Saturday Night Supper

Last night I went to my friend Jane's for supper along with three other friends.  We had a fab evening, lush food, lots of wine and even more laughs!  I wore my burgundy/wine coloured Gok straight jeans - again - and my Joules hunting shirt.  Doing this blog has made me realise that the saying "you wear 20% of your wardrobe 80% of the time" is true.  I'm very aware now that I wear the same things on a regular basis.

I looked through my wardrobe last night and tried a few things on that I hadn't worn for a while but ended up going back to my favourites!

At supper Heather - who also usually avoids dresses - was telling us that she had seen a dress in Monsoon that she had coverted for weeks and finally went to buy it only to find it didn't fit her.  She was gutted because she loved the dress.  I know that feeling.  I saw Myleene Klass in the newspaper wearing a dress from her own range and just thought - that's so me - only to find that it's sold out in all sizes except size 20.  Gutted!!!

This is said dress.  I just love it.  Anyway in order to be more interesting with my wardrobe I have ventured into the loft and returned with four dresses.  My dresses live in the loft due to lack of use.  So they are currently hanging in my bedroom and I am determined to wear one next Saturday for supper at Claire's.  Now I've said that I guess I'm actually going to have to do it.  I'm feeling uncomfortable already.  I will try them on tomorrow and see if that makes me feel any better???!!!

I have to say the Myleene Klass range of dresses is really nice but others must agree as most of them are out of stock.  I like the following ones too:

I've had such a naughty week of eating and drinking this week so from tomorrow I'm off the wine, on the diet and out there running.  Wish me luck!!!

Busy Week, Busy Wardrobe!

Wow this week has been pretty hectic.  I spent the day at the Women in Enterprise Conference on Wednesday.  It was my first time going and I didn't know anyone.  It was brilliant though and I met some lovely people.  I wore my Next butterfly blouse - which you have seen before - and some checked trousers, also from Next.  I felt appropriately dressed for the occasion and very grown up!  Get me!!!

Then yesterday I went to a workshop at Gloucestershire Enterprise Centre.  It was a computer based course so I was a bit nervous that everyone would be nerdy or techy except me.  But it was great.  The lecturer was so nice and made us all laugh and feel comfortable. Everyone was normal - well my version of normal - and we all learnt loads!  I wore my brown River Island skinny jeans with my M&S ankle boots, a Joules shirt that I've had for ages AND my Joules tweed jacket.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my tweed jacket and love it some more!

Returned home to change into scruffy jeans and wellies to walk the dogs with all of us, me and the three dogs, returning covered in mud!

Then had to get ready to go out.  Went to a pub quiz with the girls.  Our friend, Jane, talked us into it when we'd all had a few too many to drink at supper on Friday.  We weren't exactly keen in the cold light of day and even less so in the dark, damp evening chill as we headed to the pub.  But I have to say we had a really good evening.  We came last!!  We tried to get points for presentation but they wouldn't have it!  We laughed so much!  I wore my River Island black straight jeans with black ankle boots and the top and tweed jacket I'd worn earlier.

Today Rich and I have been to the Races. 

Lovely atmosphere and great trade stands.  A bit chilly though!  My racing attire is always the same - coat and boots from Really Wild.  Love the name!  Probably the most I've ever spent on clothes!  I've had them about 5 years though and they are perfect for racing.

And now it's into the shower to get ready for dinner.  We are having dinner with our friends tonight.  Can't wait!  We are going to their house and another couple are joining us.  They are all such lovely people so I'm really looking forward to it.

Tomorrow I'm out to lunch with my favourite pregnant instructor and another very good horsey friend and then off to see The Spanish Riding School at the NIA tomorrow night.  Busy busy busy.  So much going on, so many outfits to find.  Loving it!

Last night's outfit!

