Tuesday 08.02.11

I had a slightly different outfit planned for to day, but when I put it together is was not quite right! I then remembered about my trusty leopard print cardigan and thought "Ah ha" and the day was saved!
Next time I wear this I think I may try my brown, heeled, knee high boots with it as I think they could work well with this look! I did not have time to dig them out from under the bed this morning!

I have been feeling a bit blah lately what with a poorly baby, lack of sleep, it being January, it being cold and wet etc - you get the picture!! But last night I decided that enough was enough and I gave myself a face scrub (deep clean) and mask and a mini pedi!! What a difference those two little things made. I feel a bit brighter and like my skin (although still being a bit teenage) is better! So this evening I am going to apply a bit of tan - I love the way that my skin is in Summer, so I am going to re-create it!

Today's outfit is:

Black dress - Vila
Tights - Primark
Cardigan - Forever 21
Shoes - Faith

This weekend turned out to be a great one! Orla started to pick up and actually get better and my family got together for my mums long service award dinner! She has been with her employer 25 years! The meal was lovely and afterwards we went back to my parents house for some wine, nibbles (not that we needed them) and some Just Dance on the Wii! It was great!

Here is a picture of Orla and I at the dinner! No full outfit shot, sorry!

Saturday 05.02.11

Thank goodness that January is over!!

However, February so far SUCKS!!!
This last week has been my toughest week as a mummy. Orla has a diarrhoea and vomiting bug and it has been hard going! We are very lucky that she is (normally) a healthy little baby. She was not sicky as a newborn so this has come as a huge shock to us! She has been a poor little thing and very clingy and today is first that I have been out in almost a week - I was almost running out the door this morning.

The washing machine and I have been in talks and as of Monday we are both going in strike! I have a new respect for my washing machine (that I regularly mock/bash/slag off etc for being old and not the fancy one that I would like) it has coped so well with the constant washing and nothing has been left stained - not even nappies!!

Anyway, enough of that. This is the first day that I have worked this week due to Little Miss being sick, I am tired and I am un-inspired but a deal is a deal so here I am. I am so glad that I am sticking to my deal. So, you have to excuse the hair, make up and general casual look!

Today's outfit is:

Jeans - Old Navy
Top - Forever 21
Cardigan - J.Crew
Scarf - Next
Shoes - Topshop

Saturday 29.01.11

I am in an awful mood today - I have had a rough few days and a clingy baby and sick puppy have not helped matters. It took me a while to get around to taking some pictures today and the ones that I have are not great - so I am sorry. However, a few hours ago I was not going to post as I was such a grump. But I made a deal (with myself) that I would blog when at work so here I am.

I am very sorry that I have the same trousers on again today. I love them very much and it is so nice to have a casual trouser that is not jeans. But I know that seeing them same things when I am only posting a few times a week is boring! I will try and do better!

We are all set to have a quiet weekend, no plans this evening other than watching "The Time Travellers Wife" and perhaps having a glass of wine. Not much planned for Sunday either, some food shopping as usual but not much else. Well I do have a craft project that I would like to get started but we shall see.

Have a lovely weekend - whatever you are up to.

Today's outfit is:

Skinny Cargo jeans - Vila @ i am.....
Cami - Primark
Blouse - Charlotte Russe
Cardigan - Abercrombie and Fitch
Shoes - Charlotte Russe

Tuesday 25.01.11

Today is Burns Night today (does not make a lot of sense but hey) and I am wearing a tartan blouse and it was not even meant!! I am wearing this blouse as I finally got to the bottom of my ironing basket at the weekend and this baby was in there! This was one of the difficult items that has not seen the light of day for about 2 years!! THE SHAME!!

I have to say that I am loving this look today! I just love how it all sort of came together without me having to try! The trousers are so fabulous and comfy and they are such a nice change from jeans! The blouse - well it is like it is new it has been so long since I wore it! And the cardigan is so cozy and comfy yet pull it all together!

Today's outfit is:

Skinny Cargo Jeans - Vila @ i am.....
Blouse - Gap
Cardigan - Republic
Boots - Faith

Saturday 22.01.11

After my bust start to the week I have had 3 lovely days at home with my girl. It has been lovely we have not used the car we have pretty much stayed around the house other than to walk the dog. And yesterday we met some friends and had a walk, coffee and a baby play date.

