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!

,

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.

My Style Rules.

What are Your Style Rules?

I am sure we all have different things that are important to us and make us feel content in the way we look. For some minimal is the way to go , for others perhaps a bit more effort is required, or needed! My Grandy had style, she probably wasn't that fashionable, but style is unique and about quality, care and effort.

Here are some of mine!!

1. One statement piece of jewellery is enough for me - I usually go for a statement necklace and matching earrings and leave it at that. I don't add in a load of bangles and rings . It just becomes overpowering and messy. Less is more.

2. I tend to roughly match my jewellery in some way - I feel 'unmatched' items look messy and uncoordinated. Even if it is tied together by colour or by theme e.g pearl or silver or colour it looks more 'together'. Although personally I don't particularly like things that are an exact match.

3. A coordinated scarf finishes off an outfit well. Pick colours from your outfit and match them with your scarf or go down the colour blocking route and go for contrast.

4. Invest in a couple of really good pairs of jeans. I usually have two different styles - a skinny and a bootcut. My favourites are Jonny Q as they do a size 9 and For all Mankind.

5. Find what style suits you and return to this often. Thinking of a word or two that describes your style and using this to help pick outfits can be useful.

6. Choose items that can be dressed up or down for flexibility. Wrap dresses are a great example.

7. When shopping I always think about what items I already have in my closet and put outfits together in my mind.

8. When shopping I try to complete an outfit in my mind - and when, I can I buy the jacket, shoes and jewellery !

9.For wardrobe staples such as basic T shirts , cami tops and simple knitwear - when I find a good fit, I buy in 2 or 3 different colourways to create more outfits.

10. I colour co ordinate my wardrobe. It makes getting ready so much quicker.

11. I do splurge on good quality, expensive, stand out items in my wardrobe, and save money on the things that I don't notice the difference on.

12. An outfit can be made to look much more expensive than it is, if it put together well.

13. Be unique - don't buy and wear something because  everybody else is!

14. I sell things I don't wear on e.bay - it will give you money to spend on renewing your wardrobe.

15. Establish the rules for what works and what doesn't work for you and keep those in mind when you shop.

16. If I don't love something, I don't get it.

For cut price designer wear do join sites such as these where there are great discounts and bargains to be had.

Brandalley
cocosa
Vente- Privee
The Outnet

What are some of your style rules or are you a go with the flow kind of gal?

30 with 30 week 5

Week 3 for me!

Well I am doing great on the 'not buying anything' - although with everybody posting about the bargains to be had in the sales it is testing my resolve terribly! It is the old case of "Do I want it or do I need it!!?" I can't take too much credit for this as I have been somewhat stuck at home with children suffering from chicken pox so have not been near any decent shops for a while. The ability to go shopping will be curtailed completely from next weekend anyway as all three children break up for what I will loosely call the 'Summer' break! ( rain, rain, rain) . This is the rainy sight most of us in England are seeing daily at the moment in one setting or another.

RAIN RAIN RAIN

However , the idea of a girls weekend trip to London has been mentioned so I shall continue my ' no spend' only until then. Full stop.

The money I save can go towards fixing my camera which I managed to pull off the side and knock to the floor whilst vacuuming and now will not focus at all - gutted. So my photos today are relegated to phone or ipad - interesting . You can also tell I have still not painted the over bright wardrobe - job pending!

Another weather related confession, is swapping a couple of items out of my original 30 - my heavier denim jacket for a lighter, fitted Zara jacket, as although the rain keeps coming, the temperatures are lifting. I have also swapped my heavier For All Mankind jeans for lighter Zara jeans.

Outfit 1 - Spots and Stripes.

Zara jeans with zip at ankle

Fat face striped top

Zara jacket with blue striped lining and green edged sleeves.

Blue spotted scarf

Yellow Shoes ( now in the sale at Clarks, sold out online, but still in some stores)

Silver necklace and earrings

Rose bracelet

An attempt at a messy bun!

 

Zara is my go to store at the moment for everyday jackets that are reasonably priced ( All of these were under £40) and not too dressy for everyday wear. I think a light jacket can make a jeans and T shirt combination into an outfit. Add a scarf, some fabulous shoes and a statement bag and you are good to go! I also always have in the back of my mind when buying for every day that I am around children and my clothes need to be practical - not anything I will be concerned about spoiling. I always think simple is best - don't over clutter your outfit. If your outfit is bright, keep your jewelley classic and simple. If your outfit is plain, go for a statement item of jewellery. Everybody is different. I find if I add too much it kinda swallows me up!

These are two of my other Zara jacket faithfuls in my closet:

Outfit 2 - Colour Blocking.

Zara blue jacket

Coral top

Great Plains Skirt

White Wedges

Same jewellery as above

If you are on the look out for a jacket or blazer at the moment check a few of these out at the Zara sale:

If you want to join in with the 30 with 30 challenge see the link in my side bar or go to From My Grey Desk