Tired of typing

After another night of a certain little girl waking us up at 5am I felt absolutely awful this morning and the normal, simplest of tasks seemed to take forever. My morning was brightened greatly by a knock at the door from my friendly delivery lady. I think that maybe I have too much delivered as it seems she knows all about the twins, refers to my husband so obviously knows him, knows my parents and where they live as she text me (yes, we are that close!) and re arranged a delivery which she kindly took to theirs instead, and, I really don't know how she knows this, referred to my job when we were chatting about going back to work! To be honest, I don't really care how she knows as long as she keeps bringing my parcels!

Anyway, she had in her lovely parcel bearing hands a package from Anthropologie. I had my beady eye on a skirt there but it was £148, I know! It had gone down in the sale to a far more reasonable £37.95 but I was still unsure until I got an email saying there was a further 20% off making it even cheaper and I decided to go for it. I have mentioned before that I like websites that offer the buyer the chance to add a review of their purchase and I always try to do so. I think it helps so much when deciding. There was only one review of the skirt but it was positive so I ordered it. 

I love the wrapping, everything comes in lovely tissue paper, and inside was the skirt and I love it! The reviewer had said that it looked so much better on than in the packet and she was right. I loved it when I tried it on and think it will look best dressed down with a simple striped (of course!) t-shirt and pumps or flip flops in the summer. It could also be dressed up for a night out. The photo isn't that great as I forgot to take one until it was dark but it is a grey/silver colour and a thick silky material. I also love that it has pockets.

I wanted to wear something other than my jeans today and as we were all off for lunch at my Aunts with my Mum I put on a dress. I have only worn this typewriter dress once so far over Christmas and want to get some wear out of it before the summer comes as I think it is a bit more of a winter dress. I teamed it with the green patterned tights that I have posted on here before from Next and my green Cath Kidston cardigan.

P.s nearly ready to begin the challenge...

Braving the outside world

As today felt like the 768th day in a row that we had not ventured outside I was glad of the opportunity to meet up with some friends from our baby group for a cuppa and a chat. We   only got round the corner but it was outside the same four walls so I felt a bit excited and it was lovely to see everyone. It is so nice to speak to people in the same situation as you, to chat about what our babies have been up to, I am very lucky to have such fabulous friends dotted all over the place!

If I'm honest I didn't need to make much of an effort when getting dressed as we were literally going to be sat around (making a mess - babies!) I put on my Next denim jeans as I had not worn them for a while and wanted to see if I liked them enough to include in the 30/30 challenge, turns out they have gone back in the wardrobe! Wasn't fussed enough about them to include them in one of my precious 30. I really struggle with jeans and am never happy with them, I seem to like a pair for a few wears and then go off them.

I also wore a red, white and navy striped t-shirt which I had from Gap a few months ago with the intention of pairing it with a red skirt but I think the cut of the t-shirt is wrong for the style of the skirt and I don't actually like how it hangs off my shoulders. Now I have worn it a few times I realise it is meant to be a looser style and I'm just not loving it. 

I have been thinking again, tonight about the challenge. I am waiting on the arrival of a dress I ordered in October but has only just been sent as it is from the Boden spring collection. I am hoping that this will fit and that it can become a versatile item for the challenge. Hopefully it will be here by the end of the week. I will take some photos tomorrow and post what I have chosen so far.

A few more days...

Now I have actually worked out how to post off my phone I suppose I'd better update you of my outfits for the past few days then! I can't edit the photos as well on here so bare with me!

I wore this outfit for a spot of shopping the other day which reminds me, I must share some of my sale finds! It is the skirt I had from White Stuff for Christmas teamed with the pink boots I am re-loving as you know, a purple Primark tshirt and a hot pink Gap cardigan from the outlet shop.


I wore this outfit that I have actually posted before but think is really cute for a day with my Mum, it wasn't until I got in the car I realised I had baby sick on it! Oh well, the perils of twins!!

Cute kilt

Today those lovely little twins and I went into town with my Mum and sister. It was nice to get out for a few hours and have a look around the shops. I had a couple of bits to swap and a look around the sales never hurts hey! I got a few things for some birthday presents and a couple of sale bargains which I will post on here over the next few days. 

I wore the Boden kilt that I had for Christmas for the first time today, I really like it but as it is made of wool it was really itchy! I wore it with the berry coloured t-shirt I got at the same time as the skirt and have posted on here before, it was a perfect match. I wore berry coloured tights and the black and brown riding boots I recently posted. I also wore my gold collar necklace from Hobbs which I love!

Copy cat

I have to admit that I stole this outfit idea from another blogger. I love to read other fashion blogs and sometimes get inspiration from them. A couple of days ago I saw someone wearing a pink skirt and realised that I have the very same one. I have only worn it a couple of times and really like it. I decided that I could fashion a similar outfit. She had styled it with a turquoise necklace which looked really nice but as I don't have one I felt that this floral necklace would work well.

The skirt is from Zara a couple of years ago, the t-shirt is Boden and the necklace Primark. I also put on my navy tights which have socks in the feet, they are a great idea and so comfy. Such a simple idea but really handy!

