shoegal

Outfit: Knit Dress

2009-11-26T11:40:00.002Z

Another day, another LTS knit dress. They are so easy to throw on in the morning and just add some accessories to. I’ve gone for a mix of black and brown today, and I added my cream pashmina when I went outside. I would have got a shot with it on but the battery in my camera died.

I’m trying to stay cosy today. I got so cold at rehearsal last night that I had to get out my hot water bottle when I got home. I sat up watching an episode of Flying Doctors, then took the bottle to bed with me to keep me toasty. I love winter but hate it in equal meaures as I am cold all the time.

Black knit dress – Long Tall Sally
Brown boots – Faith
Tan Obi belt – ASOS
Black tights – Primark
Whitby Jet cross – gifted

Total Est. Cost £115

Outfit: Shades of Grey

2009-11-26T11:36:00.002Z

I met the drama group gang at Wetherspoon’s for tea last night, then we all headed off to a very chilly hall for a rehearsal. I enjoy going but I don’t enjoy being so cold. It was a relief when we stopped for a tea break.

I read a question on another blog somewhere about wearing socks with shoes and whether it is OK. I think that it is up to you but personally I think it’s fine. As you can see, I have on grey socks here. They are purely for warmth but as long as you keep them neutral I don’t think it looks out of place. If I’d had a skirt on I would have been wearing tights of almost the thickness of the socks.

Grey cardi – New Look Tall
Grey polo neck sweater – Long Tall Sally
Jeans – River Island
Turquoise scarf – eBay
Snakeskin shoes – Matalan
Grey socks – New Look
Earrings – Etsy

Total Est. Cost £99

Contest: “Get The Look” With Superdrug

2009-11-25T12:20:00.001Z

There are some great prizes up for grabs over at Superdrug so read on for details!

ARE YOU A COSMETICS QUEEN?
DO YOU LOVE CREATING NEW MAKE UP LOOKS?
If you answer YES to any or all of the above, here’s your chance to win fantastic prizes in the Superdrug “Get The Look” competition!

The Challenge
Your challenge is to create your favourite party look for the festive season.
Once you’ve created your look all you have to do is post step by step guide of how to get the look along with pictures and on our blog superdrugloves.com.

Getting Started
Simply register on superdrugloves.com and they will send you a password.
Post your party look, including up to six products from Superdrug.com and explain how you created the look in less than 200 words.
Include your name and tag your post ‘getthelook’.
Your entries will be judged by the carefully selected Beauty Panel who will decide the winning looks. There are also five prizes for customer favourites.

Prizes
Winner – Look of The Season
Their Look will be featured on the Superdrug.com homepage for 2 weeks.
2 invitations to the UK Elite Model Final and the After Show Party, taking place at June 2010 in London.
A hair and makeup shoot with Sue Moxley of Famous Cosmetics.
A steel cosmetic box from Revlon.
A GOSH Goody Bag worth £100

Second Place – Look of The Season
A GOSH goody bag worth £100
A steel cosmetic box from Revlon worth £xxx
A Bloom Gift Set
An Elite Make Up Purse
A set of 10 Barry M Nail Paints

Third Place – Look of The Season
A GOSH goody bag worth £100
A steel cosmetic box from Revlon
An Elite Make Up Purse
A set of 10 Barry M Nail Paints

5 Customer Favourite Looks will each receive
3 Barry M Nail paints
£25 GOSH goody bag

Outfit: Black & Teal Remix

2009-11-25T08:46:00.002Z

I liked the colour combination I sported on Monday so I thought I’d use my teal knit dress as a skirt and put a sweater over the top. This gives me added warmth too on yet another chilly & blustery day.

It’s drama group tonight and we are all going to Wetherspoon’s for tea beforehand to celebrate a birthday.

Black polo neck sweater – Long Tall Sally
Teal dress – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Black tights – M&Co
Black patent shoes – Matalan
Black patent belt (free with a shirt) – New Look Tall
Teal beads – Claire’s

Total Est. Cost £66

Outfit: Red & Grey

2009-11-24T10:08:00.002Z

Another cold & dull day so the splashes of red really livens things up a bit. I am looking forward to a night in this evening after running around to the gym and to choir last night.

