Just another manic monday...

Well, I went back to Matalan at the weekend, after my last embarrassment.

Manager man wasn't there, or he might have been, perhaps he was just hiding from me. I figured it's like when you fall off a bike, you just gotta get back on.

Just to be safe I took my mum and 3 others. Safety in numbers.

Good job I went back mind you, the sale was in full swing, I went a bit mental. Starting with this Autumnish dress. The colours are just perfect for Autumn. It was half price at £9. And the blue beaded necklace was £3.

I later looked on their website and realised... Doh, I am a complete hussey! This is advertised as a tunic to be worn with jeans. Never mind, I like it as a dress and you'd have to be a 6ft goddess to wear it as a tunic anyhow.

Dancing with the Store Manager...

Total humiliation in Matalan today.

They started a half price sale yesterday so I went in today for a browse. It couldn't have been a worse shop to embarrass myself in, my favourite bargain store of all places, I heart it, but it will never be the same now.

Here's how the story unfolded...

Strolling down an aisle, I almost bump into the store manager. He catches my eye with recognition, "Ah... hello madam, how are you today". Doh, embarrassment number 1, the store manager recognises me. (as I suspected, I do shop there too often).

Worse, he looks down, I'm holding a pair of tights and a frilly bra. Eek.

Worse still, we sidestep to move past each other, but, arrrgh... we sidestep the same way.

Worse still, we do it again.... and again... AND AGAIN, oh man, you can see where this is heading.

Even worser, not content with my already embarrassing situation, my mouth starts to operate before brain has had chance to communicate: "Shall we dance?" I say. CRINGE!

Please somebody shoot me!!!! I could of possibly got over the whole 'dancing with the store manager thing' if only I'd just left it there. Instead, I had to make it even worse, by making him feel even more awkward than he already did, he nervously giggles and moves away.

Why oh why can I not just go into a shop, and make a simple transaction?. It's not too much to ask is it?

BTW, random outfit post up top. Nothing to say about it to be honest.

Oh, and btw too, (I'm done with ps's) thank you all for your lovely comments yesterday, it meant a lot. And sozza that I made some of you cry, going all sentimental on ya! :-(

A Tribute...

I must admit, I have been 'umming' and 'arhhing' about whether to include this post. I wondered if it was too personal for my blog and whether my family would mind.

But it's such an important thing to me, I didn't think it appropriate for a whimsical outfit post today. So forgive my self indulgence. Consider it my therapy!

3 years ago today, we lost my dad. He passed away aged 55.

It completely devastated our whole family as you can imagine. My dad could make me laugh until I cried, daily. He was the 'hub' of our family. I would call him up for advice on everything, from a car problem to work issues, he always had the answer.

He was very poorly, but never complained. In his last few weeks he did not sleep well. I know this because I would go into work in the morning and my first email of the day was always from dad. Usually sent at silly o'clock in the night. It would always make me smile. I printed out all those emails and put them in a private box which I read now and again.

But something strange happened. A week or two after dad's funeral, I discovered I was a few weeks pregnant, with a little boy. I went 2 weeks overdue and was invited in to discuss induction. They gave me 3 dates, one of which was 07.07.07. Whilst in itself this seemed a nice lucky birthdate (and certainly one I can remember!), more importantly it was also 9 months to the day that dad died. And out popped Joseph Paul.

Joseph gave me a new focus in life and he (along with the rest of my family, extended family and friends) helped me start to come to terms with our loss. Naturally it doesn't go away, but having a focus helps a tiny bit.

Rest in peace Dad, I hope you are proud of me and everyone else in our family, we all miss you more than ever, but you're always, always in our thoughts.

It's raining, pouring, the old man is snoring...

Scared the window cleaner this morning. And he scared me. In fact we both squealed (but I'm a girl, so my squeal was allowed, he on the other hand should be a teeny weeny bit embarrassed, grown man squealing like a girl indeed).

Being a window cleaner, he should really know better than creeping up unannounced and cleaning your upstairs bedroom windows at the crack of dawn, he's just asking for some surprise moments.

He's just lucky I didn't swing open the windows in a "Oh what a beautiful morning!" styley (I've never actually done that but I can imagine can't I?), then he'd have something to squeal about and probably a couple of broken bones too.


It started to rain when he left (typical) and continued for most of the day, so what else is a girl to do? Pop on a totally unsuitable dress, pearls, and gold 'cinderella' shoes and go 'Singing in the Rain'... That's what.






ps. I'm off to the cinema again tonight, not to watch Fame again, (It crossed my mind, but I decided that would be too geektastic twice in two weeks, and there is only so much air leaping I can do). I'm watching 'The Invention of Lying' tonight. I have discovered that Tuesday nights at Cineworld is 'Bargain Tuesday' night, all tickets are £4.70 as opposed to £7.20. Nice one!

pps. Oh, and much excitement today, been invited to a party... Black Tie and Ballgowns!!!! OMG... Is that 'the shops' I hear a-calling me?

ppps. I've realised I've slipped a couple of song titles into this post, if you can comment using a song title, not only will you be amazingly cleverer than a clever person, but I will love you forever and ever and may even come over to your place (well your blog, I'm not a crazy, bunny boiler, stalker type really) and give you a great big smackaroonie... mwah!

pppps. Don't you just hate it when people OD on the ps's - I know. Annoying. So I'm going now before I think of another one.

Meet The Flintstones!...

Today I bought this bag from Primark (well I say bought... read on).

I keep humming The Flintstones theme toon when I look at it, which makes me smile, which in turn means it's a good buy.

