and i'd rather stay here, with all the madmen..

[print via Flapper Doodle etsy shop]

It's not a big secret that I never really watch any TV. My crazy schedule tends to mean that even if I did see an episode of soemthing I liked once, I'd probably never catch it again.

What it does mean, is that I get rather into DVD box sets. Usually a long while after everyone else has finished them.

One of my most recent watches is Mad Men. I bought my Dad the s1-4 set of them for his Father's Day present earlier in the year, before borrowing them back from him to watch first. I managed to finish all four seasons in just a few weeks and am now thoroughly in love with Don Draper.

I'd love to live in the 50s. Imagine being expected to wear huge-petticoated  'Betty'-dresses for day to day life.

My main quandary though? Would I prefer to be Peggy, Betty or Joan? OK, Betty or Joan really. I am not a big fan of Peggy. I guess her work ethic is to be admired, but really? Pete Cooper? Ick.

Betty has the best wardrobe by a mile. But is maybe a bit of a brat. I'd like to think my mothering skills wouldn't end at "Go watch TV." anytime my kids were getting in the way of what I wanted to do.

So that leaves Joan? I sort of love her. She comes across as a bit of a bitch. I like that. She knows how to dress for her figure, and get what she wants. I love how she takes control when they set up base in the hotel room.

Which would you be? And isn't that the best picture ever?

i'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday..

skirt: river island // cardigan: laura ashley

coat: topshop // heels: primark

It's definitely been the start of coat season this week, as I mentioned yesterday. This is one of the ones I haven't worn all that often since buying it in the Topshop sale when I was still in college, but now that I've remembered it again I'll make more of an effort to.

Purple is another of the deep colours which I associate with autumn, colder weather, and layers. And cord always makes me think of wrapping up warm as well.

[I have no idea what is going on with my facial expression in the top photo.]

Today I'm spending my mornign bag-packing to fundraise for a Rangers' trip we have planned for next year, then heading off to meet up with some lovely blogging ladies. The perfect end to a shoddy week. I'll try to remember to take some photos.

friday favourites 023..

001: Tweed Duffle Gilet, Next £45

002: Grey Luxury Trench Coat, Next £95

003: Hobbs Double Breasted Coat, Next, £270

004: Yellow Boucle Jacket, Primark, £24

This week, the change in weather has started me thinking about coats. I like to buy a new coat every winter, it's kind of a tradition. Plus, this year I've dug out some of my old ones, and realised that I don't have a lot which fit me anymore. Something needs to be done.

My favourite ever coat was from Next, a few years back. I've worn it to death and have managed to get it covered in mud stains which just will not come out, no matter how many times the dry cleaners' have tried. Coupled with the fact that it is now at least two sizes too big for me, I think it's time to shop ladies' coats. I thought I may as well start with Next.

001: Ok, not strictly a coat as such, but this gilet was one of the first things to catch my eye. I really like the colour. Teal coloured tweed? Awesome. Yes, perhaps it's a little more casual than I would tend to plump for, but it struck me as rather practical for keeping warm whilst spending my winter weekends at the allotment. (Which I need to do a lot of, as I'd like to get some raised beds in there before next year.)

002: I've never owned a trench coat before, but this one is rather lovely and quite removed from the 'Inspector Gadget' connotations which they've previously held for me. Very much liking the collar detail and the belt. I do so like coats which have belted waists.

003: The colour was the first thing which drew my attention to this double breasted coat. Orange always makes me think of Autumn leaves, so is perfect for crisp walks through frosty leaves.

004: More of a jacket than a 'proper' coat, I haven't managed to track down this Primark boucle number yet, but am going to keep an eye out for it as I think I rather like it. What do you think? Has anyone seen it in store yet? Wondering if it's going to turn out to be a little bit too Kill Bill?

How are you going to be finishing off your winter outfits?

walk my winners out of control, out of control..

dress: phase eight // cardigan, tights, shoes: primark

hat: marks and spencer

The last few days have been awful, I don't recall ever being so stressed out and worried. Not much more to say on that really.

Here's an outfit from the weekend, a birthday party I went to (and fell asleep at due to exhaustion).
The hat is a new purchase; I saw it a couple of weeks ago and put it on my Bullring shopping list, then went to pick it up on Saturday when it turned out I couldn't fit the shopping trip in after all.