Grey knit dress – New Look Tall
Red top – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Red belt – mall market stall
Grey tights – Primark
Grey OTK boots – Priceless Shoes
Silver cross necklace – gifted

Total Est. Cost £52

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

2009-11-23T09:58:00.001Z

…wearing scarves
…reading the December issues of Cosmo & Company
…watching Season 5 of Flying Doctors
…listening to ‘And Winter Came’ by Enya (still – I totally love it!)
…eating cheesecake brownie
…shopping for the odd Christmas present or two

Outfit: Black & Teal

2009-11-23T09:51:00.002Z

I love teal and have been neglecting it recently. I’ll have to dig out my teal dress at some point too. Today dawned wet & windy (just for a change) so patent boots were definitely the answer. The sun (really? What’s that?) has put in a brief appearance this morning but I’m sure more rain is not far behind.

Black cardi – New Look Tall
Teal top – H&M
Teal skirt – H&M
Teal tights – Accessorize
Black boots – Barratts
Teal necklace – Scope
Silver snowflake earrings – FunkyJunk Jewellery

Total Est. Cost £89

Outfit: Sunday

2009-11-22T17:31:00.002Z

I was teaching Sunday School this morning so I needed flat shoes for running around setting everything up before the service. It was freezing in the hall where my class is held so it was just as well I’d worn a sweater & a Chris Randall scarf.

After dinner I headed out to the mall to do a bit of Christmas shopping, whilst the young man pottered in the loft fixing the bathroom extractor fan.

It will be a quiet evening in for me – just as well as it’s cold and raining out.

Black polo neck sweater – Long Tall Sally
Jeans – River Island
Red shoes – Matalan
Red & cream scarf – charity shop
Red belt (on jeans) – Next
Silver snowflake earrings – FunkyJunk Jewellery

Total Est. Cost £91

Cheesecake Brownies

2009-11-21T15:31:00.002Z

When my Twitter buddy Sian of the Domestic Sluts tweeted about cheesecake brownies last week I thought it sounded divine. She then posted the recipe on the Domestic Slutttery website and so I thought I’d give them a go. I am known for my chocolate brownie skills anyway, so this sounded like the next step up.

I think I cooked them a bit too long as they are not as gooey in the centre as I would have liked, and I didn’t swirl the two mixtures together as much as I should have either so mine are more like brownies topped with cheesecake, but they taste good, and I’ll just have to make them again to perfect the cooking process.

More Fame on Teh Internets!

2009-11-21T12:51:00.002Z

Thanks to the ladies over at the Online Fashion Agency for this shout-out.

A proper post may follow later, or it may not. I'm just in scruffy jeans and my fleece hoodie right now. I've made cheesecake brownies this morning (actually, details of that will follow later on) and leek & potato soup for dinner. I've cleaned the bathroom and I've done some washing. Just a typical Saturday really. It's damp and miserable outside so I'm going to spend the afternoon watching Love Actually and writing Christmas cards. I've been listening to Enya's And Winter Came album all week and it's totally fantastic. I think I have a new favourite pre-Christmas song - White Is In The Winter Night. Her version of O Come O Come Emmanuel is also fab, as is One Toy Soldier. Give it a listen.

Outfit: Children In Need Day

2009-11-20T09:05:00.001Z

I am listening to the music marathon on Radio 2 today as it’s Children in Need day. I bought the ‘Bandaged Together’ CD last weekend which is sold in aid of the charity, and I am going to look out for the one from last year and buy that too. I will be watching the telethon tonight too.

It is still mild out, so I’m using the velvet jacket as a coat, along with my turquoise scarf.

Blue cardi – Ethel Austin
Stripe top – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Blue velvet blazer – Cielo (charity shop)
Jeans – Topshop Tall
Blue shoes – Office
Whitby Jet cross – gifted

Total Est. Cost £48.50

Outfit: Brown Cord Blazer

2009-11-19T08:48:00.002Z

I saw Style Pill wearing a cord blazer yesterday (and looking fabulous in it) so I dug mine out for today. It was not actually that cold out this morning (11˚C – warm for mid-November) so I used the blazer as a coat, added my scarf and didn’t even need gloves or a hat.

