I get a bit twitchy when a weekend's activities don't include some form of shopping. It doesn't happen often but, sadly, it can. Until this weekend I'd considered window shopping to be the least satisfying form but was proven wrong when wandering the lovely streets of Bath with somebody who had cash to spend as I save for an excessive amount of holidaying in 2010.
When that person happens to be male, you're also faced with boys clothes shops and, top of the boring tree, Millets. Honestly, I nearly nodded off in there. I get that it's purpose-driven clothing but come on, a little retail creativity wouldn't go a miss.
Anyway, with said shopping sadness well a truly behind me I can now focus my addictive attentions on London Fashion Weekend. I'm off to Somerset House on Thursday for some proper retail therapy. I may well take a break from holiday saving to satisfy any unavoidable temptations. What can a girl do?
Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Packing light. Very light...
I've written once before about my new calling as a biker chick. Baby steps thus far have seen me travel five miles for a Costa coffee on one round trip and then 20 miles for a ludicrously expensive hot chocolate on the second. My third expedition is due next weekend but it's somewhat longer than its predecessors. I'm off to Bath for the weekend and top of the worry-agenda is how on earth can two people pack adequate, non-offensive outfits into one measly rucksack. Nightmare!!
Adjectives to describe my normal packing etiquette would not include 'light'. In fact they are more likley to include synonyms of OTT, 'just in case' and ridiculous. So, what can I do? View it as a style challenge to overcome with pride is my only option besides catching the train. I'm going to go for leggings and a dress that folds very, very small. It's not helpful that, as previously mentioned in my blog, I'm six foot tall. Surely this would be an easier task for somebody more vertically challenged. Less material and all that.
Anyway, I'll be sure to update on my styleless weekend away with nothing but a rucksack that usually would house my make-up!!
Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x
Adjectives to describe my normal packing etiquette would not include 'light'. In fact they are more likley to include synonyms of OTT, 'just in case' and ridiculous. So, what can I do? View it as a style challenge to overcome with pride is my only option besides catching the train. I'm going to go for leggings and a dress that folds very, very small. It's not helpful that, as previously mentioned in my blog, I'm six foot tall. Surely this would be an easier task for somebody more vertically challenged. Less material and all that.
Anyway, I'll be sure to update on my styleless weekend away with nothing but a rucksack that usually would house my make-up!!
Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x
Monday, 8 February 2010
Monkey on My Back
Having a 'monkey on your back' is said to describe an addiction of sorts. Perhaps even a drug addiction. Well, when I use it to describe the pyjamas which I can't live without, the words take on both a metaphorical and quite literal meaning.
You see, my fluffy pink PJs have brown monkeys all over them and, frankly, they do not represent the most stylish of outfit. In fact, they represent the antithesis of style. But, I can't live without them, I really can't. I'm addicted you see.
No matter how many other pairs I eye-up admiringly in La Senza, nor how many I purchase, or have purchased for me, I can't shake the cosy, comforting familiarity that comes when I slide into my soft, worn, bobbled bedtime outfit. Bliss.
I've taken some slack for them too. They are regularly ridiculed and I fear that one day they’ll 'go missing' in some act of tomfoolery. That will be a sad day indeed. They've moved house with me...four times. They have seen many a hangover, slumber party and romantic liaison (well, I mean that in the loosest sense, seeing as they are actually beginning to act as a husband deterrent).
For somebody who takes clothes quite seriously, I am myself amazed by my choice of nightwear but, I will not apologise for them. In a world where glamour doesn’t always mean comfort, who needs lace negligees and skimpy slips? Not I! This monkey on the back is here to stay.
Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x
You see, my fluffy pink PJs have brown monkeys all over them and, frankly, they do not represent the most stylish of outfit. In fact, they represent the antithesis of style. But, I can't live without them, I really can't. I'm addicted you see.
No matter how many other pairs I eye-up admiringly in La Senza, nor how many I purchase, or have purchased for me, I can't shake the cosy, comforting familiarity that comes when I slide into my soft, worn, bobbled bedtime outfit. Bliss.
I've taken some slack for them too. They are regularly ridiculed and I fear that one day they’ll 'go missing' in some act of tomfoolery. That will be a sad day indeed. They've moved house with me...four times. They have seen many a hangover, slumber party and romantic liaison (well, I mean that in the loosest sense, seeing as they are actually beginning to act as a husband deterrent).
For somebody who takes clothes quite seriously, I am myself amazed by my choice of nightwear but, I will not apologise for them. In a world where glamour doesn’t always mean comfort, who needs lace negligees and skimpy slips? Not I! This monkey on the back is here to stay.
Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Blonde Ambition
I'm sorry. I am. To all you brunettes out there, I'm slowly, but surely moving over to the dark side...or should that be bright side.
A couple of light pieces in August has led to a progressively blonder barnet. Opinions are divided and, may I add, strong. My mum, not one to mince her words, has finally admitted that she 'hated me with dark hair'. Thanks Mum! My husband prefers the brunette look but alas, I've fallen to temptation and there's no doubt about it. It's addictive.
There are so many questions. Where's it all going to stop? How dry is my hair going to get and who in the hell's going to stop me before it's all too late and my silky brunette locks are gone forever. Well, not forever, but we've all experienced the agony of growing out roots. Only Kate Moss can make that carnage look stylish. I will just look gross.
Sitting in the hairdressers for three hours is nothing short of complete pleasure for me. Magazines galore, cups of tea on tap and friendly, funny chat. Perfect. So, with my love of hair salons apparent, it's no surprise that I end up getting excited with my changing look and asking for more each time.
