Happy Christmas

I thought I would never get here , to Christmas, I have been so busy doing nothing.

Since I last posted I have been to London. I honestly never thought I would visit there again. But there you go sometimes things happen unexpectedly. I hope these few pictures give you the flavour of it.

We stayed in Imperial Wharf and would recommend it , after we got used to changing tube at Earl's Court.

You can stay on the train from Imperial Wharf to Shepherd's Bush where we discovered Westfield shopping centre. It made Belfast seen so tiny and inadequate - sorry Belfast - but it was a fabulous shopping centre of amazing proportions. I think I would go back just to visit it again.

 

That pink coat

I was actually convinced THAT pink coat by Marks and Spencer didn't exist ( its ok, I don't believe men have been to the moon either)

Yes I had seen it in the ad.

But it never appeared in my local ( and very large) Marks and Spencer.

Daughter 2 thoughtfully texted last week to say it was online and I put it in my basket and then dithered - yet another coat was the last thing I needed , but would I regret it. I dithered so much I missed it.

Then a few evenings ago I was picking up my daughter and as M and S has conveniently started to stay open until 10  we went for a wander around.

And there it was - 2 of them. Well I slide over and touched it. I hate trying on in full public view in store - in case something doesn't fit. Then I took the plunge - oops first one was a size 22 on a 14 hanger. Hmmm! Then I tried on the other one - right size this time.

Satisfied I walked away - yes I walked away.
Why? Firstly its definitely not my colour - I thought it wasn't and it wasn't.
And it didn't make my heart sing - mostly because it wasn't my colour.

Would you have bought it anyway - just to have it?

Jeans and jeggings

I am sure at some time everyone has had a pair of jeans or jeggings. Last year I  discovered the latter by Marks and Spencer and I can't get out of then when the weather turns colder.
Last years are more comfortable than their counterparts this year for some reason - good old Marks , make something pretty perfect then change it for the worse.

Here's how I've worn them

 

Navy jeggings M and S

Sweater H and M - this season

Shoes TRF Zara - this season

Scarf H and M old 

 

added a coat by H and M - old

 

Black jeggings M and S

Nude top - H and M old

black ankle boots - New Look - last year

scarf Primark - summer 2013

 

 

Black jeggings M and S

Sweater - grey with silver thread - H and M - old

layering t shirt - M and S - old

Brogues - Zara summer sale 2013

 

Spanish buys

These were my purchases in Zara in Majorca. For some reason it is cheaper to buy there than in the UK.

This pictures makes this handbag look like nothing but it is lovely. It is a lovely soft tan leather in a rucksack style. I did take all the straps apart to investigate whether I could use it a different way and I am not sure whether I have it together right , unfortunately its not on the website to check how it should look :(

The tan scarf is soft and really cosy for colder weather. I love Zara scarves.  I thought both these items would go with navy or black  making them more versatile.

 

And a backward glance at holidays.

 

The Superdrug store in the airport had 6 items for £6 - great little buys for any time never mind holiday. I am not handy for a Superdrug store normally. Really enjoyed picking choosing these holiday size items.

 

 

These are the only ones I have something left in

but this is what I bought

 

Palmers Cocoa Butter - all used love the smell

Dove deodorant

Listerine Mouth wash - it was this I went in to buy as I had none with me.

Superdrug's own shower gel - fabulous tangy orange.

Eye make up remover pads ( 30 in this pack)

ANd eye make up remover lotion

 

I opted for two eye things as I am a make up wipe person but really should take off eye make up properly.

 

And finally

 

Make up

 

I try to buy Number 7 from Boots when it has a free gift offer and save the little sizes for holiday

 

I took these and a few other bits with me. I tried to travel light.

 

 

 

Number 7 Tinted moisturiser - enough for not being completely barefaced in the daytime.

Number 7 day cream

Number 7 exfoliator

Number 7 black mascara

 

( all from little free sets)

 

Plus the lovely Limited Collection from Marks and Spencer lip gloss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back again

I have had a holiday, unlike some blogs I read I have not managed to show you what I packed or what I wore each day, I must be remarkably un organised!

This will give you a clue as to my whereabouts. Of course I shopped.

I will try to organise myself to show you what I bought. But not tonight!

 

A little leopard

I've been AWOL. Life gets busy.

The weather here has turned too quickly towards Autumn and I've started getting out a few winter things.

This leopard tunic I'm not sure about . It's from Next and now sold out - at least it's disappeared from the stores. I was attracted to the different colour for leopard.   The colour way is navy and tan.Here shown with Next leggings. Bare feet because  I have leopard Minx on my toes in readiness for a holiday in 10 days.. Disclaimer those are not my feet - they belong to some old lady.  I remember the first time I noticed my hands in the same way. I was  driving the car - and I looked down and there was an old lady driving the car. Now some old lady has attached her feet to my legs! I will leave this picture as small as I can - no one needs to see old lady feet!

 

Tunic - Next A/W 2013

leggings - Next  -old

 

I really should go on to talk about navy shoes but instead I'm going to talk about burgundy ones. I thought a pair would be nice to go with navy jeans.

 

My first desire was for these River Island ones. I thought they were fabulous value at £22.00.

But like some River Island shoes I have my toe hit the front making them uncomfortable and the next size too big. I was gutted. They also come in navy and black.

