a town called hypocrisy..

top: topshop

anchor print shorts: oasis (gift)

initial necklace: maria allen jewellery (prize)

cardigan: primark // pumps: clothing at tesco

Today's outfit incorporates both old and new. This top, which for some reason I bought in the sale section in Topshop about six years ago, with no idea of when I would wear it. I think this may be it's third wear ever, and yet every time I put it in the 'clear-out' pile I reconsider and it ends up back on one of the shelves in the wardrobe.

And as I was panicking about what to wear with this pair of shorts which I like a lot, I figured I'd give this top another try.

I've been really lucky with giveaways recently and won this initial necklace from Maria Allen which I think is so cute, from Claire's recent week of giveaways on her blog. Thank you both! 

Then last night, when I went to Rangers, my birthday kind of continued as they decorated me a belated birthday cake in secret. I knew something odd was going on as they had been offering to wash up etc all night to keep me away from the kitchen!!

Speaking of giveaways, and birthdays for that matter, have you entered mine yet? It runs until next Tuesday!

wait a minute mr postman..

postcard print dress: new look

heart pumps: irregular choice

cardigan: new look

I can hardly believe it's Wednesday already. The next couple of weeks, for me, are going to be insanely busy. Most of it is my own fault, but there isn't enough time in the day at present.

 I've not been very good at the FBlogger challenge for the last few days. I kind of cheated on Day 28, and yesterday's was a Fotd post, which really isn't my thing at all (I think I've lost count of the number of times I've mentioned that I'm really not a make-up girl at all!). Especially recently, as my skin is a total mess, so I'm afraid I gave that one a miss. Day 30 asks for pretty hair, but I don't seem to have any of that at the moment either. All the swimming I've been doing recently (not that I've been doing as much as I should be!) has really dried it out, so I'm looking for something to condition it - recommendations would be gladly received :)

Today's outfit is one of the huge amount of clothes I was lucky enough to receive for my birthday. I love this dress, and hadn't even noticed it, but apparently it's from New Look. The postcard print is so cute and I really love the heart shaped pocket and gold buttons.

I teamed it with a pair of flat Irregular Choice pumps; I was glad of them as after a bit of umming and ahhing this morning , we decided to go and see the Olympic Torch relay through town. I'd initially not been all that bothered about watching it, but after giving it some thought I figured it's unlikely I'll get chance to see another one, so why not. We managed to get a great view as well - nice and close as they passed. Has anyone else been to see it pass? 

**birthday giveaway**

vintage heart pendant, Barry M nail polish, butterfly print cosmetic mirror

I wanted to say a little thank you to all of the lovely people who read my ramblings and leave lovely comments, so I thought what better way to do it than to spread some birthday love <3 In order to be in with a chance of winning the things in the photo, plus various other bits and pieces I add to the pile during the course of the week, all you need to do is follow the blog and leave me a comment on this post with a way to contact you (either email or twitter would be fine!). One entry each as I'm keeping things very simple. The giveaway will run for one week and a winner will be picked at 4.30pm on 5th June 2012 at random. Good luck!

it's my party and i'll cry if i want to..

dress: phase eight (birthday gift!)

heels: primark

bracelet: cutey jewellery (giveaway win)

I'm having a rather lovely birthday. Well, it's been a fairly normal day at the office, but was preceeded by an early-morning panic trip to buy icing sugar to finish the cake I was taking into work with me (as is tradition).

This beautiful Phase Eight 'Rosie' dress was one of my birthday presents from my sister - I've been admiring it for months now on the website, so was very excited to open it indeed! The bracelet was a prize; a little while back I won in Emily's giveaway. It's a Cutey charm bracelet and I was so pleased when it arrived, it's got a cute little tortoise charm on it which couldn't be more perfect. I hadn't worn it yet but decided the colours in the charms would go nicely with the dress. Thank you Emily!

I haven't got any birthday plans as such - haven't really got time for any as these next few weeks seem to be so very full, but I have put together a (very) little giveaway in honour of my birthday, which I will be posting before the end of the day!

the ace of spades..