I have a hair appointment this afternoon which I almost forgot about. Not going for anything radical – just a trim to get my fringe out of my eyes, and I’m going to grow the length of my hair for a bit now.

Brown cord blazer – Topshop Tall (charity shop)
Black sweater – Long Tall Sally
Black pencil skirt – Long Tall Sally
Tan Obi belt – ASOS
Black & tan boots – ASOS
Black tights – Marks & Spencer
Whitby Jet cross necklace – gifted
Turquoise scarf - eBay

Total Est. Cost £98

Outfit: Tonight We Bowl

2009-11-19T08:46:00.001Z

(“You’re lucky, we’re bowling tonight.”)

Bonus points if you spot the movie that quote is from.
Last night a small group of us from my old church went ten pin bowling. It was a good night even though there weren’t many of us there. I wore my glasses as my eyes dried out last time I went bowling with my lenses in. And I ended up switching out my necklace for my red beads.

Blue cardi – Ethel Austin
Blue cami – Paul & Joe Sister (free with magazine)
Black tank (under cami) – New Look Tall
Jeans – River Island
Red shoes – Matalan
Red belt – Next

Total Est. Cost £63

Discounts Galore!

2009-11-18T09:57:00.000Z

20% off at Barratts online – AMAZINGB

20% off at Priceless Shoes online – AMAZINGP

20% off at Big Shoe Boutique online – AMAZINGS

20% off at Dorothy Perkins online – 20% off everything from today until Friday 20th November.

Outfit: Wednesday

2009-11-18T09:34:00.002Z

I absolutley did not want to get out of bed this morning. It was blowing a gale and the rain was lashing the windows making a right racket. Not conducive to leaving my cosy bed at all. But I dragged myself up and fortunately I had planned a colourful outfit to combat the rain and the dark. A stripey top, pencil skirt and cosy cardi are always a good combination. Add in a Chris Randall scarf and some favourite shoes and you have an outfit.

Blue cardi – Dorothy Perkins
Blue & cream stripe top – New Look Tall (eBay)
Grey pencil skirt – Long Tall Sally
Grey wool tights – Levante at MyTights
Blue patent shoes – New Look
Silver belt – Primark
Scarf – charity shop
Snowflake earrings – Funky Junk Jewellery

Total Est. Cost £82.50

Funky Junk Earrings

2009-11-18T09:31:00.001Z

Every winter I dig out a pair of silver coloured snowflake earrings with diamantes on them. When I looked them out this year I was saddened to find they have turned green, as all cheap metals eventually do. Mind you, I have had them since the sixth form (a long time ago) and they were bought from Claire’s Accessories so they were not the most expensive pair of earrings in the world. When I posted on Twitter that I was looking for a replacement pair, one of my friends suggested contacting @Funky_Junk who sells jewellery. I did and she said to leave it with her. A few days later I got an email with photos of 3 possible options, all very reasonably priced at £5.50. One pair was exactly what I was looking for so I paid up and she posted them first class on Monday. The earrings arrived yesterday and I am so happy with them I have them on today!

Whatever jewellery you are looking for, check out Funky Junk for excellent value and a first rate service.

Outfit: Pink & Blue Tuesday

2009-11-17T08:55:00.004Z

Another go at combining two of my favourite colours today. Why go for just one bright when you can have two?

My ankle turned over at the gym last night so I thought flat shoes would be a sensible option for today. And it also means I can wear cosy trousers which on a wet and windy Tuesday is perfect.

