Sunday & Monday.

I was in Manchester on Sunday and Monday (with my bf) as I had an appointment to buy new styles for Spring/Summer 2010. The appointment was on Monday morning and it lasted about 2 hours, so the rest of the time was about spending time with my bf, shopping and relaxing.

Sunday we lounged in a coffee shop for a bit, checked into the hotel, had a look around the shops. It was a lovely day of wandering around window shopping and people watching. In the evening we headed out for Tapas dinner. It was delicious and the chilled wine that we washed it down with was equally yummy!

I do not have an outfit shot of Sunday daytime, but this is what I wore for dinner on Sunday evening.



Orange Dress - French Connection
Cardigan - Primark
Bag - Louis Vuitton
Wedges - Dune

On Monday after my appointment before heading home we wandered around in the sun, had lunch and bought a few bits and bobs!

This is what I wore on Monday.



Navy tunic - BlendShe @ i am.....
Brown Leggings - Oasis
Cami - Topshop
Leopard print ballet flats - Primark
Belt - Primark
White leather tote - Laguna London

Friday 14.08.

I have had such a busy day so far! In the last 2 days I have had about 10 boxes of new styles delivered - this is good as I love it when new stock comes in - but they take up lots of space and time.
All new styles are now all checked, priced and displayed.

Today's picture is not the best (which is a shame as I think this is a lovely look) but I did not have the time to keep snapping away at pictures! I also did have my favourite Bakers necklace on this morning but it got caught, when I was taking a box upstairs to the store room, and broke. I hate when things like that happen!

On another note, I have started suggesting to my bf that I would LOVE a tripod! Fingers crossed I get one soon!

Today's outfit is:

Skirt - Forever 21
Cami - Primark
Chiffon ruffle blouse - Forever 21
Shoes - Matalan

Wednesday 05.08.

I am back to work very motivated after my few days off. I spent some of the time getting some wheels in motion for changes to the shop! Also the warm sunny weather has returned so that is helping me smile!

I have a traders association meeting this evening so I wanted to wear something smart for that yet something comfy for work (and making dinner in between). So, I decided that my maxi dress fit the bill perfectly. Last time I just wore the dress for ultra comfort and left accessories to a minimum, but today I have added brown tones and I really like it!

Today's outfit is:

Coral Maxi dress - TK Maxx
Leopard print cardigan - Forever 21
Tan belt - Next
Sandals - Vila
Jewellery - Plume & eBay

Thursday 30.07.

I have spent the morning investigating ideas for my autumn window display. I have been doing variations of the same thing for quite a while now and I really feel the need to up my game. I think that I have found some nice window stickers that will be a good starting point!

Now if all of the amazing Autumn/Winter styles would just start arriving things would be great! I can not wait to up date my personal wardrobe with fab new styles!

I felt that is was just a bit cool to walk to work this morning wearing the dress alone, so I added the leggings, but I seem to have kept them on!!

Today's outfit is:

Dress - French Connection
Leggings - Primark
Necklace - Primark
Sandals - Matalan

Friday 19.06.

I have had a busy day so far today and it is only going to get busier! I knew in advance that I needed to be comfortable today (booking a nail appointment at 8.30am suggests a busy day ahead). As well as my early appointment I am leaving straight from work to help a friend set up a wedding and to steam the creases out of a wedding dress!

As well as all of this I had a busy morning clearing up from the sale last night and pricing and merchandising new stock. I am so looking forward to 5pm tomorrow!! On another note, after yesterday I am totally loving the look of this very simple outfit today!!

Today's outfit is:

Black cropped trousers - Vila
Black wrap t-shirt - BlendShe @ i am.....
Pink drapey cardigan - Wet Seal
Sandals - Primark
Necklace - Topshop
Charm Bracelet - Thomas Sabo

Thursday 22.01.

Today is a better day (I still hate January) it is not so dark and grey outside, it is dry (yay) and the wind is not blowing people off of their feet! All this means lots of people out window (and some even actual) shopping!

