Homeward Bound

En route home to Ireland and here's what I'm wearing:




Mint Sweater - Primark
Sheer White Blouse with Crochet Collar - also Primark...(sorry!)
Studded Leather Skirt -Miss Selfridge
Khaki Tights - Primark... (:0/ forgive me, it is just great for basics on a budget)
And little flat black suede fringed ankle boots from Miss Selfridge that you can't see here but will probably be sick of looking at by this time next year!




Isn't the crochet collar on the blouse so pretty?

I really like crochet detailing on things - it reminds me of my lovely Granny D, who could crochet like a pro. I always meant to get her to teach me but she suddenly and devastatingly passed away 15 months ago. A little bit of crochet and a lot of amazing memories.


I also tried out another Barry M nail polish, this time their new Gelly Nail Effects in Green Berry and I like it much better:




Glossy, like a nail polish should be. Lovely.


I got these Barry M polishes in a 3 for 2 offer in Superdrug the other day. I'm so pleased I'm not insane enough to sign myself up for a year of no new cosmetics too. I'm such a beauty junkie. I think this year off clothes shopping may well make me rediscover the joys of nail art too!

So after the arduous task of lugging my massive case to the airport (needless to say I am incapable of packing light) and having to turn back TWICE because I forgot 1. my glasses (blind as a bat without them) 2. my handbag (what the..?!), I am now happily settled on the plane ready to touch down onto the beautiful Belfast tarmac.


See you on the other side.


M x


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A Sunny Day and Outfit #4

This morning, at 6:30am(!) absolutely knackered, after staying up late last night to do an accent breakdown (work stuff), yet very happy because today is my last day of work before ten glorious days of holiday at home in Ireland:

Outfit #4 (I talk you through it below)
Haha..Can you spot the Primark bag in the background?
It's from Monday's shopping expedition to tackle The List
- which I promise will eventually get round to telling you about.

I fly home in the morning and I am so excited! 

Also, those boots from Schuh arrived (that's another thing ticked off The List...but time is ticking too...aaah!) and today they got their first outing. I really like them, even though they are so pointy and heavy that I feel that I am wearing a pair of my dad's dress shoes! They are definitely sturdy enough to see me through the year (phew) and the buckles give a delightful jingle when I walk (bonus or curse? Only time will tell). Great little sale purchase at 1/2 price :)



AND the SUN was SHINING! This is me looking very happy about it (no filter):



As you can see, I am trying the buttoned up look today. I have had this green shirt since November and I have NEVER worn it. It was a very cheap eBay purchase. I thought it would be good for work but it just doesn't feel very me...I always put it on, turn up my nose, and then take it off again. 

Anyway, today I had an important meeting so I wanted to look a little neater and more sophisticated than normal, to distract from the fact that I was about to keel over with exhaustion. Nothing screams neat like a shirt buttoned right to the top, right? I softened the look with my fave Never Fully Dressed* Alexandra Sweater in black (I have it in charcoal too and it is even nicer), as I hate looking too structured. 

The pendant on my necklace actually opens up to reveal a pretty little working clock (another old favourite that hasn't seen the light of day in a few years - this 'wardrobe shopping' is pretty great, huh?) It was a present from my parents for my 20th birthday.


My nails were in a sunny mood too, thanks to Barry M's Station Road. Although, I'm a little unsure about it (hence the dodgy look) as it is supposed to be a 'textured' polish and to me it just looks a little like sandpaper or as if I have smudged it really badly (so kind of ruined the neat and sophisticated vibe). Really pretty colour though.

Laughing at the ridiculousness of taking photos of myself at 6.30 in the morning.
What have I got myself into?!

The jeans are the same Primark skinnys that I wore on Tues.  I also have to confess that Wednesday was one of those days where I picked the outfit from the day before off the back of my chair (not something I'm proud of, but inevitable when you work long hours and see different people every day), thus the Zara Japanese Print Kimono Jacket got its 2nd wear.  


All in all outfit #4 was not a bad wee outfit. Not my favourite though.

Now I need to pack (Oh, Jesus).

Over and out.