I'm making an effort to wear hats more often. After all, I am Agent Hat. (apparently).        

born in the USA..

dress: next

shoe boots: c/o SpyLoveBuy

I went for a fairly plain dress choice today, mainly because I wanted the main focus of my outfit to be something else..

Just look at how awesome these boots are!  I'm a little bit in love. SpyLoveBuy is a recent discovery of mine, but they have such a fab selection of boots at the moment; they are definitely worth a look. I love that all of the shoes on the site are so affordable, as well as being real statement pairs. Plus, they have free delivery if you spend more than £50, so all the more reason to buy a couple of pairs (and I'd find it tricky to narrow it down to just two; I've got quite the wishlist happening on there at the moment - these wedges, a pair of nude courts and these awesome dorothy style heels are all in my basket at the moment!)

These ones don't seem to be in stock any more, but you can get a slightly more chunky version here.

Which ones take your fancy? These just make my feet want to party - I think I'll be packing them to come with me to the bloggers' gathering I'm off to at the weekend!

robot wars..

bag, cardigan: h+m

dress: handmade

Quick outfit post from Saturday, I needed cheering up and was taken out for breakfast and to feed the ducks, which was quite nice. I saw this dress in my wardrobe and figured it's cheerful robot print was enough to make eben the grumpiest, under the weather person (ie. me) smile. It sort of worked. And the weather has definitely taken a turn for the worse, so I'm embracing coloured tights once again.

sunday shoes 008..

OK, so a little different to usual as these aren't a pair I bought for myself. Not even, as you can see from the photo, are they in fact a pair.

As it's been a little while since I bought myself any new shoes, I thought I'd mention the saga of some shoes I recently bought for someone else.

I went on ebay, found and won the pair I wanted, and paid for them. Job done. Simple?

Imagine how annoyed I was when this parcel finally turned up from the ebay seller, about three weeks after I'd paid for them, and I opened them to find this sight. Gaaaaah.

Two right shoes. One (on the left of the photo) was a half of the pair I'd won, at least. But the other was a different colour, size, and completely worn through on the sole. I was so confused.  

My first thought was that it may be some kind of scam. But I emailed the seller to tell them what had happened and see if they responded. I thought I might as well - I'd already missed my friend's birthday by this point anyway. 

Thankfully, after a little more concern where I waited with bated breath for the empty-handed postman one day (he did not understand why he got the glare-of-death, that day!), the left-behind shoe was reunited with it's pair and they have gone on to have a happy life together.

The reject shoe is currently on it's way back to wherever it came from.

just the way you say goodnight to me..

dress: dorothy perkins

necklace: gift (accessorize)

cardigan: george @ asda

shoes, tights: primark

Just a quick outfit post to show you an outfit for a day at work, then swimming, then to a local pub for a District meeting (where guide leaders' from the area get together to discuss the upcoming events etc).

I picked up the dress last weekend from the Dorothy Perkins sale, and was rather surprised (and pleased) when it fitted me, as it was the only one left.

The cardigan is one of those sale purchases you think are a really good idea, then get home and realise you have no idea what to wear it with. It's been sitting in my suitcase-of-cardigans for at least a few months with it's tags on, waiting for this opportunity and even so I'm not so sure about it. I thought this dress was it's perfect match, but not convinced the blue stripes go too well with the black tights.

These shoes need replacing soon, which is sad as they have lasted me so well. I've seen a lot of people complaining about Primark shoes' quality recently, but have to admit that the ones I've had seem to have done well. Granted, because they've still been good, I haven't bought any basic flats from there for a year or so; perhaps people have been having trouble with more recent pairs?

Also I've had this song in my head for over a week now. I must buy it, overplay it and then get over it, pronto.  

chasing me all over town..

dress: dorothy perkins

heels: matalan

cardigan: tu clothing

Gosh, I look particularly awful in these photos. I have been feeling pretty rotten for the past few days; tired, run down and feverish, which I am not massively happy about, but hopefully it will pass soon as I don't really have the time to be ill.

These shoes were a pair from Matalan recently, they have a few other colours as well and now seem to be half price on the website - I might go back for a black pair in that case!

I thought these would be the right colour to pick out some of the detail in the print of this dress; I still really love the cute little perfume bottles and it's acted as a reminder to me to put "find new scent" on my to-do list for the weekend. I've been wearing the same perfume for several years now and whilst I still like it, I'm coming to the end of my last bottle and wonder if it may be time for a change. I guess I may as well have a look in Boots if I pop into town at some point, now that my family seem to have stomped all over my plans for a shopping trip to the Bullring on Sunday - booo.

