Outfit August - the last day!

So here we are, the end of August and (for me anyway) the end of summer. It's also the end of Outfit August and while I haven't posted as many outfits as I'd like, I've enjoyed seeing what everyone else wore this month.

Recently we went out (on a week night as well!) to a new Miller & Carter restaurant that was opening almost on our doorstep. I wanted to look smart, but comfortable as I had a feeling there was going to be a lot of food involved.

This is a dress I bought in the sales probably a couple of years ago at least. I remember loving it, but never had much occasion to wear it. I should have sold it, charity shopped it etc, but I just loved it too much, so every time there was a wardrobe clear out - it survived.

I teamed it with a denim jacket from Next which is becoming a firm favourite and this beautiful tapestry bag from Primark. It's completely useless as a bag - by the time you get your keys and glasses in it's full - but it's so pretty!

And I was right about there being a lot of food - the evening ended with this (reminding me of the golden snitch from Harry Potter!).

Don't forget to check out the other lovely ladies who took part in Outfit August:

Leah
Kate
Mookie
Nikki
Christy
Becky
Christie
Katy

Thanks for reading

January sales - Next and Accessorize

Hello there,

The sales are finally coming to a close so I thought it was about time I shared some of the goodies I managed to pick up.

To be honest, I didn't think I was going to get anything much. I had my eye on a rucksack in Accessorize which was reduced (don't you love it when that happens?) but other than that, it was a pretty quiet few weeks. Then I ventured into Next to see what was left, and struck lucky.

Coat - Evans (24) (old)

Jumper - Next (20)
Jeans - Simply Be, Sadie (22)

Shoes - Next

This looks blue in the photos, but sometimes it's purple and sparkly and almost gold. I love it. I wanted something lightweight and squishy that was big enough to carry folders and a jumper and this is perfect. The handy front pocket also stops the normal scrambling for door keys dance that I'm sure we've all done... I've added some pompoms that I got for Christmas (also from Accessorize) however they seem to be a temptation for my mothers dog, so they may not last long!

When I popped into Next, I wasn't expecting to find anything. I love Next, but hate the whole post-Christmas sales frenzy so normally stay clear. This time though, I was lucky.

I picked up an orange striped jumper with an oversize patch pocket and a pair of shoes that made the other half shudder! They have to be in contention for the comfiest pair of shoes ever though, leather and in a rare half size, they're a perfect fit.

As sunny as it looks in these pictures.... we were dodging the frost and trying not to slip up! I don't think this patch of grass ever defrosted.

And finally, while in Superdrug, I saw this set in the sale. It does make you smell a bit like a gingerbread man - so it's just as well I love ginger.

So that's all my sales goodies. I think I was very lucky in some of my finds. The trick is try and buy things that you really need or will actually use and this time, I think I did.

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

Blogmas 18-20 - Christmas jumper day, a Triangle Christmas and mince pies

Hello there,

It's been a bit of an odd Friday and weekend. One of those weekends where you run around like a headless chicken and then end up wondering what you actually did - you know the ones I mean? So I've decided to round it all up into one Blogmas post.

Friday 18th was apparently Christmas Jumper Day. As I've been wearing them since the beginning of the month (maybe November too - shush!) it wasn't a hard task.

I bought this top from Next (size 22). Foxes seem to be everywhere at the moment and with the red sequin bow and beautiful bottle green colour, I was sold. It's still available on the Next website for £16 but I reckon it will be in the sale soon if any are left.

With so many stores starting their sales early, I found a few more tree decorations to go on the (already overloaded) tree.

Cute Santa's key from Asda

Garden gnomes from Sainsburys (yes - I also have a frog ornament too)

These were all half price and less. It really does pay to hang on until the last possible moment if you need any new decorations.

Saturday - the plan to was go to the local Christmas Fair near to where I live. It's an intersection of three roads and is known locally as the Triangle. I say plan, I did go, but failed spectacularly in taking any photos. There were carol singers, farm animals, snow machines and even Father Christmas himself made an appearance in the grotto. So as I didn't take any pictures, here's a great link to a short video of the day from the local community news site for Bitterne Park 

The rest of the weekend was pretty chilled - the first mice pies of the season were made,

Bit wobbly, but very yummy.