Well I expected to be really stressed trying to decide what to wear last night but in fact it wasn't too bad!  I have got two pairs of trousers in a wine colour and I thought this blouse matched them quite well so decision made.  I tried on the first pair of trousers which are really flared and Rich - my husband - said I looked too grown up!  Shocker he rarely says that to me  I don't think he's ever said that to me!.  Apparently the people we were having dinner with were a lot older than me and Rich thought for some totally illogical reason that I should dress younger!  It just shows never listen to a man!
Anyway I wasn't sure about the flares so I ended up wearing the tapered ones in the photo.  They are quite baggy at the top but narrow at the ankle.  The material is silky and falls really nicely with no lumps or bumps.  I feel elegant in them - which believe me is virtually impossible!!!
And another admission to make - you have caught me out in another lie!  I said I don't shop at M&S and these trousers are in fact Autograph from M&S but I figure that doesn't really count!  The blouse is from Next.  It's not something I would normally buy but I like the fact that the body is stretchy T shirt kind of material but the sleeves are floaty chiffon.  I wore nude heels which I think were New Look but I've had them a while.
So I thought it looked ok but what do you think?  Be honest!  And do I look young or old?  Don't feel you have to be too honest on that one!

Trousers! And what to wear tonight?

Well like I said I do only wear trousers.  No skirts.  No dresses.  I did lie though!  I did say I don't wear elasticated waist trousers and I find that I have indeed got some!!!  I have just taken all my trousers out of my wardrobe and I have to say I have quite a diverse range. 

I have a loads of skinny and straight legs jeans in a variety of colours from beige through brown, black, wine and bright blue!  I also have several pairs of leggings and jeggings in a variety of colours.  And I have trousers ranging from tight and skinny, straight, ankle grazers and flares. The good news is there was only one pair that I couldn't fasten up.  Result!  A few more running sessions and maybe they will fit too!

I have to say that I'm loving my Gok jeggings.  I bought some last season and wore them to death so I bought a couple of pairs this season in black and indigo but they also do grey.  I find with leggings that I feel a bit vulnerable because they don't exactly provide much support.  Everything is free to wobble and believe me it does.  For me anyway.  But Gok's jeggings are different.  I feel supported.  They even make my stomach feel flat.  Miracle!!!
View link here: http://j-sainsbury.co.uk/media/798827/gok5.html

This season I've also bought two pairs of jeans from River Island.  Normally I'm a bit nervous of trying trousers on in River Island because they are made for skinny people who like to show their knickers above the waistband of their jeans.  I feel this is not the most fetching look for me!  Anyway, I tried these jeans on and they just fitted perfectly.  My knickers were discreetly covered - thankfully - and they are so comfy!  Love love love them!
This is the link to one pair I bought:
http://www.riverisland.com/women/jeans/skinny-jeans/Black-PU-trim-Taylor-skinny-jeans-623013

Trousers are tricky though.  There are so many types -  skinny, straight, bootcut and flared and which is right for you?  I always used to wear bootcut but now I don't wear them at all.  I like to wear straight cut with flats and skinny with heels.  I've discovered that wearing skinny jeans and heels makes me look thinner even though I had previously thought I was too fat to wear skinnies.  Now, needless to say, I wear them at any given opportunity!  I also like flares though.  Flares and heels can give a really nice silhouette as the swishy material is quite flattering.

However, right now I have to divert from my trouser tales to talk about what I'm going to wear tonight.  I'm going out with my husband, Rich.  We are having dinner at a posh restaurant with a business associate of Rich's and his wife.  I have never been to the restaurant before and I have never met the people we are having dinner with before.  So . . .what to wear???

I have pulled out 6 different pairs of trousers and they are on my shortlist but then I have to figure out a top to wear with them and shoes or boots!  I'm thinking - why am I writing this blog I should be upstairs trying to figure out what to wear!!! We leave in an hour and ten minutes!

But . . . what look do I want to go for?  And more importantly will it make me look thin?  Not much to ask.  Anyway, watch this space - photo coming soon of what I decide to wear.