I did have an attack of the 'little person in my head' talking to me when I put it in my basket.

Little head person: "You really do NOT need any more bags Missy"

Me: "I know, but come on, it's only £8, and it's making me smile" (hopefully I didn't say that out loud in the shop, but I can't be sure)

I can picture using it with a gorgeous cream and chocolate coloured trouser suit, I don't have one of those so will need to go shopping to 'accessorise' my new bag – with an outfit!

Anyway, turns out, the gods did want me to have this bag. Got back and realised the assistant didn't actually ring it through, so in effect I was a thief and it was free! (she didn't ring through a top my mum bought either, so mum is a thief too).

But alas, moral dilemma: should I take this back and own up? I'm thinking... Nope.

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge – Day 4 and 5

Day 4 consisted of: Flowery dress, black blazer, black boots, black belt and green scarf. I wasn't sure about the rock boots with girly dress, but I really liked the look (even if my legs look extremely short at this angle).


Day 5 consisted of: Flowery dress (hoiked up to look more like a tunic top), skinny jeans, red shoes, red belt, blue cardigan and silver necklace.
I haven't shown the red bag that I've been using this week (pictured above), or the red coat which is pictured below.


I found the challenge easier than I first thought I would. I quite liked the idea each morning that I only had 10 main items to choose from, it certainly saved time in the morning.

Some mornings though were not so easy, occasionally I was itching to wear something else but knew I couldn't or I'd be reaching for more accessories.

My most worn item was my flowery dress. I knew it would be. I rarely wear black and for some reason chose several black items at the start of the week, probably for safety, another time I'd try the challenge but would ban black items!!

Thanks to Jane for the challenge, I really enjoyed the week and it has changed my view on how many clothes I actually need in my wardrobe.

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge – Day 3

Day 3 of the Capsule Wardrobe Challenge.

I wore a dotty top, and black trousers, red shoes, red belt and silver necklace. Pretty basic, but I had meetings today so had to be reasonably 'normal'.

As a graphic designer I can get away with wearing more risky clothing combinations, I think some of my clients expect it, but today I played it safe.

Another graphic designer once told me that when you go to a meeting, it you wear the clients' corporate colours subtly (we're not talking looking like their walking logo), they will feel more at ease with you. Same goes for job interviews. (And that is actually a good tip).

Not to be outdone, my son has gotten in on the challenge. He doesn't know the meaning of the word 'Capsule' or 'Wardrobe', but boy, he's got a mean 'hand on hips' stance.

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge – Day 2

Today, I finally went to see 'Fame'. See above, I really did go (there were a few onlookers for the photo, so I was kinda embarrassed hence a dorky pose).

It was everything I hoped it would be, a bunch of supremely talented/obnoxious teenagers, leaping*, singing and playing as if their life depended on it.

In fact it reminded me of my old high school, except at my school we had Big Baz who could belch the alphabet, Gaz who could turn his eyelids inside out and Daz who's talent was jumping from the second story window without breaking either leg – supremely talented also, I'm sure you'll agree, although in their own way... (And yes, most boys names did end in a 'Z' at my school).

Anyhow, today was also the second day of the Capsule Wardrobe Challenge.

I wore, Skinny Jeans, Long line T, Black Blazer and Black boots. My accessory today was a lime green scarf. Simples.

I have to draw attention to the boots, I've been dying to wear these since I got them so they had to be entered into my 10 items. They were £18 from the 'Be Beau' range at Matalan.






* My daughter and I were so inspired by the 'fame air leaping' that we tried it on the way back to the car, we were as graceful as elephants, much to the delight of my mum and sister (who also accompanied us) and by the looks on their faces were mightily impressed by our leaping action.

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge – Day 1

This week I am taking part in Jane's Capsule Wardrobe Challenge over at 'The Small Fabric of my Life'. The rules can be found here.

For a very quick recap of the rules:
10 items of clothing are allowed and must be warn Monday – Friday. (This includes clothing, shoes and outerwear).
5 Accessories are allowed (to include jewellery, belts, scarves and bags).
Tights, underwear, watches and glasses (if you wear them) are free!

I must admit, the first day didn't go well. I didn't prepare. So this morning, by default, this flowery dress, blue cardigan and red shoes became part of my 10 items.

The red belt and the silver necklace are 2 of the '5 Accessories'.

As tights are free items, I choose bright red ones. Why not?

Here is my full list as I haven't had time to take a photo (reads: I haven't had time to wash and iron everything yet being the undomesticated goddess that I am).

My 10 clothing items:
1. Flowery Dress.
2. Blue Cardigan.
3. Black Trousers.
4. Long line T-shirt.
5. Dark Blue Skinny Jeans.
6. Black and White Dotty top.
7. Black Blazer.
8. Red Platform Shoes.
9. Black Boots.
10. Red Coat.

My 5 Accessories:
1. Red Belt.
2. Black Belt.
3. Silver Heart Necklace.
4. Scarf.
5. Red bag.

So, 4 days to go. I hope you are all joining in too...

Splat!...

A short post tonight my friends. There has been a drama in the house.

My 13 year old daughter decided to dye her hair dark brown.

I can't go into detail as I am still growling. But does anyone have any tips on getting brown (permanent) hair dye out of:

a) my cream bedroom carpet
b) my new white bathroom rug (one day old)
c) 2 x white towels (yes 2)
d) my pine dressing table...

You guys are such a wealth of knowledge, any tips will be so gratefully received.

love you ;-).