Next also have wine red ones in a suedette material and in a slipper shoe style. I haven't tried these ones on but I do have other Next slipper shoes which are really comfortable.  These ones are £24.00

 

 

I actually made a purchase in the end from the Zara TRF range  and put them on for a whole day the day after they arrived and I have to say they were so comfortable.

Too shiny for some but for me just that little bit different from either of the above. And a snip at £19.99

Available online - when I was in Zara the other day there was no sign of them.

 

 

 



A best buy

This has been my best buy of the summer - well not strictly a buy as I used my Boots points for it - it did eat into them. This little item costs £23.50 in real money but yes it is worth it.

It's Benefit Brow Zings. I bought the colour medium . I love it . now I won't leave hoe without it.



It comes in a little compact with two brushes and a mini pair of tweezers. One brush is for the colour and one for the wax. Personally I use another brush once I have applied the wax to neaten it off.



This is me before and after- not great pictures but it's hard taking a photo of your own eyes!



Autumn calls

All the shops start to get all the lovey Autumn stuff in now its August.
 On my current budget it's always a guessing game as to what I must buy before I miss it, what I need(!!!) and finding the look I want at the price I want to pay.
I've tried to be really good this year  but have made 3 purchases just in case I don't find them later.

I just had to have this jumper by H and M , made a similar purchase last year and got my money's worth out of it

I tried it on with grey trousers from Marks that are summer weight. just for fit. It probably could do with a vest underneath but very happy with it.

 

I'm tying to lighten up my look - too much black when you look in the wardrobe.

so number two is this coat from Marks and Spencer

 

I think I'm keeping it. It's very generously sized and makes me feel good - who says the number doesn't matter?

 

 

 

Lastly I bought this top from Next a good few weeks back , its now sold out online.

 

 

Sorry about the picture quality I will try and take one of the real thing.

 

What are you buying before you miss them?

 

 



Normal weather resumed

Our long hot spell is well and truly gone. I'm back to normal ( as normal as I ever am) So here's a selection of normal outfits for normal  summer weather.

 

Those trousers again H and M

Top New Look sale - only £5.00

Sandals Top Shop - old

 

Blouse - Marks and Spencer - sale

Trousers Marks and Spencer linen - old

Slipper shoes - Next

 

 

 

Maxi - H and M - old

Cardie- Gap outlet - old

Sandals as before

 

Top Marks and Spencer

Trousers Marks and Spencer

Sandals Marks and Spencer - old

 

 

If anyone can tell me how to clean a mirror properly please do! It is obviously not one of my skills.

 

My bargain of the week.

The advent of the Pound shop has been a godsend if you're on a limited budget , I swear every time I'm in town I won't buy anything in it but often do - would I be richer if I stayed out of it? Probably.
However occasionally something is well worth the pound spent.


This set of nail varnishes had very yummy colours. I was dubious if they would be any use but the purple turned out beautifully on my daughter's toes and I used the coral on mine. Two coats do give good coverage - which I hadn't expected.

 

 

 

 

Off we go

Last year I started a blog for woman my age, 50 plus but I got lost along the way somewhere.

The aim of this blog is to highlight clothes, makeup and other items I find suit me. 

There are lots of blogs for younger women but I have come across very few for 50plus, maybe none of us are admitting we are still interested in these things or have lost confidence to put ourselves out there

Let me say I am a very ordinary 50 year old - avoiding the word average, never wanted to be average, a bit over weight a bit grey ( really grey really - brunette ish thanks to Garnier!) my income is limited since retiring  yet I still want/ love to shop. However I always have looked for value  and my posts will reflect this.

Oh Grrrr!

I would love to say I am finding blogging easy, but it has me tearing my hair out, forgotten emails, forgotten passwords, uploading, downloading.

Anyhow here goes my first post.

I have been unimpressed by the blogs I am have been able find for women my age- I have found none,  am I looking in the wrong place - could be.

The forty something woman seems to have embraced blogging but for those of us knocking sixty - maybe the inability to remember a password has something to do with it.

My initial intention was to blog about fashion but already I have a feeling I may look at other bits and pieces as I meander through the ether.

However the recent spell of hot weather has got me thinking about what to wear when it is hot ( and in the UK this is unusual)  Some days I've dragged stuff out of the wardrobe from loooooong ago. Here is my selection for five days over the recent hot weather.

Apologies for the colour of my current template - this is another tricky one - hint or suggestions welcome.

Tee shirt Next - this season

Trousers Marks and Spencer ( 3 years ago)

Sandals Next - last year.

 

I feel I need to justify the trousers - they are comfie!

 

 

Sun dress - Tesco about 2006

Sandals Next about 2004

 

 

Sundress - Next Clearance reduced even further in the sale this year it was £6.00

Flip Flop

Abercrombie and Fitch 2009

 

 

Trousers New Look 2013

vest top - Marks and Spencer 2009

Sandals Marks and Spencer - about 2008-9

 

 

Trousers as before.

Blouse H and M - previous season.

 

These trousers have been great to the point where my daughter asked me if I was wearing them yet again after 3 days in a row.

Have just realised the bathroom mirror needs a good clear - hey ho!

 

This will give you a flavour of how well or badly I coped with the hot weather.

Thankfully it's now a little cooler making me wish it was hot again - never happy!