Back to the grind today, it has been a funny day today. The weather is very damp and foggy, so there have not been lots and lots of people about, but it has still been a quick day. This morning was spent picturing and listing new styles to the site.

I just love the dress that I have on today - so I am sorry if you guys get bored to death with seeing me wear it! I went for black with it this time for a slight change!

Today's outfit is:

Dress - Vila @ i am.....
Tights - SkunkFunk
Scarf - Vila
Shoes Christian Louboutin
Necklace - Gift

Monday 17.01.11

I have kept my look simple today as I am tired and this morning was a bit of a rush. But black and cream is classic and I love this cardigan!

I am off to London in the morning to see about a possible new range for the shop, so the next few days will be hectic with flying up and back in the same day and trying to keep Orla in her normal routine! But I will be back posting at the weekend.

Today's look is:

Jeans - Primark
T-shirt - Primark
Cardigan - French Connection
Scarf - Forever 21
Shoes - New Look

Saturday 15.01.11

First of all I want to apologise for the quality of the pictures on the blog at the moment. I am by no way a good photographer and I working with pretty bad light in the shop at the moment. I am however, not letting this put me off my blogging!

I am in the shop for a few hours this morning and then I am off to collect a birthday cake from the bakers and go home and get the house ready for a 30th birthday party (I mean drinks - I have been told it has not be like a kids party).

I went for comfort today as I have lots to do and do not plan on getting changed until the party. I love this jumper but I am not too sure about it with the grey leggings - I think it may be a bit too much grey! These leggings are the most comfortable pair that I have ever owned and they are fabulous quality. I got them in Banana Republic after Thanksgiving for $10.

Today's outfit is:

Jumper - French Connection
Leggings - Banana Republic
Boots - Target

Wednesday 12.01.11

Happy 30th Birthday to my other half, N!

It is a bit rubbish that I have to work today, but so does he so it is not such a big deal! I am taking him out for some dinner after work, I baked red velvet cupcakes last night and I have a bottle of champagne in the fridge for when O is in bed. So we should have a lovely evening!!

The trousers that I have on today came into stock yesterday! As soon as I opened the box I knew that I was taking a pair home with me. I spent a fair bit of the day yesterday planning how I was going to wear them.

They are very like the J Brand Skinny Cargo's that retail at £245!! The ones that we have in stock are by Vila and they retail at £40 - much more wallet friendly!! They are available in two colours here.
I already have another idea of how to wear these next week. And I can not wait to pair them with a cute pair of flat gladiator sandals in the Spring.

Today's outfit is:

Skinny Cargo Jeans - Vila @ i am.....
White T-shirt - Blend
Jumper - River Island
Boots - Forever 21
Jacket - Tesco

Tuesday 11.01.11

I did not get around to posting yesterday as it turned into one of those days. But it was one of those nice days! Three different friends popped in to say Hi and then my mum brought O and the dog in and I took O to the baby clinic to be weighed (it is just around the corner from the shop which is very handy).

I got this skirt in the summer sales to wear to a Christening, but this is the first time that I have paired with tights and a cardigan and I have to say the I did like the look!
The skirt is a nice shape, it has a zip right up the front which I think is a nice look and it has the most comfortable elastic waistband!!

Tuesday's outfit was:

Skirt - River Island
Top - Forever 21
Cardigan - American Eagle
Tights - Tesco (I noticed they had ripped at 10.30am)
Shoes - Nine West
Neclace - Primark

Saturday 08.01.11

I am in the shop again today, so here I am blogging (sticking to my word and making a point of doing it when I am here). I have a few weeks of working 3 days so you lovelies can expect to see a bit more of me!! I am sure that you are all thrilled!?

The dress that I have on today is one of the newer styles that we have in i am..... It is a style that I look at as being season less or an in between piece. I love items like this as I can wear something underneath or a cardigan over for warmth.

I just adore the shape of this dress and even without the tights, boots and scarf I felt dressed as it just seemed to work so well. I especially love the skirt!

Today's outfit is:

Dress - Vila @ i am.....
Tights - Skunkfunk
Scarf - H&M
Boots - Armani Exchange

Friday 07.01.11

I had no Internet in the shop yesterday so I could not post my outfit pictures - and there is no time to do such things at home.

