Daily clothes fix

Urbex

2011-06-22T22:41:00.000+01:00

Outfit details:

Leather jacket: Monsoon, bought in a sale (£55)
Top: Primark, swapped at an event (free)
Bangles: bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£4)
Jeans: New Look, bought on eBay (£1)
Boots: Schuh, present from my Nan

Total outfit cost: £60

This look has a bit of a rock edge. I wanted to keep things simple and this was the outcome. Since I have been ill, I have been dressing a lot more simply with fewer layers and more block colours. Funny how your mood affects your dressing style.

Given the rough edge to the look, the backdrop was wonderfully appropriate. Pete suggested this abandoned building but neither of us could have predicted how amazing it would prove to be. I actually had 27 photos that I could have posted. Choosing these few was incredibly difficult.

Monumental

2011-06-20T21:43:00.000+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Dress: A/wear, in a sale (£25)
Waistcoat: New Look, bought on eBay (£1.25)
Necklace: bought from an independent designer (£4)
Boots: Vanilla Moon (£140)

Total outfit cost: £170.25

I'm back. And we have columns.

The unexpected departure was caused by me being ill but I'm now on the mend. I've actually been ill for about 4 weeks now but tried to keep blogging, until everything became a bit too much and I had to take a break. But I'm getting better and so able to start doing shoots again.

As compensation for missing a lot of shoots, Pete and I headed out to the Penshaw Monument which has to be one of the best places to do a shoot. It was windy and chilly (is it really June) but definitely worth it.

Purple reign

2011-06-08T22:23:00.002+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Spotty top: Next, bought on eBay (£2.70)
Vest top (underneath): Topshop, bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£3)
Fair trade necklace: Traidcraft (£12)
Belt: bought in a charity shop in Cumbria (£2.50)
Skirt: Boden, bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£3.50)
Boots: Vanilla Moon (£140)
Bag: Clarks, bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£6)

Total outfit cost: £169.70

When people think about monochrome, they tend to expect black and white but of course it can be done with any colour. I personally like playing with this type of look, although I don't do it that often. I promise the top is purple too, it's just one of those items that is really hard to photograph the right colour.

Pete and I chose a yellow backdrop to really create a contrast. And it was a rather chilly shoot. It comes to something when you're wearing boots and a winter skirt in June and you're still not warm enough.

Thank goodness I was wearing a skirt that someone at work said was "a bit long". I think it may be a bad sign when a knee length skirt is considered long. *winks*

I was thinking about this look while I was processing the photos and wondering if it could be any more purple. Turns out the answer is yes...

Sequins dancing

2011-06-06T20:42:00.000+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Sequin top: bought in a secondhand shop in Whitley Bay (£12)
Vest top (underneath): Asda (£3)
Pearls: vintage, passed on from my Mum
Earrings: Accessorise (£4)
Bracelets: Traidcraft in a sale (£1) and a present from my friend Ana
Skirt: DNM, swapped at the Make Do and Mend Fair (free)
Shoes: Schuh, bought in a sale (£40)

Total outfit cost: £60

This post is brought to you by the word twinkle and the smell of fresh paint.

More sequins today; I just love how they twinkle and dance in the sunshine. One of my colleagues at work said that it should be Sparkle June^TM. I'll see what I can do about making that happen.

I don't normally wear such pale colours but I spotted this top peeking out from a rail in a secondhand shop and I couldn't resist. It is a little big for me but I like the loose fit.

I wanted to keep everything neutral today and play that up with the black backdrop. Thank you to whoever had just painted it. Very kind of you. It made the reflections so much better. And it allowed me to take photos where my shoes seem to float. To fully imagine the scene, please add me hopping around on one leg while I took this. A blogger's life, eh? We must be mad.

Throwing a curveball

2011-06-03T21:35:00.000+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Necklace: passed on by my friend Lilith (free)
Fairtrade T-shirt (underneath): Traidcraft (£20)
Dress: Eucalyptus (£75)
Socks: H&M (£1.20)
Baseball boots: Primark, swapped at an event (free)

Total outfit cost: £96.20

Happy Friday, everyone.

Lots of ruffles today. On its own, this dress isn't suitable for work, even under the new relaxed dress code. But it is OK with a t-shirt underneath it. I chose this one to pick out the green of the flowers. And then I undercut how girly it was by adding some converse-style boots. And posing next to some barbed wire.

It was really hot and sunny today and Pete and I headed out for a lunchtime shoot. The shade of this wall helped moderate some of the brightness and make a shoot possible. It also protected me from the sun a bit which, given how pink I am after a few meetings outside today, can only be a good thing. I am not used to this glowing orb in the sky. But I hope it stays around - I think we could be friends.

Gameshow host

2011-06-02T20:31:00.002+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Sequin jacket: River Island, bought on eBay (£1.20)
Necklace: present from my friends John and Anne
Dress: Dorothy Perkins, bought in a charity shop in Morpeth (£5)
Bag: bought in a charity shop in Cumbria (50p)
Sandals: Schuh (£40)

Total outfit cost: £46.70

Morris dancing shoes and a game show host jacket. That's today's look. My shoes jingle when I walk and the jacket is as shiny as they come. And it's snakeskin too. I have never been one to do things by halves.

To entertain myself, I decided to pay myself a pound for everyone who said "You're very shiny". I made £8. That's not bad for a day's work. In the interest of fairness I didn't get anything for "Wow!" or "Nice jacket", despite hearing some of those too.

All day I have had a quote from Heathers in my head:

"If you were happy every day of your life you wouldn't be a human being, you'd be a gameshow host."

If that's true then a gameshow host jacket must be the route to true happiness.

Summer is finally here and not a moment too soon. Pete and I headed into the woods for today's shoot to hide from the blazing sun. Add some flash to those sequins and you're away.

Flash git

2011-06-01T22:36:00.001+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Jacket: Topshop, bought in Magpie Swop (£5.50)
Top: Essentials, swished at a Daisy Green event (free)
Necklace: leaving present from an old job
Fascinator (worn as brooch): Claire's (£8.50)
Trousers: Dorothy Perkins, bought on eBay (£1)
Socks: H&M (£1.20)
Shoes: New Look, bought on eBay (£1)

Total outfit cost: £17.20

Pete brought his flash units up so we took advantage of them to shoot at this graffiti wall. It's fun to have some light to play with, especially when the weather is as overcast as it was today.

This outfit was inspired by the pairing of grey trousers and a green top that I saw a while ago. When I tried on my version, it felt a bit too minimal to be right for my style. Then I realised that the yellow jacket was a nice balance with both the green and grey and added the required lift. I like how the cut of the top mirrors the jacket too.

PS Today's learning: photoshoots can be dangerous. When walking up and down on cobbles in 5 inch heels, always ensure all obstructions have been fully cleared. Ankle-breaking stones can be cleared like this:

On your bike

2011-05-31T20:54:00.000+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Cardigan: Asos, in a sale (£18)
Necklace: handmade by me (£1)
Belt: swapped at Magpie Swop (free)
Skirt: Primark, bought on eBay (£3)
Tights: M&S (£1.20)
Boots: New Look, bought with a voucher (£22.50)

Total outfit cost: £45.70

Giggles. You don't often see these as they normally end up as outtakes but they are quite common on shoots with Pete. This one is from the last studio shoot we did a while ago. Who can resist a bike as a backdrop?

Despite loving them as photo accessories, I have never been any good on a bike. My ex-boyfriend's dad once gave me a lift on the back of his bike and when we got to where we were going, he told me I was a terrible passenger and we were lucky to get there alive. This is not what you want to hear when you know you are getting a lift back on the very same bike.

Still, we both lived to tell the tale, which is a good thing otherwise I would have never got to wear this or do this shoot. And giggle. But I stick to sports cars now.

Short cut

2011-05-30T22:10:00.000+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Blazer: Topshop, bought in a charity shop in Cumbria (£6.50)
Top: Primark, bought on eBay (33p)
Necklace: Laura Ashley, bought in a sale (£16)
Shorts: Topshop, bought in a sale (£18)
Tights: Asda, bought in a sale (£1)
Boots: Vanilla Moon (£140)

Total outfit cost: £181.83

It's really quite chilly again, which makes tights and boots an easy option. Paired with the shorts there's a small nod to spring but I am still warm enough. In fact, this is exactly the weather we had this time last year. An unexpected advantage of blogging is a detailed record of the weather as well.

I have spent the long weekend pretty unplugged from the internet which has been really nice. It also means that I am really behind with my blog reading (175 unread posts) but I will be catching up soon. Hope everyone had a nice break.