I guess it gives me a day to catch up with things around the house and run a few errands. I also have quite a lot of sewing to do before my next lesson, which is scheduled for next week, so perhaps avoiding the shops is a good thing, after all!

Anyone got any exciting weekend plans?

I swore I'd chase until I was dead..

dress: asos

cardigan: new look

heels: new look

After recent problems with some of the delivery companies used by ASOS (apparently) leaving parcels in a communal area (one of which I was never able to find) or requesting that I either pay £12 for a Saturday delivery or drive a 70mile round trip to my nearest depot to pick it up, (which seemed a little silly when the order was only one item worth less than £10) I decided to give their Collect+ option a try for my latest one.

I must say it was a lot easier, I got an email to say it had arrived and picked it up from the petrol station on my way past as I was refuelling anyway. Easy, and something I will definitely be doing in the future.

Not so sure about the actual dress though. When I saw it on the ASOS site I wasn't expecting it to be quite so clingy. Eek. Combined with the print, the shape really doesn't leave anything to the imagination, so I think I'll be sending it back. Via the same petrol station.

Also today is the last day I'm running my current blog sale, I'll probably clear out another new load of things next month, but I need the space. 

jelly button jewellery..

A few weeks ago now, I got home from a particularly long and stressful day at work to find this cute little parcel of awesome waiting for me in my hallway!

For anyone who hasn't come across Jelly Button Jewellery yet, it's the cutest little website, full of quirky handmade jewellery.

typewriter earrings

The talent behind the website is the lovely Michelle, who sent me this fabulous glitter bow necklace and a pair of cute little typewriter earrings. Thank you, Michelle!

I've worn the earrings a few times already and am so happy with them as they are nice and light. Although I've had my ears pierced for years, I've not worn earrings regularly for a while so have found recently that heavy pairs can irritate them. I love these, though - and there's the added bonus that they are insanely cute.

The necklace is, in my opinion, the perfect size to make just enough of a statement, but not be too big to wear for work, or more formal occasions too. I love it and would just like to say thank you very much to Michelle.

I'm currently in the process of filling my basket with the next lot of Jelly Button goodies I want to add to my dressing table. I can't decide between the sailing bow and the cat one. What do you think? I also very much want a Polly Pocket necklace!

What is your favourite piece of Jelly Button Jewellery?

polka dots and moonbeams..

top, skirt: primark

heels: primark

cardigan, hairband: h&m

Well, OK, so there aren't any moonbeams in sight. This outfit sort of reminds me of party outfits when I was little. My mother used to always dress my sister and I in similar-but-not-quite-exactly-the-same party dresses (usually velvet or taffeta) and some kind of crazy bow hair clip on our heads. My poor sister didn't have hair for a good 18months, so it always looked that little bit ridiculous on her!

Not really sure what inspired the outfit, but I guess it all kind of works together. I am so crazy tired already this week, and have something on every evening, which is a bit annoying. Preparing to get shouted at at the allotment committee meeting this evening for not having done enough. Boo.

I've still got lots available in the blog sale, have you had a look yet? 

so you don't confuse them with mountains..

dress: warehouse // necklace: local boutique

tights: primark

handbag: h+m

After the chaos of the last few weeks, I was rather relishing the prospect of a quiet weekend at home. On Saturday morning I headed into town with a list of errands, on the bicycle. Well, to be entirely honest, it needed fixing, so I actually walked it into town, seem to have fixed it, and cycled it home again.

I can't decide whether or not I'm excited by the apparent change in the seasons, or not. Ordinarily, I'm a big fan of the summer and can't get enough of sunbathing and sandals! But there's something lovely about the thought of layering up in hats and scarves for the crisp, cold mornings. And a trip around the shops in town meant that there are a few Autumn essentials on my list. All being well, I'm off to the Bullring next weekend with a friend, so I managed to refrain from buying any of them.

I also spent a large part of the weekend starting The Great Clearout. Something I've been meaning to get around to for a while, given that the majority of my clothes no longer fit me to a point where they are wearable. I plan to add them to the blog sale page here very soon, so keep an eye out.

somewhere better better better to go..

dress: h&m

cardigan: topshop // shoes: river island

Looking back at some of my old posts, coupled with looking into my overflowing wardrobe room has got me thinking about how often I wear some things.

