Outfits

That didn't cost the Earth

As promised when I did my Charity Shop post a while back, here are a few of the items I have had most wear out of, in some outfit pictures.

 I still feel slightly sheepish about putting photos up of myself, but I know I love seeing what  normal, everyday women wear so I'm hoping you feel the same.

 I don't see very tall, vey slim  people walking along the street with flawless, wrinkle free skin and the most perfect hair....ever. I like to see the things I am considering buying on real women with different beautiful looks! I love finding new items of clothes and beauty products modelled by stunning real women. I got the coated jeggings after seeing them on Kat at Does My Bum Look 40 in This and  the L'oreal Hair Oil that has changed my life as recommended by Jenny at Beauty and the Biryani . I am hankering after the Boots from Gap that Susie So So wears so perfectly and I love the way The Small Fabric of My Life puts capsules together . These are my fashion and beauty idols.... check them out!

 I also have no idea how to pose...actually it's the same in each picture and I've realised what I think is a smile is actually a silly smirk. No wonder I get the wrong reaction from people sometimes. I am practising smiling without looking gormless. Oh and I am debuting my new darker hair colour - a caramel brown, albeit very windswept! I'm no model I know - I've earned my wrinkles though years of laughter and pain and I'm kind of fond of them because of it. However many tummy crunches I do, that last bit of jelly belly will not disappear, but it reminds me of those wonderful pregnancy years and the great kids I have been blessed with. Does it really matter? I can still fit in my wedding dress. Thats an achievement I'm proud of after 3 kids!!!

Some of these items are thrifted from Charity stores, some were gifts and some were purchases in sales or with money off somehow. I have realised that I rarely buy anything full price! I love all the codes and vouchers you can find. Never order anything without checking for them first . Style at Any Age does regular posts with them all listed - superb! See my previous post here on my Charity bargains.

H and M skirt (Thrifted)

Toast Skirt (Thrifted)

Russel and Bromley Tan Boots

Fly Wedges 2010

Faith Boots (Thrifted) 

River Island Leather Belt (Thrifted)

Primark scarf

Just back from the school run!

Tucked in!

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Love these boots - Xmas pressie 2010

I think one of my favourite items of clothing this winter is this little grey skirt from H&M. I got this from the local Hospicare for £4.00 . Such a bargain! It goes with anything, can be smart or casual. I've even worn it over leggings. It is so well made and is lined so hangs beautifully. Best £4.00 I've spent this year! 

What item do you have in your winter wardrobe that you couldn't do without?

Linking up with Not Dead Yet Style.

Wednesday Beauty Buys

I have a couple of products that I have tried over the last few weeks that I have not used before, but liked the look of. I like products that don't take themselves too seriously and don't cost the earth so you are free to try them out at not too much cost. They were all from the Soap and Glory range that I got from Boots at a 3 for 2 offer . The first two were a couple of body scrubs/polishes and the third a wrinkle filler ( oh yeah). 

The first is Sugar Crush Body Scrub with smashed brown sugar and sweet lime, almond oil and macadamia grains. This has almost a sticky texture to it, but leaves a lovely moisturised residue . Out of the two, this is a thicker scrub, but I found it gentler on the skin and just as effective.

Sugar Crush Body Scrub

The second is Flake Away with skin smoothing sea salt, grapeseed, and almond oils . It is described as a shea butter, sugar and peach sea powder spa powder polish. This could be used as a polish after Sugar Crush to give a really smooth finish or on it's own. This was definitely the harsher of the two scrubs in  my opinion , but I found something quite self righteous about the feel of those tiny grains rubbing away at those rough areas of skin! Also less of a residue in my opinion. Both scrubs/polishes leave your skin delightfully smooth - worth every penny, especially at the current deal.

Flake Away

The third item is an instant facial line filler called The Full Monty. This is applied to give a reduced look to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and says ( very much tongue in cheek)"features virtual retouching technology!" However, it does smooth out the skin around the eyes in particular and having reached an age where I am ticking that particular box ( see my post Beyond the tick in the box ) that is rather attractive. I did like this product and found it worked , although the temptation is to use too much in which case the small pot will not last long.....

The Full Monty- dab on instant wrinkle filler.

Enjoy!

Bags or Boots Girl?

Ok , so I am totally open about the fact that I am a bagaholic. I even have a board dedicated to it on my Pinterest ! I love bags. Leather bags, canvas bags, clutch bags, one off bags, children's bags ( yes I love the Cath Kidston Children's range ) beach bags, the list goes on. However, once I find a bag I love I am pretty faithful to that bag .....until it loses it's appeal and then off to e.bay it goes to fund the next purchase! I am a bit of a winter bag/summer bag swap around person so at the moment here are the two bags I am between. The first is a gorgeous karen Millen metallic tote that I got new off e.bay for the bargain price of £30  ( would have been about £150  in the store). I have been using this most the winter and it goes with anything. The second was a birthday present last summer from my husband and is a Russell and Bromley cream stunner - I love this bag! I have just got this out ready for the heatwave that is coming ( it is isn't it??!!)

Karen Millen Bag

Russell and Bromley

You cannot buy Russell and Bromley online yet from their official store, but they are launching in Autumn 2012 - dangerous news!