Hopefully everyone has managed to have a nice weekend in the sun. I managed to get lots done on Saturday and then also spend a day at the seaside with my sister on Sunday which involved opening my birthday presents from her (early) and catching up on all of her news, as I don't see her often enough.

 As she's just finished Uni she went to her Summer Ball on Saturday, which had all manner of entertainment including ferris wheels and roulette tables. Which got us thinking about planning a casino trip at some point soon.

view from the Big Wheel in Beaumaris

swan print top: next (gift) // shorts: red herring // sandals: clothing at tesco

jelly baby flavour ice cream from the ice cream parlour! (I'm cheating a bit - again- and counting ice cream as my Day 28 for the FBlogger challenge. I bet it's something everyone had at the weekend, right?!)

I have to admit I've never been to an actual casino, although I've spent hours playing poker and various other casino games with friends at parties. The main topic of our planning conversation focussed on what we ought to wear, to be honest. It's alright for the men, just wear a suit and you fit right in, but I've spent most of this morning browsing for something suitable. Do you think one of these would do..?

round and round and round..

dress: oasis (via ebay)

cardigan: new look

shoes + tights: primark

I'm trying hard not to fall into a rut of wearing the same things over and over again, now that the majority of the contents of my wardrobes need a little work before they would actually fit me. I'm just finding that most of the things I put on leave me feeling really underwhelmed as they don't look how I expect them to. Part of me just wants to get rid of everything and start again, but that's not practical. For example, I would hate this dress less if it had a more defined waist, so after an alteration to the elasticated waistband it should be a bit better.

I've thought long and hard but I really can't think of a style icon, so can't really think of an answer to day 27 of the FBlogger challenge. Sorry, Selina.

a spoonful of sugar..

Day 26 of the FBLogger challenge is a 'what's in your bag?' post. I know I've done one in the past, but it's been a while, so I thought I may as well have another go.

I tend to find I switch between a few main day-to-day bags; I'll use one for a month or so and then switch to another of my larger sized ones. If I'm just popping out to the shops or something I usually use a much smaller clutch or crossover strap bag. This one is from New Look a few years ago.

Inside it lives:

• my diary, I get a new one every Xmas, this one was from Paperchase and literally if it doesn't go in this, it doesn't happen.
• tissues - given to me by mum when I went there this week 
• sunglasses
• letters I'm writing, and the ones I'm responding to
• phone
• purse, mainly full of receipts
• lip balm, mascara and eye shadow
• 4head headache rub
• 2x pens
• barcode scanner
• keys - much to the amusement of everyone I know, I keep them all on one big set, so I can't possibly lose them 

What are your essentials? 

all of the guys call her flamingo..

flamingo blouse: miss selfridge

shorts: clothing at tesco // shoes: primark

Day 25 of the FBlogger challenge already - yikes, this month is going so quickly! - and I have to post an outfit which is typically me. Well, considering a couple of years ago I wouldn't have considered wearing shorts at all, my style has definitely changed. I love this pair in particular and would say there is probably not a week goes by where I don't wear them, at least once


I rediscovered this blouse the other day; with the shorts they make me think of a kind of safari outfit. Perhaps I'm just being nostalgic and wishing for holidays!

In other news, a friend and I found this when we were camping the other week, all rusty and in the middle of the long grass. I'm wondering what it actually is, but after a lick of some gold enamel paint which I've had for ages, I'm also wondering what to use it for..

milkshake brings all the boys to the yard..

GOk, so today's heading on the FBlogger challenge really threw me, and all I could think of was the song. Which in turn lead me to think of this dress. I'm hilarious, right?

bow detail cardigan: george@asda

milkshake print dress: g21/george@asda

This dress was a total bargain a few years ago from George's G21 range at Asda. I remember shopping with my sister and seeing that there was one left, in my size and snapping it up and then being thrilled that it was about £3! I then also recall wearing it once (here in fact!) and deciding it was too short, so it's languished in the wardrobe ever since. Until Sunday.

I threw this cardigan on with it (also G21 from a similar time I think) for a quiet evening in playing Wii Lego Harry Potter at a friends' house.

