Monday 24.11.

A new week - Phew! Last week was very tough.

All being well I am off on my holidays to Orlando in the morning. I have not a thing looked out or prepared - I am not kidding. My sister is coming in to let me away early so that I can get organised. I am planning on travelling very, very light (that way I can buy more to bring home) so packing should not take long at all!
I am so, so excited about going to Target for a HUGE shopping trip. I have never bought clothes from there and so many of you ladies look amazing in your Target finds. I hope that I get lots that I can show you on my return.

My outfit today is:

Skinny jeans - Vila
Black vest - New Look
Black & white t-shirt - Vero moda
Black cardigan - Vila
Red ballet flats - Tod's

Last week.

I am sorry that I have not posted for such a long time. Last week was not a nice one - there was lots of things going on at home and blogging just did not seem right......
However, I did take pictures most days last week so I will share them now.

TUESDAY
Grey knitted tunic/dress - H&M
Black leggings - Vila
Grey vest top - Tesco
Black riding boots - Bakers
Leopard print scarf - Blendshe

WEDNESDAY
Black & grey polka dot dress - Blendshe
Black leggings - Forever 21
Grey cropped cardigan - New Look
Black boots - Nine West

THURSDAY
Plum satin dress - Max C
Black patterned tights - Tesco
Black cropped cardigan - Primark
Black patent shoes - Christian Louboutins

I was not in the shop on Friday and I did not manage to take a picture on Saturday (and can not remember what I wore now).

I am (fingers crossed) heading off to Orlando for 8 days, in the morning so today is my last day in the shop for a while. I should be using the time well - you know getting organised leaving lists for my sister etc, etc. But as usual I have found other less important things that I would rather do!

Monday 17.11.

Not a great weekend but hey ho. It is a new week with lots to get organised and lots to be done!
It is my half day today, I have no plans - there is lots that I could be doing in the house but I have the feeling that I will probably not bother! I also really have to go to the supermarket and stock up on proper food (I have eaten total rubbish all weekend! Not good).

It is miserable today - horrible drizzly rain, very much a day for indoors! However, I think that I will get all wrapped up and head out for a walk along the beach. I feel a bit blah and hope that some fresh air will help clear my head and lift my mood?!

Today's outfit is:

Skinny jeans - Vila
Khaki cami (not seen) - Topshop
Beige knitted tunic - Topshop
Scarf - Forever 21
Leopard print ballet flats - Primark

Saturday 15.11.

I did not win - I am not going to New York (well not any time soon!!). I had been practising my little dance and scream that I would do when I won and everything.........

Had a great night last night chatting, dancing and drinking cocktails. The venue was packed (uncomfortably so) but there was a nice buzz. I had a huge buzz on as there were 8 lovely ladies wearing outfits that they had got from my shop! I can not really explain the feeling in any way other than amazing! It was also so nice to be noticed as the girl that has the fab shop too!!!

I am tired and stressed today, I am totally wishing that this day was just over (I hate wishing my life away). I snoozed and snoozed and snoozed the alarm this morning I then skipped breakfast (only having a cup of tea) and I have eaten total crap all day so far! Not good times.
I plan tonight to get home quickly change into yoga pants and a t-shirt, have an hour of doing chores, have dinner then have a trial run at making mince pies!! This will all be followed by an early night and hopefully a good sleep.
I have no plans for Sunday - really not at all sure what is in store for us!

Today's outfit is:

Navy dress - Mina UK
Black leggings - Vila
Cami (not seen) - Primark
Silver necklace - Tiffany
Shoes - Nine West

A picture of us girls last night!

Friday 14.11.

The dress I have on today is a new addition to my wardrobe. It was not meant to be there but a customer returned it last week (for store credit) saying that it did not suit the event that she was going to. I did not notice until after she was away that there is glittery lip gloss on a few places!! So, I thought about selling it at half price if someone was willing to take the time to get the glittery goo off of the various places, but then I thought what the heck, I will just take it home.

I am glad that I did - I love this look today. Unfortunately the goo has left greasy stains (they are not huge) I really would have to point them out (which I will not be doing).
My hair is not great today - I did not sleep well last night and then over slept and did not have time to wash and style it.

Tonight I am off to a Sex and the City event at a local venue, I am looking forward to spending some time out with friends and my sister. Oh and there is a competition to win a trip to New York!!!!! Wish me luck.

Today's outfit is:

Grey and purple dress - Mina UK
Purple tights - SkunkFunk
Pewter heels - Nine West

A close up of the purple detail on my dress!


My new sunglasses that arrived this morning!

The window project - Update.

So, I stayed late in the shop, with my mum, last night and got all of the bits done that required 2 people. We worked for about an hour then went and had a lovely dinner. We then did about another 40 minutes, got clear up and went home.