I got the inspiration for this outfit while I was reading a copy of Marie Claire. I was scanning the Hot Trends for 2011 section when I noticed that they made a mention to Ditsy Florals. I have had this dress since we were in Orlando in November but had yet to wear it. So while having a soak in the bath this outfit came to me and I am quite pleased with how it turned out.

On another note - this dress was a bargain. It was in the clearance section for $7.50 and there was then another 30% off the entire store. You have to love after Thanksgiving sales!!

Friday's outfit was:

Dress - Cotton On
Cardigan - S'Nob
Tights - Primark
Belt - Tesco
Boots - Nine West
Necklace - Forever 21

Tuesday 04.01.11

Happy New Year to you all! I hope that things have started out well for everyone and that 2011 brings you all that you wish for.

As I mentioned before I am going to make myself blog on the days that I am in work - so here we are! First day back at work and first blog post of 2011.

The festive break has been lovely, we as a family have spent lots of time together doing all kinds of fun stuff. But, it was so nice to get up this morning and get back into some sense of routine. I was really unsure of what outfits to get back to blogging with..... but now I have lots of ideas and I am looking forward to the coming working days!

This outfit is a pretty new one and I love it! The hat, shorts, cardigan and boots were all bought when we were in Orlando in November. The shorts are super comfy yet I feel very smart wearing them. I have been wanting a nice pair of smart grey boots for a while that are flat and these for me are perfect. The cardigan well I feel that it needs no explaining, it is not black and that is all that matters to me! The hat!! Well the hat I saw in Target and tried it on and danced around in front of Orla and she giggled and laughed, my mum then came around the corner and said how nice the hat was. I looked in the mirror and agreed, so in the trolley it went!

Today's outfit is:

Shorts - Cotton On
Blouse - Forever 21
Cardigan - J.Crew
Tights - Tesco
Boots - Nine West
Necklace - Forever 21
Scarf - Vila @ i am.....
Hat - Target

Monday 27.12.

Well I said last week that I was going to make sure that I posted on the days that I was in work - so here it is! Not really an outfit that I love, but I was not going to use that excuse again!!

I dressed for warmth today! It is bitterly cold here today and the shop heating has been off since Friday afternoon - so I went with what would keep me from freezing! I can already see that making more of an effort to post is going to drag me out of this casual (meh) slump that I am in!

I wore a very cute little outfit on Christmas day (but got no pics) and I really felt like me!! I am going to re-create it for you guys to see soon! I also got some beautiful clothes for Christmas, so that makes me excited about trying out new looks that work with being a mum too!

Today's outfit is:

Jeans - Vila @ i am.....
Polo neck - Blend @ i am.....
Cardigan - Miso
Boots - Next

I hope that everyone has had a lovely Christmas and is getting to spend lots of time with those that they want to be with!!
We have had an amazing first Christmas as a family and we have one very spoiled little girl (who was just an angel all day) who was the star of the day for all that we saw!

Here she is in her Christmas outfit (I could not see the dress that I had pictured in my head - so we went with cute instead).

Hello!!

Is there anybody there?? Have you guys stuck around or have you gone off and left me??

I know that many of you are still stopping by as lately I have been getting comments saying that it has been a long time since I posted etc. I am so sorry, life has kind of just got in the way lately and wardrobe choices have been a bit meh!!

I am currently sitting in work FREEZING and wearing a truly un-blog worthy outfit. I had lots to do this morning before opening and I have things to get after a I finish, so warm and snow safe won it! I posted a while back about not feeling like I was me any longer - well I think I am slowly finding my way back.

I am going to try and post a few times each week starting in the new year. I will post each day that I am in work (I think I am going to be working a bit more come the new year) and I will post when my OH is about to take a picture. We do not have great full length mirrors at home!

I miss my blog and I miss the love that you guys send me across cyberspace! I also promise that I am going to catch up with all of your blogs. Man I have a busy time ahead.

In the mean time here is a little outfit from a few weeks ago when we were at a friends wedding.



Dress - Forever 21
Tights - Tesco
Shoes - Christian Louboutin
Bag - Pure

Tuesday 09.11.10

I think it is now winter!! I could not get warm at all yesterday - so last night after we have stocked up at the supermarket, I made a huge pot of sweet potato and chilli soup!