M x

* If you haven't already discovered Never Fully Dressed, you should check them out: gorgeous and original clothes, pretty packaging and great service.  I am going to have to avoid the website for a year or it will be total self-sabotage...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tote's Broke

This morning disaster struck.

On my way to work my gorgeous Zara tan leather tote broke! I mean totes gave up the ghost (can you tell I love a pun?).

Zara Leather Shopper

Now, I'm the first to admit I'm pretty sore on bags (and know that a few of you reading this would say I'm rather sore on my shoulders also... I did BUY that backpack but sometimes it just RUINS an outfit...) but I only bought this on the 16th of March!

Zara, as much as I love you you need to up your game. A £99 bag should not break after a few uses (incidentally, this was another of the three items contained with The Zara Bag of Shame, I'll let you see the third another time).

Anyway, this leaves me in a bit of a pickle. I've found the receipt (thank God or I really would have been totes broke) so should be able to return but do I really want the same bag again if it might just suffer the same fate?! In my heart I really do because it's so pretty... But my head is telling me to be sensible, return it and buy another from somewhere else (clearly listening to my head is something I struggle with).

What if don't find one I like as much before Monday? What if I get another replacement from Zara and then a month into The Challenge it breaks and I'm not allowed to buy an alternative?
So this has got me thinking, perhaps I need to insert another clause into The Rules that takes into consideration extreme circumstances. Should I be allowed to replace essential items if they become damaged, lost or broken? Or is that a cop out? What do you think?

Also, what if something awful happens, like someone voms on me on the tube (please let that never happen... but you never know with norovirus that is going round) or I get stranded somewhere for days and have nothing to wear and nothing to borrow, would I just have to go smelly and deal with it? I hope you all think not...
I've got a rough day ahead of me lugging this broken bag around London. Thanks, Zara.

Over and out.

M x

P.S. I went shopping on Monday and started tackling The List- will tell you all about it when I get a chance.

Kimono Tastic

Zara Japanese Print Kimono
H&M Breton Stripe Top
Topshop Necklace
Primark Taupe Vest (just seen)
Primark Ultra Soft Super Skinny Jeans
Office Nikita Boots

So the AMAZING kimono jacket that I am wearing today was one of three items that lay hidden inside the Zara Bag of Shame that was stashed behind my bed for days and was really the last straw that led me to The Challenge and thus this blog.. Now, don't get me wrong, I really love this jacket BUT I did NOT need it. 

When you have had a little more of a nosey into my treasure trove of a wardrobe you will discover that it has more than its fair share of kimono jackets.  I have such a thing for them, always have.  So now that they are on trend and in all the shops it is a bit annoying because everyone will be wearing them *sigh*  It is also, needless to say, absolute torture because I want them ALL!  They really are a really comfy, yet feminine way of glamming up any outfit.  You can make a real a feature of them by wearing over a solid base, which is great for a night out, or you can go a bit crazy and throw on over another pattern or a stripe for a more fun and laid back vibe, like I did today. I love the way the stripes make this look more casual. I really swear by these kimono bad boys for nights out as I don't really like to wear blazers when dressing up, they can be a bit too austere -I'm all about the floaty goodness!  And you really can wear them over anything. So, yeah, you get the picture: I love kimonos.When I finally get around to The Big Wardrobe Sort Out (oh,yes, that is coming) I will be able to let you know how many I actually have... 

Yes, Emily, I used your room for pics today.
It's a little less cluttered than mine...

A casual camouflage Sunday

Today was a much needed lovely lazy Sunday.  I don't get many of those (you will soon discover that I am a total workaholic as well as a shopaholic).  So I'll have to confess that little thought went into I wore, as I rather relished picking Friday's clothes off of the back of a chair and sticking them on.  But I still really like this outfit, it's casual, comfortable and understated but the little flashes of gold make it feel a bit cheerier and glam it up a bit...

Whoops!  Forgot to take off my specs

Am I ever going to get this photo taking thing? 