To help lift the mood even further I got a call yesterday to say that I am now an official French Connection stockist. Well I will be when the styles start to filter through as of February 1st!! This is HUGE news for me and my little shop, I am going to be stocking a well known brand and it is arriving just in time for the doom and gloom of winter to be leaving us.
I can not wait!

The trousers that I have on are new into stock and I thought it would be nice to have some more trousers to wear to work. But these are kind of hard to wear! I thought that grey tones were going to work great, but not so much! There is too much beige in the background, I will need to have a night of trying things on with these trousers.

Today's outfit is:

Hounds Tooth trousers - Vila
Black long sleeved t-shirt - Primark
Charcoal cardigan - S'nob
Turquoise pendant - Forever 21
Grey boots - Topshop

Halloween!

OK, I know that it is only the second day of October, but I will be putting the Christmas decorations up (in the shop) this time next month!

What I busy morning I have had, I had set today aside to decorate the shop and the window display for Halloween. As always happens I got all of things out of the window, got myself into the window to give it a good clean when I get a customer (I am not complaining about the customer - just the timing). So, out I get trying to clear away as much as I can. I help the customer, wrap her sale, thank her etc, etc.
I climb back up into the window to start again, this time I get a bit further with the project before a delivery man comes in with boxes that I need to sign for!!
By this point the shop is a huge mess and I really just have to try and stack the boxes out of the way and get on with what I had started.

I did eventually get there with the window and I got all of the new styles unpacked and out for sale. That is the first of the very sparkly Christmas styles in!!

I have taken pictures of my creation - a lot of them are not to great due to the reflection on the glass!

I have put masks on all of the mannequins, there is a skeleton, dracula and frankenstein!

Not a great picture due to the reflection of the glass.


My bf and I made this last night, it was great fun, very messy (there was lots of glitter and glue used) and it took us ages!!
My Pumpkin tea-light holders! I love them! I got them in the Charity shop along the street, they are brand new and were £1.99 each!

Wednesday.

I am having a bad hair day!! It looks like someone has thrown my hair at my head!
Anyway, how cute is my new t-shirt? They got delivered to the shop late yesterday afternoon, I had totally forgotten about them. I am not usually a fan of this type of thing, but I think that this is just tacky enough to be cute! I love that the (untied) bow tie is black sequins!

I have had a morning of planning and moving around. I am going to be changing my window theme tomorrow to "Halloween" I am very excited and I have been collecting lots of nice little bits and bobs. I really love having the window looking nice and unique - it is my main source of advertising and I do get complimented on how fun it is! I have already started planning this years Christmas display!

Today's outfit is:

Black skinny jeans - Primark
Waistcoat & bow tie print t-shirt - Blendshe
Flat ankle boots - Bakers


A closer picture of the sequin bow tie!

Friday.

I have not taken a picture today. The reason for this is, it is quite possibly the worst outfit I have ever worn to work (I suppose it is not that bad, but my messy hair and no make-up added into the mix makes it a bad work look).

My party went very well, lots of people turned up and celebrated with me. Lots of people also made some purchases. There was a lovely atmosphere in the shop everyone was chatting and offering advice to each other about outfits.
I did get changed out of my jeans cardigan combo of yesterday. I put on a lovely navy silk mini-dress (over leggings). I am currently selling the dress in the shop and it is from Mina. It was so comfy to wear and I got lots of nice compliments (and that always feels nice).

Unfortunately I did not get a picture of me in the dress, but I do have pictures of the dress! I love the detail in the back!




It turned out to be a late night, we went for a wind down drink after finishing up. However, I did not do the clearing up before going home!!!! (hence the bad outfit today, as there was lots of cleaning and clearing to do this morning).
Today, so far, has been pretty quiet, which is a good thing as all of the stress and excitement of the last few days has become a migraine which has kindly set up camp right above my left eye! If things stay quiet I may just treat myself to a bit of an early finish!

Thursday.

Yay - I made it!!!!! My shop is one year old today!!
Tonight is my party, I have decided to throw a little thank you evening for all of my customers. I am giving them all a gift bag filled with chocolates, money off coupons, vest tops, compact mirrors and a lovely little key-chain. I am also having champagne cocktails and a competition for a chance to win £50 and £20 to spend in the shop!