The weather is also another reason that I have on what I so today. The shop is very hard to heat and with the door opening and closing there is always a chill in the air.

I did not get much wear out of this polo neck last year due to pregnancy and this year I am loving it. It has a lovely silky feel to it and it works well under other clothing. And as the poncho/jumper it is just cosy and comfy!

Today's look is:

Jeans - Vila @ i am.....
Polo neck - Blend
Poncho - Vila
Boots - Next

Wednesday 03.11.10

BAD PICTURES!!!

But hey - I am here! That is something!!

In work two days in a row, but all for the good of my little family. By working today I can have Saturday off to be with the best two people in the world (and a very cute dog). As a family we have a Sunday together but I have managed to work out a way of getting one Saturday a month off so that we can get two family days! Just means that I work a Wednesday instead!

It is a bit of a muddle as we have no childcare on a Wednesday. So today my lovely BF got up at 4am and went to work until 9am. He then came home and looked after Orla to let me come to work. My sister (who was working night shift last night) has come over to our house to let BF go into work until 5.30pm. I will be home by 5pm to let her away to her bed!

It is wet and miserable here today and the wind that is blowing is a rather chilly one (it is just as well that we have a fabulous range of hats, scarves and gloves now online) so I decided it was a day for a jumper!

Today's look is:

Bum lifting jeans - Vila @ i am.....
Vest top - Tesco
Bow detail jumper - Vila @ i am.....
Boots - Forever 21

Tuesday 02.11.10

Hello...... If you are still out there checking here for posts, I'm here!!

I am very sorry that I have been MIA - it has been one of those months. I have been putting very little thought into what I have been wearing lately and I have fallen into the mummy wardrobe category! There is nothing wrong with it (it is not yoga pants and a hoodie) but it is so not me! I have been feeling a bit crappy about it (and my teenage skin and bad hair) so therefore have not blogged which in return makes me take even less care over what I am wearing! It is a vicious circle I tell you!

But, I have given myself a shake - and helped myself to some new bits and pieces from the shop and I feel better about stuff!

Today's look is:

Leggings - Blendshe @ i am.....
Slip - Vila
Tunic - New Look
Cardigan - Vila @ i am.....
Boots - Target

Life has been busy lately, Baby Orla turned 6 months last week! Can you believe it?? We have been going to a local playgroup on a Thursday and last week they had a Halloween party and my clever girl won pass the parcel (she did have a little help).

I thought I would post a picture of her in her costume - this was taken on Sunday after we had carved our pumpkin!

Tuesday 05.10.10

We have started to send O to my mums on a Monday night to stay over. We do this for many reasons like, I work on a Tuesday and my mum is our childcare, we want O to be comfortable with staying other places (I never really was as a child) and we wanted some "us" time where we are not mum and dad for just a little while.

So far it is going really well and O is staying with no problems, my mum loves having her and we are enjoying a night off. So far we have not done anything other than get organised, share a bottle of wine and watch a movie but this is lovely.

However, I now find Tuesday really stressful! I get up prepare something for dinner that can cook all day in the slow cooker or something that is ready in 15 mins. This is because I have started a Zumba class at 6.30pm on a Tuesday. I love it, it is so much fun and I can feel it working me out! But I am not back in the house until 7.45pm just in time to give O her bottle and put her to bed (having not seen her all day). Then we have a late dinner, I shower and then we get ready for the next day!

Anyway, enough of the moaning about a situation that I choose to be in!!

Today's look is:

Grey Skinny Jeans - Old Navy
Grey top - Topshop
Coral cardigan - J. Crew
Shoes - Topshop
Necklace - Charlotte Russe

Saturday 02.10.10

These fabulous leggings came into the shop last week and I took a pair home with me. I then thought that I had nothing to wear them with. But I was wrong!!
I think that these make my usual leggings and tunic combos a bit more exciting!

These boots are like new boots, I did not wear them at all last winter as I did not wear heels when I was pregnant. I am loving all the new (but not new) clothes that I have!!

Today's look is:

Tunic - Blend
Cami - Walmart
Leggings - Blend @ i am.....
Boots - Nine west
Bag - Blend @ i am.....

