bag

My great old friend The Gap bag inspired today's outfit.
This backpack has accompanied me for many years, especially on trips out with my friends and the children.
It is big enough for food, drinks, changes of clothes and wipes which was just as well as two of my friends and an assortment of our children were off on a hike from Hoylake to West Kirby and back today.
These school holiday sojourns have been taking place almost every school holiday since out eldest children started school in 1995.
The older ones don't come now but we have spent many happy hours tramping through woodland trails, climbing sand dunes, visiting zoos, organising marathonb games of rounders and bike rides.
Today felt strange as I only had my youngest son with me today.
The weather started off cool but heated up as we walked. We set off at 10am in the morning and arrived home around 5pm.
We are already making plans for our next trip!

I wore...
Top - Tesco (bought with vouchers)
Jeans - Gap
Cardigan - Principles
Bag - Gap

55 days to go:Chunky Necklace

My whole outfit today was dictated by this chunky necklace.
It is the second one I got from Dorothy Perkins - the first one snapped and the beads went into every nook and cranny of my bedroom.
Luckily I found enough to prove it was this necklace (as I had lost the receipt) and the kind sales assistant replaced it without any fuss.
Good service makes such a difference.
There are some shops I will go into time and again because I know the staff are pleasant and helpful but not too intrusive.
And there are others where I feel like an unwelcome visitor and end up reluctant to part with my hard-earned cash.
This blouse is new but it comes thanks to some eBay cash.
I sold my Biba blouse.
Although it was a great piece I felt it didn't do anything for me.
And to return to my original theme of necklaces - if, like me you are cutting down on spending then check out Boutique Girl's latest giveaway here.
Have a great Wednesday.

I wore..
Shoes - Clarks
Jeans - Joe Brown
Shirt and Necklace - Dorothy Perkins
Cardi - Primark

56 days to go: PancakeTuesday

The children are off school so it's pancakes for breakfast.
I have got this down to a fine art - thanks to Jamie Oliver.
I egg, 1 cup of self-raising flour, 1 cup of milk.
Whisk and fry in butter.
Voila.
If only the washing up was as easy.
My children eat them with whatever is around.
Today the boys ate them with sugar and lemon except for one intrepid son who foraged in the freezer and found a Crunchie ice cream.










I wore..
Shoes - Clarks
Skirt - Gap
Top - Matalan
Belt - Asos

57 days to go: Bank Holiday Sunshine

It's Bank Holiday Monday and the sun is shining.
We spent the day tidying the garden while the children played.
My parents came over for something to eat.
Unfortunately the sun gave way to light showers so our barbecue was moved inside.
But after we finished eating the weather seemed to stabilise and we moved outside and burned some wood on our barbecue to keep warm.



I wore...
Shoes - Clarks
Jeans - Tesco
Top - Zara
Cardigan - Primark
Necklace - Matalan

58 days to go: Relaxed Sunday

This morning was the second day of the football tournament.
It was sunny but a little breezy so I slipped my dress over my jeans.
In the afternoon the weather warmed up and we went straight to a barbecue at my husband's sister's house.
It was far too hot for jeans but luckily this dress is still a modest knee length which allowed me to soak up the sun although I had to share the sun lounger with Pip the dog.

Too Much Information has tagged me to list Seven Things You Never Knew You Wanted To Know About Me. So here they are.

1. I wrote my first book aged five called "So Did Sir" after watching my teacher join in games in the schoolyard.

2. My secret food indulgence is brown sauce butties. Two slices of buttered white bread and a dollop of brown sauce - lovely.

3. If I could change one thing about my physical appearance I would swap my bushy eyebrows for the kind I get after a painful waxing.

4. I almost died in 1996 after an ectopic pregnancy.

5. My (not so secret) crush is Enrique Iglesias.

6. People think I am very driven but it is only an act to cover up how lazy I really am.

7. I waste too much time blogging when I should be working.

I wore....
Jeans - Gap
Trainers - Nike
Dress - Joe Brown
Belt - matalan

59 days to go:A Tale Of Two Outfits

Saturday was a busy tidy-up day.
My youngest son was in a football tournament and my niece arrived form North Wales.
The day was spent walking the dog, cleaning the house and getting the room ready for two extra sleeping over.
I spent most of the day in jeans and sweatshirt but managed to get changed into something less comfortable for the evening.
Sun is forecast for tomorrow and I can't wait.



Shoes- River Island
Dress - Matalan
Cardigan - Marks and Spencer
Necklace - Top Shop

60 days to go: Freaky Friday

The last day of the working week and what a busy week.
During work today I got a phone call to say my brother's wife had given birth.
Baby Seth was born at 8.10am this morning and his brother Sidney and sister Georgia are so excited.
Tonight I am off to my friend's house for a girly get - together.
The early night will have to wait.



