Jumpering for Joy!

Day 261

Outfit 233:

Wow! It has been a busy few weeks since I last updated but rest assured the rose still has no new clothes. However, I have been WEARING a hell of a lot MORE, I can assure you! 

The cold weather has resulted in the unearthing of my knitwear collection and I've found that this year my cardigans have been pushed aside in favour of the classic pullover.  I have been getting A LOT of wear out of my sweaters and jumpers, not least this festive number: 

Outfit No 221 - Feeling Festive
Jumper - Little Ealing Boutique (2012)
Jeans - River Island 
(these were a friend's unwanted pair that I inherited in 2007 - still going strong!)
Boots - Office (2013)
Coat - Anthropologie via eBay (2010)

Isn't it fun and fluffy? So comfy. I think it looks like lots of little Christmas trees. Good job because it's the closest I'm getting to a Christmas jumper this year I'm afraid. Yesterday's Outfit 232 was pretty much the same as Outfit 221 but with addition of a hat and jeggings instead of jeans. 

Outfit No 232 - Hats Away!
Jumper - Little Ealing Boutique (2012)
Coat - Anthropologie (2010)
Hat - Primark...I think (2012)
Jeggings - Primark (2013)

The colder weather has resulted in a lot of rehashes. This next outfit has become another staple. I'm a SUCKER for black in winter.  I just love the way it can really set off your wintery accessories (like this gorgeous owl necklace which was a gift from my lovely Spanish friend, Marta). It's also pretty great when you have got bright red hair...

Outfit No 212 - Twit-twoo...
Black Batwing Jumper - Never Fully Dressed (2012)
Aztec  Shawl/Poncho - Never Fully Dressed (2012)
Owl Necklace - A gift from the lovely Marta - I LOVE it!

The batwing jumper is a favourite because it's comfy but the cut and fine knit make it feel quite chic at the same time. The aztec shawl-come-poncho is great for added warmth under my fur coat and a delight to wrap around and keep me warm when I'm stuck working in front of my computer.  I have worn a variation of this outfit time and time again in the last few weeks, changing it up with a different necklace or scarf.  I also have this sweater in charcoal - SUCH a winner.  

Another black one that I'm loving at the minute is this bad boy which was a bargain purchase from New Look a year or two ago.  Just the perfect slouchy and oversized black sweater:

 
Outfit No 193
Dress - Couples, Coleraine (2008)
Jumper - New Look (2012)
 Pumps - Office (2013)

I have to say, despite the fact that I clearly have enough of them, the winter jumpers have been the BIGGEST TORTURE whist I've been doing my Christmas shopping. 

They just look so cosy, safe and inviting in the midst of all the Christmas mayhem.... I want to put on about six, as knitted armour, and then curl up and drift off in the middle of a fortress of neatly folded woolly stacks. The perfect escape from the hell that is Oxford Street in December.

And it is hellish.  Even for a shopper like me. Or perhaps PARTICULARLY for a cold-turkey-going-shopaholic like me?  

I'm drawn to the dark wintery green colours that Pull & Bear have loads of at the moment:

Pull & Bear - Aran Knit Sweater with Kimono Sleeves in Duck Green

Pull & Bear - Pearl Knit Jersey in Bottle Green

Pull & Bear - Basic Sweater in Bottle Green 

Topshop are also doing a nice dark green one (although if it contains Angora best to stay clear...)

Topshop - Knitted Cable Jumper in Forest 

Gorgeous aren't they? BUT I guess I'll have to make do with the green I already have in my wardrobe. I really like this little Missguided batwing sweater which I have in a dark sort-of-duck-green (I also have it in both black and grey). It is great to jazz up with jewellry or a nice collar like this crocheted one.  My friends have named this outfit my Pilgrim's Choice... but I like it!

Outfit No 213 - Crochet-tastic!

