Something simple

I thought it was maybe time to step away from all the glitz and sparkle of Christmas and post  a more simple outfit. This was taken just two days after I had my tooth out, calling for a good dollop of blusher and a slash of bright red lippy to brighten up my rather peely-wally (aka peaky) complexion.

All the jewellery is pre-loved, including the necklace and bracelet that I picked up last week.

The grey sweater and culottes are both from Primark, again recent purchases. The grey long sleeved tee is a thermal layer from M&S and the boots are from H&M.

 Oh how I love these boots!

Every time I wear these red sockboots I feel the cost has been justified. But, more importantly, I just love how glamorous they make me feel and the fit is so comfortable too. Today's outfit is all about comfort in fact, as the culottes have a fully elasticated waist which will be very handy round about Christmas time when waistlines have the habit of expanding no matter how good ones intentions are. I've chosen a shift dress to wear on Christmas day for the very same reason. 

I hope to sneak another post in before Christmas Day, but in case I don't I'd like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and also say thank you for joining me as we near the end of another year. Whether you're a regular reader or a now and again visitor I'm so pleased to have you around. But one last thing - I was asked about my party outfit and what I finally alighted on for the event. Well, I wore this skirt and top (see here) but I added these boots instead (see here). The whole outfit made me feel very comfortable, so much so, that yes, I did dance after all! 

Anna x

5Over50 do Christmas jumpers

Hello and welcome to the Christmas edition of 5Over50, the one where we don our Christmas jumpers. This month Laurie chose the item to be styled and really it was a no brainer - we had to go with the festive Christmas jumper!  

I'm going to skip right along here to show you the other ladies from our collective, starting with Gail, the founder of our group.

Gail's posh Rudolph jumper is from Boden which she's styled very classically with her large pearl necklace and tartan skirt. I had to smile when I saw this as I'd put together a very similar look at one stage. Our non-conferring system means we really have no idea how the others are going to present the challenge which is all part of the fun I suppose. See the full post on Gail's blog Is This Mutton here.

Jacqui of Mummabstylish blog has chosen a very understated Christmas jumper for the feature, and the charm isn't lost on me as I just love this gold sparkle. The simple elegance will surely make this a thoroughly wearable sweater for years to come too. Do pop over to see Jacqui's write up on our challenge.

And here's Hilda of Over The Hilda blog with her dear little grandson, both sporting their fairisle Christmas jumpers. How cute are they? I've yet to experience the joys of grandchildren, but can imagine the wonder of Christmas through their eyes as I'm pretty much still a child myself! 

Laurie's Christmas jumper boasts three beautifully ornate Christmas trees which are actually Christmas tree decorations that she has cleverly stitched in place. What a great idea! Pop over to see the full story on Laurie's blog Vanity And Me Style here. 

Outift details - jumper: H&M, skirt: Ted Baker, boots: Topshop, tights: old, jewellery: pre-loved.

My Christmas jumper isn't new, but the skirt is. Since my last post, I've had a mercy dash to the mainland to have a tooth extracted, but as they say Every cloud has a silver lining and this meant a quick burst of shopping in the midst of everything else. I could write an entire post about all the things that I did wrong around my dental appointment, but it would only go to prove what an idiot I was in face of my biggest fear. Sufice to say, the tooth and a lot of infected gum have been removed and I'm all the better for it now.

Moving quickly on then, I found this Ted Baker skirt in TK Maxx reduced from £200 to £49.99. Well, how could I resist? I thought it would be perfect not only for this challenge, but also for my birthday next month. Details of that nearer the time dear reader, but I have plans, I have big plans. 

In the meantime, we from the 5Over50 collective would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and say thank you so much for following us over the past few months. Do check out the other ladies blogs too if you get a moment. I'll be back in a few days with something a bit more casual for a change.

Anna x

Sequins, beading and embroidery

It's been an eventful time since I last posted. Unfortunately most of it has been health related, hence this middle of the night posting. I've got toothache, that keep-you-awake, throbbing type toothache. I think it's actually an infection underneath the tooth as antibiotics are helping. On top of that I've also had a two day migraine. I only tell you by way of apology for my absence, not for pity. Hopefully by the next time we get together all will be remedied. In the meantime, let's get on with the party preparations, shall we?

The annual island party is less than a week away and I'm still dithering about what to wear. You may remember this skirt from last year. See how I styled it up that time here.

I'm pleased to say that the only new thing here are the boots, and oh what boots! And best of all, they're super comfy and I can dance in them - I did my happy dance when they arrived.