The Sephora Advent calendar kept up its tradition of good surprises and a few oddities. The treats this weekend were an eyeliner (yay), travel eye makeup remover wipes (yay) and another patterned tape.

And to round off the weekend - this happened!

Photos will follow in the next day or so once I find some good light - but verdict so far? Very pleased.

Thanks for reading my Blogmas posts. I can't believe we're now coming into Christmas week itself. This month has just flown by!

Cathy

xx

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Glasgow getaway - part 1

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!

As I publish this, it's Sunday evening and for a lot of people - they'll be having that sinking 'back to work' feeling. I know that feeling only too well! So big hugs for anyone feeling like that and forgive me spending a few minutes looking back at what I got up between Christmas and New Year.

It's become a bit of a tradition for myself and my mother to go away for a few days at Christmas. It's a different time every year depending on hotel deals, money and work commitments. This year, we flew up to Glasgow in Scotland on the 29th December. As amazing as New Year in Scotland is, I really wanted to be back home so we planned to come back on the 31st so I could see the New Year in with friends.

So here's a few piccies of what it all looked like. I'm lucky enough to live very close to Southampton Airport so Glasgow and many other places really only feel like a hop away - as long as I'm quick enough to get the cheap deals!!

I booked a rental car - something small and very very cheap. Luckily for me - our flight was delayed because of fog and this was all they had left!!

 

 

I nearly had kittens driving it to start with, but soon got used to it. It's the closest I'll ever come to owning a luxury car!

 

 

The hotel we stayed at is in the background here - The Crowne Plaza, Glasgow. It's a beautiful hotel with lovely staff. I just wish I could go back next week! 

 



View from across the River Clyde with the SECC (armadillo!) next to the hotel.

The coat is a bit of a oldie, I bought it in the sale last year from Simply Be - but it seemed a very suitable pattern to be wearing around Scotland. Plus it really is the warmest coat I have ever owned! I just didn't realise my gloves looked so green.....

Relaxing in the hotel bar and looking very pink :-)

We took a trip up to the Village of Luss on the shores of Loch Lomond. A beautiful little village that is so quiet in the winter. I suspect it's anything but quiet in the summer though looking at the size of the carpark.

Now those that know me will know how much I love hot chocolate. And as hot chocolates go - this was one of the best. It was very hard to resist ordering a second one.

 I bought this top in Next before Christmas and saved it for this trip. It's a 22 and despite my reservations, washes really well and hasn't lost any sequins (yet). I haven't dared check to see if it's in the sale - it wasn't cheap but I just fell in love with it xx

Hope you enjoyed my piccies of Scotland - I suspect there may be more once I get hold of my mothers photos

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

Outfit August day 10 and being a bit silly!

Hi everyone

Day 10 already! I'm not sure I can say a lot about this photo, but this is the sort of thing that happens when you spend all day working. I work from home and love it, but sometimes, this is just how I look at the end of the day.

(no - I have no idea what I'm doing with my hair......)





The t-shirt is from Next. I find the tops from Next are generally pretty good (this was a size 22) but their skirts and trousers are a bit hit and miss in the sizing for me.

Don't forget to have a look to see what everyone else is up to:

Leah

Sam

Debz

Vicky G

Nikki

Sarah D
Vicky F

Nic
Charlie
Christiana

Kitty
Hannah

Mary

Veronika
Nat
Rebecca
Natalie

Steph

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

Outfit August day 6

Hi everyone

I can't believe we're on day 6 already! And unfortunately days 4 and 5 have gone awol - they may not be the last! Anyway, today was a bit of a relaxing day after a couple of hectic days so relaxed clothing was called for.



Skirt - Indigo @ Marks & Spencer (old) - size 22
Top - Primark (old) - size 20

I'm wearing my current favourite skirt again - my blue denim one from Indigo @ Marks & Spencer. The top and the sunglasses are from Primark and the shoes are from Next.

This type of outfit is my go to outfit when I don't have time to think and was perfect for meeting friends for a pub lunch!

Have a look to see what everyone else is up to:

Sam
Debz
Vicky G

Nikki

Sarah D
Vicky F

Nic
Charlie
Christiana

Kitty
Hannah

Mary

Veronika
Nat
Rebecca
Natalie

Steph

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx