5 days to go: Back to Front

Another busy day today.
I went for a run with my friend Denise this morning before returning home for a shower and some work.
This afternoon I will be going to watch my youngest son perform in the end year concert at his school.
After that I will be going to Liverpool to sit an exam as my counselling course comes to an end.
I love the buttons on the back of this top and have worn it both ways.
It wil get great use in the autumn and winter but I need a jacket to go with it.
I was searching for women's jackets and came across this great one.
Although I avoid wearing it when I meet my friend Sue.
She has koumpounophobia (fear of buttons).
What always surprises me is that someone in her line of work can function.
She teaches dressmaking!
I wore..
Shoes - Clarks
Skirt and camisole - Gap
Top - eBay
Necklace - Next

14 days to go: In or Out?

I have been thinking about proportions quite a lot recently.
And even more so after Imogen's post about the Fib formula.
But I still can't decide.
Should the t-shirt be tucked in or out?
That is the question.

Shoes - Clarks
Skirt and t-shirt - Gap
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

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

70 days to go: Stripes and Spots

This skirt is a funny old thing.
It should look great.
It is knee length.
It is linen.
It's from Gap - one of my favourite shops.
It cost £9.99 in the sale several years ago.
It's even lined.
It's a size zero (I know labels lie, but it still feels great to wear a size zero even if the sizing is wrong!)
I never feel right in it.
The waist is a little too high.
The hem a little too flared.
However, every time I wear it
But still I can't bear to part with it.
There's only one solution - pink it up.
Here it is with my favourite colour.

I wore..
Shoes - Monsoon
Skirt - Gap
T-shirt- George
Cardigan - Matalan

79 days to go Later

It was a quick change as time ran away today.
Our friends were coming to dinner and it was a lovely sunny evening.
We prepared a Mexican Banquet - my favourite food.
I wore...
Shoes - River Island
Dress- Gap
Cardigan and bangle - Primark
Belt - Asos

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

170 and 169 days to go: Dressing with the Audacity of Hope

I am keeping it uber laid back this weekend as I prepare to meet Cat's Michelle Obama Wardrobe Challenge.
In fact I got so excited about surfing through the web images that I decided to give myself a Michelle Obama Wardrobe Challenge Week.
After last week when I spent most of my days in jeans now it is time to smarten up my act.
I have five outfits planned for each day of the week and it will be a busy one.
Monday: Working from home for my PR clients.
Tuesday & Wednesday: Working in the prison, teaching and helping with the prison magazine.
Thursday: More PR work followed by Parent's Evening for my 13-year-old son.
Friday: Back in the prison for an approval meeting with the funders of our prison magazine.

This weekend I wore:

Ugg Boots
Gap Curvy Jeans

Red Zara Top
Blue Matalan Cardigan

Black long sleeve T-shirt - Dorothy Perkins
Pink zip sweatshirt - USA Pro

172 days to go: Third Time Lucky

I think I may have got it right with the help of all your advice and tips.
Darla suggested it may be the neckline while Imogen pointed out the way it made me look top heavy.
Before I snip the ties I thought I would just tuck them into the neck and belt it with the jeans.
For those who are concerned it may be a little smelly by now - I did wash it and leave it to drip dry overnight. The other great thing about this blouse is that it doesn't need an iron!



Boots - Dorothy Perkins
Jeans - Gap Curvy
Blouse and Belt - Asos

190 days to go: An Old Favourite

I haven't repeated many outfits but this is one of them.
All of the elements are so comfortable and the red really cheers me up.

Ugg Boots
Gap Jeans
Zara Top
Primark red t-shirt
Old brooch

200 days to go: A Landmark

January 1st 2009

Not feeling too great today.
After these photographs were taken I went back to bed with a migraine - I think the past two weeks has caught up with me.
As it's a New Year I am making a fresh start.
After each post I will rate how the outfit made me look and feel.
I want to edit my wardrobe to around a quarter of its current size.
Every item I wear will be rated and if it doesn't make me look or feel great it's going.
When my year is up in July I will be able to see what works and what doesn't. I want a compact wardrobe where every item makes me look or feel great.
Today I am wearing.....
Ugg Boots (Feel fantastic at this time of year so will stay)
Gap Skirt (I love the length and cut so it stays)
Next Tunic top (under review)
ASOS cardigan (feels great but makes me look like a sack of spuds. In the pending pile)
Any other opinions gratefully received!

279 days to go: Mind The Gap

Today was a difficult day. I love to write but the whole day was dedicated to writing my annual report for my first year as writer in residence.
If that was not bad enough I then had to find every receipt to account for my £1,000 project fund.
It was not an inspiring day and to distract myself for a while I went for a run!
However, it is done now and I can relax - for another year.
But there were good points to today. I had to set up a new email address as my blueyonder one seems to have gone to ground. I sent a blanket email to everyone in my address book to inform them of my new address. As a result lots of old friends got in touch including my old Features editor, Fiona and a lovely lady called Lindsey who we met on holiday.
And having all the admin out of the way I can focus on more creative pursuits. I have agreed to embark on the madness of NaNoWriMo wiht my friend Jenn. Jenn is trying to finish her second novel and I am trying to complete my first. NaNoWriMo challenges writers to complete a novel in the month of November.
It doesn't have to be great - you just have to commit yourself to writing around 2,000 words a day.
I have just enough time to clear my decks.
Today I wore some more ebay bargains including this fab skirt from Gap, shrug worn as a wrap top from Gap, Whistles shirt, grey camisole and blue boots from Whistles.

