Day to Night Sports Luxe

(I assure you my heads not really twice the size of my body – I think . . . and hope quite frankly . . .)

Snood: Next, Blazer: F21, Top: Next, Jeans: Dorothy Perkins, Boots: New Look Find my go to make up look here+ 

 

 

I have a love hate relationship with these boots. Firstly I bought them on a whim when I was addicted to having as many pairs of ankle boots as is humanly possible! Now that was great before I hurt my metatarsals and found that all heels hated me and that flats were the only way to go. So couple that with the endless rain we found ourselves having I literally lived in these boots!

So now if I can avoid them I try too which is silly because I have really worn them in nicely now and they look quite good with this get up. This outfit I think is great from going from work to night I feel like I can wear this for date night as well as the work day which in my mind is always a keeper! And also, who can pass up an opportunity to wear an uber comfy tee like this one?

Tough Love and Cut Backs

I’m having to be careful because I can feel myself slipping again. Slipping back into those bad buying habit shoes. So for the rest of the month it has been re-decided that I need to teach myself some tough love and clamp down on spending again and maybe into next month as well. It happens gradually and I have begun to see where the problems lie in momentary purchases . . .

As a perpetual shopper I have learnt increasingly bad habits over the years since leaving the little town of Hitchin (where clothes shops were short on numbers) going from that to London full time meant that having hundreds of shops at my disposal more than nine hours a day meant that my shopping went up, my cash went down and my style with it! But you knew that!

What perhaps you didn’t know is that I do still feel pressure to bring out new items here on the therealjlow, which is silly really when I set out with the idea that this would be “the real jlow” not the girl who constantly shops because for most people that just isn’t a viable options and really I don’t think it should be. After a year of this blog I decided to try focusing more on quality over quantity and doing more with less so as I caught myself this morning I realised I need to look more in my closet rather than online and in other peoples so from here on out this month (and maybe next) no more new and far more remixed! I’ve also realised that if I have ten minutes I buy more and buy with less thought yet when I go out with several hours a whole afternoon I am far more sensible and hold on to more of my cash. So I’m cutting the spending and upping the time when I do go!

So here goes . . . it’s those blasted pink jeans again!

What I wore: When all else fails . . .

Striped Skirt: Dorothy Perkins, Alternative, Chambray Shirt: H&M mens, Grey Shirt: H&M, Red Heels: New Look

 

Get ready for a whole host of grammatical and written errors. The crux of this matter is I hurt my hand. I was washing up (always dangerous on a Sunday – or you know, any day) and the glass I was cleaning broke and without knowing it attempted to remove my knuckle. I was mostly unsuccessful but now I’m sitting here with a hand full of bandages and not allowed to use my hand. One handed typing and texting – not my thing, it seems.

Anyhoo, it just means that instead of beautifully written blogs posts. (I hear you laughing – I raise you one injury!) you get a week of post injury photos and little words, well hear goes . . . What I wear when all else fails.

Scarves, Scarves, Scarves

 

The Cold girl Wrap – Scarf: Accessorize, Striped tunic: Dorothy Perkins, Pink Jeans: Next, Heels: New Look (old) Similar

 

The not so infinity, Infinity Scarf

 

The Sari Wrap

 

Sandals, because the weather was so good open toes was a must!

Let’s talk about scarves.

Does anyone else have a small hoard of them in their closet? I’m sure it’s not just me but without actively wanting too I end up with at least one new scarf a season (maybe more). There’s something that just grabs me about them – the bad side? Well here goes, confession time! I tend to wear them constantly for a season and then they get relegated to only being worn occasionally. Worse still (and not on purpose) I find it harder to donate scarves than clothes – with scarves they’re still cute whether the trends have moved on and the colours are all wrong, I still love them. Unlike my clothes haul which in recent years I have fallen out of love with after a season (or they have fallen out of love with me! Hello bobbles!) But scarves, scarves never let me down – even when they have to have a whole drawer dedicated to them alone! (I have thrown out a few this year I promise – about 2 but I’m working on it!

But if there’s one upside it’s that you can wear scarves in a multitude of ways. The above are my favourite ways to wear scarves during the spring. It’s all about the light weight scarf in spring and summer and with travelling to India again this year it’s always good to have a really large thin scarf to wrap around yourself when you go out and especially in the temples and mosques hence the sari wrap. It’s probably my favourite way to wear this scarf at the moment whether it’s just to ward of a chill or a make do blanket on the train, I love it and its all down to those stylish ladies we saw in Ahmedabad! So thank you all of you for your incredible wrapping skills!