Loving leopard (print)

Just for a change today I went shopping ha, ha. This time I went with my sister and we visited a craft fair at the Nottingham Contemporary Museum  which was excellent. We then did a little bit of Christmas shopping before meeting hubby and the twins for some lunch. They had also gone to town but we went our separate ways so that they could buy me tonnes and tonnes of presents, come to think of it they didn't seem to have any with them when I saw them!? We had lunch at Thea Caffea which is a lovely restaurant who specialise in afternoon tea but also have a breakfast and lunch menu as well as a selection of cakes. They are very child friendly which always helps.

I decided to go leopard print today and started with some tights, unfortunately they do not seem to have shown up on the photos. I wore a black Boden (similar) skirt from a few seasons ago and a pink and orange leopard print cardigan from Clements Ribeiro at Tkmaxx. I popped on a necklace I have had for ages and have posted on here many times from Primark.

Fabulous footwear

As I was going through the photos for this blog post I realised that I had taken the same photo, twice in one day, but with different shoes. I obviously felt at the time of 'snapping' that my footwear was a crucial part of the outfit. Of course, anyone who knows me knows that this is absolutely the case! I do admit that since the twins came along I seem to wear far more practical shoes than I ever have before and actually consider comfort over style most days, how my life has changed! When I worked in an office I thought nothing of planning an outfit around my shoes and gave not one thought to comfort or practicality. In fact as we had a uniform, and a manager who seemed to frown upon anything fashionable, this was my way of injecting some excitement into a dull job!

I do spend time now looking at all my beautiful shoes and wondering when I will go anywhere to wear them, I'm not sure gold stilettos will fit in at the baby group? Times are so bad that I recently bought a pair of high and impractical heels only to return them a few days later thinking that in reality I will not wear them and they were a waste of money. I know that as with everything times change and before I know it I will be back in my dancing shoes, until then I can look at them and enjoy all their memories!

Anyway, I digress from the outfits! These are actually from yesterday. Today I have worn my yoga pants and a t-shirt all day, no make up and not even brushed my hair. We took the twins swimming this morning and then pottered around doing some chores and playing with the twins so had no need for anything else. In fact, my family joked 'didn't I want my photo taken for my blog today?' - I don't think anyone needs to see that thank you!

I went with my parents and the twins to Leicester and was excited to visit their John Lewis. Again, those of you who know me know that I love love love John Lewis, I can't help it, my sister and I were brought up shopping there and there is nothing you cannot find. It is my first, and sometimes only, port of call on a shopping trip and can't imagine living somewhere without one! Again, I digress...I wore my Boden spotted skirt with my navy Gap (similar) cardigan and Boden vest. I also wore the grey Calvin Klein tights I got in Tkmaxx and my Office blue brogues (similar). I have had these for a few years but rarely wear them and I am not sure why as I always think that they look cute. I do find that whenever I wear them people seem to stare at my feet as if they are thinking 'she is wearing blue shoes' and I'm not sure why as they are not exactly unusual? I also wore a vintage necklace that I got from my little vintage and retro shop in Beeston.

Just in case you were thinking that this post wasn't long enough already I have another outfit to show! Hubby and I actually went out together with out the twins last night whilst my parents babysat. We went to the Library at Beeston for some dinner. If you haven't been here we thoroughly recommend it. They do a selection of mini meals from which you pick a few and share them. We then went to see Great Expectations at the cinema which we really enjoyed. I had about, oh 3 minutes to get ready and put on a lace top from H&M and an old Gap denim skirt as well as my tan knee high boots I had years ago from Next.

Relish in the rain

Last night I had such an awful nights sleep with the hubby waking me on this return from work, an aeroplane at 5am and hubby up again at 6am that I decided not to rush around to our usual Wednesday morning date of baby group (sorry ladies, we missed you and the bubbas) And how much was it raining?! 

We were meeting my aunt for lunch at Relish in Beeston at 12ish so I had some time to decide on an outfit and for once the twins kindly had a mid-morning nap, lucky Mummy! If you have not been, and are local enough, you should try it. They serve the most delicious home cooked food and cake in a lovely relaxed atmosphere. They are very welcoming to babies and children as well and never moan about my crying babies, two highchairs and piles of bags and coats. We make it pretty much a weekly destination!

As I have reached my target 'post baby diet' weight today I was feeling happy and decided to wear my new Cynthia Rowley dress I got from Tkmaxx a few months ago (similar here). I paired it with a brown boyfriend cardigan from Boden that I have had for a few years (similar here) and my very old and worn Tesco brown boots. 

I curled my hair for once, probably a mistake in all this rain, and popped on my collar necklace from Hobbs. 

I've added a new feature (thanks to some help from a fellow blogger!) so hopefully you can click on some of the links and view 
the items I am referring to.

I'm going to take a risk and put a link to the other blog so that you can all have a look as I know it is so nice to have new readers, I hope you don't mind Kim. Kim has just started a blog all about fashion and beauty and her skills put mine to shame!

Click here and enjoy!