Collar - Etsy (2012)

Green Jumper - Missguided (2012)

Dress (worn as pencil skirt) - Primark (2013)

Here I have thrown the black version of the same over this cute little leopard print collared dress:

Outfit No 229
Dress - New Look (2011)
Jumper - Misguided (2012)
Boots - Office (2013)

I've really been loving a bit of a fluffy jumper recently!  So my other green sweater has been getting a lot of tender loving wear.  I got this for a pittance in a discount store that sells seconds (the rejects from normal stores).  I think it was in there because its shape is a bit wonky but that's what I love about it (apart from the fact that it is fluffy and green, what's not to love about that?)! - works really nicely with the batwing sleeves 

Outfit No 230 - Going Green
Jumper - Little discount store (2012)
Green Velvet Skirt - eBay (2013)

Outfit No 192 - The Green Green Grass of Home

Jumper - Ealing discount store (2012)

Denim Skirt - Primark (2012)

Here is another faithful fluffy number:  

Outfit No 205 - Fluffy!
Jumper - Missguided (2012)
Skirt - Miss Selfridge (2008)
Head Band - just an old ribbon I had about the house

There's no denying it, some of the best jumpers out there are those made for men.  Last year I picked a couple up in Primark's menswear department.  These are my go-to-comfy-cozy-day-sweaters but they get loads of compliments. Although I have had the odd comedy 'matchy match' moment with a few poor unsuspecting guys (worse for them than for me, I can assure you). What did I expect from Primark? Oh well, at least all the women in the UK aren't wearing the same as me; even if the guys are...

Outfit No 220
Jumper  -  Primark Menswear  (2012)

Outfit No 224
Dress - Great Plains (2009)
Jumper - Primark Menswear (2012)

Outfit No 216
Coat - New Look (2012)
Jumper - Primark Menswear (2012)
Necklace - Primark (2013)

ANOTHER Primark number (seriously, after this year, I am banning myself from setting foot in the place), this time from the ladies section:

Outfit No 218
Jumper - Primark (2012)
Waxed Cape - ASOS (2010)
Boots - Vintage from  Beyond Retro (2011)

What other sweaters have been catching my eye? Well, I've always got time for a bit of mint and this Topshop quilted baby would certainly brighten up my life a little on these dull winter days *sigh*

Topshop - Knitted Quilted Jumper in Mint 

And this ZARA oversized mohair is pretty special:

Zara - Mohair Oversize Sweater in Wine

But what I've got a real notion for is a cobalt blue cable knit jumper.  I just REALLY want one (This might have something to do with the fact I spent seven years of my life wearing a school jumper in that exact shade and, after a ten year break, I'm finally ready to wear it again).  BHS are doing a lovely little one for a steal at £12. 

BHS - Cobalt Long Sleeve Cable Jumper

I'd love to get my mittened hands on this! 

I'd wear it with black jeans, black boots, black coat and top it off with black woolly hat... Perfect winter outfit. 

Hey, a girl can dream... Right? 

Love the button detail on the back: 

A gorgeous real wool cable knit in that colour would be amazing.  Someone knit me one, eh? 

Have your jumpers been stealing the winter lime half-light?

Over & Out 

M x

The Tight Diaries

Day: 211
Outfit: 208

With the arrival of Autumn comes time for one of my favourite things: Tights!  

I have A LOT of these and sorted them out rather wonderfully during TGWSO. Couldn't bring myself to count  exactly how many pairs I own but somewhere in and around the 40 or 50 mark: patterned, fishnet, multicoloured, and floral - you name it, I've got it.  They used to all be shoved into a couple of massive bags, where I couldn't tell black from navy, opaque from sheer, patterned from plain, or footless from footed. Now, they are beautifully organised according to colour and style and hang in pride of place in my wardrobe:

My beautifully organised collection of tights

These Rosie ones have proven to be favourites for nights out:

Outfit 89: Shoreditch Saturday Night
Pink Sequin Dress - H&M (2010)
Tights - eBay (2013)
Silver Shoes - Steve Madden (2010)

Outfit 161 - Brixton Saturday Night 

- Bumblebird, LBD and Rosie Tights

Yellow Batwing Kimono Jacket - Once belonged to my mum

Tights - eBay (2013)

Shoes - Marks and Spencer (2009)

And, shame on me, I wore them to brunch the next day too:

Outfit 162 - Rolling Out of Bed on Sunday and putting on Saturday Night's Clothes
 Zara Kimono, LBD and Rosie Tights

I really have a thing for tights with an interesting thigh pattern going on: 

Outfit 95 - Friday Night
Tights - eBay

I really love tights for day wear too.  One of my favourite things, pre shopping ban, of course, was to rummage through the hosiery section in Tk Maax - always get gems in there. Like this lovely cosy grey woollen pair:

Outfit No 170 - Peach Leather and Grey Tights
Leather Mini - Topshop (2010)

Studded Denim Shirt - Primark (2013)

Charcoal Grey Tights - TK MAAX (2012)

Pumps - New Look (2008)

Cardigan - New Look (2013) 

Outfit  No 171: Green Velvet  & Grey Tights
Kimono Jacket - Couples (2011)
Grey Batwing Tee - Once belonged to my friend Emma (2013)
Green Velvet Skirt - eBay (2013)
Tights - As above
Boots - Office (2012)

I love these too - another great Tk Maax find:

Outfit 172: Grey Shorts and Nude Florals

Tights - Tk Maax (2012)

Shorts - Primark (2009)

Floral Tee - Tk Maax (2012)

Mint Sweater - Primark (2013)

Boots - Office (2012)

And these:

Outfit  No 194: Red Tights

Grey Tee Dress - Topshop / eBay (2012)

Cream Cardigan - Primark (2011)

Crochet Cream Scarf - Primark (2013)

Red Tights - Tk Maax (2010)

Brogues - Peacocks (2010)

They can also be pretty for casual wear: 

Outfit 198: Rosie Pink Tee and Burgundy Tights

Tee - New Look (2013)

Denim Shorts - Homemade (2009)

Fringed Boots - Miss Selfridge (2013)

Cardie - used to be my Auntie Maureen's (2013)

These checked/tartan numbers are great fun, although admittedly a little 'out there':

Outfit 203 - Checked and Shiny

Dress - Primark (2008)

Tights - Tk Maax (2009)

Sliver Brogues - Steve Madden (2010)

I made the mistake of throwing my tartan coat on over this outfit and got more than a few funny looks - a definite Helena Bonham Carter moment.

Yesterday I wore this great minty green pair, which can also inspire the odd raised eyebrow. Doesn't stop me! I think they are super pretty:

Outfit No 207 - Minty Green & Cowboy Boots

Tee Dress - Topshop (2013)

Tights (Tk Maax)

Cowboy Boots - Vintage - Beyond Retro (2011)

Necklace - Primark (2013) 

Today, I am wearing the same dress but with different tights, shoes and jewellery.  Monday morning makes for little imagination, yet a completely different look:

Outfit No 208 - All Green
Tee Dress - Tophop (2013)
Tights - Peacocks (2009)
Necklace - Dunnes (2009)
Brogues - Steve Madden (2010)

I'll try to keep you informed of my 'tightscapades'.  Fingers crossed I don't get too many holes or ladders! 

Over & Out 

M x

Unloading and Wrapping Up

Day: 210
Outfit: 207

I've done it. I've made it well past the SIX MONTH mark! On the 1st of October I hit the half way point, this Thursday I will hit seven months and I STILL haven't bought anything or killed anyone. Yet.

Also, I've FINALLY started The Great Wardrobe Sort Out (TGWSO).

It hasn't exactly been stress free. 

My lovely friend, Nicola, braved coming round to assist and, even armed with a bottle of wine, I reckon it wasn't long before she was regretting her decision... There were clothes EVERYWHERE. And tensions started to rise when she, entirely reasonably, tried to get me to get rid of a lot more stuff than I was willing to part with. 

She was a super duper help.  I definitely wouldn't even have started to sort out that mess had she not put pressure on me to get stuck in and do it. Thanks for being so patient with me, Snickers! :) 

That night we made some real headway, managing to tuck all my summer stuff out of the way and fill a couple (more) bin liners full of stuff to bring to the charity shop. I was very determined that this time they would actually make it there and not just hangout in The Cupboard of Despair for years..

Over the course of the next week I managed to sort the wardrobe in such a way that I can now see everything! AT LAST!  It's amazing not having dig and rummage to look for stuff. Before I had to empty everything out of my wardrobe to find anything.

So this:

Would often become this:

It's probably a good thing that this is a little blurry...

But not any more!   Now, between the ample storage in my bedroom and the walk in cupboard in our hall (no longer The Cupboard of Despair :)) it is all sorted quite beautifully and I know exactly where to find whatever it is I need, be it one of my fifteen jumpers ( :o/ that's Autumn's sweater trend sorted) or one of the twelve(!) kimono jackets (yeah, I finally counted...) that I love so dearly.

When I did TGWSO I unearthed all my heavy coats and discovered that I have nine that I'd still wear.  Nine!  Who needs nine coats?!  Nobody.  And I REALLY need to sort out some sort of storage solution for them now. Even without them that coat stand looks as if is about to fall down. Already laden with pashminas, hats and scarves, it couldn't take my newly resurrected outerwear too. 

I recently made a vow to my flatmates to sort it out and transform our wasted downstairs space into a pretty storage solution for coats, shoes and handbags. That will be easier said than done, as it has recently become of a dumping ground for excess clothes and a load of stuff I want to put on eBay... Some day soon this will become something pretty:

Watch this space. 

Recently I have been favouring two members of my coat collection. This black tie wasted number, picked up on eBay last year.  It was originally £100 from Topshop but I got it BNWT (that's Brand New With Tags for the eBay novices out there) for a mere £25!

Great with a hat!

Coat - Topshop/eBay (2012)
Vintage Hat - Hope & Gloria (2012)

Wore it last week with this ensemble:

Outfit No 204 
Dress - Primark (2010)
Boots - New Look (2012)
Pashmina - I found this in the flat,
no idea where it came from or who it belongs to. HB?

The other that has been getting a lot of wear is my Coat of Dreams.  Even a full three years into our relationship I am still completely in love.  I first spotted it Anthropologie in New York in October 2010. It was towards the end of my three-week trip and I had barely enough money left to buy dinner, let alone a $600 dollar coat.  I was absolutely heartbroken.  

Apparently finding love and losing it in all of five minutes was so monumentous that my friend Val and I felt the need to capture it; so here I am on that fateful day (the face says all):

Then, about 18 months later, having been tagged in that photo on Facebook, I was inspired to have a little gander on eBay in case, on the off chance, someone was selling it.  And there it was! One lonesome Coat of Dreams. In my size. BNWT. And at a fraction of the original price. I was in eBay heaven.  My love and I were reunited at long last! Our love was meant to be. Here we are hanging out on Sunday last.  We love lazy Sundays:

Outfit No 202 Rainy Sunday
Coat - eBay/Anthropolgie (2012)
Sheer Batwing Tee - eBay (2013)
Scarf - Charity Shop (2005)
Navy Jeggings - Primark (2013)
Red Sneakers - New Look (2013)

Outfit 202 Take 2 - Dressed up a little for work
Boots - Office (2012)
Batwing Cardie - eBay (2013)

Now we are into cooler weather and I can start wearing my Autumn/Winter stuff I feel like I have gained a whole new wardrobe of clothes.  This has not come a moment too soon because the autumnal window displays were killing me a little.  I particularly love warm and wooly wintery layers (hence the aforementioned sweater overkill). Hell, I love clothes! - and in winter I get to wear more of them! How bad can that be?!

It's not really been cool enough for coats everyday so I have been having some fun layering up with these bad boys:

Outfit No 148 - Back to Boots & Autumnal Colours
Smock Top - Primark (2007/8 I think)
Skinny Jeans - Primark (2013)
Boots - Schuh (2013)

Layering Up Outfit No 148
Poncho/Blanket - Never Fully Dressed (2012)

I love this thing - I don't really know what to call it - Poncho? Blanket? Wrap?  But it's super pretty, great for just throwing on to wrap up a bit and also reversible which is a total winner!  I've been wearing it quite a bit:

Outfit No 154 - A lazy Norn Irish Break
Music Tee - Topshop (2012)
Heavy Duty Leggings - Topshop (2013)
Pumps - Office (2013)

Outfit No 160
Head Scarf - Charity Shop (2008)
Tee - Primark (2013)
Denim Shorts - Topshop (2009)
Fringed Boots - Miss Selfridge (2013)

I have another one and like it a lot too but the black and white isn't quite as wearable:

Outfit No 159 - Wrapping Up
Poncho/Blanket - Primark (2011)

TGWSO has also inspired me to start mending the many things I have that need mending. I have another big bag full of stuff that needs fixed, such as a lovely pair of burgundy trousers that I haven't worn for a couple of winters because they need a new button.  A button!  It would take five minutes to fix it!

I'm proud of me. I have started sewing on buttons, dropped overflowing bags to the charity shop (which proved incredibly therapeutic and pretty hilarious, thanks to a hole in a bag and many, many pairs of rolled up fluffy slipper socks...), ordered coat rails and come up with some great DIY storage solutions for that junk space.

I am ON. IT. and so busy I don't even miss shopping...Well, that's what I keep telling myself.

Over & out.

M