There’s obviously also the classic – cold girl wrap. You know the one – the post pub/dancing walk home or to the nearby pizza joint or the cold restaurant. It’s the scarf wrap of dreams in all those instances!

The final one is the make do infinity scarf. I’m not sure when the infinity trend started but it doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon! I wear this a lot into the office for some extra warmth or when wearing lower cut tops and is probably my daily go to at the moment

What ways do you like to wear your scarves? And do you have any pretty bow tricks to offer? Cause I’ve been thinking about how to wear the tutorial from yet another beauty site forever. . .

Fair Weathered Running and Fears

Simple Summer Sunday: Jumper: Dorothy Perkins (oh, so old) Next alternative, Tee: H&M Basics, Skirt  (£1 fish of a skirt) Similar, Flats: New Look

It’s that time again folks, its exercise season. I know this because a, I am definitely packing winter weight like an animal that hibernates and B, because I almost got run over by five consecutive runners on the way home last night. And in the dark, over a high level bridge it can be pretty scary. It was almost like being roped into a flash mob. (That’s like a major nightmare of mine, along with people dressed up as Disney characters – *shudder*).

But yes, there are people like me getting fit all over the place! Fair weathered exercisers. I’m personally taking it slow – as in crawling almost backwards through the local pool a couple of times while I wait to get back on that bicycle! It’s just no fun with snow (re: floods) on the ground!

Running, Dresses & Global Warming all in one post!

Blue Dress: Dorothy Perkins, Belt: H&M (Old), similar (yes mens but who said they can have all the fun?), Bag: Accessorize sale, similar, More expensive, Blazer: F21 Similar Shoes: New Look

I think the sun has gone to my head. Why you ask? Well it could be because I find myself no longer capable of getting anywhere without rushing. The worst part is; I don’t even know why I am perpetually running – I get up at the same time, I am ready almost early and yet every morning I find myself running onto the train, running into the office, running out of the office, running for my next train, running for dinner . . . you name it I no longer walk to it, I run.

So during the week this dress is pretty useless but on the weekends . . . oh the weekends! I am one cool cookie. In fact we jammed so much in this weekend that I even chose to wash our car. Now if you know me you’ll know that car washing, not my strong suit. I was spoilt with a dad who loved his cars and made sure they looked good. Well that and I’m pretty sure he was just insuring that my messy mug of a car wasn’t bringing down the neighbourhood. (Or driveway, It probably was)

But then you know what happened? Monday. That’s what happened and so starts the cycle of running again. Oh global warming you are a cruel mistress!

Bring on the mint!

Blazer: F21 (2012) Same shape/blazer in colbolt (you can’t go wrong!), Mint Tee, Dorothy Perkins (2011) Similar , Zara BF Jeans 2013 Similar (I love zara jeans for comfort price and fit! well suggested!), Pixie Flats Next 2013 Similar in Raspberry, Mint Bag Accessorize Necklace, thrifted.

 

Who knew that back in University I would pick up this gem of a shirt without realising that mint was going to be such a big deal in a couple of years? Well as luck would have it I did! I loved it then and I certainly love it now as well I mean mint and polka dots all in one? That is the style bloggers dream! It has also kept itself quite well over the years so its still wearable, remixable and loved now as well as back then! In fact even Josh loves it!

Now I must tell you I didn’t plan for a weeks worth of Mint posts but apparently its like my new favourite colour. Who’d’ve guessed right? Also these jeans make me so happy! They are so relaxed and soft that I could literally sleep in them they are that good! So the fact that spring/summer is on its way is very welcomed just so I can wear these jeans all the time!

p.s What are our thoughts on these shirts? I just wanna live in one of these on weekends with leggings! Thoughts?

Spring Updates (Did someone say shopping?)

Accessorize, Accessorize! Mint Bag, Scarf

I have been on a bit of a bag/scarf kick recently. Literally a new one every month! I mean firstly thats crazy and I obviously don’t recommend od’ing on accessories but when they are this cute? Honestly hows a girl to say no? Also they weren’t too badly priced this bag is only £17 which wasn’t bad! (I don’t think) Shockingly though it doesn’t feel as sturdy as my trusty go to Primarni bag so if you get this one wedged in the tube doors you’re probably not going to win but its mint and was only £17 so that outweighs it for me! (Although I know, I know I am meant to be saving for investment pieces! whatcha gonna do?)

The scarf also wasn’t too pricy at £15 which isn’t bad for a transitional piece, its not always warm enough yet but its got more warmth than a silk number! I also liked it because there was more fabric as alot of their new spring stuff doesn’t have enough for this time of year so you’d literally have to wear another into work and then change when you get there! how annoying right? but this was a nice best of both worlds piece!

