Last three days of Jovember

So I was a little behind with my blog posts at the end of Jovember, so have put the last three days into one.

Monday the 28th was a normal day with an evening in the pub scheduled after working hours. I went for a purple Oasis knit dress which is in the same style as a black & white one worn earlier in the month. As the weather was still cold it was Uggs again (if I can remember correctly). Nothing special, but comfort and a bit of style is needed in cold weather!

Tuesday was another black & white day with a 60s dress that I absolutely love. I wear it with leggings usually and as it was cold needed a long sleeve black top underneath. I went for shoes from a couple of Saturdays ago from Ted Baker. Lovely rubber shoes that aren't that warm, but good in the rain!

The final day was a Wednesday and I went for a green Topshop dress and green Red or Dead shoes. Both the dress & shoes I've had for a while, but don't think I've ever worn together. The shoes though quite high heeled are pretty comfortable and although I love the dress it's a pain to iron so isn't worn as much as it should be.

I must say I've really enjoyed Jovember. I'll be putting some clothes on eBay in the new year to raise more money for Marie Curie cancer care.

Thanks for reading and expect more music & fashion blog posts here in 2012!

Sunday Warmth over Style

After a late night Saturday, Sunday involved relaxing, cinema & dinner out with friends. As the month has got colder I've had to repeat my Ugg boots, but not clothes at least! Today's dress was a snug winter jumper dress from White Stuff. The dress is cream and a lighter colour than I'd usually wear, but as today was about warmth, it didn't really matter!

Saturday Jeans & Indie

Saturday was definitely a jeans day. Obviously I couldn't repeat jeans so went for some purple/maroon coloured ones I bought in River Island a few months ago. They're slightly flared and stretchy so fit very well. The top I wore with it is a good 4 or 5 years old. It came from Coast who are more known for their formal dresses than anything else. I love this zig zag top as it's very Missoni-esque without the Missoni price tag! I did have to repeat shoes, and went for my purple velvet Rocketdogs from a couple of Saturdays ago. The whole outfit was funky & comfortable and very suitable for a Saturday that involved a cultural trip to a museum exhibition followed by the pub & an Indie club later on in the evening!

Shoe repeat Friday pink & red

This was the second day this week I went for a short-ish skirt & leggings. It was cold again so I had to repeat shoes in the form of my black Uggs. This was also a departure from my usual colours of black, white & purple. I like colour and this red skirt was brought to my attention in Monsoon recently. I put a stripey pinkish cardigan with the red skirt as they kind of went together.
The cardigan was from my dear departed mum's clothes that I decided to keep and not sell on eBay. Unfortunately, this lovely Karen Millen cardigan had a few holes in it, which I didn't really notice until it was too late. Never mind, it wasn't too noticeable and the red & pink went very well together.
I had a lovely evening too out in the pub, spending most of it covered up outside in my Tara Starlet cape!

Tara Thursday

Today was a stylish day. I had an event to go to in the evening & needed to look smart so went for yet another Tara Starlet number. My obsession with 50s & 60s style only began a few years ago when I stopped wearing jeans to work and began to embrace the dress. Nothing makes you feel better than a good dress that fits and suits you and this black & white gingham collar piece is no exception. It clings in the right places but is work appropriate as well. I teamed it with thick black tights as it was still cold, and some low heeled black & white patent Mary Janes from Marks & Spencer.
Marks & Spencer so often have great value and stylish shoes that I can't stop popping in there frequently to check for anything new. These shoes were only about £20 and once more are pretty comfortable for heels. Although not high, the heels give me a sense of importance and also go so well with the dress.
I got a few compliments at the event & would quite happily have this dress in every colour. I feel like it's been made especially for me.

Purple Ted & low Temperatures

Today was another outing for purple. I have this blue & purple skirt I bought last January in the sale that I've not had a chance to wear much. It's quite short so I always team it with thick leggings and a casual top. As it was pretty cold I added my cosiest cardigan over the plain black top. The cardigan is also Ted Baker and doubles, well triples as a wrap and a jumper dress. It's quite long for a cardigan but is very very warm - just what was needed!
Shoe wise, I'd thankfully kept my tall grey Ugg boots on hold for Jovember until a really cold day came along. Today was that day. People either love or hate Uggs. As someone who gets cold feet as soon as the clocks go back then I'm a lover. They are the most comfortable thing you can possibly wear on your feet and I know they're not the height of style but you have to take comfort & warmth over style when the nights start drawing in!
Thankfully I stayed warm and although not the most stylish outfit of Jovember, definitely the cosiest!