307 days to go: Grey Dawn

A prison day today - catching up with my creative writers.
After a very late night (my sister in law and husband called last night) I grabbed together a few things from my wardrobe in the murky half-light of the grey dawn.
It ended up like this...
Shirt dyed black: Boden
White Waistcoat; Dorothy Perkins
Jeans: Gap Curvy
Shoes: Clark's

355 days to go: Sunshine tinted glasses

"After the sun, the rain. After the rain, the sun."
Those are two lines that I remember from the hymn, "Glad That I Live Am I" which we used to sing at primary school in the early 1970's.
Now in 2008 after the sun we have had the rain which means, after the rain, the sun.
Until the sun comes back these magic sunglasses help.
My daughter bought them for £3.50 from our local Tesco's.
Whatever the weather , when you put them on the sun looks as if it is shining and even on the cloudiest day they seek out the patches of blue and make it more vivid. And full of promise.
I would like to keep these glasses but my daughter loves them too.
I have just dropped her off at Cheerleading Class which means I have them for another two hours.
Until then I am wearing...
Cut-off jeans...Tesco, children's section (2008)
Navy Kaftan...(My-Wardrobe, 2008)
Pale taupe Camisole... Gap (2008)
Necklace... Top Shop (2005)
Ear-rings... (Gift)
Bangles...Debenhams (2008)
SUNGLASSES...TESCO (2008)
Shoes...Clark's (2008)

Picture: Ben

356 days to go: Freedom!

It is my last day working in the prison until September 2nd. I love the job but it is a long commute and the work is exhausting. I am taking the rest of the summer to be off with my kids.
Today I wore....
Jeans, Gap Curvy (2008)
Clark's Shoes (2008)
White Linen Mix Shirt, Zara (2002)
Pearl Necklace: Bought at the Hong Kong Pearl Market in Kowloon (2002)
Cut-our Silver Cuff, ASOS (2008)
White Waistcoat, Dorothy Perkins (2008)

357 days to go - adding a sparkle

Today started off dull, grey and hot. I just got back from walking the dog and the heaven's opened with a massive downpour. I needed something to create a sparkle in my day.
These shoes I had been saving for winter but I dug them out today.
They sparkle like Dorothy's shoes in The Wizard of Oz. But they are a golden brown, not red.
I rolled up my jeans because they are too cute to hide!

Jeans: Gapy Curvy (2008)
Top: Next (2007)
Waistcoat: Debenhams (2008)
Shoes: Clark's (2008)
Necklace: Gold, Silver & Bronze Debenhams (2008)

Day 21: Purple or Orange?

I once worked for a PR firm whose corporate colours were orange and purple and it seems to have seeped into my subconscious somehow.
It is cold and dull. I want to be warm and bright. But I couldn't decided purple or orange cardigan?
You decide.

Jeans: Gap
Tunic: DVF
Camisole: Top Shop
Shoes: New Look
Necklace: Top Shop
Shoes: Mexx
Ring: Debenhams

Day 17: Thanks Kasmira and Allison

I was inspired by Kasmira's blog about the multi-looks one strapless dress had given her.
I had this dress (picture taken straight out of the shower) in my wardrobe since 2005. I bought it because I liked it. And it was cheap. Very cheap in the Gap sale.
I have worn it twice. Once when we were on holiday in Venice and the second time to my now 13-year-old son's Leaver's Mass when he left primary school. Both times I wore the dress I spent the whole time hitching it up, hoping my strapless bra wouldn't fall down. I loved it but couldn't wear it.
Until now.

I decided to wear my aqua camisole, bought to match a wonderful necklace my friend Allison bought for my birthday this year.
I layered a sleeveless black vest and wore my faithful "Flamenco" shoes.
I also tried on all my bikinis and photographed them but I'm not posting them here.
However, I have found the answer to my previous question: "Is 42 too old to wear a bikini?"
Answer: Probably, but I have too many to throw away. Maybe I'll wait until next year for a one-piece!

Dress; Gap (2005)
Camisole (Marks and Spence (2008)
Vest (Oasis 2008)
Flamenco Shoes (tesco 2008)
Snake print belt ASOS (2008)
Necklace, Monsoon (Gift 2008)

Day 14: A breath of fresh air

Maybe it's because I'm going to spend the rest of the day working in the prison or just because I feel like a change but today's picture is taken in my garden, courtesy of my 13-year-old son, one-take Joe.
"One take Joe" is so-called for obvious reasons, he is a boy. He is a teenage boy. he is a very busy teenage boy who doesn't have time to take more than one picture because he always has "stuff to do, Mum."
So here it is......

Floral top, George (2008)
Burnt orange vest M&S (2008)
Gap Jeans (2008)
Black leather shoes, Tesco (2008)
Necklace, Top Shop (2005)