This morning I have been working at all of the little fiddly time consuming bits - and I have to say that I am, so far, very happy with the result.
The following pictures are all of the interior of the shop - I will try to get a picture from the outside in when it gets dark in a bit.

Snow flakes hanging over candy cane ribbon wrapped barrier! Also star fairy lights.

Candy cane ribbon bows trimming some display shelves.

The inside shot of the window.

A closer shot of the hanging decorations.

View from the door into the shop.
Hanging decorations over the counter.

Close up of what is hanging from the ceiling. The disco balls are bouncing light about like mad - it looks fab!

Cute little glittery stars.
TA DAH!!

Thursday 13.11.

I have not worn this dress for a while and I am loving it today!

Today's outfit is:

Grey & black striped dress - Forever 21
Black long sleeved t-shirt - Primark
Black leggings - Primark
Black riding boots - Bakers
Black, silver & purple necklace - Bakers

The window project.

It is time to get the Christmas display window in the shop done. I am actually one of the later shops in the street.
So this week I have been getting all of my preparations done. This evening my mum is coming by after she finishes work, we are going to get cracking on hanging the decorations that require 2 people. I am then going to treat her to dinner along the street to thank her.

I am going for a nice classy theme I just want it to look like sparkling winter!! So the colours are white, silver and turquoise. I am having a snow/icicle hanging banner and then snow drifts (white tulle) around the mannequins.

I have made the icicle banners myself from dressmakers wadding. I cut out the shapes and lengths that I wanted and then stitched on sequins to add the sparkle.
Here is what I have achieved so far, I will post further pictures of the end result (when I get to that point).

The cut out shape.


The cut out shape with the sequins added.


A close up of the detailing (my very own handi-work).

Why......

Do some people feel the need to
1 be rude to/about others and
2 form such quick and nasty opinions??

Things with me are still rubbish, I feel a little better about things than I did yesterday but not much. I made an effort with my clothing, hair and make up today so that is a start. But I am not really in the mood to be ultra cheerful (verging on over the top) or to convince people that they look great in that top/dress/coat (when they know that they do anyway). I am still greeting every person that enter my shop and offering help.

Why then did a nasty little (older) woman feel the need to discuss me, my outfit and my "bad attitude" (her words) at the top of her voice in my shop when I was standing right there. There was just no need. Add to this tears over my ruined lunch!

I went for ease (some would say laziness) this morning and threw some instant noodles into my work bag. So, at around 1.15pm after a very quiet morning I decided to boil the kettle and get my noodles going! I had just given them a stir at the half way to ready point when a customer walks in......
Now this is good news, but she wanted suggestions on what I had that would suit her, she wanted me to hand select items for her to try on and she wanted lots of options. I gave myself a shake and got right into (even feeling a little better for doing so) she took 2 items thanked me so much for all of my help and said that she was going to tell everyone about my fab service.

As this customer was leaving another entered she had a slow browse and left. I picked up my noodles took a mouthful and began to cry! They were cold slimy and disgusting!

I am now going to give myself another shake and get on with my preparations for my window display.

Wednesday 12.11.

All is not good. Got some very bad and sad news last night and it has thrown, all up coming plans, into the air.
I was not going to post today but I decided against it. I do however apologise for the awful outfit that seriously lacks effort.

I had to get up early this morning and head across town to my parents to collect some supplies for my window display. I feel so rubbish that I was seriously considering just staying in my yoga pants and hoodie all day.
So, the reason that I took my picture and posted was because I had actually looked out clothes and got dressed this morning!

Today's outfit (I use the term loosely) is:

Jeans - Asos (plus point these did not fit me for a few months and do again)
Black long sleeved t-shirt - Primark
Mustard cardigan - Primark
Boots - Ugg

Tuesday 11.11.

Winter is most definitely here - I have had to dig out my hooded coat for the walk to work. I had to give in and be practical not fashionable! I have pictured the coat to show the "look" and I apologise that it does not go with the rest of the outfit!! As well as the coat not going with the look, I left my other shoes sitting in the hall at home so I have had my flats on all day!

I have had my thinking cap on and I think I have come up with my idea for my festive window display. I am very excited about it. My mum got me some of the supplies that I need and she is going home to look through the sewing box for sequins etc for me!

Today's outfit is:

Black knitted dress - H&M
Black cami (not seen) - Primark
Teal chiffon scarf - Tie Rack
Teal tights - Primark
Black patent jewelled ballet flats - Nine West
Brown hooded coat - Diesel

Good Deal!

A few months ago I mentioned that my bf and I were going to London for the weekend - we never managed to go due to work and personal stuff that was going. We left it at that as we had/have our Florida trip to look forward to.