Tuesday Tea & Cake

Thankfully didn't need to wear boots today, but went for shoes I've had for a while but shamefully have never got around to wearing.
The 'dress' is very short so I've worn thick leggings with it. I love the tea & cake design on the dress which is from a label called 'Little Mistress'. The shoes are from Red or Dead and are wonderfully comfortable. I do like a brogue, and these are kind of a cross between brogues and creepers. As a fan of black & white, it's pretty obvious why I went for these shoes!
Once again these were a Schuh sale purchase, shame they don't have a loyalty card, though I'd probably buy even more shoes then! Anyway, I love these brogues, and they certainly won't be hidden in their box for so long. A good work shoes that can translate to going out - especially since the toes are silver!

Purple & Black Monday 21st

Eeurgh it was Monday again and it was cold. I needed to wear a cheerful colour so went for purple. The dress I went for I've had for a good 4 years or so, but it's served me well and I am always complimented on it when I've worn it. It's a very flattering empire line style and I really like the fact it has 3/4 length sleeves. The material is quite thick so it's relatively warm and also has a flattering neckline. It came from French Connection in the sale, a shop I think is quite expensive for what it is, so I've only ever bought things in their sale.
The boots were also a sale purchase, from the wonderful Kurt Geiger. Although heeled, they are pretty comfortable and to add to my love of them they have fleece on the inside for cold feet like mine! I don't think the picture has come out that well, but hopefully you can see the nice buckle detail on them.
Now it's really getting cold I think boots may be the order for the rest of Jovember, so may have some repeats!

Green day Sunday

After purple and black & white, green is my next favourite colour. It's a friendly colour and you can generally trust people in green. I mean Kermit the frog is green - who wouldn't want to emulate him in fashion?
Today was another outing for Tara Starlet. Have I said how much I love this label? I think I may have done. Anyway, a slightly lazy Sunday involved a long lie in, a few chores and an evening in the pub with friends.
The dress is in a flattering floral 1940s style, and although floaty is figure skimming too for a great fit. The shoes are yet another pair of New Look ballet pumps that have seen better days. They've been worn almost into the ground, but go so well with the dress it's barely noticeable how bedraggled they are!
Green is a good colour if you want to stand out, but not be too out there & off the wall. For that you want fluorescent green! That will certainly stand out - especially in the dark.

Saturday Music & Style

Saturday involved a bit of pottering about in the day and a gig of a friend's band in the evening. Having looked back at Jovember so far I noticed that I've mostly worn dresses, so today was a jeans day. The T-shirt & shoes are both recent purchases and this was their first outing. Both the jeans & the shoes are by Ted Baker, one of my favourite slightly pricier high street labels. Can't say I've ever bought anything from TB full price, they always have great sales and the occasional 20% off days. Think the jeans were less than half price in a sale a while back, and the black & white shoes were bought recently on a discount evening.
The T-shirt was another bargain find from TK Maxx. I'm a fan of the Harajuku Lovers perfumes by Gwen Stefani and didn't realise the designs or the various characters were on clothes too. At some point I'll do a blog post on HJ perfume & design: let's just say it's no ordinary celebrity perfume range.
It was a good evening, new shoes didn't hurt - well they were flats, and the gig was great.

Tuxedo Friday

As I thought this was another black & white day. I really love this warm tuxedo dress. I got it from a quirky shop called Joy (joythestore.com) as there's a branch about four doors down from the office I used to work at. Being as this dress is quite short I always wear it with leggings or jeans. Shoe wise, it's another monochrome pair and one more outing for Irregular Choice. I managed to get these shoes on eBay at a bargain price, and they are pretty comfy for kitten ted heels. I do love the sixties mod style of the shoes - they go with quite a few monochrome dresses I have.
It wasn't until I started this project that I realised how much black & white I have. I suppose it's my signature style, along with purple. Perhaps I should branch out more colour wise!

Thursday Monochrome strikes again

Today I was in a rush so had to find something quick & comfortable. I went for a black skirt & top (Oasis & Topshop respectively) with a white trimmed black cardigan and black ballet pumps (with a white cameo design on the toes. Quite simple & understated I thought. I call the cardigan my Chanel cardigan as it's very Chanel in style. Of course it actually came from Miss Selfridge, so was obviously a fraction of the price!
The shoes were another Schuh purchase - showing the fun and diversity of styles that can be done in ballet flats. I also think I'm gradually getting through everything monochrome I have in my wardrobe with possibly more tomorrow.