News! News! News!

i am..... boutique now has an online store!!

www.iamboutique.net

I am very excited about this new direction and challenge! At the moment I have only listed a small selection of styles and we are only shipping in the UK. But rest assured that this is all just until we find our feet and get into the rhythm of things!

Get over there and check it out and tell all of your friends! Oh, I almost forgot to mention that SHIPPING IS FREE ON ALL ORDERS!!

Tuesday 28.09.10

Temperatures are dropping here - this depresses yet excites me at the same time. I have so many items from my winter wardrobe that I could not wear last year that they kind of feel new again! If I could only get things in gear and tackle my ironing mountain I would have even more choice!!

Today's outfit is:

Shorts - H&M
Waistcoat - S'Nob
T-shirt - Primark
Tights - Tesco
Shoes - Faith
Necklace - Guess

Great service!

I often find that people are super quick to complain when things are bad or not quite as they expected. They then feel the need to go around telling everyone about the terrible time that they had. Yet you rarely hear people spread the word when they have had nice or good service.

I had an excellent customer service experience yesterday and I thought that I should share.

When we were heading on holiday I decided to take a look around the duty free at the airport and I found myself at the Benefit counter. I have used one or two of the products (lip glosses mainly) but my sister uses almost everything that they sell and raves about them. I was browsing thinking that a new blusher would be a nice treat, when the assistant came over and asked if she could help. I said that I was just looking as I had not really used the products, she asked if I would like her to put some of the products on for me.

It was 6.30am and I had nothing on my face, so I said yes. She put various products on and told me all about them etc. She used "Some Kind-a Gorgeous" a foundation faker and it felt amazing on my skin as she applied it and for the remainder of the day!

The following morning I had a large spot on my chin - I thought that a day of flying and not drinking enough water was to blame and thought nothing of it!
Since coming home I have used the product on the days that I am in work and each time the following day I have a large spot on my chin!

So yesterday I went to my local Benefit counter and explained my situation. The girl was fabulous and apologised for the inconvenience that I was experiencing and she suggested that I try "You Rebel". She applied it and sent me off with a new tube in place of my "Some Kind-a Gorgeous".

I have used the product this morning and it feels great (and smells beautiful) and I hope that this works out OK for me. I really just wanted to let you all know about my good customer service experience with Benefit!

Saturday 25.09.10

New clothes, new clothes!!!

These are the first clothes that I have taken from the shop for AGES!!! Well I was rather pregnant and then not working for a while. But last week I decided that I had been good for far too long and some jeans and a sweater made their way home with me!

The jeans are super skinny (I had to put them on like tights!!) and they are marketed as bum lifting jeans! The pockets are shaped and positioned to give a nice round and lifted look!
I have to say I like the effect and although the jeans are very skinny, they are very comfortable!

As for the sweater, well it is just so cute - and it goes very well with my new wedge shoe boots!! Need I say more?

Saturday's outfit was:

Jeans - Vila @ i am.....
Sweater - Vila @ i am.....
Vest - Tesco
Boots - Forever 21

Tuesday 21.09.10.

Wow - I have been a really slack blogger lately! I have had a lot going on...... We were on holiday, then as of last week I now work 2 days a week (not much I know but a big change for me and baby O) and I have been planning O's christening - which was on Sunday!

It was a fantastic day - the rain stayed away - and our home was filled with our family and friends. My mum and I catered a hot buffet lunch (chili, chicken curry, lasagna, macaroni, baked potatoes, rice, salad) we served Cava for a few hours (then set up a bar - think buckets full of ice with beer, wine etc - in the garage) ate cake and had a great day!



Baby O was beautiful and such a good girl in church. She was great all day and only got a bit grumpy as she did not get her usual 2 hour nap!

So, today it is back to work for me. I did not really have any idea of what I wanted to wear today, so I dug through the drawers and found this tunic. I love the gold jersey fabric and the shape of the tunic. I feel comfortable and put together, but I think that I am going to try this look again with my new wedge shoe boots and lots of necklaces!

Today's look is:

Tunic - Max C London
Leggings - Oasis
Shoes - Primark

Saturday 04.09.

Well the holiday is over and I am back to work! Why do holidays go so fast??