Topless

2011-05-27T21:52:00.001+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Trench coat: Matalan, bought in a sale (£4.50)
Cardigan: H&M, swapped at an event (free)
Skirt (worn as top): Primark, present from my friend Becky
Fair trade necklace: Traidcraft (£14)
Belt: bought at Magpie Swop (£3)
Bag: bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£3)
Jeans: Topshop, swapped at an event (free)
Socks: H&M (£1.20)
Shoes: Dunnes, bought on eBay (£1)

Total outfit cost: £26.70

That blog title isn't as bad as it sounds. I'm wearing my skirt as a top again. And I've mixed up the greens and oranges from the print which adds a nice pop of colour to a Friday.

Today, despite being extremely tired and therefore not looking very youthful, I managed to convince one of my colleagues that I was in my 20s. You should have seen the look on her face when I told her how old I actually was. Maybe she didn't believe me because I'd just told her a story about locking my gym teacher in the games shed (true story).

To top off a good week the lovely Dimi gave me a blog award. Thanks Dimi.

Here's some facts about me:

I am incredibly ticklish.
I used to have a DVD obsession and I own loads. Things improved massively when I started renting over the internet instead.
I am a huge fan of Joss Whedon and love Buffy, Dollhouse and Firefly.
I have a degree in English literature and was one of only 3 people on my course who actually read Ulysses from cover to cover. And I loved it.
I have wanted a Mazda MX 5 for years. I finally got one in January and I love it.
I have no plans to get married or have kids.
I spent three days this week at a digital conference and got to see people control a computer and a car using only their mind. Really. It was amazing.

I'm passing this award on to:

Have a wonderful weekend.

Boy meets girl

2011-05-26T22:01:00.002+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Long-sleeved tee: Primark, bought on eBay (£1)
Tie: bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£1)
Fair trade bracelet: Traidcraft (£8)
Waistcoat: New Look, bought on eBay (£1.25)
Lace skirt: Primark, bought on eBay (£3.30)
Boots: Vanilla Moon (£140)

Total outfit cost: £154.55

A mix of masculine and feminine today with a tie and waistcoat paired with a floaty lace skirt. I rather like the juxtaposition of this.

I've had a madly busy (but very fun) day's work where I have met loads of new people, absorbed lots of information and done a whole lot of networking. Words are now failing me, so it's a short and sweet one tonight. Hope everyone is having a fantastic week.

Oh yeah

2011-05-25T23:58:00.001+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Hat: H&M, in a sale (£3)
Top: swapped with Becky (free)
Bow tie necklace: Bobu Couture (£5)
Trousers: H&M, swapped at the Make Do and Mend Fair (free)
Socks: H&M (£1.20)
Shoe boots: New Look, bought in a charity shop in Morpeth (£4)
Bag: Dorothy Perkins, passed on from my Nan (free)
Scarf (tied to the bag): bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£1)

Total outfit cost: £14.20

Pete and I have had this backdrop in mind for a while and as we were nearby today and I was wearing bright colours, we decided today was the day.

As well as brights, I am wearing a lot of ethical clothing today. Between some pre-owned, swapped and handmade items, this look sums up my style nicely: colourful and ethically acquired. That works for me.

So the backdrop may say no but all of me is thinking "oh yeah" to this.

Fashion police

2011-05-24T21:06:00.001+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Leather jacket: Soon, bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£25)
Top: Eyeshadow, swapped with Tracy (free)
Necklace: M&S, present from Mum and Dad
Belt: Debenhams, bought in a sale (£3)
Vintage skirt: bought in Pop Vintage in London (£15)
Shoes: Primark, bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£2)

Total outfit cost: £45

Today was one of those days where I got changed. Six times. Yeah, one of those.

My morning was further complicated by the need to superglue my belt back together. This took three attempts (attempt 1: superglue fingers together, attempt 2: superglue belt to fingers, attempt 3: success). Oops. Must remember not to try these technical tasks before I am fully awake.

Still, I like how this turned out in the end, even my fingers suffered somewhat and the bedroom floor was less than clear as a result. I love this skirt and the way it catches the light and changes colour and pattern. I haven't worn it since December which shows that I really, really need to sort out my wardrobe. (How many times have I said that?)

The photos show:

It was super windy
Newcastle continues to provide some excellent backdrops
I am becoming even more blasé about where I shoot

Warehouse clothing

2011-05-23T21:42:00.000+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Jacket: Topshop, bought in a sale (£15)
Silk shirt: Windsmoor, bought at a Daisy Green designer sale (£5)
Fair trade necklace: Traidcraft, in a sale (£1)
Skirt: Primark, bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£2.50)
Tights: M&S, bought in a sale (£4)
Boots: Faith, bought in a sale (£60)
Bag: Clarks, bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£6)

Total outfit cost: £93.50

Pete and I took our life in our hands for today's shoot, as the wind was blowing and we were in this abandoned building, surrounded by old TVs and with a corrugated roof that was flapping in the gale. But we survived, despite some ominous noises of bending metal. And had a fun shoot.

Happy Monday everyone.

Keep calm and Carrie Bradshaw

2011-05-19T23:28:00.000+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Jacket: M&S, present from my aunt and uncle
Top: Gap, bought in a charity shop in Morpeth (£5)
Brooch: swapped at Magpie Swop (free)
Skirt: Primark, bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£3)
Shoes: Schuh, in a sale (£40)

Total outfit cost: £48

On Sunday, I did a clothes swap with friends. As well as getting some wonderful new things, I also found this skirt again. I had thought I had got rid of it and there it was in my swap bag. I was so happy to see it again. Sometimes putting things to one side before you pass them on it the right thing to do. Especially if you change your mind.

In the case it allowed me to create my version of this Carrie Bradshaw look:

Add to that some colourful beach huts and you have a fun shoot, despite having been up since 5:30am and being a bit sleep deprived. Some colour and a walk on the beach can certainly perk you up after a long day.

Bag lady

2011-05-18T22:47:00.002+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Trench coat: New Look kids range, bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£8)
Dress: M&S, bought in a secondhand shop in Whitley Bay in a sale (£18)
Fair trade necklace: Traidcraft, bought in a sale (£1)
Belt: Mexx, bought in Magpie Swop (£3)
Bag: Jaspar Conran, in a sale (£38.50)
Tights: M&S (£1.20)
Boots: New Look (£20)

Total outfit cost: £89.70

Thanks everyone for your well wishes. I was still feeling a little delicate this morning after yesterday's illness but was fully recovered by this afternoon.

How fun is this backdrop? Pete found it last week and blogged about it. Because I was down south doing a presentation at a marketing conference, we were able to take advantage of it. And enjoy the heckling from two guys outside the pub opposite. All in good spirits though (probably literally).

Because of the presentation, I needed to wear something that felt professional but still like me. This dress and trench that I found on Saturday were perfect and also super comfortable. I think I have some new favourites. And at a "price ticket of a very reasonable description" too. Happy times.

Knight shoot

2011-05-17T22:37:00.000+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Denim shirt: French Connection, bought on eBay (£1)
Fairtrade vest (underneath): M&S (£3.50)
Necklace: bought on eBay (£2)
Belt: present from Barbara, bought in India
Skirt: E-vie, bought on eBay (£1)
Tights: M&S (£1.20)
Boots: New Look (£20)

Total outfit cost: £28.70

Pete and I shot these photos as the sun was setting. Who could resist giant chess pieces as a backdrop? Certainly not me. So, despite me being ill and shaky, we headed out for a shoot. And it was totally worth it.

Wood hyacinth

2011-05-16T21:51:00.001+01:00

Photos by Michelle

Outfit details:

Dress: Primark, bought on eBay (£3.70)
Necklace: handmade, bought from an independent designer at an event (£6)
Fair trade earrings: Traidcraft, bought in a sale (£1)
Belt: bought on eBay (£1.52)
Bag: Clarks, bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay on Saturday (£6)
Boots: Matalan, in a sale (£14)

Total outfit cost: £32.22

Today was a challenging day for photos. We have gale force winds, variable light levels and it's rather chilly. So please excuse my hair on these shots.

After work, Michelle and I braved the winds to visit this little patch of bluebells. When you're wearing hyacinth it would be a shame to miss out on coordinating with the flowers.

Apologies to anyone who has had problems commenting or reading my blog. I'm afraid it's due to ongoing problems with Blogger. I am looking for an alternative set-up which should improve things but it will probably take me a while as I will need to find alternative hosting and rebuild the blog from scratch. Fingers crossed that Blogger actually fix things in the interim.

Yin yang

2011-05-14T21:29:00.001+01:00

All photos by Michelle

Outfit details:

Suede jacket: bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£10)
Vest top: Asda (£3)
Necklace: Laura Ashley, bought in a sale (£16)
Brocade skirt: Et Vous, bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£2)
Tights: ? (about £3)
Boots: Faith, bought in a sale (£55)
Bag: Jaspar Conran, in a sale (£38.50)

Total outfit cost: £127.50 (ooh, that's a bit more than normal)

What a serendipitous background. When you find a teal garage next to a brick wall and you're weaing brown and teal, there is nowhere better to shoot. A Yin Yang look indeed.

Michelle and I went charity shop shopping in Whitley Bay and it was nice to let two items of today's outfit see their original homes again. The lady who worked in the Relate shop said she remembered the jacket "and maybe you as well". I am clearly less memorable than a jacket they had in six months ago!

Despite my best intentions to not buy too much stuff, I managed to come home with a monster haul, including:

3 bags
2 jackets
1 dress
1 skirt
2 tops
4 bangles
1 trench coat and
1 pair of plus fours

Yes, really, a pair of plus fours. They are either really cool or totally ludicrous. Not sure which. I'll find out when I wear them.

Decoded

2011-05-13T18:55:00.000+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Shirt: Next, buttons swapped by me (about £25)
Earrings: Accessorise (£2)
Tie: bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£1)
Braces: bought on eBay (£1)
Jeans: New Look, bought at Magpie Swop (£1)
Fishnets: Asda (£2)
Shoes: New Look, bought on eBay (£1)

Total outfit cost: £33

Somewhat delayed with this post due to issues with Blogger - this is actually what I wore yesterday.

I wouldn’t normally be able to wear this to work on a Thursday as jeans used to be in breach of the dress code. But on Monday, the dress code was amended to allow casual dress throughout the week. So I wore jeans.

This outfit provoked a lot of comment which I suppose is unsurprising. I was described as Annie Hall and as a schoolboy (with my shirt out and my tie undone).

And it was a definite 80s throwback today. I haven’t worn braces since I was 14, when I used to wear them with a hooded t-shirt, jeans and converse boots. I still love those things. I guess when it comes to style, taste doesn’t change that much.

Any colour as long as it's black

2011-05-11T21:38:00.004+01:00

All photos by Michelle

Outfit details:

Dress (worn backwards as a top): Red Herring (£30)
Belt: came with a skirt
Skirt: Primark, present from my friend Becky
Tights: M&S (£1.20)
Shoes: Primark, swapped with my friend Ana (free)

Total outfit cost: £31.20

I never wear all black. Except...

Well, except I'm not. Even my all-black outfits have a little bit of colour, this time through the skirt pattern and the bows on the shoes.

I wore my dress back to front as a top. I've worn it as a top before and also backwards but this is the first time I have done both. I liked the simple lines so I skipped all jewellery today. Apparently this is very out of character, so much so that one of my colleagues pointed it out.

Michelle and I headed out at lunchtime to take these photos. It was drizzly and I wanted a bit of colour in the backdrop so we headed to a local underpass. Gotta love graffiti as a backdrop. And if you're stood next to a bit of graffiti that says "Joy", jazz hands are mandatory.

Film couleur

2011-05-10T23:56:00.003+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Trench coat: Matalan, in a sale (£4.50)
Cardigan: Dorothy Perkins, in a sale (£9.60)
Dress: Primark, bought on eBay (£1)
Fair trade earrings: People Tree, gift with a purchase (free)
Bracelet: made by me (£2)
Belt: present from my friend Barbara, bought in India
Bag: Primark (£6)
Shoes: New Look (£12)

Total outfit cost: £35.10

Whenever I wear a trench coat, I feel a bit French. Add some ballet flats and that feeling is enhanced. When I described this look to Pete yesterday, he said it sounded a bit film noir. I agreed but said that it was film noir with a lot of colour, hence the title.

I love bright colours and it seemed appropriate that I wore this the day I am on a Link Love with a Twist post for my traffic light shoot. Thanks Fabienne for asking for my shoot to be included. I'm honoured.

For today's shoot, Pete and I really wanted to play up the film noir theme and we found a great backdrop. How perfect are these railway arches and metal steps? And on a French note, here is the poster that was next to the shoot. How appropriate.

Punk'd

2011-05-09T22:42:00.001+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Jacket: Topshop, in a sale (£15)
Earrings: Accessorise (£4)
Necklace: bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£2)
Dress: Esperance (£25)
Boots: Asos, in a sale (£30)

Total outfit cost: £76

A bit of punk today, emphasised by the print on my dress. It doesn't need much else, so I paired it with neutral colours and let the vibrancy of the print do the rest. How can you go wrong?

I am having a good hair day today which of course means two things. Firstly, it was really windy, so you can't tell. Secondly, I am having it cut tomorrow. Does anyone else find that their hair suddenly behaves really well when it knows the scissors are coming?

Pete and I headed out after work for photos and after I deciphered his very cryptic message about where we were going (we had only been once and Pete didn't remember where it was), we headed to the Civic Centre. Blogger heaven in terms of backdrops and the sun decided to come out at the perfect moment. Thank you Newcastle Council for building this backdrop just for me. Makes my taxes worthwhile.

PS I have been mentioned in the same post as a Valentino dress. I am going up in the world.

Crafty: Button bracelets

2011-05-08T22:34:00.000+01:00

Bit of a crafty day today. I made two of these button bracelets which are really easy. Simply thread some thin elastic through the holes on the buttons, tie off in the back and cut off the excess.

Expect to see them in an outfit post very soon.

Spring is here

2011-05-07T22:38:00.003+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Leather jacket: Soon, bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£25)
White long sleeved t-shirt: La Redoute (£7)
Earrings: passed on by my Mum (free)
Scarf: bought on eBay (£1)
Skirt: H&M, bought on eBay (£1)
Shoes: Schuh, bought in a sale (£40)

Total outfit cost: £74

How do I know Spring is here? A few telltale signs are in evidence:

We had heavy showers today
The weather is warm and very humid
I am bruised (run in with a stone while hiking in the mountains - the stone won)
The rest of my legs match my white shoes
I have blisters

Yep, even shoes that I have worn throughout winter and last year have shredded my feet. Still, it's all worth it. If there's one thing that blogging makes you appreciate it's warmer weather and having enough light for photos. I love Spring.

I've been seeing a lot of green and white together, which feels very seasonal to me. It was the starting point for this outfit, the scarf was added and then the leather jacket. And the green and white matches the blossom.

This is not a photoshoot

2011-05-06T22:11:00.000+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Top: Morgan, bought on eBay (£2.20)
Necklace: made by me (£1)
Belt: La Redoute (£20)
Bag: Valentino di Paolo, bought in a charity shop in Morpeth (£4.80)
Jeans: New Look, bought on eBay (£1)
Fishnets: Primark (£1)
Shoes: Primark, swapped with my friend Ana (free)

Total outfit cost: £30

OK, it is a photoshoot but not the all-day shoot that I had planned with Pete. I was at work instead, which would have been awful except for the fact that I had a really interesting day. And I still have the photoshoot to look forward to - it will probably be in June.

It comes to something when your belt is the most expensive item you're wearing. Today was all about my new top so I kept everything else streamlined to make it the main focus. I love how it is fitted at the back and floaty at the front. I chose the necklace to mirror the lace. Job done.

Bright and breezy

2011-05-05T22:39:00.002+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Striped top: French Connection, bought on eBay (£1)
Necklace: Argos (£5)
Black top (underneath): bought on eBay (£1)
Belt: bought in Magpie Swop (£3)
Skirt: Primark, bought on eBay (£1)
Black tights: M&S (£1.20)
Boots: New Look (£20)
Bag: present from my Nan

Total outfit cost: £32.20

I'm bright and the weather was breezy. This is yesterday's aborted outfit, which I was able to wear today thanks to my lovely washing machine. I was really liking this. Lots of colour and a nice silhouette.

Pete is back and we headed out to a field that I spotted a few days ago. Add some yellow to the turquoise and you have a bright look that suited my mood. Some days are good.

Pete is only here briefly due to a scenario that resembles the beginning of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.

Military checkpoint

2011-05-04T20:56:00.000+01:00

All photos by Michelle

Outfit details:

Jacket: Bershka, bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£3)
Top: Gap, swapped at a Daisy Green event (free)
Fair trade necklace: Traidcraft, in a sale (£1)
Skirt: New Look, bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£2)
Boots: Faith, in a sale (£55)

Total outfit cost: £61

I didn't plan on wearing this today but after getting ready I needed to do a quick swap after found out that my skirt had a stain on it and needed washing. So this was the back up look. I chose the shirt to pick out the colour in both the jacket and skirt and to add some spots to the checks.

Today's photoshoot was lovely. Michelle and I went out at lunchtime for a walk to the lake. The sun was shining, the tadpoles were swimming and the ducks were out with some tiny ducklings. Although now, ahh.

Nothing new under the sun

2011-05-03T21:33:00.001+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Vintage shirt: Julietta, bought in a charity shop in Cumbria (£2)
Necklace: bought off my friend Lilith (£2.50)
Belt: bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£2)
Bangles: two fair trade bangles from Traidcraft and a family heirloom (£2)
Vintage skirt: Alexon, bought on eBay (£1)
Boots: bought in Magpie Swop (£8.50)

Total outfit cost: £18

There is nothing new in my outfit today - everything has been owned by someone else before it came to me. Some vintage and some secondhand combined in a new way to give it a new lease of life.

This shirt was one of the purchases from my recent trip to Cumbria and I love the colour. It's a bit of a softer shade than I normally wear but it has definitely won me round. It's like a bit of sunshine, which is always a good thing on the first day back at work after a long break.

I'm back to taking my own photos today and I really miss my photographers. It was an eventful shoot where I used didn't like the first location and needed to find a second one. And some kids threw stones at me. I stared at them until they got embarrassed and went away. Some days are like that, I suppose.

Time to cut back

2011-05-02T22:17:00.002+01:00

All photos by Jo

Outfit details:

Cardigan: Asos, bought in a secondhand shop (£10)
T-shirt: New Look (£8)
Sunglasses: Miss Selfridge (£8)
Skirt: New Look, swapped at Magpie Swop (free)
Shoes: bought on eBay (£4)

Total outfit cost: £30

Just a simple look today, combining some simple colours but wearing items that have their own detail. The t-shirt has a bow on it, the skirt has ruffles and I chose the slashed cardigan to expose the stripes through the back.

Today was really sunny, which always makes it challenging to find a photo location that works. After a couple of false starts in places that were too bright or too dark, this wall presented itself and we were set. I like how the stripes in the concrete mirror the stripes in the top.

Back to work tomorrow, which I think will be a bit of a shock after 11 days off. At least it's only a three-day week as I have Friday off for a photoshoot with Pete. Looking forward to it.

Stop and start

2011-05-01T21:09:00.001+01:00

All photos by Jo

Outfit details:

Jacket: Topshop, bought on Magpie Swop (£5.50)
Cowl neck top: Debenhams, bought on eBay (£1)
Sunglasses: Miss Selfridge (£12)
Ring: bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£1)
Bag: Jasper Conran, in a sale (£38.50)
Jeans: bought on eBay (£2)
Shoes: New Look (£12)

Total outfit cost: £72

Stop and start was how getting dressed went this morning. Or didn't go. Ever have one of those days where you try on about 10 different outfits until you find something that suits your mood? That was me today.

Jo was invaluable in her assistance and her patience. Once she saw the outfit she said that we should do a shoot at some traffic lights and the idea was born. Not only did she take some wonderful shots but she also lay in the gutter to take the shoe shot. A true friend's work is never done. And on that note, we are about to watch that film.

PS We spent today on the beach and found about 15 new photo backdrops in a single location. It was blogger heaven.

Picnic spot

2011-04-30T20:23:00.003+01:00

All photos by Jo

Outfit details:

Top: Next, bought on eBay (£2.70)
Vest top (underneath): Primark, bought on eBay (33p)
Necklace: Banana Republic, won in a giveaway at 20 York Street
Trousers: H&M, swapped at the Make Do and Mend Fair (free)
Shoes: New Look, bought on eBay (£1)

Total outfit cost: £3.93

My friend Jo arrived today from London and we had a lovely time catching up and having a picnic in the park. I wanted to wear something summery and when this top arrived this morning I decided it would be perfect with these trousers. The yellow shoes pick up the belt on the top.

Having had our picnic we headed out to a backdrop we had chosen and found the worst thing a blogger can ever find at a location. Yes, it was a load of guys sat right next to it drinking beer. Now I am quite bolshy but even I draw the line at an audience of beer-drinking guys so we headed elsewhere.

I would love to say that the colour of the shutters we eventually used as a backdrop were deliberately chosen to match our picnic blanket but they weren't. Maybe the colour was in our head, maybe it's a happy coincidence, maybe blogging means that I am unconsciously colour-coordinating. You decide...

Thanks to Jo for the great photos and today's blog title. The girl puns with the best of them, maybe that's why we're friends.

PS I have not been drinking gin, that's my sunburnt nose shining out boldly on the photos.

Blazer glory

2011-04-29T22:50:00.002+01:00

All photos by my Dad

Outfit details:

Flower blazer: Topshop, bought in a charity shop in Cumbria (£6.50)
Top: La Redoute (£7)
Necklace: present from Mum and Dad
Jeans: Topshop, swapped at a Daisy Green event (free)
Shoes: Dorothy Perkins, bought in a sale (£25)

Total outfit cost: £38.50

One of my charity shop finds was this amazing blazer. I found one like it about 12 months ago and couldn't justify paying £100 for it (and that was in the sale). By some good shopping karma, this version came along, was the right price and fitted me.

I wasn't actually going to wear this today but the red I had planned on wearing was a little bit problematic with the sunburn I am sporting. A full day up a mountain yesterday took its toll.

I didn't get chance to share photos, as I was back so late. You didn't get an outfit shot as I was wearing practical but not very pretty walking gear. It did allow me to hike up to here though.

I love the Lake District. I miss it already and I've only been home 2 hours.

Nautical and nice

2011-04-27T21:28:00.000+01:00

All photos by my Dad

Outfit details:

Nautical cardigan: Topshop, bought on eBay (£3.44)
Green vest: Primark, bought on eBay (33p)
Necklace: M&S, present from my Mum and Dad
Sunglasses: bought on eBay (£6)
Jeans (cuffed): Topshop, swapped at Daisy Green event (free)
Black boots: Schuh, present from my Nan

Total outfit cost: £9.77

The weather today was amazing: bright, sunny and warm. I love spring days like this and made the most of the holiday with some more charity shop shopping, driving my car with the roof down along winding country roads and having beer in the garden and ice cream on the beach.

I couldn't resist a nautical outfit in such nice weather. I love this cropped cardigan and how well it pairs with the bright green. Add a beach as the perfect backdrop for a sailor and I'm a happy girl.

The early bird may get the worm, but it's the second mouse that gets the cheese

2011-04-26T23:31:00.002+01:00

All photos by my Mum

Outfit details:

Blue leather jacket: Soon, bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£25)
T-shirt: Primark (mens), bought on eBay (£1)
Fair trade necklace: Traidcraft (£14)
Birdy skirt: New Look, bought on eBay (£2.20)
Blue boots: Vanilla Moon (£140)

Total outfit cost: £182.20

Speaking as a night owl rather than an early bird, I love this quote. I am always up until the small hours, always running a bit late, always about 10 minutes behind schedule - I am definitely not an early bird. Thank you Jeremy Paxman for your lovely quote which justifies my behaviour. And cheese will always beat worms. Always.

I love the skirt and it's wonderful bird print (which triggered me to remember this quote). I went a bit mad for bird prints about 12 months ago and this skirt was one of the outcomes. I'm very pleased I have it. Today was a simple pairing of orange and blue, brought together by the print on the t-shirt.

I had a lovely day today. I saw my parents, had a lovely meal and also snuck in a bit of charity shop shopping. Find of the day: a vintage handbag for 50p. Oh yes, it was one of those good days.

PS I've just be surfing the blogs and look what I found. Hurricane Kerrie from Books and Looks wore the same skirt today. What are the chances of that?

Black Swan

2011-04-25T21:58:00.004+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Hat: Accessorise (£22)
Wrap top: Warehouse, bought on eBay (£2.20)
Frilled t-shirt: H&M (£8)
Fair trade necklace: Traidcraft, bought in a sale (£1)
Studded belt: came with dress
Tutu: Love Label Boutique, bought on eBay (£1)
Flats: New Look, bought on eBay (£1)
Daffodils: present from Louisa

Total outfit cost: £35.20

I have wanted a tutu for ages. And like buses, suddenly two came along at once and I got both of them for £2. What a result! For the first outing I stuck with a ballet theme and added more ruffles and a wrap top, as well as a skinny belt.

When a girl has tutus, it becomes almost obligatory to do a Black Swan photoshoot. I don't know if everyone has seen the film so I won't say too much but finding a way to express my thoughts about the film was so much fun. I love shooting with mirrors, it adds a level of complexity but the results are so worthwhile.

In other exciting news, I did the draw for the map bag as part of the giveaway and the winner is...

Congratulations Sacramento. Do drop me an email with your contact details and address and I will post the bag out to you as soon as possible.

Prairie

2011-04-24T22:56:00.000+01:00

Outfit details:

Coat: H&M, bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£5)
Top: Boradivarius, present from my friend Ana
Scarf: swapped at the Make Do and Men Fair (free)
Belt: pre-owned, bought from Loved Again in Whitley Bay (£1)
Skirt: E-vie, bought on eBay (£1)
Boots: New Look, bought with a voucher (£22.50)

Total outfit cost: £29.50

Happy Easter everyone.

A bit of a prairie look today. I picked out the yellow in the skirt pattern with the belt, and since the top is low-cut I added the pink scarf as a secondary colour and to give a bit of coverage.

One of the reasons I adore multicoloured items is the fact that you can remix them so easily. This skirt will pair equally well with blue or red. I think it is also the perfect trans-seasonal item and will be great with tights and long boots. And all for one pound.

Most things in this look are pre-owned in some way. This is a perfect reminder to me that I don't need new items in order to add things I love to my wardrobe. I really need this after a major wobble on my challenge not to buy new things. I think looking at the Anthropologie sale was a mistake (specifically spotting this and this). Must resist...

Greater spotted yellow legged blogger

2011-04-23T20:31:00.104+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Spotty shirt: M&S (£15)
Necklace: vintage, passed on by my Mum
Bag: Clinique (free with a gift)
Yellow jeans: bought on eBay (£1)
Leopard flats: New Look, bought on eBay (£1)

Total outfit cost: £17

Yellow legs are a new thing for me and I think I am liking them. These jeans were low cost and therefore low risk. According to the description on eBay they are apparently cropped. Says who? They are the perfect length on me, from which I can only assume my legs must be cropped too.

It was nice and warm again today so this outfit was perfect. As I was getting ready I realised the pattern on my shirt looked like someone had released a lot of balloons and an idea was born.

The only downside to this photoshoot was the storm brewing while I was getting ready (check out those ominous clouds in the background). I don't know if anyone has tried to marshall a lot of balloons in a storm but the high pressure leads to two things: rapid deflation or explosions.

I managed to get four balloons for the photos, not quite the 20 I envisaged but I liked the outcome nonetheless. Due to the popping balloons, I mixed in some other shots too. It was a race against time but despite the rolls of thunder, I managed to finish the shoot before the rain came.

Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking

2011-04-22T21:25:00.000+01:00

All photos by Becky

Outfit details:

Jacket: Primark, swapped at a Daisy Green event (free)
Top: vintage, bought on eBay (£1)
Skirt: New Look, bought on eBay (£4.20)
Tights: M&S (£1.20)
Shoes: Schuh, in a sale (£40)
Sunglasses: bought on eBay (£6)

Total outfit cost: £52.40

It's a glorious day today and the continued presence of the sun is lifting my spirits and reminding me exactly why this is my favourite time of the year.

The sun brings with it flowers, warmth and a party atmosphere where everyone suddenly breaks out their lighter fabrics. I even saw a guy in a straw boater, striped shirt and a vintage valise. Wish I had got a photo, he looked amazing.

I met my friends Louisa and Becky for brunch this morning and then Becky and I sat in the park and chatted for a couple of hours. The perfect way to spend a sunny day. Hope everyone is having weather which is as nice as ours.

Love and war

2011-04-21T21:04:00.000+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Jacket: Ishi, bought on eBay (£5)
Chainmail jumper: M&S (£32)
Vest (underneath): Asda (£3)
Love necklace: bought in a charity shop in Morpeth (£2)
Earrings: present from my Mum and Dad
Ring: bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£1)
Combats: swapped with Becky (free)
Boots: Asos, in a sale (£30)
Bullets: Pete's

Total outfit cost: £73

I am ready for a holiday but still have one more day at work, so I wanted something comfortable and slightly more relaxed. This fitted the bill and the dress code. Just.

The trigger for this look was the jumper, which feels like chainmail to me and triggers images of a military look. This studio shoot matched so well that Pete and I simply had to take advantage. If you ever want a great photographer who also has a whole range of military props, Pete's your guy. Check out the grenades and bullets. He's also got guns and a whole range of other stuff.

I'm a bit behind on catching up with your blogs (and life in general). Once work is done with, I will be catching up with all of you. I miss you guys.

In the meantime, don't forget to enter my giveaway for a map bag.

Hello buoys

2011-04-19T23:35:00.002+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Top: Eyeshadow, swapped with Tracy (free)
Waistcoat: New Look, bought on eBay (£1.25)
Necklace: passed from by my friend Lileth
Fair trade bracelet: passed on from my old boss
Sailor trousers: Topshop (£25)
Fishnets: Asda (70p)
Shoes: Dorothy Perkins, in a sale (£20)

Total outfit cost: £46.95

Inspiration comes in many forms. Yesterday, as we did the shoot at the Ship Inn, Pete joked about a "Hello sailor" pose and I think that's where this outfit came from. Kudos to Pete for that comment and today's very clever blog title*.

Today's shoot was fun. Take one outfit where the blues and the trousers have a distinctly nautical feel, add one former lifeboat station as a backdrop and a whole dose of amusing posing and messing about and you have a highly entertaining evening. Thanks Pete, it was a blast, as always.

* If you don't get his excellent pun, in the UK buoys is pronounced the same as boys.

Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

2011-04-18T20:06:00.045+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Military cardigan: Asos, in a sale (£18)
Fair trade scarf: Traidcraft, in a sale (£1)
Vest: La Redoute (£3)
Fair trade bangle: Traidcraft, in a sale (£1)
Belt: swapped at Magpie Swop (free)
Paisley skirt: Cherokee, bought on eBay (£1)
Boots: bought in Magpie Swop (£8.50)

Total outfit cost: £32.50

This outfit came about after I saw the yellow and khaki combination and simply had to give it a try. I really like the outcome. And I have just noticed that my green and yellow bangle, chosen for the colours, also has a paisley pattern. Serendipity, clearly.

Pete is up and we headed out to do some shots. After an aborted detour to check out some fields we headed out to try to find tonight's allocated backdrop. Cue some cross-country and a complete failure to locate it. So we had a bit of a venue hop tonight but it all turned out for the best as this abandoned pub is simply great.

I love how nature reclaims places like this. And you can't go wrong when the vegetation matches your outfit so well.

PS Don't miss out on my giveaway. You have until Sunday to enter.

Second giveaway

2011-04-17T22:26:00.009+01:00

Hello all my lovely followers and visitors. I really appreciate you being here with me every day and being so supportive of my blog.

As a way of saying thank you, I am giving away this bag:

Lots of people have commented how much they love my map bag so I tracked down a similar one to give away.

What's that you ask? How do you enter?
Simple, just make sure you follow me on Google Friend Connect (on the left) and leave me a message in the comments to say you do. You have until Sunday 24th April at 23:59pm GMT. Good luck all and thanks again for being here and supporting me.

PS This is open to all my readers, wherever you live.

Downtime

2011-04-16T22:45:00.001+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Jacket: Tsega, bought in Oxfam charity shop, Newcastle (£13)
Skirt: Morgan, swapped at Magpie Swop (free)
Tights: M&S (£1.20)
Boots: Asos, in a sale (£30)

Total outfit cost: £44.20

I need some downtime at the moment as life is feeling frantic. Sorry for the unscheduled day off from blogging yesterday, I just needed a little break. Today was a quiet time of relaxing.

These photos were shot by Pete on our studio shoot and the atmosphere nicely captures the day I spent chilling out. I love the silhouette of this look and the ruffled jacket and lace on the skirt. Yes, I am definitely in ruffle mode at the moment.

Thanks everyone for your visits and lovely comments. I have a giveaway planned for tomorrow as a way of saying thank you.

Nip/tuck

2011-04-15T00:02:00.001+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Top: Influence, bought on eBay (£2.50)
Necklace: M&S, present from my aunt and uncle
Belt: bought in Oxfam in Newcastle (£5)
Skirt: Matalan, bought on eBay (£2.50)
Fishnets: M&S, in a sale (£2)
Bag: bought on eBay (1p)
Boots: Faith, bought in a sale (£55)

Total outfit cost: £67.01

Lots of new items today and they all have ruffles or tucks, or both. Welcome to the blog my new top and skirt.

Pete's back and spotted an ambandoned building we don't normally have access to. Cue a fun shoot where where we both wander through nettles and have fun working with some great backdrops. One of us also had a similar experience to Winnie the Pooh:

"An Ambush," said Owl, "is a sort of Surprise."

"So is a gorse-bush sometimes," said Pooh.

Except it was a thistle. But it was highly reminiscent nonetheless.

Laughter and tiers

2011-04-13T21:47:00.004+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Black jacket: Topshop, in a sale (£25)
Necklace: present from my friends John and Anne
Brooch: made by me (£1)
Ribbon: from a dress
Skirt: H&M, bought on eBay (£1)
Tights: M&S (£1.20)
Shoes: Primark, bought in a charity shop in Cumbria (£6)

Total outfit cost: £34.20

The weather took a turn for the worse so I took advantage to wear this outfit that Pete and I shot at our studio shoot. Today was a busy and intense day and knowing that the photos were done was one less thing on my mind. I look at these and remember how much fun we had shooting them.