Take this cardigan. I ummed and ahhed over it - it was from Topshop, making it expensive for a cardi. I finally took the plunge and treated myself to it around my birthday a couple of years ago.

And since then? I can't remember wearing it very often. I paired it with skinny jeans in April,  and before that I wore it with this floral dress on a couple of different occasions. That seems to be about it, though. This does seem to be fairly representative of a lot of the items in my wardrobe; I'll want them for a while and then when I finally get them, overlook them for something else.

I'd forgotten about this dress, as well. I think I bought it a few years ago, I remember it coming from h&m and that I changed the cord at the front to a ribbon as I thought it would look better. I wasn't sure if it would still fit,but tried it on and packed it into my bag to take to York a couple of weeks ago. I must try and make more of an effort to wear the things I have before being so quick to decide I "have nothing to wear" and using that as an excuse to go shopping..! Does anyone else have this problem?

all these things come back to haunt you in the dark..

shoes: primark (via new life charity outlet)

dress: H! by Henry Holland

I seem to be well and truly stuck down memory lane this week. In addition, I was asked the other day by someone if I ever wear the same outfit more than once. I do, and here's the proof - last time I wore this dress. I even wore it with the same pair of shoes.

Perhaps that means I need to think of something else to pair it with? 

friday favourites 022..

001: swan print stud wedges, Topshop, £78

002: Emse heels, Kurt Geiger, £150

This week all I seem to want (other than ludicrously expensive underwear!) is shoes. At the top of my list are these two pairs.

001: I love how these swan print wedges would fit into the wardrobe zoo. I also like the fact that they have studs, although not the ridiculously studdy ones which just look like you would kick pieces out of your feet as you walked about in them.

002: See my above point about 'friendly studs'. I love the mix of colours on these heels, as well as the height of them. They're just about simple enough for a dressed up situation, and yet quirky enough to catch my eye.. What's on your wishlist this week?

i'm so glad you have a one track mind like me..

I saw something on twitter this morning which inspired me to do a bit of a look back upon my blog posts, so I started looking back to see when I'd last worn today's skirt on here. Almost 3yrs ago, it would seem. I'm not sure it was a good idea to start looking back, though, as all it's done is made me remember how much I hate my posts from early days.

skirt: new look (via ebay)

necklace: miss selfridge

top, heels: new look

cardigan: h&m

Anyway, here's the skirt.I'm really not a fan of the shape of this cardigan anymore but I couldn't find anything else in my rush this morning which would go with the rest of the colours. If anyone's interested in the gold cardi, I'll probably put it into the blog sale page soon. Along with lots of other things I haven't quite had time to photograph yet. I seem to be in declutter mode at the moment. I think it's all the thoughts I've been having about moving.

These shoes. I hope they last forever, I really do. They're just the perfect height, shape and heel for my liking. Perhaps those folks at New Look could just make more of them, in other colours? Kthx.

At lunchtime today I popped into a pretty little furniture shop which sells all kinds of painted goodies. I've had a writing bureau sitting in my hallway for goodness knows how long, since being given it via freecycle shortly after I moved in. I've only ever got as far as sanding and whitewashing it, but I really want to finish it, and today's little outing kind of inspired me to look for some stencils and think up some designs. Ideas welcome..

is someone getting the best, the best, the best of you..

Looking down at the site from Robin Hill

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to go to Bestival, courtesy of Echo Falls who had invited a lot of bloggers to go, and one of those bloggers taking me along with her (thanks, Alex!). When we arrived, I was so amazed at how big the site was - we literally wouldn't have run out of things to see if we'd have stayed for a week.

Alex and I posing

Dressed up for the parade

On Saturday, there was a parade inkeeping with the theme of the festival, which we had been told was 'wildlife'. Although I wanted to get in on the action, I'm a bit hopeless when it comes to actually making a costume from scratch, so was very happy when the folks at a cheap and nasty costume website offered to help me out with my dilemma. They had a huge range of animal costumes, but with Alex making a ladybird costume, I decided to plump for this bee costume, in an attempt to complement her outfit.

a Bloggers' Birdhouse

Musically, we got to see lots of acts; Friendly Fires, Florence and the Machine and Stevie Wonder to name a few. I have to say, my absolute favourite was Gabrielle Aplin, who I have a total girl-crush on at the moment; she was amazing.

Gabrielle Aplin <3

All in all I had a fabulous weekend (despite the 3am wake up on Monday morning to ensure we got off the island!) and was so pleased to have the chance to spend time with some lovely people!