We had a fantastic time, Orla was a star on all of the flights and slept most of the time, the weather was mixed but always very warm (which was not always the best with Orla) the shopping was OK but not as good as I had hoped (little miss need nothing until about 12 months) the food was great but way too much as always.

So, as always after holidays we are home to frugal and healthy eating. We are seriously needing to replenish the savings so frugal is the way for us at the moment. And healthy is good too!

I really wanted to wear a dress today as it is warm and sunny, but I have a huge dry cleaning pile and an even huge-er (yes huge-er) ironing pile. So this dress was one of my only options. I do like it, but I think I like it more with tights than bare legs!

Today's outfit is:

Dress - H&M
Cardigan - Primark
Shoes - New Look
Necklace - Primark

Saturday 21.08.10.

This outfit would look so much better with heels, but I could just not do it......

I bought this little tunic in a sale a few weeks after Orla was born and I have loved it every time that I have worn it. It is very comfy, easy to wash, quick to dry, needs no ironing or accessorising and most of all I always feel pulled together when I have it on. I do love pieces like this!

My work day is almost over and then it is home to get packed for our trip to Florida. I am so looking forward to a week of sunshine and shopping. I am going to make an effort to take some outfit posts while we are away, but I can not promise anything!

Today's outfit is:

Tunic - New Look
Slip dress - Vila
Leggings - Primark
Necklace - Primark
Shoes - Primark

Saturday 14.08.10.

I thought I would look out my comfy, bright maxi dress to cheer me up. I wish I had not bothered! I hate the way that this dress looks in pictures.

My mum bought me this dress for the weeks right after Orla was born and it was perfect and I felt that it was so flattering on! Not the case today - roll on 5pm when I can go home and take this off!

Today's outfit is:

Yellow maxi dress - New York & Co
Cami - Primark
cardigan - Vila
Sandals - Primark
Necklace - Primark

Sunday 08.08.10.

We had a lovely day, yesterday, at a friends babies christening. The sun shone, the champagne flowed and baby Orla was a little star.

Anyway, I remembered to ask N to snap a picture of me when we got home. It is not the best picture (as it was 10 hours after we left the house and lots of champagne had been consumed). But I really loved my outfit so I wanted to post!

Sunday's Outfit was:

Skirt - River Island
Vest top - Tesco
Linen Blazer - River Island (borrowed from sister)
Necklace - Forever 21
Shoes - were the Nine West ones from Saturday, not flip flops!

Saturday 07.08.10

Saturday again - is it just me or is anyone scared that it is August already!! Where has this year gone??

Last night I decided that time has come for me to start wearing heels again! What with the pregnancy swelling at the start of the year and my love of flip flops, of late, it has been a while and all of my lovely shoes are feeling neglected! (They told me so).

So, heels it is today and what better way to wear them than with one of my all time favourite dresses! This is the perfect dress in so many ways, the shape, the length, the subtle pleats at the neckline, the print and they way that it makes me look slimmer! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

Excuse the bad picture - cutting the top of my head off is not a good look! But my hair needs cut again, so I thought I would just go with it!

Busy weekend end for my little family. N and O are off to Edinburgh today to visit family, we are all going to a ruby wedding party tonight and then we have O's future husband's christening tomorrow! Have a great weekend whatever your plans are!

Today's outfit is:

Tribal print dress - Vila
Cardigan - Primark
Necklace - Primark
Shoes - Nine West

Time away.....

I did not post at the weekend as I was not in the shop. We were off on our first family holiday - 2 nights away in Aberfoyle, near Loch Lomond!

I was fabulous. We did nothing, and I mean nothing. We spent almost no money (you have to love when that happens) as we were staying in a family timeshare property and we took my parents along with us....... Honestly, we bought all of the supplies before we went and other than a few nice long walks around the loch we just chilled, ate and drank!

Aberfoyle is in a beautiful part of the world and it is only 2 hours drive from our doorstep. On the drive there it rained, but as we were unloading the car it stopped and stayed off for the entire time that we were there.

While there my BF and I chatted about what we are planning for the shop, for him and I and for us as a family. I think that we have managed to put some plans in place - for the shop especially.

Anyway, I just thought I would post, as we chatted about how I miss blogging but just can not seem to find the time! I leave you with the picture of the view from our balcony!!