I love this skirt with its tiers of fabric and pairing it with the black really made it stand out. I love how the ruffles seem to flow directly from the jacket. Shooting against a plain white background helps everything stand out.

In other news, the lovely Amber at Fashion Bargainista.com gave me a versatile blogger award. Thanks so much Amber. I need to provide 7 random facts, so I thought I would look back over the comments and questions.

1. As you've probably spotted, I have been experimenting with the photos recently. If you're looking for inspiration, I recommend this book (which is my new go-to for inspiration) and Pete recommends this one, which I can vouch for as I stayed up until 2.30am reading it when I was down for a shoot. Oops.

2. Lots of my backdrops come from trawling through Flickr for images I like. Just search for your hometown and see what takes your fancy. Lots of people geotag their photos which means it's easy to find exactly where they were shot.

3. I have been doing a lot of eBay shopping recently. I'm lucky to find stuff for £1 (or 1p) but I also have advice on this post about finding great deals on eBay.

4. Some people have asked about wardrobe reviews. I've done three of these for friends recently and they have all been different. But overall it's a chance to revamp your wardrobe and can include defining your style, assessing why you love certain items and don't love others and styling up outfits. If anyone is in the north east of England and would like me to do a wardrobe review with them, drop me an email.

5. I am better at reviewing other people's wardrobes. I have too many clothes to store in my house, so I definitely need a clear out.

6. My craft pile is still there and has actually grown rather than shrunk. I promise to do at least one DIY this weekend.

7. I have a terrible habit of being up until 2am in an attempt to keep up to date with the blog. But I wouldn't swap it for the world and love having it.

If you'd like to see other answers to questions, take a look at these posts.

I'm passing the award on to:

Hello Monkeyface - great style, great self-portraits and great anecdotes. What more could a girl want from a blog?
Shybiker - Ralph's blog is a great mix of fashion, insight and probing questions that really make you think. In a good way.
Statements in Fashion - Collette is fun, sweet and one of the most supportive bloggers. And she looks amazing.
Advanced Style - want to see how we might all look in a few years, if we hang onto our style and our joie de vivre? These ladies make me want to get older. Really.
Joelle Van Dyne - stylish and classic with a quirky touch.
Oranges and Apples - a fellow UK blogger who always wears lots of colour (always a good thing) and also posts well-researched articles about a range of topics.
Style Scrapbook - clean lines, great cuts and edgy details, I love the looks Andy puts together.

Everybody EveryWear: Rocking a maxi

2011-04-12T21:55:00.002+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Skull and crossbones jacket: Tripp, swapped at Magpie Swop (free)
Dress: New Look, in a sale (£5)
Vest top (underneath): Knickerbox (£10)
Earrings: ? (about £5)
Necklace: bought on eBay (£1)
Boots: Schuh, present from my Nan

Total outfit cost: £21

Today is Everybody EveryWear and it's the maxi dress edition.

Having been wearing my striped or blue maxis, it seemed time to showcase this one which one of the guys in the office says looks like a summer garden.

That is clearly far too sweet, so I added some major pattern mixing by adding my skull and crossbones jacket. I love this piece, it's so extreme and yet from a distance it's much more subdued because you don't notice the print. The perfect piece for work.

Just a simple shoot tonight as my first backdrop wasn't available and I had to change venues at the last minute. But I like the way that the graffiti complements the look and keeps it with the rock theme that I seem to have going on. As Clare might say, it's all a little bit badass.

Check out everyone else's look on the Everybody Everywear website.

For the frill of it

2011-04-11T22:58:00.002+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Trench: Debenhams, present from my Nan and Grandad
Dress: Primark, bought on eBay (£3.70)
Necklace: vintage, bought at Tynemouth market (£4)
Fair trade scarf: Traidcraft (£15)
Flower clip (on scarf): present from my friend Ana
Bag: bought on eBay (1p)
Shoes: Damita K, bought on eBay (£1.20)

Total outfit cost: £23.91

Today's outfit is brought to you by the colours purple and burgundy and the word ruffles. I started with the dress, added in the scarf and then picked up the burgundy with the shoes and flower clip. I really liked the outcome.

The final look felt somewhat vintage with the long-sleeved dress and its buttoned sleeves and the two-tone shoes. So today's shoot was an idea for a brief encounter style meeting on a bridge.

It was also the most challenging shoot I have done, as the light was challenging and I was surrounded by 10 year olds on bikes. They asked me if I was a model and then asked me if I was a poser. And I said yes and then I explained the full concept behind blogging to them. That got rid of them sharpish. I bet this never happens at Vogue.

The getting ready shots in the car were also really challenging. I'm not sure whether anyone has ever tried to manage a camera, remote release, mirror and mascara all at the same time, but let me tell you, it's not easy. It is fun though.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. I'm off to catch up with everyone's blogs.

Curiouser and curiouser

2011-04-10T20:38:00.002+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Shirt: In Wear, bought on eBay (£1)
Dress: Eucalyptus (£75)
Necklace: passed on by my friend Lilith
Fair trade bracelet: passed on from my old boss
Shoes: bought on eBay (£4)

Total outfit cost: £80

I wanted to wear this Alice in Wonderland look last week but it was a little too chilly to do so. So I'm taking advantage of the good weather today and giving it an outing. 22C is definitely a good thing.

This dress is one of those amazing pieces that I find so interesting. It can be worn long or tied up to give the volume in the skirt. Combined with the shirt it feels very spring-like and very Alice in Wonderland to me. Although I don't normally wear these colours, I love the final look.

I'm also showing my new shoes which were a bargain from eBay. Hooray for leather brogues in metallic hues. I have no idea why someone would want to sell these. Their loss, my gain.

I decided to do a shoot as a break from tidying up and sorting the house out. Following Pete's advice, this one is definitely telling a story. I was lucky enough to remember the hole in the ground (quite an advanced rabbit, clearly) and I had some fun shooting from a low angle to change the proportions.

There is likely to be a follow-up shoot with Pete at some point in the future. Watch this space.

Make hay while the sun shines

2011-04-09T21:44:00.002+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Jacket: M&S kids range, bought in a secondhand shop (£15)
Top: Monsoon, bought on eBay (£1)
Shorts: Topshop, in a sale (£18)
Fishnets: M&S, in a sale (£2)
Boots: Matalan, in a sale (£14)

Total outfit details: £50

It's getting quite warm and while I'm loving the sun and the light, the weather is making me realise that I need to get the final wear from my winter looks. This one was shot as part of the studio session with Pete and despite the thick jacket, it's still wearable because of the shorts and the fishnet tights.

Life is a little challenging at the moment and having some outfits that have already been photographed is one less thing to worry about. And it's great to look back on these shots and remember what a fun time we had taking them.

Hi to all my new followers. It's so great to have you along.

Friend Friday: Upward trend

2011-04-08T23:59:00.002+01:00

This week's Friend Friday is about the top five Spring trends that I'm looking forward to this season? I thought I'd share some of the files that I have in my inspiration folder and what I am hoping to be wearing this season.

Colour

Source: Maurizio Pecoraro

This one probably won't come as a surprise to most of you. I love colour in my clothes choices and this season is bursting with it. Count me in.

70s

Source: Fuji Files (1 and 3), Keiko Lynn, Carrie (SATC)

I love flares, I love maxi dresses and I love 70s styling. For me, this is the perfect look and you'll be seeing a lot of it this spring. Can't wait.

Boy meets girl

Source: unknown, Stylish White Female, unknown, A Stylised Hysteria

Braces, ties, masculine trousers. I love all of this. I have started to embrace this trend and I'm looking forward to reworking it throughout the spring.

Japanese

Source: Advanced Style, Haider Ackermann, Reed Krackoff, Topshop

Kimonos, obi belts and deep colours are all key to this look and things that I love. I'm looking forward to styling up these items and incorporating more japanese influence into my clothes.

Lace

Source: unknown, unknown, Valentino, Dolce e Gabbana

I love lace. It adds an amazing texture and can be light and feminine or tough and edgy. I'm really pleased to see this as a key trend this spring.

How about you guys? What are you looking forward to wearing this Spring?

That's all for this week. Katy at Modly Chic sets these questions each week and bloggers answer them as a way to share more information with their readership. I think it's a great idea and will joining in every week.

The green, green grass and home

2011-04-07T23:29:00.001+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Military cardigan: Asos, in a sale (£18)
Vest: Primark, present from my Nan and Grandad
Necklace: present from my friend Bethan
Skirt: Next, bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£3.50)
Tights: ? (about £4)
Shoes: Primark, bought in a charity shop in Cumbria (£6)

Total outfit cost: £31.50

It's windy in the north east of England. I thought I would make the most of it by going to the top of a hill for today's photos. I love this spot and how its so rural but you can see Newcastle in the background. Green, green grass and home behind me.

The skirt paired with the military cardigan was an obvious combination. I added some khaki tights and my new black shoes to keep the palette neutral. And then I went and got blown about in a field. A typical day for a blogger really.

Thank you all for your lovely comments recently. It's been so great to hear your thoughts and thanks for your encouragement about the photography. I'm a bit behind at the moment but I'll be popping by everyone's blogs very soon.

Looking Bonnie

2011-04-06T20:56:00.002+01:00

All photos by me

Outfit details:

Trench coat: Debenhams, present from my grandparents
Belt (on trench): from leather trench
Beret: Kangol, swapped at a Daisy Green event (free)
Jumper: Jaeger, passed on from my boss (free)
Scarf: vintage Jaeger, bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£1)
Ring: Accessorise, in a sale (£2)
Belt: swapped at Magpie Swop (free)
Skirt: Free People, swapped with Megan at Transmission Me (free)
Tights: ? (about £4)
Shoes: Primark, in a sale (£2)

Total outfit cost: £9

While wondering what to wear yesterday, I decided to Google some 70s films and when Bonnie and Clyde came back in the results, I knew I wanted to recreate the look.

A trench, scarf and beret are key parts of the look. Add a midi length skirt and some heeled brogues and I reckon this is fairly close to the original.

With Pete away, it was down to me to do the shoot on my own. I chose the perfect "hide-out" for the shots. Pete once told me that a photo should tell a story so that's what I tried to do. It was great fun, even if it was incredibly windy. Certainly a day where a Gorillapod comes into its own.

I seem to be channeling film looks at the moment and this could be considered to be part three of my Seventies film series:

Klute

Annie Hall

Bonnie and Clyde

Between very and too

2011-04-05T19:53:00.000+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Shirt: Ben Sherman, swapped (free)
Earrings: present from my Mum and Dad
Necklace: Denise Humphrey, present from my friends for my birthday
Brooch (on skirt waistband): present from my friend Ana
Skirt: Et Vous, bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£3)
Tights: M&S (£1.20)
Shoes: Dorothy Perkins, bought in a charity shop in Whitley Bay (£5)

Total outfit cost: £9.20

How short is this skirt? I reckon somewhere between "very" and "too". I am really pushing the boundaries of the dress code with this one but despite its barely there presence, it got a lot of compliments at work.

I wanted the shoes and skirt to be the main focus so I kept the rest of the outfit simple with black and touches of gold. But the shirt has its own quirkiness with its oversized cuffs.

Does anyone else colour theme when they go shopping? I don't do it intentionally but then I will look in my bag and realise that everything I have bought is the same colour. This happened with the skirt and shoes. It makes putting an outfit together very easy.

Thanks Pete for today's lunchtime shoot. It was blowy, chilly and funny, not necessarily in that order.

Aztec on camera

2011-04-04T21:29:00.001+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Cardigan: Dorothy Perkins, in a sale (£9.60)
Fair trade vest: M&S (£3.50)
Necklace: leaving present from an old job
Blue rose earrings: present from Mum and Dad
Skirt: Asos, bought on eBay (£1)
Tights: Dorothy Perkins (£4)
Boots: Vanilla Moon (£140)

Total outfit cost: £158.10

A new skirt and I love it. It's silk, it has an amazing Aztec pattern and it was one pound. It doesn't take much to make me happy (OK, it does but this skirt ticked all the right boxes).

I had a nice relaxed morning off work and then headed in this afternoon. This is the perfect way to start a Monday and I think I might try to do it every week.

After work, Pete and I headed over to the sea for a quick photoshoot, the idea being to match the colours of the water to colours of the skirt. It was really windy and the skirt came into its own as it has a band at the bottom which stops any Marilyn moments occurring. It makes it harder to walk but it totally earns its keep in this weather. If only it was a bit warmer.

When the green woods laugh

2011-04-03T21:16:00.000+01:00

Outfit details:

Jacket: Dunnes, bought in Flip Vintage in Dublin (£25)
Tea dress: Dorothy Perkins, bought in a charity shop in Morpeth (£5)
Vest (worn under dress): La Redoute (£4)
Earrings: present from Mum and Dad
Fair trade necklace: Traidcraft, in a sale (£1)
Tights: M&S (£1.20)
Boots: bought in Magpie Swop (£8.50)

Total outfit cost: £44.70

For me, this is the optimal trans-seasonal look: a short-sleeved light dress with a leather jacket and boots. I love how the green of this jacket picks up the leaves in the dress and the scenery.

Spring is sneaking round the corner but not quite here yet. This time of year is challenging for me, as I yearn for lighter colours and fabrics but the weather isn't quite there. I actually had a completely different outfit in mind for today but it simply wasn't warm enough to actually wear it. It's now hung in the wardrobe together, ready for warmer weather. I can't wait.

Saturday day fever

2011-04-02T15:20:00.000+01:00

All photos by Pete

Outfit details:

Fur jacket: M&S kids, bought in a secondhand shop (£15)
Hat: New Look, in a sale (£1)
Top: Feraud, swished from my old boss via Louisa (free)
Flares: bought in a charity shop in Cumbria (£1)
Boots: Asos, in a sale (£30)

Total outfit cost: £47

The 70s look is back and I, for one, am delighted. I love nothing more than flares, floaty maxi dress and mixed patterns. Maybe it's because I was born in 1974 and it makes me feel safe and reminds me of my childhood. Maybe I just love it.

I wore this outfit today and was rather hot. Never mind, I love the look. Pete and I shot these in the studio a few weeks ago and I love how everything pops against the black. As Shybiker has commented, I seem to be floating in space. A fantastic, fun shoot and a lollipop. What more could a girl want?

I had a lovely day today. My morning started so well as I found out I had been featured in two places:

I'm in Wendy Brandes' post for the Huffington Post. Red trousers rock. Thanks for including me, Wendy
Shybiker did a wonderful post about the blog. Thanks Ralph, you're amazing.

Hi to my new followers too. It's great to have you here. That long-promised giveaway is coming soon to say thank you to everyone who visits.

Friend Friday: The rules of engagement

2011-04-01T21:26:00.004+01:00

Pic by Pete

This week is about how to engage with other bloggers. Don't worry, I am not suggesting that dressing like the Bride and carrying a big sword is how I do this. But I couldn't resist giving this photo an outing.

1. Guest posts are a good way to gain new exposure. What do you think is the appropriate way to go about securing a guest spot?
I tend to wait until someone approaches me, rather than actively asking. To be honest, I struggle with juggling a full-time job, a daily photoshoot, blogging and commenting on other people's blogs, so I have only managed to do one guest post. I would love to do more but cloning myself is not an option so it's limited at the moment.

2. Leaving comments is essential to growing your blog. But how can you leave a comment without coming across as ‘Follow Me. Follow Me!’?
I think, as with most things in the blogging world, it's about being genuine. If you engage with people's content, comment on their outfit or what they have written, then you are actually building a conversation. For me, this is more important than growing my blog.

Most people will pop in to visit you if you comment and hopefully, if they like what they see they will stay. This is a much better way to build your blog in my opinion.

3. We’ve all gotten a mass email at one time or another asking for blog exposure, a link exchange, etc… But the mass emails don’t work. How do you make your email stand out from the crowd?
I don't use email to promote my blog. I do engage in conversations on a few Google Groups where I can add value (explaining Google Analytics, sharing information, encouraging new people) but again, it's about providing meaningful engagement rather than trying to build my blog per se.

4. In interacting with other bloggers where do you draw the line between seeking support and begging for exposure?
Since I started my blog, I tend to interact with other bloggers in comments or by email, so the above points cover that.

But before I even started my blog, I needed to do a photoshoot for a possible magazine piece. My friend offered to take my photos and, to be frank, I was a little terrified. I contacted Jessica at What I Wore and she was amazing. She gave me fantastic advice and was really supportive. This blog wouldn't have been here without her.

That was the only time I have specifically asked for support and it was a real request. Apart from that, it's about building a relationship with my readers. Not everyone has a blog but all my visitors are valuable to me.

5. What’s one rule of engagement error you made and how have you remedied that?
I am still trying to find a better commenting system for the blog. I would love to be able to reply to comments directly and for people to receive an email when I have replied. I haven't yet found a system I am happy with so I am going to carry on looking. Any recommendations gratefully received.

That's all for this week. Katy at Modly Chic sets these questions each week and bloggers answer them as a way to share more information with their readership. I think it's a great idea and will joining in every week.

Block it out

2011-03-31T20:11:00.068+01:00

Outfit details:

Jacket: M&S, present from my aunt and uncle
Dress: H&M (£15)
Necklace: leaving present from an old job
Boots: New Look (£20)

Total outfit cost: £35

I am at a loss for words tonight. This never happens as talking is one of the things I do best. But 11 hours at work and 8.5 hours of back-to-back meetings without a break have taken their toll on my creativity. Don't worry, I have a day off tomorrow to recover.

So I will just say that I like the block colours here and how they pop against the backdrop. Pete and I shot these in the studio and the backdrop was a random but fortuitous occurrence where we thought we would be shooting against red and it turned out to be yellow. So I swapped outfits and this was the result.

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments recently. You make me smile and keep me going when I have a challenging day. I'm off to treat myself to a much needed cup of tea.

Send in the cavalry

2011-03-30T22:26:00.001+01:00

Outfit details:

Jacket: Firefly, bought on eBay (1p!)
Shirt: Windsmoor, bought at a Daisy Green designer sale (£5)
Necklace: Traidcraft, bought in a sale (£1)
Skirt: Hobbs (£50)
Tights: Primark, in a sale (£1)
Boots: Faith, in a sale (£55)

Total outfit cost: £112.01

A bit of equestrian with my outfit and a bit military with the backdrop must combine for a cavalry look.

I've had this jacket for ages but I hardly ever wore it because it was a very muted green and didn't go with anything else I had. So I dyed it burgundy. I like it a whole lot more now, which is a good thing because after I had finished the whole of the bathroom looked like a scene from Dexter.

Thanks to Pete for today's shoot. It was great fun to be able to take photos in front of this abandoned museum. The doors match my jacket (a conscious decision) and the columns are wonderful. Shooting here gives the perfect opportunity to clone myself in the shots. If only I could do this in real life.

Runway to work day: Primary motivation

2011-03-29T21:59:00.003+01:00

Outfit details:

Coat: H&M, bought in a charity shop in Newcastle (£5)
Cardigan: Dorothy Perkins, bought in a sale (£9.60)
Pearl earrings: present from my Mum and Dad
Vintage faux pearls: passed on from my Mum
Trousers: H&M, swished at the Make Do and Mend Fair (free)
Tights: Dorothy Perkins (£4)
Sandals: Dorothy Perkins, in a sale (£25)

Total outfit cost: £43.90

Apologies to any US readers who are shocked by my early outing of white trousers. I'm a rebel like that. It's day three of primary colours with neutrals. I seem to be liking this look at the moment. Maybe I should commit to the full week like Jodi.

I haven't done a runway to work day look for a while but this 3.1 Phillip Lim look has been in my inspiration folder for a while. Not sure why I waited so long.


My look	Catwalk

Pete is back in the north so we headed out to 55 Degrees North for these shots. Hooray for amazing bright backdrops and enough daylight to make the most of them. Fun times (as always).

The sting

2011-03-28T19:29:00.001+01:00

Outfit details:

Black jumper: French Connection (£40)
Scarf: bought in Oxfam in Durham (£5)
Belt: swapped at an event (free)
Yellow paisley skirt: Cherokee, bought on eBay (£1)
Tights: M&S (£1.20)
Boots: New Look (£20)
Bag: Primark (£6)

Total outfit cost: £73.20

Yellow and black. I'm channeling my inner wasp. Wasp is actually one of my nicknames. I'm called Vespa by some of my friends, which means wasp in Portuguese. Apparently I have a bit of a sting.

I love this skirt. It's the best colour and print and it's got pockets. It's also way too big (the joys of eBay shopping) hence the paperbag waist courtesy of the leopard buckle belt. Belts can salvage anything.

Today Michelle and I headed out at lunchtime and got lost. We were planning to head to the cemetery and we simply couldn't find the entrance. This underpass was nearby and had been on my backdrop list for a while. It was the perfect place to shoot and really allowed the yellows to take centre stage. Serendipity.

I love it when that happens.

Red alert

2011-03-27T21:50:00.000+01:00

Outfit details:

Lace jacket: Awear, in a sale (£25)
Edwardian top: H&M, bought in Oxfam in Durham (£4)
Red jeans: New Look, bought on eBay (£3.20)
Boots: Schuh, present from my Nan

Total outfit cost: £32.20

I keep seeing red jeans, red trousers and red tights in the blogging world. There's only so long a girl can resist and now I am wearing this I wonder why I have been even trying. As a self-confessed colour addict, red jeans are the natural next step. I've had these a while so it's good to get them out again.

It's finally warm enough for the lace jacket again. How I have missed it. It adds some great texture to looks and helps ground a look without being too heavy. I think it may be my favourite jacket.

I headed out late today to do these photos to a spot that I found when Pete and I shot this outfit. I'd nearly finished with the shoot when the guy from the builders yard opposite came running over the road and asked what I was doing. The conversation went like this:

Him: What are you doing?

Me: Taking photos

Him: Why?

Me: I have a blog

Him: Well you can't do that. It's not on.

Me: Eh?

Then he looked at the camera and realised that it was pointed towards to shutters and not his possibly illegal bonfire he was having in the back yard of his builders yard. Apparently he'd told the fire brigade but the council regulations are somewhat unclear as to whether he could actually burn stuff. We both had a laugh when he realised that all was well.

The hills have eyes

2011-03-26T23:16:00.000Z

Outfit details:

Coat: Autonomy, in a sale (£20)
Shirt: Laura Clement, swapped at a Daisy Green event (free)
Tank top: Oasis, in a sale (£10)
Brooch (at collar): swapped at Magpie Swop (free)
Shorts: Topshop, in a sale (£18)
Lace tights: M&S, in a sale (£4)
Boots: Vanilla Moon (£140)

Total outfit cost: £192

Check out those first and third photos. There's totally a face in the rock. Is that what they call a rockface? I love these weird phenomenon where there are faces in natural formations.

Today was about a mix of textures (lace tights, ripped shorts, stripes and ribs) and a lot of purple. I wanted something comfortable and relaxed and this totally fitted the bill.

This afternoon I headed over to my friend Michelle's house to do a wardrobe review for her. We had great fun, so much so that we didn't realise six hours had passed. But I earned my keep by defining her style (bohemian bombshell) and then styling up 50 outfits for her. She has a fantastic wardrobe of clothes and happily she is now excited about them again. I love it when that happens.

Friend Friday: Fashion and feminism

2011-03-25T23:13:00.001Z

This week's questions are about feminism and fashion and their compatibility or otherwise. Are we being pulled in different directions?

1. Do you think there is an incompatibility between feminism and a love for fashion?
In order to answer is, I think we better look at what we mean by feminism. Personally, I have issues with that word because it carries so many connotations. But in its purest form, it relates to equal opportunities.

Personally I cannot see how a love of fashion could be in conflict with feminism. Clothes are about self-expression and if we are to be truly free and equal, we should (and are) able to dress any way we like.

While I fully recognise that there will be certain reactions and assumptions to clothing choices that cannot be controlled, I would say that if anyone is oppressed by society's view of what they can and can't wear, it's men. As women, we can wear menswear or womenswear and have way more options open to us.

2. There is more to each of us than a love for fashion, how do you incorporate every aspect of yourself into your blog?
The simple answer is that I don't. What I wear is simply one aspect of who I am and I am no more fully represented by what I wear than by the things I choose not to wear.

This blog allows me to express myself through clothes, photography and writing, but it never aims to fully capture everything I am. It's simply one part of what makes me me.

3. With the fashion industry still being a male-dominated profession, how do you think it would differ if women played a larger role?
With the increase in women heading up fashion houses (Stella McCartney, Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen) there may be changes coming.

But there's quite a lot of female designers who have been around for some time (Sonia Rykiel, Diane von Fustenberg, my personal favourite Vivienne Westwood) and at the end of the day, I think it's about the personal aesthetic of the designer rather than their gender.

I think the catwalks show female designers are no more likely to use a diversity of models. It's all about commercial decisions and what sells and women are as savvy as men in seeing this. In fact, it's the men who are pushing the boundaries here (thank you Mark Fast).

4. How is your self-image and the way you carry yourself informed by your beliefs?
It's my belief that everyone (men and women) should wear what makes them happy. If that's 5 inch heels or a pair of trainers, then go for it. Life is too short and too stressful without worrying about how people judge you and your clothes. You can't please all the people, so you may as well please yourself. :-)

5. Do you think clothing/makeup/hair helps communicate the truth about yourself or are those things superfluous add-ons?
For me, it's somewhere in between. The clothes I choose are what make me happy and suit my mood, but they also in some way reflect how I feel. Beyond that, I don't consider these things too closely. For me, getting dressed should be fun.

How about you guys? I would love to hear your take on this topic. Please share in the comments below.

That's all for this week. Katy at Modly Chic sets these questions each week and bloggers answer them as a way to share more information with their readership. I think it's a great idea and will joining in every week.