Beading, sequins and embroidery - I feel very at home with all these embellishments.

Outfit details - skirt: H&M, jacket: TK Maxx, top, clutch and rings: pre-loved, necklace: old, tights: Dorothy Perkins, boots Zara (still available here).

The top is sleeveless, so if I get too hot, I can just slip the jacket off and I'm ready to dance. I know I said about not dancing cos I'm tea total, but honestly, I just like to give myself a get out clause. I'm a bit funny like that. I think I don't like to build something up to being too wonderful in case it doesn't deliver. It saves you from that sense of anticlimax, you know? On the outside I look like a grown woman and yet inside is the 16 year old me still getting excited about whether I'll be brave enough to get up and dance. I suppose that's where a bit of Dutch courage comes into it, eh? 

Golly you can tell it's the middle of night by the amount of blathering that's going on here. There's no filter, just a stream of unconscious drivel I'm afraid. Well done you for hanging on in there in the hope of something worthwhile! But wait, there is something worth a look. I've been doing some sewing, a little bit of hand sewing to take my mind off my toothache.

I bought these velvet trousers for a pound, (yes that's 100 pennies!) in a charity shop in Exeter a couple of years ago and so far I've never worn them. Anyway, I decided to chop a few inches off the bottom and scavenge the bead work from this (very scratchy) top to make...

...these! Beaded crop trousers that are totally unique. The weight of the trim helps to give the trouser bottoms a real swish factor as well as looking lovely, don't you think? It was a labour of love, and did stretch my patience, but I'm so glad I persevered. I'm going to see what I can find in my wardrobe to go with these and will showcase them soon. Thanks for dropping by, and apologies if I've not replied to your comments or visited your blog lately.

Anna x

Metallics, maybe?

Here's another trial run for the annual Christmas party. I bought the rather fabulous silver boots in TK Maxx some time ago and have been waiting for the right moment to wear them. 

I've worn the skirt before (see here) and think I might be a bit formulaic in how I style it, but I reckon the dazzle of the metallic fabric plus pleating deem it necessary to have a simple top.

It's all about the boots for me today.

The polo neck is black and gold lurex and may be the ideal sweater to have around at this time of year as it goes with so many outfits. I fancy it could be turning up like a rash all over Christmas.

Outfit details - sweater: H&M, skirt: Sainsbury's, boots: Buffalo, sunglasses: Quay Australia, clutch and rings: pre-loved.

So, could this be my party outfit this year? I'm pleased to say that the boots are the only new thing here. I've done some Black Friday shopping and will show you that in a moment, but I'm hoping to recycle some clothes throughout the festive period too. I have lots of sequined pieces which never go out of fashion and will be trying those on this weekend to see what I can conjure up. Our party is on the 17th and I predict I'll be in a quandary right up to the last minute. The minus points about this option are - will I be too hot in a roll neck meaning I just won't want to dance? And will the new boots pinch so much that I can't dance? (Having said that, being tea-total sometimes means I just don't dance as I'm not relaxed enough anyway.)

Anyway, I've kept you waiting for long enough (Sheila) so here goes with my Zara shopping from Black Friday -

A midi floral dress has been on my wish list for ages and this ticks all the boxes.

I see this as a perfect day dress for those lunchtime drinks do's, and will work with both these silver boots or my red sock boots.

Another useful dress in green velvet with orange and purple flowers.

One pair of sock boots comes from Primark and the other from Zara...can you tell which?

The next run of shots are charity shop finds and really don't look very good on the mannequin which is probably why I've not shown them previously. The usual bed spread display doesn't work at this time of year as it's too dark. Trust me, these all look better on me.

Crazy, fluffy and turquoise, yep it's fab.

A grey denim shirt with stretch and black chiffon maxi skirt.

Vintage St Michael dress and red belt. 

Country Casuals dress with beading - useful for a show next year?

The blouse is another vintage find and the skirt is green faux suede with stretch.

Last of all is this tweed trench from Topshop which cost me all of £5.

That's just about it then folks. I'll be back on Sunday with another party offering as I search for the elusive perfect outfit. I never manage to choose a work outfit until the morning, so I can't imagine that I'll be able to do any different about this party piece either. In the meantime, do feel free to chip in with your suggestions. Was there something from last Christmas that I could be wearing again perhaps?

Are you still searching for your Christmas frock? Or are you looking for something more casual for Christmas at home? Good luck with all your shopping, and see you soon.

Anna x