Off for an endoscopy this afternoon, which I'm trying not to worry about too much. Boo.

dear catastrophe waitress..

blouse, dress : h+m

belt, heels: primark

I decided that instead of another pair of Irregular Choice, I'd go with my favourite clothes store for Day 23 of the May challenge Selina has set us..

I rarely go into town without sparing some time to have a browse in H&M. Part of it's appeal (other than the sheer range of different options between the various sections) is that it's always laid out in a kind of chaotic fashion, meaning you sort of have to search for the absolute gems!

Both the blouse and the dress are from H&M last autumn. I quite like the layered effect and this blouse lends itself to layering as it's got a rather weird dipped hemline which means the front is almost too short for wearing with anything which isn't high-waisted.

I teamed these with my trusty black primark mary janes - I would totally consider buying another pair of these as they are so versatile that I can see myself wearing them out. But then does that negate the point of the other 299 or so pairs of shoes I own?

I cinched it all in with a waist belt so that there was still some shape to the overall outfit, as the jersey fabric can be a bit clingy in the wrong places otherwise.

In other news, I went to the allotment last night and managed to get my broad beans planted. I also noticed that the onions have been eaten at by rabbits, so need to have a look into investing in some fencing. Any suggestions would be welcome..I also managed to get bitten by something numerous times, I look like I've come out in hives but I didn't even notice any mosquitoes or anything - boo. It's worth it to be out in the sun though.

talkin' about diamonds on the soles of her shoes..

I need to first of all catch up with the May FBlogger challenge; I'm not really sure what happened to the day, yesterday - all of a sudden I looked up and it was after 5pm and I was late!

Day 21 asks for your favourite brand. I think the photo of one of my kitchen cupboards sums that up.

shoe-box storage

vest, cardigan, car print skirt: primark

cat necklace: c/o Pink Turtle Trading

shoes: irregular choice

And today's challenge topic is a piece of clothing or jewellery which was a present. Onto today's outfit photos, which I really must admit I hate as I think I look quite fat in them.

The car print sirt was a present from the fabulous Alex, and I decided to wear it with some Irregular Choice heels, and a plain vest and cardigan, with a necklace I won from the lovely Vicky's recent blog giveaway, which I will post about soon.

I'm in the midst of a cold at the moment but am really enjoying the sun today; after swimming I even have plans for an early evening planting session at the allotment. Hopefully anyway.  As you can see, I have quite a lot to be planted.

                                      

get on your dancing shoes..

So for day 20 of the FBlogger challenge, which asks for shoes you love but hardly wear, I give you these KG beauties.I really love them, they remind me of party dresses as a little girl, but I'm so worried about the pale champagne colour of them that I'm a little scared to wear them.

dreams of a prince on a tall white horse..

dress: c/o Cothing at Tesco

cardi: new look // heels: primark

For today's part of the FBlogger challenge, something which instantly makes you feel great, I have to be honest. I'm really struggling to feel great at the moment. About anything to do with clothes and the way I look. And this is a post I've been meaning to write for a while, I thought it would sort of fit to explain where I'm coming from.

For as long as I can remember, I have always been unhappy with my size and shape. I know I've never (quite) tipped the scales into the "obese" section on the BMI scale, but I've always been unhappy with the way I looked. It wasn't thin. I've never been one of those effortlessly skinny girls; the ones who'd look like Kate Moss chic in a binbag. I've always been chunky thighs, love handles and a solid frame. And of course, like everyone I know, I wasn't happy with my lot. I don't know any girl who doesn't have a list of the things she wouldn't mind chamging about herself. Eye colour? Height? Chubby ankles? Boobs? There's bound to be something, which you see about yourself as not-quite-good-enough, even if nobody else would ever notice it, let alone mention it!

Mine has always been that I wanted to be skinny. I used to go to the gym every day, spend hours doing sit ups and cross-training, I've tried yoga classes, karate, step classes and even aqua aerobics (which took a great deal of effort to be honest, I'm not confident in a swimsuit, even less so when jumping around in a pool in one). Until I started swimming more often, though, I didn't see any changes to my shape at all. Those 400 lengths a week, coupled with a few hundred sit ups each morning, are finally starting to pay off.

