To Gok or Not to Gok???

As you probably know, I'm a big Gok Wan fan.  I follow him on Twitter.  I watch all his TV programmes.  I buy his books.  I buy his clothes collection from Sainsbury's.  So, as you can imagine I was excited to hear that his new collection was launching at the end of last week.

I saw a link online to a video clip of an interview he had done about the new collection.  I think he said it's his 7th collection.  He said this was quite a departure from what he'd done before.  This is what he'd always wanted to do but he had to win the public's confidence first.  You can find the clip by clicking the link below:

http://www.gokwan.com

On Saturday I set off to do my Sainsbury's shop knowing that I would be able to browse Gok's collection and perhaps even buy a few pieces.  And there it was - prominently displayed right at the front of the clothing section!!!

. . . But . . . huge disappointment!!!!  I didn't like it!!!!!  There is nothing about it I liked!  Check it out for yourself by clicking the link below:

http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/blog/2013/01/sneak-peek-gok-for-tu-spring-collection/

Actually I am exaggerating!  I did like one thing.  I bought a pair of black perfect fit trousers.  They do fit really well and are comfy too.

I don't know about you but I have been a big fan of Gok's latest series Style Secrets.  Gok has been helping single women who haven't dated for years to get back out there.  Whoever says that clothes aren't important is crazy!  These women transform when Gok shows them how to dress.  Of course he's also brilliant at boosting their confidence too but the clothes make a massive difference.

I think when people feel low they tend to wear the same old clothes over and over again.  They want to disappear into the background.  They don't want to be noticed.  They feel ugly.  They look in the mirror and the clothes they are wearing don't do them justice so it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.  Once someone (Gok in this case) shakes them out of that downward spiral and shows them how to dress suddenly they believe they look good.  Confidence emerges and they start to care about themselves and how they look.  People start to notice and tell them how good they look and hey presto! - A transformation takes place!!!

So if anyone tells you that you buy too many clothes - so long as you feel good in them - ignore them!!!

Take a look at Gok's scrapbook from the series:

http://scrapbook.channel4.com/experts/gokwan

Christmas!!!

I hope everyone has had a super Christmas.  Does anyone else find it exhausting?  There's all the preparation - cleaning the house, buying presents, wrapping presents (which seems to take forever), putting up the tree (ours died within about 3 days!), grocery shopping along with everyone else in the entire area!  Then I had to go and pick up my Dad.  Although he's not much trouble you still feel responsible for him and don't quite relax.

Ready to go pick up my Dad on Sunday 23rd in my Next blouse, Sainsbury's straight jeans, M&S boots and New Look handbag

Here with my cousin's husband

                                                 

Ready to go out to lunch on Christmas Eve.  Next
lacy top, sparkly vest, Top Shop skinny jeans and M&S boots

Although Rich cooked on Christmas Day I did all the tidying up (he's a very messy cook), got rid of all the wrapping paper, put everyone's presents away.  Rich got really stressed doing it too. He's usually very laid back.  We all got to Skype my eldest son in Australia which was lovely.  My Dad couldn't quite believe his grandson was on the screen of my iPad!

There were five of us for lunch, me, Rich, my son and daughter and my Dad.  After lunch my daughter and I cleared the table, stacked the dishwasher, washed up everything that wouldn't go in the dishwasher and tidied the kitchen.

Rich and I after lunch!

The table from above and my Dad chilling with the dogs.

On Boxing Day we had a load of friends coming for lunch.  It's an annual tradition.  I got up, tidied the house, prepared the lunch, set the table and chilled the wine.  When everyone left I cleared up again.

Boxing Day table.

Waiting for guests to arrive in Top Shop jeans again and my new Pull & Bear top which I got for Christmas.

The next day same process but for Rich's daughters, son in law and three grandchildren.  Although it's good having such a social time I actually prefer our girlie suppers!

Ready for guests to arrive on 27th in a top I've had for absolutely ages, Gok jeggings and New Look heels.

My homemade lasagne ready to go in the oven.

A little treat . . .

Yesterday I went into town.  I had a few things I needed to do and Rich wanted to go buy the things I had put on my Christmas list.  I was wandering round trying to buy gloves for all of us as it was so cold when I found a couple of things I just had to have.  Well you have to treat yourself once in a while.  So here are my new boots and I even found a cardi to match!!!

What do you think????  I love them.  I've got some similar boots but these fit me so much better and are so comfy.  The cardigan was £10 from Primark and the boots were £20 also from Primark.  Bargain!!!

Not to be left out my dogs all had new coats.  The temperature has dropped and they like to look trendy on their walks!

I have also ventured into the loft in search of more dresses and later on I'm going to try a few things on in the hope that I can find something to wear tomorrow night.  Wish me luck!!!

A Quiet Week

I've not posted for a week because it's been a pretty quiet week, as in I've not got dressed up to go out anywhere special in the last week.  Sometimes life's just like that I guess.  Instead of dressing up I've been out running.  I did seventeen miles last week and stuck to my diet.  Yesterday was my diet day off as I took my children to London -  shopping for their Christmas presents.

So the only new clothes I've had in the last week is a fluorescent yellow running jacket, new running tights and gloves.  I would post a picture but I think it's better that I save you from such a sight.  But rest safe in the knowledge that I can now be seen by passing motorists. 

I'm trying to have a better beauty routine.  Under instruction from my gorgeous hairdresser - Simon - I am deep conditioning my hair twice a week.  I'm also exfoliating twice a week and using a face pack once a week.  Since the Neal's Yard party I have been using a toner.  I always use eye cream and moisturiser. Hopefully my skin and hair will benefit.

This week I've got a couple of outings coming up.  On Friday we are off to the Races again.  On Saturday we are going out for our Girlie Christmas Supper and Secret Santa.  I have no idea what to wear on Saturday.  I'm going to try to have a search through my wardrobe tomorrow.  I don't really have a sparkly going out top.  I think quite a few of the girls will wear dresses.  I'm not sure what to do.  I will search out a few alternatives and let you know.

Oh here is a picture of one of the tops I bought from Oasis a week or two ago.  I really like it.  It looks better on. I'm sure I will be going out in it soon.

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!!!!

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!