However, I got a call this morning from one of my brand agents and he said that I should be heading to see him soon.
I explained that I have my time off etc and I was not sure when I would manage. He called me back a bit later to say he has the collection until 16th December and was there anyway that I would manage? I checked with my mum and she can look after the shop so I am going.

I was all set to get my train ticket booked when I had an idea!! My bf and I could go down the day before my appointment and have a very mini "mini-break". I put the idea to him and he loved it. So, we are all booked. We go on the Sunday morning (10.30am train) and return on the Monday night (5.15pm train) and we are staying overnight in the Travel Lodge!

I am now looking for a nice restaurant to get it booked up for dinner and a nice bar for cocktails afterwards. Fingers crossed the plan stays put this time!

Monday 10.11.

A new week and a good start so far. I have had a nice busy morning with lots of people getting ready for the party season!
I think that towards the end of this week I will get the shop Christmas decorations looked out and start planning the window display.

The holiday count down has now begun, 15 days!! I am very excited and very ready for a break in the sun. My bf is away working from Wednesday of this week until some point on Saturday night, so I think that we may use Sunday to get the bags etc looked out.
Other than that this week is pretty quiet (just the way I like it) so I hope to get my cards finished and hopefully start playing around with my jewellery kit (it is not here yet, I am hoping that it will arrive tomorrow).

Today's outfit is:

Skinny jeans - Vila
Cream long sleeved t-shirt - Topshop
Cream and orange cardigan - Vila
Cowboy boots - Topshop
Orange scarf - eBay

The weekend.

We had our Bonfire BBQ/party on Saturday night and it was a fabulous night. It began at 6.30pm and the last of the party goers left at 2am. It was just great to have our house full of our family and friends - what made it better was the way that everyone mingled with each other, all of the kids kept themselves entertained and most of all everyone felt comfortable enough to help themselves to food and drinks.

We set off fireworks and had a mini bonfire (in the chimnea) but unfortunately we had to call off the bbq part of the evening as the rain just did not let up. Our bonfire did not last very long either!!
Thankfully my dad was super organised and had brought his waterproof trousers and jacket so he was kept dry while setting off the fireworks. The weather meant that there were only a handful of us that were brave enough to watch outside, the rest stayed warm and dry and watched from the window.

Yesterday I had the last of the clearing up to do, we then headed out to meet my bf's family for lunch. Unfortunately my bf's mum was taken into hospital, suffering chest pains, yesterday morning. The pains were not heart related, but the doctor did not know what it was, so they opted to keep her in overnight and have her see a specialist today.

The rest of the day was spent in the house doing not very much, just keeping warm and dry. We then finished off all of the leftover food and treats, before heading to bed early.

I did not manage to get many pictures of the evening but here are some of the fireworks and of the 3 kids watching from the window (l-r my god-daughter, bf's nephew & a friends daughter).

Saturday 08.11.

I am very casual today, I like to try and be a bit more dressed up on Saturday as it is usually my busiest day. But, I am finishing a little early today and I have a bit of running around to do in preparation for this evening!

I have not worn this top to work before (it stays in my away from work bundle) but I have started to look out things that I want to get ready for packing, and it was just too handy this morning.

My outfit is:

Skinny jeans - Vila
Black and white stripe top - River Island
Red ballet flats - Tod's
Necklace - Primark

Friday 07.11.

I still have "Lego" hair, but not quite to the extent that I had it yesterday. I wish it was like real "Lego" hair and I could just take it off for the day........

I have got so much to do this evening in preparation for tomorrow. I have a pot of Chilli to make, toffee apple muffins to bake, the house to clean (why is it that you feel the need to clean before a party, where you always end up having to scrub your house from top to bottom afterwards???) and all of the food drinks to get. I have my list done for the supermarket and I am just about to do one for getting all the food prepared - hopefully this will help things run smoothly.

Today's outfit is:

Tribal print dress - Vila
Black cropped cardigan - Primark
Grey tights - Primark
Necklace - Primark

Getting Craftier.

I have decided to try my hand at making some (very) basic jewellery, I have just bought a 600 piece started kit from eBay for £5.00. I know that the quality may not be very good but I need to start somewhere and this kit looks like it will do the job perfectly.

I have really gotten into jewellery in the last 18 months. So much so that I no longer see a plain black t-shirt, I see a blank canvas to introduce colour through a necklace! I would love to wear something that I had made.

I also really hope to be able to give my mum and sisters a little something that I have crafted at Christmas time. I love personal gifts that have greater thought value than cost!

I now just have to wait for the kit to get here - I will let you know how I am getting on when it gets here!

Thursday 06.11.

I am having such a bad hair day!! I have "Lego" hair!! Thankfully I am getting it cut tomorrow night (draw back to having short styled hair, it needs cut more often to keep the shape and style).

I mentioned that I had a delivery from Mina UK earlier on in the week and today I am wearing the style that I chose for my own wardrobe!! It is very, very comfy, cute (well I think), I love the mustard shade too. But most of all I love the cute twisted neckline!

I am hoping to get out walking again this evening as the weekend is pretty full of organising for our party and then having the party (where I will eat and drink lots of things that I should not) so I want to get as much exercise in before hand as I can!

Today's outfit is:

Mustard tunic - Mina UK
Brown leggings - Oasis
khaki cami (not seen) - Topshop
Cowboy boots - Topshop
Cream cardigan - River Island
Wooden bead jewellery - Plume

Wednesday 05.11.

My friend and I walked 3.5 miles last night (in the cold) and my poor legs are very tired today - but I am walking again this evening. I really enjoy getting out and getting some fresh air and having a chat with my friends (I would not see them as often if we did not do this).

Although it is still cold today I have ditched the jeans in favour of my favorite skirt and a new jumper. Even though I am tired I feels so much better than I have been lately, just because I love the clothes that I am wearing. I do think that it always helps when you have something new on!

I have my god-daughter to collect from nursery at 5.30pm and I am then going to start getting supplies for my Fireworks/Bonfire BBQ at the weekend! I am very much looking forward to it. We have not had a large group of friends round for a while and it should be a great night. The only worry that I have at the moment is the weather. The long range weather is predicting rain - but there is still plenty of time for that to change!

Today's outfit is:

Patterned skirt - French Connection
Coral V-neck jumper - Blendshe (sample from S/S 09)
Black cardigan - Vila
black patterned tights - Tesco
Black wedges - Faith

I think I preferred this look with the black top (the way I wore it last time) but I do love my new coral jumper (love it even more as it is a small!!!).

Getting crafty!!

I do not want to get into the depressing topic that is the "Credit Crunch" but I have been getting back into making things! I used to be very crafty (making things - not sly) but a few years ago lots of things were going on and I lost interest.

I have been talking with family recently and some of us have decided to not give each and every one of us Christmas gifts (on my bf's side we are keeping it to parents and the kids). I still like the feeling of giving gifts so I have decided to make what I give. I have been thinking about it and it will mainly be nice Christmassy cookies and cakes! But I have also decided to make our Christmas cards this year.

I feel that it will save a bit of money and make them that bit more special (to me anyway). I sourced all the bits that I wanted from eBay and have made a start. I have to say that I am very happy with the results so far!

What do you think??





I still have to add the raised "Merry Christmas" banners and stamp the inside greetings.

Tuesday 04.11.

I am not feeling this outfit today - I kind of think it is because I was so happy with yesterday's look! I had to go for layering today as it is so cold (39!!) but it has also turned very damp which makes it seem even colder than it is.

I got a delivery of new Mina UK stock this morning and I am so, so pleased with it. I think I may be adding a few pieces to my work wardrobe!

The friend that I was going to visit last night cancelled on me - so I am heading there this evening after my walk. I think I may put the outfit that I had on yesterday - I felt so nice and autumnal in it!

Today's outfit is:

Skinny jeans - Vila
Cami (not seen) - Primark
Cream V-neck sweater - Primark
Striped cardigan - Vila
Red ballet flats - Tod's
Long cream scarf - Tesco
I also have my suede jacket!

Monday 03.11.

Aahh, in one hours time I will be finished work for the day and heading home (well after a few errands). My bf is away working all of this week, but this afternoon is the only real "free time" that I have. We are having a bonfire BBQ over the weekend, so I have lots to do and prepare between now and then!

This afternoon I am taking my sister to the garage where her car is to be fixed after an accident, I am then heading to a friends home to catch up over coffee (well tea in my case) I also have to post eBay items and do my food shopping. My aim is to have all of the above done before 3.30pm so that I can have a few nice hours to myself before heading out this evening to visit another friend! I get the feeling that I may have a more relaxing day if I stayed here?!

Saturday afternoon we headed to a Halloween party, we ended up being there for about 12 hours - it was such a lot of fun. I did not get a picture of me in my full costume (witch - original I know, I was working and had to go straight to the party so I went for the easy option) but this one was taken towards the end of the night!


Sunday was a lovely quiet day at home enjoying the lovely bright sunny (but cold) winters day. Other than doing some laundry (and getting out on the washing line to dry for the first time in weeks) we went a walk along the beach and really did nothing else!

Today's outfit is:

Skinny Jeans - Vila
White t-shirt - unknown brand
Cable knit hooded jumper - Hollister
Suede jacket - River Island
Leopard print beret - Oasis
Brown flat boots - Faith

Apologies!

I am so sorry about my lack of posting last week. I mentioned at the start of last week that I was not feeling too great, I did not really start to pick up until Saturday ( I really did not feel like posting before then) and then I was too busy to squeeze a post in before the weekend!

I am hoping that I will so a much better job of things this week!