So far, I've lost two and a half stone, and a lot of inches from the various parts I've measured. I know I have lost weight, as none of my clothes fit me in the same way that they used to. And yet, when I stand in front of the mirror, I don't see any difference to the chubby-shaped girl I hated the sight of. I've mentioned the fact that people I vaguely know find it acceptable to mention my weight-loss to me as though it had been an accident. To be fair it did start off that way.

I read this post from Nicky's blog this morning and could really relate to the first paragraph. I looked back at the pictures from my blog posts a year ago, in order to find a particular outfit, and caught myself thinking "jeez, how did I let myself wear these things when I was that size", which I know in a way are kind of stupid thoughts because at the time I was more comfortable with the way I looked. Now I don't feel comfortable in any of my clothes for a different reason; I don't like the way they hang off me in certain places. I'm gutted that I no longer seem to have any cleavage to speak of, and I detest the fact that I'm practically tattooed in a spider-web of stretch marks.

And yet, when I looked in the mirror the other day, all I could think was how round my stomach looked, when I'd been quite happy with it the previous week, and how I should therefore up the sit-ups. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that the grass isn't always greener. I thought that losing weight would be the answer to my lacking self-confidence, but in reality, it's had the polar opposite effect. Read this post, by Alex, as she's totally and completely right.


This dress, which I won last week in a Clothing at Tesco competition on Twitter, does actually fit me, which is why I've added the outfit photos to this otherwise word-vomittey post. I guess once the shopping ban is over and I buy some clothes in the correct size, my confidence will hopefully return.

i kiss your lips and i taste everyone that you've had tonight..

I must start out today's post by saying I am not, nor will I ever be, a beauty blogger. Today's FBlogger challenge calls for your brightest lipstick, which is this one from Barry M (LP62 Vibrant Pink). I put some on this morning to try and draw attention away from the fact that I have been awake almost all night and look like a total mess.

I've only worn this lipstick a couple of times and I only have this one and a red one in my meagre collection. I've said it before, but I'm really not a make up girl.

I'm feeling pretty raw and emotional today, something which upset me last night a great deal doesn't seem to be shifting, and I feel tired and painful from lack of sleep. Hopefully the weekend will be better.

and you'll be pretty happy too..

dress, cardigan: primark

floral heels: office

I found this dress the other day, I don't remember ever being particularly taken by it and so haven't worn it for years.When I found it crushed between several other dresses, once it had seen the iron, I decided I actually rather like it now. I saw my Mum and she says there's a very similar dress in Laura Ashley at the moment (bonus!).

I had a hilarious evening at Rangers after a busy but productive day at work. We made sweets, and have been asked if we wanted to have a fundraising stall at the local Jubilee fete, to which we have said yes, but now need findraising ideas, please!

For day 17 of Selina's FBlogger challenge, she wants us to share something we wear when it's sunny. I was looking for sunglasses the other day anyway (in optimistic preparation for last weekend of camping) and decided to take a photo of my collection to be used today. As you can see I go for patterned and colourful, but make sure I stick to budget pairs (h&m and primark are favourites) as I do have a tendency to lose, sit on, break and scratch them.

when you get what you want but not what you need..

top: matalan

shorts, cardigan: primark

horse print top - handmade

victoria plum print dress - handmade

I'm sort of cheating for today's FBlogger challenge, as these things aren't so much customised as made entirely by me, but I could'nt think of anything I've customised recently, unless you class putting lots of darts into things to make them come somewhere close to fitting me as customising?

I wore this outfit a week or so ago; I'd almost totally forgotten about this top but was so glad to be reminded of it. One of the things I've seen recently which I really like is the collar detail which seems to be around, on tops and dresses. I'm certainly planning to invest in a collar, or have even bookmarked some which I want to have a go at replicating - reckon I just need a glue-gun and some sequins. Another good thing about it is that it has an elasticated hem, which means that even though it's now about three sizes too big, you can't tell too much - yay!

Can't write much more as I seem to be having one of those rare hours of organisation, and I want to use the time to my advantage and finish all the paperwork I need to get sorted before guide camp in a couple of weeks!