Now I am hoping next month not to go so accessories crazy! As I’d like to buy some basic sandals (India ruined last years ones – lots of sand = very discoloured white shoes! – but oh so worth it!) and maybe a summer dress! But in my window shopping I have fallen in love with this dress from Dorothy Perkins . . .

 

I love that skirting pattern! Its not in tall unfortunantely but so what if I show a little ankle this summer right? After my failed Boden denim shop (too tight around the middle a tad too short (in tall) and to baggy around the legs!) I am also trialing these jeans from Next this weekend, fingers crossed cause I could do with some comfy (coloured) jeans!

What are you guys shopping for this month and next? Do you have any spring essentials that you feel are worth investing in this year?

Not so mellow yellow

 

Jumper: Gap (sale – my favourite word), Black Pencil Skirt: H&M (old as time but I know stores like Dorothy Perkins do these kinda things!) Black bag: Primark (my 2nd) Yellow Flats: New Look

 

I’m on a mission. A colour mission. I may have  mentioned this before but back in university my wardrobe considered off four colours, black, white, red and navy. Don’t get me wrong this made dressing pretty easy and let me be pretty put together at all times, but you know what else? It was incredibly boring. Yep you heard that right, dressing, boring? so incredibly boring.

So as I do I set out on a mission to not only focus on better quality (less cheap bulk buys – le sigh) but to also make sure that each piece can both fit in with my wardrobe and be well loved and remixed but to also be at the same time completely different!

I am really trying to not only inject some much needed colour but to also add patterns and interest and I hope with paying that little bit more that I will also get some more textures and often its the little fancy extras on a piece of clothing (like a little bit of velvet covering the seems) that just adds to that wow I feel good factor! and who doesn’t want that?

From home to the office

Coat: Primark, Blazer: Topshop Similar, Bag: (strap seperate) both Accessorize different colour same bag, Scarf: Accessorize cute alternative, Tunic: Next, Treggings: Next Similar pattern, Flats: New Look

The worst has happened. I am struggling to wear heels. Since just before Christmas I have been having prolific cramp in my toes and calves which heels have not helped. In fact the last time I wore my wedge trainers walking (Which I used to do all the time – not just to sit in the office or go between car and dinner) Josh threatened to get us a cab pick the car up because I couldn’t walk or shake the cramp out of my poor damn toes. It has been hell on earth.

Add in consistent rain and I have been wearing a pair of low brown boots (which have yet to make it on the blog probably because I look at them like they are the evil rain spawns. (They totally are.) My grey ankle pirate boots and black knee high boots are all I have worn lately. I am so over boots believe me. So I am very much looking forward to spring/summer as I intend to pick myself up some bright coloured flats (I have seen online, mint and yellow hello! come home with me?) sandals and maybe some more brogues to bring in the new seasons while I can’t wear all my favourite heels.

But I am very cut up over this. I can’t think of anything worse than flats forever but fingers crossed with more exercise and stretching I can perhaps work this cramp away!

p.s. excuse that crinkle bag I can’t get the crinkles out!?! crazy . . .

Less Cute.

 

Jumper: Next Scarf: Accessorize (Sale) Chambray Shirt: H&M (Mens) Belt: Next (old) Bag: Accessorize (sale) Black Skirt: H&M (Old) Leggings: H&M Basics, Boots: New Look (Old)

 

I try to keep the backgrounds of these images different. Cause honestly who wants to look at the same blank wall every week? But the weather has been conspiring against us. Our town flooded over Christmas and has since then left our park half flooded and taken with it some of our favourite photog places. Add constant rain, wind and bad weather all round has meant a lot of walls and inside shots so I apologise.

So todays post is less cute. There were less cute pictures than these believe me.

London Days and Nights

 

Stole: Vintage, Dress H&M (Old) Alternative Belt: Next (old) Alternative, Bag: Primarni (Old) Alternative Fossil Bag of gorgeousness!!, Trainer Wedges New look (Old) Alternatives

 

 

If theres one thing I love about February its that firstly its not January (*shudder*) and secondly that it marks another year that Josh has put up with me. This years marking the big 4-, well 4. But I think thats pretty impressive to be honest. Living with me . . .

As I have mentioned before here+ February also marks our date weekend! Because of this pretty much all our thoughts are tied up in when we’re going, what we’re going to get to eat from Greenwich Market or see The Science Museum or getting Turkish from Efes Meze on Trafalgar Road in the evening . . . Its just one of our favourite times of year and we like to think, the most magical!

Fingers crossed that we can also get some great outfit shots in the campus of my Alma Mater as well!!