The last few days have been all go and today is just the same. I am dressed very casually today as there is still lots of moving and cleaning to be done! But I do have another outfit for this evening!

Today's outfit is:

Skinny jeans - Vila
Cream vest top - Hollister
Red & cream striped cardigan - Vila

Oh, and I decided a change in the hair department was needed to mark the occasion!!

Monday & Tuesday.

Sorry for not posting yesterday - I had an appointment with one of my suppliers in the afternoon and the morning just vanished!

MONDAY


I went for comfort as I had to drive to the appointment and the weather was yucky! I am still trying to limit my wearing leggings, so I went for my super comfy skinny jeans.

Monday's outfit was:

Skinny jeans - Vila
Black T-shirt - American Eagle
Leopard print scarf - Blendshe
Black patent jewelled ballet flats - Nine West

TUESDAY


When I was at the appointment I had all of the items that I wanted for the shop hanging on the rail. We were about to start putting the order into the computer when an assistant came through with a list of out of stock items. We went through it and found that the jumper that I have on was on the list. I was very upset (I almost had a tantrum - but I managed to keep it in!!!!) I had a lovely mental picture of wearing this on a spring day. Anyway, the lovely Karen could see my distress and gave me the sample. I never get samples as they are always tiny! This is a small (I have not been a small since I was 6 years old) I am not - it is just a very stretchy (free) jumper! So, as you can imagine I had to wear it today, then I will try to put it away until Spring!

Today's outfit is:

Skinny jeans - Vila
Cream Cami - Primark
Coral striped jumper - Blendshe
Coral suede shoes - Topshop

Saturday.

Tonight is "date night" and it my bfs turn to decide what our plans are, I have no idea what our plans are or when they are, but i do know that he is collecting me at work at 5pm. So, I decided to put my favourite dress of the moment on as I feel amazing when I wear it!

Work has been funny today, customers coming in, in fits and starts - one minute I am sitting wasting time on the Internet and the next I have 3 customers all needing my help! Anyway, it makes for a quicker day!

Today's outfit is:

Tribal print dress - Vila
Black cropped cardigan - Primark
Black patterned tights - Tesco
Black wedges - Faith
Necklaces - H&M
Acrylic bangles - eBay


I have been struggling with a wobbly hand in some of my pictures lately, but this one was really bad!! My dress does look kind of cool though!

Monday.

I had the migraine from hell yesterday, so I had an early night (and a great sleep) but I did not organise an outfit for today, so I turned to one of my trusty outfits.
Today has been another great day lots of customers willing to part with their hard earned cash (my favourite kind of customers). I have also just had a delivery of new stock, so that means much fun to be had tomorrow!

Today's outfit consists of:

Black skinny jeans - Primark
Cream with black detail top - Blendshe
Black necklace - Primark
Cream and Black ballet flats - New Look
Black jacket - Forever 21

Tuesday.

Today has been a better day weather wise and that has meant more shoppers out and about! I have had a very positive and active day.
I got up 20 minutes earlier than normal and went to the supermarket for our food that we need for the week. We have a busy week ahead so I thought I should go early morning and get the job out of the way, that way the evenings that we do have to ourselves we can do nice things and not food shopping!
It was a great time to go, the store was almost empty of customers, but full of lovely fresh food. I got everything that I needed and was back home in super quick time.

My new aim is to use this time in the mornings for more productive things, like shopping, laundry, cleaning etc. That way my free time should be free time!

Today's outfit consists of:

Black & white striped dress - S'nob
Black cardigan - Vila
White lace trimmed cami - Primark
Black necklace - Primark
Black patent jewelled ballet flats - Nine West

Monday.

Oh dear, I am so bored! It is an English bank holiday today, but unfortunately our banks have taken it too. On top of this the weather is identical to that of a winters night! I have not had one single person through the door all day - not good! However, I have decided that if the situation is still the same in one hour I am going to close early! No point staying when there are not even people out and about walking and browsing.