Ah, that's better! Just edit out the head...
Zara shirt
Beige sheer T-shirt 
(I got a zillion of these in different colours off ebay from China and they were about £4 each. Bargs. 
Oh, you can still get them! - here you go)
Topshop Necklace
Primark black jeggings
Nikita Boots - Office

I am really going to have to find a better set up for taking these pictures and try to remember to do it daylight. Here is a better picture of the Zara studded camouflage shirt I'm wearing:
  

Zara top (see more studded shirts)

I LOVE this shirt.  I bought it back  in September when I was stocking up for work and it is definitely a purchase I do not regret.  I'm not really a camouflage sort of girl, but I saw this and that thing where I instantly come up with about a thousand outfits happened.  It was £40 which I felt a bit sick about the time but I have got loads of wear out of it already. 

I got it a little big so that I can wear it as a "jacket" over jeans and a t-shirt, like I have done today.  It is equally great over dresses in the same jacket-y guise, especially when you want to dress them down a bit.  Or I can button it and wear it as a modern take on a button down with jeans or a skirt (tucked in, left out, sloppy tucked, sleeves rolled, etc, etc I could go on and on). The green is a neutral and the studs and gold accents make a regular casual-leaning shirt more interesting, modern and dressier so it would be fab with jeans and heels for a night out, although I've yet to actually do that, I must (watch this space)! It looks great against dark or light solids and is the perfect element for pattern mixing, and it's just right when you're travelling or don't know what to wear; you can just throw on and it basically makes an outfit instantly.  

I think you will be seeing A LOT of this baby!

Lots of chat about The Challenge today and also received loads of messages, and phone calls of encouragement so I'm feeling very positive and excited, as well as bloody petrified I won't pull it off because EVERYONE WILL KNOW...  

Spotted a gorgeous red dress in a shop window and DIDN'T EVEN GO IN.  Dead proud. It's ridiculous. Especially because technically I could have bought it because The Challenge doesn't officially start until the 1st. Smug, I am. 

And then, of course, I was linking the stuff above for you guys and  I found these and nearly caved. I mean they are £2.99!  and the yellow, blue and black would be the perfect things to get me through The Challenge over the summer *plans a gazillion worth of outfits in head*  Oh, God.  I feel sick.  I need to go to bed

It's nearly Monday now... *sigh* 

One week until The Challenge REALLY begins...

The (Prada wearing) devil is in the detail

Wow! So the reaction has been incredible. Lots of support and encouragement. Can't quite believe how many readers I've had already. I guess it is really happening, huh? *wails silently*
(What. on. earth. have. I. let. myself. in. for?) 

My mother can't quite believe I am going to do it. Of course, I have her to blame for being like this. I remember all too well helping her to hide illicit shopping bags after trips to Bishops shoe sale: "Don't tell your dad I bought all FOUR pairs. I'll expose him to them gradually over time..." 

She is fully supportive, albeit a little surprised that I still have got the habit. "I remember when you worked in Couples Fashion and spent all your earnings on clothes, but I thought you'd grown out of it in the last couple of years..." Well, no, mum, I haven't. I just moved to London so I have been able to hide it from you quite easily, although it is true that the cost of city life has made it more painful and more difficult.

My friends all seem rather excited, although the responses have varied from "You can do it!" or "I'm so proud of you" to "Everything in moderation, Maeve; Allow yourself something new every month..." or " It's going to be a tough year..." and "I think that's an amazing idea...*sudden look of sheer terror* You don't expect me to do it too do you?!" My closest girlfriends have already jokingly started calling it 'Maeve's Penance'.  Penance for what exactly? Years of over indulgent shopping probably. 

I even had one suggest I set up a JustGiving page and use this as an opportunity to raise some money for charity. This had crossed my mind but I suppose I would just feel a bit silly asking for sponsorship for 'not buying clothes' when others do incredible things like run marathons and climb mountains. Besides this challenge is not about doing something worthy. It's about my state of mind, about proving to myself that I don't need new stuff to feel good and about making use of the mountain of material that I've already got. So I suppose in my own way I will be climbing a mini cloth mountain! 

The questions I keep hearing are 'What are you going to do when you lose all your socks and ladder all your tights?' 'Are you including underwear?' 'What about accessories?' 

So I think it's important I set out some ground rules and a bit of a sensible plan if I am actually going to see this through. 

The Challenge: 

Between the 1st of April 2013 and the 1st of April 2014 I am not allowed to purchase anything I can wear. So, yes, that includes underwear(!) and outerwear, footwear *weep*, jewellery, bags, scarves, hats, headbands etc. (you get the idea) 

The Rules: 

1. No buying (obviously) 

2. I am allowed to accept clothing etc. as gifts but I am NOT allowed to REQUEST it. So no asking for that blue jumper from Topshop etc. but I am not going to turn down a kind and generous gift from a friend by saying 'I can't accept that because I'm doing this challenge... la la la la..." Gross! No. It is rude to turn away gifts and I couldn't put my mother through the torture of not being allowed to buy me pyjamas for Christmas, so gifting is fine. 

3. I can borrow. 

4. I can swap. 

5. I can accept peoples' cast-offs (after all one woman's tat is another woman's treasure). 

6. I can make/customise until my heart's content. I don't think this counts as cheating because the sense of accomplishment and achievement you get out of making something is a far cry from the horrible sense of guilt you feel handing over your Visa at the cash desk. Also it is unlikely that I will increase the size of my wardrobe very much this way - I just don't have the time or that much skill, if I'm honest. 

Preparation: 

Now, obviously I need to be sensible and organised about this (let's not forget that it is a failure to be sensible that got me here in the first place). Before April arrives I will need to have everything I need to keep me going for a full year. I am supposed to be a sensible, professional, working woman and need to make sure that I am not going to be going into work with holey clothes and shoes with no soles! 

Unfortunately despite the sheer size of my wardrobe it is somewhat lacking in the basics. Remember, I might have gone into to the shop because I needed a new pair of black trousers for work but I came out with a sequin top instead... Therefore I have made a list of sensible purchases that I am going to need to make in order to see this through. 

Now, before you say this list is cheating, think about it: I am doing this for A YEAR so I will need basics. Also, these are BORING items, not the sort of thing I get excited about whatsoever (In fact, all my life I have been so bored by the idea of buying jeans that I have actively avoided it. Now I wear stretchy jeggings, that I don't have to go through the torture of trying on, instead). I am not going to go and have a major shopping blowout, I am simply going to stockpile the basics (and, yes, Caroline, that may include some gin to get me through). 

The List: 

1. Underwear - enough knickers to see me through a year and a couple of good bras, including a new multi-way/backless one because mine broke recently. 

2. Socks 

3. Tights 

4. A good supply of leggings and jeggings. I live in these for work so I can't afford to get to November and have none that are still stretchy/don't have holes etc 

5. Vest/tank tops 

6. Slips - I have countless dresses and skirts of varying lengths that I don't wear because I need a slip! I always meant to buy some but they have always been too dull to make it to the top of my shopping list. So, if I am going to make the most out of my already existing wardrobe these will be a must. 

7. A good pair of flat black leather ankle boots - I live in these and unfortunately my latest pair bit the dust only last week. These will need to be hard wearing! I have had my eye on these for a while so might get them but I'll have be to sure because once the 1st comes there will be no going back! 

8. A black leather tote? Is this pushing it? I don't know if I can afford it before the 1st but I could really do with a new black bag. My current one really needs to be disposed of as it has gone green and funny looking after years of abuse and one disastrous trip around the washing machine following a muddy music festival. 

9. Some flat pumps for when we (eventually) get into warmer weather 

10. A pair of casual summer sandals as it's been a year or two since I did a replacement there. 


I think that's it! 

Have I forgotten anything?! The fear is staring to set in now. 

Let it begin:

Last night I had a night out at the theatre and I wanted to use it as an opportunity to kick start the idea of "shopping my wardrobe." So I really rooted through my stuff, looking for something that I have hardly worn to give a wee outing. I settled on a pretty midi length black lace dress that I bought over Christmas and have only worn once.  Of course, en route to the till, I convinced myself that I would wear it to death and that it was a necessary purchase. I talk some crap, even to myself. (You will soon discover that my wardrobe contains a ridiculous amount of black lace.)

Black lace midi dress, Primark
- you can see the ivory version on this page
Turtle neck black midi dress, Missguided
-similar from ASOS
I PROMISE I will get better at this photo taking malarky.

One of the reasons that I have hardly worn it is because the slip that it came with is mini length and I just can't seem to get myself to like that style of sheer midi over mini - it just stinks of effort. So I really needed a midi length black dress/slip to wear under it. Cue brainwave: Oh my God, remember that black midi dress you bought back in November and have never worn!? Yeah. Well it would be perfect. I know it has a turtle neck and it is March but it's snowing outside so it would be totally workable. That's a great idea! But where on earth is it?! 

This, ladies and gentleman, is one of the problems I face on a regular basis. I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING! I have so much stuff but I only wear a fraction of it because frankly I don't know where anything is! Ordinarily I would just give up and opt to wear something that's near the top of the pile but, last night I found myself thinking, if I'm going to take this challenge seriously, I suppose I had better make an effort. 

The Great Hunt For The Black Turtle Neck Midi took no less than 30 minutes, a few expletives, and work-out levels of perspiration. But it worked! I made a brand new outfit without buying anything new. Win! I'm think I might just be able to pull this off - bring it on!

But this might be a rather stressful year unless I sort out some sort of system for organising my clothes... *yawn*

The Ultimate Challenge

I am a shopaholic. Have been for as long as I can remember.  It started with CDs as a teenager.  I had to ask my friends to please-stop-me-from-going-into-Caroline-Music-because-I-will-just-buy-ANOTHER-CD! Then at the age of 15 I got a summer job working in a clothes shop. That's when it really began...  

THAT wardrobe...

I love clothes. I love shopping. I am also a hoarder.  It isn't a winning combination.  My floor to ceiling wardrobe is bulging, the walk in cupboard in the hall is death trap (I am just waiting for the day that one of our house guests is crushed or suffocated to death, en route to the loo, by an avalanche of black bin bags full of leopard print and polka dots), my parents fear their attic is going to collapse in on them and on most days my coat stand collapses due to stress. Yet I KEEP BUYING!

It's not a label thing with me.  I don't really care for them.  I just really enjoy clothes and how they can reflect your personality and style.  Ever since I was a child I have adored creating outfits and now only have to glance at an item to fall in love with it and know exactly how I would wear it.  

However, even though the pieces I buy are rarely expensive, high end fashion, the sheer number of them makes it a pretty pricey habit and one that I certainly cannot afford.  I am a self employed twenty something, living in London, so I need my money for rent, my business and my social life and should not be frittering it away on yet ANOTHER kimono sleeved jacket.  

But it's not the money issue (although it probably should be), or even the lack of space, that has led me to take decisive action (more on that in a moment), it's the rather unnerving fact that I just can't seem to CONTROL myself when it comes to shopping.  If I see something I like but know I don't need, or can't afford, I will have, often very lengthy, debates with myself about whether or not I should purchase.  I can almost picture my very own Jiminy Cricket perched on my shoulder and telling me not to do it.  I don't know why I bother exhausting myself, and Mr Cricket, with the charade because I always walk right up that to that till (or, even worse, click that button) and buy it anyway!

Without doubt, I have an addictive personality, so I guess I am pretty lucky that it has manifested as a need for 50+ pairs of shoes and not as a need for other not so pleasant, not so pretty, things.  But this shopping thing is definitely a compulsion that I struggle to control and, quite frankly, I'm bit embarrassed by it.  I'm tired of hiding Zara bags behind my bed.  The guilt of spending all my money, quite literally, on material is draining me.  I can honestly say I don't even enjoy it a lot of the time because any enjoyment is coupled with a crippling sense of guilt and self disgust. The fact that I hide most of my purchases from my friends and family says it all.  

So, 'enough is enough' and all that... I am setting myself a CHALLENGE.  A pretty big challenge:

NO MORE CLOTHES SHOPPING FOR A WHOLE YEAR. 

Now, I realise this might not seem like much of a big deal to you but, to me, it is MASSIVE and bloody terrifying! (Yes, I can hear myself and I know I sound ridiculous, hence my reasons for doing this...)

I've decided to use this blog as a place to share the experience because

a) I can't be the only person out there in this position(?!) 

b) I feel documenting might help me to stay on track - if I tell people I HAVE to do it!

c) sharing outfits will force me to 'shop my wardrobe' so to speak

So stay with me and give me a little support, eh?

Here goes....

Wish me luck!

x