Maybe 2010 is my blonde year and next year I'll go back to black....but first I've got to check out if blondes really do have more fun. I’ll let you know.
Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x
A couple of light pieces in August has led to a progressively blonder barnet. Opinions are divided and, may I add, strong. My mum, not one to mince her words, has finally admitted that she 'hated me with dark hair'. Thanks Mum! My husband prefers the brunette look but alas, I've fallen to temptation and there's no doubt about it. It's addictive.
There are so many questions. Where's it all going to stop? How dry is my hair going to get and who in the hell's going to stop me before it's all too late and my silky brunette locks are gone forever. Well, not forever, but we've all experienced the agony of growing out roots. Only Kate Moss can make that carnage look stylish. I will just look gross.
Sitting in the hairdressers for three hours is nothing short of complete pleasure for me. Magazines galore, cups of tea on tap and friendly, funny chat. Perfect. So, with my love of hair salons apparent, it's no surprise that I end up getting excited with my changing look and asking for more each time.
Maybe 2010 is my blonde year and next year I'll go back to black....but first I've got to check out if blondes really do have more fun. I’ll let you know.
Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Biker Chick (gulp!)
Now that I've finally managed to select the correct leather jacket - appropriately practical yet adequately stylish, I needed to put my 'helmet hair' fear aside and get on a moving motorbike.
Today I officially became a biker chick. True, I never thought I'd find myself perched on a bike, exposed to the elements without a safety screen or metal car shell to protect me but...I liked it.
There wasn't much scope for vanity when it came to choosing my clothes. Funny that. When it comes to life or death, one normally goes with the sensible option. So, black jeans, a woolly jumper and the biker gear were the (arguably) boring extent of it.
But let's not forget the truly stylish element of this scene. Without question, whizzing around the beautiful English countryside, with the crisp wind against my skin and noticing details of the journey that I never would in a car, was the style twist to my journey. Who knew trees were so beautiful? Well I guess I did, but my appreciation for a journey's scenery was heightened ten fold during my hour-long road trip.
Now, to the helmet hair. It was, as I'd feared, horrendous beyond compare. Dull, flat, lifeless. Cheryl Cole would've had L'Oreal advert fodder for a year if she'd caught a glimpse of me as I snuck into a coffee shop mid-journey for an excruciatingly over-priced hot beverage with my driver.
I'll have to give the hair planning a great deal more thought before my biking adventure to Paris for Valentines Day. It certainly wouldn't do to be seen in the world's fashion capital looking like I did today. I might not even get through passport control...
Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Welsh Wardrobes
Packing for my weekend trip to West Wales on Thursday , I had more than what outfits to pick on my mind. I've got a secret you see. I can't go a week without clothes shopping and I was beginning to worry about where exactly I would attend to said addiction in the absolutely beautiful, yet alarmingly shopless (virtually) Llanarth and Newquay.
My husband once told me that if I bought one more candle, cushion or photo frame he'd...well he didn't know exactly what he'd do but I could tell it wouldn't be to compliment me for my commitment to the soft furnishing industry.
So, if home wear purchasing is paused, what for my wardrobe addictions in rural Wales?
Unfazed by the lack of high street names, I pride myself on my ability to hunt out a stylish bargain in the most unlikely of stores - Newquay's Second Gear store to be precise. Last summer I picked up a John Rocha dress for twelve small pounds and this time, I nabbed a beautiful, fitted M&S Autograph black coat. A steal at £40.
Add this to a £2 heart shaped, faux-crystal broach from Aberystwyth and I'm high on life. My mood visibly picked and a euphoria oozed happily through my shopaholic veins.
An amazing meal at Aberaeron's Harbour Master topped off a wonderfully Welsh weekend for me...safe in the knowledge that my shopping fix would remain dormant until next weekend. http://www.harbour-master.com/
Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x
Sunday, 10 January 2010
sNOw Style
You can't turn on the TV or radio without hearing about the adverse weather! People are quite simply, mad for it. Everybody knows better than Michael Fish himself. Weather updates and incessant speculation are commonplace in offices across the country.
But, let's put aside the travel chaos for one moment (I beg) and consider the devastating impact said weather conditions have had on my fashion sense. The desperate situation reached a crescendo on a quick dash to the supermarket this week. I'd had leather boots on for work but, to my despair, they'd not provided the safest soles so I needed a quick change on route.
Making Bambi appear elegant, I slid into Sainsbury's, catching a quick glimpse of my reflection in the glass doors. A black dress, black tights, pink ankle socks and orange gym trainers. Good God, how had this happened?!
The snow does crazy things you see. The basic human need to be safe and warm can take over, even for the most fashion conscious among us. The consequences are somewhat horrific. Snow is glamorous on screen, beautiful in pictures and quite magical in our imagination but when it comes to my personal style, it's been on a snow break for a week....
Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x
But, let's put aside the travel chaos for one moment (I beg) and consider the devastating impact said weather conditions have had on my fashion sense. The desperate situation reached a crescendo on a quick dash to the supermarket this week. I'd had leather boots on for work but, to my despair, they'd not provided the safest soles so I needed a quick change on route.
Making Bambi appear elegant, I slid into Sainsbury's, catching a quick glimpse of my reflection in the glass doors. A black dress, black tights, pink ankle socks and orange gym trainers. Good God, how had this happened?!
The snow does crazy things you see. The basic human need to be safe and warm can take over, even for the most fashion conscious among us. The consequences are somewhat horrific. Snow is glamorous on screen, beautiful in pictures and quite magical in our imagination but when it comes to my personal style, it's been on a snow break for a week....
Style Twist - not even the most stylish person I know x
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