Wednesday Tara take 3

Ok, so I've worn some Tara Starlet already and I've also continually raved about how I love this label. Today was a more casual approach with jeans tucked into boots and a green floral pussy bow blouse. The blouse is perfect tucked into jeans, and I really liked this smart but casual look.
Both the jeans (Miss Sixty) and the boots (Clarks) I've had for a good long while and have lasted very well. I have a feeling they were both January sale purchases from 4 or more years ago. The jeans are very thick denim & great in winter. As someone with not the thinnest of calves, these boots enable me to tuck my jeans into them. The boots are on the way out, but I'm going to wear them until the treads have no grip and my feet get wet in the rain.

Third Tuesday

So far Jovember is going well, I've got some nice clothes I've worn again as am steadily getting through the many pairs of shoes I own. Today was a nice simple dress that I've had for over 4 years. It's from a label called Lipsy which I'm really too old to wear, though 4 or 5 years ago they did a lot more day wear. These days they are more about going out dresses for the under 25s - often seen on WAGs and reality show stars. Pop star Pixie Lott models for them I think, so considering I'm probably about the same age as her mum, this is the only Lipsy dress that own.
I like the 60s swirly pattern & nearly bought the dress in purple, but went for green instead. Shoe wise, once again it was ballet pumps, but these have a little sparkle & always brighten an outfit. As with most of my ballet pumps they didn't cost too much - yet another New Look bargain!

Miserable Monday 14th

I have a cold and was feeling miserable so went for a slightly goth look today. I decided all was required was some purple & black, which I have plenty of in my wardrobe. Today's dress was a black mini dress which I wore with an aubergine colour jumper underneath, leggings and skull printed ballet pumps. The dress looks as though it has leather patches, but it's actually synthetic material. It looks very realistic, almost smells like leather and obviously doesn't cost half as much!
I found this in River Island a few months ago. It's not a shop I buy things from terribly often, but some seasons they have a lot of interesting & quirky clothes that people over 30 can get away with wearing! They had quite a few sixties style shift dresses recently and if I had an endless supply of money I would have bought more than one. They've also revived the 'Chelsea Girl' label, with a few retro inspired pieces that hark back to their 70s hey day. I'm just old enough to remember when Chelsea Girl turned into River Island in the late 80s, but there certainly was something rather nostalgic about seeing the Chelsea Girl label on clothes again! It was definitely a label I aspired to wear when I occasionally went in there with my mum as I wasn't old enough to go out shopping on my own. It's ironic now I go in to River Island wishing I was younger and aspiring to get away with wearing a mini dress before I'm too old!
On to the shoes: these were yet another Schuh purchase, from a funky label called Iron Fist. I wish Iron Fist had been around when I was in my teens, as they also do a great clothing range which I'm now far to old to get away with wearing! The shoes are rather worn out now, but I love them - yet another funky flat shoe find! I may be filled with cold but I can still try and disguise it by dressing well.

Sunday Sickness

Sunday wasn't a terribly chic one. After feeling ill on Saturday and 12 hours sleep Saturday night, Sunday required comfort. Comfort involved another Mela Loves bargain of a dress in a cute grey cat print with leggings & black Uggs. Not the height of style I know, but when your head wants to explode even a fashion lover like me goes for comfort over style. I also think I may be a little too old to be wearing a cat print dress, along with tops that bear motifs of cartoon characters. I think I'm still young enough to get away with band t shirts on occasion. The occasion being a gig, obviously!
I digress, however this day of comfort brings me to the Ugg debate. Are they fashionable shoes that happen to be extremely comfortable, or are they glorified slippers? I have an Australian friend who had Ugg type boots for slippers as a child. When I bought my first pair of Uggs about 6 years ago or so, she was amazed I wore them outdoors and that other people did too. "But they're slippers" she'd say. I would retort with something along the lines of "but they've got thick soles for wearing outside'. I personally love them for their warmth & comfort, and really don't think that they're the chicest boots I'll ever hope to wear. They do however serve a purpose in cold weather and that is to keep feet warm. As someone whose feet are permanently cold between November & February each winter, it's good to now have warm footwear that's acceptable to wear outdoors. I do have other boots obviously, but the Uggs have got me through several winters now, and I don't see that changing any time soon. Of course if I ever move to Australia I won't need them for winter, and I'd get mocked for wearing them anyway!
Monday I may have to face the outdoors with a cold and wear a jumper.

