Hi, it’s me, thankfully a less chaotic me this week for you.
I think having a cold last week slowed us down for a bit but we’re back up and running now.
I’ve been having a fabulous time buying my summer clothes for the year. I might not be good at much, but **** me I can shop! Not much of a skill, but definitely enjoyable. Who doesn’t love a continuous dose of dopamine? :)
I think I mentioned last week that Marks and Spencer are having a bit of a rebirth. A renaissance if you will. Like a Phoenix rising from the flames of old lady nylon trousers and frumpy tops.
It’s remarkable what an entire new team of buyers can do, and boy are they doing!!
I’ve bought loads. And I’ve tried on even more. Some of it was definitely better on the hanger than on me, some of it was better on the model than on me (but in all honesty, that is my expectation and life long experience, so I’m not too concerned about it. Of course it looks better on the person paid to have the perfect body for it. And that’s absolutely okay with me).
What a time to be alive, and buying beautiful things from M&S!
I saw this gorgeous co-ord on the poster in store. I absolutely loved the look.
The pattern is giving Dolce and Gabbana vibes. Which I love, but definitely can’t afford.
I tried the skirt on, which I loved, but I had to order the matching top as it was out of stock. It had pretty much sold out online too, so I was lucky to get one.
Anyway, the skirt went down well, the skirt and matching top was like Marmite.
It was definitely one that divided opinion that’s for sure.
Some very kind people on my instagram said how nice it looked.
But Chris gave it a 1 out of 10. And I haven’t stopped laughing since.
At least I can rely on him for absolute honesty…but One out of ten!!? Hahahahahah
A few of my friends gave it the same score too, possibly less.
Did I send it back? Yes.
Did I send it back based on the opinion of others? Also yes.
But only because I agreed with them. It’s a gorgeous set. I think it’s stunning. But it’s 30 years too late for me to find it.
And I’m about a foot too short to wear it, and the sleeves were so puffy and overly fabric-y that it gave me anxiety to move in it.
It’s okay to try something different though. It could have been amazing on me. And If I were 20, statuesque and going to some fancy restaurant in Santorini or Miami, then maybe.
But as I’m actually a very short, 50 year old grandma and housewife living in Braintree I think it’s one to let go of.
The 1 out of 10…
I do love it…just not on me.
Undeterred by other people’s judgements of it in its entirety, I kept the skirt and will wear it with a different top. :)
Something more age appropriate, and body shape appropriate. Who knows what I will pair it with when the time comes to wear it in the wild. The possibilities are endless.
Finding new things to wear is a real pleasure for me. A new season, a new wardrobe.
The outfit below is probably my favourite this year! I loved it!
Top from Ralph Lauren, Trousers from M&S, Shoes from Gucci, Bag from Dior.
Love love love it!
It’s classy, elegant, effortless (biggest lie ever told. For me to look effortless takes all my time, an extraordinary amount of effort and dedication. Effortless it is not!) ;)
I stocked up on the trousers, my dressing room resembles the store right now, but they fit well, feel great on and look fab.
So I bought multiple pairs because I have my housekeeping money burning a hole in my pocket and a hyper fixation on things. :)
I am what I am! Hahahahah
Anyway, it was the perfect brunch outfit, with the perfect people. Our friends from Wales came up to show us their new baby, who is an absolute joy.
He barely made a sound the entire time. And was very engaging for an 11 week old baby, such a dolly.
Our friend James found the perfect target audience for his humour! ;)
(I apologise James…I know, I know. You make the jokes round here love!) hahahah
It was perfect. And because it’s a brunch date it still leaves the whole day to do things. And go to bed early. There’re no downsides to brunching.
Chris and I went shopping after. Mainly for him. He’s lost two stone joining me on my health kick. So he needed a few new bits.
I bought a little jumper. Which again, was outside of my usual comfort zone.
It’s a gorgeous colour, but just not one I’m used to. So I took it back and swapped it for the same thing in white.
It was a bit bold in the yellow. Plus I had a fear of thunderbug season, and being like a flame to a moth in it.
Sunday we went to our first car boot sale of the season. I love to spend time relaxing, looking at and buying people’s tut. :)
Jumper from Ralph Lauren, Trousers from M&S, Shoes from Gucci
Sadly it wasn’t as successful as some we’ve been to. Chris says there’s a chance that I’ve bought all the good stuff Essex had to offer. So I might need to expand my search.
I did get Zak a T rex for the sandpit. But it was a very disappointing experience. Especially as I had gotten ready in record time.
I was lazing in bed and Chris said “shall we go to a boot sale?” And before he had finished his sentence I was in the shower, out and dried, bag changed, dressed and waiting by the front door!!
He reckons I probably gave myself whiplash! Hahahaha.
The weather was unseasonably warm. And I wore my first shorts of the year.
I cut the grass (not in these shoes, for obvious reasons. No, I wore my old Uggs with this combo for the gardening. I dare say I looked a right treat).
It was a fabulous weekend.
I had to pop out to post some clothes I’d sold on Vinted. I said to Chris “do these shorts look okay?”
He’s all about the honesty this man.
He said “are you sure they’re not your pyjamas?”
Hahahahahahahah and to be absolutely honest, I’m not entirely sure.
:)
Back to my long clothes because as expected the sunshine was fleeting.
Shirt from Ralph Lauren, Jeans from M&S, Shoes from Gucci.
Excuse the bedding, I usually only have white bedding on all the beds. But I’m going to have my first Fake spray tan this week and I don’t want to end up ruining my good bedding. So I bought a fake tan set from Primark.
The glare of the brightness of this set is startling me every time I walk into the room. Who needs sunshine when I have day glow bedding. :)
I’ve bought myself a new bikini. I love swimwear. I have loads. But I kept seeing ads come up on my social media for Hunza G swimwear.
When I was 18, and off on my first girls trip, I bought a fake Hunza G bikini from Romford Market. Almost identical to this one below…
I’ve fancied getting a real one ever since.
Anyway I tried one on last summer in Harrods. And although the fit is One Size, it does not mean One Size fits all.
I couldn’t even get it up my thighs. To the horror of the sales assistant who had assured me she’d seen some very big ladies get in them.
😬🫣
Anyway, I had to forget about that dream, until the other day when I thought ‘what if my new healthy eating had made a difference?’
So I tried again, but from the Hunza G online shop, which sells a range called ‘Coverage’. It’s cut that little bit more generously (not much mind, but enough).
I didn’t buy the exact one I had when I was 18. Mainly because my boobs were much perkier back then, so I didn’t need straps. But I felt I’d probably be better off buying the strap one this time around.
I’m so looking forward to wearing it out in the world. Once I’ve had my spray tan (I’m thinking going for vintage mahogany or something hahahahahah).
I’m off to Spain soon, but I am so done with the sun.
My dad has recently had to have a load of skin cancer cut out, and to be completely frank, ***k that for a game of soldiers!!
No thank you. I appreciate most of the damage has probably already been done, but I’m going to avoid the possibility of more damage.
Fake tans and big hats from now on. Sun safe all the way.
And chaps, remember to cover your heads, with hats or sunscreen. I’ve seen into the future and it doesn’t look appealing.
Keep well, much love.
Slap on the sun screen. Xx