Pink faux wrap top – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Pink tank – Dorothy Perkins (gifted)
Grey wool pinstripe trousers – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Blue shoes – Ethel Austin
Blue scarf – Dorothy Perkins
Blue necklace – Dorothy Perkins
Blue ring – Dorothy Perkins

Total Est. Cost £55

Debenhams Break Ranks to Spark High Street Price War

2009-11-17T07:58:00.000Z

Move Heralds A Much Needed Cut Price Christmas

Debenhams today (16 November 2009) stunned the High Street by launching a £250 million Christmas spectacular price cutting campaign - a full six weeks BEFORE Christmas.
Tens of thousands of items across every trading area in all of its stores and online business will have their prices slashed.

The move is bound to infuriate big rivals eager to maintain high prices as they try to cash in on customers’ willingness to spend during the festive period.

A similar pre-emptive strike by Debenhams last year was so successful that it forced many big name retailers to cut Christmas prices.

The move changed the face of promotions over the Christmas period.

Said Debenhams’ deputy chief executive Michael Sharp: “Customers everywhere continue to feel the pinch in this recession. In fact many feel that there still is no light at the end of the tunnel. They want us to reduce prices now, so that’s what our Christmas Spectacular will do.”

“With VAT set to increase in the New Year we really are offering January sale value at a time when shoppers want it most,” added Mr Sharp

Experts believe that Debenhams’ move will spark a full scale retail war on the High Street – with shoppers the winners.

Rivals will have to react – often against their will – to avoid losing business in what many believe will be the most fiercely fought Christmas shopping campaign on record.

Debenhams’ decision follows the latest retail research that shows 88% of shoppers this year are planning to spend the same or less on Christmas.

So extensive is the sale that even top designers – normally the untouchable doyennes of the fashion business – will see their prices fall during Debenhams’ Christmas spectacular sale.

Well known names such as Betty Jackson.Black, Star by Julien Macdonald, J by Jasper Conran, Rocha.John Rocha, Butterfly by Matthew Williamson, Jeff Banks and St George by Duffer will all see reductions.

In addition, famous high street names that have an offer in the stores including; Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Elemis, St Tropez, Lancome, Warehouse, Kaliko, Eastex, Planet, Kookai, Nine West, Radley and Jacques Vert will also be available at knock down prices.

The four day long price cutting campaign begins on November 18 and covers everything in-store including womenswear, menswear and kids’ clothing, cosmetics and fragrance, Christmas gifting, homewares and accessories.

And unlike many other ‘pseudo sales’ on the high street which leave the general public hunting for offers, almost every single item in-store will be reduced.

To cope with customer numbers stores will be open from 8.00am until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday (18 and 19 November) from 9.00am to 10.00pm on the Friday (20 November) and 8.00am to 7.00pm on the Saturday (21 November).

Alternatively customers can shop bargains on-line 24 hours a day throughout the sale with items delivered by independent delivery services.

Free cups of tea will be given to everyone in queues forming outside stores before the 8am opening time.

Said Debenhams’ Michael Sharp: “We’re determined to provide designer clothes at prices everyone can afford.

“With our designer names and many other high street brands involved there really is no reason to shop anywhere else.

“We know that, at times like these, every penny counts, so we’re acting now to provide the Christmas value that our customers need.”

Reader Question: Boots by Priceless Shoes

2009-11-16T10:51:00.000Z

Amy writes:

Hello, I have been reading your blog for a while and I've noticed you order quite a lot of shoes from Priceless Shoes. I'm interested in buying a pair of ankle boots, I just wanted to ask about the fit, since my ankles are a bit on the thick side, I'm just trying to be cautious before buying :P.
Thanks in advance.

Hi Amy
So you noticed my Priceless obsession then? I love the cheap prices and most of the shoes and boots I own from Priceless are really comfy. I don’t have any actual ankle boots from there – but all the knee highs I seem fairly generous on the ankle. However, I would say my ankles are average to slim – you can see what they look like in proportion to the rest of my legs on my photos.

The booties I wore last Wednesday are a great style and because of the wide opening would not be a problem over your ankles. Many of their styles are made from faux suede that has some stretch in it so that could be a consideration when selecting which boots to buy. Any style which is pull on is likely to be more roomy in the ankle that one with a zip too.

I hope this is helpful. If you have any specific styles in mind, drop me an email and I may be able to go to my local store and check them out for you (though they often don’t have the full selection of styles in store).
Shoegal

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

2009-11-16T08:36:00.001Z

…wearing colours
…reading ‘Victoria’s Empire’ by Victoria Wood
…watching Love Actually – it’s 5 weeks to Christmas on Friday!
…listening to ‘And Winter Came’ by Enya.
…eating hot dinners and apple cake
…shopping for nothing

Outfit: Early Monday Morning

2009-11-16T08:23:00.002Z

Yesterday I had a quiet day around the house. I did some washing, watched a few episodes of Flying Doctors whilst writing Christmas cards, baked a cake (and remembered to put the sugar in this time), drank tea and was generally lazy. It was fabulous. There is no outfit picture as I was just in my scruffy jeans and fleece hoodie the entire day. We were in bed by 9pm to watch Top Gear as the young man had to be up and off early (for him) this morning to catch a train to London. For me it meant I was woken about 10 minutes earlier than usual so I could be a little more leisurely getting dressed and ready.

Black & cream stripe cardi – Topshop Tall (eBay)
Black wrap dress – Luxuriously Tall
Purple tank – Long Tall Sally
Black tights – Marks & Spencer
Purple boots – Next
Purple belt – Ethel Austin
Purple glitter bangles – Diamonds & Pearls
Lilac scarf – Diamonds & Pearls
Whitby Jet cross – gifted

Total Est. Cost £91

Outfit: Saturday Shopping

2009-11-15T11:37:00.002Z

My sister came over for dinner, and then we headed out to get some bits and pieces for our Christmas Shoeboxes. The scheme is run by the Samaritan’s Purse and is called Operation Christmas Child. The idea is that you fill a shoebox with things suitable for a child and then it gets sent off to Eastern Europe and other places where children won’t get anything for Christmas. My mum is a local co-ordinator for the project so we can just give our boxes to her.

I added my cute little grey moto jacket over this ensemble when we went out, but perhaps my longer grey check coat would have been better as it was raining.

Red cardi – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Stripe top – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Jeans – Gap
Black boots – Matalan
Whitby Jet cross – gifted
Turquoise scarf – eBay

Total Est. Cost £41

Dunnes Stores Fold Up Shoes

2009-11-13T20:09:00.001Z

You know those little flat shoes that fold up so you can carry them in your bag ready for when your feet hurt at the end of the eveing? Well I bought a pair. For £4! As you can see, the package starts out small. The shoes then unfold and the bag opens out into a little drawstring bag in which you can carry your heels.

I bought the M-L size which are marked UK7-9 and can attest that as a size 9, they fit fine. And as the cheapest I’ve seen these in my size before is £30, I think I got a bit of a bargain. Well done Dunnes Stores!

Outfit: Red Sweater

2009-11-13T09:30:00.002Z

This sweater was an eBay bargain. It cost me just £5.51 and when it was new it would have been £30. I know this because I have it in black and pale blue already. I added turquoise again – it’s my favourite accent colour this week, and couldn’t decide which shoes to wear so went for red.

Red sweater – Long Tall Sally (eBay)
Turquoise cami – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Jeans – River Island
Red shoes – Next
Turquoise scarf – eBay
Turquoise ring – Dorothy Perkins
Red beads – eBay
Grey moto jacket – Dorothy Perkins

Total Est. Cost £99

Outfit: Stripes

2009-11-12T09:19:00.001Z

Dorothy Perkins call this top black & ivory. I call it black & oatmeal. Potato, potato, whatever. It’s more of a beige-y oatmeal-y colour than the ivory/white shown on the DP website. And the pale colour it looks in my pictures. I put a black polo neck underneath the stripey top for warmth, and then totally failed to take any pictures showing it. I also have the big turquoise necklace on that I wore on Tuesday.

Black waistcoat – Next Tall
Stripe top – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Black polo neck – New Look Tall
Black cord trousers – Topshop Tall
Turquoise boots – Splash (eBay)
Turquoise scarf – eBay
Turquoise necklace – Dorothy Perkins

Total Est. Cost £90