More Purple Saturday

Today was another purple day. I was out for the day at an event with friends so needed to wear something practical but comfy and stylishly casual. I went for this Dorothy Perkins dress with black jeans with some fabulously purple velvet trainers by Rocketdog. Unlike yesterday's 'must have' shoes, these were a stumble upon purchase from TK Maxx. I love going to TK Maxx as you can never predict what you might buy there. You can never go there with the intention of buying anything specific either, things just find you!
As with many impulse purchases, these shoes were a bargain - no more than £10 I don't think. I could write a whole blog post on how many great things I've bought for very little in TK Maxx. These include £150 boots for £20 that I still wear over 5 years after buying them.
Coming down with a cold so I think Sunday may be a focus on comfort over style.

Purple Friday

Friday the 11th was a purple one. Most people who know me know that my favourite colour is purple. As I type this on the train home I'm in a purple coat, wearing a purple hat, with my iPad taken out of it's purple case from my purple handbag. Jovember hasn't been too purple so far, but we're not halfway through yet!
The dress is a warm wooly purchase from White Stuff. It's not I shop I go to often, but found myself in there on a recent trip to Edinburgh. I was overwhelmed by the friendly service I received in the shop - they also had the most amazing changing rooms I've ever seen! Going to try something on is like going to Narnia. Basically, the changing rooms look like a room full of wardrobes but when you open them they are actually rooms. Not your average changing rooms either, but rooms like you'd find in a house. Not sure what they all are, but I tried dresses on in the 'bathroom'. It even had a toilet, though hopefully not a functioning one! I'll have to go back again some time just to see the other rooms. Anyway, I bought this lovely warm dress, and another long sleeve cream one in preparation for the winter!
The shoes are one of my many quirky ballet pump finds. I love the fact that they're purple, velvet & a bit gothy. Not only that, but they're comfy too. Theyre from a brand called Kill Doll & I stumbled across them in Office a good year or so ago. Unfortunately they didn't have my size in the shop so as soon as I was back at a computer I then went online & bought them - they were 'must have them right now' shoes. I always get compliments when I wear them and I think it proves that ballet pumps are not necessarily boring!

I Love Leopard - Thursday day 10

I love a bit of leopard print. I know it's a bit Pat Butcher and a little trashy if done on overload, but in small portions can look great. Today I wore a new cardigan from Whistles that has a nice fur leopard print collar. I paired this with a 70s style denim skirt from Monsoon and some leopard ballet pumps. I don't think that's too much leopard print.
The ballet pumps were a great bargain from Schuh, who once again know how to stock fashionable, comfy shoes that look more than they cost!

Wednesday High Street Favourites - Day 9

Today was a proper workwear day. The shift dress of the day was an Oasis number that I like to call my fake Vivenne Westwood dress! It's got a lovely grey & purple check pattern with a great cut. I think it looks quite designer, despite the fact I bought it in the sale for around £40 or less!
The shoe boots I also think look far more high end than they actually are. These were bought a year or so ago in Marks & Spencer and are pretty comfortable for the height of heel that they are. I like the suede & patent style, and these are suitable for work and going out. I really do believe that you don't have to spend too much money to look good, as long as you know where the good quality shoes & clothes are, and most importantly when the sales are on!

Tuesday Tunesday

Today was another monochrome day. If you hadn't deduced already, I like my black & white. I went for quite a plain dress & leggings with some funky boots. The dress is a fairly recent purchase from ASOS - plain black with White lace like collar & cuffs. I like a jersey dress as it can be quite smart but doesn't often need ironing.
The shoes are a bit of a favourite that I don't get to wear often enough. They only go with a dress really and look odd with a longer skirt or trousers. However they are great 60s style Red or Dead boots named 'Twiggy'.
As mentioned previously, I like flat shoes that are a little different & not boring. Read or Dead, Irregular Choice & Schuh own brand shoes always have a good selection of comfortable, but stylish footwear. Saying that, these boots did rub a little on the back of my heel, so they're not perfect!
The reason why today has it's name is because I went to a fantastic gig in the evening. A great singer called KT Tunstall. Played on her own in a fabulous venue. Certainly makes you appreciate good music.

Monday Monday - Jovember day 7

First Monday of Jovember was a casual one. Was too tired to think about what to wear so went for leggings, a casual dress and black patent & velvet brogues. Everything worn today was bought in a sale, including the cardigan.
Dress is kind of kooky for me, but just suitable for work. It came from Mela Loves in New Look, somewhere I like to go for a bargain fashion fix. This dress was in the sale, but even the full price things in New Look are at affordable prices and I've bout many a bargain dress there when similar ones have been in Topshop for 3 or 4 times the price!
The shoes are from my second favourite shoe shop, Office. I do prefer Schuh on the whole, but often Office have some great smart own-branded shoes for under £25. I got these brogues in the sale and love the fact that they're smart but girly at the same time. I also like the fact that they're part patent and part velvet, making them not too formal either. The ribbon laces really add a feminine edge to the usual brogue style whilst also being flat, comfortable and practical to wear. My mission in life is to only wear shoes that fit this criteria, as long as I can look stylist at the same time, and never be boring.