Today I wore....
Shoes - Clarks
Skirt - Gap
Top - Primark
Jacket - French Connection (overdyed)
Corsage - Matalan

61 days to go: Grey Clouds And Silver Linings

It has been a funny old week.
I can't really go into details as it doesn't affect me but someone very close.
Work has been challenging but it looks like my contract will now be renewed for another year.
Best of all - my friend told me today she is getting married.
And she wants me to help choose her dress.
Yes, shopping for clothes is perfect pick-me-up medicine even if it isn't shopping for my clothes.
Amidst the grey clouds there is a peek of blue skies and silver livings.
And my outfit echoes the theme with shades of grey, silver and blue.
I worked like mad this morning to get lots of little things done and I have finally crossed the last job off my list.
I will soon be leaving to go to Liverpool for my counselling course.
I have met some great people on the course where we have gathered to refine our counselling skills - and boy have I needed them this week.
But the nicest thing about Thursday is my husband has to cook for our children and get them ready for bed.
I walk through the door about 10.30pm and apart from my eldest everyone is fast asleep including my exhausted husband!

Today I wore...
Boots - Dorothy Perkins
Skirt - Marks and Spencer
T-shirt - my daughter's (from Matalan)
Necklace - Matalan
Belt - Tesco

62 days to go: Blue Wednesday

It was an early start and my face hasn't quite woken up.
I picked out my favourite ruffle blouse and as I wasn't sure what the weather was going to be like I selected my cosy comfort blanket!





I wore...
Shoes - Clarks
Jeans - Gap
Blouse - Precis Petite
Wrap - Joe Brown
Pearls - Kowloon Pearl Market, Hong Kong

63 days to go: Every Little Helps

I obviously had too much time on my hands today and took far too many pictures.
But this skirt is NEW.
And NO - I didn't buy it.
I used £12 of my Tesco Clubcard vouchers.
We usually save the vouchers for wine but as I'm trying to cut down I thought this skirt will serve as an incentive.
No longer will our recycle bin be full of bottles that disappear forever.
Instead every three months I will have a beautiful new item of clothing to remind me of my sobriety.
Abstinence never felt this good before.
Amazing how inventive you can get when you pledge not to spend money on clothes!

And thanks to Boutique Girl I have discovered the power of the Picasa collage so no photo is wasted.




I wore...
Shoes - Clarks
Skirt - Tesco
Striped t-shirt - my daughters
Necklace - Next
belt - ASOS

64 days to go: The forecast is pink

More wild, windy weather.
It's May and I'm wearing boots.
I am not happy with the weather right now so I am going to make my own.
It will be pink and frothy - just like my skirt and cardigan.
It is that time of year when you don’t want to wear a coat but it is too cold to leave the hosue without one. Thank goodness for the great range of cardigans on offer like the ones here.
Hope the weather is better for you.



I wore...
Boots - Dorothy Perkins
Skirt - River Island
Belt - Off Matalan dress
T-shirt - Gap
Cardigan - Primark

65 days to go: On The Run

A funny old day today.
The weather is wild and windy.
It rains, the sun shines, it rains again.
I took the dog for a run to the beach and got blown about a lot.
Luckily I had my ipod to keep me going.





My favourite running songs at the moment?
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry
All Summer Long by Kid Rock
So What by Pink
Handlebars by the Flobots
Leave Right Now by Will Young
Breathless by Shayne Ward

Those songs get me to the beach and back - about 2.5 miles.

I wore...
Shoes - Clarks
Dress - Ciel
Waistcoat - George

66 days to go: Stripes Again

I have finally got some credit through from selling on eBay and I used the Paypal funds for this new dress and coat.
The dress was £16 and the coat reduced to £10 in Matalan.
The dress is a t-shirt top attached to a black skirt which is lined.
It came with the belt but I think it offers many options.






I wore...
coat and dress - Matalan
shoes - Monsoon
necklace - Tesco
cardigan - M & Co.

67 days to go: Thanks Heavens For Teenage Sons

I was cold today and wanted something comforting.
I noticed a lovely plaid shirt on The Sartorialist and Stephanie blogged about hers.
Plaid shirts remind me of Mary Chapin Carpenter's son, "This shirt."
Which reminded me I had just picked one up off my son's bedroom floor.
It passed the sniff test so I phoned to ask if it was OK if I borrowed it.

"Can I wear your shirt?"
"Can I have the car tonight?"
"Yes.
"Deal."

So here it is.
After I took the first set of pictures it got much colder so I swapped the shoes for boots and added a jacket when I went into Liverpool for my counselling course.
I am pretty pleased with the results - I think it is bringing out my inner lumberjack!

I wore..
Boots - Dorothy Perkins
Skirt - Marks and Spencer
Shirt - my son's
Jacket - M & Co.