Looks I'm loving...dresses

I really love wearing dresses, I think they are so versatile and there is one for every occasion. I am always drawn to them and like to style them not as perhaps they were meant, for example making a dressier dress more casual with trainers and a cardigan.

The top one is from NW3 at Hobbs and it could be worn in so many ways. I think that it is quite smart but with having to wear a uniform for work and the rest of my time with my family I don't really need 'office' wear. I would wear this with tights and a cardi or long sleeved t-shirt under and some flat pumps. That said, at nearly £100 it is pretty expensive for a simple jersey dress.

The gold dress is also from Hobbs and I absolutely love it but again have no occasion to wear it and therefore cannot justify the price tag of £160 (in the sale!) I think it is so pretty and would look amazing with some spiky heels for a wedding or nice meal. Alas, this is also staying in store.

The final dress I have seen is from Next and is not something I would normally look at but it seemed to catch my eye. It is more reasonably priced, I think at £60. I love the colour and shape and think it would be really flattering. This dress has some good reviews on the website too. I love it when sites let customers review their products, I spend ages reading them and try to write one myself when I purchase something as I think it can really help when choosing an item. Boden are amazing for this but recently Next, Hobbs, M&S and White Stuff have been doing the same.

Stripes and florals

This morning we popped to a Christmas fair in Derby. There was plenty to look at but other than a loaf of bread and a jar for my sister I didn't get anything. I am still on the look out for the right Babies First Christmas decoration which I really want to choose with the hubby for the twins. I'm still hoping I will see something we like in time.

I wore a tunic dress from Tesco, a striped Boden t-shirt and leggings. I decided to team it with a flowery necklace from Primark as I thought that it made a nice contrast with the flowers and the stripes. I was going to wear this 'coatigan' and belted it with a leopard print belt. Both were from Boden. In fact the coatigan was a sale bargian reduced from £150 to £37.50! In the end I felt that I would be too hot and decided against it.

Various violet

Today brings the rainbow challenge to an end with, of course, Violet. I was actually a little surprised to see that I have quite a few purple items in my wardrobe and was unsure what to go for. I started by putting on a Boden summer dress which was easily made winter appropriate with thick tights and a cardigan but didn't feel entirely comfy in it as it was a tiiiiinnneeey bit tight! And knowing I would be up and down off the floor all day with the twin lets I passed on it.

I then put on a simple t-shirt that I picked up from Old Navy when we were on our honeymoon in Florida a couple of years back, it is a nice staple and seems to have washed well to say it was only about $5. This was the point when I thought 'maybe now is the time to get down those clothes from the top of my wardrobe that have been too tight apres babies!' I have slowly been getting a few things down and fitting into them again (yay) but had a final few that still needed some work but what the hell, i'll try 'em!

I was pleased to find that my little denim skirt now fits which is always handy. I have another lighter one but prefer this one as it works with so much. This was a Gap sale bargain quite a while ago, I can't remember the price but less than £20.

I then got a bit carried away trying things on and found my White Stuff skirt I had for Christmas about 3 years back, this had not even fitted before I was pregnant but it fits now. Another yay! I didn't try the trousers and still have a couple more pounds to go before things look as I would like but I am still happy. I normally find it irritating when people go on "I've lost 12 pounds in 5 days" etc on Facebook so I apologise, but I am pleased so thought I'd share! I also wore a Fat Face cardigan which I have a vague memory of seeing, not getting and then asking my Mum to pick it up for me therefore never paying for it?!

Keep posted for some new style posts over the next few days and, of course, my outfits of the day.

5000 and counting!

I have to start this post with a 'wow' - I am able to see how many people log onto my blog, what they use to view it, ie through Facebook, on an i-pad, i-phone and various other bits of info. I can also see where they are in the world. I have posted on here before how I am amazed that so many people actually read this little blog. Now, I am aware that most of you are my friends and view the blog through a Facebook link and am so pleased to say that today I have made it over the 5000 mark for views! Wow! I can hardly believe that so many people have been logging on to look and I am sooooo pleased. I would love love love it if you posted comments on the bottom of the blog, especially if I don' actually know you through Facebook, that would make my day! 

Maybe one day I might even get the hubby to have a read?!

We have been for a meal today with my husbands family and I am so pleased with the twins as they behaved amazingly. They even managed to eat their lasagne at lunch as well as pudding and chocolate buttons!

As today was indigo I wore the top and cardigan I recently posted that was from the Gap outlet as this is a rich indigo colour. I teamed this with some very cute trousers from Boden that I was really unsure about when I ordered them and really didn't think they would be for me or suit my figure but really love them. They are almost like a thick legging and have little zips on the sides of the legs so will be lovely in the spring too. They are perhaps a little cold to be wearing much now but I knew that I would not really be going outside so risked it!

I also wore the blue shoes I got from Gap on they same day and the beautiful necklace that hubby got me when I had the twins. I decided on a contrasting nail varnish from Essie called 'Miami Nice' and also wore the ring that hubby hates from H&M a few years ago. I really like it and kept flashing it in his face all day. Apologies, the photo is a little blurred.