Finally I go out in a dress!!!

So what do you think???!!!!!

Thank you to everyone who commented on which dress I should wear.  Actually it wasn't too bad.  I thought I'd feel really uncomfortable but it's a very easy dress to wear.  I've had it for ages; probably at least a couple of years.  I'm pretty sure it's from Primark.  My boots are also old.  I found them in the back of the cupboard.  As my son put it, "they're really old school".  Maybe I'll get some new ones in the sales.

It's inspired me to try dress wearing again.  Claire and Sarah also wore dresses but they are regular dress wearers.  We had such a lovely evening.  Claire's house is always immaculate but at the same time warm and welcoming.  Although Claire, like myself, is a reluctant cook she always gives us a lovely meal and is a wonderful hostess.  We had salmon in a cream sauce, roasted new potatoes and salad followed by trifle and of course plenty of bubbly and wine.

Yesterday was my day off my diet.  I really enjoyed the whole day but feel crappy today.  I'm not sure you realise how over indulging effects you until you diet then there is such a contrast in how you feel on diet and none diet days.  I still exercised yesterday.  My friend Paola picked me up at around 8.30am and we met some of the Cleeve Ladies at Pitville Park and went for a run.  The reward at the end of the run was coffee and cake at the cafe!  I also walked the dogs for over an hour. 

I'm actually glad to be back to dieting today but it's an exercise free day for me - unless you count walking round Sainsburys!  Tomorrow back to running!  Bring it on!  Oh and it's my day to weigh!!!  Prepare for me being devastated!!!!

Wednesday outing - Neal's Yard Party

On Wednesday evening my friend, Heather, hosted a Neal's Yard party.  I was introduced to Neal's Yard at the beginning of 2011.  I was getting married in the April and went to see Sophie Chamings at the beginning of the year.  She was going to do my make-up for the Big Day.  She suggested that on the run up to the wedding I used Neal's Yard face mask, moisturiser and eye cream.  It was really good and kept my skin clear but I didn't carry on using it after the wedding because it was quite expensive - compared to the products I'd used in the past.

Then Heather announced she was hosting a Neal's Yard party and I was quite excited.  I liked the products but the shop, although lovely, was a bit intimidating,  I was glad to have the chance to have the products explained to me.  In fact it was even better than that.  Jodie who did the party talked about various products and allowed us to try them.  Then she gave any of us who wanted one a mini facial.  It was bliss.  Jodie was brilliant.  Everyone warmed to her.  And we got 20% off the products.

One thing she told us was that everyone should use toner.  I've never used toner.  I think only one person at the party used it.  Apparently it prepares your skin for the moisturiser meaning your moisturiser is more effective. 

Anyway, I wore tan leggings and long cardi from Primark, my lovely M&S boots and scarf from Forever 21.  I'm still working on the dresses.  I am going to wear one on Saturday.  I've tried some on.  Photos to follow tomorrow and then you can give me your feedback and help me choose one.  Claire - whose house I'm going to for supper - wears a dress so well.  In fact she always looks completely glamorous.  I have no idea how she does it.  I'm going to be keeping an eye on her to see if I can pick up some tips.

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!!!

Friday Night Fashion

This is what I wore out to supper last night!  The complete outfit is actually from Gok's range at Sainsbury's!  The jeans are this season and the top is last season and they are paired with my favourite nude heels from New Look.  And I was actually told that I looked skinny!  Thanks Olivia!!! 
I have been trying to be good about what I eat and only drink wine once a week and I have been running with my running buddy Heather but each time I get on the scales they say exactly the same thing!  Anyone else have that problem?  Why can't they just lie and tell you what you want to hear??? If they did then I'd move them from their lonely existence in the bathroom to pride of place in the lounge!

So I had a fab evening.  Our friends live in the most beautiful house so it was a super place to be.  First plus point!  We were joined by their gorgeous daughter and her lovely boyfriend and another couple who we hadn't seen for a couple of months but very much enjoy spending time with.  Second plus point!  The food was absolutely delicious.  Third plus point!  And the champagne was flowing.  Fourth plus point!  And at this point I must add that it's a very well known fact that champagne contains zero calories when consumed with good friends on a Friday night.  I believe the same also applies for profiteroles!  And the fifth and most important plus point was Rich was driving so I could enjoy all of the above!!!!

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!

My latest purchase!

Having missed a few days of blogging there's a lot to catch up on!!!  I went out to supper on Friday evening and as always we were served up amazing food by our lovely friend.  We all had seconds of the main course and then polished off a pavlova that would have easily fed 16 between 5 of us.  Luckily I went dressed for comfort so after dinner was able to kick off my boots and relax on the sofa.  I wore my Gok skinny jeans - very comfy, Next jumper and M&S boots.  The jacket is from Top Shop and I love it.  It's so soft and easy to wear.  I hate coats that restrict your movement.

On Saturday I went to an equestrian event called Your Horse Live with my daughter.  There were hundreds of trade stands - yay!!! - and I actually did some Christmas shopping as my daughter chose a few things she liked.  I treated myself to a tweed jacket.  I have wanted one for a while but couldn't find one in the shops.  I did see one in Jack Wills but I think Jack Wills is for teenagers! And not only that it was £199!  Extortionate!!!  I found one on the Joules stand.  I absolutely love it!  It feels so good and is just what I was looking for. And it was only £89 - still a lot I know, but because I bought my daughter a shirt for Christmas I spent over £100 and therefore qualified for £20 off.  Result!  Anyone who likes Joules - they have good offers on at the moment!
I also bought a couple of things which I have given to Rich to give to me for Christmas presents.  It makes his life easier and he's very happy not to have to shop himself.  I got a black v-neck jumper and a tweed waistcoat from the Rydale stand.

This is me ready to head for home after a good morning shopping!

I've also got on my mind that, as predicted, one of my friends has suggested that we are going to wear dresses on our New Year's Eve bash.  I haven't seen any dresses I fancy in the shops, magazines or online.  I did like the red dress that Myleen wears in the M&S advert but its sold out.  I'm actually worrying myself about the number of times I'm mentioning M&S!  That's so not cool!!!  Anyway, as I'm not a dress person I think I will just head up into the loft, where I have a wardrobe for my dresses.  They live up there because they get used so infrequently.  I must surely have one I can wear for New Year's Eve!

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!