Jovember's first Sunday

So, after a lazy Saturday, Sunday involved some chores & a gig in the evening. I went for monochrome once again with another Oasis number - a dress I bought about 3 years ago. Like the Oasis jeans I had on yesterday, I liked the style of this dress so much I also bought it in purple. The purple version may also see an outing in Jovember. The dress has a lovely empire line with a ribbon tie at the front. It's a very flattering style as it's loose in the right places without being baggy or shapeless.
Shoe wise, it was an outing for another pair of ballet flats. This buckled Red or Dead pair of leather shoes have seen better days, but I will continue to wear them until my feet are worn into the ground. They are absolute classics, and I kind of wish I'd bought more than one pair at the time. Unfortunately you never know how good things are generally until it's too late!

Jovember the Fifth

Today was a very lazy day. After a late night on Friday, Saturday was a wash out, so clothing wise involved jeans, a nice jumper and some paling comfy pumps. I had to take a small excursion into my local town, but I had to stick to the rules so the jeans I wore today cannot be worn again this month. These jeans are a good few years old and are one of my favourite pairs as they are a little stretchy, high waisted, and oh so comfortable. I liked them so much that I bought two pairs. Thankfully, being Oasis jeans they were good value and I managed to get both pairs in the sale.
The jumper has been in my wardrobe for many years and has shrunk slightly since I bought it. However it's still in pretty good condition. I bought it from Sisley, I shop I don't usually go into very much, but it has certainly lasted me a good few winters and will no doubt continue to do so.
The shoes are my comfy monochrome, not quite trainers/not quite pumps. They are comfy and casual without being too plain either. Thoroughly enjoyed my lazy Saturday.

Day 4 - Don't Rain on my Parade

Today the rain meddled with my footwear plans. I had some bright green leather Mary Janes ready to go, but they would not have survived the downpours. I thought the only solution was boots, so went for a fairly recent purchase of a pair of heeled Doc Martens from Schuh. This was also the second outing in Jovember for Tara Starlet, one of my favourite places to shop online. The vintage inspired dress got me many compliments at work too. I actually didn't buy this online, but in a great place off Carnaby street called Revival Retro. I haven't been there since buying this dress as I know there'll be more things I want but can't afford to buy!

I also had a kind donation of sponsorship from Tara of Tara Starlet clothing. Her mum died very recently and was also cared for by Marie Curie nurses. I was very touched by her kindness. I will continue to wear some other Tara Starlet clothes I have, not just because one of their founders is lovely, but their clothes are too! It may be cold enough for me to wear my cape of theirs soon, which always makes me feel like a celebrity when I wear it.
I have a feeling Saturday will be a lazy day, but must stick to the Jovember rules.

Day 3 - Pinstripes

Today was a smart day with a pinstripe Oasis dress & Irregular Choice tape measure shoes. The dress I love as it's a bit Vivienne Westwood looking, plus it was the dress I wore for the first interview I had for the job I have now. Unfortunately, as it was raining this evening I had to wear trainers home.
Was told I wear a lot of black today, so think I may have to be colourful tomorrow!

Jovember the second

Well the first day of Jovember involved wearing clothes I'd had for a decent length of time that hadn't been worn in a while. Today was a day for wearing recent purchases that had not yet had an outing. I'm embarrassed to admit that the shoes worn today were a January 2011 sale purchase. They are lovely, comfortable Clarks suede Mary Janes with a slight heel. They weren't quite suitable for winter when I bought them, but they seem to have been forgotten about over the course of the year. I certainly won't neglect them again, as finding comfortable heeled shoes can be quite a task!
The dress was a recent impulse buy. A lovely sixties style royal blue shift dress with 3/4 length sleeves by Whistles. I only really bought it as I had a 20% off voucher from Grazia magazine! It's a classic flattering shape and think it went well with the shoes & grey opaque tights. I must admit I wish I could afford more things from Whistles. They seem to know how to cut clothes to flatter all shapes. Not only that, but they are comfortable and smart enough for work without being boring.
So yesterday's colour scheme was monochrome, with today's blue & purples. Am thinking tomorrow may involve black or green. Planning ahead is quite fun as it saves early morning indecisiveness!