My weekend was quiet had a few drinks with my parents on Saturday night before they headed off to Orlando for 2 weeks holiday. Sunday was great and very relaxed. I got up early, sorted out some laundry and headed off for a walk along the beach. I stopped off at the supermarket on my way past and bought what I needed to make French Toast for breakfast.
The rest of the morning was spent doing laundry, cleaning the bathrooms and just pottering around the house.

In the afternoon my bf was helping a friend move house, so I went to meet my friend for coffee. It was great to catch up and hear all her news (she gets married next Friday). I then had a walk along the High Street popped into Boots and picked up some body lotion, I then went to Primark where I got a couple of new necklaces (including the one I have on today) and some new underwear.
The rest of the day was just spent quietly about the house reading and watching TV.

Today's outfit consists of:

Wide legged jeans - American Eagle
Brown bib detail t-shirt - Vila
Tan wedges - Dune
Turquoise glass necklace - Primark
Turquoise charm bracelet - Thomas Sabo
Silver Bracelets - Tiffany

Friday.

More new clothes for me today - well a new scarf, which I am loving! I am feeling very much like I am dressed for casual Friday in this outfit - a good feeling!
I have had a very productive day cleaning up the shop, sorting out the stock and dressing the window. I have had lots of browsers in and a handful of customers buying so all in all a good day!

I think we are heading out for drinks with friends tonight which will be fun, I am planning on adding heels to this outfit and keeping a casual look!

Today's outfit is:

Skinny jeans - Vila
Black t-shirt - American Eagle
Grey & black leopard print scarf - Blendshe
Black flip-flops - Havaianas (ebay)
Silver bracelets - Tiffany

Tuesday.

Sorry for not posting yesterday, but I was in Manchester all day - well I say all day but I was actually only in Manchester for 2 hours I spent the other 8 hours going between Glasgow and Manchester on trains!! So, I hope you can all forgive me. No outfit picture but I wore this but I added in black footless tights and my leopard print cardigan!

I am still very tired today after all of my travel yesterday so I decided to keep my look casual today (I am also to try and wear some autumn styles to help with sales!).
Today's outfit consists of:

Straight leg jeans - Vila
Grey long sleeved t-shirt - Forever 21
Grey striped cardigan - Vila
Silver ballet flats - New Look

Winter has come to i am.....

It is official!

In the last two days I have taken delivery of 17 boxes of winter styles. My feelings about this, at the moment, are very mixed! My sensible business head says "Fab, lots of time to sell all of the amazing styles".

Last year I opened when all of the winter styles were in stock and I lost so much selling time.

However, my worrier head says "Oh no, 17 boxes all at the one time, that means I have to pay for 17 boxes all at the one time!"

My beautiful shop looks like a bomb has gone off, I am slowly but surely wading my way through the boxes!

The best part of this whole episode is that I have loads of new clothes to wear - I simply have to model the new styles for my customers!

Friday.

Wow, Friday again the weeks are just flying by at the moment - or is that just me? Not been a great week work wise, the shop has been very quiet! It has not been this way for a long time, so I am taking it even harder. I am making myself feel better about it by reminding myself that our schools go back in a week, so most of my customers are buying school uniforms and school supplies. I have not particularly enjoyed the holidays, a lot of people let their children run riot in my shop, climbing on the furniture, touching things and eating and drinking (in some cases even spilling) in the shop.

I felt the need for a dress today, I think my days of bare legs are numbered, it is definitely getting colder here. Not cold but not humid in the way that it has been. I have decided to stock up on lots of coloured tights for autumn winter to brighten up black and grey basics.

Today's outfit consists of:

Patterned satin dress - Vila
Gold Grecian sandals - New Look
Cream cashmere cardigan - River Island
Black and gold necklaces - H&M

Friday.

Nearing the end of another week - I have to say it has been quite a slow one for me! We have got another busy weekend ahead of us - which as always will be fun I am sure!

I was feeling a little un-inspired this morning so I played safe! Today's outfit consists of the following:

Jeans - Vila
Floral cheese cloth blouse - Vila
White cami - Primark
Blue patent ballet flats - Primark